Then she rang the bell, asked for a candle and some bread and milk — Miss Keeldar’s usual supper and her own. Fanny, when she brought in the tray, would have closed the windows and the shutters, but was requested to desist for the present. The twilight was too calm, its breath too balmy to be yet excluded. They took their meal in silence. Caroline rose once to remove to the window-sill a glass of flowers which stood on the sideboard, the exhalation from the blossoms being somewhat too powerful for the sultry room. In returning she half opened a drawer, and took from it something that glittered clear and keen in her hand.
“You assigned this to me, then, Shirley, did you? It is bright, keen-edged, finely tapered; it is dangerous-looking. I never yet felt the impulse which could move me to direct this against a fellow-creature. It is difficult to fancy that circumstances could nerve my arm to strike home with this long knife.”
“I should hate to do it,” replied Shirley, “but I think I could do it, if goaded by certain exigencies which I can imagine.” And Miss Keeldar quietly sipped her glass of new milk, looking somewhat thoughtful and a little pale; though, indeed, when did she not look pale? She was never florid.
The milk sipped and the bread eaten, Fanny was again summoned. She and Eliza were recommended to go to bed, which they were quite willing to do, being weary of the day’s exertions, of much cutting of currant-buns, and filling of urns and teapots, and running backwards and forwards with trays. Ere long the maids’ chamber door was heard to close. Caroline took a candle and went quietly all over the house, seeing that every window was fast and every door barred. She did not even evade the haunted back kitchen nor the vault-like cellars. These visited, she returned.
“There is neither spirit nor flesh in the house at present,” she said, “which should not be there. It is now near eleven o’clock, fully bedtime; yet I would rather sit up a little longer, if you do not object, Shirley. Here,” she continued, “I have brought the brace of pistols from my uncle’s study. You may examine them at your leisure.”
She placed them on the table before her friend.
“Why would you rather sit up longer?” asked Miss Keeldar, taking up the firearms, examining them, and again laying them down.
“Because I have a strange, excited feeling in my heart.”
“So have I.”
“Is this state of sleeplessness and restlessness caused by something electrical in the air, I wonder?”
“No; the sky is clear, the stars numberless. It is a fine night.”
“But very still. I hear the water fret over its stony bed in Hollow’s Copse as distinctly as if it ran below the churchyard wall.”
“I am glad it is so still a night. A moaning wind or rushing rain would vex me to fever just now.”
“Why, Shirley?”
“Because it would baffle my efforts to listen.”
“Do you listen towards the Hollow?”
“Yes; it is the only quarter whence we can hear a sound just now.”
“The only one, Shirley.”
They both sat near the window, and both leaned their arms on the sill, and both inclined their heads towards the open lattice. They saw each other’s young faces by the starlight and that dim June twilight which does not wholly fade from the west till dawn begins to break in the east.
“Mr. Helstone thinks we have no idea which way he is gone,” murmured Miss Keeldar, “nor on what errand, nor with what expectations, nor how prepared. But I guess much; do not you?”
“I guess something.”
“All those gentlemen — your cousin Moore included — think that you and I are now asleep in our beds, unconscious.”
“Caring nothing about them — hoping and fearing nothing for them,” added Caroline.
Both kept silent for full half an hour. The night was silent too; only the church clock measured its course by quarters. Some words were interchanged about the chill of the air. They wrapped their scarves closer round them, resumed their bonnets, which they had removed, and again watched.
Towards midnight the teasing, monotonous bark of the house-dog disturbed the quietude of their vigil. Caroline rose, and made her way noiselessly through the dark passages to the kitchen, intending to appease him with a piece of bread. She succeeded. On returning to the dining-room she found it all dark, Miss Keeldar having extinguished the candle. The outline of her shape was visible near the still open window, leaning out. Miss Helstone asked no questions; she stole to her side. The dog recommenced barking furiously. Suddenly he stopped, and seemed to listen. The occupants of the dining-room listened too, and not merely now to the flow of the mill-stream. There was a nearer, though a muffled, sound on the road below the churchyard — a measured, beating, approaching sound — a dull tramp of marching feet.
It drew near. Those who listened by degrees comprehended its extent. It was not the tread of two, nor of a dozen, nor of a score of men; it was the tread of hundreds. They could see nothing; the high shrubs of the garden formed a leafy screen between them and the road. To hear, however, was not enough, and this they felt as the troop trod forwards, and seemed actually passing the rectory. They felt it more when a human voice — though that voice spoke but one word — broke the hush of the night.
“Halt!”
A halt followed. The march was arrested. Then came a low conference, of which no word was distinguishable from the dining-room.
“We must hear this,” said Shirley.
She turned, took her pistols from the table, silently passed out through the middle window of the dining-room, which was, in fact, a glass door, stole down the walk to the garden wall, and stood listening under the lilacs. Caroline would not have quitted the house had she been alone, but where Shirley went she would go. She glanced at the weapon on the sideboard, but left it behind her, and presently stood at her friend’s side. They dared not look over the wall, for fear of being seen; they were obliged to crouch behind it. They heard these words, —
“It looks a rambling old building. Who lives in it besides the damned parson?”
“Only three women — his niece and two servants.”
“Do you know where they sleep?”
“The lasses behind; the niece in a front room.”
“And Helstone?”
“Yonder is his chamber. He was burning a light, but I see none now.”
“Where would you get in?”
“If I were ordered to do his job — and he desarves it — I’d try yond’ long window; it opens to the dining-room. I could grope my way upstairs, and I know his chamber.”
“How would you manage about the women folk?”
“Let ‘em alone except they shrieked, and then I’d soon quieten ‘em. I could wish to find the old chap asleep. If he waked, he’d be dangerous.”
“Has he arms?”
“Firearms, allus — and allus loadened.”
“Then you’re a fool to stop us here. A shot would give the alarm. Moore would be on us before we could turn round. We should miss our main object.”
“You might go on, I tell you. I’d engage Helstone alone.”
A pause. One of the party dropped some weapon, which rang on the stone causeway. At this sound the rectory dog barked again furiously — fiercely.
“That spoils all!” said the voice. “He’ll awake. A noise like that might rouse the dead. You did not say there was a dog. Damn you! Forward!”
Forward they went — tramp, tramp — with mustering, manifold, slow-filing tread. They were gone.
Shirley stood erect, looked over the wall, along the road.
“Not a soul remains,” she said.
She stood and mused. “Thank God!” was the next observation.
Caroline repeated the ejaculation — not in so steady a tone. She was trembling much. Her heart was beating fast and thick; her face was cold, her forehead damp.
“Thank God for us!” she reiterated. “But what will happen elsewhere? They have passed us by that they may make sure of others.”
“They hav
e done well,” returned Shirley, with composure. “The others will defend themselves. They can do it. They are prepared for them. With us it is otherwise. My finger was on the trigger of this pistol. I was quite ready to give that man, if he had entered, such a greeting as he little calculated on; but behind him followed three hundred. I had neither three hundred hands nor three hundred weapons. I could not have effectually protected either you, myself, or the two poor women asleep under that roof. Therefore I again earnestly thank God for insult and peril escaped.”
After a second pause she continued: “What is it my duty and wisdom to do next? Not to stay here inactive, I am glad to say, but, of course, to walk over to the Hollow.”
“To the Hollow, Shirley?”
“To the Hollow. Will you go with me?”
“Where those men are gone?”
“They have taken the highway; we should not encounter them. The road over the fields is as safe, silent, and solitary as a path through the air would be. Will you go?”
“Yes,” was the answer, given mechanically, not because the speaker wished or was prepared to go, or, indeed, was otherwise than scared at the prospect of going, but because she felt she could not abandon Shirley.
“Then we must fasten up these windows, and leave all as secure as we can behind us. Do you know what we are going for, Cary?”
“Yes — no — because you wish it.”
“Is that all? And are you so obedient to a mere caprice of mine? What a docile wife you would make to a stern husband! The moon’s face is not whiter than yours at this moment, and the aspen at the gate does not tremble more than your busy fingers; and so, tractable and terror-struck, and dismayed and devoted, you would follow me into the thick of real danger! Cary, let me give your fidelity a motive. We are going for Moore’s sake — to see if we can be of use to him, to make an effort to warn him of what is coming.”
“To be sure! I am a blind, weak fool, and you are acute and sensible, Shirley. I will go with you; I will gladly go with you!”
“I do not doubt it. You would die blindly and meekly for me, but you would intelligently and gladly die for Moore. But, in truth, there is no question of death to-night; we run no risk at all.”
Caroline rapidly closed shutter and lattice. “Do not fear that I shall not have breath to run as fast as you can possibly run, Shirley. Take my hand. Let us go straight across the fields.”
“But you cannot climb walls?”
“To-night I can.”
“You are afraid of hedges, and the beck which we shall be forced to cross?”
“I can cross it.”
They started; they ran. Many a wall checked but did not baffle them. Shirley was surefooted and agile; she could spring like a deer when she chose. Caroline, more timid and less dexterous, fell once or twice, and bruised herself; but she rose again directly, saying she was not hurt. A quickset hedge bounded the last field; they lost time in seeking a gap in it. The aperture, when found, was narrow, but they worked their way through. The long hair, the tender skin, the silks and the muslins suffered; but what was chiefly regretted was the impediment this difficulty had caused to speed. On the other side they met the beck, flowing deep in a rough bed. At this point a narrow plank formed the only bridge across it. Shirley had trodden the plank successfully and fearlessly many a time before; Caroline had never yet dared to risk the transit.
“I will carry you across,” said Miss Keeldar. “You are light, and I am not weak. Let me try.”
“If I fall in, you may fish me out,” was the answer, as a grateful squeeze compressed her hand. Caroline, without pausing, trod forward on the trembling plank as if it were a continuation of the firm turf. Shirley, who followed, did not cross it more resolutely or safely. In their present humour, on their present errand, a strong and foaming channel would have been a barrier to neither. At the moment they were above the control either of fire or water. All Stilbro’ Moor, alight and aglow with bonfires, would not have stopped them, nor would Calder or Aire thundering in flood. Yet one sound made them pause. Scarce had they set foot on the solid opposite bank when a shot split the air from the north. One second elapsed. Further off burst a like note in the south. Within the space of three minutes similar signals boomed in the east and west.
“I thought we were dead at the first explosion,” observed Shirley, drawing a long breath. “I felt myself hit in the temples, and I concluded your heart was pierced; but the reiterated voice was an explanation. Those are signals — it is their way — the attack must be near. We should have had wings. Our feet have not borne us swiftly enough.”
A portion of the copse was now to clear. When they emerged from it the mill lay just below them. They could look down upon the buildings, the yard; they could see the road beyond. And the first glance in that direction told Shirley she was right in her conjecture. They were already too late to give warning. It had taken more time than they calculated on to overcome the various obstacles which embarrassed the short cut across the fields.
The road, which should have been white, was dark with a moving mass. The rioters were assembled in front of the closed yard gates, and a single figure stood within, apparently addressing them. The mill itself was perfectly black and still. There was neither life, light, nor motion around it.
“Surely he is prepared. Surely that is not Moore meeting them alone?” whispered Shirley.
“It is. We must go to him. I will go to him.”
“That you will not.”
“Why did I come, then? I came only for him. I shall join him.”
“Fortunately it is out of your power. There is no entrance to the yard.”
“There is a small entrance at the back, besides the gates in front. It opens by a secret method which I know. I will try it.”
“Not with my leave.”
Miss Keeldar clasped her round the waist with both arms and held her back. “Not one step shall you stir,” she went on authoritatively. “At this moment Moore would be both shocked and embarrassed if he saw either you or me. Men never want women near them in time of real danger.”
“I would not trouble — I would help him,” was the reply.
“How? — by inspiring him with heroism? Pooh! these are not the days of chivalry. It is not a tilt at a tournament we are going to behold, but a struggle about money, and food, and life.”
“It is natural that I should be at his side.”
“As queen of his heart? His mill is his lady-love, Cary! Backed by his factory and his frames, he has all the encouragement he wants or can know. It is not for love or beauty, but for ledger and broadcloth, he is going to break a spear. Don’t be sentimental; Robert is not so.”
“I could help him; I will seek him.”
“Off then — I let you go — seek Moore. You’ll not find him.”
She loosened her hold. Caroline sped like levelled shaft from bent bow; after her rang a jesting, gibing laugh. “Look well there is no mistake!” was the warning given.
But there was a mistake. Miss Helstone paused, hesitated, gazed. The figure had suddenly retreated from the gate, and was running back hastily to the mill.
“Make haste, Lina!” cried Shirley; “meet him before he enters.”
Caroline slowly returned. “It is not Robert,” she said. “It has neither his height, form, nor bearing.”
“I saw it was not Robert when I let you go. How could you imagine it? It is a shabby little figure of a private soldier; they had posted him as sentinel. He is safe in the mill now. I saw the door open and admit him. My mind grows easier. Robert is prepared. Our warning would have been superfluous; and now I am thankful we came too late to give it. It has saved us the trouble of a scene. How fine to have entered the counting-house toute éperdue, and to have found oneself in presence of Messrs. Armitage and Ramsden smoking, Malone swaggering, your uncle sneering, Mr. Sykes sipping a cordial, and Moore himself in his cold man-of-business vein! I am glad we missed it all.”
“I wonder if there are ma
ny in the mill, Shirley!”
“Plenty to defend it. The soldiers we have twice seen to-day were going there, no doubt, and the group we noticed surrounding your cousin in the fields will be with him.”
“What are they doing now, Shirley? What is that noise?”
“Hatchets and crowbars against the yard gates. They are forcing them. Are you afraid?”
“No; but my heart throbs fast. I have a difficulty in standing. I will sit down. Do you feel unmoved?”
“Hardly that; but I am glad I came. We shall see what transpires with our own eyes. We are here on the spot, and none know it. Instead of amazing the curate, the clothier, and the corn-dealer with a romantic rush on the stage, we stand alone with the friendly night, its mute stars, and these whispering trees, whose report our friends will not come to gather.”
“Shirley, Shirley, the gates are down! That crash was like the felling of great trees. Now they are pouring through. They will break down the mill doors as they have broken the gate. What can Robert do against so many? Would to God I were a little nearer him — could hear him speak — could speak to him! With my will — my longing to serve him — I could not be a useless burden in his way; I could be turned to some account.”
“They come on!” cried Shirley. “How steadily they march in! There is discipline in their ranks. I will not say there is courage — hundreds against tens are no proof of that quality — but” (she dropped her voice) “there is suffering and desperation enough amongst them. These goads will urge them forwards.”
“Forwards against Robert; and they hate him. Shirley, is there much danger they will win the day?”
“We shall see. Moore and Helstone are of ‘earth’s first blood’ — no bunglers — no cravens — — “
A crash — smash — shiver — stopped their whispers. A simultaneously hurled volley of stones had saluted the broad front of the mill, with all its windows; and now every pane of every lattice lay in shattered and pounded fragments. A yell followed this demonstration — a rioters’ yell — a north-of-England, a Yorkshire, a West-Riding, a West-Riding-clothing-district-of-Yorkshire rioters’ yell.
Delphi Complete Works of the Brontes Page 91
