RITA SEES A RESEMBLANCE
Some acquaintanceships ripen fast into friendship; it was so with
Lenise Elroy and Hector, at least on her side. She knew him as William
Rolfe and as such he appealed to her. At times he reminded her in a
vague way of Hector Woodridge; she liked him none the worse for this,
although it brought back painful memories. She was fast drifting into
the ocean of love where she would be tossed about, buffeted by the
waves, and probably damaged. The impression he made on her was not
easily effaced; she began to neglect Fletcher Denyer, much to his
mortification. Before she met Rolfe their connection had been smooth,
going on the even tenor of its way, with nothing to mar the harmony,
but this new acquaintance proved a disturbing element and she was no
longer the same to him. He resented it but could do nothing; he was
powerless. He spoke to her, remonstrated, and she laughed at him; it
was of no use tackling Rolfe, who would probably tell him to mind his
business.
He had, however, no intention of relinquishing what little hold he
had over her, and tried to make himself more indispensable. Rolfe was
friendly, took a hint as to some speculative shares and made money.
It was September and the St. Leger day drew near. Hector had not
forgotten Tearaway. He did not write to his brother; he thought
it better not, safer. He watched the papers and saw the filly
occasionally quoted at a hundred to four taken. The secret of the
trial had been well kept, nothing leaked out about it. Ripon was a
firm favorite at three to one, and all the wise men at Newmarket were
sanguine of his success. Bronze was much fancied in certain quarters,
and Harriet, The Monk, and Field Gun, frequently figured in the list;
there was every prospect of a larger field than usual.
Fletcher Denyer often talked about racing with Hector, who was quite
willing to discuss the chances of horses with him.
"I am told on the best authority Bronze will win," said Fletcher.
"What do you fancy, Rolfe?"
"I haven't thought much about it," replied Hector. "If Bronze is as
good as they make out, he must have a chance."
"If you want to back him I can get your money on at a good price,"
said Fletcher.
"I'll think it over," said Hector.
Mrs. Elroy was also interested in the St. Leger. She knew the owner of
Ripon, who told her he did not think his horse had anything to fear.
This news was imparted to Hector.
"Are you going to Doncaster?" she asked.
He said he was, that he always liked to see the St. Leger run.
"I think I shall go," she said. "I have been asked to join a house
party near Doncaster."
Hector wondered how it came about that a woman who had behaved so
badly could be so soon forgiven, and her past forgotten.
"Then I shall have the pleasure of seeing you there," he said.
"I hope so. Your friend Mr. Woodridge has something in the
race--Tearaway, is it not? I suppose she hasn't got much of a chance,
it is such a good price about her," she said.
"No, I don't expect she has or she would not be at such long odds," he
answered.
"There have been some big surprises in the St. Leger," she said.
"It doesn't look like one this year," he replied.
A few days before the Doncaster meeting, Hector went to Haverton,
where he had a warm welcome. Sir Robert Raines was there, Captain Ben,
and one or two more, including Dick Langford, and Rita. Lady Raines
came to act as hostess for Picton and brought two of her daughters;
it was the knowledge that she would be there induced Rita to come with
her brother.
At first Picton hesitated to ask her; she had never been to Haverton;
but finally he decided. Lady Raines and her daughters would be there,
it would be all right and proper. He was delighted when he heard she
had arranged to come with Dick.
Hector came the following day after their arrival. He first saw Rita
in the garden with Picton. He recognized her at once: it was the lady
who had been so kind to him on his way from Dartmoor to Torquay. He
saw how close they walked together, how confidential was their talk,
and guessed the rest. He recognized this with a pang; he had built
castles in the air about her, which, like most such edifices, are
easily shattered. Would she know him again as the tramp she helped
on the road? It was not likely. In the first place, he was greatly
changed, and secondly she would never expect to find him here. He
smiled grimly as he thought of the condition he was in the last time
they met. He went out to face her and walked toward them.
Picton introduced them. She started slightly as she looked at him.
"I thought I had seen you somewhere before," she said with a bright
smile. "You quite startled me, but I dare not tell you about it, it is
quite too ridiculous."
"You have roused my curiosity. Please enlighten me," he said.
"You are quite sure you will not be offended?" She looked at them
both.
"I shall not, and I am the principal person to consider," said Hector.
"Then, if you promise not to be angry with me, I will; after all, I am
sure he was a gentleman although in reduced circumstances," she said.
"Who was a gentleman?" asked Picton.
"The man I for the moment fancied resembled Mr. Rolfe," she said. "It
was the day you came to Torwood."
Rita told them about the tramp she had befriended, and added:
"He was a well-bred man who must have met with some great misfortune.
I pitied him, my heart bled for him; he was no common man, it was easy
to recognize that. He thanked me courteously and went on his way down
the road. I have often thought of him since and wondered what became
of him. When you first came up, Mr. Rolfe, you reminded me of him, in
looks and build, that is all. Have I offended you?"
"Not at all," said Hector. "You are quite sure I am not your gentleman
tramp? Look again."
"Don't be absurd! Of course you are not the man; it was a mere passing
resemblance," she said.
"You did a very kindly action, and I am sure the man, whoever he is,
will never forget it, or you. Perhaps at some future time he may repay
your kindness. Who knows? There are some strange chances in the world,
so many ups and downs, I should not at all wonder if you met him again
in a very different sphere," said Hector.
Lady Raines and her daughters came on to the terrace and Rita joined
them.
"Whew!" said Hector, "that was a narrow squeak, Pic. I went hot and
cold all over when I recognized who it was with you, but I thought I
had better come out and face the music."
"That's about the closest shave you've had, but even had she been
certain she would only have known you as William Rolfe."
"I forgot that," said Hector. "Still, it is better as it is. I say,
Pic, is she the one?"
"I hope so," his brother replied, laughing. "I mean to have a good
try."
"Lucky fellow!" said Hector with a sigh. "There's no such chance of
happiness for me."
"There may be some day," said Picton. "You have not told me what you
have been doing in London."
"Plotting," said Hector. "I am on the way to secure my revenge--I
shall succeed."
"Can't you give me some idea how you mean to be revenged?" asked
Picton.
"Not at present. You may get an inkling at Doncaster, if you keep
your eyes open; but I expect all your attention will be riveted on
Tearaway," said Hector.
"That's highly probable. One doesn't own a Leger winner every year,"
said Picton.
"Then you think she is sure to win?"
"Certain, and Sir Robert won't hear of her defeat. He has backed her
to win a large stake, and he's jubilant about it."
"It seems strange she does not shorten in the betting," said Hector.
"I don't take much notice of that; she's not a public performer, and
it is a field above the average. If it had leaked out about the
trial it would have been different, but we have a good lot of lads at
Haverton; they know how to hold their tongues," said Picton.
"I'll tell you what, Pic, I'd like to let old Brack know. Wouldn't the
dear old boy rejoice at getting on a twenty-five to one chance; he'd
think more of it than anything. Brackish, boatman, Torquay, would find
him," said Hector.
"He shall know," said Picton. "I'll tell you what, it would be a joke
to get him to Doncaster for the St. Leger. I'll send Rose down to hunt
him up and bring him."
"I'm afraid Rose would look askance at Brack, he's such a highly
superior person," said Hector.
"I fancy Brack would break his reserve down before they reached
Doncaster," said Picton. "I shall send him, anyway."