首页 >出版文学> The Lion and the Unicorn>第1章
  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。