'Recoveringfromherstupor,MademoiselleV——bethoughtherselfagainofheremployer,Mrs.Newbold,whomrecenteventshadestranged.Tothatladyshewentwithafullheart,andexplainedeverything.Mrs.
Newboldkepttoherselfheropinionoftheepisode,andreinstalledthedesertedbrideinheroldpositionasgovernesstothefamily.
'Agovernesssheremainedtotheendofherdays.AfterthefinalpeacewithFranceshebecameacquaintedwithmymother,towhombydegreessheimpartedtheseexperiencesofhers.Asherhairgrewwhite,andherfeaturespinched,MademoiselleV——wouldwonderwhatnookoftheworldcontainedherlover,ifhelived,andifbyanychanceshemightseehimagain.Butwhen,sometimeinthe'twenties,deathcametoher,atnogreatage,thatoutlineagainstthestarsofthemorningremainedasthelastglimpsesheeverobtainedofherfamily'sfoeandheronceaffiancedhusband.'
1895.
MASTERJOHNHORSELEIGH,KNIGHT
IntheearliestandmustiestvolumeoftheHavenpoolmarriageregisterssaidthethin-facedgentlemanthisentrymaystillbereadbyanyonecuriousenoughtodecipherthecrabbedhandwritingofthedate.ItookacopyofitwhenIwaslastthere;anditrunsthushehadopenedhispocket-book,andnowreadaloudtheextract;
afterwardshandingroundthebooktous,whereinwesawtranscribedthefollowing-
MastrJohnHorseleigh,Knyght,ofthep'yssheofClyfftonwasmarydtoEdiththewyffelateoffJohnStocker,m'chawnteofHavenpoolthexiiijdajeofDecemberbep'vyleggegevynbyoursup'meheddofthechyrcheofIngelondeKyngeHenrytheviiith1539.
Now,ifyouturntothelongandelaboratepedigreeoftheancientfamilyoftheHorseleighsofClyftonHorseleigh,youwillfindnomentionwhateverofthisalliance,notwithstandingtheprivilegegivenbytheSovereignandheadoftheChurch;thesaidSirJohnbeingthereinchronicledasmarrying,atadateapparentlyearlierthantheabove,thedaughterandheiressofRichardPhelipson,ofMontislope,inNetherWessex,aladywhooutlivedhim,ofwhichmarriagetherewereissuetwodaughtersandason,whosucceededhiminhisestates.Howarewetoaccountforthese,asitwouldseem,contemporaneouswives?Astrangelocaltraditiononlycanhelpus,andthiscanbebrieflytold.
Oneeveningintheautumnoftheyear1540or1541,ayoungsailor,whoseChristiannamewasRoger,butwhosesurnameisnotknown,landedathisnativeplaceofHavenpool,ontheSouthWessexcoast,afteravoyageintheNewfoundlandtrade,thennewlysprungintoexistence.HereturnedintheshipPrimrosewithacargoof'trayneoylebroughthomefromtheNewFoundeLande,'toquotefromthetownrecordsofthedate.Duringhisabsenceoftwosummersandawinter,whichmadeupthetermofaNewfoundland'spell,'manyunlooked-forchangeshadoccurredwithinthequietlittleseaport,someofwhichcloselyaffectedRogerthesailor.AtthetimeofhisdeparturehisonlysisterEdithhadbecomethebrideofoneStocker,arespectabletownsman,andpartownerofthebriginwhichRogerhadsailed;anditwastothehouseofthiscouple,hisonlyrelatives,thattheyoungmandirectedhissteps.OntryingthedoorinQuayStreethefounditlocked,andthenobservedthatthewindowswereboardedup.
Inquiringofabystander,helearntforthefirsttimeofthedeathofhisbrother-in-law,thoughthateventhadtakenplacenearlyeighteenmonthsbefore.
'AndmysisterEdith?'askedRoger.
'She'smarriedagain——astheydosay,andhathbeensothesetwelvemonths.Idon'tvouchforthetrutho't,thoughifsheisn'tsheoughttobe.'
Roger'sfacegrewdark.Hewasamanwithaconsiderablereserveofstrongpassion,andheaskedhisinformantwhathemeantbyspeakingthus.
Themanexplainedthatshortlyaftertheyoungwoman'sbereavementastrangerhadcometotheport.Hehadseenhermopingonthequay,hadbeenattractedbyheryouthandloneliness,andinanextraordinarilybriefwooinghadcompletelyfascinatedher——hadcarriedheroff,and,aswasreported,hadmarriedher.Thoughhehadcomebywater,hewassupposedtolivenoverygreatdistanceoffbyland.TheywerelastheardofatOozewood,inUpperWessex,atthehouseofoneWall,atimber-merchant,where,hebelieved,shestillhadalodging,thoughherhusband,ifhewerelawfullythatmuch,wasbutanoccasionalvisitortotheplace.
'Thestranger?'askedRoger.'Didyouseehim?Whatmannerofmanwashe?'
'Ilikedhimnot,'saidtheother.'Heseemedofthatkindthathathsomethingtoconceal,andashewalkedwithherheeverandanonturnedhisheadandgazedbehindhim,asifhemuchfearedanunwelcomepursuer.But,faith,'continuedhe,'itmayhavebeentheman'sanxietyonly.YetdidInotlikehim.'
'Washeolderthanmysister?'Rogerasked.
'Ay——mucholder;fromadozentoascoreofyearsolder.Amanofsomeposition,maybe,playinganamorousgameforthepleasureofthehour.Whoknowethbutthathehaveawifealready?Manyhavedonethethinghereaboutsoflate.'
Havingpaidavisittothegravesofhisrelatives,thesailornextdaywentalongthestraightroadwhich,thenalane,nowahighway,conductedtothecuriouslittleinlandtownnamedbytheHavenpoolman.ItisunnecessarytodescribeOozewoodontheSouth-Avon.Ithasarailwayatthepresentday;butthirtyyearsofsteamtrafficpastitsprecinctshavehardlymodifieditsoriginalfeatures.
Surroundedbyasortoffresh-waterlagoon,dividingitfrommeadowsandcoppice,itsancientthatchandtimberhouseshavebarelymadewayeveninthefrontstreetfortheubiquitousmodernbrickandslate.Itneitherincreasesnordiminishesinsize;itisdifficulttosaywhattheinhabitantsfindtodo,for,thoughtradesinwoodwarearestillcarriedon,therecannotbeenoughofthisclassofworknowadaystomaintainallthehouseholders,theforestsaroundhavingbeensogreatlythinnedandcurtailed.Atthetimeofthistraditiontheforestsweredense,artificersinwoodabounded,andthetimbertradewasbrisk.Everyhouseinthetown,withoutexception,wasofoakframework,filledinwithplaster,andcoveredwiththatch,thechimneybeingtheonlybrickportionofthestructure.InquirysoonbroughtRogerthesailortothedoorofWall,thetimber-dealerreferredto,butitwassometimebeforehewasabletogainadmissiontothelodgingofhissister,thepeoplehavingplainlyreceiveddirectionsnottowelcomestrangers.
Shewassittinginanupperroomononeofthelath-backed,willow-
bottomed'shepherd's'chairs,madeonthespotthenastothisday,andastheywereprobablymadethereinthedaysoftheHeptarchy.
Inherlapwasaninfant,whichshehadbeensuckling,thoughnowithadfallenasleep;sohadtheyoungmotherherselfforafewminutes,underthedrowsingeffectsofsolitude.Hearingfootstepsonthestairs,sheawoke,startedupwithagladcry,andrantothedoor,openingwhichshemetherbrotheronthethreshold.
'O,thisismerry;Ididn'texpect'ee!'shesaid.'Ah,Roger——I
thoughtitwasJohn.'Hertonesfelltodisappointment.
Thesailorkissedher,lookedathersternlyforafewmoments,andpointingtotheinfant,said,'Youmeanthefatherofthis?'
'Yes,myhusband,'saidEdith.
'Ihopeso,'heanswered.
'Why,Roger,I'mmarried——ofatruthamI!'shecried.
'Shameupon'ee,iftrue!Ifnottrue,worse.MasterStockerwasanhonestman,andyeshouldhaverespectedhismemorylonger.Whereisthyhusband?'
'Hecomesoften.Ithoughtitwashenow.Ourmarriagehastobekeptsecretforawhile——itwasdoneprivilyforcertainreasons;butwewasmarriedatchurchlikehonestfolk——aforeGodwewere,Roger,sixmonthsafterpoorStocker'sdeath.'
''Twastoosoon,'saidRoger.
'Iwaslivinginahousealone;Ihadnowheretogoto.YouwerefaroverseaintheNewFoundLand,andJohntookmeandbroughtmehere.'
'Howoftendothhecome?'saysRogeragain.
'Onceortwiceweekly,'saysshe.
'Iwishth''dstwaitedtillIreturned,dearEdy,'hesaid.'Itmidbeyouareawife——Ihopeso.But,ifso,whythismystery?Whythismeanandcrampedlodginginthislonelycopse-circledtown?Ofwhatstandingisyourhusband,andofwhere?'
'Heisofgentlebreeding——hisnameisJohn.Iamnotfreetotellhisfamily-name.HeissaidtobeofLondon,forsafety'sake;buthereallylivesinthecountynextadjoiningthis.'
'Whereinthenextcounty?'
'Idonotknow.Hehaspreferrednottotellme,thatImaynothavethesecretforcedfromme,tohisandmyhurt,bybringingthemarriagetotheearsofhiskinsfolkandfriends.'
Herbrother'sfaceflushed.'Ourpeoplehavebeenhonesttownsmen,well-reputedforlong;whyshouldyoureadilytakesuchhumblingfromasojournerofwhomth''stknownothing?'
Theyremainedinconstrainedconversetillherquickearcaughtasound,forwhichshemighthavebeenwaiting——ahorse'sfootfall.
'ItisJohn!'saidshe.'Thisishisnight——Saturday.'
'Don'tbefrightenedlestheshouldfindmehere!'saidRoger.'Iamonthepointofleaving.Iwishnottobeathirdparty.Saynothingatallaboutmyvisit,ifitwillincommodeyousotodo.I
willseetheebeforeIgoafloatagain.'
Speakingthushelefttheroom,anddescendingthestaircaselethimselfoutbythefrontdoor,thinkinghemightobtainaglimpseoftheapproachinghorseman.Butthattravellerhadinthemeantimegonestealthilyroundtothebackofthehomestead,andpeeringalongthepinion-endofthehouseRogerdiscernedhimunbridlingandhalteringhishorsewithhisownhandsintheshedthere.
RogerretiredtotheneighbouringinncalledtheBlackLamb,andmeditated.Thismysteriousmethodofapproachdeterminedhim,afterall,nottoleavetheplacetillhehadascertainedmoredefinitefactsofhissister'sposition——whethershewerethedeludedvictimofthestrangerorthewifesheobviouslybelievedherselftobe.
Havingeatensomesupper,helefttheinn,itbeingnowabouteleveno'clock.Hefirstlookedintotheshed,and,findingthehorsestillstandingthere,waitedirresolutelynearthedoorofhissister'slodging.Halfanhourelapsed,and,whilethinkinghewouldclimbintoalofthardbyforanight'srest,thereseemedtobeamovementwithintheshuttersofthesitting-roomthathissisteroccupied.
Rogerhidhimselfbehindafaggot-stacknearthebackdoor,rightlydiviningthathissister'svisitorwouldemergebythewayhehadentered.Thedooropened,andthecandlesheheldinherhandlightedforamomentthestranger'sform,showingittobethatofatallandhandsomepersonage,aboutfortyyearsofage,andapparentlyofasuperiorpositioninlife.Edithwasassistinghimtocloakhimself,whichbeingdonehetookleaveofherwithakissandleftthehouse.Fromthedoorshewatchedhimbridleandsaddlehishorse,andhavingmountedandwavedanadieutoherasshestoodcandleinhand,heturnedoutoftheyardandrodeaway.
Thehorsewhichborehimwas,orseemedtobe,alittlelame,andRogerfanciedfromthisthattherider'sjourneywasnotlikelytobealongone.Beinglightoffoothefollowedapace,havingnogreatdifficultyonsuchastillnightinkeepingwithinearshotsomefewmiles,thehorsemanpausingmorethanonce.InthispursuitRogerdiscoveredtheridertochoosebridle-tracksandopencommonsinpreferencetoanyhighroad.Thedistancesoonbegantoproveamoretryingonethanhehadbargainedfor;andwhenoutofbreathandinsomedespairofbeingabletoascertaintheman'sidentity,heperceivedanassstandinginthestarlightunderahayrick,fromwhichtheanimalwashelpingitselftoperiodicmouthfuls.
ThestorygoesthatRogercaughttheass,mounted,andagainresumedthetrailoftheunconscioushorseman,whichfeatmayhavebeenpossibletoanauticalyoungfellow,thoughonecanhardlyunderstandhowasailorwouldridesuchananimalwithoutbridleorsaddle,andstrangetohishands,unlessthecreaturewereextraordinarilydocile.Thisquestion,however,isimmaterial.SufficeittosaythatatdawnthefollowingmorningRogerbeheldhissister'sloverorhusbandenteringthegatesofalargeandwell-timberedparkonthesouth-westernvergeoftheWhiteHartForestasitwasthencalled,nowknowntoeverybodyastheValeofBlackmoor.Thereuponthesailordiscardedhissteed,andfindingforhimselfanobscurerentrancetothesameparkalittlefurtheron,hecrossedthegrasstoreconnoitre.
Hepresentlyperceivedamidthetreesbeforehimamansionwhich,newtohimself,wasoneofthebestknowninthecountyatthattime.Ofthisfinemanorialresidencehardlyatracenowremains;butamanuscriptdatedsomeyearslaterthantheeventsweareregardingdescribesitintermsfromwhichtheimaginationmayconstructasingularlyclearandvividpicture.Thisrecordpresentsitasconsistingof'afaireyellowfreestonebuilding,partlytwoandpartlythreestoreys;afairehalleandparlour,bothwaynscotted;afairedyningroomeandwithdrawingroome,andmanygoodlodgings;akitchenadjoyningebackwardetooneendofthedwelling-house,withafairepassagefromitintothehalle,parlour,anddyningeroome,andsellarsadjoyninge.
'Inthefrontofthehouseasquaregreenecourt,andacuriousgatehousewithlodgingsinit,standingwiththefrontofthehousetothesouth;inalargeoutercourtthreestables,acoach-house,alargebarne,andastableforoxenandkyne,andallhousesnecessary.
'Withoutthegatehouse,paledin,alargesquaregreene,inwhichstandethafairechappell;ofthesouth-eastsideofthegreenecourt,towardstheriver,alargegarden.
'Ofthesouth-westsideofthegreenecourtisalargebowlinggreene,withfowermountedwalksaboutit,allwalledaboutwithabatteledwall,andsettwithallsortsoffruit;andoutofitintothefeildestherearelargewalksundermanytallelmesorderlyplanted.'
Thenfollowsadescriptionoftheorchardsandgardens;theservants'
offices,brewhouse,bakehouse,dairy,pigeon-houses,andcorn-mill;
theriveranditsabundanceoffish;thewarren,thecoppices,thewalks;endingthus-
'Andallthecountrynorthofthehouse,openchampaign,sandyfeildes,verydryandpleasantforallkindesofrecreation,huntinge,andhawkinge,andprofitblefortillageThehousehathalargeprospecteast,south,andwest,overaverylargeandpleasantvaleisseatedfromthegoodmarketttownsofShertonAbbasthreemiles,andIvelamile,thatplentifullyyieldallmannerofprovision;andwithintwelvemilesofthesouthsea.'
ItwasonthegrassbeforethisseductiveandpicturesquestructurethatthesailorstoodatgazeundertheelmsinthedimdawnofSundaymorning,andsawtohissurprisehissister'sloverandhorsevanishwithinthecourtofthebuilding.
Perplexedandweary,Rogerslowlyretreated,morethaneverconvincedthatsomethingwaswronginhissister'sposition.Hecrossedthebowlinggreentotheavenueofelms,and,bentonfurtherresearch,wasabouttoclimbintooneofthese,when,lookingbelow,hesawaheapofhayapparentlyforhorsesordeer.Intothishecrept,and,havingeatenacrustofbreadwhichhehadhastilythrustintohispocketattheinn,hecurledupandfellasleep,thehayformingacomfortablebed,andquitecoveringhimover.
Hesleptsoundlyandlong,andwasawakenedbythesoundofabell.
Onpeeringfromthehayhefoundthetimehadadvancedtofullday;
thesunwasshiningbrightly.Thebellwasthatofthe'fairechappell'onthegreenoutsidethegatehouse,anditwascallingtomatins.Presentlythepriestcrossedthegreentoalittleside-doorinthechancel,andthenfromthegatewayofthemansionemergedthehousehold,thetallmanwhomRogerhadseenwithhissisteronthepreviousnight,onhisarmbeingaportlydame,and,runningbesidethepair,twolittlegirlsandaboy.Theseallenteredthechapel,andthebellhavingceasedandtheenvironsbecomeclear,thesailorcreptoutfromhishiding.
Hesaunteredtowardsthechapel,theopeningwordsoftheservicebeingaudiblewithin.Whilestandingbytheporchhesawabelatedservitorapproachingfromthekitchen-courttoattendtheservicealso.Rogercarelesslyaccostedhim,andasked,asanidlewanderer,thenameofthefamilyhehadjustseencrossoverfromthemansion.
'Odzounds!ifyemoddenbeastrangerhereinverytruth,goodman.
ThatwerSirJohnandhisdame,andhischildrenElizabeth,Mary,andJohn.'
'Ibefromforeignparts.SirJohnwhatd'yecall'n?'
'MasterJohnHorseleigh,Knight,whohada'mostasmuchlondbyinheritanceofhismotheras'ahadbyhisfather,andlikewisesomebyhiswife.Why,bain'thisarmsdreegooldenhorses'heads,andiddenhisladythedaughterofMasterRichardPhelipson,ofMontislope,inNetherWessex,knowntousall?'
'Itmidbeso,andyetitmidnot.However,th''ltmissthyprayersforsuchanhonestknight'swelfare,andIhavetotraipseseawardmanymiles.'
Hewentonward,andashewalkedcontinuedsayingtohimself,'NowtothatpoorwrongedfoolEdy.Thefondthing!Ithoughtit;'twastooquick——shewaseveramorous.What'stobecomeofher!Godwot!HowbeIgoingtofaceherwiththenews,andhowbeItoholditfromher?Tobringthisdisgraceonmyfather'shonouredname,adouble-
tonguedknave!'Heturnedandshookhisfistatthechapelandallinit,andresumedhisway.
Perhapsitwasowingtotheperplexityofhismindthat,insteadofreturningbythedirectroadtowardshissister'sobscurelodginginthenextcounty,hefollowedthehighwaytoCasterbridge,somefifteenmilesoff,whereheremaineddrinkinghardallthatafternoonandevening,andwherehelaythatandtwoorthreesucceedingnights,wanderingthencealongtheAngleburyroadtosomevillagethatway,andlyingtheFridaynightafterathisnativeplaceofHavenpool.Thesightofthefamiliarobjectsthereseemstohavestirredhimanewtoaction,andthenextmorninghewasobservedpursuingthewaytoOozewoodthathehadfollowedontheSaturdayprevious,reckoning,nodoubt,thatSaturdaynightwould,asbefore,beatimeforfindingSirJohnwithhissisteragain.
Hedelayedtoreachtheplacetilljustbeforesunset.Hissisterwaswalkinginthemeadowsatthefootofthegarden,withanursemaidwhocarriedthebaby,andshelookeduppensivelywhenheapproached.Anxietyastoherpositionhadalreadytolduponheroncerosycheeksandlucideyes.ButconcernforherselfandchildwasdisplacedforthemomentbyherregardofRoger'swornandhaggardface.
'Why——youaresick,Roger——youaretired!Wherehaveyoubeenthesemanydays?Whynotkeepmecompanyabit——myhusbandismuchaway?
AndwehavehardlyspokeatallofdearfatherandofyourvoyagetotheNewLand.Whydidyougoawaysosuddenly?Thereisasparechamberatmylodging.'
'Comeindoors,'hesaid.'We'lltalknow——talkagooddeal.Asforhim[noddingtothechild],betterheavehimintotheriver;betterforhimandyou!'
Sheforcedalaugh,asifshetriedtoseeagoodjokeintheremark,andtheywentsilentlyindoors.
'Amiserablehole!'saidRoger,lookingroundtheroom.
'Nay,but'tisverypretty!'
'NotafterwhatI'veseen.Didhemarry'eeatchurchinorderlyfashion?'
'Hedidsure——atourchurchatHavenpool.'
'Butinaprivyway?'
'Ay——becauseofhisfriends——itwasatnight-time.'
'Ede,yefondone——forallthathe'snotthyhusband!Th''rtnothiswife;andthechildisabastard.Hehathawifeandchildrenofhisownrank,andbearinghisname;andthat'sSirJohnHorseleigh,ofClyftonHorseleigh,andnotplainJack,asyouthinkhim,andyourlawfulhusband.Thesacramentofmarriageisnosafeguardnowadays.
TheKing'snew-madeheadshipoftheChurchhathledmentopractisethesetrickslightly.'
Shehadturnedwhite.'That'snottrue,Roger!'shesaid.'Youareinliquor,mybrother,andyouknownotwhatyousay!Yourseafaringyearshavetaught'eebadthings!'
'Edith——I'veseenthem;wifeandfamily——all.Howcanst——'
Theyweresittinginthegathereddarkness,andatthatmomentstepswereheardwithout.'Gooutthisway,'shesaid.'Itismyhusband.
Hemustnotseetheeinthismood.Getawaytillto-morrow,Roger,asyoucareforme.'
Shepushedherbrotherthroughadoorleadingtothebackstairs,andalmostassoonasitwasclosedhervisitorentered.Roger,however,didnotretreatdownthestairs;hestoodandlookedthroughthebobbin-hole.IfthevisitorturnedouttobeSirJohn,hehaddeterminedtoconfronthim.
Itwastheknight.Shehadstruckalightonhisentry,andhekissedthechild,andtookEdithtenderlybytheshoulders,lookingintoherface.
'Something'sgoneawrywi'mydear!'hesaid.'Whatisit?What'sthematter?'
'O,Jack!'shecried.'Ihaveheardsuchafearsomerumour——whatdothitmean?Hewhotoldmeismybestfriend.Hemustbedeceived!Butwhodeceivedhim,andwhy?Jack,Iwasjusttoldthatyouhadawifelivingwhenyoumarriedme,andhaveherstill!'
'Awife?——H'm.'
'Yes,andchildren.Sayno,sayno!'
'ByGod!Ihavenolawfulwifebutyou;andasforchildren,manyorfew,theyareallbastards,savethisonealone!'
'AndthatyoubeSirJohnHorseleighofClyfton?'
'Imidbe.Ihaveneversaidsoto'ee.'
'ButSirJohnisknowntohavealady,andissueofher!'
Theknightlookeddown.'Howdidthymindgetfilledwithsuchasthis?'heasked.
'Oneofmykindredcame.'
'Atraitor!Whyshouldhemarourlife?Ah!yousaidyouhadabrotheratsea——whereishenow?'
'Here!'camefromclosebehindhim.Andflingingopenthedoor,Rogerfacedtheintruder.'Liar!'hesaid,'tocallthyselfherhusband!'
SirJohnfiredup,andmadearushatthesailor,whoseizedhimbythecollar,andinthewrestletheybothfell,Rogerunder.Butinafewsecondshecontrivedtoextricatehisrightarm,anddrawingfromhisbeltaknifewhichheworeattachedtoacordroundhisneckheopeneditwithhisteeth,andstruckitintothebreastofSirJohnstretchedabovehim.Edithhadduringthesemomentsrunintothenextroomtoplacethechildinsafety,andwhenshecamebacktheknightwasrelaxinghisholdonRoger'sthroat.Herolledoveruponhisbackandgroaned.
Theonlywitnessofthescenesavethethreeconcernedwasthenursemaid,whohadbroughtinthechildonitsfather'sarrival.ShestatedafterwardsthatnobodysuspectedSirJohnhadreceivedhisdeathwound;yetitwasso,thoughhedidnotdieforalongwhile,meaningtherebyanhourortwo;thatMistressEdithcontinuallyendeavouredtostaunchtheblood,callingherbrotherRogerawretch,andorderinghimtogethimselfgone;onwhichorderheacted,afteragloomypause,byopeningthewindow,andlettinghimselfdownbythesilltotheground.
ItwasthenthatSirJohn,indifficultaccents,madehisdyingdeclarationtothenurseandEdith,and,later,theapothecary;whichwastothispurport,thattheDameHorseleighwhopassedashiswifeatClyfton,andwhohadbornehimthreechildren,wasintruthanddeed,thoughunconsciously,thewifeofanotherman.SirJohnhadmarriedherseveralyearsbefore,inthefaceofthewholecounty,asthewidowofoneDecimusStrong,whohaddisappearedshortlyafterherunionwithhim,havingadventuredtotheNorthtojointherevoltoftheNobles,andonthatrevoltbeingquelledretreatedacrossthesea.Twoyearsago,havingdiscoveredthismantobestilllivinginFrance,andnotwishingtodisturbthemindandhappinessofherwhobelievedherselfhiswife,yetwishingforlegitimateissue,SirJohnhadinformedtheKingofthefacts,whohadencouragedhimtowedhonestly,thoughsecretly,theyoungmerchant'swidowatHavenpool;
shebeing,therefore,hislawfulwife,andsheonly.Thattoavoidallscandalandhubbubhehadpurposedtoletthingsremainastheyweretillfairopportunityshouldariseofmakingthetruecaseknownwithleastpaintoallpartiesconcerned,butthat,havingbeenthussuspectedandattackedbyhisownbrother-in-law,hiszestforsuchschemesandforallthingshaddiedoutinhim,andheonlywishedtocommendhissoultoGod.
Thatnight,whiletheowlswerehootingfromtheforestthatencircledthesleepingtownlet,andtheSouth-Avonwasgurglingthroughthewoodenpilesofthebridge,SirJohndiedthereinthearmsofhiswife.Sheconcealednothingofthecauseofherhusband'sdeathsavethesubjectofthequarrel,whichshefeltitwouldbeprematuretoannouncejustthen,anduntilproofofherstatusshouldbeforthcoming.Butbeforeamonthhadpassed,ithappened,toherinexpressiblesorrow,thatthechildofthisclandestineunionfellsickanddied.FromthathourallinterestinthenameandfameoftheHorseleighsforsooktheyoungerofthetwainwhocalledthemselveswivesofSirJohn,and,beingcarelessaboutherownfame,shetooknostepstoassertherclaims,herlegalpositionhaving,indeed,grownhatefultoherinherhorroratthetragedy.AndSirWilliamByrt,thecuratewhohadmarriedhertoherhusband,beinganoldmanandfeeble,wasnotdisinclinedtoleavetheembersunstirredofsuchafierymatterasthis,andtoassistherinlettingestablishedthingsstand.Therefore,Edithretiredwiththenurse,heronlycompanionandfriend,tohernativetown,whereshelivedinabsoluteobscuritytillherdeathinmiddleage.
HerbrotherwasneverseenagaininEngland.
Astrangelycorroborativesequeltothestoryremainstobetold.
ShortlyafterthedeathofSirJohnHorseleigh,asoldieroffortunereturnedfromtheContinent,calledonDameHorseleighthefictitious,livinginwidowedstateatClyftonHorseleigh,and,afterasingularlybriefcourtship,marriedher.ThetraditionatHavenpoolandelsewherehaseverbeenthatthismanwasalreadyherhusband,DecimusStrong,whoremarriedherforappearance'sakeonly.
TheillegitimatesonofthisladybySirJohnsucceededtotheestatesandhonours,andhissonafterhim,therebeingnobodyonthealerttoinvestigatetheirpretensions.Littledifferencewouldithavemadetothepresentgeneration,however,hadtherebeensuchaone,forthefamilyinallitsbranches,lawfulandunlawful,hasbeenextinctthesemanyscoreyears,thelastrepresentativebutonebeingkilledatthesiegeofShertonCastle,whileattackingintheserviceoftheParliament,andtheotherbeingoutlawedlaterinthesamecenturyforadebtoftenpounds,anddyinginthecountyjail.
Themansionhouseanditsappurtenanceswere,asIhavepreviouslystated,destroyed,exceptingonesmallwing,whichnowformspartofafarmhouse,andisvisibleasyoupassalongtherailwayfromCasterbridgetoIvel.Theoutlineoftheoldbowling-greenisalsodistinctlytobeseen.
This,then,isthereasonwhytheonlylawfulmarriageofSirJohn,asrecordedintheobscureregisteratHavenpool,doesnotappearinthepedigreeofthehouseofHorseleigh.
Spring1893.
THEDUKE'SREAPPEARANCE——AFAMILYTRADITION
Accordingtothekinsmanwhotoldmethestory,ChristopherSwetman'shouse,ontheoutskirtsofKing's-Hintockvillage,wasinthosedayslargerandbetterkeptthanwhen,manyyearslater,itwassoldtothelordofthemanoradjoining;afterhavingbeenintheSwetmanfamily,asonemaysay,sincetheConquest.
Somepeoplewouldhaveittobethatthethinghappenedatthehouseopposite,belongingtooneChilds,withwhosefamilytheSwetmansafterwardsintermarried.ButthatitwasattheoriginalhomesteadoftheSwetmanscanbeshowninvariousways;chieflybytheunbrokentraditionsofthefamily,andindirectlybytheevidenceofthewallsthemselves,whicharetheonlyonesthereaboutwithwindowsmullionedintheElizabethanmanner,andplainlyofadateanteriortotheevent;whilethoseoftheotherhousemightwellhavebeenerectedfiftyoreightyyearslater,andprobablywere;sincethechoiceofSwetman'shousebythefugitivewasdoubtlessdictatedbynoothercircumstancethanitsthensuitableloneliness.
ItwasacloudyJulymorningjustbeforedawn,thehouroftwohavingbeenstruckbySwetman'sone-handedclockonthestairs,thatisstillpreservedinthefamily.Christopherheardthestrokesfromhischamber,immediatelyatthetopofthestaircase,andoverlookingthefrontofthehouse.Hedidnotwonderthathewassleepless.
Therumoursandexcitementswhichhadlatterlystirredtheneighbourhood,totheeffectthattherightfulKingofEnglandhadlandedfromHolland,ataportonlyeighteenmilestothesouth-westofSwetman'shouse,wereenoughtomakewakefulandanxiousevenacontentedyeomanlikehim.Someofthevillagers,intoxicatedbythenews,hadthrowndowntheirscythes,andrushedtotheranksoftheinvader.ChristopherSwetmanhadweighedbothsidesofthequestion,andhadremainedathome.
Nowashelaythinkingoftheseandotherthingshefanciedthathecouldhearthefootfallofamanontheroadleadinguptohishouse——
abyway,whichledscarceanywhereelse;andthereforeatreadwasatanytimemoreapttostartletheinmatesofthehomesteadthanifithadstoodinathoroughfare.Thefootfallcameoppositethegate,andstoppedthere.Oneminute,twominutespassed,andthepedestriandidnotproceed.ChristopherSwetmangotoutofbed,andopenedthecasement.'Hoi!who'sthere?'crieshe.
'Afriend,'camefromthedarkness.
'Andwhatmidyewantatthistimeo'night?'saysSwetman.
'Shelter.I'velostmyway.'
'What'sthyname?'
Therecamenoanswer.
'BeyeoneofKingMonmouth'smen?'
'Hethatasksnoquestionswillhearnoliesfromme.Iamastranger;andIamspent,andhungered.Canyouletmeliewithyouto-night?'
Swetmanwasgeneroustopeopleintrouble,andhishousewasroomy.
'Waitabit,'hesaid,'andI'llcomedownandhavealookatthee,anyhow.'
Hestruckalight,putonhisclothes,anddescended,takinghishorn-lanternfromanailinthepassage,andlightingitbeforeopeningthedoor.Theraysfellontheformofatall,darkmanincavalryaccoutrementsandwearingasword.Hewaspalewithfatigueandcoveredwithmud,thoughtheweatherwasdry.
'Pritheetakenoheedofmyappearance,'saidthestranger.'Butletmein.'
Thathisvisitorwasinsoredistressadmittedofnodoubt,andtheyeoman'snaturalhumanityassistedtheother'ssadimportunityandgentlevoice.Swetmantookhimin,notwithoutasuspicionthatthismanrepresentedinsomewayMonmouth'scause,towhichhewasnotunfriendlyinhissecretheart.Athisearnestrequestthenew-comerwasgivenasuitoftheyeoman'soldclothesinexchangeforhisown,which,withhissword,werehiddeninaclosetinSwetman'schamber;
foodwasthenputbeforehimandalodgingprovidedforhiminaroomattheback.
Hereheslepttillquitelateinthemorning,whichwasSunday,thesixthofJuly,andwhenhecamedowninthegarmentsthathehadborrowedhemetthehouseholdwithamelancholysmile.BesidesSwetmanhimself,therewereonlyhistwodaughters,GraceandLeonardthelatterwas,oddlyenough,awoman'snamehere,andbothhadbeenenjoinedtosecrecy.Theyaskednoquestionsandreceivednoinformation;thoughthestrangerregardedtheirfaircountenanceswithaninterestalmosttoodeep.Havingpartakenoftheirusualbreakfastofhamandciderheprofessedwearinessandretiredtothechamberwhencehehadcome.
Inacoupleofhoursorthereabouthecamedownagain,thetwoyoungwomenhavingnowgoneofftomorningservice.SeeingChristopherbustlingaboutthehousewithoutassistance,heaskedifhecoulddoanythingtoaidhishost.
Asheseemedanxioustohidealldifferencesandappearasoneofthemselves,SwetmansethimtogetvegetablesfromthegardenandfetchwaterfromButtock'sSpringinthedipnearthehousethoughthespringwasnotcalledbythatnametillyearsafter,bytheway.
'AndwhatcanIdonext?'saysthestrangerwhentheseserviceshadbeenperformed.
HismeeknessanddocilitystruckChristophermuch,andwonuponhim.
'Sinceyoubemindedto,'saysthelatter,'youcantakedownthedishesandspreadthetablefordinner.Takeapewterplateforthyself,butthetrencherswilldoforwe.'
Buttheotherwouldnot,andtookatrencherlikewise,indoingwhichhespokeofthetwogirlsandremarkedhowcomelytheywere.
Thisquietudewasputanendtobyastiroutofdoors,whichwassufficienttodrawSwetman'sattentiontoit,andhewentout.FarmhandswhohadgoneoffandjoinedtheDukeonhisarrivalhadbeguntocomeinwithnewsthatamidnightbattlehadbeenfoughtonthemoorstothenorth,theDuke'smen,whohadattacked,beingentirelyworsted;theDukehimself,withoneortwolordsandotherfriends,hadfled,nooneknewwhither.
'Therehasbeenabattle,'saysSwetman,oncomingindoorsafterthesetidings,andlookingearnestlyatthestranger.
'Maythevictorybetotherightfulintheend,whatevertheissuenow,'saystheother,withasorrowfulsigh.
'Dostreallyknownothingaboutit?'saidChristopher.'Icouldhaveswornyouwasonefromthatverybattle!'
'Iwasherebeforethreeo'theclockthismorning;andthesemenhaveonlyarrivednow.'
'True,'saidtheyeoman.'Butstill,Ithink——'
'Donotpressyourquestion,'thestrangerurged.'Iaminastrait,andcanrefuseahelpernothing;suchinquiryis,therefore,unfair.'
'Trueagain,'saidSwetman,andheldhistongue.
Thedaughtersofthehousereturnedfromchurch,wheretheservicehadbeenhurriedbyreasonoftheexcitement.Totheirfather'squestioningiftheyhadspokenofhimwhosojournedtheretheyrepliedthattheyhadsaidneveraword;which,indeed,wastrue,aseventsproved.
Hebadethemservethedinner;and,asthevisitorhadwithdrawnsincethenewsofthebattle,preparedtotakeaplattertohimupstairs.Buthepreferredtocomedownanddinewiththefamily.
Duringtheafternoonmorefugitivespassedthroughthevillage,butChristopherSwetman,hisvisitor,andhisfamilykeptindoors.Intheevening,however,Swetmancameoutfromhisgate,and,harkeninginsilencetothesetidingsandmore,wonderedwhatmightbeinstoreforhimforhislastnight'swork.
Hereturnedhomewardbyapathacrossthemeadthatskirtedhisownorchard.Passinghere,heheardthevoiceofhisdaughterLeonardexpostulatinginsidethehedge,herwordsbeing:'Don'tye,sir;
don't!Ipritheeletmego!'
'Why,sweetheart?'
'BecauseI'vea-promisedanother!'
Peepingthrough,ashecouldnothelpdoing,hesawthegirlstrugglinginthearmsofthestranger,whowasattemptingtokissher;butfindingherresistancetobegenuine,andherdistressunfeigned,hereluctantlylethergo.
Swetman'sfacegrewdark,forhisgirlsweremoretohimthanhimself.Hehastenedon,meditatingmoodilyalltheway.Heenteredthegate,andmadestraightfortheorchard.Whenhereachedithisdaughterhaddisappeared,butthestrangerwasstillstandingthere.
'Sir!'saidtheyeoman,hisangerhavinginnowiseabated,'I'veseenwhathashappened!Ihavetaken'eeintomyhouse,atsomejeopardytomyself;and,whoeveryoube,theleastIexpectedof'eewastotreatthemaidenswithaseemlyrespect.Youhavenotdoneit,andInolongertrustyou.Iamthemorewatchfulovertheminthattheyaremotherless;andImustask'eetogoafterdarkthisnight!'
Thestrangerseemeddazedatdiscoveringwhathisimpulsehadbroughtdownuponhishead,andhispalefacegrewpaler.Hedidnotreplyforatime.Whenhedidspeakhissoftvoicewasthickwithfeeling.
'Sir,'sayshe,'IownthatIaminthewrong,ifyoutakethemattergravely.Wedonotwhatwewouldbutwhatwemust.ThoughIhavenotinjuredyourdaughterasawoman,Ihavebeentreacheroustoherasahostessandfriendinneed.I'llgo,asyousay;Icandonoless.Ishalldoubtlessfindarefugeelsewhere.'
Theywalkedtowardsthehouseinsilence,whereSwetmaninsistedthathisguestshouldhavesupperbeforedeparting.Bythetimethiswaseatenitwasduskandthestrangerannouncedthathewasready.
Theywentupstairstowherethegarmentsandswordlayhidden,tillthedepartingonesaidthatonfurtherthoughthewouldaskanotherfavour:thatheshouldbeallowedtoretaintheclotheshewore,andthathishostwouldkeeptheothersandtheswordtillhe,thespeaker,shouldcomeorsendforthem.
'Asyouwill,'saidSwetman.'Thegainisonmyside;forthosecloutswerebutkepttodressascarecrownextfall.'
'Theysuitmycase,'saidthestrangersadly.'Howevermuchtheymaymisfitme,theydonotmisfitmysorryfortunenow!'
'Nay,then,'saidChristopherrelenting,'Iwastoohasty.Sh'ltbide!'
Buttheotherwouldnot,sayingthatitwasbetterthatthingsshouldtaketheircourse.NotwithstandingthatSwetmanimportunedhim,heonlyadded,'IfInevercomeagain,dowithmybelongingsasyoulist.Inthepocketyouwillfindagoldsnuff-box,andinthesnuff-boxfiftygoldpieces.'
'Butkeep'emforthyuse,man!'saidtheyeoman.
'No,'saysthepartingguest;'theyareforeignpiecesandwouldharmmeifIweretaken.DoasIbidthee.Putawaythesethingsagainandtakeespecialchargeofthesword.Itbelongedtomyfather'sfatherandIvalueitmuch.Butsomethingmorecommonbecomesmenow.'
Sayingwhich,hetook,ashewentdownstairs,oneoftheashsticksusedbySwetmanhimselfforwalkingwith.Theyeomanlightedhimouttothegardenhatch,wherehedisappearedthroughClammersGatebytheroadthatcrossesKing's-HintockParktoEvershead.
Christopherreturnedtotheupstairschamber,andsatdownonhisbedreflecting.Thenheexaminedthethingsleftbehind,andsurelyenoughinoneofthepocketsthegoldsnuff-boxwasrevealed,containingthefiftygoldpiecesasstatedbythefugitive.Theyeomannextlookedattheswordwhichitsownerhadstatedtohavebelongedtohisgrandfather.Itwastwo-edged,sothathealmostfearedtohandleit.Onthebladewasinscribedthewords'ANDREA
FERARA,'andamongthemanyfinechasingswerearoseandcrown,theplumeofthePrinceofWales,andtwoportraits;portraitsofamanandawoman,theman'shavingthefaceofthefirstKingCharles,andthewoman's,apparently,thatofhisQueen.
Swetman,muchawedandsurprised,returnedthearticlestothecloset,andwentdownstairspondering.Ofhissurmisehesaidnothingtohisdaughters,merelydeclaringtothemthatthegentlemanwasgone;andneverrevealingthathehadbeenaneye-witnessoftheunpleasantsceneintheorchardthatwastheimmediatecauseofthedeparture.
NothingoccurredinHintockduringtheweekthatfollowed,beyondthefitfularrivalofmoredecidedtidingsconcerningtheutterdefeatoftheDuke'sarmyandhisowndisappearanceatanearlystageofthebattle.ThenitwastoldthatMonmouthwastaken,notinhisownclothesbutinthedisguiseofacountryman.HehadbeensenttoLondon,andwasconfinedintheTower.
ThepossibilitythathisguesthadbeennootherthantheDukemadeSwetmanunspeakablysorrynow;hisheartsmotehimatthethoughtthat,actingsoharshlyforsuchasmallbreachofgoodfaith,hemighthavebeenthemeansofforwardingtheunhappyfugitive'scapture.Onthegirlscominguptohimhesaid,'Getawaywithye,wenches:Ifearyouhavebeentheruinofanunfortunateman!'
OntheTuesdaynightfollowing,whentheyeomanwassleepingasusualinhischamber,hewas,hesaid,consciousoftheentryofsomeone.
Openinghiseyes,hebeheldbythelightofthemoon,whichshoneuponthefrontofhishouse,thefigureofamanwhoseemedtobethestrangermovingfromthedoortowardsthecloset.Hewasdressedsomewhatdifferentlynow,butthefacewasquitethatofhislateguestinitstragicalpensiveness,aswasalsothetallnessofhisfigure.Henearedthecloset;and,feelinghisvisitortobewithinhisrights,Christopherrefrainedfromstirring.ThepersonageturnedhislargehaggardeyesuponthebedwhereSwetmanlay,andthenwithdrewfromtheirhidingthearticlesthatbelongedtohim,againgivingahardgazeatChristopherashewentnoiselesslyoutofthechamberwithhispropertiesonhisarm.Hisretreatdownthestairswasjustaudible,andalsohisdeparturebythesidedoor,throughwhichentranceorexitwaseasytothosewhoknewtheplace.
Nothingfurtherhappened,andtowardsmorningSwetmanslept.Toavoidallriskhesaidnotawordtothegirlsofthevisitofthenight,andcertainlynottoanyoneoutsidethehouse;foritwasdangerousatthattimetoavowanything.
Amongthekilledinopposingtherecentrisinghadbeenayoungerbrotherofthelordofthemanor,wholivedatKing's-HintockCourthardby.Seeingthelatterridepastinmourningclothesnextday,Swetmanventuredtocondolewithhim.
'He'dnobusinessthere!'answeredtheother.Hiswordsandmannershowedthebitternessthatwasmingledwithhisregret.'Butsaynomoreofhim.Youknowwhathashappenedsince,Isuppose?'
'IknowthattheysayMonmouthistaken,SirThomas,butIcan'tthinkittrue,'answeredSwetman.
'Ozounds!'tistrueenough,'criedtheknight,'andthat'snotall.
TheDukewasexecutedonTowerHilltwodaysago.'
'D'yesayitverily?'saysSwetman.
'Andaveryharddeathhehad,worseluckfor'n,'saidSirThomas.
'Well,'tisoverforhimandoverformybrother.Butnotfortherest.There'llbesearchingsandsiftingsdownhereanon;andhappyisthemanwhohashadnothingtodowiththismatter!'
NowSwetmanhadhardlyheardthelatterwords,somuchwasheconfoundedbythestrangenessofthetidingsthattheDukehadcometohisdeathonthepreviousTuesday.ForithadbeenonlythenightbeforethispresentdayofFridaythathehadseenhisformerguest,whomhehadceasedtodoubtcouldbeotherthantheDuke,comeintohischamberandfetchawayhisaccoutrementsashehadpromised.
'Itcouldn'thavebeenavision,'saidChristophertohimselfwhentheknighthadriddenon.'ButI'llgostraightandseeifthethingsbeintheclosetstill;andthusIshallsurelylearnif'twereavisionorno.'
Totheclosethewent,whichhehadnotlookedintosincethestranger'sdeparture.Andsearchingbehindthearticlesplacedtoconcealthethingshidden,hefoundthat,ashehadneverdoubted,theyweregone.
WhentherumourspreadabroadintheWestthatthemanbeheadedintheTowerwasnotindeedtheDuke,butoneofhisofficerstakenafterthebattle,andthattheDukehadbeenassistedtoescapeoutofthecountry,Swetmanfoundinitanexplanationofwhatsodeeplymystifiedhim.ThathisvisitormighthavebeenafriendoftheDuke's,whomtheDukehadaskedtofetchthethingsinalastrequest,Swetmanwouldneveradmit.HisbeliefintherumourthatMonmouthlived,likethatofthousandsofothers,continuedtotheendofhisdays.
Such,briefly,concludedmykinsman,isthetraditionwhichhasbeenhandeddowninChristopherSwetman'sfamilyforthelasttwohundredyears.
AMEREINTERLUDE
CHAPTERI
Thetravellerinschool-books,whovouchedindryesttonesforthefidelitytofactofthefollowingnarrative,usedtoaddaringoftruthtoitbyopeningwithanicetyofcriticismontheheroine'spersonality.Peoplewerewrong,hedeclared,whentheysurmisedthatBaptistaTrewthenwasayoungwomanwithscarcelyemotionsorcharacter.Therewasnothinginhertolove,andnothingtohate——soranthegeneralopinion.Thatsheshowedfewpositivequalitieswastrue.Thecoloursandtoneswhichchangingeventspaintonthefacesofactivewomankindwerelookedforinvainuponhers.Butstillwatersrundeep;andnocrisishadcomeintheyearsofherearlymaidenhoodtodemonstratewhatlayhiddenwithinher,likemetalinamine.
ShewasthedaughterofasmallfarmerinSt.Maria's,oneoftheIslesofLyonessebeyondOff-Wessex,whohadspentalargesum,asthereunderstood,onhereducation,bysendinghertothemainlandfortwoyears.AtnineteenshewasenteredattheTrainingCollegeforTeachers,andattwenty-onenominatedtoaschoolinthecountry,nearTor-upon-Sea,whithersheproceededaftertheChristmasexaminationandholidays.
Themonthspassedbyfromwintertospringandsummer,andBaptistaappliedherselftohernewdutiesasbestshecould,tillanuneventfulyearhadelapsed.Thenanairofabstractionpervadedherbearingasshewalkedtoandfro,twiceaday,andsheshowedthetraitsofapersonwhohadsomethingonhermind.Awidow,bynameMrs.Wace,inwhosehouseBaptistaTrewthenhadbeenprovidedwithasitting-roomandbedroomtilltheschool-houseshouldbebuilt,noticedthischangeinheryouthfultenant'smanner,andatlastventuredtopressherwithafewquestions.
'Ithasnothingtodowiththeplace,norwithyou,'saidMissTrewthen.
'Thenitisthesalary?'
'No,northesalary.'
'Thenitissomethingyouhaveheardfromhome,mydear.'
Baptistawassilentforafewmoments.'ItisMr.Heddegan,'shemurmured.'HimtheyusedtocallDavidHeddeganbeforehegothismoney.'
'AndwhoistheMr.HeddegantheyusedtocallDavid?'
'AnoldbacheloratGiant'sTown,St.Maria's,withnorelationswhatever,wholivesaboutastone'sthrowfromfather's.WhenIwasachildheusedtotakemeonhiskneeandsayhe'dmarrymesomeday.NowIamawomanthejesthasturnedearnest,andheisanxioustodoit.AndfatherandmothersaysIcan'tdobetterthanhavehim.'
'He'swelloff?'
'Yes——he'stherichestmanweknow——asafriendandneighbour.'
'Howmucholderdidyousayhewasthanyourself?'
'Ididn'tsay.Twentyyearsatleast.'
'Andanunpleasantmaninthebargainperhaps?'
'No——he'snotunpleasant.'
'Well,child,allIcansayisthatI'dresistanysuchengagementifit'snotpalatableto'ee.Youarecomfortablehere,inmylittlehouse,Ihope.Alltheparishlike'ee:andI'veneverbeensocheerful,sincemypoorhusbandleftmetowearhiswings,asI'vebeenwith'eeasmylodger.'
Theschoolmistressassuredherlandladythatshecouldreturnthesentiment.'Butherecomesmyperplexity,'shesaid.'Idon'tlikekeepingschool.Ah,youaresurprised——youdidn'tsuspectit.
That'sbecauseI'veconcealedmyfeeling.Well,Isimplyhateschool.Idon'tcareforchildren——theyareunpleasant,troublesomelittlethings,whomnothingwoulddelightsomuchastohearthatyouhadfallendowndead.YetIwouldevenputupwiththemifitwasnotfortheinspector.ForthreemonthsbeforehisvisitIdidn'tsleepsoundly.AndtheCommitteeofCouncilarealwayschangingtheCode,sothatyoudon'tknowwhattoteach,andwhattoleaveuntaught.Ithinkfatherandmotherareright.TheysayIshallneverexcelasaschoolmistressifIdisliketheworkso,andthatthereforeIoughttogetsettledbymarryingMr.Heddegan.Betweenustwo,Ilikehimbetterthanschool;butIdon'tlikehimquitesomuchastowishtomarryhim.'
Theseconversations,oncebegun,werecontinuedfromdaytoday;tillatlengththeyounggirl'selderlyfriendandlandladythrewinheropiniononthesideofMissTrewthen'sparents.Allthingsconsidered,shedeclared,theuncertaintyoftheschool,thelabour,Baptista'snaturaldislikeforteaching,itwouldbeaswelltotakewhatfateoffered,andmakethebestofmattersbyweddingherfather'soldneighbourandprosperousfriend.
TheEasterholidayscameround,andBaptistawenttospendthemasusualinhernativeisle,goingbytrainintoOff-WessexandcrossingbypacketfromPen-zephyr.WhenshereturnedinthemiddleofAprilherfaceworeamoresettledaspect.
'Well?'saidtheexpectantMrs.Wace.
'Ihaveagreedtohavehimasmyhusband,'saidBaptista,inanoff-
handway.'Heavenknowsifitwillbeforthebestornot.ButI
haveagreedtodoit,andsothematterissettled.'
Mrs.Wacecommendedher;butBaptistadidnotcaretodwellonthesubject;sothatallusiontoitwasveryinfrequentbetweenthem.
Nevertheless,amongotherthings,sherepeatedtothewidowfromtimetotimeinmonosyllabicremarksthattheweddingwasreallyimpending;thatitwasarrangedforthesummer,andthatshehadgivennoticeofleavingtheschoolattheAugustholidays.Lateronsheannouncedmorespecificallythathermarriagewastotakeplaceimmediatelyafterherreturnhomeatthebeginningofthemonthaforesaid.
ShenowcorrespondedregularlywithMr.Heddegan.Herlettersfromhimwereseen,atleastontheoutside,andinpartwithin,byMrs.
Wace.HadshereadmoreoftheirinteriorsthantheoccasionalsentencesshownherbyBaptistashewouldhaveperceivedthatthescratchy,rustyhandwritingofMissTrewthen'sbetrothedconveyedlittlemorematterthandetailsoftheirfuturehousekeeping,andhispreparationsforthesame,withinnumerable'mydears'sprinkledindisconnectedly,toshowthedepthofhisaffectionwithouttheinconveniencesofsyntax.
CHAPTERII
ItwastheendofJuly——dry,toodry,evenfortheseason,thedelicategreenherbsandvegetablesthatgrewinthisfavouredendofthekingdomtastingratherofthewatering-potthanofthepurefreshmoisturefromtheskies.Baptista'sboxeswerepacked,andoneSaturdaymorningshedepartedbyawaggonettetothestation,andthencebytraintoPen-zephyr,fromwhichportshewas,asusual,tocrossthewaterimmediatelytoherhome,andbecomeMr.Heddegan'swifeontheWednesdayoftheweekfollowing.
Shemighthavereturnedaweeksooner.Butthoughtheweddingdayhadloomedsonear,andthebannswereout,shedelayedherdeparturetillthislastmoment,sayingitwasnotnecessaryforhertobeathomelongbeforehand.AsMr.Heddeganwasolderthanherself,shesaid,shewastobemarriedinherordinarysummerbonnetandgreysilkfrock,andtherewerenopreparationstomakethathadnotbeenamplymadebyherparentsandintendedhusband.
Induetime,afterahotandtediousjourney,shereachedPen-zephyr.
Shehereobtainedsomerefreshment,andthenwenttowardsthepier,whereshelearnttohersurprisethatthelittlesteamboatplyingbetweenthetownandtheislandshadleftateleveno'clock;theusualhourofdepartureintheafternoonhavingbeenforestalledinconsequenceofthefogswhichhadforafewdaysprevailedtowardsevening,makingtwilightnavigationdangerous.
ThisbeingSaturday,therewasnownootherboattillTuesday,anditbecameobviousthathereshewouldhavetoremainforthethreedays,unlessherfriendsshouldthinkfittorigoutoneoftheisland'
sailing-boatsandcometofetchher——anotverylikelycontingency,theseadistancebeingnearlyfortymiles.
Baptista,however,hadbeendetainedinPen-zephyronmorethanoneoccasionbefore,eitheronaccountofbadweatherorsomesuchreasonasthepresent,andshewasthereforenotinanypersonalalarm.
But,asshewastobemarriedonthefollowingWednesday,thedelaywascertainlyinconvenienttoamorethanordinarydegree,sinceitwouldleavelessthanaday'sintervalbetweenherarrivalandtheweddingceremony.
Apartfromthisawkwardnessshedidnotmuchmindtheaccident.Itwasindeedcurioustoseehowlittlesheminded.Perhapsitwouldnotbetoomuchtosaythat,althoughshewasgoingtodothecriticaldeedofherlifequitewillingly,sheexperiencedanindefinablereliefatthepostponementofhermeetingwithHeddegan.
Buthermanneraftermakingdiscoveryofthehindrancewasquietandsubdued,eventopassivityitself;aswasinstancedbyherhaving,atthemomentofreceivinginformationthatthesteamerhadsailed,replied'Oh,'socoollytotheporterwithherluggage,thathewasalmostdisappointedatherlackofdisappointment.
Thequestionnowwas,shouldshereturnagaintoMrs.Wace,inthevillageofLowerWessex,orwaitinthetownatwhichshehadarrived.Shewouldhavepreferredtogoback,butthedistancewastoogreat;moreover,havinglefttheplaceforgood,andsomewhatdramatically,tobecomeabride,areturn,evenforsoshortaspace,wouldhavebeenatriflehumiliating.
Leaving,then,herboxesatthestation,hernextanxietywastosecurearespectable,orrathergenteel,lodginginthepopularseasideresortconfrontingher.Tothisendshelookedaboutthetown,inwhich,thoughshehadpassedthroughithalf-a-dozentimes,shewaspracticallyastranger.
Baptistafoundaroomtosuitheroverafruiterer'sshop;whereshemadeherselfathome,andsetherselfinorderafterherjourney.Anearlycupofteahavingrevivedherspiritsshewalkedouttoreconnoitre.
Beingaschoolmistresssheavoidedlookingattheschools,andhavingasortoftradeconnectionwithbooks,sheavoidedlookingatthebooksellers;butwearyingoftheothershopssheinspectedthechurches;notthatforherownpartshecaredmuchaboutecclesiasticaledifices;buttouristslookedatthem,andsowouldshe——aproceedingforwhichnoonewouldhavecreditedherwithanygreatoriginality,such,forinstance,asthatshesubsequentlyshowedherselftopossess.Thechurchessoonoppressedher.ShetriedtheMuseum,butcameoutbecauseitseemedlonelyandtedious.
Yetthetownandthewalksinthislandofstrawberries,theseheadquartersofearlyEnglishflowersandfruit,werethen,asalways,attractive.Fromthemorepicturesquestreetsshewenttothetowngardens,andthePier,andtheHarbour,andlookedatthemenatworkthere,loadingandunloadingasinthetimeofthePhoenicians.
'NotBaptista?Yes,Baptistaitis!'
Thewordswereutteredbehindher.Turningroundshegaveastart,andbecameconfused,evenagitated,foramoment.Thenshesaidinherusualundemonstrativemanner,'O——isitreallyyou,Charles?'
Withoutspeakingagainatonce,andwithahalf-smile,thenew-comerglancedherover.Therewasmuchcriticism,andsomeresentment——
eventemper——inhiseye.
'Iamgoinghome,'continuedshe.'ButIhavemissedtheboat.'
Hescarcelyseemedtotakeinthemeaningofthisexplanation,intheintensityofhiscriticalsurvey.'Teachingstill?Whatafineschoolmistressyoumake,Baptista,Iwarrant!'hesaidwithaslightflavourofsarcasm,whichwasnotlostuponher.
'IknowIamnothingtobragof,'shereplied.'That'swhyIhavegivenup.'
'O——givenup?Youastonishme.'
'Ihatetheprofession.'
'Perhapsthat'sbecauseIaminit.'
'Ono,itisn't.ButIamgoingtoenteronanotherlifealtogether.
IamgoingtobemarriednextweektoMr.DavidHeddegan.'
Theyoungman——fortifiedashewasbyanaturalcynicalprideandpassionateness——wincedatthisunexpectedreply,notwithstanding.
'WhoisMr.DavidHeddegan?'heasked,asindifferentlyaslayinhispower.
SheinformedhimthebearerofthenamewasageneralmerchantofGiant'sTown,St.Maria'sisland——herfather'snearestneighbourandoldestfriend.
'Thenweshan'tseeanythingmoreofyouonthemainland?'inquiredtheschoolmaster.
'O,Idon'tknowaboutthat,'saidMissTrewthen.
'Hereendeththecareerofthebelleoftheboarding-schoolyourfatherwasfoolishenoughtosendyouto.A"generalmerchant's"
wifeintheLyonesseIsles.Willyousellpoundsofsoapandpennyworthsoftintacks,orwholebarsofsaponaceousmatter,andgreattenpennynails?'
'He'snotinsuchasmallwayasthat!'shealmostpleaded.'Heownsships,thoughtheyareratherlittleones!'
'O,well,itismuchthesame.Come,letuswalkon;itistedioustostandstill.Ithoughtyouwouldbeafailureineducation,'hecontinued,whensheobeyedhimandstrolledahead.'Younevershowedpowerthatway.Youremindmemuchofsomeofthosewomenwhothinktheyaresuretobegreatactressesiftheygoonthestage,becausetheyhaveaprettyface,andforgetthatwhatwerequireisacting.
Butyoufoundyourmistake,didn'tyou?'
'Don'ttauntme,Charles.'Itwasnoticeablethattheyoungschoolmaster'stonecausedhernoangerorretaliatorypassion;farotherwise:therewasatearinhereye.'HowisityouareatPen-
zephyr?'sheinquired.