STRANGE ROMANCE OF PAUL AND AGNES
William Dodge took an extended trip over the continent, finally settling
down for a prolonged stay at Paris. The Laniers sailed for Calcutta, but
landed at Bombay.
Paul assumed an air of elegant refinement. It was rumored that father
and son were fabulously wealthy. To all such gossip both seemed
indifferent. Their hauteur and reserve insured desired social entree,
while hedging against impertinent curiosity.
Paul was lionized. After attending gatherings of Bombay elite, Paul
condescended to manifest interest. The niece of an English aristocrat
had arrested his attention.
Sir Charles Chesterton was rich and unmarried. Agnes Randall was his
favorite. It was reported that this uncle had willed the bulk of his
immense wealth to Agnes. Paul Lanier had heard casual reference to these
bits of gossip, but seemed bored. What were vulgar expectations to
refined possessor of unlimited capital?
But the good qualities of this lovely girl found appreciation. Spite of
reputed wealth and high expectations, her manners had interested Paul
Lanier. He accepted invitations to dine with both uncle and niece. No
curiosity as to financial matters was manifested. Such common sentiment
was too low for Paul.
This rich Englishman and his interesting niece recently had arrived at
Bombay.
Both were interested in Paul's antecedents and future prospects. The
growth of this sentiment was natural and reserved, neither premature nor
effusive.
After suitable time Pierre Lanier received an invitation to dine with
Sir Charles. Agnes was present. Their guest was treated with due
respect, as the father of such elegant son. Pierre was elated. Under the
influence of rare wines, Sir Charles and Pierre became confidential. Sir
Charles seemed fully absorbed in his own financial conquests. At first
he listened with impatience to any of Pierre's guarded talk. Sir
Charles' recitals were so insinuating that Pierre felt much constraint
toward polite bragging. However, the secretive habit of a lifetime
sealed his lips against boastful avowals. Vintage warmth elicited
nothing more than a few guarded hints at possible craft in acquisition
of untold wealth.
This interesting quartette became so exclusive that little attention
was paid to other Bombay society. It soon was rumored that Paul Lanier
and Agnes Randall were mutually smitten. The report was confirmed by the
manner of all. In their confidences, Sir Charles and Pierre casually
referred to this gossip. It was talked over between Agnes and Paul.
Neither evinced any disposition to discipline the "tattling dame."
Paul proposed marriage. Agnes felt disposed to grant his suit, but would
abide her uncle's decision. To Paul this appeared proper. He entertained
the highest respect for Sir Charles Chesterton. Much as Paul desired
this marriage, he would defer to the judgment of her fond uncle.
It was arranged that Paul should submit the matter the next day. At the
time appointed the subject came up in the private room of Sir Charles.
Paul was graciously received. From Sir Charles' manner Paul was sure
that Agnes had spoken to her uncle of the proposal, and had received a
favorable response. He avowed his love for Agnes, and their intention to
abide Sir Charles' decision.
This gracious uncle for a while remains silent. His prolonged pause
embarrasses Paul. Sir Charles asks where Paul was born, where his
relatives reside, their names, his father's antecedents, their future
intentions as to home and business, what portions of the world they had
seen, adding, "These questions may seem impertinent, but I wish to know
all about the one seeking the hand of my favorite niece and heir."
Encouraged, Paul answers quite fully. Sir Charles seems satisfied.
After an extended pause, during which Paul shifts about in nervous
anticipation, Sir Charles tells him there is yet another important
matter, often neglected, but of which, before deciding, he must have
full information.
"To my mind the present and future property interests of the proposed
husband of Agnes Randall are vital considerations. This young girl would
not think of such matters, but I have lived longer, and never will
consent to her marrying a pauper. I anticipate living a few years, and
whoever becomes the husband of Agnes Randall must have sufficient
property to support her elegantly during this time. After I am through
with earth there will be no danger about the future of my niece, as my
will provides for that."
Paul assures Sir Charles that both he and his father are very wealthy.
Sir Charles seems much pleased. He hopes Paul will not consider him
impertinent, but there must be a more definite statement of financial
resources.
"I must have an inventory. The list must be full, including every
description of property, real and personal, with exact location of each
separate parcel. If you desire, I will furnish such a statement of my
property, which is all willed to Agnes, but there must be one furnished
to me."
Paul is willing to tell Sir Charles all about the matter, but cannot now
properly describe their properties as required.
Sir Charles says:
"Mr. Lanier, tell all you know, to be made more definite later."
With paper and pencil Sir Charles makes notes. The recital is quite
minute and without reserve. Sir Charles is much gratified. His memory
refreshed by interjected inquiries, Paul tells so much that there is
little need of promised statement. However, Sir Charles does not waive
further information.
In good spirits, Paul leaves to confer with Pierre Lanier.
The wily father is much pleased at his son's matrimonial prospects, but
says: "Paul, I do not like his insistence on details, but perhaps you
ought to humor him. So far as information cannot be evaded, the truth
should be told, for possibly this stubborn fellow may take time and
trouble to verify your statements."
The list is prepared with care. Within three days the completed
statement is presented to Sir Charles, who promises to look it over.
Agnes and Paul are often together. They exchange mutual confidences,
each expressing the fond hope that her uncle will be satisfied.
Incidentally Paul speaks of his past experiences, giving wrong names,
places, dates, and associations. He is encouraged to do this by the
artless curiosity and interest of this fond girl, whose past at times
seems entirely merged in that of her lover.
Frequently Agnes speaks of Paul's reminiscent confidences when her uncle
is present. Some trifling changes are made by Paul, but she is too fond
to be sensitive. Her memory is defective. Even Paul's guarded mention of
boyish excesses is interesting. Both uncle and niece approve of the
youthful sower's occupation. There are seasons for distributing untamed
oats.
Pierre Lanier accepts frequent invitations to call upon these
aristocratic friends. He and Sir Charles are growing still more
confidential.
The matrimonial decision is further postponed, but in such frank, honest
manner, that waiting is not difficult.
In strict confidence, Sir Charles tells of many dubious successes. He
knows the elder Lanier will not betray a friend's trust. Without prying
into secrets of his guest, Sir Charles touches on outskirts of many
crafty exploits, suggestive of more complex villainies. Pierre Lanier is
greatly interested, but the narrative always lacks coherence at the most
thrilling point.
By his questionable tactics Sir Charles had amassed great wealth, which
covered all moral turpitude with silken mantle.
Gradually the habitual secrecy of Pierre Lanier loses its restraining
discretion. These cronies become inseparable. Under influence of
insidious drinks, they vie in recitals of villainous craft. Sir Charles
enjoins strict secrecy.
"Never let Paul and Agnes know what their father and uncle have done for
them!"
Sir Charles seems to revel in such reminiscences. He has his friend
repeat parts of narratives at different times, and never tires of these
villainous recitals.
Sir Charles promises to decide concerning Paul's proposal within three
months. This is most exasperating, but there is no help. He will take a
trip to Calcutta, and postpone decision until his return.
It is evident to both Laniers that Sir Charles intends to test their
statements of property interests at that point. The elder Lanier has
business there, and will be pleased to accompany Sir Charles. Paul
prefers to remain in Bombay, and is delighted that Agnes has no thought
of going on this trip. Sir Charles is glad to visit Calcutta with his
dear friend Pierre Lanier. They sail together.
Paul's calls upon Agnes are frequent. These seem indifferent to Bombay
society, finding ample diversion in each other's presence. There is
about Agnes such bewitching air of refinement, coupled with suggestive,
romantic interest, that Paul yields completely to the charm. Her conduct
varies, and there are capricious feminine moods. Paul sees in these,
hints of possible estrangement, and suits his manners to every change.
Agnes discreetly limits Paul's calls to proper times. The intervals
between these visits he endures under protest. Paul becomes still more
hopelessly infatuated, and is ready to applaud any suggestion of this
charming girl. Loyal to her unspoken whims, he would not hesitate at any
act she might seem to approve. Agnes' caprices multiply with Paul's
increasing acquiescence. There are many blanks in her narratives, and
Paul feels these must be properly filled.
Agnes seems bored at commonplace talk, never appearing really happy
except when listening to Paul's telling of questionable exploits wherein
he was the central figure. Hints at successful craft, vindictive temper,
swift retribution, and bootless pursuit are sure of thrilling
appreciation. But those bewitching smiles subsiding, Paul is obliged to
regain favor by more explicit recitals, seconded by her pertinent
questioning.
By slow processes the story is told. Names, dates, and places have been
misstated, but such inadvertences are not misleading.
Circumstances correct particular errata.
Some time after the departure of Sir Charles and Pierre Lanier for
Calcutta, Agnes informs Paul that her uncle has sailed for Bombay. She
had received word to that effect, and his letter was of most cheerful
tone.
Paul expects a favorable decision, and with pleasant emotions awaits the
arrival of Sir Charles. Agnes requests that Paul defer again calling
before Thursday. This will be two days, but she wishes to avoid scandal.
Comments have been made by cheap tattlers about his frequent visits.
"Perhaps in a little while there will be no need for such care."
Paul is pleased at the modest suggestion. He looks forward to marriage
with this aristocratic heiress, and the future is most luminous. Even
haunting memories of Alice Webster and Oswald Langdon fail to dampen
Paul's expectant joy. These recede, their menacing voices stilled by
hope's siren lullaby.
Upon Thursday evening Paul calls upon Agnes, according to appointment.
The servant ushers him into the private room of Sir Charles. This seems
strange, but Paul thinks it some caprice of Agnes. There is but one
chair in the room, and this faces the door through which Paul expects
Agnes to enter. The lights are dim and throw fitful shadows. Though
feeling a superstitious sense, Paul's strong nerves brace against all
"uncanny" sentiments. He attempts to turn on more light, but finds this
is impossible. He shifts uneasily, finally picking up a paper lying on a
small table within reach. Date and title startle him. How came this copy
of _London Press_ of such date in possession of Sir Charles or Agnes?
Paul's hand shakes as he glances over the paper's contents. He beholds,
under heavily marked red lines, the account of the Thames tragedy.
Just then the door opens from an adjoining room. Draped in seaweed, the
form of Alice Webster appears, blood oozing from her bruised temple,
long damp tresses clinging to her neck and face. With uplifted hand, the
apparition slowly advances toward the cowering Paul, as if to strike.
Paralyzed with terror, the guilty wretch falls upon the floor, begging
for mercy. Slowly the ghost, without change of mien, passes backward
through the open door, disappearing in rayless darkness.
[Illustration: "WITH UPLIFTED HAND THE APPARITION SLOWLY ADVANCED TOWARD
THE COWERING PAUL, AS IF TO STRIKE."]
Paul recovers, and rising resumes his seat. Straining his bewildered
gaze, he sees that the door is shut. He is alone. Everything is as
before. It must have been an hallucination, but how dreadfully real the
appearance of drowned Alice Webster! Where is Agnes? Soon he hears a
voice in the next room.
With solemn inflection it repeats from Hood's "Eugene Aram" these
fearful lines:
"'Nothing but lifeless flesh and bone,
That could not do me ill;
And yet I feared him all the more
For lying there so still:
There was a manhood in his look
That murder could not kill.
* * * * *
"'So wills the fierce avenging sprite
Till blood for blood atones.
Ay, tho' he's buried in a cave,
And trodden down with stones,
And years have rotted off his flesh,
The world shall see his bones.'"
There is a minute's pause.
"Wonder what detains Mr. Lanier!"
Tremblingly Paul opens the door between the rooms, and there are many
surprised remarks, followed by explanations.
Agnes says: "I heard the bell, and supposed you entered the
sitting-room. I continued my toilet, and was delayed by missing articles
of apparel. The new servant, in her zeal, disarranged everything.
Without directions from me about your expected appearance, the servant
ushered you by mistake into my uncle's private room."
The bewitching manner and artless talk of Agnes soon quiet Paul's
excited nerves. No hint is given of his strange apparition. The evening
passes pleasantly, though at times Paul feels a creepy sense of dread.
He is loth to leave. From mute signs he concludes it is better to go.
Paul hurries away about midnight.
Within half an hour the rooms occupied by Sir Charles and Agnes are
vacated. Two figures in male attire enter a closed conveyance, and are
driven rapidly in an opposite direction from that taken by Paul Lanier.