 Part 2, Chapter 4 of Enchantsery. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Leanne Howlett. The Foresight Saga 2, Enchantsery, by John Galsworthy. Part 2, Chapter 4, Where Foresight's Fear to Tread. Quivering from the defeat of his hopes, with the green Morocco case still flat against his heart, some's revolved thoughts bitter as death. A spider's web, walking fast and noting nothing in the moonlight, he brooded over the scene he had been through, over the memory of her figure rigid in his grasp. And the more he brooded, the more certain he became that she had a lover. Her words, I would sooner die, were ridiculous if she had not. Even if she had never loved him, she had made no fuss until Basini came on the scene. No, she was in love again, or she would not have made that melodramatic answer to his proposal, which in all the circumstances was reasonable. Very well. That simplified matters. I'll take steps to know where I am, he thought. I'll go to Poltead's the first thing tomorrow morning. But even in forming that resolution, he knew he would have trouble with himself. He had employed Poltead's agency several times in the routine of his profession, even quite lately over Darcy's case, but he had never thought it possible to employ them to watch his own wife. It was too insulting to himself. He supped over that project and his wounded pride, or rather, kept vigil. Only while shaving did he suddenly remember that she called herself by her maiden name of Heron. Poltead would not know, at first at all events, whose wife she was, would not look at him obsequiously and leer behind his back. She would just be the wife of one of his clients. And that would be true, for was he not his own solicitor? He was only afraid not to put his design into execution at the first possible moment, lest, after all, he might fail himself. In making Wormson bring him an early cup of coffee, he stole out of the house before the hour of breakfast. He walked rapidly to one of those small, west-end streets where Poltead's and other firms ministered to the virtues of the wealthier classes. Hitherto, he had always had Poltead to see him in the poultry, but he well knew their address and reached it at the opening hour. In the outer office, a room furnished so cosily that it might have been a moneylender's, he was attended by a lady who might have been a schoolmistress. I wish to see Mr. Claude Poltead. He knows me, never mind my name. To keep everybody from knowing that he, some's foresight, was reduced to having his wife spied on, was the overpowering consideration. Mr. Claude Poltead, so different from Mr. Lewis Poltead, was one of those men with dark hair, slightly curved noses, and quick brown eyes who might be taken for Jews but are really Phoenicians. He received some's in a room hushed by thickness of carpet and curtains. It was, in fact, confidentially furnished without trace of document anywhere to be seen. Reading Somes deferentially, he turned the key in the only door with a certain ostentation. If a client sends for me, he was in the habit of saying, he takes what precaution he likes. If he comes here, we convince him that we have no leakages. I may safely say we lead in security if in nothing else. Now, sir, what can I do for you? Somes's gorge had risen so that he could hardly speak. It was absolutely necessary to hide from this man that he had any but professional interest in the matter. And, mechanically, his face assumed its sideways smile. I've come to you early like this because there's not an hour to lose. If he lost an hour, he might fail himself yet. Have you a really trustworthy woman, free? Mr. Poltead unlocked a drawer, produced a memorandum, ran his eyes over it, and locked the drawer up again. Yes, he said, the very woman. Somes had seated himself and crossed his legs, nothing but a faint flush, which might have been his normal complexion, betrayed him. Sent her off at once, then, to watch a Mrs. Irene Heron, a flat sea, Truro mansion's Chelsea, till further notice. Precisely, said Mr. Poltead, divorced, I presume, and he blew into a speaking tube. Mrs. Blanche in, I shall want to speak to her in ten minutes. Deal with any reports yourself, resume Somes, and send them to me personally, marked confidential, sealed, and registered. My client exacts the utmost secrecy. Mr. Poltead smiled as though saying, you were teaching your grandmother, my dear sir, and his eyes slid over Somes' face for one unprofessional instant. Make his mind perfectly easy, he said. Do you smoke? No, said Somes. Understand me, nothing may come of this. If a name gets out, or the watching is suspected, it may have very serious consequences. Mr. Poltead nodded. I can put it into the cipher category. Under that system a name is never mentioned, we work by numbers. He unlocked another drawer and took out two slips of paper, wrote on them, and handed one to Somes. Keep that, sir, it's your key. I retain this duplicate. The case will call 7x. The party watched will be 17. The watcher 19. The mansion's 25. Yourself, I should say your firm, 31. My firm, 32. Myself, 2. In case you should have to mention your client in writing, I have called him 43. Any person we suspect will be 47. A second person, 51. Any special hint or instruction while we're about it? No, said Somes. That is every consideration compatible. Again, Mr. Poltead nodded. Expense? Somes shrugged. In reason, he answered curtly and got up. Keep it entirely in your own hands. Entirely, said Mr. Poltead, appearing suddenly between him and the door, I shall be seeing you in that other case before long. Good morning, sir. His eyes slid unprofessionally over Somes once more and he unlocked the door. Good morning, said Somes, looking neither to right nor left. Out in the street he swore deeply quietly to himself. A spider's web, and to cut it he must use a watery, secret, unclean method so utterly repugnant to one who regarded his private life as his most sacred piece of property. But the die was cast, he could not go back. And he went on into the poultry and locked away the green Morocco case and the key to that cipher destined to make crystal clear his domestic bankruptcy. Odd that one whose life was spent in bringing to the public eye all the private coils of property. The domestic disagreements of others led so utterly the public eye churned on his own. And yet not odd. For who should know so well as he the whole unfeeling process of legal regulation? He worked hard all day. Winifred was due at four o'clock. He was to take her down to a conference in the temple with Dreamer QC and waiting for her, he reread the letter he had caused her to write the day of Dardi's departure requiring him to return. Dear Montague, I have received your letter that you have left me forever and are on your way to Buenos Aires. It has naturally been a great shock. I am taking this earliest opportunity of writing to tell you that I am prepared to let bygones be bygones if you will return to me at once. I beg you to do so. I am very much upset and will not say any more now. I am sending this letter registered to the address you left at your club. Please cable to me. Your still affectionate wife, Winifred Dardi. Ooh, what bitter humbug. He remembered leaning over Winifred while she copied what he had penciled and how she had said laying down her pen. Suppose he comes, Somes, in such a strange tone of voice as if she did not know her own mind. He won't come, he had answered, till he spent his money. That's why we must act at once. Annexed to the copy of that letter was the original of Dardi's drunken scroll from the Eceum Club. Somes could have wished it had not been so manifestly penned in liquor. Just the sort of thing the court would pitch on. He seemed to hear the judge's voice say, You took this seriously. Seriously enough to ride him as you did. Do you think he meant it? Never mind. The fact was clear that Dardi had sailed and had not returned. Annexed also was his cable to answer. Impossible return. Dardi. Somes shook his head if the whole thing were not disposed of within the next few months the fellow would turn up again like a bad penny. It saved a thousand a year at least to get rid of him besides all the worry to Winifred and his father. I must stiffen Dreamer's back, he thought. We must push it on. Winifred, who had adopted a kind of half-morning which became her fair hair and tall figure very well, arrived in James Baruch drawn by James's pair. Somes had not seen it in the city since his father retired from business five years ago and its incongruity gave him a shock. Times were changing, he thought. One doesn't know what will go next. Top hats even were scarcer. He inquired after Val. Val, said Winifred, wrote that he was going to play polo next term. She thought he was in a very good set. She added with fashionably disguised anxiety. Will there be much publicity about my affair, Somes? Must it be in the papers? It's so bad for him and the girls. With his own calamity all raw within him, Somes answered. The papers are a pushing lot. It's very difficult to keep things out. They pretend to be guarding the public's morals and they corrupt them with their beastly reports. But we haven't got to that yet. We're only seeing Dreamer today on the restitution question. It's to lead to a divorce. But you must seem genuinely anxious to get Darty back. You might practice that attitude today. Winifred sighed. Oh, what a clown Monty's been, she said. Somes gave her a sharp look. It was clear to him that she could not take her Darty seriously and would go back on the whole thing if given half a chance. His own instinct had been firm in this matter from the first. A little scandal now would only bring on his sister and her children real disgrace and perhaps ruin later on if Darty were allowed to hang on to them going downhill and spending the money James would leave his daughter. Though it was all tied up that fellow would milk the settlement somehow and make his family pay through the nose to keep him out of bankruptcy or even perhaps gall. They left the shining carriage with the shining horses and the shining-headed servants on the embankment or QC's chambers in Crown Office Row. Mr. Bellby is here, sir, said the clerk. Mr. Dreamer will be ten minutes. Mr. Bellby, the junior, not as junior as he might have been for Somes only employed barristers of established reputation. It was indeed something of a mystery to him how barristers ever managed to establish that which made him employ them. Mr. Bellby was seated taking a final glance through his papers. He had come from court and was in wig and gown which suited a nose jutting out like the handle of a tiny pump. His small shrewd blue eyes and rather protruding lower lip no better man to supplement and stiffen Dreamer. The introduction to Winterford accomplished. They leaped the weather and spoke of the war. Somes interrupted suddenly. If he doesn't comply we can't bring proceedings for six months. I want to get on with the matter, Bellby. Mr. Bellby, who had the ghost of an Irish brogue smiled at Winterford and murmured the law's delays, Mrs. Darty. Six months, repeated Somes, it'll drive it up to June. We shan't get the suit on till after the long vacation. We must put the screw on, Bellby. He would have all his work cut out to keep Winterford up to the scratch. Mr. Dreamer will see you now, sir. They filed in. Mr. Bellby going first and Somes assuming that he would be able to get on with Mr. Bellby going first and Somes escorting Winterford after an interval of one minute by his watch. Dreamer QC, in a gown but divested of wig, was standing before the fire as if this conference were in the nature of a treat. He had the leathery rather oily complexion which goes with great learning, a considerable nose with glasses perched on it, and little grayish whiskers. He luxuriated in the perpetual cocking of one eye and the concealment of his lower with his upper lip, which gave a smothered turn to his speech. He had a way, too, of coming suddenly round the corner on the person he was talking to. This, with a disconcerting tone of voice and a habit of growling before he began to speak, had secured a reputation second in probate and divorce to very few. Having listened, I cocked to Mr. Bellby's breezy recapitulation of the facts he growled and said, I know all that. And coming round the corner at Winifred smothered the words, we want to get him back, don't we, Mrs. Darty? Soames interposed sharply. My sister's position, of course, is intolerable. Dreamer growled, exactly. Now, can we rely on the cable refusal or must we wait till after Christmas to give him a chance to have written? That's the point, isn't it? The sooner Soames began, coming round his corner, Mr. Bellby seemed to sniff the air like a hound. We won't be on to the middle of December. We've no need to give him more rope than that. No said Soames. Why should my sister be incommodated by his choosing to go? To Jericho, said Dreamer, again coming round his corner, quite so. People ought to go to Jericho, ought they, Mrs. Darty? And he raised his gown into a sort of fan-tail. I agree. I go forward. Is there anything more? Nothing at present, said Soames meaningly. I wanted you to see my sister. Dreamer growled softly, delighted, good evening, and let fall the protection of his gown. They filed out. Winifred went down the stairs. Soames lingered. In spite of himself, he was impressed by Dreamer. The evidence is all right, I think, he said to Bellby. Even ourselves, if we don't get the thing through quick, we never may. Do you think he understands that? I'll make him, said Bellby. Good man, though, good man. Soames nodded and hastened after his sister. He found her in a draught, biting her lips behind her veil, and at once said, the evidence of the stewardess will be very complete. Winifred's face hardened. She drew herself up, and they walked to the carriage. And all through that silent drive back to Green Street, the souls of both of them revolved a single thought. Why, oh, why should I have to expose my misfortune to the public like this? Why have to employ spies to peer into my private troubles? They were not of my making. End of part two, chapter four. Recording by Leanne Howlett. Part two, chapter five of Enchancery. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Leanne Howlett. The foresight saga two, Enchancery by John Galsworthy. Part two, chapter five. Jolly sits in judgment. Jolly sits in judgment. The possessive instinct which so determinately bulked was animating two members of the foresight family towards riddance of what they could no longer possess was hardening daily in the British body politic. Nicholas, originally so doubtful concerning a war which must affect property, had been heard to say that these boars were a pig-headed lot. They were causing a lot of expense to hide their lesson the better. He would send out Wallsley. Seeing always a little further than other people, whence the most considerable fortune of all the foresight's, he had perceived already that Buller was not the man. A bull of a chap who just went butting and if they didn't look out Lady Smith would fall. This was early in December so that when Black Week came he was unable to say to everybody I told you so. During that week of gloom, such as no foresight could remember, very young Nicholas attended so many drills in his core, the Devil's Own, that young Nicholas consulted the family physician about his son's health and was alarmed to find that he was perfectly sound. The boy had only just eaten his dinner as had been called to the bar at some expense and it was in a way a nightmare to his father and mother that his situation might conceivably be wanted. His grandfather, of course, poo-poo'd the notion, too thoroughly educated in the feeling that no British war could be other than little and professional and profoundly distrustful of imperial commitments, by which moreover he stood to lose for he owned de Beers, now going down fast more than a sufficient sacrifice on the part of his grandson. At Oxford, however, rather different sentiments prevailed. The inherent effervescence of former youth had, during the two months of the term before Black Week, been gradually crystallizing out into vivid oppositions. Normal adolescents, ever in England of a conservative tendency, though not taking things too seriously, was vehement for a fight to a finish and a good looking for the Boers. Of this larger faction, Val Darty was naturally a member. Radical youth, on the other hand, a small but perhaps more vocal body, was for stopping the war and the Boers' autonomy. Until Black Week, however, the groups were amorphous, without sharp edges and argument remained but academic. Jolly was one of those who knew not where he stood. A streak of his grandfather, old Jolian's love of justice prevented him from seeing one side only. Moreover, in his set of the best, there was a jumping Jesus of extremely advanced opinions and some personal magnetism. His father, too, seemed doubtful in his views. And though, as was proper at the age of twenty, he kept a sharp eye on his father, watchful for defects which might still be remedied, still that father had an heir which gave a sort of glamour to his creed of ironic tolerance. Artists, of course, were notoriously Hamlet-like and to this extent one must discount for one's father, even if one loved him. Put your nose in where you aren't wanted, as the Oightlanders had done, and then work the oracle till you get on top as not being quite the clean potato, had, whether found that in fact or no, a certain attraction for his son who thought a deal about gentility. On the other hand, Jolly could not abide such as his set called Cranks and Val's set called Smugs so that he was still balancing when the clock of Black Week struck. One, two, three, came those ominous repulses at Stormburg, Magersfountain, Colenso, the sturdy English soul reacting after the first cried, Ah, but Mithuin, after the second, Ah, but Buller, then an inspisated gloom hardened, and Jolly said to himself, No, dammit, we've got to lick the beggars now. I don't care whether we're right or wrong. And if he had known it, his father was thinking the same thought. That next Sunday, last of the term, Jolly was bitten to wine with one of the best. After the second toast, Buller and damnation to the boars, drunk, no heel taps in the college burgundy, he noticed that Val Darty, also a guest, was looking at him with a grin and saying something to his neighbor. He was sure it was disparaging. The last boy in the world to make himself inspicuous or cause public disturbance, Jolly grew rather red and shut his lips. The queer hostility he had always felt towards his second cousin was strongly and suddenly reinforced. All right, he thought. You wait, my friend. More wine than was good for him, as the custom was, helped him to remember when they all trooped forth to a secluded spot to touch Val on the arm. What did you say about me in there? May I say what I like? No. Well, I said you were a pro boar and so you are. You're a liar. Do you want a row? Of course, but not here, in the garden. All right, come on. They went, eyeing each other a scance, unsteady and unflinching, they climbed the garden railings. The spikes on the top slightly ripped Val's sleeve and occupied his mind. Jolly's mind was occupied by the thought that they were going to fight in the precincts of a college foreign to them both. It was not the thing, but never mind, the young beast. They passed over the grass into very nearly darkness and took off their coats. You're not screwed, are you? said Jolly suddenly. I can't fight you if you're screwed. No more than you. Then, without shaking hands, they put themselves at once into postures of defense. They had drunk too much for science and so were especially careful to assume correct attitudes until Jolly smote Val almost accidentally on the nose. After that it was all a dark and ugly scrimmage in the deep shadow of the old trees with no one to call time, till, battered and blown, gentlemen. At this bland query spoken from under the lamp at the garden gate, like some demand of a god, their nerves gave way and snatching up their coats, they ran at the railings, shunned up them and made for this occluded spot whence they had issued to the fight. Here in dim light they mopped their faces and without a word walked ten paces apart to the college gate. They went out silently, Val going towards the broad along the brewery, lying towards the high. His head, still fumed, was busy with regret that he had not displayed more science, passing in review the counters and knockout blows which he had not delivered. His mind strayed on to an imagined combat, infinitely unlike that which he had just been through, infinitely gallant, with sash and sword, with thrust and parry as if he were in the pages of his beloved Dumas. He fancied himself and Aramis, Boussy, Chico, and Artanian rolled into one, but he quite failed to envisage Val as Cacanus, Brissac, or Rokefort. The fellow was just a confounded cousin who didn't come up to cocker. Never mind. He had given him one or two, pro-boar. The word still rankled and thoughts of enlisting jostling his aching head of riding over the veld firing gallantly while the boars rolled over like rabbits looking up his smarting eyes he saw the stars shining between the housetops of the high and himself lying out on the caroo whatever that was, rolled in a blanket with his rifle ready and his gaze fixed on a glittering heaven. He had a fearful head next morning which he doctored as become one of the best by soaking it in cold water brewing strong coffee which he could not drink and only sipping a little hawk at lunch. The legend that some fool had run into him round a corner accounted for a bruise on his cheek. He would on no account have mentioned the fight, for on second thoughts it fell far short of his standards. The next day he went down and traveled through to Robin Hill. Nobody was there but June and Holly for his father had gone to Paris. He spent a restless and unsettled vacation quite out of touch with either of his sisters. June indeed was occupied with lame ducks and the rule Jolly could not stand especially that Eric Cobbley and his family hopeless outsiders who were always littering up the house in the vacation. And between Holly and himself there was a strange division as if she were beginning to have opinions of her own which was so unnecessary. He punched viciously at a ball, rode furiously but alone in Richmond Park making a point of jumping the stiff high hurdles put up to close to certain worn avenues of grass keeping his nerve in, he called it. Jolly was more afraid of being afraid than most boys are. He bought a rifle too and put a range up in the home field shooting across the pond into the kitchen garden wall to the peril of gardeners with a thought that someday perhaps he would enlist and save South Africa for his country. In fact, now that they were appealing for Yeomanry recruits ought he to go? None of the best so far as he knew and he was in correspondence with several were thinking of joining. If they had been making a move he would have gone at once very competitive and with a strong sense of form he could not bear to be left behind in anything. But to do it off his own bat might look like swagger because of course it wasn't really necessary. Besides, he did not want to go for the other side of this young foresight or the world from leaping before he looked. It was altogether mixed pickles within him, hot and sickly pickles, and he became quite unlike his serene and rather lordly self. And then one day he saw that which moved him to uneasy wrath. Two riders, in a glade of the park close to the ham gate of whom she on the left hand was most assuredly holly on her silver rhone and he on the right hand as assuredly that squirt val darty. His first impulse was to urge on his own horse and demand the meaning of this portent, tell the fellow to bunk and take holly home. His second to feel that he would look a fool if they refused. He reigned his horse end behind a tree then perceived that it was equally impossible to spy on them. Nothing for it but to go home and await her coming sneaking out with that young bounder. He could not consult with June because she had gone up that morning in the train of Eric Cobly and his lot and his father was still in that rotten Paris. He felt that this was emphatically one of those moments for which he had trained himself assiduously at school where he and a boy called Brent had frequently set fire to newspapers and placed them in the center of their studies to accustom them to coolness and moments of danger. He did not feel at all cool waiting in the stable yard idly stroking the dog Balthazar who, queasy as an old fat monk and sad in the absence of his master, turned up his face, panting with gratitude for this attention. It was half an hour before Holly came, flushed, and ever so much prettier than she had any right to look. He saw her look at him quickly, guiltily, of course, then followed her in and taking her arm, conducted her into what had been their grandfather's study. The room, not much used now, was still vaguely haunted for them both by presence with which she appreciated tenderness, large, drooping white moustaches, the sense of cigar smoke and laughter. Here Jolly, in the prime of his youth, before he went to school at all, had been want to wrestle with his grandfather, who even at 80 had an irresistible habit of crooking his leg. Here Holly, perched on the arm of the great leather chair, had stroked hair curving silvery over an ear into which she would whisper secrets. Through that window they had all three times without number to crick it on the lawn and a mysterious game called Wopsy Doozle, not to be understood by outsiders, which made old Jolly and very hot. Here once on a warm night, Holly had appeared in her nightly, having had a bad dream to have the clutch of it released, and here Jolly, having begun the day badly by introducing Fizzy Magnesia into Mademoiselle Bosa's new laid egg, and gone on to worse, had been sent down in the absence of his father to the following dialogue. Now my boy, you mustn't go on like this. Well, she boxed my ears grand, so I only boxed hers, and then she boxed mine again. Strike a lady, that'll never do. Have you begged her pardon? Not yet. Then you must go and do it at once. Come along. But she began at grand and she had two to my one. My dear, it was an outrageous thing to do. Well, she lost her temper and I didn't lose mine. Come along. You come too then, grand. Well, this time only. And they had gone hand in hand. Here were the waverly novels and Byron's works and Gibbons Roman Empire and Humboldt's Cosmos and the bronzes on the mantelpiece and that masterpiece of the oily school, Dutch fishing boats at sunset were fixed as fate and for all sign of change old Jolien might have been sitting there still with legs crossed in the armchair and domed forehead and deep eyes grave above the times, here they came those two grandchildren and Jolly said, I saw you and that fellow in the park. The sight of blood rushing into her cheeks gave him some satisfaction. She ought to be ashamed. Well, she said, Jolly was surprised. He had expected more or less. Do you know, he said waitily, that he called me a pro-bore last term and I had to fight him. Who won? Jolly wished to answer, I should have, but it seemed beneath him. Look here, he said. What's the meaning of it? Without telling anybody. Why should I? Dad isn't here. Why shouldn't I ride with him? You've got me to ride with. I think he's an awful young robber. Jolly went pale with anger. He isn't. It's your own fault for not liking him. And slipping past her brother she went out, leaving him staring at the bronze Venus sitting on a tortoise which had been shielded from him so far by his sister's dark head under her soft felt riding hat. He felt queerly disturbed, shaken to his young foundations. A lifelong domination lay shattered round his feet. He went up to the Venus and mechanically inspected the tortoise. Why didn't he like Val d'Arty? He could not tell. Ignorant of family history barely aware of that vague feud which had started 13 years before with Bacini's defection from June in favor of Somes' wife knowing really almost nothing about Val he was at sea. He just did dislike him. The question however was what should he do? Val d'Arty it was true was a second cousin but it was not the thing for Holly to go about with him and yet to tell of what he had chance on was against his creed. In this dilemma he went and sat in the old leather chair and crossed his legs. It grew dark while he sat there staring out through the long window at the old oak tree ample yet bare of leaves becoming slowly just a shape of deeper dark printed on the dusk. Grandfather he thought without sequence and took out his watch. He could not see the hands but he set the repeater going. Five o'clock his grandfather's first gold hunter watch butter smooth with age all the milling mourn from it and dented with the mark of many a fall. The chime was like a little voice from out of that golden age when they first came from St. John's Wood London to this house came driving with grandfather in his carriage and almost instantly took to the trees trees to climb and grandfather watering the geranium beds below what was to be done tell dad he must come home confide in June only she was so so sudden do nothing and trust to luck after all the vacation would soon be over go up and see Val and mourn him off but how get his address Hollywood and give it him amaze of paths a cloud of possibilities he lit a cigarette when he had smoked it half way through his brow relaxed almost as if some thin old hand had been passing gently over it and in his ear something seemed to whisper do nothing be nice to Holly be nice to her my dear and jolly he decide of contentment blowing smoke through his nostrils but up in her room divested of her habit of frowning he is not were the words which kept forming on her lips end of part 2 chapter 5 recording by Leanne Howlett part 2 chapter 6 of enchancery this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer LibriVox.org recording by Leanne Howlett the foresight saga 2 enchancery by John Galsworthy part 2 chapter 6 Jolien in Two Minds a little private hotel over a well-known restaurant near the Gare St. Lazar was Jolien's haunt in Paris he hated his fellow foresight abroad the vapid is fish out of water in their well-trodden runs the opera Rue de Ravalli and Moulin Rouge their air of having come because they wanted to be somewhere else as soon as possible annoyed him but no other foresight came near this haunt where he had a wood fire in his bedroom and the coffee was excellent Paris was always to him more attractive in winter the accurate saber from wood smoke the sharpness of the wintry sunshine on bright rays the open cafes define keen-air winter the self-contained brisk boulevard crowds all informed him that in winter Paris possessed a soul which like a migrant bird in high summer flew away he spoke French well had some friends knew little places where pleasant dishes could be met with queer types observed he felt philosophic in Paris the edge of irony sharpened life took on a subtle purposeless meaning became a bunch of flavors tasted a darkness shot with shifting gleams of light when in the first week of December he decided to go to Paris he was far from admitting that Irene's presence was influencing him he had not been there two days before he owned that the wish to see her had been more than half the reason in England one did not admit he had thought it might be well to speak to her about the letting of her flat and other matters but in Paris he at once knew better there was a glamour over the city on the third day he wrote to her and received an answer which procured him a pleasurable shiver of the nerves my dear Jolyne it will be a happiness for me to see you Irene he took his way to her hotel on a bright day with a feeling such as he had often had going to visit an adored picture no woman so far as he remembered had ever inspired in him the special sensuous and yet impersonal sensation he was going to sit and feast his eyes and come away knowing her no better but ready to go and feast his eyes again tomorrow such was his feeling when in the tarnished and ornate little lounge of a quiet hotel near the river she came to him preceded by a small page boy who uttered the word madame and vanished her face, her smile, the poise of her figure were just as he had pictured in the expression of her face said plainly a friend well he said what news, poor exile none nothing from soames nothing I have let the flat for you and like a good steward I bring you some money how do you like Paris? while he put her through this catechism it seemed to him that he had never seen lips so fine and sensitive the lower lip curving just a little upwards the upper touched at one corner by the least conceivable dimple it was like discovering a woman in what a hither tube and a sort of soft and breathed on statue almost impersonally admired she owned that to be alone in Paris was a little difficult and yet Paris was so full of its own life that it was often she confessed as innocuous as a desert besides the English were not like just now that will hardly be your case said Jolyan you should appeal to the French it has its disadvantages Jolyan nodded well you must let me take you about while I'm here we'll start tomorrow come and dine at my pet restaurant and we'll go to the opera comeique it was the beginning of daily meetings Jolyan soon found that for those who desired a static condition of the affections Paris was at once the first and last place in which to be friendly with a pretty woman revelation was a lighting like a bird in his heart singing elle est un rêve elle est un rêve sometimes this seemed natural sometimes ludicrous but the idea of a love which she could never return and how could she at his age hardly mounted beyond his subconscious mind he was full too of resentment at the waste and loneliness of her life aware of being some comfort to her and of the pleasure she clearly took in their many little outings he was amiably desirous of doing and saying nothing about her life and of the pleasure she clearly took in their many little outings he was amiably desirous of doing and saying nothing to destroy that pleasure it was like watching a starved plant draw up water to see her drink in his companionship so far as they could tell no one knew her address except himself she was unknown in Paris and he but little known so that discretion seemed unnecessary in those walks, talks visits to concerts, picture galleries theaters, little dinners expeditions to Versailles Saint Cloud even Fontainebleau and time fled one of those full months without past to it or future what in his youth would certainly have been headlong passion was now perhaps as deep a feeling but far gentler tempered to protective companionship by admiration, hopelessness and a sense of chivalry arrested in his veins at least so long as she was there smiling and happy in their friendship thanks to him more beautiful and spiritually responsive for her philosophy of life seemed to march an admirable step with his own conditioned by emotion more than by reason ironically mistrustful susceptible to beauty almost passionately humane and tolerant yet subject to instinctive rigidities of which as a mere man he was less capable and during all this companionable month he never quite lost that feeling with which he had sat out for the first day as if to visit an adored work of art a well-nigh impersonal desire the future an exerbal pendant to the present he took care not to face for fear of breaking up his untroubled manner but he made plans to renew this time in places still more delightful where the sun was hot and there were strange things to see and paint the end came swiftly on the 20th of January with a telegram have enlisted an imperial yeomanry jolly jollien received it just as he was setting out to meet her at the Louvre it brought him up with a round turn while he was lotus eating here his boy whose philosophers and guide he ought to be had taken this great step towards danger hardship perhaps even death he felt disturbed to the soul realizing suddenly how Irene had twined herself around the roots of his being thus threatened with severance the tie between them for it had become a kind of tie no longer had impersonal quality the tranquil enjoyment of things in common jolly and perceived was gone forever he saw his feeling as it was in the nature of an infatuation ridiculous perhaps but so real that sooner or later it must disclose itself and now as it seemed to him he could not must not make any such disclosure the news of jolly stood inexorably in the way he was proud of this enlistment proud of his boy for going off to fight for the country for on jollien's proborism too black week had left its mark and so the end was reached before the beginning well luckily he had never made a sign when he came into the gallery she was standing before the virgin of the rocks graceful, absorbed smiling and unconscious have I to give up seeing that he thought it's unnatural so long as she's willing that I should see her he stood unnoticed watching her, storing up the image of her figure envying the picture on which she was bending that long scrutiny twice she turned her head towards the entrance and he thought that's for me at last he went forward look he said she read the telegram and he heard her sigh that sigh too was for him his position was really cruel to be loyal to his son he must just shake her hand and go to be loyal to the feeling in his heart he must at least tell her what that feeling was could she would she understand the silence in which he was gazing at that picture I'm afraid I must go home at once he said at last I shall miss all this awfully so shall I but of course you must go well said jolly and holding out his hand meeting her eyes a flood of feeling nearly mastered him such as life he said take care of yourself my dear he had a stumbling sensation in his legs and feet as if his brain refused to steer him away from her from the doorway he saw her lift her hand and touch its fingers with her lips he raised his hat solemnly and did not look back again end of part two chapter six recording by leanne howlett chapter seven of enchancery this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by leanne howlett the foresight saga two enchancery by john gallsworthy part two chapter seven darty versus darty the suit darty versus darty for restitution of those conjugal rights concerning which winterford was at heart so deeply undecided followed the laws of subtraction towards day of judgment this was not reached before the courts rose for Christmas but the case was stirred on the list when they sat again winterford spent the Christmas holidays a thought more fashionably than usual with the matter locked up in her low-cut bosom james was particularly liberal to her that Christmas expressing thereby his sympathy and relief at the approaching dissolution of her marriage with that precious rascal which his old heart felt but his old lips could not utter the disappearance of darty made the fallen consuls a comparatively small matter and as to the scandal the real animus he felt against that fellow and the increasing lead which property was attaining over reputation and a true foresight about to leave this world served to drug a mind from which all illusions to the matter except his own were studiously kept what worried him as a lawyer and a parent was the fear that darty might suddenly turn up and obey the order of the court when made that would be a pretty howdy-do the fear preyed on him in fact so much that in presenting winterford with a large Christmas check he said it's chiefly for that chap out there to keep him from coming back it was of course to pitch away good money but all in the nature of insurance against that bankruptcy which would no longer hang over him if only the divorce went through and he questioned winterford rigorously until she could assure him that the money had been sent poor woman it cost her many a paying to send what must find its way into the vanity bag of that creature soams hearing of it shook his head they were not dealing with a foresight reasonably tenacious of his purpose it was very risky without knowing how the land lay out there still it would look well with the court and he would see that dreamer brought it out I wonder he said suddenly where that ballet goes after the Argentine never omitting a chance of reminder for he knew that winterford still had a weakness if not for darty at least for not laundering him in public though not good at showing admiration he admitted that she was behaving extremely well with all her children at home gaping like young birds for news of their father imaging just on the point of coming out and vowel very restive about the whole thing he felt that vowel was the real heart of the matter to winterford who certainly loved him beyond her other children the boy could spoke the wheel of this divorce yet if he said his mind to it and soams was very careful to keep the proximity of the preliminary proceedings from his nephews ears he did more he asked him to dine at the remove and over vowels cigar introduced the subject which he knew to be nearest to his heart I hear he said that you want to play polo up at oxford vowel became less recumbent in his chair rather he said well continued sums that's a very expensive business their grandfather isn't likely to consent to it unless he can make sure that he's not got any other drain on him and he paused to see whether the boy understood his meaning vows thick dark lashes concealed his eyes but a slight grimace appeared on his wide mouth and he muttered I suppose you mean my dad yes said sums I'm afraid it depends on whether he continues to be a drag or not and said no more letting the boy dream it over but vows was also dreaming in those days of a silver-roan palfrey and a girl riding it though crumb was in town and an introduction to Cynthia dark to be had for the asking vowel did not ask indeed he shunned crumb and lived a life strange even to himself except in so far as accounts with Taylor and livery stable were concerned to his mother his sisters his young brother he seemed to spend his vacation in and his evening sleepily at home they could not propose anything in daylight that did not meet with the one response sorry I've got to see a fellow and he was put to extraordinary shifts to get in and out of the house unobserved in riding clothes until being made a member of the goats club he was able to transport them there where he could change unregarded and slip off on his hack to Richmond park he kept his growing sentiment to himself not for a world would he breathe to the fellows whom he was not seeing anything so ridiculous from the point of view of their creed and his but he could not help it destroying his other appetites it was coming between him and the legitimate pleasures of youth at last on its own and a way which must he knew make him a milk sop in the eyes of crumb all he cared for was to dress in his last created riding togs a way to the robin hill gate where presently the silver roan would come to merely sidling with its slim and dark haired rider and in the glades bare of leaves they would go off side by side not talking very much riding races sometimes and sometimes holding hands more than once in an evening and a moment of expansion he had been tempted to tell his mother how this shy sweet cousin had stolen in upon him and wrecked his life the experience that all persons above 35 were spoil sports prevented him after all he supposed he would have to go through with college and she would have to come out before they could be married so why complicate things so long as he could see her sisters were teasing and unsympathetic beings a brother worse so there was no one to confide in ah and this beastly divorce business what a misfortune to have a name for which other people hadn't if only he had been called Gordon or Scott or Howard or something fairly common but darty there wasn't another in the directory one might as well have been named Morgan for all the covert it afforded so matters went on to one day in the middle of January the silver roan palfrey and its rider were missing at the trist lingering in the cold he debated whether he should ride on to the house he might be there and the memory of their dark encounter was still fresh within him one could not be always fighting with her brother so he returned dismally to town and spent an evening plunged in gloom at breakfast next day he noticed that his mother had on an unfamiliar dress and was wearing her hat the dress was black with a glimpse of peacock blue the hat black and large she looked exceptionally well the breakfast she said to him come in here Val and led the way to the drawing room he was at once beset by qualms Winterford carefully shut the door and passed her handkerchief over her lips inhaling the violet to palm with which it had been soaked Val thought, has she found out about Holly? her voice interrupted are you going to be nice to me dear boy? Val grinned doubtfully will you come with me this morning I've got to go this morning I've got to see began Val but something in her face stopped him I say he said you don't mean yes, I have to go to the court this morning already that damned business which he had almost succeeded in forgetting since nobody ever mentioned it in self commiseration he stood picking little bits of skin off his fingers then noticing that his mother's lips were all awry he said impulsively all right mother I'll come the brutes what brutes he did not know but the expression exactly summed up their joint feeling and restored a measure of equanimity I suppose I better change into a shooter he muttered escaping to his room he put on the shooter a high collar a pearl pin in his neatest gray spats to a somewhat blasphemous accompaniment looking at himself in the glass he said well I'm damned if I'm going to show anything and went down he found his grandfather's carriage at the door and his mother in furs with the appearance of one going to a mansion house assembly they seated themselves side by side in the closed barouche and all the way to the courts of justice Val made but one allusion to the business in hand there'll be nothing about those pearls will there the little tufted white tails of Winifred's muff began to shiver oh no she said it'll be quite harmless today your grandmother wanted to come too but I wouldn't let her I thought you could take care of me you look so nice Val just pull your collar up a little bit more at the back that's right if they bully you began Val oh they won't I shall be very cool it's the only way they won't want me to give evidence or anything no dear it's all arranged and she padded his hand the determined front she was putting on it stayed the turmoil in Val's chest and he busied himself in drawing his gloves off and on he had taken what he now saw was the wrong pair to go with his spats they should have been gray but were dear skin of a dark tan whether to keep them on or not he could not decide they arrived soon after ten it was his first visit to the law courts and the building struck him at once by Job he said as they passed into the hall this would make four or five jolly good racket courts Somes was awaiting them at the foot of the stairs here you are he said without shaking hands as if the event had made them too familiar for such formalities it's happily brown court one we shall be on first a sensation such as he had known when going into bat was playing now on the top of Val's chest but he followed his mother and uncle doggedly looking at no more than he could help and thinking that the place smelled buggy people seemed to be lurking everywhere and he plucked Somes by the sleeve I say uncle you're not going to let those beastly papers in are you Somes gave him the sideways look which had reduced many to silence in its time in here he said you needn't take off your furs Winifred Val entered behind them netled and with his head up in this confounded hole everybody and there were a good many of them seemed sitting on everybody else's knee though really divided from each other by pews and Val had a feeling that they might all slip down together into the well this however was but a momentary vision of mahogany and black gowns and white blobs of wigs and faces and papers all rather secret and wispy before he was sitting next to his mother in the front row with his back to it all glad of her violet to palm and taking off his gloves for the last time his mother was looking at him he was suddenly conscious that she really wanted him there next to her and that he counted for something in this business alright he would show them squaring his shoulders he crossed his legs and gazed inscrutably at his spats but just then an old Johnny and a gown and long wig looking awfully like a funny rattled woman came through a door into the high pew opposite and he had to uncross his legs hastily and stand up with everybody else darty versus darty it seemed to Val unspeakably disgusting to have one's name called out like this in public and suddenly conscious that someone nearly behind him had begun talking about his family he screwed his face round to see an old big wig buffer who spoke as if he were eating his own words queer looking old cuss the sort of man he had seen once or twice dining at Park Lane and punishing the port he knew now where they dug them up all the same he found the old buffer quite fascinating and would have continued to stare if his mother had not touched his arm reduced to gazing before him he fixed his eyes on the judge's face instead why should that old sportsman with a sarcastic mouth and his quick moving eyes have the power to meddle with their private affairs hadn't he affairs of his own just as many and probably just as nasty and they're moved in Val like an illness all the deep-seated individualism of his breed the voice behind him droned along differences about money matters extravagance of the respondent what a word was that his father strained situation frequent absences on the part of Mr. Darty my client very rightly your lead ship will agree was anxious to check a course but led to ruin remonstrated gambling at cards and on the race course that's right thought Val pile it on crisis early in October when the respondent wrote her this letter from his club Val sat up and his ears burned I proposed to read it with the recommendations necessary to the epistle of a gentleman who has been shall we say dining me Ludd old brute thought Val flushing deeper you're not paid to make jokes you will not get the chance to insult me again in my own house I'm leaving the country tomorrow it's played out an expression your lead ship not unknown in the mouths of those who have not met with conspicuous success sniggering owls thought Val and his flush deepened I am tired of being insulted by you my client will tell your Ludd ship that these so-called insults consisted in her calling him the limit a very mild expression I venture to suggest in all the circumstances foul glance sideways at his mother's impassive face it had a hunted look in the eyes poor mother he thought and touched her arm with his own the voice behind him droned on I'm going to live a new life MD and next day me Ludd the respondent left by the steamship Tuscarora for Buenos Aires since then we have nothing from him but a cabled refusal an answer to the letter which my client wrote the following day in great distress begging him to return to her with your Ludd ship's permission I shall now put Mrs. Darty in the box when his mother rose a tremendous impulse to rise to and say look here I'm going to see you jolly well treat her decently he subdued it however heard her saying the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth and looked up she made a rich figure of it in her furs and large hat with a slight flush on her cheekbones calm matter of fact and he felt proud of her thus confronting all these confounded lawyers as they began knowing that this was only the preliminary to divorce Val followed with a certain glee the questions framed so as to give the impression that she really wanted his father back it seemed to him that they were foxing old bagwigs finally and he received a most unpleasant jar when the judge said suddenly now why did your husband leave you not because you called him the limit you know Val saw his uncle lift his eyes without moving his face heard a shuffle of papers behind him an instinct told him that the issue was in peril had uncle Somes and the old buffer behind made a mess of it his mother was speaking with a slight draw know my lord but it had gone on a long time what had gone on our difference is about money but you supplied the money do you suggest that he left you to better his position the brute the old brute and nothing but the brute thought Val suddenly he smells a rat he's trying to get at the pastry and his heart stood still if he did then of course he would know that his mother didn't really want his father back his mother spoke again a thought more fashionably know my lord but you see I had refused to give him any more money it took him a long time to believe that but he did it last he did I see you had refused but you've sent him some sense my lord I wanted him back and you thought that would bring him I don't know my lord I act that on my father's advice something in the judge's face in the sound of the papers behind him in the sudden crossing of his uncle's legs told Val that she had made just the right answer crafty he thought why jove what humbug it all is why jove what humbug it all is the judge was speaking just one more question mrs. darty are you still fond of your husband Val's hands slack behind him became fists what business had that judge to make things human suddenly to make his mother speak out of her heart and say what perhaps she didn't know herself before all these people it wasn't decent his mother answered rather low yes my lord Val saw the judge nod wish I could take a cock shy at your head he thought irreverently as his mother came back to her seat beside him witnesses to his father's departure and continued absence followed one of their own maids even which struck Val as particularly beastly there was more talking all humbug and then the judge pronounced the decree for restitution and they got up to go Val walked out behind his mother chin squared eyelids drooped doing his level best to despise everybody his mother's voice in the corridor roused him from an angry trance you behaved beautifully dear it was such a comfort to have you your uncle and I are going to lunch all right said Val I shall have time to go and see that fellow and parting from them abruptly he ran down the stairs and out into the air he bolted into a handsome and drove to the goats club his thoughts were on holly and what he must do before her brother showed her this thing in tomorrow's paper when Val had left them Somes and Winifred made their way to the Cheshire cheese he had suggested it as a meeting place with Mr. Belby at that early hour of noon they would have it to themselves and Winifred had thought it would be amusing to see this far famed hostelry having ordered a light repast to the consternation of the waiter they awaited its arrival together with that of Mr. Belby and silent reaction after the hour and a half suspense on the tenterhooks of publicity Mr. Belby entered presently preceded by his nose as cheerful as they were glum well they had got the decree of restitution and what was the matter with that quite said Somes in a suitably low voice the staff shall begin again to get evidence he'll probably try the divorce it will look fishy if it comes out that we knew of misconduct from the start his question showed well enough that he doesn't like this restitution dodge foe said Mr. Belby cheerly he'll forget why man he'll have tried a hundred cases between now and then besides he's bound by precedent to give you your divorce if the evidence is satisfactory we won't let him know that Mrs. Darty was a nice man he's got a fatherly touch about him Somes nodded and I compliment you Mrs. Darty went on Mr. Belby even actual gift for giving evidence steady as a rock here the waiter arrived with three plates balanced on one arm and the remark you'll find plenty of lark in it today Mr. Belby applauded his forethought and his nose but Somes and Winterfred looked with dismay at their light lunch of gravified brown masses touching them gingerly with their forks in the hope of distinguishing the bodies of the tasty little song-givers having begun however they found they were hungrier than they thought and finished the lot with a glass of port apiece conversation turned on the war Somes thought Lady Smith would fall and it might last a year Belby thought it would be over by the summer and the Germans agreed that they wanted more men there was nothing for it but complete victory since it was now a question of prestige Winterfred brought things back to more solid ground by saying that she did not want the divorce suit to come on till after the summer holidays had begun at Oxford then the boys would have forgotten about it before Val had to go up again London season two would be over the lawyers reassured her an interval of six months was necessary after that the earlier the better people were now beginning to come in and they parted Somes to the city, Belby to his chambers Winterfred and a handsome to Park Lane to let her mother know how she had fared the issue had been so satisfactory on the whole that it was considered advisable to tell James who never failed to say day after day that he didn't know about Winterfred's affair he couldn't tell as his sands ran out the importance of mundane matters became increasingly grave to him as if he were feeling I must make the most of it and worry well I shall soon have nothing to worry about he received the report grudgingly it was a new fangled way of going about things and he didn't know but he gave Winterfred a check saying I expect you'll have a lot of expense that's a new hat you've got on why doesn't Val come and see us Winterfred promised to bring him to dinner soon going home she sought her bedroom where she could be alone now that her husband had been ordered back into her custody with a view to putting him away from her forever she would try once more to find out from her sore and lonely heart what she really wanted End of Part 2 Chapter 7 Recording by Leanne Howlett Section 26 Part 2 Chapter 8 The Challenge This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Eva Harnick The foresight saga in Chancery Part 2 Chapter 8 The Challenge The morning had been misty verging on frost but the sun came out while Val was jogging towards the Rowhampton Gate whence he could canter on to the usual trist his spirits were rising rapidly there had been nothing so terrible in the morning's proceedings beyond the general disgrace of violated privacy if we were engaged he thought what happens wouldn't matter he felt indeed like human society which kicks and clamours at the results of matrimony and hastens to get married and he galloped over the winter-dried grass of Richmond Park fearing to be late but again he was alone at the tristing spot and this second defection part of Holly upset him dreadfully he could not go back without seeing her today emerging from the park he proceeded towards Robin Hill he could not make up his mind for whom to ask suppose her father were back or her sister or brother were in he decided to gamble and ask for them all first so that if he were in luck and they were not there it would be quite natural in the end to ask for Holly while if any of them were in an excuse for a ride must be his saving grace only Miss Holly is in sir oh thanks might I take my horse round to the stables and would you say her cousin Mr. Val d'Arty when he returned she was in the hall very flushed and shy she let him to the far end and they sat down on a wide window seat I have been awfully anxious said Val in a low voice what is the matter Jolly knows about our riding is he in no but I expect he will be soon then cried Val and diving forward he seized her hand she tried to withdraw it failed gave up the attempt and looked at him fistfully first of all he said I want to tell you something about my family my dad you know isn't all together I mean he has left my mother and they are trying to divorce him so they have ordered him to come back you see you'll see that in the paper tomorrow her eyes deepened in color and fearful interest her hands squeezed his but the gambler in Val was roused now and he hurried on of course there is nothing very much at present but there will be I expect before it is over those suits are beastly you know I wanted to tell you because because you ought to know if and he began to stammer gazing at her troubled eyes if you are going to be a darling and love me Jolly I love you ever so and I want to be engaged he had done it in a manner so adequate that he could have punched his own head and dropping on his knees he tried to get nearer to that soft troubled face you do love me don't you if you don't I there was a moment of silence and suspense so awful that he could hear the sound of a mowing machine far out on the lawn pretending there was grass but then she swayed forward her free hand touched his head and he gasped oh holly her answer was very soft oh wow he had dreamed of this moment but always in an imperative mood as the masterful young lover and now he felt humble touched trembling was afraid to steer off his knees lest he should break the spell lest if he did she should shrink and deny her own surrender so tremulous was she in his grasp with her eyelids closed and his lips nearing them her eyes opened seemed to swim a little he pressed his lips to hers suddenly he sprang up there had been footsteps a sort of startled grunt he looked round no one but the long curtains which barred off the outer hall were quivering my god who was that holly too was on her feet jolly I expect she whispered while clenched fists and resolution all right he said I don't care a bit now we are engaged and striding towards the curtains he drew them aside there at the far place in the hall stood jolly with his back elaborately turned while went forward jolly faced round on him I beg you pardon for hearing he said with the best intentions in the world while could not help admiring he met that moment his face was clear his voice quiet he looked somehow distinguished as if acting up to principle well while said abruptly it is nothing to you oh said jolly you come this way and he crossed the hall while followed felt a touch on his arm holly's voice said I am coming too no said jolly yes said holly jolly opened the door and they all three went in once in the little room they stood in a sort of triangle on the three corners of the worn turkey carpet awkwardly upright not looking at each other quite incapable of seeing the humor in the situation while broke the silence holly and I are engaged jolly stepped back and leaned against the lintel of the window this is our house he said I am not going to insult you in it but my father is away I am in charge of my sister you have taken advantage of me I didn't mean to said well hotly I think you did said jolly if you hadn't meant to you would have spoken to me or waited for my father to come back there were reasons said well what reasons about my family I have just told her I wanted her to know what things happen jolly suddenly became less distinguished you are kids he said and you know you are I am not a kid said well you are you are not 20 well what are you I am 20 said jolly only just anyway I am as good a man as you jolly's face crimson some struggle was evidently taking place in him and well and holy stared at him so clearly was that struggle marked they could even hear him breathing then his face cleared up and became oddly resolute we will see that he said I dare you to do what I am going to do dare me jolly smiled yes he said dare you and I know very well you won't a stab of misgiving shot through wall this was riding very blind I haven't forgotten that you are a fire eater said jolly slowly and I think that is about all you are or that you called me a pro ball well heard a gasp above the sound of his own heart-breathing and so holly's face poked a little forward very pale with big eyes yes went on jolly with a sort of smile we shall soon see I am going to join the imperial and I dare you to do the same Mr. Wall Darty head jerked on its stem it was like a blow between the eyes so utterly un-sort of so extreme and ugly in the midst of his dreaming and he looked at holly with eyes grown suddenly touchingly haggard sit down said jolly take your time sink it over well and he himself sat down on the arm of his grandfather's chair war did not sit down he stood with his hands thrust deep into his breeches pockets hands clenched and quivering the full awfulness of this decision one way or the other knocked at his mind with double knocks as of an angry postman if he did not take that there it is graced in holly's eyes and in the eyes of that young enemy her brute of her brother yet if he took it ah then all would vanish her face her eyes her hair her kisses just begun take your time said jolly again I don't want to be unfair and they both looked at holly I had recalled against the bookshelves reaching to the ceiling her dark head leaned against gibbons roman empire her eyes in a sort of soft grey agony were fixed on well and he who had not much gift of insight had suddenly a gleam of vision she would be proud of her brother that enemy she would be ashamed of him his hands came out of his pockets as if lifted by a spring all right he said done holly's face oh it was queer he saw her flush start forward he had done the right thing her face was shining with wistful admiration jolly stood up and made a little bow as who should say you have passed tomorrow then he said we will go together recovering from the impetus which had carried him to that decision well looked at him maliciously from under his lashes all right he sawed one to you I shall have to join but I will get back on you somehow and he said with dignity I shall be ready we'll meet at the main recruiting office then said jolly at 12 o'clock and opening the window he went out onto the terrace conforming to the creed which had made him retire when he surprised them in the hall the confusion in the mind of well thus left alone with her for whom he had paid this sudden price was extreme the mood of showing off was still however uppermost one must do the wretched sing with an air we shall get plenty of writing and shooting anyway he said that's one comfort and it gave him a sort of grim pleasure to hear the sigh come from the bottom of her heart oh the war will soon be over he said perhaps we shan't even have to go out I don't care except for you he would be out of the way of that beastly divorce it was an ill wind he felt her warm hand slip into his jolly thought he had stopped there loving each other did he he held her tightly around the waist looking at her softly through his lashes smiling to cheer her up promising to come down and see her soon feeling somehow six inches taller and much more in command of her than he had ever dared feel before many times he kissed her before he mounted her so swiftly on the least provocation does the possessive instinct flourish and grow end of section 26 chapter 8 the challenge recording by Ava Harnick florida section 27 chapter 9 of in chancery this is a LibriVox recording of the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Ava Harnick the foresight saga volume 2 in chancery by John Gallsworthy section 27 chapter 9 dinner at James dinner parties were not now given at James's in Park Lane to every house the moment comes when master or mistress is no longer up to it no more can nine courses be served to 20 miles above 20 fine wide expanses nor does the household cat any longer wonder why she is suddenly shut up so with something like excitement Emily who at 70 still have liked a little feast and fashion now and then ordered dinner for six instead of two herself wrote a number of foreign words on cards and arranged the flowers mimosa from the Riviera and white Roman hyacinths not from Rome there would only be of course James and herself Soames, Winifred Val and Imogen but she like to pretend a little and dally in imagination with the glory of the past so she dressed herself that James remarked what are you putting on that thing for you'll catch cold but Emily knew that the necks of women are protected by love of shining on to four score yes and she only answered let me put you on one of those dickies I got you James then you will only have to change your trousers and put on your velvet coat and there you will be Val likes you to look nice Dicky said James you are always wasting your money on something but he suffered the change to be made till his neck also shown murmuring vaguely he is an extravagant chap I am afraid a little brighter in the eye with rather more color than usual in his cheeks he took his seat in the drawing room to wait for the sound of the front door bell I have made it a proper dinner party Emily said comfortably I thought it would be good practice for Imogen she must get used to it now she's coming out James uttered an indeterminate sound thinking of Imogen as she used to climb about his knee or pull Christmas crackers with him she will be pretty he muttered I shouldn't wonder she's pretty said Emily she ought to make a good match there you go murmur James she should much better stay at home and look after her mother a second darty carrying off his pretty grand daughter would finish him he had never quite forgiven Emily for having been as much taken in by Montagood darty as he himself had been where's warmson he said suddenly I should like a glass of Madeira tonight there is champagne James James shook his head no body he said I can't get any good out of it Emily reached forward on her side of the fire and rang the bell your master would like a bottle of Madeira opened warmson no no said James the tips of his ears quivering with vehemence and his eyes fixed on an object seen by him alone look here warmson you go to the inner cellar and on the middle shelf of the end bin on the left you will see seven bottles take the one in the center and don't shake it it is the last of the Madeira I had from Mr Jolion when we came in here never been moved it ought to be in prime condition still but I don't know I can't tell very good sir going warmson I was keeping it for our golden bedding said James suddenly but I shan't live three years at my age nonsense James said Emily don't talk like that I ought to have got it up myself murmured James he will shake it as likely as not and he sank into silent recollection of long moments open gas jets the cobwebs and the good smell of wine soaked corks which had been appetizer to so many feasts in the vine from that cellar was written the history of the 40 odd years since he had come to the Park Lane house with his young bride and of the many generations of friends and acquaintances who had passed into the unknown its depleted bins preserved the record of family festivity all the marriages births death of his kiss and kin and when he was gone there it would be and he did not know what would become of it it would be drunk or spoiled he shouldn't wonder from that deep reverie the entrance of his son dragged him followed very soon by death of Winifred and her two oldest they went down arm in arm James with Imogen the debutante because his pretty grand child cheered him soams with Winifred Emily with Val whose eyes lightning on the oysters brightened this was to be a proper full blowout with fists and port and he felt in need of it after what he had done that day as yet undewodged after the first glass or two it became pleasant to have this bombshell of his sleeve this piece of sensational patriotism or example rather a personal daring to display for his pleasure in what he had done for his queen and country entirely personal he was now a blood indissolubly connected with guns and horses he had the right to swagger not of course that he was going to he should just announce it quietly when there was a pause and glancing down the menu he determined on bomb or fraise as the proper moment there would be a certain dignity while they were eating that once or twice before they reached that rosy summit of the dinner he was attacked by the membranes that his grandfather was never told anything still the old boy was drinking Madeira and looking jolly fit besides he ought to be pleased at this set off to the disgrace of the divorce the sight of his uncle opposite to was a sharp incentive he was so far from being a sportsman that it would be worse a lot to see his face besides better to tell his mother in this way then privately which might upset them both he was sorry for her but after all one couldn't be expected to feel much for others when one had to part from holly his grandfather's was traveled to him thinly while try a little of the Madeira with your eyes you won't get that up at college while watch the slow liquid filling his glass the essential oil of the old wine glazing the surface inhaled its aroma and salt now for it it was a rich moment he sipped a gentle glow spread in his veins already heated with a rapid look around he said I joined the Imperial Yeomanry today granny and emptied his glass as though drinking the house of his own act what? it was his mother's desolate little word young jolly foresight and I went down there together you didn't sign from uncle Somes Rada, we go into camp on Monday I say cried Imogen all looked at James he was leaning forward with his hand behind his ear what's that he said what is he saying I can't hear Emily reached forward to Pat Waal's hand it is only that Waal has joined the Yeomanry James it is very nice for him he will look his best in uniform join the rubbish came from James tremorously loud you can't see two yards before your nose he will have to go out there why? he will be fighting before he knows where he is Waal saw Imogen's eyes admiring him and his mother still and fashionable with her hand before her lips suddenly his uncle spoke you are underage I thought of that while I gave my age as 21 he heard his grandmother's admiring well, Waal that was plucky of you was conscious of Waal since deferentially filling his champagne glass and of his grandfather's voice moaning I don't know what will become of you if you go on like this Imogen was patting his shoulder his uncle looking at him side long only his mother said unmoving till affected by her stillness Waal said it is all right you know we shall soon have them on the run I only hope I shall come in for something he felt elated sorry tremendously important all at once this would show uncle Somes and all the foresides how to be sportsmen he had certainly done something heroic and exceptional in giving his age as 21 Emily's voice brought him back to earth you mustn't have a second glass James Wormson won't they be astonished Imogen I would give anything to see their faces do you have a sword Waal or only a pop gun what made you his uncle's voice produced a slight chill in the pit of Waal's stomach made him how answer that he was grateful for his grandmother's comfortable well I think it's very plucky of Waal I am sure he will make a splendid soldier he is just a figure for it we shall all be proud of him what had young jolly foresight to do with it why did you go together pursued Somes uncanny lily relentless I thought you weren't friendly with him I am not mumbled well but I wasn't going to be beaten by him he saw his uncle look at him quite differently as if approving his grandfather was nodding too his grandmother tossing her head they all approved of his not being beaten by that cousin of his there must be a reason Waal was dimly conscious of some disturbing point outside his range of vision as it might be the unlocated center of a cyclone and staring at his uncle's face he had a quite unaccountable vision of a woman with dark eyes gold hair and a white neck who smelled nice and had pretty silken clothes and when he was quite small by Joe yes, Aunt Irene she used to kiss him and he had bitten her arm once playfully because he liked it so soft his grandfather was speaking what is his father doing he is away in Paris Waal said staring at the very queer expression of his uncle's face like that of a snarling dog artist said James the word coming from the very bottom of his soul broke up the dinner opposite his mother in the cab going home Waal tasted the after fruits of heroism like medla's over-ripe she only said he must go to his tailors at once and have his uniform properly made and not just put up with what they gave him but he could feel that she was very much upset it was on his lips to console her with the spoken thought that he would be out of the way of that beastly divorce but the presence of images and the knowledge that his mother would not be out of the way restrained him he felt aggrieved that she did not seem more proud of him when Imogen had gone to bed he risked the emotional I am hopefully sorry to have to leave your mother well I must make the best of it we must try and get your commission as soon then you won't have to rough it so do you know any drill Waal not a scrap I hope they won't worry you much I must take you about to get the things tomorrow good night kiss me with that kiss soft and hot between his eyes and those words I hope they won't worry you much in his ears he sat down to a cigarette before a dying fire the heat was out of him the glow of cutting a dash it was all a damped heart aching bore I will even with that chap jolly he sought trailing up the stairs past the room that his mother was biting her pillow to smother a sense of desolation which was trying to make her sob and soon only one of the diners at James was awake soams in his bedroom above his father's so that fellow jollion was in Paris what was he doing there hanging round Irene the last report from Portid had hinted that there might be something soon could it be this that fellow with his beard and his cursed amused way of speaking son of the old man who had given him the nickname man of property and bought the fatal house from him soams had ever resented having had to sell the house at Robin Hill never forgiven his uncle for having bought it or his cousin for living in it reckless of the cold he threw his window up raised out across the park bleak and dark the January night little sound of traffic a frost coming bare trees a star or two I will see Portid tomorrow he sought by God I am mad I think to want her still that fellow if no End of part two section 27 recording by Eva Harnick Pontevedra Florida part two chapter 10 of Inchance this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Eva Harnick the foresight saga volume two Inchanceary by John Galsworthy part two chapter 10 that's of the dog Balthazar Julian who had crossed from Calais by night arrived at Robin Hill on Sunday morning he had sent no word beforehand so walked up from the station entering his domain by the copies gate coming to the lock seat fashioned out of an old fallen trunk he sat down first laying his overcoat on it lumbago he sought that is what love ends in at my time of life and suddenly Irene seemed very near just as she had been that day of rambling at Fontainebleau when they had sat on a log to eat their lunch haunting linear all the drone out of fallen leaves by the pale filtering sunlight soaked his nostrils I am glad it isn't spring he sought with the scent of sap and the song of birds and the bursting of the blossoms it would have been unbearable I hope I shall be over it by then old fool that I am and picking up his coat he walked on into the field he passed upon and mounted the hill slowly near the top a horse barking greeted him upon the lawn above the fannery he could see his old dog Balthazar the animal whose dim eyes took his master for a stranger was warning the world against him Julian gave his special whistle even at that distance of a hundred yards and more he could see the dawning recognition in the obese brown-white body the old dog got off his haunches and his tail close curled over his back began a feeble excited fluttering he came waddling forward gathered momentum and disappeared over the edge of the fannery Julian expected to meet him at the wicked gate but Balthazar was not there and rather alarmed he turned into the fannery on his fat side looking up with eyes already glazing the old dog lay what is it my poor old man cried Julian Balthazar's curled and fluffy tail just moved his filming eyes seemed saying I can't get up master but I am glad to see you Julian knelt down his eyes very dim could hardly see the slowly seizing heave of the dog's side he raised the head a little a little fluffy what is it dear man where are you hurt the tail fluttered once the eyes lost the look of life Julian passed his hands all over the inert warm bulk there was nothing the heart had simply failed in that obese body from the emotion of his master's return Julian could feel the muzzle where a few whitish bristles grew cooling already against his lips he stayed for some minutes kneeling with his hand beneath the stiffening head the body was very heavy when he bore it to the top of the field leaves had drifted there and he screwed it with a covering of them there was no wind and they would keep him from curious eyes until the afternoon I will bury myself his thought 18 years had gone since he first went into the St. John's Woodhouse with that tiny puppy in his pocket strange that the old dog should die just now was it an omen he turned at the gate and took back at that russet mound then went slowly towards the house very chokey in the throat June was at home she had come down hotfoot on hearing the news of Jolly's enlistment his patriotism had conquered her feeling for the birds the atmosphere of his house was strange and pockety when Jolly came in and told them of the dog Balthazar's death the news had a unifying effect a link with the past had snapped the dog Balthazar two of them could remember nothing before his day to June he represented the last years of her grandfather to Jolly on that life of domestic stress and aesthetic struggle before he came again to the kingdom of his father's love and wealth and he was gone in the afternoon he and Jolly took picks and spades and went out to the field they chose a spot close to the russet mound so that they need not carry him far and carefully cutting off the surface turf began to dig they dug in silence for 10 minutes and then rested well old man said Jollyon so you thought you ought yes son said Jolly I don't want to a bit of course how exactly those words represented Jollyon's own state of mind I admired you for it old boy I don't believe I should have done it at your age too much of a foresight I'm afraid but I suppose the type gets thinner with each generation your son if you have one maybe a pure altruist who knows he won't be like me then dad I am beastly selfish no my dad that you clearly are not Jolly shook his head again strange life at dogs said Jollyon suddenly the only four footer with rudiments of altruism and the sense of God Jolly looked at his father do you believe in God dad I have never known at so searching a question from one to whom it was impossible to make a light reply Jollyon stood for a moment feeling his back dried by the digging what do you mean by God he said there are two irreconcilable ideas of God there is the unknowable creative principle one believes in that and there is the sum of altruism in man naturally one believes in that I see about Christ doesn't it Jollyon stared Christ the link between those two ideas out of the mouth of babes here was orthodoxy scientifically explained at last the sublime poem of the Christ life was man's attempt to join those two irreconcilable conceptions of God and since the sum of human altruism was as much a part of the unknowable creative principle as anything else in nature and the universe a worse link might have been chosen after all funny how one went through life without seeing it in that sort of way what do you think old man he said Jolly friend this year we talked a good bit about that sort of thing but in the second year one gives it up I don't know why it is awfully interesting Jollyon remembered that he also had talked a good deal about it his first year at game bridge and given it up in his second I suppose said Jolly it is the second god you mean god Baltazar had a sense of yes or he would never have burst his poor old heart because of something outside himself but wasn't a just selfish emotion really Jollyon shook his head no dogs are not pure foresight they love something outside themselves Jolly smiled well I think I am one he said you know I only enlisted because I dared well darted to but why we barred each other said Jolly shortly so the feud went on on to the third generation this modern feud which had no overt expression shall I tell the boy about it he thought but to what end if he had to stop short of his own part and Jolly thought it is for Holly to let him know about that chap if she doesn't it means she doesn't want him told and I should be sneaking anyway I have stopped it I should better well leave alone so the dog on in silence Jollyon said now old man I think it is big enough and resting on their spades they gaze down into the hole where a few leaves had drifted already on a sunset wind I can't bear this part of it said Jollyon suddenly let me do it dad he never cared much for me Jollyon shook his head we will lift him very gently with the leaves and all I would rather not see him again I will take his head now with extreme care they raised the old dog's body whose faded tan and white showed here and there under the leaves stirred by the wind they laid it heavy cold and unresponsive in the grave and Jolly spread more leaves over it while Jollyon deeply afraid to show emotion before his son began quickly shoveling the earth onto that still shape there went the past if only there were a joyful future to look forward to it was like stamping down earth on one's own life they replaced the turf carefully they moved little mound and grateful that they had spared each other's feelings they turned to the house arm in arm end of part two chapter ten death of the dog Baltazar recording by Eva Harnick