Hester awaited her husband's return home with some uneasiness. She
wondered how he would receive the disclosure that the day at Ennore was
an accomplished fact. Being neither secretive nor wanting in courage,
she would have much preferred to have explained previous to the
expedition that she had felt obliged to negotiate about the carriages,
and had already paid for their hire. She was therefore pleasantly taken
by surprise on the morning after Mr. Rayner's return, when they sat
together at early tea under the shade of the banyan tree, when he
suddenly turned to her with a penitent air, saying:
"Look here, Hester, I behaved abominably about the hire of those bandies
for your _protégées_. Forgive my hasty temper, sweet wife, and as a
proof of your full forgiveness accept this." He stooped down to kiss her
and laid a crisp note in her hand.
"A hundred rupees! Oh, Alfred, but that's a fortune--much more than the
cost of the carriages! You remember the hire was only to be seventy-five
rupees--and they're paid. Even the bill has been filed. The first on the
little file mother slipped into the netting of my portmanteau! 'The only
way to keep accounts straight is to use these,' she said. And it does
give one a sense of satisfaction when one slips the bill into the file
'Paid!'"
"Oh, well, as to that, there's no sense in wishing to pay one's bills
before they're a day old--that doesn't pay, in fact! Tradesmen reckon on
their bills clinging to the file 'unpaid' for some time, and charge
accordingly. But as far as the present trifle is concerned it doesn't
matter. As to the surplus--the extra twenty-five rupees--keep them for
chiffons, my dear!"
"I know well what I want to do with every anna of my treasure trove! You
haven't asked how I came to have money to pay for the carriages, Alfred!
It was really the remains of a little store of sovereigns in my
dressing-case; I've been hoarding it for Christmas presents to send
home, and now, like the story of the widow's cruise of oil, it has
multiplied. I shall be able to send for those alluring hawkers. I've
always tried to turn away my eyes from beholding their wares when they
spread them out on the verandah, conscious that I wasn't an intending
customer."
"Oh, but you needn't be so sensitive! They don't in the least mind as
long as they are allowed to spread them on the verandah. But if you
really want the hawkers you'd better give orders to Veeraswamy to summon
the crew and have a bargaining. Mind, about half they ask is the real
value of the article. I expect you'll get dreadfully imposed on."
"I hope not, for I'm anxious to get the worth of every rupee. There are
so many to send to. I must find something for father, though that won't
be so easy. About mother, I'll have no difficulty. But, Alfred, is there
nobody you want to send a Christmas-box to in the homeland?" asked
Hester, with kind eyes resting on her husband.
"Oh, no doubt there are sundry who would accept one with pleasure. But
you know, I'm a relationless being, Hester. Now that Aunt Flo is gone,
there isn't a soul belonging to me. It's better than having undesirable
relatives, isn't it? What a horror that would be, to be sure! But I'm
glad you've thought of the Rectory people. I owe them heaps, Hester, for
having allowed me to carry off the only daughter of the house--and such
a daughter! And you're having a good time, are you not, dearest? Young
Stapleton was just remarking the other day at the Club that you were the
prettiest and most popular bride of the season. I'm so glad you're such
a glorious success," he added, taking her hand caressingly, and raising
it to his lips. "I'm going to write to your mother one day soon, and
tell her how well her transplanted English rose is doing here!"
"Don't boast about me in that strain, Alfred! It would not be convincing
to mother, though I know she'd love to have a letter from you. But that
nonsense of young Stapleton's, for instance, she would positively
dislike," returned Hester with decision, for she was eager to prevent
this husband of hers, whom her father half in fun maintained to be still
"an unknown quantity," from betraying any trace of the curious little
selfish vanity concerning his own possessions, simply because they were
his, which he was apt to show at times. Loving him as she did in spite
of his faults, she desired like a true wife to screen them from all
eyes, especially from the sensitive, high-souled, innermost circle of
her home.
"All right, Hester, I'll submit the letter for your approval. You can
expunge all that you think would not go down in that quarter," said her
husband lightly.
Hester, in the fullness of her heart, thought now to enliven their talk
by giving her husband some passages from the happy hours spent at
Ennore, and began to expatiate on the delight of the girls on its varied
attractions, and how all the arrangements were carried out without a
single hitch, Waller having sent roomy carriages and good horses, and as
he promised, "done the Misses proud!"
"But, by the way, there did threaten to be a little fiasco," she said,
recalling an incident she had half forgotten. "I really must tell you
about that, Alfred. It was at the afternoon meeting the day before. I
was telling the girls the secret of the treat which I thought had been
well kept by those two I met on the road. It must have leaked out
somewhere, for just as I was unfolding it, the door was pushed open and
a striking-looking girl stepped in and sat down. Some rather sulky
glances were directed towards her, I noticed, and seemed to me to ask,
'Is this new-comer to share the privilege of the faithful attenders of
the class?' I thought I must at once clear the atmosphere and begin to
explain that Mrs. Fellowes' invitation was limited to a number, and so
exclude any hope the interloper might have had of being included. I made
some remark, intended really to soften the possible disappointment, but
the girl answered very haughtily and rudely, and after some words which
I couldn't catch, she flounced out of the room, banging the door after
her. But we must get hold of her again! I must set Mrs. Fellowes on her
track, she has a magical influence over these girls. I don't think the
girl liked the look of me--she assumed such a black and scowling air.
Perhaps I put it rather awkwardly when I explained that she couldn't
share in the treat. Yes, poor thing, I must see what can be done! Leila
Baltus, that was her name! Rather pretty name, isn't it?"
Mr. Rayner had been listening somewhat absently to Hester's narration as
he scanned the last evening's paper. At the mention of the familiar name
he started so that Hester exclaimed:
"Are the mosquitoes attacking you, Alfred? I thought you boasted that
they neglected you, bestowing all their attention on poor me!"
He was glad that the sheets of the _Madras Mail_ were concealing his
face at the moment.
"Leila Baltus," he repeated slowly, after a moment's pause, in which he
had succeeded in steadying his voice to a tone of unconcern. "You surely
don't call that a pretty name! Shows what a griffin you are! Why, it's
one of those hateful half-caste names--as common as mud, and as ugly,"
he added, though he was aware that he only knew one family of the name.
Presently he threw the newspaper to the ground with an angry swish, and
jumping up confronted Hester, saying, in a voice trembling with the
passion engendered by fear:
"I'll tell you what it is, Hester! I'll not have you crawled upon by
those vile half-castes at every turn--dangerous liars and thieves, every
one of them! You must really seek your pleasure elsewhere than with such
low associates. In fact, the way you're going on is quite compromising
to me. Here am I struggling for an assured position at the bar, while
you are haunting the East-Indian dens of Vepery. It isn't loyal of you!
You shan't ruin me by such ongoings--that's the long and the short of
it!"
He stood in front of his wife's lounging chair with uplifted arm and a
fierce look in his eyes which Hester had never seen there before. She
grew white as her morning robe; there was pain and wonder in her eyes,
but no fear, as she gazed at him. In a moment he dropped his arm, bit
his lip savagely, and putting his hands in his pockets walked with slow,
unsteady steps towards the house.
Hester covered her face with her hands, and sat for some time in
troubled, silent meditation. Then she glanced up with a gentle, subdued
smile.
"How foolish I have been! He was so happy and kind a few minutes ago
when he gave me that money, and was not even angry when I told him I had
paid for the carriage hire. And then I must needs go on and chatter
about the treat, though I ought to have remembered that he detested the
whole subject. Poor Alfred, no wonder his temper got the better of him!
Why, have I not seen my father more than a little ruffled when he was
made to listen to bothering domestic things? And don't I remember mother
saying: 'We must protect your father from this,' when any sudden worry
arose? And here I am, her daughter, showing no more sense than a magpie!
I've myself to blame for this outbreak of Alfred's, and must go and make
_l'amende honorable_!"
She rose quickly from her chair and hurried across the brown turf
towards the verandah. Her husband was, however, engaged with a client in
the writing-room, and when they met again at breakfast she was thankful
to see he had quite regained his good-humour. He smilingly introduced
his visitor, a young subaltern from Palaveram, whom he had invited to
stay to breakfast.
The youth's resemblance to her brother at once drew Hester to him. His
fair wavy hair, his blue eyes, and the shape of his forehead reminded
her strongly of Charlie; but there the likeness ended, she thought, as
she gazed pitifully at the blanched, haggard face, the dull, faded eyes,
and the lines of care about the sensitive mouth.
"Poor boy, he's got into trouble, no doubt! But Alfred is so clever
he'll be able to give him the best advice and get him well out of it,"
Hester decided optimistically, noting her husband's kindly air towards
his young client; and all through breakfast she set herself to aid his
efforts.
Her winning air of kindness seemed to work like a charm, as she talked
of English days, of Worcestershire fields and lanes and homesteads,
finding that they both belonged to the same county. The boy's face lost
somewhat of its strained expression; into the blue eyes came a sparkle
of brightness, and the smile which reminded Hester of her brother's met
hers with an air of guileless confidence.
Nothing pleased her husband better than Hester's simple unconscious
power of winning the golden opinions of his clients. It was indeed an
asset he valued. His face was radiant with good-humour as he took leave
of her to go to the High Court, arranging to return early and drive with
her to a polo match on the Island, a spectacle which Hester's liking for
horses made always welcome.
As they were driving home that evening Mr. Rayner suddenly said to his
wife: "Why, Hester, you have actually never asked for your old friend,
Cheveril! Of course I saw him at Puranapore. I declare I'll be malicious
enough, and in your presence too, to tell him of your heartless conduct
next time we meet. That will take down the august civilian a bit!" he
added, with an unpleasant smile which was lost on Hester.
"But, Alfred, I never even knew you had been to Puranapore. Your chit
merely said you were going away on pressing business and I somehow took
it for granted you were going to where that poor boy came
from--Palaveram, isn't it? So you were at Mark's station and saw him?"
she said eagerly. "Do tell me all about your visit! Does he like the
place? Has he got a nice house, and how does he get on with the
Collector? You thought they would be at daggers drawn!"
Hester's variety of questions gave her husband a relieving loophole. He
would, if possible, make a selection and only reply to those that suited
him. He quickly decided to ignore all mention of his visit to Zynool,
and to endeavour to convey the impression that he had seen more of the
Assistant-Collector than he actually had, if only she did not press him
for details about the English quarter. He told her that he had, of
course, given Cheveril a gracious invitation to spend Christmas at
Clive's Road, but he had rejected it, preferring the Club. He felt some
slight surprise on perceiving that his wife did not evince
disappointment at this announcement. Indeed, though Hester would hardly
have acknowledged it, and eager as she was to keep in touch with this
friend of old days, she felt it was best that his visit to Clive's Road
should not be repeated, that Alfred and he should not again come into
close quarters. Her husband's nerves were so highly strung and his
bitter prejudice against the community to which Mark made no secret of
belonging, all made it desirable that there should be little contact
between them. Then, too, those little jars during Mark's short stay had
left a deep mark on Hester, and brought a flush of vexation to her face
every time she recalled them. There was no doubt that Mark must have
overheard Alfred's discourtesy to Mr. Morpeth, and also, she feared, his
cruel words to herself. Yes, it would be best that he should come for a
quiet evening only, and she would try to make it bright, and without any
jar for her husband or her friend, she decided with sweet serenity,
accepting the limitations of the lot to which, she was feeling every day
more conscious, her husband's peculiarities of temperament consigned
her.
"Cheveril looks uncommonly well and brisk," remarked Mr. Rayner.
"Puranapore must be suiting him. I expect he is already dropping that
quixotic notion of proclaiming the dark spot. And upon my word, I was
just thinking when I looked at him that no one could detect the touch of
the tar brush! He looks quite the pucka service man already. Old
Worsley's companionship must be educating! By the way, Hester, I've been
thinking we might try to get hold of Worsley when he's here, I rather
want to pick up acquaintance with him. I was once introduced to him at
the Club, so I should like you to ask him to dinner with Cheveril, and,
of course, a regulation number of picked guests. Let's fix the date, and
then you can write to Puranapore! Mrs. Glanton will be capturing the
pair for Christmas day, if I mistake not; the Brigadier and the
Collector are old friends. Let's say the day before Christmas then. Get
our lists full and leave a couple of places for the Puranapore
contingent, and then you can annex them nearer the time. Yes, that will
be best!"
"You always plan things out so methodically, Alfred! I suppose that
comes from your legal training. As for me, I prefer to let things
arrange themselves," said Hester with a smile, relieved to see that her
husband had forgotten the morning's annoyance concerning which she
continued to feel penitently that she was the sole cause. She decided
that she would still continue to help Mrs. Fellowes in her work, but
would not again obtrude these interests on her husband. With tact and
tenderness the time might come when he would be disabused of the
prejudice which he nursed against all Eurasians; and who would be more
fit to break it down than her old friend, who, Charlie used to say,
recalled to him Sir Galahad, whose "strength was as the strength of ten
because his heart was pure!" Yes, it would be quite enough joy for her
to have one or two good talks with Mark about things old and new, for
they would have many mutual experiences to exchange in this their first
season in the Eastern land.
The pink haze of the Indian sunset had faded as they drove along the
leafy roads. A glorious yellow moon was rising and a soft breeze from
the sea rustled among the branching palms overhead. On Hester and her
husband fell the peace of the twilight as they sat hand in hand,
drinking in the serenity of the scene while the landau bowled along on
its easy springs.
The coachman had been told to drive at a slow pace, and just as the
carriage was turning into Clive's Road, Hester's attention was attracted
by an old woman who was seated on the stump of a tree by the roadside.
On catching sight of the carriage, she sprang up quickly, her wrinkled
face lit up by a pair of dark piercing eyes.
"Alfred, I'm sure that woman wants to speak to us," said Hester. "She is
one of your clients, perhaps."
There was silence for a moment. Mr. Rayner had hurriedly withdrawn his
hand from his wife's and seemed pondering.
"Yes, you're right, Hester! That woman is one of my clients. I'd better
see what the creature wants, though it's past business hours."
"Poor soul, perhaps she expected to find you at the High Court. It's
late for her to have travelled so far out. It's good of you, Alfred, to
have pity on her old legs," said Hester, as her husband ordered the
landau to pull up. He got out hurriedly without another word and went
back to where the old woman stood with statuesque pose.
"How kind-hearted Alfred is to be sure!" thought his wife. "Many a young
barrister wouldn't have allowed himself to be bothered like this after
hours."
"Just drive on, Hester," Rayner called back. "I can walk home, it's just
a step!"
She expostulated, saying she would wait.
"Not at all! The walk will do me good. You'll have time to have a little
rest before dressing for dinner. Drive on," he called to the coachman,
and advanced to meet the waiting woman, whom he accosted with an angry
frown. "Now, Mrs. Baltus, what game is this you're up to, dogging my
footsteps so that I can't have peace to drive home of an evening with my
wife?"
"Your wife, forsooth! 'Tis my girl that should have been thatt if you
weren't the false snake you be," retorted the woman, the moonlight
revealing her wrinkled face, distorted by passion.
"Look here, Mrs. Baltus, I'm not going to stand any more of your vile
accusations. Let me tell you, you have not an atom of proof that I ever
meant to marry your daughter. And what's more, I've been a fool ever to
let you see the colour of my money; and, my word, you've seen the last
of my charity, for that's what it's been pure and simple! I'll stand no
blackmailing from you or anybody else," said Mr. Rayner in a bullying
tone, as he folded his arms with a resolute air.
"No proof, do you say, Alfred Rayner?" cried the woman shrilly. "We'll
see about that! There are more la'yers in Madras besides you! Didn't you
come billin' and cooin' with my poor girl many an evening, and was glad
to eat my prawn curry, and----"
"Oh, that prawn curry! Shall I never hear the end of it? Anyhow I've
paid for it fifty times over! Did you ever for a moment dream I would
wed a half-caste like your daughter? And again I ask you how you dare
come crawling to my compound? Why are you here to-night?"
"I'll just tell you why! In another five minutes I mean to be in your
verandah, and may be further in, a-talkin' to your fine English missus
and tellin' her what sort o' a blackguard she's gotten for a husband,"
said Mrs. Baltus, with a defiant air.
"So it's spite and revenge that's brought you tramping all the way from
Vepery?"
"Well, that's my girl's side of it, and no wonder. But look here, young
man, I'll make a bargain with you. I'll defer my visit to-night; and if
you'll give me a few rupees, I'll crawl away and not disturb your fine
lady. Leila and me's stonybroke--it's as true as I stand here!"
"Well," returned Mr. Rayner briskly, putting his hand in his pocket.
"I'll make a bargain with you too. You've got to promise two things
before I give you one pie. First, that you will never set foot in
Clive's Road on any pretext; second, that Leila does not set foot in the
conventicle for girls my wife patronises in Vepery."
"Ha, ha! Well named, 'a conventicle' indeed! I'll undertake for my girl,
she'll not darken that door again. Why, the poor sweet girl only took a
peep to get a sight of your fine English missus. No harm in that,
Alfred!" said the woman in an ingratiating tone.
"Well, what's past is past! Do you agree then that you cease to annoy me
in any way? If you do, I'll send my horse-keeper to turn you out. Mind
what I say! You haven't any legal claim on me--not for a single pie, but
I'll open my purse this time because you're down in your luck. Here's a
ten-rupee note, and see you stick to your bargain."
"Certainlee," snapped the woman, as her long brown fingers closed on the
note, and turning she hobbled away.
"Well, that's over for this time," muttered Mr. Rayner, "but if I hadn't
stopped the creature she would have forced her way into the verandah in
no time, then there would have been misery to pay; and just as I was
trying to throw off all my worries too, and Hester and I were sitting in
the landau like two doves in this glorious moonlight."