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from he a ring on his little finger from another rapid movement and a gold watch is thrust before the bewildered gaze of his listener from my in i am i am here to and his fingers through his long locks he around him mr rush is a little frightened this is an eccentric personage he must be soothed evidently he must be soothed yes yes i quite understand i he says nodding at the excited genius you are here to play exactly yes yes we shall all have the pleasure of hearing you presently delightful i m sure i you are the celebrated adds the yes oh er yes and mr desperately with this terrible name oh er yes i er know you by reputation er oh er yes i pray excuse me for a moment and catching the commanding eye of his wife he hastily away from the piano and her she is talking to the van and she wants him to take away mr van a white headed cunning looking old man for a uttle conversation in order that she may be free to talk over certain naughty bits of scandal with mrs van and to night there is no place to sit down in all the grand extent of the drawing rooms old occupy the and chairs and the largest and most brilliant portion of the assemblage are standing grinning into each other s faces with and polite and talking as rapidly as though their lives depended on how many words they could utter within the space of two minutes mrs rush mrs van and make their way slowly through the pushing crowd till they form a part of the little immediately round lady to whom at the first opportunity mrs whispers have they come the modem paris and the new laughs lady with a shrug of her snowy shoulders no not yet perhaps they won t turn up at all dear you look charming where is lord i guess he s not a thousand miles away returns with a knowing twinkle of her dark eyes he ll hang round here presently why there s mr worrying in at the doorway worrying in is scarcely the term to apply to the polite but i determined manner in which george coolly elbows a passage among the heaving bare shoulders backs fat arms and long trains that seriously his passage but after some trouble he in his efforts to reach his fair hostess who receives him with rather a of her delicate eyebrows the land of mockery j dear me mr you are quite a stranger she somewhat we thought y ou had made up your mind to settle in did you really though and smiles languidly i wonder at that for you knew i came back from that region in the august of last year and since then i suppose you have played the her indifferently her fan of feathers and waving it slowly to and fro by no means i went off to scotland with a friend and had some excellent shooting then as i never permit my venerable mamma to pass the winter in london i took her to nice from which delightful spot we returned three weeks ago lady laughs i did not ask you for a explanation of your movements mr she says i m sure i hope you enjoyed yourself he bows gravely thanks i yes to i did manage to extract a little pleasure here and mere out ot me universal of things have you seen your friend sir philip since he came to town asks mrs rush in her stately way several times i have dined with him and lady frequently i understand they are to be here to night lady herself a little more rapidly and her full crimson lips into a thin malicious line well i asked them of course as a matter of form she says carelessly but i sh on the whole be rather relieved if they don t come a curious amused look comes over s face indeed may i ask why i should think the reason ought to be perfectly apparent to you and her s eyes flash angrily sir philip is all very well he is by birth a gentleman but the person he has married is not a lady and it is an exceedingly unpleasant duty for me to have to receive her a faint tinge of colour s brow i think he says slowly i think you will find yourself mistaken lady i believe here he pauses and mrs rush him with a stony stare i u are we to understand that she is educated she positively well educated laughs not according to the standard of modem fashionable he replies mrs the air lady curls her lip at that moment everybody makes respectful way for one of the most important guests of the evening a broad shouldered man of careless attire rough hair fine features and keen mischievous eyes a man of whom many stand in wholesome awe or as he is commonly called beau a brilliant critic and pitiless for him society is a game a gay humming top which he on the palm of his hand for his own private amusement once a in an bravely on bread and cheese and hope he now lords it more than half the year in a palace of fairy like beauty on the di and he is precisely the same person who was formerly and by fair ladies because his shabby yet for whom they now practise all the arts known to their sex in fruitless to charm and him for he laughs at them and their pretty ways and his laughter is merciless his glance tiie de on their blooming cheeks | 33 |
the on their lips and the on their he knows purchased hair from the natural growth and he has a cruel eye for the artificial of a make up figure and like a merry dancing in a forest he and in the vast fields of all forms of it are attacked and by his powerful and pen he is a sort of gathering in rich and daily from the never incessantly growing crop of fools and as he in all the wickedness of daring and superior intellect approaches lady draws herself up with the conscious air of a beauty who knows she is nearly perfect mrs rush makes a faint endeavour to settle the lace more modestly over her rebellious bosom smiles and mrs van brings her diamond value a thousand guineas more forward for as she thinks poor ignorant soul wealth always these literary men more than anything in one swift glance beau all these different movements and the inner the land of mockery fountain of his mirth begins to what fun these van are l he thinks the old woman s got a diamond plaster on her neck horrible taste she s anxious to show how much she s worth i suppose mrs wants a shawl and lady a by jove what sights the women do make of themselves but his face none of these reflections its expression is one of polite gravity though a sudden sweetness it as he shakes hands with lord and a sweetness that shows how remarkably handsome beau can look if he chooses he rests one hand on s shoulder why george old boy i thought you were playing the dutiful son at nice don t tell me you ve deserted the dear old lady i where is she you know ive got to finish that argument with her about her beloved laughs go and finish it when you like beau he answers my mother s all right she s at home you know she s always charmed to see you she s delighted with that new book of yours is she she finds pleasure in trifles then oh no mr lady with a winning glance you must not run yourself down the book is exquisite i got it at once from the library and read every line of it i am exceedingly flattered says with a grave bow though there is a little twinkling mockery in his glance when a lady so to read what i have written how can i express my emotion the press is unanimous in its praise of you remarks lord cordially you are quite the lion of the day oh quite beau laughing and do i not roar as sweet as any but i say where s the new beauty i really do not know to whom you allude mr replies lady coldly smiles and is silent beau looks from one to the other perhaps i ve made a mistake he says but the duke of is responsible he told me that if i came here to night i should see one of the loveliest women living lady he saw her in the park i think ms gentleman indicating sir francis who his moustache said quite openly at the club last night that she was the new beauty and that she would be here this evening lady a side glance at her that is far from pleasant really it s perfectly absurd she says with a scornful toss of her head we shall have and bar girls accepted as quite the rage next i do not know sir philip s wife in the least i hear she was a common farmer s daughter i certainly invited her to night out of charity and kindness in order that she might get a little accustomed to society for of course poor creature entirely ignorant and as she is everything will seem strange to her but she has not come sir philip and lady at this juncture there is a sudden hush a movement of excitement and the groups near the door fall apart staring and struck dumb with surprise as a tall radiant figure in dazzling white with diamonds flashing on a glittering of gold hair and wondrous sea blue earnest eyes passes through their midst with that royal free step and composed grace of bearing that might distinguish an of many nations good heavens what a magnificent woman beau realized lady turns very pale she and can scarcely regain her usual composure as sir philip with a proud tenderness lighting up the depths of his eyes leads this vision of youth and perfect loveliness up to her saying simply lady allow me to introduce to you my wife i this is lady there is a strange sensation in lady s throat as though a very tight string were suddenly drawn round it to almost point and it is certain that she feels as though she must scream hit somebody with her fan and rush from the room in an rage but she back these purely feminine emotions she smiles and extends her hand so good of you to come to night she says sweetly i have been longing to see you lady i dare say you know your husband is quite an old acquaintance of mine t the land of mockery and a glance like fire seen through smoke leaps from beneath her at sir philip but he sees it not he is and laughing gaily with and beau indeed yes answers in that soft low voice of hers which has such a thrilling richness within it and it is for that reason i am very glad to meet you it is always pleasant for me to know my husband s friends here she raises those marvellous innocent eyes of hers | 33 |
and smiles why does lady shrink from that frank and child like of regard why does she for one brief moment hate herself why does she so suddenly feel herself to be vile and beneath contempt god only knows but the first genuine blush that has tinged her s cheek for many a long day suddenly a hot and embarrassing tide of crimson over the polished of her skin and she says hurriedly i must find you some people to talk to this is my dear friend mrs rush i am sure you will like each other let me introduce mrs van to you mrs van and miss van these ladies bow stiffly while to their with easy grace sir francis continues lady and there is something like a sneer in her smile as that gentleman makes a deep and reverence with an unmistakable look of admiration in his sleepy tiger brown eyes then she turns to lord and adds in a casual way my husband lord advances rather eagerly there is a charm in the exquisite nobility of s face that touches his heart and appeals to the and poetical part of his nature sir philip and i have known each other for some years he says pressing her little fair hand cordially it is a great pleasure for me to see you to night lady i realize how very much my friend deserves to be congratulated on his marriage smiles this little speech pleases her but she does not accept the compliment implied to herself you are very kind lord she answers i am glad indeed that you like philip i do think with you that he deserves s good wishes it is my great desire to make him always happy a brief shadow crosses lord s thoughtful brow and he studies her sweet eyes attentively is she sincere does she mean what she says or is she like others of her sex merely playing a graceful part a slight sigh escapes him absolute truth innocent love and purity are written in such fair clear lines on that perfect countenance that the mere idea of questioning her sincerity seems a your desire is gratified i am sure he returns and his voice is somewhat sad i never saw him looking so well he seems in excellent spirits oh for that and she laughs he is a very light hearted boy but once he would tell me very dreadful things about the world how it was not at all worth living in but i do think he must have been lonely for he is very pleased with everything now and finds no fault at all i can quite understand that and lord smiles though that shadow of pain still rests on his brow mrs rush and the van are listening to the conversation with straining ears what strange person is this she does not talk bad grammar though her manner of expressing herself is somewhat quaint and foreign but she is perfectly the idea of any well bred woman to sing the praises of her own husband in public i absurd deserves s good wishes her great desire is to make him always happy f what utter rubbish and he is a light hearted boy good gracious what next van is strongly inclined to and mrs van is indignantly conscious that the diamonds far her own both for size and lustre at that moment sir philip approaches his wife with george and beau s smile at is tlie greeting of an old friend a sun bright glance that makes his heart beat a little quicker than usual he watches her as she turns to be introduced to while miss van thinking of the gift of satire with which that brilliant writer is endowed looks out for some fun for as she in a low tone lu mrs she ll never know how to talk to that man f i the land of mockery says sir philip this is the celebrated author you have often heard me speak of him she extends both her hands and her eyes and flash ah you are one of those great men whom we all love and admire she says with direct frankness and the cynical beau who has never yet received so sincere a compliment feels himself colouring like a i am so very proud to meet you i have read your wonderful book and it made me glad and sorry together for why do you draw a noble example and yet say at the same time that it is impossible to follow it because in one breath you inspire us to be good and yet you tell us we shall never become so that is not right is it beau meets her questioning glance with a grave smile it is most likely entirely wrong from your point of view lady he said some day we will talk over the matter you shall show me the error of my ways perhaps you will put life and the troublesome business of living in quite a new light for me you see we have an unfortunate trick of looking at the worst or most ludicrous side of everything we can t help it so many apparently lofty and pathetic turn out on close examination to be the meanest and most miserable of it s no good making them out to be grand greek poems when they are only base besides it s the fashion nowadays to be in literature to pick up the rags of life and sort them in all their before the morbid eyes of the public what s the use of spending thought and care on the manufacture of a and offering it to the people on a velvet cushion when | 33 |
he began to make his way out of the room when he was overtaken by beau who had followed him in haste where are you off to he asked good we want you to play there is a lady here who heard you in paris quite recently she you immensely won t you come and be introduced to her paused and a smile softened his hitherto angry countenance you are mr he remarked and i would do you but her understands me not she has offend me it is better i should take my leave oh bother her i said beau lightly come along and give us something in your best style so saying he led the half reluctant artist back to the piano where he was introduced to who gave him so sweet a smile that he was fairly dazzled it is you who play so beautifully she said my husband and i heard you at one of s in paris i fear and she looked wistfully at him that you would think it very rude and selfish of me if i asked you to play just one little piece because of course you are here to enjoy yourself and talk to your friends and it seems unkind to take you away from them a strange moisture the poor german s eyes this was the first time in england that the had been treated as a friend and a gentleman up to this moment at all the at homes end he had not been considered as a guest at all he was an artist a good a man who had the land of mockery played before the emperor of germany and he was expected to perform for nothing and be grateful for the influence exercised on his behalf influence which as yet had not put one single extra guinea in his pocket now here was a great lady almost for asking him to play lest it should take him away from his friends his heart swelled with emotion and gratitude the poor fellow had no friends in london except beau who was kind to him but who had no power in the musical world and as s gentle voice addressed him he could have knelt and kissed her little shoe for her sweet courtesy and kindness he said with a profound reverence i will for you with it will be a joy for music to make itself beautiful for you and with this fantastic attempt at a compliment he seated himself at the instrument and struck a crashing to command silence the hum of conversation grew louder than ever and to s surprise lady seated herself by her and began to converse struck another in vain the of tongues continued and lady asked with much seeming interest if the scenery was very romantic in the girl coloured deeply and after a little hesitation said excuse me i would rather not speak till the music is over it is impossible for a great to think his thoughts out properly unless there is silence would it not be better to ask to leave off talking while this gentleman plays looked amused my dear you don t know them she said carelessly they would think me mad to propose such a thing there are always a few who listen once more the poised his hands over the keys of the instrument looked a little troubled and grieved beau saw it and acting on a sudden impulse turned towards the chattering crowds and holding up his hand called silence please there was an astonished hush beau laughed we want to hear some music he said with the utmost coolness conversation can be continued afterwards he then nodded cheerfully towards who inspired by this open encouragement started off like a race horse into one of the exquisite rambling of gradually as he played his plain face took upon itself a noble thoughtful expression his wild eyes softened his frowning brow smoothed and meeting the grave rare blue eyes of he smiled his touch grew more and more delicate and tender from the he wandered into a of plaintive and exceeding melancholy which he played with thrilling and exquisite pathos anon he glided into one of those joyous yet sorrowful that remind one of bright flowers growing in wild over lonely and forsaken graves the had reason to boast of himself he was a perfect master of the instrument and as his fingers closed on the final a hearty burst of applause rewarded his efforts led by and he responded by the usual bow but his real gratitude was all for for her he had played his best and he had seen tears in her lovely eyes he felt as proud of her appreciation as of the ring he had received from the and bent low over the fair hand she extended to him you must be very happy she said to feel all those lovely sounds in your heart i hope i shall see and hear you again some day i thank you so very much for the pleasure you have given me lady said nothing and she listened to s words with a sort of contempt is the girl half she thought she must be or she would not be so enthusiastic the man plays well but it is his profession to play well it s no good these sort of people they are never grateful and they always impose upon you aloud she asked sir philip does lady play a little he answered she sings at once there was a chorus of polite voices round the piano oh do sing lady please give us one song and sir francis up fixed his gaze on s face murmuring you will | 33 |
not be so cruel as to refuse us such delight but of course not answered the girl greatly surprised at all the land of mockery these unnecessary entreaties i am always pleased to sing and she drew oflf her long loose gloves and seated herself at the piano without the least affectation of reluctance then glancing at her husband with a bright smile she asked what song do you think will be best philip one of those old mountain songs he answered she played a soft minor there was not a sound in the room now everybody pressed towards the piano staring with a curious fascination at her beautiful face and diamond crowned hair one moment and her voice in all its passionate glorious fulness rang out with a fresh tone that thrilled to the very heart and the foolish crowd that and listened was speechless motionless astonished and bewildered a mountain song was it how strange and grand and wild george stood apart his eyes ached with restrained tears he knew the melody well and up before him rose the solemnity of the hills the glittering expanse of the the dear old behind its cluster of pines again he saw as he had seen her first clad in her plain white gown spinning in the dark of the rose window again the words of the self destroyed came back to his recollection good things may come for others but for you the heavens are empty he looked at her now philip s wife in all the splendour of her rich attire she was than ever and her sweet nature was as yet by all the wealth and luxury around her good god what an she has come into he thought vaguely how will she stand these people when she gets to know them the van the rush and others like them and as for he turned to study her attentively she was sitting quite close to the piano her eyes were cast down but the on her bosom heaved quickly and and she and her fan impatiently i shouldn t wonder he went on meditating gravely if she doesn t try and make some mischief somehow she looks it at that moment ceased singing and the room rang with applause was overcome with admiration it is a voice of heaven he said in a rapture the fair singer was surrounded with people i hope said mrs van with her usual ill bred eager ness to herself with the and wealthy i hope you will come and see me lady i am at home every friday evening to my friends oh yes said simply but i am not your friend yet when we do know each other better i will come we shall meet each other many times first and then you will see if you like me to be your friend is it not so a scarcely concealed smile reflected itself on the faces of all who heard this but indefinite acceptance of mrs van s invitation while mrs van herself was somewhat and knew not what to answer this girl was evidently quite ignorant of the of polite society or she would at once have recognised the fact that an at home had nothing whatsoever to do with the obligations of friendship besides as far as friendship was concerned had not mrs van several of her own blood relations and former intimate acquaintances for the very sensible reason that while she had grown richer they had grown poorer but now mrs rush sailed up in all her glory with her good natured smile and air she was a privileged person and she put her arm round s waist you must come to me my dear she said with real kindness her heart had warmed to the girl s beauty and innocence i knew philip when he was quite a boy he will tell you what a dreadfully old woman i am you must try to like me for his sake smiled i always wish to like philip s friends she said frankly i do hope i shall please you a pang of remorse smote mrs rush s heart as she remembered how loth she had been to meet philip s peasant wife she hesitated then yielding to her warm impulse drew the girl closer and kissed her fair rose tinted cheek you please everybody my child she said honestly philip is a lucky man now i ll say good night for it is getting late i ll write to you to morrow and fix a day for you to come and lunch with me the land of mockery but you must also come and see philip returned pressing her hand so i will so i will and mrs rush nodded and made her way up to lady saying by bye thanks for a most charming evening going already she then in a lower tone she said well what do you think of her r a beautiful child no more answered mrs then studying with some gravity the brilliant face before her she added in a whisper leave her alone don t make her miserable you know what i mean it wouldn t take much to break her heart laughed harshly and played with her fan dear me you are perfectly outrageous do you think i m an ready to eat her up on the contrary i mean to be a friend to her mrs still looked grave i m glad to hear it she said only some friends are worse than declared enemies lady shrugged her shoulders go along go home to bed she exclaimed impatiently you are intense i hate sentimental philosophy and copy book she laughed again and folded her hands with an air of mock there i didn | 33 |
t mean to be rude good night dear old darling good night and mrs her timid husband from some far corner where he had remained in hiding took her departure with much a great many people were going down to supper by this time but sir philip was tired of the heat and glare and noise and whispered as much to who at once advanced to bid her hostess farewell won t you have some supper inquired her don t go yet but was determined not to detain her husband a moment longer than he wished so lady seeing were of no avail bade them both an good night we must see a great deal of each other she said pressing s hands warmly in her own i hope we shall be quite dear friends thank you said i do hope so too if you wish it so much good night lord let me escort you to your carriage said her noble host at once offering her his arm and allow me to follow added beau slipping his arm through s to whom he whispered how dare you sir how dare you be such a happy man in this miserable old world laughed and the little group had just reached the door of the drawing room when suddenly turned with a look of inquiry in her eyes where is mr she said i have forgotten to say good night to him philip here i am lady and sauntered forward with rather a forced smile a smile which altogether vanished leaving his face strangely pale as she stretched out her hand to him and said you bad mr where were you you know it would make me quite unhappy not to wish you good night ah you are a very naughty brother come home with us george said sir philip eagerly do there s a good fellow i can t answered almost i can t to night indeed i can t i don t ask me and he wrung his friend s hand hard and then bravely met s bright glance forgive me i he said to her i know i ought to have presented myself before i m a dreadfully lazy fellow you know good night regarded him you look what is it you call yourself sometimes f she observed not well at all mind you come to us tomorrow he promised and then accompanied them down to their carriage he and beau assisting to cover with her fur cloak and being the last to shake hands with sir philip as he sprang in beside his wife and called to the coachman home the magic word seemed to affect the horses for they started at a the land of mockery brisk and within a couple of minutes the carriage was out of sight it was a warm evening and as and love lace house beau stole a side glance at his silent companion a fellow he mused i should say he d die game won t his secret out of him aloud he said i say haven t we had enough of this don t let us sup here nothing but and cup the latter abominable mixture would kill me come on to the club will you gladly assented they got their from the tipped him handsomely and departed arm in arm the last glimpse they caught of the was van sitting on the stairs oflf with much the wing and half breast of a while the mild lord stood on the step just above her his appetite with a of yellow he had not been able to secure any for himself he had been frightened away by the warning cry of ladies first shouted forth by a fat gentleman who was on guard at the head of the supper table and who had already five plates of different for his own consumption in a neat comer behind the window curtains meanwhile sir philip proud happy and triumphant drew his wife into a close embrace as they drove home together and said you were the queen of the evening my have you enjoyed yourself oh i do not call that enjoyment she declared how is it possible to enjoy anything among so many strangers well what is it he asked she laughed also i do not know indeed what it is she said i have never been to anything like it before it did seem to me as if all the people were on show for some reason or other and the gentlemen did look very tired there was nothing for them to do even you my boy you made several very big did you know that philip laughed more than ever i didn t know it my pet he answered but i m not surprised big are the invariable result of an at home do you like beau very much she answered readily but philip i should not like to have so many friends as lady i thought friends were rare so they are i she doesn t care for these people a bit they are mere acquaintances whom does she care for then asked suddenly of course i mean after her husband naturally she loves him best naturally and philip paused adding she has her son he s a fine bright boy he was not there to night you must see him some day then i think her favourite friend is mrs rush i do like that lady too said she spoke very kindly to me and kissed me did she really and philip smiled i think she was more to be congratulated on taking the kiss than you in receiving it but she s not a bad old soul only a little too fond of money but whom care for most you did tell | 33 |
me once but i forget she turned her lovely face and star like eyes upon him and meeting his laughing look she smiled how often must i tell you she murmured softly i do think you will never tire of hearing you know that it is you for whom i care most and that all the world would be empty to me without you oh my husband my darling do not make me try to tell you how much i love you i cannot my heart is too full the rest of their drive homeward was very quiet there are times when silence is more eloquent than speech chapter iv a small cloud so slight as to be a mere speck on the fair blue sky was all the warning we received that evening great changes came into s before peaceful life she had conquered her enemies or so it seemed society threw down all its and rushed to meet her with open arms invitations crowded upon her often she grew tired and bewildered in the of them all london life the land of mockery wearied her she preferred the seclusion of the dear old house in green wooded but the season claimed her its were deemed without her no at home was considered quite the thing unless she was present she became the centre of a large and ever social circle painters poets wits and of high distinction crowded her rooms striving to entertain her as well as themselves with that small talk and gossip too often practised by the wisest among us and thus surrounded she began to learn many and painful things of which in her old hfe she had been happily ignorant for instance she had once imagined that all the men and women of culture who followed the higher professions must be a sort of joyous superior to other mortals not so gifted and under this impression she was at first eager to know some of the so called great people who had distinguished themselves in or the fine arts she had fancied that they must of necessity be all refined sympathetic large hearted and noble minded alas how was she disappointed she found to her sorrow that the tree of modern art bore but few wholesome roses and many that the joyous were not joyous at all but on the contrary inclined to and she found that even poets whom she had fondly deemed were the angel guides among the children of this earth were most of them painfully conceited selfish in aim and limited in thought moreover that they were often so empty of all true inspiration that they were actually able to hate and envy one another with a sort of spite and temper that to be in sympathy with the heart of humanity were no sooner brought into contact one with another than they plainly showed by look voice and manner the contempt they entertained for each other s work that men of science were never so happy as when trying to upset each other s theories that men of religious were always on the alert to destroy each other s and that in short there was a very general tendency to mean miserable heart and utter weariness all round on one occasion she in the sweetest simplicity invited two lady of note to meet at one of her at homes she welcomed both the masculine looking ladies with a radiant smile and introduced them saying gently you will be so pleased to know each other but the stony stare stiff nod and scornful smile with which these two eminent females exchanged cold greetings were enough to the most sympathetic hostess that ever lived and when they at once retired to different corners of the room and sat apart with their backs turned to one another for the remainder of the evening their attitude was so that it was no wonder the gentle felt quite dismayed and wretched at the utter failure of the they would not be i she afterwards complained to lady they tried to be as rude to each other as they could lady laughed of course she said what else did you expect i but if you want some fun ask a young pretty and brilliant there are a few such to meet an old ugly and one and there are many such and watch the one s face i it will be a delicious study of expression i assure you but would not try this delicate experiment in fact she began rather to avoid literary people with the exception of beau his was a genial sympathetic nature and moreover he had a winning charm of manner which few could resist he was not a he was not strictly speaking a literary man and he was entirely indifferent to public praise or blame he was as he himself expressed it a servant and of literature and there is a wide gulf of difference between one who serves literature for its own sake and one who uses it as a tool to serve himself but in all her new and varied experiences perhaps was most completely bewildered by the women she met her simple in the purity and gentleness of womanhood were startled and outraged she could not understand london ladies at all some of them seemed to have no idea beyond dress and show others looked upon their husbands the lawful of their name and fame with easy indifference as though they were mere bits of household furniture others having nothing the land of mockery better to do went in for the low that itself in the turning of tables and moving of side boards not the higher of an improved and way of life | 33 |
and these argued wildly on the theory of matter passing through matter to the extent of declaring themselves able to send a letter or box through the wall without making a hole in it and this with such obstinate gravity as made fear for their reason then there were the woman creatures who had voluntarily crushed all the sweetness of the sex within them foolish human flowers without fragrance that persistently turned away their faces from the sunlight and denied its existence preferring to on the dry stalk of their own theory there were the platform women unnatural of an unnatural age there were the great ladies of the aristocracy who turned with scorn from a case of real necessity and yet spent hundreds of pounds on private wherein they might have the chance of themselves in extravagant and there were the professional beauties who if suddenly deprived of elegant attire and face turned out to be no beauties at all but very ordinary persons what is the exact meaning of the term professional beauty had asked on one occasion i suppose it is some very poor beautiful woman who takes money for showing herself to the public and having her portraits sold in the shops and who is it that pays her broke into a laugh upon my word lady you have put the matter in a most original but correct light who pays the professional beauty you ask well in the case of mrs smith whom you met the other day it is a certain duke who pays her to the tune of several thousands a year when he gets tired of her or she of him she ll find somebody else or perhaps she ll go on the stage and swell the list of bad she ll get on somehow as long as she can find a fool ready to settle her s bill i do not understand said and fair brows drew together in that pained grave look that was becoming rather frequent with her now and she began to ask fewer questions concerning the various phases of social ufe that puzzled her why for instance i religious made so little practical use of their theories why there were cloudy eyed who admired the drawing of and the common place sentence writing of why members of parliament talked so much and did so little why new poets however nobly inspired were never accepted unless they had influential friends on the press why painters always married their models or their and got heartily ashamed of them afterwards and why people all round said so many things they did not mean and confused by the general she clung poor child to lady who had the tact to seem what she was not and the cleverness to into s nature and find out how clear and pure it was a perfect well of sweet water into which one drop of poison or better still several drops gradually and might in time taint its and its brightness for if a woman have an innocent soul as delicate as the curled cup of a lily the more easily will it and in the heated grasp of a careless cruel hand and to this flower crushing task lady set herself partly for malice against whose coldness to herself in past days had wounded her vanity and partly for private jealousy of s beauty and within a short time she had completely won the confidence and affection sir philip forgetting his former suspicions of her was touched and by the attachment and admiration she openly displayed towards his young wife she and were constantly seen together and mrs rush far sighted as she generally was often sighed doubtfully and rubbed her nose in perplexity as she confessed she couldn t quite understand but mrs rush had her hands full of other matters she was and van to set traps for that mild mouse lord and she was too much absorbed in this difficult and delicate business to attend to anything else just then otherwise it is possible she might have scented danger for s peace of mind and being good natured might have it off before it approached too closely but like who are never within call when wanted so friends are seldom at hand when their influence might be of real benefit the land of mockery the van were people could not get on with at all she tried to do so because mrs rush had assured her they were charming and she liked mrs sufficiently well to be willing to please her but in truth these rich and vulgar seemed to her mind less to be esteemed than the of the who in many instances possessed finer tact and breeding than old van the man of many dollars whose father had been nothing but a low but of whom he spoke now with pride as a real of the pilgrim fathers an odd thing it is by the way how fond some americans are of tracing back their to these virtuous old gentlemen the van were of course not the best types of their country they were of that class who because they have money measure everything by the and hold even a noble poverty in utter contempt poor van it was sometimes pitiable to see him trying to be a gentleman going in for style to an excess that was ludicrous his house with expensive furniture like an s show room drinking his tea out of pure with a lofty ignorance of its beauty and value dressing his wife and daughter like shilling fashion plates and having his portrait taken in precisely the same attitude as that assumed by the duke | 33 |
of when his grace sat to the same i it was delicious to hear him of his pilgrim while in the same breath he would sneer at certain poor gentry who could trace back their to de lion but because the were rich as well as persons van and his bent the knee before them flattering with that ill judged eagerness and zealous which distinguish vulgarity and which far from pleasing her annoyed and embarrassed her because she could not respond sincerely to such attentions there were many others too not dollar americans whose excessive and ceaseless compliment vexed the sincere frank spirit of the girl a spirit fresh and pure as the wind blowing over her own mountains one of these was sir francis that fashionable young man of leisure and she had for him an instinctive though quite unreasonable aversion he was courtesy itself he spared no pains to please her yet o she felt as if his brown eyes were always upon her he seemed to be ever at hand ready to watch over her in trifles such as the passing of a cup of tea the offering of her wrap the finding of a chair the holding of a fan he was always on the alert like a remarkably well trained upper servant she could not without reject such humble services and yet they rendered her uncomfortable though she did not quite know why she ventured to mention her feeling concerning him to her friend lady who heard her timid remarks with a look on her face that was not quite pleasant poor sir francis her said with a slight mocking laugh he s never happy unless he plays dog don t mind him he won t bite i assure you he means no harm it s only his way of making himself agreeable i george during this particular london season fled the field of action and went to paris to stay with z he felt that it was dangerous to the fair enemy too often for he knew in his own honest heart that his passion for increased each time he saw her so he avoided her she missed him very much from her circle of and often went to see his mother mrs one of the sweetest old ladies in the world who had at once guessed her son s secret but like a prudent dame kept it to herself there were few young women as pretty and charming as old mrs with her snow white parted hair and mild blue eyes and voice as cheery as the note of a in spring time after lady liked her best of all her new friends and was fond of visiting her quiet little house in for it was very quiet and seemed like a sheltered haven of rest from the great rush of and folly in which the fashionable world delighted and was often now in need of rest as the season drew towards its close she found herself strangely tired and the life she was compelled to lead was all to her nature it was artificial and constrained and she was often unhappy why why indeed she did her best but she made enemies everywhere again why because she had a most most unpleasant habit of telling the truth like she seemed to say if any man should appear to the land of mockery me not to possess virtue but to pretend that he does i shall reproach him this she expressed silently in face voice and manner and like she might have added that she went about perceiving indeed and and alarmed that she was making herself odious for she discovered by degrees that many people looked strangely upon her that others seemed afraid of her and she continually heard that she was considered eccentric so she became more reserved even cold she was content to let others argue about trifles and air their and follies without offering an opinion on any side and by and by the first shadow began to sweep over the of her married life it happened at a time when she and her husband were not quite so much together society and its various claims had naturally separated them a little but now a question of political ambition separated them still more some well friends had persuaded sir philip to stand for parliament and this idea no sooner entered his head than he decided with impulsive that he had been too long without a career and a career he must have in order to win distinction for his wife s sake therefore his secretary to his aid he plunged headlong into the waters of english politics and shut himself up in his library day after day studying blue books writing and answering letters and drawing up addresses and with the general of the masculine mind to attend to one thing only at a time he grew so absorbed in his work that his love for though all unchanged and deep as ever fell slightly into the background of his thoughts not that he neglected her he simply concerned himself more with other things so it happened that a certain sense of loss weighed upon her a vague solitude began to her a solitude even more keenly felt when she was surrounded by friends than when she was quite alone and as the sweet english june drew to its end she grew languid and and her blue eyes often filled with sudden tears her little watch dog began to notice this and to wonder concerning the reason of her mistress s altered looks it is this dreadful london thought so hot and stifling there s no fresh air for her and all this going about to balls | 33 |
and parties and shows no wonder she is tired out o but it was something more than mere fatigue that made s eyes look sometimes so anxious so gravely meditative and earnest one day she seemed so much abstracted and lost in painful that s loving heart ached and she watched her for some moments without venturing to say a word at last she spoke out bravely she paused seemed not to hear her has anything vexed or grieved you to day started nervously vexed me grieved me she repeated no why do you ask you look very tired dear continued gently you are not as bright as you were when we first came to london s lips quivered i i am not well she murmured and suddenly her self control gave way and she broke into tears in an instant was kneeling by her and caressing her and calling her by every name she could think of while she wisely from asking any more questions presently her sobs grew calmer she rested her fair head against s shoulder and smiled faintly at that moment a light tap was heard outside and a voice called are you there opened the door and sir philip entered hurriedly and smiling but stopped short to survey his wife in dismay why my darling he exclaimed have you been crying here the discreet retired sprang to her husband and in his arms philip do not mind it f she murmured i felt a little sad it is nothing but tell me you do love me you will never tire of me you have always loved me i am sure he raised her face gently with one hand and looked at her in surprise what strange questions from you love you is not every beat of my heart for you are you not my life my joy my everything in this and he pressed her passion in his arms and kissed her vou have never d anyone else so much she w l mi m m the land of mockery never he answered readily what makes you ask such a thing r she was silent he looked down at her flushing cheeks and tear wet lashes attentively you are fanciful to day my pet he said at last youve been yourself too much you must rest you d better not go to the brilliant theatre to night it s only a and is sure to be vulgar and noisy we ll stop at home and spend a quiet evening together shall we she raised her eyes half wistfully and smiled i should like that very very much philip she murmured but you know we did promise to go with her to night and as we are so soon to leave london and return to i should not like to disappoint her you are very fond of he asked suddenly very she paused and sighed slightly she is so kind and clever much more clever than i can ever be and she knows many things about the world which i do not and she you so much philip does she indeed philip laughed and coloured a little very good of her i m sure and so you d really like to go to the brilliant to night i think so she said hesitatingly says it will be very amusing and you must remember how much i enjoyed and hamlet smiled you ll find the brilliant performance very different to either he said you don t know what a is like i then i must be instructed replied smiling also i need to learn many things i am very ignorant ignorant i and he swept aside with a caressing touch the hair from her broad noble brow my darling you possess the greatest wisdom the wisdom of innocence i would not change it for all the learning of the philosophers you really mean that she asked half timidly i really mean that he answered fondly little as if i would ever say anything to you that i did not mean i shall be glad when we re out of london and back at the then i shall have you all to myself again for a time at least n she raised her eyes full of sudden joy all traces of her depression had disappeared and shall she said gladly and we shall not disappoint lady to night philip i am not tired and i shall be pleased to go to the theatre all right responded philip cheerfully so let it be only i don t believe you ll like the piece though it certainly won t make you cry yet i doubt if it will make you laugh either however it will be a new experience for you and a new experience it decidedly was an experience too which brought some strange and results to of which she never dreamed she went to the brilliant accompanied by lady and her husband the secretary making the fourth in their box and during the first and second scene of the performance the stage effects were so pretty and the dancing so graceful that she nearly forgot the bewildered astonishment she had at first felt at the extreme of apparel worn by the ladies of the they represented birds bees and other winged of the forest world and the was so and brilliant with swift movement light and colour that the eye was too dazzled and confused to note objectionable details but in the third scene when a plump young woman leaped on the stage in the guise of a humming bird with a feather so short that it was a mere waist belt of extra width a flesh coloured about three inches high and a pair of | 33 |
blue wings attached to her fat shoulders started and half rose from her seat in dismay while a hot tide of colour her cheeks she looked nervously at her husband i do not think this is pleasant to see she said in a low tone would it not be best to go away i i think i would rather be at home lady heard and smiled a little mocking smile don t be silly child i she said if you leave the theatre just now you ll have staring at you that woman s an immense favourite she is the success of the piece she s got more diamonds than either you or i regarded her friend with a sort of grave wonder but said nothing in reply if lady liked the performance the land of mockery and wished to remain why then politeness demanded that should not interfere with her pleasure by taking an abrupt leave so she resumed her seat but withdrew herself far behind the curtain of the box in a corner where the stage was almost invisible to her eyes her husband bent over her and whispered i ll take you home if you wish it dear only say the word she shook her head it she answered somewhat we must stay philip was about to address lady on the subject when suddenly touched him on the arm can i speak to you alone for a moment sir philip he said in a strange hoarse whisper outside the box away from the ladies a matter of importance he looked as if he were about to faint he gasped rather than spoke these words his face was white as death and his eyes had a confused and bewildered stare certainly i answered philip promptly though not without an accent of surprise and their absence briefly to his wife and lady they left the box together meanwhile the well fed humming bird was before the pointing her toe in the delighted face of the and singing in a loud coarse voice the following refined oh my oh my darling oh my duck duck duck t if you love me you must have a little pluck pluck pluck come and put your arms around me kiss me once twice thrice for kissing may be naughty but by it is nice t once twice nice nice nice bliss bliss bliss t kiss kiss kiss kissing may be naughty but it s nice there were several verses in this graceful poem and each one was hailed with enthusiastic applause the humming bird was triumphant and when her song w she executed a pas full of quaint and s surprises reaching her climax when she leg kicking the other in r to ihe lady laughed and leaning towards who still sat in her retired comer said with a show of kindness you dear little goose you must get accustomed to this kind of thing it takes with the men immensely why even your wonderful philip has gone down behind the scenes with you may be sure of that the startled pitiful astonishment in the girl s face might have touched a less heart than lady s but her was prepared for it and only smiled gone behind the scenes to see that dreadful woman exclaimed in a low pained tone oh no he would not do such a thing impossible well my dear then where is he he has been gone quite ten minutes look at the all the men are out of them i tell you violet draws everybody of the male sex after her at the end of all her scenes she has a regular reception for men only of course ladies not admitted and laughed don t look so shocked for heaven s sake you don t want your husband to be a regular he must have his amusements as well as other people believe you want him to be like a baby tied to your you ll find that an awful mistake he ll get tired to death of you sweet little though you are s face grew very pale and her hand closed more tightly on the fan she held you have said that so very very often lately she murmured you seem so sure that he will get tired that all men get tired i do not think you know philip he is not like any other person i have ever met and why should he go behind the scenes to such a person as violet at that moment the box door opened with a sharp click and entered alone he looked disturbed and anxious is not well he said abruptly addressing his wife i ve sent him home he wouldn t have been able to sit this thing out and he glanced half angrily towards the stage the curtain had just gone up again and displayed the wondrous violet still in her humming bird character swinging on the branch of a tree and after the example of all humming birds a cigar with brazen faced tranquillity the land of mockery i am sorry he is ill said gently that is why you were so long away was i long returned philip somewhat i didn t know it i went to ask a question behind the scenes lady and glanced at whose eyes dropped instantly suppose you saw violet p asked yes i saw her he replied briefly he seemed irritable and vexed moreover decidedly impatient presently he said lady would you mind very much if we left this place and went home i m rather anxious about he s had a shock doesn t care a bit about this piece i know and if you are not very much absorbed lady rose instantly with her usual ready grace my dear sir philip i | 33 |
she said sweetly as if i would not do anything to oblige you let us go by all means these are extremely he seemed relieved by her acquiescence and smiled that rare sweet smile of his which had once played such with her s sensitive feelings they left the theatre and were soon on their way home though was rather silent during the drive they dropped lady at her own door and after they had her a cordial good night and were going on again towards home philip turning towards his wife and catching sight of her face by the light of a street lamp was struck by her extreme and weary look you are very tired my darling i fear he inquired tenderly her with one arm lean your head on my shoulder so she obeyed and her hand trembled a little as he took and held it in his own warm strong clasp we shall soon be home i he added cheerily and i think we must have no more theatre going this season the heat and noise and glare are too much for you philip said suddenly did you really go behind the scenes to night yes i did he answered readily i was obliged to go on a matter of business a very disagreeable and unpleasant matter too and what was it she asked timidly yet my pet i can tell you i wish i could it s a secret fm bound not to betray a secret which the name of another person who d be wretched if i were to mention it to you there don t us talk about it any more very well philip said but though she smiled a of evil depressed her the figure of the half painted creature known as violet rose up before her eyes and the half scornful words of lady rang persistently in her ears on reaching home philip went straight to s little study and remained with him in earnest conversation for a long while went to bed and lay restless among her brain with strange and new and ideas till fatigue overpowered her and she fell asleep with a few tear drops wet on her lashes and that night philip wondered why his wife talked so in her sleep though he smiled as he listened to the drift of those dove like no one knows how my boy loves me sighed the dreaming voice no one in all the world i how should he tire love can never tire meanwhile lady in the seclusion of her own a brief note to sir francis as follows dear old i saw you in the at the theatre this evening though pretended not to see me what a creature you are i not that i mind in the very least the virtuous left his wife and me to talk little together while he accompanied by his secretary went down to pay court to violet how stout she is getting why don t you men advise her to diet herself i know you also went behind the scenes of course you are an promising boy you are to be sure come and lunch with me to morrow if you re not too lazy yours ever she gave this to her maid r to post the land of mockery that faithful attendant took it first to her own apartment where she the envelope neatly by the aid of hot water and read every word of it this was not an exceptional action of hers all the letters received and sent by her mistress were subjected to the same process even those that were sealed with wax she had a means of opening in such a manner that it was impossible to detect that they had been with she was a very clever french maid was one of the of her class fond of mischief ever suspicious always on the alert for evil utterly and malicious she was an altogether admirable attendant for a lady of rank and fashion her skill as a and always obtaining for her the wages she so justly deserved when will wealthy women reared in idleness and luxury learn the folly of keeping a trained spy attached to their persons a spy whose pretended calling is merely to arrange dresses and half of which she invariably but whose real delight is to take note of all her mistress s and and tears to watch her looks her smiles and and to start scandalous gossip concerning her in the servants hall whence it gradually to the society newspapers for do you think these and popular journals are never indebted for their information to the honest statements of a discharged footman or for instance had tried his hand at a paragraph or two concerning the upper ten and with the aid of a dictionary had succeeded in expressing himself quite though in ordinary conversation his h s were often lacking or superfluous and his grammar doubtful whether he persuaded any editor to accept his literary efforts is quite another matter l question to which the must remain for ever enveloped in mystery but if he did appear in print it is only an if he must have been immensely gratified to consider that his statements were received with by at least half aristocratic london and believed as having from the best authorities and r having posted her mistress s letter at last went down to visit in his private and to ask him a question tell me she said rapidly with her tight smile you read the papers you will know what lady is that of the theatres violet i laid down the paper he was and surveyed hei with a superior air what vi he exclaimed with a lazy wink vi of the you ve of | 33 |
er surely no there s not a man as is worth calling a man about town as don t know er lords an royal she s the style for em ni all legs and arms i won t deny but i ave an admiration for er myself i bought a crown portrait of er quite recently and rose slowly and searched in a mysterious drawer which he invariably kept locked ere she is as large as life he continued exhibiting a photograph of the in question there s a neck for you there s form vi my dear i you and he pressed a sounding kiss on the picture you re one in a million and drinks like a he added as r studied the portrait attentively but with all er advantages you would not call er a lady no that term would be out of the question she is we men would call an female and kissed the tips of his fingers and waved them in the air as he had seen certain foreign gentlemen do when enthusiastic i comprehend said the french maid nodding emphatically then if she is so what makes that proud visit her here she shook her finger at and leave his beautiful lady wife to go and see her another shake and that miserable to go also tell me that she folded her arms like napoleon at st and smiled again that smile which was nothing but a sneer rubbed his nose little francis can go he said at last he s laid out a good deal of tin on vi and others of er you cannot make think of that young but a i would not accept im for my attendant no but sir philip he paused then continued air you sure of your facts was so sure that the bow on her cap threatened to come off with the determined of her head well resumed sir philip may like consider it the thing you know to on as it were to vi but i ad the land of mockery thought im superior to it ah poor as says and sighed lady is a sweet a very sweet has a rule i find the merest nod of my ed a sufficient to a woman of the aristocracy but for er i never fail to show er up with a court bow and involuntarily bowed then and there in his most elegant manner her thin lips a little and waved her hand she is an angel of beauty she said and is jealous ah i jealous to death of her i she is innocent too like a baby and she her husband that is an error to worship a man is a great mistake she will find it so men are not to be too much loved no no smiled in superb self consciousness well well i will not deny that it spoils us he said complacently it certainly spoils us when lovely woman to folly the hold hold story you will r r r said suddenly stepping up very close to him and speaking with a strong accent what i have said to night you will r remember there will be yes there will be to and when there is i i r i know who at the bottom of so saying with a whirl of her black silk dress and a flash of her white muslin apron she disappeared left alone sauntered to a looking glass hanging on the wall and studied with some solicitude a that had recently appeared on his face mischief he i des say whenever a lot of women gets together there s sure to be mischief dear they love it like the best young is knows who s at the bottom of does she well she s not the only one as knows the same thing as long as doors as cracks and key it ain t in the least difficult to find out goes on inside and rooms and things one ears now and then and at his own reflection and then resumed the perusal of his paper he was absorbed in the highly details of a particularly disgraceful divorce case i and he was by no means likely to disturb himself from his refined enjoyment for any less important reason than the summons of lord s bell which rang so seldom that when it did he made it a point of honour to answer it immediately for as he said his knows is due to me and i knows is due to im therefore it we are able to respect each other r chapter v if thou honourable thou have told this tale for virtue not for such an end thou seek st as base as strange thou wrong st a gentleman who is as far from thy report as thou from honour summer in shakespeare land summer in the heart of england summer in wooded a summer brilliant warm radiant with flowers melodious with the songs of the heaven and the sweet low of the forest hidden m wonderful and divine it is to hear the wild chorus of that sing beside in the hot nights of an italian july wonderful to hear them themselves with love and music and almost their slender throats with the bursting of burning song but there is something perhaps more still to hear them less passionately but more beneath the drooping of those grand old trees some of which may have stretched their branches in shadowy over the sacred head of the poet in the world why travel to why wander among the for love of the classic ground surely though the clear old were the of all noble literature they have reached their point in the english shakespeare and the lanes | 33 |
simply with and sweet roses through which mary walked leading her boy angel by the hand are sacred as any portion of that earth once trodden by the feet of and so at least thought when released from the bondage the land of mockery of social life she found herself once more at then looking its loveliest surrounded with a green of oak and and set off by the beauty of and and rose gardens in full bloom the depression from which she had suffered fell away from her completely she grew light hearted as a child and flitted from room to room singing to herself for pure gladness philip was with her all day now save for a couple of hours in the which he devoted to in connection with his aspirations and philip was tender and passionate as lovers may be but as husbands seldom are they took long walks together through the woods they often across the fragrant fields to anne s cottage which was not very far away and sitting down in some nook philip would pull from his pocket a volume of the immortal plays and read passages aloud in his fine mellow voice while making of the meadow flowers listened sometimes when he was in a more humour he would bring out s and after pondering over them for a while would talk very about the way in which he meant to speak in parliament they want dash and fire there he said and these qualities must be united with good common sense in addressing the house you see one must rouse and interest the men not bore them you can t expect fellows to pass a bill if you ve made th n long for their beds all the time you ve been talking about it smiled and glanced over his shoulder at s and do you wish to speak to them like my boy she said gently but i do not think you will find that possible because when spoke it was in a different age and to very different people people who were glad to how to be wise and brave but if you were himself do you think you would be able to impress the english parliament why not dear asked with some i believe that men taken as men et simple are the same in all ages and are open to the same impressions why should not modem englishmen be capable of receiving the same lofty ideas the antique and acting upon them r a ah do not ask me why said with a plaintive little shake of her head for cannot tell you but remember how many members of parliament we did meet in london and where were their lofty ideas philip had they any ideas at all do you think there was that very fat gentleman who is a well to hear him talk would you not think all england was for the making of beer and he does not care for the country unless h continues to his beer i it was to that very man i said something about hamlet and he told me he had no interest for such nonsense as shakespeare and play going his time was taken up at the you see he is a member of parliament yet it is evident he neither knows the language nor the literature of his country and there must be many like him otherwise so ignorant a person would not hold such a position and for such men what would be the use of a philip leaned back against the trunk of the tree under which they were sitting and laughed you may be right i dare say you are there s certainly too much beer represented in the house i admit that but after all trade is the great moving spring of national prosperity and it would hardly be fair to refuse seats to the very men who help to keep the country going i do not see that said gravely if those men are ignorant why should they have a share in so important a thing as government they may know all about beer and wool and iron but perhaps they can only judge what is good for themselves not what is best for the whole country with all rich and poor i do think that only the wisest scholars and most intelligent persons should be allowed to help in the ruling of a great nation but the people choose their own rulers remarked ah the poor people sighed they know so very little and they are taught so badly i think they never do quite understand what they do want they are the same in all histories like little children they get bewildered and frightened in any trouble and the wisest heads are needed to think for them it is indeed most cruel to make them puzzle out all difficulty themselves i the land of mockery what a little sage you are my pet laughed philip taking her hand on which the marriage ring and its accompanying diamond brilliantly in the warm sunlight do you mean to go in for politics she shook her head no indeed that is not woman s work at all the only way in which i think about such things is that i feel the people cannot all be wise and that it seems a pity the wisest and greatest in the land should not be chosen to lead them rightly and so under the circumstances you think it s no use my to pose as a asked her husband she laughed with a very tender in her laughter it would not be worth your while my boy she said you know i have often told you that i do not see any great distinction in being | 33 |
a member of parliament at all what will you do you will talk to the fat perhaps and he will contradict other people will get up and talk and contradict each other and so it will go on for days and days meanwhile the country remains exactly as it was neither better nor worse and all the talking does no good it is better to be out of it here together as we are to day and she raised her dreamy blue eyes to the of green leaves that them leaves thick clustered and through which the dazzling sky peeped in radiant patches philip looked at her the expression of her upward gaze the calm sweetness of her fair face were such as might well have suited one of s angels his heart beat quickly he drew closer to her and put his arm round her your eyes are looking at the sky he whispered do you know what that is heaven looking into heaven and do you know which of the two heavens i prefer she smiled and turning met his ardent gaze with one of equal passion and tenderness ah you do know he went on softly kissing the side of her slim white throat i thought you couldn t possibly make a mistake he rested his head against her shoulder and after a minute or two of lazy comfort he resumed you are not ambitious my you don t seem to care whether your husband himself in the as our friend the calls it or not in fact i don t believe you care for anything save love am i not right my wife a wave of rosy colour flushed her transparent skin and her eyes filled with an earnest almost pathetic languor surely of all things in the world she said in a low tone love is best to this he made prompt answer though not in words his lips conversed with hers in that strange sweet language which though is everywhere and then they left their shady resting place and sauntered homeward hand in hand through the warm fields fragrant with wild and many happy days passed thus with these lovers for lovers they still were marriage had for once fulfilled its real and sacred meaning it had set love from restraint and had opened all the of the only earthly paradise human hearts shall ever know the paradise of perfect union and absolute sympathy with the one thing beloved on this side eternity the golden hours fled by all too rapidly and towards the close of august there came an interruption to their felicity courtesy had compelled and his wife to invite a few friends down to visit them at the before the glory of the was past and first among the guests came lord and lady and their bright boy her s maid of course accompanied her and was also to the fore in the capacity of lord s personal attendant after these george arrived he had avoided the all the season but he could not very well refuse the pressing invitation now given him without seeming then came beau for a few days only as with the commencement of september he would be off as usual to his villa on the di sir francis too made his appearance frequently in a casual sort of way he ran down to use his own expression now and then and made himself very agreeable especially to men by whom he was well liked for his invariable good humour and extraordinary in all sports and games of skill another welcome visitor was lively and sparkling as ever he came from paris to pass a fortnight with his and make merriment for the the land of mockery party his old admiration for had by no means he was fond of that little maiden on her various household errands and giving her small of and other sweet scented blossoms to wear just above the left hand corner of her apron close to the place where the heart is supposed to be had been invited to the at this period wrote many urgent letters and so did him to come for nothing would have pleased sir philip more than to have introduced the fine old among his fashionable friends and to have heard him and forcibly holding his own among them putting their faint and languid ways of life to shame by his manly honest and vigorous utterance but had only just returned to the after nearly a year s absence and his hands were too full of work for him to accept his son in law s invitation the farm lands have a waste and dreary look he wrote though i let them to a man who should verily have known how to till the soil trodden by his fathers and as for the farm house twas like a hollow shell that has lain long on the shore and become brown and for thou no human creature has entered there since we departed however and i for sake of company have resolved to dwell together in it and truly we have nearly settled down to the peaceful contemplation of our past days so philip and thou my child trouble not concerning me i am hale and hearty the gods be thanked and may live on in hope to see you both next spring or summer tide your happiness keeps this old man young so grudge me not the news of your delights wherein i am myself delighted one familiar figure was missing from the household that of edward since the night at the brilliant when he had left the theatre so suddenly and gone home on the plea of illness he had never been quite | 33 |
the same man he looked years older he was strangely nervous and timid and he shrank away from as though he were some guilty or creature surprised at this she spoke to her husband about it but he hurriedly and with some embarrassment advised her to let him alone his nerves were shaken his health was feeble and that it would be kind on her part to refrain from noticing him or asking him questions so she refrained but s behaviour puzzled her all the same when they left town he implored almost to be allowed to remain behind he could attend to sir philip s business so much better in london he declared and he had his way usually fond of s society made no attempt whatever to persuade him against his will so he stayed in the half shut up house in prince s gate through all the summer heat over documents and and philip came up from the country once a fortnight to visit him and any business that might require his personal attention on one of the last and days in august a grand was given at the all the county people were invited and they came eagerly though before s social in london they had been reluctant to meet her now they put on their best clothes and themselves into the grounds like a flock of sheep seeking land on which to all wearing their sweetest all forth their admiration of that darling lady all them selves in the funny manner that county people affect people who are considered in the small villages their big houses but who when brought to reside in london become less than the in a vast ocean these good folks were not only anxious to see lady they wanted to say they had seen her and that she had spoken to them so that they might in talking to their neighbours mention it in quite an easy casual way such as oh i was at the other day and lady said to me or sir philip is such a charming man i was talking to his lovely wife and he asked me etc etc or you ve no idea what large they grow at the lady showed me some that were just magnificent and so on for in truth this is a mad world my masters and there is no for the small follies and mean of the people in it moreover all the london guests who were visiting came in for a share of the county admiration they found the so master instantly i ne that dear boy i beau was so dreadfully the land of mockery clever you know and quite too delightful the grounds looked very brilliant pink and white were dotted here and there on the smooth velvet bright flags waved from different quarters of the gardens of and dancing and the music of a fine band rose up and swayed in the air with th downward floating songs of the birds and the dash of fountains in full play girls in pretty light summer made picturesque groups under the stately oaks and gay laughter echoed from the leafy and stray couples were seen through the rose gardens treading on the fallen scented and apparently too much absorbed in each other to notice anything that was going on around them most of these were lovers of course intending lovers if not declared ones in fact was very busy that day among the roses and shot forth a great many arrows aimed out of his quiver two persons there were however man and woman who walking in that same rose avenue did not seem from their manner to have much to do with the fair greek god they were lady and sir francis her looked exceed beautiful in her clinging dress of lace with a bunch of scarlet at her breast and a wreath of the same vivid flowers in her picturesque hat she held a scarlet lined over her head and from under the protecting shadow of this silken her dark eyes flashed as she regarded her companion he was biting an end of his brown moustache and looked annoyed yet lazily amused too upon my life he observed you are really awfully down on a fellow you know one would think you never cared about me too high a figure retorted lady with a hard little laugh i never cared a brass he stopped short in his walk and stared at her by jove you are cool he ejaculated then what did you mean all the time what did you mean she asked he was silent after a slight uncomfortable pause he shrugged his shoulders and smiled don t let us have a scene he observed in a tone anything but that scene she exclaimed indignantly pray when have you had to complain of me on that score well don t let me have to complain now he said coolly she surveyed him in silent scorn for a moment and her full crimson lips curled contemptuously what a brute you are she muttered suddenly between her set teeth thanks awfully he answered taking out a and lighting it leisurely you are really candid almost as frank as lady only less polite i shall not learn politeness from you at any rate she said then her tone to one of studied indifference she continued coldly what do you want of me we ve done with each other as you know i believe you wish to become gentleman to s wife and that you find it difficult to obtain the situation shall i give you a character he flushed darkly and his eyes glittered with an evil lustre gently i draw it | 33 |
sort of half and went her way later on in the afternoon when it was sunset and all other amusements had given way to the delight of dancing on the green turf to the swinging music of the band released for a time from the duties of assisting the at the splendid refreshment table duties which were pleasantly lightened by the drinking of a bottle of champagne which he was careful to reserve for his own consumption sauntered leisurely through the winding and fragrant which led to the most portion of the grounds namely the here none of the of fashion found their way the suggestions offered by growing beans and plump yellow were too for society who require refined surroundings in which to crow their yet it was a peaceful nook and there were household of and and sweet which were pleasant to the soul of and reminded him of roast goose on christmas day with all its attendant he paced the path slowly the light of the sinking sun blazing on his breeches silver and for he was in full dress livery in honour of the and looked exceedingly imposing now and then he glanced down at his with mild approval his silk stockings fitted them well and they had a very neat and appearance i ave developed he murmured to himself there ain t a doubt about it one week of country air and i m a different man the of ave disappeared won t know these legs of mine when i get back they ve improved he stopped to survey a bed of plenty of there he mused s a noble soup and makes it well a man might do than marry she s a and a just a old for me but here he delicately at a of he had gathered and smiled presently he perceived a small plump pretty figure approaching him no other than looking particularly charming in a very smart cap adorned with pink ribbon bows and a very muslin apron at once assumed his most elegant and conquering air straightened himself to his full height and kissed his hand to her with much condescension she laughed as she came up to him and the in her round cheeks appeared in full force well mr she said are you enjoying yourself smiled down upon her i am he responded graciously i find the hair refreshing and you oh i m very comfortable thank you responded a little away from his arm which showed an unmistakable tendency to her waist then glancing at a basket she held full of grapes just cut from the she continued these are for the supper table i must be quick and take them to mrs must you and asked this question with quite an unnecessary amount of tenderness then his dignity he observed mrs is a very worthy woman an excellent but she ll no doubt excuse you for lingering a little miss especially in my company laughed ain showing her pretty little white teeth to the best advantage do you think she will she said merrily then i ll stop a minute and if she me i ll put the blame on you i played with his silver and leaning gracefully against a tree surveyed her with a critical eye i was not able he observed to see much of you in town our people were always a each other and yet our meetings were as the poet says few and far between nodded indifferently and perceiving a particularly ripe on one of the bushes close to her gathered it quickly and it between her rosy lips seeing another equally she offered it to who accepted it and ate it slowly though he had a that by so doing he was seriously his dignity he resumed his conversation since i ve been down ere i ve ad more opportunity to observe you i you will allow me to say i think very of you he waved his hand with the elegance of a sir charles very indeed your youth is most becoming to you if you only ad a little more there d be nothing left to desire i the land of mockery a little more asked opening her blue eyes very wide in puzzled amusement r replied with persistent miss is a french word much used by the aristocracy coming from and perhaps a very limited experience you t ave it but people ere find it very convenient and expressive means style the thing the go the fashion for example your lady wears is really said with a wondering and innocent air how funny it doesn t sound like french at all mr it s more like english perhaps the paris accent isn t familiar to you yet remarked your stay in the gay metropolis was pro short now i ave been there many times ah paris paris he paused in a sort of ecstasy then with a side continued you d believe ow wicked i am in paris miss i am indeed it is something in the hair of the i suppose and the life my nerves then you shouldn t go there said gravely though her eyes with repressed fun it can t be good for you and oh i m so sorry mr to think that you are ever wicked and she laughed it s not for long explained s with a satisfied yet penitent look it is only a sort of breaking out a fit of spirits hall men are so at times it s to run a little wild in paris but miss m you were with me i should never run here his arm made another attempt to get round her waist and again she and with some show of anger avoided it ah you re | 33 |
very ard upon me he then observed very very ard but i won t complain my my dear one day you ll know me better he stopped and looked at her very intently miss he said abruptly you ve a great affection for your lady t you instantly s face flushed and she was all attention yes indeed she answered quickly why do you ask mr rubbed his nose it is not easy to explain he said to run down my wouldn t be in my line but i ve an idea that by which name i allude to my lord s lady is up to mischief she your lady miss er like poison hates her cried in astonishment oh you must be mistaken mr she is as fond of her as she can be almost like a sister to her s a fine murmured more to himself than his she d beat violet on er own ground raising his voice a little he turned gallantly to and relieved her of the basket she held me he said well walk to the together on the way i ll explain and you ll judge for yourself the words of the immortal bard whose county we are in occur to me as there are more things in and than even the most devoted domestic can sometimes be of and gently by s side began to converse in low and confidential tones she listened with strained and eager attention and she was soon receiving information that startled her and set her on the alert talk of private and secret service i do private ever discover so much as the servants of a man s own household servants who are aware of the smallest trifles who know the name and position of very visitor that comes and goes who easily learn to recognise the handwriting on every letter that arrives who laugh and talk in their over things that their masters and imagine are unknown to all the world save themselves who will judge the morals of a duke and tear the reputation of a to for the least the most trifling error of conduct i if you can stand well with your servants you can stand well with the whole world if not carry yourself as as you may your pride will not last long depend upon it meanwhile as and strolled in the side paths of the the gay guests of the were dancing on the lawn did not dance she in a low basket chair herself george lay stretched in lazy length at feet and near her stood her husband together with beau the land of mockery and lord at a little distance under the shadow of a noble sat mrs rush and mrs van in earnest conversation it was to mrs that the van owed their invitation for this one day down to for herself was not partial to them but she did not like to refuse mrs s earnest entreaty that they should be asked and that good natured lady having gained her point straightway said to van somewhat severely now this is your last chance if you don t hook at the you ll lose him you mark my words i had promised to do her best and she was now having what she herself called a good hard time of it lord was in one of his most moods moreover he had a headache and felt therefore he would not dance he would not play he did not understand he was to sit in romantic or summer houses as he had a nervous dread of so he about the grounds with his hands in his pockets and was compelled to too once she tried what effect an opposite would have on his mind so she desperately with a young country squire whose breed of pigs was considered the finest in england but did not seem to mind it in the least nay he looked rather relieved than otherwise and seeing this grew more resolute than ever i guess i ll pay him out for this she thought as she watched him feebly drinking water for his headache he s a man that wants ruling and ruled he shall be and mrs rush and mrs van observed her with maternal interest while the cunning faced van conversed with mr rush as being a of a man whom he could safely as the glory of the sunset and the delicate warm hues of the summer twilight softened the landscape the merriment of the brilliant assembly seemed to increase as soon as it was dark the grounds were to be illuminated by and dancing was to be continued indoors the fine old picture gallery being the place chosen for the purpose nothing that could add to the utmost entertainment of the guests had been forgotten and the fair mistress of these pleasant noting with quiet eyes the evident enjoyment of all present felt very happy and tranquil she had exerted herself a good deal and was now a little tired her eyes had a dreamy far look and she found her thoughts wandering now and then away to the she almost fancied she could hear the sigh of the pines and the dash of the waves mingling in as they used to do when she sat at the old window and span little dreaming then how her life would change how all those familiar things would be swept away as though they had never been she roused herself from this momentary reverie and glancing down at the gentleman at her feet touched his shoulder lightly with the edge of her fan why do you not dance you very lazy mr she asked with a smile he turned up | 33 |
his fair half boyish face to hers and laughed dance good gracious such an exertion would kill me lady don t you know that i am of a disposition i shouldn t mind having slaves to dance for me if they did it well but i should look on from the throne whereon i sat cross legged and smoke my pipe in peace always the same she said lightly are you never serious his eyes darkened suddenly sometimes awfully so and in that condition i become a burden to myself and my friends never be serious interposed beau it really isn t worth while i cultivate the humour of a and reduce everything by means of close argument to its smallest and the world hfe and time are no more than a pinch of snuff for some great god to please his giant nose withal your fame isn t worth much then beau if we re to go by line of argument remarked with a laugh fame by jove i you don t suppose i m such an donkey as to set any store by fame i cried a broad lighting up his face and eyes why because a few the land of mockery people read my books and are amused thereby and because the press me graciously on the back and says well done little un t or words to that effect am to go about the world as if i were the only literary my dear friend have you read you will find there that a certain king of wrote to one a story writer no doubt he was famous in his day but to hamlet where be his stories now from the deep oblivion into which poor s literary efforts have fallen the utter mockery and of so called fame but there must be a certain pleasure in it while you re alive to enjoy it said lord surely you derive some little satisfaction from your mr beau broke into a laugh mellow musical and hearty a satisfaction shared with thieves women and other notorious people in general he said they re all talked about so am i they all get written about so do i my biography is always being carefully by newspaper authorities to the delight of the reading public only the other day i learned for the first time that my father was a and went in for selling coals by the and thereby made his fortune my mother was an unsuccessful woman who failed at moreover i ve a great many brothers and sisters of tender age whom i absolutely refuse to assist i ve got a wife somewhere whom my literary success causes me to despise and i have deserted children i m charmed with the accuracy of the newspapers and i wouldn t contradict them for the world i find my so original they are the result of that which thinks but of that kind are said you could too much trouble declared beau besides five journals have disclosed the name of the town where i was born and as they all contradict each other and none of them are right any contradiction on my part would be superfluous they laughed and at that moment lady joined em are you not catching cold she inquired sweetly sir philip you ought to make her put on something warm i find the air growing chilly at that moment the ever ready sir francis approached with a light wrap he had found in the hall permit me he said gently at the same time throwing it over s shoulders she coloured a little she did not care for his attention but she could not very well it without seeming to be so she murmured thank you and rising from her chair addressed lady if you feel cold you will like some tea she said shall we go indoors where it is ready lady assented with some eagerness and the two beautiful women the one dark the other fair walked side by side across the lawn into the house their arms round each other s as they went two queens and yet not rivals half as he watched them disappearing their are secure returned sir philip gaily the others were silent lord s thoughts whatever they were deepened the lines of gravity on his face and george as he got up from his couch on the grass caught a fleeting expression in the brown eyes of sir francis that struck him with a sense of but he quickly dismissed the impression from his mind and went to have a quiet smoke in the chapter vi la rose du tu et la des roses est e took her friend lady to her own a room which had been the particular pride of sir philip s mother the walls were decorated with of blue silk in which were woven flowers of gold and silver thread and the furniture bought from an old palace in was of carved the land of mockery wood with ivory and silver here a d tea was served for the two ladies both of whom were somewhat fatigued by the pleasures of the day lady declared she must have some rest or she would be quite unequal to the of the approaching evening and herself was not sorry to escape for a little from her duties as hostess so the two remained together for some time in earnest conversation and lady then and there confided to what she had heard reported concerning sir philip s intimate acquaintance with the violet and they were both so long absent that after a while began to miss his wife and growing impatient went in search of her he entered the and to his surprise found lady there quite alone where is he demanded | 33 |
she seems not very weu a slight headache or something of that sort and has gone to lie down replied lady with a faint trace of embarrassment in her manner i think the heat has been too much for her i ll go and see after her and he turned promptly to leave the room sir philip called lady he paused and looked back stay one moment continued her softly i have been for a long time so very anxious to say something to you in private please let me speak now you you know here she cast down her eyes before you went to i i was very foolish pray do not recall it he said with kindly gravity have forgotten it that is so good of you and a flush of colour warmed her delicate cheeks for if you have forgotten you have also forgiven entirely answered and touched by her plaintive self manner and trembling voice he went up to her and took her hands in his own don t think of the past perhaps i also was to blame a little i m quite willing to think i was s a dangerous amusement at best he paused as he saw two bright tears on her long lashes and in his heart felt a sort of remorse that he had ever permitted himself to think badly of her we are the best of friends now he continued cheerfully and i hope we may always remain so you can t imagine how glad i am that you love my who would not love her sighed lady gently as sir philip released her hand from his warm clasp then raising her tearful eyes to his she added wistfully you must take great care of her philip she is so sensitive i always fancy an unkind word would kill her she ll never hear one from me he returned with so tender and earnest a look on his face that lady s heart ached for jealousy i must really go and see how she is she s been herself much to day excuse me and with a courteous smile and bow he left the room with a hurried and eager step alone lady smiled bitterly men are all alike he said half aloud who would think he was such a fancy his dividing his affection between two such as and violet however there s no for tastes as for man s fidelity i wouldn t give a straw for it and for his morality she finished the sentence with a scornful laugh and left the to return to the rest of the company meanwhile knocked softly at the door of his wife s bedroom and receiving no answer turned the handle noiselessly and went in lay on the bed dressed as she was her cheek resting on her hand and her face partially hidden her husband approached on and lightly kissed her forehead she did not stir she appeared to sleep profoundly poor girl he thought she s tired out and no wonder with all the bustle and of these people a good thing if she can rest a little before the evening in and he stole quietly out of the room and meeting on the stairs told her on no account to let her mistress be disturbed till it was time fox the illumination of the grounds promised s eyes were red one would almost have fancied she had been crying but was not asleep she had felt her husband s kiss her heart had beat as quickly as the wing of a wild bird at his warm touch and now he had gone she turned and pressed her lips passionately on the pillow where his hand bad leaned then she rose languidly from the bed and walking the land of mockery slowly to the door locked it against all comers presently she began to pace the room up and down up and down her face was very white and weary and every now and then a shuddering sigh broke from her lips can i believe it oh no i cannot i wiu not she murmured there must be some mistake has heard she sighed again yet if it is so he is not to blame it is i i who have failed to please him where how have i failed a pained puzzled look filled her grave blue eyes and she stopped in her walk to and fro it cannot be true she said half aloud it is altogether unlike him though says and she has known him so long says he loved her once long before he saw me my poor philip he must have suffered by that love perhaps that is why he thought life so wearisome when he first came to the ah the a choking sob rose in her throat but she repressed it i must try not to weary him she continued softly i must have done so in some way or he would not be tired but as for what i have heard it is not for me to ask him questions i would not have him think that i him no there is some fault in me something he does not like or he would never go to she broke off and stretched out her hands with a sort of wild appeal oh philip my darling i she exclaimed in a sobbing whisper i always knew i was not worthy of you but i thought i hoped love would make amends for all my tears rushed into her eyes and she turned to a little arched recess shaded by velvet curtains her where | 33 |
stood an exquisite white marble of the virgin and child there she knelt for some minutes her face hidden in her hands and when she rose she was quite calm though very pale she her face with cold water her disordered hair and then went downstairs thereby running into the arms of her husband who was coming up again to look as he said at his sleeping beauty and here she is f he exclaimed have rested enough my pet indeed yes t she answered gently i am ashamed to be so lazy have you wanted me philip i always want you he declared i am never happy without you she smiled and sighed you say that to please me she said half wistfully i say it because it is true he asserted proudly putting his arm round her waist and her in this manner down the great staircase and you know it you sweet witch youve just in time to see the lighting up of the grounds be a good view from the picture gallery lots of the people have gone in there you d better come too for it s chilly outside she followed him and her among her guests was hailed with enthusiasm lady being particularly almost too much so your headache has quite gone dearest hasn t it she inquired sweetly eyed her gravely i did not suffer from headache she said i was a little tired but i am quite rested now i bit her lips rather but said no more and at that moment exclamations of delight broke from all assembled at the brilliant scene that suddenly flashed upon their eyes that radiant whose magic has lately been bent to the service of man had in less than a minute played such dazzling in the gardens that they resembled the treasure houses discovered by every tree glittered with sparkling clusters of red blue and green light every flower bed was bordered with lines and circles of harmless flame and the fountains tossed up tall columns of rose and spray against the soft blue darkness of the sky in which a golden moon had just risen the brilliancy of the showed up several dark strolling in couples about the grounds romantic persons evidently who were not to be persuaded to come indoors even for the music of the band which just then burst forth through the open windows of the picture gallery two of these pensive were van and lord and lord was in a curiously the land of mockery sentimental frame of mind and weak withal he had taken a good deal of and brandy for his headache and physically he was much better but mentally he was not quite his ordinary self by this it must not be understood that he was at all by the of his he was simply in a bland humour that peculiar sort of humour which finds strange and mystic beauty in everything and the meanest trifles with emotions of large benevolence he was too and inclined to quote poetry this sort of often affects gentlemen after they have had an excellent dinner with the finest lord was as mild as tame and as as a sleeping fish and in this almost tender mood of his upon him she looked pretty in the moonlight with a white wrap thrown carelessly round her head and shoulders and her bold bird like eyes sparkling with excitement for who that knows the pleasure of sport is not excited when the fox is nearly run to earth and she stood with him beside one of the smaller illuminated fountains raising her small white hand every now and then to catch some of the rainbow drops and then with a laugh she would shake them off her little nails into the air again poor could not help gazing at her with a lack lustre admiration in his pale eyes and calculating every move in her own shrewd mind saw it she turned her head away with a yet movement my patience she exclaimed kin stare u know me again when see me say i should know you an n here declared nervously with the string of his eye glass it s impossible to forget your face miss she was silent and kept that face turned from him so long that the gentle little lord was surprised he approached her more closely and took her hand the hand that had played with the drops in the fountain it was such an small hand so very fragile looking and tiny that he was almost for putting up his eye glass to survey it as if it were a separate object in a museum but the faintest pressure of the delicate fingers he held startled him and sent the most curious thrill through his body and when he spoke he was in such a flutter that he scarcely knew what he was saying miss miss p he stammered have have i said anything to to offend you very slowly and with seeming reluctance she turned her head towards him and oh thou mischievous that sometimes upon thee the semblance of what skill is thine there were tears in her eyes real tears bright large tears that up and fell through her long lashes in the most beautiful touching and becoming manner and thought to herself if i don t fetch him now i never will lord was quite frightened his poor brain grew more and more bewildered why miss i say look here he in his extremity her little hand and what t have i done good gracious you you really mustn t cry you know i say look here i wouldn t vex you for the world bet wouldn t said with slow | 33 |
and i like that that s the way english talk but kin hang round a girl a whole season and make all her folks think badly of and and break her heart yes that s so i here she dried her eyes with a lace handkerchief but don w mind me i kin bear it i kin worry through and she drew herself up with dignified resignation while lord stared wildly at her his feeble mind in a whirl presently she smiled most and looked up with her dark eyes to the moon i guess it s a good night for lovers she said sinking her ordinary tone to an almost sweet but we re not of that sort are we the die was cast she looked so charming so irresistible that lost all hold over his wits scarcely knowing what he did he put his arm round her waist oh what a warm yielding waist he drew her close to his breast at the risk of breaking his most valuable eye glass and felt his poor weak soul in a quiver of excitement at this novel and delicious sensation we are we are of that sort he declared why should you doubt it the land of mockery believe if say so responded but i guess re only me you lord was so surprised that he released her quite suddenly from his embrace so suddenly that she was a little frightened was she to lose him after all he continued mildly yet with a certain that did not ill become him i i hope i am too much of a gentleman to to oo any woman least of all you after i have as you say you in society by my my attentions i i have very little to offer you but such as it is is yours in in short i i will try to make you happy if you can can care for me enough to to marry me the game was won a vision of that well and highly desirable residence as the would describe it flitted before s eyes and filled with triumph she went straight into her s arms and kissed him with thorough frankness she was really grateful to him ever since she had come to england she had and to become my lady with all the vigour of a purely republican soul and now at last after hard fighting she had won the prize for which her soul had she would in future belong to the english aristocracy that aristocracy which her relatives in new york pretended to despise yet openly flattered and with her arms round the s neck she foresaw the delight she would have in being by them as far as could be made to she is by no means presented to the reader as a favourable type of her nation for of course knows there are plenty of sweet unselfish american girls who are absolutely incapable of such marriage as hers but what else could be expected from her grandfather the had but recently become endowed with pilgrim father and her maternal uncle was a pork dealer in it was her duty to the family somehow surely if anyone had a right to be ambitious she was that one and while proud dreams of her future passed through her brain little lord quivered meekly under her kiss and returned it with all the enthusiasm of which he was capable one or two faint troubled him as to whether he had not been just a little t a too hasty in making a serious bond offer of marriage to the young lady by whose pilgrim he was not deceived he knew well enough what her were and a faint shudder crossed him as he thought of the pork dealing uncle who would by marriage become his uncle also he had long been proud of the fact that the house of had never through the course of centuries been associated even in the remotest manner with trade and now yet after all he mused the of openly himself as a coal merchant and the brothers of the princess are in the wine trade and business and all the old blood of england is mingling itself by choice with that of the lowest what s the use f my remaining aloof and refusing to go with the spirit of the age besides loves me and it s pleasant to be loved poor lord he certainly thought there could be no question about s affection for him he little that if was to his title and position she had become so deeply attached he could not guess that after he had married her there would be no more lord worth mentioning that that individual once independent would be entirely swallowed up and lost in the dashing personality of lady who would rule her husband as with a rod of iron he was happily ignorant of his future and he walked in the gardens for some time with his arm round s waist in a very placid and romantic frame of mind by and by he escorted her into the house where the dancing was in full swing and she with a sweet smile bidding him wait for her in the refreshment room sought for and found her mother who as usual was seated in a quiet corner with mrs rush talking scandal well exclaimed these two ladies simultaneously and s eyes guess he came in as gently as a lamb she said they understood her mrs rush rose from her chair in her usual stately and manner i congratulate you my dear t kissing affectionately on both cheeks would have been a better match but | 33 |
under the circumstances is really about the the land of mockery best thing you could do you ll find him quite easy to manage this with an air as though she were a quiet pony that s so said carelessly i guess we ll pull together somehow mar ma to her mother you kin turn on the news to all the folks meet the more talk the better i m not partial to secrets and with a laugh she turned away then mrs van laid her plump diamond hand on that of her dear friend mrs you have managed the whole thing beautifully she said with a grateful heave of her ample bosom such a clever creature as you are she dropped her voice to a mysterious whisper you shall have that to morrow my love mrs rush pressed her fingers cordially don t hurry yourself about it she returned in the same confidential tone i dare say you ll want me to arrange the wedding and the crush afterwards i can wait till then no no that s a separate affair declared mrs van i must insist on your taking the promised two hundred you ve been really so very energetic well i have worked rather hard said mrs with modest self consciousness you see nowadays it s so difficult to secure suitable husbands for the girls who ought to have them men are such slippery creatures she sighed and mrs van echoed the sigh and then these two ladies the nature of whose intimacy may now be understood by the reader went together to search out those of their friends and acquaintances who were among the guests that night and to announce to them in the confidence of course the delightful news of dear s engagement heard of it and went at once to her congratulations to in person i hope you will be very very happy she said simply yet with such grave earnestness in her look and voice that the yankee was touched to a certain softness and seriousness not at all usual with her and became so winning and gentle to lord that he felt in the seventh heaven of delight with his new position as lover to so charming a creature meanwhile george and z were together in the library it was very quiet there the goodly rows of books the of poets and philosophers the large placid features of the crowning an antique the golden pipes of the organ gleaming through the shadows all these gave a solemn almost sacred aspect to the room the noise of the dancing and in the distant picture gallery did not penetrate here and sat at the organ drawing out a few plaintive strains from its keys as he talked it s your fancy he said slowly may be a little tired to day perhaps but i know she s perfectly happy i think not so returned she has not the brightness the angel look that we beheld in her at that far is anxious for her looked up and smiled a little it s always with you mon i one would think he paused and laughed think what you please exclaimed with a defiant snap of his fingers i would not give that little person for all the here to day she is charming and she is true ma foil to be true to anyone is a virtue in this age i tell you my good boy there is something sorrowful heavy on la s mind and who sees her always feels it but she cannot speak one thing i will tell you it is a pity she is so fond of why asked with some eagerness because he stopped abruptly as a white figure suddenly appeared at the doorway and a musical voice addressed them why what are you both doing here away from everybody and smiled as she approached you are or you are lazy i people are going in to supper will you not come also ma exclaimed i had forgotten i have promised your most charming mother to take her in to this same supper i must fly upon the wings of chivalry and with a laugh he hurried off leaving and alone together she sank rather wearily into a chair near the organ and looked at him play me something she said softly a strange thrill quivered through him as he met her eyes the sweet deep earnest eyes of the woman he loved for it was no the land of mockery use attempting to disguise it from himself he loved her passion wildly hopelessly as he had loved her from the first obedient to her wish his fingers wandered over the organ keys in a strain of solemn weird yet tender melancholy the grand rich notes forth and she listened her hands clasped idly in her lap presently he changed the theme to one of more heart appealing passion and a strange wild minor air like the rushing of the wind across the mountains began to make itself heard through the subdued rippling murmur of his accompaniment to his surprise and fear she started up pressing her hands against her ears not that not that song my friend she cried almost oh it will break my heart oh the t and she gave way to a passion of weeping and poor rising from the organs stood gazing at her in piteous dismay every nerve in his body wrung to anguish by the sound of her sobbing a mad longing seized him to catch her in his arms to gather her and her sorrows whatever they were to his heart and he had much to restrain himself he presently said in a gentle voice that trembled just a little what is | 33 |
troubling you you call me your brother give a brother s right to your confidence he bent over her and took her hand i i can t bear to see you cry like this tell me what s the matter let me fetch philip she looked up with wild wet eyes and quivering lips oh no no she murmured in a tone of entreaty and alarm do not philip must not know i do wish him always to see me bright and cheerful and it is nothing it is that i heard something which grieved me what was it asked remembering s recent remarks oh i would not tell you she said eagerly drying her eyes and endeavouring to smile because i am sure it was a mistake and all wrong and i was foolish to fancy that such a thing could be even for a moment but when one does not know the world it seems cruel what do you mean and george surveyed her in some perplexity if anyone s been or you just you tell all about it don t have any secrets from him soon put everything straight whatever it is she shook her head slightly ah you do not understand she said how should you because you have not given your life away to anyone and it is all different with you but when you do love if you are at all like me you will be so anxious to always seem worthy of love and you wiu hide all your away from your beloved so that your constant presence shall not seem tiresome and i would not for all the world trouble philip with my silly fancies because then he might grow more weary still weary interrupted in an accent of emphatic surprise why you don t suppose s tired of you that is nonsense indeed he you who s been putting such notions into your head she rose from her chair quite calm and very pale and laid her two trembling hands in his ah you also will mistake me she said with touching sweetness like so many others who think me strange in my speech and manner i am sorry i am not like other women but i cannot help it what i do wish you to understand is that i never suppose anything against my philip he is the noblest and best of men and you must promise not to tell him that i was so foolish as to cry just now because you played that old song i sang to you both so often in it was because i felt a little sad but it was only a fancy and i would not have him troubled with such things will you promise but what has made you sad persisted still puzzled nothing nothing indeed she answered with almost feverish earnestness you yourself are sometimes sad and can you tell why certainly could have told why but he remained silent and gently kissed the little hands he held then i mustn t tell philip of your sadness he asked softly at last but will you tell him yourself depend upon it it s much better to have no secrets from him the least grief of yours would affect him more than the of a you know how dearly he loves you yes i know she answered and her eyes brightened slowly the land of mockery and that is why i wish him always to see me happy she paused and then added in a lower tone i would rather die my friend than vex him for one hour george still held her hands and looked wistfully in her face he was about to speak again when a cold courteous voice interrupted them lady may i have the honour of taking you in to supper it was sir francis he had entered quite noiselessly his footsteps making no sound on the thick velvet pile carpet and he stood quite close to who dropped s hands hastily and darted a suspicious glance at the intruder but sir francis was the very picture of and bland politeness and offered his arm with the graceful ease of an accomplished she was compelled to accept it and she was slightly confused though she could not have told why sir philip has been looking everywhere for you continued sir francis and for you also he added turning slightly to i trust ive not abruptly broken off a pleasant coloured hotly not at all he said rather ive been on the organ and lady has been good enough to listen to me you do not said with gentle reproach you play very beautifully ah a charming accomplishment observed sir francis with his under glance and covert smile as they all three their way out of the library i regret i have never had time to devote myself to acquiring some knowledge of the arts in music i am a positive i can hold my own best in the field yes you re a great at hunting remarked suddenly with something sarcastic in his tone i suppose the never escapes you seldom returned sir francis coolly indeed i think i may say never and with that he passed into the supper room a way for till he succeeded in placing her near the head of the able where she was soon busily occupied in entertaining her guests and listening to their chatter and looking at once or twice saw to his great relief that all traces of her former agitation had disappeared leaving her face fair and radiant as a spring morning chapter vii a generous dwells with innocence and conscious virtue is allowed some pride the melancholy days of autumn came on and by and by the was deserted the establishment removed again to | 33 |
could calculate after they had gone resigned herself to a lonely evening and stirring the fire in the drawing room to a cheerful blaze she sat down beside it first she amused herself by reading over some letters recently received from her father and then yielding to a sudden fancy she drew her spinning wheel from the corner where it always stood and set it in motion she had little time for spinning now but she never quite gave it up and as the low familiar sound pleasantly on her ears she smiled thinking how quaint and almost her simple of industry looked among all the luxurious furniture and costly nick by which she was surrounded i ought to have one of my old gowns on she half murmured glancing down at the pale blue silk robe she wore i am too fine to spin and she almost laughed as the wheel flew round swiftly under her graceful listening to its she scarcely heard a sudden knock at the street door and was quite startled when the servant announced sir francis d surprised she rose from her seat at the spinning wheel with a slight air of sir francis who had never in his life seen a lady of title and fashion in london engaged in the primitive occupation of spinning was entirely delighted with the picture before him the tall lovely woman with her gold hair and blue standing with such beside the simple wooden wheel the antique emblem of household industry instinctively he thought of but as a crowned queen superior to all temptations of either man or sir philip is out she said as she suffered him to take her hand so i was aware returned easily i saw him a little while ago at the door of the brilliant theatre she turned very pale then the rapid beating of her heart by a strong effort she forced a careless smile and said bravely did you i am very glad for he will have some amusement there perhaps and that will do him good he has been working so hard she paused he said nothing and she went on more cheerfully is it not a very dismal wet evening i yes and you must be cold will you have some tea tha sir francis staring at her if it s not too much trouble oh no r said why should it be and she rang the bell and gave the order sir francis sank lazily back in an easy chair and his moustache slowly he knew that his random hit about the theatre had struck home but she allowed the arrow to pierce and possibly wound her heart without showing any outward sign of a woman he considered and wondered how he should make his next move she meanwhile smiled at him frankly and gave a light to her spinning wheel you see she said i was amusing myself this evening by imagining that i was once more at home in pray don t let me interrupt the amusement he responded with a sleepy look of satisfaction shooting from beneath his eyelids go on spinning lady i ve never seen anyone before the land of mockery at that moment appeared with the tea and handed it to sir francis took none and as the servant retired she quietly resumed her occupation there was a short silence only broken by the hum of the wheel sir francis his tea with a meditative air and studied the fair woman before him as as he would have studied a picture i hope i m not in your way he asked suddenly she looked up surprised oh no only i am sorry philip is not here to talk to you it would be so much pleasanter would it he murmured rather and smiling well i shall be quite contented if you will talk to me lady ah but i am not at all clever in conversation responded quite seriously i am sure you as well as many others must have noticed that i never do seem to say exactly the right thing to please everybody is it not very unfortunate he laughed a little i have yet to learn in what way you do not please everybody he said dropping his voice to a low caressing who that sees you does not admire and and love you she met his gaze without embarrassment while the of her regard confused and slightly him admire me oh yes she said somewhat it that of which i am so weary because god has made one pleasant in form and face to be stared at and whispered about and have all one s dresses copied all that is so small and common and mean and does vex me so much it is the penalty you pay for being beautiful said sir francis slowly wondering within himself at the extraordinary of a feminine creature who was actually tired of admiration she made no reply the wheel went round faster than before presently set aside his emptied cup and drawing his chair a little closer to hers asked when does return i cannot tell you she answered he said that he might be late mr is with him there was another silence lady said sir francis abruptly pray excuse me i speak as a friend and in interests how long is this to last the wheel stopped she raised her eyes they were grave and steady i do not understand you she returned quietly what is it that you mean he hesitated then went on with lowered eyelids and a i mean what all our set s talking about s queer fancy for that at the brilliant still gazed at him it is a mistake she said resolutely altogether a | 33 |
mistake and as you are his friend sir francis you will please contradict this report which is wrong and may do philip harm it has no truth in it at all no truth exclaimed it s true as gospel i lady i m sorry for it but your husband is deceiving you most t how dare you say such a thing she cried springing upright and facing him then she stopped and grew very pale but she kept her eyes upon him how bright they were i what a pride glittered in their sea blue depths you are in error she said coldly if it is wrong to visit this theatre you speak of why are you so often seen there and why is not some harm said of you f it is not your place to speak against my husband it is shameful and treacherous you do forget yourself most and she moved to leave tiie room but sir francis interposed lady he said very gently don t be hard upon me pray forgive me i of course i ve no business to speak but how can i help it when i hear at the clubs discussing you and pitying you it s impossible to listen quite unmoved i m the least among your friends i know but i can t bear this sort of thing to go on the whole affair will be up in the society papers next and he paced the room half impatiently a very well feigned expression of friendly concern and sympathy on his features stood motionless a little bewildered her head and there was a sick sensation of creeping about her the land of mockery i tell you it is all wrong she repeated with an effort i do not understand why these people at the clubs should talk of me or pity me i do not need any pity my husband is all goodness and truth she stopped and gathered courage as she went on yes he is better nobler than all other men in the world it seems to me he gives me all the joy of my life each day and night i thank god for the blessing of his love she paused again sir francis turned and looked at her steadily a sudden thought seemed to strike her for she advanced eagerly a sweet colour flushing the of her skin you can do so much for me if you will she said laying her hand on his arm you can tell all these people who talk so foolishly that they are wrong tell them how happy i am and that my philip has never deceived me in any matter great or small never he asked with a slight sneer you are sure sure she answered bravely he would keep nothing from me that it was necessary or good for me to know and i oh i might pass all my life in striving to please him and yet i should never never be worthy of all his tenderness and goodness and that he goes many times to a theatre without me what is it a mere nothing a trifle to laugh at i it is not needful to tell me of such a small circumstance as she spoke she smiled her form seemed to with a sort of inner confidence and rapture sir francis stared at her half half savage the beautiful appealing face bright simple trust roused him to no sort of manly respect or forbearance the very touch of the blossom white hand she had laid so innocently on his arm stung his passion as with a lash as he had said he was fond of hunting he had chased the unconscious deer all through the summer and now that it had turned to bay with such pitiful and sweet pleading why not draw the knife across its slim throat without mercy really lady i he said at last your enthusiasm and confidence are indeed charming but unfortunately the proofs are all against you truth is truth however much you may wish to blind your eyes to its i o sincerely wish sir philip were present to hear your eloquent of him instead of being where he most undoubtedly is in the arms of violet as he said these words she started away from him and put her hands to her ears as though to shut out some sound her eyes glowed a cold shiver shook her from head to foot that is false false she muttered in a low choked voice how can you how dare you she ceased and with a swaying bewildered movement as though e were blind she fell senseless at his feet in one second he was kneeling beside her he raised her head on his arm he gazed eagerly on her fair still features a dark of his brows showed that his thoughts were not altogether righteous ones suddenly he laid her down again gently and springing to the door locked it returning he once more lifted her in a half position and her with his arms drew her close to his breast and kissed her he was in no hurry for her to recover she looked very beautiful she was helpless she was in his power the silvery ting ting of the clock on the striking eleven startled him a little he listened painfully he thought he heard trying the handle of the door he had locked again again he kissed those pale unconscious lips presently a slight shiver ran through her frame she sighed and a little moan escaped her gradually as warmth and sensation returned to her she felt the pressure of his embrace and murmured philip darling you have come back | 33 |
earlier i thought here she opened her eyes and met those of sir francis who was eagerly bending over her she uttered an exclamation of alarm and strove to rise he held her still more closely dear dearest let me comfort you let me tell you how much i love you and before she could divine his intent he pressed his lips passionately on her pale cheek with a cry she tore herself violently from his arms and sprang to her feet trembling in every at what is this she exclaimed wrath fully are you mad the land of mockery and still weak and confused from her recent attack of she pushed back her hair from her brows and regarded him with a sort of puzzled horror he flushed deeply and set his lips hard i dare say i am he answered with a bitter laugh in fact i know i am you see ive betrayed my miserable secret will you forgive me lady he drew nearer to her and his eyes darkened with restrained passion beauty woman as you are will you not pardon my crime if crime it be the crime of loving you for i do love you heaven only knows how utterly and desperately she stood mute white almost rigid with that strange look of horror frozen as it were upon her features by her silence he approached and caught her hand she it from his grasp and him from her with a gesture of such royal contempt that he before her all suddenly the of her speech were loosened the rising tide of burning indignation that in its very force had held her dumb and motionless now broke forth o god she cried a magnificent glory of disdain flashing in her jewel like eyes what is this that calls itself a man this thief of honour this pretended friend what have i done sir that you should put such deep disgrace as your upon me what have i seemed that you thus dare to outrage me by the of your touch i the wife of the noblest gentleman in the land ah and she drew a long breath and it is you who speak against my she smiled scornfully then with more calmness continued you will leave my house sir at once and never presume to enter it again and she stepped towards the bell he looked at her with an evil stop a moment he said coolly just one moment before you ring pray consider the servant cannot possibly enter as the door is locked you dared to lock the door she exclaimed a sudden fear her heart as she remembered similar on the part of the reverend mr then another thought crossed her mind and she began to retreat towards a large painted of among and in the sea sir francis sprang to her side and caught her arm in an iron grip his face was with baffled spite and yes i dared r he muttered with triumphant malice and i dared do more than that i you lay unconscious in my arms you beautiful and i kissed you ay fifty times you can never undo those kisses you can never forget that my lips as well as your husband s have rested on yours i have had that much joy that shall never be taken away from me and if i choose even now and he her more closely yes even now i will kiss you in spite of you who is to prevent me i will force you to love me driven to bay she struck him with all her force in the face across the eyes traitor liar i coward she gasped let me go with the pain of the blow he unconsciously loosened his grasp she rushed to the and to his utter discomfiture and amazement he saw it open and close behind her she disappeared suddenly and noiselessly as if by magic with a fierce exclamation he threw his whole weight against that secret sliding door it resisted all his efforts he searched for the spring by which it must have opened the whole was perfectly smooth and apparently solid and the painted on her s back seemed as though she smiled at his rage and disappointment while he was examining it he heard the sudden sharp and continuous ringing of an electric bell somewhere in the house and with a guilty flush on his face he sprang to the drawing room door and unlocked it he was just in time for scarcely had he turned the key when made his appearance that venerable looked round the room in evident surprise did her ring he inquired his eyes everywhere in search of his mistress sir francis collected his wits and forced himself to seem composed no he said coolly rang he adopted this falsehood as a means of exit call a will you and he sauntered easily into the hall and got on his hat and great coat was rather bewildered but obedient to the the land of mockery command blew the cab whistle which was promptly answered sir francis tossed him half a crown and entered the vehicle which away with him in the direction of road stopping at a particular house in a side street leading from thence he bade the wait and ascending the steps busied himself for some moments in something rapidly in pencil on a leaf of his note book by the light of the in the doorway he then gave a loud knock and inquired of the servant who answered it is mr in yes sir the reply came rather hesitatingly but he s having a party to night and in fact the | 33 |
flashed he is a wicked man you do not know how wicked he is f oh yes i do f and r her mistress very stead i know quite well but then i must not speak if i dared i could tell you some strange things dear but you will not hear me you know you do not wish me to talk about your grand new friends but she paused timidly oh dear i said affectionately taking her hand you know they are not so much my friends as the friends of sir philip and for this reason i must never listen to anything against do you not see of course their ways seem strange to us but then life in london is so different to hfe in and we cannot all at once understand she broke ofi sighing a little then she resumed now you will give my message and then come to me in my bedroom i am tired and philip said i was not to wait up for him departed and went rather slowly upstairs it was now nearly midnight and she felt languid and weary her reflections began to take a new turn suppose she told her husband all that had he would most certainly go to sir francis and punish him in some way there might then be a quarrel in which philip himself might suffer and all sorts of evil consequences would perhaps result from her want of i on the other hand she said nothing and simply refused to receive would not her husband think such conduct on her part strange she puzzled over these questions till her head ached and finally resolved to keep her own counsel for the present after what had happened sir francis would most probably not intrude himself again into her presence i will ask mrs what is best to do she thought she is old and wise and she will know that night as she laid her head on her pillow and threw the warm over her she shivered a httle and asked is it not very cold very i responded her httle maid and it is beginning to the land of mockery looked wistful it is all snow and darkness now at the she said smiled yes indeed we are better off here than there perhaps replied a little and then she settled herself as though to sleep kissed her hand and retired noiselessly she had gone opened her eyes and lay broad awake looking at the of rosy light flung on the ceiling from the little suspended lamp in her all snow and darkness at the how strange the picture seemed she thought of her mother s how cold and dreary it must be she could see in fancy the long the entrance to the s tomb the spot where she and philip had first met she could almost hear the slow sullen splash of the black against the shore her maiden life in her school days at these were now like dreams dreams that had passed away long long ago the whole tenor of her existence had changed she was a wife she was soon to be a mother and with this near future of new and sacred joy before her why did she to night so persistently look backward to the past as she lay quiet watching the glimmering light upon the wall it seemed as though her room were suddenly filled with shadowy forms she saw her mother s sweet sad suffering face then her father s sturdy figure and fine frank features then came the flitting shape of the whose plaintive voice she almost imagined she could hear and feeling that she was growing foolishly nervous she closed her eyes and tried to sleep in vain her mind began to work on a far more train of thought why did not philip return where was he as though some mocking devil had answered her the words in the arms of violet as uttered by sir francis to her overcome by her restlessness she started up she determined to get out of bed and put on her dressing gown and read when her quick ears caught the sound of steps coming up the staircase she recognised her husband s firm tread and understood that he was followed by whose sleeping apartment was on the floor above she attentively they were talking together in low tones on the landing outside her door i think it would be much better to make a clean breast of it said sir philip she will have to know some day your wife for god s sake don t tell her s voice replied such a disgraceful here his words sank to a whisper and could not distinguish them another minute and her husband entered with soft precaution fearing to awake her she stretched out her arms to welcome him and he hastened to her with an exclamation of tenderness and pleasure my darling not asleep yet she smiled but there was something very piteous in her smile had the dim light enabled him to perceive it no not yet philip and yet i think i have been dreaming the ah it must be cold there now he answered lightly it s cold enough here in all conscience to night there is a bitter east wind and snow is falling she heard this account of the weather with almost morbid interest her thoughts instantly themselves again to and dwelt there to th last before her aching eyes closed in the slumber she so sorely needed she seemed to be carried away in fancy to a weird stretch of gloom enveloped landscape where she stood entirely alone vaguely wondering at the dreary scene how strange it seems | 33 |
her sake all the rest of the company she was immensely popular the golden youth of london about her hair painted eyes and lips even her voice as coarse as that of a was applauded to the echo and her dancing excited the wildest enthusiasm sent her presents of diamond ornaments gifts of value which they would have possibly refused to their own wives and daughters royal thought it no shame to be seen lounging near her stage door in short she was in the of her career and being thoroughly insolent and wholly without a conscience she enjoyed herself immensely at the very time when lady s carriage was the strand the grand morning of a new was on at the brilliant and violet s harsh tones raised to a sort of rough masculine roar were heard all over the theatre as she issued commands or made complaints according to her she sat in an elevated position above the stage on a beam of wood painted to resemble the branch of a tree swinging her legs to and fro and the heels of her shoes together in time to the mild of a the player whereof was trying over the first few bars of the new in which she was ere long to distinguish herself she was a handsome woman with a fine fair skin and large full dark eyes she had a wide mouth which nearly always on the grin displayed to the full her strong white teeth her figure was inclined to excessive em but this rather her to her admirers than otherwise many of these gentlemen being prone to describe her charms by the epithet prime t as though she were a pig or other animal getting ready for killing she presently are you going to sleep do you expect me to dance to a you lazy wretch the player of the paused in his efforts and looked up he was an old man with a lean long body and pinched features his lips had a curious way too of trembling when he spoke as if he were ready to cry i can t help it he said slowly i don t know it yet i must practise it a bit at home my sight s not so good as it used to be such a pair of love you ve never never seen one my mother last night the it is green f sang violet to the infinite delight of all the looking and girls who were scattered about the stage talking and laughing shut up she continued you re always talking about your i warn you if you say too much about it you ll lose your place we don t want blind in the brilliant put down your and fetch me a pint ask for the s own they ll i obeyed and off on his errand as he departed a little man with a very red face wearing a stove pipe hat very much on one side on the stage as if had thrown him there like a ball now ladies ladies he shouted attention once again please the last figure once again the straggling groups scrambled hastily into something like order and the little man continued one two three advance retreat left right very well indeed arms up a little more miss so toes well pointed retire one two three swift slide to the left wing forward round take hands all smile please this general smile was apparently not quite satisfactory for he repeated ah smile please so i round again more quickly now break the circle in centre enter miss he paused growing still in the face and demanded where is miss the land of mockery he was standing just beneath the painted bough of the sham tree and in one second his hat was kicked off and two heels met with a click round his neck here i am retorted miss holding him fast in this novel embrace amid the laughter of the you re getting as blind as steady steady now donkey steady i and in a she stood upright one foot planted firmly on each of his shoulders no weight am i darling she went on and with an air she put up an eye glass and surveyed the top of his head you want a wig my dear you do indeed come with me to morrow and buy you one to suit your complexion your wife won t know you and with a vigorous jump she sprang down from her position managing to give him a smart hit on the nose as she did so and leaping to the centre of the stage she posed herself to commence her dance when came creeping back in his slow and dismal fashion bearing something in a pot that s the ticket i she cried as she perceived him i m as dry as a whole desert give it here and she snatched the from the feeble hand of her messenger and began drinking eagerly the little red faced man interposed now miss vi he said is that brandy rather so returned the with a knowing wink and a good many things besides it s a mixture the s own ha ha might be the name of a regiment and she buried her mouth and nose again in the look here said the little man again why not wait till after the dance it s bad for you before oh is it indeed screamed violet raising her face which became suddenly and violently flushed oh good lord are you a preacher te your bad for me say another word and i ll box your ears for you you you idiot who makes the brilliant draw | 33 |
you or i tell me that you staring old here who had for some minutes been vainly endeavouring to attract her attention raised his weak voice to a feeble shout i say miss i ve been trying to tell you but you won t listen there s a lady waiting to see you a what she asked a lady continued in loud tones a lady of wants to see you in private won t detain you long violet raised her once more and drained off its contents lord ain t i honoured she said her lips with a grin a lady of title to see me let her wait now then and snapping her fingers she began her dance and went through it to the end with her usual vigour and frankness when she had finished she turned to the red faced man who had watched her with much delight in spite of the abuse she had heaped upon him and said with an affected show the lady of title into my dressing room i shall be ready for her in ten minutes be sure to mention that i am very shy and to company and gently like an awkward school girl she held down her head with feigned and stepped across the stage with such a ludicrous air of propriety that all her associates burst out laughing and applauded her she turned and to them then suddenly raising one leg in a position she it rapidly in their faces then she gave a little shocked cough behind her hand grinned and vanished when in the ten minutes she was ready to receive her unknown visitor she was quite transformed she had arrayed herself in a trailing gown of rich black velvet fastened at the side with jet a cluster of natural innocent white in the fall of spanish lace at her throat her face was pale with pearl powder and she had eaten a couple of scented bon to drown the smell of her recent brandy she gracefully in an easy chair pretending to read and she rose with an admirably acted air of startled surprise as one of the errand boys belonging to the brilliant tapped at her door and in answer to her come in announced lady a faint sweet questioning smile played on the s wide mouth i am not aware that i have the honour of she began the land of mockery her voice to the of fashionable society and wondering within herself what the d this woman in the silk and fur costume wanted lady in the meantime stared at her with cold critical eyes she is positively rather handsome she thought i can quite imagine a certain class of men losing their heads about her aloud she said i must for this intrusion miss i dare say you have never heard my name i am not fortunate enough to be famous as you are this with a killing satire in her smile may i sit down thanks i have called upon you in the hope that you may perhaps be able to give me a little information in a private matter a matter concerning the happiness of a very dear friend of mine she paused violet sat silent after a minute or two her continued in a somewhat embarrassed manner i believe you know a gentleman with whom i am also acquainted sir philip miss raised her eyes with charming languor and a slow smile oh yes he visits you doesn t he frequently i m afraid you ll think me rude and inquisitive continued lady with a air but but may i ask anything in the world interrupted violet coolly ask away but i m not bound to answer lady with indignation what an insulting creature she thought but after all she had put herself in her present position and she could not very well complain if she met with a she made another effort sir francis told me she began the interrupted her with a cheerful laugh oh you come from him do you now why didn t you tell me that at first it s all right you re a great friend of s aren t you la sat erect and haughty a deadly chill of disgust and fear at her heart this creature called her lover even as she herself had done and she the proud vain woman of society and fashion shuddered at the idea that there should be even this between herself and the thing called violet she replied stiffly i have known him a long time he s a nice fellow went on miss easily a sometimes but never mind that you want to know about sir philip and i ll tell yoa he s chosen to mix himself up with some affairs of mine what affairs asked lady rather eagerly they don t concern you returned miss calmly and we needn t talk about them but they concern sir philip or he thinks they do and he on seeing me about them and holding long conversations which bore me excessively she yawned slightly her in a dainty lace handkerchief and then went on he s a moral young man don t you know and i could never endure moral men i can t get on with them at all then you don t like him questioned lady in rather a disappointed tone no i don t said the candidly he s not my sort but lord bless you i know how he s getting talked about because he comes here and serve him right too he shouldn t with my business she paused suddenly and drew a letter from her pocket laughed and tossed it across the table you can read that if you like she said indifferently he | 33 |
wrote it and sent it round to me last night lady s eyes eagerly she recognised s bold clear hand at once and as she read an expression of triumph played on her features she looked up presently and said have you any further use for this letter miss or will you allow me to keep it the seemed slightly suspicious of this proposal but looked amused too why what do you want it for she inquired to him about me lady forced a smile well perhaps i she admitted then with an air of and simplicity she con the land of mockery i think miss with you that it is very wrong of sir philip very absurd of him in fact to interfere with your affairs whatever they may be and as it is very likely to you it i interposed violet decidedly then with the help of this letter which really really excuse me for saying it quite him and her looked concerned about it i might perhaps persuade him not to to intrude upon you you understand but if you object to part with the letter never mind if i did not fear to offend you i should ask you to exchange it for for something more well let us say something more substantial don t beat about the bush said violet with a sudden oblivion of her company manners you mean money t smiled as you put it so frankly miss she began of course i m always frank returned the with a loud laugh besides what s the good of pretending money s the only thing worth having it pays your butcher baker and and how are you to get along if you can t pay them i d like to know lord if all the letters ive got from fools were paying stock instead of waste paper i d shut up shop and leave the brilliant to look out for itself lady felt she had gained her object and she could now afford to be gracious that would be a great loss to the world she remarked sweetly an immense loss london could scarcely get on without violet here she opened her purse and took out some bank notes which she folded and slipped inside an envelope then i may have the letter she continued you may and welcome returned violet lady instantly held out the envelope which was as instantly clutched especially if you ll tell sir philip to mind his own business she paused and a dark flush mounted to her brow one of those sudden that rather than her face yes she repeated as he s a friend of yours just tell him i said he was to mind his own business i lord what does he want to come here and preach at me for i don t want his sermons moral here she laughed even as she herself had done the proud vain woman of society and fashion shuddered at the idea that there should be even this between herself and the thing called violet she replied stiffly i have known him a long time he s a nice fellow went on miss easily a sometimes but never mind that you want to know about sir philip and i ll tell you he s chosen to mix himself up with some affairs of mine what affairs asked lady rather eagerly they don t concern you returned miss calmly and we needn t talk about them but they concern sir philip or he thinks they do and he on seeing me about them and holding long conversations which bore me excessively i she yawned slightly her in a dainty lace handkerchief and then went on he s a moral young man don t you know and i could never endure moral men i can t get on with them at all then you don t like him questioned lady in rather a disappointed tone no i don t said the candidly he s not my sort but lord bless you i know how he s getting talked about because he comes here and serve him right too he shouldn t with my business she paused suddenly and drew a letter from her pocket laughed and tossed it across the table you can read that if you like she said indifferently he wrote it and sent it round to me last night lady s eyes eagerly she recognised s bold clear hand at once and as she read an expression of triumph played on her features she looked up presently and said have you any further use for this letter miss or will you allow me to keep it the seemed slightly suspicious of this proposal but looked amused too why what do you want it for she inquired to him about me lady forced a smile well perhaps she admitted then with an air of gentleness and simplicity she con the land of mockery i think miss with you that it is very wrong of sir philip very absurd of him in fact to interfere with your affairs whatever they may be and as it is very to you it is interposed violet decidedly then with the help of this letter which really really excuse me for saying it quite him and her looked concerned about it i might perhaps persuade him not to to intrude upon you you understand but if you object to part with the letter never mind if i did not fear to offend you i should ask you to exchange it for for something more well let us say something more substantial don t beat about the bush said violet | 33 |
own business lord what does he want to come here and preach at me for i don t want his sermons i moral here she laughed even as she herself had done and she the proud vain woman of society and fashion shuddered at the idea that there should be even this between herself and the thing called violet she replied stiffly i have known him a long time he s a nice fellow went on miss easily a sometimes but never mind that you want to know about sir philip and i ll tell you he s chosen to mix himself up with some affairs of mine what affairs asked lady rather eagerly they don t concern you returned miss calmly and we needn t talk about them but they concern sir philip or he thinks they do and he on seeing me about them and holding long conversations which bore me excessively she yawned slightly her in a dainty lace handkerchief and then went on he s a moral young man don t you know and i could never endure moral men i can t get on witli them at all then you don t like him questioned lady in rather a disappointed tone no i don t said the candidly he s not my sort but lord bless you i i know how he s getting talked about because he comes here and serve him right too he shouldn t with my business she paused suddenly and drew a letter from her pocket laughed and tossed it across the table you can read that if you like she said indifferently he wrote it and sent it round to me last night lady s eyes eagerly she recognised s bold clear hand at once and as she read an expression of triumph played on her features she looked up presently and said have you any further use for this letter miss or will you allow me to keep it the seemed slightly suspicious of this proposal but looked amused too why what do you want it for she inquired to him about me lady forced a smile well perhaps she admitted then with an air of f and simplicity she con the land of mockery i think miss with you that it is very wrong of sir philip very absurd of him in fact to interfere with your affairs whatever they may be and as it is very to you it is interposed violet decidedly then with the help of this letter which really really excuse me for saying it quite him and her looked concerned about it i might perhaps persuade him not to to intrude upon you you understand but if you object to part with the letter never mind if i did not fear to offend you i should ask you to exchange it for for something more well let us say something more substantial don t beat about the bush said violet with a sudden oblivion of her company manners you mean money i smiled as you put it so frankly miss she began of course i m always frank returned the with a loud laugh besides what s the good of pretending money s the only thing worth having it pays your butcher baker and and how are you to get along if you can t pay them like to know lord if all the letters ive got from fools were paying stock instead of waste paper i d shut up shop and leave the brilliant to look out for itself lady felt she had gained her object and she could now afford to be gracious that would be a great loss to the world she remarked sweetly an immense loss london could scarcely get on without violet here she opened her purse and took out some bank notes which she folded and slipped inside an envelope then i may have the letter she continued you may and welcome returned violet lady instantly held out the envelope which was as instantly clutched especially if you ll tell sir philip to mind his own business i she paused and a dark flush mounted to her brow one of those sudden that rather than her face yes she repeated as he s a friend of yours just tell him i said he was to mind his own business lord what does he want to come here and preach at me for i don t want his sermons moral here she laughed even as she herself had done and she the proud vain woman of society and fashion shuddered at the idea that there should be even this between herself and the thing called violet she replied stiffly i have known him a long time he s a nice fellow went on miss easily a sometimes but never mind that you want to know about sir philip and i ll tell you he s chosen to mix himself up with some affairs of mine what affairs asked lady rather eagerly they don t concern you returned miss calmly and we needn t talk about them but they concern sir philip or he thinks they do and he on seeing me about them and holding long conversations which bore me excessively she yawned slightly her in a dainty lace handkerchief and then went on he s a moral young man don t you know and i could never endure moral men i can t get on witli them at all then you don t like him questioned lady in rather a disappointed tone no i don t said the candidly he s not my sort but lord bless you i i know how he s getting talked about because he comes here and serve him | 33 |
whole it ll just cover the bill for my mantle who s there knocked at her door come in she cried the feeble presented himself his weak mouth trembled more than ever and he was apparently conscious of this for he passed his hand nervously across it two or three times well what s up inquired the star of the brilliant her bank notes as she spoke miss stammered i venture to ask you a favour could you kindly very kindly lend me ten shillings till to morrow night i am so pressed just now and my wife is ill in bed and he stopped and his eyes sought her face yet timidly you shouldn t have a wife violet with blunt frankness wives are expensive articles besides i lend i never give except to public where one s name gets mentioned in the papers i m obliged to do that you know by way of advertisement ten shillings why i can t afford ten pence my bills would frighten you there go along and don t cry for goodness sake let your fiddle cry for you oh miss once more pleaded if you knew how my wife suffers the rose and stamped her foot impatiently bother your wife i she cried angrily and you too look out or i ll tell the manager we ve got a beggar at the brilliant don t stare at me like that go to the d with you off abashed and trembling and the began to sing or rather a low comic song while she threw over her shoulders a rich mantle glittering with embroidered and poised a paris model hat on her thick o of hair thus attired she passed out of her dressing room the door behind her and after a brief conversation with the acting manager whom she met on her way out she left the theatre and took a cab to the where the young duke of her latest conquest had invited her to a luncheon with himself and friends all men of fashion who were running through what money they had as as they could go lady on her way home was tormented by sundry uncomfortable thoughts and sharp of conscience her interview with violet had instinctively convinced her that sir philip was innocent of the to him and yet the letter she had now in her possession seemed to prove him guilty and though she felt herself to be playing a vile part she could not resist the temptation of trying what the effect would be of this document on s trusting mind it was undoubtedly a very any lawyer would have said as much while his fee for saying it it was written off in evident haste and ran as follows let me see you once more on the subject you know of why will you not accept the honourable position offered to you there shall be no of money all the promises i have made i am quite ready to fulfil you shall lose nothing by being gentle surely you cannot continue to seem so destitute of all womanly feeling and pity i will not believe that you would so deliberately condemn to death a man who has loved and who loves you still so faithfully and who without you is utterly weary of life and broken hearted think once more and let my words carry more weight with you i this was all but more than enough i wonder what he means thought lady it looks as if he were in love with the and she refused to it must be that and yet that doesn t accord with what the creature herself said about his preaching at her he wouldn t do that if he were in love she studied every word of the letter again and again and finally folded it up carefully and placed it in her pocket book the land of mockery innocent or guilty must see it she decided i wonder how she ll take it if she wants a proof it s one she ll scarcely deny some women would fret themselves to death over it but i shouldn t wonder if she sat down under it quite calmly without a word of complaint she frowned a little why must she always be superior to others of her sex how i that still solemn smile of hers and those big baby blue eyes i think if philip had married any other woman than she a woman more like the rest of us who d have gone with her time i could have forgiven him more easily but to pick up a peasant and set her up as a sort of moral finger post to society and then to go and compromise himself with violet that s a kind of thing i can t stand i d rather be anything in the world than a many people desire to be something they are not and her quite unconsciously echoed this rather general sentiment she was without knowing it such an in society that she even herself she betrayed herself as she betrayed others and told little soothing lies to her own conscience as she told them to her friends there are plenty of women like her women of pleasant courtesy and fashion to whom truth is mere and with whom polite lying passes for perfect breeding she was not aware as she was driven along park lane to her own residence that she carried with her on the box of her a private in the person of perched stiffly on his seat with arms tightly folded this respectable was quite absorbed in meditation so much so that he exchanged not a word with his friend the coachman beside him he had his own notions of propriety he considered | 33 |
that his mistress had no business whatever to call on an of violet s and he resolved that whether he were for over or not nothing should prevent him from casually mentioning to lord the object of her s drive that morning for mused gravely a lady as and she forgets appearances as to be up with the afternoon the fog which had hung over the city all day deepened and darkened had with mrs and had enjoyed much pleasant chat with that kindly cheerful old lady she had confided to her part of the story of sir francis s conduct carefully avoiding every mention ol the circumstance which had given rise to it namely the discussion about violet she merely explained that she had suddenly fainted in which condition sir francis had taken advantage of her helplessness to insult her mrs was highly indignant tell your husband all about it my dear she advised he s big enough and strong enough to give that little a good my patience i wish george were in london he d lend a hand and welcome and the old lady nodded her head violently over the she was knitting the making of for her beloved son was her principal occupation and amusement but i hear said that it is against the law to strike anyone no matter how you have been insulted if so then philip would be punished for attacking sir francis and that would not be fair you didn t think of that child when you struck yourself returned mrs laughing and i you gave him a good hard blow and serve him right never mind what comes of it my just tell your husband as soon as ever he comes home and let him take the matter into his own hands he s a fine man she ll know how to defend the pretty wife he loves so well and she smiled while her shining knitting needles faster than ever s face a little i think i am not worthy of his love she said sorrowfully mrs looked at her with some what makes you say that my dear because i feel it so much she replied dear mrs you cannot perhaps understand but when he married me it seemed as if the old story of the king and the beggar maid were being repeated over again i sought nothing but his love his love was and is my life these riches these jewels and beautiful things he me with i do not care for them at all except for the reason that he wishes me to have them i scarcely understand their value for i have been poor all my life and yet i have wanted nothing i do not think wealth is needful to make one happy but love ah i could not live without it and now now she paused and her eyes filled with sudden tears the land of mockery now what asked mrs gently now continued the girl in a low voice my heart is always afraid yes i am afraid of losing my husband s love ah do not laugh at me dear mrs you know people who are much together sometimes get tired tired of seeing the same face always the same form are you tired asked the old lady i tired of philip i am only happy when he is with me and her eyes deepened with passionate tenderness i would wish to live and die beside him and i should not care if i never saw another human face than his well and don t you think he has the same feelings for you men are different i think returned now love is everything to me but it may not be everything to philip i do believe that love is only part of a man s life while it is a l a woman s told me once that most husbands wearied of their wives though they would not always confess it s modern social doctrines are false my dear interrupted mrs quickly she isn t satisfied with her own marriage and she thinks everybody must be as discontented as herself now my husband and i lived always together for twenty years and we were lovers to the last day when my darling died with his hand in mine and and if it hadn t been for my boy i should have died too and two bright tears fell glittering on the old lady s knitting took her hand and kissed it fondly i can understand that she said softly but still still i do believe it is difficult to keep love when you have won it i it is perhaps easy to i am sure it is hard to keep mrs looked at her earnestly my dear child don t let that frivolous woman put nonsense into your pretty head you are too sensible to take such a morbid view of things and you mustn t allow your wholesome fresh nature to be by the notions that cloud the brains of idle fashionable useless women believe me good men don t tire of their wives and sir philip is a good man good wives never weary their husbands and you are a good wife and you will be a good sweet mother think of that new so soon coming for you and leave all the modern crazy one sided notions of human life to the french and russian tut tut continued the old lady tenderly a nice little you are worrying yourself about nothing send philip to me when he comes home him for leaving his bird to in her london cage i i do not declared and you must not him please poor boy he is working so | 33 |
very hard and has so much to attend to he wants to distinguish himself for my sake that looks very much as if he were tired of you laughed mrs though i dare say you d like him to stay at home and make love to you all day silly girl you want the world to be a sort of with you as and sir philip as my dear we re living in the nineteenth century and the days of fond and are past laughed too and felt soon ashamed of her depression the figure of violet now and then danced before her like a mocking will o the but her pride forbade her to mention this the actual source of all her vague troubles she left mrs s house which was near holland park about four o clock and as she was passing church street she bade her coachman drive up to the church there familiarly known as the she entered the sacred edifice where the service of was in progress and kneeling down she listened to the exquisite strains of the solemn music that through those dim and shadowy and a sense of the most perfect peace settled soothingly on her soul clasping her gentle hands she prayed with innocent and earnestness not for herself never for herself but always always for that dear most dear one for whom every beat of her true heart was a fresh vow of and devoted affection dear god she whispered if i love him too much forgive me thou who art all ix ve wilt pardon me this excess of love bless my darling always and teach me how to be more worthy of thy goodness and his tenderness and when she left the church she was happier and more than she had been for many a long day she drove the land of mockery heedless of the fog and cold dismal aspect of the weather and resolved to go and visit lady in the evening so that when philip came back on the morrow she might be able to tell him that she had amused herself and had not been lonely but when she arrived at her own door who opened it informed her that lady was waiting in the drawing room to see her and had been waiting some time hastened thither immediately and held out her hands to her friend i am so sorry you have had to wait she began why did you not send word and say you were coming philip is away and will not be back to night and i have been with mrs and why what makes you look so grave lady regarded her how lovely the young wife looked her cheeks had never been more delicately rosy or her eyes more brilliant the dark fur cloak she wore with its rich and the little black velvet that rested on her fair curls set off the beauty of her clear skin to per and her rival who stood gazing at her with such close scrutiny envied her more than ever as she was once again reluctantly forced to admit to herself the loveliness of the innocent creature whose happiness she now sought to destroy do i look grave she said with a slight smile well perhaps i ve a reason for my gravity and so your husband is away yes he went quite early this morning a summoned him and he was obliged to go here she drew up a chair to the fire and began to her sit down i will ring for tea no don t ring said lady not yet i want to talk to you privately she sank languidly on a velvet and looked straight in the eyes dear she continued in a sweetly tremulous compassionate voice can you bear to hear something very painful and shocking something that i m afraid will grieve you very much the colour fled from the girl s fair face her eyes grew startled what do you mean is it anything about about philip lady bent her head in assent but remained silent as if continued with a little return of the rosy hue to her cheeks if it is something else about that that person at the theatre indeed i would rather not hear it i think i have been wrong in listening to any such stories it is so seldom that gossip of any kind is true it is not a wife s duty to receive about her husband and suppose he does see miss how do i know that it may not be on business for some friend of his because i do know that on that night when he went behind the scenes at the brilliant he said it was on business mr used often to go and see miss mary all to persuade her to take a play written by a friend of his and philip who is always kind hearted may perhaps be doing something of the same sort i feel i have been wicked to have even a small doubt of my husband s love so do not let us talk any more on a subject which only me you must choose your own way of life of course said lady coldly but you draw rather foolish there is a wide difference between mary and violet besides mr is a bachelor he can do aa he likes and go where he likes without exciting comment however whether you are angry with me or not i feel i should not be your true friend if i did not show this you know your husband s writing and she drew out the fatal letter and continued watching her victim as she spoke this was sent by sir philip to violet last night she gave it to me herself this | 33 |
morning s hand trembled as she took the paper why should i read it she faltered mechanically lady raised her eyebrows and frowned impatiently why because it is your duty to do so have you no will you allow your husband to write such a letter as to another woman and such a woman too without one word of remonstrance you owe it to yourself to your own sense of honour to resent and resist such treatment on his part surely the deepest love cannot pardon deliberate injury and insult my love can pardon anything answered the girl in a low voice and then slowly very slowly she opened the folded sheet slowly she read every word it contained words that stamped themselves one by one on her bewildered brain and sent it the land of mockery into darkness and she felt sick and cold she stared at her husband s familiar handwriting a man who has loved and who loves you still and who without you is utterly weary and broken hearted thus he wrote of himself to to violet it seemed incredible yet it was true she heard a rushing sound in her ears the room swung round before her eyes yet she still calm and cold holding the letter and speaking no word lady watched her irritated at her well she exclaimed at last have you nothing to say looked up her eyes burning with an intense feverish light nothing r she replied repeated her with emphatic astonishment nothing against philip continued the girl steadily for the blame is not his but mine that he is weary and must be my fault though i cannot yet understand what i have done but it must be something because if i were all that he wished he would not have grown so tired she paused and her pale lips quivered i am sorry she went on with dreamy pathos for him than for myself because now i see i am in the way of his happiness a quiver of agony passed over her face she fixed her large bright eyes on lady who instinctively shrank from the solemn speechless despair of that penetrating gaze who gave you this letter she asked calmly i told you before miss herself why did she give it to you continued in a dull sad voice lady hesitated and stammered a little well because because i asked her if the stories about sir philip were true and she begged me to ask him not to visit her so often then with an additional thought of malice she said softly she doesn t wish to wrong you of course she s not a very good woman but i think she feels sorry for you the girl uttered a smothered cry of anguish as though she had been to the heart she to be actually by violet because she had been unable to keep her husband s love this idea tortured her very soul but she was silent i thought you were my friend she suddenly with a strange so i am murmured lady a guilty flush colouring her cheeks you have made me very miserable went on gravely and with pathetic simplicity and i am sorry indeed that we ever met i was so happy till i knew you and yet i was very fond of you i am sure you mean everything for the best but i cannot think it is so and it is all so dark and desolate now why have you taken such pains to make me sad why have you so often tried to make me doubt my husband s love why have you come to day so quickly to tell me i have lost it but for you i might never have known this sorrow i might have died soon in happy ignorance believing in my darling s truth as i believe in god her voice broke and a hard sob choked her utterance for once i s conscience smote her for once she felt ashamed and dared not offer consolation to the innocent soul she had so stricken for a minute or two there was silence broken only by the monotonous of the clock and the of the fire presently spoke again i will ask you to go away now and leave me she said simply when the heart is sorrowful it is best to be alone good bye and she gently held out her hand poor said lady taking it with an affectation of tenderness what will you do did not answer she sat mute and rigid you are thinking of me just now continued softly but i felt it was my duty to tell you the worst at once it s no good living in a delusion i i m very very sorry for you remained perfectly silent lady moved the door as she opened it looked back at her the girl might have been a lifeless figure for any movement that could be perceived about her her face was white as marble her eyes were fixed on the sparkling fire her very hands looked stiff and pallid as wax as they lay clasped in her lap the letter the cruel letter had fallen at her feet she seemed as one in a trance of misery and so lady left her the land of mockery chapter ix o my lord o love i have laid my life at thy feet have thy will thereof for what shall please thee is sweet she roused herself at last her hands she pushed back her hair from her brows and sighed heavily shivering as with intense cold she rose from the chair she had so long occupied and stood upright mechanically gathering around her the long fur mantle that | 33 |
she had not as yet taken off catching sight of the letter where it lay a gleaming speck of white on the rich dark hues of the carpet she picked it up and read it through again calmly and then folded it up carefully as though it were something of value her thoughts were a little confused she could only realize clearly two distinct things c first that philip was unhappy secondly that she was in the way of his happiness she did not pause to consider how this change in him had been effected moreover she never imagined that the letter he had written could refer to anyone but himself hers was a nature that accepted facts as they appeared she never sought for motives or disguised true she could not understand her husband s admiration for violet but then she thought many other men admire her too and so it is certain there must be something about her that wins love something i cannot see and presently she put aside all other considerations and only pondered on one thing how should she remove herself from the path of her husband s pleasure for she had no doubt but that she was an obstacle to his enjoyment he had made promises to violet which he was ready to fulfil he offered her an honourable position he desired her not to condemn him to death he her to let his words carry more weight with her it is because i am here thought wearily she would listen to him if i were gone she had the strangest notions of odd of the stern customs with the of christianity yet in both cases the lines of woman s life were clearly defined in one word obedience most women receiving an apparent proof of a husband s would have made what is termed a scene would have confronted him with rage and tears and personal abuse but was too gentle for this too gentle to resist what seemed to be philip s wish and will and far too proud to stay where it appeared evident she was not wanted moreover she could not bear the idea of speaking to him on such a subject as his connection with violet the hot colour flushed her cheeks with a sort of shame as she thought of it of course she was weak of course she was foolish we will grant that she was anything the reader chooses to call her it is much better for a woman nowadays to be defiant rather than yielding not violent not meek we all know that to abuse a husband well all round is the modern method of managing him but poor foolish loving sensitive had nothing of the magnificent strength of mind possessed by most wives of to day she could only realize that philip her philip was utterly weary and broken hearted for the sake of another woman and that other woman actually pitied a r she pitied herself too a little vaguely her brows ached and violently there was a choking sensation in her throat but she could not weep tears would have relieved her tired brain but no tears fell she strove to decide on some immediate plan of action philip would be home to morrow she at the thought of meeting him knowing what she knew glancing at her own figure reflected by the lamp light in the long mirror opposite she recognised that she was fully attired in costume all save her hat which she had taken ofi after her first greeting of lady and which was still on the table at her side she looked at the clock it was five minutes to seven eight o clock was her dinner hour and thinking of this she suddenly rang the bell immediately answered it i shall not dine at home she said in her usual gentle voice i am going to see some friends this evening i may not be back till late very well my lady and retired without seeing anything remarkable in his mistress s announcement drew the land of mockery a long breath of relief as he disappeared and her nerves by a strong effort passed into her own the little specially to her by philip s frequent presence there how and comfortable a home nest it looked b small fire glowed warmly in the grate and whose duty it was to keep this particular room in order had lit the lamp a rosy globe supported by a laughing and had drawn the velvet curtains close at the window to keep out the fog and chilly air there were fragrant flowers on the table s own favourite was drawn up to the in readiness for her and opposite to it stood the deep old fashioned easy chair in which philip always sat she looked round upon all these familiar things with a dreary sense of strangeness and desolation and the curves of her sweet mouth trembled a little and drooped but her resolve was taken and she did not hesitate or weep she sat down to her desk and wrote a few brief lines to her father this letter she addressed and stamped ready for then for a while she remained apparently lost in painful playing with the pen she held and uncertain what to do presently she drew a sheet of note paper towards her and began my darling boy as these words appeared under her hand on the white page her forced calm nearly gave way a low cry of intense agony escaped her lips and dropping the pen she rose and paced the room one hand pressed against her heart as though that action | 33 |
could still its rapid once more she the hard task she had set herself to fulfil the task of bidding farewell to the husband in whom her life was piteous passionate words came quickly from her and almost breaking heart words tender touching full of love and absolutely free from all reproach little did she guess as she wrote that parting letter what desperate misery it would cause to the i when she had finished it she felt even more composed than before she folded and sealed it then put it out of sight and rang for that little maiden soon appeared and seemed surprised to see her mistress still in walking costume have you only just come in she ventured to inquire no i came home some time ago returned gently a c but i was talking to lady in the drawing room and as i am going out again this evening i shall not require to change my dress i want you to post this letter for me and she held out the one addressed to her father took it but her mind still the question of her mistress s attire if you are going to spend the evening with friends she suggested would it not be better to change i have on a velvet gown said with a rather wearied patience it is quite enough for where i am going she paused abruptly and looked at her are you tired she asked you are so pale i have a slight headache answered it is nothing it will soon pass i wish you to post that letter at once very well still hesitated will you be out all the evening was her next yes then perhaps you will not mind if i go and see and take supper with her she has asked me and mr here laughed is coming to see if i can go he will escort me he says and she laughed forced herself to smile you can go by all means but i thought you did not like lady s french maid i don t like her much admitted still she means to be kind and agreeable i think and here she eyed with a mysterious and important air i want to ask her a question about something very particular then go and stay as long as you like dear said a sudden impulse of affection causing her to caress softly her little maid s ruffled brown curls i shall not be back till till quite late and when you return from the post i shall be gone so i good bye i exclaimed why where are you going one would think you were starting on a long journey you speak so strangely do i and smiled kindly it is because my head i suppose but it is not strange to say good bye the land of mockery caught her hand where are you going she persisted to see some friends responded quietly now do not ask any more questions but go and post my letter i want father to get it as soon as possible and you will lose the post if you are not very quick thus reminded hastened off to run all the way in order to get back before her mistress left the house however was too quick for her as soon as had gone she took the letter she had written to philip and slipped it within the pages of a small volume of poems he had lately been reading it was a new book entitled the singer and its leading was the old never exhausted subject of a woman s too faithful love and despair as she opened it her eyes fell by chance on a few lines of hopeless yet musical melancholy which like a sad song heard suddenly made her throat swell with rising yet restrained tears they ran thus oh i can drown or like a broken be thrown to earth or cast upon a fire i can be made to feel the pangs of death and yet be constant to the quest of breath our poor pale trick of living through the lies we name existence when that something dies which we call honour many and many a way can i be struck or fretted night and day in some new fashion or condemned the while to take for food the semblance of a smile the left oflf rapture of a slain caress ah she caught her breath the left off rapture of a slain caress yes that would be her portion now if if she stayed to receive it but she would not stay she turned over the volume scarcely conscious of the action and suddenly as if the poet writer of it had been present to her soul and make her inmost thoughts public she read because i am d of thee to day and as sea weeds in the sea yes that was the because of everything that swayed her sorrowful spirit because she was d and she hesitated no longer but shut the book with her farewell letter inside it and put it back in its former place on the little table philip s arm chair then she considered how she should distinguish it by some mark that should attract her husband s attention towards it and from her neck a thin gold chain on which was suspended a small diamond cross with the names philip and engraved at the back she twisted it round the little book and left it so that the sparkle of the jewels should be seen on the cover now was there anything more to be done she herself of all her valuable ornaments keeping only her wedding ring and its companion of she emptied her | 33 |
purse of all money save that which was absolutely necessary for her journey then she put on her hat and began to fasten her long cloak slowly for her fingers were icy cold and trembled very strangely stay there was her husband s portrait she might take that she thought with a sort of touching timidity it was a miniature on ivory and had been painted expressly for her she placed it inside her dress against her bosom he has been too good to me she murmured and i have been too happy happier than i deserved to be excess of happiness must always end in sorrow she looked at philip s empty chair in fancy she could see his familiar figure seated there and she sighed as she thought of the face she loved so well the passion of his eyes the tenderness of his smile softly she kissed the place where his head had rested then turned resolutely away she was giving up everything she thought to another woman but then that other woman however incredible it seemed was the one philip loved best his own written words were a proof of this there was no choice therefore his pleasure was her first consideration everything must yield to that so she imagined her own life was nothing in her estimation compared to his desire such devotion as hers was of course absurd it amounted to weak self and would certainly be accounted as foolish by most women who have husbands and who when they swear to obey mean to break the vow at every convenient opportunity but could not alter her strange nature and with her obedience meant the extreme letter of the law of utter submission leaving the room she had so lately called her own she passed the land of mockery into the entrance hall was not there and she did not summon him she opened the street door for herself and shutting it quietly behind her she stood alone in the cold street where the fog had now grown so dense that the lamp posts were scarcely visible she walked on for a few paces rather bewildered and chilled by the piercing bitterness of the air then her forces she hailed a passing cab and told the man to take her to cross station she was not familiar with london and cross was the only great railway she could just then think of arrived there the glare of the electric light the passengers rushing to and from the trains the shouts and of and confused her not a little and the bold looks of admiration bestowed on her freely by the male near the doors of the and hotel made her shrink and tremble for she had never travelled entirely alone before and she began to be frightened at the of sights and noises that around her yet she never once thought of returning she never dreamed of going to any of her london friends lest on hearing of her trouble they might reproach philip and this would not have endured for the same reason she had said nothing to in her then condition it seemed to her that only one course lay open for her to follow and that was to go quietly home home to the no one would be to blame for her departure but herself she thought and philip would be free thus she reasoned if indeed she reasoned at all but there was such a frozen stillness in her soul her senses were so with pain that as yet she scarcely realized either what had happened or what she herself was doing she was as one walking in sleep the awakening bitter as death was still to come presently a great rush of people began to stream towards her from one of the and of luggage by shouts of out of the way there and by r leave came rapidly along the train from the continent had just arrived dismayed at the increasing confusion and uproar addressed herself to an official with a gold band round his hat can you tell me she asked timidly where i shall take a ticket for the man glanced at the fair anxious face and smiled youve come to the wrong station miss he said you want the line the felt more bewildered than ever yes the st he repeated rather it s a good way from here you d better take a cab she moved away but started and drew herself back into a comer colouring deeply as the sound of a rich voice which she instantly recognised smote suddenly on her ears and as i before remarked my good fellow the voice was saying i am not a of the semi obscure if a man has a thought which is worth declaring let him declare it with a free and noble utterance don t let him wrap it up in of dreary there s too much of that kind of thing going on nowadays in england at least there s a kind of imitation of art which isn t art at all a morbid bad imitation you only get close to the real goddess in italy i wish i could persuade you come and pass the winter with me there it was beau who spoke and he was talking to george the two had met in paris was on his way to london where a matter of business summoned him for a few days and somewhat tired of the french capital decided to return with him and here they were just arrived at cross and they walked across the station arm in arm little imagining who watched them from behind the | 33 |
shelter of one of the waiting room doors with a yearning sorrow in her grave blue eyes they stopped almost opposite to her to light their cigars she saw s face quite distinctly and heard his answer to well see what i can do about it beau you know my mother always likes to get away from london in winter but whether we ought to inflict ourselves upon you you being a literary man too nonsense i you won t interfere in the least with the flow of the land of mockery ii laughed and as for your mother i m in love with her as you are aware i admire her almost as much as i do lady and that s saying a great deal by the bye if can get through his share of this country s business he might do worse than bring his beautiful to the lake of for a while i ll ask him and having lit their successfully they walked on and soon disappeared for one instant felt strongly inclined to run after them like a little forlorn child that had lost its way and herself of all her miseries to the sympathetic george entreat with tears to be taken back to that husband who did not want her any more but she soon overcame this emotion and calling to mind the instructions of the official personage whose advice she had sought she hurried out of the huge brilliantly lit station and taking a was driven as she requested to the here the rather gloomy aspect of the place oppressed her as much as the bustle of cross had bewildered her but she was somewhat relieved when she learned that a train for would start in ten minutes hurrying to the ticket office she found there before her a kindly faced woman with a baby in her arms who was just taking a third class ticket to and as she felt lonely and timid at once decided to travel third class also and if possible in the same with this cheerful matron who as soon as she had secured her ticket walked away to the train her infant in her arms as she went followed her at a little distance and as soon as she saw her enter a third class carriage she hastened her steps and entered also quite thankful to have secured some companionship for the long cold journey the woman glanced at her a little curiously it was strange to see so lovely and young a creature travelling all alone at night and she asked kindly be you goin fur miss smiled it was pleasant to be spoken to she thought yes she answered all the way to tis a cold night for a journey continued her companion yes indeed answered it must be cold for your little baby and unconsciously her voice softened and her eyes grew sad as she looked across at the sleeping infant oh he s as warm as toast laughed the mother cheerily he gets the best of everything he do it s yourself that s looking cold my dear in spite of your warm cloak will ye have this shawl and she offered a homely gray wrap with much kindly earnestness of manner i am quite warm thank you said gently accepting the shawl however to please her fellow traveller it is a headache i have which makes me look pale and i am very very tired her voice trembled a little she sighed and closed her eyes she felt strangely weak and giddy she seemed to be slipping away from herself and from all the comprehension of life she wondered vaguely who and what she was had her marriage with philip been all a dream perhaps she had never left the after all perhaps she would wake up presently and see the old farm house quite unchanged with the flying about the roof and wandering under the pines as was his custom ah dear poor he had loved her she thought nay he loved her still he could not be dead oh yes she must have been dreaming she felt certain she was lying on her own little white bed at home asleep she would by and by open her eyes and get up and look through her little window and see the sun sparkling on the water and the at anchor in the and her father would ask sir philip and his friends to spend the afternoon at the farm house and philip would come and stroll with her through the garden and down to the shore and would talk to her in that low caressing voice of his and though she loved him dearly she must never never let him know of it because she was not worthy she woke from these with a violent start and a sick shiver running through all her frame and looking wildly about her saw that she was on s shoulder was a wet handkerchief on her forehead her hat was off and her cloak was loosened there my dear you re better now said a kindly voice in her ear lor i thought you was dead that i did i twas a bad indeed and with the train along like this too it was lucky i had a of cold water with me raise your head the land of mockery a little that s it poor thing you re as white as a sheet you re not fit to travel my dear you re not indeed raised herself slowly and with a sudden impulse kissed the good woman s honest rosy face to her intense astonishment and pleasure you are very kind to me she said i am so sorry to have troubled | 33 |
is content to be what he is a simple shook his head quite a is always a he declared nothing can alter a man s birth and nature and the last time i saw he who lives with your father now he was careful always to speak of they r and seldom or never did he mention him in any other fashion and now noble in what manner can i serve you told him briefly that she was going to see her father on business and that she was desirous of starting for the next day as early as possible held up his hands in amazement ah most surely you forget he exclaimed using the picturesque expressions of his native speech that this is the sleeping time of the sun even at the it is dark and silent the falling streams with cold on their way and if it is so at the what will it be at the and there is no passenger ship going to or for a fortnight clasped her hands in dismay but i must go she cried impatiently i must indeed good i cannot stay here surely surely there is some vessel that would take me some fishing boat what does it matter how i travel so long as i get away the landlord looked at her rather nay if it is indeed so urgent noble he replied do not trouble for there is a means of making the journey but for you and in such bitter weather it seems a cruelty to speak of it a steam leaves here for and the north cape to morrow it will pass the no doubt you could go with that if you so choose but there will be no warmth or comfort and there are heavy storms on the north sea i know the captain and tis true he takes his wife with him so there would be a woman on board yet interrupted him she pressed two sovereigns into his hand say no more she said eagerly you will take me to see this captain you will tell him i must go with him my father will thank you for this kindness to me even better than i can it does not seem to me a kindness at all returned with frank i would be loth to sail the seas myself in such weather and i thought you were so married though i forget your wedded name how comes it that your husband is not with you he is very busy in london answered he knows where i am going do not be at all anxious i shall make the journey very well and i am not afraid of storm or wild seas still looked but finally yielded to her entreaties and agreed to arrange her passage for her in the morning she stayed at his hotel that night and with the very early dawn accompanied him on board the ship he had mentioned it was a small awkwardly built craft with an ugly crooked black out of which the steam was hissing and with quite an the land of mockery necessary degree of violence the decks were wet and dirty and the whole vessel was pervaded with a sickening smell of whale oil the captain a red faced fellow looked rather at his unexpected passenger but was soon by her gentle manner and the readiness with which she paid the money he demanded for taking her you won t be very warm he said her from head to foot but i can lend you a rug to sleep in smiled and thanked him he called to his wife a thin looking creature who put up her head from a window in the cabin at his summons here s a lady going with us he announced look after her will you the woman nodded then once more addressing himself to he said we shall have nasty weather and a wicked sea i do not mind she answered quietly and turning to who had come to see her off she shook hands with him warmly and thanked him for the trouble he had taken in her behalf the good landlord bade her farewell somewhat reluctantly he had a that there was something wrong with the beautiful golden haired daughter of the j and that perhaps he ought to have prevented her making this uncomfortable and possibly perilous voyage but it was too late now and a little before seven o clock the vessel which rejoiced in the name of the black left the harbour and down the in the teeth of a sudden storm of and snow her departure had no interest for anyone save who stood watching her till she was no more than a speck on the water he kept his post regardless of the piercing cold of the early morning air till she had entirely disappeared and then returned to his own house and his daily business in a rather depressed frame of mind he was haunted by the pale face and serious eyes of she looked very ill he thought he began to reproach himself why had he been such a fool as to let her go why had he not detained her or at any rate persuaded her to rest a few days in he looked at the threatening sky and the falling of snow with a shiver what weather he muttered and there must be a darkness as of death at the o a sort of sob rose in his throat and he pressed his hand strongly over his eyes to keep down the drops that threatened to them after a minute or two he went to her desk and opened it thinking that there perhaps she might have left a note of farewell there was | 33 |
nothing nothing save a little heap of money and jewels these had herself placed before her sorrowful silent departure in the corner where he now found them more puzzled than ever he glanced round the room and his eyes were at once attracted by the sparkle of the diamond cross that lay uppermost on the cover of the singer the book of poems which was in its usual place on his own in another second he seized it he the slight gold chain he opened the volume yes there was a letter within its pages addressed to himself now now he should know all he tore it open with feverish haste two folded sheets of paper fell out one was his own to violet and this to his consternation he perceived first full of a sudden he laid it aside and began to read s parting words my darling boy she wrote a friend of yours and mine brought me the enclosed letter and though perhaps it was wrong of me to read it i hope you will forgive me for having done so i do not quite understand it and i cannot bear to think about it but it seems that you are tired of your poor i i do not blame you dearest for i am sure that in some way or other the fault is mine and it does grieve me so much to think you are unhappy i know that i am very ignorant of many things and that i am not suited to this london life and i fear i shall never understand its ways but one thing i can do and that is to let you be free my philip quite free and so i am going back to the where i will stay till you want me again if you ever do my heart is yours and i shall always love you till i die and though it seems to me just now better that we should part to give you greater ease and pleasure still you must always remember that i have no reproaches to make to you i am only sorry to think my love has wearied you for you have been all goodness and tenderness to me and so that people shall not talk about me or you you will say to them the land of mockery that i have gone to see my father and they will think nothing strange in that be kind to i have told her nothing as it would only make her miserable do not be angry that i go away i cannot bear to stay here knowing all and so good bye my love my dearest one if you were to love many women more than me i still should love you best i still would gladly die to serve you remember this always that however long we may be parted and though all the world should come between us i am and ever shall be your faithful wife the that broke from s h as he finished reading this letter was more powerful than tears darted to his he pressed his lips passionately on the fair writing my darling my darling he murmured what a miserable misunderstanding then without another moment s he rushed into s study and cried abruptly look here it s all your fault my fault gasped the amazed secretary yes your fault shouted almost beside himself with grief and rage your fault and that of your accursed violet and he dashed the letter the cause of all the mischief furiously down on the table shrank and shivered his gray head drooped he stretched out his hands for god s sake sir philip tell me what ive done p he exclaimed strode up and down the room in a perfect fever of impatience by heaven it s enough to drive me mad he burst forth your wife your wife confound her when you first discovered her in that didn t i want to tell all about it that very night and didn t you beg me not to do so your silly scruples stood in the way of everything i was a fool to listen to you a fool to in your affairs and and i wish to god i d never seen or heard of you turned very white but remained speechless o read that letter went on philip youve seen it before it s the last one i wrote to your wife imploring her to see you and speak with you here it comes the devil knows how into s hands she s quite in the dark about your secret and fancies i wrote it on my own behalf it looks like it too looks exactly as if i were pleading for myself and breaking my heart over that detestable stage by jove it s too horrible and he gave a e of and contempt heard him in utter bewilderment not possible he muttered not possible it can t be can t be it is r shouted and if you d let me tell everything from the first all this wouldn t have happened and you ask me what you ve done done you ve parted me from the sweetest dearest girl in the world and throwing himself into a chair he covered his face with his hand and a great sob broke from his lips was in despair of course it was his fault he saw it au clearly he painfully recalled all that had happened since that night at the brilliant theatre when with a sickening horror he had discovered violet to be no other than violet his own little violet as he had once called her his | 33 |
wife that he had lost and mourned as though she were some pure dead woman lying sweetly at rest in a quiet grave he remembered s shuddering at the sight of her a which he himself had shared and which made him shrink with fastidious aversion from the idea of confiding to anyone but sir philip the miserable secret of his connection with her sir philip had humoured him in this fancy little imagining that any mischief would come of it and the reward of his kindly sympathy was this his name was his home desolate and his wife from him in the first pangs of the remorse and sorrow that filled his heart could gladly have gone out and drowned himself presently he began to think was there not some one else besides himself who might possibly be to blame for all this misery for instance who could have brought or sent that letter to lady in her high station she so lofty so pure so far above the rest of her sex would have been the last person to make any inquiries about such a woman as violet how had it all the land of mockery happened he looked for some minutes at the dejected figure in the chair without daring to offer a word of consolation presently he ventured a remark sir philip he stammered it will soon be all right hei will come back immediately i myself will explain it s t s only a misunderstanding moved in his chair impatiently but said nothing only a misunderstanding how many there are who can trace back broken and severed loves to that one thing only a misunderstanding the tenderest relations are often the most delicate and subtle and trifles light as air may scatter and utterly destroy the sensitive threads extending between one heart and another as easily as a child s passing foot the spider s web woven on the grass in the early mornings of spring presently sir philip started up his lashes were wet and his face was flushed it s no good sitting here he said rapidly on his overcoat i must go after her let all the business go to the devil write and say i won t stand for i resign in favour of the liberal candidate i m off to to night to cried has she gone there at this season he broke off for at that moment entered looking the picture of misery her face was pale and drawn her eyelids red and swollen and when she saw sir philip she gave him a glance of the most despairing reproach and indignation he sprang up to her any news he demanded shook her head mournfully the tears beginning to roll again down her cheeks oh if i d only thought she sobbed if td only known what the dear meant to do when she said good bye to me last night i could have prevented her going i could i would have told her all i know and she would have stayed to see you oh sir philip if you had only been here that wicked wicked lady have driven her away at this name such a fury filled philip s heart that he could barely control himself he breathed quickly and heavily io wliat of her he demanded in a low voice what has lady to do with it everything cried though as she glanced at his set stem face and lips she began to feel a little frightened she has always hated the and been jealous of her always her own maid will tell you so lord s man will tell you so they ve listened at the doors and they know all about it made this statement with the most and heard all sorts of wicked things lady was always talking to sir francis about the and now made her believe you do not care for her any more been trying to make her believe everything bad of you for ever so many months she paused terrified at sir philip s increasing go on he said quietly though his voice sounded strange to himself gathered up all her remaining stock of courage oh dear oh dear she continued desperately i don t understand london people at all and i never shall understand them everybody seems to want to be wicked says that lady was fond of you sir philip then that she was fond of sir francis and yet she has a husband of her own all the time it is so very strange and the little maiden s perplexity appeared to border on distraction they would think such a woman quite mad in but what is worse than anything is that you you sir philip oh i won t believe it and she stamped her foot passionately i can t believe it and yet everybody says that you go to see a dreadful painted dancing woman at the theatre and that you like her better than the it isn t true is it here she peered anxiously at her master but he was absolutely silent made as though he would speak but a gesture from sir philip s hand restrained him went on rather anyhow has just told me that only yesterday lady went all by herself to see this and that she got some letter there which brought to the she suddenly with a little scream oh sir philip where are you going s hand came down on her shoulder as he twisted her lightly out of his path and strode to the door the land of mockery sir philip sir philip cried anxiously hastening him think for a moment don t do anything rash philip wrung his hand rash i my good fellow it s a | 33 |
woman who has me what can i do her sex her he gave a short furious laugh but by god i were she a man i d shoot her dead and with these words and his eyes blazing with wrath he left the room and confronted each other in vague alarm where will he go half whispered to house i suppose answered in the same low tone just then the hall door shut with a loud bang that echoed through the silent house he s gone and as said this he sighed and looked at his companion how do you know all this about lady it may not be it s only servants gossip only servants gossip exclaimed and is that nothing why in these grand houses like lord s the servants know everything makes it his business to listen at the doors he says it s a part of his duty and opens all her mistress s letters she says she owes it to her own respectability to know what sort of a lady it is she serves and she s going to leave because she says her isn t respectable there what do you think of that and sir philip will find out a great deal more than even have told him but oh i can t understand about that and she shook her head said suddenly that is my wife started and her round eyes opened wide your wife mr she exclaimed took off his spectacles and polished them nervously yes my wife she looked at him in amazed silence went on rubbing his glasses and continued in rather dreamy tremulous accents yes i lost her years ago i thought she was dead but i found her on the stage of the brilliant theatre i i never expected that i would rather she had died he paused and went on softly when i married her she was such a dear little girl so bright and pretty i and i i fancied she was fond of me yes i did of course i was foolish i ve always been foolish i think and when when i saw her on that stage i felt as if some one had struck me a hard blow it seems as if td been stunned ever since and though she knows i m in london she won t see me she won t let me speak to her even for a moment it s very hard sir philip has tried his best to persuade her to see me he has talked to her and written to her about me and that s not all he has even tried to make her come back to me but it s all no use and and that s how all the mischief has arisen do you see gazed at him still with sympathy written on every line of her face but a great load had been lifted from her mind by his words she began to understand everything i m so sorry for you mr she said but why didn t you tell all this to the i couldn t murmured desperately she was there that night at the brilliant and if you had seen how she looked when she saw my wife appear on the stage so pained so sorry so ashamed and she wanted to leave the theatre at once of course i ought to have told her i wish i had but somehow i never could he paused again it s all my stupidity of course sir philip is quite he has been the kindest the best of friends to me his voice trembled more and more and he could not go on there was a silence of some minutes during which appeared absorbed in meditation and wiped his eyes presently he spoke again more cheerfully it ll soon be all right again and he nodded sir philip says her has gone home to and he means to follow her to night nodded gravely but heaved a deep sigh and i posted her letter to her father she half murmured oh if i had only thought or guessed why it was written isn t it rather a bad time of the year for pursued why there must be snow and darkness snow and darkness at the suddenly cried catching at his words that s exactly what she said to me the the land of mockery other evening oh dear i never thought of it i never remembered it was the dark season i she clasped her hands in dismay there is no sun at the now it is like night and the cold is bitter and she is not strong not strong enough to travel and there s the north sea to cross oh mr and she broke out sobbing afresh the journey will kill her i know it will my poor poor darling i must go after her i ll go with sir i won t be left behind hush hush said kindly patting her shoulder don t don t cry but he was very near crying himself poor man so shaken was he by the events of the morning and he could not help admitting to himself the possibility that so long and trying a journey for in her present condition of health meant little else than serious illness perhaps death the only comfort he could suggest to the was that at that time of year it was very probable there would be no steamer running to or and in that case would be unable to leave england and would therefore be overtaken by sir philip at meanwhile sir philip himself in a white heat | 33 |
of restrained anger arrived at house and asked to see lord immediately who opened the door to him was a little startled at his haggard face and blazing eyes even though he knew through all about the sorrow that had befallen him was not surprised at lady s departure that portion of his duty which consisted in listening at doors had greatly enlightened him on many points all save one the reported connection between sir philip and violet this seemed to be really true according to all appearances which it me the owner of the it do indeed yet i feels very much for sir philip i said to this morning i feels for im yes i used them very words only of course he shouldn t ave gone on with vi she s a fine woman certainly but d d i ve made it a rule myself to avoid er on principle lor i if i d company with er and the likes of er i shouldn t be the man i am and he smiled complacently lord who was in his library as usual occupied with his duties as to his son rose to receive sir p with an air of more than his usual gravity i was about to write to you he began and stopped short touched by the utter misery expressed in philip s fact he addressed with a sort of nervous haste run away my boy to your own room ill send for you again presently obeyed now said lord as soon as the lad disappeared tell me everything is it true that your wife has left you left me and philip s eyes flashed with passionate anger no she s been driven away from me by the and most heartless cruelty she s been made to believe a scandalous and abominable lie against me and she s gone i i by jove i hardly like to say it to your face but i understand a curious of a smile rather than brightened lord s stem features pray speak quite plainly lady is to blame i am not at all surprised gave him a rapid glance of wonder he had always fancied to be a rather dull sort of man absorbed in books and the education of his son a man more than half blind to everything that went on around him and moreover one who deliberately shut his eyes to the frivolous of his wife and though he him fairly well there had been a sort of vague contempt mingled with his liking now a new light was suddenly thrown on his character there was something in his look his manner his very tone of voice which proved to that there was a deep and forcible side to his nature of which his friends had never dreamed and he was somewhat taken by the discovery seeing that he still hesitated laid a hand on his shoulder and said i repeat i m not at all surprised nothing that lady might do would cause me the slightest astonishment she has long ceased to be my wife except in name that she still bears that name and holds the position she has in the world is for my son s sake i do not wish his voice quivered i do not wish the boy to despise his mother it s s a bad beginning for a young man s life i want to avoid it the land of mockery for if possible regardless of any personal sacrifice he paused a moment then resumed now speak out and plainly for if mischief has been done and i can repair it in any way you may be sure i will thus persuaded sir philip briefly related the whole story of the misunderstanding that had arisen concerning s wife violet and concluded by saying it is of course only through that ive just heard about lady s having anything to do with it her information may not be correct i hope it isn t but lord interrupted him come with me he said we ll resolve this difficulty at once he led the way out of the library across the hall followed him in silence he knocked at the door of his wife s room in response to her come in they both entered she was alone on a sofa reading she started up with a exclamation at sight of her husband but observing who it was that came with him she stood mute the colour rushing to her cheeks with surprise and something of fear yet she endeavoured to smile and returned with her usual grace their somewhat formal then said lord gravely i have to ask you a question on behalf of sir philip here a question to which it is necessary for you to give the plain answer did you or did you not procure this letter from violet of the brilliant theatre and did you or did you not give it yourself yesterday into the hands of lady and he laid the letter in question which philip had handed to him down upon the table before her she looked at it then at him then from him to sir philip who uttered no word and lightly shrugged her shoulders i don t know what you are talking about she said carelessly sir philip turned upon her indignantly lady you do know she interrupted him with a stately gesture excuse me sir philip i am not accustomed to be spoken to in this extraordinary manner you forget my husband i think also forgets himself i i know nothing whatever i about violet i m not fond of the society of course i ve heard about your admiration | 33 |
for her that is common talk though my on this point was sir francis sir francis cried p furiously thank god there s a man to deal with by heaven i ll choke him with his own lie i lady raised her eyebrows in well bred surprise dear me it is a lie then now i should have thought from all accounts that it was so very likely to be true philip turned white with passion her sarcastic smile her mocking glance irritated him almost beyond endurance permit me to ask you continued lord calmly if you as you say know nothing about violet why did you go to the brilliant theatre yesterday morning she flashed an angry glance at him why to secure a box for the new performance is there anything wonderful in that her husband remained unmoved may i see the for this box he inquired i ve sent it to some friends replied her since when have you decided to become an my lord lady said philip suddenly and eagerly will you swear to me that you have said or done nothing to make my leave me oh she left you has she and lady smiled i thought she would i why don t you ask your dear friend george about her he is madly in love with her as everybody knows she is probably the same with him exclaimed lord in accents of deep reproach shame on you i shame i her laughed please don t be tragic she said it s too ridiculous sir philip has only himself to blame of course knows about his frequent visits to the brilliant theatre i told her all that sir francis said why should she be kept in the dark i dare say she doesn t mind she s very fond of mr felt as though he must choke with fury he forgot the land of mockery the presence of lord he forgot everything but his just indignation my god he cried passionately you dare to speak so you r yes i she returned coolly measuring him with a glance i dare what have you to say against me she drew herself up then turning to her husband she said have the goodness to take your excited friend away my lord i am going out i have a great many engagements this morning and i really cannot stop to discuss this absurd affair any longer it isn t my fault that sir philip s excessive admiration for miss has become the subject of don t blame him for it he seems extremely ill tempered about it but after all ce la qui and she smiled chapter xl for my mother s sake for thine and hers o love i i pity take on all poor women s will be done honour for all and for none this side the borders of the burning lake s love letters of a lord did not move sir philip fixed his eyes upon her in silence some fascination forced her to meet his glance and the utter scorn of it stung her proud heart to its centre not that she felt much her whole soul was up in arms against him and had been so from the very day she was first told of his unexpected marriage his evident contempt now irritated her she was with him than ever and yet she had a sort of strange triumph in the petty vengeance she had designed she had destroyed his happiness for a time at least if she could but shake his belief in his wife she thought to that end she had thrown out her evil hint respecting s affection for george but the shaft had been aimed knew too well the purity of to wrong her by the smallest doubt and he would have hia life on the loyalty of his friend presently he controlled his anger sufficiently to be able to speak and still her with that straight keen look of disdain he said in cold deliberate accents your is in error the in question is the wife of my secretary mr for years they have been my visits to her were entirely on s behalf my letters to her were all on the same subject sir francis must have known the truth all along violet has been his mistress for the past five years he uttered the concluding words with intense bitterness a strange bewildered horror passed over lady s face i don t believe it she said rather faintly believe it or not it is true he replied ask the manager of the brilliant if you doubt me it s no use my stopping here any longer as her refuses to give any explanation wait a moment interposed lord in his and most manner her refuses but do not refuse her will not speak she allows her husband to speak for her therefore and he smiled at his astonished wife somewhat i may tell you at once that her admits to having purchased from violet for the sum of twenty pounds the letter which she afterwards took with her own hands to your wife lady utter an angry exclamation don t interrupt me if you please he said an icy smile we have so many sympathies in common that i m sure i shall be able to explain your quite clearly he went on addressing himself to who stood utterly amazed her desires me to assure you that her only excuse for her action in this matter is that she fully believed the report her friend sir francis gave her concerning your supposed intimacy with the in question and that believing it she made use of it as much as possible for the purpose of destroying your wife s peace of mind and confidence in you | 33 |
back alone all all alone to die of your contempt and my shame and she bowed her head in an agony of tears he looked down upon her for a moment in silence your shame i he murmured my wife then he raised her in his arms and drew her with a strange hesitation of touch to his breast as though she were some sick or wounded child and watched her as she lay there weeping her face hidden her whole frame trembling in his embrace poor soul i he whispered more to himself than to her poor frail woman hush hush the past is past i ll make you no more reproaches i i can t hurt you because i once so loved you but now now what is there left for me to do but to leave you you ll be happier so you ll have perfect liberty you needn t even think of me unless perhaps as one dead and buried long ago she raised herself in his arms and looked at him won t you give me a chance she sobbed not one if i had but known you better if i had oh i ve been vile wicked but i m not happy harry i ve never been happy since i wronged you won t you give me one little hope that i may win your love again no not your love but your pity oh harry have i lost all her voice broke she could say no more he her hair gently you speak on impulse just now he said gravely yet tenderly you can t know your own strength or weakness god forbid that should judge you harshly as you wish it i will not leave you yet i ll wait whether we part or remain together shall be decided by your own actions your own looks your own words you understand you know my feelings i m content for the present to place my fate in your hands he smiled rather sadly but for love i the land of mockery fear nothing can be done to warm to life this poor love of ours we can perhaps take hands and watch its corpse patiently together and say how sorry we are it is dead such comes always too late he sighed and put her gently away from him she turned up her flushed tear stained face to his will you kiss me harry she asked he met her eyes and an exclamation that was almost a groan broke from his lips a shudder passed through his frame i can t i can t god forgive me not yet i and with that he bowed his head and left her she listened to the echo of his firm footsteps dying away and creeping to a side door she opened it and watched his retreating figure till it had disappeared why did i never love him till now she murmured now when he me when he will not even kiss she leaned against the half open door in an attitude of utter not caring to move listening intently with a vague hope of hearing her husband s returning tread a lighter step than his however came suddenly along from the other side of the passage and startled her a little it was looking the picture of boyish health and beauty he was just going out for his usual ride he lifted his cap with pretty courtesy as he saw her and said good morning mother she looked at him with new interest how handsome the lad was how fresh his face how clear those bright blue eyes of his he on his part was moved by a novel sensation too his mother his proud beautiful careless mother had been he saw that at a glance and his young heart beat faster when she laid her white hand sparkling au over with rings on his arm and drew him closer to her are you going to the park she asked gently yes then his training in politeness and obedience he added in unless you want me she smiled faintly i never do want you do i she asked half sadly i never want my boy at all her voice quivered and grew more and more astonished if you do i ll stay he said stoutly filled with a a s desire to console this so suddenly tender mother of his whatever her might be her eyes filled again but she tried to laugh no dear not now run along and enjoy yourself come to me when you return i shall be at home all day and stop won t you kiss me the boy opened his eyes wide in respectful and his cheeks flushed with surprise and pleasure why mother of course and his fresh sweet lips closed on hers with frank and unaffected she held him fast for a moment and looked at him earnestly tell your father you kissed me will you she said don t forget and with that she waved her hand to him and retreated again into her own apartment the boy went on his way somewhat puzzled and bewildered did his mother love him after all if so he thought how glad he was how very glad and what a pity he had not known it before i chapter i heed not custom creed nor law i care for nothing that ever i saw i terribly laugh with an oath and sneer when i think that the hour of death draws near v w winter s first idea on leaving house was to seek an interview with sir francis and demand an explanation he could not understand the | 33 |
man s motive for such detestable treachery and falsehood his anger rose to a white heat as he thought of it and he determined to have it out with him whatever the consequences might be no apology will serve his turn he muttered the scoundrel he has lied deliberately and by jove he shall pay for it and he started off rapidly in the direction of but on the way he suddenly remembered that he had no weapon with him not even a cane wherewith to carry out his intention of sir francis and calling to mind a certain heavy that hung over the mantel piece in his own room he hailed a the land of mockery and was driven back to his house in order to provide himself with that of before proceeding further on arriving at the door to his surprise he found who was just about to ring the bell why i thought you were in paris he exclaimed i came back last night george began when opened the door and taking his friend by the arm hurried him into the house in five minutes he had himself of all his troubles and had explained the misunderstanding about violet and s consequent flight listened with a look of genuine pain and distress on his honest face you lave been a fool he said candidly a positive fool if you ll pardon me for saying so you ought to have told everything at first she s the very last woman in the world who ought to be kept in the dark about anything s feelings bother s feelings depend upon it the poor girl has heard all manner of stories she s been miserable for some time noticed it and he related in a few words the little scene that had taken place at on the night of the garden party when his playing on the organ had moved her to such unwonted emotion philip heard him in moody silence how had it happened he wondered that others comparative strangers had observed that looked unhappy while he her husband had been blind to it he could not make this out and yet it is a thing that very commonly happens our nearest and dearest are often those who are most in the dark respecting our private and personal sufferings we do not wish to trouble them and they prefer to think that everything is right with us even though the rest of the world can plainly perceive that everything is wrong to the last moment they will refuse to see death in our faces though the stranger meeting us casually clearly the shadow of the dark angel s hand of went on watching his friend i came on purpose to speak to you about him i ve got some news for you he s a regular and scoundrel you can him to your heart s content for he has insulted your wife insulted her cried furiously how what give me time to speak and george laid a hand on his arm visited my mother yesterday and told her that on the night before when you had gone out took advantage of your absence to come here and make love to her and she actually had to struggle with him and even to strike him in order to release herself from his advances my mother advised her to tell you about it and she evidently then had no intention of flight for she said she would inform you of everything as soon as you returned from the country and if lady hadn t interfered it s very probable that i say where are you going this as made a bound for the door to get my he answered all right i approve cried but wait one instant and see how clear the plot becomes s beauty has to gain her good opinion as he thinks he throws his mistress violet on your shoulders your visits to the brilliant theatre gave him a capital pretext for this and as for lady s share in the mischief it s nothing but mere feminine spite against you for marrying at all and hatred of the woman whose life is such a contrast to her own and who all your affection has used her as his tool and the also i ve no doubt the thing s as clear as crystal it s a sort of general misunderstanding all round one of those eminently unpleasant trifles that very frequently upset the peace and comfort of the most quiet and persons but the fault lies with you dear old boy with me exclaimed philip certainly s soul is as open as daylight you shouldn t have had any secret from her however trifling she s not a woman on guard she can t take life as the most of us do in military fashion with ears pricked for the approach of a spy and prepared to expect from her most familiar friends she things as they appear without any suspicion of mean designs it s a pity of course i it s a pity she can t be worldly wise and scheme and plot and plan and lie like the rest of however your course is plain first interview and then follow she can t have left yet there are scarcely any boats running to at season you ll over take her i m certain the land of mockery by jove t said suddenly at nothing do you know she actually had the to suggest that you of all people were in love with flushed up but laughed lightly how awfully sweet of her much obliged to her i m sure i and how did you take it take it i didn t take it | 33 |
it is uttered a sharp exclamation of horror at that moment the came out of the recesses of his with uplifted hands and bewildered countenance an accident good heavens sir francis upstairs take him upstairs here he addressed the you should have gone round to the private entrance he mustn t be seen in the shop away all my customers here pass through pass through as quick as you can and they did pass through carrying their crushed burden tenderly along by the shining glass cases and polished where and flashed jewels of every size and lustre for the of the children of this world slowly and carefully step by step they reached the upper floor and there in a luxurious apartment furnished with almost feminine el ance they lifted the form from the and laid it down still on a velvet sofa removing the last number of and t vo of s novels to make room for the heavy unconscious head the land of mockery and stood at the doorway completely overcome by the suddenness of the event they had followed the upstairs almost mechanically exchanging no word or glance by the way and now they watched in almost breathless suspense while a surgeon who was present gently turned back the cover that hid the injured man s features and exposed them to full view was that sir francis that blood creature that the the of no creed and self worship shuddered and averted his gaze from that hideous face so horribly yet otherwise in its rigid stillness there was a grave hush the surgeon still bent over him touching here there with tenderness and skill but finally he drew back with a hopeless shake of his head nothing can be done he whispered absolutely nothing at that moment sir francis stirred he groaned and opened his eyes what terrible eyes they were filled with that look of intense anguish and something worse than anguish fear frantic fear coward fear fear that was almost more overpowering than his bodily he stared wildly at the little group assembled strange faces so far as he could make them out that regarded him with evident compassion what what was all this what did it mean death no no he thought madly while his brain with the idea death what was death darkness blackness all that was horrible god he would not die god who was god no matter he would live he would struggle against this this coldness this pillar of ice in which he was being slowly frozen frozen frozen inch by inch he made a furious effort to move and uttered a scream of agony through and through by pain keep still said the surgeon sir francis heard him not he with his bodily anguish till the perspiration stood in large drops on his forehead he raised himself gasping for breath and glared about him uke a beast of prey give me brandy he muttered quick quick are you going to let me die like a dog damn you all the to move to speak his sinking strength his throat rattled he clenched his fists and made as though he would spring oflf his couch when a fearful his whole body his eyes rolled up and became fixed he fell heavily dead quietly the surgeon covered again what was now nothing nothing but a corpse it s all over he announced briefly heard these words in silence all over was it possible so soon all over and he had come too late to punish the would be of his wife s honour too late he still held the whip in his hand with which he had meant to that that distorted lump of clay yonder he could not bear to think of it and he turned away faint and dizzy he felt rather than saw the staircase down which he went followed by the two were in the hall the cut and dry particulars of the accident in their note books which having done they marched off attended by a wandering looking who was anxious to write a successful account of the shocking as it was called in the next day s newspapers then the departed cheerfully carrying with them the empty then the who seemed quite unmoved respecting the sudden death of his with the surgeon about the reputation and various if merits of the deceased and and as they passed through the shop heard him speaking of a person hitherto unheard of namely lady francis who had been deserted by her husband for the past six years and who was living the hfe of an art student in germany with her married sister maintaining by the work of her own hands her one little child a boy of five he never allowed her a said the and she never asked him for one mr his lawyer firm of and s inn told me all about his affairs oh yes he was a regular tip top not worth much i should say he must have spent over a thousand a year in keeping up that little place at st john s wood for violet he owes me five hundred however mr will see everything fair ive no doubt i ve just to him announcing the death i n t suppose anyone will regret a the land of mockery except perhaps the woman at st john s wood but believe she s playing for a bigger stake just now and stimulated by this thought he drew out from a handsome case a superb of and diamonds a | 33 |
work of art that glittered as he displayed it like a star on a frosty night pretty thing isn t it he said proudly eight hundred pounds and cheap too i it was ordered for miss two months ago by the duke of i see he sold his collection of pictures the other day luckily they fetched a tidy sum so i m pretty sure of the money for this he ll sell everything he s got to please her queer oh not at all she s the rage just now i can t see anything in her myself but i m not a duke you see i m obliged to be respectable he laughed as he returned the to its nest of satin and sick at heart to hear such frivolous converse going on while that crushed and form lay in the very room above for put his arm through s and left the shop once in the open street with the keen cold air blowing against their faces they looked at each other was crowded the hurrying people passed and there were the shouts of and the laughter of young men coming out of the st james s hall all was as usual as indeed why should it not be what matters the death of one man in a million unless indeed it be a man whose life like a torch uplifted in darkness has enlightened and cheered the world but the death of a mere fashionable swell whose chief talent has been a trick of lying gracefully who cares for such a one society is instinctively relieved to hear that his place is empty and shall know him no more but could not immediately forget the scene he had witnessed he was overcome by sensations of horror even of pity and he walked by his friend s side for some time in silence i wish i could get rid of this thing he said suddenly looking down at the in his hand made no answer he understood his feeling and realized the situation as sufficiently grim to be armed with a weapon meant for the of a man whom death had so suddenly claimed was to say the least of it unpleasant yet the could scarcely be thrown away in such an action might attract notice and comment presently philip spoke again he was actually married all the time so it seems and s face expressed something like contempt by jove he must have been an awful scoundrel don t let s say any more about him he s dead and philip quickened his steps and what a horrible death horrible enough indeed again they were both silent mechanically they turned down towards pall george said with a strange awe in his tones it seems to me to day as if there were death in the air i don t believe in but yet yet i cannot help thinking what if i should find my dead turned very pale a cold shiver ran through him but he endeavoured to smile for god s sake old fellow don t think of anything so terrible look here you re no wonder and you ve got a long journey before you come and have lunch it s just two o clock afterwards we ll go to the and have a chat with beau he s a first rate fellow for looking on the bright side af everything then i ll see you off this afternoon at the what do you say assented to this arrangement and tried to shake oft the depression that had settled upon him though dark passed one after the other like clouds across his mind he seemed to see the hills stretching white with frozen snow around the black he pictured herself deserted returning through the cold and darkness to the lonely farm house behind the now withered pines then he began to think of the shell cave where that other lay hidden in her last deep sleep the wailing words of came back to his ears when the poor lad had s thoughts to his favourite flowers the one by one you will gather and play with her thoughts as though they were these blossoms your burning hand will mar their colour they will and up and die and you what will you the land of mockery care nothing no man ever cares for a flower that is withered not even though his own hand it had he been to blame he mused with a sorrowful weight at his heart had he yes he would put it plainly had he neglected her just a little had he not with all his true and passionate love for her taken her beauty her devotion her obedience too much for granted too much as his right and in these latter months when her health had made her and more in need of his tenderness had he not in a sudden desire for political fame and worldly honour left her too much alone a prey to solitude and the often morbid which solitude he began to blame himself heartily for the misunderstanding that had arisen out of his share in s unhappy secret had been weak and timid he had shrunk nervously from that the notorious violet was actually the woman he had so faithfully loved and mourned but he philip ought not to have humoured him in these fastidious he ought to have confided everything to he remembered now that he had once or twice been uneasy lest of his frequent visits to miss might possibly reach his wife s ears but then as his purpose was absolutely disinterested and harmless he did not dwell on this idea but dismissed it and held | 33 |
his peace for s sake himself with the thought that if did hear anything she would never believe a word against me he could not quite see where his fault had been though a fault there was somewhere as he uneasily felt and he would no doubt have started indignantly had a small whispered in his ear the word conceit yet that was the name of his failing that and no other how many men otherwise noble hearted are seriously though often unconsciously with this large parcel of blown out nothing sir philip did not appear to be conceited he would have the accusation with astonishment not knowing that in his very denial of the fault the fault existed he had never been truly but twice in his life once as he knelt to receive his mother s dying and again when he first loved and was uncertain whether his love could be returned by so fair and pure a creature with these two exceptions all his experience had tended to give him an excellent opinion of himself and that he should possess one of the best and loveliest wives in the world seemed to him quite in keeping with the usual course of things the feeling that it was a sheer impossibility for her to ever believe a word against him rose out of this inward self satisfaction this one flaw in his otherwise honest and character a flaw of which he himself was not aware now when for the third time his fairy castle of perfect peace and pleasure seemed shaken to its foundations when he again realized the uncertainty of life or death he felt bewildered and wretched his pride was in and she was gone again he to the miserable idea that like a melancholy refrain haunted him what if i should find her absorbed in painful reflections he was a very silent companion for during the luncheon which they took at a quiet little well known to the of pall and street himself had his own reasons for being equally depressed and anxious for did he not love as much as even her husband could nay perhaps more knowing his love was hopeless not always does possession of the adored object strengthen the adoration the dreams of an ideal passion have often been known to reality a so the two friends exchanged but few words though they tried to converse cheerfully on subjects and failed in the attempt they had nearly finished their light when a familiar voice saluted them it is i thought i couldn t be mistaken how are you both sandy stood before them save that his scanty beard had grown somewhat longer they had seen nothing of him since their trip to and they greeted him now with unaffected glad of the distraction his appearance afforded them where do you hail from asked as he made the new comer sit down at their table we haven t heard of you for an age it is a bit of time assented but better late than never i came up to london a week ago from the land of mockery and my head has been in a whirl ever since eh man but it s an awful place maybe til get used to it after a are you going to settle here then inquired i thought you intended to be a minister somewhere in scotland smiled and his eyes i have altered my opinions a bit he said you see my aunt in is dead i understand laughed youve come in for the old lady s money poor body and sandy shook his head gravely a few hours before she died tore up her will in a screaming fury of christian charity and meaning to make another in favour of leaving all her world s to the fund for bible knowledge among the heathen but she never had time to fulfil her intention she went off like a lamb and there being no will her money fell to me as the nearest relative eh the poor thing if her spirit is anywhere about she must be in a sore plight to think i ve got it after all her curses how much asked amused oh just a fair seventy thousand or so answered carelessly well done said with a smile endeavouring to appear interested you re quite rich then i congratulate you riches are a observed a and a to both soul and body he laughed and rubbed his hands then added with some eagerness i say how is lady she s very well answered sir philip hurriedly exchanging a quick look with which the latter at once understood she s away on a visit just now i m going to join her this afternoon i m sorry she s away said sandy and he looked very disappointed but i ll see her when she comes back will she be long absent no not long a few days only and as said this an involuntary sigh escaped him a few days only god grant it but what what if he should find her noticed the sadness of his expression but to make any remark upon it he contented himself with saying well you ve got a wife worth having as i dare say you know i shall be glad to pay my respects to her as soon as she returns ive got your address will you take mine and he handed him a small card on which was written in the number of a house in one of the lowest streets in the east end of london philip glanced at it with some surprise is where you live he asked with emphatic amazement yes it s just the i could find | 33 |
in that neighbourhood and the woman that keeps it is fairly respectable but with your money remonstrated who also looked at the card i rather wonder at your choice of abode why my dear fellow do you know what sort of a place it is a steadfast earnest thinking look came into s gray eyes yes i do know perfectly he said in answer to the question it s a place where there s misery starvation and crime of all sorts and there i am in the very midst of it just where i want to be you see i was meant to be a minister one of those comfortable bodies that in the pulpit about and sin and so forth a sort of that does no good to any reasonable creature and if i had followed out this profession i make no doubt that with my aunt s seventy thousand i should be a very comfortable respectable selfish type of a man who was decently embarked in an apparently important but really useless career useless interrupted i say take care a minister of the lord useless i m thinking there are very few ministers of the lord in this world said most of them minister to themselves and care not a bit more for christ than i tell you i was an altered man after we d been to the old pagan set me thinking many and many a time for my he s better worthy respect than many a so called christian and the land of mockery as for his daughter the two great blue eyes of that made me fair ashamed of myself why because i felt that as a minister of the established i was bound to be a sort of any thinking reasonable man with a conscience can t be otherwise with they folk and you know there s something in your wife s look that makes a body hesitate before telling a lie well what with her face and the old talk i reflected that i couldn t be a minister as ministers go and that i must even follow out the testament s according to my own way of thinking first i fancied td rough it abroad as a missionary then i remembered the savages at home and decided to attend to them before anything else then my aunt s silver came in handy in short i m just going to live on as a handful of the filthy as i can and lay out the rest on the of london and it s as well to do it while i m alive to see to it myself for i ve often observed if you leave your world s gear to the poor when you re dead just for the good reason that you can t take it to the grave with you it ll melt in a wonderful way through the hands of the and of the fund till there s nothing left for those you meant to benefit you mustn t think i m going to do any preaching business down at the east end there s too much of that and tract giving already the poor soul whose house i ve hadn t tasted bit nor sup for three days till i came and startled her into a crying fit by taking her rooms and paying her in eh man you d have thought i was a saint from heaven if you d heard her blessing me and a good had called on her just before and had given her a tract to dine on you see i must make myself i friend to the folk first before i can do them good i must get to the heart of their troubles and troubles are plentiful in that quarter i must live among them and be one of them i would remind you that christ himself gave sympathy to begin with he did the preaching afterwards what a good fellow you are said suddenly seeing his raw scotch friend with the perverse accent in quite a new and heroic light actually blushed nonsense not a bit of it he declared quite nervously it s just pure selfishness after all for i m simply enjoying myself the whole day long last night i found a of a sitting by himself in the a skin i just took him he staring and like an owl at me and carried him into my room there i gave him a plate of and finished him up with a of my you should have seen the rascal laugh twas better than looking at a play from a ten guinea box on the grand tier by jove sandy you re a brick cried laughing to hide a very different emotion i had no idea you were that sort of chap nor had i said quite simply i never myself with thinking of other folk s troubles at all i never even took into consideration the meaning of the testament till i saw your lady wife he paused a moment then added gravely yes and i ve often fancied she must be a real live angel and ive sought always to turn my hand to something useful and worth the doing ever since i met her i ll tell her so said poor philip his heart aching for his lost love as he spoke though he smiled it will give her pleasure to hear it blushed again like any awkward oh i don t know about that he said hurriedly she s just a grand woman then himself of another subject he asked have you heard of the reverend mr lately and replied in the negative laughed his eyes it s evident | 33 |
you never read police reports he said talk of ministers he s a pretty specimen i he s been hunted out of his place in for carrying on love affairs with the women of his congregation one day he locked himself in the with the wife of one of his principal and he had a grand time of it till the husband came and dragged him out and him soundly then he left the neighbourhood and just the other day he turned up in paused and laughed again well said with some interest did you meet re did i but not to speak to him he was far too well the land of mockery looked after to need my services and rubbed his great hands together with an irrepressible chuckle there was a crowd of round him and he was calling on the heavens to bear witness to his purity his hat was off and he had a black eye and all his coat was covered with mud and a policeman was embracing him very affectionately by the arm he was in charge for drunken and conduct and the magistrate came down pretty hard on him the case proved to be outrageous so he s to a month s imprisonment and hard labour hard labour eh man but that s fine fancy him at work at real work for the first time in all his days good lord i can see him at it so he s come to that and shrugged his shoulders with weary contempt i thought he would his career as a minister is ended that s one comfort don t be too sure of that said sandy cautiously there s always america you know he can make a holy martyr of himself there he may gain as big a reputation as henry ward you can never tell what may happen tis a queer world queer indeed assented as they all rose and left the together if our present existence is the result of a of i think the ought to have been more careful what they were about that s all i can say they reached the open street where shook hands and went his way promising to call on so soon as should be again at home he s turned out quite a fine fellow said when he had gone i should never have thought he had so much in him he has become a i fancy he s better than an ordinary replied philip often talk a great deal and do nothing like members of parliament suggested with a smile so by the bye i ve resigned my resigned why oh i m sick of the thing one has to be such a to secure one s i had a wretched time yesterday and trying to rouse up to the interests of country and all the time my darling at home was alone and breaking her heart about me by jove if i d only known i when i came back this morning to all this misery i told to send in my resignation i repeated the same thing to him the last thing before i left the house but you might have waited a day or two said youve such a fellow of impulse well i can t help it i m tired of politics i began with a will that every member of the house had his country s interests at heart not a bit of it they re all for themselves most of them at any rate they re not even sincere in their efforts to do good to the population and it s all very well to stick up for the aristocracy but why in heaven s name can t some of the among them do as much as our old is doing for the outcast and miserable poor i see some real usefulness and good in ms work and i ll help him in it with a will when comes thus talking the two friends reached the club where they found beau in the reading room turning over some new books with the curious smiling air of one who believes there can be nothing original under the sun and that all literature is mere repetition he greeted them cheerfully come out of here he said come into a place where we can talk there s an old fellow over there who s ready to murder any member who even whispers we won t excite his angry passions you know we re all literature here we ve each got our own little particular stall where we sort our goods our sour apples and nuts and we polish them up to look tempting to the public it s a great business and we can t bear to be looked at while we re turning our apples with the best side and boiling our to make them swell and seem big we like to do our in silence and alone he led the way into the smoking room and there heard with much surprise and a great deal of concern the story of s flight boy he said kindly clapping philip on the shoulder how could you be such a fool as to think that repeated visits to the land of mockery violet no matter on what business would not bring the dogs of scandal about your heels i wonder you didn t see how you were yourself he never told me l word about it interposed or else i should have given him a bit of my mind on the subject of course agreed and excuse me why the devil didn t you let your secretary manage his domestic by himself he s very much broken down said a | 33 |
hopeless frail disappointed man i thought i could serve him i see i and beau s eyes were bent on him with a very friendly look you re a first rate fellow but you shouldn t fly off so readily on the rapid wings of impulse now i suppose you want to shoot that can t be done not in england at any rate it can t be done at all anywhere said gravely he s dead beau started back in amazement dead you don t say so why he was dining last night at the i saw him there briefly they related the sudden accident that had occurred and described its fatal result he died horribly said philip in a low voice i haven t got over it yet that evil tortured face of his haunts me was only slightly shocked he had known s life too well and had despised it too thoroughly to feel much regret now it was thus abruptly ended rather an unpleasant exit for such a fellow he remarked not at all and so you were going to him look and philip showed him the i ve been carrying this thing about all day i wish i could drop it in the streets but if i did some one would be sure to pick it up and return it to me if it were a purse containing bank notes you could drop it with the positive certainty of never seeing it again laughed beau here hand it over and he possessed himself of it i ll keep it till you come back you leave for to night then yes if i can but it s the winter season and there ll be all manner of difficulties i m afraid it s no easy matter to reach the at this time of year why not use your and be independent of obstacles suggested she s under worse luck sighed philip she won t be in sailing condition for another month no i must take my chance that s all it s possible i may overtake at that s my great hope well don t be down in the mouth about it my boy said beau it ll all come right depend upon it your wife s a sweet gentle noble creature and when once she knows all about the miserable mistake that has arisen i don t know which will be greatest her happiness or her for having misunderstood the position now let s have some coffee he ordered this refreshment from a passing waiter and as he did so a gentleman with hands clasped behind his back and a smile on his countenance bowed to him with marked and peculiar courtesy as he sauntered on his way through the room beau returned the salute with equal politeness that s he explained with a smile when the gentleman was out of the best and most generous of men he s a critic all critics are large minded and generous we know but he happens to be remarkably so he did me the kindest turn i ever had in my life when my first book came out he fell n it tooth and it tore it to ribbons speaking and waved the fragments in the eyes of the public from that day my name was made my writings sold off with delightful rapidity and words can never tell how i blessed and how i still bless he always into me that s what s so good of him we re awfully polite to each other as you observe and what is so perfectly charming is that he s quite unconscious how much he s helping me along he s really a first rate fellow but i haven t yet attained the summit of my ambition and here broke off with a sparkle of fun in his clear steel gray eyes a y what else do you want asked laughing i want returned beau solemnly i want to be at by punch i want punch to make mouths at me and give me the benefit of his and no author s fame is the land of mockery quite secure till dear old punch has abused him abuse is the thing nowadays you know heaven forbid that i should be praised by punch that would be unfortunate here the coffee arrived and it to his friends talking gaily the while in an effort to from his gloomy thoughts i ve just been informed on respectable authority that is the new he said i felt rather stunned at the moment but ive got over it now oh this mad london what a gigantic it is for the folk of the world to air their follies in that any reasonable englishmen with such names as shakespeare and to keep the glory of their country warm should for one moment consider poet ye gods where are your he s an american isn t he asked he is my dear boy an american whom the sensible portion of america we therefore out of opposition take him up his chief recommendation is that he writes concerning regardless of music or here s a bit of him concerning the of oxen he says the lives in a placid pastoral region there they bring him the three year and the four year to break them some are such beautiful animals so looking some are coloured some one has a white line running along his back some are some have wide horns a good sign look you the bright hides see the two with stars on their see the round bodies and broad backs how straight and square they stand on their w stop stop r cried putting his hands to his ears this is a practical joke beau i | 33 |
no one would call that poetry i oh wouldn t they though exclaimed let some critic of reputation once start the idea and you ll have the good london folk who won t bother to read him for themselves declaring him as fine as shakespeare the dear english fine once let the press bell loudly enough across the fields of literature and they ll follow sweetly in any direction the heads in our big metropolis are those who know this and who act accordingly then why don t you act accordingly asked with a faint smile oh i i can t i never asked a favour from the press in my life but its little bell has for me all the same and a few of the follow but not all are you off this as they rose to take their leave well old fellow and he shook hands warmly a pleasant journey to you and a happy return home my best regards to your wife have you settled whether you ll go with me to italy i start the day after to morrow then said all right my mother s delighted at the idea yes beau we ll come only i hope we shan t bore you bore me you know me better than that and he accompanied them out of the smoking room into the hall while a little surprised at this sudden arrangement observed why george i thought you d be here when we came back from to to welcome you know george laughed my dear boy shan t be wanted just let me know how everything goes on you you see fm in duty bound to take my mother out of london in winter just so agreed who had watched him narrowly while he spoke don t grudge the old lady her southern sunshine wants brushing up a bit too he looks then i shall consider it settled the day after to morrow we meet at cross morning express of course never go by night service across the channel if you can help it again they shook hands and parted best thing that young fellow can do thought as he returned to the club reading room the sooner he gets out of this into new scenes the better he s breaking his heart over the beautiful by jove i the boy s eyes looked hke those of a shot animal whenever her name was mentioned he s rather badly hit he sat down and began to what can i do for him i wonder he thought nothing i suppose a love of that can t be it s a pity a great pity i and i j the land of mockery know any woman likely to make a counter on him he d never put up with an italian beauty he paused in his reflections and the colour flushed his broad handsome brow as the dazzling vision of a sweet face with liquid dark eyes and rippling masses of rich brown hair came flitting before him unless he saw he murmured to himself softly and he will not see her besides loves me and this his meditations seemed to be particularly pleasant to judge from the expression of his features beau was by no means ignorant of the tender passion he had his own little romance as beautiful and bright as a summer day but he had resolved that london with its love of gossip its scandal and society papers london that on account of his popularity as a writer watched his movements and his doings in the most and manner london should have no chance of penetrating into the secret of his private life and so far he had succeeded and was likely still to succeed meanwhile as he still sat in reverie pretending to read a newspaper though his thoughts were far away from it and arrived at st station was already there with the luggage she was excited and pleased her spirits had risen at the prospect of seeing her mistress soon again possibly she thought gladly they might find her at they might not have to go to at all the train came up to the platform the tickets were taken and sir philip with entered a first class while stood outside leaning with folded arms on the carriage window talking cheerfully you ll find her all right fm positive he said i think it s very probable she has been compelled to remain at and even at the worst can guide you all over if necessary nothing will and he nodded kindly to the little maid who had regained her rosy colour and the sparkle of her eyes in the eagerness she felt to her beloved the engine whistle gave a warning shriek philip leaned oat and pressed his friend s hand warmly good bye old fellow i ll write to you in italy all right mind you do and i say give my love to i philip smiled and promised the train began to move slowly at first then more quickly till with uproar and puffing clouds of white steam it rushed forth from the station winding through the arches like a black snake till it had twisted itself rapidly out of sight left alone looked after it wistfully with a heavy weight of love and sorrow at his heart and as he at last turned away those haunting words that he had heard under the pines at the again and again to his memory the words uttered by the and how true they were he thought how desperately cruelly true good things may come for others but for you the heavens are empty t chapter xiii honour is an old world thing but it smells | 33 |
sweet to those in whose hand it strong ou disappointment upon disappointment awaited at unfortunately neither he nor knew of the existence of the good who had assisted in her flight and all their persistent and anxious inquiries no news of her moreover there was no boat of any kind leaving immediately for not even a or fishing in a week s time possibly later there would be a steamer starting for and for this though almost mad with impatience was forced to wait and in the meantime he about the streets of looking eagerly at every fair haired woman who passed him and always hoping that herself would suddenly meet him face to face and put her hands in his he wrote to and told him to send on any letters that might arrive for him and by every post he waited anxiously for from but none came to relieve his mind a little he a long letter to her explaining everything telling her how he loved and worshipped her how he was on his way to join her at the and ending by the most passionate vows of love and fidelity he was somewhat soothed when he had done this though he did not realize the fact thb land of mockery that in all probability he himself might arrive before the letter the slow miserable days went on the week was completed the steamer for started at last and after a terribly stormy passage he and the faithful were landed there on arrival he learned that a vessel bound for the north cape had left on the previous day there would not be another for a fortnight cursing his ill luck he resolved to reach the by land and began to make arrangements accordingly those who knew the country well endeavoured to him from this desperate project the further north the greater danger they told him moreover the weather was even for trying snow heavily over all the country he would have to the only means of conveyance was by ox the latter a sort of used by the made in the form of a boat and generally drawn by the of the would be exhausted as soon as the snow covered regions were reached and to manage a successfully required special skill of no ordinary kind but the courageous little made short work of all these difficulties she could drive a she knew how to manage she entertained not the slightest doubt of being able to overcome all the obstacles on the way at the same time she frankly told sir philip that the journey would be a long one perhaps occupying several days that they would have to rest at different farms or stations on the road and put up with hard fare that the cold would be intense that often they would find it difficult to get of the required and that it might perhaps be wiser to wait for the next boat going to the north cape but would hear of no more each hour that passed filled him with fresh anxieties and once in he could not rest the idea that might be ill dying or dead gained on him with force and his fears easily communicating themselves to who was to the full as impatient as he the two made up their minds and providing every necessary for the journey they could think of they started for the far north through a white frozen land which grew and more silent the further they went even as the brooding sky above them grew darker and darker the flashed its brilliant shafts of colour against the breast of heaven the tall pines stripped bare every branch thick with snow and dropping stood pale ghosts of the forest shedding frozen tears the moon more like steel than silver shone cold her h seeming to rather than soften the of the land and on on they went enveloped to the chin in steadily driving the strange looking with their heads casting long distorted shadows on the white ground and philip beside her urging her on with feverish impatience while he listened to the smooth trot of the the of the bells on their harness and the hiss of the across the sparkling snow meanwhile as he thus pursued his long and difficult journey rumour was very busy with his name in london everybody that is everybody worth consideration in the circle of the upper ten was talking about him their shoulders lifting their eyebrows and smiling whenever he was mentioned he became more known in one day than if he had served his country s interests in parliament for years on the very morning after he had left the metropolis en route for that admirably conducted society journal the snake appeared and of course had its usual amount of eager anxious to see the latest bit of aristocratic scandal often these good folks were severely disappointed the snake was sometimes so dull that it had actually nothing to say against anybody then naturally it was not worth buying but this time it was really interesting it knocked down or tried to knock down at one blow a formerly reputation and really really said the upper ten it was dreadful but of course it was to be expected i those quiet seemingly virtuous persons are always the worst when you come to know them yet who would have thought it and society read the paragraph and rolled it in its rank mouth like a bon bon enjoying its it ran as follows we hear on excellent authority that the beauty i wife of sir philip is | 33 |
about to sue for a divorce on the ground of the offending in the question is an admired well known to the of the brilliant theatre but there are always two to these affairs and it is that the fair the land of mockery who before her marriage we understand was a great in the art of on the shores of her native has private reasons of her own for desiring the divorce not altogether in keeping with her stated reasons or her apparent reserve we are however always on the side of the fair sex and as the husband has made no secret of his new we do not hesitate to at once pronounce in the lady s favour the case is likely to prove interesting to in wedded happiness combined with the moral and religious sentiments quite by accident this piece of would be was seen by beau he had a wholesome contempt for the snake and all its class he would never have looked at it or known of the paragraph had not a friend of his at the pointed it out to him with half a smile and half a sneer it s a damned lie said beau briefly that remains to be proved answered his friend and went away laughing beau read it over and over again his blood firing with honest indignation that pure white lily of womanhood was she to have her life by the trail of such a thing as the snake and was s honour to be in his absence and he condemned without a word uttered in his defence detestable muttered in his mind to the editor of the journal in question what s his name i wonder he searched and found it at the top of a sole editor and proprietor c to whom all and post orders should be made the editor cannot be responsible for the return of rejected beau noted the name and wrote the address of the office in his pocket book smiling curiously to himself the while i m almost glad s out of the way he said aloud he shan t see this thing if i can help it though i dare say some particularly affectionate friend will send it to him carefully marked at any rate he needn t know it just yet and as for shall i tell him no i won t i ll have the game all to myself and by jove how i shall enjoy it an hour later he stood in the office of the snake courteously inquiring for mr apparently he had come on horseback for be held a riding whip in bis band the veiy whip had left with him the previous day the dirty headed boy who presided in solitary grandeur over the dingy premises stared at him visitors of bis distinguished appearance and manner being rather uncommon those who usually had business with the great were of a type altogether some of them discarded or who came to gain half a crown or five shillings by offering information as to the doings of their late masters and shabby from the theatres who had secured the last bit of scandal concerning some celebrated stage or professional beauty sporting men and turf of the lowest class unsuccessful and small verse writers these with now and then a few ladies ladies of the bar room and y were the sort of persons who daily sought private converse with and beau with his massive head fine muscular figure keen eyes and self mien was quite a novel specimen of manhood for the wondering observation of the office boy who scrambled off his high chair with haste and something of respect as he said what name sir please said the gentleman with a bland smile here is my card ask mr whether he can see me for a few minutes if he is engaged generally are engaged tell him y wait the boy went off in a greater hurry than ever the name of was quite familiar to him he knew him not as a distinguished but as im who makes such a precious lot of money and he was breathless with excitement when he reached the small chamber at the top of a dark narrow flight of stairs wherein sat the smiling over a heap of letters and disordered he glanced at the card which his ink attendant presented him ah indeed i he said oh yes i suppose it must be the of that name yes show him up shown up he was accordingly he entered the room with a tm tread and closed the door behind him how do you do my dear sir exclaimed warmly the land of mockery you are well known to me by reputation i am charmed delighted to make the personal acquaintance of one who is yes let me say who is a brother in literature i sit down i beg of you and he waved his hand towards a chair thereby displaying the great rings that glittered on his fingers beau however did not seat himself he only smiled very coldly and contemptuously we can discuss the nature of our relationship afterwards he said business first pray sir here he drew from his pocket the number of the snake are you the writer of this paragraph he pointed to it as he the journal and laid it in front of the editor on his mr glanced at it and smiled no i am not but i happen to know it is perfectly correct i received the information on the highest the very highest and most authority indeed and beau s lip curled while his hand clenched the riding whip more firmly then allow me to | 33 |
tell you sir that it is utterly false in every particular it is a gross published with deliberate intent to injure those whom it to mention and that whoever wrote it you sir you alone are responsible for a most mischievous scandalous and lie i mr was in no wise disconcerted honest indignation honestly expressed always amused him he was amused now you re excited mr he said with a little laugh permit me to remark that your language is rather extraordinary quite strong under the circumstances however you re a privileged person genius is always a little mad or shall we say eccentric i suppose you are a friend of sir philip and you naturally feel hurt yes yes i quite understand but the of the press the wholesome cannot be withheld out of consideration for private or personal feelings no no i there s a higher duty the duty we owe to the public i tell you again repeated firmly the whole thing is a lie wi i you s mr threw himself back in his chair and laughed aloud my dear sir you must be dreaming certainly not i i cannot the statements i have made and i firmly believe them to be true and though there is a saying the greater the truth the greater the i m ready sir and always have been ready to sacrifice myself to the cause of truth truth truth for ever tell the truth and shame the devil i you are at liberty to inform sir philip from me that as it is my object a and one too i admit to show up the awful now in our upper classes i do not regret in the least the of the paragraph in if it only makes him ashamed of his vices i shall have done a good deed and served the interests of society at large at the same time if he wishes to bring an action for you dog exclaimed fiercely approaching him with such a sudden rapid stride that the astonished editor sprang up and himself behind his own chair you hope for that do you an action for nothing would please you better to bring your scandalous printed into to hear your name shouted by dirty and to be as a first class ah no such luck for you i i know the tricks of your vile trade there are other ways of dealing with a vulgar bully and coward and before the startled could realize his position closed with him bent him under and struck the across his back and shoulders he uttered a yell of pain and fury and strove vigorously to defend himself but owing to his his muscles were weak and and he was powerless against the activity and strength of his opponent lash after lash descended regularly and his cries which gradually became like the of a bull of were unheard as the office boy below by a few idle moments had run across the street to buy some at a stall he particularly beau on with increasing enjoyment resisted m less and less till finally he slipped feebly down on the floor i there gasping and groaning beau gave him one wo more artistic cuts and stood above him with the serene the land of mockery triumphant smile of a successful suddenly a loud peal of laughter echoed from the doorway a woman stood there richly dressed in silk and fur with diamonds sparkling in her ears and diamonds clasping the long at her throat it was violet why she cried with cheerful familiarity how are you all broken and no one to pick up the pieces i serve you right got it at last eh don t get up you look so comfortable bodily assault gasped i ll summons call the police call his voice died away in inarticulate and raising himself he sat up on the floor in a sufficiently abject and ludicrous posture wiping the tears of pain from his eyes beau looked at the female intruder and recognised her at once he saluted her with cold courtesy and turned again to will you i i won r beau made another threatening movement miss interposed stop a bit she said regarding him with her insolent eyes in which however an smile i don t know who you are but you seem a fighting man don t go at him again till i ve had a word i say you ve been at me in your paper still sat on the floor groaning you must eat those words went on the calmly eat em up with for dinner the admired well known at the brilliant has nothing to do with the man not she he s a a regular one no go about him anyhow and what the deuce do you mean by calling me an offending f keep your oaths to yourself will you beau was amused turned his watering eyes from one to the other in wretched perplexity he made an to stand up and succeeded i ll have you arrested sir i he exclaimed shaking his fist at beau and quivering with passion on a charge of bodily assault shameful bodily assault sir all right returned beau coolly if i were a hundred pounds for it i should think it cheap for the luxury of such a hound o at the determined attitude and threatening eye of his and turned for relief to miss whose smile however was not s you d better cave in she remarked youve got the worst of it you know she had long been on confidential terms with the snake proprietor and she spoke to him now with the of an old friend dear me what do you expect of me | 33 |
he almost i m not to blame the paragraph was inserted without my knowledge by my sub editor he s away just now and there why he cried with sudden defiance why don t you ask sir francis about it he wrote the whole thing well he s dead said miss with the utmost coolness so it wouldn t be much use asking aim he can t answer you ll have to answer for him i don t believe it exclaimed mr he can t be dead i oh yes he can and he w retorted violet and a good job too he was knocked over by a train at cross you ll see it in to day s paper if you take the trouble to look and mind you contradict all that stuff about me in your next number do you hear i m going to america with a duke next month and i can t afford to have my reputation injured and i won t be called a for any penny a living she paused and again broke out laughing poor old you do look so sore ta ta and she moved towards the door always courteous opened it for her she raised her hard bright eyes and smiled thanks hope i shall see you again some day i you are very good responded beau gravely either his tone which was one of chill indifference or something in his look irritated her suddenly for a rush of hot colour her face and she bit her lips as she descended the office stairs he s one of your high and mighty sort she thought as she entered her and was driven away quite too awfully moral she pulled a large cut glass scent bottle out of the pocket of her cloak and the land of mockery the gold top applied it not to her nose but her mouth it contained neat and she drank a goodly of it with evident relish a scented bon bon immediately afterwards to take away the suspicious yes quite too aw fully moral she repeated with a grin not in my line at all lord it s lucky there are not many such fellows about or what would become of me a precious poor business i should make of it meanwhile left alone again with mr his demand for an apology made a rush for the door as soon as miss had gone with the full intention of the police but beau coolly placed his back against it with resolute firmness and flourished his whip come sir none of this nonsense he said sternly i don t mean to leave this spot till i have satisfaction if sir francis wrote that scandalous paragraph the greater rascal he and the more shame to you for it you who make il your business to know all the dirty and dark corners of life must have known his character pretty thoroughly there s not the slightest excuse for you will you and every word of that paragraph in your next issue breathless with rage and fear glared at him but made no answer if you refuse to went on beau deliberately the lightly on his hand i ll just tell you what the consequences will be i ve you once and i ll you again i have only to give the cue to several worthy fellows of my acquaintance who don t care how much they pay for their fun and each of them in turn will you as for an action for don t expect it but i swear there shan t be a safe comer in london for you if however you publish next week a full of your printed lie why then i shall be only too happy to forget that such an individual as yourself burdens this planet there are the two choose hesitated but coward fear made him at the prospect of unlimited very well he said sullenly write what you want put in i ll attend to it i don t mind obliging miss but all the same i ll have w arrested a beau laughed do so by all means he said gaily leave my address with you he wrote rapidly a few lines on a piece of paper to the following effect we have to entirely contradict a statement we made last week respecting a supposed divorce case in which sir philip was seriously there was no truth whatever in the statement and we most humbly and heartily for having given to a rumour which is now proved to b utterly false and without the slightest shadow of a foundation he handed this to that word for word at the head of your he said and you ll hear no more of me unless you give me fresh provocation and i advise you to think twice before you have me arrested for defend my own case and ruin you i m rather a dangerous customer to have much to do with i however youve got my card you know where to find me if you want me only you d better send after me to night if you do to morrow i may be absent he smiled and drew on his gloves leisurely meanwhile the editor who was rubbing his shoulder where the lash had stung it somewhat severely i m exceedingly glad i ve hurt you mr he said and the next time you want to call me your brother in literature pray reflect on the manner in which my affection displayed itself g morning and he took his departure with a quiet step and serene manner leaving to his own meditations which were far from agreeable he was not ignorant of the influence beau possessed both on the press and in society he was a general favourite | 33 |
a man whose opinions were quoted and whose authority was accepted everywhere if he appeared to answer a charge of assault against and defended his own case he certainly would have the best of it he might he would have to pay a fine but what did he care for that he would hold up the snake and its proprietor to the utmost ridicule and his brilliant satire and humour would carry all before it and he would be still more utterly and weighing all these considerations carefully in his mind the the land of mockery shrinking editor decided to sit down under his in silence and resignation it was not a very lofty mode of action still it was the safest of course violet would spread the story all through particular set it made him furious to think of this yet there was no help for it he would play the martyr he thought the martyr to the cause of truth the injured innocent by false information he might possibly gain n w and in this way if he played his cards carefully he turned to the daily paper and saw there the death of sir francis it was true then well he was not at all affected by it he merely committed the dead man in the and strongest language to the very lowest of those low and regions over which satan is supposed to have full sway not a soul regretted sir francis not even the whom he had kept and surrounded with every luxury for five years only one person a fair weary faced woman away in germany shed a few tears over lie lawyer s black bordered letter that announced his death to her and this was the deserted wife who had once loved him lady had heard the news she shuddered and turned very pale when her husband gently and almost told her of the sudden and unprepared end that had overtaken her admirer but she said nothing she was at the for the first time in many years she looked somewhat sad and yet so than in all the usual pride and of her beauty lord read aloud the brief account of the accident in the paper she listened still mute he watched her with yearning eyes an awful death for such a man he said at last in a low tone she dared not look up she was trembling nervously how dreadful it was she thought to be thankful that a man was dead to feel a relief at his being no longer in this world presently her husband spoke again more no doubt you are greatly shocked and grieved he said i should not have told you so suddenly pardon me i am not grieved she murmured it sounds horrible to say so but i i am afraid i am wit i m z strange s k mr h y lo vii down in h s s m m w if tt al s e k he t w li l i sl s hi book iii the land of the long shadow chapter i they have the night who had like us the we whom day shall have the night as we from the of the light healed of our wound of living shall sleep sound night on the the long long night o winter the sharp snow covered of the mountains rose in white appeal against the darkness of the sky the wild north wind tore through the branches of the pine forests bringing with it driving of hail and the whole landscape lay as though frozen into stone the sun slept and the brooding shadows seemed silently to ask where where was the great king of light the glorious god of the golden hair and ruddy countenance the glittering warrior with the flaming shield and spear invincible where had he found his rest by what strange enchantment had he fallen into so deep and long a the wind that had across the mountains up great trees in its shrieking career grew hushed as it approached the there a weird stillness reigned broken only by the sullen and monotonous of the invisible waves upon the scarcely visible shore a few tiny twinkling lights showed the irregular outline of and now and then one or two fishing boats with sails and small coloured lamps at mast and would across the water like dark messengers from another world bound on some mournful errand human figures more shadowy than real were to be seen occasionally moving on the pier and to the left of the little town as the eye grew accustomed to the gloom a group of persons like ghosts in a dream could be dimly perceived working busily at the mending of suddenly a strange glow flashed over the sombre scene a rosy radiance deepening to brilliant streaks of fire the dark heavens were torn asunder and through them streamed of light waving trembling dancing luminous ribbons of red blue green and a delicious like the flowing of golden wine wider higher more the wondrous g shone aloft rising upward from the horizon thrusting long of flame among the retreating clouds till in one magnificent of beams a blazing arch of gold leaped fi om east to west the visible breadth of the and casting towards the white peaks above vivid and reflections of jewel like brightness and colour here was surely the rainbow bridge of the glittering pathway leading to long threads of and downwards from it uke ropes of fairy flowers binding it to the earth above it hung a like whiteness z through which sudden flashes | 33 |
of then as though the arch were a bent bow for the hand of some heavenly hunter crimson beams darted across it in swift succession like arrows shot at the dark of the world round and round swept the varying circles of colour now advancing now retreating now turning the sullen waters beneath into a quivering mass of green now beating against the snow covered hills till they seemed of heaped up pearls and diamonds the whole landscape was transformed and the shadowy cluster of men and women on the shore paused in their toil and turned their pale faces towards the rippling splendour the heavy fishing drooping from their hands like dark woven by giant tis the first time we have seen the arch of death this year said one in awed accents ay ay t returned another with a sigh and some one is und to cross it whether he will or no tis a sure the land of the long shadow sure they all agreed in hushed voices as faint and far ofi as the breaking of the tide against the rocks on the opposite coast as they spoke the fairy like bridge in the sky parted asunder and vanished the brilliant faded by swift degrees a few moments and the land was again enveloped in gloom it might have been midnight yet by the clock it was but four in the afternoon dreary indeed was the yet the neighbouring village of was even there desolation reigned supreme it was a frozen region of bitter cold where the poverty stricken inhabitants smitten by the physical and mental by the long dark season scarcely stirred out of their miserable homes save to gather extra fuel this is the time in when beyond the circle the old gods yet have sway when in spite of their persistent sometimes to the forms of christianity the people almost unconsciously to the of their ancestors gathering round the blazing pine logs they to one another in low voices the ancient legends of dead and gone heroes and listening to the yell of the storm wind round their huts they still fancy they hear the wild war cries of the rushing past at full gallop on their coal black with their long hair floating behind them on this particular afternoon the appearance of the death arch as they called that special form of the had impressed the folk greatly some of them were at their doors and regardless of the piercing cold occupied themselves in staring languidly at a which stood outside one of the more distant huts evidently waiting for some person within the hoofs of the animals made no impression on the hardened snow now and again they gently shook the bells on their harness but otherwise were very patient the was in charge of a youthful a hideous specimen of humanity who appeared to be literally up from head to foot in skins this was evidently an object of curiosity the eyed it and with a sort of fear for did it not belong to the terrible and would not the useful boy well known in come to some fatal harm by watching even for a few minutes the property of an acknowledged pagan who could tell the very might be possessed by evil spirits they were certainly much and finer than the ordinary run of such animals there was something in the very look of them thus the folk muttered one to another leaning out of their half open doors tis a strange thing said one man that a woman as strong in the fear of the lord as should call for one of the wicked to visit her on her death bed strange enough answered his neighbour over his pipe and knocking down some of the from his roof but maybe it is to curse him with the curse of the she s done that all her life said the first speaker that s true she s been a faithful servant of the gospel all s right with her in the next world she ll die easily was it for her the death arch shone asked an old woman suddenly thrusting her head wrapped in a red hood out of a low doorway through which the light of a fire sparkled from the background sending vivid across the snow the man who had spoken last shook his head solemnly the death arch never shone for a christian yet he said gravely no there s something else in the wind we can t see it but it will come it must come i that sign never fails and presently tired of watching the waiting and the passive he retreated within his house shutting his door against the darkness and the bitter wind his neighbours followed his example and save for two or three red of light here and there the little village looked as though it had been deserted long ago a picture of frost bound silence and solitude meanwhile in s close and dwelling stood his strong stately figure wrapped in seemed almost to fill the little place he had thrown aside the thick of in which he had been wrapped to the eyes while driving in the teeth of the wind and he now lifted his fur cap thus displaying his silvery hair ruddy features and open massive brow at that moment a woman who was herself the land of the long shadow in putting fresh pine logs on the fire turned and regarded him intently lord lord she muttered tis a man of men he in his strength even as the lion and how shall the curse of the wicked avail against the soul that is firmly established heard her not he was looking towards a low | 33 |
bed on which lay extended at full length an apparently insensible form has she been long thus he asked in a low voice since last night replied the woman no other than mr s former servant she suddenly and bade me send for you to day she has not spoken the sighed somewhat impatiently he approached the now blazing pine logs and as he drew off his thick fur gloves and warmed his hands at the cheerful blaze again fixed her dull eyes upon him with something of wonder and reluctant admiration presently she trimmed an oil lamp and set it burning dimly on the table then she went to the bed and bent over it after a pause of several minutes she turned and made a sign with her finger advanced a httle when a sudden shriek startled him back almost the blood in his veins out of the deep obscurity like some gaunt rising from the tomb started a face wrinkled and distorted by suffering a face in which the fierce eyes glittered with a strange and dreadful brilliancy the face of stern forbidding and already dark with the shadows of approaching death she stared at whose picturesque head was by the ruddy glow of the fire and feebly shaded her eyes as though she saw something that hurt them raised her on her tumbled pillow and saying in cold unmoved tones speak now for the time is short she once more beckoned the he approached slowly he began in distinct tones addressing himself to that ghastly countenance still partly shaded by one hand i am here dost thou know me at the sound of his voice a strange the withered features of the dying woman she bent her head as though to listen to some far off echo and held up her finger as though silence know thee she how should i not know the brown haired of the merry eye the pride of the maidens she lifted herself in a more erect attitude and stretching out her lean arms went on as though a monotonous the wanderer over wild seas he comes and goes in his ship that sails like a white bird on the sparkling waters long and silent are the days of his absence mournful are the and without the smile of the king r she paused and regarded her in pitying wonder her face changed to a new expression one of wrath and fear stay stay f she cried in penetrating accents who comes from the south with the clouds drive fast before the wind clouds rest on the edge of the dark sails red as blood flash against the sky who comes with fair hair against his breast like streaming eyes blue as the glitter of the northern lights are looking upon him lips crimson and heavy with kisses for ah she broke off with a cry and beat the air with her hands as though to keep some threatening thing away from her back back dead bride of torment me no more back i say see and she pointed into the darkness before her the pale pale face the long glittering hair twisted like a snake of gold she along the path across the mountains the child follows the child i why not kill the child as well why not she stopped suddenly with a wild laugh the had listened to her with something of horror his ruddy cheeks growing paler by the gods this is strange i he muttered she seems to speak of my wife yet what can she know of her for some moments there was silence seemed to have exhausted her strength presently however she put aside her straggling white hairs from her forehead and demanded fiercely where is my where is neither nor made any reply but s name recalled the old woman to herself and when she spoke again it was quite and in her usual harsh voice she seemed o forget all that she had just uttered for she turned her eyes upon e as though she had but then perceived him the land of the long shadow so you come i she said it is well for the hand of death is upon me it is well indeed if i can be of service responded though i am but a sorry holding as i do that death is the chief blessing and in no way to be regretted at any time moreover when the body grows too weak to support the soul tis as well to escape from it with what speed we may escape where asked from the worm that not from the devouring flame that is never from the thirst and heat and darkness of hell who shall escape nay if that is all the comfort thy creed can give thee said the with a half smile tis but a poor staff to lean on looked at him and is thine so strong a to thy pride she asked has so endowed thee that thou boast of him listen to me i have but little strength remaining and i must speak briefly thy wife what of her said the hastily thou her not i knew her said steadily as the lightning knows the tree it as the sea knows the frail boat it for sport on a windy day thou haughty i knew her well even as the broken heart knows its looked at surely she again he said was silent tell him i do not cried rising in her bed to utter her words with more strength and emphasis maybe i have but that is past the lord who will judge and condemn my soul bear witness that i speak the truth thou the days when we | 33 |
were young tis long ago replied the with brief gentleness long ago it seems but yesterday but yesterday i saw the world all radiant with hope and joy and love love that to you was a mere but with pie she shuddered and seemed to lose herself in a of dreary recollections love she presently muttered love is strong as death jealousy is cruel as the grave the coals thereof are coals of fire which have a most vehement flame f even so you have forgotten what i remember that once in that yesterday of youth you called me fair once your lips mine could i forget that kiss think you a woman bred in the shadow of the constant mountains forgets the first thrill of passion in her soul light women of those lands where the sun ever shines on fresh follies may count their loves by the score but with us of the nt one love to fill a lifetime and was not my life filled filled to overflowing with bitterness and misery for i loved you proud i loved you the uttered an exclamation of incredulous astonishment fixed her eyes on him with a dark scorn yes i loved you and as you were and are accursed of god and man i loved you in spite of all that was said against you nay i would have forsaken my creed for yours and condemned my soul to the everlasting burning for your sake i loved you as she that pale fair witch like thing you wedded could never love her voice died away in a sort of despairing wail and she paused by my soul said the astounded and his white beard in some embarrassment never knew of this it is true that in the hot days of youth mischief is often done but why trouble yourself with these memories if it be any comfort believe me i am sorry harm ever came tc you through my thoughtless it matters not and regarded him with a strange and awful smile i have had my revenge she stopped abruptly then went on twas a fair bride you chose child of an alien from these shores with the treacherous laughter and light of the south in her eyes and smile and i who had known love made friends with hate she checked herself and looked full at the with a joy sparkling in her eyes she whom you wedded she whom you loved so well how soon she died there was something so suggestive and dreadful in the expression of her face as she said this that the stout heart of the old more quickly with a sudden vague distrust and dread she gave him no time to speak but laying one yellow like hand on his arm and raising her voice to a sort of yell exclaimed triumphantly the land of the long shadow yes yes how soon she died bravely bravely done and no one ever guessed the truth no one ever knew i ki ed her uttered a sharp cry and shook himself free from her touch in the same instant his hand flew to the of the hunting knife in his xi ed her by the gods sprang before him shame she cried sternly she is dying too slowly for me exclaimed the furiously peace peace i implored let her speak strike said in a deep voice harsh but all strike pagan with whom the law of blood is strike to the very centre of my heart i do not fear you i killed her i say and therein i the servant of the lord was justified think you that the most high hath not commanded his elect to utterly destroy and their enemies and is not vengeance mine as well as thine accursed slave of a of pain here interrupted her she struggled violently for breath and supported her stood motionless white with restrained fury his eyes blazing recovering by slow degrees once more spoke her voice was weaker and sounded a long way off yea the lord hath been on my side she said and the hideous rattled in her throat as it was uttered listen and hear how he delivered mine enemy into my hands i watched her always i followed her many and many a time though she never saw me i knew her favourite path across the mountains it led past a rocky chasm on the edge of that chasm there was a broad flat stone and there she would sit often reading or watching the fishing boats on the and listening to the of her child i used to dream of that stone and wonder if i could it i it was strongly in the earth but each day i went to it each day i moved it little by little worked till a mere touch would have sent it downwards yet it looked as firm as ever uttered a fierce of anguish he put one hand to his throat as though he were stifling watching him smiled and continued when i had done all i could do i lay in wait for her hoping and praying my hour came at last it was a bright sunny morning a little bird had been above the very place as it flew away she approached a book was in her hand her child followed her at some little distance off fortune favoured me a cluster of had opened their blossoms a few inches below the stone she saw them and light as a bird sprang on it and reached forward to gather them ah and the wretched woman clapped her hands and broke | 33 |
into malignant laughter i can hear her quick shriek now the crash of stones and the of in as she fell down down to her death presently the child came running it was too young to understand it sat down patiently waiting for its mother how i longed to kill it but it sang to itself like the bird that had flown away and i could not but she was gone she was silent for ever the lord be praised for all his was she smiling when you found her a strange solemnity the features he turned his eyes upon her steadily blessing and honour be to the gods of my fathers he said i found her living t the change that came over s face at these words was awful she grew livid and her lips living living she gasped living repeated sternly vile your purpose was your crime destroyed her beauty and her days but she lived lived for ten sweet bitter years hidden away from all eyes save mine mine that never grew tired of looking in her patient heavenly face ten years i held her as one holds a and when she died her death was but a falling asleep in these fond arms raised herself with a sharp cry and wrung her hands together ten years ten years she moaned i thought her dead and she lived on beloved and loving all the while o god god why hast thou made a mockery of thy servant she rocked herself to and then looked up with an evil smile nay but she suffered that was best it is worse to than to die thank god she suffered t the land of the long ay she suffered said fiercely scarce able to restrain himself from seizing upon the miserable old woman and shaking the sinking life out of her and had i but guessed who caused her sufferings by the sword of i would have laid her hand on his suddenly arm listen she whispered a low wailing like the cry of a distressed child swept round and round the house followed by a gust of wind and a shower of a strange blue light leaped up from the sparkling log fire and cast an glow through the room a deep stillness ensued then steady and clear and a single sound echoed through the air like a long note played on an exceedingly sweet silver trumpet it began softly swelled to a then died delicately away raised his head his face was full of and expectant gravity his action too was somewhat singular for he drew the knife from his and kissed the solemnly returning it immediately to its at the same moment uttered a loud cry and flinging the from her strove to rise from her bed held her firmly she struggled feebly yet gazing the while with straining eager eyes into the gloom of the opposite corner darkness darkness she muttered hoarsely and the white white faces of dead things there there they lie all still at the foot of the black chasm their mouths move without sound what what are they saying i cannot hear ask them to speak louder louder ah and she uttered a terrified scream that made the ring they move they stretch out their hands cold cold hands they are drawing me down to them down down to that darkness hold me hold me don t let me go to them lord lord be merciful to me let me live live suddenly she drew back in deadly horror with her tremulous lean hands as though to shut away the sight of some thing to her view who is it she asked in an awful shuddering whisper who is it that says there is no hell see it still retreating backwards backwards the of death darkening her countenance she turned her eyes for the last time on her lips into a smile of dreadful mockery may thy gods reward thee even as mine me and with these words her head dropped heavily on her breast laid her back on her pillow a corpse the stern cruel smile slowly on her dead features gradually she became as it were a sort of ancient carved to resemble old age combined with evil the straggling white hair that rested on her wrinkled forehead looking merely like snow fallen on stone good lord have mercy on her soul murmured as she closed the upward staring eyes and crossed the withered hands good devil claim thine own said with proudly lifted arm and quivering lips thou foolish woman thou thy lord makes place for in his heaven if so tis well i am not bound there only the just can tread the pathway to tis a better creed looked at his superb erect figure and lofty head and a strangely anxious expression flitted across her dull countenance nay we do not believe that the lord without they repent themselves of their but if with they turn to him even at the hour they may be numbered among the elect s eyes flashed i know not thy creed woman nor care to learn it but all the same thou art deceived in thy vain the eternal justice cannot call that justice christ or as thou wilt i tell you the soul of the innocent bird that in the drifting snow is near and dear to its creator but the soul that had yonder vile body for its was but a flame of the evil one and accursed from the beginning it must return to | 33 |
the tempest had for a moment roused him the proud heart of the old man ached bitterly what all these years had passed and he the of a hundred had been cheated of justice he had seen his wife the darling of his days suffering dying inch by inch year by year with all her radiant beauty withered and he had never known her her fall from the edge of the chasm had been deemed by them both an accident and yet this wretched mad with disappointed passion jealousy and revenge had lived on to the extreme of life triumphant and i swear the gods have played me false in this he muttered lifting his eyes in a sort of fierce appeal to the motionless pine tops stiff with frost the mystery of the old s hatred of his daughter was now made clear she resembled her mother too closely to escape s malice he remembered the curse she had called down upon the innocent girl how it was she who had spread abroad the report among the superstitious people of the place that was a witch whose presence was a upon the land how she had her into the power of mr all was plain and notwithstanding her deliberate o wickedness she had lived her life without punishment this was what made s blood bum and thrill he could understand why the higher powers had permitted this error of justice and like many of his daring ancestors he was ready to fling defiance in the very face of and demand why o thou drowsy god nodding over thy wine cups why thou do this thing utter bodily and spiritual of past present or future life or death was s creed the true warrior spirit was in him had he been told on heavenly authority that the lowest range of the or hell awaited him he would have accepted his fate with firmness the of the soul and the certainty that it must even centuries of torture and triumph in the end was the core of the faith he professed as he glanced upwards the frozen tree tops till then rigidly erect swayed slightly from side to side with a sound but he paid no heed to this slight warning of a fresh attack from the storm that was gathering together and its scattered forces he began to think of his daughter and the grave lines on his face relaxed and softened tis all fair sailing for the child he mused for that i should be grateful the world has been made a soft nest for my bird i should not complain my own time is short his former anger a little the brooding irritation of his mind became gradually soothed rose of my heart he whispered tenderly the memory of his wife that lost jewel of love whose fair body lay in the king s tomb by the done to death as thou and brief time as we had for loving in spite of thy creed i feel that i shall meet thee soon yes in the world beyond the stars they will bring thee to me in thou art thou wilt not refuse to come the gods themselves cannot the ties of love between us as he half thought half uttered these words the again stopped abruptly their heads and panting heavily hark what was that a clear far reaching note of music seemingly awakened from the waters of the and rising upwards upwards with bell like distinctness leaned the land of the long shadow from his motionless and listened in awe it was the same sound he had before heard as he stood by s and was in truth nothing but a strong current of wind blowing through the arched and rocks by the sea towards the higher land creating the same effect as though one should breathe forcibly through a pipe hke instrument of dried and hollow and rendered more by the intense cold it bore a striking to the full blast of a for the of it had a significant and supernatural meaning and he repeated his former action that of drawing the knife from his and kissing the if death is near me he said in a loud voice i bid it welcome the gods know that i am ready he waited as though expecting some answer but there was a brief absolute silence then with a wild shriek and uproar the tempest before uncertain and in its wrath eagle like downwards and grasped the mountains in its the strong pines rocked backwards and forwards as though bent by hands crashing their branches madly together the massive clouds in the sky opened and let fall their burden of snow down came the large twisting round and round in a white to the whirl of the wind faster faster heavier and thicker till there seemed no clear space in the air urged on the more anxious for their safety than his own the poor beasts were fatigued and the blinding snow confused them but they struggled on patiently encouraged by their master s voice and the consciousness that they were home the storm increased in fury and a fierce gust of frozen struck the like a strong hammer stroke as it advanced through the rapidly deepening snow its guiding lantern was extinguished did not stop to it he knew he was approaching his farm and he trusted to the instinct and sagacity of his there was indeed but a short distance to go the narrow wooded opened out on two roads one leading direct to the other steep and winding down to the shore of the this latter | 33 |
passed the gate once out of the shadow of the pines the way would be more distinctly seen the very seemed to be conscious of this for they j trotted more steadily shaking their bells in even and measure as they the end of the long dark vista a sudden bright blue glare quivered and sprang wave like across the snow a fantastic storm that flashed and played among the falling of white till they looked like knots and clusters of sparkling jewels the extreme point of the close was reached at last and here the landscape opened up wide rocky and desolate l weird picture with the heavy clouds above repeatedly through and through by the beams of the and the blank whiteness of the ground below just as the heads of the were turned into the homeward road half of the suddenly faded leaving the other half still beating out its against the horizon at the same instant with abrupt swiftness a dark shadow so dark as to seem almost palpable descended and fell directly in front of the advancing z sort of mist that appeared to block the way leaned forward and gazed with eager straining eyes into that drooping gloom a shadow a mere with the northern lights glimmering through its folds ah no no for him it was something very different a heavenly beautiful and grand with solemn meaning he saw a maiden tall of earnest and imperial mien her long black hair streamed loose upon the wind in one hand she held a shining shield in the other a lifted spear on her white brow rested a glittering her bosom heaved beneath a of pale gold she fixed her divine dark eyes full upon his face and smiled with a cry of wonder and ecstasy the old man fell back in his the reins dropped from his hands the the he exclaimed a mere breathing space and the shadow vanished the came out again in unbroken splendour and the feeling no restraint upon them and terrified by something in the air or the ceaseless glitter of the lights in the sky started off at full gallop the long reins loosely over their backs their sides as they ran recovering from his momentary awe and bewilderment strove to seize them but in vain he called he shouted the frightened animals were utterly beyond control and dashed madly down the steep road the land of the long shadow swinging the from side to side and themselves more and more with the loose reins till irritated beyond endurance confused and blinded by the flash of the and the dizzy whirl of the swiftly falling snow they made straight for a steep bank and before the had time to realize the situation and jump from the crash i down they went with a of bells their hoofs a thin sharp shelf of ice as they leaped forward dragging the light vehicle after them and twisting it over and over till it was a mere wreck and throwing out its head foremost against a jagged stone then more scared than ever they strove to out of the into which they had sprung but in these attempts they kicked plunged and reared over the human form lying helpless among the shattered fragments of the till tired out at last they stood motionless panting with terror their heads cast fantastic patterns on the snow in the varying rose and radiance that from the waving ribbons of the and close to them his slowly life blood the white ground his hair and beard glittering in the light like silver his eyes fast closed as though he slept lay unconscious dying the spear of the had fallen chapter ii bury me not when i am dead lay me not down in a dusty bed i could not bear the life down there with the wet worms crawling about my hair i long hours passed and the next day dawned if the dim twilight that faintly across the could be called a dawn the snow fall had ceased the wind had sunk there was a frost bound monotonous calm the picturesque dwelling of the was white in every part and fringed with long drooped from its porch and windows the deserted dove on the roof was a miniature ice palace curiously with thin threads and of frozen snow within the house there was silence the silence of approaching desolation in the room where used to sit and spin a blazing fire of pine sparkled on the walls casting ruddy outward flashes through the frost covered windows and here towards the obscure noon awoke from his long trance of he found himself at home stretched on his own bed and looked about him in the earnest and watchful countenance that bent above his pillow he slowly recognised his friend companion and servant and though returning consciousness brought with it of pain he strove to smile and feebly stretched out his hand grasped it kissed it and in spite of his efforts to restrain his emotion a sigh that was almost a groan escaped him the smiled again then lay quiet for a few moments as though endeavouring to collect his thoughts presently he spoke his voice was faint yet distinct what has happened he asked how is it that the strength has departed from me dropped on his knees by the bedside an accident my lord he began s eyes suddenly lightened ah i remember he said the rush down the valley i remember all he paused then added gently and so the end has come i uttered a passionate exclamation of distress let not my lord say so he | 33 |
murmured with the air of a subject favour from a king or if it must be let me also travel with thee wherever thou s gaze rested on him with a musing tenderness tis a far journey he said simply and thou art not summoned he raised his arm to test its force for one second it was uplifted then it fell powerless at his side i am conquered he went on with a cheerful air the fight is over surely i have had a long battle and the time for rest and reward is welcome he was silent for a little then continued tell me how where thou find me it seems i had a dream strange and glorious then came a rushing sound of wheels and bells and after that a long deep silence speaking in low tones briefly related the events of the land of the long shadow the past night how he had heard the s gallop down the road and the quick of the bells on their harness and had concluded that the was returning home at extraordinary speed how these sounds had suddenly and ceased how after waiting for some time and hearing nothing more he had become greatly alarmed and taking a pine torch had gone out to see what had occurred how he had found the standing by the broken in the and how after some search he had finally discovered his master lying by the snow and injured how he had lifted him and carried him into the house by my soul interrupted the cheerfully thou must have found me no light weight see what a good thing it is to be a man with iron muscles and strong limbs and hardy nerve by the hammer of i the glorious gift of strong manhood is never half appreciated as for me i am a man no longer he sighed a little and passing his hand across his brow lay back exhausted he was by bodily torture but old hero as he was gave no sign of the pain he suffered had risen from his knees and now stood gazing at him with yearning miserable eyes his brown weather beaten heavily marked with lines of grief and despair he knew that he was utterly powerless that nothing could save the noble life that was slowly away before him his long and varied experience as a sailor pilot and traveller in many countries had given him some useful knowledge of medicine and and if anything was possible to be done he could do it but in this case no medical skill would have been the old man s ribs were crushed in and his injured his death was a question of but a few hours at the utmost if so long the king muttered the presently true they make no mistakes yonder they know each warrior by name and rank tis only in this world we are subject to error this world by the gods tis but a puff of down or a light mist floating from the sunset to the sea he made a vigorous attempt to raise himself from his pillow though the anguish caused by his movement made him a little and grow paler wine i fill the cup to the brim and bring it to me i must have strength to speak before i depart on the last great journey and in haste filled the cup he asked for with old of which there was always a supply in this far northern abode and gave it to him watching him with a sort of superstitious reverence as he drained off its contents and returned it empty ah i that this blood of mine he said the lustre flashing back into his eyes find fresh force to flow a brief while longer i have little time to spend with thee i feel death r and he slightly touched his chest cold and heavy tis nothing a passing chilly touch that sweeps away the world but the warmth of a new strong life me a life of never ending triumph the doors of stand wide open i heard the trumpet call last night i saw the dark haired all is well and my soul is full of rejoicing there is but one thing now thou hast to do for me the one great service thou hast sworn to render fu thine oath s brown cheek his lips quivered he flung up his hands in wild appeal the picturesque flow of his native speech gained new and eloquence as he spoke not yet not yet my lord he cried passionately wait but a little there is time think for one moment think would it not be well for my lord to sleep the last sleep by the side of his beloved the star of the dark mountains the of the night of his life would not peace him there as with a soft garment and would not his rest be by the placid murmur of the sea for the days of old time and storm and victory are past and the dead slumber as stones in the silent why would my lord depart in haste as though he were from the land he has loved from the who his pardon for pleading against a deed he dares not do dares not dares not i cried the springing up from his couch in spite of pain and looking like some enraged old lion with his tossed streaming hair and glittering eyes as thou art and coward thou an oath as thine is but a thread of hair to be snapped at thy plea the land of the long | 33 |
grave of its master he could contemplate death for himself with absolute indifference but not for the whose sturdy strength and splendid had seemed to defy all danger as he knelt and wept a soft change a delicate swept over the dark bosom of the sky pale pink streaks glittered on the dusky horizon of light began to climb up into the clouds and to plunge downwards into the water the radiance spread and gradually formed into a broad band of deep crimson which burned with a fixed and intense glow like rays and streamed about it as though uncertain what fantastic shape they should take to best display their brilliancy this tremulous hesitation of varying colour did not last long the whole jewel like mass swept together and with extraordinary swiftness for a few seconds then suddenly and clearly defined in the sky a crown blazed forth a crown of perfect shape its five points distinctly and separately and flashing as with a million and diamonds the red lustre warmly tinged the pale features of the dying man and startled who sprang to his feet and gazed at that mystic with a cry of wonder at the same moment stirred and began to speak without opening his eyes dawn on the sea he murmured the white waves gleam and sparkle beneath the and the ship makes swift way through the waters it is dawn in my heart the dawn of love for thee and me my fear not the rose of passion is a hardy flower that can bloom in the north as well as in the south believe me he suddenly opened his eyes and his surroundings raised himself half erect set sail he cried pointing with a majestic motion of his arm to the glittering in the sky why do we linger the wind us and the tide sweeps forward forward see how the lights from the harbour he bent his brows the land of the long shadow and looked almost angrily at do what thou hast to do and his tones were sharp and imperious i must press on an expression of terror pain and pity passed over the sailor s countenance for one instant he hesitated the next he descended into the hold of the vessel he was absent for a very little space but when he returned his eyes were wild as though he had been engaged in some dark and criminal deed was still gazing at the brilliancy in the heavens which seemed to increase in size and lustre as the wind rose higher took his hand it was icy cold and damp with the of death let me go with thee he implored in broken accents i fear nothing why should i not venture also on the last voyage made a faint but decided sign of the sails alone to the grave of his fathers he said with a serene and proud smile alone alone neither wife nor child nor may have place with him in his ship even so have the gods willed it farewell the ropes and let me go thou me ill hasten hasten i am weary of waiting his head fell back that mysterious shadow which the face of the dying a moment before dissolution was on him now just then a strange began to the air little wreaths of pale smoke made their slow way through the boards of the deck and the fierce gust of wind blowing from the mountains swayed the uneasily to and fro slowly and with evident reluctance commenced the work of her from the pier feeling instinctively all the while that his master s dying eyes were fixed upon him when but one slender rope remained to be cast off he knelt by the old man s side and whispered that all was done at the same moment a small stealthy tongue of red flame curled upwards through the deck from the hold and observing this smiled i see thou hast thine oath he said gratefully pressing s hand tis the last act of thine may the gods reward thy peace be with thee we shall meet hereafter already the light shines from the rainbow bridge there there are the golden peaks of the hills and the stretch of the wide sea go delay no longer for my soul is impatient it it struggles to be free i go and farewell stricken to the heart and full of anguish yet like in his submission and resignation to the inevitable kissed his master s hand for the last time then with a sort of fierce sobbing groan wrung from the very depths of his despairing grief he turned resolutely away and sprang off the vessel standing at the extreme edge of the pier he let slip the last rope that bound her her sails filled and her she shuddered on the water a little then paused in that brief moment a loud triumphant cry rang through the air leaped upright on the deck as though lifted by some invisible hand and confronted his terrified servant who gazed at him in fascinated amazement and awe his white hair gleamed hke spun silver his face was and wore a strange look of pale yet splendid majesty the dark that clung about him in folds to his feet hark he cried and his voice with deep and mellow clearness hark to the thunder of the galloping hoofs see see the glitter of the shield and spear i she comes ah he raised his arms as though in ecstasy glory joy victory and like a noble tree struck down by lightning he fell dead even as he fell the plunged | 33 |
forward driven forcibly by a gust of wind and out to the like a wild bird flying before a tempest and while she thus fled a sheet of flame burst through her sides and blazed upwards mingling a lurid smoky glow with the clear crimson radiance of the still brilliant and crown like following the current she made swift way across the dark water in the direction of the island of and presently became a wondrous ship of fire fire flashed from her fire folded up her and sails in a devouring embrace fire that leaped and played and sent forth a million sparks into the waves beneath with beating heart and straining eyes crouched on the pier head watching in mute agony the burning he had fulfilled his oath that strange vow that had so the land of the long shadow sternly bound him a vow that was the of his peculiar traditions and pagan creed long ago in the days of his youth full of enthusiasm for the worship of and the past of the race of the great warriors he had chosen to recognise in a true of kings who was by blood and birth though not in power himself a king and tracing his history back to old and half forgotten sources he had proved satisfactorily to his own mind that he must and according to old system be this king s or and growing more and more convinced of this in his dreamy and imaginative mind he had sworn a sort of mystic friendship and which had accepted imposing on him however only one absolute command this was that he should be given the crimson and sea tomb of his warlike ancestors for the idea that his body might be touched by strange hands shut in a close coffin and laid in the earth to away to corruption had been the one fantastic dread of the sturdy old pagan s life and he had taken advantage of s devotion and obedience to impress on him the importance of his solitary let no prayers be over my dumb corpse he had said my blood would from me at every pore were i touched by the fingers of a save this goodly body that has served me so well from the inferior dust let the bright fire it and the glad sea drown it and my soul beholding its end afar off shall rejoice and be satisfied swear by the wrath and thunder of the gods i swear by the hammer of swear by the gates of and in the name of and having sworn the curse of all these be upon thee if thou fail to keep thy vow and had sworn now that the oath was kept now that his promised obedience had been carried out to the letter he was as one shivering yet regardless of the snow that began to fall thickly he kept his post staring staring in fascination across the where the drifted now a mass of flame blown fiercely by the wind and gleaming red through the snow storm the faded by gradual degrees and the blazing ship was more than ever distinctly visible was seen from the shore of by a group of the inhabitants who their dull eyes could not decide whether what they beheld was fire or a phase of the capricious ever changing northern lights the rapidly descending snow rendering their vision bewildered and uncertain anyway they thought very little they had had excitement of another kind on the arrival of from bringing accounts of the s death moreover an english steam cargo boat bound for the north cape had just an hour previously touched at their harbour to land a passenger a mysterious woman closely veiled who immediately on arrival had hired a and had the driver to take her to the house of an eight miles journey through the drifted snow all this was intensely interesting to the good stupid folk of so much so indeed that they scarcely paid any heed to the spectacle of the fiery ship swaying on the heaving water and drifting rapidly away away towards the peaks of further and further she the flames around her waving like in a battle further and further still till from his station on the pier began to lose sight of her blazing and starting from his reverie he ran rapidly from the shore up through the garden paths to the farm house in order to gain the summit and from that point of watch the last glimmering spark of the s burial as he reached the house he stopped short and uttered a wild exclamation there under the porch hung with sparkling stood her face pale and weary yet smiling faintly with the of her wondrous gold hair escaping from under her hat and glittering on the folds of her dark fur mantle i have come home i said the sweet penetrating voice where is my father as a man or in some dreadful dream approached her the strangeness of his look and manner filled her with sudden fear he caught her hand and pointed to the dark to the spot where gleamed a lurid waving wreath of flames he is there he gasped in choked hoarse tones there where the gods have called him i the land of the long shadow with a faint shriek of terror s blue eyes turned towards the shadowy water as she looked a long up twisting snake of fire appeared to leap from the a snake that its glittering rapidly round and round on the wind and as rapidly sank down down to one glimmering spark which glowed like a floating lamp for a brief | 33 |
space and was then for ever the ship had vanished needed no explanation she knew her father s creed she understood all breaking loose from s grasp she rushed a few steps forward with arms outstretched on the bitter snowy air father father she cried aloud and wait for me it is i i am coming father the white world around her grew black and shuddering like a shot bird she fell senseless instantly raised her from the ground and holding her tenderly and reverently in his strong arms carried her as though she were a child into the house the clouds darkened the snow storm the mountain peaks stem giants frowned through their at the desolation of the land below them and over the and sunken corpse of the departed servant of sounded the solemn of the sea chapter iii the body is the storm the soul the star beyond it in the deep of nature s calm and yonder on the steep the sun of faith round and warm late on that same night the pious was engaged in prayer prayer with her was a sort of of the body as well as of the soul she was never contented unless by means of groans and she could manage to work up by degrees into a condition of resembling a mild attack in which state alone she considered herself worthy to approach the deity on this occasion she had some to attain the desired result her soul as she herself expressed it was dry and her thoughts wandered though she pinched her neck and arms with the hard of a sworn and groaned lord have mercy on me a with earnestness she was considerably startled in the midst of these energetic by a sudden of bells and a loud knocking a knocking which threatened to break down the door of the small nd humble house she inhabited hastily the coarse gown and she had recently taken off in order to administer to her own flesh more thoroughly she her and bars and lifting the latch was confronted by who nearly breathless with swift driving through the cried out in quick come with me come she is dying god help the man exclaimed startled who is dying she the lady she is alone up there and he pointed in the direction whence he had come i can get no one in the women are all all afraid to go near her and he wrung his hands in passionate distress pulled a thick shawl from the nail where it hung and wrapped it round her i am ready she said and without more delay stepped into the waiting while with an exclamation of gratitude and relief took his place beside her but how is it she asked as the started oflf at full speed how is it that the daughter is again at the i know not answered i would have given my life not to have told her of her father s death death cried dead impossible only last night i saw him in the pride of his strength and thought i never had beheld so goodly a man lord lord that he should be in a few words related all that had happened with the exception of the fire burial in the but immediately asked is his body still in the house looked at her darkly hast thou never heard he said solemnly that the bodies of men who follow s creed disappear as soon as the life from them it is a mystery strange and terrible i but this is true my master s sailing ship has gone and his body with it and i know not where the land of the long shadow surveyed him steadily with a slow incredulous smile after a pause she said fidelity in a servant is good i know you well i also know that a pagan from christian burial enough said i will ask no more but if s ship has gone and he with it i warn you the village will wonder i cannot help it said with cold i have spoken truth he has gone i saw him die and then vanish believe it or not as you will i care not and he drove on in was silent too she had known for many years he was a man universally liked and respected at all the and different fishing stations of and his life was an open book to everybody with the exception of one page which was turned down and sealed this was the question of his religious belief no one knew what form of faith he followed it was only when he went to live with the after s marriage that the nature of his creed was dimly suspected but had no dislike for him on this account her opinions had changed very much during the past few months as devout a as ever she began to entertain a little more of the true spirit of christianity that spirit of gentle and patient which full of forbearance towards all humanity is willing to admit the possibility of a little good in everything even in the blind of a heathen creed part of this alteration in her was due to the gratitude she secretly felt towards the family for having saved from destruction unconscious of his the child she had attempted to murder the hideous of s nature had shown her that there may be bad the invariable tenderness displayed by the for her helpless and son had proved to her that there may be good hearing thus suddenly of the bond s death she was strangely she could almost have wept she felt | 33 |
perfectly convinced that had made away with his master s body by some mysterious connected with pagan belief she knew that himself according to rumour had buried his own wife in some unknown spot with strange and weird but she was inclined to be and glancing at s grave pained face from d resolved to to accept and si set forth f by some of it as standing g y v in her white skirts melancholy j j then and that a and ji fl s too her sir on it that a v f i s power she k f played bt of ih fl n she had learned s now that she i v suffering s s i is not the lord s the greatly work out my own heart warmed and was so to had stopped at she that blocked the following i which was not im a neighbour meet them a other in surprise full and clear lied out in wild y i the land of the long shadow strains of minor melody on the snow laden air for one moment listened doubtfully and then without more delay ran hastily forward and entered the house was there sitting at the window which she had thrown wide open to the icy blast she had taken off her cloak and hat and her hair about her in a great glittering of gold her hands were busy an imaginary spinning wheel her eyes were brilliant as jewels but full of pain terror and pathos she smiled a piteous smile as she became conscious that there were others in the room but she went on with her song a mournful till a sudden break in her voice caused her to put her hand to her throat and look up that song pleases you she asked softly i am very glad has come home he so much poor boy father dear you must tell him how wrong it is not to love philip loves philip and i i love him too but he must never know that she paused and sighed that is my secret the only one i have and she drooped her fair head moved by intense pity such as she had never felt in all her life before went up and tried to draw her gently from the window poor thing poor thing she said kindly come away with me and lie down you mustn t sit here let me shut the it s quite late at night and too cold for you my dear too cold and eyed her why it is summer time and the sun never sets the roses are all about the walls i gave one to philip yesterday a little pale rose with a crimson heart he wore it and seemed glad she passed her hand across her forehead with a troubled air and watched who quietly closed the window against the darkness and desolation of the night are you a friend she asked presently in anxious tones i know so many that say they are my friends but i am afraid of them all and i have left them do you know why and she laid her hand on s rough arm because they tell me my philip does not love me any more they are very cruel to say so and i think it cannot be true i want to tell my father what they say because he will know and if it is true then i wish to die i could not live will you take me to my father j j the plaintive pleading gentleness of her voice and look brought more tears into s eyes than had ever been forced there by her exercises and the miserable already broken hearted by his master s death turned away and cursed his gods for this new and affliction as the italian fall to their saints in time of trouble even so will the few remaining in lore their fierce with the most reckless when things go wrong there were times when secretly at the mere thought of the wrath of there were others when he was ready to pluck the great god by the beard and beat him with the flat of his own drawn sword this was his humour at the present moment as he averted his gaze from the pitiful sight of his king s fair daughter all desolate and woe her lovely face pale with anguish her sweet wits wandering and her whole that of one who is lost in some dark forest and is weary unto death she studied s rough attentively and presently noticed the tears on her cheeks you are crying she said in a tone of grave surprise why it is foolish to cry even when the heart i have found that no one in the world ever you but perhaps you do not know the world ah it is very hard and cold all the people hide their feelings and pretend to be what they are not it is difficult to live so and i am tired she rose from her chair and stood up stretching out her little cold white hands to who folded them in her own strong coarse palms yes i am very tired she went on there seems to be nothing that is true all is false and unreal i cannot understand but you seem kind here her swaying figure and drew her more closely to i think i know you you came with me in the train did you not yes and the little baby smiled and slept in my arms nearly all the way | 33 |
a violent shuddering seized her and a quiver of agony passed over her face forgive me she murmured i feel ill very ill and cold but do not mind i think i am dying she could scarcely articulate these last words she sank forward fainting on s and that devout of forgetting all her former the land of the long shadow dread of the white witch of the only remembered that she held in her arms a helpless woman with all the sorrows and pangs of womanhood thick upon her and in this act of warm heart and tenderness it may be that she her soiled soul in the sight of the god she worshipped and won a look of pardon from the ever watchful eyes of christ as far as matters were concerned she showed herself a woman of prompt energy and decision laying gently down upon the very couch her dead father had so lately occupied she sent the distracted out to gather fresh pine logs for the fire and then busied herself in bringing down s own little bed from the upper floor it with care and making it as warm and as a bird s nest while she was engaged in these preparations regained her consciousness and began to toss and tumble and talk but with it all she retained her innate gentleness and patience and submitted to be though she began to sob when would have removed her husband s miniature from where it lay pressed against her bosom and taking it in her own hand she kissed and held it fast one by one the dainty articles of delicate apparel she wore were loosened and laid aside wondering at the embroidered linen and costly lace the like of which was never seen in that part of but wondering still more at the dazzling skin she thus a skin as exquisitely soft and pure as the cup of a lily poor sat watching her own attire taken from her and allowed herself to be wrapped in a comfortable loose garment of white as warm as down which had found in a cupboard upstairs and which indeed had once belonged to she and having made it together she examined its texture now with some faint interest then she asked are you going to bury me you must put me to sleep with my mother her name was too i think it is an unlucky name why my dear asked kindly as she swept the rich tumbled hair from the girl s eyes and began to it in one long loose in order to give her greater ease sighed there is an old song that says she broke off shall i sing it to you she asked with a wild look i no no said not now by and by t and she nodded her head by and by be plenty of time for singing presently and she laid her in bed her up warmly as though she were a very little child and feeling strongly inclined to kiss her ah but i should like to tell you even if i must not sing and gazed up anxiously from her pillow only my head is so heavy and full of strange noises i do not know whether i can remember it don t try to remember it and the soft cheek with a curious yearning sensation of love at her tough heart strings try to sleep that will be better for you and she took from the fire a warm drink she had prepared and gave it to her she was surprised at the eagerness with which the poor girl seized it lord help us i believe she is light headed for want of food she thought such indeed was the fact had been several days on her journey from and during that time had eaten so little that her strength had entirely given way the provisions on board the black were extremely limited and consisted of nothing but dried fish hard bread and weak tea without milk or sugar and in her condition of health her system had against this daily bill of fare s simple but seemed more than delicious to her she drained it to the last drop and as she returned the cup a colour came back to her cheeks and lips thank you she said feebly you are very good to me and now i do quite know what i wished to say it was long ago there was a queen named and sl great warrior loved her and found her fair but presently he grew tired of her face and raised an array against her and took her throne by force and crowned himself king of all her land and the song says that queen wandered on the mountains all alone till she died it was a sad song but i forget the end and her voice oflf into broken murmurs her eyes closed d she slept watched her and tenderly what secret trouble weighed on the girl s mind presently looked in she made him a warning the land of the long shadow sign and his footsteps he went away again she followed him out into the kitchen where he had deposited his load of pine wood and began to talk to him in low tones he listened the expression of grief and fear deepening on his countenance as he heard will she die he asked anxiously let us hope not returned but there is no doubt she is very ill and will be worse what has brought her here i wonder do you know shook his head where is her husband went on he ought to be here how could he have let her make such a journey at such | 33 |
a time why did he not come with her there must be something wrong looked as he felt completely perplexed and despairing he could think of no reason for s unexpected appearance at the he had forgotten all about the letter that had come from her to her father the letter which was still in the house well well it is very strange sighed but it is the lord s will and we must do our best for her that s all and she began to a list of things she wanted from for her patient s and comfort you must fetch all these she said as soon as the day is fairly advanced she glanced at the clock it was just four in the morning and at the same time you had better call at the doctor s house he s away interrupted gone to very well said then we must do without him doctors are never much use any way maybe the lord will help me instead and she returned to who still slept though her face was now flushed and her breathing hurried and irregular the hours of the new day day though seeming night passed on and it was towards ten o clock when she awoke her father philip the events of her life in ix the of her journey were all together in her brain she talked and sang incessantly and like some wild bird suddenly refused to be o was all alone with her having gone to execute his in and she had enough to do to make her remain in bed for she became suddenly possessed by a strong desire to go sailing on the and occasionally it took all s strength to hold and keep her from springing to the window whose white panes seemed to have some fatal attraction for her wandering eyes she spoke of things strange and new to her attendant s ears frequently she pronounced the names of violet and lady with an accent of horror then she would talk of george and z and she would call for often sometimes sometimes impatiently the picture of her home in seemed to haunt her she spoke of its great green trees its roses its smooth sloping then she would begin to smile and sing again in such a weak pitiful fashion that her stern nature utterly melted at the sight of such innocent helpless distraction and sorrow could do nothing but fold the suffering creature in her arms and rock her to and fro soothingly on her breast the tears running down her cheeks the while and after long hours of bewilderment and anguish s child a boy was dead with a heart laid out the tiny corpse the withered blossom of a promised new delight a miniature form so fair and perfect that it seemed sheer cruelty on the part of nature to deny it breath and motion s mind still wandered she was hardly conscious of anything and was almost glad that this was so her anxiety was very great she could not disguise from herself that s life was in danger and both she and wrote to sir philip preparing him for the worst and urging him to come at once little aware that the very night the lifeless child was born was the same on which he had started from for after his enforced waiting for the required steamer there was nothing more to be done now thought but to trust in the lord and hope for the best and made with his own hands a tiny coffin for the body of the little dead boy who was to have brought such pride and satisfaction to his parents and one day rowed it across the to that secret cave where s mother lay in stone there he left it feeling sure he had done well the land of the long shadow asked him no questions she was entirely absorbed in the duties that upon her and with an devotion strange to see in her watched and tended incessantly scarcely allowing herself a minute s space for rest or food the idea that her present was to save her soul in the sight of the lord had grown upon her and was now rooted firmly in her mind she never gave way to fatigue or every moan every restless movement of the suffering girl obtained her instant and tender solicitude and when she prayed now it was not for herself but for spare her good lord she would in the language she had drawn from her study of the as the lily among thorns so is she among the daughters cut her not off root and branch from the land of the living for her countenance is comely and as a bunch of which hath a powerful sweetness even so must she surely be to the heart of her husband stretch forth thy right hand o lord and scatter healing for the gates of death shall not prevail against thy power r day after day she poured out such as these and with the dogged of a soldier serving believed that they would be granted though day by day seemed to grow weaker and weaker she was still light headed her face grew thin and shadowy her hands were almost transparent in their whiteness and delicacy and her voice was so faint as to be nearly sometimes got frightened at her appearance and heartily wished for medical assistance but this was not to be had therefore she was compelled to rely on the of one simple remedy a drink to fever the virtues of which she had been taught in her youth this and the healing of mother nature together with the | 33 |
reserved strength of her own constitution were the threads on which s life hung time passed and yet there was no news from sir philip one night sitting beside her exhausted patient fancied she saw a change on the wan face a softer more peaceful look than had been there for many days half in fear half in hope she watched seemed to sleep but presently her large blue eyes opened with a calm yet wondering expression in their clear depths she turned slightly on her pillows and smiled faintly o have i been ill she asked yes my dear returned softly yet afraid at the girl s returning intelligence very ill but you feel better now don t you sighed and raising her little wasted hand examined it curiously her wedding and rings were so loose on her finger that they would have fallen off had they been held downwards she seemed surprised at this but made no remark for some time she remained quiet gazing at and evidently trying to make out who she was presently she spoke again i remember everything now she said slowly i am at home at the and i know how i came and also why i came here her lips quivered and i shall see my father no more for he has gone and i am all all alone in the world she paused then added do you think i am dying if so i am very glad hush my dear said you mustn t talk in that way your husband is coming presently she broke off suddenly startled at the look of utter despair in s eyes you are wrong she replied wearily he will not come he cannot he does not want me any more and two large tears rolled slowly down her pale cheeks wondered but to pursue the subject further fearing to excite or distress her and contented herself for the present with attending to her patient s bodily needs she went to the fire and began to pour out some soup which she always had there in readiness and while she was thus engaged s brain cleared more and more till with touching and a new hope flushing her face she asked softly and for her child i forgot she said simply and sweetly of course i am not alone any more do give me my baby i am much better nearly well and i should like to kiss it stood mute taken by this demand she dared not tell the truth she feared its effect on the sensitive that had so lately regained its balance but while she hesitated instinctively guessed all she strove to hide it is dead she cried dead and i never knew and burying her golden head in her pillows she broke into a the land of the long shadow passion of sobbing grew positively desperate at the sound what was she to do everything seemed to go against her she was inclined to cry herself she embraced the broken hearted girl and tried to soothe her but in vain the long delirium and subsequent weakness combined with the secret trouble on her mind had deprived poor of all resisting power and she wept on and on in s arms till nature was exhausted and she could weep no longer then she lay motionless with closed eyes utterly drained in body and spirit scarcely breathing and save for a shivering moan that now and then escaped her she seemed almost insensible watched her with darkening meditative brows she listened to the rush of the storm wind without it was past eleven o clock at night she began to count on her fingers it was the sixteenth day since the birth of the child sixteen days exactly since she had written to sir philip informing him of his wife s danger and the danger was not yet past thinking over all that had happened and the apparent of the case she suddenly took a strange idea into hei head retiring into a distant corner she dropped on her knees lord god almighty she said in a fierce whisper behold i have been thy servant until now i have with thee in prayer till i am past all patience if thou wilt not hear my petition why thou good is it good to crush the already fallen is it good to have no mercy on the sorrowful wilt thou condemn the innocent without reason if so thou art not the holy one i imagined i send forth thy power now now while there is time rescue her that is lying under the shadow of death for how has she offended thee that she should die delay no longer or how shall i put my trust in thee send help speedily from thine everlasting or behold i do thee and my soul shall seek elsewhere for eternal justice as she finished this extraordinary half threatening and entirely petition the boisterous gale roared wildly round the house joining in chorus with the stormy dash of waves upon the coast a chorus that seemed to s ears like the sound of and laughter she stood listening a trifle scared yet a sort of the land of the long shadow chapter iv i have led her home my love my only friend there is none like her none and never yet so warmly ran my blood and sweetly on and on itself to the long wished for end full to the banks close on the promised good was in the kitchen dragging off her snow wet cloak and fur and crying heartily all the while the stood looking at her in perplexity now and then uttering a word of vague sympathy and consolation | 33 |
done something wrong if you always do your best and try to be good you needn t fear any at least that s my opinion there is the everlasting burning began solemnly oh nonsense exclaimed quite impatiently i don t believe it started back in wonder and dismay you don t believe it she said in awed accents are you also a heathen x don t know what you mean by a heathen replied almost gaily but i can t believe that god who is so good is going to burn anybody he you know it would hurt him so much to see poor creatures about in flames for ever we would not be able to bear it and i m quite sure it would make him miserable even in heaven because he is all love he says so he couldn t be cruel this frank statement of s views presented such a new form of doctrine to s heavy mind that she was almost appalled by it god couldn t burn anybody for ever he was too good what a daring idea and yet so so wonderful in the infinite prospect of hope it offered that she smiled even while she trembled to contemplate it poor soul talked oi being herself the worst type of heathen namely a christian heathen this sounds yet it may be taken for granted that those who profess to follow christianity and yet make of god a being malicious and of more evil attributes than they possess themselves are as barbarous as as hopelessly sunken in ignorance as the lowest savage who his of mud and stone was quite unconscious of having said anything out of the common she was addressing herself to where is the buried she asked in a low tone he looked at her with a strange mysterious smile buried do you suppose his body could mix itself with common earth no he sailed away away yonder and he pointed out through the window to the now invisible in the deep darkness stared at him with opened frightened her face sailed away you must be dreaming sailed away i how could he if he was dead grew suddenly excited i tell you he sailed away he repeated in a loud hoarse whisper where is his ship the try if you can find it anywhere on sea or land it has gone and he has gone with it like a king and warrior to glory joy and victory glory joy victory those were his last words retreated and caught by the arm is he mad she asked fearfully the land of the long shadow heard her and rose from his chair a pained smile on his face i am not mad he said gently do not be afraid if grief for my master could have turned my brain i had been mad ere this but i have all my wits about me and i have told you the truth he paused then added in a more ordinary tone you will need fresh logs of pine i will go and bring them in and he went out gazed after him in speechless wonder what does he mean she asked what he says returned you like others must have known that s creed was a strange one his burial has been strange that is all and she turned the conversation and began to talk of her sorrows and sufferings was most impatient to see her beloved and quite sir philip the long time he remained alone with his wife he might call me if only for a moment thought i do so want to look at her dear face again but men are all alike as long as got what they want they never think of anybody else dear me i wonder how long i shall have to wait so she and fretted and sat by the kitchen fire drinking hot tea and talking to all the while straining her ears for the least sound or movement from the adjoining room but none came there was the most perfect silence at last she could endure it no longer and regardless of s she stole on tip toe to the closed door that barred her from the sight of her heart s idol and turning the handle softly opened it and looked in sir philip saw her and made a little warning sign though he smiled he was sitting by the bedside and in his arms against his shoulder rested she was fast asleep the lines of pain had disappeared from her sweet face a smile was on her lips her breath came and went with peaceful regularity and the delicate hue of a pale rose flushed her cheeks stood gazing on this fair sight till her affectionate little heart and the ready tears dropped like diamonds from her curly lashes oh my dear my dear she whispered in a sort of there was a gentle movement and two star like eyes opened like blue flowers to the sun i is that you asked a tender wondering voice and with a smothered cry of ecstasy sprang to seize the outstretched hand of her beloved and cover it with kisses and while laughed with pleasure to see her and her hair sir philip described their long drive through the snow and so warmly praised s patience endurance and constant cheerfulness that his voice trembled with its own earnestness while grew red in her deep shyness and embarrassment vehemently protesting that she had done nothing nothing at all to deserve so much then after much glad converse was called and sir philip seizing her hand shook it with such force and that she was quite overcome i don t | 33 |
know how to thank you he said his eyes sparkling with gratitude it s impossible to repay such goodness as yours my wife tells me how tender and patient and devoted you have been that even when she knew nothing else she was aware of your kindness god bless you for it you have saved her life ah yes indeed i interrupted gently and life has grown so glad for me again i do owe you so much you owe me nothing said in those harsh monotonous tones which she had of late learned to nothing the debt is all on my side she stopped abruptly a dull red colour flushed her face her eyes dwelt on with a musing tenderness sir philip looked at her in some surprise yes she went on the debt is all on my side hear me out sir and you too you rose of the northern forest as used to call you l you have not forgotten forgotten him said softly never i loved him too well s head drooped he was my son she said there was a silence of complete astonishment paused then as no one uttered a word she looked up boldly and spoke with a sort of desperate determination you see you have nothing to thank me for she went on addressing herself to sir philip while leaning back on her pillows and holding s hand regarded her with a new and amazed perhaps if you had known what sort of the land of the long shadow a woman i am you might not have liked me to come near and she towards when i was young long ago i loved she laughed bitterly it seems a strange thing to say does it not let it pass the story of my love my sin and shame need not be told here but was my child born in an evil hour and i i strove to kill him at his birth uttered a faint cry of horror turned an imploring gaze upon her don t hate me she said her voice trembling don t for god s sake hate me you don t know what i have suffered i was mad i think at the time i flung the child in the to drown your father rescued him i never knew that till long after for years the crime i had committed weighed upon my soul i prayed and strove with the lord for pardon but always always felt that for me there was no forgiveness used to call me she was right i was one or so i thought till that day i met you on the hills with and the lad fought with me she shuddered and her eyes looked wild i recognised him no matter how he bore my mark upon him he was my son the crazy creature who yet had wit enough to love you you whom then i hated but now she stopped and advanced a little closer to s bedside now there is nothing i would not do for you my dear she said very gently but you will not need me any more you understand what you have done for me you and your father you have saved me by saving saved fm from being down to hell with the crime of murder i and you made the boy happy while he lived all the rest of my days spent in your service could not pay back the worth of that good deed and most heartily do i thank the lord that he has permitted me to tend and comfort you in the hour of trouble and moreover that he has given me strength to speak and confess my sin and before you ere i depart for now the trouble is past i must remove my shadow from your joy god bless you and and try to think as kindly as you can of me for for s sake stooping she kissed s hand t and before anyone had time to speak a word she left the room abruptly when in a few minutes went to look after her she was gone she had departed to her own house in where she remained nothing would induce her to present herself again before sir philip or and it was not till many days after they had left the that she was once more seen about the village and then she was a changed being no longer harsh or forbidding in manner she became humble and gentle she to the sick and consoled the afflicted but she was especially famous for her love of children all the little ones of the place knew her and were attracted by her and the time came when white haired and of peaceful countenance could be seen knitting at her door in the long summer surrounded by a whole army of laughing chattering who would play at hide and seek behind hei chair and up to kiss her wrinkled cheeks putting their arms round her neck with that confidence children show only to those whom they feel can appreciate such flattering attentions some of her acquaintance were wont to say that she was no longer the but however this might be it is certain she had drifted a little nearer to the author of all which after all is the most we dare to strive for in all our it was not long before began to recover the day after her husband arrived and departed she rose from her bed with s assistance and sat by the blazing fire wrapped in her white gown and looking very fragile though very lovely philip had been talking to her for some time and | 33 |
now he sat at her feet holding her hand in his and watching her face on which there was an expression of the most plaintive and serious i have been very wicked she said with such a quaint horror of herself that her husband laughed now i look back upon it all i think i have behaved so very badly because i ought never to have doubted you my boy no not for all the lady in the world and poor mr he must be so unhappy but it was that letter that letter in your own writing philip i of course he answered soothingly no wonder you thought me a dreadful fellow but you won t do so again will the land of the long shadow you you will believe that you are the crown and centre of my life the joy of all the world to me yes i she said softly and proudly though it is always the same i never do think myself worthy but i must try to grow very conceited and to assure myself that i am ver valuable so that then i shall understand everything better and be wiser philip laughed talking of letters he said suddenly here s one i wrote to you from it only got here to day where ii has been delayed is a mystery you needn t read it you know everything in it already then there s a letter on the shelf up there addressed in your writing it seems never to have been opened he reached it down and gave it to her as she took it her ce grew very sad it is the one i wrote to my father before i left london she said and her eyes filled with tears it came too late said sir philip then very gently and gravely would you like can you bear to read your father s last words to you he wrote to you on his death bed and gave the letter to oh let me see it i she murmured half father dear father i knew he would not leave me without a word sir philip reverently opened the folded paper which had committed to his care that morning and together they read the s farewell it ran as follows my beloved the summons i have waited for has come at last and the doors of are set open to receive my soul wonder not that i depart with joy old as i am i long for youth the everlasting youth of which the strength and fails not i have lived long enough to know the of this world though there is much therein to please the heart and eye of a man but with that restlessness that was born within me i desire to sail new seas and gaze on new lands where a perpetual light shines that knows no fading grieve not for me thou wilt remember that a christian i see in death the glory of life and thou must not regret that i am eager to drain this cup oblivion offered by the gods i leave thee not sorrowfully for thou art in shelter and safety the strong protection of thy husband s love thee and the of thine own innocence my blessing upon him and serve him mine with full devotion and obedience even as i have taught thee thus drawing from thy woman life its best of sweetness keep the bright shield of thy truth and live so that at the hour of thine own death ecstasy thou may s depart as easily as a song bird soaring to the sun i pass hence in happiness if thou dost shed a tear thou my memory there is to weep for will give me the crimson and ocean grave of my ancestors but question him not concerning this fiery pomp of my last voyage he is but a and his soul is shaken to its very depths by sorrow let him be he will have his reward hereafter and now child of my heart darling of mine age clear mirror in which my later life has brightened to content all are brief we shall meet again thou and i and philip and all who have loved or who love each other the journey may be made by different roads but the end the glory the immortality is the same peace be upon thee and on thy children and on thy children s children i thy father in spite of the brave old pagan s declaration that tears would wrong his memory they dropped bright and fast from his daughter s eyes as she kissed again and again the words his dying hand had while knew not which feeling gained the greater mastery over him grief for a good man s loss or admiration for the strong heroic spirit in which that good man had welcomed death with rejoicing he could not help comparing the departure from this life with that of sir francis the man of false fashion who had let slip his withered soul with an oath into the land of nowhere presently grew calmer and began to speak in hushed soft tones poor she said his heart must ache very much philip i philip looked up the land of the long shadow you see my father speaks of the crimson she went on that means that he was buried like many of the ancient sea kings he was taken from his bed while dying and placed on board his own ship to breathe his last then the ship was set on fire and sent out to sea i always knew he wished it so must have done it | 33 |
all for i i saw the last glimpse of the flames on the the night i came home oh philip and her beautiful eyes rested tenderly upon him it was all so dreadful so desolate i wanted i prayed to die also the world was so empty it seemed as if there was nothing left philip still sitting at her feet encircled her with both arms and drew her down to him my he whispered there is nothing left nothing at all worth living for save love i ah but that she answered softly is everything is it so indeed is love alone worth living for worth dying for is it the only satisfying good we can grasp at among the shifting shadows of our brief existence in its various phases and different workings is it after all the brightest radiance known in the struggling darkness of our lives had thought so he had died to prove it philip thought so when once more at home in england with his recovered treasure of the golden midnight he saw her like a rose refreshed by rain raise her bright head in renewed strength and beauty with the old joyous lustre dancing in her eyes and the smile of a perfect happiness like summer sunshine on her fair face lord thought so he was spending the winter in rome with his wife and son and there among the shadows of the his long social ended and he regained what he had once believed lost for ever his wife s affection gentle wistful with the softening shadow of a great sorrow and a great repentance in her once too brilliant eyes was a very different to the dashing beauty who had figured so in london society she clung to her husband with an almost timid eagerness as though she dreaded losing him and when he was not with her she seemed to rely entirely on her son whom she watched with a fond almost melancholy pride and who responded i t a to her tenderness though proffered so late with the full hearted frankness of his impulsive ardent nature she wrote to asking her pardon and in return received such a sweet generous letter as caused her to weep for an hour or more but she felt she could never again meet the clear regard of those beautiful earnest truthful eyes never again could she stand in s presence or call her friend that was all over still love remained a ix ve and sad with drooping wings and a somewhat doubting smile yet it was love love that keeps all the choir of lives in love that is blood within the veins of time and love no matter how abused and is a very patient god and even while suffering from wounds still works on doing things so that poor edward the forsaken husband of violet when he heard that that popular had died suddenly in america from a fit of delirium brought on by excessive drinking was able by some gentle method known only to love and himself to forget all her to from his memory the fact that he ever saw her on the boards of the brilliant theatre and to think of her henceforth only as the wife he had once adored and who he decided in vague dreamy fashion must have died young love also laid a firm hand on the he who had long at the d played it at last in grave earnest and one bright season he introduced his bride into society a charming little woman with very sparkling eyes and white teeth who spoke french perfectly though not with the recommended by it was difficult to recognise in who laughed and danced and her way through some of the best in paris everybody as she went but there she was all the same holding her own as usual her husband was extremely proud of her he was fond of pointing her out to people as something excessively precious and unique and saying see her that is my wife from i yes from the very utmost north of love my country certainly i but i will tell you this much if i had been obliged to choose a wife among ma foil i should never have married i the land of the long shadow and what of george the idle somewhat careless man of modern type in whose heart notwithstanding the supposed of the age all the best and of old world chivalry were written had love no fair thing to offer was he destined to live out his life in the silent heroism of faithful unselfish devotion were the heavens as had said always to be empty apparently not for when he was towards middle age a young lady him with her affections and boldly offered to be his wife any day he chose to name she was a small person not quite five years old with great blue eyes and a glittering of golden curls she made her proposal one summer afternoon on the lawn at in the presence of beau on whose knee sat her little brother a fine boy a year younger than herself she had placed her arms round s neck and when she so suggested marriage to her as she called him she was rubbing her rosy cheek against his moustache with much sweet consideration and tenderness hearing her laughed aloud the little lady was extremely offended i don t she said with pretty defiance i do love and i will marry george held her fondly to his breast as though she were some precious fragile flower of which not a must be injured all right he answered | 33 |
had taken shelter from the tempest alighted on a window sill of one of the nearest human it could perceive and there a gentle for the cheering and encouragement of those within before so much as a feather the window was open and in the room beyond it a small boy sat at a school desk reading and every now and then making pencil notes on a large sheet of paper beside him he was intent upon his work yet he turned quickly at the sound of the bird s song and listened his deep thoughtful eyes darkening and softening with a liquid look as of tears it was only for a moment that he thus interrupted his studies anon he again bent over the book before him with an air of patience and resignation strange to sec in one so young he might have been a bank clerk or an experienced in i a merchant s office from his serious manner instead of a child barely eleven years of age indeed as a matter of fact there was an almost appalling expression of premature wisdom on his pale wistful features the thinking already marked his forehead and what should still have been the upper curve of his sensitive little mouth was almost though not quite by a severe line of constantly practised self restraint stooping his fair curly head over the printed page more closely as the day darkened he continued reading pondering and writing and the bird which had come to assure him as well as it could that fine bright weather such weather as boys love might be expected to morrow seemed disappointed that its gay was not more appreciated at any rate it ceased singing and began to itself with fastidious grace and peering round at the youthful student from time to time as much as to say what wonder is this the rain is over the air is fresh the flowers are fragrant there is light in the sky all the world of nature is glad and yet here is a living creature shut up with a book which surely god never had the making lo of and his face is wan and his are sad and he seems not to know the meaning of joy the burning bars of in the w heavens shafts of blue pale rose and flashed down towards the sea like reflections from the glory of some gate of paradise and the sun flaming with august fires suddenly burst forth in all his splendour full on with its grey old church stone cottages and roofs overgrown with flowers the cheerful radiance fell bathing it from end to end in a shower of gold the waves running into the quiet harbour caught the and shone with deep of melting into green and through the shadows of the room where the solitary little student sat at work a bright ray came dancing and on his bent head like the touch of some passing angel s just then the door opened a young man entered clad in white still at it he said kindly look here drop it all for to day the storm is quite over come with me and i ll take you for a pull on the water looked up half surprised half afraid n does he say i may go mr i haven t asked him replied say you may and not only that you may but that you must fm your at for the present and you know youve got to obey me or else here he himself and made threatening gestures after the most approved methods of the boy smiled and rose from his chair i don t think i get on very fast he said with a doubtful glance at the volume over which he had been it s all my stupidity i suppose but sometimes it seems a to me and more often still it seems useless how for instance can i feel any real interest in the amount of the that were paid to certain in england in the year i don t care what was paid and i m sure i never shall care it has nothing to do with the way people live nowadays has it no but it goes under the head of general information answered laughing anyhow you can leave the alone for the present forget them and forget all the and kings too if you like you looked out what do you say to a first class tea at miss s jolly and a flash of something like lit up s small pale face but we ll go on the water first please it will soon be sunset and i love to watch a sunset from the s a was silent standing at the open door he waited attentively observing meanwhile the quiet and precise movements of his young pupil who was now busy putting away his books and writing materials he did this with an almost painful care wiping his pen re his pencil to be ready for use when he came back to work again folding a scattered sheet or two of paper neatly the desk setting up the volume concerning and what not on a particular shelf and looking about him in evident anxiety lest he should have forgotten some trifle his though a man of neat taste and himself would have preferred to see this mere child leaving everything in a heap and rushing out into the fresh air with a wild and but he gave his thoughts no speech and studied the to and fro of the patient little lad from under his half drooped eyelids with an expression of mingled kindness and concern till at last the room being set in as an order | 33 |
as that of some fastidious old took down his red cap from its own particular in the wall put it on and smiled up at his companion mr he said started as from a reverie ah that s it now s the word flinging on his own straw hat and softly whistling a lively tune as he went he led the way downstairs and out of the house the little following in his footsteps closely and somewhat timidly their two figures could soon be discerned among the flowers and shrubs of the garden as they passed across it towards the carriage gate which opened directly on to the high road and a woman watching them from an upper window pushed her fair face through a of and called playing mr that s right always do what you re told not to do good bye looked up and waved his cap good bye mother the beautiful face framed in red flowers softened at the sound of the child s clear voice anon it drew back into the shadow and disappeared the woods and hills around were now all with the warm of the descending sun and presently out on the sea which was still rough and sparkling with a million diamond like points of spray a small boat was seen tossing lightly over the william b a as some of his affectionate relatives called him pulled at the oars with dash and spirit and only son and heir of john of in the county of sat curled up not in the stern but almost at the end of the his dreamy eyes watching with keen delight every wave that advanced to meet the little break against it in an shower i say mr he shouted this is glorious aye aye responded b a with a deep breath and an extra pull life s a fine thing when you get it in big did not hear this observation he was absorbed in catching a string of and to most people but very beautiful in his eyes there were hundreds of delicate little shells into it as fragile and fine as pearls and every such tiny held a life as frail ample material for meditation was there in this of mysterious perfect and while he studied the dainty net work of ocean s weaving across the young boy s mind there flitted the dark shadow of the inscrutable and unseen he asked within himself just as the oldest and wisest scholars have asked to their dying day the why of things the cause for the creation of so many apparently unnecessary objects such as a separate universe of shells for example what was the ultimate intention of it all he thought earnestly and thinking grew sorrowful child though he was with the hopeless sorrow of the preacher and his incessant cry of meantime the heavens were with glory the two of the friendly earth and the sun seemed to touch one another on the edge of the sea then the bright circle was covered by the dark and the soft haze of a purple twilight began to creep i over the s hills as they are curiously the great and the little there is nothing about these grassy slopes at all suggestive of capital punishment and they appear to have derived their names from a legend of the country which tells how a thief running away with a stolen sheep tied across his back was and unexpectedly punished for his by the sheep itself who struggled so violently as to pull the cord which fastened it close round its s throat in a thoroughly like manner thus killing him on the spot the two form a bold and picturesque as seen from the sea and resting for a moment on his oars looked up at them and almost with love in his eyes just because they reminded him of a favourite little bit of coast scenery in his own more romantic and beautiful land then he brought his gaze down to the up small figure of his pupil who was still absorbed in the contemplation of his treasure of sea weed and shells what have you got there he asked the boy turned round and faced him thousands of little people he answered e with a smile all in pretty little houses of their own too look and he held up his dripping it s quite a city isn t it and i shouldn t wonder if the inhabitants thought almost as much of themselves as we do his eyes darkened and the smile on his young face vanished what do you think about it mr don t see that we are a bit more valuable in the universe than these little shell people made no immediate reply he pulled out a big silver watch and glanced at it tea time he announced abruptly put the shell people back in their own native element my boy and don t ask me any just now please take an oar with a flush of pleasure obeyed first dropping the carefully into a that just then shouldered itself up against the boat and watching it float away then he pulled at the oar enough with his weak little arms while his own strength that it might not that of the child noted his exertions with a grave and somewhat pitying air the tide was flowing in and the boat went swiftly with it the exercise sent colour into s pale cheeks and i lustre into his deep set eyes so that when they finally ran their little craft ashore and sprang out of it the boy looked as nature meant all boys to look bright and happy hearted and the sad little on his forehead so of painful thought and study was scarcely perceptible glancing first up | 33 |
at the darkening skies then at his own clothes sprinkled with salt spray he laughed as he s d i m aid we shall catch it when we get home mr shall you won t returned but as it s my last evening it doesn t matter all the mirth faded from s face and he uttered a faint cry of wonder and distress your last evening oh no surely not you don t you can t mean it he faltered nervously s honest blue eyes softened with a great tenderness and compassion come along and have your tea he kindly his tongue somewhat into his own soft come along and i ll tell you all about it life is like being out on the sea yonder a body must take the rough with the smooth and just make the best of it one mustn t mind a few troubles now and then and and and the like youve often heard that the best of friends must part haven t you there now don t look so downcast come along to miss s cottage where we can get the best cream in all and we ll have a jolly spread and a talk out shall we but stood mute the colour left his cheeks and his little mouth once more became set and stern i know he at last slowly i know exactly what you have to tell me mr my father is sending you away i am not surprised oh no i thought it would happen soon you see you have been too kind too easy with me that s what it is no i m not going to cry here he choked back a little rising sob bravely you mustn t think that i am glad you are going away for your own sake but tm sorry for myself very sorry i m always feeling sorry for myself isn t it cowardly says the worst form of cowardice is self pity oh hang burst out smiled a dreary little cynical smile shall we go and have our tea he suggested quietly i m ready and they walked slowly up from the shore together the young man with a light yet leisurely tread the child with wearily dragging feet that seemed scarcely able to support his body painful thoughts and kept them silent and they exchanged not a word even when a sudden red and golden after glow flashed across the sea as the very last salutation of the vanished sun indeed they scarcely saw the fiery splendour that would at a happier moment have been a perfect feast of beauty to their eyes turning away from the principal street of the village they bent their steps towards a small cottage overgrown from porch to roof with climbing roses and where an might be just discerned framed in a wreath of brilliant and bearing the following device cleverly laid tea provided within this rustic habitation and pupil disappeared and the shore of was left in the possession of two ancient who seated side by side on the overhanging wall smoked their pipes together in solemn silence and watched the gradual of the sea as it spread itself out in wider longer and more placid as though preparing for the coming of its mistress the moon chapter il that same evening john of sat late over his after dinner wine conversing with a languid handsome person known as sir charles sir charles was a notable figure in society and he had been acquainted with the for some time in fact he was almost an old friend of theirs as social old friends go that phrase nowadays merely meaning about a year s mutual visiting without any unpleasant strain on the feelings or the pockets of either party whenever the were in town for the season at their handsome residence in place sir charles was always dropping in and dropping out again a constant and welcome guest a of fashionable and a thoroughly concerning the ins and of the approaching divorce but his appearance at was quite for he having to have gone to his little place an estate of several thousand acres in and it was concerning his present change of plan and humour that mr was just now him in playful fashion as sir charles in answer i have habits of caprice never know what fm going to do from one day to another fact i assure you you see a of mine has got castle for a few weeks and he asked me to join his house party that s how it is i happen to be here mrs who had left the dinner table and was seated in a chair near the open window looked round and smiled her smile was a very beautiful one her large flashing eyes and brilliantly white teeth gave it a sun like that amazed and half any man who was not quite prepared to meet it i suppose you are all very select at observed mr a and beginning to the with a deliberate and fastidious which showed his long white well kept fingers to admirable advantage nothing lower than a eh and he laughed softly sir charles gave him a quick glance from under his lazily drooping eyelids that might have startled him had he perceived it malice derision and intense hatred were expressed in it and for a second it the face on which it gleamed with a wicked flash as of hell fire it vanished almost as quickly as it had shone and a reply was given in such quiet tones as betrayed nothing of the speaker s feelings well i really don t know there s a painter fellow staying with us one of those called | 33 |
but now transformed into a kind of study where he found william b a awaiting him looked pale and his lips were hard set his employer nodded to him carelessly in passing and then sitting down at his unlocked a drawer took from thence his book and wrote out a sum that was more than s due as he handed it over the young man glanced at it and coloured hotly no thank you mr he said the exact sum please and not a over what exclaimed in a tone a refuse an extra fee is this the age of miracles grew paler but kept himself quiet think what you like of mr he returned they can get on without your good opinion i and certainly they need none of my defending i merely refuse to accept anything i have not honestly earned there is no miracle in that i fancy it is as if i took my dismissal badly on the contrary i should have dismissed myself if you had not me i will have no share in child murder if a had exploded in the little room mr could not have looked more thoroughly astounded he sprang from his chair and confronted the audacious speaker in such indignation as almost choked his utterance ch ch child murder he trembling all over in the excess of his sudden rage d d did i hear you rightly sir child murder i repeat it mr said his blue eyes now flashing and his lips quivering child murder take the phrase and think it over you have only one child a boy of a most and intelligent disposition quick too quick by half and you are killing him with your hard and fast rules and your system of intellectual training you deprive him of such and exercises as are necessary to his health and growth you surround him with petty which make his young life a you give him no companions of his own age and you are as i say him slowly perhaps but none the less surely any physician with the merest superficial knowledge of his business would tell you what i tell you that is any physician who preferred truth to white with passion mr snatched up the he had just written and tore it into fragments then opening another drawer in his desk he took out a handful of notes and gold and counting them rapidly flung them upon the table hold your insolent tongue sir he said in hoarse accents of ill suppressed fury there is your money exact to a take it and go and before you presume to apply for another situation as to the son of a gentleman tn e you had better learn to know your place and put a check on your scotch conceit and impertinence not another word go with a sudden proud lifting of his head eyed his late employer from heel to brow and from brow to heel again in the measuring manner known to fighting men his eyes sparkled with anger and his hands clenched then all at once evidently moved by some thought which restrained if it did not entirely overcome his wrath he swept up his lightly in one hand turned and left the room without either a thank you or when he had gone john burst into an angry laugh insolent young he muttered how such fellows get university honours and is more than i can imagine and i suppose like everything else an lazy if ever there was one and the worst companion in the world for the boy has done nothing but idle away his time ever since he came fm very glad professor is able to accept a few weeks of holiday he is expensive certainly but he will remedy all the mischief has done and get on he is a thoroughly man too on the religious question soothed by the prospect of the coming of professor mr cooled down and presently went to join his wife and sir charles in the drawing room he found that apartment empty however and on inquiry of one of the servants learnt that sir charles had been gone some minutes and that mrs was walking by herself in the garden mr thereupon went to one of the deep which stood open and the scented summer air the day s rain had certainly left the ground wet and he was not fond of strolling about under damp trees the moon was high and very beautiful in her clear but mr did not admire moonlight effects he thought all that kind of thing the grave and silence of the night the landscape mr disliked silence and he therefore loudly and with much unpleasant throat to disturb it throat gave just the necessary suggestion of prose to a picture which would otherwise have been purely romantic a picture of and hill and silver cloud and purple sky in all of which mere humanity seemed blotted out and forgotten mr his ugly cough in order to get humanity into it and as he finished the last little note of noise he wondered where his wife was the garden was a large and rambling one and had been long and greatly neglected though the owners of the place had arranged with mr when he had taken the house for three months that he should pay a gardener weekly wages to attend to it a decent but dull native of had been elected to this post and his exertions had certainly effected something in the way of clearing the paths and keeping them clean but he was apparently incapable of dealing with the wild growth of and oak that had | 33 |
sprung up everywhere in the yet always artistic fashion of mother nature when she is left to design her own ways so that the entire was more a wilderness than anything else yet it had its attractions or seemed to have at least for mrs for she passed nearly all her time in it now however owing to the long shadows her husband could not perceive her anywhere though presently as he stood at the window he heard her voice an absurd of which he caught a distinct fragment concerning gay bo hem i we re not particular what we do in gay bo hem i a his face cold and heavy as it was grew downright ugly in its expression of contempt she ought to have been a music hall singer he said to himself with a kind of inward she has all the taste and talent required for it and to think she is actually well born and well educated what an he the window to violently and went within there was a smoking room at the back of the house and thither he retired with his and one of the of all the various dull evening papers chapter iii early the next morning between six and seven o clock little was up and dressed and sitting by his bedroom window cap in hand waiting eagerly for to appear he was going to see his friendly off by the coach and the idea was not without a certain and excitement it was a perfect day bright with sunshine and all the birds were singing the boy s sensitive soul was divided between sadness and pleasure sadness at losing the companionship of the kindly good natured young fellow who alone out of all his various teachers had seemed to understand and with him pleasure at the novelty of getting up on the sly and slipping out and away without his father s knowledge and seeing the coach with its four horses its jolly driver and its still red faced guard all at a halt outside the funny old inn called by various the pack o cards on account of its peculiar structure and watching mr climb up to the too of the horn and then finally beholding the whole glorious dash away at break neck speed to this was something for a boy as mere boy to look forward to with a thrill of expectation but deep down in his heart of hearts he was thinking of another delight as well a plan he had formed in secret and of which he had not breathed a word even to the scheme was a bold and dreadful one and it was this to run away for the day he did not wish to his studies but he knew there were to be no lessons till his new professor arrived and professor was not due till that evening at ten o clock the whole day therefore was before him the long beautiful day and he in his own mind resolved that he would for once make the best of it he had no wish to deceive his father his desire for an arose out of an instinctive longing which he himself had not the skill to a longing not only for freedom but for rest turning it over and over in his thoughts now as he had turned it over and over all night poor child he could not see that there was any particular harm or mischief in his intention neither his father nor mother ever wanted him or sent for him except at luncheon which was his dinner all the rest of the time he was supposed to be with his always engaged in learning something useful but now it so happened that he was to be left for several hours without any and why should he not take the chance of liberty while it was offered him he was still mentally this question when entered softly in hand come along he said with a kind smile step gently nobody s and aid and you in this morning s we re going to breakfast together at miss s the coach won t be here for a long time yet gave a noiseless jump of delight on the floor and then did as he was told creeping after his down the like a velvet footed and with excess of timidity and pleasure when the big hall door was opened cautiously and closed again with equal care behind them and they stood together among the and wild rose of the sweetly scented garden let mc help you carry your mr he said i m sure i can i m sure you can t returned with a laugh leave it alone my boy it s too heavy for you here you can carry my instead took the well worn leather bound volume and bore it along in both hands reverently as though it were a sacred where arc you going mr he asked presently have you got another boy like me to teach no not yet i wonder if i shall manage to find another boy like you eh do you think i shall considered seriously for a moment before replying well i don t know he said at last i suppose there must be some you see when you re an only boy you get different to other boys you ve got to try and be more clever you know if i had two or three brothers now my father would want to make every one of them clever and he wouldn t have to get it all out of me that s how i look at it it oh that s how you look at it echoed studying with some compassion the delicate little figure | 33 |
parcel o nonsense all about a fool of a country as couldn t do nothing but make butter and yet she married a lord an was took to court with di an such a o lies was printed in that there book as was enough to bring the judgment of the almighty on the as wrote it i went to my niece and i to her i my you re a decent strong well favoured sort o taken just as god made ye and if you behave yourself you may likely marry an honest farmer lad in time but if get such notions o lords and ladies as are in this silly book an go o your hair like crazy jane there s not a man in as won t despise ye an ye ll go to the bad my as sure as a die she was a decent an she knew i meant well by her so she just dropped the book down our old dry well in the back yard seventy feet deep and took to the cream she s married well now and lives over at very comfortably off she s got a good husband a poultry farm and three babies an she s no time for novel now thanks to the lord this narrative delivered with much gesture and scarcely any pauses left miss well nigh out of breath and as she and her visitors were now in the one best parlour of the cottage she ceased talking and about to get them their breakfast leaned out of the open window where the sight o hung in fragrant and the delicious perfume with a deep breath of delight it s a place this he said half to himself and half to but it s not so as scotland had sat down in the window nook with rather a weary air the volume still clasped in his hands are you going to scotland soon he asked yes i shall go straight home there for a few days and see my mother here the young man turned and surveyed his small pupil with involuntary tenderness i wish i could take you with me he added softly my mother would love you i know was mute he was thinking to himself how strange it would seem to be loved by mr s mother as he was not loved by his own at that moment cleverly brought in the breakfast in her usual smart bustling way excellent tea new milk eggs honey cream jam home made bread and smoking hot were all set forth in tempting profusion and to crown the feast an antique china basket filled with the apples and was placed in the centre of the table william b a and his little friend sat down to their good cheer each with very different feelings with a hearty and appetite the boy with only a faint sense of hunger which was over by mental fatigue and consequent physical indifference however he tried to eat well to please the kindly companion from whom he was so soon to be parted and it was not till he had quite finished that pushing aside his cup and plate addressed the following remarks to his late pupil look here he said i don t want you to forget me if ever you should take it into your head to run away here a deep blush s face for was he not going to run away that very day or or anything of that sort just write and tell me all about it first a letter will always find me at my mother s house the nest i don t of course wish to persuade you to run away he looked as if he did though because that would be a very desperate thing to do still if you feel you can t hold up under your lessons or that professor is too much for you why rather than break down altogether you d better show a clean pair of heels i expect fm giving you advice which a good many people would think very wrong on my part all the same boys do run away at times it has been done here his merry blue eyes and if you have any more of that you complained of the other day or if you go off in a dead faint as you did last week you really mustn t these sensations any longer you must tell your father and let him take you to see a doctor listened with an air of rather wearied patience what s the good of it he sighed i m not ill you know besides i ve had the doctor before and he said there was nothing the matter with me doctors don t seem to be very clever my mother was ill two years ago and they couldn t cure her when they gave her up and left her alone she got well things always appear to go that way the more you do the worse you get was quite accustomed to such a hopeless tone of reasoning from the boy yet somehow on this bright summer morning when he in the full enjoyment of health and liberty was going home to those who loved him the absolute loneliness of this child s life and his pathetic resignation to it smote him with a sense of pain than usual and as for running away continued flushing as he spoke i might do that perhaps for a few hours but if i tried to run away for good and go for a sailor which is what i should like i should only be brought back you know i should and if i wrote to you about it i should get | 33 |
you into dreadful trouble you don t seem to think of all that mr but think of it you think too much altogether said almost it vexed him to that this boy of barely eleven years was actually older and more in mind than himself a man of seven and twenty you are always thinking yes agreed gravely but then there s so much to think about in this world isn t there to this volunteered no answer he sat gazing at the dish of rosy apples in front of him with a brooding frown and presently laid one little cold trembling hand on his arm but i shall never forget you he said pausing before the name you know you said i might call you sometimes you so have been very good to me you are the youngest i have ever had and the kindest and though i can t keep all the lessons in my head i can keep the kindness i can indeed he looked so small and fragile as he spoke his sensitive little face a quiver with emotion and his soft eyes full of wistful affection and appeal that was much inclined to give him a hearty kiss just as he would have kissed a pretty baby but he remembered in time all the dry of so called wisdom that had been packed into that little curly head all the profound of dead and philosophers that were stored in the recesses of that young mind and he reflected with an odd sense of humorous pity that it would never do to kiss such a learned little man so he gave him a couple of pleasant on the shoulder instead and answered a right i know only just think now and again of what i ve said to you and when you re getting puzzled and dazed like over your books go into the fresh air and never mind the lessons and if you get a for it well all i can say is a is better than a sickness health s the thing going a far sight better than wealth at that moment the too too of the came ringing towards them in a gay echo and he started up by jove i must be off miss now if it isn t like your impudence mr said miss appearing at the doorway with her strong bare arms dusty with the flour of the she had just been making to be calling me upon my word i don t know what the gentlemen are coming to here she and in spite of her fifty two years as nothing dropped more than the money due for the breakfast into her hand and kissed her on the cheek he had no scruples about kissing her oh no not at all though he had about kissing really they seem to be quite reckless nowadays it was very different i dew assure you when i was a oh no it wasn t i assure you laughed with a of her voice and manner it was just the same and always will be the same to the crack of doom men will always be devils and women angels good bye i good bye sir a pleasant journey to you i l and miss up and down under her rose covered porch after precisely the same fashion in which the greatest ladies of the land make their dip salutation to hope to see you here again some day sir i hope so too he answered cheerily waving one hand while he grasped his with the other and walked with a swinging stride down the village street followed by to the pack o cards inn where the coach had just arrived it was a picturesque turn out with its four strong sleek horses its passengers all rendered more or less bright faced by the freshness of the morning air its white coachman and its jolly guard who blew the horn more for the pleasure of blowing it than anything else and surveyed it in a kind of sober rapture you are glad to go mr he said you must be glad to go yes i am glad in one way replied but i m sorry in another i m sorry to leave you i should like to be living here for awhile just to keep you out of harm s way would you looked at him but i am never in the way of harm nothing ever happens to me of any particular sort you know one day is just like another well good bye and having given over his to the coach guard laid both his hands on the boy s fragile shoulders when you get home tell your father it was i who took you out with me this morning to see me off and that if he wants to question me about it he knows where a letter will find me take all the blame remember good bye my dear and and god bless you s lip quivered and the smile he managed to force was very suggestive of tears good bye he said faintly too too too too the guard on his shining horn and climbed up to his place on the top of the coach the red faced driver bent a severe eye on certain village children that were standing about with admiration at himself and his now then out of the way there followed a general and the horses started too too too up the village street they galloped merrily in the cheerful sunlight their blown back by the dancing breeze good bye good bye shouted once more waving his straw hat to the solitary small figure left standing in | 33 |
the road but s voice could not now carry far enough to echo the farewell so he only lifted his little red cap once in response the parting smile soon fading from his young face and the worn on his brow deepening in intensity he stood motionless watching till the last glimpse of the coach had vanished then he started as it were from a waking dream and found that he still held the volume had forgotten it some of the village children were standing apart staring at him and he heard them saying something about the little up at the big he looked at them in his turn there were two nice red boys with red apples in their hands their faces were almost the of the apples in and he would have liked to talk to them but he felt instinctively that if he made any advances in this direction they would probably be either timid or so he dismissed the idea from his mind and went on his own solitary way he was not going home no he was quite resolved to have a real holiday all to himself before his new teacher arrived and as he knew the ancient church of was considered one of the chief objects of interest in the neighbourhood and as owing to his father s system of education and ideas concerning religion or rather non religion he had been forbidden to visit it he very naturally decided to go thither and the tears he had resolutely kept back as long as had been with him now filled his eyes and dropped slowly one by one as he thought sorrowfully that now there would be no more pleasant in an open boat on the sea no more excursions into the woods for lessons which had served as an excuse for many do nothing but health giving and the reading or of stirring such as the battle of the and henry of under the refreshing shade of the beautiful green trees nothing of all this in future nothing to look forward to but the dreaded society of professor professor had a terrible reputation for learning all the world was as one mighty viewed in the light of his prodigious and intellect and the young boy s heart ached under the oppression of s s his thoughts as he walked with the step and bent head of an old man towards the wooden churchyard gate lifted the latch softly and went in in hand to stroll about and hamlet wise among the graves of the forgotten dead chapter iv his little footsteps instinctively as he went up the moss grown path between the grassy graves that rose in suggestive on either side of him he paused presently in front of an ancient standing on the top of which sat a robin and now and then calling sweet to its unseen mate it was a fearless bird and made no movement to fly away as approached just beneath its brown wings and scarlet bosom the grey had into green tiny and of moss had managed to find there and spread themselves out in pretty of delicate foliage over the worn and blackened below ye of in who of and hope to see his master on the i th da ye of june i aged i and he lodged in ye house of one a with much difficulty made out this quaint inscription standing as he did at some little distance off in order not to frighten away the robin he had to spell each word over carefully before he could understand it and even when he had finally got it clear it was still somewhat incomprehensible to his mind and while he stood thinking about it and wondering at the oddly chosen text which completed it the robin suddenly flew away with an alarmed and a man s head covered with a luxuriant crop of roughly curling white hair rose as it seemed out of the very ground wise and looked at him startled yet by no means afraid stepped back a few paces said the head t be d little i be only a fur mother the accent in which these words were spoken was extremely gentle even musical despite its provincial and s momentary was instantly full of curiosity he advanced and discovered the speaker to be a big broad shouldered and exceedingly handsome man the bulk of whose figure was partially hidden in a dark cut pit of earth which the boy s instinct told him was a grave s i m not scared at all thank you he said lifting his little red cap with the politeness which was habitual to him it was only because your head came up so suddenly that i started i did not know anybody was here at all except the robin that flew away just now what a big hole you are making aye and the man smiled his clear blue eyes sparkling with a cheery light as he turned over and broke a black of earth with his mother liked plenty o room lor bless er when she was at her best she minded me of a a comfortable soft sort o for the to play an jump about on an there was round her for the matter o that well now she s gone there s not a body as has got a word her an that s more than can be said for either kings or queens is she dead asked softly why yes as this world s she s dead was the reply but lord what s this world just a breath an we re done wi t it s the next world we ve got to look to little the next world is what we should all | 33 |
be a fur day an night o there s a glory o the moon an a glory o the stars but the glory o the angels shines beyond our prison bars he sang this verse in a rich sweet digging the while and patting the sides of the grave smooth as he worked sat down on one of the grassy and stared at him thoughtfully how can you believe all that nonsense he asked with solemnity such a big man as you are too the grave stopped abruptly in his toil and turning round surveyed the little lad with astonishment how can i believe all that nonsense he repeated at last slowly nonsense is a like you a o the blessed sure an certain hope o heaven as nonsense god ha mercy on ye ye poor little thing who has had the of ye up anyway flushed deeply and his eyes with repressed tears he was very lonely and he to talk to this cheery looking man who had such a soft musical voice and such a kindly smile but now he feared he had offended him i my name is he said in low rather tremulous tones i am the only son of mr who has taken the big house over there for the summer that one you can just see the chimneys through the trees and he indicated the direction by a little wave of his hand and i have always had very clever men for ever since i was six years old i shall be eleven next birthday and they have taught me lots of things and why i said the next world was nonsense was because i have always been told so one would be very glad of course if it were true but then it isn t true it is only an idea a sort of legend my father says nobody with any sense nowadays believes it scientific books prove to you you know that when you go into a grave like that and he pointed to the hole in which the stood listening and inwardly you are quite dead for ever you never see the sun any more or hear the birds sing and you never find out why you were made at all which i think is very curious and very cruel and you are eaten up by the worms now it surely is nonsense isn t it to think you can come to life again after you are eaten by the worms and that is what i meant when i asked how you could believe such a thing i hope you will excuse me i didn t wish to offend you the grave still stood silent his fine resolute features expressed various emotions wonder pain pity and something of indignation then all at once these flitting shadows of thought melted into a sunny smile of tenderness offend me no indeed ye couldn t do that my little if ye tried ye re too much of a an so ye re mr s son eh well i m the o th church here an an road an carpenter an anything else my hand finds to do i does it with my might it nobody an me a now ye see these arms o mine and he raised one of the brown muscular limbs alluded to they ha served me well they ha earned bread an clothing an wife an child an please god they ll serve me yet many a long day an i m grateful to have em for use an hard labour but i know the time come when they be laid down in a grave like this ere an stiff an away to the bone a soil fur vi lets an to grow over me but what o that i ll not be a of cm then no more than i m a now the long clothes i wore when our me at t old yonder i who am at present owner o these arms will be else an an please the lord too for work s divine an wholesome i ll better limbs an stronger but body i get into ye may depend on t little it ii be as right an for the ways o the next world as the body i ve got now is right an fur this one an my soul will be the same as keeps me up at this moment bad or good i pray it may get a bit wiser an better an not go down like he raised his clear blue eyes to the bright expanse above him and murmured half him that he take heed lest he fall and seemed for a moment lost in meditation please mr mr what do you mean by your soul asked gravely brought his gaze down from the shining sky to the quaint and solemn little figure before him what do i mean my dear he echoed with a note of compassion in his rich voice i mean the part o me the vital spark o heavenly flame in all of us that our dear lord died to save that s what i mean an that s what you ll mean too ye poor pale little chap when ye se up and begins to all the o god s goodness to us ungrateful to think o the blessed sunshine should be enough fur the o thanks but lord pity us we re sore forgetful of all our daily and your friend mother hinted almost had she what you call a soul aye that she had an a great one an a true one an an angel one fur all | 33 |
right my bird responded lifting her in his arms high above his head and giving her a sounding kiss on both her rosy cheeks as he put her down again an look ere there s a little for ye to talk to go an say how d y do to im thus commanded obeyed strictly to the letter she went to where sat watching her and put out her of a hand how d y do said she and before could utter a word in reply she had shaken her curls and run away the boy sprang up pained and perplexed laughed after her my lad run the run u do ye good she s just like that at first fur all the world like a fond o fun ye ll find er a round the corner thus encouraged ran actually ran a thing he very seldom did he became almost a hero like the big men of the his was a round the corner he was determined to find her and after the little white sun bonnet round trees and over till he was well nigh breathless she like all feminine things condescended to be caught at last and to look in the face of her youthful what boy be you she asked biting the string of her sun bonnet with an air of you be all th boys ere be oh what an accent for a baby of and yet how charming it was to hear her say because she made another of those little round o s of her mouth that suggested even the of kissing thought he would like to kiss her and coloured hotly at the very idea meanwhile his of continued her observation of him would ee like an she demanded i pa producing a small very rosy one from the depths of a miniature pocket i ll gi ye this if s be ye se let me bite th red bit if ever a young lady looked as the phrase expresses it miss did so at that moment what with the mischievous light in her dark blue eyes and the smile on her little mouth as she suggested that she should bite the red bit and the altogether innocent of her manner quite lost his head for the moment and forgot everything but the natural facts that he was a little boy and she was a little girl he laughed merrily such a laugh as he had not enjoyed for many a weary day and taking the apple from her hand held it to her lips while she carefully closed her tiny teeth on the red bit and secured it the dropping all over her chin i m to have the rest am i said then venturing to hold her by the arm and assist her over a very large and very ancient grave wherein as the half broken said ye of aged ninety seven long long ago lived long long ago she died but could anything of her have still been conscious she would have felt no offence or in the tread of those innocent young feet that sprang so lightly over her last resting place yes you re to ave the rest replied then with an infinite and humour she added i ve got i my how they laughed to be sure forgetful of ye of they sat down on the grass that covered her old bones and enjoyed their apples to the full miss generously the red bit of the second apple on who though he was not really hungry found something curiously in these stray of fruit lately plucked from the tree into th church then said s left the door open an see th big lilies on th lord s table looked into her lovely little face feeling singularly embarrassed by this invitation he knew what she meant of course he had been duly instructed in the form of the christian as a only in company with all the other known to history they had been together for his study and consideration in a group of twelve thus of and the egyptian of and the of the and of the greek and roman gods of and of and the chinese of the of and the of and the of the and tradition of christ and the gradual of the christian on the relics of greek and roman of the advance of and pure reason in which all these are proved to be without foundation and merely serving as obstacles to the intellectual progress of man the above had formed a very special and particular part of s education and he had been carefully taught that only semi believed nowadays in anything divine or supernatural the intellectual classes fully understood so he was told that there was no god and that the first cause of the universe was merely an productive of other which moved in circles of regularity worlds indifferently and without any mind force whatever behind the visible matter thus had the intellectual classes the eternal entirely to their own satisfaction and of course he poor little was being brought up to take his place among the intellectual classes where his father was already a shining light of he was assured that only the poor the ignorant and the feeble minded still appealed to god as our father and believed in the workman of as a divine personage whose way of life and death had shown all men the road to heaven one of the chief faults found with as a had been his faith in these supernatural things and his point blank refusal to teach his young pupil otherwise hence the subject religion had been removed altogether from course of study and the firmness had shown on the matter had | 33 |
led among other more trifling to his dismissal all this was fresh in the boy s mind and now said an see th big lilies on th lord s table she then was one of the semi this pretty little girl and yet how happy she seemed what an innocent dove like expression of tenderness and trust shone in her eyes as she spoke how very young she was and alas how very old he felt as he looked at her she so little he had learned so much and though he was but four years her senior he seemed in his own pained consciousness to be an elderly man studying the merry of a child repeated her sounding very like the soft note of a ring dove as she got up from the grassy bed of s everlasting sleep it be cool i th church we ll sit i th an y shall tell me a story bout heaven y know all bout angels don t ee how they down all in white an kisses us when we se in bed asleep did ever any of em kiss ee s lonely little heart beat strangely an angel kiss him what a sweet fancy but how foolish yet with s face so near his own he could not tell her that he did not believe in angels she looked so like a little one herself so he answered her quaint question with a simple no i would ha they did continued ye t a bad boy be ye smiled rather perhaps i am he said and perhaps that s why the angels don t come my mother s an angel went on she couldn t bein away from god no longer an so she flew to heaven one night quite with big white wings an a star on her head says she often flies for a minute like an kisses im an me too when we se asleep takes care of us since she went then she is dead o that replied peacefully hasn t i told ee she s an angel but have you ever seen her since she went away persisted the boy no i t good enough and a small sigh of pathetic self reproach heaved the baby breast i se very little yet an bad but i ll see her some day for sure could find nothing to say to this and in another minute they had entered the church together the subtle sweet fragrance of the big lilies on th lord s table came floating towards them on a cool breath of air as the heavy old door swung open and closed again and they paused in the aisle hand in hand looking gravely up and down first at the tall white flowers that filled the gilt on either side of the altar suggesting in their snowy the words blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see god then at the patterns of blue red and cast on the stone pavement by the reflections of the sun through the stained glass windows the roof with its planned oak of the very earliest english style of architecture had a grave and darkening effect on the sunshine and the solemn hush of the place expressive of past prayer impressed with a sweet yet sense of rest grasped his hand closer into th she whispered there be soft cushions there an a big big bible ril show ee a here she opened her eyes very wide my my own very best somewhat curious to see this treasure climbed with her up the pulpit stairs feeling that he was really having what might be called an adventure on this his stolen holiday was evidently quite familiar with the pulpit as a of for she hauled the big bible she had spoken of out of its recess with much care and much breathless labour and placed it on a velvet cushion on the floor then she curled herself down beside it and turning over a few pages beckoned to kneel and look also here tis she said with a soft chuckle of rapture see see this boy you s a bit like y an see all these men they se wise people so they thinks an th boy s em how silly they be an aw in a wi their books an an how good god is an all bout heaven see an they se very angry wi m an he s a boy an they se all men as cross as sticks an there he is y see an he knows all about what they men t know he s the little the subject of the picture was christ the law to the doctors of the temple and studied it with an almost passionate interest only a boy and yet in his boyhood he was able to teach the would be wise men of his day though thought with his usual perhaps they were not really wise and that is why he found it easy meanwhile having over her own best sufficiently shut the book put it back in its place and sat herself down beside her companion on the top step of the pulpit stair s y name she demanded he answered li how funny s li tain t a flower no tour name is a flower our mine tree was all over bloom the i was born an that s why i m called i likes my name better n n so do i said smiling mine is not nearly such a pretty name my mother calls me i likes that that s i se call y too declared miss promptly and as she spoke she slipped an arm round his neck | 33 |
you be a nice boy now tell me a story chapter v gazed at her in deeper perplexity than ever what story could he tell her he knew none that were likely to charm or interest a creature so extremely young it was very delightful to feel her warm arm round his neck and to see her dear little face so close to his own and he thought as he looked that he had never seen such beautiful blue eyes before not even his mother s which he had till now considered beautiful enough but s eyes had such heavenly sweetness in their liquid depths and something moreover beyond mere sweetness the light of a innocence such as sometimes makes the softly tinted cup of a flower remind one involuntarily of a child s eyes only a very few flowers convey this impression the delicate circle of the the dark purple centre of the the pensive blue of the the frank smiling si sky tint of the forget me not or the heart of the egyptian but the child look is in such blossoms and we often recognise it when we come suddenly upon them peering out of the green of grass and s eyes were a mixture of grave hues and laughing forget me and when she smiled both these flowers appeared to meet with a pretty in her shining glances and once again thought of of ain t ee got no story she presently after waiting a patient two minutes what book be that there and she put a little red finger on the copy of left behind by and still carried under s arm it s replied the boy promptly my went away by the first coach this morning and he forgot to take it with him it s his book and a favourite copy i must send it to him by post ee must send it to him echoed what be he was a great poet the first great poet that ever lived so far as history knows and he was an ancient greek explained he lived oh ages ago he tells all about the wars in this book it s an what s inquired an what s laughed softly the gravity of the old church roof hung over him otherwise his laughter would have been less restrained you wouldn t understand it if i told you dear he said becoming suddenly and as he her delightful ignorance and weakness was a poet do you know what poetry is deed i do declared allowing her head to on his shoulder i ve a lot o t i ll tell you some it be like this gentle meek an mild look upon a little child pity my an suffer me to come to thee she looked up as she finished the familiar with one of her radiant baby smiles didn t i say that nice she demanded very nice murmured while thoughts were flying round and round in his brain concerning the semi who still believed in a the christian which was one of his father s constantly repeated and favourite phrases now tell me some more an she said against him like a soft is it bout angels no replied it is all about great big men very big men too big to get into this church in awe struck tones yes i believe they would have been too big to get into this church said smiling involuntarily and they all fought about a lady called who was the most beautiful woman in the world why did she let em fight asked gravely she was not a good lady to let the poor big men fight an for er she should ave made em all she couldn t said you sec they wouldn t be friends they must ha been funny big men murmured where be they all now oh dead ever so long ago laughed the boy some people say they never lived at all oh then it s all fairy tale like in boots said your is a fairy book like mine only i like in boots better do ee know my fairy book had never had what is called a in his life fairy books having been considered by his father in the same light as that with which mr h one of her majesty s of schools recently regarded them publicly them as dangerous to morality and mischievous as to knowledge the most obvious and facts of experience alas good dry as dust how much thou art to be pitied for never having been in the least young and dost thou not that religion itself in all its forms of creed the most obvious and facts of experience the little was with mr but he knew his own father s stern contempt for fairy tales even for those which have in many cases strangely foretold some of the most brilliant recent discoveries in science so he replied to s question by a negative shake of his head the while he gazed at the nut brown curls that in charming on his shoulder i ll tell ee in it she continued s with the thinking dreamy air of a child angel in some sublime reverie there once a little girl an a little boy bout s big as we be they good an an they d got a bad bad uncle he couldn t abide em they s good an e s bad so one day e took em out in a great big dark wood where no sun couldn t shine an there e lost em both an when they lost they walked bout up an down an couldn t get out an they | 33 |
got tired an an so they laid down an said their prayers an put their arms round each other s necks so and here closer an died jest right off an god took cm straight to heaven an then all the robin i th wood were sorry bout it an they came an covered em all over wi beautiful red an green leaves god told the to bury em jest so they good an their uncle bad an the did jest what god told em her voice died r way in a soft whisper and her eyelids drooped was that a nice story she asked very responded almost feeling quite old and wise as he ventured now to put his own arm round her i murmured then bad as made me sleepy and as a matter of fact in a couple of minutes the little maiden was fast asleep her pretty mouth half open like a tiny and the light rise and fall of her breathing sting the delicate of a dove s st sat very quiet still her with his arm and looked about him he studied the altar screen immediately in front of him regarding with somewhat of a gravely inquiring air the ancient roughly carved figures of the twelve that partly formed it he knew all about them of course that they were originally common picked up on the shores of by the son of joseph the carpenter and that they went about with him everywhere while he preached the new strange gospel of love which seemed like madness to a world of envy and malice they were just poor ordinary men not kings not warriors not nobly born not distinguished for either learning or courage and yet they had become far greater in history than any monarch that ever lived they were saints nay almost secondary gods in the opinion of a section of semi mankind it was very strange very strange indeed thought as he gazed earnestly at their quaint wooden faces and stranger still that a mere man who was a carpenter s son should have made the larger and more portion of humanity believe in him as god for more than eighteen hundred years what had he done why nothing but good what had he taught nothing but purity and what was he a determined who strove to upset the hard and fast laws of tradition and unite all classes in one broad and holy creed of love to god and brotherhood a union of the divine and human which should ultimately lead to perfection even the various who had taken their several turns at setting poor s little mind like a knife to the of learning had been unable to say otherwise than that this carpenter s son was good and wise and brave in goodness none ever surpassed him that was certain was wise and brave but he was not actually good many sins could be laid to his charge and the same could be asserted of all the other famous and philosophers who had to teach the various successive generations of men but against christ nothing could be said true he the on the score that they were and surely thought with a beyond his years he would have to the christian too if it is true as my father says that they all preach what they don t believe simply to gain a living he sighed and his eyes wandered to the big lilies on th lord s table with a wistful yearning those great white cups of fragrance with what sweet pride they stood up each on its green stem and silently breathed out praise to the creator of their loveliness behold the lilies of the field they toil not neither do they spin and yet i say unto you that solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these how true that was put solomon in all his glory or any monarch that ever existed beside one of these tall fair flowers and he in his and crown would seem but a mere out in drew the little closer to him as she slept and sighed again the unconscious sigh of a tired young thing with thought and longing for rest and tenderness the summer sunlight streamed down upon the two children with a broad as though the love of christ for the weak and helpless were mixed with the golden rays as though the very silence and purity of the light expressed the divine meaning these little ones are mine as the lilies are mine suffer them to come to me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven and as mused and dreamed becoming gradually drowsy himself the church door swung softly open and the entered with another and younger man who carried a roll ot music under his arm and who immediately ascended alone to the organ meanwhile paused lifting his cap reverently and looking about him in evident search for his little girl beckoned to him from the pulpit stairs at the same time laying a finger on his lips to intimate that was asleep honest advanced on tip toe and surveyed the two small creatures encircled in one another s arms with and good natured admiration now that s jest he murmured to himself an as as two young an yon poor pale little lad looks a most as if he was for once in s life at that moment a solemn of sound stirred s the air the had commenced his daily practice and was the melodious of a stately of s made doubly rich in tone by the grave bass with which it was sustained and accompanied started and awoke rubbing her little fists | 33 |
into her eyes she sat up yawned and stared then smiled as she saw her father we i th wood she explained sweetly an we fur the to come an cover us up i they couldn t th windows to bring th leaves i not indeed said the kind smile on his mouth and lighting up his fine eyes now ye jest out o that there ye little it s dinner time an we se goin ome rose promptly and down the pulpit stairs following her along wi us she said taking him affectionately by the arm ain t e a e be a rare nice boy if s be as e likes to why an welcome responded but he s a little as as got a an mother o s own an they wants im stood silent and they were going away home this cheery and his pretty child and the old creeping sense of oppression and loneliness stole over the boy s mind and chilled his heart the music out from the organ moved him strangely to thoughts hitherto and he thought he would stay alone in the church and listen and try to understand the subtle meaning of such glorious yet eloquence it seemed like angels singing only there were no angels it made one fancy the gates of heaven were open only there was no heaven it god s great voice speaking tenderly only there was no god a deep sigh broke from him and all unconsciously two big tears rose in his eyes and down wet and glistening on his little blue in a second the impulsive had thrown her arms about him o don t ee she fondly in his ear we se both goin ome wi an e u be kind f ye an when we ve ad our dinner i ll show ee my such a nice e be despite himself laughed though his lips still trembled poor boy he could hardly himself understand the cause of his own emotion why his heart had given that sudden heave of pain why the tears had come or why he had felt so sorrowfully alone in a huge cold pitiless world but he was grateful to all the same for her sympathy meanwhile had been studying him gravely and curiously would ee like to an take a wi us little he asked gently and with a certain deference ours is a poor cottage ye know an sadly out o repair we se ad no lord o th nigh us for many a year to look us an see how we be a none o them fine folks cares for either our souls or bodies they their money out o our labour an all we as by way o remembrance from em is a letter twice a year a o their rent they never fails to send us that message and his eyes but as fur a new fence or a new roof or of us like for our money lor bless ee they never thinks o t but if ye u take us as ye find us yell be right welcome to on an play wi a bit longer thank you very much i should dearly like to come said wistfully you see i am all alone just now my went away this morning and another is coming to night to take his place but in the meantime there is nothing for me to do as the plan of my studies is going to be changed it is always being changed and so i may as well be here as at home i am giving myself a holiday to day here he raised his eyes and looked straight in the face and i wish to tell you mr that i am doing it without my father s knowledge or permission i am so tired of books and i love to be out in the fresh air of course now you know this you t wish to have me but then if you will please say so i will go into the woods for the rest of the day or stay by myself in the church i should like to see more of the church it interests me regarded the little fellow first in doubt and perplexity then with a smile tired o books be ee he well ye re young enough sure y an books can wait awhile for ye than go i th woods by y self ye d better along wi me an mind ye must tell yer where ye ha been ye must be o that of course til tell him responded i always tell him everything no matter how angry he is you see he is very often angry whatever i do or say though he means it all for my good he is a very good man he has never done anything wrong in all his life ay ay then he s jest a miracle said well now little fore we goes i ll take ye round th church there ain t much to see but what there is i know more about than any one else in look at these ere altar gates he spoke in soft tones and trod softly as the of the place and the two children followed him hand in hand as he approached the screen and pointed out the twelve carved upon it now do ee know little said he why this ere is at least two years old an likely more n that no answered s little warm hand in his own out of sheer comfort at | 33 |
that he was not to be separated from her yet be jest watch these ere gates as i pull em to an fro continued do what ye will wi em they won t shut see and he proved the fact beyond dispute that shows they made fore the days o for in they times all the gates o th was copied the pattern o scripture which an the gates o heaven shall never be shut either by day or by night then when came an broke up the statues an tore down the or them out they on th walls the was made different wi gates that shut an locked i s pose e was that sing afraid of that e thought the folks might go an worship th communion cup on th lord s table so now ye ll be able to tell when ye sees the inside of a church whether the altar gates is old or new by this one thing if they can t shut they re fore s day if they can they re s called modern now see the roof looked up much impressed by the s learning the description of church in these pages is given as nearly as possible in the words of the one james may he long enjoy his cheerful manly and contented life who all unconsciously sat to the author last summer for the portrait of folks as bin ere an said quite wise like o that roof s quite modern but tain t o th sort see them oak not one o them s straight not a line they couldn t get em exact in them days they t clever enough so they re all crooked an bout as old as th altar screen older for if ye stand ere jest where i be ye u see they all bend more one way than t other the whole roof look sided like an why s that d ye think ye can t tell well they d a reason for what they did in them there old times an a sentiment too an they made the churches lean a bit to the side on which our lord s head bent on the cross when he said it is finished ye ll find nearly all th old churches lean a bit that way it s a sign of age as well as a sign o faith now look at these ere figures on the ain t they all got their cut off admitted that they had with a grave little nod who copied his every gesture for the moment nodded too that s went on e an is men consumed like wi what they called the fury o an they thought all these figures false gods and of an they jest cut their off executed em as like king charles now look up there and he pointed to a narrow window on the left hand side of the there s a colour through that bit o glass it s the only o real old stained glass i th church an it s a rare sight older than the church itself d ye know how to tell old stained glass from new no well i ll tell ye when it s old it s very thick an if ye put your hand on its wrong side it s rough very rough jest as if covered wi baked that s a sure an proof o great age modern stained glass ye u find a most as smooth an polished on its wrong side as on its right now if ye into th i ll show ye the real old chest what used for peter s pence when we under rule he led the way across the central aisle followed interested and curious thinking meanwhile that this handsome white haired could not exactly be called a stupid man or even a semi he was decidedly intelligent and seemed to know something about the facts of history there s an old door fur ye he with almost an air of triumph as he paused on the threshold and his fingers lightly on the thick oak of the ancient that s older than anything in the church i shouldn t a bit wonder if it came out o some sacred place o worship it looks like it an here s th old key and he held up a quaint and heavy iron that looked more like a screw driver with a cross handle than anything else an here s peter s little showing a ponderous oak chest some five feet long and three feet high that ud old a rare sight o wouldn t it now don t you two go a to lift the lid for it s mortal an it ud crush your little an s to in a i ll let ye see the inside o t there y are and with a powerful of his arms he threw it open its black worm eaten interior with a few old bits of silver lying at the bottom the fragments of a long communion service and peered down at these with immense lor bless me said then laughing a little there s a deal o i calls silly faith left in some o they good folk still there a nice ere last summer an she believed that peter down from heaven o nights an all the money offered im specially fur they se the chiefly mentioned i th testament an she me to let er put a penny in i s pose she thought the saint might be in want o t for my good man she to me ave you never that | 33 |
st peter still visits th world an when he down ere it may be he might need this penny o mine to buy bread do as ye like i it don t make no difference to me i m sure well she put the penny in bless er art an this christmas past i a an up everything i th church an in out this ere box there i saw that penny st peter t come it so just it and he chuckled softly i it an it to a poor old beggar man outside the church gate so i played peter fur once i my life an not s badly i but i shall be the smile deepened at the corners of his mouth and sparkled in his fine eyes as he shut the great and stood up in all his manly height and loo breadth surveying the two small creatures beside him well do ee like th old church little he asked of whose face expressed an intense and melancholy gravity indeed i do answered the boy but i think i like the music even better listen what is that and he held up one hand with a gesture of attention that s the hymn we sings on harvest sunday holy holy holy lord god almighty early in the morning our song shall rise to thee replied it s a rare fine tune an fills th heart as well as th voice now little ome to dinner they passed out of the church into the warm air fragrant with the scent of roses and wild and drowsy with the hum of honey seeking bees calling s attention as he went to a great iron ring which was attached to the ancient door of entrance could ee tell me that ring s there for he demanded shook his head well ye must ha read in yer ry books loi bout privilege said when any poor wretched thief or mis sinner bein a hunted through the country by all the an officers o justice e ad but to make straight for th church door an old of a ring like this an e safe it an no one t lay a finger on im a rare christian custom it a most as if e ad laid old of our dear s garment an found the mercy as never denied by him to the and among us concluded raising his cap as he spoke and looking up at the bright sky with a expression as though he saw an angel of protection there an that s the meaning o th iron ring said nothing but his thoughts were very busy he was only a small boy but his store of purely scientific information was great and yet he knew not whether to pity or envy this for his simple i should not like to tell him that all the clever men nowadays say that christ is a he considered seriously i am sure it would vex him so he walked on silent holding the hand of the little who was equally mute v and led the way out of the churchyard across the high road and up a narrow street full of old fashioned built houses which at first sight appeared to lean over one another in a curiously sided helpless way as though lacking proper foundation and support at one of these standing by itself in a little patch of neatly trimmed garden and covered with clusters of full and stopped and on the door with his it was opened at once by a clean mild elderly dame in a particularly large white apron who opened her lack lustre yet kindly eyes in great astonishment at the sight of exclaimed eagerly this be a little boy nice an e be we se been i th wood an all th an we se goin to ave our dinner an see my did her best to understand this brilliant explanation on the part of her small niece but failing to entirely grasp its meaning looked to for further this is master said the then the little son o the as took the big yonder for summer he s bin like wi s lessons an e s just out on the as boys will be at times when they ve got any boyhood in em im a bit an a sup wi us an e ll play a while longer wi fore e goes ome nodded and smiled then in deference to master in sir in an right welcome said she sit ee down an make comfortable dinner s ready an there s naught to wait for but jest to let wash is an ask a now my girl take off your an sit down obeyed dragging off the becoming white sun bonnet in such haste that she nearly tore one of her own brown curls away with it uttered an exclamation of pain at the sight and went to the rebellious from the string with which it had become knotted he succeeded in his effort and when the bonnet was fairly taken off he thought the little maid looked prettier than ever with her rough tumbled locks falling about her and her rosy face like a blossom in the midst of the chestnut throwing off his own cap he sat down beside her at the table which was covered with a coarse but clean cloth and with black handled steel forks and and so waited patiently till came in from the washing of his hands which he did very speedily then lifted off the fire a black pot steaming with and poured out into a blue dish a mixture of meat and vegetables more vegetables than meat and set round plates to match the dish stood | 33 |
up and bowed his head reverently for what we are going to receive may the lord make us truly thankful said he and s sweet little voice answered amen whereupon they began the meal which though so poor and plain was good and wholesome was no mean cook and she was famous in the village for a certain make of cordial a glass of which she poured out for as she did so and him to taste it he found it delicious and he likewise discovered to his own surprise that he had an appetite it was very remarkable he thought that s fare should have a better than anything he had ever had at his own father s appointed table he did not that the from study the temporary liberty he was enjoying and the with had all given room for his physical nature to breathe and and a sense of the actual pleasure of life when lived had roused his exhausted faculties to new and delightful vigour with this momentary development of natural youthful energy had come the appetite he wondered at when the simplest food seemed exquisite and s cordial suggested the by the gods of the dinner over again stood up and said for what we have received may the lord make us truly thankful and once more his little girl responded amen then he proceeded to fill and smoke a pipe before returning to the churchyard to complete the digging of mother s last resting place and still wearing the her aunt had tied round her while she ate her dinner seized by the hand and dragged him off to the back yard which was half garden half shed where kept his tools and where a couple of smart with their little of prettily wives and about behind a wire and imagined themselves the rulers of the planet io an see my said excitedly such a good e be ere e is a th wall see im o my bee oo ful and she threw her arms round the neck of the in question which was nothing else but a battered wooden toy that had evidently once been a gallant on but which now without either mane tail or eyes and with only three legs and a stump of wood to support it presented a very sorry spectacle indeed but to this was apparently the flower of all creation for she it and kissed its pale nose from which the paint had long since been washed off by wind and weather with quite a passionate oh my she murmured tenderly patting its neck do ee know why i loves ee ee s poor an an no one wants to ride ee now but can on ee s poor back of ee good kiss im won t ee she added turning to do ee kiss im it makes im feel now e s poor an who could resist such an appeal who would jo refuse to embrace a wooden rocking horse described with so much sweetly pitiful as poor an and therefore in need of affectionate not despite the many learned books he had studied he fully entered into the spirit of all this childish nonsense and bending over the toy he kissed its wan nose with in his turn that s right cried clapping her hands now e feels now e u give us a ride and forthwith she up on the gaunt worn back of her beloved showing a pair of little innocent looking white legs as she did so and jerked herself up and down to imitate a gallop ain t e goin well she exclaimed her hair blowing in a golden brown behind her and her cheeks becoming than the apples with her exertions while the laughter in her pretty eyes the brightness of the sunlight playing round her oh e be a rare nice now ee must up an ave a ride started at the sound of his mother s pet name for him then he remembered he had io told it to and smiled as he thought how sweet it sounded from her lips and he answered gently i m afraid i m too big dear your horse couldn t carry me i might hurt him o no ee won t im declared springing lightly to the ground try an on im sure ee u be good t ye thus threw a leg across the passive toy and pretended to ride at full gallop as had done much to the little maiden s delight she danced about and shrieked with ecstasy till the behind the wire evidently thought the end of the world had come for they ran to and fro in the wildest excitement no doubt imploring their special to protect them from the terrible human thing that showed its white legs and danced in the sun almost as if it had as good a right to live as a well bred fowl hearing the uproar and having finished his pipe came out to see what was going on and laughed almost as much as the children did now and then urging the wooden to a exhibition of its by a up which rather added to the general of the scene when the game was quite over and flushed and full of merriment resigned the to who at once offered it a handful of hay and whispered tender in its broken ear the said now my little fm a goin back to my work i th churchyard for i must finish mother s bed fore nightfall ye u find me there if ye se want me if s be ye care to stay on wi a bit ye can she s a little un since er mother went to god and you re too a little play do neither o ye | 33 |
arm an s i th all day an she ll look ye but ye mustn t be away too long from yer an mother ye must ome fore the sun sets my lad promise me that yes mr i promise and thank you responded eagerly had such a happy time you don t know how happy i may come again some day and see you and t i why ye may said heartily they makes no objections at your own ome little ye must make that clear an straight no oh yes of course murmured the boy but a shadow clouded his hitherto bright face he knew well enough that if his father were asked about it not only the acquaintance but also the very sight of the kindly and his pretty child would be altogether forbidden him however he said nothing of this and after a few more cheery words strode off to the of his labours with his departure a silence fell on the two little creatures left alone together the excitement by the had its reaction and grew serious even sad i i wants my sun bonnet she remarked in an injured tone my burns ran into the house at once and obtained the desired head gear from whereupon miss adjusted it sideways and peered at him in a sudden fit of shyness better go ome now she said severely you se tired of me an my i sees you se tired tired indeed i m not tired i ll play with you ever so long as long as you like what shall we do now replied the little lady putting the m string of her bonnet in her mouth which was a favourite habit of hers and still regarding him with an odd mixture of and affection then with sudden and almost defiant energy she added i knows you se tired of me now dear with quite a lover like as he saw that the tiny maiden was inclined to be come and sit under that beautiful big apple tree my big apple tree put in with an air of grave that s my tree that s why it s such a nice one declared gallantly taking her little hand in his own come along and let us sit there and you ll tell me another story or i ll tell you one you know i m going away very soon and perhaps i shall never see you again he sighed quite unconsciously as he said this and looked up at him with eyes that were lovely in their momentary gravity will ee be sorry she asked very sorry he answered dreadfully sorry s doubtful humour passed at this assurance and she allowed him to lead her to the big apple tree which was the chief ornament of s back garden her tree against whose trunk a rough wooden seat was set for shelter and repose fu be sorry too she confessed m when you se gone there was something touching in this remark or they found it so and a deep silence followed they sat down side by side under the spreading apple boughs laden with ruddy fruit that shone with a bright polish in the hot glow of the afternoon sun and holding each other s hands were very quiet while round and round them flew and bees all intent on business or love making and a who had just cooled his throat at the water alighted on an opposite and a soft there were a thousand sweet suggestions in the warm air too subtle for the young things who sat so together hand in hand to perceive or comprehend the beautiful things of god and nature which teach the eternal though lesson that happiness and good are the chief designs and ultimate ends of all creation and that only man s will working for solely selfish purposes makes of all that should be pure and fair yet even children have certain meditative moments when they are vaguely conscious of some great ruling their and some of them have been known at a very early age to express the wonder as to why god should be so good and their own parents so bad what will ee do when ee ome inquired presently will ee smiled rather bitterly no it would never do for me to cry he said fm too big too big she echoed you se a bit bigger n me an little yes but you re a girl said girls can cry if they like but boys mustn t i do cry sometimes though when fm all by myself i seed ee to day observed gravely f th church jest we came ome to dinner what did ee then for it was the music i think answered with a far away look in his deep set eyes fm very fond of music but it always seems sad to me my mother sings beautifully but somehow i can never bear to hear her sing it makes me feel so lonely gazed at him he was surely a very strange and funny boy to feel lonely because his mother sang presently she another topic i knows th big where ee lives she announced there s a in th edge an i can creep into th big garden i ll an see this statement of her intentions rather startled he looked earnestly into her sweet blue eyes you mustn t do that dear he said sadly you would get i m afraid my mother would not you but i expect my father would put a finger into her mouth and sucked it solemnly for a minute | 33 |
said so you were really tired were you and determined to have a real good time for once in your own way i well i don t blame you i should do the same if i were in your place but your father s in a great rage he wanted you to be here to receive professor but mother he s not expected till ten o clock to night exclaimed i know that s the time we thought he was coming but he s got or or something of that sort and decided at the last minute that it would be best for him to arrive in and avoid the night air so he took an earlier train from london and caught the afternoon coach from and he s here in fact he has been here nearly two hours shut up with your father in his room was silent for a minute or two then he asked what s he like mother have you seen him mrs laughed a little oh yes i ve seen him he was formally introduced to me on arrival what s he like well i really don t know what he s like he s a cross between a very old and a rather a difficult animal to define her flashing smile her whole countenance with a gleam of scorn as well as amuse ment however looked pained and puzzled she gave him a little side glance of infinite compassion and suddenly drawing his head against her breast kissed him any caress or sign of affection from her was so rare a thing that the sensitive little lad actually trembled and grew pale with the emotion it excited in him it left him almost breathless and too astonished to speak i mean dear she continued still keeping her arm about him that he is just like all those wonderfully learned old men who have ceased to care about anything but themselves and books they are never by any chance handsome you know he s very clever though your father thinks him a and so i believe do all the oxford and cambridge and now he s here you ll have to make the best of him yes mother the answer came faintly and with a smothered sigh then after a brief pause took the white hand that rested against his neck kissed it and gently put it aside i think rd better go straight in to father at once and tell him where i ve been he said bravely then it s over and done with no matter how angry he is he can t kill me and if he could it would be worse for him than for me with this piece of cynical logic and a wistful parting smile he quickened his steps almost to a run and went into the house mrs stood still on the garden path idly the of a rose in her and watching the thin delicate figure of her little son till he disappeared then she turned away across the lawn moving vaguely and where she went for her eyes were heavy and blind with a sudden rush of tears meanwhile reached his father s room and boldly knocked at the door come in cried the harsh voice he knew so well whereupon he entered father he began mr rose in his chair a of wrath so sir he said you have come home at last where have you been since the early hours of the morning and what business had you to leave this house at all without my permission looked at him full in the eyes with a curious coldness he was conscious of a strange feeling of contempt for this red faced man with excitement whose age experience education and muscular strength could help him to no better thing than the of a small boy it might be a wicked feeling considering that the red faced man was his own father but wicked or no it existed and so without any soft or weak emotion of regret or he replied indifferently i was tired i wanted to be in the open air and rest rest mr s eyes and he put his hand to his shirt collar in evident doubt as to whether his of rage might not burst that carefully rest good heavens what should a lazy young animal like you want with rest you talk as if you were an over worked bank clerk begging for an out of time holiday you are always resting mr was here you never did anything your idleness was a positive disgrace do you think i am going to waste my money on giving you the best that can possibly be procured to be rewarded in this ungrateful manner this shameful abominable manner is he the best demanded suddenly pointing to a second personage in the room whom he had noted at once on entering and whom he recognised to be the cross between a and his mother had described a forbidding looking old man with a singularly long pallid face and sharply shoulders who sat stiffly upright in a chair regarding him through a pair of very round spectacles mr stared rendered almost speechless by the levity of the question how dare you sir how dare you make such an observation he gasped what do you mean sir i only asked returned you s d you were throwing your money away on the best and i asked if he was the best again pointing to the round spectacles te i didn t say he wasn t i suppose he is but tm afraid he ll find me rather a trouble i m afraid he will indeed said mr with cutting severity then | 33 |
turning to the gaunt individual in the chair beside him he continued i much regret professor that you should have such an introduction to your pupil my son this is my son has been sadly by the influence of the young man but i trust not so completely as to be beyond your remedy professor the dark lantern of learning and obscure glory of university slowly raised his bony shoulders up to his long ears and as slowly settled them in their place again this being his own peculiar of the easy foreign shrug then smiling a wide and smile he replied in measured monotonous accents i trust not i trust not and he his spectacles but i will not disguise from you or from myself that this is a bad beginning very bad why asked quickly why is it a bad beginning to rest when you are very tired and want it some people believe that even god rested on the seventh day of creation and that s why we keep sunday still in spite of its being only an idea and a fable i ve taken a holiday to day and i m sure i shall do my lessons all the better for it i ve been talking to the of church and i ve had dinner with him he s a very nice old man and very clever too clever the of echoed mr with a loud fierce laugh dear me what next shall we be told i wonder nice associates you pick up for yourself sir after all the labour and expense of your training i might as well have kept my money why not begin to keep it now father suggested rather wistfully the deepening on his delicate small face it s no use spending it on me i know it isn t i m tired out perhaps i m ill too i don t know quite what s the matter with me but i m sure i m not like other boys i can see that for myself and it me if you d let me rest a little i might get better desire for rest remarked professor with a grin appears to be the leading characteristic of this young gentleman s disposition idleness you mean snapped out mr united as i now discover to my amazement and regret with an insolence of temper which is new to me i must to you professor for my son s extraordinary conduct on this occasion starvation and solitude will probably bring him to his senses in time for the morning s studies i may as well explain to you that i never use punishment in the training of my son i employ the mortification of appetite as the more natural means of discipline that and solitary confinement seem to me the best modes of for the of a and obstinate nature the professor bowed and his hands together caused the to a sharp sound like the of bad continued mr come with me paused a moment looking at his new with an odd fascination night professor he said at last to morrow i shall ask you a great many questions indeed returned the professor grimly i have no doubt i shall be able to answer them will you come sir roared mr obeyed and followed his father upstairs to his own little bedroom where mr took the matches carefully away and shut down and fastened the window this done he turned to the boy and said now here you stay till to morrow morning you understand you will have time to think over your wicked of to day the anxiety you have caused me and the trouble the disgraceful exhibition you have made of yourself to the professor and i hope you will have the grace to feel sorry and if you cry or make a row up here why do you talk like that father simply you know well enough that i never make a row mr stopped looking at him for a moment he was embarrassed by the direct truth of the remark for he did know never showed any sign of or fury the boy meanwhile put a chair at the window facing the sunset and sat down what made you run away to day asked his father after a brief pause i have told you already responded somewhat wearily i was tired tired of what of books and everything in them they are very you know no two writers agree on any one point no two histories are alike it is all quarrel quarrel and what s the good of it all you die and you forget everything you ever knew so your trouble s wasted and your knowledge useless little fool you have to live first before you die and knowledge of books is necessary to life said harshly you think so ah well i haven t quite made up my mind about that answered the boy with a air i must consider it carefully before i decide good night father mr gave no reply out of the room he the door angrily and locked it behind him remained by the window looking straight into the golden glare of the west he was not at all unhappy he had had one day of joyous and ever memorable freedom and that this lonely room should be i the end of it did not seem to him much of a hardship he was not afraid of either solitude or darkness it was better to be alone thus than to have to endure the presence of the gaunt and looking object downstairs who was by a certain set to be one of the wisest | 33 |
men in the world a pity that wisdom made a person so ugly thought as he recalled one by one the professor s what lantern jaws he had what cold cruel little eyes what an unkind for a mouth and how very different was his to the open and sincere bearing of could teach me a lot i know mused the boy he doesn t read greek or latin i suppose but fm sure he could help me to find out something about life and that s what i want i want to understand what it means life and death he lifted his eyes to the radiant sky and saw two long shafts of luminous spring outward and upward from the sinking sun like great golden leaves between which the of light red like a fiery rose in heaven i wish there were angels really he said half aloud one would almost think there must be and that all that splendid colour was put into the sky just to show us what their beautiful wings are like little believes in angels i should like to believe in them too if i could his gaze wandered slowly down from the sunset to the shrubs and trees of the garden below him and presently he saw among the darkening shadows two figures moving leisurely up and down one was his mother he recognised her by the white dress she wore the other was a man whose personality he was not at first quite sure of but whom he afterwards made out to be sir charles i suppose he s come to dinner thought i remember now mr mentioned that he was staying quite near here at castle i wonder why i don t like him he considered this for some time without clearing up the point satisfactorily then before it grew quite dark he took out s copy of from under his blue where he had it out of his father s sight and put it carefully by in readiness to post to its owner next day smiling a little to himself as he thought of s odd of the this done he resumed his seat by the window and watched the skies and the landscape till both grew dark and the stars began to twinkle out dimly in the purple distance his little mind was always restless and ideas and though his immediate reflections dwelt for the most part on the pretty face and ways of they now and then took a more serious turn and strove to make something out of what appeared to him an ever deepening problem and puzzle namely why should some people believe in a god and others not and why should so many of those who professed belief live their lives in direct opposition to the very creed they assumed to follow there must be adequate cause for all these phases of human nature did the world make itself or did it owe its origin to a reasoning and reasonable creator and not only the world but all the vast universe the thousands of millions of glorious and perfect star systems which like flowers in a garden in the pure what was the object of their existence if any and why was it decided that they should exist and who so decided it deep in the child s brain the eternal question the eternal defiance which always itself when there is neither faith nor hope the scorn which and a force that can give no reason for its actions and which refuses to act in blind obedience to the of a fate that leads to if you can offer me no worthy explanation of my existence and i can supply none for myself says the tortured and suffering soul then not all the elements shall hinder me from putting an end to that existence if i please this much i can do if you give me no satisfactory motive for my hold on life i can cease to live and thus are your arguments and your surface knowledge made vain the seed of this spiritual rebellion was in s mind though he knew it not it had been sown there by others and was not of his own planting nor the natural out put of his being his as to the why of things had never been answered by the majestic reason known to those whose faith is raised upon high of thought and and who hold it as a truth that their lives are lived by god s will and in the school of as a preparation for eternal fulfilment this supreme support and hope had not been given to the boy s frail life to raise it like a drooping flower from the dust of material forms and facts he had been carefully instructed in all the necessary for becoming a man of hard calculation and cool business but his imagination had been promptly checked he had never even been taught a prayer although he had been told that there were people who prayed in churches and elsewhere when he the usual why he was informed that the fashion of praying was the remains of old superstition followed now out of mere ordinary usage because the masses of the people were not yet sufficiently educated to do entirely without the to which they had for so many centuries been accustomed but that it was only a matter of foolish habit and then his teachers pointed out to him that the laws of the universe being it was ridiculous to suppose that prayer could alter them or that the deaf blind dumb forces of nature could possibly note a human being s trouble or listen to | 33 |
a human being s complaint much less to a human being s request for human beings compared with the extent of creation generally were no more than in a or on an ant hill hearing this and quickly grasping the idea of man s infinite at once set about asking the cause of man s evident if he was indeed so minute a portion of the plan and so to its progress why was he so concerned about himself if he were but a or an ant what did it matter whether he were learned or ignorant and did it not seem somewhat of a cruel jest to fill him with such pride and endeavour when according to scientific fact he was but a grain of worthless and dust to all these serious questions the small after truth never got any satisfactory replies indeed had told him with much emphasis that man possessed an immortal soul a conscious individual self which could not die which took part in all the designs of god and which filled with the divine breath of inspiration and desire of was borne on through infinite phases of wisdom love and glory for ever and ever always in in beauty strength love and purity such a destiny thought would have made one s present life worth living if true but then according to modern it wasn t true and was a poor semi who still believed in god and who had got his dismissal from his p t as chiefly on that account i wonder mused what it is that makes him believe it can t be stupidity for he is very clever and kind and good i wish i knew exactly why he thinks there is a god and too he has just the same idea only when i ask no one seems able to give me any clear explanation of what they feel darker and darker grew the evening shadows but still he sat at the window solemnly considering the deep problems of life and time and never thought of going to bed soon a misty white glory arose out of the gathering blackness the moon pallid yet brilliant lifted her strangely sorrowful face over the tree tops and cast a silvery reflection on the grass below it was a mournful almost night a faint haze of heat hung in the air dew sparkled thickly in patches upon the distant fields with a smooth as of shining or suddenly risen pools and in the of the garden a who ought by laws to have hushed his voice more than a month since sang and as if in a dream without passion yet with something of pain heard the faint throbbing notes afar off and would have liked to open the window to listen more attentively but as his father had shut and fastened it he decided to leave it so and presently what with watching the moon and the ghostly shadows and thinking and wondering he fell fast asleep in his chair his head leaning against the wall for a long time he remained thus dreaming odd dreams in which the various facts he had learned of history got mixed up with little and the the latter object becoming in his visions suddenly endowed with life and worthy to bear a de lion to the field of battle all at once he was startled into broad by a voice calling softly yet clearly he jumped up and to his amazement saw the figure of sir charles comfortably perched on a branch of the big elm tree that grew just outside his window the had a in his hand and with it made signs of yet mysterious meaning not knowing what to think of this strange proceeding the boy noiselessly and raised the window oh there you are little said sir charles showing his white teeth in a pleasant smile and swinging himself further along the branch in order to approach the window more nearly look here your mother sends you this catch and he threw the packet he held straight into the room where it fell on the floor cake and my boy eat em all and go to bed the old man s been of his cleverness in starving you he s shut himself up now with that blessed ass of a professor so he won t know anything about it and your mother says you re to eat every morsel to please her ta ta thrust his little pale eager face out of the window oh please sir charles he called faintly after the retreating looked back well give mother my love my dear love and thank her for me sir charles turned his face upward in the silver of the moon there was a curious expression upon it of shame mingled with tenderness and remorse all right my boy i will good night good night responded and he stood at the open window for a minute or two the night air fragrant with the of flowers and the breath of the sea and at the with which sir charles who generally posed as a languid and lazy man of fashion slipped along the elm branch swung himself downward by both hands dropped stealthily to the ground and disappeared no could have been more secret or swift in his actions or more sudden in his coming and going alone once more the boy shut and fastened the window again with soft precaution then he felt along the floor for his mother s he soon found and opened it there were plenty of good things inside and spreading his on the window sill with the for light he was surprised to find himself really hungry he very seldom felt any decided relish i for | 33 |
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