Tales from the Dead of Night

by Cecily Gayford

  Yes, the maid said, he did; she was so sorry she’d forgotten. He’d told her, just as he was leaving, to say to Mrs Ashby that he was going to see about their passages, and would she please be ready to sail tomorrow?

  Charlotte echoed the woman’s ‘tomorrow’, and sat staring at her incredulously. ‘Tomorrow – you’re sure he said to sail tomorrow?’

  ‘Oh, ever so sure, ma’am. I don’t know how I could have forgotten to mention it.’

  ‘Well, it doesn’t matter. Draw my bath, please.’ Charlotte sprang up, dashed through her dressing and caught herself singing at her image in the glass as she sat brushing her hair. It made her feel young again to have scored such a victory. The other woman vanished to a speck on the horizon, as this one, who ruled the foreground, smiled back at the reflection of her lips and eyes. He loved her, then – he loved her as passionately as ever. He had divined what she had suffered, had understood that their happiness depended on their getting away at once and finding each other again after yesterday’s desperate groping in the fog. The nature of the influence that had come between them did not much matter to Charlotte now; she had faced the phantom and dispelled it. ‘Courage – that’s the secret! If only people who are in love weren’t always so afraid of risking their happiness by looking it in the eyes.’ As she brushed back her light abundant hair it waved electrically above her head, like the palms of victory. Ah, well, some women knew how to manage men and some didn’t – and only the fair – she gaily paraphrased – deserve the brave! Certainly she was looking very pretty.

  The morning danced along like a cockleshell on a bright sea – such a sea as they would soon be speeding over. She ordered a particularly good dinner, saw the children off to their classes, had her trunks brought down, consulted with the maid about getting out summer clothes – for of course they would be heading for heat and sunshine – and wondered if she oughtn’t to take Kenneth’s flannel suits out of camphor. ‘But how absurd,’ she reflected, ‘that I don’t yet know where we’re going!’ She looked at the clock, saw that it was close on noon and decided to call him up at his office. There was a slight delay; then she heard his secretary’s voice saying that Mr Ashby had looked in for a moment early and left again almost immediately … Oh, very well; Charlotte would ring up later. How soon was he likely to be back? The secretary answered that she couldn’t tell; all they knew in the office was that when he left he had said he was in a hurry because he had to go out of town.

  Out of town! Charlotte hung up the receiver and sat blankly gazing into new darkness. Why had he gone out of town? And where had he gone? And of all days, why should he have chosen the eve of their suddenly planned departure? She felt a faint shiver of apprehension. Of course he had gone to see that woman – no doubt to get her permission to leave. He was as completely in bondage as that; and Charlotte had been fatuous enough to see the palms of victory on her forehead. She burst into a laugh and, walking across the room, sat down again before her mirror. What a different face she saw! The smile on her pale lips seemed to mock the rosy vision of the other Charlotte. But gradually her colour crept back. After all, she had a right to claim the victory, since her husband was doing what she wanted, not what the other woman exacted of him. It was natural enough, in view of his abrupt decision to leave the next day, that he should have arrangements to make, business matters to wind up; it was not even necessary to suppose that his mysterious trip was a visit to the writer of the letters. He might simply have gone to see a client who lived out of town. Of course they would not tell Charlotte at the office; the secretary had hesitated before imparting even such meagre information as the fact of Mr Ashby’s absence. Meanwhile she would go on with her joyful preparations, content to learn later in the day to what particular island of the blest she was to be carried.

  The hours wore on, or rather were swept forward on a rush of eager preparations. At last the entrance of the maid who came to draw the curtains roused Charlotte from her labours and she saw to her surprise that the clock marked five. And she did not yet know where they were going the next day! She rang up her husband’s office and was told that Mr Ashby had not been there since the early morning. She asked for his partner, but the partner could add nothing to her information, for he himself, his suburban train having been behind time, had reached the office after Ashby had come and gone. Charlotte stood perplexed; then she decided to telephone to her mother-in-law. Of course Kenneth, on the eve of a month’s absence, must have gone to see his mother. The mere fact that the children – in spite of his vague objections – would certainly have to be left with old Mrs Ashby made it obvious that he would have all sorts of matters to decide with her. At another time Charlotte might have felt a little hurt at being excluded from their conference, but nothing mattered now but that she had won the day, that her husband was still hers and not another woman’s. Gaily she called up Mrs Ashby, heard her friendly voice and began, ‘Well, did Kenneth’s news surprise you? What do you think of our elopement?’

  Almost instantly, before Mrs Ashby could answer, Charlotte knew what her reply would be. Mrs Ashby had not seen her son, she had had no word from him and did not know what her daughter-in-law meant. Charlotte stood silent in the intensity of her surprise. ‘But then, where has he been?’ she thought. Then, recovering herself, she explained their sudden decision to Mrs Ashby, and in doing so, gradually regained her own self-confidence, her conviction that nothing could ever again come between Kenneth and herself. Mrs Ashby took the news calmly and approvingly. She, too, had thought that Kenneth looked worried and overtired, and she agreed with her daughter-in-law that in such cases change was the surest remedy. ‘I’m always so glad when he gets away. Elsie hated travelling; she was always finding pretexts to prevent his going anywhere. With you, thank goodness, it’s different.’ Nor was Mrs Ashby surprised at his not having had time to let her know of his departure. He must have been in a rush from the moment the decision was taken; but no doubt he’d drop in before dinner. Five minutes’ talk was really all they needed. ‘I hope you’ll gradually cure Kenneth of his mania for going over and over a question that could be settled in a dozen words. He never used to be like that, and if he carried the habit into his professional work he’d soon lose all his clients … Yes, do come in for a minute, dear, if you have time; no doubt he’ll turn up while you’re here.’ The tonic ring of Mrs Ashby’s voice echoed on reassuringly in the silent room while Charlotte continued her preparations.

  Towards seven the telephone rang and she darted to it. Now she would know! But it was only from the conscientious secretary, to say that Mr Ashby hadn’t been back, or sent any word, and before the office closed she thought she ought to let Mrs Ashby know. ‘Oh, that’s all right. Thanks a lot!’ Charlotte called out cheerfully, and hung up the receiver with a trembling hand. But perhaps by this time, she reflected, he was at his mother’s. She shut her drawers and cupboards, put on her hat and coat and called up to the nursery that she was going out for a minute to see the children’s grandmother.

  Mrs Ashby lived nearby and during her brief walk through the cold spring dusk Charlotte imagined that every advancing figure was her husband’s. But she did not meet him on the way and when she entered the house she found her mother-in-law alone. Kenneth had neither telephoned nor come. Old Mrs Ashby sat by her bright fire, her knitting needles flashing steadily through her active old hands, and her mere bodily presence gave reassurance to Charlotte. Yes, it was certainly odd that Kenneth had gone off for the whole day without letting any of them know; but, after all, it was to be expected. A busy lawyer held so many threads in his hands that any sudden change of plan would oblige him to make all sorts of unforeseen arrangements and adjustments. He might have gone to see some client in the suburbs and been detained there; his mother remembered his telling her that he had charge of the legal business of a queer old recluse somewhere in New Jersey, who was immensely rich but too mean to have a telephone. Very likely Kenneth had been stranded there.

  But
Charlotte felt her nervousness gaining on her. When Mrs Ashby asked her at what hour they were sailing the next day and she had to say she didn’t know – that Kenneth had simply sent her word he was going to take their passages – the uttering of the words again brought home to her the strangeness of the situation. Even Mrs Ashby conceded that it was odd; but she immediately added that it only showed what a rush he was in.

  ‘But, mother, it’s nearly eight o’clock! He must realise that I’ve got to know when we’re starting tomorrow.’

  ‘Oh, the boat probably doesn’t sail till evening. Sometimes they have to wait till midnight for the tide. Kenneth’s probably counting on that. After all, he has a level head.’

  Charlotte stood up. ‘It’s not that. Something has happened to him.’

  Mrs Ashby took off her spectacles and rolled up her knitting. ‘If you begin to let yourself imagine things –’

  ‘Aren’t you in the least anxious?’

  ‘I never am till I have to be. I wish you’d ring for dinner, my dear. You’ll stay and dine? He’s sure to drop in here on his way home.’

  Charlotte called up her own house. No, the maid said, Mr Ashby hadn’t come in and hadn’t telephoned. She would tell him as soon as he came that Mrs Ashby was dining at his mother’s. Charlotte followed her mother-in-law into the dining room and sat with parched throat before her empty plate, while Mrs Ashby dealt calmly and efficiently with a short but carefully prepared repast. ‘You’d better eat something, child, or you’ll be as bad as Kenneth … Yes, a little more asparagus, please, Jane.’

  She insisted on Charlotte’s drinking a glass of sherry and nibbling a bit of toast; then they returned to the drawing room, where the fire had been made up and the cushions in Mrs Ashby’s armchair shaken out and smoothed. How safe and familiar it all looked; and out there, somewhere in the uncertainty and mystery of the night, lurked the answer to the two women’s conjectures, like an indistinguishable figure prowling on the threshold.

  At last Charlotte got up and said, ‘I’d better go back. At this hour Kenneth will certainly go straight home.’

  Mrs Ashby smiled indulgently. ‘It’s not very late, my dear. It doesn’t take two sparrows long to dine.’

  ‘It’s after nine.’ Charlotte bent down to kiss her. ‘The fact is, I can’t keep still.’

  Mrs Ashby pushed aside her work and rested her two hands on the arms of her chair. ‘I’m going with you,’ she said, helping herself up.

  Charlotte protested that it was too late, that it was not necessary, that she would call up as soon as Kenneth came in, but Mrs Ashby had already rung for her maid. She was slightly lame and stood resting on her stick while her wraps were brought. ‘If Mr Kenneth turns up, tell him he’ll find me at his own house,’ she instructed the maid as the two women got into the taxi which had been summoned. During the short drive Charlotte gave thanks that she was not returning home alone. There was something warm and substantial in the mere fact of Mrs Ashby’s nearness, something that corresponded with the clearness of her eyes and the texture of her fresh, firm complexion. As the taxi drew up she laid her hand encouragingly on Charlotte’s. ‘You’ll see; there’ll be a message.’

  The door opened at Charlotte’s ring and the two entered. Charlotte’s heart beat excitedly; the stimulus of her mother-in-law’s confidence was beginning to flow through her veins.

  ‘You’ll see – you’ll see,’ Mrs Ashby repeated.

  The maid who opened the door said no, Mr Ashby had not come in, and there had been no message from him.

  ‘You’re sure the telephone’s not out of order?’ his mother suggested; and the maid said, well, it certainly wasn’t half an hour ago; but she’d just go and ring up to make sure. She disappeared, and Charlotte turned to take off her hat and cloak. As she did so her eyes lit on the hall table, and there lay a grey envelope, her husband’s name faintly traced on it. ‘Oh!’ she cried out, suddenly aware that for the first time in months she had entered her house without wondering if one of the grey letters would be there.

  ‘What is it, my dear?’ Mrs Ashby asked with a glance of surprise.

  Charlotte did not answer. She took up the envelope and stood staring at it as if she could force her gaze to penetrate to what was within. Then an idea occurred to her. She turned and held out the envelope to her mother-in-law.

  ‘Do you know that writing?’ she asked.

  Mrs Ashby took the letter. She had to feel with her other hand for her eyeglasses, and when she had adjusted them she lifted the envelope to the light. ‘Why!’ she exclaimed; and then stopped. Charlotte noticed that the letter shook in her usually firm hand. ‘But this is addressed to Kenneth,’ Mrs Ashby said at length, in a low voice. Her tone seemed to imply that she felt her daughter-in-law’s question to be slightly indiscreet.

  ‘Yes, but no matter,’ Charlotte spoke with sudden decision. ‘I want to know – do you know the writing?’

  Mrs Ashby handed back the letter. ‘No,’ she said distinctly.

  The two women had turned into the library. Charlotte switched on the electric light and shut the door. She still held the envelope in her hand.

  ‘I’m going to open it,’ she announced.

  She caught her mother-in-law’s startled glance. ‘But, dearest – a letter not addressed to you? My dear, you can’t!’

  ‘As if I cared about that – now!’ She continued to look intently at Mrs Ashby. ‘This letter may tell me where Kenneth is.’

  Mrs Ashby’s glossy bloom was effaced by a quick pallor; her firm cheeks seemed to shrink and wither. ‘Why should it? What makes you believe – it can’t possibly –’

  Charlotte held her eyes steadily on that altered face. ‘Ah, then you do know the writing?’ she flashed back.

  ‘Know the writing? How should I? With all my son’s correspondents … What I do know is –’ Mrs Ashby broke off and looked at her daughter-in-law entreatingly, almost timidly.

  Charlotte caught her by the wrist. ‘Mother! What do you know? Tell me! You must!’

  ‘That I don’t believe any good ever came of a woman’s opening her husband’s letters behind his back.’

  The words sounded to Charlotte’s irritated ears as flat as a phrase culled from a book of moral axioms. She laughed impatiently and dropped her mother-in-law’s wrist. ‘Is that all? No good can come of this letter, opened or unopened. I know that well enough. But whatever ill comes, I mean to find out what’s in it.’ Her hands had been trembling as they held the envelope, but now they grew firm, and her voice also. She still gazed intently at Mrs Ashby. ‘This is the ninth letter addressed in the same hand that has come for Kenneth since we’ve been married. Always these same grey envelopes. I’ve kept count of them because after each one he has been like a man who has had some dreadful shock. It takes him hours to shake off their effect. I’ve told him so. I’ve told him I must know from whom they come, because I can see they’re killing him. He won’t answer my questions; he says he can’t tell me anything about the letters; but last night he promised to go away with me – to get away from them.’

  Mrs Ashby, with shaking steps, had gone to one of the armchairs and sat down in it, her head drooping forward on her breast. ‘Ah,’ she murmured.

  ‘So now you understand –’

  ‘Did he tell you it was to get away from them?’

  ‘He said, to get away – to get away. He was sobbing so that he could hardly speak. But I told him I knew that was why.’

  ‘And what did he say?’

  ‘He took me in his arms and said he’d go wherever I wanted.’

  ‘Ah, thank God!’ said Mrs Ashby. There was a silence, during which she continued to sit with bowed head and eyes averted from her daughter-in-law. At last she looked up and spoke. ‘Are you sure there have been as many as nine?’

  ‘Perfectly. This is the ninth. I’ve kept count.’

  ‘And he has absolutely refused to explain?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  Mrs Ashby spoke throu
gh pale, contracted lips. ‘When did they begin to come? Do you remember?’

  Charlotte laughed again. ‘Remember? The first one came the night we got back from our honeymoon.’

  ‘All that time?’ Mrs Ashby lifted her head and spoke with sudden energy. ‘Then – yes, open it.’

  The words were so unexpected that Charlotte felt the blood in her temples, and her hands began to tremble again. She tried to slip her finger under the flap of the envelope, but it was so tightly stuck that she had to hunt on her husband’s writing table for his ivory letter opener. As she pushed about the familiar objects his own hands had so lately touched, they sent through her the icy chill emanating from the little personal effects of someone newly dead. In the deep silence of the room the tearing of the paper as she slit the envelope sounded like a human cry. She drew out the sheet and carried it to the lamp.

  ‘Well?’ Mrs Ashby asked below her breath.

  Charlotte did not move or answer. She was bending over the page with wrinkled brows, holding it nearer and nearer to the light. Her sight must be blurred, or else dazzled by the reflection of the lamplight on the smooth surface of the paper, for, strain her eyes as she would, she could discern only a few faint strokes, so faint and faltering as to be nearly undecipherable.

  ‘I can’t make it out,’ she said.

  ‘What do you mean, dear?’

  ‘The writing’s too indistinct … Wait.’

  She went back to the table and, sitting down close to Kenneth’s reading lamp, slipped the letter under a magnifying glass. All this time she was aware that her mother-in-law was watching her intently.

  ‘Well?’ Mrs Ashby breathed.

  ‘Well, it’s no clearer. I can’t read it.’

  ‘You mean the paper is an absolute blank?’

  ‘No, not quite. There is writing on it. I can make out something like “mine” – oh, and “come”. It might be “come”.’

  Mrs Ashby stood up abruptly. Her face was even paler than before. She advanced to the table and, resting her two hands on it, drew a deep breath. ‘Let me see,’ she said, as if forcing herself to a hateful effort.