,the ,missioner ,,by ,e4 ,,phillips ,,oppenheim ,author of ,anna1 the ,adventuress1 ,a ,prince of ,sinners1 ,the ,master ,mummer1 etc4 ,,with ,,illustrations ,,by ,,fred ,,pegram ,a4 ,l4 ,,burt ,,company ,,publishers ,,new ,,york ,copyright1 #aijg1 ,,by ,,the ,,pearson ,,publishing ,,company4 ,copyright1 #aijg1 ,,by ,,little1 ,,brown1 ,,and ,,company4 ,all rights reserved4 ,published ,january1 #aiji4 ,fourth ,printing ,illustration3 ,,do ,,you ,,mind ,,explaining ,,yourself8 ,,she ,,asked4 ,page #bc4 ,,frontispiece4 ,,contents ,,book ,i ,,chapter ,,page ,i ,,mistress ,,and ,,agent #a ,,ii ,,the ,,hunter ,,and ,,his ,,quarry #ac ,,iii ,,first ,,blood #bb ,,iv ,,beating ,,her ,,wings #cb ,v ,,evicted #da ,,vi ,,cricket ,,and ,,philosophy #eb ,,vii ,,an ,,undernote ,,of ,,music #fa ,,viii ,,roses #gj ,,ix ,,summer ,,lightning #gh ,x ,,the ,,still ,,figure ,,in ,,the ,,chair #he ,,xi ,,the ,,baying ,,of ,,the ,,hounds #ic ,,xii ,,retreat #ajj ,,xiii ,a ,,creature ,,of ,,impulse #aje ,,xiv ,,searching ,,the ,,papers #aad ,,xv ,,on ,,the ,,spree #aba ,,xvi ,,the ,,night ,,side ,,of ,,london #abi ,,xvii ,,the ,,victims ,,of ,,society #ach ,,xviii ,,letty',s ,,dilemma #adg ,,xix ,a ,,report ,,from ,,paris #aee ,,xx ,,like ,a ,,trapped ,,animal #afb ,,book ,,ii ,,chapter ,,page ,i ,,rather ,a ,,ghastly ,,part #agb ,,ii ,,playing ,,with ,,fire #ahj ,,iii ,,monsieur ,s',,amuse #ahh ,,iv ,,at ,,the ,,dead ,,rat #aif ,v ,,the ,,awakening #bjd ,,vi ,,the ,,echo ,,of ,a ,,crime #baj ,,vii ,a ,,country ,,walk #bah ,,viii ,,the ,,missing ,,letty #bbg ,,ix ,,foiled6 #bce ,x ,,mysteries ,,in ,,mayfair #bdd ,,xi ,,the ,,way ,,of ,,salvation #bec ,,xii ,,jean ,,le ,,roi #bfb ,,xiii ,,the ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,apaches #bga ,,xiv ,,behind ,,the ,,palm ,,trees #bha ,,xv ,,the ,,only ,,way #bhi ,,xvi ,,man ,,to ,,man #bif ,,xvii ,,lord ,,and ,,lady ,,bountiful #cjd ,,the ,,missioner ,,book ,i ,,chapter ,i ,,mistress ,,and ,,agent ,the lady of ,thorpe was bored4 ,these details as to leases and repairs were wearisome4 ,the phrases and verbiage confused her4 ,she felt obliged to take them in some measure for granted2 to accept without question the calmly offered advice of the man who stood so respectfully at the right hand of her chair4 ,this agreement with ,philip ,crooks1 he remarked1 is a somewhat important document4 ,with your permission1 madam1 ,i will read it to you4 ,she signified her assent1 and leaned wearily back in her chair4 ,the agent began to read4 ,his mistress watched him through half closed eyes4 ,his voice1 notwithstanding its strong country dialect1 had a sort of sing-song intonation4 ,he read earnestly and without removing his eyes from the document4 ,his listener made no attempt to arrive at the sense of the string of words which flowed so monotonously from his lips4 ,she was occupied in making a study of the man4 ,sturdy and weather-beaten1 neatly dressed in country clothes1 with a somewhat old-fashioned stock1 with trim grey side-whiskers1 and a mouth which reminded her somehow of a well-bred foxhound's1 he represented to her1 in his clearly cut personality1 the changeless side of life1 the side of life which she associated with the mighty oaks in her park1 and the prehistoric rocks which had become engrafted with the soil of the hills beyond4 ,as she saw him now1 so had he seemed to her fifteen years ago4 ,only what a difference6 ,a volume to her--a paragraph to him6 ,she had gone out into the world--rich1 intellectually inquisitive1 possessing most of the subtler gifts with which her sex is endowed2 and wherever the passionate current of life had flown the swiftest1 she had been there1 a leader always1 seeking ever to satisfy the unquenchable thirst for new experiences and new joys4 ,she had passed from girlhood to womanhood with every nerve of her body strained to catch the emotion of the moment4 ,always her fingers had been tearing at the cells of life--and one by one they had fallen away4 ,this morning1 in the bright sunshine which flooded the great room1 she felt somehow tired--tired and withered4 ,her maid was a fool6 ,the two hours spent at her toilette had been wasted6 ,she felt that her eyes were hollow1 her cheeks pale6 ,fifteen years1 and the man had not changed a jot4 ,she doubted whether he had ever passed the confines of her estate4 ,she doubted whether he had even had the desire4 ,wind and sun had tanned his cheeks1 his eyes were clear1 his slight stoop was the stoop of the horseman rather than of age4 ,he had the air of a man satisfied with life and his place in it--an attitude which puzzled her4 ,no one of her world was like that6 ,was it some inborn gift1 she wondered1 which he possessed1 some antidote to the world's restlessness which he carried with him1 or was it merely lack of intelligence8 ,he finished reading and folded up the pages1 to find her regarding him still with that air of careful attention with which she had listened to his monotonous flow of words4 ,he found her interest surprising4 ,it did not occur to him to invest it with any personal element4 ,the agreement upon the whole1 he remarked1 is1 ,i believe1 a fair one4 ,you are perhaps thinking that those clauses---- ,if the agreement is satisfactory to you1 she interrupted1 ,i will confirm it4 ,he bowed slightly and glanced through the pile of papers upon the table4 ,i do not think that there is anything else with which ,i need trouble you1 madam1 he remarked4 ,she nodded imperiously4 ,sit down for a moment1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said4 ,if he felt any surprise1 he did not show it4 ,he drew one of the high-backed chairs away from the table1 and with that slight air of deliberation which characterized all his movements1 seated himself4 ,he was in no way disquieted to find her dark1 tired eyes still studying him4 ,how old are you1 ,mr4 ,hurd8 she asked4 ,i am sixty-three1 madam1 he answered4 ,her eyebrows were gently raised4 ,to her it seemed incredible4 ,she thought of the men of sixty-three or thereabouts whom she knew1 and her lips parted in one of those faint1 rare smiles of genuine amusement1 which smoothed out all the lines of her tired face4 ,visions of the promenade at ,marienbad and ,carlsbad1 the ,kursaal at ,homburg1 floated before her4 ,she saw them all1 the men whom she knew1 with the story of their lives written so plainly in their faces1 babbling of nerves and tonics and cures1 the newest physician1 the latest fad4 ,defaulters all of them1 unwilling to pay the great debt--seeking always a way out6 ,here1 at least1 this man scored6 ,you enjoy good health8 she remarked4 ,i never have anything the matter with me1 he answered simply4 ,i suppose1 he added1 as though by an afterthought1 the life is a healthy one4 ,you find it--satisfying8 she asked4 ,he seemed puzzled4 ,i have never attempted anything else1 he answered4 ,it seems to be what ,i am suited for4 ,she attempted to abandon the role of questioner--to give a more natural turn to the conversation4 ,it is always1 she remarked1 such a relief to get down into the country at the end of the season4 ,i wonder ,i don't spend more time here4 ,i daresay one could amuse oneself8 she added carelessly4 ,mr4 ,hurd considered for a few moments4 ,there are croquet and archery and tennis in the neighbourhood1 he remarked4 ,the golf course on the ,park hills is supposed to be excellent4 ,a great many people come over to play4 ,she affected to be considering the question seriously4 ,an intimate friend would not have been deceived by her air of attention4 ,mr4 ,hurd knew nothing of this4 ,he1 on his part1 however1 was capable of a little gentle irony4 ,it might amuse you1 he remarked1 to make a tour of your estate4 ,there are some of the outlying portions which ,i think that ,i should have the honour of showing you for the first time4 ,i might find that interesting1 she admitted4 ,by the bye1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 what sort of a landlord am ,i8 ,am ,i easy1 or do ,i exact my last pound of flesh8 ,one likes to know these things4 ,it depends upon the tenant1 the agent answered4 ,there is not one of your farms upon which1 if a man works1 he cannot make a living4 ,on the other hand1 there is not one of them on which a man can make a living unless he works4 ,it is upon this principle that your rents have been adjusted4 ,the tenants of the home lands have been most carefully chosen1 and ,thorpe itself is spoken of everywhere as a model village4 ,it is very charming to look at1 its mistress admitted4 ,the flowers and thatched roofs are so picturesque4 ',quite a pastoral idyll1' my guests tell me4 ,the people one sees about seem contented and respectful1 too4 ,they should be1 madam1 ,mr4 ,hurd answered drily4 ,the villagers have had a good many privileges from your family for generations4 ,the lady inclined her head thoughtfully4 ,you think1 then1 she remarked1 that if anything should happen in ,england1 like the ,french ,revolution1 ,i should not find unexpected thoughts and discontent smouldering amongst them8 ,you believe that they are really contented8 ,mr4 ,hurd knew nothing about revolutions1 and he was utterly unable to follow the trend of her thoughts4 ,if they were not1 madam1 he declared1 they would deserve to be in the workhouse--and ,i should feel it my duty to assist them in getting there4 ,the lady of ,thorpe laughed softly to herself4 ,you1 too1 then1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said1 you are content with your life8 ,you don't mind my being personal1 do you8 ,it is such a change down here1 such a different existence 444 and ,i like to understand everything4 ,upon ,mr4 ,hurd the almost pathetic significance of those last words was wholly wasted4 ,they were words of a language which he could not comprehend4 ,he realized only their direct application--and the woman to him seemed like a child4 ,if ,i were not content1 madam1 he said1 ,i should deserve to lose my place4 ,i should deserve to lose it1 he added after a moment's pause1 notwithstanding the fact that ,i have done my duty faithfully for four and forty years4 ,she smiled upon him brilliantly4 ,they were so far apart that she feared lest she might have offended him4 ,i have always felt myself a very fortunate woman1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said1 in having possessed your services4 ,he rose as though about to go4 ,it was her whim1 however1 to detain him4 ,you lost your wife some years ago1 did you not1 ,mr4 ,hurd8 she began tentatively4 ,as a matter of fact1 she was not sure of her ground4 ,seven years back1 madam1 he answered1 with immovable face4 ,she was1 unfortunately1 never a strong woman4 ,and your son8 she asked more confidently4 ,is he back from ,south ,africa8 ,a year ago1 madam1 he answered4 ,he is engaged at present in the estate office4 ,he knows the work well---- ,the best place for him1 of course1 she interrupted4 ,we ought to do all we can for our young men who went out to the war4 ,i should like to see your son1 ,mr4 ,hurd4 ,will you tell him to come up some day8 ,certainly1 madam1 he answered4 ,perhaps he would like to shoot with my guests on ,thursday8 she suggested graciously4 ,mr4 ,hurd did not seem altogether pleased4 ,it has never been the custom1 madam1 he remarked1 for either my son or myself to be associated with the ,thorpe shooting parties4 ,some customs1 she remarked pleasantly1 are well changed1 even in ,thorpe4 ,we shall expect him4 ,mr4 ,hurd's mouth reminded her for a moment of a steel trap4 ,she could see that he disapproved1 but she had no intention of giving way4 ,he began to tie up his papers1 and she watched him with some continuance of that wave of interest which he had somehow contrived to excite in her4 ,the signature of one of the letters which he was methodically folding1 caught her attention4 ,what a strange name6 she remarked4 ,victor ,macheson6 ,who is he8 ,mr4 ,hurd unfolded the letter4 ,the ghost of a smile flickered upon his lips4 ,a preacher1 apparently1 he answered4 ,the letter is one asking permission to give a series of what he terms religious lectures in ,harrison's large barn6 ,her eyebrows were gently raised4 ,her tone was one of genuine surprise4 ,what1 in ,thorpe8 she demanded4 ,in ,thorpe6 ,mr4 ,hurd acquiesced4 ,she took the letter and read it4 ,her perplexity was in no manner diminished4 ,the man seems in earnest1 she remarked4 ,he must either be a stranger to this part of the country1 or an extremely impertinent person4 ,i presume1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 that nothing has been going on in the place with which ,i am unacquainted8 ,certainly not1 madam1 he answered4 ,there has been no drunkenness8 she remarked4 ,the young people have1 ,i presume1 been conducting their love-making discreetly8 ,the lines of ,mr4 ,hurd's mouth were a trifle severe4 ,one could imagine that he found her modern directness of speech indelicate4 ,there have been no scandals of any sort connected with the village1 madam1 he assured her4 ,to the best of my belief1 all of our people are industrious1 sober and pious4 ,they attend church regularly4 ,as you know1 we have not a public-house or a dissenting place of worship in the village4 ,the man must be a fool1 she said deliberately4 ,you did not1 of course1 give him permission to hold these services8 ,certainly not1 the agent answered4 ,i refused it absolutely4 ,the lady rose1 and ,mr4 ,hurd understood that he was dismissed4 ,you will tell your son about ,thursday8 she reminded him4 ,i will deliver your message1 madam1 he answered4 ,she nodded her farewell as the footman opened the door4 ,everything seems to be most satisfactory1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said4 ,i shall probably be here for several weeks1 so come up again if there is anything you want me to sign4 ,i am much obliged1 madam1 the agent answered4 ,he left the place by a side entrance1 and rode slowly down the private road1 fringed by a magnificent row of elm trees1 to the village4 ,the latch of the iron gate at the end of the avenue was stiff1 and he failed to open it with his hunting crop at the first attempt4 ,just as he was preparing to try again1 a tall1 boyish-looking young man1 dressed in sombre black1 came swiftly across the road and opened the gate4 ,mr4 ,hurd thanked him curtly1 and the young man raised his hat4 ,you are ,mr4 ,hurd1 ,i believe8 he remarked4 ,i was going to call upon you this afternoon4 ,the little man upon the pony frowned4 ,he had no doubt as to his questioner4 ,my name is ,hurd1 sir1 he answered stiffly4 ,what can ,i do for you8 ,you can let me have that barn for my services1 the other answered smiling4 ,i wrote you about it1 you know4 ,my name is ,macheson4 ,mr4 ,hurd's answer was briefly spoken1 and did not invite argument4 ,i have mentioned the matter to ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton1 sir4 ,she agrees with me that your proposed ministrations are altogether unneeded in this neighbourhood4 ,you won't let me use the barn1 then8 the young man remarked pleasantly1 but with some air of disappointment4 ,mr4 ,hurd gathered up the reins in his hand4 ,certainly not1 sir6 ,he would have moved on1 but his questioner stood in the way4 ,mr4 ,hurd looked at him from underneath his shaggy eyebrows4 ,the young man was remarkably young4 ,his smooth1 beardless face was the face of a boy4 ,only the eyes seemed somehow to speak of graver things4 ,they were very bright indeed1 and they did not falter4 ,mr4 ,hurd1 he begged1 do let me ask you one question6 ,why do you refuse me8 ,what harm can ,i possibly do by talking to your villagers8 ,mr4 ,hurd pointed with his whip up and down the country lane4 ,this is the village of ,thorpe1 sir1 he answered4 ,there are no poor1 there is no public-house1 and there1 within a few hundred yards of the farthest cottage1 he added1 pointing to the end of the street1 is the church4 ,you are not needed here4 ,that is the plain truth4 ,the young man looked up and down1 at the flower-embosomed cottages1 with their thatched roofs and trim appearance1 at the neatly cut hedges1 the well-kept road1 the many signs of prosperity4 ,he looked at the little grey church standing in its ancient walled churchyard1 where the road divided1 a very delightful addition to the picturesque beauty of the place4 ,he looked at all these things and he sighed4 ,mr4 ,hurd1 he said1 you are a man of experience4 ,you know very well that material and spiritual welfare are sometimes things very far apart4 ,mr4 ,hurd frowned and turned his pony's head towards home4 ,i know nothing of the sort1 sir1 he snapped4 ,what ,i do know is that we don't want any ,salvation ,army tricks here4 ,you should stay in the cities4 ,they like that sort of thing there4 ,i must come where ,i am sent1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 the young man answered4 ,i cannot do your people any harm4 ,i only want to deliver my message--and go4 ,mr4 ,hurd wheeled his pony round4 ,i submitted your letter to ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton1 he said4 ,she agrees with me that your ministrations are wholly unnecessary here4 ,i wish you good evening6 ,the young man caught for a moment at the pony's rein4 ,one moment1 sir1 he begged4 ,you do not object to my appealing to ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton herself8 ,a grim1 mirthless smile parted the agent's lips4 ,by no means6 he answered1 as he cantered off4 ,victor ,macheson stood for a moment watching the retreating figure4 ,then he looked across the park to where1 through the great elm avenues1 he could catch a glimpse of the house4 ,a humorous smile suddenly brightened his face4 ,it's got to be done6 he said to himself4 ,here goes6 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,the ,,hunter ,,and ,,his ,,quarry ,the mistress of ,thorpe stooped to pat a black ,pomeranian which had rushed out to meet her4 ,it was when she indulged in some such movement that one realized more thoroughly the wonderful grace of her slim1 supple figure4 ,she who hated all manner of exercise had the ease of carriage and flexibility of one whose life had been spent in athletic pursuits4 ,how are you all8 she remarked languidly4 ,shocking hostess1 am ,i not8 ,a fair-haired little woman turned away from the tea-table4 ,she held a chocolate eclair in one hand1 and a cup of ,russian tea in the other4 ,her eyes were very dark1 and her hair very yellow--and both were perfectly and unexpectedly natural4 ,her real name was ,lady ,margaret ,penshore1 but she was known to her intimates1 and to the mysterious individuals who write under a nom-de-guerre in the society papers1 as ,lady ,peggy4 ,a little casual perhaps1 my dear ,wilhelmina1 she remarked4 ,comes from your association with ,royalty1 ,i suppose4 ,try one of your own caviare sandwiches1 if you want anything to eat4 ,they're ripping4 ,wilhelmina--she was one of the few women of her set with whose ,christian name no one had ever attempted to take any liberties--approached the tea-table and studied its burden4 ,there were a dozen different sorts of sandwiches arranged in the most tempting form1 hot-water dishes with delicately browned tea-cakes simmering gently1 thick cream in silver jugs1 tea and coffee1 and in the background old ,china dishes piled with freshly gathered strawberries and peaches and grapes1 on which the bloom still rested4 ,on a smaller table were flasks of liqueurs and a spirit decanter4 ,anyhow1 she remarked1 pouring herself out some tea1 ,i do feed you people well4 ,and as to being casual1 ,i warned you that ,i never put in an appearance before five4 ,a man in the background1 long and lantern-faced1 a man whose age it would have been as impossible to guess as his character1 opened and closed his watch with a clink4 ,twenty minutes past1 he remarked4 ,to be exact1 twenty-two minutes past4 ,his hostess turned and regarded him contemplatively4 ,how painfully precise6 she remarked4 ,somehow1 it doesn't sound convincing1 though4 ,your watch is probably like your morals4 ,what a flattering simile6 he murmured4 ,flattering8 ,it presupposes1 at any rate1 their existence1 he explained4 ,it is years since ,i was reminded of them4 ,wilhelmina seated herself before an open card-table4 ,no doubt1 she answered4 ,you see ,i knew you when you were a boy4 ,seriously1 she continued1 ,i have been engaged with my agent for the last half-hour--a most interesting person1 ,i can assure you4 ,there was an agreement with one ,philip ,crooks concerning a farm1 which he felt compelled to read to me--every word of it6 ,come along and cut1 all of you6 ,the fourth person1 slim1 fair-haired1 the typical army officer and country house habitue1 came over to the table1 followed by the lantern-jawed man4 ,lady ,peggy also turned up a card4 ,you and ,i1 ,gilbert1 ,wilhelmina remarked to the elder man4 ,here's luck to us6 ,what on earth is that you are drinking8 ,absinthe1 he answered calmly4 ,i have been trying to persuade ,austin to join me1 but it seems they don't drink absinthe in the ,army4 ,i should think not1 indeed1 his hostess answered4 ,and you my partner1 too6 ,put the stuff away4 ,gilbert ,deyes raised his glass and looked thoughtfully into its opalescent depths4 ,ah6 my dear lady1 he said1 you make a great mistake when you number absinthe amongst the ordinary intoxicating beverages4 ,i tell you that the man who invented it was an epicure in sensations and--er--gastronomy4 ,if only ,de ,quincey had realized the possibility of absinthe1 he would have given us jewelled prose indeed4 ,wilhelmina yawned4 ,bother ,de ,quincey6 she declared4 ,it's your bridge ,i'm thinking of4 ,dear lady1 you need have no anxiety1 ,deyes answered reassuringly4 ,one does not trifle with one's livelihood4 ,you will find me capable of the most daring finesses1 the most wonderful coups4 ,i shall not revoke1 ,i shall not lead out of the wrong hand4 ,my declarations will be touched with genius4 ,the rubber1 in fact1 is already won4 ,vive l'absinthe6 ,the rubber will never be begun if you go on talking nonsense much longer1 ,lady ,peggy declared1 tapping the table impatiently4 ,i believe ,i hear the motors outside4 ,we shall have the whole crowd here directly4 ,they won't find their way here1 their hostess assured them calmly4 ,my deal1 ,i believe4 ,they played the hand in silence4 ,at its conclusion1 ,wilhelmina leaned back in her chair and listened4 ,you were right1 ,peggy1 she said1 they are all in the hall4 ,i can hear your brother's voice4 ,lady ,peggy nodded4 ,sounds healthy1 doesn't it8 ,gilbert ,deyes leaned across to the side table and helped himself to a cigarette4 ,healthy6 ,i call it boisterous1 he declared4 ,where have they all been8 ,motoring somewhere1 ,wilhelmina answered4 ,they none of them have any idea how to pass the time away until the first run4 ,sport1 my dear hostess1 ,deyes remarked1 is the one thing which makes life in a country house almost unendurable4 ,wilhelmina shrugged her shoulders4 ,that's all very well1 ,gilbert1 she said1 but what should we do if we couldn't get rid of some of these lunatics for at least part of the day8 ,reasonable1 ,i admit1 ,deyes answered1 but think what an intolerable nuisance they make of themselves for the other part4 ,i double ,no ,trumps1 ,lady ,peggy4 ,lady ,peggy laid down her cards4 ,for goodness' sake1 no more digressions1 she implored4 ,remember1 please1 that ,i play this game for the peace of mind of my tradespeople6 ,i redouble6 ,the hand was played almost in silence4 ,lady ,peggy lost the odd trick and began to add up the score with a gentle sigh4 ,after all1 her partner remarked1 returning to the subject which they had been discussing1 ,i don't think that we could get on very well in this country without sport1 of some sort4 ,of course not1 ,deyes answered4 ,we are all sportsmen1 every one of us4 ,we were born so4 ,only1 while some of us are content to wreak our instinct for destruction upon birds and animals1 others choose the nobler game--our fellow-creatures6 ,to hunt or trap a human being is finer sport than to shoot a rocketing pheasant1 or to come in from hunting with mud all over our clothes1 smelling of ploughed fields1 steaming in front of the fire1 telling lies about our exploits--all undertaken in pursuit of a miserable little animal1 which as often as not outwits us1 and which1 in an ordinary way1 we wouldn't touch with gloves on6 ,what do you say1 ,lady ,peggy8 ,you're getting beyond me1 she declared4 ,it sounds a little savage4 ,deyes dealt the cards slowly1 talking all the while4 ,sport is savage1 he declared4 ,no one can deny it4 ,whether the quarry be human or animal1 the end is death4 ,but of all its varieties1 give me the hunting of man by man1 the brain of the hunter coping with the wiles of the hunted1 both human1 both of the same order4 ,the game's even then1 for at any moment they may change places--the hunter and his quarry4 ,it's finer work than slaughtering birds at the coverside4 ,it gives your sex a chance1 ,lady ,peggy4 ,it sounds exciting1 she admitted4 ,it is1 he answered4 ,his hostess looked up at him languidly4 ,you speak like one who knows6 ,why not8 he murmured4 ,i have been both quarry and hunter4 ,most of us have more or less6 ,i declare ,hearts6 ,again there was an interval of silence1 broken only by the stock phrases of the game1 and the soft patter of the cards upon the table4 ,once more the hand was played out and the cards gathered up4 ,captain ,austin delivered his quota to the general discussion4 ,after all1 he said1 if it wasn't for sport1 our country houses would be useless4 ,not at all6 ,deyes declared4 ,country houses should exist for---- ,for what1 ,mr4 ,deyes8 ,do tell us1 ,lady ,peggy implored4 ,for bridge6 he declared4 ,for giving weary married people the opportunity for divorce1 and as an asylum from one's creditors4 ,wilhelmina shook her head as she gathered up her cards4 ,you are not at your best to-day1 ,gilbert1 she said4 ,the allusion to creditors is prehistoric6 ,no one has them nowadays4 ,society is such a hop-scotch affair that our coffers are never empty4 ,what a ,utopian sentiment6 ,lady ,peggy murmured4 ,we can't agree1 can we8 ,deyes whispered in her ear4 ,you6 ,why they say that you are worth a million1 she protested4 ,if ,i am ,i remain poor1 for ,i cannot spend it1 he declared4 ,why not8 his hostess asked him from across the table4 ,because1 he answered1 ,i am cursed with a single vice1 trailing its way through a labyrinth of virtues4 ,i am a miser6 ,lady ,peggy laughed incredulously4 ,rubbish6 she exclaimed4 ,dear lady1 it is nothing of the sort1 he answered1 shaking his head sadly4 ,i have felt it growing upon me for years4 ,besides1 it is hereditary4 ,my mother opened a post-office savings bank account for me4 ,at an early age ,i engineered a corner in marbles and sold out at a huge profit4 ,i am like the starving dyspeptic at the rich man's feast4 ,captain ,austin intervened4 ,i declare ,diamonds1 he announced1 and the hand proceeded4 ,wilhelmina leaned back in her chair as the last trick fell4 ,her eyes were turned towards the window4 ,she could just see the avenue of elms down which her agent had ridden a short while since4 ,deyes1 through half closed eyes1 watched her with some curiosity4 ,if one dared offer a trifling coin of the realm---- he murmured4 ,i was thinking of your theory1 she interrupted4 ,according to you1 ,i suppose the whole world is made up of hunters and their quarry4 ,can you tell1 ,i wonder1 by looking at people1 to which order they belong8 ,it is easy1 he answered4 ,yet you must remember we are continually changing places4 ,the man who cracks the whip to-day is the hunted beast to-morrow4 ,the woman who mocks at her lover this afternoon is often the slave-bearer when dusk falls4 ,swift changes like this are like rain upon the earth4 ,they keep us1 at any rate1 out of the asylums4 ,wilhelmina was still looking out of the window4 ,up the great avenue1 in and out amongst the tree trunks1 but moving always with swift buoyant footsteps towards the house1 came a slim1 dark figure1 soberly dressed in ill-fitting clothes4 ,he walked with the swing of early manhood1 his head was thrown back1 and he carried his hat in his hand4 ,she leaned forward to watch him more closely--he seemed to have associated himself in some mysterious manner with the mocking words of ,gilbert ,deyes4 ,half maliciously1 she drew his attention to the swiftly approaching figure4 ,come1 my friend of theories1 she said mockingly4 ,there is a stranger there1 the young man who walks so swiftly4 ,to which of your two orders does he belong8 ,deyes looked out of the window--a brief1 careless glance4 ,to neither1 he answered4 ,his time has not come yet4 ,but he has the makings of both4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,first ,,blood ,a footman entered the room a few minutes later1 and obedient1 without a doubt1 to some previously given command1 waited behind his mistress' chair until a hand had been played4 ,when it was over1 she spoke to him without turning her head4 ,what is it1 ,perkins8 she asked4 ,he bent forward respectfully4 ,there is a young gentleman here1 madam1 who wishes to see you most particularly4 ,he has no card1 but he said that his name would not be known to you4 ,tell him that ,i am engaged1 ,wilhelmina said4 ,he must give you his name1 and tell you what business he has come upon4 ,very good1 madam6 the man answered1 and withdrew4 ,he was back again before the next hand had been played4 ,once more he stood waiting in respectful silence4 ,well8 his mistress asked4 ,his name1 madam1 is ,mr4 ,victor ,macheson4 ,he said that he would wait as long as you liked1 but he preferred telling you his business himself4 ,i fancy that ,i know it1 ,wilhelmina answered4 ,you can show him in here4 ,is it the young man1 ,i wonder1 ,lady ,peggy remarked1 who came up the avenue as though he were walking on air8 ,doubtless1 ,wilhelmina answered4 ,he is some sort of a missionary4 ,i had him shown in here because ,i thought his coming at all an impertinence1 and ,i want to make him understand it4 ,you will probably find him amusing1 ,mr4 ,deyes4 ,gilbert ,deyes shook his head quietly4 ,there was a time1 he murmured1 when the very word missionary was a finger-post to the ridiculous4 ,the comic papers rob us1 however1 of our elementary sources of humour4 ,they all looked curiously towards the door as he entered1 all except ,wilhelmina1 who was the last to turn her head1 and found him hesitating in some embarrassment as to whom to address4 ,he was somewhat above medium height1 fair1 with a mass of wind-tossed hair1 and had the smooth face of a boy4 ,his eyes were his most noticeable feature4 ,they were very bright and very restless4 ,lady ,peggy called them afterwards uncomfortable eyes1 and the others1 without any explanation1 understood what she meant4 ,i am ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton1 ,wilhelmina said calmly4 ,i am told that you wished to see me4 ,she turned only her head towards him4 ,her words were cold and unwelcoming4 ,she saw that he was nervous and she had no pity4 ,it was unworthy of her4 ,she knew that4 ,her eyes questioned him calmly4 ,sitting there in her light muslin dress1 with her deep-brown hair arranged in the ,madonna-like fashion1 which chanced to be the caprice of the moment1 she herself--one of ,london's most beautiful women--seemed little more than a girl4 ,i beg your pardon1 he began hurriedly4 ,i understood--,i expected---- ,well8 ,the monosyllable was like a drop of ice4 ,a faint spot of colour burned in his cheeks4 ,he understood now that for some reason this woman was inimical to him4 ,the knowledge seemed to have a bracing effect4 ,his eyes flashed with a sudden fire which gave force to his face4 ,i expected1 he continued with more assurance1 to have found ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton an older lady4 ,she said nothing4 ,only her eyebrows were very slightly raised4 ,she seemed to be asking him silently what possible concern the age of the lady of ,thorpe-,hatton could be to him4 ,he was to understand that his remark was almost an impertinence4 ,i wished1 he said1 to hold a service in ,thorpe on ,sunday afternoon1 and also one during the week1 and ,i wrote to your agent asking for the loan of a barn1 which is generally1 ,i believe1 used for any gathering of the villagers4 ,mr4 ,hurd found himself unable to grant my request4 ,i have ventured to appeal to you4 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said calmly1 decided1 in my opinion1 quite rightly4 ,i do not see what possible need my villagers can have of further religious services than the ,church affords them4 ,madam1 he answered1 ,i have not a word to say against your parish church1 or against your excellent vicar4 ,yet ,i believe1 and the body to which ,i am attached believes1 that change is stimulating4 ,we believe that the great truths of life cannot be presented to our fellow-creatures too often1 or in too many different ways4 ,and what1 she asked1 with a faint curl of her beautiful lips1 do you consider the great truths of life8 ,madam1 he answered1 with slightly reddening cheeks1 they vary for every one of us1 according to our capacity and our circumstances4 ,what they may mean1 he added1 after a moment's hesitation1 to people of your social order1 ,i do not know4 ,it has not come within the orbit of my experience4 ,it was your villagers to whom ,i was proposing to talk4 ,there was a moment's silence4 ,gilbert ,deyes and ,lady ,peggy exchanged swift glances of amused understanding4 ,wilhelmina bit her lip1 but she betrayed no other sign of annoyance4 ,to what religious body do you belong8 she asked4 ,my friends1 he answered1 and ,i1 are attached to none of the recognized denominations4 ,our only object is to try to keep alight in our fellow-creatures the flame of spirituality4 ,we want to help them--not to forget4 ,there is no name by which you call yourselves8 she asked4 ,none1 he answered4 ,and your headquarters are where8 she asked4 ,in ,gloucestershire1 he answered--so far as we can be said to have any headquarters at all4 ,you have no churches then8 she asked4 ,any building1 he answered1 where the people are to whom we desire to speak1 is our church4 ,we look upon ourselves as missioners only4 ,i am afraid1 ,wilhelmina said quietly1 that ,i am only wasting your time in asking these questions4 ,still1 ,i should like to know what induced you to choose my village as an appropriate sphere for your labours4 ,we each took a county1 he answered4 ,leicestershire fell to my lot4 ,i selected ,thorpe to begin with1 because ,i have heard it spoken of as a model village4 ,wilhelmina's forehead was gently wrinkled4 ,i am afraid1 she said1 that ,i am a somewhat dense person4 ,your reason seems to me scarcely an adequate one4 ,our belief is1 he declared1 that where material prosperity is assured1 especially amongst this class of people1 the instincts towards spirituality are weakened4 ,my people all attend church2 we have no public-house2 there are never any scandals1 she said4 ,all these things1 he admitted1 are excellent4 ,but they do not help you to see into the lives of these people4 ,church-going may become a habit1 a respectable and praiseworthy thing--and a thing expected of them4 ,morality1 too1 may become a custom--until temptation comes4 ,one must ask oneself what is the force which prompts these people to direct their lives in so praiseworthy a manner4 ,you forget1 she remarked1 that these are simple folk4 ,their religion with them is simply a matter of right or wrong4 ,they need no further instruction in this4 ,madam1 he said1 so long as they are living here1 that may be so4 ,frankly1 ,i do not consider it sufficient that their lives are seemly1 so long as they live in the shadow of your patronage4 ,what happens to those who pass outside its influence is another matter4 ,what do you know about that8 she asked coldly4 ,what ,i do know about it1 he answered1 decided me to come to ,thorpe4 ,there was a moment's silence4 ,any of the other three1 ,gilbert ,deyes especially1 perhaps1 would have found it hard to explain1 even to realize the interest with which they listened to the conversation between these two--the somewhat unkempt1 ill-attired boy1 with the nervous1 forceful manner and burning eyes1 and the woman1 so sure of herself1 so coldly and yet brutally ungracious4 ,it was not so much the words themselves that passed between them that attracted as the undernote of hostility1 more felt than apparent--the beginning of a duel1 to all appearance so ludicrously onesided1 yet destined to endure4 ,deyes turned in his chair uneasily4 ,he was watching this intruder--a being outwardly so far removed from their world4 ,the niceties of a correct toilet had certainly never troubled him1 his clothes were rough in material and cut1 he wore a flannel shirt1 and a collar so low that his neck seemed ill-shaped4 ,he had no special gifts of features or figure1 his manner was nervous1 his speech none too ready4 ,deyes found himself engaged in a swift analysis of the subtleties of personality4 ,what did this young man possess that he should convey so strong a sense of power8 ,there was something about him which told4 ,they were all conscious of it1 and1 more than any of them1 the woman who was regarding him with such studied ill-favour4 ,to the others1 her still beautiful face betrayed only some languid irritation4 ,deyes fancied that he saw more there--that underneath the mask which she knew so well how to wear there were traces of some deeper disturbance4 ,do you mind explaining yourself8 she asked4 ,that sounds rather an extraordinary statement of yours4 ,a few months ago1 he said1 ,i attended regularly one of the police courts in ,london4 ,day by day ,i came into contact with the lost souls who have drifted on to the great rubbish-heap4 ,there was a girl1 ,martha ,gullimore her name was1 whose record for her age was as black as sin could make it4 ,her father1 ,i believe1 is the blacksmith in your model village6 ,i spoke to him of his daughter yesterday1 and he cursed me6 ,you mean ,samuel ,gullimore--my farrier8 she asked4 ,that is the man1 he answered4 ,have you any other--instances8 she asked4 ,more than one1 ,i am sorry to say1 he replied4 ,there were two young men who left here only a year ago--one is the son of your gardener1 the other was brought up by his uncle at your lodge gates4 ,i was instrumental in saving them from prison a few months ago4 ,one we have shipped to ,canada--the other1 ,i am sorry to say1 has relapsed4 ,we did what we could1 but beyond a certain point we cannot go4 ,she leaned her head for a moment upon the slim1 white fingers of her right hand1 innocent of rings save for one great emerald1 whose gleam of colour was almost barbaric in its momentary splendour4 ,her face had hardened a little1 her tone was almost an offence4 ,you would have me believe1 then1 she said1 that my peaceful village is a veritable den of iniquity8 ,not ,i1 he answered brusquely4 ,only ,i would have you realize that roses and honeysuckle and regular wages1 the appurtenances of material prosperity1 are after all things of little consequence4 ,they hear the song of the world1 these people1 in their leisure moments2 their young men and girls are no stronger than their fellows when temptation comes4 ,deyes leaned suddenly forward in his chair4 ,he felt that his intervention dissipated a dramatic interest1 of which he was keenly conscious1 but he could not keep silence any longer4 ,to follow out your argument1 sir1 to its logical conclusion1 he said1 why not aim higher still8 ,it is your contention1 is it not1 that the seeds of evil things are sown in indifference1 that prosperity might even tend towards their propagation4 ,why not direct your energies1 then1 towards the men and women of ,society8 ,there is plenty of scope here for your labours4 ,the young man turned towards him4 ,the lines of his mouth had relaxed into a smile of tolerant indifference4 ,i have no sympathy1 sir1 he answered1 with the class you name4 ,on a sinking ship1 the cry is always1 ',save the women and children4' ,it is the less fortunate in the world's possessions who represent the women and children of shipwrecked morality4 ,it is for their betterment that we work4 ,deyes sighed gently4 ,it is a pity1 he declared4 ,i am convinced that there is a magnificent opening for mission work amongst the idle classes4 ,no doubt1 the young man agreed quickly4 ,the question is whether the game is worth the candle4 ,deyes made no reply4 ,lady ,peggy was laughing softly to herself4 ,i have heard all that you have to say1 ,mr4 ,macheson1 the mistress of ,thorpe said calmly1 and ,i can only repeat that ,i think your presence here as a missioner most unnecessary4 ,i consider it1 in fact1 an---- ,she hesitated4 ,with a sudden flash of humour in his deep-set eyes1 he supplied the word4 ,an impertinence1 perhaps6 ,the word is not mine1 she answered1 but ,i accept it willingly4 ,i cannot interfere with ,mr4 ,hurd's decision as to the barn4 ,i am sorry1 he said slowly4 ,i must hold my meetings out of doors6 ,that is all6 ,there was a dangerous glitter in her beautiful eyes4 ,there is no common land in the neighbourhood1 she said1 and you will of course understand that ,i will consider you a trespasser at any time you are found upon my property4 ,he bowed slightly4 ,i am here to speak to your people1 he said1 and ,i will do so1 if ,i have to stop in these lanes and talk to them one by one4 ,you will pardon my reminding you1 madam1 that the days of feudalism are over4 ,wilhelmina carefully shuffled the pack of cards which she had just taken up4 ,we will finish our rubber1 ,peggy1 she said4 ,mr4 ,deyes1 perhaps ,i may trouble you to ring the bell6 ,the young man was across the room before ,deyes could move4 ,you will allow me1 he said1 with a delightfully humourous smile1 to facilitate my own dismissal4 ,i shall doubtless meet your man in the hall4 ,may ,i be allowed to wish you all good afternoon6 ,they all returned his farewell save ,wilhelmina1 who had begun to deal4 ,she seemed determined to remember his existence no more4 ,yet on the threshold1 with the handle of the door between his fingers1 he turned back4 ,he said nothing1 but his eyes were fixed upon her4 ,deyes leaned forward in his chair1 immensely curious4 ,softly the cards fell into their places1 there was no sign in her face of any consciousness of his presence4 ,deyes alone knew that she was fighting4 ,he heard her breath come quicker1 saw the fingers which gathered up her cards shake4 ,slowly1 but with obvious unwillingness1 she turned her head4 ,she looked straight into the eyes of the man who still lingered4 ,good afternoon1 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton1 he said pleasantly4 ,i am sorry to have troubled you4 ,her lips moved1 but she said nothing4 ,she half inclined her head4 ,the door was softly closed4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,beating ,,her ,,wings ,never was a young man more pleased with himself than ,stephen ,hurd1 on the night he dined at ,thorpe-,hatton4 ,he had shot well all day1 and been accepted with the utmost cordiality by the rest of the party4 ,at dinner time1 his hostess had placed him on her left hand1 and though it was true she had not much to say to him1 it was equally obvious that her duties were sufficient to account for her divided attention4 ,he was quite willing to be ignored by the lady on his other side--a little elderly1 and noted throughout the country for her husband-hunting proclivities4 ,he recognized the fact that1 apart from the personal side of the question1 he could scarcely hope to be of any interest to her4 ,the novelty of the situation1 ,wilhelmina's occasional remarks1 and a dinner such as he had never tasted before were sufficient to keep him interested4 ,for the rest he was content to twirl his moustache1 of which he was inordinately proud1 and lean back in his chair with the comfortable reflection that he was the first of his family to be offered the complete hospitality of ,thorpe-,hatton4 ,towards the close of dinner1 his hostess leaned towards him4 ,have you seen or heard anything of a young man named ,macheson in the village8 she asked4 ,i have seen him once or twice1 he answered4 ,here on a missionary expedition or something of the sort1 ,i believe4 ,has he made any attempt to hold a meeting8 she asked4 ,not that ,i have heard of1 he replied4 ,he has been talking to some of the people1 though4 ,i saw him with old ,gullimore yesterday4 ,that reminds me1 she remarked1 is it true that ,gullimore has had trouble with his daughter8 ,i believe so1 young ,hurd admitted1 looking downwards at his plate4 ,the man was to blame for letting her leave the place1 ,wilhelmina declared1 in cold1 measured tones4 ,a pretty girl1 ,i remember1 but very vain1 and a fool1 of course4 ,but about this young fellow ,macheson4 ,do you know who he is1 and where he came from8 ,stephen ,hurd shook his head4 ,i'm afraid ,i don't1 he said doubtfully4 ,he belongs to some sort of brotherhood1 ,i believe4 ,i can't exactly make out what he's at4 ,seems a queer sort of place for him to come missioning1 this6 ,so ,i told him1 she said4 ,by the bye1 do you know where he is staying8 ,at ,onetree farm1 the young man answered4 ,wilhelmina frowned4 ,will you execute a commission for me to-morrow8 she asked4 ,with pleasure6 he answered eagerly4 ,you will go to the woman at ,onetree farm1 ,i forget her name1 and say that ,i desire to take her rooms myself from to-morrow1 or as soon as possible4 ,i will pay her for them1 but ,i do not wish that young man to be taken in by any of my tenants4 ,you will perhaps make that known4 ,i will do so1 he declared4 ,i hope he will have the good sense to leave the neighbourhood4 ,i trust so1 ,wilhelmina replied4 ,she turned away to speak once more to the man on her other side1 and did not address ,stephen ,hurd again4 ,he watched her covertly1 with tingling pulses1 as she devoted herself to her neighbour--the ,lord-,lieutenant of the county4 ,he considered himself a judge of the sex1 but he had had few opportunities even of admiring such women as the mistress of ,thorpe4 ,he watched the curve of her white neck with its delicate1 satin-like skin1 the play of her features1 the poise of her somewhat small1 oval head4 ,he admired the slightly wearied air with which she performed her duties and accepted the compliments of her neighbour4 ,a woman of mysteries some one had once called her1 and he realized that it was the mouth and the dark1 tired eyes which puzzled those who attempted to classify her4 ,what a triumph--to bring her down to the world of ordinary women1 to drive the weariness away1 to feel the soft touch1 perhaps1 of those wonderful arms6 ,he was a young man of many conquests1 and with a sufficiently good idea of himself4 ,the thought was like wine in his blood4 ,if only it were possible6 ,he relapsed into a day-dream1 from which he was aroused only by the soft flutter of gowns and laces as the women rose to go4 ,there was a momentary disarrangement of seats4 ,gilbert ,deyes1 who was on the other side of the table1 rose1 and carrying his glass in his hand1 came deliberately round to the vacant seat by the young man's side4 ,in his evening clothes1 the length and gauntness of his face and figure seemed more noticeable than ever4 ,his skin was dry1 almost like parchment1 and his eyes by contrast appeared unnaturally bright4 ,his new neighbour noticed1 too1 that the glass which he carried so carefully contained nothing but water4 ,i will come and talk to you for a few minutes1 if ,i may1 ,deyes said4 ,i leave the ,church and agriculture to hobnob4 ,somehow ,i don't fancy that as a buffer ,i should be a success4 ,young ,hurd smiled amiably4 ,he was more than a little flattered4 ,the ,archdeacon1 he remarked1 is not an inspiring neighbour4 ,deyes lit one of his own cigarettes and passed his case4 ,i have found the ,archdeacon very dull1 he admitted--a privilege of his order1 ,i suppose4 ,by the bye1 you are having a dose of religion from a new source hereabouts1 are you not8 ,you mean this young missioner8 ,hurd inquired doubtfully4 ,deyes nodded4 ,i was with our hostess when he came up to ask for the loan of a barn to hold services in4 ,a very queer sort of person1 ,i should think8 ,i haven't spoken to him1 ,hurd answered1 but ,i should think he's more or less mad4 ,i can understand mission and ,salvation ,army work and all that sort of thing in the cities1 but ,i'm hanged if ,i can understand any one coming to ,thorpe with such notions4 ,our hostess is annoyed about it1 ,i imagine1 ,deyes remarked4 ,she seems to have taken a dislike to the fellow1 ,hurd admitted4 ,she was speaking to me about him just now4 ,he is to be turned out of his lodgings here4 ,gilbert ,deyes smiled4 ,the news interested him4 ,our hostess is practical in her dislikes1 he remarked4 ,why not8 his neighbour answered4 ,the place belongs to her4 ,deyes watched for a moment the smoke from his cigarette1 curling upwards4 ,the young man1 he said thoughtfully1 impressed me as being a person of some determination4 ,i wonder whether he will consent to accept defeat so easily4 ,the agent's son scarcely saw what else there was for him to do4 ,there isn't anywhere round here1 he remarked1 where they would take him in against ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton's wishes4 ,besides1 he has nowhere to preach4 ,his coming here at all was a huge mistake4 ,if he's a sensible person he'll admit it4 ,deyes nodded as he rose to his feet and lounged towards the door with the other men4 ,play bridge8 he asked his companion1 as they crossed the hall4 ,a little1 the young man answered1 for moderate stakes4 ,they entered the drawing-room1 and ,deyes made his way to a secluded corner1 where ,lady ,peggy sat scribbling alone in a note-book4 ,my dear ,lady ,peggy1 he inquired1 whence this exceptional industry8 ,she closed the book and looked up at him with twinkling eyes4 ,well1 ,i didn't mean to tell a soul until it was finished1 she declared1 but you've just caught me4 ,i've had such a brilliant idea4 ,i'm going to write a ,society ,encyclopaedia6 ,deyes looked at her solemnly4 ,a ,society ,encyclopaedia6 he repeated uncertainly4 ',pon my word1 ,i'm not quite sure that ,i understand4 ,she motioned him to sit down by her side4 ,i'll explain1 she said4 ,you know we're all expected to know something about everything nowadays1 and it's such a bore reading up things4 ,i'm going to compile a little volume of definitions4 ,i shall sell it at a guinea a copy1 pay all my debts1 and become quite respectable again4 ,deyes shook his head4 ,his attitude was scarcely sympathetic4 ,my dear ,lady ,peggy1 what nonsense6 he declared4 ,respectable1 indeed6 ,i call it positively pandering to the middle classes6 ,lady ,peggy looked doubtful4 ,it is a horrid word1 isn't it8 she admitted1 but it would be lovely to make some money4 ,of course1 ,i haven't absolutely decided how to spend it yet4 ,it does seem rather a waste1 doesn't it1 to pay one's debts1 but think of the luxury of feeling one could do it if one wanted to6 ,there's something in that1 ,deyes admitted4 ,but an encyclopaedia6 ,my dear ,lady ,peggy1 you don't know what you're talking about4 ,i've got one somewhere1 ,i know4 ,it came in a van1 and it took two of the men to unload it4 ,lady ,peggy laughed softly4 ,oh6 ,i don't mean that sort1 of course1 she declared4 ,i mean just a little gilt-edged text book1 bound in morocco1 you know1 with just those things in it we're likely to run up against4 ,radium1 for instance4 ,now every one's talking about radium4 ,do you know what radium is8 ,deyes swung his eyeglass carefully by its black riband4 ,well1 he admitted1 ,i've a sort of idea1 but ,i'm not very good at definitions4 ,of course not1 ,lady ,peggy declared triumphantly4 ,when it comes to the point1 you see what a good idea mine is4 ,you turn to my textbook1 she added1 turning the pages over rapidly1 and there you are4 ,radium6 ',a hard1 rare substance1 invented by ,mr4 ,gillette to give tone to his bachelor parties4' ,what do you think of that8 ,wonderful6 ,deyes declared solemnly4 ,where do you get your information from8 ,oh6 ,i poke about in dictionaries and things1 and ask every one questions1 ,lady ,peggy declared airily4 ,would you like to hear some more8 ,our hostess is beckoning to me1 ,deyes answered1 rising4 ,i expect she wants some bridge4 ,i'm on1 ,lady ,peggy declared cheerfully4 ,whom shall we get for a fourth8 ,wilhelmina has found him already1 ,deyes declared4 ,it's the new young man1 ,i think4 ,lady ,peggy shrugged her shoulders4 ,the agent's son8 she remarked4 ,i shouldn't have thought that he would have cared about our points4 ,he can afford it for once in a way1 ,i should imagine1 ,deyes answered4 ,i can't understand1 though---- ,he stopped short4 ,she looked at him curiously4 ,is it possible1 she murmured1 that there exists anything which ,gilbert ,deyes does not understand8 ,many things1 he answered2 amongst them1 why does ,wilhelmina patronize this young man8 ,he is well enough1 of course1 but---- he shrugged his shoulders expressively2 the thing needs an explanation1 doesn't it8 ,if ,wilhelmina--were not ,wilhelmina1 it certainly would1 ,lady ,peggy answered4 ,i call her craving for new things and new people positively morbid4 ,all the time she beats her wings against the bars4 ,there are no new things4 ,there are no new experiences4 ,the sooner one makes up one's mind to it the better4 ,gilbert ,deyes laughed softly4 ,if my memory serves me1 he said1 you are repeating a cry many thousand years old4 ,wasn't there a prophet---- ,there was1 she interrupted1 but they are beckoning us4 ,i hope ,i don't cut with the young man4 ,i don't believe he has a bridge face4 ,,chapter ,v ,,evicted ,victor ,macheson smoked his after-breakfast pipe with the lazy enjoyment of one who is thoroughly at peace with himself and his surroundings4 ,the tiny strip of lawn on to which he had dragged his chair was surrounded with straggling bushes of cottage flowers1 and flanked by a hedge thick with honeysuckle4 ,straight to heaven1 as the flight of a bird1 the thin line of blue smoke curled upwards to the summer sky2 the very air seemed full of sweet scents and soothing sounds4 ,a few yards away1 a procession of lazy cows moved leisurely along the grass-bordered lane2 from the other side of the hedge came the cheerful sound of a reaping-machine1 driven slowly through the field of golden corn4 ,the man1 through half closed eyes1 looked out upon these things1 and every line in his face spelt contentment4 ,in repose1 the artistic temperament with which he was deeply imbued1 asserted itself more clearly--the almost fanatical light in his eyes was softened2 one saw there was something of the wistfulness of those who seek to raise but a corner of the veil that hangs before the world of hidden things--something1 too1 of the subdued joy which even the effort brings4 ,the lines of his forceful mouth were less firm1 more sensitive--a greater sense of humanity seemed somehow to have descended upon him as he lounged there in the warmth of the sun1 with the full joy of his beautiful environment creeping through his blood4 ,if you please1 ,mr4 ,macheson1 some one said in his ear4 ,he turned his head at once4 ,a tall1 fair girl had stepped out of the room where he had been breakfasting1 and was standing by his elbow4 ,she was neatly dressed1 pretty in a somewhat insipid fashion1 and her hands and hair showed signs of a refinement superior to her station4 ,just now she was apparently nervous4 ,macheson smiled at her encouragingly4 ,well1 ,letty1 he said1 what is it8 ,i wanted--can ,i say something to you1 ,mr4 ,macheson8 she began4 ,why not8 he answered kindly4 ,is it anything very serious8 ,out with it6 ,i was thinking1 ,mr4 ,macheson1 she said1 that ,i should like to leave home--if ,i could--if there was anything which ,i could do4 ,i wanted to ask your advice4 ,he laid down his pipe and looked at her seriously4 ,why1 ,letty1 he said1 how long have you been thinking of this8 ,oh6 ever so long1 sir1 she exclaimed1 speaking with more confidence4 ,you see there's nothing for me to do here except when there's any one staying1 like you1 sir1 and that's not often4 ,mother won't let me help with the rough work1 and ,ruth's growing up now1 she's ever such a strong girl4 ,and ,i should like to go away if ,i could1 and learn to be a little more--more ladylike1 she added1 with reddening cheeks4 ,macheson was puzzled4 ,the girl was not looking him in the face4 ,he felt there was something at the back of it all4 ,my dear girl1 he said1 you can't learn to be ladylike4 ,that's one of the things that's born with you or it isn't4 ,you can be just as much a lady helping your mother here as practising grimaces in a ,london drawing-room4 ,but ,i want to improve myself1 she persisted4 ,go for a long walk every day1 and look about you1 he said4 ,read4 ,i'll lend you some books--the right sort4 ,you'll do better here than away4 ,she was frankly dissatisfied4 ,but ,i want to go away1 she declared4 ,i want to leave ,thorpe for a time4 ,i should like to go to ,london4 ,couldn't ,i get a situation as lady's help or companion or something of that sort8 ,i shouldn't want any money4 ,he was silent for a moment4 ,does your mother know of this1 ,letty8 he asked4 ,she wouldn't object1 the girl answered eagerly4 ,she lets me do what ,i like4 ,hadn't you better tell me--the rest8 ,macheson asked quietly4 ,the girl looked away uneasily4 ,there is no rest1 she protested weakly4 ,macheson shook his head4 ,letty1 he said1 if you have formed any ideas of a definite future for yourself1 different from any you see before you here1 tell me what they are1 and ,i will do my best to help you4 ,but if you simply want to go away because you are dissatisfied with the life here1 because you fancy yourself superior to it1 well1 ,i'm sorry1 but ,i'd sooner prevent your going than help you4 ,her eyes filled with tears4 ,oh6 ,mr4 ,macheson1 it isn't that1 she declared1 ,i--,i don't want to tell any one1 but ,i'm very--very fond of some one who's--quite different4 ,i think he's fond of me1 too1 she added softly1 but he's always used to being with ladies1 and ,i wanted to improve myself so much6 ,i thought if ,i went to ,london1 she added wistfully1 ,i might learn8 ,macheson laughed cheerfully4 ,he laid his hand for a moment upon her arm4 ,oh6 ,letty1 ,letty1 he declared1 you're a foolish little girl6 ,now1 listen to me4 ,if he's a good sort1 and ,i'm sure he is1 or you wouldn't be fond of him1 he'll like you just exactly as you are4 ,do you know what it means to be a lady1 the supreme test of good manners8 ,it means to be natural4 ,take my advice6 ,go on helping your mother1 enter into the village life1 make friends with the other girls1 don't imagine yourself a bit superior to anybody else4 ,read when you have time--,i'll manage the books for you1 and spend all the time you can out of doors4 ,it's sound advice1 ,letty4 ,take my word for it4 ,hullo1 who's this8 ,a new sound in the lane made them both turn their heads4 ,young ,hurd had just ridden up and was fastening his pony to the fence4 ,he looked across at them curiously1 and ,letty retreated precipitately into the house4 ,a moment or two later he came up the narrow path1 frowning at ,macheson over the low hedge of foxgloves and cottage roses1 and barely returning his courteous greeting4 ,for a moment he hesitated1 however1 as though about to speak4 ,then1 changing his mind1 he passed on and entered the farmhouse4 ,he met ,mrs4 ,foulton herself in the passage1 and she welcomed him with a smiling face4 ,good morning1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 sir6 she exclaimed1 plucking at her apron4 ,won't you come inside1 sir1 and sit down8 ,the parlour's let to ,mr4 ,macheson there1 but he's out in the garden1 and he won't mind your stepping in for a moment4 ,and how's your father1 ,mr4 ,hurd8 ,wonderful well he was looking when ,i saw him last4 ,the young man followed her inside1 but declined a chair4 ,oh6 the governor's all right1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 he answered4 ,never knew him anything else4 ,good weather for the harvest1 eh8 ,beautiful1 sir6 ,mrs4 ,foulton answered4 ,were you wanting to speak to ,john1 ,mr4 ,stephen8 ,he's about the home meadow somewhere1 or in the orchard4 ,i can send a boy for him1 or perhaps you'd step out4 ,it's you ,i came to see1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 the young man said1 and 'pon my word1 ,i don't like my errand much4 ,mrs4 ,foulton was visibly anxious4 ,there's no trouble like1 ,i hope1 sir8 she began4 ,oh6 it's nothing serious1 he declared reassuringly4 ,to tell you the truth1 it's about your lodger4 ,about ,mr4 ,macheson1 sir6 the woman exclaimed4 ,yes6 ,do you know how long he was proposing to stay with you8 ,he's just took the rooms for another week1 sir1 she answered1 and a nicer lodger1 or one more quiet and regular in his habits1 ,i never had or wish to have4 ,there's nothing against him1 sir--surely8 ,nothing personal--that ,i know of1 ,hurd answered1 tapping his boots with his riding-whip4 ,the fact of it is1 he has offended ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton1 and she wants him out of the place4 ,well1 ,i never did6 ,mrs4 ,foulton exclaimed in amazement4 ,him offend ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton6 ,so nice-spoken he is1 too4 ,i'm sure ,i can't imagine his saying a wry word to anybody4 ,he has come to ,thorpe1 ,hurd explained1 on an errand of which ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton disapproves1 and she does not wish to have him in the place4 ,she knows that he is staying here1 and she wishes you to send him away at once4 ,mrs4 ,foulton's face fell4 ,well1 ,i'm fair sorry to hear this1 sir1 she declared4 ,it's only this morning that he spoke for the rooms for another week1 and ,i was glad and willing enough to let them to him4 ,well ,i never did6 ,it does sound all anyhow1 don't it1 sir1 to be telling him to pack up and go sudden-like6 ,i will speak to him myself1 if you like1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 ,stephen said4 ,of course1 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton does not wish you to lose anything1 and ,i am to pay you the rent of the rooms for the time he engaged them4 ,i will do so at once1 if you will let me know how much it is4 ,he thrust his hand into his pocket1 but ,mrs4 ,foulton drew back4 ,the corners of her mouth were drawn tightly together4 ,thank you1 ,mr4 ,stephen1 she said1 ,i'll obey ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton's wishes1 of course1 as in duty bound1 but ,i'll not take any money for the rooms4 ,thank you all the same4 ,don't be foolish1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 the young man said pleasantly4 ,it will annoy ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton if she knows you have refused1 and you may just as well have the money4 ,let me see4 ,shall we say a couple of sovereigns for the week8 ,mrs4 ,foulton shook her head4 ,i'll not take anything1 sir1 thank you all the same1 and if you'd say a word to ,mr4 ,macheson1 ,i'd be much obliged4 ,i'd rather any one spoke to him than me4 ,stephen ,hurd pocketed the money with a shrug of the shoulders4 ,just as you like1 of course1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 he said4 ,i'll go out and speak to the young gentleman at once4 ,he strolled out and looked over the hedge4 ,mr4 ,macheson1 ,i believe8 he remarked interrogatively4 ,macheson nodded as he rose from his chair4 ,and you are ,mr4 ,hurd's son1 are you not8 he said pleasantly4 ,wonderful morning1 isn't it8 ,young ,hurd stepped over the rose bushes4 ,the two men stood side by side1 something of a height1 only that the better cut of ,hurd's clothes showed his figure to greater advantage4 ,i'm sorry to say that ,i've come on rather a disagreeable errand1 the agent's son began4 ,i've been talking to ,mrs4 ,foulton about it4 ,indeed8 ,macheson remarked interrogatively4 ,the fact is you seem to have rubbed up against our great lady here1 young ,hurd continued4 ,she's very down on these services you were going to hold1 and she wants to see you out of the place4 ,i am sorry to hear this1 ,macheson said--and once more waited4 ,it isn't a pleasant task1 ,stephen continued1 liking his errand less as he proceeded2 but ,i've had to tell ,mrs4 ,foulton that--that1 in short1 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton does not wish her tenants to accept you as a lodger4 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton makes war on a wide scale1 ,macheson remarked1 smiling faintly4 ,well1 after all1 you see1 ,hurd explained1 the whole place belongs to her1 and there is no particular reason1 is there1 why she should tolerate any one in it of whom she disapproves8 ,none whatever1 ,macheson assented gravely4 ,i promised ,mrs4 ,foulton ,i would speak to you1 ,stephen continued1 stepping backwards4 ,i'm sure1 for her sake1 you won't make any trouble4 ,good morning6 ,macheson bowed slightly4 ,good morning6 he answered4 ,stephen ,hurd lingered even then upon the garden path4 ,somehow he was not satisfied with his interview--with his own position at the end of it4 ,he had an uncomfortable sense of belittlement1 of having played a small part in a not altogether worthy game4 ,the indifference of the other's manner nettled him4 ,he tried a parting shaft4 ,mrs4 ,foulton said something about your having engaged the rooms for another week1 he said1 turning back4 ,of course1 if you insist upon staying1 it will place the woman in a very awkward position4 ,macheson had resumed his seat4 ,i should not dream1 he said coolly1 of resisting--your mistress' decree6 ,i shall leave here in half an hour4 ,young ,hurd walked angrily down the path and slammed the gate4 ,the sense of having been worsted was strong upon him4 ,he recognized his own limitations too accurately not to be aware that he had been in conflict with a stronger personality4 ,d---- the fellow6 he muttered1 as he cantered down the lane4 ,i wish he were out of the place4 ,a genuine wish1 and one which betrayed at least a glimmering of a prophetic instinct4 ,in some dim way he seemed to understand1 even before the first move on the board1 that the coming of ,victor ,macheson to ,thorpe was inimical to himself4 ,he was conscious of his weakness1 of a marked inferiority1 and the consciousness was galling4 ,the fellow had no right to be a gentleman1 he told himself angrily--a gentleman and a missioner6 ,macheson re-lit his pipe and called to ,mrs4 ,foulton4 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 he said pleasantly1 ,i'll have to go6 ,your great lady doesn't like me on the estate4 ,i dare say she's right4 ,i'm sure ,i'm very sorry1 sir1 ,mrs4 ,foulton declared shamefacedly4 ,you've seen young ,mr4 ,hurd8 ,he was kind enough to explain the situation to me1 ,macheson answered4 ,i'm afraid ,i am rather a nuisance to everybody4 ,if ,i am1 it's because they don't quite understand6 ,i'm sure1 sir1 ,mrs4 ,foulton affirmed1 a nicer lodger no one ever had4 ,and as for them services1 and the ,vicar objecting to them1 ,i can't see what harm they'd do6 ,we're none of us so good but we might be a bit better6 ,a very sound remark1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 ,macheson said1 smiling4 ,and now you must make out my bill1 please1 and what about a few sandwiches8 ,you could manage that8 ,i'm going to play in a cricket match this afternoon4 ,why you've just paid the bill1 sir6 ,there's only breakfast1 and the sandwiches you're welcome to1 and very sorry ,i am to part with you1 sir4 ,better luck another time1 ,i hope1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 he answered1 smiling4 ,i must go upstairs and pack my bag4 ,i shan't forget your garden with its delicious flowers4 ,it's a shame as you've got to leave it1 sir1 ,mrs4 ,foulton said heartily4 ,if my ,richard were alive he'd never have let you go for all the ,miss ,thorpe-,hattons in the world4 ,but ,john--he's little more than a lad--he'd be frightened to death for fear of losing the farm1 if ,i so much as said a word to him4 ,macheson laughed softly4 ,john's a good son1 he said4 ,don't you worry him4 ,he went up to his tiny bedroom and changed his clothes for a suit of flannels4 ,then he packed his few belongings and walked out into the world4 ,he lit a pipe and shouldered his portmanteau4 ,there is a flavour of martyrdom about this affair1 he said to himself1 as he strolled along1 which appeals to me4 ,i don't think that young man has any sense of humour4 ,he paused every now and then to listen to the birds and admire the view4 ,he had the air of one thoroughly enjoying his walk4 ,presently he turned off the main road1 and wandered along a steep green lane1 which was little more than a cart-track4 ,here he met no one4 ,the country on either side was common land1 sown with rocks and the poorest soil1 picturesque1 but almost impossible of cultivation4 ,a few sheep were grazing upon the hills1 but other sign of life there was none4 ,not a farmhouse--scarcely a keeper's cottage in sight6 ,it was a forgotten corner of a not unpopulous county--the farthest portion of a belt of primeval forest land1 older than history itself4 ,macheson laughed softly as he reached the spot he had had in his mind1 and threw his bag over the grey stone wall into the cool shade of a dense fragment of wood4 ,so much1 he murmured softly1 for the lady of ,thorpe6 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,cricket ,,and ,,philosophy ,the instinct for games1 ,wilhelmina remarked1 is one which ,i never possessed4 ,let us see whether we can learn something4 ,in obedience to her gesture1 the horses were checked1 and the footman clambered down and stood at their heads4 ,deyes1 from his somewhat uncomfortable back seat in the victoria1 leaned forward1 and1 adjusting his eyeglass1 studied the scene with interest4 ,here1 he remarked1 we have the 'flannelled fool' upon his native heath4 ,they are playing a game which my memory tells me is cricket4 ,everyone seems very hot and very excited4 ,wilhelmina beckoned to the footman to come round to the side of the carriage4 ,james1 she said1 do you know what all this means8 ,she waved her hand towards the cricket pitch1 the umpires with their white coats1 the tent and the crowd of spectators4 ,the man touched his hat4 ,it is a cricket match1 madam1 he answered1 between ,thorpe and ,nesborough4 ,wilhelmina looked once more towards the field1 and recognized ,mr4 ,hurd upon his stout little cob4 ,go and tell ,mr4 ,hurd to come and speak to me1 she ordered4 ,the man hastened off4 ,mr4 ,hurd had not once turned his head4 ,his eyes were riveted upon the game4 ,the groom found it necessary to touch him on the arm before he could attract his attention4 ,even when he had delivered his message1 the agent waited until the finish of the over before he moved4 ,then he cantered his pony up to the waiting carriage4 ,wilhelmina greeted him graciously4 ,i want to know about the cricket match1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she asked1 smiling4 ,mr4 ,hurd wheeled his pony round so that he could still watch the game4 ,i am afraid that we are going to be beaten1 madam1 he said dolefully4 ,nesborough made a hundred and ninety-eight1 and we have six wickets down for fifty4 ,wilhelmina seemed scarcely to realize the tragedy which his words unfolded4 ,i suppose they are the stronger team1 aren't they8 she remarked4 ,they ought to be4 ,nesborough is quite a large town4 ,we have beaten them regularly until the last two years1 ,mr4 ,hurd answered4 ,we should beat them now but for their fast bowler1 ,mills4 ,i don't know how it is1 but our men will not stand up to him4 ,perhaps they are afraid of being hurt1 ,wilhelmina suggested innocently4 ,if that is he bowling now1 ,i'm sure ,i don't wonder at it4 ,mr4 ,hurd frowned4 ,we don't have men in the eleven who are afraid of getting hurt1 he remarked stiffly4 ,a shout of dismay from the onlookers1 a smothered exclamation from ,mr4 ,hurd1 and a man was seen on his way to the pavilion4 ,his wickets were spreadeagled1 and the ball was being tossed about the field4 ,another wicket6 the agent exclaimed testily4 ,crooks played all round that ball6 ,isn't that your son going in1 ,mr4 ,hurd8 ,wilhelmina asked4 ,yes6 ,stephen is in now1 his father answered4 ,if he gets out1 the match is over4 ,who is the other batsman8 ,deyes asked4 ,antill1 the second bailiff1 ,mr4 ,hurd answered4 ,he's captain1 and he can stay in all day1 but he can't make runs4 ,they all leaned forward to witness the continuation of the match4 ,stephen ,hurd's career was brief and inglorious4 ,he took guard and looked carefully round the field with the air of a man who is going to give trouble4 ,then he saw the victoria1 with its vision of parasols and fluttering laces1 and the sight was fatal to him4 ,he slogged wildly at the first ball1 missed it1 and paid the penalty4 ,the lady in the carriage frowned1 and ,mr4 ,hurd muttered something under his breath as he watched his son on the way back to the tent4 ,i'm afraid it's all up with us now1 he remarked4 ,we have only three more men to go in4 ,then we are going to be beaten1 ,wilhelmina remarked4 ,i'm afraid so1 ,mr4 ,hurd assented gloomily4 ,the next batsman had issued from the tent and was on his way to the wicket4 ,wilhelmina1 who had been about to give an order to the footman1 watched him curiously4 ,who is that going in8 she asked abruptly4 ,mr4 ,hurd was looking not altogether comfortable4 ,it is the young man who wanted to preach1 he answered4 ,wilhelmina frowned4 ,why is he playing8 she asked4 ,he has nothing to do with ,thorpe4 ,he came down to see them practise a few evenings ago1 and ,antill asked him1 the agent answered4 ,if ,i had known earlier ,i would have stopped it4 ,wilhelmina did not immediately reply4 ,she was watching the young man who stood now at the wicket1 bat in hand4 ,in his flannels1 he seemed a very different person from the missioner whose request a few days ago had so much offended her4 ,nevertheless1 her lip curled as she saw the terrible ,mills prepare to deliver his first ball4 ,that sort of person1 she remarked1 is scarcely likely to be much good at games4 ,oh6 ,her exclamation was repeated in various forms from all over the field4 ,macheson had hit his first ball high over their heads1 and a storm of applause broke from the bystanders4 ,the batsman made no attempt to run4 ,what is that8 ,wilhelmina asked4 ,a boundary--magnificent drive1 ,mr4 ,hurd answered excitedly4 ,by ,jove1 another6 ,the agent dropped his reins and led the applause4 ,along the ground this time the ball had come at such a pace that the fieldsman made a very half-hearted attempt to stop it4 ,it passed the horses' feet by only a few yards4 ,the coachman turned round and touched his hat4 ,shall ,i move farther back1 madam8 he asked4 ,stay where you are1 ,wilhelmina answered shortly4 ,her eyes were fixed upon the tall1 lithe figure once more facing the bowler4 ,the next ball was the last of the over4 ,macheson played it carefully for a single1 and stood prepared for the bowling at the other end4 ,he began by a graceful cut for two1 and followed it up by a square leg hit clean out of the ground4 ,for the next half an hour1 the ,thorpe villagers thoroughly enjoyed themselves4 ,never since the days of one ,foulds1 a former blacksmith1 had they seen such an exhibition of hurricane hitting4 ,the fast bowler1 knocked clean off his length1 became wild and erratic4 ,once he only missed ,macheson's head by an inch1 but his next ball was driven fair and square out of the ground for six4 ,the applause became frantic4 ,wilhelmina was leaning back amongst the cushions of her carriage1 watching the game through half closed eyes1 and with some apparent return of her usual graceful languor4 ,nevertheless1 she remained there1 and her eyes seldom wandered for a moment from the scene of play4 ,beneath her apparent indifference1 she was watching this young man with an interest for which she would have found it hard to account1 and which instinct alone prompted her to conceal4 ,it was a very ordinary scene1 after all1 of which he was the dominant figure4 ,she had seen so much of life on a larger scale--of men playing heroic parts in the limelight of a stage as mighty as this was insignificant4 ,yet1 without stopping to reason about it1 she was conscious of a curious sense of pleasure in watching the doings of this forceful young giant4 ,with an easy good-humoured smile1 replaced every now and then with a grim look of determination as he jumped out from the crease to hit1 he continued his victorious career1 until a more frantic burst of applause than usual announced that the match was won4 ,then ,wilhelmina turned towards ,stephen ,hurd1 who was standing by the side of the carriage4 ,you executed my commission1 she asked1 respecting that young man8 ,the first thing this morning1 he answered4 ,i went up to see ,mrs4 ,foulton1 and ,i also spoke to him4 ,did he make any difficulty8 ,none at all6 the young man answered4 ,what did he say8 ,stephen hesitated1 but ,wilhelmina waited for his reply4 ,she had the air of one remotely interested1 yet she waited obviously to hear what this young man had said4 ,i think he said something about your making war upon a large scale1 ,stephen explained diffidently4 ,she sat still for a moment4 ,she was looking towards the deserted cricket pitch4 ,where is he staying now8 she asked4 ,i do not know1 he answered4 ,i have warned all the likely people not to receive him1 and ,i have told him1 too1 that he will only get your tenants into trouble if he tries to get lodgings here4 ,i should like1 she said1 to speak to him4 ,perhaps you would be so good as to ask him to step this way for a moment4 ,stephen departed1 wondering4 ,deyes was watching his hostess with an air of covert amusement4 ,do you continue the warfare1 he asked1 or has the young man's prowess softened your heart8 ,wilhelmina raised her parasol and looked steadily at her questioner4 ,warfare is scarcely the word1 is it8 she remarked carelessly4 ,i have no personal objection to the young man4 ,they watched him crossing the field towards them4 ,notwithstanding his recent exertions1 he walked lightly1 and without any sign of fatigue4 ,deyes looked curiously at the crest upon the cap which he was carrying in his hand4 ,magdalen1 he muttered4 ,your missioner grows more interesting4 ,wilhelmina leaned forwards4 ,her face was inscrutable1 and her greeting devoid of cordiality4 ,so you have decided to teach my people cricket instead of morals1 ,mr4 ,macheson1 she remarked4 ,the two1 he answered pleasantly1 are not incompatible4 ,wilhelmina frowned4 ,i hope1 she said1 that you have abandoned your idea of holding meetings in the village4 ,certainly not1 he answered4 ,i will begin next week4 ,you understand1 she said calmly1 that ,i consider you--as a missioner--an intruder--here6 ,those of my people who attend your services will incur my displeasure6 ,madam1 he answered1 ,i do not believe that you will visit it upon them4 ,but ,i will1 she interrupted ruthlessly4 ,you are young and know little of the world4 ,you have not yet learnt the truth of one of the oldest of proverbs--that it is well to let well alone6 ,it is a sop for the idle1 that proverb1 he answered4 ,it is the motto for the great army of those who drift4 ,i have been making inquiries1 she said4 ,i find that my villagers are contented and prosperous4 ,there are no signs of vice in the place4 ,there is such a thing1 he answered1 as being too prosperous1 over-contented4 ,the person in such a state takes life for granted4 ,religion is a thing he hears about1 but fails to realize4 ,he has no need of it4 ,he becomes like the prize cattle in your park6 ,he has a mind1 but has forgotten how to use it4 ,she looked at him steadily1 perhaps a trifle insolently4 ,how old are you1 ,mr4 ,macheson8 she asked4 ,twenty-eight1 he answered1 with a slight flush4 ,twenty-eight6 ,you are young to make yourself the judge of such things as these4 ,you will do a great deal of mischief1 ,i am afraid1 before you are old enough to realize it4 ,to awaken those who sleep in the daytime--is that mischief8 he asked4 ,it is1 she answered deliberately4 ,when you are older you will realize it4 ,sleep is the best4 ,he bent towards her4 ,the light in his eyes had blazed out4 ,you know in your heart1 he said1 that it is not true4 ,you have brains1 and you are as much of an artist as your fettered life permits you to be4 ,you know very well that knowledge is best4 ,do you believe1 she answered1 that ,i--,i take myself not personally but as a type--am as happy as they are8 ,she moved her parasol to where the village lay beyond the trees4 ,he hesitated4 ,madam1 he answered gravely1 ,i know too little of your life to answer your question4 ,she shrugged her shoulders4 ,for a moment her parasol hid her face4 ,we are quite a la mode1 are we not1 my dear ,peggy8 she remarked1 with a curious little laugh4 ,philosophy upon the village green4 ,gilbert1 tell them to drive on4 ,she turned deliberately to ,macheson4 ,come and convert us instead1 she said4 ,we need it more4 ,i do not doubt it1 madam1 he answered4 ,good afternoon6 ,the carriage drove off4 ,macheson1 obeying an impulse which he did not recognize1 watched it till it was out of sight4 ,at the bend1 ,wilhelmina deliberately turned in her seat and saw him standing there4 ,she waved her parasol in ironical farewell1 and ,macheson walked back to the tent with burning cheeks4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,an ,,undernote ,,of ,,music ,a great dinner party had come to an end1 and the ,lord-,lieutenant of the county bowed low over the cold hand of his departing guest1 in whose honour it had been given4 ,a distant relationship gave ,lord ,westerdean privileges upon which he would willingly have improved4 ,you are leaving us early1 ,wilhelmina1 he murmured reproachfully4 ,how can ,i expect to keep my other guests if you desert us8 ,wilhelmina withdrew the hand and nodded her other farewells4 ,the heat of the summer evening had brought every one out from the drawing-room4 ,the hall doors stood open4 ,those of the guests who were not playing bridge or billiards were outside upon the terrace--some had wandered into the gardens4 ,my dear ,leslie1 she said1 as she stood upon the broad steps1 you are losing your habit of gallantry4 ,a year ago you would not have ventured to suggest that in my absence the coming or going of your other guests could matter a straw4 ,you know very well that it doesn't1 he answered1 dropping his voice4 ,you know very well---- ,to-night1 she interrupted calmly1 ,i will not be made love to6 ,i am not in the humour for it4 ,he looked down at her curiously4 ,he was a man of exceptional height1 thin1 grey1 still handsome1 an ex-diplomat1 whose career1 had he chosen to follow it1 would have been a brilliant one4 ,wealth and immense estates had thrust their burdens upon him1 however1 and he was content to be the most popular man in his county4 ,there is nothing the matter8 he asked anxiously4 ,she shook her head4 ,you are well8 he persisted1 dropping his voice4 ,absolutely1 she answered4 ,it is not that4 ,it is a mood4 ,i used to welcome moods as an escape from the ruts4 ,i suppose ,i am getting too old for them now4 ,he shook his head4 ,i wonder1 he said1 if the world really knows how young you are4 ,don't1 she interrupted1 with a shudder1 ,i have outlived my years4 ,a motor omnibus and a small victoria came round from the stables4 ,the party from ,thorpe began slowly to assemble upon the steps4 ,i am going in the victoria--alone1 she said1 resting her fingers upon his arm4 ,don't you envy me8 ,i envy the vacant place1 he answered sadly4 ,isn't this desire for solitude somewhat of a new departure1 though8 ,perhaps1 she admitted4 ,i am rather looking forward to my drive4 ,to-night1 as we came here1 the whole country seemed like a great garden of perfumes and beautiful places4 ,that is why ,i had them telephone for a carriage4 ,there are times when ,i hate motoring6 ,he broke off a cluster of pink roses and placed them in her hands4 ,if your thoughts must needs fill the empty seat1 he whispered1 as he bent over her for his final adieux1 remember my claims1 ,i beg4 ,perhaps my thoughts might even meet yours6 ,she laughed under her breath1 but the light in his eyes was unanswered4 ,perhaps6 she answered4 ,it is a night for thoughts and dreams1 this4 ,even ,i may drift into sentiment4 ,good night6 ,such a charming evening4 ,the carriage rolled smoothly down the avenue from the great house1 over which she might so easily have reigned1 and turned into the road4 ,a few minutes later the motor-car flashed by4 ,afterwards there was solitude1 for it was already past midnight4 ,gilbert ,deyes looked thoughtfully out at the carriage from his place in the car4 ,he had begged--very hard for him--for that empty seat4 ,of what is it a sign1 he asked1 when a woman seeks solitude8 ,lady ,peggy shrugged her shoulders4 ,wilhelmina is tired of us all1 ,i suppose1 she remarked4 ,she gets like that sometimes4 ,then of what is it a sign1 he persisted1 when a woman tires of people--like us8 ,lady ,peggy yawned4 ,in a woman of more primitive instincts1 she said1 it would mean an affair4 ,but ,wilhelmina has outgrown all that4 ,she is the only woman of our acquaintance of whom one would dare to say it1 but ,i honestly believe that to ,wilhelmina men are like puppets4 ,was she born1 ,i wonder1 with ice in her veins8 ,one wonders1 ,deyes remarked softly4 ,a woman like that is always something of a mystery4 ,by the bye1 wasn't there a whisper of something the year she lived in ,florence8 ,people have talked of her1 of course1 ,lady ,peggy answered4 ,in ,florence1 a woman without a lover is like a child without toys4 ,to be virtuous there is the one offence which ,society does not pardon4 ,i believe1 ,deyes said1 that a lover would bore ,wilhelmina terribly4 ,why the dickens doesn't she marry ,leslie8 ,austin asked1 opening his eyes for a moment4 ,too obvious1 ,deyes murmured4 ,some day ,i can't help fancying that she will give us all a shock4 ,a mile or more behind1 the lady with ice in her veins1 leaned back amongst the cushions of her carriage1 drinking in1 with a keenness of appreciation which surprised even herself1 the beauties of the still1 hot night4 ,the moon was as yet barely risen4 ,in the half light1 the country and the hills beyond1 with their tumbled masses of rock1 seemed unreal--of strange and mysterious outline4 ,more than anything1 she was conscious of a sense of softness4 ,the angles were gone from all the crude places1 it was peace itself which had settled upon the land4 ,peace1 and a wonderful silence6 ,the birds had long ago ceased to sing1 no breath of wind was abroad to stir the leaves of the trees4 ,all the cheerful chorus of country sounds which make music throughout the long summer day had ceased4 ,once1 when a watch-dog barked in the valley far below1 she started4 ,the sound seemed unreal--as though1 indeed1 it came from a different world6 ,the woman in the carriage looked out with steady tireless eyes upon this visionary land4 ,the breath of the honeysuckle and the pleasant odour of warm hay seemed to give life to the sensuous joy of the wonderful night4 ,she herself was a strange being to be abroad in these quiet lanes4 ,her only wrap was a long robe of filmy lace1 which she had thrown back1 so that her shoulders and neck1 with its collar of lustrous pearls1 were bare to the faint breeze1 which only their own progress made4 ,her gleaming dress of white satin1 undecorated1 unadorned1 fell in delicate lines about her limbs4 ,no wonder that the only person whom they passed1 a belated farmer1 rubbed his eyes and stared at her as at a ghost6 ,it seemed to her that something of the confusion of this delightful1 half-seen world1 had stolen1 too1 into her thoughts4 ,all day long she had been conscious of it4 ,there was something alien there1 something wholly unrecognizable4 ,she felt a new light falling upon her life4 ,from where8 ,she could not tell4 ,only she knew that its pitiless routine1 its littleness1 its frantic struggle for the front place in the great pleasure-house1 seemed suddenly to stand revealed in pitiful colours4 ,surely it belonged to some other woman6 ,it could not be she who did those things and called them life4 ,she1 who scarcely knew what nerves were1 was suddenly afraid4 ,some change was coming upon her2 she felt herself caught in a silent1 swift-flowing current4 ,she was being carried away1 and she had not strength to resist4 ,and all the time there was an undernote of music4 ,that was what made it so strange4 ,the light that was falling was like summer rain upon the bare1 dry places4 ,she was conscious of a new vitality1 a new life1 and she feared it4 ,fancy being endowed with a new sense1 in the midst of an ordinary work-a-day existence6 ,she felt like that4 ,it was unbelievable1 and yet its tumult was stirring in her heart1 was rushing through her veins4 ,often before1 her tired eyes had rested unmoved upon a country as beautiful as this1 even the mystery of this half light was no new thing4 ,to-night she saw farther--she felt the throbbing1 half-mad delight of the wanderer in the enchanted land1 the pilgrim who hears suddenly the ,angelus bell from the shrine he has journeyed so far to visit4 ,what it meant she could not1 she dared not ask herself4 ,she was content to sit there1 her eyes wide open now1 the tired lines smoothed from her forehead1 her face like the face of an eager and beautiful child4 ,no one of her world would have recognized her1 as she travelled that night through the perfumed lanes4 ,it was when they were within a mile or two of home that an awakening came4 ,they had turned into a lonely lane leading to one of the back entrances to ,thorpe1 and were climbing a somewhat steep hill4 ,suddenly the horses plunged and almost stopped4 ,she leaned forward4 ,what is it1 ,johnson8 she asked4 ,the man touched his hat4 ,the 'osses shied1 madam1 at the light in the trees there4 ,enough to frighten 'em1 too4 ,her eyes followed his pointing finger4 ,a few yards back from the roadside1 a small1 steady light was burning amongst the trees4 ,what is it8 she asked quickly4 ,i can't say1 madam1 the man answered4 ,it looks like a lantern or a candle1 or something of that sort4 ,there is no cottage there8 she asked4 ,the man shook his head4 ,there's none nearer than the first lodge1 madam1 he answered4 ,there's a bit of a shelter there--,higgs1 the keeper1 built it for a watchman4 ,can ,i take care of the horses for a moment1 while you go and see what it is8 she asked4 ,they take a bit of holding1 madam1 the man answered doubtfully4 ,we got your message so late at the stables1 or ,i should have had a second man4 ,wilhelmina stepped softly out into the road4 ,i will go myself1 she said4 ,i daresay it is nothing4 ,if ,i call1 though1 you must leave the horses and come to me4 ,she opened the gate1 and raising her skirts with both hands1 stepped into the plantation4 ,her small1 white-shod feet fell noiselessly upon the thick undergrowth2 she reached the entrance of the shelter without making any sound4 ,cautiously she peeped in4 ,her eyes grew round with surprise1 her bosom began rapidly to rise and fall4 ,it was ,macheson who lay there1 fast asleep6 ,he had fallen asleep evidently whilst reading4 ,a book was lying by his side1 and a covered lantern was burning by his left shoulder4 ,he was dressed in trousers and shirt2 the latter was open at the throat1 showing its outline firm and white1 and his regular breathing4 ,she drew a step nearer1 and leaned over him4 ,curiously enough1 in sleep the boyishness of his face was less apparent4 ,the straight1 firm mouth1 rigidly closed1 was the mouth of a man2 his limbs1 in repose1 seemed heavy1 even massive1 especially the bare arm upon which his head was resting4 ,his shirt was old1 but spotlessly clean2 his socks were neatly darned in many places4 ,he occupied nearly the whole of the shelter1 in fact one foot was protruding through the opening4 ,in the corner a looking-glass was hanging from a stick1 and a few simple toilet articles were spread upon the ground4 ,she bent more closely over him1 holding her breath1 although he showed no signs of waking4 ,her senses were in confusion1 and there was a mist before her eyes4 ,an unaccountable impulse was urging her on1 driving her1 as it seemed1 into incredible folly4 ,lower and lower she bent1 till her hot breath fell almost upon his cheek4 ,suddenly he stirred4 ,she started back4 ,after all he did not open his eyes1 but the moment was gone4 ,she moved backwards towards the opening4 ,she was seized now with sudden fright4 ,she desired to escape4 ,she was breathless with fear1 the fear of what she might not have escaped4 ,yet in the midst of it1 with hot trembling fingers she loosened the roses from her dress and dropped them by his side4 ,then she fled into the semi-darkness4 ,the habits of a lifetime die hard4 ,they are proof1 as a rule1 against these fits of temporary madness4 ,wilhelmina stepped languidly into her carriage1 and commanded her coachman's attention4 ,johnson1 she said1 ,i found a poor man sleeping there4 ,there is no necessity for him to be disturbed4 ,it is my wish that you do not mention the occurrence to any one--to any one at all4 ,you understand8 ,the man touched his hat4 ,he would have been dull-witted1 indeed1 if he had not appreciated the note of finality in his mistress' tone4 ,his horses sprang forward1 and a few minutes later turned into the dark avenue which led to the house4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,roses ,macheson woke with the daylight1 stiff1 a little tired1 and haunted with the consciousness of disturbing dreams4 ,he sprang to his feet and stretched himself4 ,then he saw the roses4 ,for a moment or two he stared at them incredulously4 ,then his thoughts flashed backwards--where or how had he become possessed of them8 ,a few seconds were sufficient4 ,some one had been there in the night--most likely a woman4 ,his cheeks burned at the thought4 ,he stooped and took them hesitatingly1 reverently1 into his hand4 ,to him they represented part of the mystery of life1 the mystery of which he knew so little4 ,soft and fragrant1 the touch of the drooping blossoms was like fire to his fingers4 ,had he been like those predecessors of his in the days of the ,puritans1 he would have cast them away1 trampled them underfoot2 he would have seen in them only the snare of the ,evil ,one4 ,but to ,macheson this would have seemed almost like sacrilege4 ,they were beautiful and he loved beautiful things4 ,he made his way farther into the plantation1 to where the trees1 suddenly opening1 disclosed a small1 disused slate quarry1 the water in which was kept fresh by many streams4 ,stripping off his clothes1 he plunged into the deep cool depths1 swimming round for several minutes on his back1 his face upturned to the dim blue sky4 ,then he dressed--in the ugly black suit1 for it was ,sunday1 and made a frugal breakfast1 boiling the water for his coffee over a small spirit-lamp4 ,and all the time he kept looking at the roses1 now fresh with the water which he had carefully sprinkled over them4 ,their coming seemed to him to whisper of beautiful things1 they turned his thoughts so easily into that world of poetry and sentiment in which he was a habitual wanderer4 ,yet1 every now and then1 their direct significance startled1 almost alarmed4 ,some one had actually been in the place while he slept1 and had retreated without disturbing him4 ,roses do not drop from the sky1 and of gardens there were none close at hand4 ,was it one of the village girls1 who had seen him that afternoon8 ,his cheeks reddened at the thought4 ,perhaps he had better leave his shelter4 ,another time if she came she might not steal away so quietly4 ,scandal would injure his work4 ,he must run no risks4 ,deep down in his heart he thrust that other1 that impossibly sweet thought4 ,he would not suffer his mind to dwell upon it4 ,after breakfast he walked for an hour or so across the hills1 watching the early mists roll away in the valleys1 and the sunlight settle down upon the land4 ,it was a morning of silence1 this--that peculiar1 mysterious silence which only the first day of the week seems to bring4 ,the fields were empty of toilers1 the harvest was stayed4 ,from its far-away nest amongst the hills1 he could just hear1 carried on the bosom of a favouring breeze1 the single note of a monastery bell1 whose harshness not even distance1 or its pleasant journey across the open country1 could modify4 ,macheson listened to it for a moment1 and sat down upon a rock on the topmost pinnacle of the hills he was climbing4 ,below him1 the country stretched like a piece of brilliant patchwork4 ,thorpe1 with its many chimneys and stately avenues1 and the village hidden by a grove of elms1 was like a cool oasis in the midst of the landscape4 ,behind1 the hills ran rockier and wilder1 culminating in a bleak stretch of country1 in the middle of which was the monastery4 ,macheson looked downwards at ,thorpe1 with the faint clang of that single bell in his ears4 ,the frown on his forehead deepened as the rush of thoughts took insistent hold of him4 ,for a young man blessed with vigorous health1 free from all material anxieties1 and with the world before him1 ,macheson found life an uncommonly serious matter4 ,only a few years ago1 he had left the ,university with a brilliant degree1 a splendid athletic record1 and a host of friends4 ,what to do with his life6 ,that was the problem which pressingly confronted him4 ,he recognized in himself certain gifts inevitably to be considered in this choice4 ,he was possessed of a deep religious sense1 an immense sympathy for his fellows1 and a passion for the beautiful in life1 from which the physical side was by no means absent4 ,how to find a career which would satisfy such varying qualities6 ,a life of pleasure1 unless it were shared by his fellows1 did not appeal to him at all2 personal ambition he was destitute of2 his religion1 he was very well aware1 was not the sort which would enable him to enter with any prospect of happiness any of the established churches4 ,for a time he had travelled1 and had come back with only one definite idea in his mind4 ,chance had brought him1 on his return1 into contact with two young men of somewhat similar tastes4 ,a conversation between them one night had given a certain definiteness to his aims4 ,he recalled it to himself as he sat looking down at the thin blue line of smoke rising from the chimneys of ,thorpe4 ,to use one's life for others1 he had repeated thoughtfully--it was the enthusiast of the party who had spoken--but how8 ,teach them to avoid like filth the ugly things of life--help them in their search for the things beautiful4 ,what are the things beautiful8 he had asked4 ,don't they mean something different to every man8 ,holderness had lifted his beautiful head--the boy with whom he had played at school--the friend of his younger life4 ,the ,christian morality1 he had answered4 ,macheson had been surprised4 ,but you---- he said1 you don't believe anything4 ,it is not necessary1 ,holderness had answered4 ,it is a matter of the intelligence4 ,as an artist1 if ,i might dare to call myself one1 ,i say that the ,christian life1 if honestly lived1 is the most beautiful thing of all the ages4 ,macheson walked down to the village with the memory of those words still in his brain4 ,the bell was ringing for service from the queer1 ivy-covered church1 the villagers were coming down the lane in little groups4 ,macheson found himself one of a small knot of people1 who stood reverently on one side1 with doffed hats1 just by the wooden porch4 ,he looked up1 suddenly realizing the cause4 ,a small vehicle1 something between a bath-chair and a miniature carriage1 drawn by a fat1 sleek pony1 was turning into the lane from one of the splendid avenues which led to the house4 ,a boy led the pony1 a footman marched behind4 ,wilhelmina1 in a plain white muslin dress and a black hat1 was slowly preparing to descend4 ,she smiled languidly1 but pleasantly enough1 at the line of curtseying women and men with doffed hats4 ,the note of feudalism which their almost reverential attitudes suggested appealed irresistibly to ,macheson's sense of humour4 ,he1 too1 formed one of them2 he1 too1 doffed his hat4 ,his greeting1 however1 was different4 ,her eyes swept by him unseeing1 his pleasant ,good morning was unheeded4 ,she even touched her skirt with her fingers1 as though afraid lest it might brush against him in passing4 ,with tired1 graceful footsteps1 she passed into the cool church1 leaving him to admire against his will the slim perfection of her figure1 the wonderful carriage of her small but perfect head4 ,he followed with the others presently1 and found a single seat close to the door4 ,the service began almost at once1 a very beautiful service in its way1 for the organ1 a present from the lady of the manor1 was perfectly played1 and the preacher's voice was clear and as sweet as a boy's4 ,macheson1 however1 was nervous and ill at ease4 ,from the open door he heard the soft whispering of the west wind--for the first time in his life he found the simple but dignified ritual unconvincing4 ,he was haunted by the sense of some impending disaster4 ,when the prayers came1 he fell on his knees and remained there6 ,even then he could not collect himself6 ,he was praying to an unknown ,god for protection against some nameless evil6 ,he knew quite well that the words he muttered were vain words4 ,through the stained glass windows1 the sunlight fell in a subdued golden stream upon the glowing hair1 the gracefully bent head of the woman who sat alone in the deep square pew4 ,she1 too1 seemed to be praying4 ,macheson got up and softly1 but abruptly1 stole from the church4 ,up into the hills1 as far away1 as high up as possible6 ,a day of sabbath calm1 this6 ,macheson1 with the fire in his veins and a sharp pain in his side1 climbed as a man possessed4 ,he1 too1 was fleeing from the unknown4 ,he was many miles away when down in the valley at ,thorpe some one spoke of him4 ,by the bye1 ,gilbert ,deyes remarked1 looking across the luncheon table at his hostess1 when does this athletic young missioner of yours begin his work of regeneration8 ,wilhelmina raised her eyebrows4 ,to-morrow evening1 ,i believe1 she answered4 ,he is going to speak at the cross-roads4 ,i fancy that his audience will consist chiefly of the children1 and ,mrs4 ,adnith's chickens4 ,can't understand1 ,austin remarked1 why a chap who can play cricket like that--he did lay on to 'em1 too--can be such a crank6 ,he is very young1 ,wilhelmina remarked composedly1 and ,i fancy that he must be a little mad4 ,i hope that ,thorpe will teach him a lesson4 ,he needs it4 ,you do not anticipate then1 ,deyes remarked1 that his labours here will be crowned with success8 ,he won't get a soul to hear him1 ,stephen ,hurd replied confidently4 ,the villagers all know what ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton thinks of his coming here4 ,it will be quite sufficient4 ,wilhelmina lit a cigarette and rose to her feet4 ,let us hope so1 she remarked drily4 ,please remember1 all of you1 that this is the ,palace of ,ease6 ,do exactly what you like1 all of you1 till five o'clock4 ,i shall be ready for bridge then4 ,lady ,peggy rose briskly4 ,no doubt about what ,i shall do1 she remarked4 ,i'm going to bed4 ,deyes smiled4 ,i1 he said1 shall spend the afternoon in the rose garden4 ,i need--development4 ,wilhelmina looked at him questioningly4 ,please don't be inexplicable1 she begged4 ,it is too hot4 ,roses and sentiment1 he declared1 are supposed to go together4 ,i want to grow into accord with my surroundings4 ,wilhelmina was silent for a moment4 ,if you have found sentiment here1 she said carelessly1 you must have dug deep4 ,on the contrary1 he answered1 ,i have scarcely scratched the surface6 ,stephen ,hurd looked uneasily from ,deyes to his hostess4 ,never altogether comfortable1 although eager to accept the most casually offered invitation to ,thorpe1 he had always the idea that the most commonplace remark contained an innuendo purposely concealed from him4 ,mr4 ,deyes1 he remarked1 looks mysterious4 ,deyes glanced at him through his eyeglass4 ,it is a subtle neighbourhood1 he said4 ,by the bye1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 have you ever seen the rose gardens at ,carrow8 ,never1 ,hurd replied enviously4 ,i have heard that they are very beautiful4 ,wilhelmina passed out4 ,the gardens are beautiful1 she said1 looking back1 but the roses are like all other roses1 they fade quickly4 ,till five o'clock1 all of you6 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,summer ,,lightning ,stephen ,hurd walked into the room which he and his father shared as a sanctum1 half office1 half study4 ,mr4 ,hurd1 senior1 was attired in his conventional ,sabbath garb1 the same black coat of hard1 dull material1 and dark grey trousers1 in which he had attended church for more years than many of the villagers could remember4 ,stephen1 on the other hand1 was attired in evening clothes of the latest cut4 ,his white waistcoat had come from a ,london tailor1 and his white tie had cost him considerable pains4 ,his father looked him over with expressionless face4 ,you are going to the ,house again1 ,stephen8 he asked calmly4 ,i am asked to dine there1 father1 he answered4 ,sorry to leave you alone4 ,i have no objection to being alone1 ,mr4 ,hurd answered4 ,i think that you know that4 ,you lunched there1 didn't you8 ,stephen nodded4 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton asked me as we came out of church1 he answered4 ,you play cards8 ,the directness of the question allowed of no evasion4 ,stephen flushed as he answered4 ,they play bridge4 ,i may be asked to join4 ,it--is a sort of whist1 you know4 ,so ,i understand1 the older man remarked4 ,i have no remark to make concerning that4 ,manners change1 ,i suppose1 with the generations4 ,you are young and ,i am old4 ,i have never sought to impose my prejudices upon you4 ,you have seen more of the world than ,i ever did4 ,perhaps you have found wisdom there4 ,stephen was not at his ease4 ,i don't know about that1 sir1 he answered4 ,of course1 ,sunday isn't kept so strictly as it used to be4 ,i like a quiet day myself1 but it's pretty dull here usually1 and ,i didn't think it would be wise to refuse an invitation from ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton4 ,perhaps not1 ,mr4 ,hurd answered4 ,on the other hand1 ,i might remind you that during the forty years during which ,i have been agent to this estate ,i have never accepted--beyond a glass of wine--the hospitality offered to me by ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton's father and grandfather1 and by the young lady herself4 ,it is not according to my idea of the fitness of things4 ,i am a servant of the owner of these estates4 ,i prefer to discharge my duties honestly and capably--as a servant4 ,stephen frowned at his reflection in the glass4 ,he did not feel in the least like a servant4 ,that's rather an old-fashioned view1 dad1 he declared4 ,it may be1 his father answered4 ,in any case1 ,i do not seek to impose it upon you4 ,you are free to come and go according to your judgment4 ,but you are young1 and ,i cannot see you expose yourself to trouble without some warning4 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton is not a lady whom it is wise for you to see too much of4 ,the directness of this speech took the young man aback4 ,i--she seems very pleasant and gracious1 he faltered4 ,not even to you1 his father continued gravely1 can ,i betray the knowledge of such things as have come under my notice as the servant of these estates and this young lady4 ,her father was a fine1 self-respecting gentleman1 as all the ,thorpe-,hattons have been2 her mother came from a noble1 but degenerate1 ,french family4 ,i1 who live here a life without change1 who mark time for the years and watch the striplings become old men1 see many things1 and see them truthfully4 ,the evil seed of her mother's family is in this young woman's blood4 ,she lives without a chaperon1 without companionship1 as she pleases--and to please herself only4 ,stephen frowned irritably4 ,his father's cold1 measured words were like drops of ice4 ,but1 father1 he protested1 she is a leader of ,society1 she goes to ,court and you see her name at the very best places4 ,if there was anything wrong about her1 she wouldn't be received like that4 ,i know nothing about ,society or its requirements1 his father answered4 ,she has brains and wealth1 and she is a woman4 ,therefore1 ,i suppose the world is on her side4 ,i have said all that ,i wish to say4 ,you can perhaps conjecture the reason of my speaking at all4 ,she wouldn't take the trouble to make a fool of me1 ,stephen answered bitterly4 ,i just happen to make up a number1 that's all4 ,i am glad that you understand the young lady so well1 his father answered4 ,before you go1 will you be good enough to pass me the ,bible and my spectacles1 and let ,mary know that ,mr4 ,stuart will be in to supper with me4 ,stephen obeyed in silence4 ,he remembered the time1 not so long ago1 when he would have been required to seat himself on the opposite side of the fireplace1 with a smaller ,bible in his hand1 and read word for word with his father4 ,his mind went back to those days as he walked slowly up the great grass-grown avenue to the house1 picking his steps carefully1 lest he should mar the brilliancy of his well-polished patent-leather boots4 ,he compared that old time curiously with the evening which was now before him2 the round table drawn into the midst of the splendid dining-room1 an oasis of exquisitely shaded light and colour2 ,lady ,peggy with her daring toilette and beautiful white shoulders2 ,deyes with his world-worn face and flippant tongue2 the mistress of ,thorpe herself1 more subdued1 perhaps1 in dress and speech1 and yet with the ever-present mystery of eyes and lips wherein was always the fascination of the unknown4 ,more than ever that night ,stephen ,hurd felt himself to be her helpless slave4 ,all his former amours seemed suddenly empty and vulgar things4 ,she came late into the drawing-room1 her greeting was as carelessly kind as usual1 there was no perceptible difference in her manner of speech4 ,yet his observation of her was so intense that he found readily the signs of some subtle1 indefinable change1 a change which began with her toilette1 and ended--ah6 as yet there was no ending4 ,her gown of soft white silk was daring as a ,french modiste could make it1 but its simplicity was almost nun-like4 ,she wore a string of pearls1 no earrings1 no rings1 and her hair was arranged low down1 almost like a schoolgirl's4 ,she had more colour than usual1 a temporary restlessness seemed to have taken the place of her customary easy languor4 ,what did it mean8 he asked himself breathlessly4 ,was it ,deyes8 ,impossible1 for ,deyes himself was a watcher1 a thin smile parting sometimes the close set lips of his white1 mask-like face4 ,after all1 how hopelessly at sea he was6 ,he knew nothing of her life1 of which these few days at ,thorpe were merely an interlude4 ,she might have lovers by the score of whom he knew nothing4 ,he was vain1 but he was not wholly a fool4 ,she talked more than usual at dinner-time1 but afterwards she spoke of a headache1 and sat on the window-seat of the library1 a cigarette between her lips1 her eyes half closed4 ,when the bridge table was laid out1 she turned her head languidly4 ,i will come in in the next rubber1 she said4 ,you four can start4 ,they obeyed her1 of course1 but ,lady ,peggy shrugged her shoulders slightly4 ,she had no fancy for ,stephen's bridge1 and they cut together4 ,wilhelmina waited until the soft fall of the cards had ceased1 and the hands were being examined4 ,then1 with a graceful movement1 she slipped out of the window and away into the shadows4 ,no signs of her headache were left4 ,she passed swiftly along a narrow path1 bordered by gigantic shrubs1 until she reached a small iron gate4 ,here for the first time she paused4 ,for several moments she listened4 ,there was no sound from the great house1 whose outline she could barely see but whose long row of lights stretched out behind her4 ,she turned her head and looked along the grass-grown lane beyond the gate4 ,there was no one in sight--no sound4 ,she lifted the latch and passed through4 ,for a summer night it was unusually dark4 ,all day the heat had been almost tropical1 and now the sky was clouded over1 and a south wind1 dry and unrefreshing1 was moving against the tall elms4 ,every few seconds the heavens were ablaze with summer lightning2 once the breathless silence was broken by a low rumble of distant thunder4 ,she reached the end of the lane4 ,before her1 another gate led out on to a grass-covered hill1 strewn with fragments of rocks4 ,she paused for a moment and looked backwards4 ,she was suddenly conscious that her heart was beating fast2 the piquant sense of adventure with which she had started had given place to a rarer and more exciting turmoil of the senses4 ,her breath was coming short1 as though she had been running4 ,the silence seemed more complete than ever4 ,she lifted her foot and felt the white satin slipper4 ,it was perfectly dry1 there was no dew1 and as yet no rain had fallen4 ,she lifted the latch of the gate and passed through4 ,the footpath skirted the side of a plantation1 and she followed it closely1 keeping under the shelter of the hedge4 ,every now and then a rabbit started up almost from under her feet1 and rushed into the hedge4 ,the spinney itself seemed alive with birds and animals1 startled by her light footsteps in the shelter which they had sought1 disturbed too by their instinct of the coming storm4 ,her footsteps grew swifter4 ,she was committed now to her enterprise1 vague though it had seemed to her4 ,she passed through a second gate into a ragged wood1 and along a winding path into a country road4 ,she turned slowly up the hill4 ,her breath was coming faster than ever now4 ,what folly6--transcendental6--exquisite6 ,her footsteps grew slower4 ,she kept to the side of the hedge1 raising her skirts a little1 for the grass was long4 ,a few yards farther was the gate4 ,the soft swish of her silken draperies as she stole along1 became a clearly recognizable sound against the background of intense silence4 ,macheson had been leaning against a tree just inside4 ,he opened the gate4 ,she stepped almost into his arms4 ,her white face was suddenly illuminated by the soft blaze of summer lightning which poured from the sky4 ,he had no time to move1 to realize4 ,he felt her hands upon his cheek1 his face drawn downwards1 her lips1 soft and burning1 pressed against his for one long1 exquisite second4 ,and then--the darkness once more and his arms were empty4 ,,chapter ,x ,,the ,,still ,,figure ,,in ,,the ,,chair ,with upraised skirts1 and feet that flashed like silver across the turf and amongst the bracken1 ,wilhelmina flew homewards4 ,once more her heart was like the heart of a girl4 ,her breath came in little sobs mingled with laughter1 the ground beneath her feet was buoyant as the clouds4 ,she had no fear of being pursued--least of anything in the world did she desire it4 ,the passion of a woman is controlled always by her sentiment4 ,it seemed to her that that breathless episode was in itself an epic1 she would not for worlds have added to it1 have altered it in any shape or form4 ,a moment's lingering might so easily have spoilt everything4 ,had he attempted to play either the prude or the ,lothario1 the delicate flavour would have passed away from the adventure1 which had set her heart beating once more1 and sent the blood singing so sweetly through her veins4 ,so she sped through the darkness1 leaving fragments of lace upon the thorns1 like some beautiful bird1 escaped from long captivity1 rushing through a strange world4 ,before she reached the grounds the storm came4 ,there was a crash of thunder1 which seemed to tear apart the heavens above1 and then the big raindrops began to fall upon her bare shoulders and her clothes as light and airy as butterfly's wings4 ,she abandoned herself to the ruin of a ,paquin gown without a thought of regret2 she even laughed softly with pleasure as she lifted her burning face to the cool sweet deluge1 and lessened her pace in the avenue1 walking with her hands behind her and her head still upraised4 ,it was a wonderful night1 this4 ,she had found something of her lost girlhood4 ,she reached the house at last1 and stole through the hall like a truant schoolgirl4 ,her shoes were nothing but pulp2 her dress clung to her limbs like a grey1 sea-soaked bathing-costume2 everywhere on the oak floor and splendid rugs she left a trail of wet4 ,on tiptoe she stole up the stairs1 looking guiltily around1 yet with demure laughter in her glowing eyes4 ,she met only one amazed servant1 whom she dispatched at once for her own maid4 ,in the bath-room she began to strip off her clothes1 even before ,hortense1 who loved her1 could effect a breathless entrance4 ,eh6 ,madame1 ,madame6 the girl exclaimed1 with uplifted hands4 ,wilhelmina stopped her1 laughing4 ,it's all right1 ,hortense1 she exclaimed gaily4 ,i was out in the grounds1 and got caught in the storm4 ,turn on the hot water and cut these laces--so6 ,to ,hortense the affair was a tragedy4 ,her mistress' indifference could not lessen it4 ,madame1 she declared1 the gown is ruined--a divine creation4 ,madame has never looked so well in anything else4 ,then ,i am glad ,i wore it to-night1 was the astonishing reply4 ,quick1 quick1 quick1 ,hortense6 ,get me into the bath1 and bring me some wine and biscuits4 ,i am hungry4 ,i don't think ,i could have eaten any dinner4 ,hortense worked with nimble fingers1 but her eyes at every opportunity were studying her mistress' face4 ,was it the ,english rain which could soften and beautify like this8 ,madame was brilliant--and so young6 ,such a colour6 ,such a fire in the eyes6 ,madame laughed as she thrust her from the room4 ,the wine1 ,hortense1 and the biscuits--no sandwiches6 ,i die of hunger4 ,and send word to the library that ,i have been caught in the storm1 and must change my clothes1 but shall be down presently4 ,so6 99 99 99 99 99 ,she found them1 an hour later1 just finishing a rubber4 ,their languid post-mortem upon a curiously played hand was broken off upon her entrance4 ,they made remarks about the storm and her ill-luck--had she been far from shelter8 was she not terrified by the lightning8 ,lady ,peggy remembered her gown4 ,deyes alone was silent4 ,she felt him watching her all the time1 taking cold note of her brilliant colour1 the softer light in her eyes4 ,she felt that he saw her as she was--a woman suddenly set free1 even though for a few short hours4 ,she had broken away from them all1 and she gloried in it4 ,she played bridge later--brilliantly as usual1 and with success4 ,then she leaned back in her chair and faced them all4 ,dear guests1 she murmured1 you remember the condition1 the only condition upon which we bestowed our company upon one another in this benighted place4 ,you remember it was agreed that when you were bored1 you left without excuse or any foolish apologies4 ,the same to apply to your hostess4 ,my dear ,wilhelmina1 ,lady ,peggy exclaimed1 ,i know what you're going to say1 and ,i won't go6 ,i'm not due anywhere till the thirteenth4 ,i won't be stranded4 ,wilhelmina laughed4 ,you foolish woman6 she exclaimed4 ,who wants you to go8 ,you shall be chatelaine--play hostess and fill the place if you like4 ,only you mustn't have ,leslie over more than twice a week4 ,you are going to desert us8 ,deyes asked coolly4 ,it was in the bond1 wasn't it8 she answered4 ,peggy will look after you all1 ,i am sure4 ,you mean that you are going away1 to leave ,thorpe8 ,stephen ,hurd asked abruptly4 ,she turned her head to look at him4 ,he was sitting a little outside the circle--an attitude typical1 perhaps1 of his position there4 ,the change in her tone was slight indeed1 but it was sufficient4 ,i am thinking of it1 she answered4 ,you1 ,gilbert1 and ,captain ,austin can find some men to shoot1 no doubt4 ,ask any one you like4 ,peggy will see about some women for you4 ,i draw the line at that red-haired ,egremont woman4 ,anybody else6 ,this is a blow1 ,deyes remarked1 but it was in the bond4 ,nothing will move me from here till the seventeenth--unless your chef should leave4 ,do we meet in ,marienbad8 ,i am not sure1 ,wilhelmina answered1 playing idly with the cards4 ,i feel that my system requires something more soothing4 ,i hate them all--those ,german baths1 ,lady ,peggy declared4 ,ridiculous places every one of them4 ,after all1 you see1 ,wilhelmina declared1 illness of any sort is a species of uncleanliness4 ,i think ,i should like to go somewhere where people are healthy1 or at least not so disgustingly frank about their livers4 ,why not stay here8 ,stephen ventured to suggest4 ,i doubt whether any one in ,thorpe knows what a liver is4 ',inutile6' ,lady ,peggy exclaimed4 ,wilhelmina has the 'wander fever4' ,i can see it in her face4 ,is it the thunder1 ,i wonder8 ,deyes walked to the window and threw it open4 ,the storm was over1 but the rain was still falling1 a soft steady downpour4 ,the cooler air which swept into the room was almost faint with the delicious perfume of flowers and shrubs bathed in the refreshing downpour4 ,i think1 he said1 that there is some magic abroad to-night4 ,did you meet ,lucifer walking in the rose garden8 he asked1 turning slightly towards his hostess4 ,the storm may have brought him--even here6 ,neither ,lucifer nor any other of his princely fellows1 she answered4 ,the only demon is here1--she touched her bosom lightly--the demon of unrest4 ,it is not ,i alone who am born with the wanderer's curse6 ,there are many of us1 you know4 ,he shook his head4 ,you have not the writing in your face1 he said4 ,i do not believe that you are one of the accursed at all4 ,to-night---- ,she was standing by his side now1 looking out into the velvety darkness4 ,her eyes challenged his4 ,well6 ,to-night8 ,to-night you have the look of one who has found what she has sought for for a long time4 ,this sounds bald1 but it is as near to truth as ,i can get4 ,she was silent for a moment4 ,she stood by his side listening to the soft constant patter of the rain1 the far-away rumblings of the dying storm4 ,one has moods1 she murmured4 ,heaven forbid that a woman should be without them6 he answered4 ,do you ever feel as though something were going to happen8 she asked suddenly4 ,often1 he answered2 but nothing ever does6 ,lady ,peggy came yawning over to them4 ,my dear1 she said1 ,i feel it in my very bones4 ,i firmly believe that something is going to happen to every one of us4 ,i have a most mysterious pricking about my left elbow6 ,to every one of us8 ,stephen ,hurd asked1 idly enough4 ,to every one of us6 she answered4 ,to you1 even1 who live in ,thorpe4 ,remember my words when you get home to-night1 or when you wake in the morning4 ,as for you1 ,wilhelmina1 ,i am not at all sure that you have not already met with your adventure4 ,deyes lit a cigarette4 ,let us remember this1 he declared4 ,in a week's time we will compare notes4 ,stephen ,hurd stood up to take his leave4 ,you are really going--soon8 he asked1 as he bent over her carelessly offered hand4 ,as soon as ,i can decide where to go to1 she answered4 ,can ,i give my father any message8 ,would you care to see him to-morrow morning8 he asked4 ,she shook her head4 ,it is not necessary1 she answered4 ,he made his adieux reluctantly4 ,somehow he felt that the night had not been a success4 ,she was going away4 ,very likely he would not see her again4 ,the great house and all its glories would be closed to him4 ,to do him justice1 he thought of that less than the casual manner of her farewell4 ,his vanity was deeply wounded4 ,she had begun by being so gracious--no wonder that he had lost his head a little4 ,he thought over the events of the last few days4 ,something had occurred to alter her4 ,could he have offended in any way8 ,he walked dejectedly home1 heedless of the sodden path and wet grass4 ,a light was still burning in the study4 ,he hesitated for a moment1 and then1 turning the handle1 entered4 ,you're late1 father1 he remarked1 going towards the cupboard to select a pipe4 ,there was no answer4 ,the still figure in the chair never moved4 ,something in the silence struck ,stephen as ominous4 ,he turned abruptly round1 and for the first time noticed the condition of the room4 ,a chair was overturned1 a vase of flowers spilt upon the table1 the low window1 from which one stepped almost into the village street1 was wide open4 ,the desk in front of the motionless figure was littered all over with papers in wild confusion4 ,stephen1 with a low cry of horror1 crossed the room and laid his hand upon his father's shoulder4 ,he tried to speak to him1 but the words stuck in his throat4 ,he knew very well that there could be no reply4 ,his father was sitting dead in his chair4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,,the ,,baying ,,of ,,the ,,hounds ,out amongst the broken fragments of the storm1 on the hill-top and down the rain-drenched lane1 ,macheson sought in vain by physical exertion to still the fever which burned in his veins4 ,nothing he could do was able to disturb that wonderful memory1 to lessen for an instant the significance of those few amazing seconds4 ,the world of women1 all the lighter and quieter joys of life1 he had1 with the fierce asceticism of the young reformer1 thrust so resolutely behind him4 ,but he had never imagined anything like this6 ,its unexpectedness had swept him off his feet4 ,the memory of it was most delicious torture6 ,sleep8--he dared not think of it4 ,who could sleep with such a fire in his blood as this8 ,he heard the storm die away1 thunder and wind and rain melted into the deep stillness of midnight4 ,a dim moon shone behind a veil of mist4 ,the dripping of rain from the trees alone remained4 ,then he heard a footstep coming down the lane4 ,his first wild thought was that she had returned4 ,his eyes burned their way through the darkness4 ,soon he saw that it was a man who came unsteadily1 but swiftly1 down the roadway4 ,macheson leaned over the gate4 ,he would have preferred not to disclose himself1 but as the man passed1 he was stricken with a sudden consciousness that for him the events of the night were not yet over4 ,this was no villager2 he had not even the appearance of an ,englishman4 ,he was short and inclined to be thick-set1 his coat collar was turned up1 and a tweed cap was drawn down to his eyes4 ,he walked with uneven footsteps and muttered to himself words that sounded like words of prayer1 only they were in some foreign language4 ,macheson accosted him4 ,hullo6 he said4 ,have you lost your way8 ,the man cried out and then stood still1 trembling on the roadside4 ,he turned a white1 scared face to where ,macheson was leaning against the gate4 ,who is that8 he cried4 ,what do you want with me8 ,macheson stepped into the lane4 ,nothing at all1 he answered reassuringly4 ,i simply thought that you might have lost your way4 ,these are lonely parts4 ,the newcomer drew a step nearer4 ,he displayed a small ragged beard1 a terror-stricken face1 and narrow1 very bright eyes4 ,his black clothes were soaked and splashed with mud4 ,i want a railway station1 he said rapidly4 ,where is the nearest8 ,macheson pointed into the valley4 ,just where you see that light burning1 he answered1 but there will be no trains till the morning4 ,then ,i must walk1 the man declared feverishly4 ,how far is it to ,nottingham8 ,twenty-five miles1 ,macheson answered4 ,too far6 ,and ,leicester8 ,twelve1 perhaps6 ,but you are walking in the wrong direction4 ,the man turned swiftly round4 ,point towards ,leicester1 he said4 ,i shall find my way4 ,macheson pointed across the trees4 ,you can't miss it1 he declared4 ,climb the hill till you get to a road with telegraph wires4 ,turn to the left1 and you will walk into ,leicester4 ,for some reason the stranger seemed to be occupied in looking earnestly into ,macheson's face4 ,what are you doing here8 he asked abruptly4 ,i am close to where ,i am staying1 ,macheson answered4 ,just in the wood there4 ,the man took a quick step forwards and then reeled4 ,his hand flew to his side4 ,he was attacked by sudden faintness and would have fallen1 but for ,macheson's outstretched arm4 ,god6 he muttered1 it is finished4 ,he was obviously on the verge of a collapse4 ,macheson dragged him into the shelter and poured brandy between his teeth4 ,he revived a little and tried to rise4 ,i must go on1 he cried4 ,i dare not stay here4 ,the terror in his face was unmistakable4 ,macheson looked at him gravely4 ,you had better stay where you are till morning1 he said4 ,you are not in a fit state to travel4 ,the man had raised himself upon one arm4 ,he looked wildly about him4 ,where am ,i8 he demanded4 ,what is this place8 ,it is a gamekeeper's shelter1 ,macheson answered1 which ,i am making use of for a few days4 ,you are welcome to stay here until the morning4 ,i must go on1 the man moaned4 ,i am afraid4 ,almost as he uttered the words he fell back1 and went off immediately into an uneasy doze4 ,macheson threw his remaining rug over the prostrate figure1 and1 lighting his pipe1 strolled out into the spinney4 ,the man's coming filled him with a vague sense of trouble4 ,he seemed so utterly out of keeping with the place1 he represented an alien and undesirable note--a note almost of tragedy4 ,all the time in his broken sleep he was muttering to himself4 ,once or twice he cried out in terror1 once especially--,macheson turned round to find him sitting up on the rug1 his brown eyes full of wild fear1 and the perspiration running down his face4 ,a stream of broken words flowed from his lips4 ,macheson thrust him back on the rug4 ,go to sleep1 he said4 ,there is nothing to be afraid of4 ,after that the man slept more soundly4 ,macheson himself dozed for an hour until he was awakened by the calling of the birds4 ,directly he opened his eyes he knew that something had happened to him4 ,it was not only the music of the birds--there was a strange new music stirring in his heart4 ,the pearly light in the eastern sky had never seemed so beautiful2 never1 surely1 had the sunlight streamed down upon so perfect a corner of the earth4 ,and then1 with a quick rush of blood to his cheeks1 he remembered what it was that had so changed the world4 ,he lived again through that bewildering moment1 again he felt the delicious warmth of her presence1 the touch of her hair as it had brushed his cheek1 the soft passionate pressure of her lips against his4 ,it was like an episode from a fairy story1 there was something so delicate1 so altogether fanciful in that flying visit4 ,something1 too1 so unbelievable when he thought of her as the mistress of ,thorpe1 the languid1 insolent woman of the world who had treated him so coldly4 ,then a movement behind reminded him of his strange visitor4 ,he turned round4 ,the man was already on his feet4 ,he looked better for his sleep1 but the wild look was still in his eyes4 ,i must go1 he said4 ,i ought to have started before4 ,thank you for your shelter4 ,macheson reached out for his spirit lamp4 ,wait a few minutes1 he said1 and ,i will have some coffee ready4 ,the man hesitated4 ,he looked sorely in need of something of the sort4 ,as he came to the opening of the shelter1 the trembling seized him again4 ,he looked furtively out as though he feared the daylight4 ,the sunshine and the bright open day seemed to terrify him4 ,i ought to have gone on last night1 he muttered4 ,i must---- ,he broke off his sentence4 ,macheson1 too1 had turned his head to listen4 ,what is that8 he asked sharply4 ,the baying of dogs1 ,macheson answered4 ,dogs6 ,what dogs8 he demanded4 ,colonel ,harvey's bloodhounds6 ,the man's face was ashen now to the lips4 ,he clutched ,macheson's arm frantically4 ,they are after me6 he exclaimed4 ,where can ,i hide8 ,tell me quick6 ,macheson looked at him gravely4 ,what have you been doing8 he asked4 ,they do not bring bloodhounds out for nothing4 ,i have hurt a man down in the village1 was the terrified answer4 ,i didn't mean to--no6 ,i swear that ,i did not mean to4 ,i went to his house and ,i asked him for money4 ,i had a right to it6 ,and ,i asked him to tell me where--but oh6 you would not understand4 ,listen6 ,i swear to you that ,i did not mean to hurt him4 ,why should ,i8 ,he was old1 and ,i think he fainted4 ,god6 do you hear that8 ,he clung to ,macheson in a frenzy4 ,the deep baying of the dogs was coming nearer and nearer4 ,listen1 ,macheson said1 the dogs will not be allowed to hurt you1 but if you are loose ,i promise that ,i will protect you from them4 ,you had better wait here with me4 ,the man fell upon his knees4 ,sir1 he begged1 ,i am innocent of everything except a blow struck in anger4 ,help me to escape1 ,i implore you4 ,there are others who will suffer--if anything happens to me4 ,the law is just1 ,macheson answered4 ,you will suffer nothing except justice4 ,i want mercy1 not justice1 the man sobbed4 ,for the love of ,god1 help me6 ,macheson hesitated4 ,again the early morning stillness was broken by that hoarse1 terrifying sound4 ,his sporting instincts were aroused4 ,he had small sympathy with the use of such means against human beings4 ,i will give you a chance1 he said4 ,remember it is nothing more4 ,follow me6 ,he led the way to the slate pit4 ,can you swim8 he asked4 ,yes6 the man answered4 ,this is where ,i take my morning bath1 ,macheson said4 ,you will see that though you can scramble down and dive in1 it is too precipitous to get out4 ,therefore1 ,i have fixed up a rope on the other side--it goes through those bushes1 and is attached to the trunk of a tree beneath the bracken4 ,if you swim across1 you can pull yourself out of the water and hide just above the water in the bushes4 ,there is just a chance that you may escape observation4 ,already he was on his way down1 but ,macheson stopped him4 ,i shall leave a suit of dry clothes in the shelter1 he said4 ,if they should give up the chase you are welcome to them4 ,now you had better dive4 ,they are in the spinney4 ,the man went in1 after the fashion of a practised diver4 ,macheson turned round and retraced his steps towards his temporary dwelling-house4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,,retreat ,out in the lane a motley little group of men were standing4 ,stephen ,hurd was in the act of springing off his brown cob4 ,the dogs were already in the shelter4 ,what the devil are you doing here8 ,hurd asked1 as ,macheson strode through the undergrowth4 ,macheson pointed to the shelter4 ,i could find no other lodging1 he answered1 thanks to circumstances of which you are aware4 ,stephen ,hurd kicked the gate open4 ,he was pale and there were deep lines under his eyes4 ,he was still in his evening clothes1 except for a rough tweed coat1 but his white tie was hanging loose1 and his patent-leather shoes were splashed with mud4 ,we are chasing a man1 he said4 ,have you seen him8 ,i have1 ,macheson answered4 ,what has he done8 ,there was a momentary silence4 ,hurd spoke with a sob4 ,murdered--my father6 ,macheson was shocked4 ,you mean--that ,mr4 ,hurd is dead8 he asked1 in an awe-stricken tone4 ,dead6 the young man answered with a sob4 ,killed in his chair6 ,the dogs came out of the shelter4 ,they turned towards the interior of the spinney4 ,the little crowd came streaming through the gate4 ,i gave shelter to a man who admitted that he was in trouble1 he said gravely4 ,he heard the dogs and he was terrified4 ,he has jumped into the slate quarry4 ,the dogs were on the trail now4 ,they followed them to the edge of the quarry4 ,here the bushes were trodden down1 a man's cap was hanging on one close to the bottom4 ,they all peered over into the still water1 unnaturally black4 ,amies1 the head keeper1 raised his head4 ,it's twenty-five feet deep--some say forty1 and a sheer drop1 he declared impressively4 ,we'll have to drag it for the body4 ,best take the dogs round the other side1 and make sure he ain't got out again1 one of the crowd suggested4 ,amies pointed scornfully to the precipitous side4 ,such a feat was clearly impossible4 ,nevertheless the dogs were taken round4 ,for a few minutes they were uneasy1 but eventually they returned to the spot from which their intended victim had dived4 ,every one was peering down into the dark water as though fascinated4 ,i thought as they come up once or twice before they were drownded1 somebody remarked4 ,not unless they want to1 another answered4 ,this chap wasn't too anxious4 ,he knew his goose was cooked4 ,the dogs were muzzled and led away4 ,one by one the labourers and servants dispersed4 ,two of them started off to telegraph for a drag4 ,stephen ,hurd was one of the last to depart4 ,i hope you will allow me to say how sorry ,i am for you1 ,macheson declared earnestly4 ,such a tragedy in a village like ,thorpe seems almost incredible4 ,i suppose it was a case of attempted robbery8 ,i don't know1 ,i'm sure1 ,hurd answered4 ,there was plenty of money left untouched1 and ,i can't find that there is any short4 ,the man arrived after the maids had gone to bed1 but they heard him knock at the door1 and heard my father let him in4 ,they didn't hear any struggle then8 ,macheson asked4 ,hurd shook his head4 ,there was only one blow upon his head1 he answered4 ,graikson says that death was probably through shock4 ,macheson felt curiously relieved4 ,the man did not go there as a murderer then1 he remarked4 ,perhaps not even as a thief4 ,there may have been a quarrel4 ,he killed him1 anyhow1 ,hurd said brokenly4 ,what time was it when you first saw him8 ,about midnight1 ,i should think1 ,macheson answered4 ,he came down the lane like a drunken man4 ,what was he like8 ,hurd asked4 ,small1 and ,i should say a foreigner1 ,macheson answered4 ,he spoke ,english perfectly1 but there was an accent1 and when he was asleep he talked to himself in a language which1 to the best of my belief1 ,i have never heard before in my life4 ,a foreigner8 ,hurd muttered4 ,you are sure of that8 ,quite1 ,macheson answered4 ,there could be no mistake about it4 ,stephen ,hurd mounted his cob and turned its head towards home4 ,he asked no more questions2 he seemed1 if possible1 graver than ever4 ,before he started1 however1 he pointed with his whip towards the shelter4 ,you've no right there1 you know1 he said4 ,we can't allow it4 ,you must clear out at once4 ,very well1 ,macheson answered4 ,i'm trespassing1 of course1 but one must sleep somewhere4 ,there is no necessity for you to remain in ,thorpe at all1 ,hurd said4 ,i think1 in the circumstances1 the best thing you can do is to go4 ,in the circumstances6 ,the irony of the phrase struck home4 ,what did this young man know of the circumstances8 ,there were reasons now1 indeed1 why he should fly from ,thorpe as from a place stricken with the pestilence4 ,but no other soul in this world could know of those reasons save himself--and she4 ,i should not1 of course1 think of holding my services at present1 ,macheson said gravely4 ,if you think it would be better1 ,i will go away4 ,stephen ,hurd nodded as he cantered off4 ,i am glad to hear you say so1 he declared shortly4 ,go and preach in the towns where this scum is reared4 ,there's plenty of work for missioners there4 ,macheson stood still until the young man on his pony had disappeared4 ,then he turned round and walked slowly back towards the slate quarry4 ,the black waters remained smooth and unrippled2 there was no sound of human movement anywhere4 ,in the adjoining field a harvesting-machine was at work2 in the spinney itself the rabbits1 disturbed last night by the storm1 were scurrying about more frolicsome than usual2 a solitary thrush was whistling in the background4 ,the sunlight lay in crooked beams about the undergrowth1 a gentle west breeze was just stirring the foliage overhead4 ,there was nothing in the air to suggest in any way the strange note of tragedy which the coming of this hunted man had nevertheless brought4 ,macheson was turning away when a slight disturbance in the undergrowth on the other side of the quarry attracted his notice4 ,he stood still and watched the spot4 ,the bracken was shaking slightly--then the sound of a dry twig1 suddenly snapped6 ,for a moment he hesitated4 ,then he turned on his heel and walked abruptly away4 ,with almost feverish haste1 he flung his few belongings into his portmanteau1 leaving in the shelter his flask1 a suit of clothes1 and several trifles4 ,five minutes later he was on his way down the hill1 with his bag upon his shoulder and his face set southwards4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,a ,,creature ,,of ,,impulse ,up the broad avenue to the great house of ,thorpe1 ,stephen ,hurd slowly made his way1 his hands clasped behind him1 his eyes fixed upon the ground4 ,but his appearance was not altogether the appearance of a man overcome with grief4 ,the events of the last few days had told upon him1 and his deep mourning had a sombre look4 ,yet there were thoughts working even then in his brain which battled hard with his natural depression4 ,strange things had happened--stranger things than he was able all at once to digest4 ,he could not see the end1 but there were possibilities upon which he scarcely dared to brood4 ,he was shown into the library and left alone for nearly twenty minutes4 ,then ,wilhelmina came1 languid1 and moving as though with tired feet4 ,yet her manner was gentler and kinder than usual4 ,she leaned back in one of the vast easy-chairs1 and murmured a few graceful words of sympathy4 ,we were all so sorry for you1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said4 ,it was a most shocking affair4 ,i thank you very much--madam1 he replied1 after a moment's pause4 ,it was better1 perhaps1 for the present1 to assume that their relations were to continue those of employer and employed4 ,i do not know1 she continued1 whether you care to speak about this shocking affair4 ,perhaps you would prefer that we did not allude to it for the present4 ,he shook his head4 ,i am not sure1 he answered1 that it is not rather a relief to have it spoken of4 ,one can't get it out of one's mind1 of course4 ,there is no news of the man--no fresh capture8 ,none1 he answered4 ,they are dragging the slate quarry again to-day4 ,i believe there are some very deep holes where the body may have drifted4 ,do you believe that that is the case8 she asked2 or do you think that he got clean away8 ,i cannot tell1 he answered4 ,it seems impossible that he should have escaped altogether without help4 ,and that he could not have had1 could he8 she asked4 ,he looked across at her thoughtfully1 watching her face1 curious to see whether his words might have any effect4 ,only from one person1 he said4 ,yes8 ,from ,macheson1 the fellow who came here to convert us all1 he said deliberately4 ,beyond a slight elevation of the eyebrows1 his scrutiny was in vain1 for she made no sign4 ,he scarcely seems a likely person1 does he1 to aid a criminal8 she asked in measured tones4 ,stephen ,hurd shrugged his shoulders4 ,perhaps not1 he admitted1 but at any rate he sheltered him4 ,as he doubtless would have done any passer-by on such a night1 she remarked4 ,by the bye1 what has become of that young man8 ,he has left the neighbourhood1 ,hurd answered shortly4 ,left altogether8 she inquired4 ,i imagine so1 ,hurd answered4 ,i had the shelter destroyed1 and ,i gave him to understand pretty clearly what your wishes were4 ,there really wasn't much else for him to do4 ,her eyelids drooped over her half closed eyes4 ,for a moment she was silent4 ,if you hear of him again1 she said quietly1 be so good as to let me know4 ,her indifference seemed too complete to be assumed4 ,yet somehow or other ,hurd felt that she was displeased with him4 ,i will do so1 he said1 if ,i hear anything about him4 ,it scarcely seems likely4 ,wilhelmina sat quite still4 ,her head1 resting slightly upon the long delicate fingers of her right hand1 was turned away from the young man who was daring to watch her4 ,she was apparently gazing across the park1 down the magnificent avenue of elms which led to the village4 ,so he was gone--without a word6 ,how else8 ,on the whole she could not but approve6 ,and yet6--and yet6 ,she turned once more to ,hurd4 ,i read the account of the inquest on your father's death1 she said1 speaking very slowly1 with her usual drawl1 yet with a softer note in her voice1 as though out of respect for the dead man4 ,does it not seem very strange that the money was left untouched8 ,yes6 he answered4 ,yet1 after all1 ,i don't know4 ,you see1 the governor must have closed with the fellow and shown fight before he got that knock on the head4 ,if the thief was really only an ordinary tramp1 he'd be scared to death at what he'd done1 and probably bolt for his life without stopping to take anything with him4 ,isn't it rather surprising to have tramps--in ,thorpe8 she asked4 ,i have scarcely ever seen one1 he answered4 ,wilhelmina turned her head slightly1 so that she was now directly facing him4 ,she looked him steadily in the eyes4 ,has it occurred to you1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she asked1 that this young man may not have been a tramp at all1 and that his visit to your father may have been on other business than that of robbery8 ,he hesitated for a moment4 ,my father's connexions with the outside world1 he said slowly1 were so slight4 ,yet it has occurred to you8 ,yes6 he admitted4 ,and have you come to any conclusion8 ,none1 he declared4 ,you carried out my instructions with regard to the papers and documents belonging to the estate8 ,certainly1 madam1 he answered4 ,within five minutes of receiving your message1 they were all locked up in the safe and the key handed to your messenger4 ,you did not go through them yourself8 she asked4 ,i did not1 he answered1 lying with admirable steadiness4 ,i scarcely felt that ,i was entitled to do so4 ,so that you could not tell if any were missing8 she continued4 ,i could not1 he admitted4 ,your father never spoke1 then1 of any connexions with people--outside ,thorpe--likely to prove of a dangerous character8 ,the young man smiled4 ,my father1 he said1 had not been farther than ,loughborough for twenty years4 ,there was a short silence4 ,wilhelmina1 deliberately1 and without any attempt at concealment1 was meditatively watching the young man1 studying his features with a half-contemptuous and yet searching interest4 ,perhaps the slightly curving lips1 the hard intentness of her gaze1 suggested that he was disbelieved4 ,he lost colour and fidgeted about4 ,it was a scrutiny not easy to bear1 and he felt that it was going against him4 ,already she had written him down a liar4 ,she spoke to him at last4 ,if the silence had not ended soon1 he would have made some blundering attempt to retrieve his position4 ,she spoke just in time to avert such ignominy4 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said1 the question of your father's successor is one that has doubtless occurred to you as it has to me4 ,i trust that you will1 at any rate1 remain here4 ,as to whether ,i can offer you your father's position in its entirety1 ,i am not for the present assured4 ,he glanced up at her furtively4 ,he was certain now that he had played his cards ill4 ,she had read through him easily4 ,he cursed himself for a lout4 ,you see1 she continued1 the post is one of great responsibility1 because it entails the management of the whole estates4 ,it is necessary for me to feel absolute confidence in the person who undertakes it4 ,i have not known you very long1 ,mr4 ,hurd4 ,he bowed4 ,he could not trust himself to words4 ,i have instructed them to send some one down from my solicitor's office for a week or so1 she continued1 to assist you4 ,in the meantime1 ,i must think the matter over4 ,i am very much obliged to you1 madam1 he said4 ,you will find me1 ,i think1 quite as trustworthy and devoted to your interests as my father4 ,she smiled slightly4 ,she recognized exactly his quandary1 and it amused her4 ,the slightest suggestion of menace in his manner would be to give the lie to himself4 ,i am coming down this afternoon1 she said1 to go through the safes4 ,please be there in case ,i want you4 ,you will not forget1 in case you should hear anything of ,mr4 ,macheson1 that ,i desire to be informed4 ,he took his leave humiliated and angry4 ,he had started the game with a wrong move--retrievable1 perhaps1 but annoying4 ,wilhelmina passed into the library1 where ,lady ,peggy1 in a wonderful morning robe1 was leaning back in an easy-chair dictating letters to ,captain ,austin4 ,you dear woman6 she exclaimed1 don't interrupt us1 will you8 ,i have found an ideal secretary1 writes everything ,i tell him1 and spells quite decently considering his profession4 ,my conscience is getting lighter every moment4 ,and my heart heavier1 ,austin grumbled4 ,a most flirtatious correspondence yours4 ,she laughed softly4 ,my next shall be to my dressmaker1 she declared4 ,such a charming woman1 and so trustful4 ,behave yourself nicely1 and you shall go with me to call on her next week1 and see her mannikins4 ,by the bye1 ,wilhelmina1 am ,i hostess or are you8 ,you1 by all means1 ,wilhelmina answered4 ,i shall go to-morrow or the next day4 ,is any one coming to lunch8 ,his ,grace1 ,i fancy--no one else4 ,wilhelmina yawned4 ,where is ,gilbert8 she asked4 ,asleep on the lawn last time ,i saw him4 ,no one shooting1 then8 ,we're going to beat up the home turnips after lunch1 ,captain ,austin answered4 ,it's rather an off day with us4 ,gilbert is nursing his leg--fancies he has rheumatism coming4 ,she strolled out into the garden1 but she avoided the spot where ,gilbert ,deyes lounged in an easy-chair1 reading the paper and smoking cigarettes1 with his leg carefully arranged on a garden chair in front of him4 ,she took the winding path which skirted the kitchen gardens and led to the green lane1 along which the carts passed to the home farm4 ,she felt that what she was doing was in the nature of an experiment1 she was yielding again to that most astonishing impulse which once before had taken her so completely by surprise4 ,she passed out of the gate and along the lane4 ,she began to climb the hill4 ,about the success of her experiment she no longer had any doubt4 ,her heart was beating with pleasant insistence1 a feeling of suppressed excitement sent the blood gliding through her veins with delicious softness4 ,all the time she mocked at herself--that this should be ,wilhelmina ,thorpe-,hatton1 to whom the most distinguished men1 not only in one capital1 but in ,europe1 had paid court1 whom the most ardent wooer had failed to move1 who had found1 indeed1 in all the professions of love-making something insufferably tedious4 ,she was at once amused and annoyed at herself1 but an instinctive habit of truthfulness forbade even self-deception4 ,her cheeks were aflame1 and her heart was beating like a girl's as she reached the spinney4 ,she recognized the fact that she was experiencing a new and delightful pleasure1 an emotion as unexpected and ridiculous as it was inexplicable4 ,but she hugged it to herself4 ,it pleased her immensely to feel that the impossible had happened4 ,what all this army of men1 experienced in the wiles of love-making1 had failed to do1 a crazy boy had accomplished without an effort4 ,absolutely bizarre1 of course1 but not so wonderful after all6 ,she was so secure against any ordinary assault4 ,she felt herself like the heroine of one of ,gautier's novels4 ,if he had been there himself1 she would have taken him into her arms with all the passionate simplicity of a child4 ,but he was not there4 ,on the contrary1 the place was looking forlorn and deserted4 ,the shelter had been razed to the ground--she felt that she hated ,stephen ,hurd as she contemplated its ruin--the hedge was broken down by the inrush of people a few days ago4 ,in the absence of any sunshine1 the country around seemed bleak and colourless4 ,she leaned over the gate and half closed her eyes4 ,memory came more easily like that6 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,searching ,,the ,,papers ,the late ,stephen ,hurd had been a methodical man4 ,every one of those many packets of foolscap and parchment bore in the left-hand corner near the top a few carefully written words summarizing their contents4 ,it was clear from the first that ,wilhelmina had undertaken not an examination but a search4 ,mortgages1 leases1 agreements1 she left unopened and untouched4 ,one by one she passed them back to the young man who handed them out to her1 for replacement4 ,in the end she had retained one small packet of letters only1 on the outside of which were simply the initials ,p4 ,n4 ,these she held for a moment thoughtfully in her hand4 ,do you happen to remember1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said1 whether this small packet which ,i have here was amongst the papers which you found had been disturbed after the attack upon your father8 ,i am sorry1 the young man answered1 but it is quite impossible for me to say4 ,i do not remember it particularly4 ,wilhelmina turned it over thoughtfully4 ,it was an insignificant packet to hold the tragedy of a woman's life4 ,you see1 she continued1 that it has the appearance of having been tampered with4 ,there are marks of sealing wax upon the tape and upon the paper here4 ,then1 too1 she continued1 turning it over1 it has been tied up hastily1 unlike any of the other packets4 ,the tape1 too1 is much too long4 ,it looks almost as though some letters or papers had been withdrawn4 ,i am afraid ,i cannot help you at all1 he admitted regretfully4 ,my father never allowed any one but himself to open that safe4 ,mine was the out-of-door share of the work--and the rent-book1 of course4 ,i kept that4 ,she slowly undid the tape4 ,the contents of the packet consisted of several letters1 which she smoothed out with her fingers before beginning to read4 ,stephen ,hurd stood with his back towards her1 rearranging the bundles of documents in the safe4 ,you have no idea then1 she asked softly1 of the contents of this packet8 ,he turned deliberately round4 ,he was not in the least comfortable4 ,it was almost as though she could see through his tweed shooting-jacket into that inner pocket4 ,may ,i see which packet you refer to8 he asked4 ,she showed it to him without placing it in his hand4 ,he shook his head4 ,no6 he said1 ,i have not noticed them before4 ,she sighed--or was it a yawn8 ,at any rate1 her eyes left his face1 for which he was immediately grateful4 ,she began to read the papers1 and1 having finished his task1 he walked towards the window and stood there looking out4 ,he stood there minute after minute1 hearing only the sound of rustling paper behind4 ,when at last it ceased he turned around4 ,she had risen to her feet and was slowly drawing on her gloves4 ,the letters had disappeared1 presumably into her pocket1 but she made no reference to them4 ,when she spoke1 her voice was smooth and deliberate as usual4 ,somehow or other he was at once conscious1 however1 that she had received a shock4 ,i presume1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said quietly1 that amongst your father's private papers you did not discover anything--unexpected8 ,i am afraid ,i scarcely follow you1 madam1 he answered4 ,i am asking you1 she repeated deliberately1 whether amongst your father's private papers1 which ,i presume you have looked through1 you found anything of a surprising nature8 ,he shook his head4 ,i found scarcely any1 he answered1 only his will and a memorandum of a few investments4 ,may ,i ask---- ,she turned towards the door4 ,no6 she said1 do not ask me any questions4 ,to tell you the truth1 ,i am not yet fully persuaded that the necessity exists4 ,i do not understand1 he protested4 ,illustration3 ,,forgive ,,me1 ,,he ,,said1 ,,with ,,his ,,hand ,,upon ,,the ,,gate4 ,page #aag ,she shrugged her shoulders4 ,she did not trouble to explain her words4 ,he followed her along the cool1 white-flagged hall1 hung with old prints and trophies of sport1 into the few yards of garden outside1 brilliant with cottage flowers4 ,beyond the little iron gate her carriage was waiting--a low victoria1 drawn by a pair of great horses1 whose sleek coats and dark crimson rosettes suggested rather a turn in the ,park than these country lanes4 ,the young man was becoming desperate4 ,she was leaving him altogether mystified4 ,somewhere or other he had missed his cue3 he had meant to have conducted the interview so differently4 ,and never had she looked so provokingly well6 ,he recognized1 with hopeless admiration1 the perfection of her toilette--the trim white flannel dress1 shaped by the hand of an artist to reveal in its simple lines the peculiar grace of her slim figure2 the patent shoes with their suggestion of open-work silk stockings2 the black picture hat and veil1 a delicate recognition of her visit to a house of mourning1 yet light and gossamer-like1 with no suggestion of gloom4 ,never had she seemed so desirable to him1 so fascinating and yet so unattainable4 ,he made a last and clumsy effort to re-establish himself4 ,forgive me1 he said1 with his hand upon the gate1 but ,i must ask you what you mean by that last question4 ,my father had no secrets that ,i know of4 ,how could he1 when for the last forty years his life was practically spent in this village street8 ,she nodded her head slowly4 ,sometimes1 she murmured1 events come to those even who sit and wait1 those whose lives are absolutely secluded4 ,no one is safe from fate1 you know4 ,but my father6 he answered4 ,he had no tastes1 no interests outside the boundary of your estates4 ,she motioned to him to open the gate4 ,perhaps not1 she assented1 yet ,i suppose that there is not one of us who knows as much of his neighbour's life as he imagines he does4 ,good afternoon1 ,mr4 ,hurd6 ,my visit has given me something to think about4 ,i may send for you to come to the house before ,i go away4 ,she drove away1 leaning back amongst the cushions with half closed eyes1 as though tired4 ,the country scenery with its pastoral landscape1 its ,watteau-like perfections1 was wholly unseen4 ,her memory had travelled back1 she was away amongst the days when the roar of life had been in her ears1 when for a short while1 indeed1 the waves had seemed likely to break over her head4 ,an unpleasant echo1 this6 ,no more than an echo--and yet6 ,the thought of old ,stephen ,hurd lying in his grave suddenly chilled her4 ,she shivered as she left the carriage1 and instead of entering the house1 crossed the lawn to where ,gilbert ,deyes was lounging4 ,he struggled to his feet at her approach1 but she waved him back again4 ,sybarite1 she murmured1 glancing around at his arrangements for complete comfort4 ,you have sent ,austin out alone4 ,dear lady1 ,i confess it1 he answered4 ,what would you have8 ,it is too fine an afternoon to kill anything4 ,she sank into a chair by his side4 ,a slight smile parted her lips as she glanced around4 ,on a table by his side1 a table drawn back into the shade of the cedar tree1 were several vellum-bound volumes1 a tall glass1 and a crystal jug half full of some delicate amber beverage1 mixed with fruit and ice1 a box of cigarettes1 an ivory paper-cutter1 and a fan4 ,your capacity for making yourself comfortable1 she remarked1 amounts almost to genius4 ,let it go at that1 he answered4 ,i like the sound of the word4 ,i want you to go to ,paris for me1 she said abruptly4 ,he flicked the ash off the end of his cigarette and looked at her thoughtfully4 ,not a line of his face betrayed the least sign of surprise4 ,to-morrow8 he asked4 ,yes6 ,i can get up in time for the two-twenty1 he remarked thoughtfully4 ,i wonder whether it will be too late for the ,armenonville6 ,she laughed quietly4 ,you are a 'poseur1' she declared4 ,naturally1 he admitted4 ,we all are1 even when the audience consists of ourselves alone4 ,i fancy ,i'm rather better than most1 though4 ,she nodded4 ,you won't mind admitting--to me--that you are surprised8 ,astonished1 he said4 ,to descend to the commonplace1 what on earth do you want me to go to ,paris for8 ,i will tell you1 she answered4 ,forget for a moment the ,paris that you know1 and remember the ,paris of the tourist4 ,painful1 he answered2 but it is done4 ,the ,hotel de ,luxe6 ,i know it well4 ,there are a race of creatures there1 small1 parasitical insects1 who hang about the hall and the boulevard outside--guides they call themselves4 ',show you something altogether new this evening1 ,captain1' he quoted4 ,yes2 ,i know them4 ,there is1 or was1 one1 she continued1 who goes by the name of ,thomas ,johnson4 ,he is undersized2 he has red cheeks1 and puffy brown eyes4 ,he used to wear a glazed black hat1 and he speaks every language without an accent4 ,i should know the beast anywhere1 he declared4 ,find out if he is there still4 ,let him take you out4 ,don't lose sight of him--and write to me4 ,to-morrow night1 he said1 ,i will renew my youth4 ,i will search for him on the boulevards1 and see the sights which make a gay dog of the travelling ,briton4 ,she nodded4 ,you're a good sort1 ,gilbert1 she said simply4 ,thanks6 ,,chapter ,,xv ,,on ,,the ,,spree ,high up on the seventh floor of one of ,london's newest and loftiest buildings1 a young man sat writing in a somewhat barely furnished office4 ,he wrote deliberately1 and with the air of one who thoroughly enjoyed his occupation4 ,the place had a bookish aspect--the table was strewn with magazines and books of reference2 piles of literature of a varied order stood1 in the absence of bookshelves1 against the wall4 ,the young man himself1 however1 was the most interesting object in the room4 ,he was big and dark and rugged4 ,there was strength in his square-set shoulders1 in the compression of his lips1 even in the way his finger guided the pen across the paper4 ,he was thoroughly absorbed in his task4 ,nevertheless he raised his head at a somewhat unusual sound4 ,the lift had swung up to his floor1 he heard the metal gate thrown open4 ,there was a knock at the door1 and ,macheson walked in4 ,victor1 by glory6 ,down went the pen1 and ,richard ,holderness stood up at his desk with outstretched hands4 ,macheson grasped them heartily and seated himself on the edge of the table4 ,it's good to see you1 ,dick1 he declared1 like coming back to the primitive forces of nature1 unchanged1 unchanging4 ,the sight of you's enough to stop a revolution4 ,you're feeling like that1 are you8 his friend answered1 his eyes fixed upon ,macheson's face4 ,yes1 ,i see you are4 ,go ahead6 ,or will you smoke first8 ,macheson produced his pipe1 and his host a great tin of honeydew4 ,macheson helped himself slowly4 ,he seemed to be trying to gain time4 ,blessed compact1 ours1 the giant remarked1 leaning back in his chair4 ,no probing for confidences1 no silly questions4 ,out with it6 ,i've started wrong1 ,macheson said4 ,i'll have to go back on my tracks a bit anyway4 ,holderness grunted affably4 ,nothing like mistakes1 he remarked4 ,best discipline in the world4 ,i started on a theory1 ,macheson continued thoughtfully4 ,it didn't pan out4 ,the people ,i have been trying to get at are better left alone4 ,exactly why8 ,holderness asked4 ,i'll tell you1 ,macheson answered4 ,you know ,i've seen a bit of what we call village life4 ,their standard isn't high enough1 of course4 ,things come too easily1 their noses are too close to the ground4 ,they are moderately sober1 moderately industrious1 but the sameness of life is at work all the time4 ,it makes machines of the factory hands1 animals of the country folk4 ,i knew that before ,i started4 ,i thought ,i could lift their heads a little4 ,it's too big a task for me1 ,dick4 ,of course1 ,holderness assented4 ,you can't graft on to dead wood4 ,they live decent lives--most of them1 ,macheson continued thoughtfully4 ,they can't understand that any change is needed1 no more can their landlords1 or their clergy4 ,a mechanical performance of the ,christian code seems all that any one expects from them4 ,dick1 it's all they're capable of4 ,you can't alter laws4 ,you can't create intelligence4 ,you can't teach these people spirituality4 ,as well try to teach 'em to fly1 ,holderness answered4 ,i could have told you so before1 if it had been of any use4 ,what about these ,welshmen1 though8 ,it's hysteria1 ,macheson declared4 ,if you can get through the hide1 you can make the emotions run riot1 stir them into a frenzy4 ,it's a debauch4 ,i've been there to see4 ,the true spiritual life is partly intellectual4 ,what are you going to do now8 ,holderness asked4 ,i don't know1 ,macheson answered4 ,i haven't finished yet4 ,dick1 curse all women6 ,the giant looked thoughtful4 ,i'm sorry1 he said simply4 ,macheson swung himself from the table4 ,he walked up and down the room4 ,it isn't serious1 he declared4 ,it isn't even definite4 ,but it's like a perfume1 or a wonderful chord of music1 or the call of the sea to an inland-bred viking6 ,it's under my heel1 ,dick1 but ,i can't crush it4 ,i came away from ,leicestershire because ,i was afraid4 ,does she--exist8 ,holderness asked4 ,not for me1 ,macheson declared hurriedly4 ,don't think that4 ,i shouldn't have mentioned it1 but for our compact4 ,holderness nodded4 ,bad luck1 he said4 ,this craving for something we haven't got--can't have--,i wish ,i could find the germ4 ,the world should go free of it for a generation4 ,we'd build empires1 we'd reconstruct society4 ,it's a deadly germ1 though1 ,victor1 and it's the princes of the world who suffer most4 ,there's only one antidote--work6 ,give me some1 ,macheson begged4 ,the giant looked at him thoughtfully4 ,right1 he answered1 but not to-day4 ,clothes up in town8 ,macheson nodded4 ,we'll go on the bust1 ,holderness declared4 ,i've been dying for a spree6 ,we'll have it4 ,where are you staying8 ,my old rooms1 ,macheson answered4 ,i looked in on my way from the station and found them empty4 ,capital6 ,we're close together4 ,come on6 ,we'll do the ,west ,end like two gay young bucks4 ,five o'clock1 isn't it8 ,we'll walk up ,regent ,street and have an 'aperitif' at ,biflore's4 ,wait till ,i brush my hat4 ,macheson made no difficulties1 but he was puzzled4 ,holderness he knew well enough had no leanings towards the things which he proposed with so much enthusiasm4 ,was it a pilgrimage they were to start upon--or what8 ,after all1 why need he worry8 ,he was content to go his friend's way4 ,so they walked up ,regent ,street1 bright with the late afternoon sunshine1 threading their way through the throngs of sauntering men and women gazing into the shops--and at one another6 ,at ,biflore's ,macheson would have felt out of his element but for ,holderness' self-possession4 ,he had the air of going through what might have been an everyday performance1 ordered vermouth mixed1 lit a cigarette1 leaned back at his ease upon the cushioned seat1 and told with zest and point a humorous story4 ,there were women there1 a dozen or more1 some alone1 some in little groups1 women smartly enough dressed1 good-looking1 too1 and prosperous1 with gold purses and ,paris hats1 yet--lacking something4 ,macheson did not ask himself what it was4 ,he felt it2 he knew1 too1 that ,holderness meant him to feel it4 ,the shadow of tragedy was there--the world's tragedy4444 ,they went back to their rooms to dress and met at a popular restaurant--one of the smartest4 ,here ,macheson began to recover his spirits4 ,the music was soft yet inspiring1 the women--there were none alone here--were well dressed1 and pleasant to look at1 the sound of their laughter and the gay murmur of conversation was like a delightful undernote4 ,the dinner and wine were good4 ,holderness seemed to know very well how to choose both4 ,macheson began to feel the depression of a few hours ago slipping away from him4 ,once or twice he laughed softly to himself4 ,holderness looked at him questioningly4 ,you should have been with me for the last fortnight1 ,dick1 he remarked1 smiling4 ,the lady of the manor at ,thorpe didn't approve of me1 and ,i had to sleep for two nights in a gamekeeper's shelter4 ,didn't approve of you to such an extent8 ,holderness remarked4 ,was she one of those old country frumps--all starch and prejudice8 ,then for a moment the heel was lifted1 and a rush of memory kept him dumb4 ,he felt the tearing of the blood in his veins1 the burning of his cheeks1 the wild1 delicious sense of an exaltation1 indefinable1 mysterious4 ,he was tongue-tied1 suddenly apprehensive of himself and his surroundings4 ,he felt somehow nearer to her--it was her atmosphere1 this4 ,was he weaker than his friend--had he1 indeed1 more to fear8 ,he raised his glass mechanically to his lips1 and the soft fire of the amber wine soothed whilst it disquieted him4 ,again he wondered at his friend's whim in choosing this manner of spending their evening4 ,no6 he said at last1 and he was surprised to find his voice composed and natural1 the mistress of ,thorpe is not in the least that sort4 ,thorpe is almost a model village1 and of course there is the church1 and a very decent fellow for vicar4 ,i am not at all sure that she was not right4 ,i must have seemed a fearful interloper4 ,holderness stretched his long limbs under the table and laughed softly4 ,well1 he declared1 it was a hare-brained scheme4 ,theoretically1 ,i believe you were right4 ,there's nothing more dangerous than content4 ,sort of armour you can't get through4444 ,come1 we mustn't miss the ballet4 ,they threaded their way down the room4 ,suddenly ,macheson stopped short4 ,he was passing a table set back in a recess1 and occupied by two persons4 ,the girl1 who wore a hat and veil1 and whose simple country clothes were conspicuous1 was staring at him with something like fear in her eyes4 ,her cheeks were flushed2 her lips parted1 she was leaning forward as though to call her companion's attention to ,macheson's approach4 ,macheson glanced towards him with a sudden impulse of indignant apprehension4 ,it was ,stephen ,hurd1 in irreproachable evening clothes save only for his black tie1 and his companion was ,letty4 ,macheson stopped before the table4 ,he scarcely knew what to say or how to say it1 but he was determined not to be intimidated by ,hurd's curt nod4 ,so you are up in town1 ,letty1 he said gravely4 ,is your mother with you8 ,the girl giggled hysterically4 ,oh1 no6 she declared4 ,mother can't bear travelling4 ,a lot of us came up this morning at six o'clock on a day excursion1 six shillings each4 ,and what time does the train go back8 ,macheson asked quickly4 ,at twelve o'clock1 the girl answered1 or as soon afterwards as they can get it off4 ,it was terribly full coming up4 ,macheson was to some extent relieved4 ,at any rate there was nothing further that he could do4 ,he bent over the girl kindly4 ,i hope you have had a nice day1 he said1 and won't be too tired when you get home4 ,these excursions are rather hard work4 ,remember me to your mother4 ,he exchanged a civil word with the girl's companion1 who was taciturn almost to insolence4 ,then he passed on and joined ,holderness1 who was waiting near the door4 ,an oddly assorted couple1 your friends1 he remarked1 as they struggled into their coats4 ,macheson nodded4 ,the girl was my landlady's daughter at ,thorpe1 and the young man's the son of the agent there1 he said4 ,engaged8 ,holderness asked4 ,i'm--afraid not1 ,macheson answered4 ,she's up on an excursion--for the day--goes back at twelve4 ,i suppose he's a decent fellow--the agent's son8 ,holderness remarked4 ,she seems such a child4 ,i suppose he is1 ,macheson repeated4 ,i don't care for him very much1 ,dick2 ,i suppose ,i'm an evil-minded person1 but ,i hate leaving them4 ,holderness looked back into the restaurant4 ,you can't interfere1 he said4 ,it's probably a harmless frolic enough4 ,come on6 ,,chapter ,,xvi ,,the ,,night ,,side ,,of ,,london ,no stalls left1 ,holderness declared1 turning away from the box office at the ,alhambra4 ,we'll go in the promenade4 ,we can find a chair there if we want to sit down4 ,macheson followed him up the stairs and into the heavily carpeted promenade4 ,his memory of the evening1 a memory which clung to him for long afterwards1 seemed like a phantasmagoria of thrilling music1 a stage packed with marvellously dressed women1 whose movements were blended with the music into one voluptuous chorus--a blaze of colour not wholly without its artistic significance1 and about him an air heavy with tobacco smoke and perfumes1 a throng of moving people1 more women--many more women4 ,a girl spoke to ,holderness1--a girl heavily rouged but not ill-looking1 dressed in a blue muslin gown and large black hat4 ,holderness bent towards her deferentially4 ,his voice seemed to take to itself its utmost note of courtesy1 he answered her inquiry pleasantly1 and accepted a glance at her programme4 ,the girl looked puzzled1 but they talked together for several moments of casual things4 ,then ,holderness lifted his hat4 ,my friend and ,i are tired1 he said4 ,we are going to look for a seat4 ,she bowed and they strolled on down the promenade1 finding some chairs at the further end4 ,the dresses of the women brushed their feet and the perfume from the clothes was stronger even than the odour from the clouds of tobacco smoke which hung about the place4 ,macheson1 in whom were generations of puritanical impulses1 found himself shrinking back in his corner4 ,holderness turned towards him frowning4 ,no superiority1 ,victor1 he said4 ,these are your fellow-creatures4 ,don't look at them as though you'd come down from the clouds4 ,it isn't that1 ,macheson answered1 it's a matter of taste4 ,taste6 ,rot6 ,holderness answered4 ,the factory girl's hat offends my taste1 but ,i don't shrink away from her4 ,a girl1 in passing1 stumbled against his foot4 ,holderness stood up as he apologized4 ,i am really very sorry1 he said4 ,no one with feet like mine ought to sit down in a public place4 ,i hope you haven't torn your dress8 ,it really doesn't matter1 the girl answered4 ,i ought to have looked where ,i was going4 ,in which case1 ,holderness remarked1 with a laugh1 you could not have failed to see my feet4 ,there were two empty chairs at their table4 ,the girl glanced towards them and hesitated4 ,do you mind if we sit down here for a minute1 she asked1 my friend and ,i8 ,we are rather tired4 ,he drew the chairs towards them4 ,by all means1 he answered courteously4 ,your friend does look tired4 ,the party arranged itself4 ,holderness called to a waiter and gave an order4 ,my friend and ,i1 he remarked1 indicating ,macheson1 who was fiercely uncomfortable and struggling hard not to show it1 are disappointed that we could not get stalls4 ,we wanted to see ,la ,guerrero and this wonderful conjurer4 ,the place is full every night1 the girl answered listlessly4 ,la ,guerrero comes on at ten o'clock1 you can see her from the front of the promenade easily4 ,you don't often come here1 do you8 ,not very often1 ,holderness answered4 ,and you8 ,every night1 the girl answered in a dull tone4 ,that must be monotonous1 he said kindly4 ,it is1 she admitted4 ,they talked for a few minutes longer1 or rather it was ,holderness who mostly talked1 and the others who listened4 ,it struck ,macheson as curious that his friend should find it so easy to strike the note of their conversation and keep it there1 as though without any definite effort he could assume control over even the thoughts of these girls1 to whom he talked with such easy courtesy4 ,he told a funny story and they all laughed naturally and heartily4 ,macheson had an idea that the girls had forgotten for the moment exactly where they were4 ,something in their faces1 something which had almost terrified him at their first coming1 had relaxed1 if it had not passed wholly away4 ,at the sound of a few bars of music one of them leaned almost eagerly forward4 ,there1 she said1 if you want to see ,la ,guerrero you must hurry4 ,she is coming on now4 ,the two young men rose to their feet4 ,one of the girls looked wistfully at ,holderness1 but nothing was said beyond the ordinary farewells4 ,thank you so much for telling us1 ,holderness said4 ,come along1 ,victor4 ,it is ,la ,guerrero4 ,macheson breathed more freely when once they were in the throng4 ,they watched the ,spanish dancer with her exquisite movements1 sinuous1 full of grace4 ,holderness especially applauded loudly4 ,afterwards they found seats in the front and remained there for the rest of the performance4 ,out in the street they hesitated4 ,holderness passed his arm through his companion's4 ,supper6 he declared4 ,this way6 ,did you know what a man about town ,i was1 ,victor8 ,ah6 but one must learn1 and life isn't all roses and honey4 ,one must learn6 ,they threaded their way through the streets1 crowded with hansoms1 electric broughams1 and streams of foot passengers4 ,holderness led the way to a sombre-looking building1 and into a room barely lit save for the rose-shaded lamps upon the tables4 ,macheson gasped as he entered4 ,nearly every table was occupied by women in evening dress1 women alone--waiting4 ,holderness glanced around quite unconcernedly as he gave up his coat and hat to a waiter4 ,feeling shy1 ,victor8 he asked1 smiling4 ,never mind4 ,we'll find a table to ourselves all right4 ,they sat in a corner4 ,the girls chattered and talked across them--often at them4 ,a ,frenchwoman1 superbly gowned in white lace1 and with a long rope of pearls around her neck1 paused as she passed their table4 ,she carried a ,pomeranian under her arm and held it out towards them4 ,see6 ,my little dog6 she exclaimed4 ,he bite you4 ,messieurs are lonely8 ,alas6 ,of necessity1 ,holderness answered in ,french4 ,madame is too kind4 ,she passed on1 laughing4 ,macheson looked across the table almost fiercely4 ,what are you doing it for1 ,dick8 he exclaimed4 ,what does it mean8 ,his friend looked across at him steadfastly4 ,victor1 he said1 ,i want you to understand4 ,you are an enthusiast1 a reformer1 a prophet of lost causes4 ,i want you to know the truth if you can see it4 ,there are many sides to life4 ,what am ,i to learn of this8 ,macheson asked1 almost passionately4 ,if ,i told you1 ,holderness answered1 the lesson would only be half learnt4 ,sit tight and don't be a fool4 ,drink your wine4 ,mademoiselle in violet there wants to flirt with you4 ,shall ,i ask her to join us8 ,macheson demanded with wasted satire4 ,you might do worse1 ,holderness answered calmly4 ,she could probably teach you something4 ,it was a dull evening1 and many of the tables remained unoccupied--save for the one waiting figure4 ,the women1 tired of looking towards the door1 were smoking cigarettes1 twirling their bracelets1 yawning1 and looking around the room4 ,many a mute invitation reached the two young men1 but ,holderness seemed to have lost his sociability4 ,his face had grown harder and he seemed glad when their meal was over and they were free to depart4 ,in the hall below they had to wait for their overcoats4 ,macheson strolled idly towards the entrance of another supper room on the ground floor1 and looked in4 ,an exclamation broke from his lips4 ,he turned towards ,holderness4 ,you see the time1 he exclaimed1 and they are here6 ,those two6 ,holderness nodded gravely4 ,the girl has been crying1 he said1 and there is an ,a ,b ,c on the table4 ,it's up to you1 ,victor4 ,we may both have to take a hand in the game4 ,no6 ,i wouldn't go in4 ,wait till they come out6 ,they stood in the throng1 jostled1 cajoled1 besought4 ,at last the two rose and came towards the door4 ,letty had dried her eyes1 but she looked still pale and terrified4 ,hurd1 on the contrary1 was flushed as though with wine4 ,macheson took her by the arm as she passed4 ,letty1 he said gravely1 have you missed your train8 ,she gave a stifled cry and shrank back1 when she saw who it was4 ,however1 she recovered herself quickly4 ,mr4 ,macheson6 she exclaimed4 ,how you startled me6 ,i didn't expect--to see you again4 ,about this train1 ,letty8 he repeated4 ,mr4 ,hurd's watch stopped1 she declared1 her eyes filling once more with tears4 ,he thought it was eleven o'clock1--and it was ten minutes past twelve4 ,i don't know what mother will say1 ,i am sure4 ,what are you going to do8 he asked4 ,she looked round nervously4 ,mr4 ,hurd is going to take me to some friends of his1 she answered4 ,you see it was his fault1 so he has promised to see mother and explain4 ,hurd pushed angrily forward4 ,look here1 he said to ,macheson1 have you been following us about8 ,i have not1 ,macheson answered calmly4 ,i am very glad to have come across you1 though4 ,sorry ,i can't return the compliment1 ,hurd remarked4 ,come1 ,letty4 ,a girl who was passing tapped him on the arm4 ,she was dressed in blue silk1 with a large picture hat1 and she was smoking a cigarette4 ,hullo1 ,stephen6 she exclaimed4 ,edith wants to see you4 ,are you coming round to-night8 ,hurd muttered something under his breath and moved away4 ,letty looked at him with horror4 ,stephen6 she exclaimed4 ,you can't--you don't mean to say that you know--any of these8 ,she was trembling in every limb4 ,he tried to pass his arm through hers4 ,don't be a fool1 ,letty1 he said4 ,it's time we went1 or my friends will have gone to bed4 ,she looked at him with wide-open eyes4 ,her lips were quivering4 ,it was as though she saw some new thing in his face4 ,your friends1 she murmured1 are they--that sort8 ,oh6 ,i am afraid4 ,she clung to ,macheson4 ,people were beginning to notice them4 ,he led her out into the street4 ,hurd followed1 angrily protesting4 ,holderness was close behind4 ,i say1 you know1 ,hurd began1 with his arm on ,macheson's shoulder4 ,macheson shook it off4 ,mr4 ,hurd1 he said1 at the risk of seeming impertinent1 ,i must ask you precisely where you intend taking this girl to-night8 ,what the devil business is it of yours8 ,hurd answered angrily4 ,tell me1 all the same1 ,macheson persisted4 ,hurd passed his arm through ,letty's4 ,come1 ,letty1 he said1 we will take this hansom4 ,the girl was only half willing4 ,macheson declined to let them go4 ,no6 he said1 ,i will have my question answered4 ,hurd turned as though to strike him1 but ,holderness intervened1 head and shoulders taller than the other4 ,i think1 he said1 that we will have my friend's question answered4 ,hurd was almost shaking with rage1 but he answered4 ,to some friends in ,cambridge ,terrace1 he said sullenly4 ,number eighteen4 ,you will not object1 ,macheson said1 if ,i accompany you there8 ,i'll see you damned first1 ,hurd answered savagely4 ,get in1 ,letty4 ,the girl hesitated4 ,she turned to ,macheson4 ,i should like to go to the station and wait1 she declared4 ,i think1 ,macheson said1 that you had better trust yourself to me and my friend4 ,i am sure of it1 ,holderness added calmly4 ,she put her hand in ,macheson's4 ,she was as pale as death and avoided looking at ,hurd4 ,he took a quick step towards her4 ,very well1 young lady1 he said4 ,if you go now1 you understand that ,i shall never see you again4 ,she began to cry again4 ,i wish1 she murmured1 that ,i had never seen you at all--never6 ,he turned on his heel4 ,a row was impossible4 ,it occurred to him that a man of the world would face such a position calmly4 ,very good1 he said1 we will leave it at that4 ,he paused to light a cigarette1 and strolled back down the street towards the restaurant which they had just left4 ,letty was crying now in good earnest4 ,the two young men looked at one another in something like dismay4 ,then ,holderness began to laugh quietly4 ,you're a nice sort of ,don ,quixote to spend an evening with1 he remarked softly4 ,,chapter ,,xvii ,,the ,,victims ,,of ,,society ,the girl was still crying1 softly but persistently4 ,she caught hold of ,macheson's arm4 ,if you please1 ,i think ,i had better go back to ,stephen1 she said4 ,do you think ,i could find him8 ,i think you had much better not1 ,letty1 he answered4 ,he ought not to have let you miss your train4 ,my friend here and ,i are going to look after you4 ,it's very kind of you1 the girl said listlessly1 but it doesn't matter much what becomes of me now4 ,mother will never forgive me--and the others will all know--that ,i missed the train4 ,we must think of some way of putting that all right1 ,macheson declared4 ,i only wish that ,i had some relations in ,london4 ,can you suggest anything1 ,dick8 ,i can take the young lady to some decent rooms1 ,holderness answered4 ,the landlady's an old friend of mine4 ,she'll be as right as rain there4 ,the girl shook her head4 ,i'd as soon walk about the streets1 she said pathetically4 ,mother'll never listen to me--or the others4 ,some of them saw me with ,stephen1 and they said things4 ,i think ,i'll go to the station and wait till the five o'clock train4 ,they were walking slowly up towards ,piccadilly4 ,a fine rain had begun to fall1 and already the pavements were shining4 ,neither of them had an umbrella1 and ,letty's hat1 with its cheap flowers and ribbon1 showed signs of collapse4 ,suddenly ,macheson had an idea4 ,look here1 he said1 supposing you spent the night at ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton's house in ,berkeley ,square--no one could say anything then1 could they8 ,the girl looked up with a sudden gleam of hope4 ,no6 ,i don't suppose they could1 she admitted2 but ,i don't know where it is1 and ,i don't suppose they'd take me in anyway4 ,i know where it is1 ,macheson declared1 and we'll see about their taking you in4 ,i believe ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton may be there herself4 ,stop that fourwheeler1 ,dick4 ,they climbed into a passing cab1 and ,macheson directed the driver4 ,the girl was beginning to lose confidence again4 ,the house is sure to be shut up1 she said4 ,there will be a caretaker4 ,macheson declared hopefully4 ,we'll manage it1 never fear4 ,i believe ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton is there herself4 ,letty was trembling with excitement and fear4 ,i'm scared to death of her1 she admitted4 ,she's so beautiful1 and she looks at you always as though you were something a long way off4 ,macheson was suddenly silent4 ,a rush of memories surged into his brain4 ,he had sworn to keep away6 ,this was a different matter1 an errand of mercy4 ,nevertheless he would see her1 if only for a moment4 ,his heart leaped like a boy's4 ,he looked eagerly out of the window4 ,already they were entering ,berkeley ,square4 ,the cab stopped4 ,macheson looked upwards4 ,there were lights in many of the windows1 and a small electric brougham1 with a tall footman by the side of the driver1 was waiting opposite the door4 ,the house is open1 he declared4 ,don't be afraid1 ,letty4 ,the girl descended and clung to his arm as they crossed the pavement4 ,i shall wait here for you1 ,holderness said4 ,good luck to you1 and good night1 young lady6 ,macheson rang the bell4 ,the door was opened at once by a footman1 who eyed them in cold surprise4 ,we wish to see ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton for two minutes1 ,macheson said1 producing his card4 ,it is really an important matter1 or we would not disturb her at such an hour4 ,she is at home1 is she not8 ,the footman looked exceedingly dubious4 ,he looked from the card to ,macheson1 and from ,macheson to the girl1 and he didn't seem to like either of them4 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton has just returned from the opera1 he said1 and she is going on to the ,countess of ,annesley's ball directly4 ,can't you come again in the morning8 ,quite impossible1 ,macheson declared briskly4 ,i am sure that ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton will see me for a moment if you take that card up4 ,the footman studied ,macheson again1 and was forced to admit that he was a gentleman4 ,he led the way into a small morning-room4 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton shall have your card1 sir1 he said4 ,kindly take a seat4 ,he left the room4 ,macheson drew up a chair for ,letty1 but she refused it1 trembling4 ,oh6 ,i daren't sit down1 ,mr4 ,macheson1 she declared4 ,and please--don't say that ,i was with ,mr4 ,hurd4 ,i know he wouldn't like it4 ,probably not1 ,macheson answered1 but what am ,i to say8 ,anything--anything but that1 she begged4 ,macheson nodded his promise4 ,then the door opened1 and his heart seemed to stand still4 ,she entered the room in all the glory of a wonderful toilette2 she wore her famous ropes of pearls1 the spotless white of her gown was the last word from the subtlest ,parisian workshop of the day4 ,but it was not these things that counted4 ,had he been dreaming1 he wondered a moment later1 or had that strange smile indeed curved her lips1 that marvellous light indeed flowed from her eyes8 ,it was the lady of his dreams who had entered--it was a very different woman who1 with a slight frown upon her smooth forehead1 was looking at the girl who stood trembling by ,macheson's side4 ,it is ,mr4 ,macheson1 is it not8 she said calmly1 the young man who wanted to convert my villagers4 ,and you--who are you8 she asked1 turning to the girl4 ,letty ,foulton1 if you please1 ma'am1 the girl answered4 ,foulton6 ,letty ,foulton6 ,wilhelmina repeated4 ,yes1 ma'am6 ,my brother has ,onetree farm1 the girl continued4 ,wilhelmina inclined her head4 ,ah1 yes6 she remarked1 ,i remember now4 ,and what do you two want of me at this hour of the night8 she asked frigidly4 ,if you will allow me1 ,i will explain1 ,macheson interrupted eagerly4 ,letty came up from ,thorpe this morning on an excursion train which returned at midnight4 ,wilhelmina glanced at the clock4 ,it was five minutes to one4 ,well8 ,she missed it1 ,macheson continued4 ,it was very careless and very wrong1 of course1 but the fact remains that she missed it4 ,i found her in great distress4 ,she had lost her friends1 and there is no train back to ,thorpe till the morning4 ,her brother and mother are very strict1 and all her friends who came from ,thorpe will1 of course1 know that--she remained in ,london4 ,the position1 as you will doubtless realize1 is a serious one for her4 ,wilhelmina made no sign4 ,nothing in her face answered in any way the silent appeal in his4 ,i happened to know1 he continued1 that you were in ,london1 so ,i ventured to bring her at once to you4 ,you are the mistress of ,thorpe1 and in our recent conversation ,i remember you admitted a certain amount of responsibility as regards your people there4 ,if she passes the night under your roof1 no one can have a word to say4 ,it will save her at once from her parent's anger and the undesirable comments of her neighbours4 ,wilhelmina glanced once more towards the clock4 ,it seems to me1 she remarked1 that a considerable portion of the night has already passed4 ,both ,macheson and the girl were silent4 ,wilhelmina for the first time addressed the latter4 ,where have you been spending the evening8 she asked4 ,we had dinner and went to a place of entertainment1 she faltered4 ,then we had supper1 and ,i found out how late it was4 ,who is we8 ,the girl's face was scarlet4 ,she did not answer4 ,wilhelmina waited for a moment and then shrugged her shoulders4 ,you are to be congratulated1 she said1 with cold irony1 upon your fortunate meeting with ,mr4 ,macheson4 ,she had touched the bell1 and a footman entered4 ,reynolds1 she said1 show this young person into the housekeeper's room1 and ask ,mrs4 ,brown to take charge of her for the night4 ,the girl moved forward impulsively1 but something in ,wilhelmina's expression checked her little speech of gratitude4 ,she followed the man from the room without a word4 ,wilhelmina also turned towards the door4 ,you will excuse me1 she said coldly to ,macheson4 ,i am already later than ,i intended to be4 ,i can only apologize for disturbing you at such an hour1 he answered1 taking up his hat4 ,i could think of nothing else4 ,she looked at him coldly4 ,the girl's parents1 she said1 are respectable people1 and ,i am sheltering her for their sake4 ,but ,i am bound to say that ,i consider her story most unsatisfactory4 ,they were standing in the hall--she had paused on her way out to conclude her sentence4 ,her maid1 holding out a wonderful rose-lined opera cloak1 was standing a few yards away2 a man-servant was waiting at the door with the handle in his hand4 ,she raised her eyes to his1 and ,macheson felt the challenge which flashed out from them4 ,she imagined1 then1 that he had been the girl's companion2 the cold disdain of her manner was in itself an accusation4 ,his cheeks burned with a sort of shame4 ,she had dared to think this of him--and that afterwards he should have brought the girl to her to beg for shelter6 ,there were a dozen things which he ought to have said1 which came flashing from his brain to find themselves somehow imprisoned behind his tightly locked lips4 ,he said nothing4 ,she passed slowly1 almost unwillingly1 down the hall4 ,the maid wrapped her coat around her--still he stood like a statue4 ,he watched her pass through the opened door and enter the electric brougham4 ,he watched it even glide away4 ,then he1 too1 went and joined ,holderness1 who was waiting outside4 ,hail1 succourer of damsels in distress6 ,holderness called out1 producing his cigar-case4 ,jolly glad you got rid of her6 ,it would have meant the waiting-room at ,st4 ,pancras and an all-night sitting4 ,smoke1 my son1 and we will walk home--unless you mind this bit of rain4 ,was her ladyship gracious8 ,she was not1 ,macheson answered grimly1 but she is keeping the girl4 ,i'd like to walk1 he added1 lighting a cigar4 ,a very elegant lady1 ,holderness remarked1 but ,i thought she looked a bit up in the air4 ,did you notice her pearls1 ,victor8 ,macheson nodded4 ,wonderful1 weren't they8 ,yes4 ,she wears them round her neck1 and these--these wear always their shame1 he added1 pushing gently away a woman who clutched at his arm4 ,funny thing1 isn't it8 ,what are they worth8 ,ten thousand pounds1 very likely4 ,a lot of money for gewgaws--to hang upon a woman's body4 ,shall we ever have a revolution in ,london1 do you think1 ,victor8 ,who knows8 ,macheson answered wearily4 ,not a political one1 perhaps1 but the other might come4 ,the sewers underneath are pretty full4 ,they passed along in silence for a few minutes4 ,neither the drizzling rain nor the lateness of the hour could keep away that weary procession of sad1 staring-eyed women1 who seemed to come from every shadow1 and vanish ,heaven knows where4 ,macheson gripped his companion by the arm4 ,holderness1 he cried1 for ,god's sake let's get out of it4 ,i shall choke presently4 ,we'll take a side street4 ,but ,holderness held his arm in a grip of iron4 ,no1 he said1 these are the things which you must feel4 ,i want you to feel them4 ,i mean you to4 ,it's heart-breaking1 ,dick4 ,holderness smiled faintly4 ,i know how you feel1 he declared4 ,i've gone through it myself4 ,you are a ,christian1 aren't you--almost an orthodox ,christian8 ,i am not sure6 ,don't waste your pity1 then1 ,holderness declared4 ,god will look after these4 ,it's the women with the pearl necklaces and the scorn in their eyes who're looking for hell4 ,your friend in the electric brougham1 for instance4 ,can't you see her close her eyes and draw away her skirts if she should brush up against one of these8 ,it's hard to blame her1 ,macheson declared4 ,holderness looked down at him pityingly4 ,man1 he said1 you're a long way down in the valley4 ,you'll have to climb4 ,vice and virtue are little else save relative terms4 ,they number their adherents by accident rather than choice4 ,you mean that it is all a matter of temptation8 ,holderness laughed4 ,they had passed into the land of silent streets4 ,their own rooms were close at hand4 ,wait a little time1 he said4 ,some day you'll understand4 ,,chapter ,,xviii ,,letty',s ,,dilemma ,you are quite sure1 the girl said anxiously1 that ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton wants to see me8 ,you see there's a train at ten o'clock ,i could catch4 ,the housekeeper looked up from the menu she was writing1 and tapped the table impatiently with her pencil4 ,my dear child1 she said1 is it likely ,i should keep you here without orders8 ,we have sent a telegram to your mother1 and you are to wait until the mistress is ready to see you4 ,what time does she generally get down8 ,letty asked4 ,any time1 ,mrs4 ,brown answered1 resuming her task4 ,she was back early last night1 only stayed an hour at the ball1 so she may send for you at any moment4 ,don't fidget about so1 there's a good girl4 ,i'm nervous this morning4 ,we've twenty-four people dining1 and ,i haven't an idea in my head4 ,i'm afraid ,i shall have to send for ,francois4 ,is ,francois the man-cook who comes down to ,thorpe8 ,letty asked4 ,mrs4 ,brown nodded4 ,the chef you should call him1 she answered4 ,a very clever man1 no doubt1 in his way1 but takes a lot of keeping in order4 ,do you have to look after all the servants8 ,letty asked4 ,doesn't ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton ever order anything8 ,mrs4 ,brown looked pityingly at her guest4 ,my dear child1 she said1 ,i doubt if she could tell you to three or four how many servants there are in the house1 and as to ordering anything1 ,i don't suppose such a thought's ever entered into her head4 ,here's ,james coming4 ,perhaps it's a message for you4 ,a footman entered and greeted ,letty kindly4 ,good morning1 young lady6 he said4 ,you are to go into the morning-room at once4 ,letty rose with alacrity4 ,is--is she there8 she asked nervously4 ,she is1 the man answered1 and if ,i were you1 miss1 ,i wouldn't do much more than just answer her questions and skedaddle4 ,i haven't had any conversation with her myself1 but mademoiselle says she's more than a bit off it this morning4 ,slept badly or something4 ,don't frighten the child1 ,james1 ,mrs4 ,brown said reprovingly4 ,she's not likely to say much to you1 my dear4 ,you hurry along1 and come back and have a glass of wine and a biscuit before you go4 ,show her the way1 ,james4 ,if you please1 miss1 the man answered1 becoming once more an automaton4 ,letty was ushered into a small room1 full1 it seemed to her as she entered1 of sunshine and flowers4 ,wilhelmina1 in a plain white-serge gown1 with a string of beads around her neck of some strange-coloured shade of blue1 was sitting in a high-backed easy-chair4 ,a small wood fire was burning in the grate1 filling the room with a pleasant aromatic odour1 and the window leading into the square was thrown wide open4 ,on a table by her side were a pile of letters1 an ivory letter-opener1 several newspapers1 and a silver box of cigarettes4 ,for the moment1 however1 none of these things claimed her attention4 ,the lady of the house was leaning back in her chair1 and her eyes were half closed4 ,if she had not been sitting with her back to the light1 ,letty might have noticed the dark rings under her eyes4 ,it was true that she had not slept well4 ,letty advanced doubtfully into the room4 ,wilhelmina turned her head4 ,oh1 it is you1 she remarked4 ,come up to the table where ,i can see you4 ,mrs4 ,brown told me that you wished to see me before ,i went1 the girl said hesitatingly4 ,wilhelmina was silent for a moment4 ,she was looking at the girl4 ,yes6 she was pretty in a rustic1 uncultured way4 ,her figure was unformed1 her hands and feet what might have been expected1 and it was obvious that she lacked taste4 ,were men really attracted by this sort of thing8 ,yes6 ,wilhelmina said1 ,i wish to speak to you4 ,i am not altogether satisfied about last night4 ,letty said nothing4 ,she went red and then white4 ,wilhelmina's examination of her was merciless4 ,i wish to know1 ,wilhelmina said1 who your companion was--with whom you had dinner and supper4 ,i look upon that person as being responsible for your lost train4 ,letty prayed that she might sink into the ground4 ,her worst imaginings had not been so bad as this4 ,she remained silent1 tongue-tied4 ,i'm waiting1 ,wilhelmina said mercilessly4 ,i suppose it is obvious enough1 but ,i wish to hear from your own lips4 ,i--he--,i don't think that he would like me to tell you1 ma'am1 she faltered4 ,wilhelmina smiled--unpleasantly4 ,probably not1 she answered4 ,that1 however1 is beside the question4 ,i wish to know4 ,the girl was desperate4 ,it was indeed a quandary with her4 ,to offend the mistress of ,thorpe was something like sacrilege1 but she knew very well what ,stephen would have had her do4 ,if you please1 ma'am1 she said at last1 ,i can't4 ,wilhelmina said nothing for a moment1 only her eyebrows were slowly lifted4 ,if you do not1 she said1 calmly1 ,i must write to your mother and tell her what ,i think of your behaviour last night4 ,i do not care to have people near me who are disobedient1 or--foolish4 ,the girl burst into tears4 ,wilhelmina watched her with cold patience4 ,i presume1 she said1 that it was ,mr4 ,macheson4 ,you do not need to mention his name4 ,you need only say ',yes6' ,the girl said nothing4 ,mr4 ,macheson lodged with your mother1 ,i believe8 ,wilhelmina continued4 ,yes6 the girl whispered4 ,and you waited upon him8 ,yes6 ,the girl lifted her head4 ,mr4 ,macheson always behaved like a gentleman to me1 she said4 ,wilhelmina regarded her contemptuously4 ,your ideas of what constitutes gentlemanly behaviour are probably primitive1 she said4 ,i do not think that ,i need trouble you for any direct answer4 ,still1 it would be better for you to give it4 ,the girl was again silent4 ,there was a knock at the door4 ,the footman ushered in ,stephen ,hurd4 ,he entered confident and smiling4 ,he was wearing a new grey tweed suit1 and he was pleased with himself and the summons which had brought him to ,london4 ,but the sight of the girl took his breath away4 ,she1 too1 was utterly taken by surprise1 and forgot herself4 ,stephen6 she exclaimed1 taking a quick step towards him4 ,you6 ,you here6 he answered4 ,it was quite enough6 ,but what puzzled ,letty was that ,wilhelmina did not seem in the least angry4 ,there was a strange look on her face as she looked from one to the other4 ,something had sprung into her eyes which seemed to transform her4 ,her voice1 too1 had lost all its hardness4 ,how do you do1 ,mr4 ,hurd8 she said4 ,i hope you have come to explain how you dared let this child lose her train last night4 ,i--really ,i--it was quite a mistake1 he faltered1 darting an angry glance at ,letty4 ,you had supper with her1 ,wilhelmina said1 and you knew what time the train went4 ,she met some other friends1 ,stephen answered4 ,she left me4 ,wilhelmina smiled4 ,she had found out all that she wanted to know4 ,well1 she said1 ,i won't inquire too closely into it this time1 only ,i hope that nothing of the sort will occur again4 ,you had better have lunch with ,mrs4 ,brown in the housekeeper's room1 ,letty1 and ,i'll send you over to ,st4 ,pancras for the four o'clock train4 ,i'll give you a letter to your mother this time1 but mind1 no more foolishness of this sort4 ,the girl tried to stammer out her thanks1 but she was almost incoherent4 ,wilhelmina dismissed her with a smile4 ,her manner was distinctly colder when she turned to ,hurd4 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said1 ,i hope you will understand me when ,i say that ,i do not care to have my agent1 or any one connected with the estate1 play the ,don ,juan amongst my tenants' daughters4 ,he flushed up to the eyes4 ,it was idiotic of me1 he admitted frankly4 ,i simply meant to give the child a good time4 ,she is quite pretty in her way1 ,wilhelmina said1 and her parents1 ,i believe1 are most respectable people4 ,you were perhaps thinking of settling down8 ,he looked at her in amazement4 ,what1 with ,letty ,foulton6 he exclaimed4 ,why not8 she asked4 ,he drew a breath through his teeth4 ,he could scarcely trust himself to speak for anger4 ,you--are not serious8 he permitted himself to ask4 ,why not8 she demanded4 ,hurd struggled to express himself with dignity4 ,i should not consider such a marriage a suitable one1 even if ,i were thinking of marrying at all1 he said4 ,she raised her eyebrows4 ,no8 ,well1 ,i suppose you know best1 she said carelessly4 ,is there anything fresh down at ,thorpe8 ,she was angry about that fool of a girl1 he told himself4 ,a good sign4 ,but what an actress6 ,his conceit barely kept him up4 ,there really isn't anything ,i couldn't arrange with ,mr4 ,fields1 he admitted4 ,i thought1 perhaps1 as ,i was up1 you might have some special instructions4 ,that is why ,i sent to ask if you would see me4 ,he looked at her almost eagerly4 ,after all1 she was the same woman who had been kind to him at ,thorpe4 ,and yet1 was she8 ,a sudden thought startled him4 ,she was changed4 ,had she guessed that he knew her secret8 ,no6 she said deliberately4 ,i do not think that there is anything4 ,if you could find out ,mr4 ,macheson's address ,i should be much obliged4 ,hurd was puzzled4 ,this was the second time4 ,what could she have to say to ,macheson8 ,he was here last night1 but ,i forgot to ask him1 she continued equably4 ,macheson1 here6 he exclaimed4 ,it was he who brought the girl1 ,letty1 she said4 ,he was silent for a moment4 ,he's a queer lot1 he said4 ,came to ,thorpe1 of all places1 as a sort of missioner1 and he was about town last night most immaculately got up2 nothing of the parson about him1 ,i can assure you4 ,no6 she answered quietly4 ,well1 if you can discover his address1 remember ,i should be glad to hear it4 ,he took up his hat reluctantly4 ,he had hoped at least that he might have been asked to luncheon4 ,it was obvious1 however1 that he was expected to depart1 and he did so4 ,on the whole1 although he had escaped from an exceedingly awkward situation1 he could scarcely consider his visit a success4 ,on his way out he passed ,deyes1 stepping out of a cab piled up with luggage4 ,he nodded to ,hurd in a friendly manner4 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton in8 he asked4 ,just left her1 ,hurd answered4 ,deyes passed on1 and was received by the butler as a favoured guest4 ,he was shown at once into the morning-room4 ,,chapter ,,xix ,a ,,report ,,from ,,paris ,for the first time in my life1 ,deyes declared1 accepting the cigarette and the easy-chair1 ,i have appreciated ,paris4 ,i have gone there as a tourist4 ,i have drunk strange drinks at the ,cafe de la ,paix4 ,i have sat upon the boulevards and ogled the obvious lady4 ,and my little guide8 she asked4 ,has disappeared6 he answered4 ,since when8 ,a month ago6 ,it is reported that he came to ,england4 ,wilhelmina sat still for several moments4 ,to a casual observer she might have seemed unmoved4 ,deyes1 however1 was watching her closely1 and he understood4 ,i am sorry1 he said1 to have so little to tell you4 ,but that is the beginning and the end of it4 ,the man had gone away4 ,that is precisely what ,i desired to ascertain1 she said4 ,it seemed to me possible that the man had come to ,england4 ,i wished to know for certain whether it was true or not4 ,i think1 ,deyes said1 withdrawing his cigarette and looking at it thoughtfully1 that it is true4 ,you have any further reason for thinking so1 she asked1 beyond your casual inquiries8 ,well1 yes6 he admitted4 ,i went a little farther than those casual inquiries4 ,it seemed such a meagre report to bring you4 ,go on6 ,the ordinary person1 he continued smoothly1 would never believe the extreme difficulty with which one collects any particulars as to the home life of a guide4 ,more than once ,i felt inclined to give up the task in despair4 ,it seemed to me that a guide could have no home1 that he must sleep in odd moments on a bench at the ,hotel de ,luxe4 ,i tried to fancy a guide in the bosom of his family1 carving a ,sunday joint1 and surrounded by ,mrs4 ,guide and the little ,guides4 ,i couldn't do it4 ,it seemed to me somehow grotesque4 ,just as ,i was giving it up in despair1 the commissionaire at a night cafe in ,montmartre told me exactly what ,i wanted to know4 ,he showed me the house where ,johnny1 as they called him1 had a room4 ,you went there8 she asked4 ,i did1 he answered4 ,it was locked up8 ,on the contrary1 he declared1 ,mrs4 or ,miss ,guide was at home1 and very pleased to see me4 ,there was a woman there8 ,assuredly4 ,whether she is there now or not ,i cannot say1 for it is three days ago1 and to me she seemed nearer than that to death6 ,and about this woman6 ,what was she like8 ,was she his wife or his daughter8 ,he called her his daughter4 ,i am not sure about the relationship4 ,she had been good-looking1 ,i should say1 but she was very ill4 ,what did she tell you--about the man ,johnson8 ,that he had gone to ,england to try to get some money4 ,they were almost destitute6 ,he was a good guide1 she said1 but people came so often to ,paris1 and they liked some one fresh4 ,then she coughed--how she coughed6 ,did she tell you to what part of ,england the man ,johnson had gone8 ,i asked her1 but she was not sure4 ,i do not believe that she knew4 ,she said that there was some one in ,england who was very rich1 and from whom he hoped to be able to get money4 ,anything else8 ,no6 ,i spoke of myself as an old client of ,johnny's1 and ,i left money4 ,afterwards1 at the cafe where ,i lunched1 ,i found a commissionaire who told me more about our friend4 ,ah6 ,what was the name of the cafe8 ,the ,cafe de ,paris6 ,she took up a screen and held it before her face4 ,there seemed to be little need of it1 however1 for her cheeks were as pale as the white roses by her side4 ,this man ,johnny1 as they call him1 ,deyes continued1 seems to have had his ups and downs4 ,one big stroke of luck he had1 however1 which seems to have kept him going for several years4 ,the commissionaire was able to tell me something about it4 ,shall ,i go on8 he asked1 dropping his voice a little4 ,i should like to know what the commissionaire told you1 she answered4 ,somehow or other this fellow1 ,johnny or ,johnson as some of them called him1 was recommended to a young lady1 a very young lady1 who was in ,paris with an invalid chaperon4 ,stop6 she cried4 ,he looked at her fixedly4 ,you were that young lady1 he said softly4 ,of course1 ,i know that6 ,i was1 she admitted4 ,don't speak to me for a few moments4 ,it was years ago--but---- ,she bent the screen which she held in her hand until the handle snapped4 ,you seem1 she said1 to have rather exceeded your instructions4 ,i simply wanted to know whether the man was in ,paris or not4 ,he bowed4 ,the man is in ,england1 he said4 ,don't you think it might be helpful if you gave me more of your confidence1 and told me why you wanted to hear about him8 ,she shook her head4 ,i would sooner tell you than any one1 ,gilbert1 she said1 but ,i do not want to talk about it4 ,it must be as you will1 of course1 he answered1 but ,i hope you will always remember that you could do me no greater kindness--at any time--than to make use of my services4 ,i do not know everything of what happened in ,paris--about that time4 ,i do not wish to know4 ,i am content to serve you--blindly4 ,i will not forget that1 she said softly4 ,if ever the necessity comes ,i will remind you4 ,there6 ,let that be the end of it4 ,she changed the subject1 giving him to understand that she did not wish to discuss it further4 ,you are for ,marienbad1 as usual8 she asked4 ,next week1 he answered4 ,one goes from habit1 ,i suppose4 ,no waters upon the earth or under it will ever cure me6 ,liver8 she asked4 ,heart6 he declared4 ,you shouldn't smoke so many cigarettes4 ,harmless1 he assured her4 ,i don't inhale4 ,i think1 she said1 that ,i shall come over next month4 ,do6 he begged4 ,i'll answer for the bridge4 ,may ,i come and lunch to-morrow8 ,she turned to a red morocco book by her side4 ,a bishop and ,lady ,sarah1 she said4 ,several more parsons1 and ,i think the duchess4 ,i'll face 'em1 he declared4 ,i think ,i shall send for ,peggy1 ,wilhelmina said4 ,she is always so sweet to the ,church4 ,deyes grinned4 ,i shall go round and look her up1 he declared4 ,perhaps she'll come and have lunch with me somewhere4 ,she held out her hand4 ,you're a good sort to have gone over for me1 she said4 ,the things you tumbled up against you'd better forget4 ,until you remind me of them1 he said4 ,very well1 ,i'll do that4 ,sorry ,i didn't run ,johnny to earth4 ,he went off1 and ,wilhelmina after a few minutes went to her desk and wrote a letter to ,stephen ,hurd4 ,as usual1 she wrote1 when you were here this morning ,i forgot to mention several matters upon which ,i meant to speak to you4 ,the first is with regard to the man whose brutal assault upon your father caused his death4 ,i understand that the police have never traced him1 have never even found the slightest clue to his whereabouts4 ,the more ,i think of this1 the more strange it seems to me1 and ,i am inclined to believe that he never1 after all1 escaped from the wood in which he first took shelter4 ,i know that the slate quarry was dragged at the time1 but ,i have been told that this was hastily done1 and that there are several very deep holes into which the man's body may have drifted4 ,i wish you1 therefore1 to send over to ,nottingham to get some experienced men to bring back the drags and make an exhaustive search4 ,please have this done without delay4 ,further1 ,i wish to communicate with the young man ,macheson1 who was in ,thorpe at the time4 ,they may know his address at the post-office1 but if you are unable to procure it in any other way1 you must advertise in your own name4 ,please carry out my instructions in these two matters immediately4 ,wilhelmina laid down her pen and looked thoughtfully through the window into the square4 ,a policeman was coming slowly along the pavement4 ,she watched him approach and pass the house1 his eyes still fixed in front of him1 his whole appearance stolid and matter-of-fact to the last degree4 ,she watched him disappear with fascinated eyes4 ,after all1 he represented great things2 behind him was a whole national code2 the machinery of which he was so small a part drove the wheels of life or death4 ,she turned away from the window with a shrug of the shoulders4 ,humming a tune1 she threw herself back in her chair1 and began the leisurely perusal of her letters4 ,,chapter ,,xx ,,like ,a ,,trapped ,,animal ,macheson in those days felt himself rapidly growing older4 ,an immeasurable gap seemed to lie between him and the eager young apostle who had plunged so light-heartedly into the stress of life4 ,all that wonderful enthusiasm1 that undaunted courage with which he had faced coldness and ridicule in the earlier days of his self-chosen vocation seemed to have left him4 ,some way1 somehow1 he seemed to have suffered shipwreck6 ,there was poison in his system6 ,fight against it as he might--and he did fight--there were moments when memory turned the life which he had taken up so solemnly into the maddest1 most fantastic fairy story4 ,at such times his blood ran riot1 the sweetness of a strange1 unknown world seemed to be calling to him across the forbidden borders4 ,inaction wearied him horribly--and1 after all1 it was inaction which ,holderness had recommended as the best means of re-establishing himself in a saner and more normal attitude towards life6 ,look round a bit1 old chap1 he advised1 and think4 ,don't do anything in a hurry4 ,you're young1 shockingly young for any effective work4 ,you can't teach before you understand4 ,life isn't such a sink of iniquity as you young prigs at ,oxford professed to find it4 ,see the best of it and the worst4 ,you'll be able to put your finger on the weak spots quick enough4 ,but the process of looking around wearied ,macheson excessively--or was it something else which had crept into his blood to his immense unsettlement8 ,there were several philanthropic schemes started by himself and his college friends in full swing now1 in or about ,london4 ,to each of them he paid some attention1 studying its workings1 listening to the enthusiastic outpourings of his quondam friends and doing his best to catch at least some spark of their interest4 ,but it was all very unsatisfactory4 ,deep down in his heart he felt the insistent craving for some fiercer excitement1 some mode of life which should make larger and deeper demands upon his emotional temperament4 ,a heroic war would have appealed to him instantly--for that1 he realized with a sigh1 he was born many centuries too late4 ,for weeks he wandered about ,london in a highly unsatisfied condition4 ,then one afternoon1 in the waning of a misty ,october day1 he came face to face with ,wilhelmina in ,bond ,street4 ,she was stepping into her motor brougham when she saw him4 ,he had no opportunity for escape1 even if he had desired it4 ,her tired lips were suddenly curved into a most bewildering smile4 ,she withdrew her hand from her muff and offered it to him--for the first time4 ,so you are still in ,london1 ,mr4 ,macheson1 she said4 ,i am very glad to see you4 ,the words were unlike her1 the tone was such as he had never heard her use4 ,do what he could1 he could not help the answering light which sprang into his own eyes4 ,i am still in ,london1 he said4 ,i thought you were to go to ,marienbad8 ,i left it until it was too late1 she answered4 ,walk a little way with me1 she added abruptly4 ,i should like to talk to you4 ,if ,i may1 he answered simply4 ,she dismissed the brougham1 and they moved on4 ,i am sorry1 she began1 that ,i was rude to you when you brought that girl to me4 ,you did exactly what was nice and kind1 and ,i was hateful4 ,please forgive me4 ,of course1 he answered simply4 ,i felt sure that when you thought it over you would understand4 ,you are not going back--to ,thorpe8 she asked4 ,not at present1 at any rate1 he answered4 ,she looked up at him with a faint smile4 ,you can have the barn1 she said4 ,his eyes answered her smile1 but his tone was grave4 ,i have given that up--for a little time1 at any rate1 he said4 ,i mean that particular sort of work4 ,my villagers must content themselves with ,mr4 ,vardon1 then1 she remarked4 ,he nodded4 ,perhaps1 he said1 ours was a mistaken enterprise4 ,i am not sure4 ,but at any rate1 so far as ,thorpe is concerned1 ,i have abandoned it for the present4 ,she was walking close to his side1 so close that the hand which raised her skirt as they crossed the street touched his1 and her soft breath as she leaned over and spoke fell upon his cheek4 ,why8 ,he felt the insidious meaning of her whispered monosyllable1 he felt her eyes striving to make him look at her4 ,his cheeks were flushed1 but he looked steadily ahead4 ,there were several reasons1 he said4 ,do tell me1 she begged2 ,i am curious4 ,for one1 he said steadily1 ,i did an unjust thing at ,thorpe4 ,i sheltered a criminal and helped him to escape4 ,so it was you who did that1 she remarked4 ,you mean1 of course1 the man who killed ,mr4 ,hurd8 ,yes6 he answered4 ,i showed him where to hide4 ,he either got clean away1 or he is lying at the bottom of the slate quarry4 ,in either case1 ,i am responsible for him4 ,well1 she said1 he is not at the bottom of the slate quarry4 ,i can at least assure you of that4 ,i have had the place dragged1 and every foot of it gone over by experienced men from ,nottingham4 ,really1 he said1 surprised4 ,well1 ,i am glad of it4 ,she sighed4 ,i want you1 if you can1 she said1 to describe the man to me4 ,it is not altogether curiosity4 ,i have a reason for wishing to know what he was like4 ,he was in such a state of panic1 ,macheson said doubtfully1 that ,i am afraid ,i have only an imperfect impression of him4 ,he was not very tall1 he had a round face1 cheeks that were generally1 ,i should think1 rather high-coloured1 brown eyes and dark hair1 almost black4 ,he wore a thick gold ring on the finger of one hand1 and although he spoke good ,english1 ,i got the idea somehow that he was either a foreigner or had lived abroad4 ,he was in a terrible state of fear1 and from what ,i could gather1 ,i should say that he struck old ,mr4 ,hurd in a scuffle1 and not with any deliberate intention of hurting him4 ,she nodded4 ,i have heard all that ,i want to1 she declared4 ,they walked on in silence for several minutes4 ,then she turned to him with a shrug of the shoulders4 ,the subject1 she declared1 is dismissed4 ,i did not ask you to walk with me to discuss such unpleasant things4 ,i should like to know about yourself4 ,he sighed4 ,about myself1 he answered1 there is nothing to tell4 ,there isn't in the whole of ,london a more unsatisfactory person4 ,she laughed softly4 ,such delightful humility1 she murmured1 especially amongst the young1 is too touching4 ,nevertheless1 go on4 ,it amuses me to hear4 ,the note of imperiousness in her tone was pleasantly reminiscent4 ,it was the first reminder he had received of the great lady of ,thorpe4 ,well1 he said1 what do you want to know8 ,everything1 she answered4 ,i am possessed by a most unholy curiosity4 ,your relatives for instance1 and where you were born4 ,he shook his head4 ,i have no relatives1 he answered4 ,i was born in ,australia4 ,i am an orphan1 twenty-eight years old1 and feel forty-eight1 no profession1 no settled purpose in life4 ,i am ,japhet in search of a career4 ,she glanced at his shabby clothes4 ,he had been to a mission-house in the ,east ,end4 ,you are poor8 she asked softly4 ,i have enough1 more than enough1 he answered1 to live on4 ,her eyes lingered upon his clothes1 but he offered no explanation4 ,enough to live on1 she reflected1 might mean anything6 ,you say that you have no profession1 she remarked4 ,i suppose you would call it a vocation4 ,but why did you want to come and preach to my villagers at ,thorpe8 ,why didn't you go into the ,church if you cared for that sort of thing8 ,there was a certain amount of dogma in the way1 he answered4 ,i should make but a poor ,churchman4 ,they would probably call me a free-thinker4 ,besides1 ,i wanted my independence4 ,she nodded4 ,i am beginning to understand a little better1 she said4 ,now you must tell me this4 ,why did you entertain the idea of mission work in a place like ,thorpe1 when the whole of that awful ,east ,end was there waiting for you8 ,all the world of reformers1 he answered1 rushes to the ,east ,end4 ,we fancied there was as important work to be done in less obvious places4 ,and you started your work1 she asked1 directly you left college8 ,before1 ,i think1 he answered4 ,you see1 ,i wasn't alone4 ,there were several of us who felt the same way--,holderness1 for instance1 the man who came to your house with me the other night4 ,he works altogether upon the political side4 ,he's a ,socialist--of a sort4 ,two of the others went into the ,church1 one became a medical missionary4 ,i joined in with a few who thought that we might do more effective work without tying ourselves down to anything1 or subscribing to any religious denomination4 ,she looked at him curiously4 ,he was tall1 broad-shouldered and muscular4 ,he wore even his shabby clothes with an air of distinction4 ,i suppose1 she said calmly1 that ,i must belong to a very different world4 ,but what ,i cannot understand is why you should choose a career which you intend to pursue apparently for the benefit of other people4 ,all the young men whom ,i have known who have taken life seriously enough to embrace a career at all1 have at least studied their individual tastes4 ,well1 he answered1 smiling1 it isn't that ,i fancy myself any better than my fellows4 ,i was at ,magdalen1 you know1 under ,heysey4 ,i think that it was his influence which shaped our ideas4 ,yes6 ,i have heard of him1 she said thoughtfully4 ,he was a good man4 ,at least every one says so4 ,i'm afraid ,i don't know much about good men myself4 ,most of those whom ,i have met have been the other sort4 ,the faint bitterness of her tone troubled him4 ,there was deliberation1 too1 in her words4 ,instinctively he knew that this was no idle speech4 ,you have asked me1 he reminded her1 a good many questions4 ,i wonder if ,i might be permitted to ask you one8 ,why not8 ,i can reserve the privilege of not answering it1 she remarked4 ,people call you a fortunate woman1 he said4 ,you are very rich1 you have a splendid home1 the choice of your own friends1 a certain reputation--forgive me if ,i quote from a society paper--as a brilliant and popular woman of the world4 ,yours is rather a unique position1 isn't it8 ,i wonder1 he added1 whether you are satisfied with what you get out of life6 ,i get all that there is to be got1 she answered1 a slight hardness creeping into her tone4 ,it mayn't be much1 but it amuses me--sometimes4 ,he shook his head4 ,there is more to be got out of life1 he said1 than a little amusement4 ,she shrugged her shoulders4 ,how about yourself8 ,you haven't exactly the appearance of a perfectly contented being4 ,i'm hideously dissatisfied1 he admitted promptly4 ,something seems to have gone wrong with me--,i seem to have become a looker-on at life4 ,i want to take a hand1 and ,i can't4 ,there doesn't seem to be any place for me4 ,of course1 it's only a phase1 he continued4 ,i shall settle down into something presently4 ,but it's rather beastly while it lasts4 ,she looked at him1 her eyes soft with laughter4 ,somehow his confession seemed to have delighted her4 ,i'm glad you are human enough to have phases1 she declared4 ,i was beginning to be afraid that you might turn out to be just an ordinary superior person4 ,perhaps you are also human enough to drink tea and eat muffins4 ,try1 won't you8 ,they were in front of her door1 which flew immediately open4 ,she either took his consent for granted1 or chose not to risk his refusal1 for she went on ahead1 and his faint protests were unheard4 ,his hat and stick passed into the care of an elderly person in plain black clothes2 with scarcely an effort at resistance1 he found himself following her down the hall4 ,she stopped before a small wrought-iron gate1 which a footman at once threw open4 ,it makes one feel as though one were in a hotel1 doesn't it8 she remarked1 but ,i hate stairs4 ,besides1 ,i am going to take you a long1 long way up4444 ,i am not at home this afternoon1 ,groves4 ,very good1 madam1 the man answered4 ,they stepped out into a smaller hall4 ,a dark-featured young woman came hurrying forward to meet them4 ,i shall not need you1 ,annette1 ,wilhelmina said4 ,go down and see that they send up tea for two1 and telephone to ,lady ,margaret--say ,i'm sorry that ,i cannot call for her this afternoon4 ,parfaitement1 madame1 the girl murmured1 and hurried away4 ,wilhelmina opened the door of a sitting-room--the most wonderful apartment ,macheson had ever seen4 ,a sudden nervousness seized him4 ,he felt his knees shaking1 his heart began to thump1 his brain to swim4 ,all at once he realized where he was6 ,it was not the lady of ,thorpe1 this6 ,it was the woman who had come to him with the storm1 the woman who had set burning the flame which had driven him into a new world4 ,he looked around half wildly6 ,he felt suddenly like a trapped animal4 ,it was no place for him1 this bower of roses and cushions1 and all the voluptuous appurtenances of a chamber subtly and irresistibly feminine6 ,he was bereft of words1 awkward1 embarrassed4 ,he longed passionately to escape4 ,wilhelmina closed the door and raised her veil4 ,she laid her two hands upon his shoulders1 and looked up at him with a faint but very tender smile4 ,her forehead was slightly wrinkled1 her fingers seemed to cling to him1 so that her very touch was like a caress6 ,his heart began to beat madly4 ,the perfume of her clothes1 her hair1 the violets at her bosom1 were like a new and delicious form of intoxication4 ,the touch of her fingers became more insistent4 ,she was drawing his face down to hers4 ,i wonder1 she murmured1 whether you remember6 ,,book ,,ii ,,chapter ,i ,,rather ,a ,,ghastly ,,part ,mademoiselle ,rosine raised her glass4 ,her big black eyes flashed unutterable things across the pink roses4 ,i think1 she said1 that we drink the good health of our host1 ,meester ,macheson1 ,meester ,victor1 is it not8 ,bravo6 declared a pallid-looking youth1 her neighbour at the round supper table4 ,by ,jove1 if we were at the ,cote d',or instead of the ,warwick1 we'd give him musical honours4 ,i drink1 ,macheson declared1 to all of us who know how to live6 ,jules1 another magnum1 and look sharp4 ,certainly1 sir1 the man answered4 ,there flashed a quick look of intelligence between the waiter and a maitre d'hotel who was lingering near4 ,the latter hesitated for a moment1 and then nodded4 ,it was a noisy party and none too reputable1 but a magnum of champagne was an order4 ,they were likely to make more noise still if they didn't get it4 ,so the wine was brought1 and more toasts were drunk4 ,mademoiselle ,rosine's eyes flashed softer things than ever across the table1 but she had the disadvantage of distance4 ,ella ,merriam1 the latest ,american importation1 held the place of honour next ,macheson1 and she was now endeavouring to possess herself of his hand under the table4 ,i say1 ,macheson1 how is it none of us ever ran up against you before8 young ,davenant demanded1 leaning back in his chair4 ,never set eyes on you myself1 from the day you left ,magdalen till ,i ran up against you at the ,alhambra the other evening4 ,awfully studious chap ,macheson was at college1 he added to the ,american girl4 ,thought us chaps no end of rotters because we used to go the pace a bit4 ,that's so1 isn't it1 ,macheson8 ,macheson nodded4 ,it is only the young who are really wise1 he declared coolly4 ,as we grow older we make fools of ourselves inevitably1 either fools or beasts1 according to our proclivities4 ,then we begin to enjoy ourselves4 ,the girl by his side laughed4 ,i guess you don't mean that1 she said4 ,it sounds smart1 but it's real horrid4 ,how old are you1 ,mr4 ,macheson8 ,older than ,i look and younger than ,i feel1 he answered1 gazing into his empty glass4 ,have you found what you call your proclivities8 she asked4 ,i am searching for them1 ,macheson answered4 ,the trouble is one doesn't know whether to dig or to climb4 ,why should one search at all8 the other man asked1 drawing out a gold cigarette case from his trousers pocket1 and carefully selecting a cigarette4 ,life comes easiest to those who go blindfold4 ,i've got a brother1 private secretary to a ,member of ,parliament4 ,he's got views about things1 and he makes an awful fag of life4 ,what's the good of it6 ,he'll be an old man before he's made up his mind which way he wants to go4 ,this sort of thing's good enough for me6 ,the magnum had arrived1 and ,macheson lifted a foaming glass4 ,davenant1 he declared1 you are a philosopher4 ,we will drink to life as it comes6 ,to life--as it comes6 ,they none of them noticed the little break in his voice4 ,a party of newcomers claimed their attention4 ,macheson1 too1 had seen them4 ,he had seen her4 ,like a ghost at the feast1 he sat quite motionless1 his glass half raised in the air1 the colour gone from his cheeks1 his eyes set in a hard fast stare4 ,wilhelmina1 in a plain black velvet gown1 with a rope of pearls about her neck1 her dark hair simply arranged about her pallid1 distinguished face1 was passing down the room1 followed closely by the ,earl of ,westerdean1 ,deyes1 and ,lady ,peggy4 ,her first impulse had been to stop2 a light sprang into her eyes1 and a delicate spot of colour burned in her cheeks4 ,then her eyes fell upon his companions2 she realized his surroundings4 ,the colour went3 the momentary hesitation was gone4 ,she passed on without recognition2 ,lady ,peggy1 after a curious glance1 did the same4 ,she whispered and laughed in ,deyes' ear as they seated themselves at an adjacent table4 ,he looked round behind her back and nodded1 but ,macheson did not appear to see him4 ,a momentary constraint fell upon the little party4 ,the ,american young lady leaned over to ask ,davenant who the newcomers were4 ,the elder man1 he said1 is the ,earl of ,westerdean1 and the pretty fair woman ,lady ,margaret ,penshore4 ,the other woman is a ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton4 ,macheson probably knows more about them than ,i do6 ,macheson ignored the remark4 ,he whispered something in his neighbour's ear1 which made her laugh heartily4 ,the temporary check to their merriment passed away4 ,macheson was soon laughing and talking as much as any of them4 ,supper1 he declared1 would be the most delightful meal of the day in any other country except ,england4 ,in a quarter of an hour the lights will be out4 ,but it is barbarous1 ,mademoiselle ,rosine declared4 ,ah6 ,monsieur ,macheson1 you should come to ,paris6 ,there it is that one may enjoy oneself4 ,i will come1 ,macheson answered1 whenever you will take me4 ,she clapped her hands4 ,agreed1 she cried4 ,i have finished rehearsing4 ,i have a week's 'vacance4' ,we will go to ,paris to-morrow1 all four of us6 ,i'm on1 ,davenant declared promptly4 ,i was going anyway in a week or two4 ,mademoiselle ,rosine clapped her hands again4 ,bravo6 she cried4 ,and you1 ,mademoiselle8 ,the girl hesitated4 ,she glanced at ,macheson4 ,we will both come1 ,macheson declared4 ,miss ,merriam will do me the honour to go as my guest4 ,we'll stay at the ,vivandiere1 ,davenant said4 ,i've a pal there who knows the ropes right up to date4 ,what about the two-twenty to-morrow8 ,we shall get there in time to change and have supper at ,noyeau's4 ,and afterwards--au ,rat ,mort---- ,mademoiselle ,rosine cried4 ,we will drink a glass of champagne with cher ,monsieur ,francois4 ,davenant raised his glass4 ,one more toast1 then1 before the bally lights go out6 he exclaimed4 ,to ,paris--and our trip6 ,some one touched ,macheson on the arm4 ,he turned sharply round4 ,deyes was standing there4 ,tall and immaculately attired1 there was something a little ghostly in the pallor of his worn1 beardless face1 with its many wrinkles and tired eyes4 ,forgive me for interrupting you1 my dear fellow1 he said4 ,we are having our coffee outside1 just on the left there4 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton wants you to stop for a moment on your way out4 ,macheson hesitated perceptibly4 ,a dull flush of colour stained his cheek1 fading away almost immediately4 ,he set his teeth hard4 ,i shall be very happy1 he said1 to stop for a second4 ,deyes bowed and turned away4 ,the room now was almost in darkness1 and the people were streaming out into the foyer4 ,macheson paid the bill and followed in the wake of the others4 ,seeing him approach alone1 ,wilhelmina welcomed him with a smile1 and drew her skirts on one side to make room for him to sit down4 ,he glanced doubtfully around4 ,she raised her eyebrows4 ,your friends1 she said1 are in no hurry4 ,they can spare you for a moment4 ,there was nothing in her tone to indicate any surprise at finding him there1 or in such company4 ,she made a few casual remarks in her somewhat languid fashion1 and recalled him to the recollection of ,lady ,peggy1 who was to all appearance flirting desperately with ,lord ,westerdean4 ,deyes had strolled across to a neighbouring group1 and was talking to a well-known actor4 ,wilhelmina leaned towards him4 ,has it ever occurred to you1 she asked quietly1 that you left me a little abruptly the other afternoon8 ,his eyes blazed into hers4 ,he found it hard to emulate the quiet restraint of her tone and manner4 ,it was a trick which he had never cultivated1 never inherited1 this playing with the passions in kid gloves1 this muzzling and harnessing of the emotions4 ,you know why1 he said4 ,she inclined her head ever so slightly to where his late companions were seated4 ,and this8 she asked4 ,am ,i responsible for this1 too8 ,he laughed shortly4 ,it would never have occurred to me to suggest such a thing1 he declared4 ,i am amusing myself a little4 ,why not8 ,are you8 she asked calmly4 ,her eyes drew his4 ,he almost fancied that the quiver at the corners of her lips was of mirth4 ,somehow1 she continued1 ,i am not sure of that4 ,i watched you now and then in there4 ,it seemed to me that you were playing a part--rather a ghastly part6 ,there's nothing so wearisome1 you know1 as pretending to enjoy yourself4 ,i had a headache to-night1 he said1 frowning4 ,she bent towards him4 ,is it better now8 she whispered1 smiling4 ,he threw out his hands with a quick fierce gesture4 ,it was well that the great room was wrapped in the mysterious obscurity of semi-darkness1 and that every one was occupied with the business of farewells4 ,he sprang to his feet4 ,i am going1 he said thickly4 ,my friends are expecting me4 ,she shook her head4 ,those are not your friends1 she said4 ,you know very well that they never could be4 ,you can go and wish them good night4 ,you are going to see me home4 ,no6 he declared4 ,if you please1 she begged softly4 ,he crossed the room unsteadily1 and made his excuses with the best grace he could4 ,mademoiselle ,rosine made a wry face4 ,miss ,ella laid her fingers upon his arm and looked anxiously up at him4 ,say you won't disappoint us to-morrow1 she said4 ,it's all fixed up about ,paris1 isn't it8 ,two-twenty from ,charing ,cross4 ,yes6 he answered4 ,i will let you know if anything turns up4 ,they all stood around him4 ,davenant laid his hand upon his shoulder4 ,look here1 old chap1 he said1 no backing out4 ,we've promised the girls1 and we mustn't disappoint them4 ,monsieur ,macheson would not be so cruel1 ,mademoiselle ,rosine pleaded4 ,he has promised1 and ,englishmen never break their workd4 ,is it not so8 ,a party of four1 yes6 that is very well4 ,but alone with ,herbert here ,i could not go4 ,if you do not come1 all is spoilt6 ,is it not so1 my friends8 ,rather6 ,davenant declared4 ,the other girl's fingers tightened upon his arm4 ,don't go away now1 she whispered4 ,come round to my flat and we'll all talk it over4 ,i will sing you my new song4 ,i'm crazy about it4 ,macheson detached himself as well as he could4 ,i must leave you now1 he declared4 ,i can assure you that ,i mean to come to-morrow4 ,he hurried after ,wilhelmina1 who was saying good night to her friends4 ,a few minutes later they were being whirled westwards in her brougham4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,playing ,,with ,,fire ,and now1 she said1 throwing herself into an easy-chair and taking up a fan1 we can talk4 ,he refused the chair which she had motioned him to wheel up to the fire4 ,he stood glowering down upon her1 pale1 stern1 yet not wholly master of himself4 ,against the sombre black of her dress1 her neck and bosom shone like alabaster4 ,she played with her pearls1 and looked up at him with that faint maddening curl of the lips which he so loved and so hated4 ,so you won't sit down4 ,i wonder why a man always feels that he can bully a woman so much better standing up4 ,there is no question of bullying you1 he answered shortly4 ,you are responsible for my coming here4 ,what is it that you want with me8 ,suppose1 she murmured1 looking up at him1 that ,i were to say--another kiss6 ,suppose1 on the other hand1 he answered roughly1 you were to tell me the truth4 ,she sighed gently4 ,you jump so rapidly at conclusions1 she declared4 ,are you sure that it would not be the truth6 ,if it were1 he began fiercely4 ,if it were1 she interrupted1 well8 ,i would rather kiss ,mademoiselle ,rosine or whatever her name is1 he said4 ,i would sooner go out into the street and kiss the first woman ,i met4 ,she shook her head4 ,what an impossible person you are6 she murmured4 ,of course1 ,i don't believe you4 ,he shrugged his shoulders1 and glanced at the clock4 ,are you going to keep me here long8 he asked roughly4 ,i am going to ,paris to-morrow1 and ,i have to pack my clothes4 ,to ,paris8 ,with ,mademoiselle ,rosine8 ,yes6 ,she laughed softly4 ,oh6 ,i think not1 she declared4 ,that sort of thing wouldn't amuse you a bit4 ,we shall see6 he muttered4 ,i am sure that you will not go1 she repeated4 ,why not8 he demanded4 ,because--,i beg you not to6 ,you6 he exclaimed4 ,you6 ,do you think that ,i am another of those creatures of straw and putty1 to dance to your whims1 to be whistled to your heel1 to be fed with stray kisses1 and an occasional kind word8 ,i think not6 ,if ,i am to go to the ,devil1 ,i will go my own way4 ,you inconsistent creature6 she said4 ,why not mine8 ,i'll take my soul with me1 such as it is1 he answered4 ,i'll not make away with it while my feet are on the earth4 ,do you know that you are really a very extraordinary person8 she said4 ,what ,i am you are responsible for1 he answered4 ,i was all right when you first knew me4 ,i may have been ignorant1 perhaps1 but at any rate ,i was sincere4 ,i had a conscience and an ideal4 ,oh6 ,i suppose you found me very amusing--a missioner who thought it worth while to give a part of his life to help his fellows climb a few steps higher up4 ,what devil was it that sent you stealing down the lane that night from your house1 ,i wonder8 ,she nodded slowly4 ,i'm sorry you can speak of it like that1 she said4 ,to me it was the most delightful piece of sentiment6 ,almost like a poem6 ,a poem6 ,it was the ,devil's own poetry you breathed into me6 ,what a poor mad fool ,i became6 ,you saw how easily ,i gave my work up1 how ,i sulked up to ,london1 fighting with it all the time1 with this madness--this---- ,dear me1 she said1 what an ,adam you are6 ,my dear ,victor1 isn't it--you are very1 very young4 ,there is no need for you to manufacture a huge tragedy out of a woman's kiss4 ,what else is it but a tragedy1 he demanded1 the kiss that is a lie--or worse8 ,you brought me here1 you let me hold you in my arms1 you filled my brain with mad thoughts1 you drove everything good and worth having out of life1 you filled it with what8 ,yourself6 ,and then--you pat me on the cheek and tell me to come1 and be kissed some other day1 when you feel in the humour1 a wet afternoon1 perhaps1 or when you are feeling bored1 and want to hunt up a few new emotions6 ,it may be the way with you and your kind4 ,i call it hellish6 ,well1 she said1 tell me exactly what it is that you want8 ,to be laughed at--as you did before8 he answered fiercely4 ,never mind4 ,it was the truth4 ,you have lain in my arms1 you came willingly1 your lips have been mine6 ,you belong to me6 ,to be quite explicit1 she murmured1 you think ,i ought to marry you4 ,yes6 he declared firmly4 ,a kiss is a promise6 ,you seem to want to live as a 'poseuse1' to make playthings of your emotions and mine4 ,i wanted to build up my life firmly1 to make it a stable and a useful thing4 ,you came and wrecked it1 and you won't even help me to rebuild4 ,let us understand one another thoroughly1 she said4 ,your complaint is1 then1 that ,i will not marry you8 ,the word1 the surprising1 amazing word1 left her lips again so calmly that ,macheson was staggered a little1 confused by its marvellous significance4 ,he was thrown off his balance1 and she smiled as a wrestler who has tripped his adversary4 ,henceforth she expected to find him easier to deal with4 ,you know--that it is not that--altogether1 he faltered4 ,what is it that you want then8 she asked calmly4 ,there are not many men in the world who have kissed--even my hand4 ,there are fewer still--whom ,i have kissed4 ,i thought that ,i had been rather kind to you4 ,kind6 he threw out his arms with a despairing gesture4 ,you call it kindness1 the drop of magic you pour into a man's veins1 the touch of your body1 the breath of your lips vouchsafed for a second1 the elixir of a new life4 ,what is it to you8 ,a caprice6 ,a little dabbling in the emotions1 a device to make a few minutes of the long days pass more smoothly4 ,perhaps it's the way in your world1 this6 ,you cheat yourself of a whole-hearted happiness by making physiological experiments1 frittering away the great chance out of sheer curiosity--or something worse4 ,and we who don't understand the game--we are the victims6 ,really1 she said pleasantly1 you are very eloquent4 ,and you1 he said1 are---- ,her hand flashed out almost to his lips1 long shapely fingers1 ablaze with the dull fire of emeralds4 ,stop1 she commanded1 you are not quite yourself this evening4 ,i am afraid that you will say something which you will regret4 ,now listen4 ,you have made a most eloquent attack upon me1 but you must admit that it is a perfect tangle of generalities4 ,won't you condescend to look me in the face1 leave off vague complaints1 and tell me precisely why you have placed me in the dock and yourself upon the bench8 ,in plain words1 mind4 ,no evasions4 ,i want the truth4 ,you shall have it1 he answered grimly4 ,listen1 then4 ,i began at ,thorpe4 ,you were at once rude and kind to me4 ,i was a simple ass1 of course1 and you were a mistress in all the arts which go to a man's undoing4 ,it wasn't an equal fight4 ,i struggled a little1 but ,i thanked ,god that ,i had an excuse to give up my work4 ,i came to ,london1 but the poison was working4 ,every morning before you were up1 and every night after dark1 ,i walked round your square--and the days ,i saw you were the days that counted4 ,dear me1 how interesting6 she interrupted softly4 ,and to think that ,i never knew6 ,i never meant you to know1 he declared4 ,a fool ,i was from the first1 but never fool enough to misunderstand4 ,when ,i brought ,letty ,foulton to you1 ,i brought her against my will4 ,it was for the child's sake4 ,and you were angry1 and then ,i saw you again--and you were kind6 ,she smiled at him4 ,i'm glad you admit that1 she said gently4 ,i thought that ,i was very kind indeed4 ,and you repaid me--how8 ,kind6 he cried fiercely4 ,yes6 you were kind6 ,you were mine for the moment1 you lay in my arms1 you gave me your lips6 ,it was an impression6 ,it amused you to see any human being so much in earnest4 ,then the mood passed4 ,your dole of charity had been given6 ,i must sit apart and you must smooth your hair4 ,what did it all amount to8 ,an episode1 a trifling debauch in sentiment--and for me--,god knows6 ,to return once more1 she said patiently1 to your complaint4 ,is it that ,i will not marry you8 ,i did not ask that--at first1 he answered4 ,it is a good deal1 ,i know4 ,then do you want to come and kiss me every day8 she asked1 because ,i don't think that that would suit me either4 ,i can believe it1 he said4 ,i am inclined to think1 she said1 that you are a very grasping and unreasonable person4 ,i have permitted you privileges which more men than my modesty permits me to tell you of have begged for in vain4 ,you have accepted them--,i promised nothing beyond1 nor have you asked for it4 ,yet because ,i was obliged to talk reasonably to you1 you flung yourself out of my house1 and ,i am left to rescue you at the expense of my pride1 perhaps also of my reputation1 from associations which you ought to be ashamed of4 ,to talk reasonably to me1 he repeated slowly4 ,do you remember what you said8 ,she shrugged her shoulders4 ,naturally6 ,and what ,i said was true enough4 ,i was to be content with scraps4 ,to go away and forget you1 until chance or a whim of yours should bring us together again4 ,did you want so much more8 she asked1 with a swift maddening glance at him4 ,he fell on his knees before her couch4 ,oh6 ,i love you6 he said4 ,forgive me if ,i am unreasonable or foolish4 ,i can't help it4 ,you came so unexpectedly1 so wonderfully6 ,and you see ,i lost my head as well as my heart4 ,i have so little to offer you--and ,i want so much4 ,her hands rested for a moment caressingly upon his shoulders4 ,a whole world of wonderful things was shining out of her eyes4 ,it was only her lips that were cruel4 ,my dear boy1 she said1 you want what ,i may not give4 ,i am very1 very sorry4 ,i think there must have been some sorcery in the air that night1 the spell of the roses must have crept into my blood4 ,i am sorry for what ,i did4 ,i am very sorry that ,i did not leave you alone4 ,he rose heavily to his feet4 ,his face was grey with suffering4 ,i ought to have known1 he said4 ,i think that ,i did know4 ,all the same1 she continued1 laying her hand upon his arm1 ,i think that you are a rank extremist4 ,he shook his head4 ,i don't understand1 he said4 ,shall ,i teach you8 she whispered4 ,he flung her hand away4 ,no6 he said savagely4 ,she sighed4 ,i am afraid you had better go away1 she said4 ,as he closed the door he fancied that he heard a sob4 ,but it might have been only fancy4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,monsieur ,s',,amuse ,to-night1 young ,davenant declared1 with something which was suspiciously like a yawn1 ,i really think that we must chuck it just a little earlier4 ,shall we say that we leave here at two1 and get back to the hotel8 ,mademoiselle ,rosine pouted1 but said nothing4 ,the young lady from ,america tried to take ,macheson's hand4 ,yes6 she murmured4 ,do let's6 ,i'm dead tired4 ,she whispered something in ,macheson's ear which he affected not to hear4 ,he leaned back in his cushioned seat and laughed4 ,what1 go home without seeing ,francois6 he exclaimed4 ,he's keeping the corner table for us1 and we're all going to dance the ,maxixe with the little ,russian girl4 ,we could telephone1 ,davenant suggested4 ,do you know that we haven't been to bed before six one morning since we arrived in ,paris8 ,well1 isn't that what we came for8 ,macheson exclaimed4 ,we can go to bed at half-past twelve in ,london4 ,maitre d'hotel1 the wine6 ,my friends are getting sleepy4 ,what's become of the music8 ,tell our friend there--ah6 ,monsieur ,henri6 ,he beckoned to the leader of the orchestra1 who came up bowing1 with his violin under his arm4 ,monsieur ,henri1 my friends are 'triste1' he explained4 ,they say there is no music here1 no life4 ,they speak of going home to bed4 ,look at mademoiselle here6 ,she yawns6 ,we did not come to ,paris to yawn4 ,something of the liveliest4 ,you understand8 ,perhaps mademoiselle there will dance4 ,parfaitement1 monsieur4 ,the man bowed himself away1 with a twenty-franc piece in the palm of his hand4 ,the orchestra began a gay two-step4 ,macheson1 starting up1 passed his arm round the waist of a little fair-haired ,parisienne just arriving4 ,she threw her gold satchel on to a table1 and they danced round the room4 ,davenant watched them with unwilling admiration4 ,well1 ,macheson's a fair knockout1 he declared4 ,i'm hanged if he can keep still for five minutes4 ,and when ,i knew him at ,oxford1 he was one of the most studious chaps in the college4 ,gad6 he's dancing with another girl now--look1 he's drinking champagne out of her glass4 ,shouldn't stand it1 ,ella4 ,ella was watching him4 ,her eyes were very bright1 and there was more colour than usual in her cheeks4 ,it's nothing to me what ,mr4 ,macheson does1 she said1 with a catch in her voice4 ,i don't understand him a bit4 ,i think he's mad4 ,mademoiselle ,rosine leaned across and whispered in her ear4 ,ella shook her head4 ,you see--it is any girl with him1 she said4 ,he dances with them1 pays their bills--see1 he pays for ,annette there1 and away he goes--laughing4 ,you see it is so with them1 too4 ,he has finished with them now4 ,he comes back to us4 ,guess ,i'm not sure ,i want him4 ,nevertheless she moved her skirts and made room for him by her side4 ,macheson came up out of breath1 and poured himself out a glass of wine4 ,what a time they are serving supper6 he exclaimed4 ,davenant groaned4 ,my dear fellow1 he exclaimed1 remember our dinner at ,lesueur's4 ,you can't be hungry6 ,but ,i am1 ,macheson declared4 ,what are we here for but to eat and drink and enjoy ourselves8 ,jove6 this is good champagne6 ,mademoiselle ,rosine6 ,he raised his glass and bowed4 ,mademoiselle ,rosine laughed at him out of her big black eyes4 ,he was rather a fascinating figure1 this tall1 good-looking young ,englishman1 who spoke ,french so perfectly and danced so well4 ,i would make you come and sit by me1 ,monsieur ,macheson1 she declared1 but ,ella would be jealous4 ,what about me8 ,davenant exclaimed4 ,oh6 la1 la6 she answered1 pinching his arm4 ,i'm sure ,i don't mind1 ,ella declared4 ,i guess we're all free to talk to whom we please4 ,macheson drew up a chair and sat opposite to them4 ,i choose to look at you both1 he said1 banging the table with his knife4 ,garcon1 we did not come here to eat your flowers or your immaculate tablecloth4 ,we ordered supper half an hour ago4 ,good6 ,it arrives4 ,no one but ,macheson seemed to have much appetite4 ,he ate and he drank1 and he talked almost alone4 ,he ordered another bottle of wine1 and the tongues of the others became a little looser4 ,the music was going now all the time1 and many couples were dancing4 ,the fair-haired girl1 dancing with an older woman1 touched him on the shoulder as she passed1 and laughed into his face4 ,there is no one1 she murmured1 who dances like monsieur4 ,he sprang up from his seat and whirled her round the room4 ,she leaned against his arm and whispered in his ear4 ,ella watched her with darkening face4 ,it is little ,flossie from the ,folies ,marigny1 ,mademoiselle ,rosine remarked4 ,you must have a care1 ,ella4 ,she has followed ,monsieur ,macheson everywhere with her eyes4 ,he returned to his place and continued his supper4 ,hang it all1 you people are dull to-night1 he exclaimed4 ,drink some more wine1 ,davenant1 and look after mademoiselle4 ,miss ,ella6 ,he filled her glass and she leaned over the table4 ,every one else seems to make love to you1 she whispered4 ,i guess ,i'll have to begin4 ,if you call me ,miss ,ella again ,i shall box your ears4 ,ella then1 what you will1 he exclaimed4 ,remember1 all of you1 that we are here to have a good time1 not to mope4 ,davenant1 if you don't sparkle up1 ,i shall come and sit between the girls myself4 ,come along1 they both cried4 ,mademoiselle ,rosine held out her arms1 but ,macheson kept his seat4 ,let's go up to the ,rat ,mort if we're going1 ,ella exclaimed4 ,it's dull here1 and ,i'm tired of seeing that yellow-headed girl make eyes at you4 ,macheson laughed and drained his glass4 ,au ,rat ,mort6 he cried4 ,good6 ,they paid the bill and all trooped out4 ,the fair-haired girl caught at ,macheson's hand as he passed4 ,au ,rat ,mort8 she whispered4 ,she threw a meaning glance at ,ella4 ,monsieur is well guarded1 she said softly4 ,malheureusement6 he answered1 smiling4 ,davenant drew him on one side as the girls went for their cloaks4 ,i say1 old chap1 he began1 aren't you trying ,ella a bit high8 ,she's not a bad-tempered girl1 you know1 but ,i'm afraid there'll be a row soon4 ,macheson paused to light a cigarette4 ,a row8 he answered4 ,i don't see why4 ,you're a bit catholic in your attentions1 you know1 ,davenant remarked4 ,why not8 ,macheson answered4 ,ella is nothing to me4 ,no more are the rest of them4 ,i amuse myself--that's all4 ,davenant looked as he felt1 puzzled4 ,well1 he said4 ,i'm not sure that ,ella sees it in that light4 ,why shouldn't she8 ,macheson demanded4 ,well1 hang it all1 you brought her over1 didn't you8 ,davenant reminded him4 ,she came over as my guest1 ,macheson answered4 ,that is to say1 ,i pay for her whenever she chooses to come out with us1 and ,i pay or shall pay her hotel bill4 ,beyond that1 ,i imagine that we are both of us free to amuse ourselves as we please4 ,i don't believe ,ella looks at it in that light1 ,davenant said hesitatingly4 ,you mean to say that there is nothing--er---- ,of course not1 ,macheson interrupted4 ,hasn't she---- ,oh6 shut up1 ,macheson exclaimed4 ,here they come4 ,ella passed her arm through his4 ,mademoiselle ,rosine had told her while she stood on tiptoe and dabbed at her cheeks with a powder-puff1 that she was too cold4 ,the ,messieurs ,anglais were often so difficult4 ,they needed encouragement1 so very much encouragement4 ,then there were more confidences1 and ,madame ,rosine was very much astonished4 ,what sort of a man was this ,monsieur ,macheson1 yet so gallant1 so gay6 ,she promised herself that she would watch him4 ,we will drive up together1 you and ,i1 ,ella whispered in his ear1 but ,macheson only laughed4 ,i've hired a motor car for the night1 he said4 ,in you get6 ,i'm going to sit in front with the chauffeur and sing4 ,you will do nothing of the sort1 ,ella declared1 almost sharply4 ,you will come inside with us4 ,anywhere1 anyhow1 he answered4 ,to the little hell at the top of the hill1 ,jean1 and drive fast1 he directed4 ,jove6 it's two o'clock6 ,hurry up1 ,davenant4 ,we shall have no time there at all4 ,there was barely room for four4 ,mademoiselle ,rosine perched herself daintily on ,davenant's knee4 ,ella tried to draw ,macheson into her arms1 but he sank on to the floor1 and sat with his hands round his knees singing a ,french music-hall song of the moment4 ,they shouted to him to leave off1 but he only sang the louder4 ,then1 in a block1 he sprang from the car1 seized the whole stock of a pavement flower-seller1 and1 paying her magnificently1 emptied them through the window of the car into the girls' laps1 and turning round as suddenly--disappeared4 ,he's mad--quite mad1 ,ella declared1 with a sigh4 ,i don't believe we shall see him again to-night4 ,nevertheless1 he was on the pavement outside the ,rat ,mort awaiting them1 chaffing the commissionaire4 ,he threw open the door and welcomed them4 ,they are turning people away here1 he declared4 ,heaps of fun going on6 ,all the artistes from the ,circus are here1 and a party of ,spaniards4 ,francois has kept our table4 ,come along4 ,ella hung on to him as they climbed the narrow1 shabby staircase4 ,say1 she pleaded in his ear1 don't you want to be a little nicer to me to-night8 ,command me1 he answered4 ,i am in a most amenable temper4 ,sit with me instead of wandering round so4 ,you don't want to talk to every pretty girl1 do you8 ,he laughed4 ,why not8 ,aren't we all on the same quest8 ,it is the 'camaraderie' of pleasure6 ,they reached the bend of the stairs4 ,from above they could hear the music1 the rattle of plates1 the hum of voices4 ,she leaned towards him4 ,kiss me1 please1 she whispered4 ,he stooped down and raised her hand to his lips4 ,she drew it slowly away and looked at him curiously4 ,your lips are cold1 she said4 ,he laughed4 ,the night is young1 he answered4 ,see1 there is ,francois4 ,they passed on4 ,ella was a little more content4 ,it was the most promising thing he had said to her4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,at ,,the ,,dead ,,rat ,monsieur ,francois piloted the little party himself to the corner table which he had reserved for them4 ,he had taken a fancy to this tall young ,englishman1 whose ,french1 save for a trifle of accent1 was as perfect as his own1 who spent money with both hands1 who was gay as the gayest1 and yet who had the air of being little more than a looker-on at the merriment which he did so much to promote4 ,we are full to-night1 monsieur1 he said4 ,there will be a great crowd4 ,yet you see your table waits4 ,mademoiselle ,bolero herself begged for it1 but ,i said always--',no6 no6 no6 ,it is for monsieur and his friends4' ,you are a prince1 ,macheson exclaimed as they filed into their places4 ,to-night we are going to prove to ourselves that we are indeed in ,paris6 ,sommelier1 the same wine--in magnums to-night6 ,my friend is sleepy4 ,we must wake him up4 ,ah1 mademoiselle6 he waved his hand to the little short-skirted danseuse4 ,you must take a glass of wine with us1 and afterwards--the ,maxixe6 ,waiter1 a glass1 a chair for mademoiselle6 ,mademoiselle came pirouetting up to them4 ,monsieur was very kind4 ,she would take a glass of champagne1 and afterwards--yes6 the ,maxixe1 if they desired it6 ,they sat with their backs to the wall1 facing the little space along which the visitors to the cafe came and went1 and where1 under difficulties1 one danced4 ,the leader of the orchestra came bowing and smiling towards them1 playing an ,american waltz1 and ,macheson1 with a laugh1 sprang up and guided mademoiselle through the throng of people and hurrying waiters4 ,monsieur comes often to ,paris8 she asked1 as they whirled around4 ,for the first time in my life1 ,macheson answered4 ,we are here on a quest6 ,we want to understand what pleasure means6 ,mademoiselle sighed ever so slightly under the powder with which her pretty face was disfigured4 ,one is gay here always1 she said somewhat doubtfully1 but it is the people who come seldom who enjoy themselves the most4 ,macheson laughed as he led her back to their table4 ,you are right1 he declared4 ,pleasure is a subtle thing4 ,it does not do to analyse4 ,macheson filled her glass4 ,sit down1 he said1 and tell us about the people4 ,it is early yet1 ,i suppose8 ,she nodded4 ,yes1 she answered4 ,there are many who come every night who have not yet arrived4 ,ella leaned forward to ask a question1 and mademoiselle nodded4 ,yes6 that was ,bolero at the small table opposite4 ,she sat with three men1 one of whom was busy sketching on the back of the menu card4 ,bolero1 with her wonderful string of pearls1 smileless1 stolid1 with the boredom in her face of the woman who sees no more worlds to conquer4 ,monsieur with the ruffled hair and black eyes8 ,yes6 a ,russian certainly4 ,mademoiselle1 with a smile which belied her words1 was not sure of his name1 but ,francois spoke always of ,his ,highness6 ,the gentleman with the smooth-shaven face1 who read a newspaper and supped alone8 ,mademoiselle looked around4 ,she hesitated4 ,after all1 monsieur and his friends were only casual visitors4 ,it was not for them to repeat it1 but the gentleman was a detective--one of the most famous4 ,he had watched for some one for many nights4 ,in the end it would happen4 ,ah6 ,some one was asking for a cake-walk8 ,mademoiselle finished her wine hastily and sprang up4 ,she will return8 ,but certainly1 if monsieur pleases6 ,the band struck up something ,american4 ,mademoiselle danced up and down the little space between the tables4 ,ella laid her hand upon ,macheson's shoulder4 ,why do you want to talk to every one8 she whispered4 ,i think you forget sometimes that you are not alone4 ,macheson laughed impatiently4 ,my dear young lady1 he said1 you too forget that we are on a quest4 ,we are here to understand what pleasure means--how to win it4 ,we must talk to every one1 do everything everybody else does4 ,it's no good looking on all the time4 ,but you never talk to me at all1 she objected4 ,rubbish6 he answered lightly4 ,you don't listen4 ,come1 ,i am getting hungry4 ,davenant1 we must order supper4 ,davenant1 whose hair ,mademoiselle ,rosine had been ruffling1 whose tie was no longer immaculate1 and who was beginning to realize that he had drunk a good deal of wine1 leaned forward and regarded ,macheson with admiration4 ,old man1 he declared1 you're great6 ,order what you like4 ,we will eat it--somehow1 won't we1 ,rosine8 ,she laughed assent4 ,for me1 she begged1 some caviare1 and afterwards an omelette4 ,consomme and dry biscuits--and some fruit6 ,ella suggested4 ,macheson gave the order and filled their glasses4 ,it was half-past two1 and people were beginning to stream in4 ,unattached ladies strolled down the room--looking for a friend--or to make one4 ,their more fortunate sisters of the haute demi-monde were beginning to arrive with their escorts1 from the restaurants and cafes4 ,greetings were shouted up and down the room4 ,suddenly ,ella's face clouded over again4 ,it was the girl in blue1 with whom ,macheson had danced at ,lesueur's1 who had just entered with a party of friends1 women in lace coats and wonderful opera cloaks1 the men all silk-hatted--the shiniest silk hats in ,europe--white gloves1 supercilious and immaculate4 ,a burst of applause greeted her1 as1 with her blue skirts daringly lifted1 she danced down the room to the table which was hastily being prepared for them4 ,her piquant face was wreathed with smiles1 she shouted greetings everywhere1 and when she saw ,macheson1 she threw him kisses with both hands1 which he stood up and gallantly returned4 ,she was the centre of attraction until ,mademoiselle ,anna from the ,circus arrived1 and to reach her place leaped lightly over an intervening table1 with a wonderful display of red silk stocking and filmy lingerie4 ,the place became gayer and noisier every moment4 ,greetings were shouted from table to table4 ,the spirit of ,bohemianism seemed to flash about the place like quicksilver4 ,people who were complete strangers drank one another's health across the room4 ,the hard-worked waiters were rushing frantically about4 ,the popping of corks was almost incessant1 a blue haze of tobacco smoke hung about the room4 ,macheson1 leaning back in his place1 watched with eyes that missed little4 ,he saw the keen-faced little man whose identity mademoiselle had disclosed1 calmly fold up his paper1 light a cigarette1 and stroll across the room to a table nearly opposite4 ,a man was sitting there with a couple of women--a big man with a flushed face and tumbled hair4 ,the waiter was opening a magnum of champagne--everything seemed to promise a cheerful time for the trio4 ,then a word was whispered in his ear4 ,the newcomer bowed apologetically to the ladies and accepted a glass of wine4 ,but a moment later the two men left the place together--and neither returned4 ,what are you staring at8 ,ella demanded curiously4 ,macheson looked away from the door and smiled quietly4 ,i was wondering1 he answered1 what it was like--outside8 ,would you like to go8 she whispered eagerly in his ear4 ,i'm ready4 ,the others could come on afterwards4 ,what1 without supper8 he exclaimed4 ,my dear girl1 ,i'm starving4 ,besides--,i didn't mean that altogether4 ,it's rather hard to know what you do mean1 she remarked with a sigh4 ,say1 ,i don't understand you a little bit6 ,how should you1 he answered1 when ,i'm in the same fix myself8 ,i wish you were like other boys1 she remarked4 ,you're so difficult6 ,he looked at her--without the mask--for a moment1 and she drew back1 wondering4 ,for his eyes were very weary1 and they spoke to her of things which she did not understand4 ,don't try1 he said4 ,it wouldn't be any good4 ,mademoiselle sank into her chair opposite to them1 breathless and hot4 ,she accepted a glass of wine and begged for a cigarette4 ,she whispered in ,macheson's ear that the big man was a forger1 an affair of the year before last4 ,he was safe away from ,paris1 but the price of his liberty was more than he could pay4 ,the man there to the left with the lady in pink1 no6 not the ,vicomte1 the one beyond1 he was tried for murder a month ago4 ,there was a witness missing--the case fell through1 but--mademoiselle shook her shoulders significantly4 ,the lady with fair hair and dark eyes1 ,macheson asked1 was she ,english8 ,but certainly1 mademoiselle assured him4 ,she was the divorced wife of an ,english nobleman4 ,to-night she is alone1 mademoiselle added1 but it is not often6 ,ah1 monsieur6 ,mademoiselle shook her finger across the table4 ,macheson's too curious glance had provoked a smile of invitation from the lady6 ,i really think you might remember that ,i am here1 ,ella remarked4 ,it is very interesting to hear you talk ,french1 but ,i get tired of it6 ,mademoiselle took the hint and flitted away4 ,supper arrived and created a diversion4 ,nevertheless1 ,macheson alone of the little party seemed to have absorbed successfully the spirit of the place4 ,he was almost recklessly gay4 ,he drank toasts right and left4 ,he was the centre from which the hilarity of the room seemed to radiate4 ,davenant was half muddled with wine1 and sleepy4 ,he sat with his arm about ,rosine1 who looked more often towards ,macheson4 ,ella1 who had refused to eat anything1 was looking flushed and angry4 ,she had tried to link her arm in her companion's1 but he had gently disengaged it4 ,she kept whispering in his ear1 and sat with her eyes glued upon ,mademoiselle ,flossie1 whose glances and smiles were all for ,macheson4 ,and soon after the end came4 ,the band began a waltz--,l',amoureuse--it was apparently mademoiselle herself who had commanded it4 ,with the first bars1 she sprang to her feet and came floating down the room1 her arms stretched out towards ,macheson4 ,she leaned over the table1 her body swaying towards him1 her gesture of invitation piquant1 bewitching4 ,macheson1 springing at once to his feet1 rested his hand for a moment upon the table which hemmed him in1 and vaulted lightly into the room4 ,a chorus of laughter and bravoes greeted his feat4 ,but he is un homme galant1 this ,englishman1 a ,frenchwoman cried out1 delighted4 ,every one was watching the couple4 ,but ,ella rose to her feet and called a waiter to move the table4 ,i am going1 she said angrily4 ,i have had enough of this4 ,you people can come when you like4 ,they tried to stop her1 but it was useless4 ,she swept down the room1 taking not the slightest notice of ,macheson and his companion1 a spot of angry colour burning in her cheeks4 ,davenant and ,mademoiselle ,rosine stood up1 preparing to follow her4 ,the former shouted to ,macheson1 who brought his partner up to their table and poured her out a glass of champagne4 ,ella's gone6 ,davenant exclaimed4 ,you'll catch it6 ,macheson smiled4 ,i'm sorry1 he said quietly4 ,are you off too8 ,as soon as the ,johnny brings the bill1 ,davenant answered4 ,i'll settle up1 ,macheson declared4 ,take the automobile4 ,i'll follow you in a few minutes4 ,mademoiselle ,flossie1 called back to her own table1 hurried off with a parting squeeze of ,macheson's hand4 ,he sat down alone for a moment4 ,at the other end of the room1 a darkey with a doll's hat upon his head was singing a coon song6 ,,chapter ,v ,,the ,,awakening ,alone for the first moment of the evening1 it seemed to ,macheson that a sudden wave of confounding thoughts surged into his brain1 at war from the first with all that was sensuous and brilliant in this new and swiftly developed phase of his personality4 ,he closed his eyes for a moment1 and when again he opened them it seemed indeed as though a miracle had taken place4 ,the whole atmosphere of the room was changed4 ,he looked around1 incredulous1 amazed4 ,the men especially were different4 ,such good fellows as they had seemed a few moments ago--from his altered point of view ,macheson regarded them now in scornful curiosity4 ,their ties were awry1 their hair was ruffled1 their faces were paled or flushed4 ,the laughter of women rang still through the place1 but the music had gone from their mirth4 ,it seemed to him that he saw suddenly through the smiles that wreathed their lips1 saw underneath the barren mockery of it all4 ,this hideous travesty of life in its gentler moods had but one end--the cold1 relentless path to oblivion4 ,louder and louder the laughter rang1 until ,macheson felt that he must close his ears4 ,the ,devil was using his whip indeed4 ,mademoiselle la ,danseuse1 seeing him alone1 paused at his table on her way through the room4 ,monsieur is triste1 she remarked1 because his friends have departed4 ,macheson shook his head4 ,i am off1 too1 in a few minutes1 he answered4 ,a waiter with immovable face slipped a note into his hand1 under cover of presenting the bill4 ,macheson read it and glanced across the room4 ,mademoiselle ,flossie was watching him with uplifted eyebrows and expectant smile4 ,macheson shook his head1 slightly but unmistakably4 ,the young lady in blue shrugged her shoulders and pouted4 ,mademoiselle la ,danseuse was watching him curiously4 ,i wonder1 she said softly1 why monsieur comes here4 ,in search of pleasure1 ,macheson answered grimly4 ,she looked at him fixedly1 and ,macheson1 momentarily interested1 returned her gaze4 ,then he saw that underneath the false smile1 for a moment laid aside1 there was something human in her face4 ,monsieur makes a brave show1 but he does not succeed1 she remarked4 ,and you8 he asked4 ,why do you come here8 ,it pays--very well1 she answered quietly1 and left him4 ,macheson settled his bill and called for the vestiaire4 ,in the further corner of the room two women were quarrelling4 ,the languid senses of those who still lingered in the place were stirred4 ,the place was electrified instantly with a new excitement4 ,a fight1 perhaps--every one crowded around4 ,unnoticed1 ,macheson walked out4 ,down the narrow stairs he groped his way1 with the music of the orchestra1 the fierce hysterical cries of the women1 the mock cheering of those who crowded round1 in his ears4 ,he passed out into the blue-grey dawn4 ,the stars were faint in the sky1 and away eastwards little fleecy red clouds were strewn over the house-tops4 ,he stood on the pavement and drew in a long breath4 ,the morning breeze was like a draught of cold water2 it was as though he had come back to life again after an interlude spent in some other world4 ,overhead he could still hear the music of the ,valse ,amoureuse1 the swell of voices4 ,he shivered1 with the cold perhaps--or the memory of the nightmare6 ,the commissionaire1 hat in hand1 summoned a coupe1 and ,macheson took his place in the small open carriage4 ,down the cobbled street they went1 the crazy vehicle swaying upon its worn rubber tyres1 past other night resorts with their blaze of lights and string of waiting cabs2 past women in light boots1 in strange costumes1 artificial in colour and shape1 painted1 bold-eyed1 uncanny pilgrims in the ,city of ,pleasure2 past the great churches1 silent and stern in the cold morning light2 past weary-eyed scavengers into the heart of the city1 where a thin stream of early morning toilers went on their relentless way4 ,once more he entered the obscurity of his dimly lit hotel1 where sleepy-eyed servants were sweeping1 and retired to his room1 into which he let himself at last with a sigh of relief4 ,he threw up the blinds and opened the windows4 ,to be alone within those four walls was a blessed thing4 ,he threw off his coat and glanced at his watch4 ,it was half-past five4 ,his eyes were hot1 but he had no desire for sleep4 ,he walked restlessly up and down for a few minutes1 and then threw himself into an easy-chair4 ,suddenly he looked up4 ,some one was knocking softly at his door4 ,he walked slowly towards it and paused4 ,all his senses were still pulsating with a curious sense of excitement2 when he stood still he could almost hear his heart beat4 ,from outside came the soft rustling of a woman's gown--he knew very well who it was that waited there4 ,he stood still and waited4 ,again there came the knocking1 to him almost like a symbolical thing in its stealthy1 muffled insistence4 ,he felt himself battling with a sudden wave of emotions1 struggling with a passionate1 unexpected desire to answer the summons4 ,he took a quick step forwards4 ,then sanity came1 and the moment seemed far away--a part of the nightmare left behind4 ,he waited until he heard the quiet1 reluctant footsteps pass away down the corridor4 ,then he muttered something to himself1 which sounded like a prayer4 ,he sank into a chair and passed his hand across his forehead4 ,the recollection of that moment was horrible to him4 ,he stared at the door with fascinated eyes4 ,what if he had opened it6 ,he still had no desire for sleep1 but he began slowly to undress4 ,his clothes1 his tie1 everything he had been wearing1 seemed to him to reek of accumulated perfumes of the night1 and he flung them from him with feverish disgust4 ,there was a small bath-room opening from his sleeping chamber1 and with a desire for complete cleanliness which was not wholly physical1 he filled the bath and plunged in4 ,the touch of the cold water was inspiring and he stepped out again into a new world4 ,much of the horror of so short a time ago had gone1 but with his new self had come an ever-increasing distaste for any resumption1 in any shape or form1 of his associations of the last few days4 ,he must get away4 ,he rummaged through his things and found a timetable4 ,in less than an hour he was dressed1 his clothes were packed1 and the bill was paid4 ,he wrote a short note to ,davenant and a shorter one to ,ella4 ,ignoring the events of the last night1 he spoke of a summons home4 ,he enclosed the receipted hotel bill1 and something with which he begged her to purchase a souvenir of her visit4 ,then he drank some coffee1 and with a somewhat stealthy air made his way to the lift1 and thence to the courtyard of the hotel4 ,already a small victoria was laden with his luggage2 the concierge1 the baggage-master1 the porters1 were all tipped with a prodigality almost reckless4 ,shaven1 and with a sting of the cold water still upon his skin1 in homely flannel shirt and grey tweed travelling clothes1 he felt like a man restored to sanity and health as his cab lumbered over the long cobbled street1 on its way to the ,gare du ,nord4 ,it was only a matter of a few hours1 and yet how sweet and fresh the streets seemed in the early morning sunshine4 ,the shops were all open1 and the busy housewives were hard at work with their bargaining1 the toilers of the city thronged the pavements1 everywhere there was evidence of a real and rational life4 ,the city of those few hours ago was surely a city of nightmares4 ,the impassable river flowed between4 ,macheson leaned back in his carriage and his eyes were fixed upon the blue sunlit sky4 ,his lips moved2 a song of gratitude was in his heart4 ,he felt like the prisoner before whom the iron gates have been rolled back1 disclosing the smiling world6 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,the ,,echo ,,of ,a ,,crime ,macheson1 by ,jove6 ,where on earth have you sprung from8 ,holderness threw down his pen and held out both his hands4 ,macheson drew a long sigh of relief4 ,from the pigsties1 ,dick4 ,whew6 ,it's good to see you again--to be here6 ,holderness surveyed his friend critically4 ,what have you been up to8 he asked4 ,look washed out1 as though you'd had a fever or something4 ,i've been expecting to see you every day4 ,i've been on a pleasure trip to ,paris1 ,macheson answered4 ,don't talk about it1 for ,god's sake4 ,holderness roared with laughter4 ,you poor idiot6 he exclaimed4 ,been on the razzle-dazzle1 ,i believe4 ,i wish ,i'd known4 ,i'd have come4 ,it's all very well to laugh1 ,macheson answered4 ,i feel like a man who's been living in a sewer4 ,are you cured8 ,holderness asked abruptly4 ,macheson hesitated4 ,as yet he had not dared to ask himself that question4 ,holderness watched the struggle in his face4 ,i'm sorry ,i asked you that1 he said quietly4 ,look here6 ,i know what you've come to me for1 and ,i can give it you4 ,you can start at once if you like4 ,work8 ,macheson asked eagerly4 ,you mean that8 ,of course6 ,tons of it6 ,henwood's at his wits' end in ,stepney4 ,he's started lecturing1 and the thing's taken on1 but he can't go on night after night4 ,we don't want anything second-rate either4 ,then ,i want help with the paper4 ,i'll help you with the paper as soon as you like1 ,macheson declared4 ,i'd like to go to ,stepney1 too1 but could we hit it1 ,henwood and ,i8 ,of course1 ,holderness answered4 ,what are you thinking of1 man8 ,you haven't become a straw-splitter1 have you8 ,not ,i1 ,macheson answered but you have crystallized your ideas into a cult1 haven't you8 ,i might find myself on the other side of the traces4 ,rot6 ,holderness answered vigorously4 ,look here6 ,this is what we call ugliness and dirt4 ,we say that these things make for misery4 ,we say that it is every man's duty1 and every woman's1 too1 to keep themselves clean and clean-living1 for the sake of the community4 ,we take the ,christian code4 ,it is the most complete1 the most philosophic1 the most beautiful4 ,we preach it not from the ,christian standpoint1 but from the point of view of the man of common sense4 ,doctrinal religions are all very well in their way1 but the great bald fact remains that the truth has not been vouchsafed to us through any of them4 ,therefore we say live the life and wait4 ,from a scientific point of view we believe1 of course1 in a future state4 ,it may be that the truth awaits us there4 ,you can work to that1 can't you8 ,of course1 ,macheson answered1 but don't you rather overlook the support which doctrine gives to the weak and superstitious8 ,bah6 ,there are the strong to be considered1 ,holderness declared4 ,think how many men of average intelligence chuck the whole thing because they can't stomach doctrine4 ,besides1 these people all think1 if you want to confirm 'em or baptize 'em or anything of that sort1 that you've your own axe to grind4 ,jolly suspicious lot the ,east-,enders1 ,i can tell you4 ,i'll go and see ,henwood1 ,macheson declared4 ,holderness glanced at his watch4 ,we'll have something to eat and go together1 he declared4 ,look here1 ,i'm really pushed or ,i wouldn't bother you4 ,can you do me a country walk in ,november for the paper8 ,i have two a month4 ,you can take the last number and see the sort of thing4 ,i'll try1 ,macheson promised4 ,you can give me a couple of days1 ,i suppose8 ,a week--only ,i want it off my mind4 ,you can get out somewhere and rub up your impressions4 ,we'll dine for half a crown in ,soho1 and you shall tell me about ,paris4 ,macheson groaned4 ,shut up about ,paris1 he begged4 ,the thought of it's like a nightmare to me--a nightmare full of puppet gnomes1 with human masks and the faces of devils underneath4 ,the masks came off8 ,holderness asked4 ,macheson shivered4 ,they did1 he answered4 ,do you good1 ,holderness declared coolly1 locking his desk4 ,i've been through it4 ,so long as the masks came off it's all right4 ,what was it sent you there1 ,victor8 ,a piece of madness1 ,macheson answered in a low tone1 supreme1 utter madness4 ,cured8 ,oh6 ,i hope so1 ,macheson answered4 ,if not--well1 ,i can fight4 ,holderness stood still for a moment4 ,there was a queer look in his eyes4 ,there was a woman once1 ,victor1 he said1 who nearly made mincemeat of my life4 ,she could have done it if she liked--and she wasn't the sort who spares4 ,she died--thank ,god6 ,you see ,i know something about it4 ,they walked out arm in arm1 and not a word passed between them till they reached the street4 ,then ,holderness called a hansom4 ,i feel like steak1 he declared4 ,entre-cote with potatoes1 maitre d'hotel4 ,somehow ,i feel particularly like steak4 ,we will chuck ,soho and dine at the ,cafe ,royal4 ,they talked mostly of ,henwood and his work4 ,holderness spoke of it as successful1 but the man himself was weakly4 ,the strain of holding his difficult audience night after night had begun to tell on him4 ,macheson's help would be invaluable4 ,there was a complete school of night classes running in connexion with the work1 and also a library4 ,you can guess where the money came from for those1 he added1 smiling4 ,on the women's side there was only the cookery1 and the care of the children4 ,all very imperfect1 but with the making of great things about it4 ,they went into the ,cafe proper for their coffee1 sitting at a marble-topped table1 and ,holderness called for dominoes4 ,but they had scarcely begun their game before ,macheson started from his seat1 and without a word of explanation strode towards the door4 ,he was just in time to stop the egress of the man whom he had seen slip from his seat and try to leave the place4 ,look here1 he said1 touching him on the shoulder4 ,i want to talk to you4 ,the man made no further attempt at escape4 ,he was very shabby and thin1 but ,macheson had recognized him at once4 ,it was the man who had come stealing down the lane from ,thorpe on that memorable night--the man for whose escape from justice he was responsible4 ,my friend won't interfere with us1 ,macheson said1 leading him back to their seats4 ,sit down here4 ,the man sat down quietly4 ,holderness took up a paper4 ,go ahead1 he said4 ,i shan't listen4 ,if ,i am to talk1 the man said1 ,i must have some absinthe4 ,my throat is dry4 ,i have things to say to you1 too4 ,macheson called a waiter and ordered it4 ,look here1 the man said1 ,i know all that you want to say to me4 ,i can save you time4 ,it was ,i who called upon old ,mr4 ,hurd4 ,it was out of kindness that ,i went4 ,he has a daughter whom ,i cannot find4 ,she is in danger1 and ,i went to warn him4 ,he struck me first4 ,he lost his temper4 ,he would not tell me where to find her1 he would not give me even the money ,i had spent on my journey4 ,i1 too1 lost my temper4 ,i returned the blow4 ,he fell down--and ,i was frightened4 ,so ,i ran away4 ,macheson nodded4 ,well1 he said1 you seem to have struck an old man because he would not let you blackmail him1 and ,i1 like a fool1 helped you to escape4 ,blackmail6 ,the man looked around him as though afraid of the word4 ,his cheeks were sunken1 but his brown eyes were still bright4 ,it wasn't that1 he said4 ,i brought information that was really valuable4 ,there is a young lady somewhere who is in danger of her life4 ,i came to warn him2 ,i believed what ,i had always been told1 that she was his daughter4 ,i found out that it was a lie4 ,it was a conspiracy against me4 ,he never had a daughter4 ,but ,i am going to find out who she is6 ,what if ,i give you up to the police8 ,macheson asked4 ,for the sake of the woman whom the old man ,hurd was shielding you had better not4 ,you had very much better not1 was the hoarse reply4 ,if you do1 it may cost a woman her life4 ,why are you staying on in ,england8 ,macheson asked4 ,to find that woman1 and ,i will find her1 he added1 with glittering eyes4 ,listen6 ,i have seen her riding in a carriage1 beautifully dressed1 with coachman and footman upon the box1 an aristocrat4 ,i always said that she was that4 ,it was a plot against us--to call her that old man's daughter4 ,all this has nothing to do with me1 ,macheson said quietly4 ,the only thing ,i have to consider is whether ,i ought or ought not to hand you over to the police4 ,the man eyed him craftily4 ,he had little fear4 ,if you did1 sir1 he said1 it would be an injustice4 ,i only touched the old man in self-defence4 ,macheson looked at him gravely4 ,i hope that that is the truth1 he said4 ,you can go4 ,the man stood up4 ,he did not immediately depart4 ,what is it8 ,macheson asked4 ,i was wondering1 sir1 he said1 in a confidential whisper1 whether you could not give me an idea as to who the lady was who called herself ,stephen ,hurd's daughter in ,paris six years ago4 ,macheson shook his head4 ,i have no idea1 he answered curtly4 ,the man shuffled away4 ,macheson lit a cigarette and watched him for a moment steadfastly through the large gilt-framed mirror4 ,queer sort of ,johnny1 your friend1 ,holderness remarked4 ,he's a bad lot1 ,i'm afraid1 ,macheson answered4 ,somehow or other ,i can't help wishing that ,i hadn't seen him4 ,holderness laughed4 ,man alive1 he said1 it's a good thing you've come back to me1 or you'd be a bundle of nerves in no time4 ,we'll get along now1 if you're ready4 ,you might find something to say to 'em to-night4 ,i know ,henwood's pretty well pumped dry4 ,they left the place1 and took an omnibus citywards4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,a ,,country ,,walk ,it was exactly such a day as he would have chosen for his purpose when ,macheson stepped out of the train at the wayside station and set his face towards ,thorpe4 ,a strong blustering wind1 blowing down from the hills1 had dried the road of all save a slight coating of mud1 a wind fresh from the forest1 so fresh and strong that he walked with his cap in his hand and his head thrown back1 glad to breathe it in his lungs and feel the sting of it on his cheeks4 ,it seemed to him that he had been away for months1 as he climbed the long hill towards the village4 ,the fields now were brown instead of green1 a pungent smell of freshly turned earth and burning wood was in his nostrils4 ,the hedges and trees were bare2 he caught a glimpse of the great house itself from an unexpected point4 ,everywhere he was receiving familiar impressions4 ,he came to the avenue up which he had passed on his first visit to the house1 continually he met carts bearing her name1 and villagers1 most of whom he noticed with some surprise1 looked at him doubtfully4 ,presently he arrived at the village itself1 and stopped before the long1 low1 white house where ,stephen ,hurd lived4 ,he paused for a moment1 hesitating whether to fulfil this part of his mission now1 or to wait until later in the day4 ,eventually1 with the idea of getting the thing over1 he opened the gate and rang the front-door bell4 ,he was shown into the study1 and in a few minutes ,stephen ,hurd came in1 smoking a pipe1 his hands in his pockets4 ,when he saw who his visitor was he stopped short4 ,he did not offer his hand or ask ,macheson to sit down4 ,he looked at him with a heavy frown upon his face4 ,you wished to see me8 he said4 ,i did1 ,macheson answered4 ,perhaps my call is inopportune4 ,i have come from ,london practically for no other reason than to ask you a single question4 ,hurd laughed shortly4 ,you had better ask it then1 he said4 ,i thought that you might have other business in the neighbourhood4 ,preaching off1 eh8 ,my question is simply this1 ,macheson said calmly4 ,have you1 or had you1 ever a sister8 ,a dull red flush streamed into the young man's face4 ,he removed his pipe from his mouth and stared at ,macheson4 ,his silence for several moments seemed to arise from the fact that surprise had robbed him of the powers of speech4 ,who put you up to asking that8 he demanded sharply4 ,macheson raised his eyebrows slightly4 ,my question is a simple one1 he said4 ,if you do not choose to answer it1 it is easy for me to procure the information from elsewhere4 ,the first villager ,i met would tell me4 ,i preferred to come to you4 ,i have no sister1 ,hurd said slowly4 ,i never had4 ,now you must tell me why you have come here to ask me this4 ,i am told1 ,macheson said1 that years ago a girl in ,paris represented herself as being your father's daughter4 ,she is being inquired for in a somewhat mysterious way4 ,and what business is it of yours8 ,hurd demanded curtly4 ,none--apparently1 ,macheson answered4 ,i am obliged to you for your information4 ,i will not detain you any longer4 ,but ,stephen ,hurd barred the way4 ,looking into his face1 ,macheson saw already the signs of a change there4 ,his eyes were a little wild1 and though it was early in the morning he smelt of spirits4 ,no6 you don't1 he declared truculently4 ,you're not going till you tell me what you mean by that question4 ,i am afraid1 ,macheson answered1 that ,i have nothing more to tell you4 ,you will tell me who this mysterious person is1 ,hurd declared4 ,macheson shook his head4 ,no6 he said4 ,i think that you had better let me pass4 ,not yet1 ,hurd answered4 ,look here6 ,you've been in communication with the man who came here and murdered my father4 ,you know where he is4 ,scarcely that1 was it8 ,macheson answered4 ,there was a struggle1 but your father's death was partly owing to other causes4 ,however1 ,i did not come here to discuss that with you4 ,i came to ask you a question1 which you have answered4 ,if you will permit me to pass ,i shall be obliged4 ,hurd hesitated for a moment4 ,look here1 he said1 with an assumption of good nature1 there's no reason why you and ,i should quarrel4 ,i want to know who put you up to asking me that question4 ,it isn't that ,i want to do him any harm4 ,i'll guarantee his safety1 if you like1 so far as ,i am concerned4 ,only ,i'm anxious to meet him4 ,macheson shook his head4 ,i do not know where he is myself1 he answered4 ,in any case1 ,i could not give you any information4 ,stephen ,hurd stood squarely in front of the door4 ,you'll have to1 he said doggedly4 ,that's all there is about it4 ,macheson took a step forward4 ,look here1 he said1 ,i shouldn't try that on if ,i were you4 ,i am stronger than you are1 and ,i have studied boxing4 ,i don't care about fighting1 but ,i am going to leave this room--at once4 ,the devil you are1 ,hurd cried1 striking at him4 ,take that1 you canting hypocrite4 ,macheson evaded the blow with ease4 ,exactly how it happened he never knew1 but ,hurd found himself a few seconds later on his back--and alone in the room4 ,he sprang up and rushed after ,macheson1 who was already in the front garden4 ,his attack was so violent that ,macheson had no alternative4 ,he knocked him into the middle of his rose bushes1 and opened the gate1 to find himself face to face with the last person in the world whom he expected to see in ,thorpe4 ,it was ,wilhelmina herself who was a spectator of the scene6 ,mr4 ,macheson1 she said gravely1 what is the meaning of this8 ,macheson was taken too completely by surprise to frame an immediate answer4 ,stephen ,hurd rose slowly to his feet1 dabbing his mouth with his handkerchief4 ,a little disagreement between us1 he said1 with an evil attempt at a smile4 ,we will settle it another time4 ,you will settle it now1 the lady of the ,manor said1 with authority in her tone4 ,shake hands1 if you please4 ,at once6 ,i cannot have this sort of thing going on in the village4 ,macheson held out his hand without hesitation4 ,the quarrel was not of my seeking1 he said4 ,i bear you no ill-will1 ,hurd4 ,will you shake hands8 ,no6 ,stephen ,hurd answered fiercely4 ,macheson's hand fell to his side4 ,i am sorry1 he said4 ,you will reconsider that1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 ,wilhelmina said quietly4 ,no6 he answered4 ,i am sorry1 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton1 to seem ungracious1 but there are reasons why ,i cannot accept his hand4 ,he knows them well enough4 ,we cannot possibly be friends4 ,don't let us be hypocrites4 ,wilhelmina turned away coldly4 ,very well1 she said4 ,mr4 ,macheson1 will you walk with me a little way8 ,i have something to say to you4 ,with pleasure1 he answered4 ,i'm sorry1 ,hurd1 he added1 turning round4 ,there was no answer4 ,together they walked up the village street4 ,already the shock of seeing her had passed away1 and he was fighting hard against the gladness which possessed him4 ,he had paid dearly enough already for his folly4 ,he was determined that there should be no return of it4 ,which way were you going8 she asked4 ,to the hills1 he answered4 ,i can leave you at the church entrance4 ,but before you go---- ,i am not going1 she answered4 ,i should love a walk4 ,i will come with you to the hills4 ,he looked at her doubtfully4 ,she appeared to him so different a person in her country clothes--a dark brown tailor-made suit1 with short skirt1 a brown tam-o'-shanter and veil4 ,she was not much more than a child after all4 ,her mouth was a little sad1 and she was very pale and seemed tired4 ,if you care to walk so far1 he said gravely--and with me6 ,what am ,i expected to say to that8 she asked demurely4 ,i think that you know what ,i mean1 he answered1 avoiding her eyes4 ,your villagers will certainly think it strange to see their mistress walking with the poor missioner who wasn't allowed to hold his services4 ,i am afraid1 she answered1 that my people have learnt to expect the unexpected from me4 ,now tell me1 she continued1 what has brought you back to the scene of your persecutions8 ,i am hoping you are going to tell me that it is to apologize for the shockingly rude way you left me last time we met4 ,i did not know that you were here1 he answered4 ,i came for two reasons--first1 to collect materials for a short article in a friend's magazine1 and secondly1 to ask a question of ,stephen ,hurd4 ,apparently1 she remarked1 your question annoyed him4 ,he seemed annoyed before ,i asked it1 ,macheson remarked2 ,i seem to have offended him somehow or other4 ,i should imagine1 she said drily1 that that is not altogether incomprehensible to you4 ,so she knew or guessed who it was that had been ,letty ,foulton's companion in ,london4 ,macheson was silent4 ,they walked on for some distance1 climbing all the time1 till ,wilhelmina paused1 breathless1 and leaned against a gate4 ,i hope1 said she1 that you are collecting your impressions4 ,if so1 ,i am sure they must be in the air1 for you have not looked to the right or to the left4 ,he smiled and stood by her side1 looking downwards4 ,the village lay almost at their feet1 and away beyond spread the mist-wreathed country1 still and silent in the ,november afternoon4 ,the wind had fallen1 the birds were songless1 nothing remained of the busy chorus of summer sounds4 ,they stood on the edge of a plantation--the peculiar fragrance of freshly turned earth from the ploughed fields opposite1 and of the carpet of wet leaves beneath their feet1 had taken the place of all those sweeter perfumes which a short while ago had seemed to belong naturally to the place4 ,to tell you the truth1 he said1 ,i have been thinking more about something which ,i have to say to you4 ,is it something serious8 she asked4 ,rather1 he admitted4 ,her eyebrows were faintly contracted4 ,she looked up at him pathetically4 ,it will keep for a little time1 she said4 ,let us finish our walk first4 ,i am down here alone1 and have been dull4 ,this exercise is what ,i wanted4 ,it is doing me good4 ,i will not have my afternoon spoilt4 ,see1 ,i have the key of the gate here1 we will go through the plantation and up to the back of the beacon4 ,she led the way1 giving him no time to protest1 and he followed her1 vaguely uneasy4 ,through the plantation their feet fell noiselessly upon a carpet of wet leaves2 outside on the springy turf the rabbits scampered away in hundreds to their holes4 ,then they began to climb4 ,beneath them the country expanded and rolled away like a piece of patchwork1 dimly seen through a veil of mist4 ,wilhelmina turned towards him with a laugh4 ,there was more colour now in her cheeks4 ,she was breathless before they reached the summit and laid her hand upon his arm for support4 ,confess1 she said1 you like me better here than in ,london1 don't you8 ,you are more natural1 he answered4 ,you are more like what ,i would have you be4 ,she sat down on a piece of grey rock4 ,they were at the summit now4 ,below was the great house with its magnificent avenues and park1 the tiny village1 and the quaint church4 ,beyond1 a spreading landscape of undulating meadows and well-tilled land4 ,the same thought came to both of them4 ,behold1 she murmured1 my possessions4 ,he nodded4 ,you should be very proud of your home1 he said quietly4 ,it is very beautiful4 ,she turned towards him4 ,her face was as cold and destitute of emotion as the stone on which she sat4 ,do you wonder1 she asked1 why ,i have never married8 ,he shrugged his shoulders4 ,a matter of temperament1 perhaps1 he said4 ,you are inclined to be independent1 aren't you8 ,there have been things in my life--a very secret chamber1 she said slowly4 ,i think that some day ,i shall tell you about it1 for ,i may need help4 ,i shall be glad1 he said simply4 ,you know that6 ,she rose and shook out her skirts4 ,come1 she said1 it is too cold to sit down4 ,i am going to take you to ,onetree ,farm4 ,mrs4 ,foulton must give us some tea4 ,i have a reason1 too1 she added more slowly1 for taking you there4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,the ,,missing ,,letty ,macheson knew directly they entered the farm that ,wilhelmina had brought him here for some purpose4 ,for ,mrs4 ,foulton straightened herself at the sight of him1 and forgot even her usual respectful courtesy to the lady of the ,manor4 ,i have brought ,mr4 ,macheson to see you1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 ,wilhelmina said4 ,we want you to give us some tea--and there is a question which ,i think you ought to ask him4 ,the woman was trembling4 ,she seemed for the moment to have no words4 ,if you like1 ,wilhelmina continued calmly1 ,i will ask it for you4 ,did you know1 ,mr4 ,macheson1 that ,letty ,foulton has left home and has gone away without a word to her mother8 ,i did not know it1 ,macheson answered gravely4 ,i am very sorry4 ,you--didn't know it8 ,you don't know where she is8 the woman demanded fiercely4 ,certainly not1 ,macheson answered4 ,how should ,i8 ,the woman looked bewildered4 ,she turned towards ,wilhelmina as though for an explanation4 ,mr4 ,macheson has himself to blame1 ,wilhelmina said1 if his action in bringing your daughter to me that night has been misunderstood4 ,at any rate1 he cannot refuse to tell you now what he refused to tell me4 ,you understand1 ,mr4 ,macheson1 she added1 turning towards him1 ,mrs4 ,foulton insists upon knowing with whom you found her daughter having supper that night in ,london4 ,macheson hesitated only for a moment4 ,your daughter was with ,mr4 ,stephen ,hurd1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 he said4 ,the woman threw her apron over her head and hastened away4 ,they heard her sobbing in the kitchen4 ,wilhelmina shrugged her shoulders4 ,what a bore6 she remarked4 ,we shan't get any tea4 ,people of this sort have no self-control4 ,macheson looked at her sternly4 ,have the people here1 he asked1 been connecting me with this child's disappearance8 ,i suppose so1 she answered carelessly4 ,rather a new line for you1 isn't it--the gay ,lothario6 ,it's your own fault4 ,you shouldn't be so mysterious4 ,you didn't believe it8 he said shortly4 ,why not8 ,you've been--seeing life lately1 haven't you8 ,you didn't believe it8 he repeated1 keeping his eyes fixed upon her4 ,she came over to him and laid her hands upon his shoulders4 ,her pale face was upturned to his4 ,it seemed open to him to transform her attitude into a caress4 ,of course not1 dear1 she answered4 ,if--any one else did1 they will soon know the truth4 ,all the same1 he muttered1 it's horrible4 ,we must do something6 ,she moved away from him wearily4 ,his thoughts were full of the tragedy of ,letty ,foulton's disappearance4 ,he seemed scarcely to know that she had been almost in his arms4 ,he turned to her suddenly4 ,i shall go back1 he said1 to speak once more with ,stephen ,hurd4 ,she looked into his face and saw things there which terrified her4 ,he had moved already towards the door1 but she stood in his way4 ,no6 she cried4 ,it is not your affair4 ,let me deal with him6 ,he shook his head4 ,it is no matter1 he said1 for a woman to interfere in4 ,he will not listen to you1 she continued eagerly4 ,he will tell you that it is not your concern4 ,it is the concern of every honest man1 he interrupted4 ,you must please let me go6 ,she was holding his arm1 and she refused to withdraw her fingers4 ,then ,mrs4 ,foulton intervened4 ,she had smoothed her hair and was carrying a tea-tray4 ,they both looked at her as though fascinated4 ,i hope ,i have not kept you waiting1 madam1 she said quietly4 ,i had to send ,ruth up for the cream4 ,the boy's at ,loughborough market1 and ,i'm a bit shorthanded4 ,i--oh6 ,i'm sorry you bothered about the tea1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 ,wilhelmina said1 with an effort4 ,but how good it looks6 ,come1 ,mr4 ,macheson6 ,i don't know whether you've had any lunch1 but ,i haven't4 ,i'm perfectly ravenous4 ,i've some sandwiches in my pocket1 ,macheson answered1 moving slowly to the table1 but to tell you the truth1 ,i'd forgotten them4 ,she drew off her gloves and seated herself before the teapot4 ,all the time her eyes were fixed upon ,macheson4 ,she was feverishly anxious to have him also seat himself1 and he could scarcely look away from the woman who1 with a face like a mask1 was calmly arranging the things from the tray upon the table4 ,when she left the room he drew a little breath4 ,do they feel--really1 these people1 he asked1 or are they ,stoics8 ,we feel through our nerves1 she answered1 and they haven't many4 ,is that too much cream8--and pass the strawberry jam1 please4 ,he ate and drank mechanically4 ,the charm of this simple meal alone with her was gone--it seemed to him that there was tragedy in the arrangement of the table4 ,she talked to him lightly1 and he answered--what he scarcely knew4 ,suddenly he interposed a question4 ,when did this girl ,letty leave home8 he asked4 ,i am not sure1 she answered4 ,we will ask ,mrs4 ,foulton4 ,mrs4 ,foulton came silently in4 ,we want to know1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 when ,letty went away1 ,wilhelmina asked4 ,a week ago to-morrow1 madam1 ,mrs4 ,foulton answered4 ,is there anything else you will be wanting8 ,nothing1 thank you1 ,wilhelmina answered1 and then1 seeing that the woman lingered1 she continued3 ,are you wanting to get rid of us8 ,the woman hesitated4 ,it isn't that1 madam1 she said1 but ,i'm wanting to step out as soon as possible4 ,the same idea occurred at once to both ,wilhelmina and ,macheson4 ,you are going down to the village1 ,mrs4 ,foulton8 ,wilhelmina asked gravely4 ,i'm going down to have a bit of talk with ,mr4 ,stephen ,hurd1 madam1 she answered grimly4 ,i'd be glad to clear away as soon as convenient4 ,wilhelmina turned round in her chair1 and laid her hand upon the woman's arm4 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 she said1 ,mr4 ,macheson and ,i are going to see him at once4 ,leave it to us1 please4 ,mrs4 ,foulton shook her head doubtfully4 ,letty's my daughter1 madam1 thank you kindly1 she said4 ,i must go myself4 ,wilhelmina shook her head4 ,no6 she said firmly4 ,you can go and see him afterwards1 if you like4 ,mr4 ,macheson and ,i are going to see what we can do first4 ,believe me1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 it will be better for ,letty4 ,the woman was shaken and ,wilhelmina pushed home her advantage4 ,we are going straight to the village now1 ,mrs4 ,foulton1 she said4 ,you will only have to be patient for a very short time4 ,come1 ,mr4 ,macheson4 ,if you are ready we will start4 ,they walked briskly along the country lane1 through the early twilight4 ,they said little to one another4 ,macheson was profoundly moved by the tragedy of ,letty's disappearance4 ,with his marvellous gift of sympathy1 he had understood very well the suffering of the woman whom they had just left4 ,he shivered when he thought of the child4 ,with every step they took1 his face resolved itself into grimmer lines4 ,wilhelmina was forced at last to protest4 ,after all1 she said1 touching his arm1 this young man will scarcely run away4 ,please remember that ,i am not an athletic person--and ,i have not much breath left4 ,he slackened his pace at once4 ,i am sorry1 he said4 ,i was forgetting4 ,yes1 she answered simply1 you were forgetting4 ,i--noticed it6 ,to ,macheson1 her irritation seemed childish--unworthy4 ,he knew so little of women--or their moods4 ,what are you going to say to ,stephen ,hurd8 he asked abruptly4 ,i shall make him marry ,letty ,foulton1 she answered4 ,can you do it8 he demanded4 ,he must marry her or go1 she declared4 ,i will make that quite clear4 ,macheson drew a little breath4 ,he suddenly realized that for all his impetuosity1 the woman who walked so calmly by his side held the cards4 ,he slackened his pace4 ,the lane had narrowed now1 and on either side of them was a tall holly hedge4 ,her hand stole through his arm4 ,well1 she said softly1 you have not told me yet whether your pilgrimage to ,paris was a success4 ,he turned upon her almost fiercely4 ,yes6 he answered4 ,it was6 ,a complete success6 ,i haven't an atom of sentiment left6 ,thank goodness6 ,she laughed softly4 ,i don't believe it1 she whispered in his ear4 ,you went abroad to be cured of an incurable disease4 ,do you imagine that the ,mademoiselle ,rosines of the world count for anything8 ,you foolish1 foolish person4 ,do you imagine that if ,i had not known you--,i should have let you go8 ,i am not one of your tenants1 he answered grimly4 ,you might be1 she laughed4 ,you are very kind1 he declared4 ,but ,i need not tell you that nothing in this world would induce me to become one4 ,she walked on1 humming to herself4 ,he was hard to tame1 she told herself1 but the end was so sure4 ,yet all her experience of his sex had shown her nothing like this4 ,it was the first time she had played such a part4 ,was it only the novelty which she found attractive8 ,she stole an upward glance at him through the twilight4 ,taller and more powerful than ever he seemed in the gathering darkness--so far as looks were concerned he was certainly desirable enough4 ,and yet the world--her world1 was full of handsome men4 ,it must be something else which he possessed1 some other less obvious gift1 perhaps that flavour of puritanism about his speech and deportment1 of which she was always conscious4 ,he resisted where other men not only succumbed but rushed to meet their fate4 ,it must be that1 or---- ,she herself became suddenly serious4 ,she looked straight ahead down the darkening lane4 ,fate could surely not play her a trick so scurvy as this4 ,it could not be that she cared4 ,her hands were suddenly clenched2 a little cry broke from her lips4 ,her heart was beating like a girl's2 the delicious thrill of youth seemed to be thawing her long frozen blood4 ,not again6 she prayed1 not again6 ,it was a catastrophe this2 grotesque1 impossible6 ,she thrust out her hands1 as though to guard herself from some impending danger4 ,macheson turned to look at her in surprise1 and her eyes were glowing like stars4 ,is anything the matter8 he asked4 ,she laughed unnaturally4 ,a memory1 she answered1 a superstition if you like4 ,some one was walking over the grave of my forgotten days4 ,she pointed to the front of the low white house1 now only a few yards away4 ,a dogcart stood there waiting1 with some luggage at the back4 ,stephen ,hurd himself1 dressed for travelling1 was standing in the doorway4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,foiled ,we seem to be just in time1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 ,wilhelmina said4 ,do you mind coming back for a moment into your study8 ,mr4 ,macheson and ,i have something to say to you4 ,he glanced at his watch4 ,he was wholly unable to conceal his annoyance at their appearance4 ,i am afraid1 he said1 with strained civility1 that ,i can only spare a couple of minutes4 ,you are going to town8 she asked1 as he reluctantly followed her4 ,yes6 he answered4 ,mr4 ,white wished to see me early to-morrow morning about the new leases1 and ,i have to go before the committee about this ,loughborough water scheme4 ,these are my affairs1 she said1 so if you should miss your train1 the responsibility will be mine4 ,i can spare five minutes1 he answered1 but ,i cannot miss that train4 ,i have some private engagements4 ,and1 madam1 he continued1 struggling with his anger1 ,i beg that you will not forget that even if ,i am in your employ1 this is my house1 and ,i will not have that man in it6 ,he pointed to ,macheson1 who was standing upon the threshold4 ,wilhelmina stood between the two4 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said1 please control yourself4 ,there is no reason why we should any of us quarrel4 ,mr4 ,macheson and ,i are here to speak to you of a matter in which he has become concerned4 ,i asked him to come here with me4 ,we have come to see you about ,letty6 ,what about her8 he demanded1 with some attempt at bravado4 ,we find that there is an impression in the village that ,mr4 ,macheson is responsible for her disappearance4 ,hurd seized his opportunity without a second's hesitation4 ,how do you know that it isn't the truth8 he demanded4 ,he wouldn't be the first of these psalm-singing missioners who have turned out to be hypocrites6 ,macheson never flinched4 ,wilhelmina only shrugged her shoulders4 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said1 we will not waste time4 ,mr4 ,macheson and ,i are both perfectly aware that you are responsible for ,letty's disappearance4 ,it's--it's false6 he declared1 swallowing with an effort a more obnoxious word4 ,why1 ,i haven't left the village since the day she went away4 ,but you are going--to-night1 ,wilhelmina remarked4 ,he flushed4 ,i'm going away on business1 he answered4 ,i don't see why it should be taken for granted that ,i'm going to see her4 ,nevertheless1 ,wilhelmina said quietly1 between us three there isn't the slightest doubt about it4 ,i tell you frankly that the details of your private life in an ordinary way do not interest me in the least4 ,but1 on the other hand1 ,i will not have you playing the ,don ,juan amongst the daughters of my tenants4 ,you have been very foolish and you will have to pay for it4 ,i do not wish to make you lose your train to-night1 but you must understand that if you ever return to ,thorpe1 you must bring back ,letty ,foulton as your wife4 ,he stared at her incredulously4 ,as my--wife6 he exclaimed4 ,precisely1 ,wilhelmina answered4 ,i will give her a wedding present of a thousand pounds1 and ,i will see that your own position here is made a permanent one4 ,he had the appearance of a man beside himself with anger4 ,was this to be the end of his schemes and hopes6 ,he1 to marry the pretty uneducated daughter of a working farmer--a girl1 too1 who was his already for the asking4 ,he struggled with a torrent of ugly words4 ,i--,i must refuse6 he said1 denying himself more vigorous terms with an effort4 ,she looked at him steadily4 ,better think it over1 ,mr4 ,hurd1 she said4 ,i am in earnest4 ,he hesitated for a moment1 and then1 with a glance at the clock1 moved towards the door4 ,very well1 he said1 ,i will think it over4 ,i will let you know immediately ,i return from ,london4 ,she shook her head4 ,you can take as long as you like to reflect1 she answered1 but it must be here in this room4 ,mr4 ,macheson and ,i will wait4 ,he turned towards her4 ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton1 he said1 will you allow me to speak to you alone for two minutes8 ,she shook her head4 ,it is not necessary1 she answered4 ,mr4 ,macheson does not count4 ,you can say whatever you will before him4 ,a smile that was half a sneer curved his lips4 ,he was like a rat in a corner1 and he knew that he must fight4 ,he must use the weapon which he had feared with a coward's fear4 ,the matter on which ,i wish to speak to you1 he said1 looking straight at her1 is not directly connected with the affair which we have been discussing4 ,if you will give me two minutes1 ,i think ,i can make you understand4 ,she met his challenge without flinching4 ,she was a shade paler1 perhaps2 the little glow which the walk through the enchanted twilight had brought into her cheeks had faded away4 ,but her gaze was as cool and contemptuous as before4 ,she showed no sign of any fear--of any desire to conciliate4 ,i think1 she said1 that ,i can understand without4 ,you can consider that we are alone4 ,whatever you may have to say to me1 ,i should prefer that ,mr4 ,macheson also heard4 ,macheson looked from one to the other uneasily4 ,shall ,i wait in the passage8 he asked4 ,i should be within call4 ,certainly not1 she answered4 ,this person1 she continued1 indicating ,stephen with a scornful gesture1 is1 ,i believe1 about to make a bungling attempt to blackmail me6 ,i should much prefer that you were present4 ,stephen ,hurd drew a sharp breath4 ,her words stung like whips4 ,i don't know--about blackmail1 he said1 still holding himself in4 ,i want nothing from you4 ,i only ask to be left alone4 ,stop this nonsense about ,letty ,foulton and let me catch my train4 ,that's all ,i want4 ,wilhelmina shrugged her shoulders4 ,you are a very wearisome person1 she declared4 ,did you ever know me to change my mind8 ,every word ,i have said to you ,i absolutely mean4 ,no more1 no less6 ,one of the veins at his temple was protruding4 ,he was passionately angry4 ,you think it wise1 he cried threateningly1 to make an enemy of me6 ,she laughed derisively1 a laugh as soft as velvet1 but to him maddening4 ,my dear young man1 she said carelessly1 ,i think ,i should prefer you in that capacity4 ,i should probably see less of you4 ,he took a quick stride forward4 ,he thrust his face almost into hers4 ,she drew back with a gesture of disgust4 ,you1 he cried1 striking the table with his clenched fist1 to pretend to care what becomes of any fool of a girl who chooses to take a lover6 ,is it because you're in love with this would-be saint here8 ,he struck the table again4 ,he was absolutely beside himself with rage4 ,he seemed even to find a physical difficulty in speech4 ,wilhelmina raised her eyebrows4 ,go on1 she said coolly4 ,i am curious to hear the rest4 ,macheson suddenly intervened4 ,he stepped between the two4 ,this has gone far enough1 he said sternly4 ,hurd1 you are losing your head4 ,you are saying things you will be sorry for afterwards4 ,and ,i cannot allow you to speak like this to a woman--in my presence6 ,let him go on1 ,wilhelmina said calmly4 ,i am beginning to find him interesting4 ,hurd laughed fiercely4 ,what6 he cried4 ,you want to hear of your ',apache' lover1 the man you took from the gutters of ,paris into---- ,macheson struck him full across the mouth1 but ,wilhelmina caught at his arm4 ,she had overestimated her courage or her strength--he was only just in time to save her from falling4 ,brute6 she muttered1 and the colour fled from her cheeks like breath from a looking-glass4 ,macheson laid her on the couch and rang the bell4 ,suddenly he realized that they were alone4 ,from outside came the sound of wheels4 ,he sprang up listening4 ,wilhelmina1 too1 opened her eyes4 ,she waved him away feebly4 ,he smiled back his comprehension4 ,the servants are coming1 he said4 ,i can hear them4 ,i promise you that if he catches the train1 ,i will6 ,illustration3 ,,go ,,on1 ,,she ,,said ,,coolly1 ,i ,,am ,,curious ,,to ,,hear ,,the ,,rest4 ,page #bdj ,he vaulted through the window which he had already opened4 ,the sound of wheels had died away1 but he set his face at once towards the station1 running with long easy strides1 and gradually increasing his pace4 ,stephen ,hurd1 with his handkerchief to his mouth1 and with all his nerves tingling with a sense of fierce excitement1 looked behind him continually1 but saw nothing4 ,long before he reached the station he had abandoned all fear of pursuit4 ,yet during the last half-mile ,macheson was never more than a few yards from him1 and on ,st4 ,pancras platform he was almost the first person he encountered4 ,macheson6 ,by ,god6 ,he almost dropped the coat he was carrying4 ,he looked at ,macheson as one might look at a visitor from ,mars4 ,it was not possible that this could be the man from whom he had fled4 ,macheson smiled at him grimly4 ,how did--how did you get here8 the young man faltered4 ,by the same train as you1 ,macheson answered4 ,how else8 ,where are you going to meet ,letty8 ,hurd answered with a curse4 ,why the devil can't you mind your own business8 he demanded4 ,this is my business1 ,macheson answered4 ,then he turned abruptly round towards the hesitating figure of the girl who had suddenly paused in her swift approach4 ,it is my business to take you home1 ,letty1 he said4 ,i have come to fetch you6 ,letty looked appealingly towards ,stephen ,hurd4 ,what she saw in his face1 however1 only terrified her4 ,look here1 he said thickly1 ,i've had almost enough of this4 ,you can go to the devil--you and ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton1 too6 ,i won't allow any one to meddle in my private concerns4 ,come along1 ,letty4 ,he would have led her away1 but ,macheson was not to be shaken off4 ,he kept his place by the girl's side4 ,letty1 he said1 are you married to him8 ,not yet1 she answered hesitatingly4 ,but we are going to be4 ,where are you going to now8 ,she glanced towards ,stephen4 ,i am going to take her away with me1 he declared sullenly1 as soon as ,i can get my luggage on this cab4 ,letty1 ,macheson said1 a few hours ago ,miss ,thorpe-,hatton offered ,stephen ,hurd a dowry for you of a thousand pounds1 if he would promise to bring you back as his wife4 ,he refused4 ,he has not the slightest intention of making you his wife4 ,i am sorry to have to speak so plainly1 but you see we haven't much time for beating about the bush1 have we8 ,i want you to come with me to ,berkeley ,square4 ,mrs4 ,brown will look after you4 ,she turned towards the young man piteously4 ,stephen1 she said1 tell ,mr4 ,macheson that he is mistaken4 ,we are going to be married1 aren't we8 ,yes1 he answered4 ,at least ,i always meant to marry you4 ,what ,i shall do if every one starts bullying me ,i'm sure ,i don't know4 ,cut the whole lot of you1 ,i think1 and be off to the ,colonies4 ,you don't mean that1 ,stephen1 she begged4 ,he pointed to the cab laden now with his luggage4 ,will you get in or won't you1 ,letty8 he asked4 ,she shrank back4 ,stephen1 she said1 ,i thought that you were going to bring mother up with you4 ,he laughed hardly4 ,your mother wasn't ready1 he said4 ,we can send for her later4 ,don't you think1 ,stephen1 she pleaded1 that it would be nice for me to stay with ,mrs4 ,brown until--until we are married8 ,if you go to ,mrs4 ,brown1 he said gruffly1 you can stay with her4 ,that's all6 ,i won't be fooled about any longer4 ,once and for all1 are you coming8 ,she took a hesitating step forward1 but ,macheson led her firmly towards another hansom4 ,no6 he answered1 she is not4 ,you know where she will be when you have the marriage license4 ,stephen sprang into his cab with an oath4 ,even then ,letty would have followed him1 but ,macheson held her arm4 ,you stay here1 ,letty1 he said firmly4 ,she covered her face with her hands1 but she obeyed4 ,,chapter ,x ,,mysteries ,,in ,,mayfair ,that night1 and for many nights afterwards1 ,macheson devoted himself to his work in the ,east ,end4 ,the fascination of the thing grew upon him2 he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task4 ,night after night they came1 these tired1 white-faced women1 with a sprinkling of sullen1 dejected-looking men2 night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them1 striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life4 ,gradually his efforts began to tell upon himself4 ,he grew thinner1 there were shadows under his eyes1 a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him4 ,holderness one night sought him out and insisted upon dinner together4 ,look here1 ,victor1 he said1 ,i have a bone to pick with you4 ,you'd better listen6 ,don't sit there staring round the place as though you saw ghosts everywhere4 ,macheson smiled mirthlessly4 ,but that is just what ,i do see1 he answered4 ,the conscience of every man who knows must be haunted with them6 ,the ghosts of starving men and unsexed women6 ,what keeps their hands from our throats1 ,dick8 ,common sense1 you idiot1 ,holderness answered cheerfully4 ,there's a refuse heap for every one of nature's functions4 ,you may try to rake it out and cleanse it1 but there isn't much to be done4 ,hang that mission work1 ,victor6 ,it's broken more hearts than anything else on earth6 ,a man can but do what he may4 ,the refuse heap is man's work6 ,macheson muttered4 ,but not wholly his responsibility1 ,holderness declared4 ,we're part of the machine1 but remember the wheels are driven by fate1 or ,god1 or whatever the hidden motive force of the universe may be4 ,don't lose yourself1 ,macheson6 ,sentiment's a good thing under control4 ,it's a sickly master4 ,you call it sentiment1 if one feels the horror of this garbage heap6 ,come to-night and look into their faces4 ,i've done it1 ,holderness declared4 ,i've been through it all4 ,hang it all1 do you forget that ,i'm the editor of a ,socialist magazine8 ,no6 feel it you must1 but don't let it upset your mental balance4 ,don't lose your values6 ,macheson left his friend in a saner frame of mind4 ,his words came back to him that night as he watched the little stream of people file out from the bare white-washed building1 with its rows of cheap cane chairs4 ,it was so true6 ,to give way to despair was simply to indulge in a sentimental debauch4 ,yet in a sense he had never felt so completely the pitiful ineffectiveness of his task4 ,how could he preach the ,christian morality1 expound the ,christian doctrines1 to a people whose very sufferings1 whose constant agony1 was a hideous and glaring proof that by the greater part of the world those doctrines were ignored6 ,a man was shown into his room afterwards1 as he was putting on his overcoat4 ,almost with relief ,macheson saw that he at least had no pitiful tale to tell4 ,he was a small dapper man1 well dressed1 and spoke with a slight ,american accent4 ,mr4 ,macheson1 he said1 ,i'm taking the liberty of introducing myself4 ,peter ,drayton my name is1 never mind my profession4 ,it wouldn't interest you4 ,macheson nodded4 ,what can ,i do for you8 he asked1 with some curiosity4 ,say1 ,i've been very much interested in these talks of yours to the people1 ,mr4 ,drayton remarked4 ,but it's occurred to me that you're on the wrong end of the stick4 ,that's why ,i'm here4 ,you're saying the right things1 and you've got the knack of saying them so that people have just got to listen1 but you're saying them to the wrong crowd4 ,i don't understand1 ,macheson was forced to confess4 ,well1 ,i reckon it's simple enough1 ,drayton answered4 ,these people here don't need to have their own misery thrust down their throats1 even while you're trying to show them how to bear it4 ,it's the parties who are responsible for it all that you want to go for4 ,see what ,i mean8 ,i think so1 ,macheson admitted1 but---- ,look here1 ,drayton interrupted1 you're a man of common sense1 and you know that life's more or less a stand-up fight4 ,those that are licked live here in ,whitechapel--if you can call it living--and those who win get to ,belgravia6 ,it's a pitiless sort of affair this fight1 but there it is4 ,now which of the two do you think need preaching to1 these people1 or the people who are responsible for them8 ,you've started a mission in ,whitechapel--it would have been more logical1 if there's a word of truth in your religion1 to have started it in ,mayfair4 ,macheson laughed4 ,they wouldn't listen to me1 he declared4 ,i'd see to that1 ,drayton answered quickly4 ,it's my business4 ,i want you to give a course of--well1 we'd call them lectures1 in the ,west ,end4 ,you can say what you like4 ,you can pitch into 'em as hot as ,hell6 ,i'll guarantee you a crowded audience every time4 ,i have no interest in those people1 ,macheson said4 ,why should ,i go and lecture to them8 ,my sympathies are all down here4 ,exactly1 ,drayton answered4 ,i want you to stir up the people who can really help1 people who can give millions1 pull down these miles of fever-tainted rat holes1 endow farms here and abroad4 ,lash them till their conscience squeaks6 ,see8 ,what's the good of preaching to these people8 ,that won't do any good6 ,you want to preach to the really ignorant1 the really depraved1 the ,west-,enders6 ,do ,i understand1 ,macheson asked1 that you have a definite scheme in which you are inviting me to take part8 ,drayton lit a cigarette and led the way out4 ,look here1 he said1 ,i'll walk with you as far as you're going1 and tell you all about it4444 ,it was a sort of pilgrimage which ,macheson undertook during these restless nights1 a walk seemingly purposeless1 the sole luxury which he permitted himself4 ,always about the same hour he found himself on the garden side of ,berkeley ,square1 always he stood and looked1 for a period of time of which he took no count1 at the tall1 dimly lit house1 across whose portals he had once passed into fairyland4 ,then came a night when everything was changed4 ,lights flashed from the windows1 freshly painted window-boxes had been filled with flowers1 scarce enough now2 everything seemed to denote a sudden spirit of activity4 ,macheson stood and watched with a curious sense of excitement stirring in his blood4 ,he knew very well what was happening4 ,she was coming1 perhaps had already arrived in town4 ,he realized as he stood there1 a silent motionless figure1 how far gone in his folly he really was1 how closely woven were the bonds that held him4 ,for time seemed to him of no account beside the chance of seeing her1 if only for a moment1 as she passed in or out4 ,he never knew how long he waited there--it was long enough1 however1 for his patience to be rewarded4 ,smoothly1 with flashing lights1 a little electric brougham turned into the ,square and pulled up immediately opposite to him4 ,the tall footman sprang to the ground1 the door flew open1 he saw a slim1 familiar figure1 veiled and dressed in a dark travelling costume1 pass leisurely up the steps and into the arc of light which streamed through the open door4 ,the brougham glided away1 the door was closed1 she was gone4 ,still ,macheson leaned forward1 watching the spot where she had been1 his heart thumping against his sides1 his senses thrilled with the excitement of her coming4 ,suddenly his attention was diverted in a curious manner4 ,he became conscious that he was not the only watcher under the chestnut trees4 ,a man had stolen out from amongst the deeper shadows close up to the railings1 and was standing by his side4 ,macheson recognized him with a start4 ,what are you doing here8 he asked abruptly4 ,his fellow-watcher1 too1 showed signs of excitement4 ,his cheeks were flushed4 ,he pointed across the road with shaking finger1 and looked up into ,macheson's face with a triumphant chuckle4 ,run to earth at last6 he exclaimed4 ,you saw her6 ,you saw her1 too6 ,i saw a lady enter that house1 ,macheson answered4 ,what of it8 ,the man whom he had once befriended drew a breath between his clenched teeth4 ,there she goes6 he muttered4 ,the woman who dared to call herself the daughter of a poor land-agent6 ,the woman who is deceiving her world to-day as she deceived us--once6 ,bah6 ,it is finished6 ,he started to cross the road4 ,macheson kept by his side4 ,where are you off to8 he asked4 ,the man pointed to the brilliantly lit house4 ,there6 he answered fiercely4 ,i am going to see her4 ,to-night6 ,at once6 ,she shall not escape me this time6 ,what do you want with her8 ,macheson asked4 ,money--or exposure1 such an exposure1 the man answered4 ,but she will pay4 ,she owes a good deal2 but she will pay4 ,and supposing1 ,macheson said1 that ,i were to tell you that this lady is a friend of mine1 and that ,i will not have you intrude upon her--what then8 ,something venomous gleamed in the man's eyes4 ,a short unpleasant laugh escaped him4 ,not all the devils in hell1 he declared1 would keep me from going to her4 ,for five years she's fooled us6 ,not a day longer1 not an hour6 ,macheson's hand rested lightly upon the man's shoulder4 ,can you reach her from prison8 he asked calmly4 ,the man turned and snarled at him4 ,he knew well enough that escape or resistance alike was hopeless4 ,he was like a pigmy in the hands of the man who held him4 ,this isn't your affair1 he pleaded earnestly4 ,let me go1 or ,i shall do you a mischief some day4 ,remember it was you who helped me to escape4 ,you can't give me away now4 ,i helped you to escape1 ,macheson said1 but ,i did not know what you had done4 ,there is another matter4 ,you have to go away from here quietly and swear never to molest---- ,the man ducked with a sudden backward movement1 and tried to escape1 but ,macheson was on his guard4 ,you are a fool1 the man hissed out1 his small bead-like eyes glittering as though touched with fire1 his thick red lips parted1 showing his ugly teeth4 ,it is money alone ,i want from her4 ,i have but to breathe her name and this address in a certain quarter of ,paris1 and there are others who would take her life4 ,let me go6 ,then ,macheson was conscious of a familiar figure crossing the street in their direction4 ,he had seen him come furtively out of the house they had been watching1 and had recognized him at once4 ,it was ,stephen ,hurd4 ,keeping his grasp upon his captive's shoulder1 ,macheson intercepted him4 ,hurd1 he said1 ,i want to speak to you4 ,hurd started1 and his face darkened with anger when he saw who it was that had accosted him4 ,macheson continued hurriedly4 ,look here1 he said4 ,i owe you this at any rate4 ,i have just caught our friend here watching this house4 ,have you ever seen him before8 ,hurd looked down into the face of the man who1 with an evil shrug of the shoulders1 had resigned himself--for the present--to the inevitable4 ,never1 he answered4 ,can't say ,i'm particularly anxious to see him again4 ,convert of yours8 he asked1 with a sneer4 ,he is the man who visited your father on the night of his death1 ,macheson said4 ,stephen ,hurd was like a man electrified4 ,he seized hold of the other's arm in excitement4 ,is this true8 he demanded4 ,the man blinked his eyes4 ,you have to prove it1 he said4 ,i admit nothing4 ,you can leave him to me1 ,stephen ,hurd said1 turning to ,macheson4 ,macheson nodded and prepared to walk on4 ,there is a police-station behind to the left1 he remarked4 ,hurd took no notice4 ,he had thrust his arm tightly through the other man's4 ,i have been looking for you1 he said eagerly4 ,we must have a talk together4 ,we will take this hansom1 he added1 hailing one4 ,the man drew back4 ,are you going to take me to the police-station8 he demanded4 ,police-station1 no6 ,hurd answered roughly4 ,what good would that do me8 ,get in6 ,cafe ,monico6 ,,chapter ,,xi ,,the ,,way ,,of ,,salvation ,holderness leaned back in his worn leather chair and shouted with laughter4 ,he treated with absolute indifference the white anger in ,macheson's face4 ,victor1 he cried1 don't look at me as though you wanted to punch my head4 ,down on your knees1 man1 and pray for a sense of humour4 ,it's the very salt of life4 ,that's all very well1 ,macheson answered1 but ,i can't exactly see---- ,that's because you're deficient1 ,holderness shouted1 wiping the tears from his eyes4 ,i haven't laughed so much for ages4 ,here you come from the ,east to the ,west1 with all the world's tragedy tearing at your heart1 flowing from your lips1 a flagellator1 a hater of the people to whom you speak1 seeking only to strike and to wound1 and they accept you as a new sensation6 ,they bare their back to your whip6 ,they have made you the fashion6 ,oh6 this funny1 funny world of ours6 ,macheson smiled grimly4 ,i'll grant you the elements of humour in the situation1 he said1 but you can scarcely expect me to appreciate it1 can you8 ,i never came here to play the mountebank1 to provide a new sensation for these tired dolls of ,society4 ,dick1 do you think ,st4 ,paul could have opened their eyes8 ,holderness shook his head4 ,i don't know1 he declared4 ,they're a difficult class--you see1 they have pluck1 and a sort of fantastic philosophy which goes with breeding4 ,they're not easily scared4 ,macheson thought of his friend's words later in the afternoon1 when he stood on the slightly raised platform of the fashionable room where his lectures were given4 ,not a chair was empty4 ,macheson1 as he entered1 gazed long and steadily into those rows of tired1 distinguished-looking faces1 and felt in the atmosphere the delicate wave of perfume shaken from their clothes--the indescribable effect of femininity4 ,there were men there1 too1 mostly as escorts1 correctly dressed1 bored1 vacuous1 from intent rather than lack of intelligence4 ,macheson himself1 carelessly dressed from design1 his fine figure ill-clad1 with untidy boots and shock hair1 felt his anger slowly rising as he marked the stir which his coming had caused4 ,he to be the showman of such a crowd6 ,it was maddening6 ,that day he spoke to them without even the ghost of a smile parting his lips4 ,he sought to create no sympathy4 ,he cracked his whip with the cool deliberation of a ,russian executioner4 444 ,i was asked the other day1 he remarked1 by an enterprising journalist1 what made me decide to come here and deliver these lectures to you4 ,i did not tell him4 ,it is because ,i wanted to speak to the most ignorant class in ,christendom4 ,you are that class4 ,if you have intelligence1 you make it the servant of your whims4 ,if you have imagination1 you use it to enlarge the sphere of your vices4 ,you are worse than the ostrich who buries his head in the sand--you prefer to go underground altogether4444 ,as you sit here--with every tick of your jewelled watches1 out in the world of which in your sublime selfishness you know nothing1 a child dies1 a woman is given to sin1 a man's heart is broken4 ,what do you care8 ,what do you know of that infernal1 that everlasting tragedy of sin and suffering that seethes around you8 ,why should you care8 ,your life is attuned to the most pagan philosophy which all the ages of sin have evolved4 ,you have sunk so low that you are content to sit and listen to the story of your ignominy4444 ,what fascination was it that kept them in their places8 ,holderness1 who was sitting in the last row1 fully expected to see them leave their seats and stream out2 ,macheson himself would not have been surprised4 ,his voice had no particular charm1 his words were simple words of abuse1 he attempted no rhetorical flourishes1 nor any of the tricks of oratory4 ,he stood there like a disgusted schoolmaster lecturing a rebellious and backward school4 ,holderness1 when he saw that no one left1 chuckled to himself4 ,macheson1 aware that his powers of invective were spent1 suddenly changed his tone4 ,consciously or unconsciously1 he told them1 every one was seeking to fashion his life according to some hidden philosophy1 some unrealized ideal4 ,with religion1 as it was commonly understood1 he had1 in that place at any rate1 nothing to do4 ,even the selfish drifting down the stream of idle pleasures1 which constituted life for most of them1 was the passive acceptance in their consciousness of the old faineant philosophy of laissez faire4 ,had they any idea of the magnificent stimulus which work could give to the emptiest life6 ,for health's sake alone1 they were willing sometimes to step out of the rut of their easy-going existence1 to discipline their bodies at foreign watering-places1 to take up courses of physical exercises1 as prescribed by the fashionable crank of the moment4 ,what they would do for their bodies1 why should they not try for their souls6 ,the one was surely as near decay as the other--the care of it1 if only they would realize it1 was ten thousand times more important6 ,he had called them1 perhaps1 many hard names4 ,there was one he could not call them4 ,he could not call them cowards4 ,on the contrary1 he thought them the bravest people he had ever known1 to live the lives they did1 and await the end with the equanimity they showed4 ,the equivalent of ,hell1 whatever it might be1 had evidently no terrors for them4444 ,he concluded his address abruptly1 as his custom was1 a few minutes later1 and turned at once to leave the platform4 ,but this afternoon an unexpected incident occurred4 ,a man from the middle of the audience rose up and called to him by name4 ,macheson1 surprised1 paused and turned round4 ,it was ,deyes who stood there1 immaculately dressed in morning clothes1 his long face pale as ever1 his manner absolutely and entirely composed4 ,he was swinging his eyeglass by its narrow black ribbon1 and leaning a little forward4 ,sir1 he said1 once more addressing ,macheson1 as one of the audience whose shortcomings have so--er--profoundly impressed you1 may ,i take the liberty of asking you a question8 ,i ask it of you publicly because ,i imagine that there are many others here besides myself to whom your answer may prove interesting4 ,macheson came slowly to the front of the platform4 ,ask your question1 sir1 by all means1 he said4 ,deyes bowed4 ,you remind me1 if ,i may be permitted to say so1 he continued1 of the prophet who went about with sackcloth and ashes on his head1 crying ',woe6 woe6 woe6' but who was either unable or unwilling to suggest any means by which that doleful cry might be replaced by one of more cheerful import4 ,in plain words1 sir1 according to your lights--what must we do to be saved8 ,there was a murmur of interest amongst the audience4 ,there were many upon whom ,macheson's stinging words and direct denunciation had left their mark4 ,they sat up eagerly and waited for his answer4 ,he came to the edge of the platform and looked thoughtfully into their faces4 ,in this city1 he said1 it should not be necessary for any one to ask that question4 ,my answer may seem trite and hackneyed4 ,yet if you will accept it1 you may come to the truth4 ,take a hansom cab1 and drive as far1 say1 as ,whitechapel4 ,walk--in any direction--for half a mile4 ,look into the faces of the men1 the women and the children4 ,then go home and think4 ,you will say at first nothing can be done for these people4 ,they have dropped down too low1 they have lost their humanity1 they only justify the natural law of the survival of the fittest4 ,think again6 ,a hemisphere may divide the ,east and the ,west of this great city2 but these are human beings as you are a human being1 they are your brothers and your sisters4 ,consider for a moment this natural law of yours4 ,it is based upon the principle of the see-saw4 ,those who are down1 are down because the others are up4 ,those men are beasts1 those women are unsexed1 those children are growing up with dirt upon their bodies and sin in their hearts1 because you others are what you are4 ,because6 ,consider that4 ,consider it well1 and take up your responsibility4 ,they die that you may flourish6 ,do you think that the see-saw will be always one way8 ,a revolution in this world1 or justice in the next6 ,which would you rather face8 ,deyes bowed slightly4 ,you have given me an answer1 sir1 for which ,i thank you1 he answered4 ,but you must allow me to remind you of the great stream of gold which flows all the while from the ,west to the ,east4 ,hospitals1 mission houses1 orphanages1 colonial farms--are we to have no credit for these8 ,very little1 ,macheson answered1 for you give of your superfluity4 ,charity has little to do with the cheque-book4 ,besides1 you must remember this4 ,i am not here to-day to plead the cause of the ,east4 ,i am here to talk to you of your own lives4 ,i represent1 if you are pleased to have it so1 the ,sandow of your spiritual body4 ,i ask you to submit your souls to my treatment1 as the professor of physical culture would ask for your bodies4 ,this is not a matter of religion at all4 ,it is a matter1 if you choose to call it so1 of philosophy4 ,your souls need exercise4 ,you need a course of thinking and working for the good of some one else--not for your own benefit4 ,give up one sin in your life1 and replace it with a whole-hearted effort to rescue one unfortunate person from sin and despair1 and you will gain what ,i understand to be the desire of all of you--a new pleasure4 ,briefly1 for your own sakes1 from your own point of view1 it is a personal charity which ,i am advocating1 as distinguished from the charity of the cheque-book4 ,one more question1 ,mr4 ,macheson1 ,deyes continued quietly4 ,where do we find the lost souls--,i mean upon what principle of selection do we work8 ,there are many excellent institutions through which you can come into touch with them1 ,macheson answered4 ,you can hear of these through the clergyman of your own parish1 or the ,bishop of ,london4 ,deyes thanked him and sat down4 ,the lecture was over1 and the people slowly dispersed4 ,macheson passed into the room at the back of the platform4 ,drayton1 who was waiting for him there1 pushed over a box of cigarettes4 ,he knew that ,macheson loved to smoke directly he had finished talking4 ,macheson1 he said solemnly1 you're a marvel4 ,why1 in my country1 ,i guess they'd come and scratch your eyes out before they'd stand plain speaking like that4 ,macheson was looking away into vacancy4 ,i wonder1 he said softly1 if it does any good--any real good8 ,drayton1 who was looking through a cash-book with gleaming eyes1 opened his lips to speak1 but thought better of it4 ,he pointed instead towards the table4 ,the usual pile of notes was there--all the latest novelties in fancy stationery were represented there1 crested1 coroneted1 scented4 ,macheson began to tear them open and as rapidly destroy them with a little gesture of disgust4 ,they were mostly of the same type4 ,the girls were all so anxious to do a little good1 so tired of the wearisome round of ,society1 wouldn't ,mr4 ,macheson be very kind and give them some personal advice8 ,couldn't he meet them somewhere1 or might they come and see him8 ,they did hope that he wouldn't think them bold6 ,it would be such a help to talk to him4 ,the married ladies were bolder still4 ,they felt the same craving for advice1 but their proposals were more definite4 ,mr4 ,macheson must come and see them6 ,they would be quite alone 7underlined71 there should be no one else there to worry him4 ,then followed times and addresses4 ,one lady1 whose coronet and motto were familiar to him1 would take no denial4 ,he was to come that afternoon4 ,her carriage was waiting at the side door and would bring him directly to her4 ,macheson looked up quickly4 ,through the window he could see a small brougham1 with cockaded footman and coachman1 waiting outside4 ,he swept all the notes into the flames4 ,for ,heaven's sake1 go and send that carriage away1 ,drayton1 he begged4 ,drayton laughed and disappeared4 ,on the table there remained one more note--a square envelope1 less conspicuous perhaps than the others1 but more distinguished-looking4 ,macheson broke the seal4 ,on half a sheet of paper were scrawled these few lines only4 ,for ,heaven's sake1 come to me at once4--,wilhelmina4 ,he started and caught up his hat4 ,in a few minutes he was on his way to ,berkeley ,square4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,,jean ,,le ,,roi ,over a marble-topped table in a retired corner of the cafe ,stephen ,hurd listened to the story of the man whom ,macheson had delivered over to him1 and the longer he listened the more interesting he found it4 ,when at last all was told1 the table itself was strewn with cigarette stumps1 and their glasses had three times been replenished4 ,the faces of both men were flushed4 ,you see1 the little man said1 glancing for a moment at his yellow-stained fingers1 and then beginning to puff furiously at a fresh cigarette1 the time is of the shortest4 ,jean le ,roi--well1 his time is up6 ,he may be here to-morrow1 the next day1 who can tell8 ,and when he comes he will kill her6 ,that is certain6 ,hurd shuddered and drank some of his whisky4 ,look here1 he said1 we mustn't have that4 ,revenge1 of course1 he will want--but there are other ways4 ,the little man blinked his eyes4 ,you do not know ,jean le ,roi1 he said4 ,to him it is a pastime to kill6 ,for myself ,i do not know the passions as he would know them4 ,where there was money ,i would not kill4 ,it would be as you have said--there are other ways4 ,but ,jean le ,roi is different4 ,jean le ,roi1 as you call him1 must be tamed1 then1 ,hurd said4 ,you speak of money4 ,i have been her agent1 so ,i can tell you4 ,what do you think might be the income of this lady8 ,johnson was deeply interested4 ,he leaned across the table4 ,his little black eyes were alight with cupidity4 ,who can tell8 he murmured4 ,it might be two1 perhaps three1 four thousand ,english pounds a year4 ,eh8 ,stephen ,hurd laughed scornfully4 ,four thousand a year6 he repeated4 ,bah6 ,she fooled you all to some purpose6 ,her income is--listen--is forty thousand pounds a year6 ,you hear that1 my friend8 ,forty thousand pounds a year6 ,the little man's face was a study in varying expressions4 ,he leaned back in his chair1 and then crouched forward over the table4 ,his beady eyes were almost protruding1 a spot of deeper colour1 an ugly purple patch1 burned upon his cheeks4 ,the words seemed frozen upon his lips4 ,twice he opened his mouth to speak and said nothing4 ,stephen ,hurd took off his hat and placed it upon the table before him4 ,his listener's emotion was catching4 ,forty thousand pounds1 he said softly1 livres you call it6 ,it is a great fortune4 ,she has deceived you1 too6 ,you must make her pay for it4 ,johnson was recovering himself slowly4 ,his voice when he spoke shook1 but it was with the dawn of a vicious anger6 ,yes6 he muttered1 speaking as though to himself1 she has deceived us6 ,she must pay6 ,god1 how she must pay6 ,his fingers twitched upon the table4 ,he was blinking rapidly4 ,there is the money1 he said softly1 and there is ,jean le ,roi6 ,it was a night of shocks for him4 ,again his eyes were dilated4 ,he shrank back in his chair and clutched at ,hurd's sleeve4 ,it is himself6 he whispered hoarsely4 ,it is ,jean le ,roi6 ,god in ,heaven1 he will kill us6 ,johnson collapsed for a moment4 ,in his face were all the evidences of an abject fear1 and ,stephen ,hurd was in very nearly as evil a plight4 ,the man who was threading his way through the tables towards them was alarming enough in his appearance and expression to have cowed braver men4 ,jean le ,roi--he fears nothing--he cares for nothing1 not even for me1 his father1 ,johnson muttered with chattering teeth4 ,if he feels like it he will kill us as we sit here4 ,hurd1 who was facing the man1 watched him with fascinated eyes4 ,he was over six feet high1 and magnificently formed4 ,notwithstanding his ready made clothes1 fresh from a ,french tailor1 his brown hat ludicrously too small and the blue stubble of a recently cropped beard1 he was almost as impressively handsome as he was repulsive to look at4 ,he walked with the grace of a savage animal in his native woods2 there was something indeed not altogether human in the gleam of his white teeth and stealthy1 faultless movements4 ,he came straight to where they sat1 and his hand fell like a vice upon the shoulder of the shrinking elder man4 ,it was further characteristic of this strange being that when he spoke there was no anger in his tone4 ,his voice indeed was scarcely raised above a whisper4 ,what are you doing here1 old man8 he asked4 ,why did you not meet me8 ,eh8 ,i will tell you1 tell you everything1 ,jean1 ,johnson answered4 ,sit down here and drink with us4 ,everything shall be made quite clear to you4 ,i came for your sake--to get money1 ,jean4 ,sit down1 my boy4 ,jean le ,roi sat down4 ,i sit with you1 he said1 and ,i will drink with you1 because ,i have no money to pay for myself4 ,but we are not friends yet1 old man6 ,i will hear first what you have done4 ,and who is this8 ,his eyes flashed as he looked upon ,hurd4 ,johnson interposed quickly4 ,a friend1 a good friend1 he exclaimed4 ,he will be of service to us1 great service4 ,only a few minutes ago he told me something astounding1 something for you also to hear1 dear ,jean4 ,it is wonderful news4 ,jean le ,roi interrupted4 ,what ,i want to hear from you1 he said1 in a soft1 vicious whisper1 is why1 when they let me out of that cursed place1 you were not there with money and clothes for me1 as ,i ordered4 ,but for the poor faithful ,annette1 whom ,i did not desire to see1 ,i might have starved on the day of my release4 ,stop6---- he held up his hand as ,johnson was on the point of pouring out a copious explanation1 order me brandy first4 ,tell them to bring me the bottle4 ,do not speak till ,i have drunk4 ,they called a waiter and gave the order4 ,they waited in an uneasy silence until it arrived4 ,jean le ,roi drank at first sparingly1 but his eyes rested lovingly upon the bottle4 ,now speak1 he commanded4 ,johnson told his story with appropriate gestures4 ,after it was all over1 he began rapidly1 and one saw that a rescue was impossible1 ,i followed madame6 ,it was a moment of fury1 ,i thought4 ,she will repent1 she will pay for lawyers for his defence4 ,so ,i hung about her hotel1 only to find that she had left1 stolen away4 ,as you know1 she did not appear at the trial6 ,it was a bargain with the police that they should not call her if she betrayed you6 ,she escaped me1 ,jean1 and as you know1 ,i had no money4 ,all1 every penny had been spent on your clothes and your horse and carriage1 to make you a gentleman4 ,jean le ,roi extended his hands4 ,money well spent indeed6 ,let the old man continue6 ,she escaped me1 ,jean1 and it was many months before ,i found a clue on an old label--just the words ',thorpe1 ,england4' ,so ,i wrote there1 and the letter did not come back as the others4 ,i waited a little time and ,i wrote again1 this time to receive an answer6 ,it was a stern1 angry letter from a man who called himself her father1 and signed himself ,stephen ,hurd4 ,he was what is called here an estate agent1 and he had not very much money4 ,he would not send one pound4 ,he said that the marriage was illegal1 and if one came to ,england he threatened the law6 ,i wrote again--humbly1 piteously4 ,i spoke of your hardships4 ,i told how all the time you raved of your dear wife1 how you repented your madness--how it was for love of her only that you had committed such a crime6 ,there came no answer4 ,i forwarded the letters which you had written to her--,i begged1 oh6 how ,i begged for just a little money for the small luxuries1 the good wine1 the tobacco1 the newspapers4 ,they sent nothing6 ,jean le ,roi drew in his breath with a gasp4 ,oh6 he muttered4 ,so they sent nothing6 ,not one sou1 ,jean--not one sou6 ,and all the while the time of your release was drawing near4 ,what could ,i do6 ,well1 ,i raised the money4 ,how ,i will not tell you1 my boy1 but ,i went on a fruit boat from ,havre to ,southampton1 and from there down to ,thorpe4 ,i saw the old man ,stephen ,hurd4 ,it was on a ,sunday night that ,i arrived1 and ,i found him alone4 ,he was as hard1 ,jean1 as his letters4 ,when ,i pressed him he ordered me out of the house4 ,i would not go4 ,i said that ,i would see my daughter-in-law4 ,i would remain until ,i saw her1 ,i said1 even if ,i slept under a hedge4 ,again he ordered me out of the house4 ,i was firm2 ,i refused4 ,then he struck me1 there was a quarrel1 and he fell4 ,i thought at first that he was unconscious1 but when ,i examined him--he was dead4 ,johnson finished his speech in a stealthy whisper1 leaning half way across the table4 ,jean le ,roi poured himself out more brandy1 but he was unmoved4 ,the old trick1 ,i suppose1 he remarked carelessly1 making a swift movement with his hand4 ,no6 no6 ,johnson declared earnestly4 ,i used no weapon6 ,it was an accident1 a pure accident4 ,remember that this is his son4 ,he would not be here if it was not quite certain that it was accident--and accident alone4 ,jean le ,roi lifted his head and gazed curiously at ,stephen ,hurd4 ,so you1 he murmured1 are my brother-in-law8 ,johnson leaned once more across the table4 ,it is where you1 where we all have been deceived1 he said impressively4 ,listen4 ,she was never the daughter of ,stephen ,hurd at all4 ,it was a schoolgirl's freak to take that name1 when she was eluding her chaperon and amusing herself in ,paris4 ,stephen ,hurd was her servant4 ,and she8 ,jean le ,roi asked softly4 ,johnson spread out his yellow-stained fingers4 ,his voice trembled1 his eyes shone4 ,it was like speaking of something holy4 ,she is a great lady1 he said4 ,she goes to ,court1 she has houses1 and horses and carriages1 troops of servants1 a yacht1 motor-cars4 ,she is rich--fabulously rich1 ,jean4 ,she has--listen--forty thousand pounds1 livres mind1 a year4 ,more than that1 ,hurd muttered4 ,more than that1 ,johnson repeated4 ,jean le ,roi was no longer unmoved4 ,he drew a long breath and his teeth seemed to come together with a click4 ,there is no mistake8 he asked softly4 ,an income of forty thousand pounds8 ,there is no mistake1 ,stephen ,hurd assured him4 ,i will answer for that4 ,jean le ,roi's face was white and vicious4 ,yet for a time he said nothing and his two companions watched him anxiously4 ,there was something uncanny about his silence4 ,it is a great deal of money1 he said at last4 ,often in prison ,i was hungry1 ,i had no cigarettes4 ,i was forced to drink water4 ,a great deal of money6 ,and she is my wife6 ,half of what she has belongs to me6 ,that is the law1 eh8 ,i don't know about that1 ,stephen ,hurd said1 but she has certainly treated you very badly4 ,jean le ,roi struck the table with his fist1 not violently1 and yet somehow with a force which made itself felt4 ,it is over--that6 he said4 ,i am a man who knows when he has been ill-treated2 who knows1 too1 what it is that a wife owes to her husband4 ,tell me where it is that she lives1 old man4 ,write it down4 ,johnson drew from his pocket a stump of pencil and the back of an envelope4 ,he wrote slowly and with care4 ,jean le ,roi extended the palm of his hand to ,stephen ,hurd4 ,he will warn madame1 perhaps1 he suggested4 ,why does he sit here with us1 this young man8 ,is it that he1 too1 wants money8 ,no6 no6 my son1 ,johnson intervened hastily4 ,madame treated him badly4 ,he would not be sorry to see her humiliated4 ,jean le ,roi smiled4 ,it shall be done1 he promised4 ,but from one of you ,i must have money4 ,i cannot present myself before my wife so altered4 ,no one would believe my story4 ,how much do you want8 ,hurd asked uneasily4 ,twenty pounds ,english1 ,jean le ,roi answered4 ,i cannot resume my appearance as a gentleman on less4 ,hurd took out some notes4 ,i will lend you that1 he said slowly4 ,jean le ,roi's long fingers took firm hold of the notes4 ,he buttoned them up in his pocket1 slapped the place where they were1 and poured out more brandy4 ,now1 he said1 ,i am prepared4 ,madame shall discover what it means to deceive her fond husband6 ,hurd moved in his seat uneasily4 ,there was something ominous in the villainous curve of the man's lips--in the utter absence of any direct threats4 ,what was it that was passing in his mind8 ,you are not thinking of any violence8 he asked4 ,remember she is a proud woman1 and you cannot punish her more than by simply appearing and declaring yourself4 ,jean le ,roi smiled4 ,we shall see1 he declared4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,,the ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,apaches ,wilhelmina was resting--and looked in need of it4 ,all the delicate colours and fluttering ribbons of her ,doucet dressing-jacket could not hide the pallor of her cheeks1 or the hollows under her eyes4 ,macheson1 who came in sternly enough1 felt himself moved to a troublous pity4 ,nothing seemed left of the great lady--or the poseuse6 ,you are kind1 she murmured1 to come so soon4 ,sit down1 please6 ,is there any trouble8 he asked4 ,you look worried4 ,she laughed unnaturally4 ,no wonder1 she answered4 ,for five years ,i have been living more or less on the brink of a volcano4 ,from what ,i have heard1 ,i fancy that an eruption is about due4 ,tell me about it1 he asked4 ,she passed him a telegram4 ,it was from ,paris1 and it was signed ,gilbert ,deyes4 ,jean le ,roi was free yesterday4 ,left immediately for ,england4 ,macheson looked up4 ,he did not understand4 ,and who1 he asked1 is ,jean le ,roi8 ,she looked him in the eyes4 ,my husband1 she told him quietly4 ,at least that is what ,i suppose the law would say that he was4 ,macheson had been prepared for something surprising1 but not for this4 ,he looked at her incredulously4 ,he found himself aimlessly repeating her words4 ,your husband8 ,i was married five years ago in ,paris1 she said in a dull1 emotionless tone4 ,no one over here knows about it1 or has seen him1 because he has been in prison all the time4 ,it was ,i who sent him there4 ,i can't believe this1 he said1 in a low tone4 ,it is too amazing4 ,then a light broke in upon him and he began to understand4 ,he is in ,england now1 she said1 and ,i am afraid4 ,jean le ,roi8 he muttered4 ,king of the ,apaches1 she answered bitterly4 ',the greatest rogue in ,paris1' they said1 when they sentenced him4 ,sentenced him6 he repeated1 bewildered4 ,he has been in prison since the day we were married1 she continued4 ,it was ,i who sent him there4 ,he bowed his head4 ,he felt that it was not right to look at her4 ,an infinite wave of tenderness swept through his whole being4 ,he was ashamed of his past thoughts of her1 of his hasty judgments4 ,all the time she had been carrying this in her bosom4 ,her very pride seemed to him now magnificent4 ,he felt suddenly like a querulous child4 ,what can ,i do to help you8 he asked softly4 ,she came a little nearer to him4 ,i am afraid1 she said1 dropping her voice almost to a whisper4 ,ever since ,i heard the story of his life1 as it was told in court1 ,i have been afraid4 ,when he was taken1 he swore to be revenged4 ,for the last twenty-four hours ,i have felt somehow that he was near6 ,read this6 ,she passed him a letter4 ,the notepaper was thick and expensive1 and headed by a small coronet4 ,my dearest wife1 it began4 ,at last this miserable separation comes to an end6 ,i am here in ,london1 on my way to you6 ,prepare to throw yourself into my arms4 ,how much too long has our happiness been deferred6 ,i should have been with you before1 dear ,wilhelmina1 but for more sordid considerations4 ,i need money4 ,i need money very badly4 ,send me1 please1 a thousand pounds to-morrow between three and four--or shall ,i come and fetch it1 and you8 ,as you will4 ,your devoted husband1 ,jean4 ,he gave her back the letter gravely4 ,what was your answer8 he asked4 ,i sent nothing1 she declared4 ,i did not reply4 ,but ,i am afraid--horribly afraid6 ,he is a terrible man4 ,if we were alone1 he would kill me as you or ,i would a fly4 ,if only they could have proved the things at the trial which were known to be true1 he would never have seen the daylight again4 ,but even the witnesses were terrified4 ,they dared not give evidence against him4 ,will you tell me1 ,macheson asked1 how it all came about8 ,not unless you like1 he added1 after a moment's hesitation4 ,not if it is painful to you4 ,she sat down upon the couch1 curling herself up at the further end of it1 and building up the pillows at the further end to support her head4 ,against the soft green silk1 her face was like the face of a tired child4 ,something seemed to have gone out of her4 ,she was no longer playing a part--not even to him--not even to herself4 ,there was nothing left of the woman of the world4 ,it was the child who told him her story4 ,you must listen1 she said1 and you may laugh at me if you like1 but you must not be angry4 ,my story is the story of a fool6 ,sit down1 please--at the end of the couch if you don't mind6 ,i like to have you between me and the door4 ,he obeyed her in silence1 and she continued4 ,she spoke like a child repeating her lesson4 ,she held a crumpled-up lace handkerchief in her hand1 and her eyes1 large and intent1 never left his4 ,this is the story of a girl1 she said1 an orphan who went abroad with a chaperon to travel in ,europe and perfect her ,french4 ,in ,paris the chaperon fell ill1 the girl hired a guide recommended by the hotel1 to show her the sights4 ,they saw all that the tourist sees1 and the chaperon was still ill4 ,the girl thought that she would like to see something of the ,parisians themselves2 she was tired of ,cook's ,english people and ,americans4 ,so she gave the guide money to buy himself clothes1 and bade him take her to the restaurants and places where the world of ,paris assembled4 ,it was known at the hotel1 perhaps through the servants1 that the girl was rich4 ,the guide heard it and told some one else4 ,between them they concocted a plot4 ,the girl was to be the victim4 ,she was only eighteen4 ,one day they were lunching at the ,cafe de ,paris--the guide and the girl--when a young man entered4 ,he was exceedingly handsome1 and very wonderfully turned out after the fashion of the ,french dandy4 ,the guide1 as the young man passed1 rose up and bowed respectfully4 ,the young man nodded carelessly4 ,then he saw the girl1 and he looked at her as no man had ever looked before4 ,and the girl ought to have been angry1 but wasn't4 ,she asked the guide who the young man was4 ,he told her that it was the ,duke of ,languerois1 head of one of the oldest families in ,france4 ,his father and grandfather1 and for a time he himself1 had been in their service6 ,the girl looked across at the young man with interest1 and the young man returned her gaze4 ,that was what he was there for4 ,as they left the restaurant her guide fell behind for a moment1 and when she looked round she saw him talking to the young man4 ,of course she wanted to know what they had been saying1 and with much apparent reluctance the guide told her4 ,the young man had been inquiring about mademoiselle1 where they spent their time1 how he could meet them4 ,of course he had told nothing4 ,but the young man was very persistent and very much in earnest6 ,she encouraged the guide to talk about him1 and she believed what she was told4 ,he was rich1 noble1 adored in ,french society1 and he was in love with mademoiselle4 ,she was very soon given to understand this4 ,for several days the young man was always in evidence4 ,he was perfectly respectful1 he never attempted to address her4 ,it was all most cunningly planned4 ,then one evening1 when she was driving with her guide through a narrow street1 a man sprang suddenly upon the step of her carriage and snatched at her jewels4 ,another on the other side had passed his arm round the guide's neck and almost throttled him1 and a third was struggling with the coachman4 ,it was one of those lightning-like attacks by ,apaches1 which were common enough then--at least it seemed like one4 ,the girl screamed1 and1 of course1 the young man1 who had been following in another voiture1 appeared4 ,one of the thieves he threw on to the pavement1 the others fled4 ,and the young man was a hero6 ,it was well arranged6 ,her voice broke for a moment1 and ,macheson moved uneasily upon the sofa4 ,if he could he would have stopped her4 ,he could guess as much of the miserable story as it was necessary for him to know6 ,but she ignored his threatened interruption4 ,she was determined1 having kept her secret for so long1 that he should know now the whole truth4 ,after that1 things moved rapidly4 ,the girl was as near her own mistress as a child of her age could be4 ,she was lonely and the young man proved a delightful companion4 ,he had many attractive gifts1 and he knew how to make use of them4 ,all the time he made love to her4 ,for a time she resisted1 but she had very little chance4 ,she was just at the age when all girls are more or less fools4 ,in the end she consented to a secret marriage4 ,afterwards he was to take her to his family4 ,but that time never came4 ,they were married at eleven o'clock one morning1 and went afterwards to a cafe for dejeuner4 ,the young man that day was ill at ease and nervous4 ,he kept looking about him as though he was afraid of being followed4 ,he spoke vaguely of danger from the anger of his noble relations4 ,they were scarcely seated at luncheon before a man came quietly into the place and whispered a few words in his ear4 ,whatever those few words were1 the young man went suddenly pale and called for his hat and stick4 ,he wrote an address on a piece of paper and gave it to the girl4 ,he begged her to follow him in an hour--he would introduce her then to his friends4 ,and he left her alone4 ,the girl was troubled and uneasy4 ,he had gone off without even paying for the luncheon4 ,he had the air of a desperate man4 ,she began to realize what she had done4 ,she was preparing to depart when an ,englishman1 who had been lunching at the other end of the room1 came over1 and1 with a word of apology1 sat down by her side4 ,he saw that she was young1 and a fellow-countryman1 and he told her very gravely that he was sure she could not be aware of the character of the man with whom she had been lunching4 ,her eyes grew wide open with horror4 ,the man1 he said1 was the illegitimate son of a ,french nobleman1 and his mother had been married to a guide--her guide6 ,he had perhaps the worst character of any man in ,paris4 ,he had been tried for murder1 imprisoned for forgery1 and he was now suspected of being the leader of a band of desperate criminals who were dreaded all over ,paris4 ,this and other things he told her of the man whom she had just married4 ,the girl listened as though turned to stone1 with the piece of paper which he had given her crumpled up in her hands4 ,then the police came4 ,they asked her questions4 ,she pretended at first to know nothing4 ,at last she addressed the commissionary4 ,if she gave him the address where this young man could be found1 he and all his friends1 might she depart without mention being made of her1 or her name appearing in any way8 ,the commissionary agreed1 and she gave him the piece of paper4 ,the ,englishman--it was ,gilbert ,deyes--took her back to her hotel1 and the police captured ,jean le ,roi and the whole band of his associates4 ,the girl returned to ,england that night4 ,jean le ,roi was sentenced to six years' penal servitude4 ,his time was up last week4 ,what a diabolical plot6 ,macheson exclaimed4 ,but the marriage6 ,it could have been annulled1 surely8 ,perhaps1 she answered1 but ,i did not dare to face the publicity4 ,i felt that ,i should never be able to look any one in the face again4 ,i had given my name to the guide ,johnson as ,clara ,hurd4 ,i hoped that they might never find me4 ,they cannot do you any harm1 ,macheson declared4 ,let me go with you to the lawyers4 ,they will see that you are not molested4 ,she shook her head4 ,it is not so easy1 she said4 ,the marriage was quite legal4 ,to have it annulled ,i should have to enter a suit4 ,the whole story would come out4 ,i could never live in ,england afterwards4 ,but you don't mean1 he protested1 to remain bound to this blackguard all your life6 ,how can ,i free myself1 she asked1 except by making myself the laughing-stock of the country8 ,why did you send for me8 he asked bluntly4 ,to ask for your advice--and to protect me1 she added1 with a shiver4 ,it is not only money that ,jean le ,roi wants6 ,it is vengeance because ,i betrayed him4 ,as for that1 ,i won't leave you except when you send me away1 he declared4 ,and my advice6 ,if you want that1 the right thing to me seems simple enough4 ,go at once to your lawyers4 ,they will tell you the proper course4 ,at the worst1 the man could be bought off for the present4 ,she raised her head4 ,i will not give him one penny1 she declared4 ,i have always sworn that4 ,but ,i'm afraid if you won't try to divorce him that he can claim some1 ,macheson said4 ,then he must come and take it by force1 she declared4 ,there was silence between them4 ,then she rose to her feet and came and stood before him4 ,i ought to have told you all this long ago1 she said simply4 ,to-day ,i felt that ,i must tell you without another hour's delay4 ,now that you know1 ,i am not so terrified4 ,but you must promise to come and see me every day while that brute remains in ,london4 ,yes6 ,i promise that1 he answered1 also rising to his feet4 ,they heard her maid moving about in the bedroom4 ,hortense is reminding me that ,i must dress for dinner1 she remarked with a faint smile4 ,one must dine1 you know1 even in the midst of tragedies4 ,macheson prepared to take his departure4 ,i shall come to-morrow1 he said1 if you do not send for me before4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,behind ,,the ,,palm ,,trees ,lady ,peggy was fussing round the drawing-room1 talking to all her guests at once4 ,i haven't the least idea who takes anybody in1 she declared4 ,james said he'd see to that1 so you might just as well put your hand in a lucky-bag4 ,and ,i'm not at all sure that you'll get any dinner4 ,i've got a new chef--drives up in a high dogcart with such a sweet little groom4 ,he may be all right4 ,jules1 the maitre d'hotel at ,claridge's1 got him for me1 and1 ,wilhelmina1 sooner than come out like a ghost1 ,i'd really take lessons in the use of the rouge-pot4 ,my new maid's a perfect treasure at it4 ,no one can ever tell whether my colour's natural or not4 ,i don't mind telling you people it generally isn't4 ,but anyhow1 it isn't daubed on like ,lady ,sydney's--makes her look for all the world like one of 'ces dames1' doesn't it8 ,i'm sure ,i'd be afraid to be seen speaking to her if ,i were a man4 ,gilbert1 she broke off1 addressing ,deyes1 who was just being ushered in1 how dare you come to dinner without being asked8 ,i'm sure ,i have not asked you4 ,don't say ,i did1 now4 ,you refused me eight times running1 and ,i crossed you off my list4 ,deyes held out a card as he bowed over his hostess's fingers4 ,my dear lady1 he said1 here is the proof that ,i am not an intruder4 ,i am down to take in our hostess of ,thorpe6 ,you have bribed ,james1 she declared4 ,i hope it cost you a great deal of money4 ,i will not believe that ,i asked you4 ,however1 since you are here1 go and tell ,wilhelmina some of your stories4 ,i hate pale cheeks1 and ,wilhelmina blushes easily4 ,no use looking at the clock1 ,duke4 ,dinner will be at least half an hour late1 ,i'm sure4 ,these foreign chefs have no idea of punctuality4 ,what's that8 ,dinner served6 ,two minutes before time4 ,well1 we're all here1 aren't we8 ,i knew it would be either too early or too late4 ,duke1 you will have to take me in4 ,by the time we get there the soup will probably be cold4 ,you'd better pray that we're starting with caviare and oysters6 ,such a slow crowd1 aren't they--and such chatterboxes6 ,i wish they'd move on a little faster and talk a little less4 ,no6 ,only thirty4 ,nice sociable number1 ,i call it1 for a round table4 ,i asked ,victor ,macheson1 the man who's so rude to us all every ,thursday afternoon for a guinea a time--,i don't know why we pay it to be abused1--but he wouldn't come4 ,i met him before he developed1 and ,i don't think he liked me4 ,you got my telegram8 ,deyes asked1 as he unfolded his napkin4 ,wilhelmina nodded4 ,yes6 she answered4 ,it was very good of you to warn me4 ,i have had--a letter already4 ,the campaign has begun4 ,deyes nodded4 ,chosen your weapons yet8 he asked4 ,i haven't much choice1 have ,i8 she answered1 a little bitterly4 ,i fight1 of course4 ,deyes was carefully scanning the menu through his horn-rimmed eyeglass4 ,becassine a la ,broche1 he murmured4 ,i must remember that4 ,then he turned in his chair and looked at ,wilhelmina4 ,you are worrying1 he declared abruptly4 ,she shrugged her shoulders1 alabaster white1 rising from the unrelieved black of her velvet gown4 ,my maid's fault1 she added4 ,i ought to have worn white4 ,of course ,i'm worrying4 ,i don't care about carrying the signs of it about with me though4 ,i think ,i shall have to adopt ,peggy's advice1 and go to the rouge-pot4 ,perhaps1 he said deliberately1 it will not be necessary4 ,she looked up at him quickly4 ,his words sounded encouraging4 ,what do you mean8 ,i mean that a way may be found to induce a certain gentleman to return to his native country and stay there1 ,deyes said smoothly4 ,after dinner we are going to have some talk4 ,please oblige me now by abandoning the discussion and eating something4 ,ah6 that champagne will do you good4 ,her neighbour on the other side addressed her1 and ,wilhelmina was conscious of a sudden lightening of the load upon her heart4 ,like every one else1 she had confidence in this tall1 self-contained man whose life was somewhat of a mystery even to his friends1 and who had about him that suggestion of power which reticence nearly always brings4 ,he was going to help her4 ,she pushed all those miserable thoughts away from her4 ,she became herself again4 ,let no one imagine1 ,lady ,peggy said1 carefully knocking the end of a cigarette upon the table1 that ,i am going to try to catch the eyes of all you women1 and go sailing away with my nose in the air to look at engravings in the drawing-room4 ,you can just get up and go when you like1 any or all of you4 ,there are bridge tables laid out for you in the library1 music and a hopping girl--,i don't call it dancing--in the drawing-room1 a pool in the billiard-room1 or flirtation in the winter-garden4 ,coffee and liqueurs will follow you wherever you go4 ,take your choice1 good people4 ,for myself1 the ,duke is telling me stories of ,cairo4 ,j'y suis1 j'y reste4 ,i'm only thankful no one else can hear them6 ,the party at the great round table dispersed slowly by two and threes4 ,wilhelmina and ,deyes strolled into the winter-garden4 ,deyes lit a cigarette and stood with his hands behind him4 ,wilhelmina was leaning against the back of a chair4 ,she was too excited to sit down4 ,please6 she begged4 ,deyes threw his cigarette away4 ,his face seemed to harden and soften at the same time4 ,his mouth was suddenly firm1 but his eyes glowed4 ,all the boredom was gone from his manner and expression4 ,wilhelmina1 he said1 ,i have wanted to marry you ever since ,i saw you in the ,cafe de ,paris with that atrocious blackguard who has caused you so much suffering4 ,you may remember that ,i have hinted as much to you before6 ,she was startled--visibly disturbed4 ,you know very well1 she said1 that you are speaking of impossible things6 ,things that were impossible1 ,wilhelmina1 he said4 ,suppose ,i take ,jean le ,roi off your hands8 ,suppose ,i promise to send him back to his own country like a rat to his hole8 ,suppose ,i promise that your marriage shall be annulled without a line in the newspapers1 without a single vestige of publicity8 ,you cannot do it1 she murmured eagerly4 ,you want your freedom1 then8 he asked4 ,yes6 ,i want my freedom1 she answered4 ,i have a right to it1 haven't ,i8 ,and ,i1 he said slowly1 want you6 ,there was a short pause4 ,through the palms came the faint wailing of a violin1 the crash of pianoforte chords1 the clear soft notes of a singer4 ,wilhelmina felt her eyes fill with tears4 ,she was overwrought1 and there were new things1 things that were strange to her1 in the worn1 lined face of the man who was bending towards her4 ,wilhelmina1 he said softly1 life1 our life1 does its best to strangle the emotions4 ,one feels that one does best with a pulse which has forgotten how to quicken1 and a heart which beats to the will of its owner4 ,but the most hardened of us come to grief sometimes4 ,i am afraid that ,i have come--very much to grief6 ,i am sorry1 she said quietly4 ,he drew away and his face became like marble4 ,you mean--that it isn't any use8 he asked hoarsely4 ,she looked at him1 and he did not press for words4 ,is it--the missioner8 he asked4 ,her head sank a little lower1 but still she did not answer4 ,gilbert ,deyes drew himself upright4 ,he remembered the cigarette which had burnt itself out between his fingers1 and he carefully re-lit it4 ,i am now1 he said1 blowing a cloud of blue smoke into the heart of a yellow rose1 confronted by a somewhat hackneyed1 but always interesting problem4 ,do ,i care for you enough--or too little--or too much--to continue your friend1 when my aid will probably ensure the loss of you for ever6 ,it is not a problem to be hurried over1 this6 ,there is no need for haste1 she answered4 ,i know you1 ,gilbert1 better than you know yourself4 ,i am very sure that you will help me--if you can4 ,he laughed bitterly4 ,you are a good deal surer of me than ,i am of myself1 he answered4 ,why should ,i give you up to a boy who hasn't learnt yet the first lesson of life8 ,what is it8 she asked4 ,i am not clear that ,i have graduated4 ,you can see it blazoned over the portals as you pass through the gates1 he answered1 ',abandon all enthusiasm1 ye who enter here4' ,the pathways of life are heaped with the corpses of those who will not understand4 ,do you think that this boy will fare better than the rest1 with his preaching and lectures and ,east ,end work8 ,it's sheer impertinence6 ,man1 the individual1 is only a pawn in the game of life4 ,why should he imagine that he can alter the things that are8 ,even the striving to alter them1 she said1 may tend towards betterment4 ,a platitude1 he declared--and hopeless6 ,she raised her eyes to his4 ,anyhow1 she said softly1 ,i care for him4 ,he bowed low4 ,incomprehensible1 he murmured4 ,take your freedom and marry this young man if you must4 ,but ,i warn you that you will be miserable4 ,apples and green figs don't grow on the same tree4 ,he drew an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her4 ,jean le ,roi1 he said1 was married to ,annette ,hurier1 in the town of ,chalons1 two years before he posed before you as the ,duke of ,languerois4 ,you will find ,annette's address in there4 ,it took me a year to trace this out--a wasted year6 ,bah6 you women are all disappointments4 ,we will go and play bridge4 ,lady ,peggy stared at ,wilhelmina when they entered the library a few minutes later4 ,what on earth have you been doing to her1 ,gilbert8 she demanded4 ,she's a changed woman6 ,making love to her6 ,deyes answered4 ,lady ,peggy laughed4 ,if ,i believed you1 she declared1 ,i'd give up this rubber and go and lose myself amongst the palms with you4 ,come and cut in--you too1 ,wilhelmina4 ,but ,wilhelmina excused herself4 ,she drove homewards with a soft smile upon her lips1 and the dead weight lifted from her heart4 ,,chapter ,,xv ,,the ,,only ,,way ,it was a round table1 too1 at which ,macheson dined that night1 but with a different company4 ,for they were all men who sat there1 men with earnest faces and thoughtful eyes4 ,the graces of evening dress and society talk they knew nothing of4 ,they were the friends of ,macheson's college days1 the men who had sworn amongst themselves that1 however they might live1 they would devote the greater part of their life to their fellow-creatures4 ,they were smoking pipes1 and a great bowl of tobacco was on the table4 ,few of them took wine1 but ,macheson and ,holderness were drinking whisky4 ,holderness1 their senior1 was usually the one who started their informal talk4 ,my work's been easy enough all the time1 he remarked1 leaning forward4 ,there were no end of labour-papers1 but all being run either for the trades' unions1 or some special industrial branch4 ,i started a labour magazine--,macheson found the money1 of course--and ,i'm paying my way now4 ,i don't know whether the thing does any good4 ,at any rate it's an effort6 ,i've been hearing about your colony1 ,franklin4 ,i shall want an article on it presently4 ,a tall1 thin young man removed his pipe from his mouth4 ,you shall have it as soon as ,i can find time1 he answered4 ,we're going strong1 but really there's very little credit due to me4 ,it was ,macheson's money and ,macheson's idea4 ,we've got an entire village now near ,llandirog1 and the whole population come from the prisons4 ,macheson and ,i used to attend the police-courts ourselves1 hear all the cases1 and form our own conclusions as to the prisoners4 ,if we thought there was any hope for them1 we made a note1 met them when they came out1 and offered them a job1 on probation--in our village4 ,we have to leave it to the chaplains now--,i can't spare time to be always in ,london4 ,we've two woollen mills1 a saw-mill1 and a bakery1 besides all the shops1 and nearly a thousand acres of well-farmed land4 ,at first the people round were terribly shy of us1 but that's all over now4 ,why1 we have less trouble with the police in our village than any for miles around4 ,we're paying our way1 too4 ,you've done thundering well1 ,franklin1 ,macheson declared4 ,i remember what a rough time you had at first4 ,uphill work1 wasn't it8 ,that's what makes it such a relief to have pulled through1 ,franklin declared1 re-lighting his pipe4 ,i shouldn't like to say how much ,i had to draw from ,macheson before we turned the corner4 ,glad to say we've paid a bit back now1 though4 ,tell us about your idea1 ,holroyd4 ,they tell me it's working well in some of the large cities4 ,it's simple enough1 ,holroyd answered1 smiling4 ,it was just the application of common sense to the laws of charity4 ,nearly every one's charitable by instinct--only sometimes it's so difficult for a busy man to know exactly when and how to give4 ,i started in one of the big cities1 looking up prosperous middle-class families4 ,i'd try to induce them1 instead of just writing cheques for institutions and making things for bazaars1 to take a personal interest in a family of about the same size as their own who were in a bad way4 ,when they promised1 all ,i had to do was to find the poor family and bring them together1 and it was astonishing how much the one could do for the other without undue effort4 ,there were the clothes1 of course1 and old housekeeping things1 odd bits of furniture1 food from the kitchen1 a job for one of the boys in the garden1 a day's work for one of the girls in the house4 ,i tell you ,i have lists of hundreds of poor families1 who feel now that they have some one to fall back upon1 and the richer half of the combination take a tremendous interest in their foster-family1 as some of them call it4 ,sometimes there is trouble1 but the world is governed by majorities1 and in the majority of cases the thing has turned out excellently4 ,there's the essence of charity in the idea--the personal note1 ,macheson remarked4 ,how's the ,canadian farm going1 ,finlayson8 ,we're paying our way1 ,finlayson answered1 and you should see our boys4 ,they come out thin and white--all skin and bones4 ,you wouldn't recognize one of them in six months6 ,they're good workers1 too4 ,we've nine hundred altogether in the ,north-,west1 and we want more4 ,i'm hoping to take a hundred back with me4 ,it's a grand country1 ,macheson said4 ,i'm glad it's part of the ,empire1 ,finlayson1 or ,i should grudge you those boys4 ,we can't spare too many4 ,hinton1 your work speaks for itself4 ,hinton1 the only one in clerical dress1 smiled a little wearily4 ,sometimes1 he said1 ,i wish it would speak a little louder4 ,east ,end work is all the same4 ,one feels ashamed of preaching religion to a starving people4 ,macheson nodded his sympathy4 ,i know what you mean1 he said4 ,it drove me from the ,east to the ,west4 ,we should preach at the one and feed the other6444 ,of course1 ,i personally have always been handicapped4 ,i haven't been able to subscribe to any of the established churches4 ,but ,i do believe in the laws of retribution1 whether you call them human or ,divine4 ,one's moral delinquencies pay one out just as bodily excesses do4 ,always one's debts are to be paid1 and it's a terrible burden the drones must carry4 ,after all1 ,i've come to the conclusion that there's heaps of sound moral teaching to be drummed into our fellow-creatures without the necessity of being orthodox6 ,you speak lightly of your own work1 ,macheson1 ,franklin said1 but there is one thing we must none of us forget4 ,our schools1 our farms1 our colonies1 all our attempts1 indeed1 owe their very being to your open purse---- ,macheson held out his hand4 ,franklin1 he said1 ,i want to tell you something which ,i think none of you know4 ,i want to tell you where most of my money came from1 and you'll understand then why ,i've been so anxious to get rid of it--or a part of it--in this way4 ,did you ever hear of ,ferguson ,davis1 the money-lender8 ,yes1 ,i can see by your faces you did4 ,well1 he was my mother's brother1 and he died without a will when ,i was a child1 and the whole lot came to me6 ,a million and a quarter1 some one murmured4 ,more1 ,macheson answered4 ,i was at ,oxford when ,i understood exactly the whole business1 and it seemed like nothing but a curse to me4 ,then ,i talked to the dear old professor1 and he showed me the way4 ,i can honestly say that not one penny of that money has ever been spent1 directly or indirectly1 upon myself4 ,i believe that if the old man could come to life and read my bank-book he'd have a worse fit than the one which carried him off4 ,i appointed myself the trustee of his fortune1 and it's spread pretty well all over the world4 ,i've never refused to stand at the back of any reasonable scheme for the betterment of our fellow-creatures4 ,there have been a few failures perhaps1 but many successes4 ,the ,davis buildings are mine--in trust1 of course4 ,they've done well4 ,i've a larger scheme on hand now on the same lines4 ,and in spite of it all the money grows6 ,i can't get rid of it4 ,the old man chose his investments well1 and many of our purely philanthropic schemes are beginning to pay their way4 ,it isn't that ,i care a fig about the money1 but you must try to make these things self-supporting1 or you injure the character of those who benefit by them4 ,now ,i've told you all the truth1 but don't let it go out of this room4 ,you can consider yourselves fellow-trustees with me1 if you like4 ,show me an honest way to use money for the real benefit of the world's unfortunates1 and it's yours as much as mine4 ,it's magnificent1 ,franklin murmured4 ,it's justice1 ,macheson answered4 ,the money was wrung from the poor1 and it goes back to them4 ,perhaps it's a saner distribution1 for it's the improvident and shiftless of the world who go to the money-lender4 ,there was a knock at the door4 ,the hall-porter of the club in which they were holding their informal meeting entered and addressed ,macheson4 ,i beg your pardon1 sir1 he said1 but there is a young man here who wants to see you at once4 ,he would not give his name1 but he says that his business is urgent4 ,where is he8 ,macheson asked4 ,in the smaller strangers' room1 sir4 ,macheson excused himself1 and1 crossing the hall1 entered the barely furnished apartment1 on the left of the entrance4 ,a young man was walking up and down with fierce1 restless movements4 ,he was pale1 untidily dressed1 and in his eyes there was a curious look of terror1 as though all the time he saw beyond the walls of the room things which kept him breathless with fear4 ,macheson1 pausing for a moment on the threshold1 failed on the instant to recognize him4 ,then he closed the door and advanced into the room4 ,hurd6 he exclaimed4 ,what do you want8 ,what is the matter8 ,matter enough1 ,hurd declared wildly4 ,i have been a fool and a blackguard4 ,those two got round me--the old man and his cursed step-son6 ,i must have been mad6 ,what have you done8 ,macheson asked sharply4 ,she treated me badly1 ,hurd continued1 made a fool of me before you1 and turned me away from ,thorpe4 ,i wanted to cry quits with her1 and those two got hold of me4 ,jean le ,roi is her husband4 ,she refused to see him--to hear from him4 ,letty ,foulton is there1 and ,i have been allowed to visit her4 ,i knew the back way in1 and ,i took ,jean le ,roi there--an hour ago--and he is waiting in her room until she comes home6 ,good ,god6 ,macheson murmured4 ,you unspeakable blackguard6 ,he glanced at the clock4 ,it was past midnight4 ,what time was she expected home8 he demanded4 ,soon after eleven6 ,she was only dining out4 ,he--he swore that he only wanted to talk to her1 to threaten her with exposure4 ,she deserved that6 ,but he is a madman4 ,when ,i left him ,i was afraid4 ,he carries a knife always1 and he kept on saying that she was his wife4 ,i left him there waiting--and when ,i wanted him to promise that there should be no violence1 he laughed at me4 ,he is hidden in her room4 ,i thought that it was only money he wanted--but--but---- ,macheson flung him on one side4 ,he caught up his hat and rushed out of the club4 ,,chapter ,,xvi ,,man ,,to ,,man ,hortense smiled softly to herself as she laid down the ivory-backed brushes4 ,what did it mean1 she wondered1 when her mistress went out with tired eyes and pallid cheeks1 and came home with the colour of a rose and eyes like stars1 humming an old ,french love-song1 and her feet moving all the time to some unheard music8 ,it was years since she had seen her like this6 ,hortense knew the signs and was well pleased4 ,at last1 then1 the household was to be properly established4 ,a woman as beautiful as her mistress without a lover was to ,hortense an incomprehensible thing4 ,you can go now1 ,hortense1 her mistress ordered4 ,i will have my coffee half an hour earlier to-morrow morning4 ,very good1 madame1 the girl answered4 ,there is nothing else to-night1 then8 ,nothing1 thank you1 ,wilhelmina answered4 ,you had better go to bed now4 ,i have been keeping you up rather late the last few evenings4 ,we must both turn over a new leaf4 ,hortense departed1 smiling to herself4 ,it was always like this--when it came4 ,one thought of others and one wanted to be alone4 ,she1 too1 hummed a few bars of that love-song as she climbed the stairs to her room4 ,wilhelmina rose from her chair and stood for a moment looking at herself in the long1 oval looking-glass4 ,hortense had chosen for her a ,french dressing-jacket1 with the palest of light blue ribbons drawn through the lace4 ,wilhelmina looked at herself and smiled4 ,was it the light1 the colouring1 or was she really still so good to look at8 ,her hair1 falling over her shoulders1 was long and silky1 the lines seemed to have been smoothed out of her face--she was like herself when she had been a girl6 ,she followed the slender lines of her figure1 down past the lace of her petticoat to her feet1 still encased in her evening slippers with diamond buckles1 and she laughed softly to herself4 ,what was she yet but a girl8 ,fate had cheated her of some of the years1 but she was barely twenty-five4 ,how wonderful to be young still and feel one's blood flow to music like this6 ,her thoughts ran riot4 ,her mouth trembled and a deeper colour stained her cheeks4 ,then she heard a voice behind her1 a living voice in her room4 ,and as swiftly as those other mysterious thoughts had stolen into her heart1 came the chill of a deadly1 indescribable fear4 ,charming6 ,ravishing6 ,it is almost worth the six years of waiting1 dear wife6 ,she began to tremble4 ,she could not have called out or framed any intelligible sentence to save her life4 ,it was like a nightmare4 ,the horror was there1 without the power of movement or speech4 ,he moved his position and came within the range of her terrified vision4 ,hurd's twenty pounds and a little more added to it had done wonders4 ,he wore correct evening clothes1 correctly worn4 ,except for his good looks--the good looks of a devil--he would have attracted notice nowhere4 ,he leaned against the couch1 and though his lips curled into a sneer1 there was a flame in his eyes1 a horrible admiration4 ,she tried to pray4 ,you are overcome1 he murmured softly4 ,ah6 ,why not8 ,six years since our happiness was snatched from us1 cherie6 ,ah6 but it was cruel6 ,you have thought of me1 ,i trust6 ,you have pitied me6 ,ah6 how often ,i have lain awake at night in my cell1 fondly imagining some such reunion--as this4 ,she forced herself to speak through lips suddenly pale4 ,what strange words they sounded1 frozen things1 scarcely audible6 ,yet the effort hurt her4 ,i will give you--the money1 she said4 ,more1 if you will6 ,ah6 he said reflectively1 the money6 ,i had forgotten that4 ,it was not kind of you to run away and hide1 little woman6 ,it was not kind of you to send me nothing when ,i was in prison6 ,oh6 ,i suffered1 ,i can tell you6 ,there is a good deal to be made up for6 ,pet1 if you had not reminded me1 just now these things seem so little4 ,dear little wife1 you are enchanting4 ,almost you turn my head4 ,he came slowly towards her4 ,she threw up her hands4 ,wait6 she begged1 oh1 wait6 ,listen6 ,i am in your power4 ,i admit it4 ,i will make terms4 ,i will sign anything4 ,what is it that you want8 ,you shall be rich1 but you must go away4 ,you must leave me now6 ,he looked at her steadily and it seemed to her that his eyes were on fire with evil things4 ,little wife1 he said1 with a shade of mockery in his lowered tone4 ,i cannot do that4 ,consider how you were snatched from my arms6 ,consider the cruelty of it4 ,as for the money--bah6 ,i have come to claim my own4 ,don't you understand1 you bewitching little fool8 ,it is you ,i want6 ,the money can wait6 ,i cannot6 ,he came nearer still and she shrank1 like a terrified dumb thing1 against her magnificent dressing-table1 with its load of priceless trinkets4 ,she tried to call out1 but her voice seemed gone1 and he only laughed as he laid his hand over her mouth and drew her gently towards him4 ,with a sudden unnatural strength she wrested herself from his arms4 ,oh6 listen to me1 listen to me for one moment first1 she begged frantically4 ,it's true that ,i married you1 but it was all a plot--and ,i was a child6 ,you shall have your share of my money6 ,leave me alone and ,i swear it6 ,you shall be rich6 ,you can go back to ,paris and be an adventurer no longer4 ,you shall spend your own money4 ,you can live your own life6 ,even then her brain moved quickly4 ,she dared not speak of ,annette1 for fear of making him desperate4 ,it was his cupidity to which she appealed4 ,i am no wife of yours1 she moaned4 ,you shall have more money than you ever had before in your life4 ,but don't make me kill myself6 ,for ,i shall1 if you touch me6 ,he was so close to her now that his hot breath scorched her cheek4 ,is it that another has taken my place8 he asked4 ,yes6--no6 that is1 there is some one whom ,i love1 she cried4 ,listen6 ,you know what you can do with money in ,paris4 ,anything6 ,everything6 ,he was so close to her now that the words died away upon her lips4 ,little wife1 he whispered1 don't you understand--that ,i am a man1 and that it is you ,i want8 ,again she tried to scream1 but his hand covered her mouth4 ,his arm was suddenly around her4 ,then he started back with an oath and looked towards the door of her bedroom4 ,who is in that room8 he asked quickly4 ,my maid1 she lied4 ,he took a quick step across the room4 ,the door was flung open and ,macheson entered4 ,wilhelmina fainted1 but forced herself back into consciousness with a sheer effort of will4 ,sobbing and laughing at the same time1 she tried to drag herself towards the bell1 but ,jean le ,roi stood in the way4 ,jean le ,roi was calm but wicked4 ,what are you doing in my wife's bedroom8 he asked4 ,i am here to see you out of the house1 ,macheson answered1 with one breathless glance around the room4 ,will you come quietly8 ,out of my own house8 ,jean le ,roi said softly4 ,out of my wife's room8 ,who are you8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,bone ,,snapped1 ,,and ,,the ,,knife ,,fell ,,from ,,the ,,nerveless ,,fingers4 ,page #cja ,never mind1 ,macheson answered4 ,her friend6 ,let that be enough4 ,and let me tell you this4 ,if ,i had come too late ,i would have wrung your neck4 ,jean le ,roi sprang at him like a cat1 his legs off the ground1 one arm around the other's neck1 and something gleaming in his right hand4 ,nothing but ,macheson's superb strength saved him4 ,he risked being throttled1 and caught ,jean le ,roi's right arm in such a grip that he swung him half round the room4 ,the bone snapped1 and the knife fell from the nerveless fingers4 ,but ,macheson let go a second too soon4 ,jean le ,roi had all the courage and the insensibility to pain of a brute animal4 ,he stretched out his foot1 and with a trick of his old days1 tripped ,macheson so that he fell heavily4 ,jean le ,roi bent over him on his knees1 breathing heavily1 and with murder in his eyes4 ,macheson scarcely breathed6 ,he lay perfectly still4 ,jean le ,roi staggered to his feet and turned towards ,wilhelmina4 ,you see1 madame1 he said1 seizing her by the wrist1 how ,i shall deal with your lovers if there are any more of them4 ,no use tugging at that bell4 ,i saw to that before you came6 ,i'm used to fighting for what ,i want1 and ,i think ,i've won you6 ,he caught her into his arms1 but suddenly released her with a low animal cry4 ,he knew that this was the end1 for he was pinioned from behind1 a child in the mighty grip which held him powerless4 ,you are a little too hasty1 my friend1 ,macheson remarked4 ,i was afraid ,i might not be so quick as you on my feet1 so ,i rested for a moment4 ,but no man has ever escaped from this grip till ,i chose to let him go4 ,now1 he added1 turning to ,wilhelmina1 the way is clear4 ,will you go outside and rouse the servants8 ,don't come back4 ,you are--quite safe8 she faltered4 ,absolutely1 he answered4 ,i could hold him with one hand4 ,jean le ,roi lifted his head4 ,his brain was working swiftly4 ,listen6 he exclaimed4 ,it is finished6 ,i am beaten6 ,i1 ,jean le ,roi1 admit defeat4 ,why call in servants8 ,the affair is better finished between ourselves4 ,wilhelmina paused4 ,in that first great rush of relief1 she had not stopped to think that with ,jean le ,roi a prisoner1 and herself as prosecutrix1 the whole miserable story must be published4 ,he continued4 ,give me money1 he said1 only a half of what you offered me just now1 and you shall have your freedom4 ,wilhelmina smiled4 ,something of the joy of a few hours ago came faintly back to her4 ,i have already that1 she answered4 ,i learnt the truth to-night4 ,jean le ,roi shrugged his shoulders4 ,the game was up then6 ,what an evening of disasters6 ,let me go1 he said4 ,i ask no more4 ,wilhelmina and ,macheson exchanged glances4 ,she vanished into her room for a moment1 and reappeared in a long wrapper4 ,come with me softly1 she said1 and ,i will let you out4 ,so they three went on tiptoe down the broad stairs4 ,macheson and ,wilhelmina exchanged no words4 ,yet they both felt that the future was different for them4 ,you can give ,mr4 ,macheson your address1 ,wilhelmina said1 as they stood at the front door4 ,i will send you something to help you make a fresh start4 ,but ,jean le ,roi laughed4 ,i play only for the great stakes1 he murmured1 with a swagger1 and when ,i lose--,i lose4 ,so he vanished into the darkness1 and ,macheson and ,wilhelmina remained with clasped hands4 ,to-morrow1 he whispered1 stooping and kissing her fingers4 ,to-morrow1 she repeated4 ,thank ,god you came to-night6 ,she was too weary1 too happy to ask for explanations1 and he offered none4 ,all the time1 as he crossed the ,square and turned towards his house1 those words rang in his ears--,to-morrow6 ,,chapter ,,xvii ,,lord ,,and ,,lady ,,bountiful ,deyes caught a vision of blue in the window1 and crossed the lawn4 ,lady ,peggy leaned over the low sill4 ,between them was only a fragrant border of hyacinths4 ,you know that our host and hostess have deserted us8 she asked4 ,he nodded4 ,they have gone over to this wonderful ,convalescent ,home that ,macheson is building in the hills1 he remarked4 ,i am not sure that ,i consider it good manners to leave us to entertain one another4 ,i am not sure1 she said1 that it is proper4 ,wilhelmina should have considered that we are her only guests4 ,she sat down in the window-sill and leaned back against the corner4 ,she had slept well1 and she was not afraid of the sunshine--blue1 too1 was her most becoming colour4 ,he looked at her admiringly4 ,you are really looking very well this morning1 he said4 ,thank you1 she answered4 ,i was expecting that4 ,i wonder1 he said1 how you others discover the secret of eternal youth4 ,you and ,macheson and ,wilhelmina all look younger than you did last year4 ,i seem to be getting older all by myself4 ,she looked at him critically4 ,there were certainly more lines about his face and the suspicion of crow's-feet about his tired eyes4 ,age1 she said1 is simply a matter of volition4 ,you wear yourself out fretting for the impossible6 ,one has one's desires1 he murmured4 ,but you should learn1 she said1 to let your desires be governed by your reason4 ,it is a foolish thing to want what you may not have4 ,you think that it is like that with me8 he asked4 ,all the world knows1 she answered1 that you are in love with ,wilhelmina6 ,one must be in love with someone1 he remarked4 ,naturally6 ,but why choose a woman who is head and ears in love with some one else8 ,it cannot last1 he answered1 she has married him4 ,lady ,peggy reached out for a cushion and placed it behind her head4 ,that certainly would seem hopeful in the case of an ordinary woman--myself1 for instance1 she said4 ,but ,wilhelmina is not an ordinary woman4 ,she always would do things differently from other people4 ,i don't want to make you more unhappy than you are1 but ,i honestly believe that ,wilhelmina is going to set a new fashion4 ,she is going to try and re-establish the life domestic amongst the upper classes4 ,she always was such a reformer1 he sighed4 ,lady ,peggy nodded sympathetically4 ,of course1 one can't tell how it may turn out1 she continued1 but at present they seem to have turned life into a sort of ,garden of ,eden1 and do you know ,i can't help fancying that there isn't the slightest chance for the serpent4 ,wilhelmina is so fearfully obstinate4 ,the thing will cloy6 he declared4 ,i fancy not1 she answered4 ,you see1 they don't live on sugar-plums4 ,victor ,macheson is by way of being a masterful person1 and ,wilhelmina is only just beginning to realize the fascination of being ruled4 ,frankly1 ,gilbert1 ,i don't think there's the slightest chance for you6 ,he sighed4 ,i am afraid you are right1 he said regretfully4 ,i began to realize it last night1 when we went into the library unexpectedly1 and ,wilhelmina blushed4 ,no self-respecting woman ought to blush when she is discovered being kissed by her own husband4 ,wilhelmina1 ,lady ,peggy said1 stretching out her hand for one of ,deyes' cigarettes1 may live to astonish us yet1 but of one thing ,i am convinced4 ,she will never even realize the other sex except through her own husband4 ,i am afraid she will grow narrow--,i should hate to write as her epitaph that she was an affectionate wife and devoted mother--but ,i am perfectly certain that that is what it will come to4 ,in that case1 ,deyes remarked gloomily1 ,i may as well go away4 ,no6 ,i shouldn't do that1 ,lady ,peggy said4 ,i should try to alter my point of view4 ,direct me1 please1 he begged4 ,i should try1 she continued1 to put a bridle upon my desires and take up the reins4 ,you could lead them in a more suitable direction4 ,for instance8 ,there is myself1 she declared4 ,he laughed quietly4 ,you6 he repeated4 ,why1 you are the most incorrigible flirt in ,christendom4 ,you would no more tie yourself up with one man than enter a nunnery4 ,she sighed4 ,i have always been misunderstood1 she declared1 looking at him pathetically out of her delightful eyes4 ,what you call my flirtations have been simply my attempts1 more or less clumsy1 to gain a husband4 ,i have been most unlucky4 ,no one ever proposes to me6 ,he laughed derisively4 ,your victims have been too loquacious1 he replied4 ,how about ,gayton1 who went to ,africa because you offered to be his friend1 and ,horris--he came to my rooms to tell me all about it the day you refused him1 and ,sammy ,palliser--you treated him shockingly6 ,i had forgotten them1 she admitted4 ,they were nice men1 too1 all of them1 but they all made the same mistake4 ,i remember now they did propose to me4 ,that1 of course1 was fatal4 ,i scarcely see---- he began4 ,she patted him gently on the arm4 ,my dear ,gilbert1 she said1 haven't ,i always said that ,i never intend to marry any one who proposes to me8 ,when ,i have quite made up my mind1 ,i am going to do the proposing myself6 ,whether it is ,leap ,year or not8 he asked4 ,decidedly6 she answered4 ,men can always shuffle out of a ,leap ,year declaration4 ,my man won't be able to escape4 ,i can promise you that4 ,does he--exist then8 ,deyes asked4 ,she laughed softly4 ,he's existed for a good many years more than ,i have1 she answered4 ,i wasn't thinking of marrying a baby4 ,ah6 ,does he know8 ,well1 ,i'm not sure1 she said thoughtfully4 ,he ought to1 but he's such a stupid person4 ,it was then that ,gilbert ,deyes received the shock of his life4 ,he discovered quite suddenly that her eyes were full of tears4 ,for the first time for many years he nearly lost his head4 ,perhaps1 he suggested1 dropping his voice and astonished to find that it was not quite so steady as usual1 he has been waiting6 ,i am afraid not1 she answered1 looking down for a moment at the buckle in her waistband4 ,he looked round4 ,if only he were here now1 he said4 ,could one conceive a more favourable opportunity8 ,an ,april morning1 sunshine1 flowers1 everything in the air to make him forget that he is an old fogey and doesn't deserve---- ,she lifted her eyes to his1 now deliciously wet4 ,her brows were delicately uplifted4 ,i couldn't do it1 she murmured1 unless he were in the same room4 ,deyes stepped over the hyacinths and vaulted through the window4 99 99 99 99 99 ,wilhelmina selected a freshly cut tree-stump1 carefully brushed away the sawdust1 and sat down4 ,macheson chose another and lighted a cigarette4 ,eventually they decided that they were too far away1 and selected a tree-trunk where there was room for both4 ,wilhelmina unrolled a plan1 and glancing now and then at the forest of scaffold poles to their left1 proceeded to try to realize the incomplete building4 ,macheson watched her with a smile4 ,victor1 she exclaimed1 you are not to laugh at me6 ,remember this is my first attempt at doing anything--worth doing1 and1 of course1 ,i'm keen about it4 ,are you sure we shall have enough bedrooms8 ,enough for a start1 at any rate1 he answered4 ,we can always add to it4 ,she looked once more at that forest of poles1 at the slowly rising walls1 through whose empty windows one could see pictures of the valley below4 ,one can build---- she murmured1 one can build always4 ,but think1 ,victor1 what a lot of time ,i wasted before ,i knew you4 ,i might have done so much4 ,he smiled reassuringly4 ,there is plenty of time1 he declared4 ,better to start late and build on a sure foundation1 you know4 ,a good many of my houses had to come down as fast as they went up4 ,do you remember1 for instance1 how ,i wanted to convert all your villagers by storm8 ,she smiled4 ,still--,i'm glad you came to try1 she said softly4 ,that horrid foreman is watching us1 ,victor4 ,i am going to look the other way4 ,he has gone now1 ,macheson said1 slipping his arm around her waist4 ,dear1 do you know ,i don't think that one person can build very well alone4 ,it's a cold sort of building when it's finished--the life built by a lonely man4 ,i like the look of our palace better1 ,wilhelmina4 ,i should like to know where my part comes in8 she asked4 ,every room1 he answered1 will need adorning1 and the lamps--one person alone can never keep them alight1 and we don't want them to go out1 ,wilhelmina4 ,do you remember the old ,german1 who said that beautiful thoughts were the finest pictures to hang upon your walls8 ,think of next spring1 when we shall hear the children from that miserable town running about in the woods1 picking primroses--do you see how yellow they are against the green moss8 ,wilhelmina rose4 ,i must really go and pick some1 she said4 ,what about your pheasants1 ,victor8 ,he laughed4 ,i'll find plenty of sport1 never fear1 he answered1 without keeping the kiddies shut out4 ,why1 the country belongs to them6 ,it's their birthright1 not ours4 ,they walked through the plantation side by side4 ,the ground was still soft with the winter's rains1 but everywhere the sunlight came sweeping in1 up the glade and across the many stretching arms of tender blossoming green4 ,the ground was starred with primroses1 and in every sheltered nook were violets4 ,a soft west wind blew in their faces as they emerged into the country lane4 ,below them was the valley1 hung with a faint blue mist2 all around them the song of birds1 the growing sounds of the stirring season4 ,stephen ,hurd came cantering by1 and stopped for a moment to speak about some matter connected with the estates4 ,my love to ,letty1 ,wilhelmina said graciously1 as he rode off4 ,then she turned to ,macheson4 ,stephen ,hurd is a little corner in your house1 she remarked4 ,in our house1 he protested4 ,i should never have considered him if he had not worked out his own salvation4 ,if he had reached me ten minutes later---- ,she gripped his arm4 ,don't1 she begged4 ,he laughed4 ,don't ever brood over grisly impossibilities1 he said4 ,the man never breathed who could have kept you from me4 ,across the hills home1 or are your shoes too thin8 ,he swung open the gate1 and they passed through1 only to descend the other side1 along the broad green walk strewn with grey rocks and bordered with gorse bushes1 aglow with yellow blossom4 ,they skirted the fir plantation1 received the respectful greetings of ,mrs4 ,green at the gamekeeper's cottage1 and1 crossing the lower range of hills1 approached the house by the back avenue4 ,and ,wilhelmina laughed softly as they passed along the green lane1 for her thoughts travelled back to one wild night when1 with upraised skirts and flying1 trembling footsteps1 she had sped along into a new world4 ,she clung to her husband's arm4 ,i came this way1 dear1 when ,i set out that night--to kiss you4 ,he stooped down and kissed her full on the lips4 ,a nice state you flung me into1 he remarked4 ,it was rather an exciting evening1 she said demurely4 ,they walked straight into the morning-room1 which was indiscreet1 and ,wilhelmina screamed4 ,peggy1 she cried1 ,peggy1 you bad girl6 ,the two women went off together1 of course1 to talk about it1 and ,deyes and ,macheson1 like ,englishmen all the world over1 muttered something barely comprehensible1 and then looked at one another awkwardly4 ,care for a game of billiards8 ,macheson suggested4 ,right oh6 ,deyes answered1 in immense relief4 ,,the ,,end ,,transcriber',s ,,note3 ,minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors2 otherwise1 every effort has been made to remain true to the author's words and intent4