text: Mrs. Henry  Wood Elster's Folly 
   
   
   Chapter 1 (By The Early Train) 
   The Ascending Sun Threw Its Slanting Rays Abroad On A Glorious August 
   Morning,  And The Little World Below Began To Awaken Into Life--The Life 
   Of Another Day Of Sanguine Pleasure Or Of Fretting Care. 
     
   Not On Many Fairer Scenes Did Those Sunbeams Shed Their Radiance Than On 
   One Existing In The Heart Of England; But Almost Any Landscape Will Look 
   Beautiful In The Early Light Of A Summer's Morning. The County,  One Of 
   The Midlands,  Was Justly Celebrated For Its Scenery; Its Rich Woods And 
   Smiling Plains,  Its River And Gentler Streams. The Harvest Was Nearly 
   Gathered In--It Had Been A Late Season--But A Few Fields Of Golden Grain, 
   In Process Of Reaping,  Gave Their Warm Tints To The Landscape. In No Part 
   Of The Country Had The Beauties Of Nature Been Bestowed More Lavishly 
   Than On This,  The Village Of Calne,  Situated About Seven Miles From The 
   County Town. 
     
   It Was An Aristocratic Village,  On The Whole. The Fine Seat Of The Earl 
   Of Hartledon,  Rising Near It,  Had Caused A Few Families Of Note To Settle 
   There,  And The Nest Of White Villas Gave The Place A Prosperous And 
   Picturesque Appearance. But It Contained A Full Proportion Of The Poor Or 
   Labouring Class; And These People Were Falling Very Much Into The Habit 
   Of Writing The Village "Cawn," In Accordance With Its Pronunciation. 
   Phonetic Spelling Was More In Their Line Than Johnson's Dictionary. Of 
   What May Be Called The Middle Class The Village Held Few,  If Any: There 
   Were The Gentry,  The Small Shopkeepers,  And The Poor. 
     
   Calne Had Recently Been Exalted Into Importance. A Year Or Two Before 
   This Bright August Morning Some Good Genius Had Brought A Railway To 
   It--A Railway And A Station,  With All Its Accompanying Work And Bustle. 
   Many Trains Passed It In The Course Of The Day; For It Was In The Direct 
   Line Of Route From The County Town,  Garchester,  To London,  And The 
   Traffic Was Increasing. People Wondered What Travellers Had Done,  And 
   What Sort Of A Round They Traversed,  Before This Direct Line Was Made. 
     
   The Village Itself Lay Somewhat In A Hollow,  The Ground Rising To A 
   Gentle Eminence On Either Side. On The One Eminence,  To The West,  Was 
   Situated The Station; On The Other,  Eastward,  Rose The Large Stone 
   Mansion,  Hartledon House. The Railway Took A Slight _Detour_ Outside 
   Calne,  And Was A Conspicuous Feature To Any Who Chose To Look At It; For 
   The Line Had Been Raised Above The Village Hollow To Correspond With The 
   Height At Either End. 
     
   Six O'clock Was Close At Hand,  And The Station Began To Show Signs Of 
   Life. The Station-Master Came Out Of His Cottage,  And Opened One Or Two 
   Doors On The Platform. He Had Held The Office Scarcely A Year Yet; And 
   Had Come A Stranger To Calne. Sitting Down In His Little Bureau Of A 
   Place,  On The Door Of Which Was Inscribed "Station-Master--Private," He 
   Began Sorting Papers On The Desk Before Him. A Few Minutes,  And The Clock 
   Struck Six; Upon Which He Went Out To The Platform. It Was An Open 
   Station,  As These Small Stations Generally Are,  The Small Waiting-Rooms 
   And Offices On Either Side Scarcely Obstructing The View Of The Country, 
   And The Station-Master Looked Far Out In The Distance,  Towards The East, 
   Beyond The Low-Lying Village Houses,  Shading His Eyes With His Hand From 
   The Dazzling Sun. 
     
   "Her's Late This Morning." 
     
   The Interruption Came From The Surly Porter,  Who Stood By,  And Referred 
   To The Expected Train,  Which Ought To Have Been In Some Minutes Before. 
   According To The Precise Time,  As Laid Down In The Way-Bills,  It Should 
   Reach Calne Seven Minutes Before Six. 
     
   "They Have A Heavy Load,  Perhaps," Remarked The Station-Master. 
     
   The Train Was Chiefly For Goods; A Slow Train,  Taking No One Knew How 
   Many Hours To Travel From London. It Would Bring Passengers Also; But 
   Very Few Availed Themselves Of It. Now And Then It Happened That The 
   Station At Calne Was Opened For Nothing; The Train Just Slackened Its 
   Speed And Went On,  Leaving Neither Goods Nor Anything Else Behind It. 
   Sometimes It Took A Few Early Travellers From Calne To Garchester; 
   Especially On Wednesdays And Saturdays,  Garchester Market-Days; But It 
   Rarely Left Passengers At Calne. 
     
   "Did You Hear The News,  Mr. Markham?" Asked The Porter. 
     
   "What News?" Returned The Station-Master. 
     
   "I Heard It Last Night. Jim Come Into The Elster Arms With It,  And _He'd_ 
   Heard It At Garchester. We Are Going To Have Two More Sets O' Telegraph 
   Wires Here. I Wonder How Much More Work They'll Give Us To Do?" 
     
   "So You Were At The Elster Arms Again Last Night,  Jones?" Remarked The 
   Station-Master,  His Tone Reproving,  Whilst He Passed Over In Silence Mr. 
   Jones's Item Of News. 
     
   "I Wasn't In Above An Hour," Grumbled The Man. 
     
   "Well,  It Is Your Own Look-Out,  Jones. I Have Said What I Could To You At 
   Odd Times; But I Believe It Has Only Tried Your Patience; So I'll Say No 
   More." 
     
   "Has My Wife Been Here Again Complaining?" Asked The Man,  Raising His 
   Face In Anger. 
     
   "No; I Have Not Seen Your Wife,  Except At Church,  These Two Months. But 
   I Know What Public-Houses Are To You,  And I Was Thinking Of Your Little 
   Children." 
     
   "Ugh!" Growled The Man,  Apparently Not Gratified At The Reminder Of His 
   Flock; "There's A Peck O' _Them_ Surely! Here She Comes!" 
     
   The Last Sentence Was Spoken In A Different Tone; One Of Relief,  Either 
   At Getting Rid Of The Subject,  Or At The Arrival Of The Train. It Was 
   About Opposite To Hartledon When He Caught Sight Of It,  And It Came On 
   With A Shrill Whistle,  Skirting The Village It Towered Above; A Long Line 
   Of Covered Waggons With A Passenger Carriage Or Two Attached To Them. 
   Slackening Its Pace Gradually,  But Not In Time,  It Shot Past The Station, 
   And Had To Back Into It Again. 
     
   The Guard Came Out Of His Box And Opened The Door Of One Of The 
   Carriages--A Dirty-Looking Second-Class Compartment; The Other Was A 
   Third-Class; And A Gentleman Leaped Out. A Tall,  Slender Man Of About 
   Four-And-Twenty; A Man Evidently Of Birth And Breeding. He Wore A Light 
   Summer Overcoat On His Well-Cut Clothes,  And Had A Most Attractive Face. 
     
   "Is There Any Law Against Putting On A First-Class Carriage To This 
   Night-Train?" He Asked The Guard In A Pleasing Voice. 
     
   "Well,  Sir,  We Never Get First-Class Passengers By It," Replied The Man; 
   "Or Hardly Any Passengers At All,  For The Matter Of That. We Are Too Long 
   On The Road For Passengers To Come By Us." 
     
   "It Might Happen,  Though," Returned The Traveller,  Significantly. "At 
   Any Rate,  I Suppose There's No Law Against Your Carriages Being Clean, 
   Whatever Their Class. Look At That One." 
     
   He Pointed To The One He Had Just Left,  As He Walked Up To The 
   Station-Master. The Guard Looked Cross,  And Gave The Carriage Door 
   A Slam. 
     
   "Was A Portmanteau Left Here Last Night By The Last Train From London?" 
   Inquired The Traveller Of The Station-Master. 
     
   "No,  Sir; Nothing Was Left Here. At Least,  I Think Not. Any Name On It, 
   Sir?" 
     
   "Elster." 
     
   A Quick Glance From The Station-Master's Eyes Met The Answer. Elster Was 
   The Name Of The Family At Hartledon. He Wondered Whether This Could Be 
   One Of Them,  Or Whether The Name Was Merely A Coincidence. 
     
   "There Was No Portmanteau Left,  Was There,  Jones?" Asked The 
   Station-Master. 
     
   "There Couldn't Have Been," Returned The Porter,  Touching His Cap To The 
   Stranger. "I Wasn't On Last Night; Jim Was; But It Would Have Been Put In 
   The Office For Sure; And There's Not A Ghost Of A Thing In It This 
   Morning." 
     
   "It Must Have Been Taken On To Garchester," Remarked The Traveller; And, 
   Turning To The Guard,  He Gave Him Directions To Look After It,  And 
   Despatch It Back Again By The First Train,  Slipping At The Same Time A 
   Gratuity Into His Hand. 
     
   The Guard Touched His Hat Humbly; He Now Knew Who The Gentleman Was. And 
   He Went Into Inward Repentance For Slamming The Carriage-Door,  As He Got 
   Into His Box,  And The Engine And Train Puffed On. 
     
   "You'll Send It Up As Soon As It Comes," Said The Traveller To The 
   Station-Master. 
     
   "Where To,  Sir?" 
     
   The Stranger Raised His Eyes In Slight Surprise,  And Pointed To The House 
   In The Distance. He Had Assumed That He Was Known. 
     
   "To Hartledon." 
     
   Then He _Was_ One Of The Family! The Station-Master Touched His Hat. 
   Mr. Jones,  In The Background,  Touched His,  And For The First Time The 
   Traveller's Eye Fell Upon Him As He Was Turning To Leave The Platform. 
     
   "Why,  Jones! It's Never You?" 
     
   "Yes,  It Is,  Sir." But Mr. Jones Looked Abashed As He Acknowledged 
   Himself. And It May Be Observed That His Language,  When Addressing This 
   Gentleman,  Was A Slight Improvement Upon The Homely Phraseology Of His 
   Everyday Life. 
     
   "But--You Are Surely Not Working Here!--A Porter!" 
     
   "My Business Fell Through,  Sir," Returned The Man. "I'm Here Till I Can 
   Turn Myself Round,  Sir,  And Get Into It Again." 
     
   "What Caused It To Fall Through?" Asked The Traveller; A Kindly Sympathy 
   In His Fine Blue Eyes. 
     
   Mr. Jones Shuffled Upon One Foot. He Would Not Have Given The True 
   Answer--"Drinking"--For The World. 
     
   "There's Such Opposition Started Up In The Place,  Sir; Folks Would Draw 
   Your Heart's Blood From You If They Could. And Then I've Such A Lot Of 
   Mouths To Feed. I Can't Think What The Plague Such A Tribe Of Children 
   Come For. Nobody Wants 'Em." 
     
   The Traveller Laughed; But Put No Further Questions. Remembering Somewhat 
   Of Mr. Jones's Propensity In The Old Days,  He Thought Perhaps Something 
   Besides Children And Opposition Had Had To Do With The Downfall. He Stood 
   For A Moment Looking At The Station Which Had Not Been Completed When He 
   Last Saw It--And A Very Pretty Station It Was,  Surrounded By Its Gay 
   Flowerbeds--And Then Went Down The Road. 
     
   "I Suppose He Is One Of The Hartledon Family,  Jones?" Said The 
   Station-Master,  Looking After Him. 
     
   "He's The Earl's Brother," Replied Mr. Jones,  Relapsing Into Sulkiness. 
   "There's Only Them Two Left; T'other Died. Wonder If They Be Coming To 
   Hartledon Again? Calne Haven't Seemed The Same Since They Left It." 
     
   "Which Is This One?" 
     
   "He Can't Be Anybody But Himself," Retorted Mr. Jones,  Irascibly,  Deeming 
   The Question Superfluous. "There Be But The Two Left,  I Say--The Earl And 
   Him; Everybody Knows Him For The Honourable Percival Elster. The Other 
   Son,  George,  Died; Leastways,  Was Murdered." 
     
   "Murdered!" Echoed The Station-Master Aghast. 
     
   "I Don't See That It Could Be Called Much Else But Murder," Was Mr. 
   Jones's Answer. "He Went Out With My Lord's Gamekeepers One Night And 
   Got Shot In A Poaching Fray. 'Twas Never Known For Certain Who Fired The 
   Shot,  But I Think I Could Put My Finger On The Man If I Tried. Much Good 
   _That_ Would Do,  Though! There's No Proof." 
     
   "What Are You Saying,  Jones?" Cried The Station-Master,  Staring At His 
   Subordinate,  And Perhaps Wondering Whether He Had Already That Morning 
   Paid A Visit To The Tap Of The Elster Arms. 
     
   "I'm Saying Nothing That Half The Place Didn't Say At The Time,  Mr. 
   Markham. _You_ Hadn't Come Here Then,  Mr. Elster--He Was The Honourable 
   George--Went Out One Night With The Keepers When Warm Work Was Expected, 
   And Got Shot For His Pains. He Lived Some Weeks,  But They Couldn't Cure 
   Him. It Was In The Late Lord's Time. _He_ Died Soon After,  And The Place 
   Has Been Deserted Ever Since." 
     
   "And Who Do You Suppose Fired The Shot?" 
     
   "Don't Know That It 'Ud Be Safe To Say," Rejoined The Man. "He Might Give 
   My Neck A Twist Some Dark Night If He Heard On't. He's The Blackest Sheep 
   We've Got In Calne,  Sir." 
     
   "I Suppose You Mean Pike," Said The Station-Master. "He Has The Character 
   For Being That,  I Believe. I've Seen No Harm In The Man Myself." 
     
   "Well,  It Was Pike," Said The Porter. "That Is,  Some Of Us Suspected Him. 
   And That's How Mr. George Elster Came By His Death. And This One,  Mr. 
   Percival,  Shot Up Into Notice,  As Being The Only One Left,  Except Lord 
   Elster." 
     
   "And Who's Lord Elster?" Asked The Station-Master,  Not Remembering To 
   Have Heard The Title Before. 
     
   Mr. Jones Received The Question With Proper Contempt. Having Been 
   Familiar With Hartledon And Its Inmates All His Life,  He Had As Little 
   Compassion For Those Who Were Not So,  As He Would Have Had For A Man Who 
   Did Not Understand That Garchester Was In England. 
     
   "The Present Earl Of Hartledon," Said He,  Shortly. "In His Father's 
   Lifetime--And The Old Lord Lived To See Mr. George Buried--He Was Lord 
   Elster. Not One Of My Tribe Of Brats But Could Tell That Any Lord Elster 
   Must Be The Eldest Son Of The Earl Of Hartledon," He Concluded With A 
   Fling At His Superior. 
     
   "Ah,  Well,  I Have Had Other Things To Do Since I Came Here Besides 
   Inquiring Into Titles And Folks That Don't Concern Me," Remarked The 
   Station-Master. "What A Good-Looking Man He Is!" 
     
   The Praise Applied To Mr. Elster,  After Whom He Was Throwing A Parting 
   Look. Jones Gave An Ungracious Assent,  And Turned Into The Shed Where The 
   Lamps Were Kept,  To Begin His Morning's Work. 
     
   All The World Would Have Been Ready To Echo The Station-Master's Words 
   As To The Good Looks Of Percival Elster,  Known Universally Amidst His 
   Friends As Val Elster; For These Good Looks Did Not Lie So Much In Actual 
   Beauty--Which One Lauds,  And Another Denies,  According To Its Style--As 
   In The Singularly Pleasant Expression Of Countenance; A Gift That Finds 
   Its Weight With All. 
     
   He Possessed A Bright Face; His Complexion Was Fair And Fresh,  His Eyes 
   Were Blue And Smiling,  His Features Were Good; And As He Walked Down 
   The Road,  And Momentarily Lifted His Hat To Push His Light Hair--As Much 
   Of A Golden Colour As Hair Ever Is--From His Brow,  And Gave A Cordial 
   "Good-Day" To Those Who Met Him On Their Way To Work--Few Strangers But 
   Would Have Given Him A Second Look Of Admiration. A Physiognomist Might 
   Have Found Fault With The Face; And,  Whilst Admitting Its Sweet 
   Expression,  Would Have Condemned It For Its Utter Want Of Resolution. 
   What Of That? The Inability To Say "No" To Any Sort Of Persuasion, 
   Whether For Good Or Ill; In Short,  A Total Absence Of What May Be Called 
   Moral Courage; Had Been From His Childhood Val Elster's Besetting Sin. 
     
   There Was A Joke Against Little Val When He Was A Boy Of Seven. Some 
   Playmates Had Insisted Upon His Walking Into A Pond,  And Standing There. 
   Poor Val,  Quite Unable To Say "No," Walked In,  And Was Nearly Drowned For 
   His Pains. It Had Been A Joke Against Him Then; How Many Such "Jokes" 
   Could Have Been Brought Against Him Since He Grew Up,  Val Himself Could 
   Alone Tell. As The Child Had Been,  So Was The Man. The Scrapes His 
   Irresolution Brought Him Into He Did Not Care To Glance At; And Whilst 
   Only Too Well Aware Of His One Lamentable Deficiency,  He Was Equally 
   Aware That He Was Powerless To Stand Against It. 
     
   People,  In Speaking Of This,  Called It "Elster's Folly." His Extreme 
   Sensitiveness As To The Feelings Of Other People,  Whether Equals Or 
   Inferiors,  Was,  In A Degree,  One Of The Causes Of This Yielding Nature; 
   And He Would Almost Rather Have Died Than Offer Any One A Personal 
   Offence,  An Insulting Word Or Look. There Are Such Characters In The 
   World; None Can Deny That They Are Amiable; But,  Oh,  How Unfit To Battle 
   With Life! 
     
   Mr. Elster Walked Slowly Through The Village On His Way To Hartledon, 
   Whose Inmates He Would Presently Take By Surprise. It Was About Twenty 
   Months Since He Had Been There. He Had Left Hartledon At The Close Of The 
   Last Winter But One; An Appointment Having Been Obtained For Him As An 
   _Attache_ To The Paris Embassy. Ten Months Of Service,  And Some Scrape He 
   Fell Into Caused Him (A Good Deal Of Private Interest Was Brought To Bear 
   In The Matter) To Be Removed To Vienna; But He Had Not Remained There 
   Very Long. He Seemed To Have A Propensity For Getting Into Trouble,  Or 
   Rather An Inability To Keep Out Of It. Latterly He Had Been Staying In 
   London With His Brother. 
     
   His Thoughts Wandered To The Past As He Looked At The Chimneys Of 
   Hartledon--All He Could See Of It--From The Low-Lying Ground. He 
   Remembered The Happy Time When They Had Been Children In It; Five Of 
   Them--The Three Boys And The Two Girls--He Himself The Youngest And The 
   Pet. His Eldest Sister,  Margaret,  Had Been The First To Leave It. She 
   Married Sir James Cooper,  And Went With Him To His Remote Home In 
   Scotland,  Where She Was Still. The Second To Go Was Laura,  Who Married 
   Captain Level,  And Accompanied Him To India. Then He,  Val,  A Young Man In 
   His Teens,  Went Out Into The World,  And Did All Sorts Of Harm In It In An 
   Unintentional Sort Of Way; For Percival Elster Never Did Wrong By 
   Premeditation. Next Came The Death Of His Mother. He Was Called Home From 
   A Sojourn In Scotland--Where His Stay Had Been Prolonged From The Result 
   Of An Accident--To Bid Her Farewell. Then He Was At Home For A Year Or 
   More,  Making Love To Charming Anne Ashton. The Next Move Was His 
   Departure For Paris; Close Upon Which,  Within A Fortnight,  Occurred The 
   Calamity To His Brother George. He Came Back From Paris To See Him In 
   London,  Whither George Had Been Conveyed For Medical Advice,  And There 
   Then Seemed A Chance Of His Recovery; But It Was Not Borne Out,  And The 
   Ill-Fated Young Man Died. Lord Hartledon's Death Was The Next. He Had An 
   Incurable Complaint,  And His Death Followed Close Upon His Son's. Lord 
   Elster Became Earl Of Hartledon; And He,  Val,  Heir-Presumptive. 
   Heir-Presumptive! Val Elster Was Heir To All Sorts Of Follies,  But-- 
     
   "Good Morning To Your Lordship!" 
     
   The Speaker Was A Man In A Smock-Frock,  Passing With A Reaping-Hook On 
   His Shoulder. Mr. Elster's Sunny Face And Cheery Voice Gave Back The 
   Salutation With Tenfold Heartiness,  Smiling At The Title. Half The 
   Peasantry Had Been Used To Addressing The Brothers So,  Indiscriminately; 
   They Were All Lords To Them. 
     
   The Interruption Awoke Mr. Elster From His Thoughts,  And He Marched Gaily 
   On Down The Middle Of The Road,  Noting Its Familiar Features. The Small 
   Shops Were On His Right Hand,  The Line Of Rails Behind Them. A Few White 
   Villas Lay Scattered On His Left,  And Beyond Them,  But Not To Be Seen 
   From This Village Street,  Wound The River; Both Running Parallel With The 
   Village Lying Between Them. Soon The Houses Ceased; It Was A Small Place 
   At Best; And After An Open Space Came The Church. It Lay On His Right,  A 
   Little Way Back From The Road,  And Surrounded By A Large Churchyard. 
   Almost Opposite,  On The Other Side Of The Road,  But Much Further Back, 
   Was A Handsome Modern White House; Its Delightful Gardens Sloping Almost 
   To The River. This Was The Residence Of The Rector,  Dr. Ashton,  A Wealthy 
   Man And A Church Dignitary,  Prebendary And Sub-Dean Of Garchester 
   Cathedral. Percival Elster Looked At It Yearningly,  If Haply He Might See 
   There The Face Of One He Loved Well; But The Blinds Were Drawn,  And The 
   Inmates Were No Doubt Steeped In Repose. 
     
   "If She Only Knew I Was Here!" He Fondly Aspirated. 
     
   On Again A Few Steps,  And A Slight Turn In The Road Brought Him To A 
   Small Red-Brick House On The Same Side As The Church,  With Green Shutters 
   Attached To Its Lower Windows. It Lay In The Midst Of A Garden Well 
   Stocked With Vegetables,  Fruit,  And The More Ordinary And Brighter 
   Garden-Flowers. A Straight Path Led To The Well-Kept House-Door,  Its 
   Paint Fresh And Green,  And Its Brass-Plate As Bright As Rubbing Could 
   Make It. Mr. Elster Could Not Read The Inscription On The Plate From 
   Where He Was,  But He Knew It By Heart: "Jabez Gum,  Parish Clerk." And 
   There Was A Smaller Plate Indicating Other Offices Held By Jabez Gum. 
     
   "I Wonder If Jabez Is As Shadowy As Ever?" Thought Mr. Elster,  As He 
   Walked On. 
     
   One More Feature,  And That Is The Last You Shall Hear Of Until Hartledon 
   Is Reached. Close To The Clerk's Garden,  On A Piece Of Waste Land,  Stood 
   A Small Wooden Building,  No Better Than A Shed. 
     
   It Had Once Been A Stable,  But So Long As Percival Elster Could Remember, 
   It Was Nothing But A Receptacle For Schoolboys Playing At Hide-And-Seek. 
   Many A Time Had He Hidden There. Something Different In This Shed Now 
   Caught His Eye; The Former Doorway Had Been Boarded Up,  And A Long Iron 
   Tube,  Like A Thin Chimney,  Ascended From Its Roof. 
     
   "Who On Earth Has Been Adding That To It?" Exclaimed Mr. Elster. 
     
   A Little Way Onward,  And He Came To The Lodge-Gates Of Hartledon. The 
   House Was On The Same Side As The Rectory,  Its Park Stretching Eastward, 
   Its Grounds,  Far More Beautiful And Extensive Than Those Of The Rectory, 
   Descending To The River. As He Went In At The Smaller Side-Gate,  He 
   Turned His Gaze On The Familiar Road He Had Quitted,  And Most Distinctly 
   Saw A Wreath Of Smoke Ascending From The Pipe Above The Shed. Could It 
   Be A Chimney,  After All? 
     
   The Woman Of The Lodge,  Hearing Footsteps,  Came To Her Door With Hasty 
   Words. 
     
   "Now Then! What Makes You So Late This Morning? Didn't I--" And There She 
   Stopped In Horror; Transfixed; For She Was Face To Face With Mr. Elster. 
     
   "Law,  Sir! _You!_ Mercy Be Good To Us!" 
     
   He Laughed. In Her Consternation She Could Only Suppose He Had Dropped 
   From The Clouds. Giving Her A Pleasant Greeting,  He Drew Her Attention To 
   The Appearance That Was Puzzling Him. The Woman Came Out And Looked At 
   It. 
     
   "_Is_ It A Chimney,  Mrs. Capper?" 
     
   "Well,  Yes,  Sir,  It Be. Pike Have Put It In. He Come Here,  Nobody Knew 
   How Or When,  He Put Himself Into The Old Shed,  And Has Never Left It 
   Again." 
     
   "Who Is 'Pike'?" 
     
   "It's Hard To Say,  Sir; A Many Would Give A Deal To Know. He Lay In The 
   Shed A Bit At First,  As It Were,  All Open. Then He Boarded Up That Front 
   Doorway,  Opened A Door At The Back,  Cut Out A Square Hole For A Window, 
   And Stuck That Chimney In The Roof. And There He's Lived Ever Since,  And 
   Nobody Interferes With Him. His Name's Pike,  And That's All That's Known. 
   I Should Think My Lord Will See To It When He Comes." 
     
   "Does He Work For His Living?" 
     
   "Never Does A Stroke O' Work For Nobody,  Sir. And How He Lives Is Just 
   One O' Them Mysteries That Can't Be Dived Into. He's A Poacher,  A Snarer, 
   And A Robber Of The Fishponds--Any One Of 'Em When He Gets The Chance; 
   Leastways It's Said So; And He Looks Just Like A Wild Man O' The Woods; 
   Wilder Than Any Robison Crusoe! And He--But You Might Not Like Me To 
   Mention That,  Sir." 
     
   "Mention Anything," Replied Mr. Elster. "Go On." 
     
   "Well,  Sir,  It's Said By Some That His Was The Shot That Killed Mr. 
   George," She Returned,  Dropping Her Voice; And Percival Elster Started. 
     
   "Who Is He?" He Exclaimed. 
     
   "He Is Not Known To A Soul. He Came Here A Stranger." 
     
   "But--He Was Not Here When I Left Home. And I Left It,  You May Remember, 
   Only A Few Days Before That Night." 
     
   "He Must Have Come Here At That Very Time,  Sir; Just As You Left." 
     
   "But What Grounds Were There For Supposing That He--That He--I Think You 
   Must Be Mistaken,  Mrs. Capper. Lord Hartledon,  I Am Sure,  Knows Nothing 
   Of This Suspicion." 
     
   "I Never Heard Nothing About Grounds,  Sir," Simply Replied The Woman. "I 
   Suppose Folks Fastened It On Him Because He's A Loose Character: And His 
   Face Is All Covered With Hair,  Like A Howl." 
     
   He Almost Laughed Again As He Turned Away,  Dismissing The Suspicion She 
   Had Hinted At As Unworthy A Moment's Credit. The Broad Gravel-Walk 
   Through This Portion Of The Park Was Very Short,  And The Large Grey-Stone 
   House Was Soon Reached. Not To The Stately Front Entrance Did He Bend His 
   Steps,  But To A Small Side Entrance,  Which He Found Open. Pursuing His 
   Way Down Sundry Passages,  He Came To What Used To Be Called The "West 
   Kitchen;" And There Sat Three Women At Breakfast. 
     
   "Well,  Mirrable! I Thought I Should Find You Up." 
     
   The Two Servants Seated Opposite Stared With Open Mouths; Neither Knew 
   Him: The One He Had Addressed As Mirrable Turned At The Salutation, 
   Screamed,  And Dropped The Teapot. She Was A Thin,  Active Woman,  Of Forty 
   Years,  With Dark Eyes,  A Bunch Of Black Drooping Ringlets Between Her Cap 
   And Her Thin Cheeks,  A Ready Tongue And A Pleasant Manner. Mirrable Had 
   Been Upper Maid At Hartledon For Years And Years,  And Was Privileged. 
     
   "Mr. Percival! Is It Your Ghost,  Sir?" 
     
   "I Think It's Myself,  Mirrable." 
     
   "My Goodness! But,  Sir,  How Did You Get Here?" 
     
   "You May Well Ask. I Ought To Have Been Here Last Night,  But Got Out At 
   Some Obscure Junction To Obtain A Light For My Cigar,  And The Train Went 
   On Without Me. I Sat On A Bench For A Few Hours,  And Came On By The Goods 
   Train This Morning." 
     
   Mirrable Awoke From Her Astonishment,  Sent The Two Girls Flying,  One 
   Here,  One There,  To Prepare Rooms For Mr. Elster,  And Busied Herself 
   Arranging The Best Breakfast She Could Extemporise. Val Elster Sat On A 
   Table Whilst He Talked To Her. In The Old Days,  He And His Brothers, 
   Little Fellows,  Had Used To Carry Their Troubles To Mirrable; And He Was 
   Just As Much At Home With Her Now As He Would Have Been With His Mother. 
     
   "Did Capper See You As You Came By,  Sir? Wouldn't She Be Struck!" 
     
   "Nearly Into Stone," He Laughed. 
     
   Mirrable Disappeared For A Minute Or Two,  And Came Back With A Silver 
   Coffee-Pot In Her Hand. The Name Of The Lodge-Keeper Had Brought To His 
   Remembrance The Unpleasant Hint She Mentioned,  And He Spoke Of It 
   Impulsively--As He Did Most Things. 
     
   "Mirrable,  What Man Is It They Call Pike,  Who Has Taken Possession Of 
   That Old Shed?" 
     
   "I'm Sure I Don't Know,  Sir," Answered Mirrable,  After A Pause,  Which Mr. 
   Elster Thought Was Involuntary; For She Was Busy At The Moment Rubbing 
   The Coffee-Pot With Some Wash-Leather,  Her Head And Face Bent Over It,  As 
   She Stood With Her Back To Him. He Slipped Off The Table,  And Went Up To 
   Her. 
     
   "I Saw Smoke Rising From The Shed,  And Asked Capper What It Meant,  And 
   She Told Me About This Man Pike. Pike! It's A Curious Name." 
     
   Mirrable Rubbed Away,  Never Answering. 
     
   "Capper Said He Had Been Suspected Of Firing The Shot That Killed My 
   Brother," He Continued,  In Low Tones. "Did _You_ Ever Hear Of Such A 
   Hint,  Mirrable?" 
     
   Mirrable Darted Off To The Fireplace,  And Began Stirring The Milk Lest It 
   Should Boil Over. Her Face Was Almost Buried In The Saucepan,  Or Mr. 
   Elster Might Have Seen The Sudden Change That Came Over It; The Thin 
   Cheeks That Had Flushed Crimson,  And Now Were Deadly White. Lifting The 
   Saucepan On To The Hob,  She Turned To Mr. Elster. 
     
   "Don't You Believe Any Such Nonsense,  Sir," She Said,  In Tones Of Strange 
   Emphasis. "It Was No More Pike Than It Was Me. The Man Keeps Himself To 
   Himself,  And Troubles Nobody; And For That Very Reason Idle Folk Carp At 
   Him,  Like The Mischief-Making Idiots They Are!" 
     
   "I Thought There Was Nothing In It," Remarked Mr. Elster. 
     
   "I'm _Sure_ There Isn't," Said Mirrable,  Conclusively. "Would You Like 
   Some Broiled Ham,  Sir?" 
     
   "I Should Like Anything Good And Substantial,  For I'm As Hungry As 
   A Hunter. But,  Mirrable,  You Don't Ask What Has Brought Me Here So 
   Suddenly." 
     
   The Tone Was Significant,  And Mirrable Looked At Him. There Was A Spice 
   Of Mischief In His Laughing Blue Eyes. 
     
   "I Come On A Mission To You; An Avant-Courier From His Lordship,  To 
   Charge You To Have All Things In Readiness. To-Morrow You Will Receive 
   A Houseful Of Company; More Than Hartledon Will Hold." 
     
   Mirrable Looked Aghast. "It Is One Of Your Jokes,  Mr. Val!" 
     
   "Indeed,  It Is The Truth. My Brother Will Be Down With A Trainful; And 
   Desires That Everything Shall Be Ready For Their Reception." 
     
   "My Patience!" Gasped Mirrable. "And The Servants,  Sir?" 
     
   "Most Of Them Will Be Here To-Night. The Countess-Dowager Of Kirton Is 
   Coming As Hartledon's Mistress For The Time Being." 
     
   "Oh!" Said Mirrable,  Who Had Once Had The Honour Of Seeing The 
   Countess-Dowager Of Kirton. And The Monosyllable Was So Significant 
   That Val Elster Drew Down The Corners Of His Mouth. 
     
   "I Don't Like The Countess-Dowager,  Sir," Remarked Mirrable In Her 
   Freedom. 
     
   "I Can't Bear Her," Returned Val Elster. 
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 2 (Willy Gum) 
   Had Percival Elster Lingered Ever So Short A Time Near The Clerk's House 
   That Morning He Would Have Met That Functionary Himself; For In Less Than 
   A Minute After He Had Passed Out Of Sight Jabez Gum's Door Opened,  And 
   Jabez Gum Glided Out Of It. 
     
   It Is A Term Chiefly Applied To Ghosts; But Mr. Gum Was A Great Deal More 
   Like A Ghost Than Like A Man. He Was Remarkably Tall And Thin; A Very 
   Shadow; With A White Shadow Of A Face,  And A Nose That Might Have Served 
   As A Model For A Mask In A Carnival Of Guys. A Sharp Nose,  Twice The 
   Length And Half The Breadth Of Any Ordinary Nose--A Very Ferret Of A 
   Nose; Its Sharp Tip Standing Straight Out Into The Air. People Said,  With 
   Such A Nose Mr. Gum Ought To Have A Great Deal Of Curiosity. And They 
   Were Right; He _Had_ A Great Deal In A Quiet Way. 
     
   A Most Respectable Man Was Mr. Gum,  And He Prided Himself Upon It. Mr. 
   Gum--More Often Called Clerk Gum In The Village--Had Never Done A Wrong 
   Thing In His Life,  Or Fallen Into A Scrape. He Had Been Altogether A 
   Pattern To Calne In General,  And To Its Black Sheep In Particular. Dr. 
   Ashton Himself Could Not Have Had Less Brought Against Him Than Clerk 
   Gum; And It Would Just Have Broken Mr. Gum's Heart Had His Good Name Been 
   Tarnished In Ever So Slight A Degree. Perhaps No Man Living Had Been Born 
   With A Larger Share Of Self-Esteem Than Jabez Gum. Clerk Of The Parish 
   Longer Than Dr. Ashton Had Been Its Rector,  Jabez Gum Had Lived At His 
   Ease In A Pecuniary Point Of View. It Was One Of Those Parishes (I Think 
   Few Of Them Remain Now) Where The Clerk's Emoluments Are Large. He Also 
   Held Other Offices; Was An Agent For One Or Two Companies,  And Was Looked 
   Upon As An Exceedingly Substantial Man For His Station In Life. Perhaps 
   He Was Less So Than People Imagined. The Old Saying Is All Too True: 
   "Nobody Knows Where The Shoe Pinches But He Who Wears It." 
     
   Jabez Gum Had His Thorn,  As A Great Many More Of Us Have Ours,  If The 
   Outside World Only Knew It. And Jabez,  At Odd Moments,  When The Thorn 
   Pierced Him Very Sharply,  Had Been Wont To Compare His Condition To St. 
   Paul's,  And To Wonder Whether The Pricks Inflicted On That Holy Man Could 
   Have Bled As His Own Did. He Meant No Irreverence When He Thought This; 
   Neither Do I In Writing It. We Are Generally Wounded In The Most 
   Vulnerable Spot About Us,  And Jabez Gum Made No Exception To The Rule. He 
   Had Been Assailed In His Cherished Respectability,  His Self-Esteem. 
   Assailed And _Scarred_. How Broad And Deep The Scar Was Jabez Never Told 
   The World,  Which As A Rule Does Not Sympathise With Such Scars,  But Turns 
   Aside In Its Cruel Indifference. The World Had Almost Forgotten The Scar 
   Now,  And Supposed Clerk Gum Had Done The Same. It Was All Over And Done 
   With Years Ago. 
     
   Jabez Gum's Wife--To Whom You Will Shortly Have The Honour Of An 
   Introduction,  But She Is In Her Bedroom Just Now--Had Borne Him One 
   Child,  And Only One. How This Boy Was Loved,  How Tenderly Reared,  Let 
   Calne Tell You. Mrs. Gum Had To Endure No Inconsiderable Amount Of 
   Ridicule At The Time From Her Gossiping Friends,  Who Gave Willy Sundry 
   Endearing Names,  Applied In Derision. Certainly,  If Any Mother Ever Was 
   Bound Up In A Child,  Mrs. Gum Was In Hers. The Boy Was Well Brought Up. A 
   Good Education Was Given Him; And At The Age Of Sixteen He Went To London 
   And To Fortune. The One Was Looked Upon As A Natural Sequence To The 
   Other. Some Friend Of Jabez Gum's Had Interested Himself To Procure The 
   Lad's Admission Into One Of The Great Banks As A Junior Clerk. He Might 
   Rise In Time To Be Cashier,  Manager,  Even Partner; Who Knew? Who Knew 
   Indeed? And Clerk Gum Congratulated Himself,  And Was More Respectable 
   Than Ever. 
     
   Better That Willy Gum Had Remained At Calne! And Yet,  And Again--Who 
   Knew? When The Propensity For Ill-Doing Exists It Is Sure To Come Out,  No 
   Matter Where. There Were Some People In Calne Who Could Have Told Clerk 
   Gum,  Even Then,  That Willy,  For His Age,  Was Tolerably Fast And Forward. 
   Mrs. Gum Had Heard Of One Or Two Things That Had Caused Her Hair To Rise 
   On End With Horror; Ay,  And With Apprehension; But,  Foolish Mother That 
   She Was,  Not A Syllable Did She Breathe To The Clerk; And No One Else 
   Ventured To Tell Him. 
     
   She Talked To Willy With Many Sighs And Tears; Implored Him To Be A Good 
   Boy And Enter On Good Courses,  Not On Bad Ones That Would Break Her 
   Heart. Willy,  The Little Scapegrace,  Was Willing To Promise Anything. He 
   Laughed And Made Light Of It; It Wasn't His Fault If Folks Told Stories 
   About Him; She Couldn't Be So Foolish As To Give Ear To Them. London? Oh, 
   He Should Be All Right In London! One Or Two Fellows Here Were Rather 
   Fast,  There Was No Denying It; And They Drew Him With Them; They Were 
   Older Than He,  And Ought To Have Known Better. Once Away From Calne,  They 
   Could Have No More Influence Over Him,  And He Should Be All Right. 
     
   She Believed Him; Putting Faith In The Plausible Words. Oh,  What Trust 
   Can Be So Pure,  And At The Same Time So Foolish,  As That Placed By A 
   Mother In A Beloved Son! Mrs. Gum Had Never Known But One Idol On Earth; 
   He Who Now Stood Before Her,  Lightly Laughing At Her Fears,  Making His 
   Own Tale Good. She Leaned Forward And Laid Her Hands Upon His Shoulders 
   And Kissed Him With That Impassioned Fervour That Some Mothers Could Tell 
   Of,  And Whispered That She Would Trust Him Wholly. 
     
   Mr. Willy Extricated Himself With As Little Impatience As He Could Help: 
   These Embraces Were Not To His Taste. And Yet The Boy Did Love His 
   Mother. She Was Not At All A Wise Woman,  Or A Clever One; Rather Silly, 
   Indeed,  In Many Things; But She Was Fond Of Him. At This Period He Was 
   Young-Looking For His Age,  Slight,  And Rather Undersized,  With An 
   Exceedingly Light Complexion,  A Wishy-Washy Sort Of Face With No Colour 
   In It,  Unmeaning Light Eyes,  White Eyebrows,  And Ragged-Looking Light 
   Hair With A Tawny Shade Upon It. 
     
   Willy Gum Departed For London,  And Entered On His Engagement In The Great 
   Banking-House Of Goldsworthy And Co. 
     
   How He Went On In It Calne Could Not Get To Learn,  Though It Was 
   Moderately Inquisitive Upon The Point. His Father And Mother Heard From 
   Him Occasionally; And Once The Clerk Took A Sudden And Rather Mysterious 
   Journey To London,  Where He Stayed For A Whole Week. Rumour Said--I 
   Wonder Where Such Rumours First Have Their Rise--That Willy Gum Had 
   Fallen Into Some Trouble,  And The Clerk Had Had To Buy Him Out Of It At 
   The Cost Of A Mint Of Money. The Clerk,  However,  Did Not Confirm This; 
   And One Thing Was Indisputable: Willy Retained His Place In The 
   Banking-House. Some People Looked On This Fact As A Complete Refutation 
   Of The Rumour. 
     
   Then Came A Lull. Nothing Was Heard Of Willy; That Is,  Nothing Beyond The 
   Reports Of Mrs. Gum To Her Gossips When Letters Arrived: He Was Well,  And 
   Getting On Well. It Was Only The Lull That Precedes A Storm; And A Storm 
   Indeed Burst On Quiet Calne. Willy Gum Had Robbed The Bank And 
   Disappeared. 
     
   In The First Dreadful Moment,  Perhaps The Only One Who Did _Not_ 
   Disbelieve It Was Clerk Gum. Other People Said There Must Be Some 
   Mistake: It Could Not Be. Kind Old Lord Hartledon Came Down In His 
   Carriage To The Clerk's House--He Was Too Ill To Walk--And Sat With 
   The Clerk And The Weeping Mother,  And Said He Was Sure It Could Not Be 
   So Bad As Was Reported. The Next Morning Saw Handbills--Great,  Staring, 
   Large-Typed Handbills--Offering A Reward For The Discovery Of William 
   Gum,  Posted All Over Calne. 
     
   Once More Clerk Gum Went To London. What He Did There No One Knew. One 
   Thing Only Was Certain--He Did Not Find Willy Or Any Trace Of Him. The 
   Defalcation Was Very Nearly Eight Hundred Pounds; And Even If Mr. Gum 
   Could Have Refunded That Large Sum,  He Might Not Do So,  Said Calne,  For 
   Of Course The Bank Would Not Compound A Felony. He Came Back Looking Ten 
   Years Older; His Tall,  Thin Form More Shadowy,  His Nose Longer And 
   Sharper. Not A Soul Ventured To Say A Syllable To Him,  Even Of 
   Condolence. He Told Lord Hartledon And His Rector That No Tidings 
   Whatever Could Be Gleaned Of His Unhappy Son; The Boy Had Disappeared, 
   And Might Be Dead For All They Knew To The Contrary. 
     
   So The Handbills Wore Themselves Out On The Walls,  Serving No Purpose, 
   Until Lord Hartledon Ordered Them To Be Removed; And Mrs. Gum Lived In 
   Tears,  And Audibly Wished Herself Dead. She Had Not Seen Her Boy Since He 
   Quitted Calne,  Considerably More Than Two Years Before,  And He Was Now 
   Nearly Nineteen. A Few Days' Holiday Had Been Accorded Him By The 
   Banking-House Each Christmas; But The First Christmas Willy Wrote Word 
   That He Had Accepted An Invitation To Go Home With A Brother-Clerk; The 
   Second Christmas He Said He Could Not Obtain Leave Of Absence--Which Mrs. 
   Gum Afterwards Found Was Untrue; So That Willy Gum Had Not Been At Calne 
   Since He Left It. And Whenever His Mother Thought Of Him--And That Was 
   Every Hour Of The Day And Night--It Was Always As The Fair,  Young, 
   Light-Haired Boy,  Who Seemed To Her Little More Than A Child. 
     
   A Year Or So Of Uncertainty,  Of Suspense,  Of Wailing,  And Then Came A 
   Letter From Willy,  Cautiously Sent. It Was Not Addressed Directly To Mrs. 
   Gum,  To Whom It Was Written,  But To One Of Willy's Acquaintances In 
   London,  Who Enclosed It In An Envelope And Forwarded It On. 
     
   Such A Letter! To Read It One Might Have Thought Mr. William Gum Had Gone 
   Out Under The Most Favourable Auspices. He Was In Australia; Had Gone Up 
   To Seek His Fortune At The Gold-Diggings,  And Was Making Money Rapidly. 
   In A Short Time He Should Refund With Interest The Little Sum He Had 
   Borrowed From Goldsworthy And Co.,  And Which Was Really Not Taken With 
   Any Ill Intention,  But Was More An Accident Than Anything Else. After 
   That,  He Should Accumulate Money On His Own Score,  And--All Things Being 
   Made Straight At Home--Return And Settle Down,  A Rich Man For Life. And 
   She--His Mother--Might Rely On His Keeping His Word. At Present He Was At 
   Melbourne; To Which Place He And His Mates Had Come To Bring Their 
   Acquired Gold,  And To Take A Bit Of A Spree After Their Recent Hard Work. 
   He Was Very Jolly,  And After A Week's Holiday They Should Go Back Again. 
   And He Hoped His Father Had Overlooked The Past; And He Remained Ever Her 
   Affectionate Son,  William Gum. 
     
   The Effect Of This Letter Upon Mrs. Gum Was As Though A Dense Cloud Had 
   Suddenly Lifted From The World,  And Given Place To A Flood Of Sunshine. 
   We Estimate Things By Comparison. Mrs. Gum Was By Nature Disposed To Look 
   On The Dark Side Of Things,  And She Had For The Whole Year Past Been 
   Indulging The Most Dread Pictures Of Willy And His Fate That Any Woman's 
   Mind Ever Conceived. To Hear That He Was In Life,  And Well,  And Making 
   Money Rapidly,  Was The Sweetest News,  The Greatest Relief She Could Ever 
   Experience In This World. 
     
   Clerk Gum--Relieved Also,  No Doubt--Receiv 
   Xii.,  And She Owed To The Same Kind Helpers Also The Accuracy Of Her 
   Nautical Phrases And Her Irish Dialect. Certainly This Second Part Of 
   The Tale Is Full Of Interest,  But I Cannot Help Wishing That The 
   Materials Had Been Made Into Two Books Instead Of One. There Are More 
   Than Enough Characters And Incidents To Have Developed Into A Couple 
   Of Tales. 
     
   Julie Had Often Said How Strange It Seemed To Her,  When People Who Had 
   A Ready Pen For _Writing_ Consulted Her As To What They Should _Write 
   About_! She Suffered So Much From Over-Abundance Of Ideas Which She 
   Had Not The Physical Strength To Put On Paper. 
     
   Even When She Was Very Ill,  And Unable To Use Her Hands At All,  The 
   Sight Of A Lot Of Good German Wood-Cuts,  Which Were Sent To Me At 
   Bath,  Suggested So Many Fresh Ideas To Her Brain,  That She Only Longed 
   To Be Able To Seize Her Pen And Write Tales To The Pictures. 
     
   Before We Turn Finally Away From The Subject Of Her Liking For Irish 
   People,  I Must Mention A Little Adventure Which Happened To Her At 
   Fulford. 
     
   There Is One Parish In York Where A Great Number Of Irish Peasants 
   Live,  And Many Of The Women Used To Pass Julie's Windows Daily,  Going 
   Out To Work In The Fields At Fulford. She Liked To Watch Them Trudging 
   By,  With Large Baskets Perched Picturesquely On The Tops Of Their 
   Heads,  But In The Town The "Irishers" Are Not Viewed With Equal Favour 
   By The Inhabitants. One Afternoon Julie Was Out Sketching In A Field, 
   And Came Across One Of These Poor Irish Women. My Sister's Mind At The 
   Time Was Full Of Biddy Macartney,  And She Could Not Resist The 
   Opportunity Of Having A Chat With This Suggestive "Study" For The 
   Character. She Found An Excuse For Addressing The Old Woman About Some 
   Cattle Which Seemed Restless In The Field,  But Quickly Discovered,  To 
   Her Amusement,  That When She Alluded To Ireland,  Her Companion,  In The 
   Broadest Brogue,  Stoutly Denied Having Any Connection With The 
   Country. No Doubt She Thought Julie's Prejudices Would Be Similar To 
   Those Of Her Town Neighbours,  But In A Short Time Some Allusion Was 
   Inadvertently Made To "Me Father's Farm In Kerry," And The Truth 
   Leaked Out. After This They Became More Confidential; And When Julie 
   Admired Some Quaint Silver Rings On Her Companion's Finger,  The Old 
   Woman Was Most Anxious To Give Her One,  And Was Only Restrained By 
   Coming To The Decision That She Would Give Her A Recipe For "Real 
   Irish Whisky" Instead. She Began With "You Must Take Some Barley And 
   Put It In A Poke--" But After This Julie Heard No More,  For She Was 
   Distracted By The Cattle,  Who Had Advanced Unpleasantly Near; The 
   Irish Woman,  However,  Continued Her Instructions To The End,  Waving 
   Her Arms To Keep The Beasts Off,  Which She So Far Succeeded In Doing, 
   That Julie Caught The Last Sentence-- 
     
   "And Then Ye Must Bury It In A Bog." 
     
   "Is That To Give It A Peaty Flavour?" Asked My Sister,  Innocently. 
     
   "Oh,  No,  Me Dear!--_It's Because Of The Excise-Man_." 
     
   When They Parted,  The Old Woman's Original Reserve Entirely Gave Way, 
   And She Cried: "Good Luck To Ye! _And Go To Ireland!_" 
     
   Julie Remained In England For Some Months After Major Ewing Started 
   For Malta,  And As He Was Despatched On Very Short Notice,  And She Had 
   To Pack Up Their Goods; Also--As She Was Not Strong--It Was Decided 
   That She Should Avoid Going Out For The Hot Summer Weather,  And Wait 
   For The Healthier Autumn Season. Her Time,  Therefore,  Was Now Chiefly 
   Spent Amongst Civilian Friends And Relations,  And I Want This Fact To 
   Be Specially Noticed,  In Connection With The Next Contributions That 
   She Wrote For The Magazine. 
     
   In February 1879,  The Terrible News Had Come Of The Isandlwana 
   Massacre,  And This Was Followed In June By That Of The Prince 
   Imperial's Death. My Sister Was,  Of Course,  Deeply Engrossed In The 
   War Tidings,  As Many Of Her Friends Went Out To South Africa--Some To 
   Return No More. In July She Contributed "A Soldier's Children" To 
   _Aunt Judy_,  And Of All Her Child Verses This Must Be Reckoned The 
   Best,  Every Line From First To Last Breathing How Strong Herrected The Rest To The 
   Crime,  And Killed The Captain With His Own Hand. Obtaining Command Of The 
   Ship,  They Put Her About,  And Commenced A Piratical Raid. One Vessel They 
   Succeeded In Disarming,  Despoiling,  And Then Leaving Her To Her Fate. But 
   The Next Vessel They Attacked Proved A More Formidable Enemy,  And There 
   Was A Hand-To-Hand Struggle For The Mastery,  And For Life Or Death. The 
   _Morning Star_ Was Sunk,  With The Greater Portion Of Her Living Freight. 
   A Few,  Only Some Four Or Five,  Were Saved By The Other Ship,  And Conveyed 
   To England. 
     
   It Was By Them The Dark Tale Was Brought. The Second Officer Of The 
   _Morning Star_ Was One Of Them; He Had Been Compelled To Dissemble And To 
   Appear To Serve The Mutinous Band; The Others Were Innocent Passengers, 
   Whose Lives Had Not Been Taken. All Agreed In One Thing: That Gordon,  The 
   Ringleader,  Had In All Probability Escaped. He Had Put Off From The 
   _Morning Star_,  When She Was Sinking,  In One Of Her Best Boats; He And 
   Some Of His Lawless Helpmates,  With A Bag Of Biscuit,  A Cask Of Water, 
   And A Few Bottles That Probably Contained Rum. Whether They Succeeded In 
   Reaching A Port Or In Getting Picked Up,  Was A Question; But It Was 
   Assumed They Had Done So. 
     
   The Owners Of The _Morning Star_,  Half Paralyzed At The News Of So Daring 
   And Unusual An Outrage,  Offered The Large Reward Of Five Hundred Pounds 
   For The Capture Of George Gordon; And Government Increased The Offer By 
   Two Hundred,  Making It Seven In All. 
     
   Overwhelming Tidings For Clerk Gum And His Wife! A Brief Season Of 
   Agonized Suspense Ensued For The Poor Mother; Of Hopes And Fears As To 
   Whether Willy Was Amongst The Remnant Saved; And Then Hope Died Away,  For 
   He Did Not Come. 
     
   Once More,  For The Last Time,  Clerk Gum Took A Journey,  Not To London, 
   But To Liverpool. He Succeeded In Seeing The Officer Who Had Been 
   Saved; But He Could Give Him No Information. He Knew The Names Of The 
   First-Class Passengers,  But Only A Few Of The Second-Class; And In That 
   Class Willy Had Most Likely Sailed. 
     
   The Clerk Described His Son; And The Officer Thought He Remembered Him: 
   He Had A Good Deal Of Gold On Board,  He Said. One Of The Passengers Spoke 
   More Positively. Yes,  By Clerk Gum's Description,  He Was Sure Willy Gum 
   Had Been His Fellow-Passenger In The Second Cabin,  Though He Did Not 
   Recollect Whether He Had Heard His Name. It Seemed,  Looking Back,  That 
   The Passengers Had Hardly Had Time To Become Acquainted With Each Other's 
   Names,  He Added. He Was Sure It Was The Young Man; Of Very Light 
   Complexion,  Ready And Rather Loose (If Mr. Gum Would Excuse His Saying 
   So) In Speech. He Had Made Thoroughly Good Hauls Of Gold At The Last,  And 
   Was Going Home To Spend It. He Was The Second Killed,  Poor Fellow; Had 
   Risen Up With A Volley Of Oaths (Excuses Begged Again) To Defend The 
   Captain,  And Was Struck Down And Killed. 
     
   Poor Jabez Gum Gasped. _Killed?_ Was The Gentleman _Sure_? Quite Sure; 
   And,  Moreover,  He Saw His Body Thrown Overboard With The Rest Of The 
   Dead. And The Money--The Gold? Jabez Asked,  When He Had Somewhat 
   Recovered Himself. The Passenger Laughed--Not At The Poor Father,  But At 
   The Worse Than Useless Question; Gold And Everything Else On Board The 
   _Morning Star_ Had Gone Down With Her To The Bottom Of The Sea. 
     
   A Species Of Savage Impulse Rose In The Clerk's Mind,  Replacing His First 
   Emotion Of Grief; An Impulse That Might Almost Have Led Him To Murder The 
   Villain Gordon,  Could He Have Come Across Him. Was There A Chance That 
   The Man Would Be Taken? He Asked. Every Chance,  If He Dared Show His Face 
   In England,  The Passenger Answered. A Reward Of Seven Hundred Pounds Was 
   An Inducement To The Survivors To Keep Their Eyes Open; And They'd Do It, 
   Besides,  Without Any Reward. Moreover--If Gordon Had Escaped,  His 
   Comrades In The Boat Had Escaped With Him. They Were Lawless Men Like 
   Himself,  Every One Of Them,  And They Would Be Sure To Betray Him When 
   They Found What A Price Was Set Upon His Capture. 
     
   Clerk Gum Returned Home,  Bearing To His Wife And Calne The Final Tidings 
   Which Crushed Out All Hope. Mrs. Gum Sank Into A State Of Wild Despair. 
   At First It Almost Seemed To Threaten Loss Of Reason. Her Son Had Been 
   Her Sole Idol,  And The Idol Was Shattered. But To Witness Unreasonably 
   Violent Grief In Others Always Has A Counteracting Effect On Our Own, 
   And Mr. Gum Soothed His Sorrow And Brought Philosophy To His Aid. 
     
   "Look You," Said He,  One Day,  Sharply To His Wife,  When She Was Crying 
   And Moaning,  "There's Two Sides To Every Calamity,--A Bright And A Dark 
   'Un;" For Mr. Gum Was Not In The Habit Of Treating His Wife,  In The 
   Privacy Of Their Domestic Circle,  To The Quality-Speech Kept For The 
   World. "He Is Gone,  And We Can't Help It; We'd Have Welcomed Him Home If 
   We Could,  And Killed The Fatted Calf,  But It Was God's Will That It 
   Shouldn't Be. There May Be A Blessing In It,  After All. Who Knows But He 
   Might Have Broke Out Again,  And Brought Upon Us What He Did Before,  Or 
   Worse? For My Part,  I Should Never Have Been Without The Fear; Night And 
   Morning It Would Always Have Stood Before Me; Not To Be Driven Away. As 
   It Is,  I Am At Rest." 
     
   She--The Wife--Took Her Apron From Her Eyes And Looked At Him With A Sort 
   Of Amazed Anger. 
     
   "Gum! Do You Forget That He Had Left Off His Evil Ways,  And Was Coming 
   Home To Be A Comfort To Us?" 
     
   "No,  I Don't Forget It," Returned Mr. Gum. "But Who Was To Say That The 
   Mood Would Last? He Might Have Got Through His Gold,  However Much It Was, 
   And Then--. As It Is,  Nance Gum,  We Can Sleep Quiet In Our Beds,  Free 
   From _That_ Fear." 
     
   Clerk Gum Was Not,  On The Whole,  A Model Of Suavity In The Domestic Fold. 
   The First Blow That Had Fallen Upon Him Seemed To Have Affected His 
   Temper; And His Helpmate Knew From Experience That Whenever He Called Her 
   "Nance" His Mood Was At Its Worst. 
     
   Suppressing A Sob,  She Spoke Reproachfully. 
     
   "It's My Firm Belief,  Gum,  And Has Been All Along,  That You Cared More 
   For Your Good Name Among Men Than You Did For The Boy." 
     
   "Perhaps I Did," He Answered,  By Way Of Retort. "At Any Rate,  It Might 
   Have Been Better For Him In The Long-Run If We--Both You And Me--Hadn't 
   Cared For Him Quite So Foolishly In His Childhood; We Spared The Rod And 
   We Spoiled The Child. That's Over,  And--" 
     
   "It's _All_ Over," Interrupted Mrs. Gum; "Over For Ever In This World. 
   Gum,  You Are Very Hard-Hearted." 
     
   "And," He Continued,  With Composure,  "We May Hope Now To Live Down In 
   Time The Blow He Brought Upon Us,  And Hold Up Our Heads Again In The Face 
   Of Calne. We Couldn't Have Done That While He Lived." 
     
   "We Couldn't?" 
     
   "No. Just Dry Up Your Useless Tears,  Nancy; And Try To Think That All's 
   For The Best." 
     
   But,  Metaphorically Speaking,  Mrs. Gum Could Not Dry Her Tears. Nearly 
   Two Years Had Elapsed Since The Fatal Event; And Though She No Longer 
   Openly Lamented,  Filling Calne With Her Cries And Her Faint But Heartfelt 
   Prayers For Vengeance On The Head Of The Cruel Monster,  George Gordon,  As 
   She Used To Do At First,  She Had Sunk Into A Despairing State Of Mind 
   That Was By No Means Desirable: A Startled,  Timid,  Superstitious Woman, 
   Frightened At Every Shadow. 
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 3 (Anne Ashton) 
   Jabez Gum Came Out Of His House In The Bright Summer Morning,  Missing Mr. 
   Elster By One Minute Only. He Went Round To A Small Shed At The Back Of 
   The House And Brought Forth Sundry Garden-Tools. The Whole Garden Was 
   Kept In Order By Himself,  And No One Had Finer Fruit And Vegetables Than 
   Clerk Gum. Hartledon Might Have Been Proud Of Them,  And Dr. Ashton 
   Sometimes Accepted A Dish With Pleasure. 
     
   In His Present Attire: Dark Trousers,  And A Short Close Jacket Buttoned 
   Up Round Him And Generally Worn When Gardening,  The Worthy Man Might 
   Decidedly Have Been Taken For An Animated Lamp-Post By Any Stranger Who 
   Happened To Come That Way. He Was Applying Himself This Morning,  First To 
   The Nailing Of Sundry Choice Fruit-Trees Against The Wall That Ran Down 
   One Side Of His Garden--A Wall That Had Been Built By The Clerk Himself 
   In Happier Days; And Next,  To Plucking Some Green Walnuts For His Wife To 
   Pickle. As He Stood On Tip-Toe,  His Long Thin Body And Long Thin Arms 
   Stretched Up To The Walnut-Tree,  He Might Have Made The Fortune Of Any 
   Travelling Caravan That Could Have Hired Him. The Few People Who Passed 
   Him Greeted Him With A "Good Morning," But He Rarely Turned His Head In 
   Answering Them. Clerk Gum Had Grown Somewhat Taciturn Of Late Years. 
     
   The Time Went On. The Clock Struck A Quarter-Past Seven,  And Jabez Gum, 
   As He Heard It,  Left The Walnut-Tree,  Walked To The Gate,  And Leaned Over 
   It; His Face Turned In The Direction Of The Village. It Was Not The 
   Wooden Gate Generally Attached To Smaller Houses In Rustic Localities, 
   But A Very Pretty Iron One; Everything About The Clerk's House Being 
   Of A Superior Order. Apparently,  He Was Looking Out For Some One In 
   Displeasure; And,  Indeed,  He Had Not Stood There A Minute,  When A Girl 
   Came Flying Down The Road,  And Pushed The Gate And The Clerk Back 
   Together. 
     
   Mr. Gum Directed Her Attention To The Church Clock. "Do You See The Time, 
   Rebecca Jones?" 
     
   Had The Pages Of The Church-Register Been Visible As Well As The Clock, 
   Miss Rebecca Jones's Age Might Have Been Seen To Be Fifteen; But,  In 
   Knowledge Of The World And In Impudence,  She Was Considerably Older. 
     
   "Just Gone Seven And A Quarter," Answered She,  Making A Feint Of Shading 
   Her Eyes With Her Hands,  Though The Sun Was Behind Her. 
     
   "And What Business Have You To Come At Seven And A Quarter? Half-Past Six 
   Is Your Time; And,  If You Can't Keep It,  Your Missis Shall Get Those That 
   Can." 
     
   "Why Can't My Missis Let Me Stop At Night And Clear Up The Work?" 
   Returned The Girl. "She Sends Me Away At Six O'clock,  As Soon As I've 
   Washed The Tea-Things,  And Oftentimes Earlier Than That. It Stands To 
   Reason I Can't Get Through The Work Of A Morning." 
     
   "You Could Do So Quite Well If You Came To Time," Said The Clerk,  Turning 
   Away To His Walnut-Tree. "Why Don't You?" 
     
   "I Overslept Myself This Morning. Father Never Called Me Afore He Went 
   Out. No Doubt He Had A Drop Too Much Last Night." 
     
   She Went Flying Up The Gravel-Path As She Spoke. Her Father Was The Man 
   Jones Whom You Saw At The Railway Station; Her Step-Mother (For Her Own 
   Mother Was Dead) Was Mrs. Gum's Cousin. 
     
   She Was A Sort Of Stray Sheep,  This Girl,  In The Eyes Of Calne,  Not 
   Belonging Very Much To Any One; Her Father Habitually Neglected Her,  Her 
   Step-Mother Had Twice Turned Her Out Of Doors. Some Three Or Four Months 
   Ago,  When Mrs. Gum Was Changing Her Servant,  She Had Consented To Try 
   This Girl. Jabez Gum Knew Nothing Of The Arrangement Until It Was 
   Concluded,  And Disapproved Of It. Altogether,  It Did Not Work 
   Satisfactorily: Miss Jones Was Careless,  Idle,  And Impudent; Her 
   Step-Mother Was Dissatisfied Because She Was Not Taken Into The House; 
   And Clerk Gum Threatened Every Day,  And His Wife Very Often,  To Dismiss 
   Her. 
     
   It Was Only Within A Year Or Two That They Had Not Kept An Indoor 
   Servant; And The Fact Of Their Not Doing So Now Puzzled The Gossips Of 
   Calne. The Clerk's Emoluments Were The Same As Ever; There Was No Willy 
   To Encroach On Them Now; And The Work Of The House Required A Good 
   Servant. However,  It Pleased Mrs. Gum To Have One In Only By Day; And Who 
   Was To Interfere With Her If The Clerk Did Not? 
     
   Jabez Gum Worked On For Some Little Time After Eight O'clock,  The 
   Breakfast-Hour. He Rather Wondered He Was Not Called To It,  And 
   Registered A Mental Vow To Discharge Miss Becky. Presently He Went 
   Indoors,  Put His Head Into A Small Sitting-Room On The Left,  And Found 
   The Room Empty,  But The Breakfast Laid. The Kitchen Was Behind It,  And 
   Jabez Gum Stalked On Down The Passage,  And Went Into It. On The Other 
   Side Of The Passage Was The Best Sitting-Room,  And A Very Small Room At 
   The Back Of It,  Which Jabez Used As An Office,  And Where He Kept Sundry 
   Account-Books. 
     
   "Where's Your Missis?" Asked He Of The Maid,  Who Was On Her Knees 
   Toasting Bread. 
     
   "Not Down Yet," Was The Short Response. 
     
   "Not Down Yet!" Repeated Jabez In Surprise,  For Mrs. Gum Was Generally 
   Down By Seven. "You've Got That Door Open Again,  Rebecca. How Many More 
   Times Am I To Tell You I Won't Have It?" 
     
   "It's The Smoke," Said Rebecca. "This Chimbley Always Smokes When It's 
   First Lighted." 
     
   "The Chimney Doesn't Smoke,  And You Know That You Are Telling A 
   Falsehood. What Do You Want With It Open? You'll Have That Wild Man 
   Darting In Upon You Some Morning. How Will You Like That?" 
     
   "I'm Not Afeard Of Him," Was The Answer,  As Rebecca Got Up From Her 
   Knees. "He Couldn't Eat Me." 
     
   "But You Know How Timid Your Mistress Is," Returned The Clerk,  In A Voice 
   Of Extreme Anger. "How Dare You,  Girl,  Be Insolent?" 
     
   He Shut The Door As He Spoke--One That Opened From The Kitchen To The 
   Back Garden--And Bolted It. Washing His Hands,  And Drying Them With A 
   Round Towel,  He Went Upstairs,  And Found Mrs. Gum--As He Had Now And Then 
   Found Her Of Late--In A Fit Of Prostration. She Was A Little Woman,  With 
   A Light Complexion,  And Insipid,  Unmeaning Face--Some Such A Face As 
   Willy's Had Been--And Her Hair,  Worn In Neat Bands Under Her Cap,  Was The 
   Colour Of Tow. 
     
   "I Couldn't Help It,  Gum," She Began,  As She Stood Before The Glass,  Her 
   Trembling Fingers Trying To Fasten Her Black Alpaca Gown--For She Had 
   Never Left Off Mourning For Their Son. "It's Past Eight,  I Know; But I've 
   Had Such An Upset This Morning As Never Was,  And I _Couldn't_ Dress 
   Myself. I've Had A Shocking Dream." 
     
   "Drat Your Dreams!" Cried Mr. Gum,  Very Much Wanting His Breakfast. 
     
   "Ah,  Gum,  Don't! Those Morning Dreams,  When They're Vivid As This Was, 
   Are Not Sent For Ridicule. Pike Was In It; And You Know I Can't _Bear_ 
   Him To Be In My Dreams. They Are Always Bad When He Is In Them." 
     
   "If You Wanted Your Breakfast As Much As I Want Mine,  You'd Let Pike 
   Alone," Retorted The Clerk. 
     
   "I Thought He Was Mixed Up In Some Business With Lord Hartledon. I Don't 
   Know What It Was,  But The Dream Was Full Of Horror. It Seemed That Lord 
   Hartledon Was Dead Or Dying; Whether He'd Been Killed Or Not,  I Can't 
   Say; But An Awful Dread Was Upon Me Of Seeing Him Dead. A Voice Called 
   Out,  'Don't Let Him Come To Calne!' And In The Fright I Awoke. I Can't 
   Remember What Part Pike Played In The Dream," She Continued,  "Only The 
   Impression Remained That He Was In It." 
     
   "Perhaps He Killed Lord Hartledon?" Cried Gum,  Mockingly. 
     
   "No; Not In The Dream. Pike Did Not Seem To Be Mixed Up In It For Ill. 
   The Ill Was All On Lord Hartledon; But It Was Not Pike Brought It Upon 
   Him. Who It Was,  I Couldn't See; But It Was Not Pike." 
     
   Clerk Gum Looked Down At His Wife In Scornful Pity. He Wondered 
   Sometimes,  In His Phlegmatic Reasoning,  Why Women Were Created Such 
   Fools. 
     
   "Look Here,  Mrs. G. I Thought Those Dreams Of Yours Were Pretty Nearly 
   Dreamed Out--There Have Been Enough Of 'Em. How Any Woman,  Short Of A 
   Born Idiot,  Can Stand There And Confess Herself So Frightened By A Dream 
   As To Be Unable To Get Up And Go About Her Duties,  Is Beyond Me." 
     
   "But,  Gum,  You Don't Let Me Finish. I Woke Up With The Horror,  I Tell 
   You--" 
     
   "What Horror?" Interrupted The Clerk,  Angrily. "What Did It Consist Of? 
   I Can't See The Horror." 
     
   "Nor Can I,  Very Clearly," Acknowledged Mrs. Gum; "But I Know It Was 
   There. I Woke Up With The Very Words In My Ears,  'Don't Let Him Come To 
   Calne!' And I Started Out Of Bed In Terror For Lord Hartledon,  Lest He 
   _Should_ Come. We Are Only Half Awake,  You Know,  At These Moments. I 
   Pulled The Curtain Aside And Looked Out. Gum,  If Ever I Thought To Drop 
   In My Life,  I Thought It Then. There Was But One Person To Be Seen In The 
   Road--And It Was Lord Hartledon." 
     
   "Oh!" Said Mr. Gum,  Cynically,  After A Moment Of Natural Surprise. "Come 
   Out Of His Vault For A Morning Walk Past Your Window,  Mrs. G.!" 
     
   "Vault! I Mean Young Lord Hartledon,  Gum." 
     
   Mr. Gum Was A Little Taken Back. They Had Been So Much In The Habit Of 
   Calling The New Lord Hartledon,  Lord Elster--Who Had Not Lived At Calne 
   Since He Came Into The Title--That He Had Thought Of The Old Lord When 
   His Wife Was Speaking. 
     
   "He Was Up There,  Just By The Turning Of The Road,  Going On To Hartledon. 
   Gum,  I Nearly Dropped,  I Say. The Next Minute He Was Out Of Sight; Then I 
   Rubbed My Eyes And Pinched My Arms To Make Sure I Was Awake." 
     
   "And Whether You Saw A Ghost,  Or Whether You Didn't," Came The Mocking 
   Retort. 
     
   "It Was No Ghost,  Gum; It Was Lord Hartledon Himself." 
     
   "Nonsense! It Was Just As Much One As The Other. The Fact Is,  You Hadn't 
   Quite Woke Up Out Of That Fine Dream Of Yours,  And You Saw Double. It Was 
   Just As Much Young Hartledon As It Was Me." 
     
   "I Never Saw A Ghost Yet,  And I Don't Fear I Ever Shall,  Gum. I Tell 
   You It Was Lord Hartledon. And If Harm Doesn't Befall Him At Calne,  As 
   Shadowed Forth In My Dream,  Never Believe Me Again." 
     
   "There,  That's Enough," Peremptorily Cried The Clerk; Knowing,  If Once 
   Mrs. Gum Took Up Any Idea With A Dream For Its Basis,  How Impossible It 
   Was To Turn Her. "Is The Key Of That Kitchen Door Found Yet?" 
     
   "No: It Never Will Be,  Gum. I've Told You So Before. My Belief Is,  And 
   Always Has Been,  That Rebecca Let It Drop By Accident Into The Waste 
   Bucket." 
     
   "_My_ Belief Is,  That Rebecca Made Away With It For Her Own Purposes," 
   Said The Clerk. "I Caught Her Just Now With The Door Wide Open. She's 
   Trying To Make Acquaintance With The Man Pike; That's What She's At." 
     
   "Oh,  Gum!" 
     
   "Yes; It's All Very Well To Say 'Oh,  Gum!' But If You Were Below-Stairs 
   Looking After Her,  Instead Of Dreaming Up Here,  It Might Be Better For 
   Everyone. Let Me Once Be Certain About It,  And Off She Goes The Next 
   Hour. A Fine Thing 'Twould Be Some Day For Us To Find Her Head Smothered 
   In The Kitchen Purgatory,  And The Silver Spoons Gone; As Will Be The Case 
   If Any Loose Characters Get In." 
     
   He Was Descending The Stairs As He Spoke The Last Sentence,  Delivered In 
   Loud Tones,  Probably For The Benefit Of Miss Rebecca Jones. And Lest The 
   Intelligent Protestant Reader Should Fear He Is Being Introduced To 
   Unorthodox Regions,  It May Be As Well To Mention That The "Purgatory" In 
   Mr. Jabez Gum's Kitchen Consisted Of An Excavation,  Two Feet Square, 
   Under The Hearth,  Covered With A Grating Through Which The Ashes And 
   The Small Cinders Fell; Thereby Enabling The Economical Housewife To 
   Throw The Larger Ones On The Fire Again. Such Wells Or "Purgatories," As 
   They Are Called,  Are Common Enough In The Old-Fashioned Kitchens Of 
   Certain English Districts. 
     
   Mrs. Gum,  Ready Now,  Had Been About To Follow Her Husband; But His 
   Suggestion--That The Girl Was Watching An Opportunity To Make 
   Acquaintance With Their Undesirable Neighbour,  Pike--Struck Her 
   Motionless. 
     
   It Seemed That She Could Never See This Man Without A Shiver,  Or Overcome 
   The Fright Experienced When She First Met Him. It Was On A Dark Autumn 
   Night. She Was Coming Through The Garden When She Discerned,  Or Thought 
   She Discerned,  A Light In The Abandoned Shed. Thinking Of Fire,  She 
   Hastily Crossed The Stile That Divided Their Garden From The Waste Land, 
   And Ran To It. There She Was Confronted By What She Took To Be A 
   Bear--But A Bear That Could Talk; For He Gruffly Asked Her Who She Was 
   And What She Wanted. A Black-Haired,  Black-Browed Man,  With A Pipe 
   Between His Teeth,  And One Sinewy Arm Bared To The Elbow. 
     
   How Mrs. Gum Tore Away And Tumbled Over The Stile In Her Terror,  And Got 
   Home Again,  She Never Knew. She Supposed It To Be A Tramp,  Who Had Taken 
   Shelter There For The Night; But Finding To Her Dismay That The Tramp 
   Stayed On,  She Had Never Overcome Her Fright From That Hour To This. 
     
   Neither Did Her Husband Like The Proximity Of Such A Gentleman. They 
   Caused Securer Bolts To Be Put On Their Doors--For Fastenings In Small 
   Country Places Are Not Much Thought About,  People Around Being 
   Proverbially Honest. They Also Had Their Shutters Altered. The Shutters 
   To The Windows,  Back And Front,  Had Holes In Them In The Form Of A 
   Heart,  Such As You May Have Sometimes Noticed. Before The Wild-Looking 
   Man--Whose Name Came To Be Known As Pike--Had Been In Possession Of The 
   Shed A Fortnight,  Jabez Gum Had The Holes In His Shutters Filled-In And 
   Painted Over. An Additional Security,  Said The Neighbours: But Poor Timid 
   Mrs. Gum Could Not Overcome That First Fright,  And The Very Mention Of 
   The Man Set Her Trembling And Quaking. 
     
   Nothing More Was Said Of The Dream Or The Apparition,  Real Or Fancied,  Of 
   Lord Hartledon: Clerk Gum Did Not Encourage The Familiar Handling Of Such 
   Topics In Everyday Life. He Breakfasted,  Devoted An Hour To His Own 
   Business In The Little Office,  And Then Put On His Coat To Go Out. It Was 
   Friday Morning. On That Day And On Wednesdays The Church Was Open For 
   Baptisms,  And It Was The Clerk's Custom To Go Over At Ten O'clock And 
   Apprize The Rector Of Any Notices He Might Have Had. 
     
   Passing In At The Iron Gates,  The Large White House Rose Before Him, 
   Beyond The Wide Lawn. It Had Been Built By Dr. Ashton At His Own 
   Expense. The Old Rectory Was A Tumbledown,  Inconvenient Place,  Always 
   In Dilapidation,  For As Soon As One Part Of It Was Repaired Another 
   Fell Through; And The Rector Opened His Heart And His Purse,  Both 
   Large And Generous,  And Built A New One. Mr. Gum Was Making His Way 
   Unannounced To The Rector's Study,  According To Custom,  When A Door On 
   The Opposite Side Of The Hall Opened,  And Dr. Ashton Came Out. He Was A 
   Pleasant-Looking Man,  With Dark Hair And Eyes,  His Countenance One Of 
   Keen Intellect; And Though Only Of Middle Height,  There Was Something 
   Stately,  Grand,  Imposing In His Whole Appearance. 
     
   "Is That You,  Jabez?" 
     
   Connected With Each Other For So Many Years--A Connection Which Had Begun 
   When Both Were Young--The Rector And Mrs. Ashton Had Never Called Him 
   Anything But Jabez. With Other People He Was Gum,  Or Mr. Gum,  Or Clerk 
   Gum: Jabez With Them. He,  Jabez,  Was The Older Man Of The Two By Six Or 
   Seven Years,  For The Rector Was Not More Than Forty-Five. The Clerk 
   Crossed The Hall,  Its Tessellated Flags Gleaming Under The Colours 
   Thrown In By The Stained Windows,  And Entered The Drawing-Room,  A Noble 
   Apartment Looking On To The Lawn In Front. Mrs. Ashton,  A Tall, 
   Delicate-Looking Woman,  With A Gentle Face,  Was Standing Before A 
   Painting Just Come Home And Hung Up; To Look At Which The Rector And 
   His Wife Had Gone Into The Room. 
     
   It Was The Portrait Of A Sweet-Looking Girl With A Sunny Countenance. The 
   Features Were Of The Delicate Contour Of Mrs. Ashton's; The Rich Brown 
   Hair,  The Soft Brown Eyes,  And The Intellectual Expression Of The Face 
   Resembled The Doctor's. Altogether,  Face And Portrait Were Positively 
   Charming; One Of Those Faces You Must Love At First Sight,  Without 
   Waiting To Question Whether Or Not They Are Beautiful. 
     
   "Is It A Good Likeness,  Jabez?" Asked The Rector,  Whilst Mrs. Ashton Made 
   Room For Him With A Smile Of Greeting. 
     
   "As Like As Two Peas,  Sir," Responded Jabez,  When He Had Taken A Long 
   Look. "What A Face It Is! Oftentimes It Comes Across My Mind When I Am 
   Not Thinking Of Anything But Business; And I'm Always The Better For It." 
     
   "Why,  Jabez,  This Is The First Time You Have Seen It." 
     
   "Ah,  Ma'am,  You Know I Mean The Original. There's Two Baptisms To-Day, 
   Sir," He Added,  Turning Away; "Two,  And One Churching. Mrs. Luttrell And 
   Her Child,  And The Poor Little Baby Whose Mother Died." 
     
   "Mrs. Luttrell!" Repeated The Rector. "It's Soon For Her,  Is It Not?" 
     
   "They Want To Go Away To The Seaside," Replied The Clerk. "What About 
   That Notice,  Sir?" 
     
   "I'll See To It Before Sunday,  Jabez. Any News?" 
     
   "No,  Sir; Not That I've Heard Of. My Wife Wanted To Persuade Me She 
   Saw--" 
     
   At This Moment A White-Haired Old Serving-Man Entered The Room With 
   A Note,  Claiming The Rector's Attention. "The Man's To Take Back The 
   Answer,  Sir,  If You Please." 
     
   "Wait Then,  Simon." 
     
   Old Simon Stood Aside,  And The Clerk,  Turning To Mrs. Ashton,  Continued 
   His Unfinished Sentence. 
     
   "She Wanted To Persuade Me She Saw Young Lord Hartledon Pass At Six 
   O'clock This Morning. A Very Likely Tale That,  Ma'am." 
     
   "Perhaps She Dreamt It,  Jabez," Said Mrs. Ashton,  Quietly. 
     
   Jabez Chuckled; But What He Would Have Answered Was Interrupted By The 
   Old Servant. 
     
   "It's Mr. Elster That's Come; Not Lord Hartledon." 
     
   "Mr. Elster! How Do You Know,  Siildren's Bird Of Wisdom." They Are In The Form Of Quaint 
   Letters Of Advice,  And My Sister Adopted The _Spectator's_ Method Of 
   Writing As An Eye-Witness In The First Person,  So Far As Was Possible 
   In Addressing A Very Youthful Class Of Readers. She Had A Strong 
   Admiration For Many Of Both Steele And Addison's Papers. 
     
          *       *       *       *       * 
     
   The List That I Promised To Give Of Julie's Published Stories Is Now 
   Completed; And,  If Her Works Are To Be Valued By Their Length,  It May 
   Justly Be Said That She Has Not Left A Vast Amount Of Matter Behind 
   Her,  But I Think That Those Who Study Her Writings Carefully,  Will 
   Feel That Some Of Their Greatest Worth Lies In The Wonderful 
   Condensation And High Finish That They Display. No Reviewer Has Made A 
   More Apt Comparison Than The American One In _Every Other Saturday_, 
   Who Spoke Of "Jackanapes" As "An Exquisite Bit Of Finished Work--A 
   Meissonier,  In Its Way." 
     
   To Other Readers The Chief Value Of The Books Will Be In The High 
   Purpose Of Their Teaching,  And The Consciousness That Julie Held Her 
   Talent As A Direct Gift From God,  And Never Used It Otherwise 
   Than To His Glory. She Has Penned Nothing For Which She Need Fear 
   Reproach From Her Favourite Old Proverb,  "A Wicked Book Is All The 
   Wickeder Because It Can Never Repent." It Is Difficult For Those Who 
   Admire Her Writings To Help Regretting That Her Life Was Cut Off 
   Before She Had Accomplished More,  But To Still Such Regrets We Cannot 
   Do Better Than Realize (As A Kind Friend Remarked) "How Much She Has 
   Been Able To Do,  Rather Than What She Has Left Undone." The Work Which 
   She Did,  In Spite Of Her Physical Fragility,  Far Exceeds What The 
   Majority Of Us Perform With Stronger Bodies And Longer Lives. This 
   Reflection Has Comforted Me,  Though I Perhaps Know More Than Others 
   How Many Subjects She Had Intended To Write Stories Upon. Some People 
   Have Spoken As If Her _Forte_ Lay In Writing About Soldiers Only,  But 
   Her Success In This Line Was Really Due To Her Having Spent Much Time 
   Among Them. I Am Sure Her Imagination And Sympathy Were So Strong, 
   That Whatever Class Of Men She Was Mixed With,  She Could Not Help 
   Throwing Herself Into Their Interests,  And Weaving Romances About 
   Them. Whether Such Romances Ever Got On To Paper Was A Matter 
   Dependent On Outward Circumstances And The State Of Her Health. 
     
   One Of The Unwritten Stories Which I Most Regret Is "Grim The 
   Collier"; This Was To Have Been A Romance Of The Black Country Of 
   Coal-Mines,  In Which She Was Born,  And The Title Was Chosen From The 
   Description Of A Flower In A Copy Of Gerarde's _Herbal_,  Given To Her 
   By Miss Sargant:-- 
     
        _Hieracium Hortense Latifolium,  Sine Pilosella Maior_,  Golden 
        Mouseeare,  Or Grim The Colliar. The Floures Grow At The Top As It 
        Were In An Vmbel,  And Are Of The Bignesse Of The Ordinary 
        Mouseeare,  And Of An Orenge Colour. The Seeds Are Round,  And 
        Blackish,  And Are Carried Away With The Downe By The Wind. The 
        Stalks And Cups Of The Flours Are All Set Thicke With A Blackish 
        Downe,  Or Hairinesse,  As It Were The Dust Of Coles; Whence The 
        Women Who Keepe It In Gardens For Novelties Sake,  Have Named It 
        Grim The Colliar. 
     
   I Wish,  Too,  That Julie Could Have Written About Sailors,  As Well As 
   Soldiers,  In The Tale Of "Little Mothers' Meetings," Which Had Been 
   Suggested To Her Mind By Visits To Liverpool. The Sight Of A Baby 
   Patient In The Children's Hospital There,  Who Had Been Paralyzed And 
   Made Speechless By Fright,  But Who Took So Strange A Fancy To My 
   Sister's Sympathetic Face That He Held Her Hand And Could Scarcely Be 
   Induced To Release It,  Had Affected Her Deeply. So Did A Visit That 
   She Paid One Sunday To The Seamen's Orphanage,  Where She Heard The 
   Voices Of Hundreds Of Fatherless Children Ascending With One Accord In 
   The Words,  "I Will Arise And Go To My Father," And Realized The Love 
   That Watched Over Them. These Scenes Were Both To Have Been Woven Into 
   The Tale,  And The "Little Mothers" Were Boy Nurses Of Baby Brothers 
   And Senjoying Himself--But That Was Soon Glossed Over; And He Told Her How His 
   Brother Was Coming Down On The Morrow With A Houseful Of Guests,  And He, 
   Val,  Had Offered To Go Before Them With The Necessary Instructions. He 
   Did Not Say _Why_ He Had Offered To Do This; That His Debts Had Become So 
   Pressing He Was Afraid To Show Himself Longer In London. Such Facts Were 
   Not For The Ear Of That Fair Girl,  Who Trusted Him As The Truest Man She 
   Knew Under Heaven. 
     
   "What Have You Been Doing,  Anne?" 
     
   He Pointed To The Maps,  And Miss Ashton Laughed. 
     
   "Mrs. Graves Was Here Yesterday; She Is Very Clever,  You Know; And When 
   Something Was Being Said About The Course Of Ships Out Of England,  I Made 
   Some Dreadful Mistakes. She Took Me Up Sharply,  And Papa Looked At Me 
   Sharply--And The Result Is,  I Have To Do A Heap Of Maps. Please Tell Me 
   If It's Right,  Percival?" 
     
   She Held Up Her Pencilled Work Of The Morning. He Was Laughing. 
     
   "What Mistakes Did You Make,  Anne?" 
     
   "I Am Not Sure But I Said Something About An Indiaman,  Leaving The London 
   Docks,  Having To Pass Scarborough," She Returned Demurely. "It Was Quite 
   As Bad." 
     
   "Do You Remember,  Anne,  Being Punished For Persisting,  In Spite Of The 
   Slate On The Wall And Your Nursery-Governess,  That The Mediterranean Lay 
   Between Scotland And Ireland? Miss Jevons Wanted To Give You Bread And 
   Water For Three Days. How's That Prig Graves?" He Added Rather Abruptly. 
     
   Anne Ashton Laughed,  Blushing Slightly. "He Is Just As You Left Him; Very 
   Painstaking And Efficient In The Parish,  And All That,  But,  Oh,  So Stupid 
   In Some Things! Is The Map Right?" 
     
   "Yes,  It's Right. I'll Help You With The Rest. If Dr. Ashton--" 
     
   "Why,  Val! Is It You? I Heard Lord Hartledon Had Come Down." 
     
   Percival Elster Turned. A Lad Of Seventeen Had Come Bounding In At 
   The Window. It Was Dr. Ashton's Eldest Living Son,  Arthur. Anne Was 
   Twenty-One. A Son,  Who Would Have Been Nineteen Now,  Had Died; And 
   There Was Another,  John,  Two Years Younger Than Arthur. 
     
   "How Are You,  Arthur,  Boy?" Cried Val. "Edward Hasn't Come. Who Told You 
   He Had?" 
     
   "Mother Gum. I Have Just Met Her." 
     
   "She Told You Wrong. He Will Be Down To-Morrow. Is That Dr. Ashton?" 
     
   Attracted Perhaps By The Voices,  Dr. And Mrs. Ashton,  Who Were Then Out 
   On The Lawn,  Came Round To The Window. Percival Elster Grasped A Hand Of 
   Each,  And After A Minute Or Two's Studied Coldness,  The Doctor Thawed. It 
   Was Next To Impossible To Resist The Genial Manner,  The Winning 
   Attractions Of The Young Man To His Face. But Dr. Ashton Could Not 
   Approve Of His Line Of Conduct; And Had Sore Doubts Whether He Had Done 
   Right In Allowing Him To Become The Betrothed Of His Dearly-Loved 
   Daughter. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 4 (The Countess Dowager) 
   The Guests Had Arrived,  And Hartledon Was Alive With Bustle And Lights. 
   The First Link In The Chain,  Whose Fetters Were To Bind More Than One 
   Victim,  Had Been Forged. Link Upon Link; A Heavy,  Despairing Burden No 
   Hand Could Lift; A Burden Which Would Have To Be Borne For The Most Part 
   In Dread Secrecy And Silence. 
     
   Mirrable Had Exerted Herself To Good Purpose,  And Mirrable Was Capable 
   Of It When Occasion Needed. Help Had Been Procured From Calne,  And On 
   The Friday Evening Several Of The Hartledon Servants Arrived From The 
   Town-House. "None But A Young Man Would Have Put Us To Such A Rout," 
   Quoth Mirrable,  In Her Privileged Freedom; "My Lord And Lady Would Have 
   Sent A Week's Notice At Least." But When Lord Hartledon Arrived On The 
   Saturday Evening With His Guests,  Mirrable Was Ready For Them. 
     
   She Stood At The Entrance To Receive Them,  In Her Black-Silk Gown And 
   Lace Cap,  Its Broad White-Satin Strings Falling On Either Side The Bunch 
   Of Black Ringlets That Shaded Her Thin Face. Who,  To Look At Her Quick, 
   Sharp Countenance,  With Its Practical Sense,  Her Active Frame,  Her Ready 
   Speech,  Her General Capability,  Would Believe Her To Be Sister To That 
   Silly,  Dreaming Mrs. Gum? But It Was So. Lord Hartledon,  Kind,  Affable, 
   Unaffected As Ever Was His Brother Percival,  Shook Hands With Her 
   Heartily In The Eyes Of His Guests Before He Said A Word Of Welcome To 
   Them; And One Of Those Guests,  A Remarkably Broad Woman,  With A Red Face, 
   A Wide Snub Nose,  And A Front Of Light Flaxen Hair,  Who Had Stepped Into 
   The House Leaning On Her Host's Arm--Having,  In Fact,  Taken It Unasked, 
   And Seemed To Be Assuming A Great Deal Of Authority--Turned Round To 
   Stare At Mirrable,  And Screwed Her Little Light Eyes Together For A 
   Better View. 
     
   "Who Is She,  Hartledon?" 
     
   "Mrs. Mirrable," Answered His Lordship Rather Shortly. "I Think You Must 
   Have Seen Her Before. She Has Been Hartledon's Mistress Since My Mother 
   Died," He Rather Pointedly Added,  For He Saw Incipient Defiance In The 
   Old Lady's Countenance. 
     
   "Oh,  Hartledon's Head Servant; The Housekeeper,  I Presume," Cried She, 
   As Majestically As Her Harsh Voice Allowed Her To Speak. "Perhaps You'll 
   Tell Her Who I Am,  Hartledon; And That I Have Undertaken To Preside Here 
   For A Little While." 
     
   "I Believe Mrs. Mirrable Knows You,  Ma'am," Spoke Up Percival Elster,  For 
   Lord Hartledon Had Turned Away,  And Was Lost Amongst His Guests. "You 
   Have Seen The Countess-Dowager Of Kirton,  Mirrable?" 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Faced Round Upon The Speaker Sharply. 
     
   "Oh,  It's _You_,  Val Elster? Who Asked You To Interfere? I'll See The 
   Rooms,  Mirrable,  And The Arrangements You Have Made. Maude,  Where Are 
   You? Come With Me." 
     
   A Tall,  Stately Girl,  With Handsome Features,  Raven Hair And Eyes,  And 
   A Brilliant Colour,  Extricated Herself From The Crowd. It Was Lady Maude 
   Kirton. Mirrable Went First; The Countess-Dowager Followed,  Talking 
   Volubly; And Maude Brought Up The Rear. Other Servants Came Forward To 
   See To The Rest Of The Guests. 
     
   The Most Remarkable Quality Observable In The Countess-Dowager,  Apart 
   From Her Great Breadth,  Was Her Restlessness. She Seemed Never Still For 
   An Instant; Her Legs Had A Fidgety,  Nervous Movement In Them,  And In 
   Moments Of Excitement,  Which Were Not Infrequent,  She Was Given To 
   Executing A Sort Of War-Dance. Old She Was Not; But Her Peculiar Graces 
   Of Person,  Her Rotund Form,  Her Badly-Made Front Of Flaxen Curls,  Which 
   Was Rarely In Its Place,  Made Her Appear So. A Bold,  Scheming, 
   Unscrupulous,  Vulgar-Minded Woman,  Who Had Never Considered Other 
   People's Feelings In Her Life,  Whether Equals Or Inferiors. In Her Day 
   She Must Have Been Rather Tall--Nearly As Tall As That Elegant Maude Who 
   Followed Her; But Her Astounding Width Caused Her Now To Appear Short. 
   She Went Looking Into The Different Rooms As Shown To Her By Mirrable, 
   And Chose The Best For Herself And Her Daughter. 
     
   "Three En Suite. Yes,  That Will Be The Thing,  Mirrable. Lady Maude Will 
   Take The Inner One,  I Will Occupy This,  And My Maid The Outer. Very Good. 
   Now You May Order The Luggage Up." 
     
   "But My Lady," Objected Mirrable,  "These Are The Best Rooms In The House; 
   And Each Has A Separate Entrance,  As You Perceive. With So Many Guests To 
   Provide For,  Your Maid Cannot Have One Of These Rooms." 
     
   "What?" Cried The Countess-Dowager. "My Maid Not Have One Of These Rooms? 
   You Insolent Woman! Do You Know That I Am Come Here With My Nephew,  Lord 
   Hartledon,  To Be Mistress Of This House,  And Of Every One In It? You'd 
   Better Mind _Your_ Behaviour,  For I Can Tell You That I Shall Look Pretty 
   Sharply After It." 
     
   "Then," Said Mirrable,  Who Never Allowed Herself To Be Put Out By Any 
   Earthly Thing,  And Rarely Argued Against The Stream,  "As Your Ladyship 
   Has Come Here As Sole Mistress,  Perhaps You Will Yourself Apportion The 
   Rooms To The Guests." 
     
   "Let Them Apportion Them For Themselves," Cried The Countess-Dowager. 
   "These Three Are Mine; Others Manage As They Can. It's Hartledon's Fault. 
   I Told Him Not To Invite A Heap Of People. You And I Shall Get On 
   Together Very Well,  I've No Doubt,  Mirrable," She Continued In A False, 
   Fawning Voice; For She Was Remarkably Alive At All Times To Her Own 
   Interests. "Am I To Understand That You Are The Housekeeper?" 
     
   "I Am Acting As Housekeeper At Present," Was Mirrable's Answer. "When My 
   Lord Went To Town,  After My Lady's Death,  The Housekeeper Went Also,  And 
   Has Remained There. I Have Taken Her Place. Lord Elster--Lord Hartledon, 
   I Mean--Has Not Lived Yet At Hartledon,  And We Have Had No 
   Establishment." 
     
   "Then Who Are You?" 
     
   "I Was Maid To Lady Hartledon For Many Years. Her Ladyship Treated Me 
   More As A Friend At The Last; And The Young Gentlemen Always Did So." 
     
   "_Very_ Good," Cried The Untrue Voice. "And,  Now,  Mirrable,  You Can Go 
   Down And Send Up Some Tea For Myself And Lady Maude. What Time Do We 
   Dine?" 
     
   "Mr. Elster Ordered It For Eight O'clock." 
     
   "And What Business Had _He_ To Take Orders Upon Himself?" And The Pale 
   Little Eyes Flashed With Anger. "Who's Val Elster,  That He Should 
   Interfere? I Sent Word By The Servants That We Wouldn't Dine Till Nine." 
     
   "Mr. Elster Is In His Own House,  Madam; And--" 
     
   "In His Own House!" Raved Lady Kirton. "It's No House Of His; It's His 
   Brother's. And I Wish I Was His Brother For A Day Only; I'd Let Mr. Val 
   Know What Presumption Comes To. Can't Dinner Be Delayed?" 
     
   "I'm Afraid Not,  My Lady." 
     
   "Ugh!" Snapped The Countess-Dowager. "Send Up Tea At Once; And Let 
   It Be Strong,  With A Great Deal Of Green In It. And Some Rolled 
   Bread-And-Butter,  And A Little Well-Buttered Toast." 
     
   Mirrable Departed With The Commands,  More Inclined To Laugh At The 
   Selfish Old Woman Than To Be Angry. She Remembered The Countess-Dowager 
   Arriving On An Unexpected Visit Some Three Or Four Years Before,  And 
   Finding The Old Lord Hartledon Away And His Wife Ill In Bed. She Remained 
   Three Days,  Completely Upsetting The House; So Completely Upsetting The 
   Invalid Lady Hartledon,  That The Latter Was Glad To Lend Her A Sum Of 
   Money To Get Rid Of Her. 
     
   Truth To Say,  Lady Kirton Had Never Been A Welcome Guest At Hartledon; 
   Had Been Shunned,  In Fact,  And Kept Away By All Sorts Of _Ruses_. The 
   Only Other Visit She Had Paid The Family,  In Mirrable's Remembrance,  Was 
   To The Town-House,  When The Children Were Young. Poor Little Val Had Been 
   Taught By His Nurse To Look Upon Her As A "Bogey;" Went About In Terror 
   Of Her; And Her Ladyship Detecting The Feeling,  Administered Sly Pinches 
   Whenever They Met. Perhaps Neither Of Them Had Completely Overcome The 
   Antagonism From That Time To This. 
     
   A Scrambling Sort Of Life Had Been Lady Kirton's. The Wife Of A Very Poor 
   And Improvident Irish Peer,  Who Had Died Early,  Leaving Her Badly 
   Provided For,  Her Days Had Been One Long Scramble To Make Both Ends Meet 
   And Avoid Creditors. Now In Ireland,  Now On The Continent,  Now Coming Out 
   For A Few Brief Weeks Of Fashionable Life,  And Now On The Wing To Some 
   Place Of Safety,  Had She Dodged About,  And Become Utterly Unscrupulous. 
     
   There Was A Whole Troop Of Children,  Who Had Been Allowed To Go To 
   The Good Or The Bad Very Much In Their Own Way,  With Little Help Or 
   Hindrance From Their Mother. All The Daughters Were Married Now, 
   Excepting Maude,  Mostly To German Barons And French Counts. One Had 
   Espoused A Marquis--Native Country Not Clearly Indicated; One An Italian 
   Duke: But The Marquis Lived Somewhere Over In Algeria In A Small Lodging, 
   And The Duke Condescended To Sing An Occasional Song On The Italian 
   Stage. 
     
   It Was All One To Lady Kirton. They Had Taken Their Own Way,  And She 
   Washed Her Hands Of Them As Easily As Though They Had Never Belonged To 
   Her. Had They Been Able To Supply Her With An Occasional Bank-Note,  Or 
   Welcome Her On A Protracted Visit,  They Had Been Her Well-Beloved And 
   Most Estimable Daughters. 
     
   Of The Younger Sons,  All Were Dispersed; The Dowager Neither Knew Nor 
   Cared Where. Now And Again A Piteous Begging-Letter Would Come From One 
   Or The Other,  Which She Railed At And Scolded Over,  And Bade Maude 
   Answer. Her Eldest Son,  Lord Kirton,  Had Married Some Four Or Five Years 
   Ago,  And Since Then The Countess-Dowager's Lines Had Been Harder Than 
   Ever. Before That Event She Could Go To The Place In Ireland Whenever She 
   Liked (Circumstances Permitting),  And Stay As Long As She Liked; But That 
   Was Over Now. For The Young Lady Kirton,  Who On Her Own Score Spent All 
   The Money Her Husband Could Scrape Together,  And More,  Had Taken An 
   Inveterate Dislike To Her Mother-In-Law,  And Would Not Tolerate Her. 
     
   Never,  Since She Was Thus Thrown Upon Her Own Resources,  Had The 
   Countess-Dowager's Lucky Star Been In The Ascendant As It Had Been This 
   Season,  For She Contrived To Fasten Herself Upon The Young Lord 
   Hartledon,  And Secure A Firm Footing In His Town-House. She Called Him 
   Her Nephew--"My Nephew Hartledon;" But That Was A Little Improvement Upon 
   The Actual Relationship,  For She And The Late Lady Hartledon Had Been 
   Cousins Only. She Invited Herself For A Week's Sojourn In May,  And Had 
   Never Gone Away Again; And It Was Now August. She Had Come Down With Him, 
   _Sans Ceremonie_,  To Hartledon; Had Told Him (As A Great Favour) That She 
   Would Look After His House And Guests During Her Stay,  As His Mother 
   Would Have Done. Easy,  Careless,  Good-Natured Hartledon Acquiesced,  And 
   Took It All As A Matter Of Course. To Him She Was Ever All Sweetness 
   And Suavity. 
     
   None Knew Better On Which Side Her Bread Was Buttered Than The 
   Countess-Dowager. She Liked It Buttered On Both Sides,  And Generally 
   Contrived To Get It. 
     
   She Had Come Down To Hartledon House With One Fixed Determination--That 
   She Did Not Quit It Until The Lady Maude Was Its Mistress. For A Long 
   While Maude Had Been Her Sole Hope. Her Other Daughters Had Married 
   According To Their Fancy--And What Had Come Of It?--But Maude Was 
   Different. Maude Had Great Beauty; And Maude,  Truth To Say,  Was Almost 
   As Selfishly Alive To Her Own Interest As Her Mother. _She_ Should Marry 
   Well,  And So Be In A Position To Shelter The Poor,  Homeless,  Wandering 
   Dowager. Had She Chosen From The Whole Batch Of Peers,  Not One Could Have 
   Been Found More Eligible Than He Whom Fortune Seemed To Have Turned Up 
   For Her Purpose--Lord Hartledon; And Before The Countess-Dowager Had Been 
   One Week His Guest In London She Began Her Scheming. 
     
   Lady Maude Was Nothing Loth. Young,  Beautiful,  Vain,  Selfish,  She Yet 
   Possessed A Woman's Susceptible Heart; Though Surrounded With Luxury, 
   Dress,  Pomp,  Show,  Which Are Said To Deaden The Feelings,  And In Some 
   Measure Do Deaden Them,  Lady Maude Insensibly Managed To Fall In Love,  As 
   Deeply As Ever Did An Obscure Damsel Of Romance. She Had First Met Him 
   Two Years Before,  When He Was Viscount Elster; Had Liked Him Then. Their 
   Relationship Sanctioned Their Being Now Much Together,  And The Lady Maude 
   Lost Her Heart To Him. 
     
   Would It Bring Forth Fruit,  This Scheming Of The Countess-Dowager's,  And 
   Maude's Own Love? In Her Wildest Hopes The Old Woman Never Dreamed Of 
   What That Fruit Would Be; Or,  Unscrupulous As She Was By Habit,  Unfeeling 
   By Nature,  She Might Have Carried Away Maude From Hartledon Within The 
   Hour Of Their Arrival. 
     
   Of The Three Parties More Immediately Concerned,  The Only Innocent 
   One--Innocent Of Any Intentions--Was Lord Hartledon. He Liked Maude Very 
   Well As A Cousin,  But Otherwise He Did Not Care For Her. They Might 
   Succeed--At Least,  Had Circumstances Gone On Well,  They Might Have 
   Succeeded--In Winning Him At Last; But It Would Not Have Been From Love. 
   His Present Feeling Towards Maude Was One Of Indifference; And Of 
   Marriage At All He Had Not Begun To Think. 
     
   Val Elster,  On The Contrary,  Regarded Maude With Warm Admiration. Her 
   Beauty Had Charms For Him,  And He Had Been Oftener At Her Side But For 
   The Watchful Countess-Dowager. It Would Have Been Horrible Had Maude 
   Fallen In Love With The Wrong Brother,  And The Old Lady Grew To Hate Him 
   For The Fear,  As Well As On Her Own Score. The Feeling Of Dislike,  Begun 
   In Val's Childhood,  Had Ripened In The Last Month Or Two To Almost Open 
   Warfare. He Was Always In The Way. Many A Time When Lord Hartledon Might 
   Have Enjoyed A _Tete-A-Tete_ With Maude,  Val Elster Was There To Spoil 
   It. 
     
   But The Culminating Point Had Arrived One Day,  When Val,  Half Laughingly, 
   Half Seriously,  Told The Dowager,  Who Had Been Provoking Him Almost 
   Beyond Endurance,  That She Might Spare Her Angling In Regard To Maude, 
   For Hartledon Would Never Bite. But That He Took His Pleasant Face Beyond 
   Her Reach,  It Might Have Suffered,  For Her Fingers Were Held Out 
   Alarmingly. 
     
   From That Time She Took Another Little Scheme Into Her Hands--That Of 
   Getting Percival Elster Out Of His Brother's Favour And His Brother's 
   House. Val,  On His Part,  Seriously Advised His Brother _Not_ To Allow The 
   Kirtons To Come To Hartledon; And This Reached The Ears Of The Dowager. 
   You May Be Sure It Did Not Tend To Soothe Her. Lord Hartledon Only 
   Laughed At Val,  Saying They Might Come If They Liked; What Did It Matter? 
     
   But,  Strange To Say,  Val Elster Was As A Very Reed In The Hands Of The 
   Old Woman. Let Her Once Get Hold Of Him,  And She Could Turn Him Any Way 
   She Pleased. He Felt Afraid Of Her,  And Bent To Her Will. The Feeling May 
   Have Had Its Rise Partly In The Fear Instilled Into His Boyhood,  Partly 
   In The Yielding Nature Of His Disposition. However That Might Be,  It Was 
   A Fact; And Val Could No More Have Openly Opposed The Resolute, 
   Sharp-Tongued Old Woman To Her Face Than He Could Have Changed His 
   Nature. He Rarely Called Her Anything But "Ma'am," As Their Nurse Had 
   Taught Him And His Brothers And Sisters To Do In Those Long-Past Years. 
     
   Before Eight O'clock The Guests Had All Assembled In The Drawing-Room, 
   Except The Countess-Dowager And Maude. Lord Hartledon Was Going About 
   Amongst Them,  Talking To One And Another Of The Beauties Of This,  His 
   Late Father's Place; Scarcely Yet Thought Of As His Own. He Was A Tall 
   Slender Man; In Figure Very Much Resembling Percival,  But Not In Face: 
   The One Was Dark,  The Other Fair. There Was Also The Same Indolent Sort 
   Of Movement,  A Certain Languid Air Discernible In Both; Proclaiming The 
   Undoubted Fact,  That Both Were Idle In Disposition And Given To Ennui. 
   There The Resemblance Ended. Lord Hartledon Had Nothing Of The 
   Irresolution Of Percival Elster,  But Was Sufficiently Decisive In 
   Character,  Prompt In Action. 
     
   A Noble Room,  This They Were In,  As Many Of The Rooms Were In The Fine 
   Old Mansion. Lord Hartledon Opened The Inner Door,  And Took Them Into 
   Another,  To Show Them The Portrait Of His Brother George--A Fine Young 
   Man Also,  With A Fair,  Pleasing Countenance. 
     
   "He Is Like Elster; Not Like You,  Hartledon," Cried A Young Man,  Whose 
   Name Was Carteret. 
     
   "_Was_,  You Mean,  Carteret," Corrected Lord Hartledon,  In Tones Of Sad 
   Regret. "There Was A Great Family Resemblance Between Us All,  I Believe." 
     
   "He Died From An Accident,  Did He Not?" Said Mr. O'moore,  An Irishman, 
   Who Liked To Be Called "The O'moore." 
     
   "Yes." 
     
   Percival Elster Turned To His Brother,  And Spoke In Low Tones. "Edward, 
   Was Any Particular Person Suspected Of Having Fired The Shot?" 
     
   "None. A Set Of Loose,  Lawless Characters Were Out That Night,  And--" 
     
   "What Are You All Looking At Here?" 
     
   The Interruption Came From Lady Kirton,  Who Was Sailing Into The Room 
   With Maude. A Striking Contrast The One Presented To The Other. Maude In 
   Pink Silk And A Pink Wreath,  Her Haughty Face Raised In Pride,  Her Dark 
   Eyes Flashing,  Radiantly Beautiful. The Old Dowager,  Broad As She Was 
   High,  Her Face Rouged,  Her Short Snub Nose Always Carried In The Air,  Her 
   Light Eyes Unmeaning,  Her Flaxen Eyebrows Heavy,  Her Flaxen Curls Crowned 
   By A Pea-Green Turban. Her Choice Attire Was Generally Composed,  As 
   To-Day,  Of Some Cheap,  Flimsy,  Gauzy Material Bright In Colour. This 
   Evening It Was Orange Lace,  All Flounces And Frills,  With A Lace Scarf; 
   And She Generally Had Innumerable Ends Of Quilted Net Flying About Her 
   Skirts,  Not Unlike Tails. It Was Certain She Did Not Spend Much Money 
   Upon Her Own Attire; And How She Procured The Costly Dresses For Maude 
   The Latter Appeared In Was Ever A Mystery. You Can Hardly Fancy The 
   Bedecked Old Figure That She Made. The O'moore Nearly Laughed Out,  As He 
   Civilly Turned To Answer Her Question. 
     
   "We Were Looking At This Portrait,  Lady Kirton." 
     
   "And Saying How Much He Was Like Val," Put In Young Carteret,  Between 
   Whom And The Dowager Warfare Also Existed. "Val,  Which Was The Elder?" 
     
   "George Was." 
     
   "Then His Death Made You Heir-Presumptive," Cried The Thoughtless Young 
   Man,  Speaking Impulsively. 
     
   "Heir-Presumptive To What?" Asked The Dowager Snapping At The Words. 
     
   "To Hartledon." 
     
   "_He_ Heir To Hartledon! Don't Trouble Yourself,  Young Man,  To Imagine 
   That Val Elster's Ever Likely To Come Into Hartledon. Do You Want To 
   Shoot His Lordship,  As _He_ Was Shot?" 
     
   The Uncalled-For Retort,  The Strangely Intemperate Tones,  The Quick 
   Passionate Fling Of The Hand Towards The Portrait Astonished Young 
   Carteret Not A Little. Others Were Surprised Also; And Not One Present 
   But Stared At The Speaker. But She Said No More. The Pea-Green Turban And 
   Flaxen Curls Were Nodding Ominously; And That Was All. 
     
   The Animus To Val Elster Was Very Marked. Lord Hartledon Glanced At His 
   Brother With A Smile,  And Led The Way Back To The Other Drawing-Room. At 
   That Moment The Butler Announced Dinner; The Party Filed Across The Hall 
   To The Fine Old Dining-Room,  And Began Finding Their Seats. 
     
   "I Shall Sit There,  Val. You Can Take A Chair At The Side." 
     
   Val Did Look Surprised At This. He Was About To Take The Foot Of His 
   Brother's Table,  As Usual; And There Was The Pea-Green Turban Standing 
   Over Him,  Waiting To Usurp It. It Would Have Been Quite Beyond Val 
   Elster,  In His Sensitiveness,  To Tell Her She Should Not Have It; But He 
   Did Feel Annoyed. He Was Sweet-Tempered,  However. Moreover,  He Was A 
   Gentleman,  And Only Waited To Make One Remark. 
     
   "I Fear You Will Not Like This Place,  Ma'am. Won't It Look Odd To See A 
   Lady At The Bottom Of The Table?" 
     
   "I Have Promised My Dear Nephew To Act As Mistress,  And To See After His 
   Guests; And I Don't Choose To Sit At The Side Under Those Circumstances." 
   But She Had Looked At Lord Hartledon,  And Hesitated Before She Spoke. 
   Perhaps She Thought His Lordship Would Resign The Head Of The Table To 
   Her,  And Take The Foot Himself. If So,  She Was Mistaken. 
     
   "You Will Be More Comfortable At The Side,  Lady Kirton," Cried Lord 
   Hartledon,  When He Discovered What The Bustle Was About. 
     
   "Not At All,  Hartledon; Not At All." 
     
   "But I Like My Brother To Face Me,  Ma'am. It Is His Accustomed Place." 
     
   Remonstrance Was Useless. The Dowager Nodded Her Pea-Green Turban,  And 
   Firmly Seated Herself. Val Elster Dexterously Found A Seat Next Lady 
   Maude; And A Gay Gleam Of Triumph Shot Out Of His Deep-Blue Eyes As He 
   Glanced At The Dowager. It Was Not The Seat She Would Have Wished Him To 
   Take; But To Interfere Again Might Have Imperilled Her Own Place. Maude 
   Laughed. She Did Not Care For Val--Rather Despised Him In Her Heart; But 
   He Was The Most Attractive Man Present,  And She Liked Admiration. 
     
   Another Link In The Chain! For How Many,  Many Days And Years,  Dating From 
   That Evening,  Did That Awful Old Woman Take A Seat,  At Intervals,  At Lord 
   Hartledon's Table,  And Assume It As A Right! 
   
   
   
   Chapter 5 (Jealousy) 
   The Rain Poured Down On The Monday Morning; And Lord Hartledon Stood At 
   The Window Of The Countess-Dowager's Sitting-Room--One She Had 
   Unceremoniously Adopted For Her Own Private Use--Smoking A Cigar,  And 
   Watching The Clouds. Any Cigar But His Would Have Been Consigned To The 
   Other Side The Door. Mr. Elster Had Only Shown (By Mere Accident) The 
   End Of His Cigar-Case,  And The Dowager Immediately Demanded What He Meant 
   By Displaying That Article In The Presence Of Ladies. A Few Minutes 
   Afterwards Lord Hartledon Entered,  Smoking,  And Was Allowed To Enjoy His 
   Cigar With Impunity. Good-Tempered Val's Delicate Lips Broke Into A 
   Silent Smile As He Marked The Contrast. 
     
   He Lounged On The Sofa,  Doing Nothing,  In His Idle Fashion; Lord 
   Hartledon Continued To Watch The Clouds. On The Previous Saturday Night 
   The Gentlemen Had Entered Into An Argument About Boating: The Result Was 
   That A Match On The River Was Arranged,  And Some Bets Were Pending On It. 
   It Had Been Fixed To Come Off This Day,  Monday; But If The Rain Continued 
   To Come Down,  It Must Be Postponed; For The Ladies,  Who Had Been Promised 
   The Treat,  Would Not Venture Out To See It. 
     
   "It Has Come On Purpose," Grumbled Lord Hartledon. "Yesterday Was As Fine 
   And Bright As It Could Be,  The Glass Standing At Set Fair; And Now,  Just 
   Because This Boating Was To Come Off,  The Rain Peppers Down!" 
     
   The Rain Excepted,  It Was A Fair Vision That He Looked Out Upon. The Room 
   Faced The Back Of The House,  And Beyond The Lovely Grounds Green Slopes 
   Extended To The River,  Tolerably Wide Here,  Winding Peacefully In Its 
   Course. The Distant Landscape Was Almost Like A Scene From Fairyland. 
     
   The Restless Dowager--In A Nondescript Head-Dress This Morning,  Adorned 
   With An Upright Tuft Of Red Feathers And Voluminous Skirts Of Brown Net, 
   A Jacket And Flounces To Match--Betook Herself To The Side Of Lord 
   Hartledon. 
     
   "Where D'you Get The Boats?" She Asked. 
     
   "They Are Kept Lower Down,  At The Boat-House," He Replied,  Puffing At His 
   Cigar. "You Can't See It From Here; It's Beyond Dr. Ashton's; Lots Of 
   'Em; Any Number To Be Had For The Hiring. Talking Of Dr. Ashton,  They 
   Will Dine Here To-Day,  Ma'am." 
     
   "Who Will?" Asked Lady Kirton. 
     
   "The Doctor,  Mrs. Ashton--If She's Well Enough--And Miss Ashton." 
     
   "Who Are They,  My Dear Nephew?" 
     
   "Why,  Don't You Know? Dr. Ashton Preached To You Yesterday. He Is Rector 
   Of Calne; You Must Have Heard Of Dr. Ashton. They Will Be Calling This 
   Morning,  I Expect." 
     
   "And You Have Invited Them To Dinner! Well,  One Must Do The Civil To This 
   Sort Of People." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Burst Into A Laugh. "You Won't Say 'This Sort Of People' 
   When You See The Ashtons,  Lady Kirton. They Are Quite As Good As We Are. 
   Dr. Ashton Has Refused A Bishopric,  And Anne Is The Sweetest Girl Ever 
   Created." 
     
   Lady Maude,  Who Was Drawing,  And Exchanging A Desultory Sentence Once In 
   A Way With Val,  Suddenly Looked Up. Her Colour Had Heightened,  Though It 
   Was Brilliant At All Times. 
     
   "Are You Speaking Of My Maid?" She Said--And It Might Be That She Had Not 
   Attended To The Conversation,  And Asked In Ignorance,  Not In Scorn. "Her 
   Name Is Anne." 
     
   "I Was Speaking Of Anne Ashton," Said Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "Allow Me To Beg Anne Ashton's Pardon," Returned Lady Maude; Her Tone 
   This Time Unmistakably Mocking. "Anne Is So Common A Name Amongst 
   Servants." 
     
   "I Don't Care Whether It Is Common Amongst Servants Or Uncommon," Spoke 
   Lord Hartledon Rather Hotly,  As Though He Would Resent The Covert Sneer. 
   "It Is Anne Ashton's; And I Love The Name For Her Sake. But I Think It 
   A Pretty Name; And Should,  If She Did Not Bear It; Prettier Than Yours, 
   Maude." 
     
   "And Pray Who _Is_ Anne Ashton?" Demanded The Countess-Dowager,  With As 
   Much Hauteur As So Queer An Old Figure And Face Could Put On,  Whilst 
   Maude Bent Over Her Employment With White Lips. 
     
   "She Is Dr. Ashton's Daughter," Spoke Lord Hartledon,  Shortly. "My 
   Father Valued Him Above All Men. He Loved Anne Too--Loved Her Dearly; 
   And--Though I Don't Know Whether It Is Quite Fair To Anne To Let This 
   Out--The Probable Future Connection Between The Families Was Most Welcome 
   To Him. Next To My Father,  We Boys Reverenced The Doctor; He Was Our 
   Tutor,  In A Measure,  When We Were Staying At Hartledon; At Least,  Tutor 
   To Poor George And Val; They Used To Read With Him." 
     
   "And You Would Hint At Some Alliance Between You And This Anne Ashton!" 
   Cried The Countess-Dowager,  In A Fume; For She Thought She Saw A Fear 
   That The Great Prize Might Slip Through Her Fingers. "What Sort Of An 
   Alliance,  I Should Like To Ask? Be Careful What You Say,  Hartledon; You 
   May Injure The Young Woman." 
     
   "I'll Take Care I Don't Injure Anne Ashton," Returned Lord Hartledon, 
   Enjoying Her Temper. "As To An Alliance With Her--My Earnest Wish Is,  As 
   It Was My Father's,  That Time May Bring It About. Val There Knows I Wish 
   It." 
     
   Val Glanced At His Brother By Way Of Answer. He Had Taken No Part In The 
   Discussion; His Slight Lips Were Drawn Down,  As He Balanced A Pair Of 
   Scissors On His Forefinger,  And He Looked Less Good-Tempered Than Usual. 
     
   "Has She Red Hair And Sky-Blue Eyes,  And A Doll's Face? Does She Sit In 
   The Pew Under The Reading-Desk With Three Other Dolls?" Asked The Foaming 
   Dowager. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Turned And Stared At The Speaker In Wonder--What Could Be 
   So Exciting Her? 
     
   "She Has Soft Brown Hair And Eyes,  And A Sweet Gentle Face; She Is A 
   Graceful,  Elegant,  Attractive Girl," Said He,  Curtly. "She Sat Alone 
   Yesterday; For Arthur Was In Another Part Of The Church,  And Mrs. Ashton 
   Was Not There. Mrs. Ashton Is Not In Good Health,  She Tells Me,  And 
   Cannot Always Come. The Rector's Pew Is The One With Green Curtains." 
     
   "Oh,  _That_ Vulgar-Looking Girl!" Exclaimed Maude,  Her Unjust Words--And 
   She Knew Them To Be Unjust--Trembling On Her Lips. "The Grand Sultan 
   Might Exalt Her To Be His Chief Wife,  But He Could Never Make A Lady Of 
   Her,  Or Get Her To Look Like One." 
     
   "Be Quiet,  Maude," Cried The Countess-Dowager,  Who,  With All Her Own 
   Mistakes,  Had The Sense To See That This Sort Of Disparagement Would Only 
   Recoil Upon Them With Interest,  And Who Did Not Like The Expression Of 
   Lord Hartledon's Face. "You Talk As If You Had Seen This Mrs. Ashton, 
   Hartledon,  Since Your Return." 
     
   "I Should Not Be Many Hours At Hartledon Without Seeing Mrs. Ashton," He 
   Answered. "That's Where I Was Yesterday Afternoon,  Ma'am,  When You Were 
   So Kindly Anxious In Your Inquiries As To What Had Become Of Me. I Dare 
   Say I Was Absent An Unconscionable Time. I Never Know How It Passes,  Once 
   I Am With Anne." 
     
   "We Represent Love As Blind,  You Know," Spoke Maude,  In Her Desperation, 
   Unable To Steady Her Pallid Lips. "You Apparently Do Not See It,  Lord 
   Hartledon,  But The Young Woman Is The Very Essence Of Vulgarity." 
     
   A Pause Followed The Speech. The Countess-Dowager Turned Towards Her 
   Daughter In A Blazing Rage,  And Val Elster Quitted The Room. 
     
   "Maude," Said Lord Hartledon,  "I Am Sorry To Tell You That You Have Put 
   Your Foot In It." 
     
   "Thank You," Panted Lady Maude,  In Her Agitation. "For Giving My Opinion 
   Of Your Anne Ashton?" 
     
   "Precisely. You Have Driven Val Away In Suppressed Indignation." 
     
   "Is Val Of The Anne Ashton Faction,  That The Truth Should Tell Upon Him, 
   As Well As Upon You?" She Returned,  Striving To Maintain An Assumption Of 
   Sarcastic Coldness. 
     
   "It Is Upon Him That The Words Will Tell. Anne Is Engaged To Him." 
     
   "Is It True? Is Val Really Engaged To Her?" Cried The Countess-Dowager In 
   An Ecstacy Of Relief,  Lifting Her Snub Nose And Painted Cheeks,  Whilst A 
   Glad Light Came Into Maude's Eyes Again. "I Did Hear He Was Engaged To 
   Some Girl; But Such Reports Of Younger Sons Go For Nothing." 
     
   "Val Was Engaged To Her Before He Went Abroad. Whether He Will Get Her Or 
   Not,  Is Another Thing." 
     
   "To Hear You Talk,  Hartledon,  One Might Have Supposed You Cared For The 
   Girl Yourself," Cried Lady Kirton; But Her Brow Was Smooth Again,  And Her 
   Tone Soft As Honey. "You Should Be More Cautious." 
     
   "Cautious! Why So? I Love And Respect Anne Beyond Any Girl On Earth. But 
   That Val Hastened To Make Hay When The Sun Shone,  Whilst I Fell Asleep 
   Under The Hedge,  I Don't Know But I Might Have Proposed To Her Myself," 
   He Added,  With A Laugh. "However,  It Shall Not Be My Fault If Val Does 
   Not Win Her." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Said No More. She Was Worldly-Wise In Her Way,  And 
   Thought It Best To Leave Well Alone. Sailing Out Of The Room She Left 
   Them Alone Together: As She Was Fond Of Doing. 
     
   "Is It Not Rather--Rather Beneath An Elster To Marry An Obscure Country 
   Clergyman's Daughter?" Began Lady Maude,  A Strange Bitterness Filling Her 
   Heart. 
     
   "I Tell You,  Maude,  The Ashtons Are Our Equals In All Ways. He Is A Proud 
   Old Doctor Of Divinity--Not Old,  However--Of Irreproachable Family And 
   Large Private Fortune." 
     
   "You Spoke Of Him As A Tutor?" 
     
   "A Tutor! Oh,  I Said He Was In A Measure Our Tutor When We Were Young. I 
   Meant In Training Us--In Training Us To Good; And He Allowed George And 
   Val To Read With Him,  And Directed Their Studies: All For Love,  And Out 
   Of The Friendship He And My Father Bore Each Other. Dr. Ashton A Paid 
   Tutor!" Ejaculated Lord Hartledon,  Laughing At The Notion. "Dr. Ashton An 
   Obscure Country Clergyman! And Even If He Were,  Who Is Val,  That He 
   Should Set Himself Up?" 
     
   "He Is The Honourable Val Elster." 
     
   "Very Honourable! Val Is An Unlucky Dog Of A Spendthrift; That's What Val 
   Is. See How Many Times He Has Been Set Up On His Legs!--And Has Always 
   Come Down Again. He Had That Place In The Government My Father Got Him. 
   He Was Attache In Paris; Subsequently In Vienna; He Has Had Ever So Many 
   Chances,  And Drops Through All. One Can't Help Loving Val; He Is An 
   Attractive,  Sweet-Tempered,  Good-Natured Fellow; But He Was Certainly 
   Born Under An Unlucky Star. Elster's Folly!" 
     
   "Val Will Drop Through More Chances Yet," Remarked Lady Maude. "I Pity 
   Miss Ashton,  If She Means To Wait For Him." 
     
   "Means To! She Loves Him Passionately--Devotedly. She Would Wait For Him 
   All Her Life,  And Think It Happiness Only To See Him Once In A Way." 
     
   "As An Astronomer Looks At A Star Through A Telescope," Laughed Maude; 
   "And Val Is Not Worth The Devotion." 
     
   "Val Is Not A Bad Fellow In The Main; Quite The Contrary,  Maude. Of 
   Course We All Know His Besetting Sin--Irresolution. A Child Might Sway 
   Him,  Either For Good Or Ill. The Very Best Thing That Could Happen To Val 
   Would Be His Marriage With Anne. She Is Sensible And Judicious; And I 
   Think Val Could Not Fail To Keep Straight Under Her Influence. If Dr. 
   Ashton Could Only Be Brought To See The Matter In This Light!" 
     
   "Can He Not?" 
     
   "He Thinks--And I Don't Say He Has Not Reason--That Val Should Show 
   Some Proof Of Stability Before His Marriage,  Instead Of Waiting Until 
   After It. The Doctor Has Not Gone To The Extent Of Parting Them,  Or Of 
   Suspending The Engagement; But He Is Prepared To Be Strict And Exacting 
   As To Mr. Val's Line Of Conduct; And I Fancy The Suspicion That It Would 
   Be So Has Kept Val Away From Calne." 
     
   "What Will Be Done?" 
     
   "I Hardly Know. Val Does Not Make A Confidant Of Me,  And I Can't Get To 
   The Bottom Of How He Is Situated. Debts I Am Sure He Has; But Whether--" 
     
   "Val Always Had Plenty Of Those," Interrupted Maude. 
     
   "True. When My Father Died,  Three Parts Of Val's Inheritance Went To Pay 
   Off Debts Nobody Knew He Had Contracted. The Worst Is,  He Glides Into 
   These Difficulties Unwittingly,  Led And Swayed By Others. We Don't Say 
   Elster's Sin,  Or Elster's Crimes; We Say Elster's Folly. I Don't Believe 
   Val Ever In His Life Did A Bad Thing Of Deliberate Intention. Designing 
   People Get Hold Of Him--Fast Fellows Who Are Going Headlong Down-Hill 
   Themselves--And Val,  Unable To Say 'No,' Is Drawn Here And Drawn There, 
   And Tumbles With Them Into A Quagmire,  And Perhaps Has To Pay His 
   Friends' Costs,  As Well As His Own,  Before He Can Get Out Of It. Do You 
   Believe In Luck,  Maude?" 
     
   "In Luck?" Answered Maude,  Raising Her Eyes At The Abrupt Question. "I 
   Don't Know." 
     
   "I Believe In It. I Believe That Some Are Born Under A Lucky Star,  And 
   Others Under An Unlucky One. Val Is One Of The Latter. He Is Always 
   Unlucky. Set Him Up,  And Down He Comes Again. I Don't Think I Ever Knew 
   Val Lucky In My Life. Look At His Nearly Blowing His Arm Off That Time In 
   Scotland! You Will Laugh At Me,  I Dare Say; But A Thought Crosses Me At 
   Odd Moments That His Ill-Luck Will Prevail Still,  In The Matter Of Miss 
   Ashton. Not If I Can Help It,  However; I'll Do My Best,  For Anne's Sake." 
     
   "You Seem To Think Very Much Of Her Yourself," Cried Lady Maude,  Her 
   Cheeks Crimsoning With An Angry Flush. 
     
   "I Do--As Val's Future Wife. I Love Anne Ashton Better Than Any One 
   Else In The World. We All Loved Her. So Would You If You Knew Her. In 
   My Mother's Last Illness Anne Was A Greater Comfort To Her Than Laura." 
     
   "Should You Ever Think Of A Wife On Your Own Score,  She May Not Like This 
   Warm Praise Of Miss Anne Ashton," Said Lady Maude,  Assiduously Drawing, 
   Her Hot Face Bent Down To Within An Inch Of The Cardboard. 
     
   "Not Like It? She Wouldn't Be Such An Idiot,  I Hope,  As To Dislike It. Is 
   Not Anne Going To Be My Brother's Wife? Did You Suppose I Spoke Of Anne 
   In That Way?--You Must Have Been Dreaming,  Maude." 
     
   Maude Hoped She Had Been. The Young Man Took His Cigar From His Mouth, 
   Ran A Penknife Through The End,  And Began Smoking Again. 
     
   "That Time Is Far Enough Off,  Maude. _I_ Am Not Going To Tie Myself Up 
   With A Wife,  Or To Think Of One Either,  For Many A Long Year To Come." 
     
   Her Heart Beat With A Painful Throbbing. "Why Not?" 
     
   "No Danger. My Wild Oats Are Not Sown Yet,  Any More Than Val's; Only You 
   Don't Hear Of Them,  Because I Have Money To Back Me,  And He Has Not. I 
   Must Find A Girl I Should Like To Make My Wife Before That Event Comes 
   Off,  Maude; And I Have Not Found Her Yet." 
     
   Lady Maude Damaged Her Landscape. She Sketched In A Tree Where A Chimney 
   Ought To Have Been,  And Laid The Fault Upon Her Pencil. 
     
   "It Has Been Real Sport,  Maude,  Ever Since I Came Home From Knocking 
   About Abroad,  To Hear And See The Old Ladies. They Think I Am To Be 
   Caught With A Bait; And That Bait Is Each One's Own Enchanting Daughter. 
   Let Them Angle,  An They Please--It Does No Harm. They Are Amused,  And I 
   Am None The Worse. I Enjoy A Laugh Sometimes,  While I Take Care Of 
   Myself; As I Have Need To Do,  Or I Might Find Myself The Victim Of Some 
   Detestable Breach-Of-Promise Affair,  And Have To Stand Damages. But For 
   Anne Ashton,  Val Would Have Had His Head In That Westminster-Noose A 
   Score Of Times; And The Wonder Is That He Has Kept Out Of It. No,  Thank 
   You,  My Ladies; I Am Not A Marrying Man." 
     
   "Why Do You Tell Me This?" Asked Lady Maude,  A Sick Faintness Stealing 
   Over Her Face And Heart. 
     
   "You Are One Of Ourselves,  And I Tell You Anything. It Will Be Fun For 
   You,  Maude,  If You'll Open Your Eyes And Look On. There Are Some In The 
   House Now Who--" He Stopped And Laughed. 
     
   "I Would Rather Not Hear This!" She Cried Passionately. "Don't Tell Me." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Looked At Her,  Begged Her Pardon,  And Quitted The Room 
   With His Cigar. Lady Maude,  Black As Night,  Dashed Her Pencil On To The 
   Cardboard,  And Scored Her Sketch All Over With Ugly Black Lines. Her Face 
   Itself Looked Ugly Then. 
     
   "Why Did He Say This To Me?" She Asked Of Her Fevered Heart. "Was It Said 
   With A Purpose? Has He Found Out That I _Love_ Him? That My Shallow Old 
   Mother Is One Of The Subtlest Of The Anglers? And That--" 
     
   "What On Earth Are You At With Your Drawing,  Maude?" 
     
   "Oh,  I Have Grown Sick Of The Sketch. I Am Not In A Drawing Mood To-Day, 
   Mamma." 
     
   "And How Fierce You Were Looking," Pursued The Countess-Dowager,  Who Had 
   Darted In At Rather An Inopportune Moment For Maude--Darting In On People 
   At Such Moments Being Her Habit. "And That Was The Sketch Hartledon Asked 
   You To Do For Him From The Old Painting!" 
     
   "He May Do It Himself,  If He Wants It Done." 
     
   "Where Is Hartledon?" 
     
   "I Don't Know. Gone Out Somewhere." 
     
   "Has He Offended You,  Or Vexed You?" 
     
   "Well,  He Did Vex Me. He Has Just Been Assuring Me With The Coolest Air 
   That He Should Never Marry; Or,  At Least,  Not For Years And Years To 
   Come. He Told Me To Notice What A Heap Of Girls Were After Him--Or Their 
   Mothers For Them--And The Fun He Had Over It,  Not Being A Marrying Man." 
     
   "Is That All? You Need Not Have Put Yourself In A Fatigue,  And Spoilt 
   Your Drawing. Lord Hartledon Shall Be Your Husband Before Six Months Are 
   Over--Or Reproach Me Ever Afterwards With Being A False Prophetess And A 
   Bungling Manager." 
     
   Maude's Brow Cleared. She Had Almost Childlike Confidence In The Tact Of 
   Her Unscrupulous Mother. 
     
   But How The Morning's Conversation Altogether Rankled In Her Heart, 
   None Save Herself Could Tell: Ay,  And In That Of The Dowager. Although 
   Anne Ashton Was The Betrothed Of Percival Elster,  And Lord Hartledon's 
   Freely-Avowed Love For Her Was Evidently That Of A Brother,  And He Had 
   Said He Should Do All He Could To Promote The Marriage,  The Strongest 
   Jealousy Had Taken Possession Of Lady Maude's Heart. She Already Hated 
   Anne Ashton With A Fierce And Bitter Hatred. She Turned Sick With Envy 
   When,  In The Morning Visit That Was That Day Paid By The Ashtons,  She Saw 
   That Anne Was Really What Lord Hartledon Had Described Her--One Of The 
   Sweetest,  Most Lovable,  Most Charming Of Girls; Almost Without Her Equal 
   In The World For Grace And Goodness And Beauty. She Turned More Sick With 
   Envy When,  At Dinner Afterwards,  To Which The Ashtons Came,  Lord 
   Hartledon Devoted Himself To Them,  Almost To The Neglect Of His Other 
   Guests,  Lingering Much With Anne. 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Marked It Also,  And Was Furious. Nothing Could Be 
   Urged Against Them; They Were Unexceptionable. The Doctor,  A Chatty, 
   Straightforward,  Energetic Man,  Of Great Intellect And Learning,  And 
   Emphatically A Gentleman; His Wife Attracting By Her Unobtrusive 
   Gentleness; His Daughter By Her Grace And Modest Self-Possession. 
   Whatever Maude Kirton Might Do,  She Could Never,  For Very Shame,  Again 
   Attempt To Disparage Them. Surely There Was No Just Reason For The Hatred 
   Which Took Possession Of Maude's Heart; A Hatred That Could Never Be 
   Plucked Out Again. 
     
   But Maude Knew How To Dissemble. It Pleased Her To Affect A Sudden And 
   Violent Friendship For Anne. 
     
   "Hartledon Told Me How Much I Should Like You," She Whispered,  As They 
   Sat Together On The Sofa After Dinner,  To Which Maude Had Drawn Her. "He 
   Said I Should Find You The Dearest Girl I Ever Met; And I Do So. May I 
   Call You 'Anne'?" 
     
   Not For A Moment Did Miss Ashton Answer. Truth To Say,  Far From 
   Reciprocating The Sudden Fancy Boasted Of By Maude,  She Had Taken An 
   Unaccountable Dislike To Her. Something Of Falsity In The Tone,  Of Sudden 
   _Hardiesse_ In The Handsome Black Eyes,  Acted Upon Anne As An Instinctive 
   Warning. 
     
   "As You Please,  Lady Maude." 
     
   "Thank You So Much. Hartledon Whispered To Me The Secret About You And 
   Val--Percival,  I Mean. Shall You Accomplish The Task,  Think You?" 
     
   "What Task?" 
     
   "That Of Turning Him From His Evil Ways." 
     
   "His Evil Ways?" Repeated Anne,  In A Surprised Indignation She Did Not 
   Care To Check. "I Do Not Understand You,  Lady Maude." 
     
   "Pardon Me,  My Dear Anne: It Was Hazardous So To Speak _To You_. I Ought 
   To Have Said His Thoughtless Ways. Quant A Moi,  Je Ne Vois Pas La 
   Difference. Do You Understand French?" 
     
   Miss Ashton Looked At Her,  Really Not Knowing What This Style Of 
   Conversation Might Mean. Maude Continued; She Had A Habit Of Putting 
   Forth A Sting On Occasion,  Or What She Hoped Might Be A Sting. 
     
   "You Are Staring At The Superfluous Question. Of Course It Is One In 
   These _French_ Days,  When Everyone Speaks It. What Was I Saying? Oh, 
   About Percival. Should He Ever Have The Luck To Marry,  Meaning The 
   Income,  He Will Make A Docile Husband; But His Wife Will Have To Keep Him 
   Under Her Finger And Thumb; She Must Be Master As Well As Mistress,  For 
   His Own Sake." 
     
   "I Think Mr. Elster Would Not Care To Be So Spoken Of," Said Miss Ashton, 
   Her Face Beginning To Glow. 
     
   "You Devoted Girl! It Is You Who Don't Care To Hear It. Take Care,  Anne; 
   Too Much Love Is Not Good For Gaining The Mastership; And I Have Heard 
   That You Are--Shall I Say It?--_Eperdue_." 
     
   Anne,  In Spite Of Her Calm Good Sense,  Was Actually Provoked To A Retort 
   In Kind,  And Felt Terribly Vexed With Herself For It Afterwards. "A 
   Rumour Of The Same Sort Has Been Breathed As To The Lady Maude Kirton's 
   Regard For Lord Hartledon." 
     
   "Has It?" Returned Lady Maude,  With A Cool Tone And A Glowing Face. "You 
   Are Angry With Me Without Reason. Have I Not Offered To Swear To You An 
   Eternal Friendship?" 
     
   Anne Shook Her Head,  And Her Lips Parted With A Curious Expression. "I Do 
   Not Swear So Lightly,  Lady Maude." 
     
   "What If I Were To Avow To You That It Is True?--That I Do Love Lord 
   Hartledon,  Deeply As It Is Known You Love His Brother," She Added, 
   Dropping Her Voice--"Would You Believe Me?" 
     
   Anne Looked At The Speaker's Face,  But Could Read Nothing. Was She In 
   Jest Or Earnest? 
     
   "No,  I Would Not Believe You," She Said,  With A Smile. "If You Did Love 
   Him,  You Would Not Proclaim It." 
     
   "Exactly. I Was Jesting. What Is Lord Hartledon To Me?--Save That We Are 
   Cousins,  And Passably Good Friends. I Must Avow One Thing,  That I Like 
   Him Better Than I Do His Brother." 
     
   "For That No Avowal Is Necessary," Said Anne; "The Fact Is Sufficiently 
   Evident." 
     
   "You Are Right,  Anne;" And For Once Maude Spoke Earnestly. "I Do _Not_ 
   Like Percival Elster. But I Will Always Be Civil To Him For Your Sweet 
   Sake." 
     
   "Why Do You Dislike Him?--If I May Ask It. Have You Any Particular Reason 
   For Doing So?" 
     
   "I Have No Reason In The World. He Is A Good-Natured,  Gentlemanly Fellow; 
   And I Know No Ill Of Him,  Except That He Is Always Getting Into Scrapes, 
   And Dropping,  As I Hear,  A Lot Of Money. But If He Got Out Of His Last 
   Guinea,  And Went Almost In Rags,  It Would Be Nothing To Me; So _That's_ 
   Not It. One Does Take Antipathies; I Dare Say You Do,  Miss Ashton. What A 
   Blessing Hartledon Did Not Die In That Fever He Caught Last Year! Val 
   Would Have Inherited. What A Mercy!" 
     
   "That He Lived? Or That Val Is Not Lord Hartledon?" 
     
   "Both. But I Believe I Meant That Val Is Not Reigning." 
     
   "You Think He Would Not Have Made A Worthy Inheritor?" 
     
   "A Worthy Inheritor? Oh,  I Was Not Glancing At That Phase Of The 
   Question. Here He Comes! I Will Give Up My Seat To Him." 
     
   It Is Possible Lady Maude Expected Some Pretty Phrases Of Affection; 
   Begging Her To Keep It. If So,  She Was Mistaken. Anne Ashton Was One Of 
   Those Essentially Quiet,  Self-Possessed Girls In Society,  Whose Manners 
   Seem Almost To Border On Apathy. She Did Not Say "Do Go," Or "Don't Go." 
   She Was Perfectly Passive; And Maude Moved Away Half Ashamed Of Herself, 
   And Feeling,  In Spite Of Her Jealousy And Her Prejudice,  That If Ever 
   There Was A Ladylike Girl Upon Earth,  It Was Anne Ashton. 
     
   "How Do You Like Her,  Anne?" Asked Val Elster,  Dropping Into The Vacant 
   Place. 
     
   "Not Much." 
     
   "Don't You? She Is Very Handsome." 
     
   "Very Handsome Indeed. Quite Beautiful. But Still I Don't Like Her." 
     
   "You Would Like Her If You Knew Her. She Has A Rare Spirit,  Only The Old 
   Dowager Keeps It Down." 
     
   "I Don't Think She Much Likes You,  Val." 
     
   "She Is Welcome To Dislike Me," Returned Val Elster. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 6 (At The Bridge) 
   The Famous Boat-Race Was Postponed. Some Of The Competitors Had 
   Discovered They Should Be The Better For A Few Days' Training,  And The 
   Contest Was Fixed For The Following Monday. 
     
   Not A Day Of The Intervening Week But Sundry Small Cockle-Shells--Things 
   The Ladies Had Already Begun To Designate As The "Wager-Boats," Each 
   Containing A Gentleman Occupant,  Exercising His Arms On A Pair Of 
   Sculls--Might Be Seen Any Hour Passing And Repassing On The Water; And 
   The Green Slopes Of Hartledon,  Which Here Formed The Bank Of The River, 
   Grew To Be Tenanted With Fair Occupants. Of Course They Had Their 
   Favourites,  These Ladies,  And Their Little Bets Of Gloves On Them. 
     
   As The Day For The Contest Drew Near The Interest Became Really Exciting; 
   And On The Saturday Morning There Was Quite A Crowd On The Banks. The 
   Whole Week,  Since Monday,  Had Been Most Beautiful--Calm,  Warm,  Lovely. 
   Percival Elster,  In His Rather Idle Fashion,  Was Not Going To Join In The 
   Contest: There Were Enough Without Him,  He Said. 
     
   He Was Standing Now,  Talking To Anne. His Face Wore A Sad Expression, 
   As She Glanced Up At Him From Beneath The White Feather Of Her Rather 
   Large-Brimmed Straw Hat. Anne Had Been A Great Deal At Hartledon That 
   Week,  And Was As Interested In The Race As Any Of Them,  Wearing Lord 
   Hartledon's Colours. 
     
   "How Did You Hear It,  Anne?" He Was Asking. 
     
   "Mamma Told Me. She Came Into My Room Just Now,  And Said There Had Been 
   Words." 
     
   "Well,  It's True. The Doctor Took Me To Task Exactly As He Used To Do 
   When I Was A Boy. He Said My Course Of Life Was Sinful; And I Rather 
   Fired Up At That. Idle And Useless It May Be,  But Sinful It Is Not: 
   And I Said So. He Explained That He Meant That,  And Persisted In His 
   Assertion--That An Idle,  Aimless,  Profitless Life Was A Sinful One. Do 
   You Know The Rest?" 
     
   "No," She Faltered. 
     
   "He Said He Would Give Me To The End Of The Year. And If I Were Then 
   Still Pursuing My Present Frivolous Course Of Life,  Doing No Good To 
   Myself Or To Anyone Else,  He Should Cancel The Engagement. My Darling, 
   I See How This Pains You." 
     
   She Was Suppressing Her Tears With Difficulty. "Papa Will Be Sure To Keep 
   His Word,  Percival. He Is So Resolute When He Thinks He Is Right." 
     
   "The Worst Is,  It's True. I Do Fall Into All Sorts Of Scrapes,  And I Have 
   Got Out Of Money,  And I Do Idle My Time Away," Acknowledged The Young Man 
   In His Candour. "And All The While,  Anne,  I Am Thinking And Hoping To Do 
   Right. If Ever I Get Set On My Legs Again,  _Won't_ I Keep On Them!" 
     
   "But How Many Times Have You Said So Before!" She Whispered. 
     
   "Half The Follies For Which I Am Now Paying Were Committed When I Was But 
   A Boy," He Said. "One Of The Men Now Visiting Here,  Dawkes,  Persuaded Me 
   To Put My Name To A Bill For Him For Fifteen Hundred Pounds,  And I Had To 
   Pay It. It Hampered Me For Years; And In The End I Know I Must Have Paid 
   It Twice Over. I Might Have Pleaded That I Was Under Age When He Got My 
   Signature,  But It Would Have Been Scarcely Honourable To Do So." 
     
   "And You Never Profited By The Transaction?" 
     
   "Never By A Sixpence. It Was Done For Dawkes's Accommodation,  Not Mine. 
   He Ought To Have Paid It,  You Say? My Dear,  He Is A Man Of Straw,  And 
   Never Had Fifteen Hundred Pounds Of His Own In His Life." 
     
   "Does Lord Hartledon Know Of This? I Wonder He Has Him Here." 
     
   "I Did Not Mention It At The Time; And The Thing's Past And Done With. I 
   Only Tell You Now To Give You An Idea Of The Nature Of My Embarrassments 
   And Scrapes. Not One In Ten Has Really Been Incurred For Myself: They 
   Only Fall Upon Me. One Must Buy Experience." 
     
   Terribly Vexed Was That Sweet Face,  An Almost Painful Sadness Upon The 
   Generally Sunny Features. 
     
   "I Will Never Give You Up,  Anne," He Continued,  With Emotion. "I Told The 
   Doctor So. I Would Rather Give Up Life. And You Know That Your Love Is 
   Mine." 
     
   "But My Duty Is Theirs. And If It Came To A Contest--Oh,  Percival! You 
   Know,  You Know Which Would Have To Give Place. Papa Is So Resolute In 
   Right." 
     
   "It's A Shame That Fortune Should Be So Unequally Divided!" Cried The 
   Young Man,  Resentfully. "Here's Edward With An Income Of Thirty Thousand 
   A Year,  And I,  His Own Brother,  Only A Year Or Two Younger,  Can't Boast A 
   Fourth Part As Many Hundreds!" 
     
   "Oh,  Val! Your Father Left You Better Off Than That!" 
     
   "But So Much Of It Went,  Anne," Was The Gloomy Answer. "I Never 
   Understood The Claims That Came In Against Me,  For My Part. Edward Had No 
   Debts To Speak Of; But Then Look At His Allowance." 
     
   "He Was The Eldest Son," She Gently Said. 
     
   "I Know That. I Am Not Wishing Myself In Edward's Place,  Or He Out Of It. 
   I Heartily Wish Him Health And A Long Life To Wear His Honours; It Is No 
   Fault Of His That He Should Be Rolling In Riches,  And I A Martyr To 
   Poverty. Still,  One Can't Help Feeling At Odd Moments,  When The Shoe's 
   Pinching Awfully,  That The System Is Not Altogether A Just One." 
     
   "Was That A Sincere Wish,  Val Elster?" 
     
   Val Wheeled Round On Lady Maude,  From Whom The Question Came. She Had 
   Stolen Up To Them Unperceived,  And Stood There In Her Radiant Beauty,  Her 
   Magnificent Dark Eyes And Her Glowing Cheeks Set Off By A Little 
   Coquettish Black-Velvet Hat. 
     
   "A Sincere Wish--That My Brother Should Live Long To Enjoy His Honours!" 
   Echoed Val,  In A Surprised Tone. "Indeed It Is. I Hope He Will Live To A 
   Green Old Age,  And Leave Goodly Sons To Succeed Him." 
     
   Maude Laughed. A Brighter Hue Stole Into Her Face,  A Softer Shade To Her 
   Eyes: She Saw Herself,  As In A Vision,  The Goodly Mother Of Those Goodly 
   Sons. 
     
   "Are You Going To Wear _That_?" She Asked,  Touching The Knot Of Ribbon In 
   Miss Ashton's Hands With Her Petulant Fingers. "They Are Lord Hartledon's 
   Colours." 
     
   "I Shall Wear It On Monday. Lord Hartledon Gave It To Me." 
     
   A Rash Avowal. The Competitors,  In A Sort Of Joke,  Had Each Given Away 
   One Knot Of His Own Colours. Lady Maude Had Had Three Given To Her; But 
   She Was Looking For Another Worth Them All--From Lord Hartledon. And 
   Now--It Was Given,  It Appeared,  To Anne Ashton! For Her Very Life She 
   Could Not Have Helped The Passionate Taunt That Escaped From Her,  Not In 
   Words,  But In Tone: 
     
   "To _You_!" 
     
   "Kissing Goes By Favour," Broke From The Delicate Lips Of Val Elster,  And 
   Lady Maude Could Have Struck Him For The Significant,  Saucy Expression Of 
   His Violet-Blue Eyes. "Edward Loves Anne Better Than He Ever Loved His 
   Sisters; And For Any Other Love--_That's_ Still Far Enough From His 
   Heart,  Maude." 
     
   She Had Recovered Herself Instantly; Cried Out "Yes" To Those In The 
   Distance,  As If She Heard A Call,  And Went Away Humming A Tune. 
     
   "Val,  She Loves Your Brother," Whispered Anne. 
     
   "Do You Think So? I Do Sometimes; And Again I'm Puzzled. She Acts Well 
   If She Does. The Other Day I Told Edward She Was In Love With Him: He 
   Laughed At Me,  And Said I Was Dreaming; That If She Had Any Love For Him, 
   It Was Cousin's Love. What's More,  Anne,  He Would Prefer Not To Receive 
   Any Other; So Maude Need Not Look After Him: It Will Be Labour Lost. Here 
   Comes That Restless Old Dowager Down Upon Us! I Shall Leave You To Her, 
   Anne. I Never Dare Say My Soul's My Own In The Presence Of That Woman." 
     
   Val Strolled Away As He Spoke. He Was Not At Ease That Day,  And The 
   Sharp,  Meddling Old Woman Would Have Been Intolerable. It Was All Very 
   Well To Put A Good Face On Matters To Anne,  But He Was In More Perplexity 
   Than He Cared To Confess To. It Seemed To Him That He Would Rather Die 
   Than Give Up Anne: And Yet--In The Straightforward,  Practical Good Sense 
   Of Dr. Ashton,  He Had A Formidable Adversary To Deal With. 
     
   He Suddenly Found An Arm Inserted Within His Own,  And Saw It Was His 
   Brother. Walking Together Thus,  There Was A Great Resemblance Between 
   Them. 
     
   They Were Of The Same Height,  Much The Same Build; Both Were Very 
   Good-Looking Men,  But Percival Had The Nicer Features; And He Was Fair, 
   And His Brother Dark. 
     
   "What Is This,  Val,  About A Dispute With The Doctor?" Began Lord 
   Hartledon. 
     
   "It Was Not A Dispute," Returned Val. "There Were A Few Words,  And I Was 
   Hasty. However,  I Begged His Pardon,  And We Parted Good Friends." 
     
   "Under A Flag Of Truce,  Eh?" 
     
   "Something Of That Sort." 
     
   "Something Of That Sort!" Repeated Lord Hartledon. "Don't You Think,  Val, 
   It Would Be To Your Advantage If You Trusted Me More Thoroughly Than You 
   Do? Tell Me The Whole Truth Of Your Position,  And Let Me See What Can Be 
   Done For You." 
     
   "There's Not Much To Tell," Returned Val,  In His Stupidity. Even With His 
   Brother His Ultra-Sensitiveness Clung To Him; And He Could No More Have 
   Confessed The Extent Of His Troubles Than He Could Have Taken Wing That 
   Moment And Soared Away Into The Air. Val Elster Was One Of Those Who 
   Trust To Things "Coming Right" With Time. 
     
   "I Have Been Talking To The Doctor,  Val. I Called In Just Now To See Mrs. 
   Ashton,  And He Spoke To Me About You." 
     
   "Very Kind Of Him,  I'm Sure!" Retorted Val. "It Is Just This,  Edward. He 
   Is Vexed At What He Calls My Idle Ways,  And Waste Of Time: As If I Need 
   Plod On,  Like A City Clerk,  Six Days A Week And No Holidays! I Know I 
   Must Do Something Before I Can Win Anne; And I Will Do It: But The Doctor 
   Need Not Begin To Cry Out About Cancelling The Engagement." 
     
   "How Much Do You Owe,  Val?" 
     
   "I Can't Tell." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Thought This An Evasion. But It Was True. Val Elster Knew 
   He Owed A Great Deal More Than He Could Pay; But How Much It Might Be On 
   The Whole,  He Had But A Very Faint Idea. 
     
   "Well,  Val,  I Have Told The Doctor I Shall Look Into Matters,  And I Hope 
   To Do It Efficiently,  For Anne's Sake. I Suppose The Best Thing Will Be 
   To Try And Get You An Appointment Again." 
     
   "Oh,  Edward,  If You Would! And You Know You Have The Ear Of The 
   Ministry." 
     
   "I Dare Say It Can Be Managed. But This Will Be Of Little Use If You Are 
   Still To Remain An Embarrassed Man. I Hear You Were Afraid Of Arrest In 
   London." 
     
   "Who Told You That?" 
     
   "Dawkes." 
     
   "Dawkes! Then,  Edward--" Val Elster Stopped. In His Vexation,  He Was 
   About To Retaliate On Captain Dawkes By A Little Revelation On The Score 
   Of _His_ Affairs,  Certain Things That Might Not Have Redounded To That 
   Gallant Officer's Credit. But He Arrested The Words In Time: He Was Of A 
   Kindly Nature,  Not Fond Of Returning Ill For Ill. With All His Follies, 
   Val Elster Could Not Remember To Have Committed An Evil Act In All His 
   Life,  Save One. And That One He Had Still The Pleasure Of Paying For 
   Pretty Deeply. 
     
   "Dawkes Knows Nothing Of My Affairs Except From Hearsay,  Edward. I Was 
   Once Intimate With The Man; But He Served Me A Shabby Trick,  And That 
   Ended The Friendship. I Don't Like Him." 
     
   "I Dare Say What He Said Was Not True," Said Lord Hartledon Kindly. "You 
   Might As Well Make A Confidant Of Me. However,  I Have Not Time To Talk 
   To-Day. We Will Go Into The Matter,  Val,  After Monday,  When This Race Has 
   Come Off,  And See What Arrangement Can Be Made For You. There's Only One 
   Thing Bothers Me." 
     
   "What's That?" 
     
   "The Danger That It May Be A Wasted Arrangement. If You Are Only Set Up 
   On Your Legs To Come Down Again,  As You Have Before,  It Will Be So Much 
   Waste Of Time And Money; So Much Loss,  To Me,  Of Temper. Don't You See, 
   Val?" 
     
   Percival Elster Stopped In His Walk,  And Withdrew His Arm From His 
   Brother's; His Face And Voice Full Of Emotion. 
     
   "Edward,  I Have Learnt A Lesson. What It Has Cost Me I Hardly Yet Know: 
   But It Is _Learnt_. On My Sacred Word Of Honour,  In The Solemn Presence 
   Of Heaven,  I Assert It,  That I Will Never Put My Hand To Another Bill, 
   Whatever May Be The Temptation. I Have Overcome,  In This Respect At 
   Least,  My Sin." 
     
   "Your Sin?" 
     
   "My Nature's Great Sin; The Besetting Sin That Has Clung To Me Through 
   Life; The Unfortunate Sin That Is My Bane To This Hour--Cowardly 
   Irresolution." 
     
   "All Right,  Val; I See You Mean Well Now. We'll Talk Of These Matters 
   Next Week. Instead Of Elster's Folly,  Let It Become Elster's Wisdom." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Wrung His Brother's Hand And Turned Away. His Eyes Fell On 
   Miss Ashton,  And He Went Straight Up To Her. Putting The Young Lady's Arm 
   Within His Own,  Without Word Or Ceremony,  He Took Her Off To A Distance: 
   And Old Lady Kirton's Skirts Went Round In A Dance As She Saw It. 
     
   "I Am About To Take Him In Hand,  Anne,  And Set Him Going Again: I Have 
   Promised Dr. Ashton. We Must Get Him A Snug Berth; One That Even The 
   Doctor Won't Object To,  And Set Him Straight In Other Matters. If He Has 
   Mortgaged His Patrimony,  It Shall Be Redeemed. And,  Anne,  I Think--I Do 
   Think--He May Be Trusted To Keep Straight For The Future." 
     
   Her Soft Sweet Eyes Sparkled With Pleasure,  And Her Lips Parted With A 
   Sunny Smile. Lord Hartledon Took Her Hand Within His Own As It Lay On His 
   Arm,  And The Furious Old Dowager Saw It All From The Distance. 
     
   "Don't Say As Much As This To Him,  Anne: I Only Tell You. Val Is So 
   Sanguine,  That It May Be Better Not To Tell Him All Beforehand. And I 
   Want,  Of Course,  First Of All,  To Get A True List Of--That Is,  A True 
   Statement Of Facts," He Broke Off,  Not Caring To Speak The Word "Debts" 
   To That Delicate Girl Before Him. "He Is My Only Brother; My Father Left 
   Him To Me,  For He Knew What Val Was; And I'll Do My Best For Him. I'd Do 
   It For Val's Own Sake,  Apart From The Charge. And,  Anne,  Once Val Is On 
   His Legs With An Income,  Snug And Comfortable,  I Shall Recommend Him To 
   Marry Without Delay; For,  After All,  You Will Be His Greatest Safeguard." 
     
   A Blush Suffused Her Face,  And Lord Hartledon Smiled. 
     
   Down Came The Countess-Dowager. 
     
   "Here's That Old Dowager Calling To Me. She Never Lets Me Alone. Val Sent 
   Me Into A Fit Of Laughter Yesterday,  Saying She Had Designs On Me For 
   Maude. Poor Deluded Woman! Yes,  Ma'am,  I Hear. What Is It?" 
     
   Mr. Elster Went Strolling Along On The Banks Of The River,  Towards Calne; 
   Not With Any Particular Purpose,  But In His Restless Uneasiness. He Had A 
   Tender Conscience,  And His Past Follies Were Pressing On It Heavily. Of 
   One Thing He Felt Sure--That He Was More Deeply Involved Than Hartledon 
   Or Anyone Else Suspected,  Perhaps Even Himself. The Way Was Charming In 
   Fine Weather,  Though Less Pleasant In Winter. It Was By No Means A 
   Frequented Road,  And Belonged Of Right To Lord Hartledon Only; But It Was 
   Open To All. Few Chose It When They Could Traverse The More Ordinary Way. 
   The Narrow Path On The Green Plain,  Sheltered By Trees,  Wound In And Out, 
   Now On The Banks Of The River,  Now Hidden Amidst A Portion Of The Wood. 
   Altogether It Was A Wild And Lonely Pathway; Not One That A Timid Nature 
   Would Choose On A Dark Night. You Might Sit In The Wood,  Which Lay To The 
   Left,  A Whole Day Through,  And Never See A Soul. 
     
   One Part Of The Walk Was Especially Beautiful. A Green Hollow,  Where The 
   Turf Was Soft As Moss; Open To The River On The Right,  With A Glimpse Of 
   The Lovely Scenery Beyond; And On The Left,  The Clustering Trees Of The 
   Wood. Yet Further,  Through A Break In The Trees,  Might Be Seen A View Of 
   The Houses Of Calne. A Little Stream,  Or Rivulet,  Trickled From The Wood, 
   And A Rustic Bridge--More For Ornament Than Use,  For A Man With Long Legs 
   Could Stride The Stream Well--Was Thrown Over It. Val Had Reached Thus 
   Far,  When He Saw Someone Standing On The Bridge,  His Arms On The Parapet, 
   Apparently In A Brown Study. 
     
   A Dark,  Wild-Looking Man,  Whose Face,  At The First Glimpse,  Seemed All 
   Hair. There Was Certainly A Profusion Of It; Eyebrows,  Beard,  Whiskers, 
   All Heavy,  And Black As Night. He Was Attired In Loose Fustian Clothes 
   With A Red Handkerchief Wound Round His Throat,  And A Low Slouching 
   Hat--One Of Those Called Wide-Awake--Partially Concealed His Features. By 
   His Side Stood Another Man In Plain,  Dark,  Rather Seedy Clothes,  The Coat 
   Outrageously Long. He Wore A Cloth Hat,  Whose Brim Hid His Face,  And He 
   Was Smoking A Cigar. Both Men Were Slightly Built And Under Middle 
   Height. This One Was Adorned With Red Whiskers. 
     
   The Moment Mr. Elster Set Eyes On The Dark One,  He Felt That He Saw The 
   Man Pike Before Him. It Happened That He Had Not Met Him During These Few 
   Days Of His Sojourn; But Some Of The Men Staying At Hartledon Had,  And 
   Had Said What A Loose Specimen He Appeared To Be. The Other Was A 
   Stranger,  And Did Not Look Like A Countryman At All. 
     
   Mr. Elster Saw Them Both Give A Sharp Look At Him As He Approached; 
   And Then They Spoke Together. Both Stepped Off The Bridge,  As Though 
   Deferring To Him,  And Stood Aside As They Watched Him Cross Over,  Pike 
   Touching His Wide-Awake. 
     
   "Good-Day,  My Lord." 
     
   Val Nodded By Way Of Answer,  And Continued His Stroll Onwards. In The 
   Look He Had Taken At Pike,  It Struck Him He Had Seen The Face Before: 
   Something In The Countenance Seemed Familiar To His Memory. And To His 
   Surprise He Saw That The Man Was Young. 
     
   The Supposed Reminiscence Did Not Trouble Him: He Was Too Pre-Occupied 
   With Thoughts Of His Own Affairs To Have Leisure For Mr. Pike's. A Short 
   Bit Of Road,  And This Rude,  Sheltered Part Of The Way Terminated In More 
   Open Ground,  Where Three Paths Diverged: One To The Front Of Hartledon; 
   One To Some Cottages,  And On Through The Wood To The High-Road; And One 
   Towards The Rectory And Calne. Rural Paths Still,  All Of Them; And The 
   Last Was Provided With A Bench Or Two. Val Elster Strolled On Almost To 
   The Rectory,  And Then Turned Back: He Had No Errand At Calne,  And The 
   Rectory He Would Rather Keep Out Of Just Now. When He Reached The Little 
   Bridge Pike Was On It Alone; The Other Had Disappeared. As Before,  He 
   Stepped Off To Make Way For Mr. Elster. 
     
   "I Beg Pardon,  Sir,  For Addressing You Just Now As Lord Hartledon." 
     
   The Salutation Took Val By Surprise; And Though The Voice Seemed Muffled, 
   As Though The Man Purposely Mouthed His Words,  The Accent And Language 
   Were Superior To Anything He Might Have Expected From One Of Mr. Pike's 
   Appearance And Reputed Character. 
     
   "No Matter," Said Val,  Courteous Even To Pike,  In His Kindly Nature. "You 
   Mistook Me For My Brother. Many Do." 
     
   "Not I," Returned The Man,  Assuming A Freedom And A Roughness At Variance 
   With His Evident Intelligence. "I Know You For The Honourable Percival 
   Elster." 
     
   "Ah," Said Mr. Elster,  A Slight Curiosity Stirring His Mind,  But Not 
   Sufficient To Induce Him To Follow It Up. 
     
   "But I Like To Do A Good Turn If I Can," Pursued Pike; "And I Think,  Sir, 
   I Did One To You In Calling You Lord Hartledon." 
     
   Val Elster Had Been Passing On. He Turned And Looked At The Man. 
     
   "Are You In Any Little Temporary Difficulty,  Might I Ask?" Continued 
   Pike. "No Offense,  Sir; Princes Have Been In Such Before Now." 
     
   Val Elster Was So Supremely Conscious,  Especially In That Reflective 
   Hour,  Of Being In A "Little Difficulty" That Might Prove More Than 
   Temporary,  That He Could Only Stare At The Questioner And Wait For More. 
     
   "No Offence Again,  If I'm Wrong," Resumed Pike; "But If That Man You Saw 
   Here On The Bridge Is Not Looking After The Honourable Mr. Elster,  I'm A 
   Fool." 
     
   "Why Do You Think This?" Inquired Val,  Too Fully Aware That The Fact Was 
   A Likely One To Attempt Any Reproof Or Disavowal. 
     
   "I'll Tell You," Said Pike; "I've Said I Don't Mind Doing A Good Turn 
   When I Can. The Man Arrived Here This Morning By The Slow Six Train From 
   London. He Went Into The Stag And Had His Breakfast,  And Has Been 
   Covertly Dodging About Ever Since. He Inquired His Way To Hartledon. The 
   Landlord Of The Stag Asked Him What He Wanted There,  And Got For Answer 
   That His Brother Was One Of The Grooms In My Lord's Service. Bosh! He 
   Went Up,  Sneaking Under The Hedges And Along By-Ways,  And Took A View Of 
   The House,  Standing A Good Hour Behind A Tree While He Did It. I Was 
   Watching Him." 
     
   It Instantly Struck Percival Elster,  By One Of Those Flashes Of 
   Conviction That Are No Less Sure Than Subtle,  That Mr. Pike's Interest In 
   This Watching Arose From A Fear That The Stranger Might Have Been Looking 
   After _Him_. Pike Continued: 
     
   "After He Had Taken His Fill Of Waiting,  He Came Dodging Down This Way, 
   And I Got Into Conversation With Him. He Wanted To Know Who I Was. A Poor 
   Devil Out Of Work,  I Told Him; A Soldier Once,  But Maimed And Good For 
   Little Now. We Got Chatty. I Let Him Think He Might Trust Me,  And He 
   Began Asking No End Of Questions About Mr. Elster: Whether He Went Out 
   Much,  What Were His Hours For Going Out,  Which Road He Mostly Took In His 
   Walks,  And How He Could Know Him From His Brother The Earl; He Had Heard 
   They Were Alike. The Hound Was Puzzled; He Had Seen A Dozen Swells Come 
   Out Of Hartledon,  Any One Of Which Might Be Mr. Elster; But I Found He 
   Had The Description Pretty Accurate. Whilst We Were Talking,  Who Should 
   Come Into View But Yourself! 'This Is Him!' Cried He. 'Not A Bit Of It,' 
   Said I,  Carelessly; 'That's My Lord.' Now You Know,  Sir,  Why I Saluted 
   You As Lord Hartledon." 
     
   "Where Is He Now?" Asked Percival Elster,  Feeling That He Owed His 
   Present State Of Liberty To This Lawless Man. 
     
   Pike Pointed To The Narrow Path In The Wood,  Leading To The High-Road. 
   "I Filled Him Up With The Belief That The Way Beyond This Bridge Up To 
   Hartledon Was Private,  And He Might Be Taken Up For Trespassing If He 
   Attempted To Follow It; So He Went Off That Way To Watch The Front. If 
   The Fellow Hasn't A Writ In His Pocket,  Or Something Worse,  Call Me A 
   Simpleton. You Are All Right,  Sir,  As Long As He Takes You For Lord 
   Hartledon." 
     
   But There Was Little Chance The Fellow Could Long Take Him For Lord 
   Hartledon,  And Percival Elster Felt Himself Attacked With A Shiver. He 
   Knew It To Be Worse Than A Writ; It Was An Arrest. An Arrest Is Not A 
   Pleasant Affair For Any One; But A Strong Opinion--A Certainty--Seized 
   Upon Val's Mind That This Would Bring Forth Dr. Ashton's Veto Of 
   Separation From Anne. 
     
   "I Thank You For What You Have Done," Frankly Spoke Mr. Elster. 
     
   "It's Nothing,  Sir. He'll Be Dodging About After His Prey; But I'll Dodge 
   About Too,  And Thwart His Game If I Can,  Though I Have To Swear That Lord 
   Hartledon's Not Himself. What's An Oath,  More Or Less,  To Me?" 
     
   "Where Have I Seen You Before?" Asked Val. 
     
   "Hard To Say," Returned Pike. "I Have Knocked About In Many Parts In My 
   Time." 
     
   "Are You From This Neighbourhood?" 
     
   "Never Was In These Parts At All Till A Year Or So Ago. It's Not Two 
   Years Yet." 
     
   "What Are You Doing Here?" 
     
   "What I Can. A Bit Of Work When I Can Get It Given To Me. I Went Tramping 
   The Country After I Left The Regiment--" 
     
   "Then You Have Been A Soldier?" Interrupted Mr. Elster. 
     
   "Yes,  Sir. In Tramping The Country I Came Upon This Place: I Crept Into 
   A Shed,  And Was There For Some Days; Rheumatism Took Hold Of Me,  And I 
   Couldn't Move. It Was Something To Find I Had A Roof Of Any Sort Over My 
   Head,  And Was Let Lie In It Unmolested: And When I Got Better I Stayed 
   On." 
     
   "And Have Adopted It As Your Own,  Putting A Window And A Chimney Into It! 
   But Do You Know That Lord Hartledon May Not Choose To Retain You As A 
   Tenant?" 
     
   "If Lord Hartledon Should Think Of Ousting Me,  I Would Ask Mr. Elster To 
   Intercede,  In Requital For The Good Turn I've Done Him This Day," Was The 
   Bold Answer. 
     
   Mr. Elster Laughed. "What Is Your Name?" 
     
   "Tom Pike." 
     
   "I Hear A Great Deal Said Of You,  Pike,  That's Not Pleasant; That You Are 
   A Poacher,  And A--" 
     
   "Let Them That Say So Prove It," Interrupted Pike,  His Dark Brows 
   Contracting. 
     
   "But How Do You Manage To Live?" 
     
   "That's My Business,  And Not Calne's. At Any Rate,  Mr. Elster,  I Don't 
   Steal." 
     
   "I Heard A Worse Hint Dropped Of You Than Any I Have Mentioned," 
   Continued Val,  After A Pause. 
     
   "Tell It Out,  Sir. Let's Have The Whole Catalogue At Once." 
     
   "That The Night My Brother,  Mr. Elster,  Was Shot,  You Were Out With The 
   Poachers." 
     
   "I Dare Say You Heard That I Shot Him,  For I Know It Has Been Said," 
   Fiercely Cried The Man. "It's A Black Lie!--And The Time May Come When I 
   Shall Ram It Down Calne's Throat. I Swear That I Never Fired A Shot That 
   Night; I Swear That I No More Had A Hand In Mr. Elster's Death Than You 
   Had. Will You Believe Me,  Sir?" 
     
   The Accents Of Truth Are Rarely To Be Mistaken,  And Val Was Certain He 
   Heard Them Now. So Far,  He Believed The Man; And From That Moment 
   Dismissed The Doubt From His Mind,  If Indeed He Had Not Dismissed It 
   Before. 
     
   "Do You Know Who Did Fire The Shot?" 
     
   "I Do Not; I Was Not Out At All That Night. Calne Pitched Upon Me, 
   Because There Was No One Else In Particular To Pitch Upon. A Dozen 
   Poachers Were In The Fray,  Most Of Them With Guns; Little Wonder The 
   Random Shot From One Should Have Found A Mark. I Know Nothing More 
   Certain Than That,  So Help--" 
     
   "That Will Do," Interrupted Mr. Elster,  Arresting What Might Be Coming; 
   For He Disliked Strong Language. "I Believe You Fully,  Pike. What Part Of 
   The Country Were You Born In?" 
     
   "London. Born And Bred In It." 
     
   "That I Do Not Believe," He Said Frankly. "Your Accent Is Not That Of A 
   Londoner." 
     
   "As You Will,  Sir," Returned Pike. "My Mother Was From Devonshire; But I 
   Was Born And Bred In London. I Recognized That One With The Writ For A 
   Fellow Cockney At Once; And For What He Was,  Too--A Sheriffs Officer. 
   Shouldn't Be Surprised But I Knew Him For One Years Ago." 
     
   Val Elster Dropped A Coin Into The Man's Hand,  And Bade Him Good Morning. 
   Pike Touched His Wide-Awake,  And Reiterated His Intention Of "Dodging The 
   Enemy." But,  As Mr. Elster Cautiously Pursued His Way,  The Face He Had 
   Just Quitted Continued To Haunt Him. It Was Not Like Any Face He Had Ever 
   Seen,  As Far As He Could Remember; Nevertheless Ever And Anon Some 
   Reminiscence Seemed To Start Out Of It And Vibrate Upon A Chord In His 
   Memory. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 7 (Listeners) 
   It Was A Somewhat Singular Coincidence,  Noted After The Terrible Event, 
   Now Looming In The Distance,  Had Taken Place,  And When People Began To 
   Weigh The Various Circumstances Surrounding It,  That Monday,  The Second 
   Day Fixed For The Boat-Race,  Should Be Another Day Of Rain. As Though 
   Heaven Would Have Interposed To Prevent It! Said The Thoughtful And 
   Romantic. 
     
   A Steady,  Pouring Rain; Putting A Stop Again To The Race For That Day. 
   The Competitors Might Have Been Willing To Face The Elements Themselves, 
   But Could Not Subject The Fair Spectators To The Infliction. There Was 
   Some Inward Discontent,  And A Great Deal Of Outward Grumbling; It Did No 
   Good,  And The Race Was Put Off Until The Next Day. 
     
   Val Elster Still Retained His Liberty. Very Chary Indeed Had He Been Of 
   Showing Himself Outside The Door On Saturday,  Once He Was Safely Within 
   It. Neither Had Any Misfortune Befallen Lord Hartledon. That Unconscious 
   Victim Must Have Contrived,  In All Innocence,  To "Dodge" The Gentleman 
   Who Was Looking Out For Him,  For They Did Not Meet. 
     
   On The Sunday It Happened That Neither Of The Brothers Went To Church. 
   Lord Hartledon,  On Awaking In The Morning,  Found He Had A Sore Throat, 
   And Would Not Get Up. Val Did Not Dare Show Himself Out Of Doors. Not 
   From Fear Of Arrest That Day,  But Lest Any Officious Meddler Should Point 
   Him Out As The Real Simon Pure,  Percival Elster. But For These 
   Circumstances,  The Man With The Writ Could Hardly Have Remained 
   Under The Delusion,  As He Appeared At Church Himself. 
     
   "Which Is Lord Hartledon?" He Whispered To His Neighbour On The Free 
   Benches,  When The Party From The Great House Had Entered,  And Settled 
   Themselves In Their Pews. 
     
   "I Don't See Him. He Has Not Come To-Day." 
     
   "Which Is Mr. Elster?" 
     
   "He Has Not Come,  Either." So For That Day Recognition Was Escaped. 
     
   It Was Not To Be So On The Next. The Rain,  As I Have Said,  Came Down, 
   Putting Off The Boat-Race,  And Keeping Hartledon's Guests Indoors All The 
   Morning; But Late In The Afternoon Some Unlucky Star Put It Into Lord 
   Hartledon's Head To Go Down To The Rectory. His Throat Was Better--Almost 
   Well Again; And He Was Not A Man To Coddle Himself Unnecessarily. 
     
   He Paid His Visit,  Stayed Talking A Considerable Time With Mrs. Ashton, 
   Whose Company He Liked,  And Took His Departure About Six O'clock. "You 
   And Anne Might Almost Walk Up With Me," He Remarked To The Doctor As He 
   Shook Hands; For The Rector And Miss Ashton Were To Dine At Hartledon 
   That Day. It Was To Have Been The Crowning Festival To The Boat-Race--The 
   Race Which Now Had Not Taken Place. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Looked Up At The Skies,  And Found He Had No Occasion To 
   Open His Umbrella,  For The Rain Had Ceased. Sundry Bright Rays In The 
   West Seemed To Give Hope That The Morrow Would Be Fair; And,  Rejoicing In 
   This Cheering Prospect,  He Crossed The Broad Rectory Lawn. As He Went 
   Through The Gate Some One Laid A Hand Upon His Shoulder. 
     
   "The Honourable Percival Elster,  I Believe?" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Looked At The Intruder. A Seedy Man,  With A Long Coat And 
   Red Whiskers,  Who Held Out Something To Him. 
     
   "Who Are You?" He Asked,  Releasing His Shoulder By A Sharp Movement. 
     
   "I'm Sorry To Do It,  Sir; But You Know We Are Only The Agent Of Others In 
   These Affairs. You Are My Prisoner,  Sir." 
     
   "Indeed!" Said Lord Hartledon,  Taking The Matter Coolly. "You Have Got 
   Hold Of The Wrong Man For Once. I Am Not Mr. Percival Elster." 
     
   The Capturer Laughed: A Very Civil Laugh. "It Won't Do,  Sir; We Often 
   Have That Trick Tried On Us." 
     
   "But I Tell You I Am _Not_ Mr. Elster," He Reiterated,  Speaking This Time 
   With Some Anger. "I Am Lord Hartledon." 
     
   He Of The Loose Coat Shook His Head. He Had His Hand Again On The 
   Supposed Mr. Elster's Arm,  And Told Him He Must Go With Him. 
     
   "You Cannot Take Me; You Cannot Arrest A Peer. This Is Simply 
   Ridiculous," Continued Lord Hartledon,  Almost Laughing At The Real 
   Absurdity Of The Thing. "Any Child In Calne Could Tell You Who I Am." 
     
   "As Well Make No Words Over It,  Sir. It's Only Waste Of Time." 
     
   "You Have A Warrant--As I Understand--To Arrest Mr. Percival Elster?" 
     
   "Yes,  Sir,  I Have. The Man That Was Looking For You In London Got Taken 
   Ill,  And Couldn't Come Down,  So Our Folks Sent Me. 'You'll Know Him By 
   His Good Looks,' Said They; 'An Aristocrat Every Inch Of Him.' Don't Give 
   Me Trouble,  Sir." 
     
   "Well Now--I Am Not Percival Elster: I Am His Brother,  Lord Hartledon. 
   You Cannot Take One Brother For Another; And,  What's More,  You Had Better 
   Not Try To Do It. Stay! Look Here." 
     
   He Pulled Out His Card-Case,  And Showed His Cards--"Earl Of Hartledon." 
   He Exhibited A Couple Of Letters That Happened To Be About Him--"The 
   Right Honble. The Earl Of Hartledon." It Was Of No Use. 
     
   "I've Known That Dodge Tried Before Too," Said His Obstinate Capturer. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Was Growing More Angry. He Saw Some Proof Must Be Tendered 
   Before He Could Regain His Liberty. Jabez Gum Happened To Be Standing At 
   His Gate Opposite,  And He Called To Him. 
     
   "Will You Be So Kind As To Tell This Man Who I Am,  Mr. Gum. He Is 
   Mistaking Me For Some One Else." 
     
   "This Is The Earl Of Hartledon," Said Jabez,  Promptly. 
     
   A Moment's Hesitation On The Officer's Part; But He Felt Too Sure Of His 
   Man To Believe This. "I'll Take The Risk," Said He,  Stolidly. "Where's 
   The Good Of Your Holding Out,  Mr. Elster?" 
     
   "Come This Way,  Then!" Cried Lord Hartledon,  Beginning To Lose His 
   Temper. "And If You Carry This Too Far,  My Man,  I'll Have You Punished." 
     
   He Went Striding Up To The Rectory. Had He Taken A Moment For 
   Consideration,  He Might Have Turned Away,  Rather Than Expose This 
   Misfortune Of Val's There. The Doctor Came Into The Hall,  And Was 
   Recognized As The Rector,  And There Was Some Little Commotion; Anne's 
   White Face Looking On From A Distance. The Man Was Convinced,  And Took 
   His Departure,  Considerably Crestfallen. 
     
   "What Is The Amount?" Called The Doctor,  Sternly. 
     
   "Not Very Much,  _This_,  Sir. It's Under Three Hundred." 
     
   Which Was As Much As To Say There Was More Behind It. Dr. Ashton Mentally 
   Washed His Hands Of Percival Elster As A Future Son-In-Law. 
     
   The First Intimation That Ill-Starred Gentleman Received Of The Untoward 
   Turn Affairs Were Taking Was From The Rector Himself. 
     
   Mr. Percival Elster Had Been Chuckling Over That Opportune Sore Throat, 
   As A Means Of Keeping His Brother Indoors; And It Never Occurred To Him 
   That Lord Hartledon Would Venture Out At All On The Monday. Being A Man 
   With His Wits About Him,  It Had Not Failed To Occur To His Mind That 
   There Was A Possibility Of Lord Hartledon's Being Arrested In Place Of 
   Himself; But So Long As Hartledon Kept Indoors The Danger Was Averted. 
   Had Percival Elster Seen His Brother Go Out He Might Have Plucked Up 
   Courage To Tell Him The State Of Affairs. 
     
   But He Did Not See Him. Lounging Idly--What Else Had He,  A Poor Prisoner, 
   To Do?--In The Sunny Society Of Maude Kirton And Other Attractive Girls, 
   Mr. Elster Was Unconscious Of The Movements Of The Household In General. 
   He Was In His Own Room Dressing For Dinner When The Truth Burst Upon Him. 
     
   Dr. Ashton Was A Straightforward; Practical Man--It Has Been Already 
   Stated--Who Went Direct To The Point At Once In Any Matters Of 
   Difficulty. He Arrived At Hartledon A Few Minutes Before The Dinner-Hour, 
   Found Mr. Elster Was Yet In His Dressing-Room,  And Went There To Him. 
     
   The News,  The Cool,  Scornful Anger Of The Rector,  The Keen Question--"Was 
   He Mad?" Burst Upon The Unhappy Val Like A Clap Of Thunder. He Was 
   Standing In His Shirt-Sleeves,  Ready To Go Down,  All But His Coat And 
   Waistcoat,  His Hair-Brushes In The Uplifted Hands. Hands And Brushes Had 
   Been Arrested Midway In The Shock. The Calm Clerical Man; All The More 
   Terrible Then Because Of His Calmness; Standing There With His Cold 
   Stinging Words,  And His Unhappy Culprit Facing Him,  Conscious Of His 
   Heinous Sins--The Worst Sin Of All: That Of Being Found Out. 
     
   "Others Have Done So Much Before Me,  Sir,  And Have Not Made The Less Good 
   Men," Spoke Val,  In His Desperation. 
     
   Dr. Ashton Could Not Help Admiring The Man,  As He Stood There In His 
   Physical Beauty. In Spite Of His Inward Anger,  His Condemnation,  His 
   Disappointment--And They Were All Very Great--The Good Looks Of Percival 
   Elster Struck Him Forcibly With A Sort Of Annoyance: Why Should These Men 
   Be So Outwardly Fair,  So Inwardly Frail? Those Good Looks Had Told Upon 
   His Daughter's Heart; And They All Loved _Her_,  And Could Not Bear To 
   Cause Her Pain. Tall,  Supple,  Graceful,  Strong,  Towering Nearly A Head 
   Above The Doctor,  He Stood,  His Pleasing Features Full Of The Best Sort 
   Of Attraction,  His Violet Eyes Rather Wider Open Than Usual,  The Waves Of 
   His Silken Hair Smooth And Bright. "If He Were Only Half As Fair In 
   Conduct As In Looks!" Muttered The Grieved Divine. 
     
   But Those Violet Eyes,  Usually Beaming With Kindness,  Suddenly Changed 
   Their Present Expression Of Depreciation To One Of Rage. Dr. Ashton Gave 
   A Pretty Accurate Description Of How The Crisis Had Been Brought To His 
   Knowledge--That Lord Hartledon Had Come To The Rectory,  With His Mistaken 
   Assailant,  To Be Identified; And Percival Elster's Anger Was Turned 
   Against His Brother. Never In All His Life Had He Been In So Great A 
   Passion; And Having To Suppress Its Signs In The Presence Of The Rector 
   Only Made The Fuel Burn More Fiercely. To Ruin Him With The Doctor By 
   Going _There_ With The News! Anywhere Else--Anywhere But The Rectory! 
     
   Hedges,  The Butler,  Interrupted The Conference. Dinner Was Waiting. Lord 
   Hartledon Looked At Val As The Two Entered The Room,  And Was Rather 
   Surprised At The Furious Gaze Of Reproach That Was Cast Back On Him. 
     
   Miss Ashton Was Not There. No,  Of Course Not! It Needed Not Val's Glance 
   Around To Be Assured Of That. Of Course They Were To Be Separated From 
   That Hour; The Fiat Was Already Gone Forth. And Mr. Val Elster Felt So 
   Savage That He Could Have Struck His Brother. He Heard Dr. Ashton's Reply 
   To An Inquiry--That Mrs. Ashton Was Feeling Unusually Poorly,  And Anne 
   Remained At Home With Her--But He Looked Upon It As An Evasion. Not A 
   Word Did He Speak During Dinner: Not A Word,  Save What Was Forced From 
   Him By Common Courtesy,  Spoke He After The Ladies Had Left The Room; He 
   Only Drank A Great Deal Of Wine. 
     
   A Very Unusual Circumstance For Val Elster. With All His Weak Resolution, 
   His Yielding Nature,  Drinking Was A Fault He Was Scarcely Ever Seduced 
   Into. Not Above Two Or Three Times In His Life Could He Remember To Have 
   Exceeded The Bounds Of Strict,  Temperate Sobriety. The Fact Was,  He Was 
   In Wrath With Himself: All His Past Follies Were Pressing Upon Him With 
   Bitter Condemnation. He Was Just In That Frame Of Mind When An Object To 
   Vent Our Fury Upon Becomes A Sort Of Necessity; And Mr. Elster's Was 
   Vented On His Brother. 
     
   He Was Waiting At Boiling-Point For The Opportunity To "Have It Out" With 
   Him: And It Soon Came. As The Gentlemen Left The Dining-Room--And In 
   These Present Days They Do Not,  As A Rule,  Sit Long,  Especially When The 
   Host Is A Young Man--Percival Elster Touched His Brother To Detain Him, 
   And Shut The Door On The Heels Of The Rest. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Was Surprised. Val's Attack Was So Savage. He Was Talking 
   Off His Superfluous Wrath,  And The Wine He Had Taken Did Not Tend To Cool 
   His Heat. Lord Hartledon,  Vexed At The Injustice,  Lost His Temper; And 
   For Once There Was A Quarrel,  Sharp And Loud,  Between The Brothers. It 
   Did Not Last Long; In Its Very Midst They Parted; Throwing Cutting Words 
   One At The Other. Lord Hartledon Quitted The Room,  To Join His Guests; 
   Val Elster Strode Outside The Window To Cool His Brain. 
     
   But Now,  Look At The Obstinate Pride Of Those Two Foolish Men! They Were 
   Angry With Each Other In Temper,  But Not In Heart. In Percival Elster's 
   Conscience There Was An Underlying Conviction That His Brother Had Acted 
   Only In Thoughtless Impulse When He Carried The Misfortune To The 
   Rectory; Whilst Lord Hartledon Was Even Then Full Of Plans For Serving 
   Val,  And Considered He Had More Need To Help Him Than Ever. A Day Or Two 
   Given To The Indulgence Of Their Anger,  And They Would Be Firmer Friends 
   Than Ever. 
     
   The Large French Window Of The Dining-Room,  Opening To The Ground,  Was 
   Flung Back By Val Elster; And He Stepped Forth Into The Cool Night,  Which 
   Was Beautifully Fine. The Room Looked Towards The River. The Velvet Lawn, 
   Wet With The Day's Rain,  Lay Calm And Silent Under The Bright Stars; The 
   Flowers,  Clustering Around Far And Wide,  Gave Out Their Sweet And Heavy 
   Night Perfume. Not An Instant Had He Been Outside When He Became 
   Conscious That Some Figure Was Gliding Towards Him--Was Almost Close To 
   Him; And He Recognised Mr. Pike. Yes,  That Worthy Gentleman Appeared To 
   Be Only Then Arriving On His Evening Visit: In Point Of Fact,  He Had Been 
   Glued Ear And Eye To The Window During The Quarrel. 
     
   "What Do You Want?" Demanded Mr. Elster. 
     
   "Well,  I Came Up Here Hoping To Get A Word With You,  Sir," Replied The 
   Man In His Rough,  Abrupt Manner,  More In Character With His Appearance 
   And Lawless Reputation Than With His Accent And Unmistakable 
   Intelligence. "There Was A Nasty Accident A Few Hours Ago: That Shark 
   Came Across His Lordship." 
     
   "I Know He Did," Savagely Spoke Val. "The Result Of Your Informing Him 
   That I Was Lord Hartledon." 
     
   "I Did It For The Best,  Mr. Elster. He'd Have Nabbed You That Very Time, 
   But For My Putting Him Off The Scent As I Did." 
     
   "Yes,  Yes,  I Am Aware You Did It For The Best,  And I Suppose It Turned 
   Out To Be So," Quickly Replied Val,  Some Of His Native Kindliness 
   Resuming Its Sway. "It's An Unfortunate Affair Altogether,  And That's 
   The Best That Can Be Said Of It." 
     
   "What I Came Up Here For Was To Tell You He Was Gone." 
     
   "Who Is Gone?" 
     
   "The Shark." 
     
   "Gone!" 
     
   "He Went Off By The Seven Train. Lord Hartledon Told Him He'd Communicate 
   With His Principals And See That The Affair Was Arranged. It Satisfied 
   The Man,  And He Went Away By The Next Train--Which Happened To Be The 
   Seven-O'clock One." 
     
   "How Do You Know This?" Asked Mr. Elster. 
     
   "This Way," Was The Answer. "I Was Hovering About Outside That Shed Of 
   Mine,  And I Saw The Encounter At The Parson's Gate--For That's Where It 
   Took Place. The First Thing The Fellow Did When It Was All Over Was To 
   Bolt Across The Road,  And Accuse Me Of Purposely Misleading Him. 'Not A 
   Bit Of It,' Said I; 'If I Did Mislead You,  It Was Unintentional,  For I 
   Took The One Who Came Over The Bridge On Saturday To Be Lord Hartledon, 
   Safe As Eggs. But They Have Been Down Here Only A Week,' I Went On,  'And 
   I Suppose I Don't Know 'Em Apart Yet.' I Can't Say Whether He Believed 
   Me; I Think He Did; He's A Soft Sort Of Chap. It Was All Right,  He Said: 
   The Earl Had Passed His Word To Him That It Should Be Made So Without His 
   Arresting Mr. Elster,  And He Was Off To London At Once." 
     
   "And He Has Gone?" 
     
   Mr. Pike Nodded Significantly. "I Watched Him Go; Dodged Him Up To The 
   Station And Saw Him Off." 
     
   Then This One Danger Was Over! Val Might Breathe Freely Again. 
     
   "And I Thought You Would Like To Know The Coast Was Clear; So I Came Up 
   To Tell You," Concluded Pike. 
     
   "Thank You For Your Trouble," Said Mr. Elster. "I Shall Not Forget It." 
     
   "You'll Remember It,  Perhaps,  If A Question Arises Touching That Shed," 
   Spoke The Man. "I May Need A Word Sometime With Lord Hartledon." 
     
   "I'll Remember It,  Pike. Here,  Wait A Moment. Is Thomas Pike Your Real 
   Name?" 
     
   "Well,  I Conclude It Is. Pike Was The Name Of My Father And Mother. As To 
   Thomas--Not Knowing Where I Was Christened,  I Can't Go And Look At The 
   Register; But They Never Called Me Anything But Tom. Did You Wish To Know 
   Particularly?" 
     
   There Was A Tone Of Mockery In The Man's Answer,  Not Altogether 
   Acceptable To His Hearer; And He Let Him Go Without Further Hindrance. 
   But The Man Turned Back In An Instant Of His Own Accord. 
     
   "I Dare Say You Are Wanting To Know Why I Did You This Little Turn,  Mr. 
   Elster. I Have Been Caught In Corners Myself Before Now; And If I Can 
   Help Anybody To Get Out Of Them Without Trouble To Myself,  I'm Willing To 
   Do It. And To Circumvent These Law-Sharks Comes Home To My Spirit As 
   Wholesome Refreshment." 
     
   Mr. Pike Finally Departed. He Took The Lonely Way,  And Only Struck Into 
   The High-Road Opposite His Own Domicile,  The Shed. Passing Round It,  He 
   Hovered At Its Rude Door--The One He Had Himself Made,  Along With The 
   Ruder Window--And Then,  Treading Softly,  He Stepped To The Low Stile In 
   The Hedge,  Which Had For Years Made The Boundary Between The Waste Land 
   On Which The Shed Stood And Clerk Gum's Garden. Here He Halted A Minute, 
   Looking All Ways. Then He Stepped Over The Stile,  Crouched Down Amongst 
   Mr. Gum's Cabbages,  Got Under Shelter Of The Hedge,  And So Stole Onwards, 
   Until He Came To An Anchor At The Kitchen-Window,  And Laid His Ear To The 
   Shutter,  Just As It Had Recently Been Laid Against The Glass In The 
   Dining-Room Of My Lord Hartledon. 
     
   That He Had A Propensity For Prying Into The Private Affairs Of His 
   Neighbours Near And Distant,  There Could Be Little Doubt About. Mr. Pike, 
   However,  Was Not Destined On This One Occasion To Reap Any Substantial 
   Reward. The Kitchen Appeared To Be Wrapped In Perfect Silence. Satisfying 
   Himself As To This,  He Next Took Off His Heavy Shoes,  Stole Past The Back 
   Door,  And So Round The Clerk's House To The Front. Very Softly Indeed 
   Went He,  Creeping By The Wall,  And Emerging At Last Round The Angle,  By 
   The Window Of The Best Parlour. Here,  Most Excessively To Mr. Pike's 
   Consternation,  He Came Upon A Lady Doing Exactly What He Had Come To 
   Do--Namely,  Stealthily Listening At The Window To Anything There Might Be 
   To Hear Inside. 
     
   The Shrill Scream She Gave When She Found Her Face In Contact With The 
   Wild Intruder,  Might Have Been Heard Over At Dr. Ashton's. Clerk Gum,  Who 
   Had Been Quietly Writing In His Office,  Came Out In Haste,  And Recognized 
   Mrs. Jones,  The Wife Of The Surly Porter At The Station,  And Step-Mother 
   To The Troublesome Young Servant,  Rebecca. Pike Had Totally Disappeared. 
     
   Mrs. Jones,  Partly Through Fright,  Partly In Anger Arising From A 
   Long-Standing Grievance,  Avowed The Truth Boldly: She Had Been Listening 
   At The Parlour-Shutters Ever Since She Went Out Of The House Ten Minutes 
   Ago,  And Had Been Set Upon By That Wolf Pike. 
     
   "Set Upon!" Exclaimed The Clerk,  Looking Swiftly In All Directions For 
   The Offender. 
     
   "I Don't Know What Else You Can Call It,  When A Highway Robber--A 
   Murderer,  If All Tales Be True--Steals Round Upon You Without Warning, 
   And Glares His Eyes Into Yours," Shrieked Mrs. Jones Wrathfully. "And If 
   He Wasn't Barefoot,  Gum,  My Eyes Strangely Deceived Me. I'd Have You And 
   Nancy Take Care Of Your Throats." 
     
   She Turned Into The House,  To The Best Parlour,  Where The Clerk's Wife 
   Was Sitting With A Visitor,  Mirrable. Mrs. Gum,  When She Found What The 
   Commotion Had Been About,  Gave A Sharp Cry Of Terror,  And Shook From Head 
   To Foot. 
     
   "On Our Premises! Close To Our House! That Dreadful Man! Oh,  Lydia,  Don't 
   You Think You Were Mistaken?" 
     
   "Mistaken!" Retorted Mrs. Jones. "That Wild Face Isn't One To Be 
   Mistaken: I Should Like To See Its Fellow In Calne. Why Lord Hartledon 
   Don't Have Him Taken Up On Suspicion Of That Murder,  Is Odd To Me." 
     
   "You'd Better Hold Your Tongue About That Suspicion," Interposed 
   Mirrable. "I Have Cautioned You Before,  _I_ Shouldn't Like To Breathe 
   A Word Against A Desperate Man; I Should Go About In Fear That He Might 
   Hear Of It,  And Revenge Himself." 
     
   In Came The Clerk. "I Don't See A Sign Of Any One About," He Said; "And 
   I'm Sure Whoever It Was Could Not Have Had Time To Get Away. You Must 
   Have Been Mistaken,  Mrs. Jones." 
     
   "Mistaken In What,  Pray?" 
     
   "That Any Man Was There. You Got Confused,  And Fancied It,  Perhaps. As To 
   Pike,  He'd Never Dare Come On My Premises,  Whether By Night Or Day. What 
   Were You Doing At The Window?" 
     
   "Listening," Defiantly Replied Mrs. Jones. "And Now I'll Just Tell Out 
   What I've Had In My Head This Long While,  Mr. Gum,  And Know The Reason Of 
   Nancy's Slighting Me In The Way She Does. What Secret Has She And Mary 
   Mirrable Got Between Them?" 
     
   "Secret?" Repeated The Clerk,  Whilst His Wife Gave A Faint Cry,  And 
   Mirrable Turned Her Calm Face On Mrs. Jones. "Have They A Secret?" 
     
   "Yes,  They Have," Raved Mrs. Jones,  Giving Vent To Her Long Pent-Up 
   Emotion. "If They Haven't,  I'm Blind And Deaf. If I Have Come Into Your 
   House Once During The Past Year And Found Mrs. Mirrable In It,  And The 
   Two Sitting And Whispering,  I've Come Ten Times. This Evening I Came In 
   At Dusk; I Turned The Handle Of The Door And Peeped Into The Best 
   Parlour,  And There They Were,  Nose And Knees Together,  Starting Away 
   From Each Other As Soon As They Saw Me,  Nance Giving One Of Her Faint 
   Cries,  And The Two Making Believe To Have Been Talking Of The Weather. 
   It's Always So. And I Want To Know What Secret They Have Got Hold Of,  And 
   Whether I'm Poison,  That I Can't Be Trusted With It." 
     
   Jabez Gum Slowly Turned His Eyes On The Two In Question. His Wife Lifted 
   Her Hands In Deprecation At The Idea That She Should Have A Secret: 
   Mirrable Was Laughing. 
     
   "Nancy's Secret To-Night,  When You Interrupted Us,  Was Telling Me Of A 
   Dream She Had Regarding Lord Hartledon,  And Of How She Mistook Mr. Elster 
   For Him The Morning He Came Down," Cried The Latter. "And If You Have 
   Really Been Listening At The Shutters Since You Went Out,  Mrs. Jones,  You 
   Should By This Time Know How To Pickle Walnuts In The New Way: For I 
   Declare That Is All Our Conversation Has Been About Since. You Always 
   Were Suspicious,  You Know,  And You Always Will Be." 
     
   "Look Here,  Mrs. Jones," Said The Clerk,  Decisively; "I Don't Choose To 
   Have My Shutters Listened At: It Might Give The House A Bad Name,  For 
   Quarrelling,  Or Something Of That Sort. So I'll Trouble You Not To Repeat 
   What You Have Done To-Night,  Or I Shall Forbid Your Coming Here. A 
   Secret,  Indeed!" 
     
   "Yes,  A Secret!" Persisted Mrs. Jones. "And If I Don't Come At What It Is 
   One Of These Days,  My Name's Not Lydia Jones. And I'll Tell You Why. It 
   Strikes Me--I May Be Wrong--But It Strikes Me It Concerns Me And My 
   Husband And My Household,  Which Some Folks Are Ever Ready To Interfere 
   With. I'll Take Myself Off Now; And I Would Recommend You,  As A Parting 
   Warning,  To Denounce Pike To The Police For An Attempt At Housebreaking, 
   Before You're Both Murdered In Your Bed. That'll Be The End On't." 
     
   She Went Away,  And Clerk Gum Wished He Could Denounce _Her_ To The 
   Police. Mirrable Laughed Again; And Mrs. Gum,  Cowardly And Timid,  Fell 
   Back In Her Chair As One Seized With Ague. 
     
   Beyond Giving An Occasional Dole To Mrs. Jones For Her Children--And 
   To Tell The Truth,  She Clothed Them All,  Or They Would Have Gone In 
   Rags--Mirrable Had Shaken Her Cousin Off Long Ago: Which Of Course Did 
   Not Tend To Soothe The Naturally Jealous Spirit Of Mrs. Jones. At 
   Hartledon House She Was Not Welcomed,  And Could Not Go There; But She 
   Watched For The Visits Of Mirrable At The Clerk's,  And Was Certain To 
   Intrude On Those Occasions. 
     
   "I'll Find It Out!" She Repeated To Herself,  As She Went Storming Through 
   The Garden-Gate; "I'll Find It Out. And As To That Poacher,  He'd Better 
   Bring His Black Face Near Mine Again!" 
   
   
   
   Chapter 8 (The Wager Boats) 
   Tuesday Morning Rose,  Bright And Propitious: A Contrast To The Two 
   Previous Days Arranged For The Boat-Race. All Was Pleasure,  Bustle, 
   Excitement At Hartledon: But The Coolness That Had Arisen Between The 
   Brothers Was Noticed By Some Of The Guests. Neither Of Them Was Disposed 
   To Take The First Step Towards Reconciliation: And,  Indeed,  A Little 
   Incident That Occurred That Morning Led To Another Ill Word Between 
   Them. An Account That Had Been Standing For More Than Two Years Was Sent 
   In To Lord Hartledon's Steward; It Was For Some Harness,  A Saddle,  A 
   Silver-Mounted Whip,  And A Few Trifles Of That Sort,  Supplied By A Small 
   Tradesman In The Village. Lord Hartledon Protested There Was Nothing Of 
   The Sort Owing; But Upon Inquiry The Debtor Proved To Be Mr. Percival 
   Elster. Lord Hartledon,  Vexed That Any One In The Neighbourhood Should 
   Have Waited So Long For His Money,  Said A Sharp Word On The Score To 
   Percival; And The Latter Retorted As Sharply That It Was No Business Of 
   His. Again Val Was Angry With Himself,  And Thus Gave Vent To His Temper. 
   The Fact Was,  He Had Completely Forgotten The Trifling Debt,  And Was As 
   Vexed As Hartledon That It Should Have Been Allowed To Remain Unpaid: But 
   The Man Had Not Sent Him Any Reminder Whilst He Was Away. 
     
   "Pay It To-Day,  Marris," Cried Lord Hartledon To His Steward. "I Won't 
   Have This Sort Of Thing At Calne." 
     
   His Tone Was One Of Irritation--Or It Sounded So To The Ears Of His 
   Conscious Brother,  And Val Bit His Lips. After That,  Throughout The 
   Morning,  They Maintained A Studied Silence Towards Each Other; And 
   This Was Observed,  But Was Not Commented On. Val Was Unusually Quiet 
   Altogether: He Was Saying To Himself That He Was Sullen. 
     
   The Starting-Hour For The Race Was Three O'clock; But Long Before That 
   Time The Scene Was Sufficiently Animated,  Not To Say Exciting. It Was A 
   Most Lovely Afternoon. Not A Trace Remained Of The Previous Day's Rain; 
   And The River--Wide Just There,  As It Took The Sweeping Curve Of The 
   Point--Was Dotted With These Little Wager Boats. Their Owners For The 
   Time Being,  In Their White Boating-Costume,  Each Displaying His Colours, 
   Were In Highest Spirits; And The Fair Gazers Gathered On The Banks Were 
   Anxious As To The Result. The Favourite Was Lord Hartledon--By Long Odds, 
   As Mr. Shute Grumbled. Had His Lordship Been Known Not To Possess The 
   Smallest Chance,  Nine Of Those Fair Girls Out Of Ten Would,  Nevertheless, 
   Have Betted Upon Him. Some Of Them Were Hoping To Play For A Deeper Stake 
   Than A Pair Of Gloves. A Staff,  From Which Fluttered A Gay Little Flag, 
   Had Been Driven Into The Ground,  Exactly Opposite The House; It Was The 
   Starting And The Winning Point. At A Certain Distance Up The River,  Near 
   To The Mill,  A Boat Was Moored In Mid-Stream: This They Would Row Round, 
   And Come Back Again. 
     
   At Three O'clock They Were To Take The Boats; And,  Allowing For Time 
   Being Wasted In The Start,  Might Be In Again And The Race Won In 
   Three-Quarters-Of-An-Hour. But,  As Is Often The Case,  The Time Was Not 
   Adhered To; One Hindrance After Another Occurred; There Was A Great Deal 
   Of Laughing And Joking,  Forgetting Of Things,  And Of Getting Into Order; 
   And At A Quarter To Four They Were Not Off. But All Were Ready At Last, 
   And Most Of The Rowers Were Each In His Little Cockle-Shell. Lord 
   Hartledon Lingered Yet In The Midst Of The Group Of Ladies,  All Clustered 
   Together At One Spot,  Who Were Keeping Him With Their Many Comments And 
   Questions. Each Wore The Colours Of Her Favourite: The Crimson And Purple 
   Predominating,  For They Were Those Of Their Host. Lady Kirton Displayed 
   Her Loyalty In A Conspicuous Manner. She Had An Old Crimson Gauze Skirt 
   On,  Once A Ball-Dress,  With Ends Of Purple Ribbon Floating From It And 
   Fluttering In The Wind; And A Purple Head-Dress With A Crimson Feather. 
   Maude,  In A Spirit Of Perversity,  Displayed A Blue Shoulder-Knot,  Timidly 
   Offered To Her By A Young Oxford Man Who Was Staying There,  Mr. Shute; 
   And Anne Ashton Wore The Colours Given Her By Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "I Can't Stay; You'd Keep Me Here All Day: Don't You See They Are Waiting 
   For Me?" He Laughingly Cried,  Extricating Himself From The Throng. "Why, 
   Anne,  My Dear,  Is It You? How Is It I Did Not See You Before? Are You 
   Here Alone?" 
     
   She Had Not Long Joined The Crowd,  Having Come Up Late From The Rectory, 
   And Had Been Standing Outside,  For She Never Put Herself Forward 
   Anywhere. Lord Hartledon Drew Her Arm Within His Own For A Moment And 
   Took Her Apart. 
     
   "Arthur Came Up With Me: I Don't Know Where He Is Now. Mamma Was Afraid 
   To Venture,  Fearing The Grass Might Be Damp." 
     
   "And The Rector _Of Course_ Would Not Countenance Us By Coming," Said 
   Lord Hartledon,  With A Laugh. "I Remember His Prejudices Against Boating 
   Of Old." 
     
   "He Is Coming To Dinner." 
     
   "As You All Are; Arthur Also To-Day. I Made The Doctor Promise That. A 
   Jolly Banquet We'll Have,  Too,  And Toast The Winner. Anne,  I Just Wanted 
   To Say This To You; Val Is In An Awful Rage With Me For Letting That 
   Matter Get To The Ears Of Your Father,  And I Am Not Pleased With Him; So 
   Altogether We Are Just Now Treating Each Other To A Dose Of Sullenness, 
   And When We Do Speak It's To Growl Like Two Amiable Bears; But It Shall 
   Make No Difference To What I Said Last Week. All Shall Be Made Smooth, 
   Even To The Satisfaction Of Your Father. You May Trust Me." 
     
   He Ran Off From Her,  Stepped Into The Skiff,  And Was Taking The Sculls, 
   When He Uttered A Sudden Exclamation,  Leaped Out Again,  And Began To Run 
   With All Speed Towards The House. 
     
   "What Is It? Where Are You Going?" Asked The O'moore,  Who Was The 
   Appointed Steward. 
     
   "I Have Forgotten--" _What_,  They Did Not Catch; The Word Was Lost On The 
   Air. 
     
   "It Is Bad Luck To Turn Back," Called Out Maude. "You Won't Win." 
     
   He Was Already Half-Way To The House. A Couple Of Minutes After Entering 
   It He Reappeared Again,  And Came Flying Down The Slopes At Full Speed. 
   Suddenly His Foot Slipped,  And He Fell To The Ground. The Only One Who 
   Saw The Accident Was Mr. O'moore; The General Attention At That Moment 
   Being Concentrated Upon The River. He Hastened Back. Hartledon Was Then 
   Gathering Himself Up,  But Slowly. 
     
   "No Damage," Said He; "Only A Bit Of A Wrench To The Foot. Give Me Your 
   Arm For A Minute,  O'moore. This Ground Must Be Slippery From Yesterday's 
   Rain." 
     
   Mr. O'moore Held Out His Arm,  And Hartledon Took It. "The Ground Is Not 
   Slippery,  Hart; It's As Dry As A Bone." 
     
   "Then What Caused Me To Slip?" 
     
   "The Rate You Were Coming At. Had You Not Better Give Up The Contest,  And 
   Rest?" 
     
   "Nonsense! My Foot Will Be All Right In The Skiff. Let Us Get On; They'll 
   All Be Out Of Patience." 
     
   When It Was Seen That Something Was Amiss With Him,  That He Leaned Rather 
   Heavily On The O'moore,  Eager Steps Pressed Round Him. Lord Hartledon 
   Laughed,  Making Light Of It; He Had Been So Clumsy As To Stumble,  And Had 
   Twisted His Ankle A Little. It Was Nothing. 
     
   "Stay On Shore And Give It A Rest," Cried One,  As He Stepped Once More 
   Into The Little Boat. "I Am Sure You Are Hurt." 
     
   "Not I. It Will Have Rest In The Boat. Anne," He Said,  Looking Up At Her 
   With His Pleasant Smile,  "Do You Wear My Colours Still?" 
     
   She Touched The Knot On Her Bosom,  And Smiled Back To Him,  Her Tone Full 
   Of Earnestness. "I Would Wear Them Always." 
     
   And The Countess-Dowager,  In Her Bedecked Flounces And Crimson Feather, 
   Looked As If She Would Like To Throw The Knot And Its Wearer Into The 
   River,  In The Wake Of The Wager Boats. After One Or Two False Starts, 
   They Got Off At Last. 
     
   "Do You Think It Seemly,  This Flirtation Of Yours With Lord Hartledon?" 
     
   Anne Turned In Amazement. The Face Of The Old Dowager Was Close To Her; 
   The Snub Nose And Rouged Cheeks And False Flaxen Front Looked Ready To 
   Eat Her Up. 
     
   "I Have No Flirtation With Lord Hartledon,  Lady Kirton; Or He With Me. 
   When I Was A Child,  And He A Great Boy,  Years Older,  He Loved Me And 
   Petted Me As A Little Sister: I Think He Does The Same Still." 
     
   "My Daughter Tells Me You Are Counting Upon One Of The Two. If I Say To 
   You,  Do Not Be Too Sanguine Of Either,  I Speak As A Friend; As Your 
   Mother Might Speak. Lord Hartledon Is Already Appropriated; And Val 
   Elster Is Not Worth Appropriating." 
     
   Was She Mad? Anne Ashton Looked At Her,  Really Doubting It. No,  She Was 
   Only Vulgar-Minded,  And Selfish,  And Utterly Impervious To All Sense Of 
   Shame In Her Scheming. Instinctively Anne Moved A Pace Further Off. 
     
   "I Do Not Think Lord Hartledon Is Appropriated Yet," Spoke Anne,  In A 
   Little Spirit Of Mischievous Retaliation. "That Some Amongst His Present 
   Guests Would Be Glad To Appropriate Him May Be Likely Enough; But What If 
   He Is Not Willing To Be Appropriated? He Said To Mr. Elster,  Last Week, 
   That They Were Wasting Their Time." 
     
   "Who's Mr. Elster?" Cried The Angry Dowager. "What Right Has He To Be 
   At Hartledon,  Poking His Nose Into Everything That Does Not Concern 
   Him?--What Right Has He,  I Ask?" 
     
   "The Right Of Being Lord Hartledon's Brother," Carelessly Replied Anne. 
     
   "It Is A Right He Had Best Not Presume Upon," Rejoined Lady Kirton. 
   "Brothers Are Brothers As Children; But The Tie Widens As They Grow Up 
   And Launch Out Into Their Different Spheres. There's Not A Man Of All 
   Hartledon's Guests But Has More Right To Be Here Than Val Elster." 
     
   "Yet They Are Brothers Still." 
     
   "Brothers! I'll Take Care That Val Elster Presumes No More Upon The Tie 
   When Maude Reigns At--" 
     
   For Once The Countess-Dowager Caught Up Her Words. She Had Said More Than 
   She Had Meant To Say. Anne Ashton's Calm Sweet Eyes Were Bent Upon Her, 
   Waiting For More. 
     
   "It Is True," She Said,  Giving A Shake To The Purple Tails,  And Taking A 
   Sudden Resolution,  "Maude Is To Be His Wife; But I Ought Not To Have Let 
   It Slip Out. It Was Unintentional; And I Throw Myself On Your Honour, 
   Miss Ashton." 
     
   "But It Is Not True?" Asked Anne,  Somewhat Perplexed. 
     
   "It _Is_ True. Hartledon Has His Own Reasons For Keeping It Quiet At 
   Present; But--You'll See When The Time Comes. Should I Take Upon Myself 
   So Much Rule Here,  But That It Is To Be Maude's Future Home?" 
     
   "I Don't Believe It," Cried Anne,  As The Old Story-Teller Sailed Off. 
   "That She Loves Him,  And That Her Mother Is Anxious To Secure Him,  Is 
   Evident; But He Is Truthful And Open,  And Would Never Conceal It. No,  No, 
   Lady Maude! You Are Cherishing A False Hope. You Are Very Beautiful,  But 
   You Are Not Worthy Of Him; And I Should Not Like You For My Sister-In-Law 
   At All. That Dreadful Old Countess-Dowager! How She Dislikes Val,  And How 
   Rude She Is! I'll Try Not To Come In Her Way Again After To-Day,  As Long 
   As They Are At Hartledon." 
     
   "What Are You Thinking Of,  Anne?" 
     
   "Oh,  Not Much," She Answered,  With A Soft Blush,  For The Questioner Was 
   Mr. Elster. "Do You Think Your Brother Has Hurt Himself Much,  Val?" 
     
   "I Didn't Know He Had Hurt Himself At All," Returned Val Rather Coolly, 
   Who Had Been On The River At The Time In Somebody's Skiff,  And Saw 
   Nothing Of The Occurrence. "What Has He Done?" 
     
   "He Slipped Down On The Slopes And Twisted His Ankle. I Suppose They Will 
   Be Coming Back Soon." 
     
   "I Suppose They Will," Was The Answer. Val Seemed In An Ungracious 
   Mood. He And Mr. O'moore And Young Carteret Were The Only Three Who Had 
   Remained Behind. Anne Asked Val Why He Did Not Go And Look On; And He 
   Answered,  Because He Didn't Want To. 
     
   It Was Getting On For Five O'clock When The Boats Were Discerned 
   Returning. How They Clustered On The Banks,  Watching The Excited Rowers, 
   Some Pale With Their Exertions,  Others In A White Heat! Captain Dawkes 
   Was First,  And Was Doing All He Could To Keep So; But When Only A Boat's 
   Length From The Winning-Post Another Shot Past Him,  And Won By Half A 
   Length. It Was The Young Oxonian,  Mr. Shute--Though Indeed It Does Not 
   Much Matter Who It Was,  Save That It Was Not Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "Strike Your Colours,  Ladies,  You That Sport The Crimson And Purple!" 
   Called Out A Laughing Voice From One Of The Skiffs. "Oxford Blue Wins." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Arrived Last. He Did Not Get Up For Some Minutes After The 
   Rest Were In. In Short,  He Was Distanced. 
     
   "Hart Has Hurt His Arm As Well As His Foot," Observed One Of The Others, 
   As He Came Alongside. "That's Why He Got Distanced." 
     
   "No,  It Was Not," Dissented Lord Hartledon,  Looking Up From His Skiff At 
   The Crowd Of Fair Faces Bent Down Upon Him. "My Arm Is All Right; It Only 
   Gave Me A Few Twinges When I First Started. My Oar Fouled,  And I Could 
   Not Get Right Again; So,  Finding I Had Lost Too Much Ground,  I Gave Up 
   The Contest. Anne,  Had I Known I Should Disgrace My Colours,  I Would Not 
   Have Given Them To _You_." 
     
   "Miss Ashton Loses,  And Maude Wins!" Cried The Countess-Dowager, 
   Executing A Little Dance Of Triumph. "Maude Is The Only One Who Wears 
   The Oxford Blue." 
     
   It Was True. The Young Oxonian Was A Retiring And Timid Man,  And None Had 
   Voluntarily Assumed His Colours. But No One Heeded The Countess-Dowager. 
     
   "You Are Like A Child,  Hartledon,  Denying That Your Arm's Damaged!" 
   Exclaimed Captain Dawkes. "I Know It Is: I Could See It By The Way You 
   Struck Your Oar All Along." 
     
   What Feeling Is It In Man That Prompts Him To Disclaim Physical 
   Pain?--Make Light Of Personal Injury? Lord Hartledon's Ankle Was 
   Swelling,  At The Bottom Of The Boat; And Without The Slightest Doubt 
   His Arm _Was_ Paining Him,  Although Perhaps At The Moment Not Very 
   Considerably. But He Maintained His Own Assertions,  And Protested His 
   Arm Was As Sound As The Best Arm Present. "I Could Go Over The Work Again 
   With Pleasure," Cried He. 
     
   "Nonsense,  Hart! You Could Not." 
     
   "And I _Will_ Go Over It," He Added,  Warming With The Opposition. "Who'll 
   Try His Strength With Me? There's Plenty Of Time Before Dinner." 
     
   "I Will," Eagerly Spoke Young Carteret,  Who Had Been,  As Was Remarked, 
   One Of Those On Land,  And Was Wild To Be Handling The Oars. "If Dawkes 
   Will Let Me Have His Skiff,  I'll Bet You Ten To Five You Are Distanced 
   Again,  Hartledon." 
     
   Perhaps Lord Hartledon Had Not Thought His Challenge Would Be Taken 
   Seriously. But When He Saw The Eager,  Joyous Look Of The Boy Carteret--He 
   Was Not Yet Nineteen--The Flushed Pleasure Of The Beardless Face,  He 
   Would Not Have Retracted It For The World. He Was Just As Good-Natured 
   As Percival Elster. 
     
   "Dawkes Will Let You Have His Skiff,  Carteret." 
     
   Captain Dawkes Was Exceedingly Glad To Be Rid Of It. Good Boatman Though 
   He Was,  He Rarely Cared To Spend His Strength Superfluously,  When Nothing 
   Was To Be Gained By It,  And Had No Fancy To Row His Skiff Back To Its 
   Moorings,  As Most Of The Others Were Already Doing With Theirs. He Leaped 
   Out. 
     
   "Any One But You,  Hartledon,  Would Be Glad To Come Out Of That 
   Tilting Thing,  And Enjoy A Rest,  And Get Your Face Cool," Cried The 
   Countess-Dowager. 
     
   "I Dare Say They Might,  Ma'am. I'm Afraid I Am Given To Obstinacy; Always 
   Was. Be Quick,  Carteret." 
     
   Mr. Carteret Was Hastily Stripping Himself Of His Coat,  And Any Odds And 
   Ends Of Attire He Deemed Superfluous. "One Moment,  Hartledon; Only One 
   Moment," Came The Joyous Response. 
     
   "And You'll Come Home With Your Arm And Your Ankle Like Your Colours, 
   Hartledon--Crimson And Purple," Screamed The Dowager. "And You'll Be Laid 
   Up,  And Go On Perhaps To Locked Jaw; And Then You'll Expect Me To Nurse 
   You!" 
     
   "I Shall Expect Nothing Of The Sort,  Ma'am,  I Pledge You My Word; I'll 
   Nurse Myself. All Ready,  Carteret?" 
     
   "All Ready. Same Point As Before,  Hart?" 
     
   "Same Point: Round The Boat And Home Again." 
     
   "And It's Ten Sovs. To Five,  Hart?" 
     
   "All Right. You'll Lose,  Carteret." 
     
   Carteret Laughed. He Saw The Five Sovereigns As Surely In His Possession 
   As He Saw The Sculls In His Hands. There Was No Trouble With The Start 
   This Time,  And They Were Off At Once. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Took The Lead. He Was Spurring His Strength To The 
   Uttermost: Perhaps Out Of Bravado; That He Might Show Them Nothing Was 
   The Matter With His Arm. But Mr. Carteret Gained On Him; And As They 
   Turned The Point And Went Out Of Sight,  The Young Man's Boat Was The 
   Foremost. 
     
   The Race Had Been Kept--As The Sporting Men Amongst Them Styled It--Dark. 
   Not An Inkling Of It Had Been Suffered To Get Abroad,  Or,  As Lord 
   Hartledon Had Observed,  They Should Have The Banks Swarming. The 
   Consequence Was,  That Not More Than Half-A-Dozen Curious Idlers Had 
   Assembled: Those Were On The Opposite Side,  And Had Now Gone Down With 
   The Boats To Calne. No Spectators,  Either On The River Or The Shore, 
   Attended This Lesser Contest: Lord Hartledon And Mr. Carteret Had It All 
   To Themselves. 
     
   And Meanwhile,  During The Time Lord Hartledon Had Remained At Rest In His 
   Skiff Under The Winning Flag,  Percival Elster Never Addressed One Word To 
   Him. There He Stood,  On The Edge Of The Bank; But Not A Syllable Spoke 
   He,  Good,  Bad,  Or Indifferent. 
     
   Miss Ashton Was Looking For Her Brother,  And Might Just As Well Have 
   Looked For A Needle In A Bottle Of Hay. Arthur Was Off Somewhere. 
     
   "You Need Not Go Home Yet,  Anne," Said Val. 
     
   "I Must. I Have To Dress For Dinner. It Is All To Be Very Smart To-Night, 
   You Know," She Said,  With A Merry Laugh. 
     
   "With Shute In The Post Of Honour. Who'd Have Thought That Awkward,  Quiet 
   Fellow Would Win? I Will See You Home,  Anne,  If You Must Go." 
     
   Miss Ashton Coloured Vividly With Embarrassment. In The Present State Of 
   Affairs,  She Did Not Know Whether That Might Be Permitted: Poor Val Was 
   Out Of Favour At The Rectory. He Detected The Feeling,  And It Tended To 
   Vex Him More And More. 
     
   "Nonsense,  Anne! The Veto Has Not Yet Been Interposed,  And They Can't 
   Kill You For Allowing My Escort. Stay Here If You Like: If You Go,  I 
   Shall See You Home." 
     
   It Was Quite Imperative That She Should Go,  For Dinner At Hartledon Was 
   That Evening Fixed For Seven O'clock,  And There Would Be Little Enough 
   Time To Dress And Return Again. They Set Out,  Walking Side By Side. Anne 
   Told Him Of What Lord Hartledon Had Said To Her That Day; And Val 
   Coloured With Shame At The Sullenness He Had Displayed,  And His Heart 
   Went Into A Glow Of Repentance. Had He Met His Brother Then,  He Had 
   Clasped His Hand,  And Poured Forth His Contrition. 
     
   He Met Some One Else Instead,  Almost Immediately. It Was Dr. Ashton, 
   Coming For Anne. Percival Was Not Wanted Now: Was Not Invited To Continue 
   His Escort. A Cold,  Civil Word Or Two Passed,  And Val Struck Across The 
   Grove Into The High-Road,  And Returned To Hartledon. 
     
   He Was About To Turn In At The Lodge-Gates With His Usual Greeting To 
   Mrs. Capper When His Attention Was Caught By A Figure Coming Down The 
   Avenue. A Man In A Long Coat,  His Face Ornamented With Red Whiskers. It 
   Required No Second Glance For Recognition. Whiskers And Coat Proclaimed 
   Their Owner At Once; And If Ever Val Elster's Heart Leaped Into His 
   Mouth,  It Certainly Leaped Then. 
     
   He Went On,  Instead Of Turning In; Quietly,  As If He Were Only A Stranger 
   Enjoying An Evening Stroll Up The Road; But The Moment He Was Past The 
   Gates He Set Off At Breakneck Speed,  Not Heeding Where. That The Man Was 
   There To Arrest Him,  He Felt As Sure As He Had Ever Felt Of Anything In 
   This World; And In His Perplexity He Began Accusing Every One Of 
   Treachery,  Lord Hartledon And Pike In Particular. 
     
   The River At The Back In This Part Took A Sweeping Curve,  The Road Kept 
   Straight; So That To Arrive At A Given Point,  The One Would Be More 
   Quickly Traversed Than The Other. On And On Went Val Elster; And As Soon 
   As An Opening Allowed,  He Struck Into The Brushwood On The Right, 
   Intending To Make His Way Back By The River To Hartledon. 
     
   But Not Yet. Not Until The Shades Of Night Should Fall On The Earth: 
   He Would Have A Better Chance Of Getting Away From That Shark In The 
   Darkness Than By Daylight. He Propped His Back Against A Tree And Waited, 
   Hating Himself All The Time For His Cowardice. With All His Scrapes And 
   Dilemmas,  He Had Never Been Reduced To This Sort Of Hiding. 
     
   And His Pursuer Had Struck Into The Wood After Him,  Passed Straight 
   Through It,  Though With Some Little Doubt And Difficulty,  And Was Already 
   By The River-Side,  Getting There Just As Lord Hartledon Was Passing In 
   His Skiff. Long As This May Have Seemed In Telling,  It Took Only A Short 
   Time To Accomplish; Still Lord Hartledon Had Not Made Quick Way,  Or He 
   Would Have Been Further On His Course In The Race. 
     
   Would The Sun Ever Set?--Daylight Ever Pass? Val Thought _Not_,  In His 
   Impatience; And He Ventured Out Of His Shelter Very Soon,  And Saw For His 
   Reward--The Long Coat And Red Whiskers By The River-Side,  Their Owner 
   Conversing With A Man. Val Went Further Away,  Keeping The Direction Of 
   The Stream: The Brushwood Might No Longer Be Safe. He Did Not Think They 
   Had Seen Him: The Man He Dreaded Had His Back To Him,  The Other His Face. 
   And That Other Was Pike. 
     
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 9 (Waiting For Dinner) 
   Dinner At Hartledon Had Been Ordered For Seven O'clock. It Was Beyond 
   That Hour When Dr. Ashton Arrived,  For He Had Been Detained--A 
   Clergyman's Time Is Not Always Under His Own Control. Anne And Arthur 
   Were With Him,  But Not Mrs. Ashton. He Came In,  Ready With An Apology For 
   His Tardiness,  But Found He Need Not Offer It; Neither Lord Hartledon Nor 
   His Brother Having Yet Appeared. 
     
   "Hartledon And That Boy Carteret Have Not Returned Home Yet," Said The 
   Countess-Dowager,  In Her Fiercest Tones,  For She Liked Her Dinner More 
   Than Any Other Earthly Thing,  And Could Not Brook Being Kept Waiting For 
   It. "And When They Do Come,  They'll Keep Us Another Half-Hour Dressing." 
     
   "I Beg Your Ladyship's Pardon--They Have Come," Interposed Captain 
   Dawkes. "Carteret Was Going Into His Room As I Came Out Of Mine." 
     
   "Time They Were," Grumbled The Dowager. "They Were Not In Five Minutes 
   Ago,  For I Sent To Ask." 
     
   "Which Of The Two Won The Race?" Inquired Lady Maude Of Captain Dawkes. 
     
   "I Don't Think Carteret Did," He Replied,  Laughing. "He Seemed As Sulky 
   As A Bear,  And Growled Out That There Had Been No Race,  For Hartledon Had 
   Played Him A Trick." 
     
   "What Did He Mean?" 
     
   "Goodness Knows." 
     
   "I Hope Hartledon Upset Him," Charitably Interrupted The Dowager. "A 
   Ducking Would Do That Boy Good; He Is Too Forward By Half." 
     
   There Was More Waiting. The Countess-Dowager Flounced About In Her Pink 
   Satin Gown; But It Did Not Bring The Loiterers Any The Sooner. Lady 
   Maude--Perverse Still,  But Beautiful--Talked In Whispers To The Hero Of 
   The Day,  Mr. Shute; Wearing A Blue-Silk Robe And A Blue Wreath In Her 
   Hair. Anne,  Adhering To The Colours Of Lord Hartledon,  Though He Had Been 
   Defeated,  Was In A Rich,  Glistening White Silk,  With Natural Flowers,  Red 
   And Purple,  On Its Body,  And The Same In Her Hair. Her Sweet Face Was 
   Sunny Again,  Her Eyes Were Sparkling: A Word Dropped By Dr. Ashton Had 
   Given Her A Hope That,  Perhaps,  Percival Elster Might Be Forgiven 
   Sometime. 
     
   He Was The First Of The Culprits To Make His Appearance. The Dowager 
   Attacked Him Of Course. What Did He Mean By Keeping Dinner Waiting? 
     
   Val Replied That He Was Late In Coming Home; He Had Been Out. As To 
   Keeping Dinner Waiting,  It Seemed That Lord Hartledon Was Doing That: 
   He Didn't Suppose They'd Have Waited For Him. 
     
   He Spoke Tartly,  As If Not On Good Terms With Himself Or The World. Anne 
   Ashton,  Near To Whom He Had Drawn,  Looked Up At Him With A Charming 
   Smile. 
     
   "Things May Brighten,  Percival," She Softly Breathed. 
     
   "It's To Be Hoped They Will," Gloomily Returned Val. "They Look Dark 
   Enough Just Now." 
     
   "What Have You Done To Your Face?" She Whispered. 
     
   "To My Face? Nothing That I Know Of." 
     
   "The Forehead Is Red,  As If It Had Been Bruised,  Or Slightly Grazed." 
     
   Val Put His Hand Up To His Forehead. "I Did Feel Something When I Washed 
   Just Now," He Remarked Slowly,  As Though Doubting Whether Anything Was 
   Wrong Or Not. "It Must Have Been Done--When I--Struck Against That Tree," 
   He Added,  Apparently Taxing His Recollection. 
     
   "How Was That?" 
     
   "I Was Running In The Dusk,  And Did Not Notice The Branch Of A Tree In My 
   Way. It's Nothing,  Anne,  And Will Soon Go Off." 
     
   Mr. Carteret Came In,  Looking Just As Val Elster Had Done--Out Of Sorts. 
   Questions Were Showered Upon Him As To The Fate Of The Race; But The 
   Dowager's Voice Was Heard Above All. 
     
   "This Is A Pretty Time To Make Your Appearance,  Sir! Where's Lord 
   Hartledon?" 
     
   "In His Room,  I Suppose. Hartledon Never Came," He Added In Sulky Tones, 
   As He Turned From Her To The Rest. "I Rowed On,  And On,  Thinking How 
   Nicely I Was Distancing Him,  And Got Down,  The Mischief Knows Where. 
   Miles,  Nearly,  I Must Have Gone." 
     
   "But Why Did You Pass The Turning-Point?" Asked One. 
     
   "There Was No Turning-Point," Returned Mr. Carteret; "Some Confounded 
   Meddler Must Have Unmoored The Boat As Soon As The First Race Was Over, 
   And I,  Like An Idiot,  Rowed On,  Looking For It. All At Once It Came Into 
   My Mind What A Way I Must Have Gone,  And I Turned And Waited. And Might 
   Have Waited Till Now," He Added,  "For Hart Never Came." 
     
   "Then His Arm Must Have Failed Him," Exclaimed Captain Dawkes. "I Thought 
   It Was All Wrong." 
     
   "It Wasn't Right,  For I Soon Shot Past Him," Returned Young Carteret. 
   "But Hart Knew The Spot Where The Boat Ought To Have Been,  Though I 
   Didn't; What He Did,  I Suppose,  Was To Clear Round It Just As Though It 
   Had Been There,  And Come In Home Again. It Will Be An Awful Shame If He 
   Takes An Unfair Advantage Of It,  And Claims The Race." 
     
   "Hartledon Never Took An Unfair Advantage In His Life," Spoke Up Val 
   Elster,  In Clear,  Decisive Tones. "You Need Not Be Afraid,  Carteret. 
   I Dare Say His Arm Failed Him." 
     
   "Well,  He Might Have Hallooed When He Found It Failing,  And Not Have 
   Suffered Me To Row All That Way For Nothing," Retorted Young Carteret. 
   "Not A Trace Could I See Of Him As I Came Back; He Had Hastened Home, 
   I Expect,  To Shut Himself Up In His Room With His Damaged Arm And Foot." 
     
   "I'll See What He's Doing There," Said Val. 
     
   He Went Out; But Returned Immediately. 
     
   "We Are All Under A Mistake," Was His Greeting. "Hartledon Has Not 
   Returned Yet. His Servant Is In His Room Waiting For Him." 
     
   "Then What Do You Mean By Telling Stories?" Demanded The 
   Countess-Dowager,  Turning Sharply On Mr. Carteret. 
     
   "Good Heavens,  Ma'am! You Need Not Begin Upon Me!" Returned Young 
   Carteret. "I Have Told No Stories. I Said Hart Let Me Go On,  And Never 
   Came On Himself; If That's A Story,  I'll Swallow Dawkes's Skiff And The 
   Sculls Too." 
     
   "You Said He Was In His Room. You Know You Did." 
     
   "I Said I Supposed So. It's Usual For A Man To Go There,  I Believe,  To 
   Get Ready For Dinner," Added Young Carteret,  Always Ripe For A Wordy War, 
   In His Antipathy To The Countess-Dowager. 
     
   "_You_ Said He Had Come In;" And The Angry Woman Faced Round On Captain 
   Dawkes. "You Saw Them Going Into Their Rooms,  You Said. Which Was It--You 
   Did,  Or You Didn't?" 
     
   "I Did See Carteret Make His Appearance; And Assumed That Lord Hartledon 
   Had Gone On To His Room," Replied The Captain,  Suppressing A Laugh. "I Am 
   Sorry To Have Misled Your Ladyship. I Dare Say Hart Is About The House 
   Somewhere." 
     
   "Then Why Doesn't He Appear?" Stormed The Dowager. "Pretty Behaviour 
   This,  To Keep Us All Waiting Dinner. I Shall Tell Him So. Val Elster, 
   Ring For Hedges." 
     
   Val Rang The Bell. "Has Lord Hartledon Come In?" He Asked,  When The 
   Butler Appeared. 
     
   "No,  Sir." 
     
   "And Dinner's Spoiling,  Isn't It,  Hedges?" Broke In The Dowager. 
     
   "It Won't Be Any The Better For Waiting,  My Lady." 
     
   "No. I Must Exercise My Privilege And Order It Served. At Once,  Hedges, 
   Do You Hear? If Hartledon Grumbles,  I Shall Tell Him It Serves Him 
   Right." 
     
   "But Where Can Hartledon Be?" Cried Captain Dawkes. 
     
   "That's What I Am Wondering," Said Val. "He Can't Be On The River All 
   This Time; Carteret Would Have Seen Him In Coming Home." 
     
   A Strangely Grave Shade,  Looking Almost Like A Prevision Of Evil,  Arose 
   To Dr. Ashton's Face. "I Trust Nothing Has Happened To Him," He 
   Exclaimed. "Where Did You Part Company With Him,  Mr. Carteret?" 
     
   "That's More Than I Can Tell You,  Sir. You Must Have Seen--At Least--No, 
   You Were Not There; But Those Looking On Must Have Seen Me Get Ahead Of 
   Him Within View Of The Starting-Point; Soon After That I Lost Sight Of 
   Him. The River Winds,  You Know; And Of Course I Thought He Was Coming On 
   Behind Me. Very Daft Of Me,  Not To Divine That The Boat Had Been 
   Removed!" 
     
   "Do You Think He Passed The Mill?" 
     
   "The Mill?" 
     
   "That Place Where The River Forms What Might Almost Be Called A Miniature 
   Harbour. A Mill Is Built There Which The Stream Serves. You Could Not 
   Fail To See It." 
     
   "I Remember Now. Yes,  I Saw The Mill. What Of It?" 
     
   "Did Lord Hartledon Pass It?" 
     
   "How Should I Know!" Cried The Boy. "I Had Lost Sight Of Him Ages Before 
   That." 
     
   "The Current Is Extremely Rapid There," Observed Dr. Ashton. "If He Found 
   His Arm Failing,  He Might Strike Down To The Mill And Land There; And His 
   Ankle May Be Keeping Him A Prisoner." 
     
   "And That's What It Is!" Exclaimed Val. 
     
   They Were Crossing The Hall To The Dining-Room. Without The Slightest 
   Ceremony,  The Countess-Dowager Pushed Herself Foremost And Advanced To 
   The Head Of The Table. 
     
   "I Shall Occupy This Seat In My Nephew's Absence," Said She. "Dr. Ashton, 
   Will You Be So Good As To Take The Foot? There's No One Else." 
     
   "Nay,  Madam; Though Lord Hartledon May Not Be Here,  Mr. Elster Is." 
     
   She Had Actually Forgotten Val; And Would Have Liked To Ignore Him Now 
   That He Was Recalled To Remembrance; But That Might Not Be. As Much 
   Contempt As Could Be Expressed In Her Face Was There,  As She Turned Her 
   Snub Nose And Small Round Eyes Defiantly Upon That Unoffending Younger 
   Brother. 
     
   "I Was Going To Request You To Take It,  Sir," Said Percival,  In Low 
   Tones,  To Dr. Ashton. "I Shall Go Off In The Pony-Carriage For Edward. 
   He Must Think We Are Neglecting Him." 
     
   "Very Well. I Hate These Rowing Matches," Heartily Added The Rector. 
     
   "What A Curious Old Fish That Parson Must Be!" Ejaculated Young Carteret 
   To His Next Neighbour. "He Says He Doesn't Like Boating." 
     
   It Happened To Be Arthur Ashton,  And The Lad's Brow Lowered. "You Are 
   Speaking Of My Father," He Said. "But I'll Tell You Why He Does Not Like 
   It. He Had A Brother Once,  A Good Deal Older Than Himself; They Had No 
   Father,  And Arthur--That Was The Elder--Was Very Fond Of Him: There Were 
   Only Those Two. He Took Him Out In A Boat One Day,  And There Was An 
   Accident: The Eldest Was Drowned,  The Little One Saved. Do You Wonder 
   That My Father Has Dreaded Boating Ever Since? He Seems To Have The Same 
   Sort Of Dread Of It That A Child Who Has Been Frightened By Its Nurse Has 
   Of The Dark." 
     
   "By Jove! That Was A Go,  Though!" Was The Sympathising Comment Of Mr. 
   Carteret. 
     
   The Doctor Said Grace,  And Dinner Proceeded. It Was Not Half Over When 
   Mr. Elster Came In,  In His Light Overcoat. Walking Straight Up To The 
   Table,  He Stood By It,  His Face Wearing A Blank,  Perplexed Look. A 
   Momentary Silence Of Expectation,  And Then Many Tongues Spoke Together. 
     
   "Where's Your Brother? Where's Lord Hartledon? Has He Not Come?" 
     
   "I Don't Know Where He Is," Answered Val. "I Was In Hopes He Had Reached 
   Home Before Me,  But I Find He Has Not. I Can't Make It Out At All." 
     
   "Did He Land At The Mill?" Asked Dr. Ashton. 
     
   "Yes,  He Must Have Done So,  For The Skiff Is Moored There." 
     
   "Then He's All Right," Cried The Doctor; And There Was A Strangely-Marked 
   Sound Of Relief In His Tones. 
     
   "Oh,  He Is All Right," Confidently Asserted Percival. "The Only Question 
   Is,  Where He Can Be. The Miller Was Out This Afternoon,  And Left His 
   Place Locked Up; So That Hartledon Could Not Get In,  And Had Nothing For 
   It But To Start Home With His Lameness,  Or Sit Down On The Bank Until 
   Some One Found Him." 
     
   "He Must Have Set Off To Walk." 
     
   "I Should Think So. But Where Has He Walked To?" Added Val. "I Drove 
   Slowly Home,  Looking On Either Side Of The Road,  But Could See Nothing Of 
   Him." 
     
   "What Should Bring Him On The Side Of The Road?" Demanded The Dowager. 
   "Do You Think He Would Turn Tramp,  And Take His Seat On A Heap Of Stones? 
   Where Do You Get Your Ideas From?" 
     
   "From Common Sense,  Ma'am. If He Set Out To Walk,  And His Foot Failed Him 
   Half-Way,  There'd Be Nothing For It But To Sit Down And Wait. But He Is 
   _Not_ On The Road: That Is The Curious Part Of The Business." 
     
   "Would He Come The Other Way?" 
     
   "Hardly. It Is So Much Further By The River Than By The Road." 
     
   "You May Depend Upon It That Is What He Has Done," Said Dr. Ashton. "He 
   Might Think He Should Meet Some Of You That Way,  And Get An Arm To Help 
   Him." 
     
   "I Declare I Never Thought Of That," Exclaimed Val,  His Face Brightening. 
   "There He Is,  No Doubt; Perched Somewhere Between This And The Mill,  Like 
   Patience On A Monument,  Unable To Put Foot To The Ground." 
     
   He Turned Away. Some Of The Men Offered To Accompany Him: But He Declined 
   Their Help,  And Begged Them To Go On With Their Dinner,  Saying He Would 
   Take Sufficient Servants With Him,  Even Though They Had To Carry 
   Hartledon. 
     
   So Mr. Elster Went,  Taking Servants And Lanterns; For In Some Parts Of 
   This Road The Trees Overhung,  And Rendered It Dark. But They Could Not 
   Find Lord Hartledon. They Searched,  And Shouted,  And Waved Their 
   Lanterns: All In Vain. Very Much Perplexed Indeed Did Val Elster Look 
   When He Got Back Again. 
     
   "Where In The World Can He Have Gone To?" Angrily Questioned The 
   Countess-Dowager; And She Glared From Her Seat At The Head Of The Table 
   On The Offender Val,  As She Asked It. "I Must Say All This Is Most 
   Unseemly,  And Hartledon Ought To Be Brought To His Senses For Causing It. 
   I Suppose He Has Taken Himself Off To A Surgeon's." 
     
   It Was Possible,  But Unlikely,  As None Knew Better Than Val Elster. To 
   Get To The Surgeon's He Would Have To Pass His Own House,  And Would Be 
   More Likely To Go In,  And Send For Mr. Hillary,  Than Walk On With A 
   Disabled Foot. Besides,  If He Had Gone To The Surgeon's,  He Would Not 
   Stay There All This Time. "I Don't Know What To Do," Said Percival 
   Elster; And There Was The Same Blank,  Perplexed Look On His Face That Was 
   Observed The First Time He Came In. "I Don't Much Like The Appearance Of 
   Things." 
     
   "Why,  You Don't Think Anything's Wrong With Him!" Exclaimed Young 
   Carteret,  Starting-Up With An Alarmed Face. "He's Safe To Turn Up,  Isn't 
   He?" 
     
   "Of Course He Will Turn Up," Answered Val,  In A Dreamy Tone. "Only This 
   Uncertainty,  As To Where To Look For Him,  Is Not Pleasant." 
     
   Dr. Ashton Motioned Val To His Side. "Are You Fearing An Accident?" He 
   Asked In Low Tones. 
     
   "No,  Sir." 
     
   "I Am. That Current By The Mill Is So Fearfully Strong; And If Your 
   Brother Had Not The Use Of His One Arm--And The Boat Was Drawn Onwards, 
   Beyond His Control--And Upset--" 
     
   Dr. Ashton Paused. Val Elster Looked Rather Surprised. 
     
   "How Could It Upset,  Sir? The Skiffs Are As Safe As This Floor. I Don't 
   Fear That In The Least: What I Do Fear Is That Edward May Be In Some 
   Out-Of-The-Way Nook,  Insensible From Pain,  And Won't Be Found Until 
   Daylight. Fancy,  A Whole Night Out Of Doors,  In That State! He Might Be 
   Half-Dead With Cold By The Morning." 
     
   Dr. Ashton Shook His Head In Dissent. His Dislike Of Boating Seemed Just 
   Now To Be Rising Into Horror. 
     
   "What Are You Going To Do Now,  Elster?" Inquired Captain Dawkes. 
     
   "Go To The Mill Again,  I Think,  And Find Out If Any One Saw Hartledon 
   Leave The Skiff,  And Which Way He Took. One Of The Servants Can Run Down 
   To Hillary's The While." 
     
   Dr. Ashton Rose,  Bowing For Permission To Lady Kirton; And The Gentlemen 
   With One Accord Rose With Him,  The Same Purpose In The Mind Of All--That 
   Of More Effectually Scouring The Ground Between The Mill And Hartledon. 
   The Countess-Dowager Felt That She Should Like To Box The Ears Of Every 
   One Of Them. The Idea Of Danger In Connection With Lord Hartledon Had 
   Not Yet Penetrated To Her Brain. 
     
   At This Moment,  Before They Had Left The Room,  There Arose A Strange Wild 
   Sound From Without--Almost An Unearthly Sound--That Seemed To Come From 
   Several Voices,  And To Be Bearing Round The House From The River-Path. 
   Mrs. O'moore Put Down Her Knife And Fork,  And Rose Up With A Startled 
   Cry. 
     
   "There's Nothing To Be Alarmed At," Said The Dowager. "It Is Those Irish 
   Harvesters. I Know Their Horrid Voices,  And Dare Say They Are Riotously 
   Drunk. Hartledon Ought To Put Them In Prison For It." 
     
   The Sounds Died Away Into Silence. Mrs. O'moore Took Her Hands From Her 
   Eyes,  Where They Had Been Pressed. "Don't You Know What It Is,  Lady 
   Kirton? It Is The Irish Death-Wail!" 
     
   It Rose Again,  Louder Than Before,  For Those From Whom It Came Were 
   Nearing The House--A Horribly Wailing Sound,  Ringing Out In The Silence 
   Of The Night. Mrs. O'moore Crouched Into Her Chair Again,  And Hid Her 
   Terrified Face. She Was Not Irish,  And Had Never Heard That Sound But 
   Once,  And That Was When Her Child Died. 
     
   "She Is Right," Cried Her Husband,  The O'moore; "That Is The Death-Wail. 
   Hark! It Is For A Chieftain; They Mourn The Loss Of One High In The Land. 
   And--They Are Coming Here! Oh,  Elster! Can Death Have Overtaken Your 
   Brother?" 
     
   The Gentlemen Had Stood Spell-Bound,  Listening To The Sound,  Their Faces 
   A Mixture Of Surprise And Credulity. At The Words They Rushed Out With 
   One Accord,  And The Women Stole After Them With Trembling Steps And 
   Blanched Lips. 
     
   "If Ever I Saw Such Behaviour In All My Existence!" Irascibly Spoke The 
   Countess-Dowager,  Who Was Left Alone In Her Glory. "The Death-Wail, 
   Indeed! The Woman's A Fool. I'll Get Those Irishmen Transported,  If 
   I Can." 
     
   In The Hall The Servants Were Gathered,  Cowering Almost As The Ladies 
   Did. Their Master Had Flown Down The Hall-Steps,  And The Labourers Were 
   Coming Steadily Up To It,  Bearing Something In Procession. Dr. Ashton 
   Came Back As Quickly As He Had Gone Out,  Extending His Arms Before Him. 
     
   "Ladies,  I Pray You Go In," He Urged,  In Strange Agitation. "You Must Not 
   Meet These--These Irishmen. Go Back To The Dining-Room,  I Entreat You, 
   And Remain In It." 
     
   But The Curiosity Of Women--Who Can Suppress It? They Were As Though They 
   Heard Not,  And Were Pressing On To The Door,  When Val Elster Dashed In 
   With A White Face. 
     
   "Back,  All Of You! You Must Not Stay Here. This Is No Place Or Sight For 
   You. Anne," He Added,  Seizing Miss Ashton's Hand In Peremptory Entreaty, 
   "You At Least Know How To Be Calm. Get Them Away,  And Keep Them Out Of 
   The Hall." 
     
   "Tell Me The Worst," She Implored. "I Will Indeed Try To Be Calm. Who Is 
   It Those Men Are Bringing Here?" 
     
   "My Dear Brother--My Dead Brother. Madam," He Continued To The 
   Countess-Dowager,  Who Had Now Come Out,  Dinner-Napkin In Hand,  Her Curls 
   All Awry,  "You Must Not Come Here. Go Back To The Dining-Room,  All Of 
   You." 
     
   "Not Come Here! Go Back To The Dining-Room!" Echoed The Outraged Dowager. 
   "Don't Take Quite So Much Upon Yourself,  Val Elster. The House Is Lord 
   Hartledon's,  And I Am A Free Agent In It." 
     
   A Shriek--An Agonized Shriek--Broke From Lady Maude. In Her Suspense She 
   Had Stolen Out Unperceived,  And Lifted The Covering Of The Rude Bier,  Now 
   Resting On The Steps. The Rays Of The Hall-Lamp Fell On The Face,  And 
   Maude,  In Her Anguish,  With A Succession Of Hysterical Sobs,  Came 
   Shivering Back To Sink Down At Her Mother's Feet. 
     
   "Oh,  My Love--My Love! Dead! Dead!" 
     
   The Only One Who Heard The Words Was Anne Ashton. The Countess-Dowager 
   Caught The Last. 
     
   "Who Is Dead? What Is This Mystery?" She Asked,  Unceremoniously Lifting 
   Her Satin Dress,  With The Intention Of Going Out To See,  And Her Head 
   Began To Nod--Perhaps With Apprehension--As If She Had The Palsy. "You 
   Want To Force Us Away. No,  Thank You; Not Until I've Come To The Bottom 
   Of This." 
     
   "Let Us Tell Them," Cried Young Carteret,  In His Boyish Impulse,  "And 
   Then Perhaps They Will Go. An Accident Has Happened To Lord Hartledon, 
   Ma'am,  And These Men Have Brought Him Home." 
     
   "He--_He's_ Not Dead?" Asked The Old Woman,  In Changed Tones. 
     
   Alas! Poor Lord Hartledon Was Indeed Dead. The Irish Labourers,  In 
   Passing Near The Mill,  Had Detected The Body In The Water; Rescued It, 
   And Brought It Home. 
     
   The Countess-Dowager's Grief Commenced Rather Turbulently. She Talked And 
   Shrieked,  And Danced Round,  Exactly As If She Had Been A Wild Indian. It 
   Was So Intensely Ludicrous,  That The Occupants Of The Hall Gazed In 
   Silence. 
     
   "Here To-Day,  And Gone To-Morrow!" She Sobbed. "Oh--O--O--O--O--O--Oh!" 
     
   "Nay," Cried Young Carteret,  "Here To-Day,  And Gone _Now_. Poor Fellow! 
   It Is Awful." 
     
   "And You Have Done It!" She Cried,  Turning Her Grief Upon The Astonished 
   Boy. "You! What Business Had You To Allure Him Off Again In That 
   Miserable Boat,  Once He Had Got Home?" 
     
   "Don't Trample Me Down,  Please," He Indignantly Returned; "I Am As Cut Up 
   As You Can Be. Hedges,  Hadn't You Better Get Lady Kirton's Maid Here? I 
   Think She Is Going Mad." 
     
   "And Now The House Is Without A Master," She Bemoaned,  Returning To Her 
   Own Griefs And Troubles,  "And I Have All The Arrangements Thrown Upon 
   Myself." 
     
   "The House Is Not Without A Master," Said Young Carteret,  Who Seemed 
   Inclined To Have The Last Word. "If One Master Has Gone From It,  Poor 
   Fellow! There's Another To Replace Him; And He Is At Your Elbow Now." 
     
   He At Her Elbow Was Val Elster. Lady Kirton Gathered In The Sense Of The 
   Words,  And Gave A Cry; A Prolonged Cry Of Absolute Dismay. 
     
   "_He_ Can't Be Its Master." 
     
   "I Should Say He _Is_,  Ma'am. At Any Rate He Is Now Lord Hartledon." 
     
   She Looked From One To The Other In Helpless Doubt. It Was A Contingency 
   That Had Never So Much As Occurred To Her. Had She Wanted Confirmation, 
   The Next Moment Brought It To Her From The Lips Of The Butler. 
     
   "Hedges," Called Out Percival Sternly,  In His Embarrassment And Grief, 
   "Open The Dining-Room Door. We _Must_ Get The Hall Cleared." 
     
   "The Door Is Open,  My Lord." 
     
   "_He_ Lord Hartledon!" Shrieked The Countess-Dowager,  "Why,  I Was Going 
   To Recommend His Brother To Ship Him Off To Canada For Life." 
     
   It Was Altogether An Unseemly Scene At Such A Time. But Almost Everything 
   The Countess-Dowager Of Kirton Did Was Unseemly. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 10 (Mr. Pike's Visit) 
   Percival Elster Was In Truth Earl Of Hartledon. By One Of Those 
   Unexpected Calamities,  Which Are Often Inexplicable--And Which Most 
   Certainly Was So As Yet In The Present Instance--A Promising Young Life 
   Had Been Snapped Asunder,  And Another Reigned In His Place. In One Short 
   Hour Val Elster,  Who Had Scarcely Cross Or Coin To Call His Own,  Had Been 
   Going In Danger Of Arrest From One Moment To Another,  Had Become A Peer 
   Of The Realm And A Man Of Wealth. 
     
   As They Laid The Body Down In A Small Room Opening From The Hall,  And His 
   Late Companions And Guests Crowded Around In Awe-Struck Silence,  There 
   Was One Amidst Them Who Could Not Control His Grief And Emotion. It Was 
   Poor Val. Pushing Aside The Others,  Never Heeding Them In His Bitter 
   Sorrow,  He Burst Into Passionate Sobs As He Leaned Over The Corpse. And 
   None Of Them Thought The Worse Of Val For It. 
     
   "Oh,  Percival! How Did It Happen?" 
     
   The Speaker Was Dr. Ashton. Little Less Affected Himself,  He Clasped The 
   Young Man's Hand In Token Of Heartfelt Sympathy. 
     
   "I Cannot Think _How_ It Could Have Happened," Replied Percival,  When 
   Able To Control His Feelings Sufficiently To Speak. "It Seems Awfully 
   Strange To Me--Mysteriously So." 
     
   "If He Found Himself Going Wrong,  Why Didn't He Shout Out?" Asked Young 
   Carteret,  With A Rueful Face. "I Couldn't Have Helped Hearing Him." 
     
   It Was A Question That Was Passing Through The Minds Of All; Was Being 
   Whispered About. How Could It Have Happened? The Body Presented The Usual 
   Appearance Of Death From Drowning; But Close To The Left Temple Was A 
   Wound,  And The Face Was Otherwise Disfigured. It Must Have Been Done, 
   They Thought,  By Coming Into Contact With Something Or Other In The 
   Water; Perhaps The Skiff Itself. Arm And Ankle Were Both Much Swollen. 
     
   Nothing Was Certainly Known As Yet Of Lord Hartledon From The Time Mr. 
   Carteret Parted Company With Him,  To The Time When The Body Was Found. It 
   Appeared That These Irish Labourers Were Going Home From Their Work, 
   Singing As They Went,  Their Road Lying Past The Mill,  When They Were 
   Spoken To By The Miller's Boy. He Stood On The Species Of Estrade Which 
   The Miller Had Placed There For His Own Convenience,  Bending Down As Far 
   As His Young Head And Shoulders Could Reach,  And Peering Into The Water 
   Attentively. "I Think I See Some'at In The Stream," Quoth He,  And The Men 
   Stopped; And After A Short Time,  Proceeded To Search. It Proved To Be The 
   Dead Body Of Lord Hartledon,  Caught Amongst The Reeds. 
     
   It Was Rather A Curious Coincidence That Percival Elster And His Servants 
   In The Last Search Should Have Heard The Voices Of The Labourers Singing 
   In The Distance. But They Were Too Far Off On Their Return To Hartledon 
   To Be Within Hearing When The Men Found The Body. 
     
   The News Spread; People Came Up From Far And Near,  And Hartledon Was 
   Besieged. Mr. Hillary,  The Surgeon,  Gave It As His Opinion That The Wound 
   On The Temple,  No Doubt Caused Before Death,  Had Rendered Lord Hartledon 
   Insensible,  And Unable To Extricate Himself From The Water. The Mill And 
   Cottage Were Built On What Might Be Called An Arm Of The River. Lord 
   Hartledon Had No Business There At All; But The Current Was Very Strong; 
   And If,  As Was Too Probable,  He Had Become Almost Disabled,  He Might Have 
   Drifted To It Without Being Able To Help Himself; Or He Might Have Been 
   Making For It,  Intending To Land And Rest In The Cottage Until Help Could 
   Be Summoned To Convey Him Home. How He Got Into The Water Was Not Known. 
   Once In The Water,  The Blow Was Easy Enough To Receive; He Might Have 
   Struck Against The Estrade. 
     
   There Is Almost Sure To Be Some Miserable Coincidence In These Cases To 
   Render Them Doubly Unfortunate. For Three Weeks Past,  As The Miller 
   Testified--A Respectable Man Named Floyd--His Mill Had Not Been Deserted; 
   Some One,  Man,  Boy,  Or Woman,  Had Always Been There. On This Afternoon It 
   Was Closed,  Mill And Cottage Too,  And All Were Away. What Might Have Been 
   Simply A Slight Accident,  Had Help Been At Hand,  Had Terminated In An 
   Awful Death For The Want Of It. 
     
   It Was Eleven O'clock Before Anything Like Order Was Restored At 
   Hartledon,  And The House Left In Quiet. The Last Person To Quit It Was 
   Dr. Ashton. Hedges,  The Butler,  Had Been Showing Him Out,  And Was 
   Standing For A Minute On The Steps Looking After Him,  And Perhaps To 
   Cool,  With A Little Fresh Air,  His Perplexed Brow--For The Man Was A 
   Faithful Retainer,  And The Affair Had Shocked Him In No Common 
   Degree--When He Was Accosted By Pike,  Who Emerged Stealthily From Behind 
   One Of The Outer Pillars,  Where He El. 
     
   "Emma,  Where's The Water-Can?" 
     
   "Please 'M,  Mrs. Plumberridge,  She Left It Outside Of The Door 
   Yesterday,  And Some One's Took It." 
     
   There Is Yet A Later Widow,  But I Do _Not_ Think Of Taking Her Into 
   The House. The Widow Bone Has Taken To _Boning_ Her Daughter's 
   Clothes,  So _She_ Is Forbidden The House.... 
     
     
     
     
   To A.E. 
     
   _Brighton_. April 17,  1872. 
     
     
     
     
   ... I Got Here All Right,  And Wonderfully Little Tired,  Though The 
   Train Shook A Good Deal The Latter Part Of The Way. 
     
   Oh! The Flowers! The Cowslips,  The Purple Orchids,  The Kingcups,  The 
   Primroses! And The Grey,  Drifting Cumuli With Gaps Of Blue,  And The 
   Cinnamon And Purple Woods,  Broken With Yellowish Poplars And Pale 
   Willows,  With Red Farms,  And Yellow Gorse Lighted Up By The Sun!!! The 
   Oaks Just Beginning To Break Out In Yellowish Tufts,  [_Sketch._] I 
   Can't Tell You What Lovely Sketches I Passed Between Aldershot And 
   Redhill! 
     
   On To Brighton I Took Charge Of A Small Boy Being Sent By A Fond 
   Mother To School. When I Mention That He Was Nine Years Old,--And 
   Informed Me--That He Had Got "A Jolly Book," Which Proved To Be _A 
   School For Fathers_,  That His Own School Wasn't _Much Of A One_,  And 
   He Was Going To Leave,  And Ate Hard-Boiled Eggs And Crystallized 
   Oranges By The Way--You Will See How This Generation Waxes Apace!! 
     
     
     
     
   _Ecclesfield_. May 27,  1872. 
     
     
     
     
   ... The Weather Is Very Nice Now. I Stayed Till The End Of The Litany 
   In Church Yesterday,  And Then Slipped Out By The Organ Door And Sat 
   With Mother. I Sat On The Boy's School Side Of The Chancel,  Where A 
   Little Lad Near Me Was Singing _Alto_ (Not A "Second" Of Thirds!) 
   Strong And Steady As A Thrush In A Hedge!! The Music Went Very Well. 
     
   The Country Looks Lovely,  _But For The Smoke_. If It Had But Our Blue 
   Distance It Would Be Grand. But The 
     
                     "Wreathed Smoke Afar 
       That O'er The Town Like Mist Upraised 
       Hung,  Hiding Sun And Star," 
     
   Gets Worse Every Year! And When I Think Of Our Lovely Blue And Grey 
   Folds Of Distance,  And Bright Skies,  And Tints,  I Feel Quite 
   _Ruskinish_ Towards Mills And Manufactories. 
     
     
     
     
   To C.T. Gatty. 
     
   _X Lines,  South Camp,  Aldershot._ 
   August 10,  1873. 
     
     
     
     
   My Very Dear Old Charlie, 
     
   Don't You Suppose Your Sister Is Forgetting You. Two Causes Have 
   Delayed Your Drawings. 
     
   1. I Have Been Working--Oh _So_ Hard! It Was Because Mr. Bell 
   Announced That He Wanted A "Volume," And That For The Xmas Market One 
   Must Begin At Once In July! 
     
   Such Is Competition! 
     
   He Had An Idea That Something Which Had Not Appeared In Any Magazine 
   Would Be More Successful Than Reprints. _So_ I Have Written "Lob 
   Lie-By-The-Fire,  Or The Luck Of Lingborough," And You Will Recognize 
   Your _Cockie_ In It! I Have Taken No End Of Pains With It,  And It Has 
   Been A Matter Of Seven Or Eight Hours A Day Lately. I Mean The Last 
   Few Days. Rather Too Much. It Knocked Me Off My Sleep,  And Reduced "My 
   Poor Back" To The Consistency Of Pith. But I Am Picking Up,  Partly By 
   Such Gross Material Aid As _Bottled Stout_ Affords! And Any Amount Of 
   Fresh Air Blowing In Full Draughts Over My Bed At Night!! 
     
   2. I _Have_ Been At Work For You,  But I Get So Horribly Dissatisfied 
   With My Things. No; I Must Do Some Real Steady _Work_ At It. One Can't 
   Jump With A Little "Nice Feeling" And Plenty Of Theories Into What Can 
   Give Any Lasting Pleasure To Oneself Or Any One Else. I Will Send You 
   Shortly (I Hope) A Copy Of One Of Sir Hope Grant's Chinnerys,  And 
   Perhaps A Wee Thing Of Ecclesfield. The Worst Of Drawing Is,  It Wants 
   Mind As Well As Hands. One Can't Go At It _Jaded_ From Head Work,  As 
   One Could "Sew A Long White Seam" Or Any Mechanical Thing!... 
     
   When D---- Was With Me,  We Went To A _Fete_ In The North Camp Gardens, 
   And I Was Talking To Lady Grant About The Chinnerys,  And The "Happy 
   Thought" Struck Her To Introduce Me To A Mr. Walkinshaw. They Live 
   Somewhere In This Country,  And Mrs. Walkinshaw Came Up Afterwards To 
   Ask If She Might Call On Me,  As They Have A Chinnery Collection 
   (Gathered In China),  And Mr. Walkinshaw Would Show Them To Me!... Itheyencil. Send Over To The Rectory The First Thing In The Morning. And, 
   Hedges--" 
     
   At This Moment A Slight Noise Was Heard Within The Room Like The Sound Of 
   An Extinguisher Falling; As,  In Fact,  It Was. Lord Hartledon Turned 
   Towards It. 
     
   "Who Is There,  Hedges?" 
     
   "I--It's No One In Particular,  Sir--My Lord." 
     
   What With The Butler's Bewilderment On The Sudden Change Of Masters,  And 
   What With His Consciousness Of The Presence Of His Visitor,  He Was 
   Unusually Confused. Lord Hartledon Noticed It. It Instantly Occurred To 
   Him That One Of The Ladies,  Or Perhaps One Of The Women-Servants,  Had 
   Been Admitted To The Room; And He Did Not Consider It A Proper Sight For 
   Any Of Them. 
     
   "Who Is It?" He Demanded,  Somewhat Peremptorily. 
     
   So Hedges Had To Confess What Had Taken Place,  And That He Had Allowed 
   The Man To Enter. 
     
   "Pike! Why,  What Can He Want?" Exclaimed Lord Hartledon In Surprise. And 
   He Turned To The Room. 
     
   The Moment The Butler Left Him Alone Mr. Pike's First Proceeding Had Been 
   To Cover His Head Again With His Wide-Awake,  Which He Had Evidently 
   Removed With Reluctance,  And Might Have Refused To Remove At All Had It 
   Been Consistent With Policy; His Second Was To Snatch Up The Candle,  Bend 
   Over The Dead Face,  And Examine It Minutely Both With Eye And Hand. 
     
   "There _Is_ A Wound,  Then,  And It's True What They Are Saying. I Thought 
   It Might Have Been Gossip," He Muttered,  As He Pushed The Soft Dark Hair 
   From The Temple. "Any More Suspicious Marks?" He Resumed,  Taking A Rapid 
   View Of The Hands And Head. "No; Nothing But What He'd Be Likely To Get 
   In The Water: But--I'll Swear _That_ Might Have Been The Blow Of A Human 
   Hand. 'Twould Stun,  If It Wouldn't Kill; And Then,  Held Under The 
   Water--" 
     
   At This Moment Mr. Pike And His Comments Were Interrupted,  And He Drew 
   Back From The Table On Which The Body Was Lying; But Not Before Lord 
   Hartledon Had Seen Him Touching The Face Of The Dead. 
     
   "What Are You Doing?" Came The Stern Demand. 
     
   "I Wasn't Harming Him," Was The Answer; And Mr. Pike Seemed To Have 
   Suddenly Returned To His Roughness. "It's A Nasty Accident To Have 
   Happened; And I Don't Like _This_." 
     
   He Pointed To The Temple As He Spoke. Lord Hartledon's Usually 
   Good-Natured Brow--At Present A Brow Of Deep Sorrow--Contracted 
   With Displeasure. 
     
   "It Is An Awful Accident," He Replied. "But I Asked What You Were Doing 
   Here?" 
     
   "I Thought I'd Like To Look Upon Him,  Sir; And The Butler Let Me In. I 
   Wish I'd Been A Bit Nearer The Place At The Time: I'd Have Saved Him,  Or 
   Got Drowned Myself. Not Much Fear Of That,  Though. I'm A Rat For The 
   Water. Was That Done Fairly?" Pointing Again To The Temple. 
     
   "What Do You Mean?" Exclaimed Val. 
     
   "Well--It Might Be,  Or It Might Not. One Who Has Led The Roving Life I 
   Have,  And Been In All Sorts Of Scenes,  Bred In The Slums Of London Too, 
   Looks On The Suspicious Side Of These Things. And There Mostly Is One In 
   All Of 'Em." 
     
   Val Was Moved To Anger. "How Dare You Hint At So Infamous A Suspicion, 
   Pike? If--" 
     
   "No Offence,  My Lord," Interrupted Pike--"And It's My Lord That You Are 
   Now. Thoughts May Be Free In This Room; But I Am Not Going To Spread 
   Suspicion Outside. I Say,  Though That _Might_ Have Been An Accident,  It 
   Might Have Been Done By An Enemy." 
     
   "Did You Do It?" Retorted Lord Hartledon In His Displeasure. 
     
   Pike Gave A Short Laugh. 
     
   "I Did Not. I Had No Cause To Harm Him. What I'm Thinking Was,  Whether 
   Anybody Else Had. He Was Mistaken For Another Yesterday," Continued Pike, 
   Dropping His Voice. "Some Men In His Lordship's Place Might Have Showed 
   Fight Then: Even Blows." 
     
   Percival Made No Immediate Rejoinder. He Was Gazing At Pike Just As 
   Fixedly As The Latter Gazed At Him. Did The Man Wish To Insinuate That 
   The Unwelcome Visitor Had Again Mistaken The One Brother For The Other, 
   And The Result Had Been A Struggle Between Them,  Ending In This? The Idea 
   Rushed Into His Mind,  And A Dark Flush Overspread His Face. 
     
   "You Have No Grounds For Thinking That Man--You Know Who I Mean--Attacked 
   My Brother A Second Time?" 
     
   "No,  I Have No Grounds For It," Shortly Answered Pike. 
     
   "He Was Near To The Spot At The Time; I Saw Him There," Continued Lord 
   Hartledon,  Speaking Apparently To Himself; Whilst The Flush,  Painfully 
   Red And Dark,  Was Increasing Rather Than Diminishing. 
     
   "I Know You Did," Returned Pike. 
     
   The Tone Grated On Lord Hartledon's Ear. It Implied That The Man Might 
   Become Familiar,  If Not Checked; And,  With All His Good-Natured 
   Affability,  He Was Not One To Permit It; Besides,  His Position Was 
   Changed,  And He Could Not Help Feeling That It Was. "Necessity Makes Us 
   Acquainted With Strange Bedfellows," Says The Very True Proverb; And What 
   Might Have Been Borne Yesterday Would Not Be Borne To-Day. 
     
   "Let Me Understand You," He Said,  And There Was A Stern Decision In His 
   Tone And Manner That Surprised Pike. "Have You Any Reason Whatever To 
   Suspect That Man Of Having Injured,  Or Attempted To Injure My Brother?" 
     
   "_I_'Ve Not," Answered Pike. "I Never Saw Him Nearer To The Mill 
   Yesterday Than He Was When He Looked At Us. I Don't Think He Went Nearer. 
   My Lord,  If I Knew Anything Against The Man,  I'd Tell It Out,  And Be 
   Glad. I Hate The Whole Tribe. _He_ Wouldn't Make The Mistake Again," 
   Added Pike,  Half-Contemptuously. "He Knew Which Was His Lordship Fast 
   Enough To-Day,  And Which Wasn't." 
     
   "Then What Did You Mean By Insinuating That The Blow On The Temple Was 
   The Result Of Violence?" 
     
   "I Didn't Say It Was: I Said It Might Have Been. I Don't Know A Thing,  As 
   Connected With This Business,  Against A Mortal Soul. It's True,  My Lord." 
     
   "Perhaps,  Then,  You Will Leave This Room," Said Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "I'm Going. And Many Thanks To Your Lordship For Not Having Turned Me 
   From It Before,  And For Letting Me Have My Say. Thanks To _You_,  Sir," He 
   Added,  As He Went Out Of The Room And Passed Hedges,  Who Was Waiting In 
   The Hall. 
     
   Hedges Closed The Door After Him,  And Turned To Receive A Reprimand From 
   His New Master. 
     
   "Before You Admit Such Men As That Into The Most Sacred Chamber The House 
   At Present Contains,  You Will Ask My Permission,  Hedges." 
     
   Hedges Attempted To Excuse Himself. "He Was So Very Earnest,  My Lord; He 
   Declared To Me He Had A Good Motive In Wanting To Come In. At These 
   Times,  When One's Heart Is Almost Broken With A Sudden Blow,  One Is Apt 
   To Be Soft And Yielding. What With That Feeling Upon Me,  And What With 
   The Fright He Gave Me--" 
     
   "What Fright Did He Give You?" Interrupted Val. 
     
   "Well,  My Lord,  He--He Asked Me Whether His Lordship Had Come Fairly By 
   His Death." 
     
   "How Dare You Repeat The Insinuation?" Broke Forth Lord Hartledon,  With 
   More Temper Than Hedges Had Ever Seen Him Display. "The Very Idea Is 
   Absurd; It Is Wicked; It Is Unpardonable. My Brother Had Not An Enemy In 
   The World. Take Care Not To Repeat It Again. Do You Hear?" 
     
   He Turned Away From The Astonished Man,  Went Into The Room He Had Called 
   Sacred,  And Closed The Door. Hedges Wondered Whether The Hitherto 
   Sweet-Tempered,  Easy-Mannered Younger Brother Had Changed His Nature 
   With His Inheritance. 
     
   As The Days Went On,  Few,  If Any,  Further Particulars Were Elicited As To 
   The Cause Of Accident. That The Unfortunate Lord Hartledon Had Become 
   Partly,  If Not Wholly,  Disabled,  So As To Be Incapable Of Managing Even 
   The Little Skiff,  Had Been Drifted By The Current Towards The Mills,  And 
   There Upset,  Was Assumed By All To Have Been The True History Of The 
   Case. There Appeared No Reason To Doubt That It Was So. The Inquest Was 
   Held On The Thursday. 
     
   And On That Same Morning The New Lord Hartledon Received A Proof Of The 
   Kindness Of His Brother. A Letter Arrived From Messrs. Kedge And Reck, 
   Addressed To Edward Earl Of Hartledon. By It Percival Found--There Was No 
   One Else To Open It Now--That His Brother Had Written To Them Early On 
   The Tuesday Morning,  Taking The Debt Upon Himself; And They Now Wrote To 
   Say They Accepted His Responsibility,  And Had Withdrawn The Officer From 
   Calne. Alas! Val Elster Could Have Dismissed Him Himself Now. 
     
   He Sat With Bent Head And Drooping Eyelids. None,  Save Himself,  Knew How 
   Bitter Were The Feelings Within Him,  Or The Remorse That Was His Portion 
   For Having Behaved Unkindly To His Brother Within The Last Few Hours Of 
   Life. He Had Rebelled At His State Of Debt Becoming Known To Dr. Ashton; 
   He Had Feared To Lose Anne: It Seemed To Him Now,  That He Would Live 
   Under The Doctor's Displeasure For Ever,  Would Never See Anne Again, 
   Could He Recall His Brother. Oh,  These Unavailing Regrets! Will They Rise 
   Up To Face Us At The Last Day? 
     
   With A Suppressed Ejaculation That Was Like A Cry Of Pain,  As If He Would 
   Throw From Him These Reflections And Could Not,  Lord Hartledon Drew A 
   Sheet Of Paper Before Him And Wrote A Note To The Lawyers. He Briefly 
   Stated What Had Taken Place; That His Brother Was Dead From An Accident, 
   And He Had Inherited,  And Should Take Speedy Measures For The Discharge 
   Of Any Liabilities There Might Be Against Him: And He Requested,  As A 
   Favour,  That The Letter Written To Them By His Brother Might Be Preserved 
   And Returned To Him: He Should Wish To Keep It As The Last Lines His Hand 
   Had Traced. 
     
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 11 (The Inquest) 
   On This Day,  Thursday,  The Inquest Was Held. Most Of The Gay Crowd 
   Staying At Hartledon Had Taken Flight; Mr. Carteret,  And One Or Two More, 
   Whose Testimony Might Be Wished For,  Remaining. The Coroner And Jury 
   Assembled In The Afternoon,  In A Large Boarded Apartment Called The 
   Steward's Room. Lord Hartledon Was Present With Dr. Ashton And Other 
   Friends: They Were Naturally Anxious To Hear The Evidence That Could Be 
   Collected,  And Gather Any Light That Might Be Thrown Upon The Accident. 
   The Doors Were Not Closed To The Public,  And A Crowd,  Gentle And Simple, 
   Pressed In. 
     
   The Surgeon Spoke To The Supposed Cause Of Death--Drowning: The Miller 
   Spoke To His House And Mill Having Been That Afternoon Shut Up. He And 
   His Wife Went Over In Their Spring-Cart To Garchester,  And Left The Place 
   Locked Up,  He Said. The Coroner Asked Whether It Was His Custom To Lock 
   Up His Place When He Went Out; He Replied That It Was,  When They Went Out 
   Together; But That Event Rarely Happened. Upon His Return At Dusk,  He 
   Found The Little Skiff Loose In The Stream,  And Secured It. It Was His 
   Servant-Boy,  David Ripper,  Who Called His Attention To It First Of All. 
   He Saw Nothing Of Lord Hartledon,  And Had Not Very Long Secured The Skiff 
   When Mr. Percival Elster Came Up In The Pony-Carriage,  Asking If His 
   Brother Was There. He Looked At The Skiff,  And Said It Was The One His 
   Lordship Had Been In. Mr. Elster Said He Supposed His Brother Was Walking 
   Home,  And He Should Drive Slowly Back And Look Out For Him. Later Mr. 
   Elster Returned: He Had Several Servants With Him Then And Lanterns; They 
   Had Come Out To Look For Lord Hartledon,  But Could Not Find Him. It Was 
   Only Just After They Had Gone Away Again That The Irish Harvest-Men Came 
   Up And Found The Body. 
     
   This Was The Substance Of The Miller's Evidence; It Was All He Knew: 
   And The Next Witness Called Was The Boy David Ripper,  Popularly Styled 
   In The Neighbourhood Young Rip,  In Contradistinction To His Father,  A 
   Day-Labourer. He Was An Urchin Of Ten Or Twelve,  With A Red,  Round Face; 
   Quite Ludicrous From Its Present Expression Of Terrified Consternation. 
   The Coroner Sharply Inquired What He Was Frightened At; And The Boy Burst 
   Into A Roar By Way Of Answer. He Didn't Know Nothing,  And Hadn't Seen 
   Nothing,  And It Wasn't Him That Drowned His Lordship; And He Couldn't 
   Tell More If They Hanged Him For It. 
     
   The Miller Interposed. The Boy Was One Of The Idlest Young Vagabonds He 
   Had Ever Had The Luck To Be Troubled With; And He Thought It Exceedingly 
   Likely He Had Been Off That Afternoon And Not Near The Mill At All. He 
   Had Ordered Him To Take Two Sacks Into Calne; But When He Reached Home He 
   Found The Sacks Untouched,  Lying Where He Had Placed Them Outside. Mr. 
   Ripper Had No Doubt Been Playing Truant On His Own Account. 
     
   "Where Did You Pass Tuesday Afternoon During Your Master's Absence?" 
   Sternly Demanded The Coroner. "Take Your Hands From Your Face And Answer 
   Me,  Boy." 
     
   David Ripper Obeyed In The Best Manner He Was Capable Of,  Considering His 
   Agitation. "I Dun Know Now Where I Was," He Said. "I Was About." 
     
   "About Where?" 
     
   Mr. Ripper Apparently Could Not Say Where. He Thought He Was "Setting His 
   Bird-Trap" In The Stubble-Field; And He See A Partridge,  And Watched 
   Where It Scudded To; But He Wasn't Nigh The Mill The Whole Time. 
     
   "Did You See Anything Of Lord Hartledon When He Was In The Skiff?" 
     
   "I Never Saw Him," He Sobbed. "I Wasn't Nigh The Mill At All,  And Never 
   Saw Him Nor The Skiff." 
     
   "What Time Did You Get Back To The Mill?" Asked The Coroner. 
     
   He Didn't Know What Time It Was; His Master And Missis Had Come Home. 
     
   This Was True,  Mr. Floyd Said. They Had Been Back Some Little Time Before 
   Ripper Showed Himself. The First Intimation He Received Of That Truant's 
   Presence Was When He Drew His Attention To The Loose Skiff. 
     
   "How Came You To See The Skiff?" Sharply Asked The Coroner. 
     
   Ripper Spoke Up With Trembling Lips. He Was Waiting Outside After He Came 
   Up,  And Afraid To Go In Lest His Master Should Beat Him For Not Taking 
   The Sacks,  Which Went Clean Out Of His Mind,  They Did,  And Then He Saw 
   The Little Boat; Upon Which He Called Out And Told His Master. 
     
   "And It Was Also You Who First Saw The Body In The Water," Observed The 
   Coroner,  Regarding The Reluctant Witness Curiously. "How Came You To See 
   That? Were You Looking For Something Of The Sort?" 
     
   The Witness Shivered. He Didn't Know How He Come To See It. He Was On The 
   Strade,  Not Looking For Nothing,  When He Saw Some'at Dark Among The 
   Reeds,  And Told The Harvesters When They Come By. They Said It Was A Man, 
   Got Him Out,  And Then Found It Was His Lordship. 
     
   There Was Only One Peculiarity About The Boy's Evidence--His Manner. 
   All He Said Was Feasible Enough; Indeed,  What Would Be Most Likely To 
   Happen Under The Circumstances. But Whence Arose His Terror? Had He Been 
   Of A Timid Temperament,  It Might Have Been Natural; But The Miller Had 
   Spoken The Truth--He Was Audacious And Hardy. Only Upon One Or Two, 
   However,  Did The Manner Leave Any Impression. Pike,  Who Made One Of The 
   Crowd In The Inquest-Room,  Was One Of These. His Experience Of Human 
   Nature Was Tolerably Keen,  And He Felt Sure The Boy Was Keeping Something 
   Behind That He Did Not Dare To Tell. The Coroner And Jury Were Not So 
   Clear-Sighted,  And Dismissed Him With The Remark That He Was A "Little 
   Fool." 
     
   "Call George Gorton," Said The Coroner,  Looking At His Notes. 
     
   Very Much To Lord Hartledon's Surprise--Perhaps Somewhat To His 
   Annoyance--The Man Answering To This Name Was The One Who Had Originally 
   Come To Calne On A Special Mission To Himself. Some Feeling Caused Him To 
   Turn From The Man Whilst He Gave His Evidence,  A Thing Easily Done In The 
   Crowded Room. 
     
   It Appeared That Amidst The Stirring Excitement In The Neighbourhood On 
   The Tuesday Night When The Death Became Known,  This Stranger Happened To 
   Avow In The Public-House Which He Made His Quarters That He Had Seen Lord 
   Hartledon In His Skiff Just Before The Event Must Have Happened. The 
   Information Was Reported,  And The Man Received A Summons To Appear Before 
   The Coroner. 
     
   And It May Be As Well To Remark Now,  That His Second Appearance Was Owing 
   To A Little Cowardice On His Own Part. He Had Felt Perfectly Satisfied At 
   The Time With The Promise Given Him By Lord Hartledon To See The Debt 
   Paid--Given Also In The Presence Of The Rector--And Took His Departure In 
   The Train,  Just As Pike Had Subsequently Told Mr. Elster. But Ere He Had 
   Gone Two Stages On His Journey,  He Began To Think He Might Have Been Too 
   Precipitate,  And To Ask Himself Whether His Employers Would Not Tell Him 
   So When He Appeared Before Them,  Unbacked By Any Guarantee From Lord 
   Hartledon; For This,  By A Strange Oversight,  He Had Omitted To Ask For. 
   He Halted At Once,  And Went Back By The Next Return Train. The Following 
   Day,  Tuesday,  He Spent Looking After Lord Hartledon,  But,  As It Happened, 
   Did Not Meet Him. 
     
   The Man--A Dissipated Young Man,  Now That His Hat Was Off--Came Forward 
   In His Long Coat,  His Red Hair And Whiskers. But It Seemed That He Had 
   Really Very Little Information To Give. He Was On The Banks Of The River 
   When Lord Hartledon Passed In The Skiff,  And Noticed How Strangely He Was 
   Rowing,  One Arm Apparently Lying Useless. What Part Of The River Was 
   This,  The Coroner Asked; And The Witness Avowed That He Could Not 
   Describe It. He Was A Stranger,  Never There But That Once; All He Knew 
   Was,  That It Was Higher Up,  Beyond Hartledon House. What Might He Have 
   Been Doing There,  Demanded The Coroner. Only Strolling About,  Was The 
   Answer. What Was His Business At Calne? Came The Next Question; And As It 
   Was Put,  The Witness Caught The Eye Of The New Lord Hartledon Through An 
   Opening In The Crowd. His Business,  The Witness Replied To The Coroner, 
   Was His Own Business,  And Did Not Concern The Public,  And He Respectfully 
   Declined To State It. He Presumed Calne Was A Free Place Like Other 
   Places,  Where A Stranger Might Spend A Few Days Without Question,  If He 
   Pleased. 
     
   Pike Chuckled At This: Incipient Resistance To Authority Cheered That 
   Lawless Man's Heart. He Had Stood Throughout,  In The Shadow Of The Crowd, 
   Just Within The Door,  Attentively Watching The Witnesses As They Gave 
   Their Evidence: But He Was Not Prepared For What Was To Come Next. 
     
   Did The Witness See Any Other Spectators On The Bank? Continued The 
   Coroner. Only One,  Was The Answer: A Man Called Pike,  Or Some Such Name. 
   Pike Was Watching The Little Boat On The River When He Got Up To Him; He 
   Remarked To Pike That His Lordship's Arm Seemed Tired; And He And Pike 
   Had Walked Back To Calne Together. 
     
   Pike Would Have Got Away Had He Been Able,  But The Coroner Whispered To 
   An Officer. For One Single Moment Mr. Pike Seemed Inclined To Show Fight; 
   He Began Struggling,  Not Gently,  To Reach The Door; The Next He Gave It 
   Up,  And Resigned Himself To His Fate. There Was A Little Hubbub,  In The 
   Midst Of Which A Slip Of Paper With A Pencilled Line From Lord Hartledon, 
   Was Handed To The Coroner. 
     
   "_Press This Point,  Whether They Returned To Calne At Once And 
   Together._" 
     
   "George Gorton," Cried The Coroner,  As He Crushed The Paper In His Hand, 
   "At What Hour Did You Return To Calne?" 
     
   "I Went At Once. As Soon As The Little Boat Was Out Of Sight." 
     
   "Went Alone?" 
     
   "No,  Sir. I And The Man Pike Walked Together. I've Said So Already." 
     
   "What Made You Go Together?" 
     
   "Nothing In Particular. We Were Both Going Back,  I Suppose,  And Strolled 
   Along Talking." 
     
   It Appeared To Be All That The Witness Had To Tell,  And Mr. Pike Came 
   Forward Perforce. As He Stood There,  His Elegant Wide-Awake Bent In His 
   Hand,  He Looked More Like The Wild Man Of The Woods He Had Been Compared 
   To,  Than A Civilized Being. Rough,  Rude,  And Abrupt Were His Tones As He 
   Spoke,  And He Bent His Face And Eyes Downwards Whilst He Answered. It Was 
   In Those Eyes That Lay The Look Which Had Struck Mr. Elster As Being 
   Familiar To Him. He Persisted In Giving His Name As Tom,  Not Thomas. 
     
   But If The Stranger In The Long Coat Had Little Evidence To Give,  Pike 
   Had Even Less. He Had Been In The Woods That Afternoon And Sauntered To 
   The Bank Of The River Just As Lord Hartledon Passed In The Skiff; But He 
   Had Taken Very Little Notice Of Him. It Was Only When The Last Witness, 
   Who Came Up At The Moment,  Remarked Upon The Queer Manner In Which His 
   Lordship Held His Arm,  That He Saw It Was Lying Idle. 
     
   Not A Thing More Could He Or Would He Tell. It Was All He Knew,  He Said, 
   And Would Swear It Was All. He Went Back To Calne With The Last Witness, 
   And Never Saw His Lordship Again Alive. 
     
   It Did Appear To Be All,  Just As It Did In The Matter Of The Other Man. 
   The Coroner Inquired Whether He Had Seen Any One Else On The Banks Or 
   Near Them,  And Pike Replied That He Had Not Set Eyes On Another Soul, 
   Which Percival Knew To Be False,  For He Had Seen _Him_. He Was Told To 
   Put His Signature To His Evidence,  Which The Clerk Had Taken Down,  And 
   Affixed A Cross. 
     
   "Can't You Write?" Asked The Coroner. 
     
   Pike Shook His Head Negatively. "Never Learnt," He Curtly Said. And 
   Percival Believed That To Be An Untruth Equally With The Other. He Could 
   Not Help Thinking That The Avowal Of Their Immediate Return Might Also Be 
   False: It Was Just As Possible That One Or Other,  Or Both,  Had Followed 
   The Course Of The Boat. 
     
   Mr. Carteret Was Examined. He Could Tell No More Than He Had Already 
   Told. They Started Together,  But He Had Soon Got Beyond His Lordship, 
   And Had Never Seen Him Again Alive. There Was Nothing More To Be Gleaned 
   Or Gathered. Not The Smallest Suspicion Of Foul Play,  Or Of Its Being 
   Anything But A Most Unfortunate Accident,  Was Entertained For A Moment By 
   Any One Who Heard The Evidence,  And The Verdict Of The Jury Was To That 
   Effect: Accidental Death. 
     
   As The Crowd Pressed Out Of The Inquest-Room,  Jostling One Another In The 
   Gloom Of The Evening,  And Went Their Several Ways,  Lord Hartledon Found 
   Himself Close To Gorton,  His Coat Flapping As He Walked. The Man Was 
   Looking Round For Pike: But Mr. Pike,  The Instant His Forced Evidence Was 
   Given,  Had Slunk Away From The Gaze Of His Fellow-Men To Ensconce Himself 
   In His Solitary Shed. To All Appearance Lord Hartledon Had Overtaken 
   Gorton By Accident: The Man Turned Aside In Obedience To A Signal,  And 
   Halted. They Could Not See Much Of Each Other's Faces In The Twilight. 
     
   "I Wish To Ask You A Question," Said Percival In Low,  Impressive,  And Not 
   Unkindly Tones. "Did You Speak With My Brother,  Lord Hartledon,  At All On 
   Tuesday?" 
     
   "No,  My Lord,  I Did Not," Was The Ready Answer. "I Was Trying To Get To 
   See His Lordship,  But Did Not." 
     
   "What Did You Want With Him? What Brought You Back To Calne?" 
     
   "I Wanted To Get From Him A Guarantee For--For What Your Lordship Knows 
   Of; Which He Had Omitted To Give,  And I Had Not Thought To Ask For," 
   Civilly Replied The Man. "I Was Looking About For His Lordship On The 
   Tuesday Morning,  But Did Not Get To See Him. In The Afternoon,  When The 
   Boat-Race Was Over,  I Made Bold To Call At Hartledon,  But The Servants 
   Said His Lordship Wasn't In. As I Came Away,  I Saw Him,  As I Thought, 
   Pass The Lodge And Go Up The Road,  And I Cut After Him,  But Couldn't 
   Overtake Him,  And At Last Lost Sight Of Him. I Struck Into A Tangled Sort 
   Of Pathway Through The Gorse,  Or Whatever It's Called Down Here,  And It 
   Brought Me Out Near The River. His Lordship Was Just Sculling Down,  And 
   Then I Knew It Was Some One Else Had Gone By The Lodge,  And Not Him. 
   Perhaps It Was Your Lordship?" 
     
   "You Knew It Was Lord Hartledon In The Boat? I Mean,  You Recognized Him? 
   You Did Not Mistake Him For Me?" 
     
   "I Knew Him,  My Lord. If I'd Been A Bit Nearer The Lodge,  I Shouldn't 
   Have Been Likely To Mistake Even Your Lordship For Him." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Was Gazing Into The Man's Face Still; Never Once Had His 
   Eyes Been Removed From It. 
     
   "You Did Not See Lord Hartledon Later?" 
     
   "I Never Saw Him All Day But That Once When He Passed In The Skiff." 
     
   "You Did Not Follow Him,  Then?" 
     
   "Of What Use?" Debated The Man. "I Couldn't Call Out My Business From The 
   Banks,  And Didn't Know His Lordship Was Going To Land Lower Down. I Went 
   Straight Back To Calne,  My Lord,  Walking With That Man Pike--Who Is A Rum 
   Fellow,  And Has A History Behind Him,  Unless I'm Mistaken; But It's No 
   Business Of Mine. I Made My Mind Up To Another Night Of It In Calne, 
   Thinking I'd Get To Hartledon Early Next Morning Before His Lordship Had 
   Time To Go Out; And I Was Sitting Comfortably With A Pipe And A Glass Of 
   Beer,  When News Came Of The Accident." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Believed The Man To Be Telling The Truth; And A 
   Weight--The Source Of Which He Did Not Stay To Analyse--Was Lifted From 
   His Mind. But He Asked Another Question. 
     
   "Why Are You Still In Calne?" 
     
   "I Waited For Orders. After His Lordship Died I Couldn't Go Away Without 
   Them--Carrying With Me Nothing But The Word Of A Dead Man. The Orders 
   Came This Morning,  Safe Enough; But I Had The Summons Served On Me Then 
   To Attend The Inquest,  And Had To Stay For It. I'm Going Away Now,  My 
   Lord,  By The First Train." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Was Satisfied,  And Nodded His Head. As He Turned Back He 
   Met Dr. Ashton. 
     
   "I Was Looking For You,  Lord Hartledon. If You Require Any Assistance Or 
   Information In The Various Arrangements That Now Devolve Upon You,  I 
   Shall Be Happy To Render Both. There Will Be A Good Deal To Do One Way Or 
   Another; More,  I Dare Say,  Than Your Inexperience Has The Least Idea Of. 
   You Will Have Your Solicitor At Hand,  Of Course; But If You Want Me,  You 
   Know Where To Find Me." 
     
   The Rector's Words Were Courteous,  But The Tone Was Not Warm,  And The 
   Title "Lord Hartledon" Grated On Val's Ear. In His Impulse He Grasped The 
   Speaker's Hand,  Pouring Forth A Heartfelt Prayer. 
     
   "Oh,  Dr. Ashton,  Will You Not Forgive Me? The Horrible Trouble I Brought 
   Upon Myself Is Over Now. I Don't Rejoice In It Under The Circumstances, 
   Heaven Knows; I Only Speak Of The Fact. Let Me Come To Your House Again! 
   Forgive Me For The Past." 
     
   "In One Sense The Trouble Is Over,  Because The Debts That Were A 
   Formidable Embarrassment To Mr. Elster Are As Nothing To Lord Hartledon," 
   Was The Reply. "But Let Me Assure You Of One Thing: That Your Being Lord 
   Hartledon Will Not Make The Slightest Difference To My Decision Not To 
   Give You My Daughter,  Unless Your Line Of Conduct Shall Change." 
     
   "It Is Changed. Dr. Ashton,  On My Word Of Honour,  I Will Never Be Guilty 
   Of Carelessness Again. One Thing Will Be My Safeguard,  Though All Else 
   Should Fail--The Fact That I Passed My Word For This To My Dear Brother 
   Not Many Hours Before His Death. For My Sake,  For Anne's Sake,  You Will 
   Forgive Me!" 
     
   Was It Possible To Resist The Persuasive Tones,  The Earnestness Of The 
   Honest,  Dark-Blue Eyes? If Ever Percival Elster Was To Make An Effort For 
   Good,  And Succeed,  It Must Be Now. The Doctor Knew It; And He Knew That 
   Anne's Happiness Was At Stake. But He Did Not Thaw Immediately. 
     
   "You Know,  Lord Hartledon--" 
     
   "Call Me Val,  As You Used To Do," Came The Pleading Interruption; And Dr. 
   Ashton Smiled In Spite Of Himself. 
     
   "Percival,  You Know It Is Against My Nature To Be Harsh Or Unforgiving; 
   Just As I Believe It Contrary To Your Nature To Be Guilty Of Deliberate 
   Wrong. If You Will Only Be True To Yourself,  I Would Rather Have You For 
   My Son-In-Law Than Any Other Man In England; As I Would Have Had When You 
   Were Val Elster. Do You Note My Words? _True To Yourself_." 
     
   "As I Will Be From Henceforth," Whispered Val,  Earnest Tears Rising To 
   His Eyes. 
     
   And As He Would Have Been But For His Besetting Sin. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 12 (Later In The Day) 
   It Happened That Clerk Gum Had Business On Hand The Day Of The Inquest, 
   Which Obliged Him To Go To Garchester. He Reached Home After Dark; And 
   The First Thing He Saw Was His Wife,  In What He Was Pleased To Call A 
   State Of Semi-Idiocy. The Tea-Things Were Laid On The Table,  And 
   Substantial Refreshment In The Shape Of Cold Meat,  And A Plate Of Muffins 
   Ready For Toasting,  All For The Clerk's Regalement. But Mrs. Gum Herself 
   Sat On A Low Chair By The Fire,  Her Eyes Swollen With Crying. 
     
   "What's The Matter Now?" Was The Clerk's First Question. 
     
   "Oh,  Gum,  I Told You You Ought Not To Have Gone Off To-Day. You Might 
   Have Stayed For The Inquest." 
     
   "Much Good I Should Do The Inquest,  Or The Inquest Do Me," Retorted The 
   Clerk. "Has Becky Gone?" 
     
   "Long Ago. Gum,  That Dream's Coming Round. I Said It Would. I _Told_ You 
   There Was Ill In Store For Lord Hartledon; And That Pike Was Mixed Up In 
   It,  And Mr. Elster Also In Some Way. If You'd Only Listen To Me--" 
     
   The Clerk,  Who Had Been Brushing His Hat And Shaking The Dust From His 
   Outer Coat--For He Was A Careful Man With His Clothes,  And Always 
   Well-Dressed--Brought Down His Hand Upon The Table With Some Temper. 
     
   "Just Stop That. I've Heard Enough Of That Dream,  And Of All Your Dreams. 
   Confounded Folly! Haven't I Trouble And Worry Enough Upon My Mind, 
   Without Your Worrying Me Every Time I Come In About Your Idiotic Dreams?" 
     
   "Well," Returned Mrs. Gum,  "If The Dream's Nothing,  I'd Like To Ask Why 
   They Had Pike Up To-Day Before Them All?" 
     
   "Who Had Him Up?" Asked The Clerk,  After A Pause. "Had Him Up Where?" 
     
   "Before The People Sitting On The Body Of Lord Hartledon. Lydia Jones 
   Brought Me The News Just Now. 'They Had Pike The Poacher Up,' Says She. 
   'He Was Up Before The Jury,  And Had To Confess To It.' 'Confess To What,' 
   Said I. 'Why,  That He Was About In The Woods When My Lord Met His End,' 
   Said She; 'And It's To Know How My Lord Did Meet It,  And Whether The 
   Poacher Mightn't Have Dealt That Blow On His Temple And Robbed Him After 
   It.' Gum--" 
     
   "There's No Suspicion Of Foul Play,  Is There?" Interrupted The Clerk,  In 
   Strangely Subdued Tones. 
     
   "Not That I Know Of,  Except In Lydia's Temper," Answered Mrs. Gum. "But 
   I Don't Like To Hear He Was Up There At All." 
     
   "Lydia Jones Is A Foul-Tongued Woman,  Capable Of Swearing Away Any Man's 
   Life. Is Pike In Custody?" 
     
   "Not Yet. They've Let Him Off For The Present. Oh,  Gum,  Often And Often 
   Do I Wish My Days Were Ended!" 
     
   "Often And Often Do I Wish I'd A Quiet House To Come To,  And Not Be 
   Bothered With Dreams," Was The Scornful Retort. "Suppose You Toast The 
   Muffins." 
     
   She Gave A Sigh Or Two,  Put Her Cap Straight,  Smoothed Her Ragged Hair, 
   And Meekly Rose To Obey. The Clerk Was Carefully Folding Up The Outer 
   Coat,  For It Was One He Wore Only On High-Days,  When He Felt Something In 
   The Pocket--A Small Parcel. 
     
   "I'd Almost Forgotten This," He Exclaimed,  Taking It Out. "Thanks To You, 
   Nance! What With Your Dreams And Other Worryings I Can't Think Of My 
   Proper Business." 
     
   "What Is It?" She Asked. 
     
   "A Deed Dr. Ashton's Lawyer Got Me To Bring And Save His Clerk A 
   Journey--If You Must Know. I'll Take It Over At Once,  While The Tea's 
   Brewing." 
     
   As Jabez Gum Passed Through His Own Gate He Looked Towards Mr. Pike's 
   Dwelling; It Was Only Natural He Should Do So After The Recent 
   Conversation; And He Saw That Worthy Gentleman Come Stealing Across The 
   Waste Ground,  With His Usual Cautious Step. Although Not Given To 
   Exchanging Courtesies With His Neighbour,  The Clerk Walked Briskly 
   Towards Him Now,  And Waited At The Hurdles Which Divided The Waste Ground 
   From The Road. 
     
   "I Hear You Were Prowling About The Mill When Lord Hartledon Met With His 
   Accident," Began The Clerk,  In Low,  Condemning Tones. 
     
   "And What If I Was," Asked Pike,  Leaning His Arms On The Hurdles And 
   Facing The Clerk. "Near The Mill I Wasn't; About The Woods And River I 
   Was; And I Saw Him Pass Down In The Sculling Boat With His Disabled Arm. 
   What Of It,  I Ask?" 
     
   Pike's Tone,  Though Short,  Was Civil Enough. The Forced Appearance Before 
   The Coroner And Public Had Disturbed His Equanimity In No Slight Degree, 
   And Taken For The Present All Insolence Out Of Him. 
     
   "Should Any Doubt Get Afloat That His Lordship's Death Might Not Have 
   Been Accidental,  Your Presence At The Spot Would Tell Against You." 
     
   "No,  It Wouldn't. I Left The Spot Before The Accident Could Have 
   Happened; And I Came Back To Calne With A Witness. As To The Death Having 
   Been Something Worse Than Accident,  Not A Soul In The Place Has Dreamt Of 
   Such A Thing Except Me." 
     
   "Except You! What Do You Mean?" 
     
   Pike Leaned More Over The Hurdles,  So As To Bring His Disreputable Face 
   Closer To Mr. Gum,  Who Slightly Recoiled As He Caught The Low Whisper. 
     
   "I Don't Think The Death Was Accidental. I Believe His Lordship Was Just 
   Put Out Of The Way Quietly." 
     
   "Heaven Forbid!" Exclaimed The Shocked Clerk. "By Whom? By You?" He 
   Added,  In His Bewilderment. 
     
   "No," Returned The Man. "If I'd Done It,  I Shouldn't Talk About It." 
     
   "What Do You Mean?" Cried Mr. Gum. 
     
   "I Mean That I Have My Suspicions; And Good Suspicions They Are. Many A 
   Man Has Been Hung On Less. I Am Not Going To Tell Them; Perhaps Not Ever. 
   I Shall Wait And Keep My Eyes Open,  And Bring Them,  If I Can,  To 
   Certainties. Time Enough To Talk Then,  Or Keep Silent,  As Circumstances 
   May Dictate." 
     
   "And You Tell Me You Were Not Near The Place At The Time Of The 
   Accident?" 
     
   "_I_ Wasn't," Replied Mr. Pike,  With Emphasis. 
     
   "Who Was?" 
     
   "That's My Secret. And As I've A Little Matter Of Business On Hand 
   To-Night,  I Don't Care To Be Further Delayed,  If It's All The Same To 
   You,  Neighbour. And Instead Of Your Accusing Me Of Prowling About The 
   Mill Again,  Perhaps You'll Just Give A Thought Occasionally To What I 
   Have Now Said,  Keeping It To Yourself. I'm Not Afraid Of Your Spreading 
   It In Calne; For It Might Bring A Hornets' Nest About Your Head,  And 
   About Some Other Heads That You Wouldn't Like To Injure." 
     
   With The Last Words Mr. Pike Crossed The Hurdles And Went Off In The 
   Direction Of Hartledon. It Was A Light Night,  And The Clerk Stood And 
   Stared After Him. To Say That Jabez Gum In His Astonishment Was Uncertain 
   Whether He Stood On His Head Or His Heels,  Would Be Saying Little; And 
   How Much Of These Assertions He Might Believe,  And What Mischief Mr. Pike 
   Might Be Going After To-Night,  He Knew Not. Drawing A Long Sigh,  Which 
   Did Not Sound Very Much Like A Sigh Of Relief,  He At Length Turned Off To 
   Dr. Ashton's,  And The Man Disappeared. 
     
   We Must Follow Pike. He Went Stealthily Up The Road Past Hartledon, 
   Keeping In The Shade Of The Hedge,  And Shrinking Into It When He Saw Any 
   One Coming. Striking Off When He Neared The Mill,  He Approached It 
   Cautiously,  And Halted Amidst Some Trees,  Whence He Had A View Of The 
   Mill-Door. 
     
   He Was Waiting For The Boy,  David Ripper. Fully Convinced By The Lad's 
   Manner At The Inquest That He Had Not Told All He Knew,  But Was Keeping 
   Something Back In Fear,  Mr. Pike,  For Reasons Of His Own,  Resolved To 
   Come At It If He Could. He Knew That The Boy Would Be At Work Later Than 
   Usual That Night,  Having Been Hindered In The Afternoon. 
     
   Imagine Yourself Standing With Your Back To The River,  Reader,  And Take A 
   View Of The Premises As They Face You. The Cottage Is A Square Building, 
   And Has Four Good Rooms On The Ground Floor. The Miller's Thrifty Wife 
   Generally Locked All These Rooms Up If She Went Out,  And Carried The Keys 
   Away In Her Pocket. The Parlour Window Was An Ordinary Sash-Window,  With 
   Outside Shutters; The Kitchen Window A Small Casement,  Protected By A 
   Fixed Net-Work Of Strong Wire. No One Could Get In Or Out,  Even When The 
   Casement Was Open,  Without Tearing This Wire Away,  Which Would Not Be A 
   Difficult Matter To Accomplish. On The Left Of The Cottage,  But To Your 
   Right As You Face It,  Stands The Mill,  To Which You Ascend By Steps. It 
   Communicates Inside With The Upper Floor Of The Cottage,  Which Is Used 
   As A Store-Room For Corn; And From This Store-Room A Flight Of Stairs 
   Descends To The Kitchen Below. Another Flight Of Stairs From This 
   Store-Room Communicated With The Open Passage Leading From The Back-Door 
   To The Stable. This Is All That Need Be Said: And You May Think It 
   Superfluous To Have Described It At All: But It Is Not So. 
     
   The Boy Ripper At Length Came Forth. With A Shuddering Avoidance Of The 
   Water He Came Tearing Along As One Running From A Ghost,  And Was Darting 
   Past The Trees,  When He Found Himself Detained By An Arm Of Great 
   Strength. Mr. Pike Clapped His Other Hand Upon The Boy's Mouth,  Stifling 
   A Howl Of Terror. 
     
   "Do You See This,  Rip?" Cried He. 
     
   Rip Did See It. It Was A Pistol Held Rather Inconveniently Close To The 
   Boy's Breast. Rip Dearly Loved His Life; But It Nearly Went Out Of Him 
   Then With Fear. 
     
   "Now," Said Pike,  "I've Come Up To Know About This Business Of Lord 
   Hartledon's,  And I Will Know It,  Or Leave You As Dead As He Is. And I'll 
   Have You Took Up For Murder,  Into The Bargain," He Rather Illogically 
   Continued,  "As An Accessory To The Fact." 
     
   David Ripper Was In A State Of Horror; All Idea Of Concealment Gone Out 
   Of Him. "I Couldn't Help It," He Gasped. "I Couldn't Get Out To Him; I 
   Was Locked Up In The Mill. Don't Shoot Me." 
     
   "I'll Spare You On One Condition," Decided Pike. "Disclose The Whole Of 
   This From First To Last,  And Then We May Part Friends. But Try To Palm 
   Off One Lie Upon Me,  And I'll Riddle You Through. To Begin With: What 
   Brought You Locked Up In The Mill?" 
     
   It Was A Wicked Tale Of A Wicked Young Jail-Bird,  As Mr. Pike (Probably 
   The Worse Jail-Bird By Far Of The Two) Phrased It. Master Ripper Had 
   Purposely Caused Himself To Be Locked In The Mill,  His Object Being To 
   Supply Himself With As Much Corn As He Could Carry About Him For The 
   Benefit Of His Rabbits And Pigeons And Other Live Stock At Home. He Had 
   Done It Twice Before,  He Avowed,  In Dread Of The Pistol,  And Had Got Away 
   Safe Through The Square Hole In The Passage At The Foot Of The Back 
   Staircase,  Whence He Had Dropped To The Ground. To His Consternation On 
   This Occasion,  However,  He Had Found The Door At The Foot Of The Stairs 
   Bolted,  As It Never Had Been Before,  And He Could Not Get To The Passage. 
   So He Was A Prisoner All The Afternoon,  And Had Exercised His Legs 
   Between The Store-Room And Kitchen,  Both Of Which Were Open To Him. 
     
   If Ever A Man Showed Virtuous Indignation At A Sinner's Confession,  Mr. 
   Pike Showed It Now. "That's How You Were About In The Stubble-Field 
   Setting Your Traps,  You Young Villain! I Saw The Coroner Look At You. And 
   Now About Lord Hartledon. What Did You See?" 
     
   Master Ripper Rubbed The Perspiration From His Face As He Went On With 
   His Tale. Pike Listened With All The Ears He Possessed And Said Not A 
   Word,  Beyond Sundry Rough Exclamations,  Until The Tale Was Done. 
     
   "You Awful Young Dog! You Saw All That From The Kitchen-Window,  And Never 
   Tried To Get Out Of It!" 
     
   "I _Couldn't_ Get Out Of It," Pleaded The Boy. "It's Got A Wire-Net 
   Before It,  And I Couldn't Break That." 
     
   "You Are Strong Enough To Break It Ten Times Over," Retorted Pike. 
     
   "But Then Master Would Ha' Known I'd Been In The Mill!" Cried The Boy,  A 
   Gleam Of Cunning In His Eyes. 
     
   "Ugh," Grunted Pike. "And You Saw Exactly What You've Told Me?" 
     
   "I Saw It And Heard The Cries." 
     
   "Did He See You?" 
     
   "No; I Was Afeard To Show Myself. When Master Come Home,  The First Thing 
   He Did Was T' Unlock That There Staircase Door,  And I Got Out Without His 
   Seeing Me--" 
     
   "Where Did You Hide The Grain You Were Loaded With?" Demanded Pike. 
     
   "I'd Emptied It Out Again In The Store-Room," Returned The Boy. "I Told 
   Master There Were A Loose Skiff Out There,  And He Come Out And Secured 
   It. Them Harvesters Come Up Next And Got Him Out Of The Water." 
     
   "Yes,  You Could See Fast Enough What You Were Looking For! Well,  Young 
   Rip," Continued Mr. Pike,  Consolingly,  "You Stand About As Rich A Chance 
   Of Being Hanged As Ever You'll Stand In All Your Born Days. If You'd 
   Jumped Through That Wire You'd Have Saved My Lord,  And He'd Have Made It 
   Right For You With Old Floyd. I'd Advise You To Keep A Silent Tongue In 
   Your Head,  If You Want To Save Your Neck." 
     
   "I Was Keeping It,  Till You Come And Made Me Tell With That There 
   Pistol," Howled The Boy. "You Won't Go And Split On Me?" He Asked,  With 
   Trembling Lips. 
     
   "I Won't Split On You About The Grain," Graciously Promised Pike. "It's 
   No Business Of Mine. As To The Other Matter--Well,  I'll Not Say Anything 
   About That; At Any Rate,  Yet Awhile. You Keep It A Secret; So Will I." 
     
   Without Another Word,  Pike Extended His Hand As A Signal That The Culprit 
   Was At Liberty To Depart; And He Did So As Fast As His Legs Would Carry 
   Him. Pike Then Returned The Pistol To His Pocket And Took His Way Back To 
   Calne In A Thoughtful And Particularly Ungenial Mood. There Was A Doubt 
   Within Him Whether The Boy Had Disclosed The Truth,  Even To Him. 
     
   Perhaps On No One--With The Exception Of Percival--Did The Death Of Lord 
   Hartledon Leave Its Effects As It Did On Lady Kirton And Her Daughter 
   Maude. To The One It Brought Embarrassment; To The Other,  What Seemed 
   Very Like A Broken Heart. The Countess-Dowager's Tactics Must Change As 
   By Magic. She Had To Transfer The Affection And Consideration Evinced For 
   Edward Lord Hartledon To His Brother; And To Do It Easily And Naturally. 
   She Had To Obliterate From The Mind Of The Latter Her Overbearing Dislike 
   To Him,  Cause Her Insults To Be Remembered No More. A Difficult Task, 
   Even For Her,  Wily Woman As She Was. 
     
   How Was It To Be Done? For Three Long Hours The Night After Lord 
   Hartledon's Death,  She Lay Awake,  Thinking Out Her Plans; Perhaps For The 
   First Time In Her Life,  For Obtuse Natures Do Not Lie Awake. The Death 
   Had Affected Her Only As Regarded Her Own Interests; She Could Feel For 
   None And Regret None In Her Utter Selfishness. One Was Fallen,  But 
   Another Had Risen Up. "Le Roi Est Mort: Vive Le Roi!" 
     
   On The Day Following The Death She Had Sought An Interview With Percival. 
   Never A Woman Evinced Better Tact Than She. There Was No Violent Change 
   In Her Manner,  No Apologies For The Past,  Or Display Of Sudden Affection. 
   She Spoke Quietly And Sensibly Of Passing Topics: The Death,  And What 
   Could Have Led To It; The Immediate Business On Hand,  Some Of The Changes 
   It Entailed In The Future. "I'll Stay With You Still,  Percival," She 
   Said,  "And Look After Things A Bit For You,  As I Have Been Doing For Your 
   Brother. It Is An Awful Shock,  And We Must All Have Time To Get Over It. 
   If I Had Only Foreseen This,  How I Might Have Spared My Temper And Poor 
   Maude's Feelings!" 
     
   She Looked Out Of The Corner Of Her Eye At The Young Man; But He Betrayed 
   No Curiosity To Hear More,  And She Went On Unasked. 
     
   "You Know,  Val,  For A Portionless Girl,  As Maude Is,  It Was A Great Blow 
   To Me When I Found Her Fixing Her Heart Upon A Younger Son. How Cross And 
   Unjust It Made Me I Couldn't Conceal: Mothers Are Mothers. I Wanted Her 
   To Take A Fancy To Hartledon,  Dear Fellow,  And I Suppose She Could Not, 
   And It Rendered Me Cross; And I Know I Worried Her And Worried My Own 
   Temper,  Till At Times I Was Not Conscious Of What I Said. Poor Maude! She 
   Did Not Rebel Openly,  But I Could See Her Struggles. Only A Week Ago, 
   When Hartledon Was Talking About His Marrying Sometime,  And Hinting That 
   She Might Care Fox Him If She Tried,  She Scored Her Beautiful Drawing All 
   Over With Ugly Marks; Ran The Pencil Through It--" 
     
   "But Why Do You Tell Me This Now?" Asked Val. 
     
   "Hartledon--Dear Me! I Wonder How Long I Shall Be Getting Accustomed To 
   Your Name?--There's Only You And Me And Maude Left Now Of The Family," 
   Cried The Dowager; "And If I Speak Of Such Things,  It Is In Fulness Of 
   Heart. And Now About These Letters: Do You Care How They Are Worded?" 
     
   "I Don't Seem To Care About Anything," Listlessly Answered The Young Man. 
   "As To The Letters,  I Think I'd Rather Write Them Myself,  Lady Kirton." 
     
   "Indeed You Shall Not Have Any Trouble Of That Sort To-Day. _I'll_ Write 
   The Letters,  And You May Indulge Yourself In Doing Nothing." 
     
   He Yielded In His Unstable Nature. She Spoke Of Business Letters,  And It 
   Was Better That He Should Write Them; He Wished To Write Them; But She 
   Carried Her Point,  And His Will Yielded To Hers. Would It Be A Type Of 
   The Future?--Would He Yield To Her In Other Things In Defiance Of His 
   Better Judgment? Alas! Alas! 
     
   She Picked Up Her Skirts And Left Him,  And Went Sailing Upstairs To Her 
   Daughter's Room. Maude Was Sitting Shivering In A Shawl,  Though The Day 
   Was Hot. 
     
   "I've Paved The Way," Nodded The Old Woman,  In Meaning Tones. "And 
   There's One Fortunate Thing About Val: He Is So Truthful Himself,  One May 
   Take Him In With His Eyes Open." 
     
   Maude Turned _Her_ Eyes Upon Her Mother: Very Languid And Unspeculative 
   Eyes Just Then. 
     
   "I Gave Him A Hint,  Maude,  That You Had Been Unable To Bring Yourself To 
   Like Hartledon,  But Had Fixed Your Mind On A Younger Son. Later,  We'll 
   Let Him Suspect Who The Younger Son Was." 
     
   The Words Aroused Maude; She Started Up And Stood Staring At Her Mother, 
   Her Eyes Dilating With A Sort Of Horror; Her Pale Cheeks Slowly Turning 
   Crimson. 
     
   "I Don't Understand," She Gasped; "I _Hope_ I Don't Understand. You--You 
   Do Not Mean That I Am To Try To Like Val Elster?" 
     
   "Now,  Maude,  No Heroics. I'll Not See _You_ Make A Fool Of Yourself As 
   Your Sisters Have Done. He's Not Val Elster Any Longer; He Is Lord 
   Hartledon: Better-Looking Than Ever His Brother Was,  And Will Make A 
   Better Husband,  For He'll Be More Easily Led." 
     
   "I Would Not Marry Val For The Whole World," She Said,  With Strong 
   Emotion. "I Dislike Him; I Hate Him; I Never Could Be A Wife To Val 
   Elster." 
     
   "We'll See," Said The Dowager,  Pushing Up Her Front,  Of Which She Had 
   Just Caught Sight In A Glass. 
     
   "Thank Heaven,  There's No Fear Of It!" Resumed Maude,  Collecting Her 
   Senses,  And Sitting Down Again With A Relieved Sigh; "He Is To Marry Anne 
   Ashton. Thank Heaven That He Loves Her!" 
     
   "Anne Ashton!" Scornfully Returned The Countess-Dowager. "She Might Have 
   Been Tolerated When He Was Val Elster,  Not Now He Is Lord Hartledon. What 
   Notions You Have,  Maude!" 
     
   Maude Burst Into Tears. "Mamma,  I Think It Is Fearfully Indecent For You 
   To Begin Upon These Things Already! It Only Happened Last Night,  And--And 
   It Sounds Quite Horrible." 
     
   "When One Has To Live As I Do,  One Has To Do Many Things Decent And 
   Indecent," Retorted The Countess-Dowager Sharply. "He Has Had His Hint, 
   And You've Got Yours: And You Are No True Girl If You Suffer Yourself Now 
   To Be Triumphed Over By Anne Ashton." 
     
   Maude Cried On Silently,  Thinking How Cruel Fate Was To Have Taken One 
   Brother And Spared The Other. Who--Save Anne Ashton--Would Have Missed 
   Val Elster; While Lord Hartledon--At Least He Had Made The Life Of One 
   Heart. A Poor Bruised Heart Now; Never,  Never To Be Made Quite Whole 
   Again. 
     
   Thus The Dowager,  In Her Blindness,  Began Her Plans. In Her Blindness! If 
   We Could Only Foresee The Ending Of Some Of The Unholy Schemes That Many 
   Of Us Are Apt To Weave,  We Might Be More Willing To Leave Them Humbly In 
   A Higher Hand Than Ours. Do They Ever Bring Forth Good,  These Plans,  Born 
   Of Our Evil Passions--Hatred,  Malice,  Utter Selfishness? I Think Not. 
   They May Seem To Succeed Triumphantly,  But--Watch The Triumph To The End. 
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 13 (Fever) 
   The Dews Of An October Evening Were Falling Upon Calne,  As Lord Hartledon 
   Walked From The Railway-Station. Just As Unexpectedly As He Had Arrived 
   The Morning You First Saw Him,  When He Was Only Val Elster,  Had He 
   Arrived Now. By The Merest Accident One Of The Hartledon Servants 
   Happened To Be At The Station When The Train Arrived,  And Took Charge Of 
   His Master's Luggage. 
     
   "All Well At Home,  James?" 
     
   "All Quite Well,  My Lord." 
     
   Several Weeks Had Elapsed Since His Brother's Death,  And Lord Hartledon 
   Had Spent Them In London. He Went Up On Business The Week After The 
   Funeral,  And Did Not Return Again. In One Respect He Had No Inducement To 
   Return; For The Ashtons,  Including Anne,  Were On A Visit In Wales. They 
   Were At Home Now,  As He Knew Well; And Perhaps That Had Brought Him Down. 
     
   He Went In Unannounced,  Finding His Way To The Inner Drawing-Room. A 
   Large Fire Blazed In The Grate,  And Lady Maude Sat By It So Intent In 
   Thought As Not To Observe His Entrance. She Wore A Black Crepe Dress, 
   With A Little White Trimming On Its Low Body And Sleeves. The Firelight 
   Played On Her Beautiful Features; And Her Eyelashes Glistened As If With 
   Tears: She Was Thinner And Paler; He Saw It At Once. The Countess-Dowager 
   Kept To Hartledon And Showed No Intention Of Moving From It: She And Her 
   Daughter Had Been There Alone All These Weeks. 
     
   "How Are You,  Maude?" 
     
   She Looked Round And Started Up,  Backing From Him With A Face Of Alarm. 
   Ah,  Was It _Instinct_ Caused Her So To Receive Him? What,  Or Who,  Was She 
   Thinking Of; Holding Her Hands Before Her With That Face Of Horror? 
     
   "Maude,  Have I So Startled You?" 
     
   "Percival! I Beg Your Pardon. I Believe I Was Thinking Of--Of Your 
   Brother,  And I Really Did Not Know You In The Uncertain Light. We Don't 
   Have The Rooms Lighted Early," She Added,  With A Little Laugh. 
     
   He Took Her Hands In His. Now That She Knew Him,  And The Alarm Was Over, 
   She Seemed Really Pleased To See Him: The Dark Eyes Were Raised To His 
   With A Frank Smile. 
     
   "May I Take A Cousin's Greeting,  Maude?" 
     
   Without Waiting For Yes Or No,  He Stooped And Took The Kiss. Maude Flung 
   His Hands Away. He Should Have Left Out The "Cousin," Or Not Have Taken 
   The Kiss. 
     
   He Went And Stood With His Elbow On The Mantelpiece,  Soberly,  As If He 
   Had Only Kissed A Sister. Maude Sat Down Again. 
     
   "Why Did You Not Send Us Word You Were Coming?" She Asked. 
     
   "There Was No Necessity For It. And I Only Made My Mind Up This Morning." 
     
   "What A Long Time You Have Been Away! I Thought You Went For A Week." 
     
   "I Did Not Get My Business Over Very Quickly; And Waited Afterwards To 
   See Thomas Carr,  Who Was Out Of Town. The Ashtons Were Away,  You Know; So 
   I Had No Inducement To Hurry Back Again." 
     
   "Very Complimentary To _Her_. Who's Thomas Carr?" Asked Maude. 
     
   "A Barrister; The Greatest Friend I Possess In This World. We Were At 
   College Together,  And He Used To Keep Me Straight." 
     
   "Keep You Straight! Val!" 
     
   "It's Quite True. I Went To Him In All My Scrapes And Troubles. He Is The 
   Most Honourable,  Upright,  Straightforward Man I Know; And,  As Such, 
   Possesses A Talent For Serving--" 
     
   "Hartledon! Is It _You_?" 
     
   The Interruption Came From The Dowager. She And The Butler Came In 
   Together,  Both Looking Equally Astonished At The Appearance Of Lord 
   Hartledon. The Former Said Dinner Was Served. 
     
   "Will You Let Me Sit Down In This Coat?" Asked Val. 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Would Willingly Have Allowed Him To Sit Down Without 
   Any. Her Welcome Was Demonstrative; Her Display Of Affection Quite Warm, 
   And She Called Him "Val," Tenderly. He Escaped For A Minute To His Room, 
   Washed His Hands,  Brushed His Hair,  And Was Down Again,  And Taking The 
   Head Of His Own Table. 
     
   It Was Pleasant To Have Him There--A Welcome Change From Hartledon's 
   Recent Monotony; And Even Maude,  With Her Boasted Dislike,  Felt Prejudice 
   Melting Away. Boasted Dislike,  Not Real,  It Had Been. None Could Dislike 
   Percival. He Was Not Edward,  And It Was Him Maude Had Loved. Percival She 
   Never Would Love,  But She Might Learn To Like Him. As He Sat Near Her,  In 
   His Plain Black Morning Attire,  Courteous,  Genuinely Sweet-Tempered,  His 
   Good Looks Conspicuous,  A Smile On His Delicate,  Refined,  But Vacillating 
   Lips,  And His Honest Dark-Blue Eyes Bent Upon Her In Kindness,  Maude For 
   The First Time Admitted A Vision Of The Possible Future,  Together With A 
   Dim Consciousness That It Might Not Be Intolerable. Half The World,  Of 
   Her Age And Sex,  Would Have Deemed It Indeed A Triumph To Be Made The 
   Wife Of That Attractive Man. 
     
   He Had Cautiously Stood Aside For Lady Kirton To Take The Head Of The 
   Table; But The Dowager Had Positively Refused,  And Subsided Into The 
   Chair At The Foot. She Did Not Fill It In Dear Edward's Time,  She Said; 
   Neither Should She In Dear Val's; He Had Come Home To Occupy His Own 
   Place. And Oh,  Thank Goodness He Was Come! She And Maude Had Been So 
   Lonely And Miserable,  Growing Thinner Daily From Sheer _Ennui_. So She 
   Faced Lord Hartledon At The End Of The Table,  Her Flaxen Curls Surmounted 
   By An Array Of Black Plumes,  And Looking Very Like A Substantial Female 
   Mute. 
     
   "What An Awful Thing That Is About The Rectory!" Exclaimed She,  When They 
   Were More Than Half Through Dinner. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Looked Up Quietly. "What Is The Matter At The Rectory?" 
     
   "Fever Has Broken Out." 
     
   "Is That All!" He Exclaimed,  Some Amusement On His Face. "I Thought It 
   Must Have Taken Fire." 
     
   "A Fever's Worse Than A Fire." 
     
   "Do You Think So?" 
     
   "_Think So!_" Echoed The Dowager. "You Can Run Away From A Fire; But A 
   Fever May Take You Before You Are Aware Of It. Every Soul In The Rectory 
   May Die; It May Spread To The Parish; It May Spread Here. I Have Kept Tar 
   Burning Outside The House The Last Two Days." 
     
   "You Are Not Serious,  Lady Kirton!" 
     
   "I Am Serious. I Wouldn't Catch A Fever For The Whole World. I Should Die 
   Of Fright Before It Had Time To Kill Me. Besides--I Have Maude To Guard. 
   You Were Forgetting Her." 
     
   "There's No Danger At All. One Of The Servants Became Ill After They 
   Returned Home,  And It Proved To Be Fever. I Don't Suppose It Will 
   Spread." 
     
   "How Did _You_ Hear About It?" 
     
   "From Miss Ashton. She Mentioned It In Her Last Letter To Me." 
     
   "I Didn't Know You Corresponded With Her," Cried The Dowager,  Her Tones 
   Rather Shrill. 
     
   "Not Correspond With Miss Ashton!" He Repeated. "Of Course I Do." 
     
   The Old Dowager Had A Fit Of Choking: Something Had Gone The Wrong Way, 
   She Said. Lord Hartledon Resumed. 
     
   "It Is An Awful Shame Of Those Seaside Lodging-House People! Did You Hear 
   The Particulars,  Maude? After The Ashtons Concluded Their Visit In Wales, 
   They Went For A Fortnight To The Seaside,  On Their Way Home,  Taking 
   Lodgings. Some Days After They Had Been Settled In The Rooms They 
   Discovered That Some Fever Was In The House; A Family Who Occupied 
   Another Set Of Apartments Being Ill With It,  And Had Been Ill Before The 
   Ashtons Went In. Dr. Ashton Told The Landlady What He Thought Of Her 
   Conduct,  And Then They Left The House For Home. But Mrs. Ashton's Maid, 
   Matilda,  Had Already Taken It." 
     
   "Did Miss Ashton Give You These Particulars?" Asked Maude,  Toying With A 
   Late Rose That Lay Beside Her Plate. 
     
   "Yes. I Should Feel Inclined To Prosecute The Woman,  Were I Dr. Ashton, 
   For Having Been So Wickedly Inconsiderate. But I Hope Matilda Is Better, 
   And That The Alarm Will End With Her. It Is Four Days Since I Had Anne's 
   Letter." 
     
   "Then,  Lord Hartledon,  I Can Tell You The Alarm's Worse,  And Another Has 
   Taken It,  And The Parish Is Up In Arms," Said The Countess-Dowager, 
   Tartly. "It Has Proved To Be Fever Of A Most Malignant Type,  And Not A 
   Soul But Hillary The Surgeon Goes Near The Rectory,  You Must Not Venture 
   Within Half-A-Mile Of It. Dr. Ashton Was So Careless As To Occupy His 
   Pulpit On Sunday; But,  Thank Goodness,  I Did Not Venture To Church, 
   Or Allow Maude To Go. Your Miss Ashton Will Be Having It Next." 
     
   "Of Course They Have Advice From Garchester?" He Exclaimed. 
     
   "How Should I Know? My Opinion Is That The Parson Himself Might Be 
   Prosecuted For Bringing The Fever Into A Healthy Neighbourhood. Port, 
   Hedges! One Has Need Of A Double Portion Of Tonics In A Time Like This." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager's Alarms Were Not Feigned--No,  Nor Exaggerated. She 
   Had An Intense,  Selfish Fear Of Any Sort Of Illness; She Had A Worse Fear 
   Of Death. In Any Time Of Public Epidemic Her Terrors Would Have Been 
   Almost Ludicrous In Their Absurdity But That They Were So Real. And She 
   "Fortified" Herself Against Infection By Eating And Drinking More Than 
   Ever. 
     
   Nothing Else Was Said: She Shunned Allusion To It When She Could: And 
   Presently She And Maude Left The Dining-Room. "You Won't Be Long, 
   Hartledon?" She Observed,  Sweetly,  As She Passed Him. Val Only Bowed In 
   Answer,  Closed The Door Upon Them,  And Rang For Hedges. 
     
   "Is There Much Alarm Regarding This Fever At The Rectory?" He Asked Of 
   The Butler. 
     
   "Not Very Much,  I Think,  My Lord. A Few Are Timid About It; As Is Always 
   The Case. One Of The Other Servants Has Taken It; But Mr. Hillary Told Me 
   When He Was Here This Morning That He Hoped It Would Not Spread Beyond 
   The Rectory." 
     
   "Was Hillary Here This Morning? Nobody's Ill?" Asked Lord Hartledon, 
   Quickly. 
     
   "No One At All,  My Lord. The Countess-Dowager Sent For Him,  To Ask What 
   Her Diet Had Better Be,  And How She Could Guard Against Infection More 
   Effectually Than She Was Doing. She Did Not Allow Him To Come In,  But 
   Spoke To Him From One Of The Upper Windows,  With A Cloak And Respirator 
   On." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Looked At His Butler; The Man Was Suppressing A Grim 
   Smile. 
     
   "Nonsense,  Hedges!" 
     
   "It's Quite True,  My Lord. Mrs. Mirrable Says She Has Five Bowls Of 
   Disinfectant In Their Rooms." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Broke Into A Laugh,  Not Suppressed. 
     
   "And In The Courtyard,  Looking Towards The Rectory,  As May Be Said, 
   There's Several Pitch-Pots Alight Night And Day," Added Hedges. "We Have 
   Had A Host Of People Up,  Wanting To Know If The Place Is On Fire." 
     
   "What A Joke!" Cried Val--Who Was Not Yet Beyond The Age To Enjoy Such 
   Jokes. "Hedges," He Resumed,  In A More Confidential Tone,  "No Strangers 
   Have Been Here Inquiring For Me,  I Suppose?" 
     
   He Alluded To Creditors,  Or People Acting For Them. To A Careless Man,  As 
   Val Had Been,  It Was A Difficult Matter To Know Whether All His Debts 
   Were Paid Or Not. He Had Settled What He Remembered; But There Might Be 
   Others. Hedges Understood; And His Voice Fell To The Same Low Tone: He 
   Had Been Pretty Cognizant Of The Embarrassments Of Mr. Percival Elster. 
     
   "Nobody At All,  My Lord. They Wouldn't Have Got Much Information Out Of 
   Me,  If They Had Come." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Laughed. "Things Are Changed Now,  Hedges,  And They May 
   Have As Much Information As They Choose. Bring Me Coffee Here; Make 
   Haste." 
     
   Coffee Was Brought,  And He Went Out As Soon As He Had Taken It,  Following 
   The Road To The Rectory. It Was A Calm,  Still Night,  The Moon Tolerably 
   Bright; Not A Breath Of Wind Stirred The Air,  Warm And Oppressive For 
   October; Not By Any Means The Sort Of Night Doctors Covet When Fever Is 
   In The Atmosphere. 
     
   He Turned In At The Rectory-Gates,  And Was Crossing To The House,  When A 
   Rustling Of Leaves In A Shrubbery Path Caused Him To Look Over The Dwarf 
   Laurels,  And There Stood Anne. He Was At Her Side In An Instant. She Had 
   Nothing On Her Head,  As Though She Had Just Come Forth From The Rooms For 
   A Breath Of Air. As Indeed Was The Case. 
     
   "My Darling!" 
     
   "I Heard You Had Come," She Whispered,  As He Held Both Her Hands In His, 
   And Her Heart Bounded With An Exquisite Flutter Of Delight. 
     
   "How Did You Hear That?" He Said,  Placing Her Hand Within His Arm,  That 
   He Might Pace The Walk With Her. 
     
   "Papa Heard It. Some One Had Seen You Walking Home From The Train: I 
   Think It Was Mr. Hillary. But,  Percival,  Ought You To Have Come Here?" 
   She Added In Alarm. "This Is Infected Ground,  You Know." 
     
   "Not For Me. I Have No More Fear Of Fever Than I Have Of Moonstroke. 
   Anne,  I Hope _You_ Will Not Take It," He Gravely Added. 
     
   "I Hope Not,  Either. Like You,  I Have No Fear Of It. I Am So Glad Arthur 
   Is Away. Was It Not Wrong Of That Landlady To Let Her Rooms To Us When 
   She Had Fever In Them?" 
     
   "Infamously Wrong," Said Lord Hartledon Warmly. 
     
   "She Excused Herself Afterwards By Saying,  That As The People Who Had The 
   Fever Were In Quite A Different Part Of The House From Ours,  She Thought 
   There Could Be No Danger. Papa Was So Angry. He Told Her He Was Sorry The 
   Law Did Not Take Cognizance Of Such An Offence. We Had Been A Week In The 
   House Before We Knew Of It." 
     
   "How Did You Find It Out?" 
     
   "The Lady Who Was Ill With It Died,  And Matilda Saw The Coffin Going Up 
   The Back Stairs. She Questioned The Servants Of The House,  And One Of 
   Them Told Her All About It Then,  Bit By Bit. Another Lady Was Lying Ill, 
   And A Third Was Recovering. The Landlady,  By Way Of Excuse,  Said The 
   Greatest Wrong Had Been Done To Herself,  For These Ladies Had Brought The 
   Fever Into Her House,  And Brought It Deliberately. Fever Had Broken Out 
   In Their Own Home,  Some Long Way Off,  And They Ran Away From It,  And Took 
   Her Apartments,  Saying Nothing; Which Was True,  We Found." 
     
   "Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right," Observed Lord Hartledon. "Their Bringing 
   The Fever Into Her House Was No Justification For Receiving You Into It 
   When It Was There. It's The Way Of The World,  Anne: One Wrong Leading To 
   Others. Is Matilda Getting Over It?" 
     
   "I Hardly Know. She Is Not Out Of Danger; But Mr. Hillary Has Hopes Of 
   Her. One Of The Other Servants Has Taken It,  And Is Worse Than Matilda. 
   Mr. Hillary Has Been With Her Three Times To-Day,  And Is Coming Again. 
   She Was Ill When I Last Wrote To You,  Val; But We Did Not Know It." 
     
   "Which Of Them Is It?" He Asked. 
     
   "The Dairymaid; A Stout Girl,  Who Has Never Had A Day's Illness Before. 
   I Don't Suppose You Know Her. There Was Some Trouble With Her. She Would 
   Not Take Any Medicine; Would Not Do Anything She Ought To Have Done,  And 
   The Consequence Is That The Fever Has Got Dangerously Ahead. I Am Sure 
   She Is Very Ill." 
     
   "I Hope It Will Not Spread Beyond The Rectory." 
     
   "Oh,  Val,  That Is Our One Great Hope," She Said,  Turning Her Earnest Face 
   To Him In The Moonlight. "We Are Taking All Possible Precautions. None Of 
   Us Are Going Beyond The Grounds,  Except Papa,  And We Do Not Receive Any 
   One Here. I Don't Know What Papa Will Say To Your Coming." 
     
   He Smiled. "But You Can't Keep All The World Away!" 
     
   "We Do--Very Nearly. Mr. Hillary Comes,  And Dr. Beamish From Garchester, 
   And One Or Two People Have Been Here On Business. If Any One Calls At The 
   Gate,  They Are Not Asked In; And I Don't Suppose They Would Come In If 
   Asked. Jabez Gum's The Most Obstinate. He Comes In Just As Usual." 
     
   "Lady Kirton Is In An Awful Fright," Said Val,  In An Amused Tone. 
     
   "Oh,  I Have Heard Of It," Cried Anne,  Clasping Her Hands In Laughter. 
   "She Is Burning Tar Outside The House; And She Spoke To Mr. Hillary This 
   Morning Through The Window Muffled Up In A Cloak And Respirator. What A 
   Strange Old Thing She Is!" 
     
   Val Shrugged His Shoulders. "I Don't Think She Means Badly _Au Fond_; And 
   She Has No Home,  Poor Creature." 
     
   "Is That Why She Remains At Hartledon?" 
     
   "I Suppose So. Reigning At Hartledon Must Be Something Like A Glimpse Of 
   Paradise To Her. She Won't Quit It In A Hurry." 
     
   "I Wonder You Like To Have Her There." 
     
   "I Know I Shall Never Have Courage To Tell Her To Go," Was The Candid And 
   Characteristic Answer. "I Was Afraid Of Her As A Boy,  And I'm Not Sure 
   But I'm Afraid Of Her Still." 
     
   "I Don't Like Her--I Don't Like Either Of Them," Said Anne In A Low Tone. 
     
   "Don't You Like Maude?" 
     
   "No. I Am Sure She Is Not True. To My Mind There Is Something Very False 
   About Them Both." 
     
   "I Think You Are Wrong,  Anne; Certainly As Regards Maude." 
     
   Miss Ashton Did Not Press Her Opinion: They Were His Relatives. "But I 
   Should Have Pitied Poor Edward Had He Lived And Married Her," She Said, 
   Following Out Her Thoughts. 
     
   "I Was Mistaken When I Thought Maude Cared For Edward," Observed Lord 
   Hartledon. "I'm Sure I Did Think It. I Used To Tell Edward So; But A Day 
   Or Two After He Died I Found I Was Wrong. The Dowager Had Been Urging 
   Maude To Like Him,  And She Could Not,  And It Made Her Miserable." 
     
   "Did Maude Tell You This?" Inquired Anne; Her Radiant Eyes Full Of 
   Surprise. 
     
   "Not Maude: She Never Said A Word To Me Upon The Subject. It Was The 
   Dowager." 
     
   "Then,  Val,  She Must Have Said It With An Object In View. I Am Sure Maude 
   Did Love Him. I Know She Did." 
     
   He Shook His Head. "You Are Wrong,  Anne,  Depend Upon It. She Did Not Like 
   Him,  And She And Her Mother Were At Variance Upon The Point. However,  It 
   Is Of No Moment To Discuss It Now: And It Might Never Have Come To An 
   Issue Had Edward Lived,  For He Did Not Care For Her; And I Dare Say Never 
   Would Have Cared For Her." 
     
   Anne Said No More. It Was Of No Moment As He Observed; But She Retained 
   Her Own Opinion. They Strolled To The End Of The Short Walk In Silence, 
   And Anne Said She Must Go In. 
     
   "Am I Quite Forgiven?" Whispered Lord Hartledon,  Bending His Head Down To 
   Her. 
     
   "I Never Thought I Had Very Much To Forgive," She Rejoined,  After A 
   Pause. 
     
   "My Darling! I Mean By Your Father." 
     
   "Ah,  I Don't Know. You Must Talk To Him. He Knows We Have Been Writing To 
   Each Other. I Think He Means To Trust You." 
     
   "The Best Plan Will Be For You To Come Soon To Hartledon,  Anne. I Shall 
   Never Go Wrong When Once You Are My Wife." 
     
   "Do You Go So Very Wrong Now?" She Asked. 
     
   "On My Honour,  No! You Need Not Doubt Me,  Anne; Now Or Ever. I Have Paid 
   Up What I Owed,  And Will Take Very Good Care To Keep Out Of Trouble For 
   The Future. I Incurred Debts For Others,  More Than For Myself,  And Have 
   Bought Experience Dearly. My Darling,  Surely You Can Trust Me Now?" 
     
   "I Always Did Trust You," She Murmured. 
     
   He Took A Long,  Fervent Kiss From Her Lips,  And Then Led Her To The Open 
   Lawn And Across To The House. 
     
   "Ought You To Come In,  Percival?" 
     
   "Certainly. One Word,  Anne; Because I May Be Speaking To The Rector--I 
   Don't Mean To-Night. You Will Make No Objection To Coming Soon To 
   Hartledon?" 
     
   "I Can't Come,  You Know,  As Long As Lady Kirton Is Its Mistress," She 
   Said,  Half Seriously,  Half Jestingly. 
     
   He Laughed At The Notion. Lady Kirton Must Be Going Soon Of Her Own 
   Accord; If Not,  He Should Have To Pluck Up Courage And Give Her A Hint, 
   Was His Answer. At Any Rate,  She'd Surely Take Herself Off Before 
   Christmas. The Old Dowager At Hartledon After He Had Anne There! Not If 
   He Knew It,  He Added,  As He Went On With Her Into The Presence Of Dr. And 
   Mrs. Ashton. The Rector Started From His Seat,  At Once Telling Him That 
   He Ought Not To Have Come In. Which Val Did Not See At All,  And Decidedly 
   Refused To Go Out Again. 
     
   Meanwhile The Countess-Dowager And Maude Were Wondering What Had Become 
   Of Him. They Supposed He Was Still Sitting In The Dining-Room. The Old 
   Dowager Fidgeted About,  Her Fingers Ominously Near The Bell. She Was 
   Burning To Send To Him,  But Hardly Knew How He Might Take The Message: It 
   Might Be That He Would Object To Leading Strings,  And Her Attempt To Put 
   Them On Would Ruin All. But The Time Went On; Grew Late; And She Was 
   Dying For Her Tea,  Which She Had Chosen Should Wait Also. Maude Sat 
   Before The Fire In A Large Chair; Her Eyes,  Her Hands,  Her Whole Air 
   Supremely Listless. 
     
   "Don't You Want Tea,  Maude?" Suddenly Cried Her Mother,  Who Had Cast 
   Innumerable Glances At Her From Time To Time. 
     
   "I Have Wanted It For Hours--As It Seems To Me." 
     
   "It's A Horrid Custom For Young Men,  This Sitting Long After Dinner. If 
   He Gets Into It--But You Must See To That,  And Stop It,  If Ever You Reign 
   At Hartledon. I Dare Say He's Smoking." 
     
   "If Ever I Reign At Hartledon--Which I Am Not Likely To Do--I'll Take 
   Care Not To Wait Tea For Any One,  As You Have Made Me Wait For It This 
   Evening," Was Maude's Rejoinder,  Spoken With Apathy. 
     
   "I'll Send A Message To Him," Decided Lady Kirton,  Ringing Rather 
   Fiercely. 
     
   A Servant Appeared. 
     
   "Tell Lord Hartledon We Are Waiting Tea For Him." 
     
   "His Lordship's Not In,  My Lady." 
     
   "Not In!" 
     
   "He Went Out Directly After Dinner,  As Soon As He Had Taken Coffee." 
     
   "Oh," Said The Countess-Dowager. And She Began To Make The Tea With 
   Vehemence--For It Did Not Please Her To Have It Brought In Made--And 
   Knocked Down And Broke One Of The Delicate China Cups. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 14 (Another Patient) 
   It Was Eleven O'clock When Lord Hartledon Entered. Lady Kirton Was 
   Fanning Herself Vehemently. Maude Had Gone Upstairs For The Night. 
     
   "Where Have You Been?" She Asked,  Laying Down Her Fan. "We Waited Tea For 
   You Until Poor Maude Got Quite Exhausted." 
     
   "Did You? I Am Sorry For That. Never Wait For Me,  Pray,  Lady Kirton. I 
   Took Tea At The Rectory." 
     
   "Took--Tea--Where?" 
     
   "At The Rectory." 
     
   With A Shriek The Countess-Dowager Darted To The Far End Of The Room, 
   Turning Up Her Gown As She Went,  And Muffling It Over Her Head And Face, 
   So That Only The Little Eyes,  Round Now With Horror,  Were Seen. Lord 
   Hartledon Gazed In Amazement. 
     
   "You Have Been At The Rectory,  When I Warned You Not To Go! You Have Been 
   Inside That House Of Infection,  And Come Home--Here--To Me--To My Darling 
   Maude! May Heaven Forgive You,  Hartledon!" 
     
   "Why,  What Have I Done? What Harm Will It Do?" Exclaimed The Astonished 
   Man. He Would Have Approached Her,  But She Warned Him From Her Piteously 
   With Her Hands. She Was At The Upper End Of The Room,  And He Near The 
   Door,  So That She Could Not Leave It Without Passing Him. Hedges Came 
   In,  And Stood Staring In The Same Wondering Astonishment As His Master. 
     
   "For Mercy's Sake,  Take Off Every Shred Of Your Clothes!" She Cried. "You 
   May Have Brought Home Death In Them. They Shall Be Thrown Into The 
   Burning Tar. Do You Want To Kill Us? What Has Maude Done To You That You 
   Behave In This Way?" 
     
   "I Do Think You Must Be Going Mad!" Cried Lord Hartledon,  In 
   Bewilderment; "And I Hope You'll Forgive Me For Saying So. I--" 
     
   "Go And Change Your Clothes!" Was All She Could Reiterate. "Every Minute 
   You Stand In Them Is Fraught With Danger. If You Choose To Die Yourself, 
   It's Downright Wicked To Bring Death To Us. Oh,  Go,  That I May Get Out Of 
   Here." 
     
   Lord Hartledon,  To Pacify Her,  Left The Room,  And The Countess-Dowager 
   Rushed Forth And Bolted Herself Into Her Own Apartments. 
     
   Was She Mad,  Or Making A Display Of Affectation,  Or Genuinely Afraid? 
   Wondered Lord Hartledon Aloud,  As He Went Up To His Chamber. Hedges Gave 
   It As His Opinion That She Was Really Afraid,  Because She Had Been As Bad 
   As This When She First Heard Of The Illness,  Before His Lordship Arrived. 
   Val Retired To Rest Laughing: It Was A Good Joke To Him. 
     
   But It Was No Joke To The Countess-Dowager,  As He Found To His Cost When 
   The Morning Came. She Got Him Out Of His Chamber Betimes,  And Commenced A 
   "Fumigating" Process. The Clothes He Had Worn She Insisted Should Be 
   Burnt; Pleading So Piteously That He Yielded In His Good Nature. 
     
   But There Was To Be A Battle On Another Score. She Forbade Him,  In The 
   Most Positive Terms,  To Go Again To The Rectory--To Approach Within 
   Half-A-Mile Of It. Lord Hartledon Civilly Told Her He Could Not Comply; 
   He Hinted That If Her Alarms Were So Great,  She Had Better Leave The 
   Place Until All Danger Was Over,  And Thereby Nearly Entailed On Himself 
   Another War-Dance. 
     
   News That Came Up That Morning From The Rectory Did Not Tend To Assuage 
   Her Fears. The Poor Dairymaid Had Died In The Night,  And Another Servant, 
   One Of The Men,  Was Sickening. Even Lord Hartledon Looked Grave: And The 
   Countess-Dowager Wormed A Half Promise From Him,  In The Softened Feelings 
   Of The Moment,  That He Would Not Visit The Infected House. 
     
   Before An Hour Was Over He Came To Her To Retract It. "I Cannot Be So 
   Unfeeling,  So Unneighbourly,  As Not To Call," He Said. "Even Were My 
   Relations Not What They Are With Miss Ashton,  I Could Not Do It. It's Of 
   No Use Talking,  Ma'am; I Am Too Restless To Stay Away." 
     
   A Little Skirmish Of Words Ensued. Lady Kirton Accused Him Of Wishing To 
   Sacrifice Them To His Own Selfish Gratification. Lord Hartledon Felt 
   Uncomfortable At The Accusation. One Of The Best-Hearted Men Living,  He 
   Did Nothing In His Vacillation. He Would Go In The Evening,  He Said To 
   Himself,  When They Could Not Watch Him From The House. 
     
   But She Was Clever At Carrying Out Her Own Will,  That Countess-Dowager; 
   More Than A Match For The Single-Minded Young Man. She Wrote An Urgent 
   Letter To Dr. Ashton,  Setting Forth Her Own And Her Daughter's Danger If 
   Her Nephew,  As She Styled Him,  Was Received At The Rectory; And She 
   Despatched It Privately. 
     
   It Brought Forth A Letter From Dr. Ashton To Lord Hartledon; A Kind But 
   Peremptory Mandate,  Forbidding Him To Show Himself At The Rectory Until 
   The Illness Was Over. Dr. Ashton Reminded His Future Son-In-Law That It 
   Was Not Particularly On His Own Account He Interposed This Veto,  But For 
   The Sake Of The Neighbourhood Generally. If They Were To Prevent The 
   Fever From Spreading,  It Was Absolutely Necessary That No Chance Visitors 
   Should Be Running Into The Rectory And Out Of It Again,  To Carry Possible 
   Infection To The Parish. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Could Only Acquiesce. The Note Was Written In Terms So 
   Positive As Rather To Surprise Him; But He Never Suspected The 
   Undercurrent That Had Been At Work. In His Straightforwardness He Showed 
   The Letter To The Dowager,  Who Nodded Her Head Approvingly,  But Told No 
   Tales. 
     
   And So His Days Went On In The Society Of The Two Women At Hartledon; 
   And If He Found Himself Oppressed With _Ennui_ At First,  He Subsided 
   Into A Flirtation With Maude,  And Forgot Care. Elster's Folly! He Was Not 
   Hearing From Anne,  For It Was Thought Better That Even Notes Should Not 
   Pass Out Of The Rectory. 
     
   Curiously To Relate,  The First Person Beyond The Rectory To Take The 
   Illness Was The Man Pike. How He Could Have Caught It Was A Marvel To 
   Calne. And Yet,  If Lady Kirton's Theory Were Correct,  That Infection Was 
   Conveyed By Clothes,  It Might Be Accounted For,  And Clerk Gum Be Deemed 
   The Culprit. One Evening After The Clerk Had Been For Some Little Time At 
   The Rectory With Dr. Ashton,  He Met Pike In Going Out; Had Brushed Close 
   To Him In Passing,  As He Well Remembered. However It Might Have Been,  In 
   A Few Days After That Pike Was Found To Be Suffering From The Fever. 
     
   Whether He Would Have Died,  Lying Alone In That Shed,  Calne Did Not 
   Decide; And Some Thought He Would,  Making No Sign; Some Thought Not,  But 
   Would Have Called In Assistance. Mr. Hillary,  An Observant Man,  As 
   Perhaps It Was Requisite He Should Be In Time Of Public Danger,  Halted 
   One Morning To Speak To Clerk Gum,  Who Was Standing At His Own Gate. 
     
   "Have You Seen Anything Lately Of That Neighbour Of Yours,  Gum?" 
     
   "Which Neighbour?" Asked The Clerk,  In Tones That Seemed To Resent The 
   Question. 
     
   Mr. Hillary Pointed His Umbrella In The Direction Of The Shed. "Pike." 
     
   "No,  I've Seen Nothing Of Him,  That I Remember." 
     
   "Neither Have I. What's More,  I've Seen No Smoke Coming Out Of The 
   Chimney These Two Days. It Strikes Me He's Ill. It May Be The Fever." 
     
   "Gone Away,  Possibly," Remarked The Clerk,  After A Moment's Pause; "In 
   The Same Unceremonious Manner That He Came." 
     
   "I Think Somebody Ought To See. He May Be Lying There Helpless." 
     
   "Little Matter If He Is," Growled The Clerk,  Who Seemed Put Out About 
   Something Or Other. 
     
   "It's Not Like You To Say So,  Gum. You Might Step Over The Stile And See; 
   You're Nearest To Him. Nobody Knows What The Man Is,  Or What He May Have 
   Been; But Humanity Does Not Let Even The Worst Die Unaided." 
     
   "What Makes You Think He Has The Fever?" Asked The Clerk. 
     
   "I Only Say He May Have It; Having Seen Neither Him Nor His Smoke These 
   Two Days. Never Mind; If It Annoys You To Do This,  I'll Look In Myself 
   Some Time To-Day." 
     
   "You Wouldn't Get Admitted; He Keeps His Door Fastened," Returned Gum. 
   "The Only Way To Get At Him Is To Shout Out To Him Through That Glazed 
   Aperture He Calls His Window." 
     
   "Will You Do It--Or Shall I?" 
     
   "I'll Do It," Said The Clerk; "And Tell You If Your Services Are Wanted." 
     
   Mr. Hillary Walked Off At A Quick Pace. There Was A Good Deal Of Illness 
   In Calne At That Season,  Though The Fever Had Not Spread. 
     
   Whether Clerk Gum Kept His Word,  Or Whether He Did Not,  Certain It Was 
   That Mr. Hillary Heard Nothing From Him That Day. In The Evening The 
   Clerk Was Sitting In His Office In A Thoughtful Mood,  Busy Over Some 
   Accounts Connected With An Insurance Company For Which He Was Agent,  When 
   He Heard A Quick Sharp Knock At The Front-Door. 
     
   "I Wonder If It's Hillary?" He Muttered,  As He Took The Candle And Rose 
   To Open It. 
     
   Instead Of The Surgeon,  There Entered A Lady,  With Much Energy. It Was 
   The _Bete Noire_ Of Clerk Gum's Life,  Mrs. Jones. 
     
   "What's The House Shut Up For At This Early Hour?" She Began. "The Door 
   Locked,  The Shutters Up,  And The Blinds Down,  Just As If Everybody Was 
   Dead Or Asleep. Where's Nance?" 
     
   "She's Out," Said The Clerk. "I Suppose She Shut Up Before She Went,  And 
   I've Been In My Office All The Afternoon. Do You Want Anything?" 
     
   "Do I Want Anything!" Retorted Mrs. Jones. "I've Come In To Shelter From 
   The Rain. It's Been Threatening All The Evening,  And It's Coming Down Now 
   Like Cats And Dogs." 
     
   The Clerk Was Leading The Way To The Little Parlour; But She Ignored The 
   Movement,  And Went On To The Kitchen. He Could Only Follow Her. "It's A 
   Pity You Came Out When It Threatened Rain," Said He. 
     
   "Business Took Me Out," Replied Mrs. Jones. "I've Been Up To The Mill. 
   I Heard Young Rip Was Ill,  And Going To Leave; So I Went Up To Ask If 
   They'd Try Our Jim. But Young Rip Isn't Going To Leave,  And Isn't Ill, 
   Mother Floyd Says,  Though It's Certain He's Not Well. She Can't Think 
   What's The Matter With The Boy; He's Always Fancying He Sees Ghosts In 
   The River. I've Had My Trapes For Nothing." 
     
   She Had Given Her Gown A Good Shake From The Rain-Drops In The Middle Of 
   The Kitchen,  And Was Now Seated Before The Fire. The Clerk Stood By The 
   Table,  Occasionally Snuffing The Candle,  And Wishing She'd Take Herself 
   Off Again. 
     
   "Where's Nancy Gone?" Asked She. 
     
   "I Didn't Hear Her Say." 
     
   "And She'll Be Gone A Month Of Sundays,  I Suppose. I Shan't Wait For Her, 
   If The Rain Gives Over." 
     
   "You'd Be More Comfortable In The Small Parlour," Said The Clerk,  Who 
   Seemed Rather Fidgety; "There's A Nice Bit Of Fire There." 
     
   "I'm More Comfortable Here," Contradicted Mrs. Jones. "Where's The Good 
   Of A Bit Of Fire For A Gown As Wet As Mine?" 
     
   Jabez Gum Made No Response. There Was The Lady,  A Fixture; And He Could 
   Only Resign Himself To The Situation. 
     
   "How's Your Friend At The Next House--Pike?" She Began Again 
   Sarcastically. 
     
   "He's No Friend Of Mine," Said The Clerk. 
     
   "It Looks Like It,  At All Events; Or You'd Have Given Him Into Custody 
   Long Ago. _I_ Wouldn't Let A Man Harbour Himself So Close To Me. He's 
   Taken To A New Dodge Now: Going About With A Pistol To Shoot People." 
     
   "Who Says So?" Asked The Clerk. 
     
   "I Say So. He Frighted That Boy Ripper Pretty Near To Death. The Boy Tore 
   Home One Night In A State Of Terror,  And All They Could Get Out Of Him 
   Was That He'd Met Pike With A Pistol. It's Weeks Ago,  And He Hasn't Got 
   Over It Yet." 
     
   "Did Pike Level It At Him?" 
     
   "I Tell You That's All They Could Get Out Of The Boy. He's A Nice 
   Jail-Bird Too,  That Young Rip,  Unless I'm Mistaken. They Might As 
   Well Send Him Away,  And Make Room For Our Jim." 
     
   "I Think You Are About The Most Fanciful,  Unjust,  Selfish Woman In 
   Calne!" Exclaimed The Clerk,  Unable To Keep Down His Anger Any Longer. 
   "You'd Take Young Ripper's Character Away Without Scruple,  Just Because 
   His Place Might Suit Your Jim!" 
     
   "I'm What?" Shrieked Mrs. Jones. "I'm Unjust,  Am I--" 
     
   An Interruption Occurred,  And Mrs. Jones Subsided Into Silence. The 
   Back-Door Suddenly Opened,  Not A Couple Of Yards From That Lady's Head, 
   And In Came Mrs. Gum In Her Ordinary Indoor Dress,  Two Basins In Her 
   Hand. The Sight Of Her Visitor Appeared To Occasion Her Surprise; She 
   Uttered A Faint Scream,  And Nearly Dropped The Basins. 
     
   "Lawk A Mercy! Is It Lydia Jones?" 
     
   Mrs. Jones Had Been Drawing A Quiet Deduction--The Clerk Had Said His 
   Wife Was Out Only To Deceive Her. She Rose From Her Chair,  And Faced Him. 
     
   "I Thought You Told Me She Was Gone Out?" 
     
   The Clerk Coughed. He Looked At His Wife,  As If Asking An Explanation. 
   The Meeker Of The Two Women Hastily Put Her Basins Down,  And Stood 
   Looking From One To The Other,  Apparently Recovering Breath. 
     
   "Didn't You Go Out?" Asked The Clerk. 
     
   "I Was Going,  Gum,  But Stepped Out First To Collect My Basins,  And Then 
   The Rain Came Down. I Had To Shelter Under The Wood-Shed,  It Was 
   Peppering So." 
     
   "Collect Your Basins!" Interjected Mrs. Jones. "Where From?" 
     
   "I Put Them Out With Scraps For The Cats." 
     
   "The Cats Must Be Well Off In Your Quarter; Better Than Some Children In 
   Others," Was The Rejoinder,  Delivered With An Unnecessary Amount Of 
   Spite. "What Makes You So Out Of Breath?" She Tartly Asked. 
     
   "I Had A Bit Of A Fright," Said The Woman,  Simply. "My Breath Seems To 
   Get Affected At Nothing Of Late,  Lydia." 
     
   "A Pity But You'd Your Hands Full Of Work,  As Mine Are: That's The Best 
   Remedy For Fright," Said Mrs. Jones Sarcastically. "What Might Your 
   Fright Have Been,  Pray?" 
     
   "I Was Standing,  Waiting To Dart Over Here,  When I Saw A Man Come Across 
   The Waste Land And Make For Pike's Shed," Said Mrs. Gum,  Looking At Her 
   Husband. "It Gave Me A Turn. We've Never Seen A Soul Go Near The Place Of 
   An Evening Since Pike Has Been There." 
     
   "Why Should It Give You A Turn?" Asked Mrs. Jones,  Who Was In A Mood 
   To Contradict Everything. "You've Seen Pike Often Enough Not To Be 
   Frightened At Him When He Keeps His Distance." 
     
   "It Wasn't Pike,  Lydia. The Man Had An Umbrella Over Him,  And He Looked 
   Like A Gentleman. Fancy Pike With An Umbrella!" 
     
   "Was It Mr. Hillary?" Interposed The Clerk. 
     
   She Shook Her Head. "I Don't Think So; But It Was Getting Too Dark To 
   See. Any Way,  It Gave Me A Turn; And He's Gone Right Up To Pike's Shed." 
     
   "Gave You A Turn,  Indeed!" Scornfully Repeated Mrs. Jones. "I Think 
   You're Getting More Of An Idiot Every Day,  Nance. It's To Be Hoped 
   Somebody's Gone To Take Him Up; That's What Is To Be Hoped." 
     
   But Mr. Hillary It Was. Hearing Nothing From Jabez Gum All Day,  He Had 
   Come To The Conclusion That That Respectable Man Had Ignored His Promise, 
   And,  Unable To Divest Himself Of The Idea That Pike Was Ill,  In The 
   Evening,  Having A Minute To Spare,  He Went Forth To See For Himself. 
     
   The Shed-Door Was Closed,  But Not Fastened,  And Mr. Hillary Went In At 
   Once Without Ceremony. A Lighted Candle Shed Its Rays Around The Rude 
   Dwelling-Room: And The First Thing He Saw Was A Young Man,  Who Did Not 
   Look In The Least Like Pike,  Stretched Upon A Mattress; The Second Was A 
   Bushy Black Wig And Appurtenances Lying On A Chair; And The Third Was A 
   Formidable-Looking Pistol,  Conveniently Close To The Prostrate Invalid. 
     
   Quick As Thought,  The Surgeon Laid His Hand Upon The Pistol And Removed 
   It To A Safe Distance. He Then Bent Over The Sick Man,  Examining Him With 
   His Penetrating Eyes; And What He Saw Struck Him With Consternation So 
   Great,  That He Sat Down On A Chair To Recover Himself,  Albeit Not Liable 
   To Be Overcome By Emotion. 
     
   When He Left The Shed--Which Was Not For Nearly Half-An-Hour After He Had 
   Entered It--He Heard Voices At Clerk Gum's Front-Door. The Storm Was 
   Over,  And Their Visitor Was Departing. Mr. Hillary Took A Moment's 
   Counsel With Himself,  Then Crossed The Stile And Appeared Amongst Them. 
   Nodding To The Three Collectively,  He Gravely Addressed The Clerk And His 
   Wife. 
     
   "I Have Come Here To Ask,  In The Name Of Our Common Humanity,  Whether You 
   Will Put Aside Your Prejudices,  And Be Christians In A Case Of Need," He 
   Began. "I Don't Forget That Once,  When An Epidemic Was Raging In Calne, 
   You"--Turning To The Wife--"Were Active And Fearless,  Going About And 
   Nursing The Sick When Almost All Others Held Aloof. Will You Do The Same 
   Now By A Helpless Man?" 
     
   The Woman Trembled All Over. Clerk Gum Looked Questioningly At The 
   Doctor. Mrs. Jones Was Taking In Everything With Eyes And Ears. 
     
   "This Neighbour Of Yours Has Caught The Fever. Some One Must Attend To 
   Him,  Or He Will Lie There And Die. I Thought Perhaps You'd Do It,  Mrs. 
   Gum,  For Our Saviour's Sake--If From No Other Motive." 
     
   She Trembled Excessively. "I Always Was Terribly Afraid Of That Man,  Sir, 
   Since He Came," Said She,  With Marked Hesitation. 
     
   "But He Cannot Harm You Now. I Don't Ask You To Go In To Him One Day 
   After He Is Well Again--If He Recovers. Neither Need You Be With Him 
   As A Regular Nurse: Only Step In Now And Then To Give Him His Physic, 
   Or Change The Wet Cloths On His Burning Head." 
     
   Mrs. Jones Found Her Voice. The Enormous Impudence Of The Surgeon's 
   Request Had Caused Its Temporary Extinction. 
     
   "I'd See Pike In His Coffin Before I'd Go A-Nigh Him As A Nurse! What On 
   Earth Will You Be Asking Next,  Mr. Hillary?" 
     
   "I Didn't Ask You,  Mrs. Jones: You Have Your Children To Attend To; Full 
   Employment For One Pair Of Arms. Mrs. Gum Has Nothing To Do With Her 
   Time; And Is Near At Hand Besides. Gum,  You Stand In Your Place By Dr. 
   Ashton Every Sunday,  And Read Out To Us Of The Loving Mercy Of God: Will 
   You Urge Your Wife To This Little Work Of Charity For His Sake?" 
     
   Jabez Gum Evidently Did Not Know What To Answer. On The One Hand,  He 
   Could Hardly Go Against The Precepts He Had To Respond To As Clerk; On 
   The Other,  There Was His Scorn And Hatred Of The Disreputable Arab. 
     
   "He's Such A Loose Character,  Sir," He Debated At Length. 
     
   "Possibly: When He Is Well. But He Is Ill Now,  And Could Not Be Loose If 
   He Tried. Some One _Must_ Go In Now And Then To See After Him: It Struck 
   Me That Perhaps Your Wife Would Do It,  For Humanity's Sake; And I Thought 
   I'd Ask Her Before Going Further." 
     
   "She Can Do As She Likes," Said Jabez. 
     
   Mrs. Gum--As Unresisting In Her Nature As Ever Was Percival 
   Elster--Yielded To The Prayer Of The Surgeon,  And Said She Would Do 
   What She Could. But She Had Never Shown More Nervousness Over Anything 
   Than She Was Showing As She Gave Her Answer. 
     
   "Then I Will Step Indoors And Give You A Few Plain Directions," Said The 
   Surgeon. "Mrs. Jones Has Taken Her Departure,  I Perceive." 
     
   Mrs. Gum Was As Good As Her Word,  And Went In With Dire Trepidation. 
   Calne's Sentiments,  On The Whole,  Resembled Mrs. Jones's,  And The Woman 
   Was Blamed For Her Yielding Nature. But She Contrived,  With The Help Of 
   Mr. Hillary's Skill,  To Bring The Man Through The Fever; And It Was Very 
   Singular That No Other Person Out Of The Rectory Took It. 
     
   The Last One To Take It At The Rectory Was Mrs. Ashton. Of The Three 
   Servants Who Had It,  One Had Died; The Other Two Recovered. Mrs. Ashton 
   Did Not Take It Until The Rest Were Well,  And She Had It Lightly. Anne 
   Nursed Her And Would Do So; And It Was An Additional Reason For 
   Prolonging The Veto Against Lord Hartledon. 
     
   One Morning In December,  Val,  In Passing Down The Road,  Saw The Rectory 
   Turned,  As He Called It,  Inside Out. Every Window Was Thrown Open; 
   Curtains Were Taken Down; Altogether There Seemed To Be A Comprehensive 
   Cleaning Going On. At That Moment Mr. Hillary Passed,  And Val Arrested 
   Him,  Pointing To The Rectory. 
     
   "Yes,  They Are Having A Cleansing And Purification. The Family Went Away 
   This Morning." 
     
   "Went Where?" Exclaimed Hartledon,  In Amazement. 
     
   "Dr. Ashton Has Taken A Cottage Near Ventnor." 
     
   "Had Mrs. Ashton Quite Recovered?" 
     
   "Quite: Or They Would Not Have Gone. The Rectory Has Had A Clean Bill Of 
   Health For Some Time Past." 
     
   "Then Why Did They Not Let Me Know It?" Exclaimed Val,  In His 
   Astonishment And Anger. 
     
   "Perhaps You Didn't Ask," Said The Surgeon. "But No Visitors Were Sought. 
   Time Enough For That When The House Shall Have Been Fumigated." 
     
   "They Might Have Sent To Me," He Cried,  In Resentment. "To Go Away And 
   Never Let Me Know It!" 
     
   "They May Have Thought You Were Too Agreeably Engaged To Care To Be 
   Disturbed," Remarked The Surgeon. 
     
   "What Do You Mean?" Demanded Val,  Hotly. 
     
   Mr. Hillary Laughed. "People Will Talk,  You Know; And Rumour Has It That 
   Lord Hartledon Has Found Attractions In His Own Home,  Whilst The Rectory 
   Was Debarred To Him." 
     
   Val Wheeled Round On His Heel,  And Walked Away In Displeasure. Home 
   Truths Are Never Palatable. But The Kindly Disposition Of The Man Resumed 
   Its Sway Immediately: He Turned Back,  And Pointed To The Shed. 
     
   "Is That Interesting Patient Of Yours On His Legs Again?" 
     
   "He Is Getting Better. The Disease Attacked Him Fiercely And Was 
   Unusually Prolonged. It's Strange He Should Have Been The Only One To 
   Take It." 
     
   "Gum's Wife Has Been Nursing Him,  I Hear?" 
     
   "She Has Gone In And Out To Do Such Necessary Offices As The Sick 
   Require. I Put It To Her From A Christian Point Of View,  You See,  And On 
   The Score Of Humanity. She Was At Hand; And That's A Great Thing Where 
   The Nurse Is Only A Visiting One." 
     
   "Look Here,  Hillary; Don't Let The Man Want For Anything; See That He Has 
   All He Needs. He Is A Black Sheep,  No Doubt; But Illness Levels Us All To 
   One Standard. Good Day." 
     
   "Good Day,  Lord Hartledon." 
     
   And When The Surgeon Had Got To A Distance With His Quick Step,  Lord 
   Hartledon Turned Back To The Rectory. 
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 15 (Val's Dilemma) 
   It Was A Mild Day In Spring. The Air Was Balmy,  But The Skies Were Grey 
   And Lowering; And As A Gentleman Strolled Across A Field Adjoining 
   Hartledon Park He Looked Up At Them More Than Once,  As If Asking Whether 
   They Threatened Rain. 
     
   Not That He Had Any Great Personal Interest In The Question. Whether The 
   Skies Gave Forth Sunshine Or Rain Is Of Little Moment To A Mind Not At 
   Rest. He Had Only Looked Up In Listlessness. A Stranger Might Have Taken 
   Him At A Distance For A Gamekeeper: His Coat Was Of Velveteen; His Boots 
   Were Muddy: But A Nearer Inspection Would Have Removed The Impression. 
     
   It Was Lord Hartledon; But Changed Since You Last Saw Him. For Some Time 
   Past There Had Been A Worn,  Weary Look Upon His Face,  Bespeaking A Mind 
   Ill At Ease; The Truth Is,  His Conscience Was Not At Rest,  And In Time 
   That Tells On The Countenance. 
     
   He Had Been By The Fish-Pond For An Hour. But The Fish Had Not Shown 
   Themselves Inclined To Bite,  And He Grew Too Impatient To Remain. 
   Not Altogether Impatient At The Wary Fish,  But In His Own Mental 
   Restlessness. The Fishing-Rod Was Carried In His Hand In Pieces; And He 
   Splashed Along,  In A Brown Study,  On The Wet Ground,  Flinging Himself 
   Over The Ha-Ha With An Ungracious Movement. Some One Was Approaching 
   Across The Park From The House,  And Lord Hartledon Walked On To A Gate, 
   And Waited There For Him To Come Up. He Began Beating The Bars With The 
   Thin End Of The Rod,  And--Broke It! 
     
   "That's The Way You Use Your Fishing-Rods," Cried The Free,  Pleasant 
   Voice Of The New-Comer. "I Shouldn't Mind Being Appointed Purveyor Of 
   Tackle To Your Lordship." 
     
   The Stranger Was An Active Little Man,  Older Than Hartledon; His Features 
   Were Thin,  His Eyes Dark And Luminous. I Think You Have Heard His 
   Name--Thomas Carr. Lord Hartledon Once Called Him The Greatest Friend He 
   Possessed On Earth. He Had Been Wont To Fly To Him In His Past Dilemmas, 
   And The Habit Was Strong Upon Him Still. A Mandate That Would Have Been 
   Peremptory,  But For The Beseeching Terms In Which It Was Couched,  Had 
   Reached Mr. Carr On Circuit; And He Had Hastened Across Country To Obey 
   It,  Reaching Hartledon The Previous Evening. That Something Was Wrong, 
   Mr. Carr Of Course Was Aware; But What,  He Did Not Yet Know. Lord 
   Hartledon,  With His Natural Vacillation,  His Usual Shrinking From The 
   Discussion Of Unpleasant Topics Relating To Himself,  Had Not Entered Upon 
   It At All On The Previous Night; And When Breakfast Was Over That 
   Morning,  Mr. Carr Had Craved An Hour Alone For Letter-Writing. It Was The 
   First Time Mr. Carr Had Visited His Friend At His New Inheritance; Indeed 
   The First Time He Had Been At All At Hartledon. Lord Hartledon Seated 
   Himself On The Gate; The Barrister Leaned His Arms On The Top Bar Whilst 
   He Talked To Him. 
     
   "What Is The Matter?" Asked The Latter. 
     
   "Not Much." 
     
   "I Have Finished My Letters,  So I Came Out To Look For You. You Are Not 
   Changed,  Elster." 
     
   "What Should Change Me In So Short A Time?--It's Only Six Months Since 
   You Last Saw Me," Retorted Hartledon,  Curtly. 
     
   "I Alluded To Your Nature. I Had To Worm The Troubles Out Of You In The 
   Old Days,  Each One As It Arose. I See I Shall Have To Do The Same Now. 
   Don't Say There's Not Much The Matter,  For I Am Sure There Is." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Jerked His Handkerchief Out Of His Pocket,  Passed It Over 
   His Face,  And Put It Back Again. 
     
   "What Fresh Folly Have You Got Into?--As I Used To Ask You At Oxford. You 
   Are In Some Mess." 
     
   "I Suppose It's Of No Use Denying That I Am In One. An Awful Mess,  Too." 
     
   "Well,  I Have Pulled You Out Of Many A One In My Time. Let Me Hear It." 
     
   "There Are Some Things One Does Not Like To Talk About,  Carr. I Sent For 
   You In My Perplexity; But I Believe You Can Be Of No Use To Me." 
     
   "So You Have Said Before Now. But It Generally Turned Out That I Was Of 
   Use To You,  And Cleared You From Your Nightmare." 
     
   "All Those Were Minor Difficulties; This Is Different." 
     
   "I Cannot Understand Your 'Not Liking' To Speak Of Things To Me. Why 
   Don't You Begin?" 
     
   "Because I Shall Prove Myself Worse Than A Fool. You'll Despise Me To 
   Your Heart's Core. Carr,  I Think I Shall Go Mad!" 
     
   "Tell Me The Cause First,  And Go Mad Afterwards. Come,  Val; I Am Your 
   True Friend." 
     
   "I Have Made An Offer Of Marriage To Two Women," Said Hartledon, 
   Desperately Plunging Into The Revelation. "Never Was Such A Born Idiot 
   In The World As I Have Been. I Can't Marry Both." 
     
   "I Imagine Not," Quietly Replied Mr. Carr. 
     
   "You Knew I Was Engaged To Miss Ashton?" 
     
   "Yes." 
     
   "And I'm Sure I Loved Her With All My"--He Seemed To Hesitate For A 
   Strong Term--"Might And Main; And Do Still. But I Have Managed To Get 
   Into Mischief Elsewhere." 
     
   "Elster's Folly,  As Usual. What Sort Of Mischief?" 
     
   "The Worst Sort,  For There Can Be No Slipping Out Of It. When That Fever 
   Broke Out At Doctor Ashton's--You Heard Us Talking Of It Last Night, 
   Carr--I Went To The Rectory Just As Usual. What Did I Care For Fever?--It 
   Was Not Likely To Attack Me. But The Countess-Dowager Found It Out--" 
     
   "Why Do They Stay Here So Long?" Interrupted Thomas Carr. "They Have Been 
   Here Ever Since Your Brother Died." 
     
   "And Before It. The Old Woman Likes Her Quarters,  And Has No Settled 
   Home. She Makes A Merit Of Stopping,  And Says I Ought To Feel Under 
   Eternal Obligation To Her And Maude For Sacrificing Themselves To A 
   Solitary Man And His Household. But You Should Have Heard The Uproar 
   She Made Upon Discovering I Had Been To The Rectory. She Had My Room 
   Fumigated And My Clothes Burnt." 
     
   "Foolish Old Creature!" 
     
   "The Best Of It Was,  I Pointed Out By Mistake The Wrong Coat,  And 
   The Offending One Is Upstairs Now. I Shall Show It Her Some Day. She 
   Reproached Me With Holding Her Life And Her Daughter's Dirt-Cheap,  And 
   Wormed A Promise Out Of Me Not To Visit The Rectory As Long As Fever Was 
   In It." 
     
   "Which You Gave?" 
     
   "She Wormed It Out Of Me,  I Tell You. I Don't Know That I Should Have 
   Kept It,  But Dr. Ashton Put In His Veto Also; And Between The Two I Was 
   Kept Away. For Many Weeks Afterwards I Never Saw Or Spoke To Anne. She 
   Did Not Come Out At All,  Even To Church; They Were So Anxious The Fever 
   Should Not Spread." 
     
   "Well? Go On,  Val." 
     
   "Well: How Does That Proverb Run,  About Idleness Being The Root Of All 
   Evil? During Those Weeks I Was An Idle Man,  Wretchedly Bored; And I Fell 
   Into A Flirtation With Maude. She Began It,  Carr,  On My Solemn Word Of 
   Honour--Though It's A Shame To Tell These Tales Of A Woman; And I Joined 
   In From Sheer Weariness,  To Kill Time. But You Know How One Gets Led On 
   In Such Things--Or I Do,  If You,  You Cautious Fellow,  Don't--And We Both 
   Went In Pretty Deep." 
     
   "Elster's Folly Again! How Deep?" 
     
   "As Deep As I Well Could,  Short Of Committing Myself To A Proposal. You 
   See The Ill-Luck Of It Was,  Those Two And I Being Alone In The House. I 
   May As Well Say Maude And I Alone; For The Old Woman Kept Her Room Very 
   Much; She Had A Cold,  She Said,  And Was Afraid Of The Fever." 
     
   "Tush!" Cried Thomas Carr Angrily. "And You Made Love To The Young Lady?" 
     
   "As Fast As I Could Make It. What A Fool I Was! But I Protest I Only Did 
   It In Amusement; I Never Thought Of Her Supplanting Anne Ashton. Now, 
   Carr,  You Are Looking As You Used To Look At Oxford; Get Your Brow Smooth 
   Again. You Just Shut Up Yourself For Weeks With A Fascinating Girl,  And 
   See If You Wouldn't Find Yourself In Some Horrible Entanglement,  Proof 
   Against Such As You Think You Are." 
     
   "As I Am Obliged To Be. I Should Take Care Not To Lay Myself Open To The 
   Temptation. Neither Need You Have Done It." 
     
   "I Don't See How I Was To Help Myself. Often And Often I Wished To Have 
   Visitors In The House,  But The Old Woman Met Me With Reproaches That I 
   Was Forgetting The Recent Death Of My Brother. She Won't Have Any One Now 
   If She Knows It,  And I Had To Send For You Quietly. Did You See How She 
   Stared Last Night When You Came In?" 
     
   Mr. Carr Drew Down His Lips. "You Might Have Gone Away Yourself,  Elster." 
     
   "Of Course I Might," Was The Testy Reply. "But I Was A Fool,  And Didn't. 
   Carr,  I Swear To You I Fell Into The Trap Unconsciously; I Did Not 
   Foresee Danger. Maude Is A Charming Girl,  There's No Denying It; But 
   As To Love,  I Never Glanced At It." 
     
   "Was It Not Suspected In Town Last Year That Lady Maude Had A Liking For 
   Your Brother?" 
     
   "It Was Suspected There And Here; I Thought It Myself. We Were Mistaken. 
   One Day Lately Maude Offended Me,  And I Hinted At Something Of The Sort: 
   She Turned Red And White With Indignation,  Saying She Wished He Could 
   Rise From His Grave To Refute It. I Only Wish He Could!" Added The 
   Unhappy Man. 
     
   "Have You Told Me All?" 
     
   "All! I Wish I Had. In December I Was Passing The Rectory,  And Saw It 
   Dismantled. Hillary,  Whom I Met,  Said The Family Had Gone To Ventnor. I 
   Went In,  But Could Not Learn Any Particulars,  Or Get The Address. I 
   Chanced A Letter,  Written I Confess In Anger,  Directing It Ventnor Only, 
   And It Found Them. Anne's Answer Was Cool: Mischief-Making Tongues Had 
   Been Talking About Me And Maude; I Learned So Much From Hillary; And Anne 
   No Doubt Resented It. I Resented That--Can You Follow Me,  Carr?--And I 
   Said To Myself I Wouldn't Write Again For Some Time To Come. Before That 
   Time Came The Climax Had Occurred." 
     
   "And While You Were Waiting For Your Temper To Come Round In Regard To 
   Miss Ashton,  You Continued To Make Love To The Lady Maude?" Remarked Mr. 
   Carr. "On The Face Of Things,  I Should Say Your Love Had Been Transferred 
   To Her." 
     
   "Indeed It Hadn't. Next To Anne,  She's The Most Charming Girl I Know; 
   That's All. Between The Two It Will Be Awful Work For Me." 
     
   "So I Should Think," Returned Mr. Carr. "The Ass Between Two Bundles Of 
   Hay Was Nothing To It." 
     
   "He Was Not An Ass At All,  Compared With What I Am," Assented Val, 
   Gloomily. 
     
   "Well,  If A Man Behaves Like An Ass--" 
     
   "Don't Moralize," Interrupted Hartledon; "But Rather Advise Me How To Get 
   Out Of My Dilemma. The Morning's Drawing On,  And I Have Promised To Ride 
   With Maude." 
     
   "You Had Better Ride Alone. All The Advice I Can Give You Is To Draw Back 
   By Degrees,  And So Let The Flirtation Subside. If There Is No Actual 
   Entanglement--" 
     
   "Stop A Bit,  Carr; I Had Not Come To It," Interrupted Lord Hartledon,  Who 
   In Point Of Fact Had Been Holding Back What He Called The Climax,  In His 
   Usual Vacillating Manner. "One Ill-Starred Day,  When It Was Pouring Cats 
   And Dogs,  And I Could Not Get Out,  I Challenged Maude To A Game At 
   Billiards. Maude Lost. I Said She Should Pay Me,  And Put My Arm Round Her 
   Waist And Snatched A Kiss. Just At That Moment In Came The Dowager,  Who I 
   Believe Must Have Been Listening--" 
     
   "Not Improbably," Interrupted Mr. Carr,  Significantly. 
     
   "'Oh,  You Two Dear Turtle-Doves,' Cried She,  'Hartledon,  You Have Made Me 
   So Happy! I Have Seen For Some Weeks What You Were Thinking Of. There's 
   Nobody Living I'd Confide That Dear Child To But Yourself: You Shall Have 
   Her,  And My Blessing Shall Be Upon You Both.' 
     
   "Carr," Continued Poor Val,  "I Was Struck Dumb. All The Absurdity Of The 
   Thing Rose Up Before Me. In My Confusion I Could Not Utter A Word. A Man 
   With More Moral Courage Might Have Spoken Out; Acknowledged The Shame And 
   Folly Of His Conduct And Apologized. I Could Not." 
     
   "Elster's Folly! Elster's Folly!" Thought The Barrister. "You Never Had 
   The Slightest Spark Of Moral Courage," He Observed Aloud,  In Pained 
   Tones. "What Did You Say?" 
     
   "Nothing. There's The Worst Of It. I Neither Denied The Dowager's 
   Assumption,  Nor Confirmed It. Of Course I Cannot Now." 
     
   "When Was This?" 
     
   "In December." 
     
   "And How Have Things Gone On Since? How Do You Stand With Them?" 
     
   "Things Have Gone On As They Went On Before; And I Stand Engaged To 
   Maude,  In Her Mother's Opinion; Perhaps In Hers: Never Having Said Myself 
   One Word To Support The Engagement." 
     
   "Only Continued To 'Make Love,' And 'Snatch A Kiss,'" Sarcastically 
   Rejoined Mr. Carr. 
     
   "Once In A Way. What Is A Man To Do,  Exposed To The Witchery Of A Pretty 
   Girl?" 
     
   "Oh,  Percival! You Are Worse Than I Thought For. Where Is Miss Ashton?" 
     
   "Coming Home Next Friday," Groaned Val. "And The Dowager Asked Me 
   Yesterday Whether Maude And I Had Arranged The Time For Our Marriage. 
   What On Earth I Shall Do,  I Don't Know. I Might Sail For Some Remote Land 
   And Convert Myself Into A Savage,  Where I Should Never Be Found Or 
   Recognized; There's No Other Escape For Me." 
     
   "How Much Does Miss Ashton Know Of This?" 
     
   "Nothing. I Had A Letter From Her This Morning,  More Kindly Than Her 
   Letters Have Been Of Late." 
     
   "Lord Hartledon!" Exclaimed Mr. Carr,  In Startled Tones. "Is It Possible 
   That You Are Carrying On A Correspondence With Miss Ashton,  And Your 
   Love-Making With Lady Maude?" 
     
   Val Nodded Assent,  Looking Really Ashamed Of Himself. 
     
   "And You Call Yourself A Man Of Honour! Why,  You Are The Greatest 
   Humbug--" 
     
   "That's Enough; No Need To Sum It Up. I See All I've Been." 
     
   "I Understood You To Imply That Your Correspondence With Miss Ashton Had 
   Ceased." 
     
   "It Was Renewed. Dr. Ashton Came Up To Preach One Sunday,  Just Before 
   Christmas,  And He And I Got Friendly Again; You Know I Never Can Be 
   Unfriendly With Any One Long. The Next Day I Wrote To Anne,  And We Have 
   Corresponded Since; More Coolly Though Than We Used To Do. Circumstances 
   Have Been Really Against Me. Had They Continued At Ventnor,  I Should Have 
   Gone Down And Spent My Christmas With Them,  And Nothing Of This Would 
   Have Happened; But They Must Needs Go To Dr. Ashton's Sister's In 
   Yorkshire For Christmas; And There They Are Still. It Was In That 
   Miserable Christmas Week That The Mischief Occurred. And Now You Have 
   The Whole,  Carr. I Know I've Been A Fool; But What Is To Be Done?" 
     
   "Lord Hartledon," Was The Grave Rejoinder,  "I Am Unable To Give You 
   Advice In This. Your Conduct Is Indefensible." 
     
   "Don't 'Lord Hartledon' Me: I Won't Stand It. Carr?" 
     
   "Well?" 
     
   "If You Bring Up Against Me A String Of Reproaches Lasting Until Night 
   Will That Mend Matters? I Am Conscious Of Possessing But One True Friend 
   In The World,  And That's Yourself. You Must Stand By Me." 
     
   "I Was Your Friend; Never A Truer. But I Believed You To Be A Man Of 
   Honour." 
     
   Hartledon Lifted His Hat From His Brow; As Though The Brow Alone Were 
   Heavy Enough Just Then. At Least The Thought Struck Mr. Carr. 
     
   "I Have Been Drawn Unwittingly Into This,  As I Have Into Other Things. I 
   Never Meant To Do Wrong. As To Dishonour,  Heaven Knows My Nature Shrinks 
   From It." 
     
   "If Your Nature Does,  You Don't," Came The Severe Answer. "I Should Feel 
   Ashamed To Put Forth The Same Plea Always Of 'Falling Unwittingly' Into 
   Disgrace. You Have Done It Ever Since You Were A Schoolboy. Talk Of The 
   Elster Folly! This Has Gone Beyond It. This Is Dishonour. Engaged To One 
   Girl,  And Corresponding With Her; Making Hourly Love For Weeks To 
   Another! May I Inquire Which Of The Two You Really Care For?" 
     
   "Anne--I Suppose." 
     
   "You Suppose!" 
     
   "You Make Me Wild,  Talking Like This. Of Course It's Anne. Maude Has 
   Managed To Creep Into My Regard,  Though,  In No Common Degree. She Is Very 
   Lovely,  Very Fascinating And Amiable." 
     
   "May I Ask Which Of The Two You Intend To Marry!" Continued The 
   Barrister,  Neither Suppressing Nor Attempting To Soften His Indignant 
   Tones. "As This Country's Laws Are Against A Plurality Of Wives,  You Will 
   Be Unable,  I Imagine,  To Espouse Them Both." 
     
   Hartledon Looked At Him,  Beseechingly,  And A Sudden Compassion Came Over 
   Mr. Carr. He Asked Himself Whether It Was Quite The Way To Treat A 
   Perplexed Man Who Was Very Dear To Him. 
     
   "If I Am Severe,  It Is For Your Sake. I Assure You I Scarcely Know What 
   Advice To Give. It Is Miss Ashton,  Of Course,  Whom You Intend To Make 
   Lady Hartledon?" 
     
   "Of Course It Is. The Difficulty In The Matter Is Getting Clear Of 
   Maude." 
     
   "And The Formidable Countess-Dowager. You Must Tell Maude The Truth." 
     
   "Impossible,  Carr. I Might Have Done It Once; But The Thing Has Gone On 
   So Long. The Dowager Would Devour Me." 
     
   "Let Her Try To. I Should Speak To Maude Alone,  And Put Her Upon Her 
   Generosity To Release You. Tell Her You Presumed Upon Your Cousinship; 
   And Confess That You Have Long Been Engaged To Marry Miss Ashton." 
     
   "She Knows That: They Have Both Known It All Along. My Brother Was The 
   First To Tell Them,  Before He Died." 
     
   "They Knew It?" Inquired Mr. Carr,  Believing He Had Not Heard Correctly. 
     
   "Certainly. There Has Been No Secret Made Of My Engagement To Anne. All 
   The World Knows Of That." 
     
   "Then--Though I Do Not In The Least Defend Or Excuse You--Your Breaking 
   With Lady Maude May Be More Pardonable. They Are Poor,  Are They Not,  This 
   Dowager Kirton And Lady Maude?" 
     
   "Poor As Job. Hard Up,  I Think." 
     
   "Then They Are Angling For The Broad Lands Of Hartledon. I See It All. 
   You Have Been A Victim To Fortune-Hunting." 
     
   "There You Are Wrong,  Carr. I Can't Answer For The Dowager One Way Or The 
   Other; But Maude Is The Most Disinterested--" 
     
   "Of Course: Girls On The Look-Out For Establishments Always Are. Have It 
   As You Like." 
     
   He Spoke In Tones Of Ridicule; And Hartledon Jumped Off The Stile And Led 
   The Way Home. 
     
   That Lord Hartledon Had Got Himself Into A Very Serious Predicament,  Mr. 
   Carr Plainly Saw. His Good Nature,  His Sensitive Regard For The Feelings 
   Of Others,  Rendering It So Impossible For Him To Say No,  And Above All 
   His Vacillating Disposition,  Were His Paramount Characteristics Still: In 
   A Degree They Ever Would Be. Easily Led As Ever,  He Was As A Very Reed 
   In The Hands Of The Crafty Old Woman Of The World,  Located With Him. She 
   Had Determined That He Should Become The Husband Of Her Daughter; And Was 
   As Certain Of Accomplishing Her End As If She Had Foreseen The Future. 
   Lord Hartledon Himself Afterwards,  In His Bitter Repentance,  Said,  Over 
   And Over Again,  That Circumstances Were Against Him; And They Certainly 
   Were So,  As You Will Find. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Thought He Was Making Headway Against It Now,  In Sending 
   For His Old Friend,  And Resolving To Be Guided By His Advice. 
     
   "I Will Take An Opportunity Of Speaking To Maude,  Carr," He Resumed. "I 
   Would Rather Not Do It,  Of Course; But I See There's No Help For It." 
     
   "Make The Opportunity," Said Mr. Carr,  With Emphasis. "Don't Delay A Day; 
   I Shall Expect You To Write Me A Letter To-Morrow Saying You've Done It." 
     
   "But You Won't Leave To-Day," Said Hartledon,  Entreatingly,  Feeling An 
   Instant Prevision That With The Departure Of Thomas Carr All His Courage 
   Would Ignominiously Desert Him. 
     
   "I Must Go. You Know I Told You Last Night That My Stay Could Only Be 
   Four-And-Twenty Hours. You Can Accomplish It Whilst I Am Here,  If You 
   Like,  And Get It Over; The Longer A Nauseous Medicine Is Held To The Lips 
   The More Difficult It Is To Swallow It. You Say You Are Going To Ride 
   With Lady Maude Presently; Let That Be Your Opportunity." 
     
   And Get It Over! Words That Sounded As Emancipation In Val's Ear. But 
   Somehow He Did Not Accomplish It In That Ride. Excuses Were On His Lips 
   Five Hundred Times,  But His Hesitating Lips Never Formed Them. He Really 
   Was On The Point Of Speaking; At Least He Said So To Himself; When Mr. 
   Hillary Overtook Them On Horseback,  And Rode With Them Some Distance. 
   After That,  Maude Put Her Horse To A Canter,  And So They Reached Home. 
     
   "Well?" Said Mr. Carr. 
     
   "Not Yet," Answered Hartledon; "There Was No Opportunity." 
     
   "My Suggestion Was To Make Your Opportunity." 
     
   "And So I Will. I'll Speak To Her Either To-Night Or To-Morrow. She Chose 
   To Ride Fast To-Day; And Hillary Joined Us Part Of The Way. Don't Look As 
   If You Doubted Me,  Carr: I Shall Be Sure To Speak." 
     
   "Will He?" Thought Thomas Carr,  As He Took His Departure By The Evening 
   Train,  Having Promised To Run Down The Following Saturday For A Few 
   Hours. "It Is An Even Bet,  I Think. Poor Val!" 
     
   Poor Val Indeed! Vacillating,  Attractive,  Handsome Val! Shrinking, 
   Sensitive Val! The Nauseous Medicine Was Never Taken. And When The 
   Ashtons Returned To The Rectory On The Friday Night He Had Not Spoken. 
     
   And The Very Day Of Their Return A Rumour Reached His Ear That Mrs. 
   Ashton's Health Was Seriously If Not Fatally Shattered,  And She Was 
   Departing Immediately For The South Of France. 
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 16 (Between The Two) 
   Not In The Rectory Drawing-Room,  But In A Pretty Little Sitting-Room 
   Attached To Her Bed-Chamber,  Where The Temperature Was Regulated,  And No 
   Draughts Could Penetrate,  Reclined Mrs. Ashton. Her Invalid Gown Sat 
   Loosely Upon Her Shrunken Form,  Her Delicate,  Lace Cap Shaded A Fading 
   Face. Anne Sat By Her Side In All Her Loveliness,  Ostensibly Working; But 
   Her Fingers Trembled,  And Her Face Looked Flushed And Pained. 
     
   It Was The Morning After Their Return,  And Mrs. Graves Had Called In To 
   See Mrs. Ashton--Gossiping Mrs. Graves,  Who Knew All That Took Place In 
   The Parish,  And A Great Deal Of What Never Did Take Place. She Had Just 
   Been Telling It All Unreservedly In Her Hard Way; Things That Might Be 
   Said,  And Things That Might As Well Have Been Left Unsaid. She Went Out 
   Leaving A Whirr And A Buzz Behind Her And An Awful Sickness Of Desolation 
   Upon One Heart. 
     
   "Give Me My Little Writing-Case,  Anne," Said Mrs. Ashton,  Waking Up From 
   A Reverie And Sitting Forward On Her Sofa. 
     
   Anne Took The Pretty Toy From The Side-Table,  Opened It,  And Laid It On 
   The Table Before Her Mother. 
     
   "Is It Nothing I Can Write For You,  Mamma?" 
     
   "No,  Child." 
     
   Anne Bent Her Hot Face Over Her Work Again. It Had Not Occurred To Her 
   That It Could Concern Herself; And Mrs. Ashton Wrote A Few Rapid Lines: 
     
     "My Dear Percival, 
     
     "Can You Spare Me A Five-Minutes' Visit? I Wish To Speak With You. We 
      Go Away Again On Monday. 
     
     "Ever Sincerely Yours, 
     
     "Catherine Ashton." 
     
   She Folded It,  Enclosed It In An Envelope,  And Addressed It To The Earl 
   Of Hartledon. Pushing Away The Writing-Table,  She Held Out The Note To 
   Her Daughter. 
     
   "Seal It For Me,  Anne. I Am Tired. Let It Go At Once." 
     
   "Mamma!" Exclaimed Anne,  As Her Eye Caught The Address. "Surely You Are 
   Not Writing To Him! You Are Not Asking Him To Come Here?" 
     
   "You See That I Am Writing To Him,  Anne. And It Is To Ask Him To Come 
   Here. My Dear,  You May Safely Leave Me To Act According To My Own 
   Judgment. But As To What Mrs. Graves Has Said,  I Don't Believe A Word 
   Of It." 
     
   "I Scarcely Think I Do," Murmured Anne; A Smile Hovering On Her Troubled 
   Countenance,  Like Sunshine After Rain. 
     
   Anne Had The Taper Alight,  And The Wax Held To It,  The Note Ready In Her 
   Hand,  When The Room-Door Was Thrown Open By Mrs. Ashton's Maid. 
     
   "Lord Hartledon." 
     
   He Came In In A Hurried Manner,  Talking Fast,  Making Too Much Fuss; It 
   Was Unlike His Usual Quiet Movements,  And Mrs. Ashton Noticed It. As He 
   Shook Hands With Her,  She Held The Note Before Him. 
     
   "See,  Percival! I Was Writing To Ask You To Call Upon Me." 
     
   Anne Had Put Out The Light,  And Her Hand Was In Lord Hartledon's Before 
   She Well Knew Anything,  Save That Her Heart Was Beating Tumultuously. 
   Mrs. Ashton Made A Place For Him On The Sofa,  And Anne Quietly Left The 
   Room. 
     
   "I Should Have Been Here Earlier," He Began,  "But I Had The Steward With 
   Me On Business; It Is Little Enough I Have Attended To Since My Brother's 
   Death. Dear Mrs. Ashton! I Grieve To Hear This Poor Account Of You. You 
   Are Indeed Looking Ill." 
     
   "I Am So Ill,  Percival,  That I Doubt Whether I Shall Ever Be Better In 
   This World. It Is My Last Chance,  This Going Away To A Warmer Place Until 
   Winter Has Passed." 
     
   He Was Bending Towards Her In Earnest Sympathy,  All Himself Again; His 
   Dark Blue Eyes Very Tender,  His Pleasant Features Full Of Concern As He 
   Gazed On Her Face. And Somehow,  Looking At That Attractive Countenance, 
   Mrs. Ashton's Doubts Went From Her. 
     
   "But What I Have Said Is To You Alone," She Resumed. "My Husband And 
   Children Do Not See The Worst,  And I Refrain From Telling Them. A Little 
   Word Of Confidence Between Us,  Val." 
     
   "I Hope And Trust You May Come Back Cured!" He Said,  Very Fervently. "Is 
   It The Fever That Has So Shattered You?" 
     
   "It Is The Result Of It. I Have Never Since Been Able To Recover 
   Strength,  But Have Become Weaker And More Weak. And You Know I Was 
   In Ill Health Before. We Leave On Monday Morning For Cannes." 
     
   "For Cannes?" He Exclaimed. 
     
   "Yes. A Place Not So Warm As Some I Might Have Gone To; But The Doctors 
   Say That Will Be All The Better. It Is Not Heat I Need; Only Shelter From 
   Our Cold Northern Winds Until I Can Get A Little Strength Into Me. 
   There's Nothing The Matter With My Lungs; Indeed,  I Don't Know That 
   Anything Is The Matter With Me Except This Terrible Weakness." 
     
   "I Suppose Anne Goes With You?" 
     
   "Oh Yes. I Could Not Go Without Anne. The Doctor Will See Us Settled 
   There,  And Then He Returns." 
     
   A Thought Crossed Lord Hartledon: How Pleasant If He And Anne Could Have 
   Been Married,  And Have Made This Their Wedding Tour. He Did Not Speak It: 
   Mrs. Ashton Would Have Laughed At His Haste. 
     
   "How Long Shall You Remain Away?" He Asked. 
     
   "Ah,  I Cannot Tell You. I May Not Live To Return. If All Goes Well--That 
   Is,  If There Should Be A Speedy Change For The Better,  As The Medical Men 
   Who Have Been Attending Me Think There May Be--I Shall Be Back Perhaps In 
   April Or May. Val--I Cannot Forget The Old Familiar Name,  You See--" 
     
   "I Hope You Never Will Forget It," He Warmly Interposed. 
     
   "I Wanted Very Particularly To See You. A Strange Report Was Brought 
   Here This Morning And I Determined To Mention It To You. You Know What 
   An Old-Fashioned,  Direct Way I Have Of Doing Things; Never Choosing A 
   Roundabout Road If I Can Take A Straight One. This Note Was A Line Asking 
   You To Call Upon Me," She Added,  Taking It From Her Lap,  Where It Had 
   Been Lying,  And Tossing It On To The Table,  Whilst Her Hearer,  His 
   Conscience Rising Up,  Began To Feel A Very Little Uncomfortable. "We 
   Heard You Had Proposed Marriage To Lady Maude Kirton." 
     
   Lord Hartledon's Face Became Crimson. "Who On Earth Could Have Invented 
   That?" Cried He,  Having No Better Answer At Hand. 
     
   "Mrs. Graves Mentioned It To Me. She Was Dining At Hartledon Last Week, 
   And The Countess-Dowager Spoke About It Openly." 
     
   Mrs. Ashton Looked At Him; And He,  Confused And Taken Aback,  Looked Down 
   On The Carpet,  Devoutly Wishing Himself In The Remote Regions He Had 
   Spoken Of To Mr. Carr. Anywhere,  So That He Should Never Be Seen Or 
   Recognized Again. 
     
   "What Am I To Do?" Thought He. "I Wish Mother Graves Was Hanged!" 
     
   "You Do Not Speak,  Percival!" 
     
   "Well,  I--I Was Wondering What Could Have Given Rise To This," He 
   Stammered. "I Believe The Old Dowager Would Like To See Her Daughter 
   Mistress Of Hartledon: And Suppose She Gave Utterance To Her Thoughts." 
     
   "Very Strange That She Should!" Observed Mrs. Ashton. 
     
   "I Think She's A Little Cracked Sometimes," Coughed Val; And,  In Truth, 
   He Now And Then Did Think So. "I Hope You Have Not Told Anne?" 
     
   "I Have Told No One. And Had I Not Felt Sure It Had No Foundation,  I 
   Should Have Told The Doctor,  Not You. But Anne Was In The Room When Mrs. 
   Graves Mentioned It." 
     
   "What A Blessing It Would Be If Mrs. Graves Were Out Of The Parish!" 
   Exclaimed Val,  Hotly. "I Wonder Dr. Ashton Keeps Graves On,  With Such A 
   Mother! No One Ever Had Such A Mischief-Making Tongue As Hers." 
     
   "Percival,  May I Say Something To You?" Asked Mrs. Ashton,  Who Was 
   Devouring Him With Her Eyes. "Your Manner Would Almost Lead Me To Believe 
   That There _Is_ Something In It. Tell Me The Truth; I Can Never Be 
   Anything But Your Friend." 
     
   "Believe One Thing,  Dear Mrs. Ashton--That I Have No Intention Of 
   Marrying Anyone But Anne; And I Wish With All My Heart And Soul You'd 
   Give Her To Me To-Day. Shut Up With Those Two Women,  The One Pretty,  The 
   Other Watching Any Chance Word To Turn It To Her Own Use,  I Dare Say The 
   Mrs. Graveses Of The Place Have Talked,  Forgetting That Maude Is My 
   Cousin. I Believe I Paid Some Attention To Maude Because I Was Angry 
   At Being Kept Out Of The Rectory; But My Attentions Meant Nothing,  Upon 
   My Honour." 
     
   "Elster's Folly,  Val! Lady Maude May Have Thought They Did." 
     
   "At Any Rate She Knew Of My Engagement To Anne." 
     
   "Then There Is Nothing In It?" 
     
   "There Shall Be Nothing In It," Was The Emphatic Answer. "Anne Was My 
   First Love,  And She Will Be My Last. You Must Promise To Give Her To Me 
   As Soon As You Return From Cannes." 
     
   "About That You Must Ask Her Father. I Dare Say He Will Do So." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Rose From His Seat; Held Mrs. Ashton's Hand Between His 
   Whilst He Said His Adieu,  And Stooped To Kiss Her With A Son's Affection. 
   She Was A Little Surprised To Find It Was His Final Farewell. They Were 
   Not Going To Start Until Monday. But Hartledon Could Not Have Risked That 
   Cross-Questioning Again; Rather Would He Have Sailed Away For The Savage 
   Territories At Once. He Went Downstairs Searching For Anne,  And Found Her 
   In The Room Where You First Saw Her--Her Own. She Looked Up With Quite An 
   Affectation Of Surprise When He Entered,  Although She Had Probably Gone 
   There To Await Him. The Best Of Girls Are Human. 
     
   "You Ran Away,  Anne,  Whilst Mamma And I Held Our Conference?" 
     
   "I Hope It Has Been Satisfactory," She Answered Demurely,  Not Looking Up, 
   And Wondering Whether He Suspected How Violently Her Heart Was Beating. 
     
   "Partly So. The End Was All Right. Shall I Tell It You?" 
     
   "The End! Yes,  If You Will," She Replied Unsuspectingly. 
     
   "The Decision Come To Is,  That A Certain Young Friend Of Ours Is To Be 
   Converted,  With As Little Delay As Circumstances May Permit,  Into Lady 
   Hartledon." 
     
   Of Course There Came No Answer Except A Succession Of Blushes. Anne's 
   Work,  Which She Had Carried With Her,  Took All Her Attention Just Then. 
     
   "Can You Guess Her Name,  Anne?" 
     
   "I Don't Know. Is It Maude Kirton?" 
     
   He Winced. "If You Have Been Told That Abominable Rubbish,  Anne,  It Is 
   Not Necessary To Repeat It. It's Not So Pleasant A Theme That You Need 
   Make A Joke Of It." 
     
   "Is It Rubbish?" Asked Anne,  Lifting Her Eyes. 
     
   "I Thinkled The Boxes,  Put On His Coat,  Argued 
   Out The Crums' Family And Their Residences,  First With Me And Then With 
   His Friends On The Platform,  We Were Just Off When A Thought Seemed To 
   Strike Him,  And Back He Came To The Open Window,  And Saying "Ye'll Be 
   The Better Of Havin' This Ap"--Scratched It Up From The Outside With 
   Nails Like Nebuchadnezzar's. Whether My Face Looked As If I Did Not Like 
   It Or What,  I Don't Know,  But Down Came The Window Again With A Rattle, 
   And He Wagged The Leather Strap Almost In My Face And Said,  "There's 
   _Hoals_ In't,  An' Ye Can Jest Let It Down To Yer Own Satisfaction If Ye 
   Fin' It Gets Clos." Then He Rattled It Up Again,  Mounted The Box,  And 
   Off We Went. Oh,  _Such_ A Jolting Drive Of Six Miles! Such Wrenching 
   Over Tramway Lines! But I Had My Fine Air-Cushions,  And My Spine Must 
   Simply Be Another Thing To What It Was Six Months Back. Oh,  He Was 
   Funny! I Found That He Did Not Know The Way To Thornliebank,  But Having 
   A General Idea,  And A (No Doubt Just) Faith In His Own Powers,  He Swore 
   He Did Know,  And Utterly Resented Asking Bystanders. After We Got Far 
   Away From Houses,  On The Bleak Roads In The Dark Night,  I Merely Felt 
   One Must Take What Came. By And By He Turned Round And Began To Retrace 
   His Steps. I Put Out My Head (As I Did At Intervals To His Great 
   Disgust; He Always Pitched Well Into Me--"We're Aal Right--Just 
   Com--Pose Yeself," Etc.),  But He Assured Me He'd Only Just Gone By The 
   Gate. So By And By We Drew Up,  No Lights In The Lodge,  No Answer To 
   Shouts--Then He Got Down,  And In The Darkness I Heard The Gates Grating 
   As If They Had Not Been Opened For A Century. Then Under Overhanging 
   Trees,  And At Last In The Dim Light I Saw That The Walls Were Broken 
   Down And Weeds Were Thick Round Our Wheels. I Could Bear It No Longer, 
   And Put Out My Head Again,  And I Shall Never Forget The Sight. The Moon 
   Was Coming A Little Bit From Behind The Clouds,  And Showed A Court-Yard 
   In Which We Had Pulled Up,  Surrounded With Buildings In Ruins,  And 
   Overgrown With Nettles And Rank Grass. We Had Not Seen A Human Being 
   Since We Left Glasgow,  At Least An Hour Before,--And Of All The Places 
   To Have One's Throat Cut In!! The Situation Was So Tight A Place,  It 
   Really Gave One The Courage Of Desperation,  And I Ordered Him To Drive 
   Away At Once. I Believe He Was Half Frightened Himself,  And The Horse 
   Ditto,  And Never,  Never Was I In Anything So Nearly Turned Over As That 
   Cab! For The Horse Got It Up A Bank. At Last It Was Righted,  But Not An 
   Inch Would My Scotchman Budge Till He'd Put Himself Through The Window 
   And Confounded Himself In Apologies,  And In Explanations Calculated To 
   Convince Me That,  In Spite Of Appearances,  He Knew The Way To 
   Thornliebank "Pairfeckly Well." "Noo,  I Do Beg Of Ye Not To Be 
   Narrrr-Vous. Do Not Give Way To't. Ye May Trust Me Entirely. Don't Be 
   Discommodded In The Least. I'm Just Pairfectly Acquainted With The Road. 
   But It'll Be Havin' Been There In The Winter That's Just Misled Me. But 
   We're Aal Right." And All Right He Did Eventually Land Me Here! So Late 
   J. Had Nearly Given Me Up. 
     
       
     
     
     
     
   To Mrs. Elder. 
     
   _Greno House,  Grenoside,  Sheffield._ 
   October 26,  1881. 
     
     
     
     
   Dearest Aunt Horatia, 
     
          *       *       *       *       * 
     
   D. Says You Would Like Some Of The Excellent Scotch Stories I Heard 
   From Mr. Donald Campbell. I Wish I Could Take The Wings Of A Swallow 
   And Tell You Them. You Must Supply Gaps From Your Imagination. 
     
   They Were As Odd A Lot Of Tales As I Ever Heard--_Drawled_ (Oh So 
   Admirably Drawled,  Without The Flutter Of An Eyelid,  Or The Quiver Of 
   A Muscle) By A Lowland Scotchman,  And Queerly Characteristic Of The 
   Lowland Scotch Race!!!! Picture This Slow Phlegmatic Rendering To Your 
   "Mind's Eye,  Horatia!" 
     
   A Certain Excellent Woman After A Long Illness--Departed This Life, 
   And The Minister Went To Condole With The Widower. "The Hand Of 
   Affliction Has Been Heavy On Yu,  Donald. Ye've Had A Sair Loss In 
   Your Jessie." 
     
   "Aye--Aye--I've Had A Sair Loss In My Jessiet The Dinner-Table. 
     
   He Went Up,  Feeling A Desperate Man. To Those Of His Temperament Having 
   To Make A Disagreeable Communication Such As This Is Almost As Cruel As 
   Parting With Life. 
     
   No One Was In The Drawing-Room But Lady Kirton--Stretched Upon A Sofa And 
   Apparently Fast Asleep. Val Crossed The Carpet With Softened Tread To The 
   Adjoining Rooms: Small,  Comfortable Rooms,  Used By The Dowager In 
   Preference To The More Stately Rooms Below. Maude Had Drawn Aside The 
   Curtain And Was Peering Out Into The Frosty Night. 
     
   "Why,  How Soon You Are Up!" She Cried,  Turning At His Entrance. 
     
   "I Came On Purpose,  Maude. I Want To Speak To You." 
     
   "Are You Well?" She Asked,  Coming Forward To The Fire,  And Taking Her 
   Seat On A Sofa. In Truth,  He Did Not Look Very Well Just Then. "What Is 
   It?" 
     
   "Maude," He Answered,  His Fair Face Flushing A Dark Red As He Plunged 
   Into It Blindfold: "I Am A Rogue And A Fool!" 
     
   Lady Maude Laughed. "Elster's Folly!" 
     
   "Yes. You Know All This Time That We--That I--" (Val Thought He Should 
   Never Flounder Through This First Moment,  And Did Not Remain An Instant 
   In One Place As He Talked)--"Have Been Going On So Foolishly,  I 
   Was--Almost As Good As A Married Man." 
     
   "Were You?" Said She,  Quietly. "Married To Whom?" 
     
   "I Said As Good As Married,  Maude. You Know I Have Been Engaged For Years 
   To Miss Ashton; Otherwise I Would Have _Knelt_ To Ask You To Become My 
   Wife,  So Earnestly Should I Desire It." 
     
   Her Calm Imperturbability Presented A Curious Contrast To His Agitation. 
   She Was Regarding Him With An Amused Smile. 
     
   "And,  Maude,  I Have Come Now To Ask You To Release Me. Indeed,  I--" 
     
   "What's All This About?" Broke In The Countess-Dowager,  Darting Upon 
   The Conference,  Her Face Flushed And Her Head-Dress Awry. "Are You Two 
   Quarrelling?" 
     
   "Val Was Attempting To Explain Something About Miss Ashton," Answered 
   Maude,  Rising From The Sofa,  And Drawing Herself Up To Her Stately 
   Height. "He Had Better Do It To You Instead,  Mamma; I Don't Understand 
   It." 
     
   She Stood Up By The Mantelpiece,  In The Ray Of The Lustres. They Fell 
   Across Her Dark,  Smooth Hair,  Her Flushed Cheeks,  Her Exquisite Features. 
   Her Dress Was Of Flowing White Crepe,  With Jet Ornaments; And Lord 
   Hartledon,  Even In The Midst Of His Perplexity,  Thought How Beautiful She 
   Was,  And What A Sad Thing It Was To Lose Her. The Truth Was,  His Senses 
   Had Been Caught By The Girl's Beauty Although His Heart Was Elsewhere. 
   It Is A Very Common Case. 
     
   "The Fact Is,  Ma'am," He Stammered,  Turning To The Dowager In His 
   Desperation,  "I Have Been Behaving Very Foolishly Of Late,  And Am Asking 
   Your Daughter's Pardon. I Should Have Remembered My Engagement To Miss 
   Ashton." 
     
   "Remembered Your Engagement To Miss Ashton!" Echoed The Dowager,  Her 
   Voice Becoming A Little Shrill. "What Engagement?" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Began To Recover Himself,  Though He Looked Foolish Still. 
   With These Nervous Men It Is The First Plunge That Tells; Get That Over 
   And They Are Brave As Their Fellows. 
     
   "I Cannot Marry Two Women,  Lady Kirton,  And I Am Bound To Anne." 
     
   The Old Dowager's Voice Toned Down,  And She Pulled Her Black Feathers 
   Straight Upon Her Head. 
     
   "My Dear Hartledon,  I Don't Think You Know What You Are Talking About. 
   You Engaged Yourself To Maude Some Weeks Ago." 
     
   "Well--But--Whatever May Have Passed,  Engagement Or No Engagement,  I 
   Could Not Legally Do It," Returned The Unhappy Young Man,  Too Considerate 
   To Say The Engagement Was Hers,  Not His. "You Knew I Was Bound To Anne, 
   Lady Kirton." 
     
   "Bound To A Fiddlestick!" Said The Dowager. "Excuse My Plainness, 
   Hartledon. When You Engaged Yourself To The Young Woman You Were Poor And 
   A Nobody,  And The Step Was Perhaps Excusable. Lord Hartledon Is Not Bound 
   By The Promises Of Val Elster. All The Young Women In The Kingdom,  Who 
   Have Parsons For Fathers,  Could Not Oblige Him To Be So." 
     
   "I Am Bound To Her In Honour; And"--In Love He Was Going To Say,  But Let 
   The Words Die Away Unspoken. 
     
   "Hartledon,  You Are Bound In Honour To My Daughter; You Have Sought Her 
   Affections,  And Gained Them. Ah,  Percival,  Don't You Know That It Is You 
   She Has Loved All Along? In The Days When I Was Worrying Her About Your 
   Brother,  She Cared Only For You. You Cannot Be So Infamous As To Desert 
   Her." 
     
   "I Wish To Heaven She Had Never Seen Me!" Cried The Unfortunate Man, 
   Beginning To Wonder Whether He Could Break Through These Trammels. "I'd 
   Sacrifice Myself Willingly,  If That Would Put Things Straight." 
     
   "You Cannot Sacrifice Maude. Look At Her!" And The Crafty Old Dowager 
   Flourished Her Hand Towards The Fireplace,  Where Maude Stood In All Her 
   Beauty. "A Daughter Of The House Of Kirton Cannot Be Taken Up And Cast 
   Aside At Will. What Would The World Say Of Her?" 
     
   "The World Need Never Know." 
     
   "Not Know!" Shrieked The Dowager; "Not Know! Why,  Her Trousseau Is 
   Ordered,  And Some Of The Things Have Arrived. Good Heavens,  Hartledon, 
   You Dare Not Trifle With Maude In This Way. You Could Never Show Your 
   Face Amongst Men Again." 
     
   "But Neither Dare I Trifle With Anne Ashton," Said Lord Hartledon, 
   Completely Broken Down By The Gratuitous Information. He Saw That The 
   Situation Was Worse Than Even He Had Bargained For,  And All His 
   Irresolution Began To Return Upon Him. "If I Knew What Was Right 
   To Be Done,  I'm Sure I'd Do It." 
     
   "Right,  Did You Say? Right? There Cannot Be A Question About That. Which 
   Is The More Fitting To Grace Your Coronet: Maude,  Or A Country Parson's 
   Daughter?" 
     
   "I'm Sure If This Goes On I Shall Shoot Myself," Cried Val. "Taken To 
   Task At The Rectory,  Taken To Task Here--Shooting Would Be Bliss To It." 
     
   "No Doubt," Returned The Dowager. "It Can't Be A Very Pleasant Position 
   For You. Any One But You Would Get Out Of It,  And Set The Matter At 
   Rest." 
     
   "I Should Like To Know How." 
     
   "So Long As You Are A Single Man They Naturally Remain On The High Ropes 
   At The Rectory,  With Their Fine Visions For Anne--" 
     
   "I Wish You Would Understand Once For All,  Lady Kirton,  That The Ashtons 
   Are Our Equals In Every Way," He Interrupted: "And," He Added,  "In Worth 
   And Goodness Infinitely Our Superiors." 
     
   The Dowager Gave A Sniff. "You Think So,  I Know,  Hart. Well,  The Only 
   Plan To Bring You Peace Is This: Make Maude Your Wife. At Once; Without 
   Delay." 
     
   The Proposition Took Away Val's Breath. "I Could Not Do It,  Lady Kirton. 
   To Begin With,  They'd Bring An Action Against Me For Breach Of Promise." 
     
   "Breach Of Nonsense!" Wrathfully Returned The Dowager. "Was Ever Such 
   A Thing Heard Of Yet,  As A Doctor Of Divinity Bringing An Action Of That 
   Nature? He'd Lose His Gown." 
     
   "I Wish I Was At The Bottom Of A Deep Well,  Never To Come Up Again!" 
   Mentally Aspirated The Unfortunate Man. 
     
   "Will--You--Marry--Maude?" Demanded The Dowager,  With A Fixed 
   Denunciation In Every Word,  Which Was As So Much Slow Torture To Her 
   Victim. 
     
   "I Wish I Could. You Must See For Yourself,  Lady Kirton,  That I Cannot. 
   Maude Must See It." 
     
   "I See Nothing Of The Sort. You Are Bound To Her In Honour." 
     
   "All I Can Do Is To Remain Single To The End Of My Days," Said Val,  After 
   A Pause. "I Have Been A Great Villain To Both,  And I Cannot Repair It To 
   Either. The One Stands In The Way Of The Other." 
     
   "But--" 
     
   "I Beg Your Pardon,  Ma'am," He Interrupted,  So Peremptorily That The Old 
   Woman Trembled For Her Power. "This Is My Final Decision,  And I Will Not 
   Hear Another Word. I Feel Ready To Hang Myself,  As It Is. You Tell Me I 
   Cannot Marry Any Other Than Maude Without Being A Scoundrel; The Same 
   Thing Precisely Applies To Anne. I Shall Remain Single." 
     
   "You Will Give Me One Promise--For Maude's Sake. Not,  After This,  To 
   Marry Anne Ashton." 
     
   "Why,  How Can I Do It?" Asked He,  In Tones Of Exasperation. "Don't You 
   See That It Is Impossible? I Shall Not See The Ashtons Again,  Ma'am; I 
   Would Rather Go A Hundred Miles The Other Way Than Face Them." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Probably Deemed She Had Said Sufficient For Safety; 
   For She Went Out And Shut The Door After Her. Lord Hartledon Dashed His 
   Hair From His Brow With A Hasty Hand,  And Was About To Leave The Room By 
   The Other Door,  When Maude Came Up To Him. 
     
   "Is This To Be The End Of It,  Percival?" 
     
   She Spoke In Tones Of Pain,  Of Tremulous Tenderness; All Her Pride Gone 
   Out Of Her. Lord Hartledon Laid His Hand Upon Her Shoulder,  Meeting The 
   Dark Eyes That Were Raised To His Through Tears. 
     
   "Do You Indeed Love Me Like This,  Maude? Somehow I Never Thought It." 
     
   "I Love You Better Than The Whole World. I Love You Enough To Give Up 
   Everything For You." 
     
   The Emphasis Conveyed A Reproach--That He Did Not "Give Up Everything" 
   For Her. But Lord Hartledon Kept His Head For Once. 
     
   "Heaven Knows My Bitter Repentance. If I Could Repair This Folly Of Mine 
   By Any Sacrifice On My Own Part,  I Would Gladly Do It. Let Me Go,  Maude! 
   I Have Been Here Long Enough,  Unless I Were More Worthy. I Would Ask You 
   To Forgive Me If I Knew How To Frame The Petition." 
     
   She Released The Hand Of Which She Had Made A Prisoner--Released It With 
   A Movement Of Petulance; And Lord Hartledon Quitted The Room,  The Words 
   She Had Just Spoken Beating Their Refrain On His Brain. It Did Not Occur 
   To Him In His Gratified Vanity To Remember That Anne Ashton,  About Whose 
   Love There Could Be No Doubt,  Never Avowed It In Those Pretty Speeches. 
     
   "Well?" Said Mr. Carr,  When He Got Back To The Dining-Room. 
     
   "It Is Not Well,  Carr; It Is Ill. There Can Be No Release. The Old 
   Dowager Won't Have It." 
     
   "But Surely You Will Not Resign Miss Ashton For Lady Maude!" Cried The 
   Barrister,  After A Pause Of Amazement. 
     
   "I Resign Both; I See That I Cannot Do Anything Else In Honour. Excuse 
   Me,  Carr,  But I'd Rather Not Say Any More About It Just Now; I Feel Half 
   Maddened." 
     
   "Elster's Folly," Mentally Spoke Thomas Carr. 
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 17 (An Agreeable Wedding) 
     
   That Circumstances,  Combined With The Countess-Dowager,  Worked Terribly 
   Against Lord Hartledon,  Events Proved. Had The Ashtons Remained At The 
   Rectory All Might Have Been Well; But They Went Away,  And He Was Left To 
   Any Influence That Might Be Brought To Bear Upon Him. 
     
   How The Climax Was Accomplished The World Never Knew. Lord Hartledon 
   Himself Did Not Know The Whole Of It For A Long While. As If Unwilling To 
   Trust Himself Longer In Dangerous Companionship,  He Went Up To Town With 
   Thomas Carr. Whilst There He Received A Letter From Cannes,  Written By 
   Dr. Ashton; A Letter That Angered Him. 
     
   It Was A Cool Letter,  A Vein Of Contemptuous Anger Running Through It; 
   Meant To Be Hidden,  But Nevertheless Perceptible To Lord Hartledon. Its 
   Purport Was To Forbid All Correspondence Between Him And Miss Ashton: 
   Things Had Better "Remain In Abeyance" Until They Met,  Ran The Words, 
   "If Indeed Any Relations Were Ever Renewed Between Them Again." 
     
   It Might Have Angered Lord Hartledon More Than It Did,  But For The 
   Hopelessness Which Had Taken Up Its Abode Within Him. Nevertheless He 
   Resented It. He Did Not Suppose It Possible That The Ashtons Could Have 
   Heard Of The Dilemma He Was In,  Or That He Should Be Unable To Fulfil His 
   Engagement With Anne,  Having With His Usual Vacillation Put Off Any 
   Explanation With Them; Which Of Course Must Come Sometime. He Had Taken 
   An Idea Into His Head Long Before,  That Dr. Ashton Wished To Part Them, 
   And He Looked Upon The Letter As Resulting From That. Hartledon Was 
   Feeling Weary Of The World. 
     
   How Little Did He Divine That The Letter Of The Doctor Was Called Forth 
   By A Communication From The Countess-Dowager. An Artful Communication, 
   With A Charming Candour Lying On Its Surface. She Asked--She Actually 
   Asked That Dr. Ashton Would Allow "Fair Play;" She Said The "Deepest 
   Affection" Had Grown Up Between Lord Hartledon And Lady Maude; And She 
   Only Craved That The Young Man Might Not Be Coerced Either Way,  But Might 
   Be Allowed To Choose Between Them. The Field After Miss Ashton's Return 
   Would Be Open To The Two,  And Ought To Be Left So. 
     
   You May Imagine The Effect This Missive Produced Upon The Proud, 
   High-Minded Doctor Of Divinity. He Took A Sheet Of Paper And Wrote A 
   Stinging Letter To Lord Hartledon,  Forbidding Him To Think Again Of Anne. 
   But When He Was In The Aup Plots Of The Exquisite Shepherd's Thyme, 
   Which Carpets The Place With Blue! 
     
   Yesterday We Drove By Stonehenge To Winterbourne Stoke. It Was 
   Glaring,  And I Could Not Do Much Sketching,  But The Drive Over The 
   Downs Was Like Drinking In Life At Some Primeval Spring. (And This 
   Though The Wind Did Give Me Acute Neuralgia In My Right Eye,  But Yet 
   The Air Was So Exquisitely Refreshing That I Could Cover My Eye With A 
   Handkerchief And Still Enjoy!) The Charm Of These Unhedged,  Unbounded, 
   Un-"Cabined,  Cribbed,  Confined" _Prairies_ Is All Their Own,  And Very 
   Perfect! And _Such_ Flowers _Enamel_ (It _Is_ A Good Simile In Spite 
   Of Alphonse Karr!) The Close Fine Grass! The Pale-Yellow Rock Cistus 
   In Clumps,  The Blue "Shepherd's Thyme" In Tracts Of Colour,  Sweet 
   Little Purple-Capped Orchids,  Spireas And Burnets,  And Everywhere "The 
   Golden Buttercup" In Sheets Of Gleaming Yellow,  And The Soft Wind 
   Blows And Blows,  And The Black-Nosed Sheep Come Up The Leas,  And I 
   Drink In The Breeze! Oh,  Those Flocks Of Black-Faced Lambs And Sheep 
   Are Too-Too! And I Must Tell You That The Old Wiltshire 
   "Ship-Dog" Is Nearly Extinct. I Regret To Say That He Is Not Found 
   Equal To "The Scotch" In Business Habits,  And One See Collies 
   Everywhere Now.... 
     
     
     
     
   _London._ June 29,  1882. 
     
     
     
     
           
     
   I Had A Great Treat Last Sunday. One You And I Will Share When You 
   Come Home. D.,  U.,  And I Took Jack To Church At The Chelsea Hospital, 
   And We Went Round The Pensioners' Rooms,  Kitchen,  Sick-Wards,  Etc. 
   Afterwards,  With Old Sir Patrick Grant And Col. Wadeson,  V.C. (Govr. 
   And Lieut.-Govr.),  And A Lot Of Other People. 
     
   It Is An Odd,  Perhaps A Savage,  Mixture Of Emotions,  To Kneel At One's 
   Prayers With Some _Pride_ Under Fourteen French Flags--_Captured_ 
   (Including One Of Napoleon's While He Was Still Consul,  With A Red Cap 
   Of Liberty As Big As Your Hat!),  And Hard By The Five Bare 
   Staves From Which The Five Standards Taken At Blenheim Have 
   Rotted To Dust!--And Then To Pass Under The Great Russian Standard 
   (Twenty Feet Square,  I Should Say!) That Is Festooned Above The Door 
   Of The Big Hall. If Rule Britannia Is Humbug--And We Are Mere 
   Philistine Braggarts--Why Doesn't Cook Organize A Tour To Some German 
   Or Other City,  Where We Can Sit Under Fourteen Captured British 
   Colours,  And Be Disillusioned Once For All!!! Where Is The Hospital 
   Whose Walls Are Simply Decorated Like Some Lord Mayor's Show With 
   Trophies Taken From Us And From Every Corner Of The World? (You Know 
   Lady Grant Was In The Action At Chillianwallah And Has The Medal?) We 
   Saw Two Waterloo Men,  And Jack Was Handed About From One Old Veteran 
   To Another Like A Toy. "Grow Up A Brave Man," They Said,  Over And Over 
   Again. But "The Officer," As He Called Colonel Wadeson,  Was His Chief 
   Pride,  He Being In Full Uniform And Cocked Hat!! 
     
   And I Must Tell You--In The Sick Ward I Saw A Young Man,  Fair-Curled, 
   Broad-Chested,  Whose Face Seemed Familiar. He Was With Captain 
   Cleather At The Aldershot Gym.,  Fell,  And Is "Going Home"--Slowly,  And 
   With Every Comfort And Kindness About Him,  But Of Spinal Paralysis. 
   It _Did_ Seem Hard Lines! He Was At The Amesbury March Past,  And We 
   Had A Long Chat About It. 
     
          
     
     
     
     
   July 21,  1882. 
     
     
     
     
          
     
   I Cannot Tell You How It Pleases Me That You Liked The Bit About 
   Aldershot In "Laetus." I Hope That It Must Have _Grated_ Very Much If I 
   Had Done It Badly Or Out Of Taste,  On Any One Who Knows It As Well As 
   You Do; And That Its Moving Your Sympathies Does Mean That I Have Done 
   It Pretty Well. I Cannot Tell You The Pains I Expended On It! All 
   Those Sentences About The Camp Were Written In Scraps And Corrected 
   For Sense And Euphony,  Etc.,  Etc.,  Bit By Bit,  Like "Jackanapes"!!! 
   Did I Tell You About "Tuck Of Drum"? Several People Who Saw The Proof, 
   Pitched Into Me,  "Never Heard Of Such An Expression." I Was Convinced 
   I Knew It,  And As I Said,  As A _Poetical_ Phrase; But I Could Not 
   Charge My Memory With The Quotatt Delicate In Health. Lord Hartledon Was 
   Grieved For His Accident,  And Helped To Nurse Him With The Best Heart 
   In The World. 
     
   And Now What Devilry (There Were People In Calne Who Called It Nothing 
   Less) The Old Countess-Dowager Set Afloat To Secure Her Ends I Am Unable 
   To Tell You. She Was A Perfectly Unscrupulous Woman--Poverty Had Rendered 
   Her Wits Keen; And Her Captured Lion Was Only Feebly Struggling To Escape 
   From The Net. He Was To Blame Also. Thrown Again Into The Society Of 
   Maude And Her Beauty,  Val Basked In Its Sunshine,  And Went Drifting Down 
   The Stream,  Never Heeding Where The Current Led Him. One Day The 
   Countess-Dowager Put It Upon His Honour--He Must Marry Maude. He Might 
   Have Held Out Longer But For A Letter That Came From Some Friend Of The 
   Dowager's Opportunely Located At Cannes; A Letter That Spoke Of The 
   Approaching Marriage Of Miss Ashton To Colonel Barnaby,  Eldest Son Of A 
   Wealthy Old Baronet,  Who Was Sojourning There With His Mother. No Doubt 
   Was Implied Or Expressed; The Marriage Was Set Forth As An Assured Fact. 
     
   "And I Believe You Meant To Wait For Her?" Said The Countess-Dowager,  As 
   She Put The Letter Into His Hand,  With A Little Laugh. "You Are Free Now 
   For My Darling Maude." 
     
   "This May Not Be True," Observed Lord Hartledon,  With Compressed Lips. 
   "Every One Knows What This Sort Of Gossip Is Worth." 
     
   "I Happen To Know That It Is True," Spoke Lady Kirton,  In A Whisper. "I 
   Have Known Of It For Some Time Past,  But Would Not Vex You With It." 
     
   Well,  She Convinced Him; And From That Moment Had It All Her Own Way,  And 
   Carried Out Her Plots And Plans According To Her Own Crafty Fancy. Lord 
   Hartledon Yielded; For The Ascendency Of Maude Was Strong Upon Him. And 
   Yet--And Yet--Whilst He Gave All Sorts Of Hard Names To Anne Ashton's 
   Perfidy,  Lying Down Deep In His Heart Was A Suspicion That The News Was 
   Not True. How He Hated Himself For His Wicked Assumption Of Belief In 
   After-Years! 
     
   "You Will Be Free As Air," Said The Dowager,  Joyously. "You And Maude 
   Shall Get Ahead Of Miss Ashton And Her Colonel,  And Have The Laugh At 
   Them. The Marriage Shall Be On Saturday,  And You Can Go Away Together For 
   Months If You Like,  And Get Up Your Spirits Again; I'm Sure You Have Both 
   Been Dull Enough." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Was Certainly Caught By The Words "Free As Air;" As He Had 
   Been Once Before. But He Stared At The Early Day Mentioned. 
     
   "Marriages Can't Be Got Up As Soon As That." 
     
   "They Can Be Got Up In A Day If People Choose,  With A Special License; 
   Which,  Of Course,  You Will Have," Said The Dowager. "I'll Arrange Things, 
   My Dear Val; Leave It All To Me. I Intend Maude To Be Married In The 
   Little Chapel." 
     
   "What Little Chapel?" 
     
   "Your Own Private Chapel." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Stared With All His Eyes. The Private Chapel,  Built Out 
   From The House On The Side Next Calne,  Had Not Been Used For Years And 
   Years. 
     
   "Why,  It's All Dust And Rust Inside; Its Cushions Moth-Eaten And Fallen 
   To Pieces." 
     
   "Is It All Dust And Rust!" Returned The Dowager. "That Shows How 
   Observant You Are. I Had It Put In Order Whilst You Were In London; It 
   Was A Shame To Let A Sacred Place Remain In Such A State. I Should Like 
   It To Be Used For Maude; And Mind,  I'll See To Everything; You Need Not 
   Give Yourself Any Trouble At All. There's Only One Thing I Must Enjoin 
   On You." 
     
   "What's That?" 
     
   "_Secrecy._ Don't Let A Hint Of Your Intentions Get Abroad. Whatever You 
   Do,  Don't Write A Word To That Carr Friend Of Yours; He's As Sharp As A 
   Two-Edged Sword. As Well Let Things Be Done Privately; It Is Maude's 
   Wish." 
     
   "I Shall Not Write To Him," Cried Hartledon,  Feeling A Sudden Heat Upon 
   His Face,  "Or To Any One Else." 
     
   "Here's Maude. Step This Way,  Maude. Hartledon Wants The Ceremony To Take 
   Place On Saturday,  And I Have Promised For You." 
     
   Lady Maude Advanced; She Had Really Come In By Accident; Her Head Was 
   Bent,  Her Eyelashes Rested On Her Flushed Cheeks. A Fair Prize; Very, 
   Very Fair! The Old Dowager Put Her Hand Into Lord Hartledon's. 
     
   "You Will Love Her And Cherish Her,  Percival?" 
     
   What Was The Young Man To Do? He Murmured Some Unintelligible Assent,  And 
   Bent Forward To Kiss Her. But Not Until That Moment Had He Positively 
   Realized The Fact That There Would Be Any Marriage. 
     
   Time Went On Swimmingly Until The Saturday,  And Everything Was In 
   Progress. The Old Dowager Deserved To Be Made Commander Of A Garrison For 
   Her Comprehensive Strategy,  The Readiness And Skill She Displayed In 
   Carrying Out Her Arrangements. For What Reason,  Perhaps She Could Not 
   Have Explained To Herself; But An Instinct Was Upon Her That Secrecy In 
   All Ways Was Necessary; At Any Rate,  She Felt Surer Of Success Whilst 
   It Was Maintained. Hence Her Decision In Regard To The Unused Little 
   Chapel; And That This One Particular Portion Of The Project Had Been Long 
   Floating In Her Mind Was Proved By The Fact That She Had Previously 
   Caused The Chapel To Be Renovated. But That It Was To Serve Her Own Turn, 
   She Would Have Let It Remain Choked Up With Dust For Ever. 
     
   The Special License Had Arrived; The Young Clergyman Who Was To Perform 
   The Service Was Located At Hartledon. Seven O'clock Was The Hour Fixed 
   For The Marriage: It Would Be Twilight Then,  And Dinner Over. Immediately 
   Afterwards The Bride And Bridegroom Were To Depart. So Far,  So Good. But 
   Lady Kirton Was Not To Have It Quite Her Own Way On This Same Saturday, 
   Although She Had Enjoyed It Hitherto. 
     
   A Rumour Reached Her Ears In The Afternoon That Dr. Ashton Was At The 
   Rectory. The Doctor Had Been Spending Easter At Cannes,  And The Dowager 
   Had Devoutly Prayed That He Might Not Yet Return. The News Turned Her 
   Cheeks Blue And Yellow; A Prevision Rushing Over Her That If He And Lord 
   Hartledon Met There Might Be No Wedding After All. She Did Her Best To 
   Keep Lord Hartledon Indoors,  And The Fact Of The Rector's Return From 
   Him. 
     
   Now Who Is Going To Defend Lord Hartledon? Not You Or I. More Foolish, 
   More Culpable Weakness Was Never Shown Than In Thus Yielding To These 
   Schemes. Though Ensnared By Maude's Beauty,  That Was No Excuse For Him. 
     
   An Accident--Or What May Be Called One--Delayed Dinner. Two County 
   Friends Of Hartledon's,  Jolly Fox-Hunters In The Season,  Had Come Riding 
   A Long Way Across Country,  And Looked In To Beg Some Refreshment. The 
   Dowager Fumed,  And Was Not Decently Civil; But She Did Not See Her Way To 
   Turning Them Out. 
     
   They Talked And Laughed And Ate; And Dinner Was Indefinitely Prolonged. 
   When The Dowager And Lady Maude Rose From Table The Former Cast A Meaning 
   Look At Lord Hartledon. "Get Rid Of Them As Soon As You Can," It Plainly 
   Said. 
     
   But The Fox-Hunters Liked Good Drinking As Well As Good Eating,  And Sat 
   On,  Enjoying Their Wine; Their Host,  One Of The Most Courteous Of Living 
   Men,  Giving No Sign,  By Word Or Look,  That He Wished For Their Departure. 
   He Was Rather Silent,  They Observed; But The Young Clergyman,  Who Made 
   The Fourth At The Table,  Was Voluble By Nature. Captain Kirton Had Not 
   Yet Left His Sick Bed. 
     
   Lady Maude Sat Alone In Her Room; The White Robes Upon Her,  The Orthodox 
   Veil,  Meant To Shade Her Fair Face Thrown Back From It. She Had Sent Away 
   Her Attendants,  Bolted The Door Against Her Mother,  And Sat Waiting Her 
   Summons. Waiting And Thinking. Her Cheek Rested On Her Hand,  And Her 
   Eyes Were Dreamy. 
     
   Is It True That Whenever We Are About To Do An Ill Or Unjust Deed A 
   Shadow Of The Fruits It Will Bring Comes Over Us As A Warning? Some 
   People Will Tell You So. A Vision Of The Future Seemed To Rest On Maude 
   Kirton As She Sat There; And For The First Time All The Injustice Of The 
   Approaching Act Rose In Her Mind As A Solemn Omen. The True Facts Were 
   Terribly Distinct. Her Own Dislike (It Was Indeed No Less Than Dislike) 
   Of The Living Lord,  Her Lasting Love For The Dead One. All The Miserable 
   Stratagems They Had Been Guilty Of To Win Him; The Dishonest Plotting And 
   Planning. What Was She About To Do? For Her Own Advancement,  To Secure 
   Herself A Position In The Great World,  And Not For Love,  She Was About To 
   Separate Two Hearts,  Which But For Her Would Have Been United In This 
   World And The Next. She Was Thrusting Herself Upon Lord Hartledon, 
   Knowing That In His True Heart It Was Another That He Loved,  Not Her. 
   Yes,  She Knew That Full Well. He Admired Her Beauty,  And Was Marrying 
   Her; Marrying Partly In Pique Against Anne Ashton; Partly In Blindfold 
   Submission To The Deep Schemes Of Her Mother,  Brought To Bear On His 
   Yielding Nature. All The Injustice Done To Anne Ashton Was In That Moment 
   Beating Its Refrain Upon Her Heart; And A Thought Crossed Her--Would God 
   Not Avenge It? Another Time She Might Have Smiled At The Thought As 
   Fanciful: It Seemed Awfully Real Now. "I Might Give Val Up Yet," She 
   Murmured; "There's Just Time." 
     
   She Did Not Act Upon The Suggestion. Whether It Was Her Warning,  Or 
   Whether It Was Not,  She Allowed It To Slip From Her. Hartledon's Broad 
   Lands And Coronet Resumed Their Fascination Over Her Soul; And When Her 
   Door Was Tried,  Lady Maude Had Lost Herself In That Famous Spanish 
   Chateau We Have All Occupied On Occasion,  Touching The Alterations She 
   Had Mentally Planned In Their Town-House. 
     
   "Goodness,  Maude,  What Do You Lock Yourself In For?" 
     
   Maude Opened The Door,  And The Countess-Dowager Floundered In. She Was 
   Resplendent In One Of Her Old Yellow Satin Gowns,  A White Turban With A 
   Silver Feather,  And A Pink Scarf Thrown On For Ornament. The Colours 
   Would No Doubt Blend Well By Candlelight. 
     
   "Come,  Maude. There's No Time To Be Lost." 
     
   "Are The Men Gone?" 
     
   "Yes,  They Are Gone; No Thanks To Hartledon,  Though. He Sat Mooning On, 
   Never Giving Them The Least Hint To Depart. Priddon Told Me So. I'll Tell 
   You What It Is,  Maude,  You'll Have To Shake Your Husband Out Of No End Of 
   Ridiculous Habits." 
     
   "It Is Growing Dark," Exclaimed Maude,  As She Stepped Into The Corridor. 
     
   "Dark! Of Course It's Dark," Was The Irascible Answer; "And They Have Had 
   To Light Up The Chapel,  Or Priddon Couldn't Have Seen To Read His Book. 
   And All Through Those Confounded Fox-Hunters!" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Was Not In The Drawing-Room,  Where Lady Kirton Had Left 
   Him Only A Minute Before; And She Looked Round Sharply. 
     
   "Has He Gone On To The Chapel?" She Asked Of The Young Clergyman. 
     
   "No,  I Think Not," Replied Mr. Priddon,  Who Was Already In His 
   Canonicals. "Hedges Came In And Said Something To Him,  And They Went Out 
   Together." 
     
   A Minute Or Two Of Impatience--She Was In No Mood To Wait Long--And Then 
   She Rang The Bell. It Should Be Remarked That The Old Lady,  Either From 
   Excitement Or Some Apprehension Of Failure,  Was Shaking And Jumping As If 
   She Had St. Vitus's Dance. Hedges Came In. 
     
   "Where's Your Master?" She Tartly Asked. 
     
   "With Mr. Carr,  My Lady." 
     
   "With Mr.--What Did You Say?" 
     
   "My Lord Is With Mr. Carr. He Has Just Arrived." 
     
   A Moment Given To Startled Consternation And Then The Fury Broke Forth. 
   The Young Parson Had Never Had The Pleasure Of Seeing One Of These 
   War-Dances Before,  And Backed Against The Wall In His Starched Surplice. 
     
   "What Brings Him Here? How Dare He Come Uninvited?" 
     
   "I Heard Him Say,  My Lady,  That Finding He Had A Sunday To Spare,  He 
   Thought He Would Come And Pass It At Hartledon," Said The Well-Trained 
   Hedges. 
     
   Ere The Words Had Left His Lips Lord Hartledon And Mr. Carr Were Present; 
   The Latter In A State Of Utter Amazement And In His Travelling Dress, 
   Having Only Removed His Overcoat. 
     
   "You'll Be My Groomsman,  Carr," Said Hartledon. "We Have No Adherents; 
   This Is A Strictly Private Affair." 
     
   "Did You Send For Mr. Carr?" Whispered The Countess-Dowager,  Looking 
   White Through Her Rouge. 
     
   "No; His Coming Has Taken Me By Surprise," Replied Hartledon,  With A 
   Nervousness He Could Not Wholly Conceal. 
     
   They Passed Rapidly Through The Passages,  Marshalled By Hedges. Lord 
   Hartledon Led His Bride,  The Countess-Dowager Walked With The Clergyman, 
   And Mr. Carr Brought Up The Rear. The Latter Gentleman Was Wondering 
   Whether He Had Fallen Into A Dream That He Should Wake Up From In The 
   Morning. The Mode Of Procession Was A Little Out Of The Common Order Of 
   Such Affairs; But So Was The Marriage. 
     
   Now It Happened,  Not Very Long Before This,  That Dr. Ashton Was On His 
   Way Home From A Visit To A Sick Parishioner--A Poor Man,  Who Said He 
   Believed Life Had Been Prolonged In Him That His Many Years' Minister 
   Should Be At His Deathbed. Dr. Ashton's Road Lay Beyond Hartledon,  And 
   In Returning He Crossed The Road,  Which Brought Him Out Near The River, 
   Between Hartledon And The Rectory. Happening To Cast His Eyes That Way, 
   He Saw A Light Where He Had Never Seen One Before--In The Little Unused 
   Chapel. Peering Through The Trees At The Two Low Diamond-Paned Windows, 
   To Make Sure He Was Not Mistaken,  Dr. Ashton Quickened His Pace: His 
   Thoughts Glancing At Fire. 
     
   He Was Well Acquainted With Hartledon; And Making His Way In By The 
   Nearest Entrance,  He Dashed Along The Passages To The Chapel,  Meeting At 
   Length One Of The Servants. 
     
   "John," He Panted,  Quite Out Of Breath With Hurrying,  "There's A Light In 
   The Chapel. I Fear It Is On Fire." 
     
   "Not At All,  Sir," Replied The Man. "We Have Been Lighting It Up For My 
   Lord's Marriage. They Have Just Gone In." 
     
   "Lighting It Up For What?" Exclaimed Dr. Ashton. 
     
   "For My Lord's Marriage,  Sir. He's Marrying Lady Maude. It's The Old 
   Dowager,  Sir,  Who Has Got It Up In This Queer Way," Continued The Man, 
   Venturing On A Little Confidential Gossip With His Rector. 
     
   Dr. Ashton Paused To Collect His Wits Ere He Walked Into The Chapel. The 
   Few Wax-Candles The Servants Had Been Able To Put About Only Served To 
   Make The Gloom Visible. The Party Were Taking Their Places,  The Young 
   Clergyman Directing Them Where To Stand. He Opened His Book And Was 
   Commencing,  When A Hand Was Laid Upon Hartledon's Shoulder. 
     
   "Lord Hartledon,  What Is The Meaning Of This?" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Recognised The Voice,  And Broke Into A Cold Perspiration. 
   He Gave No Answer; But The Countess-Dowager Made Up For His Silence. Her 
   Temper,  None Of The Mildest,  Had Been Considerably Exasperated By The 
   Visit Of The Fox-Hunters; It Was Made Worse By The Arrival Of Mr. Carr. 
   When She Turned And Saw What _This_ Formidable Interruption Was,  She Lost 
   It Altogether,  As Few,  Calling Themselves Gentlewomen,  Can Lose It. As 
   She Peered Into The Face Of Dr. Ashton,  Her Own Was Scarlet And Yellow, 
   And Her Voice Rose To A Shriek. 
     
   "You Prying Parson,  Where Did You Spring From? Are You Not Ashamed 
   To Dodge Lord Hartledon In His Own House? You Might Be Taken Up And 
   Imprisoned For It." 
     
   "Lord Hartledon," Said Dr. Ashton,  "I--" 
     
   "How Dare You Persist,  I Ask You?" Shrieked The Old Woman,  Whilst 
   The Young Clergyman Stood Aghast,  And Mr. Carr Folded His Arms,  And 
   Resolutely Fixed His Eyes On The Floor. "Because Hartledon Once Had A 
   Flirtation With Your Daughter,  Does That Give You Leave To Haunt Him As 
   If You Were His Double?" 
     
   "Madam," Said Dr. Ashton,  Contriving Still To Subdue His Anger,  "I Must, 
   I Will Speak To Lord Hartledon. Allow Me To Do So Without Disturbance. 
   Lord Hartledon,  I Wait For An Answer: Are You About To Marry This Young 
   Lady?" 
     
   "Yes,  He Is," Foamed The Dowager; "I Tell You So. Now Then?" 
     
   "Then,  Madam," Proceeded The Doctor,  "This Marriage Owes Its Rise To You. 
   You Will Do Well To Consider Whether You Are Doing Them A Kindness Or An 
   Injury In Permitting It. You Have Deliberately Set Yourself To Frustrate 
   The Hopes Of Lord Hartledon And My Daughter: Will A Marriage,  Thus 
   Treacherously Entered Into,  Bring Happiness With It?" 
     
   "Oh,  You Wicked Man!" Cried The Dowager. "You Would Like To Call A Curse 
   Upon Them." 
     
   "No," Shuddered Dr. Ashton; "If A Curse Ever Attends Them,  It Will Not 
   Be Through Any Wish Of Mine. Lord Hartledon,  I Knew You As A Boy; I Have 
   Loved You As A Son; And If I Speak Now,  It Is As Your Pastor,  And For 
   Your Own Sake. This Marriage Looks Very Like A Clandestine One,  As Though 
   You Were Ashamed Of The Step You Are Taking,  And Dared Not Enter On It In 
   The Clear Face Of Day. I Would Have You Consider That This Sort Of 
   Proceeding Does Not Usually Bring A Blessing With It." 
     
   If Ever Val Felt Convicted Of Utter Cowardice,  He Felt So Then. All The 
   Wretched Sophistry By Which He Had Been Beguiled Into The Step,  By Which 
   He Had Beguiled Himself; All The Iniquity Of His Past Conduct To Miss 
   Ashton,  Rose Up Before His Mind In Its Naked Truth. He Dared Not Reply To 
   The Doctor For Very Shame. A Sorry Figure He Cut,  Standing There,  Lady 
   Maude Beside Him. 
     
   "The Last Time You Entered My House,  Lord Hartledon,  It Was To Speak Of 
   Your Coming Marriage With Anne--" 
     
   "And You Would Like Him To Go There Again And Arrange It," Interrupted 
   The Incensed Dowager,  Whose Head Had Begun To Nod So Vehemently That She 
   Could Not Stop It. "Oh Yes,  I Dare Say!" 
     
   "By What Right Have You Thus Trifled With Her?" Continued The Rector, 
   Ignoring The Nodding Woman And Her Words,  And Confronting Lord Hartledon. 
   "Is It A Light Matter,  Think You,  To Gain A Maiden's Best Love,  And Then 
   To Desert Her For A Fresh Face? You Have Been Playing Fast-And-Loose For 
   Some Little Time: And I Gave You More Than One Opportunity Of Retiring, 
   If You So Willed It--Of Openly Retiring,  You Understand; Not Of Doing So 
   In This Secret,  Disreputable Manner. Your Conscience Will Prick You In 
   After-Life,  Unless I Am Mistaken." 
     
   Val Opened His Lips,  But The Rector Put Up His Hand. 
     
   "A Moment Yet. That I Am Not Endeavouring To Recall Anne's Claims On You 
   In Saying This,  I Am Sure You Are Perfectly Aware,  Knowing Me As You Do. 
   I Never Deemed You Worthy Of Her--You Know That,  Lord Hartledon; And You 
   Never Were So. Were You A Free Man At This Moment,  And Went Down On Your 
   Knees To Implore Me To Give You Anne,  I Would Not Do It. You Have 
   Forfeited Her; You Have Forfeited The Esteem Of All Good Men. But That 
   I Am A Christian Minister,  I Should Visit Your Dishonour Upon You As You 
   Deserve." 
     
   "Will You Cease?" Raved The Dowager; And Dr. Ashton Wheeled Round Upon 
   Her. 
     
   "There Is Less Excuse For Your Past Conduct,  Madam,  Than For His. You 
   Have Played On Lord Hartledon's Known Irresolution To Mould Him To Your 
   Will. I See Now The Aim Of The Letter You Favoured Me With At Cannes, 
   When You Requested,  With So Much Candour,  That He Might Be Left For A 
   Time Unfettered By Any Correspondence With Miss Ashton. Well,  You Have 
   Obtained Your Ends. Your Covetous Wish That You And Your Daughter Should 
   Reign At Hartledon Is On The Point Of Being Gratified. The Honour Of 
   Marrying Lady Maude Was Intended Both By You And Her For The Late Lord 
   Hartledon. Failing Him,  You Transferred Your Hopes To The Present One, 
   Regardless Of Who Suffered,  Or What Hearts Or Honour Might Be Broken In 
   The Process." 
     
   "Will Nobody Put This Disreputable Parson Outside?" Raved The Dowager. 
     
   "I Do Not Seek To Bring Reproach Home To You; Let That,  Ladies,  Lie 
   Between Yourselves And Conscience. I Only Draw Your Attention To The 
   Facts; Which Have Been Sufficiently Patent To The World,  Whatever Lord 
   Hartledon May Think. And Now I Have Said My Say,  And Leave You; But I 
   Declare That Were I Performing This Burlesque Of A Marriage,  As That 
   Young Clergyman Is About To Do,  I Should Feel My Prayers For The Divine 
   Blessing To Attend It Were But A Vain Mockery." 
     
   He Turned To Leave The Chapel With Quick Steps,  When Lord Hartledon, 
   Shaking Off Maude,  Darted Forward And Caught His Arm. 
     
   "You Will Tell Me One Thing At Least: Is Anne _Not_ Going To Marry 
   Colonel Barnaby?" 
     
   "Sir!" Thundered The Doctor. "Going To Marry _Whom_?" 
     
   "I Heard It," He Faltered. "I Believed It To Be The Truth." 
     
   "You May Have Heard It,  But You Did Not Believe It,  Lord Hartledon. You 
   Knew Anne Better. Do Not Add This False Excuse To The Rest." 
     
   Pleasant! Infinitely So For The Bridegroom's Tingling Ears. Dr. Ashton 
   Walked Out Of The Chapel,  And Val Stood For A Few Moments Where He Was, 
   Looking Up And Down In The Dim Light. It Might Be That In His Mental 
   Confusion He Was Deliberating What His Course Should Be; But Thought And 
   Common Sense Came To Him,  And He Knew He Could Not Desert Lady Maude, 
   Having Brought Matters So Far To An End. 
     
   "Proceed," He Said To The Young Clergyman,  Stalking Back To The Altar. 
   "Get--It--Over Quickly." 
     
   Mr. Carr Unfolded H 
   Have Her Eyes _Down_,  And The Children Must Kneel _Imitating Her_,  And 
   I Should Like An Old _Brass_ On The Wall Above Them With One Of Those 
   Queer Old Kneeling Families In Ruffs. 
     
   For 2,  I Said I Could Not Introduce Child Readers To The Cells,  And I 
   Begged For An Old Chelsea Pensioner Showing His Good Conduct Medal To 
   A Little Boy. 
     
   3. I Suggested The Tomb Of A Knight Crusader,  Above Which Should Fall 
   A Torn Banner With The Words,  "In Coelo Quies." 
     
   Now If He Had Kicked At Having Three Pictures To Do Utterly Over 
   Again,  One Could Hardly Have Wondered,  Pressed As He Is. But,  Back 
   They Came! "I Am Indeed Much Indebted To You," The Worst He Had To 
   Say! The Lady In No. 1 Now _Is_ A Lady; And As To The Other Two,  They 
   Will Be Two Of The Best Pages Of The Book. Old Pensioner First-Rate, 
   And Crusader Under Torn Banner Just Leaving "Coelo Quies," A Tomb 
   Behind "Of S. Ambrose Of Milan" With A Little Dog--And A 
   Snowy-Moustached Old General,  With Bending Shoulders And Holding A 
   Little Girl By The Hand,  Paying _Devoir_ At The Departed Warrior's 
   Tomb In A Ray Of Rosy Sunlight!! 
     
   This Is The Sort Of Way We Are Fighting Through The Ewing-Andre Books. 
     
        
     
     
     
     
   _Ecclesfield._ January 10,  1883. 
     
     
     
     
           
     
   Fancy Me "Learning A Part" Again! _That_ Has A Sort Of Sound Like Old 
   Times,  Hasn't It? 
     
   I Feel Half As If I Were A Fool,  And Half As If It Would Be Very Good 
   Fun! R.A. Theatricals At Shoeburyness. The Foxstrangways Have Asked 
   Me. Major O'callaghan Is Stage Manager I Believe. Then There Is A 
   Major Newall,  Said To Be Very Good. He Says He "Has A Fancy To Play 'A 
   Happy Pair' With Me!" It Is His _Cheval De Bataille_ I Believe. 
     
   I Think It Is Best To Try And Do What One Is _Asked_ Over Parts 
   (Though They Were Very Polite In Offering Me A Choice),  So I Said I 
   Would Try,  And Am Learning It. I Think I Shall Manage It. They Now 
   Want Me To Take "A Rough Diamond" As Well,  _Margery_. I Doubt Its 
   Being Wise To Attempt Both. It Will Be Rather A Strain,  I Think. 
     
           
     
     
     
     
   _Shoeburyness._ January 25,  1883. 
     
     
     
     
           
     
   I Am Playing Mrs. Honeyton In "A Happy Pair" With Major Newall. He 
   Knows His Work Well,  Is A Good Coach,  And Very Considerate And Kind. 
     
   In My Soul I Wish That Were All,  But They Have Persuaded Me Also To 
   Take Margery In "A Rough Diamond," And Getting That Up In A 
   Week Is "Rough On" A Mediocre Amateur Like Myself! 
     
   This Is A _Curious_ Place. Very Nice,  Bar The East Winds. I Have Been 
   Down On The Shore This Morning. The Water Sobs At Your Feet,  And The 
   Ships And The Gulls Go Up And Down. Above,  A Compact Little Military 
   Station Clusters Together,  And Everywhere Are Guns,  Guns,  Guns; Old 
   Guns Lying In The Grass,  New Guns Shattering The Windows,  And Only 
   _Not_ Bringing Down The Plaster Because The Rooms Are Ceiled With Wood 
   "For The Same Purpose."... 
     
     
     
     
   To Mrs. Jelf. 
     
   Sunday,  April 1883. 
     
     
     
     
   My Dearest Marny, 
     
   I Must Write A Line To You About Your Poor Friends! It Is The 
   Tragedy Of This War! Very Terrible. I Hope The Bitterness Of Death Was 
   _Short_,  And To Gallant Spirits Like Theirs Hope And Courage Probably 
   Supported Them Till The Very Last,  When Higher Hopes Helped Them To 
   Undo Their Grasp On This Life. 
     
   In The Dying--They Suffered Far Less Than Most Of Us Will Probably 
   Suffer In Our Beds--But To Be At The Fullest Stretch Of Manly Powers 
   In The Service Of Their Country Among The World's Hopes And Fears And 
   Turmoils,  And To Be Suddenly Called Upon To "Leave All And Follow 
   Christ"--When The "All" For Them Had Most Righteously Got Every Force 
   Of Mind And Body Devoted To It--Must Be At Least One Hard Struggle. 
   And Death Away From Home Does Seem So Terrible! 
     
   Richard Will Feel It Very Much. That Nottingham Election Seems So 
   Short A Time Ago. 
     
           
     
   Back From Church! Great Haste. We Have Had That Grand Hymn With-- 
     
   "Soon,  Soon To Faithful Warriors Comes Their Rest." 
     
   I Did Not Fo We Ha For The Morrow's Services. 
     
   "If You Please,  My Lady,  Captain Kirton Has Been Asking For You Once Or 
   Twice," Said Hedges,  Entering The Dowager's Private Sitting-Room. 
     
   "Then Captain Kirton Must Ask," Retorted The Dowager,  Who Was Sitting 
   Down To Her Letters,  Which She Had Left Unopened Since Their Arrival In 
   The Morning,  In Her Anxiety For Other Interests. "Hedges,  I Should Like 
   Some Supper: I Had Only A Scrambling Sort Of Dinner. You Can Bring It Up 
   Here. Something Nice; And A Bottle Of Champagne." 
     
   Hedges Withdrew With The Order,  And Lady Kirton Applied Herself To Her 
   Letters. The First She Opened Was From The Daughter Who Had Married The 
   French Count. It Told A Pitiful Tale Of Distress,  And Humbly Craved To Be 
   Permitted To Come Over On A Fortnight's Visit,  She And Her Two Sickly 
   Children,  "For A Little Change." 
     
   "I Dare Say!" Emphatically Cried The Dowager. "What Next? No,  Thank You, 
   My Lady; Now That I Have At Least A Firm Footing In This House--As That 
   Blessed Parson Said--I Am Not Going To Risk It By Filling It With Every 
   Bothering Child I Possess. Bob Departs As Soon As His Leg's Well. Why 
   What's This?" 
     
   She Had Come Upon A Concluding Line As She Was Returning The Letter To 
   The Envelope. "P.S. If I Don't Hear From You _Very_ Decisively To The 
   Contrary,  I Shall Come,  And Trust To Your Good Nature To Forgive It. I 
   Want To See Bob." 
     
   "Oh,  That's It,  Is It!" Said The Dowager. "She Means To Come,  Whether I 
   Will Or No. That Girl Always Had Enough Impudence For A Dozen." 
     
   Drawing A Sheet Of Paper Out Of Her Desk,  She Wrote A Few Rapid Lines. 
     
     "Dear Jane, 
     
     "For _Mercy's_ Sake Keep Those _Poor_ Children And Yourself _Away_! We 
     Have Had An _Aweful Infectious Fever_ Rageing In The Place,  Which It 
     Was Thought To Be _Cured_,  But It's On The Break _Out_ Again-Several 
     _Deaths_,  Hartledon And Maude (_Married_ Of Course) Have Gone Out Of 
     Its Reach And I'm Thinking Of It If _Bob's_ Leg Which Is _Better_ 
     Permits. You'd Not Like I Dare Say To See The Children In A _Coffin 
     Apiece_ And Yourself In A _Third_,  As Might Be The End. _Small-Pox_ Is 
     Raging At _Garchester_ A Neighbouring Town,  That _Will_ Be Awful If It 
     Gets To _Us_ And I _Hear_ It's On The _Road_ And With Kind Love 
     _Believe_ Me Your Affectionate_ 
     
     "Mother. 
     
     "P.S. I Am Sorry For _What_ You Tell Me About _Ugo_ And The _State_ 
     Of Affairs Chey Vous. But You Know You _Would Marry_ Him So There's 
     _Nobody_ To Blame. Ah! _Maude_ Has Gone By _My_ Advice And Done As _I_ 
     Said And The Consequence Is _She's_ A Peeress For Life And Got A 
     Handsome Young Husband _Without_ A _Will_ Of His Own." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Was Not Very Adroit At Spelling And Composition, 
   Whether French Or English,  As You Observe. She Made An End Of Her 
   Correspondence,  And Sat Down To A Delicious Little Supper Alone; As She 
   Best Liked To Enjoy These Treats. The Champagne Was Excellent,  And She 
   Poured Out A Full Tumbler Of It At Once,  By Way Of Wishing Good Luck To 
   Maude's Triumphant Wedding. 
     
   "And It _Is_ A Triumph!" She Said,  As She Put Down The Empty Glass. "I 
   Hope It Will Bring Jane And The Rest To A Sense Of _Their_ Folly." 
     
   A Triumph? If You Could Only Have Looked Into The Future,  Lady Kirton! 
   A Triumph! 
     
   The Above Was Not The Only Letter Written That Evening. At The Hotel 
   Where Lord And Lady Hartledon Halted For The Night,  When She Had Retired 
   Under Convoy Of Her Maid,  Then Val's Restrained Remorse Broke Out. He 
   Paced The Room In A Sort Of Mad Restlessness; In The Midst Of Which He 
   Suddenly Sat Down To A Table On Which Lay Pens,  Ink,  And Paper,  And 
   Poured Forth Hasty Sentences In His Mind's Wretched Tumult. 
     
     "My Dear Mrs. Ashton, 
     
     "I Cannot Address You In Any More Formal Words,  Although You Will Have 
     Reason To Fling Down The Letter At My Presuming To Use These Now--For 
     Dear,  Most Dear,  You Will Ever Be To Me. 
     
     "What Can I Say? Why Do I Write To You? Indeed To The Latter Question I 
     Can Only Answer I Do Not Know,  Save That Some Instinct Of Good Feeling, 
     Not Utterly Dead Within Me,  Is Urging Me To It. 
     
     "Will You Let Me For A Moment Throw Conventionality Aside; Will You For 
     That Brief Space Of Time Let Me Speak Truly And Freely To You,  As One 
     Might Speak Who Has Passed The Confines Of This World? 
     
     "When A Man Behaves To A Woman As I,  To My Eternal Shame,  Have This Day 
     Behaved To Anne,  It Is,  I Think,  A Common Custom To Regard The False 
     Man As Having Achieved A Sort Of Triumph; To Attribute Somewhat Of 
     Humiliation To The Other. 
     
     "Dear Mrs. Ashton,  I Cannot Sleep Until I Have Said To You That In My 
     Case The Very Contrary Is The Fact. A More Abject,  Humiliated Man Than 
     I Stand At This Hour In My Own Eyes Never Yet Took His Sins Upon His 
     Soul. Even You Might Be Appeased If You Could Look Into Mine And See 
     Its Sense Of Degradation. 
     
     "That My Punishment Has Already Come Home To Me Is Only Just; That I 
     Shall Have To Conceal It From All The World,  Including My Wife,  Will 
     Not Lessen Its Sting. 
     
     "I Have This Evening Married Maude Kirton. I Might Tell You Of Unfair 
     Play Brought To Bear Upon Me,  Of A Positive Assurance,  Apparently Well 
     Grounded,  That Anne Had Entered Into An Engagement To Wed Another, 
     Could I Admit That These Facts Were Any Excuse For Me. They Are No 
     Excuse; Not The Slightest Palliation. My Own Yielding Folly Alone Is 
     To Blame,  And I Shall Take Shame To Myself For Ever. 
     
     "I Write This To You As I Might Have Written It To My Own Mother,  Were 
     She Living; Not As An Expiation; Only To Tell Of My Pain; That I Am Not 
     Utterly Hardened; That I Would Sue On My Knees For Pardon,  Were It Not 
     Shut Out From Me By My Own Act. There Is No Pardon For Such As I. When 
     You Have Torn It In Pieces,  You Will,  I Trust,  Forget The Writer. 
     
     "God Bless You,  Dear Mrs. Ashton! God Bless And Comfort Another Who Is 
     Dear To You!--And Believe Me With True Undying Remorse Your Once 
     Attached Friend, 
     
     "Hartledon." 
     
   It Was A Curious Letter To Write; But Men Of Lord Hartledon's Sensitive 
   Temperament In Regard To Others' Feelings Often Do Strange Things; Things 
   The World At Large Would Stare At In Their Inability To Understand Them. 
   The Remorse Might Not Have Come Home To Him Quite So Soon As This,  His 
   Wedding-Day,  But For The Inopportune Appearance Of Dr. Ashton In The 
   Chapel,  Speaking Those Words That Told Home So Forcibly. Such Reproach 
   On These Vacillating Men Inflicts A Torture That Burns Into The Heart 
   Like Living Fire. 
     
   He Sealed The Letter,  Addressing It To Cannes; Called A Waiter,  Late As 
   It Was,  And Desired Him To Post It. And Then He Walked About The Room, 
   Reflecting On The Curse Of His Life--His Besetting Sin--Irresolution. It 
   Seemed Almost An Anomaly For _Him_ To Make Resolves; But He Did Make One 
   Then; That He Would,  With The Help Of Heaven,  Be A Man From Henceforth, 
   However It Might Crucify His Sensitive Feelings. And For The Future,  The 
   Obligation He Had That Day Taken Upon Himself He Determined To Fulfil To 
   His Uttermost In All Honour And Love; To Cherish His Wife As He Would 
   Have Cherished Anne Ashton. For The Past--But Lord Hartledon Rose Up Now 
   With A Start. There Was One Item Of That Past He Dared Not Glance At, 
   Which Did Not,  However,  Relate To Miss Ashton: And It Appeared Inclined 
   To Thrust Itself Prominently Forward To-Night. 
     
   Could Lord Hartledon Have Borrowed Somewhat Of The Easy Indifference Of 
   The Countess-Dowager,  He Had Been A Happier Man. That Lady Would Have 
   Made A Female Nero,  Enjoying Herself While Rome Was Burning. She Remained 
   On In Her Snug Quarters At Hartledon,  And Lived In Clover. 
     
   One Evening,  Rather More Than A Week After The Marriage,  Hedges Had Been 
   On An Errand To Calne,  And Was Hastening Home. In The Lonely Part Of The 
   Road Near Hartledon,  Upon Turning A Sharp Corner,  He Came Upon Mirrable, 
   Who Was Standing Talking To Pike,  Very Much To The Butler's Surprise. 
   Pike Walked Away At Once; And The Butler Spoke. 
     
   "He Is Not An Acquaintance Of Yours,  That Man,  Mrs. Mirrable?" 
     
   "Indeed No," She Answered,  Tossing Her Head. "It Was Like His Impudence 
   To Stop Me. Rather Flurried Me Too," She Continued: And Indeed Hedges 
   Noticed That She Seemed Flurried. 
     
   "What Did He Stop You For? To Beg?" 
     
   "Not That. I've Never Heard That He Does Beg. He Accosted Me With A Cool 
   Question As To When His Lordship Was Coming Back To Hartledon. I Answered 
   That It Could Not Be Any Business Of His. And Then You Came Up." 
     
   "He Is Uncommon Curious As To My Lord. I Can't Make It Out. I've Seen Him 
   Prowling About The Grounds: And The Night Of The Marriage He Was Mounted 
   Up At The Chapel Window. Lord Hartledon Saw Him,  Too. I Should Like To 
   Know What He Wants." 
     
   "By A Half-Word He Let Drop,  I Fancy He Has A Crotchet In His Head That 
   His Lordship Will Find Him Some Work When He Comes Home. But I Must Go On 
   My Way," Added Mirrable. "Mrs. Gum's Not Well,  And I Sent Word I'd Look 
   In For Half-An-Hour This Evening." 
     
   Hedges Had To Go On His Way Also,  For It Was Close Upon The 
   Countess-Dowager's Dinner-Hour,  At Which Ceremony He Must Attend. Putting 
   His Best Foot Forward,  He Walked At More Than An Ordinary Pace,  And 
   Overtook A Gentleman Almost At The Very Door Of Hartledon. The Stranger 
   Was Approaching The Front Entrance,  Hedges Was Wheeling Off To The Back; 
   But The Former Turned And Spoke. A Tall,  Broad-Shouldered,  Grey-Haired 
   Man,  With High Cheek-Bones. Hedges Took Him For A Clergyman From His 
   Attire; Black,  With A White Neckcloth. 
     
   "This Is Hartledon House,  I Believe," He Said,  Speaking With A Scotch 
   Accent. 
     
   "Yes,  Sir." 
     
   "Do You Belong To It?" 
     
   "I Am Lord Hartledon's Butler." 
     
   "Is Lord Hartledon At Home?" 
     
   "No,  Sir. He Is In France." 
     
   "I Read A Notice Of His Marriage In The Public Papers," Continued The 
   Stranger,  Whose Eyes Were Fixed On Hedges. "It Was,  I Suppose,  A Correct 
   One?" 
     
   "My Lord Was Married The Week Before Last: About Ten Or Eleven Days Ago." 
     
   "Ay; April The Fourteenth,  The Paper Said. She Is One Of The Kirton 
   Family. When Do You Expect Him Home?" 
     
   "I Don't Know At All,  Sir. I've Not Heard Anything About It." 
     
   "He Is In France,  You Say,  Paris,  I Suppose. Can You Furnish Me With His 
   Address?" 
     
   Up To This Point The Colloquy Had Proceeded Smoothly On Both Sides: But 
   It Suddenly Flashed Into The Mind Of Hedges That The Stranger's Manner 
   Was Somewhat Mysterious,  Though In What The Mystery Lay He Could Not Have 
   Defined. The Communicative Man,  True To The Interests Of His Master, 
   Became Cautious At Once: He Supposed Some Of Lord Hartledon's Worries, 
   Contracted When He Was Mr. Elster,  Were Returning Upon Him. 
     
   "I Cannot Give His Address,  Sir. And For The Matter Of That,  It Might Not 
   Be Of Use If I Could. Lord And Lady Hartledon Did Not Intend Remaining 
   Any Length Of Time In One Place." 
     
   The Stranger Had Dug The Point Of His Umbrella Into The Level Greensward 
   That Bounded The Gravel,  And Swayed The Handle About With His Hand, 
   Pausing In Thought. 
     
   "I Have Come A Long Way To See Lord Hartledon," He Observed. "It Might Be 
   Less Trouble And Cost For Me To Go On To Paris And See Him There,  Than To 
   Start Back For Home,  And Come Here Again When He Returns To England. Are 
   You Sure You Can't Give Me His Address?" 
     
   "I'm Very Sorry I Can't,  Sir. There Was A Talk Of Their Going On To 
   Switzerland," Continued Hedges,  Improvising The Journey,  "And So Coming 
   Back Through Germany; And There _Was_ A Talk Of Their Making Italy Before 
   The Heat Came On,  And Stopping There. Any Way,  Sir,  I Dare Say They Are 
   Already Away From Paris." 
     
   The Stranger Regarded Hedges Attentively,  Rather To The Discomfiture Of 
   That Functionary,  Who Thought He Was Doubted. He Then Asked A Great Many 
   Questions,  Some About Lord Hartledon's Personal Habits,  Some About Lady 
   Maude: The Butler Answered Them Freely Or Cautiously,  As He Thought He 
   Might,  Feeling Inclined All The While To Chase The Intruder Off The 
   Premises. Presently He Turned His Attention On The House. 
     
   "A Fine Old Place,  This,  Mr. Butler." 
     
   "Yes,  Sir." 
     
   "I Suppose I Could Look Over It,  If I Wished?" 
     
   Hedges Hesitated. He Was Privately Asking Himself Whether The Law Would 
   Allow The Stranger,  If He Had Come After Any Debt Of Lord Hartledon's,  To 
   Refuse To Leave The House,  Once He Got Into It. 
     
   "I Could Ask Lady Kirton,  Sir,  If You Particularly Wished It." 
     
   "Lady Kirton? You Have Some One In The House,  Then!" 
     
   "The Dowager Lady Kirton's Here,  Sir. One Of Her Sons Also--Captain 
   Kirton; But He Is Confined To His Room." 
     
   "Then I Would Rather Not Go In," Said The Stranger Quickly. "I'm Very 
   Disappointed To Have Come All This Way And Not Find Lord Hartledon." 
     
   "Can I Forward Any Letter For You,  Sir? If You'd Like To Intrust One To 
   Me,  I'll Send It As Soon As We Know Of Any Certain Address." 
     
   "No--No,  I Think Not," Said The Stranger,  Musingly. "There Might Be 
   Danger," He Muttered To Himself,  But Hedges Caught The Words. 
     
   He Stood Swaying The Umbrella-Handle About,  Looking Down At It,  As If 
   That Would Assist His Decision. Then He Looked At Hedges. 
     
   "My Business With Lord Hartledon Is Quite Private,  And I Would Rather Not 
   Write. I'll Wait Until He Is Back In England: And See Him Then." 
     
   "What Name,  Sir?" Asked Hedges,  As The Stranger Turned Away. 
     
   "I Would Prefer Not To Leave My Name," Was The Candid Answer. "Good 
   Evening." 
     
   He Walked Briskly Down The Avenue,  And Hedges Stood Looking After Him, 
   Slightly Puzzled In His Mind. 
     
   "I Don't Believe It's A Creditor; That I Don't. He Looks Like A Parson To 
   Me. But It's Some Trouble Though,  If It's Not Debt. 'Danger' Was The 
   Word: 'There Might Be Danger.' Danger In Writing,  He Meant. Any Way,  I'm 
   Glad He Didn't Go In To That Ferreting Old Dowager. And Whatever It May 
   Be,  His Lordship's Able To Pay It Now." 
   
   
   
   Chapter 18 (A Chance Meeting) 
   Some Few Weeks Went By. On A Fine June Morning Lord And Lady Hartledon 
   Were Breakfasting At Their Hotel In The Rue Rivoli. She Was Listlessly 
   Playing With Her Cup; He Was Glancing Over _Galignani's_. 
     
   "Maude," He Suddenly Exclaimed,  "The Fountains Are To Play On Sunday At 
   Versailles. Will You Go To See Them?" 
     
   "I Am Tired Of Sight-Seeing,  And Tired Of Paris Too," Was Lady 
   Hartledon's Answer,  Spoken With Apathy. 
     
   "Are You?" He Returned,  With Animation,  As Though Not Sorry To Hear The 
   Avowal. "Then We Won't Stay In Paris Any Longer. When Shall We Leave?" 
     
   "Are The Letters Not Late This Morning?" She Asked,  Allowing The Question 
   To Pass. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Glanced At The Clock. "Very Late: And We Are Late Also. 
   Are You Expecting Any In Particular?" 
     
   "I Don't Know. This Chocolate Is Cold." 
     
   "That Is Easily Remedied," Said He,  Rising To Ring The Bell. "They Can 
   Bring In Some Fresh." 
     
   "And Keep Us Waiting Half-An-Hour!" She Grumbled. 
     
   "The Hotel Is Crammed Up To The Mansarde," Said Good-Natured Lord 
   Hartledon,  Who Was Easily Pleased,  And Rather Tolerant Of Neglect In 
   French Hotels. "Is Not That The Right Word,  Maude? You Took Me To Task 
   Yesterday For Saying Garret. The Servants Are Run Off Their Legs." 
     
   "Then The Hotel Should Keep More Servants. I Am Quite Sick Of Having To 
   Ring Twice. A Week Ago I Wished I Was Out Of The Place." 
     
   "My Dear Maude,  Why Did You Not Say So? If You'd Like To Go On At Once To 
   Germany--" 
     
   "Lettres Et Journal Pour Monsieur," Interrupted A Waiter,  Entering With 
   Two Letters And The _Times_. 
     
   "One For You,  Maude," Handing A Letter To His Wife. "Don't Go," He 
   Continued To The Waiter; "We Want Some More Chocolate; This Is Cold. Tell 
   Him In French,  Maude." 
     
   But Lady Hartledon Did Not Hear; Or If She Heard,  Did Not Heed; She Was 
   Already Absorbed In The Contents Of Her Letter. 
     
   "Ici," Said Hartledon,  Pushing The Chocolate-Pot Towards The Man,  And 
   Rallying The Best French He Could Command,  "Encore Du Chocolat. Toute 
   Froide,  _This_. Et Puis Depechez Vous; Il Est Tarde,  Et Nous Avons Besoin 
   De Sortir." 
     
   The Man Was Accustomed To The French Of Englishmen,  And Withdrew Without 
   Moving A Muscle Of His Face. But Lady Hartledon's Ears Had Been Set On 
   Edge. 
     
   "_Don't_ Attempt French Again,  Val. They'll Understand You If You Speak 
   In English." 
     
   "Did I Make Any Mistake?" He Asked Good-Humouredly. "I Could Speak French 
   Once; But Am Out Of Practice. It's The Genders Bother One." 
     
   "Fine French It Must Have Been!" Thought Her Ladyship. "Who Is Your 
   Letter From?" 
     
   "My Bankers,  I Think. About Germany,  Maude--Would You Like To Go There?" 
     
   "Yes. Later. After We Have Been To London." 
     
   "To London!" 
     
   "We Will Go To London At Once,  Percival; Stay There For The Rest Of The 
   Season,  And Then--" 
     
   "My Dear," He Interrupted,  His Face Overcast,  "The Season Is Nearly Over. 
   It Will Be Of No Use Going There Now." 
     
   "Plenty Of Use. We Shall Have Quite Six Weeks Of It. Don't Look Cross, 
   Val; I Have Set My Heart Upon It." 
     
   "But Have You Considered The Difficulties? In The First Place,  We Have No 
   House In Town; In The Second--" 
     
   "Oh Yes We Have: A Very Good House." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Paused,  And Looked At Her; He Thought She Was Joking. 
   "Where Is It?" He Asked In Merry Tones; "At The Top Of The Monument?" 
     
   "It Is In Piccadilly," She Coolly Replied. "Do You Remember,  Some Days 
   Ago,  I Read Out An Advertisement Of A House That Was To Be Let There For 
   The Remainder Of The Season,  And Remarked That It Would Suit Us?" 
     
   "That It Might Suit Us,  Had We Wanted One," Put In Val. 
     
   "I Wrote Off At Once To Mamma,  And Begged Her To See After It And Engage 
   It For Us," She Continued,  Disregarding Her Husband's Amendment. "She Now 
   Tells Me She Has Done So,  And Ordered Servants Up From Hartledon. By The 
   Time This Letter Reaches Me She Says It Will Be In Readiness." 
     
   Lord Hartledon In His Astonishment Could Scarcely Find Words To Reply. 
   "You Wrote--Yourself--And Ordered The House To Be Taken?" 
     
   "Yes. You Are Difficult To Convince,  Val." 
     
   "Then I Think It Was Your Duty To Have First Consulted Me,  Lady Maude," 
   He Said,  Feeling Deeply Mortified. 
     
   "Thank You," She Laughed. "I Have Not Been Lady Maude This Two Months." 
     
   "I Beg Your Pardon,  Lady Hartledon." 
     
   "Now Don't Pretend To Be Offended,  Val. I Have Only Saved You Trouble." 
     
   "Maude," He Said,  Rallying His Good Humour,  "It Was Not Right. Let 
   Us--For Heaven's Sake Let Us Begin As We Mean To Go On: Our Interests 
   Must Be _One_,  Not Separate. Why Did You Not Tell Me You Wished To Return 
   To London,  And Allow Me To See After An Abode For Us? It Would Have Been 
   The Proper Way." 
     
   "Well,  The Truth Is,  I Saw You Did Not Want To Go; You Kept Holding Back 
   From It; And If I _Had_ Spoken You Would Have Shillyshallied Over It 
   Until The Season Was Over. Every One I Know Is In London Now." 
     
   The Waiter Entered With The Fresh Chocolate,  And Retired Again. Lord 
   Hartledon Was Standing At The Window Then. His Wife Went Up To Him,  And 
   Stole Her Hand Within His Arm. 
     
   "I'm Sorry If I Have Offended You,  Val. It's No Great Matter To Have 
   Done." 
     
   "I Think It Was,  Maude. However--Don't Act For Yourself In Future; Let Me 
   Know Your Wishes. I Do Not Think You Have Expressed A Wish,  Or Half A 
   Wish,  Since Our Marriage,  But I Have Felt A Pleasure In Gratifying It." 
     
   "You Good Old Fellow! But I Am Given To Having A Will Of My Own,  And To 
   Act Independently. I'm Like Mamma In That. Val,  We Will Start To-Morrow: 
   Have You Any Orders For The Servants? I Can Transmit Them Through Mamma." 
     
   "I Have No Orders. This Is Your Expedition,  Maude,  Not Mine; And,  I 
   Assure You,  I Feel Like A Man In Utter Darkness In Regard To It. Allow 
   Me To See Your Mother's Letter." 
     
   Lady Hartledon Had Put The Letter Safely Into Her Pocket. 
     
   "I Would Rather Not,  Percival: It Contains A Few Private Words To Myself, 
   And Mamma Has Always An Objection To Her Letters Being Shown. I'll Read 
   You All Necessary Particulars. You Must Let Me Have Some Money To-Day." 
     
   "How Much?" Asked He,  From Between His Compressed Lips. 
     
   "Oceans. I Owe For Millinery And Things. And,  Val,  I'll Go To Versailles 
   This Afternoon,  If You Like. I Want To See Some Of The Rooms Again." 
     
   "Very Well," He Answered. 
     
   She Poured Out Some Chocolate,  Took It Hurriedly,  And Quitted The Room, 
   Leaving Her Husband In A Disheartening Reverie. That Lady Hartledon And 
   Maude Kirton Were Two Very Distinct Persons He Had Discovered Already; 
   The One Had Been All Gentleness And Childlike Suavity,  The Other Was 
   Positive,  Extravagant,  And Self-Willed; The One Had Made A Pretence Of 
   Loving Him Beyond All Other Things In Life,  The Other Was Making Very 
   Little Show Of Loving Him At All,  Or Of Concealing Her Indifference. 
   Lord Hartledon Was Not The Only Husband Who Has Been Disagreeably 
   Astonished By A Similar Metamorphosis. 
     
   The Following Was The Letter Of The Countess-Dowager: 
     
     "Darling Maude, 
     
     "I Have _Secured_ The _House_ You Write About And Send By This _Post_ 
     For Hedges And A Few Of The Rest From _Hartledon_. It Won't Accommodate 
     A Large _Establishment_ I Can Tell You And You'll Be _Disappointed_ 
     When You Come Over To Take _Possession_ Which You Can Do When You 
     _Choose_. Val Was A _Fool_ For Letting His Town House In The Spring But 
     Of Course We Know He Is _One_ And Must Put Up With It. Whatever You 
     _Do_,  Don't _Consult_ Him About _Any Earthly Thing_ Take _Your Own 
     Way_,  He Never Did Have _Much_ Of A Will And You Must Let Him _Have 
     None_ For The Future. You've Got A Splendid _Chance_ Can Spend _What 
     You Like_ And Rule In _Society_ And He'll Subside Into A _Tame 
     Spaniel_. 
     
     "Maude If You Are Such An Idiot I'll _Shake_ You. Find You've Made A 
     _Dredful_ Mistake?--Can't Bear Your Husband?--Keep Thinking Always Of 
     _Edward_? A Child Might Write Such Utter _Rubish_ But Not You,  What 
     Does It Matter Whether One's Husband Is _Liked_ Or _Disliked_,  Provided 
     He Gives One _Position_ And _Wealth_? Go To Amiens And Stop With _Jane_ 
     For A _Week_ And See Her _Plight_ And Then Grumble At Your Own,  You 
     _Are_ An Idiot. 
     
     "I'm Quite _Glad_ About Your Taking This Town-_House_,  And Shall Enter 
     Into _Posession_ Myself As Soon As The Servants Are Up,  And Await You. 
     _Bob's_ Quite _Well_ And Joins To-Day And Of Course _Gives Up_ His 
     Lodgings,  Which Have Been _Wretchedly Confined_ And Uncomfortable And 
     Where I Should Have Gone To But For This _Move_ Of Yours I Don't Know. 
     Mind You Bring Me Over A Parisian _Bonnet_ Or Two Or Some Articles Of 
     That _Sort_. I'm Nearly In _Rags_,  Kirton's As Undutiful As He _Can_ Be 
     But It's That _Wife_ Of His. 
     
     "Your Affectionate Mother, 
     
     "C. Kirton." 
     
   The Letter Will Give You Some Guide To The Policy Of Maude Hartledon 
   Since Her Marriage. She Did Find She Had Made A Mistake. She Cared No 
   More For Her Husband Now Than She Had Cared For Him Before; And It Was A 
   Positive Fact That She Despised Him For Walking So Tamely Into The Snare 
   Laid For Him By Herself And Her Mother. Nevertheless She Triumphed; He 
   Had Made Her A Peeress,  And She Did Care For That; She Cared Also For The 
   Broad Lands Of Hartledon. That She Was Unwise In Assuming Her Own Will So 
   Promptly,  With Little Regard To Consulting His,  She Might Yet Discover. 
     
   At Versailles That Day--To Which Place They Went In Accordance With 
   Maude's Wish--There Occurred A Rencontre Which Lord Hartledon Would 
   Willingly Have Gone To The Very Ends Of The Earth To Avoid. It Happened 
   To Be Rather Full For Versailles; Many Of The Visitors In Paris 
   Apparently Having Taken It Into Their Minds To Go; Indeed,  Maude's Wish 
   Was Induced By The Fact That Some Of Her Acquaintances In The Gay Capital 
   Were Going Also. 
     
   You May Possibly Remember A Very Small Room In The Galleries,  Exceedingly 
   Small As Compared With The Rest,  Chiefly Hung With English Portraits. 
   They Were In This Room,  Amidst The Little Crowd That Filled It,  When Lord 
   Hartledon Became Aware That His Wife Had Encountered Some Long-Lost 
   Friend. There Was Much Greeting And Shaking Of Hands. He Caught The 
   Name--Kattle; And Being A Somewhat Singular Name,  He Recognised It For 
   That Of The Lady Who Had Been Sojourning At Cannes,  And Had Sent The News 
   Of Miss Ashton's Supposed Engagement To The Countess-Dowager. There Was 
   The Usual Babble On Both Sides--Where Each Was Staying,  Had Been Staying, 
   Would Be Staying; And Then Lord Hartledon Heard The Following Words From 
   Mrs. Kattle. 
     
   "How Strange I Should Have Seen You! I Have Met You,  The Fords,  And The 
   Ashtons Here,  And Did Not Know That Any Of You Were In Paris. It's True 
   I Only Arrived Yesterday. Such A Long Illness,  My Dear,  I Had At Turin!" 
     
   "The Ashtons!" Involuntarily Repeated Maude. "Are They Here?--In The 
   Chateau?" And It Instantly Occurred To Her How She Should Like To Meet 
   Them,  And Parade Her Triumph. If Ever A Spark Of Feeling For Her Husband 
   Arose Within Maude's Heart,  It Was When She Thought Of Anne Ashton. She 
   Was Bitterly Jealous Of Her Still. 
     
   "Yes,  Here; I Saw Them Not Three Minutes Ago. They Are Only Now On Their 
   Road Home From Cannes. Fancy Their Making So Long A Stay!" 
     
   "You Wrote Mamma Word That Miss Ashton Was About To Marry Some Colonel 
   Barnaby." 
     
   Mrs. Kattle Laughed. It Is Possible That Written News Might Have Been 
   _Asked For_ By The Countess-Dowager. 
     
   "Well,  My Dear,  And So I Did; But It Turned Out To Be A Mistake. He Did 
   Admire Her; There Was No Mistake About That; And I Dare Say She Might 
   Have Had Him If She Liked. How's Your Brother And His Poor Leg?" 
     
   "Oh,  He Is Well," Answered Maude. "Au Revoir; I Can't Stand This Crush 
   Any Longer." 
     
   It Was Really A Crush Just Then In The Room; And Though Maude Escaped 
   From It Dexterously,  Lord Hartledon Did Not. He Was Wedged In Behind Some 
   Stout Women,  And Had The Pleasure Of Hearing Another Word Or Two From 
   Mrs. Kattle. 
     
   "Who Was That?" Asked A Lady,  Who Appeared To Be Her Companion. 
     
   "Lady Hartledon. He Was Only The Younger Brother Until A Few Months Ago, 
   But The Elder One Got Drowned In Some Inexplicable Manner On His Own 
   Estate,  And This One Came Into The Title. The Old Dowager Began At Once 
   To Angle For Him,  And Succeeded In Hooking Him. She Used To Write Me Word 
   How It Progressed." 
     
   "She Is Very Beautiful." 
     
   "Very." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Made His Escape,  And Found His Wife Looking Round For Him. 
   She Was Struck By The Aspect Of His Face. 
     
   "Are You Ill,  Percival?" 
     
   "Ill? No. But I Don't Care How Soon We Get Out Of These Rooms. I Can't 
   Think What Brings So Many People In Them To-Day." 
     
   "He Has Heard That _She's_ Here,  And Would Like To Avoid Her," Thought 
   Maude As She Took The Arm He Held Out. "The Large Rooms Are Empty Enough, 
   I'm Sure," She Remarked. "Shall We Have Time To Go To The Trianon?" 
     
   "If You Like. Yes." 
     
   He Began To Hurry Through The Rooms. Maude,  However,  Was In No Mood To Be 
   Hurried,  But Stopped Here And Stopped There. All At Once They Met A Large 
   Party Of Friends; Those She Had Originally Expected To Meet. Quitting Her 
   Husband's Arm,  She Became Lost Amongst Them. 
     
   There Was No Help For It; And Lord Hartledon,  Resigning Himself To The 
   Detention,  Took Up His Standing Before The Pictures And Stared At Them, 
   His Back To The Room. He Saw A Good Deal To Interest Him,  In Spite Of His 
   Rather Tumultuous State Of Mind,  And Remained There Until He Found 
   Himself Surrounded By Other Spectators. Turning Hastily With A View To 
   Escaping,  He Trod Upon A Lady's Dress. She Looked Up At His Word Of 
   Apology,  And They Stood Face To Face--Himself And Miss Ashton! 
     
   That Both Utterly Lost Their Presence Of Mind Would Have Been Conclusive 
   To The Spectators,  Had Any Regarded Them; But None Did So. They Were 
   Strangers Amidst The Crowd. For The Space Of A Moment Each Gazed On The 
   Other,  Spell-Bound. Lord Hartledon's Honest Blue Eyes Were Riveted On Her 
   Face With A Strangely Yearning Expression Of Repentance--Her Sweet Face, 
   Which Had Turned As White As Ashes. He Wore Mourning Still For His 
   Brother,  And Was The Most Distinguished-Looking Man In The Chateau That 
   Day. Anne Was In A Trailing Lilac Silk,  With A White Gossamer-Bonnet. 
   That The Heart Of Each Went Out To The Other,  As It Had Perhaps Never 
   Gone Out Before,  It May Be No Sin To Say. Sin Or No Sin,  It Was The 
   Truth. The Real Value Of A Thing,  As You Know,  Is Never Felt Until It 
   Is Lost. For Two Months Each Had Been Dutifully Striving To Forget The 
   Other,  And Believed They Were Succeeding; And This First Accidental 
   Meeting Roused Up The Past In All Its Fever Of Passion. 
     
   No More Conscious Of What He Did Than If He Had Been In A Dream,  Lord 
   Hartledon Held Out His Hand; And She,  Quite As Unconscious,  Mechanically 
   Met It With Hers. What Confused Words Of Greeting Went Forth From His 
   Lips He Never Knew; She As Little; But This State Of Bewildered Feeling 
   Lasted Only A Minute; Recollection Came To Both,  And She Strove To 
   Withdraw Her Hand To Retreat. 
     
   "God Bless You,  Anne!" Was All He Whispered,  His Fervent Words Marred By 
   Their Tone Of Pain; And He Wrung Her Hand As He Released It. 
     
   Turning Away He Caught The Eyes Of His Wife Riveted On Them; She Had 
   Evidently Seen The Meeting,  And Her Colour Was High. Lord Hartledon 
   Walked Straight Into The Next Room,  And Maude Went Up To Anne. 
     
   "How Do You Do,  Miss Ashton? I Am So Glad To Meet You. I Have Just Heard 
   You Were Here From Mrs. Kattle. You Have Been Speaking To My Husband." 
     
   Anne Bowed; She Did Not Lose Her Presence Of Mind At _This_ Encounter. A 
   Few Civil Words Of Reply Given With Courteous Dignity,  And She Moved Away 
   With A Bright Flush On Her Cheek,  Towards Dr. And Mrs. Ashton,  Who Were 
   Standing Arm-In-Arm Enraptured Before A Remote Picture,  Cognizant Of 
   Nothing Else. 
     
   "How Thin She Looks!" Exclaimed Maude,  As She Rejoined Her Husband,  And 
   Took His Arm. 
     
   "Who Looks Thin?" 
     
   "Miss Ashton. I Wonder She Did Not Fling Your Hand Away,  Instead Of 
   Putting Her Own Into It!" 
     
   "Do You Wish To See The Trianon? We Shall Be Late." 
     
   "Yes,  I Do Wish To See It. But You Need Not Speak In That Tone: It Was 
   Not My Fault That We Met Her." 
     
   He Answered Never A Syllable. His Lips Were Compressed To Pain,  And His 
   Face Was Hectic; But He Would Not Be Drawn Into Reproaching His Wife By 
   So Much As A Word,  For The Sort Of Taste She Was Displaying. The Manner 
   In Which He Had Treated Miss Ashton And Her Family Was Ever In His Mind, 
   More Or Less,  In All Its Bitter,  Humiliating Disgrace. The Worst Part Of 
   It To Val Was,  That There Could Be No Reparation. 
     
   The Following Day Lord Hartledon And His Wife Took Their Departure From 
   Paris; And If Anything Could Have Imparted Especial Gratification On His 
   Arriving In London At The Hired House,  It Was To Find That His Wife's 
   Mother Was Not In It. Val Had Come Home Against His Will; He Had Not 
   Wished To Be In London That Season; Rather Would He Have Buried Himself 
   And His Haunting Sense Of Shame On The Tolerant Continent; And He 
   Certainly Had Not Wished His Wife To Make Her Debut In A Small Hired 
   House. When He Let His Own,  Nothing Could Have Been Further From His 
   Thoughts Than Marriage. As To This House--Lady Kirton Had Told Her 
   Daughter She Would Be Disappointed In It; But When Maude Saw Its 
   Dimensions,  Its Shabby Entrance,  Its Want Of Style Altogether,  She Was 
   Dismayed. "And After That Glowing Advertisement!" She Breathed 
   Resentfully. It Was One Of The Smallest Houses Facing The Green Park. 
     
   Hedges Came Forward With An Apology From The Countess-Dowager. An Apology 
   For Not Invading Their House And Inflicting Her Presence Upon Them 
   Uninvited! A Telegraphic Despatch From Lord Kirton Had Summoned Her To 
   Ireland On The Previous Day; And Val's Face Grew Bright As He Heard It. 
     
   "What Was The Matter,  Hedges?" Inquired His Mistress. "I'm Sure My 
   Brother Would Not Telegraph Unless It Was Something." 
     
   "The Message Didn't Say,  My Lady. It Was Just A Few Words,  Asking Her 
   Ladyship To Go Off By The First Train,  But Giving No Reason." 
     
   "I Wonder She Went,  Then," Observed Val To His Wife,  As They Looked Into 
   The Different Rooms. But Maude Did Not Wonder: She Knew How Anxious Her 
   Mother Was To Be On Good Terms With Her Eldest Son,  From Whom She 
   Received Occasional Supplies. Rather Would She Quarrel With The Whole 
   World Than With Him. 
     
   "I Think It A Good Thing She Has Gone,  Maude," Said He. "There Certainly 
   Would Not Have Been Room For Her And For Us In This House." 
     
   "And So Do I," Answered Maude,  Looking Round Her Bed-Chamber. "If Mamma 
   Fancies She's Going To Inflict Herself Upon Us For Good She's Mistaken. 
   She And I Might Quarrel,  Perhaps; For I Know She'd Try To Control Me. 
   Val,  What Are We To Do In This Small House?" 
     
   "The Best We Can. We Have Made The Bargain,  You Are Growing--For That Matter,  Xmas Is Coming!--But Still 
   We Are Very Shelterless. I Think I Would Like To Plant In Bed A, 
   _Inter Alia_--Some Shrubby Things. Now I Know Your Views About Moving 
   Shrubs Are Somewhat Wider Than Those Of The Every-Day Gardener's--But 
   Do You Think I Dare Plant A Bush Of Lauristinus Now? It Would Have To 
   Travel A Little Way,  I Fancy. There Is No Man Actually In Taunton,  I 
   Fear,  With Good Shrubs. I Mean Also To Get Some Japanese Maples. I 
   Think I Would Like A Copper-Coloured-Leaved _Nut Tree_. Are Nuts 
   Hardy? I Fear Gum Cistus Is Coming Into Flower--And Unfit To Move! How 
   About Rhododendrons? The Soil Here Is Said To Suit Them Wonderfully. I 
   Could Not Pretend To Buy Peat For Them--But I Know Hardy Sorts Will Do 
   In A Firm Fair Soil,  And I Should Like To Plant A Lilac One--A 
   Crimson--A Blush--And A White. I Think They Would Do Fairly And 
   Shelter Small Fry. 
     
   _Can I Risk It Now?_ And How About Hardy Azaleas--Things I Love! If 
   You Say--We Are Too Near Summer Sun For Them To Get Established--I 
   Must Wait Till Autumn. 
     
   How Has Mrs. Going Stood The Biting Winds? Very Unfavourable For One's 
   Aches And Pains? 
     
   Tell Her I Have Got One Of Those Rather Queer Yellow Flowers You 
   Condescended To Notice!--To Bring To Her After Easter. 
     
   Is It Not Terrible About Prince Leopold? That Poor Young Wife--And The 
   Queen! What Bitter Sorrow She Has Known; Also I Do Regard The Loss As 
   A Great One For The Country,  He Was So Enlightened And So Desirous Of 
   Use In His Generation. 
     
   Yours,  J.H.E. 
     
     
     
     
   To Mrs. Jelf. 
     
     
     
     
   My Dearest Marny, 
     
   Thank You,  Dear,  With Much Love For Your Easter Card. It Is 
   Lovely (And Easter Cards Are Not Very Beautiful As A Rule). 
   It Is On A Little Stand On My Knick-Knack Table--And Looks So Well! 
     
   I Send You A Few Bits From My Garden As An Easter Greeting. They Are 
   Not Much--But We Are In A "Nip" Of Bitter N.E. Winds--And Nothing Will 
   "Come Out." 
     
   Also I Rather Denuded My Patch To Send A Large Box To Undine To Make 
   The Easter Wreaths For My Mother's Grave. I Was Really Rather Proud Of 
   What I Managed To Scrape Together--Every Bit Out Of My Very Own 
   Patch--And Consequently Of My Very Own Planting! 
     
   I've Got Neuralgia To-Day With The Wind And A Fourteen-Miles Drive For 
   Luncheon And Two Sets Of Callers Since I Got Back!--So I Can't Write A 
   Letter--But I Want You To Tell Me When You Think There's A Chance Of 
   Your Taking A Run To See Me! I Seem To Have Such Lots To Say! I Have 
   Found Another Charm (Besides Red Pots) Of Our Market. If One Goes 
   _Very Early_ On Saturday--One Gets Such Nice Old-Fashioned Flowers, 
   "Roots," And Big Ones Too--Very Cheap! It's A Most Fascinating 
   _Ruination By Penny-Worths_! 
     
   Good Luck To You,  Dear,  In Your Fresh Settling Down In The Heimath 
   Land. 
     
   Mrs. M---- (Where We Were _Lunching_) Asked Tenderly After My Large 
   Young Family--As Strangers Usually Do. Then She Said,  "But You Write 
   So Sympathetically Of Children,  And 'A Soldier's Children' Is So 
   Real--I Thought They Must Be Yours." On Which I Explained The 
   Dear Queers To Her. To Whom Be Love! And To Richard. 
     
   Ever,  Dear,  Yours Lovingly, 
   J.H.E. 
     
     
     
     
   To Mrs. Going. 
     
   Midsummer Day,  1884. 
     
     
     
     
   My Dear Mrs. Going, 
     
   Not A Moment Till Now Have I Found--To Tell You I Got Home Safe And 
   Sound,  And That Your Delicious Cream Was Duly And Truly Appreciated! 
     
   The Last Of It Was Merged In An Admirable Gooseberry Fool! 
     
   The Roses Suffered By The Hot Journey--But Even The Least Flourishing 
   Of Them Received Great Admiration--From Their Size--As The Skeletons 
   Of Saurians Make A Smaller World Stand Aghast!!! 
     
   This Last Sentence Smacks Of Jules Verne! I Don't Care Much For 
   Him--After All. It Is Rather _Bookmaking_. 
     
   But I Have Had A Lot Of Hearty Laughs Over "The Heroine"! It Is Very 
   Funny--If Not _Very_ Refined. Some Of The Situations Admirable. There 
   Is Something In The Girl's Calling Her Father "Wilkinson" All The Way 
   Through--Quite As Comic As Anything In _Vice Versa_--A Book Which I 
   Never Managed To Get To The End Of. 
     
   I Hope Your Wedding Went Well To-Day. Ps,  For Wives To Do So." 
     
   "Some Do,  And Some Don't," Observed Thomas Carr,  Who Never Flattered At 
   The Expense Of Truth. "Are You Going Down To Hartledon?" 
     
   "Hartledon!" With A Perceptible Shiver. "In The Mind I Am In,  I Shall 
   Never Visit Hartledon Again; There Are Some In Its Vicinity I Would 
   Rather Not Insult By My Presence. Why Do You Bring Up Disagreeable 
   Subjects?" 
     
   "You Will Have To Get Over That Feeling," Observed Mr. Carr,  Disregarding 
   The Hint,  And Taking Out His Probing-Knife. "And The Sooner It Is Got 
   Over The Better For All Parties. You Cannot Become An Exile From Your Own 
   Place. Are They At Calne Now?" 
     
   "Yes. They Were In Paris Just Before We Left It,  And There Was An 
   Encounter At Versailles. I Wished Myself Dead; I Declare I Did. A Day Or 
   Two After We Came To England They Crossed Over,  And Went Straight Down To 
   Calne. There--Don't Say Any More." 
     
   "The Longer You Keep Away From Hartledon The Greater Effort It Will Cost 
   You To Go Down To It; And--" 
     
   "I Won't Go To Hartledon," He Interrupted,  In A Sort Of Fury; "Neither 
   Perhaps Would You,  In My Place." 
     
   "Sir," Cried Mr. Carr's Clerk,  Bustling In And Addressing His Master, 
   "You Are Waited For At The Chambers Of Serjeant Gale. The Consultation Is 
   On." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Rose. 
     
   "I Will Not Detain You,  Carr; Business Must Be Attended To. Will You Come 
   And Dine With Us This Evening? Only Me And My Wife. Here's Where We Are 
   Staying--Piccadilly. My Own House Is Let,  You Know." 
     
   "I Have No Engagement,  And Will Come With Pleasure," Said Mr. Carr, 
   Taking The Card. "What Hour?" 
     
   "Ah,  That's Just What I Can't Tell You. Lady Hartledon Orders Dinner To 
   Suit Her Engagements--Any Time Between Six And Nine! I Never Know. We Are 
   A Fashionable Couple,  Don't You See?" 
     
   "Stay,  Though,  Hartledon; I Forget. I Have A Business Appointment For 
   Half-Past Eight. Perhaps I Can Put It Off." 
     
   "Come Up At Six. You'll Be All Right,  Then,  In Any Case." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Left The Temple,  And Sauntered Towards Home. He Had 
   No Engagement On Hand--Nothing To Kill Time. He And His Wife Were 
   Falling Naturally Into The Way Of--As He Had Just Cynically Styled 
   It--Fashionable People. She Went Her Way And He Went His. 
     
   Many A Cabman Held Up His Hand Or His Whip; But In His Present Mood 
   Walking Was Agreeable To Him: Why Should He Hurry Home,  When He Had 
   Nothing On Earth To Do There? So He Stared Here,  And Gazed There,  And 
   Stopped To Speak To This Acquaintance,  And Walked A Few Steps With That, 
   Went Into His Club For Ten Minutes,  And Arrived Home At Last. 
     
   His Wife's Carriage Was At The Door Waiting For Her. She Was Bound On An 
   Expedition To Chiswick: Lord Hartledon Had Declined It. He Met Her 
   Hastening Out As He Entered,  And She Was Looking Very Cross. 
     
   "How Late You Are Going,  Maude!" 
     
   "Yes,  There Has Been A Mistake," She Said Peevishly,  Turning In With Him 
   To A Small Room They Used As A Breakfast-Room. "I Have Been Waiting All 
   This Time For Lady Langton,  And She,  I Find,  Has Been Waiting For Me. I'm 
   Now Going Round To Take Her Up. Oh,  I Have Secured That Opera-Box,  Val, 
   But At An Extravagant Price,  Considering The Little Time That Remains Of 
   The Season." 
     
   "What Opera-Box?" 
     
   "Didn't I Tell You? It's One I Heard Of Yesterday. I Was Not Going Again 
   To Put Up With The Wretched Little Box They Palmed You Off With. I Did 
   Tell You That." 
     
   "It Was The Only One I Could Get,  Maude: There Was No Other Choice." 
     
   "Yes,  I Know. Well,  I Have Secured Another For The Rest Of The Season, 
   And You Must Not Talk About Extravagance,  Please." 
     
   "Very Well," Said Val,  With A Smile. "For What Hour Have You Ordered 
   Dinner?" 
     
   "Nine O'clock." 
     
   "Nine O'clock! That's Awkward--And Late." 
     
   "Why Awkward? You May Have To Wait For Me Even Then. It Is Impossible To 
   Say When We Shall Get Home From Chiswick. All The World Will Be There." 
     
   "I Have Just Asked Carr To Dine With Us,  And Told Him To Come At Six. I 
   Don't Fancy These Hard-Working Men Care To Wait So Long For Their Dinner. 
   And He Has An Appointment For Half-Past Eight." 
     
   The Colour Came Flushing Into Lady Hartledon's Face,  An Angry Light Into 
   Her Eyes. 
     
   "You Have Asked Carr To Dinner! How Dared You?" 
     
   Val Looked Up In Quiet Amazement. 
     
   "Dared!" 
     
   "Well--Yes. Dared!" 
     
   "I Do Not Understand You,  Maude. I Suppose I May Exercise The Right Of 
   Inviting A Friend To Dinner." 
     
   "Not When It Is Objectionable To Me. I Dislike That Man Carr,  And Will 
   Not Receive Him." 
     
   "You Can Have No Grounds For Disliking Him," Returned Lord Hartledon 
   Warmly. "He Has Been A Good And True Friend To Me Ever Since I Knew What 
   Friendship Meant; And He Is A Good And True Man." 
     
   "Too Much Of A Friend," She Sarcastically Retorted. "You Don't Need Him 
   Now,  And Can Drop Him." 
     
   "Maude," Said Lord Hartledon,  Very Quietly,  "I Have Fancied Several Times 
   Lately That You Are A Little Mistaking Me. I Am Not To Have A Will Of My 
   Own; I Am To Bend In All Things To Yours; You Are To Be Mistress And 
   Master,  I A Nonentity: Is It Not So? This Is A Mistake. No Woman Ever Had 
   A Better Or More Indulgent Husband Than You Shall Find In Me: But In All 
   Necessary Things,  Where It Is Needful And Expedient That I Should 
   Exercise My Own Judgment,  And Act As Master,  I Shall Do It." 
     
   She Paused In Very Astonishment: The Tone Was So Calmly Decisive. 
     
   "My Dear,  Let Us Have No More Of This; Something Must Have Vexed You 
   To-Day." 
     
   "We Will Have No More Of It," She Passionately Retorted; "And I'll Have 
   No More Of Your Thomas Carrs. It Is Not Right That You Should Bring A Man 
   Here Who Has Deliberately Insulted Me. Be Quiet,  Lord Hartledon; He Has. 
   What Else Was It But An Insult--His Going Out Of The Chapel In The Manner 
   He Did,  When We Were Before The Altar? It Was A Direct Intimation That He 
   Did Not Countenance The Marriage. He Would Have Preferred,  I Suppose, 
   That You Should Marry Your Country Sweetheart,  Anne Ashton." 
     
   A Hot Flush Rose To Lord Hartledon's Brow,  But His Tone Was Strangely 
   Temperate. "I Have Already Warned You,  Maude,  That We Shall Do Well To 
   Discard That Name From Our Discussions,  And If Possible From Our 
   Thoughts; It May Prove Better For Both Of Us." 
     
   "Better For You,  Perhaps; But You Are _Not_ Going To Exercise Any Control 
   Over My Will,  Or Words,  Or Action; And So I Tell You At Once. I'm Quite 
   Old Enough To Be Out Of Leading-Strings,  And I'll Be Mistress In My Own 
   House. You Will Do Well To Send A Note To Your Amiable Friend Carr; It 
   May Save Him A Useless Journey; For At My Table He Shall Not Sit. Now You 
   Know,  Val." 
     
   She Spoke Impatiently,  Haughtily,  And Swept Out To Her Carriage. Val Did 
   Not Follow To Place Her In; He Positively Did Not,  But Left Her To The 
   Servants. Never In His Whole Life Perhaps Had He Felt So Nettled,  Never 
   So Resolute: The Once Vacillating,  Easily-Persuaded Man,  When Face To 
   Face With People,  Was Speedily Finding The Will He Had Only Exercised 
   Behind Their Backs. He Rang The Bell For Hedges. 
     
   "Her Ladyship Has Ordered Dinner For Nine O'clock," He Said,  When The 
   Butler Appeared. 
     
   "I Believe So,  My Lord." 
     
   "It Will Be Inconvenient To Me To Wait So Long To-Day. I Shall Dine At 
   Seven. You Can Serve It In This Room,  Leaving The Dining-Room For Lady 
   Hartledon. Mr. Carr Dines With Me." 
     
   So Hedges Gave The Necessary Orders,  And Dinner Was Laid In The 
   Breakfast-Room. Thomas Carr Came In,  Bringing The News That He Had 
   Succeeded In Putting Off His Appointment. Lord Hartledon Received Him In 
   The Same Room,  Fearing Possibly The Drawing-Room Might Be Invaded By His 
   Wife. She Was Just As Likely To Be Home Early From Chiswick As Late. 
     
   "We Have It To Ourselves,  Carr,  And I Am Not Sorry. There Was No 
   Certainty About My Wife's Return,  So I Thought We'd Dine Alone." 
     
   They Very Much Enjoyed Their Tete-A-Tete Dinner; As They Had Enjoyed Many 
   A One In Hartledon's Bachelor Days. Thomas Carr--One Of The Quiet,  Good 
   Men In A Fast World--Was An Admirable Companion,  Full Of Intelligence And 
   Conversation. Hedges Left Them Alone After The Cloth Was Removed,  But In 
   A Very Few Minutes Returned; His Step Rather More Subdued Than Usual,  As 
   If He Came Upon Some Secret Mission. 
     
   "Here's That Stranger Come Again,  Sir," He Began,  In Low Tones; And It 
   May As Well Be Remarked That In Moments Of Forgetfulness He Often Did 
   Address His Master As He Used To Address Him In The Past. "He Asked If--" 
     
   "What Stranger?" Rather Testily Interposed Lord Hartledon. "I Am At 
   Dinner,  And Can't See Any Stranger Now. What Are You Thinking About, 
   Hedges?" 
     
   "It Is What I Said," Returned Hedges; "But He Would Not Take The Answer. 
   He Said He Had Come A Long Way To See Your Lordship,  And He Would See 
   You; His Business Was Very Important. My Lady Asked Him--" 
     
   "Has Lady Hartledon Returned?" 
     
   "She Came In Now,  My Lord,  While I Was Denying You To Him. Her Ladyship 
   Heard Him Say He Would See You,  And She Inquired What His Business Was; 
   But He Did Not Tell Her. It Was Private Business,  He Remarked,  And Could 
   Only Be Entered Into With Your Lordship." 
     
   "Who Is It,  Hedges? Do You Know Him?" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Had Dropped His Voice To Confidential Tones. Hedges Was 
   Faithful,  And Had Been Privy To Some Of His Embarrassments In The Old 
   Days. The Man Looked At The Barrister,  And Seemed To Hesitate. 
     
   "Speak Out. You Can Say Anything Before Mr. Carr." 
     
   "I Don't Know Him," Answered Hedges. "It Is The Gentleman Who Came To 
   Hartledon The Week After Your Lordship's Marriage,  Asking Five Hundred 
   Questions,  And Wanting--" 
     
   "He,  Is It?" Interrupted Val. "You Told Me About Him When I Came Home, 
   I Remember. Go On,  Hedges." 
     
   "That's All,  My Lord. Except That He Is Here Now"--And Hedges Nodded His 
   Head Towards The Room-Door. "He Seems Very Inquisitive. When My Lady Went 
   Upstairs,  He Asked Whether That Was The Countess,  And Followed Her To The 
   Foot Of The Stairs To Look After Her. I Never Saw Any Gentleman Stare 
   So." 
     
   Val Played With His Wine-Glass,  And Pondered. "I Don't Believe I Owe A 
   Shilling In The World," Quoth He--Betraying The Bent Of His Thoughts,  And 
   Speaking To No One In Particular. "I Have Squared-Up Every Debt,  As Far 
   As I Know." 
     
   "He Does Not Look Like A Creditor," Observed Hedges,  With A Fatherly Air. 
   "Quite Superior To That: More Like A Parson. It's His Manner That Makes 
   One Doubt. There Was A Mystery About It At Hartledon That I Didn't Like; 
   And He Refused To Give His Name. His Insisting On Seeing Your Lordship 
   Now,  At Dinner Or Not At Dinner,  Is Odd Too; His Voice Is Quiet,  Just As 
   If He Possessed The Right To Do This. I Didn't Know What To Do,  And 
   As I Say,  He's In The Hall." 
     
   "Show Him In Somewhere,  Hedges. Lady Hartledon Is In The Drawing-Room,  I 
   Suppose: Let Him Go Into The Dining-Room." 
     
   "Her Ladyship's Dinner Is Being Laid There,  My Lord," Dissented The 
   Cautious Retainer. "She Said It Was To Be Served As Soon As It Was Ready, 
   Having Come Home Earlier Than She Expected." 
     
   "Deuce Take It!" Testily Responded Val,  "One Can't Swing A Cat In These 
   Cramped Hired Houses. Show Him Into My Smoking-Den Upstairs." 
     
   "Let Me Go There," Said Mr. Carr,  "And You Can See Him In This Room." 
     
   "No; Keep To Your Wine,  Carr. Take Him Up There,  Hedges." 
     
   The Butler Retired,  And Lord Hartledon Turned To His Guest. "Carr,  Can 
   You Give A Guess At The Fellow's Business?" 
     
   "It's Nothing To Trouble You. If You Have Overlooked Any Old Debt,  You 
   Are Able To Give A Cheque For It. But I Should Rather Suspect Your 
   Persevering Friend To Be Some Clergyman Or Missionary,  Bent On Drawing 
   A Good Subscription From You." 
     
   Val Did Not Raise His Eyes. He Was Playing Again With His Empty 
   Wine-Glass,  His Face Grave And Perplexed. 
     
   "Do They Serve Writs In These Cases?" He Suddenly Asked. 
     
   Mr. Carr Laughed. "Is The Time So Long Gone By That You Have Forgotten 
   Yours? You Have Had Some In Your Day." 
     
   "I Am Not Thinking Of Debt,  Carr: That Is Over For Me. But There's No 
   Denying That I Behaved Disgracefully To--You Know--And Dr. Ashton Has 
   Good Reason To Be Incensed. Can He Be Bringing An Action Against Me,  And 
   Is This Visit In Any Way Connected With It?" 
     
   "Nonsense," Said Mr. Carr. 
     
   "Is It Nonsense! I'm Sure I've Heard Of Their Dressing-Up These 
   Serving-Officers As Clergymen,  To Entrap The Unwary. Well,  Call It 
   Nonsense,  If You Like. What Of My Suggestion In Regard To Dr. Ashton?" 
     
   Thomas Carr Paused To Consider. That It Was Most Improbable In All 
   Respects,  He Felt Sure; Next Door To Impossible. 
     
   "The Doctor Is Too Respectable A Man To Do Anything Of The Sort," He 
   Answered. "He Is High-Minded,  Honourable,  Wealthy: There's No Inducement 
   Whatever. _No._" 
     
   "Yes,  There May Be One: That Of Punishing Me By Bringing My Disgrace 
   Before The World." 
     
   "You Forget That He Would Bring His Daughter's Name Before It At The Same 
   Time. It Is Quite Out Of The Range Of Possibility. The Ashtons Are Not 
   People To Seek Legal Reparation For Injury Of This Sort. But That Your 
   Fears Are Blinding You,  You Would Never Suspect Them Of Being Capable Of 
   It." 
     
   "The Stranger Is Upstairs,  My Lord," Interrupted Hedges,  Coming Back To 
   The Room. "I Asked Him What Name,  And He Said Your Lordship Would Know 
   Him When You Saw Him,  And There Was No Need To Give It." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Went Upstairs,  Marshalled By The Butler. Hedges Was 
   Resenting The Mystery; Very Much On His Master's Account,  A Little On His 
   Own,  For It Cannot Be Denied That He Was Given To Curiosity. He Threw 
   Open The Door Of The Little Smoking-Den,  And In His Loftiest,  Loudest, 
   Most Uncompromising Voice,  Announced: 
     
   "The Gentleman,  My Lord." 
     
   Then Retired,  And Shut Them In. 
     
   Thomas Carr Remained Alone. He Was Not Fond Of Wine,  And Did Not 
   Help Himself During His Host's Absence. Five Minutes,  Ten Minutes, 
   Half-An-Hour,  An Hour; And Still He Was Alone. At The End Of The First 
   Half-Hour He Began To Think Val A Long Time; At The End Of The Hour He 
   Feared Something Must Have Happened. Could He Be Quarrelling With The 
   Mysterious Stranger? Could He Have Forgotten Him And Gone Out? Could 
   He-- 
     
   The Door Softly Opened,  And Lord Hartledon Came In. Was It Lord 
   Hartledon? Thomas Carr Rose From His Chair In Amazement And Dread. It Was 
   Like Him,  But With Some Awful Terror Upon Him. His Face Was Of An Ashy 
   Whiteness; The Veins Of His Brow Stood Out; His Dry Lips Were Drawn. 
     
   "Good Heavens,  Hartledon!" Uttered Thomas Carr. "What Is It? You Look As 
   If You Had Been Accused Of Murder." 
     
   "I Have Been Accused Of It," Gasped The Unhappy Man,  "Of Worse Than 
   Murder. Ay,  And I Have Done It." 
     
   The Words Called Up A Strange Confusion Of Ideas In The Mind Of Thomas 
   Carr. Worse Than Murder! 
     
   "What Is It?" Cried He,  Aloud. "I Am Beginning To Dream." 
     
   "Will You Stand By Me?" Rejoined Hartledon,  His Voice Seeming To Have 
   Changed Into Something Curiously Hollow. "I Have Asked You Before For 
   Trifles; I Ask You Now In The Extremity Of Need. Will You Stand By Me, 
   And Aid Me With Your Advice?" 
     
   "Y--Es," Answered Mr. Carr,  His Excessive Astonishment Causing A 
   Hesitation. "Where Is Your Visitor?" 
     
   "Upstairs. He Holds A Fearful Secret,  And Has Me In His Power. Do You 
   Come Back With Me,  And Combat With Him Against Its Betrayal." 
     
   "A Fearful Secret!" Was Thomas Carr's Exclamation. "What Brings You With 
   One?" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Only Groaned. "You Will Stand By Me,  Carr? Will You Come 
   Upstairs And Do What You Can For Me?" 
     
   "I Am Quite Ready," Replied Thomas Carr,  Quickly. "I Will Stand By You 
   Now,  As Ever. But--I Seem To Be In A Maze. Is It A True Charge?" 
     
   "Yes,  In So Far As That--But I Had Better Tell You The Story," He Broke 
   Off,  Wiping His Brow. "I Must Tell It You Before You Go Upstairs." 
     
   He Linked His Arm Within His Friend's,  And Drew Him To The Window. It 
   Was Broad Daylight Still,  But Gloomy There: The Window Had The Pleasure 
   Of Reposing Under The Leads,  And Was Gloomy At Noon. Lord Hartledon 
   Hesitated Still. "Elster's Folly!" Were The Words Mechanically Floating 
   In The Mind Of Thomas Carr. 
     
   "It Is An Awful Story,  Carr; Bad And Wicked." 
     
   "Let Me Hear It At Once," Replied Thomas Carr. 
     
   "I Am In Danger Of--Of--In Short,  That Person Upstairs Could Have Me 
   Apprehended To-Night. I Would Not Tell You But That I Must Do So. I Must 
   Have Advice,  Assistance; But You'll Start From Me When You Hear It." 
     
   "I Will Stand By You,  Whatever It May Be. If A Man Has Ever Need Of A 
   Friend,  It Must Be In His Extremity." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Stood,  And Whispered A Strange Tale. It Was Anything But 
   Coherent To The Clear-Minded Barrister; Nevertheless,  As He Gathered One 
   Or Two Of Its Points He Did Start Back,  As Hartledon Had Foretold,  And An 
   Exclamation Of Dismay Burst From His Lips. 
     
   "And You Could _Marry_--With This Hanging Over Your Head!" 
     
   "Carr--" 
     
   The Butler Came In With An Interruption. 
     
   "My Lady Wishes To Know Whether Your Lordship Is Going Out With Her 
   To-Night." 
     
   "Not To-Night," Answered Lord Hartledon,  Pointing To The Door For The Man 
   To Make His Exit. "It Is Of Her I Think,  Not Of Myself," He Murmured To 
   Mr. Carr. 
     
   "And He"--The Barrister Pointed Above To Indicate The 
   Stranger--"Threatens To Have You Apprehended On The Charge?" 
     
   "I Hardly Know What He Threatens. _You_ Must Deal With Him,  Carr; 
   I Cannot. Let Us Go; We Are Wasting Time." 
     
   As They Left The Room To Go Upstairs Lady Hartledon Came Out Of The 
   Dining-Room And Crossed Their Path. She Was Deeply Mortified At Her 
   Husband's Bringing Mr. Carr To The House After What She Had Said; And 
   Most Probably Came Out At The Moment To Confront Them With Her Haughty 
   And Disapproving Face. However That Might Have Been,  All Other Emotions 
   Gave Place To Surprise,  When She Saw _Their_ Faces,  Each Bearing A Livid 
   Look Of Fear. 
     
   "I Hope You Are Well,  Lady Hartledon," Said Mr. Carr. 
     
   She Would Not See The Offered Hand,  But Swept Onwards With A Cold 
   Curtsey,  Stopping Just A Moment To Speak To Her Husband. 
     
   "You Are Not Going Out With Me,  Lord Hartledon?" 
     
   "I Cannot To-Night,  Maude. Business Detains Me." 
     
   She Passed Up The Stairs,  Vouchsafing No Other Word. They Lingered A 
   Minute To Let Her Get Into The Drawing-Room. 
     
   "Poor Maude! What Will Become Of Her If This Is Brought Home To Me?" 
     
   "And If It Is Not Brought Home To You--The Fact Remains The Same," Said 
   Mr. Carr,  In His Merciless Truth. 
     
   "And Our Children,  Our Children!" Groaned Hartledon,  A Hot Flush Of Dread 
   Arising In His White Face. 
     
   They Shut Themselves In With The Stranger,  And The Conference Was 
   Renewed. Presently Lights Were Rung For; Hedges Brought Them Himself, 
   But Gained Nothing By The Movement; For Mr. Carr Heard Him Coming,  Rose 
   Unbidden,  And Took Them From Him At The Door. 
     
   Lady Hartledon's Curiosity Was Excited. It Had Been Aroused A Little By 
   The Stranger Himself; Secondly By Their Scared Faces; Thirdly By This 
   Close Conference. 
     
   "Who Is That Strange Gentleman,  Hedges?" She Asked,  From The 
   Drawing-Room,  As The Butler Descended. 
     
   "I Don't Know,  My Lady." 
     
   "What Is His Name?" 
     
   "I Have Not Heard It,  My Lady." 
     
   "He Looks Like A Clergyman." 
     
   "He Does,  My Lady." 
     
   Apparently Hedges Was Impenetrable,  And She Allowed Him To Go Down. Her 
   Curiosity Was Very Much Excited; It May Be Said,  Uneasily Excited; There 
   Is No Accounting For These Instincts That Come Over Us,  Shadowing Forth 
   A Vague Sense Of Dread. Although Engaged Out That Night To More Than One 
   Place,  Lady Hartledon Lingered On In The Drawing-Room. 
     
   They Came Out Of The Room At Last And Passed The Drawing-Room Door. She 
   Pushed It To,  Only Peeping Out When They Had Gone By. There Was Nothing 
   To Hear; They Were Talking Of Ordinary Matters. The Stranger,  In His 
   Strong Scotch Accent,  Remarked What A Hot Day It Had Been. In Travelling, 
   No Doubt Very,  Responded Mr. Carr. Lady Hartledon Condescended To 
   Cautiously Put Her Head Over The Balustrades. There Was No Bell Rung; 
   Lord Hartledon Showed His Visitor Out Himself. 
     
   "And Now For These Criminal Law Books,  Carr,  That Bear Upon The Case," He 
   Said,  Returning From The Front-Door. 
     
   "I Must Go Down To My Chambers For Them." 
     
   "I Know They Can't Bring It Home To Me; I Know They Can't!" He Exclaimed, 
   In Tones So Painfully Eager As To Prove To Lady Hartledon's Ears That He 
   Thought They Could,  Whatever The Matter Might Be. "I'll Go With You, 
   Carr; This Uncertainty Is Killing Me." 
     
   "There's Little Uncertainty About It,  I Fear," Was The Grave Reply. "You 
   Had Better Look The Worst In The Face." 
     
   They Went Out,  Intending To Hail The First Cab. Very Much To Lord 
   Hartledon's Surprise He Saw His Wife's Carriage Waiting At The Door,  The 
   Impatient Horses Chafing At Their Delay. What Could Have Detained Her? 
   "Wait For Me One Moment,  Carr," He Said. "Stop A Cab If You See One." 
     
   He Dashed Up To The Drawing-Room; His Wife Was Coming Forth Then,  Her 
   Cloak And Gloves On,  Her Fan In Her Hand. "Maude,  My Darling," He 
   Exclaimed,  "What Has Kept You? Surely You Have Not Waited For Me?--You 
   Did Not Misunderstand Me?" 
     
   "I Hardly Know What Has Kept Me," She Evasively Answered. "It Is Late, 
   But I'm Going Now." 
     
   It Never Occurred To Lord Hartledon That She Had Been Watching Or 
   Listening. Incapable Of Any Meanness Of The Sort,  He Could Not Suspect It 
   In Another. Lady Hartledon's Fertile Brain Had Been Suggesting A Solution 
   Of This Mystery. It Was Rather Curious,  Perhaps,  That Her Suspicions 
   Should Take The Same Bent That Her Husband's Did At First--That Of 
   Instituting Law Proceedings By Dr. Ashton. 
     
   She Said Nothing. Her Husband Led Her Out,  Placed Her In The Carriage, 
   And Saw It Drive Away. Then He And The Barrister Got Into A Cab And Went 
   To The Temple. 
     
   "We'll Take The Books Home With Us,  Carr," He Said,  Feverishly. "You 
   Often Have Fellows Dropping In To Your Chambers At Night; At My House We 
   Shall Be Secure From Interruption." 
     
   It Was Midnight When Lady Hartledon Returned Home. She Asked After Her 
   Husband,  And Heard That He Was In The Breakfast-Room With Mr. Carr. 
     
   She Went Towards It With A Stealthy Step,  And Opened The Door Very 
   Softly. Had Lord Hartledon Not Been Talking,  They Might,  However,  Have 
   Heard Her. The Table Was Strewed With Thick Musty Folios; But They 
   Appeared To Be Done With,  And Mr. Carr Was Leaning Back In His Chair With 
   Folded Arms. 
     
   "I Have Had Nothing But Worry All My Life," Val Was Saying; "But Compared 
   With This,  Whatever Has Gone Before Was As Nothing. When I Think Of 
   Maude,  I Feel As If I Should Go Mad." 
     
   "You Must Quietly Separate From Her," Said Mr. Carr. 
     
   A Slight Movement. Mr. Carr Stopped,  And Lord Hartledon Looked Round. 
   Lady Hartledon Was Close Behind Him. 
     
   "Percival,  What Is The Matter?" She Asked,  Turning Her Back On Mr. Carr, 
   As If Ignoring His Presence. "What Bad News Did That Parson Bring You?--A 
   Friend,  I Presume,  Of Dr. Ashton's." 
     
   They Had Both Risen. Lord Hartledon Glanced At Mr. Carr,  The Perspiration 
   Breaking Out On His Brow. "It--It Was Not A Parson," He Said,  In His 
   Innate Adherence To Truth. 
     
   "I Ask _You_,  Lord Hartledon," She Resumed,  Having Noted The Silent 
   Appeal To Mr. Carr. "It Requires No Third Person To Step Between Man And 
   Wife. Will You Come Upstairs With Me?" 
     
   Words And Manner Were Too Pointed,  And Mr. Carr Hastily Stacked The 
   Books,  And Carried Them To A Side-Table. 
     
   "Allow These To Remain Here Until To-Morrow," He Said To Lord Hartledon; 
   "I'll Send My Clerk For Them. I'm Off Now; It's Later Than I Thought. 
   Good-Night,  Lady Hartledon." 
     
   He Went Out Unmolested; Lady Hartledon Did Not Answer Him; Val Nodded His 
   Good-Night. 
     
   "Are You Not Ashamed To Face Me,  Lord Hartledon?" She Then Demanded. 
   "I Overheard What You Were Saying." 
     
   "Overheard What We Were Saying?" He Repeated,  Gazing At Her With A Scared 
   Look. 
     
   "I Heard That Insidious Man Give You Strange Advice--'_You Must Quietly 
   Separate From Her_,' He Said; Meaning From Me. And You Listened 
   Patiently,  And Did Not Knock Him Down!" 
     
   "Maude! Maude! Was That All You Heard?" 
     
   "_All!_ I Should Think It Was Enough." 
     
   "Yes,  But--" He Broke Off,  So Agitated As Scarcely To Know What He Was 
   Saying. Rallying Himself Somewhat,  He Laid His Hand Upon The White Cloak 
   Covering Her Shoulders. 
     
   "Do Not Judge Him Harshly,  Maude. Indeed He Is A True Friend To You And 
   To Me. And I Have Need Of One Just Now." 
     
   "A True Friend!--To Advise That! I Never Heard Of Anything So Monstrous. 
   You Must Be Out Of Your Mind." 
     
   "No,  I Am Not,  Maude. Should--Disgrace"--He Seemed To Hesitate For A 
   Word--"Fall Upon Me,  It Must Touch You As Connected With Me. I _Know_, 
   Maude,  That He Was Thinking Of Your Best And Truest Interests." 
     
   "But To Talk Of Separating Husband And Wife!" 
     
   "Yes--Well--I Suppose He Spoke Strongly In The Heat Of The Moment." 
     
   There Was A Pause. Lord Hartledon Had His Hand Still On His Wife's 
   Shoulder,  But His Eyes Were Bent On The Table Near Which They Stood. She 
   Was Waiting For Him To Speak. 
     
   "Won't You Tell Me What Has Happened?" 
     
   "I Can't Tell You,  Maude,  To-Night," He Answered,  Great Drops Coming Out 
   Again On His Brow At The Question,  And Knowing All The Time That He 
   Should Never Tell Her. "I--I Must Learn More First." 
     
   "You Spoke Of Disgrace," She Observed Gently,  Swaying Her Fan Before Her 
   By Its Silken Cord. "An Ugly Word." 
     
   "It Is. Heaven Help Me!" 
     
   "Val,  I Do Think You Are The Greatest Simpleton Under The Skies!" She 
   Exclaimed Out Of All Patience,  And Flinging His Hand Off. "It's Time You 
   Got Rid Of This Foolish Sensitiveness. I Know What Is The Matter Quite 
   Well; And It's Not So Very Much Of A Disgrace After All! Those Ashtons 
   Are Going To Make You Pay Publicly For Your Folly. Let Them Do It." 
     
   He Had Opened His Lips To Undeceive Her,  But Stopped In Time. As A 
   Drowning Man Catches At A Straw,  So Did He Catch At This Suggestion In 
   His Hopeless Despair; And He Suffered Her To Remain In It. Anything To 
   Stave Off The Real,  Dreadful Truth. 
     
   "Maude," He Rejoined,  "It Is For Your Sake. If I Am Sensitive As To 
   Any--Any Disgrace Being Brought Home To Me,  I Declare That I Think Of 
   You More Than Of Myself." 
     
   "Then Don't Think Of It. It Will Be Fun For Me,  Rather Than Anything 
   Else. I Did Not Imagine The Ashtons Would Have Done It,  Though. I Wonder 
   What Damages They'll Go In For. Oh,  Val,  I Should Like To See You In The 
   Witness-Box!" 
     
   He Did Not Answer. 
     
   "And It Was Not A Parson?" She Continued. "I'm Sure He Looked As Much 
   Like One As Old Ashton Himself. A Professional Man,  Then,  I Suppose, 
   Val?" 
     
   "Yes,  A Professional Man." But Even That Little Answer Was Given With 
   Some Hesitation,  As Though It Had Evasion In It. 
     
   Maude Broke Into A Laugh. "Your Friend,  Pleader Carr--Or Whatever He 
   Calls Himself--Must Be As Thin-Skinned As You Are,  Val,  To Fancy That A 
   Rubbishing Action Of That Sort,  Brought Against A Husband,  Can Reflect 
   Disgrace On The Wife! Separate,  Indeed! Has He Lived In A Wood All His 
   Life? Well,  I Am Going Upstairs." 
     
   "A Moment Yet,  Maude! You Will Take A Caution From Me,  Won't You? Don't 
   Speak Of This; Don't Allude To It,  Even To Me. It May Be Arranged Yet, 
   You Know." 
     
   "So It May," Acquiesced Maude. "Let Your Friend Carr See The Doctor,  And 
   Offer To Pay The Damages Down." 
     
   He Might Have Resented This Speech For Dr. Ashton's Sake,  In A Happier 
   Moment,  But Resentment Had Been Beaten Out Of Him Now. And Lady Hartledon 
   Decided That Her Husband Was A Simpleton,  For Instead Of Going To Sleep 
   Like A Reasonable Man,  He Tossed And Turned By Her Side Until Daybreak. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 19 (Secret Care) 
   From That Hour Lord Hartledon Was A Changed Man. He Went About As One Who 
   Has Some Awful Fear Upon Him,  Starting At Shadows. That His Manner Was 
   Inexplicable,  Even Allowing That He Had Some Great Crime On His 
   Conscience,  A Looker-On Had Not Failed To Observe. He Was Very Tender 
   With His Wife; Far More So Than He Had Been At All; Anxious,  As It 
   Seemed,  To Indulge Her Every Fancy,  Gratify Her Every Whim. But When It 
   Came To Going Into Society With Her,  Then He Hesitated; He Would And He 
   Wouldn't,  Reminding Maude Of His Old Vacillation,  Which Indeed Had Seemed 
   To Have Been Laid Aside For Ever. It Was As Though He Appeared Not To 
   Know What To Do; What He Ought To Do; His Own Wish Or Inclination Having 
   No Part In It. 
     
   "Why _Won't_ You Go With Me?" She Said To Him Angrily One Day That He Had 
   Retracted His Assent At The Last Moment. "Is It That You Care So Much For 
   Anne Ashton,  That You Don't Care To Be Seen With Me?" 
     
   "Oh,  Maude! If You Knew How Little Anne Ashton Is In My Thoughts Now! 
   When By Chance I Do Think Of Her,  It Is To Be Thankful I Did Not Marry 
   Her," He Added,  In A Tone Of Self-Communing. 
     
   Maude Laughed A Light Laugh. "This Movement Of Theirs Is Putting You Out 
   Of Conceit Of Your Old Love,  Val." 
     
   "What Movement?" He Rejoined; And He Would Not Have Asked The Question 
   Had His Thoughts Not Gone Wool-Gathering. 
     
   "You Are Dreaming,  Val. The Action." 
     
   "Ah,  Yes,  To Be Sure." 
     
   "Have You Heard Yet What Damages They Claim?" 
     
   He Shook His Head. "You Promised Not To Speak Of This,  Maude; Even To 
   Me." 
     
   "Who Is To Help Speaking Of It,  When You Allow It To Take Your Ease Away? 
   I Never In My Life Saw Any One So Changed As You Are. I Wish The Thing 
   Were Over And Done With,  Though It Left You A Few Thousand Pounds The 
   Poorer. _Will_ You Accompany Me To This Dinner To-Day? I Am Sick Of 
   Appearing Alone And Making Excuses For You." 
     
   "I Wish I Knew What To Do For The Best--What My Course Ought To Be!" 
   Thought Hartledon Within His Conscience. "I Can't Bear To Be Seen With 
   Her In Public. When I Face People With Her On My Arm,  It Seems As If They 
   Must Know What Sort Of Man She,  In Her Unconsciousness,  Is Leaning Upon." 
     
   "I'll Go With You To-Day,  Maude,  As You Press It. I Was To Have Seen Mr. 
   Carr,  But Can Send Down To Him." 
     
   "Then Don't Be Five Minutes Dressing: It Is Time We Went." 
     
   She Heard Him Despatch A Footman To The Temple With A Message That He 
   Should Not Be At Mr. Carr's Chambers That Evening; And She Lay Back In 
   Her Chair,  Waiting For Him In Her Dinner-Dress Of Black And White. They 
   Were In Mourning Still For His Brother. Lord Hartledon Had Not Left It 
   Off,  And Maude Had Loved Him Too Well To Grumble At The Delay. 
     
   She Had Grown Tolerant In Regard To The Intimacy With Mr. Carr. That Her 
   Husband Should Escape As Soon And As Favourably As Possible Out Of The 
   Dilemma In Which He Was Plunged,  She Naturally Wished; That He Should 
   Require Legal Advice And Assistance To Accomplish It,  Was Only 
   Reasonable,  And Therefore She Tolerated The Visits Of Mr. Carr. She Had 
   Even Gone So Far One Evening As To Send Tea In To Them When He And Val 
   Were Closeted Together. 
     
   But Still Lady Hartledon Was Not Quite Prepared To Find Mr. Carr At 
   Their House When They Returned. She And Lord Hartledon Went Forth To 
   The Dinner; The Latter Behaving As Though His Wits Were In Some Far-Off 
   Hemisphere Rather Than In This One,  So Absent-Minded Was He. From The 
   Dinner They Proceeded To Another Place Or Two; And On Getting Home, 
   Towards One In The Morning,  There Was The Barrister. 
     
   "Mr. Carr Is Waiting To See You,  My Lord," Said Hedges,  Meeting Them In 
   The Passage. "He Is In The Dining-Room." 
     
   "Mr. Carr! Now!" 
     
   The Hall-Lamp Shone Full On His Face As He Spoke. He Had Been Momentarily 
   Forgetting Care; Was Speaking Gaily To His Wife As They Entered. She Saw 
   The Change That Came Over It; The Look Of Fear,  Of Apprehension,  That 
   Replaced Its Smile. He Went Into The Dining-Room,  And She Followed Him. 
     
   "Why,  Carr!" He Exclaimed. "Is It You?" 
     
   Mr. Carr,  Bowing To Lady Hartledon,  Made A Joke Of The Matter. "Having 
   Waited So Long,  I Thought I'd Wait It Out,  Hartledon. As Good Be Hung For 
   A Sheep As A Lamb,  You Know,  And I Have No Wife Sitting Up For Me At 
   Home." 
     
   "You Had My Message?" 
     
   "Yes,  And That Brought Me Here. I Wanted Just To Say A Word To You,  As 
   I Am Going Out Of Town To-Morrow." 
     
   "What Will You Take?" 
     
   "Nothing At All. Hedges Has Been Making Me Munificent Offers,  But I 
   Declined Them. I Never Take Anything After Dinner,  Except A Cup Of Tea Or 
   So,  As You May Remember,  Keeping A Clear Head For Work In The Morning." 
     
   There Was A Slight Pause. Lady Hartledon Saw Of Course That She Was _De 
   Trop_ In The Conference; That Mr. Carr Would Not Speak His "Word" Whilst 
   She Was Present. She Had Never Understood Why The Matter Should Be Kept 
   Apart From Her; And In Her Heart Resented It. 
     
   "You Won't Say To My Husband Before Me What You Have Come To Say,  Mr. 
   Carr." 
     
   It Was Strictly The Truth,  But The Abrupt Manner Of Bringing It Home To 
   Him Momentarily Took Away Mr. Carr's Power Of Repartee,  Although He Was 
   Apt Enough In General,  As Became A Special Pleader. 
     
   "You Have Had News From The Ashtons; That Is,  Of Their Cause,  And You 
   Have Come To Tell It. I Don't See Why You And Lord Hartledon Should So 
   Cautiously Keep Everything From Me." 
     
   There Was An Eager Look On Lord Hartledon's Face As He Stood Behind His 
   Wife. It Was Directed To Mr. Carr,  And Said As Plainly As Look Could Say, 
   "Don't Undeceive Her; Keep Up The Delusion." But Thomas Carr Was Not So 
   Apt At Keeping Up Delusions At The Expense Of Truth,  And He Only Smiled 
   In Reply. 
     
   "What Damages Are They Suing For?" 
     
   "Oh," Said Mr. Carr,  With A Laugh,  And Ready Enough Now: "Ten Thousand 
   Pounds Will Cover It." 
     
   "Ten Thousand Pounds!" She Echoed. "Of Course They Won't Get Half Of It. 
   In This Sort Of Action--Breach Of Promise--Parties Never Get So Much As 
   They Ask For,  Do They?" 
     
   "Not Often." 
     
   She Laughed A Little As She Quitted The Room. It Was Difficult To Remain 
   Longer,  And It Never Occurred To Her To Suspect That Any Graver Matter 
   Than This Action Was In Question. 
     
   "Now,  Carr?" Began Lord Hartledon,  Seating Himself Near The Table As He 
   Closed The Door After Her,  And Speaking In Low Tones. 
     
   "I Received This Letter By The Afternoon Mail," Said Mr. Carr,  Taking One 
   From The Safe Enclosure Of His Pocket-Book. "It Is Satisfactory,  So Far 
   As It Goes." 
     
   "I Call It Very Satisfactory," Returned Hartledon,  Glancing Through It. 
   "I Thought He'd Listen To Reason. What Is Done Cannot Be Undone,  And 
   Exposure Will Answer No End. I Wrote Him An Urgent Letter The Other Day, 
   Begging Him To Be Silent For Maude's Sake. Were I To Expiate The Past 
   With My Life,  It Could Not Undo It. If He Brought Me To The Bar Of My 
   Country To Plead Guilty Or Not Guilty,  The Past Would Remain The Same." 
     
   "And I Put The Matter To Him In My Letter Somewhat In The Same Light, 
   Though In A More Business-Like Point Of View," Returned Mr. Carr. "There 
   Was No Entreaty In Mine. I Left Compassion,  Whether For You Or Others, 
   Out Of The Argument; And Said To Him,  What Will You Gain By Exposure,  And 
   How Will You Reconcile It To Your Conscience To Inflict On Innocent 
   Persons The Torture Exposure Must Bring?" 
     
   "I Shall Breathe Freely Now," Said Hartledon,  With A Sigh Of Relief." 
   If That Man Gives His Word Not To Stir In The Matter,  Not To Take 
   Proceedings Against Me; In Short,  To Bury What He Knows In Secrecy And 
   Silence,  As He Has Hitherto Done; It Will Be All I Can Hope For." 
     
   Mr. Carr Lifted His Eyebrows. 
     
   "I Perceive What You Think: That The Fact Remains. Carr,  I Know It As 
   Well As You; I Know That _Nothing_ Can Alter It. Don't You See That 
   Remorse Is Ever Present With Me? Driving Me Mad? Killing Me By Inches 
   With Its Pain?" 
     
   "Do You Know What I Should Be Tempted To Do,  Were The Case Mine?" 
     
   "Well?" 
     
   "Tell My Wife." 
     
   "Carr!" 
     
   "I Almost Think I Should; I Am Not Quite Sure. Should The Truth Ever Come 
   To Her--" 
     
   "But I Trust It Never Will Come To Her," Interrupted Hartledon,  His Face 
   Growing Hot. 
     
   "It's A Delicate Point To Argue," Acknowledged Mr. Carr,  "And I Cannot 
   Hope To Bring You Into My Way Of Looking At It. Had You Married Miss 
   Ashton,  It Appears To Me That You Would Have No Resource But To Tell 
   Her: The Very Fact Of Being Bound To You Would Kill A Religious, 
   High-Principled Woman." 
     
   "Not If She Remained In Ignorance." 
     
   "There It Is. Ought She To Remain In Ignorance?" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Leaned His Head On His Hand As One Faint And Weary. 
   "Carr,  It Is Of No Use To Go Over All This Ground Again. If I Disclose 
   The Whole To Maude,  How Would It Make It Better For Her? Would It Not 
   Render It A Hundred Times Worse? She Could Not Inform Against Me; It 
   Would Be Contrary To Human Nature To Suppose It; And All The Result 
   Would Be,  That She Must Go Through Life With The Awful Secret Upon Her, 
   Rendering Her Days A Hell Upon Earth,  As It Is Rendering Mine. It's True 
   She Might Separate From Me; I Dare Say She Would; But What Satisfaction 
   Would That Bring Her? No; The Kinder Course Is To Allow Her To Remain In 
   Ignorance. Good Heavens! Tell My Wife! I Should Never Dare Do It!" 
     
   Mr. Carr Made No Reply,  And A Pause Ensued. In Truth,  The Matter Was 
   Encompassed With Difficulties On All Sides; And The Barrister Could But 
   Acknowledge That Val's Argument Had Some Sort Of Reason In It. Having 
   Bound Her To Himself By Marriage,  It Might Be Right That He Should Study 
   Her Happiness Above All Things. 
     
   "It Has Put New Life Into Me," Val Resumed,  Pointing To The Letter. "Now 
   That He Has Promised To Keep The Secret,  There's Little To Fear; And I 
   Know That He Will Keep His Word. I Must Bear The Burden As I Best Can, 
   And Keep A Smiling Face To The World." 
     
   "Did You Read The Postscript?" Asked Mr. Carr; A Feeling Coming Over Him 
   That Val Had Not Read It. 
     
   "The Postscript?" 
     
   "There's A Line Or Two Over The Leaf." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Glanced At It,  And Found It Ran Thus: 
     
     "You Must Be Aware That Another Person Knows Of This Besides Myself. He 
     Who Was A Witness At The Time,  And From Whom _I_ Heard The Particulars. 
     Of Course For Him I Cannot Answer,  And I Think He Is In England. I 
     Allude To G.G. Lord H. Will Know." 
     
   "Lord H." Apparently Did Know. He Gazed Down At The Words With A Knitted 
   Brow,  In Which Some Surprise Was Mingled. 
     
   "I Declare That I Understood Him That Night To Say The Fellow Had Died. 
   Did Not You?" 
     
   "I Did," Acquiesced Mr. Carr. "I Certainly Assumed It As A Fact,  Until 
   This Letter Came To-Day. Gordon Was The Name,  I Think?" 
     
   "George Gordon." 
     
   "Since Reading The Letter I Have Been Endeavouring To Recollect Exactly 
   What He Did Say; And The Impression On My Mind Is,  That He Spoke Of 
   Gordon As Being _Probably_ Dead; Not That He Knew It For A Certainty. 
   How I Could Overlook The Point So As Not To Have Inquired Into It More 
   Fully,  I Cannot Imagine. But,  You See,  We Were Not Discussing Details 
   That Night,  Or Questioning Facts: We Were Trying To Disarm Him--Get Him 
   Not To Proceed Against You; And For Myself,  I Confess I Was So Utterly 
   Stunned That Half My Wits Had Left Me." 
     
   "What Is To Be Done?" 
     
   "We Must Endeavour To Ascertain Where Gordon Is," Replied Mr. Carr,  As 
   He Re-Enclosed The Letter In His Pocket-Book. "I'll Write And Inquire 
   What _His_ Grounds Are For Thinking He Is In England; And Then Trace Him 
   Out--If He Is To Be Traced. You Give Me Carte-Blanche To Act?" 
     
   "You Know I Do,  Carr." 
     
   "All Right." 
     
   "And When You Have Traced Him--What Then?" 
     
   "That's An After-Question,  And I Must Be Guided By Circumstances. And Now 
   I'll Wish You Good-Night," Continued The Barrister,  Rising. "It's A Shame 
   To Have Kept You Up; But The Letter Contains Some Consolation,  And I Knew 
   I Could Not Bring It You To-Morrow." 
     
   The Drawing-Room Was Lighted When Lord Hartledon Went Upstairs; And His 
   Wife Sat There With A Book,  As If She Meant To Remain Up All Night. She 
   Put It Down As He Entered. 
     
   "Are You Here Still,  Maude! I Thought You Were Tired When You Came Home." 
     
   "I Felt Tired Because I Met No One I Cared For," She Answered,  In Rather 
   Fractious Tones. "Every One We Know Is Leaving Town,  Or Has Left." 
     
   "Yes,  That's True." 
     
   "I Shall Leave Too. I Don't Mind If We Go To-Morrow." 
     
   "To-Morrow!" He Echoed. "Why,  We Have The House For Three Weeks Longer." 
     
   "And If We Have? We Are Not Obliged To Remain In It." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Put Back The Curtain,  And Stood Leaning Out At The Open 
   Window,  Seeking A Breath Of Air That Hot Summer's Night,  Though Indeed 
   There Was None To Be Found; And If There Had Been,  It Could Not Have 
   Cooled The Brow's Inward Fever. The Park Lay Before Him,  Dark And Misty; 
   The Lights Of The Few Vehicles Passing Gleamed Now And Again; The Hum Of 
   Life Was Dying Out In The Streets,  Men's Free Steps,  Careless Voices. He 
   Looked Down,  And Wondered Whether Any One Of Those Men Knew What Care 
   Meant As _He_ Knew It; Whether The Awful Skeleton,  That Never Quitted 
   Him Night Or Day,  Could Hold Such Place With Another. He Was Earl Of 
   Hartledon; Wealthy,  Young,  Handsome; He Had No Bad Habits To Hamper Him; 
   And Yet He Would Willingly Have Changed Lots At Hazard With Any One Of 
   Those Passers-By,  Could His Breast,  By So Doing,  Have Been Eased Of Its 
   Burden. 
     
   "What Are You Looking At,  Val?" 
     
   His Wife Had Come Up And Stolen Her Arm Within His,  As She Asked The 
   Question,  Looking Out Too. 
     
   "Not At Anything In Particular," He Replied,  Making A Prisoner Of Her 
   Hand. "The Night's Hot,  Maude." 
     
   "Oh,  I Am Getting Tired Of London!" She Exclaimed. "It Is Always Hot Now; 
   And I Believe I Ought To Be Away From It." 
     
   "Yes." 
     
   "That Letter I Had This Morning Was From Ireland,  From Mamma. I Told Her, 
   When I Wrote Last,  How I Felt; And You Never Read Such A Lecture As She 
   Gave Me In Return. She Asked Me Whether I Was Mad,  That I Should Be Going 
   Galvanizing About When I Ought Rather To Be Resting Three Parts Of My 
   Time." 
     
   "Galvanizing?" Said Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "So She Wrote: She Never Waits To Choose Her Words--You Know Mamma! 
   I Suppose She Meant To Imply That I Was Always On The Move." 
     
   "Do You Feel Ill,  Maude?" 
     
   "Not Exactly Ill; But--I Think I Ought To Be Careful. Percival," She 
   Breathed,  "Mamma Asked Me Whether I Was Trying To Destroy The Hope Of An 
   Heir To Hartledon." 
     
   An Ice-Bolt Shot Through Him At The Reminder. Better An Heir Should Never 
   Be Born,  If It Must Call Him Father! 
     
   "I Fainted To-Day,  Val," She Continued To Whisper. 
     
   He Passed His Arm Round His Wife's Waist,  And Drew Her Closer To Him. 
   Not Upon Her Ought He To Visit His Sin: She Might Have Enough To Bear, 
   Without Coldness From Him; Rather Should He Be Doubly Tender. 
     
   "You Did Not Tell Me About It,  Love. Why Have You Gone Out This Evening?" 
   He Asked Reproachfully. 
     
   "It Has Not Harmed Me. Indeed I Will Take Care,  For Your Sake. I Should 
   Never Forgive Myself." 
     
   "I Have Thought Since We Married,  Maude,  That You Did Not Much Care For 
   Me." 
     
   Maude Made No Immediate Answer. She Was Looking Out Straight Before Her, 
   Her Head On His Shoulder,  And Lord Hartledon Saw That Tears Were 
   Glistening In Her Eyes. 
     
   "Yes,  I Do," She Said At Length; And As She Spoke She Felt Very Conscious 
   That She _Was_ Caring For Him. His Gentle Kindness,  His Many Attractions 
   Were Beginning To Tell Upon Her Heart; And A Vision Of The Possible 
   Future,  When She Should Love Him,  Crossed Her Then And There As She 
   Stood. Lord Hartledon Bent His Face,  And Let It Rest On Hers. 
     
   "We Shall Be Happy Yet,  Val; And I Will Be As Good As Gold. To Begin 
   With,  We Will Leave London At Once. I Ought Not To Remain,  And I Know You 
   Have Not Liked It All Along. It Would Have Been Better To Wait Until Next 
   Year,  When We Could Have Had Our Own House; Only I Was Impatient. I Felt 
   Proud Of Being Married; Of Being Your Wife--I Did Indeed,  Val--And I Was 
   In A Fever To Be Amidst My World Of Friends. And There's A Real 
   Confession!" She Concluded,  Laughing. 
     
   "Any More?" He Asked,  Laughing With Her. 
     
   "I Don't Remember Any More Just Now. Which Day Shall We Go? You Shall 
   Manage Things For Me Now: I Won't Be Wilful Again. Shall The Servants Go 
   On First To Hartledon,  Or With Us?" 
     
   "To Hartledon!" Exclaimed Val. "Is It To Hartledon You Think Of Going?" 
     
   "Of Course It Is," She Said,  Standing Up And Looking At Him In Surprise. 
   "Where Else Should I Go?" 
     
   "I Thought You Wished To Go To Germany!" 
     
   "And So I Did; But That Would Not Do Now." 
     
   "Then Let Us Go To The Seaside," He Rather Eagerly Said. "Somewhere In 
   England." 
     
   "No,  I Would Rather Go To Hartledon. In One's Own Home Rest And Comfort 
   Can Be Insured; And I Believe I Require Them. Don't You Wish To Go 
   There?" She Added,  Watching His Perplexed Face. 
     
   "No,  I Don't. The Truth Is,  I Cannot Go To Hartledon." 
     
   "Is It Because You Do Not Care To Face The Ashtons? I See! You Would Like 
   To Have This Business Settled First." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Hardly Heard The Words,  As He Stood Leaning Against The 
   Open Casement,  Gazing Into The Dark And Misty Past. No Man Ever Shrank 
   From A Prison As He Shrank From Hartledon. 
     
   "I Cannot Leave London At All Just Yet. Thomas Carr Is Remaining Here For 
   Me,  When He Ought To Be On Circuit,  And I Must Stay With Him. I Wish You 
   Would Go Anywhere Else,  Rather Than To Hartledon." 
     
   The Tone Was So Painfully Earnest,  That A Momentary Suspicion Crossed Her 
   Of His Having Some Other Motive. It Passed Away Almost As It Arose,  And 
   She Accused Him Of Being Unreasonable. 
     
   Unreasonable It Did Appear To Be. "If You Have Any Real Reason To Urge 
   Against Hartledon,  Tell It Me," She Said. But He Mentioned None--Save 
   That It Was His "Wish" Not To Go. 
     
   And Lady Hartledon,  Rather Piqued,  Gave The Necessary Orders On The 
   Following Day For The Removal. No Further Confidential Converse,  Or 
   Approach To It,  Took Place Between Her And Her Husband; But Up To The 
   Last Moment She Thought He Would Relent And Accompany Her. Nothing Of The 
   Sort. He Was Anxious For Her Every Comfort On The Journey,  And Saw Her 
   Off Himself: Nothing More. 
     
   "I Never Thought You Would Allow Me To Go Alone," She Resentfully 
   Whispered,  As He Held Her Hand After She Was Seated In The Train. 
     
   He Shook His Head. "It Is Your Fault,  Maude. I Told You I Could Not Go To 
   Hartledon." 
     
   And So She Went Down In Rather An Angry Frame Of Mind. Many A Time And 
   Oft Had She Pictured To Herself The Triumph Of Their First Visit To 
   Calne,  The Place Where She Had Taken So Much Pains To Win Him: But The 
   Arrival Was Certainly Shorn Of Its Glory. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 20 (Asking The Rector) 
   Perhaps Lady Hartledon Had Never In All Her Life Been So Much Astonished 
   As When She Reached Hartledon,  For The First Person She Saw There Was Her 
   Mother: Her Mother,  Whom She Had Believed To Be In Some Remote District 
   Of Ireland. For The Moment She Almost Wondered Whether It Was Really 
   Herself Or Her Ghost. The Countess-Dowager Came Flying Down The Steps--If 
   That Term May Be Applied To One Of Her Age And Size--With Rather 
   Demonstrative Affection; Which,  However,  Was Not Cordially Received. 
     
   "What's The Matter,  Maude? How You Stare!" 
     
   "_Is_ It You,  Mamma? How _Can_ It Be You?" 
     
   "How Can It Be Me?" Returned The Dowager,  Giving Maude's Bonnet A Few 
   Kisses. "It _Is_ Me,  And That's Enough. My Goodness,  Maude,  How Thin You 
   Look! I See What It Is! You've Been Killing Yourself In That Racketing 
   London. It's Well I've Come To Take Care Of You." 
     
   Maude Went In,  Feeling That She Could Have Taken Care Of Herself,  And 
   Listening To The Off-Hand Explanations Of The Countess-Dowager. "Kirton 
   Offended Me," She Said. "He And His Wife Are Like Two Bears; And So I 
   Packed Up My Things And Came Away At Once,  And Got Here Straight From 
   Liverpool. And Now You Know." 
     
   "And Is Lady Kirton Quite Well Again?" Asked Maude,  Helplessly,  Knowing 
   She Could Not Turn Her Mother Out. 
     
   "She'd Be Well Enough But For Temper. She _Was_ Ill,  Though,  When They 
   Telegraphed For Me; Her Life For Three Days And Nights Hanging On A 
   Shred. I Told That Fool Of A Kirton Before He Married Her That She Had No 
   Constitution. I Suppose You And Hart Were Finely Disappointed To Find I 
   Was Not In London When You Got There." 
     
   "Agreeably Disappointed,  I Think," Said Maude,  Languidly. 
     
   "Indeed! It's Civil Of You To Say So." 
     
   "On Account Of The Smallness Of The House," Added Maude,  Endeavouring To 
   Be Polite. "We Hardly Knew How To Manage In It Ourselves." 
     
   "You Wrote Me Word To Take It. As To Me,  I Can Accommodate Myself To Any 
   Space. Where There's Plenty Of Room,  I Take Plenty; Where There's Not,  I 
   Can Put Up With A Closet. I Have Made Mirrable Give Me My Old Rooms Here: 
   You Of Course Take Hart's Now." 
     
   "I Am Very Tired," Said Maude. "I Think I Will Have Some Tea,  And Go To 
   Bed." 
     
   "Tea!" Shrieked The Dowager. "I Have Not Yet Had Dinner. And It's 
   Waiting; That's More." 
     
   "You Can Dine Without Me,  Mamma," She Said,  Walking Upstairs To The New 
   Rooms. The Dowager Stared,  And Followed Her. There Was An Indescribable 
   Something In Maude's Manner That She Did Not Like; It Spoke Of Incipient 
   Rebellion,  Of An Influence That Had Been,  But Was Now Thrown Off. If She 
   Lost Caste Once,  With Maude,  She Knew That She Lost It For Ever. 
     
   "You Could Surely Take A Little Dinner,  Maude. You Must Keep Up Your 
   Strength,  You Know." 
     
   "Not Any Dinner,  Thank You. I Shall Be All Right To-Morrow,  When I've 
   Slept Off My Fatigue." 
     
   "Well,  I Know I Should Like Mine," Grumbled The Countess-Dowager,  Feeling 
   Her Position In The House Already Altered From What It Had Been During 
   Her Former Sojourn,  When She Assumed Full Authority,  And Ordered Things 
   As She Pleased,  Completely Ignoring The New Lord. 
     
   "You Can Have It," Said Maude. 
     
   "They Won't Serve It Until Hartledon Arrives," Was The Aggrieved Answer. 
   "I Suppose He's Walking Up From The Station. He Always Had A Queer Habit 
   Of Doing That." 
     
   Maude Lifted Her Eyes In Slight Surprise. Her Solitary Arrival Was A 
   Matter Of Fact So Established To Herself,  That It Sounded Strange For Any 
   One Else To Be In Ignorance Of It. 
     
   "Lord Hartledon Has Not Come Down. He Is Remaining In London." 
     
   The Old Dowager Peered At Maude Through Her Little Eyes. "What's That 
   For?" 
     
   "Business,  I Believe." 
     
   "Don't Tell Me An Untruth,  Maude. You Have Quarrelled." 
     
   "We Have Not Quarrelled. We Are Perfectly Good Friends." 
     
   "And Do You Mean To Tell Me That He Sent You Down Alone?" 
     
   "He Sent The Servants With Me." 
     
   "Don't Be Insolent,  Maude. You Know What I Mean." 
     
   "Why,  Mamma,  I Do Not Wish To Be Insolent. I Can't Tell You More,  Or 
   Tell It Differently. Lord Hartledon Did Not Come Down With Me,  And The 
   Servants Did." 
     
   She Spoke Sharply. In Her Tired Condition The Petty Conversation Was 
   Wearying Her; And Underlying Everything Else In Her Heart,  Was The 
   Mortifying Consciousness That He Had _Not_ Come Down With Her,  Chafing 
   Her Temper Almost Beyond Repression. Considering That Maude Did Not 
   Profess To Love Her Husband Very Much,  It Was Astonishing How Keenly She 
   Felt This. 
     
   "Are You And Hartledon Upon Good Terms?" Asked The Countess-Dowager After 
   A Pause,  During Which She Had Never Taken Her Eyes From Her Daughter's 
   Face. 
     
   "It Would Be Early Days To Be On Any Other." 
     
   "Oh," Said The Dowager. "And You Did Not Write Me Word From Paris That 
   You Found You Had Made A Mistake,  That You Could Not Bear Your Husband! 
   Eh,  Maude?" 
     
   A Tinge Came Into Maude's Cheeks. "And You,  Mamma,  Told Me That I Was To 
   Rule My Husband With An Iron Hand,  Never Allowing Him To Have A Will Of 
   His Own,  Never Consulting Him! Both You And I Were Wrong," She Continued 
   Quietly. "I Wrote That Letter In A Moment Of Irritation; And You Were 
   Assuming What Has Not Proved To Be A Fact. I Like My Husband Now Quite 
   Well Enough To Keep Friends With Him; His Kindness To Me Is Excessive; 
   But I Find,  With All My Wish To Rule Him,  If I Had The Wish,  I Could Not 
   Do It. He Has A Will Of His Own,  And He Exerts It In Spite Of Me; And I 
   Am Quite Sure He Will Continue To Exert It,  Whenever He Fancies He Is In 
   The Right. You Never Saw Any One So Changed From What He Used To Be." 
     
   "How Do You Mean?" 
     
   "I Mean In Asserting His Own Will. But He Is Changed In Other Ways. It 
   Seems To Me That He Has Never Been Quite The Same Man Since That Night In 
   The Chapel. He Has Been More Thoughtful; And All The Old Vacillation Is 
   Gone." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Could Not Understand At All; Neither Did She 
   Believe; And She Only Stared At Maude. 
     
   "His _Not_ Coming Down With Me Is A Proof That He Exercises His Own Will 
   Now. I Wished Him To Come Very Much,  And He Knew It; But You See He Has 
   Not Done So." 
     
   "And What Do You Say Is Keeping Him?" Repeated The Countess-Dowager. 
     
   "Business--" 
     
   "Ah," Interrupted The Dowager,  Before Maude Could Finish,  "That's The 
   General Excuse. Always Suspect It,  My Dear." 
     
   "Suspect What?" Asked Maude. 
     
   "When A Man Says That,  And Gets His Wife Out Of The Way With It,  Rely 
   Upon It He Is Pursuing Some Nice Little Interests Of His Own." 
     
   Lady Hartledon Understood The Implication; She Felt Nettled,  And A Flush 
   Rose To Her Face. In Her Husband's Loyalty (Always Excepting His Feeling 
   Towards Miss Ashton) She Rested Fully Assured. 
     
   "You Did Not Allow Me To Finish," Was The Cold Rejoinder. "Business _Is_ 
   Keeping Him In Town,  For One Thing; For Another,  I Think He Cannot Get 
   Over His Dislike To Face The Ashtons." 
     
   "Rubbish!" Cried The Wrathful Dowager. "He Does Not Tell You What The 
   Business Is,  Does He?" She Cynically Added. 
     
   "I Happen To Know," Answered Maude. "The Ashtons Are Bringing An Action 
   Against Him For Breach Of Promise; And He And Mr. Carr The Barrister Are 
   Trying To Arrange It Without Its Coming To A Trial." 
     
   The Old Lady Opened Her Eyes And Her Mouth. 
     
   "It Is True. They Lay The Damages At Ten Thousand Pounds!" 
     
   With A Shriek The Countess-Dowager Began To Dance. Ten Thousand Pounds! 
   Ten Thousand Pounds Would Keep Her For Ever,  Invested At Good Interest. 
   She Called The Parson Some Unworthy Names. 
     
   "I Cannot Give You Any Of The Details," Said Maude,  In Answer To The 
   Questions Pressed Upon Her. "Percival Will Never Speak Of It,  Or Allow 
   Me To Do So. I Learnt It--I Can Hardly Tell You How I Learnt It--By 
   Implication,  I Think; For It Was Never Expressly Told Me. We Had A 
   Mysterious Visit One Night From Some Old Parson--Parson Or Lawyer; And 
   Percival And Mr. Carr,  Who Happened To Be At Our House,  Were Closeted 
   With Him For An Hour Or Two. I Saw They Were Agitated,  And Guessed What 
   It Was; Dr. Ashton Was Bringing An Action. They Could Not Deny It." 
     
   "The Vile Old Hypocrite!" Cried The Incensed Dowager. "Ten Thousand 
   Pounds! Are You Sure It Is As Much As That,  Maude?" 
     
   "Quite. Mr. Carr Told Me The Amount." 
     
   "I Wonder You Encourage That Man To Your House." 
     
   "It Was One Of The Things I Stood Out Against--Fruitlessly," Was The 
   Quiet Answer. "But I Believe He Means Well To Me; And I Am Sure He Is 
   Doing What He Can To Serve My Husband. They Are Often Together About This 
   Business." 
     
   "_Of Course_ Hartledon Resists The Claim?" 
     
   "I Don't Know. I Think They Are Trying To Compromise It,  So That It Shall 
   Not Come Into Court." 
     
   "What Does Hartledon Think Of It?" 
     
   "It Is Worrying His Life Out. No,  Mamma,  It Is Not Too Strong An 
   Expression. He Says Nothing; But I Can See That It Is Half Killing Him. 
   I Don't Believe He Has Slept Properly Since The News Was Brought To Him." 
     
   "What A Simpleton He Must Be! And That Man Will Stand Up In The Pulpit 
   To-Morrow And Preach Of Charity!" Continued The Dowager,  Turning Her 
   Animadversions Upon Dr. Ashton. "You Are A Hypocrite Too,  Maude,  For 
   Trying To Deceive Me. You And Hartledon Are _Not_ On Good Terms; Don't 
   Tell Me! He Would Never Have Let You Come Down Alone." 
     
   Lady Hartledon Would Not Reply. She Felt Vexed With Her Mother,  Vexed 
   With Her Husband,  Vexed On All Sides; And She Took Refuge In Her Fatigue 
   And Was Silent. 
     
   The Dowager Went To Church On The Following Day. Maude Would Not Go. The 
   Hot Anger Flushed Into Her Face At The Thought Of Showing Herself There 
   For The First Time,  Unaccompanied By Her Husband: To Maude's Mind It 
   Seemed That She Must Look To Others So Very Much Like A Deserted Wife. 
   She Comes Home Alone; He Stays In London! "Ah,  Why Did He Not Come Down 
   Only For This One Sunday,  And Go Back Again--If He Must Have Gone?" She 
   Thought. 
     
   A Month Or Two Ago Maude Had Not Cared Enough For Him To Reason Like 
   This. The Countess-Dowager Ensconced Herself In A Corner Of The Hartledon 
   State-Pew,  And From Her Blinking Eyes Looked Out Upon The Ashtons. Anne, 
   With Her Once Bright Face Looking Rather Wan,  Her Modest Demeanour; Mrs. 
   Ashton,  So Essentially A Gentlewoman; The Doctor,  Sensible,  Clever, 
   Charitable,  Beyond All Doubt A Good Man--A Feeling Came Over The Mind Of 
   The Sometimes Obtuse Woman That Of All The People Before Her They Looked 
   The Least Likely To Enter On The Sort Of Lawsuit Spoken Of By Maude. But 
   Never A Doubt Occurred To Her That They _Had_ Entered On It. 
     
   Lady Hartledon Remained At Home,  Her Prayer-Book In Her Hand. She Was 
   Thinking She Could Steal Out To The Evening Service; It Might Not Be So 
   Much Noticed Then,  Her Being Alone. Listlessly Enough She Sat,  Toying 
   With Her Prayer-Book Rather Than Reading It. She Had Never Pretended To 
   Be Religious,  Had Not Been Trained To Be So; And Reading A Prayer-Book, 
   When Not In Church,  Was Quite Unusual To Her. But There Are Seasons In 
   A Woman's Life,  Times When Peril Is Looked Forward To,  That Bring Thought 
   Even To The Most Careless Nature. Maude Was Trying To Play At "Being 
   Good," And Was Reading The Psalms For The Day In An Absent Fashion,  Her 
   Thoughts Elsewhere; And The Morning Passed On. The Quiet Apathy Of Her 
   Present State,  Compared With The Restless Fever Which Had Stirred Her 
   During Her Last Sojourn At Hartledon,  Was Remarkable. 
     
   Suddenly There Burst In Upon Her The Countess-Dowager: That Estimable 
   Lady's Bonnet Awry,  Her Face Scarlet,  Herself In A Commotion. 
     
   "I Didn't Suppose You'd Have Done It,  Maude! You Might Play Tricks Upon 
   Other People,  I Think,  But Not Upon Your Own Mother." 
     
   The Interlude Was Rather Welcome To Maude,  Rousing Her From Her Apathy. 
   Not For Some Few Moments,  However,  Could She Understand The Cause Of 
   Complaint. 
     
   It Appeared That The Countess-Dowager,  With That Absence Of All Sense Of 
   The Fitness Of Things Which So Eminently Characterized Her,  Had Joined 
   The Ashtons After Service,  Inquiring With Quite Motherly Solicitude After 
   Mrs. Ashton's Health,  Complimenting Anne Upon Her Charming Looks; Making 
   Herself,  In Short,  As Agreeable As She Knew How,  And Completely Ignoring 
   The Past In Regard To Her Son-In-Law. Gentlewomen In Mind And Manners, 
   They Did Not Repulse Her,  Were Even Courteously Civil; And She Graciously 
   Accompanied Them Across The Road To The Rectory-Gate,  And There Took A 
   Cordial Leave,  Saying She Would Look In On The Morrow. 
     
   In Returning She Met Dr. Ashton. He Was Passing Her With Nothing But A 
   Bow; But He Little Knew The Countess-Dowager. She Grasped His Hand; Said 
   How Grieved She Was Not To Have Had An Opportunity Of Explaining Away Her 
   Part In The Past; Hoped He Would Let Bygones Be Bygones; And Finally, 
   Whilst The Clergyman Was Scheming How To Get Away From Her Without 
   Absolute Rudeness,  She Astonished Him With A Communication Touching The 
   Action-At-Law. There Ensued A Little Mutual Misapprehension,  Followed By 
   A Few Emphatic Words Of Denial From Dr. Ashton; And The Countess-Dowager 
   Walked Away With A Scarlet Face,  And An Explosion Of Anger Against Her 
   Daughter. 
     
   Lady Hartledon Was Not Yet Callous To The Proprieties Of Life; And The 
   Intrusion On The Ashtons,  Which Her Mother Confessed To,  Half Frightened, 
   Half Shamed Her. But The Dowager's Wrath At Having Been Misled Bore Down 
   Everything. Dr. Ashton Had Entered No Action Whatever Against Lord 
   Hartledon; Had Never Thought Of Doing It. 
     
   "And You,  You Wicked,  Ungrateful Girl,  To Come Home To Me With Such An 
   Invention,  And Cause Me To Start Off On A Fool's Errand! Do You Suppose I 
   Should Have Gone And Humbled Myself To Those People,  But For Hoping To 
   Bring The Parson To A Sense Of What He Was Doing In Going-In For Those 
   Enormous Damages?" 
     
   "I Have Not Come Home To You With Any Invention,  Mamma. Dr. Ashton Has 
   Entered The Action." 
     
   "He Has Not," Raved The Dowager. "It Is An Infamous Hoax You Have Played 
   Off Upon Me. You Couldn't Find Any Excuse For Your Husband's Staying In 
   London,  And So Invented This. What With You,  And What With Kirton's 
   Ingratitude,  I Shall Be Driven Out Of House And Home!" 
     
   "I Won't Say Another Word Until You Are Calm And Can Talk Common Sense," 
   Said Maude,  Leaning Back In Her Chair,  And Putting Down Her Prayer-Book. 
     
   "Common Sense! What Am I Talking But Common Sense? When A Child Begins To 
   Mislead Her Own Mother,  The World Ought To Come To An End." 
     
   Maude Took No Notice. 
     
   There Happened To Be Some Water Standing On A Table,  And The Dowager 
   Poured Out A Tumblerful And Drank It,  Though Not Accustomed To The 
   Beverage. Untying Her Bonnet-Strings She Sat Down,  A Little Calmer. 
     
   "Perhaps You'll Explain This At Your Convenience,  Maude." 
     
   "There Is Nothing To Explain," Was The Answer. "What I Told You Was The 
   Truth. The Action _Has_ Been Entered By The Ashtons." 
     
   "And I Tell You That The Action Has Not." 
     
   "I Assure You That It Has," Returned Maude. "I Told You Of The Evening We 
   First Had Notice Of It,  And The Damages Claimed; Do You Think I Invented 
   That,  Or Went To Sleep And Dreamt It? If Val Has Gone Down Once To That 
   Temple About It,  He Has Gone Fifty Times. He Would Not Go For Pleasure." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Sat Fanning Herself Quietly: For Her Daughter's 
   Words Were Gaining Ground. 
     
   "There's A Mistake Somewhere,  Maude,  And It Is On Your Side And Not Mine. 
   I'll Lay My Life That No Action Has Been Entered By Dr. Ashton. The Man 
   Spoke The Truth; I Can Read The Truth When I See It As Well As Anyone: 
   His Face Flushed With Pain And Anger At Such A Thing Being Said Of Him. 
   It May Not Be Difficult To Explain This Contradiction." 
     
   "Do You Think Not?" Returned Maude,  Her Indifference Exciting The 
   Listener To Anger. 
     
   "_I_ Should Say Hartledon Is Deceiving You. If Any Action Is Entered 
   Against Him At All,  It Isn't That Sort Of Action; Or Perhaps The Young 
   Lady Is Not Miss Ashton,  But Some Other; He's Just The Kind Of Man To Be 
   Drawn Into Promising Marriage To A Dozen Or Two. Very Clever Of Him To 
   Palm You Off With This Tale: A Man May Get Into Five Hundred Troubles Not 
   Convenient To Disclose To His Wife." 
     
   Except That Lady Hartledon's Cheek Flushed A Little,  She Made No Answer; 
   She Held Firmly--At Least She Thought She Held Firmly--To Her Own Side 
   Of The Case. Her Mother,  On The Contrary,  Adopted The New View,  And 
   Dismissed It From Her Thoughts Accordingly. 
     
   Maude Went To Church In The Evening,  Sitting Alone In The Great Pew,  Pale 
   And Quiet. Anne Ashton Was Also Alone; And The Two Whilom Rivals,  The 
   Triumphant And The Rejected,  Could Survey Each Other To Their Heart's 
   Content. 
     
   Not Very Triumphant Was Maude's Feeling. Strange Perhaps To Say,  The 
   Suggestion Of The Old Dowager,  Like Instilled Poison,  Was Making Its Way 
   Into Her Very Veins. Her Thoughts Had Been Busy With The Matter Ever 
   Since. One Positive Conviction Lay In Her Heart--That Dr. Ashton,  Now 
   Reading The First Lesson Before Her,  For He Was Taking The Whole Of The 
   Service That Evening,  Could Not,  Under Any Circumstance,  Be Guilty Of A 
   False Assertion Or Subterfuge. One Solution Of The Difficulty Presented 
   Itself To Her--That Her Mother,  In Her Irascibility,  Had Misunderstood 
   The Rector; And Yet That Was Improbable. As Maude Half Sat,  Half Lay Back 
   In The Pew,  For The Faint Feeling Was Especially Upon Her That Evening, 
   She Thought She Would Give A Great Deal To Set The Matter At Rest. 
     
   When The Service Was Over She Took The More Secluded Way Home; Those Of 
   The Servants Who Had Attended Returning As Usual By The Road. On Reaching 
   The Turning Where The Three Paths Diverged,  The Faintness Which Had Been 
   Hovering Over Her All The Evening Suddenly Grew Worse; And But For A 
   Friendly Tree,  She Might Have Fallen. It Grew Better In A Few Moments, 
   But She Did Not Yet Quit Her Support. 
     
   Very Surprised Was The Rector Of Calne To Come Up And See Lady Hartledon 
   In This Position. Every Sunday Evening,  After Service,  He Went To Visit 
   A Man In One Of The Cottages,  Who Was Dying Of Consumption,  And He Was On 
   His Way There Now. He Would Have Preferred To Pass Without Speaking: But 
   Lady Hartledon Looked In Need Of Assistance; And In Common Christian 
   Kindness He Could Not Pass Her By. 
     
   "I Beg Your Pardon,  Lady Hartledon. Are You Ill?" 
     
   She Took His Offered Arm With Her Disengaged Hand,  As An Additional 
   Support; And Her White Face Turned A Shade Whiter. 
     
   "A Sudden Faintness Overtook Me. I Am Better Now," She Said,  When Able To 
   Speak. 
     
   "Will You Allow Me To Walk On With You?" 
     
   "Thank You; Just A Little Way. If You Will Not Mind It." 
     
   That He Must Have Understood The Feeling Which Prompted The Concluding 
   Words Was Undoubted: And Perhaps Had Lady Hartledon Been In Possession 
   Of Her Keenest Senses,  She Might Never Have Spoken Them. Pride And Health 
   Go Out Of Us Together. Dr. Ashton Took Her On His Arm,  And They Walked 
   Slowly In The Direction Of The Little Bridge. Colour Was Returning To Her 
   Face,  Strength To Her Frame. 
     
   "The Heat Of The Day Has Affected You,  Possibly?" 
     
   "Yes,  Perhaps; I Have Felt Faint At Times Lately. The Church Was Very Hot 
   To-Night." 
     
   Nothing More Was Said Until The Bridge Was Gained,  And Then Maude 
   Released His Arm. 
     
   "Dr. Ashton,  I Thank You Very Much. You Have Been A Friend In Need." 
     
   "But Are You Sure You Are Strong Enough To Go On Alone? I Will Escort You 
   To The House If You Are Not." 
     
   "Quite Strong Enough Now. Thank You Once Again." 
     
   As He Was Bowing His Farewell,  A Sudden Impulse To Speak,  And Set The 
   Matter That Was Troubling Her At Rest,  Came Over Her. Without A Moment's 
   Deliberation,  Without Weighing Her Words,  She Rushed Upon It; The 
   Ostensible Plea An Apology For Her Mother's Having Spoken To Him. 
     
   "Yes,  I Told Lady Kirton She Was Labouring Under Some Misapprehension," 
   He Quietly Answered. 
     
   "Will You Forgive _Me_ Also For Speaking Of It?" She Murmured. "Since My 
   Mother Came Home With The News Of What You Said,  I Have Been Lost In A 
   Sea Of Conjecture: I Could Not Attend To The Service For Dwelling Upon 
   It,  And Might As Well Not Have Been In Church--A Curious Confession To 
   Make To You,  Dr. Ashton. Is It Indeed True That You Know Nothing Of 
   The Matter?" 
     
   "Lady Kirton Told Me In So Many Words That I Had Entered An Action 
   Against Lord Hartledon For Breach Of Promise,  And Laid The Damages At Ten 
   Thousand Pounds," Returned Dr. Ashton,  With A Plainness Of Speech And A 
   Cynical Manner That Made Her Blush. And She Saw At Once That He Had Done 
   Nothing Of The Sort; Saw It Without Any More Decisive Denial. 
     
   "But The Action Has Been Entered," Said Lady Hartledon. 
     
   "I Beg Your Pardon,  Madam. Lord Hartledon Is,  I Should Imagine,  The Only 
   Man Living Who Could Suppose Me Capable Of Such A Thing." 
     
   "And You Have _Not_ Entered On It!" She Reiterated,  Half Bewildered By 
   The Denial. 
     
   "Most Certainly Not. When I Parted With Lord Hartledon On A Certain 
   Evening,  Which Probably Your Ladyship Remembers,  I Washed My Hands Of Him 
   For Good,  Desiring Never To Approach Him In Any Way Whatever,  Never Hear 
   Of Him,  Never See Him Again. Your Husband,  Madam,  Is Safe For Me: I 
   Desire Nothing Better Than To Forget That Such A Man Is In Existence." 
     
   Lifting His Hat,  He Walked Away. And Lady Hartledon Stood And Gazed After 
   Him As One In A Dream. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 21 (Mr. Carr At Work) 
   Thomas Carr Was Threading His Way Through The Mazy Precincts Of Gray's 
   Inn,  With That Quick Step And Absorbed Manner Known Only,  I Think,  To The 
   Busy Man Of Our Busy Metropolis. He Was On His Way To Make Some Inquiries 
   Of A Firm Of Solicitors,  Messrs. Kedge And Reck,  Strangers To Him In All 
   But Name. 
     
   Up Some Dark And Dingy Stairs,  He Knocked At A Dark And Dingy Door: 
   Which,  After A Minute,  Opened Of Itself By Some Ingenious Contrivance, 
   And Let Him Into A Passage,  Whence He Turned Into A Room,  Where Two 
   Clerks Were Writing At A Desk. 
     
   "Can I See Mr. Kedge?" 
     
   "Not In," Said One Of The Clerks,  Without Looking Up. 
     
   "Mr. Reck,  Then?" 
     
   "Not In." 
     
   "When Will Either Of Them Be In?" Continued The Barrister; Thinking That 
   If He Were Messrs. Kedge And Reck The Clerk Would Get His Discharge For 
   Incivility. 
     
   "Can't Say. What's Your Business?" 
     
   "My Business Is With Them: Not With You." 
     
   "You Can See The Managing Clerk." 
     
   "I Wish To See One Of The Partners." 
     
   "Could You Give Your Name?" Continued The Gentleman,  Equably. 
     
   Mr. Carr Handed In His Card. The Clerk Glanced At It,  And Surreptitiously 
   Showed It To His Companion; And Both Of Them Looked Up At Him. Mr. Carr 
   Of The Temple Was Known By Reputation,  And They Condescended To Become 
   Civil. 
     
   "Take A Seat For A Moment,  Sir," Said The One. "I'll Inquire How Long Mr. 
   Kedge Will Be; But Mr. Reek's Not In Town To-Day." 
     
   A Few Minutes,  And Thomas Carr Found Himself In A Small Square Room With 
   The Head Of The Firm,  A Youngish Man And Somewhat Of A Dandy,  Especially 
   Genial In Manner,  As Though In Contrast To His Clerk. He Welcomed The 
   Rising Barrister. 
     
   "There's As Much Difficulty In Getting To See You As If You Were Pope Of 
   Rome," Cried Mr. Carr,  Good Humouredly. 
     
   The Lawyer Laughed. "Hopkins Did Not Know You: And Strangers Are 
   Generally Introduced To Mr. Reck,  Or To Our Managing Clerk. What Can 
   I Do For You,  Mr. Carr?" 
     
   "I Don't Know That You Can Do Anything For Me," Said Mr. Carr,  Seating 
   Himself; "But I Hope You Can. At The Present Moment I Am Engaged In 
   Sifting A Piece Of Complicated Business For A Friend; A Private Matter 
   Entirely,  Which It Is Necessary To Keep Private. I Am Greatly Interested 
   In It Myself,  As You May Readily Believe,  When It Is Keeping Me From 
   Circuit. Indeed It May Almost Be Called My Own Affair," He Added, 
   Observing The Eyes Of The Lawyer Fixed Upon Him,  And Not Caring They 
   Should See Into His Business Too Clearly. "I Fancy You Have A Clerk,  Or 
   Had A Clerk,  Who Is Cognizant Of One Or Two Points In Regard To It: Can 
   You Put Me In The Way Of Finding Out Where He Is? His Name Is Gordon." 
     
   "Gordon! We Have No Clerk Of That Name. Never Had One,  That I Remember. 
   How Came You To Fancy It?" 
     
   "I Heard It From My Own Clerk,  Taylor. One Day Last Week I Happened To 
   Say Before Him That I'd Give A Five-Pound Note Out Of My Pocket To Get 
   At The Present Whereabouts Of This Man Gordon. Taylor Is A Shrewd 
   Fellow; Full Of Useful Bits Of Information,  And Knows,  I Really Believe, 
   Three-Fourths Of London By Name. He Immediately Said A Young Man Of That 
   Name Was With Messrs. Kedge And Reck,  Of Gray's Inn,  Either As Clerk,  Or 
   In Some Other Capacity; And When He Described This Clerk Of Yours,  I Felt 
   Nearly Sure That It Was The Man I Am Looking For. I Got Taylor To Make 
   Inquiries,  And He Did,  I Believe,  Of One Of Your Clerks; But He Could 
   Learn Nothing,  Except That No One Of That Name Was Connected With You 
   Now. Taylor Persists That He Is Or Was Connected With You; And So 
   I Thought The Shortest Plan To Settle The Matter Was To Ask Yourselves." 
     
   "We Have No Clerk Of That Name," Repeated Mr. Kedge,  Pushing Back Some 
   Papers On The Table. "Never Had One." 
     
   "Understand," Said Mr. Carr,  Thinking It Just Possible The Lawyer Might 
   Be Mistaking His Motives,  "I Have Nothing To Allege Against The Man,  And 
   Do Not Seek To Injure Him. The Real Fact Is,  That I Do Not Want To See 
   Him Or To Be Brought Into Personal Contact With Him; I Only Want To Know 
   Whether He Is In London,  And,  If So,  Where?" 
     
   "I Assure You He Is Not Connected With Us," Repeated Mr. Kedge. "I Would 
   Tell You So In A Moment If He Were." 
     
   "Then I Can Only Apologise For Having Troubled You," Said The Barrister, 
   Rising. "Taylor Must Have Been Mistaken. And Yet I Would Have Backed His 
   Word,  When He Positively Asserts A Thing,  Against The World. I Hardly 
   Ever Knew Him Wrong." 
     
   Mr. Kedge Was Playing With The Locket On His Watch-Chain,  His Head Bent 
   In Thought. 
     
   "Wait A Moment,  Mr. Carr. I Remember Now That We Took A Clerk Temporarily 
   Into The Office In The Latter Part Of Last Year. His Writing Did Not 
   Suit,  And We Kept Him Only A Week Or Two. I Don't Know What His Name Was, 
   But It Might Have Been Gordon." 
     
   "Do You Remember What Sort Of A Man He Was?" Asked Mr. Carr,  Somewhat 
   Eagerly. 
     
   "I Really Do Not. You See,  I Don't Come Much Into Contact With Our 
   Clerks. Reck Does; But He's Not Here To-Day. I Fancy He Had Red Hair." 
     
   "Gordon Had Reddish Hair." 
     
   "You Had Better See Kimberly," Said The Solicitor,  Ringing A Bell. "He Is 
   Our Managing Clerk,  And Knows Everything." 
     
   A Grey-Haired,  Silent-Looking Man Came In With Stooping Shoulders. Mr. 
   Kedge,  Without Any Circumlocution,  Asked Whether He Remembered Any Clerk 
   Of The Name Of Gordon Having Been In The House. Mr. Kimberly Responded By 
   Saying That They Never Had One In The House Of The Name. 
     
   "Well,  I Thought Not," Observed The Principal. "There Was One Had In For 
   A Short Time,  You Know,  While Hopkins Was Ill. I Forget His Name." 
     
   "His Name Was Druitt,  Sir. We Employed A Man Of The Name Of Gorton To Do 
   Some Outdoor Business For Us At Times," Continued The Managing Clerk, 
   Turning His Eyes On The Barrister; "But Not Lately." 
     
   "What Sort Of Business?" 
     
   "Serving Writs." 
     
   "Gorton Is Not Gordon," Remarked Mr. Kedge,  With Legal Acumen. "By The 
   Way,  Kimberly,  I Have Heard Nothing Of Gorton Lately. What Has Become Of 
   Him?" 
     
   "I Have Not The Least Idea,  Sir. We Parted In A Huff,  So He Wouldn't 
   Perhaps Be Likely To Come In My Way Again. Some Business That He 
   Mismanaged,  If You Remember,  Sir,  Down At Calne." 
     
   "When He Arrested One Man For Another," Laughed The Lawyer,  "And Got 
   Entangled In A Coroner's Inquest,  And I Don't Know What All." 
     
   Mr. Carr Had Pricked Up His Ears,  Scarcely Daring To Breathe. But His 
   Manner Was Careless To A Degree. 
     
   "The Man He Arrested Being Lord Hartledon; The Man He Ought To Have 
   Arrested Being The Honourable Percival Elster," He Interposed,  Laughing. 
     
   "What! Do You Know About It?" Cried The Lawyer. 
     
   "I Remember Hearing Of It; I Was Intimate With Mr. Elster At The Time." 
     
   "He Has Since Become Lord Hartledon." 
     
   "Yes. But About This Gorton! I Should Not Be In The Least Surprised If He 
   Is The Man I Am Inquiring For. Can You Describe Him To Me,  Mr. Kimberly?" 
     
   "He Is A Short,  Slight Man,  Under Thirty,  With Red Hair And Whiskers." 
     
   Mr. Carr Nodded. 
     
   "Light Hair With A Reddish Tinge It Has Been Described To Me. Do You 
   Happen To Be At All Acquainted With His Antecedents?" 
     
   "Not I; I Know Nothing About,  The Man," Said Mr. Kedge. "Kimberly Does, 
   Perhaps." 
     
   "No,  Sir," Dissented Kimberly. "He Had Been To Australia,  I Believe; And 
   That's All I Know About Him." 
     
   "It Is The Same Man," Said Mr. Carr,  Quietly. "And If You Can Tell Me 
   Anything About Him," He Continued,  Turning To The Older Man,  "I Shall Be 
   Exceedingly Obliged To You. To Begin With--When Did You First Know Him?" 
     
   But At This Juncture An Interruption Occurred. Hopkins The Discourteous 
   Came In With A Card,  Which He Presented To His Principal. The Gentleman 
   Was Waiting To See Mr. Kedge. Two More Clients Were Also Waiting,  He 
   Added,  Thomas Carr Rose,  And The End Of It Was That He Went With Mr. 
   Kimberly To His Own Room. 
     
   "It's Carr Of The Inner Temple," Whispered Mr. Kedge In His Clerk's Ear. 
     
   "Oh,  I Know Him,  Sir." 
     
   "All Right. If You Can Help Him,  Do So." 
     
   "I First Knew Gorton About Fifteen Months Ago," Observed The Clerk,  When 
   They Were Shut In Together. "A Friend Of Mine,  Now Dead,  Spoke Of Him To 
   Me As A Respectable Young Fellow Who Had Fallen In The World,  And Asked 
   If I Could Help Him To Some Employment. I Think He Told Me Somewhat Of 
   His History; But I Quite Forget It. I Know He Was Very Low Down Then, 
   With Scarcely Bread To Eat." 
     
   "Did This Friend Of Yours Call Him Gorton Or Gordon?" Interrupted Mr. 
   Carr. 
     
   "Gorton. I Never Heard Him Called Gordon At All. I Remember Seeing A 
   Book Of His That He Seemed To Set Some Store By. It Was Printed In Old 
   English,  And Had His Name On The Title-Page: 'George Gorton. From His 
   Affectionate Father,  W. Gorton.' I Employed Him In Some Outdoor Work. 
   He Knew London Perfectly Well,  And Seemed To Know People Too." 
     
   "And He Had Been To Australia?" 
     
   "He Had Been To Australia,  I Feel Sure. One Day He Accidentally Let Slip 
   Some Words About Melbourne,  Which He Could Not Well Have Done Unless He 
   Had Seen The Place. I Taxed Him With It,  And He Shuffled Out Of It With 
   Some Excuse; But In Such A Manner As To Convince Me He Had Been There." 
     
   "And Now,  Mr. Kimberly,  I Am Going To Ask You Another Question. You Spoke 
   Of His Having Been At Calne; I Infer That You Sent Him To The Place On 
   The Errand To Mr. Elster. Try To Recollect Whether His Going There Was 
   Your Own Spontaneous Act,  Or Whether He Was The Original Mover In The 
   Journey?" 
     
   The Grey-Haired Clerk Looked Up As Though Not Understanding. 
     
   "You Don't Quite Take Me,  I See." 
     
   "Yes I Do,  Sir; But I Was Thinking. So Far As I Can Recollect,  It Was Our 
   Own Spontaneous Act. I Am Sure I Had No Reason To Think Otherwise At The 
   Time. We Had Had A Deal Of Trouble With The Honourable Mr. Elster; And 
   When It Was Found That He Had Left Town For The Family Seat,  We Came To 
   The Resolution To Arrest Him." 
     
   Thomas Carr Paused. "Do You Know Anything Of Gordon's--Or Gorton's Doings 
   In Calne? Did You Ever Hear Him Speak Of Them Afterwards?" 
     
   "I Don't Know That I Did Particularly. The Excuse He Made To Us For 
   Arresting Lord Hartledon Was,  That The Brothers Were So Much Alike He 
   Mistook The One For The Other." 
     
   "Which Would Infer That He Knew Mr. Elster By Perhaps The Vigorous Dislike Of More Important Persons Than Bessie 
   Fairfax Is Sufficiently Accounted For. All The World Is Agreed That A 
   Slight Wound To Men's Self-Love Rankles Much Longer Than A Mortal 
   Injury. 
     
   It Is Not,  However,  To Be Supposed That The Beechhurst People Spited 
   Themselves So Far As To Keep Away From The Rector's School-Treat Because 
   They Did Not Love The Rector. (By The By,  It Was Not His Treat,  But Only 
   Buns And Tea By Subscription Distributed In His Grounds,  With The 
   Privilege Of Admittance To The Subscribers.) The Orthodox Gentility Of 
   The Neighborhood Assembled In Force For The Occasion When The Sun Shone 
   Upon It As It Shone To-Day,  And The Entertainment Was An Event For 
   Children Of All Classes. If The Richer Sort Did Not Care For Buns,  They 
   Did For Games; And The Carnegie Boys Were So Eager To Lose None Of The 
   Sport That They Coaxed Bessie To Take Time By The Forelock,  And 
   Presented Themselves Almost First On The Scene. Mrs. Wiley,  Ready And 
   Waiting Out Of Doors To Welcome Her More Distinguished Guests,  Met A 
   Trio Of The Little Folks,  In Bessie's Charge,  Trotting Round The End Of 
   The House To Reach The Lawn. 
     
   "Always In Good Time,  Bessie Carnegie," Said She. "But Is Not Your 
   Mother Coming?" 
     
   "No,  Thank You,  Mrs. Wiley," Said Bessie With Prim Decorum. 
     
   "By The By,  That Is Not Your Name. What Is Your Name,  Bessie?" 
     
   "Elizabeth Fairfax." 
     
   "Ah! Yes; Now I Remember--Elizabeth Fairfax. And Is Your Uncle Pretty 
   Well? I Suppose We Shall See Him Later In The Day? He Ought To Look In 
   Upon Us Before We Break Up. There! Run Away To The Children In The 
   Orchard,  And Leave The Lawn Clear." 
     
   Bessie Accepted Her Dismissal Gladly,  Thankful To Escape The 
   Catechetical Ordeal That Would Have Ensued Had There Been Leisure For 
   It. She Was Almost As Shy Of The Rector's Wife As Of The Rector. Mrs. 
   Wiley Had A Brusque,  Absent Manner,  And It Was A Trick Of Hers To Expose 
   Her Young Acquaintance To A Fire Of Questions,  Of Which She As Regularly 
   Forgot The Answers. She Had Often Affronted Bessie Fairfax By Asking Her 
   Real Name,  And In The Next Breath Calling Her Affably Bessie Carnegie, 
   The Doctor's Step-Daughter,  Niece Or Other Little Kinswoman Whom He Kept 
   As A Help In His House For Charity's Sake. 
     
   Bessie Had But Faint Recollections Of The Rectory As Her Home,  For Since 
   Her Father's Death She Had Never Gone There Except As A Visitor On 
   Public Days. But The Tradition Was Always In Her Memory That Once She 
   Had Lived In Those Pleasant Rooms,  Had Run Up And Down Those Broad Sunny 
   Stairs,  And Played On The Spacious Lawns Of That Mossy,  Tree-Shadowed 
   Garden. In The Orchard Had Assembled,  Besides The Children,  A Group Of 
   Their Ex-Teachers--Miss Semple And Her Sister,  The Village Dressmakers, 
   Miss Genet,  The Daughter At The Post-Office,  And The Two Miss 
   Mittens--Well-Behaved And Well-Instructed Young Persons Whom Mr. Wiley's 
   Predecessors Had Been Pleased To Employ,  But For Whom Mrs. Wiley Found 
   No Encouragement. She Had The Ordering Of The School,  And Preferred 
   Gentlewomen For Her Lay-Sisters. She Had Them,  And Only Herself Knew 
   What Trouble In Keeping Them Punctual To Their Duty And In Keeping The 
   Peace Amongst Them. There Was Dear Fat Miss Buff,  Who Had Been Right 
   Hand In Succession To Mr. Fairfax,  Mr. Roebuck And Mr. Hutton,  Who 
   Adored Supremacy,  And Exercised It With The Easy Sway Of Long Usage; She 
   Felt Herself Pushed On One Side By That Ardent Young Irish Recruit,  Miss 
   Thusy O'flynn,  Whose Peculiar Temper No One Cared To Provoke,  And Who 
   Ruled By The Terror Of It With A Caprice That Was Trying In The Last 
   Degree. Miss Buff Gave Way To Her,  But Not Without Grumbling,  Appealing, 
   And Threatening To Withdraw Her Services. But She Loved Her Work In The 
   School And In The Choir,  And Could Not Bear To Punish Herself Or Let 
   Miss Thusy Triumph To The Extent Of Driving Her Into Private Life; So 
   She Adhered To Her Charge In The Hope Of Better Days,  When She Would 
   Again Be Mistress Paramount. And The Same Did Miss Wort--Also One Of The 
   Old Governing Body--The New Gunpowder 
   Besides Being Smokeless Is Ashless. There Is No Black Sticky Mass Of 
   Potassium Salts Left To Foul The Gun Barrel. 
     
   The Gunpowder Period Of Warfare Was Actively Initiated At The Battle Of 
   Cressy,  In Which,  As A Contemporary Historian Says,  "The English Guns 
   Made Noise Like Thunder And Caused Much Loss In Men And Horses." 
   Smokeless Powder As Invented By Paul Vieille Was Adopted By The French 
   Government In 1887. This,  Then,  Might Be Called The Beginning Of The 
   Guncotton Or Nitrocellulose Period--Or,  Perhaps In Deference To The 
   Caveman's Club,  The Second Cellulose Period Of Human Warfare. Better, 
   Doubtless,  To Call It The "High Explosive Period," For Various Other 
   Nitro-Compounds Besides Guncotton Are Being Used. 
     
   The Important Thing To Note Is That All The Explosives From Gunpowder 
   Down Contain Nitrogen As The Essential Element. It Is Customary To Call 
   Nitrogen "An Inert Element" Because It Was Hard To Get It Into 
   Combination With Other Elements. It Might,  On The Other Hand,  Be Looked 
   Upon As An Active Element Because It Acts So Energetically In Getting 
   Out Of Its Compounds. We Can Dodge The Question By Saying That Nitrogen 
   Is A Most Unreliable And Unsociable Element. Like Kipling's Cat It Walks 
   By Its Wild Lone. 
     
   It Is Not So Bad As Argon The Lazy And The Other Celibate Gases Of That 
   Family,  Where Each Individual Atom Goes Off By Itself And Absolutely 
   Refuses To Unite Even Temporarily With Any Other Atom. The Nitrogen 
   Atoms Will Pair Off With Each Other And Stick Together,  But They Are 
   Reluctant To Associate With Other Elements And When They Do The 
   Combination Is Likely To Break Up Any Moment. You All Know People Like 
   That,  Good Enough When By Themselves But Sure To Break Up Any Club, 
   Church Or Society They Get Into. Now,  The Value Of Nitrogen In Warfare 
   Is Due To The Fact That All The Atoms Desert In A Body On The Field Of 
   Battle. Millions Of Them May Be Lying Packed In A Gun Cartridge,  As 
   Quiet As You Please,  But Let A Little Disturbance Start In The 
   Neighborhood--Say A Grain Of Mercury Fulminate Flares Up--And All The 
   Nitrogen Atoms Get To Trembling So Violently That They Cannot Be 
   Restrained. The Shock Spreads Rapidly Through The Whole Mass. The 
   Hydrogen And Carbon Atoms Catch Up The Oxygen And In An Instant They Are 
   Off On A Stampede,  Crowding In Every Direction To Find An Exit,  And 
   Getting More Heated Up All The Time. The Only Movable Side Is The Cannon 
   Ball In Front,  So They All Pound Against That And Give It Such A Shove 
   That It Goes Ten Miles Before It Stops. The External Bombardment By The 
   Cannon Ball Is,  Therefore,  Preceded By An Internal Bombardment On The 
   Cannon Ball By The Molecules Of The Hot Gases,  Whose Speed Is About As 
   Great As The Speed Of The Projectile That They Propel. 
     
   [Illustration: (C) Underwood & Underwood 
     
   The Hand Grenades Which These Women Are Boring Will Contain Potential 
   Chemical Energy Capable Of Causing A Vast Amount Of Destruction When 
   Released. During The War The American Government Placed Orders For 
   68,000,000 Such Grenades As Are Here Shown.] 
     
   [Illustration: (C) International Film Service,  Inc. 
     
   Women In A Munition Plant Engaged In The Manufacture Of 
   Tri-Nitro-Toluol,  The Most Important Of Modern High Explosives] 
     
   The Active Agent In All These Explosives Is The Nitrogen Atom In 
   Combination With Two Oxygen Atoms,  Which The Chemist Calls The "Nitro 
   Group" And Which He Represents By No_{2}. This Group Was,  As I Have 
   Said,  Originally Used In The Form Of Saltpeter Or Potassium Nitrate,  But 
   Since The Chemist Did Not Want The Potassium Part Of It--For It Fouled 
   His Guns--He Took The Nitro Group Out Of The Nitrate By Means Of 
   Sulfuric Acid And By The Same Means Hooked It On To Some Compound Of 
   Carbon And Hydrogen That Would Burn Without Leaving Any Residue,  And 
   Give Nothing But Gases. One Of The Simplest Of These Hydrocarbon 
   Derivatives Is Glycerin,  The Same As You Use For Sunburn. This Mixed 
   With Nitric And Sulfuric Acids Gives Nitroglycerin,  An Easy Thing To 
   Make,  Though I Should Not Advise Anybody Wish You'd Go Out And Buy Me One," Said Val. 
     
   "I'll Go With Pleasure,  My Lord. But Suppose Any One Comes To The Door?" 
     
   "Oh,  I'll Answer It. They'll Think Carr Has Taken On A New Clerk." 
     
   Mr. Taylor Laughed,  And Went Out. Hartledon,  Tired Of Sitting,  Began 
   To Pace The Room And The Ante-Room. Most Men Would Have Taken Their 
   Departure; But He Had Nothing To Do; He Had Latterly Shunned That Portion 
   Of The World Called Society; And Was As Well In Mr. Carr's Chambers As 
   In His Own Lodgings,  Or In Strolling About With His Troubled Heart. 
   While Thus Occupied,  There Came A Soft Tap To The Outer Door--As Was 
   Sure To Be The Case,  The Clerk Being Absent--And Val Opened It. A 
   Middle-Aged,  Quiet-Looking Man Stood There,  Who Had Nothing Specially 
   Noticeable In His Appearance,  Except A Pair Of Deep-Set Dark Eyes,  Under 
   Bushy Eyebrows That Were Turning Grey. 
     
   "Mr. Carr Within?" 
     
   "Mr. Carr's Not In," Replied The Temporary Clerk. "I Dare Say You Can 
   Wait." 
     
   "Likely To Be Long?" 
     
   "I Should Think Not. I Have Been Waiting For Him These Two Hours." 
     
   The Applicant Entered,  And Sat Down In The Clerk's Room. Lord Hartledon 
   Went Into The Other,  And Stood Drumming On The Window-Pane,  As He Gazed 
   Out Upon The Temple Garden. 
     
   "I'd Go,  But For That Note Of Carr's," He Said To Himself. "If--Halloa! 
   That's His Voice At Last." 
     
   Mr. Carr And His Clerk Had Returned Together. The Former,  After A Few 
   Moments,  Came In To Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "A Nice Fellow You Are,  Carr! Sending Me Word To Be Here At Eleven 
   O'clock,  And Then Walking Off For Two Mortal Hours!" 
     
   "I Sent You Word To Wait For Me At Your Own Home!" 
     
   "Well,  That's Good!" Returned Val. "It Said,  'Be Here At Eleven,' As 
   Plainly As Writing Could Say It." 
     
   "And There Was A Postscript Over The Leaf Telling You,  On Second Thought, 
   _Not_ To Be Here,  But To Wait At Home For Me," Said Mr. Carr. "I 
   Remembered A Matter Of Business That Would Take Me Up Your Way This 
   Morning,  And Thought I'd Go On To You. It's Just Your Careless Fashion, 
   Hartledon,  Reading Only Half Your Letters! You Should Have Turned It 
   Over." 
     
   "Who Was To Think There Was Anything On The Other Side? Folk Don't Turn 
   Their Letters Over From Curiosity When They Are Concluded On The First 
   Page." 
     
   "I Never Had A Letter In My Life But I Turned It Over To Make Sure," 
   Observed The More Careful Barrister. "I Have Had My Walk For Nothing." 
     
   "And I Have Been Cooling My Heels Here! And You Took The Newspaper With 
   You!" 
     
   "No,  I Did Not. Churton Sent In From His Rooms To Borrow It." 
     
   "Well,  Let The Misunderstanding Go,  And Forgive Me For Being Cross. Do 
   You Know,  Carr,  I Think I Am Growing Ill-Tempered From Trouble. What 
   News Have You For Me?" 
     
   "I'll Tell You By-And-By. Do You Know Who That Is In The Other Room?" 
     
   "Not I. He Seemed To Stare Me Inside-Out In A Quiet Way As I Let Him In." 
     
   "Ay. It's Green,  The Detective. At Times A Question Occurs To Me Whether 
   That's His Real Name,  Or One Assumed In His Profession. He Has Come To 
   Report At Last. Had You Better Remain?" 
     
   "Why Not?" 
     
   Mr. Carr Looked Dubious. 
     
   "You Can Make Some Excuse For My Presence." 
     
   "It's Not That. I'm Thinking If You Let Slip A Word--" 
     
   "Is It Likely?" 
     
   "Inadvertently,  I Mean." 
     
   "There's No Fear. You Have Not Mentioned My Name To Him?" 
     
   "I Retort In Your Own Words--Is It Likely? He Does Not Know Why He Is 
   Being Employed Or What I Want With The Man I Wish Traced. At Present He 
   Is Working,  As Far As That Goes,  In The Dark. I Might Have Put Him On A 
   False Scent,  Just As Cleverly And Unsuspiciously As I Dare Say He Could 
   Put Me; But I've Not Done It. What's The Matter With You To-Day, 
   Hartledon? You Look Ill." 
     
   "I Only Look What I Am,  Then," Was The Answer. "But I'm No Worse 
   Than Usual. I'd Rather Be Transported--I'd Rather Be Hanged,  For That 
   Matter--Than Lead The Life Of Misery I Am Leading. At Times I Feel 
   Inclined To Give In,  But Then Comes The Thought Of Maude." 
     
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 22 (Somebody Else At Work) 
   They Were Shut In Together: The Detective Officer,  Mr. Carr,  And Lord 
   Hartleplan For Raising The Quality Of National School Teaching By Introducing 
   Into The Ranks Of The Teachers Young Gentlewomen Unprovided By Fortune. 
   She Advised No More Than She Would Have Done,  And All She Said Was Good, 
   If Bessie's Circumstances Had Been What She Assumed. But Bessie, 
   Conscious That They Were About To Suffer A Change,  Felt Impelled At 
   Last To Set Lady Latimer Right. Her Shy Face Mitigated The Effect Of Her 
   Speech. 
     
   "I Have Kindred In Woldshire,  My Lady,  Who Want Me. I Am The Only Child 
   In This Generation,  And My Grandfather Fairfax Says That It Is Necessary 
   For Me To Go Back To My Own People." 
     
   Lady Latimer's Face Suddenly Reflected A Tint Of Bessie's. But No 
   After-Thought Was In Bessie's Mind,  Her Simplicity Was Genuine. She 
   Esteemed It Praise To Be Selected As A Fit Child To Teach Children; And, 
   Besides,  Whatever My Lady Had Said At This Period Would Have Sounded 
   Right In Bessie's Ears. When She Had Uttered Her Statement,  She Waited 
   Till Lady Latimer Spoke. 
     
   "Do You Belong To The Fairfaxes Of Kirkham? Is Your Grandfather Richard 
   Fairfax Of Abbotsmead?" She Said In A Quick Voice,  With An Inflection Of 
   Surprise. 
     
   "Yes,  My Lady. My Father Was Geoffry,  The Third Son; My Mother Was 
   Elizabeth Bulmer." 
     
   "I Knew Abbotsmead Many Years Ago. It Will Be A Great Change For You. 
   How Old Are You,  Bessie? Fourteen,  Fifteen?" 
     
   "Fifteen,  My Lady,  Last Birthday,  The Fourth Of March." 
     
   Lady Latimer Thought To Herself,  "Here Is An Exact Little Girl!" Then 
   She Said Aloud,  "It Would Have Been Better For You If Your Grandfather 
   Had Recalled You When You Were Younger." 
     
   Bessie Was Prepared To Hear This Style Of Remark,  And To Repudiate The 
   Implication. She Replied Almost With Warmth,  "My Lady,  I Have Lost 
   Nothing By Being Left Here. Beechhurst Will Always Be Home To Me. If I 
   Had My Choice I Would Not Go To Kirkham." 
     
   Lady Latimer Thought Again What A Nice Voice Bessie Had,  And Regarded 
   Her With A Growing Interest,  That Arose In Part Out Of Her Own 
   Recollections. She Questioned Her Concerning Her Father's Death,  And The 
   Circumstances Of Her Adoption By Mr. And Mrs. Carnegie,  And Reflected 
   That,  Happily,  She Was Too Simple,  Too Much Of A Child Yet,  For Any But 
   Family Attachments--Happily,  Because,  Though Bessie Had No Experience To 
   Measure It By,  There Would Be A Wide Difference Between Her Position As 
   The Doctor's Adopted Daughter Amongst A House Full Of Children,  And As 
   Heiress Presumptive Of Mr. Fairfax Of Abbotsmead. 
     
   "Have You Ever Seen Abbotsmead,  Bessie?" She Said. 
     
   "No,  My Lady,  I Have Never Been In Woldshire Since I Was A Baby. I Was 
   Born At Kirkham Vicarage,  My Grandfather Bulmer's House,  But I Was Not A 
   Year Old When We Came Away. I Have A Drawing Of Abbotsmead That My 
   Mother Made--It Is Not Beautiful." 
     
   "But Abbotsmead Is Very Beautiful--The Country Round About Is Not So 
   Delicious As The Forest,  For It Has Less Variety: It Is Out Of Sight Of 
   The Sea,  And The Trees Are Not So Grand,  But Abbotsmead Itself Is A 
   Lovely Spot. The House Stands On A Peninsula Formed By A Little Brawling 
   River,  And In The Park Are The Ruins That Give The Place Its Name. I 
   Remember The Garden At Abbotsmead As A Garden Where The Sun Always 
   Shone." 
     
   Bessie Was Much Cheered. "How Glad I Am! In My Picture The Sun Does Not 
   Shine At All. It Is The Color Of A Dark Day In November." 
     
   The Concise Simplicity Of Bessie's Talk Pleased Lady Latimer. She 
   Decided That Mrs. Carnegie Must Be A Gentlewoman,  And That Bessie Had 
   Qualities Capable Of Taking A Fine Polish. She Would Have Held The Child 
   In Conversation Longer Had Not Mrs. Wiley Come Up,  And After A Word Or 
   Two About The Success Of The Feast,  Bade Bessie Run Away And See That 
   Her Little Brothers Were Not Getting Into Mischief. Lady Latimer Nodded 
   Her A Kind Dismissal,  And Off She Went. 
     
   Six O'clock Struck. By That Time The Buns Were All Eaten,  The Prizes 
   Were All Distributed,  And The Cream Of The Company Had Driven Or Walked 
   Away,  But Cricket Still Went On In The Meadow,  And Children's Games In 
   The Orchard. One Or Two 
   Face Somewhat Turned From Them,  As Though The Business Did Not Concern 
   Him. 
     
   "And Now I Will Relate To You What More I Know Of Gordon," Resumed Mr. 
   Carr,  Moving His Chair Nearer The Detective,  And So Partially Screening 
   Lord Hartledon. "He Was In London Last Year,  Employed By Kedge And Reck, 
   Of Gray's Inn,  To Serve Writs. What He Had Done With Himself From The 
   Time Of The Mutiny--Allowing That He Was Identical With The Gordon Of 
   That Business--I Dare Say No One Living Could Tell,  Himself Excepted. He 
   Was Calling Himself Gorton Last Autumn. Not Much Of A Change From His Own 
   Name." 
     
   "George Gorton," Assented The Detective. 
     
   "Yes,  George Gorton. I Knew This Much When I First Applied To You. 
   I Did Not Mention It Because I Preferred To Let You Go To Work Without 
   It. Understand Me; That It Is The Same Man,  I _Know_; But There Are 
   Nevertheless Discrepancies In The Case That I Cannot Reconcile; And I 
   Thought You Might Possibly Arrive At Some Knowledge Of The Man Without 
   This Clue Better Than With It." 
     
   "Sorry To Differ From You,  Mr. Carr; Must Hold To The Belief That George 
   Gorton,  Employed At Kedge And Reck's,  Was Not The Same Man At All," Came 
   The Cool And Obstinate Rejoinder. "Have Sifted The Apparent Similarity 
   Between The Two,  And Drawn Conclusions Accordingly." 
     
   The Remark Implied That The Detective Was Wiser On The Subject Of George 
   Gorton Than Mr. Carr Had Bargained For,  And A Shadow Of Apprehension 
   Stole Over Him. It Was By No Means His Wish That The Sharp Detective And 
   The Man Should Come Into Contact With Each Other; All He Wanted Was To 
   Find Out Where He Was At Present,  _Not_ That He Should Be Meddled With. 
   This He Had Fully Explained In The First Instance,  And The Other Had 
   Acquiesced In His Curt Way. 
     
   "You Are Thinking Me Uncommon Clever,  Getting On The Track Of George 
   Gorton,  When Nothing On The Surface Connects Him With The Man Wanted," 
   Remarked The Detective,  With Professional Vanity. "Came Upon It 
   Accidentally; As Well Confess It; Don't Want To Assume More Credit Than's 
   Due. It Was In This Way. Evening Following Your Instructions,  Had To See 
   Managing Clerk Of Kedge And Reck; Was Engaged On A Little Matter For 
   Them. Business Over,  He Asked Me If I Knew Anything Of A Man Named George 
   Gorton,  Or Gordon--As I Seemed To Know Something Of Pretty Well 
   Everybody. Having Just Been Asked Here About George Gordon,  I Naturally 
   Connected The Two Questions Together. Inquired Of Kimberly _Why_ He 
   Suspected His Clerk Gorton Should Be Gordon; Kimberly Replied He Did Not 
   Suspect Him,  But A Gentleman Did,  Who Had Been There That Day. This Put 
   Me On Gorton's Track." 
     
   "And You Followed It Up?" 
     
   "Of Course; Keeping My Own Counsel. Took It Up In Haste,  Though; No 
   Deliberation; Went Off To Calne,  Without First Comparing Notes With 
   Gordon's Friend The Surgeon." 
     
   "To Calne!" Explained Mr. Carr,  While Lord Hartledon Turned His Head And 
   Took A Sharp Look At The Speaker. 
     
   A Nod Was The Only Answer. "Got Down; Thought At First As You Do,  Mr. 
   Carr,  That Man Was The Same,  And Was On Right Track. Went To Work In My 
   Own Way; Was A Countryman Just Come Into A Snug Bit Of Inheritance, 
   Looking Out For A Corner Of Land. Wormed Out A Bit Here And A Bit There; 
   Heard This From One,  That From Another; Nearly Got An Interview With My 
   Lord Hartledon Himself,  As Candidate For One Of His Farms." 
     
   "Lord Hartledon Was Not At Calne,  I Think," Interrupted Mr. Carr, 
   Speaking Impulsively. 
     
   "Know It Now; Didn't Then; And Wanted,  For Own Purposes,  To Get A Sight 
   Of Him And A Word With Him. Went To His Place: Saw A Queer Old Creature 
   In Yellow Gauze; Saw My Lord's Wife,  Too,  At A Distance; Fine Woman; Got 
   Intimate With Butler,  Named Hedges; Got Intimate With Two Or Three More; 
   Altogether Turned The Recent Doings Of Mr. Gorton Inside Out." 
     
   "Well?" Said Mr. Carr,  In His Surprise. 
     
   "Care To Hear 'Em?" Continued The Detective,  After A Moment's Pause; And 
   A Feeling Crossed Mr. Carr,  That If Ever He Had A Deep Man To Deal With 
   It Was This One,  In Spite Of His Apparent Simplicity. "Gorton Went Down 
   On His Errand For Kedge And Reck,  Writ In Pocket For Mr. Elster; Had 
   Boasted He Knew Him. Can't Quite Make Out Whether He Did Or Not; Any 
   Rate,  Served Writ On Lord Hartledon By Mistake. Lordship Made A Joke Of 
   It; Took Up The Matter As A Brother Ought; Wrote Himself To Kedge And 
   Reck To Get It Settled. Brothers Quarrelled; Day Or Two,  And Elder Was 
   Drowned,  Nobody Seems To Know How. Gorton Stopped On,  Against Orders From 
   Kimberly; Said Afterwards,  By Way Of Excuse,  Had Been Served With Summons 
   To Attend Inquest. Couldn't Say Much At Inquest,  Or _Didn't_; Was Asked 
   If He Witnessed Accident; Said 'No,' But Some Still Think He Did. Showed 
   Himself At Hartledon Afterwards Trying To Get Interview With New Lord; 
   New Lord Wouldn't See Him,  And Butler Turned Him Out. Gorton In A Rage, 
   Went Back To Inn,  Got Some Drink,  Said He Might Be Able To _Make_ His 
   Lordship See Him Yet; Hinted At Some Secret,  But Too Far Gone To Know 
   What He Said; Began Boasting Of Adventures In Australia. Loose Man There, 
   One Pike,  Took Him In Charge,  And Saw Him Off By Rail For London." 
     
   "Yes?" Said Mr. Carr,  For The Speaker Had Stopped. 
     
   "That's Pretty Near All As Far As Gorton Goes. Got A Clue To An Address 
   In London,  Where He Might Be Heard Of: Got It Oddly,  Too; But That's No 
   Matter. Came Up Again And Went To Address; Could Learn Nothing; Tracked 
   Here,  Tracked There,  Both For Gordon And Gorton; Found Gorton Disappeared 
   Close Upon Time He Was Cast Adrift By Kimberly. Not In London As Far As 
   Can Be Traced; Where Gone,  Can't Tell Yet. So Much Done,  Summed Up My 
   Experiences And Came Here To-Day To State Them." 
     
   "Proceed," Said Mr. Carr. 
     
   The Detective Put His Note-Book In His Pocket,  And With His Elbows Still 
   On The Table,  Pressed His Fingers Together Alternately As He Stated His 
   Points,  Speaking Less Abruptly Than Before. 
     
   "My Conclusion Is--The Gordon You Spoke To Me About Was The Gordon Who 
   Led The Mutiny On Board The _Morning Star_; That He Never,  After That, 
   Came Back To England; Has Never Been Heard Of,  In Short,  By Any Living 
   Soul In It. That The Gorton Employed By Kedge And Reck Was Another Man 
   Altogether. Neither Is To Be Traced; The One May Have Found His Grave In 
   The Sea Years Ago; The Other Has Disappeared Out Of London Life Since 
   Last October,  And I Can't Trace How Or Where." 
     
   Mr. Carr Listened In Silence. To Reiterate That The Two Men Were 
   Identical,  Would Have Been Waste Of Time,  Since He Could Not Avow How 
   He Knew It,  Or Give The Faintest Clue. The Detective Himself Had 
   Unconsciously Furnished A Proof. 
     
   "Will You Tell Me Your Grounds For Believing Them To Be Different Men?" 
   He Asked. 
     
   "Nay," Said The Keen Detective,  "The Shortest Way Would Be For You To 
   Give Me Your Grounds For Thinking Them To Be The Same." 
     
   "I Cannot Do It," Said Mr. Carr. "It Might Involve--No,  I Cannot Do It." 
     
   "Well,  I Suspected So. I Don't Mind Mentioning One Or Two On My Side. 
   The Description Of Gorton,  As I Had It From Kimberly,  Does Not Accord 
   With That Of Gordon As Given Me By His Friend The Surgeon. I Wrote Out 
   The Description Of Gorton,  And Took It To Him. 'Is This Gordon?' I 
   Asked. 'No,  It Is Not,' Said He; And I'm Sure He Spoke The Truth." 
     
   "Gordon,  On His Return From Australia,  Might Be A Different-Looking Man 
   From The Gordon Who Went To It." 
     
   "And Would Be,  No Doubt. But See Here: Gorton Was Not Disguised; Gordon 
   Would Not Dare To Be In London Without Being So; His Head's Not Worth A 
   Day's Purchase. Fancy His Walking About With Only One Letter In His Name 
   Altered! Rely Upon It,  Mr. Carr,  You Are Mistaken; Gordon Would No More 
   Dare Come Back And Put His Head Into The Lion's Mouth Than You'd Jump 
   Into A Fiery Furnace. He Couldn't Land Without Being Dropped Upon: The 
   Man Was No Common Offender,  And We've Kept Our Eyes Open. And That's 
   All," Added The Detective,  After A Pause. "Not Very Satisfactory,  Is It, 
   Mr. Carr? But,  Such As It Is,  I Think You May Rely Upon It,  In Spite Of 
   Your Own Opinion. Meanwhile,  I'll Keep On The Look-Out For Gorton,  And 
   Tell You If He Turns Up." 
     
   The Conference Was Over,  And Mr. Green Took His Departure. Thomas Carr 
   Saw Him Out Himself,  Returned And Sat Down In A Reverie. 
     
   "It's A Curious Tale," Said Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "I'm Thinking How The Fact,  Now Disclosed,  Of Gordon's Being Gordon Of 
   The Mutiny,  Affects You," Remarked Mr. Carr. 
     
   "You Believe Him To Be The Same?" 
     
   "I See No Reason To Doubt It. It's Not Probable That Two George Gordons 
   Should Take Their Passage Home In The _Morning Star_. Besides,  It 
   Explains Points That Seemed Incomprehensible. I Could Not Understand 
   Why You Were Not Troubled By This Man,  But Rely Upon It He Has Found It 
   Expedient To Go Into Effectual Hiding,  And Dare Not Yet Come Out Of It. 
   This Fact Is A Very Great Hold Upon Him; And If He Turns Round On You, 
   You May Keep Him In Check With It. Only Let Me Alight On Him; I'll So 
   Frighten Him As To Cause Him To Ship Himself Off For Life." 
     
   "I Don't Like That Detective's Having Gone Down To Calne," Remarked Lord 
   Hartledon. 
     
   Neither Did Mr. Carr,  Especially If Gordon,  Or Gorton,  Should Have Become 
   Talkative,  As There Was Reason To Believe He Had. 
     
   "Gordon Is In England,  And In Hiding; Probably In London,  For There's No 
   Place Where You May Hide So Effectually. One Thing I Am Astonished At: 
   That He Should Show Himself Openly As George Gorton." 
     
   "Look Here,  Carr," Said Lord Hartledon,  Leaning Forward; "I Don't 
   Believe,  In Spite Of You And The Detective,  That Gordon,  Our Gordon,  Was 
   The One Connected With The Mutiny. I Might Possibly Get A Description 
   Of That Man From Gum Of Calne; For His Son Was Coming Home In The Same 
   Ship--Was One Of Those Killed." 
     
   "Who's Gum Of Calne?" 
     
   "The Parish Clerk,  And A Very Respectable Man. Mirrable,  Our Housekeeper 
   Whom You Have Seen,  Is Related To Them. Gum Went To Liverpool At The 
   Time,  I Know,  And Saw The Remnant Of The Passengers Those Pirates Had 
   Spared; He Was Sure To Hear A Full Description Of Gordon. If Ever I Visit 
   Hartledon Again I'll Ask Him." 
     
   "If Ever You Visit Hartledon Again!" Echoed Mr. Carr. "Unless You Leave 
   The Country--As I Advise You To Do--You Cannot Help Visiting Hartledon." 
     
   "Well,  I Would Almost As Soon Be Hanged!" Cried Val. "And Now,  What Do 
   You Want Me For,  And Why Have You Kept Me Here?" 
     
   Mr. Carr Drew His Chair Nearer To Lord Hartledon. They Alone Knew Their 
   Own Troubles,  And Sat Talking Long After The Afternoon Was Over. Mr. 
   Taylor Came To The Room; It Was Past His Usual Hour Of Departure. 
     
   "I Suppose I Can Go,  Sir?" 
     
   "Not Just Yet," Replied Mr. Carr. 
     
   Hartledon Took Out His Watch,  And Wondered Whether It Had Been Galloping, 
   When He Saw How Late It Was. "You'll Come Home And Dine With Me,  Carr?" 
     
   "I'll Follow You,  If You Like," Was The Reply. "I Have A Matter Or Two To 
   Attend To First." 
     
   A Few Minutes More,  And Lord Hartledon And His Care Went Out. Mr. Carr 
   Called In His Clerk. 
     
   "I Want To Know How You Came To Learn That The Man I Asked You About, 
   Gordon,  Was Employed By Kedge And Reck?" 
     
   "I Heard It Through A Man Named Druitt," Was The Ready Answer. "Happening 
   To Ask Him--As I Did Several People--Whether He Knew Any George Gordon, 
   He At Once Said That A Man Of That Name Was At Kedge And Reck's,  Where 
   Druitt Himself Had Been Temporarily Employed." 
     
   "Ah," Said Mr. Carr,  Remembering This Same Druitt Had Been Mentioned To 
   Him. "But The Man Was Called Gorton,  Not Gordon. You Must Have Caught Up 
   The Wrong Name,  Taylor. Or Perhaps He Misunderstood You. That's All; You 
   May Go Now." 
     
   The Clerk Departed. Mr. Carr Took His Hat And Followed Him Down; But 
   Before Joining Lord Hartledon He Turned Into The Temple Gardens,  And 
   Strolled Towards The River; A Few Moments Of Fresh Air--Fresh To Those 
   Hard-Worked Denizens Of Close And Crowded London--Seemed Absolutely 
   Necessary To The Barrister's Heated Brain. 
     
   He Sat Down On A Bench Facing The Water,  And Bared His Brow To The 
   Breeze. A Cool Head,  His; Never A Cooler Brought Thought To Bear Upon 
   Perplexity; Nevertheless It Was Not Feeling Very Collected Now. He Could 
   Not Reconcile Sundry Discrepancies In The Trouble He Was Engaged In 
   Fathoming,  And He Saw No Release Whatever For Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "It Has Only Complicated The Affair," He Said,  As He Watched The Steamers 
   Up And Down,  "This Calling In Green The Detective,  And The News He 
   Brings. Gordon The Gordon Of The Mutiny! I Don't Like It: The Other 
   Gordon,  Simple Enough And Not Bad-Hearted,  Was Easy To Deal With In 
   Comparison; This Man,  Pirate,  Robber,  Murderer,  Will Stand At Nothing. We 
   Should Have A Hold On Him,  It's True,  In His Own Crime; But What's To 
   Prevent His Keeping Himself Out Of The Way,  And Selling Hartledon To 
   Another? Why He Has Not Sold Him Yet,  I Can't Think. Unless For Some 
   Reason He Is Waiting His Time." 
     
   He Put On His Hat And Began To Count The Barges On The Other Side,  To 
   Banish Thought. But It Would Not Be Banished,  And He Fell Into The Train 
   Again. 
     
   "Mair's Behaving Well; With Christian Kindness; But It's Bad Enough To Be 
   Even In _His_ Power. There's Something In Lord Hartledon He 'Can't Help 
   Loving,' He Writes. Who Can? Here Am I,  Giving Up Circuit--Such A Thing 
   As Never Was Heard Of--Calling Him Friend Still,  And Losing My Rest At 
   Night For Him! Poor Val! Better He Had Been The One To Die!" 
     
   "Please,  Sir,  Could You Tell Us The Time?" 
     
   The Spell Was Broken,  And Mr. Carr Took Out His Watch As He Turned His 
   Eyes On A Ragged Urchin Who Had Called To Him From Below. 
     
   The Tide Was Down; And Sundry Arabs Were Regaling Their Naked Feet In The 
   Mud,  Sporting And Shouting. The Evening Drew In Earlier Than They Did, 
   And The Sun Had Already Set. 
     
   Quitting The Garden,  Mr. Carr Stepped Into A Hansom,  And Was Conveyed To 
   Grafton Street. He Found Lord Hartledon Knitting His Brow Over A Letter. 
     
   "Maude Is Growing Vexed In Earnest," He Began,  Looking Up At Mr. Carr. 
   "She Insists Upon Knowing The Reason That I Do Not Go Home To Her." 
     
   "I Don't Wonder At It. You Ought To Do One Of Two Things: Go,  Or--" 
     
   "Or What,  Carr?" 
     
   "You Know. Never Go Home Again." 
     
   "I Wish I Was Out Of The World!" Cried The Unhappy Man. 
     
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 23 (At Hartledon) 
     "Hartledon, 
     
     "I Wonder What You _Think_ Of Yourself,  Galloping About _Rotten Row_ 
     With Women When Your Wife's _Dying_. Of _Course_ It's Not Your Fault 
     That Reports Of Your Goings-On _Reach_ Her Here Oh Dear No. You Are A 
     Moddel Husband You Are,  Sending Her Down Here _Out Of The Way_ That You 
     May Take Your Pleasure. Why Did You _Marry Her_,  Nobody Wanted You To 
     She Sits And _Mopes_ And _Weeps_ And She's Going Into The Same Way That 
     Her Father _Went_,  You'll Be Glad No Doubt To Hear It It's What You're 
     _Aiming_ At,  Once She Is In _Calne Churchyard_ The _Field_ Will Be Open 
     For Your Anne Ashton. I Can Tell You That If You've A Spark Of _Proper 
     Feeling_ You'll Come _Down_ For Its Killing Her, 
     
     "Your Wicked Mother, 
     
     "C. Kirton." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Turned This Letter About In His Hand. He Scarcely Noticed 
   The Mistake At The Conclusion: The Dowager Had Doubtless Intended To 
   Imply That _He_ Was Wicked,  And The Slip Of The Pen In Her Temper Went 
   For Nothing. 
     
   Galloping About Rotten Row With Women! 
     
   Hartledon Sent His Thoughts Back,  Endeavouring To Recollect What Could 
   Have Given Rise To This Charge. One Morning,  After A Sleepless Night, 
   When He Had Tossed And Turned On His Uneasy Bed,  And Risen Unrefreshed, 
   He Hired A Horse,  For He Had None In Town,  And Went For A Long Ride. 
   Coming Back He Turned Into Rotten Row. He Could Not Tell Why He Did So, 
   For Such Places,  Affected By The Gay,  Empty-Headed Votaries Of Fashion, 
   Were Little Consonant To His Present State. He Was Barely In It When A 
   Lady's Horse Took Fright: She Was Riding Alone,  With A Groom Following; 
   Lord Hartledon Gave Her His Assistance,  Led Her Horse Until The Animal 
   Was Calm,  And Rode Side By Side With Her To The End Of The Row. He Knew 
   Not Who She Was; Scarcely Noticed Whether She Was Young Or Old; And Had 
   Not Given A Remembrance To It Since. 
     
   When Your Wife's Dying! Accustomed To The Strong Expressions Of The 
   Countess-Dowager,  He Passed That Over. But,  "Going The Same Way That Her 
   Father Went;" He Paused There,  And Tried To Remember How Her Father Did 
   "Go." All He Could Recollect Now,  Indeed All He Knew At The Time,  Was, 
   That Lord Kirton's Last Illness Was Reported To Have Been A Lingering 
   One. 
     
   Such Missives As These--And The Countess-Dowager Favoured Him With More 
   Than One--Coupled With His Own Consciousness That He Was Not Behaving 
   To His Wife As He Ought,  Took Him At Length Down To Hartledon. That His 
   Presence At The Place So Soon After His Marriage Was Little Short Of An 
   Insult To Dr. Ashton's Family,  His Sensitive Feelings Told Him; But His 
   Duty To His Wife Was Paramount,  And He Could Not Visit His Sin Upon Her. 
     
   She Was Looking Very Ill; Was Low-Spirited And Hysterical; And When She 
   Caught Sight Of Him She Forgot Her Anger,  And Fell Sobbing Into His Arms. 
   The Countess-Dowager Had Gone Over To Garchester,  And They Had A Few 
   Hours' Peace Together. 
     
   "You Are Not Looking Well,  Maude!" 
     
   "I Know I Am Not. Why Do You Stay Away From Me?" 
     
   "I Could Not Help Myself. Business Has Kept Me In London." 
     
   "Have _You_ Been Ill Also? You Look Thin And Worn." 
     
   "One Does Grow To Look Thin In Heated London," He Replied Evasively, 
   As He Walked To The Window,  And Stood There. "How Is Your Brother, 
   Maude--Bob?" 
     
   "I Don't Want To Talk About Bob Yet; I Have To Talk To You," She Said. 
   "Percival,  Why Did You Practise That Deceit Upon Me?" 
     
   "What Deceit?" 
     
   "It Was A Downright Falsehood; And Made Me Look Awfully Foolish When 
   I Came Here And Spoke Of It As A Fact. That Action." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Made No Reply. Here Was One Cause Of His Disinclination 
   To Meet His Wife--Having To Keep Up The Farce Of Dr. Ashton's Action. It 
   Seemed,  However,  That There Would No Longer Be Any Farce To Keep Up. Had 
   It Exploded? He Said Nothing. Maude Gazing At Him From The Sofa On Which 
   She Sat,  Her Dark Eyes Looking Larger Than Of Yore,  With Hollow Circles 
   Round Them,  Waited For His Answer. 
     
   "I Do Not Know What You Mean,  Maude." 
     
   "You _Do_ Know. You Sent Me Down Here With A Tale That The Ashtons Had 
   Entered An Action Against You For Breach Of Promise--Damages,  Ten 
   Thousand Pounds--" 
     
   "Stay An Instant,  Maude. I Did Not 'Send You Down' With The Tale. 
   I Particularly Requested You To Keep It Private." 
     
   "Well,  Mamma Drew It Out Of Me Unawares. She Vexed Me With Her Comments 
   About Your Staying On In London,  And It Made Me Tell Her Why You Had 
   Stayed. She Ascertained From Dr. Ashton That There Was Not A Word Of 
   Truth In The Story. Val,  I Betrayed It In Your Defence." 
     
   He Stood At The Window In Silence,  His Lips Compressed. 
     
   "I Looked So Foolish In The Eyes Of Dr. Ashton! The Sunday Evening After 
   I Came Down Here I Had A Sort Of Half-Fainting-Fit,  Coming Home From 
   Church. He Overtook Me,  And Was Very Kind,  And Gave Me His Arm. I Said 
   A Word To Him; I Could Not Help It; Mamma Had Worried Me On So; And I 
   Learned That No Such Action Had Ever Been Thought Of. You Had No Right 
   To Subject Me To The Chance Of Such Mortification. Why Did You Do So?" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Came From The Window And Sat Down Near His Wife,  His Elbow 
   On The Table. All He Could Do Now Was To Make The Best Of It,  And Explain 
   As Near To The Truth As He Could. 
     
   "Maude,  You Must Not Expect Full Confidence On This Subject,  For I Cannot 
   Give It You. When I Found I Had Reason To Believe That Some--Some Legal 
   Proceedings Were About To Be Instituted Against Me,  Just At The First 
   Intimation Of The Trouble,  I Thought It Must Emanate From Dr. Ashton. 
   You Took Up The Same Idea Yourself,  And I Did Not Contradict It,  Simply 
   Because I Could Not Tell You The Real Truth--" 
     
   "Yes," She Interrupted. "It Was The Night That Stranger Called At Our 
   House,  When You And Mr. Carr Were Closeted With Him So Long." 
     
   He Could Not Deny It; But He Had Been Thankful That She Should Forget The 
   Stranger And His Visit. Maude Waited. 
     
   "Then It Was An Action,  But Not Brought By The Ashtons?" She Resumed, 
   Finding He Did Not Speak. "Mamma Remarked That You Were Just The One To 
   Propose To Half-A-Dozen Girls." 
     
   "It Was Not An Action At All Of That Description; And I Never Proposed To 
   Any Girl Except Miss Ashton," He Returned,  Nettled At The Remark. 
     
   "Is It Over?" 
     
   "Not Quite;" And There Was Some Hesitation In His Tone. "Carr Is Settling 
   It For Me. I Trust,  Maude,  You Will Never Hear Of It Again--That It Will 
   Never Trouble You." 
     
   She Sat Looking At Him With Her Wistful Eyes. 
     
   "Won't You Tell Me Its Nature?" 
     
   "I Cannot Tell You,  Maude,  Believe Me. I Am As Candid With You As It Is 
   Possible To Be; But There Are Some Things Best--Best Not Spoken Of. 
   Maude," He Repeated,  Rising Impulsively And Taking Both Her Hands In His, 
   "Do You Wish To Earn My Love--My Everlasting Gratitude? Then You May Do 
   It By Nevermore Alluding To This." 
     
   It Was A Mistaken Request; An Altogether Unwise Emotion. Better That He 
   Had Remained At The Window,  And Drawled Out A Nonchalant Denial. But He 
   Was Apt To Be As Earnestly Genuine On The Surface As He Was In Reality. 
   It Set Lady Hartledon Wondering; And She Resolved To "Bide Her Time." 
     
   "As You Please,  Of Course,  Val. But Why Should It Agitate You?" 
     
   "Many A Little Thing Seems To Agitate Me Now," He Answered. "I Have Not 
   Felt Well Of Late; Perhaps That's The Reason." 
     
   "I Think You Might Have Satisfied Me A Little Better. I Expect It Is Some 
   Enormous Debt Risen Up Against You." 
     
   Better She Should Think So! "I Shall Tide It Over," He Said Aloud. "But 
   Indeed,  Maude,  I Cannot Bear For You Delicate Women To Be Brought Into 
   Contact With These Things; They Are Fit For Us Only. Think No More About 
   It,  And Rely On Me To Keep Trouble From You If It Can Be Kept. Where's 
   Bob? He Is Here,  I Suppose?" 
     
   "Bob's In His Room. He Is Going Into A Way,  I Think. When He Wrote And 
   Asked Me If I Would Allow Him To Come Here For A Little Change,  The 
   Medical Men Saying He Must Have It,  Mamma Sent A Refusal By Return Of 
   Post; She Had Had Enough Of Bob,  She Said,  When He Was Here Before. But 
   I Quietly Wrote A Note Myself,  And Bob Came. He Looked Ill,  And Gets 
   Worse Instead Of Better." 
     
   "What Do You Mean By Saying He Is Going Into A Way?" Asked Lord 
   Hartledon. 
     
   "Consumption,  Or Something Of That Sort. Papa Died Of It. You Are Not 
   Angry With Me For Having Bob?" 
     
   "Angry! My Dear Maude,  The House Is Yours; And If Poor Bob Stayed With Us 
   For Ever,  I Should Welcome Him As A Brother. Every One Likes Bob." 
     
   "Except Mamma. She Does Not Like Invalids In The House,  And Has Been 
   Saying You Don't Like It; That It Was Helping To Keep You Away. Poor Bob 
   Had Out His Portmanteau And Began To Pack; But I Told Him Not To Mind 
   Her; He Was My Guest,  Not Hers." 
     
   "And Mine Also,  You Might Have Added." 
     
   He Left The Room,  And Went To The Chamber Captain Kirton Had Occupied 
   When He Was At Hartledon In The Spring. It Was Empty,  Evidently Not Being 
   Used; And Hartledon Sent For Mirrable. She Came,  Looking Just As Usual, 
   Wearing A Dark-Green Silk Gown; For The Twelve-Month Had Expired,  And 
   Their Mourning Was Over. 
     
   "Captain Kirton Is In The Small Blue Rooms Facing South,  My Lord. They 
   Were Warmer For Him Than These." 
     
   "Is He Very Ill,  Mirrable?" 
     
   "Very,  I Think," Was The Answer. "Of Course He May Get Better; But It 
   Does Not Look Like It." 
     
   He Was A Tall,  Thin,  Handsome Man,  This Young Officer--A Year Or Two 
   Older Than Maude,  Whom He Greatly Resembled. Seated Before A Table,  He 
   Was Playing At That Delectable Game "Solitaire;" And His Eyes Looked 
   Large And Wild With Surprise,  And His Cheeks Became Hectic,  When Lord 
   Hartledon Entered. 
     
   "Bob,  My Dear Fellow,  I Am Glad To See You." 
     
   He Took His Hands And Sat Down,  His Face Full Of The Concern He Did Not 
   Care To Speak. Lady Hartledon Had Said He Was Going Into A Way; It Was 
   Evidently The Way Of The Grave. 
     
   He Pushed The Balls And The Board From Him,  Half Ashamed Of His 
   Employment. "To Think You Should Catch Me At This!" He Exclaimed. "Maude 
   Brought It To Me Yesterday,  Thinking I Was Dull Up Here." 
     
   "As Good That As Anything Else. I Often Think What A Miserably Restless 
   Invalid _I_ Should Make. But Now,  What's Wrong With You?" 
     
   "Well,  I Suppose It's The Heart." 
     
   "The Heart?" 
     
   "The Doctors Say So. No Doubt They Are Right; Those Complaints Are 
   Hereditary,  And My Father Had It. I Got Quite Unfit For Duty,  And They 
   Told Me I Must Go Away For Change; So I Wrote To Maude,  And She Took Me 
   In." 
     
   "Yes,  Yes; We Are Glad To Have You,  And Must Try And Get You Well,  Bob." 
     
   "Ah,  I Can't Tell About That. He Died Of It,  You Know." 
     
   "Who?" 
     
   "My Father. He Was Ill For Some Time,  And It Wore Him To A Skeleton,  So 
   That People Thought He Was In A Decline. If I Could Only Get Sufficiently 
   Well To Go Back To Duty,  I Should Not Mind; It Is So Sad To Give Trouble 
   In A Strange House." 
     
   "In A Strange House It Might Be,  But It Would Be Ungrateful To Call This 
   One Strange," Returned Lord Hartledon,  Smiling On Him From His Pleasant 
   Blue Eyes. "We Must Get You To Town And Have Good Advice For You. I 
   Suppose Hillary Comes Up?" 
     
   "Every-Day." 
     
   "Does _He_ Say It's Heart-Disease?" 
     
   "I Believe He Thinks It. It Might Be As Much As His Reputation Is Worth 
   To Say It In This House." 
     
   "How Do You Mean?" 
     
   "My Mother Won't Have It Said. She Ignores The Disease Altogether,  And 
   Will Not Allow It To Be Mentioned,  Or Hinted At. It's Bronchitis,  She 
   Tells Everyone; And Of Course Bronchitis It Must Be. I Did Have A Cough 
   When I Came Here: My Chest Is Not Strong." 
     
   "But Why Should She Ignore Heart-Disease?" 
     
   "There Was A Fear That Maude Would Be Subject To It When She Was A Child. 
   Should It Be Disclosed To Her That It Is My Complaint,  And Were I To Die 
   Of It,  She Might Grow So Alarmed For Herself As To Bring It On; And 
   Agitation,  As We Know,  Is Often Fatal In Such Cases." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Sat In A Sort Of Horror. Maude Subject To Heart-Disease! 
   When At Any Moment A Certain Fearful Tale,  Of Which He Was The Guilty 
   Centre,  Might Be Disclosed To Her! Day By Day,  Hour By Hour,  He Lived In 
   Dread Of This Story's Being Brought To Light. This Little Unexpected 
   Communication Increased That Dread Fourfold. 
     
   "Have I Shocked You?" Asked Captain Kirton. "I May Yet Get The Better Of 
   It." 
     
   "I Believe I Was Thinking Of Maude," Answered Hartledon,  Slowly 
   Recovering From His Stupor. "I Never Heard--I Had No Idea That Maude's 
   Heart Was Not Perfectly Sound." 
     
   "And I Don't Know But That It Is Sound; It Was Only A Fancy When She Was 
   A Child,  And There Might Have Been No Real Grounds For It. My Mother Is 
   Full Of Crotchets On The Subject Of Illness; And Says She Won't Have 
   Anything About Heart-Disease Put Into Maude's Head. She Is Right,  Of 
   Course,  So Far,  In Using Precaution; So Please Remember That I Am 
   Suffering From Any Disorder But That," Concluded The Young Officer With 
   A Smile. 
     
   "How Did Yours First Show Itself?" 
     
   "I Hardly Know. I Used To Be Subject To Sudden Attacks Of Faintness; But 
   I Am Not Sure That They Had Anything To Do With The Disease Itself." 
     
   Just What Maude Was Becoming Subject To! She Had Told Him Of A 
   Fainting-Fit In London; Had Told Him Of Another Now. 
     
   "I Suppose The Doctors Warn You Against Sudden Shocks,  Bob?" 
     
   "More Than Against Anything. I Am Not To Agitate Myself In The Least; Am 
   Not To Run Or Jump,  Or Fly Into A Temper. They Would Put Me In A Glass 
   Case,  If They Could." 
     
   "Well,  We'll See What Skill Can Do For You," Said Hartledon,  Rousing 
   Himself. "I Wonder If A Warmer Climate Would Be Of Service? You Might 
   Have That Without Exertion,  Travelling Slowly." 
     
   "Couldn't Afford It," Was The Ingenuous Answer. "I Have Forestalled My 
   Pay As It Is." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Smiled. Never A More Generous Disposition Than His; And If 
   Money Could Save This Poor Bob Kirton,  He Should Not Want It. 
     
   Walking Forth,  He Strolled Down The Road Towards Calne,  Intending To Ask 
   A Question Or Two Of The Surgeon. Mr. Hillary Was At Home. His House Was 
   At This End Of Calne,  Just Past The Rectory And Opposite The Church,  With 
   A Side View Of Clerk Gum's. The Door Was Open,  And Lord Hartledon 
   Strolled Into The Surgery Unannounced,  To The Surprise Of Mr. Hillary, 
   Who Did Not Know He Was At Calne. 
     
   The Surgeon's Opinion Was Not Favourable. Captain Kirton Had 
   Heart-Disease Beyond Any Doubt. His Chest Was Weak Also,  The Lungs Not 
   Over-Sound; Altogether,  The Honourable Robert Kirton's Might Be Called 
   A Bad Life. 
     
   "Would A Warmer Climate Do Anything For Him?" Asked Lord Hartledon. 
     
   The Surgeon Shrugged His Shoulders. "He Would Be Better There For Some 
   Things Than Here. On The Whole It Might Temporarily Benefit Him." 
     
   "Then He Shall Go. And Now,  Hillary,  I Want To Ask You Something 
   Else--And You Must Answer Me,  Mind. Captain Kirton Tells Me The Fact Of 
   His Having Heart-Disease Is Not Mentioned In The House Lest It Should 
   Alarm Lady Hartledon,  And Develop The Same In Her. Is There Any Fear Of 
   This?" 
     
   "It Is True That It's Not Spoken Of; But I Don't Think There's Any 
   Foundation For The Fear." 
     
   "The Old Dowager's Very Fanciful!" Cried Lord Hartledon,  Resentfully. 
     
   "A Queer Old--Girl," Remarked The Surgeon. "Can't Help Saying It,  Though 
   She Is Your Mother-In-Law." 
     
   "I Wish She Was Any One Else's! She's As Likely As Not To Let Out 
   Something Of This To Maude In Her Tantrums. But I Don't Believe A Word 
   Of It; I Never Saw The Least Symptom Of Heart-Disease In My Wife." 
     
   "Nor I," Said The Doctor. "Of Course I Have Not Examined Her; Neither 
   Have I Had Much Opportunity For Ordinary Observation." 
     
   "I Wish You Would Contrive To Get The Latter. Come Up And Call Often; 
   Make Some Excuse For Seeing Lady Hartledon Professionally,  And Watch Her 
   Symptoms." 
     
   "I Am Seeing Her Professionally Now; Once Or Twice A Week. She Had One Or 
   Two Fainting-Fits After She Came Down,  And Called Me In." 
     
   "Kirton Says He Used To Have Those Fainting-Fits. Are They A Symptom Of 
   Heart-Disease?" 
     
   "In Lady Hartledon I Attribute Them Entirely To Her Present State Of 
   Health. I Assure You,  I Don't See The Slightest Cause For Fear As Regards 
   Your Wife's Heart. She Is Of A Calm Temperament Too; As Far As I Can 
   Observe." 
     
   They Stood Talking For A Minute At The Door,  When Lord Hartledon Went 
   Out. Pike Happened To Pass On The Other Side Of The Road. 
     
   "He Is Here Still,  I See," Remarked Hartledon. 
     
   "Oh Dear,  Yes; And Likely To Be." 
     
   "I Wonder How The Fellow Picks Up A Living?" 
     
   The Surgeon Did Not Answer. "Are You Going To Make A Long Stay With Us?" 
   He Asked. 
     
   "A Very Short One. I Suppose You Have Had No Return Of The Fever?" 
     
   "Not Any. Calne Never Was More Healthy Than It Is Now. As I Said To Dr. 
   Ashton Yesterday,  But For His Own House I Might Put Up My Shutters And 
   Take A Lengthened Holiday." 
     
   "Who Is Ill At The Rectory? Mrs. Ashton?" 
     
   "Mrs. Ashton Is Not Strong,  But She's Better Than She Was Last Year. 
   I Have Been More Concerned For Anne Than For Her." 
     
   "Is _She_ Ill?" Cried Lord Hartledon,  A Spasm Seizing His Throat. 
     
   "Ailing. But It's An Ailing I Do Not Like." 
     
   "What's The Cause?" He Rejoined,  Feeling As If Some Other Crime Were 
   About To Be Brought Home To Him. 
     
   "That's A Question I Never Inquire Into. I Put It Upon The Air Of The 
   Rectory," Added The Surgeon In Jesting Tones,  "And Tell Them They Ought 
   To Go Away For A Time,  But They Have Been Away Too Much Of Late,  They 
   Say. She's Getting Over It Somewhat,  And I Take Care That She Goes Out 
   And Takes Exercise. What Has It Been? Well,  A Sort Of Inward Fever,  With 
   Flushed Cheeks And Unequal Spirits. It Takes Time For These Things To 
   Be Got Over,  You Know. The Rector Has Been Anything But Well,  Too; He 
   Is Not The Strong,  Healthy Man He Was." 
     
   "And All _My_ Work; My Work!" Cried Hartledon To Himself,  Almost Gnashing 
   His Teeth As He Went Back Down The Street. "What _Right_ Had I To Upset 
   The Happiness Of That Family? I Wish It Had Pleased God To Take Me First! 
   My Father Used To Say That Some Men Seem Born Into The World Only To Be A 
   Blight To It; It's What I Have Been,  Heaven Knows." 
     
   He Knew Only Too Well That Anne Ashton Was Suffering From The Shock 
   Caused By His Conduct. The Love Of These Quiet,  Sensitive,  Refined 
   Natures,  Once Awakened,  Is Not Given For A Day,  But For All Time; It 
   Becomes A Part Of Existence; And Cannot Be Riven Except By An Effort That 
   Brings Destruction To Even Future Hope Of Happiness. Not Even Mr. 
   Hillary,  Not Even Dr. And Mrs. Ashton,  Could Discern The Utter Misery 
   That Was Anne's Daily Portion. She Strove To Conceal It All. She Went 
   About The House Cheerfully,  Wore A Smiling Face When People Were Present, 
   Dressed Well,  Laughed With Their Guests,  Went About The Parish To Rich 
   And Poor,  And Was Altogether Gay. Ah,  Do You Know What It Is,  This 
   Assumption Of Gaiety When The Heart Is Breaking?--This Dread Fear Lest 
   Those About You Should Detect The Truth? Have _You_ Ever Lived With This 
   Mask Upon Your Face?--Which Can Only Be Thrown Off At Night In The 
   Privacy Of Your Own Chamber,  When You May Abandon Yourself To Your 
   Desolation,  And Pray Heaven To Take You Or Give You Increased Strength To 
   _Live_ And _Bear_? It May Seem A Light Thing,  This State Of Heart That I 
   Am Telling You About; But It Has Killed Both Men And Women,  For All That; 
   And Killed Them In Silence. 
     
   Anne Ashton Had Never Complained. She Did Everything She Had Been Used To 
   Doing,  Was Particular About All Her Duties; But A Nervous Cough Attacked 
   Her,  And Her Frame Wasted,  And Her Cheek Grew Hectic. Try As She Would 
   She Could Not Eat: All She Confessed To,  When Questioned By Mrs. Ashton, 
   Was "A Pain In Her Throat;" And Mr. Hillary Was Called In. Anne Laughed: 
   There Was Nothing The Matter With Her,  She Said,  And Her Throat Was 
   Better; She Had Strained It Perhaps. The Doctor Was A Wise Doctor; His 
   Professional Visits Were Spent In Gossip; And As To Medicine,  He Sent Her 
   A Tonic,  And Told Her To Take It Or Not As She Pleased. Only Time,  He 
   Said To Mrs. Ashton--She Would Be All Right In Time; The Summer Heat Was 
   Making Her Languid. 
     
   The Summer Heat Had Nearly Passed Now,  And Perhaps Some Of The Battle Was 
   Passing With It. None Knew--Let Me Repeat It--What That Battle Had Been; 
   None Ever Can Know,  Unless They Go Through It Themselves. In Miss 
   Ashton's Case There Was A Feature Some Are Spared--Her Love Had Been 
   Known--And It Increased The Anguish Tenfold. She Would Overcome It If She 
   Could Only Forget Him; But It Would Take Time; And She Would Come Out Of 
   It An Altogether Different Woman,  Her Best Hope In Life Gone,  Her Heart 
   Dead. 
     
   "What Brought Him Down Here?" Mentally Questioned Mr. Hillary,  In An 
   Explosion Of Wrath,  As He Watched His Visitor Down The Street. "It Will 
   Undo All I Have Been Doing. He,  And His Wife Too,  Might Have Had The 
   Grace To Keep Away For This Year At Least. I Loved Him Once,  With All His 
   Faults; But I Should Like To See Him In The Pillory Now. It Has Told On 
   Him Also,  If I'm Any Reader Of Looks. And Now,  Miss Anne,  You Go Off From 
   Calne To-Morrow An I Can Prevail. I Only Hope You Won't Come Across Him 
   In The Meantime." 
   
   
   
   Chapter 24 (Under The Trees) 
   It Was The Same Noble-Looking Man Calne Had Ever Known,  As He Went Down 
   The Road,  Throwing A Greeting To One And Another. Lord Hartledon Was Not 
   A Whit Less Attractive Than Val Elster,  Who Had Won Golden Opinions From 
   All. None Would Have Believed That The Cowardly Monster Fear Was For Ever 
   Feasting Upon His Heart. 
     
   He Came To A Standstill Opposite The Clerk's House,  Looked At It For 
   A Moment,  As If Deliberating Whether He Should Enter,  And Crossed The 
   Road. The Shades Of Evening Had Begun To Fall Whilst He Talked With The 
   Surgeon. As He Advanced Up The Clerk's Garden,  Some One Came Out Of The 
   House With A Rush And Ran Against Him. 
     
   "Take Care," He Lazily Said. 
     
   The Girl--It Was No Other Than Miss Rebecca Jones--Shrank Away When 
   She Recognized Her Antagonist. Flying Through The Gate She Rapidly 
   Disappeared Up The Street. Lord Hartledon Reached The House,  And Made His 
   Way In Without Ceremony. At A Table In The Little Parlour Sat The Clerk's 
   Wife,  Presiding At A Solitary Tea-Table By The Light Of A Candle. 
     
   "How Are You,  Mrs. Gum?" 
     
   She Had Not Heard Him Enter,  And Started At The Salutation. Lord 
   Hartledon Laughed. 
     
   "Don't Take Me For A Housebreaker. Your Front-Door Was Open,  And I Came 
   In Without Knocking. Is Your Husband At Home?" 
     
   What With Shaking And Curtseying,  Mrs. Gum Could Scarcely Answer. It Was 
   Surprising How A Little Shock Of This Sort,  Or Indeed Of Any Sort,  Would 
   Upset Her. Gum Was Away On Some Business Or Other,  She Replied--Which 
   Caused Their Tea-Hour To Be Delayed--But She Expected Him In Every 
   Moment. Would His Lordship Please To Wait In The Best Parlour,  She Asked, 
   Taking The Candle To Marshal Him Into The State Sitting-Room. 
     
   No; His Lordship Would Not Go Into The Best Parlour; He Would Wait Two Or 
   Three Minutes Where He Was,  Provided She Did Not Disturb Herself,  And 
   Went On With Her Tea. 
     
   Mrs. Gum Dusted A Large Old-Fashioned Oak Chair With Her Apron; But He 
   Perched Himself On One Of Its Elbows. 
     
   "And Now Go On With Your Tea,  Mrs. Gum,  And I'll Look On With All The 
   Envy Of A Thirsty Man." 
     
   Mrs. Gum Glanced Up Tremblingly. Might She Dare Offer His Lordship A Cup? 
   She Wouldn't Make So Bold But Tea _Was_ Refreshing To A Parched Throat. 
     
   "And Mine's Always Parched," He Returned. "I'll Drink Some With You,  And 
   Thank You For It. It Won't Be The First Time,  Will It?" 
     
   "Always Parched!" Remarked Mrs. Gum. "Maybe You've A Touch Of Fever,  My 
   Lord. Many Folk Get It At The Close Of Summer." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Sat On,  And Drank His Tea. He Said Well That He Was Always 
   Thirsty,  Though Mrs. Gum's Expression Was The Better One. That Timid 
   Matron,  Overcome By The Honour Accorded Her,  Sat On The Edge Of Her 
   Chair,  Cup In Hand. 
     
   "I Want To Ask Your Husband If He Can Give Me A Description Of The Man 
   Who Was Concerned In That Wretched Mutiny On Board The _Morning Star_," 
   Said Lord Hartledon,  Somewhat Abruptly. "I Mean The Ringleader,  Gordon. 
   Why--What's The Matter?" 
     
   Mrs. Gum Had Jumped Up From Her Chair And Began Looking About The Room. 
   The Cat,  Or Something Else,  Had "Rubbed Against Her Legs." 
     
   No Cat Could Be Found,  And She Sat Down Again,  Her Teeth Chattering. Lord 
   Hartledon Came To The Conclusion That She Was Only Fit For A Lunatic 
   Asylum. Why Did She Keep A Cat,  If Its Fancied Caresses Were To Terrify 
   Her Like That? 
     
   "It Was Said,  You Know--At Least It Has Been Always Assumed--That Gordon 
   Did Not Come Back To England," He Continued,  Speaking Openly Of His 
   Business,  Where A More Prudent Man Would Have Kept His Lips Closed. "But 
   I Have Reason To Believe That He Did Come Back,  Mrs. Gum; And I Want To 
   Find Him." 
     
   Mrs. Gum Wiped Her Face,  Covered With Drops Of Emotion. 
     
   "Gordon Never Did Come Back,  I Am Sure,  Sir," She Said,  Forgetting All 
   About Titles In Her Trepidation. 
     
   "You Don't Know That He Did Not. You May Think It; The Public May Think 
   It; What's Of More Moment To Gordon,  The Police May Think It: But You 
   Can't _Know_ It. I Know He Did." 
     
   "My Lord,  He Did Not; I Could--I Almost Think I Could Be Upon My Oath He 
   Did Not," She Answered,  Gazing At Lord Hartledon With Frightened Eyes And 
   White Lips,  Which,  To Say The Truth,  Rather Puzzled Him As He Gazed Back 
   From His Perch. 
     
   "Will You Tell Me Why You Assert So Confidently That Gordon Did Not Come 
   Back?" 
     
   She Could Not Tell,  And She Knew She Could Not. 
     
   "I Can't Bear To Hear Him Spoken Of,  My Lord," She Said. "He--We Look 
   Upon Him As My Poor Boy's Murderer," She Broke Off,  With A Sob; "And It 
   Is Not Likely That I Could." 
     
   Not Very Logical; But Lord Hartledon Allowed For Confusion Of Ideas 
   Following On Distress Of Mind. 
     
   "I Don't Like To Speak About Him Any More Than You Can Like To Hear," He 
   Said Kindly. "Indeed I Am Sorry To Have Grieved You; But If The Man Is In 
   London,  And Can Be Traced--" 
     
   "In London!" She Interrupted. 
     
   "He Was In London Last Autumn,  As I Believe--Living There." 
     
   An Expression Of Relief Passed Over Her Features That Was Quite 
   Perceptible To Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "I Should Not Like To Hear Of His Coming Near Us," She Sighed,  Dropping 
   Her Voice To A Whisper. "London: That's Pretty Far Off." 
     
   "I Suppose You Are Anxious To Bring Him To Justice,  Mrs. Gum?" 
     
   "No,  Sir,  Not Now; Neither Me Nor Gum," Shaking Her Head. "Time Was, 
   Sir--My Lord--That I'd Have Walked Barefoot To See Him Hanged; But The 
   Years Have Gone By; And If Sorrow's Not Dead,  It's Less Keen,  And We'd Be 
   Thankful To Let The Past Rest In Peace. Oh,  My Lord,  _Don't_ Rake Him Up 
   Again!" 
     
   The Wild,  Imploring Accents Quite Startled Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "You Need Not Fear," He Said,  After A Pause. "I Do Not Care To See Gordon 
   Hanged Either; And Though I Want To Trace His Present Abode--If It Can Be 
   Traced--It Is Not With A View To Injuring Him." 
     
   "But We Don't Know His Abode,  My Lord," She Rejoined In Faint 
   Remonstrance. 
     
   "I Did Not Suppose You Knew It. All I Want To Ask Your Husband Is,  To 
   Give Me A Description Of Gordon. I Wish To See If It Tallies With--With 
   Some One I Once Knew," He Cautiously Concluded. "Perhaps You Remember 
   What The Man Was Said To Be Like?" 
     
   She Put Her Fingers Up To Her Brow,  Leaning Her Elbow On The Table. He 
   Could Not Help Observing How The Hand Shook. 
     
   "I Think It Was Said That He Had Red Hair," She Began,  After A Long 
   Pause; "And Was--Tall,  Was It?--Either Tall Or Short; One Of The Two. And 
   His Eyes--His Eyes Were Dark Eyes,  Either Brown Or Blue." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Could Not Avoid A Smile. "That's No Description At All." 
     
   "My Memory Is Not Over-Good,  My Lord: I Read His Description In The 
   Handbills Offering The Reward; And That's Some Time Ago Now." 
     
   "The Handbills!--To Be Sure!" Interrupted Lord Hartledon,  Springing From 
   His Perch. "I Never Thought Of Them; They'll Give Me The Best Description 
   Possible. Do You Know Where--" 
     
   The Conference Was Interrupted By The Clerk. He Came In With A Large 
   Book In His Hand; And A Large Dog,  Which Belonged To A Friend,  And Had 
   Followed Him Home. For A Minute Or Two There Was Only Commotion,  For The 
   Dog Was Leaping And Making Friends With Every One. Lord Hartledon Then 
   Said A Few Words Of Explanation,  And The Quiet Demeanour Of The Clerk, 
   As He Calmly Listened,  Was In Marked Contrast To His Wife's Nervous 
   Agitation. 
     
   "Might I Inquire Your Lordship's Reasons For Thinking That Gordon Came 
   Back?" He Quietly Asked,  When Lord Hartledon Had Ceased. 
     
   "I Cannot Give Them In Detail,  Gum. That He Did Come Back,  There Is No 
   Doubt About Whatever,  Though How He Succeeded In Eluding The Vigilance 
   Of The Police,  Who Were Watching For Him,  Is Curious. His Coming Back, 
   However,  Is Not The Question: I Thought You Might Be Able To Give Me A 
   Close Description Of Him. You Went To Liverpool When The Unfortunate 
   Passengers Arrived There." 
     
   But Clerk Gum Was Unable To Give Any Satisfactory Response. No Doubt He 
   Had Heard Enough Of What Gordon Was Like At The Time,  He Observed,  But 
   It Had Passed Out Of His Memory. A Fair Man,  He Thought He Was Described, 
   With Light Hair. He Had Heard Nothing Of Gordon Since; Didn't Want To, 
   If His Lordship Would Excuse His Saying It; Firmly Believed He Was At 
   The Bottom Of The Sea. 
     
   Patient,  Respectful,  Apparently Candid,  He Spoke,  Attending His Guest, 
   Hat In Hand,  To The Outer Gate,  When It Pleased Him To Depart. But,  Take 
   It For All In All,  There Remained A Certain Doubtful Feeling In Lord 
   Hartledon's Mind Regarding The Interview; For Some Subtle Discernment Had 
   Whispered To Him That Both Gum And His Wife Could Have Given Him The 
   Description Of Gordon,  And Would Not Do So. 
     
   He Turned Slowly Towards Home,  Thinking Of This. As He Passed The Waste 
   Ground And Pike's Shed,  He Cast His Eyes Towards It; A Curl Of Smoke 
   Was Ascending From The Extemporized Chimney,  Still Discernible In The 
   Twilight. It Occurred To Lord Hartledon That This Man,  Who Had The 
   Character Of Being So Lawless,  Had Been Rather Suspiciously Intimate With 
   The Man Gorton. Not That The Intimacy In Itself Was Suspicious; Birds 
   Of A Feather Flocked Together; But The Most Simple And Natural Thing 
   Connected With Gorton Would Have Borne Suspicion To Hartledon's Mind Now. 
     
   He Had Barely Passed The Gate When Some Shouting Arose In The Road Behind 
   Him. A Man,  Driving A Cart Recklessly,  Had Almost Come In Contact With 
   Another Cart,  And Some Hard Language Ensued. Lord Hartledon Turned His 
   Head Quickly,  And Just Caught Mr. Pike's Head,  Thrust A Little Over The 
   Top Of The Gate,  Watching Him. Pike Must Have Croue Business Of School,  Or Church,  Or Parish, 
   Which She Assumed Would,  Unless By Her Efforts,  Soon Be At A Deadlock. 
   But Years Will Tell On The Most Vigorous Frames,  And My Lady Looked So 
   Jaded That,  If She Had Fallen In With Mr. Carnegie,  He Would Have 
   Reminded Her,  For Her Health's Sake,  That No Woman Is Indispensable. She 
   Gave Bessie That Sweet Smile Which Was Flattering As A Caress,  And Was 
   About To Pass On When Something Wistful In The Child's Eyes Arrested Her 
   Notice. She Stopped And Asked If There Was Any More News From Woldshire. 
   Bessie's Round Cheeks Were Two Roses As She Replied That Her Grandfather 
   Fairfax Had Come--That He Was _There_ At The Very Moment,  Watching Them 
   From The Churchyard. 
     
   "Where?" Said My Lady,  And Turned About To See. 
     
   Mr. Fairfax Knew Her. He Descended The Steps,  Came Out At The Lych-Gate, 
   And Met Her. At That Instant The Cast Of His Countenance Reminded Bessie 
   Of Her Cynical Friend Mr. Phipps,  And A Thought Crossed Her Mind That If 
   Lady Latimer Had Not Recognized Her Grandfather And Made A Movement To 
   Speak,  He Would Not Have Challenged Her. It Would Have Seemed A Very 
   Remote Period To Bessie,  But It Did Not Seem So Utterly Out Of Date To 
   Themselves,  That Richard Fairfax In His Adolescence Had Almost Run Mad 
   For Love Of My Lady In Her Teens. She Had Not Reciprocated His Passion, 
   And In A Fit Of Desperation He Had Married His Wife,  The Mother Of His 
   Three Sons. Perhaps The Cool Affection He Had Borne Them All His Life 
   Was The Measure Of His Indifference To That Poor Lady,  And That 
   Indifference The Measure Of His Vindictive Constancy To His First Idol. 
   They Had Not Seen Each Other For Many Years; Their Courses Had Run Far 
   Apart,  And They Had Grown Old. But A Woman Never Quite Forgets To Feel 
   Interested In A Man Who Has Once Worshipped Her,  Though He May Long 
   Since Have Got Up Off His Knees And Gone And Paid His Devotions At Other 
   Shrines. Lady Latimer Had Not Been So Blessed In Her Life And Affections 
   That She Could Afford To Throw Away Even A Flattering Memory. Bessie's 
   Talk Of Her Grandfather Had Brought The Former Things To Her Mind. Her 
   Face Kindled At The Sight Of Her Friend,  And Her Voice Was The Soul Of 
   Kindness. Mr. Fairfax Looked Up And Pitied Her,  And Lost His Likeness To 
   Mr. Phipps. Ambitious,  Greedy Of Power,  Of Rank,  And Riches--Thus And 
   Thus Had He Once Contemned Her; But There Was That Fascinating Smile, 
   And So She Would Charm Him If They Met Some Day In Hades. 
     
          *       *       *       *       * 
     
   Bessie Went In-Doors To Apprise Her Mother Of The Visitors Who Were At 
   Hand. Mr. Fairfax And Lady Latimer Stood For A Quarter Of An Hour Or 
   Longer In The Shade Of The Churchyard Trees,  Exchanging News,  The Chief 
   News Being The Squire's Business At Beechhurst. Lady Latimer Offered Him 
   Her Advice And Countenance For His Granddaughter,  And Assured Him That 
   Bessie Had Fine Qualities,  Much Simplicity,  And The Promise Of Beauty. 
   Meanwhile Mrs. Carnegie,  Forewarned Of The Impending Interview, 
   Collected Herself And Prepared For It. She Sent Bessie Into The 
   Rarely-Used Drawing-Room To Pull Up The Blinds And Open The Glass Door 
   Upon The Lawn; And,  Further To Occupy The Nervous Moments,  Bade Her 
   Gather A Few Roses For The China Bowl On The Round Table. Bessie Had 
   Just Finished Her Task,  And Was Standing With A Lovely Devoniensis In 
   Her Hand,  When Her Grandfather Appeared,  Supported By Lady Latimer. 
     
   Mr. Fairfax Was Received By Mrs. Carnegie With Courtesy,  But Without 
   Effusion. It Was The Anxious Desire Of Her Heart That No Ill-Will Should 
   Arise Because Of Bessie's Restoration. She Was One Of Those Unaffected, 
   Reasonable,  Calm Women Whom Circumstances Rarely Disconcert. Then Her 
   Imagination Was Not Active. She Did Not Pensively Reflect That Here Was 
   Her Once Father-In-Law,  But She Felt Comfortable In The Consciousness 
   That Bessie Had On A Nice Clean Pink Gingham Frock And A Crimped Frill 
   Round Her White Throat,  In Which She Looked As Pretty As She Could Look. 
   Bessie's Light Hair,  Threaded Wit 
   Spoke Of It To Me. I Never Heard Him Say Who Or What He Was; And I 
   Couldn't Speak More Truly If Your Lordship Offered To Give Me The Shed 
   As A Bribe." 
     
   "Do You Know Where Gorton Might Be Found At Present?" 
     
   "I Swear Before Heaven That I Know Nothing Of The Man,  And Have Never 
   Heard Of Him Since He Went Away," Cried Pike,  With A Burst Of Either Fear 
   Or Passion. "He Was A Stranger To Me When He Came,  And He Was A Stranger 
   When He Left. I Found Out The Little Game He Had Come About,  And Saved 
   Your Lordship From His Clutches,  Which He Doesn't Know To This Day. I 
   Know Nothing Else About Him At All." 
     
   "Well,  Good Evening,  Pike. You Need Not Put Yourself Out For Nothing." 
     
   He Walked Away,  Taking Leave Of The Man As Civilly As Though He Had Been 
   A Respectable Member Of Society. It Was Not In Val's Nature To Show 
   Discourtesy To Any Living Being. Why Pike Should Have Shrunk From The 
   Questions He Could Not Tell; But That He Did Shrink Was Evident; Perhaps 
   From A Surly Dislike To Being Questioned At All; But On The Whole Lord 
   Hartledon Thought He Had Spoken The Truth As To Knowing Nothing About 
   Gorton. 
     
   Crossing The Road,  He Turned Into The Field-Path Near The Rectory; It Was 
   A Little Nearer Than The Road-Way,  And He Was In A Hurry,  For He Had Not 
   Thought To Ask At What Hour His Wife Dined,  And Might Be Keeping Her 
   Waiting. 
     
   Who Was This Pike,  He Wondered As He Went Along; As He Had Wondered 
   Before Now. When The Man Was Off His Guard,  The Roughness Of His Speech 
   And Demeanour Was Not So Conspicuous; And The Tone Assumed A Certain 
   Refinement That Seemed To Say He Had Some Time Been In Civilized Society. 
   Again,  How Did He Live? A Tale Was Told In Calne Of Pike's Having Been 
   Disturbed At Supper One Night By A Parcel Of Rude Boys,  Who Had Seen Him 
   Seated At A Luxurious Table; Hot Steak And Pudding Before Him. They Were 
   Not Believed,  Certainly; But Still Pike Must Live; And How Did He Find 
   The Means To Do So? Why Did He Live There At All? What Had Caused Him To 
   Come To Calne? Who-- 
     
   These Reflections Might Have Lasted All The Way Home But For An 
   Interruption That Drove Every Thought Out Of Lord Hartledon's Mind,  And 
   Sent The Heart's Blood Coursing Swiftly Through His Veins. Turning A 
   Corner Of The Dark Winding Path,  He Came Suddenly Upon A Lady Seated On A 
   Bench,  So Close To The Narrow Path That He Almost Touched Her In Passing. 
   She Seemed To Have Sat Down For A Moment To Do Something To Her Hat, 
   Which Was Lying In Her Lap,  Her Hands Busied With It. 
     
   A Faint Cry Escaped Her,  And She Rose Up. It Was Caused Partly By 
   Emotion,  Partly By Surprise At Seeing Him,  For She Did Not Know He Was 
   Within A Hundred Miles Of The Place. And Very Probably She Would Have 
   Liked To Box Her Own Ears For Showing Any. The Hat Fell From Her Knees 
   As She Rose,  And Both Stooped For It. 
     
   "Forgive Me," He Said. "I Fear I Have Startled You." 
     
   "I Am Waiting For Papa," She Answered,  In Hasty Apology For Being Found 
   There. And Lord Hartledon,  Casting His Eyes Some Considerable Distance 
   Ahead,  Discerned The Indistinct Forms Of Two Persons Talking Together. He 
   Understood The Situation At Once. Dr. Ashton And His Daughter Had Been To 
   The Cottages; And The Doctor Had Halted On Their Return To Speak To A 
   Day-Labourer Going Home From His Work,  Anne Walking Slowly On. 
     
   And There They Stood Face To Face,  Anne Ashton And Her Deceitful Lover! 
   How Their Hearts Beat To Pain,  How Utterly Oblivious They Were Of 
   Everything In Life Save Each Other's Presence,  How Tumultuously Confused 
   Were Mind And Manner,  Both Might Remember Afterwards,  But Certainly Were 
   Not Conscious Of Then. It Was A Little Glimpse Of Eden. A Corner Of The 
   Dark Curtain Thrown Between Them Had Been Raised,  And So Unexpectedly 
   That For The Moment Nothing Else Was Discernible In The Dazzling Light. 
     
   Forget! Not In That Instant Of Sweet Confusion,  During Which Nothing 
   Seemed More Real Than A Dream. He Was The Husband Of Another; She Was 
   Parted From Him For Ever; And Neither Was Capable Of Deliberate Thought 
   Or Act That Could Intrench On The Position,  Or Tend To Return,  Even 
   Momentarily,  To The Past. And Yet There They Stood With Beating Hearts, 
   And Eyes That Betrayed Their Own Tale--That The Marriage And The Parting 
   Were In One Sense But A Hollow Mockery,  And Their Love Was Indelible As 
   Of Old. 
     
   Each Had Been "Forgetting" To The Utmost Of The Poor Power Within,  In 
   Accordance With The High Principles Enshrined In Either Heart. Yet What 
   A Mockery That Forgetting Seemed,  Now That It Was Laid Before Them Naked 
   And Bare! The Heart Turning Sick To Faintness At The Mere Sight Of Each 
   Other,  The Hands Trembling At The Mutual Touch,  The Wistful Eyes Shining 
   With A Glance That Too Surely Spoke Of Undying Love! 
     
   But Not A Word Of This Was Spoken. However True Their Hearts Might Be, 
   There Was No Fear Of The Tongue Following Up The Error. Lord Hartledon 
   Would No More Have Allowed Himself To Speak Than She To Listen. Neither 
   Had The Hands Met In Ordinary Salutation; It Was Only When He Resigned 
   The Hat To Her That The Fingers Touched: A Touch Light,  Transient,  Almost 
   Imperceptible; Nevertheless It Sent A Thrill Through The Whole Frame. Not 
   Exactly Knowing What To Do In Her Confusion,  Miss Ashton Sat Down On The 
   Bench Again And Put Her Hat On. 
     
   "I Must Say A Word To You Before I Go On My Way," Said Lord Hartledon. 
   "I Have Been Wishing For Such A Meeting As This Ever Since I Saw You At 
   Versailles; And Indeed I Think I Wished For Nothing Else Before It. When 
   You Think Of Me As One Utterly Heartless--" 
     
   "Stay,  Lord Hartledon," She Interrupted,  With White Lips. "I Cannot 
   Listen To You. You Must Be Aware That I Cannot,  And Ought Not. What Are 
   You Thinking About?" 
     
   "I Know That I Have Forfeited All Right To Ask You; That It Is An 
   Unpardonable Intrusion My Presuming Even To Address You. Well,  Perhaps, 
   You Are Right," He Added,  After A Moment's Pause; "It May Be Better That 
   I Should Not Say What I Was Hoping To Say. It Cannot Mend Existing 
   Things; It Cannot Undo The Past. I Dare Not Ask Your Forgiveness: It 
   Would Seem Too Much Like An Insult; Nevertheless,  I Would Rather Have It 
   Than Any Earthly Gift. Fare You Well,  Anne! I Shall Sometimes Hear Of 
   Your Happiness." 
     
   "Have You Been Ill?" She Asked In A Kindly Impulse,  Noticing His Altered 
   Looks In That First Calm Moment. 
     
   "No--Not As The World Counts Illness. If Remorse And Shame And Repentance 
   Can Be Called Illness,  I Have My Share. Ill Deeds Of More Kinds Than One 
   Are Coming Home To Me. Anne," He Added In A Hoarse Whisper; His Face 
   Telling Of Emotion,  "If There Is One Illumined Corner In My Heart,  Where 
   All Else Is Very Dark,  It Is Caused By Thankfulness To Heaven That You 
   Were Spared." 
     
   "Spared!" She Echoed,  In Wonder,  So Completely Awed By His Strange Manner 
   As To Forget Her Reserve. 
     
   "Spared The Linking Of Your Name With Mine. I Thank God For It,  For Your 
   Sake,  Night And Day. Had Trouble Fallen On You Through Me,  I Don't Think 
   I Could Have Survived It. May You Be Shielded From All Such For Ever!" 
     
   He Turned Abruptly Away,  And She Looked After Him,  Her Heart Beating A 
   Great Deal Faster Than It Ought To Have Done. 
     
   That She Was His Best And Dearest Love,  In Spite Of His Marriage,  It 
   Was Impossible Not To See; And She Strove To Think Him Very Wicked For 
   It,  And Her Cheek Was Red With A Feeling That Seemed Akin To Shame. 
   But--Trouble?--Thankful For Her Sake,  Night And Day,  That Her Name Was 
   Not Linked With His? He Must Allude To Debt,  She Supposed: Some Of Those 
   Old Embarrassments Had Augmented Themselves Into Burdens Too Heavy To Be 
   Safely Borne. 
     
   The Rector Was Coming On Now At A Swift Pace. He Looked Keenly At Lord 
   Hartledon; Looked Twice,  As If In Surprise. A Flush Rose To Val's 
   Sensitive Face As He Passed,  And Lifted His Hat. The Rector,  Dark And 
   Proud,  Condescended To Return The Courtesy: And The Meeting Was Over. 
     
   Toiling Across Lord Hartledon's Path Was The Labourer To Whom The Rector 
   Had Been Speaking. He Had An Empty Bottle Slung Over His Shoulder,  And 
   Carried A Sickle. The Man's Day's Work Was Over,  And Had Left Fatigue 
   Behind It. 
     
   "Good-Night To Your Lordship!" 
     
   "Is It You,  Ripper?" 
     
   He Was The Father Of The Young Gentleman In The Cart,  Whom Mr. Pike Had 
   Not Long Before Treated To His Opinion: Young David Ripper,  The Miller's 
   Boy. Old Ripper,  A Talkative,  Discontented Man,  Stopped And Ventured To 
   Enter On His Grievances. His Wife Had Been Pledging Things To Pay For 
   A Fine Gown She Had Bought; His Two Girls Were Down With Measles; His 
   Son,  Young Rip,  Plagued His Life Out. 
     
   "How Does He Plague Your Life Out?" Asked Lord Hartledon,  When He Had 
   Listened Patiently. 
     
   "Saying He'll Go Off And Enlist For A Soldier,  My Lord; He's Saying It 
   Always: And Means It Too,  Only He's Over-Young For't." 
     
   "Over-Young For It; I Should Think So. Why,  He's Not Much More Than A 
   Child. Our Sergeants Don't Enlist Little Boys." 
     
   "Sometimes He Says He'll Drown Himself By Way Of A Change," Returned Old 
   Ripper. 
     
   "Oh,  Does He? Folk Who Say It Never Do It. I Should Whip It Out Of Him." 
     
   "He's Never Been The Same Since The Lord's Death That Time. He's Always 
   Frightened: Gets Fancying Things,  And Saying Sometimes He Sees His 
   Shadder." 
     
   "Whose Shadow?" 
     
   "His'n: The Late Lord's." 
     
   "Why Does He Fancy That?" Came The Question,  After A Perceptible Pause. 
     
   Old Ripper Shook His Head. It Was Beyond His Ken,  He Said. "There Be Only 
   Two Things He's Afeared Of In Life," Continued The Man,  Who,  Though 
   Generally Called Old Ripper,  Was Not Above Five-And-Thirty. "The One's 
   That Wild Man Pike; T'other's The Shadder. He'd Run Ten Mile Sooner Than 
   See Either." 
     
   "Does Pike Annoy The Boy?" 
     
   "Never Spoke To Him,  As I Knows On,  My Lord. Afore That Drowning Of His 
   Lordship Last Year,  Davy Was The Boldest Rip Going," Added The Man,  Who 
   Had Long Since Fallen Into The Epithet Popularly Applied To His Son. 
   "Since Then He Don't Dare Say His Soul's His Own. We Had Him Laid Up 
   Before The Winter,  And I Know 'Twas Nothing But Fear." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Could Not Make Much Of The Story,  And Had No Time To 
   Linger. Administering A Word Of General Encouragement,  He Continued His 
   Way,  His Thoughts Going Back To The Interview With Anne Ashton,  A Line Or 
   Two Of Longfellow's "Fire Of Driftwood" Rising Up In His Mind-- 
     
     "Of What Had Been And Might Have Been, 
     And Who Was Changed,  And Who Was Dead." 
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 25 (A Tete A Tete Breakfast) 
   The Dowager-Countess Of Kirton Stood In The Sunny Breakfast-Room At 
   Hartledon,  Surveying The Well-Spread Table With Complacency; For It 
   Appeared To Be Rather More Elaborately Set Out Than Usual,  And No One 
   Loved Good Cheer Better Than She. When She Saw Two Cups And Saucers On 
   The Cloth Instead Of One,  It Occurred To Her That Maude Must,  By Caprice, 
   Be Coming Down,  Which She Had Not Done Of Late. The Dowager Had Arrived 
   At Midnight From Garchester,  In Consequence Of Having Missed The Earlier 
   Train,  And Found Nearly All The House In Retirement. She Was In A Furious 
   Humour,  And No One Had Told Her Of The Arrival Of Her Son-In-Law; No One 
   Ever Did Tell Her Any More Than They Were Obliged To Do; For She Was Not 
   Held In Estimation At Hartledon. 
     
   "Potted Tongue," She Exclaimed,  Dodging Round The Table,  And Lifting 
   Various Covers. "Raised Pie; I Wonder What's In It? And What's That Stuff 
   In Jelly? It Looks Delicious. This Is The Result Of The Blowing-Up I Gave 
   Hedges The Other Day; Nothing Like Finding Fault. Hot Dishes Too. I 
   Suppose Maude Gave Out That She Should Be Down This Morning. All Rubbish, 
   Fancying Herself Ill: She's As Well As I Am,  But Gives Way Like A 
   Sim--A-A-A-Ah!" 
     
   The Exclamation Was Caused By The Unexpected Vision Of Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "How Are You,  Lady Kirton?" 
     
   "Where On Earth Did You Spring From?" 
     
   "From My Room." 
     
   "What's The Good Of Your Appearing Before People Like A Ghost,  Hartledon? 
   When Did You Arrive?" 
     
   "Yesterday Afternoon." 
     
   "And Time You Did,  I Think,  With Your Poor Wife Fretting Herself To Death 
   About You. How Is She This Morning?" 
     
   "Very Well." 
     
   "Ugh!" You Must Imagine This Sound As Something Between A Grunt And A 
   Groan,  That The Estimable Lady Gave Vent To Whenever Put Out. It Is Not 
   Capable Of Being Written. "You Might Have Sent Word You Were Coming. I 
   Should Think You Frightened Your Wife To Death." 
     
   "Not Quite." 
     
   He Walked Across The Room And Rang The Bell. Hedges Appeared. It Had 
   Been The Dowager's Pleasure That No One Else Should Serve Her At That 
   Meal--Perhaps On Account Of Her Peculiarities Of Costume. 
     
   "Will You Be Good Enough To Pour Out The Coffee In Maude's Place To-Day, 
   Lady Kirton? She Has Promised To Be Down Another Morning." 
     
   It Was Making Her So Entirely And Intentionally A Guest,  As She Thought, 
   That Lady Kirton Did Not Like It. Not Only Did She Fully Intend Hartledon 
   House To Be Her Home,  But She Meant To Be Its One Ruling Power. Keep 
   Maude Just Now To Her Invalid Fancies,  And Later To Her Gay Life,  And 
   There Would Be Little Fear Of Her Asserting Very Much Authority. 
     
   "Are You In The Habit Of Serving This Sort Of Breakfast,  Hedges?" Asked 
   Lord Hartledon; For The Board Looked Almost Like An Elaborate Dinner. 
     
   "We Have Made Some Difference,  My Lord,  This Morning." 
     
   "For Me,  I Suppose. You Need Not Do So In Future. I Have Got Out Of The 
   Habit Of Taking Breakfast; And In Any Case I Don't Want This Unnecessary 
   Display. Captain Kirton Gets Up Later,  I Presume." 
     
   "He's Hardly Ever Up Before Eleven," Said Hedges. "But He Makes A Good 
   Breakfast,  My Lord." 
     
   "That's Right. Tempt Him With Any Delicacy You Can Devise. He Wants 
   Strength." 
     
   The Dowager Was Fuming. "Don't You Think I'm Capable Of Regulating These 
   Things,  Hartledon,  I'd Beg Leave To Ask?" 
     
   "No Doubt. I Beg You Will Make Yourself At Home Whilst You Stay With Us. 
   Some Tea,  Hedges." 
     
   She Could Have Thrown The Coffee-Pot At Him. There Was Incipient Defiance 
   In His Every Movement; Latent War In His Tones. He Was No Longer The 
   Puppet He Had Been; That Day Had Gone By For Ever. 
     
   Perhaps Val Could Not Himself Have Explained The Feeling That Was This 
   Morning At Work Within Him. It Was The First Time He And The Dowager Had 
   Met Since The Marriage,  And She Brought Before Him All Too Prominently 
   The Ill-Omened Past: Her Unjustifiable Scheming--His Own Miserable 
   Weakness. If Ever Lord Hartledon Felt Shame And Repentance For His Weak 
   Yielding,  He Felt It Now--Felt It In All Its Bitterness; And Something 
   Very Like Rage Against The Dowager Was Bubbling Up In His Spirit,  Which 
   He Had Some Trouble To Suppress. 
     
   He Did Suppress It,  However,  Though It Rendered Him Less Courteous Than 
   Usual; And The Meal Proceeded Partly In Silence; An Interchanged Word, 
   Civil On The Surface,  Passing Now And Then. The Dowager Thoroughly 
   Entered Into Her Breakfast,  And Had Little Leisure For Anything Else. 
     
   "What Makes You Take Nothing?" She Asked,  Perceiving At Length That He 
   Had Only A Piece Of Toast On His Plate,  And Was Playing With That. 
     
   "I Have No Appetite." 
     
   "Have You Left Off Taking Breakfast?" 
     
   "To A Great Extent." 
     
   "What's The Matter With You?" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Slightly Raised His Eyebrows. "One Can't Eat Much In The 
   Heat Of Summer." 
     
   "Heat Of Summer! It's Nothing More Than Autumn Now. And You Are As Thin 
   As A Weasel. Try Some Of That Excellent Raised Pie." 
     
   "Pray Let My Appetite Alone,  Lady Kirton. If I Wanted Anything I Should 
   Take It." 
     
   "Let You Alone! Yes,  Of Course! You Don't Want It Noticed That You Are 
   Out Of Sorts," Snapped The Dowager. "Oh,  _I_ Know The Signs. You've Been 
   Raking About London--That's What You've Been At." 
     
   The "Raking About London" Presented So Complete A Contrast To The Lonely 
   Life He Had Really Passed,  That Hartledon Smiled In Very Bitterness. And 
   The Smile Incensed The Dowager,  For She Misunderstood It. 
     
   "It's Early Days To Begin! I Don't Think You Ought To Have Married 
   Maude." 
     
   "I Don't Think I Ought." 
     
   She Did Not Expect The Rejoinder,  And Dropped Her Knife And Fork. "Why 
   _Did_ You Marry Her?" 
     
   "Perhaps You Can Tell That Better Than I." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Pushed Up Her Hair. 
     
   "Are You Going To Throw Off The Mask Outright,  And Become A Bad Husband 
   As Well As A Neglectful One?" 
     
   Val Rose From His Seat And Went To The Window,  Which Opened To The 
   Ground. He Did Not Wish To Quarrel With Her If He Could Help It. Lady 
   Kirton Raised Her Voice. 
     
   "Staying Away,  As You Have,  In London,  And Leaving Maude Here To Pine 
   Alone." 
     
   "Business Kept Me In London." 
     
   "I Dare Say It Did!" Cried The Wrathful Dowager. "If Maude Died Of Ennui, 
   You Wouldn't Care. She Can't Go About Much Herself Just Now,  Poor Thing! 
   I Do Wish Edward Had Lived." 
     
   "I Wish He Had,  With All My Heart!" Came The Answer; And The Tone Struck 
   Surprise On The Dowager's Ear--It Was So Full Of Pain. "Maude's Coming To 
   Hartledon Without Me Was Her Own Doing," He Remarked. "I Wished Her Not 
   To Come." 
     
   "I Dare Say You Did,  As Her Heart Was Set Upon It. The Fact Of Her 
   Wishing To Do A Thing Would Be The Signal For Your Opposing It; I've 
   Gathered That Much. My Advice To Maude Is,  To Assert Her Own Will, 
   Irrespective Of Yours." 
     
   "Don't You Think,  Lady Kirton,  That It May Be As Well If You Let Me And 
   My Wife Alone? We Shall Get Along,  No Doubt,  Without Interference; _With_ 
   Interference We Might Not Do So." 
     
   What With One Thing And Another,  The Dowager's Temper Was Inflammable 
   That Morning; And When It Reached That Undesirable State She Was Apt To 
   Say Pretty Free Things,  Even For Her. 
     
   "Edward Would Have Made Her The Better Husband." 
     
   "But She Didn't Like Him,  You Know!" He Returned,  His Eyes Flashing With 
   The Remembrance Of An Old Thought; And The Countess-Dowager Took The 
   Sentence Literally,  And Not Ironically. 
     
   "Not Like Him. If You Had Had Any Eyes As Val Elster,  You'd Have Seen 
   Whether She Liked Him Or Not. She Was Dying For Him--Not For You." 
     
   He Made No Reply. It Was Only What He Had Suspected,  In A Half-Doubting 
   Sort Of Way,  At The Time. A Little Spaniel,  Belonging To One Of The 
   Gardeners,  Ran Up And Licked His Hand. 
     
   "The Time That I Had Of It!" Continued The Dowager. "But For Me,  Maude 
   Never Would Have Been Forced Into Having You. And She _Shouldn't_ Have 
   Had You If I'd Thought You Were Going To Turn Out Like This." 
     
   He Wheeled Round And Faced Her; His Pale Face Working With Emotion,  But 
   His Voice Subdued To Calmness. Lady Kirton's Last Words Halted,  For His 
   Look Startled Even Her In Its Resolute Sternness. 
     
   "To What End Are You Saying This,  Madam? You Know Perfectly Well That 
   You Almost Moved Heaven And Earth To Get Me: _You_,  I Say; I Prefer To 
   Leave My Wife's Name Out Of This: And I Fell Into The Snare. I Have Not 
   Complained Of My Bargain; So Far As I Know,  Maude Has Not Done So: But 
   If It Be Otherwise--If She And You Repent Of The Union,  I Am Willing To 
   Dissolve It,  As Far As It Can Be Dissolved,  And To Institute Measures For 
   Living Apart." 
     
   Never,  Never Had She Suspected It Would Come To This. She Sat Staring At 
   Him,  Her Eyes Round,  Her Mouth Open: Scarcely Believing The Calm Resolute 
   Man Before Her Could Be The Once Vacillating Val Elster. 
     
   "Listen Whilst I Speak A Word Of Truth," He Said,  His Eyes Bent On Her 
   With A Strange Fire That,  If It Told Of Undisguised Earnestness,  Told 
   Also Of Inward Fever. "I Married Your Daughter,  And I Am Ready And 
   Willing To Do My Duty By Her In All Honour,  As I Have Done It Since The 
   Day Of The Marriage. Whatever My Follies May Have Been As A Young Man,  I 
   Am At Least Incapable Of Wronging My Wife As A Married One. _She_ Has 
   Had No Cause To Complain Of Want Of Affection,  But--" 
     
   "Oh,  What A Hypocrite!" Interrupted The Dowager,  With A Shriek. "And All 
   The Time You've Left Her Here Neglected,  While You Were Taking Your 
   Amusement In London! You've Been Dinner-Giving And Richmond-Going,  And 
   Theatre-Frequenting,  And Card-Playing,  And Race-Horsing--And I Shouldn't 
   Wonder But You've Been Cock-Fighting,  And A Hundred Other Things As 
   Disreputable,  And Have Come Down Here Worn To A Skeleton!" 
     
   "But If She Is Discontented,  If She Does Not Care For Me,  As You Would 
   Seem To Intimate," He Resumed,  Passing Over The Attack Without Notice; 
   "In Short,  If Maude Would Be Happier Without Me,  I Am Quite Willing, 
   As I Have Just Said,  To Relieve Her Of Her Distasteful Husband." 
     
   "Of All The Wicked Plotters,  You Must Be The Worst! My Darling 
   Unoffending Maude! A Divorce For Her!" 
     
   "We Are Neither Of Us Eligible For A Divorce," He Coolly Rejoined. "A 
   Separation Alone Is Open To Us,  And That An Amicable One. Should It Come 
   To It,  Every Possible Provision Can Be Made For Your Daughter's Comfort; 
   She Shall Retain This Home; She Shall Have,  If She Wishes,  A Town-House; 
   I Will Deny Her Nothing." 
     
   Lady Kirton Rubbed Her Face Carefully With Her Handkerchief. Not Until 
   This Moment Had She Believed Him To Be In Earnest,  And The Conviction 
   Frightened Her. 
     
   "Why Do You Wish To Separate From Her?" She Asked,  In A Subdued Tone. 
     
   "I Do Not Wish It. I Said I Was Willing To Do So If She Wished It. You 
   Have Been Taking Pains To Convince Me That Maude's Love Was Not Mine, 
   That She Was Only Forced Into The Marriage With Me. Should This Have Been 
   The Case,  I Must Be Distasteful To Her Still; An Encumbrance She May Wish 
   To Get Rid Of." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Had Overshot Her Mark,  And Saw It. 
     
   "Oh Well! Perhaps I Was Mistaken About The Past," She Said,  Staring At 
   Him Very Hard,  And In A Sort Of Defiance. "Maude Was Always Very Close. 
   If You Said Anything About Separation Now,  I Dare Say It Would Kill Her. 
   My Belief Is,  She Does Care For You,  And A Great Deal More Than You 
   Deserve." 
     
   "It May Be Better To Ascertain The Truth From Maude--" 
     
   "You Won't Say A Syllable To Her!" Cried The Dowager,  Starting Up 
   In Terror. "She'd Never Forgive Me; She'd Turn Me Out Of The House. 
   Hartledon,  _Promise_ You Won't Say A Word To Her." 
     
   He Stood Back Against The Window,  Never Speaking. 
     
   "She Does Love You; But I Thought I'd Frighten You,  For You Had No Right 
   To Send Maude Home Alone; And It Made Me Very Cross,  Because I Saw How 
   She Felt It. Separation Indeed! What Can You Be Thinking Of?" 
     
   He Was Thinking Of A Great Deal,  No Doubt; And His Thoughts Were As 
   Bitter As They Could Well Be. He Did Not Wish To Separate; Come What 
   Might,  He Felt His Place Should Be By His Wife's Side As Long As 
   Circumstances Permitted It. 
     
   "Let Me Give You A Word Of Warning,  Lady Kirton. I And My Wife Will Be 
   Happy Enough Together,  I Daresay,  If We Are Allowed To Be; But The Style 
   Of Conversation You Have Just Adopted To Me Will Not Conduce To It; It 
   Might Retaliate On Maude,  You See. Do Not Again Attempt It." 
     
   "How You Have Changed!" Was Her Involuntary Remark. 
     
   "Yes; I Am Not The Yielding Boy I Was. And Now I Wish To Speak Of Your 
   Son. He Seems Very Ill." 
     
   "A Troublesome Intruding Fellow,  Why Can't He Keep His Ailments To His 
   Own Barracks?" Was The Wrathful Rejoinder. "I Told Maude I Wouldn't Have 
   Him Here,  And What Does She Do But Write Off And Tell Him To Come! I 
   Don't Like Sick Folk About Me,  And Never Did. What Do _You_ Want?" 
     
   The Last Question Was Addressed To Hedges,  Who Had Come In Unsummoned. It 
   Was Only A Letter For His Master. Lord Hartledon Took It As A Welcome 
   Interruption,  Went Outside,  And Sat Down On A Garden-Seat At A Distance. 
   How He Hated The Style Of Attack Just Made On Him; The Style Of The 
   Dowager Altogether! He Asked Himself In What Manner He Could Avoid This 
   For The Future. It Was A Debasing,  Lowering Occurrence,  And He Felt Sure 
   That It Could Hardly Have Taken Place In His Servants' Hall. But He Was 
   Glad He Had Said What He Did About The Separation. It Might Grieve Him 
   To Part From His Wife,  But Mr. Carr Had Warned Him That He Ought To Do 
   It. Certainly,  If She Disliked Him So Very Much--If She Forced It Upon 
   Him--Why,  Then,  It Would Be An Easier Task; But He Felt Sure She Did Not 
   Dislike Him. If She Had Done So Before Marriage,  She Had Learnt To Like 
   Him Now; And He Believed That The Bare Mention Of Parting Would Shock 
   Her; And So--His Duty Seemed To Lie In Remaining By Her Side. 
     
   He Held The Letter In His Hand For Some Minutes Before He Opened It. 
   The Handwriting Warned Him That It Was From Mr. Carr,  And He Knew That 
   No Pleasant News Could Be In It. In Fact,  He Had Placed Himself In So 
   Unsatisfactory A Position As To Render Anything But Bad News Next Door 
   To An Impossibility. 
     
   It Contained Only A Few Lines--A Word Of Caution Mr. Carr Had Forgotten 
   To Speak When He Took Leave Of Lord Hartledon The Previous Morning. "Let 
   Me Advise You Not To Say Anything To Those People--Gum,  I Think The Name 
   Is--About G.G. It Might Not Be Altogether Prudent For You To Do So. 
   Should You Remain Any Time At Hartledon,  I Will Come Down For A Few 
   Days And Question For Myself." 
     
   "I've Done It Already," Thought Val,  As He Folded The Letter And Returned 
   It To His Pocket. "As To My Staying Any Time At Hartledon--Not If I Know 
   It." 
     
   Looking Up At The Sound Of Footsteps,  He Saw Hedges Approaching. Never 
   Free From A Certain Apprehension When Any Unexpected Interruption 
   Occurred--An Apprehension That Turned His Heart Sick,  And Set His Pulses 
   Beating--He Waited,  Outwardly Very Calm. 
     
   "Floyd Has Called,  My Lord,  And Is Asking To See You. He Seems 
   Rather--Rather Concerned And Put Out. I Think It's Something About--About 
   The Death Last Summer." 
     
   Hedges Hardly Knew How To Frame His Words,  And Lord Hartledon Stared At 
   Him. 
     
   "Floyd Can Come To Me Here," He Said. 
     
   The Miller Soon Made His Appearance,  Carrying A Small Case Half Purse, 
   Half Pocket-Book,  In His Hand,  Made Of Russian Leather,  With Rims Of 
   Gold. Val Knew It In A Moment,  In Spite Of Its Marks Of Defacement. 
     
   "Do You Recognize It,  My Lord?" Asked The Miller. 
     
   "Yes,  I Do," Replied Lord Hartledon. "It Belonged To My Brother." 
     
   "I Thought So," Returned The Miller. "On The Very Day Before That 
   Unfortunate Race Last Year,  His Lordship Was Talking To Me,  And Had This 
   In His Hand. I Felt Sure It Was The Same The Moment I Saw It." 
     
   "He Had It With Him The Day Of The Race," Observed Lord Hartledon. "Mr. 
   Carteret Said He Saw It Lying In The Boat When They Started. We Always 
   Thought It Had Been Lost In The River. Where Did You Find It?" 
     
   "Well,  It's Very Odd,  My Lord,  But I Found It Buried." 
     
   "Buried!" 
     
   "Buried In The Ground,  Not Far From The River,  Alongside The Path That 
   Leads From Where His Lordship Was Found To Hartledon. I Was Getting Up 
   Some Dandelion Roots For My Wife This Morning Early,  And Dug Up This 
   Close To One. There's Where The Knife Touched It. My Lord," Added The 
   Miller,  "I Beg To Say That I Have Not Opened It. I Wiped It,  Wrapped It 
   In Paper,  And Said Nothing To Anybody,  But Came Here With It As Soon As 
   I Thought You'd Be Up. That Lad Of Mine,  Ripper,  Said Last Night You Were 
   At Hartledon." 
     
   The Miller Was Quite Honest; And Lord Hartledon Knew That When He Said 
   He Had Not Opened It,  He Had Not Done So. It Still Contained Some 
   Small Memoranda In His Brother's Writing,  But No Money; And This Was 
   Noticeable,  Since It Was Quite Certain To Have Had Money In It On That 
   Day. 
     
   "Those Who Buried It Might Have Taken It Out," He Observed,  Following The 
   Bent Of His Thoughts. 
     
   "But Who Did Bury It; And Where Did They Find It,  To Allow Of Their 
   Burying It?" Questioned The Miller. "How Did They Come By It?--That's The 
   Odd Thing. I Am Certain It Was Not In The Skiff,  For I Searched That Over 
   Myself." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Said Little. He Could Not Understand It; And The Incident, 
   With The Slips Of Paper,  Was Bringing His Brother All Too Palpably Before 
   Him. One Of Them Had Concerned Himself,  Though In What Manner He Would 
   Never Know Now. It Ran As Follows: "Not To Forget Val." Poor Fellow! 
   Poor Lord Hartledon! 
     
   "Would Your Lordship Like To Come And See The Spot Where I Found It?" 
   Asked The Miller. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Said He Should,  And Would Go In The Course Of The Day; And 
   Floyd Took His Departure. Val Sat On For A Time Where He Was,  And Then 
   Went In,  Locked Up The Damp Case With Its Tarnished Rims,  And Went On To 
   The Presence Of His Wife. 
     
   She Was Dressed Now,  But Had Not Left Her Bedroom. It Was Evident That 
   She Meant To Be Kind And Pleasant With Him; Different From What She Had 
   Been,  For She Smiled,  And Began A Little Apology For Her Tardiness, 
   Saying She Would Get Up To Breakfast In Future. 
     
   He Motioned Her Back To Her Seat On The Sofa Before The Open Window,  And 
   Sat Down Near Her. His Face Was Grave; She Thought She Had Never Seen It 
   So Much So--Grave And Firm,  And His Voice Was Grave Too,  But Had A Kindly 
   Tone In It. He Took Both Her Hands Between His As He Spoke; Not So Much, 
   It Seemed In Affection,  As To Impress Solemnity Upon Her. 
     
   "Maude,  I'm Going To Ask You A Question,  And I Beg You To Answer Me As 
   Truthfully As You Could Answer Heaven. Have You Any Wish That We Should 
   Live Apart From Each Other?" 
     
   "I Do Not Understand You," She Answered,  After A Pause,  During Which A 
   Flush Of Surprise Or Emotion Spread Itself Gradually Over Her Face. 
     
   "Nay,  The Question Is Plain. Have You Any Wish To Separate From Me?" 
     
   "I Never Thought Of Such A Thing. Separate From You! What Can You Mean?" 
     
   "Your Mother Has Dropped A Hint That You Have Not Been Happy With Me. I 
   Could Almost Understand Her To Imply That You Have A Positive Dislike To 
   Me. She Sought To Explain Her Words Away,  But Certainly Spoke Them. Is It 
   So,  Maude? I Fancied Something Of The Sort Myself In The Earlier Days Of 
   Our Marriage." 
     
   He Turned His Head Sharply At A Sudden Sound,  But It Was Only The French 
   Clock On The Mantelpiece Striking Eleven. 
     
   "Because," He Resumed,  Having Waited In Vain For An Answer,  "If Such 
   Should Really Be Your Wish,  I Will Accede To It. I Desire Your Comfort, 
   Your Happiness Beyond Any Earthly Thing; And If Living Apart From Me 
   Would Promote It,  I Will Sacrifice My Own Feelings,  And You Shall Not 
   Hear A Murmur. I Would Sacrifice My Life For You." 
     
   She Burst Into Tears. "Are You Speaking At All For Yourself? Do You Wish 
   This?" She Murmured. 
     
   "No." 
     
   "Then How Can You Be So Cruel?" 
     
   "I Should Have Thought It Unjustifiably Cruel,  But That It Has Been 
   Suggested To Me. Tell Me The Truth,  Maude." 
     
   Maude Was Turning Sick With Apprehension. She Had Begun To Like Her 
   Husband During The Latter Part Of Their Sojourn In London; Had Missed Him 
   Terribly During This Long Period Of Lonely Ennui At Hartledon; And His 
   Tender Kindness To Her For The Past Few Fleeting Hours Of This Their 
   Meeting Had Seemed Like Heaven As Compared With The Solitary Past. Her 
   Whole Heart Was In Her Words As She Answered: 
     
   "When We First Married I Did Not Care For You; I Almost Think I Did Not 
   Like You. Everything Was New To Me,  And I Felt As One In An Unknown Sea. 
   But It Wore Off; And If You Only Knew How I Have Thought Of You,  And 
   Wished For You Here,  You Would Never Have Said Anything So Cruel. You Are 
   My Husband,  And You Cannot Put Me From You. Percival,  Promise Me That You 
   Will Never Hint At This Again!" 
     
   He Bent And Kissed Her. His Course Lay Plain Before Him; And If An Ugly 
   Mountain Rose Up Before His Mind's Eye,  Shadowing Forth Not Voluntary But 
   Forced Separation,  He Would Not Look At It In That Moment. 
     
   "What Could Mamma Mean?" She Asked. "I Shall Ask Her." 
     
   "Maude,  Oblige Me By Saying Nothing About It. I Have Already Warned Lady 
   Kirton That It Must Not Be Repeated; And I Am Sure It Will Not Be. I Wish 
   You Would Also Oblige Me In Another Matter." 
     
   "In Anything," She Eagerly Said,  Raising Her Tearful Eyes To His. "Ask Me 
   Anything." 
     
   "I Intend To Take Your Brother To The Warmest Seaside Place England Can 
   Boast Of,  At Once; To-Day Or To-Morrow. The Sea-Air May Do Me Good Also. 
   I Want That,  Or Something Else," He Added; His Tone Assuming A Sad 
   Weariness As He Remembered How Futile Any "Sea-Air" Would Be For A Mind 
   Diseased. "Won't You Go With Us,  Maude?" 
     
   "Oh Yes,  Gladly! I Will Go With You Anywhere." 
     
   He Left Her To Proceed To Captain Kirton's Room,  Thinking That He And His 
   Wife Might Have Been Happy Together Yet,  But For That One Awful Shadow Of 
   The Past,  Which She Did Not Know Anything About; And He Prayed She Never 
   Might Know. 
     
   But After All,  It Would Have Been A Very Moonlight Sort Of Happiness. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 26 (Once More) 
     
   The Months Rolled On,  And Lord And Lady Hartledon Did Not Separate. They 
   Remained Together,  And Were,  So Far,  Happy Enough--The Moonlight 
   Happiness Hinted At; And It Is As I Believe,  The Best And Calmest Sort 
   Of Happiness For Married Life. Maude's Temper Was Unequal,  And He Was 
   Subject To Prolonged Hours Of Sadness. But The Time Went Lightly Enough 
   Over Their Heads,  For All The World Saw,  As It Goes Over The Heads Of 
   Most People. 
     
   And Lord Hartledon Was A Free Man Still,  And Stood Well With The World. 
   Whatever The Mysterious Accusation Brought Against Him Had Been,  It 
   Produced No Noisy Effects As Yet; In Popular Phrase,  It Had Come To 
   Nothing. As Yet; Always As Yet. Whether He Had Shot A Man,  Or Robbed A 
   Bank,  Or Fired A Church,  The Incipient Accusation Died Away. But The 
   Fear,  Let It Be Of What Nature It Would,  Never Died Away In His Mind; 
   And He Lived As A Man With A Sword Suspended Over His Head. Moreover, 
   The Sword,  In His Own Imagination,  Was Slipping Gradually From Its 
   Fastenings; His Days Were Restless,  His Nights Sleepless,  An Inward Fever 
   For Ever Consumed Him. 
     
   As None Knew Better Than Thomas Carr. There Were Two Witnesses Who Could 
   Bring The Facts Home To Lord Hartledon; And,  So Far As Was Known,  Only 
   Two: The Stranger,  Who Had Paid Him A Visit,  And The Man Gordon,  Or 
   Gorton. The Latter Was The More Dangerous; And They Had Not Yet Been Able 
   To Trace Him. Mr. Carr's Friend,  Detective Green,  Had Furnished That 
   Gentleman With A Descriptive Bill Of Gordon Of The Mutiny: "A Young, 
   Slight Man,  With Light Eyes And Fair Hair." This Did Not Answer Exactly 
   To The Gorton Who Had Played His Part At Calne; But Then,  In Regard To 
   The Latter,  There Remained The Suspicion That The Red Hair Was False. 
   Whether It Was The Same Man Or Whether It Was Two Men--If The Phrase May 
   Be Allowed--Neither Of Them,  To Use Detective Green's Expressive Words, 
   Turned Up. And Thus The Months Had Passed On,  With Nothing Special To 
   Mark Them. Captain Kirton Had Been Conveyed Abroad For The Winter,  And 
   They Had Good News Of Him; And The Countess-Dowager Was Inflicting A 
   Visit Upon One Of Her Married Daughters In Germany,  The Baroness With The 
   Unpronounceable Name. 
     
   And The Matter Had Nearly Faded From The Mind Of Lady Hartledon. It Would 
   Quite Have Faded,  But For Certain Interviews With Thomas Carr At His 
   Chambers,  When Hartledon's Look Of Care Precluded The Idea That They 
   Could Be Visits Of Mere Idleness Or Pleasure; And For The Secret Trouble 
   That Unmistakably Sat On Her Husband Like An Incubus. At Times He Would 
   Moan In His Sleep As One In Pain; But If Told Of This,  Had Always Some 
   Laughing Answer Ready For Her--He Had Dreamed He Was Fighting A Lion Or 
   Being Tossed By A Bull. 
     
   This Was The Pleasantest Phase Of Lady Hartledon's Married Life. Her 
   Health Did Not Allow Of Her Entering Into Gaiety; And She And Her Husband 
   Passed Their Time Happily Together. All Her Worst Qualities Seemed To 
   Have Left Her,  Or To Be Dormant; She Was Yielding And Gentle; Her Beauty 
   Had Never Been So Great As Now That It Was Subdued; Her Languor Was An 
   Attraction,  Her Care To Please Being Genuine; And They Were Sufficiently 
   Happy. They Were In Their Town-House Now,  Not Having Gone Back To 
   Hartledon. A Large,  Handsome House,  Very Different From The Hired One 
   They Had First Occupied. 
     
   In January The Baby Was Born; And Maude's Eyes Glistened With Tears 
   Of Delight Because It Was A Boy: A Little Heir To The Broad Lands Of 
   Hartledon. She Was Very Well,  And It Seemed That She Could Never Tire 
   Of Fondling Her Child. 
     
   But In The First Few Days Succeeding That Of The Birth A Strange Fancy 
   Took Possession Of Her: She Observed,  Or Thought She Observed,  That Her 
   Husband Did Not Seem To Care For The Child. He Did Not Caress It; She 
   Once Heard Him Sighing Over It; And He Never Announced It In The 
   Newspapers. Other Infants,  Heirs Especially,  Could Be Made Known To The 
   World,  But Not Hers. The Omission Might Never Have Come To Her Knowledge, 
   Since At First She Was Not Allowed To See Newspapers,  But For A Letter 
   From The Countess-Dowager. The Lady Wrote In A High State Of Wrath From 
   Germany; She Had Looked Every Day For Ten Days In The _Times_,  And Saw No 
   Chronicle Of The Happy Event; And She Demanded The Reason. It Afforded A 
   Valve For Her Temper,  Which Had Been In An Explosive State For Some Time 
   Against Lord Hartledon,  That Ungracious Son-In-Law Having Actually 
   Forbidden Her His House Until Maude's Illness Should Be Over; Telling Her 
   Plainly That He Would Not Have His Wife Worried. Lady Hartledon Said 
   Nothing For A Day Or Two; She Was Watching Her Husband; Watching For 
   Signs Of The Fancy Which Had Taken Possession Of Her. 
     
   He Was In Her Room One Dark Afternoon,  Standing With His Elbow On The 
   Mantelpiece Whilst He Talked To Her: A Room Of Luxury And Comfort It Must 
   Have Been Almost A Pleasure To Be Ill In. Lady Hartledon Had Been Allowed 
   To Get Up,  And Sit In An Easy-Chair: She Seemed To Be Growing Strong 
   Rapidly; And The Little Red Gentleman In The Cradle,  Sleeping Quietly, 
   Was Fifteen Days Old. 
     
   "About His Name,  Percival; What Is It To Be?" She Asked. "Your Own?" 
     
   "No,  No,  Not Mine," Said He,  Quickly; "I Never Liked Mine. Choose Some 
   Other,  Maude." 
     
   "What Do You Wish It To Be?" 
     
   "Anything." 
     
   The Short Answer Did Not Please The Young Mother; Neither Did The Dreamy 
   Tone In Which It Was Spoken. "Don't You Care What It Is?" She Asked 
   Rather Plaintively. 
     
   "Not Much,  For Myself. I Wish It To Be Anything You Shall Choose." 
     
   "I Thought Perhaps You Would Have Liked It Named After Your Brother," She 
   Said,  Very Much Offended On The Baby's Account. 
     
   "George?" 
     
   "George,  No. I Never Knew George; I Should Not Be Likely To Think Of Him. 
   Edward." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Looked At The Fire,  Absently Pushing Back His Hair. "Yes, 
   Let It Be Edward. It Will Do As Well As Anything Else." 
     
   "Good Gracious,  Percival,  One Would Think You Had Been Having Babies All 
   Your Life!" She Exclaimed Resentfully. "'Do As Well As Anything Else!' If 
   He Were Our Tenth Son,  Instead Of Our First,  You Could Not Treat It With 
   More Indifference. I Have Done Nothing But Deliberate On The Name Since 
   He Was Born; And I Don't Believe You Have Once Given It A Thought." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Turned His Face Upon Her; And When Illumined With A Smile, 
   As Now,  It Could Be As Bright As Before Care Came To It. "I Don't Think 
   We Men Attach The Importance To Names In A General Way That You Do, 
   Maude. I Shall Like To Have It Edward." 
     
   "Edward William Algernon--" 
     
   "No,  No,  No," As If The Number Alarmed Him. "Pray Don't Have A String Of 
   Names: One's Quite Enough." 
     
   "Oh,  Very Well," She Returned,  Biting Her Lips. "William Was Your 
   Father's Name. Algernon Is My Eldest Brother's: I Supposed You Might Like 
   Them. I Thought," She Added,  After A Pause,  "We Might Ask Lord Kirton To 
   Be Its Godfather." 
     
   "I Have Decided On The Godfathers Already. Thomas Carr Will Be One,  And 
   I Intend To Be The Other." 
     
   "Thomas Carr! A Poor Hard-Working Barrister,  That Not A Soul Knows,  And 
   Of No Family Or Influence Whatever,  Godfather To The Future Lord 
   Hartledon!" Uttered The Offended Mother. 
     
   "I Wish It,  Maude. Carr Is The Most Valued Friend I Have In The World,  Or 
   Ever Can Have. Oblige Me In This." 
     
   "Then My Brother Can Be The Other." 
     
   "No; I Myself; And I Wish You Would Be Its Godmother." 
     
   "Well,  It's Quite Reversing The Order Of Things!" She Said,  Tacitly 
   Conceding The Point. 
     
   A Silence Ensued. The Firelight Played On The Lace Curtains Of The Baby's 
   Bed,  As It Did On Lady Hartledon's Face; A Thoughtful Face Just Now. 
   Twilight Was Drawing On,  And The Fire Lighted The Room. 
     
   "Percival,  Do You Care For The Child?" 
     
   The Tone Had A Sound Of Passion In It,  Breaking Upon The Silence. Lord 
   Hartledon Lifted His Bent Face And Glanced At His Wife. 
     
   "Do I Care For The Child,  Maude? What A Question! I Do Care For Him: More 
   Than I Allow To Appear." 
     
   And If Her Voice Had Passion In It,  His Had Pain. He Crossed The Room, 
   And Stood Looking Down On The Sleeping Baby,  Touching At Length Its Cheek 
   With His Finger. He Could Have Knelt,  There And Then,  And Wept Over The 
   Child,  And Prayed,  Oh,  How Earnestly,  That God Would Take It To Himself, 
   Not Suffer It To Live. Many And Many A Prayer Had Ascended From His Heart 
   In Their Earlier Married Days,  That His Wife Might Not Bear Him Children; 
   For He Could Only Entail Upon Them An Inheritance Of Shame. 
     
   "I Don't Think You Have Once Taken Him In Your Arms,  Percival; You Never 
   Kiss Him. It's Quite Unnatural." 
     
   "I Give My Kisses In The Dark," He Laughed,  As He Returned To Where She 
   Was Sitting. And This Was In A Sense True; For Once When He Happened To 
   Be Alone For An Instant With The Baby,  He Had Clasped It And Kissed It In 
   A Sort Of Delirious Agony. 
     
   "You Never Had It In The _Times_,  You Know!" 
     
   "Never What?" 
     
   "Never Announced Its Birth In The _Times_. Did You Forget It?" 
     
   "It Must Have Been Very Stupid Of Me," He Remarked. "Never Mind,  Maude; 
   He Won't Grow The Less For The Omission. When Are You Coming Downstairs?" 
     
   "Mamma Is In A Rage About It; She Says Such Neglect Ought To Be Punished; 
   And She Knows You Have Done It On Purpose." 
     
   "She Is Always In A Rage With Me,  No Matter What I Do," Returned Val, 
   Good-Humouredly. "She Hoped To Be Here At This Time,  And Sway Us All--You 
   And Me And The Baby; And I Stopped It. Ho,  Ho! Young Sir!" 
     
   The Baby Had Wakened With A Cry,  And A Watchful Attendant Came Gliding 
   In At The Sound. Lord Hartledon Left The Room And Went Straight Down To 
   The Temple To Mr. Carr's Chambers. He Found Him In All The Bustle Of 
   Departure From Town. A Cab Stood At The Foot Of The Stairs,  And Mr. 
   Carr's Laundress,  A Queer Old Body With An Inverted Black Bonnet,  Was 
   Handing The Cabman A Parcel Of Books. 
     
   "A Minute More And You'd Have Been Too Late," Observed Mr. Carr,  As Lord 
   Hartledon Met Him On The Stairs,  A Coat On His Arm. 
     
   "I Thought You Did Not Start Till To-Morrow." 
     
   "But I Found I Must Go To-Day. I Can Give You Three Minutes. Is It 
   Anything Particular?" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Drew Him Into His Room. "I Have Come To Crave A Favour, 
   Carr. It Has Been On My Lips To Ask You Before,  But They Would Not Frame 
   The Words. This Child Of Mine: Will You Be Its Godfather With Myself?" 
     
   One Moment's Hesitation,  Quite Perceptible To The Sensitive Mind Of Lord 
   Hartledon,  And Then Mr. Carr Spoke Out Bravely And Cheerily. 
     
   "Of Course I Will." 
     
   "I See You Hesitate: But I Do Not Like To Ask Any One Else." 
     
   "If I Hesitated,  It Was At The Thought Of The Grave Responsibility 
   Attaching To The Office. I Believe I Look Upon It In A More Serious Light 
   Than Most People Do,  And Have Never Accepted The Charge Yet. I Will Be 
   Sponsor To This One With All My Heart." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Clasped His Hand In Reply,  And They Began To Descend 
   The Stairs. "Poor Maude Was Dreaming Of Making A Grand Thing Of The 
   Christening," He Said; "She Wanted To Ask Lord Kirton To Come To It. 
   It Will Take Place In About A Fortnight." 
     
   "Very Well; I Must Run Up For It,  Unless You Let Me Stand By Proxy. 
   I Wish,  Hartledon,  You Would Hear Me On Another Point," Added The 
   Barrister,  Halting On The Stairs,  And Dropping His Voice To A Whisper. 
     
   "Well?" 
     
   "If You Are To Go Away At All,  Now's The Time. Can't You Be Seized With 
   An Exploring Fit,  And Sail To Africa,  Or Some Other Place,  Where Your 
   Travels Would Occupy Years?" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Shook His Head. "How Can I Leave Maude To Battle Alone 
   With The Exposure,  Should It Come?" 
     
   "It Is A Great Deal Less Likely To Come If You Are A Few Thousand Miles 
   Away." 
     
   "I Question It. Should Gorton Turn Up He Is Just The One To Frighten A 
   Defenceless Woman,  And Purchase His Own Silence. No; My Place Is Beside 
   Maude." 
     
   "As You Please. I Have Spoken For The Last Time. By The Way,  Any Letters 
   Bearing A Certain Postmark,  That Come Addressed To Me During My Absence, 
   Taylor Has Orders To Send To You. Fare You Well,  Hartledon; I Wish I 
   Could Help You To Peace." 
     
   Hartledon Watched The Cab Rattle Away,  And Then Turned Homewards. Peace! 
   There Was No Peace For Him. 
     
   Lady Hartledon Was Not To Be Thwarted On All Points,  And She Insisted 
   On A Ceremonious Christening. The Countess-Dowager Would Come Over For 
   It,  And Did So; Lord Hartledon Could Not Be Discourteous Enough To Deny 
   This; Lord And Lady Kirton Came From Ireland; And For The First Time 
   Since Their Marriage They Found Themselves Entertaining Guests. Lord 
   Hartledon Had Made A Faint Opposition,  But Maude Had Her Own Way. The 
   Countess-Dowager Was Furiously Indignant When She Heard Of The Intended 
   Sponsors--Its Father And Mother,  And That Cynical Wretch,  Thomas Carr! 
   Val Played The Hospitable Host; But There Was A Shadow On His Face That 
   His Wife Did Not Fail To See. 
     
   It Was The Evening Before The Christening,  And A Very Snowy Evening 
   Too. Val Was Dressing For Dinner,  And Maude,  Herself Ready,  Sat By Him, 
   Her Baby On Her Knee. The Child Was Attired For The First Time In A 
   Splendidly-Worked Robe With Looped-Up Sleeves; And She Had Brought It 
   In To Challenge Admiration For Its Pretty Arms,  With All The Pardonable 
   Pride Of A Young Mother. 
     
   "Won't You Kiss It For Once,  Val?" 
     
   He Took The Child In His Arms; It Had Its Mother's Fine Dark Eyes,  And 
   Looked Straight Up From Them Into His. Lord Hartledon Suddenly Bent His 
   Own Face Down Upon That Little One With What Seemed Like A Gesture Of 
   Agony; And When He Raised It His Own Eyes Were Wet With Tears. Maude Felt 
   Startled With A Sort Of Terror: Love Was Love; But She Did Not Understand 
   Love So Painful As This. 
     
   She Sat Down With The Baby On Her Knee,  Saying Nothing; He Did Not Intend 
   Her To See The Signs Of Emotion. And This Brings Us To Where We Were. 
   Lord Hartledon Went On With His Toilette,  And Presently Someone Knocked 
   At The Door. 
     
   Two Letters: They Had Come By The Afternoon Post,  Very Much Delayed On 
   Account Of The Snow. He Came Back To The Gaslight,  Opening One. A Full 
   Letter,  Written Closely; But He Had Barely Glanced At It When He Hastily 
   Folded It Again,  And Crammed It Into His Pocket. If Ever A Movement 
   Expressed Something To Be Concealed,  That Did. And Lady Hartledon Was 
   Gazing At Him With Her Questioning Eyes. 
     
   "Wasn't That Letter From Thomas Carr?" 
     
   "Yes." 
     
   "Is He Coming Up? Or Is Kirton To Be Proxy?" 
     
   "He Is--Coming,  I Think," Said Val,  Evidently Knowing Nothing One Way Or 
   The Other. "He'll Be Here,  I Daresay,  To-Morrow Morning." 
     
   Opening The Other Letter As He Spoke--A Foreign-Looking Letter This 
   One--He Put It Up In The Same Hasty Manner,  With Barely A Glance; And 
   Then Went On Slowly With His Dressing. 
     
   "Why Don't You Read Your Letters,  Percival?" 
     
   "I Haven't Time. Dinner Will Be Waiting." 
     
   She Knew That He Had Plenty Of Time,  And That Dinner Would Not Be 
   Waiting; She Knew Quite Certainly That There Was Something In Both 
   Letters She Must Not See. Rising From Her Seat In Silence,  She Went Out 
   Of The Room With Her Baby; Resentment And An Unhealthy Curiosity Doing 
   Battle In Her Heart. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Slipped The Bolt Of The Door And Read The Letters At Once; 
   The Foreign One First,  Over Which He Seemed To Take An Instant's Counsel 
   With Himself. Before Going Down He Locked Them Up In A Small Ebony 
   Cabinet Which Stood Against The Wall. The Room Was His Own Exclusively; 
   His Wife Had Nothing To Do With It. 
     
   Had They Been Alone He Might Have Observed Her Coolness To Him; But,  With 
   Guests To Entertain,  He Neither Saw Nor Suspected It. She Sat Opposite 
   Him At Dinner Richly Dressed,  Her Jewels And Smiles Alike Dazzling: But 
   The Smiles Were Not Turned On Him. 
     
   "Is That Chosen Sponsor Of Yours Coming Up For The Christening; Lawyer 
   Carr?" Tartly Inquired The Dowager From Her Seat,  Bringing Her Face And 
   Her Turban,  All Scarlet Together,  To Bear On Hartledon. 
     
   "He Comes Up By This Evening's Train; Will Be In London Late To-Night,  If 
   The Snow Allows Him,  And Stay With Us Until Sunday Night," Replied Val. 
     
   "Oh! _That's_ No Doubt The Reason Why You Settled The Christening For 
   Saturday: That Your Friend Might Have The Benefit Of Sunday?" 
     
   "Just So,  Madam." 
     
   And Lady Hartledon Knew,  By This,  That Her Husband Must Have Read The 
   Letters. "I Wonder What He Has Done With Them?" Came The Mental Thought, 
   Shadowing Forth A Dim Wish That She Could Read Them Too. 
     
   In The Drawing-Room,  After Dinner,  Someone Proposed A Carpet Quadrille, 
   But Lord Hartledon Seemed Averse To It. In His Wife's Present Mood,  His 
   Opposition Was,  Of Course,  The Signal For Her Approval,  And She Began 
   Pushing The Chairs Aside With Her Own Hands. He Approached Her Quietly. 
     
   "Maude,  Do Not Let Them Dance To-Night." 
     
   "Why Not?" 
     
   "I Have A Reason. My Dear,  Won't You Oblige Me In This?" 
     
   "Tell Me The Reason,  And Perhaps I Will; Not Otherwise." 
     
   "I Will Tell It You Another Time. Trust Me,  I Have A Good One. What Is 
   It,  Hedges?" 
     
   The Butler Had Come Up To His Master In The Unobtrusive Manner Of A 
   Well-Trained Servant,  And Was Waiting An Opportunity To Speak. He Said A 
   Word In Lord Hartledon's Ear,  And Lady Hartledon Saw A Shiver Of Surprise 
   Run Through Her Husband. He Looked Here,  Looked There,  As One Perplexed 
   With Fear,  And Finally Went Out Of The Room With A Calm Face,  But One 
   That Was Turning Livid. 
     
   Lady Hartledon Followed In An Impulse Of Curiosity. She Looked After Him 
   Over The Balustrades,  And Saw Him Turn Into The Library Below. Hedges Was 
   Standing Near The Drawing-Room Door. 
     
   "Does Any One Want Lord Hartledon?" 
     
   "Yes,  My Lady." 
     
   "Who Is It?" 
     
   "I Don't Know,  My Lady. Some Gentleman." 
     
   She Ran Lightly Down The Stairs,  Pausing At The Foot,  As If Ashamed Of 
   Her Persistent Curiosity. The Well-Lighted Hall Was Before Her; The 
   Dining-Room On One Side; The Library And A Small Room Communicating On 
   The Other. Throwing Back Her Head,  As In Defiance,  She Boldly Crossed The 
   Hall And Opened The Library Door. 
     
   Now What Lady Hartledon Had Really Thought Was That The Visitor Was Mr. 
   Carr; Her Husband Was Going To Steal A Quiet Half-Hour With Him; And 
   Hedges Was In The Plot. She Had Not Lived With Hartledon The Best Part 
   Of A Year Without Learning That Hedges Was Devoted Heart And Soul To His 
   Master. 
     
   She Opened The Library-Door. Her Husband's Back Was Towards Her; And 
   Facing Him,  His Arms Raised As If In Anger Or Remonstrance,  Was The Same 
   Stranger Who Had Caused Some Commotion In The Other House. She Knew Him 
   In A Moment: There He Was,  With His Staid Face,  His Black Clothes,  And 
   His White Neckcloth,  Looking So Like A Clergyman. Lord Hartledon Turned 
   His Head. 
     
   "I Am Engaged,  Maude; You Can't Come In," He Peremptorily Said; And 
   Closed The Door Upon Her. 
     
   She Went Slowly Up The Stairs Again,  Not Choosing To Meet The Butler's 
   Eyes,  Past The Drawing-Rooms,  And Up To Her Own. The Sight Of The 
   Stranger,  Coupled With Her Husband's Signs Of Emotion,  Had Renewed All 
   Her Old Suspicions,  She Knew Not,  She Never Had Known,  Of What. Jumping 
   To The Conclusion That Those Letters Must Be In Some Way Connected With 
   The Mystery,  Perhaps An Advent Of The Visit,  It Set Her Thinking,  And 
   Rebellion Arose In Her Heart. 
     
   "I Wonder If He Put Them In The Ebony Cabinet?" She Exclaimed. "I Have A 
   Key That Will Fit That." 
     
   Yes,  She Had A Key To Fit It. A Few Weeks Before,  Lord Hartledon Mislaid 
   His Keys; He Wanted Something Out Of This Cabinet,  In Which He Did Not, 
   As A Rule,  Keep Anything Of Consequence,  And Tried Hers. One Was Found To 
   Unlock It,  And He Jokingly Told Her She Had A Key To His Treasures. But 
   Himself Strictly Honourable,  He Could Not Suspect Dishonour In Another; 
   And Lord Hartledon Supposed It Simply Impossible That She Should Attempt 
   To Open It Of Her Own Accord. 
     
   They Were Of Different Natures; And They Had Been Reared In Different 
   Schools. Poor Maude Kirton Had Learnt To Be Anything But Scrupulous, 
   And Really Thought It A Very Slight Thing She Was About To Do,  Almost 
   Justifiable Under The Circumstances. Almost,  If Not Quite. Nevertheless 
   She Would Not Have Liked To Be Caught At It. 
     
   She Took Her Bunch Of Keys And Went Into Her Husband's Dressing-Room, 
   Which Opened From Their Bedroom: But She Went On Tip-Toe,  As One Who 
   Knows She Is Doing Wrong. It Took Some Little Time To Try The Keys,  For 
   There Were Several On The Ring,  And She Did Not Know The Right One: But 
   The Lid Flew Open At Last,  And Disclosed The Two Letters Lying There. 
     
   She Snatched At One,  Either That Came First,  And Opened It. It Happened 
   To Be The One From Mr. Carr,  And She Began To Read It,  Her Heart Beating. 
     
     "Dear Hartledon, 
     
     "I Think I Have At Last Found Some Trace Of Gorton. There's A Man Of 
     That Name In The Criminal Calendar Here,  Down For Trial To-Morrow; I 
     Shall See Then Whether It Is The Same,  But The Description Tallies. 
     Should It Be Our Gorton,  I Think The Better Plan Will Be To Leave Him 
     Entirely Alone: A Man Undergoing A Criminal Sentence--And This Man Is 
     Sure Of A Long Period Of It--Has Neither The Means Nor The Motive To Be 
     Dangerous. He Cannot Molest You Whilst He Is Working On Portland 
     Island; And,  So Far,  You May Live A Little Eased From Fear. I Wish--" 
     
   Mr. Carr's Was A Close Handwriting,  And This Concluded The First Page. 
   She Was Turning It Over,  When Lord Hartledon's Voice On The Stairs Caught 
   Her Ear. He Seemed To Be Coming Up. 
     
   Ay,  And He Would Have Caught Her At Her Work But For The Accidental 
   Circumstance Of The Old Dowager's Happening To Look Out Of The 
   Drawing-Room And Detaining Him,  As He Was Hastening Onwards Up The 
   Stairs. She Did Her Daughter Good Service That Moment,  If She Had Never 
   Done It Before. Maude Had Time To Fold The Letter,  Put It Back,  Lock The 
   Cabinet,  And Escape. Had She Been A Nervous Woman,  Given To Being 
   Flurried And To Losing Her Presence Of Mind,  She Might Not Have 
   Succeeded; But She Was Cool And Quick In Emergency,  Her Brain And Fingers 
   Steady. 
     
   Nevertheless Her Heart Beat A Little As She Stood Within The Other Room, 
   The Door Not Latched Behind Her. She Did Not Stir,  Lest He Should Hear 
   Her; And She Hoped To Remain Unseen Until He Went Down Again. A Ready 
   Excuse Was On Her Lips,  If He Happened To Look In,  Which Was Not 
   Probable: That She Fancied She Heard Baby Cry,  And Was Listening. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Was Walking About His Dressing-Room,  Pacing It Restlessly, 
   And She Very Distinctly Heard Suppressed Groans Of Mortal Anguish 
   Breaking From His Lips. How He Had Got Rid Of His Visitor,  And What 
   The Visitor Came For,  She Knew Not. He Seemed To Halt Before The 
   Washhand-Stand,  Pour Out Some Water,  And Dash His Face Into It. 
     
   "God Help Me! God Help Maude!" He Ejaculated,  As He Went Down Again To 
   The Drawing-Room. 
     
   And Lady Hartledon Went Down Also,  For The Interruption Had Frightened 
   Her,  And She Did Not Attempt To Open The Cabinet Again. She Never Knew 
   More Of The Contents Of Mr. Carr's Letter; And Only The Substance Of The 
   Other,  As Communicated To Her By Her Husband. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 27 (Cross Questioning Mr. Carr) 
   Not Until The Sunday Morning Did Lady Hartledon Speak To Her Husband Of 
   The Stranger's Visit. There Seemed To Have Been No Previous Opportunity. 
   Mr. Carr Had Arrived Late On The Friday Night; Indeed It Was Saturday 
   Morning,  For The Trains Were All Detained; And He And Hartledon Sat Up 
   Together To An Unconscionable Hour. For This Short Visit He Was Lord 
   Hartledon's Guest. Saturday Seemed To Have Been Given To Preparation, 
   To Gaiety,  And To Nothing Else. Perhaps Also Lady Hartledon Did Not Wish 
   To Mar That Day By An Unpleasant Word. The Little Child Was Christened; 
   The Names Given Him Being Edward Kirton: The Countess-Dowager,  Who Was In 
   A Chronic State Of Dissatisfaction With Everything And Every One,  Angrily 
   Exclaimed At The Last Moment,  That She Thought At Least Her Family Name 
   Might Have Been Given To The Child; And Lord Hartledon Interposed,  And 
   Said,  Give It. Lord And Lady Hartledon,  And Mr. Carr,  Were The Sponsors: 
   And It Would Afford Food For Weeks Of Grumbling To The Old Dowager. 
   Hilarity Reigned,  And Toasts Were Given To The New Heir Of Hartledon; 
   And The Only One Who Seemed Not To Enter Into The Spirit Of The Thing, 
   But On The Contrary To Be Subdued,  Absent,  Nervous,  Was The Heir's 
   Father. 
     
   And So It Went On To The Sunday Morning. A Cold,  Bleak,  Bitter Morning, 
   The Wind Howling,  The Snow Flying In Drifts. Mr. Carr Went To Church, 
   And He Was The Only One Of The Party In The House Who Did Go. The 
   Countess-Dowager The Previous Night Had Proclaimed The Fact That _She_ 
   Meant To Go--As A Sort Of Reproach To Any Who Meant To Keep Away. 
   However,  When The Church-Bells Began,  She Was Turning Round In Her 
   Warm Bed For Another Nap. 
     
   Maude Did Not Go Down Early; Had Not Yet Taken To Doing So. She 
   Breakfasted In Her Room,  Remained Toying With Her Baby For Some Time, 
   And Then Went Into Her Own Sitting-Room; A Small Cosy Apartment On The 
   Drawing-Room Floor,  Into Which Visitors Did Not Intrude. It Looked On To 
   Hyde Park,  And A Very White And Dreary Park It Was On That Particular 
   Day. 
     
   Drawing A Chair To The Window,  She Sat Looking Out. That Is,  Her Eyes 
   Were Given To The Outer World,  But She Was So Deep In Thought As To See 
   Nothing Of It. For Two Nights And A Day,  Burning With Curiosity,  She Had 
   Been Putting This And That Together In Her Own Mind,  And Drawing 
   Conclusions According To Her Own Light. First,  There Was The Advent Of 
   The Visitor; Secondly,  There Was The Letter She Had Dipped Into. She 
   Connected The Two With Each Other And Wondered What The Secret Care Could 
   Be That Had Such Telling Effect Upon Her Husband. 
     
   Gorton. The Name Had Struck Upon Her Memory,  Even Whilst She Read It,  As 
   One Associated With That Terrible Time--The Late Lord Hartledon's Death. 
   Gradually The Floodgates Of Recollection Opened,  And She Knew Him For The 
   Witness At The Inquest About Whom Some Speculation Had Arisen As To Who 
   He Was,  And What His Business At Calne Might Have Been With Lord 
   Hartledon And His Brother,  Val Elster. 
     
   Why Should Her Husband Be Afraid Of This Man?--As It Seemed He _Was_ 
   Afraid,  By Mr. Carr's Letter. What Power Had He Of Injuring Lord 
   Hartledon?--What Secret Did He Possess Of His,  That Might Be Used Against 
   Him? Turning It About In Her Mind,  And Turning It Again,  Searching Her 
   Imagination For A Solution,  Lady Hartledon At Length Arrived At One,  In 
   Default Of Others. She Thought This Man Must Know Some Untoward Fact 
   By Which The Present Lord Hartledon's Succession Was Imperilled. Possibly 
   The Late Lord Hartledon Had Made Some Covert And Degrading Marriage; 
   Leaving An Obscure Child Who Possessed Legal Rights,  And Might Yet Claim 
   Them. A Romantic,  Far-Fetched Idea,  You Will Say; But She Could Think Of 
   No Other That Was In The Least Feasible. And She Remembered Some Faint 
   Idea Having Arisen In Her Mind At The Time,  That The Visit Of The Man 
   Gorton Was In Some Way Connected With Trouble,  Though She Did Not Know 
   With Which Brother. 
     
   Val Came In And Shut The Door. He Stirred The Fire Into A Blaze,  Making 
   Some Remark About The Snow,  And Wondering How Carr Would Get Down To The 
   Country Again. Maude Gave A Slight Answer,  And Then There Was Silence. 
   Each Was Considering How Best To Say Something To The Other. She Was The 
   Quicker. 
     
   "Lord Hartledon,  What Did That Man Want On Friday?" 
     
   "What Man?" He Rejoined,  Rather Wincing--For He Knew Well Enough To What 
   She Alluded. 
     
   "The Man--Gentleman,  Or Whatever He Is--Who Had You Called Down To Him In 
   The Library." 
     
   "By The Way,  Maude--Yes--You Should Not Dart In When I Am Engaged With 
   Visitors On Business." 
     
   "Well,  I Thought It Was Mr. Carr," She Replied,  Glancing At His 
   Heightened Colour. "What Did He Want?" 
     
   "Only To Say A Word To Me On A Matter Of Business." 
     
   "It Was The Same Person Who Upset You So When He Called Last Autumn. You 
   Have Never Been The Same Man Since." 
     
   "Don't Take Fancies Into Your Head,  Maude." 
     
   "Fancies! You Know Quite Well There Is No Fancy About It. That Man Holds 
   Some Unpleasant Secret Of Yours,  I Am Certain." 
     
   "Maude!" 
     
   "Will You Tell It Me?" 
     
   "I Have Nothing To Tell." 
     
   "Ah,  Well; I Expected You Wouldn't Speak," She Answered,  With Subdued 
   Bitterness; As Much As To Say,  That She Made A Merit Of Resigning Herself 
   To An Injustice She Could Not Help. "You Have Been Keeping Things From Me 
   A Long Time." 
     
   "I Have Kept Nothing From You It Would Give You Pleasure To Know. It Is 
   Not--Maude,  Pray Hear Me--It Is Not Always Expedient For A Man To Make 
   Known To His Wife The Jars And Rubs He Has Himself To Encounter. A 
   Hundred Trifles May Arise That Are Best Spared To Her. That Gentleman's 
   Business Concerned Others As Well As Myself,  And I Am Not At Liberty To 
   Speak Of It." 
     
   "You Refuse,  Then,  To Admit Me To Your Confidence?" 
     
   "In This I Do. I Am The Best Judge--And You Must Allow Me To Be So--Of 
   What Ought,  And What Ought Not,  To Be Spoken Of To You. You May Always 
   Rely Upon My Acting For Your Best Happiness,  As Far As Lies In My Power." 
     
   He Had Been Pacing The Room Whilst He Spoke. Lady Hartledon Was In Too 
   Resentful A Mood To Answer. Glancing At Her,  He Stood By The Mantelpiece 
   And Leaned His Elbow Upon It. 
     
   "I Want To Make Known To You Another Matter,  Maude. If I Have Kept It 
   From You--" 
     
   "Does It Concern This Secret Business Of Yours?" She Interrupted. 
     
   "No." 
     
   "Then Let Us Have Done With This First,  If You Please. Who Is Gorton?" 
     
   "Who Is--Gorton?" He Repeated,  After A Dumbfounded Pause. "What Gorton?" 
     
   "Well,  I Don't Know; Unless It's That Man Who Gave Evidence At The 
   Inquest On Your Brother." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Stared At Her,  As Well He Might; And Gulped Down His 
   Breath,  Which Seemed Choking Him. "But What About Gorton? Why Do You Ask 
   Me The Question?" 
     
   "Because I Fancy He Is Connected With This Trouble. I--I Thought I Heard 
   You And Mr. Carr Mention The Name Yesterday When You Were Whispering 
   Together. I'm Sure I Did--There!" 
     
   As Far As Lord Hartledon Remembered,  He And Mr. Carr Had Not Been 
   Whispering Together Yesterday; Had Not Mentioned The Name Of Gorton. 
   They Had Done With The Subject At That Late Sitting,  The Night Of The 
   Barrister's Arrival; Who Had Brought News That The Gorton,  That Morning 
   Tried For A Great Crime,  Was _Not_ The Gorton Of Whom They Were In 
   Search. Lord Hartledon Gazed At His Wife With Questioning Eyes,  But She 
   Persisted In Her Assertion. It Was Sinfully Untrue; But How Else Could 
   She Account For Knowing The Name? 
     
   "Do You Suppose I Dreamed It,  Lord Hartledon?" 
     
   "I Don't Know Whether You Dreamed It Or Not,  Maude. Mr. Carr Has 
   Certainly Spoken To Me Since He Came Of A Man Of That Name; But As 
   Certainly Not In Your Hearing. One Gorton Was Tried For His Life On 
   Friday--Or Almost For His Life--And He Mentioned To Me The Circumstances 
   Of The Case: Housebreaking,  Accompanied By Violence,  Which Ended In 
   Death. I Cannot Understand You,  Maude,  Or The Fancies You Seem To Be 
   Taking Up." 
     
   She Saw How It Was--He Would Admit Nothing: And She Looked Straight Out 
   Across The Dreary Park,  A Certain Obstinate Defiance Veiled In Her Eyes. 
   By The Help Of Heaven Or Earth,  She Would Find Out This Secret That He 
   Refused To Disclose To Her. 
     
   "Almost Every Action Of Your Life Bespeaks Concealment," She Resumed. 
   "Look At Those Letters You Received In Your Dressing-Room On Friday 
   Night: You Just Opened Them And Thrust Them Unread Into Your Pocket, 
   Because I Happened To Be There. And Yet You Talk Of Caring For Me! I Know 
   Those Letters Contained Some Secret Or Other You Dare Not Tell Me." 
     
   She Rose In Some Temper,  And Gave The Fire A Fierce Stir. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Kept Her By Him. 
     
   "One Of Those Letters Was From Mr. Carr; And I Presume You Can Make No 
   Objection To My Hearing From Him. The Other--Maude,  I Have Waited Until 
   Now To Disclose Its Contents To You; I Would Not Mar Your Happiness 
   Yesterday." 
     
   She Looked Up At Him. Something In His Voice,  A Sad Pitying Tenderness, 
   Caused Her Heart To Beat A Shade Quicker. "It Was A Foreign Letter, 
   Maude. I Think You Observed That. It Bore The French Postmark." 
     
   A Light Broke Upon Her. "Oh,  Percival,  It Is About Robert! Surely He Is 
   Not Worse!" 
     
   He Drew Her Closer To Him: Not Speaking. 
     
   "He Is Not Dead?" She Said,  With A Rush Of Tears. "Ah,  You Need Not Tell 
   Me; I See It. Robert! Robert!" 
     
   "It Has Been A Happy Death,  Maude,  And He Is Better Off. He Was Quite 
   Ready To Go. I Wish We Were As Ready!" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Took Out The Letter And Read The Chief Portion Of It To 
   Her. One Little Part He Dexterously Omitted,  Describing The Cause Of 
   Death--Disease Of The Heart. 
     
   "But I Thought He Was Getting So Much Better. What Has Killed Him In This 
   Sudden Manner?" 
     
   "Well,  There Was No Great Hope From The First. I Confess I Have 
   Entertained None. Mr. Hillary,  You Know,  Warned Us It Might End Either 
   Way." 
     
   "Was It Decline?" She Asked,  Her Tears Falling. 
     
   "He Has Been Declining Gradually,  No Doubt." 
     
   "Oh,  Percival! Why Did You Not Tell Me At Once? It Seems So Cruel To Have 
   Had All That Entertainment Yesterday! This Is Why You Did Not Wish Us To 
   Dance!" 
     
   "And If I Had Told You,  And Stopped The Entertainment,  Allowing The Poor 
   Little Fellow To Be Christened In Gloom And Sorrow,  You Would Have Been 
   The First To Reproach Me; You Might Have Said It Augured Ill-Luck For The 
   Child." 
     
   "Well,  Perhaps I Should; Yes,  I Am Sure I Should. You Have Acted Rightly, 
   After All,  Val." And It Was A Candid Admission,  Considering What She Had 
   Been Previously Saying. He Bent Towards Her With A Smile,  His Voice Quite 
   Unsteady With Its Earnestness. 
     
   "You See Now With What Motive I Kept The Letter From You. Maude! Cannot 
   This Be An Earnest That You Should Trust Me For The Rest? In All I Do,  As 
   Heaven Is My Witness,  I Place Your Comfort First And Foremost." 
     
   "Don't Be Angry With Me," She Cried,  Softening At The Words. 
     
   He Laid His Hand On His Wife's Bent Head,  Thinking How Far He Was From 
   Anger. Anger? He Would Have Died For Her Then,  At That Moment,  If It 
   Might Have Saved Her From The Sin And Shame That She Must Share With Him. 
     
   "Have You Told Mamma,  Percival?" 
     
   "Not Yet. It Would Not Have Been Kept From You Long Had She Known It. She 
   Is Not Up Yet,  I Think." 
     
   "Who Has Written?" 
     
   "The Doctor Who Attended Him." 
     
   "You'll Let Me Read The Letter?" 
     
   "I Have Written To Desire That Full Particulars May Be Sent To You: You 
   Shall Read That One." 
     
   The Tacit Refusal Did Not Strike Her. She Only Supposed The Future Letter 
   Would Be More Explanatory. He Was Always Anxious For Her; And He Had 
   Written Off On The Friday Night To Ask For A Letter Giving Fuller 
   Particulars,  Whilst Avoiding Mention Of The Cause Of Death. 
     
   Thus Harmony For The Hour Was Restored Between Them; And Lord Hartledon 
   Stood The Dowager's Loud Reproaches With Equanimity. In Possession Of The 
   News Of That Darling Angel's Death Ever Since Friday Night,  And To Have 
   Bottled It Up Within Him Till Sunday! She Wondered What He Thought Of 
   Himself! 
     
   After All,  Val Had Not Quite "Bottled It Up." He Had Made It Known To His 
   Brother-In-Law,  Lord Kirton,  And Also To Mr. Carr. Both Had Agreed That 
   Nothing Had Better Be Said Until The Christening-Day Was Over. 
     
   But There Came A Reaction. When Lady Hartledon Had Got Over Her First 
   Grief,  The Other Annoyance Returned To Her,  And She Fell Again To 
   Brooding Over It In A Very Disturbing Fashion. She Merited Blame For This 
   In A Degree; But Not So Much As Appears On The Surface. If That Idea, 
   Which She Was Taking Up Very Seriously,  Were Correct--That Her Husband's 
   Succession Was Imperilled--It Would Be The Greatest Misfortune That Could 
   Happen To Her In Life. What Had She Married For But Position?--Rank, 
   Wealth,  Her Title? Any Earthly Misfortune Would Be Less Keen Than This. 
   Any Earthly Misfortune! Poor Maude! 
     
   It Was A Sombre Dinner That Evening; The News Of Captain Kirton's Death 
   Making It So. Besides Relatives,  Very Few Guests Were Staying In The 
   House; And The Large And Elaborate Dinner-Party Of The Previous Day Was 
   Reduced To A Small One On This. The First To Come Into The Drawing-Room 
   Afterwards,  Following Pretty Closely On The Ladies,  Was Mr. Carr. The 
   Dowager,  Who Rarely Paid Attention To Appearances,  Or To Anything Else, 
   Except Her Own Comfort,  Had Her Feet Up On A Sofa,  And Was Fast Asleep; 
   Two Ladies Were Standing In Front Of The Fire,  Talking In Undertones; 
   Lady Hartledon Sat On A Sofa A Little Apart,  Her Baby On Her Knee; And 
   Her Sister-In-Law,  Lady Kirton,  A Fragile And Rather Cross-Looking Young 
   Woman,  Who Looked As If A Breath Would Blow Her Away,  Was Standing Over 
   Her,  Studying The Infant's Face. The Latter Lady Moved Away And Joined 
   The Group At The Fire As Mr. Carr Approached Lady Hartledon. 
     
   "You Have Your Little Charge Here,  I See!" 
     
   "Please Excuse It; I Meant To Have Sent Him Away Before Any Of You Came 
   Up," She Said,  Quite Pleadingly. "Sarah Took Upon Herself To Proclaim 
   Aloud That His Eyes Were Not Straight,  And I Could Not Help Having Him 
   Brought Down To Refute Her Words. Not Straight,  Indeed! She's Only 
   Envious Of Him." 
     
   Sarah Was Lady Kirton. Mr. Carr Smiled. 
     
   "She Has No Children Herself. I Think You Might Be Proud Of Your Godson, 
   Mr. Carr. But He Ought Not To Have Been Here To Receive You,  For All 
   That." 
     
   "I Have Come Up Soon To Say Good-Bye,  Lady Hartledon. In Ten Minutes I 
   Must Be Gone." 
     
   "In All This Snow! What A Night To Travel In!" 
     
   "Necessity Has No Law. So,  Sir,  You'd Imprison My Finger,  Would You!" 
     
   He Had Touched The Child's Hand,  And In A Moment It Was Clasped Round His 
   Finger. Lady Hartledon Laughed. 
     
   "Lady Kirton--The Most Superstitious Woman In The World--Would Say That 
   Was An Omen: You Are Destined To Be His Friend Through Life." 
     
   "As I Will Be," Said The Barrister,  His Tone More Earnest Than The 
   Occasion Seemed To Call For. 
     
   Lady Hartledon,  With A Graciousness She Was Little In The Habit Of 
   Showing To Mr. Carr,  Made Room For Him Beside Her,  And He Sat Down. The 
   Baby Lay On His Back,  His Wide-Open Eyes Looking Upwards,  Good As Gold. 
     
   "How Quiet He Is! How He Stares!" Reiterated The Barrister,  Who Did Not 
   Understand Much About Babies,  Except For A Shadowy Idea That They Lived 
   In A State Of Crying For The First Six Months. 
     
   "He Is The Best Child In The World; Every One Says So," She Returned. 
   "He Is Not The Least--Hey-Day! What Do You Mean By Contradicting Mamma 
   Like That? Behave Yourself,  Sir." 
     
   For The Infant,  As If To Deny His Goodness,  Set Up A Sudden Cry. Mr. Carr 
   Laughed. He Put Down His Finger Again,  And The Little Fingers Clasped 
   Round It,  And The Cry Ceased. 
     
   "He Does Not Like To Lose His Friend,  You See,  Lady Hartledon." 
     
   "I Wish You Would Be My Friend As Well As His," She Rejoined; And The Low 
   Meaning Tones Struck On Mr. Carr's Ear. 
     
   "I Trust I Am Your Friend," He Answered. 
     
   She Was Still For A Few Moments; Her Pale Beautiful Face Inclining 
   Towards The Child's; Her Large Dark Eyes Bent Upon Him. She Turned Them 
   On Mr. Carr. 
     
   "This Has Been A Sad Day." 
     
   "Yes,  For You. It Is Grievous To Lose A Brother." 
     
   "And To Lose Him Without The Opportunity Of A Last Look,  A Last Farewell. 
   Robert Was My Best And Favourite Brother. But The Day Has Been Marked As 
   Unhappy For Other Causes Than That." 
     
   Was It An Uncomfortable Prevision Of What Was Coming That Caused Mr. Carr 
   Not To Answer Her? He Talked To The Unconscious Baby,  And Played With Its 
   Cheeks. 
     
   "What Secret Is This That You And My Husband Have Between You,  Mr. Carr?" 
   She Asked Abruptly. 
     
   He Ceased His Laughing With The Baby,  Said Something About Its Soft Face, 
   Was Altogether Easy And Careless In His Manner,  And Then Answered In 
   Half-Jesting Tones: 
     
   "Which One,  Lady Hartledon?" 
     
   "Which One! Have You More Than One?" She Continued,  Taking The Words 
   Literally. 
     
   "We Might Count Up Half-A-Dozen,  I Daresay. I Cannot Tell You How Many 
   Things I Have Not Confided To Him. We Are Quite--" 
     
   "I Mean The Secret That Affects _Him_" She Interrupted,  In Aggrieved 
   Tones,  Feeling That Mr. Carr Was Playing With Her. 
     
   "There Is Some Dread Upon Him That's Wearing Him To A Shadow,  Poisoning 
   His Happiness,  Making His Days And Nights One Long Restlessness. Do You 
   Think It Right To Keep It From Me,  Mr. Carr? Is It What You And He Are 
   Both Doing--And Are In League With Each Other To Do?" 
     
   "_I_ Am Not Keeping Any Secret From You,  Lady Hartledon." 
     
   "You Know You Are. Nonsense! Do You Think I Have Forgotten That Evening 
   That Was The Beginning Of It,  When A Tall Strange Man Dressed As A 
   Clergyman,  Came Here,  And You Both Were Shut Up With Him For I Can't Tell 
   How Long,  And Lord Hartledon Came Out From It Looking Like A Ghost? You 
   And He Both Misled Me,  Causing Me To Believe That The Ashtons Were 
   Entering An Action Against Him For Breach Of Promise; Laying The Damages 
   At Ten Thousand Pounds. I Mean _That_ Secret,  Mr. Carr," She Added With 
   Emphasis. "The Same Man Was Here On Friday Night Again; And When You Came 
   To The House Afterwards,  You And Lord Hartledon Sat Up Until Nearly 
   Daylight." 
     
   Mr. Carr,  Who Had His Eyes On The Exacting Baby,  Shook His Head,  And 
   Intimated That He Was Really Unable To Understand Her. 
     
   "When You Are In Town He Is Always At Your Chambers; When You Are Away He 
   Receives Long Letters From You That I May Not Read." 
     
   "Yes,  We Have Been On Terms Of Close Friendship For Years. And Lord 
   Hartledon Is An Idle Man,  You Know,  And Looks Me Up." 
     
   "He Said You Were Arranging Some Business For Him Last Autumn." 
     
   "Last Autumn? Let Me See. Yes,  I Think I Was." 
     
   "Mr. Carr,  Is It Of Any Use Playing With Me? Do You Think It Right Or 
   Kind To Do So?" 
     
   His Manner Changed At Once; He Turned To Her With Eyes As Earnest As Her 
   Own. 
     
   "Lady Hartledon,  I Would Tell You Anything That I Could And Ought To Tell 
   You. That Your Husband Has Been Engaged In Some Complicated Business, 
   Which I Have Been--Which I Have Taken Upon Myself To Arrange For Him,  Is 
   Very True. I Know That He Does Not Wish It Mentioned,  And Therefore My 
   Lips Are Sealed: But It Is As Well You Did Not Know It,  For It Would Give 
   You No Satisfaction." 
     
   "Does It Involve Anything Very Frightful?" 
     
   "It Might Involve The--The Loss Of A Large Sum Of Money," He Answered, 
   Making The Best Reply He Could. 
     
   Lady Hartledon Sank Her Voice To A Whisper. "Does It Involve The Possible 
   Loss Of His Title?--Of Hartledon?" 
     
   "No," Said Mr. Carr,  Looking At Her With Surprise. 
     
   "You Are Sure?" 
     
   "Certain. I Give You My Word. What Can Have Got Into Your Head,  Lady 
   Hartledon?" 
     
   She Gave A Sigh Of Relief. "I Thought It Just Possible--But I Will Not 
   Tell You Why I Thought It--That Some Claimant Might Be Springing Up To 
   The Title And Property." 
     
   Mr. Carr Laughed. "That Would Be A Calamity. Hartledon Is As Surely Your 
   Husband's As This Watch"--Taking It Out To Look At The Time--"Is Mine. 
   When His Brother Died,  He Succeeded To Him Of Indisputable Right. And Now 
   I Must Go,  For My Time Is Up; And When Next I See You,  Young Gentleman, 
   I Shall Expect A Good Account Of Your Behaviour. Why,  Sir,  The Finger's 
   Mine,  Not Yours. Good-Bye,  Lady Hartledon." 
     
   She Gave Him Her Hand Coolly,  For She Was Not Pleased. The Baby Began To 
   Cry,  And Was Sent Away With Its Nurse. 
     
   And Then Lady Hartledon Sat On Alone,  Feeling That If She Were Ever To 
   Arrive At The Solution Of The Mystery,  It Would Not Be By The Help Of Mr. 
   Carr. Other Questions Had Been Upon Her Lips--Who The Stranger Was--What 
   He Wanted--Five Hundred Of Them: But She Saw That She Might As Well Have 
   Put Them To The Moon. 
     
   And Lord Hartledon Went Out With Mr. Carr In The Inclement Night,  And Saw 
   Him Off By A Great-Western Train. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 28 (Maude's Disobedience) 
   Again The Months Went On,  It May Almost Be Said The Years,  And Little 
   Took Place Worthy Of Record. Time Obliterates As Well As Soothes; And 
   Lady Hartledon Had Almost Forgotten The Circumstances Which Had Perplexed 
   And Troubled Her,  For Nothing More Had Come Of Them. 
     
   And Lord Hartledon? But For A Certain Restlessness,  A Hectic Flush And A 
   Worn Frame,  Betraying That The Inward Fever Was Not Quenched,  A Startled 
   Movement If Approached Or Spoken To Unexpectedly,  It Might Be Thought 
   That He Also Was At Rest. There Were No More Anxious Visits To Thomas 
   Carr's Chambers; He Went About His Ordinary Duties,  Sat Out His Hours 
   In The House Of Lords,  And Did As Other Men. There Was Nothing Very 
   Obvious To Betray Mental Apprehension; And Maude Had Certainly Dismissed 
   The Past,  So Far,  From Her Mind. 
     
   Not Again Had Val Gone Down To Hartledon. With The Exception Of That 
   Short Visit Of A Day Or Two,  Already Recorded,  He Had Not Been There 
   Since His Marriage. He Would Not Go: His Wife,  Though She Had Her Way In 
   Most Things,  Could Not Induce Him To Go. She Went Once Or Twice,  In A 
   Spirit Of Defiance,  It May Be Said,  And Meanwhile He Remained In 
   London,  Or Took A Short Trip To The Continent,  As The Whim Prompted Him. 
   Once They Had Gone Abroad Together,  And Remained For Some Months; Taking 
   Servants And The Children,  For There Were Two Children Now; And The 
   Little Fellow Who Had Clasped The Finger Of Mr. Carr Was A Sturdy Boy Of 
   Three Years Old. 
     
   Lady Hartledon's Health Was Beginning To Fail. The Doctors Told Her She 
   Must Be More Quiet; She Went Out A Great Deal,  And Seemed To Live Only 
   In The World. Her Husband Remonstrated With Her On The Score Of Health; 
   But She Laughed,  And Said She Was Not Going To Give Up Pleasure Just Yet. 
   Of Course These Gay Habits Are More Easily Acquired Than Relinquished. 
   Lady Hartledon Had Fainting-Fits; She Felt Occasional Pain And 
   Palpitation In The Region Of The Heart; And She Grew Thin Without 
   Apparent Cause. She Said Nothing About It,  Lest It Should Be Made A Plea 
   For Living More Quietly; Never Dreaming Of Danger. Had She Known What 
   Caused Her Brother's Death Her Fears Might Possibly Have Been Awakened. 
   Lord Hartledon Suspected Mischief Might Be Arising,  And Cautiously 
   Questioned Her; She Denied That Anything Was The Matter,  And He Felt 
   Reassured. His Chief Care Was To Keep Her Free From Excitement; And In 
   This Hope He Gave Way To Her More Than He Would Otherwise Have Done. But 
   Alas! The Moment Was Approaching When All His Care Would Be In Vain; When 
   The Built-Up Security Of Years Was Destroyed By A Single Act Of Wilful 
   Disobedience To Him. The Sword So Long Suspended Over His Head,  Was To 
   Fall On Hers At Last. 
     
   One Spring Afternoon,  In London,  He Was In His Wife's Sitting-Room; The 
   Little Room Where You Have Seen Her Before,  Looking Upon The Park. The 
   Children Were Playing On The Carpet--Two Pretty Little Things; The Girl 
   Eighteen Months Old. 
     
   "Take Care!" Suddenly Called Out Lady Hartledon. 
     
   Some One Was Opening The Door,  And The Little Maude Was Too Near To It. 
   She Ran And Picked Up The Child,  And Hedges Came In With A Card For His 
   Master,  Saying At The Same Time That The Gentleman Was Waiting. Lord 
   Hartledon Held It To The Fire To Read The Name. 
     
   "Who Is It?" Asked Lady Hartledon,  Putting The Little Girl Down By The 
   Window,  And Approaching Her Husband. But There Came No Answer. 
     
   Whether The Silence Aroused Her Suspicions--Whether Any Look In Her 
   Husband's Face Recalled That Evening Of Terror Long Ago--Or Whether 
   Some Malicious Instinct Whispered The Truth,  Can Never Be Known. Certain 
   It Was That The Past Rose Up As In A Mirror Before Lady Hartledon's 
   Imagination,  And She Connected This Visitor With The Former. She Bent 
   Over His Shoulder To Peep At The Card; And Her Husband,  Startled Out 
   Of His Presence Of Mind,  Tore It In Two And Threw The Pieces Into The 
   Fire. 
     
   "Oh,  Very Well!" She Exclaimed,  Mortally Offended. "But You Cannot Blind 
   Me: It Is Your Mysterious Visitor Again." 
     
   "I Don't Know What You Mean,  Maude. It Is Only Someone On Business." 
     
   "Then I Will Go And Ask Him His Business," She Said,  Moving To The Door 
   With Angry Resolve. 
     
   Val Was Too Quick For Her. He Placed His Back Against The Door,  And 
   Lifted His Hands In Agitation. It Was A Great Fault Of His,  Or Perhaps 
   A Misfortune--For He Could Not Help It--This Want Of Self-Control In 
   Moments Of Emergency. 
     
   "Maude,  I Forbid You To Interfere In This; You Must Not. For Heaven's 
   Sake,  Sit Down And Remain Quiet." 
     
   "I'll See Your Visitor,  And Know,  At Last,  What This Strange Trouble Is. 
   I Will,  Lord Hartledon." 
     
   "You Must Not: Do You Hear Me?" He Reiterated With Deep Emotion,  For She 
   Was Trying To Force Her Way Out Of The Room. "Maude--Listen--I Do Not 
   Mean To Be Harsh,  But For Your Own Good I Conjure You To Be Still. I 
   Forbid You,  By The Obedience You Promised Me Before God,  To Inquire Into 
   Or Stir In This Matter. It Is A Private Affair Of My Own,  And Not Yours. 
   Stay Here Until I Return." 
     
   Maude Drew Back,  As If In Compliance; And Lord Hartledon,  Supposing 
   He Had Prevailed,  Quitted The Room And Closed The Door. He Was Quite 
   Mistaken. Never Had Her Solemn Vows Of Obedience Been So Utterly 
   Despised; Never Had The Temptation To Evil Been So Rife In Her Heart. 
     
   She Unlatched The Door And Listened. Lord Hartledon Went Downstairs And 
   Into The Library,  Just As He Had Done The Evening Before The Christening. 
   And Lady Hartledon Was Certain The Same Man Awaited Him There. Ringing 
   The Nursery-Bell,  She Took Off Her Slippers,  Unseen,  And Hid Them Under 
   A Chair. 
     
   "Remain Here With The Children," Was Her Order To The Nurse Who Appeared, 
   As She Shut The Woman Into The Room. 
     
   Creeping Down Softly She Opened The Door Of The Room Behind The Library, 
   And Glided In. It Was A Small Room,  Used Exclusively By Lord Hartledon, 
   Where He Kept A Heterogeneous Collection Of Things--Papers,  Books, 
   Cigars,  Pipes,  Guns,  Scientific Models,  Anything--And Which No One But 
   Himself Ever Attempted To Enter. The Intervening Door Between That And 
   The Library Was Not Quite Closed; And Lady Hartledon,  Cautiously Pushed 
   It A Little Further Open. Wilful,  Unpardonable Disobedience! When He Had 
   So Strongly Forbidden Her! It Was The Same Tall Stranger. He Was Speaking 
   In Low Tones,  And Lord Hartledon Leaned Against The Wall With A Blank 
   Expression Of Face. 
     
   She Saw; And Heard. But How She Controlled Her Feelings,  How She Remained 
   And Made No Sign,  She Never Knew. But That The Instinct Of Self-Esteem 
   Was One Of Her Strongest Passions,  The Dread Of Detection In Proportion 
   To It,  She Never Had Remained. There She Was,  And She Could Not Get Away 
   Again. The Subtle Dexterity Which Had Served Her In Coming Might Desert 
   Her In Returning. Had Their Senses Been On The Alert They Might Have 
   Heard Her Poor Heart Beating. 
     
   The Interview Did Not Last Long--About Twenty Minutes; And Whilst Lord 
   Hartledon Was Attending His Visitor To The Door She Escaped Upstairs 
   Again,  Motioned Away The Nurse,  And Resumed Her Shoes. But What Did She 
   Look Like? Not Like Maude Hartledon. Her Face Was As That Of One Upon 
   Whom Some Awful Doom Has Fallen; Her Breath Was Coming Painfully; And She 
   Kneeled Down On The Carpet And Clasped Her Children To Her Beating Heart 
   With An Action Of Wild Despair. 
     
   "Oh,  My Boy! My Boy! Oh,  My Little Maude!" 
     
   Suddenly She Heard Her Husband's Step Approaching,  And Pushing Them 
   From Her,  Rose And Stood At The Window,  Apparently Looking Out On The 
   Darkening World. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Came In,  Gaily And Cheerily,  His Manner Lighter Than It 
   Had Been For Years. 
     
   "Well,  Maude,  I Have Not Been Long,  You See. Why Don't You Have Lights?" 
     
   She Did Not Answer: Only Stared Straight Out. Her Husband Approached Her. 
   "What Are You Looking At,  Maude?" 
     
   "Nothing," She Answered: "My Head Aches. I Think I Shall Lie Down Until 
   Dinner-Time. Eddie,  Open The Door,  And Call Nurse,  As Loud As You Can 
   Call." 
     
   The Little Boy Obeyed,  And The Nurse Returned,  And Was Ordered To Take 
   The Children. Lady Hartledon Was Following Them To Go To Her Own Room, 
   When She Fell Into A Chair And Went Off In A Dead Faint. 
     
   "It's That Excitement," Said Val. "I Do Wish Maude Would Be Reasonable!" 
     
   The Illness,  However,  Appeared To Be More Serious Than An Ordinary 
   Fainting-Fit; And Lord Hartledon,  Remembering The Suspicion Of 
   Heart-Disease,  Sent For The Family Doctor Sir Alexander Pepps,  An 
   Oracle In The Fashionable World. 
     
   A Different Result Showed Itself--Equally Caused By Excitement--And The 
   Countess-Dowager Arrived In A Day Or Two In Hot Haste. Lady Hartledon Lay 
   In Bed,  And Did Not Attempt To Get Up Or To Get Better. She Lay Almost As 
   One Without Life,  Taking No Notice Of Any One,  Turning Her Head From Her 
   Husband When He Entered,  Refusing To Answer Her Mother,  Keeping The 
   Children Away From The Room. 
     
   "Why Doesn't She Get Up,  Pepps?" Demanded The Dowager,  Wrathfully, 
   Pouncing Upon The Physician One Day,  When He Was Leaving The House. 
     
   Sir Alexander,  Who Might Have Been Supposed To Have Received His 
   Baronetcy For His Skill,  But That Titles,  Like Kissing,  Go By Favour, 
   Stopped Short,  Took Off His Hat,  And Presumed That Lady Hartledon Felt 
   More Comfortable In Bed. 
     
   "Rubbish! We Might All Lie In Bed If We Studied Comfort. Is There Any 
   Earthly Reason Why She Should Stay There,  Pepps?" 
     
   "Not Any,  Except Weakness." 
     
   "Except Idleness,  You Mean. Why Don't You Order Her To Get Up?" 
     
   "I Have Advised Lady Hartledon To Do So,  And She Does Not Attend To Me," 
   Replied Sir Alexander. 
     
   "Oh," Said The Dowager. "She Was Always Wilful. What About Her Heart?" 
     
   "Her Heart!" Echoed Sir Alexander,  Looking Up Now As If A Little Aroused. 
     
   "Dear Me,  Yes; Her Heart; I Didn't Say Her Liver. Is It Sound,  Pepps?" 
     
   "It's Sound,  For Anything I Know To The Contrary. I Never Suspected 
   Anything The Matter With Her Heart." 
     
   "Then You Are A Fool!" Retorted The Complimentary Dowager. 
     
   Sir Alexander's Temperament Was Remarkably Calm. Nothing Could Rouse 
   Him Out Of His Tame Civility,  Which Had Been Taken More Than Once For 
   Obsequiousness. The Countess-Dowager Had Patronized Him In Earlier Years, 
   When He Was Not A Great Man,  Or Had Begun To Dream Of Becoming One. 
     
   "Don't You Recollect I Once Consulted You On The Subject--What's Your 
   Memory Good For? She Was A Girl Then,  Of Fourteen Or So; And You Were 
   Worth Fifty Of What You Are Now,  In Point Of Discernment." 
     
   The Oracle Carried His Thoughts Back,  And Really Could Not Recollect It. 
   "Ahem! Yes; And The Result Was--Was--" 
     
   "The Result Was That You Said The Heart Had Nothing The Matter With It, 
   And I Said It Had," Broke In The Impatient Dowager. 
     
   "Ah,  Yes,  Madam,  I Remember. Pray,  Have You Reason To Suspect Anything 
   Wrong Now?" 
     
   "That's What You Ought To Have Ascertained,  Pepps,  Not Me. What D'you 
   Mean By Your Neglect? What,  I Ask,  Does She Lie In Bed For? If Her 
   Heart's Right,  There's Nothing More The Matter With Her Than There Is 
   With You." 
     
   "Perhaps Your Ladyship Can Persuade Lady Hartledon To Exert Herself," 
   Suggested The Bland Doctor. "I Can't; And I Confess I Think That She Only 
   Wants Rousing." 
     
   With A Flourish Of His Hat And His Small Gold-Headed Black Cane The 
   Doctor Bowed Himself Out From The Formidable Dowager. That Lady Turned 
   Her Back Upon Him,  And Betook Herself On The Spur Of The Moment To 
   Maude's Room,  Determined To "Have It Out." 
     
   Curious Sounds Greeted Her,  As Of Some One In Hysterical Pain. On The 
   Bed,  Clasped To His Mother In Nervous Agony,  Was The Wondering Child, 
   Little Lord Elster: Words Of Distress,  Nay,  Of Despair,  Breaking From 
   Her. It Seemed,  The Little Boy,  Who Was Rather Self-Willed And Rebellious 
   On Occasion,  Had Escaped From The Nursery,  And Stolen To His Mother's 
   Room. The Dowager Halted At The Door,  And Looked Out From Her Astonished 
   Eyes. 
     
   "Oh,  Edward,  If We Were But Dead! Oh,  My Darling,  If It Would Only Please 
   Heaven To Take Us Both! I Couldn't Send For You,  Child; I Couldn't See 
   You; The Sight Of You Kills Me. You Don't Know; My Babies,  You Don't 
   Know!" 
     
   "What On Earth Does All This Mean?" Interrupted The Dowager,  Stepping 
   Forward. And Lady Hartledon Dropped The Boy,  And Fell Back On The Bed, 
   Exhausted. 
     
   "What Have You Done To Your Mamma,  Sir?" 
     
   The Child,  Conscious That He Had Not Done Anything,  But Frightened On The 
   Whole,  Repented Of His Disobedience,  And Escaped From The Chamber More 
   Quickly Than He Had Entered It. The Dowager Hated To Be Puzzled,  And Went 
   Wrathfully Up To Her Daughter. 
     
   "Perhaps You'll Tell Me What's The Matter,  Maude." 
     
   Lady Hartledon Grew Calm. The Countess-Dowager Pressed The Question. 
     
   "There's Nothing The Matter," Came The Tardy And Rather Sullen Reply. 
     
   "Why Do You Wish Yourself Dead,  Then?" 
     
   "Because I Do." 
     
   "How Dare You Answer Me So?" 
     
   "It's The Truth. I Should Be Spared Suffering." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Paused. "Spared Suffering!" She Mentally Repeated; 
   And Being A Woman Given To Arriving At Rapid Conclusions Without Rhyme Or 
   Reason,  She Bethought Herself That Maude Must Have Become Acquainted With 
   The Suspicion Regarding Her Heart. 
     
   "Who Told You That?" Shrieked The Dowager. "It Was That Fool Hartledon." 
     
   "He Has Told Me Nothing," Said Maude,  In An Access Of Resentment,  All Too 
   Visible. "Told Me What?" 
     
   "Why,  About Your Heart. That's What I Suppose It Is." 
     
   Maude Raised Herself Upon Her Elbow,  Her Wan Face Fixed On Her Mother's. 
   "Is There Anything The Matter With My Heart?" She Calmly Asked. 
     
   And Then The Old Woman Found That She Had Made A Grievous Mistake,  And 
   Hastened To Repair It. 
     
   "I Thought There Might Be,  And Asked Pepps. I've Just Asked Him Now; And 
   He's Says There's Nothing The Matter With It." 
     
   "I Wish There Were!" Said Maude. 
     
   "You Wish There Were! That's A Pretty Wish For A Reasonable Christian," 
   Cried The Tart Dowager. "You Want Your Husband To Lecture You; Saying 
   Such Things." 
     
   "I Wish He Were Hanged!" Cried Maude,  Showing Her Glistening Teeth. 
     
   "My Gracious!" Exclaimed The Wondering Old Lady,  After A Pause. "What Has 
   He Done?" 
     
   "Why Did You Urge Me To Marry Him? Oh,  Mother,  Can't You See That I Am 
   Dying--Dying Of Horror--And Shame--And Grief? You Had Better Have Buried 
   Me Instead." 
     
   For Once In Her Selfish And Vulgar Mind The Countess-Dowager Felt A 
   Feeling Akin To Fear. In Her Astonishment She Thought Maude Must Be Going 
   Mad. 
     
   "You'd Do Well To Get Some Sleep,  Dear," She Said In A Subdued Tone; "And 
   To-Morrow You Must Get Up; Pepps Says So; He Thinks You Want Rousing." 
     
   "I Have Not Slept Since; It's Not Sleep,  It's A Dead Stupor,  In Which 
   I Dream Things As Horrible As The Reality," Murmured Maude,  Unconscious 
   Perhaps That She Spoke Aloud. "I Shall Never Sleep Again." 
     
   "Not Slept Since When?" 
     
   "I Don't Know." 
     
   "Can't You Say What You Mean?" Cried The Puzzled Dowager. "If You've Any 
   Grievance,  Tell It Out; If You've Not,  Don't Talk Nonsense." 
     
   But Lady Hartledon,  Though Thus Sweetly Allured To Confession,  Held Her 
   Tongue. Her Half-Scattered Senses Came Back To Her,  And With Them A 
   Reticence She Would Not Break. The Countess-Dowager Hardly Knew Whether 
   She Deserved Pitying Or Shaking,  And Went Off In A Fit Of Exasperation, 
   Breaking In Upon Her Son-In-Law As He Was Busy Looking Over Some Accounts 
   In The Library. 
     
   "I Want To Know What Is The Matter With Maude." 
     
   He Turned Round In His Chair,  And Met The Dowager's Flaxen Wig And 
   Crimson Face. Val Did Not Know What Was The Matter With His Wife Any More 
   Than The Questioner Did. He Supposed She Would Be All Right When She Grew 
   Stronger. 
     
   "She Says It's _You_" Said The Gentle Dowager,  Improving Upon Her 
   Information. "She Has Just Been Wishing You Were Hanged." 
     
   "Ah,  You Have Been Teasing Her," He Returned,  With Composure. "Maude Says 
   All Sorts Of Things When She's Put Out." 
     
   "Perhaps She Does," Was The Retort; "But She Meant This,  For She Showed 
   Her Teeth When She Said It. You Can't Blind Me; And I Have Seen Ever 
   Since I Came Here That There Was Something Wrong Between You And Maude." 
     
   For That Matter,  Val Had Seen It Too. Since The Night Of His Wife's 
   Fainting-Fit She Had Scarcely Spoken A Word To Him; Had Appeared As If 
   She Could Not Tolerate His Presence For An Instant In Her Room. Lord 
   Hartledon Felt Persuaded That It Arose From Resentment At His Having 
   Refused To Allow Her To See The Stranger. He Rose From His Seat. 
     
   "There's Nothing Wrong Between Me And Maude,  Lady Kirton. If There Were, 
   You Must Pardon Me For Saying That I Could Not Suffer Any Interference In 
   It. But There Is Not." 
     
   "Something's Wrong Somewhere. I Found Her Just Now Sobbing And Moaning 
   Over Eddie,  Wishing They Were Both Dead,  And All The Rest Of It. If She 
   Goes On Like This For Nothing,  She's Losing Her Senses,  That's All." 
     
   "She'll Be All Right When She's Stronger. Pray Don't Worry Her. She'll Be 
   Well Soon,  I Daresay. And Now I Shall Be Glad If You'll Leave Me,  For I 
   Am Very Busy." 
     
   She Did Not Leave Him Any The Quicker For The Request,  But Stayed To 
   Worry Him,  As It Was In Her Nature To Worry Every One. Getting Rid Of Her 
   At Last,  He Turned The Key Of The Door,  And Wished Her A Hundred Miles 
   Away. 
     
   The Wish Bore Fruit. In A Few Days Some News She Heard Regarding Her 
   Eldest Son--Who Was A Widower Now--Took The Dowager To Ireland,  And Lord 
   Hartledon Wished He Could As Easily Turn The Key Of The House Upon Her As 
   He Had Turned That Of The Room. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 29 (The Sword Slipped) 
   Summer Dust Was In The London Streets,  Summer Weather In The Air,  And The 
   Carriage Of That Fashionable Practitioner,  Sir Alexander Pepps,  Still 
   Waited Before Lord Hartledon's House. It Had Waited There More Frequently 
   In These Later Weeks Than Of Old. 
     
   The Great World--_Her_ World--Wondered What Was The Matter With Her: Sir 
   Alexander Wondered Also. Perhaps Had He Been A Less Courtly Man He Might 
   Have Rapped Out "Obstinacy," If Questioned Upon The Point; As It Was,  He 
   Murmured Of "Weakness." Weak She Undoubtedly Was; And She Did Not Seem To 
   Try In The Least To Grow Strong Again. She Did Not Go Into Society Now; 
   She Dressed As Usual,  And Sat In Her Drawing-Room,  And Received Visitors 
   If The Whim Took Her; But She Was Usually Denied To All; And Said She Was 
   Not Well Enough To Go Out. From Her Husband She Remained Bitterly 
   Estranged. If He Attempted To Be Friendly With Her,  To Ask What Was 
   Ailing Her,  She Either Sharply Refused To Say,  Or Maintained A Persistent 
   Silence. Lord Hartledon Could Not Account For Her Behaviour,  And Was 
   Growing Tired Of It. 
     
   Poor Maude! That Some Grievous Blow Had Fallen Upon Her Was All Too 
   Evident. Resentment,  Anguish,  Bitter Despair Alternated Within Her 
   Breast,  And She Seemed Really Not To Care Whether She Lived Or Died. Was 
   It For _This_ That She Had Schemed,  And So Successfully,  To Wrest Lord 
   Hartledon From His Promised Bride Anne Ashton? She Would Lie Back In Her 
   Chair And Ask It. No Labour Of Hers Could By Any Possibility Have Brought 
   Forth A Result By Which Miss Ashton Could Be So Well Avenged. Heaven Is 
   True To Itself,  And Dr. Ashton Had Left Vengeance With It. Lady Hartledon 
   Looked Back On Her Fleeting Triumph; A Triumph At The Time Certainly,  But 
   A Short One. It Had Not Fulfilled Its Golden Promises: That Sort Of 
   Triumph Perhaps Never Does. It Had Been Followed By Ennui,  Repentance, 
   Dissatisfaction With Her Husband,  And It Had Resulted In A Very Moonlight 
   Sort Of Happiness,  Which Had At Length Centred Only In The Children. The 
   Children! Maude Gave A Cry Of Anguish As She Thought Of Them. No; Take It 
   Altogether,  The Play From The First Had Not Been Worth The Candle. And 
   Now? She Clasped Her Thin Hands In A Frenzy Of Impotent Rage--With Anne 
   Ashton Had Lain The Real Triumph,  With Herself The Sacrifice. Too Well 
   Maude Understood A Remark Her Husband Once Made In Answer To A Reproach 
   Of Hers In The First Year Of Their Marriage--That He Was Thankful Not To 
   Have Wedded Anne. 
     
   One Morning Sir Alexander Pepps,  On His Way From The Drawing-Room 
   To His Chariot--A Very Old-Fashioned Chariot That All The World Knew 
   Well--Paused Midway In The Hall,  With His Cane To His Nose,  And 
   Condescended To Address The Man With The Powdered Wig Who Was Escorting 
   Him. 
     
   "Is His Lordship At Home?" 
     
   "Yes,  Sir." 
     
   "I Wish To See Him." 
     
   So The Wig Changed Its Course,  And Sir Alexander Was Bowed Into 
   The Presence. His Lordship Rose With What The French Would Call 
   _Empressement_,  To Receive The Great Man. 
     
   "Thank You,  I Have Not Time To Sit," Said He,  Declining The Offered Chair 
   And Standing,  Cane In Hand. "I Have Three Consultations To-Day,  And Some 
   Urgent Cases. I Grieve To Have A Painful Duty To Fulfil; But I Must 
   Inform You That Lady Hartledon's Health Gives Me Uneasiness." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Did Not Immediately Reply; But It Was Not From Want Of 
   Genuine Concern. 
     
   "What Is Really The Matter With Her?" 
     
   "Debility; Nothing Else," Replied Sir Alexander. "But These Cases Of 
   Extreme Debility Cause So Much Perplexity. Where There Is No Particular 
   Disease To Treat,  And The Patient Does Not Rally,  Why--" 
     
   He Understood The Doctor's Pause To Mean Something Ominous. "What Can Be 
   Done?" He Asked. "I Have Remarked,  With Pain,  That She Does Not Gain 
   Strength. Change Of Air? The Seaside--" 
     
   "She Says She Won't Go," Interrupted The Physician. "In Fact,  Her 
   Ladyship Objects To Everything I Can Suggest Or Propose." 
     
   "It's Very Strange," Said Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "At Times It Has Occurred To Me That She Has Something On Her Mind," 
   Continued Sir Alexander. "Upon My Delicately Hinting This Opinion To Lady 
   Hartledon,  She Denied It With A Vehemence Which Caused Me To Suspect That 
   I Was Correct. Does Your Lordship Know Of Anything Likely To--To Torment 
   Her?" 
     
   "Not Anything," Replied Lord Hartledon,  Confidently. "I Think I Can 
   Assure You That There Is Nothing Of The Sort." 
     
   And He Spoke According To His Belief; For He Knew Of Nothing. He Would 
   Have Supposed It Simply Impossible That Lady Hartledon Had Been Made 
   Privy To The Dreadful Secret Which Had Weighed On Him; And He Never Gave 
   That A Thought. 
     
   Sir Alexander Nodded,  Reassured On The Point. 
     
   "I Should Wish For A Consultation,  If Your Lordship Has No Objection." 
     
   "Then Pray Call It Without Delay. Have Anything,  Do Anything,  That May 
   Conduce To Lady Hartledon's Recovery. You Do Not Suspect Heart-Disease?" 
     
   "The Symptoms Are Not Those Of Any Heart-Disease Known To Me. Lady Kirton 
   Spoke To Me Of This; But I See Nothing To Apprehend At Present On That 
   Score. If There's Any Latent Affection,  It Has Not Yet Shown Itself. Then 
   We'll Arrange The Consultation For To-Morrow." 
     
   Sir Alexander Pepps Was Bowed Out; And The Consultation Took Place; Which 
   Left The Matter Just Where It Was Before. The Wise Doctors Thought There 
   Was Nothing Radically Wrong; But Strongly Recommended Change Of Air. Sir 
   Alexander Confidently Mentioned Torbay; He Had Great Faith In Torbay; 
   Perhaps His Lordship Could Induce Lady Hartledon To Try It? She Had 
   Flatly Told The Consultation That She Would _Not_ Try It. 
     
   Lady Hartledon Was Seated In The Drawing-Room When He Went In,  Willing To 
   Do What He Could; Any Urging Of His Had Not Gone Far With Her Of Late. A 
   White Silk Shawl Covered Her Dress Of Green Check Silk; She Wore A Shawl 
   Constantly Now,  Having A Perpetual Tendency To Shiver; Her Handsome 
   Features Were White And Attenuated,  But Her Eyes Were Brilliant Still, 
   And Her Dark Hair Was Dressed In Elaborate Braids. 
     
   "So You Have Had The Doctors Here,  Maude," He Remarked,  Cheerfully. 
     
   She Nodded A Reply,  And Began To Fidget With The Body Of Her Gown. It 
   Seemed That She Had To Do Something Or Other Always To Her Attire 
   Whenever He Spoke To Her--Which Partially Took Away Her Attention. 
     
   "Sir Alexander Tells Me They Have Been Recommending You Torbay." 
     
   "I Am Not Going To Torbay." 
     
   "Oh Yes,  You Are,  Maude," He Soothingly Said. "It Will Be A Change For Us 
   All. The Children Will Benefit By It As Much As You,  And So Shall I." 
     
   "I Tell You I Shall Not Go To Torbay." 
     
   "Would You Prefer Any Other Place?" 
     
   "I Will Not Go Anywhere; I Have Told Them So." 
     
   "Then I Declare That I'll Carry You Off By Force!" He Cried,  Rather 
   Sharply. "Why Do You Vex Me Like This? You Know You Must Go?" 
     
   She Made No Reply. He Drew A Chair Close To Her And Sat Down. 
     
   "Maude," He Said,  Speaking All The More Gently For His Recent Outbreak, 
   "You Must Be Aware That You Do Not Recover As Quickly As We Could Wish--" 
     
   "I Do Not Recover At All," She Interrupted. "I Don't Want To Recover." 
     
   "My Dear,  How Can You Talk So? There Is Nothing The Matter With You But 
   Weakness,  And That Will Soon Be Overcome If You Exert Yourself." 
     
   "No,  It Won't. I Shall Not Leave Home." 
     
   "Somewhere You Must Go,  For The Workmen Are Coming Into The House; And 
   For The Next Two Months It Will Not Be Habitable." 
     
   "Who Is Bringing Them In?" She Asked,  With Flashing Eyes. 
     
   "You Know It Was Decided Long Ago That The House Should Be Done Up This 
   Summer. It Wants It Badly Enough. Torbay--" 
     
   "I Will Not Go To Torbay,  Lord Hartledon. If I Am To Be Turned Out Of 
   This House,  I'll Go To The Other." 
     
   "What Other?" 
     
   "Hartledon." 
     
   "Not To Hartledon," Said He,  Quickly,  For His Dislike To The Place Had 
   Grown With Time,  And The Word Grated On His Ear. 
     
   "Then I Remain Where I Am." 
     
   "Maude," He Resumed In Quiet Tones,  "I Will Not Urge You To Try Sea-Air 
   For My Sake,  Because You Do What You Can To Show Me I Am Of Little Moment 
   To You; But I Will Say Try It For The Sake Of The Children. Surely,  They 
   Are Dear To You!" 
     
   A Subdued Sound Of Pain Broke From Her Lips,  As If She Could Not Bear To 
   Hear Them Named. 
     
   "It's Of No Use Prolonging This Discussion," She Said. "An Invalid's 
   Fancies May Generally Be Trusted,  And Mine Point To Hartledon--If I Am To 
   Be Disturbed At All. I Should Not So Much Mind Going There." 
     
   A Pause Ensued. Lord Hartledon Had Taken Her Hand,  And Was Mechanically 
   Turning Round Her Wedding-Ring,  His Thoughts Far Away; It Hung 
   Sufficiently Loosely Now On The Wasted Finger. She Lay Back In Her 
   Chair,  Looking On With Apathy,  Too Indifferent To Withdraw Her Hand. 
     
   "Why Did You Put It On?" She Asked,  Abruptly. 
     
   "Why Indeed?" Returned His Lordship,  Deep In His Abstraction. "What Did 
   You Say,  Maude?" He Added,  Awaking In A Flurry. "Put What On?" 
     
   "My Wedding-Ring." 
     
   "My Dear! But About Hartledon--If You Fancy That,  And Nowhere Else, 
   I Suppose We Must Go There." 
     
   "You Also?" 
     
   "Of Course." 
     
   "Ah! When Your Wife's Chord Of Life Is Loosening What Model Husbands You 
   Men Become!" She Uttered. "You Have Never Gone To Hartledon With Me; You 
   Have Suffered Me To Be There Alone,  Through A Ridiculous Reminiscence; 
   But Now That You Are About To Lose Me You Will Go!" 
     
   "Why Do You Encourage These Gloomy Thoughts About Yourself,  Maude?" He 
   Asked,  Passing Over The Hartledon Question. "One Would Think You Wished 
   To Die." 
     
   "I Do Not Know," She Replied In Tones Of Deliberation. "Of Course,  No 
   One,  At My Age,  Can Be Tired Of The World,  And For Some Things I Wish To 
   Live; But For Others,  I Shall Be Glad To Die." 
     
   "Maude! Maude! It Is Wrong To Say This. You Are Not Likely To Die." 
     
   "I Can't Tell. All I Say Is,  I Shall Be Glad For Some Things,  If I Do." 
     
   "What Is All This?" He Exclaimed,  After A Bewildered Pause. "Is There 
   Anything On Your Mind,  Maude? Are You Grieving After That Little Infant?" 
     
   "No," She Answered,  "Not For Him. I Grieve For The Two Who Remain." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Looked At Her. A Dread,  Which He Strove To Throw From Him, 
   Struggling To His Conscience. 
     
   "I Think You Are Deceived In My State Of Health. And If I Object To Going 
   To The Seaside,  It Is Chiefly Because I Would Not Die In A Strange Place. 
   If I Am To Die,  I Should Like To Die At Hartledon." 
     
   His Hair Seemed To Rise Up In Horror At The Words. "Maude! Have You Any 
   Disease You Are Concealing From Me?" 
     
   "Not Any. But The Belief Has Been Upon Me For Some Time That I Should Not 
   Get Over This. You Must Have Seen How I Appear To Be Sinking." 
     
   "And With No Disease Upon You! I Don't Understand It." 
     
   "No Particular Physical Disease." 
     
   "You Are Weak,  Dispirited--I Cannot Pursue These Questions," He Broke 
   Off. "Tell Me In A Word: Is There Any Cause For This?" 
     
   "Yes." 
     
   Percival Gathered Up His Breath. "What Is It?" 
     
   "What Is It!" Her Eyes Ablaze With Sudden Light. "What Has Weighed _You_ 
   Down,  Not To The Grave,  For Men Are Strong,  But To Terror,  And Shame,  And 
   Sin? What Secret Is It,  Lord Hartledon?" 
     
   His Lips Were Whitening. "But It--Even Allowing That I Have A 
   Secret--Need Not Weigh You Down." 
     
   "Not Weigh Me Down!--To Terror Deeper Than Yours; To Shame More Abject? 
   Suppose I Know The Secret?" 
     
   "You Cannot Know It," He Gasped. "It Would Have Killed You." 
     
   "And What _Has_ It Done? Look At Me." 
     
   "Oh,  Maude!" He Wailed,  "What Is It That You Do,  Or Do Not Know? How Did 
   You Learn Anything About It?" 
     
   "I Learnt It Through My Own Folly. I Am Sorry For It Now. My Knowing It 
   Can Make The Fact Neither Better Nor Worse; And Perhaps I Might Have Been 
   Spared The Knowledge To The End." 
     
   "But What Is It That You Know?" He Asked,  Rather Wishing At The Moment He 
   Was Dead Himself. 
     
   "_All._" 
     
   "It Is Impossible." 
     
   "It Is True." 
     
   And He Felt That It Was True; Here Was The Solution To The Conduct Which 
   Had Puzzled Him,  Puzzled The Doctors,  Puzzled The Household And The 
   Countess-Dowager. 
     
   "And How--And How?" He Gasped. 
     
   "When That Stranger Was Here Last,  I Heard What He Said To You," She 
   Replied,  Avowing The Fact Without Shame In The Moment's Terrible Anguish. 
   "I Made The Third At The Interview." 
     
   He Looked At Her In Utter Disbelief. 
     
   "You Refused To Let Me Go Down. I Followed You,  And Stood At The Little 
   Door Of The Library. It Was Open,  And I--Heard--Every Word." 
     
   The Last Words Were Spoken With An Hysterical Sobbing. "Oh,  Maude!" Broke 
   From The Lips Of Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "You Will Reproach Me For Disobedience,  Of Course; For Meanness,  Perhaps; 
   But I _Knew_ There Was Some Awful Secret,  And You Would Not Tell Me. I 
   Earned My Punishment,  If That Will Be Any Satisfaction To You; I Have 
   Never Since Enjoyed An Instant's Peace,  Night Or Day." 
     
   He Hid His Face In His Pain. This Was The Moment He Had Dreaded For 
   Years; Anything,  So That It Might Be Kept From Her,  He Had Prayed In His 
   Never-Ceasing Fear. 
     
   "Forgive,  Forgive Me! Oh,  Maude,  Forgive Me!" 
     
   She Did Not Respond; She Did Not Attempt To Soothe Him; If Ever Looks 
   Expressed Reproach And Aversion,  Hers Did Then. 
     
   "Have Compassion Upon Me,  Maude! I Was More Sinned Against Than Sinning." 
     
   "What Compassion Had You For Me? How Dared You Marry Me? You,  Bound With 
   Crime?" 
     
   "The Worst Is Over,  Maude; The Worst Is Over." 
     
   "It Can Never Be Over: You Are Guilty Of Wilful Sophistry. The Crime 
   Remains; And--Lord Hartledon--Its Fruits Remain." 
     
   He Interrupted Her Excited Words By Voice And Gesture; He Took Her Hands 
   In His. She Snatched Them From Him,  And Burst Into A Fit Of Hysterical 
   Crying,  Which Ended In A Faintness Almost As Of Death. He Did Not Dare To 
   Call Assistance; An Unguarded Word Might Have Slipped Out Unawares. 
     
   Shut Them In; Shut Them In! They Had Need To Be Alone In A Scene Such As 
   That. 
     
   Lord And Lady Hartledon Went Down To Calne,  As She Wished. But Not 
   Immediately; Some Two Or Three Weeks Elapsed,  And During That Time Mr. 
   Carr Was A Good Deal With Both Of Them. Their Sole Friend: The Only Man 
   Cognizant Of The Trouble They Had Yet To Battle With; Who Alone Might 
   Whisper A Word Of Something Like Consolation. 
     
   Lady Hartledon Seemed To Improve. Whether It Was The Country,  Or The Sort 
   Of Patched-Up Peace That Reigned Between Her And Her Husband,  She Grew 
   Stronger And Better,  And Began To Go Out Again And Enjoy Life As Usual. 
   But In Saying Life,  It Must Not Be Thought That Gaiety Is Implied; None 
   Could Shun That As Lady Hartledon Now Seemed To Shun It. And He,  For 
   The First Time Since His Marriage,  Began To Take Some Interest In His 
   Native Place,  And In His Own Home. The Old Sensitive Feeling In Regard To 
   Meeting The Ashtons Lingered Still; Was Almost As Strong As Ever; And He 
   Had The Good Sense To See That This Must Be Overcome,  If Possible,  If He 
   Made Hartledon His Home For The Future,  As His Wife Now Talked Of Doing. 
     
   As A Preliminary Step To It,  He Appeared At Church; One,  Two,  Three 
   Sundays. On The Second Sunday His Wife Went With Him. Anne Was In Her 
   Pew,  With Her Younger Brother,  But Not Mrs. Ashton: She,  As Lord 
   Hartledon Knew By Report,  Was Too Ill Now To Go Out. Each Day Dr. Ashton 
   Did The Whole Duty; His Curate,  Mr. Graves,  Was Taking A Holiday. Lord 
   Hartledon Heard Another Report,  That The Curate Had Been Wanting To 
   Press His Attentions On Miss Ashton. The Truth Was,  As None Had Known 
   Better Than Val Elster,  Mr. Graves Had Wanted To Press Them Years And 
   Years Ago. He Had At Length Made Her An Offer,  And She Had Angrily 
   Refused Him. A Foolish Girl! Said Indignant Mrs. Graves,  Reproachfully. 
   Her Son Was A Model Son,  And Would Make A Model Husband; And He Would 
   Be A Wealthy Man,  As Anne Knew,  For He Must Sooner Or Later Come Into The 
   Entailed Property Of His Uncle. It Was Not At All Pleasant To Lord 
   Hartledon To Stand There In His Pew,  With Recollection Upon Him,  And The 
   Gaze Of The Ashtons Studiously Turned From Him,  And Jabez Gum Looking Out 
   At Him From The Corners Of His Eyes As He Made His Sonorous Responses. A 
   Wish For Reconciliation Took Strong Possession Of Lord Hartledon,  And He 
   Wondered Whether He Could Not Bring Himself To Sue For It. He Wanted 
   Besides To Stay For The After-Service,  Which He Had Not Done Since He Was 
   A Young Man--Never Since His Marriage. Maude Had Stayed Occasionally,  As 
   Was The Fashion; But He Never. I Beg You Not To Quarrel With Me For The 
   Word; Some Of The Partakers In That After-Service Remain From No Higher 
   Motive. Certainly Poor Maude Had Not. 
     
   On The Third Sunday,  Lord Hartledon Went To Sauntered About The Lawn And 
   Terraces With Her Companion,  Tilting Her Parasol Prettily Over Her 
   Shoulder,  So That It Formed An Entrancing Background To Her Face And 
   Head. She Seemed To Be Entertaining The Young Man. His Big Laugh And The 
   Silver Music Of Her Own Lighter Merriment Rang Out A Little 
   Tantalisingly. 
     
   "I Wonder What Cora Is Saying," Said Mrs. Brooke To The Group At Large. 
   "She Always Makes Men Laugh So." 
     
   Emily Fox-Seton Felt An Interest Herself,  The Merriment Sounded So 
   Attractive. She Wondered If Perhaps To A Man Who Had Been So Much Run 
   After A Girl Who Took No Notice Of His Presence And Amused Other Men So 
   Much Might Not Assume An Agreeable Aspect. 
     
   But He Took More Notice Of Lady Agatha Slade Than Of Any One Else That 
   Evening. She Was Placed Next To Him At Dinner,  And She Really Was 
   Radiant To Look Upon In Palest Green Chiffon. She Had An Exquisite 
   Little Head,  With Soft Hair Piled With Wondrous Lightness Upon It,  And 
   Her Long Little Neck Swayed Like The Stem Of A Flower. She Was Lovely 
   Enough To Arouse In The Beholder's Mind The Anticipation Of Her Being 
   Silly,  But She Was Not Silly At All. 
     
   Lady Maria Commented Upon That Fact To Miss Fox-Seton When They Met In 
   Her Bedroom Late That Night. Lady Maria Liked To Talk And Be Talked To 
   For Half An Hour After The Day Was Over,  And Emily Fox-Seton's Admiring 
   Interest In All She Said She Found At Once Stimulating And Soothing. Her 
   Ladyship Was An Old Woman Who Indulged And Inspired Herself With An 
   Epicurean Wisdom. Though She Would Not Have Stupid People About Her,  She 
   Did Not Always Want Very Clever Ones. 
     
   "They Give Me Too Much Exercise," She Said. "The Epigrammatic Ones Keep 
   Me Always Jumping Over Fences. Besides,  I Like To Make All The Epigrams 
   Myself." 
     
   Emily Fox-Seton Struck A Happy Mean,  And She Was A Genuine Admirer. She 
   Was Intelligent Enough Not To Spoil The Point Of An Epigram When She 
   Repeated It,  And She Might Be Relied Upon To Repeat It And Give All The 
   Glory To Its Originator. Lady Maria Knew There Were People Who,  Hearing 
   Your Good Things,  Appropriated Them Without A Scruple. To-Night She Said 
   A Number Of Good Things To Emily In Summing Up Her Guests And Their 
   Characteristics. 
     
   "Walderhurst Has Been To Me Three Times When I Made Sure That He Would 
   Not Escape Without A New Marchioness Attached To Him. I Should Think He 
   Would Take One To Put An End To The Annoyance Of Dangling Unplucked Upon 
   The Bough. A Man In His Position,  If He Has Character Enough To Choose, 
   Can Prevent Even His Wife's Being A Nuisance. He Can Give Her A Good 
   House,  Hang The Family Diamonds On Her,  Supply A Decent Elderly Woman As 
   A Sort Of Lady-In-Waiting And Turn Her Into The Paddock To Kick Up Her 
   Heels Within The Limits Of Decorum. His Own Rooms Can Be Sacred To Him. 
   He Has His Clubs And His Personal Interests. Husbands And Wives Annoy 
   Each Other Very Little In These Days. Married Life Has Become 
   Comparatively Decent." 
     
   "I Should Think His Wife Might Be Very Happy," Commented Emily. "He 
   Looks Very Kind." 
     
   "I Don't Know Whether He Is Kind Or Not. It Has Never Been Necessary For 
   Me To Borrow Money From Him." 
     
   Lady Maria Was Capable Of Saying Odd Things In Her Refined Little 
   Drawling Voice. 
     
   "He's More Respectable Than Most Men Of His Age. The Diamonds Are 
   Magnificent,  And He Not Only Has Three Superb Places,  But Has Money 
   Enough To Keep Them Up. Now,  There Are Three Aspirants At Mallowe In The 
   Present Party. Of Course You Can Guess Who They Are,  Emily?" 
     
   Emily Fox-Seton Almost Blushed. She Felt A Little Indelicate. 
     
   "Lady Agatha Would Be Very Suitable," She Said. "And Mrs. Ralph Is Very 
   Clever,  Of Course. And Miss Brooke Is Really Pretty." 
     
   Lady Maria Gave Vent To Her Small Chuckle. 
     
   "Mrs. Ralph Is The Kind Of Woman Who Means Business. She'll Corner 
   Walderhurst And Talk Literature And Roll Her Eyes At Him Until He Hates 
   Her. These Writing Women,  Who Are Intensely Pleased With Themselves,  If 
   They Have Some Good Looks Into The Bargain,  Believe Themselves Capable 
   Of Marrying Any One. Mrs. Ralph Has Ftoht 
   Have Been Unconsciously Upon Her,  Guiding Her Spirit To Meekness,  If Not 
   Yet Quite To Peace. Lord Hartledon Thought She Was Growing Strong; And, 
   Save That She Would Rather Often Go Into A Passion Of Hysterical Tears As 
   She Clasped Her Children To Her,  Particularly The Boy,  Her Days Passed 
   Calmly Enough. She Indulged The Children Beyond All Reason,  And It Was Of 
   No Use For Their Father To Interfere. Once When He Stepped In To Prevent 
   It,  She Flew Out Almost Like A Tigress,  Asking What Business It Was Of 
   His,  That He Should Dare To Come Between Her And Them. The Lesson Was An 
   Effectual One; And He Never Interfered Again. But The Indulgence Was 
   Telling On The Boy's Naturally Haughty Disposition; And Not For Good. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 30 (In The Park) 
   As The Days And Weeks Went On,  And Lord And Lady Hartledon Continued At 
   Calne,  There Was One Circumstance That Began To Impress Itself On The 
   Mind Of The Former In A Careless Sort Of Way--That He Was Constantly 
   Meeting Pike. Go Out When He Would,  He Was Sure To See Pike In Some 
   Out-Of-The-Way Spot; At A Sudden Turning,  Or Peering Forth From Under 
   A Group Of Trees,  Or Watching Him From A Roadside Bank. One Special Day 
   Impressed Itself On Lord Hartledon's Memory. He Was Walking Slowly Along 
   The Road With Dr. Ashton,  And Found Pike Keeping Pace With Them Softly On 
   The Other Side The Hedge,  Listening No Doubt To What He Could Hear. On 
   One Of These Occasions Val Stopped And Confronted Him. 
     
   "What Is It You Want,  Mr. Pike?" 
     
   Perhaps Mr. Pike Was About The Last Man In The World To Be,  As The Saying 
   Runs,  "Taken Aback," And He Stood His Ground,  And Boldly Answered 
   "Nothing." 
     
   "It Seems As Though You Did," Said Val. "Go Where I Will,  You Are Sure To 
   Spring Up Before Me,  Or To Be Peeping From Some Ambush As I Walk Along. 
   It Will Not Do: Do You Understand?" 
     
   "I Was Just Thinking The Same Thing Yesterday--That Your Lordship Was 
   Always Meeting _Me_," Said Pike. "No Offence On Either Side,  I Dare Say." 
     
   Val Walked On,  Throwing The Man A Significant Look Of Warning,  But 
   Vouchsafing No Other Reply. After That Pike Was A Little More Cautious, 
   And Kept Aloof For A Time; But Val Knew That He Was Still Watched On 
   Occasion. 
     
   One Fine October Day,  When The Grain Had Been Gathered In And The Fields 
   Were Bare With Stubble,  Hartledon,  Alone In One Of The Front Rooms,  Heard 
   A Contest Going On Outside. Throwing Up The Window,  He Saw His Young Son 
   Attempting To Mount The Groom's Pony: The Latter Objecting. At The Door 
   Stood A Low Basket Carriage,  Harnessed With The Fellow Pony. They 
   Belonged To Lady Hartledon; Sometimes She Drove Only One; And The Groom, 
   A Young Lad Of Fourteen,  Light And Slim,  Rode The Other: Sometimes Both 
   Ponies Were In The Carriage; And On Those Occasions The Boy Sat By Her 
   Side,  And Drove. 
     
   "What's The Matter,  Edward?" Called Out Lord Hartledon To His Son. 
     
   "Young Lordship Wants To Ride The Pony,  My Lord," Said The Groom. "My 
   Lady Ordered Me To Ride It." 
     
   At This Juncture Lady Hartledon Appeared On The Scene,  Ready For Her 
   Drive. She Had Intended To Take Her Little Son With Her--As She Generally 
   Did--But The Child Boisterously Demanded That He Should Ride The Pony For 
   Once,  And She Weakly Yielded. Lord Hartledon's Private Opinion,  Looking 
   On,  Was That She Was Literally Incapable Of Denying Him Any Earthly Thing 
   He Chose To Demand. He Went Out. 
     
   "He Had Better Go With You In The Carriage,  Maude." 
     
   "Not At All. He Sits Very Well Now,  And The Pony's Perfectly Quiet." 
     
   "But He Is Too Young To Ride By The Side Of Any Vehicle. It Is Not Safe. 
   Let Him Sit With You As Usual." 
     
   "Nonsense! Edward,  You Shall Ride The Pony. Help Him Up,  Ralph." 
     
   "No,  Maude. He--" 
     
   "Be Quiet!" Said Lady Hartledon,  Bending Towards Her Husband And Speaking 
   In Low Tones. "It Is Not For You To Interfere. Would You Deny Him 
   Everything?" 
     
   A Strangely Bitter Expression Sat On Val's Lips. Not Of Anger; Not Even 
   Mortification,  But Sad,  Cruel Pain. He Said No More. 
     
   And The Cavalcade Started. Lady Hartledon Driving,  The Boy-Groom Sitting 
   Beside Her,  And Eddie's Short Legs Striding The Pony. They Were Keeping 
   To The Park,  She Called To Her Husband,  And She Should Drive Slowly. 
     
   There Was No Real Danger,  As Val Believed; Only He Did Not Like The 
   Child's Wilful Temper Given Way To. With A Deep Sigh He Turned Indoors 
   For His Hat,  And Went Strolling Down The Avenue. Mrs. Capper Dropped A 
   Curtsey As He Passed The Lodge. 
     
   "Have You Heard From Your Son Yet?" He Asked. 
     
   "Yes,  My Lord,  Many Thanks To You. The School Suits Him Bravely." 
     
   Turning Out Of The Gates,  He Saw Floyd,  The Miller,  Walking Slowly Along. 
   The Man Had Been Confined To His Bed For Weeks In The Summer,  With An 
   Attack Of Acute Rheumatism,  And To The House Afterwards. It Was The First 
   Time They Had Met Since That Morning Long Ago,  When The Miller Brought Up 
   The Purse. Lord Hartledon Did Not Know Him At First,  He Was So Altered; 
   Pale And Reduced. 
     
   "Is It Really You,  Floyd?" 
     
   "What's Left Of Me,  My Lord." 
     
   "And That's Not Much; But I Am Glad To See You So Far Well," Said 
   Hartledon,  In His Usual Kindly Tone. "I Have Heard Reports Of You From 
   Mr. Hillary." 
     
   "Your Lordship's Altered Too." 
     
   "Am I?" 
     
   "Well,  It Seems So To Me. But It's Some Few Years Now Since I Saw You. 
   Nothing Has Ever Come To Light About That Pocket-Book,  My Lord." 
     
   "I Conclude Not,  Or I Should Have Heard Of It." 
     
   "And Your Lordship Never Came Down To See The Place!" 
     
   "No. I Left Hartledon The Same Day,  I Think,  Or The Next. After All, 
   Floyd,  I Don't See That It Is Of Any Use Looking Into These Painful 
   Things: It Cannot Bring The Dead To Life Again." 
     
   "That's,  True," Said The Miller. 
     
   He Was Walking Into Calne. Lord Hartledon Kept By His Side,  Talking To 
   Him. He Promised To Be As Popular A Man As His Father Had Been; And That 
   Was Saying A Great Deal. When They Came Opposite The Rectory,  Lord 
   Hartledon Wished Him Good Day And More Strength,  In His Genial Manner, 
   And Turned In At The Rectory Gates. 
     
   About Once A Week He Was In The Habit Of Calling Upon Mrs. Ashton. Peace 
   Was Between Them; And These Visits To Her Sick-Chamber Were Strangely 
   Welcome To Her Heart. She Had Loved Val Elster All Her Life,  And She 
   Loved Him Still,  In Spite Of The Past. For Val Was Curiously Subdued; And 
   His Present Mood,  Sad,  Quiet,  Thoughtful,  Was More Endearing Than His 
   Gayer One Had Been. Mrs. Ashton Did Not Fail To Read That He Was A 
   Disappointed Man,  One With Some Constant Care Upon Him. 
     
   Anne Was In The Hall When He Entered,  Talking To A Poor Applicant Who Was 
   Waiting To See The Rector. Lord Hartledon Lifted His Hat To Her,  But Did 
   Not Offer To Shake Hands. He Had Never Presumed To Touch Her Hand Since 
   The Reconciliation; In Fact,  He Scarcely Ever Saw Her. 
     
   "How Is Mrs. Ashton To-Day?" 
     
   "A Little Better,  I Think. She Will Be Glad To See You." 
     
   He Followed The Servant Upstairs,  And Anne Turned To The Woman Again. 
   Mrs. Ashton Was In An Easy-Chair Near The Window; He Drew One Close To 
   Her. 
     
   "You Are Looking Wonderful To-Day,  Do You Know?" He Began In Tones Almost 
   As Gay As Those Of The Light-Hearted Val Elster. "What Is It? That Very 
   Becoming Cap?" 
     
   "The Cap,  Of Course. Don't You See Its Pink Ribbons? Your Favourite 
   Colour Used To Be Pink,  Val. Do You Remember?" 
     
   "I Remember Everything. But Indeed And In Truth You Look Better,  Dear 
   Mrs. Ashton." 
     
   "Yes,  Better To-Day," She Said,  With A Sigh. "I Shall Fluctuate To The 
   End,  I Suppose; One Day Better,  The Next Worse. Val,  I Think Sometimes 
   It Is Not Far Off Now." 
     
   Very Far Off He Knew It Could Not Be. But He Spoke Of Hope Still: It Was 
   In His Nature To Do So. In The Depths Of His Heart,  So Hidden From The 
   World,  There Seemed To Be Hope For The Whole Living Creation,  Himself 
   Excepted. 
     
   "How Is Your Wife To-Day?" 
     
   "Quite Well. She And Edward Are Out With The Ponies And Carriage." 
     
   "She Never Comes To See Me." 
     
   "She Does Not Go To See Anyone. Though Well,  She's Not Very Strong Yet." 
     
   "But She's Young,  And Will Grow Strong. I Shall Only Grow Weaker. I Am 
   Brave To-Day; But You Should Have Seen Me Last Night. So Prostrate! I 
   Almost Doubted Whether I Should Rise From My Bed Again. I Do Not Think 
   You Will Have To Come Here Many More Times." 
     
   "Oh,  Mrs. Ashton!" 
     
   "A Little Sooner Or A Little Later,  What Does It Matter,  I Try To Ask 
   Myself; But Parting Is Parting,  And My Heart Aches Sometimes. One Of My 
   Aches Will Be Leaving You." 
     
   "A Very Minor One Then," He Said,  With Deprecation; But Tears Shone In 
   His Dark Blue Eyes. 
     
   "Not A Minor One. I Have Loved You As A Son. I Never Loved You More, 
   Percival,  Than When That Letter Of Yours Came To Me At Cannes." 
     
   It Was The First Time She Had Alluded To It: The Letter Written The 
   Evening Of His Marriage. Val's Face Turned Red,  For His Perfidy Rose Up 
   Before Him In Its Full Extent Of Shame. 
     
   "I Don't Care To Speak Of That," He Whispered. "If You Only Knew What My 
   Humiliation Has Been!" 
     
   "Not Of That,  No; I Don't Know Why I Mentioned It. But I Want You To 
   Speak Of Something Else,  Val. Over And Over Again Has It Been On My Lips 
   To Ask It. What Secret Trouble Is Weighing You Down?" 
     
   A Far Greater Change,  Than The One Called Up By Recollection And Its 
   Shame,  Came Over His Face Now. He Did Not Speak; And Mrs. Ashton 
   Continued. She Held His Hands As He Bent Towards Her. 
     
   "I Have Seen It All Along. At First--I Don't Mind Confessing It--I Took 
   It For Granted That You Were On Bad Terms With Yourself On Account Of The 
   Past. I Feared There Was Something Wrong Between You And Your Wife,  And 
   That You Were Regretting Anne. But I Soon Put That Idea From Me,  To 
   Replace It With A Graver One." 
     
   "What Graver One?" He Asked. 
     
   "Nay,  I Know Not. I Want You To Tell Me. Will You Do So?" 
     
   He Shook His Head With An Unmistakable Gesture,  Unconsciously Pressing 
   Her Hands To Pain. 
     
   "Why Not?" 
     
   "You Have Just Said I Am Dear To You," He Whispered; "I Believe I Am So." 
     
   "As Dear,  Almost,  As My Own Children." 
     
   "Then Do Not Even Wish To Know It. It Is An Awful Secret; And I Must Bear 
   It Without Sympathy Of Any Sort,  Alone And In Silence. It Has Been Upon 
   Me For Some Years Now,  Taking The Sweetness Out Of My Daily Bread; And It 
   Will,  I Suppose,  Go With Me To My Grave. Not Scarcely To Lift It Off My 
   Shoulders,  Would I Impart It To _You_." 
     
   She Sighed Deeply; And Thought It Must Be Connected With Some Of His 
   Youthful Follies. But She Loved Him Still; She Had Faith In Him; She 
   Believed That He Went Wrong From Misfortune More Than From Fault. 
     
   "Courage,  Val," She Whispered. "There Is A Better World Than This, 
   Where Sorrow And Sighing Cannot Enter. Patience--And Hope--And Trust In 
   God!--Always Bearing Onwards. In Time We Shall Attain To It." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Gently Drew His Hands Away,  And Turned To The Window For A 
   Moment's Respite. His Eyes Were Greeted With The Sight Of One Of His Own 
   Servants,  Approaching The Rectory At Full Speed,  Some Half-Dozen Idlers 
   Behind Him. 
     
   With A Prevision That Something Was Wrong,  He Said A Word Of Adieu To 
   Mrs. Ashton,  Went Down,  And Met The Man Outside. Dr. Ashton,  Who Had Seen 
   The Approach,  Also Hurried Out. 
     
   There Had Been Some Accident In The Park,  The Man Said. The Pony Had 
   Swerved And Thrown Little Lord Elster: Thrown Him Right Under The Other 
   Pony's Feet,  As It Seemed. The Servant Made Rather A Bungle Over His 
   News,  But This Was Its Substance. 
     
   "And The Result? Is He Much Hurt?" Asked Lord Hartledon,  Constraining His 
   Voice To Calmness. 
     
   "Well,  No; Not Hurt At All,  My Lord. He Was Up Again Soon,  Saying He'd 
   Lash The Pony For Throwing Him. He Don't Seem Hurt A Bit." 
     
   "Then Why Need You Have Alarmed Us So?" Interrupted Dr. Ashton, 
   Reprovingly. 
     
   "Well,  Sir,  It's Her Ladyship Seems Hurt--Or Something," Cried The Man. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Looked At Him. 
     
   "What Have You Come To Tell,  Richard? Speak Out." 
     
   Apparently Richard Could Not Speak Out. His Lady Had Been Frightened And 
   Fainted,  And Did Not Come To Again. And Lord Hartledon Waited To Hear No 
   More. 
     
   The People,  Standing About In The Park Here And There--For Even This 
   Slight Accident Had Gathered Its Idlers Together--Seemed To Look At Lord 
   Hartledon Curiously As He Passed Them. Close To The House He Met Ralph 
   The Groom. The Boy Was Crying. 
     
   "'Twasn't No Fault Of Anybody's,  My Lord; And There Ain't Any Damage To 
   The Ponies," He Began,  Hastening To Excuse Himself. "The Little Lord Only 
   Slid Off,  And They Stood As Quiet As Quiet. There Wasn't No Cause For My 
   Lady's Fear." 
     
   "Is She Fainting Still?" 
     
   "They Say She's--Dead." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Pressed Onwards,  And Met Mr. Hillary At The Hall-Door. The 
   Surgeon Took His Arm And Drew Him Into An Empty Room. 
     
   "Hillary! Is It True?" 
     
   "I'm Afraid It Is." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Felt His Sight Failing. For A Moment He Was A Man Groping 
   In The Dark. Steadying Himself Against The Wall,  He Learned The Details. 
     
   The Child's Pony Had Swerved. Ralph Could Not Tell At What,  And Lady 
   Hartledon Did Not Survive To Tell. She Was Looking At Him At The Time, 
   And Saw Him Flung Under The Feet Of The Other Pony,  And She Rose Up In 
   The Carriage With A Scream,  And Then Fell Back Into The Seat Again. Ralph 
   Jumped Out And Picked Up The Child,  Who Was Not Hurt At All; But When He 
   Hastened To Tell Her This,  He Saw That She Seemed To Have No Life In Her. 
   One Of The Servants,  Richard,  Happened To Be Going Through The Park, 
   Within Sight; Others Soon Came Up; And Whilst Lady Hartledon Was Being 
   Driven Home Richard Ran For Mr. Hillary,  And Then Sought His Master,  Whom 
   He Found At The Rectory. The Surgeon Had Found Her Dead. 
     
   "It Must Have Been Instantaneous," He Observed In Low Tones As He 
   Concluded These Particulars. "One Great Consolation Is,  That She Was 
   Spared All Suffering." 
     
   "And Its Cause?" Breathed Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "The Heart. I Don't Entertain The Least Doubt About It." 
     
   "You Said She Had No Heart Disease. Others Said It." 
     
   "I Said,  If She Had It,  It Was Not Developed. Sudden Death From It Is Not 
   At All Uncommon Where Disease Has Never Been Suspected." 
     
   And This Was All The Conclusion Come To In The Case Of Lady Hartledon. 
   Examination Proved The Surgeon's Surmise To Be Correct; And In Answer To 
   A Certain Question Put By Lord Hartledon,  He Said The Death Was Entirely 
   Irrespective Of Any Trouble,  Or Care,  Or Annoyance She Might Have Had In 
   The Past; Irrespective Even Of Any Shock,  Except The Shock At The Moment 
   Of Death,  Caused By Seeing The Child Thrown. That,  And That Alone,  Had 
   Been The Fatal Cause. Lord Hartledon Listened To This,  And Went Away To 
   His Lonely Chamber And Fell On His Knees In Devout Thankfulness To Heaven 
   That He Was So Far Innocent. 
     
   "If She Had Not Given Way To The Child!" He Bitterly Aspirated In The 
   First Moments Of Sorrow. 
     
   That The Countess-Dowager Should Come Down Post-Haste And Invade 
   Hartledon,  Was Of Course Only Natural; And Lord Hartledon Strove Not To 
   Rebel Against It. But She Made Herself So Intensely And Disagreeably 
   Officious That His Patience Was Sorely Tried. Her First Act Was To Insist 
   On A Stately Funeral. He Had Given Orders For One Plain And Quiet In 
   Every Way; But She Would Have Her Wish Carried Out,  And Raved About The 
   House,  Abusing Him For His Meanness And Want Of Respect To His Dead Wife. 
   For Peace' Sake,  He Was Fain To Give Her Her Way; And The Funeral Was 
   Made As Costly As She Pleased. Thomas Carr Came Down To It; And The 
   Countess-Dowager Was Barely Civil To Him. 
     
   Her Next Care Was To Assume The Entire Management Of The Two Children, 
   Putting Lord Hartledon's Authority Over Them At Virtual,  If Not Actual, 
   Defiance. The Death Of Her Daughter Was In Truth A Severe Blow To The 
   Dowager; Not From Love,  For She Really Possessed No Natural Affection At 
   All,  But From Fear That She Should Lose Her Footing In The House Which 
   Was So Desirable A Refuge. As A Preliminary Step Against This,  She Began 
   To Endeavour To Make It More Firm And Secure. Altogether She Was 
   Rendering Hartledon Unbearable; And Val Would Often Escape From It, 
   His Boy In His Hand,  And Take Refuge With Mrs. Ashton. 
     
   That Lord Hartledon's Love For His Children Was Intense There Could Be No 
   Question About; But It Was Nevertheless Of A Peculiarly Reticent Nature. 
   He Had Rarely,  If Ever,  Been Seen To Caress Them. The Boy Told Tales Of 
   How Papa Would Kiss Him,  Even Weep Over Him,  In Solitude; But He Would 
   Not Give Him So Much As An Endearing Name In The Presence Of Others. Poor 
   Maude Had Called Him All The Pet Names In A Fond Mother's Vocabulary; 
   Lord Hartledon Always Called Him Edward,  And Nothing More. 
     
   A Few Evenings After The Funeral Had Taken Place,  Mirrable,  Who Had Been 
   Into Calne,  Was Hurrying Back In The Twilight. As She Passed Jabez Gum's 
   Gate,  The Clerk's Wife Was Standing At It,  Talking To Mrs. Jones. The Two 
   Were Laughing: Mrs. Gum Seemed In A Less Depressed State Than Usual,  And 
   The Other Less Snappish. 
     
   "Is It You!" Exclaimed Mrs. Jones,  As Mirrable Stopped. "I Was Just 
   Saying I'd Not Set Eyes On You In Your New Mourning." 
     
   "And Laughing Over It," Returned Mirrable. 
     
   "No!" Was Mrs. Jones's Retort. "I'd Been Telling Of A Trick I Served 
   Jones,  And Nance Was Laughing At That. Silk And Crepe! It's Fine To Be 
   You,  Mrs. Mirrable!" 
     
   "How's Jabez,  Nancy?" Asked Mirrable,  Passing Over Mrs. Jones's 
   Criticism. 
     
   "He's Gone To Garchester," Replied Mrs. Gum,  Who Was Given To Indirect 
   Answers. "I Thought I Was Never Going To See You Again,  Mary." 
     
   "You Could Not Expect To See Me Whilst The House Was In Its Recent 
   State," Answered Mirrable. "We Have Been In A Bustle,  As You May 
   Suppose." 
     
   "You've Not Had Many Staying There." 
     
   "Only Mr. Carr; And He Left To-Day. We've Got The Old Countess-Dowager 
   Still." 
     
   "And Likely To Have Her,  If All's True That's Said," Put In Mrs. Jones. 
     
   Mirrable Tacitly Admitted The Probability. Her Private Opinion Was That 
   Nothing Short Of A Miracle Could Ever Remove The Dowager Kirton From The 
   House Again. Had Any One Told Mirrable,  As She Stood There,  That Her 
   Ladyship Would Be Leaving Of Her Own Accord That Night,  She Had Simply 
   Said It Was Impossible. 
     
   "Mary," Cried The Weak Voice Of Poor Timid Mrs. Gum,  "How Was It None Of 
   The Brothers Came To The Funeral? Jabez Was Wondering. She Had A Lot, 
   I've Heard." 
     
   "It Was Not Convenient To Them,  I Suppose," Replied Mirrable. "The One 
   In The Isle Of Wight Had Gone Cruising In Somebody's Yacht,  Or He'd Have 
   Come With The Dowager; And Lord Kirton Telegraphed From Ireland That He 
   Was Prevented Coming. I Know Nothing About The Rest." 
     
   "It Was An Awful Death!" Shivered Mrs. Gum. "And Without Cause Too; For 
   The Child Was Not Hurt After All. Isn't My Lord Dreadfully Cut Up,  Mary?" 
     
   "I Think So; He's Very Quiet And Subdued. But He Has Seemed Full Of 
   Sorrow For A Long While,  As If He Had Some Dreadful Care Upon Him. I 
   Don't Think He And His Wife Were Very Happy Together," Added Mirrable. 
   "My Lord's Likely To Make Hartledon His Chief Residence Now,  I Fancy, 
   For--My Gracious! What's That?" 
     
   A Crash As If A Whole Battery Of Crockery Had Come Down Inside The 
   House. A Moment Of Staring Consternation Ensued,  And Nervous Mrs. Gum 
   Looked Ready To Faint. The Two Women Disappeared Indoors,  And Mirrable 
   Turned Homewards At A Brisk Pace. But She Was Not To Go On Without An 
   Interruption. Pike's Head Suddenly Appeared Above The Hurdles,  And He 
   Began Inquiring After Her Health. "Toothache Gone?" Asked He. 
     
   "Yes," She Said,  Answering Straightforwardly In Her Surprise. "How Did 
   You Know I Had Toothache?" It Was Not The First Time By Several He Had 
   Thus Accosted Her; And To Give Her Her Due,  She Was Always Civil To Him. 
   Perhaps She Feared To Be Otherwise. 
     
   "I Heard Of It. And So My Lord Hartledon's Like A Man With Some Dreadful 
   Care Upon Him!" He Went On. "What Is The Care?" 
     
   "You Have Been Eavesdropping!" She Angrily Exclaimed. 
     
   "Not A Bit Of It. I Was Seated Under The Hedge With My Pipe,  And You 
   Three Women Began Talking. I Didn't Tell You To. Well,  What's His 
   Lordship's Care?" 
     
   "Just Mind Your Own Business,  And His Lordship Will Mind His," She 
   Retorted. "You'll Get Interfered With In A Way You Won't Like,  Pike,  One 
   Of These Days,  Unless You Mend Your Manners." 
     
   "A Great Care On Him," Nodded Pike To Himself,  Looking After Her,  As She 
   Walked Off In Her Anger. "A Great Care! _I_ Know. One Of These Fine Days, 
   My Lord,  I May Be Asking You Questions About It On My Own Score. I Might 
   Long Before This,  But For--" 
     
   The Sentence Broke Off Abruptly,  And Ended With A Growl At Things In 
   General. Mr. Pike Was Evidently Not In A Genial Mood. 
     
   Mirrable Reached Home To Find The Countess-Dowager In A State More Easily 
   Imagined Than Described. Some Sprite,  Favourable To The Peace Of 
   Hartledon,  Had Been Writing Confidentially From Ireland Regarding Kirton 
   And His Doings. That Her Eldest Son Was About To Steal A March On Her And 
   Marry Again Seemed Almost Indisputably Clear; And The Miserable Dowager, 
   Dancing Her War-Dance And Uttering Reproaches,  Was Repacking Her Boxes In 
   Haste. Those Boxes,  Which She Had Fondly Hoped Would Never Again Leave 
   Hartledon,  Unless It Might Be For Sojourns In Park Lane! She Was Going 
   Back To Ireland To Mount Guard,  And Prevent Any Such Escapade. Only In 
   September Had She Quitted Him--And Then Had Been As Nearly Ejected As A 
   Son Could Eject His Mother With Any Decency--And Had Taken The Isle Of 
   Wight On Her Way To Hartledon. The Son Who Lived In The Isle Of Wight 
   Had Espoused A Widow Twice His Own Age,  With Eleven Hundred A Year,  And A 
   House And Carriage; So That He Had A Home: Which The Countess-Dowager 
   Sometimes Remembered. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Was Liberal. He Gave Her A Handsome Sum For Her Journey, 
   And A Cheque Besides; Most Devoutly Praying That She Might Keep Guard 
   Over Kirton For Ever. He Escorted Her To The Station Himself In A Closed 
   Carriage,  An Omnibus Having Gone Before Them With A Mountain Of Boxes, 
   At Which All Calne Came Out To Stare. 
     
   And The Same Week,  Confiding His Children To The Joint Care Of Mirrable 
   And Their Nurse--An Efficient,  Kind,  And Judicious Woman--Lord Hartledon 
   Departed From Home And England For A Sojourn On The Continent,  Long Or 
   Short,  As Inclination Might Lead Him,  Feeling As A Bird Released From 
   Its Cage. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 31 (Coming Home) 
     
   Some Eighteen Months After The Event Recorded In The Last Chapter,  A 
   Travelling Carriage Dashed Up To A House In Park Lane One Wet Evening 
   In Spring. It Contained Lord Hartledon And His Second Wife. They Were 
   Expected,  And The Servants Were Assembled In The Hall. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Led Her Into Their Midst,  Proudly,  Affectionately; As He 
   Had Never In His Life Led Any Other. Ah,  You Need Not Ask Who She Was; He 
   Had Contrived To Win Her,  To Win Over Dr. Ashton; And His Heart Had At 
   Length Found Rest. Her Fair Countenance,  Her Thoughtful Eyes And Sweet 
   Smile Were Turned On The Servants,  Thanking Them For Their Greeting. 
     
   "All Well,  Hedges?" Asked Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "Quite Well,  My Lord. But We Are Not Alone." 
     
   "No!" Said Val,  Stopping In His Progress. "Who's Here?" 
     
   "The Countess-Dowager Of Kirton,  My Lord," Replied Hedges,  Glancing At 
   Lady Hartledon In Momentary Hesitation. 
     
   "Oh,  Indeed!" Said Val,  As If Not Enjoying The Information. "Just See, 
   Hedges,  That The Things Inside The Carriage Are All Taken Out. Don't Come 
   Up,  Mrs. Ball; I Will Take Lady Hartledon To Her Rooms." 
     
   It Was The Light-Hearted Val Of The Old,  Old Days; His Face Free From 
   Care,  His Voice Gay. He Did Not Turn Into Any Of The Reception-Rooms,  But 
   Led His Wife At Once To Her Chamber. It Was Nearly Dinner-Time,  And He 
   Knew She Was Tired. 
     
   "Welcome Home,  My Darling!" He Whispered Tenderly Ere Releasing Her. "A 
   Thousand Welcomes To You,  My Dear,  Dear Wife!" 
     
   Tears Rose To His Eyes With The Fervour Of The Wish. Heaven Alone Knew 
   What The Past Had Been; The Contrast Between That Time And This. 
     
   "I Will Dress At Once,  Percival," She Said,  After A Few Moments' Pause. 
   "I Must See Your Children Before Dinner. Heaven Helping Me,  I Shall Love 
   Them And Always Act By Them As If They Were My Own." 
     
   "I Am So Sorry She Is Here,  Anne--That Terrible Old Woman. You Heard 
   Hedges Say Lady Kirton Had Arrived. Her Visit Is Ill-Timed." 
     
   "I Shall Be Glad To Welcome Her,  Val." 
     
   "It Is More Than I Shall Be," Replied Val,  As His Wife's Maid Came Into 
   The Room,  And He Quitted It. "I'll Bring The Children To You,  Anne." 
     
   They Had Been Married Nearly Five Weeks. Anne Had Not Seen The Children 
   For Several Months. The Little Child,  Edward,  Had Shown Symptoms Of 
   Delicacy,  And For Nearly A Year The Children Had Sojourned At The 
   Seaside,  Having Been Brought To The Town-House Just Before Their Father's 
   Marriage. 
     
   The Nursery Was Empty,  And Lord Hartledon Went Down. In The Passage 
   Outside The Drawing-Room Was Hedges,  Evidently Waiting For His Master, 
   And With A Budget To Unfold. 
     
   "When Did She Come,  Hedges?" 
     
   "My Lord,  It Was Only A Few Days After Your Marriage," Replied Hedges. 
   "She Arrived In The Most Outrageous Tantrum--If I Shall Not Offend Your 
   Lordship By Saying So--And Has Been Here Ever Since,  Completely Upsetting 
   Everything." 
     
   "What Was Her Tantrum About?" 
     
   "On Account Of Your Having Married Again,  My Lord. She Stood In The Hall 
   For Five Minutes When She Got Here,  Saying The Most Audacious Things 
   Against Your Lordship And Miss Ashton--I Mean My Lady," Corrected Hedges. 
     
   "The Old Hag!" Muttered Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "I Think She's Insane At Times,  My Lord; I Really Do. The Fits Of Passion 
   She Flies Into Are Quite Bad Enough For Insanity. The Housekeeper Told Me 
   This Morning She Feared She Would Be Capable Of Striking My Lady,  When 
   She First Saw Her. I'm Afraid,  Too,  She Has Been Schooling The Children." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Strode Into The Drawing-Room. There,  As Large As 
   Life--And A Great Deal Larger Than Most Lives--Was The Dowager-Countess. 
   Fortunately She Had Not Heard The Arrival: In Fact,  She Had Dropped Into 
   A Doze Whilst Waiting For It; And She Started Up When Val Entered. 
     
   "How Are You,  Ma'am?" Asked He. "You Have Taken Me By Surprise." 
     
   "Not Half As Much As Your Wicked Letter Took Me," Screamed The Old 
   Dowager. "Oh,  You Vile Man! To Marry Again In This Haste! You--You--I 
   Can't Find Words That I Should Not Be Ashamed Of; But Hamlet's Mother,  In 
   The Play,  Was Nothing To It." 
     
   "It Is Some Time Since I Read The Play," Returned Hartledon,  Controlling 
   His Temper Under An Assumption Of Indifference. "If My Memory Serves Me, 
   The 'Funeral Baked Meats Did Coldly Furnish Forth The Marriage Table.' 
   _My_ Late Wife Has Been Dead Eighteen Months,  Lady Kirton." 
     
   "Eighteen Months! For Such A Wife As Maude Was To You!" Raved The 
   Dowager. "You Ought To Have Mourned Her Eighteen Years. Anybody Else 
   Would. I Wish I Had Never Let You Have Her." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Wished It Likewise,  With All His Heart And Soul; Had 
   Wished It In His Wife's Lifetime. 
     
   "Lady Kirton,  Listen To Me! Let Us Understand Each Other. Your Visit Here 
   Is Ill-Timed; You Ought To Feel It So; Nevertheless,  If You Stay It Out, 
   You Must Observe Good Manners. I Shall Be Compelled To Request You To 
   Terminate It If You Fail One Iota In The Respect Due To This House's 
   Mistress,  My Beloved And Honoured Wife." 
     
   "Your _Beloved_ Wife! Do You Dare To Say It To Me?" 
     
   "Ay; Beloved,  Honoured And Respected As No Woman Has Ever Been By Me Yet, 
   Or Ever Will Be Again," He Replied,  Speaking Too Plainly In His Warmth. 
     
   "What A False-Hearted Monster!" Cried The Dowager,  Shrilly, 
   Apostrophizing The Walls And The Mirrors. "What Then Was Maude?" 
     
   "Maude Is Gone,  And I Counsel You Not To Bring Up Her Name To Me," Said 
   Val,  Sternly. "Your Treachery Forced Maude Upon Me; And Let Me Tell You 
   Now,  Lady Kirton,  If I Have Never Told You Before,  That It Wrought Upon 
   Her The Most Bitter Wrong Possible To Be Inflicted; Which She Lived To 
   Learn. I Was A Vacillating Simpleton,  And You Held Me In Your Trammels. 
   The Less We Rake Up Old Matters The Better. Things Have Altered. I Am 
   Altered. The Moral Courage I Once Lacked Does Not Fail Me Now; And I Have 
   At Least Sufficient To Hold My Own Against The World,  And Protect From 
   Insult The Lady I Have Made My Wife. I Beg Your Pardon If My Words Seem 
   Harsh; They Are True; And I Am Sorry You Have Forced Them From Me." 
     
   She Was Standing Still For A Moment,  Staring At Him,  Not Altogether 
   Certain Of Her Ground. 
     
   "Where Are The Children?" He Asked. 
     
   "Where You Can't Get At Them," She Rejoined Hotly. "You Have Your Beloved 
   Wife; You Don't Want Them." 
     
   He Rang The Bell,  More Loudly Than He Need Have Done; But His Usually 
   Sweet Temper Was Provoked. A Footman Came In. 
     
   "Tell The Nurse To Bring Down The Children." 
     
   "They Are Not At Home,  My Lord." 
     
   "Not At Home! Surely They Are Not Out In This Rain!--And So Late!" 
     
   "They Went Out This Afternoon,  My Lord: And Have Not Come In,  I Believe." 
     
   "There,  That Will Do," Tartly Interposed The Dowager. "You Don't Know 
   Anything About It,  And You May Go." 
     
   "Lady Kirton,  Where Are The Children?" 
     
   "Where You Can't Get At Them,  I Say," Was Lady Kirton's Response. "You 
   Don't Think I Am Going To Suffer Maude's Children To Be Domineered Over 
   By A Wretch Of A Step-Mother--Perhaps Poisoned." 
     
   He Confronted Her In His Wrath,  His Eyes Flashing. 
     
   "Madam!" 
     
   "Oh,  You Need Not 'Madam' Me. Maude's Gone,  And I Shall Act For Her." 
     
   "I Ask You Where My Children Are?" 
     
   "I Have Sent Them Away; You May Make The Most Of The Information. And 
   When I Have Remained Here As Long As I Choose,  I Shall Take Them With Me, 
   And Keep Them,  And Bring Them Up. You Can At Once Decide What Sum You 
   Will Allow Me For Their Education And Maintenance: Two Maids,  A Tutor, 
   A Governess,  Clothes,  Toys,  And Pocket-Money. It Must Be A Handsome Sum, 
   Paid Quarterly In Advance. And I Mean To Take A House In London For Their 
   Accommodation,  And Shall Expect You To Pay The Rent." 
     
   The Coolness With Which This Was Delivered Turned Val's Angry Feelings 
   Into Amusement. He Could Not Help Laughing As He Looked At Her. 
     
   "You Cannot Have My Children,  Lady Kirton." 
     
   "They Are Maude's Children," Snapped The Dowager. 
     
   "But I Presume You Admit That They Are Likewise Mine. And I Shall 
   Certainly Not Part With Them." 
     
   "If You Oppose Me In This,  I'll Put Them Into Chancery," Cried The 
   Dowager. "I Am Their Nearest Relative,  And Have A Right To Them." 
     
   "Nearest Relative!" He Repeated. "You Must Have Lost Your Senses. I Am 
   Their Father." 
     
   "And Have You Lived To See Thirty,  And Never Learnt That Men Don't Count 
   For Anything In The Bringing Up Of Infants?" Shrilly Asked The Dowager. 
   "If They Had Ten Fathers,  What's That To The Lord Chancellor? No More 
   Than Ten Blocks Of Wood. What They Want Is A Mother." 
     
   "And I Have Now Given Them One." 
     
   Without Another Word,  With The Red Flush Of Emotion On His Cheek,  He Went 
   Up To His Wife's Room. She Was Alone Then,  Dressed,  And Just Coming Out 
   Of It. He Put His Arm Round Her To Draw Her In Again,  As He Shortly 
   Explained The Annoyance Their Visitor Was Causing Him. 
     
   "You Must Stay Here,  My Dearest,  Until I Can Go Down With You," He Added. 
   "She Is In A Vile Humour,  And I Do Not Choose That You Should Encounter 
   Her,  Unprotected By Me." 
     
   "But Where Are You Going,  Val?" 
     
   "Well,  I Really Think I Shall Get A Policeman In,  And Frighten Her Into 
   Saying What She Has Done With The Children. She'll Never Tell Unless 
   Forced Into It." 
     
   Anne Laughed,  And Hartledon Went Down. He Had In Good Truth A Great Mind 
   To See What The Effect Would Be. The Old Woman Was Not A Reasonable 
   Being,  And He Felt Disposed To Show Her Very Little Consideration. As He 
   Stood At The Hall-Door Gazing Forth,  Who Should Arrive But Thomas Carr. 
   Not Altogether By Accident; He Had Come Up Exploring,  To See If There 
   Were Any Signs Of Val's Return. 
     
   "Ah! Home At Last,  Hartledon!" 
     
   "Carr,  What Happy Wind Blew You Hither?" Cried Val,  As He Grasped The 
   Hands Of His Trusty Friend. "You Can Terrify This Woman With The Thunders 
   Of The Law If She Persists In Kidnapping Children That Don't Belong To 
   Her." And He Forthwith Explained The State Of Affairs. 
     
   Mr. Carr Laughed. 
     
   "She Will Not Keep Them Away Long. She Is No Fool,  That Countess-Dowager. 
   It Is A Ruse,  No Doubt,  To Induce You To Give Them Up To Her." 
     
   "Give Them Up To Her,  Indeed!" Val Was Beginning,  When Hedges Advanced To 
   Him. 
     
   "Mrs. Ball Says The Children Have Only Gone To Madame Tussaud's,  My 
   Lord," Quoth He. "The Nurse Told Her So When She Went Out." 
     
   "I Wish She Was Herself One Of Madame Tussaud's Figure-Heads!" Cried Val. 
   "Mr. Carr Dines Here,  Hedges. Nonsense,  Carr; You Can't Refuse. Never 
   Mind Your Coat; Anne Won't Mind. I Want You To Make Acquaintance With 
   Her." 
     
   "How Did You Contrive To Win Over Dr. Ashton?" Asked Thomas Carr,  As He 
   Went In. 
     
   "I Put The Matter Before Him In Its True Light," Answered Val,  "Asking 
   Him Whether,  If Anne Forgave Me,  He Would Condemn Us To Live Out Our 
   Lives Apart From Each Other: Or Whether He Would Not Act The Part Of A 
   Good Christian,  And Give Her To Me,  That I Might Strive To Atone For The 
   Past." 
     
   "And He Did So?" 
     
   "After A Great Deal Of Trouble. There's No Time To Give You Details. I 
   Had A Powerful Advocate In Anne's Heart. She Had Never Forgotten Me,  For 
   All My Misconduct." 
     
   "You Have Been A Lucky Man At Last,  Taking One Thing With Another." 
     
   "You May Well Say So," Was The Answer,  In Tones Of Deep Feeling. 
   "Moments Come Over Me When I Fear I Am About To Awake And Find The 
   Present A Dream. I Am Only Now Beginning To _Live_. The Past Few Years 
   Have Been--You Know What,  Carr." 
     
   He Sent The Barrister Into The Drawing Room,  Went Upstairs For Anne,  And 
   Brought Her In On His Arm. The Dowager Was In Her Chamber,  Attiring 
   Herself In Haste. 
     
   "My Wife,  Carr," Said Hartledon,  With A Loving Emphasis On The Word. 
   She Was In An Evening Dress Of White And Black,  Not Having Yet Put Off 
   Mourning For Mrs. Ashton,  And Looked Very Lovely; Far More Lovely In 
   Thomas Carr's Eyes Than Lady Maude,  With Her Dark Beauty,  Had Ever 
   Looked. She Held Out Her Hand To Him With A Frank Smile. 
     
   "I Have Heard So Much Of You,  Mr. Carr,  That We Seem Like Old Friends. 
   I Am Glad You Have Come To See Me So Soon." 
     
   "My Being Here This Evening Is An Accident,  Lady Hartledon,  As You May 
   See By My Dress," He Returned. "I Ought Rather To Apologize For Intruding 
   On You In The Hour Of Your Arrival." 
     
   "Don't Talk About Intrusion," Said Val. "You Will Never Be An Intruder In 
   My House--And Anne's Smile Is Telling You The Same--" 
     
   "Who's That,  Pray?" 
     
   The Interruption Came From The Countess-Dowager. There She Stood,  Near 
   The Door,  In A Yellow Gown And Green Turban. Val Drew Himself Up And 
   Approached Her,  His Wife Still On His Arm. "Madam," Said He,  In Reply To 
   Her Question,  "This Is My Wife,  Lady Hartledon." 
     
   The Dowager's Gauzes Made Acquaintance With The Carpet In So Elaborate 
   A Curtsey As To Savour Of Mockery,  But Her Eyes Were Turned Up To The 
   Ceiling; Not A Word Or Look Gave She To The Young Lady. 
     
   "The Other One,  I Meant," Cried She,  Nodding Towards Thomas Carr. 
     
   "It Is My Friend Mr. Carr. You Appear To Have Forgotten Him." 
     
   "I Hope You Are Well,  Ma'am," Said He,  Advancing Towards Her. 
     
   Another Curtsey,  And The Countess-Dowager Fanned Herself,  And Sailed 
   Towards The Fireplace. 
     
   Meanwhile The Children Came Home In A Cab From Madame Tussaud's,  And 
   Dinner Was Announced. Lord Hartledon Was Obliged To Take Down The 
   Countess-Dowager,  Resigning His Wife To Mr. Carr. Dinner Passed Off 
   Pretty Well,  The Dowager Being Too Fully Occupied To Be Annoying; Also 
   The Good Cheer Caused Her Temper To Thaw A Little. Afterwards,  The 
   Children Came In; Edward,  A Bold,  Free Boy Of Five,  Who Walked Straight 
   Up To His Grandmother,  Saluting No One; And Maude,  A Timid,  Delicate 
   Little Child,  Who Stood Still In The Middle Of The Carpet Where The Maid 
   Placed Her. 
     
   The Dowager Was Just Then Too Busy To Pay Attention To The Children,  But 
   Anne Held Out Her Hand With A Smile. Upon Which The Child Drew Up To Her 
   Father,  And Hid Her Face In His Coat. 
     
   He Took Her Up,  And Carried Her To His Wife,  Placing Her Upon Her Knee. 
   "Maude," He Whispered,  "This Is Your Mamma,  And You Must Love Her Very 
   Much,  For She Loves You." 
     
   Anne's Arms Fondly Encircled The Child; But She Began To Struggle To Get 
   Down. 
     
   "Bad Manners,  Maude," Said Her Father. 
     
   "She's Afraid Of Her," Spoke Up The Boy,  Who Had The Dark Eyes And 
   Beautiful Features Of His Late Mother. "We Are Afraid Of Bad People." 
     
   The Observation Passed Momentarily Unnoticed,  For Maude,  Whom Lady 
   Hartledon Had Been Obliged To Release,  Would Not Be Pacified. But When 
   Calmness Ensued,  Lord Hartledon Turned To The Boy,  Just Then Assisting 
   Himself To Some Pineapple. 
     
   "What Did I Hear You Say About Bad People,  Edward?" 
     
   "She," Answered The Boy,  Pointing Towards Lady Hartledon. "She Shan't 
   Touch Maude. She's Come Here To Beat Us,  And I'll Kick If She Touches 
   Me." 
     
   Lord Hartledon,  With An Unmistakable Look At The Countess-Dowager,  Rose 
   From His Seat In Silence And Rang The Bell. There Could Be No Correction 
   In The Presence Of The Dowager; He And Anne Must Undo Her Work Alone. 
   Carrying The Little Girl In One Arm,  He Took The Boy's Hand,  And Met The 
   Servant At The Door. 
     
   "Take These Children Back To The Nursery." 
     
   "I Want Some Strawberries," The Boy Called Out Rebelliously. 
     
   "Not To-Day," Said His Father. "You Know Quite Well That You Have Behaved 
   Badly." 
     
   His Wife's Face Was Painfully Flushed. Mr. Carr Was Critically Examining 
   The Painted Landscape On His Plate; And The Turban Was Enjoying Some 
   Fruit With Perfect Unconcern. Lord Hartledon Stood An Instant Ere He 
   Resumed His Seat. 
     
   "Anne," He Said In A Voice That Trembled In Spite Of Its Displeased 
   Tones,  "Allow Me To Beg Your Pardon,  And I Do It With Shame That This 
   Gratuitous Insult Should Have Been Offered You In Your Own House. A Day 
   Or Two Will,  I Hope,  Put Matters On Their Right Footing; The Poor 
   Children,  As You See,  Have Been Tutored." 
     
   "Are You Going To Keep The Port By You All Night,  Hartledon?" 
     
   Need You Ask From Whom Came The Interruption? Mr. Carr Passed It Across 
   To Her,  Leaving Her To Help Herself; And Lord Hartledon Sat Down,  Biting 
   His Delicate Lips. 
     
   When The Dowager Seemed To Have Finished,  Anne Rose. Mr. Carr Rose Too As 
   Soon As They Had Retired. 
     
   "I Have An Engagement,  Hartledon,  And Am Obliged To Run Away. Make My 
   Adieu To Your Wife." 
     
   "Carr,  Is It Not A Crying Shame?--Enough To Incense Any Man?" 
     
   "It Is. The Sooner You Get Rid Of Her The Better." 
     
   "That's Easier Said Than Done." 
     
   When Lord Hartledon Reached The Drawing-Room,  The Dowager Was Sleeping 
   Comfortably. Looking About For His Wife,  He Found Her In The Small Room 
   Maude Used To Make Exclusively Her Own,  Which Was Not Lighted Up. She Was 
   Standing At The Window,  And Her Tears Were Quietly Falling. He Drew Her 
   Face To His Own. 
     
   "My Darling,  Don't Let It Grieve You! We Shall Soon Right It All." 
     
   "Oh,  Percival,  If The Mischief Should Have Gone Too Far!--If They Should 
   Never Look Upon Me Except As A Step-Mother! You Don't Know How Sick And 
   Troubled This Has Made Me Feel! I Wanted To Go To Them In The Nursery 
   When I Came Up,  And Did Not Dare! Perhaps The Nurse Has Also Been 
   Prejudiced Against Me!" 
     
   "Come Up With Me Now,  Love," He Whispered. 
     
   They Went Silently Upstairs,  And Found The Children Were Then In Bed And 
   Asleep. They Were Tired With Sight-Seeing,  The Nurse Said Apologetically, 
   Curtseying To Her New Mistress. 
     
   The Nurse Withdrew,  And They Stood Over The Nursery Fire,  Talking. Anne 
   Could Scarcely Account For The Extreme Depression The Event Seemed To 
   Have Thrown Upon Her. Lord Hartledon Quickly Recovered His Spirits, 
   Vowing He Should Like To "Serve Out" The Dowager. 
     
   "I Was Thankful For One Thing,  Val; That You Did Not Betray Anger To 
   Them,  Poor Little Things. It Would Have Made It Worse." 
     
   "I Was On The Point Of Betraying Something More Than Anger To Edward; But 
   The Thought That I Should Be Punishing Him For Another's Fault Checked 
   Me. I Wonder How We Can Get Rid Of Her?" 
     
   "We Must Strive To Please Her While She Stays." 
     
   "Please Her!" He Echoed. "Anne,  My Dear,  That Is Stretching Christian 
   Charity Rather Too Far." 
     
   Anne Smiled. "I Am A Clergyman's Daughter,  You Know,  Val." 
     
   "If She Is Wise,  She'll Abstain From Offending You In My Presence. I'm 
   Not Sure But I Should Lose Command Of Myself,  And Send Her Off There And 
   Then." 
     
   "I Don't Fear That. She Was Quite Civil When We Came Up From Dinner, 
   And--" 
     
   "As She Generally Is Then. She Takes Her Share Of Wine." 
     
   "And Asked Me If I Would Excuse Her Falling Into A Doze,  For She Never 
   Felt Well Without It." 
     
   Anne Was Right. The Cunning Old Woman Changed Her Tactics,  Finding Those 
   She Had Started Would Not Answer. It Has Been Remarked Before,  If You 
   Remember,  That She Knew Particularly Well On Which Side Her Bread Was 
   Buttered. Nothing Could Exceed Her Graciousness From That Evening. The 
   Past Scene Might Have Been A Dream,  For All Traces That Remained Of It. 
   Out Of The House She Was Determined Not To Go In Anger; It Was Too 
   Desirable A Refuge For That. And On The Following Day,  Upon Hearing 
   Edward Attempt Some Impudent Speech To His New Mother,  She Put Him Across 
   Her Knee,  Pulled Off An Old Slipper She Was Wearing,  And Gave Him A 
   Whipping. Anne Interposed,  The Boy Roared; But The Good Woman Had 
   Her Way. 
     
   "Don't Put Yourself Out,  Dear Lady Hartledon. There's Nothing So Good 
   For Them As A Wholesome Whipping. I Used To Try It On My Own Children 
   At Times." 
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 32 (Mr. Pike On The Wing) 
     
   The Time Went On. It May Have Been Some Twelve Or Thirteen Months Later 
   That Mr. Carr,  Sitting Alone In His Chambers,  One Evening,  Was Surprised 
   By The Entrance Of His Clerk--Who Possessed A Latch-Key As Well As 
   Himself. 
     
   "Why,  Taylor! What Brings You Here?" 
     
   "I Thought You Would Most Likely Be In,  Sir," Replied The Clerk. "Do 
   You Remember Some Few Years Ago Making Inquiries About A Man Named 
   Gorton--And You Could Not Find Him?" 
     
   "And Never Have Found Him," Was Mr. Carr's Comment. "Well?" 
     
   "I Have Seen Him This Evening. He Is Back In London." 
     
   Thomas Carr Was Not A Man To Be Startlingly Affected By Any 
   Communication; Nevertheless He Felt The Importance Of This,  For Lord 
   Hartledon's Sake. 
     
   "I Met Him By Chance,  In A Place Where I Sometimes Go Of An Evening To 
   Smoke A Cigar,  And Learned His Name By Accident," Continued Mr. Taylor. 
   "It's The Same Man That Was At Kedge And Reck's,  George Gorton; He 
   Acknowledged It At Once,  Quite Readily." 
     
   "And Where Has He Been Hiding Himself?" 
     
   "He Has Been In Australia For Several Years,  He Says; Went There Directly 
   After He Left Kedge And Reck's That Autumn." 
     
   "Could You Get Him Here,  Taylor? I Must See Him. Tell Me: What Coloured 
   Hair Has He?" 
     
   "Red,  Sir; And Plenty Of It. He Says He's Doing Very Well Over There, 
   And Has Only Come Home For A Short Change. He Does Not Seem To Be In 
   Concealment,  And Gave Me His Address When I Asked Him For It." 
     
   According To Mr. Carr's Wish,  The Man Gorton Was Brought To His Chambers 
   The Following Morning By Taylor. To The Barrister's Surprise,  A 
   Well-Dressed And Really Rather Gentlemanly Man Entered. He Had Been 
   Accustomed To Picturing This Gorton As An Arab Of London Life. Casting 
   A Keen Glance At The Red Hair,  He Saw It Was Indisputably His Own. 
     
   A Few Rapid Questions,  Which Gorton Answered Without The Slightest Demur, 
   And Mr. Carr Leaned Back In His Chair,  Knowing That All The Trouble He 
   Had Been At To Find This Man Might Have Been Spared: For He Was Not The 
   George Gordon They Had Suspected. But Mr. Carr Was Cautious,  And Betrayed 
   Nothing. 
     
   "I Am Sorry To Have Troubled You," He Said. "When I Inquired For You Of 
   Kedge And Reck Some Years Ago,  It Was Under The Impression That You Were 
   Some One Else. You Had Left; And They Did Not Know Where To Find You." 
     
   "Yes,  I Had Displeased Them Through Arresting A Wrong Man,  And Other 
   Things. I Was Down In The World Then,  And Glad To Do Anything For A 
   Living,  Even To Serving Writs." 
     
   "You Arrested The Late Lord Hartledon For His Brother," Observed Mr. 
   Carr,  With A Careless Smile. "I Heard Of It. I Suppose You Did Not Know 
   Them Apart." 
     
   "I Had Never Set Eyes On Either Of Them Before," Returned Gorton; 
   Unconsciously Confirming A Point In The Barrister's Mind; Which,  However, 
   Was Already Sufficiently Obvious. 
     
   "The Man I Wanted To Find Was Named Gordon. I Thought It Just Possible 
   That You Might Have Changed Your Name Temporarily: Some Of Us Finding It 
   Convenient To Do So On Occasion." 
     
   "I Never Changed Mine In My Life." 
     
   "And If You Had,  I Don't Suppose You'd Have Changed It To One So 
   Notorious As George Gordon." 
     
   "Notorious?" 
     
   "It Was A George Gordon Who Was The Hero Of That Piratical Affair; That 
   Mutiny On Board The _Morning Star_." 
     
   "Ah,  To Be Sure. And An Awful Villain Too! A Man I Met In Australia Knew 
   Gordon Well. But He Tells A Curious Tale,  Though. He Was A Doctor,  That 
   Gordon; Had Come Last From Somewhere In Kirkcudbrightshire." 
     
   "He Did," Said Thomas Carr,  Quietly. "What Curious Tale Does Your Friend 
   Tell?" 
     
   "Well,  Sir,  He Says--Or Rather Said,  For I've Not Seen Him Since My First 
   Visit There--That George Gordon Did Not Sail In The _Morning Star_. He 
   Was Killed In A Drunken Brawl The Night Before He Ought To Have Sailed: 
   This Man Was Present And Saw Him Buried." 
     
   "But There's Pretty Good Proof That Gordon Did Sail. He Was The 
   Ringleader Of The Mutiny." 
     
   "Well,  Yes. I Don't Know How It Could Have Been. The Man Was Positive. 
   I Never Knew Gordon; So That The Affair Did Not Interest Me Much." 
     
   "You Are Doing Well Over There?" 
     
   "Very Well. I Might Retire Now,  If I Chose To Live In A Small Way,  But I 
   Mean To Take A Few More Years Of It,  And Go On To Riches. Ah! And It Was 
   Just The Turn Of A Pin Whether I Went Over There That Second Time,  Or 
   Whether I Stopped In London To Serve Writs And Starve." 
     
   "Val Was Right," Thought The Barrister. 
     
   On The Following Saturday Mr. Carr Took A Return-Ticket,  And Went Down 
   To Hartledon: As He Had Done Once Or Twice Before In The Old Days. The 
   Hartledons Had Not Come To Town This Season; Did Not Intend To Come: Anne 
   Was Too Happy In The Birth Of Her Baby-Boy To Care For London; And Val 
   Liked Hartledon Better Than Any Other Place Now. 
     
   In One Single Respect The Past Year Had Failed To Bring Anne 
   Happiness--There Was Not Entire Confidence Between Herself And Her 
   Husband. He Had Something On His Mind,  And She Could Not Fail To See That 
   He Had. It Was Not That Awful Dread That Seemed To Possess Him In His 
   First Wife's Time; Nevertheless It Was A Weight Which Told More Or Less 
   On His Spirits At All Times. To Anne It Appeared Like Remorse; Yet She 
   Might Never Have Thought This,  But For A Word Or Two He Let Slip 
   Occasionally. Was It Connected With His Children? She Could Almost Have 
   Fancied So: And Yet In What Manner Could It Be? His Behaviour Was 
   Peculiar. He Rather Avoided Them Than Not; But When With Them Was Almost 
   Passionately Demonstrative,  Exactingly Jealous That Due Attention Should 
   Be Paid To Them: And He Seemed Half Afraid Of Caressing Anne's Baby,  Lest 
   It Should Be Thought He Cared For It More Than For The Others. Altogether 
   Lady Hartledon Puzzled Her Brains In Vain: She Could Not Make Him Out. 
   When She Questioned Him He Would Deny That There Was Anything The Matter, 
   And Said It Was Her Fancy. 
     
   They Were At Hartledon Alone: That Is,  Without The Countess-Dowager. 
   That Respected Lady,  Though Not Actually Domiciled With Them During The 
   Past Twelve-Month,  Had Paid Them Three Long Visits. She Was Determined 
   To Retain Her Right In The Household--If Right It Could Be Called. The 
   Dowager Was By Far Too Wary To Do Otherwise; And Her Behaviour To Anne 
   Was Exceedingly Mild. But Somehow She Contrived To Retain,  Or Continually 
   Renew,  Her Evil Influence Over The Children; Though So Insidiously,  That 
   Lady Hartledon Could Never Detect How Or When It Was Done,  Or Openly Meet 
   It. Neither Could She Effectually Counteract It. So Surely As The Dowager 
   Came,  So Surely Did The Young Boy And His Sister Become Unruly With Their 
   Step-Mother; Ill-Natured And Rude. Lady Hartledon Was Kind,  Judicious, 
   And Good; And Things Would So Far Be Remedied During The Crafty Dowager's 
   Absences,  As To Promise A Complete Cure; But Whenever She Returned The 
   Evil Broke Out Again. Anne Was Sorely Perplexed. She Did Not Like To Deny 
   The Children To Their Grandmother,  Who Was More Nearly Related To Them 
   Than She Herself; And She Could Only Pray That Time Would Bring About 
   Some Remedy. The Dowager Passed Her Time Pretty Equally Between Their 
   House And Her Son's. Lord Kirton Had Not Married Again,  Owing,  Perhaps, 
   To The Watch And Ward Kept Over Him. But As Soon As He Started Off To The 
   Continent,  Or Elsewhere,  Where She Could Not Follow Him,  Then Off She 
   Came,  Without Notice,  To England And Lord Hartledon's. And Val,  In His 
   Good-Nature,  Bore The Infliction Passively So Long As She Kept Civil And 
   Peaceable. 
     
   In This Also Her Husband's Behaviour Puzzled Anne. Disliking The Dowager 
   Beyond Every Other Created Being,  He Yet Suffered Her To Indulge His 
   Children; And If Any Little Passage-At-Arms Supervened,  Took Her Part 
   Rather Than His Wife's. 
     
   "I Cannot Understand You,  Val," Anne Said To Him One Day,  In Tones Of 
   Pain. "You Are Not As You Used To Be." And His Only Answer Was To Strain 
   His Wife To His Bosom With An Impassioned Gesture Of Love. 
     
   But These Were Only Episodes In Their Generally Happy Life. Never More 
   Happy,  More Free From Any External Influence,  Than When Thomas Carr 
   Arrived There On This Identical Saturday. He Went In Unexpectedly: And 
   Val's Violet Eyes,  Beautiful As Ever,  Shone Out Their Welcome; And Anne, 
   Who Happened To Have Her Baby On Her Lap,  Blushed And Smiled,  As She Held 
   It Out For The Barrister's Inspection. 
     
   "I Dare Not Take It," Said He. "You Would Be Up In Arms If It Were 
   Dropped. What Is Its Name?" 
     
   "Reginald." 
     
   A Little While,  And She Carried The Child Away,  Leaving Them Alone. Mr. 
   Carr Declined Refreshment For The Present; And He And Val Strolled Out 
   Arm-In-Arm. 
     
   "I Have Brought You An Item Of News,  Hartledon. Gorton Has Turned Up." 
     
   "Not Gordon?" 
     
   "No. And What's More,  Gorton Never Was Gordon. You Were Right,  And 
   I Was Wrong. I Would Have Bet A Ten-Pound Note--A Great Venture For A 
   Barrister--That The Men Were The Same; Never,  In Point Of Fact,  Had A 
   Doubt Of It." 
     
   "You Would Not Listen To Me," Said Val. "I Told You I Was Sure I Could 
   Not Have Failed To Recognize Gordon,  Had He Been The One Who Was Down At 
   Calne With The Writ." 
     
   "But You Acknowledged That It Might Have Been He,  Nevertheless; That His 
   Red Hair Might Have Been False; That You Never Had A Distinct View Of The 
   Man's Face; And That The Only Time You Spoke To Him Was In The Gloaming," 
   Reiterated Thomas Carr. "Well,  As It Turns Out,  We Might Have Spared Half 
   Our Pains And Anxiety,  For Gorton Was Never Any One But Himself: An 
   Innocent Sheriff's Officer,  As Far As You Are Concerned,  Who Had Never, 
   In His Life Set Eyes On Val Elster Until He Went After Him To Calne." 
     
   "Didn't I Say So?" Reiterated Val. "Gordon Would Have Known Me Too Well 
   To Arrest Edward For Me." 
     
   "But You Admitted The General Likeness Between You And Your Brother; And 
   Gordon Had Not Seen You For Three Years Or More." 
     
   "Yes; I Admitted All You Say,  And Perhaps Was A Little Doubtful Myself. 
   But I Soon Shook Off The Doubt,  And Of Late Years Have Been Sure That 
   Gordon Was Really Dead. It Has Been More Than A Conviction. I Always Said 
   There Were No Grounds For Connecting The Two Together." 
     
   "I Had My Grounds For Doing It," Remarked The Barrister. "Gorton,  It 
   Seems,  Has Been In Australia Ever Since. No Wonder Green Could Not 
   Unearth Him In London. He's Back Again On A Visit,  Looking Like A 
   Gentleman; And Really I Can't Discover That There Was Ever Anything 
   Against Him,  Except That He Was Down In The World. Taylor Met Him The 
   Other Day,  And I Had Him Brought To My Chambers; And Have Told You The 
   Result." 
     
   "You Do Not Now Feel Any Doubt That Gordon's Dead?" 
     
   "None At All. Your Friend,  Gordon Of Kircudbright,  Was The One Who 
   Embarked,  Or Ought To Have Embarked,  On The _Morning Star_,  Homeward 
   Bound," Said Mr. Carr. And He Forthwith Told Lord Hartledon What The Man 
   Had Said. 
     
   A Silence Ensued. Lord Hartledon Was In Deep And Evidently Not Pleasant 
   Thought; And The Barrister Stole A Glance At Him. 
     
   "Hartledon,  Take Comfort. I Am As Cautious By Nature As I Believe It Is 
   Possible For Any One To Be; And I Am Sure The Man Is Dead,  And Can Never 
   Rise Up To Trouble You." 
     
   "I Have Been Sure Of That For Years," Replied Hartledon Quietly. "I Have 
   Just Said So." 
     
   "Then What Is Disturbing You?" 
     
   "Oh,  Carr,  How Can You Ask It?" Came The Rejoinder. "What Is It Lies On 
   My Mind Day And Night; Is Wearing Me Out Before My Time? Discovery May Be 
   Avoided; But When I Look At The Children--At The Boy Especially--It Would 
   Have Turned Some Men Mad," He More Quietly Added,  Passing His Hand Across 
   His Brow. "As Long As He Lives,  I Cannot Have Rest From Pain. The Sins Of 
   The Fathers--" 
     
   "Yes,  Yes," Interposed Mr. Carr,  Hastily. "Still The Case Is Light, 
   Compared With What We Once Dreaded." 
     
   "Light For Me,  Heavy For Him." 
     
   Mr. Carr Remained With Them Until The Monday: He Then Went Back To London 
   And Work; And Time Glided On Again. An Event Occurred The Following 
   Winter Which Shall Be Related At Once; More Especially As Nothing Of 
   Moment Took Place In Those Intervening Months Needing Special Record. 
     
   The Man Pike,  Who Still Occupied His Shed Undisturbed,  Had Been Ailing 
   For Some Time. An Attack Of Rheumatic Fever In The Summer Had Left Him 
   Little Better Than A Cripple. He Crawled Abroad Still When He Was Able, 
   And _Would_ Do So,  In Spite Of What Mr. Hillary Said; Would Lie About The 
   Damp Ground In A Lawless,  Gipsying Sort Of Manner; But By The Time Winter 
   Came All That Was Over,  And Mr. Pike's Career,  As Foretold By The 
   Surgeon,  Was Drawing Rapidly To A Close. Mrs. Gum Was His Good Samaritan, 
   As She Had Been In The Fever Some Years Before,  Going In And Out And 
   Attending To Him; And In A Reasonable Way Pike Wanted For Nothing. 
     
   "How Long Can I Last?" He Abruptly Asked The Doctor One Morning. "Needn't 
   Fear To Say. _She_'S The Only One That Will Take On; I Shan't." 
     
   He Alluded To Mrs. Gum,  Who Had Just Gone Out. The Surgeon Considered. 
     
   "Two Or Three Days." 
     
   "As Much As That?" 
     
   "I Think So." 
     
   "Oh!" Said Pike. "When It Comes To The Last Day I Should Like To See Lord 
   Hartledon." 
     
   "Why The Last Day?" 
     
   The Man's Pinched Features Broke Into A Smile; Pleasant And Fair Features 
   Once,  With A Gentle Look Upon Them. The Black Wig And Whiskers Lay Near 
   Him; But The Real Hair,  Light And Scanty,  Was Pushed Back From The Damp 
   Brow. 
     
   "No Use,  Then,  To Think Of Giving Me Up: No Time Left For It." 
     
   "I Question If Lord Hartledon Would Give You Up Were You In Rude Health. 
   I'm Sure He Would Not," Added Mr. Hillary,  Endorsing His Opinion Rather 
   Emphatically. "If Ever There Was A Kindly Nature In The World,  It's His. 
   What Do You Want With Him?" 
     
   "I Should Like To Say A Word To Him In Private," Responded Pike. 
     
   "Then You'd Better Not Wait To Say It. I'll Tell Him Of Your Wish. It's 
   All Safe. Why,  Pike,  If The Police Themselves Came They Wouldn't Trouble 
   To Touch You Now." 
     
   "I Shouldn't Much Care If They Did," Said The Man. "_I_ Haven't Cared For 
   A Long While; But There Were The Others,  You Know." 
     
   "Yes," Said Mr. Hillary. 
     
   "Look Here," Said Pike; "No Need To Tell Him Particulars; Leave Them 
   Till I'm Gone. I Don't Know That I'd Like _Him_ To Look Me In The Face, 
   Knowing Them." 
     
   "As You Will," Said Mr. Hillary,  Falling In With The Wish More Readily 
   Than He Might Have Done For Anyone But A Dying Man. 
     
   He Had Patients Out Of Calne,  Beyond Hartledon,  And Called In Returning. 
   It Was A Snowy Day; And As The Surgeon Was Winding Towards The House, 
   Past The Lodge,  With A Quick Step,  He Saw A White Figure Marching Across 
   The Park. It Was Lord Hartledon. He Had Been Caught In The Storm,  And 
   Came Up Laughing. 
     
   "Umbrellas Are At A Premium," Observed Mr. Hillary,  With The Freedom Long 
   Intimacy Had Sanctioned. 
     
   "It Didn't Snow When I Came Out," Said Hartledon,  Shaking Himself,  And 
   Making Light Of The Matter. "Were You Coming To Honour Me With A Morning 
   Call?" 
     
   "I Was And I Wasn't," Returned The Surgeon. "I've No Time For Morning 
   Calls,  Unless They Are Professional Ones; But I Wanted To Say A Word To 
   You. Have You A Mind For A Further Walk In The Snow?" 
     
   "As Far As You Like." 
     
   "There's A Patient Of Mine Drawing Very Near The Time When Doctors Can Do 
   No More For Him. He Has Expressed A Wish To See You,  And I Undertook To 
   Convey The Request." 
     
   "I'll Go,  Of Course," Said Val,  All His Kindliness On The Alert. "Who Is 
   It?" 
     
   "A Black Sheep," Answered The Surgeon. "I Don't Know Whether That Will 
   Make Any Difference?" 
     
   "It Ought Not," Said Val Rather Warmly. "Black Sheep Have More Need Of 
   Help Than White Ones,  When It Comes To The Last. I Suppose It's A Poacher 
   Wanting To Clear His Conscience." 
     
   "It's Pike," Said Hillary. 
     
   "Pike! What Can He Want With Me? Is He No Better?" 
     
   "He'll Never Be Better In This World; And To Speak The Truth,  I Think 
   It's Time He Left It. He'll Be Happier,  Poor Fellow,  Let's Hope,  In 
   Another Than He Has Been In This. Has It Ever Struck You,  Lord Hartledon, 
   That There Was Something Strange About Pike,  And His Manner Of Coming 
   Here?" 
     
   "Very Strange Indeed." 
     
   "Well,  Pike Is Not Pike,  But Another Man--Which I Suppose You Will Say Is 
   Irish. But That He Is So Ill,  And It Would Not Be Worth While For The Law 
   To Take Him,  He Might Be In Mortal Fear Of Your Seeing Him,  Lest You 
   Betrayed Him. He Wanted You Not To Be Informed Until The Last Hour. I 
   Told Him There Was No Fear." 
     
   "I Would Not Betray Any Living Man,  Whatever His Crime,  For The Whole 
   World," Returned Lord Hartledon; His Voice So Earnest As To Amount To 
   Pain. And The Surgeon Looked At Him; But There Rose Up In His Remembrance 
   How _He_ Had Been Avoiding Betrayal For Years. "Who Is He?" 
     
   "Willy Gum." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Turned His Head Sharply Under Cover Of The Surgeon's 
   Umbrella,  For They Were Walking Along Together. A Thought Crossed Him 
   That The Words Might Be A Jest. 
     
   "Yes,  Pike Is Willy Gum," Continued Mr. Hillary. "And There You Have The 
   Explanation Of The Poor Mother's Nervous Terrors. I Do Pity Her. The 
   Clerk Has Taken It More Philosophically,  And Seemed Only To Care Lest The 
   Fact Should Become Known. Ah,  Poor Thing! What A Life Hers Has Been! Her 
   Fears Of The Wild Neighbour,  Her Basins For Cats,  Are All Explained Now. 
   She Dreaded Lest Calne Should Suspect That She Occasionally Stole Into 
   The Shed Under Cover Of The Night With The Basins Containing Food For Its 
   Inmate. There The Man Has Lived--If You Can Call Such An Existence 
   Living; Willy Gum,  Concealed By His Borrowed Black Hair And Whiskers. But 
   That He Was Only A Boy When He Went Away,  Calne Would Have Recognized Him 
   In Spite Of Them." 
     
   "And He Is Not A Poacher And A Snarer,  And I Don't Know What All,  Leading 
   A Lawless Life,  And Thieving For His Living?" Exclaimed Lord Hartledon, 
   The First Question That Rose To The Surface,  Amidst The Many That Were 
   Struggling In His Mind. 
     
   "I Don't Believe The Man Has Touched The Worth Of A Pin Belonging To 
   Any One Since He Came Here,  Even On Your Preserves. People Took Up The 
   Notion From His Wild Appearance,  And Because He Had No Ostensible Means 
   Of Living. It Would Not Have Done To Let Them Know That He Had His 
   Supplies--Sometimes Money,  Sometimes Food--From Respectable Clerk Gum's." 
     
   "But Why Should He Be In Concealment At All? That Bank Affair Was Made 
   All Right At The Time." 
     
   "There Are Other Things He Feared,  It Seems. I've Not Time To Enter Into 
   Details Now; You'll Know Them Later. There He Is--Pike: And There He'll 
   Die--Pike Always." 
     
   "How Long Have You Known It?" 
     
   "Since That Fever He Caught From The Rectory Some Years Ago. I Recollect 
   Your Telling Me Not To Let Him Want For Anything;" And Lord Hartledon 
   Winced At The Remembrance Brought Before Him,  As He Always Did Wince At 
   The Unhappy Past. "I Never Shall Forget It. I Went In,  Thinking Pike Was 
   Ill,  And That He,  Wild And Disreputable Though He Had The Character Of 
   Being,  Might Want Physic As Well As His Neighbours. Instead Of The 
   Black-Haired Bear I Expected To See,  There Lay A Young,  Light,  Delicate 
   Fellow,  With A White Brow,  And Cheeks Pink With Fever. The Features 
   Seemed Familiar To Me; Little By Little Recognition Came To Me,  And I 
   Saw It Was Willy Gum,  Whom Every One Had Been Mourning As Dead. He Said 
   A Pleading Word Or Two,  That I Would Keep His Secret,  And Not Give Him Up 
   To Justice. I Did Not Understand What There Was To Give Him Up For Then. 
   However,  I Promised. He Was Too Ill To Say Much; And I Went To The Next 
   Door,  And Put It To Gum's Wife That She Should Go And Nurse Pike For 
   Humanity's Sake. Of Course It Was What She Wanted To Do. Poor Thing! She 
   Fell On Her Knees Later,  Beseeching Me Not To Betray Him." 
     
   "And You Have Kept Counsel All This Time?" 
     
   "Yes," Said The Surgeon,  Laconically. "Would Your Lordship Have Done 
   Otherwise,  Even Though It Had Been A Question Of Hanging?" 
     
   "_I!_ I Wouldn't Give A Man A Month At The Treadmill If I Could Help It. 
   One Gets Into Offences So Easily," He Dreamily Added. 
     
   They Crossed Over The Waste Land,  And Mr. Hillary Opened The Door Of 
   The Shed With A Pass-Key. A Lock Had Been Put On When Pike Was Lying In 
   Rheumatic Fever,  Lest Intruders Might Enter Unawares,  And See Him Without 
   His Disguise. 
     
   "Pike,  I Have Brought You My Lord. He Won't Betray You." 
     
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 33 (The Shed Razed) 
   Closing The Door Upon Them,  The Surgeon Went Off On Other Business,  And 
   Lord Hartledon Entered And Bent Over The Bed; A More Comfortable Bed Than 
   It Once Had Been. It Was The Willy Gum Of Other Days; The Boy He Had 
   Played With When They Were Boys Together. White,  Wan,  Wasted,  With The 
   Dying Hectic On His Cheek,  The Glitter Already In His Eye,  He Lay There; 
   And Val's Eyelashes Shone As He Took The Worn Hand. 
     
   "I Am So Sorry,  Willy. I Had No Suspicion It Was You. Why Did You Not 
   Confide In Me?" 
     
   The Invalid Shook His Head. "There Might Have Been Danger In It." 
     
   "Never From Me," Was The Emphatic Answer. 
     
   "Ah,  My Lord,  You Don't Know. I Haven't Dared To Make Myself Known To A 
   Soul. Mr. Hillary Found It Out,  And I Couldn't Help Myself." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Glanced Round At The Strange Place: The Rafters,  The Rude 
   Walls. A Fire Was Burning On The Hearth,  And The Appliances Brought To 
   Bear Were More Comfortable Than Might Have Been Imagined; But Still-- 
     
   "Surely You Will Allow Yourself To Be Removed To A Better Place,  Willy?" 
   He Said. 
     
   "Call Me Pike," Came The Feverish Interruption. "Never That Other Name 
   Again,  My Lord; I've Done With It For Ever. As To A Better Place--I Shall 
   Have That Soon Enough." 
     
   "You Wanted To Say Something To Me,  Mr. Hillary Said." 
     
   "I've Wanted To Say It Some Time Now,  And To Beg Your Lordship's Pardon. 
   It's About The Late Earl's Death." 
     
   "My Brother's?" 
     
   "Yes. I Was On The Wrong Scent A Long Time. And I Can Tell You What 
   Nobody Else Will." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Lifted His Head Quickly; Thoughts Were Crowding 
   Impulsively Into His Mind,  And He Spoke In The Moment's Haste. 
     
   "Surely You Had Not Anything To Do With That!" 
     
   "No; But I Thought Your Lordship Had." 
     
   "What Do You Mean?" Asked Lord Hartledon,  Quietly. 
     
   "It's For My Foolish And Wicked And Mistaken Thought That I Would Crave 
   Pardon Before I Go. I Thought Your Lordship Had Killed The Late Lord, 
   Either By Accident Or Maliciously." 
     
   "You Must Be Dreaming,  Pike!" 
     
   "No; But I Was No Better Than Dreaming Then. I Had Been Living Amidst 
   Lawless Scenes,  Over The Seas And On The Seas,  Where A Life's Not Of Much 
   Account,  And The Fancy Was Easy Enough. I Happened To Overhear A Quarrel 
   Between You And The Earl Just Before His Death; I Saw You Going Towards 
   The Spot At The Time The Accident Happened,  As You May Remember--" 
     
   "I Did Not Go So Far," Interrupted Hartledon,  Wondering Still Whether 
   This Might Not Be The Wanderings Of A Dying Man. "I Turned Back Into The 
   Trees At Once,  And Walked Slowly Home. Many A Time Have I Wished I Had 
   Gone On!" 
     
   "Yes,  Yes; I Was On The Wrong Scent. And There Was That Blow On His 
   Temple To Keep Up The Error,  Which I Know Now Must Have Been Done Against 
   The Estrade. I Did Suspect At The Time,  And Your Lordship Will Perhaps 
   Not Forgive Me For It. I Let Drop A Word That I Suspected Something 
   Before That Man Gorton,  And He Asked Me What I Meant; And I Explained 
   It Away,  And Said I Was Chaffing Him. And I Have Been All This Time,  Up 
   To A Few Weeks Ago,  Learning The True Particulars Of How His Lordship 
   Died." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Decided That The Man's Mind Was Undoubtedly Wandering. 
     
   But Pike Was Not Wandering. And He Told The Story Of The Boy Ripper 
   Having Been Locked Up In The Mill. Mr. Ripper Was Almost A Match For Pike 
   Himself In Deceit; And Pike Had Only Learned The Facts By Dint Of Long 
   Patience And Perseverance And Many Threats. The Boy Had Seen The Whole 
   Accident; Had Watched It From The Window Where He Was Enclosed,  Unable To 
   Get Out,  Unless He Had Torn Away The Grating. Lord Hartledon Had Lost All 
   Command Of The Little Skiff,  His Arm Being Utterly Disabled; And It Came 
   Drifting Down Towards The Mill,  And Struck Against The Estrade. The Skiff 
   Righted Itself At Once,  But Not Its Owner: There Was A Slight Struggle,  A 
   Few Cries,  And He Lay Motionless,  Drifting Later To The Place Where He 
   Was Found. Mr. Ripper's Opinion Was That He Had Lost His Senses With The 
   Blow On The Temple,  And Fell An Easy Prey To Death. Had That Gentleman 
   Only Sacrificed The Grating And His Own Reputation,  He Might Have Saved 
   Him Easily; And That Fact Had Since Been Upon His Conscience,  Making Him 
   Fear All Sorts Of Things,  Not The Least Of Which Was That He Might Be 
   Hanged As A Murderer. 
     
   This Story He Had Told Pike At The Time,  With One Reserve--He Persisted 
   That He Had Not _Seen_,  Only Heard. Pike Saw That The Boy Was Still 
   Not Telling The Whole Truth,  And Suspected He Was Screening Lord 
   Hartledon--He Who Now Stood Before Him. Mr. Ripper's Logic Tended To The 
   Belief That He Could Not Be Punished If He Stuck To The Avowal Of Having 
   Seen Nothing. He Had Only Heard The Cries; And When Pike Asked If They 
   Were Cries As If He Were Being Assaulted,  The Boy Evasively Answered 
   "Happen They Were." Another Little Item He Suppressed: That He Found The 
   Purse At The Bottom Of The Skiff,  After He Got Out Of The Mill,  And 
   Appropriated It To Himself; And When He Had Fairly Done That,  He Grew 
   More Afraid Of Having Done It Than Of All The Rest. The Money He 
   Secreted,  Using It When He Dared,  A Sixpence At A Time; The Case,  With 
   Its Papers,  He Buried In The Spot Where His Master Afterwards Found It. 
   With All This Upon The Young Man's Conscience,  No Wonder He Was A Little 
   Confused And Contradictory In His Statements To Pike: No Wonder He 
   Fancied The Ghost Of The Man He Could Have Saved And Did Not,  Might Now 
   And Then Be Hovering About Him. Pike Learned The Real Truth At Last; And 
   A Compunction Had Come Over Him,  Now That He Was Dying,  For Having 
   Doubted Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "My Lord,  I Can Only Ask You To Forgive Me. I Ought To Have Known You 
   Better. But Things Seemed To Corroborate It So: I've Heard People Say The 
   New Lord Was As A Man Who Had Some Great Care Upon Him. Oh,  I Was A 
   Fool!" 
     
   "At Any Rate It Was Not _That_ Care,  Pike; I Would Have Saved My 
   Brother's Life With My Own,  Had I Been At Hand To Do It. As To 
   Ripper--I Shall Never Bear To Look Upon Him Again." 
     
   "He's Gone Away," Said Pike. 
     
   "Where Has He Gone?" 
     
   "The Miller Turned Him Off For Idleness,  And He's Gone Away,  Nobody Knows 
   Where,  To Get Work: I Don't Suppose He'll Ever Come Back Again. This Is 
   The Real Truth Of The Matter As It Occurred,  My Lord; And There's No More 
   Behind It. Ripper Has Now Told All He Knows,  Just As Fully As If He Had 
   Been Put To Torture." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Remained With Pike Some Time Longer,  Soothing The Man As 
   Much As It Was In His Power And Kindly Nature To Soothe. He Whispered A 
   Word Of The Clergyman,  Dr. Ashton. 
     
   "Father Says He Shall Bring Him To-Night," Was The Answer. "It's All A 
   Farce." 
     
   "I Am Sorry To Hear You Say That," Returned Lord Hartledon,  Gravely. 
     
   "If I Had Never Said A Worse Thing Than That,  My Lord,  I Shouldn't Hurt. 
   Unless The Accounts Are Made Up Beforehand,  Parsons Can't Avail Much At 
   The Twelfth Hour. Mother's Lessons To Me When A Child,  And Her Reading 
   The Bible As She Sits Here In The Night,  Are Worth More Than Dr. Ashton 
   Could Do. But For Those Old Lessons' Having Come Home To Me Now,  I Might 
   Not Have Cared To Ask Your Forgiveness. Dr. Ashton! What Is He? For An 
   Awful Sinner--And It's What I've Been--There's Only Christ. At Times I 
   Think I've Been Too Bad Even For Him. I've Only My Sins To Take To Him: 
   Never Were Worse In This World." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Went Out Rather Bewildered With The Occurrences Of The 
   Morning. Thinking It Might Be Only Kind To Step Into The Clerk's,  He 
   Crossed The Stile And Went In Without Ceremony By The Open Back-Door. 
   Mrs. Gum Was Alone In The Kitchen,  Crying Bitterly. She Dried Her Eyes 
   In Confusion,  As She Curtsied To Her Visitor. 
     
   "I Know All," He Interrupted,  In Low,  Considerate Tones,  To The Poor 
   Suffering Woman. "I Have Been To See Him. Never Mind Explanations: Let 
   Us Think What We Can Best Do To Lighten His Last Hours." 
     
   Mrs. Gum Burst Into Deeper Tears. It Was A Relief,  No Doubt: But She 
   Wondered How Much Lord Hartledon Knew. 
     
   "I Say That He Ought To Be Got Away From That Place,  Mrs. Gum. It's Not 
   Fit For A Man To Die In. You Might Have Him Here. Calne! Surely My 
   Protection Will Sufficiently Screen Him Against Tattling Calne!" 
     
   She Shook Her Head,  Saying It Was Of No Use Talking To Willy About 
   Removal; He Wouldn't Have It; And She Thought Herself It Might Be Better 
   Not. Jabez,  Too; If This Ever Came Out In Calne,  It Would Just Kill Him; 
   His Lordship Knew What He Was,  And How He Had Cared For Appearances All 
   His Life. No; It Would Not Be For Many More Hours Now,  And Willy Must Die 
   In The Shed Where He Had Lived. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Sat Down On The Ironing-Board,  The White Table Underneath 
   The Window,  In The Old Familiar Manner Of Former Days; Many And Many A 
   Time Had He Perched Himself There To Talk To Her When He Was Young Val 
   Elster. 
     
   "Only Fancy What My Life Has Been,  My Lord," She Said. "People Have 
   Called Me Nervous And Timid; But Look At The Cause I've Had! I Was Just 
   Beginning To Get Over The Grief For His Death,  When He Came Here; And To 
   The Last Hour Of My Life I Shan't Get The Night Out Of My Mind! I And 
   Jabez Were Together In This Very Kitchen. I Had Come In To Wash Up The 
   Tea-Things,  And Jabez Followed Me. It Was A Cold,  Dark Evening,  And The 
   Parlour Fire Had Got Low. By Token,  My Lord,  We Were Talking Of You; You 
   Had Just Gone Away To Be An Ambassador,  Or Something,  And Then We Spoke 
   Of The Wild,  Strange,  Black Man Who Had Crept Into The Shed; And Jabez, 
   I Remember,  Said He Should Acquaint Mr. Marris,  If The Fellow Did Not 
   Take Himself Off. I Had Seen Him That Very Evening,  At Dusk,  For The 
   First Time,  When His Great Black Face Rose Up Against Mine,  Nearly 
   Frightening Me To Death. Jabez Was Angry At Such A Man's Being There,  And 
   Said He Should Go Up To Hartledon In The Morning And See The Steward. 
   Just Then There Came A Tap At The Kitchen Door,  And Jabez Went To It. 
   It Was The Man; He Had Watched The Servant Out,  And Knew We Were Alone; 
   And He Came Into The Kitchen,  And Asked If We Did Not Know Him. Jabez 
   Did; He Had Seen Willy Later Than I Had,  And He Recognized Him; And The 
   Man Took Off His Black Hair And Great Black Whiskers,  And I Saw It Was 
   Willy,  And Nearly Fainted Dead Away." 
     
   There Was A Pause. Lord Hartledon Did Not Speak,  And She Resumed,  After A 
   Little Indulgence In Her Grief. 
     
   "And Since Then All Our Aim Has Been To Hide The Truth,  To Screen Him, 
   And Keep Up The Tale That We Were Afraid Of The Wild Man. How It Has 
   Been Done I Know Not: But I Do Know That It Has Nearly Killed Me. What 
   A Night It Was! When Jabez Heard His Story And Forced Him To Answer All 
   Questions,  I Thought He Would Have Given Willy Up To The Law There And 
   Then. My Lord,  We Have Just Lived Since With A Sword Over Our Heads!" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Remembered The Sword That Had Been Over His Own Head,  And 
   Sympathized With Them From The Depths Of His Heart. 
     
   "Tell Me All," He Said. "You Are Quite Safe With Me,  Mrs. Gum." 
     
   "I Don't Know That There's Much More To Tell," She Sighed. "We Took The 
   Best Precautions We Could,  In A Quiet Way,  Having The Holes In The 
   Shutters Filled Up,  And New Locks Put On The Doors,  Lest People Might 
   Look In Or Step In,  While He Sat Here Of A Night,  Which He Took To Do. 
   Jabez Didn't Like It,  But I'm Afraid I Encouraged It. It Was So Lonely 
   For Him,  That Shed,  And So Unhealthy! We Sent Away The Regular Servant, 
   And Engaged One By Day,  So As To Have The House To Ourselves At Night. If 
   A Knock Came To The Door,  Willy Would Slip Out To The Wood-House Before 
   We Opened It,  Lest It Might Be Anybody Coming In. He Did Not Come In 
   Every Night--Two Or Three Times A-Week; And It Never Was Pleasant; For 
   Jabez Would Hardly Open His Mouth,  Unless It Was To Reproach Him. Heaven 
   Alone Knows What I've Had To Bear!" 
     
   "But,  Mrs. Gum,  I Cannot Understand. Why Could Not Willy Have Declared 
   Himself Openly To The World?" 
     
   It Was Evidently A Most Painful Question. Her Eyes Fell; The Crimson 
   Of Shame Flushed Into Her Cheeks; And He Felt Sorry To Have Asked It. 
     
   "Spare Me,  My Lord,  For I _Cannot_ Tell You. Perhaps Jabez Will: Or Mr. 
   Hillary; He Knows. It Doesn't Much Matter,  Now Death's So Near; But I 
   Think It Would Kill Me To Have To Tell It." 
     
   "And No One Except The Doctor Has Ever Known That It Was Willy?" 
     
   "One More,  My Lord: Mirrable. We Told Her At Once. I Have Had To Hear All 
   Sorts Of Cruel Things Said Of Him," Continued Mrs. Gum. "That He Thieved 
   And Poached,  And Did I Know Not What; And We Could Only Encourage The 
   Fancy,  For It Put People Off The Truth As To How He Really Lived." 
     
   "Amidst Other Things,  They Said,  I Believe,  That He Was Out With The 
   Poachers The Night My Brother George Was Shot!" 
     
   "And That Night,  My Lord,  He Sat Over This Kitchen Fire,  And Never 
   Stirred From It. He Was Ill: It Was Rheumatism,  Caught In Australia, 
   That Took Such A Hold Upon Him; And I Had Him Here By The Fire Till Near 
   Daylight In The Morning,  So As To Keep Him Out Of The Damp Shed. What 
   With Fearing One Thing And Another,  I Grew Into A State Of Perpetual 
   Terror." 
     
   "Then You Will Not Have Him In Here Now," Said Lord Hartledon,  Rising. 
     
   "I Cannot," She Said,  Her Tears Falling Silently. 
     
   "Well,  Mrs. Gum,  I Came In Just To Say A Word Of True Sympathy. You Have 
   It Heartily,  And My Services Also,  If Necessary. Tell Jabez So." 
     
   He Quitted The House By The Front-Door,  As If He Had Been Honouring The 
   Clerk's Wife With A Morning-Call,  Should Any Curious Person Happen To Be 
   Passing,  And Went Across Through The Snow To The Surgeon's. Mr. Hillary, 
   An Old Bachelor,  Was At His Early Dinner,  And Lord Hartledon Sat Down And 
   Talked To Him. 
     
   "It's Only Rump Steak; But Few Cooks Can Beat Mine,  And It's Very Good. 
   Won't Your Lordship Take A Mouthful By Way Of Luncheon?" 
     
   "My Curiosity Is Too Strong For Luncheon Just Now," Said Val. "I Have 
   Come Over To Know The Rights And Wrongs Of This Story. What Has Willy Gum 
   Been Doing In The Past Years That It Cannot Be Told?" 
     
   "I Am Not Sure That It Would Be Safe To Say While He's Living." 
     
   "Not Safe! With Me! Was It Safe With You?" 
     
   "But I Don't Consider Myself Obliged To Give Up To Justice Any Poor 
   Criminal Who Comes In My Way," Said The Surgeon; And Val Felt A Little 
   Vexed,  Although He Saw That He Was Joking. 
     
   "Come,  Hillary!" 
     
   "Well,  Then,  Willy Gum Was Coming Home In The _Morning Star_; And A 
   Mutiny Broke Out--Mutiny And Murder,  And Everything Else That's Bad; And 
   One George Gordon Was The Ringleader." 
     
   "Yes. Well?" 
     
   "Willy Gum Was George Gordon." 
     
   "What!" Exclaimed Hartledon,  Not Knowing How To Accept The Words. "How 
   Could He Be George Gordon?" 
     
   "Because The Real George Gordon Never Sailed At All; And This Fellow Gum 
   Went On Board In His Name,  Calling Himself Gordon." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Leaned Back In His Chair And Listened To The Explanation. 
   A Very Simple One,  After All. Gum,  One Of The Wildest And Most Careless 
   Characters Possible When In Australia,  Gambled Away,  Before Sailing, 
   The Money He Had Acquired. Accident Made Him Acquainted With George 
   Gordon,  Also Going Home In The Same Ship And With Money. Gordon Was 
   Killed The Night Before Sailing--(Mr. Carr Had Well Described It As 
   A Drunken Brawl)--Killed Accidentally. Gum Was Present; He Saw His 
   Opportunity,  Went On Board As Gordon,  And Claimed The Luggage--Some 
   Of It Gold--Already On Board. How The Mutiny Broke Out Was Less Clear; 
   But One Of The Other Passengers Knew Gum,  And Threatened To Expose Him; 
   And Perhaps This Led To It. Gum,  At Any Rate,  Was The Ringleader,  And 
   This Passenger Was One Of The First Killed. Gum--Gordon As He Was 
   Called--Contrived To Escape In The Open Boat,  And Found His Way To Land; 
   Thence,  Disguised,  To England And To Calne; And At Calne He Had Since 
   Lived,  With The Price Offered For George Gordon On His Head. 
     
   It Was A Strange And Awful Story: And Lord Hartledon Felt A Shiver Run 
   Through Him As He Listened. In Truth,  That Shed Was The Safest And 
   Fittest Place For Him To Die In! 
     
   As Die He Did Ere The Third Day Was Over. And Was Buried As Pike,  The 
   Wild Man,  Without A Mourner. Clerk Gum Stood Over The Grave In His 
   Official Capacity; And Dr. Ashton,  Who Had Visited The Sick Man,  Himself 
   Read The Service,  Which Caused Some Wonder In Calne. 
     
   And The Following Week Lord Hartledon Caused The Shed To Be Cleared 
   Away,  And The Waste Land Ploughed; Saying He Would Have No More Tramps 
   Encamping Next Door To Mr. And Mrs. Gum. 
   
   
   
   Chapter 34 (The Dowager's Alarm) 
   Again The Years Went On,  Bringing Not Altogether Comfort To The House Of 
   Hartledon. As Anne's Children Were Born--There Were Three Now--A Sort Of 
   Jealous Rivalry Seemed To Arise Between Them And The Two Elder Children; 
   And This In Spite Of Anne's Efforts To The Contrary. The Moving Spring 
   Was The Countess-Dowager,  Who In Secret Excited The Elder Children 
   Against Their Little Brothers And Sister; But So Craftily That Anne Could 
   Produce Nothing Tangible To Remonstrate Against. Things Would Grow 
   Tolerably Smooth During The Old Woman's Absences; But She Took Good Care 
   Not To Make Those Absences Lengthened,  And Then All The Ill-Nature And 
   Rebellion Reigned Triumphant. 
     
   Once Only Anne Spoke Of This,  And That Was To Her Father. She Hinted At 
   The State Of Things,  And Asked His Advice. Why Did Not Val Interpose His 
   Authority,  And Forbid The Dowager The House,  If She Could Not Keep 
   Herself From Making Mischief In It,  Sensibly Asked The Rector. But Anne 
   Said Neither She Nor Val Liked To Do This. And Then The Rector Fancied 
   There Was Some Constraint In His Daughter's Voice,  And She Was Not 
   Telling Him The Whole Case Unreservedly. He Inquired No Further,  Only 
   Gave Her The Best Advice In His Power: To Be Watchful,  And Counteract The 
   Dowager's Influence,  As Far As She Could; And Trust To Time; Doing Her 
   Own Duty Religiously By The Children. 
     
   What Anne Had Not Mentioned To Dr. Ashton Was Her Husband's Conduct In 
   The Matter. In That One Respect She Could Read Him No Better Than Of Old. 
   Devoted To Her As He Was,  As She Knew Him To Be,  In The Children's Petty 
   Disputes He Invariably Took The Part Of His First Wife's--To The Glowing 
   Satisfaction Of The Countess-Dowager. No Matter How Glaringly Wrong They 
   Might Be,  How Tyrannical,  Hartledon Screened The Elder,  And--To Use The 
   Expression Of The Nurses--Snubbed The Younger. Kind And Good Though Lady 
   Hartledon Was,  She Felt It Acutely; And,  To Say The Truth,  Was Sorely 
   Puzzled And Perplexed. 
     
   Lord Elster Was An Ailing Child,  And Mr. Brook,  The Apothecary,  Was 
   Always In Attendance When They Were In London. Lady Hartledon Thought The 
   Boy's Health Might Have Been Better Left More To Nature,  But She Would 
   Not Have Said So For The World. The Dowager,  On The Contrary,  Would Have 
   Preferred That Half The Metropolitan Faculty Should See Him Daily. She 
   Had A Jealous Dread Of Anything Happening To The Boy,  And Anne's Son 
   Becoming The Heir. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Was A Busy Man Now,  And Had A Place In The 
   Government--Though Not As Yet In The Cabinet. Whatever His Secret Care 
   Might Have Been,  It Was Now Passive; He Was A General Favourite,  And 
   Courted In Society. He Was Still Young; The Face As Genial,  The Manners 
   As Free,  The Dark-Blue Eyes As Kindly As Of Yore; Eminently Attractive In 
   Earlier Days,  He Was So Still; And His Love For His Wife Amounted To A 
   Passion. 
     
   At The Close Of A Sharp Winter,  When They Had Come Up To Town In January, 
   That Lord Hartledon Might Be At His Post,  And The Countess-Dowager Was 
   Inflicting Upon Them One Of Her Long Visits,  It Happened That Lord Elster 
   Seemed Very Poorly. Mr. Brook Was Called In,  And Said He Would Send A 
   Powder. He Was Called In So Often To The Boy As To Take It Quite As A 
   Matter Of Course; And,  Truth To Say,  Thought The Present Indisposition 
   Nothing But A Slight Cold. 
     
   Late In The Evening The Two Boys Happened To Be Alone In The Nursery, 
   The Nurse Being Temporarily Absent From It. Edward Was Now A Tall, 
   Slender,  Handsome Boy In Knickerbockers; Reginald A Timid Little Fellow, 
   Several Years Younger--Rendered Timid By Edward's Perpetual Tyranny, 
   Which He Might Not Resent. Edward Was Quiet Enough This Evening; He Felt 
   Ill And Shivery,  And Sat Close To The Fire. Casting His Eyes Upwards,  He 
   Espied Mr. Brook's Powder On The Mantelpiece,  With The Stereotyped 
   Direction--"To Be Taken At Bedtime." It Was Lying Close To The Jam-Pot, 
   Which The Head-Nurse Had Put Ready. Of Course He Had The Greatest 
   Possible Horror Of Medicine,  And His Busy Thoughts Began To Run Upon How 
   He Might Avoid That Detestable Powder. The Little Fellow Was Sitting On 
   The Carpet Playing With His Bricks. Edward Turned His Eyes On His 
   Brother,  And A Bright Thought Occurred To Him. 
     
   "Regy," Said He,  Taking Down The Pot,  "Come Here. Look At This Jam: Isn't 
   It Nice? It's Raspberry And Currant." 
     
   The Child Left His Bricks To Bend Over The Tempting Compound. 
     
   "I'll Give It You Every Bit To Eat Before Nurse Comes Back," Continued 
   The Boy,  "If You'll Eat This First." 
     
   Reginald Cast A Look Upon The Powder His Brother Exhibited. "What Is It?" 
   He Lisped; "Something Good?" 
     
   "Delicious. It's Just Come In From The Sweet-Stuff Shop. Open Your 
   Mouth--Wide." 
     
   Reginald Did As He Was Bid: Opened His Mouth To Its Utmost Width,  And The 
   Boy Shot In The Powder. 
     
   It Happened To Be A Preparation Of That Nauseous Drug Familiarly Known 
   As "Dover's Powder." The Child Found It So,  And Set Up A Succession Of 
   Shrieks,  Which Aroused The House. The Nurse Rushed In; And Lord And Lady 
   Hartledon,  Both Of Whom Were Dressing For Dinner,  Appeared On The Scene. 
   There Stood Reginald,  Coughing,  Choking,  And Roaring; And There Sat 
   The Culprit,  Equably Devouring The Jam. With Time And Difficulty The 
   Facts Were Elicited From The Younger Child,  And The Elder Scorned To Deny 
   Them. 
     
   "What A Wicked,  Greedy Turk You Must Be!" Ejaculated The Nurse,  Who Was 
   Often In Hot Water With The Elder Boy. 
     
   "But Reginald Need Not Have Screamed So," Testily Interposed Lord 
   Hartledon. "I Thought One Of Them Must Be On Fire. You Naughty Child, 
   Why Did You Scream?" He Continued,  Giving Reginald A Slight Tap On The 
   Ear. 
     
   "Any Child Would Scream At Being So Taken By Surprise," Said Lady 
   Hartledon. "It Is Edward Who Is In Fault,  Not Reginald; And It Is He Who 
   Deserves Punishment." 
     
   "And He Should Have It,  If He Were My Son," Boldly Declared The Nurse,  As 
   She Picked Up The Unhappy Reginald. "A Great Greedy Boy,  To Swallow Down 
   Every Bit Of The Jam,  And Never Give His Brother A Taste,  After Poisoning 
   Him With That Nasty Powder!" 
     
   Edward Rose,  And Gave The Nurse A Look Of Scorn. "The Powder's Good 
   Enough For Him: He Is Nothing But A Young Brat,  And I Am Lord Elster." 
     
   Lady Hartledon Felt Provoked. "What Is That You Say,  Edward?" She Asked, 
   Laying Her Hand Upon His Shoulder In Reproval. 
     
   "Let Me Alone,  Mamma. He'll Never Be Anything But Regy Elster. _I_ Shall 
   Be Lord Hartledon,  And Jam's Proper For Me,  And It's Fair I Should Put 
   Upon Him." 
     
   The Nurse Flounced Off With Reginald,  And Lady Hartledon Turned To Her 
   Husband. "Is This To Be Suffered? Will You Allow It To Pass Without 
   Correction?" 
     
   "He Means Nothing," Said Val. "Do You,  Edward,  My Boy?" 
     
   "Yes,  I Do; I Mean What I Say. I Shall Stand Up For Myself And Maude." 
     
   Hartledon Made No Remonstrance: Only Drew The Boy To Him,  With A Hasty 
   Gesture,  As Though He Would Shield Him From Anger And The World. 
     
   Anne,  Hurt Almost To Tears,  Quitted The Room. But She Had Scarcely 
   Reached Her Own When She Remembered That She Had Left A Diamond Brooch In 
   The Nursery,  Which She Had Just Been About To Put Into Her Dress When 
   Alarmed By The Cries. She Went Back For It,  And Stood Almost Confounded 
   By What She Saw. Lord Hartledon,  Sitting Down,  Had Clasped His Boy In His 
   Arms,  And Was Sobbing Over Him; Emotion Such As Man Rarely Betrays. 
     
   "Papa,  Regy And The Other Two Are Not Going To Put Me And Maude Out Of 
   Our Places,  Are They? They Can't,  You Know. We Come First." 
     
   "Yes,  Yes,  My Boy; No One Shall Put You Out," Was The Answer,  As He 
   Pressed Passionate Kisses On The Boy's Face. "I Will Stand By You For 
   Ever." 
     
   Very Judicious Indeed! The Once Sensible Man Seemed To Ignore The Evident 
   Fact That The Boy Had Been Tutored. Lady Hartledon,  A Fear Creeping Over 
   Her,  She Knew Not Of What,  Left Her Brooch Where It Was,  And Stole Back 
   To Her Dressing-Room. 
     
   Presently Val Came In,  All Traces Of Emotion Removed From His Features. 
   Lady Hartledon Had Dismissed Her Maid,  And Stood Leaning Against The Arm 
   Of The Sofa,  Indulging In Bitter Rumination. 
     
   "Silly Children!" Cried He; "It's Hard Work To Manage Them. And Edward 
   Has Lost His Pow--" 
     
   He Broke Off; Stopped By The Look Of Angry Reproach From His Wife,  Cast 
   On Him For The First Time In Their Married Life. He Took Her Hand And 
   Bent Down To Her: Fervent Love,  If Ever She Read It,  In His Eyes And 
   Tones. 
     
   "Forgive Me,  Anne; You Are Feeling This." 
     
   "Why Do You Throw These Slights On My Children? Why Are You Not More 
   Just?" 
     
   "I Do Not Intend To Slight Our Children,  Anne,  Heaven Knows. But I--I 
   Cannot Punish Edward." 
     
   "Why Did You Ever Make Me Your Wife?" Sighed Lady Hartledon,  Drawing Her 
   Hand Away. 
     
   His Poor Assumption Of Unconcern Was Leaving Him Quickly; His Face Was 
   Changing To One Of Bitter Sorrow. 
     
   "When I Married You," She Resumed,  "I Had Reason To Hope That Should 
   Children Be Born To Us,  You Would Love Them Equally With Your First; 
   I Had A Right To Hope It. What Have I Done That--" 
     
   "Stay,  Anne! I Can Bear Anything Better Than Reproach From You." 
     
   "What Have I And My Children Done To You,  I Was About To Ask,  That You 
   Take This Aversion To Them? Lavishing All Your Love On The Others And 
   Upon Them Only Injustice?" 
     
   Val Bent Down,  Agitation In His Face And Voice. 
     
   "Hush,  Anne! You Don't Know. The Danger Is That I Should Love Your 
   Children Better,  Far Better Than Maude's. It Might Be So If I Did Not 
   Guard Against It." 
     
   "I Cannot Understand You," She Exclaimed. 
     
   "Unfortunately,  I Understand Myself Only Too Well. I Have A Heavy Burden 
   To Bear; Do Not You--My Best And Dearest--Increase It." 
     
   She Looked At Him Keenly; Laid Her Hands Upon Him,  Tears Gathering In Her 
   Eyes. "Tell Me What The Burden Is; Tell Me,  Val! Let Me Share It." 
     
   But Val Drew In Again At Once,  Alarmed At The Request: And Contradicted 
   Himself In The Most Absurd Manner. 
     
   "There's Nothing To Share,  Anne; Nothing To Tell." 
     
   Certainly This Change Was Not Propitiatory. Lady Hartledon,  Chilled And 
   Mortified,  Disdained To Pursue The Theme. Drawing Herself Up,  She Turned 
   To Go Down To Dinner,  Remarking That He Might At Least Treat The Children 
   With More _Apparent_ Justice. 
     
   "I Am Just; At Least,  I Wish To Be Just," He Broke Forth In Impassioned 
   Tones. "But I Cannot Be Severe With Edward And Maude." 
     
   Another Powder Was Procured,  And,  Amidst Much Fighting And Resistance, 
   Was Administered. Lady Hartledon Was In The Boy's Room The First Thing 
   In The Morning. One Grand Quality In Her Was,  That She Never Visited 
   Her Vexation On The Children; And Edward,  In Spite Of His Unamiable 
   Behaviour,  Did At Heart Love Her,  Whilst He Despised His Grandmother; One 
   Of His Sources Of Amusement Being To Take Off That Estimable Old Lady's 
   Peculiarities Behind Her Back,  And Send The Servants Into Convulsions. 
     
   "You Look Very Hot,  Edward," Exclaimed Lady Hartledon,  As She Kissed Him. 
   "How Do You Feel?" 
     
   "My Throat's Sore,  Mamma,  And My Legs Could Not Find A Cold Place All 
   Night. Feel My Hand." 
     
   It Was A Child's Answer,  Sufficiently Expressive. An Anxious Look Rose To 
   Her Countenance. 
     
   "Are You Sure Your Throat Is Sore?" 
     
   "It's Very Sore. I Am So Thirsty." 
     
   Lady Hartledon Gave Him Some Weak Tea,  And Sent For Mr. Ade Will Be Back--You'll See. An' When He Comes We'll Be 
   Squarin' Things With Him--An' Don't You Forget It!" 
     
          *       *       *       *       * 
     
   It Was After Lawler Had Been Occupying The Cabin For A Month That 
   Metcalf Made His Second Visit. He Rode Down The Slope Of The Valley On A 
   Horse He Had Hired At Willets,  And Came Upon Lawler,  Who Was Standing At 
   The Corral Gates,  Looking Across The Enclosure At The Workmen Who Were 
   Bustling About The Ranchhouse. 
     
   Metcalf Regarded Lawler Critically Before He Dismounted; And Then He 
   Came Forward,  Shook Lawler's Hand And Again Looked Him Over. 
     
   "A Little Thin And Peaked; But Otherwise All Right,  Eh?" He Smiled. 
   "It's Hard To Kill You Denizens Of The Sagebrush." 
     
   He Followed Lawler Into The Shade Of The Cabin,  Remarked To Mrs. Lawler 
   That Her Son Would Need Someone To Guard Him--If He Persisted In Meeting 
   Outlaws Of The Antrim Type Single-Handed; And Then Turned To 
   Lawler--After Mrs. Lawler Had Gone Inside--And Said Lowly: 
     
   "Lord,  Man! You've Got This State Raving Over You! Your Fight Against 
   The Ring Is Talked About In Every Corner Of The Country. And That Scrap 
   With Antrim,  Selden,  And Krell In The Old Dickman Cabin Will Go Down In 
   History--It Will Be A Classic! What Made You Rush In On Antrim That 
   Way--Giving Him The First Shot?" 
     
   Lawler Smiled Faintly. "Shucks,  Metcalf,  There Was Nothing To That. 
   Shorty Told Me What Had Happened,  And As I Recollect,  Now,  I Was Pretty 
   Much Excited." 
     
   "Excited,  Eh?" Said Metcalf,  Incredulously; "I Don't Believe It. What 
   About Your Going In To Warden's Office,  Offering To Give Him The First 
   Shot? Were You Excited Then?" 
     
   Lawler Reddened,  And Metcalf Laughed Triumphantly. 
     
   "Lawler," He Said; "You're Too Damned Modest--But Modesty Becomes You. I 
   Believe You Know It. Anyway,  This State Is Raving Over You. You're Going 
   To Be The Next Governor. You've Got To Run! This State Needs A Man Like 
   You--It _Needs_ You! You Know It. Everybody Knows It--And Everybody 
   Wants You. That Is,  Everybody Except Haughton,  Hatfield,  Warden--And 
   That Bunch--Including The Railroad Company. Why,  Look Here,  Lawler!" He 
   Went On,  When Lawler Did Not Answer; "The Fight You Made Last Fall 
   Against The Railroad Company Was Made,  With Variations,  By All The 
   Courageous Cattlemen In The State. If A Strong Man Isn't Elected This 
   Fall The Same Fight Will Have To Be Made Again. Haughton Is So Rotten 
   That People Are Beginning To Hold Their Noses! 
     
   "The People Of This State Trust You,  Lawler--They Swear By You. You've 
   Got To Run--There's No Way Out Of It!" He Looked Keenly At Lawler. "Man, 
   Do You Know What Mcgregor Told Me The Day Before He Left The Capital To 
   Come Down Here And Look You Over,  To See How Badly You Were Hurt? He 
   Said: 'Metcalf,  If Lawler Dies We Lose The Governorship Next Fall. He Is 
   The Only Man Who Can Beat Haughton!'" 
     
   "Metcalf," Smiled Lawler; "I'll Tell You A Secret--Your Argument Has Had 
   No Effect Upon Me. I Decided This Thing As Far Back As The Day Following 
   The Last Election. I Am Going To Run." 
     
   "Then We've Got Haughton Licked!" Declared Metcalf,  Enthusiastically. 
     
   Metcalf Stayed At The Circle L Throughout The Day,  And In The Evening 
   Lawler Rode With Him To Willets,  Where He Saw Him Aboard The West-Bound 
   Train. 
     
   "I'm Telling You Something,  Lawler," Grinned The Newspaperman As He 
   Gripped Lawler's Hand Just Before The Train Started. "Mcgregor Came To 
   Me Yesterday. He Told Me He Intended To Come To See You,  But He Was 
   Afraid You'd Refuse To Run. He Asked Me If I Had Any Influence With You, 
   And I Told Him You'd Do Anything I Suggested. Now,  Don't Get Excited, 
   Lawler," He Laughed As Lawler Looked Sharply At Him. "I've Proved It, 
   Haven't I? You've Agreed To Run! Lord,  Man,  I'd Hate To Be An Evil-Doer 
   And Have You Look At Me Like That!" He Laughed Again,  Exultantly. "What 
   Was It You Said To Warden One Day,  When Warden Refused To Keep That 
   Agreement You Made With Lefingwell? Oh,  Don't Look At Me That Way--That 
   Conversation Has Been Printed All Over The State. I Saw To That. How Dice In You,  Mr. Brook; And Were Edward My Own 
   Child,  I Should Know How To Act. Do You Think It Would Be Dangerous To 
   Give Him This Prescription? You May Speak Confidentially." 
     
   "Not Dangerous; It Is A Prescription That Will Do Neither Harm Nor 
   Good. I Suspect Sir Alexander Could Not Detect The Nature Of The Illness, 
   And Wrote This Merely To Gain Time. It Is Not An Infrequent Custom To 
   Do So. In My Opinion,  Not An Hour Should Be Lost In Giving Him A More 
   Efficacious Medicine; Early Treatment Is Everything In Scarlet-Fever." 
     
   Lady Hartledon Had Been Rapidly Making Up Her Mind. "Send In What You 
   Think Right To Be Taken,  Immediately," She Said,  "And Meet Sir Alexander 
   In Consultation Later On." 
     
   Scarlet-Fever It Proved To Be; Not A Mild Form Of It; And In A Very Few 
   Hours Lord Elster Was In Great Danger,  The Throat Being Chiefly Affected. 
   The House Was In Commotion; The Dowager Worse Than Any One In It. A 
   Complication Of Fears Beset Her: First,  Terror For Her Own Safety,  And 
   Next,  The Less Abject Dread That Death Might Remove _Her_ Grandchild. In 
   This Latter Fear She Partly Lost Her Personal Fears,  So Far At Any Rate 
   As To Remain In The House; For It Seemed To Her That The Child Would 
   Inevitably Die If She Left It. Late In The Afternoon She Rushed Into The 
   Presence Of The Doctors,  Who Had Just Been Holding A Second Consultation. 
     
   Sir Alexander Pepps Recommended Leeches To The Throat: Mr. Brook 
   Disapproved Of Them. "It Is The One Chance For His Life," Said Sir 
   Alexander. 
     
   "It Is Removing Nearly All Chance," Said Mr. Brook. 
     
   Sir Alexander Prevailed; And When They Came Forth It Was Understood That 
   Leeches Were To Be Applied. But Here Lady Hartledon Stepped In. 
     
   "I Dread Leeches To The Throat,  Sir Alexander,  If You Will Forgive Me For 
   Saying So. I Have Twice Seen Them Applied In Scarlet-Fever; And The 
   Patients--One A Young Lady,  The Other A Child--In Both Cases Died." 
     
   "Madam,  I Have Given My Opinion," Curtly Returned The Physician. "They 
   Are Necessary In Lord Elster's Case." 
     
   "Do You Approve Of Leeches?" Cried Lady Hartledon,  Turning To Mr. Brook. 
     
   "Not Altogether," Was The Cautious Answer. 
     
   "Answer Me One Question,  Mr. Brook," Said Lady Hartledon,  In Her 
   Earnestness. "Would You Apply These Leeches Were You Treating The Case 
   Alone?" 
     
   "No,  Madam,  I Would Not." 
     
   Anne Appealed To Her Husband. When The Medical Men Differed,  She Thought 
   The Decision Lay With Him. 
     
   "I'm Sure I Don't Know," Returned Val,  Who Felt Perfectly Helpless To 
   Advise. "Can't You Decide,  Anne? You Know More About Children And Illness 
   Than I Do." 
     
   "I Would Do So Without Hesitating A Moment Were It My Own Child," She 
   Replied. "I Would Not Allow Them To Be Put On." 
     
   "No,  You Would Rather See Him Die," Interrupted The Dowager,  Who 
   Overheard The Words,  And Most Intemperately And Unjustifiably Answered 
   Them. 
     
   Anne Coloured With Shame For The Old Woman,  But The Words Silenced Her: 
   How Was It Possible To Press Her Own Opinion After That? Sir Alexander 
   Had It All His Own Way,  And The Leeches Were Applied On Either Side The 
   Throat,  Mr. Brook Emphatically Asserting In Lady Hartledon's Private Ear 
   That He "Washed His Hands" Of The Measure. Before They Came Off The 
   Consequences Were Apparent; The Throat Was Swollen Outwardly,  On Both 
   Sides; Within,  It Appeared To Be Closing. 
     
   The Dowager,  Rather Beside Herself On The Whole,  Had Insisted On The 
   Leeches. Any One,  Seeing Her Conduct Now,  Might Have Thought The Invalid 
   Boy Was Really Dear To Her. Nothing Of The Sort. A Hazy Idea Had Been 
   Looming Through Her Mind For Years That Val Was Not Strong; She Had Been 
   Mistaking Mental Disease For Bodily Illness; And A Project To Have Full 
   Control Of Her Grandchild,  Should He Come Into The Succession 
   Prematurely,  Had Coloured Her Dreams. This Charming Prospect Would Be 
   Ignominiously Cut Short If The Boy Went First. 
     
   Sir Alexander Saw His Error. There Must Be Something Peculiar In Lord 
   Elster's Constitution,  He Blandly Said; It Would Not Have Happened In 
   Another. Of Course,  Anything That Turns Out A Mistake Always Is In The 
   Constitution--Never In The Treatment. Whether He Lived Or Died Now Was 
   Just The Turn Of A Straw: The Chances Were That He Would Die. All That 
   Could Be Done Now Was To Endeavour To Counteract The Mischief By External 
   Applications. 
     
   "I Wish You Would Let Me Try A Remedy," Said Lady Hartledon,  Wistfully. 
   "A Compress Of Cold Water Round The Throat With Oilsilk Over It. I Have 
   Seen It Do So Much Good In Cases Of Inward Inflammation." 
     
   Mr. Brook Smiled: If Anything Would Do Good That Might,  He Said,  Speaking 
   As If He Had Little Faith In Remedies Now. Sir Alexander Intimated That 
   Her Ladyship Might Try It; Graciously Observing That It Would Do No Harm. 
     
   The Application Was Used,  And The Evening Went On. The Child Had Fallen 
   Into A Sort Of Stupor,  And Mr. Brook Came In Again Before He Had Been 
   Away An Hour,  And Leaned Anxiously Over The Patient. He Lay With His Eyes 
   Half-Closed,  And Breathed With Difficulty. 
     
   "I Think," He Exclaimed Softly,  "There's The Slightest Shade Of 
   Improvement." 
     
   "In The Fever,  Or The Throat?" Whispered Lady Hartledon,  Who Had Not 
   Quitted The Boy's Bedside. 
     
   "In The Throat. If So,  It Is Due To Your Remedy,  Lady Hartledon." 
     
   "Is He In Danger?" 
     
   "In Great Danger. Still,  I See A Gleam Of Hope." 
     
   After The Surgeon's Departure,  She Went Down To Her Husband,  Meeting 
   Hedges On The Stairs,  Who Was Coming To Inquire After The Patient For His 
   Master,  For About The Fiftieth Time. Hartledon Was In The Library,  Pacing 
   About Incessantly In The Darkness,  For The Room Was Only Lighted By The 
   Fire. Anne Closed The Door And Approached Him. 
     
   "Percival,  I Do Not Bring You Very Good Tidings," She Said; "And Yet They 
   Might Be Worse. Mr. Brook Tells Me He Is In Great Danger,  But Thinks He 
   Sees A Gleam Of Hope." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Took Her Hand Within His Arm And Resumed His Pacing; His 
   Eyes Were Fixed On The Carpet,  And He Said Nothing. 
     
   "Don't Grieve As Those Without Hope," She Continued,  Her Eyes Filling 
   With Tears. "He May Yet Recover. I Have Been Praying That It May Be So." 
     
   "Don't Pray For It," He Cried,  His Tone One Of Painful Entreaty. "I Have 
   Been Daring To Pray That It Might Please God To Take Him." 
     
   "Percival!" She Exclaimed,  Starting Away From Him. 
     
   "I Am Not Mad,  Anne. Death Would Be A More Merciful Fate For My Boy Than 
   Life. Death Now,  Whilst He Is Innocent,  Safe In Christ's Love!--Death,  In 
   Heaven's Mercy!" 
     
   And Anne Crept Back To The Upper Chamber,  Sick With Terror; For She Did 
   Think That The Trouble Of His Child's State Was Affecting Her Husband's 
   Brain. 
     
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 35 (A Painful Scene) 
   Lord And Lady Hartledon Were Entertaining A Family Group. The Everlasting 
   Dowager Kept To Them Unpleasantly; Making Things Unbearable,  And Wearing 
   Out Her Welcome In No Slight Degree,  If She Had Only Been Wise Enough To 
   See It. She Had Escaped Scarlet-Fever And Other Dreaded Ills; And Was 
   Alive Still. For That Matter,  The Little Lord Elster Had Come Out Of It 
   Also: _Not_ Unscathed; For The Boy Remained A Sickly Wreck,  And There Was 
   Very Little Hope That He Would Really Recover. The Final Close Might Be 
   Delayed,  But It Was Not To Be Averted. Before Easter They Had Left London 
   For Hartledon,  That He Might Have Country Air. Lord Hartledon's Eldest 
   Sister,  Lady Margaret Cooper,  Came There With Her Husband; And On This 
   Day The Other Sister,  Lady Laura Level,  Had Arrived From India. Lady 
   Margaret Was An Invalid,  And Not An Agreeable Woman Besides; But To Laura 
   And Anne The Meeting,  After So Many Years' Separation,  Was One Of Intense 
   Pleasure. They Had Been Close Friends From Childhood. 
     
   They Were All Gathered Together In The Large Drawing-Room After Luncheon. 
   The Day Was A Wet One,  And No One Had Ventured Out Except Sir James 
   Cooper. Accustomed To The Scotch Mists,  This Rain Seemed A Genial Shower, 
   And Sir James Was Enjoying It Accordingly. It Was A Warm,  Close Day,  In 
   Spite Of The Rain; And The Large Fire In The Grate Made The Room 
   Oppressive,  So That They Were Glad To Throw The Windows Open. 
     
   Lying On A Sofa Near The Fire Waas All The 
   More Sorry Because It Was My Own Fault." 
     
   Mr. Fairfax Was Silent For A Few Minutes After This Bold Confession. He 
   Had Interdicted Any Communication With The Forest,  As Mr. Carnegie 
   Prevised. He Did Not,  However,  Consider It Necessary To Provoke Bessie's 
   Ire By Telling Her That He Was Responsible For Her Immense 
   Disappointment. He Let That Pass,  And When He Spoke Again It Was To Draw 
   Her Out On The More Important Subject Of What Progress Mr. Cecil 
   Burleigh Had Made In Her Interest. It Was Truly Vexatious,  But As Bessie 
   Told Her Simple Tale She Was Conscious That Her Color Rose And Deepened 
   Slowly To A Burning Blush. Why? She Vehemently Assured Herself That She 
   Did Not Care A Straw For Mr. Cecil Burleigh,  That She Disliked Him 
   Rather Than Otherwise,  Yet At The Mere Sound Of His Name She Blushed. 
   Perhaps It Was Because She Dreaded Lest Anybody Should Suspect The 
   Mistake Her Vanity Had Made Before. Her Grandfather Gave Her One Acute 
   Glance,  And Was Satisfied That This Business Also Went Well. 
     
   "Mr. Cecil Burleigh Left The Yacht At Ryde. It Was The First Day Of The 
   Regatta When We Anchored There,  And We Landed And Saw The Town," Was All 
   Bessie Said In Words,  But Her Self-Betrayal Was Eloquent. 
     
   "We--What Do You Mean By _We_? Did Your Uncle Frederick Land?" Asked The 
   Squire,  Not Caring In The Least To Know. 
     
   "No--Only Mr. Cecil Burleigh And Myself. We Went To The House Of Some 
   Friends Of His Where We Had Lunch; And Afterward Mrs. Gardiner And One 
   Of The Young Ladies Took Me To The Arcade. My Uncle Never Landed At All 
   From The Day We Left Caen Till We Arrived At Scarcliffe. Mrs. Betts Went 
   Into Harwich With Me. That Is A Very Quaint Old Town,  But Nothing In 
   England Looks So Battered And Decayed As The French Cities Do." 
     
   Mr. Fairfax Knew All About Miss Julia Gardiner,  And Elizabeth's 
   Information That Mr. Cecil Burleigh Had Called On The Family In Ryde 
   Caused Him To Reflect. It Was Very Imprudent To Take Elizabeth With 
   Him--Very Imprudent Indeed; Of Course,  The Squire Could Not Know How 
   Little He Was To Blame. To Take Her Mind Off The Incident That Seriously 
   Annoyed Himself,  He Asked What Troubles Caen Had Seen,  And Bessie, 
   Thankful To Discourse Of Something Not Confusing,  Answered Him Like A 
   Book: 
     
   "Oh,  Many. It Is Very Impoverished And Dilapidated. The Revocation Of 
   The Edict Of Nantes Ruined Its Trade. Its Principal Merchants Were 
   Huguenots: There Are Still Amongst The Best Families Some Of The 
   Reformed Religion. Then In The Great Revolution It Suffered Again; The 
   Churches Were Desecrated,  And Turned To All Manner Of Common Uses; Some 
   Are Being Restored,  But I Myself Have Seen Straw Hoisted In At A Church 
   Window,  Beautiful With Flamboyant Tracery In The Arch,  The Shafts Below 
   Being Partly Broken Away." 
     
   Mr. Fairfax Remarked That France Was Too Prone To Violent Remedies; Then 
   Reverting To The Subjects Uppermost In His Thoughts,  He Said,  "Elections 
   And Politics Cannot Have Much Interest For You Yet,  Elizabeth,  But 
   Probably You Have Heard That Mr. Cecil Burleigh Is Going To Stand For 
   Norminster?" 
     
   "Yes; He Spoke Of It To My Uncle Frederick. He Is A Very Liberal 
   Conservative,  From What I Heard Him Say. There Was A Famous Contest For 
   Hampton When I Was Not More Than Twelve Years Old: We Went To See The 
   Members Chaired. My Father Was Orange--The Carnegies Are Almost 
   Radicals; They Supported Mr. Hiloe--And We Wore Orange Rosettes." 
     
   "A Most Unbecoming Color! You Must Take Up With Blue Now; Blue Is The 
   Only Wear For A Fairfax. Most Men Might Wear Motley For A Sign Of Their 
   Convictions. Let Us Return To The Octagon Parlor; It Is Cheerful With A 
   Fire After Dinner. At Abbotsmead There Are Not Many Evenings When A Fire 
   Is Not Acceptable At Dusk." 
     
   The Fire Was Very Acceptable; It Was Very Composing And Pleasant. Bright 
   Flashes Of Flame Kindled And Reddened The Fragrant Dry Pine Chips And 
   Played About The Lightly-Piled Logs. Mr. Fairfax Took His Own 
   Commodious Chair On One Side Of The Hearth,  Facing The Uncurtained 
   Windows; A Low Seat Conf Edward," Returning To The 
   Other Subject,  "I Thought You Meant The Boy." 
     
   Lady Laura Shook Her Head. "He Will Never Get Well,  Anne. Death Is 
   Written On His Face." 
     
   "You Would Say So,  If You Saw Him Some Days. He Is Excitable,  And Your 
   Coming Has Roused Him. I Never Saw Any One Fluctuate So; One Day Dying, 
   The Next Better Again. For Myself I Have Very Little Hope,  And Mr. 
   Hillary Has None; But I Dare Not Say So To Margaret And The Dowager." 
     
   "Why Not?" 
     
   "It Makes Them Angry. They Cannot Bear To Hear There's A Possibility Of 
   His Death. Margaret May See The Danger,  But I Don't Believe The Dowager 
   Does." 
     
   "Their Wishes Must Blind Them," Observed Lady Laura. "The Dowager Seems 
   All Fury And Folly. She Scarcely Gave Herself Time To Welcome Me This 
   Morning,  Or To Inquire How I Was After My Long Voyage; But Began 
   Descanting On A Host Of Evils,  The Chief Being That Her Grandson Should 
   Have Had Fever." 
     
   "She Would Like Him To Bear A Charmed Life. Not For Love Of Him,  Laura." 
     
   "What Then?" 
     
   "I Do Not Believe She Has A Particle Of Love For Him. Don't Think Me 
   Uncharitable; It Is The Truth; Val Will Tell You The Same. She Is Not 
   Capable Of Experiencing Common Affection For Any One; Every Feeling Of 
   Her Nature Is Merged In Self-Interest. Had Her Daughter Left Another Boy 
   She Would Not Be Dismayed At The Prospect Of This One's Death; Whether He 
   Lived Or Died,  It Would Be All One To Her. The Grievance Is That Reginald 
   Should Have The Chance Of Succeeding." 
     
   "Because He Is Your Son. I Understand. A Vain,  Puffed-Up Old Thing! The 
   Idea Of Her Still Painting Her Face And Wearing False Curls! I Wonder You 
   Tolerate Her In Your House,  Anne! She's Always Here." 
     
   "How Can I Help Myself? She Considers,  I Believe,  That She Has More Right 
   In This House Than I Have." 
     
   "Does She Make Things Uncomfortable?" 
     
   "More So Than I Have Ever Confessed,  Even To My Husband. From The Hour Of 
   My Marriage She Set The Two Children Against Me,  And Against My Children 
   When They Came; And She Never Ceases To Do So Still." 
     
   "Why Do You Submit To It?" 
     
   "She Is Their Grandmother,  And I Cannot Well Deny Her The House. Val 
   Might Do So,  But He Does Not. Perhaps I Should Have Had Courage To 
   Attempt It,  For The Children's Own Sake,  It Is So Shocking To Train Them 
   To Ill-Nature,  But That He Appears To Think As She Does. The Petty 
   Disputes Between The Children Are Frequent--For My Two Elder Ones Are 
   Getting Of An Age To Turn Again When Put Upon--But Their Father Never 
   Corrects Edward And Maude,  Or Allows Them To Be Corrected; Let Them Do 
   What Wrong They Will,  He Takes Their Part. I Believe That If Edward 
   _Killed_ One Of My Children,  He Would Only Caress Him." 
     
   Lady Laura Turned Her Eyes On The Speaker's Face,  On Its Flush Of Pain 
   And Mortification. 
     
   "And Val Loved You: And Did _Not_ Love Maude! What Does It Mean,  Anne?" 
     
   "I Cannot Tell You. Things Altogether Are Growing More Than I Can Bear." 
     
   "Margaret Has Been With You Some Time; Has She Not Interfered,  Or Tried 
   To Put Things Upon A Right Footing?" 
     
   Anne Shook Her Head. "She Espouses The Dowager's Side; Upholds The Two 
   Children In Their Petty Tyranny. No One In The House Takes My Part,  Or My 
   Children's." 
     
   "That Is Just Like Margaret. Do You Remember How You And I Used To Dread 
   Her Domineering Spirit When We Were Girls? It's Time I Came,  I Think,  To 
   Set Things Right." 
     
   "Laura,  Neither You Nor Any One Else Can Set Things Right. They Have Been 
   Wrong Too Long. The Worst Is,  I Cannot See What The Evil Is,  As Regards 
   Val. If I Ask Him He Repels Me,  Or Laughs At Me,  And Tells Me I Am 
   Fanciful. That He Has Some Secret Trouble I Have Long Known: His Days Are 
   Unhappy,  His Nights Restless; Often When He Thinks Me Asleep I Am 
   Listening To His Sighs. I Am Glad You Have Come Home; I Have Wanted A 
   True Friend To Confide These Troubles To,  And I Could Only Speak Of Them 
   To One Of The Family." 
     
   "It Sounds Like A Romance," Cried Laura. "Some Secret Grief! What Can It 
   Be?" 
     
   They Were Interrupted By A Commotion. Maude Had Been Threading A Splendid 
   Ring All The Colours Of The Rainbow,  And Now Exhibited It For The Benefit 
   Of Admiring Beholders. 
     
   "Papa--Aunt Margaret--Look At My Ring." 
     
   Lord Hartledon Nodded Pleasantly At The Child From His Distant Seat; Lady 
   Margaret Appeared Not To Have Heard; And Maude Caught Up A Soft Ball And 
   Threw It At Her Aunt. 
     
   Unfortunately,  It Took A Wrong Direction,  And Struck The Nodding Dowager 
   On The Nose. She Rose Up In A Fury And Some Commotion Ensued. 
     
   "Make Me A Ring,  Maude," Little Anne Lisped When The Dowager Had Subsided 
   Into Her Chair Again. Maude Took No Notice; Her Finger Was Still Lifted 
   With The Precious Ornament. 
     
   "Can You See It From Your Sofa,  Edward?" 
     
   The Boy Rose And Stretched Himself. "Pretty Well. You Have Put It On The 
   Wrong Finger,  Maude. Ladies Don't Wear Rings On The Little Finger." 
     
   "But It Won't Go On The Others," Said Maude Dolefully: "It's Too Small." 
     
   "Make A Larger One." 
     
   "Make One For Me,  Maude," Again Broke In Anne's Little Voice. 
     
   "No,  I Won't!" Returned Maude. "You Are Big Enough To Thread Beads For 
   Yourself." 
     
   "No,  She's Not," Said Reginald. "Make Her One,  Maude." 
     
   "No,  Don't,  Maude," Said Edward. "Let Them Do Things For Themselves." 
     
   "You Hear!" Whispered Lady Hartledon. 
     
   "I Do Hear. And Val Sits There And Never Reproves Them; And The Old 
   Dowager's Head And Eyes Are Nodding And Twinkling Approval." 
     
   Lady Laura Was An Energetic Little Woman,  Thin,  And Pale,  And Excessively 
   Active,  With A Propensity For Setting The World Straight,  And A Tongue As 
   Unceremoniously Free As The Dowager's. In The Cause Of Justice She Would 
   Have Stood Up To Battle With A Giant. Lady Hartledon Was About To Make 
   Some Response,  But She Bade Her Wait; Her Attention Was Absorbed By The 
   Children. Perhaps The Truth Was That She Was Burning To Have A Say In The 
   Matter Herself. 
     
   "Maude," She Called Out,  "If That Ring Is Too Small For You,  It Would Do 
   For Anne,  And Be Kind Of You To Give It Her." 
     
   Maude Looked Dubious. Left To Herself,  The Child Would Have Been Generous 
   Enough. She Glanced At The Dowager. 
     
   "May I Give It Her,  Grand'ma?" 
     
   Grand'ma Was Conveniently Deaf. She Would Rather Have Cut The Ring In 
   Two Than It Should Be Given To The Hated Child: But,  On The Other Hand, 
   She Did Not Care To Offend Laura Level,  Who Possessed Inconveniently 
   Independent Opinions,  And Did Not Shrink From Proclaiming Them. Seizing 
   The Poker,  She Stirred The Fire,  And Created A Divertissement. 
     
   In The Midst Of It,  Edward Left His Sofa And Walked Up To The Group And 
   Their Beads. He Was Very Weak,  And Tottered Unintentionally Against Anne. 
   The Touch Destroyed Her Equilibrium,  And She Fell Into Maude's Lap. There 
   Was No Damage Done,  But The Box Of Beads Was Upset On To The Carpet. 
   Maude Screamed At The Loss Of Her Treasures,  Rose Up With Anger,  And 
   Slapped Anne. The Child Cried Out. 
     
   "Why D'you Hit Her?" Cried Reginald. "It Was Edward's Fault; He Pushed 
   Her." 
     
   "What's That!" Exclaimed Edward. "My Fault! I'll Teach You To Say That," 
   And He Struck Reginald A Tingling Slap On The Cheek. 
     
   Of Course There Was Loud Crying. The Dowager Looked On With A Red Face. 
   Lady Margaret Cooper,  Who Had No Children Of Her Own,  Stopped Her Ears. 
   Lady Laura Laid Her Hand On Her Sister-In Law's Wrist. 
     
   "And You Can Witness These Scenes,  And Not Check Them! You Are Changed, 
   Indeed,  Anne!" 
     
   "If I Interfere To Protect My Children,  I Am Checked And Prevented," 
   Replied Lady Hartledon,  With Quivering Lips. "This Scene Is Nothing To 
   What We Have Sometimes." 
     
   "Who Checks You--Val?" 
     
   "The Dowager. But He Does Not Interpose For Me. Where The Children Are 
   Concerned,  He Tacitly Lets Her Have Sway. It Is Not Often Anything Of 
   This Sort Takes Place In His Presence." 
     
   The Noise Continued: All The Children Seemed To Be Fighting Together. 
   Anne Went Forward And Drew Her Own Two Out Of The Fray. 
     
   "Pray Send Those Two Screamers To The Nursery,  Lady Hartledon," Cried The 
   Dowager. 
     
   "I Cannot Think Why They Are Allowed In The Drawing-Room At All," Said 
   Lady Margaret,  Addressing No One In Particular,  Unless It We Way. She Seemed To Have Discovered The Trick Of Coming And Going 
   Undisturbingly. She Was Docile And Affectionate,  But Not In The Least 
   Sentimental. He Had Known Men Whose First Years Of Marriage,  Not To 
   Speak Of The First Months,  Had Been Rendered Unbearable By The Fact That 
   Their Wives Were Constantly Demanding Or Expecting The Expression Of 
   Sentiments Which Unsentimental Males Had Not At Their Fingers' Ends. So 
   The Men Had Been Annoyed Or Bored,  And The Women Had Been Dissatisfied. 
   Emily Demanded Nothing Of The Sort,  And Was Certainly Not Dissatisfied. 
   She Looked Very Handsome And Happy. Her Looks Positively Improved,  And 
   When People Began To Call And She To Pay Visits,  She Was Very Much 
   Liked. He Had Certainly Been Quite Right In Deciding To Ask Her To Marry 
   Him. If She Had A Son,  He Should Congratulate Himself Greatly. The More 
   He Saw Of Osborn The More He Disliked Him. It Appeared That There Was A 
   Prospect Of A Child There. 
     
   This Last Was Indeed True,  And Emily Had Been Much Touched And Awakened 
   To Sympathy. It Had Gradually Become Revealed To Her That The Osborns 
   Were Poorer Than They Could Decently Admit. Emily Had Discovered That 
   They Could Not Even Remain In The Lodgings In Duke Street,  Though She 
   Did Not Know The Reason,  Which Was That Captain Osborn Had Been Obliged 
   To Pay Certain Moneys To Stave Off A Scandal Not Entirely Unconnected 
   With The Young Woman His Arm Had Encircled The Day Walderhurst Had Seen 
   Him On The Top Of The Bus. He Was Very Well Aware That If He Was To 
   Obtain Anything From Lord Walderhurst,  There Were Several Things Which 
   Must Be Kept Entirely Dark. Even A Scandal Belonging To The Past Could 
   Be Made As Unpleasant As An Error Of To-Day. Also The Young Woman Of The 
   Bead Cape Knew How To Manage Him. But They Must Remove To Cheaper 
   Lodgings,  And The Rooms In Duke Street Had Been Far From Desirable. 
     
   Lady Walderhurst Came In One Morning From A Walk,  With A Fresh Colour 
   And Bright Eyes,  And Before Taking Off Her Hat Went To Her Husband's 
   Study. 
     
   "May I Come In?" 
     
   Walderhurst Had Been Writing Some Uninteresting Letters And Looked Up 
   With A Smile. 
     
   "Certainly," He Answered. "What A Colour You Have! Exercise Agrees With 
   You. You Ought To Ride." 
     
   "That Was What Captain Osborn Said. If You Don't Mind,  I Should Like To 
   Ask You Something." 
     
   "I Don't Mind. You Are A Reasonable Woman,  Emily. One's Safe With You." 
     
   "It Is Something Connected With The Osborns." 
     
   "Indeed!" Chilling Slightly. "I Don't Care About Them,  You Know." 
     
   "You Don't Dislike Her,  Do You?" 
     
   "No-O,  Not Exactly." 
     
   "She's--The Truth Is,  She Is Not At All Well," With A Trifle Of 
   Hesitance; "She Ought To Be Better Taken Care Of Than She Is In 
   Lodgings,  And They Are Obliged To Take Very Cheap Ones." 
     
   "If He Had Been A More Respectable Fellow His Circumstances Would Have 
   Been Different," Rather Stiffly. 
     
   Emily Felt Alarmed. She Had Not Dreamed Of The Temerity Of Any Remark 
   Suggestive Of Criticism. 
     
   "Yes," Hastily,  "Of Course. I Am Sure You Know Best; But--I Thought 
   Perhaps--" 
     
   Walderhurst Liked Her Timidity. To See A Fine,  Tall,  Upstanding Creature 
   Colour In That Way Was Not Disagreeable When One Realised That She 
   Coloured Because She Feared She Might Offend One. 
     
   "What Did You Think 'Perhaps'?" Was His Lenient Response. 
     
   Her Colour Grew Warmer,  But This Time From A Sense Of Relief,  Because He 
   Was Evidently Not As Displeased As He Might Have Been. 
     
   "I Took A Long Walk This Morning," She Said. "I Went Through The High 
   Wood And Came Out By The Place Called The Kennel Farm. I Was Thinking A 
   Good Deal Of Poor Mrs. Osborn Because I Had Heard From Her This Morning, 
   And She Seemed So Unhappy. I Was Looking At Her Letter Again When I 
   Turned Into The Lane Leading To The House. Then I Saw That No One Was 
   Living There,  And I Could Not Help Going In To Look--It Is Such A 
   Delightful Old Building,  With Its Queer Windows And Chimneys,  And The 
   Ivy Which Seems Never To Have Been Clipped. The House Is So Roomy And 
   Comfortable--I Peeped In At Windows And Saw Big Fireplacee Former; Whom She Had Known When A 
   Girl,  And Been Given To Ridiculing More Than Was Quite Polite. 
     
   Lord Hartledon Had Left The Room After His Wife. She Sent The Children 
   To The Nursery; And He Found Her Alone In Her Chamber Sobbing Bitterly. 
     
   Certainly He Was A Contradiction. He Fondly Took Her In His Arms, 
   Beseeching Her To Pardon Him,  If He Had Unwittingly Slighted Her,  As 
   Laura Implied; And His Blue Eyes Were Beaming With Affection,  His Voice 
   Was Low With Persuasive Tenderness. 
     
   "There Are Times," She Sobbed,  "When I Am Tempted To Wish Myself Back In 
   My Father's House!" 
     
   "I Cannot Think Whence All This Discomfort Arises!" He Weakly Exclaimed. 
   "Of One Thing,  Anne,  Rest Assured: As Soon As Edward Changes For The 
   Better Or The Worse--And One It Must Inevitably Be--That Mischief-Making 
   Old Woman Shall Quit My House For Ever." 
     
   "Edward Will Never Change For The Better," She Said. "For The Worse,  He 
   May Soon: For The Better,  Never." 
     
   "I Know: Hillary Has Told Me. Bear With Things A Little Longer,  And 
   Believe That I Will Remedy Them The Moment Remedy Is Possible. I Am Your 
   Husband." 
     
   Lady Hartledon Lifted Her Eyes To His. "We Cannot Go On As We Are Going 
   On Now. Tell Me What It Is You Have To Bear. You Remind Me That You Are 
   My Husband; I Now Remind You That I Am Your Wife: Confide In Me. I Will 
   Be True And Loving To You,  Whatever It May Be." 
     
   "Not Yet; In A Little Time,  Perhaps. Bear With Me Still,  My Dear Wife." 
     
   His Look Was Haggard; His Voice Bore A Sound Of Anguish; He Clasped Her 
   Hand To Pain As He Left Her. Whatever Might Be His Care,  Anne Could Not 
   Doubt His Love. 
     
   And As He Went Into The Drawing-Room,  A Smile On His Face,  Chatting With 
   The Curate,  Laughing With His Newly-Married Wife,  Both Those Unsuspicious 
   Visitors Could Have Protested When They Went Forth,  That Never Was A Man 
   More Free From Trouble Than That Affable Servant Of Her Majesty's The 
   Earl Of Hartledon. 
     
     
   
   
   
   Chapter 36 (Explanations) 
   A Change For The Worse Occurred In The Child,  Lord Elster; And After Two 
   Or Three Weeks' Sinking He Died,  And Was Buried At Hartledon By The Side 
   Of His Mother. Hartledon's Sister Quitted Hartledon House For A Change; 
   But The Countess-Dowager Was There Still,  And Disturbed Its Silence With 
   Moans And Impromptu Lamentations,  Especially When Going Up And Down The 
   Staircase And Along The Corridors. 
     
   Mr. Carr,  Who Had Come For The Funeral,  Also Remained. On The Day 
   Following It He And Lord Hartledon Were Taking A Quiet Walk Together, 
   When They Met Mrs. Gum. Hartledon Stopped And Spoke To Her In His Kindly 
   Manner. She Was Less Nervous Than She Used To Be; And She And Her Husband 
   Were Once More At Peace In Their House. 
     
   "I Would Not Presume To Say A Word Of Sympathy,  My Lord," She Said, 
   Curtseying,  "But We Felt It Indeed. Jabez Was Cut Up Like Anything When 
   He Came In Yesterday From The Funeral." 
     
   Val Looked At Her,  A Meaning She Understood In His Earnest Eyes. "Yes,  It 
   Is Hard To Part With Our Children: But When Grief Is Over,  We Live In The 
   Consolation That They Have Only Gone Before Us To A Better Place,  Where 
   Sin And Sorrow Are Not. We Shall Join Them Later." 
     
   She Went Away,  Tears Of Joy Filling Her Eyes. _She_ Had A Son Up There, 
   Waiting For _Her_; And She Knew Lord Hartledon Meant Her To Think Of Him 
   When He Had So Spoken. 
     
   "Carr," Said Val,  "I Never Told You The Finale Of That Tragedy. George 
   Gordon Of The Mutiny,  Did Turn Up: He Lived And Died In England." 
     
   "No!" 
     
   "He Died At Calne. It Was That Poor Woman's Son." 
     
   Mr. Carr Looked Round For An Explanation. He Knew Her As The Wife Of 
   Clerk Gum,  And Sister To Hartledon's Housekeeper. Val Told Him All,  As 
   The Facts Had Come Out To Him. 
     
   "Pike Always Puzzled Me," He Said. "Disguised As He Was With His Black 
   Hair,  His Face Stained With Some Dark Juice,  There Was A Look In Him That 
   Used To Strike Some Chord In My Memory. It Lay In The Eyes,  I Think. 
   You'll Keep These Facts Sacred,  Carr,  For The Parents' Sake. They Are 
   Known Only To Four Of Us." 
     
   "Have You Told Your Wife Yet?" Questioned Mr. Carr,  Recurring To A 
   Different Subject. 
     
   "No. I Could Not,  Somehow,  Whilst The Child Lay Dead In The House. She 
   Shall Know It Shortly." 
     
   "And What About Dismissing The Countess-Dowager? You Will Do It?" 
     
   "I Shall Be Only Too Thankful To Do It. All My Courage Has Come Back To 
   Me,  Thank Heaven!" 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Of Kirton's Reign Was Indeed Over; Never Would He 
   Allow Her To Disturb The Peace Of His House Again. He Might Have To 
   Pension Her Off,  But That Was A Light Matter. His Intention Was To Speak 
   To Her In A Few Days' Time,  Allowing An Interval To Elapse After The 
   Boy's Death; But She Forestalled The Time Herself,  As Val Was Soon To 
   Find. 
     
   Dinner That Evening Was A Sad Meal--Sad And Silent. The Only One Who Did 
   Justice To It Was The Countess-Dowager--In A Black Gauze Dress And White 
   Crepe Turban. Let What Would Betide,  Lady Kirton Never Failed To Enjoy 
   Her Dinner. She Had A Scheme In Her Head; It Had Been Working There Since 
   The Day Of Her Grandson's Death; And When The Servants Withdrew,  She 
   Judged It Expedient To Disclose It To Hartledon,  Hoping To Gain Her 
   Point,  Now That He Was Softened By Sorrow. 
     
   "Hartledon,  I Want To Talk To You," She Began,  Critically Tasting Her 
   Wine; "And I Must Request That You'll Attend To Me." 
     
   Anne Looked Up,  Wondering What Was Coming. She Wore An Evening Dress Of 
   Black Crepe,  A Jet Necklace On Her Fair Neck,  Jet Bracelets On Her Arms: 
   Mourning Far Deeper Than The Dowager's. 
     
   "Are You Listening To Me,  Val?" 
     
   "I Am Quite Ready," Answered Val. 
     
   "I Asked You,  Once Before,  To Let Me Have Maude's Children,  And To Allow 
   Me A Fair Income With Them. Had You Done So,  This Dreadful Misfortune 
   Would Not Have Overtaken Your House: For It Stands To Reason That If Lord 
   Elster Had Been Living Somewhere Else With Me,  He Could Not Have Caught 
   Scarlet-Fever In London." 
     
   "We Never Thought He Did Catch It," Returned Hartledon. "It Was Not 
   Prevalent At The Time; And,  Strange To Say,  None Of The Other Children 
   Took It,  Nor Any One Else In The House." 
     
   "Then What Gave It Him?" Sharply Uttered The Dowager. 
     
   What Val Answered Was Spoken In A Low Tone,  And She Caught One Word Only, 
   Providence. She Gave A Growl,  And Continued. 
     
   "At Any Rate,  He's Gone; And You Have Now No Pretext For Refusing Me 
   Maude. I Shall Take Her,  And Bring Her Up,  And You Must Make Me A Liberal 
   Allowance For Her." 
     
   "I Shall Not Part With Maude," Said Val,  In Quiet Tones Of Decision. 
     
   "You Can't Refuse Her To Me,  I Say," Rejoined The Dowager,  Nodding Her 
   Head Defiantly; "She's My Own Grandchild." 
     
   "And My Child. The Argument On This Point Years Ago Was Unsatisfactory, 
   Lady Kirton; I Do Not Feel Disposed To Renew It. Maude Will Remain In Her 
   Own Home." 
     
   "You Are A Vile Man!" Cried The Dowager,  With An Inflamed Face. "Pass Me 
   The Wine." 
     
   He Filled Her Glass,  And Left The Decanter With Her. She Resumed. 
     
   "One Day,  When I Was With Maude,  In That Last Illness Of Hers In London, 
   When We Couldn't Find Out What Was The Matter With Her,  Poor Dear,  She 
   Wrote You A Letter; And I Know What Was In It,  For I Read It. You Had 
   Gone Dancing Off Somewhere For A Week." 
     
   "To The Isle Of Wight,  On Your Account," Put In Lord Hartledon,  Quietly; 
   "On That Unhappy Business Connected With Your Son Who Lives There. Well, 
   Ma'am?" 
     
   "In That Letter Maude Said She Wished Me To Have Charge Of Her Children, 
   If She Died; And Begged You To Take Notice That She Said It," Continued 
   The Dowager. "Perhaps You'll Say You Never Had That Letter?" 
     
   "On The Contrary,  Madam,  I Admit Receiving It," He Replied. "I Daresay I 
   Have It Still. Most Of Maude's Letters Lie In My Desk Undisturbed." 
     
   "And,  Admitting That,  You Refuse To Act Up To It?" 
     
   "Maude Wrote In A Moment Of Pique,  When She Was Angry With Me. But--" 
     
   "And I Have No Doubt She Had Good Cause For Anger!" 
     
   "She Had Great Cause," Was His Answer,  Spoken With A Strange Sadness That 
   Surprised Both The Dowager And Lady Hartledon. Thomas Carr Was Twirling 
   His Wine-Glass Gently Round On The White Cloth,  Neither Speaking Nor 
   Looe Had Never 
   Heard Of. She Had Lain Awake Hours At Night And Stared With Wide-Open 
   Eyes At The Darkness,  Picturing To Her Inner Soul The Dream Of Splendour 
   That She Would Be Part Of,  The Solace For Past Miseries,  The High 
   Revenges For Past Slights That Would Be Hers After The Hour In Which She 
   Heard The Words Osborn Had Just Quoted,  "Walderhurst Died Last Night!" 
   Oh! If Luck Had Only Helped Them! If The Spells Her Ayah Had Taught Her 
   In Secret Had Only Worked As They Would Have Worked If She Had Been A 
   Native Woman And Had Really Used Them Properly! There Was A Spell She 
   Had Wrought Once Which Ameerah Had Sworn To Her Was To Be Relied On. It 
   Took Ten Weeks To Accomplish Its End. In Secret She Had Known Of A Man 
   On Whom It Had Been Worked. She Had Found Out About It Partly From The 
   Remote Hints Which Had Aided Her Half Knowledge Of Strange Things And By 
   Keeping A Close Watch. The Man Had Died--He Had Died. She Herself,  And 
   With Her Own Eyes Had Seen Him Begin To Ail,  Had Heard Of His Fevers And 
   Pains And Final Death. He Had Died. She Knew That. And She Had Tried The 
   Thing Herself In Dead Secrecy. And At The Fifth Week,  Just As With The 
   Native Who Had Died,  She Heard That Walderhurst Was Ill. During The Next 
   Four Weeks She Was Sick With The Tension Of Combined Horror And Delight. 
   But He Did Not Die In The Tenth Week. They Heard That He Had Gone To 
   Tangiers With A Party Of Notable People,  And That His "Slight" 
   Indisposition Had Passed,  Leaving Him In Admirable Health And Spirits. 
     
   Her Husband Had Known Nothing Of Her Frenzy. She Would Not Have Dared To 
   Tell Him. There Were Many Things She Did Not Tell Him. He Used To Laugh 
   At Her Native Stories Of Occult Powers,  Though She Knew That He Had Seen 
   Some Strange Things Done,  As Most Foreigners Had. He Always Explained 
   Such Things Contemptuously On Grounds Which Presupposed In The 
   Performers Of The Mysteries Powers Of Agility,  Dexterity,  And Universal 
   Knowledge Quite As Marvellous As Anything Occult Could Have Been. He Did 
   Not Like Her To Show Belief In The "Tricks Of The Natives," As He Called 
   Them. It Made A Woman Look A Fool,  He Said,  To Be So Credulous. 
     
   During The Last Few Months A New Fever Had Tormented Her. Feelings Had 
   Awakened In Her Which Were New. She Thought Things She Had Never Thought 
   Before. She Had Never Cared For Children Or Suspected Herself Of Being 
   The Maternal Woman. But Nature Worked In Her After Her Weird Fashion. 
   She Began To Care Less For Some Things And More For Others. She Cared 
   Less For Osborn's Moods And Was Better Able To Defy Them. He Began To Be 
   Afraid Of Her Temper,  And She Began To Like At Times To Defy His. There 
   Had Been Some Fierce Scenes Between Them In Which He Had Found Her Meet 
   With A Flare Of Fury Words She Would Once Have Been Cowed By. He Had 
   Spoken One Day With The Coarse Slightingness Of A Selfish,  Irritable 
   Brute,  Of The Domestic Event Which Was Before Them. He Did Not Speak 
   Twice. 
     
   She Sprang Up Before Him And Shook Her Clenched Fist In His Face,  So 
   Near That He Started Back. 
     
   "Don't Say A Word!" She Cried. "Don't Dare--Don't Dare. I Tell You--Look 
   Out,  If You Don't Want To Be Killed." 
     
   During The Outpouring Of Her Frenzy He Saw Her In An Entirely New Light 
   And Made Discoveries. She Would Fight For Her Young,  As A Tigress Fights 
   For Hers. She Was Nursing A Passion Of Secret Feeling Of Which He Had 
   Known Nothing. He Had Not For A Moment Suspected Her Of It. She Had Not 
   Seemed That Kind Of Girl. She Had Been Of The Kind That Cares For Finery 
   And Social Importance And The World's Favour,  Not For Sentiments. 
     
   On This Morning Of The Letter's Arrival He Watched Her Sobbing And 
   Clutching The Tablecloth,  And Reflected. He Walked Up And Down And 
   Pondered. There Were A Lot Of Things To Be Thought Over. 
     
   "We May As Well Accept The Invitation At Once," He Said. "Grovel As Much 
   As You Choose. The More The Better. They'll Like It." 
   
   
   
   Chapter 38 
     
   The Osborns Arrived At The Kennel Farm On A Lovely Rainy Morning. The 
   Green Of The Fields And Trees And Hedges Were Many Tempting Odds And Ends Of Things To 
   Dip Into. For One Thing,  She Found Val's Banking Book,  And Some Old 
   Cheque-Books; They Served Her For Some Time. Next She Came Upon Two 
   Packets Sealed Up In White Paper,  With Val's Own Seal. On One Was 
   Written,  "Letters Of Lady Maude;" On The Other,  "Letters Of My Dear 
   Anne." Peering Further Into The Desk,  She Came Upon An Obscure Inner 
   Slide,  Which Had Evidently Not Been Opened For Years,  And She Had 
   Difficulty In Undoing It. A Paper Was In It,  Superscribed,  "Concerning 
   A.W.;" On Opening Which She Found A Letter Addressed To Thomas Carr,  Of 
   The Temple. 
     
   Thomas Carr's Letters Were No More Sacred With Her Than Lord Hartledon's. 
   No Woman Living Was Troubled With Scruples So Little As She. It Proved To 
   Have Been Written By A Dr. Mair,  In Scotland,  And Was Dated Several Years 
   Back. 
     
   But Now--Did Lord Hartledon Really Know He Had That Dangerous Letter By 
   Him? If So,  What Could Have Possessed Him To Preserve It? Or,  Did He Not 
   Rather Believe He Had Returned It To Mr. Carr At The Time? The Latter, 
   Indeed,  Proved To Be The Case; And Never,  To The End Of His Life,  Would 
   He,  In One Sense,  Forgive His Own Carelessness. 
     
   Who Was A.W.? Thought The Curious Old Woman,  As She Drew The Light Nearer 
   To Her,  And Began The Tempting Perusal,  Making The Most Of The Little 
   Time Left. They Could Not Be At Tea Yet,  And She Had Told Lady Hartledon 
   She Was Going To Take Her Nap In Her Own Room. The Gratification Of 
   Rummaging False Val's Desk Was An Ample Compensation; And The 
   Countess-Dowager Hugged Herself With Delight. 
     
   But What Was This She Had Come Upon--This Paper "Concerning A. W."? The 
   Dowager's Mouth Fell As She Read; And Gradually Her Little Eyes Opened As 
   If They Would Start From Their Sockets,  And Her Face Grew White. Have You 
   Ever Watched The Livid Pallor Of Fear Struggling To One Of These Painted 
   Faces? She Dashed Off Her Spectacles; She Got Up And Wrung Her Hands; 
   She Executed A Frantic War-Dance; And Finally She Tore,  With The Letter, 
   Into The Drawing-Room,  Where Val And Anne And Thomas Carr Were Beginning 
   Tea And Talking Quietly. 
     
   They Rose In Consternation As She Danced In Amongst Them,  And Held Out 
   The Letter To Lord Hartledon. 
     
   He Took It From Her,  Gazing In Utter Bewilderment As He Gathered In Its 
   Contents. Was It A Fresh Letter,  Or--His Face Became Whiter Than The 
   Dowager's. In Her Reckless Passion She Avowed What She Had Done--The 
   Letter Was Secreted In His Desk. 
     
   "Have You Dared To Visit My Desk?" He Gasped--"Break My Seals? Are You 
   Mad?" 
     
   "Hark At Him!" She Cried. "He Calls Me To Account For Just Lifting The 
   Lid Of A Desk! But What Is He? A Villain--A Thief--A Spy--A Murderer--And 
   Worse Than Any Of Them! Ah,  Ha,  My Lady!" Nodding Her False Front At 
   Lady Hartledon,  Who Stood As One Petrified,  "You Stare There At Me With 
   Your Open Eyes; But You Don't Know What You Are! Ask _Him_! What Was 
   Maude--Heaven Help Her--My Poor Maude? What Was She? And _You_ In The 
   Plot; You Vile Carr! I'll Have You All Hanged Together!" 
     
   Lord Hartledon Caught His Wife's Hand. 
     
   "Carr,  Stay Here With Her And Tell Her All. No Good Concealing Anything 
   Now She Has Read This Letter. Tell Her For Me,  For She Would Never Listen 
   To Me." 
     
   He Drew His Wife Into An Adjoining Room,  The One Where The Portrait Of 
   George Elster Looked Down On Its Guests. The Time For Disclosing The 
   Story To His Wife Had Been Somewhat Forestalled. He Would Have Given Half 
   His Life That It Had Never Reached That Other Woman,  Miserable Old Sinner 
   Though She Was. 
     
   "You Are Trembling,  Anne; You Need Not Do So. It Is Not Against You That 
   I Have Sinned." 
     
   Yes,  She Was Trembling Very Much. And Val,  In His Honourable,  His 
   Refined,  Shrinking Nature,  Would Have Given His Life's Other Half Not 
   To Have Had The Tale To Tell. 
     
   It Is Not A Pleasant One. You May Skip It If You Please,  And Go On To The 
   Last Page. Val Once Said He Had Been More Sinned Against Than Sinning: It 
   May Be Deemed That In That Opinion He Was Too Lenient To Himself. Anne, 
   His Wife,  Listened With Averted Face And Incredulous Ears. 
     
   "You Have Wanted A Solution To My Conduct,  Anne--To The Strange 
   Preference I Seemed To Accord The Poor Boy Who Is Gone; Why I Could Not 
   Punish Him; Why I Was More Thankful For The Boon Of His Death Than I Had 
   Been For His Life. He Was My Child,  But He Was Not Lord Elster." 
     
   She Did Not Understand. 
     
   "He Had No Right To My Name; Poor Little Maude Has No Right To It. Do You 
   Understand Me Now?" 
     
   Not At All; It Was As Though He Were Talking Greek To Her. 
     
   "Their Mother,  When They Were Born,  Was Not My Wife." 
     
   "Their Mother Was Lady Maude Kirton," She Rejoined,  In Her Bewilderment. 
     
   "That Is Exactly Where It Was," He Answered Bitterly. "Lady Maude Kirton, 
   Not Lady Hartledon." 
     
   She Could Not Comprehend The Words; Her Mind Was Full Of Consternation 
   And Tumult. Back Went Her Thoughts To The Past. 
     
   "Oh,  Val! I Remember Papa's Saying That A Marriage In That Unused Chapel 
   Was Only Three Parts Legal!" 
     
   "It Was Legal Enough,  Anne: Legal Enough. But When That Ceremony Took 
   Place"--His Voice Dropped To A Miserable Whisper,  "I Had--As They Tell 
   Me--A Wife Living." 
     
   Slowly She Admitted The Meaning Of The Words; And Would Have Started From 
   Him With A Faint Cry,  But That He Held Her To Him. 
     
   "Listen To The Whole,  Anne,  Before You Judge Me. What Has Been Your 
   Promise To Me,  Over And Over Again?--That,  If I Would Tell You My Sorrow, 
   _You_ Would Never Shrink From Me,  Whatever It Might Be." 
     
   She Remembered It,  And Stood Still; Terribly Rebellious,  Clasping Her 
   Fingers To Pain,  One Within The Other. 
     
   "In That Respect,  At Any Rate,  I Did Not Willingly Sin. When I Married 
   Maude I Had No Suspicion That I Was Not Free As Air; Free To Marry Her, 
   Or Any Other Woman In The World." 
     
   "You Speak In Enigmas," She Said Faintly. 
     
   "Sit Down,  Anne,  Whilst I Give You The Substance Of The Tale. Not Its 
   Details Until I Am More Myself,  And That Voice"--Pointing To The Next 
   Room--"Is Not Sounding In My Ears. You Shall Hear All Later; At Least,  As 
   Much As I Know Myself; I Have Never Quite Believed In It,  And It Has Been 
   To Me Throughout As A Horrible Dream." 
     
   Indeed Mr. Carr Seemed To Be Having No Inconsiderable Amount Of Trouble, 
   To Judge By The Explosions Of Wrath On The Part Of The Dowager. 
     
   She Sat Down As He Told Her,  Her Face Turned From Him,  Rebellious 
   At Having To Listen,  But Curious Yet. Lord Hartledon Stood By The 
   Mantelpiece And Shaded His Eyes With His Hand. 
     
   "Send Your Thoughts Into The Past,  Anne; You May Remember That An 
   Accident Happened To Me In Scotland. It Was Before You And I Were 
   Engaged,  Or It Would Not Have Happened. Or,  Let Me Say,  It Might Not; 
   For Young Men Are Reckless,  And I Was No Better Than Others. Heaven Have 
   Mercy On Their Follies!" 
     
   "The Accident Might Not Have Happened?" 
     
   "I Do Not Speak Of The Accident. I Mean What Followed. When Out Shooting 
   I Nearly Blew Off My Arm. I Was Carried To The Nearest Medical Man's,  A 
   Dr. Mair's,  And Remained There; For It Was Not Thought Safe To Move Me; 
   They Feared Inflammation,  And They Feared Locked-Jaw. My Father Was 
   Written To,  And Came; And When He Left After The Danger Was Over He Made 
   Arrangements With Dr. Mair To Keep Me On,  For He Was A Skilful Man,  And 
   Wished To Perfect The Cure. I Thought The Prolonged Stay In The Strange, 
   Quiet House Worse Than All The Rest. That Feeling Wore Off; We Grow 
   Reconciled To Most Conditions; And Things Became More Tolerable As I Grew 
   Better And Joined The Household. There Was A Wild,  Clever,  Random Young 
   Man Staying There,  The Doctor's Assistant--George Gordon; And There Was 
   Also A Young Girl,  Agnes Waterlow. I Used To Wonder What This Agnes Did 
   There,  And One Day Asked The Old Housekeeper; She Said The Young Lady Was 
   There Partly That The Doctor Might Watch Her Health,  Partly Because She 
   Was A Relative Of His Late Wife's,  And Had No Home." 
     
   He Paused,  As If In Thought,  But Soon Continued. 
     
   "We Grew Very Intimate; I,  Gordon,  And Miss Waterlow. Neither Of Them Was 
   The Person I Should Have Chosen For An Intimacy; But There Was,  In A 
   Sense,  No Help For It,  Living Together. Agnes Was A Wild,  Free,  Rather 
   Coarse-Natured Girl,  And Gordon Drank. That She Fell In Love With Me 
   There's No Doubt--And I Grew To Like Her Quite Well Enough To Talk 
   Nonsense To Her. Whether Any Plot Was Laid Between Her And Gordon To 
   Entrap Me,  Or Whether What Happened Arose In The Recklessness Of The 
   Moment,  I Cannot Decide To This Hour. It Was On My Twenty-First Birthday; 
   I Was Almost Well Again; We Had What The Doctor Called A Dinner,  Gordon A 
   Jollification,  And Agnes A Supper. It Was Late When We Sat Down To It, 
   Eight O'clock; And There Was A Good Deal Of Feasting And Plenty Of Wine. 
   The Doctor Was Called Out Afterwards To A Patient Several Miles Distant, 
   And George Gordon Made Some Punch; Which Rendered None Of Our Heads The 
   Steadier. At Least I Can Answer For Mine: I Was Weak With The Long 
   Illness,  And Not Much Of A Drinker At Any Time. There Was A Great Deal Of 
   Nonsense Going On,  And Gordon Pretended To Marry Me To Agnes. He Said Or 
   Read (I Can't Tell Which,  And Never Knew Then) Some Words Mockingly Out 
   Of The Prayer-Book,  And Said We Were Man And Wife. Whilst We Were All 
   Laughing At The Joke,  The Doctor's Old Housekeeper Came In,  To See What 
   The Noise Was About,  And I,  By Way Of Keeping It Up,  Took Agnes By The 
   Hand,  And Introduced Her As Mrs. Elster. I Did Not Understand The Woman's 
   Look Of Astonishment Then; Unfortunately,  I Have Understood It Too Well 
   Since." 
     
   Anne Was Growing Painfully Interested. 
     
   "Well,  After That She Threw Herself Upon Me In A Manner That--That Was 
   Extraordinary To Me,  Not Having The Key To It; And I--Lost My Head. Don't 
   Frown,  Anne; Ninety-Nine Men Out Of A Hundred Would Have Lost Theirs; And 
   You'll Say So If Ever I Give You The Details. Of Course Blame Attached To 
   Me; To Me,  And Not To Her. Though At The Time I Mentally Gave Her,  I 
   Assure You,  Her Full Share,  Somewhat After The Manner Of The Pharisee 
   Condemning The Publican. That Also Has Come Home To Me: She Believed 
   Herself To Be Legally My Wife; I Never Gave A Thought To That Evening's 
   Farce,  And Should Have Supposed Its Bearing Any Meaning A Simple 
   Impossibility. 
     
   "A Short Time,  And Letters Summoned Me Home; My Mother Was Dangerously 
   Ill. I Remember Agnes Asked Me To Take Her With Me,  And I Laughed At Her. 
   I Arranged To Write To Her,  And Promised To Go Back Shortly--Which,  To 
   Tell You The Truth,  I Never Meant To Do. Having Been Mistaking Her, 
   Mistaking Her Still,  I Really Thought Her Worthy Of Very Little 
   Consideration. Before I Had Been At Home A Fortnight I Received A Letter 
   From Dr. Mair,  Telling Me That Agnes Was Showing Symptoms Of Insanity, 
   And Asking What Provision I Purposed Making For Her. My Sin Was Finding 
   Me Out; I Wondered How _He_ Had Found It Out; I Did Not Ask,  And Did Not 
   Know For Years. I Wrote Back Saying I Would Willingly Take All Expenses 
   Upon Myself; And Inquired What Sum Would Be Required By The Asylum--To 
   Which He Said She Must Be Sent. He Mentioned Two Hundred A-Year,  And From 
   That Time I Paid It Regularly." 
     
   "And Was She Really Insane?" Interrupted Lady Hartledon. 
     
   "Yes; She Had Been So Once Or Twice Before--And This Was What The 
   Housekeeper Had Meant By Saying She Was With The Doctor That Her Health 
   Might Be Watched. It Appeared That When These Symptoms Came On,  After I 
   Left,  Gordon Took Upon Himself To Disclose To The Doctor That Agnes Was 
   Married To Me,  Telling The Circumstances As They Had Occurred. Dr. Mair 
   Got Frightened: It Was No Light Matter For The Son Of An English Peer To 
   Have Been Deluded Into Marriage With An Obscure And Insane Girl; And The 
   Quarrel That Took Place Between Him And Gordon On The Occasion Resulted 
   In The Latter's Leaving. I Have Never Understood Gordon's Conduct In The 
   Matter: Very Disagreeable Thoughts In Regard To It Come Over Me 
   Sometimes." 
     
   "What Thoughts?" 
     
   "Oh,  Never Mind; They Can Never Be Set At Rest Now. Let Me Make Short 
   Work Of This Story. I Heard No More And Thought No More; And The Years 
   Went On,  And Then Came My Marriage With Maude. We Went To Paris--_You_ 
   Cannot Have Forgotten Any Of The Details Of That Period,  Anne; And After 
   Our Return To London I Was Surprised By A Visit From Dr. Mair. That 
   Evening,  That Visit And Its Details Stamped Themselves On My Memory For 
   Ever In Characters Of Living Fire." 
     
   He Paused For A Moment,  And Something Like A Shiver Seized Him. Anne Said 
   Nothing. 
     
   "Maude Had Gone With Some Friends To A Fete At Chiswick,  And Thomas Carr 
   Was Dining With Me. Hedges Came In And Said A Gentleman Wanted To See 
   Me--_Would_ See Me,  And Would Not Be Denied. I Went To Him,  And Found It 
   Was Dr. Mair. In That Interview I Learnt That By The Laws Of Scotland 
   Miss Waterlow Was My Wife." 
     
   "And The Suspicion That She Was So Had Never Occurred To You Before?" 
     
   "Anne! Should I Have Been Capable Of Marrying Maude,  Or Any One Else,  If 
   It Had? On My Solemn Word Of Honour,  Before Heaven"--He Raised His Right 
   Hand As If To Give Effect To His Words--"Such A Thought Had Never Crossed 
   My Brain. The Evening That The Nonsense Took Place I Only Regarded It As 
   A Jest,  A Pastime--What You Will: Had Any One Told Me It Was A Marriage I 
   Should Have Laughed At Them. I Knew Nothing Then Of The Laws Of Scotland, 
   And Should Have Thought It Simply Impossible That That Minute's Folly, 
   And My Calling Her,  To Keep Up The Joke,  Mrs. Elster,  Could Have 
   Constituted A Marriage. I Think They All Played A Deep Part,  Even Agnes. 
   Not A Soul Had So Much As Hinted At The Word 'Marriage' To Me After That 
   Evening; Neither Gordon,  Nor She,  Nor Dr. Mair In His Subsequent 
   Correspondence; And In That He Always Called Her 'Agnes.' However--He 
   Then Told Me That She Was Certainly My Legal Wife,  And That Lady Maude 
   Was Not. 
     
   "At First," Continued Val,  "I Did Not Believe It; But Dr. Mair Persisted 
   He Was Right,  And The Horror Of The Situation Grew Upon Me. I Told All To 
   Carr,  And Took Him Up To Dr. Mair. They Discussed Scottish Law And 
   Consulted Law-Books; And The Truth,  So Far,  Became Apparent. Dr. Mair Was 
   Sorry For Me; He Saw I Had Not Erred Knowingly In Marrying Maude. As To 
   Myself,  I Was Helpless,  Prostrated. I Asked The Doctor,  If It Were Really 
   True,  Why The Fact Had Been Kept From Me: He Replied That He Supposed I 
   Knew It,  And That Delicacy Alone Had Caused Him To Abstain From Alluding 
   To It In His Letters. He Had Been Very Angry When Gordon Told Him,  He 
   Said; Grew Half Frightened As To Consequences; Feared He Should Get Into 
   Trouble For Allowing Me To Be So Entrapped In His House; And He And 
   Gordon Parted At Once. And Then Dr. Mair Asked A Question Which I Could 
   Not Very Well Answer,  Why,  If I Did Not Know She Was My Wife,  I Had Paid 
   So Large A Sum For Agnes. He Had Been Burying The Affair In Silence,  As 
   He Had Assumed I Was Doing; And It Was Only The Announcement Of My 
   Marriage With Maude In The Newspapers That Aroused Him. He Had Thought 
   I Was Acting This Bad Part Deliberately; And He Went Off At Once To 
   Hartledon In Anger; Found I Had Gone Abroad; And Now Came To Me On My 
   Return,  Still In Anger,  Saying At First That He Should Proceed Against 
   Me,  And Obtain Justice For Agnes. When He Found How Utterly Ignorant Of 
   Wrong I Had Been,  His Tone Changed; He Was Truly Grieved And Concerned 
   For Me. Nothing Was Decided: Except That Dr. Mair,  In His Compassion 
   Towards Lady Maude,  Promised Not To Be The First To Take Legal Steps. 
   It Seemed That There Was Only Him To Fear: George Gordon Was Reported 
   To Have Gone To Australia; The Old Housekeeper Was Dead; Agnes Was 
   Deranged. Dr. Mair Left,  And Carr And I Sat On Till Midnight. Carr Took 
   What I Thought A Harsh View Of The Matter; He Urged Me To Separate From 
   Maude--" 
     
   "I Think You Should Have Done So For Her Sake," Came The Gentle 
   Interruption. 
     
   "For Her Sake! The Words Carr Used. But,  Anne,  Surely There Were Two 
   Sides To The Question. If I Disclosed The Facts,  And Put Her Away From 
   Me,  What Was She? Besides,  The Law Might Be Against Me--Scotland's 
   Iniquitous Law; But In Heaven's Sight _Maude_ Was My Wife,  Not The Other. 
   So I Temporized,  Hoping That Time Might Bring About A Relief,  For Dr. 
   Mair Told Me That Miss Waterlow's Health Was Failing. However,  She 
   Lived On,  And--" 
     
   Lady Hartledon Started Up,  Her Face Blanching. 
     
   "Is She Not Dead Now? Was She Living When You Married Me? Am _I_ Your 
   Wife?" 
     
   He Could Hardly Help Smiling. His Calm Touch Reassured Her. 
     
   "Do You Think You Need Ask,  Anne? The Next Year Dr. Mair Called Upon Me 
   Again--It Was The Evening Before The Boy Was Christened; He Had Come To 
   London On Business Of His Own. To My Dismay,  He Told Me That A Change For 
   The Better Was Appearing In Miss Waterlow's Mental Condition; And He 
   Thought It Likely She Might Be Restored To Health. Of Course,  It 
   Increased The Perplexities And My Horror,  Had That Been Needed; But The 
   Hope Or Fear,  Or What You Like To Call It,  Was Not Borne Out. Three Years 
   Later,  The Doctor Came To Me For The Third And Final Time,  To Bring Me 
   The News That Agnes Was Dead." 
     
   As The Relief Had Been To Him Then,  So Did It Almost Seem Now To Anne. A 
   Sigh Of Infinite Pain Broke From Her. She Had Not Seen Where All This Was 
   Tending. 
     
   "Imagine,  If You Can,  What It Was For Me All Those Years With The 
   Knowledge Daily And Nightly Upon Me That The Disgraceful Truth Might At 
   Any Moment Come Out To Maude--To Her Children,  To The World! Living In 
   The Dread Of Arrest Myself,  Should The Man Gordon Show Himself On The 
   Scene! And Now You See What It Is That Has Marred My Peace,  And Broken 
   The Happiness Of Our Married Life. How Could I Bear To Cross Those Two 
   Deeply-Injured Children,  Who Were Ever Rising Up In Judgment Against Me? 
   How Take Our Children's Part Against Them,  Little Unconscious Things? It 
   Seemed That I Had Always,  Daily,  Hourly,  Some Wrong To Make Up To Them. 
   The Poor Boy Was Heir To Hartledon In The Eyes Of The World; But,  Anne, 
   Your Boy Was The True Heir." 
     
   "Why Did You Not Tell Me?--All This Time!" 
     
   "I Could Not. I Dared Not. You Might Not Have Liked To Put Reginald Out 
   Of His Rights." 
     
   "Oh,  Percival; How Can You So Misjudge Me?" She Asked,  In Tones Of Pain. 
   "I Would Have Guarded The Secret As Jealously As You. I Must Still Do It 
   For Maude." 
     
   "Poor Maude!" He Sighed. "Her Mother Forgave Me Before She Died--" 
     
   "She Knew It,  Then?" 
     
   "Yes. She Learned--" 
     
   Sounds Of Drumming On The Door,  And The Countess-Dowager's Voice,  Stopped 
   Lord Hartledon. 
     
   "I Had Better Face Her," He Said,  As He Unlocked It. "She Will Arouse The 
   Household." 
     
   Wild,  Intemperate,  She Met Him With A Volley Of Abuse That Startled Lady 
   Hartledon. He Got Her To A Sofa,  And Gently Held Her Down There. 
     
   "It's What I've Been Obliged To Do All Along," Said Thomas Carr; "I Don't 
   Believe She Has Heard Ten Words Of My Explanation." 
     
   "Pray Be Calm,  Lady Kirton," Said Hartledon,  Soothingly; "Be Calm,  As You 
   Value Your Daughter's Memory. We Shall Have The Servants At The Doors." 
     
   "I Won't Be Calm; I Will Know The Worst." 
     
   "I Wish You To Know It; But Not Others." 
     
   "Was Maude Your Wife?" 
     
   "No," He Answered,  In Low Tones. "Not--" 
     
   "And You Are Not Ashamed To Confess It?" She Interrupted,  Not Allowing 
   Him To Continue. But She Was A Little Calmer In Manner; And Val Stood 
   Upright Before Her With Folded Arms. 
     
   "I Am Ashamed And Grieved To Confess It; But I Did Not Knowingly Inflict 
   The Injury. In Scotland--" 
     
   "Don't Repeat The Shameful Tale," She Cried; "I Have Heard From Your 
   Confederate,  Carr,  As Much As I Want To Hear. What Do You Deserve For 
   Your Treachery To Maude?" 
     
   "All I Have Reaped--And More. But It Was Not Intentional Treachery; And 
   Maude Forgave Me Before She Died." 
     
   "She Knew It! You Told Her? Oh,  You Cruel Monster!" 
     
   "I Did Not Tell Her. She Did As You Have Just Done--Interfered In What 
   Did Not Concern Her,  In Direct Disobedience To My Desire; And She Found 
   It Out For Herself,  As You,  Ma'am,  Have Found It Out." 
     
   "When?" 
     
   "The Winter Before Her Death." 
     
   "Then The Knowledge Killed Her!" 
     
   "No. Something Else Killed Her,  As You Know. It Preyed Upon Her Spirits." 
     
   "Lord Hartledon,  I Can Have You Up For Fraud And Forgery,  And I'll Do It. 
   It Will Be The Consideration Of Maude's Fame Against Your Punishment,  And 
   I'll Make A Sacrifice To Revenge,  And Prosecute You." 
     
   "There Is No Fraud Where An Offence Is Committed Unwittingly," Returned 
   Lord Hartledon; "And Forgery Is Certainly Not Amongst My Catalogue Of 
   Sins." 
     
   "You Are Liable For Both," Suddenly Retorted The Dowager; "You Have Stuck 
   Up 'Maude,  Countess Of Hartledon,' On Her Monument In The Church; And 
   What's That But Fraud And Forgery?" 
     
   "It Is Neither. If Maude Did Not Live Countess Of Hartledon,  She At Least 
   So Went To Her Grave. We Were Remarried,  Privately,  Before She Died. Mr. 
   Carr Can Tell You So." 
     
   "It's False!" Raved The Dowager. 
     
   "I Arranged It,  Ma'am," Interposed Mr. Carr. "Lord Hartledon And Your 
   Daughter Confided The Management To Me,  And The Ceremony Was Performed In 
   Secrecy In London" 
     
   The Dowager Looked From One To The Other,  As If She Were Bewildered. 
     
   "Married Her Again! Why,  That Was Making Bad Worse. Two False Marriages! 
   Did You Do It To Impose Upon Her?" 
     
   "I See You Do Not Understand," Said Lord Hartledon. "The--My--The Person 
   In Scotland Was Dead Then. She Was Dead,  I Am Thankful To Say,  Before 
   Maude Knew Anything Of The Affair." 
     
   Up Started The Dowager. "Then Is The Woman Dead Now? Was She Dead When 
   You Married _Her_?" Laying Her Hand Upon Lady Hartledon's Arm. "Are Her 
   Children Different From Maude's?" 
     
   "They Are. It Could Not Be Otherwise." 
     
   "Her Boy Is Really Lord Elster?" 
     
   She Flung Lady Hartledon's Arm From Her. Her Voice Rose To A Shriek. 
     
   "Maude Is Not Lady Maude?" 
     
   Val Shook His Head Sadly. 
     
   "And Your Children Are Lords And Ladies And Honourables," Darting A Look 
   Of Consternation At Anne,  "Whilst My Daughter's--" 
     
   "Peace,  Lady Kirton!" Sternly Interrupted Val. "Let The Child,  Maude,  Be 
   Lady Maude Still To The World; Let Your Daughter's Memory Be Held Sacred. 
   The Facts Need Never Come Out: I Do Not Fear Now That They Ever Will. I 
   And My Wife And Thomas Carr,  Will Guard The Secret Safely: Take You Care 
   To Do So." 
     
   "I Wish You Had Been Hung Before You Married Maude!" Responded The 
   Aggrieved Dowager. 
     
   "I Wish I Had," Said He. 
     
   "Ugh!" She Grunted Wrathfully,  The Ready Assent Not Pleasing Her. 
     
   "With My Poor Boy's Death The Chief Difficulty Has Passed Away. How 
   Things Would Have Turned Out,  Or What Would Have Been Done,  Had He Lived, 
   It Has Well-Nigh Worn Away My Brain To Dwell Upon. Carr Knows That It Has 
   Nearly Killed Me: My Wife Knows It." 
     
   "Yes,  You Could Tell Her Things,  And Keep The Diabolical Secret From Poor 
   Maude And From Me," She Returned,  Rather Inconsistently. "I Don't Doubt 
   You And Your Wife Have Exulted Enough Over It." 
     
   "I Never Knew It Until To-Night," Said Anne,  Gently Turning To The 
   Dowager. "It Has Grieved Me Deeply. I Shall Never Cease To Feel For Your 
   Daughter's Wrongs; And It Will Only Make Me More Tender And Loving To Her 
   Child. The World Will Never Know That She Is Not Lady Maude." 
     
   "And The Other Name--Elster--Because You Know She Has No Right To It," 
   Was The Spiteful Retort. "I Wish To My Heart You Had Been Drowned In Your 
   Brother's Place,  Lord Hartledon; I Wished It At The Time." 
     
   "I Know You Did." 
     
   "You Could Not Then Have Made Fools Of Me And My Dear Daughter; And The 
   Darling Little Cherub In The Churchyard Would Have Been The Real Heir. 
   There'd Have Been A Good Riddance Of You." 
     
   "It Might Have Been Better For Me In The Long Run," Said He,  Quietly, 
   Passing Over The Inconsistencies Of Her Speech. "Little Peace Or 
   Happiness Have I Had In Living. Do Not Let Us Recriminate,  Lady Kirton, 
   Or On Some Scores I Might Reproach You. Maude Loved My Brother,  And You 
   Knew It; I Loved Miss Ashton,  And You Knew That; Yet From The Very Hour 
   The Breath Was Out Of My Brother's Body You Laid Your Plans And Began 
   Your Schemes Upon Me. I Was Weak As Water In Your Hands,  And Fell Into 
   The Snare. The Marriage Was Your Work Entirely; And In The Fruits It Has 
   Brought Forth There Might Arise A Nice Question,  Lady Kirton,  Which Of Us 
   Is Most To Blame: I,  Who Erred Unwittingly,  Or You Who--" 
     
   "Will You Have Done?" She Cried. 
     
   "I Have Nearly Done. I Only Wish You To Remember That Others May Have 
   Been Wrong,  As Well As Myself. Dr. Ashton Warned Us That Night That The 
   Marriage Might Not Bring A Blessing. Anne,  It Was A Cruel Wrong Upon 
   You," He Added,  Impulsively Turning To Her; "You Felt It Bitterly,  I 
   Shamefully; But,  My Dear Wife,  You Have Lived To See That It Was In 
   Reality A Mercy In Disguise." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager,  Not Finding Words Strong Enough To Express Her 
   Feelings At This,  Made A Grimace At Him. 
     
   "Let Us Be Friends,  Lady Kirton! Let Us Join Together Silently In 
   Guarding Maude's Good Name,  And In Burying The Past. In Time Perhaps Even 
   I May Live It Down. Not A Human Being Knows Of It Except We Who Are Here 
   And Dr. Mair,  Who Will For His Own Sake Guard The Secret. Maude Was My 
   Wife Always In The Eyes Of The World; And Maude Certainly Died So: All 
   Peace And Respect To Her Memory! As For My Share,  Retribution Has Held 
   Its Heavy Hand Upon Me; It Is Upon Me Still,  Heaven Knows. It Was For 
   Maude I Suffered; For Maude I Felt; And If My Life Could Have Repaired 
   The Wrong Upon Her,  I Would Willingly Have Sacrificed It. Let Us Be 
   Friends: It May Be To The Interest Of Both." 
     
   He Held Out His Hand,  And The Dowager Did Not Repulse It. She Had Caught 
   The Word "Interest." 
     
   "_Now_ You Might Allow Me Maude And That Income!" 
     
   "I Think I Had Better Allow You The Income Without Maude." 
     
   "Eh? What?" Cried The Dowager,  Briskly. "Do You Mean It?" 
     
   "Indeed I Do. I Have Been Thinking For Some Little Time That You Would Be 
   More Comfortable In A Home Of Your Own,  And I Am Willing To Help You To 
   One. I'll Pay The Rent Of A Nice Little Place In Ireland,  And Give You 
   Six Hundred A-Year,  Paid Quarterly,  And--Yes--Make You A Yearly Present 
   Of Ten Dozen Of Port Wine." 
     
   Ah,  The Crafty Man! The Last Item Had A Golden Sound In It. 
     
   "Honour Bright,  Hartledon?" 
     
   "Honour Bright! You Shall Never Want For Anything As Long As You Live. 
   But You Must Not"--He Seemed To Search For His Words--"You Must Undertake 
   Not To Come Here,  Upsetting And Indulging The Children." 
     
   "I'll Undertake It. Good Vintage,  Mind." 
     
   "The Same That You Have Here." 
     
   The Countess-Dowager Beamed. In The Midst Of Her Happiness--And It Was 
   What She Had Not Felt For Many A Long Day,  For Really The Poor Old 
   Creature Had Been Put About Sadly--She Bethought Herself Of Propriety. 
   Melting Into Tears,  She Presently Bewailed Her Exhaustion,  And Said She 
   Should Like Some Tea: Perhaps Good Mr. Carr Would Bring Her A Teaspoonful 
   Of Brandy To Put Into It. 
     
   They Brought Her Hot Tea,  And Mr. Carr Put The Brandy Into It,  And 
   Anne Took It To Her On The Sofa,  And Administered It,  Her Own Tears 
   Overflowing. She Was Thinking What An Awful Blow This Would Have Been 
   To Her Own Mother. 
     
   "Little Maude Shall Be Very Dear To Me Always,  Val," She Whispered. "This 
   Knowledge Will Make Me Doubly Tender With Her." 
     
   He Laid His Hand Fondly Upon Her,  Giving Her One Of His Sweet Sad Smiles 
   In Answer. She Could At Length Understand What Feelings,  In Regard To The 
   Children,  Had Actuated Him. But From Henceforth He Would Be Just To All 
   Alike; And Maude Would Receive Her Share Of Correction For Her Own Good. 
     
   "I Always Said You Did Not Give Me Back The Letter," Observed Mr. Carr, 
   When They Were Alone Together Later,  And Val Sat Tearing Up The Letter 
   Into Innumerable Bits. 
     
   "And I Said I Did,  Simply Because I Could Not Find It. You Were Right, 
   Carr,  As You Always Are." 
     
   "Not Always. But I Am Sorry It Came To Light In This Way." 
     
   "Sorry! It Is The Greatest Boon That Could Have Fallen On Me. The Secret 
   Is,  So To Say,  Off My Mind Now,  And I Can Breathe As I Have Not Breathed 
   For Years. If Ever A Heartfelt Thanksgiving Went Up To Heaven One From Me 
   Will Ascend To-Night. And The Dowager Does Not Feel The Past A Bit. She 
   Cared No More For Maude Than For Any One Else. She Can't Care For Any 
   One. Don't Think Me Harsh,  Carr,  In Saying So." 
     
   "I Am Sure She Does Not Feel It," Emphatically Assented Mr. Carr. "Had 
   She Felt It She Would Have Been Less Noisy. Thank Heaven For Your Sake, 
   Hartledon,  That The Miserable Past Is Over." 
     
   "And Over More Happily Than I Deserved." 
     
   A Silence Ensued,  And Lord Hartledon Flung The Bits Of Paper Carefully 
   Into The Fire. Presently He Looked Up,  A Strange Earnestness In His Face. 
     
   "It Is The Custom Of Some Of Our Cottagers Here To Hang Up Embossed Cards 
   At The Foot Of Their Bed,  With Texts Of Scripture Written On Them. There 
   Is One Verse I Should Like To Hang Before Every Son Of Mine,  Though I Had 
   Ten Of Them,  That It Might Meet Their Eyes Last Ere The Evening's 
   Sleeping,  In The Morning's First Awakening. The Ninth Verse Of The 
   Eleventh Chapter Of Ecclesiastes." 
     
   "I Don't Remember," Observed Thomas Carr,  After A Pause Of Thought. 
     
   "'Rejoice,  O Young Man,  In Thy Youth: And Let Thy Heart Cheer Thee In The 
   Days Of Thy Youth,  And Walk In The Ways Of Thine Heart,  And In The Sight 
   Of Thine Eyes: But Know Thou,  That For All These Things God Will Bring 
   Thee Into Judgment.'" 
   
   
   Publication Date: June 19th 2014 https://www.bookrix.com/-azbdcf75988b535