"A fool's mouth is his destruction."
The superficial reader of these pages may possibly have forgotten, but
the earnest one will undoubtedly remember that in an earlier chapter a
sale of work was mentioned which was to take place in the Wilderleigh
gardens at the end of August.
The end of August had now arrived, and with it two white tents, which
sprang up suddenly one morning, like giant mushrooms, on one of Doll's
smooth-shaven lawns. He groaned in spirit as he watched their erection.
They would ruin the turf.
"Might as well iron it with a hot iron," he said, disconsolately to
Hugh. "But, of course, this sort of thing--Diocesan Fund, eh? In these
days we must stand by our colors." He repeated Mr. Gresley's phrase.
Doll seldom ventured on an opinion not sanctioned by the ages, or that
he had not heard repeated till its novelty had been comfortably rubbed
off by his wife or the Gresleys.
The two men watched the proceedings mournfully. They could not help, at
least they were told they could not help the women busily engaged in
draping and arranging the stalls. They were still at large, but Doll
knew, as well as a dog who is going to be washed, what was in store for
him in the afternoon, and he was depressed beforehand.
"Don't let yourself be run in," he said, generously to Hugh. "You're not
up to it. It takes a strong man to grapple with this sort of thing.
Kills off the weakly ones like flies. You lie low in the smoking-room
till it's all over."
* * * * *
"All I can say is," remarked Mrs. Gresley, as she and Hester led the
Vicarage donkey and cart up the drive, heavily laden with the work of
many months, "that the Pratts have behaved exceedingly badly. Here they
are, the richest people by far in the parish, and they would not even
take a stall, they would not even furnish half of one, and they said
they would be away, and they are at the Towers, after all. No one likes
the Pratts more than I do, or sees their good points as I do, but I
can't shut my eyes to the fact that they are the meanest of the mean."
The Pratts had only contributed two "bed-spreads," and a "sheet-sham,"
and a set of antimacassars. If the reader wishes to know what
"bed-spreads" and "sheet-shams" are, let him ask his intended, and let
him see to it that he marries a woman who cannot tell him.
Mrs. Pratt had bought the antimacassars for the Towers, and secretly
adored them until Ada pronounced them to be vulgar. The number of things
which Ada discovered to be vulgar increased every day, and included the
greater part of her mother's wardrobe, much to the distress of that poor
lady. Mrs. Pratt had reached the size when it is prudent to concentrate
a love of bright colors in one's parasol. On this particular afternoon
she shed tears over the fact that Ada refused to accompany her if her
mother wore a unique garment of orange satin, covered with what appeared
to be a plague of black worms.
Of course, the sale of work was combined with a garden-party, and a
little after three o'clock carriage after carriage began to arrive, and
Sybell, with a mournful, handsome, irreproachably dressed husband, took
up her position on the south front to receive her guests.
The whole neighborhood had been invited, and it can generally be gauged
with tolerable accuracy by a hostess of some experience who will respond
to the call and who will stay away. Sybell and her husband were among
those who were not to be found at these festivities, neither were the
Newhavens, save at their own, nor the Pontisburys, nor the Bishop of
Southminster. Cards had, of course, been sent to each, but no one
expected them to appear.
Presently, among the stream of arrivals, Sybell noticed the slender
figure of Lady Newhaven, and--astonishing vision--Lord Newhaven beside
her.
"Wonders will never cease," said Doll, shaken for a moment out of the
apathy of endurance.
Sybell raised her eyebrows, and advanced with the prettiest air of
_empressement_ to meet her unexpected guests. No, clearly it was
impossible that the two women should like each other. They were the same
age, about the same height and coloring; their social position was too
similar; their historic houses too near each other. Lady Newhaven was by
far the best looking, but that was not a difference which attracted
Sybell towards her. On this occasion Sybell's face assumed its most
squirrel-like expression, for, as ill-luck would have it, they were
dressed alike.
Lady Newhaven looked very ethereal, as she came slowly across the grass
in her diaphanous gown of rich white, covered with a flowing veil of
thinnest transparent black. Her blue eyes looked restlessly bright; her
lips wore a mechanical smile. Rachel, watching her, experienced a sudden
pang at her undeniable loveliness. It wounded her suddenly, as it never
had done before. "I am a common-looking, square-built woman compared to
her," she said to herself. "No wonder he--"
She instinctively drew back as Lady Newhaven turned quickly towards her.
"You dear person," said Lady Newhaven, her eyes moving restlessly over
the crowd, "are you still here? Let us go and buy something together.
How nice you look," without looking at her. She drew Rachel apart in the
direction of the tents.
"Where is he?" she said, sharply. "I know he is here. I heard all about
the accident, though Edward never told me. I don't see him."
"He is not in the gardens. He is not coming out. He is still rather
knocked up."
"I thought I should have died when I heard it. Ah, Rachel, never love
any one. You don't know what it's like. But I must see him. I have come
here on purpose."
"So I supposed."
"Edward would come, too. He appeared at the last moment when the
carriage came round, though I have never known him to go to a
garden-party in his life. But where is he, Rachel?"
"Somewhere in the house, I suppose."
"I shan't know where to find him. I can't be wandering about that
woman's house by myself. We must slip away together, Rachel, and you
must take me to him. I must see him alone for five minutes."
Rachel shook her head.
Captain Pratt, tall, pale, cautious, immaculate, his cane held along his
spinal column, appeared suddenly close at hand.
"Mrs. Loftus is fortunate in her day," he remarked, addressing himself
to Lady Newhaven, and observing her fixedly with cold admiration. "I
seldom come to this sort of thing, but neighbors in the country must
support each other. I see you are on your way to the tents. Pray allow
me to carry your purchases for you."
"Oh! don't let me trouble you," said Lady Newhaven, shrinking
imperceptibly. But it was no trouble to Captain Pratt, and they walked
on together.
Lord Newhaven, who could not have been far off, joined Rachel.
* * * * *
"Well, my dear," said Mrs. Pratt to Ada, "you might have let me wear my
black and orange, after all, for you see Lady Newhaven has something
very much the same, only hers is white underneath. And do you see she
has got two diamond butterflies on--the little one at her throat and the
big one holding her white carnations. And you would not let me put on a
single thing. There now, Algy has joined her," continued Mrs. Pratt, her
attention quickly diverted from her own wrongs. "Now they are walking on
together. How nice he looks in those beautiful clothes. Algy and Lord
Newhaven and Mr. Loftus all have the same look, haven't they? All
friends together, as I often say, such a mercy among county people. You
might walk a little with Lord Newhaven, Ada. It's unaccountable how
seldom we see him, but always so pleasant when we do. Ah! he's speaking
to Rachel West. They are going to the tents, after all. Well, whatever
you may say, I do think we ought to go and buy something, too. Papa says
he won't put his hand in his pocket if the Loftuses are to get all the
credit, and we ought to have had the choice of having the sale at the
Towers, so he sha'n't do anything; but I think it would be nice if we
went and bought a little something. Just a five-pound note. You shall
spend it, my dear, if you like."
* * * * *
"This is sheer recklessness," said Lord Newhaven, as Rachel bought an
expensive tea-cosey from Fräulein. "In these days of death-duties you
cannot possess four teapots, and you have already bought three teapot
costumes."
"That is what I am here for," said Rachel, producing a check-book. "How
much did you say, Fräulein?"
"Twenty-seven and seex," said Fräulein.
"Now I see it in the full light, I have taken a fancy to it myself,"
said Lord Newhaven. "I never saw anything the least like it. I don't
think I can allow you to appropriate it, Miss West. You are sweeping up
all the best things."
"I have a verr' pretty thing for gentlemen," said Fräulein. "Herr
B-r-r-rown has just bought one."
"Very elaborate, indeed. Bible-markers, I presume? Oh, braces! Never
mind, they will be equally useful to me. I'll have them. Now for the
tea-cosey. It is under-priced. I consider that, with the chenille
swallow, it is worth thirty shillings. I will give thirty for it."
"Thirty-two and six," said Rachel.
"The landed interest is not going to be browbeaten by coal-mines.
Thirty-three and twopence."
"Forty shillings," said Rachel.
"Forty-two," said Lord Newhaven.
Every one in the tent had turned to watch the bidding.
"Forty-two and six," said Rachel.
Fräulein blushed. She had worked the tea-cosey. It was to her a sonata
in red plush.
"Three guineas," said Captain Pratt, by an infallible instinct,
perceiving, and placing himself within the focus of general interest.
The bidding ceased instantly. Lord Newhaven shrugged his shoulders and
turned away. Fräulein, still shaking with conflicting emotions, handed
the tea-cosey to Captain Pratt. He took it with an acid smile, secretly
disgusted at the sudden cessation of interest, for which he had paid
rather highly, and looked round for Lady Newhaven.
But she had disappeared.
"Fancy you and Algy bidding against each other like that," said Ada
Pratt, archly, to Lord Newhaven, for though Ada was haughty in general
society she could be sportive, and even friskily ingratiating, towards
those of her fellow-creatures whom she termed "swells." "Why, half
Middleshire will be saying that you have quarrelled next."
"Only those who do not know how intimate Captain Pratt and I really are
could think we have quarrelled," said Lord Newhaven, his eyes wandering
over the crowd. "But I am blocking your way and Mrs. Pratt's. How do you
do, Mrs. Pratt? Miss West, your burden is greater than you can bear. You
are dropping part of it. I don't know what it is, but I can shut my eyes
as I pick it up. I insist on carrying half back to the house. It will
give a pleasing impression that I have bought largely. Weren't you
pleased at the money we wrung out of Captain Pratt? He never thought we
should stop bidding. It's about all the family will contribute, unless
that good old Mamma Pratt buys something. She is the only one of the
family I can tolerate. Is Scarlett still here? I ought to have asked
after him before."
"He's here, but he's not well. He's in hiding in the smoking-room."
"He is lucky he is no worse. I should have had rheumatic fever if I had
been in his place. How cool it is in here after the glare outside. Must
you go out again? Well, I consider I have done my duty, and that I may
fairly allow myself a cigarette in peace."
* * * * *
"Really, Mr. Loftus, I'm quite shocked. This absurd faintness! The tent
was very crowded, and there is not much air to-day, is there? I shall be
all right if I may sit quietly in the hail a little. How deliciously
cool in here after the glare outside. A glass of water? Thanks. Yes,
only I hate to be so troublesome. And how are you after that dreadful
accident in the boat?"
"Oh! I am all right," said Doll, who by this time hated the subject. "It
was Scarlett who was nearly frozen like New Zealand lamb."
Doll had heard Mr. Gresley fire off the simile of the lamb, and
considered it sound.
"How absurd you are. You always make me laugh. I suppose he has left now
that he is unfrozen."
"Oh no. He is still here. We would not let him go till he was better. He
is not up to much. Weak chap at the best of times, I should think. He's
lying low in the smoking-room till the people are gone."
"Mr. Scarlett is an old friend of ours," said Lady Newhaven, sipping her
glass of water, and spilling a little; "but I can't quite forgive
him--no, I really can't--for the danger he caused to Edward. You know,
or perhaps you don't know, that Edward can't swim, either. Even now I
can't bear to think what might have happened."
She closed her eyes with evident emotion.
Doll's stolid garden-party face relaxed. "Good little woman," he
thought. "As fond of him as she can be."
"All's well that ends well," he remarked, aloud.
Doll did not know that he was quoting Shakespeare, but he did know by
long experience that this sentence could be relied on as suitable to
the occasion, or to any occasion that looked a little "doddery," and
finished up all right.
"And now, Mr. Loftus, positively I must insist on your leaving me
quietly here. I am quite sure you are wanted outside, and I should blame
myself if you wasted another minute on me. It was only the sun which
affected me. Don't mention it to Edward. He is always so fussy about me.
I will rest quietly here for a quarter of an hour, and then rejoin you
all again in the garden."
* * * * *
"I hope I am not disturbing any one," said Lord Newhaven, quietly
entering the smoking-room. "Well, Scarlett, how are you getting on?"
Hugh, who was lying on a sofa with his arms raised and his hands behind
his head, looked up, and his expression changed.
"He was thinking of something uncommonly pleasant," thought Lord
Newhaven, "not of me or mine, I fancy. I have come to smoke a cigarette
in peace," he added aloud, "if you don't object."
"Of course not."
Lord Newhaven lit his cigarette and puffed a moment in silence.
"Hot outside," he said.
Hugh nodded. He wondered how soon he could make a pretext for getting up
and leaving the room.
There was a faint silken rustle, and Lady Newhaven, pale, breathless,
came swiftly in and closed the door. The instant afterwards she saw her
husband, and shrank back with a little cry. Lord Newhaven did not look
at her. His eyes were fixed on Hugh.
Hugh's face became suddenly ugly, livid. He rose slowly to his feet, and
stood motionless.
"He hates her," said Lord Newhaven to himself. And he removed his glance
and came forward.
"You were looking for me, Violet?" he remarked. "I have no doubt you are
wishing to return home. We will go at once." He threw away his
cigarette. "Well, good-bye, Scarlett, in case we don't meet again. I
dare say you will pay Westhope a visit later on. Ah, Captain Pratt! so
you have fled, like us, from the madding crowd. I can recommend Loftus's
cigarettes. I have just had one myself. Good-bye. Did you leave your
purchases in the hall, Violet? Yes? Then we will collect them on our
way."
The husband and wife were half-way down the grand staircase before Lord
Newhaven said, in his usual even voice:
"I must ask you once more to remember that I will not have any scandal
attaching to your name. Did not you see that that white mongrel Pratt
was on your track? If I had not been there when he came in he would have
drawn his own vile conclusions, and for once they would have been
correct."
"He could not think worse of me than you do," said the wife, half cowed,
half defiant.
"No, but he could say so, which I don't; or, what is more probable, he
could use his knowledge to obtain a hold over you. He is a dangerous
man. Don't put yourself in his power."
"I don't want to, or in anybody's."
"Then avoid scandal instead of courting it, and don't repeat the folly
of this afternoon."
* * * * *
Captain Pratt did not remain long in the smoking-room. He had only a
slight acquaintance with Hugh, which did not appear capable of
expansion. Captain Pratt made a few efforts, proved its inelastic
properties, and presently lounged out again.
Hugh moved slowly to the window, and leaned his throbbing forehead
against the stone mullion. He was still weak, and the encounter with
Lady Newhaven had shaken him.
"What did he mean?" he said to himself, bewildered and suspicious.
"'Perhaps I should be staying at Westhope later on!' But, of course, I
shall never go there again. He knows that as well as I do. What did he
mean?"