INMEMORYOFMANYHOTDAYSANDSOMEHOTCORNERS
THISBOOKISDEDICATEDTO
LT-COL。ARTHURH。LEE,R。A。
BritishMilitaryAttachewiththeUnitedStatesArmyContentsTHELIONANDTHEUNICORN
ONTHEFEVERSHIP
THEMANWITHONETALENT
THEVAGRANT
THELASTRIDETOGETHER
THELIONANDTHEUNICORN
Prentisshadalongleaseonthehouse,andbecauseitstoodinJermynStreettheupperfloorswere,asamatterofcourse,turnedintolodgingsforsinglegentlemen;andbecausePrentisswasaFloristtotheQueen,heplacedalionandunicornoverhisflowershop,justinfrontofthemiddlewindowonthefirstfloor。Bystretchingalittle,eachofthemcouldseeintothewindowjustbeyondhim,andcouldhearallthatwassaidinside;
andsuchthingsastheysawandheardduringthereignofCaptainCarrington,whomovedinatthesametimetheydid!Bydaythetableinthecentreoftheroomwascoveredwithmaps,andtheCaptainsatwithaboxofpins,withdifferent-coloredflagswrappedaroundthem,andamusedhimselfbystickingtheminthemapsandmeasuringthespacesinbetween,swearingmeanwhiletohimself。Itwasaselfishamusement,butitappearedtobetheCaptain’sonlyintellectualpursuit,foratnight,themapswererolledup,andagreenclothwasspreadacrossthetable,andtherewasmuchcompanyandpoppingofsoda-bottles,andlittleheapsofgoldandsilverweremovedthiswayandthatacrossthecloth。Thesmokedriftedoutoftheopenwindows,andthelaughteroftheCaptain’sguestsrangoutloudlyintheemptystreet,sothatthepolicemanhaltedandraisedhiseyesreprovinglytothelightedwindows,andcabmendrewupbeneaththemandlayinwait,dozingontheirfoldedarms,fortheCaptain’sgueststodepart。TheLionandtheUnicornwereratherashamedofthescandalofit,andtheyweregladwhen,oneday,theCaptainwentawaywithhistinboxesandgun-casespiledhighonafour-wheeler。
Prentissstoodonthesidewalkandsaid:"Iwishyougoodluck,sir。"AndtheCaptainsaid:"I’mcomingbackaMajor,Prentiss。"Buthenevercameback。Andoneday——theLionrememberedthedayverywell,foronthatsamedaythenewsboysranupanddownJermynStreetshoutingoutthenewsof"a’orribledisaster"totheBritisharms。Itwasthenthatayoungladycametothedoorinahansom,andPrentisswentouttomeetherandledherupstairs。TheyheardhimunlocktheCaptain’sdoorandsay,"Thisishisroom,miss,"andafterhehadgonetheywatchedherstandingquitestillbythecentretable。Shestoodthereforaverylongtimelookingslowlyabouther,andthenshetookaphotographoftheCaptainfromtheframeonthemantelandslippeditintoherpocket,andwhenshewentoutagainherveilwasdown,andshewascrying。ShemusthavegivenPrentissasmuchasasovereign,forhecalledher"Yourladyship,"whichheneverdidunderasovereign。
Andshedroveoff,andtheyneversawheragaineither,norcouldtheyheartheaddressshegavethecabman。ButitwassomewhereupSt。John’sWoodway。
Afterthattheroomswereemptyforsomemonths,andtheLionandtheUnicornwereforcedtoamusethemselveswiththebeautifulladiesandsmart-lookingmenwhocametoPrentisstobuyflowersand"buttonholes,"andthelittleroundbasketsofstrawberries,andeventhepeachesatthreeshillingseach,whichlookedsotemptingastheylayinthewindow,wrappedupincotton-wool,likejewelsofgreatprice。
ThenPhilipCarroll,theAmericangentleman,came,andtheyheardPrentisstellinghimthatthoseroomshadalwaysletforfiveguineasaweek,whichtheyknewwasnottrue;buttheyalsoknewthatintheeconomyofnationstheremustalwaysbeahigherpricefortherichAmerican,orelsewhywashegiventhatstrangeaccent,excepttobetrayhimintothehandsoftheLondonshopkeeper,andtheLondoncabby?
TheAmericanwalkedtothewindowtowardthewest,whichwasthewindownearesttheLion,andlookedoutintothegraveyardofSt。
James’sChurch,thatstretchedbetweentheirstreetandPiccadilly。
"You’reluckyinhavingabitofgreentolookouton,"hesaidtoPrentiss。"I’lltaketheserooms——atfiveguineas。That’smorethanthey’reworth,youknow,butasIknowit,too,yourconscienceneedn’ttroubleyou。"
ThenhiseyesfellontheLion,andhenoddedtohimgravely。
"Howdoyoudo?"hesaid。"I’mcomingtolivewithyouforalittletime。Ihavereadaboutyouandyourfriendsoverthere。
Itisahazardofnewfortuneswithme,yourMajesty,sobekindtome,andifIwin,Iwillputanewcoatofpaintonyourshieldandgildyoualloveragain。"
PrentisssmiledobsequiouslyattheAmerican’spleasantry,butthenewlodgeronlystaredathim。
"Heseemedasocialgentleman,"saidtheUnicorn,thatnight,whentheLionandheweretalkingitover。"NowtheCaptain,thewholetimehewashere,nevergaveussomuchasalook。Thisonesayshehasreadofus。"
"Andwhynot?"growledtheLion。"IhopePrentissheardwhathesaidofourneedinganewlayerofgilt。It’sdisgraceful。YoucanseethatLionoverScarlett’s,thebutcher,asfarasRegentStreet,andScarlettisonlyoneofSalisbury’screations。HereceivedhisLetters-Patentonlytwoyearsback。WedatefromPalmerston。"
Thelodgercameupthestreetjustatthatmoment,andstoppedandlookedupattheLionandtheUnicornfromthesidewalk,beforeheopenedthedoorwithhisnight-key。Theyheardhimentertheroomandfeelonthemantelforhispipe,andamomentlaterheappearedattheLion’swindowandleanedonthesill,lookingdownintothestreetbelowandblowingwhiffsofsmokeupintothewarmnight-air。
ItwasanightinJune,andthepavementsweredryunderfootandthestreetswerefilledwithwell-dressedpeople,goinghomefromtheplay,andwithgroupsofmeninblackandwhite,makingtheirwaytosupperattheclubs。Hansomsofinky-black,withshininglampsinsideandout,dashednoiselesslypastonmysteriouserrands,chasingcloseoneachother’sheelsonamadrace,eachtoitsseparategoal。Fromthecrossstreetsrosethenoisesofearlynight,therumbleofthe’buses,thecreakingoftheirbrakes,astheyunlocked,thecriesofthe"extras,"andthemergingofthousandsofhumanvoicesinadullmurmur。ThegreatworldofLondonwasclosingitsshuttersforthenight,andputtingoutthelights;andthenewlodgerfromacrossthesealistenedtoitwithhisheartbeatingquickly,andlaughedtostiflethetouchoffearandhomesicknessthatroseinhim。
"Ihaveseenagreatplayto-night,"hesaidtotheLion,"noblyplayedbygreatplayers。Whatwilltheycareformypoorwares?
IseethatIhavebeenover-bold。Butwecannotgobacknow——notyet。"
Heknockedtheashesoutofhispipe,andnodded"good-night"tothegreatworldbeyondhiswindow。"Whatfortunesliewithye,yelightsofLondontown?"hequoted,smiling。Andtheyheardhimclosethedoorofhisbedroom,andlockitforthenight。
ThenextmorningheboughtmanygeraniumsfromPrentissandplacedthemalongthebroadcornicethatstretchedacrossthefrontofthehouseovertheshopwindow。TheflowersmadeabandofscarletoneithersideoftheLionasbrilliantasaTommy’sjacket。
"IamtryingtopropitiatetheBritishLionbyplacingflowersbeforehisaltar,"theAmericansaidthatmorningtoavisitor。
"TheBritishpublicyoumean,"saidthevisitor;"theyareeachlikelytotearyoutopieces。"
"Yes,Ihaveheardthatthepitonthefirstnightofabadplayissomethingawful,"hazardedtheAmerican。
"Waitandsee,"saidthevisitor。
"Thankyou,"saidtheAmerican,meekly。
Everyonewhocametothefirstfloorfronttalkedaboutaplay。
ItseemedtobesomethingofgreatmomenttotheAmerican。Itwasonlyabundleofleavesprintedinredandblackinksandboundinbrownpapercovers。Thereweretwoofthem,andtheAmericancalledthembydifferentnames:onewashiscomedyandonewashistragedy。
"Theyarebothlikelytobetragedies,"theLionheardoneofthevisitorssaytoanother,astheydroveawaytogether。"Ouryoungfriendtakesittooseriously。"
TheAmericanspentmostofhistimebyhisdeskatthewindowwritingonlittlebluepadsandtearingupwhathewrote,orinreadingoveroneoftheplaystohimselfinaloudvoice。Intimethenumberofhisvisitorsincreased,andtosomeofthesehewouldreadhisplay;andaftertheyhadlefthimhewaseitherdepressedandsilentorexcitedandjubilant。TheLioncouldalwaystellwhenhewashappybecausethenhewouldgotothesidetableandpourhimselfoutadrinkandsay,"Here’stome,"butwhenhewasdepressedhewouldstandholdingtheglassinhishand,andfinallypourtheliquorbackintothebottleagainandsay,"What’stheuseofthat?"
AfterhehadbeeninLondonamonthhewrotelessandwasmorefrequentlyabroad,sallyingforthinbeautifulraiment,andcominghomebydaylight。
Andhegavesupperstoo,buttheywerelessnoisythantheCaptain’shadbeen,andthewomenwhocametothemweremuchmorebeautiful,andtheirvoiceswhentheyspokeweresweetandlow。
Sometimesoneofthewomensang,andthemensatinsilencewhilethepeopleinthestreetbelowstoppedtolisten,andwouldsay,"Why,thatisSo-and-Sosinging,"andtheLionandtheUnicornwonderedhowtheycouldknowwhoitwaswhentheycouldnotseeher。
Thelodger’svisitorscametoseehimatallhours。Theyseemedtoregardhisroomsasaclub,wheretheycouldalwayscomeforabitetoeatortowritenotes;andotherstreateditlikealawyer’sofficeandaskedadviceonallmannerofstrangesubjects。SometimesthevisitorwantedtoknowwhethertheAmericanthoughtsheoughttotakeL?0aweekandgoontour,orstayintownandtrytoliveonL?;orwhethersheshouldpaintlandscapesthatwouldnotsell,orracehorsesthatwould;orwhetherReggiereallylovedherandwhethershereallylovedReggie;orwhetherthenewpartinthepieceattheCourtwasbetterthantheoldpartatTerry’s,andwasn’tshegettingtoooldtoplay"ingenues"anyway。
Thelodgerseemedtobeageneraladviser,andsmokedandlistenedwithgraveconsideration,andtheUnicornthoughthisjudgmentwasmostsympatheticandsensible。
OfallthebeautifulladieswhocametocallonthelodgertheonetheUnicornlikedthebestwastheonewhowantedtoknowwhethershelovedReggieandwhetherReggielovedher。ShediscussedthissointerestinglywhilesheconsumedteaandthinslicesofbreadthattheUnicornalmostlosthisbalanceinleaningforwardtolisten。HernamewasMarionCavendishanditwaswrittenovermanyphotographswhichstoodinsilverframesinthelodger’srooms。Sheusedtomaketheteaherself,whilethelodgersatandsmoked;andshehadafascinatingwayofdoublingthethinslicesofbreadintolongstripsandnibblingatthemlikeamouseatapieceofcheese。ShehadwonderfullittleteethandCupid’s-bowlips,andshehadafashionofliftingherveilonlyhighenoughforonetoseethetwoCupid-bowlips。
WhenshedidthattheAmericanusedtolaugh,atnothingapparently,andsay,"Oh,IguessReggielovesyouwellenough。"
"ButdoIloveReggie?"shewouldasksadly,withhertea-cupheldpoisedinair。
"IamsureIhopenot,"thelodgerwouldreply,andshewouldputdowntheveilquickly,asonewoulddropacurtainoverabeautifulpicture,andrisewithgreatdignityandsay,"ifyoutalklikethatIshallnotcomeagain。"
ShewassurethatifshecouldonlygetsomeworktodoherheadwouldbefilledwithmoreimportantmattersthanwhetherReggielovedherornot。
"Butthemanagersseeminclinedtocuttheircavendishveryfinejustatpresent,"shesaid。"IfIdon’tgetapartsoon,"sheannounced,"IshallaskMitchelltoputmedownonthelistforrecitationsateveningparties。"
"Thatseemsadesperaterevenge,"saidtheAmerican;"andbesides,Idon’twantyoutogetapart,becausesomeonemightbeidioticenoughtotakemycomedy,andifheshould,youmustplayNancy。"
"IwouldnotaskforanysalaryifIcouldplayNancy,"MissCavendishanswered。
Theyspokeofagreatmanythings,buttheirtalkalwaysendedbyhersayingthattheremustbesomeonewithsufficientsensetoseethathisplaywasagreatplay,andbyhissayingthatnonebutshemustplayNancy。
TheLionpreferredthetallgirlwithmassesandfoldsofbrownhair,whocamefromAmericatopaintminiaturesoftheBritisharistocracy。HernamewasHelenCabot,andhelikedherbecauseshewassobraveandfearless,andsodeterminedtobeindependentofeveryone,evenofthelodger——especiallyofthelodger,whoitappearedhadknownherverywellathome。Thelodger,theygathered,didnotwishhertobeindependentofhimandthetwoAmericanshadmanyargumentsanddisputesaboutit,butshealwayssaid,"Itdoesnogood,Philip;itonlyhurtsusbothwhenyoutalkso。Icarefornothing,andfornoonebutmyart,and,poorasitis,itmeanseverythingtome,andyoudonot,and,ofcourse,themanIamtomarry,must。"ThenCarrollwouldtalk,walkingupanddown,andlookingveryfierceanddetermined,andtellingherhowhelovedherinsuchawaythatitmadeherlookevenmoreproudandbeautiful。Andshewouldsaymoregently,"Itisveryfinetothinkthatanyonecancareforlikethat,andveryhelpful。ButunlessIcaredinthesamewayitwouldbewickedofmetomarryyou,andbesides——"Shewouldaddveryquicklytopreventhisspeakingagain——"Idon’twanttomarryyouoranybody,andInevershall。Iwanttobefreeandtosucceedinmywork,justasyouwanttosucceedinyourwork。Sopleaseneverspeakofthisagain。"Whenshewentawaythelodgerusedtositsmokinginthebigarm-chairandbeatthearmswithhishands,andhewouldpaceupanddowntheroomwhilehisworkwouldlieuntouchedandhisengagementspassforgotten。
SummercameandLondonwasdeserted,dull,anddusty,butthelodgerstayedoninJermynStreet。HelenCabothaddepartedonaroundofvisitstocountryhousesinScotland,where,asshewrotehim,shewaspaintingminiaturesofherhostsandstudyingthegameofgolf。MissCavendishdividedherdaysbetweentheriverandoneoftheWestEndtheatres。Shewasplayingasmallpartinafarce-comedy。
OnedayshecameupfromCookhamearlierthanusual,lookingverybeautifulinawhiteboatingfrockandastrawhatwithaLeanderribbon。Herhandsandarmswerehardwithdraggingapuntingpoleandshewassunburntandhappy,andhungryfortea。
"Whydon’tyoucomedowntoCookhamandgetoutofthisheat?"
MissCavendishasked。"Youneedit;youlookill。"
"I’dliketo,butIcan’t,"saidCarroll。"Thefactis,Ipaidinadvancefortheserooms,andifIlivedanywhereelseI’dbelosingfiveguineasaweekonthem。"
MissCavendishregardedhimseverely。ShehadneverquitemasteredhisAmericanhumor。
"Butfiveguineas——whythat’snothingtoyou,"shesaid。
Somethinginthelodger’sfacemadeherpause。"Youdon’tmean————"
"Yes,Ido,"saidthelodger,smiling。"Yousee,IstartedintolaysiegetoLondonwithoutsufficientammunition。Londonisalargetown,anditdidn’tfallasquicklyasIthoughtitwould。
SoIameconomizing。Mr。Lockhart’sCoffeeRoomsandIarenolongerstrangers。"
MissCavendishputdownhercupofteauntastedandleanedtowardhim"Areyouinearnest?"sheasked。"Forhowlong?"
"Oh,forthelastmonth,"repliedthelodger;"theyarenotatallbad——cleanandwholesomeandallthat。"
"Butthesuppersyougaveus,andthis,"shecried,suddenly,wavingherhandsovertheprettytea-things,"andthecakeandmuffins?"
"Myfriends,atleast,"saidCarroll,"neednotgotoLockhart’s。"
"AndtheSavoy?"askedMissCavendish,mournfullyshakingherhead。
"Adreamofthepast,"saidCarroll,wavinghispipethroughthesmoke。"Gatti’s?Yes,onspecialoccasions;butfornecessity,theChancellor’s,whereonegetsapieceoftheprimeroastbeefofOldEngland,fromChicago,andpotatoesforninepence——apotofbittertwopence-halfpenny,andapennyforthewaiter。It’smostamusingonthewhole。IamlearningalittleaboutLondon,andsomethingsaboutmyself。Theyarebothmostinterestingsubjects。"
"Well,Idon’tlikeit,"MissCavendishdeclaredhelplessly。
"WhenIthinkofthosesuppersandtheflowers,Ifeel——Ifeellikearobber。"
"Don’t,"beggedCarroll。"Iamreallythemosthappyofmen——
thatis,asthechapsaysintheplay,IwouldbeifIwasn’tsodamnedmiserable。ButIowenomanapennyandIhaveassets——I
haveL?0tolastmethroughthewinterandtwomarvellousplays;andIlove,nexttoyourself,themostwonderfulwomanGodevermade。That’senough。"
"ButIthoughtyoumadesuchalotofmoneybywriting?"askedMissCavendish。
"Ido——thatis,Icould,"answeredCarroll,"ifIwrotethethingsthatsell;butIkeeponwritingplaysthatwon’t。"
"Andsuchplays!"exclaimedMarion,warmly;"andtothinkthattheyaregoingbegging。"Shecontinuedindignantly,"Ican’timaginewhatthemanagersdowant。"
"Iknowwhattheydon’twant,"saidtheAmerican。MissCavendishdrummedimpatientlyonthetea-tray。
"Iwishyouwouldn’tbesoabjectaboutit,"shesaid。"IfI
wereamanI’dmakethemtakethoseplays。"
"How?"askedtheAmerican;"withagun?"
"Well,I’dkeepatituntiltheyreadthem,"declaredMarion。
"I’dsitontheirfrontstepsallnightandI’dfollowthemincabs,andI’dlieinwaitforthematthestage-door。I’djustmakethemtakethem。"
Carrollsighedandstaredattheceiling。"IguessI’llgiveupandgohome,"hesaid。
"Oh,yes,do,runawaybeforeyouarebeaten,"saidMissCavendish,scornfully。"Why,youcan’tgonow。Everybodywillbebackintownsoon,andtherearealotofnewplayscomingon,andsomeofthemaresuretobefailures,andthat’sourchance。
Yourushinwithyourpieceandsomebodymaytakeitsoonerthanclosethetheatre。"
"I’mthinkingofclosingthetheatremyself,"saidCarroll。
"What’stheuseofmyhangingonhere?"heexclaimed。"ItdistressesHelentoknowIaminLondon,feelingaboutherasI
do——andtheLordonlyknowshowitdistressesme。And,maybe,ifIwentaway,"hesaid,consciously,"shemightmissme。Shemightseethedifference。"
MissCavendishheldherselferectandpressedherlipstogetherwithaseveresmile。"IfHelenCabotdoesn’tseethedifferencebetweenyouandtheothermensheknowsnow,"shesaid,"Idoubtifsheeverwill。Besides——"shecontinued,andthenhesitated。
"Well,goon,"urgedCarroll。
"Well,Iwasonlygoingtosay,"sheexplained,"thatleavingthegirlaloneneverdidthemananygoodunlessheleftheralonewillingly。Ifshe’ssurehestillcares,it’sjustthesametoherwhereheis。HemightaswellstayoninLondonasgotoSouthAfrica。Itwon’thelphimany。Thedifferencecomeswhenshefindshehasstoppedcaring。Why,lookatReggie。Hetriedthat。Hewentawayforeversolong,buthekeptwritingmefromwhereverhewent,sothathewasperfectlymiserable——andIwentonenjoyingmyself。Thenwhenhecameback,hetriedgoingaboutwithhisoldfriendsagain。Heusedtocometothetheatrewiththem——oh,withsuchnicegirls——buthealwaysstoodinthebackoftheboxandyawnedandscowled——soIknew。And,anyway,he’dalwaysspoilitallbyleavingthemandwaitingatthestageentranceforme。ButonedayhegottiredofthewayItreatedhimandwentoffonabicycletourwithLadyHacksher’sgirlsandsomemenfromhisregiment,andhewasgonethreeweeksandneversentmeevenaline;andIgotsoscared;Icouldn’tsleep,andIstooditforthreedaysmore,andthenIwiredhimtocomebackorI’djumpoffLondonBridge;andhecamebackthatverynightfromEdinburghontheexpress,andIwassogladtoseehimthatIgotconfused,andinthegeneralexcitementIpromisedtomarryhim,sothat’showitwaswithus。"
"Yes,"saidtheAmerican,withoutenthusiasm;"butthenIstillcare,andHelenknowsIcare。"
"Doesn’tsheeverfancythatyoumightcareforsomeoneelse?
Youhavealotoffriends,youknow。"
"Yes,butsheknowstheyarejustthat——friends,"saidtheAmerican。
MissCavendishstooduptogo,andarrangedherveilbeforethemirrorabovethefireplace。
"Icomehereveryoftentotea,"shesaid。
"It’sverykindofyou,"saidCarroll。Hewasattheopenwindow,lookingdownintothestreetforacab。
"Well,nooneknowsIamengagedtoReggie,"continuedMissCavendish,"exceptyouandReggie,andheisn’tsosure。SHE
doesn’tknowit。"
"Well?"saidCarroll。
MissCavendishsmiledamischievouskindlysmileathimfromthemirror。
"Well?"sherepeated,mockingly。Carrollstaredatherandlaughed。Afterapausehesaid:"It’slikeaplotinacomedy。
ButI’mafraidI’mtooseriousforplay-acting。"
"Yes,itisserious,"saidMissCavendish。SheseatedherselfagainandregardedtheAmericanthoughtfully。"Youaretoogoodamantobetreatedthewaythatgirlistreatingyou,andnooneknowsitbetterthanshedoes。She’llchangeintime,butjustnowshethinksshewantstobeindependent。She’sinlovewiththispicture-paintingidea,andwiththepeopleshemeets。It’sallnewtoher——thefusstheymakeoverherandthetitles,andthewaysheisaskedabout。Weknowshecan’tpaint。Weknowtheyonlygivehercommissionsbecauseshe’ssoyoungandpretty,andAmerican。Sheamusesthem,that’sall。Well,thatcannotlast;she’llfinditout。She’stoocleveragirl,andsheistoofineagirltobecontentwiththatlong。Then——thenshe’llcomebacktoyou。Shefeelsnowthatshehasbothyouandtheothers,andshe’smakingyouwait:sowaitandbecheerful。
She’sworthwaitingfor;she’syoung,that’sall。She’llseethedifferenceintime。But,inthemeanwhile,itwouldhurrymattersabitifshethoughtshehadtochoosebetweenthenewfriendsandyou。"
"Shecouldstillkeepherfriends,andmarryme,"saidCarroll;
"Ihavetoldherthatahundredtimes。Shecouldstillpaintminiaturesandmarryme。Butshewon’tmarryme。"
"Shewon’tmarryyoubecausesheknowsshecanwhenevershewantsto;"criedMarion。"Can’tyouseethat?Butifshethoughtyouweregoingtomarrysomeoneelsenow?"
"Shewouldbethefirsttocongratulateme,"saidCarroll。Heroseandwalkedtothefireplace,whereheleanedwithhisarmonthemantel。TherewasaphotographofHelenCabotnearhishand,andheturnedthistowardhimandstoodforsometimestaringatit。"MydearMarion,"hesaidatlast,"I’veknownHeleneversinceshewasasyoungasthat。EveryyearI’velovedhermore,andfoundnewthingsinhertocarefor;nowIlovehermorethananyothermaneverlovedanyotherwoman。"
MissCavendishshookherheadsympathetically。
"Yes,Iknow,"shesaid;"that’sthewayReggielovesme,too。"
Carrollwentonasthoughhehadnotheardher。
"There’sabenchinSt。James’sPark,"hesaid,"whereweusedtositwhenshefirstcamehere,whenshedidn’tknowsomanypeople。Weusedtogothereinthemorningandthrowpennybunstotheducks。That’sbeenmyamusementthissummersinceyou’veallbeenaway——sittingonthatbench,feedingpennybunstothesillyducks——especiallytheblackone,theonesheusedtolikebest。AndImakepilgrimagestoalltheotherplacesweevervisitedtogether,andtrytopretendsheiswithme。AndI
supportthecrossingsweeperatLansdownePassagebecausesheoncesaidshefeltsorryforhim。Idoalltheotherabsurdthingsthatamaninlovetortureshimselfbydoing。Buttowhatend?SheknowshowIcare,andyetshewon’tseewhywecan’tgoonbeingfriendsasweoncewere。What’stheuseofitall?"
"Sheisyoung,Itellyou,"repeatedMissCavendish,"andshe’stoosureofyou。You’vetoldheryoucare;nowtrymakingherthinkyoudon’tcare。"
Carrollshookhisheadimpatiently。
"Iwillnotstooptosuchtricksandpretence,Marion,"hecriedimpatiently。"AllIhaveismyloveforher;ifIhavetocheatandtotrapherintocaring,thewholethingwouldbedegraded。"
MissCavendishshruggedhershouldersandwalkedtothedoor。
"Suchamateurs!"sheexclaimed,andbangedthedoorafterher。
CarrollneverquiteknewhowhehadcometomakeaconfidanteofMissCavendish。HelenandhehadmetherwhentheyfirstarrivedinLondon,andasshehadactedforaseasonintheUnitedStates,sheadoptedthetwoAmericans——andtoldHelenwheretogoforbootsandhats,andadvisedCarrollaboutplacinghisplays。
Helensoonmadeotherfriends,anddesertedtheartists,withwhomherworkhadfirstthrownher。Sheseemedtopreferthesocietyofthepeoplewhoboughtherpaintings,andwhoadmiredandmademuchofthepainter。Asshewasverybeautifulandatanagewhensheenjoyedeverythinginlifekeenlyandeagerly,togiveherpleasurewasinitselfadistinctpleasure;andtheworldlytiredpeopleshemetwereconsideringtheirownentertainmentquiteasmuchasherswhentheyaskedhertotheirdinnersanddances,ortospendaweekwiththeminthecountry。Inherway,shewasasindependentaswasCarrollinhis,andasshewasnotinlove,ashewas,herlifewasnotnarroweddowntobutoneideal。Butshewasnotsoyoungastoconsiderherselfinfallible,andshehadoneexcellentfriendonwhomshewasdependentforadviceandtowhosedirectionsshesubmittedimplicitly。ThiswasLadyGower,theonlypersontowhomHelenhadspokenofCarrollandofhisgreatfeelingforher。LadyGower,immediatelyafterhermarriage,hadbeenaconspicuousandbrilliantfigureinthatsetinLondonwhichworkseighteenhoursadaytokeepitselfamused,butafterthedeathofherhusbandshehaddisappearedintothecountryascompletelyasthoughshehadenteredaconvent,andafterseveralyearshadthenre-enteredtheworldasaprofessionalphilanthropist。HernamewasnowassociatedentirelywithWomen’sLeagues,withcommitteesthatpresentedpetitionstoParliament,andwithpublicmeetings,atwhichshespokewithmarvellouseaseandeffect。Heroldfriendssaidshehadtakenupthisnewposeasanoutletforhernervousenergies,andasanefforttoforgetthemanwhoalonehadmadelifeserioustoher。
Othersknewherasanearnestwoman,actinghonestlyforwhatshethoughtwasright。Hersuccess,alladmitted,wasduetoherknowledgeoftheworldandtohersenseofhumor,whichtaughtherwithwhomtouseherwealthandposition,andwhentodemandwhatshewantedsolelyonthegroundthatthecausewasjust。
ShehadtakenmorethanafancyforHelen,andthepositionofthebeautiful,motherlessgirlhadappealedtoherasonefilledwithdangers。WhenshegrewtoknowHelenbetter,sherecognizedthatthesefearswerequiteunnecessary,andasshesawmoreofhershelearnedtocareforherdeeply。HelenhadtoldhermuchofCarrollandofhisdoublepurposeincomingtoLondon;ofhisbrilliantworkandhislackofsuccessinhavingitrecognized;andofhisgreatandloyaldevotiontoher,andofhislackofsuccess,notinhavingthatrecognized,butinherowninabilitytoreturnit。HelenwasproudthatshehadbeenabletomakeCarrollcareforherashedid,andthattherewasanythingaboutherwhichcouldinspireamanwhomsheadmiredsomuch,tobelieveinhersoabsolutelyandforsolongatime。
Butwhatconvincedherthattheoutcomeforwhichhehopedwasimpossible,wastheveryfactthatshecouldadmirehim,andseehowfineandunselfishhisloveforherwas,andyetremainuntouchedbyit。
ShehadbeentellingLadyGoweronedayofthecarehehadtakenofhereversinceshewasfourteenyearsofage,andhadquotedsomeofthefriendlyandloverlikeactshehadperformedinherservice,untilonedaytheyhadbothfoundoutthathisattitudeoftheelderbrotherwasnolongerpossible,andthathelovedherintheoldandonlyway。LadyGowerlookedatherratherdoubtfullyandsmiled。
"Iwishyouwouldbringhimtoseeme,Helen"shesaid;"IthinkIshouldlikeyourfriendverymuch。FromwhatyoutellmeofhimIdoubtifyouwillfindmanysuchmenwaitingforyouinthiscountry。Ourmenmarryforreasonsofproperty,ortheyloveblindly,andareexactingandselfishbeforeandaftertheyaremarried。Iknow,becausesomanywomencametomewhenmyhusbandwasalivetoaskhowitwasthatIcontinuedsohappyinmymarriedlife。"
"ButIdon’twanttomarryanyone,"Helenremonstratedgently。
"Americangirlsarenotalwaysthinkingonlyofgettingmarried。"
"WhatImeantwasthis,"saidLadyGower,"that,inmyexperience,Ihaveheardofbutfewmenwhocareinthewaythisyoungmanseemstocareforyou。Yousayyoudonotlovehim;
butifhehadwantedtogainmyinterest,hecouldnothavepleadedhiscausebetterthanyouhavedone。Heseemstoseeyourfaultsandyetloveyoustill,inspiteofthem——oronaccountofthem。AndIlikethethingshedoesforyou。Ilike,forinstance,hissendingyouthebookofthemomenteveryweekfortwoyears。Thatshowsamostunswervingspiritofdevotion。Andthestoryofthebrokenbridgeinthewoodsisawonderfulstory。IfIwereayounggirl,Icouldloveamanforthatalone。Itwasabeautifulthingtodo。"
Helensatwithherchinonherhands,deeplyconsideringthisnewpointofview。
"Ithoughtitveryfoolishofhim,"sheconfessedquestioningly,"totakesuchariskforsuchalittlething。"
LadyGowersmileddownatherfromtheheightofhermanyyears。
"Wait,"shesaiddryly,"youareveryyoungnow——andveryrich;
everyoneiscrowdingtogiveyoupleasure,toshowhisadmiration。Youareaveryfortunategirl。Butlater,thesethingswhichsomemanhasdonebecausehelovedyou,andwhichyoucallfoolish,willgrowlargeinyourlife,andshineoutstrongly,andwhenyouarediscouragedandalone,youwilltakethemout,andthememoryofthemwillmakeyouproudandhappy。
Theyarethehonorswhichwomenwearinsecret。"
HelencamebacktotowninSeptember,andforthefirstfewdayswassooccupiedinrefurnishingherstudioandinvisitingtheshopsthatsheneglectedtosendCarrollwordofherreturn。
Whenshefoundthatawholeweekhadpassedwithoutherhavingmadeanyefforttoseehim,andappreciatedhowthefactwouldhurtherfriend,shewasfilledwithremorse,anddroveatonceingreathastetoJermynStreet,toannounceherreturninperson。Onthewayshedecidedthatshewouldsoftentheblowofherweekofneglectbyaskinghimtotakeherouttoluncheon。
Thisprivilegeshehadonceortwiceaccordedhim,andshefeltthatthepleasuretheseexcursionsgaveCarrollwereworththeconsternationtheycausedtoLadyGower。
TheservantwasuncertainwhetherMr。Carrollwasathomeornot,butHelenwastoointentuponmakingrestitutiontowaitforthefacttobedetermined,and,runningupthestairs,knockedsharplyatthedoorofhisstudy。
Avoicebadehercomein,andsheentered,radiantandsmilingherwelcome。ButCarrollwasnottheretoreceiveit,andinstead,MarionCavendishlookedupatherfromhisdeskwhereshewasbusilywriting。Helenpausedwithasurprisedlaugh,butMarionsprangupandhailedhergladly。Theymethalfwayacrosstheroomandkissedeachotherwiththemostfriendlyfeeling。
Philipwasout,Marionsaid,andshehadjuststeppedinforamomenttowritehimanote。IfHelenwouldexcuseher,shewouldfinishit,asshewaslateforrehearsal。
Butsheaskedoverhershoulder,withgreatinterest,ifHelenhadpassedapleasantsummer。Shethoughtshehadneverseenherlookingsowell。HelenthoughtMissCavendishherselfwaslookingverywellalso,butMarionsaidno;thatshewastoosunburnt,shewouldnotbeabletowearadinner-dressforamonth。TherewasapausewhileMarion’squillscratchedviolentlyacrossCarroll’snote-paper。Helenfeltthatinsomewayshewasbeingtreatedasanintruder;orworse,asaguest。
Shedidnotsitdown,itseemedimpossibletodoso,butshemoveduncertainlyabouttheroom。Shenotedthatthereweremanychanges,itseemedmorebareandempty;herpicturewasstillonthewriting-desk,buttherewereatleastsixnewphotographsofMarion。Marionherselfhadbroughtthemtotheroomthatmorning,andhadcarefullyarrangedtheminconspicuousplaces。ButHelencouldnotknowthat。Shethoughttherewasanunnecessaryamountofwritingscribbledoverthefaceofeach。
Marionaddressedherletterandwrote"Immediate"acrosstheenvelope,andplaceditbeforetheclockonthemantelshelf。
"YouwillfindPhiliplookingverybadly,"shesaid,asshepulledonhergloves。"Hehasbeenintownallsummer,workingveryhard——hehashadnoholidayatall。Idon’tthinkhe’swell。Ihavebeenagreatdealworriedabouthim,"sheadded。
Herfacewasbentoverthebuttonsofherglove,andwhensheraisedherblueeyestoHelentheywerefilledwithseriousconcern。
"Really,"Helenstammered,"I——Ididn’tknow——inhislettersheseemedverycheerful。"
Marionshookherheadandturnedandstoodlookingthoughtfullyoutofthewindow。"He’sinaveryhardplace,"shebeganabruptly,andthenstoppedasthoughshehadthoughtbetterofwhatsheintendedtosay。Helentriedtoaskhertogoon,butcouldnotbringherselftodoso。Shewantedtogetaway。
"ItellhimheoughttoleaveLondon,"Marionbeganagain;"heneedsachangeandarest。"
"Ishouldthinkhemight,"Helenagreed,"afterthreemonthsofthisheat。HewrotemeheintendedgoingtoHerneBayorovertoOstend。"
"Yes,hehadmeanttogo,"Marionanswered。ShespokewiththeairofonewhopossessedthemostintimateknowledgeofCarroll’smovementsandplans,andchangeofplans。"Buthecouldn’t,"sheadded。"Hecouldn’taffordit。Helen,"shesaid,turningtotheothergirl,dramatically,"doyouknow——IbelievethatPhilipisverypoor。"
MissCabotexclaimedincredulously,"Poor!"Shelaughed。"Why,whatdoyoumean?"
"Imeanthathehasnomoney,"Marionanswered,sharply。"Theseroomsrepresentnothing。Heonlykeepsthemonbecausehepaidfortheminadvance。He’sbeenlivingonthreeshillingsaday。
That’spoorforhim。Hetakeshismealsatcabmen’ssheltersandatLockhart’s,andhe’sbeendoingsoforamonth。"
HelenrecalledwithaguiltythrillthereceiptofcertainboxesofLaFranceroses——cutlong,intheAmericanfashion——whichhadarrivedwithinthelastmonthatvariouscountryhouses。Shefeltindignantatherself,andmiserable。Herindignationwaslargelyduetotherecollectionthatshehadgiventheseflowerstoherhostesstodecoratethedinner-table。
Shehatedtoaskthisgirlofthingswhichsheshouldhaveknownbetterthananyoneelse。Butsheforcedherselftodoit。Shefeltshemustknowcertainlyandatonce。
"Howdoyouknowthis?"sheasked。"Areyousurethereisnomistake?"
"Hetoldmehimself,"saidMarion,"whenhetalkedoflettingtheplaysgoandreturningtoAmerica。Hesaidhemustgoback;
thathismoneywasgone。"
"HeisgonetoAmerica!"Helensaid,blankly。
"No,hewantedtogo,butIwouldn’tlethim,"Marionwenton。
"Itoldhimthatsomeonemighttakehisplayanyday。Andthisthirdonehehaswritten,theonehefinishedthissummerintown,isthebestofall,Ithink。It’salove-story。It’squitebeautiful。"Sheturnedandarrangedherveilattheglass,andasshedidso,hereyesfellonthephotographsofherselfscatteredoverthemantelpiece,andshesmiledslightly。ButHelendidnotseeher——shewassittingdownnow,pullingatthebooksonthetable。Shewasconfusedanddisturbedbyemotionswhichwerequitestrangetoher,andwhenMarionbadehergood-byshehardlynoticedherdeparture。WhatimpressedhermostofallinwhatMarionhadtoldher,was,shewassurprisedtofind,thatPhilipwasgoingaway。Thatsheherselfhadfrequentlyurgedhimtodoso,forhisownpeaceofmind,seemednowofnoconsequence。Nowthatheseriouslycontemplatedit,sherecognizedthathisabsencemeanttoherachangeineverything。Shefeltforthefirsttimethepeculiarplaceheheldinherlife。Evenifshehadseenhimbutseldom,thefactthathewaswithincallhadbeenmoreofacomfortandanecessitytoherthansheunderstood。
Thathewaspoor,concernedherchieflybecausesheknewthat,althoughthisconditioncouldonlybebuttemporary,itwoulddistresshimnottohavehisfriendsaroundhim,andtoentertainthemashehadbeenusedtodo。Shewonderedeagerlyifshemightoffertohelphim,butasecondthoughtassuredherthat,foraman,thatsortofhelpfromawomanwasimpossible。
SheresentedthefactthatMarionwasdeepinhisconfidence;
thatitwasMarionwhohadtoldherofhischangedconditionandofhisplans。Itannoyedhersoacutelythatshecouldnotremainintheroomwhereshehadseenhersocomplacentlyinpossession。AndafterleavingabriefnoteforPhilip,shewentaway。Shestoppedahansomatthedoor,andtoldthemantodrivealongtheEmbankment——shewantedtobequitealone,andshefeltshecouldseenooneuntilshehadthoughtitallout,andhadanalyzedthenewfeelings。
Soforseveralhoursshedroveslowlyupanddown,sunkfarbackinthecushionsofthecab,andstaringwithunseeingeyesatthewhiteenamelledtariffandtheblackdash-board。
SheassuredherselfthatshewasnotjealousofMarion,because,inordertobejealous,shefirstwouldhavetocareforPhilipintheverywayshecouldnotbringherselftodo。
ShedecidedthathisinterestinMarionhurther,becauseitshowedthatPhilipwasnotcapableofremainingtruetotheoneidealofhislife。Shewassurethatthisexplainedherfeelings——shewasdisappointedthathehadnotkeptuptohisownstandard;thathewasweakenoughtoturnasidefromitforthefirstprettypairofeyes。Butshewastoohonestandtoojusttoacceptthatdiagnosisofherfeelingsasfinal——sheknewtherehadbeenmanypairsofeyesinAmericaandinLondon,andthatthoughPhiliphadseenthem,hehadnotansweredthemwhentheyspoke。No,sheconfessedfrankly,shewashurtwithherselfforneglectingheroldfriendsoselfishlyandforsolongatime;hislovegavehimclaimsonherconsideration,atleast,andshehadforgottenthatandhim,andhadrunafterstrangegodsandallowedotherstocomeinandtakeherplace,andtogivehimthesympathyandhelpwhichsheshouldhavebeenthefirsttooffer,andwhichwouldhavecountedmorewhencomingfromherthanfromanyoneelse。Shedeterminedtomakeamendsatonceforherthoughtlessnessandselfishness,andherbrainwaspleasantlyoccupiedwithplansandactsofkindness。Itwasanewentertainment,andshefoundshedelightedinit。ShedirectedthecabmantogotoSolomons’s,andfromtheresentPhilipabunchofflowersandalinesayingthatonthefollowingdayshewascomingtotaketeawithhim。Shehadaguiltyfeelingthathemightconsiderherfriendlyadvancesmoreseriouslythanshemeantthem,butitwasherpleasuretobereckless:herfeelingswererunningriotously,andthesensationwassonewthatsherefusedtobecircumspectortoconsiderconsequences。Whocouldtell,sheaskedherselfwithaquick,frightenedgasp,butthat,afterall,itmightbethatshewaslearningtocare?FromSolomons’sshebadethemandrivetotheshopinCranbourneStreetwhereshewasaccustomedtopurchasethematerialssheusedinpainting,andFate,whichusesstrangeagentstoworkoutitsends,sodirecteditthatthecabmanstoppedafewdoorsbelowthisshop,andoppositeonewherejewelryandotherpersonaleffectswereboughtandsold。
Atanyothertime,orhadshebeeninanyothermood,whatfollowedmightnothaveoccurred,butFate,inthepersonofthecabman,arrangeditsothatthehourandtheopportunitycametogether。
Thereweresomeoldmezzotintsinthewindowoftheloanshop,astringofcoinsandmedals,arowofnewFrenchposters;andfardowntothefrontatrayfilledwithgoldandsilvercigarette-
casesandwatchesandrings。ItoccurredtoHelen,whowasstillbentonmakingrestitutionforherneglect,thatacigarette-casewouldbemoreappropriateforamanthanflowers,andmorelasting。AndshescannedthecontentsofthewindowwiththeeyeofonewhonowsawineverythingonlysomethingwhichmightgivePhilippleasure。Thetwoobjectsofvalueinthetrayuponwhichhereyesfirstfellwerethegoldseal-ringwithwhichPhiliphadsealedhisletterstoher,and,lyingnexttoit,hisgoldwatch!Therewassomethingalmosthumaninthewaytheringandwatchspoketoherfromthepast——inthewaytheyappealedtohertorescuethemfromthesurroundingstowhichtheyhadbeenabandoned。ShedidnotknowwhatshemeanttodowiththemnorhowshecouldreturnthemtoPhilip;buttherewasnoquestionofdoubtinhermannerasshesweptwitharushintotheshop。
Therewasnoattempt,either,atbargaininginthewayinwhichshepointedouttotheyoungwomanbehindthecountertheparticularringandwatchshewanted。Theyhadnotbeenleftascollateral,theyoungwomansaid;theyhadbeensoldoutright。
"Thenanyonecanbuythem?"Helenaskedeagerly。"Theyareforsaletothepublic——toanyone?"
Theyoungwomanmadenoteofthecustomer’seagerness,butwithanunmovedcountenance。
"Yes,miss,theyareforsale。Theringisfourpoundsandthewatchtwenty-five。"
"Twenty-ninepounds!"Helengasped。
Thatwasmoremoneythanshehadintheworld,butthefactdidnotdistressher,forshehadatrueartisticdisregardforreadymoney,andtheabsenceofithadneverdisturbedher。Butnowitassumedasuddenandalarmingvalue。Shehadtenpoundsinherpurseandtenpoundsatherstudio——thesewerejustenoughtopayforaquarter’srentandtherates,andtherewasahatandcloakinBondStreetwhichshecertainlymusthave。Heronlyassetsconsistedofthepossibilitythatsomeonemightsoonorderaminiature,andtohermindthatwassufficient。Someonealwayshadorderedaminiature,andtherewasnoreasonabledoubtbutthatsomeonewoulddoitagain。Foramomentshequestionedifitwouldnotbesufficientifsheboughttheringandallowedthewatchtoremain。Butsherecognizedthattheringmeantmoretoherthanthewatch,whilethelatter,asanoldheirloomwhichhadbeenpasseddowntohimfromagreat-grandfather,meantmoretoPhilip。ItwasforPhilipshewasdoingthis,sheremindedherself。Shestoodholdinghispossessions,oneineachhand,andlookingattheyoungwomanblankly。ShehadnodoubtinhermindthatatleastpartofthemoneyhehadreceivedforthemhadpaidfortheflowershehadsenttoherinScotland。
Thecertaintyofthislefthernochoice。Shelaidtheringandwatchdownandpulledtheonlyringshepossessedfromherownfinger。ItwasagiftfromLadyGower。Shehadnodoubtthatitwasofgreatvalue。
"Canyoulendmesomemoneyonthat?"sheasked。Itwasthefirsttimeshehadconductedabusinesstransactionofthisnature,andshefeltasthoughshewereengaginginaburglary。
"Wedon’tlendmoney,miss,"thegirlsaid,"webuyoutright。I
cangiveyoutwenty-eightshillingsforthis,"sheadded。
"Twenty-eightshillings,"Helengasped;"why,itisworth——oh,eversomuchmorethanthat!"
"Thatisallitisworthtous,"thegirlanswered。Sheregardedtheringindifferentlyandlaiditawayfromheronthecounter。
Theactionwasfinal。
Helen’shandsroseslowlytoherbreast,whereaprettywatchdangledfromabowknotofcrusheddiamonds。Itwasheronlypossession,andshewasveryfondofit。ItalsowasthegiftofoneoftheseveralgreatladieswhohadadoptedhersinceherresidenceinLondon。Helenhadpaintedaminiatureofthisparticulargreatladywhichhadlookedsobeautifulthatthepleasurewhichtheoriginaloftheportraitderivedfromthethoughtthatshestillreallylookedasshedidintheminiaturewasworthmoretoherthanmanydiamonds。
ButitwasdifferentwithHelen,andnoonecouldcountwhatitcosthertotearawayheroneproudpossession。
"Whatwillyougivemeforthis?"sheaskeddefiantly。
Thegirl’seyesshowedgreaterinterest。"Icangiveyoutwentypoundsforthat,"shesaid。
"Takeit,please,"Helenbegged,asthoughshefearedifshekeptitamomentlongershemightnotbeabletomakethesacrifice。
"Thatwillbeenoughnow,"shewenton,takingoutherten-poundnote。SheputLadyGower’sringbackuponherfingerandpickedupPhilip’sringandwatchwiththepleasureofonewhohascomeintoagreatfortune。Sheturnedbackatthedoor。
"Oh,"shestammered,"incaseanyoneshouldinquire,youarenottosaywhoboughtthese。"
"No,miss,certainlynot,"saidthewoman。Helengavethedirectiontothecabmanand,closingthedoorsofthehansom,satlookingdownatthewatchandthering,astheylayinherlap。
Thethoughtthattheyhadbeenhismostvaluedpossessions,whichhehadabandonedforever,andthattheywerenowentirelyhers,todowithassheliked,filledherwithmostintensedelightandpleasure。Shetookuptheheavygoldringandplaceditonthelittlefingerofherlefthand;itwasmuchtoolarge,andsheremoveditandbalanceditforamomentdoubtfullyinthepalmofherrighthand。Shewassmiling,andherfacewaslitwithshyandtenderthoughts。Shecastaquickglancetotheleftandrightasthoughfearfulthatpeoplepassinginthestreetwouldobserveher,andthenslippedtheringoverthefourthfingerofherlefthand。Shegazedatitwithaguiltysmileandthen,coveringithastilywithherotherhand,leanedback,claspingitclosely,andsatfrowningfaroutbeforeherwithpuzzledeyes。
ToCarrollallroadsledpastHelen’sstudio,andduringthesummer,whileshehadbeenabsentinScotlanditwasoneofhissadpleasurestomakeapilgrimagetoherstreetandtopauseoppositethehouseandlookupattheemptywindowsofherrooms。
Itwasduringthisdailyexercisethathelearned,throughthearrivalofherluggage,ofherreturntoLondon,andwhendayfolloweddaywithoutherhavingshownanydesiretoseehimortotellhimofherreturnhedenouncedhimselfmostbitterlyasafatuousfool。