 Chapter 12 of our friend the charlatan. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Our friend the charlatan by George Gissing. Chapter 12. The Mrs. Top Lady seldom rose much before midday. It was not the mere luxury of repose that kept her in her chamber. As a rule she awoke from refreshing sleep at eight o'clock. A touch on the electric button near her hand summoned a maid who appeared with tea. The morning's post and that mass of printed matter, newspapers, reviews, magazines, volumes which had arrived by various channels since noon on the previous day. Apparatus of perfected ingenuity speedily attached to the bed enabled her to read or write in any position that she found easiest. First of all she went through her letters always numerous, never disquieting. For Mrs. Top Lady had no personal attachments which could for a moment disturb her pulse. And her financial security stood on the firmest, attainable basis. Such letters as demanded of reply she answered at once and with gravity which in her hands had become an art. Appeals for money, public or private she carefully considered responding with a check only when she saw some distinct advantage such as prestige or influence to be gained by the pecuniary sacrifice. Another touch on the button and there entered a graceful woman of discreet visage with whom Mrs. Top Lady held colloquy for half an hour. In that time a vast variety of concerns personal domestic mundane was discussed and set in order. Left to herself again Mrs. Top Lady took up the newspapers then she passed through the bulkier periodicals lastly to literature in volume. Her manner of reading betokened the quick-witted woman who sees at a glance the things she cares for and refuses to spend a moment on anything not immediately attractive. People marveled at the extent of her acquaintance with current writing in truth she never read a book but skim the pages just sufficiently for her amusement and her social credit. In the world of laborious idleness Mrs. Top Lady had a repute for erudition she was often spoken of as a studious and learned woman and this estimate of herself she inclined to accept. Having daily opportunity of observing the fathomless ignorance of polite persons she made it her pride to keep abreast with the day's culture. Genuine curiosity too supplied her with a motive for she had a certain thin supple restless intelligence which took wide surveys of superficial life and was ever seeking matter for mirth or disdain in the doings of men. Her first marriage was for love it cost her seven years of poverty and wretchedness it cost her moreover all the ideals of her youth and made her a scheming cynic. Having by natural power and great good fortune got the world at her feet she both enjoyed and despised what seemed to her to have been won so easily. The softer emotions were allowed no place in her nature by careful self-discipline she had enabled herself wholly to disregard the unhappy side of life to pass without the least range of sympathy all human sorrows and pains. If reminded of them against her will she hardened herself with the bitter memory of her early years when as she said she had suffered quite enough for one lifetime. The habit of her mind was to regard existence as an entertaining spectacle she had a most comfortable seat and flattered herself that few people could appreciate so well as she the comedy going on before her. When she found an opportunity for intervention when with little art no trouble to herself she could rearrange a scene or prepare a novel situation so much the better was she pleased and all the more disdain did she feel for the fussy pompous mortals who were so easily manipulated. At present she had her eyes upon a personage who amused her considerably. He answered to the name of Dice Lashmar and fell under the general description of charlatan. Not for a moment had Mrs. Toplady been in doubt as to this classification but Dice Lashmar was not quite an ordinary charlatan and seemed to be worth the observing. She meant to know him thoroughly to understand what he really aimed at whether he harbored merely a gross design on Lady Ogrum's wealth or in truth believed himself strong enough to win a place among those grave comedians who ruled the world. He was a very young man he had not altogether got rid of youths in genuineness if his ideas were his own she doubted it he had evidently a certain mental equipment which would aid him up to a certain point. In every case he excelled in intellectual plausibility perhaps he might get into Parliament for the amusement of the things she would try to help him in that direction. On returning from Rivenoke she had at once begun to spread rumors of a coming man, a new light in the political world that it behooved one to keep an eye on. So seldom did Mrs. Toplady risk her reputation by rash prophecy that those who heard of Mr. Lashmar were disposed to take him with all seriousness. Certain of Mrs. Toplady's intimates begged and were promised the privilege of meeting him. To that end a ceremonious evening was appointed in Pont Street. Meanwhile Lashmar had called and met with a very gracious reception. He was bitten to luncheon on a day in the same week on arriving he found with surprise that he was the sole guest. I wanted to have a real talk with you said the hostess as she received him in her magnificent drawing room. I've been thinking a great deal about things you said at Rivenoke. Her fire of glances perceived that the young man though agreeably touched and full of expectancy was to a certain extent on his guard. He too no doubt had power of reading faces of discerning motives. She did not desire him to be too facile a victim of cajolery. It would take from the interest she felt in his ambitions. At table they talked at first of bio sociology. Mrs. Toplady with the adroitness which distinguished her seeming thoroughly to grasp the subject of which she knew nothing and which if she had tried to think about it would have bought her unspeakably. But she soon diverged to things personal, spoke of people whom she wished Lashmar to meet and asked whether a date she had in mind would suit his convenience. I think you know Lord Dimchurch very well answered Dice blandly. I should like to meet him. I've heard he is most interesting. He certainly is a Lashmar but no man is so hard to get hold of. I never ventured to try to take him anywhere. He very much dislikes meeting strangers. Tell me about him, will you? Dice could speak only of Lord Dimchurch's personal and mental characteristics of his circumstances he knew nothing more than could be gathered from rumor. Let me make a suggestion that Mrs. Toplady with a flatteringly intimate air. Suppose you give a quiet little dinner to a few of your friends. Say at one of the restaurants, don't you think Lord Dimchurch might be willing to come if I may propose myself? The rogueish smile was lost in a radiant archeness half a dozen of us just to talk over the political situation. Lashmar looked delighted. In reality he was seized with anxious thought as to whom he could invite for such an important occasion. As is commonly the case with men of great self-esteem and modest resources, he had made friends with the poor and less ambitious of his acquaintances. And these were not the sort of people to present either to Mrs. Toplady or to Lord Dimchurch. However, he knew a man pretty well placed in the home office. He knew also. Would you like to ask our friend Mrs. Woolstain? Let fall the hostess shooting one swift glance at his busy forehead. Yes, certainly. She's charming. Pursued Mrs. Toplady with her kindness there and I'm sure your views interest her. Mrs. Woolstain spoke of them. Oh, yes. She called here as I told you the day before I went down to Rivernoke. And as we were talking I happened to mention where I was going. Oh, then she said you'll see my friend Mr. Lashmar. I told her that Lady Ogrum had specially asked me to meet you. Of course it delighted me to hear that you knew each other so well. I've always thought Mrs. Woolstain a very clever little woman and she looks at things from such a high point of view. If the idealist do let us have her, then if I might propose another guest, she paused as if afraid of presuming on Lashmar's good nature, pray do. I couldn't possibly have a better advisor. Dice was trying to strike his note of easy comradeship but found it very difficult. Mrs. Toplady had so vast an advantage of him in manner and social resources and for all her amiability must need regard him from a higher ground. It's very nice of you to say that. She resumed I was thinking of Mr. Roach, the member for Belper. You don't happen to know him. It doesn't matter. He's delightful. About your own age, I think. Come and meet him here at five o'clock on Sunday. Have a talk and then send him your invitation. He too is a thorough idealist. You're sure to like him. Before Lashmar left the house, all the details of this little dinner were neatly settled. The only point necessarily left uncertain being whether Lord Dim Church could be counted upon. Of course, Mrs. Toplady had dictated everything, even to the choice of restaurant and the very room that was to be engaged. Lashmar would have the pleasure of ordering the dinner and of paying the bill. He thanked his stars again for Mrs. Wolstan's check. On the strength of that same check, he had quitted his rooms near St. Pancras Church and was now lodging with more dignity but doubtful advantage as to his comfort in Devonshire Street, Portman Place. The address he felt sounded tolerably well, only in the vaguest way had he troubled to compute his annual outlay on this new basis. He was become an adventurer and in common self-respect must cultivate the true adventurous spirit. Once or twice he half reproached himself for not striking out yet more boldly into the currents of ambition for it was plain that a twelve month must see him either made or ruined and probably everything depended on the quality of his courage. Now he began to wonder whether Mrs. Toplady's favorite would be likely to manifest itself in any still more practical way, but if this his reflection offered him no assurance, the probability was that in Lady Ogrem lay his only reasonable hope. On the spur of such feeling he addressed a letter to Rivenoke giving an account of his luncheon in Pond Street and thanking the old autocrat more fervently than he yet had done for all her good offices. Since his return from Rivenoke he had not met Lord Dimchurch, he might of course write his invitation, but he fancied that it would have more chance of being accepted if he urged it orally and as he could not call upon the peer whose private address and books of reference was merely the house in Somerset he haunted the club with the hope of encountering him. On the second day fortune was propitious, Lord Dimchurch sat in his usual corner of the library and on Lashmore's approach smiled his wanted greeting after preliminary gossip Dice commanded himself to courageous utterance. I've been asked to come forward as liberal candidate for a little borough in the Midlands, Hollingford, it's a Tory seat and I don't know whether I shall stand any chance but local people want to fight it and they seem to think that I may be the man for them. As he spoke he felt that he wore an expression new to his visage, a sort of smile which is lips of not prohibited framing, quite unconsciously indeed he had reproduced the smile of Mrs. Toplady, its ironic good humor seemed to put him at ease and to heighten his personal effectiveness. Hollingford, Lord Dimchurch reflected, I know the place by name only. He looked at Lashmore with a new interest constantly worrying about his own inactive life and what he deemed his culpable supineness as a citizen, the pinched peer and with any man to whom the lower house offered its large possibilities. The idea is quite novel to me, Lashmore continued. You know something of my views, my cast of mind. Do you think I should do well to go in for practical politics? I think any man does well who goes in for anything practical was Lord Dimchurch's answer. Stand by all means and I wish you success. Parliament isn't overcrowded with men of original views. That's very kind of you. I don't want to presume upon your good nature, but I wonder whether I could persuade you to dine with me to meet a few friends of mine who are so good as to interest themselves in this matter. Quite an informal little dinner, one or two ladies, the member for Belborough, a home office man, people who see things rather in my own way. He added place and date then with Mrs. Toplady's smile still on his lips awaited the response that Lord Dimchurch would much have preferred to excuse himself was visible enough in the pleasant open countenance. A little apt for dissembling, but no less evident was the amiability which made it difficult for him to refuse a favor and which in this instance allied itself with something like a sense of duty. Lord Dimchurch had been considerably impressed by Lashmore's talk, the bio sociological theory and all its consequences applied a like to his reason and his imagination. However, this new philosophy and the opportunity of being ever so little helpful to such a man as its originator should he felt be regarded as a privilege. But he could not altogether take to Lashmore was nothing to the point how often had he rebuked himself for his incrustation of prejudices social and personal which interfered between him and the living progressing world fire upon his cynical spirit which dwelt so vulgarly on a man's trivial defects. With pleasure he replied and as if feeling it insufficient he added with great pleasure. Dice's lips forgot Mrs. Toplady he smiled his own smile of genial satisfaction and as his way was when please broke into effusive talk. He told of Lady Ogrum of the political situation at Hollingford of editor break spear of the contankerous Rob and to all this Lord Dimchurch willingly lent here. I should uncommonly like you to go down with me someday. You might find it amusing. Lady Ogrum is undeniably a very remarkable woman. Immediately after this conversation Lashmore wrote off to Mrs. Toplady half a dozen exultant lines announcing his success. No more wavering he said himself fate was on his side. He had but to disregard all Paltry obstacles and go straight on. Yet one obstacle and that not altogether Paltry continually haunted his mind. He could not forget Lady Ogrum's obvious intention that he should marry Constance Bride. And such a marriage was altogether out of harmony with his ambition. If it brought in money that is to say a substantial fortune he might be content to accept it but it could not be more than a compromise. He aimed at a very different sort of alliance. Moreover he knew nothing of Lady Ogrum's real intentions with regard to Constance. Her mysterious phrases merely perplexed and annoyed him as often as he thought of them to marry Constance without a substantial fortune that were disaster indeed and what if Lady Ogrum's favor depended upon it. But he had his little dinner to think of. He wrote to Mrs. Wolstein who by return of post blithely accepted his invitation begging him at the same time to come and see her before then if he could possibly spare an hour. Dice through the letter aside impatiently. On Sunday he was in Palm Street where he met the parliamentary Mr. Roach, a young man fairly answering to Mrs. Toplity's description, an idealist of a mild type whose favorite talk was of altruism. And who whilst affecting close attention to what other people said was always absorbed in his own thoughts. Before Lashmar had been many minutes in the drawing room there entered Mrs. Wolstein and she soon found an occasion for brief exchange of words with him. Why haven't you been to see me yet? I'm so terribly busy of course I ought to have come I thought of tomorrow but now that we've met here and are going to dine on the twenty-seven. Oh I know you must be busy conceded iris with panting, emphasis and gladness how splendidly everything is going. But I want to hear about it all you know. Your letter about Rivenoch only made me eager to know more. We'll have an afternoon presently. Ask Mrs. Toplity to introduce Mr. Roach. He dines with us on the twenty-seven. To make sure of the MP, Lashmar invited him verbally and received a dreamy acceptance so dreamy that he resolved to send a note to remind Mr. Roach of the engagement. So you are to be one of us at Mr. Lashmar's dinner, said the hostess to Mrs. Wolstein. A delightful evening, won't it be? And she watched the eager little face with eyes which read his every line remorselessly, her smile more pitiless in ironic mischief even than of want. On the morning of May the twenty-eighth, Lashmar wrote a full letter to Rivenoch, told of a dinner successful beyond his hopes. Mrs. Toplity had surpassed herself in graciousness. Lord Dimchurch had broken through his reserve and talked remarkably, most remarkably. As for the host, why he did what in him lay, Mrs. Toplity was good enough to remark as he handed her into her carriage. A few more dinners such as this, and all London will want to know, the, I won't finish her sentence, joking apart, I think my friends enjoyed themselves, and they were certainly very encouraging with regard to our project. At the same hour Mrs. Toplity, propped with pillows, was also writing to Rivenoch. It came off very well indeed, and I see that we must take serious account of Mr. Lashmar. You know that of course, and I didn't doubt your judgment. But intellectual distinction doesn't always go together with the qualities necessary to a political career. Beyond a doubly is our coming man, and now let me know when to expect you in London. I look forward to the delight of seeing you, and of making the acquaintance of your niece, who must be very interesting. How lucky you are to have discovered at the same time two such brilliant young people. By the by, I have not mentioned Mrs. Tomlin to anyone. It occurred to me that silence in this matter was perhaps discretion. If I've been needlessly reticent, pray say so. Of course, at a word from you, I can speak to the right people, but possibly you would rather nothing at all were said until the young lady has been seen. Myself, I see no reason whatever for explanations. As she closed this letter, Mrs. Toplity's smile all but became a chuckle. Nothing has so much amused her for a twelve month pass. Lashmar had no reply from Rivenoch. This silence disappointed him. Ten days having elapsed, he thought of writing again, but there arrived a letter addressed in his bride's hand. The contents, a few lines in tremendous but bold character signed a ogre. He was invited to lunch on the next day, but one at Bunting's Hotel Albemarle Street. This same afternoon, having nothing to do, he went to call upon Mrs. Bullstand. It was his second visit since the restaurant dinner, and Iris showed herself very grateful for his condescension. He regarded him anxiously, made inquiries about his health. Was he not working too hard? His eyes looked rather heavy as if he studied too late at night. Dice, assuming the Toplity's smile admitted that he might have been rather overzealous at his constitutional history of late. Concession to practicality had led him to take up that subject. In his thoughts, he reproached himself for a freak of the previous evening, a little outbreak of folly of no grave importance, which resulted from the exciting tenor of his life recently. On the whole, it might serve a useful purpose, reminding him to be on guard against certain weaknesses of his temperament likely to be fostered by ease and liberty. Lady Ogre is in town. He announced I'd lunch with her tomorrow. The news agitated Mrs. Bullstand. Will she be alone? I suppose so, except for her secretary, who, of course, is always with her. I must desire to know all about the secretary, and Lashmar described a neutral-tinted, pen-wielding young woman much interested in social reform. Perhaps I shall come to know. Lady Ogre said I risk modestly. I may meet her at Mrs. Toplity's. That would be delightful. I should be able to follow everything much better. To be sure was the rather dry response, but I should be surprised if the old lady stays long or sees many people. Her health is of the shakiest, and London life would be a dangerous experiment, I should say. I don't at all know why she's coming unless it is to see doctors. Oh, I do hope she'll be careful. What a terrible thing it would be if she died suddenly. Terrible for you, I mean. She ought to have someone to look well after her. Indeed, she ought. I wish, this with a laugh, she would take me as companion. Oh, wouldn't I have a care of her precious health? When he drove to Bunting's hotel, he had no thought of seeing anyone but Lady Ogre and Constance. The possibility that there might be other guests at London did not enter his mind. Conducted to a private drawing room on the first floor, he became aware as the door opened of a handsome girl in animated conversation with his two friends. She seemed so very much at home that he experienced a terrible shock as of the unaccountable, the disconcerting, and his eyes with difficulty turned from this new face to that of the venerable hostess. Here again a surprise awaited him. Lady Ogre looked so much younger that when he took leave of her, had written out that he marveled at the transformation. Notwithstanding her appearance, she spoke in a strained feeble voice, often indistinct. One noticed too that she was harder of hearing. Having pressed his hand, a very faint pressure, though meant for cordial, Lady Ogre turned a look upon the bright young lady near her and said, with a wheezy emphasis, let me introduce you to my niece, Miss Tomelin. Never had Lashmar known her so ceremonious, never had she appeared so observant of his demeanor during the social formality. Overcome with astonishment at what he heard, he bowed stiffly but submissively. The autocrat watched him with severe eyes and only when his salute was accomplished did the muscles of her visage again relax. Mechanically, he turned to bow in the same way to Miss Bride, but she had once offered her hand with her friendly, how do you do? My niece, Miss Tomelin, where on earth did this niece spring from? Everybody understood that Lady Ogre was alone in the world. Constance had expressly affirmed it, yet here was she smiling in the most natural way possible as if nieces abounded at Rivernoke. Dice managed to talk, but the word from his own lips and his eyes fixed on Lady Ogre's features noted the indubitable fact that her complexion was artificial. This astounding old woman at the age of four score had begun to paint. So confused was Dice's state of mind that on perceiving the truth of the matter he all but uttered an exclamation. Perhaps only Miss Tomelin's voice arrested him. My aunt has told me all about your new socialism, Mr. Lashmar. You can't think how it has put me at rest when I so felt that one ought to be a socialist and yet there were so many things one couldn't accept. It's the life to receive everything reconciled, all one wants to keep, and all the new things that must come. May had been developing. She spoke with a confidence which on softer notes emulated that of her aged relative. She carried her head with a conscious statelyness which might have been, perhaps was deliberately studied in her own room. Harmonious with this change was that in her attire fashion had done its best to transform the aspiring young provincial into a metropolitan grace, the result being that Miss Tomelin seemed to have grown in stature to exhibit a more notable symmetry so that she filled more space in the observer's eye than here to form. For all that she looked no over, herself assertion, though more elaborate was not a bit more impressive how much she used the turn of her sentences, the color of her speech, very little resembled anything that would have fallen from a damsel bred in the modest world. Her affectation was shot through spontaneity. Her impertinence had a juvenile seriousness which made it much more amusing than offensive, and the feminine charm in her striving to prevail over incongruous elements made clear appeal to the instincts of the other sex. That is very encouraging was Lashmar's reply, if only one's thoughts can be of any help to others. What time is it, broken lady Ogren? Why doesn't that man come? What business has he to keep us waiting? It's only just half past one, said Miss Bride. Then he ought to be here. She turned to Lashmar. I'm expecting a friend you've heard of. So, William Amos, how long are we to sit here waiting for him? I wonder. What do you think of Herbert Spencer at Mr. Lashmar, inquired May? Dice's reply was rendered doubly unnecessary by the opening of the door, and the announcement of the awaited guest. Willie, Willie, cried Lady Ogren with indulgent reproof, you always used to be so punctual. The gentleman thus familiarly addressed had gray hair and walked with a stoop in the shoulders. His age was sixty, but he looked rather older. Lady Ogren who had known him as a boy still in that light. His pleasant face full of sagacity and good humor were a gently deprecating smile as he stepped forward, and whether intentionally or not, he's smooth with one hand his long, grizzled beard. This is military, he exclaimed. Are not a few minutes grace granted to a man of peace when he comes to eat your salt? And how are you, my dear lady? How are you? Never was better in my life, Willie, shrielled Lady Ogren, with a voice slipping out of control in her excitement. Do you know who this is? I could make her guess. The face speaks for itself. Ah, you see the likeness. May shake hands with Sir William and make friends with him. He and I knew each other a lifetime before you were born. And this is Mr. Lashmar, our future member for Hollingford. If the voters are as kind to me as Lady Ogren, said Dice laughing, the baronet gave his hand and started the young man with shrewd observation. So William had no part in public life and was not predisposed in favor of parliamentary ambitions. He lived quietly in a London suburb knowing only a few congenial people occupying himself with a history of art on which he was something of an authority. His father had been a friend of Sir Quentin Ogren and thus arose his early familiarity with the Lady of Rivenoke. At the table in an adjoining room and for a few minutes there was talk between the hostess and Sir William about common acquaintances, Lashmar the while kept turning his look towards Miss Tomlin. With his astonishment had begun to mingle feelings of interest and attraction. He compared Miss Tomlin's personal appearance with that of Constance Bride and at once so hardened towards the letter that he could not bring his eyes to regard her again. At the same time there was an indication that Lady Ogren's niece was not heedless of his presence. Once at least their looks came to the encounter with quick self-recovery on the young lady's part and a conscious smile. Dice began to think her very good looking indeed. Sir William's remark occurred to him and he saw an undeniable resemblance in the girl's features to those of Lady Ogren's early portrait. He grew nervously desirous to know something about her. The conversation directed itself towards the subject with which Lashmar was connected. Sir William appeared by no means eager to discuss political or social themes that May Tomlin could not rest till they were brought forward and her aunt who seemed to have no desire but to please her and put her into prominence helped them on. Are you going to stand as a socialist as the baronette of Lashmar with some surprise when May's talk had sufficiently confused him? I find a shadow of the top lady smile about his lips that his socialism was not social democracy. For my own part declared Sir William I want to hear a little more of men and a little less of government that we're moving into socialism of one kind or another is plain enough and it goes against the grain with me. I'm afraid we're losing our vigor as individuals it's all very well to be a good citizen but it's more important don't you think to be a man? I equate see your point Sir William said Lashmar's eyes brightening as they always did when he found his opportunity for borrowed argument and learning clearly there's an access to be avoided individuality mustn't be lost sight of but I can make absolutely no distinction between the terms man and citizen. To my mind they are synonymous for man only came into being when he ceased to be animal by developing the idea of citizenship. In my view the source of all our troubles is found in that commonly accepted duality. It didn't exist in the progressive ancient world the dualism of man and state began with the decline of Greco-Roman civilization and was perpetuated by the teaching of Christianity. The philosophy of Epicurus and of Zeno and utter detachment from the business of mankind prepared the way for the spirit of the gospels so at length we get our notion of church and state a separation ruinous to religion and making impossible anything like perfection in politics it has thoroughly rooted in people's minds that fatal distinction between man as a responsible soul and man as a member of society our work is to restore the old monism. Very very slowly mankind is working towards it a revolution greater than any of those commonly spoke of so wide and deep that it isn't easily taken in even by students of history a revolution which is the only hope of civilization has been going on since the close of the 13th century we are just beginning to be dimly conscious of it perhaps in another century it will form the principle of liberalism The baronet heard all this with some surprise he had not been prepared for such solidity of doctrine from Lady Ogram's candidate and at the luncheon table as for May Tomlin she had listened delightedly her lips savored the words dualism and monism of which she resolved to make brave use of her own argumentative displays the first to speak was Constance we are getting on very quickly she said in her driest and most practical tone towards one ideal of socialism look at the way in which municipalities are beginning to undertake and sometimes monopolize work which used to be left to private enterprise before long we shall have local authorities engaged in banking, pawnbroking coal supplying, tailoring estate agency printing all these and other undertakings are already proposed May cast a glance of good nature at envy at the speaker how she wished she could display such acquaintance with public life but the information was stored for future use why there you are exclaimed the baronet that's just what I'm afraid of is the beginning of tyranny it'll mean the bad work of a monopoly instead of the good to be had by free competition you favor this kind of thing Mr. Lashmar in so far as it signifies growth of the ideas of citizenship and of association but it interests me much less than purely educational questions whatever influence I may gain will be used towards a thorough reconstruction of our system of popular schooling I believe nothing serious can be done until we have a truly civic education for the masses of the people this was the outcome of Lashmar's resolve to be practical whilst adhering to his philosophy he knew that it sounded well this demand for educational reform however vague in reality it gave the ordinary hearer a quasi intelligible phrase to remember and repeat Sir William Amos was not proof against the plausibility of such words he admitted that one might do worse than devote oneself to that question popular schooling, heaven knew being much in need of common sense reform dice tactfully pressed his advantage he ridiculed the extravagance of educationalism run mad it's ways to public money the harm it does from a social point of view and the longer he spoke the better pleased as silent and closely attended smile with satisfaction, Constance meanwhile noted the countenance of May Tomlin which exhibited the same kind of pleased approval only a day or two ago May speaking on this subject had expressed views diametrically opposite after luncheon Lady Ergum held Lashmar in talk whilst the two young ladies conversed with the Baronette apart dice had hoped for a little gossip with Miss Tomlin but no chance offered discretion let him take leave William had given sign of rising I don't know how long we shall be in town said Lady Ergum who did not seek to detain him but of course we shall see you again we shall generally be at home at five o'clock he'd hoped for a more definite and more cordial invitation issuing into Albemarle speak he looked vaguely about him and wondered how he should get through the rest of the afternoon a dull sky hastened the failure of his spirits when in a few minutes rain began to fall he walked on the umbrella early cheerless and objectless then it struck him that he would go presently to Pond Street Mrs. Toplady might help him to solve the mystery of Lady Ergum's knees confound Lady Ergum's knees her appearance could not have been more inopportune the old lady was obviously quite taken up with her and as likely as not would lose all her interest in politics here was the explanation of her not having answered his last long letter confound miss what was the foolish name Tomlin and yet and yet there glimmered another aspect of the matter suppose Miss Tomlin followed her aunt's example and saw in him a coming man and seriously interested herself in his fortunes then indeed she would be by no means a superfluous young person for who could say to what such interest might leave Miss Tomlin would be her aunt's heiress or someone might reasonably suppose and she was a very pretty girl as well as intelligent could it be that the real course of his destiny was only just beginning to reveal itself by this time he felt better to pass an hour he went into his club read the papers and looked painfully for Lord Dimchurch greatly to his surprise he found the world shunning nobleman in Mrs. Toplady's drawing room the hostess and he alone together it was early and seeming to have been engaged in rather intimate talk of this is nice exclaim Mrs. Toplady what have you to tell us little of interest I'm afraid except that I have lunch today with Lady Ergum and made the acquaintance of her niece we were speaking of her said the hostess would very pronounced mistiff at the corner of her lips and eyes excessively gracious you know Miss Tomlin Lashmore inquired rather abruptly of Lord Dimchurch I met her once was the colorless reply dice wish to ask where and when but of course could not he resented this advantage of Lord Dimchurch she is very clever the hostess was saying and quite charming a Canadian you know by birth such a fresh way of looking at things so bright and other colors were announced Lord Dimchurch looked his desire to escape but sat on you would have thought him a man with a troubled conscience end of chapter 12 chapter 13 of our friend the charlatan this is the LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org our friend the charlatan by George Gissing chapter 13 a few days later Lashmore found on his breakfast table a copy of the Hollingford Express blue penciled at an editorial paragraph which he read with interest the lettered lines that Hollingford liberalism was at length waking up that a campaign was being quietly but vigorously organized and that a meeting of active politicians would shortly be held for the purpose of confirming a candidature which had already met with approval in influential circles the same post brought a letter from Mr. Breakspear will you ask the editor name a convenient date for meeting your friends and supporters say about the 20th of this month I am working up enthusiasm we shall take the public room at the Saracen's head admission to be by invitation card I write to Lady Ogrum and no doubt you will consult with her this look like business dice reflected rather nervously that he would have to make a speech a practical speech he must define his political attitude his political generalities would not serve in the public room at the Saracen's head well he had a fortnight to think about it and here was an excuse for calling on Lady Ogrum of which he would avail himself at once in the afternoon he went to Bunting's hotel but Lady Ogrum was not at home he inquired for Mr. Brighton was presently led up to the private drawing room where Constance sat his eyes scarcely met can you spare me a few minutes ask the visitor there's something here I want to show Lady Ogrum but I shall be still more glad to talk it over with you Constance took the newspaper on Breakspeares note as she read her firm said lips relaxed a little she handed the papers back with a nod as Lady Ogrum heard dice asked yes she had a letter this morning and I have answered it she was so far so good you've had Mrs. Toplady's card for the evening of the thirteenth I have one of the liberal whips will be there an opportunity for you every time he saw her Constance seemed to be drier and more laconic their intercourse promised to illustrate to the full his professed ideal of relation between man and woman in friendship every note of difference in sex would soon be eliminated if indeed that point were not already yet won't you sit down asked Miss Bright carelessly for dice the thrown hat and stick aside and was moving about with his hands in his pockets but you're busy not particularly how was our friend Lady Ogrum pretty well I think but over taxing herself I don't think she'll be able to stay here long it certainly wouldn't be wise of course it's on her niece's account by the by dice pause before Constance's chair where has spunk from you told me she hadn't a relative in the world so she believed Miss Tomlin is a recent discovery the fruit of Mr. Kirchever's researches ah that's rather amusing lucky I imagine that she is such a presentable person she might have been he checked himself significantly and Constance allowed an absent smile to pass over her face I'm afraid dice continue this change won't be quite pleasant to you to me there's no difference none whatever will you please sit down I just like to talk with anyone who keeps fidgeting about one might have detected more than discomfort in Miss Bright's looking voice a sudden flash of something very like anger shown in her eyes but they were bent and bail let us talk about Hollingford said last March drawing up a chair it begins to look as if things were really in train of course I should go down to talk to them isn't that already done well I know what do I care about their party questions I'm sure your advice would be valuable could you find time to jot down a few ideas if you think it any use certainly I can't promise to do it this evening we have people to dine last March was secretly offended that Lady Orgrim should give out dinner party in which he had no place anyone coming that I know he asked offhand let me see yes there's Mrs. Toplady and Lord Dimchurch Dice exclaimed what an extraordinary thing Dimchurch who never went anywhere seems all at once to be living in the thick of the world the other day I found him at Mrs. Toplady's drinking tea was it there he came to know Lady Orgrim yes Constance smiled Lady Orgrim you remember much wish to meet him and he dines here I can't understand it you are not very complimentary said Constance with dry amusement I mean I shouldn't have thought Lady Orgrim would have had much attraction for him Miss Bride laughed a laugh of all but genuine gayity hadn't we better talk about your program she resumed in an altered voice as though her humor had suddenly improved I should take counsel with Mr. Breakspear if I were you I fancy he likes to be consulted and his activity will be nonetheless for it Lashmore could not easily fix his thoughts on political tactics patiently all the time absorbed in another subject and at the first pause he took his leave decidedly it offended him that he was left out from this evening's dinner party a suspicion to have broken upon his mind which he found very distasteful and perturbing Lady Orgrim must have particular reasons for thus cultivating Lord Dim Church's acquaintance conjecturing what they might be he perceived how he had allowed himself to shape visions and dream dreams during the last day or two it was foolish as he now saw plainly enough in ambition one must discern the probable and study one's course thereby all at once he felt the strong dislike of Lord Dim Church and even a certain contempt the man was not what he had thought him crossing the speed at Piccadilly Circus he ran before a Hanson and from the Hanson was waved a hand a voice in the same moment calling out his name as a result of his stopping he was very nearly run over it by another cat he escaped to the pavement the Hanson pulled up beside him and he shook hands with Mrs. Woolstand are you going anywhere she asked her eyes very wide as they gazed at him no where in particular then do come with me will you I have to buy a present for it lens birthday and I should be so glad of your help in choosing it Dice jumped into the vehicle and as his habit was it once surveyed himself in the little looking glass conveniently placed for that purpose the inspection never gratified him and today less than usual turning to his companion he asked does everybody look ugly in a handsome mirror but a question I'm sure I can't tell you Iris had colored a little her eyes and voluntarily sought the slip of glass at her side of the seat and the face she saw was assuredly not a flattering likeness with brow knitted she stared out into the street and presently asked have you seen Lady Ogrum yes I thought you told me that she would have no one with her but her secretary why did you say that because I didn't know that she had a newly discovered niece it seems that you have heard of it perhaps you have met her not yet Mrs. Toplady told me and you take it for granted that I had deliberately concealed the niece from you said Lashmar with an amused air pray why should I have done so no no I thought nothing of the kind replied Mrs. Woolstand in a conciliating tone indeed I didn't it's only that I felt vexed not to have heard the story from you first I thought you would have told me as soon as possible such an interesting thing is that Lashmar declared that he had only known of Miss Tomlin's existence for a day or two and had only heard the explanation for appearance this very day his companion asked for a description of the young lady and he gave one remarkable for splenetic exaggeration you must have seen her in a handsome looking glass that I was smiling scans of him Mrs. Toplady's picture is very different and the same applies to Miss Bride I formed an idea of her from what you told me which doesn't answer at all to that given me by Mrs. Toplady Mrs. Toplady replied Dice is lips reminiscent of Pond Street inclines to idealism I have found it's an amiable weakness but one has to be on one's guard against it did she say anything about Lord nothing? Why? Dice seemed to reflect and spoke as if confidentially I suspect there is a little conspiracy against the noble lord from certain things that I have observed and heard I think it probable that Lady Ogre wants to capture Dimchurch for her knees a light shown upon the listener's countenance and she panted eager exclamations really you think so but I understood that he was so poor how is it possible that Dimchurch is poor I believe but he is a lord Lady Ogre is not poor and I fancy she would like above all things to end her life as aunt in law if there be such a thing of a peer her weakness as we know has always been for the aristocracy she's a strong minded woman in most things I'm quite sure she prides herself on belonging by birth to the lower class and she knows that most aristocrats are imbeciles for all that she won't rest till she has found her niece and her actual husband this is my private conviction take it for what it is worth but quite iris satisfaction still shining on her face do you think there's the least chance that Lord Dimchurch will be caught a week ago I should have laughed at the suggestion now I don't feel at all sure of his safety he goes about to meet the girl he's dining at their hotel tonight you take a great interest in it that Mrs. Wolstein her voice faltering a little so surprised and disappointed about Dimchurch I thought better of him I took him for a philosopher but Mrs. Toplady says the girl is charming and very clever that's a matter of opinion doesn't Mrs. Toplady strike you as something of a busy body a glorified busy body of course oh I like her and she speaks very nicely of you I'm much obliged but after all why should she speak otherwise than nicely of me whilst Iris was meditating to this question the cab pulled up at a great shop they alighted the driver was bitten to wait and along the alleys of the gleaming bazaar they sought a present suitable for Leonard Wolstein to Lashmar it was a scarcely tolerable ennui it even more than the average man's hatred of shopping and feminine indecision whipped him to contemptuous irritation to give himself something to do he looked about for a purchase on his own account and having made it Iris that this was a present from him to his former pupil oh how kind of you exclaimed the mother regarding him tenderly how very kind of you then will be delighted poor boy they left the shop and stood by the handsome where are you going to now ask Iris home to work I have to address a meeting at Hollingford on the 20th and I must think out a sufficiency of harmless nonsense really a public meeting already couldn't die come and hear you dies explain the nature of the gathering but I shall see you before then he had it helping her to enter the cab by the by don't be indiscreet with reference to what we spoke of just now I of course not answered Iris her eyes fixed on his face as he drew back carelessly saluting Lashmar had elaborated his story concerning Lord Dim Church on the spur of the moment he now thoroughly believed it himself and the result was a restlessness of mind which no conviction of its utter that he could overcome in vain did he remember that Lady Ergum had settled his destiny so far as the matter lay in her hands and that to displease the color old autocrat would be to overthrow in a moment the edifice of hope reared by her aid the image of May Tomlin was constantly before his mind not that he felt himself sentimentally drawn to her but she represented an opportunity which annoyed him to feel that he would chose be permitted to grasp Miss Tomlin by no means satisfied his aspiration in the matter of marriage whatever wealth she might have to bestow he had always pictured a very lofty type of woman indeed of being superb in every attribute when dreaming of his future spouse but he enjoyed the sense of power and was exasperated by a suggestion that any man could have a natural advantage over him to this characteristic he owed the influence with women which had carried him so far for there is nothing that better stands a man in his relations with the other sex than settled egoism serving restless ambition this combination of qualities which all but every woman worship Mrs. Toplady herself she of the ironic smile and cynic intelligence felt it a magnetic property in Dice Lashmore's otherwise not very impressive person on that account did she watch his pranks with so indulgent and I and give her self trouble to enlarge the scope of his entertaining activity she knew however that the man was not cast in heroic mold that he was capable of scruples inclined to indolence that he did not after all sufficiently believe in himself to go very far in the subjugation of others therefore she had never entertained the thought of seriously devoting herself to his cause but was content to play with it until the account should claim her attention Mrs. Toplady had always wished for the coming of the very hero the man without fear without qualm who should put our finicking civilization under his feet her god was a compound of the blood reeking conqueror and the diplomat is supreme and guile for such a man she would have poured out her safe invested treasure enough rewarded with a nod of half disdainful recognition she might pass away before the appearance of that new actor on the human stage his entrance was all but due she felt assured the world would be much more amusing presently and she meanwhile was growing old her drawing rooms on the evening of June 13th were crowded with representatives of society Lashmar arrived about 10 o'clock and his hostess had soon introduced him to two or three persons of political note with each of whom he exchanged phrases of such and banality that he had much to do not to laugh in his interlocutor's face the swelling current moved him along he could only watch countenances and listen to dialogues as foolish as those in which he had taken part a dizzying babblement filled the air having with confusion of perfumes presently having circled his way back towards the stair head he caught sight of Lord Dimchurch who had newly entered their eyes met but Dimchurch who wore a very absent look gave no sign of recognition dice pressed forward I hoped I might meet you here he said the other started smiled nervously and spoke in a confused way I thought it likely of course you know a great many of these people oh if you I'd rather meet them anywhere than in such a crowd though wonderful isn't it murmured Dimchurch with a comical distress in his eyebrows wonderful good natured nodding he moved away and was lost to sight dice holding his place near the entrance perceived at length another phase that he knew that of a lady with whom he had recently dined at this house in her company came Constance bride and made Tomlin he all but bounded to meet them Constance looked well in a guard more ornate than Lashmore had yet seen or wearing may glowing with self-satisfaction made a brilliant appearance there chaperone spoke with him he learned that Lady Ogrem did not feel quite equal to an occasion such as this and had stated home miss Tomlin eager to join in the talk pressed before Constance have you got your speech ready mr. Lashmore she asked with slightly condescension quite how sorry I am that you won't be able to enjoy that masterpiece of eloquence oh but it will be reported it must be reported of course the chaperone interpose presenting to miss Tomlin a gentleman who seemed very desirous of that honor and dice stifled his annoyance in saying apart to Constance but barbarism this is one might as well try to converse in the middle of the street at Sharon Cross certainly but people don't come to converse was the answer you enjoy this kind of thing I fancy I don't find it disagreeable the chaperone and miss Tomlin were moving away may cast a look at Lashmore but he was unconscious of it Constance turned to follow her companions and dice stood alone again half an hour later the circling currents to which he brought himself brought him before a row of chairs where sat the three ladies and by the side of miss Tomlin Lord Dimchurch may flushed and bright-eyed was talking at a great rate she seemed to be laying down the law in some manner and Dimchurch respectfully bent towards her listened with a thoughtful smile dice approached and spoke to Constance a few moments afterwards Lord Dimchurch rose bowed and was drew whereupon Lashmore asked miss Tomlin's permission to take the vacant chair it was granted rather absently for the girls eyes had furtively followed her late companion as he moved away and she seemed more disposed to reflect them to begin a new conversation this past however soon she was talking politics with an air of omniscience which Lashmore could only end the may I take you down to the supper room he asked presently the chaperone and miss Bride were engaged in conversation with a man who stood behind them yes let us go said May rising I'm thirsty she spoke a word to the lady responsible for her and swept off with Lashmore how delightful it is dice exclaimed to gather such a lot of interesting people isn't it May responded one feels really alive here you would hardly believe she gave him a confidential look that this is my first season in London indeed it isn't easy to believe said dice in the tone of compliment I always thought of a London season pursued May as mere frivolity of course there is a great deal of that but here one sees only cultured and serious people it makes one feel how much hope there is for the world in spite of everything the common socialist talk dreadful nonsense about society of course it's mere ignorance to be sure Lashmore assented with inward mirth their views are inevitably so narrow how long do you stay in town I'm afraid my aunt's health will oblige me to return to Rivernote very soon she has been seeing doctors I don't know what they tell her but I notice that she isn't quite herself this last day or two wonderful old lady isn't she dice exclaimed oh wonderful you've known her for a long time haven't you no not very long but we have talked so much and agree so well in our views that I think of her as quite an old friend what can I get you do you like iced coffee dice seated her and tended upon her as though no such thing as a method with women had ever entered his mind his demeanor was lamentably old fashioned what it lacked in natural grace Miss Tomlin was not critical enough to proceed how nice it will be she suddenly remarked when you are in Parliament of course you will invite us to tea on the terrace and all that kind of thing I'm sure I hope I shall have the chance my election is by no means a certainty you know the Tories are very strong at Howlingford oh but we're all going to work for you when we get back to Riven Oak I shall begin a serious campaign I could never live without some serious work of the social kind and I look upon it as a great opportunity for civilizing people they must be taught that it is morally wrong to vote for such a man as Rob and an absolute duty of citizenship to vote for you how I shall enjoy it you are very kind oh don't think of it in that way Miss Tomlin I've always thought more of principles than of persons it isn't in my nature to take anything up unless I feel an absolute conviction that it is for the world's good in Northampton I often offended people I liked by what they called my obstinacy when a principle was at stake I don't want to praise myself but I really can say that it is my nature to be earnest and thorough and disinterested of that I'm quite sure that I should lash mark fervently and to let me tell you it is such a pleasure to feel that my opportunities will be so much greater than formally Mae was growing very intimate but still kept her era of dignity with its touch of condescension at Northampton you know I hadn't very much scope now it will be different what an important thing social position is what power for good it gives one provided put in her companion was aristocracy well yes I suppose one must have the presumption to lay claim to that return Mae with a little laugh say rather the honesty the simple courage self depreciation at a dice I've always regarded as a proof of little miss people really call to do something never lose confidence in themselves and have no false modesty about expressing it I'm sure that's very true I heard once that someone at Northampton they called me conceited and you can't think what a shock it gave me I sat down there and then and asked myself whether I really was conceited and my conscience assured me I was nothing of the kind I settled it with myself once for all since then I've never cared what people said about me that's admirable murmur dice I'm sure went on the girl with a grave archness that you too have known such an experience to tell the truth I have the philosopher admitted bending his head a little I felt certain that you could understand me or I should never have ventured to tell you such a thing there is miss bride Constance had taken a seat not far from them and the man who had been talking with her upstairs was offering her refreshments presently she caught miss Tomlin's eye and smiled a minute or two after she and her companion came forward to join the other pair and all reassented to the drawing rooms together when he had restored his large to her chaperone lashmore took the hint of discretion and retired into the throng there amid the encountered iris will stand her eyes wide in search so you are here she exclaimed with immediate change of countenance I just great of ever seeing you what a crush horrible isn't it I've had enough I must breathe the air oh stay a few minutes I know so few people our lady ogrum and her niece here lady ogrum I think not I caught a glimpse of miss Tomlin somewhere or other sternly chaperoned he lied gaily for the talk with may had put him into a thoroughly live humor I should so like to see her said iris don't you think you could point her out if we went about a little let us look for her by all means have you been to the supper room she may be there they turned to move slowly towards the staircase before reaching the door they were met by Mrs. Toplady beside the gentleman who had been Miss Bride's companion downstairs how fortunate exclaimed the hostess to Mrs. Woolstown I so want you to know miss Tomlin and Mr. Rossendale can take us to her iris voiced her delight and looked at lashmar inviting him to come to you but dice stood rigid an unnatural smile on his features then he drew back turned and was lost of you five minutes later he quitted the house it was raining lightly a couple to give the cabin his address drops fell upon his face and he found their coolness pleasant during the ride home he indulged a limitless wrath against iris Woolstown that busy body had spoiled his evening had thrown disturbance into his mind just when it was enjoying the cheeriest hopes as likely as not she would learn that he had had a long talk with may Tomlin and seeing the girl she would put her own interpretation on the fib he had told her what a nuisance it was to have to do with these feminine creatures all fuss and impulsiveness and sentimentality it would not surprising in the least if she made a scene about this evening already the other day her tone when she accused him of giving her a false idea of Lady Ogrem's niece proved the possibility of nonsensical trouble the thing was a gross absurdity had he not from the very beginning of their friendship been careful to adopt a tone as uncompromising as man could use had he not applied to her his method in all its rigor what right had she to worry him with idiotic jealousies but anyone have behaved more honorably than he throughout their intercourse why the average man is dead what had that to do with the matter the very fact of his accepting a loan of money from her emphasized the dry nature of their relations that money must quickly be repaid or he would have no peace the woman began to presume upon his indebtedness he saw that clearly her tone had been different ever since dues take the silly creature she had made him thoroughly uncomfortable what it was to have delicate sensibilities end of chapter 13 chapter 14 of our friend the charlatan this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org our friend the charlatan by George Gissing chapter 14 having an imperious will and an intelligence merely practical it was natural for Lady Ogrum to imagine that even as she imposed her authority on others and outward things so had she sway over their minds what she willed that others should think that she took for granted they thought seeing herself as an entirely beneficent potentate unable to distinguish for a moment between her arbitrary impulses and the well-meaning motives which often directed her she assumed as perfectly natural that all within her sphere of action must regard her with grateful submissiveness so for example having decided that a marriage between Dye Slashmar and Constance Bride would be a very good thing for both and proposing large generosity towards them when it should have come about she found it very difficult to concede that either for young friends could take any other view of the matter when observation obliged her to doubt the correctness of her first impressions she grew only the more determined that things should be as she wished since the coming of May Tomlin a new reason or rather emotion fortified her resolve seeing a possibility even a likelihood that May and Lashmar might attract each other and having very definite views with regard to her niece she was impatient for a declared betrothal of Constance and the aspiring politician their mutual aloofness irritated her more than she allowed to be seen and the moment approached when she could no longer endure such playing with her serious purposes she knew that she had committed prudence in coming to London and entering however moderately into the excitement of the season a day or two suffice to prove the danger she was incurring but she refused to take count of symptoms with a weakness which did not like its pathos she had for the first time in her life put what she called a touch of color onto her cheeks and the result so pleased to that she all but forgot the artificiality of this late bloom each morning when her maid had performed the office she viewed herself with satisfaction and was even heard to remark that London evidently did her good Lady Ogrem tried to believe that even age and disease were amenable to her control she consulted doctors for the form behaving with cold civility during their visit and scornfully satirizing them when they were gone nonetheless did she entertain friends at lunch or dinner and often talk to them as if years of activity and enjoyment lay before her wonderful old lady was the remark of most who left her presence but some exchanged glances and let fall ominous words on the evening when Constance were at the crush in Pont Street she would not go to bed but lay on a couch in her chamber occasionally dozing more often wide awake and quivering with the agitation of her mind it was one o'clock when the girls returned but she'd given orders that Miss Tomlin should at once come to see her and may flushed, resplendent and through a divided room well have you enjoyed yourself the voice was a shock to May's ears after those to which she had been listening it sounded supple cruel very much indeed a delightful time no token of affection had a place in their greeting the old autocrat could not bring herself to offer or ask for tenderness but in her eyes always expressive of admiration when she looked at May might have been read something like hunger of the heart sit down my dear even this form of address was exceptional tell me all about it who was there hundreds of people I can't remember half of those I was introduced to Lord Dim Church ha Lord Dim Church came and you had a talk with him I find he takes a great interest in old English and we talked about Chaucer and so on for a long time he isn't quite so well up in it as I am I put him right on one or two points and he seemed quite grateful he's very nice isn't he there's something so quiet and good natured about him I thought perhaps he would have offered to take me down to supper but he didn't perhaps he didn't think of it I fancy he's rather absent minded Lady Ogrum knitted her brows who did go down with you she asked oh Mr. Lashmore he was very amusing then I talked with wait a minute did you only have one talk with Lord Dim Church only one he doesn't care for at homes Mrs. Toplity says he hardly ever goes anywhere and she fancies May laughed lightly that he came tonight only because I was going to be there do you think it likely aren't well I don't think it impossible replied Lady Ogrum in a tone of relief I've known more unlikely things and suppose it were true oh it's very complimentary of course the old eyes walked upon the young face and with a puzzled expression notwithstanding her own character it was difficult for Lady Ogrum to imagine that the girl seriously regarded herself as superior to Lord Dim Church perhaps it's more than a compliment she said in rather a mumbling voice and she added with an effort to speak distinctly I suppose you didn't tire him with that talk about old English tire him may exclaim why he was delighted but he seems to have been satisfied with the one talk maybe because Mr. Lashmar came up that was all he's very modest perhaps he thought he ought to prevent me from talking to other people Lady Ogrum looked annoyed and worried if I were you May I shouldn't talk about old English next time you see Lord Dim Church men don't care to find themselves at school in a drawing room I assure you aren't my only subject of conversation replied May amused and dignified and unperfectly certain that it was just the thing for Lord Dim Church he has a serious mind and I like him to know that mine is the same that's alright of course I dare say you know best what pleases him and I think it very probable indeed May that he went to Pond Street just in the hope of meeting you perhaps so May smiled and seemed to take the thing as very natural whereupon Lady Ogrum again looked puzzled well go to bed May I'm very glad Lord Dim Church was there very glad go to bed and sleep as late as you like I'm glad you've enjoyed yourself and I'm very glad Lord Dim Church was there very the voice had become so senile so indistinct that May could hardly catch what it said she lightly kissed her aunt's cheek a ceremony that passed between them only when decorum seemed to demand it and left the room on the following morning Guy Slashmark received a telegram couch thus please call at Bunting's hotel at three this afternoon in order to respond to this summons he had to break an engagement but he did it willingly around the hotel in Albemarle Street circled all his thoughts and he desired nothing more than to direct his steps with arriving with perfect punctuality he was shown into Lady Ogrum's drawing room and found Lady Ogrum alone artificial complexion notwithstanding the stern old visage war today a look as of nature all but spent at Lashmark's entrance his hostess did not move sunk together in her chair moving forward she viewed him from under her eyebrows even to give her hand when he stood before her seemed almost too great an effort and the shriveled lipscares made audible her bidding that he should be seated you are well I hope said Dice feeling uncomfortable but affecting to see nothing unusual in the face before him Lady Ogrum nodded impatiently there was a moment silence then turning her gaze upon him she said abruptly in a harsh croak what are you waiting for Lashmark felt a cold touch along his spine he thought the ghastly old woman had lost her senses that she was either mad or delirious yet her gaze had nothing wild on the contrary it searched him with all the wanted keenness waiting I'm afraid I don't understand why haven't you done what you know I wish pursued the untuned for voice now better controlled I'm speaking of Constance Bride relieved on one side Dice fell into trouble on the other to tell you the truth Lady Ogrum he answered with his air of utmost candor I've found no encouragement to take the step of which you are thinking I'm afraid I know only too well what the result would be you know nothing about it Lady Ogrum moved as always a hint of opposition increased her force she was suffering acute physical pain which appeared in every line of her face and in the rigid muscles of her arms as she supported herself on the arms of the chair answer me this she went on and her utterance had something which told of those far off days before education and refined society had softened her tongue will you see Miss Bride this afternoon and make her an offer of marriage are you willing just answer me yes or no Dice replied mechanically and smiled as he replied I am quite willing Lady Ogrum I only wish I could feel assured that Miss Bride he was rudely interrupted don't talk but listen to me for a moment the lips went on moving yet gave no sound then words came again I've told you once already about Constance what I think of her and what I intend for her I needn't go over all that again as for you I think I've given proof that I wish you well I was led to it at first because I saw that Constance liked you now I wish you well for your own sake and you may trust me to do what I can to help you on but till a man is married no one can say what he'll make of his life you've plenty of brains more than most men but I don't think you've got too much of what I call backbone if you make a fool of yourself as most men do in marriage it's all up with you I want to see you safe go where you will you'll find no better wife better in every way for you than Constance Bride you want a woman with plenty common sense as well as uncommon ability the kind of woman that'll keep you going steadily up up do you understand me the effort with which she spoke was terrible her face began to shine with moisture and her mouth seemed to be parched lashmar must have been of much stoner stuff for these vehement and rough cut sentences to make no impression upon him he was held by the dark fierce eye and felt in his heart that he had heard truths and mind this continued Lady Urgrim leaning towards him Constance's marriage alters nothing in what I had planned for her before I knew you she'll have her duties quite apart from your interests and all you aim at I know her I'm not afraid to trust her even when she's married she's honest and that's what can be said of few women this morning I had a talk with her she knows now the responsibility I want her to undertake and she isn't afraid of it I said nothing to her about you not a word but when you speak to her she'll understand what was in my mind so let us get things settled and have no more bother about it on Saturday it was three days hence I go back to Rivenoke I've enough of London I want to be quiet you are to come down with us you've business at Haulingford on the 20th and you ought to see more of the Haulingford people whatever Lady Urgrim had proposed a rather dictated dice would have agreed to he was under the authority of her eye and voice the prospect of being down at Rivenoke and there of necessity living in daily communication with May Tomlin helped him to disregard the other features of his position he gave with a cheerful ascent now go away for half an hour said Lady Urgrim then come back and ask for Miss Bright and you'll find her here she was at the end of her strength and could barely make the last words audible dice pressed her hand silently and withdrew after the imposed interval he returned from out ramble in Piccadilly where he had seen nothing and was conducted again to the drawing room Constance sat reading she was perfectly calm and telling herself and as last more entered she looked up with the usual smile have you been out this afternoon he began by asking yes why you went on business of Lady Urgrim's yes why dice gave no answer he laid aside his hat and stick sat down not far from Constance and looked at I have something rather odd to say to you as we are both rational persons I shall talk quite freely and explain to you exactly the position in which I find myself it's a queer position to say the least when I was at Rivenoke on the last day of my visit Lady Urgrim had a confidential talk with me your name came prominently into it and I went away with certain vague impressions which have kept me ever since in a good deal of uneasiness this afternoon I had another private conversation with Lady Urgrim again your name had a prominent part in it and this time there was no vagueness whatever in the communication made to me I was bitten in plain terms to make you an offer of marriage Constance drooped her eyes but gave no other sign of disturbance now resumed ice leaning forward with hands clasped between his knees before I say anything more about this matter as it concerns you I'd better tell you what I think about our friend I feel pretty sure that she has a very short time to live it wouldn't surprise me if it were a question of days but in any case I'm convinced she won't live for a month what is your opinion I fancy you are right answer the other gravely if so this rather grotesque situation becomes more manageable it is fortunate that you and I know each other so well and have the habit of straightforward speech I may assume no doubt that from the very first our friendship was misinterpreted by Lady Urgrim reasonable relations between man and woman are so very rare and in this case the observer was no very acute psychologist I feel sure she is actuated by the kindest motives but what seems to her my inexplicable delay has been too much for her temper and at last there was nothing for it but to deal roundly with me one may suspect too that she feels she has not much time to spare having made up her mind that we are to marry she wants to see the thing settled looking at it philosophically I suppose one may admit that her views and her behavior are intelligible meanwhile you and I find ourselves in a very awkward position we must talk it over don't you think quite simply and decide what is best to do Constance listened her eyes conning the carpet there was silence for a minute then she spoke what did Lady Urgrim tell you about me she repeated in big terms something she had already said at Rivenoke it seems that you are to undertake some great responsibility to receive some proof of her confidence which will affect all the rest of your life from that I don't know but I understand that there has been a conversation between you in which everything was fully explained Constance nodded after a moment's reflection she raised her eyes to lash mars and intently regarded him her expression was one of anxiety severely controlled you shall know what that responsibility is she said with a just perceptible tremor in her voice Lady Urgrim many other people nowadays has more money than she knows what to do with for many years I think she has been troubled by a feeling that a woman rich as she ought to make some extraordinary use of her riches ought to set an example in short to the wealthy world but she never could discover the best way of doing this she has an independent mind and likes to strike out ways for herself ordinary charities didn't satisfy her to tell the truth she wanted not only to do substantial good but to do it in a way which should perpetuate her name cause her to be more talked about after her death than she has been in her lifetime time went on and she still could hit upon nothing brilliant all she had decided was to build an endowed great hospital at hollingford to be called by her name and this for several reasons she can't postponing then came the acquaintance with me you know the story she was troubling about the decay of the village and trying to hit on remedies well I had the good luck to suggest the paper mill and it was a success the lady argument once had a great opinion of me from that day she tells me the thought grew in her mind that instead of devoting all her wealth by will to definite purposes she would leave a certain portion of it to me to be used by me to be considered I in short constant smile nervously was to be so an uncontrolled trustee of a great fund which would be used after a death just as it might have been had she gone on living the idea is rather fine it seems to me it could only have originated in a mind capable of very generous thought generous in every sense of the word it implied remarkable confidence such as few people especially few women are capable it makes me as rather pathetic to the feeling that she would continue to live in another being not a mere inheritor of her money but a true representative of her mind thinking and acting as she would do always consulting her memory desiring her approval do you see what I mean of course I do answer dice meditatively yes it's fine it increases my respect for our friend I've always respected her I've always said constants and I'm sorry now that I did not respect her more often she has irritated me and in bad temper I've spoken thoughtlessly I remember that letter I wrote you before you first came to Rivenote it was silly and I'm afraid rather vulgar nothing of the kind interposed Lashmar it was very clever you couldn't be vulgar if you tried have you the letter still of course I have then do me the kindness destroy it will you if you wish I do seriously burn the thing as soon as you get home very well they avoided each other's look and there was a rather long pause I'll go on with my story said constants and her voice still under studio's control all this happened when Lady Orgrim thought she had no living relative one fine day Mr. Kerch ever came down with news of Miss Tomlin straight where the world was altered Lady Orgrim had a natural heiress and one in whom she delighted everything had to be reconsidered the great hospital became a dream she wanted Miss Tomlin to be rich very rich to marry brilliantly I've always suspected that Lady Orgrim looked upon her life as a sort of revenge on the aristocratic class for the poverty and ignorance of her own people did anything of the kind ever occurred to you was her family really mean everyone says so Mrs. Gallantry tells me that our illustrious MP has made laborious searches hoping to prove something scandalous of course she tells it as a proof of Mr. Robb's unscrupulous hatred of Lady Orgrim I dare say the truth is that she came of a low class that all of us Miss Tomlin who represents the family in a progressive stage is to establish its glory forever and one understands it's very human Lashmore wore the top lady smile it never occurred to our friend he said that her niece might undertake the great trust instead of you she has spoken to me quite frankly about that the trust cannot be so great as it would have been but it remains with me Miss Tomlin and maybe hope will play not quite an ordinary part in the fashionable world she has ideas of her own and the voice has modulated some faith in herself but my position is different and perhaps my mind Lady Orgrim assures me that her faith in me and her hopes have suffered no change for one thing the mill is to become my property then she hesitated and her eyes passed over the listener's face Lashmore was very attentive there's no need to go into details she added quickly Lady Orgrim told me everything saying she felt I would come for doing so and I accepted the trust without knowing however said dice the not unimportant condition with your mind attached to it there was no condition expressed or reserved Constance's tone had become hard again her eyes were averted her lips set in their firmest lines are you quite sure of that quite was the decisive reply how do you reconcile that with what has passed today Lady Orgrim and me it was between Lady Orgrim and you said Constance of doing her voice I see you mean that I alone am concerned that your position will in no case be effective yes I mean that answered Constance quietly Lashmore thought for a moment then moved on his chair and spoke in a low tone which seemed addressed to his hero's sympathy perhaps you are right probably you are but there is one thing of which I feel every assurance if it becomes plain that her project must come to nothing Lady Orgrim's interest in me is at an end I may say goodbye to Hollingford you are mistaken replied Constance in a voice almost of indifference well the question will soon be decided Lashmore seemed to submit himself to the inevitable I shall write to Lady Orgrim telling her the result of our conversation shall see how she takes it he moved as if about to rise but only turned his chair slightly aside Constance was regarding him from under her brows she spoke in her most business like tone it was this that you came to tell me well I know it wasn't that at all what had you in mind then I was going to ask you if you would marry me or rather if you would promise to or rather if you would make me believe to marry me I thought that under the circumstances it was a justifiable thing to do for I fancied your future as well as mine was at stake seeing our friends condition it appeared to me that a formal engagement between us would be a kindness to her and involve no serious consequences for us but the case is altered you being secure against Lady Orgrim's displeasure I have of course no right to ask you to take in such a proceeding which naturally you would feel to be unworthy of you all I have to do is to thank you for your efforts on my behalf who knows I may hold my own at Hollingford but at Rivenoke it's all over with me he stood up and assumed an attitude of resigned dignity smiling to himself but Constance kept to seat her eyes on the ground I believe you were going down on Saturday she said so it was arranged well I mustn't stay Constance rose and he offered his hand between us it makes no difference I hope said dice with an emphasized effort of cheeriness unless you think me a paltry fellow ready to do anything to get on I don't think that replied Constance quietly but you feel that what I was going to ask would have been rather a severe test of friendship under the circumstances I could have pardoned you but you wouldn't have got beyond forgiveness Constance smiled coldly her look wandering how can I tell but oh never mind goodbye for the present he pressed her hand again and turned away before he had reached the door Constance's voice arrested him Mr. Lashmore he looked at her as if with disinterested inquiry think well before you take any irreparable step it would be a pity the dice moved towards her again why what choice have I the position is impossible if you hadn't said those unlucky words about being so sure I don't see that they make the slightest difference answered Constance her eyebrows raised if you had intended a genuine offer of marriage yes perhaps but as all you meant was to ask me to save the situation with no harm to anybody and the certainty of giving great pleasure you see it in that light cried Lashmore flinging away his hat you really think I should be justified you are not offended I credit myself with a certain measure of common sense answered Constance then you will allow me to tell Lady Orgrim that there is an engagement you may tell her so if you like he seized her hand and pressed his lips upon it but scarce had he done so when Constance drew it brusquely away there is no need to play our comedy in private she said with cold reproof and I hope that at all times you will use the discretion that is owing to me if I don't I shall deserve to fall into worse difficulties than ever cried Lashmore as for instance to find yourself under the necessity of making your mock contract a real one which would be sufficiently tragic Constance spoke with a laugh and there upon before dice could make any rejoinder walk from the room the philosopher stood embarrassed what did she mean by that he asked himself he had never felt on very solid ground in his dealings with Constance had never felt sure in his reading of her character his interpretation of her ways and looks and speeches an odd thing that he should have been betrayed by his sense of triumphant diplomacy into that foolish excess and to remember that it was the second such indiscretion though this time happily not so compromising as his youthful extravagance at alva home what of lady ogre feeding that her Andrew near call for their speedy marriage was it the thought of such possibility that has supplied Constance with her sharp edged jest if she could laugh the risk did not seem to her very dreadful and to him he could not make up his mind on the point end of chapter 14