 CHAPTER XIX There is a letter for you diced, forwarded from Rivenoch, I see. It lay beside his plate on the breakfast table, and dice-eyed it with curiosity. The backward-sloping hand was quite unknown to him. He tapped at an egg, and still scrutinized the writing. On the envelope it was Constance, who had crossed out the Rivenoch address, and had written beside it the vicarage, Alvar Holm. Have you slept well, asked his mother, who treated him with much more consideration than at his last visit? Very well indeed he replied mechanically, taking up his letter, and cutting it open with a table-knife. Have more courage, aim higher, it is not too late. Dice stared at the oracular message written in capitals on a sheet of paper which contained nothing else. He again examined the envelope, but the postmarker in no way helped him. He glanced at his mother in finding her eye upon him, folded the sheet carelessly. He glanced at his father, who had just laid down a letter which evidently worried him. The meal passed with very little conversation. Dice puzzled over the anonymous council, so mysteriously conveyed to him, and presently went apart to muse, unobserved. He thought of Iris Wolstein, of course a woman had done this thing, and Iris, he could well believe capable of it. But what did she mean? Did she really imagine that but for lack of courage, he would have made suit to her? Did she really regard herself as socially his superior? There was no telling. Women had the oddest notions on such subjects, and perhaps the fact of his engaging himself to Constance Bright, a mere secretary, struck her as deplorable. Aim higher. One would have supposed it came at least from some great eras. He stopped in his pacing about the garden and eras. May Tomlin, shaking of the head, dismissed this fancy, Miss Tomlin was a matter of fact young person. He could not see her doing such a thing as this, and yet, and yet, when he remembered their last talk, was it not conceivable that he had made a deeper impression upon her than in his modesty he allowed himself to suppose? Had she not spoken with a certain enthusiasm of working on his behalf at Hollingford, the disturbing event which immediately followed had put Miss Tomlin into the distance. His mind had visited itself continuously with surmises as to the nature of the benefit he might expect if he married Constance. After all, Lady Ogram's niece might have had recourse to this expedient. She, at all events, knew that he was staying at Rivernote and might easily not have heard on what day he would leave, or perhaps knowing that he left yesterday, she had calculated that the letter would reach him before his departure. It had possibly been delivered at Rivernote by the midday post, amusing the thought that Constance had herself readdressed this communication. Another possibility occurred to him, what if the writer were, indeed, Iris Wolstein and her motive quite disinterested, what if she did not allude to herself at all, but was really pained at the thought of his making an insignificant marriage when, by waiting a little, he was sure to win a wife suitable to his ambition. Of this, too, Iris might well be capable. Her last letter to him had had some dignity in all things considered. She had always shown herself a devoted, unexacting friend. It seemed more likely, it seemed much more likely, than the other conjecture. Nevertheless, suppose Ms. Tomlin had taken this romantic step, the supposition involved such weighty issues that he liked to harbor it to play with it. He pictured himself calling in Pond Street. He entered the drawing room and his eyes fell at once upon Ms. Tomlin in whose manner he remarked something unusual, a constraint, a nervousness. Saluting, he looked her fixedly in the face. She could not meet his regard. She blushed a little. Why, it was very easy to determine whether or not she had sent that letter. In the case of Iris Wolstein, observation would have no certain results for she must need to meet him with embarrassment that Ms. Tomlin would be superhuman if she did not somehow betray a nervous conscience. Dice strode into the house. His father mother stood talking at the foot of the stairs. The vicar ready to go out. I must leave you at once. He exclaimed, looking at his watch, something I had forgotten. An engagement absurdly dropped out of mind. I must catch the next train, 1014, isn't it? Ms. Lashmore sang out protest, but on being assured that the engagement was political, urged him to make haste. The vicar all but silently pressed his hand and with head bent, walked away. He just caught the train. He would bring him to town by midday in comfortable time to lunch and adorn himself before the permissible hour of calling in Pond Street. Rapid movement excited his imagination. He clung now to the hypothesis which at first seemed untenable. He built hopes upon it. Could he win a confession from Ms. Tomlin? Why should it be hopeless to sway the mind of Lady Ogrum? If that were deemed impossible, they had but to wait. Lady Ogrum would not live till the autumn to be sure she looked better since her return to Rivernoke, but she was frail, oh very frail, and sure to go off at a moment's notice. As for Constance, oh Constance, at his lodgings he found unimportant letters. Every letter would have seemed unimportant, compared with how he carried in his pocket. Roach, MP, invited him to dine. The man at the home office wanted him to go to a smoking concert. Lady Susan Herop sent a beggarly card for an evening ten days hence, like the woman's impudence. And yet, as it had been posted since her receipt of his mother's recent letter, it proved that Lady Susan had a sense of his growing dignity, which was good in its way. He smiled at a recollection of the time when a seat at those people's table had seemed a desirable and agitating thing. Before half past three, he found himself walking in Sloane Street after consulting his watch several times. In the course of a few minutes he decided that, early as it was, he would go on at once to Mrs. Toplady's. Was he not privileged? Moreover, light rain began to fall, with muttering of thunder, he must seek shelter. At a door in Pond Street did two vehicles, a broom and a cab. Was it at Mrs. Toplady's? Yes, so it proved, and just as dice went up to the house, the door opened. Out came a servant carrying luggage behind. The servant came to Mrs. Toplady, and behind her, Miss Tomlin, had in hand Lashmar face the familiar smile at this moment, undisguisedly missed of us. Mr. Lashmar exclaimed the lady in high good humor, we are just going to set pancreas. Miss Tomlin leaves me today. Why, it is raining. Can't we take you with us? Yes, yes, come into the carriage and we'll drop you where you like. Lashmar's eye was on the air as she said nothing as she shook hands, and unless he mistook there was a tremor about her lips, her eyelids, an unwanted suggestion of shyness and her bearing. The ladies being seated, he took his place opposite to them, and again perused Miss Tomlin's countenance, decidedly she was unlike herself, manifestly she avoided his look. Mrs. Toplady talked away in the gayest spirits, and the rain came down heavily and thunder rolled. Half the distance to St. Pancras was covered before May, and uttered anything more than a trivial word or two, of a sudden she addressed Lashmar as if about to speak of something serious. You left all well at Rivernoke? Quite well. When did you come away? Early yesterday morning, Dice replied. May's eyebrows twitched, her look fell. I went to Oliver home. Dice continued to see my people. May turned her eyes to the render. Uneasiness appeared in her face. She wants to know, said Dice to himself, whether I have received that letter. Do you stay in town, inquired Mrs. Toplady? For a week or two, I think, he added carelessly. A letter this morning forwarded from Rivernoke brought me back. May made a nervous movement, and at once exclaimed, I suppose your correspondence is enormous, Mr. Lashmar. Enormous? Why no, but interesting, especially of late. Of course, a public man. Impossible to get assurance, the signs he noticed might mean nothing at all. On the other hand, they were perhaps decisive. More about the letter of this morning, he does not say, lest if this girl had really written it, she should think him lacking in delicacy in discretion. Very kind of you to come to me at once, said Mrs. Toplady. Is there good news of the campaign? Come and see me tomorrow, can you? This afternoon, I have an engagement. I shall only just have time to see Ms. Tomlin safe in the railway carriage. The ice made no request to be set down after this remark of Mrs. Toplady's, a project formed itself in his mind when the carriage entered Euston Road, rain was still falling. This will do good, he remarked, the country wants it. His thoughts returned to the morning, a week ago, when Constance, and he had been balked of their ride by a heavy shower. He saw the summer house among the trees, he saw Constance's face, and heard her accents. They reached the station, as a matter of course, Dice accompanied his friends on to the platform, where the train was already standing. Ms. Tomlin selected her seat. There was leave taking. Dice walked away with Mrs. Toplady, who suddenly became hurried. I shall only just have time, she said, looking at the clock. I'm afraid my direction northward would only take you more out of your way. Dice saw her to the broom, watched it drive off. There remained three minutes before the departure of Ms. Tomlin's train. He turned back into the station, he walked rapidly, and on the platform almost collided with a heavy old gentleman whom an official was piloting to a carriage. This warm-faced pompous looking person he well knew by sight. Another moment, and he stood on the step of the compartment where May had her place at sight of him, she half rose. What is it? Have I forgotten something? The compartment was full, impossible to speak before these listening people. In ready response to his embarrassed look, May alighted. I'm so sorry to have troubled you, said Dice, with laughing contrition. I thought it might amuse you to know that Mr. Robb is in the train. Really, how I should have liked to be in the same carriage. Perhaps I should have heard the creature talk. Oh, and this compartment is so full, so hot. Is it impossible to find a better? Dice rushed at a passing guard. He learned that if Ms. Tomlin were willing to change halfway on her journey she could travel at ease. Only the through carriages for Hollingford were packed. Do this may at once consented. Dice seized her dressing back. Her umbrella they spent to another part of the train and sprang both of them into an empty first class. This is delightful, quite the girl. I am so much obliged to you. Tickets, please. Shown already replied May. Change of carriage. The door was slammed locked. The whistle sounded. But we're starting. May exclaimed. Quick, jump out, Mr. Lashmar. Dice sat still, smiling calmly. It's too late. I'm afraid I mustn't try to escape by the window. Oh, and you have sacrificed yourself just to make me more comfortable. How inconvenient it will be for you. What a waste of time. Not at all the best thing that could have happened. Well, we have papers at all events. May hand it in one. Pray don't feel obliged to talk. As it happens, I very much wish to talk queer thing. That I should owe my opportunity to Rob. I shall never again feel altogether hostile to that man. I wish you had seen him. He looked apoplectic. This weather must try him severely. You never spoke to him, I suppose, asked May. I never had that honor, glimpses. Only the great man had been about safe to me once seen. He has never forgotten. Today he looks alarmingly apoplectic. But really, Mr. Lashmar said the girl settling herself in her corner. I do feel ashamed to have given you this useless journey and just when you are so busy. She was pretty in her traveling costume. Good Lashmar have compared her appearance today with that she presented on her first arrival at Rivenoke. He would have marveled at the change wrought by luxurious circumstance. No eyeglasses now. No little paper cutter hanging at her girdle. Called upon to resume the Northampton garb, May, would have been horrified. The brown juice which she had purchased expressly for a visit to Lady Ogum would have seemed impossibly large in course. Exquisite were her lavender gloves, such details of attire, formally regarded with some contempt, had now an importance for her. She had come to regard dress as one of the serious concerns of life. I went to Pond Street this afternoon, said Dice, with a wish that by some chance I might see you alone. It was very unlikely, but it has come to pass. May exhibited a slight surprise and by an imperceptible movement put a little more dignity into her attitude. What did you wish to speak about? She asked with an air meant to be strikingly natural. Don't let me startle you. It was about my engagement to Miss Bride. This time Dice felt he could not be mistaken. She was confused. He saw color mounting on her neck. The surprise she tried to convey in smiling was too obviously feigned. Isn't that rather an odd subject of conversation? It seems so, but wait till you have heard what I have to say. It is almost Bride's account that I speak. You are her friend and I feel that in mere justice to her I ought to tell you a very strange story. It is greatly to her honor. She couldn't tell you the truth herself, and of course you will not be able to let her know that you know it. But it will save you from possible misunderstanding of her enable you to judge her fairly. May hardly disguised her curiosity. It absorbed her self-consciousness and she looked the speaker straight in the face. To come to the point at once pursued Lashmar. Our engagement is not a genuine one. Miss Bride is not really consented to marry me. She only consents to have it thought that she has done so. And very generous, very noble it is of her. What a strange thing the girl exclaimed as ingenuously as she had ever spoken in her life. Isn't it? I can explain in a word or two. Lady Orgram wished us to marry. It was a favorite project of hers. She spoke to me about it, putting me in a very difficult position, for I felt sure that Miss Bride had no such regard for me as your aunt supposed. I postponed to late as much as possible and the result was that Lady Orgram began to take my behavior ill. The worst of it was her annoyance had a bad effect on her health. I think you know that Lady Orgram cannot bear contradiction. I know that she doesn't like it, said May, her chin rising a little. You, of course, are favored. You have exceptional influence, but I can assure you that it would have been a very unpleasant thing to have to tell Lady Orgram either that I couldn't take the steps she wished or that Miss Bride rejected me. I can believe that, said May, indulgently when I saw that she was making herself ill about it, I took the resolve to speak frankly to Miss Bride. The result was our pretended engagement. Was it your suggestion inquired the listener? Yes, it came from me. Dice answered with half real, half affected embarrassment. Of course, I felt it to be monstrous impudence, but as some excuse for me, you must remember that Miss Bride and I have known each other for many years, that we were friends almost in childhood. Perhaps I was rather a coward. Perhaps I ought to have told your aunt the truth and taken the consequences, but Miss Bride, no less than I, felt afraid of them. What consequences? We really feared that in Lady Orgram's state of health, he broke off significantly, may drop her eyes, the train roared through a station, but, said May at length, I understand that you are to be married in October. That is Lady Orgram's wish, of course, is horribly embarrassing. I needn't say that when our engagement is announced, is broken off, I shall manage, so that all the fault appears to be on my side. But I'm hoping that Lady Orgram may somehow be brought to change her mind, and I even dare to hope that you will help us to that end. I? How could I possibly? Indeed, I hardly know, but the situation is so awkward and you are the only person who has really great influence with Lady Orgram. There was silence amid the noise of the train. May look through one window, dice through the other. In any case, exclaimed Lashmar, I have discharged what I felt to be a duty. I could not bear to think that you should be living with Miss Brighton, totally misunderstanding her. I wanted you to do justice to her noble self-sacrifice. Of course, I felt ashamed of myself ever since I allowed her to get into such a false position. You, I fear, think worse of me than you did. He regarded her from under his eyelids, as if timidly, may sat very upright. She did not look displeased. A light in her eyes might have been understood as expressing satisfaction. Suppose she said looking away that October comes and you haven't been able to to put an end to this situation. I'm afraid, very much afraid, that we shall have to do so at any cost. It's very strange altogether, an extraordinary state of things. You forgive me for talking to you about it, as dice, leaning respectfully forward. I understand why you did. There was no harm in it. Do you remember our talk in the supper room at Mrs. Top Ladies when we agreed that nothing was more foolish than false modesty? Shall I venture to tell you now that if this marriage came about, it would be something like ruin to my career? You won't misunderstand. I have a great respect and a great liking for Miss Brighton, but think how all-important it is, this question of marriage for a public man. Of course I understand that, May replied. He enlarged upon the topic, revealing his hopes. But I rather thought, said May, that Miss Bright was just the sort of companion you needed. She is so intelligent and very. But do you think she has the qualities which would enable her to take a high position in society? There's no unkindness in touching upon that. Admirable women may fall short of these particular excellencies. A man chooses his wife according to the faith he has in his future. I understand, I quite understand, said May with a large air. No, it has to be confessed that Miss Bright, I wonder if my aunt didn't think of that. They turned aside to discuss the argument and did so in such detail with so much mutual satisfaction that time slipped on insensibly and there they had thought of parting the train began to slacken down for the junction where Miss Tomlin would have to change carriages. How annoying that I shan't be able to see you again, cried Lashmore. But shan'ts you be coming to Riveno? Not for some time, very likely, and when I do. The train stopped. Dice helped his companion to alight and moved along to seek for a place for her in the section which went to Hollingford. Suddenly an alarmed voice from one of the carriage doors shouted, guard, station master. People turned in that direction, porters ran evidently, something serious had happened. What's the matter? asked May at her companion's side. Somebody taken ill, I think, said dice moving towards the door whence the shout had sounded. He caught a glimpse of a man who had sunk upon the floor of the carriage and was just being lifted onto the seat by other passengers. Pressing near he saw a face hit easily congested with horrible starting eyes. He drew back and whispered to me, it's Rob. Didn't I tell you that he looked apoplectic? The girl shrank in fear. Are you sure? Perfectly. Stand here a minute and I'll ask how it happened. From the talk going on he quickly learned that Mr. Rob complaining that he felt faint had risen just as the train drew into the station to open the door and descend before anyone could help him. He dropped and his fellow travelers shouted. Dice and May watched the conveyance of the obese figure across the platform to a waiting room. I must know the end of this, said Lars Marr, his eyes gleaming. You wouldn't have gone further, should you? I suppose not, though I had still a great deal to tell you. Quick, we must get your place. I could stop for the next train, suggested May. Better not, I think the carriage will be waiting for you at Hollingford. No better not, I have another idea. They found his seat, diced through in the dressing bag and alighted again. There was still a minute or two, he said keeping May beside him on the platform. This affair may be tremendously important for me, you know. It would mean an election at once, said the girl excitedly. Of course, he approached his face to hers and added in low, rapid tones. You know the part gate into the Whopper Road. Yes, you have a key. Could you be there at a tomorrow morning? If it's fine, take your bicycle as if you were going for a spin before breakfast. Miss Brad never goes out before breakfast and no one else is likely to pass that way. You mean you would be there? If there's anything important to tell, yes. From a quarter to eight, I shall stay here till I know the state of things. If there's recovery, I will go back to town and wire tomorrow to Lady Ogrum that I have heard a rumor of Rob's serious illness asking for information. Do you agree? Doors were slamming, porters were shouting. May had only just time to spring into the carriage. Yes, she exclaimed with her head at the window. Dice doffed his hat. They smiled at each other. May's visage flushed and agitated and the train whirled away. In the carriage awaiting Miss Tomlin and Hollingford station sat Constance Bride. A horrible journey may exclaim taking a seat beside her. No seat enough through carriage at St. Pancras had to change at the junction. Somebody in the train had a fit or something. No wonder it was such heat but it's cooler here. Have you had a storm? The footman who had been looking after luggage stepped up to the carriage door and spoke to Miss Bride. He said there was a rumor in the station that Mr. Rob traveling by this train had been seized with apoplexy on the way. Mr. Rob exclaimed Constance then he was the person you spoke of. I suppose so. May answered queer thing. They drove off Constance gazed straight before thinking intently. If the attack is fatal said may we shall have an election at once. Yes fell from her companion's lips mechanically. Who will be the conservative candidate? I have no idea. Answered Constance still absorbed in her thoughts. May cast a glance at her and discovered emotion in the fixed eyes. The set lips. There was a short silence that Miss Tomlin spoke as if an amusing thought had struck her. You received that American magazine from Mrs. Toplady. Isn't it an odd coincidence the French book you know? It didn't seem to me very striking replied Constance coldly. No perhaps not. May became careless. I hadn't time to read it myself. I only heard what Mrs. Toplady said about it. There was a certain resemblance between the Frenchman's phraseology. Mr. Lashmar said Constance but nothing more. Mr. Lashmar's system isn't easy to grasp. I doubt where the Mrs. Toplady is quite the person to understand it. Perhaps not. May smiled raising her chin. I must read the article myself. Even then rejoined her companion in a measured tone. You will hardly be able to decide as to the resemblance of the two theories. Why not ask May sharply because you have had no opportunity of really studying Mr. Lashmar's views. Oh I assure you he has made them perfectly clear to me perfectly. In outlines at Constance smiling as one who condescends to a childish understanding. Oh no, in detail. Ms. Bright contented herself with a half absent indeed and seemed to resume her meditations whereupon May's eyes flashed and her head assumed its most magnificent pose. They exchanged not another word on the drive to Rivenoke. End of chapter 19. Chapter 20 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 20. May awoke very early next morning. It was broad daylight however and she hastened to look at her watch. Reassured as to the time her next thought regarded the weather. She stepped through the window and saw with vexation a raining sky. An hour later she again lifted the blind to look forth. No sun was shining but rain had ceased. She began to dress. At a quarter to eight equipped for walking she quietly left her room and tripped downstairs. A housemate met her in the hall. She asked whether the front door was unlocked and the servant went before to open for her. Following a path which led to the rear of the house she was soon out in the park in some ten minutes she passed the old summer house among the trees and with quickened pace came to the door which led into the Wappam Road. Before using her key she tapped lightly on the wood from without there sounded immediately an answering knock. Then she opened Do you know asked Lashmar eagerly as he gave his hand for getting the formal salute. Yes we had the news after dinner. Mr. Breakspear sent a message. He lived for about an hour. I came on to Hollingford late and at past the night at the Saracens head. It's to be understood of course that I got the news in town just in time for the last train. Whilst exchanging rapid sentences they stood one within one outside the park wall. May hell the door as if uncertain what to do next. You can spare me a few minutes. Said Dice glancing this way and that along the public way. Come in. I didn't bring my bicycle as it's so wet. Of course not. You needn't be anxious. Nobody comes this way. He closed the door May was looking behind her into the trees and bushes which hid them from the park. The sky had begun to brighten. A breeze shook drops from the shining leafage. How does Lady Ogrum take the news? Lashmar inquired trying to speak with his wanted calm but betraying a good deal of nervousness. I haven't seen her. She was in her room when it came. I shouldn't wonder if she's sorry she had set her mind on our beating Rob at the pole. No one seems to know who will stand for the conservatives. I saw Break Spear after midnight. He was in the wildest excitement. He thinks it's good for us. Of course you'll see Lady Ogrum today. I shall come at lunch time. That'll be best, won't it? May nodded. Her eyes kept turning in the direction of the house. How very kind of you to have come out so early, said Dice, all night I have been reproaching myself for giving you the trouble. And when I saw the rain, I didn't think for a moment you would be here. I'm delighted to be able to talk to you before seeing anyone else. Don't you think this event has happened very luckily? Whether I am elected or not, it'll be easier for me to get out of my false position. Why, how? In this way, during the excitement of the election, I shall find opportunities of speaking more freely with Lady Ogrum. And who knows, but I may bring her to see that the plan she made for me was not altogether to my advantage. Miss Bright, of course, will speak whenever she has a chance in the same sense. Are you sure of that? Ask May, casting a furtive glance at him. She was boring the path with the point of her slim umbrella. You feel any doubt? Ask Dice, in turn. I really can't judge. It's such a very curious situation. And she added, Miss Bright is so peculiar. Peculiar? I understand. You don't find her very communicative, but I'm sure you'll make allowance for the difficulty of, oh, I make all allowances interrupt of May with her smile of superiority. And of course, Miss Bright's affairs don't in the least concern me, except I hope in so far as they concern me. Dice spoke with insinuating humor, both hands resting on his umbrella handle. He held himself very upright and looked May steadily in the face. She, as though challenged, straightened herself and met his look. I should be sorry to see your career spoiled, she said, with rather excessive dignity, but you will admit that you have acted to say the least imprudently. It looks so. You think I should have had more courage, but you will see that it's not too late. Speaking, he watched her face. He saw her lips twitch and her eyes stray. You know, he pursued, that I aim high. Her look fell, but no man can do without help. The strong man is he who knows how to choose his helper. And at the right moment, I'm at a crisis of my life and it is to you that I turn. I, of course, feel that to be a great compliment, Mr. Lashmar, said May, recovering her grand air, I promise you to do what I can, but you mustn't count on me for impossibilities. I count on nothing that isn't easy for you with your character, your influence. Thank you again, my first piece of advice to you is to win the election. I shall do my best if I am beaten in this. I shall win another. You are aware of that. Are you easily discouraged? I think not. He smiled at her with admiration that it was genuine, may easily perceived, how much or how little it implied she did not care to ask. These two, alike incapable of romantic passion, children of a time which subdues everything to interest, which fosters vanity and chills the heart, began to imagine that they were drawn to each other by all the orders of youth. Their minds remarkably lucid, reviewing the situation with coolest, perspicuity, calculating each on the others recognized weaknesses and holding themselves absolutely free if contingency demanded freedom, they indulged up to a certain point the primitive impulse and what Faine had discovered in it a motive of the soul. May, who had formed her opinion as to Miss Bride's real attitude regarding Lashmar took a keen pleasure in the treacherous part she was playing. She remembered the conversation last evening in the carriage and soothed her wounded self-esteem. Dice gratified by yet another proof of his power over a woman kind felt that in this case he had something to be really proud of. Miss Tomlin's beauty and her prospect spoke to the world at large. She was in love with him and he detected in himself a reciprocal emotion. Interesting and agreeable state of things. May instead of directly answering his last question allowed her eyes to meet his for a second then she said some people are coming to us this afternoon to stay. Who are they? Sir William and Lady Amos and Lord Dimchurch. Dimchurch, Lady Ogrum has invited him. He would hardly come to stay without being invited, said May archly. But I thought you most likely knew. Didn't Lady Ogrum mention it to you? Not a word answered Dice. No doubt she had a reason for saying nothing. You possibly could suggest it. His face had changed. There was cold annoyance in his look and in his voice. It must have been mere accident, said May. That it certainly wasn't. How long will Dimchurch stay? I have no idea, Mr. Lashmar. I must leave you. Many thanks for taking so much trouble to bring me the news. She held out her hand. Dice took and detained it. I am going to stay on at Hollingford, he said at the hotel. I shall run up to town this evening but be back tomorrow. At lunchtime today I shall see you. But of course that doesn't count. We shan't be able to talk Wednesday tomorrow. On Thursday morning meet me here again, will you? I'm afraid I can't do that, Mr. Lashmar. She answered with self-possession, trying unobtrusively to withdraw her hand. I beg you to indeed you must. He tried the power of a smile meant to be at once virile and tender, but May was steadily drawing away her hand. He had not the courage to hold it forcibly. We shall find other opportunities of talking about the things that interest us, she said, moving a step back. It surprises me that you came this morning. Dice exclaimed with a touch of sarcasm. Then May answered loftily, you will be spared a second surprise. She turned and left him. Dice, after watching for a moment, her graceful figure strode in pursuit. They were near the summer house. You are forgetting, he said, that you have left the key in the door. May uttered an exclamation of alarm. How foolish of me! Thank you so much. I fear I must give you the trouble of walking back. To let me out. What, of course, they returned to the door and Dice again took the offered hand. I shall be here at eight on Thursday, he said, unless it rains, in that case, on the first fine morning. I don't promise to meet you. I will come without a promise. As you like, said May, slowly closing the door upon him. But don't prepare for yourself another surprise. She regained the house, having met no one but a gardener. Within, she encountered no one at all. Safe in her room, she reflected on the morning's adventure and told herself that it had been, in a double sense, decidedly dangerous. Were Constance Bride or Lady Ogrum to know of this clandestine rendezvous, what a storm would break. On that account alone, she would have been glad of what she had done, but she was glad also of Lash Mar's significant behavior and language. He perceived undoubtedly that the anonymous letter came from her and the upshot what it might. Their romantic intimacy gave life a new zest. May, let it herself that she knew the tremors of amorous emotion. If I liked, I could be really, really in love. This was delightful experience. This was living, dangerous, yes, for how did she mean to comport herself in the all but certain event of her receiving an offer of marriage from Lord Dimchurch? Mrs. Toplady was right. Lady Ogrum had resolved upon this marriage and would it be safe to thwart that strong-willed old woman? Moreover, the thought was very tempting. Up here is, could she reasonably look for such another chance if this were lost? Was she prepared to sacrifice it for the sake of Lash Mar and the emotional joys he represented? She thought of novels and poems. Browning was much in her mind. She saw herself as the heroine of psychological drama. How interesting, how thrilling. During her life at Northampton, she had dreamed of such things with no expectation of their ever befalling her. Truly, she was Fortune's favorite. Destiny had raised her to the sphere where her powers and sensibilities would have full play. So it was with radiant face that she appeared at the breakfast table, Constance and she, shook hands as usual, with everyday words. It seemed to her that she saw disquiet in the secretary's countenance. After all, what was Miss Bride but a salaried secretary? Lash Mar's betrothed might well suffer uneasiness under the circumstances. She, it was obvious, did not regard the engagement as a mere pretense. No, no. Constance Bride was ambitious and thought it a great thing to marry a man with a parliamentary career before him. She was of a domineering, jealous nature and it would exasperate her to feel that Lash Mar merely used her for his temporary purposes. Noble self-sacrifice, indeed, Lash Mar himself did not believe that. Best of all things at this moment may would have liked to make known her power over Lash Mar and to say, Of course, dear Miss Bride, he is nothing whatever to me. In my position, you understand? There had been a few moments silence when Constance asked, Do you ever hear of Mr. Yabsley? Was the woman a thought reader at that instant may have been thinking the first time for weeks, perhaps, of her admirable cryton in the old Northampton days and reflecting with gratification on the vast change which had come upon her life and her mind since she followed Mr. Yabsley's spiritual direction. Staddle, she gazed at the speaker. How odd that you should have remembered his name. Not at all. I heard it so often when you first came here. Did you, said May, pretending to be amused? Mr. Yabsley is a remarkable man and I value his friendship. You remind me that I really ought to write to him. Constance seemed to lose all her interest in the matter and spoke of something trivial. In the course of the morning there happened a singular thing. Lady Ogrum rose earlier than usual before leaving her room. She read in the Hollingford Express all about the sudden death of Mr. Robb. The event had kept her awake all night. Though on the one side a disappointment for, of late, she had counted upon Robb's defeat at the next election as an all but certain thing. The fact that she had outlived her enemy that he lay as it were at her feet, powerless ever again to speak, and insulting word, aroused all the primitive instincts of her nature. With the exultation of a savage, she gloated over the image of Robb stricken to the ground. Through the hours of darkness she now and then sang to herself and the melodies were those she had known when a girl or a child, common songs of the street, it was her chant for victory and revenge. Having risen she went into the drawing room on the same floor as her bed chamber and summoned two men servants. After her first serious illness she had for a time been carried up and downstairs in a chair made for that purpose. She now bat her attendance fetched the chair and convey her to the top story of the house. It was done in her hand she had a key and with this she unlocked the door of that room which had been closed for half a century. Having stood alone within the garret for a few minutes she called to the men who on entering looked with curiosity at dust covered forms in clay and in marble. Their mist was pointed to a bust which stood on a wooden pedestal some three feet high. You are to clean that bring water and soap I will wait here whilst you do it. The task was quickly performed the marble shown once more and its pedestal of lustrous black looked little the worse for long seclusion. Lady Ogrum sat with her eyes fixed upon the work of art and for a minute or two neither moved nor spoke. Who is that she inquired suddenly indicating the head and turning her look upon the two men. I think it is yourself my lady answered the boulder of the two. Lady Ogrum smiled that use of the present tense was agreeable to her. You are to take it down to the green drawing room carry me there first and I will show you where to place it. Arrived at the ground floor she quitted her chair and walked into the drawing room with step which was almost firm. Here among the flowers and leafy's sat May Tomlin who surprised at her aunt's early appearance rose forward with an exclamation of pleasure. How well you look this morning aunt. I'm glad you think so my dear was the pleased and dignified reply. Be so kind may as to go into the library and wait there until I send for you. The girl turned pale for a moment. She thought her escapade of this morning had been discovered and that terrible things were about to happen. Her fright could not escape Lady Ogrum's observation. What have I frightened you? Did it remind you of being sent into the corner when you were a little girl? She laughed with discordant gaiety. Really for the moment I thought I was being punished replied May and she too laughed a melodious trill. A quarter of an hour passed Lady Ogrum presented herself at the library door and saw May reading while Constance Bride sat writing at the table come both of you. Surprised at the look and tone with which they were summoned the two followed into the drawing room where guided by Lady Ogrum's glance they became aware of a new ornament. They approached they gazed they wondered who is that asked their conductor's turning to Miss Bride. Constance felt no doubt as to the person whom the bust was supposed to represent and her disgust at what she thought the shameless flattery practiced by the sculptor hardly allowed her to reply. Of course she said in as even a voice as possible it is a portrait of Miss Tomlin Lady Ogrum's eyes shone on the point of laughing she restrained herself and looked at her knees. May what do you think really aunt I don't know what to think answered the girl in a happy confusion if Miss Bride is right it's very very kind of you but how was it done without my sitting this time the old lady's mirth had its way how indeed there's a mystery for you both my dears may it's true you are like me but don't let Constance make you conceded go near and look at the date carved on the marble why aunt of course it is you yourself exclaimed the girl her averted face long drawn in mortification she saw the smile with which Miss Bride had received this disclosure how wonderful you can hardly believe it some incredulity might have been excused in one who turned from that superb head with its insolent youth and beauty to the painted death mask grinning there before it yet the marble had not flattered and looking closely enough you saw a reminiscence of its contour in the bloodless visage which since that proud moment had chronicled the passions of three score years how stupid not to have understood it once said may the epithet privately directed towards Constance it's a magnificent bust declared Miss Bride examining it now with sincere interest who was the sculptor lady ogre my husband answered the old lady with pride Sir Quentin had much talent and this was the best thing he ever did and it has just come into your possession as may no my dear but I thought you would like to see it an hour later Dice Lashmar arrived he was conducted at once to the drawing room where Lady Ogrum still sat with May and Constance I expected you cried the senile voice on a high note I heard the news at dinnertime yesterday said Lashmar just caught the last train and set up half the night with break spear I sent you a telegram the first thing this morning said Lady Ogrum had you left Alvar home before it arrived I was in town answered Dice only now remembering that he had to account for his movements I let her call me up yesterday morning the old autocrat was in no mood for trifling explanations she passed the point and began to ask the news from Hollingford who would be the conservative candidate they talked said Dice about stranger to the town a man named Butterworth one of Rob's private friends it's Butterworth of the hoardings Butterworth's jams and pickles you know he's made a million out of them and now thinks of turning his energies to the public service Rob it seems didn't mean to face another election and of late had privately spoken here and there of Butterworth jams and pickles cried Lady Ogrum with a croaking laugh will the Hollingford Tories stand that why not Rob evidently thought they would and he knew them Butterworth is a stout unionist I'm told and if he makes another million he may look for a peerage jam has not hitherto been thought so respectable as ale or stout but that's only our prejudice Rob's enlightened mind saw the budding aristocrat breaks Spears thinking out an article on the deceased champion of aristocratic traditions to be followed by another on the blazonry of the jam pot and pickle jar we shall have merry reading when decorum releases our friend's pen as his eyes stole towards May Tomlin Dice perceived the marble bust he gazed at it in silent surprise the looks of all were upon him turning he met smiles of inquiry well said Lady Ogrum bluntly who is that is it a new work he inquired with dividends it looks new doesn't it I should have thought said Dice reflectively that it represented Lady Ogrum at about the same age as in the painting Constance exclaimed the old lady vastly pleased congratulate Mr. Lashmar then I'm right cried Dice encountering Constance's look what a fine bit of work what a magnificent head he moved nearer to it and continued freely to express his admiration the resemblance to May Tomlin had struck him he thought it probable that some sculptor had amused himself by idealizing the girl's suggestive features but at this juncture it seemed to him more prudent as in any case it would be politic to effect to see only a revival of Lady Ogrum's youth it startled him to find that his tact had guided him so well he continued to behave with all prudence talking through luncheon chiefly with the hostess and directing hardly a remark to May who on her side maintained an equal discretion afterwards he saw Lady Ogrum in private you mean to stay on at the hotel no doubt she said yes it'll be more convenient for you than if you came here but look in and let us know how things go on let me see tomorrow is Wednesday don't come tomorrow on Thursday I may have something to tell you yes come and lunch on Thursday you understand on Thursday and there's something else I may as well say at once the expenses of the election are my affair dice began a grateful protest but was cut short I say that it is my affair we'll talk about it when the fight is over no petty economies in a day or two when things are in order we must have break spear here perhaps you had better go away for the day of Robb's funeral yes don't be seen about on that day spare no useful expense I give you a free hand only win that's all I ask of you I shan't like it if you're beaten by jams and pickles and lunch here on Thursday you understand dice had never known the old autocrat so babblingly iterative nor had he ever beheld her in such a mood of gaiety of exaltation go and have a word with constants she said at length I rather think she's going into the town if so you can go together she's in great spirits it isn't her way to talk much but I can see she feels very hopeful by the by I'm expecting Sir William before dinner Sir William Amos you know he may be here still when you come on Thursday why Lady Ogrum should be so careful to conceal the fact that Lord Dim Church was expected dice found it difficult to understand but it was clear that dim church had been invited in the hope perhaps the certainty that he would propose to May Tomlin that he was coming at all seemed indeed decisive as to his intentions plainly the old schemer had formed this project at the time of her visit to London and improbable as the thing would have appeared to anyone knowing dim church she was carrying it successfully through on the one side but how about may dice tried to assure himself that being in love with him may would vainly be wooed by anyone else but had she the courage to hold out against her imperious relative could she safely do so the situation was extremely disquieting he wished it were possible to see may alone even for a minute but he did not see her at all and as Lady Ogrum had suggested he found himself obliged to return to Hollingford in Constance's company they drove in the land on the way dice made known to his companion Lady Ogrum's generous intentions I knew she would do that so Constance regarding him with the smile which betrayed her in most thoughts because of the proximity of their coachmen they talked in subdued tones their heads close together to Lashmar this intimacy meant nothing at all Constance in his busy thoughts was as good as non-existent he remarked with vexation the aspect of renewed vigor presented by Lady Ogrum and would have spoken of it but that he felt ashamed to do so don't you think asked his companion that everything is going wonderfully well with you it looks so for the present and after all whom have you to thank for it I don't forget dice replied wondering whether she alluded to the fact of her having introduced him to the mistress of Rivenoke or to the terms of their engagement if you win the election don't you think it would be graceful not only to feel but to show a little gratitude she's spoken of voice which once more reminded him of the summer house on that rainy morning a voice very unlike her ordinary utterance soft and playfully appealing don't be so severe on me answered dice with a laugh I am not all self-interest he added what was meant for a reassuring look and began to talk of election hearing details end of chapter 20 chapter 21 of our friend the charlatan this is a liberal box recording all liberal box recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liberal box dot org our friend the charlatan by george gissing chapter 21 lady ogrum's life had been much guided by superstition no one knew it or suspected it for this was among the tokens of her origin which she carefully kept out of sight through all the phases of her avowed belief she remained subject to a private religion of omens and auspices which frequently influenced her conduct thus she would long ago have brought forth and displayed that marvel visage of her beauty in its prime but for a superstitious fear which withheld her on the night before sir quentin's death she dreamt that she ascended to the garret took the bust in her arms and carried it downstairs many years went by and again she had the same dream the next day her first serious illness fell upon her and remembering the vision she gave herself up for lost but the sign this time had less than fatal significance now once more on the sunday night of the present week she seemed to enter the locked garret and to carry away the marble all monday she lived in a great dread but at evening came the news that her arch enemy was no more and behold the vision explained on monday night she dreamt not at all being kept awake by exaltation in what had happened and forecast of triumph soon to be enjoyed but her thoughts turned constantly to the graven image which she longed to see and by a process of reasoning natural to such a mind as hers she persuaded herself that now was the moment to fulfill her desire the best once brought down she would not again dream of going to seek it and consequently it could not serve again to auger evil not without tremors she executed her resolve and the thing once done her joy was boundless looking on that marble face she seemed to recover something of the strength and spirit it had immortalized notwithstanding her restless night she felt so clear in mind so well embodied that the forebodings which had perturbed her since her exhausting visit to london were quite dismissed today lord dim church was coming tomorrow maize betrothal would be a fact to noise abroad she would then summon kerch ever and in the presence of sir william amos the trusty friend sure to outlive her would complete that last will and testament which was already schemed out twice already had she executed a will the second less than a year ago when in town she had sufficiently discussed with her man of law the new situation brought about by her discovery of may tamalan but the hope which she connected with lord dim church bad her postpone a while the solemn signature all had come to pass even as she desired as she resolved it should to the end she was supreme in her own world when her guests arrived all traveled from london by the same train she received them royally she had clad herself with unusual magnificence on the shriveled parchment of her cheeks shown an audacious bloom her eyes gleamed as if in them were concentrated all the proud life which still resisted age and malady rising from her bowered throne in the drawing room she took a step towards lady amos pressed her hand cordially not at all feebly and welcomed her with affectionate words the baronet she addressed as willy but with such a dignity of kindness in the familiar name that it was like bestowal of an honor towards the pier her bearing was marked with grave courtesy softening to intimate notes as their conversation progressed scarce a touch of senility sounded in her speech she heard perfectly indulged in no characteristic brusquery of phrase fulfilled every formality proper to the occasion sir william and his wife were the only people of their world who had always seen the lady of riven oak in her better aspect who whilst appreciating the comedy of her life regarded her with genuine friendship they understood the significance of lord jim church's visit and like mrs top lady though in a much more human spirit awaited with amusement the successful issue of lady ogrum's scheme they saw no harm in it dim church it might well be had fallen in love with the handsome girl and it was certain that her wealth would be put to much better use in his hands than in those of the ordinary man who weds money lady ogrum's deliberate choice of this landless pier assuredly did her credit she wanted the peerage for her niece but it would not have been difficult to gratify her ambition in a more brilliant way had she cared less for the girl's welfare society being what it is they did not see how their energetic old friend could have acted more prudently and kindly at dinner there was much pleasant talk the baronette's vein of humorous criticism flowed freely walking through london streets this morning his eye had caught sight of a couple of posters which held him in meditation one was a huge picture of an ox and beneath it one read in great letters that 60 000 bullocks are annually slaughtered for the manufacture of nox's beef tea the other advertised stokes's pills and inform the world in still bigger lettering that every minute of the day seven of these pills reach their destination delightful phrase reached their destination and this you see is how we adorn the walls of our cities it is not only permitted but favored i'm quite sure that a plebiscite if some more civilized alternative were offered would pronounce in favor of the bullocks and the pills as much more interesting yet to my mind spoiled by pottering among old pictures that bit of wall was so monstrous in its hideousness that i stood moon-stricken and even yet i haven't got over it i shall dream tonight of myriads of bullocks massacred for beef tea and of an endless procession of pills reaching their destination i ask myself in my foolish theoretic way what earthly right we have to lay claim to civilization how much better it would be always to speak of ourselves as barbarians we should then perhaps make some endeavor to improve the barbarian who imagines himself on the pinnacle of refinement is in a powerless state far more likely to retrograde than to advance there should be a league of landowners said miss tomlin pledged to forbid any such horror on their own property i don't know that i have much faith in leagues returned sir William i'm a lost individualist let everyone try to civilize himself depend upon it it's the best work he can do for the world at large and yet put in lord dim church the world can't do without apostles do you think mere example has ever availed much perhaps not i would say that i don't care do you really believe that the world ever will be much more civilized than it is in successive epics there are more or fewer persons of liberal mind that's all the proportion rises and falls why should we trouble about it let those of us who really dislike the ox and pill placards keep as much out of sight of them as possible that's all it doesn't do to think over much about the problems of life nowadays almost everybody seems to feel it a duty to explain the universe and with strange results for instance i read an article last night a most profound article altogether too much for my poor head on the question of right and wrong really i'd suppose that i knew the difference between right and wrong in my blundering way i'd always tried to act on the knowledge but this writer proves to me that i shall have to begin all over again morality he says depends upon cerebral oxidation that's a terrible dictum for a simple minded man if i'm not cerebrally oxidized or oxidally cerebrized in the right degree it's all over with my hopes of leading a moral life i'm quite sure that a large number of people are worrying over that article and asking how they can oxidize if not their own cerebellum at all events that of their offspring man and nature said lord din church presently have such different views about the good of the world that exclaimed the baronet is a very striking remark let me give you an illustration of its truth years ago i had an intimate friend a wonderfully clever man who wrote and published a delightful little book few such books have ever been written it was a marvel of delicate thought and of exquisite style the half dozen readers who could appreciate it quite allowed that this man had a great future that his genius was a jewel which the world would forever prize and so on well my friend married and since then he has written nothing nor will he ever again i know people who lament his fate who declared that marriage was his ruin and a crime against civilization the other day i called upon him not having seen him for ages i found a rather uncomfortable little house a pretty dull little wife and three beautiful children in the most vigorous hell alas said my friend to me in private i try to work but i can do nothing i need absolute tranquility such as i had when i wrote my book i try but domestic life is fatal to me now what better example of what you say lord dim church to us it seems a misfortune to the world that this man didn't live on in bachelorhood and write more exquisite books but nature says what do i care for his books look at his children that's what she meant him for and from nature's point of view he is a triumphant success dim church seemed not only amused but pleased he grew thoughtful and sat smiling to himself whilst others carried on the conversation the evening past lady amos gave the signal of retirement may in constants followed the baronet and the pier chatted yet a few minutes with their hostess then bad her good night but just as he was leaving the room jim church heard lady ogrum call his name he stepped back towards her i forgot to tell you she said that mr lashmar will launch with us the day after tomorrow of course he is very busy at holland ford i should be glad to see him reply the other cordially i wish i could help him in any way lady ogrum resumed her seat she was looking at the marble bust and dim church following the direction of her eyes also regarded it until this morning she said i hadn't seen that for more than 50 years i would tell you why but i should only send you to sleep her guest begged to hear the story and sat down to listen though the day had been so unusually long and fatiguing lady ogrum seemed to feel no effect of it her eyes were still lustrous she held herself with as much dignity as when the guests arrived she began a narrative of such clearness and vigor that the listener never thought of doubting its truth yet the story of her youth as the lady of ribbon oak wished lord dim church to receive it differed in very important points from that which her memory preserved not solely nor indeed chiefly on her own account did arabela thus falsify the past it was as the ancestors of may tamalan that she spoke and on behalf of may's possible children dim church looking back into years long before he was born saw a beautiful maiden of humble birth loyally wooed and wedded by a romantic artist son of a proud baronette of course she became the butt of calamny which found its chief support in the fact that the young artist had sculptured her portrait and indiscreetly shown it to friends before their marriage hearing the slanderous rumors she wished all the work which represented her to be destroyed and her husband led her to believe that this was done but on succeeding to the title and coming to live at ribbon oak sequent and confessed that he had not been able to destroy that marble bus which was his joy and his pride he undertook however to keep it hidden under lock and key and only this day this very day had it come forth again into the light i am an old old woman she said not without genuine pathos in their utterance i've long outlived the few who were my enemies and spoke ill of me as well as those who knew the truth and held me in respect i fear no one i wanted to see how i looked when i was a girl and i confess i'm glad for others to see it too dim church murmured that nothing could be more natural i was almost as good-looking as may don't you think she asked with a not very successful affectation of diffidence there is a likeness answered dim church but she interrupted his effort to describe the points of difference you very much prefer the other phase that doesn't surprise me and you needn't be afraid to confess it may is much better tempered than i was and she looks it did i ever tell you how she is related to me i call her my niece but she is really the granddaughter of my brother who emigrated to canada there upon lady ogrum sketched a portrait of that brother depicting him as a fine specimen of the colonizing britain breezy sturdy honest to the core she traced the history of the canadian family which in the direct line had now no representative but may of her long search for the tomlans she did not think it necessary to speak but turning back to her own history she told of the son she had lost and how all her affections were now bestowed upon this young girl who in truth had become to her as a daughter then discreetly with no undue insistence she made known her intention to endow may tomlin with the greater part of her fortune i've lived long enough to know that money is not happiness but in the right hands it is a great and good thing i have no fear of the use made will make of it and you can't know what a pleasure it is to be able to give it to her to one of my own blood my own name instead of leaving it to strangers as i once feared i must but she broke off suddenly in a changed voice here i keep you listening to my old tales when you ought to be asleep good night lord dim church tomorrow you must see ribbon oak good night for her there was again no sleep the weather had changed through the open window breathe the cool sweet air very refreshing after the high temperature of the last few days but lady ogerman vane closed her eyes and tried to lull her thoughts to rest it disappointed her that dim church and reply to her confidences had spoken no decisive word of course he would declare himself on the morrow he would have every opportunity for private talk with may and of the issue there could be no serious doubt but lady ogerman's nerves were tortured with impatience in the glimmer of dawn she wished to rise and walk about but found herself unequal to the effort her head eight her blood was feverish though it was a thing she hated to do she summoned the attendant who lay in an adjoining room at midday she was able to descend at the foot of the stairs she encountered constance bright who stood glancing over a book what are they all doing was her first question and before constance could reply she asked where is lord dim church i saw him not long ago in the garden alone no with miss tomlin why didn't you say so at once where are the others tell them i am down constance delayed replying for a moment then said with cold respectfulness you will find sir william and lady amos in the drawing room i shall find them there shall i and what if i don't wish to go into the drawing room constance looked into the angry face in the book she was carrying a french volume arrived by post this morning she had found things which troubled her mind and her temper she was in no mood for submitting to harsh dictatorship but those bloodshot eyes and shriveled lips the hollow temples and drawn cheeks which told of physical suffering stilled her irritation i will tell them at once lady ogrum dim church and may tomlin had strayed from the garden into the park they were sitting on a bench which encircled a great old tree for some minutes neither had spoken dim church held in his hand a last year's leaf brown crisp but still perfect in shape he smiled dreamily and as his eyes wandered to the girl's face set in a soft undertone how easily one loses oneself in idle thoughts i was asking myself where this grew on which branch which trig and it seemed strange to me that by no possibility could anyone discover it may had not a very high opinion of her companion's intelligence but it struck her this morning he was duller than usual she humored him replying with her philosophical air no indeed yet we tried to find out how life began and what the world means dim church was pleased he liked to find her capable of such a reflection it encouraged the movements of vague tenderness which had begun to justify a purpose formed rather in the mind than in the heart yes amusing isn't it but you i think don't trouble much about such questions it seems to me waste of time she was thinking of dice lashmar asking herself whether she would meet him or not tomorrow morning certainly she wished to do so lashmar at a distance left her coolly reasonable she wanted to recover the emotional state of mind which had come about during their stolen interview with lord dim church though his attentions were flattering she could not for a moment imagine herself touched by romantic feeling so it is he was saying to waste time in that way has always been one of my bad habits but i'm going to get rid of it he seemed on the point of adding more significant words may heard the sound fail in his throat saw without looking at him his sudden embarrassment when the words came as surely they would what was to be her answer she hoped for inspiration why should it be necessary for her to make precise reply no she would not freedom and the exercise of power for what she wanted enough to promise her answer a month or half a year hence if the old lady didn't like it let learn patience dim church sat bending forward the dry leaf crackle between his fingers he was crushing it to powder who he asked is the lady miss bride was speaking up in connection with the servant's training school mrs gallantry a good active sort of woman at hollandford that scheme doesn't interest you much not very much i confess i quite approve of it it's just the kind of thing for people like miss bride plotting and practical no doubt they'll make it very useful but i'd rather lost my keenness for work of that sort perhaps i've grown out of it of course i wish as much as ever for the good of the lower classes but i feel that my own work will lie in another direction tell me what you have in mind said dim church meeting her look with soft eyes what i really care about now is the spirit of the educated class there's such a great deal to be done among people of our own kind not of course by direct teaching and preaching but by personal influence exercise of all sorts of ways i should like to set the intellectual tone in my own circle i should like my house too as it were to radiate light the listener could not but smile yet his amusement had no tincture of irony he himself would not have used these phrases but was not the thought exactly what he had in mind he too felt his inaptitude for the ordinary forms of social usefulness in his desire and his resolve to do something he'd been imagining just this sort of endeavor and mays words seem to make it less vague i quite understand you he exclaimed with some fervor there's plenty of scope for that sort of influence you would do your best to oppose the tendencies of vulgar and selfish society if only in a little circle one could set the fashion of thought of living for things that are worthwhile and i see no impossibility it has been done before now i'm very glad you like the ideas have made graciously again without looking at him she saw his lips shaping words which they could not sound she saw his troubled abash smile and his uneasy movement which ended in nothing at all we have some fine trees at river oak fell from her as her eyes wandered indeed you have you like trees don't you very much when i was a boy i once saw a great many splendid oaks and beaches cut down and it made me miserable where was that on land that had belonged to my father and which for a year or two belonged to me he spoke with an uneasy smile again crushing a brown leaf between his fingers maize silence compelled him to proceed i have no trees now he tried to laugh only a bit of a farm which seems to be going out of cultivation but why do you let it do so it's in the hands of a troublesome tenant if i've been wise i should have learned to farm it myself years ago perhaps i shall still do so that would be interesting said may tell me about it will you it's in kent i think the impoverished peer spoke freely of the matter he had been seeking this opportunity since the beginning of their talk yet before he had ceased moral discomfort took hold upon him and his head drooped in shame the silence which followed may was saying to herself that now now the moment he come did but increase his embarrassment he wished to speak of his sisters to hint at their circumstances but the thing was impossible in desperation he broke into some holy foreign subject and for this morning all hope of the decisive step had passed the day brought no other opportunity towards midnight dim church sat at the open window of his chamber glad to be alone anxious self-reproachful tomorrow he must discharge what had become an obvious duty however difficult it might be he'd received a long letter from the younger of his sisters it spoke of the others ill health a subject of disquiet for the past month and went on to discuss a topic which frequently arose in this correspondence the authority of the church of Rome a lady who had just been passing a fortnight at the house in Somerset was a catholic and dim church suspected her of proselytism from the tone of the present letter it appeared that her arguments had had considerable success though impartial in his judgment of the old faith dim church felt annoyed and depressed at the thought that one of his sisters or both might turn in that direction he explained their religious unrest by the solitude and monotony of their lives for which it seemed to him that he himself was largely to blame were he to marry may tomlin everything would at once he thought be changed for the better his sisters might come forth from their seclusion mingle with wholesome society and have done with more or less morbid speculation he had gone so far that honor left him no alternative and he had gone thus far because it pleased him to do a thing which broke utterly with his habits and prejudices which put him into a position such as he had never foreseen he was experimenting in life may he told himself behaved very well never for a moment had she worn the air of invitation a smirk was a thing unknown to her the fact of his titular dignity she seemed holy to disregard whatever her faults he saw most of them she had the great virtue of unaffectedness assuredly he liked her he could not feel certain that even a warmer sentiment had not begun to breathe within him as for may's willingness to marry him why at all events it appeared a probability they had some intellectual sympathies which were likely to increase rather than diminish and if the marriage would be for him a great material benefit he hoped that may also might profit by it lady ogre desired their union that was clear that she should have made choice of him was not easy to explain for it surely she might have wedded her niece more advantageously but then lady ogre was no mere intrigue he thought her on the whole a woman of fine character with certain defects so obvious that they could never be the means of misleading anyone she was acting undoubtedly in what she deemed the best interests of her young relative and he could hardly accuse her of having made a mistake pacing the room he took up a review opened at a philosophical article and tried to read why does man exist why does anything exist manifestly because the operations of the energies of nature under the particular group of conditions compelled it just in the same way that they caused everything else to happen he paused and reread the passage was it satire or burlesque no he saw that the writer meant it for a serious contribution to human knowledge in disgust he flung the periodical aside this was the kind of stuff that people feed upon nowadays a result of the craze for a craze i scientific craze theology for sonorous explanations of the inexplicable why does man exist for a suit to guard his lips against the utterances of foolishness and to be of what use in the world he may before midday on the mall he would offer may tomlin his heart in hand offer both with glad sincerity disregarding all else but the fact that to this point had destiny brought him he thought of her humble origin and rejoiced in it his own family history was an illustration of how once genuinely noble house might fall into decay if not renewed by alliances with more vigorous blood may tomlin had perfect health she represented generations of hearty simple folk their energy of late recruited in the large air of Canada why had he gone forth deliberately to seek the kind of wife best suited to him he could not have done better than chance had done for him in his indolent shirking existence if he had children they might be robust and comely in May's immediate connections there was nothing to cause embarrassment as to her breeding it would compare more than favorably without of many highborn young ladies whom society delights to honor of such young ladies he had always thought with the peculiar dread if ever he allowed himself to dream of love and marriage his mind turned to regions where fashion held no sway where ambitions were humble may Tomlin stood between the two worlds representing a mean which would perchance prove golden so determined and courageous was his mood when he fell asleep that it did not permit him long slumbers a bright sunrise gleaming on a sky which in the night had shed cool showers tempted him to rise much before his usual time he turned over a volume or two from the shelves in the bedroom seeking dust to keep his nerves steady and to tune his mind presently he thought he would take a stroll before breakfast it was nearly eight o'clock servants would be about and the door open he left his room passing a great window at the end of the quarter he glanced out upon the garden lying behind the house someone was walking there it was no other than May herself she moved quickly in the direction of the park evidently bent on a ramble before her friends were stirring better chance could not have befallen him he went quickly downstairs but when he made his way to that part of the grounds where may had appeared she was no longer discoverable he strode on in what seemed the probable direction taking as a matter of fact the wrong path it brought him into the park but at a point once he looked in vain for the girl's figure this was vexatious should he linger here for her return or step out at a venture he strolled vaguely for some minutes coming at length into a path which promised pleasant things perhaps may had gone to the boss he hollow yonder if he missed her they were sure of meeting after breakfast he walked towards the cluster of trees end of chapter 21 chapter 22 of our friend the charlatan this is a liverbox recording all liverbox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liverbox.org our friend the charlatan by george gissing chapter 22 peaked by the uneventfulness of the preceding day may tomlin stole forth this morning in a decidedly adventurous frame of mind she scorned danger she desired excitement duplicity on her part was no more than lord dim church merited after that deliberate neglect of opportunity under the great tree of course nothing irrevocable must come to pass it was the duty of man to commit himself the privilege of woman to guard an ambiguous freedom but within certain limits she counted on dramatic incidents a brisk answer to her tap on the door in the park wall made her nerves thrill delightfully no sooner had she turned the key then the door was impatiently pushed open from without quick sounded lashmar's voice i hear wheels on the road ha just in time it might be someone who would recognize me it grasped may's hand he was gazing eagerly amorously into her face his emotions had matured since the meeting two days ago tell me all the news he went on is dim church here yes and the others you come to lunch today of course you will see them she recovered her hand though not without a little struggle which pleased her for all her academic modernism may belong to the class which has primitive traditions unsophisticated instincts and what has happened as dice advancing as she stepped back he spoke like one who has a right to the fullest information happened nothing particular what could have happened i've been tormenting myself of course i know why dim church is common so do you i can't go away in a horrible uncertainty if i do i shall betray myself when i come to luncheon so i give you warning what do you mean exclaimed the girl with an air of dignity surprised tell me the truth has dim church spoken many times answered may smiling with excessive ingenuousness is not very talkative but he doesn't keep absolute silence i hear that you have been to see mrs gallantry what do i care about mrs gallantry i've seen no end of people but all the time i was thinking of you yesterday morning i all but wrote to you what about all sorts of things of course i should have disguised my handwriting in the address may avoided his look and shaped her lips to severity if you had done such a thing i should have been greatly displeased i'm very glad you didn't so far forget yourself so am i now won't you tell me if anything has happened won't you put my mind at ease i can stay only for a few minutes there's really nothing to tell nothing but you must have plenty of news how are things going on lashmore hurley told of two or three circumstances which seemed to favor him in the opening campaign there was now no doubt that butterworth would be the conservative candidate and on the whole his name appeared to excite but moderate enthusiasm he broke off with an impatient gesture i can't talk about that stuff it's waste of time whilst i'm with you but it interests me very much said may who seemed to grow calmer as dice yielded to agitation lord dim church says he would gladly help you if it were in his power don't you think he might be of some use no i don't dim church is a dreaming nobody what a strange way to speak of him said may as if slightly offended you used to have quite a different opinion perhaps so i didn't know him so well there's nothing whatever in the man and you'll never do anything as long as he lives you know that as well as i do i think your mistake in may answered in an absent voice her look betraying some travail of the mind as if she were really debating with herself the question of dim church's prospects do you mean that cried lashmore with annoyance i certainly shouldn't call him a dreaming nobody replied may in the tone of dignified reproof or dim church is very thoughtful and very well informed and has very high principles one may admit all that all i meant was that there is no career before him would anyone dream of comparing him for instance with me you need to smile you remember the talk we had at mrs top ladies that evening i know my own qualities and see no use in pretending that i don't but what are we talking about of course you care nothing for dim church i know that very well if you did you wouldn't be here he ended on that little laugh of triumph and therewith catching hold of both her hands he drew her gently forward looked close into her face murmur may my beautiful may in that moment there came the strangest look upon may's countenance a look of alarm almost of terror her eyes were turned to a spot among the trees some 10 yards away dice seeing the sudden change of her expression turned in the direction of her gaze he was just in time to perceive the back of a retreating figure which disappeared behind bushes who was that he asked in a startled voice may could only whisper it was lord dim church i thought so confound that fellow what is he doing here at this time of the morning he saw us said may her cheeks burning oh who could have expected he saw us distinctly i shouldn't wonder if you heard what you were saying why she added angry did you speak so loud nonsense he couldn't hear at that distance but he had been nearer than the fellow is a sneak what right has he to steal upon us he didn't cry the girl i saw him as he stopped i saw his face and how astonished he looked he turned away instantly well what does it matter exclaimed dice who was quivering with excitement what do i care what need you care haven't we perfect liberty to meet after all what does it matter but you forget said may that he knows of your engagement my engagement let him know and let him think what he likes my engagement indeed why i haven't once thought of it since i left london not once there'll have to be an end to this intolerable state of things dim church isn't likely to tell anyone what he sees he's a gentleman i must go in it once cried may losing her head somebody else may come go away please don't stay another minute but it's impossible we have to come to an understanding listen to me may he grasped her hand past his other arm around her there was resistance but dice used his strength and earnest the girl's beauty fired him he became the fervid lover leaving her no choice between high resentment and frank surrender indignation was dying out of may's look she ceased to struggle she bent her head to his shoulder isn't that much better he whispered laughingly isn't that the way out of our difficulties may allow him to breathe a few more such soothing sentences than spoke with troubled accent but you don't understand what must lord dim church think of me believing that you are engaged i'll tell him the truth i'll go and tell him at once but still you don't understand my aunt wants me to marry him i know she does and no she'll be disappointed cried dice exultantly but do you suppose that lord dim church will stay here any longer he will leave this very morning i'm sure he will my aunt will want to know what it means they'll be dreadful explanations keep calm may if we lose our courage us all over with us we have to deal boldly with lady ogrum remember that she's very old and weak i'm perfectly sure she can't resist you and me if we speak to her in the proper way quietly and reasonably and firmly we have made up our minds haven't we you are mine dearest may there's no more doubt about that this bride will be our deadly enemy said may again yielding to his caresses enemy dice explained why surely you don't need to be told she dislikes me already as i do her and now she will hate me she'll do her best to injure us with lady ogrum you're mistaken i've only to see her and talk to her as i will this morning before luncheon she shall be firmly on our side i promise you don't have the least anxiety about her the only serious difficulties with lady ogrum you mean to tell miss bride the truth exclaim me you mean to tell her what has happened this morning i forbid you to do so i forbid you i didn't mean anything of the kind replied lashmore to dim church of course i shall speak quite freely there's no choice to miss bride i shall only say that i want our sham engagement to come to an end because i'm in love with you the presence of dim church here will be quite enough to explain my sudden action don't you see i assure you she must be made our friend and i can do it if you do it'll be a miracle said may with a face of utter misgiving it would be perhaps for any other man now we have no time to lose i must see dim church immediately i shall hurry round inside the park wall and come up to the front of the house like an ordinary visitor election business will account for the early hour if lady ogrum hears about it but she isn't likely to be down before 11 is she don't let us lose any more time darling go back quietly and let no one see that anything has happened don't worry in a quarter of an hour dim church shall know that there's not a shadow of blame upon you he won't believe that story if he does he'll think it very dishonorable dice check the words in amorous fashion but they conveyed an unpleasant truth which she turned about in his mind as he hastened towards the interview with dim church for once in his life however he saw a clear course of action before him indicated a like by interest and by honor he was roused by supreme impulse and necessity seeing him as he strode along you might have supposed him bent on some very high purpose so gallantly did he hold his head and so radiant was his visage there are men capable of viewing themselves as heroes in very unheroic situations and lashmar was one of them because his business with dim church and with constants would be distinctly disagreeable and yet he was facing it without hesitation his conscience praised him allowed nothing less than brilliant issue could be the reward of such noble energy meanwhile may had begun to retrace her steps through the little wood she wished to go quickly but was afraid if she did so of overtaking lord dim church in her to the self-approving mind was active she applauded herself for having given the preference to love over ambition with the choice of becoming a pierce she had bestowed her beauty intellect wealth upon a man who had nothing to offer but his hopes was not this noble than any nobility of rank the sentimentality of a hundred novels surged within her versus a browning chanted in her brain love is best she walked a heroin of passion all obstacles would fall before her burning resolve this was living in high romance she passed from among the trees into the open park and there before her stood the man she least wished to see he had evidently been waiting he began to move towards her a score of more or less ingenious lies rose to her tongue instinctively but she remembered that the seat was not called for lord dim church had raised his hat he looked very grave but not at all ill tempered may did not offer her hand after the good morning he walked beside her and it once began to speak i find i must leave ribbon oak miss tomlin his voice was low gentle not unkind must you indeed lord dim church i'm afraid i must he answered quietly i am so sorry but you will be able to see lady ogrum i fear not i wish to leave almost at once they were drawing near to the garden dim church paused glanced at his companion with sad eyes and his look cast down again spoke miss tomlin i came here wishing to ask you to be my wife only a foolish shyness prevented me from doing so yesterday this morning i know that it would be too late pray forgive me for speaking of the matter at all i feel obliged to explain myself perhaps i'd better make the explanation complete by saying that i saw you go through the garden and followed in the same direction hoping for an opportunity of speaking with you alone may felt that a man in this position could not well have conducted himself more kindly and delicately no hint in look or voice that he thought her behavior extraordinary he had been defeated by a rival that was all his tone begged excuse for unwilling intrusion upon her privacy but for the hopelessly compromising moment at which he had arrived probably he would have given her all benefit of the doubt and in one way or another would still have prosecuted his ruin very nervous and confused she made what seemed to her an appropriate answer thank you very much lord dim church i had so hoped we could be friends simply friends do let me think of you still in that way will you give me a proof of friendship said the other smiling kindly by permitting me to tell lady ogre in a note i shall leave for her that you have declined my offer of marriage this thought may was indeed a smoothing of her difficulties she glanced at the speaker with gratitude you will really do that how generous of you lord dim church allow me to leave you now miss tomlin i must prepare for my journey may offered her hand dim church just perceptibly pressed it saluted with the gravest politeness and walked away on the terrace before the house he encountered lashmar who came up to him with the glowing countenance i hoped i should find you here nothing could be better just a moment's talk dice the thrust out a hand but as the other appeared not to see it he drew it back again as naturally as he could dim church did waiting in an attitude of cold civility it's rather a delicate matter accident has obliged me to speak otherwise i shouldn't of course have troubled you with my private affairs i wish to tell you that the engagement which once existed between this bride and myself is at an end i presume so was the reply spoken with unmoved features also that miss tomlin has for some days been aware of this state of things i took it for granted so that dice continued in a stumbling way you won't retain any disagreeable impression from this morning's incident i'm very glad indeed to have been able to see you at once it puts an end to a natural uneasiness on both sides i am obliged to you said dim church with a bow and a look past his interlocutor he turned to enter the house as soon as he had disappeared lashmar followed and rang the doorbell of the servant who came he asked whether miss bride was down yet the domestic went to inquire waiting in the hall dice heard a footstep behind him he turned and saw may who with features discomposed just met his eyes and hurried away up the staircase when the servant returned it was with a request that mr lashmar would step into the library there in a few minutes constants joined him you were early she exclaimed no bad news i hope no but i want a little quiet talk with you of course it's absurd to come at this hour you know i lunch here today and i couldn't have gone through with it without seeing you in private i'm in a queer state of mind very much upset in fact i never felt such need of a true friend to consult constants kept their eyes fixed upon him she had been up for a couple of hours reading in the french book which had reached her yesterday the same volume had occupied her till long after midnight her face showed the effects of over study tell me all about it she said with voice subdued to the note of intimacy and look in which they're shown an indulgent kindliness you've often said that you wish me well that you desire to help me in my career have i not done more than say it return the other softly indeed you have few women would have been capable of such self sacrifice on a friend's behalf you know the law of human nature we always make old kindness a reason for demanding new again i'm come to ask your help and again it involves heroism on your part the listeners face grew troubled her lips lost their suavity lashmar's eyes fell before her look i feel ashamed you've been on with an uneasy movement of his hands it's too bad to expect so much of you you have more pride than most people yet i behaved to you as if you didn't know the meaning of the word do i beg believe me when i say that i am downright ashamed and that i hardly know how to tell you what has happened constants did not open her lips they were sternly compressed i want you guys continue first of all to consent to the termination of our formal engagement of course he hastened to add that step in itself is nothing to you indeed you will be rather glad of it than otherwise it relieves you from an annoying and embarrassing situation which only your great good nature induced you to accept but i asked more than that i want it to be understood that our engagement had ended when i last left ribbon oak can you consent to this will you bear it me out when i break the news to lady ogre you propose to do that yourself fast constants with rigid sarcasm yes i shall do it myself i am alone responsible for what has happened and i must face the consequences up to a certain point you mean remark the same pungent voice it's true i ask your help in that one particular you say that something has happened is it within my privilege to ask what or must i be content to know nothing more constants don't speak like that pleaded dice be generous to the end haven't i behaved very frankly all along haven't we talked with perfect openness of all i did don't spoil it all now at the critical moment of my career be yourself generous and large-minded give me the opportunity she answered with an acid smile tell what you have to tell but this is not like yourself he remonstrated it's a new spirit i have never known you like this constants moved her foot and spoke sharply say what you have to say and never mind anything else lashmar bent his brows after all constants i am a perfectly free man if you are annoyed because i wish to put an end to what you yourself recognize as a mere pretense it's very unreasonable and quite unworthy of you your right answer the other with sudden change to ostentatious indifference it's time to far stop i for one have had enough of it if you like i will tell lady ogre myself this morning no exclaimed dice with decision that i certainly do not wish are you resolved though at once to do me as much harm as you can not at all i thought i should relieve you of a disagreeable business if you really mean that i'm very grateful i wanted to tell you everything and talk it over and see what you thought best to be done but of course i shouldn't dream of forcing my confidence upon you it's a delicate matter and only because we were such intimate friends if you will have done with all this preamble constants interrupted with force calm and tell me what there is to be told i am quite willing to listen well i will do so it's this i'm in love with may tamalan and i want to marry her their eyes met dice was smiling and uneasy abashed smile constants wore an expression of cold curiosity and spoken a corresponding voice have you asked her to do so not yet lashmar replied for a moment constants gazed at him then she said quietly i don't believe you that's rather emphatic cry dice affecting a laugh it conveys my meaning i don't believe you for several reasons one of them is she broke off and rose from her chair please wait i'll be back in a moment lashmar sat looking about the room he began to be aware that he had not breakfasted a physical uneasiness added to the various forms of disquiet from which his mind was suffering when constants re-entered he saw she had a book in her hand a book which by its outward appearance he had once recognized do you know this she asked holding the volume to him i received it yesterday and have already gone through most of it i find it very interesting ah i know it quite well dice answered fingering the pages the most suggestive book but what has it to do with our present conversation constants viewed him wonderingly if he felt at all disconcerted nothing of the kind appeared in his face which wore indeed a look of genuine puzzlement have you so poor an opinion of my intelligence she asked with subdued anger do you suppose me incapable of perceiving that all the political and social views you've been living upon were taken directly from this book i admire your audacity few educated men nowadays would have ventured on so bold uh we call it plagiarism dice derditor you're very severe he exclaimed on the note of deprecation views i've been living upon it's quite possible but now and then something i had read there a chance to come into my talk but who gives chapter and verse for every conversational illusion you astound me i see that so far from wishing me well you have somehow come to regard me with positive ill feeling how has it come about constants you dare to talk to me in this way quite constants passionately you dare to treat me as an imbecile this is going too far if you had shown ever so little shame i would have thrown the book aside and never again have spoken of it but to insult me by supposing that force of impudence can overcome the testimony of my own reason very well the question shall be decided by others all who have heard you expatiate on your your bio sociological theory shall be made acquainted with this french writer and form their own opinion as to your originality lashmar drew himself up by all means his voice was perfectly controlled i have my doubts whether you will persuade anyone to read it people don't take very eagerly to philosophical works in a foreign language and i think it very unlikely that anyone but yourself is troubled to keep in mind the theories and arguments which you are so kind as to say i stole what's more will it be very dignified behavior to go about proclaiming that you have quarreled with me and that you are bent on giving me a bad character isn't it likely to cause a smile as she listened constants shook with passion are you so utterly base she cried as to stand there and deny the truth of what i say i never argue with anyone in a rage why such a thing is this a purely intellectual matter a question for quiet reasoning should infuriate you i am at a loss to understand we had better talk no more for the present i must hope for another opportunity he moved as though to withdraw but by no means with the intention of doing so for he durst not have left constants in this mood of violent hostility her outbreak had astonished him he knew not of what she might be capable there flashed through his mind the easy assurance he had given to may that constants bride should be persuaded to friendly offices on their behalf and he had much to do to disguise his consternation for a moment he thought of flattering her pride by unconditional surrender by submissive appeal but to that he could not bring himself her discovery her contempt of menaces had deeply offended him the indeterminate and shifting sentiments with which he had regarded her crystallized into dislike that hard dislike which commonly results whether in manner women from trifling with sacred relations that constants have been perhaps still was tenderly disposed to him serve merely to heighten his repugnance to stand in fear of this woman was a more humiliating and exasperating sensation than he had ever known do as you think fit he added in a stern voice pausing at a little distance it is indifferent to me in any case lady orgum will soon know how things stand and the result must be what it will i've chosen my course constants was regarding him steadily her wrath had ceased to flare but it glowed through her countenance you mean she said that just at the critical moment of your career you are bent on doing the rascals thing you possibly could and you asked me to believe that you are acting this way before you even know whether you have a chance of gaining anything by it it had occurred to me lashmar replied that when you understood the state of things you might be willing to exert yourself to help me but that was before i learned that you regarded me with contempt if not with hatred how the changes come about and you are unable to understand i've behaved to you with perfect frankness when for instance you wish me to admire you as a sociologist it's incredible crime dice that you should harp on that paltry matter who in our time is an original thinker ideas are in the air every man uses his mind if he has any on any suggestion which recommends itself to him if it were worthwhile i could point out most important differences between the bio sociological theory as matured by me and its crude resentment in that book you have got hold of by the by how did it come into your hands after an instance reflection constance told him of mrs toplady's letter and the american magazine and he asked does mrs toplady regard me as a contemptible plagiarist it is probable that she has formed conclusions lashmar's eyes fell he saw that constance was watching him in the turmoil of his feelings all he could do was to jerk out an impatient laugh it's no use he's claimed you and i have come to a deadlock we no longer understand each other i thought you were the kind of woman whom a man can treat as is equal without fear of ridiculous misconceptions and hysterical scenes one more disillusion don't you think as constance with a bitter smile that you are preparing a good many others for yourself of course i know what you mean there are certain things it wouldn't be easy to discuss with you at any time you can't expect me to speak of them at present suppose it an illusion i came to you in all honesty to tell you what had happened i thought of you as my friend as one who cared about my happiness why this morning for the reason i began by explaining i've come here to lunch wouldn't it surprise you when you do come to be met with the news that lord dim church has proposed to miss tomlin and been accepted indeed dice answered smiling it would surprise me very much which is as much as to say that i was right just now in refusing to believe you do you know constance added with fresh acerbity that you cut a very poor figure as a diplomatist you will not go very far as an ordinary politician i doubt whether you can make your way with such inadequate substitutes for common honesty perhaps you do represent the coming man in that case we must look anxiously for the coming woman to keep the world from collapse be so good now as to answer a plain question you will do so simply because you know that i have but to speak half a dozen words to lady ogre and you would be spared the trouble of coming here to lunch what is your scheme if i've been so client as you expected what would you have asked of me merely to use your influence with lady ogre when she is vexed by learning that may tomlin is not to marry dim church what could be simpler and more straightforward scheme there is none i've done with that kind of thing i wish to marry this girl for her own sake but if i can keep lady ogre's goodwill at the same time i suppose there's nothing very base and wishing to do so you speak of vexation do you really imagine that that word will describe lady ogre state of mind if she learns that lord dim church is rejected of course there will be a scene we can't help that we must face it and hope in lady ogre's common sense answer another question how do you know that may tomlin will refuse lord dim church i better refuse to answer you talk much of honor if you know what it means you will accept my refusal as the only thing possible under the circumstances constant student hesitation it seemed as if she might concede this point but at the critical moment jealous wrath again seized her extinguishing the better motive you will answer my question you will tell me what has passed she glared at him and it was lashmar's turn to betray indecision you are at my mercy constants exclaimed and you will do as i bid you lashmar yielded to exasperation i haven't enough of this he cried angrily go and do as you please take your silly feminine revenge and much good may it do you i have no more time to waste he caught up his hat and left the room passing the foot of the staircase he saw someone descending it was may involuntarily he stopped the girl's gesture of alarm bidding him be off was disregarded he waved to her and she joined him i've seen them both it's all right keep up your courage go go whispered may in fright someone will see us at lunch he pressed her hand smiled like a general in the flicker battle and hurried away scarcely had he vanished through the portal when constants issuing from the library encountered miss tomlin may uttered an unnaturally swath good morning the other looked her in the eye and said in a voice of satisfaction mr lashmar has just been here didn't you see him mr lashmar no gazing full at the confused face constant smile and passed on end of chapter 22