WHICH BEARS AMPLE TESTIMONY TO THE STRENGTH OF THE GENTLEMAN'S FISTS
Considering all that had befallen during the last half-hour or so, it
was not very surprising, I think, that I should have forgotten the very
existence of this woman Charmian, even though she had been chiefly
instrumental in bringing it all about, and to have her recalled to my
recollection thus suddenly (and, moreover, the possibility that I must
meet with and talk to her) perturbed me greatly, and I remained, for
some time, quite oblivious to wind and rain, all engrossed by the
thought of this woman.
"A dark, fierce, Amazonian creature!" I told myself, who had (abhorrent
thought) already attempted one man's life to-night; furthermore, a tall
woman, and strong (therefore unmaidenly), with eyes that gleamed wild
in the shadow of her hair. And yet my dismay arose not so much from
any of these as from the fact that she was a woman, and, consequently,
beyond my ken.
Hitherto I had regarded the sex very much from a distance, and a little
askance, as creatures naturally illogical, and given to unreasoning
impulse; delicate, ethereal beings whose lives were made up of petty
trifles and vanities, who were sent into this gross world to be
admired, petted, occasionally worshipped, and frequently married.
Indeed, my education, in this direction, had been shockingly neglected
thus far, not so much from lack of inclination (for who can deny the
fascination of the Sex?) as for lack of time and opportunity; for when,
as a young gentleman of means and great expectations, I should have
been writing sonnets to the eyebrow of some "ladye fayre," or
surreptitiously wooing some farmer's daughter, in common with my kind,
I was hearkening to the plaint of some Greek or Roman lover, or
chuckling over old Brantome.
Thus, women were to me practically an unknown quantity, as yet, and
hence it was with no little trepidation that I now started out for the
cottage, and this truly Amazonian Charmian, unless she had disappeared
as suddenly as she had come (which I found myself devoutly hoping).
As I went, I became conscious that I was bleeding copiously above the
brow, that my throat was much swollen, and that the thumb of my right
hand pained exceedingly at the least touch; added to which was a
dizziness of the head, and a general soreness of body, that testified
to the strength of my opponent's fists.
On I stumbled, my head bent low against the stinging rain, and with
uncertain, clumsy feet, for reaction had come, and with it a deadly
faintness. Twigs swung out of the darkness to lash at and catch me as
I passed, invisible trees creaked and groaned above and around me, and
once, as I paused to make more certain of my direction, a dim, vague
mass plunged down athwart my path with a rending crash.
On I went (wearily enough, and with the faintness growing upon me, a
sickness that would not be fought down), guiding my course by touch
rather than sight, until, finding myself at fault, I stopped again,
staring about me beneath my hand. Yet, feeling the faintness increase
with inaction, I started forward, groping before me as I went; I had
gone but a few paces, however, when I tripped over some obstacle, and
fell heavily. It wanted but this to complete my misery, and I lay
where I was, overcome by a deadly nausea.
Now presently, as I lay thus, spent and sick, I became aware of a soft
glow, a brightness that seemingly played all around me, wherefore,
lifting my heavy head, I beheld a ray of light that pierced the gloom,
a long, gleaming vista jewelled by falling raindrops, whose brilliance
was blurred, now and then, by the flitting shapes of wind-tossed
branches. At sight of this my strength revived, and rising, I
staggered on towards this welcome light, and thus I saw that it
streamed from the window of my cottage. Even then, it seemed, I
journeyed miles before I felt the latch beneath my fingers, and
fumbling, opened the door, stumbled in, and closed it after me.
For a space I stood dazed by the sudden light, and then, little by
little, noticed that the table and chairs had been righted, that the
fire had been mended, and that candles burned brightly upon the mantel.
All this I saw but dimly, for there was a mist before my eyes; yet I
was conscious that the girl had leapt up on my entrance, and now stood
fronting me across the table.
"You!" said she, in a low, repressed voice—"you?"
Now, as she spoke, I saw the glitter of steel in her hand.
"Keep back!" she said, in the same subdued tone, "keep back—I warn
you!" But I only leaned there against the door, even as she had done;
indeed, I doubt if I could have moved just then, had I tried. And, as
I stood thus, hanging my head, and not answering her, she stamped her
foot suddenly, and laughed a short, fierce laugh.
"So—he has hurt you?" she cried; "you are all blood—it is running
down your face—the Country Bumpkin has hurt you! Oh, I am glad! glad!
glad!" and she laughed again. "I might have run away," she went on
mockingly, "but you see—I was prepared for you," and she held up the
knife, "prepared for you—and now—you are pale, and hurt, and
faint—yes, you are faint—the Country Bumpkin has done his work well.
I shall not need this, after all—see!" And she flung the knife upon
the table.
"Yes—it is better—there," said I, "and I think—madam—is—mistaken."
"Mistaken?" she cried, with a sudden catch in her voice, "what—what do
you mean?"
"That I—am—the Bumpkin!" said I.
Now, as I spoke, a black mist enveloped all things, my knees loosened
suddenly, and stumbling forward, I sank into a chair. "I
am—very—tired!" I sighed, and so, as it seemed, fell asleep.