MISCHIEF
The elder Mrs. Wyburn was seated at the gloomy window of her
sulky-looking house in Curzon Street one bright day in the season,
looking out with some anxiety.
"Of course she's late; but if that woman doesn't come I'll never forgive
her. She's a silly fool, but at least she does hear what's going on,"
she reflected.
At this moment an old-fashioned-looking victoria drove up, drawn by two
large grey horses. In it sat a rather fat and important-looking lady,
with greyish red hair, a straight decided mouth, and several firm chins.
Her most marked characteristic was her intense decision on trivialities.
She was always curiously definite on the vaguest of subjects, and
extraordinarily firm and sensible about nothing in particular.
Miss Westbury was a rich unmarried woman, with a peculiarly matronly
appearance, a good-natured love of giving advice, and with views that
obviously dated--one did not know exactly from when. If she had some of
the Victorian severities of the sixties, she had also many of the
sentimental vagaries of the eighties. The serious business of her life
was gossip. In her lighter moments she collected autographs. But her
gossip differed from that of the nervous, impatient Mrs. Wyburn in that
it was far more pompous and moral, and not nearly so spiteful and
accurate.
Miss Westbury sailed in--I need hardly say she was dressed in
heliotrope--and sat down rather seriously in a large--and the only
comfortable--armchair.
"My dear Millie, how extremely good of you to come!" exclaimed Mrs.
Wyburn.
Miss Westbury had been christened Maria, but Millie was the name which
she had chosen to be called by her friends.
"I am very pleased to come, dear Isabella. To call on you on one of your
Wednesdays is, I know, quite hopeless if one has anything to say. To
call on any one on a day at home, except as a mere matter of form, I do
not consider sensible."
"Quite so. Will you have some tea?"
Mrs. Wyburn rang the bell rather fretfully. She did not care for
Millie's made conversation, and hated her way of gaining time.
"I will have what I always have, dear Mrs. Wyburn, at five o'clock, if I
may--hot water with one teaspoonful of milk, and a saccharine tablet
which I bring with me. I am not a faddist, and I think all those sort of
fancies about what is and what is not good for one are exceedingly
foolish; but when I go in for a régime, dear, I give it a fair chance.
Otherwise there is no sense in it!"
She settled herself still more sensibly and decidedly in her chair.
"I wonder," said Mrs. Wyburn nervously--one could see she was not
listening, and thought Miss Westbury was merely drivelling on--"whether
you will come to the point at once? It would be a great comfort if you
would. I have been feeling quite anxious about your visit. I rather
foolishly took some coffee after lunch, and it kept me awake the whole
afternoon--either that, or my anxiety."
"If you take coffee after lunch," replied Miss Westbury, "you should
take it made as I do. Two teaspoonfuls of coffee in a large
breakfast-cup full of hot water, a saccharine tablet, and a teaspoonful
of condensed----"
"What was it you really heard, Millie dear, about my daughter-in-law?"
interrupted Mrs. Wyburn sharply.
Here the footman brought in the tea. Miss Westbury frowned, and
ostentatiously changed the subject.
"Have you been to the Grafton? I was persuaded to go. I think, myself,
there's a great deal too much fuss made about pictures nowadays. When
one thinks of the money that's wasted on them, when it might be sent to
a hospital, it makes one's blood boil! And some of those that are made
the most fuss about--both the Old Masters and the very new ones--these
post-men, or whatever they're called--seem to me perfect nonsense. A
daub and a splash--no real trouble taken--and then you're expected to
rave about it. There's one man--some one wants me to buy a picture of
his--he paints all his pictures in tiny squares of different colours;
when you're close you can't see anything, but it seems that if you walk
five feet away it forms into a kind of pattern. It seems it's the
tessellated school, and they tell me that in a few years nothing else
will count. And what I thought was a mountain in a mist turns out to be
'A Nun with cows grazing.' Silly nonsense I call it!"
"Was the nun grazing, or the cows?" asked Mrs. Wyburn.
"Goodness knows, dear. Then there was that other one called Waning Day,
or something. Two people in a boat sailing on dry land! Then that
picture of a purple man with a green beard! Oh, my dear! The people who
took me there told me it was full of--something French--_essayage_, or
_mouvement_, I think. The man who tried to make me buy it said it was
symbolical. But of course I refused. You know I never have anything to
do with nonsense. Well now, my dear----" Taking pity on Mrs. Wyburn's
extreme impatience, Miss Westbury came a little nearer. "What I heard
was simply this. My cousin, Jane Totness, took her little boy, who is in
London for the holidays, to the British Museum. She always likes to
improve his mind as much as possible; besides, he had been promised a
treat after having a tooth out; the first week of the holidays he always
has a tooth out and a treat after. Jane is like that; she's a sensible
woman, and I must say I think she brings her boys up very well. I myself
might have been more inclined to take him to Madame Tussaud's, or even
to a matinée, or to have an ice at Buzzard's; but I dare say I'm
old-fashioned enough in some ways, and Jane knows her own business
best."
"No doubt she does," said Mrs. Wyburn, quivering with impatience,
tapping her foot on the floor, and trying to restrain herself. "And so
she took the little boy--Charlie, isn't it?--to the British Museum? Go
on, dear!"
"Not Charlie, Mrs. Wyburn. It was little Laurence--little Laurence. He
was called Laurence after his grandfather, Lord Dorking. It's the rule
in the Totness family; the second son is always called after the
grandfather, the eldest son after his father, and the third son--I mean,
of course, if there is one--after the mother's father. Don't you think
it's a very sensible plan, dear?"
Mrs. Wyburn gave her friend first a sympathetic smile, and then a
murderous glance.
"Yes. Well?"
"Oh yes. Well, she was just pointing out something to little
Laurence--he's an intelligent boy, and I dare say he was enjoying it
very much--when, to her great surprise, _who_ should she see but Mrs.
Romer Wyburn, talking away like anything on a seat with--who do you
think?"
"Who?"
"That young man Harry de Freyne--her cousin, isn't it?"
"How extraordinary!" exclaimed Mrs. Wyburn. "Did they seem uncomfortable
when they saw Jane?"
"Oh dear, no, my dear. They seemed most comfortable. Jane bowed to
them--of course rather coldly, she says--and they smiled and nodded, and
Valentia kissed her hand to Laurence. Of course, Jane was very much
pained and shocked about it all. I must say her first thought, dear, was
that I should tell you. Jane Totness is a thoroughly good woman--so
thoughtful."
"Do you see anything so very peculiar about it?" said Mrs. Wyburn. "You
know, the young man--I disapprove of him as strongly as any one can--but
he's an artist, and she is his cousin, and perhaps he wanted to show her
something in the British Museum?"
"My dear Mrs. Wyburn, far be it from me to look on the dark side of
things, but, as Jane said, who on earth would go to the British Museum,
unless they were dragged there by force, except to have a private
interview?"
"But if he wanted to speak to her alone, I don't see why he shouldn't
call on her."
"That's just it. If it were a simple, innocent, harmless conversation,
that is what he would have done. But it was quite clear that there was
something clandestine about it, and you may be quite sure Romer knew
nothing of it. Besides, they are always together."
"It does look odd," said Mrs. Wyburn. "What would you advise me to do?
Shall I speak to my son or my daughter-in-law about it?"
"To neither, my dear. If you speak only to your son, he will tell her,
and she will get round him, and prove there's nothing in it. If you
speak to her she will get round you, and say that Romer knew all about
it. My advice is, if you really want to put a stop to this
flirtation--I'm sure it's gossiped about--even Jane, who is the last
person in the world to talk, speaks of it to every one. If I were you, I
would speak to the young man himself."
"To Harry de Freyne? Yes, it's rather a good idea."
It struck Mrs. Wyburn that to do this would, perhaps, cause more
annoyance than anything else. She was now anxious to get rid of Miss
Westbury, who evidently had nothing more to impart. But that lady was
not so easy to dispose of. She broke into a long monologue on the
subject of régime, servants, and little dressmakers, occasionally
returning to the subject of the British Museum, and the shocking
frivolity there.
Mrs. Wyburn was just thinking of having a violent toothache or some
other ill, when Miss Westbury suddenly made up her mind to depart.
As soon as she had gone Mrs. Wyburn flew to the Blue Book, looked up
Harry's address, and wrote him the following note:--
"Dear Mr. de Freyne,
"Probably you hardly remember me, but I have met you on two or
three occasions at the house of my daughter-in-law, Mrs. Romer
Wyburn. There is something I want to say to you which I hardly
like to write. I should be glad if you would come and see me
to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock. I shall not keep you long.
You may think this a strange request, knowing you so slightly as
I do, but when we meet, I am sure you will understand.
"Yours truly,
"ISABELLA WYBURN."
Having written this note, Mrs. Wyburn felt too impatient to send it by
post; she was simply longing to know that Harry was feeling
uncomfortable, as he was very certain to feel when he got the letter.
Although she had a great suspicion and general dislike of the Messenger
Boy Service, she relented for once in their favour so far as to make use
of them, and the letter was sent by hand.
She was rewarded for thus conquering her prejudice. Harry was at home,
and accepted her invitation with most respectful alacrity. His
manners--especially on paper--were, with old and young ladies, always
equally perfect--unless he was out of temper.
Mrs. Wyburn eagerly hoped Harry would see Valentia, or somehow convey to
her about the letter, because it would be sure to make her uneasy also.
* * * * *
The next day the young man was punctual to the moment. The old lady left
him alone for a few minutes in the dark, dismal drawing-room. She
thought it would have a salutary effect.
She found him, when she came in, stroking the china bird, and looking at
himself in the mirror above it.
He received her with such charming grace that she felt almost
disconcerted, and as if she ought to apologise.
"You received my letter?" she said, rather abruptly.
"With great pleasure. That is why I am here."
He was still standing, smiling delightfully.
"Sit down," she said, with cold graciousness. "I hope you are not in a
great hurry?"
"All my day belongs to you," he replied with a low bow, taking the seat
she had indicated. He looked at her with soft deference under his long
eyelashes.
She found what she had to say more difficult than she had expected. She
spoke quietly, in a low yet rasping voice, with a sharp dignity.
"I will come straight to the point. To put it plainly, a report has
reached my ears, Mr. de Freyne, which has caused me very great pain and
anxiety--I mean, as a mother. And I wondered whether you----"
"As a mother? Surely, Mrs. Wyburn, nothing against Romer? I'm sure I, as
one of his oldest friends...."
"Against Romer!" She drew herself up stiffly. "Most certainly not!
There's never been a word breathed otherwise than in dear Romer's favour
since he was a little boy."
Harry appeared much relieved.
"It's a great comfort to hear you say that. It's only what I was going
to assure you."
"Besides, do you suppose for one moment that if I had any fault to find
with my son I should send for you?"
She already had an annoying fancy that he was defeating her, laughing at
her, and turning the tables.
"It seemed certainly rather strange," Harry said.
"No, indeed! When I say I was troubled as a mother, I meant it in a
very different sense. What I'm afraid of is that dear Romer might be
worried if he heard the report to which I refer."
"And that is?..."
She looked at him spitefully, yet with a reluctant admiration.
He was irritatingly good-looking, good-humoured, and at his ease, and
particularly well-dressed, without appearing in the least conscious of
it. She wished immensely that he had been plain, or awkward, or even out
at elbows, or absurdly dandified, or looked _nouveau riche_, or
something! She felt jealous of him for Romer, and, at the back of her
brain, she grudgingly and perversely sympathised a little with her
daughter-in-law. Harry radiated a peculiar charm for women of all ages.
He did not study them nor try very much to please them; the fascination
was involuntary; he simply used it.
"And that is, that you and my daughter-in-law, Valentia, were seen
_alone_----" she paused a moment, showing a latent instinct for dramatic
effect.
He smiled a little more, and bent his head forward with every sign of
intelligent interest.
She spoke with emphasis.
"_Alone_--the other morning--at the British Museum!"
Somehow she felt the shot had missed fire. It had fallen flat. It was
less effective than she had hoped. It did not sound so very shocking
after all.
He continued to smile with the air of waiting for the climax. She
gathered herself together and went on--
"I heard it from Miss Westbury, so it is a fact!"
Harry thought of saying that he preferred an old wives' tale any day to
an old maid's fact, but he only smiled on.
"Of course, if this is untrue, Mr. de Freyne--if it is a mistake, or a
false report, you have merely to deny it. Assure me it is incorrect--on
your word of honour--and I will then contradict it in the proper
quarter."
He decided on his line. "My dear lady, pray don't contradict it. As a
report it is a gem--it is unique. Not merely because it's absolutely
true--for, as a matter of fact, I think most reports are--but because of
its utter unimportance! It seems to me so trivial--so dull--so wanting
in interest to the general public."
"You think reports are usually true, Mr. de Freyne?"
"I am convinced they are. I believe firmly in the no-smoke-without-fire
theory. Oh, do you know, I think it is _so_ true!... This certainly is
true--it's a solemn fact."
"You admit it?"
"I do indeed! Surely I could hardly refuse to go when I was asked?"
"Oh, you were asked?"
"Certainly. And Romer is really such a very old friend of mine, I could
hardly refuse his request. I may be wrong, but I think one should always
be ready to take a little trouble for an old friend."
"No doubt you have very strict ideas on the duties and obligations of
friendship! At _his_ request--my son's?"
"Yes; your son asked me to go and escort Valentia."
"It is very peculiar; you must see that your explanation sounds
extremely odd."
"Not at all odd," he answered softly, "if you will allow me to
contradict you." He thought a moment. Then he went on: "You may have
heard, perhaps, about the dance that little American, Mrs. Newhaven, is
getting up at the Grafton Galleries for _Deaf and Dumb Dogs and Cats_.
No? Well, every one is going, and they're arranging to have, by way of
novelty, Quadrilles of different nationalities. Romer and his wife are
to dance in the Egyptian Quadrille, and he asked me to take her to the
British Museum to look round and see if we could find some inspiration
for Egyptian costumes that wouldn't be too impossible. But when we got
there, we suddenly remembered the awful story about one of the mummies
being unlucky, so we went into the Print Room and remained there."
De Freyne paused.
"Of course, if that is all--if my son knows of your going, and even
asked you to go, there's nothing more to be said ... though I think it
very foolish, and I don't approve of any of that sort of thing at all."
"What, not of Egyptian quadrilles, Mrs. Wyburn?" asked Harry, with
surprised innocence and in a coaxing voice. "Why, I'm sure it will be
frightfully harmless--in fact, very invigorating to the mind. It's not
as though the dresses were becoming! We saw the most hideous things at
the Museum. We met Lady Totness, who was dragging a wretched little boy
about--I suppose as a punishment for something."
Mrs. Wyburn smiled slightly. She began to feel rather inclined to relent
at the implication that Lady Totness was hideous.
"There you really are wrong, Mr. de Freyne. The boy was taken there as a
treat."
"A _treat_! For whom? For him? What a strange idea--I mean, to think it
could be a treat to go anywhere with her, Mrs. Wyburn."
"It is, rather," she acknowledged.
"Well, then, if that is really all that was troubling you, I do hope
you're happy now?"
He said this with one of his subtle, insinuating changes of tone that
were always so effective. Musicians will understand when I say it was
like a change from the common chord in the minor to the dominant in the
major. It was partly from force of habit, partly because he really
wished to win Mrs. Wyburn over.
"Of course, now you've given the explanation it's, _so far_, all right.
You'll have a cup of tea with me, won't you?"
"I should enjoy it particularly. Let me ring." After a minute or two she
said--
"But perhaps I might venture to suggest it might be better--more
prudent--if you were to go about a little less with Valentia?... Of
course, I quite see now that you're so devoted to Romer, and like a
brother and so forth, but I can't help considering what people say."
"Don't call Lady Totness people, Mrs. Wyburn! Think what a disagreeable,
insincere woman she is--not a bit _femme du monde_, and so exceptionally
stupid and spiteful!"
Harry stayed with her for an hour, having tea, chatting, telling her
stories against every one she didn't like, and speaking with a kind of
tender and admiring familiarity of both Valentia and Romer, in a way
that at once reassured and flattered her.
Finally, she actually found herself begging Harry to use his influence
with the young couple to be less frivolous and mondains, and not to be
always going out, which he promised to do. She even confided to him her
great wish that they had two or three children, which would steady them
down, and he warmly agreed with her, but said that he felt that on that
subject it was, perhaps, hardly for him to interfere.
Of course he confided in her, in his turn, how frightfully hard up one
was, with no one buying pictures, and outsiders winning all the big
races after having no earthly chance on any form they had shown that
season. Mrs. Wyburn positively tried to talk racing with him for a
minute or two--rather pathetically--but soon got out of her depth and
fell back on Art. She said she thought, candidly, that Harry's portrait
of his cousin was a pity.
They parted excellent friends, she even asking him as a favour not to
tell Romer the reason of his visit. To Valentia he might mention it, as
Mrs. Wyburn thought it might be a lesson to her.
Harry professed, at first, some little scruple on the point. He scarcely
liked, he said, the idea of concealing it from Romer. They always told
each other everything. But Mrs. Wyburn was afraid of her son's
anger--which she could not endure, unless _she_ was in the right--and
of appearing ridiculously meddling. Harry owned that her conduct
_might_ seem rather malicious and absurd. At last he consented, and it
was agreed that neither of them should ever say anything about it to
Romer at all.
It is scarcely necessary to say that Harry kept his promise of silence
to the letter. Had he not done so the story would at least have had the
interest of novelty, for Romer had never yet heard anything about the
expedition to the British Museum, and he never did.
A week or two later, when Mrs. Newhaven's ball at the Grafton Galleries
was described in the paper, Mrs. Wyburn, who read the account, observed
that there was no reference whatever to quadrilles of various
nationalities--Egyptian or otherwise; and she rather wondered at the
omission. But it did not occur to her to suppose that this portion of
the entertainment had been entirely imaginary--a lurid figment of
Harry's vivid fancy and fertile invention.
He left, it must be said, on the old lady a lasting impression--by no
means an unfavourable one. Even when she had reason to grow seriously
anxious again on the same subject, she never could bring herself in her
own mind to blame Harry--she could not at heart think ill of him. She
was only extremely angry with Romer and Valentia.