Thewholestorybegantobeputtogetherbybits,andcomprehended.OldJohnstone’sclevernesswasrecalledtomind.
ThefewfishermenleftatNewhavenwerereadytokillthemselves.
TheirwiveswerereadytodothesamegoodofficeforLaJohnstone.
FourIrishmerchantsagreedtoworktogether,andtomakeashowofcompetition,thebettertokeepthepricedownwithinbounds.
Itwashardlyfair,fourmenagainstoneinnocentunguardedfemale.
Butthisisawickedworld.
Christielanded,andproceededtoherownhouse;onthewayshewasmetbyJeanCarnie,whodebarrassedherofcertainwrappers,andahandkerchiefshehadtiedroundherhead,andinformedhershewastheprideofNewhaven.
Shenextmetthesefourlittlemerchants,oneafteranother.
Andsinceweoughttodwellaslittleaspossibleuponscenesinwhichunguardedinnocenceisexposedtoartfulconspiracies,wewillputapageortwointothebruteformofdramaticdialogue,andsosailthroughitquicker.
_1stMerchant._\"Whereareyegoing,Meggie?\"
_ChristieJohnstone._\"Ifonybodyasksye,sayyedinnaken.\"
_1stMer._\"Willyesellyourfish?\"
_Christie._\"Sunerthangiethem.\"
_1stMer._\"Youwillbeaskingfifteenshillin’thecran.\"
_Christie._\"Andtentothat.\"
_1stMer._\"Good—morning.\"
_2dMer._\"Wouldhenotgooverfifteenshillings?Oh,thethiefo’theworld!——I’llgivesixteen.\"
_3dMer._\"ButI’llgiveeighteen.\"
_2dMer._\"Morefoolyou!Takehimup,mygirl.\"
_Christie._\"Twenty—fiveismypricetheday.\"
_3dMer._\"YouwillkeepthemtillSundayweekandselltheirbones.\"
_[ExeuntthethreeMerchants.Enter4thMerchant._
_4thMer._\"Areyourfishsold?I’llgivesixteenshillings.\"
_Christie._\"I’mseekingtwenty—five,an’I’mofferedeighteen.
_4thMer._\"Takeit.\"_[Exit._
_Christie._\"Theyhaeputtentheirheadsthegither.\"
HereFluckercameuptoher,andtoldhertherewasaLeithmerchantlookingforher.\"And,Custy,\"saidhe,\"there’splentywindgettingup,yourfishwillbesairhashed;putthemoffyourhands,Iredeye.\"
_Christie._\"Ay,lad!Flucker,hide,an’whenIplaymyhandsae,ye’llruninancry,’Cirsty,theIrishmanwillgieyetwenty—twoschellinthecran.’\"
_Flucker._\"Yekenmairthan’sinthecatecheesm,forasreleegiousasyeare.\"
TheLeithmerchantwasMr.Miller,andthisisthewayheworked.
_Miller(inamellifluousvoice)._\"Areyenofatigued,mydeear?\"
_Christie(affectingfatigue)._\"Indeed,sir,andIam.\"
_Miller._\"ShallIhavethepleasuretodealwi’ye?\"
_Christie._\"Ifit’syourpleasure,sir.I’mseekin’twenty—fiveschellin.\"
_Miller(pretendingnottohear)._\"Asyouareabeginner,Imustofferfair;twentyschellinyoushallhave,andthat’sthreeshillingsaboveDunbar.\"
_Christie._\"Wadyeevencartedherrinwithmyfishcallerfra’thesea?
andDunbar——oh,fine!yekenthere’snaeherrinatDunbarthemorn;thisistheDunbarschulethatslippedwestward.I’mthematirket,ye’llhaetobuyo’meorgangtoyourbed\"_(hereshesignaledtoFlucker)._\"I’llnobeooto’minelang.\"
_EnterFluckerhastily,crying:_\"Cirsty,theIrishmanwillgieyetwenty—twoschellin.\"
\"I’llnotakit,\"saidChristie.
\"Theyarekeentohaethem,\"saidFlucker;andhastilyretired,asiftotreatfurtherwiththesmallmerchants.
Onthis,Mr.Miller,pretendingtomakeforLeith,said,carelessly,\"Twenty—threeshillings,ortheyarenotforme.\"
\"Takthecutter’sfreightatahundre’cran,an’I’mnocaring,\"saidChristie.
\"Theyaremine!\"saidMr.Miller,verysharply.\"HowmuchshallIgiveyoutheday?\"
\"Auchtypund,sir,ifyouplease——thelavewhenyoulike;Ikenye,Mr.
Miller.\"
Whilecountingherthenotes,thepurchasersaidslylytoher:
\"There’smorethanahundredcraninthecutter,mywoman.\"
\"Alittle,sir,\"repliedthevender;\"but,ereIcouldcountthemtillyebybaskets,theywouldlosesevenoreightcraninbook,*yourgain,myloss.\"
*Bulk.
\"Youareavaraintelligentyoungperson,\"saidMr.Miller,gravely.
\"Yehadmeasuredthemwi’yourwalking—stick,sir;there’sjustaescaleyedidnawipeoff,thoughyeareacarefu’mon,Mr.Miller;saeIlaidthebaitforyean’fineyetookit.\"
Millertookouthissnuff—box,andtappingitsaid:
\"Willyegointopartnershipwithme,mydear?\"
\"Ay,sir!\"wasthereply.\"WhenI’maulderan’ye’reyounger.\"
Atthismomentthefourmerchants,believingituselesstodisguisetheirco—operation,returnedtoseewhatcouldbedone.
\"Weshallgiveyouaguineaabarrel.\"
\"Why,yeofferedhertwenty—twoshillingsbefore.\"
\"Thatweneverdid,Mr.Miller.\"
\"Haw!haw!\"wentFlucker.
Christielookeddownandblushed.
Eyesmeteyes,andwithoutawordspokenallwascomprehendedandsilentlyapproved.Therewasnononsenseutteredaboutmoralityinconnectionwithdealing.
Mr.Millertookanenormouspinchofsnuff,anddrewforthebenefitofallpresentthefollowinginference:
MR.MILLER’SAPOTHEGM.
\"Friendsandneighbors!whenaman’sheedisgraywithageandthoucht_(pause)_he’sjustfittogotoschuletoayounglasso’twenty.\"
Therewasacertainmiddle—agedfishwife,calledBeenyListon,atenantofChristieJohnstone’s;shehadnotpaidherrentforsometime,andshehadnotbeenpressedforit;whetherthis,orthewhiskyshewasinthehabitoftaking,rankledinhermind,certainitisshehadalwaysanillwordforherlandlady.
Shenowmether,enviedhersuccess,andcalledoutinacoarsetone:
\"Oh,ye’reagallantquean;ye’llbewaurthaneverthenoo.\"
\"What’swrang,ifyeplease?\"saidtheJohnstone,sharply.
Reader,didyoueverseetwofallowbuckscommenceaduel?
Theystrutround,eightyardsapart,tailsup,lookcarefullyanotherwaytomaketheotherthinkitallmeansnothing,and,beingbothequallysly,theirhornscometogetherasifbyconcert.
Evensocommencedthisdueloftonguesbetweenthesetwoheroines.
BeenyListon,lookingateverybodybutChristie,addressedthenativeswhowerecongregatingthus:
\"Dideveryehearo’adecentlasstakingtheherrin’ooto’themen’smooths?——isyonawoman’spairt,I’maskingye?\"
Onthis,Christie,lookingcarefullyatalltheothersexceptBeeny,inquiredwithanairofsimplecuriosity:
\"CanonybodytellmewhaListonCarnie’sdrunkenwifeisspeakin’till?
notoonydecentlass,though.Na!yekenshewadnahaeth’impudence!\"
\"Oh,yekenfineI’mspeakin’tillyoursel’.\"
Herethehornsclashedtogether.
\"Tome,woman?\"_(withadmirablyactedsurprise.)_\"Oo,ay!itwillbeforthetwayears’rentyou’reawinme.Giest!\"
_BeenyListon._\"Ye’rejusttheimpudentestgirrli’thetoon,an’yehaeprovedittheday\"(herarmsakimbo).
_Christie(armsakimbo)._\"Me,impudent?howdauryespeakagainstmycharackter,that’skennedfordecencyo’baithsidestheFirrth.\"
_Beeny(contemptuously)._\"Oh,ye’reslyenoughtobeguilethemen,butwekenye.\"
_Christie._\"I’mnosly,and\"_(drawingnearandhissingthewords)_\"I’mnolikethewomanJeanan’IsawinRoseStreet,deaddrunkonthecauseway,whilehermonwasworkingforheratsea.Ifye’renobenyourhooseinaeminute,I’llsaythatwillgarListonCarnieflingyeowerthepier—head,yefool—mootheddrunkenleear——Scairt!\"*
*Alocalword;acorruptionfromtheFrench_Sortez._
IfmyreaderhasseenandheardMademoiselleRachelutterherfamous_Sortez,_in\"Virginie,\"heknowsexactlywithwhatagestureandtonetheJohnstoneutteredthisword.
_Beeny(inavoiceofwhiningsurprise)._\"Hech!whataspiteFluckerJohnstone’sdochterhastaenagainstus.\"
_Christie._\"Scairt!\"
_Beeny(inacoaxingvoice,andmovingastep)._\"Aweel!what’sa’yourpaession,myboennywoman?\"
_Christie._\"Scairt!\"
Beenyretiredbeforethethunderandlightningofindignantvirtue.
Thenallthefishboysstruckupadismalchantofvictory.
\"Yoo—hoo——Custy’swontheday——Beeny’sscair_tit,\"_goinguponthelastsyllable.
Christiemovedslowlyawaytowardherownhouse,butbeforeshecouldreachthedoorshebegantowhimper——littlefool.
ThereatchorusofyoungAthenianschanted:
\"Yu—hoo!comeback,Beeny,ye’llmaybewinyet.Custy’sawaygree_tin\"_
_(goinguponthelastsyllable)._
\"I’mnogreetin,yerudebairns,\"saidChristie,burstingintotears,andretiringassoonasshehadeffectedthatproofofherphilosophy.
Itwasaboutfourhourslater;Christiehadsnatchedsomerepose.Thewind,asFluckerprognosticated,hadgrownintoaveryheavygale,andtheFirthwasbrownandboiling.
Suddenlyaclamorwasheardontheshore,andsoonafterafishwifemadeherappearance,withratherasingularburden.
Herhusband,ladies;_rienquecela._
Shehadhimbythescruffoftheneck;hewas_dos—’a—dos,_withhisbootedlegskickingintheair,andhisfistsmakingwarlikebutidledemonstrationsandhismouthutteringineffectualbadlanguage.
ThisworthyhadbeencalledacowardbySandyListon,andbeingabouttofightwithhim,andgetthrashed,hiswifehadwhippedhimupandcarriedhimaway;shenowflunghimdown,atsomeriskofhisequilibrium.
\"Yearenotfittofeichtwi’SandyListon,\"saidshe;\"ifyeareforfeichtin,here’sforye.\"
Asacommenttothisproposal,shetuckedupthesleevesofhershortgown.Hetriedtorunbyher;shecaughthimbythebosom,andgavehimaviolentpush,thatsenthimseveralpacesbackward;helookedhalffierce,halfastounded;erehecouldquiterecoverhimself,hislittleservantforcedapipeintohishand,andhesmokedcontentedandpeaceable.
Beforetobaccotheevilpassionsfall,theytellme.
Thecauseofthisquarrelsoonexplaineditself;upcameSandyListon,cursingandswearing.
\"What!yehaegottentillyourwife’s;that’stheplaceforye;tosaythere’sabrigindistress,andye’lllethergoontherocksunderyournoses.Butwhatareyeafraido’?there’snadanger?\"
\"Naedanger!\"saidoneofthereproached,\"areyefou?\"
\"Yearefouwi’fearyoursel’;ofa’thebeaststhatcrawltheairth,acoowardistheugliest,Ithink.\"
\"Thewifeswillnoletus,\"saidone,sulkily.
\"It’sthewomaninyourhairtsthatkeepsye,\"roaredSandyhoarsely;
\"curseye,yearesuretodeeaneday,andyearesuretobe————!\"(apastparticiple)\"soonorlate,whatsignifieswhen?Oh!cursethehoureverIwasbornamangsicacooardlycrew.\"_(Gunatsea.)_
\"There!\"
\"Shespeakstillye,hersel’;shecriesformaircy;tothinkthat,ofa’
thathearyecry,AlexanderListonistheonlymonmonenoughtoanswer.\"
_(Gun.)_
\"Youaremistaken,Mr.AlexanderListon,\"saidaclear,smartvoice,whoseownerhadmingledunobservedwiththethrong;\"therearealwaysmentoanswersuchoccasions;now,mylads,yourboatshaveplentyofbeam,and,wellhandled,shouldliveinanysea;whovolunteerswithAlexanderListonandme?\"
ThespeakerwasLordIpsden.
ThefishwivesofNewhaven,moreaccustomedtomeasurementhanpoorlittleLadyBarbaraSinclair,sawinthismanwhatinpointoffacthewas——acool,daringdevil,thanwhomnonemorelikelytoleadmenintomortaldanger,orpullthemthroughit,forthatmatter.
Theyrecognizedtheirnaturalenemy,andcollectedtogetheragainsthim,likehensatthesightofahawk.
\"Andwouldyoureallyenticeourmentilltheirdeath?\"
\"Mylife’sworthasmuchastheirs,Isuppose.
\"Nae!yourlife!it’snaworthabutton;whenyoudee,yournextkinwilldance,andwha’llgreet?butourmenhaewifeandbairnstolooktill.\"
_(Gunatsea.)_
\"Ah!Ididn’tlookatitinthatlight,\"saidLordIpsden.Hethendemandedpaperandink;ChristieJohnstone,whohadcomeoutofherhouse,supplieditfromhertreasures,andthiscoolhandactuallybegantoconveyahundredandfiftythousandpoundsaway,uponasheetofpaperblowinginthewind;whenhehadnamedhisresiduarylegatee,anddisposedofcertainlargebequests,hecametothepoint——
\"ChristieJohnstone,whatcanthesepeopleliveon?twohundredayear?
livingischeaphere——confoundthewind!\"
\"Twahundred?Fifty!Vilecount.\"
\"Don’tcallmevilecount.IamIpsden,andmyname’sRichard.Now,then,besmartwithyournames.\"
Threemensteppedforward,gavetheirnames,hadtheirwidowsprovidedfor,andwentfortheirsou’westers,etc.
\"Stay,\"saidLordIpsden,writing.\"ToChristinaJohnstone,outofrespectforhercharacter,onethousandpounds.\"
\"Richard!dinnagang,\"criedChristie,\"oh,dinnagang,dinnagang,dinnagang;it’snoyourbusiness.\"
\"Willyoulendmeyourpapa’sFlushingjacketandsou’wester,mydear?IfIwassuretobedrowned,I’dgo!\"
Christieraninforthem.
Inthemeantime,discomposedbythewind,andbyfeelingswhoseexistenceneitherhe,norI,noranyonesuspected,Saunders,afterasorestrugglebetweenthefrailmanandtheperfectdomestic,blurtedout:
\"Mylord,Ibegyourlordship’spardon,butitblowstempestuous.\"
\"Thatiswhythebrigwantsus,\"wasthereply.
\"Mylord,Ibegyourlordship’spardon,\"whimperedSaunders.\"But,oh!mylord,don’tgo;it’sallverywellforfishermentobedrowned;itistheirbusiness,butnotyours,mylord.\"
\"Saunders,helpmeonwiththiscoat.\"
Christiehadbroughtit.
\"Yes,mylord,\"saidSaunders,briskly,hissecondnaturereviving.
Hislordship,whileputtingonthecoatandhat,undertooktocoolMr.
Saunders’saristocraticprejudices.
\"ShouldAlexanderListonandIbedrowned,\"saidhe,coolly,\"whenourbonescomeashore,youwillnotknowwhicharethefisherman’sandwhichtheviscount’s.\"Sosaying,hejoinedtheenterprise.
\"Ishallprayforye,lad,\"saidChristieJohnstone,andsheretiredforthatpurpose.
Saunders,withaheavyheart,tothenearesttavern,toprepareanaccountofwhathecalled\"HeroisminHighLife,\"largeletters,andtheusualsignsofgreatastonishment!!!!!forthe_PolytechnicMagazine._
Thecommanderofthedistressedvesselhadbeenpenny—wise.HehaddeclinedapilotofftheIsleofMay,trustingtofallinwithoneclosetotheportofLeith;butaheavygaleandfoghadcomeon;heknewhimselfinthevicinityofdangerousrocks;and,tomakemattersworse,hisship,oldandsorebatteredbyalongandstormyvoyage,wasleaky;
andunlessapilotcamealongside,hisfatewouldbe,eithertofounder,orrunupontherocks,wherehemustexpecttogotopiecesinaquarterofanhour.
TheNewhavenboatlayincomparativelysmoothwater,ontheleesideofthepier.
Ouradventurersgotintoher,steppedthemast,setasmallsail,andranout!SandyListonheldthesheet,passedonceroundthebelaying—pin,andwheneveralargerwavethanusualcameatthem,heslackedthesheet,andtheboat,losingherway,rosegently,likeacork,uponseasthathadseemedabouttoswallowher.
Butseenfromtheshoreitwasenoughtomakethemostexperiencedwince;
socompletelywasthiswoodenshelllosttosight,asshedescendedfromawave,thateachtimeherreappearanceseemedareturnfromthedead.
Theweatherwasmisty——theboatwassoonlostsightof;thestoryremainsashore.
CHAPTERXIV.
ITwasanhourlater;thenativesoftheNewTownhadleftthepier,andwereabouttheirowndoors,whenthreeBuckhavenfishermencameslowlyupfromthepier;thesemenhadarrivedinoneoftheirlargefishing—boats,whichdefyallweather.
Themencameslowlyup;theirpetticoattrousersweredrenched,andtheirneck—handkerchiefsandhairwerewetwithspray.
AtthefootoftheNewTowntheystoodstillandwhisperedtoeachother.
TherewassomethingaboutthesementhatdrewtheeyeofNewhavenuponthem.
InthefirstplaceaBuckhavenmanrarelycommunicateswithnativesofNewhaven,exceptatthepier,wherehebringsinhiscodandlingfromthedeepsea,flingsthemoutlikestones,andsellsthemtothefishwives;thenupsailandawayforFifeshire.
Butthesemenevidentlycameashoretospeaktosomeoneinthetown.
Theywhisperedtogether;somethingappearedtobeproposedanddemurredto;butatlasttwowentslowlybacktowardthepier,andtheeldestremained,withafisherman’slongmackintoshcoatinhishandwhichtheothershadgivenhimastheylefthim.
Withthisinhishand,theBuckhavenfishermanstoodinanirresoluteposture;helookeddown,andseemedtoaskhimselfwhatcourseheshouldtake.
\"What’swrang?\"saidJeanCarnie,who,withherneighbors,hadobservedthemen;\"Iwishyonmanmaynahaeillnews.\"
\"Whatillnewswadhehae?\"repliedanother.
\"AreonyfreendsofListonCarniehere?\"saidthefisherman.
\"Thewife’sawa’toGranton,BeenyListontheyca’her——there’shishouse,\"addedJean,pointinguptherow.
\"Ay,\"saidthefisherman,\"Ikenhelivedthere.\"
\"Livedthere!\"criedChristieJohnstone.\"Oh,what’sthis?\"
\"Freends,\"saidtheman,gravely,\"hisboatisdrivingkeeluppermostinKircauldyBay.Wepassedhernearenoughtoreadthenameuponher.\"
\"Butthemenwillhavewontoshore,pleaseGod?\"
Thefishermanshookhishead.
\"She’llhaecoupitamilewastInchKeith,an’thetiderinningafftheislandan’aheavyseagaun.Thisisa’Newhavenwe’llseeofthem_(holdingupthecoat)_\"tilltheyrisetothetopinthreeweeks’time.\"
Themanthentookthecoat,whichwasnowseentobedrenchedwithwater,andhungituponalinenotveryfarfromitsunfortunateowner’shouse.
Then,inthesamegraveandsubduedtoneinwhichhehadspokenallalong,hesaid,\"Wearesorrytobringsiccanataleintoyourtoon,\"andslowlymovedofftorejoinhiscomrades,whohadwaitedforhimatnogreatdistance.TheythenpassedthroughtheOldTown,andinfiveminutesthecalamitywasknowntothewholeplace.
Afterthefirststupor,thepeopleintheNewTowncollectedintoknots,andlamentedtheirhazardouscalling,andfearedforthelivesofthosethathadjustputtoseainthisfatalgalefortherescueofstrangers,andtheolderonesfailednottomatchthispresentsorrowwithotherswithintheirrecollection.
Inthemiddleofthis,FluckerJohnstonecamehastilyinfromtheOldTownandtoldthemhehadseenthewife,BeenyListon,comingthroughfromGranton.
Thesympathyofallwasinstantlyturnedinthisdirection.
\"Shewouldhearthenews.\"
\"Itwouldfallonherlikeathunderclap.\"
\"Whatwouldbecomeofher?\"
EveryeyewasstrainedtowardtheOldTown,andsoonthepoorwomanwasseenabouttoemergefromit;butshewaswalkinginherusualway,andtheyfeltshecouldnotcarryherpersonsoifsheknew.
Atthelasthouseshewasseentostopandspeaktoafishermanandhiswifethatstoodattheirowndoor.
\"Theyaretellingher,\"wasthenthecry.
BeenyListonthenproceededonherway.
Everyeyewasstrained.
No!theyhadnottoldher.
Shecamegaylyon,theunconsciousobjectofeveryeyeandeveryheart.
Thehandsofthispeoplewerehard,andtheirtonguesrude,buttheyshrunkfromtellingthispoorwomanofherbereavement——theythoughtitkindersheshouldknowitunderherownroof,fromherfriendsorneighbors,thanfromcomparativestrangers.
Shedrewnearherowndoor.
AndnowaknotcollectedroundChristieJohnstone,andurgedhertoundertakethesadtask.
\"Youthatspeaksalearned,Christie,yeshouldtellher;wedaurna.\"
\"HowcanItellher?\"saidChristie,turningpale.\"HowwillItellher?
I’setry.\"
Shetookonetremblingsteptomeetthewoman.
Beeny’seyefelluponher.
\"Ay!here’stheQueeno’Newhaven,\"criedshe,inaloudandrathercoarsevoice.\"Themenwillhaetaleavetheplacenowy’areturnedfisherman,Idaursay.\"
\"Oh,dinnafieichtonme!dinnafieichtonme!\"criedChristie,trembling.
\"Maircyonus,\"saidtheother,\"auldFluckerJohnstone’sdochterturnedhumble.Whatnext?\"
\"I’mvexedforspeakingbacktillyethemorn,\"falteredChristie.
\"Hett,\"saidthewomancarelessly,\"letyonfleasticki’thewa’.I
fancyIbeganonye.Aweel,Cirsty,\"saidshe,fallingintoafriendliertone;\"it’stheplaceweliveinspoilsus——Newhaven’sanimpudenttoon,assureasdeeth.
\"IpassedthroughtheAuldToonthenoo——aplaceIneverspeakin;an’iftheydidnagloweratmeasIhadbeenastrangebeast.
\"Theycam’totheirverydoorstogloweratme;ifye’llbelieveme,I
thouchtshame.
\"Atthehinderendmypaassiongotup,andIfacedawifeEast—by,andI
said,’Whatgarsyegloweratmethatway,yeignorantwoman?’yewouldnathinkit,sheansweredlikehoneyitsel’.’I’maskin’yourpaarrdon,’
saysshe;andhermonbyhersidesaid,’Ganghametoyourainhoose,mywoman,andGudehelpye,andhelpusa’atourneed,’thedecentmon.
’It’sjustthereI’mfor,’saidI,’togetmymonhisbreakfast.’\"
Allwhoheardherdrewtheirbreathwithdifficulty.
Thewomanthenmadeforherownhouse,butingoingupthestreetshepassedthewetcoathangingontheline.
Shestoppeddirectly.
Theyalltrembled——theyhadforgottenthecoat——itwasallover;thecoatwouldtellthetale.
\"Aweel,\"saidshe,\"Icouldsweerthat’sListonCarnie’scoat,adroukitwi’therain;thenshelookedagainatit,andadded,slowly,\"ifIdidnakenhehashisawaywi’himatthepiloting.\"Andinanothermomentshewasinherownhouse,leavingthemallstandingtherehalfstupefied.
Christiehadindeedendeavoredtospeak,buthertonguehadcloventohermouth.
Whiletheystoodlookingatoneanother,andatBeenyListon’sdoor,avoicethatseemedincrediblyrough,loudandharsh,jarreduponthem;itwasSandyListon,whocameinfromLeith,shouting:
\"Fiftypoundsforsalvage,lasses!isnathaatbetterthanstayingcooard—likeasidethewomen?\"
\"Whisht!whisht!\"criedChristie.
\"Weareinheavysorrow;puirListonCairnieandhissonWillyliedeedatthebottomo’theFirrth.\"
\"Gudehelpus!\"saidSandy,andhisvoicesank.
\"An’,oh,Sandy,thewifedoesnaken,andit’shairt—breakingtoseeher,andhearher;wecannagethertell’t;ye’retheauldestmonhere;
ye’lltellher,willyeno,Sandy?\"
\"No,me,that’Iwillnot!\"
\"Oh,yes;yearekennedforyourstootheart,an’courage;yecomefra’
facingtheseaan’windinabityawl.\"
\"Theseaandthewind,\"criedhe,contemptuously;\"theybe————,I’musedwi’them;buttolookawomani’theface,an’tellherhermonandhersonaredrownedsinceyestreen,Ihaenacoorageforthat.\"
Allfurtherdebatewascutshortbytheentranceofonewhocameexpresslytodischargethesaddutyallhadfoundsodifficult.ItwasthePresbyterianclergymanoftheplace;hewavedthemback.\"Iknow,I
know,\"saidhe,solemnly.\"Whereisthewife?\"
Shecameoutofherhouseatthismoment,asithappened,topurchasesomethingatDrysale’sshop,whichwasopposite.
\"Beeny,\"saidtheclergyman,\"Ihavesorrowfultidings.\"
\"Tellmethem,sir,\"saidshe,unmoved.\"Isitadeeth?\"addedshe,quietly.
\"Itis!——death,suddenandterrible;inyourownhouseImusttellityou——(andmayGodshowmehowtobreakittoher).\"
Heenteredherhouse.
\"Aweel,\"saidthewomantotheothers,\"itmaunbesomefar—awacousin,orthelike,forListonan’mehaenaenearfreends.Meg,yeidlefuzzy,\"
screamedshetoherservant,whowasoneofthespectators,\"yourpatisnoonyet;divyethinkthemenwillnobehungrywhentheycomeinfra’
thesea?\"
\"Theywillneverhungernorthirstonymair,\"saidJean,solemnly,asthebereavedwomanenteredherowndoor.
Thereensuedalistlessandfearfulsilence.
Everymomentsomesignofbittersorrowwasexpectedtobreakforthfromthehouse,butnonecame;andamidtheexpectationandsilencethewavesdashedlouderandlouder,asitseemed,againstthedike,consciousofwhattheyhaddone.
Atlast,inamoment,acryofagonyarose,soterriblethatallwhoheardittrembled,andmorethanonewomanshriekedinreturn,andfledfromthedoor,atwhich,thenextmoment,theclergymanstoodalone,collected,butpale,andbeckoned.Severalwomenadvanced.
\"Onewoman,\"saidhe.
JeanCarniewasadmitted;andafterawhilereturned.
\"Sheiscometohersel’,\"whisperedshe;\"Iamnoweelmysel’.\"Andshepassedintoherownhouse.
ThenFluckercrepttothedoortosee.
\"Oh,dinnaspyonher,\"criedChristie.
\"Oh,yes,Flucker,\"saidmanyvoices.
\"Heiskneelin’,\"saidFlucker.\"Hehasherhand,togarherkneeltae——shewinna——shedoesnaseehim,norhearhim;hewillhaeher.Hehaswonhertokneel——heisprayin,an’greetinasideher.Icannaseenoo,myeen’sblinded.\"
\"He’sagudemon,\"saidChristie.\"Oh,whatwadwedowithouttheministers?\"
SandyListonhadbeenleaningsorrowfullyagainstthewallofthenexthouse;henowbrokeout:
\"Anauldshipmateatthewhale—fishing!!!an’noowwe’llneverliftthedredgingsangthegitheragain,inyondirtydetchthat’sdroownedhim;I
maunhaewhisky,an’forgetita’.\"
Hemadeforthespirit—shoplikeamadman;buterehecouldreachthedoorahandwaslaidonhimlikeavise.ChristieJohnstonehadliterallysprungonhim.Shehatedthishorriblevice——hadoftencheckedhim;andnowitseemedsoawfulamomentforsuchasin,thatsheforgotthewildandsavagenatureoftheman,whohadstruckhisownsister,andseriouslyhurther,amonthbefore——shesawnothingbuttheviceanditsvictim,andsheseizedhimbythecollar,withagraspfromwhichheinvainattemptedtoshakehimselfloose.
\"No!ye’llnogangthereatsiccanatime.\"
\"Handsoff,yedaftjaud,\"roaredhe,\"orthere’llbeanotherdeethi’
thetoon.\"
AtthenoiseJeanCarnieranin.
\"Lettheruffiango,\"criedshe,indismay.\"Oh,Christie,dinnaputyourhandonalion’smane.\"
\"Yes,I’llputmyhandonhismane,ereI’lllethimmakabeasto’
himsel’.\"
\"Sandy,ifyehurther,I’llfindtwentyladsthatwilllayyedeedatherfeet.\"
\"Haudyourwhisht,\"saidChristie,verysharply,\"he’snotobethreetened.\"
SandyListon,blackandwhitewithrage,groundhisteethtogether,andsaid,liftinghishand,\"Wullyeletmego,ormustItakmyhandtillye?\"
\"No!\"saidChristie,\"I’llnoletyego,_saelookmei’theface;
Flucker’sdochter,yourauldcomrade,thatsavedyourlifeatHolyIsle,thinko’hisface——an’lookinmines——an’strikeme!!!\"_
Theyglaredononeanother——hefiercelyandunsteadily;shefirmlyandproudly.
JeanCarniesaidafterward,\"Hereyeswerelikecoalsoffire.\"
\"Yearedoingwhatnaemoni’thetoondaur;yeareabauld,unwiselassy.\"
\"It’syoumakmebauld,\"wastheinstantreply.\"Isawyefacethemadsea,tosaveashipfra’therocks,an’willIfearamon’shand,whenI
cansave\"_(risingtodoubleherheight)_\"myfeyther’sauldfreendfra’
thepuirmon’senemy,theenemyo’mankind,thecursed,curseddrink?Oh,SandyListon,hoowcouldyethinktoputanenemyinyourmoothtostealawayourbrains!\"
\"This’snoNewhavenchat;whalairnsyesicwordso’power?\"
\"Adeedmon!\"
\"Iwouldnawonder,y’arenocanny;she’sta’ena’thepoowerooto’mybody,Ithink.\"Thensuddenlydescendingtoatoneofabjectsubmission,\"What’syourpleesure,FluckerJohnstone’sdochter?\"
Sheinstantlywithdrewtheoffendinggrasp,and,leaningaffectionatelyonhisshoulder,shemeltedintoherrichIonictones.
\"It’snoatimeforsin;ye’llsitbymyfire,an’getyourdinner;abonnyhaggishaeIforyouan’Flucker,an’we’llimprovethissorrowfu’
judgment;an’ye’lltellmeo’auldtimes——o’myfeytherdear,thatlikeityeweel,Sandy——o’thestorrmsyehaeweathered,sidebyside——o’
themucklewhalesyekilledGreenlandway——an’abunea’,o’thelivesyehaesavedatsea,byyourdaurinan’yourskell;an’,oh,Sandy,willnathatbebetterassitan’poorleequiddamnationdoownyourthroat,an’
gieawathesensean’feelingo’amonforasairheedandanillname?\"
\"I’segang,mylamb,\"saidtheroughman,quitesubdued;\"Idaursaywhiskywillnopassmyteeththeday.\"
Andsohewentquietlyaway,andsatbyChristie’sfireside.
JeanandChristiewenttowardtheboats.
Jean,aftertakingitphilosophicallyforhalfaminute,begantowhimper.
\"What’swrang?\"saidChristie.
\"Divyethinkmyhairt’snoinmymoothwi’yougrippingyonfiercerobber?\"
Hereayoungfishwife,withaboxinherhand,whohadfollowedthem,pulledJeanbythecoats.
\"Hets,\"saidJean,pullingherselffree.
Thechildthen,withapertinacitytheselittleanimalshave,pulledChristie’scoats.
\"Hets,\"saidChristie,freeingherselfmoregently.
\"YesuldmairryVanAmburgh,\"continuedJean;\"yearejustsuchalassasheisalad.\"
Christiesmiledproudly,wassilent,butdidnotdisownthecomparison.
Thelittlefishwife,unabletoattractattentionbypulling,openedherbox,andsaying,\"Lasses,I’llletyeseemypresoner.Hech!he’sboenny!\"pulledoutamousebyastringfastenedtohistailandsethiminthemidstforfriendlyadmiration.
\"Idinnalikeit——Idinnalikeit!\"screamedChristie.\"Jean,putitaway——itfearsme,Jean!\"Thissheuttered(hereyesalmoststartingfromherheadwithunaffectedterror)atthedistanceofabouteightyards,whithershehadarrivedintwoboundsthatwouldhavedonenodiscredittoanantelope.
\"Het,\"saidJean,uneasily,\"haeyecoowedyousavage,tobescaredattheweebeastie?\"
Christie,lookingaskantattheanimal,explained:\"Amooseisanawesomebeast——it’snolikeamon!\"andstillhereyewasfixedbyfascinationuponthefour—footeddanger.
Jean,whohadnotbeenherselfingenuinetranquillity,nowturnedsavagelyonthelittleWombwelless.\"An’divyereallythinkyearetocomeherewi’a’thebeastsi’theAirk?Come,awayego,thepairo’
ye.\"
Theseseverewords,andasmartpush,sentthepoorlittlebipedoffroaring,withthestringoverhershoulder,recklesslydraggingtheterrificquadruped,whichmadefruitlessgrabsattheshingle.——_Moral._
Don’tterrifybiggerfolkthanyourself.
ChristiehadintendedtogouptoEdinburghwithhereightypounds,buttherewasmoretroubleinstorethiseventfulday.
Fluckerwentoutafterdinner,andleftherwithSandyListon,whowasinthemiddleofayarn,whensomeonecamerunninginandtoldherFluckerwasatthepiercryingforher.Sheinquiredwhatwasthematter.\"Come,an’ye’llsee,\"wasalltheanswer.Sherandowntothepier.TherewaspoorFluckerlyingonhisback;hehadslippedfromthepierintoaboatthatlayalongside;thefallwasconsiderable;foraminutehehadbeeninsensible,thenhehadbeendreadfullysick,andnowhewasbeginningtofeelhishurt;hewasingreatanguish;nobodyknewtheextentofhisinjuries;hewouldletnobodytouchhim;allhiscrywasforhissister.
Atlastshecame;theyallmadewayforher;hewascryingforherasshecameup.
\"Mybairn!mybairn!\"criedshe,andthepoorlittlefellowsmiled,andtriedtoraisehimselftowardher.
Sheliftedhimgentlyinherarms——shewaspowerful,andaffectionmadeherstronger;shecarriedhiminherarmsallthewayhome,andlaidhimonherownbed.WillyListon,herdiscardedsuitor,ranforthesurgeon.
Therewerenobonesbroken,buthisanklewasseverelysprained,andhehadaterriblebruiseontheloins;hisdark,ruddyfacewasstreakedandpale;buthenevercomplainedafterhefoundhimselfathome.
Christiehoveredroundhim,aministeringangel,applyingtohimwithalightandlovinghandwhatevercouldeasehispain;andhewatchedherwithanexpressionshehadnevernoticedinhiseyebefore.
Atlast,aftertwohours’silence,hemadehersitinfullview,andthenhespoketoher;andwhatthinkyouwasthesubjectofhisdiscourse?
Heturnedtoandtoldher,oneafteranother,withoutpreface,allthelovingthingsshehaddonetohimeversincehewasfiveyearsold.Poorboy,hehadnevershownmuchgratitude,buthehadforgottennothing,literallynothing.
Christiewasquiteovercomewiththisunexpectedtrait;shedrewhimgentlytoherbosom,andweptoverhim;anditwassweettoseeabrotherandsistertreateachotheralmostlikelovers,asthesetwobegantodo——theywatchedeachother’seyesotenderly.
Thisnewcarekeptthesisterinherownhouseallthenextday;buttowardtheeveningJean,whoknewherotheranxiety,slippedinandofferedtotakeherplaceforanhourbyFlucker’sside;atthesametimeshelookedoneofthosesignalswhicharetoosubtleforanybutwomantounderstand.
Christiedrewheraside,andlearnedthatGattyandhismotherwerejustcomingthroughfromLeith;Christieranforhereightypounds,placedtheminherbosom,castahastyglanceatalooking—glass,littlelargerthananoyster—shell,andranout.
\"Hech!Whatpleasedtheauldwifewillbetoseehehasalassthatcanmakauchtypundinamorning.\"
ThiswasChristie’snotion.
Atsightofthemshetookoutthebanknotes,andwitheyesglisteningandcheeksflushingshecried:
\"Oh,Chairles,ye’llnogangtojail——Ihaethesiller!\"andsheofferedhimthemoneywithbothhands,andalookoftendernessandmodestythatembellishedhumannature.
Erehecouldspeak,hismotherputoutherhand,andnotrudely,butverycoldly,repellingChristie’sarm,saidinafreezingmanner:
\"Wearemuchobligedtoyou,butmyson’sowntalentshaverescuedhimfromhislittleembarrassment.\"
\"Anoblemanhasboughtmypicture,\"saidGatty,proudly.
\"Foronehundredandfiftypounds,\"saidtheoldlady,meaningtomarkthecontrastbetweenthatsumandwhatChristiehadinherhand.
Christieremainedlikeastatue,withherarmsextended,andthebank—notesinherhand;herfeaturesworked——shehadmuchadonottocry;
andanyonethathadknownthewholestory,andseenthisunmeritedrepulse,wouldhavefeltforher;butherlovecametoheraid,sheputthenotesinherbosom,sighedandsaid:
\"Iwouldhaelikeittohaebeenthefirst,yeken,butI’mrealpleased.\"
\"But,mother,\"saidGatty,\"itwasverykindofChristieallthesame.
Oh,Christie!\"saidhe,inatoneofdespair.
AtthiskindwordChristie’sfortitudewassoretried;sheturnedawayherhead;shewasfartoodelicatetoletthemknowwhohadsentLordIpsdentobuythepicture.
Whilesheturnedaway,Mrs.Gattysaidinherson’sear:
\"Now,Ihaveyoursolemnpromisetodoithere,andatonce;youwillfindmeonthebeachbehindtheseboats——doit.\"
ThereaderwillunderstandthatduringthelastfewdaysMrs.Gattyhadimprovedheradvantage,andthatCharleshadpositivelyconsentedtoobeyher;thepoorboywaswornoutwiththestruggle——hefelthemusthavepeaceordie;hewasthinandpale,andsuddentwitchescameoverhim;
histemperamentwasnotfitforsuchabattle;and,itistobeobserved,nearlyallthetalkwasononeside.Hehadmadeoneexpiringstruggle——hedescribedtohismotheranartist’snature;hisstrength,hisweakness——hebesoughthernottobeaslavetogeneralrules,buttoinquirewhatsortofacompaniontheindividualGattyneeded;helashedwithtruebutbrilliantsatirethesortofwifehismotherwasreadytoseehimsaddledwith——astupid,unsympathizingcreature,whosetenchildrenwould,bynature’slaw,bealsostupid,andsobeaweightonhimtillhisdyingday.HepaintedChristieJohnstone,mindandbody,inwordsastrueandbrightashiscolors;heshowedhisownweakpoints,herstrongones,andhowthelatterwouldfortifytheformer.
Hedisplayed,inshort,inoneminute,moreintellectthanhismotherhadexhibitedinsixtyyears;andthatdone,withallhisunderstanding,witandeloquence,hesuccumbedlikeachildtoherstrongerwill——hepromisedtobreakwithChristieJohnstone.
WhenChristiehadrecoveredhercomposureandturnedroundtohercompanions,shefoundherselfalonewithCharles.
\"Chairles,\"saidshe,gravely.
\"Christie,\"saidhe,uneasily.
\"Yourmotherdoesnalikeme.Oh,yeneednadenyit;andwearenatogetherasweusedtobe,mylad.\"
\"Sheisprejudiced;butshehasbeenthebestofmotherstome,Christie.\"
\"Aweel.\"
\"CircumstancescompelmetoreturntoEngland.\"
(Ah,coward!anythingbuttherealtruth!)
\"Aweel,Chairles,itwillnobeforlang.\"
\"Idon’tknow;youwillnotbesounhappyasIshall——atleastIhopenot.\"
\"Hoowdoyekenthat?\"
\"Christie,doyourememberthefirstnightwedancedtogether?\"
\"Ay.\"
\"Andwewalkedinthecoolbytheseaside,andItoldyouthenamesofthestars,andyousaidthosewerenottheirrealnames,butnicknameswegivethemhereonearth.Ilovedyouthatfirstnight.\"
\"AndIfanciedyouthefirsttimeIseteyesonyou.\"
\"HowcanIleaveyou,Christie?WhatshallIdo?\"
\"IkenwhatIshalldo,\"answeredChristiecoolly;then,burstingintotears,sheadded,\"Ishalldee!Ishalldee!\"
\"No!youmustnotsayso;atleastIwillneverloveanyonebutyou.\"
\"An’I’llliveasIama’mydaysforyoursake.Oh,England!Ihaelikeityesaeweel,yesuldnarobmeo’mylad——he’sa’thejoyIhae!\"
\"Iloveyou,\"saidGatty.\"Doyouloveme?\"
Alltheanswerwas,herheaduponhisshoulder.
\"Ican’tdoit,\"thoughtGatty,\"andIwon’t!Christie,\"saidhe,\"stayhere,don’tmovefromhere.\"Andhedashedamongtheboatsingreatagitation.
Hefoundhismotherrathernearthesceneofthelateconference.
\"Mother,\"saidhe,fiercely,likeacowardashewas,\"askmenomore,mymindismadeupforever;Iwillnotdothisscoundrelly,heartless,beastly,ungratefulactionyouhavebeenpushingmetosolong.\"
\"Takecare,Charles,takecare,\"saidtheoldwoman,tremblingwithpassion,forthiswasanewtoneforhersontotakewithher.\"Youhadmyblessingtheotherday,andyousawwhatfollowedit;donottemptmetocurseanundutiful,disobedient,ungratefulson.\"
\"Imusttakemychance,\"saidhe,desperately,\"forIamunderacurseanyway!Iplacedmyringonherfinger,andheldupmyhandtoGodandsworesheshouldbemywife;shehasmyringandmyoath,andIwillnotperjuremyselfevenformymother.\"
\"Yourring!NottherubyringIgaveyoufromyourdeadfather’sfinger——notthat!notthat!\"
\"Yes!yes!Itellyouyes!andifhewasalive,andsawher,andknewhergoodness,hewouldhavepityonme,butIhavenofriend;youseehowillyouhavemademe,butyouhavenopity;Icouldnothavebelievedit;
but,sinceyouhavenomercyonme,Iwillhavethemoremercyonmyself;
Imarryherto—morrow,andputanendtoallthisshufflingandmaneuveringagainstanangel!Iamnotworthyofher,butI’llmarryherto—morrow.Good—by.\"
\"Stay!\"saidtheoldwoman,inaterriblevoice;\"beforeyoudestroymeandallIhavelivedfor,andsuffered,andpinchedfor,hearme;ifthatringisnotoffthehussy’sfingerinhalfanhour,andyoumysonagain,Ifallonthissandand——\"
\"ThenGodhavemercyuponme,forI’llseethewholecreationlosteternallyereI’llwrongtheonlycreaturethatisanornamenttotheworld.\"
Hewasdesperate;andtheweak,driventodesperation,aremorefuriousthanthestrong.
ItwasbyHeaven’smercythatneithermothernorsonhadtimetospeakagain.
Astheyfacedeachother,withflamingeyesandfaces,allself—commandgone,abouttoutterhastywords,andlayupregret,perhapsforalltheirlivestocome,inamoment,asifshehadstartedfromtheearth,ChristieJohnstonestoodbetweenthem!
Gatty’swords,and,stillmore,hishesitation,hadmadeherquickintelligencesuspect.Shehadresolvedtoknowthetruth;theboatsofferedeveryfacilityforlistening——shehadheardeveryword.
Shestoodbetweenthemotherandson.
Theywereconfused,abashed,andthehotbloodbegantoleavetheirfaces.
Shestooderectlikeastatue,hercheekpaleasashes,hereyesglitteringlikebasilisks,shelookedatneitherofthem.
Sheslowlyraisedherlefthand,shewithdrewarubyringfromit,anddroppedtheringonthesandbetweenthetwo.
Sheturnedonherheel,andwasgoneasshehadcome,withoutawordspoken.
Theylookedatoneanother,stupefiedatfirst;afteraconsiderablepausethesternoldwomanstooped,pickedupthering,and,inspiteofacertainchillthattheyoungwoman’smajesticsorrowhadgivenher,said,placingitonherownfinger,\"Thisisforyourwife!!!\"
\"Itwillbeformycoffin,then,\"saidherson,socoldly,sobitterlyandsosolemnlythatthemother’sheartbegantoquake.
\"Mother,\"saidhecalmly,\"forgiveme,andacceptyourson’sarm.
\"Iwill,myson!\"
\"Wearealoneintheworldnow,mother.\"
Mrs.Gattyhadtriumphed,butshefeltthepriceofhertriumphmorethanhervictory.Ithadbeendoneinonemoment,thatforwhichshehadsolabored,anditseemedthathadshespokenlongagotoChristie,insteadofCharles,itcouldhavebeendoneatanymoment.
Strangetosay,forsomeminutesthemotherfeltmoreuneasythanherson;shewasawoman,afterall,andcouldmeasureawoman’sheart,andshesawhowdeepthewoundshehadgivenoneshewasnowcompelledtorespect.
Charles,ontheotherhand,hadbeensoharassedbackwardandforward,thattohimcertaintywasrelief;itwasagreatmattertobenolongercalledupontodecide.Hismotherhadsaid,\"Part,\"andnowChristiehadsaid,\"Part\";atleasttheaffairwastakenoutofhishands,andhisfirstfeelingwasaheavenlycalm.
Inthisstatehecontinuedforaboutamile,andhespoketohismotherabouthisart,soleobjectnow;butafterthefirstmilehebecamesilent,_distrait;_Christie’spaleface,hermortifiedair,whenhergenerousofferwascoldlyrepulsed,filledhimwithremorse.Finally,unabletobearit,yetnotdaringtospeak,hebrokesuddenlyfromhismotherwithoutaword,andranwildlybacktoNewhaven;helookedbackonlyonce,andtherestoodhismother,pale,withherhandspiteouslyliftedtowardheaven.
BythetimehegottoNewhavenhewasassorryforherasforChristie.
Herantothehouseofthelatter;FluckerandJeantoldhimshewasonthebeach.Herantothebeach!hedidnotseeheratfirst,but,presentlylookingback,hesawher,attheedgeoftheboats,incompanywithagentlemaninaboating—dress.Helooked——couldhebelievehiseyes?hesawChristieJohnstonekissthisman’shand,whothen,takingherheadgentlyinhistwohands,placedakissuponherbrow,whilesheseemedtoyieldlovinglytothecaress.
Gattyturnedfaint,sick;foramomenteverythingswambeforehiseyes;
herecoveredhimself,theyweregone.
Hedartedroundtointerceptthem;Christiehadslippedawaysomewhere;
heencounteredthemanalone!
CHAPTERXV.
CHRISTIE’Ssituationrequirestobeexplained.
OnleavingGattyandhismother,shewenttoherownhouse.Flucker——whoafterlookinguponherforyearsasaninconvenientappendage,exceptatdinnertime,hadfalleninlovewithherinamannerthatwashalfpathetic,halflaughable,allthingsconsidered——sawbyherfaceshehadreceivedablow,andraisinghimselfinthebed,inquiredanxiously,\"Whatailedher?\"
Atthesekindwords,ChristieJohnstonelaidhercheekuponthepillowbesideFlucker’sandsaid:
\"Oh,mylaamb,bekindtoyourpuirsisterfra’thishoor,forshehasnaethingi’thewarldnoobutyoursel’.\"
Fluckerbegantosobatthis.
Christiecouldnotcry;herheartwaslikealumpofleadinherbosom;
butsheputherarmroundhisneck,andatthesightofhissympathyshepantedheavily,butcouldnotshedatear——shewassorestricken.
PresentlyJeancamein,and,asthepoorgirl’sheadachedaswellasherheart,theyforcedhertogoandsitintheair.Shetookhercreepieandsat,andlookedonthesea;but,whethershelookedseawardorlandward,allseemedunreal;notthings,buthardpicturesofthings,somemoving,somestill.Lifeseemedended——shehadlostherlove.
Anhourshesatinthismiserabletrance;shewasdivertedintoabetter,becauseasomewhatlessdangerousformofgrief,byoneofthosetriflingcircumstancesthatoftenpenetratetothehumanheartwheninaccessibletogreaterthings.
Willythefiddlerandhisbrothercamethroughthetown,playingastheywent,accordingtocustom;theirmusicfloatedpastChristie’searslikesomedrowsychime,until,allofasudden,theystruckuptheoldEnglishair,\"SpeedthePlow.\"
NowitwastothistuneCharlesGattyhaddancedwithhertheirfirstdancethenighttheymadeacquaintance.
Christielistened,liftedupherhands,andcrying:
\"Oh,whatwillIdo?whatwillIdo?\"burstintoapassionofgrief.
Sheputherapronoverherhead,androckedherself,andsobbedbitterly.
ShewasinthissituationwhenLordIpsden,whowasprowlingabout,examiningtheproportionsoftheboats,discoveredher.
\"Someoneindistress——thatwasallinhisway.\"
\"Madam!\"saidhe.
Sheliftedupherhead.
\"ItisChristieJohnstone.I’msoglad;thatis,I’msorryyouarecrying,butI’mgladIshallhavethepleasureofrelievingyou;\"andhislordshipbegantofeelforacheck—book.
\"Anddivyereallythinksiller’sacureforeverygrief!\"saidChristie,bitterly.
\"Idon’tknow,\"saidhislordship;\"ithascuredthemallasyet.\"
\"Itwillnacureme,then!\"andshecoveredherheadwithherapronagain.
\"Iamverysorry,\"saidhe;\"tellme\"_(whispering),_\"whatisit?poorlittleChristie!\"
\"Dinnaspeaktome;Ithinkshame;askJean.Oh,Richard,I’llnobelanginthiswarld!!!\"
\"Ah!\"saidhe,\"Iknowtoowellwhatitisnow;Iknow,bysadexperience.But,Christie,moneywillcureitinyourcase,anditshall,too;only,insteadoffivepounds,wemustputathousandpoundsortwotoyourbanker’saccount,andthentheywillallseeyourbeauty,andrunafteryou.\"
\"HowdauryeeventomethatI’mseekinalad?\"criedshe,risingfromherstool;\"IwouldnacaresupposetherewasnaaladinBritain.\"Andoffsheflounced.
\"Offendedherbymygrosswantoftact,\"thoughttheviscount.
Shecreptback,andtwovelvetlipstouchedhishand.Thatwasbecauseshehadspokenharshlytoafriend.
\"Oh,Richard,\"saidshe,despairingly,\"I’llnobelanginthiswarld.\"
Hewastouched;anditwasthenhetookherheadandkissedherbrow,andsaid:\"Thiswillneverdo.Mychild,gohomeandhaveanicecry,andI
willspeaktoJean;and,relyuponme,IwillnotleavetheneighborhoodtillIhavearrangeditalltoyoursatisfaction.\"
Andsoshewent——alittle,averylittle,comfortedbyhistoneandwords.
Nowthiswasallverypretty;butthenseenatadistanceoffiftyyardsitlookedveryugly;andGatty,whohadneverbeforeknownjealousy,thestrongestandworstofhumanpassions,wasripeforanything.
HemetLordIpsden,andsaidatonce,inhiswise,temperateway:
\"Sir,youareavillain!\"
_Ipsden.\"Plait—il?\"_
_Gatty._\"Youareavillain!\"
_Ipsden._\"Howdoyoumakethatout?\"
_Gatty._\"But,ofcourse,youarenotacoward,too.\"
_Ipsden(ironically)._\"Yousurprisemewithyourmoderation,sir.\"
_Gatty._\"Thenyouwillwaiveyourrank——youarealord,Ibelieve—andgivemesatisfaction.\"
_Ipsden._\"Myrank,sir,suchasitis,engagesmetogiveaproperanswertoproposalsofthissort;Iamatyourorders.\"
_Gatty._\"Amanofyourcharactermustoftenhavebeencalledtoanaccountbyyourvictims,so——so——\"(hesitating)\"perhapsyouwilltellmethepropercourse.\"
_Ipsden.\"I_shallsendanotetothecastle,andthecolonelwillsendmedownsomebodywithamustache;Ishallpretendtoremembermustache,mustachewillpretendheremembersme;hewillthencommunicatewithyourfriend,andtheywillarrangeitallforus.\"
_Gatty._\"And,perhaps,throughyourlicentiousness,oneorbothofuswillbekilled.\"
_Ipsden._\"Yes!butweneednottroubleourheadsaboutthat——thesecondsundertakeeverything.\"
_Gatty._\"Ihavenopistols.\"
_Ipsden._\"Ifyouwilldomethehonortouseoneofmine,itshallbeatyourservice.\"
_Gatty._\"Thankyou.\"
_Ipsden._\"To—morrowmorning?\"
_Gatty._\"No.Ihavefourdays’paintingtodoonmypicture,Ican’tdietillitisfinished;Fridaymorning.\"
_Ipsden._\"(Heismad.)Iwishtoaskyouaquestion,youwillexcusemycuriosity.Haveyouanyideawhatweareagreeingtodifferabout?\"
_Gatty._\"Thequestiondoesyoulittlecredit,mylord;thatistoaddinsulttowrong.\"
Hewentoffhurriedly,leavingLordIpsdenmystified.
HethoughtChristieJohnstonewassomehowconnectedwithit;but,consciousofnowrong,hefeltlittledisposedtoputupwithanyinsult,especiallyfromthisboy,towhomhehadbeenkind,hethought.
Hislordshipwas,besides,oneofthosegood,simple—mindedcreatures,educatedabroad,who,wheninvitedtofight,simplybow,andloadtwopistols,andgetthemselvescalledatsix;insteadoftakingdowntomesofcasuistryandpuzzlingtheirpoorbrainstofindoutwhethertheyaregamecocksorcapons,andwhy.
AsforGatty,hehurriedhomeinafeverofpassion,beggedhismother’spardon,andreproachedhimselfforeverhavingdisobeyedheronaccountofsuchaperfidiouscreatureasChristieJohnstone.
Hethentoldherwhathehadseen,asdistanceandimaginationhadpresentedittohim;tohissurprisetheoldladycuthimshort.
\"Charles,\"saidshe,\"thereisnoneedtotakethegirl’scharacteraway;
shehasbutonefault——sheisnotinthesameclassoflifeasyou,andsuchmarriagesalwaysleadtomisery;butinotherrespectssheisaworthyyoungwoman——don’tspeakagainsthercharacter,oryouwillmakemyfleshcreep;youdon’tknowwhathercharacteristoawoman,highorlow.\"
Bythismoderation,perhapssheheldhimstillfaster.
Fridaymorningarrived.Gattyhad,byhardwork,finishedhispicture,collectedhissketchesfromnature,whichwerenumerous,leftbymemorandumeverythingtohismother,andwas,orratherfelt,asreadytodieaslive.
Hehadhardlyspokenawordoreatenamealthesefourdays;hismotherwasinanxietyabouthim.Heroseearly,andwentdowntoLeith;anhourlater,hismother,findinghimgoneout,roseandwenttoseekhimatNewhaven.
MeantimeFluckerhadentirelyrecovered,buthissister’scolorhadlefthercheeks.Theboysworevengeanceagainstthecauseofherdistress.
OnFridaymorning,then,therepacedonLeithSandstwofigures.
OnewasLordIpsden.
Theotherseemedamilitarygentleman,whohavingswallowedthemess—roompoker,andfounditinsufficient,hadaddedtheramrodsofhiscompany.
ThemorehislordshipreflectedonGatty,thelessinclinedhehadfelttoinviteasatiricalyoungdogfrombarrackstocriticisesucha_rencontre;_hehadthereforeorderedSaunderstogetupasafield—marshal,orsomesuchtrifle,andwhatSaunderswouldhavecalledincomparableverticalitywastheresult.
Thepainterwasalsoinsight.