by Michael Cox
AND SO THE day came when I was to leave Madeira and return to England. My cases and trunks had been taken down to the harbour, and I had given my three servants their final instructions, impressing on them that they were to consider Mr Gorst as their master until I returned.
Gorst was standing in the hall, hat in hand, having just come back from one of his walks in the woods, when I emerged from my study to take the waiting ox-sledge down to the city.
Good-bye, Gorst, I said. I shall write, to let you know how things are back in dear old England; and you will write too, wont you, telling me how you are getting on, and what you are doing?
I shall, he said, most gladly.
He paused, and then held out his hand no longer shaking, as it had been when we had been on Lanzarote, but now strong and steady.
Thank you, Lazarus, was all he said, but it touched me deeply, for I knew that it came from the heart.
They were the last words I ever heard him speak.
17
In Which Lady Tansor Opens Her Heart
I
I Am Admonished
I CLOSED Mr John Lazaruss recollections in a most desolate state of mind. I now knew something of my father; but the knowledge had brought no solace, only a desperate, impossible longing to experience his living presence as he had really been, and not as the subject of distant recall.
Now Mr Lazarus (of whom I had formed a very high opinion) had also given me a fleeting impression of my mother, and of my Blantyre relations, of whom I had never before heard.
Marguerite. The image of that moss-covered gravestone in the Cemetery of St-Vincent came rushing back to me once more as I remembered how I had tried so hard to form an idea of what the person who had borne that most musical name had looked like in life tall or short, dark or fair and whether she had been as sweetly disposed as her name suggested to my childish imagination. From Mr Lazaruss account, she seemed indeed to have been just such a person, indistinct and ghostly though she remained in my mind. Soon, I hoped, the transcriptions from her journal, which Mr Thornhaugh had promised to send me, would help to bring her person and character into clearer view. For the moment, I must be content with what I had a little fragment of kind Mr Lazaruss memory.
I lay down on my bed, feeling suddenly dispirited, and oppressed by urgent questionings. A person mentioned by Mr Lazarus Mr Roderick Shillito, of whom I knew only that he had been a former school-fellow of Phoebus Daunts, but whose name had struck an instant chord of recognition gave me particular concern. He had been present at the dinner given in my Ladys house in Grosvenor Square during our recent trip to London a former school-friend of Mr Phoebus Daunts, as she had described him to me then. To learn now that he had been acquainted with both my parents on Madeira twenty years earlier might be another singular coincidence, like the matter of the initials B.K. yet although coincidence sometimes of an extraordinary character is far more common in life than we often suppose, I hesitated to ascribe to it Mr Shillitos present association with Lady Tansor. Could my fathers evident distaste for this gentleman have arisen from some previous acquaintance? Might there even have been a connexion between my father and Mr Shillitos school-friend, Phoebus Daunt?
At that moment, breaking in on these thoughts, the bell in the corner of my room finally sounded. My Lady was calling for me.
MISS GORST! EXCLAIMED Mr Armitage Vyse. Come in, come in!
He had opened the door to my knock, and was standing, leaning on his stick, smiling expansively. My Lady was sitting by the fire, staring blankly into the flames, and holding a sealed envelope.
How are you, Miss Gorst? he asked, with the utmost geniality.
Quite well, sir, thank you, said I, dropping a dutiful curtsey.
Splendid! Splendid! Now then, come and sit by the fire, wont you?
He ushered me over to the little sofa opposite Lady Tansor, and then sat down uncomfortably close to me, still smiling in that odd, sinisterly affable way of his. My Lady made no movement, but went on looking intently into the fire.
At length, she turned towards me. Her face was drawn, and there were dark rings around her eyes.
This is for you, she said, coldly, looking down at the envelope. From Mr Wraxall.
Mr Montagu Wraxall, added Mr Vyse, stretching out his long legs and cupping the back of his head in his hands, in a highly comfortable and self-satisfied manner. Capital fellow! Quite a legend in our profession, you know. Sharp, very sharp.
His tone was genial and confiding; but the play of his eyes sent a chill through me, making me feel that I had inadvertently stepped on to dangerous ground. I could only guess that an association with Mr Wraxall was something that both Mr Vyse and my mistress wished to discourage, as being in some way threatening to their purposes.
We chanced to call at North Lodge this morning, said my Lady, in a flat, emotionless tone, which nevertheless alarmed me, and Mr Wraxall asked whether we would deliver this note to you. He also enquired after you, and said that he was sorry that business had kept him away from Evenwood much longer than expected. I confess that I was not aware that you and he were on such familiar terms.
Oh no, my Lady! I protested, with some alacrity, sensing now a hint of challenge in her voice. Nothing in the least like that.
Forgive me, Alice. I was under the impression that you made Mr Wraxalls acquaintance for the first time at Professor Slakes funeral.
That is so, my Lady.
But it seems that you have continued the acquaintance without my knowledge, she went on.
Why was she quizzing me in this manner? I could see no impropriety in the acquaintance with Mr Wraxall; but it was now abundantly clear that my Lady, like Mr Vyse, viewed it with disapproval. The thought then struck me that the reason might be connected with the murder of Mr Paul Carteret, in which the late Professor had taken such a close interest. I therefore resolved to say nothing concerning my conversation on the subject with Mr Wraxall.
Facing her gaze, I explained that I had met Mr Wraxall, quite by chance, coming out of the Dower House, and that he had expressed the intention, on his return to North Lodge, of inviting me there to take tea.
Oh ho! exclaimed Mr Vyse with a cynical chuckle. To take tea, eh? Theres a thing!
In that case, said Lady Tansor with a chilling look, handing me the envelope, you may take your note.
There was a moments silence.
The Dower House, you say? she then asked, in a manner that suggested she had been turning a troublesome matter over in her mind.
I beg your pardon, my Lady?
You said you encountered Mr Wraxall by chance at the Dower House.
Yes, my Lady. He was collecting some letters that Professor Slake had written to
I hesitated, realizing immediately that I should not have done so. My Ladys face was now fully alert, and her great black eyes were on me.
Yes, Alice?
Letters written to your late father, I resumed, as coolly as I could.
Letters to my father?
Yes, my Lady.
And did Mr Wraxall inform you further on the contents of the letters?
No, my Lady. Mr Wraxall had yet to examine them. I know only that there were a great number.
She rose, and walked over to the window. Mr Vyse coughed, and smiled in an avuncular fashion.
Well now, Miss Gorst, you are to be raised to a new station in life, I think, he said. Companion to her Ladyship, eh?
Yes, sir.
I lowered my head demurely, determined to say as little as possible; but Mr Vyse seemed equally intent on filling the silence.
No more than you deserve, Im sure; and yet less than you might once have expected as a lady born, I mean.
I was brought up an orphan, sir, I replied, as I think you must know; and alt
hough I may have enjoyed the advantages of a good education, I cannot and do not lay claim to any special privilege of birth. I am perfectly content with my present station, which is so much more than I could once have hoped for, and am grateful for the favour my Lady continues to show towards me, and which I shall constantly endeavour to deserve.
A pretty speech, I thought, intended as much for my Lady as for Mr Vyse, who was about to make his reply when my mistress broke in.
I am not at all sure, Alice, she said, that it was right for you to say you would take tea with Mr Montagu Wraxall. However, I shall not positively forbid you from going, although I hope you will now see that it was imprudent of you and somewhat presumptuous to accept his invitation without consulting me first. I have made many allowances, as you must acknowledge, with respect to your situation here, allowances that have never been extended to anyone else in your position; but there are limits to my tolerance.
Limits, said Mr Vyse, nodding sagely.
I had hoped, she added, that there would be no more secrets between us.
I marvelled at her hypocrisy. Secrets, indeed! She lived and breathed secrets, and yet she would berate me for keeping mine!
Perhaps, ventured Mr Vyse, if Miss Gorst were to let your Ladyship read Mr Wraxalls note, it would go some way to assure you that no impropriety had been intended, and would put things back on a proper footing. You wouldnt mind that, would you, Miss Gorst? Indeed, Im sure you had every intention of showing the note to her Ladyship of your own accord, on receiving it. Say now, am I not right?
He had me, and he knew it, sitting there with his ear-to-ear smile, the light from the fire flashing off his watch-chain and seals, so assured, so studiously affable, so curiously at ease.
With choice denied me, I walked across to where Lady Tansor was standing, and handed her back the unopened note.
No more secrets, Alice, she whispered.
No, my Lady.
It took but a few seconds for her to read the note, which she then gave back to me with a black look. Saying not a word, she walked quickly to the adjoining bed-chamber, slamming the door behind her.
I glanced down at the paper, and the few lines written thereon:
DEAR MISS GORST,
I am returned at long last.
Christmas is nearly upon us, but if you are still minded to accept my invitation, then I should be very glad to welcome you next Sunday, the 31st, at three oclock, at North Lodge.
I shall have another guest, a young friend of mine, who has come up from London to spend this festive time with his ailing father. His wife will be there, too, so you will not be unchaperoned.
Yours very sincerely,
M.R.J. WRAXALL
Well, then, I heard Mr Vyse say, as I finished reading and was placing the note in my pocket, all done, and everything set to rights. And tomorrow is Christmas Eve! What could be more pleasant?
He was now standing, his back to the fire, leaning on his stick, and regarding me with another of his unsettling smiles. He seemed everything benign, charming, and considerate, but I knew otherwise; I knew also the danger that he posed to me, having now the vivid recollection of him, disguised, nose to nose with the villainous Billy Yapp.
I was considering whether I should wait for my Lady to come out of the bed-chamber, or to return upstairs to await a further summons, when there was a single tap at the door, which opened to reveal Mr Perseus, standing motionless in the doorway, his face, as ever, an impassive mask. Then I saw that he was clenching and re-clenching his fist as he looked, first at me, and then at Mr Vyses dandyish figure. It was such a little thing, but something in this involuntary gesture spoke of his resentment at finding Mr Vyse standing so brazenly before the fire in his mothers private apartments, as if by right of possession.
Ah, Vyse, he said, coldly courteous, here you are and Miss Gorst, too.
Here I am, indeed, replied Mr Vyse, utterly unabashed, and giving an exaggeratedly cordial bow. Wont you come in?
The affront was clearly intended. As if Mr Perseus Duport needed an invitation by a house-guest to enter his own mothers apartments!
Closing the door behind him, Mr Perseus stepped into the room and looked about him.
Where is my mother? he asked.
Alas, she woke this morning with one of her headaches, drawled Mr Vyse. At my suggestion, we went out in the barouche, well wrapped up, of course I have found a strong dose of clean country air to be a capital remedy for headaches. Im happy to say that my recommendation met with her Ladyships approval, and that she returned much refreshed, although a little fatigued. She is now resting.
You lie easily, sir, I thought, as he gave me a sly, collusive glance.
Well, then, I shall not disturb her, said Mr Perseus. I merely wished to inform her that my brother has returned from Wales, and that Shillito has also arrived. Hes in the Drawing-Room, and is asking for you. I suppose youre at liberty to come down?
His antipathy towards Mr Vyse was clear, although the latter remained inviolable in his beaming complacency.
By all means, came the reply. Then, turning to me: I think you may be excused, Miss Gorst. Her Ladyship will ring for you if you are needed.
I gave him a little bob by way of answer, and made to leave. As I did so, he addressed Mr Perseus once more.
Ive been congratulating Miss Gorst on her good fortune. Her days of drudgery will soon be over. My Ladys companion now! Altogether a remarkable instance of the triumph of breeding over circumstance. Blood will out, blood will out!
Ignoring this glib pronouncement, Mr Perseus moved to open the door for me, making a slight inclination of his head as I passed by. Then, for the merest instant, our eyes met, and in that brief span of time I saw something that, I confess, made my heart suddenly pound. What was it? I could not then say; but I left my Ladys apartments with an inexplicably lighter heart than when I had entered them.
MR LAZARUSS RECOLLECTIONS still lay on the table. Lighting my candle, and idly opening the volume, my eye happened to fall on the account of the reception held for the Blantyre family, at which my father and mother had first met, and on the description of Mr Roderick Shillito who, even now, was no doubt taking his ease in the Drawing-Room with Mr Vyse.
What would happen when I was introduced as I surely must be to this gentleman? Would the name of Gorst call up memories of the man he had encountered on Madeira twenty years ago? This might expose me to suspicion, even danger. I was at least forewarned, although this gave me scant comfort.
Just then the bell rang, and so down I went again to my Ladys apartments.
II
In Which I Am Elevated Once More
SHE WAS SITTING by the fire, steadily contemplating the brightly flaring logs. There was no sign of either Mr Vyse or Mr Perseus.
As I entered the room, she turned her face wan and haggard towards me.
Come and sit down, Alice, she said, gently. Theres something I wish to say to you.
I took my place again on the sofa opposite her. To my surprise, she leaned forwards, and took my hands tenderly in hers.
I had a friend once, she began, in a quiet, reminiscing way, the dearest friend in all the world the only true friend I ever had. When we were together, we were inseparable, like the closest of sisters.
She looked away for a moment. I saw that her eyes were moistening, and I was about to speak when she raised her hand.
No, Alice. Say nothing. The memories are painful to me, even now, and are made more so because my own dearest sister was taken from us when I was young you must, Im sure, have been told that the poor sweet thing fell into the Evenbrook, and was drowned. Years later, for a period on which I shall ever look back with the fondest remembrance, this friend filled the empty space in my life left by my dear sister. We shared every confidence, every hope and dream
; and, in this state of deepest affection and trust, we passed into womanhood together.
She would come to stay at Evenwood every summer, and became a great favourite of my fathers. But then certain circumstances sundered the bond between us, making it impossible that we could continue our former intimacy.
And you have never seen her since?
Never, she sighed. I have had no word of her these twenty years neither has anyone ever taken her place. I have a numerous acquaintance, of course, here in the country, and in Town; but there has been no one like her.
There was a most rare sympathy between us, you see, although we were quite unlike in so many ways. She could be skittish and irresponsible she seemed to dance heedlessly through life, whereas I had grown up serious in my outlook, and cautious in all my doings. But I suppose we completed each other, and made a whole out of our differences. We were so differently made, too. She was a little doll, with the most wondrous fair hair, and the palest of blue eyes, whilst I, of course, was dark, and as tall as a man. We must have made an odd sight!
Giving a sad little laugh, she released my hands, and leaned back in her chair, lost in fond memories.
We sat for several minutes without speaking, listening to the crackle of the glowing logs. Then she reached forward to take my hands in hers once more, and looked deeply into my eyes.
Now, dearest Alice, this is what I wished to say. From the very instant I saw you, I knew that, one day, we would be friends true friends, as this person and I had once been. You came to me as a mere servant; but, as I have told you, I saw through your disguise. I knew you for what you truly were.
