IMPLORA PACE.
That same year was drawing to its close, in a damp dreary December--one
of those "green Yules" which greedy sextons are supposed to pray for,
and which all the rest of the world utterly abhor. Alan Wyverne was at
the Abbey with Crichton for his only companion, who had come over from
Castle Dacre to join a large shooting-party which was to assemble on the
morrow. He had travelled far that day; and he sat more than half-asleep,
before the huge wood-fire, waiting for dinner, and for Hugh, who had not
finished dressing yet. He was dozing so soundly, that he never heard the
great entrance-bell clang; but he rose to his feet with a start, as Algy
Beauclere came in. From that moment, Wyverne never heard a door open
suddenly, without shuddering.
There was no mistaking the bearer of evil tidings; he had evidently
ridden far and fast; he was drenched and travel-stained from heel to
head; his bushy beard was sodden and matted with the driving rain; and
his bluff, honest face looked haggard and weary.
Alan spoke first.
"Where do you come from? Some one is dying or dead, I know. Who is it?"
The other answered, as if it cost him an effort to speak, clearing his
throat huskily:
"I have ridden here from Clydesholme. You must come back with me
directly: Helen is dying. I don't know if I have done right in fetching
you, but I had no heart to refuse her; and Gracie said that I might
come. We must have fresh horses, and strong ones, and some one who knows
the country: I can never find my way back through such a night as this;
the waters were high in two places when I came through, and they are
rising every hour. Don't lose a minute in getting ready."
Wyverne turned and walked to the bell without a word; he staggered more
than once before he reached it: then he sat down, burying his head in
his hands, and never lifted it till the servant entered. His face, when
he uncovered it, was ghastly pale, and he was shaking all over; but he
gave his orders quite distinctly and calmly.
"Don't talk now, Algy," he said; "you shall tell me all when we are on
our way. I shall be ready before the horses are. Eat and drink
meanwhile, if you can: you must need it now, and you will need it more
before morning."
In less than a quarter of an hour Wyverne returned, fully accoutred for
the journey; while he was dressing he had made arrangements with Hugh
Crichton about telegraphing to put off the shooting party: his faculties
seemed clear as ever; he literally forgot nothing. But Beauclere was not
deceived by the unnatural composure.
"For God's sake, take something to keep your strength up," he said.
"It's a long five and twenty miles, and the road and weather are
fearful. You'll never stand it if you start fasting."
Alan looked at him vacantly, with a miserable attempt at a smile.
"I don't think I could eat anything just now," he answered; "and water
suits me best to-night."
He filled a huge goblet and drained it thirstily; the horses were
announced at that moment. Beauclere remembered afterwards how carefully
his companion looked at girth and bit before they mounted: all his
thoughts and energies were concentrated on one point--how to reach
Clydesholme as soon as possible--he would not risk the chance of an
accident that might delay them for a moment. Two grooms followed them,
to ensure a spare horse in case of a break-down; and so they rode out
into the wild weather on their dismal errand. It was a terrible journey,
and not without danger; the road was so steep and stony in places, that
few men even in broad daylight would have cared to ride over it at that
furious pace; and twice the horses were off their feet in black rushing
water. Strong and tough as he was, Beauclere was almost too exhausted to
keep his saddle before they reached Clydesholme. Nevertheless, he found
breath and time to give his companion all the details it was requisite
he should know.
It appeared that the Earl had brought his wife to Clydesholme, about a
fortnight back, on the pretext of making preparations for a large party,
which was to assemble there immediately after Christmas. During the
whole of their stay they had been perfectly alone. Her health had been
breaking faster every day; while, from some inexplicable cause, his
temper had grown more consistently tyrannical and savage in proportion
to Helen's increasing weakness and physical inability to make even a
show of resistance. On the previous evening had occurred a terrible
scene of brutal violence. Early the next morning the Earl had ridden
forth, no one knew whither, evidently still in furious wrath. Shortly
afterwards the Countess had been seized with a coughing-fit, which had
ended in the breaking of a large blood-vessel. As soon as she recovered
strength enough to whisper an order, she had sent off an express for
Grace Beauclere, who chanced to be staying within a few miles. She and
her husband came instantly; but it was only to find Helen's state
hopeless. You know the rest.
Alan listened to all this, but answered never a word; indeed, he
scarcely spoke, except to ask some question about the road, or to give
some order about increasing or moderating their speed. Once Algy heard
him mutter aloud, "If we are only in time!"--and when they had to halt
for some minutes, while a sleepy lodge-keeper was opening the park-gates
of Clydesholme, his ear caught the fierce grinding of Wyverne's teeth.
The broad front of the mansion was as dark as the night outside, for the
windows of the Countess's apartments looked over the gardens, but
several servants came quickly to answer the summons of the bell. There
was a scared, puzzled look about them all. Beauclere whispered to one of
them, and then turned to Alan with a gleam of satisfaction on his face.
"We _are_ in time," he said; "thank God for that, at least. Stay here
one minute, till I have seen Gracie."
Wyverne waited in the huge gloomy hall, with scarcely more consciousness
or volition left than a sleep-walker owns. He allowed a servant to
remove his drenched overcoat, and thanked the man, mechanically; but he
never knew how or when he had taken it off.
Beauclere soon returned and led the way through several passages into a
long corridor; at the further end of this, light gleamed through a
half-open door. Algy did not attempt to enter, but motioned Alan
silently to go in.
It was a large, dim room, magnificently furnished after an antique
fashion, and Grace Beauclere was sitting there alone. She looked wan and
worn with grief, and she trembled all over as she locked her arms round
Alan's neck, holding him for a second or two closely embraced, and
whispering a warning in his ear.
"You must be very quiet and cautious. She has hardly strength enough
left to speak. Call me if you see any great change, I shall be here. The
doctors and nurses are close by; but she would not allow any one to
remain when she guessed you had come. She caught the sound of hoofs
before any of us heard it."
She pointed to where a heavy curtain concealed an open doorway opposite.
The gesture was not needed. Wyverne knew very well that in the next
chamber Helen lay dying. His brain was clear enough now, and he was
self-possessed, as men are wont to be when they have done with hope, and
have nothing worse to fear than what the next moment will bring. He
walked forward without pausing, and lifted the curtain gently, but with
a steady hand.
The entrance nearly fronted the huge old-fashioned couch, shadowed by a
canopy and hangings of dark-green velvet, on which the Countess lay. Her
cheeks had scarcely more colour than the snowy linen and lace of the
pillows which supported her, and, till just now, it seemed as though her
heavy eyelids would never be lifted again. But, at the sound of Alan's
footfall, the eyes opened, large and bright, and the face lost the
impress of Death, as it lighted and flushed, momentarily, with the keen
joy of recognition and welcome.
He was kneeling, with his head bowed down on Helen's hand, that he held
fast, when the first words were spoken.
"I felt sure you would come," she murmured. "I have been so still, and
patient, and obedient--only that I might live long enough for _this_. I
heard you, when you rode up, through all the wind and the rain. I am so
glad--so glad. I can die easily now. I could never have rested in my
grave if we had not said--'Good-bye.'"
Wyverne tried twice to speak steadily, but there came only a miserable,
broken moan.
"Ah! forgive--forgive! God knows, I thought I was right in keeping away.
I did it for the best."
The thin, transparent fingers of the hand that was free wandered over
his brow, and twined themselves in his drenched hair, with a fond,
delicate caress.
"I know you did, Alan. _I_ was wrong--I, who would have risked all the
sin and the shame. But I have suffered so much, that I do hope I shall
not be punished any more. See--I can thank you now for standing firm,
and holding _me_ up too. And, dear, I know how good and faithful you
have been from the very beginning. I know about those letters, and all
the truth. I am content--more than content. I have had all your love--is
it not so? You will look at my picture sometimes, and though she was
wilful and wicked, no woman, however good or beautiful, will win you
away from your own dead Helen. Ah! it hurts me to hear you sob. I feel
your tears on my wrist, and they burn--they burn."
Let us draw the curtain close. Even where sympathy is sure, it is not
lightly to be paraded--"the agony of man unmanned." It was not long
before Wyverne recovered self-control. They spoke no more aloud; but
there were many of those low, broken whispers, half of whose meaning
must be guessed when they are uttered, but which are remembered longer
than the most elaborate sentences that mortal tongue ever declaimed.
For some minutes Helen's eyes had been closed. Suddenly, though not a
feature was distorted, Alan saw a terrible change sweep over her face,
and rose to call in assistance. It seemed as if she divined his purpose,
and wished to prevent it. The weak clasp tightened, for an instant,
round his fingers, the weary eyelids lifted, enough to give passage to
one last, loving look, and the slow syllables were just barely audible--
"This once--only once more."
He understood her, and, stooping down, laid gently on the poor pale lips
his own--almost as white and cold. Then, for a brief space, there was a
great stillness--a stillness as of Death. An awful sound broke the
silence--a dull, smothered cry, between groan and wail, that haunted the
solitary hearer to her dying day--a cry wrung from the first despair of
a broken-hearted man, who, henceforth, was to be alone for evermore.
Grace Beauclere shivered in every limb, for she knew that all was over.
But even then she had presence of mind enough to refrain from summoning
any one from without. Helen was past human aid, and Grace knew that she
could not serve her better now than by keeping for awhile curious eyes
and ears away.
She found Alan standing, with his head resting on his arm that was
coiled round one of the pillars of the canopy. He did not seem aware of
his sister's entrance, and never spoke or stirred as she cast herself
down by the side of the dead, pressing kiss after kiss on the sweet,
quiet face, and weeping passionately.
How long they remained thus neither could have told. All at once the
door of the outer room opened quickly, and Beauclere lifted the curtain
and stood in the doorway. The first glance told him the truth. He walked
straight up to the foot of the bed, and gazed steadily for a few seconds
on the wreck of marvellous beauty that lay there so still; at last he
muttered between his teeth,
"It is best--far best--so."
Then he passed round to where his wife was lying, and wound his arm
round her waist and raised her gently.
"Darling Gracie, you must rouse yourself. It seems hard, I know, but
this cruel night does not even give time for mourning. We must leave
this instantly. I have ordered the carriage, and, Alan, I have ordered
your horses too. You can find lodging within two miles, but you must not
stay here five minutes longer. It is no place for any of us. Clydesdale
is in the house at this moment."
For many hours Grace Beauclere's nerves and strength had been sorely
tried but had never given up to this moment. She broke down utterly now,
marking the ghastly change in her brother's face, and the murderous
meaning of his eyes, as he moved slowly and silently towards the door.
She wrenched herself out of her husband's clasp, and threw herself in
Alan's way with a wild cry of terror.
"Heaven help us! Have we not suffered enough to-night without this last
horror? Alan, you shall never meet while I have sense to prevent it.
Algy, won't you stop him? Don't you see that he is mad?"
Beauclere strode forward and laid his strong grasp on Wyverne's breast.
"Yes, you _are_ mad," he said, sternly. "You shall not pass out of this
room, if I can prevent it, to work such bitter wrong against that dead
woman, who loved you only too well. Cannot you see that if you retaliate
on her husband to-night, her name will be dishonoured for ever and ever!
She has suffered enough for you to sacrifice your selfish vengeance.
Alan, listen now; you will thank God on your knees that you did so
hereafter."
Wyverne gazed in the speaker's face, and as he gazed the devilish fire
died out of his eyes. He passed his hand over his forehead twice or
thrice as if bewildered, and then walked aside to the darkest corner of
the room, leaning his face against the wall; when he turned round again,
it was settled and calm.
"You are quite right," he said, slowly. "I _was_ mad, and forgot
everything. You need fear nothing now. I only ask you to trust me. I
will see Clydesdale before I go; but I swear I will not speak one angry
word. We will go down directly. Leave me here only three minutes, and I
will follow you."
They did trust him; they went into the outer room, and never thought of
listening or lifting the curtain. It is an example that we may well
imitate.
All this while the Earl sat downstairs alone, in such an agony of
remorse and shame that, in spite of his past brutality and tyranny, his
worst enemy might have spared reproach. He knew that Helen's state was
hopeless, though he had not heard yet that the end had come. He thought
of her, as he saw her first, in the radiant bloom of her imperial
beauty. He thought of her, as he saw her last, pale and exhausted and
death-like, after his savage frenzy had vented itself. He _did_ repent
heartily now, and felt as if he would have given ten years of his life
to undo the wrong and make ample amends. And still, the voice that none
of us can stifle for ever kept whispering, "Too late--too late!"
He was musing thus in miserable anticipation of the next news, when the
door opened slowly, and Wyverne entered, fully equipped for his
departure.
What passed between these two will never be known. Beauclere, who stood
outside within ear-shot, ready to interfere in case Alan's self-control
should fail, heard absolutely nothing. At first, the Earl's harsh, rough
voice, though subdued below its wont, sounded at intervals; but
Wyverne's deep, sombre monotone seemed to bear it down, and even this
eventually sank so low that not an accent was distinguishable.
At last, the lock turned softly, and Wyverne came out. He just pressed
Algy's hand in passing, and went straight to the hall-door, where his
horses were waiting. Immediately afterwards the hoofs moved slowly away.
It was five minutes or more before the carriage was ready. Beauclere had
put his wife in, and was standing in the hall, making his last
preparations, when Clydesdale came up behind him, and took his arm
unawares.
The Earl's face was convulsed with grief; his eyes were heavy, and his
cheeks seemed seamed with tears; and his voice was broken and low.
"I hardly dare to ask you to stay to-night," he said; "but if you
would----Only consider the fearful weather, and your wife's health. If
you knew how bitterly I repent! I only heard the truth ten minutes ago."
Algy Beauclere could preach patience better than he could practise it.
He shook off the detaining hand with a force that made Clydesdale reel,
turning upon him the wrathful blaze of his honest eyes.
"I hope you _do_ repent," he said, hoarsely. "My wife is not strong, but
she should lie out on the open moor sooner than sleep under that
accursed roof of yours."
If he had looked back as he went out he might have seen the Earl recoil
helplessly, covering a stricken face with shaking hands.
Wyverne remained at the village inn, not a mile from the park gates,
just long enough to rest his horses and men, and then rode back to the
Abbey as fast as blood and bone of the best would carry him. His
strained nerves and energies were not relaxed till he got fairly home.
There was a sharp reaction, and he lay for some time in a state of half
stupor; but he was never seriously ill. It was no wonder that mind and
body should be utterly worn out: the dark ride through such wild weather
was trying enough, and he had scarcely tasted food or drink for twenty
hours. Twice within the week there came a special messenger from
Clydesholme; it was to be presumed that the errand was one of peace;
for, eight days after Helen's death, Alan Wyverne stood in his place
among the few friends and relations who travelled so far to see her laid
in her grave. But it was noticed that neither at meeting nor parting did
any word or salutation pass between him and the Earl. Alan arrived only
just in time for the funeral, and left immediately afterwards, without
setting his foot over the threshold of Clydesholme.
No one saw anything of Wyverne for some weeks. When he reappeared in
society he looked certainly older, but otherwise his manner and bearing
and temper remained much the same as they had been for the last four
years.
That night left its mark on others besides him. It was long before
Beauclere recovered his genial careless elasticity of spirit; and for
months his wife scarcely slept a night without starting and moaning in
her dreams. Judging from outward appearance, Clydesdale was the person
most strongly and permanently affected by the events just recorded. He
was never the same man again: his temper was still often harsh and
violent, but the arrogant superciliousness, and intense appreciation of
himself and his position, had quite left him. The lesson, whatever it
was, lasted him his life. Very few of the many who were pleased or
profited by the alteration in the Earl's character, guessed at what a
fearful cost the improvement had been made.
It seemed as if poor Helen had felt for some time before her death that
the end was fast approaching. They found not only her will, which had
been executed when she was last in London, but divers letters, not to be
delivered till after her decease. There was a very large legacy to Grace
Beauclere, and some minor ones to old servants and pensioners. All the
residue of the vast sum at her disposal was bequeathed to her father,
without condition or reserve. Her jewels--with the exception of Lord
Clydesdale's gifts before and after marriage, which reverted to
him--were left to Mrs. Brabazon. There was no letter for Wyverne, and no
mention of his name; but Maud sent him a casket, which had been in her
hands for some time past. It contained three of Alan's letters, a few
trifling relics of their brief engagement, a thick packet in Helen's
handwriting, bearing a comparatively recent date, and a small exquisite
miniature, taken before her beauty had begun to fade. That casket was
the crowning jewel of the testament.
The void that her death made in society was not easily filled up; but
after awhile the world rolled on, as if she had never been. The Squire
looked broken and grey, and more careworn than when his affairs had been
most desperate. He knew scarcely anything of the terrible truth, but a
vague remorse haunted and bore him down. Lady Mildred's face was
inscrutable as ever, but her smiles grew rarer and more artificial day
by day. Max Vavasour, after the first emotion of sorrow, troubled
himself little about what was past and gone. If he ever realized his
sister's sacrifice, he looked upon it as a great political necessity--to
be deplored, but not to be repented of. Maud Brabazon felt as if she
could never bring herself to wear the jewels that she inherited; but she
got over these scruples in time; and, at the first drawing-room of the
following season, her sapphires and diamonds were generally envied and
admired.
When I said that in Alan Wyverne there was little outward alteration, I
ought to have limited the assertion. Men would have told you so; but
maids and matrons are sharper-sighted, and their report would have been
very different: _they_ knew how utterly he was changed. Their society
still had an attraction for him; and he was frank, and kind, and gentle
as ever, when a woman was in presence; but a word never escaped his lips
that could be construed into anything warmer than friendship and
courtesy. The most intrepid coquette refrained instinctively from
wasting her _calineries_ and seductions there: she might as well have
sought a lover in a deserted statue-gallery of the Vatican.
How Alan fared when he was quite alone it would be hard to say. Such
seasons were rare, except at the dead hours of night, when sleep comes
naturally to every constitution, unless some powerful momentary
excitement is at work; for he mixed more in general society than he had
done for years. I doubt if he did not suffer less acutely than when
Helen was alive, and in her husband's power. He was at least free from
the torments of anxiety and apprehension. If in this world of ours we
can defy these two enemies of man's peace, we have gained no mean
victory over Fate.