SOME MIGHTY SILLY BUSINESS
"In truth, madame," said I, "it's the wont of your sex. As soon as a
woman knows a thing to be hers entirely, she'll fling it away." With
this scrap of love's lore and youth's philosophy I turned my back on my
companion, and having walked to where the battered pasty lay beside the
empty jug sat down in high dudgeon. Barbara's eyes were set on the spot
where the guinea had been swallowed by the waves, and she took no heed
of my remark nor of my going.
Say that my pleasantry was misplaced, say that she was weary and
strained beyond her power, say what you will in excuse, I allow it all.
Yet it was not reason to fling my last guinea into the sea. A flash of
petulance is well enough and may become beauty as summer lightning decks
the sky, but fury is for termagants, and nought but fury could fling my
last guinea to the waves. The offence, if offence there were, was too
small for so monstrous an outburst. Well, if she would quarrel, I was
ready; I had no patience with such tricks; they weary a man of sense;
women serve their turn ill by using them. Also I had done her some small
service. I would die sooner than call it to her mind, but it would have
been a grace in her to remember it.
The afternoon came, grew to its height, and waned as I lay, back to sea
and face to cliff, thinking now of all that had passed, now of what was
before me, sparing a moment's fitful sorrow for the poor wretch who lay
dead there by the cottage door, but returning always in resentful mood
to my lost guinea and Barbara's sore lack of courtesy. If she needed me,
I was ready; but heaven forbid that I should face fresh rebuffs by
seeking her! I would do my duty to her and redeem my pledge. More could
not now be looked for, nay, by no possibility could be welcome; to keep
away from her was to please her best. It was well, for in that her mind
jumped with mine. In two hours now we could set out for Dover.
"Simon, I'm hungry."
The voice came from behind my shoulder, a yard or two away, a voice very
meek and piteous, eloquent of an exhaustion and a weakness so great
that, had they been real, she must have fallen by me, not stood upright
on her feet. Against such stratagems I would be iron. I paid no heed,
but lay like a log.
"Simon, I'm very thirsty too."
Slowly I gathered myself up and, standing, bowed.
"There's a fragment of the pasty," said I; "but the jug is empty."
I did not look in her face and I knew she did not look in mine.
"I can't eat without drinking," she murmured.
"I have nothing with which to buy liquor, and there's nowhere to buy
it."
"But water, Simon? Ah, but I mustn't trouble you."
"I'll go to the cottage and seek some."
"But that's dangerous."
"You shall come to no hurt."
"But you?"
"Indeed I need a draught for myself. I should have gone after one in any
case."
There was a pause, then Barbara said:
"I don't want it. My thirst has passed away."
"Will you take the pasty?"
"No, my hunger is gone too."
I bowed again. We stood in silence for a moment.
"I'll walk a little," said Barbara.
"At your pleasure," said I. "But pray don't go far, there may be
danger."
She turned away and retraced her steps to the beach. The instant she was
gone, I sprang up, seized the jug, and ran at the best of my speed to
the cottage. Jonah Wall lay still across the entrance, no living
creature was in sight; I darted in and looked round for water; a pitcher
stood on the table, and I filled the jug hastily. Then, with a smile of
sour triumph, I hurried back the way I had come. She should have no
cause to complain of me. I had been wronged, and was minded to hug my
grievance and keep the merit of the difference all on my side. That
motive too commonly underlies a seeming patience of wrong. I would not
for the world enrich her with a just quarrel, therefore I brought her
water, ay, although she feigned not to desire it. There it was for her,
let her take it if she would, or leave it if she would; and I set the
jug down by the pasty. She should not say that I had refused to fetch
her what she asked, although she had, for her own good reasons, flung my
guinea into the sea. She would come soon, then would be my hour. Yet I
would spare her; a gentleman should show no exultation; silence would
serve to point the moral.
But where was she? To say truth, I was impatient for the play to begin
and anticipation grew flat with waiting. I looked down to the shore but
could not see her. I rose and walked forward till the beach lay open
before me. Where was Barbara?
A sudden fear ran through me. Had any madness seized the girl, some
uncontrolled whim made her fly from me? She could not be so foolish. But
where was she? On the moment of the question a cry of surprise rang from
my lips. There, ahead of me, not on the shore, but on the sea, was
Barbara. The boat was twelve or fifteen yards from the beach, Barbara's
face was towards me, and she was rowing out to sea. Forgetting pasty and
jug, I bounded down. What new folly was this? To show herself in the
boat was to court capture. And why did she row out to sea? In an instant
I was on the margin of the water. I called out to her, she took no heed;
the boat was heavy, but putting her strength into the strokes she drove
it along. Again I called, and called unheeded. Was this my triumph? I
saw a smile on her face. Not she, but I, afforded the sport then. I
would not stand there, mocked for a fool by her eyes and her smile.
"Come back," I cried.
The boat moved on. I was in the water to my knees. "Come back," I cried.
I heard a laugh from the boat, a high nervous laugh; but the boat moved
on. With an oath I cast my sword from me, throwing it behind me on the
beach, and plunged into the water. Soon I was up to the neck, and I took
to swimming. Straight out to sea went the boat, not fast, but
relentlessly. In grim anger I swam with all my strength. I could not
gain on her. She had ceased now even to look where my head bobbed among
the waves; her face was lifted towards the sky. By heaven, did she in
very truth mean to leave me? I called once more. Now she answered.
"Go back," she said. "I'm going alone."
"By heaven, you aren't," I muttered with a gasp, and set myself to a
faster stroke. Bad to deal with are women! Must she fly from me and risk
all because I had not smiled and grinned and run for what she needed,
like a well-trained monkey? Well, I would catch her and bring her back.
But catch her I could not. A poor oarsman may beat a fair swimmer, and
she had the start of me. Steadily out to sea she rowed, and I toiled
behind. If her mood lasted--and hurt pride lasts long in disdainful
ladies who are more wont to deal strokes than to bear them--my choice
was plain. I must drown there like a rat, or turn back a beaten cur.
Alas for my triumph! If to have thought on it were sin, I was now
chastened. But Barbara rowed on. In very truth she meant to leave me,
punishing herself if by that she might sting me. What man would have
shown that folly--or that flower of pride?
Yet was I beaten? I do not love to be beaten, above all when the game
has seemed in my hands. I had a card to play, and, between my pants,
smiled grimly as it came into my mind. I glanced over my shoulder; I was
hard on half-a-mile from shore. Women are compassionate; quick on
pride's heels there comes remorse. I looked at the boat; the interval
that parted me from it had not narrowed by an inch, and its head was
straight for the coast of France. I raised my voice, crying:
"Stop, stop!"
No answer came. The boat moved on. The slim figure bent and rose again,
the blades moved through the water. Well then, the card should be
played, the trick of a wily gamester, but my only resource.
"Help, help!" I cried; and letting my legs fall and raising my hands
over my head, I inhaled a full breath and sank like a stone, far out of
sight beneath the water. Here I abode as long as I could; then, after
swimming some yards under the surface, I rose and put my head out again,
gasping hard and clearing my matted hair from before my eyes. I could
scarcely stifle a cry. The boat's head was turned now, and Barbara was
rowing with furious speed towards where I had sunk, her head turned over
her shoulder and her eyes fixed on the spot. She passed by where I was,
but did not see me. She reached the spot and dropped her oars.
"Help, help!" I cried a second time, and stayed long enough to let her
see my head before I dived below. But my stay was shorter now. Up again,
I looked for her. She was all but over me as she went by; she panted,
she sobbed, and the oars only just touched water. I swam five strokes
and caught at the gunwale of the boat. A loud cry broke from her. The
oars fell from her hand. The boat was broad and steady. I flung my leg
over and climbed in, panting hard. In truth I was out of breath. Barbara
cried, "You're safe!" and hid her face in her hands.
We were mad both of us, beyond a doubt, she sobbing there on the thwart,
I panting and dripping in the bows. Yet for a touch of such sweet
madness now, when all young nature was strung to a delicious contest,
and the blood spun through the veins full of life! Our boat lay
motionless on the sea, and the setting sun caught the undergrowth of
red-brown hair that shot through Barbara's dark locks. My own state was,
I must confess, less fair to look on.
I controlled my voice to a cold steadiness, as I wrung the water from my
clothes.
"This is a mighty silly business, Mistress Barbara," said I.
I had angled for a new outburst of fury, my catch was not what I looked
for. Her hands were stretched out towards me, and her face, pale and
tearful, pleaded with me.
"Simon, Simon, you were drowning! Through my--my folly! Oh, will you
ever forgive me? If--if you had come to hurt, I wouldn't have lived."
"Yet you were running away from me."
"I didn't dream that you'd follow. Indeed I didn't think that you'd risk
death." Then her eyes seemed to fall on my dripping clothes. In an
instant she snatched up the cloak that lay by her, and held it towards
me, crying "Wrap yourself in it."
"Nay, keep your cloak," said I, "I shall be warm enough with rowing. I
pray you, madame, tell me the meaning of this freak of yours."
"Nothing, nothing. I--Oh, forgive me, Simon. Ah, how I shuddered when I
looked round on the water and couldn't see you! I vowed to God that if
you were saved----." She stopped abruptly.
"My death would have been on your conscience?" I asked.
"Till my own death," she said.
"Then indeed," said I, "I'm very glad that I wasn't drowned."
"It's enough that you were in peril of it," she murmured woefully.
"I pray heaven," said I cheerfully, "that I may never be in greater.
Come, Mistress Barbara, sport for sport, trick for trick, feint for
feint. I think your intention of leaving me was pretty much as real as
this peril of drowning from which I have escaped."
Her hands, which still implored me, fell to her side. An expression of
wonder spread over her face.
"In truth, I meant to leave you," she said.
"And why, madame?"
"Because I burdened you."
"But you had consented to accept my aid."
"While you seemed to give it willingly. But I had angered you in the
matter of that----"
"Ay, of that guinea. Well, it was my last."
"Yes, of the guinea. Although I was foolish, yet I could not endure
your----" Again she hesitated.
"Pray let me hear?" said I.
"I would not stay where my company was suffered rather than prized,"
said she.
"So you were for trying fortune alone?"
"Better that than with an unwilling defender," said she.
"Behold your injustice!" I cried. "For, rather than lose you, I have
faced all, even drowning!" And I laughed.
Her eyes were fixed on my face, but she did not speak. I believe she
feared to ask me the question that was in her dark eyes. But at last she
murmured:
"Why do you speak of tricks? Simon, why do you laugh?"
"Why, since by a trick you left me--indeed I cannot believe it was no
trick."
"I swear it was no trick!"
"I warrant it was. And thus by a trick I have contrived to thwart it."
"By a trick?"
"Most assuredly. Am I a man to drown with half a mile's swimming in
smooth water?" Again I laughed.
She leant forward and spoke in an agitated voice, yet imperiously.
"Tell me the truth. Were you indeed in danger and distress?"
"Not a whit," said I composedly. "But you wouldn't wait for me."
Slowly came her next question.
"It was a trick, then?"
"And crowned with great success," said I.
"All a trick?"
"Throughout," I answered.
Her face grew set and rigid, and, if it might be, yet paler than before.
I waited for her to speak, but she said nothing. She drew away the cloak
that she had offered me, and, wrapping it about her shoulders, withdrew
to the stern of the boat. I took her place, and laid hold of the oars.
"What's your pleasure now, madame?" I asked.
"What you will," she said briefly.
I looked at her; she met my gaze with a steady regard. I had expected
scorn, but found grief and hurt. Accused by the sight, I wrapped myself
in a cold flippancy.
"There is small choice," said I. "The beach is there, and that we have
found not pleasant. Calais is yonder, where certainly we must not go. To
Dover then? Evening falls, and if we go gently it will be dark before we
reach the town."
"Where you will. I care not," said Barbara, and she folded her cloak so
about her face that I could see little more of her than her eyes and her
brows. Here at length was my triumph, as sweet as such joys are; malice
is their fount and they smack of its bitterness. Had I followed my
heart, I would have prayed her pardon. A sore spirit I had impelled her,
my revenge lacked justice. Yet I would not abase myself, being now in my
turn sore and therefore obstinate. With slow strokes I propelled the
boat towards Dover town.
For half an hour I rowed; dusk fell, and I saw the lights of Dover. A
gentler mood came on me. I rested an instant, and, leaning forward, said
to Barbara:
"Yet I must thank you. Had I been in peril, you would have saved me."
No answer came.
"I perceived that you were moved by my fancied danger," I persisted.
Then she spoke clearly, calmly, and coldly.
"I wouldn't have a dog drown under my eyes," said she. "The spectacle is
painful."
I performed such a bow as I could, sitting there, and took up my oars
again. I had made my advance; if such were the welcome, no more should
come from me. I rowed slowly on, then lay on my oars awhile, waiting for
darkness to fall. The night came, misty again and chill. I grew cold as
I waited (my clothes were but half-dry), and would gladly have thumped
myself with my hands. But I should have seemed to ask pity of the statue
that sat there, enveloped in the cloak, with closed eyes and pale
unmoved face. Suddenly she spoke.
"Are you cold, sir?"
"Cold? I am somewhat over-heated with rowing, madame," I answered. "But,
I pray you, wrap your cloak closer round you."
"I am very well, I thank you, sir."
Yet cold I was, and bitterly. Moreover I was hungry and somewhat faint.
Was Barbara hungry? I dared not ask her lest she should find a fresh
mockery in the question.
When I ventured to beach the boat a little way out of Dover, it was
quite dark, being hard on ten o'clock. I offered Barbara my hand to
alight, but she passed it by unnoticed. Leaving the boat to its fate, we
walked towards the town.
"Where are you taking me?" asked Barbara.
"To the one person who can serve us," I answered. "Veil your face, and
it would be well that we shouldn't speak loud."
"I have no desire to speak at all," said Barbara.
I would not tell her whither she went. Had we been friends, to bring her
there would have taxed my persuasion to the full; as our affairs stood,
I knew she would lie the night in the street before she would go. But if
I got her to the house, I could keep her. But would she reach the house?
She walked very wearily, faltering in her step and stumbling over every
loose stone. I put out my arm to save her once, but she drew away from
it, as though I had meant to strike her.
At last we came to the narrow alley; making a sign to Barbara, I turned
down it. The house was in front of me; all was quiet, we had escaped
detection. Why, who should seek for us? We were at Calais with King
Louis, at Calais where we were to be married!
Looking at the house, I found the upper windows dark; there had been the
quarters of Phineas Tate, and the King had found him others. But below
there was a light.
"Will it please you to wait an instant, while I go forward and rouse my
friend? I shall see then whether all is safe."
"I will wait here," answered Barbara, and she leant against the wall of
the alley which fronted the house. In much trepidation I went on and
knocked with my knuckles on the door. There was no other course; yet I
did not know how either of them would take my action--the lady within or
the lady without, she whom I asked for succour or she in whose cause I
sought it.
My entry was easy; a man-servant and a maid were just within, and the
house seemed astir. My request for their mistress caused no surprise;
the girl opened the door of the room. I knew the room and gave my name.
A cry of pleasure greeted it, and a moment later Nell herself stood
before me.
"From the Castle or Calais, from Deal or the devil?" she cried. In truth
she had a knack of telling you all she knew in a sentence.
"Why, from half-way between Deal and the devil," said I. "For I have
left Monmouth on one side and M. de Perrencourt on the other, and am
come safe through."
"A witty Simon! But why in Dover again?"
"For want of a friend, mistress. Am I come to one?"
"With all my heart, Simon. What would you?"
"Means to go to London."
"Now Heaven is kind! I go there myself in a few hours. You stare. In
truth, it's worth a stare. But the King commands. How did you get rid of
Louis?"
I told her briefly. She seemed barely to listen, but looked at me with
evident curiosity, and, I think, with some pleasure.
"A brave thing!" she cried. "Come, I'll carry you to London. Nobody
shall touch you while you're hid under the hem of my petticoat. It will
be like old times, Simon."
"I have no money," said I.
"But I have plenty. For the less the King comes, the more he sends. He's
a gentleman in his apologies." Her sigh breathed more contentment than
repining.
"So you'll take me with you?"
"To the world's end, Simon, and if you don't ask that, at least to
London."
"But I'm not alone," said I.
She looked at me for an instant. Then she began to laugh.
"Whom have you with you?" she asked.
"The lady," said I.
She laughed still, but it seemed to me not very heartily.
"I'm glad," she said, "that one man in England thinks me a good
Christian. By heaven, you do, Simon, or you'd never ask me to aid your
love."
"There's no love in the matter," I cried. "We're at daggers drawn."
"Then certainly there's love in it," said Mistress Nell, nodding her
pretty head in a mighty sagacious manner. "Does she know to whom you've
brought her?"
"Not yet," I answered with a somewhat uneasy smile.
"How will she take it?"
"She has no other help," said I.
"Oh, Simon, what a smooth tongue is yours!" She paused, seeming, to fall
into a reverie. Then she looked at me wickedly.
"You and your lady are ready to face the perils of the road?"
"Her peril is greater here, and mine as great."
"The King's pursuit, Monmouth's rage, soldiers, officers, footpads?"
"A fig for them all!"
"Another peril?"
"For her or for me?"
"Why, for both, good Simon. Don't you understand! See then!" She came
near to me, smiling most saucily, and pursing her lips together as
though she meant to kiss me.
"If I were vowed to the lady, I should fear the test," said I, "but I am
free."
"Where is she?" asked Nell, letting my answer pass with a pout.
"By your very door."
"Let's have her in," cried Nell, and straightway she ran into the alley.
I followed, and came up with her just as she reached Barbara. Barbara
leant no more against the wall, but lay huddled at the foot of it.
Weariness and hunger had overcome her; she was in a faint, her lips
colourless and her eyes closed. Nell dropped beside her, murmuring low,
soft consolations. I stood by in awkward helplessness. These matters
were beyond my learning.
"Lift her and carry her in," Nell commanded, and, stooping, I lifted her
in my arms. The maid and the man stared. Nell shut the door sharply on
them.
"What have you done to her?" she cried to me in angry accusation.
"You've let her go without food."
"We had none. She flung my last money into the sea," I pleaded.
"And why? Oh, hold your peace and let us be!"
To question and refuse an answer is woman's way; should it be forbidden
to Nell, who was woman from crown to sole? I shrugged my shoulders and
drew off to the far end of the room. For some moments I heard nothing
and remained very uneasy, not knowing whether it were allowed me to look
or not, nor what passed. Then I heard Barbara's voice.
"I thank you, I thank you much. But where am I, and who are you? Forgive
me, but who are you?"
"You're in Dover, and safe enough, madame," answered Nell. "What does it
matter who I am? Will you drink a little of this to please me?"
"No, but who are you? I seem to know your face."
"Like enough. Many have seen it."
"But tell me who you are."
"Since you will know, Simon Dale must stand sponsor for me. Here,
Simon!"
I rose in obedience to the summons. A thing that a man does not feel of
his own accord, a girl's eyes will often make him feel. I took my stand
by Nell boldly enough; but Barbara's eyes were on mine, and I was full
of fear.
"Tell her who I am, Simon," said Nell.
I looked at Nell. As I live, the fear that was in my heart was in her
eyes. Yet she had faced the world and laughed to scorn all England's
frowns. She understood my thought, and coloured red. Since when had
Cydaria learnt to blush? Even at Hatchstead my blush had been the target
for her mockery. "Tell her," she repeated angrily.
But Barbara knew. Turning to her, I had seen the knowledge take shape in
her eyes and grow to revulsion and dismay. I could not tell what she
would say; but now my fear was in no way for myself. She seemed to watch
Nell for awhile in a strange mingling of horror and attraction. Then she
rose, and, still without a word, took her way on trembling feet towards
the door. To me she gave no glance and seemed to pay no heed. We two
looked for an instant, then Nell darted forward.
"You mustn't go," she cried. "Where would you go? You've no other
friend."
Barbara paused, took one step more, paused again.
"I shan't harm you," said Nell. Then she laughed. "You needn't touch me,
if you will have it so. But I can help you. And I can help Simon; he's
not safe in Dover." She had grown grave, but she ended with another
laugh, "You needn't touch me. My maid is a good girl--yes, it's
true--and she shall tend you."
"For pity's sake, Mistress Barbara----" I began.
"Hush," said Nell, waving me back with a motion of her hand. Barbara now
stood still in the middle of the room. She turned her eyes on me, and
her whisper sounded clear through all the room.
"Is it----?" she asked.
"It is Mistress Eleanor Gwyn," said I, bowing my head.
Nell laughed a short strange laugh; I saw her breast rise and fall, and
a bright red patch marked either cheek.
"Yes, I'm Nelly," said she, and laughed again.
Barbara's eyes met hers.
"You were at Hatchstead?"
"Yes," said Nell, and now she smiled defiantly; but in a moment she
sprang forward, for Barbara had reeled, and seemed like to faint again
and fall. A proud motion of the hand forbade Nell's approach, but
weakness baffled pride, and now perforce Barbara caught at her hand.
"I--I can go in a moment," stammered Barbara. "But----."
Nell held one hand. Very slowly, very timidly, with fear and shame plain
on her face, she drew nearer, and put out her other hand to Barbara.
Barbara did not resist her, but let her come nearer; Nell's glance
warned me not to move, and I stood where I was, watching them. Now the
clasp of the hand was changed for a touch on the shoulder, now the
comforting arm sank to the waist and stole round it, full as timidly as
ever gallant's round a denying mistress; still I watched, and I met
Nell's bright eyes, which looked across at me wet and sparkling. The
dark hair almost mingled with the ruddy brown as Barbara's head fell on
Nell's shoulder. I heard a little sob, and Barbara moaned:
"Oh, I'm tired, and very hungry."
"Rest here, and you shall have food, my pretty," said Nell Gwyn. "Simon,
go and bid them give you some."
I went, glad to go. And as I went I heard, "There, pretty, don't cry."
Well, women love to weep. A plague on them, though, they need not make
us also fools.