A

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS

BY

ELLEN

OLNEY

KIRK

BOSTON

JAMES

R.

OSGOOD

AND

1884

COMPANY

Copyright,

JAMES

R.

All

Press

of

Rockwell

OSGOOD

1884

AND

rights

and

COMPANY

reserved

Churchill,

39

Arch

St.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER

I.

II.

III.

MR.

GREAT

HAXTOUN'S

LOOKER-OX

WORK

VIENNA

IN

TABLE-TALK

MOTHER

MEDHURST

VI.

"WHISTLE

VIII.

HER

IX.

NIGHT

MRS.

OFF

LET

AND

HER

73

CRITICAL"

NOT

IF

81

...

JUNE

IN

101

TROUBLES

HAXTOUN'S

119
.

X.

DOWN

WIND"

"XOTIIING,
A

48

f"5

THE

VII.

36

...

SON

AND

V.

14

....

...

IV.

...

FOURTH-OF-JULY

FETE

131

....

XI.

XII.

XIII.

MRS.

"THE

"A

DALTON

PLAY'S

WOMAN'S

TAKES

THE

MORNING

THING"

Two

REASON"
.

XIV.

WALK

LOVERS

166

.185

.199

218

2046108

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER

XV.

XVI.

XVII.

MATTER

STAR-CHAMBER

MR.

SONATA

247

BY

BEETHOVEN

.258
.

"FAIR

DIPLOMACY

HAXTOUN'S

232
.

279

RIVALS"
.....

XIX.

RODNEY

HIMSELF

COMMITS

TUNE
FOR-

TO

288
.......

XX.

298

PICNIC
.......

XXI.

SOIREE

313

DRAMATIQUE
....

XXII.

CLEVER

Too

BY

HALF

.324
.

XXIII.

"HAD

BEFORE

WIST

KIST"

347
.

XXIV.

CUTS

MEDHURST

THE

KNOT

GORDIAN

359
.

XXV.

LOST

.372

OPPORTUNITY
.

XXVI.

CECIL

COMES

UP

TO

TOWN

383

MIDSUMMEE

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

HAXTOUN'S

MR.

FRANCIS

MR.

few
when
and
he

chances

freedom

in

Forum,"

"

young

to

was

sent

for

of

named

If

of

fellow
and

assist

to

for

would

assistant
to

the

the

make

ready

take

to

Good

in

pay

up

fair

prove

almost

these

his
of
As

offer

his
for

to

competent
any

by

Delaware,

he

with

salary,

reasonable

had

and

requirements.

ability

and

the

classical

German

of

respects

begin

asked

gentleman

the

residence

the
pacity,
ca-

been

abilities,

were

energy,

utmost

press.
a

the

on

which

to

of

subordinate

practical knowledge

qualified

was

work

living

and

editor

Hill,

paper

very

for

Medhurst.
a

secretary

systematic

found

in

door

intrusive

saying that, having

Haxtoun,

acquirements,

his

him,
a

him,

habits

daily

scene

his

at

something

York

that

of

change

Mr.

attached

man

recommend

name

find

so

fortunes

knocking

summons.

New

enjoyed

his

little

some
came

to

the

had

bettering

for

inclined

impertinent
the

of

action

of

half

was

WORK.

GREAT

MEDHURST

opportunity

an

I.

in

the

young

his

patron,

preparing

Mr.

Hastoun

with, and,
valuable,
amount

should
he
for

was

the

sake

gettinghis
The
satisfactorily.
five and
and
"Do

that?"
"

my

advise

believe, to get
little chance

cost

not

can't

few

some

try it.

to

you

here, while

in the

place

stand

it you

like

indignation.
your object,

to

cover

you
your

couutoy your livingwill

I shall
Try it,at all events.

stiver.

3'ou

while

ahead, and

than

more

ments
arrange-

servitude

It is

thousands

doing

House,

be worth

air of

an

that

himself.

gentleman

of

fill your

not

conclude

o'clock, and
the

remark

Brevoort

at the

asked, with

Medhurst

expenses

six

day

speedilyand

to

on

actuallythink it would
positionhere, and enter

I should

have

editor went

with

terms

you

give up

off his hands

to call that

was

between

to

book

of

Medhurst

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

for

few

months,
and

return

may

and

find

if you
a

hearty

welcome."
"

What

"

The

That
"

is the

great

subject is

does

sound

not

I think

the

it sounds

to be?

work

epicsof

so

all

"

nations,I

believe.

bad."

very

bad."

yourself too great for occasions.

ousness.
You
isolate yourselfby your pride and
3*0111-fastidiThat
is one
reason
why I think this sort
of an
to
opening favorable
3-our interests ; your
itself felt
silent contempt
of
journalism makes
You
too scrupulous,too ready to be
are
us.
among
trifle, in fact, you're too
disgustedat the merest
much
of an idealist.
You're
better fitted for literary
"Don't

make

"

life,and

this

findingout
dollars
not

such

afford to

an
wear

experience will put you

actual bias.
Come,
your
a

month,

every-day
those

and
sort

airs of

your
of

now,

expenses
offer

of

in the way

that

superiority. Go

dred
hun-

paid,
you
to

is

can

the

ME.

Brevoort

HAXTOUWS

House,

Heaven

thank

Medhurst

that

best

your

you

in for

are

7
and

manner,

bit of honest

enough

liked neither

the tone

It would

pleased him

have
lot.

common

on

the

to

sit in the

to take this

sensible

was

althoughhe
the

assume

WORK.

luck."

good

it.

GREAT

stage

of

If he could

boxes,

not

act

he would

the world

critical

claims
However, egoistic

the matter

nor

to be

advice,

independent of
a striking
part
have preferred

indifferent

or

of

of

tor.
specta-

extravagant kind

an

general system of the

universe
is overturned
to make
way for them, and
far in his career
Medhurst
had been compelled to
so
obey puppet-stringsof another man's pulling. He
bis own
liked to humor
would
have
vanityby pretending
not

are

unusual

so

that

to hesitate

declared
it at

years,

actual scheme
allotted to
believe

that

counted

on.

The

life ; but

of

him,

and

his

was

was

title of the

fool,and

Medhurst
to

do

great work

had

almost

nothing
which

on

requiredturned out to be "

Primitive
Epic of all Aryan
vast
a
subject covers
expanse
much
of it was
unexplored, and
that he

has

man

every

was

Medhurst,

offer ; but then

everythingelse that had

it was
altogetherremote

Like

for

Haxtoun's

Mr.

that he

to himself

once.

to him

over

the

felt doubtful

The

he

accepted
happened
from

destiny

even

to

come

had

ever

his assistance

Identityof

the

Such

Nations."
of

his

country, and
unmapped

whether

he

so

for

could

Haxtoun's
examination
in Mr.
; but
pass muster
fact was,
The
this he apparentlycontrived to do.

two

other

each of

aspirantsfor

whom

had

the

giventhe

positionhad
author

pangs

applied,
of

morti-

MIDSUMMER

8
fication and
with

dread, and

thankfulness

to their

He

He

that

without

he

whom

from
he

that

mercies.

tellinghim
man,

MADNESS.

had

in

was

then

wanted

it behooved

cautious, and

take

escaped

wa}* committed

no

Mr.

applied to
well-educated

prepossessions

felt that

he had

him

to

Medhurst's

young

violent

or

be

Hill,

conceit.

cautious, very

thoroughly;
but the fact was,
that, moved
by a fancy for him,
he was
not at the
pains of consideringanything
he saw
beyond his personal advantages. What
a
was
well-made, sufficiently
good-looking young
of
man
twenty-eight]brown-haired, gray-eyed,
with
mustache
of
the
narrowest
a
crisp, dark
to
the
possible arch, giving a lighter character
mouth
and
chin.
His manner
was
solidlymoulded
attractive
He
spoke
though unusually serious.
without
hesitation, but betrayed no inclination for
word.
Mr. Haxtoun
an
thought him a
unnecessary
He
peculiarlyagreeable person to get along with.
who
liked gravity; he liked silence ; he liked a man
He was
how
knew
to listen.
impressed,besides, b}'
dismissed
the half-brusqueway with which Medhurst
all questionsof his individual
likingsand dislikiugs,
apparentlycounting them as unimportant.
the other hand, recognized in his
on
Medhurst,
and painstakingold gentleman
patron a methodical
trivial circumstance
invested
who
the most
of sixt3'-five,
connected
tousness.

distinctions

His
;

with
taste

his

himself
was

instinct

measure

with

likelyto
would

be

enough his habit would be rather

tyrannies. But, after reading out
to
of questions committed
paper,

extreme

have

portenmany

nice

jealous; likely
inclined
about
and

to
two

petty
score

obtaining

MR.

AT

ORE

HAXTOUWS

Mr.

decently satisfactoryanswers,
a

little. His

WORK.

Haxtoun

laxed
re-

delicate,thin face lost its anxious

thing
expression,took color, and expanded into somelike geniality.The exigenciesof his position
and
had
rather disagreeable,
forced him
to be inquisitive,
he was
and
glad to become
apologetic,
even
flattering.
You
Medhurst," he now
observed, " it
see, Mr.
the making of this
a
was
very important matter,
It was
alone
not
a question of
engagement.
your
acquirements, but of your sympathy with me,
your probable insightinto the workings of my mind.
We
shall be thrown
into intimate
companionship,
live with people I dislike,or who
take
and I cannot
critical attitude regarding me.
and
a contradictor}You might possess every intellectual qualification,
and
I am
yet hinder my work and paralyze my powers.
time
of ardent
a man
imagination,
yet at the same
breath
of cenA
I am
sure
sensitive,very sensitive.
You
the third applicant for the
kills me.
are
I went
through
positionof my secretary. What
His
with the first is absolutelypainfulto consider.
Faber
a professor,
name
was
a German,
; he was
"

"

"

"

I believe.
views

made

He

had
me

gone
shudder.

over

nvy whole
He

sees

field ; but
in the

'

his

Iliad,'

a
mere
pell-mellof fugitive
'OdysseN','
cohesion.
ballads, flungtogetherwithout coherence
or
He insisted on piling
tions
of the contradicup instances
which
ho declares bristle along the pages
from
the eleventh
Iliad.'
of the
to the eighteenthbook
I politely,
but firmly,refused to listen.
He
I rose.
almost
I
went
on
reciting,
foaming at the mouth.
went
and two flights
above.
out and up to my
room,
even

the

'

MIDSUMMER

10

I still heard

MADNESS.

him

'

shriekingout,
proves.' I sent one of
distinctly
him

the

door, and

tell him

the waiters

I should

services, and

presently I watched
street, still wildly gesticulating."
"

said

I have

heard

Medhurst
I

"

of Faber.

; "but

prefermaking
old
an
aspirant was
verbalist, with

would
head

and

him

go

of

the

up

profound

search,
re-

second

myself, a mere
tionaries.
looking into dic-

and

wanted,
a

The

than

from

set in

not

are

clever

fellow,

young
and

grooves,

I flatter

what

whose

agination
im-

quenched."

made

better

bleared

secured, is

is not
Medhurst

older

man,

what

have

ideas

whose

require his

monomaniac,"

man

show

to

not

researches.

own

my

eyes

But
I

is

epic

told."

am

myself

He

he is

Hesiodic

The

but
appreciativerejoinder,
a
compliment to his cool

some

liked

have

steadyheart.

Mr.

Haxtoun,

much

relieved

overflowed
having tided over his present difficulty,
with garrulousness.
"
pendently
My first idea," he pursued, was to work indeat

"

first to

from
book

had

lain in my
did

scarcelya
noisy eclat,no

me,

however,

dut}'.

The
"

at

not

last.

mind
first

laudable

for many
seem

began

nature

of

extravagant,

from
to

feel

of

lication
Pub-

year.

since

my

life to

I wanted

no

ally,
authorship. Graduit was
becoming my

m}- studies
no

matter

of
necessit}*

ambition,

distinction
I

The

had

roused

tations,
expec-

doubt, but stillfounded

on

knowledge my friends have gained of my powers.

I am
here Mr. Haxtoun
stopped
constantlyasked,"
to utter a dry littlelaugh, " how rm* great
a moment
work
is coming on.
I hate to disappointthe world,

the

"

"

HAXTOUN'

MB.

but the

GREAT

WORK.

year ;

magnitude of my undertakingbegins to loom

in my
me
alarmingly. I am
sixty-seventh
naturallyI want to see it in printbefore I die.

Mrs.

Haxtoun

before

has

with
from

found

work

my

of her views

some

serious

it

keeps

ference
inter-

me

away

all

her

me
day long ; she declares it makes
dyspeptic sittingand brooding over
thoughts.
my
Once, just to obligeher, I gave it up for three days ;
cupation
but, I assure
yon, Mr. Medhurst, deprived of my oc-

I
his

was

he
jealousdisposition,

with me."

Othello.

off than

worse

The

In

rich in

was

fact,with

resources

pared
com-

old

gentleman here paused to

his own
Ha ! ha ! over
utter a faint
wit.
My wife
had to acquiesce,"
he continued.
She was
compelled
"

"

"

"

to let

go back.

me

that she

need

not

she

upon

my

wore

in the world

She

would
luminous

was

while

was

asked

cut

off from

to assist me,

so

society. But

my

the best intentions

my enthusiasm.
trivial which
to me

damped

illustration

an

her

With

nerves.

somehow

she
find

be

I then

meaning. She would pull me

dictatingby askinggentlyif what I
with

up
was

writingwas not vague.

This experiencewas
It forced me
to
dispiriting.
of the world
realize how solitary
the great thinkers
necessarilyare.
My daughter has copied a great
manuscriptsfor me, and done some
very pretty
many
"

translations ; but
for

Cecil,who
We

'

is at the
have

in his way,

man

da}',

this does

Get

will waste

your

age when

suit my

and

he

of your

object.' I

said

is rather
to

Haxtoun

me,
;

life without

decided

wife's idea

amusements

neighbor,who

secretary,Mr.

the rest

not

to

are
an

the

otherwise

portant.
im-

inal
origother

you

accomplishing
finally

take

Mr.

Rod-

12

MIDSUMMER

Heriot's

ney
was

Medhurst

sensation

was

made
the

out

it

necessitated, it

old
his

ever,
had, how-

and

engagement,

the

He

endlessly.

afternoon

weariness

The

experience,thought,

every

diluted

himself

bore, with

terrible

which

following

committing

of his chances.

out

definite

Whatever

view

turn

loquacity,in

in

prompt

so

favorable

gentleman might
and

say it

prepared to

am

one."
not

was

to the most

artless

suggestion,and

excellent

an

MADNESS.

with

to

was

Mr.

set

Haxtoun.
labors

position entailed, or

lucrative
certainlymore
than
his present one,
which
barely kept him free
One
of debt.
little circumstance
both
pleased and
irritated Medhurst.
Mr.
Haxtouu
urged, and even
tried delicatelyto insist, that his
new
secretary
should accept the first-quarter's
in advance.
payment
Medhurst
this with a haughty stare.
resented
The
his thoughts
suggestion annoyed him, and when
recurred
shame

passed

poverty

to

make

that
had
and

over

him,

able

had
The

always stood, fair and

that, though sometimes
fallen

he had

been

had

been

the fore.

in

danger

that
superstition
wanted

he had

There

at

extravagantlydrawn
been

more

Haxtoun

with

the

been

times

in

when

present from

not

to

upon

prudent.

cut

his few
He

world,
he

had

kept
when

early years
the

ing
pleas-

possess
bad

he

as

indeed,

had,

"

was,

stood,

ultimatelyto

was

when, in order

Of late he had

he

had

of debt,

he

Mr.

closelypushed,
but

less free than

something

compensation

square

behindhand,

to

led

and

anger

that

fancy

reflect that

to

of

wave

at the

proposal.

was

something

he

in his appearance

the

he

never

he

it, afterwards,

to

of

was

all

figure,

resources.

had, indeed,

saved

some

of

Then

"

to

his

ma}r
her.

Iandlad3*'s
want

smallest

York.

him,

to

just

the

left

many

and

not

of

final

to

trunk,
decided

He
and

about

tor
edibefore

up

corrected

was

owed

the

to

them

wrote

he
his

packed
New

behind

boats
in

said

he

leave

to

which

He

columns

morning

next

13

purpose.

two

He

novel,

WORK.

certain

except

and

midnight,
revise

"Forum."

the

of

his

for

money

anything,

nobody

GREAT

HAXTOUWS

ME.

pared
pre-

to

his

lish.
pub-

burn

sions
posses-

care.

come

back

in

three

months,"

he

MIDSUMMER

14

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

LOOKER-ON

II.

VIENNA.

IN

rail

journey by
THEhours,
Medhurst
and

acquainted

with

his

than

he had

been

when

had

perhaps thought

once,

and

make
with

felt

almost

he

he entered

it.

it well
young

the unknown

three

considerablybetter

when

patron

the

lasted

to
man

left the
Mr.

car

Haxtoun

break

ground at
quainted
thoroughly ac-

country he

about

was

to

He

began with generous

autobiographical
details : his falling in love with the present Mrs.
life. He
Haxtoun, and their early married
a
gave
of the first inception of his great
livelynarrative
idea of the Identityof the Aryan Epic, and his subsequent
grappling with it; or rather, perhaps, the
history of its usurpation of his mind and life. Mr.

enter.

Haxtoun

was,

besides, a dyspeptic; and

likelyto be,

it had

as

sia
dyspep-

siderable
always been, a conin his moods,
factor
besides
governing
his capacities,it was
probably as well to initiate
and
the courses
the secretary into its symptoms,
old
The
of treatment
prescribed and carried out.
gentleman had tried everything, the fasting cure,
but had now
reached
the dietingcure, the milk cure,
the vantage-land of
all, with
scepticism towards
a
gradually developing belief that the richest and
was

as

"

"

LOOKER-ON

food

highlyseasoned

most
at

IN

rate, the

any

safest

VIENNA.

suited him

insurance

for

15

best,and

was,

enjoyment

of

patience these confidences

which
of
were
curiouslyintermingledwith accounts
his family circle,
his wife, son,
and
daughter, and
niece ; one
statement
overlappinganother and leading
have had their uses
to perpetualrepetitions may
:
the speaker that his victim could bear
they convinced
much
without undue
depressionor excited rejoinder.
Medhurst
played the part of listener most engagingly,
givingvarious, if vague, indications of interest
while
these
were
coiled-up reminiscences
slowly
the recital nor
unwound, neither shrinking from
His
sion
adheseeming eager for its continuance.
life.

As

test

of

"

"

to

life

was

the

idea

still

so

this sudden

of

fresh

convulsion

in his

that, except by momentary

It
glimpses,he hardly yet realized where he stood.
his mind, occasional!}-,
crossed
that unless he contracted
the warmest
friendship for his patron he
ble
might, on closer acquaintance,find him insupportaminable
enjoyed these inter; but at present he almost
harangues. For years, now, he had been
incessantlygoaded by the idea that the least of his
be
to account, must
be turned
experiences must
served up, with more
for readers
or less exaggeration,
of the " Daily Forum
having nothing to do
; so now,
he yieldedto a sense
of passivecontent.
to listen,
save
They left the cars a few miles from Philadelphia,
and were
and
whicli took them
met by an open wagon,
their baggage to their place of destination. The drive
lasted almost
this pleasant afternoon,
hour ; but on
an
towards
the end of May, it was
a never-ending
delightto Medhurst, whom the successive vistas into
"

MIDSUMMER

16

park-like grounds

MADNESS.

either hand, the

sight of the
tops of the trees againstthe sky, the ver}- buttercups
almost
along the roadside, moved
beyond his will.
He
liked
his first glimpse of Roseudale, as
Mr.
Haxtoun's
tial
family-placewas called ; it looked substanon

venerable.

and

Fine

oaks

and

chestnuts

were

massed

together here and there, or towered

singly
from an open
glade. The house stood moderately
high, with a slopinglawn in front, and terraces on
The
at the rear.
the sides and
of
building was
stone, diversified with gables,turrets,
gray, unhewn
windows.
The north
side was
and dormer
entirety
ivy, in the midst
was
a
mediaeval-lookinglatticed window,
wide
At the sound
of approaching
open.
in white, suddenly aptall girl,dressed
a
peared
with

covered
of which
thrown
wheels

at

mantle

luxuriant

the casement,

and

of

leaned

wilh

out

eager

about to
smiling,and seemed
curiosity. She was
utter a glad cry ; but, meeting only Medhurst's
glance,
she merely gave a slightinclination of the head, and
instantlyvanished, leaving an impression on his
tainments.
mind
in the Arabian
of some
scene
Nights' EnterWhen

standing

was

lilac
both

his
then
"

my

in the

dress, with
he
neck
on

lace

was

and
the

still

reached

on

kissed

the

scarf
the

the

beside

door- way,

forward, and

came

while

the wagon

her

on

girlran
first

on

lady

head.
to

step, put her

him,

steps she

one

in

They

her

father
about

arms

cheek

and

other.

"
ber,
RememGently, gently,my dear," said he.
I am
of flesh and
blood.
This
only made
daughter Cecil,Mr. Medhurst," he added.

Cecil

barely looked

at the young

man,

but

with

is

MIDSUMMER

18
to

the

see

humorous

evidentlybeen
that
might be
We

his

went

glanced

his

felt certain

he

He

subject.

had

great addition," said Alec,

''We

manners.

best

our

left alone

and,

at

which

room,

dull

are

for

and

you."

last, Medhurst
to

was

his perceptions

overhung

the

be

never

toilet ; curtained

screened

recesses

should

able

to

freely. Chintz, ribbons,

appurtenances

the

will do

we

out,

about

the

that
dainty,so refined,so feminine-looking,

so

he

good

but

monotonous,

of

and
laughed at before he came,
only the beginning of his making
of young
a
people.
group

shall find you

returningto
He

side

well

for

amusement
"

MADNESS.

the

bath, and

its

and

lace

doors,

and

windows,
made

use

canopy

for

bed.

Every varietyof easy-chairstretched out

its arms
him to its cushioned
to draw
depths. The
had been provided for ; in fact, the superleast want
fluity
of equipment suggested wants
and
needs
for
which
erto
he cared
nothing,and of which he had hithknown
his very ignorance and
nothing, but now
made

indifference

him

in

his

own

eyes

crude

and

uncivilized.
"

into

pretty time

at
pitfalls

every

window

went

to the

hills

beyond.

I shall have

So

step !
and
far

"

it here,

stumbling

he said to himself.

looked
he

of

had

out

only

at
seen

the river

He
and

the waters

towards
by glimpses,and the scene
struck him as indescribablypretty and pictusunset
resque.
It inspired,however, a feelingof absolute
melancholy, the sort of melancholy he might have
experienced if what he loved best in the world were
He
him
pented
reshut
from
by these horizons.
away
"A
himself
coming, and wished
away.

of the Delaware

"

LOOKER-ON

pretty time

shall

again staring at
river.

in the

towards

and

VIENNA.

IN

in this

have

the reflection of

19

house,"

the

he

said,
clouds

sunset

indignanttowards Mr.
Haxtouns
for forcing him

felt

He

all the

Hill
into

I was
well
changed currents of existence.
said aloud, as if
enough off in New York," he now
with
tagonistic
ansome
unseen
ready to argue the matter
he
uttered
force.
Nevertheless, while
"

these

this, the thought suddenly occurred

had

been
He

York.
had

joylesslife enough

looked

remembered

how

he

the

to

had

him
led

it

that
in New

girl'shead

young

in the

framed

ivy-hung casement.
It crossed
his mind
presentlythat time was passing,
and
that he might be
expected downstairs.
He was
angry with himself for a sort of trembling;
of
much
not
a
so
trembling as an after-quivering
But what could
left by over-excitement.
the nerves
him?

excited

have

bolting his

declared

He

meals

for four

to

himself

that,

in

ing-houses
cheap eatthe ordeal of a privatetable.
he dreaded
in doubt
He was
to the proprietyof making a
as
change in his dress, and, remembering the elegant
nicetyof Alec Haxtoun, he longed to be rough and
careless.
Nevertheless, he set about his toilet with
fastidious
the
most
pains, although his thoughts
all the time, impugning his motives
chafed restlessly
and condemning his weakness.

after

Meantime

the

the

on

group

years

veranda

had

not

moved.
"

had

is what

He
been

better

each

early, and

I call

saying.
hour

"

since

whatever

He
we

gentleman,"Mr. Haxtouu
better and
has pleased me
met.

small

He

lost his parents

patrimony

he

had

was

20

spent

law,

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

his education.

on

but

He

had

expected

study

to

to do

compelled

something for himself

he left the University."
as
soon
as
"And
this was
Mrs.
promotion to him !" exclaimed
Haxtoun.
He could have had little enough success
elsewhere.
I suppose
you will hardlygive him more
than a few hundred
dollars a year."
"The
terms
not
are
preciselyfixed," said Mr.
Haxtoun, a littlehurt at the tone his wife was taking.
She seemed, he thought,to exhibit an excessive
and
obtrusive
of the young
surprise at the appearance
the occasion.
a surprisedisproportionate to
man,
was

"

"

She

had

not

impress

by

was

declared
her

that he looked
as

she had

secretary.

mere

well dressed.

very

to be

expected

She

; that

young

had

added,

If there

could

he did

impressed

too, that

have

been

he
any

for it he

thing
might have fancied there was somedispleasingto her in youth, good looks, and
respectable clothes.
with
said, almost
"Really, Leonard," she now

reason

"I

vehemence,

should

suppose

that

any

moderate
good education, and even
get a better place than this."

of

man

could
"I

mean

that he

shall find

it a

young
energy,

good place,

very

dear."

my
"

But, Leonard, if you

extravagant, ought
Mr.
will go

Haxtouu
to my

own

in the

grate.
dampness."
Mrs.
once.

Haxtoun
She

"

was

room,

I feel

to reflect

not

you

rose.

thought of doing anything

I will go
and

have

"
"

in," said he.

a

little fire made

myself taking cold

sprang
conscious

towards
of

"I

her

here

in the

husband

having betrayed some

at

LOOKER-ON

instead
in'itation,
But

then

indiscretion
a

member

wifelygreeting.
very singular
brought home

warm,

her

to have

to make

good-lookingman
She

21

had

rather

secretary, for her husband

had

in

no

resembled

way

new

inclined

and

by asking one little service of

but the secretaryshe had seen

had

with Cecil's amusements

interfered

been

Haxtoun

very

of

VIENNA.

to

in their household.

to the idea

eye

givinghim

it seemed

for Mr.

and

young

of

IN

stantly
conpations,
occu-

her after

other
.an-

in her mind's

Medhurst.

He

had

bent, narrowparticular
age, near-sighted,
She had
in his manners.
chested, shy and awkward
not begrudged him
of her prettyspare chambers
one
;
but she had considered
it too good for him nevertheless.
of

no

She

would

looking,bashful

have

been

if he had

even

man,

very

kind

to

been

weak-

young

; but

singularhostility.He
been
to have
brought to Rosendale
ought never
toun
But then, Mr. Haxwithout
her advice being asked.
He
did ask her advice.
never
never
coarsely
seemed
conscious that she
rejectedit ; but he never
He seemed
to take
had independent views to offer.
his dutiful wife,
she was
it for granted that, because
she agreed with him on
every subject, and that the
elucidation of his private opinions
most
strenuous
ference
a mere
was
amplificationof his own, and any difMedhurst

towards

feminine

was

But
her

"O
feel

the idea

liveliest

lost

sightof

Is it all

he had

in view

of this
she

could
you,

or

cold

taken

solicitude,and other

How
over

felt

error.

that

dear!"

my
it?

she

roused

were
complications

present evil.

exclaimed,

I have
in your

now

been

head?"

"

so

where

do you

!
thoughtless

MIDSUMMER

22

think,"

throat, I

"My

MADNESS.

said Mr.

resignation. I ought
people. You
you young
"

feeble
with

that I

am

to have

not

with
down

sat

always forgetting

are

old man."

an

"You

Haxtoun,

take

must

hot

drink

when

to

go

you

bed."
"It

will be

said Mr.
"

You

"

That

late to undo

Haxtoun,

shaking his

shall have

the

head

simply prevent
supper."

this time

and

husband

stairs,and

on

then,"

mournfully.

now."

one

would

for my

By

the mischief

too

the

my

wife

having

any

half

way

were

landing encountered

petite
ap-

up

Med-

hurst.
"

tone

Ah,
of

Mr.
the

Medhurst,"

said

Haxtoun, in

Mrs.

exquisite politeness,"you
We
must
yourself quite at home!

make

you

to

will

show
so

the

most

young

about.

you

long

people

on

the

for

have

"We

piazza

the

that

must

leave

present.
kept Mr.

he

has

Alec
toun
Hax-

caught

chill."
"I

in

as

at

"said
Medhurst.
nothing of consequence,
"
I will take a quinine pill,"
answered
Mr. Haxtoun,
in a tone of doom, and, waving his hand
if
as
blessing,he vanished.
Medhurst
the stairs,lingering
went
slowly down
long as possibleon each one, finally
standingstill
the lowest, and awaitingdevelopments.
"
Oh, I say, Cis," cried Alec, " here is Mr.
trust

Medhurst

am

glad you

have

come

ready yet; in fact I hear that

the feasts
as
Nothing is so movable
when
hungry, and nothing so
you are
not

down.
it is

Tea

is

put off.

in this house

relentless and

LOOKER-ON

immovable

Both
in

them
you want
either too early or

the young

people had

hall,and

the

23

littlelate.

They

late."

too

come

up

the threshold

on

appeared a very blond and

a dark-green dress, attended

of

to

the

Medhurst
door

now

graceful young girl,in

by a saturnine-looking

man.

young

This

"

VIENNA.

when

always

are

IN

Arthur
Miss

cousin, Miss Winchester,

is my
said

Cecil.

Snow,

also."

Winchester

"And

shot

let

Mr.

hurst,"
Med-

introduce

me

Mr.

brightglance at the
new
secretary,but Mr. Snow regardedhim with apparent
but then, Mr. Snow
perhaps had a
hostility;
in general,for the
sort of grudge againstthe world
sight of most
things under the sun increased his
look
of ennui
and
melancholy. The two, having
remarked
that they were
gratifiedtheir curiosity,
going to walk again, bowed, and withdrew.
My cousin has incessant occupation at present,"
remarked
Alec,
having the care of a"
look
Cecil flung her brother
a
expressive of
a

very

'

'

"

"

horror.
"

They

"Do

"

you

Girls,"he

and
the

time

hates

or

later,his

on,

am

"

Alec,

"They

are

to

may

they
of

in

it reminds

shall be

them

brides ; while

of
a

them, for fear that, sooner

come."

unmoved
entirely

dread," said Medhurst.

anything
a
pitying tone.
about weddings,
cares

like to hear

them, because

when

time

Medhurst

asked

all mention

man

"

went

to talk about

happy

Mr.

suppose

that, Cis?"

about

in.

in the autumn."

married

be

engaged," she put

are

either

by expectationor

MIDSUMMER

24
"

Did

in?"

the

Alec

"Yes
"

The

place strike

pleasantlyas you drove

presently,breaking a stiff pause.
in this country such fine ivy."
saw

asked

; I

MADNESS.

never

climate

you

it.

favors

It is milder

here

in

than

York."

New

Medhurst

declined

looking from
with
to be

climates.

the other

to

one

attentive

an

to discuss

of the

The

gaze.

old it

is, and

Her

face

Medhurst

again began
marked
reCecil,who now
"

about

then

added,
how

place,

our

"

all that."
though
excessivelyarch, alapparently speaking with absolute

she

as

she

people

stillness

"

tell Mr.

stood

young

appalling,and discomfited
shyly, Our place is quiteold

"Alec,

He

was

spoke

grew

seriousness.
Alec
"

the tone

caught

Haxtouns

The

once.

lived here

have

sixtyyears," said

and

at

for

hundred

one

he.

"Indeed?"
"

The

old house

Cecil, with the candid

date

air of

of

1717," put

in

child.

house?"

"This
"

the

bears

this house

No,

The
close

to

touch

them

old

the

The

windows

and

green,

my

are

but

The

very
we

is

dismal

din of

"

Indeed?"

"

It

was

great-aunt,

so

and

'

to

be

on

father.
grand-

my

terrace,
low

can

tiptoes.

my

glass very

old

of

the

on

one

Peace,

19, 1777.'
said

the

it because

Jan.

had

lowest

diamond,

Medhurst

who

the

on

small

supposed

by

by standing

value

arms.

in 1832

ceilings are

hand

written, with

panes

is

house

river.
with

built

was

hush

this

'

again.
written

lover

in

by
the

my

great-

war,"

she

MIDSUMMER

2G

MADNESS.

of being
goodness, burned presentlywith a sense
She was
tall, and
duped and tantalized.
appeared
taller than her
actual height,from
the straightness
and
slimness
of her pretty figure. The
she
gown
of thick, fluffywhite, with full frills of
was
wore
yellow lace at the throat and elbows, which gave
the effect of her blossoming out of it like a flower
out of a deep corolla.
As
for Alec he was
twenty-three or four, with an
air of holding serious
views
concerning his toilet
He
and
behavior.
aimed
at being correct, and
rather colorless ; but his spiritwas
too high to allow
gance.
eleof his making
definite impression of mere
a
There
indeed, rather a spoiled-childair
was,
given
about both young
people, which might easilybe foraccount
of their perfect good-nature and
on
of

love
he

of

Medhurst

fun.

innocent

easily enough like

creature,
pretty,princess-like

Alec

could

with

aristocratic
her

separated

made
;

his

up

but,

as

he invested

mind

for

her at

the
once

caprices,which
being of a different

hauteur, whims, and

from

him

like

world.

Cecil exclaimed,

"Alec!"
"

attention.
house
"

told

papa

at

Oh,

' '

Papa

home,"

are

we

told

said

our

tion,
indigna-

Medhurst

show

shall

every
him

the

any

to entertain

trouble

me,"

dryty.
charmed
us

he

to do

wanted

Cecil, " and

that

it !
you
we

"

cried Alec.
to

must

feel
do

quite

all in

at

our

We
are
stupid,
agreeable to you.
intentions
are
good." \She accompanied

to make

power

you

of

once."

Don't, I beg, take

"

offer Mr.

to

I insist that

said Medhurst,

but

you

in atone

it

LOOKEE-ON

these

words

with

the

child ; but
"This

IN

VIENNA.

27

upturned glance

Medhurst

of

tionate
affec-

an

bit his

lip.
Alec, advancingalong

is the

parlor,"said
the hall,and indicating
the salon at the left.
"The
Cecil.
"You
drawing-room," corrected
don't make
I will do
anything impressive, Alec.
the honors
myself." She ran on ahead, and stood
door with a charming gesture of
at the wide-arched
invitation.
"This
is the Haxtoun
drawing-room,"
"
said she.
It runs
the lengthof the house, and has
and
doors.
It is furnished
two
eight French windows
in frayed yellow satin, and
carpeted with an
afflicting
pattern in Axminster, which, after forty
years

of

constant

works

of

art

works

of art

not

by, Alec
going off

and

Who

"

"

laughter. " Are you aesthetic,Mr.

asked, suddenlygrowing grave and

the

are

ing
asked, look-

she

into

The

out.

wear

by

are

the wall

on

brother

at her

wall

the

on

will

use,

fit of

girlish
"

Medhurst?

drawing

she

herself

up.
"

in the

Not

been

of

more

child

or

thought, have known

and
of spirits
prodigality
and
folly.
"

We

better

We

furnished

we

of

out

the

Accordingly we

Museum.
make

neighbors whose

have

were

this

no

concessions

thing is
ugliness. We

like in
its

to

how

its

might,

take

to

this

high coloringof

fun

remarked.

now

houses

look

as

if

they
Art

Kensington

South
pose

as

ideas,

new

he

woman

had

If she

face.

aesthetic,"she

not

are

of

more

he

"

replied,softeninga

her wistful

sight of

the

little at

least,"Medhurst

"

Philistines ;
not

we

we

! What

ity,
durability,its respectabil-

don't

have

furniture

and

cups

28

and

MIDSUMMER

look

to

saucers

is the utter

upon
costs

at !

against the

encroachments

China,"

"

In

cheap.
Mrs.

this
of

Est6's

She

sits among

as

such

her

"

wonder

does

"

rich

our

so

up

neighbors.

"

damask

"

"

"
"

splendors
;

"

the smile

with

for her chief

daughters !

if

Cecil,turning to
"

stand

we

way

! " said Alec.

son

of Lear's

one

"

is

of

treasure

son."

Oh,

"

of

!"

her clothes

Cornelia," pursued Cecil

is her

standard

said Alec.

"

"

our

"

Crystal,and glass,and
"Carvings and furniture"
Rugs, Japanese bronzes
And

It

pictures"

"

"

house.

our

everythingnowadays

so

see

in

to

up

ourselves

pique

we

taste

keep

to

pretty and
should

of

almost

hideousness, for

You

What

absence

great deal

MADNESS.

Medhurst.

"

that suit Mr.

heard

never

dutiful

as

"

He

Heriot," said

is rather

guished,
distin-

"

"

Heriot, Alec?

adjective yet

an

is

He

like Mr.

will

you

"

that

expressed

him."
Medhurst
she

ceased

listen
gaze

her

to

with

on,

It is
with

not

mere

at Cecil and

what
She

to say

could

they

of

brother.

wish

words, except
"

think

to

feelingshe
where

looking

was

she

was

turned

smiling, and
saying, or to

something

to

hide

of

sort

; but

could

think

commonplaces

about

the

express

his

from

away

of

no

parlor,

still stood.
very

quite

pleasant room
a

shy

air.

in
"

summer,"

In

altogetheron the south side of the

mamma's
morning-room, and that

winter
house.
is

the

she
we

went

live

This

is

library.

LOOKER-ON

take

Alec,
You

Mr.

will be

there,"
order

little smile

and

west.

into

29

papa's

book-room.

to

him

chance

into

up

took

that

VIENNA.

spend a good deal of your time

added, crossing before Medhurst, in

to allow

dark

Medhurst

apt

she

Alec

IN

the

his

to go

she

as

eyes

the

lead, though

and

on,

sending a
him.

passed

librarywas

so

they could only see their way into a small

oblong room, completelylined with books, except
for the three windows
which
opened to the south
"This
in

Alec,

is sacred

apartment

"

Every
epics.

voice

to

WORK," said

TUB

intense

expressive of

veneration.

in those five tiers relates to the

book
As

see,

you

mention

we

the

Aryan
subject with

and with bated breath."

genuflections
Medhurst
Mr.
began to understand
need
of a paid secretary.
"In
those cabinets," pursued Alec,
and

pans,

jars, which

will,we

Haxtoun's

"are

pots,

illustrate

suppose,

WOHK."

THE

they hideous?"

"Aren't
the shelves
Medhurst
followed

her brother's

over
was

Cecil,peering into

said

shoulder.
the

that

unaware

into the book-room,

them

girl had

young

and

startled

now,

he said

sharply and met

his.
Thus
seen,
blushing and
vivid a picturethat he hardly
so
did
for the few succeeding
or

moments.

Having

introduced

his

labors

by

sudden

her

close

face

her

dimpling,she
knew

what

future

frankly
sorts

exclamation,
made

familiar.

of fantastic

their father's

to

both

Cecil
freaks

the

turned

'him

which

great undertaking to

the

of

scene

people

young

prompted
to

to

became

Alec

to

tell all

they

had

forced

lend itself.

They

30
both

by

MIDSUMMER

bubbled

that

save

glee,humoring

childish

of

each

take

to

listener.

indulgent

in Cecil

seductiveness

her

It

face

was

part in the

any

He

begun by being somewhat

annoyed, but
There
both
were
by being amused.
and

other

reminiscences.

Medhurst

for

unnecessary
game

with

over

varietyof

every

MADNESS.

had
ended

he

sweetness

took

fresh

meaning every moment

might be arch, she
; she
might be satirical,but she was
bewitching. She
alternatelyturned to him with the clear pose of a
of

woman

the

Beginning by
linked

which
her

father's

through

audacity
I

to

of

such

very

with

the

various

Medhurst

of

processes

given him
she
difficulties,
finally entered
his present advantages in having
secretary. She actuallyhad the

well

had

himself.
that

genius," she remarked,

"
Papa said he examined
bottom

smile.

autobiographical sketch,

rallyMedhurst

know

touched

artless

an

great idea, the help she

subject of

secured

"

itself

with

and

sort

numerous

the

upon

world

you

with
you

on

are

universal

mischievous
every

ease.

subject,and

nowhere."

glanced

at

Miss

Haxtoun,

then

looked

away.
"

You

citizen
lived
"

"

have

are,

of

the

believe,a

world," she

regular cosmopolitan,
went

"

on.

have

everywhere."
Exactly."
I thought so.
It is so delightfulto think you
done
and
are
narrow
everything. We
vincial,
proregularPhilistines,as I was
just saying.
at home
where
anyyou are like Mr. Rodney Heriot,
dine
between
the poles and
the equator ; can
"

But

You

"

LOOKER-ON

rice

on

will think

you

Medhurst

held

grimly and
We

"

"

We

live

"while to

sick

hot

to

town

"I'm

cold, or

We

stay

it

is

enraged
he

or

smiled

pursued vaguely.
never

of

wet

too

too

or

relations

our

all the

worth

seems

always

some

here

of

to find

nine,

at

He

of

thinks
chance

to be

year

of real life.

is

and

are

round,

He

does

eminent

an

Alec

eminent,"

Haxtouns

the

snow-

uninteresting

Accordingly

It

morning

too

whether

too

o'clock.

until three

and

or

see

"

He

every

tame

that

town

in the excitements

mixes

sandals

nothing,do nothing, except Alec,

He
belongs to the actual world.

hear

course.

wear

"

town.

or

31

his

near

go

nothing,
of

so

dead.

or

VIENNA.

tongue.
terriblydull," she

are

dry, too

how

me,

us

hardly knew
out
laughing.

break

to

whale-blubber

or

But, dear

shoes.

IN

goes
not

out

my

me

in.

struck

return

lawyer."
"One

Rosendale, people say,

giving

into

and

of
body
no-

brief.

consummate

Nobody has a
cleverness, and
legal studies are an

granted that my
What
I
elegantfiction, an apology for indolence.
pine for is to roll up my sleeves and go to work and
make
some
only
; but I can
money
"
Roll cigarettes,"
suggested Cecil.
Both laughed as at some
unique witticism.
They
had
left the book-room, and
were
standing on the
ing
charmback piazza,and here,on the river-side,
were
it is taken

for

"

"

opening

vistas

They
over

floated

over

in

the

banks

of

the

Delaware.

path to the shore. Sunset was

clouds
still
few
a
blushing,translucent
of the west, and, rethe gold and amber
flected
the track of a passing
the river, showed

walked
; but

to

down

the

MIDSUMMER

32

boat,

trembling, fluctuating wake

flame.

The

water's

edge

old

house

; it was

but

looked

and

the river

the

other, each

dark

The

the

pleasurable sensations.
he

illusion

made
The

of

him
walk

either

on

easy,

thetic
sympa-

his

wide

wns

Miss

lilacs

himself.

dread

paced along by

to her, and
side, listening

above

one

hardly knew
charming views

the

cottage

of white

rows

the

creepers,

Medhurst

companionship,
three, and

luxuriant
Between

with

lilac scents, the

hand, the

for

with

bordered

and

rose

gravelledterraces,

two

hour,

dreamy

of

little above

but

deserted.

and

were

stood

covered

in full bloom.

now

MADNESS.

own

enough

Haxtoun's

occasionallyputting in

word.
is coming to tea," Alec
said
Rodney Heriot
suddenly.
"
Yon
ought to go in, then !
"
Heriot is likely
to surprise}"ou,"Alec remarked,
turning to Medhurst.
"

"

"

"

Is he

"

No

man?"

young

; not

to

say

He

young.

is

probabl}*thirty-

five."
"

"

He

who

He

to

seems

has

done

gets

up

so

that," said

than

Cecil.

things. He is like a person

the morning and
accomplishes
left on
a long stupid afternoon

many

early in

everything,then

older

me

has

his hands."
"

Heriot

What

suggestivelook
"

Yet

you
?

"

She

His
was

has
at

not

done,"

Medhurst,

call your

"

said

is not

Alec, with
worth

neighborhood

tame

here, and

is

doing."
and

teresting
unin-

"

mother
married

lives

twice, and

he

he
was

visitingher.

the

son

of

her

They

the

were

looked

the

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

34

height,

same

taller,as

he

but

Heriot

Rodney

and
excessivelyslight,
his figure was
rather
ill-proportioned. He was,
with
a
nevertheless, a striking-looking
manding
comman,
air and
He
a
peculiarlyexpressive face.
had
large blue eyes, a thin, sensitivelyoutlined
mouth, and his skin was delicate as agiiTs. His face
his pale
and
mustache,
a
beardless, without even
brown
hair was
scanty. He gave the impression of a
versatile and doubtful
personality. His eyes puzzled
and annoyed any one
inclined to make
him a study.
relentless ;
at times
hard, cold, and
They were
again, clear and frank : they could soften and
his whole
But
face sugbrighten,and darken too.
gested

much

as
manner

"So

deep,"
he

that of

was

and

whim

allows
are

you

he said

needed

to

was

as

intellect,and

few

encroachments

from

the

spiritI

from

called

Medhurst.
Do

others.
the

I told Mr.

"

secretary.

habitual

is aggresindividuality
sive,

whose

one

his

feel

you

vasty

Haxtouu

gratefulto

me?"
"

not

Not
an

in the

least," returned

amphibious animal,

and

Medhurst.
feel out

"

of my

am

ment
ele-

entirely."
They had shaken hands, but still looked at each
other as if deepening their mutual
impression.
look here," said Rodne}r Heriot, in a
"Now,
know
light,easy tone ; " having evoked you I must
the secret

of you.

What

is your

name

and

age

and

station ? "

twenty-eight years
Francis Medhurst.
My station
They both laughed.
"

am

old.
is

as

My
you

name

see."

is

"

LOOKER-ON

find

must

"Do

out

remember

you

the

discovered

who

What

"It
moral

is,
had

his

three
All
flower
river.

the

towards
Alec

followed,

men

color

showed

had

chilly

well

"

who

was

doing
out

wind

of

came

Heriot

it, and

walked

she

as

lighted
most

to

Rodney

slight

the

alone."

summons

declined

and

"The

enough

and

withdrawn

raised

Rodnety.

darker.

She
tall

very

flitting

terraces

let

to

Haxtoun,

Cecil.

to

looking

ahead,

the

ought

Mrs.

arm

him

Alec,

said

suddenly

from

servant,

and

dismiss

to

Rodney.

wizard's

the

incantation

story,"

man

grown

came

offered

on

that

said

dialogue.

sad

was

of

inquired

the

by

that,"

35

again.

that?"

was

puzzled

little

tea

laughed

than

of

how

not

VIENNA.

fate

secret

knew

both

They

It

the

but

demon,

"

more

IN

mounted

house.
the

of

The

talking.

sky

the

up

from

not

the

36

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

III.

TABLE-TALK.

n~lHERE

-L

eight at

were

twelve

lighted by

the

tea-table,which

candles, in

candlesticks.

Rodney Heriot
Haxtoun's
right hand, and
side.
Medhurst's
place was
and

Miss

hour

an

his wife

an

He

elaborate

old

had

detailed

he wanted

her

prove

that he had

he

had

foreseen, but

turning
and

up

at

in

had

gentleman

symptoms

of his

giving
doings

had, it seemed
a

warded

to

masterlymanner,

only avoided

had

intrusive

and

accident

not

Haxtoun

of this ; he had

assurance

to

his other

Mr.

account

He

Mrs.

at

spent the time

during his six days' absence.

him, accomplished his purpose
and

on

his unfavorable

from

before.

sat

between

silver

high

the chair

Cecil

The

Winchester.

apparently recovered
of

took

was

all the
off

set

out

dangers

those

pected
unex-

difficulties which
every

vexation.

corner

His

wife

tion,
defy predicand
threatening
had
ended
by

and
spiritof obedience
showing the most amiable
shaken
might be her views
acquiescence. However
of her husband's
far-seeingknowledge of the world,
in him
fatal facilityfor explanation,
there was
a
for argument, for careful balancing of expediencies,
which

forced

marriage,

Mrs.

her

to

Haxtoun

succumb.
had

Ever
intended

to

since

her

have

her

TABLE-TALK.

; but

own

way

was

still

She

the

occasion

disliked

the

when

she

should

do

so

requiring prophetic conjecture.

matter

37

country ; yet she

lived in the

country

all the

She
had wished
to go abroad
year round.
after Cecil was
through her studies ; but she had not
abroad.

Her

that
Cecil should
anxiety was
make
a desirable
marriage,and just at this moment,
when
Mr.
Rodney Heriot was
beginning to show
unmistakable
matrimonial
intentions,Mr. Haxtoun
had
introduced
into the house, as if
a
man
young
with the very design of giving Cecil an
opportunity
for capricious conduct, fluctuatingfeelings,and,
romantic
of fancy. Every woe
of her
possibly,
flights
gone

life,Mrs.
part of

Haxtoun

an

met

her

yet

it

at
was

said

within

her

mind,

own

was

Aryan epic. Her husband's

great work
every turn, tormenting,defying,denying ;
him
stand
underimpossible for her to make
It

this.
be dictatorial

not

was

in Mrs.
A

strenuous.

or

Haxtoun's

nature

she

woman,

to

believed,

by renunciation and self-sacrifice ;

she should
yieldwith such grace that chivalrous man
would
be eager
not only to reinstate
her, but offer
She would rather
and wider scope.
her ampler powers
should

never

conquer

have

her

way

than

not

kneeled

be

to

and

But,
object of a hand-kissingdevotion.
her own
wanted
nevertheless, Mrs. Haxtoun
way,
Mr.
when
and never
than now,
more
Rodney Heriot
each the object
her and Cecil, and made
sat between
Haxtoun
Mrs.
of his little attentions.
accepted
made

the

them

with

easy,
of

Mrs.

th"in.

fascinations

It had

that Cecil

Haxtoun
of

Cecil

smilinggrace.

her

suitor.

before

failed to
He

was

seemed

conscious
un-

impressed
appreciate the
self-possessed,

now

MIDSUMMER

38

observant, and

MADNESS.

everythingin good taste, and he

besides, a capitaltalker. He had had plenty of
was,
experiences, and was
willing to use them to give a
he
to conversation
piquant or amusing turn
; but
lost a certain tone ; he said nothing with too
never
insisted
much
his hearers
on
emphasis ; he never
In short, to Mrs.
being monopolized by his ideas.
Haxtouu's
mind
he was
course
perfect in evcr}T-dayinterMr.
different from
Snow, her niece's
; so
if he
and
even
fiance,who took himself seriously,
had
a
theory concerning the change of weather was
the
of a tremendous
painful pressure
apparent!}' under
did

Mrs.

idea.

could
and

be free
its

limitations

from
"It

is

the

when

be
of

traveller,devilled

me

and

some

you

"But

same

"The

had

of

the

all

fered
suf-

Haxtoun
taken

were

crabs
cried
; and

are

give

to

the

Mrs.
there

thing
every-

unwholesome

most

things

cream-toast,

worst"

Haxtoun,
are

cold

and"

worn"

"

}Tou

tongue

"

dear
satisfy me,
my
I crave
something highly seasoned, and at
time simple and
substantial."
devilled
crabs
are
just the thing," said
would

Rodney Heriot,
and

dined

delicious

they

Jenny.
the

Leonard,"

dear

told

perhaps

especiallyhungry

am

should

description. Now,
"My

had

self

dish-covers

the

moment

offered

out

She

away.

throw

"

opposite characteristics.
singular coincidence," Mr.

that

"

himself,

of

who

man

the

remarked,
off,

occasions

on

liked

Haxtoun

"

with

never

little of

that

asparagus

mayonnaise."

"I'm

afraid
with

mild

joking," remarked
disapproval.
Young

yon

Mr.

are

"

men

toun,
Haxdo

not

TABLE-TALK.

these

regard
It

"

ma}'.

on

that

it

know

you

Sarah,

important. Ah,

as

the table?"
platteracross
is cold salmon," cried Mrs. Haxtoun, with disdid not want
"I
this,Leonard;
you to see

is

what

matters

39

"Under

hurts

always

you."

circumstances

some

it

might

do

so?

hardlyto-night,"said Mr. Haxtoun, who liked

salmon
mayonnaise.
My dinner, as you call it,
lunch
of cutlets and
a
mere
spinach.
Jenny, was
The
cutlets must
have
been
underdone
; they have
distressed
I ought never
since.
to eat veal
me
ever
but

"

from

away

home

have

never

it

but

on

the

the
table

fact

is, my

dear, you

here."

why. You observe," said

Mrs. Haxtoun
to her next
neighbor, my husband's
diet is governed by fancy, and
experience does
nothing for him."
it a point to regard the food "before me
I make
rather than a cold,
with a frank and friendly
feeling,
suspiciousone," said Heriot.
ing
Treachery often lurks under an innocent-lookMr. Haxtoun, mournfully.
dish-cover,"remarked
You

"

know

very

well

"

"

"

"It

is

kind

of

conviction

profound

my
food

for

human

that

beings has

the
not

proper

yet

been

invented."
said
Rodney
lady drinks bouillon"
"She
Ileriot, who
thus,alluded to his mamma.
takes it the first thing in the morning, all through
sure
the da}',and the last thing at night. I'm not
her up to give it to her
wakes
but what
her maid

old

"The

every
"

two

I dare

also,a

hours."
say I shall

come

little later,"said Mr.

to beef-tea

Haxtoun,

and

to

rather

gruel,
testily.

40

MIDSUMMER

all

"We

When

I first

elaborate
I eat

dinners

"You

"

and

chop

came

for

me

"I
relish a
Rodney.
things I never
expected
the old lady used
to have

; but

couple

put

an

end

to

that.

of

vegetables,a dish qf
at three o'clock."
a sprigof celery,
the most
absolute
savoir-vivre,"said

and

macaroni,

Mrs.

shall," put in

simple, innocent

thousand
to.

MADNESS.

have

Hastoun.
I?

Have

not

am

so

sure

about

that.

There

not too
signalsposted all along a man's course,
One
much.
ings,
pullsup a little naturallyat these warnis not
when
one
hungry. I used to like
truffled Ji'et,and
bottle
of
iced
a
a
turtle-soup,
in love with
I am
clicquot. Now
simple pastoral
pleasures, nectar, ambrosia."
are

"

"

"

"

and

ambrosia?"

"

What

"

Something delicious,"returned

"

Made

"

It must

Sweet

are

of

Mrs.

Cecil.

Rodney

Heriot.

sugar?"
unhealth}","said

be very

Heriot

asked

and

cream

thingsruin

"Mr.
cried

nectar

is

Haxtotm.

pastoral pleasures

Mr.

Haxtoun.

the constitution."

dear,"
talking figuratively,
my
"He
was
alluding to simple

"
"

Making hay while the sun shines," said Alec.

Mr.
Hay-making will soon be obsolete," remarked
Haxtoun.
better system.'-'
Ensilage is a much
"
Oh, please, my dear, do no$ talk to us about
ensilage."
"
of great value,
invention
But, Jenny, it is an
but to sufferers like
not
only to the agriculturist,
myself from hay-fever."
"Hay-fever?" said Rodney Heriot.
likes the smell
Ever3rbody except Mr. Haxtoun
"

"

"

"

42
"

MIDSUMMER

Banished, Edgar,"

apprehending
idea, which
"

the

Father

could

not
"

Miss

and

mowers

of

entirelybreak

banished.

Times, you

And

murmured

the critical condition

So to speak

were

"

MADNESS.

Winchester,
his

struggling

its shell.

Now,

their

formerly,there
scythes, regular old
"

know."

they have mowing-machines instead,"

said Miss Winchester, brighteningvisibby
at her clear
perception of her lover's meaning.
And
before long the grass will be whisked
off
without
even
fallingto the ground, and there won't
be an atom
Mr. Snow, whose
of
eloquence was
lost again.
spasmodic, was
'midsummer
when
the hay was
"Poetry; no
down'; nothing but tame, stupid prose," finished
Miss Winchester, realizing
that they were
emerging
now

*'

"

"

from
"

the ordeal

Often

with

eighteen

eclat.
and

twenty

handkerchiefs

heard
to say, having
was
now
day," Mr. Haxtoun
struggledmanfully againstdifficulties and secured a
listener in Medhurst.
A perpetualtendency to
Haxtouu
Mrs.
breathed
more
freely. Medhurst
to his employer with an
air of absorbed
was
listening
attention, and she began to realize that some
pensation
commight exist for her in the general scheme
of things. If Mr. Haxtoun
to find a congenial
were
in other
words, an
companion in his secretaiy,
of
apparently admiring listener, the average
creased.
domestic
joy at Rosendale
might be considerably inIt would
be, in fact, Medhurst's
duty to
listen to Mr. Haxtoun, whether
he discussed
Aryan
out
epics "x. his indigestions.He could listen, too, withdoing his patron a wrong.
any feelingthat he was
"

"

"

"

"

TABLE-TALK.

wife must

beware

illusions

in her

reallyis ; yet
to hint at

assertions

find

with

of

her

by

other

time

obvious

to be

way

delicate

too

conscientious

Don't

must

of

the
But

he need

being a
than

not

be

think," or,

you

evasions.
;

his

she must

erroneous

expedients

most

of

ous
preposter-

oversightin
rightherself.

in the
the

"

mind

up

interesting
person

same

the most

in any

met

husband's

at the

build

helpingto

and

momentous

more

or

of

43

"

venture

his

views,

His

dent
confi-

cautiously
if "

But

nicest tact, and

Medhurst

not

insist

need
on

he

not

the
be

the formal

his

private premises and Mr. Hax

toun's conclusions.
He was
paid for the work, and
need not stick at obstacles in the way.
Insensibly
Mrs.
the cloud lifted from
Haxtoun's
pretty brow,
when
she
led the way
and
into the
parlor, and
arranged the whist-table,she felt almost gratefulto
which
the chance
had
brought a young fellow like
Medhurst
He could
to the house.
play whist with
his patron ; and
for Mr. Haxtoun
to have
a partner
who
neither
his wife, nor
his son, nor
at whist
was
his daughter, was
a solid
gain of comfort.
Medhurst
was
nothingloth. He liked the look of
full of easy-chairs
and wide,
the long, pleasant room,
have felt oppressed if he
sofas ; but he would
roomy
agreement

had

of

been

forced

than

to

to sit down

watch

and

without

listen to

the

other

tion
occupa-

groups.

He

opposite the old gentleman at the

whist-table, congratulatinghimself that at last the
whist was,
eternal flow of disputations
must
pause,
Mr.
and
Miss Winchester
at least,a silent game.
took

his

seat

"

Snow

were

down

with

the
her

other
work

partners.
at

table

Mrs.
near,

Haxtoun
with

sat

shaded

44

Cecil

and

lamp,

MIDSUMMER

took

MADNESS.

stool at her feet.

everybody's else

watched

himself, and

of

stood

disposing
mantel-piece looking

at the

when

to be

with

intimate

Heriot

by

no

Meanwhile
had

been

disposed

the

the

him, hovered

means

first hand

of

partner had

scored

the odd

she

was

the

"

"

not

you

Mr.

choice

"

Never

with

;
to

me

lead

whist

Haxtoun

trick, which

and

Med-

was,

cards

his

had

plaintive

Mr.

see,

Medhurst,

that Snow

was

trump the heart?"

to

I did

I confess

mere

found

"

Did

ready

but

at

game

thought,doing very well, as his own

promised no such result.
Mr.
Haxtoun, however,
began, in
:

longed

talk.

hurst

voice

little

guest and

about,

to

played through, and

Heriot

before

movements

photograph of Cecil, taken

girlof ten. Alec, who admired
at

Mr.

of

wail.

of

that

way," said

"A

everything depends
say,

you

lead

my

seemed

evils."

regard it in

sort

And

not.

made

three

in returningmine
first,

lead

is

upon

it.

different
you

were

Mr.

Haxtoun,

great opportunity
And,
permit
errors

too

in your

precipitate,

long suit first, and

have given me
back your strongest card ;
you should
and allow me
to remark
that, with the queen, knave,
and
ten, you must
invariablylead the queen ; and
weak
should
led up to Snow's
have
suit,and
you
through Lilly'sstrong one."
all wrong," muttered
Indeed, I am
sorry I was
"
Medhurst.
Stupid of me !
"
And
I could
have
taken
that
club," pursued
Mr. Haxtoun, in a voice of bitter anguish. " If you
you

"

should

have

shown

your

"

"

"

TABLE-TALK.

had

observed

had

the

you

to

that

it

and

knave,

highest

play

my

trump

my

card.

It

of

Lillytrumped

trump.

over

tricks !

One

am

afraid

more

trick

have

lost two

we

rang

their

"

"

certain

voice

piercingl}*, so that my play weakened

and your throwing away a spade would
ours.

that

seen

; she was

you

Haxtoun's

Mr.

"

have

for
wholly unnecessary
the
diamonds, for it was
saved
to have
a pity not

was

such

was

trump, certain,"

to

would

you

nine

45

hands,

ened
strength-

tricks

two

"

absolutelysure

am

out

we

might have made."

recollections of the hand
By this time Medhurst's
faint as " les niegesd'antan
were
as
; but lie was
ready to admire his partner'sgrasp of the situation.
"

He

determined

to

mind

all his remote

But
He
a

had

his

good

chance

he

for

partner led
to Mr.

to prove

his

own

acquirements of
involved

at once

was

and

game,

moned
sum-

rules and
in

gestions.
sug-

dilemma.

trumps, but, fancyinghe saw

profitable" saw," he trumped when

hand

of

low card.
Haxtoun

This

only was

that he had

necessary

knowledge

no

of the game.
I

"May
said

Mr.

Haxtoun,

side, when
"

Five,"

his
had

the hand

in

trumps you
voice, his head

many
soft

had?"
on

one

over.

was

said Medhurst.

earth!"
cried
and
possible? Heavens
cation
Haxtoun, infusingall the solemnityof an invoHe then
into his formula.
proceeded to tell
partner what had been lost by his misplay. It
been
nities
apparentlyone of those unique opportu-

"Is
Mr.

inquire how

it

when
; when

the

mere

cards

one

address, skill,and

holds

subtle

are

of

no

count
ac-

observation

MIDSUMMER

46

MADNESS.

ness,
everything. Yet, by a simple pieceof carelessperhaps of ignorance, these possibleresults
ful
had been hazarded, put in jeopardy,by that dreadaffair was
act of trumping. The
reallyserious.
Medhurst
began to fear the old gentleman would
collar him, asking him
around
and
shortly come
the devil he meant
what
by it.
do

can

"

I don't

Uncle

more,
"

believe

could

you

Leonard,"

observed

made

By Jove,

no

They

have

taken

trick

Lilly.
three

it

as

was," put

Snow.

in Arthur

difference
to Mr.
no
apparently made
Haxtoun, who
evidently s'inquietaitde perfection
de gloire. Medhurst's
bien plus que
failingsand
doubt
but he was
no
shortcomings were
plentiful,
of them.
He began
to be unconscious
not allowed
little cross
not
to feel timid, apologetic, and
a
; to
of
regard technicalities as a bore, and correctness
The
old gentleman,
play as an art beyond him.
however, being used to these stormy intervals between
the hands, was
quite contented with his partner, and
that his partner was
felt no doubt
equallycontented
that

But

with

him.

Mrs.

Haxtoun

considerable
affliction.
after
the

If

She

in his

there
to have

youth

understood

from

littledistance

with

of Medhurst's

approval

all, well

yoke

life.

listened

be

must
a

a
one.

}*oung

with
very

bearing under
secretary it was,

better

well

grace
that

man

than
her

bears
later in
husband

There
was
nothing
having a capital time.
ingly
menacing or portentous in his tone yet. Accordshe could give a large part of her attention
to
an
easy-chairnear,
Rodney Heriot, who had drawn
was

'

TABLE-TALK.

and

to

talking

was

the

present,
took

of

eyes

raised
without

evening,
was

of

of

her

to

innocent

not

the

of

to

becoming

vindictive

recreation.

look

feeling,

again
risk

even

is

that
of

as

The

Medhurst

as

in

Mr.

against

eyes

resolving
parlor
Haxtoun's

the

He

details,

watched

the

enter

at

was

her

He
and

group,

delightful.

other

was

admirer.
of

never

at

much

attitude,

bitterness
mind

of

sort

them

Cecil.

and

situated

Cecil's

what

her

man

typical
of

wondered

own

was

note

both

to

47

present

and
she

as

it

all

in

his

in

the

ner,
partform

48

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

IV.

MOTHER

ESTE'S

MRS.good
was

it had

the
build

feature

north

trouble

had

and

"

the

mediaeval

central

found

he

with

Carved
All made

was

out

chairs, and

made

As

which

house,

oak

he

had

it
the

on

the

furniture

had

neither

in

wished
money

to
nor

figuresstrauge and sweet,

of the carver's brain,"

floor to

from

Anne

for which

great buffet,which

the room,

from

of

set

have
castle.

idea

spared
it perfect.

make

to

the

England,

of

room,

of

developed his Queen

He

Delaware.

SON.

dining-room would

been

Est6

late Mr.

AND

took

ceiling; and

settles. There

half

up
so

friezes

were

panels representingchases
dell with huntsmen,
dogs, and deer

were

the tables,

of flowers

through

birds ;

the side of

wood

; knights and

and
and

ladies ;

gargoyles and grinning masks ; coats-of-arms, crests

and
quarterings; legends cut into every moulding in
proverbs
quaint characters, giving homely old Saxon
and

saws.

The

carvings, its
ceiling,that
which

could

room

was

crimson

and

it
pour

required
in,

and

so

dark, with

its black

leather, its oak-studded

all the
all the

morning
vistas

sunshine
the

open

50
the

was

survivor.

only

as
after-life,

have

difference
Este

he

inclined

was

views.

littlemother, and

parent's second

Whatever

he

boy

youthful,romantic

would

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

He

Hamlet

to

became

wholesome,

adored

hardly suffered

in

his

pretty
at his

more

marriage. "Hyperion to a satyr"

to his mind
a mild
renderingof the

been

his father

between

and

his

Mr.

successor.

considerablyyounger than his wife ; a Swiss

a
by birth, a German
by education, who had made
lucky invention and brought it to this country,where
it. He
he realized handsomely upon
then applied
the proceeds to large financial
operations, whose
was
fabulous, so unprecedented, that the
success
so
little man
became
his
to every one
save
insignificant
The
two
important personage.
step-son a most
hated
each
when
other, and
Rodney was
twentyMr.
Este
told bis wife to give over
to her boy
one
was

his

of

cent

every

father's

fortune

Rodney went, nothing loth.

banished

things

but
I

set

free

loathe?'"

and

let him

"'Banished?

What's

from
he

go.

daily contact
declaimed, like

with

the

second

Catiline.
For

the

ensuing fourteen

grievance which
He
and

he

had

had
the

her husband
her

sent

loss

her

to

years
was

Mrs.

ready

only

child away

make

good.

Est6

had

edge.
to acknowlfrom
He

her,

lavished

everything she wanted, and she wanted

she
everythingthe world contained.
Ever}'summer
to Europe, and
if Rodney had
went
nothing pleasanter
to do he joined her for a month
at her villa on
the Lago Maggiore,
dajTslonged for by the poor,
witheringbeauty, then wasted in poignantvexations,
and recriminations
bickerings,
regrettedand
; finally
upon

"

MOTHER

remembered

AND

SON.

51

"

if

they had brought her the sweetest

maternal
Est6
joys. When
finallylay dying he
that it was
certain to be Rodney
probably knew
lleriot who was
to profitby his accumulations,
the
face
and
his
boy he had hated for his handsome
casm,
patricianair,quite as much as for his gibes,his sarhis freakish rebellions.
Rodney had spent all
his own
long before his step-father'sdeath,
money
and
had, in fact, been livingon his mother's secret
remittances
In his confused
for five years.
sions
impresof his relations to life and the world in general
as

"

it had

mattered

from

so

when

long as

he had

wishes

little to him

felt

where

it in his

he had

out, and

worn

his money

came

pocket. Sometimes,
had

indulgedin hazy

something which might profithim more

than his incessant pursuit after enjoyment, he had
expressed an opinion that it would be a good thing
if Este were
to die and give him a chance
to go home
and
event

haste

for

live with

actually came
to change his

Under
least

his mother.
to

ways

could

do

She

widow.

black-bordered

was

when

the

Rodney

pass

longed-for
showed

no

of life.
Mrs.

the circumstances

she

afflicted

But

to

show

wrote

note-paper

Este" felt that

to

herself

sheet
her

upon
son,

the

deeplysheet

of

tellinghim

She
August had been to her.
about
her
talked
lations,
aspirationsand consoreligious
and
books she
quoted from the devotional
was
reading at this crisis. Rodney only glanced
throughthese effusions. He knew his prettymamma
her only ambiwell by this time that he believed
tion
so
to pose for a part, and play it out successwas
full)-.He had found so much that was false in her
how

good

her poor

-MIDSUMMER

52
it hindered
widow

his belief in the true.

her

Kempis

in

throat

and

hand

one

handkerchief

and

in the

past with
I know

other,

in

the late lamented

essentials

which

with

by,

when

Time
of

six

your

did

was

on

put it

hand

for

off for

for
made

no

felt old and

not

bitter

be

must

left

of

grace

their compensations.

his

year.

more

allusions
and

Something
he

She

wrote

to

her

he

he took

intended

of his arrival ; but

her

and

came
finally

had

to

enticing

more

however,

amusement,
When

the end

at

to be

had

in

been

the

her town

with

in all the

heart

Este, and

paper,

come.

at the time

was

"A

days, and

have

Mrs.

New

He

griefover

taste,

take

husbands

by surprise.

to

of

to her.

of his

But

his mother

stayingin

present and

mysterious dispensation,

cream-tinted

better

York

woman's

the

me."

she

husband, used
he had

at

with

going home to mingle my tears

thought is too affecting. By-andgrief is a trifle quenched, you may

wonders

months

son

incessant

complete

in the flower

visit from

liu^e

for my
the

yours

expect

It is

for rich
As

he smiled

his wealth.

sorrows

filled him

refined, so

enchant

off

enjoy

to

these

him

cut

had

wrote

properly mourned.
which

her

EsteY' Rodney

pleasing,so

so

Thomas

with

state

with

wet

dreadful

are

you

her

seen

crumpled black-bordered

spectaclethen
woe.
Nowadays
equal disbelief.

tenderest

you

had

coquettish cap,

The

tears.

man

He

before, in sweeping crape gowns,

frill at

"

MADNESS.

country, too despondent to go back

She
life,and take up her social duties.

lonely,and
a
good son
tears

in

unhappy

was

her

to

about

her, she

weary

old

her

told
eyes.

boy.

herself,
She

AND

MOTHER

seemed

53

suddenly surprisedthat Rodney

any

wa}* have

her

needs.

failed

She

time

he

had

stripling.She

coated

trained

him

in

answer

as
gards
refaultlessly
a little princefrom

her

to

should

wishes, and

the air of

admitted

was

her

to meet

; he had

manners

the

SON.

velvet-

table, a

had

spared no pains to give

him the correct tone ; she had taught him
what
was
of the
fit,and what was
unfit,for the likingof a man
He was
world.
to know
everythingto a degree,
his heart, save
To
touch
eat of every apple once.
with admiration
of her own
prettinessand elegance,
striven ; to foster his aspirations
she had never
after
ing
things noble, pure, and lofty,instead of deadenof the meaning
them
by cynicalrepresentations
about
of the life which
went
on
her, had been an
effort beyond her
little,frivolous, worldly brain.
But when
he had been a littlelad he had worshipped
her, hovering about her with adoration in his blue
his love now.
She had always
eyes ; and she wanted
to her, and she knew
not how
had somebody devoted
"

to

live

had

without

of

out

gone

anxious, ambitious
to

stimulate

and

her

outshine

sort

some

the

life

now

Este*

was

into

of

that
no

efforts

wives

The

incense.

to

little,fussy,

longer at her side,

displayhis wealth,

his

of

the

flavor

fellows

Wall

on

street.

before
or
more
our
Early in March, two months
story opens, Rodney Heriot walked into his mother's
house one
day. He had been seized by a whim to
he said, but should
probablytake the steamer
come,

back

by

next

Easter.
at

week,

as

he

wanted

Nevertheless
first conscious

he
of

to

be

stayed
comfort

in
on.

his

London
He

came
be-

rooms

MIDSUMMER

54

the

pleasant ;

were

devoted
had

she

morbid

ought

to be

not

he had

you

will have

not

need

this

Cecil

been

alone, for

she

got

inducements

to

six
for

weeks,

Est6
I will

"

Of

you.

but

die,

him

Mrs.

Haxtoun,"

home

at

mother

course

will

you

for that."

showed

marked

no

suggestion, but

concerning any intention

England. He had come
debts, but

his

told

these

provision
everything when

wait

to

Rodney

with

lefc

servants

business

of

man

handsome

after

her

will marry

said, when

idle

found, too, that

to
flighty. Added
Rodney had another.

If you

make

full of

was

and

remain
"

He

older, and

grown

that

house

him.

to

MADNESS.

he

indication
he

said

to

spend

back

had

of

further

nothing
the

confessed

in

season

loaded

his mother

to

not

purpose

He

them.

had

that by maintaining absolute

always observed
silence concerning his affairs he kept her in dread
of
disclosures
which
her
might terrifyher, and made
off any trouble
anxious
to stave
by lavish presents.
Thus
her generosity
had already cleared
up matters
for him, and he was
pei'hapsglad to feel himself for
the present safelyout of all danger of getting into
new

scrapes.
After

these

explanations let

eating

their

with

down

at

her chair.

He

come

the
nine

which

had

Haxtouus.

Rodney

There

mother
made

He

o'clock, and

kissed

place opposite.
between

and

return

breakfast, the morning

tea

taken

Est6

Mrs.

where

us

her
was

and

beauty

found

forehead
a

son,

in

certain

ing-room,
the din-

to

Heriot

after

had,

were

he
as

had

usual,

his mother

in

took

his

and

degree

although
her, in his

the
case

ness
of like-

points
gave

MOTHER

AND

SON.

delicacyand refinement.
brought the breakfast, and

Two

mere

until

sideboard
son's

dismissed.

few

diminutive

with

cream.

save

her

that

she

son

hung

about

the

Mrs.

Est6

made

her

It

home

she

she

could

had

and

ate

the

drank

for years

effort

an

that

was,

cup

nothing

only by

truth
not

liquid out

filling
up

seemed

The

black

of

and

pot,

herself

She

sipped that.

and

noon,

then

spoonfuls

silver

bouillon.

came

men-servants

herself, with little,withered, trembling

coffee

hands, pouring a
of

55

until

been

led

till

up

gather her forces until late in

pertinaciouslyinsisted that her

not

day. Still,she
be dragged out
nerveless, weary old body should
bed at eight o'clock, sponged, rubbed, dressed,
the

her

downstairs, that she might lend

charm

to

of
and
her

There
was
nothing more
boy's breakfast-table.
amusing to Rodney himself than making an entire
It had
not
belonged to his
change of his habits.
of existence
to rise punctually at half-past
scheme
on
food,
simple, wholesome
eight o'clock, breakfast
walk
the place, pay a morning visit,and spend
over
his evenings in a dull household, making himself

.interesting,if possible, to mother

but he
accepted these necessary
He
and

liked

at

all

of

wanted
millions
should

all be
to.

sacrifices

excitement.

He

of

that

there

Under

circumstances, with

these

right,what

own

like ?

He

waited

to

would
see.

the
was

presently they

ducks

and

tion
sensa-

enjoyed

possessions,and
notion

fully.
cheer-

his, to make

in his
he

daughter;

present this absence

of his mother's
solidity
some
piquancy in the
would

and

drakes

he

of

want,

if he
some

what

MADNESS.

-A. MIDSUMMER

56
He

watched

hands
"

as

she

Poor

old

made

if you

to be

You

"

said

he said.

of the

I go

in bed

I went

be

might
bed

to

get

stronger

when

I like

early.
Est6.

Mrs.

returned

o'clock.

at ten

in, last night,"

came

Dismal?

"

bored

I don't

and

something
"

But

I wonder

and

what

"No

you
If I

mean.

you

doing

am

I go and

Some

doubt

if I

rate

at any

am

I shall

day
a

an

dreadful

old

die,

sinner,

of me."

will become

too."

"

myself

you're a
world,

You've

sinner.

anybody

as

You

this house.

about

what

can't,

woman

to

in this

wages

what

get frightened.

and

Do

else."

then,

woman.

know

with

savage

dismal.

got

"

get dismal, Rodney?

ever

do

you

Rodney.

"

am

You

makes

till noon."

morning,"

were

What

"

day

strong!

am

in the

up

"

to lie in bed

were

"Oh,

his coffee.

lady !

at this hour

up

of his mother's

trembling motions

the

can't

got good
looks

who

see

can

expect all this, and

He

laughed loudly.
Est6 shuddered.
Mrs.
Twenty times a day she
ness,
kind
of an appeal to Rodney's tendermade
some
she was
and each time when
repulsed she said
not
worth
her while grinding her
to herself it was
heaven

teeth upon

"Well, well,"
thin

shoulders,

You

are

"

"

You

never

behavior.

he offered

the stone

one,

she
"

are

shrug

all sinners,

of

her

suppose.

I know."

pretended
must

said, with

now

we

her.

now.

to be

You

Cecil Haxtoun

anything else."
must

is

be upon
very

your

best

bright girl."

his way

bed, with

to

that
march

visitor

and

up

"What
"I

paid

to

and

the

stay

till

out

"

You

never

know
a

He

bears

he

was

as

You

match.

want

years older
"

But

me

than

you

have

lived

I shall turn
old fellows?"

into

side, then."

the safe
much

too

the

I don't

of

master

imagine

resemblance

Jane

old
to

Schuyler.

she, but it

than
But

he

was

sidered
con-

regular
Philadelphia,

was

life in

justthe set, formal

foreseen

girlinto."

to marry

not

an

famille."

all his

have

she

of

kind

develop

may

he married

when

take

man

supporta
in-

most

most

as

have

man."

charming

anybody might

might

is the

phantasmal

older

and

it

suppose

you

blushes.

young

him

he would

to

bore."

most

bachelor, had

"

on

clever,

old

routine

de

twenty years
a

gust,
dis-

married

what

humanity

on

keep

the

I remember
was

Do

pere

too

are

Haxtoun

"

I wonder

what

yourself,to turn out

"Spare my rosy
what

bore

I will

swear

"You

each

began

been

He

past midnight.

after he becomes
"

had

husband,

her

enemy

burlesque

such

there, and

Cecil

If

I shall make.

man

in

do?"

you

old
old

silver

of

room."

the

away.

came

still

was

down

did

woman,

basket

observed, with disappointment and

He

hand.

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

58

Cecil.

I must

be fifteen

is."
lived in

Philadelphiaall

your

life."
"

I have

"

Mrs.

missed
Haxtoun
Years

those
mourns

ago

Mr.

moral
over

advantages, surely."
Cecil's small

Haxtoun

would

tunities.
opporinsist

on

MOTHER

AND

SON.

in order

that

livingin

the

noise and

and
interruptions,

that

country,

she

she

might save
expense,
lavishlyon her children's
Cecil was
eighteen she went

in town

She

; but

Mr.

longed to

Haxtoun

let her

himself, or

to go

might avoid
glad to give in,

be

able

education.
to

could

go

he

was

and

pass
not

; but he

Europe

to

go

59

spend

to

As

soon

half

the

be coaxed
will not

until he has

as

year

into it.
consent

finished

his

book."

Cecil

""

mother

has

wants

had

The
opportunities enough.
her to an
English peer, no
marry

to

doubt."
At

"

rate, if the girlhad

any

different

would

you

way

been
have

not

brought
liked

in

up
her

so

well."
How

"

well

Rodney. He
leaning back
hand.
and

in his

attitude

nodded

with

enough
to

curls about
I think

asked

breakfast, and

cigarin his
boyishness in

of

flatter maternal

illusions

and

high spiritsbeneath

which

he liked to exhibit.

poetry
motion

his

like her?"

chair, holdinga

of worldliness

crust

suppose

finished

was

retained

"

}TOU

had

There

look
he

do

which

fluttered

the

was

left
his
that
the
She

airylittle

her forehead.
like

you

pretty well already,"said

her

she.
He
"

and finger.
snapped his thumb
I never
actuallycared that for any woman,"

he

exclaimed.
"

I do

"Believe
cared
action.

believe it."

not

it

that for

or

any

not,

as

woman,"

I never
you like; but
he said, repeatingthe
"

"Do

Est6

Mrs.

I don't
heart.

little.

herself

about

fall in love

vivacity.
"

For

"Oh,

you

and

it.

"

had

learned

experience.

her

"But

charming,"

you

like

herited
in-

have

sentimentalize

to

not

your

pulled herself

She

"

to

you

will

said, with

she
"

wife?

yes."

"

Something will rise

ality
hard, cynical intellectuit comes
give yourself
a wave
drowning reason

will fall in love!

Let

that

master

When

nature.

like

it come,

resistance."

Rodney
"

shouldn't

you

father

Cecil is

week,

It is not

you.

why

Shouldn't

of your
to

for

Your

and

presently,and
up

head.

her

now.
"

!"

them

know

She

on

never

were

you

woman?"

sorry

am

that

say

any

shook

Then

credit.

up

before

plenty of

"Oh,
"

to

mean

you
knees

your

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

60

am

"Does

laughed again.
the girl."
not unwilling. I admire
Mrs.
she like you?" asked
Este",peering

into her son's

face.

It seemed

to

her

he

flushed

little.
"

How

should

I know?

never

asked

her."
"

uniformly alike?
is as changeable as the
She
Uniformly alike?
One
time she seems
wind.
with
ready to crush me
her cool disdain, and will hardly throw
me
a word.
Then
again she will be brimming over with talk, and
puts an extinguisheron
pour it out until her mother
Sometimes
her.
she is soft enough to melt in my
mouth, and again she puts my teeth on edge."
"

Does

she

treat

you

"

"Mark

my

love witk you,

words," said

Rodney."

Mrs.

Este" ;

"

she

is in

MOTHER

He

bent

his

down

head, and

color

His

SON.

AND

61

leaned

his chin

upon

had

certainlyrisen,and his
feminine
him with
watched
mother
some
triumph.
How
could she help being in love with you?"
Mrs.
Este pursued. " She
never
saw
anybody to
with you."
compare

his

breast.

"

I'm

"

not

so

fascinations.

of my

sure

reckless, brilliant

of

woman

the

Take

world,

rather

and

I do

Fanny Dalton, for instance, nothing

is wasted.
She knows
everything,understands
thing,
everyloses nothing there ; she givesone
and
one
back as good as she gets, if it is only by the curve
of her lips,or the laugh in the corner
of her eyes.
tell what
is going on
But a young
can
girl! Who
well ; with

very

in that mind

of

fuel.

plenty of

be

hers ?

With
is

There

at, if she feels inclined

all that

to

fire there

nothing
say it ; yet

must

she

will

she

is apparently

stop

that
her words
absolutelyunconscious
carry
the
least meaning.
Impelled by the irresistible
feminine
instinct for forbidden
fruit,she constantly
breaks

barriers

over

Cecil is

' '

for it.

You

her up

under

so

and

innocent

ought
her

boundaries."
!

You

to thank

own

eye"

ought

her mother

to adore

for

her

bringing

"

girlsbefore brought up under their

not
mother's
they did not know was
eye ; yet what
worth knowing.
However, I do not say I disbelieve
if I were
and
to
in innocence
ignorance; and
like to marry an innocent
I should
girl,who
marry,
"

I have

seen

in love with

was
"

"If
sheer

me."

you will."
falls in love with

predictthat
she

disinterested

goodness on

present, it

me

at

her

part. I

am

is

dull ;

62

'

insipid;

am

who

is

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

serious.

too

am

perfect -wind-bag

With

conceit

of

father

and

whim,
will

not

If
chance.
safely chaperoned, I have no
to do
anything for me, mother, now
reallywant
an
opportunityto make
your time ! Give me

you

and

mother

is afraid

who

her

daughter

be

is
love

to Cecil."

"I'll

ask

She

"

her

will be

place. Use
Suppose I

the
"

She

month.

here."

over

infernal

the

petrified
by

invention.

your

Entertain

ask

has

dulness

Fanny Dalton
written
again and

to

come

of

little."
for

again,begging

invitation."

an
"

There

is

always

is

what

much

so

drama,

where

Fanny

is."
"That
wants

to

marry

you

want,

you
; but

you

"

drama.

will not

Fanny

let her marry

you."
"

No,

"

not

if I

can

help it."

But, utterlyconvinced

the

impossibilityof
that, she would
help you to marry somebody else."
All I want
is somebody to keep things going."
Keep things going, and herself on top of them.
I will promise Fanny an outfit from Paris
or
one
two
dresses in it
if she will help us."
of Worth's
You
have the ingenuityof the evil one.
When
Satan
wishes
into his kingdom, he
to lure woman
Write
to Fanny."
singsjust such a song as yours.
were
rarelyso definite. It was
Rodney's commands
general!}'a trifle benumbing to his mother's
powers
to feel that he wished
anything from her. He indulged
in the most
timating
generalizingform of speech while in"

of

"

"

"

"

"

his

wishes

but

there

was

no

lack

of

MOTHER

definite

decision

AND

his

in

actual

everythingleft undone was

swift,deeplycuttingkind.
humor
to-day. Mrs. Este"
and

stood

watched
lawn

there
him

towards

herself

in

63

requirements, and

certain

He

to stir anger

in

was

followed

moment

SON.

in

the stables.

She

him

the

light his cigar and

good

sunshine,
not

the door,

to

stroll

was

very

of

across

to

apt

and
the

show

no
one
light; but there was
here to observe
her.
In spiteof the prettiness and
of her
infanlillage
make-up, she looked old and
felt old.
The soft wind moved
the white, airy curls

so

forehead, and

her

about

strong

freshened

her

little. How

! Everything was
was
bright the world
green ;
bursting into blossom, all the air
everythingwas
But
had a scent
of flowers.
such
beauty mocked
her.
She had
huddle
into
no
part in it. She must
and
hear from far, far away
the murthe twilight,
mur
she had
to which
of the world
once
belonged.
little strengthshe had
what
She must
use
writingto
Fanny Dalton.
Fanny would be an efficientperson
in this great, silent house.
Este
in her
Mrs.
crept upstairs,and sat down
before
her
desk.
She
morning- room
pondered
vaguelyover Rodney's mental attitude towards Cecil.
fatal sign
He wanted
to be loved, which
a more
was
in a man
like him than being in love.
Perhaps he
that he had not compassed a
felt, who knows ?
love yet ; no
fair experience. He had not had much
oratas.
sisters,no cousins ; perhaps, as he said, no inam"

"

She

wondered

Sometimes, looking
and

what
at

his

his cruel blue eyes, she

inferno

of

memories

behind

he

had

been

through.

delicate, cold-cut
felt
him

as

if he had

; but

he"

was

fuce
whole

living

MIDSUMMER

64

quietly

enough

girls

young

anxious

was

ideal

to

and

clever

Girls
herself

her

would

trained

been

in

clever.

were

an

give

to

the

Cecil
de

art

faire

she
But

sometimes.

had

she

was

"

no

longed
the

to

be

of

to

the

The

letter

last

thought

the

she

pitiless
she

now

seemed

and

darkness,

sleep,

Sometimes

had

she

although

shuddered,

clutch

to

nothing

her

at

which

with

herself.

save

She

At

her

dull.

and

Something

nevertheless.
out

in

quiet

was.

grave

old

but

clever,

longer

was

se

clever

How

clever

too

almost

was

ask

girl

Cecil

believed

everything
a

taste.

concerning

men

He

son.

does

good

fully

she

have

else

had

she

heart

had

with

tone

her

marry

what

valoir.
been

in

He

parti.

wife

certain

but

Este"

Mrs.

now.

took

always

She

MADNESS.

thought
drew
of

her
invitation.

of

paper

Fanny
towards

Dalton

was

her,

and

an

anchor.

scrawled

66

-4

hard

work

himself.
short

MIDSUMMER

before
The

for Mr.

MADNESS.

bedtime, he

evenings

were

Haxtoun's

was

too

now

of

game

presently left
and

warm

whist, and

to

too

dearer

"to that

the certainty
gentleman than any game was
that his great work
was
making fair progress.
The
became
well-worn
Aryan epics soon
ground
to Medhurst.
They offered at first a return to the
old fairy-landof poetry and
The
noble
romance.
and beautiful forms
and heroic pictures,the spontaneous
impulse of action and feelingkindling even
the simplest of the stories,fascinated
him.
After
making his livingfor years by dressing up the everyday
horrible and
commonplace into something the
public should find readable, it was grateful to free
his mind
of limitations and answer
this beckoning to
wide horizons.
Their orbit was
for Mr.
a large one,
halted at nothing. After leaving
Haxtoun's
scheme
his

secretaryto
fancy, the author

revel

for

in this

time

blandly remarked

carnival

of

having

that now,

Their
surveyed the field,they would set to work.
be to grasp
the whole
subject, omit
object must
nothing essential, yet allow no rudimentary details
"

to

hinder

the

concentration

of

their attention

upon

the

important points.
The
the clearest
than
plan required nothing more
ample and trained powers, the
judgment, the most
In order to commost
plete
systematicand careful labor.
the work

within

two

years,

Mr.

Haxtoun

went

cap,
get ready ten pages of foolsthey must
five hundred
three thousand
amounting to some
words, daily. He had prepared copious notes, and
was
ready to dictate with the unfalteringspeech of
from
with inspiration
who
overflows
higher
a sibyl,

on

to say,

MED

Medhurst,

powers.

twenty
to

was

pages

of

give

fair

nun

his

on

need

service,and

earn

which

however,

Haxtoun's

Mr.

far from
the old

the

riddle,and

his wages.

had

man

it seemed
round

not

There

and

results,
foreseen.

clear ; it

not

times

at

write

All he wanted

of these excellent

young

went

ready to

be.

literarystylewas

concise

without

67

side, was

foolscap,if

difficulties in the way

were

ST.

the

round

was

to

answer

the

house

touching the house.

Unfortunately,
Medhurst
wished
to pare and
too, when
occasionally
his suggestions only put the author
his
on
prune,
guard.
"You
friend," said the old
see, my dear
young
and
have found
gentleman, you are a journalist,
it essential to acquire a style,which, though neat and
flippantin a great work
epigrammatic,would seem
solid and massive
like this,which embodies
thought.
take a long life to do
I would
rather
one
thing
well, than accomplish fiftywhose
perfectionwas
Don't
marred
by impatience and over-haste.
you
ever

"

the

see

force

of

remarks

my

"

"But, after
do," said Medhurst.
certainly
to write
all,it is no bad trainingfor an amanuensis
He learns to be accurate, as well
for a dailypaper.
has to jump through
like the rider who
swift,
as
"I

"

the

hoop

horse
"I

at

under

the

or

he

will find

no

him."

will make

will allow

moment,

exact

me,"

of that

note

said

Mr.

"

I may

make

drawing my conclusions.
of it is a fallacy. Jf I
But, after all,jrour application
recall arightmy earlyexperience at the circus there
a good many
were
hoops, and the rider only jumped
use
striking

of it when

Haxtoun.

if you
illustration,

am

68
when

be

MIDSUMMEE

had

MADNESS.

breath

plentyof

and

chance

good

of

safety."
Medhurst

half

had

believe

begun to
methods, and

to

of

of

; that

kernel

of

all

good

what

him

did it matter?

Mr.

said

he

Haxtoun

be

deductions.

good

stiff breeze

the ends

that

in the whole

However,

there
at

mass

within
had

of the
was

no

which

he

himself,

taken

up the

no
enjoyment. There was
doubt
of his excellent
scholarship; and if he had
undertaken
his
to edit a classic he might have found
lucky
unamply recognized; but having, in some
powers
that the
been
seized by the notion
moment,
idea la}'beneath
the Achilles
of the Greeks
same
and
the Siegfried of the Goths, Ulysses and
in danger of being lost in a
Tannhauser, he was
bewildered
and
benighted. Faith had at
morass,
first not been
wanting in Medhurst, and, at times
But
Mr.
still,he had days of pure enjoyment.
Haxtoun's
speculationsturned over and over in such
endless
so
vortices, his intricacies were
deep, and
his mysteries so
insoluble, that Medhurst
began
of the plainest
and authenticit}"
to regard the worth
facts with
scepticism,and could hardly avoid a
ridicule
and
opposition. But,
tendency towards

occupation

after
to

the work
before

did

all,what

himself.
of
his

his

that

everythingto

wheat

for

cherished

He

Haxtoun's

vigorously,would

chaff, and

was

reply.

no

question Mr.

most

to

blow

working.

was

his

it seemed

inquirywould

earth

that to

made

sift his facts too

upset many

Sometimes

but

groaned,

Mr.
a

mere

labors

own

it matter?

Haxtoun

had

machine
were

Medhurst

engaged

; the

complete ;

author
even

reiterated
him

to do

might

die

if finished

MEDHURST.

G9

nothing depended on their success

; if he liked to
work
with a probable result of dismal failure,it was
merely failing, nothing save his vanitycould suffer,
and better men
than he, with salvation depending
had worked
on
success,
wiselyand still failed. All
"

"

he

could

fulfil his

do, Medhurst
of

himself, was

to

the

part of

fair pages

ten

insisted

bargain,and
copy a day.

turn

out

at

to

least

Mr.

Haxtoun, on his side, was

delightedwith his
work.
secretary'scapacity for steady, intelligent
The pileof sheets, growing day by day in his desk,
beautiful

were

smile

; he

and
visitors,

get

to

in his eyes.

showed
read

listen.

He

publicationof the
styleof binding.
Medhurst's
him

every

passages
was

first

day
to

to

any

them

with

his wife

and

one

he could

alreadynegotiatingfor the
the
volume, and discussing

introduction
a

aloud

handled

littleby its

to

Roscndale

had

unexpectedness, and

wildered
benot

experienceof the game of whist did away

with the noveltyof his impressions. After
a night
and
between
wakefulness
less
restspent in alternating
dreams, in which he was
perpetually
followinga
before him, an arch face,
erect figure
on
slight,
flitting
full of the sweetest
mischief,constantly
turningback,
all his strengthof mind
he decided that he must
use
not to have his fancy taken
possessionof by a witch
like Cecil, against the power
of whose
charms
no
He
was
ordinary resistance would avail.
ently,
apparfew temptations. His
however, to encounter
fixed and remained
dailyroutine became
unchanged,
and involved
He occasionally
no
dangersto his peace.
had a talk with Alec ; but his acquaintance with
even

the

them

He

70
the

ladies

Mr.

Haxtoun

when

he

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

of

family progressed very slightly.

engrossed him all through dinner, and
the

about

was

to

rise Mrs.

Haxtoun

made

putting a few gracious questions to him.

him at all. She
for Cecil, she hardly addressed
invariablylate at dinner, having been too full
Once in her place
occupations to dress in time.

point
As
was

of

of

she absorbed

at the table

everyone

narrate, with

except her father,

the liveliest energy

and

she

had

beginning

to

the

unblushing candor, everything

most

said, and

seen,

done

pretty spectacle

very

yet piquanc}'was
world

the

either, in

breakfast.

of

lovely, babbling

lacking,nor

not

She

since

accounts

was

child ;

knowledge of the
her morning's
of

amusements.

Medhurst
to Mr.

discovered

the

art

of

seeming

to

listen

invariablytook dinner for an

new
haust
opportunityto shape out some
fancy, and exits significance
in a sea of endless twaddle,
while
Cecil
in realityhe observed
closely. He
ences.
inferthem, and drew
gathered facts, remembered
shut up in the study from
Although he was
and
each
morning until night, he knew
day more
about
Miss Haxtoun
and Mr. Rodney Heriot.
more
Haxtoun,

who

"

"

Medhnrst
every

had

done

profession has

little in the

its

way

curriculum,

"

of
and

fiction,
"

he made

study this love-affair,

which
impressed him as being a little out of the
eleven
usual.
Every pleasant morning, between
and
twelve, Mrs. Haxtoun, her daughter and niece,
in the hubit of repairingto the tennis-ground,
were
which
was
quite easily within the range of Modhurst's eyes, as he sat at his desk, although a group

up

his

mind

to

watch

and

HUE

ST.

outside

the

MED

laburnums

of

could

He

him.

just
see,

saunter

the

across

after

day,

his

horse

at

lawn

His

falter ; but
It

he looked

puzzled

not

advance

luckiest

he had

man

and
wealth

done

almost

chance?

with

the

where
every-

had

ample

unspoiledgirlfor
certainty. Medhurst, over

his wife.

coldness

and

told

himself

with

expectation; at
look for him,

another
her

One

warmth.

listen to Heriot

not

did

ning
of win-

"

not

chance

coquette. She knew

playing with it a little,when
was

between

could

been

now

his grasp, and

amusement,

some

Haxtoun
was

Heriot

had

He

suitor

the

considered

everything,and

within

sort of hesitation.

why

met.

ever

Miss

might

beautiful, young,

He

faster.

had

little at

talk

know

to

He
and

seemed

ride

stables,and

Haxtoun

at her with

Medhurst

Heriot

Mr.

the

unembarrassed

easj*,

screened

ladies.

the

to

frank, pleasant way with Mrs.

Winchester, but before Cecil he
loss.

window

day

leave

the avenue,

up

71

sort of
time

mind

sit still a moment.

shy

she
seemed

She

over,

that

Miss

her power,

and

she

alternated

day

she

wonder

had

and

not

and
a

word

elsewhere.
insisted

cousin should

would
silent
or

She

that her

play tennis ; then, after her first failure

in serving,
flungdown the racket, ran to a flower-bed
and picked a bouquet, which she tore to pieceswhen
made.
She would
sing to herself until startled by
break
her mother's
sharp reprimand, and sometimes
into an
out
inconsequent burst of laughter,as if
most
some
amusing thought beguiled her. Next
Heriot
with the
meet
day, it might be, she would
childlike expressions of pleasure, would
look
most
and tell him apparently
at him franklyand fearlessly
"

72

What

stimulated
the

was

He
and

he,

This

Medhurst

time.

flung

all

bitterness
that

how

wealth

the

would

naturally

chance

of

this
had
not

aside

soothed

tranquillized

conception

fill.

his

and

He

of

it

moderated

imagination

had

All
clear

any

day

concerning

him

which
to

Heriot,
his

the

to

happiness

to

had

and

one.

expected

engaged

such

known

marriage,

made

felt

vividness

once

make

to

recollection

formally

was

had

the

Success

by

won

marvellous

rich

all

Medhurst

be

he

woman

obligations

girl

Cecil

beautiful

offer.

to

to

with

remembered,

man's

comprehensive

certain.

easily

of

looker-on.

to

very

had

was

of

no

Heriot

Cecil

memory,
of

like

to

presumption

something

or

flow

and

understand

own

definitely

He

foolish

himself

his

of

love

imaginations.

own

enough

thing

that

talked

his

merely

was

man

suitor.

that

there

seemed
sure

offer
doubt

But

what

easily

in

ebb

same

this.

particular.

actually

the

all

rudeness,

nothing

things appeared

to

with

girl,

had

perceptions

sweetness,

were

head.

accepted

were

reserves,

could

hesitation

of

he

side,

own

of

state

if

his

on

his

impulse,

Heriot

they

wondered

her

masculine

which

if

as

into

came

alternations

trivialty,

whether

of

with

these

JVIedhurst

which

Medhurst's

attitude

treated

MADNESS.

thought

stray

every

in

MIDSUMMER

it

and

spirit,
her.

hear

and

but

the

and

MADNESS.

the violins and

of

notes

his ears,
the

MIDSUMMER

74

then

flutes
into the

merged

were

only

reached
of

murmurs

river-

ripples. A curious little thrill of feeling

struck him, making him tremble
from
head
to foot,
he listened to the far-off,persistent,melancholy
as
strain, which repeated itself again and again. The
had lasted late, but now
sunset
a
only showed
pale
from the
glow in the north-west ; the lightsstreamed
the black
river; the constellations
garden across
south
a
nearer;
blazing in the north grew
warm,
wind
blew
felt suddenly lonely
He
up-stream.
bitterlylonely. He asked himself, with a kind of
stood
passion, why he, and he alone of all men,
isolated in the world.
While
he had sat listeningto
"

the

music,

some

nameless

vague,

ecstasy had

possession of him, inspiringalmost

seemed
an

to

could

he

the

these

it seemed

its hold

the

The

his

Blake.

contact

quite
and

sweet

he had
"While

of

work

her

danced
he

silence

horizon

the far-off heavens,

do

self
him-

before

time,
bed-

ridiculous.

been
to

told

He

to

music

affected

and

thoughts austerely,

imagination.

it had

over,

glowing

black

the

unrest.

had

had

expectation, of
was

of

his

impossible

stream.

Arditi's,and

Fanny

down

hours'

him

why
of

arch

his mood

that

upon

high

feelingof

two

to

down

of

the

had

and

sadness

toned

him

gave

it

his

recapture

the

solemnity of

he

row

not

world

"

and

the

or

memory,

He

rapture.

felt,instead, the loneliness

He

fancy.
the

the

exquisite happiness. Now

and

of

feel

taken

lift his

Still
and

oars

still played and

All
him
it 3

at
; it
ears

thought of
slender
figure;

membered
re-

waltz

before

it now,
he

he

once
was

kept

he

with
felt

experienced

the

of

wild, youthfuldelirium

and

75

OFF."

HER

"WHISTLE

the

on
waltz, floating

mated,
upborne as. if by pinions; he saw
Fanny's anipale face, and her melancholy, half-closed

He

eyes.
his

uttered

cry, and stretched out

her beside him again
to have

sort

He

of

longed
and sweet, and
as of old, witty,
thought of her the music ceased
arms.

He

snatched

his

in

river,and

twenty

crossingthe

was

shone

stars

minutes

the

and

rowed
had

depths

he

glamour fled.
the
rapidlydown
put up his boat, and

towards

terraces

from

out

and

oars

While

seductive.
the

the house.

of rose,

Pale

honeysuckle,

syringa. The air was full,over-full,of perfume.

He felt a grudging sense, that to go in was
to lose
the beauty of the night,the throbbing joy of this
out-of-door life. He would have liked
earlysummer
and

sink

to

down

the

among

grass

and

the

blossoms,

b}This exertions,and faint from spent emotions,

and rest the whole
night through. But his work
called him, and he sprang up the steps of the back
the window-sill
into
piazza,and vaulted easilyover
tired

the dark

soft rustle made

him

and

of

one

the

he

moment

that he had

aware

almost

and,

occupant,
drawn,

The

book-room.

in

inside

disturbed

instantly,a
caudles

was

the

some

match

was

sconce

was

lighted.
kk

Oh,

voice
"

is that
he knew

Yes,
very

"

You
with

But

at

last, Mr.

Medhurst?"

said

very well.

dow
jumped in at the winunceremoniously."
ing
said Cecil,standfrightenedme terribly,"
and
the match
still burning in her fingers,
Miss

staring at
"

you

him

I had

Haxtoun.

with
no

dilated
idea

you

eyes.
were

here," said

Med-

76

hurst, who
her
"

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

felt that

he

hardly responsiblefor

was

fears.

Papa

sent

for you

me

long ago."

so

ever

"Indeed!"
"You

seemed

room

tired of

in

44

But

chair

that

am

sorry

very

did

you

; I

not

remembered,

far

so

seized

this

match

candid

Her
His

heard

mind

might

who

had

so

room

rest, and

no

up

make

I grew

It

in

dreadful

touched
had
as

serve

I seemed

"

was

at

that

sprang

up

and

little savage

adventure

She

adventures.

was

fright."
Medlmrst
pleasantly.

been
an

where

afraid,

steps, and

she

little time

some

out

your

recital

almost

sleep long,"

not

everybody.

he entered

as

did

not

and

from

away

moment

was

you."

I woke

"

first I could

At

then

other

the

moment's

I roused

pursued confidinglv.
ago.

for

quiet.

in

people

"The

sleep."

to

"

the

talking to

I went

and

deliciouslycool

down

sat

Cecil.

here," continued

not

were

stood

to

with

; but
man

her

back

light, and, with her white dress, seemed

almost
Her
to shed
lightherself in the dim room.
charming, slightfigure,her bare arms, the frill at
the elbow, the ruff at her throat, the brilliant,arch
all these points, thrown
into distinct relief,
face,
clear to him
were
as
a
as
spiritedetching.
the

to

"

"

Where

have

"

On

river."

"

Is that where

"

Yes."

"

alone?"

the

have

you

you

wondered

been?

"

she

go every

what

asked.

night?"

you

did.

Do

you

go

"

Quite alone."

"

Do

"

Visits ?

make

you
"

visits

anywhere?
should

Where

no.

OFF."

HER

"WHISTLE

77

"

I make

visits ?

"

thought you might know people, you never

for our
to care
seem
society."
felt like laughing.
Medhurst
"
I have no acquaintancesin this vicinity."
"
like the exercise,I suppose."
You
"Perhaps that is it."
"
You
like the change from this dull room."
He looked at her, and waited
for what
she would
"

"

say next.
"

was

thinkingabout

3^011 as

I sat

here,"

she

remarked.

now

Before

sleep?"
Yes ; and after I woke
up."
That
was
extremelykind, and I am flattered."
she returned,
Oh, I thought nothing flattering,"
looking at him, half-smiling. It occurred to me
be dreadfully
that 3-011 must
Ionel3r."She paused a
no
moment, and when he made
replyshe went on in
if findingit necessary
as
a half-deprecating
manner,
this theory.
You
to substantiate
are
young,
I don't see
how
be utterlyindifferent to
you can
everythinggoing on among young people. Are you
reallyso completelyabsorbed with those dreary old
epics?
Medhurst
laughedoutright.He so rarelylaughed
that this outburst
it did
as
surprised him as much
"

you

went

to

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Cecil.
"Don't
"

I
"

ask

me

might confess
Don't

you

to
too

make

confessions,"said

much."

like yonr

work?

"

he.

Honestly, I

"

useful

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

78

like my
I

father

to your

work

well.

very

have

no

If I
ask.

to

more

am

He

good wages."
Is that everything?"
Everything would be too much."
bitter
not
I wish
I might think you
were
You
look so sometimes," persisted Cecil.
me

pays
"

"

"

sad.

I had

"

least

the

not

notion

looked

ever

you

and

at

me."

Oh,

"

"

If I did not,

after
should

be

had

idea

no

dull

very

"

I will
I

"

try

day

you

there,

were

"

person."

looking bitter and sad," said

tion.
ought not to expect observa-

not

"Friends?"

like to know

like to talk with

talk.

always

"

"

But

when
I

Look

am

Either
are

you

house

in

do,

no

"

said," she

somewhat

wildered.
be-

Have

say.

should
you

went

"

you
you

do

not

it in

entitles

The
me

breathlessly,

on
can

added

Haxtoun,"

over-kind.
way

she

"

to listen.

sure

here, Miss

decision; "you
me.

me."

"

you

have

things you
"

you

you

rarely say anything."

so

then

"
"

with

"

you," declared Cecil.

all,to hear
you ; above

listen to what

that?

noticed

petulance,

some

friends

be

to

should

not

manners."

my

repeated Medhurst,

I should

"

to mend

see," cried Cecil, with

determined

are

lightly,

Medhurst,

or

that you

with

If I sit at the table

"

to

table

if I sat at the

"

da}*,and

Cecil,unhesitatingly.

!"said

yes ; ver}r often

said

tell you

triumphantly.
Medhurst, with

anything
derision,which
say

position I
to

it.

many

You

like

that

is cruel,

hold
have

in the
your

HER

"WHISTLE

occupations; I
mingle."

interests and
meet,

never

You

"

do

Cecil,with

faltered

She

voice.
seemed

looked

Perhaps

me.

leave

me

am

rough
do

you

not

"Honestly, I
not

bling
trem-

She

boldness.

own

intently.

harsh," said he

was

with

continue.

to

at her

fellow.

You

if so,

"

see

I could

think

derision,"whispered Cecil,her
am

and

face

shame

at her

never

say it in derision,"

unable

was

They

forgive

had

you

better

alone."

But

"

crimson

mine.

have

I would

with

overcome

Medhurst
"

think

not

79

OFF:]

much

don't.

of

But

hero

in my

face

DOW

sensitive.

not

am
own

anything in
quite pale.

say

and

eyes,

have

thought of being so in other people's."

Cecil evidentlyhad something more
to say, whose
tated
weight was on her heart and tongue ; but she hesino

for
instant

moment,

Medhurst

from

in the
"I

had

her habitual
"

"

his

lost her chance.

Mr.

At

this

message

to

requestinghis

Haxtoun,

ence
pres-

parlor.
Cecil,with
quite forgotten,"exclaimed
little laugh, papa
for you."
sent
me
u

I wonder

what

I think

"

room

his hand

ran

I'm- not

he wants,

The

not.

Medhurst
"

so

entered, bringing

servant

and

over

game

is full of

of

whist?

people

"

night."
to-

his hair.

ter,"
presentable; but it does not matsaid he, feeling
that he must
be consistent with
that he did not wish to play the
proud statement
very

part of hero.

She

Medhurst

received

had
the

led

the way

at

once,

and

before

of
impression save
crisp,transparent draperies,which

any

lowing
folset

off

the

tall,

slender

himself

found
Mr.
of

MIDSUMMER

80

in

Haxtoun

some

himself
Heriot.

to

statement

to,

which

MADNESS.

moving

shape
the

and

parlor,

give
the
had

chapter
old
been

called

was

and

him,

before

on

in

verse

gentleman
challenged

upon

had

defence

committed

by

Rodney

he

by

82
had

He

MIDSUMMER

himself

given

winning Cecil, and

with

calls love
He

; and

than

He

had

got

out

thought

pleasure at
at any

compelled
the

any

cost,

their

all the

try

to

himself

been

instincts

since

at times

he

reaches

of

grow

he

as

well.

his

marry

her. the wish

his
he
for

snatch

at

These
had

ever

him

He

gan
be-

by taking a disgust at
bilities
find all his early sensi-

callous.

Thus

touched

suggestionthat

before

had

he is ;

dinned

bees, had

feel himself

mother's

slave

satisfyhim.

stung him
end

out

to

cost, freedom

existence

any

but

gets what

tries to

he

is to

he should

genuine surpriseto
Even

and

he

time

pleasuresof life,and
and

this intimate

dull, bound

cloud

tumults, and

to believe

and

never

more

of

of
a

never

much

the

which

the worth

had
novel

left to

man

every

flame

of

more

to smart

led, swarming like

with

he

cost, knowledge at any

the

"

supreme

doubts

that

world

man

enjoyment
complained aloud,

never

been

had

in this

wants

He

views

emotions.

more

his habit had

how
himself, sceptically,
of life.

his

of

to

up

ask

having
be-

was

young

very

be

been

twenty-one, and

was

could

himself

give

to

experience

nothing

he

idea of

delicacy. His

active

most

the

himself

what

novelty, some

personal hope.
he

the

not

was

before

fresh

flattered

great judgment and

wanted

had

had

late to

of

up

extravagant, and

not

were

MADNESS.

had

crossed

it

was

by

Cecil.

he should

his mind

; he

might be the best thing

he could
do.
There
was
something strikingto him
in the fact that his wish and will
usuallyall astray
and pera wild
road, delightingin their errors
sisting
upon
in their chimeras
at last bound
were
along
a straight
leading up to the very altar-rails.
course,
had

said to himself

it

that

"

"

"NOTHING^
He

had

been

IF

struck

by

NOT

Cecil

CRITICAL."

duringthe

83

first visit he

paid to her mother, while she sat at the table at

work, the shaded
lamp lightingonly her pretty
She
hands
and
the lower part of her lovelyface.
had

the least interest in the

shown

not

conversation

lingers over

dragged like a dull

had occasionally
yawned, and passed her
She
had
her half-shut, sleep}''
eyes.

seemed

him

going

which

on,

; but

game

to

always easy
had
him

had

like

it

Further

child.

was

course
inter-

this

impression. She seemed

freaks, all the more
piquant

slow to understand

not

was

child ; and

adorable

to love

deepened

from

came

an

for him

full of childish
he

indeed

side

merely one

of

to

cause
be-

that her naivete

her

mind.

He

had

her a quiet study,beginningwith

thought to make
this virgincrescent, and graduallyrounding his observation
tillhe reached

annoying
He

had

waited

struck

the

seemed

to

ness

that he

was

him

throw

upon

Mrs.

an

that
the

he

had

wasted

of
responsibility

Haxtouu,

who

it

was

cessively
ex-

to be hurried.

auspiciousmoment
key-note of his love-making;

to

ready

for

to him

the full orb ; and

before
but

time.

he
it

now

He

was

his lukewarm-

chaperoned

her

ter
daugh-

good ladyhad tried to show

him that her child had
been
as
judiciously
brought
"
Daisy
up as an European jeunefille.She had read
Miller
with a shudder, and thought it very unpatriotic
of Mr. James
of his compatriots
to depict one
and
nice ways.
She
as
so
lackingin a nice mother
knew
that Rodney Heriot had taken the chief coloring
and bias of his views from his European experiences
carefully. That

too

"

; and

hence

it was

that she

had

rushed

to

the

chaperonageof Cecil,mustering alarming auxiliaries

in the

of

shape
time

wrong

; she

would

take

the flower,

It had

he wants,

rose

Cecil

see

of

one

interested

decorums
should

of

foliage

the flower.

But

should

man

know

how

matter

no

displeasurethat

back

such

been

momentary,

high

Mr.

and

he had

had

had

the.

brought
feeling had

associated

not

own

His

man.

Haxtoun
but

his

Medhurst,

to

secretary;

young

of

in another

introduced

when

first sentiment,
been

that

the

how

nor

to

hide

not

at

duenna

closelyit is guarded.
quickened his apprehension

it grows,

love

been,

up

pretty part

all the time

acknowledged
how
to pluck the

he

bristled

visible.

she should

"

had

hints ; her

no

merely play the graceful and

to

only fault

himself, that she

palpable, too

too

were

Her

defences.

said to

Rodney

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

84

it with

concerned.
rivalrywhere Cecil was
was
Exactly how dangerous a rival Medhurst
likely
anxious
He
to prove,
to find out.
now
Rodney was
down
had
set him
as
a
silent, sulky fellow ; but
there might be something in him which
appealed to
to come
a girl's
imagination. He invited Medhurst
dread

any

on

the

of

score

to ask

out

the river.

way

Having

following afternoon,
to

lie in wait.

lying wide
the

bottom

his

hand

reader
had

no

open
of
and

in

the

He

absolute

Medhurst

He

then
; but

learned

his

had

the stern,

got
a

called

in his

Medhurst

that it

was

in this

was

and,

to read.

boat, and

book

boat, propped

he called

declined

recreation, Rodney, the

himself

pretended

of what

; but

to drive

Medhurst

secretary took

the

him

being busy.

wagon
on

with

breakfast

and

over

of

of

half
up
He

mined
deter-

Marivaux's,

recliningon

his

chin

was

with

steady

good literature,
although he
satisfaction
in reading. But what

"NOTHING,

"

had

man

any

La Vie

for him

done

knew

each,

them

all

all at once,

him.

He

liked

neither

had

and

in

feel.
charm

profitnor

interested

more

was

85

to do

river-fronts of the houses

at the various

He

felt he

and

de Marianne"

to-day.

CRITICAL."

NOT

IF

looking

the banks.

on

kindly,hospitableplaces;

as

took

whimsical

on

but

characteristics

mother's

place, with its high red

dows,
winchimneys, turrets, oriels,gables,and dormer
seemed
monstrous
a
burlesque; the Haxtouns' sober gray stone
assumed
a
dreary air. He
ground
againstthe illuminated backthought of his mother
of her life, a shivering,
cowering figure,
who
was
lettinggo her hold of the good thingsshe
to

His

"

had

bartered

walked

soul

the

across

wooden
in

her

stage,
The

manikins.

villas made

other

the

lawns, gay

with

Mr.

for.

and

before

Mrs.

his

mental

view,

the

people

thought of

very
him

yawn

Haxtoun

their green

flowers, representinga

ment
ele-

sure

of

and
dreary gentility
mediocrity. In this
as
if,
monotony of commonplaces it might seem
before
lover's eyes, the picture of his mistress
a
ideal beauty ; but such was
would
take on some
the
impoverishing influence of Rodney's present mood
suffered from
that even
Cecil's youthful fascinations
he rethe damaging tendency. At this moment
flected
that marriage to a beautiful
girl was, to a
wanted
like the
definite happiness, much
who
man
experienceof the hungry Bedouin, who stole a sack
of pearls,thinkingit contained
What
corn.
was
Cecil's beauty,after all,since,while it might delight
him

once,

was

certain

to

make

him

miserable

times?

thousand

All

it

at

once

his

frame

of

mind

changed

the

86

motionless

river-surface,which

the

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

had

placidlymirrored

ruffled

skies, was

the first
by a little breeze,
breath of evening,fresheningand reviving,
like a cool
laid on a fevered brow.
hand
The
of
slightstirring
wind brought the scent of flowers,and some
message
as well, to Rodney, of the throbbing intensityof real
life going on in the world, but which
he had missed.
He felt the pain and
the sweetness
and the longing
of it.

At

this moment,

along the

river

shot forth

boat-house

river,turned
I say ! "

"

called

Oh,

"

evening

draw

was

new

ment
move-

the Huxtouns'

from

skiff,which, after gainingmid-

his

oars

behind

"

I say ! Medhurst

and

looked

him, and

back

Rodney

at

"

his

had

near.

Heriot?

"

said he.

"

Good-

"

we

"With

all my

"

is that you, Mr.

"Shall

"

banks, and

Rodney.

then
starting-place,
to

too, there

straightup-stream, powerfullypropelled.
crossed

Medhurst

chance

"

have

pulltogether,
startingfair?"

heart."

Well, give me room."

Keep three boat-lengthsoff,"said

Medhurst.

All

right."
Rodney's first stroke was a strong one, and sent
his boat half a length ahead
of Medhurst's, and for
five hundred
yards it seemed as if he were
likelyto
little
a
keep the vantage so easilygained. He was
and became
the dupe
surprised at his own
powers,
"

of

more

self-belief than

the occasion

warranted.

He

when
he was
ally
actualways found it a happy moment
doing anything. Medhurst, on his side, had
the other
waited
what
to see
was
equal to. The
him, for Rodney invachallenge had almost amused

"NOTHING,

through

riably went
such
had
than

indifferent

au

how

his

small

CRITICAL."

social

air
leisurely

and

But

he showed.

he

of

master

make

to

NOT

credit for little more

given him
was

IF

his

very

with

Medhurst

nerve

muscle

or

that

his

stroke, and

sure

tell.

force

duties

that

found

now

87

petitor
com-

knew

Heriot

Rodney

had

scullingin good company,

just as he
Medhurst
had done everything else.
had, however,
intention
himself be beaten.
After a
of letting
no
while he began to put forth more
; at first
energy
and
petuous.
immore
steady and concentrated, then more
left behind.
Rodney was
"You
must
"Hello, hold up!" he called out.
I'm badly licked."
have
the devil behind
you.
Medhurst
laughed.
You
pull a better oar than I do," said he ; the
thing is,you are not in training."
When
can't win it is a neat
one
thing to say
is out of practice."
one
done

little

"

"

"

"Shall
"

3Tou

well
"

Let

No,

that

have

So

beaten

make

me

where

"

You

"

when
Certainly,

"

Let

me

my

it be

house, and

now.

take

tea

get acquainted

with

"

"

have

am

very

much

No, you're not.

held

off from

settled
definitely

I will rest

there.

that

It is

stand."

we

have

often

the most

owe

and

me,

it. I don't

be

It is

will do.

know

to

another?"

have

we

of

an

hour

of

triumph.

it."

revenge."
and

how

Come
with

us.

you
back

will."
to

Honestly, I

3'ou."
obligedto you."
You're
a
proud
me."

my

mother's
want

fellow.

to

You

88
Their

MIDSUMMER

boats

"

Come

"

Let

back

Go

is

there
"But
"

little

with

me,

strike
"

not"

will

dumb.

me

As

for

put into it.

further

and

talk."

we

what

frank

smile.

Medhurst.

the

be

buy,

on.

much
and

man

while

your

house

would

magnificence."
to the beer-garden.
house.
My
my

you

how

persisted

of its

he could

money

despised

I concede

"

worth

Your

it is not

see

the

"

with

house,
to

company,"

heard

I have

to

have

can

better

I hated

it would

day

eyes.

something," said
beer-garden a mile

me

step-fatherwanted
he knew

other's

me," urged Rodney.

well ; I will go

Very

the

were

"

find

with

Medhurst,

into

with

why

You

each

alongside. They

suggest

me

There

"

close

were

looking frankly

MADNESS.

so

him

Some

much.

to go

; but

the

through

rooms."
"

Thanks."

"

If I had

should

have

existence

'

Come,

Do

you
"

as

"You

money

the

owe

my

risk

of

place two years

being ordered

present lease
my

of

ago
off

the

comfortable

step-fatheris

dead.

ghost would stride in and croak,

miserable
beggar, get out of this !
what
it is to be poor?"
anything else do you suppose I should

if his

'

you
know

If I knew

be Mr.

the

near

to the fact that

feel

often

run

premises.

come

Haxtoun's
are

once,

amanuensis?

better
but

off

I had

than

"

am.

I had

spent it all before

some

was

thirty. If I told you how I had lived since you

might be in danger of despising me."
Medhurst
laughed. Rodney Heriot's eagerness
much
to talk to him puzzled him, without
interesting

MIDSUMMER

90

one's

to carry

not

who

has

nowadays

any

"You

self

MADNESS.

said

can't be

As

along.

for the

adventures,

"

to have

tried

everything so
Medhurst,
long as you are not married," remarked
with
rather
a
meaning smile, as he thought of
Heriot's
present opportunities.
Rodney did not answer.
They had dipped their
time

from

oars

to

little

floatingdock
garden. They tied
walked

settingsun struck
and
the sky above
of color.

The

and

now

below

the

terraces

their boats

the bank

up

time

two

The

reached
of

the

last rays

unlighted

beer-

of

the

landscape, and

beneath

both

were

at

the

post, and

same

the

sat down

men

half-a-dozen

tree, where

to the

together.
straightacross
the water

had

full

table under

Chinese

lanterns

some
evening breeze, and ordered
Rodney Heriot had a colloquyin German
supper.
and
the waiter, who
with
spoke English perfectly,
asked
him
what
he could
that was
promise them
particularly
good.
"
The best thing they have here is very bad," said

in

swung

the

Medhurst.
"

always

discover

Do

"

Once

"It

week

or

like at
?

makes

river

anybody's pet vanity;

then

avoid

inward
his

often?"

vow

it."
that

Heriot

measure.

Rodney inquired.

so."

times

to

get

out

of

the

Haxtoun

"

badly, but
The

here

come

you

"You
grooves

registeredan
too easilytake

not

"

foible,and

man's

Medhurst
should

like to find out

little

variety.
then they bungle over
is pretty."
a

The

band

very

good

plays
music.

"NOTHING,
"

Yes,

IF

NOT

the oleanders

and

CRITICAL."

91

fragrant."
"Accordingly I accept all such opportunities
for
thankful
solacement
in
a
spirit. I have
after I get
plenty of silence,dulness, vacancy,
back

to

are

work."

my

"Vacancy," repeated Rodney, with

"Yes,
counts

For

vacancy.
Mrs.
when

slight
grimace.

hardly consider
looks

Haxtoun

in at

that it
half

-past

two."
' '

fairer visitors ? "

No

his elbows
with

Rodney, who had put

the table,and was
supportinghis chia
hands, and lookingsquarely into the

on

his

two

asked

other's eyes.
"None."
"

Come,

"

Really,I

"

Did

Medhurst

to

No,"

said he.

"

Who

went

in ?

"

"

You

what

Haxtoun

did not

"

come

know

you

interruptyour

change

to tell you

muscle

work

the

of his face.

old Haxtoun

wanted

you

"

servant."
in with Miss

came

Haxtoun."

"Quite accidentally."
"You
are
discreet," said

laugh.
your

mean."

"

night?

other

don't
Miss

not

!"

man

come,

"You

very

are

Rodney,
admirably discreet.

good health, Medhurst,

with

and

light

I drink
your

to

tinued
con-

discretion."
"

I don't

know

what

I have

done

to deserve

your

good opinion."
' '

You

know

how

to hold

your

own

when

woman

92

is

concerned.

Haxtoun

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

But,

is

that

Miss

charming."

Haxtoun?

"Miss

confess

least,

at

is

She

certainlybeautiful,
"

exquisitelyfresh."
"
And
very charming ?
"
Certainly, I should imagine she might be very
charming."
But, from your allusions,I
"Ah, wise fellow!
have alreadygained the truth that six years ago you
"

"

charmed

were
"

As

you

much.

say,

charmed

off!

those

does

You

There

indicate
for

My

have

Mrs.

prohibitionwas,

the

to

explain the
rational

more

to

use

you

'

the

Not

too

difference."

being of the
imagination.

your

are.

Haxtoun

your

what

face

your

would

give

thing
some-

dreams."

your

dreams

exclaimed

to

not,

way.

spirited capabilities about

are

which

along my

say

chance

lie

you

am

have

not, handle

not, taste

not need

suspect I

two.

"

that

One

too

experience for life,and

signs which

hear

to
came

much.'

charmed

was

since."

Touch

the

are

happened

ago

fruit,eh?"

"Hands

night

off that

been

never

"Forbidden

"

six years

"

I rounded

have

"

much."

too

! You

don't

know

Mr.

me,

Medhurst, impatiently.

"

Heriot,"

Strong

tions
emo-

lived

have
part of my life. You
for agitations, excitements, pleasures. You

have

been

and

seek

accord.
bitter
mind

made

small

able
them
As

man.

is,that

afford

to

when
for

they

me,

I don't
I

am

I
mind

and

time
did not
am

my

strength
of

come

to

their

own

disappointed and
poverty.

twenty-eightyears

What

old and

go

I do
that I

"NOTHING,

IF

NOT

CRITICAL."

93

My dreams are of my failures,my

humiliations, my
disgust at my forced labor for
what has nothingto do with my actual life. As for
all
to them,
I fancy your allusion was
women,
would
win from
the caresses
of Titania
me
only a
like Bottom's, for 'a bottle of hay' or 'a
petition,
handful
of dried peas.'
half-mocking
Rodney listened with a half-joyous,
smile, and his large blue eyes fixed on MedHe
had
hurst's face.
begun by a suspicion that
intimate
there might be some
acquaintanceripening
have

no

career.

"

"

"

between

the

accepted as
Medhurst

certain

sombre

certain

to

himself,

Rodney

heart

waiters
musicians

in his

there

face

strife

were

troubles

the
lighting
taken

had

platform,and
evening grew

the

now

fancy

girl.

young
as

that

he alluded

obstinacyin repellingthe suggestion

might be charmed, were certain signs

present

were

with

love

heroism

that

over

fantastic

the

he

harsh

that he
to

Cecil, and

and

fact

wildlyin

was

fellow

young

were

and

tuning

lanterns

places

their

and

conflict

in his

vexations.

Chinese

their

more

and

on

The
and

the

the

little

instruments.

The

beautiful

every

more

The

after-glowstill lighted the sky and

the river, and
its lustrous
yellow had the perfect
color of the full-blown
ing
primrose, while the loomhills seemed
to be wrapped in violet.
"Do
quired
inyou like Mozart, or Beethoven, best?"
moment.

Rodney,

as

if

they had

been

talkingabout

music.
"

care
"

Beethoven
little or

That

; and

next

to

him, Schubert.

Mozart

nothingfor."

is because

you

make

such

serious

thing

MIDSUMMER

94

MADNESS.

of life.

Ther.e is something very happy and joyous

ing
Mozart, a dreamy blissfulness,a tender, brood-

about

fancy. First, he gives us the hope of his happiness

all through the
; a quiver of expectation runs
strains ; he

experience, and
the

his

his

it,no

absolute

of

musing

tenderness,

One

hear

ear

has

with

out

silence

; no

the abandon

And

finally,when
departs ; he holds

never

heard

the

ravished

grows

it departs

it,still

and

story over

with

it,but

one

till

over
can

never

often."

it too

"You

dreams

it, in memory
recallingit with all its
its transports, its imperious, seductive

on

charms.

his

; all told

it

no,

the

"

like

pleasure.

but

"

one's

comes,

reserve

with

coming

weight of
longs for, yet dreads.
full joy, voluptuous,

he

emotion, just

supreme
about

happiness

aches

his

of

sweetness

heart

distress

exquisite

Then

all the

tastes

make

out

me

strains, repeating each

dull

fellow; but Mozart's

like

other

echoes,

twining,
inter-

"

caressing,followingeach other, no matter

sweet
they are, give me a feelingof satiety."
What
better is there than sweet
satiety? But I
"

how
"

should

suspect you
No

Beethoven.

climax

hell ; then

to

be

to

man

You

emotion.

another,

to

of

out

to

hell opens

of

out

joy

of the chaos

go

heaven
of

You

"

thought a great deal about

thought about anything in my

for two

have

years

I studied

"

Do

you

play on

any

instrument?"

"

music?

music, and lived in

circle in Paris."

one

again,
despair."

"

out

of heaven

pain, out

born

never

after

from

on

heaven

new

mad

sweet, soft happiness in Beethoven

single unmixed

no

were

"

life ; but
a

musical

IF

"NOTHING,
"On

CRITICAL."

95

little,but

badly. On the
violin a little more,
but so
that of
unsatisfactorily
late I hardly touch the bow.
I had a frenzyat one
time to get hold
o'f the thoughts of the masters
;
but I grew
will have
discouraged. The immortals
nothing to do with me."
usual
He
his
spoke with
light superficiality.
Medhurst
stared
at him, frankly puzzled.
piano,

It needs

"

he

the

NOT

time, I suppose,

to

perfect

remarked, utteringa commonplace

exclamation

surprisehe
pursuit can

of

one's

to

self,"

stifle the

ready to make.
"No
artistic
be an
arbitrarything.
Your
with it ; they must
current
impulses must run
not only be a complete yielding
up of time, strength,
and careful labor, but of the thought and
intellect
as
well, if art is to reward
you by moulding your
and giving them
shape and meaning. I can
powers
do anything for a few
months
all at once
; then
everythingI have looked forward to and believed in
to have lost my
seems
crumbling to pieces. I seem
foothold, and
' '

has

man

stops

short

sacrifices not

"

and
me

for another."

past

that.

If

he

it at the risk of

petus,
losing the imget up again. In fact, he
he is going to do, but what

only what

to

my

minor

say I got out

attend

the

infatuation
I

witli
fond

concerts

fine moments.

some

concert.

struggle on

cannot

! I dare

I had
of

he

round

done."

Oh

I used

to

he does

which

he has

to look

have

was

of

was

an

of

music

all I could.

Conservatoire,
What
finallycured
experience at a private

at

the

play Schubert's
Hungarian pianist. I
my violin in those days.
was

to

Sonata
was

in
ticularly
par-

I used

to

MIDSUMMER

chest

down

96
lean

my

if it had

feelingas

been

of me,

feet in front

the

much

ivory skin
I

evening
I looked

bow, when

flourish my

it with

upon

this

Well,

woman.

MADNESS.

air, smiled

up and

I declined

for the absurd.

Then

"

through

see

meaning in all these

is a caprice with me.
pleasure is gone."
Medhurst

Rodney's

saw,

about

me

at

to
ten

regarded

sentimental

my

I felt that

I have

antipathy

an

play."

to

music

in

was,

fact, a

manner,

did

is

playing

the

price
ca-

these

not

take

moral

Everything

elan

by

is gone,

the

confessions,

seriously.
impassioned
and
spiritof

very

the freedom
clever

is

mine.

sportive, and

easy,
with

who

of

When

struck

was

There

once.

failures

times, alternated

one

and

of

which, nevertheless, he
at

about

"

You

"

love

your

just

amusement.

making myself absurd,

was

same

beautiful

prettyParisienne, who

internal

with

of

was

and struck, probably,by

closely,

me

the

part, and

wants

to

succeed.

be if I

would
"

wondered,"

I have

"

mind

my

I will hazard
been

What

"

That

studied

no

been
the

Are

"They
animal."

makes
is

have

"

"

how

it

reverted

the

to

conjecture :

you

same

have

ject.
subnever

in love."

"

not

pursued,

to fall in love."

were

Naturally

Rodney

think

you

that?"

why plenty of

reason

in love

with

you.

should

women

fancy you

have

subject."

women

say

ever
so.

in love?
But

then

"

man

is the

emotional

MIDSUMMER

98
masculine

she

make

what

almost

fancy

she

dazzle
the

makes

hair

runs

what

not

you

after

world
the

nothing but

astonish

she

with

your

knows

and

way

allusions

values

She

sort.

live in

being, or

will

MADNESS.

; she

certain

of

as

an

individual

youthful spirit,which

itself into situations

But

these

by

to

don't

ness
consciousthe

are

to

work

project

dreamed

or

in

surprising

any

but

man,

read

the

wants

excitedlyseeks

it has

of

utterlyreckless

effects.

encouraged beyond bounds

performances are not stimulated

You

Nothing
is ; she

is

to

scorn

end.

on

love.
love

and
reality,

utmost

stand

be

of you

of

about,

and

which, guided by its untrained

instincts,always
and leaps too far."
produces too much

Rodney
had

seemed

interested

in his

words.

own

He

been

which
had
smoking a cigarette,
gone out,
and now
went
through the motions of relightingit,
that
he
did
but was
unconscious
not
succeed,
and
proceeded to put it to his lips in his pauses,
withdrawing it when he spoke.
"
remarked.
Young girls surpriseme," he now
"
not
I confess, if I wanted
to please one, I should
know

how

Medhurst
"

Give

need

"

go to work."

to

me

laughed.
some
advice," said Rodney, gayly.

hardly think

"

swear

"

I don't
a

case

her your

that."

I do."
mind

giving advice,"

like this
Take

nor

it."

"

In

"

it is

the young

mother's

house.

sister,I believe."

matter

girlby
You

the

have

said
of

Medhurst.

scientific prediction.

hand, and
neither

show

brother

"

her

"

am

That

"You

can't

after

romantic

material,

moment's

than

think.

you

ardentlyloved."

is between

matter

for these

Rodney,

more

like to be

I should
"

that

"

pause,

of my

son

"

they do."
confess," said

I know

only

'

girlscare

young
considerations ?

"

the

am

rich widow.'

think

You

'I

Say,

so.

"she is

and

mother,
sordid

99

one."

Not

"Tell

"

CRITICAL."

NOT

IF

"NOTHING,

give

me

hers."

soul and

your

recipe,

any

love-

any

"

philter."
"

I gave

There

"It

the result of my experience."

moment's
silence.

you
a

was

is time

remarked.

now

hours

do

not

Get into my

"

No, get

boat

into

mine,

worldly ideas

in

vanished
was

and

natural

sensibility
; some
brutal

present

my

tric
eccen-

duties."

yours."

I will

row

carried

you

his oars,

home."

Rodney

out.

his boat

of

plied

All

and
irregularities

tow

and

was

Medhurst

talked.

the

and

back," Medhurst

way

with

stern, with the rope

gunwale.

what

coincide

arrangement

in the

have

on

my
Brilliant

"

"

This

was

tied

and

to

his

sat
the

panion
com-

all limiting
civilities,
meagre
conventional
to
tones, seemed

the intercourse

showed
taste

mixture

itself in

for the
of

of

two.

Rodney.

Only
Some

beautiful,a little of

poetry

made
themselves
sensuality,
of nightsabroad, which

the

and

evident
he

besides
folly,
in the recollections

poured forth.
in Germany, a song of Italy,
scene
adventure
an
he gave
Paris,
everything,
omittingnothing.
to Medhurst, after these weeks
of silence,as
was
"

A
in
It

if

100

some

stream,

forth.

spring,
mouldering
slime.

There
mixed

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

dammed

were

to

the

brim,

had

suddenly

from

waters

fresh-flowering

with

bough

its

or

two,

and

mountain

branches,
some

burst

ooze

"

and

NIGHT

IN

JUNE,

CHAPTER

Vin.

NIGHT

with

evening
HISimpression

IN

JUNE.

Rodney

Heriot

Medhurst's

on

101

made

mind,

and

strong

was

dered
pon-

from many
pointsof
days afterwards
view.
to him, from
Rodney was naturallyinteresting
having lived in a totallydifferent range of experiences
had everything he had
and
ideas.
He
had
asked
to be happy as
for, and enjoyed a chance
the gods, with roguish pranks, faults,follies,and
for

over

vices, which

he

the

calculate

results

thought of a
happened to
the

Heriot's
and

career

meet

words

Medhurst

like

this ; but
with

The
and

need

no

of.

man

it.

of

most

had

had

had
had

impression

laughter,his
interwoven

or

frequently
before

never

the wit to have

confessions, remained

intimate

conceal

to

made

of

Rodney
quips, jests,
in Medhurst's
and

crossing
colors
different
and
them
shapes.
have
He felt that he could
not similarly
impressed
He was
in no respect the equal of
Rodney Heriot.
had
of the world, thirty-six
a man
years old, who

played
lights,giving
mind,

had

every

full of

hat

whim

saint

man

or

over

of the

money

with

which

to

carry

out

caprice. And, unless one is either

talk to
of the world, one
cannot
man
world
without
seeming a pedant or a

and
a

by

102

fool.

MIDSUMMER

But,

MADNESS.

he

ready to call himself

the fact remained
that Rodney had
names,
thought
him
worth
talking to. He had, besides,suspected
him of some
particular interest in Miss Haxtoun,
and
If any one
for all.
this, probably, accounted
else had believed him capable of any presumptuous
ideas
would
concerning the young
girl,Medhurst
have regarded it much
like an accusation
of picking
his employer'spocket. But it is natural for a lover
of any one
under
the
to be jealous,and particularly
roof

same

though

was

his beloved.

as

Heriot

little knew

the

opportunitieshe had of enjoying the young

said to himself : he had
girl'ssociety,Medhurst
which
fell from
the rich man's
hardly the crumbs
table. He had shuffled and equivocated a little about
his interview
with Cecil in the book-room, concerning
which
it
Rodney had pressed inquiries,when
might, perhaps, have been as well to tell the whole
scant

story.
was

of

But

he

jumble

mere

it had

disliked

charm

to

part with it. Of

of coincidences
of

its

own.

it

course

; but

the memory

The

young

girl,

standing there in the dim light,in her white gown,

and
little timid
a
against the dark background,
and
bonte, telling
hesitating,yet full of sweetness
him
that she thought of him; that, instead of his
ing-machine
writbeing in her eyes, as he had supposed, a mere
wound
and
drink, he was
up by meat
actual entity,thought of, listened to, and
an
kindly
rather
a
regarded ! It was
pretty experience, the
real charm
of it being the
surprise,the sudden
him
build no castles in the
novelty. It had made
It was
air.
probable that she had, as Rodney
Heriot had
described, tried to dazzle and astonish
"

; she

and

checked

not

think
an

within
a

Rodney
advantage. It

delicacyand
little how
happy

wife

took

woman

demands

than

there
of

at

was

bird,

to believe

that

no

of

view

would

wealth

was

that

materialistic

her

seen

vivacity. Medhurst
Cecil was
likelyto be

inclined

was

more

marriage, and
Cecil

; he

ever

sensitiveness

tremulous

the

had
evident

was

bird's

Heriot's

Yet

Heriot

that

wondered
as

103

terribly
frightened,
slightreproof. He did

h'erself at his

her

with

JUNE.

had, nevertheless,been

him

such

IN

NIGHT

probablysatisfyher.
girl; and a young
girl

young

incense, homage,

intense

sensation,

and

of

whirlwind

occupations; whereas, at Rodney

Heriot's age, and with his antecedents, the freshness
pations.
had flatly
experiencesand anticigone out of most
Yet Rodney expected her to fall in love
a

with

him.

One
on

in

evening,just at the end of June, Medhurst,

Cecil,standing
issuingfrom his study,came
upon
the porch, with a look of unmistakable
timidity
indecision

and
aside

let

to

littleword
that
as

he

she

in

her

on

him

pretty face.

pass,

answer

to

merely giving
his

low

bow

blushed

and
vividly,

his

down

the terraces.

He

went

She

haughty

; but

own

he

face

hated

moved

saw

tingled

this form

of

meaninglessembarrassment, and experiencedthat

of his own
sense
youthfulnessand greenness which
afflicts any one
when
he longsfor the vantage-ground
of a man
of the world, but is compelled to repeat
the
crudities of early youth. He
into the
went
boat-house, let down
into it,and
heard

was

voice

about

his

boat,

and

threw

the

oars

jump in himself, when

"
Mr. Medhurst
I
outside, calling,

he

to

"

MIDSUMMER

104
He

turned.
Are

"

It

Cecil.

was

going

you

MADNESS.

the river?"

on

she

asked.

"Yes."
what

"Oh,
"Yes."

He

waited

she

uttered

spurred

evident

was

from

him

that

but

'he

asked, with

deliberation.

the

audacity

nervousness.

you,"

Medhurst

Mrs.

Haxtoun

"Would

it?"

"

should

Why
I

me

"

by frightand
happy to row

on

be most

replied,with
like

?" she

I go with you

I should

"

her, it

at

invitation

an

to go

word.

child

looked

for

no

"May
of

lovelytime

with

of

sort

the

spending
miles

very

well that

Mrs.

and

night at

her

day

told

never

Cecil

replied,

Haxtoun

was

sister's,
"

fifty

away.

said

him,"

is

Haxtoun

Mr.

"

She

go

knew

Medhurst

it?

like

not

rowing with you,"

indignation.

to

not

was

she

Cecil

he, with

flew up

the

summer-house

; ask

decision.

walk, and

Medhurst

went

on

in

getting the boat ready, working

hated
sort
with
of fury. He
a
himself, and his
He thought how Rodney
bonds
and his limitations.
Heriot
would
have
replied if the young
girlhad
begged to go with him, her eyes raised timidly,her
face showing that bewitching softness.
whole
A
need
not
have
like that
man
given gruff, grim
There
was
answers.
something of the young Locha

methodical

the

in

invar
no

about

wise

way

Medhurst,

or

so

enjoyed assuming
where

comes,"

he said

woman

to

he

believed, and

the airs of

was

himself, "

dull
"If

concerned.
I must

he

put

in

gogue
pedashe

cushion

Shall I step

"

MIDSUMMER

106

MADNESS.

"

edge?

the

on

she

asked, hesitating

little.
into the centre of the boat."
spring directly
She obeyed him.
"
"Was that right? she asked.
He bit his lip. He mistrusted
her air of submission.
He
would
have preferred her to show caprice,
No

"

"

disdain.

carelessness, or
He

her

guided
and

rope,

in

coat

with

like

his eyes rest

on

turned, and

looked

"

folded

he took

the moment

something

do

Why

"There

frenzy.

oars

he

He

did

sat

his

off

down

began
not

the stern, but

to

on

row

let

once

constantly

his shoulder.

over

keep watch?"

asked.

she

and

steamboats,

are

took

it up, and

the

figurein

the

you

He

preciseorders.

leisurely
way,

it ; but

her

gave

seat, arranged the rudder-

her

to

all sorts

of

river-

craft."
' '

into
"

"

I will tell you

anything."
I prefer to look
it bore

Does

me?

"Bore
"

For

thought
Mr.

we

in

are

danger

danger, if
having me here?

out

you,

for

of

you

running
please."

"

No."

week,"

day,

every

Cecil,with

said
'

If

only I

of

being

sigh, " I have

go rowing with

could

Medhurst!'"

"

Are

"

Not

with

you

fond

so

always.
spoke with

She
a

I wanted
the

to be

against the
of

the

to
listening

side of
oars.

to

on

the water?

the

on

the

boat,

with

come

solemnity of

candid, serious look

seemed

beat

if

"

you."

child, and

her young

face.

sat

She

tinklingof

the

and

measured

to the

water

"

Don't

"

"

"

the bottom

JUNE.

drift

to

107

rowing?

tired of

generallyglad

am

flat on

get

ever

you

IN

NIGHT

"

back.

she asked.
I often

lie

of the boat."

Looking up at the sky?"

Very likely
; or shuttingmy

and

eyes

looking

nowhere."
"

I should

"

Lie

' '

I should

like

chance

do

to

like to

could think

one

"

of the boat?

I should

way.

think, and

to

that."

the bottom

on

careless

like to do

things in an
have plenty of

great deal

out

easy,
time

on

the

river all alone."

"

I wonder

what

think

would

you

about," said

Medhurst.

"Oh,

things! There are a great many

Cecil,turning
things I don't understand," answered
troubled
a large,
Medhurst, and speaking
gaze upon
with the utmost
emphasis.
' '

so

many

It does

sometimes

at the actual

is

"Do

meaning

Do

"

It

fairyland?

to

seems

think

you

so?"

think

you

ingly.

"

little difficult to get

; but

then, thinking

hard."

so

"

of

core

seem

me

about

exclaimed

Cecil,wonder-

easy."
people, about life,or
so

about

"

About

them

all.

But

perhaps you would say I

do not think about real life, mamma
It
says so.
easier and pleasanterto imagine people
to me
seems
I like them
and need them.
I want
them
as
nobler,
than
more
beautiful, more
they are in
interesting,
e very-day life.
Why should not my lovely dreams
"

come

to pass ?

feeling.

' '

"

she

They

cried out, with

have

happened

sudden

they

can

burst

of

happen

108

again. Why

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

I miss

should

all that

is sweetest

in

life?"

Medhurst,
He

silence.

him.

to

certain

and

to

side, a

emotion

passionate

had

kept

answer,

themselves

What

mother's

at her

up

heard

words, but the words

the

what

knowing

not

in

hensible
incompre-

were

girllike her, brought

chance

to dream

the

thought

side

wise, then

of,

prehend,
com-

of

having lost ?
"
I suppose
think
I am
talking nonsense,"
you
she now
remarked, looking at him, and half -pouting,
half-smiling.
I am
all I do not possess
that
willingto wager
the prettiestand
wildest
dreams
of your
heart will
to pass."
come
despair at

"

She

looked

him

at

She

glance,upwards.
had
and

not

they were

rested

was

slackened

once

this time

by

her

hurst
blushing slightly. Medspeed since they set out,
far up

little,only dipping

turned

his

the river.

He

now

occasionally,

oars

longer engrossed with his strenuous

tion,
occupabecame
conscious
of his position,far away
from
the eyes and ears
of other human
beings,alone with
this young
girlin the last and loneliest hour of the day.
How
quiet it is ! she exclaimed, after a little
time.
But yet it is not lonely."
"No, "not
lonely."
and,

no

"

"

"

"

The

river is

its own,

activityof
one

much

so

may

so

hear

; it has

company

voices,

many

just what

one

so

so

many

much
murs,
mur-

listens for in its

soft sounds."
She
"

seemed

Have

suddenly.

you

to be
ever

and
listening,
been

on

he wondered

the Rhine?"

to.what.
she

asked,

NIGHT

"Yes,
with

strange,beautiful stories theyhave mingled

every-day look

the

for

legends
mind

my

to make

used

papa

for

rock

and

singinga
At

Don't

"

you

get

literature

is

things there

translate

you."
least,I should
golden

out

those

quiteindifferent

hair."

stories?"

like German
deal

be

German

them, you know.

of

great treasure-house

write

winter

they quite took possession of

nixie sat on
a
Now, suppose
river, combing her golden hair

to her

good

and

! Last

to

song

and

song

"

few

the

across

present, at

to her

and

time.

of

me

him, and

that

"

109

times."

many

What

"

JUNE.

IN

of romantic

ideas,

gains a pell-mellof fantastic images, but

tions.
creapleasingpictures,or complete and serene
one

Greeks

The
; their

nature

simple,

are

is

art

Whether

various.

much

nature, and

how

matter

no

so

my

beautiful
intellect

truer

to

art

and

is

always
how
or
infinitely
is too sceptical,
or
nature

not
sure
sluggish,I am
; but
those
Gothic
monsters,
virgins, nixies, knights,
minnesingers, and all those colossal but shadowy

imagination

my

forms,
"

unsubstantial

are

But

too

those

that the Greek

stories
stories

to

me."

symbolize
did,
you
"

the

same

meanings

believe that," cried

Cecil, startled.
"

hurst, "
almost

it would
the

and
two

on

writing about," said Medhave

We
we
are
gettingon very well.
ished
hundred
of foolscap already finpages
subject. Having already done so much,

is what

That

the
be

we

are

strange, indeed,

identityof

the

if I did

Aryan epics."

not

believe

in

MIDSUMMER

HO
Medhurst

felt

MADNESS.

impatient,and

again.

The

in

exquisite azure,

the

sun

clouds, which
"

Look,

how

taken

just setting,and

was

floated

reflected

were

had

!"

beautiful

above

few

up his

oars

them,

rose-colored

in the water.
said Cecil.

"Yes."
"I
' '

Does
He
"

it ?

enjoying"this

am

make

it not
shook

Don't
It is

you

she

much,"

so

feel

went

on.

?"

happy

his head.
you

feel

charm
define

and

the sweetness

of

feeling; but one is

usually so bounded, so pent-up, that to be out
under
the
skies, with nothing but nature, wideif only
if
as
spreading,beneficent, it is as if
one's arms
were
long enough one
might clasp the
whole
world.
Don't
laugh at me," she added,
suddenly, growing scarlet,conscious of the gleam in
so

hard

the
to

"

"

"

his eyes.
"

He

am

not

wondered

laughing at
about

you,

her

more

Miss

Haxtoun."
and

more.

This

his
opportunity to see her freely had stimulated
curiosityinstead of satisfyingit. It might be that
these delightful
caprices had their root in a desire
for admiration.
Rodney Heriot would say as much.
?
He was
But what
did it matter
not compelled to
solve the enigma.
She seemed
to him
a
complex
witching,
creature
; full of fancy, full of paradox ; shy, betender, and audacious ; changeable as the
wind ; frank, yet mysteriouslyreserved ; candid, and
rather vain ; and, besides, so radiantlybeautiful that
look tinged all she said with a hundred
her
mere
varied
lightsof sentiment.
in any exShe felt excessivelyembarrassed, and

cited mood

NIGHT

IN

her way

to

it was

JUNE.

HI

slipa ring she

wore

large sapphire, set in brilliants

up and
her finger. This little nervous
motion
did not
her, and, taking it off,she held it over the
and dipped it in the running water.
a

"

"Take

care," said

Medhurst;

"you

know

"

down
tent
con-

wale
gun-

the

story."
"What

story?"
began to repeat :

He

Wohl

"

Ein

sitzt

Jungfraulein;
angelt manche
Stunde,

Kein

Fischlein

Sie hat 'nen

Mit

rothem

Den

an

die

ihn ins Meer

'Ne

Hand

wie

back

her

drew

Finger

am

Edelstein ;

hebt

sich

aus

Angel,

hinein.

der Tiefe

Elfenbein,
lasst am
Finger blinken
goldne Ringelein."

Das

the

Ring

Da

Die

Cecil

beisst ihr ein.

bind't sie

Wirft

"

Meeresstrande

am

zartes

Sie

"

"

ring on

her

hand

placed
sharply,startled,reand held it there as if
finger,

afraid.
"

Tell

"

Don't

the

me

you

rest," she said, when

know

Uhland's

he

ballad?"

"No."
"

Well, then, here

"

Da
Ein
Er

Und

hebt

is the rest of

sich

aus

dem

Ritter, Jung und

it :

"

Grunde
fein ;

prangt in goldnen Schuppen,

spieltim Sonnensohein.

stopped.

MIDSUMMER

112

"

Magdlein sprichterschrocken,

Das

du

Gar

nicht

Gold

Mein

but

said

she

begehrt' fch dein.'

Edelstein

und

Ringlein lass ich nimmer

Das

seemed

angelt nicht nacli Fischen

Man

'

Ringlein golden

mein

Lass

Mit

She

Nein, edler Ritter, nein

'

"

MADNESS.

eigen

du

musst

sein.'

;
"

vividlyimpressed by the little

nothing,only looked at Medhurst

poem

and

waited.
"I

did

marked,
refrightenyou," he now
mischievously; and, after all,the

not

rather
Delaware

-to

mean

"

the Rhine."

is not

luckily. I was
thinking that the Rhine
might be too delightful,too dangerous. Safety is
something. When
you are rowing at night you may
be run
down
by a steam-tug ; but there are no nixies
I might fish
And
or loreleys
lying in wait for you.
Mein
in the river all day with
Edelstein,and no
knight,with an ivory hand, would rise' out of the
"No,

to

water

Her
been
"

threaten

tone

me."

That

all her

is the way

social

the air of

been
but

from

what

it had

before.

said to himself.

"

different

quite

was

Look

The

clever

up !

"

the horizon

to grow

and

more

singularlybrilliant

she
to her

her

on

aid, and

Medhurst.
for

sky,

and

and

more

and

was

guard

she

took

sun

had

of the world.

woman

exclaimed

clouds,

Heriot," Medhurst

to

moment

trainingcame

beneath
the

talks

she

luminous

The

quarter of

atmosphere

an

had

hour

tinued
con-

beautiful, gaining
tone.

Just

above

MIDSUMMER

114
Medhurst

drew

"Miss

his watch.

out

said

Haxtoun,"

eight. I suppose
"
Oh, dear, I
I await

"

MADNESS.

he, "it

ready

are

you
should

quarter

to

back."

to go

like to go

forever."

on

Shall I turn

orders.

your

is

shall

or

we

go

forever?"

on

"You

turn, I

must

this

coming

afraid.

am

evening, with

Mr.

lady who

is

Heriot

is

visitinghis

mother."
He

the boat

swung

rapidly," he

around.

remarked.

"

"The

We

shall

down

go

is swift

current

and

strong."
"Don't
about

swiftly; I

too

go

want

to

you

want

you

advise

you

interestingautobiography

an

to ask

Heriot

Mr.

and

for his ; mine

is

shabby affair, nothing but obstructed

restrained
unfulfilled ambitions."
activities,
I

should

never

Cecil, with

want

impatiently, ' I want

and pitifulin your own
'

"

You

"Oh,
"

You

think

Heriot's,"

life is

what

matter

no

Mr.

know

tame

spirit.

"Nevertheless, his
But,

to

fortune,

"

said

"

me

yourself."

"If

"

tell

I may

to

to hear about."
interesting
he has done," cried Cecil,
know
what
you call ignoble

career."
have

crimes."

committed

no."
have

heard

tell Mrs.

me

Haxtoun

the main

facts."

Cecil looked
mother
your

died
father

brought

up
me

at him
at

your

when

you

by

your

of the

'

with

meditative

birth," said
were

uncle.
Babes

"You

she.

nine years

"

air.

old.

You

lost
were

that it

I remember
in the Wood.'

Your

"

minded
re-

NIGHT

IN

JUNE.

H5

"

My uncle, on the contrary, was very good to me.

Instead of coveting my six thousand
vested
dollars,he inwell, and

it

it almost

allowed

being touched, bringing

child.

He

left to

died

when

own

my

me

up

resources.

I
and

seemed

of

most

my

I had

and

own

was

Harvard,

and

Heidelberg. By

to

fair classical education,

for I

That

spent.

was

money

unimportant,however,

expected

to make

at once."

fortune

my

twenty-one

was

to

went

out
with-

his

like

seventeen,

was

afterwards, for eighteenmonths,

the time

to double

"How?"
"You

have

practicalmind.

indefmiteness.

was

my

with

and
literature,

of

other

had

two

things.
thousand

crammed

fault

my
the

to

roof

hazy-minded about the worth

I decided
to study law, and

was

But

dollars

difficulties,
when, all

was

Now,

at

left to
once,

tide

the

me

those

over

lost

was

money

by the stoppage of a bank where it was temporarily

deposited. I had to do something instantlyto keep
ant
myself from starvation,and took the post of assistteacher
in a boys' school.
For
I
two
years
and
matics.
mathesome
taught Greek, Latin, German,
Then I began to long for a chance to breathe,
into journalism. That
and I went
suited me
better
for

time

"But

then,

you

in turn, I

said

you

came

had

to loathe

done

that."

ignoble, pitiful

things."
"

man

Look

feels
his

here, Miss
an

Haxtoun.

invincible

Once

strength,which

in his

life

seems

sure
to in-

all that
gettingfrom his career
Intellect,heart, imagination,all combine

he

craves.

to

make

him

MIDSUMMER

116

What

strong.

"

done

have

I have

defeat

I done

have

with

youth

my

and

"

niy force ?
"You

MADNESS.

starved.

not

is all wrong.

All

the

is,perhaps,

deal."

great

that

spiritof

makes

success

life.

or

mine

Now,

always at war with myself, my

surroundings,my occupations."
Are
unhappy as papa's secretary?" said
you
am

"

Cecil, with
she

It seemed

in her voice.

tremor

to him

shivered.

"Are

"Where

oars.

May

voice.

stood

up.

The

boat

about

arms

the

ribbons

the throat.

at

silence

around

it around

rocked

of

The

them

the

"

he

and
little,
her

mantle

night seemed
they stood

as

He

you

steadying

her,

his

brought?"

you

put

soft

drew

them

cloak

very

his

flung

' '

down

asked, throwing

in

She

he

is that

it up.

caught
asked,

he

cold?"

you

he

while
tied

and

deepen

to

there.

It

in
pressed
op-

him
"

strangely.
sit down," said he,

Now

"

upon

him.

Mr.

Heriot

"Yes,
"

Mrs.

is
and

"

Do

over

feelingof

haste

It is late.

best.

So

"

repeated

Medhurst.

"

How

old

she

is young,

you

dark

"

eyes

happen

to

beautiful

with

woman,

!"
have

heard

her

maiden

?"

name
"

my

Dalton."

Mrs.

hair and

auburn

row

coming

Dalton?"

is she?"

"Oh,

I must

with

Fanny

Blake.

Mamma

used

to know

her very

well."
"And

Mrs.

Dalton

is

stayingat

Mrs.

Esters?"

"

Do

Yes.

"I

know

nobody

Blake

very

Fanny
uncle's

wife,

"

nowadays.
She

well.

not

"

her?

know

you

117

JUNE.

IN

NIOET

the

was

of

niece
she

cousin ; but

my

knew

once

was

my
quently
fre-

at the house."

did

"And

she

like

hair

have

eyes, and a peculiarsmile, which

and which
one
remembers,
little,

dark
a

Fanny Blake?"
"
Yes, that
"" You

will

is my

one

is that

your

parlorto-nightand

the

into

"

torments

Blake."

Fanny

come

gold,and

dull-red

see

her?"
I shall not."

"

Indeed,

"

You

"

Quite the contrary."

"

Were

wish

must

not

you
"Friends?

Medhurst
and

was

said

"

friends?

everythingconnected
in my life I should preferto forget."
ing,
puttingall his strengthinto his row!

Oh, yes

with that time

again."

her

to meet

no

Cecil looked

more.

in the west, with

But

young

moon

at Venus

beside

her.

ing
shin-

She

ful
chillydisappointment,a wistand solemn
regret. The lightsshone from the
and
windows
of the houses
doors
along the
open
the familiar,dusky face
shores ; but everything,
even
and
far off ; real life,
remote
of Rosendale, seemed
hours
she had dropped two
which
before, appeared

experienced a

vague,

legendaryand

dreamlike.

"

Here

we

are,

Miss

Haxtoun,"

relief, and
presentlywith some
father, waiting for you."
Mr. Haxtoun
was
quite nervous,
"

irritable.

Medhurst
there

and

is

said

your

altogether

asked
have

about,

quite

know
in

ringing

in

distinct

chill,

which

is

o'clock,

and

ashamed

fairly

there

malaria.

in

Cecil.
in

guests
If

sneezed

peculiar

It
It
the

was

cessively
ex-

almost

is

parlor

was

at

were

mamma

your

the

experienced

"

probably

face.

to

is
I

now,

are

there

you,

"I

down

cold.

and

There

ears.

my

and

up

taken

succession,

you

row

plaintively.

going

have

thoughtless
nine

said

out

-hour's

half

he

myself

times

only

was

dear,"

my
worn

and

walk,
three

it

supposed

"I

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

118

"

home

"

All
toun

Haxtoun

of

three
felt

himself

was

guilty

the
the

fifty

ones,

chief,

miles

were

away.

of

very

whom

glad

Mr.
that

HaxMrs.

HAXTOUN'S

MRS.

TROUBLES.

CHAPTER

Mrs.

BUT

and

Haxtoun

all that had

slow

home
in

the

followingday,
of
gatheringthe news

in her absence.

on

gone

TROUBLES.

came

not

was

IX.

HAXTOUN'S

MRS.

H9

Miss

ter
Winches-

the awkwardness
enjoyed a grievance; and certainly
of her positionthe night before was
something
which

unstinted

necessitated

with
recital,

the

fullest

All

day long she and Mr. Snow had been

the singular,
the unprecedented, the
talking over
almost
painful conjunction of circumstances.
"If
I were
Heriot, now," Mr. Snow had begun
details.

than

more

once

suggestionloomed
to light.
come
"

this
"

If I

were

aunt,"

to Miss

I shall tell Aunt

is my

duty to

"Yes,

do

distinct

no

up,

your

home

came

doom

but, pregnant with

he- had

Winchester's

Jenny," she

had

statement

said

his

as

again, and
imagination.

said.

"

"

I think

hope

it

so."

indeed; it is your

duty, and

she

will'"
"

The

pause
to

the

Lillyfelt
"

indicated

something heavy

with

aster
dis-

guiltyones.
it unfair

I shall have

not

to

to let Aunt

warn

Cecil of her

Jenny

know

tention.
in-

all about

120

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

doings last night, Cissy dear," she said,in a

soft,cooing,purring voice, going up to her cousin
and
around
her.
putting her arms
"What
doings?"

your

"

Your

"

Of

"

Should

I should

course

"

"What

' '

Aunt

harm

has

Jenny

well to make

He

she be

out

alone

had

been

to

much

like

not

and

to

with

"

of

see

know

she
and

Mr.

in my

said, in

going out
dull, proud

well,

alone

was

Mrs.

with

Dal ton

her

came

to

"Where

receive
was

she

with

Mr.

voice.

that

"

is

your

exclaimed,

aunt,

"when

the
Mr.

last

over

nobody except myself,

was

Oh,

very

thought of going
Medhurst, if Aunt Jenny

again. "I see,

Lilly nodded
to say.
rdle," she seemed
"Just
think, Aunt
Jenny," she

course,

unconscious."

have

never

harm

no

Cecil

Medhurst,"

Heriot

is all very

here."

can

moment

him?"

seem

You

about

good-

very

"It

say,

stand, and

would

row

little afraid

afraid

as

aloud,

added

Cissy dear, you

"

self."
my-

"

is young,

brave

she

there

that

would

Jenny

always been

"

about

in it?

there

was

looking."
But why should
Lillynodded, as

"

Medhurst."

mamma

really?Aunt

you,

Medhurst.

Then

tell

Mr.

know."

it,you

Mr.

the river with

on

row

and

evening
Arthur", of

them."

Cecil?"

in, in about

came

there

was

the

an

cle
hour, with Un-

magnificentMrs.
arrayed,sittingback on the sofa,
Dalton, faultlessly
Leonard.

But

half

The

chief

rather

reason

unless

am

never

fellow

word

Medhurst

; while

to

is

ours

anybody,

to

say

was

be to Cecil."

Cecil,or

Lilly,he rarely addresses

sure,

looks

even

that her Frank

was,

with

it may

"I

MADNESS.

brilliant,versatile

sulky bear,

"

MIDSUMMER

122

at her."

What,

"

Did

he

"

No,

"

all last

not

"

into the

come

he

when

mean

evening?
parlor?"

Cecil

with

was

the

on

river."
"

Cecil

With

Lilly?"
"
Why,
you

Aunt

Jenny,

that Cecil

from

Haxtoun

checked

she did

of
Haxtoun's

wish

her

until almost

She

do you

mean,

almost

afraid

to

with

to commit

daughter.

o'clock."

slow

not

to

in the
herself

It had

definite conviction

tell

Medhurst

exclamation,

an

was

Mi.

nine

excitement

some

not

was

What

rowing

uttered

herself.

Lilly found

out

was

half-pastsix

Mrs.

river !

the

on

and

then

perceive that
situation, and

to any

always

bation
disapprobeen

that Cecil would

Mrs.
never

that, while her

anything foolish,for the reason
taste and
judgment were maturing, she would never
be permitted the chance.
Every indiscretion of a
fault: that was
her mother's
Mrs.
girl was
young
her faith in it was
Haxtoun's
creed ; but just now
Yet, after all,she told herself,tryterriblyshaken.
ing
Haxtoun
had not first
to be just to Cecil, if Mr.
do

introduced
for

Then,

not

Medhurst
this

there would

have

been

no

tunity
oppor-

foolish, this mortifying,escapade.

to blame

Mr.

Haxtouu

too

much, she said

again mentally, if she herself, instead of weakly

wishes, had strongly asyieldingto her husband's

MRS.

HAXTOUN'S

TROUBLES.

123

might have been sent

At the very sightof his spirited
face,held in
away.
she had
check by the excessive quietin his manner,
heard
felt that he was
a
a dangerous inmate, had
But instead of puttingbars
lion in the lobby roar."
and
bolts in his way, she had confidingly
helped to
serted

herself,the young

man

"

let him

in.

Oh,

how

to

seemed

to

Mrs.

She foresaw
of

get

him

out

Haxtoun

that

and
everything,

situation

again!

with

the

always

very clever.
in the whole meaning

she

took

It had
was

clearest

insight.

Her

imaginationwas so active that she was able not only

what
would
to predict
happen, but to indicate what
different set of
was
likelyto occur under an entirely
circumstances.
She thus gave
people the notion
she
that
was
wildly theoretical,and her views
treated as clever fallacies. When
a thingcame
were
she could not say with consistency,
"You
to pass
I prophesied that from
the first,"because
know
She had
she had also forecasted
opposite results.
said to herself that Medhurst
might prove the very
Cecil was
man
likelyto fall in love with ; but she
had also said that when
fancies were
a
girl's
young
in the

air,as

it were,

could

one

tell

not

on

which

hedge they would presentlysettle. She

had at times argued that the sightof a clever fellow
like Medhurst, who, at eight-and-twenty,
could make
income
no
beyond what he gained by a secretaryship,
would
make
the superior worth
evident
of
like Heriot, who
could offer a girleverya
man
thing.
side of

the

Ah,
serpent and
that she must

well ! it is

harmless
be

so

difficult to be wise
dove

teach

as

girl
and
good, self-denying,
religious,
as

"

to

MIDSUMMER

124
that

pure

she

must

which

standards
substantial

helps
"

clear to her

people

live

to

which

on

beneath
the

seek

beliefs

her all her

uphold

she
her ;

rest

and, at

the

of

knew

and

life,and

may

importance

Haxtoun

Mrs.

and

crave

will

arms
everlasting

make

MADNESS.

"

with

the

time,

same

sordid

be

erations.
consid-

very well that for most

successfullyin

this

world

they are
acknowledge a

two
masters, to
compelled to serve
cate
higher and a lower law ; but it is difficult to inculsuch teachingsexcept by example.
chester
LillyWinall about it almost
knew
instinctively.She
time
and
was
very bright,at the same
very
proper
knew
safe ; but then, as Mrs. Haxtoun
very well,she
how
to get herself out
was
sly,and had been known
of trouble by lying.
difficult for Mrs.
Haxtoun
It was
to sit quietly
through dinner, and hear her husband
talking to
Medhurst
about
Firdusi, drowning his suggestions
in a flood of contradiction, wearing out his patience
by a slow deluge of interpretations,citations,and
authorities.
It was
quite evident to her that the

that

and
nor

had

man

young

neither

his

answers

brain,only from

not, however, waste

concerned
most

proper

opposite sat
as

the

beside

her.

was

her
She

cheeks, and
but

interest in the matter,

neither

came

from

heart

tongue. Mrs. Haxtoun,

pity upon him ; so far as he
form

of excoriation

seemed

thing which could happen. But

Cecil,for once, quiet,lifeless. As

meal

daughter to

nor

his

mild

some

heart

Mrs.

over,

own

room,

pressed
kissed

her

and
tenderly,

Haxtoun

and

made

her hands

called
her

over

with

was

the
there
soon

her

sit down

the

twice,gazing at

did

ing
bloom-

her attentively,

yearning heart.

HAXTOUN'S

MRS.

don't

"You

TROUBLES.

125

quite yourself,
my

seem

dear," said

she.
joined
nothing the matter with me," Cecil re"
but I feel strangelyquiet and dull to-day."
;
Perhaps you took cold on the river,"suggested

There

"

"

Mrs.

is

Haxtoun.

Cecil

blushed

mother

vivid

then

crimson,

looked

at her

littledefiantly.

' '

So

Lillytold

"

You

would

"

you

told

have

exclaimed.

she

yourself,would

me

you

not?"
"

But

what

that there

harm.

But

tell

Now

"It

it is hard
There

sentence.

harm.

just

was

I felt

idle,and

after

ran

Ever

and

longed

so

Mr.

seen

and

I can't

of

harm,

yet

see

ual
act-

gle
sin-

there

is

it was."

for

start

him,

anything in

harm,

no

like this.

and

think

to say

how

me

to the boat-house

and

is

I have

afternoons

warm

tell,mamma

in it."
any harm
Oh ! nobody would

was

Harm

' '

there to

was

for

asked

many

Medhurst
a

; and

row

these

of

go down

day
yester-

something pleasant,
if I might go with

him."
"

You

are

childish in

so

some

What

ways.

did he

say?"
"

He

asked

"

He

was

very

if you

"

He

"

And

told

"Yes,
he did not

"How

But

like it."

should

Really,he was
your going."

not.

it ended

in

to ask

me

your
he

certain

considerate.

would

papa
did

not

papa."
consented, of
mind

I should
suppose
that?"
was

course?"

in the

be gone

least; but, then,

so

long."

11

MIDSUMMER

126
We

it

was

it

was.

went
so

MADNESS.

and

on

pleasant,

you

Finally he

asked

"

I said

turn, and

mean

you

rowed

very

think

cannot

must

we

pleasant
should

he
go

but

back,

forever."

on

actually said

you

fast,and

how

whether

me

supposed

like .to go

that I should
"Do

He

on.

this

Mr.

to

Medhurst?"
"

I may

I did.

have

said

I cannot

but

more,

member
re-

now."
were
reallythink such remarks
shocked
how
good taste ? Now, just remember
at Daisy Miller and her performances."
were

"And

do

The

color

and

came

larger. An indescribable
taking possessionof her.

"But
and"

surpriseseemed

that

"

"

Is not

"

do

"

Mr.

Medhurst
not

"

made

and

stranger

"

"

emotion
"But

well

dyed
I

do

last

we

Mrs.

"

he

"

is."

confession, dropping
at

the

each
tune

same

word
some

her face.
know

not

with

how
him.

you
What

can

have
did

got
you

so

talk

night?"

Cecil pondered
"All

that

"

her, while

acquainted

about

stranger?"

feel

"

this

if it burned

half

with

was

"

Cecil
as

but

"

you

Her

Cecil's face.

in

went

eyes grew
to be

in

you

sorts

of

talked

moment.

things.

could

hardly

tell you

about."

Haxtoun's

imagination began to be active ;

there was
at this moment
hardlyanything she would
have been surprised to hear.
It seemed
to her as
if,instead of being absent from her daughter a day,
she had been away
for a year,
that might
a year
"

EAXTOUWS

MBS.

have
of

young
of

the

forever

changed

the

TROUBLES.

heart

girl,giving her

an

bitter

or

what

was

127

and

the

what

was

destiny
perience
imperishable exsweet.

Cecil perfectly
thought she understood
; but
the preparation,
where in her girlishlife had been
the hidden processes, leading to the sudden
ment
developof a tendency like this ?
"
Mr. Medhurst
And
what do you suppose
thought
She had

of it all ? "

she

Cecil looked
and

asked.

with

at her

quickeningwonder

some

apprehension.

"

I don't

"

But

know

what

Here

consider.

mean,"

you
is

for
filling,
young man
father's secretary; he

time, the positionof your

is little thrown

in your

presumes

your

upon

is the second

time

and,

way,

interest

when

he

in him.

have

you

said,hastily.

she

But

clearlyshown

is,never
now

this

him

that

to her

head
fore-

"

you have sought his society; that you

Cecil uttered a cry and put her hands
; but
' '

had

her mother

If Mr.
a

Medhurst

decided

went

did

penchant
indulgein

to
you wished
be unlike any other man,

"

:
relentlessly

on

"

not

flatter himself

for

him,

little

and

"

that you

that, at least,
he would
flirtation,
or

I do

not

believe

that

he is dull."
Cecil had
breath

came

buried

her

face

in

she

quickly,and

her
was

hands.

Her

trembling all

over.
"

the

You
idea

can

that

have
women

no

idea
are

how

readilymen

in love

with

yieldto

them,"

Mrs.

coolly. In commenting to each

the least sign of preference given by a
other upon
and
that
girl,they suggest only one interpretation,
Haxtoun

went

on,

"

is

MIDSUMMER

128

something

MADNESS.

make

to

innocent

any

girl almost

die

of shame."
Haxtoun

Mrs.

and

home,

had
almost

was

Cecil

produced.

her

sent

now

straight

arrow

startled

began

by the effect she

sob violently
; her

to

had
head

cold as
ice.
It was
burning, her hands were
to conjecture just what
impossible for her mother
behind
all this agitation
violence
was
; its incredible
was

seemed
idea

to

of her

all

did not

her mother

upon

"Don't
broken

She

say

voice.

seemed
was

She

had

not

her

her, had

the
been

it

had

attack.

long give way to her sobbing ; all at

fastened
up ; her shy, wet eyes were
pleadinglyand reproachfully.
anything more," she faltered, in a

"I

"

alarmed
in

to

But

and
susceptibilities,

nervous

she looked

once

humiliation.

fault, sharply presented

startlingto
brought on
Cecil

than

more

mean

assure

you, you

and

mood

and

ashamed,
the

to press

do

need."

not

Mrs.

matter

toun
Hax-

further.

little resistance
fancying some
cuss
Cecil's part ; she had been ready to dison
the social aspect of the situation humorously,
ironically,
sarcastically.But something in Cecil's
personalityall at once
emerged out of the shadow,
stood
"

meant

to say

erect, and

half

awed

confess," she said,

all pass,

by,

more,

that

if it will ; but

things do

not

her.
"

that

then
pass,

you
"

glad

am

will

that

to

let it

learn, by-and-

is, without

ing
leav-

logicalorder.
realize that Mr. Heriot
must
You
is paying you very
have
particular attentions ; that naturallyit must
made
him
to find you
were
a deep impression upon
running about in a careless sort of way."
consequences

which

develop

in

MIDSUMMER

130

not?"

"Why
I

"

me

do

smiled

at

finished

she

made

don't
her

It

"

talking

the

the

and

ruffled,
Cecil's
at

sob,

gave

open

door,

to

was

say

thing
any-

her

to

was

those

just

extreme

up

vanished.

She

and

invited,
which

whose

make

complete

practised

touch
had

tempers

herself

quite

astonishment,

suddenly,

that

should

congratulating
was

nee,
mati-

settled

hands

began

the

at

wear

her

upon

tenderly.

had

emotion

sprang
and

but

"

dress-maker's

pleasing
she

her;

they

daughter

bonnet,

new

Haxtoun

enigmatical
once,

her

all

were

the

in

and

soothing

all

Mrs.

triumph.

Did

her

Cecil

dress

have

now

gown

drawn

they

to

was

mately
consum-

like

}'ou

fete

caressing

which

to

so

crude."

dislike.

your

had

was

over

having

looked

of."

spoken

and

seemed

feel

me

She

her.

she

Fourth-of-July

Haxtoun

knees,

she

the

was

Mrs.

of

nothing

disliked

me

about

care

about

but

she

"I

know

not

over

show

MADNESS.

flew

in
been
that

when,

spent,
the

through

girl
the

F%TE,

FOUBTE-OF-JULY

CHAPTER

"A

-i-V_L

had
Este's

Mrs.

X.

FOURTH-OF-JULY

/TEDHURST

FETE.

bidden

been

this

Rodney

the

to

for the Fourth

On

at first declined.

131

of

feast at

July,and

Heriot

had

had
to

come

him.

see
' '

You

may

yoke of

oxen

have

bought a pieceof ground and

; you

may

married

have

lame, halt,and blind,in

any

rate, you
"

hers, and
"

Less

can

and

come

Mrs.

she wants
than

Medhurst.
will make

' '

Dalton
to

July," he

are

says you

at

sisted
in-

cousin of

you."

see

kin, and
However,

of

come
be-

but,

consequence

Fourth

on

wife and

five

less than

kind," answered

since you

so

are

urgent

point of going."
He
told himself
the thing was
task.
irksome
an
Dalton
Mrs.
doubt, curious to see her old
was, no
friend once
of Mrs. Daimore
; but the gratification
ton's curiosity
was
no
part of his scheme of existence
to be
nowadays. However, since the ordeal was
a

met, let it

come,

and

be

that
pride to remember
Blake that,in spiteof
if she would
should

be

he had
his

It had
once

poverty

and

but trust herself

his

tormented

boasted

long sunshiny day ;

missed nothing; that he

one

feel she had

over.

his

Fanny
cance,
insignifi-

to

her life

to him

that

would

she
be

should
a

rich

132
in ten

man

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

Recalling his

years.

his old belief in his

own

old
his

powers,

and
illusions,
failure seemed

She would
something too humiliatingto be borne.
at a glance his whole
see
history,and probe him with
competenc
questions which would compel him to confess his inhis bad management, his false judgment
in rejectingopenings which
cess,
might have led to sucand
followingup instead clues that had come
to nothing. She was
clear-eyedas a Fate, and had
it all from
the beginning. He had
probably known
He
doubt
of her magnificence and
her success.
no
had seen
in the arrivals and departures by
her name
in her
zest
There
life,
was
European steamers.
picturesqueness,pleasure. Well, he begrudged her
nothing. She had had no passions except for the
the costly.
idle,the luxurious, the fictitious,
He walked
to the fete with Alec
Haxtoun, about
of July. Alec looked
twelve o'clock, on the Fourth
him
over
critically." Why, you are very well
!"

dressed
"

exclaimed.

he

Much

obligedto

you.

Medhurst.
judge," returned
I
clothes eighteenmonths.
I like to feel that

because

is not

which

look

"You
very

well.

What

do

"

out

Oh,

very

"

You

"I

have

don't

I have

it is neat

You

correct.

I had

think

"Becoming?"
"Everything

know

often
a

better

had

the

them,

wear

somewhere

coat

at elbows."

Now,
you

don't

wear

this suit made

your
to

wear

clothes

to-day.

of it? "
!"

becomes

you,

don't like the white

even

the

gaiters?"

white

ters."
gai-

I like

"

FETE.

FOUUTU-OF-JULY

133

wear."

everythingyou
about

white

the

said
gaiters,"
at
Alec, in a tone of poignantregret,lookingdown
his faultless trousers.
"But
there is such a deadly
dividuali
quieteffect about this gray that I wanted a littlein"I

not

was

sure

to crop
Heriot
' '

Does

he take

what

gaiters."

interest in clothes ? "

an

look at the man!"

"But
"

of these

will think

I wonder

somewhere.

out

He

has

impressed

never

me

well-

being

as

dressed."
don't

know

the

faultless.

His

clothes

"You
He's

the

wears

never

perfectionthat

look

of

alphabet of

subject.

fit like the skin ; but he

their

abject despair under

One

fellows do.

most

the

wonders

how

it."

he does
"

He

does

' '

That

not

look

fashionable

is justit. He's
in my

not fashionable.

I am,

and

that it is

abominablycaddish to
be fashionable ; but I can't help it,
I'm always
"What is the effect to-day?
fashionable.
retreated three stepsand gazed steadily
Medhurst
I know

heart

to me."

"

"

at the

man,

young

whose

suit

pale gray,

was

lessly
fault-

cut, everythingexcessively
tight; whose
collar was
bell-crowned,whose
band of linen,so stiff and so high
shoes were
chin in air,and whose

was

He

toes.

carried

cane

wide
straight,

that

it threw

pointed

beneath

hat

his

arm

his
the

at

at

an

angle of
solemn,

was
forty-five
degrees. His demeanor
his smile was
even
painful; the unhappy

smile such

smiles.

"

"

On

my

word,"

I love

to watch

to sit down

"

said

Medhurst,

you.

But

"

how

you
do

are

you

so

fect
per-

expect

There

"

will be

about
"

Oh, I didn't

I may

no

know

"

myone

sittingdown.
ing
keeps walk-

said Medhurst.

"

hope

sit down."

"I

wish

knew

gaiters,"said
As

MADNESS.

necessityfor
garden-parties,
you know,
and dancing."

these

At

MIDSUMMER

134

how

Heriot

would

take

these

Alec.

Medhurst

walked

along the terrace towards the

house
he was
impressed by the unexpected prettiof the scene.
The
river was
ness
so
beautifully
blue ; the trees, which
partlyhid and partlyafforded
vistas of the water, were
well grouped,
all the
so
distances
were
so
picturesquelyopened ; the Queen
Anne
and
neys
bricks, its chimhouse, with its timbers
and
such
of
a
gables,made
bright contrast
color beside
bordered
the terraces, which
were
by
"

tubs

of

and

and

alternatingwith

orange

lemon

trees, laden

with

fruit,

huge aloes, that he gazed

about him with frank pleasure.
is our
"There
carriage,and there is Cecil just
ward
forwent
alighting,"Alec remarked, and at once
to join his mother, sister,and
cousin.
Cecil at once
became
the riveting point of the
ards
She was
tripping along towpicture for Medhurst.
the

house

"

her

after

quaint, lovelypoke bonnet,

with

white

satin

ribbon

plumes,

and

under

the

sheeny white dress, with

behind.

Her

pretty

elbow, except for

carried

bunch

of

of white

with
left
a

arms

huge

ear.

the

wrists, and

white

bow

roses.

She

of white

too,

wore,

lace fichu crossed

were

in

papa,

straw, trimmed

bare

long lavender

some

rumpled looselyover

and

mamma

and

below

tk'd
the

gloves,which
in her

She

hand

might

she
have

FOURTH-OF-JULY

FICTE.

white, Medhurst

bride in all this snowy

to himself ; and with such
a
been

135

bride

that

as

said

walking

Heriot
shy,bewitchingsniile,
might be easily
forgivenfor going out of his senses.
Medhurst
himself had not spoken to Cecil since they
He
the river together,
three nightsago.
on
now
were
had a fancythat the little excursion had excited some
dissatisfaction. There had been silence and thoughtfulness on Cecil's part ; she did not once
glancehis
had been unusually
way at table,and Mrs. Haxtoun
reserved.
He was
not surprised; the only surprise
he had
felt was
the river with Cecil
at being on
towards

him, with

alone.
been

He

cool

had

give

him

Wherever
had

seemed

this

had

to

The

away.

all sorts

he

boat

was

filled with

was

had

there ; for then

by
which

laughedover

doubts

he
and

she had

dull,

edly
repeat-

imagination,
and

dreams.

evening

at

her

least

free

was

Cecil

not

presence,

her had

gained more
herself possessed when
had
been
annoyed and
fears.

said in

little phrases,
"

His

the

work,

that

his side,or

at

she

his

fantasies

since

phantasmal image of
than

by

of

been

be

that his

absorbed

not

himself

told

days, was

be

not

had

he had

about

thing

worst

led, he

three last

would

time, but

cool at the

The

life he

these

to

been

since.

monotonous

which

He
sort
over

far
and

stantiality
subshe
mented
tor-

recalled

everything
of ecstasy. He
her

absurd

fessions.
con-

blood

this
tingledwith joy over
strange, sweet
experience. But then, he had so
little of interest to think
of, it was not a thingto
wonder

at if he liked

burden
a

account.

moment's

of

to

free his mind

myths

excursion

and

into

of

that

tolerable
in-

ence
legends,and experiromance

on

his

own

MIDSUMMER

136
He

stood

Heriot

at

receive
He

steps.
he

MADNESS.

little distance,and

his mother's

threw

which
He

most

of

the

minor

social

air,

which

he

all

grand

men.

felt

faultless

was

at

was

in the

duties, and

wore

the

ever
grace- into what-

Medhurst

that of

Rodney

at the foot of

guests

spiritand

some

undertook,

watched

tunes,

beyond
practice

somewhat
took

away

from the performance of

vestige of triviality
them.
Medhurst, and after he
Rodney had seen
had
led Cecil up to his mother, who
sat just inside
the rose-colored
down
the terrace
awnings, he came
every

to

greet him.
"

I'm

"

am

glad you came," said he.

highlydelightedwith Fourth-of-Julyfetes.

I should

have

"Begin
chance

of

said I did not

like them."

by dislikingthings, and you have

some
agreeable disappointments in

this

world."
4 '

generallytry to keep

"

see

you

flatter

"

"

Yours

had
and

the grace

dislike

my

yourself you

pleasure. Now, mark my

pleasantimmensely."
I liked that night up
"Which
night?"
Medhurst

up

are

ently."
consist-

indifferent

to

words, you like everything

the river."

to

blush.

mine."

will be

'Nights,' presently,
I suppose
Musset.
like a second
ing
you will be denythe little episode of three evenings ago."
felt vaguely annoyed.
It seemed
to
Medhurst
sion.
him bad taste in Rodney Heriot
to push this alluIt was
the crueltyof the rich man
to deny
"You

writing

your

best

feelings;

worst"

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

138

down

resolutely put

you

your

"

"

Yes,

"

Come

anxious

descriptionfits me

yes ; that
and

to

speak

see

she is

to

Est6

Mrs.

Don't

you.

to

let her

hair."

first.

fasten

She

is

herself

to

"

regular' Ancient Mariner,' said the

dutiful
the steps .and
son.
They had walked
up
the porch, and
entered
the parlor,and
across
now
Mrs. Est6 sitting
She wore
found
on
a sofa.
a black
of delicate gauze, which sparkled with jet,and
gown,
her pretty head, with its airy white
out
curls,rose
of it in piquant contrast.
"
You
before
never
thought it worth while to come
dull old woman
like me," she exclaimed,
to see
a
with the mignonne air of her youth.
Thus
at a loss for a
was
challenged,Medhurst
rejoinder.
"Tell
her you were
afraid of her fascinations,"
"
said Rodney.
is the firstlaw of
Self-preservation
you,

"

know."

nature, you
"Don't

wicked
put your own
man's
mouth," said Mrs.

young
wit
I

enough

shall

friend

do
for

to

answer

him

no

leave

harm

avoid
One

undone.

man.

to

Est6.

for himself.

young

choose, what

speeches

has

"He

I like his

old

an

into

is

woman

the
has

face.
bad

no

She

can

tell him

what

to

what

to

do, and

what

to

to

be

old

to

know

these

things."
"

She

"

She

does
looks

replied,making
"

She

Rodney.

has
"

look

not
to
a

taken

me

she?"

old, does
very

second

charming,"

low

the elixir

said

bow
of

But, unluckily,she

to

the

Rodney.

Medhurst
old

lady.

youth," proceeded
took too much
of it,

F$TE.

FOURTH-OF-JULY

139

knowing exactlythe prescriptionwhich would

of forty, and, quaffinga
make
her a fine woman
the pretty,infantile
double
allowance, she became
not

creature

"He

is

Oh,
'

seems

I'm

no,

"He

and

Este",with

her

shoulders.

of

on

she

added, smilingup
"
faded, little smile.
of

She

hers.

have

women

in

us

is

speak

at

Medhurst

fancy you

anxious

tender

to

heart

Mrs.

to

with
are

see

for

it

mother."

last,"said Mrs.

and

me."

Somehow

to have

while

me

with
"

Rodney.

mother,"

of

little,
impatient movement

Go

"

said

bored

comfortable

the most

old

teasing his

is rather

!"

not

'

homey

Make

"

tired of

never

Este".

said Mrs.
"

her."

see

you

you.

the

men

Dalton,"
her

an

the

pretty,

old
All
who

lover
of

us

loved

youth."

our

Medhurst

of
"Women
passed on.
that age are always twenty years behind
an
idea,"
said the son.
of the
"She
me
always reminds
withered
actress, who played the part of Zaire, and
when
she was
praised said, modestly and deprecatingly,' But one ought to be young and beautiful to
'
'
fillthat r61e.'
Ah, madam,' said the flatterer,
you

Rodney

and

"

have
' '

proved
I

admire

"I

don't,"

fact,I
"

"

But

think

contrary !
woman

in her old

power

she

the

retains

who

age," said

returned

no

' '

her

traditions

of

Medhurst.

the

succinctly. "In
ought to live after

son,

pretty woman

is

forty."
Ugly women
They ought
here

raison

is Mrs.

d'etre."

may

continue

never

to be

Dalton

in

existence,I hope."

allowed

She

to

possesses

live

at

all.

the clearest

MIDSUMMER

140
Mrs.

Dal ton

towards
Dear

"

and

Cousin

he

of

Medhurst

Frank

and, standing

petiteand
to be

the centre

was

Rodney

MADNESS.

at

!" she

on

her

but moved

group,
once.

cried

with

tiptoes,as

immoderately tall,she

sion
effu-

some

if she

lifted her

were

cheek

kissed.

Medhurst

rarelybeen more
annoyed in his
life. He
had
for years experienced an
inarticulate
and smouldering resentment
againstFanny, but had
been
of
at once
conscious
loving while he hated,
adoring while he despised, her. He would as soon
his knees
have
and
on
thought of going down
declaring his passion before all the world as of
brushing her cheek with his lipswhile Heriot and
But he did it,nevertheless,
all the guests looked on.
flushingviolentlyall the while, and she drew back
and

lifted her

"I
she
"

had

glad

so

am

said, in
It is

his with

to see

smile

dear

you,

he knew.

Cousin

Frank,"

clear,vibratorytone.

long

to

eyes

tune

since

met,"

we

Medhurst

marked,
re-

almost
"

Tell

"

am

dryly.
me
you are glad to see me
glad to see you again.

again."
You

are

looking

well."
"

"

I?

Am

She

and
sighed a little,

looked

down

at

herself.
u

"

Do

saw

not

in my

in

April."
is sufficiently
insist on my remembering what
thoughts already, that I am six years

you

last six years

ago

"

older."
' '

You

have

lost

nothing apparently, and

gained much."
"

What

have

gained?

"

have

FOURTH-OF-JULY

FETE.

"More

to say
accomplishments,
beauty, more
nothingof wealth, honors, magnificence
his.
She slippedher arm
under
into the next
"Come
room," she said, in a low
"
voice.
Those
people are all listening.If you had
stopped with beauty and accomplishments, or if you
had added
knowledge of the world
' '
Six years ago I never
thought you had anything
to gain in the way of knowledge of the world."
"I
knew
nothing then,
absolutely nothing.
the
Every idea I had in those days was a false one,
of foolish
fancies
outcome
gained from books or
from
commonplace people."
looked
Medhurst
down
at her with close scrutiny.
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

She

had

withdrawn

her

She

him.

from

along two paces

lookingwoman,
poisein the way

she carried

least movement

of

and

her

She

the wide-brimmed

carried

was

"As

you

her

on

to

know

when

arm

my
I

had,

waist

white,

wore

she

poorer

than

of

went

with
hat

"I

six

least,eightthousand

she

pansies.

on,

was

effect

an

straw

with

with
bound

was

trimmed

wealth,"
am

at

slim

the

completelycovered with
unusual heightenablingher

elegance. Her
violet ribbon, and

of

and

nerve

controlled

of accessories

amount

walked

very finished-

herself and

dress.

airy texture, almost

lace,her slender figureand
off any

was

and

displayedadmirable

some

to carry

his

from

arm

suppose

years

dollars

ago,
of

my

own."

"Poorer?"
of

he
the

echoed,

startled

probable

cost

out

of

of

the

some

putation
com-

lace

she

wore.

Mrs.

Dalton

had

had

her little confession

to

make,

and

had

herself

remains

to

of

!"

horriblypoor

am

what

MADNESS.

acquitted

now

thought.
"
Oh, I
see

MIDSUMMER

142

it

she

"

said.
to

except

me

bravely, she
I don't
the

on

go

stage."
"

The

sanction

that sort

"What
"

breath.
"

has
"

the
am
"

in

Don't

scandal,

know

you
!

"

"
"

"

said

she, under

Mr.

"

Medhurst.

divorce,

died

almost

"

There

something."
aloud.
"Beyond

or

your

Dalton

her

"

pardon," he said
fact of your marriage, six years ago
absolutelyignorantconcerningyou."
beg

"How

vehemence.

thought

Dalton

"

with
way

Mr.

asked, startled.

she

arm

that

Heavens

Good
been

his

talk
"

does

hardly enjoy seeing you

clutched

you

But

of ambition
mean?"

you

would

She
can

do

He

for you.

place

very

three

in

June, I

ago,"

years

she

"Don't
see
dropping her eyes.
you
still wear
of mourning ?
a sort
"
Oh, forgiveme ! said Medhurst, eagerly. "

murmured,

"

"

was

heartless."

He

scanned

her

dress, and

dered
won-

could be to which
she
signs of woe
alluded.
He had played the cynicin meeting Fanny
The
experienced remorse.
logical
again, and now
Fanny as an ambitious girl,breaking an
gap between
engagement of five years'standing to marry a rich
well placed in the
and now
as
a married
woman
man,
where

the

world, he

had

husband,

all

filled up
the

pleasures

brilliant social life.

To

; such

an

matter

with

rich

widow

experience

; gave
sympathy, forgiveness

doting

excitements

and

find her

lover,

her the

was

of
a

stimulated

dignity of

ferent
dif-

pity,
one

who

had

F"TE.

FOURTH-OF-JULT

143

through experiences,comprisingwhat
is most
sacred and patheticin life.
children?"
he
"Have
asked, with strong
you
curiosity.
"Thank
goodness, no!" she cried ; then added,
in a different voice, ' ' If you knew
what
makeshifts
I am
that I almost
joice
reput to you would not wonder
fresh young
life depends upon
Now
no
me.
talk about
let us
no
yourself." But there was
chance
of a longer tete-d-tctejust then.
Mr. HaxCecil for a time, then
about
with
toun had walked
had put her in a corner,
and
set out for his private
enjoyment. He had a great deal to say, and burned
for a listener possessed of intelligence
and modesty.
He grudged the holidayboth
for himself
and
Medhurst.
Ten sheets of foolscapwould
not be spoiled
him
to-day, and the loss concerned
intimately.
Fourth
of July,and if a man
were
ever
Still,it was
lie down
in his
to unbend, throw
off his armor,
on
a
tent, it was
day like this, with bursts
broiling
from points up
at intervals
of cannon
reverberating
pedoes
and
down
the river, while
flags were
flying,torso
was
exploding,and the general hubbub
gone

intolerable that

it

was

difficult to

sustain

the

close

his
brain
usually
logicalthoughts with which
But
teemed.
versation,
auspicious for coneverythingwas
and, seeing Rodney Heriot
standing
apparently unoccupied except in watching Mrs.
.

Dalton
with
is

and

the smile

ready to
"

Medhurst,

This

the

bore

foernan

down
who

upon

sees

his

his prey

host
and

strike.

quite a break
Usually,at this

is
"

of

he

in my
hour

routine," he

of the

day

"
"

served.
ob-

-4

144

MIDSUMMER

Rodney had
"I
beg ten
about

to seize

daughter

himself

seen

thousand
this

into

the

marked

as

but

pardons;

fortunate

game.

moment

I
to

just

am

take

and
picture-gallery,"

he

disappointed,and

his eye

your
darted

Cecil.

towards
Mr.

MADNESS.

Haxtoun
the

was

He

room.

had

succeeded

never

ersed
trav-

in

finding
explain the

exactlyhis long-covetedopportunityto
full scope
to
of his work
He
Rodney Heriot.
have
and
turned, and, as luck would
it,Medhurst
Mrs. Dalton
were
just at his elbow.
"
I was
just saying, Medhurst," he observed,
"
that at this hour of the day you and I were
erally
genshut up in the study."
"
Surely you are not regrettingyour dreary old
work
full of lovely
on
a
day like this, in a room
women," said Mrs. Dalton, smiling up at the old
gentleman.
"
Nothing equals the charm of a beautiful woman
of a fixed idea," said Mr.
except the enthralment
"
the engrossing nature
If you knew
Haxtoun.
of
our
occupation, the delight of a slowly developing
theory like a bud into the flower
Medhurst
Mrs.
Dalton, to her dismay, saw
ping
slip"

"

into the

She

crowd-

left alone

with

the

said she, her

delightful,"
chance
of relief.
dartingglances seeking some

far-

was

author.
That

"

Mr.
liked

sounds

Haxtoun
any

by

himself

who

smiled

fortunate

all,a

woman

man.

young

He
and

into his eyes.

primitivemind," he began, "unrestrained

long literaryand scientific traditions of which

In the
the

found

listener,but, above

beautiful, and
"

very

MIDSUMMER

14G

MADNESS.

Milton's

day the warm, sensuous, glowing paganism

of the primitivemind
"
There
! He
is talking about me
again ! cried
Fanny, and glided off, leaving Mrs. Est6 to stem
the author's
where
Medeloquence. She wondered
hurst
and
had
into
peered for a moment
gone,
the picture-gallery,
where
half-a-dozen
people were
sitting,and Rodney Heriot was
standing in front
of a Fortuny, talkingto Cecil Haxtoun.
Fanny did
that Medhurst
not
to go in, although she saw
care
She cared nothing for art
was
there, in the alcove.
she heard people
herself,and always laughed when
utteringcommonplaces before pictures. She curled
her lipat all landscapes, except those of Diaz.
She
well done, and
liked figureswhen
had
an
they were
unerring instinct for a bit of clever paintingin flesh
what
or
drapery. She wondered
Rodney was
ing
sayshe had
to Cecil,for whom
quite an admiration
to-day,although at first sight she had thought her
She
mired
merely a slight,juvenile creature.
always adin good taste, who drew men.
dressed
a woman

by

"

"

"

It

of

others
how

occurred

never

to

her

to

She

sex.

them,

use

her

and

told

chance, she
made
she
were

of
had

it.
to

age

do

her

wanted

no

chance

the

even

to the beautiful

compare

knew

begrudge Cecil
winning Rodney Heriot.
not

to

Those

She

was

was

to

now

gather

with

powers,

and

She

more.

she

did

enjoyed

of

advantages belonged
Fanny had had her

of nineteen.

herself, and

own

herself

very

bad

twenty-nine,
up

the

she

use

and

fragments

had
what
that

left.

Rodney Heriot
mood
to-day. He

had
had

found
never

Cecil
seen

in
her

an

look

unusual
so

deli-

FOURTH-OF-JULY

FETE.

ciouslypretty,and the air she

unspoiled as her dress. She
color

him;

her

usual

frank, fearless

wore

was

seemed

and

went.

gaze

into

came

147

as

fresh and

timid

before

Instead

of

his face

her

her

eyes
to raise the

perpetuallydrooped, and try as she would

heavy lids and look at him, it was an impossibletask.
"
asked
Do you like pictures?"Rodney had
her,
he took her into the gallery.
as
"
I like some
very well," she had replied.
"

late

The

Este

inestimable

laid

out

enormous

of them
are
pictures,and some
very well
done,
regularrich men's pictures,most of them."
"
What
do you mean
by rich men's pictures?
"Vivid, distinct pictures of the world and the
in

sums

"

"

in the world.

thingsthat are
for thought in
"

Is there

artist who
Do

"I

in

What

' '

Miss

of

is unkind

Haxtoun

glade

are

an

of

an

artist?"

studied

picturesdid
picturesdid

to ask

Do

sunshine,

the

pictures?"
jealous envy

for

eighteen

atelier."

you

paint?"

you

try to paint?
do you like best,

"

What

me.

fancy this Diaz,

the great oak
and

you

forest,with

in

care

ones."

kind

tainebleau

and

of

these
the

you

failed.

Parisian

bad

What

"It

kind

"Very

that

and

Este"

failed."

and

mean

tried

months
"

tried

you

from

come

did

?"

canvases

thought in

no

words

"My
"

his

What

the

deep shadows,

russet
or

"

and
do

"

the Fonthe

open

foliage,
prefer this

green
you

Neuville?"
"

I do

"

But

not

like

battle-pieces."

fancy you

like

some

life

put

into

land-

148

scape

MIDSUMMER

for

MADNESS.

excellent

instance, these

cattle, by

Troyon."
Cecil

said

nothing,looked

the

at

cattle,and

then

away.
Here

"

is

of Jules
"I

Breton's

could

"But
mere

observe

of

vivid

it.

difference.

Don't

Millet's

and

to fillout

shrubs

and

men

their hard

color, and
You

you

feel

the

grimness, bareness,

those

forms

stunted

the

gives

peasants gathering up their potatoes

great, flat,open field,with a dull sky

bags, in a
bending over
loneliness,the
lives

"

choose?

do you

another

of

in

any

; which

Millet's,and

tell."

not

group

the

of

evening scene

an

the
exert

may
those

the

figuresthemselves

The

sunset

hideousness
with

women,

faces ?

of

their

There

is

what

orative.
dec-

imaginationyou
horizons, where

dullyagainst the

couth
un-

hardly

picture is certainlynot

limitless

cut

are

silence, the

sess
posfew

sky, but

gray

deny that life contains any

of the enchantments
of promise and hope, anything
toil and
save
sleep, and a dull misery under both.
Now
look
at Breton, and
observe
what
a
pretty,
human
idea he has, and how
nobly he has treated it.
rowing

up

is reflected
at

as

is
the
on

fine

that you

as

had

when

you

night,and see
girl'sface, which

river, the other

that young

went

how

it

kindles

kiss."

Cecil had

looking
eyes,

as

at

that

flushed

she said,
but, rallying,
slightly,

of her dark
Rodney out of the corners
she thought he at least preferred the

"

Millet."
"I
Let

never

each

take
tell his

the
own

trouble

to

tale and

have
in

preferences.
his

own

way.

Here

is

Munkacsy

realism,

pieces of
how
"

FOURTH-OF-JULY

do

you

Tell

me

"But

and

there

and

about

the

Meissonnier, strong
of

But

art.

it,Mr. Heriot," said Cecil,softly.

is there

interlaced

tell?

to

pool, with the

evening sky, and

through

149

like this Corot?"

what

flushed

masterpieces

still

the

FETE.

It is all

there,
"

reflections of

the

of

the

glimpse

branches

of

the

trees

faintly
sunset
;

the

and

the water ; the

sedge bending towards
the bank, the dead
under
deep shadows
log half
submerged ; the path leading out from the woods,
and the boy drivinghome
a few
sheep, which huddle
The
idea of evening interpenetrates
together in the dark.
and
blade
of
twig and branch
every
The
will sing presently. All
nightingales
grass.
bliss
beckons
nature
to the enjoyment of pure
on
and
lumbago.
Rodney could play any part for a littletime, but,
in it,he experienced a desire to exagat home
once
gerate,
it. He
could hardly reto caricature
strain
even
from talkingthe wildest nonsense
himself now
she
to the young
to him
as
girl,who was
listening

grasses

"

"

had

listened

never

before.

It

occurred

to

him

it

joke to lead her up to a group of

Bouguereau's soft, shapely nymphs, bathing in a
forest nook, and point out their beauties ; and to
stranglethis inclination and keep himself guarded
within
and
bounds
heroic a piece of selfwas
as
denial as he had achieved for many
a
day.
"Aren't
you tired of this eternal gloaming?" he
"
asked.
Either
Let us
look at something else.
is bored and goes to sleep in the twilight,
one
or one
is haunted
happiness out of
by the fancy of some
would

be

clever

MIDSUMMER

150
one's

MADNESS.

reach.

Moonlight, starlight,night voices,

night perfumes, night winds, and night music fill
one's

soul with

frantic horror

at

times, mocking: with

O
*

beauty

which

will not

soothe.

is

Night

like

woman."
"

Why is night like a woman?

"It
might rest us; it might
it only maddens
never
does,
us

"

us;

with

dreams."

"

"

don't

gazing
"Of
look

him

as

if you
and

Since

went

have

Did

bed

to

slept till

late,"declared
"

you

all,"

at

inquisitively.
don't; why
you

course

o'clock
"

at

understand

said

you?
night at

every

it

Cecil,

should

You
nine

dawn."

grown

up

sit up

late, quite

Cecil,indignantly.
ever," pursued Rodney, "go

you

but

content

garden earlyin

the

morning, and

into

the

find

freshlyopened
drenched
with
dew?
Or great white
roses
lilies,
with deep, golden hearts, just unfolding their petals
in the stir of the morning breeze?
Or have
you
the
stooped under a bough of sweetbrier,and seen
blossoms
againsta background of blue sky ?
"
No," repliedCecil,wonderingly.
"
You
like the morning, not
like night,"said
are
Rodney, who had been looking at her with a heavy
turned
it away.
oppressed her, but now
gaze, which
"Come
this Madrazo," he went
here and
see
over
"

on.

"

mouths,

It will take
so

that

people.
sense

no

we

There

nature,

the

taste

can

go

is
"

Look

at the

back

and

sentiment

all is

flowers,deceitful

pleasure.

no

of the Corot

out

our

talk to everyday

here ;

no

false,artificial ;

love, a wild, eager

pretty women,

of

sylvan
ous
poison-

thirst

for

with their gay

above

face

151

See that
satin, silk,and gauze.
that fan ! Confess, now, that you

of

dresses

F$TE.

FOURTH-OF-JULY

this brilliant civilization

Do
intelligible.

arch
find

love

you

?"

to dance

"Dearly."
He
in

looked

It would

women.

shock

it would
some

have

We

dance

yet

the soul to

see

you

love

it

as

have

ought

had

never

collection

to

Every one ;
Rodney looked

I should

Do

you

"

turn

One

of these

say,

'

the world

to

"

new

I doubt

looked

too

are

many
six in

than

more

anything,so

thingsyou
hate

her, his clever

the

open

you.'

Then

very much

I have

anything."

face

full of mischief.

will offer you

is the

key,

which

key

will

accept

immediatelyinto
and

?"

not had

will

great treasure-house

you

come

heaven

have

to miss

days somebody

and

little courtesy,and
of

at

of

Here, mademoiselle,

the wards

have

collections."

have

all the

and

danced

collections ; don't you ? "

not

to be

never

want

"

have

I hate

always hated
' '

balls, and

three

to

There

room.
"

you

ball for you.

You
There
pictures,I am sure.

of them.
one

to

been

must

enough

at

see

time."

every
"

to

do."

women

"I

these

delightme

me

like to think of

you
clever, trained

like this, with

ballroom

I don't

"

at her.

new

whether

of

it with

the possession

earth."
I should

be

missive
sub-

so

grateful,"said Cecil. " I have heard

about
Bluebeard's
chamber, and should prudently
maging
reply, ' Thanks
prefernot to go rum; I very much
into placeswhich do not belong to me.'
and

"

152

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

Rodney burst out laughing. Her

immensely piquant to him.
"
It seems
to me
a
pity,"said he,
to give you
up and go and offer my
take

to

woman,
"

To

"

No,

indeed.

rose,

she

the

red

"She
I

"

and

the
a

that

I have

to

arm

old

an

to luncheon."

delightin
so

Croome,

crumpled

; if not

mamma

your

the

near

it is Mrs.

and

stranger

lives

and

nose

"

was

perhaps."

mamma,

my

picking. No,

her out

answer

the

"

is

she

rose

with

one

She

gown.

worth
the

is both

I believe."

magnate,

is my

great-aunt."
thought it likelyyou were

that

give

the

was

I unburdened

reason

leave

you

to

connected

abuse

of

any

with

myself ;
relations

my

her,
and
in

return."
I

"

might

say

something

candid

about

Mrs.

Este's

son."
I would

"

Then

give half of what

what
you thought of me."
I shall not tell you."

"

Oh,

but

Do.

44

to know

do !

Did

ever

you

I don't

think

possess

about

me

at

all?"
"

Yes

"

What

44

That

44

What

44

That

; I

did you
it

you

think?

"

somebody told me."

somebody tell you?
had interesting
things to
as

"

tell."

said that?"

Mr.

The

was

did

'Who

44

did, to-day."

Medhurst."

name

in

mood.

jarred on

rousing Cecil
She

had

He

Rodney.
out

many

of
a

her
time

had

ceeded
fairlysucless
languid and list-

turned

towards

MIDSUMMER

154

Rodney had no
old lady, whom
before
and
She
a

he

so

kind

of
of

thought

her

had

love

growing

Cecil

with

great-aunt

own

been

to the

away

more

hour.

every

beautiful

to-day : he looked at her with

despair, he longed for her so ; at the
perience
repulse from her, he now
began to exof

sense

with

Croome

Mrs.

He

in

hurried

to call his

hoped

deeply

was

from

alternative,and

months.

many
more

MADNESS.

He

dread.

tore

himself

away

regret.
had

heard

that

Rodney

tive
atten-

was

her

grand-niece,and felt it her duty to put

her possible grand-nephew through a catechism
in
morals
and
of
behavior, and by a judicious course
plied incessantlyin the pauses between
questionings,
her plates of croquettes, salads, and
boned
turkey,
restored
Rodney to his usual equipoise. He gave
her his biography with a few incisive touches, which
left little to be desired in the way
of suggestiveness.
He
allowed
her to understand
that he had, in all
of the country
places and at all times, taken the religion
to

he

customs,
to return

sightof
loss

no

mind

in

was
"

had
there.

assured

lived
He

the horror
to understand

between
belief

his

for

in
chiefly

growing
the

he

the

its habits

East, and

indescribable

found

her revolt
that

with

own,

in her

strugglegoing
at

was

his confessions
a

desirable

longed

zest

face, and
on

and

in the
was

in
and

at

her
her

parti for

Cecil.
"

I'm

afraid

you're something of a sinner," she

to
said, finally,
holding her third glass of Bordeaux
her
need
is a wife
to reform
lips. "What
you
you."
'
I've always heard
the fair sex
is never
averse
'

the

to
' '

But

task

of

how
?

F"TE.

FOUBTH-OF-JULY

about

sinner," said

reforming

the

wives

three

155

I have

he.

ready
got al-

"

Mrs.

Meanwhile

Haxtoun

Este", who

near

Mrs.

time

indeed.

Cecil had

and

sat down

drinking bouillon and

listeningto Mr. Haxtoun, who was giving her a
of his troubles
from
ghastly account
dyspepsia.
The
old gentleman had
been
having a very good
had

Mrs.

was

Est6,

after

proved quitesubmissive

in his life

fair

start,he

the entire
while

she

and,

few

little

allowed

sallies,

for

once

had

cerning
enlightenedher conhis great undertaking;

historyof

continued

to gaze

at him

as

if

fascinated,

seeming to be her delight,and his

the commanding
mysteriesher most pleasingstudy. From
he looked
down
at her
pinnacle whence
he had
contemplated the little interruptionsof
people, coming and going and offeringcomments,
had
held his course
without
discomposure, and
Here
straighton until he took her out to luncheon.
he began
other thoughts suggestedthemselves, and
hindered
to tell her of the impediments which
too
his

intricacies

easy

success.

be

It must

guiltywhen
mother

and

place

for

"What

the old

gentleman looked
his wife approached. Mrs. Est6 greeted
a
daughter with rapture, and made

Cecil close
will you

summoning

beside

have,

everybody

bouillon.

want

confessed

You

are

her.
ma

within

belief"
reach.

of the age when

she
"

You

asked,
don't

anythingcan

be eaten."
said Mr. Haxtoun,
dangerous practice,"
solemnly. " Cecil,I advise you especiallyto avoid
"

most

MIDSUMMER

156

MADNESS.

anything iced on a warm

day like this, it might
give you a chill."
I particularly
long for a chill,
papa," said Cecil ;
"

"

"

am

warm."

so

That

"

with

is what

it is to be

cried Mrs.

young,"

little

swift

"Violent
admiring shriek.
alternatives,dabbling first in one

then

in

the

risks and

running
in all

other,

these, and

does

and
will

organs

"A

it,
"

obviate
"

of

cup

drink

what

to

stem

the trouble

hot

water,

good

so

* '

to take

Youth

time

is preparing

used

to live

Now,
to

delights

my

poor

on

old

digest anything

"

just

as

in Mr.

hot

as

you

Haxtoun,

can
"

will

"

is

duty

the tide

was

and

"

failed in his

that her

element

milk."

Haxtoun

has

time

one

sipped slowly,"put

much

Mr.

and

how

mayonnaise.

take

not

except broth

At

salad

know

not

contrasts,

all,a little suspicion of

courtingdangers.

its revenges.
birds

above

"

Este",

always anxious
own
case," said

in this emergency

of

of your

the trouble

his

ing
wife, feel-

at any

was,

cost,

husband's

her
son,
to

prescribe

to

Mrs.

show

eloquence. " It
Est6," she proceeded,

Cecil the best

in the

pictures

gallery."
"Quite the labor he delightsin, I fancy. And
did you
like the pictures, my
dear ?
Oh, yes," said Cecil.
"
Poor
Mr. Est6 took such a pleasure in buying
everythingwhich might please me," sighedthe widow.
'
Nowadays I am as unimportant as a figure on a
husband
He
so.
screen
never
thought me
; but my
would
ransack
Europe to find a novelty for me.
If you
added
want
to be happy," she
to Cecil,
"

"

'

FOURTH-OF-JULY

"

have

he

157

you, and who

husband

who

adores

satisfyall

your

little whims."

can

FETE.

is

rich

so

standing at a little distance,

but now
thought proper to approach the group, and
and Cecil,
make, at least,a bow to Mrs. Haxtoun
before
that day. He
not
met
whom
he had
was
in the glance of the
struck
by something unusual
girl. She raised her eyes, and looked at him
young
steadily,as if wishing to read clearlywhatever was
Medhurst

had

been

in his face

evident

and

There

manner.

been

shaken

had

if she
and

and

thing
some-

proud in her air ; something

She
between
indignationand reproach in her gaze.
he had
looked
of
a
sense
; but
superbly handsome
something menacing and portentous in her mood, as
both

serious

was

longed

to inflict

and

Medhurst,

to the

others.

pain on
Haxtoun

Mrs.

bottom

of

She

her

soul

bowed

addressed

to

him

with

especialgraciousness.
Mrs.

and

So you

"

Dalton

are

cousins

"

she

said,

rather

archly.
it seems," replied Medhurst.
"So
uncle
the same
good man
years
ago.

"We

called

That

makes

cousins."

us
"

congratulate you

Haxtoun.

"

old friend

you
In
she

Mrs.

pursued

It will be

in the

fact, Mrs.
had

done

to
quite delightful
neighborhood. It is very

in
link

Haxtoun

for many
her

young

the

much,"

have

an

dull

for

us."

with

only shown
zeal

very

felt

day.

interest
man,

but

attractinghim
between

in this

them.

to

had
her

lighterof
Mrs.

heart

Dalton

excellent,but
also

than

had

not

fluous,
super-

displayed some
by palpable signs of

158
"A

with

Haxtoun,

sensation

to look

Mrs.

that

woman,

the air of

into them.

am

Dalton,"

connoisseur.

Est6

Mrs.

Magnificenteyes," said

"

handsome

very

said Mrs.

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

"

it must

be

old woman,

an

longer dangerous myself, but I love to see

It is the
of those thorough-bred young
women.
one
jeunefillelike you, Cecil,who touches the heart ; but
and
the woman
of thirtyconquers
the head,
men
have
hearts
no
nowadays. They like handsome
talk to a
to
It is easy
toilettes,wit, and grace.
like Fanny,
no
woman
necessity for burrowing
into the earth
or
soaring into the air for subjects.
before
What
she thinks about is the man
her, and
and

no

"

"

what

she

intends

is very

Fanny

"I

to

easy
listened

Medhurst
the

him

think

to

get
with

on

with."

an

air of

about

is herself.

ing
understand-

not

subject.
admire
he

Estey

wood-carvings very much,

remarked, looking at the black

your

now

Mrs.
oaken

buffet.
"

The
here

was

at me,
"

I
figuresfrightened me last winter, when
all alone, grinningand gnashing their teeth
the monsters

"

This

"

dining-room is superb," Medhurst

remarked

to Cecil.

"Yes,"
house
"

is
Todo

she

"

beautiful

more

estd

la

whole

distinctly;"the
than

any

dispositionde

V.

was

M.

ever

At

in."
your

Spaniards say," exclaimed

Est6.
"It needs a charming young cjid,telaine."
It ought not to go begging for one," said Medhurst,
felt indescribably
ing
who
nettled,without choos-

disposal,my
Mrs.

answered

to

define

dear, as

the

reason

the

of

his

irritation.

He

was

FETE.

FOURTH-OF-JULY

159

on
smiling, nevertheless, and his glance rested
Cecil for a moment
meaningly.
Mrs.
"Dear
She sprang
Este," said she,
up.

I not

"may
the

house

I should

like to

I know

point

its

out

to him."

beauties
"

well, and

so

about?

Medhurst

Mr.

show

dear."

Certainly,
my

Cecil," put

"But,
it

taking

for

in

granted

Mrs.

Haxtoun,

that

Mr.

"you

Medhurst

are

is

at

leisure."

"Oh,

do

charming

She

Alec,

little while
but

haughty,
moved

compare

said
"

little movement.

with

corner

fear, mamma!"

not

the

to that of

ground under

before
she

now

on

and

Mr.

Mrs.

was

is

indolent

to her

and

led the way

engaged."
dis-

and

finger-tips.
who

her movement
rears

is in the

quite

Medhurst,

pride and grace of

who
thorough-bred,
She

been

alive

little before

the curb.

Dalton

Medhurst

Cecil had

Cecil,with

could

only
paws

across

the
the

parlors without saying a word, and he

followed, perplexed, and almost
pained. If this
of it. It seemed
no
more
were
societyhe wanted
tive
to the house, every sensito him as if,since he came
had
been
pierced
spot in his heart and mind
with little arrows,
pretty,feathered things,aimed
in
accord
with
was
surely and sent deep. He
He was
not flexible or mobile
nothing and no one.
enough to get along with these people ; he had
brooded
certain thoughts for years, and given
over
them
a sort of
sacredness, which made it impossible
to them
to allude
entirely
; his spirituallife was
crammed
individual.
he had
Then, intellectually,
hall

to

the

"

himself
to him

in his

MIDSUMMER

160

with

ideas

facts which

might be useful
in his career, pigeon-holingthem, as it were,
material for converno
sation.
mind, but they made
The

mental

and

stiff,machine-like

processes
which

effort

abruptness.

or

disliking,his

no

gave

dialogue

which

MADNESS.

went

on

His

sympathies,

vibrated

and

every

impulses
his

undulated

the

to

response
at

of

movement

hand
of

his
easy

without

liking and
thoughts,

careless

through

his

brain

to check, and
perpetually,he had taught himself
to give them
never
expression. He felt at an utter
He
had
disadvantage, and longed to be away.
experienced a momentary wish to approach Cecil ;
Whatever
she had
been
but he regrettedit now.
the other night,to-day she was
ful.
haughty and scornPerhaps it was
just as well ; it had needed
him entirelycalm, and allow
this experience to make
his imagithe vivid impressionshe had made
nation
upon
Mrs. Este" had almost
to fade entirely
away.
claimed
and the
her as her daughter in his presence,
girlhad accepted the positionwith alacrity.
young
him
with
to
wanted
show
what
She
had
a
regal
He
beauty was to be enhanced.
settingher young
felt stiff and proud, and looked
so.
The
light and airy in their
parlors were
very
of the palestgold, with a procession
A dado
effect.
Greek
set off by walls
of figures from
was
vases,
There
and
no
were
ceiling of delicate azure.
all of exquisite
heavy hangings ; the draperies were

lace ; the rugs

the richest
most

"The

on

the inlaid floors were,

tints, and

threw

however, of

the

paler

not

only very beautiful,

hues

into

the

perfect relief.
cabinets

here

are

"The

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

162

time

whirligigof

since

all

this man's

brings strange

wealth

is

alludes

to that."

revenges,

almost

now

in

his

step-son'sgrasp."
"

Heriot

Mr.

The

two

cushioned

often

sittingdown
chairs,one of pale

gold embossed
that
had

she

seemed

been

three

be

to

blue

Medhurst

satin.

and

had

doing

the

married.

years

to face

face

were

in

the

deeply

other

of

said to himself

honors
He

as

burned

if she
to

say

should
show
her
how
deep an
something which
on
impression her assumption of ownership made
tion
he thought an ambihim, and yet how insignificant
culminated
which
merely in this. But he could
at the same
think of nothing incisive enough which
time
"

"

not

was

Mr.

little harsh.

Heriot

has

has tried

He

he has

that hitherto

"

I do ; I

She

you

assure

he smiled

and

had

Heriot

like Mr.

"You

good deal," he remarked.

occupations ; but he will

good many
comfortably now,

settle down
say

seen

and
no

very

enjoyment."
much, do you
His

I do."

significantly.
We
up, flushing.
"

sprang

the crowd

librarywhile

hence

year

is still in the

not?'

hers,

met

eyes

must

will

go

on

to the

dining-room,"

said.

she
He
know

her

followed
what

the

need

"

movement.

libraryis

of

no

library?

reallydo

in

house

not

like

this," he exclaimed.
"

Would

"

I say

house
and

you

I cannot

like this.
the

have

"

see

Books

the
are

need
for the

of

libraryin a
poor, the lonely,

unhappy."

She looked

at him

questioningly.

"How
"

1G3

pictures?"

about

Oh,

FF.TE.

FOURTH-OF-JULY

they

"Walls

decorative.

are

are

empty

But while you sat

way.
in that blue chair,againstthe tortoise-shell cabinet,
unless

spaces

covered
'

with

This

is

That

"When

I would

After

; but

moment

and
"

is

The

painting.

longs for
No

Your

has

art

live in

She

new

will

one

no

no

or

like

the most

out

movement,

If I lived in

have

this,"he

rupted.
inter-

vivid

pictures.
no
change, in a
chosen
a
happy
tires of it,
One

only a moment.
impulse, a fresh suggestion."
ever

tire of

boundaries,

perfect whirlwind

smiled

'

home

artist may

it is
a

this ?

Boldini

"

try to put

all, there

What

art.

"

live in

you

of

thought to myself,

pretty compliment.

very

like this

home

"

paint

china,

work

true

could

some

blue

the

is the

Zamacois
' '

filled in

Miss

you,
no

Haxtoun.

limitations.

of devices

and

You

caprices."

at him

defiantly.
"This
is the
announced;
library,"she now
in this
according to you, a superfluous room
house.
I fancy Mr.
Heriot
does not think so yet."
not quite yet."
No,
He gave the four words
all the meaning of which
they were
capable.
"He
has
his piano here, and
his violin," said
Cecil.
It seems
Mrs. Dal ton
is a clever pianist,
and
she
accompanies him.
They practise the
"

"

"

"

Sonata.'

'Kreutzer
Mrs.
"

suppose

you

have

heard

Dalton

play."
Except for her playing I

little or

nothing of music."

should

have

known

164
"

Does

"

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

play well?"

she

What
I
hardly remember.
she practisedendlessly. She

that

in music.

excel

familiar

became

and

in,

with

it to

strain of

any

she

herself

perfect

to

thus

Whatever

"

Will

seen

you

I have

is very

bitter

jest to
How

Even

"

of

had

and

be

the

that

the

vain

and

such

luxury to a poor
the sightof it does
against Heriot?"

that

and

all

or

voice.

her

rather

little

boudoir,

convinced

It is

cared

asked, with

rancor

Heriot

to

Mrs.

had

she

answer

Dalton

were

no

close

them.

Miss

Haxtoun
your

I wish

it

the
kindly showing me
house," said Medhurst, addressing
was

It is not

were

mine,"

having it at
you," said Rodney.

"

Esters

face

to

communistic

"Not

with

grown

her

know

you

Rodney.
"
My house?
replied.

to

gible
unintelli-

had

showing

on

go

Cecil

if

splendors of

"

expresses

; she

she

beautiful.

time, for Rodney

beside

and
and

enough?"
enough

do

inspire

not

with

charged

comes

studied,

me,

Mrs.

out

seen

house

man.

she

to

to

on

come

you

spiritflatly
gone
' '

him

looking at
languid.

was

and

have

tient
impa-

others."

to

pale

is

to

be ; and

to

its own,

meaning far greater than

what
is absolutelyindividual

she

music

day

is

ambitious

was

used

or

Cecil

remember

touches

the

this

do

Mr.

low

my
"

my

house

said

at

Mrs.

Dalton.

disposal I
Otherwise

all,"Rodney

cannot

"
"

He

bow.

Heriot," said Cecil,interrupting.

offer it

finished

turned

He

Will

"

F"TE.

FOURTH-OF-JULY

to her

instantly.

take

you

165

"

to mamma?

me

asked, with

she

and

absolutelyinfantile imperiousness ;

an

his

offered

girlis

little

That

"

others, walked

the

glance at

"I

Medhurst.

to

rude,

or

fancy

Medhurst
walked

"

What,

are

"

with

asked,
I ?

"

her

always

Does

engaged
Oh, no !
"

lover ?

rich

and

heard,

hold

him

off.
be

fancy
I

But

Do

"Diamonds,

important,

is

of

you

does

' '

she

think

and

it not, in

what

it

important

about

are

trumps,

of

case

doubt,

him

to

"

it

case

to

Perhaps

so.

cares

that

I have

inclined

she

in

"

was

feels

bly
invaria-

marriages.

look

not

and

me,

rich

from

Indeed,

hearts,

not

replied Medhurst

Fanny

not

am

know

you

supposed

this

making

do

not.

had

jealous

him.

"

they

as

too?"

her

' '

are

Heriot,

to

seen

may

Medhurst.

girlswho
I

with

she

laugh.

exclaimed

Is she

secure

of

in love

you
low

her

in love with

she

her

she

looking after the two

the room
down
together.
beg pardon," he said, dreamily.

"

rob

Dalton

was

"

"

Is
why?
is annoyed?

she

to

Mrs.

said

me,"

to

wonder

going

am

away.

rude

is it because

he

and, without

it at once,

took

she

arm

when

fancy,"
is doubly
take

the

himself

for

to

trick?"
But
the

while

even

cynicism.
at

excuses

until

Fanny

he

he said

He

had

the

next

longed
He

once.

made

it he half

did
an

morning.

to be

hated

away,

and

made

his

however,
get away,
with
to walk
engagement
not

"

MIDSUMMER

166

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

DALTON

TAKES

DALTON

had

MRS.

MRS.

he

three

woman,

of

looked

WALK.

forward

lishing
to reestab-

Ten
easilyover Medhurst.
obtained
a complete ascendency
a
ture
was
mere
boy and she a ma-

she had

when

him,

over

HORNING

her power

before

years

XI.

her fixed
She

years

beliefs

knew

the

his senior

that

masculine

lack

of

; and

it

one

was

is eternal.

passion

durabilityin her
knots
of ribbon,

any

mere
were
feelings,which
which
she adjusted here or there, just as they were
useful or becoming ; but, with an irresistible feminine
on
instinct,she went
counting on the permanence

own

of

any

sentiment

love with
had

her

been

she had

once

excited.

He

had

been

in

and, in spite of his youth, there

something

about

his

appeal

which

had

They became
engaged, and
if he had
not left her, to study at Heidelberg for
eighteen months, it is possiblethat she might have
become
When
he came
his wife.
back, however,
he soon
all over.
knew
that it was
Fanny put the
forced

her

to

case

before

was

poor,

to

marry

listen.

with

him
and

was

while

essential

sufficient

remain

likely to

wealth

and

distinctness.

position

her.

The

six

parted, shortly before

her

marriage

to

years

too

poor
lutely
abso-

were

since
to

He

they

Edward

seemed

Dalton,

experience:
herself,had
had

to

short

her very

167
and

ual
ineffect-

very

marriage had been a disappointing

day, an hour, a minute, even, she told

Her

years.

She

WALK.

MOENING

shown

married

that she had

her

broker, who

made
at

was,

mistake.

the time

of

meeting him, rich. His marriage was the end of

rich any more,
his run
of good luck ; he never
was
and, three years after taking a wife, he saw
nothing
before him save
gettinghimself out of the world as
quietlyand expeditiously as possible,in. order to
her

certain

avert

had

been

could

him

told

unhappy,

he

and

money,
embezzler
made

papers

But
never

had
taken

Edward

man

; but

Mr.

Este"

he chose, and

when

make

nothingto

his

Fanny

Dalton

in the way

was

the

man

was

probably Medhurst's
have compassed
the happiness to
been

The

been.

suicide

morning and evening

it might seem
strange that

days, and

who

himself

had

details for the

some

that

Este" had

do

must

Este"

of
quietlypaid over a certain amount
nobody ever knew justwhat a forger and

for two

Medhurst,
known

he

dead

when

generous

Mr.

exposures.

the

wronged by

be very

wife

had

uncomfortable

out

news,

had

not

Fanny Blake's husband.

wildest imaginationswould

the
be

of such

idea
her

of the world

that

the

husband
in such

man

could
a

way.

who
have
Mrs.

friendlyto the young widow, ever

since making her a companion in journeysto Europe,
and
at all times when
she needed
efficient help and
companionship. Fanny understood
very well that
she was
not to enjoy such advantages for nothing,
and
that it was
her while
not worth
to jeopardize
them
by any sort of behavior Mrs. Este" did not like.
For instance,althoughMrs. Este" had a marriageable

168

Fanny

son,

bounds.
in

MIDSUMMER

The

such

to

not

was

old

matters,

MADNESS.

flirtwith

him

except within
extraordinary subtlety

lady

had

and

could

distinguishwith

the

flirtations of the head

and
nicety between
those of the heart.
Everything was permitted up to
certain point, but it must
there.
a
cease
Fanny
utmost

could
more

carry
ardent

these
a

these

out

views

less restrained

and

perpetual warnings

certain

value

to the end

in her
his

had

of

women

Heriot

given Rodney
had

But

temperament.

She

eyes.

than

liked his

fight

always liked a
brilliant rebel,who never
and finally
yields,
gets more
he
asked
for.
And
not
than
was
ever
Rodney
this child of good luck ? She liked him, too, because
he lacked discipline
she declared,
a man,
; she hated
of whom
could predict to a certaintywhat
he
one
would
do.
Fanny was, in fact, misled by a woman's
and
unreason
by her temperament ; she mistook
almost always the theatrical for the dramatic, and the
she had produced
high-soundingfor the noble. When
effect herself she felt that something had
been
an
she in turn was
moved
achieved, and when
by anything
stood
strikingshe called it great. Thus she underby instinct one side of Rodney Heriot's mind
without
in the least degree mastering the other.
It
always seemed to her they were in complete sympathy,
because

with

better

he talked

with the
to actual

same

step-father;

to her

with

absence

of

experience, as

she

the most

absolute

illusion,the
if she had

sions
allu-

same

been

dom,
free-

man,

using formulas or circumlocutions.

Rodney had
repeatedly told her that he hated etiquette and the
starch of society; that he had never
been able quite
to distinguishbetween
conventionalism
and
mere
never

rise

to

MIDSUMMER

170

had

half-past

at

imposed

MADNESS.

the

upon

be

five ; to

old

poor

nine

at

up

lady

o'clock

terribly

some

endless

mornings.
Fanny was
standing
down

came

and

the Haxtouns'

at the
"

watch.

sight of

the

at

stile when

garden,

her

he

paused

the
and

Medhurst

fifth of

pulled

July,
his

out

not
late," said he.
thought I was
"
Of course
it ought to be you who
were
waiting,
but nothing happens exactly as it did in my youth,"
said Fanny.
Having waked
up too early I thought
I might as well come
is always someThere
out.
thing
"

unreal

to

all the

morning, when
By all the

world

"

women

who

reserve

herself

"I

about

me

live

in

the

beauty of
is asleep."

world
you

the

mean

fine houses.

summer

few

Nature

and

men

does

not

them."

for

confess," remarked

Fanny, laughing, "that

of imagination are
not equal to the task
my
powers
Can
of imagining nature
going on when I am not.
ing
you conceive, for instance, that Niagara is thunderthat
the precipices at this moment,
the
or
over
of
Alps are turning pale after the golden shimmer
When
dawn
I come
has died
away?
away
thing
everystops for me."
"

heart

to

considered

never

when

the

them

ant-race

has

Alps

season

saying
passed

took
was

it seriously
One

over.

to

each

we

will have

other,

'

Now
fine

some

"

moments

"That
never

tourist

the

might imagine
that

that the

together.'
sounds
so
exactly

flattered

If I had

made

me

my

nor

last

called

like
my

speech

to

you,
nonsense

Frank.

You

agreeable.

Rodney Heriot,

he

would
that

WALK.

MORNING

'

! and
Charming egotist
naturally everything fell to pieces
'

said,

have

added
in

my

absence."

"Having
through my
grandeur, I
I

' '

have

Your

There
voice

and

is

is

you

have
thin ;

grown
which

I cannot

see

thriven

lost

used

one

between

in the

have

you

every

dryer. Formerly,

sunny.

in

going
lonely

problem of how well

not looking on."
are

little frown

you,

transformations
the

looks

from

away

that you

sure

boyish good

admire.

open

solved

so

You

process.

years
of

course

have

not

am

those

own

this when

does

nature

six

lived

to

your brows.

your

that you

smile
ever

was

smile

nowadays."
Medhurst
continued

laughed
to stand

little at all this.

at the

stile,and

They

had

he vaulted'

now

over.

go?" said he,

"through
yonder woods, to the quarries?"
have
I know
nothing about the place. We
but you may
driven
about
a
little,
fancy that old
The
least jolt
Mrs.
Este's
charioteer is no Jehu.
her to pieces."
shakes
They entered the woods, which the sun, still less
than an hour high,filled with curious effects of light:
still to hold its own
in
here and there night seemed
the
the heavy shadows, and again drops of dew
on
shiningleaves caught the low beams and blazed like
thicket came
vibrating
jewels, while from
every
flashes of prismatic radiance.
"Where

shall

we

"

"

' '

had

not

The

earliest

yet wholly

pipe of
died

half-awakened

away.

On

birds

every

"

side

were

172
heard

confused

the

They

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

beginnings

thither, and

seeming

their

daily toil.

motion, darting hither

in incessant

were

of

to

put

breeze

and

into the leaves

and

beeches, keeping up all the time

and not unmusical, twittering.
light-hearted,
of the oaks

roused

feelingnot unlike pain in

a
presentiment that something was
Medhurst,
As
from him forever.
on
they walked
deeper
gone
and then pushand deeper into the wood, every now
ing
aside the green sprays
which, in their unpruned
luxuriance
of June
the path,
growth, met across
enclosing the two constantly in a little world of
he could not help tryradiant green all their own,
ing
to call up
a
fragment of the feeling he would
situation

The

"

"

have

had
To

Fanny.

be with

others, had

of

Once

they halted

trunk

of

the

fresh

her

for

in

then,

been

to

tree

clover-blossom

alone

before

years

of

out

and

of

some

hidden

with

scene

ing
hear-

ecstasy.

pure

sat down

rabbit

gray

in the distance, and

fragrance

sight and

for

reason

moment

watch

such

the

on

nibbling a

they could
flowers

smell

; while

sunlight,piercingthrough the maples, lit up

and
lichens at the foot of a great oak.
the mosses
A soft air stirred in the boughs above, parting the
branches, and giving glimpses of soft, fleecy
upper
the azure.
A thrush
clouds sailingacross
began to
sing, not six yards away ; they could see his throat
ray

of

swell

as

the song
sweet

burst

call

to

forth,
his

"

mate.

then
In

his prolonged

came

the

would
have
been
a
Fanny's presence
richer import to him than
the beauty of
intense
a feelingof
joy in
; but now
fact of living had
nothing to do with

old

time
of

matter

the

ing
morn-

the

simple

her

at

all.

Once

twice

or

WALK.

MORNING.

almost

exclamation

some

173
burst

but he repressedit. He knew she could

lips,
good phrase,but he did not care for phrases.
wonder
a
thought or volition of his own

from

his

invent

out
With-

to his mind

Cecil Haxtoun

whether

had

floated
been

ever

earlymorning. Cecil would care more

it than
this clever,trained woman,
who
sat at
with a gentle languor
side, talking occasionally
in the

here
for
his

left him

which

Let

"

us

put

they

on

do

banks

this brook

of

the

helped her across

wound
through the
his

after

arm

it,and looked
Have

"

loses

her

is well

be

to

the

rather

are

"but

and

path again.

treacherous."
which

but

over,

did not

She

hazels.

they were

little

water-course

narrow

elders

added;

mould."

they took

as

shoe.

exclaimed, starting

It

on.

He

let go

this soaked

withstand

will go

she

boots,"

here," he added,

careful
"The

thickest

little French

up

forgotten,"Medhurst

We

"

up.

It is horribly

said,presently. "
held

She

my

not

I had

"

she

on,"

here."

damp
"I

go

unmoved.

held

to

on

into his face.

up

heard,"

not

she,

if she

charm,

to

power

said

"

that

witch

running

crosses

water?"
"

Ah,

"

I had

The

tremble

lost it

from

tone
witch

you

where
ferns

that she had

you
had

his arm,

and

so

grown

along
no

with

tall

the

choice

to lead

winding path, green

used

you?

"

in

ent
differ-

"

am

hitherto.

concerned,

are

push

from

do

before," she exclaimed,

their way
difficult. He
had
to

for yours,

Frank."

on

path
but

no

either hand
had

now

that

become

drop her hand

the way
along the narrow,
with leaves,
strewn
moss,
to

174

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

lightedby but few glimpses of the outer

through the almost impenetrable thicket.
they emerged into a cleared opening,

and

the sward
dotted
with
they found
robins,abroad for their breakfast,and
the last borders
of

of
It

quarry.

Medhurst

long

and

walk
a

blow

wood

opened

Mrs.

through

towards
of

the

and

corner

sunny
hammer

sat

the

where
young

jagged

the

of

ently
Pres-

little beyond
cliffs

south, and

little chilled

shadows

the

the

rose

towards

Dalton,

solemn

ance,
radi-

by

wood,

down.

their
went

The

clear

cheerilythrough the wide

silences of the earlymorning.
"
Somebody searching for fossils,I fancy," said
rang

Medhurst.
I have

"

flowers
after

heard
of

meeting

"Do

of rocks
former

you,

disclosed

the

period,"said Fanny

I doubt

dull to

seem

which

if

you,

the

truth

Fanny?"

of

cal
tropi"

such

asked

but,
ditions."
tra-

hurst,
Med-

suddenly waking up.

"
Dull is hardly the word."
"
less
Well, forgiveme.
But, then, consider what lifedays I spend. I go to bed too late to be ready
and
I have
dressed
to wake
as
early,and as soon
breakfasted
I am
such
at the desk
a
again. And
of my
task ! Not
not demanding
arduous,
any
less,
actual
but stupefying,depressing,endpowers,
giving me perpetual nightmares of mountains
till nine in the evenFrom
seven
ing
piled above me.
I have a little respite,but it is not often I can
from
bondage. Some
petty, persistent
escape
my
that I am
so
thought is apt to goad me incessantly,
glad to be back at my work again."
as

"

"

"

What

sort of

MORNINQ

WALK.

175

persistentthought?" demanded

Fanny.
ties
authoriquibble, conflicting
the like ; again, the thought that, as a man
or
who
wants
to do honest
work, I have no right to be
here ; that I ought either to accept my task or reject
it. I feel often like a hypocrite of hypocrites. A
I
of shame
and
and
wave
regret rushes over
me,
long to be free of it. But then I have a sort of
I reflect that few men
so
are
pityfor Mr. Haxtoun.
fortunate
to be in absolute
as
sympathy with their
I
Mine
is satisfied with me
masters.
; accordingly
I accepted the service for
plod along as best I can.
You
and I get my wages.
what
see
ful
delightmoney,
I don't revolve fine,
problems of life mine are.
abstract questions; I simply shoulder
of
the incubus
this terrible book, and try to carry it as best I may."
Fannie
had
listened to him
with little change of
face ; but, in spiteof her effort to hold her features
look of caressingentreaty,a peculiar
to their former
and indefinable
difference
of expression came
into
She seemed
her lips and
surprised,and the
eyes.
feelingwas
entirelyingenuous ; she was
surprised
"

to

Sometimes

find

mental

how
world.

"

little she

Rodney

allusion to
and

mere

time

counted
Heriot
in his

for
had

in

Medhurst's

told her of Medhurst's

life,six

years

before,

unhesitatingly
accepted it as clear proof
that her old dominion
was
waitingto be reestablished.
Her
first ardent
lover is never
forgottenby any
and
his promises are
the gauge
for other
woman,
men's
the test of their
performances, and his vows
constancy. She had felt certain that Medhurst
would
always continue to love her. There are cershe had

MIDSUMMER

176
tain beliefs

in the

comparison

with

love

is

of

first,

birth, then

this

one

Medhurst
he

world

the

acting

with

widowhood

had

she

given

wound

had

self-command

with

had

had

failed.

felt

She

not

that

her present

even

the

sting out of
pride. She regained
For

the
her
ment
mo-

been

had

had

bitter

her married

of

sense

life,which

in the face ; of her uncertain

often look

of her

his

indifference

that

slipping away from her.

old, loveless, and lonely. Everything

tragedy of
not

this

herself

to

little exultation.

first

recalled

Fanny

said

her ; that
taken

everything had
She

is, that

one

death.

and

now,

be

without

great experiences of life :

love, then

must

accepted

are

; and

data

three

still angry

was

that

actual

mind

her

to

MADNESS.

frieudlessness.

But,

when

she

miliating
the hushe

did

position;

assured

self
her-

merely carrying out a part his pride

back.
had imposed upon
him, the pendulum swung
had been looking at Fanny, and had wonMedhurst
dered
iancy,
why her eyes shone with such strange brilland lipshad grown
and why her cheeks
pale ;
but even
while he was
pondering the question she
resumed
all at once
her usual
expression.
I have been boringyou," he exclaimed.
"There
is nothing very
exciting or picturesque about my
that he

was

"

troubles."

everythingabout you," she

said, with considerable
intensity. " Cannot
you
imagine what it is to hear you talk again, how it
brings back all my lost and happy time ? I cannot
help wondering what sort of feelingsare reawakened
in you, seeing me
again." She had fastened her
"

am

interested

in

"

eyes

on

his.

He

could

not

avert

his

own.

178

shone

star has
a

for
of

little fellow

You

world.

and

Helen, Athene

read

but

and

that

it

created
could

do

it.

whom

deride.
notice of

took

wit

I had

arm.

to

Good

me.

out

had
"

I have

loved

me.

enough

told

are

cousins, you

was

dess,
god-

or

of

you.
been

little fellow,

seventeen

give you
willingto

follyI

used

to

my
talk
pour

since that unless

have

not
a

you

to

you

could
than

never

have

to

was

make

myself

more

were

Venus
I

me.

enough

what

little you

I did love you

"We

to

heavens,
often

me

tall

was

curls

mand,
about, cajole, com-

time

the

By

to order

to

every-day speech

no

when

was

used

you

to

was

else in the

were

seemed
since

you,

That

nobody

come

girl,woman,
the thought

up

romance

describe

to

Diana,

brought

fact, poetry and

In

to

slim ; your

about

poetry

used

you
like

me

time

the

radiant, you

so

eyes

of

From

tall and

so

were

verse

to

were

bright, your

so

since.

me

twelve, and

Tom's, you

Uncle

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

borne

you
it."

Frank."
little,

say;

it

was

quite

proper

girl'slittle farthingrushlightof
feelingdoes not light life for her like a man's great
"We were
of love.
sun
engaged almost five years.
I do not
there were
waking moments
many
suppose
when
the suggestion of you
did not
of that time
underlie
It
every thought, word, and act of mine.
in the softer ways
of love, but you
not alone
was
at the root of all my ambition
were
; all the practical
all the poetry and romance,
details of life,besides
And
meant
you.
you say I told you I rejoiced to

you

be

should.

free

of

But

you.

At

myself, Fanny, when

longed for you,"

this
I

I feel

moment

think

how

sorry

I suffered

for

and

Still you

"

WALK.

MORNING

married

I had

glad

were

179

somebody

else."
your choice, and
have been
to myself you would

"

was

"I

believe

you

had

cost

happy. I
terrible price,
got something

were

me

believe

prefer to

life."

own

you

it."

for

don't

"I
three

!'

been

' '

Was

I had

struck

wanted

and

"

Do

"No,
to

life

of

found

me

could

interest

that

out

of what

I had

sympathy

in his

in

was

seen."
"

you?
positionwhere

untrue

was

he had

made

to
a

him

for

broke
not

his

I used

I knew
off ; her

endure

all "

had

to loathe

never

it he gave

it then.

it

wards,
After-

"

face

to look

he

he

that everything

means,

I
stock-gambling,

When

money.

and
lavishly,

actual

no

by

was

in

in another.

way

and

he

glimpse into it I shut the

asked
a
question, and

never

he

mean

own

makeshift
after another
: it was
try one
tricks, shufflings, subterfuges. "When

when

She

"

one

he

mean

"

he
asked

after

to think

you

Frank

"go my

me

it, and

never

the
way, frame
this would never

if

of my

none

upon

had

some

married

let

private life,and
tried

not, in

in all those

day

that
by crueltyyou mean
spoke brutally. He simply lived

or

me,

door

'

No,

world,

one

was

he cruel to you ?

"Cruel?

He

I did

years when

have

there

believe

thought, ' If

to

in my

You

indeed.

I should

and

enough

rather

would

would,

lot."

miserable

was

made

had

glad you
were
happy. I said
miserable
sharingmy
I

"

was

dreadful.

at her.

All

the

Medhurst

youth had

MIDSUMMER

180

gone

shuddering

had
"

the look

of

never

ought

of

out

see

If you

had

"I

not

was

The
while

they

into

the

had

"

the

I suppose

Must
"

to

felt

take

we

There

is

that

half-a-dozen

cross

It is all very

As

"

with

was

you

he,
say,

until

fields to

they

moment

They

neously.
simulta-

rose

remarked

Fanny,
"

came?

we

the water's

down

blazing

this

way

strides

great

now

dismal

well

said

mad,"

gone

back,"

path by

"

go

must

chloral.

"

discomfort.

we

old

believed,Frank.

you

upward

but

to it."

there, and

sat

with

with

quite away.

gone

quarry

not

"

had

sun

as

have

allude

to

them

the time

turned

she

said, with

night,

at

up

I deaden

should

quickly,his face
you ought never

it," she

to

happy

at

eyes, and

destroys.

wake

so

known

think

lips and

allude

to

thoughts haunting me,

You

her

fate which

"When

shiver.

MADNESS.

WQ

edge.

have

there."

get

the

coming out," Fanny said,

the
with
usual
her
easy, half-mocking air; "but
going back, bedraggled and overheated, is quite a
"

different

matter,

youth and
meanings,

middle
if

Medhurst
taken

did not

accused

which

himself
and

he had
did not
of
was

was

certain

concerned.

abounds

only accept

between

as

in

moral

them."
conversation

The

had

thought unfortunate, and he

weakness
in having made
fessions,
con-

he

of

extracted

on

Life

answer.

simply followed
insist

difference

same

life.

will

one

turn

the

"

confessions

Fanny's

blankness
He

had

lead

What

to himself.

of
heard

in return.

he

was

was

emotion
her

say

fact

he

conscious

where
she

That

Fanny
had

per-

MORNING

WALK.

181

petuallythought of him, without a

have counted
delicious pain he would
crisis.

to

of

as

such

at

on

that

to where

self-respect
; he
country as a woman

unmapped
imaginationhaltingbefore
boundaries.

idea

of

man's

into

gaze

and

deflniteness

is essential

stands

her

certain

throb

If he

its unknown

he
not
can-

can,

barriers

and

to go on
Fanny were
it seemed
exchanging these retrospectiveemotions
his offerconstrained
ing
to put him in a positionwhich
her something more
He
tangiblefor the future.

had, however,

no

wish

inconceivable

was

to marry

to him.

her

If he had

now.

been

The

idea

too

poor

hopelessfor her to marry six years before, he

was
certainlytoo utterlypoor and hopeless to have
after all youthfulglamour had
become
eligible
flatly
his landscape, and
vanished
from
he saw
nothing
before him save
he had to
a wide, dull plain,which
and

somehow.

cross

the newly mown

fields,where
skirting
the men
were
tossingopen the swathes, which filled
the air with a pleasant scent.
But
the charm
of
the earlymorning was
delicate
quite gone ; no more
shafts of lightshot across
cool, green, wet vistas of
The
birds still haunted
the
bough and blossom.
of the meadow, flying
off as Medhurst
quiet corners
and Mrs. Dalton
approached, and stopping on the
line of the
zigzag fences until they had
upper
passed. Presentlythe river was in sight,and a fresh

They

breeze
"

were

met

Thank

their faces.

goodness !

gettinginto

very

"

bad

exclaimed

humor,

Fanny.
and

to feel like

for

into the

afterwards

scolding you
wet wood, and

was

bringingme
into

"

was

beginning
out, first
this

fiery

MIDSUMMER

182

You

furnace.

remember,

perhaps,

I like to make

uncomfortable
"The

MADNESS.

some

that when

am

suffer."

one

pleasanter,"said Medhurst, resolutelycommonplace ; ' ' and it was

my
fault that we
chose
that path."
"
I am
I always was," pursued
just the woman
ing.
Fanny,
"always capricious,unreasonable, exactnothing. Are
Nothing in me has changed,
you glad ?
"
No ; I regret it. I
"Glad?"
said Medhurst.
better with all your
wish you
might have grown
experiences."
of

rest

is

the walk

"

"

"

' '

How

I?

could
is

woman

What

weak

so

unless

good, wise man.

I
gloomy life.
still less

can

from

them

Any

room.

knees

She

who

one

her
"

and

before

turned

She

tears.

she

has

have
the

could

had

support of

live

solitary,
bear
and
cannot
sorrow
despair;
doubt
endure
and uncertainty. I escape
dark
like a frightenedchild from
a

tenderness
my

chance

offers

was

kindness

me

affection,I

and

her

never

am

and

ready

to

thy,
sympafall

on

bless."

eyes

towards

quite

carried

him, swimming
away

by

the

with

rush

of

feelings.

own

You

seemed
"I

cold

so

felt

at

she
first,"

went

on,

quently,
elo-

everything had been swept

ing
I had been lookingforward
to talkfrom me.
away
at
with you frankly,and you
you gazed back
and
seemed
to be asking if I were
me
critically,
as

if

"

sincere."
"

I did not

"You
"

You

mistrust

mistrusted
were

afraid

you,

"
"

yourself," she said, eagerly.

lest that old feeling sweet, pow"

should

erf ul, imperious

"

You

both.

better," she

Medhurst
heart

might

have

added,

with

her

from

pushed

was

NINO

MOB

by

an

WALK.

and

back

come

known
a

183

govern

yourself,at least,

little cry, which

seemed
and

impulse, sudden

passed his hand over

beating quickly,and

us

his forehead.
felt

he

sistible.
irre-

His

singularly

disturbed.

me," she now

stopped short. "Tell
tion,
said, holding out both her hands, as if in supplica"
tell me, Frank, when you stopped lovingme."
His
sensations
He
embarrassed.
felt singularly
so vague
were
they would have kept him silent,had
drawn
to speak. He
towards
he not felt bound
was
moment, he felt angry
Fanny, and yet, at the same
She had put him in a positionwhere
with her.
he
In fact, at this moment,
could hardlybe candid.
She

had

was

not

he

would

certain what
have

the true

been.

But

to her

answer

she

was

tion
ques-

trembling;

pale and her eyes tearful.

"
Fanny," he said, coldlyavertinghis eyes, " one
the jiver, and
on
night,about a month ago, I was
the shore was
the band
do you
on
playinga waltz,
remember
the waltz Cousin Rebecca
used to playfor
while we
whirled about in the twilight
?
us
Well, it
seemed
that night,I had lost nothing,
to me
forgotten
I"
He broke off. Their eyes met once,
nothing

her

face

was

"

"

"

then

he withdrew

grew

for, while
of

They
and
house.

soon

were

his.

His

he

uttered

their
now

turned

own

dislike of his words

them,

he

had

no

sciousness
con-

heart.
meaning in his own
approaching Mrs. Est6's grounds,
the
in, walking slowly towards

"

Do

her,

"No.
"

it

to

red
off

that

asked,

suddenly

written

have

turning
"

book

book?"

you,

volume
without

he

you

had

They

was

'

brought

give

little

'

What

MADNESS.

know,"

you

towards

to

MIDSUMMER

184

or

the
in

another

allude

to

even

reached

but

copy,

her

upper

hands,
word.

had

so

to

it.

terrace

lifted

far

forgotten
Here

his

it

he

hat,

is."

put

and

MIDSUMMER

the

world,

186
domineer
it to mirth

' '

Who

"

I do.

forbids.

"

dying

am

She

Then

is

kind

proper

fellow

is

like

off the

"

The

love

"

I see,

woman

till

"

lose

o'clock, and
from
love

love

before

can

afford

Did

you
want

will make

woman

midnight !

love-making.
woman
does,

you

"

and

nature.

lonesome

don't

existed.

ever

folk-tales

the

pity to

at five

up

lover,

She

is

to simmer

Where
on

to be

the

kissed ?

absolutely
perpetual
thinks

man

of

some

five

story of

the

average,

hear

ever

in
a

an

so

love

"

tell it to me."

No,

in

of

"

"

did not

who

to

be

for

I suppose.

poor,
sort

luck

brushing the dew

he actuallymake

Does

will,

times.

"

true

once,

woman

Too

day ?
anybody's making

of

she
of

hundred

get

of

woman

unemotional
boil

her low

trousers

time

sunrise

from

good
laugh.

"

"Oh,

will

lawns.

idea

breakfast

low

and

at that

such

It would

upland

to you

of

of hero.

his boots

wet

for

night,and begs
you."

ornamental

that, who

mother

at

room

good,

; but my

you

do?

Medhurst

would

Besides, he

to marry

with

Fanny,

"

chance

no

it to

move

"

me

it,move

cannot

you

infatuation

my

there

How

but

into my

comes

it,bewilder

marry

to marry

me," remarked
"

you

wants

give up

to

fascinate

laughter;

don't

Why

tears.

me

and

MADNESS.

hand

other

This

folk-tales
A

road, with
one

in the least believe

man
an

was

iron

that such

belongs to the Eastern

are
always absolutely
once
walking along a
pot

live chicken

staff,while he led

on

his

back, carrying

by the legs,and in
a
goat by a string.

"THE

PLArS

burdened,

Thus

he

THE

THING."

having

was

187

hard

and

time,

he was
kept wondering to himself how the deuce
ever
going to get to his journey'send with such a
load.
who
was
Suddenly a woman,
sittingon the
bank, sprang up and joined him, tellinghim she
was
going the same
might as well keep
way, and
'
him company.
All right,'
said he ; but he found
it
almost
her
impossible to get strength to answer
questionsand respond to her talk,which she poured
forth volubly. After
a
time, as they went on, the
road
turned
and went through a dark
and
secluded
'
wood.
!
cried the woman,
me
Saints, defend
'

utteringshriek
place. 'What
the

after
in

the
'

man.

shriek
world

I'm

if I go

solitarypath,' said she, ' you

advantage of my unprotected condition

me.'

Kiss you ! ' exclaimed

'
"

name

of the saints

while

I carry

in

hand,

one
'

"

am

pot

and

on

the

man

I to find time

back,

my

staff and
be

Oh, nothing could

cord

easier ! '

take

may

kiss

and
'

in the

how

to kiss

and

manded
de-

farther

any

this

into

the

matter?'

is the

afraid

entered

they

as

woman

live chicken

other?

in the
she

'

explained.

in the
plant your cane
lay your
ground, tie your goat to it by the string,
pot on the ground, and put the live chicken under
it, and then you would be quite free to carry out
wicked
intention
'Now
of
kissing me.'
your
Heaven
be
praised for a woman's
ingenuity! I
have
should never
thought of that,'said the man
'

All

you

have

to

do

is to

"

to himself

in the
held
to

accordinglyhe at once
ground, and slipped the leash

the

hold

; and

goat, then

gave

while he laid down

the chicken
the

put
over

to

the

the

staff

it which
woman

pot, and, taking the

chicken
last
"

"

MIDSUMMER

188

from

That

That

her, covered

kissed

he

MADNESS.

is

it up

closely.

And

at

her."
abominable

an

story,"

said

Fanny.

made

by a woman-hater."
"
I think it very likely.Most
good things were."
"
Is it not rather singularthat men
have
always
had
their witty say
about
and
that
no
women,
has yet recorded
woman
reallypointed satire
any
against men?"
I always fancied
uttered
that you
such
some
things about us when
together."
you were
"
If a woman
has a tolerablyendurable
No, we don't.
husband
she cackles over
it,and a woman
with a bad husband
holds her tongue, knowing very
was

"

well

that

Young
but

it would

girlssay

that goes

all be
some

for

considered

severe

her

own

fault.

;
things against men
quainted
they are entirelyunac-

nothing,as
with the subject."
"It
a good field for
seems
satire,"said Rodney.
"
Take
with a cool, critical way
of
a pretty woman,
like yourself
for instance,
looking at matters,
,
"

she

must

exhibitions

derive

some

"

amusement

from

our

various

of

absurdity."
"I
As
it is, I
might if I had a good income.
have
always to be thinking about myself."
"A
delightfulsubject, certainly."
"
And
it now
brings me round to the point where
I started
I am
what
stance,
to do.
from,
What, for inshould you think of my going on the stage ?
Rodney had so far liked his tete-d-tete with Mrs.
Dal ton very well ; but he now
began to -reflect that
about to bore him
if she were
he would
plead some
The reason
he was
not,
engagement, and go out.
"

"

"THE

THE

PLATES

THING."

usual, spending his morning

as

189

Rosendale

at

was

days'visit. The time

and Mrs. Dalton
helped it on so long
dragged a little,
him
and
she diverted
as
kept him from reflections
upon the absurdityof his being shut up in a countrywithout
other resources
than
the societyof
house
he had
him, and whom
people who could not amuse
that Cecil

was

desire

no

to

We

two

amuse.

highly civilized," he

nowadays so
remarked, blandly,"

now

for

are

do

to

us

will be

the first volume

I have

Daniel

'

of

Herr

read

said,on

has

been
For

subject.

every

I refer you

Deronda.'

Klesmer

necessary

what

question,Fanny,

that

to

answer

it is not

that

indicate

than

more

already said,and
an

for

away

to

"

the

subjectmany
it very
covers
times," she replied; " and he certainly
than
well.
a
Still,I am
vain,
something more
found
spoiledchild,like Gwendolen, who had never
"

exist
me

for

go

through

Yes

' '

or

why

has

this

have

both

not ?

Nobody but
is taking her

instant.
been

"

You

won't

mind

being an
"

old

cat

she has

my

has

with
to

nine
see

"
"

heard

face

"

word

every
knew

She

was

adding the
to

her

voice.

Fanny. I have
is something in
There
lives, as Rodney calls
good deal."

hearing

actresses.

time

bouillon

hear

can

shrill voice.

pretty, shrivelled

all the best

seen

me,

her

She

the birds

saying. Rodney
now
lady went
on,

just there," the old

effect of

or

finished,"called

coming

you

scene

Est6

Mrs.

She

"

begin with her and only

still,Mr. Heriot, and let
two from a play."

Now?"
;

see.

Sit

sake.

her

"Here?

is

did not

that the world

out

on

you,

MIDSUMMER

190
The
the

noon

was

but

from

but

warm,

river, and

house, and

MADNESS.

they

well

were

lightbreeze
the

on

screened,

blew
side

west

only from

not

from
of

the

the

light,

the

Just
below
them
glare on the water.
of the sweetest
were
flower-beds,filled with masses
flowers,
tea-roses, heliotropes,mignonettes, and
them
alyssums. The bees murmured
busily
among
and
and then the whir of a humming-bird's
greedily,and now
heard
it poised itself in
as
wing was
mid-air, and sipped with its long, slender bill from
"

the

heart

of

Est6

Mrs.

the
took

rose.

her seat

in

long reclining-chair,

which

Fanny indicated for her use, and raised a

parasol,unfurled a fan, and opened the stopper of
without
of these
a vinaigrette. She
was
never
some
appurtenances, which she used partly as protectors
and
barriers, and
partly to hide her incessant
drowsiness.
Having arranged her audience, Fanny,
been
who
had hitherto
of furbelows,
a
shapeless mass
surmounted
by a blonde frizzle-pate,and a
sparklingface lightedby a pair of bright eyes, rose
and crossed the veranda.
Rodney looked at her with
some
brightening of curiosity. Her
long white
muslin
the

swept the floor with

gown

perfect line

shoulder

which

turned

she

had

bound

looked

been

taken

features
whitest

marble.

the

like

five minutes

point

of

the

slender
different
before.

train

She

own

to

the

the

pale

waist.

When

woman

from

what

dark

eyes

Her
as

she

if she had

purityof her
suddenly to be cut
advanced
a little,
and,

sweetness

seemed

and

of its

by

strange brilliancy,and,

pale, the

grown

the

grace

broken
just sufficiently

was

ribbon

she had

from

ful
beautiin

the

without

PLAY'S

"THE

THE

THING"

191

of

explanation or preamble, began reciting

"
the second act of AdriLes deux pigeons
from
enne
Lecouvreur, and put into it not a little charm
and pathos.
"That
was
Fanny!" said Rodney.
"Bravo,
Wait
and let me
a moment,
capitallydone.
get the
Let us
book.
I will read Maurice's
part for you.
a

word

"

take

third

the

Maurice

is the
had

Fanny
this

Adrienne

Count

Saxe."

threw
and

de

Bernhardt

seen

role,and

naturalness

act, where

into

it

again
little of

impassioned

the

discovers

and
the

that

again in
charming

womanliness

of

that

accomplished actress.
"
If I could
only act up to my part ! she said,
pausing and giving a slightgrimace.
"
Do, do ! said Rodney.
"
I will be silent, I will be silent,' she went
"
' How
will I imprison my
on.
joy, my pride !
of your love or your glory. I
Never
will I boast
will only admire
openly, like the rest of the
you
shall celebrate
world ! Others
exploits,but
your
to me.
They shall proclaim
you shall relate them
but you shall confide to
your grandeur,your titles,
"

"

"

'

"

' "

me

your

They
"Do

sorrows

went

I do

"

through the scene.

it pretty well?"

apparent nervousness.
"O
Lord, yes!

by

me

stolen
"

talent

your
the

Try

me

Too

art

from

in La

Fanny asked,

well.

except

that

You

would

I know

with

alarm

you

have

Bernhardt."
Dame

aux

Camillas, in

the

scene

with Duval," said

Fanny.
and,
Rodney obyeed with alacrity,

under

the influ-

MIDSUMMER

192
of

ence

least

at

or

dabbled

and, when

eyes ;

they

shrieked
her

tried

little
she

softly;

handkerchief

in her

Frou-Frou,

Fanny's

insured.

seemed

success

She

admiration.

of

wept,

Este" gave

charming surprise, Mrs.

bursts

MADNESS.

best in
Fanny, "I'm
And
she
comedy. I'll show you Lady Teazle."
with
went
through a scene
sharp relish of every
word
in the Ibrilliaut
dialogue and a peculiar,arch,
There
!
said she,
I any
have
piquant charm.
if
genius? Point out my defects ; but let me know
you think I have any genius."
Hang it, Fanny, nobody has got any genius
nowadays !
"
I don't want
be
to go on the stage unless I can
Balzac
successful.
said he wanted
his tragedy to
become
the breviaryof kings and
peoples. I want
to make
people happy and to make them miserable,

"But,

after

all,"declared

"

"

"

"

"

"

to send

that

for

felt for
"

"

home

women

in tears, and

they

once

have

with

men

realized

what

ing
feel-

Romeo

Juliet, what

Antony for Cleopatra."

You
are
tolerablyambitious, certainly."
Life has become
so
mechanical,
so
less
passion! Literature
no
people. The stage
longermoves
"

is all that remains

and

men

!"

Heaven

"

But

"

You

genius?"
certainlydid those things very

"

I do

not

have

help, they
what

you
or

help

else

then

us

the ideal."

women

"

to

me

to show

doubt

that there

overcome

need
think.

keep

;
not

but,

little

inspire despair.

I want
on

all sorts

are

with

in

to

carry

private

well."

the

life."

of

culties
diffi-

hope

But
world

tell

aud
me

before

194

MIDSUMMER

theatricals.

The

better

actinggenerally. It
of a poor
capabilities
Miss

Haxtoun

"Oh,

not

am

so

not

am

but
of

artist to

an

role.

better

the

find out

the

Besides, you

will want

fitting
opportunity."
have
a
charming part!"

some

must

said

know,"
Mrs.

sure

Rodney, reluctantly.

Haxtoun

would

certain,in fact, that

"Act?"
act

parts, the

Este".

I don't

"

Cecil

the

needs

to have

yes,

said Mrs.

MADNESS.

said

"I

Fanny.

she

wish
could

assure

her

"

to act.

act."
she

you

will

admirably. She is not in the least an artist;

she has impetuosity,petulance, and
is capable
Should
livelyimpressions and fancies.
you not

like to
"

"

see

On

the

her

act?"

stage before

crowd?

"

no."

I remember

of a French
nobleman
hearing once
who
wife.
was
prodigiouslyin love with his young
One night she came
down
dressed
for a ball, and he
surveyed her with admiration, but then began pulling
to pieces. She was
her gown
so ravishingin that ball-

dress

he declared

Rodney
successful
with

no

other

apparently paid
air

of

man
no

indifference

should

look

at her."

attention,and
Mrs.

Est6

at

his

nodded

feminine

sagacityto Fanny, who returned her

look.
A few weeks
before Rodney had been willing
cussing,
disenough to talk about Cecil,admiring,criticising,
with an absence
of sentiment
disheartening
to his

mother, who

wanted

him

to fall in love.

"What

have?"
he
now
asked,
play shall we
rather impatiently.
We
might consult Frank Medhurst," said Fanny.
"
He has surprisedme
perhaps
by writinga novel,
he has written a play."
"

"

THE

THING."

195

novel?"

"What
"

PLAY'S

THE

"

It lies

Rodney

the bench."

there, on

over

reached

and

out

took

the

little red

volume.

"'Bettering Opportunity,'"
"

What
"

The

"I

novel

is not

novels

fashion, and

clever ; but

aloud.

bad."

so

like American

the

they are

read

!"

name

don't

he

their

myself. I know
they are remarkably

that

realism

is

so

and

meagre

crude

They are always giving provincialpeople's first

impressions of things,like the ecstasies of a man
whose
diet has hitherto been
hasty-pudding,but is
all at

initiated

once

comfortable

dinner

eating for
of the

men

into

well-to-do

centuries.

world,

the

The

but

refinements

people

writers

all the

time

take

of

have

the

been

the tone

they are

of

naive

as

school-boys. They are afraid of strong emotions,

and accept mere
symbols in place of the realities of
life.

I shall read

But

I have

not

yet

him

my

mercy.

at

written
"

The

Puritan

taken

book

!*

hero

is

home

this.

his measure,
'

Oh

What
a

that

mine

interests

but

now

me.

I have

adversary had

is this about?"

young

man

who

is sent

from

his

The
livingin New York.
cityfirst fascinates him with its splendorsand its mysteries
he beginsto know
the life better,
; then, when
and finds out its wickedness, its cynicalviews, its
low aims, he is filled with horror and disgust. It is
no
only because he has positively
opening anywhere
else
while

that
his

has been

he

to make

Medhurst

can

be induced

knowledge of the
growing, and with

to remain.

business
his

But

he has

all the

entered

increasing
powers

he

MIDSUMMER

196
finds

subtleties.

He

financier,

who

"

aversion

further

Then
is

and

of the

initiates him

making

money.

into the
His

sary
neces-

first moral

and

but"

"

the

comes

lost

methods

presentlyhe finds himself

began by loathing. His will never

he

quite consents,

its

leading
brilliant,unscrupulous

"

is overcome,

in the vortex

he

firm,

for

processes

in

the attention

attracts

the

of

manager

"

attraction

powerful

MADNESS.

guardian angel of

he

is

saved.

his life.

Just

explanations,
affectingsituations, separation,reunion, marriage,
I see," said Rodney.
I will begin after the virtuous
has fallen.
The
man
regenerationof
young
is such a warning example."
a sinner
'
I wonder
if the book
will bring Frank
any
money," said Fanny.
"I
it will depend entirely
whether
suppose
upon
Did you buy this ?
people buy it or not.
"
Who
ever
Indeed, I did not.
buys a book
written
by an acquaintance? One expects to get
hold of it in some
cheaper way."
"Mr.
Medhurst
"Of
course," said Mrs. Estd.
has been
here ; he ought to send
entertained
me
a
copy."
Rodney burst into the loud laughterhabitual when
he heard anything which
seemed
to him particularly
as

Love,

"

"

'

"

characteristic.
"It

is the most

general,"said he,
imperious
their

force

"that
and

power,
and

thing for the world in

genius is a refractoryand

fortunate

spend

will

barelygive them

has

saved

the world

a
so

urges

men

on

to

wreak

inspirationupon what
living. Nothing but genius
far, and nothing but genius

their

"THE

will continue

TEE

PLAY'S

to

world,

the

save

THING."

197

its

from

baseness,

MedI don't suppose

hypocrisy,and affectations.
have
it any
hurst has genius ; nobody seems
to
wrote, painted,acted, with the
longer. Once men
passions which possessed them ; nowadays they
write, paint,and act with the phantasmal likeness
I suppose
of the passionsthey have heard of.
But
irresistible impulse urged him
to
write his
some
experience out in this way."
You
he wanted
a littlemoney
by
may be sure
it, Rodney," said Mrs. Est".
"Everybody does
everythingfor money nowadays."
for money,
I
Women
"No,
they don't.
marry
"

know,

and

the

accept

men

the rule of their lives.

is

done

never

Don't

for

lucrative

more

you?"
"Why

did

he

and

money,
Medhurst

suppose

you

But

grossest materialism
good, honest, fair

than

for

have

write

books

it then?"

do

work

alone.

money

might

as

done
to

thing
someamuse

asked

Fanny;
he hates his own
poverty badly enough."
He
will do
something yet to make
money.
be afraid of being poor,
Don't
Fanny," said Mrs.
If poor
Est".
alive he would
give
August was
him
a
place, for your sake."
Fanny shrugged her shoulders and laughed,but
not

"

"

"

had
"

aside

the
Let

us

the

talk

blush

about

question of

and
Mrs.

to

grace

found

have

play," she said, putting

She

perpetual

contrary, she
to

the

Medhurst's

failures.

Est6's

crimson, nevertheless.

them
the

did

ments,
ambitions, achievenot

allusions
useful.

old

feel
to

It

annoyed

him

was

very

on

at

the
venient
con-

lady's insightdirected

198

MIDSUMMER

towards

the

intricacies
in

only

Rodney

seemed

brilliant

resting
"

at

wrote

play

once,

which

part

with

with

year

new

propitious.
but
she

which

O'Hara's,"

Mrs.

at

success

this

present

isted
ex-

intercourse

formerly,

Just

that

he

He

was

found

more

his

eyes

her.

on

Her

altogether

than

sympathetic.

love-affair

infused

was

which

less

was

of

imagination.

Heriot

element,

MADNESS.

O'Hara

Mrs.

off

went

he

some

remarked.

would

took

with

The

"

suit

you

very

well."
' '

What

have

writing
"

look

play

it, and

at

might

prove

She

had

to

with
success.

it,

to

in

his

if

received

like
make

your

were

to

if

it

lay

reflect

dislike

reflection,

in

to

her

an

that
the

impression

happiest
some

for

manuscript.
to

immensely,

this

it,

absence

s.he

after

might

we

rummaged

voluminous

the

But,

; but

you

and
a

awkward

never

of

do."

room

with
time

work.

amateur

his

to

had

had

it would

if

returned

Fanny

dazzle

it will

see

went

and

idea

The

"

think

hardly

Rodney
hour,

done

not

you

be
power,

she

it

play.
of
termined
de-

delighted
a

great

"A

WOMAN'S

BEASON."

199

CHAPTER

There

herself in these times.

hardlyknew
hours

REASON."

WOMAN'S

"A

were

XIII.

in the

day

when

the

mere

sense

of

cation
of intoxibring with it a feeling
she felt inspiredby a happiness that
; when
answered
all her needs, and
solved
all her problems
often she suffered from restlessness,
; but more
of the
from
a
disenchantment, from a conviction
worthlessness
of things. She was
torn
flicting
by conrestrained
by
impulses, all of which were
It was
the first time
a
gallingself-consciousness.
she
had
had
this
of feeling,
painful admixture
It seemed
and
it chained
and
imprisoned her.
impossible to do anything brightly and spontaneously.
It was
no
longer easy to throw her arms
about
her father's neck, and
her blooming
press
cheek
against his withered one, kissingand
young
sist.
fondling him until he plaintively
begged her to de-

livingseemed

As
found

to

to

her

her

she

mother,

something to

of her voice.

cousin

to

She

rebel
was

for the first time

self-centred

and

feared

eyes, and

her

againstin

the very

proud

and

in her

life,and Alec

habit, too, of talkingabout

Mrs.

with her

reserved

trivial.

Alec

was

Dalton,

expand endlesslyon the theme of

all of which were
alreadyengraven

her
on

sound

and

seemed
in the

could

perfections,
Cecil's heart

and

MIDSUMMER

200

Some

brain.

tender

and

the

time, she

same

tenderness, she

is

story

old

as

made

She

against all

the
a

This

influence

hard.

too

rebellious

yet, at

MADNESS.

felt

her

at

stiff,
reluctant,and

surroundings of
conscious

was

had

her life ;
of

known

never

nature

as

too

once

; for

ness,
soft-

before.

nature

acts

heart,
invariablyin this way on a girl's
awakening
in her a longing,unfelt hitherto, for love ; yet forbidding
"

that the intimate

the

the usual

and

shall

satisfy

longing.

Mrs.

had

Haxtoun

not

liked Cecil's

abrupt

alternations

of

gayety

to fall

ill,it would

be

better

It had

all been

looks, nor

the

and

despondency in her
and the day after the Fourth
of July carried
manner,
her away
for a half-week, but brought her back
at
the end of that time with a feelingthat, if Cecil was

Haxtoun

had

for her

to

be

at

home.

unspeakably dreary,although
spent

more

money

than

she

Mrs.

liked

to

They had been to the seaside ; but the

tumult and the glare had been frightful. The
hotel
had been filled with people, from whom
Mrs. Haxtoun
and
averted
her
voices
she
against whose
eyes,
Even
the majestic,infinite
longed to close her ears.
of the sea had seemed
hopelesslyvulgarized
expanses
by the foreground of dreadful groups on the beach.
for nothing, and
Cecil had looked
at nothing, cared
had
neither
eaten
nor
slept. Then
they left the
shore
and
spent a day at a grand country-house,
full of guests ; and Cecil,instead of being, as usual,
hidden
herself in
of the revels, had
a little queen
and "declined to dance, and, altogether,
corners,
remember.

behaved
All

in

this would

way

to

have

half-break

her

been

well, and

very

mother's
her

heart.
heart

202

MIDSUMMER

done

into

hastily

jump

to

except

MADNESS.

his

clothes,

But, alas! just

joiningher?
as, after enduring a thousand
petty obstructions in
the way
and
of refractory buttons
braces, he had
all difficulties,
surmounted
and
was
slippingin his
to make
scarf-pin,he took one peep out the window
should
blast his sight
of his prize, and what
sure
hat just vaulting over
but a glimpse of a straw
the
with

the

fence

intention

in another

; and

beautiful

of

turned

widow

Medhurst

moment

Esters

into Mrs.

and
woods

the
and

vanished.

longestday I ever passed," Alec

pursued, in a tone of deep indignation. " I did not
feel like going to bed again, being so
thoroughly
down
the piazza, and
waited
on
awake, so I went
I give you
back.
for the fellow to come
word
my
he did not get in till half-past seven
; he was
away
"

with

That

the

was

her two

full hours

that she

; but

detested

morning doings of

any

I heard

her

wards
after-

say

earlymorning walks, early

kind,

"

so

that sounds

as

if he

himself

especiallyagreeableto her."
"
cried Cecil,with a little
tell !
Oh, you cannot
will say
"She
in her voice.
tremor
anything for
She has little suggestions,and phrases, and
effect.
compliments which she dispenses around just as we
do pictures and bric-a-brac, to make
something out
air of
of nothing, to fillempty spaces, and give an
did not

make

"

attractiveness
and

thing over
faces,
"

"

you

I like

you

rooms.

our

over

; she

have

heard

w\"man

to

"You

Alec.
and

to

can't

see,

half

She

flatters

everybody

her talk to papa

make

Cecil,you

herself
don't

appreciate a

the

says

same

to their

"
"

pleasant," said
know

woman

the world,
like that.

"A

She

knows

WOMAN'S

how

to set

REASON."

203
it were,

free, as

man

from

his

inexperienceand awkwardness.
Why, when
talk,by Jove! she listens to me as if I were
a
Socrates ; and she not only listens,but she leads

I
a

"

me

I can
think more,
with her in
say more,
did in a day with anybody
ten minutes than I ever
on.

else.

can

She"

"She

"

coquette!" cried Cecil, peevishly.

"She
is a wicked, dangerous coquette!"
"
is not a coquette at all. I never
She
saw
a
with so little coquetry. She is practicaland
woman
sensible ; she likes real, actual things,and if,now
and badinage,it
and then, she indulgesin nonsense
is just by way of relief from heavier subjects."
"
She is deep and designing,"
Cecil.
murmured
"
I don't
I am
sure
see
why you should dislike
her," said Alec, in a tone of excessive injury.
"
Heriot
is not making love to her.
With all his
advantages he keeps the coolest tone, and seems
perfectlywillingI should be there all the time."
"
I do not dislike her in the least,"Cecil explained,
with some
dignity; " but I confess I do not like her.
She

is

charm

may

better," declared

Heriot, I

They

way.
the

think

same

the
"

"

my

the
him

have

manners
same

but

men,

cynic.

young

quite a
the

You

"

She

life."

for

Mr.

same

world, they have

same

tone, and

have

tered
mas-

arts."

will not confess

is the

As

"

other

for her in every

Oh, you're jealousof her, Cecil.

Jealous ! Nothing of the sort."

"

each

match

lived in the
and

know

women

most

that she

beautiful

woman

see

!"

is beautiful."
I

ever

saw

in

MIDSUMMER

204
That

something like it.

red-goldhair ; those dark

"

that

is

"

Alec, you

"

The

foolish

What

do

"

That

you

"

Indeed,

intimation

"

"

You

hand,

are

carnation

with

got

and

pencil

it out

of

some

nonsensical

has

actor

know

quite

conceivable

Mrs.

boy."
given me

never

considers

"

me

faintest

the

She

young.

repeated Cecil, in
is to be

there

; wherever

she

But

stage.

"

of me?

says

says

actor."

doors

' '

she

play?"
play. Mrs. Dalton
acts
everywhere,

"She

at

; the

features

else you

or

suppose

you

that she

born

"A

the

surpass

"

"

that

composed

she

born

*'

eyes ?

conld

book."

"

am

"What

beautiful, pale, cold face."

that

in your

paper

exquisite,clear-cut

lipson
Alec, you

"

infatuated

are

of the

MADNESS.

what

play."

is to act ! "

in

"

is she

that

credulit
of in-

tone

the

plays

parlor,

out-of-

part, and

she

should

take

about

the

play?

it is

natural^
Is

it to

to

be

Este"'s?"

Yes

is
picture-gallery

; the

to be

turned

into

theatre."
"

It

all
I

heard

hastily.
away."
"
They

sent

to discuss

the

"

"

So
"

Oh

He

been

nothing

of

over

for

Medhurst

says

not.

on

before

Medhurst, night before

is to
He

decided
it

subject."
said
Cecil, in quite

!"

Mr.

have

to

seems

be

declares

different

very
went

last,
voice.

in it?"
he has

no

time.

He

was

asked

sent

to New

to

name

farces

decided
finally

on

accent,

have

"

about

care

which

he

made

and

they

villes,
vaude-

out, but

Cecil,with
Mr.

that

supposed

social follies and

such

play ;

have

of Heriot's."

play

205

long list of comedies,

never," declared

I should

"

for

REASON."

suitable

some

York

and

WOMAN1

"A

strange

Medhurst
vanities

as

would

private

theatricals."
"

He

to be chief adviser.

seemed

fellow.
literary
"A

It

Cecil

novel!"

he

seems

He

has

is

written
color

repeated,her

regular
novel."

changing.

novel?"

"What

I have

They are reading it

forgottenthe name.
Mrs.
Est^'s house.
there," said Alec, indicating
over
"
They discuss it a good deal ; in fact, I confess, I
have grown
tired of the subject. Well, to-nightI
"

going over to read Heriot's

going too, and there will be
to the performance."
as

play;

am

"

Am

I to be

treat

"

any

such

I don't

Nobody

has

"Do

not

fane}'that

to

"

act?

invitation

mentioned

with

}"our

asked
whether

is

decision

Cecil,in

"

; but

name

she would

or
cordiality

Alec.

returned

know,"

final

some

left it undecided

which

manner

asked

Medhurst

tempt.
con-

I dare

say.

"

then

"

say that I asked; do not let anybody

I was
the subject," cried
curious
on

Cecil.
Alec
tone

any
was

of

promised he
one

would

for whom

self-denial.

In

such

had

waited

said

Nobody

for her.

The

to

did

reserve

fact,Cecil

quite unimportant.

nobody

allude

not

had
"

to

her, in
not

involve

herself,she

consulted
art

the

of

her ;

keeping

206

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

herself

thingsgoing, and
to Mrs.
Dalton,

and

herself

away

from

to

be drawn

far

was

allow herself

not

of the

Cecil had

that
second

at

of

the vortex,
in

by

and

the

She
would
force

mere

She

it.

hitherto

not

been

the

She

name.

the

matter
to look

"Transcript

to

her

of

through the

"

Now

concern.

no

une,"
Ledger," "TribThis

"for the last month.

was,

enterpriserequiringeffort,patience,and

an
itself,

secrecy.

So

life had

been

demanded

step.

observation.

know

even

in possession

had
daily papers
literary
publishers'advertisements, which had

she undertook
and

to find herself

how

did

that

and

notices

new

loss to know

remembered

every

alone.

thoughts,and was
inspiredby
force.
It was
a thing, first,to ponder
over,
Medhurst
had
written
book ; and, in the
a
Still,she
place,she must have that book.

fresh

in

them," belonged

Dalton

Mrs.

to

of

eddy.

But

was

top

on

far all the

the

undertakings

theme

of

her

in Cecil's short

tongue,

sympathy, approbation,and
Now
-The

she

studied

in every
in the

"

she

had

applause
way

to

at

avoid

library,and
used
the libraryat this time of the year was
chiefly
a
as
thoroughfare to the side-piazza,where some
one
was
generallysitting.Accordingly,to lay hands
and
and unsuspected, some
off,unseen
carry
upon
of
fivescore
required dexterity and wit.
papers,
But difficulties and dangers like these could be overcome.
and
The
real task
lay in finding time
One
opportunityto search these papers through.
could
Acbe sure
the item might be.
where
never
secret corner,
cordingty,lest it might lurk in some
Cecil was
compelled to go through the sheet column
papers

were

WOMAN'S

"A

by

column.

could

This

have

SEASON."

herself

ensured

been

have

might

207
done

if she

seclusion

safe

in

her

But

little apartment opened out

Lilly's
of hers, and it had been the habit of their girlhood
the two sleeping-chambers
into one.
to merge
The
door was
never
closed, although the chintz portiere
it. Liltyhad never
in her
might be stretched across
own

room.

life put

on

hesitation

dress

which

to

as

without
of

few

she

them

moments

should

of

choose.

Every little fripperyof lace, ruff,or ribbon had to be

talked
over, compared, held up in different lights.
It was
advice, but
not, perhaps, that Lillywanted
that she liked to give each event of her little life its
full importance ; and she knew
better,perhaps, the
personal
value of her own
opinions after hearing the imviews

always
her

had

cousin

of

plenty of
at every

turn

her

Cecil, on

others.

for

reasons

side, had

lookingin

upon

Cecil's mind

of her toilet.

many-sided in the matter of dress ; but it

while she was
was
brushing her hair,or adjustingher
tuckers, that vivid, brilliant,and
startlingideas
was

not

assailed

"O
In

so

she would

her, and

Lillydear, I
fact,the
had

room

idea
never

have

of any

rush

to

the

door

with.

plan!"
delightful
specialprivacyin her own

the

occurred

most

to

either

of the

young

girls; and now that Cecil had this herculean task of

looking up an advertisement, it may easilybe seen
that she had to evade a pair of bright young
eyes,
full of curiosity,
suspicion,maliciousness.
Lilly
discovered
that something was
soon
going on ; but,
of the little coolness
account
on
growing up between
her

and

instead

Cecil,she determined
of

her

tongue,

in

to

use

her

finding out

observation,
what

this

208

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

Three
meant.
absorption in newspapers
hind
betimes in a singleday she surprised her cousin
a great printed sheet, her eyes
roaming, intent,
when
she looked
eager, dilated, her lipsapart. And
unmistakable
dication
inan
eyes, there was
up, and met Lilly's
of being detected in something secret, almost
sudden

illicit; and

she

it all meant.

to what

key put
secret

unmistakable

an

Lillyexhausted

that
as

such

wore

into

her

She

hand, but
it led.

chambers

herself
felt
had

as
no

If Cecil

air of
in

if she
idea

found

citement
ex-

conjecture
had

had

into what

anything

fascinate,absorb, and kindle emotion, in those

to

stupid

and
Lillyfelt that she could do the same,
of a
Lilly
gain equal entertainment
high order.
could hardly wait for her turn to come,
and felt it a
lucky chance when Mrs. Haxtoun, at dinner,remarked
the point of sallythat she and her daughter were
on
ing
papers,

forth

to

pay

visits until tea-time.

carriageout of sightthan Lilly

Her impulse had always been
flew up the staircase.
to the good things which
to help herself
people
Here
the
too
were
were
disobligingto offer her.
pilesof papers hidden behind the chintz curtains,
and
here was
Lilly,with wide-open eyes, ready to
For a quarter of an
devour
whatever
they contained.
hour she felt on the verge of some
excitingdiscovery;
monotonous.
It
then the occupation began to grow
that she had not the key, after
was
very vexatious
door
before
She
all.
a closed
her, while
only saw
No

sooner

she

grew

she

had

grow

was

been

more

and
fit.

more

conscious

Lilly began to
The
thought suggested itself that
playingher a trick ; that she had gone

key

angry.

Cecil had

moment

every
no

the

whatever

to

to

Lillythat

But

Cecil

been

the

she had

it would
watch

and

she

If she
be

it would

by

for it.
made

now

simple

matter

-post, and

One

unused
her

the

name

it.

to procure

Market

book

up

knew

once

on
bookseller's,

come

the

been

first goose.

to the

note

MADNESS.

making a goose of herself.

preoccupied, and knew, too, who had

was

of the book
A

MIDSUMMER

210

street, and

she

would

up

be

on

expedient remained,

mind

to avail

herself

of it

that she
in no
was
day, first making sure
She had already
danger of being caught in the act.
searched
the study, and
there
was
no
sign of a
novel there, and
her thoughts now
turned
to MedShe set out to go tiphurst's sleeping apartment.
toe
through this room, with the hope of finding the
book
lying on the table or the shelf. She knew that
and Lillywere
both showing the farthesther mother
next

off flower-beds

the

the

from

group

to

study,

visitors ; she

some

Medhurst

window.

and

Mr.

down

the terrace

came

into this

Haxtoun

with

part

was

guest.

of the house

The
at

could
himself

walking

the

see

in

was

and

up

servants

this time

never

of

the

In spiteof these
day unless the bell rang for them.
precautions Cecil turned the door of Medhurst's
with a beating heart and
a
room
pale face ; then,
of the lace curtains
once
inside, at the motion
the
afternoon
fro in
breeze, a
waving to and
seized her. She stopped short, turned,
bewilderment
and was
about to flee. Voices
seemed
callingto her ;
warning apparitionsfloated to and fro. She knew it
was
only the wind in the trees, and the river reflections
the ceiling,but something disturbed her to the
on
bottom
the

of

her

blinds, and

soul.
admit

She

felt that if she

air and

could

open

light,she might

throw

WOMAN'S

"A

BEASON."

sensation
stifling

off this

"11

which

She
impeded her.
did so ; but at the moment
a ray of sunlight,
making
of beeches, struck
its way through the group
upon
her forehead
like a tongue of flame, and seemed
to
burn

her.

She

head

to foot.

fled

It took

equilibrium.

All

Meanwhile

what

his

to

her half

an

trembling from
hour to regainher

in confusion

was

unusual

was

He

room.

within

finished

Medhurst

work, and,
errand

the moment,

on

bad

his

her.
afternoon's

with

him, found

never

felt that

an

the

apartment reallybelonged to
pretty, boudoir-like
him, and he kept his own
implements and appointments
well

pretty

out

and

disorder

sight,in

of

coquettish
his

attracted

order

effect.

not

Hence

and,

spoil the

to

any
the

of

sight of
picked it
something lying on the floor,he at once
It was
nothing of his own ; something, on
up.
the contrary, soft,filmy,the edges set off by delicate
embroidery. It was, in fact, a handkerchief,
with

Cecil's

his

worked

name

in

the

corner.

hurst
Med-

tently.
regarding it inCertain picturesof Cecil, possiblyin this
before
appeared vividly in succession
room,
mental
he
vision, and twice in his reverie

held

very

eye,

at

kind

applied

the

it for

soft

few

linen

moments,

to

his

cheek.

Emerging

he
went
downstairs,
dreamy condition
in his hand, and,
still holding the handkerchief
going out on the porch, looked up the broad walk,
which
led
straightto the garden. Half-a-dozen
ladies were
walking there, near the summer-house,
where
he thought it probable tea was
being served.
He
down
the steps, and
went
towards
sauntered
the group,
with no
in his mind.
especialpurpose
from

this

MIDSUMMER

212

MADNESS.

looking for Cecil,and only Cecil ; and the

lightparasols and dresses of the other ladies were
merely accessories of the scene, like the flowers
He

was

and

sharp
Mrs.

All

shrubs.
rap

across

Est",

"I

received

his

shoulders, and, turning, saw

fantile
jumped up, in her pretty, in-

from

way,

he

once,

had

who

however,

at

bench,

and

now

assailed

him.

I was
wishing to see
talking
you.
about
I was
you," she cried, with vivacity.
about
she
book, which
tellingMiss Haxtoun
your
she
has
Sit down,
and
not
seen.
explain
says
talents
in the
Such
dark.
why you keep such
the
strength, such depth, such tenderness ! And
love
heart!
they wrung
They are
scenes,
my
can
just like life. Ah, youth, youth, how
you
know
such
things?"
Est6 was
Mrs.
brandishing a point-laceparasol,
with
struck
an
ivory handle, which
feebly and
wherever
it chanced
to alight; and Medindefinitely
hurst was
stabbed, by turns, in the breast, in the
neck, and in the eye, by this delicate weapon.
"Shall
I furl it for you?"
he inquired. "You
are
quite in the shade here."
"
met,"
helshield, my
Oh, it is my
weapon,
my
said Mrs.
Est6, with her little shrug of the
was

"

"

shoulders.

"

curiously.
I have
she

thrust

You

as

white

don't

want

might

it in his
this

youthful
veil,and

to

find

be

looked

how

out

clever, observant

got, you

In spite of
was

face

behind

absolutely dazzling.

it

Mrs.

Esters

brilliant.

was

it her

She

many

cynic !

too

kles
wrin"

and

again.

candor
as

at

was

appearance
She

wore

complexion appeared
in a long,
dressed

"A

REASON."

WOMAN'S

213

a
trailing reception-dress, of pale azure
; and
small
peated
rebonnet, with the same
exquisite shade
her soft, snowy
in its plumes, surmounted

curls.
Her
and

sleeves

ruffled
little

her

made

the

raise

to

her

her

ting
looselyfit-

silveryfilm

of

of

cup

perhaps

was

elbow,

not

veil

tea,
pared
pre-

which

radiant.

so

Medhurst

She

her

to

with

brought

it.

declined

she

only

covered

were

Cecil had

gloves.
but

arms

reached

looked

at her

with

bewildered

soit of

admiration.

about

her

to

Haxtoun

Miss

"

Este".

Mrs.

did

why

you

Dalton?

"

whether

the

never

grand
I

"

"

It

have

to
the

as

belongs

discussed

never

then

"

am

is known
"

Fanny
sympathy,
to

; but

person

Medhurst.

secret

of

I have

name

my

were

instead

faithful

am

it

demanded

the

it

author
to

an

matter

"

Cecil ;

exclaimed

"

so

is not

name

your

"

struck

was

Looking
excited
of

If

word

publishers."

given !
He

"

secret.

am

series,so

the

Oh

"

said

book,"

anonymous
with

unimportant

too

am

matter

of

keep

can

said

never

is that ?

tell it to me,

not

petty !

never

have

you

your book ; how

"Is
it a secret?

silence.

sentiment,
am

says

her

at

her

by

he

saw

expression
eyes,

"

No,"

*'

The

said
name

which

of
were

the

vibration

that
her

of

it accorded

face,

and

and

fixed

her

voice.

with

the

the

brilliancy
opened wide.

he, quietly.
of

the

book

is

BetteringOpportu-

214

MIDSUMMER

I hear,"
nit}-,'
in

her

read

to

went

with

on,

significance

some

tone.

Don't

"

she

MADNESS.

read

Miss

it,

exclaimed.

it," he

Haxtoun.

"

It is

beg you
actually of

not
no

importance."
"

That

Este,

is what

with

"You

not

surprised

the

in

shriek,

sharp

so

quiet,

know

what

are

does

little

with

temple

likes

one

and

now

the

of

point

modest,

so

is in

to

hear

that

should

you,

Cecil, dearest?"

piercing his
parasol-tip.

should

one

be

not

in

prince

were

in Mrs.

reserved,

so

you.

you

struck

you,"

guise,
dis-

Nothing in the way of silence, disguise,and

successful
astonish
where
me
mystificationwould
Mr.
Medhurst
is concerned,"
said Cecil, in a low
"

"And
"we

Mrs.

which

tone,

in

him

want

looks

the

and

his

self-restraint

Est6

did

"

theatricals,
to

take

talents

; but

quite

not

Este"

Mrs.

part suited
there

catch.

pursued,
his

to

this

refuses
again. He
anything except by way of fillinga gap.
wide

yawns
chances

of

into
"

That

"

We

take

the

the
is
have

enough
the play,

to

threaten

he

is

to

willing

over

to

Miss

ask

part of Nathalie," said Mrs.

Haxtoun
Winchester

has

to

given
shall

her

join us

quite refractoryand

consent,
; but

and
here

rebellious,and

do

to

If

one

destroy
throw

Curtius."
gulf, like Marcus
noble," said Cecil, in an ironic
come

and

modesty

in

come

good

the

self
him-

tone.

Haxtoun

Este".
also that

"

to

Mrs.
Miss

is this little girl

flatlyrefuses

act."

"Indeed?

That

seems

pity," said

Medhurst.

to

"

Haxtoun

Miss

would

show

no

215
abilities in

meagre

line, I fancy."

that

You

"

do

REASON."

WOMAN'S

"A

have

read

think

you

Dear

"

smallest

in his

noticed

had

them,

Medhurst,

still holding

hand,

crumpled

neither
Dalton

Mrs.

that

the

on

now

Cecil

hurst
Med-

nor

stood
crossed

turf, having

with

summer-house,

wad.

in this little war,

Engaged

Cecil asked, with

said

Lady Disdain,"

the

part

smile.

Cecil's handkerchief
into

"What

believe.

"

to take?

ought

little,disdainful

play, I

the

close

hind
be-

from

the

soft, floating movement.

her

looking from one to the other, and seemed

amused.
A brilliant spot of color burned
excessively
each of Cecil's cheeks, and they were
on
repeated in
She

was

There

Medhurst's.

their

signs of
flood-tide

"Are

"

say,

about

undertaking

would

train you
are

should

time

had
"

Dalton.
"

with
"

"

Now
a

he

their

what

can

little for

faces

Cousin

my

said

Cecil;

wait until

to

Frank

it."

kind,"

to have

Mr.

"

but I

Medhurst

me."

like

He

part, that

so

teach

to

would

He

ever

like

not

but

some

for.
hardly accounted
talking about our poor little play?"
now
asked, in a pretty, caressing way.
Miss
Haxtoun, if you felt any timidity

Dalton

"You

takable
unmis-

words

you

I dare

each

having recentlypassed

excitement

their

showed

Mrs.

of

air of

in the

were

has

nothing better," pursued

drilled

drill you

me
over

many

Mrs.

time."

again," said

Cecil,

little,
joj'ouslaugh.

Now

am

too

old.

To

be

young,

and

to

be

Haxtoun,
told

"

I have

"

Perhaps

"

Mr.

be borne.

ignorant,that may
you will play, will

and

blundering
Miss

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

216

Est6

Mrs.

Esters

Mrs.

Heriot

be

can

undertake

I cannot

son

not?

you

shake

may

it."
tion."
resolu-

your

in Med-

eloquent," put

very

But,
"

hurst.

perhaps, if

"Well,

he

is

very

eloquent,"

said

Mrs.

Dai-

Cecil.
But

"

Everybody
ten long to

"

ton.
of

out

have

be

perhaps,
On

also

never

you

and

there

is also

no

Should

Rosalind.

time

one

can

dull

how

you

not

is

one

survey
it is.

You

may,

pretty and

to

end

an

limitations

Cleopatra;

ence,"
exist-

of

chance.

it comes

are

smiled.

the

it is very

but

"

By

consider

one

"

Juliet,

stage

"

and

have

Juliet,

one

little scrap

out, and

mapped

only

the

Juliet, but

but

women

and
slightly,

one's

of

estate

be

patheticto
a

is all

mental

own

soon.

Did

stage.

Dalton.

Mrs.

real life you

In

the

shoulders

tired

gets so
pursued

twenty-fiveit
one's

Nine

play, now.

to

on

go

her

shrugged

One

"

loves

inclination?"

the

Cecil

asked

objection?"

is your

what

very
is

one

Marguerite,

like

that, Miss

Haxtoun?"
"

Cecil
seems

am

afraid

replied,with
to

me

my

is not

of

sufficient

an

air of

candor.

imagination,"
"

Besides, it

is
vitality

more

complete

it would

be

if I tried to be

just myself, than

scrap

not

I have

this, and

enough of me
piecemeal."

again a
to go

little scrap
round.

of that.

I should

when
a

am

little
There

fully
be dread-

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

218

CHAPTER

XIV.

TWO

had

IT

been

the

Mrs.

last

and

sending

been

little excursion

into

dwelt

last

in the

minutes, and

had

the

of

speeding
of

would
"

By

; and

knew

Cecil's

in.

land, which
taken

not

the

that

shortlythe

walk

in the

between
the

o'clock

she

lull

we

many

and

away

eight

that

dinner

tea, and

unnoticeably niched
guests

parture
de-

coming
welwas

merely

was

visitors

evening

appear.
I

going to

am

she
"

and

chapter, had

ones.

she

since

coffee and

forbidden

been

new

temporary

making

certain

tired ; but

very

Ever

dark.

her

take

not

about, out-of-doors

cups

on

did

guest

almost

Lillyhad

reception-day,and

Haxtoun's

afternoon

until it was
Cecil

LOVERS.

Do

rather

be

little,
by

self,"
my-

said to her mother.

not

you

"Lilly

garden

and

Lilly to
Arthur?
No,
want

go

with

thank
it will

quite by myself ;

you?"
would

you.

freshen

me

scented

dusk.

little."
She
A

faint

wave,

sweet,
waited

at

out

ran

wind
but

as

had

did

deep

once

risen, which

not

breaths

for

into the warm,

descend
of

made

the

tree-tops

except occasionallyin

cooler

air, for which

reviving cordial.

Far

up

in

one

the

TWO

north-west

LOVE

vermilion

MS.

flush of

away in the east the

which heralded the moon.
and

219

sunset

lingeredstill,
taking a glow

sky

was

The

silence

was

intense ;

cold and
by glimpses faintly
gray.
had
all turned
white, and a rose-bush,
like a
straw-colored
blossoms, looked

the river showed

flowers

The

with

laden

Christmas-tree
stilland

hung

looked

up ; not
; and

Arcturus

was

with

pale lamps.
a

star

was

Cecil

Yes,

out.

stood
there

the

Dipper suddenly gleamed

thrush, belated,or in its first

faintly. All at once a

She
started
happy dream,- gave forth its last burr.
if frightened,
as
then, gatheringup her skirts in her
down
the broad, gravelledwalk.
hand, ran lightly
Near
the summer-house
she paused. It had grown
The
darker since she came
out.
east was
brighter,
but the moon
Still every object
not
was
yet up.
in the
shadowless
rose
half-dim, yet distinctly,
one
was
twilight.It seemed to her some
sittingin
she
A
the arbor, and
hardly liked to advance.
ended
for at her first sign
moment
any uncertainty,
hesitation

of

gave
"

been

cry

towards

her.

She

surprise.
said
not be frightened,"

he.

"

I have

since the afternoon."

alone?"

Quite alone.

I do

not

know

who

would

keep

company."

me
"

"I

came

of

Pray, do
sittinghere

"All
"

Medhurst

out

came

was

"Your

very

warm

to feel the
and

very

coolness," said Cecil.

tired."

coming givesme a chance to restore this

littlearticle of yours," said Medhurst, whose
manner
kerchief.
was
unnecessarily
haughty. He held out the hand-

220
"What
A

"

MIDSUMMER

is it?"

she

handkerchief

MADNESS.

asked, doubtfully.

!"

"

Oh, thank

"

Having accomplished
off," said Medhurst.

you

so

much."
that
"

duty, I

You

will take
continue

can

self
myyour

stroll undisturbed."
'

He

her

out

about

was

with

to

hand.

past her, but she stretched

moment," she exclaimed,

move

Stay a
imperative gesture.

an

"

I have

"

sent

for

your

book."
That

"

was

would

care

to read

two

copies ;

kept
"I

sent

preferred
postal

will be up
"

done

to

card

it I would

have

I gave

one

supposed

offered

to Mrs.

you

it to you.

Dalton."

"I
buy it," said Cecil.
to papa's place in town,

have
it

and

to-morrow."

I should

have

Had

unnecessary.

like to have
had

I not

given it to
felt that

I should

you.

it

sidered
might be cona
piece of presumption on my part."
"Do
not
speak in that way," said Cecil,with a
of something like indignationin her voice.
tremor
"
God
knows," continued
Medhurst, with some
I want
to keep my
heat,
place here with what
show
of propriety,humility, and
decency I can ;
but where
concerned
I seem
are
constantlyin
you
to overstep the appointed boundaries."
some
way

so,

"

"

I do

"Do

not

you

know
not?

boat

with

me,

what

I should

One

it clear to you.
the

to

and

you
not

night you
what

allude."
know
were

could

how
on

have

genialand friendlythan your manner?

sympathy. A few days later you made
not to remember
plain that I was
"

to

make

the river in
been
you

more

showed

it exceedingly
those

two

LOVERS.

TWO

pleasanthours,
"Do

Cecil,in

Yes, I

"

and

made
Do

fancy
I
said, proudly.
"

not

"

intention

that my

and

have

social rules
for the

not

that

not
to

that

July."

to fail in

not

once

then

He

presume

off,

complain,"

to

tact

or

but,

at

to

prove

you
is

accord

to

anomalous,
of

I would

are.

the

he

you

knowledge

its duties
;

broke

waited, but

merely to
take the place
positionI hold

what

Cecil

"

conclude.

mean

sufficient

define

world

of"

instead

wished

The

I hate
at

of

effort to

is to

in the house.

me

an

you."
July?" asked

earnestness, but

further

no

as

from

of

obstinatelysilent.

remained

she

said

have

intense

with

began

the Fourth

mean

I should

"

them

on

voice.

low

Fourth

the

mean

you

count

permanent kindness

of any

assurance

least,to

or, at

221

time,

same

obligation.I am
sorry
present my stupidlittle novel to
any

did

Mrs.

Haxtouu."
had

He

and

said

all this in

but
mortification,

as

if every

In

fact

he

still remained

of

tone

with

intense

sort

of

syllableof explanation cost

had

been

furious

in

the

furious.

He

could

see

ance
annoy-

restraint,
him

dear.

afternoon, and
her young

face

The
shining in the first beams of the risingmoon.
white lightchanged its usual rosy, almost childish,
oval into a new
expression. She
beauty and a new
like a goddess.
looked
to him
"
You
see," she said, in a hopelesstone, " j'ou do
It is impossible for me
not know
to
to be
me.
Besides, I am pulled first one way,
always the same.
fault.
and then the other ; it is not always all my own
"

It is

"
"

222

"

do

Pray

certain

MIDSUMMER

to

make

not

regret

of

thing,

MADNESS.

what

these

confessions.

You

them.

need

tell

You
but

me

are

one

accusing me, when you

declared
to-day that nothing in the way of silence,
would
disguise,and successful mystification
surprise
"

where

you

and
overflow

You

of

"

under

it,too, with
showed

it
and

long, bitter,

some

ness
direct-

be

to

the

suspicious

mind."

your

to have

not

said

which

vehemence

thoughts in
I ought

said it."

She

spoke

almost

her breath.

if you felt it you were

Certainly,
rightin saying
My only question is,what meaning was in your

?"

mind
"

"

concerned?

was

Preciselythat.

"

it.

you

I say that?"

"Did

"

were

You

had

told

faltered

know,"

the

me

story

of

your

life,you

Cecil.

'"Well, yes."
She
face

had

drawn

to him.

nearer

He

could

plainly; childish, supplicating,and

see

her

intensely

serious.
"

meet

Then,"

she went

Mrs.

Dalton,

nothing, after
had

been

had

withheld

Medhurst

open

all.'
and
what

brokenly, " when I saw

said to myself, ' He
told
could no
longer feel that

on,

I
I

candid
was

with

me.

actuallyof

I believed
interest

and

you
me

you
you

portance."
im-

He
seemed
to
frankly amazed.
feel his head swimming with a multitude
of impressions.
He might have been amused, except that her
absolute
in answering
naivete, and her obedience
his demand,
him.
touched
But," said he, singuwas

"

LOVERS.

TWO

"

larlyembarrassed,
such

things,and
seemed

pityto

can

speak of
nothingto

man

I had

girl?

young

heroic

tell that sounded

have

but how

"

to

223

successful,and

or

add

it would

commonplace story of

slightedlove, like mine."

"
A commonplace story?"
"
We
were
engaged for a time," said Medhurst,
in a dull voice, " and then she married
Dalton."
"

terrible !

How

Medhurst

cruel ! "

How

cried Cecil.

silent.

was

in the boat, and I was

ing
talknightyou were
about myself,"said he, after a short pause,
I
not thinkingof her at all. I had no idea what
was
had become
of her.
Presentlyyou told me she was
then
I supposed she
in this neighborhood. Even
"

The

"

still married."

was
"

You

did not

that she

was

They
his

arms

He

did

not

signsof
"

Mr.

seemed

Medhurst
at

timid, but
and

that you

were

said, lookingup
told

that

day

' '

analyze the

being excited

heard

now

"Who
"

herself.
silent.

to

care

She

her

I had

Cecil

me

folded, looking down

him.

within

told
both

were

her

met

you

widow?"

She

"No.

when

know

stood, with
the

girl.
feelingsstirring
young

there

were

still

absorbed.
once

engaged

to

her,"

at him.

you?"

Heriot."

What
is past
hardly worth talkingabout.
is past."
Perhaps I ought to tell you," began Cecil, but
paused.
"It

is

"

"Tell

me

what?"

224
"

That

book

MIDSUMMER

one

reason

is, that"

She

MADNESS.

have

longed

read

to

your

"

hesitated,and

he finished

the

appalling.

The

speech for her.

"You
think I have
written
down
love-story?
my
You
don't know
me.
Peeping and botanizingupon
mother's
I have just given my paragrave? No.
my
ble
accursed
againstthis dishonest, materialistic,
age.
That

is all."

The

stillness grew

of sunset

glow

was

quite gone

trees

gloomed together in great masses

; but against
the
east
they showed
interlacing of their

the

and

branches,
full

and

stood

the

the

at

up,

casting
the

end

of

each

that

on

their

of

fresh
the

and

west,

net-work

floated

moon

vistas

from

side the

leaves,

as

moment

opening

shadows.

The

the
new

house

long walk, with its long,

windows
lighting up its

gleaming, lace-curtained
dark
height.
Medhurst
not to go in?"
asked,
"Ought
you
suddenly.
"Perhaps so," she said, timidly; then she put
"
Tell me
out her hand.
are
no
longer angry
you
with

me,"

He

she

could

murmured.
have

not

helped taking the

hand

out
with-

repulsing her, and, taking it, he grasped it

A
impetuously, then dropped it on the moment.
sound
suddenly pierced the silence ; footsteps were
heard.
"

Walk

toward

said, in her
know

Cecil

was

the
"

ear.

That

house

quietly,"

is Heriot.

Medhurst

Don't

let him

here."

obeyed
bewildered, but

mechanically.
she

was

not

She

confused.

was

She

little
neither

MIDSUMMER

226
It

the

MADNESS.

first time

he

had

been

actually
alone
with her, and
something soft and compliant
in her mood
enhanced
the worth
of his opportunity.
thousand
fancies
whirled
A
through his mind : he
might end his uncertaintyby offeringher marriage ;
make
he might, better still,
some
advances, which
should
give him a sight of that delightfulcountry
"which
he coveted, without
making him wholly lose
of his free, roving life outside ; then,
the charm
her like him a little
possibleto make
again,it was
better.
He
might talk, not plead ; be himself, not
nated.
stirred,touched, fasciact; and she might become
was

If

could

man

ever

not, under

such

skies,

night as this,say something to the woman

loved, he had better hold his tongue ever after.
such

to do

could

be

"What

his

3*ou

are

"

Then

wit

He

now.

thinkingof?

"

ney
Rod-

go.

occasions, and he

upon

was

All

dumb.

was

he asked

presently,

irksome.

thinking."

not

was

to let himself

eloquent enough

findingsilence
"

feel,and

to

was

where

wondered
"

he

he had

on

I trust

had

you

committed

not

yourselfto

thought that I was stupid."

"
I generallyconsider
I am
not apt to think that.
I might call myself
you too clever for any of us.
stupid,but I always reflect that it does not matter.

the

If you

were

imagine
You

have

not

mother
"

you

would

you

victim

to

go

away.

pitied and

be

cannot

have

your

redressed."

wrongs
"

bored

You

could

not

pity me,

been

bored

since

would

have

then
I

came

; and
to

you

fancy

stay with

my

"

gone

away

if you

had

been

very

LOVERS.

TWO

much

bored,

bored

in other

"

away

You
as

Cecil

walk

up

air, with
put

his

are

or

considered

if you

places."
right. I had

I had

227

no

would

you

such

be

inducement

less

to go

to remain."

felt inexplicab
nothing. Rodney himself
him
to
happy. It would have contented
till midnight in this bland, fresh
and
down
said

her hand
hand

his

on

over

hers,

If

arm.

he

would

that

could

have

have

been

even
making the attempt,
delaj'ed
preferringthat imaginationand illusion should have
their hour
first. He was
faintlytroubled by stray
tiresome.
fears that she might be finding him
He
had never
had to ponder the matter
before, how and
to what
the
; whether
degree he pleased a woman
intellect,the heart, or the spirit
; whether
deeply,
Cecil was
But
not at all.
to him
or
superficially,

delicious

; but

inscrutable.
he could

he

life and

Without
tell what

without

experience

woman's

impressionsmight
be.
She
might find a man
passionatelyin love a
once
grotesque object. He remembered
being at the
Theatre Italien with a party, among
whom
two
were
Trovatore
girls. It was a
night,
young American
and the tenor was
ti scordar
superb, and sang Non
it had rarelybeen given,even
di me
in Paris.
as
It
quitemelted him, and, to hide a certain emotion, he
started to go into the lobby,and there chanced
to see
that the two girlswere
in fits of laughter. He supposed
at first it was
; but it was
hysterical
explained
to him, with easy candor, that they found Maurico
the
most
irresistibly
funny object as he sang, because he
so
opened his mouth
queerly. The impression he
had been a bar to his admiragained at that moment
not

k'

"

tion

MIDSUMMER

228

for young

girlsfor
Cecil

possible that
mind

which

now,

occasion,

or

He

talk, to

act.

which

gave

she

But

would
her

to

mother

ought

to

with

this fine

on

wards.
after-

himself,

thrustingand

rying,
par-

hard

so

was

to

and

pleasure his thoughts

passed vividlybefore

immense

him

at

rouse

delicious

most

was

in her

cousin

or

call conversation,

women

idea

either launch

then that endless

The

and

sarcastic

some

It

after.

day

many

felt that he

him.

shape,

had

whisper

compared

coarse,

MADNESS.

images gathered
mind.

his

There

feeling that he was

almost
face to face with a charming fresh and wholly
passionate experience just behind the veil which he
at this moment
to lift.
ought even
Mr. Heriot," said Cecil.
he answered, almost
amazed
that
an
"Well,"
did
instead
not
expression of intense tenderness
issue from
his lips.
"
You
about the play."
say nothing to me
"
The
the play
the play,"he said, with
play
the play.
if wishing to annihilate
accent
as
an
"Well, what of it?"
They were
asking me to take a part."
was

in

sweetness

"

"

"

"

"

And

I admired

3"ou declined.

for it."

you

asked
Cecil, hesitatingly. "Did
"Why?"
reallyprefer I should not play?

you

"

"

I hate

to

think

in

of you

connection

the
rivalryof actors, the foot-lights,
a mock
tawdry paraphernalia of even
"

Yet

"

Do

the
were

you
you

were

anxious

suppose

put

to

have

you

category? Why, Cecil,if

between
3rour becoming a woman

same

rouge,

the

all the

theatre."

Mrs.

and

with

act."

Dalton

Mrs.
the

Dalton

hi

alternative
like

Fanny

TWO

Dalton

or

mine,

and

I would

stayingas
hesitate

not

But

and

no

and

not

to

then,
man

think

fellow.
her

the

and

watch

and

her

has

two

how

She

was

in

her make
little arts
to

women

her

her

the

"

in that

mother,

can't

when

was

delicate

; I

used

toilet to go

out

me.

her

my

You

world.

bewitched
dress

face,

of his first passion

pretty, so

lady

for

it.

over

worshipped
so

your

mother

your

passion was

little bitter

finest

of

close the account

can

be

upon

moment."

speak

to

first

my

entirely
parting from

my

to look

for

ought not
disrespectfulway."

and

are,

you

nevermore

"

"You

"

229

mother, yet being wholly and

my

forever,

you

LOVERS.

dare

; but

now

to

then

begin
little

thought
sit

to

parties,
say

she

she

did

to making her own

everythingherself,even
gowns.
the brightestblonde
She had
hair, and it curled at
the merest
touch of her little,
slender fingers. Now,
just a tingeof pink,' she would say, and her cheeks
would
brighten up into the prettiestblush.
My
'

'

the

under

I did not
and

dull,'she

are

eyes

else's
chatter

lower
see

used

would

lid made

the harm

of

to flatter

compliments
and

go

flirt like

on,

them

it,and

her, and

counted

and

larger and
I did
she

at

line of black

all.

the charm

see

told

sadder.

me

We

'

nobody
used

to

boy and girl,and with her

hand
I was
I am
on
as
as
happy almost
my arm
sat oppositeeach other at meals
we
to-night. When
used
to talk brilliantly
and
we
wittily,I thought.
Well, Cecil, one day I went into the parlor and saw
head
shoulder.
her pretty blonde
against a man's
You
have
what a Hyperion he
seen
Este",and know
a

"

230

MIDSUMMER

Henceforth

was.

until I
But

"

"No,

no

once

the

money

little paradise

our

again."
I may

over.

mortify

not

she

been

had

easily be
blinded

are

eyes

satisfied with
She

her.

could

and

wanted,

women

all

had

out-dress

competing

her

and

shine
out-

with

at

before."

disadvantage
But

did

she

the

was

back

perfectlywell

was

; his antics

iu

but, undeceived, my

ape

her

got

dream

She

more.

have

that

third

out."

cast

you

"

deceived

he made

was

now

MADNESS.

can

forgive her,

not

you

that

now

is

she

old?"

Oh, I forgiveher!

"

hated

I say

Still,when

her.

of

I say

then

And
feel

it,even
that I

now

trick of

from

the

used
old

only, yet
its pleasures,
even
But, after all,I do
moment

I declare

when

am

myself that I
attempted nothing,

"

fault.

it is all her

believe

not

worth

her

to

never

within

the

for

Este, but

have

nothing, nobody ;
achieved
nothing ; lived
am

gained nothing

hated

it most

again
She

love.

intensely.
occasionally

is such

foolish,

kittenish, .old cat."

but

let himself

had

He

the

by

not

go

had

and

deep thought

carried

been

burned

which

away
in

his

heart.
"

might

withdraw

"Oh,
"

And

my

Cecil,

said

Heriot,"

But, Mr.

refusal

to

do

"

you

think

act?"

yes!"
you

will not

mind

having

in the

me

play?

"

"No."
"

Then,

"

Ah,

if I may,

I will

see

want

; you

accept."
to

put

on

little rouge

!"

TWO

"Oh,

no!

LOVERS.

231

would

Nothing

induce

to

me

wear

rouge."
You

"

can't

people

at

thing.

garden
We

must

colder

feel

There

"

"

It

kt

off

He

in,"

tell

me

was

so

Haxtoun
did

the

be

when

rouge

simple,

be

you

The

"

other

walk

is

wind

shall
will

even

the

drive,

watching

the

porch

and

vanished

out

to

say

"

you

"

go
for

ascend

Cecil

Rodney,
tell

not

in

inside

be

quite

you

again.

"

my
You

that
secret

can

put
night,
to-

bid

me."
the

as

will

long."

so

said

pleasant,"

think

to

Mamma

over.

staying

wanted

"

cold?

good-by
not

time

Cecil.

said

all

for

long.
I

any

will

inside."

me

actually

with

nor

Mrs.

go

shivering

too

on

something

you
am

vexed

me."

two

chilly."

can

Are

"

same

be

cannot

say,

the

put

with

was

You

"

it

cannot
at

don't

Well,

the
";

and

true,

You

yourself.

You

once.

natural,

in

help

her

steps,

but

light

shape

the

lighted

stood
crossed
door.

on

MIDSUMMER

232

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

ON

strange
hurst

night

skies

if the

had

had

STAR-CHAMBER

summer

wide

XV.

said to

so

of

secret

things under

many

listen and

been

not

MATTER.

wait, it would

Cecil's

blabbed

Arthur, after Cecil had

that she, too, wanted

twilight,
engaged lovers had strolled away,
the water's edge.
Half-way down
paused.

"

I'll

say

word,

explain afterwards,

with

Med-

out

iuto

walk, and

the

run

if to

as

go

the terraces

she

Arthur,"
but

been

ter
LillyWinches-

the

"Don't

have

meeting

aloud.

the

I want

to

Lilly

whispered;

to go up

to

the

garden through the grapery."

Under

the

vines, all

covered
trellises,

Lillyknew the way,

lover swiftly,
and led her bewildered
but stealthily,
and then turning to give some
up the slopes, now
mation
to repress
word
of warning and
any possible exclaforced from
him
by his increasingsurprise.
Arthur
never
pretended to comprehend Lilly. One
of her
soared

was

most

above

dark

their. luxuriant

with

as

night ;

but

irresistible charms
him

Her

little tricks and

him

as

in

wit,

to

resource,

minaitderies

him

that

was

and

she

enterprise.

sometimes

struck

suggestiveof dangerous mischief going on in

she turned her bright little face
her mind ; but when
him
it would
have
been
towards
quite impossible

this

ness

her

MIDSUMMER

234

MADNESS.

clandestine

father's

There

secretary.

Cecil

between

meeting

could

be

and

doubt

no

meeting had been arranged. And

successful
since such
she could not
were
iniquities
applaud her own
sufficiently
foresight in coming
herself exactly how
affairs stood.
to assure
that

stolen

the

trial to

her

While

she

in store

was

nerves

stood

the second

all at

every

the

tactics,and, making
at

bound,

in
a

and

his,

mighty
strode

ancing
balupsetting Arthur, who was
ing
meditativelyon one foot, and wishlight a cigar,by way of passing the

grapery,

himself
he

his

Cecil's hand

taken

the flower-beds

cleared

jump,
into

changed

once

had

before

ever.
her, how-

glimmer of the
going on, apparently
warning, Medhurst,

using

lesseninglightto see what was

without
signal,preparation,or
who

for

could

time.
"You
"

what
But

are

he

prying rascal!"
doing here?
you
waited

for

no

muttered

Medhurst,

"

answer,

and

strode

on,

gather himself and his dignityup

best might. And
Lilly'slover was
confounded
so
by the unexpected turn of events
how
to do either, and
sat on
that he hardly knew
thing,
the moss
gazing at Lilly,with a blind rage at someIt might be a mistake,
he knew
hardly what.
He expected
he to ignore a mistake ?
but how
was
a full and
complete apology from the author of it at
leavingArthur
together as he

once,

would
and
from

and

said

happen
humble

to

to

he

complete sympathy

before
had
from

he

did

did

if Medhurst

himself

Medhurst

himself

him.

not

not

know

come

Besides

what

instantly
humilit}1

right to expect full and

Lilly; but that young lady

MATTER.

STAR-CHAMBER

engrossed by the developments of

him
to waste
at that
feelingupon

much

was

too

the

situation

235

moment.

"Hush!"

she

"Hush!"

and

his

over

surge

Arthur

clamation;
ex-

command

raised

bitterness

of

the

enforced

and
frowning brow
Everything has its limits,and
with

his

whispered imperiously at

forefinger.

felt the floods

soul.

It

bad

was

led about

by Lillylike a dog, but he

intention
of letting
other people
no
like a dog.
treat him
felt for her lover thus
do Lillyjustice,she
To
in his hasty retreat
ignominiouslyupset by Medhurst
enough to be
certainlyhad

she

then

; but

that he had

saw

been

taken

for

understrapperabout the
gardener'sboy, or some
notion.
place,and she found relief in this erroneous
the

she

When

tried

she

the house

Arthur

and

to

their

on

make

it clear to him

forgivethe accident, and

in consequence.
vindictive feelings
indignant declaration,that he

"

look

He

time

the next

down

all sorts

of

must

never

no

And

going

was

he

know

it

he

bitter

or

knock

to

entreaties.

was

discovered

were

that

posed
him, she inter-

saw

who

to

at Arthur's

warnings, threats,and

if we

very queer

way

cherish

must

Medhurst

back

were

it would

to have

been

listeningthere."
"

be knocked
"

look

It would

very

down

But, don't

by

you

see,

if I allowed

queer

myselfto

secretary fellow,a
Arthur, that

"

mere

"

could

we

not

explain."
"

clear

I don't

want

to

I want

explain,

persistedArthur, in
idea was
working with

"

whose
a

sure

him

brain, for
leaven.

to
once,

plain,"
exa

236

MIDSUMMER

in the

Lilly was
with

the

ideas

he

MADNESS.

habit
to

was

her doll with

dresses

of

fittingher
like

express,
clothes

the

she

lover

out

child who

Chooses

her

to

She

cumstance
generally told him how any fresh cirhad a wonderful
to strike him, and
was
knack
of supplying his mental
deficiencies out of the
storehouse
of her quick fancy. Now, however, he
had
gained a vivid and a personal idea, and she
could
she
not
dispossess him of it ; and for once
and
to
was
compelled to feel her lack of power,
realize that if, at exactly the right moment,
she had
offered some
gentle and affectionate commiseration
and
bruised
shin
for his scraped knee
she
might
of her usual
have
lost none
advantages.
wear.

She
and

hastened

put

with

end

an

her story,
all the

to

however,

hopes

to

that

her
had

aunt,
been

at the thought
lady's bosom
that Cecil was
walking in the garden with Rodney
Heriot, by moonlight,and gave her, instead, a night
of excruciatingdisappointment. Certainly,
nothing
could well be more
necessary
untantalizingthan Medhurst's

agitatingthat

and

idylwhich
Haxtoun

and
of

effectual

the

blow, and
Her

house.

had

amounted

children's

best

interests.

overcome

to

by

please her

should

she

when

way

husband

was

intrusion

into

the

little

had

in her

stand

out

uncalled-for

begun, and was going on charmingly

to spoil everything. But
he came
yet Mrs.
She
allowed
blamed
herself.
had
nificant
insigfanciful
objections to
impediments and

before

swift

good

the

more

husband

sent

have
the

struck
young

man

timidity concerning her

to
her
treachery towards
Her most
powerful motive
feminine
and

humor

bias
his

of

ing
wish-

self-love.

his

Lying by

STAR-CHAMBER

MATTER.

side, all

summer

that short

Haxtoun

thought, with

problems

of her

237

night,Mrs.

impatience, of

married

life, and

had

the

many

especial

an

for her feeble

petence.
good-nature and general incomhis illusions ;
She had begun by flattering
as
if,when he opened his lips,he spoke
by listening
the
profoundest wisdom ; had fed his vanity and
pampered his infirmities,until he fairlybelieved
scorn

that

He

end

of her

claims

upon

the

felt

other

if he

as

thoughts,fattened
thus

and

what

he

on

Had

she

not

and

terous
prepos-

endurance.

familyaggregate, and

dearest

what

abjured.

himself?

delude

his

answer

concession

the

were

to

was

her

three,nearest

abjured

life

Had

he

to

him, lived

liked,and

And

taught her

his

cheerfully

why should
not given up

she

on

the

children

he not

thing?
every-

that

they

cheerfullyyield to their papa, lest he should

possiblyfind things going wrong, and be depressed
he intimated
and put into a bad temper? When
to
his wife that he swayed the universe
had
a
little,
intimated
she not, with the sweetest
that the
cajolery,
?
universe
If
might well be swa3'ed by such a man
himself disagreeablein society,
he made
with all the
must

clearest consciousness

cuttinga
and

bad

reinstate

in her

did
figure,
him

in his

she not
own

mind

own

blame

esteem

that he
all the

was

world,

thought poor Mrs. Haxtoun,

the line ; to love, and give all,and
do all ;
to draw
all personal sensitiveness
and
tion,
inclinato suppress
widen
and
a
every impulse until it became
river of sympathy for one's husband, and
beneficent
the balance
of things go wrong
!
yet not make
Mr. Haxtoun
turned on his pillowthat mornWhen
Ah, how

hard

it was,

238

ing, and

MIDSUMMER

found

little knew

his

how

who

her

MADNESS.

wife

night

lives with

has

us

from

gone
had

her

place,he
spent. Everybody

been

account-book

an

of

our

which
doings and strivings,
they add up from time
to time, balancing them
against their own
ances,
performin our
favor, and
rarely making out much
deficit to square
generallyputtingdown a tremendous
our

account.

out

; and

and

Mr.

Haxtoun

that his wife

credit kind

was

had

given to

never

found

this sort

this

of debit

ters
thing,and was about to rightmatfar from
at last,was
being vividlyrealized by
waking imagination.

his

She
an

But

was

idea

not

that it

of

beside

might

be

his

watch, he discovered

He

had

half

need

bestir

great

author

an

hour

himself
has

done

this absence

him, and
late ;

but, upon

that it

to

for

lie and
bath

stirred

was

looking at
unusuallyearly.

meditate

and

half his work

toilet.
of the

before

he

Manjr

day

when

lying in bed ; and Mr. Haxtoun, now, at

without dribblingand wasting his fresh powers,
once,
turned his mind to the composition of a nobly turned
paragraph for the opening of his tenth chapter, of
which
the heading and title had been written the day
to
previous. He lay repeating various formulas
and
himself, rehearsing them
over
satisfying
over,
his ear
concerningtheir melody and rhythm, adding,
and
rejecting,
qualifying. Mrs. Haxtoun, who had
risen at sunrise, and had been sitting,
unnerved
and
of sleep,in the bay-windowof
thefaint, from want
hall, reading the morning service and the lessons
of the day, came
in presently,and
stood, for a
moment,
listeningto the preamble :
"
It must
be admitted
that, although extravagant
he

was

"

STAR-CHAMBER

pretensionshave
order

of close
best

the

dazzled

and

carried

to the collected results

logic,and

and

239

away a certain
to the whole
system and

minds, indifferent

of

direction
of

MATTER.

thought

maturest

of

the

ages,

knowledge it has taken centuries to accumulate."

By this time Mr. Haxtoun
experienced the need
difficult to keep both the roll
of a secretary; it was
and

the

this

juncture

and

sense,

to

look

and

up

his wife

see

at

happy condition of affairs.

Just
Good-morning, dearest Jenny," said he.
oblige me
by taking those tablets, and writing
was

"

"

he

I don't

this sentence.

down

began again to
It must

"

"

tion,
forth,with appropriateelocuadmitted
gant
that, although extrava-

be

did I have

how

to whom

how

"

And

roll

pretensionshave dazzled
of minds, which
certain
order
to

to lose it."

wish

it?

it?

was

and

carried
which

"

certain

My

"

order

away
which

of

"

minds,

dear

Jenn}^,how
interruptedme at

un-

that
luckjrthat j'ou should have
! 1 woke
usual
unparticularmoment
up with the most
flow of ideas, and
now
quite upset.
they seem
be
admitted
Let me
that,
begin again. It must
although extravagant pretensionshave dazzled and
order of minds, indifferent to
carried away
a certain
the whole
system and direction of close logic,and
the

collected

thought
to

does

ages,

reallydo

tablet in
sentence
to

of

the

accumulate,

it not, my

"I

seems

of

results

the

best

knowledge
"

that

and

it has

all makes

maturest
taken

good

turies
cen-

sense,

dear?"
not

know,"

and
hand, plaintively

said

Mrs.

Haxtoun,

The
querulously.
sounds
to me
already very long, and it
be only just begun."
"

MIDSUMMER

240
"When

"

writer

results,which

MADNESS.

wishes
he

controversy, he

has

in

and

everything leads,
make

"

been

much

ideas.

central

Medhurst's

from

the

I have

style.

French,

to

bitten

was

my

wanted

brevity;
He

verges,
di-

everything

paragraph writing,which

taken

which

to

conversion

all for

was

like

thing

idea,

which

from

curtail that.

this and

for

have

by

of

pute.
nobody wishes to dislike mine, complete

perfection of

first,he

strike out
mania

the

struck

At

which

grand,

one

the

ful
care-

heats

through

up

meditations

Profound

absorption

sum

certain

out

carried

cannot

general theorem,

mere

to work

to

the

by

journalists

our

I have

taught

him

to

about

Mr.

better."
"

dear-,I

My

said

Medhurst,"

speak

to

want

Haxtoun,

Mrs.

We

had

it

my

the
not

finished

not

quiteworked

that

iu my

out

watch,

first

so

thing.
jotting them

"

Leonard,"
of

agony

that

mind

I lose
down
said

many

Mrs.
"

nervousness,

there

minutes

back;
"

I have

no

idea

but

came

you

hand

valuable

Haxtouu,

to say to you."
particularly
"
Do you
that I
reallymean
?
If you should
that inspiration
ten

the tablets lie here,

the instant

on

had

husband,

before

put my

can

vigor and

sentence, Jenny.

Hereafter, I think I will have

in.

by

have

with

startled her

alacritywhich might have

he not been engrossed.
"

you

is

ideas

; I

in

"

perfect

quite to

go
what

away

from

"

I wish

something

am

them

on

lose

for

I could

all

about

get it

I"-

Dear

Leonard,

"
"

what

I have

to say

is most

portant
im-

MIDSUMMER

242

MADNESS.

Speak of her ! Why

"What
to
right has he even

should

' '

But

"

the time
or"
"

the

on

this, a

alert for

dear

My

am

"

her?
"

her.

He

think

the

better

mother,

woman,

her

"

judge
all

"

daughter'shappiness,

I know

Jenny,
not

am

to

abstruse

theories, the real force

from

inspirationcome

servation
ob-

Although

upon

curious

and

of

powers

bookworm.

work

at

am

own

my

dry

writer, and

and

at

her ?

of

speak

"

I
I

at

do 3"ou

like

situation

"

look

not

Leonard, which

"

of

he does

look

he

book

lating
re-

facts, traditions,

and

which

power

give

swift

erring
insight,my unfeminine
knowledge of character,my absolutely
If Medhurst
had a thought of anything
instincts.
beyond the Aryan epics I should long since have

me

discovered
with

that

his

him.

Not

and

fancies

could

might

into

the

labor

sively
conclu-

proves

the least power

especiallyobject

to

"
"

shrieked, if all her

have

governed by
quietness. She

mortification,and

have

I should

that

not

himself

abandon, which

Cecil ; it

Haxtoun
were

taste

throws

romantic

no

marrying

Mrs.

He

an
intensity,

an

over

it.

my

the most
felt

growing

dizzy

sense

of her

absolute

of

with
the

tions
ac-

good
wrath,

difficulty

undertaking.
It might," he pursued, after taking a comprehensive
view of the situation, be a great help and
Medhurst
convenience
to have
always at hand to
help on my great
Mr. Haxtoun
paused abruptly,happening for the
firsttime to observe
something in his wife's face and
which
It occurred
to him
manner
perplexed him.
"

"

"

"

that she

MATTER.

STAE-CHAMBER

at

was

one

243

flushed,and the

moment

next

pale ; that she seemed to be trembling; that she was

mission',or actuated by some
charged with some
idea, which agitatedher.
"What
"Oh, dear! Oh, dear!'* he exclaimed.
It givesme
of the heart
is it,Jenny?
a
palpitation
to have
subjectsforced upon me before
disagreeable
breakfast.
Nothing that I eat will digest. I shall
have an uncomfortable
night.
day, and I shall not sleep toYou
know
that I am
always ready to give
to me
you the fullest S3rmpathy; but it realtyseems
that you
state of
ought to consult my wretched
health

little in your

Mrs.

Haxtoun

quite

herself, and
"

when

are
we

times

rob

blinkers, which
Mr.

we

allow
us

do to be monomaniacs

the

she

when

cannot

indulgenceto

in

down.

make

Leonard,"

there

broke

apology and
spirit. Still she

her

"Dear

and

seasons."

for

demands

quenched

times

of

our

our

with

permit

us

who

far

an

These

rent
recur-

self-justification
resolved

to

centrate
con-

attack.

exclaimed, with
must

love

tears,

forget ourselves
of

and

ease

self-

self-respect.It will not

fixed idea, and wear
one
to
see
only one
spot

world."

Haxtoun,

so

had

been

bolstered

up

pillows,sat up in bed.
"
A monomaniac, with one
fixed idea,"he repeated.
"I
I don't quite understand
you, Jenny."
"
Don't fancy I meant
anythingpersonal. I
A monomaniac, with one
fixed idea,"
"Oh, no!
he said again, the force of the expressiongathering
of jt aloud.
Blinkers,
strength by the repetition
which permit me to see only one
spot in the world

by

the

"

"

"

"

"

"

Haxtoun

Mrs.
a

MIDSUMMER

244

had
She

vengeance.

had
all

had

but

home,

MADNESS.

concentrated
had

it in.

with

powers

struck

only

not

hammered

her

the

arrow

little bitterness

gathering in the good lady's heart during

these years of self-repression
have relieved
; she may
herself
at times
matic
epigramby little mental
been

touches, and had her revenge

her husband

upon

by a sort of terse criticism of his failings. But she

hardly knew herself when she uttered them aloud.
"
My dear Leonard," she faltered,I"
Suppose, Jenny," said Mr. Haxtoun, with awful
and invective,
majesty, we should give up recriminations
There was
and regard the subject in hand.
to ask me
something, perhaps, you wanted
; if not,
I will get
I think if you will step in the next
room
up."
Mrs.
felt lost in infinite dismay at her
Haxtoun
own
temper, and thoroughly realized that
perverse
She at last had the field
she had injured her cause.
her husband
to herself, and
was
ready to listen ;
it came
but
her
disjointed,
out, was
story, when
he questioned her,
incoherent, meaningless. When
he did with merciless
skill,she perpetuallyfound
as
"

"

"

herself in
When

he

knew

of

which
and

asked
no

had

tricked

looked

so

spoken

certain

the

offered

to

young

had

said to her

something

girl'sheart

this stern

Radamanthus,

the young

done,
Thus

away.

seemed

weight.

world

had

man

trifle had

feather's

daughter

all the

young

She

facts.

no

before

that

said, something the

at, any

be

not

had

uncertainties.

and

facts, she

Medhurst

yet she felt

had

carry

for

word

might

man

when

of contradictions

maze

portentous

it did

but,
not

STAR-CHAMBER

MATTER.

245

reallycannot see what your objectionto my

said.
finally
secretary is, my dear," Mr. Haxtoun
if he were
Cecil speaks to him
as
a
occasional!}',
being. She went rowing on the river
livinghuman
If she met
him in
invitation.
with him
by her own
ing
to have been lookthe garden, last night,she seems
' '

"

for him."
He

is too

good-lookingto
interposed.

"

she

If your

"

is

sex

about

have

weak-minded

so

the house,"

that the presence

"

be borne
cannot
good-lookingyoung man
"My dear!"
It was
was
long past the time when Mr. Haxtoun
in the habit of emerging from
his room,
carefully
and
shaven
dressed, for his turn on the piazza,or
breakfast
his wife began to
terrace, before
; and
of

"

that

understand
and

leave

was

soft and

meant

the lookout

for

and

will think

"

truce.

that

of

she

There

"

Mr.

Heriot

is Mr.

his

retire

to

husband

Her

look, which

opinion or valuation
was
irritated,and on

any

offence.
I have

told you,

said, offeringhim

chance

Heriot, almost

the

on

am

for

point

"

declaringhimself

of

battle.

he

what

her

for

she knew

pretexts for

Leonard,"

sure,

drawn

plaintive
; but
refusal to accept
own,

"You

better

was

the contest

his

except

it

"

should

not

consider

eligible

an

son-in-law."
had a geniusfor torturing
certainly
She had carefullyabstained
wife.
from
ing
bringin Rodney Heriot's
name
before, lest it might

Mr.
his

do

Haxtoun

mischief

offer this

; but

she

had

believed

suggestionjustas

she

was

it wise
on

for her to

the

pointof

retreating,
that

ia

that

could

say

little

son-in-law
Medhurst

have

vital
!

more,

quite

there

sympathy
on

no

It

word.

another

mental

his

might

argument
She

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

246

was

questions.
No
!

special

the
and
broke

fullest

situation

force.

she

went

out

her

heart

to

between
Mr.

the

of

survey

her
Heriot

objection

to

Cecil's

how

see

and

not

without

her

an

band
hus-

eligible
ing
marry-

DIPLOMACY.

HAXTOUWS

MB.

XVI.

CHAPTER
HAXTOUN'S

MR.

I ^HREE

J-

he

lost

had

raised
taken

shape

himself, and
the

blinkers
the

he

which

with

had,
hid

which

with

own

of

nized
recog-

idea, wearing

the

world

except

after

haste, breakfasting with

unusual

it had

sense,

But,

eyes.

spectre

caricature

fixed

everythingin

his

meas-

moment

bewildered

with

the

hideous

in

equilibrium,which

For

was

monomaniac

spot before

with

mental

confronted

when

had

Haxtoun

his wife's words.

by
on

his

regained

ure

DIPLOMACY.

later Mr.

hours

247

dressing

what

poor

appetite he might, and smoking his cigar on the

terrace
outside, impressions regained their force ;
of
the quick currents
of irritation along his nerves
sensation
him

subsided.

His

wife

came

and

addressed

timidityand longing in her glance and

and
tone, and, though he still felt an inarticulate
with
smouldering resentment, he answered
right
She hated to differ with him,
royalcondescension.
how just her quarrelmight be ; the interest
matter
no
and sweetness
of life were
flatly
dispersedunless she
could

with

feel that

llaxtoun

said

he

this,and

There

every

was

subject,and

was

he

easy

and

felt that

comfortable.
he

must

be

Mr.
nanimous.
mag-

clearlya rightand wrong

had never
known
anybody

in
to

248
in the

be

MIDSUMMER

right who

and
inclinations,
a

disappointment

needed

differed

their little

had

women

MADNESS.

to be

ambitions, their
should

man

not

them.

upon

served

himself.

from

Still,

little personal

inflict too

bitter

The

pretty creatures
they might be, dominated

when

only when they must be.

Accordingly, after answering his wife's little
phrases about the flowers and the gardener's new
schemes, he said, averting his eyes a little :
"By the way, Jenny, since you wish it, I will
find out from Medhurst
what
he has been
doing in
"

that matter, and

"

if it is

And,

he shall go

what

he

This

"

fear, will you

at least for

away,

speak

"

as

Haxtoun

Mr.
I will

if

nodded.

to

him,

might

be

best.

let you

rate, and

at any

insist that

time ? "

That

"

not

know

says."

undertaking did

dismay the old gentleman.

He
knew
his own
diplomatic gifts,and that
shrewdest
he
the
and
most
was
experienced of
where
motives
men
or
any knowledge of character
concerned.
He
was
instate
burned, too, with zeal, to rehimself
in
his wife's
good opinion, and
could
scientific
predict with
precision exactly
what

should

he

break

have

not

to

tell her.

his

morning
secretary's
must
occasionallygive way, and
a peaceful
concession, to secure
up

Medhurst
entered
"

was

the

Hard

at

little those
within

these

study,
it!"
about
four

at

his desk

and
said
us

up

the old

walls !

work
he

of
The

disliked
; but

to

routine

hoped, by

this

life for the future.

when

looked

know

He

with

Mr.
a

Haxtoun
salutation.

How
gentleman.
what
is going on
"

chattering

of

the

250
mind

he

fortitude
'

to

his

his

MIDSUMMER

bore

MADNESS.

inevitable

these

ills,and

with

what

he

put sufferingby, and applied himself

Not, however, that with all
great work.

absorption

in

the

great question concerning

the

identityof the Aryan epics,he lived an egoistic,

isolated
existence, cut off from the joys and
He
his kind.
of his family and
sorrows
was
no
mere

shadow

man,

heart, mind,

vivid

impressions

"What
hurst

of

can

within

great idea

his

he

himself

sense,

so."

an

The

occasional

Cecil

on

the

be

was

whole

beautiful

and

; but

glance

thought

Med-

he listened

imperturbably,
the tide of eloquence,
stem
"
It would
Certainly,"or,
"

man,

from

with

as

the

he

sat

there,

window,

RodnejT

Heriot.

and

cast
saw

There

lowing
archery and tennis party the folday, and they, with Alec, were
directingthe
the grounds.
Medhurst
to lay out
gardener how
unused
of spectacle, which
not
to this sort
was
him feel like a school-boy,shut
occasionallymade
his mates
of the sunshiny place where
out
were
was
compelled to be
pla3"ing
; but, as a rule, he
in the work
before
him, and
rigorouslyabsorbed
had
time to indulge in fancies.
no
Now, with his
faculties
quite unemployed, except in pondering
Haxtoun's
unusual
the problem of Mr.
mood, he
allowed
his thoughts to settle upon
Cecil, and let
his memory
picture of her after
bring up one
another.
Comparing his late impressions of her
harmoniou
with his first,the effect was
complicated and inShe
puzzled him, and, let him try
was

to

be

to

drivingat?"

young
lawn

all open

he

life.

of

making no attempt to
save
by an occasional
seem

an

MB.

DIPLOMACY.

251
in

might to attribute the fluctuations

riot
to girlishcaprice,he could

he

as

HAXTOUN'S

for all he had

account

in her

seen

her

havior
be-

make

face, in

that

the swift

withdrawing of her eyes, in the unaccountable

changes of color.
Remembering certain of her speeches he was
her of coquetry, and
at the recurrence
ready to accuse
and
bitter 'came
of this idea something hard
into his mind
against her. The
thought touched
him
to the
quick, and he experienced a rancor,
which
showed
that, in spite of the philosophyand
with which

indifference

life,he

tried

accept the

to

dents
acci-

in

point of fact, just as

and
suspicious as ever, and
youthful,susceptible,
adverse
wind
of every
which
at the mercy
might
To exchange this notion of Cecil's
chance
to blow.
coquetry for another, namely, that she might feel
some
particularinterest in him,
pity,sympathy,
what
was
not,
equallydisturbing.
began to think that he
By this time Mr. Haxtouu
had said enough in the way of preamble, and that his
had
taken
sufficient range to
various digressions
a
into almost any fresh
allow him to slip with ease
of

his

he

was,

"

"

channel.
"

And

is it with

how

proceeded to

now

ask ;

you, my
"

is your

what

friend?"

young

outlook

he

upon

life?"
"

Eh, what?

"

faltered Medhurst,

present realities by

droning
sentence,
had

been

and

murmur,

which
asked.

quite catch

your

the subsidence
the

seemed
"

to

beg

brought back

of the continuous

inflection
denote

your

last sentence."

to

of

that

pardon,

the
a

"

final

question
I did not

252
I

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

"
Mr. Haxtoun,
how
inquiring,"resumed
regarded these things; what was
your estimate

"

you
of

was

the

future

for, and
"I

find

; what

you

behind

it?"

you,"
outlook,

assure

have

no

of the

veil

to lift the

eager

Medhurst, dryly, "that

liftingthe veil
I much
prefer to know nothing of what
it. Having caught sightof the skeleton

behind
I

said

"

future

lurks

were

be

might

As

none.

less

easy

for

in my

mind

than

am

now."
do

"

You

"

Marriage

looked

!"

at Mr.

"Whom

should

Mr.
and

to

exclaimed

Medhurst, angrily.
and

in all this

began

believe

to

than

more

met

He

there

the

ear.

marry?"
had been gentle,vague,

Haxtoun
have

marriage?"

of

Haxtoun,

something

was

think

not

what

he

liked

to

have

and

spread

diffuse,
over

all at once
and
centred
territory,
brought to a point in this way, was almost irritating.
Medhurst
had
fairlyturned upon him as if goaded
"
and stung.
Whom
should I marry?
he went
on,
pressed
pressingthe point ; but then, seeing the dismay exin the old gentleman's face, he governed his
sudden
"I
would
tell you," he now
said,
rage.
with
a
half-laugh, if I thought of such a thing.
You
have
bought my time, my services, my brain,
and I reallyconsider
that if my heart were
engaged
elsewhere
it would
be only fair to let you
know."
"
There
be
something in that," observed
may

large

of

extent

"

"

Mr.
at

Haxtoun.
war

"

with
No."

"Head

adyantage
Both

Some

of

seemed
those

and

heart

to the
to

not

well

be

work."

feel

useful

could

certain

ment.
embarrass-

meaningless phrases

HAXTOUN'S

MR.

which

with

brushes

with

tracks

his

over

his

covers

man

DIPLOMACY.

253

purpose,

his

as

tail,rose

fox
Mr.

to

to carry it off with a

lips. He wanted
and
the young
show
that
it
little jocularity,
man
mere
a
was
passing joke ; but something about
and
serious, almost frightened
Medhurst, sombre

Haxtoun's

him.

looked

He

,not

him

at

uncomfortably,and

word.

May I inquireif you had

puttingthat question.to me?

' '

in

after

knew

He

hardly
why
strongly,

why

He

thought

Haxtoun
in

wished
"

"

You

heart

bitterness
it

beating

was

seemed

because

was

impertinence. But
had
always been

he

made
him
feel that
he
way
dictatorial.
to be either inquisitive
or
to take

sented
re-

questionas if it had
then, he reflected,Mr.
kind
and
and
friendly,
never

every

seem

to

of this

the intrusiveness
an

his

stern, angry

him.

actuate

had

specialmeaning
Medhurst
asked,

any

time.

been

said

it

as

if I had

introduced

some

now
searchingand powerful question,"Mr. Haxtoun
rallied his powers
to make
sufficiently
reply. " Had
been
not
thinking of marriage you would
you
a
grievanceof my allusion to it. All
hardly make
it is more
than a
men
marry, so to speak. And
inclined to treat the one
little singularthat we
are

vital
and

fact

were

trivial incident

pooh-pooh, and
authorities
"

man,

has

history,inspiredthe poets,
if it

as

existence, which

of

Let

me

that

to

smile

prove"

tell
I have

away.

literature,

created
our

tradition

own

might

cases

to

cite many

"

you,"
been

in

made

said

Medhurst,

thinkingabout

"

as

man

to

marriage of

254

late ; that

is, whether

of

circumstances

offer

marriage ;

away

from

"Run

worth

am

it?"

I don't

"

doubt

feel it his

it is

whether

combination

certain

should

man

from

away

under

duty

cowardice

to

to
run

it."

blankl}-.
Precisely.
that

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

in the faintest

woman's

any

is, whether

repeated

ought

Mr.

Haxtoun,

; but

acceptance
to offer her

not

believe

degree
the

my

chance

refusing me."

of

Mr.

Haxtoun

swam,

and

of

chair.

his

lipsas

began
There

observed,

he

it back

leaned

he

feel

to

was

You

"

very

ill.

His

head

against the cushion

little pallor about
his
in

to be

seem

singular

dilemma."
There

something

was

in this remark.

to Medhurst
that

granted
Dalton,

and

which

this

acquainted
I

"

taken

am

he,

binding

those

Medhurst
some

sea

herself

down

who

spoke
internal

to think

with

by

had

become

not

When

I
I

usually
with

am

mean

but

clearlyeuough
something quite different

is

devils

Mrs.

means

have

what

her

than

myself

Haxtoun,

unlucky
the

means

it for

mind.

heart.

to

took

the

to

gentleman

that

"

quieting
dis-

very

alluding to
as

of

state

from

away
she

Mr.

by

his

with

subject close

what

from

into

old

unobservant

He

was

grew

occasionallyask

when
that

wonder

confess," said
the

her

Haxtoun

Mr.

his

and

strange

very

to

feel

some

conflict of

marrying
feeling.

am

himself
woman."

any

seemed
But

of

one

throw

better

heat, and

estly,
Hon-

man.

poor

this.

had
of

see

chafed

there

was

HAXTOUN'S

ME.

the least

not

in his

face,

You

DIPLOMACY.

I understand

your

allusion.

idea

I had

see,

of what

will not

I
from

come

let

wish,

an}T

ask.

it to you

even

begin to see what

daughter, that is
questioned me ; and

"

3'ou want

not

me,

marry

the

this

her

asking

accepts

plans at

new

the book
"

Go

go

He

with

gazed

at

whether

she
she

will

she

or

will

to

you say. To doubt

If she
lookers-on.

; I

shall

just what
away

doubt

half-laugh,
by going over and

the matter

If

once.

to

doubt, told

no

fallen.

annoying

without
over

had

I will do

the smallest

not

spoke to your
something, and

heard

Medhurst,

I will

me

Haxtoun,

moment,

is

situation

out.

dumb.

to end

me

them

carry

"

continued

If,"

If you

"

jaw

stricken

Medhurst,

Miss

it

considered

in the matter-,

try to

had

had

yours

candid.

means.

she

she

Haxtoun's

Mr.

' '

and

mother,

have

to be

I will

it all

"

"

of

commands,

any

her

hint

else I should

owe

gained any
entirelymy own
you

was

this

that

"

added,

now

How

If

them, and

know

me

he

supposed

one

any

intrusive ; but
have

sentiment

or

in his voice.

or

Haxtoun,"

secret

love

glimmering sign of
Mr.

"

255

refuses
will

"

need

me

we

"

can

make

to
as

I have
on

go

with

interruptions."
see

her,

over

go

"

where?

"

gasped

Haxtoun.

Mr.
"

I suppose

"

Are

"

I am."

Mr.
almost

she

is at Mrs.

alludingto

you

Haxtoun

revived

He

started

Dal ton?

Mrs.

"

is,he experienced an
which quiteovercame
relief,

; that

sense
intoxicating

him.

Esters."

up,

of

nervous

and

unstrung, tit-

MIDSUMMER

256

He

taringfaintly.

MADNESS.

larly
happy to care particuabout the vista his hints might have opened up
fit to study their meaning.
to Medhurst, if he saw
There
was
something inspiringto the old gentleman
in the fact that, on
the unique occasion
when
'

his wife

had

chosen

Mrs.

the sway

creation

everything in

herself, she

to assert

Under

in the wrong.

too

was

is

over-

utterly

was

of maternal
bold

and

instinct

aggressive,

might be pardoned for such an

of apprehensiveness. By forcing her
exuberance
husband
the initiativ-e against Medhurst's
to take
pretensions she had entangled him in a delicate
dilemma
he was
A
mo
ready to forgive her.
; but
nomaniac, with a fixed idea," the old gentleman
and

chuckled

Haxtoun

to himself.*

only one
spot
impatience to look

Blinkers

in the

see

these

"

up

incontestable

his

which

world."

let

person

burned

He

wife, and

her, by

to

prove

with

confessions, that Medhurst

was

Dalton
to Mrs.
offeringhimself
;
that, so far from being in love with XJecil,he had
never
once
thought of her, but had been enduring a
the

on

point

of

conflict of ideas
and
of

torn
some

about

the widow,

by contrary instincts,had
outside

pressure,

which

and, tossed

about

almost

been
should

glad

force

him

into action.
But
wife's

before

Mr.
and

presence,

Haxtoun
reinstate

could
himself

rush

into

in her

his

belief

far-seeingand deep-reaching observer, it was

essential to say something to Medhurst,
who
was
regarding his dead silence with some
surprise.
friend," said he, "your words
My dear young
tell me
touches
a story,
a story which
me
deeply.
But do not act rashly. What
you suggest is a matas

"

"

MIDSUMMER

258

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

and

time
She

stake.
deal

earnestness

many

in them

than

reasons

the

habit

of

might

one

as

others, for she

in

was

Fair,

en

good deal of
the private theatricals.
upon
for feelinga keener

expending

was

had

She

BEETHOVEN.

BY

D ALTON

MRS.
interest

SONATA

XVII.

balloons, to

and

she

at

more

talking

say,

which

had

good

floated

only a
lease
Her
moment's
of life.
idea, however, of
borne
by a lively
going on the stage was
up
personal ambition, considerable
aptitude, and the
of
for
gaining wealth
necessity in some
way
great

many

She

herself.

concerning the
certain

read

never

almost

successful

gave

item

an

fabulous

in the

papers

made

amounts

by

and

singers of the
of
and
a
period, without
longing
spasm
envy
She, too, longed to have the
contractingher heart.
public at her feet; she had always enjoyed the
she merely
feeling that she had spectators when
to
have
crossed
the room
not only an
miring,
ad; and
but
of

down

every

her

represented
The
had

not

remunerative, audience,

effect

actresses

and

wit, grace,

night
for

her

in

gold
the

good

and

acme

was
only drawback
begun young enough,

"

to have

looks, paid

bank-bills,
of

"

that

ence.
profitableexist-

the
and

the

fact

that

she

that the life of

would

actress

an

it in

had

she

could

follow, she

He

traditions.

views,

heard

her

to

if

had

play
it

were

her

gave

read

it.

certain

through
was

Heriot's

however

read

he

He

the

took

given

would

rehearsals

be

far
had

there

were

advantage of his
the play to her, and
trouble
her.

with

scenes

her

which

one

the

to go

even

The

manager

his arrival,regular
twice a day on
the

after

shortly,and,

come

could

successfully
; but

acted, and concerningwhich

alreadybeen
own

part. She

force.

true

than

trouble

create

to

imitate, most

is the
originality
Thus
Rodney
more

and
energy
whether
besides, uncertain

was,

her

259

incessant

demand

She

work.

hard

BEETHOVEN.

BY

SONATA

held

by this time
scene-paintinghad
that Rodney
progressed to a point which showed
was
prompt in performance, at least ; and to-day
in to show
him what
he brought Medhurst
sort of
effects he had
produced. He happened to come
he was
the secretary while
idlingaway his
upon
The
that Medhurst,
truth was
day in the woods.
stage.

The

after

his

even

chapter, had
for a walk, and
without

along
been

much

erected

in

gallery,where
"Now

the

main

the whole

entered,

with

interview

room

stand
"

and

Mr.

found

in the

ceding
pre-

his

morning spoiled
Rodney had brought him
compulsion. The stage had
of the picturesort of alcove
water-colors
usuallyhung, and
was

to become

there,"
I

Haxtoun

will

have

said
the

the auditorium.

Rodney,

they

as

first three

scenes

bear
this mid-day glare
displayed. If they can
the}'will pass by lamplight."

While

the

two

stood

at the

door

the

swish

of

260

long

Dalton
in

MIDSUMMER

train

down
but

low,

part.
"Well,

walk

love

"and

first

sit?

will walk

; in

from

enters, and

No;

how

first

the

half

that

the

door

of

then

turn

back

sion
impresway,

rather

shall
the

ceive
re-

battle

would

either

push

yes,

shall

in the

give
disgust, and

or

Shall

away

he

as

heart

Mrs.

wing, speaking
fact, rehearsing her

much

so

and

stage,

left

the

said,

is

There

; let the

fought.
moving.

from

she

the

upon

clear, tone

well,"

him

towards

heard

was

came

MADNESS.

be

is
be
I'll

it.

conservatory

and

him.

meet

might be too abrupt. I will be neither

sitting,
standing,nor walking ; I will be lyingdown ;
the
I will stretch myself almost
at full length on

No,

that

crimson

No,

couch, with

I will not

be

cushions

the

behind

quite lying down,

head.

my
I

"

will

be

liftingmyself on one elbow, and one foot shall be

dangling, for these are my prettiestslippersand
stockings. Yes, one foot shall show, like that,
but delicately, and then
not too much, not boldly,
I will start and be. surprised.Oh, the surprisewill
ness
be easy to manage,
jumping up with the consciousthat I was
caught in such a way ! Yes, that
"

"

is best."

Rodney
his

roared

laughter, and

with

then

clapped

hands.
bravo!"

"Bravo!

be

cried; "nothing could

he

better, Fanny."
"

Oh,

are

you, too,
well?"

you

there?

Cousin

"Nothing

could

"

said Mrs.

Frank?

be

better.

Did

Dalton.
it

"

really

It seemed

as

And

sound

if

we

SONATA

in

stumbled

had

BY

BEETHOVEN.

of

one

upon

261

private

own

your

meditations."
I

No,

"

assure

after the other.

"You

knew

brought Medhurst
John, justput up

have

never

instinct

My

always

terrace, and

you,

is

look

try one

thing

unerring."
to strike

just how

in to

to

home.

at the scenery.

that first scene,

"

the

Here,

garden and

behind."

house

Fanny gave a little jump from the stage and

joined the two on the floor, she could do such
thingsbewitchingly, while the servant wheeled the
various
and
on
canvasses
off, showing first the
Chalcote's
of Mrs*
terrace
house, then the parlor,
and
view
of the park where
the archery
next
a
They were
fairlypainted,it
party was to be held.
"

"

seemed

to Medhurst.

don't

"

know

what

is

there

you

"

Do?

I can't do

"

You

have

anythingdecently."
written a clever play."

it?

"Written

Scribe,

It is

and

rehash

Congreve.

of
There

son,
Sardou, Robertis

originalword in it."
"It is cleverlyadapted, at all events.
certainlypainted these scenes."
is a
But
from
copies. That wood
little nook
in Fontainebleau
forest, and
"

our
"

"

"

any
never

own,

see,

don't

idea

of

comes

noticed

you

"

It did not
You

do,

he exclaimed.

Heriot,"

is

can't

occur

the
near

And

view

an

you

of

the terrace

that?"

to me."

then, what
know

hardly

how

to."
my skill amounts
should
Cousin
have
Frank

terrace," said Mrs.

the house."

Dalton.

"He

MIDSUMMER

262

will

He

"

MADNESS.

to do

have

when

so

rehearsals

the

begin."
Do

"

take

you

to

mean

"

CertainlyI

"

I don't

do.

said

ought
making myself of

am

that

time

my

is not

Fiddlesticks

rightlightwith

Mr.

"

to

me

else is available."

Nobody

know,"

whether

on

"

part ?

that

still count

you

say

to

not.

Don't

or

undue

"

not

am

that

fancy
; but

importance

tain
cer-

reflect

own."

my

"

Medhurst

said
and

Rodney. "I'll put it

Mrs.
Haxtoun, if you

in the
mean

that."
I

"

"

Medhurst

"

Don't

"

another

say

blouse

-my

and

him, Fanny.

I will go
You

little.

meal

the

at

yielded to Rodney's suggestion

It

dim

was

here

cushioned

and

cool ; he
and

sofa,

this easy

disinclined

was

was

to

on

ion
fashback

go

and

Haxtouns',

with

good grace.
sittingon a deeply
a

disinclined

was

put

entertain

can

pleasantness of

three-o'clock

and

dinner."

to

stay

hospitality. He

the

to

will

felt the

word.

paint
He

Medhurst
of

began

to

move.

Rodney had quickly slipped into a suit of darkblue

on
a high stool,was
velveteen, and, mounted
sketching, with plenty of boldness, the bank of a
all the

river, humming
old

time

pretty

air

set

to

an

madrigal.
k'

He

Fanny

is
;

"

with

need

one

wonderful

not

fellow," Medhurst

little touch

undertake

to

said

of

something or
define, he would

to

other
have

genius.'
"

He

has

got

it

already.

He

has

never

had

to

use

his

powers,"

the world

said

count

I have

able

to breathe.

I will return

to

five thousand

When

"I

said Medhurst.

driven

been

not

earn

something
dailybread.

my

dollars

I shall

ahead

then, perhaps, decide

can

have

been

might have

that I

263

lucky thingfor
people are poor."

clever

us

in,"

me

always considered
if I had

of

It is

"

Faimy.

that most

"Don't

BEETHOVEN.

BY

SONATA

be

whether

I
early notion of studyinglaw.
think best to do it,and may
not."
may
Fanny looked at him lazily.
dollars?"
Have
you anything like five thousand
If I stay here six months
Yes.
longerI shall
have it made
My book may help a little."
up.
You
have saved money?
to my

"

"

"

"

I could/'

"All

Having
He
it to

this Medhurst

said
had

decided

"

to tell her

so

her, perhaps, to let her know

expectationshe

or

waited

exclaimed.

"

rich here.

Five

are

He

whatever

so

thousand

ply.
re-

owed

thoughts

future.

to in this house

amount

They

her to

much.

concerning his

little that would

How

Fanny

had

for

awfully,so
dollars

seems

!"

nably
abomito

me

bagatellejust at present, when I am used to

writingMrs. Est6's orders to her milliners in Paris."
This sort of life was
your beau ideal,Fanny?
Precisely."
Medhurst
made
a gesture towards
Rodney, who
was
trolling
out,
a

mere

"

"

"

"

"

Since first I
To

"

He

is the

honor

man

saw

and

you

your

renown

face, I resolved

you."

ought to

have

captivated."

264
"

me?

And

MIDSUMMER

do

MADNESS.

consider

you

him

so

indifferent

very

to

"

Fanny demanded, with an air of pique.

not.
But, consideringthat he is on the
Certainly
point of being engaged, if not alreadyengaged"
"
Don't you do some
slightviolence to your own
she demanded,
feelingsin making that statement?
with a peculiar smile.
Violence
to my
own
feelings? I do not know
"

"

"

"

what

mean."

you

"I

cannot

believe

to that

pretty young

The

color

and

came

she

not

seemed

do

ferent
absolutelyindif-

are

you

creature."
in Medhurst's

went

face.

"

beg of you ! he exclaimed,

with a vehemence
that surprised himself.
She was
watching him closely,and at his entreaty
her features, which
a little trembling flitted across
"

Do

that

"

unable

The
in

girlis in
the

hidden
from
and

Medhurst

You
draw

grew

effort to

speak,

His

hat

had

and

picked

to

You

are

but

not

self,
her-

away.
she

said, speaking

possible voice,

her

eyes

lids.

'kl

with

half-closed
have

but

to

put

out

you."
frightfullypale.

almost
saw

it

hand,

your

her to

no

sound

to

the

fallen
it up,

steadied

you,"

their

the first.
could

passed

love

softest

beneath

you

"

it

She

control.

to

and

however,
"

not, I

then

He
from

came

floor, and

rose

to

going,"

said

made

he

his

an

lips.

stooped

his feet.

Fanny

"

agreed

you

stay."
He
"

seemed
Have

and
irresolute,

I done

down

again.
"

asked
tellingyou this?
and
Fanny, leaning forward
speaking earnestly.
"
If so, I ask your forgiveness; I am
ready to ask
wrong

in

sat

MIDSUMMER

266

dishonor,

and

MADNESS.

should

treachery in going

feel
here

on

stinging sense

with

that

idea

of

in

my

mind."

Fanny
to

throw

to

alightin

little.

had

not

She

had

wished
it

supposed

likely

powder magazine.
in this way," she now
not
punish me
with no exaggerated terror depicted on

face.
a

firebrand,but

Do

"

miscalculated

had

"

thought

"

claimed,
ex-

her

thought I might be doing you

service."
"If

she

should

free

were

have

air," said

as

"I

Medhurst,

right to think of her ; and now

Why," he added, looking at Rodney, who, standing
his stool,was
ing:"
on
brandishinghis crayon, and shoutno

"

"

'If

now

My

heart

I be
had

he is in love with

"
"

Fanny
had

put

felt with

in

All

this

no
spring from
friendship Medhurst

had
"I
had

not

wish,"
not

'

and

"

confusion

which

of

fine

The

to

into her

calculations

But

old

some

and

had
to

seemed

said, with

that she

she

feeling seemed
inadequate causes.

spoken.

"

you

her."

action

entered
she

known

never

anno3-ance

forces

dreamed.

disdained, I wish

entertain

her

to

sort

of

ney
Rod-

for
at

emotion,
dear

not

friends

all.

"that
as

I
we

"

are

"

"

not

Look

here, Fanny !

understand

spoke

of my

actual

career

you

alone-"

for

said

When,

me.

future,

"

"

of my

myself,
"

Medhurst.

"

little while

You

do
I

ago,

beginning to make
thought of you and

an

of

' '

I did not

BEETHOVEN.

BY

SONATA

know

thoughtof

ever

you

267
in these

me

days," said Fanny.

"

But

you

"

You

have

I do."

see

between

"Intercourse
little.

to

past, without
"

Do

what

feel

too

or

to make

you,

feelingsin that
speech and
promise
own

"
"

"I

Fanny.
do
I
nor
precisely,

I like to

just yet.

see

go on," cried

not

you

definite

some

the future.

to my

much

too

rightto

no

and

past

our

me."
means

us

I felt that I had

allusions

about

avoided

almost

see

you

to

"

do

wish

talk

know

to
to

know

not

you

"

freety.

ing
necessityfor even thinkShe was
the future."
about
leaning close to
iancy
him, with a bright,friendlyface, a charming brillin her e\Tes, and a gay, caressing
smile on her
lips.
Forget all that I said," she whispered.
for going away."
Don't dream
of any necessity
He said nothing. She sprang up.
"
I'll say my part to you.
Now," she exclaimed,
is time to go through
I am
not perfect yet. There
You
read
one
scene.
that, please, or at least
give me the cues."
about
and
ten feet away,
She walked
began one
He
of the monologues in which her part abounded.
struck by the sort of electrical and
was
involuntary
into her voice, look, and
force which
came
gesture,

Don't

is any

feel that there

"

"

"

"

as

up

and

keep

his

she moved

difficult to

stripof
had

assumed.

Chalcote
Alec

paper

and

Haxtoun.

down.

As

attention

in his hand
The

Henri,

and

fixed

attend

dialogue
whose

Probablyno

for

part
scene

himself
the

upon
to

was

to be

in the

was

little

role

the

between

was

it

he

Mrs.

taken

by

play would

afford

rivals, and

pressed
end

an

happiness

began

her

become

picious
sus-

had

he

that

see

necessityof
making it either

the

accusations

His

despair.

or

to

and

his suspense,

to

had

Adela

upon

display of

the

Henri

this.

than

restless ; he

and

for

chance

better

Fanny a
peculiar powers

putting

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

268

she

with

met

volley of sparkling impertinences.

"

What!

choose?
at

not

am

Treat

them,

them

with

or

have

to

as

hardly read

the

did

know

of

whom

It

of

not

was

looks, her incessant

Her

him.

what

words

or

Fanny

violence

laughter,irritated

and

seemed

of

echo

an

hideous

all the

mischief, in
and

time

Fanny

something

She

painful
through

was

to

go

and

more

was

abandon.

troubled

more

increasing in
denly,
paused sud-

into

"

You

don't

"

The

thing is

dramatic

that

spirit,in
burst

there

effect became

The

answers.

ing.
think-

was

arch, coquettish

feelingsin trying

to his

Henri's

he

; her

realized, but half-forgotten

;

once

myself

Amuse

part assigned him.

could

not

as

I choose?"

Medhurst
He

lovers

many

I choose?

as

them,

as

seem

ringing laughter.
to enjoy it," she said.
quite out of my line. I

have

no

now."

talent

feel the
love-making when
you
emotion," she said, in a soft, coquettish whisper.
he held.
He
the paper
He flung down
began to
"

You

believe

excel

that
to

her

she

hold

was

his

own

trying to torment
against either

him, and
her

malice

solved
reor

fascinations.

She
of

in

the

accepted

his decision

rehearsal, and,

in

that

they had

fact,

servant

had

enough
came

to

that

announce

ten

BY

SONATA

dinner

BEETHOVEN.

be

would

upon

269
the

table

in

minutes.

clambered

Rodney
Medhurst

to go

When
Este's

they

down

from

Mrs.

they all

boudoir, and

stool,and

asked

him.

upstairswith

descended

his

Dalton

moved

in

was

in to

Mrs.

dinner

gether.
to-

simple that Mrs. Est6 almost

They kept a French cook,
apologizedto Medhurst.
ney
Rodat a great salary,for nothing,she affirmed.
and Fanny Dalton
almost lived upon
ate little,
cream
; while, as for herself,she took nothing save
bouillon and juicybeef.
viare
And, in Europe, Rodney used to begin with caand olives stuffed with anchovies,"she explained
plaintively.
omit absinthe," put in Rodney.
Don't
Make
meal

The

was

so

"

"

"

out

me

bad

as

call such

"

you

can.

But

reflect,
Medhurst,

happy days I did

thing as this dining

in those

that

the

as

not

dine

at three

"

"

if you

o'clock in

day."
It does

dinner

not

at three

sound

o'clock

polite,"said Fanny, "but

does
not
to belong
seem

to

this house."
"

But

then,"

used

Est4,

"

when

was

here

actuallyto dine, and to have

at seven
a simple meal
o'clock, with the chandelier
standing about, was drearyand
lighted,and the men
When
I was
absurd.
Rodney came
ready to make
in the old
any changes, but he insisted on going on
People about us do it,and it is inconvenient
way.
from the accepted hours
of the neighborto vary
hood."
all alone

said Mrs.

never

270
"

You

MIDSUMMER

see

but

reformed

only

sinners

Prince

Henry
to

veil

know

prayers,'I
I

Medhurst
with

have

not

the

heard
clear

no

idea

book

of

what

over

my

did

not

virtuously

you
;

fall

to

your

fortunate

son
per-

him
buzzing around
anybody was
saying.
the novel, "Bettering
make

mind.

the

thing

little shrieks

Est6

man!

genuine
!

What

Made

of

intellect ! What

an

actual

flesh

heart !

don't

"

said

Fanny.

own

traits,Frank

When

you

that.'

me

'

was

all the time

; the

incidents

moralized, I said,

'

book

want

not,"

or

looking for
in

Now

your

he

own

so

your
life.

this

means

or

"

"

I like the

whether

know

and

And

the
by the dishonesty,the insincerity,
in the life about him !"
spirituality,

"I

coursed
dis-

tion
of admira-

revolted
of

had

Rodney
Mrs.

it, and

with

the hero

could

"

"A
blood

up his credit ;

that you

the

own

liked

and

about
:

of

all his oldest

at once

man

been

voices

real to his

definite and
the

fact

Had

old

"

read

the

get

be
"

Rodney began to talk about

Opportunity ; but no effort
seem

with

present."

at

am

not,

you

should

become

to cut

to

to

"

to

drawn

was

"

'

have

earlyhours, mutton-chops

peccadilloes."
How
gratefulI ought
said Fanny.
give me
up !
said,

had

in order

to take

potatoes, and

and

sinner," observed

impress people

to

friends

dearest

I had

reformed

am

Rodney; "and
puritans in order
their penitence.
and

MADNESS.

expected
"

said

smiled

to

hear

you

say,

'

Now

he

means

hurst
Rodney, and they both laughed. Medindifferently.He could not throw off

SONATA

his reserve,
in

and

BY

felt,when

triple suit

freedom
mood

; but
out

and

tried

did

not

Rodney

Dalton

both

the

made

of

him

left

in

no

find his

to

was

high spirits,

radiant

and

gay.

badinage went on
Elsie" joined, and

Mrs.

up

if encased

as

seem

and

wit

guest along

was

with

But

her.

that sort

of

the

coterie

perpetualallusions and its halfsaid

things,leaves an outsider absolutelydull and
Medhurst's
first actual perception
helpless. It was
of the intimacy which existed between
Rodney Heriot
and Mrs. Dalton.
He
had
known, in an indefinite
talk, which,

way,

that

with

of

in which

two,

carry

conversation

was

play

the
to

which

armor,

of the usual.

incessant

between

of

271

addressed,

the others

Fanny

An

BEETHOVEN.

its

old

they were

that, even
had,

Este",and
her Italian

all sorts
have

so

villa.

of

summer,

The

ideas

much

in

was

suddenly put

for

the

married
abroad

been

that

into the

There

was

one
"

Mrs.

woman

says to him."
I wouldn't waste
Este" remarked

it makes

my

at

associated

in

with

seemed

to

significance

easy

no

ammunition

once,

Mrs.

intercourse

hardly a limit to
seemed
slightlyto
say, with a laugh

"

another

with

mother

new

free and

it
Fanny's coquetry, and when
overstep the boundary she would
and a glance at Mrs. Este", When
with

life,Fanny

joinedhis

had

covered
dis-

he

now

enterprises,and

common

looker-on.

he

two

and

; but

gone

when

Rodney

met

her

during

after

summer

friends

her

man

is in love

difference

on

him,

what

then

,"

little,
petulant

air.
"

is

I will

not," Fanny replied,with

a
absolutely

shame

he

should

care

shrug. " It
nothing about

272

MIDSUMMER

Still,you

me.

best

when

so"

he

that

confess

must

teaches

and

good-humor,

MADNESS.

him

really has

it

how

to

serve

him

keeps

to

behave

on

his

in
his

knees,

"

I will go

down

knees

}-outhismoment,
Fanny, if you say so," said Rodney.
They were
risingfrom table,and went out on the
by this time
porch to take their coffee. It was
almost
five o'clock, and tbe long shadows
had crept
the terraces
and
across
lawn, and the water below
dark
Medhurst
and
he
sat
was
rayless. Where
could
the filmy reaches
of the upper
see
river,
which
vanished
took the sunlight and
into a silvery
"

haze.

Este

Mrs.

on

my

drank

her

to

coffee, and then

to

went

sleep in her reclining-chair

; the three others settled
when
into quiet, and
conversation
began again it
Medhurst

was

who

started

however, for the

it up,

and

he

began

prolix and

as

as

occasional

made

ton

the red

enough

minutes

he

believe

monotonous

his

Medhurst
to

upon

his

lovelypicture,in
awnings ; but she had
a

for the
a

present, and

lazy smile

from

had

keep

become
self.
him-

brighteye and
thoughts were
evidently

sat

abandon

tried to

Haxtoun

Mr.

with

self,
it all to him-

he

that
as

word, but

chance

than

more

to

had

to him

elsewhere, and
found

ten

He

listened

Rodney
an

it.

thorns

subject.

her white
exerted
no

until
Mrs.

he

Dai-

dress, under
herself

efifort could

quite
elicit

her.

played in the distance?"

Rodney asked presently,in a sleepy voice ; and at
Medhurst's
he went
word
off to the library.
Make
yourselfcomfortable, Frank," said Fanny,
good-naturedly. " Loll, put your feet up, and your
"

"

Would

it bore

you

if I

MIDSUMMER

274

boundaries, roads,
the

sign-posts; inviting,but at
time
him
denying bis claims ; tantalizing
he
felt
promise of possession, to which

same

with

MADNESS.

or

mind
he had
neither
morally certain in his own
title-deeds.
He was
nor
just in the mood
birthright
music.
hear
It opened
to
instantaneously the
heights,depths, and far perspectiveswhich he could
his unaided
not realize with
imagination. But the

served, nevertheless,

strains

as

invocation

an

to

spiritshe might not find it easy again to dismiss.

carrying along a theme of Beethoven's
Fanny was
tastic
the piano, while
Rodney adorned it with fanupon
little caprices,delicate turns, blissful suggestions,
wild, delicate impulses ; then, when
joy had
it to its

moved

fullest,the violin in

told

story, and

it in

pure

303' became

with

its

world

former
believed
while

he

wrapped

be alone

Suddenly

by
him

in each

before

; at

the time

to his old

upon

vows

the

other

two

three

or

he

bound

Fanny,

to

him

to

and

had

ther
Neias

now

Fanny

an

were

go ; he wanted

Cecil.
in his

arose

talk
had

people were

Fanny, that
of
probabilities
to

longs for,

morning

Let them

he

ravished

Haxtoun.

Heriot

with

been

all Medhurst's

Miss

remained

Haxtoun's

fancy that

reflected

of

pertinacious idea

Mr.

the

measure

other.

in the world

last

away
That

some

it

the

up

had

heart

swept

of action.

recalled

hours

The

ideas.

beliefs

of

happiness

thought only

base
up

had

in

was

these

essential

He

of

Heriot
of

burden
;

What

way.

claim.

cannot

experience

hours'

to

the

own

happiness

own

bat

craves,

its

took

turn

with
been

so

bent
he
the

him

on

had

mind.
a

few

oppressed

recalling
not

matter.

once

He

it

saw

Mr.

clearlynow.

of Mrs.

BEETHOVEN.

BY

SONATA

bad

Haxtoun

his mind

at all ; what

Dalton

275

thought
been busy

not

had

relations
to
secretary's
Medhurst
felt that, in fortifying
his daughter.
himself
boldly against the attack from an entirely
different quarter, he had considerablydisconcerted
had
shifted his
at
the old gentleman, who
once
There
was
an
ground and retreated in good order.
some
charm, which
encirclingmystery, not without
enticed and fascinated,while it tantalized.
Through
with

all

the

was

Medhurst's

stubborn

moods
and

character

alone

in

his,

her

the

nevertheless.

saying to
Yet

garden
raised

eyes

himself

yearning
new

line.

His

own

He

with
; but

that

baffled,driven

fibre

temperament

alternated.

and

the

ran

powerfully moved,
shifted

his

question of

of

Her

the

not, should

only

readiness

to

in

was

he

was

not, be.
perious
im-

sweet,

readvance

to believe

was

thoughts
standing

time

the

proud,
he

hand

same

back, defeated,
recoiled

; but

dreamed

it could

his

His

Cecil.
at

of

that

on

he

was

enabled
purely honorable
him
to
coquet a little with the dangerous idea.
Fanny Dalton had said he had only to stretch out
his hand
to the young
girland he might draw her to
him ; he seemed
the look she would
to know
give
look
of complete surrender, that gladly
him,
a
all the
And
the
time
pledged her life away.
troubled, passionate andante
spoke to his very soul ;
revelation
it was
of what
his life might be, if
a
what
holiest came
was
to
sweetest, deepest, and
leading him to tin earthly paradise ; it told
pass,
hitn
him, too, of loss, pain, separation; it showed

capable only

"

of

course

276
the

MIDSUMMER

into

MADNESS.

which

he

should

flung if he
himself
allowed
to be led to an
earthly hell.
His thoughts wandered
membered
aimlesslyabout : he rehe
everything. His father, of whom
to his mind, lying on
rarelythought,suddenly came
the pillow,dying, pressing his little sou's hand
and
saying, " I should be afraid to leave you alone in the
abyss

dear, did I

world, my
honor

and

why
If

should

he

he

have

for their

had

all at

inducements.

He

had

He

and

up.

wondered

and

it must

from

nal
exter-

bribed

before

apart
been

never

this.

honor

upright;
have been asleep and dreaming. The
momentarily ; the day had declined

to

truth

remembered

truth

sake,

own

loved

you

Medhurst
have

once

loved

for their

give them

feel that

sake."

own

hitherto

been

not

be

he

sat

seemed

music

stopped

the

to

air

was

cooler.
"

"

Are

you

"Yes;

asleep? called Rodney.

delicious
and
dreaming,

nightmare

"

dreams.

must

home."

go

yet."
felt calmer, he
They went on pla^yiug.Medhurst
the utter falsityand
of
thought. He saw
futilit}'
which
chimera
promised him happiness. He
any
liable to temptamore
tion
might be tempted ; he was
"

No;

not

than

other

everything;
and
his

men,

but

he

because

of the

he liked to feel

poverty
or

his

knew

imaginationbrought
actual

of his

he
own

at times

him.

own

had

He

denied
power
the

was

life,without

duties, every

himself
of

ance,
resist-

giantdreams
so

conscious

tions,
ties,associa-

circumstance

of which

seemed

to

him

rebelled

so

perpetuallyagainst his lonely,egoistic

accidental

and

trivial.

He

had

277

he
spending of what poor powers
It had been
his ignoblenecessities.
his mind
so
that,besides
unceasingly,

existence, the

possessed upon
in upon

borne

BEETHOVEN.

BY

SONATA

affiliation with that

he had
no
having no career,
brotherhood
which
endures, suffers,
great human
sake.
dies, for home, for country, for religion's
his own
Yet he knew
strength,and had experienced
a
fierce,if impotent, craving to be or do somethingin the state

Great

world.

or

of

lamentation

inside ; it was

as

if

this immense

world-sorrow.

sobs

the violin

from

came

Rodue3r,too, felt the

But

pressure

of

Rodney
epicurean like

had

no,

brilliant
him
grief. A mere
could find enough of enjoyment in life. This fresh,
girlishbeing, simple,true, and tender, who loved
such

no

felt

himself, Medhurst
felt for

self-iucriminatiou.
this

divine

He

creature

scrupleswith
this

At
herself

bribe

moment

his

be who

before

Medhurst

looked

up.

throat

beautiful

; the turn

her eyes

and

ascended

courtesy, and
tremulous

was

of

her wrist

smile.
the

then

air of

the rosy

outlines

He

steps, and

had

ambition, as

of

oval of this
the

and

stood

up

she

made

lookingat
interrogation.He
very daintiness

; the

and

him

girlish
and

charm

bowed

as

sweeping

with

felt her
and

that

shoulders

hand

stood

patricianair,the

Cecil

in this instant

knew

of

him.

He

terrace.

his

blooded
cold-

think

would

heaven

He

about

glimpse of

energy.

he cared

face ; the

her

comfort.

was

to

what

she

such

and

must

man

from

advancing along the

thinkingof her as a spur to

been

of

joy

He

any fetters of
this impulse ; he needed

needed

of

source

to him.

necessary

free
absolutely

moment

was

little,

beauty,
perfection

of

fresh

her

the

toilet, like
Not

quick.

observation,

when

her,

he

She

blame

not

"he

her

his

will,

not

was

ruin

her

into

the
was

which

to.

He

her

from

with

be

might

happen

except

creature

should

He

smiled

"Go

that
be
her

at

into

the

music

delightful?

come,

for,

He

went

after

away

him,

her

on

eyes

the

He

from

failure

that,

"

girlish fancy

need

not

torture

wonder

what

pass.

Nothing

should

pretty,

tender,

need

to

not

spoiled

happy.

child

half-

must

frightened.

he.

said

glad

am

me,

her

foolish,

he

It

would

and

poverty

save

library,"

for

as

of

and

at

it.

from

experiences

this

as

out
with-

her

her.

safe

folly

about

come

did

deepening

any

coming

he

love

could

his

realism

questions

the

from

that

governing

be

about

monster

himself

know

it ;

doomed

had

save

not

terrible

might

event

did

accepted

save

himself

could

same

could

he

he

what

love

himself

dangerous

know

not

his

dreaming
fleeing

him

to

His

he

called

been

to

escaped

he

one

have

did

of.

but

if she

beauties

him

stung

sitting here,
to

; she

if

as

her

seemed

capable

was

he

been

ought

temptress.

which

each

at

had

lashes,

of

one

and

He

names.

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

278

"Is

another
go

instant.

filling with

not

hearer

the
has

away."
She
tears.

stood

ing
look-

RIVALS."

"FAIE

XVIII.

CHAPTER
"

had

rpHERE
J-

who
the

before

vals"
was

to

RIVALS."

FAIR

been

rehearsals

three

the dramatic

is to say,

some

ger,
mana-

through

appearance

people,to whom
parts
about
the stage, going

thirteen

allotted, stood

been

York

company

his

made
requisitetraining,

Ri-

Fair

"

of

Stein, the New

Mr.

put

279

that

had
and

exits
and
entrances,
coming with wrong
wrong
twice
or
getting into each other's way, and once
tripping each other up ; advising everybody else,
advice themselves ; arguing on
but listening
to no
point, quibblingand debating, everything
every
particularduties.
except attending to their own
Three
of the actors
mit
only had taken pains to comtheir parts to memory,
the others
disdained
such
an
ignominious necessity; they waited, they
These
tached
dedeclared, to get the idea of the whole.
sentences
too meaningless; it was
were
hardly
their while
worth
to
try to fix them upon their
"

minds.

Most

each

one

like

his

his
way

own

inclined
was

in

actors

feel that

to

no

were

way

Snow

counted

was

the

one

of

discontented
whereas

calculated

peculiargifts,that of another
suit him, and
give him a

Arthur
had

was

of the minor

to

might
chance

show

of each

one,

to

he

part
off

in every

the chief malcontents

speeches

shine.
; he

affirmed,

and

the

made

say than

any

also, had
part, not

a
even

discoverythat he had a third less to

else in the play. Miss Winchester,
one
grievance; there was
nothing in her
for a becoming costume.
She
a chance
declared

ambitious, she

not

was

MADNESS

MIDSUMMER

280

be first lady ; but

to

; she

yet

there

had
was

not
a

pected
ex-

certain

passingover of
lovers exchanged these conher claims, etc.
The
fidences
reliance on
mutual
with absolute
sympathy
and
comprehension, and Arthur had proposed that
they should withdraw from the play and allow their
tained
neglectedclaims to be felt. Lilly,however, entersuch idea ; having wit enough to realize
no
she preferred
that their places could easilybe filled,
to be

fairness

to remain

and
In

came.

take

little revenge

as

all

shoulders

the

chief

rested welcomed
Mr.
responsibilities
the harbinger of a joyfulchange.
as
Stein

Mr.
black

eyes,

was
a

small

head

of

querulous forehead,
voice

was

it
stimulated
nettles.
and

knew

and
a

of

man,

with

burdens
Stein's

gressing
proand
and
arrival

brilliant,
roving

black, bushy, curly hair, a

and

an

ironic

smile.

His

usual

ment
silky,but on the least exciteto
a
rose
preternaturalshrillness,which
like a sting of
and
goaded, or cowed
He had managed privatetheatricals before,
the faults,foibles,
were
very well what
soft

and

pet vanities of

severe

the chance

private theatricals were

private theatricals progress,

whose

upon

her

the easy

fact, the

as

those

observed, and

amateurs.

artist ; he aimed

He

liked to be called

to establish

the

precedent

despotictyranny. He enjoyed having these fii)e

ladies and gentlemen go down
their knees to him
on
to the
lower his standards
and implore that he should
a

MIDSUMMER

282
We

"

ladies

MADNESS.

begin the rehearsal, if you please,

gentlemen," he said,in his sweetest voice.

will
and

"First, I will call the roll."

whose

except Medhurst,
Every one answered
to
observed, he was
Rodney Heriot
morning.
Mr.
the
no

Stein

He

stage.
for

one

be

to

was

dismissed

now

wanted

admitted

act

eye,

which

opened
: Alec,

was

with

declared

Not

Miss

and

nouncement
an-

and

The

soul

This

reassuring.

Haxtoun

Alec

of

rear

violence

some

not

was

he

auditorium.

with

made

was

wrathful

the

to

the

himself.

save

that

read

all to

audience,

no

on-looker

an

them

part,

first
chester
Win-

and
with a gun
a
shooting-dress,
girl,a dependant of
bag, encountering the young
Mrs.
Chalcote's,just as she was leaving the house
of

her

patroness.

Neither

of them

to hobble

"

Stein's

It is too

beg

to

you
,

knew

part, but each contrived

the

the first few

over

Mr.

when

in

voice

cried.

remember,

madam

You

audible.

It is not

"

Miss

(thisto

It is an

out-of-doors.

are

great fright,

heard.

was

rapid," he

that you

in

sentences

chester)
Win-

autumn

not a
lady ; 3*011 are
soubrette.
You
have
a
positionwhich necessitates
must
seriousness, self-repression,
humility. You
It is not
guard your eye, your tone, your manner.
in which you can
a character
sing high, 3-our tone

afternoon.

not

are

"

must

be low."

Lillyhad
air,

carried
tone

little pose
out

of

the

far

so

which
of

into her

sounded
the

question.

head

Alec

part

pert, and
which

was

next

was

cient
self-suffia

teristic
charac-

distinctly
found

faylt

"FAIR

with
doors

"

girlhe
The

idea.

in

supposed
In

Stein threw

Mr.

up

questioning

indifferent

the stimulus

to

of

of

ease

personal
began worse
a

his eyes

and

his

then

"

that

"Not

sake, sir,allow

know

whether

will do
Mr.
a

to

be

very

me
are

you

side ! the other

ought

Cross

madam.

way,

God's

have

the

once

out-of-

was

lowed
resignedhimself to the worst, and althem to go on, occasionally,
however, ejaculating
a high key :

hands,

other

he

began again, but

scene

before.

than

at

world, and

of the

man

that

day's sport, was

lounge a little.

show

must

283

he must

be tired,
the

had

had

; he

remember

must

he, too,

RIVALS."

to hear

you

front.

Don't

Ah,

For

to
sufficiently

followingthe

side !

left centre?

in

j'ou

text.
see

that will

The

that you

do,

"

that

well ! "

Stein

began

very

bad

to believe

time

indeed.

that

he

Arthur

was

going

Snow

to

came

and became
his specialabhorat once
rence,
presentl}',
and promised to be his worst plague. In fact,
swift and efthe act opened so badly that it needed
ficient
help not to instantlyshipwreck everybod\'s
interest, hope, and belief.
But, at last,Mrs. Daiton and Cecil came
on
together,and the manager's
Adela
Chalcote
views
changed at once.
(Fanny
her young
cousin as a
Dalton) had just welcomed
guest at her country-house,and findingher bright,
of
real
animated, and, above
all, devoid
any
on

knowledge of the world, was

explainingto her her
Adela, being a rich
present positionand dilemma.
of lovers,and her house,
widow, had a score
young
their constant
although comparativelyinacessible,was
If they walked, if they drove, if they
resort.

MIDSUMMER

284

shot, hunted,
were

turn

to

sure

her

or

all been

book

interval.

; but

She

coming

was

or

at

neighborhood to

friend, too, who

old

an

would

dislike

for the time

should

tion,
invitahad
other

no

for

quiet

friend, who

seek

her out,
idea

the

being the centre of attraction for other

was
jealous,sensitive,suspicious,with
Adela
Caesar's nicetyabout women.
Then
that Nathalie

about

This

longed

meet

they

an

she had

as

she

present
to

answer

of flowers.

long

so

wanted

into the

to

bunch

pleasant

very

distraction

all the same

yachted, it was
up during the day to ask

tell her the news,

health, to

bring a

MADNESS.

of

"

her

; who

men

than

more

proposed
her army

engross

lovers,and

of

timent,
give her time for conversations, senperhaps, indeed, romance.

Cecil had

far to go

not

the

idea

out, and

to carry

apparentlydid her part

possessed the advantage of

She

flexible

deliberate,and
and

she

knew

Cecil

into

easy

to

her.

with

an

ease,

was

been

by

the

of

was

to

tion.
perfec-

clear,
ness,
archMrs.

heart.

His

manager.

dull,blind, plodding

chrysalis,

she

incessant

an

word

astonished

experience had

worms.

voice, and

every

Dalton, however,
first

find

to

"

she

might unfold
the perfected

winged creature ; but here was

butterfly. Mrs. Dalton's was not a star part ; hers
the despotism of a singlefigure,around
not
was
"which the others grouped, and which
made
triumph

"

Very good
step.

made

the

gayet}r, an
!

"

Not

quite so

Perfect!
much

That

to

the

own

at

once

naturalness.

Stein put in, in

Mr.

there, that is better.

stage her

absolute

"Excellent!

manner.

the

She

ing
tranquillizDon't

front.

is the very

forget
There,

thing."

RIVALS."

"FAIR

But, reinstated

in his ideals

285

by

this

terlude,
indelightful

ready to fall upon the other actors with

still more
fury as the pla}^proceeded. He bounded
into the scene, disorganizing
out of his chair,rushed
and
rearranging everybody and everything. His
shriller and
shriller ; it piped above
voice
grew
at everyevery other like a piccolo. He declaimed
body
for being wooden, lifeless, mere
dull clods.
he

was

"

He

himself

sank

took

knelt

he

declaration

still far

was

third

act

his

at

were

worn

road

to

musk

or

invited

himself

to his

lasted

four

to

mind.
if he
clear

Stein

Mr.

repose.

dismissingthem

hopes, and,

it

hours, and Mr. Stein

from
and
being satisfied,
begged that
might be gone over once more, "just

them

of

state

heart.

own

But
positionsin their minds."
out.
They began to understand
histrionic honors
lay through no
asphodel,and that no amaranthine

from

posal
pro-

own

fix the

to

"

rehearsal

The

sofa, and received

; he

the other

made
feet, and
himself; accepted himself, as

to

caught

were,

after

part, one

languishingupon
;

the

each

in

the actors
that

the

beds

of

bowers
ever,
far, how-

was

abjectand hopeless
took
He
pains to rekindle their
had destroyed their illusions, substituted
had
ideal in its place. He
not
an

spared Rodney Heriot ; at first he had

some
sign of mercy ; but when
faltering,
Rodney said :

shown

some

he hesitated

"

"

stand

You

Isaac.

over

allow

Don't

like Abraham

me

his

over

anything to interpose,
"

sou

make

"
the sacrifice !

Medhurst
his

fate

came

to

in

on

the

experience many

da}'. It was
abrupt alternations,

second

but

of

none

them

serious

in the

one

earnest, he
dull.

But

that

it

and

habits

as

romantic

was

was

difficulties

part,

such

boide-

complete

these

rehearsals.

almost
the only
Campbell, was
play. He carried weight ; he was

part, Colonel

His

MADNESS.

brought

his

of

versement

the

MIDSUMMER

286

; he

point in

his

sufficient to

fact,

favor,
He

concerned.

were

was

in

was,

little

far

so

as

his

kn"w
with

through
good
very

go

it.

"

!
in a
Very good !
which
it all.
showed
the unimportance of
tone
He
took
exits and
the
his
stage easily, and
left nothing to be desired.
The
idea
entrances
to keep him
of the play was
in ignorance of the
mad
Mrs.
Chalcote
pranks which were
going on.
Mr.

Stein

said,

had

made

up

to

*'

her

mind

Colonel

marry

it

vast

amount

(Cecil)

assumed

the

widow's

and
flirtatious,

to

effect

of

propriety.
responsibilityof
effected

this

while

worth

was

and

Campbell,

required

charm

that

with

this

Nathalie
all

the

ble
irresisti-

and

imperiously high spirits.Rodney

carried
into
his
Cecil's
was
lover, and
part
alert
an
humor, infusing
intelligenceand some
much
quaintuess, querulousness, and
poignancy
into
his
hearsals
personality. After the first three reThe
the play made
were
over,
progress.
minor
characters
their parts aud
began to know
their places. The
had
learned
how
hopeful ones
callous
the hopeless had
to improve, and
grown
all Mr.
to
Stein's
objurgations, entreaties, and
The
chief of these was
Arthur
sarcasms.
Snow,
who

was,

to tell the

attacks

quite

truth, fortified againstthe

by having

different

matter.

his

mind
He

had

ger's
mana-

occupied
decided

with

that

RIVALS."

"FAIR

it

take

trivial

was

for

success

all

had

he

the

grievances.

Of

these

them

was

his

among

before!

It

has

his

It

feeling,even
Medhurst

had

Winchester's

averted

outflow
and

ness,

the

were

conscience

of the

He

and

he

possible, until
that

listener, a

let
Mr.

the

them

Stein
way

beggarly

to

rascal

bitterness

to

of

the

pass

grounds

retary
sec-

and

at him

from

they

of

forced

were

from
so

far

these

natural

from

been

feeling

was

to

be

to

them

any
that

speeches

severe

ing
saturnine-look-

his

drop

cerned,
con-

signs

it unfortunate

this

counter,
en-

disagreeable-

imputing
and

to

spoken

any

Arthur

thought

had

were

him, scowled

play some
cutting
assigned him, towards
who

line

Miss

man's

thought

never

the

drew

that

where

young

man

aware

merely supposed

individual,

"Is

become

however,

was,

he

Every

uprightness

the

on

if

eyes

personal meaning.
in

and

absolutelyrefrained
of

that

avoided

his

Medhnrst
pangs

or

gradually

lover

and

any

all

vindictiveuess,
house,

the

Medhurst

fortnight
Lilly's persuasions

difficult,without

some

chief

grapery,

regarding this.
point, and Arthur

was

his

to

but

many,

silent

concerned.

corners,

the

tion,
ambi-

give

grievance against

physical dignity

in

that

to

had

he

required

sensitive
his

where

word.

intellect to

of

man

time

more

in

had

him

keep

the

him

upsetting

to

part well, and, having dismissed

for

287

military

dinate,
subor-

indifferentlyas
expostulated.
call
?

"

as

said

man

he.

prj*er,

288

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

RODNEY

COMMITS

ODNEY

~O
JLl)

XIX.

HIMSELF

HERIOT

in the

was

aloud

in

these

days

man

; that

his

mind

busied

and

abstractions.

He
liked

fastidious,and
wine

than

one

and

end

of

having

any
a

he

habit

of
a

was

wishing
practical

itself less with

always

better

second.

when

course

that

FOKTUNE.

ideals

delicate

been

and

glasses of
A
full bumper.
he
practicalman,
fillhis gobletto the brim to begin with,
possible uncertainty about his chance

would

knew,

had

TO

It
is

man

small

two

seemed

making

love

to him

the

to

young

proper

girl,

his intentions
with
impatient and clamorous
and expectations,but to familiarize
her mind
with the idea that they are
pleasant and desirable,
and that by the mere
she will,
process of evolution
in time, develop into his affianced wife.
A practical
insist
he knew, would
be a littlebrutal ; would
man,
her having a surprise,a sensation, perhaps a
upon
not

to be

shock

precious
must

feel

would

distinct

belonged

creature

enforce

his claims.

attained

The

to

assurance

him,

and

empire

of

that

the

that

he

woman

is

by force.
going to help him

Rodney thought the play was

Cecil's
; but, although he was

lover there, and

successful

the

tion
lover, too, the situa-

advantages. He found
to the
contrary, adhering strictly

gave
on

him

her
no

himself,
common-

290
start

and

Glen,

berries, and

and

then

Mrs.

Haxtoun

the

would
the

eat

acorns

details

afternoon,

the

they all to go?

"
Mr.
Certainly," said Rodney.
Haxtoun, Cecil, Alec, Miss Winchester,
And

miles,to
of

an

ing
return-

risingin the east.

idea to be charming.

moon

declared

thirteen

all

through

dusk, with the full

at

they

out

carry

existence

Arcadian

drive

said, and

he

at noon,

the Devil's

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

were

and

"

and

the

Mrs.

is

Medhurst

so

particularly
busy," said

very

he"

"Besides,

Haxtoun.

have

idea, but

at

she

Eodney take her

and
her inquiringly,

"He

Snow,

secretary,Medhurst."

Mr.

"

Mr.

Mrs.

fit into

to

seems

never

was

She

"

waited

to

merely looked
obliged to finish.
our
grooves," she
he

added.
"Doesn't

to

have

none

in the

world!"

they?"

"Are

illumination

cleared
"Do
asked
"You

objection."
said

Haxtoun.

asked

Rodney, eagerly.

with

he

Mrs.
"

and

Haxtoun,"

are

"

said poor

Mrs.

doubts, in spite of the

still had

who

no

which

her

not

I will ask

Dalton

he told Mr.

"So

does

I like him.

; but

if you

Besides, Mrs.

"He

Rodney.

come,

"Oh,
"

asked
admit

himself, I

waste

him

he?"

husband

had

toun,
Hax-

brilliant

finally

all

nysteries.
why I am gettingup this picnic?"
you know
Rodney, with a look of mischief.
are
always doing everything that is most
up

kind."
"I
very
little

want

soft

to

speak

voice, and

boy making

some

to

with

Cecil," said
the

look

terrible

Rodney, in a
of a frightened

secret

audible.

COMMITS

RODNEY

Mrs.
were

making
"Speak to
Dou't

"

looked

Haxtoun

HIMSELF.

much

as

fluttered

if he

as

love to her.

Cecil?"

she

know

what

you

if

repeated, as
I mean?

seen," said Rodney, with some

understand
that, if
you must
Miss

291

puzzled.

You

have

must

impatience. "Surely
I can,

I want

to marry

Haxtoun."
do her very great honor."

"You
Don't

"

have

deal

good

say that.

satisfied

if she

you

offer her.

to

took

afraid

am

I should

in that

me

that

mean

I
be

not

way."

looked

His pale
singularlydisturbed.
face was
flushed and his eyes sparkled.
It means
a great deal to me," he said, turninghis eyes
away.
is as old as I am
he has tested
By the time a man
so
things, and been disappointed so many
many
times.
I could not bear to be disappointed in my

Rodney

"

"

wife."

Cecil is very

"

placid

even,

please him.
Rodney was
"I

I shrink
ask

you

will go

grew

"

She

her

sweet,

"

do

she

man

docile, eager

to

"

before,"

woman

cowardice

that

to
you say if I were
I have said?
Then, if she

picnicto-morrow
On my word,"

should

the

an

would

to tell Cecil what

to the

Haxtoun, in

think

is

little. What

pale.

what

find

Mrs.

spirited,but"
not listening.
offered myself to any
It does not spring from

never

said he.

"I

manner.

would

married

young," said

if I

"

He

"

said he,

were

to

"

see

paused

; he

I don't know
she

had

not

come."
Mrs.

Haxtoun

capable hands,

looked
crossed

on

down
her

at her

lap.

two

pretty,

MIDSUMMER

292

think

"I

she

MADNESS.

is

almost

certain

go,"

to

she

observed

quietly.
"
Then,"
Rodney's face cleared.
walk up to her at the glen and say,
will you

climb

Mrs.
There
face

words.

"

with

And
me?

and

you
"

he

"

Yes, under

"

But

'

he,

Miss

"

I will

Haxtouu,

top of the cliff with me?"

something

was

and

the

could

Haxtoun

simply

more

to

said

help laughing slightly.

not

almost

child

infantile

could

not

in
have

Rodney's
spoken

gleefully.

will let her go

the

to

asked, laughing with

top

of the

cliff

her.

the circumstances."

sometimes

}TOU have

shaken

head,

your

and

against me."
at him
She looked
indulgently. She liked her
son-in-law
She
much.
future
liked, too, the
very
he was
puttinghis offer before Cecil, so much
way
better than blurtingit out and embarrassing a girl,
almost
revoltingher. Rodney kissed her hand, and
into the study to give his invitation to Medwent
hurst, who was
copying manuscript.
You
are
coming to my picnic to-morrow, at
"How
twelve
o'clock," Rodney began at once.
In a carriagewith Mr.
would
you like best to go ?
and Mrs. Haxtoun, or"
"
A
I can't go at all,"said Medhurst.
picnic!
heavens
! what
Good
are
thinking of ? It was
you
bad
to accept a part in the play.
enough for me
to
I lie awake
nights,and reflect what a fool I was
mix
myself up in such matters !
'*
tal
Naturally,spending all your time on an immorof posteritythan
work
of genius,you think more
of this fleetingtemporal generation. But
forget
built

barricades

"

"

"

"

"

COMMITS

RODNEY

for
posterity

"I

"

Don't.

from

all the
in

no

Is it

"

Yes."

as

Rodney

it."
of

out

am

world.
mood

for

bad

humor

with

in

mood

am

no

anything save

looked

the

other
a

Medhurst

over.

ill at

man

can't.

You
for

We

have

to look

tainly
cer-

I wish

"

ease.

might do something for 37ou,"said

have

myself and
for picnics.
getting away

that?"

as

the air of

wore

eat

cheerful afternoon."

here."

"

"

293

go."

I insist upon

am

and have

Come

once.

with
I

can't

HIMSELF.

he.
after

ourselves,
"

selves,
ourselves,digestfor ourselves,sleep for ourAbove
for ourselves.
act and walk
all,we

to settle the

questionof

and

nerves

brains

for

ourselves."
"

It is

"

Don't

away

and

and brain, is it?"

questionof nerves
"
Go
talk to me, Hcriot," cried Medhurst.
enjoy yourself.I don't begrudgeyou your

I like
good luck.
everything comes,

to think
"

there

freedom

is

from

man

to

sordid

whom
needs

independence is not crushed out

of him by his being compelled to bend double under
of making his own
the burden
living; who is not
domineered
and who need
over
intellects,
b}Tnarrow
not refuse anythingideal,anj'thing
beautiful,worthy,
a temptation of the devil."
as
true, satisfactory,
Rodney looked confounded.
"
Has
he asked.
anything happened?
Medhurst
laughed. " Excuse
petulance. I
my
I had no rightto vent
am
angry and out of sorts.
and

cares

; whose

"

MIDSUMMER

upon

you,

294

my

rage

myself

however.

this life for

to

up

MADNESS.

I have

time, but

tried

to

possibili
the im-

see

give

of it."

for

with

hour

an

entertained

had

Rodney
intentions

he

had

felt

Medhurst

those

impressions were
in

bis

this

lost

of

twinges

of

jealousy

inconsistent.

seem

sightof

and

ering
Consid-

Haxtoun.

some

might

joyous mood,

sittingdown
tellinghim what his

regarding Miss

about

was

idea

Medhurst, and

were

that

the

at

But
He

present.

he wanted

to talk

over

many-tinted feelings,
classifyand analyze them,

and

Medhurst

from

alone

Rodney, however,
saw

that

the 3'oung

own

which

You

would

rather have

trouble

some

me

go

hension.
compre-

egotist,and

no

had

of

present blurred the world for

restlessness,impatience, some
all,a hopeless despondency.

but, above
"

was

sure

away

he
his

of

His

him.

at

showed

face

fellow

felt

he

anger,

"

now?

said

Rodney.
"Yes.
pay

After

that time
' '

And

"

Thank

The

you

He

If

no.

that

by snatches.
having flung his shutters
could

purple

shadows

gauzy

see

veil inwoven

felt the peace

and

the

where

; for

my

picnic?

"

all away

are

by

mind."

my

they

I will

over

I stand

up

in this

morning was
slept but

bed, he

to

come

left alone

be

next

desire.
and

will not

play is

made

to have

hope

you

rejoice to

tell you

visit,and

you

that confounded

I shall

silent house."

Rodney could
little through the night,
He
watched
the day dawn,
wide open, and, lyingon his
as

flush

fine

as

in the

north-east, the

withdrawing and leaving only a

with flame along the horizon.
He
beauty of the sunrise like a beue-

COMMITS

RODNEY

diction.
when

The

sun

not

was

he left the house.

slables,and

unchained

bloodhound,
who

fawned

were

stretched

about

HIMSELF.

yet

He

the

crossed

the two

and

above

295

the lawn

dogs,

Max,

"

Duke, the Gordon

him

frantic

tree-tops
to the

the Siberian

setter,

"

with

joy. Rodney
liked their gambols.
Max
could wear
the dignityof
Duke
a
was
dog on canvas
hardly past his
; but
puppyhood, and was the most beguilingof companions,
into many
an
luringthe old hound
unseemly
prank. They chased each other ; they went through
mimic
battles ; they rolled over
and
in a close
over
embrace, pretending to bite and "snarl and chew
each
other, Max
occasionallyescaping from the
game, and resuming his majesty with a glance at his
which explained the reason
of his condescenmaster
sion
to the volatile Duke.
Rodney walked
through
the woods
to the meadows, where
the spider-webs
with

weft, wet
"

over

That

the

is the

the crest of the grasses,

dew, sparkled like

sign of

fair

and

their

jewel-casket.
day," said Rodney to
a

himself.

meadow

The

was

pasturage, and, while he was

the hill at whose
top the woods
a

climbing the side of

began again,a cow-boy let down the bars and a drove
beautiful,sleek,
of cows
in,
came
winding leisurely
soft-faced
Alderneys, and two pretty Jersey heifers,
"

who
and

began
ran

wild

towards

it in mad

this intrusion, and

it

set

the

Rodney could do to
quiet,be quiet,I say !
an
imaginary weapon.

call them

all

was
"

sight of the clover,

The dogs resented
haste.
up a furious barking, and

riot at

Be

lie had

reached

the

brow

"

of

off.

he

cried, and

the

hill,and

dished
bran-

strode

296

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMKE

forward, hastilydrivingthe dogs

thick

oaks

of

-grove

dark, thin,

green

with

acorn

strewn

before

him, into the

chestnuts, carpeted with

and

grass, and

thick,deep

thickly

moss

windfalls.

Something moving caught the dogs' eyes

and in a second
Rodney's simultaneously,
more,
bound,

squirrelwas

and

among

and

laugh at

was

on

cry

was

wings,

In

as

look

furioush' into

the

at

down
blood
both

moment

and

ferns

chestnut,

safely

another

rustling noise came

heard, and there was
some
ground-birds

of

the setter, whose

despair of

his veins.

dashed
;

could

branches

the

fire in

animals

the

the trunk

far up

and

brush
under-

Rodney's ears,
great flappingof

to
a

flew

the

to

top of

bush.
"

Come

here, you rascal ! Come

Rodney.

"What

here, I say !
There

mischief

are

here, I say !" cried

you

to?

up

Come

"

mistaking

his tone, and

both

dogs
sneaked
with something in
out of the thicket, Duke
his month,
palpitating,the
something soft, fluffy,
sight of which turned Rodney absolutelysick with
a young
pain. It was
pheasant, and he took it from
was

no

"

the setter
to

then

and

held
; it

escape

convulsive

it in his hand.

It made

lay quite helpless,giving now

and

closed.

He

twitch

; its eyes

were

from
hoped it had merely swooned
waited, believingit might revive.

given much
"

have

If I had
been

profound
did

to

not

it

see

stayed

alive

at

of

Duke

fright,and
He

would

he

have

fly away.
said

sorrow

this

home

still," he

sensation
blame

fort
ef-

no

he

to

and
blamed

creature

would

himself, with
remorse.

He

only himself.

MIDSUMMER

298

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

XX.

PICNIC.

MRS.CecilESTE

the

picnic in

Haxtoun, Alec,

and

Mrs.

to

barouche.

Arthur
in

have

the

old

an

T-cart.

for

The
but

family seemed

Cecil

known

when

She

is

he

She
once

her
"

took

the

Mrs.

chester
Win-

in the

on,

Haxtouns'

the

to

was

him

to drive

and
and

there.

No

the

one

where

Haxtoun

veranda,

would

absence
girl's
mother

her

in the

go

Miss

with

gathered on

them.

much

coming,"

have

meant

she

to
was.

replied,impassively,

She
meeting Rodney's eyes.
in, and presentlyreappeared with her daughter,
who
looked
serious, pale, and rather haughty.
a
comprehensive little nod, but did not
gave
glance towards
acknowledged
Rodney, who
with a deep salam.
presence
May I put you in the carriage?" he asked, and
and

went

to be

asked

to

and

Rodney

assemble

to

among

exactlyhow

Rodney
"

not

was

drive

told Edmunds

party

to

were

Edmunds,

mother

Haxtoun

landau, while Mrs.

to

was

friend,named

the

the

carriage,and

pony

But

waited

Mr.

Dalton

Snow

Rodney
accompanied his

he

take

to

was

her

without

hand

in his and

only resigned her

mother.

Mr.

when

Haxtoun

led her down

she

was

the

seated

steps, and
beside

followed, well burdened

plaids,water-proofs,overshoes,

and

umbrellas.

his
with

PICNIC.

"Dear
"Do

me

you

"

said Mrs.

Shakespearesays,
put

When

'

'

their cloaks

on

Est6, with
clouds

; but

her littleshriek.

likelyto get

are

we

suppose

299

we

are

seen, wise

have

can

drenched?

the

men

carriage-

top put up."

The

"

weather

indications

for

are

showers

and

"and
it
fallingbarometer," said Mr. Haxtoun;
better to play a prudent part. Besides, if we
seems
sit on the ground, we
shall want
water-proofs."
old bones
Don't ask me
in jeopardy.
to put my
I like to go on a picnic once
to refresh
a year,
my
"

of what

memory
declined

One

this,but

gets

horrid

bore

I hate

to

narrowed

so

should

one

years,

it is.

leave

down

doing things.
limited
by the

what

up

have

off

and

only give

I should

is

one

pelled
com-

to."
While
his

Mr.

Haxtoun

settlinghimself

was

belongings,Rodney,

the

on

and

side, leaned

other

gazed into Cecil's face.

His head was
hers one
so
near
might have thought
he said
something in an inaudible voice, but he
could not have spoken to save
his life.
She, on her
if both
terrified and
at him
as
side, gazed back
his

arm

the

on

door,

and

fascinated.
"Are
"

coming, Rodney?"

you

shall Peter

or

and

walked

down

the

road.

He

Edmunds,

and

was

mile

or

more

good

deal

away,

the avenue,

headed
the

of fuel

the

raised

meeting

in,

jumped

easy for Edmunds

a

Mrs.

Este",

on?"
himself

wrenched

Rodney

by

drive

asked

took

see

the T-cart

the

reins

on

from

party, distancingthem

first quarter of
to

his hat,

an

that Heriot

to-day;

hour.
was

It

ing
burn-

but he did not, with

MIDSUMMER

300

MADNESS.

seek to discover where

it all came
curiosity,
from.
evidentlyfuriouslyin earnest
Rodney was
occasional quesabout something. The guest asked
tions
about
the country through which
they were
answered
clearlyand definitely
passing, and was
ters
enough.
They reached the glen almost three-quarhour
before
the rest of the party, and
of an
in sending the servants,
Rodney occupied himself
who
were
alreadygetting out the cold lunch, hither
He
thither.
chose a place for the wine-cellar,
and
them
how
to lay the ice.
and showed
steamer-chairs,
They had brought half-a-dozen
which
were
placed on a rug, and preparations for
exact
in an
being made
everybody's comfort were
which
showed
what
and substantial way,
advantages
from
situation
could
be wrested
a
ciated
habituallyassointrusive

with
This

"

Est6
can
a

is not

said
have

discomfort.

to

your

cushioned

one

may

see, Mr.

bad, you

so

him

when

the

feet

on

seat

and

give one's

rug, and

under

self up

to

"You

party arrived.

Turkey

Mrs.

Haxtoun,"

body

your

on

circumstances

these

Just

enjoyment.

look

against the sky ! See the

of
sunlight flickeringthrough that dome
green !
is !
not
one
Oh, how
Why should
lovely nature
moss?"
and
trees
always live here among
"Damp ! damp ! returned Mr. Haxtoun, gloomily.
at

the

tops of the

trees

"

He

had

put

on

his

rubber

his
over
arranging a shawl
happen to know," he asked,
of voice, "what
there is to
"
Salads, mayonnaise, and
Este\

shoes, and
shoulders.
in
be

was
"

Do

now

you

preternaturalsort

for

cold

lunch?"

pies,"

said

Mrs.

PICNIC.

shuddered.

He

"Mrs.
plaintively.

said
it ;

if the

left

results

widow

You

"

this

not

shall have

bouillon,"said

On

charm.

point of

is

she

ought to

be

of my

some

the

with

below,

piled on

one

crevices

was

nice,hot, nourishing

Este, soothingly. " They have

apparatus to heat it with, and can

south

towards

seemed,

smoothed
bare

he

came,"

that

that she

but

give it to me just as I have

The
place had a good
which

made

picnic are

sure

Mrs.

little silver

why

Haxtoun

of

am

know

for it."

answerable

got

I don't

"

301

it

it at
deal

rose

the

chisel,it

was

broken

; the

was

another

in

home."

of

high
top,
so

and

character

wall

to

of

have

rock,
been

polished and

massive

confusion, and

blocks

so

were

in the wide

perfect luxuriance of vegetation,

hemlocks, pines, dwarfed
maples, and laurels.
Many of the trees seemed to clingto the sheer rock,
had
and
from
only half saved themselves
being
carried away
At the foot
by the spring torrents.
bling
babrushed
of the cliff a noisystream
along, now
over
shallows, again sleepingin pools which
a

"

overflowed

into

cascades.

people declared the gorge charming,

and
found
rare
preciousnessin the glimpsesof the
the tassels of the pines
far-off sky, againstwhich
moved
perpetually.Alec devoted himself to Mrs.
took Cecil, and Arthur
and
Dalton, Edmunds
Lilly
about
wandered
as
usual, coupled and
rable.
insepaMrs. Dalton
amused
herself with Alec, and
she
of trainingwhich
put him through a course
She did not
thought calculated to do him good.
allow herself to be too easilypleased. Nobody
The

young

else

MIDSUMMER

302

ready

was

suffer

to

and

present,

MADNESS.

Alec's

martyrdom for her sake at

prodigalityof self-sacrifice

She asked
for some
laurelought not to be wasted.
leaves, and he climbed
half-way up the cliff to get
for her. She saw
the glossiest
a remarkable-looking
of the brook, and, when
she
stone
at the bottom
disembedded
at
some
insisted, it was
risk, for
the water

Alec

depth.

clothes, and,

had
as

be

to

the

half

widow's

gaze

upon

envy

to

him.

idea

no

his

on

prettiest summer

delicate

labors

lavender

think

not

its actual

of

imagined, these

he dared

But

trousers.

put

may

unsuited

quite
the

clear it gave

so

was

of the

were

of

the

results,with

-satirical,half -sweetly expectant

His

soul

burned

Rodney Heriot in
untrammelled,
easy,

see

within

him

dark-blue
and

with

bockers,
knicker-

particularly

handsome.
"

moment

say," said he to Arthur Snow,

of opportunity,just before

couldn't

and

you

properly dressed?
clay, and stained
a stitch give way,
look

and

if

see

"How

have

I've
them

had

can

look?"

asked

to

sense

knees

my

besides.

by Jove, I did
it is all right."

he had

lunch, "why

the

smeared

green

when

And

! I wish

come

with

I heard

you

Arthur.

would

"Mrs.

staringstraightat me."
isn't looking at you ; she is looking at me."
"She
I tell you she is looking straightat me."
"
Never
It isn't as if it were
mind, go on.
Lilly."
of countenance,"
stare
out
us
"Lilly wouldn't
of indignation.
But
said Arthur, in a tone
no

Dal ton

is

"

"

matter.
are

I think

prudent

"
"

the

seams

are

strained

; but

if you

PICNIC.

Alec

groaned

which

contained

Mrs.

303

himself, with

within

livelywish
expectation that

ingredientof
might be prudent. He

Dalton

no

present to be able
preservation. He was not
dictated
them.
Besides, as

enamored
own

she

at

look

to

all

for his

out

his

of

master

much

too

was

acts ;

know,

men

fair

Cunigunde,sendingher lover into the lion's jaws to

a
on
pick up her glove,is the model of every woman
pleasure-excursion
Mrs.
Este" were
and
By this time Mr. Haxtoun
drinkingbouillon,to keep off the chill,while Mrs.
Haxtoun
to
sought,with the finest tact and spirit,
persuade them that the day was charming,the warmth
genial,and the moss
dry as a Persian rug which has
.

crossed

six times
been
the

she

glen,
"

romance,

"

away

was

Mr.

but

began to think
analyzed her sensations, to

She
she

they

feet ; she

for her

; she

normal

were

had

like

before

leg,and
and

should

carried
the

thought
he

Oh,

demurred
in this

of

said

to what

as

She
and
out.

road

to

pleasure

had

intended

She
for

to

the

the

pose
pur-

come

that

selected

the

old

all the

gentleman

possibleconsequences,
:

time

weight chained to his

efforts to pique, interest,

luncheon
the

son

the

husband.

be

tiger-skinbrought

her

purpose,

bits of

without

"

whether

home.

gone
with

relax

her

picnic with

when

convict

did not

rouse

nicest

had

Haxtoun

Mrs.

discover

the

questioned her

thought they might get

he

at first

by the romantic charm of

at
always ready to kindle
Haxtoun
had
depressed her.
about
dampness and malaria ;

little carried

Este* had

Mrs.

the desert.

and

"

fresh,delicious air,with

this

healthy

MIDSUMMER

304
resinous

MADNESS.

odor

coming from the

clear."
eat anything,my
Mr.
Haxtoun
began mildly

took

old

some

promised
"

Madeira,

Tell Mrs.

Este

epic,dearest

new

be

to

soon

of

evergreens,

to

be

can

you

cheered.

He

strange potency,

and

little inebriated.

about

great discoveryof

your

Leonard,"

suggested the

now

fatigable
inde-

wife.
Not

"

idea

epic.
epic, which

new

in the

said Mr.

him,

What

can

Max

even

Haxtoun.

mean?

you

The

Miiller

A
has

subject was

new
looked,"
over-

dear

and

comparatively new ; he thought about

it constantly,with ever
fresh amplifications.
Mrs.
Este gave a little shriek of delight to think
of a delightfulnew
nestled
her
idea, and
among

to

wraps
a

look

with

to

assume

the best

at

the old

gentleman

interest and

attitude

admiration.

as

of

if she

attention, with
were

breathless

He

began to expound
with
at once,
unmixed, unchecked
delight at his
opportunity,and she tried to keep up with him.
She plied her parasol, her fan, her vinaigrette;she
pinched herself, she shook herself, she gave little
screams.

his

Mr.

Haxtoun

revolved

round

tences.
large, fluent, and impressive senIts vagueness,
magnitude, remoteness, just
suited him ; there was
clusions,
no
necessityfor fixed conbecause
ing
of attainthere was
no
possibility
it was
like pouring water
any ; talking about
into empty sieves,rollinga stone
up-hill,and then
down
again. Mrs. Este's exclamations
grew fainter
and
she
:
fainter, they ceased
slept.
entirely
Mr.
Haxtoun,
nevertheless, neither
paused nor
he
had
his
that
was
slackened,
subject, and

subject

with

meantime

"

"

306
Let

"

us

MIDSUMMER

voice, quite unlike

They
could

went

hand.

His

jest and
and
A

called

boot

he

was

he would

scared

it ; he

down

not

him, and

and

from

the

and

they

release

her

he

found

with

the

lest it should

the

fall

of

He

songs.

point

For

he

father

your

is my

asked, putting his face close

intonation
But

of

mischievous

sign on that
his light words.

no

He

fell into

She

wore

hat

with

red

the

upon

loveliness
in his

silence

suit of

plumes.

clear, pure
before.
heart

He
he

head

self
him-

Cecil's,with

the

little boy.

immovable,

again, and

dark

to

is he not?"

now,

to

his

pretended

on

father

of

it went

somebody's
pictured possible catastrophes ; he found
fratricide.
or
culpable of matricide

"

to

echo

an

and

path,

precipice.

began

out

little snatches

sang

it

dull, monotonous

narrow,

fantastically.He

threw

in horror

he

was

path

in the way,

was

own.

abreast,but

to

thundering
be

said, in

The

emotion

talk

stone

her

on.

walk

not

she

on,"

go

MADNESS.

red,
His

dared

looked

at

wide-brimmed

eyes

profile
;
knew

face

pale

he

not
utter

fixed
had
what
aloud.

swered
an-

Cecil.
black

insatiably
felt

never

of

all that
He

was

To his generosity,to his

frighteningher.
be no
magnanimity, he said to himself, there must
talk of love to her ; only of
bounds.
He must
not
embarrass
what
would
neither
terrify,flutter, nor
little word, one
her.
little
one
Still,he wanted
to-day,
sign ; it was not enough that she had come
had
let him
bring her to the top of the cliff ; he
little token
of
have
must
consent, of
just one
afraid

of

surrender.

PICNIC.

They
could

look

this

by

were,

down

307

time,

on

the

sea

of

the vast

upon

in

trees, chestnuts, maples, rich

heights,and
foliage, oak
"

leaf, with

their

againstthe darker, duller

green of the resinous trees ; they could hear the glad
the boulders
far below,
music
of the brook
among
but could not gain a glimpse of it. Here, at the top
old oaks and cedars, overrun
with
of the cliff,
a few
brilliant and

garlands,kept
fresher

was
a

bunches

whose

creepers,

than

broke

"

at

the

the bottom

of

seemed

He

look

with

"

the ravine.
even

air
Not

bird's

last,dropping her

at

excitement, she
the

pale

was

constraint

which

imprisoning consciousness
shake

the

at me?"

under

seemed

She

death.

Rodney,

not

flushed

was

and

silence.

the

will you

"

sun,

; not

near

like festive

hung

of

Cecil,"muttered

hand,

of leaves

off the heat

livingcreature

song

tints

luminous

she

of

as

some

could

not

off.

Cecil,"he cried, " oh,

for God's

sake, speak

to

me!"

But

did

she

not

Her

answer.

breath

in

came

ing
waitquick,short gasps. Rodney stood for a moment
then half-fell,
himself on
for her reply,
half-flung
the ground at her feet,and so looked,up into her face.
"
If you won't take me, Cecil,"said he, " let me

flingmyself
you."
"What

shudder,
He

enough.

shall
but

caught

"Don't

the

over

with

It

say?"
the

her hand

say
is

rocks.

she

blood
and

I cannot

live without

asked, with

rushing to
kissed

it

on

visible

her cheeks.
the

anything,"he answered.
enough that you are here

palm.
"

This

with

me.

is

MIDSUMMER

308

Only

tell

love

me?"

She

looked

clear

"I

with

now

promised

try

to

tent
definite,in-

she

mamma,"

to

said, in

voice.

That

"

him

at

going

are

you

"

down

glance.
low,

thing,

one

me

MADNESS.

would

you

love

to

try

me

"

"Yes."
looked

He

He

happiness.
this

full revelation

her

to his

"You
he
I do

Their

how

could

take

sad.

me,

feel that

eyes met,

There

I know

of her
"

her

so

He

you

the

that ?

clasp

to

do

me,

you

yet."
unusual

brilliancy
perience
strength beyond her exan

timid

were

and

rather

spontaneity about her, and,

in
shown
not
agitation,it was
ing
the result of some
poignant feel-

own.

says," she

honor
wife

your

"

his, but

Mamma

great

than

no

had

she

you

his showed

"

was

to

answer

liked

much.

too
trust

you

"

he

borne

have

been

with

asked, tremulously.
not

although

that

in his arms,

her

glance, a vivacity and

hers
of him, while

of

he

have

breast, would
in

but

uncertainty,better

free to

believe

not?"
"

; for

been

have

certain

not

was

this sweet

mystery,

To

her, absolutely ravished

at

up

"

; that

went

now

great

for

chance

nothing

in

little.

He

the

"

on,
me

world

"

that
to

could

it is

become
content

well."
lost color

Come

know,

and

sit down

I rode

this

place?

this

trunk

over

I wanted
from

the

rose.

"
Do
log," said he.
at
here yesterday,and looked
seat
a
here, and I dragged

on

foot

this

of

those

locust-trees.

PICNIC.

309
Cecil will sit here

'

thought to myself then, Perhaps

is

wish

My

himself
"At

feet,"said

your

There

"Did
"

much

She
"

"

that

You

are

yawned

little else
snubbed

have

laughed

away.

run

very

at

myself."
They looked

not

tell.

me,

If you

you

have

of this

on,

have

not

eluded

I have

gone on
it at first,
or I should

realize

I'm afraid

to

help it.
chary,"he went

so

; but

me

me."

could

she

grudgingand

I did not

you.

bewitched
"

so

you

have

you

"

little,

I have

that

loved

voice.
I think
delightful
The first night I ever
saw
you
were
perpetually
yawning, and

what

was

smiled

You

you

in

all the time.

fancy

tell you

her head.

I fell in love.
I

he.

asked.

do," said he,

of you

length.
"
Perhaps some
day
up higher.'
in his voice, and his

come

mother

now

shook

She
"

he

flung

amusement.

some

your

He

at full

her

irresistible whim

was

lit with

eyes

she sat down.

"

Friend,

'

will say,

you

laughed.
pass."

before

the grass

on

and

coming to
the log,and

led her to

He

face

into her

looked

He
"

"

me.'

with

me,

loving
have

feeling; it is stronger

than

"I
"

know

used

dreams.

it all

what

think

other, tremulouslyand
means,"

he

ously.
seri-

said, presently.

life had

nothing equal to our

For years I went
on
suming
tryingeverything,coning.
myself in vain regretsthat I could find noth-

But

He

at each

to

"

now

wrenched

"

himself

away

from

the grasp

of

his

MIDSUMMER

310

passion.

"

I'll be

swiftly.

"I

have

MADNESS.

good
been

to

brute

he

you,"

began again

sometimes, but

I will be very

is what

the time

That
good to you.
thinkingabout. I keep you

close at my

you

fancy

things. I
?

one

Where

arm,

my

of

"

the water

upon

shores

and

you

like,my

little
light
" twi-

off, you

set

we

side.

soft, warm
it is

Perhaps

beautiful

some

I have

where

I have

where

alone,
go

World

in

taking, and

here, but in

not

"

Old

the

will be

'

all

am

you

would

go ?

will you

you

I wrap

'What

say to you,

walk
oa

cold, and

are

"

part
before, all

been

Perhaps we
longed for you.
some
tranquilbay, with lovely

in

hills,where

high wooded

the

waters

are

take the sunset

golden, and the oars
light,as they
and
in cities,
are
we
we
come
up dripping. Or
drive about in great glee; we
order dinners at cafes;
that is, I order them
I say to you,
for you.
My
little wife, I will give you such a meal
as
you never
'

ate before

sit and

you

and I write
life,'

in your
wait.

but too

Then

you

hate

the

menu

while

vory,
strange, sa-

I tell you,

dishes, and

complex

the

out

You

'

baby's diet
best suits a little girllikeyou.'
He
sistibly.
laughed irre' ' You
I
all the pictures too,
will see
will teach you
how
to look at pictures. And
you
shall climb
the Alps, very carefully
are
; but you
and
strong, and you ought to do it once.
young
But we
sit by the
not always going about,
are
we
fire together; you
have
such pretty little slipon
pers
shall

live

biscuit

on

and

cream,

"

"

"

"

he
a

your

feet

laughed, but
wonder

you

said, very low

are

cold ;

his eyes

were

"

you

"

shining.

will make

of

under

breath, and

his

He

the world

broke
"

for

off ;

Oh,
me

what
!

"

he

stopped short,

PICNIC.

311

his blood

tinglingwith ecstasy at this new, strange

expectation.
Cecil sat lookingdown
with dilated
at him
seriously,

the better !
"

The

you fall in love with me

he exclaimed, with some
imperiousness.
"

eyes.
"

sooner

I will be

little while

patient a
impatient,

be very

While

he said

drowning

all her

sank

her

on

very demon

"

this

then

I shall
"

impatience!
her,
feelingrushed over

some

and

of

like

consciousness

breast,

but

she

flood ; her face

it with

covered

her

hands.
In
his

he

moment

about

arm

me,

leaning over

was

her.

I have

' '

said

forgive me,"

"

said

her,

he

had

give
for-

much

too

he.

"

"Tell

what

me

it is."

She

looked

I feel

"

as

her
but

you,

to

won't

ought

anybody

worried

You

about

know

I want

He
to be

want

you

your

whole

swear

garnishedfor

to

am

you.

said ;

And

to the

her

at

you,"

he

not

that

We

"

is,to
and

have
selves,
our-

faltered.
and

long

steadily.

said

then

to

love

you
am

looking

idea."
she

me,"

Still

vanished.
"

that.

to say

mother

your

I want

me.

heart.

to you

to

looked

good

to love

used

"

future."

it but

good

very

"Ami?"
"

get

"

me

her distrust

to

they
absolutely.I

not intend

the

engaged," he

even

are

Trust

much

so

mean

little ;

I did

tween
said, be-

listen,"she

to

so

me.

and

terror

streamingeyes.

words

about

until you
'*

not

"Your

impatient ;

her
be

with

they mean

me

be

be

him

if I

mistrust

will not

at

at him

sobs.

"Don't

Don't

up

not

unworthy.
Nothing that

for

"

with

me

unworthy,
am

does

swept
not

"

:md

belong

MIDSUMMER

312
to you

enter

can

love !
He

in.

MADNESS.

little love !

my

tle
lit-

my

"

"

still bending

was

"

"

My little love !
something that shall
the

over

rocks

her.

over

he

said

content

I want

again, "

do

Shall I

you.

there, and

to

flingmyself
myself out of

take
"

sightand thought forever ?

With
of her own
a
stinging sense
ingratitude
she caught his hand
in hers.
"
Don't say such things! she whispered.
The action delightedhim ; he lifted the littlehand
'
and kissed it.
And
to think,"he exclaimed, ' that
I may
York
and
buy a ring for this
go to New
your

"

'

!"

little hand
At
of

'

this moment

the

the

scene

interruptedby

was

one

who

appeared at the top of the rocks,

that all was
shrieking,
volubly and shrilly,
packed
men

up

and

at

hand.

the

party ready

to

start ; that

Brought back to his senses

Rodney
clouds
had
gathered; that the sun
obscured

; that

the

whole

character

storm

was

that

saw
was

of the

great
blackly

day

had

had to be instantlydone
to
was
changed. What
hurry Cecil down the zigzaggingpath, which, under
the dense foliage,
almost as dark as night. The
was
ravine seemed
The wind
a very
gulf of blackness.
roared through the trees, and when
they could catch
of vapor,
sight of the sky it showed
great masses
and
merging, separating, driven asunder
apart.
waited, and into that Rodney
Only one carnage
bundled
Cecil, and, at the next
instant, at one
swoop
way

the

home,

rain

fell.

He

nevertheless.

thing to him.

sat

The

on

rain

the

box

seemed

all
a

the

glad

314

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

overacted, lost his points, and

to introduce

showed

tendency

gags," which infuriated the manager.

In fact,it was
and
it was
a stormy scene,
an
rience
expeto inspiredespair. The
acts, repeated over
and
out endlessly; the actors went
over, stretched
out by turns, when
off the stage,
they had a moment
and
drank
coffee and
ate sandwiches, then
itedly
dispir"

returned

business

to the

of

the hour.

merable
Innu-

questions arose

concerning every scene, and

tled
The
play fairlybriseverybody'slegs and elbows.
hitherto
overlooked
with
or
difficulties,
poned.
postMedhurst

long day. He had never

forgivenhimself for consentingto take a part, and
his annoyance
had grown
with each succeedingexperience
of the play. He was
never
over-pliantto the
had
situation.
He
of
none
requirements of a new
To

it

was

that easy

strategy which

allows

he

essential,and

disembarrasses

finds

is trivial

what
one,

although most

the details

of

showed

his

hair, he
one

them

was

one

Medhurst
the

He

had

could
almost

supposed
of

Miss

seize what
himself

of

to be

Winchester, who

imperfect

so

through

gone

reiteration
but

Mr.

his

gain no
torn

that
these

in

their

over

and

depressing

was

Stein's

shrieked, he

stamped

object

and

to-day

again. The mere

enough,
irritating

directions

was

Snow

scenes

it unbearable.

to

man

a
dry
annoying. His part was
of the plot of the play hung on
into
He
was
perpetuallythrown

themselves

roles that the

and

it.

with Arthur

contact

over

or

jtempermade

screamed, he

tore

feet.

By following his
advantage ; by rejecting
time
to pieces. For
a

he,

as

well

as

the

others,

spirited invectives, and

SOIREE

infused

much

as

DRAMATIQUE.
into his

correctness

to be
of, although it seemed
presently Mr. Stein, perhaps by
master

315

part

of

he

as

no

But

use.

of

way

was

adding

the
fault-finding,made
for Medamende, and offered his politecondolences
hurst's being compelled to suffer for the clumsy and
stupid performance of the others.

bitterness

fresh

This
each

his

unfortunate.

was

day

to

aggressiveand

more

Medhurst.

At

manifestations

if

they
life given by
he began to

petty signsof

had

grown

impertinent to

more

first ttie latter had

as

had

Snow

Arthur

received

been

the

these

general

ing
unhappy and sufferthat they were
dressed
adcur
see
; but
Arthur
Snow
to himself.
was
evidently
unknown
cause
enraged with him, for some
; and,
whatever
might have lighted the fire, Medhurst
could easilysee that Mr. Stein's words
added
fresh
fuel to it. The little fellow perpetually
snarled ; he
under

swore

when

he

out.

Nature

but

his
him

saw

he

breath

had

bore

this

scowled

way,

the
he

and

Medhurst

made

for

Heriot's,and

Rodney

; he

in his
not

an

time.

would

not

at

would

Medhurst
not

turn

patient;
The
play was
complicate its
very

difficultiesby

privatequarrels. He continued to go
face
through his part as if by mechanism
; his
showed
neither vexation, amusement,
weariness.
nor
He
his
but
seemed, perhaps, absent-minded
;
not
elsewhere, he was
thoughts were
absolutely
engrossed by the situation ; he was all attention,
Mrs. Daltou, Heriot,
he lost nothing. He watched
"

and

Miss

herself
in

her

Haxtoun.
at

save

present,
the

Fanny
and

tricks

he
and

was

fascinated

discovered
niceties

of

with

nothing
her

art.

MIDSUMMER

31 G
Heriot

MADNESS.

excited, and

apparentlyin the seventh

of enjoyment ; but
heaven
Cecil drooped visibly.
Medhurst
to wish
that he was
began feverishly
away.
If there was
pride, any manhood
any
power,
any
left in him, he
longed to regather it. Clearlyit
was

circumstance

was

blindness

of

of

think

of her.

had

others,which

his

girl;

But,

him

set

accord

own

he would

Mrs.

Haxtoun's

in the

hovered

close before
watch

her,
what

Ah,
He

hear

may

say

"

think

of

her,

Did

he

up

The

brought
driven

dream

to

rather

him

dead

then

have

But,

Medhurst

the

play

my

mind

what

curtain

went

up

thought within

will

be

Snow

orchestra

not

and

this

the

scene

and

first

at

nine

o'clock

that

night,
neighborhood of

they ;

let them

from

were

New

in spite of
brilliance,

dragged

Lilly Winchester

of humor.

Other
do

will

to do."

supper

spite of

quite out

in

himself,

Then

over.

the

in

man

echo

no

play began. The entire

Philadelphia was
represented by the audience,
the

him

were

But

to

her.

loved

he

him.

Cecil

about

she

hope

his

of

at all.

To-morrow,"

make

loved

had

"

; had

he would

she

confines

strong things,which

very

to-morrow

and

her say

the heart
"

heart

himself

to

furthest

fancy

diplomacy ;
picturingof

clear

too

and

to

doubts, fears,

careful

his eyes

dreams

said

than

far-off

never

Haxtoun's

what

"

love this

Heriot

Dalton's

imagination

him

in the first place, Rodney

and, finally,
Fanny
had

made

dared

Mr.

prohibitions;

had

besotted

the

was

have

; then

on

it

fate, or

or

what

and
little,

and

York.
the

tumes,
cos-

Arthur

presently
people had applause,
they were
they would
came

off

"

SOIREE

DRAMATIQUE.

317

fault-finding,
peremptory accents, and
the others
for improvement. There were
suggestions
with halos of superiority
all radiant in the sunlight,
round their faces,
they,alas ! stood in the shadow,
rayless. Lilly,however, a little further on, was to
of popularity: by a little toss of
taste the sweets
the head, a little raowe, a little coquetry, which
by
the
means
no
belonged to her part, but showed
irresistible feminine
instinct,she brought down the
with

met

"

After

house.
he
It

was
was

this

Arthur

success

sulked

jealousof Lilly,
disgustedwith
almost

to him

comfort

alone

all the world.

that he had

lute
abso-

an

grievanceagainst Medhurst, for the demon

quarrel had taken possession of him, and he
determined
.

to

vent

of
was

it.

was
Fanny Dalton
having a great
success
; her imperious, brilliant personalitymade
itself felt ; she
swayed the other actors, stirred
and carried them along with her.
Cecil
their powers,
ble.
irresistiwoke
naive, charming ; she was
up ; she was
nated
When
Fanny dazzled and surprised,she fasciFanny sparkled, she glowed. She
; when
showed
livelysensations,originalimpressions,and,
at the
same
time, a girlishdignity and modesty
the heart.
that
which
won
Everybody declared
the most
finished actress, but
was
Fanny Dalton
called out
Cecil was
more
interesting.Cecil was
bowing and
again and again, and while she was
bered
carryingoff her loads of bouquets,somebody remem-

Meanwhile

to cry,

"

Mrs.

Rodney went up
little grimace.
a
honors," said he.

to

Chalcote ! Mrs.

Chalcote

Cecil,behind

the scenes,

"You
"Madame

are

carrying
will be

!"
with

off all the

cross."

-4

318
"It

times

She

me.

better

Of

course

"

But

my

"

She

"

You

it

smiled

him, and

her

all

yesterday,but

his

eyes

she

bonte,

more

triumphs."

to

was

has

Cecil.

for your

spoken

How

now.

pain

at

not

happened

Yours
of humor."

it,"said

care

pleasing."

more

so.

little dash

that is
don't

had

million

"

them

could."

ever

think

not

Cecil looked
He

thousand

part is perhaps

and, besides, a
Yes,

acts

"for

she does."

did

"

than

"

MADNESS.

absurd," Cecil returned,

is very

applaud

to

MIDSUMMER

little wistfully.
of

day

what

reminded

to tell him

that

some

had

her

of

burning

tion
goaded her on, and how a convicimpotence and hopelessness, of the usetrying to control her destiny,made her
force
on
opportunity within her
any

in her heart
of her

lessness
wreak

of
her

power

He was
called
Rodney had no time to say more.
on
again, and presentlythe whole circle of actors
down
the stage, and the curtain went
amidst
went
on
loud
Mr.
Stein
over.
plaudits,and the play was
his feet at once,
was
on
bowing, complimenting,
overflowingwith flattery.Never had he had such a
before !
Nothing on the contemporary
company
Dalton
the link
was
equal it. Mrs.
stage could
which

united

the

pictorialpresent
he had
but

the

dreamed.

; she

past with

not art ; but

the comedienne

was

nerves

Mrs.

saw

manager

the result of

of strained

the aesthetic and

Cecil's performance

experienced

of it : it was

was

fervid

; it

behind

of

was

whom

praised ;

the illusion

ness
excitement, the sensitivewas

Daltou

charming, still it
glorified.A group

very
he

SOIREE

gathered round
to which

once

she had

the world

at her

feet.

Mrs.

but

was

could

went

Dalton

did

when

see

she

her

her his
hear.
without

had

vivid

crossingthe stage.
you," cried Arthur, "what
running againstme like that ?

him

by
through
the

arm

the

scenes,

You

the

here,

compliment ;
Snow, and especially

recollection that

you

doing,

moment,

then

seized

him

the

Mr.

are

I'll

"
"

off

little

rear

kindling stars.
Arthur
Snow,"

the limit.

reached

have

the

across

terrace, under
look

and. walked

the

"Now,
"

at Arthur

looked

Medhurst

to

was

"

was

"

"

that

"

at that moment

like Arthur

not

pinnacle at

all the world

to pay

up

the

on

aspired;

319

spoiled one of her best points. He offered

pretty speech twice over, but she would not
had
He
to withdraw, and, stepping back
in contact
with Medhurst,
turning,he came

he had

"

she

Snow

now,

who

She

her.

is,all

Arthur

DBAMATIQUE.

I have

stage,
veranda,
said

submitted

he.
to

play,because it was
the ladies' wish to carry it out pleasantly; but the
what
Just tell me
by your
play is over.
you mean
ness
insolence, your impudence, and your quarrelsomeimpertinencethrough

your

the

!"
Arthur
him

in

not

was

Medhurst
still held
boilingover.
muscle
vice ; he had a grip like iron, and
Arthur's
strong point; he could neither
was

wriggle nor
"

he ;

Talk
"

you

to
"

of

me

upstart !
Medhurst

it off.

throw

was

"

"

impudence and insolence !

intrusive,
presumptuous,

"

fairlyastonished.

"

said
dling
med-

"Have

I done

other

in

another

his

low

voice.

whole

He

words.

he.

cisively
spoke in-

; he

loud

so

said

way?"

temper

screamed

playing inside,the

with

rung

lost his

not

hand,

the band

in any

wrong

but
irritably,

and
the

you

had

Medhurst

me?"

grudge against

you

"Have

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

320

Arthur,
but

that,

house

on

for

would

have
into

presently burst

tirade.

now," said

"Come,

this.

understand
I'll not

let you

"You

know

roared

What

have

well

enough,

should

it out

of

you."

let

you,

"

like to

got against me?

you

until I shake

go

"I

Medhurst,

go!"

me

Arthur.

"

Tell

"

You

what

me

it

is,first."

me

down,"

knocked

declared

quite forgettinghow

he

had

Arthur, apparently
to

come

incur

the attack.
' '

down

hastily through

his

Knocked

ran

few
"

was

Do

of

mind

the

past

ladies.

You

out

Arthur

the other's

beneath

are

Hereafter

exclamation

I'll
of
had

try

by

no

with

disgust.
giving almost
Arthur

made

Go

contempt.

to-

mad

had.

of

arm,

time, which

same

you

"

an

of

as

"

I wasn't

his hold

be there

stealing interviews

wasn't

uttered

at the

"

rightto

right!

let go

would

much

as

Medhurst

"

remembrance

say," he exclaimed, that it

found, lurking like a thief,in the grapery?"

I had

young

"

Medhurst'

to

mean

you

better

push

?"

when

"

weeks.

you

"

you

keep

out

of

"

your

He
a

stagger.
said
way

he.
as

dog's."
means

had

out

his

say,

but

"

I know

will

it ; I have

speak
Oh, no

"

matter

"

Yes,

It
and
he

troubles

does

"Something

It is dreadful.

less

me

trouble

I shall
than

his

no

ence."
exist-

you."

thought."
strange that she should

at the

when

moment

put miles

must

him

see

one

"

was

it."
matter

no

it.

seen

about

to papa

Nothing

mor'e.

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

322

of

he

be

there, so

tellinghimself

was

between

earth

near,

him

and

that
her.

honor, duty, every

Everything separated them,
obstacle fate can
impose ; and yet it was not
bristling
enough. He must superimpose all the dead weight
of separation, absence, absolutelydiverging destinies.
"

"

What

"

she

wish,"

He

do

had

you

drawn

said

"

wish

wish

"I

softly,

"
"

"

to

nearer

He

her.

could

see

her

on

the

lovely,pale face, her half -frightenedeyes

point of tears.
He could not help speaking.
"

Do

you

you

night

like

He
"

you

and

have

it is to

day, day

and

wish

one

night, like

am

move

hunger,

"

gazed at her steadily.

going away," he added, brusquely. '
off.

He

'

Shall

care?"

"Going
repeated.

away,

"Yes.

Shall

me

what

thirst, like"
broke

know

after
She

bands.

day,

uttered

"

going

you
after

care?
a

Shall

week,

little cry ; she

us?"

from

away

after

remember

you
a

she

month?"

flung out

both

her

SOIREE

"If
"

I could

if you

know

cared

She

was

Ten

moments

exactly

how

DRAMATIQUE.

if I could

"

little for

all

trembling
later

his

upon

held

breast.

her

in

needed
his

was

own

Look

"

You

She

He

send

She

to

kissed

He
her

Go

me

there,

and

he

Neither

her

he

She

proud.

him.

from

said,

in her

ear.

You

are

important

an

in

away."
said

laugh.
he.

morning,

once,

repeated

ear.

another

fell

"You
at

must

go

in.

o'clock, down

seven

house."

old

Say

some

she

and

take

seized

missed."

me,"

to-morrow

the

' '

be

me

to

me

his

firm

told

then

embrace.

silent

now.

little,proud

gave

"

in

go
will

"Listen

and
was

moment,"

he

Perhaps

she

felt

have

shivered.

Don't

Meet

me

"

could

them

should

one

muttered,

up.

must

guest.

"

at

up

"You

least,

He

no

looked

She

At

words.

any

of

hands,

passionate,

might"

happened.

fluttering,outstretched

her

he

over.

neither

it had

know,"
I

me,

323

Frank,

it after

softly drew

him,
her

I love

you.'

"

eloquently enough
to

himself

again

to
and

lips.
now,

my

imperiousness
word.

own,"

said

and

she

he.

He

obeyed

said
him

it with

without

324

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

XXII.

CLEVER

TOO

BY

HALF.

the lighted house,

swiftlytowards
conscious
of a strength and
happiness which
would
She
safely through any ordeal.
carry her
did not know
She
had not
yet what she had done.
For a time
stopped to ask herself where she stood.
she
had
been
been
in the
she
had
powerless,
went

"

of her mother's

meshes

could

nor

She

herself.

had

the time
knots

was

had

to

ask.

It

There

was

"

to

all

was

free,

Medhurst.

engagement

could

that

she

to

hand

as

What

Rodnej7

dream.

her

love

How

could

had

she

become

Ileriot

she

have

It

been

had

in

told

as

she

of

her
not

reality.
stantial,
unsub-

brought

the focus
with

all

did

the

was

for Medhurst.

she

free

foot

air except

shadowy feeling into

strong light. All her thoughts were
her wishes
with
him.
were
Why
doubtful?

and

Now

Here

vague,

self,
her-

to

nothing delusive, phantom-like,

about

every

longed

undo.

free

free

not

rebellious,but

to tie herself

longed

was

tacit

; she

felt stubborn,

she

that she

bound

cry out

helped

which

herself

she

net

of

him,
she

afraid?

all

been
It

strangelysimplifiedmatters to acknowledge her

love for him.
The world, which
had for a few days
seemed
great, and wide, and strange to her, had
had

TOO

suddenly narrowed
togetherin a world
These
thoughts
entered

; she

down

of their

HALF.

no

325

Medhurst

and

stood

own.

through

swam

house, but

the

BY

CLEVER

sooner

her

mind

she

was

as

she

in the brilliant

again,with vistas on either hand of the gayly

dressed
moving throngs,than the singlenessof her
She came
her father
impressions vanished.
upon
almost
directly.
is looking for you," said Mr.
"Your
mamma
air of
with
an
resigned melancholy.
Haxtouu,
"
is so energetic,
Much
Your
of late.
mamma
as I
fessed
appreciatethe blessingof children,it must be condestitute of offspringhas a better
that a man
chance
of a quietlife."
to give you
I don't mean
trouble,
very much
papa," observed Cecil,taking his arm.
"
about you, of late,
I have had perpetualalarms
And
that night }*ou were
dear.
the river
on
my
with Mr.
Medhurst, there
Haxtouu
Mr.
might have gone on to enumerate
occasions
his wife's superabunwhen
the various
dant
anxietyhad goaded him, spoilinghis morning's
and his evening'spastime ; but Rodney Heriot,
work
passing through the hall,espied Cecil, and sprang
halls

"

"

"

her.

towards
the

upon

stage

by
Do

But
"

"

he

since
had

the claims

free to devote
"

Ever

been,
of his

warm

to

it would

be very

unsafe

and

windows

open

doors

curtain

guests ;
"

he

to

but

to take

now

he

grossed
enwas

to Cecil.

asked

dance,

dance,"

as

down

went

until this moment,

the rest of his time

to dance?
you want
no, she did not want

It is too

the

said

her.
she
Mr.

told him.
Haxtoun

exercise with all the

they are

here.

That

is

MIDSUMMER

326
the

I do

reason

about,

sit down,

not

constant!

but

y walk

"

there

draughts ever3rwhere
Except in the library,Mr. Haxtoun," said
"
Go
into the library, and
shut all the

"

"

are

There
And

"

and

Yes,"

He

who

take

Haxtoun

of

Cecil,"

turned

away.

Heavens

!"

alone.
She

"

he said

he

beautiful

Are

looked

down
I will

"

blushed

almost

vividly
if to himself

as

!"

are

hand

from

his arm,

but

angry,"

said

let it go.
"

me?

with

.you angry

out,

of Cecil."

away.

then

you

her
not

the old

again.

exclaimed,

would

and

arm

once,

tried to withdraw

"

worn

care

walked

had

him

How

laughed, and
"

his

dows.
win"

too

asked

ney.
Rod-

enticingly.

I will take

"

under

at

"

and

beckoned

Rodne.y,

looked

there

of Cecil?

care

this beacon
said

chairs

quite bewildered

was

Mr.

care

Cecil

"

take

put her hand

at her.

and

comfortable

are

to whom
"

"

will you

gentleman,

he

MADNESS.

he

asked.

"Yes."
"

I feel inclined

to go

making

on

you

"
since
Here, ever
Rodney, in his light manner.
yesterday, I have felt like going mad with joy ; but
erately,
I have been obliged to walk steadily,
to speak delibto give directions, to listen to people, and,
to go
through this stupid play. Do you
finally,

want

to know

Without
with

her
was

her

what

I should

answering
brilliant eyes.

something

glowing

face

she

like

turned
What

menacing
spoke to him

to do

and
she
and
far

at

looked

intended

this

at

to

ment?"
mo-

him
press
ex-

portentous, but
otherwise.

TOO

Close your

"

BY

HALF.

he ;

"they

CLEVER

eyes,"said

327
rob

of my

me

senses."

She

blushed

head

her

on

still

bent

her

breast.

Rodney began
himself

hated

furiously,and

more

feel conscience-stricken.

to

for

her

talking to

if he

as

He

held

her

beauty a lure and her innocence something to regard

carelessly.He wished that he had not defrauded
himself of the rightsand worth
of his temperament
by his habit of accepting loose, light,and reckless
views
of things. Nothing could be
and
sweeter
sacred than his present impressionsof Cecil,
more
but

unable

he seemed

shock

and

offend

know, he asked
did she

Was

it because

Do

be afraid

not

have

always
Let

and

divided

by

me,"

were

wanted
not

she

not

mind?

believe in him ?
so

j'ears?

many

he.

"You

can

be

happy. I should
not inexpressibly
happy.
happiness for myself, but,

been

ing
very successful in achievI would for it,it failed me
: I

try as

me

said

did not

in his

was

him

that I shall not

hitherto,I have
it.

of

fellow if I

dull

But

anythingwhich
why should

himself, all that

they were

hardty expect
be

her.

not understand

Why
"

to say

disappointment,pain,sorrow, instead. Finally,

I tried to teach myself that happiness did not exist
for happiness is not
planted
imfor me
; that the desire
had

in

minds

our

because

it is to have

fruition ;

that it may

inspirefresh ideals and restimulate our

flaggingenergies. I began to believe
that self-renunciation,
the only
was
self-abnegation,
but, instead

true

of

source

looked
foolish

at

peace.

her, and

words

came

almost
from

If
in

that

were

spiteof
his lips.

so"

himself

"

He

tender,

MIDSUMMER

328
Cecil had

still

proud,

be listened

not

that

on

and

about.

There

to

The

seems

universe
But

little white
on

to

of

one

those

subjectsin

times

such

little white
little

have

be talking

us

little

the
life

when

the matters
dinary
extraor-

an

present it is

at

have

hands

be

discuss

to

that you

me

asked, in

hardly care
Let

are

long enough

up.

that

of

more

hands, that

tapering fingers,

tapering fingersI

"

must
"

would

my

development.
those

You

she

observed."

or

seem

come

interest

place?"

of

"

manner.

talk

to

does

little out

good behavior.
something. There must

about
world

to,

I will be

"

pale.

grown
this

Is not

'

MADNESS.

"

thought,"

disdain,

"

Cecil,with

said

ready

were

you

to

swift

talk about

gesture

of

something

sensible."
"

Now,

discuss

that

What

kind

gems.

"

I don't

"

Don't

hair would
"

thought
like any

you?
be

of gems

gems,"

I think

sensible.

so

But

let

us

prefer?

do you

"

said Cecil.

diamonds

or

pearls in

your

"
"

I dislike diamonds

and

pearls," persistedCecil.

them."
Nothing would induce me to wear
Rodney laughed. He liked the pretty,mutinous
air.
They had been walking slowly along the hall,
and
the picture-galler}',
by this time had reached
the moment
the play
which, divested of its benches
the ball-room.
was
was
now
over,
Enough dancing
it a pretty pageant, but the
was
going on to make

"

scene

the

not

was

few

men

very
who

gay.

danced,

Alec
and

aggrieved at being obliged to

Ilaxtoun
he

even

be

on

was

was

duty

one

on

so

of

little
hot

MIDSUMMER

330

MADNESS.

"

Fifty years
Exactly," said Rodne}-.
I fancy the social usage will be somewhat

"

now

the

will sit

men

smoking languidly,while
their

Alec

Cecil

and

the

and

amusement

own

crimson

on

velvet

ental
ori-

divans,

girlsdance

3'oung

masculine

for

edification."

already moving

were

from

and

away,

looking after the brother and sister,

with the perfection of constant
habit.
who
danced
The
childlike freshness
of the young
girl,her pliant
her appear- to be inspired by the music
grace, made
of the waltz ; but, in fact, her heart was
very heavy.
"I
want
to go home," she said to her brother.
stood

Rodney

"

Waltz

the

towards

on

staircase, and

find

then

mamma."
"

What

"

No."

is the matter?

Are

tired?"

you

is not

ready yet."
"
I had
forgotten supper," said Cecil, who felt
impatient to get away.
feverishlyrestless and
Supper

"

"Then

think

walked

Rodney
to the

with

of

sort

as

his

soul.

The
A

of sadness.

him, haunting
from the band, and
burst

sudden

half-amused
he

in

was
a

and

from

any

him

what

he

he

assuaged,

so

had

simple,unmixed

it seemed
at

long

tance
dis-

coining with

violins.

realize

the

filled him

was

nearer

to

The

in his heart

was

than

when

when

had

to

me

Cecil.

joyous music
singlestrain of

half-proud

connoisseur, that

incapableof

impatient as

the flute and

love, he who

for

use

consent."

rather

to pursue

no

to utter

girlmocked,

young

of

to

about

he had

chance

passion

is

gettingmamma

of

scanty

it

suppose

He

how
been

believed
emotion.

was

deeply
an

teur,
ama-

himself
He

had

TOO

CLEVER

BY

recognizedhis feelingat

not

thrall of
mind

it,but

first.

331

He

had

felt the

without

any belief that his state of

fixed and permanent.
What
did

to become

was

HALF.

Cecil's

from?
come
mysterious charm
Why had
she so completelybewitched
him?
Perhaps it was
because he was
no
longer young, that half- forgotten
had
haunted
spiring
loves, ambitions, aspirations,
him, indissatisfaction
restored

As

her

and

and

remorse,

that

she

them.

he moved

oned
beckabout Fanny Dalton
restlessly
Mr.
Stein had been
to him.
complimenting
the success
of the play. Now
that it was
on

over,

the

while

it

praise

the

in

was

nicetyand
the

course,

herself,who

he

found

could

progress,

promising condition
of

had

who

manager,

not

sufficiently
acting,the

perfectionof the
of the whole
troupe
encomiums

warmest

had

declared

only

to

fault

every

; he

for

ing,
add-

Fanny
before

come

recognition.
great public to receive universal
talent for taking
She
had, he said, by the mere
all the
hardest
pains with her work, overcome
the

obstacles
were
a

in her

the essential

brilliant future

way

; she

had

points,and
was

before

the wit -to

these

she

had

see

what

seized

her.

tated.
petulant and irriher triumph to-night been
What
had
after
all ?
In spite of her painstakingefforts to achieve
artistic instinct
a legitimatesuccess,
Cecil, without
or
knowledge, had equalled, if not surpassed,her.
she
The
girl'sbeaut}',the general admiration
elicited from
her well-known
position,the peculiar
all in
of the role she had
assumed, were
suitability

Fanny, however,

her

favor.

The

was

eclat had

little

been

an

accident.

But

MIDSUMMER

332

realized

Fanny
task

is at the

that

path
Dalton

wanted

wanted

them,

only to
compared

all the

of

sure

too, to be

her

do

artists.

malign

forces

in

lions

in

successes

easy

which

And

the

Mrs.

conquered.

she

belonged

when

Stein

Mr.

already on

the

tells me?"

she

actresses

think

Stein

Mr.
after

Heriot,

Rodney

disillusionment^

some

you

himself

successes

certain

to

was

"What
asked

be

to

sets

actual

same,

against and

first-class

there

stage

unforeseen

of

be contended

to

who

one

every

mercy

shape, but,

some

MADNESS.

him

beckoning

to

approach.
That

"

"That
"

will

if she
"But
ideas

is. that

I say

saying," put
she

01113'
go

is

mine

are

of

sure

in

Stein.

Mr.

good

ment
engage-

the

stage."
Stein's
Fanny, "Mr.
different
concerning an

upon

exclaimed

then,"
and

brilliant actress."

very

without

goes

What

are

you

so

So
long as a castle is in the
engagement.
assumes
quite palatialproportions, but once
down

on

peaks

and

He
will
out

deal
"

terra

firma,

and

look

me

And

so

where

it

set

it

soberly,and

for what

pinnacles appear

tells

it

at

air

they are

act, and

what

its

worth.

salary
all the magnificence goes
be by the week, and
I thought I might make
of my scheme.
a great
of mone}r."

Stein.

"

can,

you

You

and

so

not, of

must

gains of a queen
comedy actress

can

of

the

you

my

shall," insisted Mr.

course,

expect the great

operatic stage

; but

as

"

Mr.

Stein

brilliancyof

went

the

"

on

career

eloquently,but
was

to

Fanny

tarnished, its

successes

the

TOO

CLEVER

HALF.

BY

333

The

its promises futile.

questionable,

play had

appointed
dis-

honors,"

said

her.
"

Miss

off all the

carried

Haxtoun

she.
"Miss
"

she

cannot

She

act.

has

the piquancy,of
vivacity,
irresistible

are

who
"

when

Mr.

shrieked

almost

Haxtoun,"

archness,

the

in

is

the

the

gambols

mood,

but

"
"

Is not

Rodney.

equal to a
"Oh, you

trained
will

dog, for instance,"said

be

in

better

feel the reaction

Fanny. You
champagne of the play. That is the curse
their spirits
come
actors, and authors,
"

the

"

kitten, whose

it

Stein,

mood

morrow,
to-

from

the

of
and

artists,
go like

tide."

But the most

of reflections could not

philosophical
banish the miserable,almost
discontent
inexplicable,
that darkened
Fanny's hour, which ought to have
been one
of complete triumph. Success
is a delicate

fruit, and
scrambled
"Ask

loses

its flavor

if

it falls

and

is

for.
me

to

dance,"

she

whispered

to

Rodney

Heriot.

complied, and

He

walked

she

rose,

took

his

arm,

and

away.

hope you do not think I am going to dance,"

he remarked, when
out of hearing of the
they were
fussy,zealous little Mr. Stein, whose coveted praise
Had
had suddenlylost all its worth.
she failed she
would
have felt nothingof all this disgust; she felt
it by virtue of a sense
only acquired by what seems
to an imaginativeperson
a half-success.
to dance," declared
No, I do not want
Fanny.
"

"

"

MIDSUMMER

334
I

longer feel

no

satisfactions

the

consolations
"That

MADNESS.

of

is what

longer care about

want, instead, the

no

youth.

middle

of

young.

life."
after

am

well

as

you,"

as

said

Rodney.
Miss

"Does

Haxtoun

belong

that

to

category?"

inquired Fannj'.

Rodney said nothing,and she went on.

I begin to feel that there is a fatality
about
that
it is foredoomed
girl. There are people by whom
"

that

shall

we

fair

innocent

But

says.

she

I had

disheartened

taught myself
; but

surpassed

she
the

on

throw

bear

to

when

me

and

meets

It is not

arms.

my

placency
com-

field,and

own

that

stage,

mine,

to

down

my

at

me

things with

othSr

entered

like

tormenting and thwarting me.

contest
; she has superior weapons

I grow

and

looks

turn

every
a

Stein

Mr.

kitten, as

She

suffer.

much

too

was

humiliation."

Rodney listened, half-amused.

reallyannoyed, and
Fanny was
a grudge, and
longed to revenge
little curious
how

at

wanted
to

random

effect, and

an

to

move

know

what

him

Too

much

was

He

now.

humiliation

"

used

to failures.

am

to

she

desire

ated
exagger-

"

Don't

say

I shall
a

an

say,

create

that

experienced

rarely

to

but

her with

Cecil
felt

She

doubt

no

Fanny laughed slightly.

What
a
tragicaltone !
am

about

her words.

laugh,but, instead,turned to
seriousness
and repeated :
"

He

herself.
was

that

bore

habituallysought

; she

there

knew

she

that

she

substantiate

would

she

talked

to

He

failure

that."

survive
all

it.

through.

CLEVER

TOO

But

she

used

left

might have
think

to

BY

me

could

HALF.

old

my
reckon

335

love.

always

Frank

on

Med-

hurst."

"Oh,

Medhurst?"

thinkingabout

are

you

asked

By-the-by,I saw
in a fine fury, the other day. He
him
was
quite
with his life, declared he was
out of humor
going
away."
Did he tell you why?"
No ; but the positionhas always fretted him ;
with

Rodney,

some

"

eagerness.

"

"

' '

and, indeed, what

could

with

on

go

old

is in love

"He

any real mental

Haxtoun?"
of

man

with

Mr.

Haxtoun's

Fanny, looking her companion

said

say he admires

I dare

"

make

"Don't

"

in the

face.

are

Rodney.
morbidly jealous

is concerned."

she

where

daughter,"

her," exclaimed

think you

me

energy

it,"said Fanny.

everythingabout

I know

to tell you what

you want me
She spoke with the utmost

"

Do

I know?"

sweetness, yet there

even
menacing, in
something pointed, and
The
her tone.
in
two were
a window
standingnear
the main
was
parlor. The supper- room
open, and
were
people were
going and coming, and servants
passing about with trays of ices and champagne
was

"ups.
"

do

not
"

Rodney.
tell it?
you
"

has

if you
a

you

then

secret

it must

If Medhurst

rightto

admire

know

did, what

be silent ; and

course

mind.

own

And,

If it is

should
of

believe

her.

confided

anything," said
righthave you to
to you, certainly
have
surprised it,

if yon
be forever
admires
That

buried

Miss
he

was

in your

Haxtoun

he

actuallyin

MIDSUMMER

336
love

with

honorable

would

her

"Wait

first,that

at

I found

him

was

old

him
I

terms.

even

his

done

to

me

I believed
him

the

anger

to

him

and
youthf ul feeling,

; and

when

; and
me

he

was

was

when

wrong

remorse

my

I could
on

the

; but

well

dismissed

had

He

me.

doubt,

accept

discovery that

with

no

that he

great

if he refused

tried to show

presentlymade

to be

"Remember

naive, passionate,clever boy

hardly blame

an

brusque.

I had

me.

faithful

was

I had

almost

Fanny.
to

half-indifferent

unforgiving.
he

said
means

Frank

is

himself

allow

not

cold, and

was

the matter

He

misfortune.

feeling."

moment,"

much

would

such

captiveby any
Rodney's manner

his

be

fellow,and

led

how

MADNESS.

over

his

thing
wholly engrossed by somefresher,and, besides,more
promising."
newer,
differenc
"I
confess," said Rodney, with
apparent in"
time I thought Medhurst
at one
was
a
little in love with that young
sion
lady. But the imprespassed. You came, and certainlyhe seemed
to you."
to be devoted
"
He denied his real feeling
But he was
not.
; he
He
visited by compunctions with regard to you.
was
hated, besides, the idea that he had nothing to lose,
was

"

everythingto gain
a
Rodney made
gesture for her to be silent. A
made
strange feeling,
up of doubt, alarm, stupor, and
had
He
took
suspected
possession of him.
rage,
not
had
been
he
that something was
going on,
and

"

"

blind,

"

but

he

fellow-creatures
There

seemed

knowledge

had
than

found
to

to be

into which

it easier

impute
some

bad

to

motives

his

to them.

gulf of
plunge him,

black, unknown

Fanny longed to

trust

338
have
is

in the

over

sit down

and

You

are

eat

cream-ice

not

asked, with

voice.

She

began

to believe

would
; but

disdain

felt

she

herself, and

utter

upon

him.

Rodney
chair,and
and

poured

out

and

words

analyzed and studied,

No, I won't

"

to

had

her

erred

in

could,

to

had

been

up

Then

He

glass.

if it were
lifted

then

put her in

decanter

to

eager

he walked
of

gazed

brandy,
into

it

something to be
it to his lips. He

untasted, however.

it down

set

in

tried, if she

she

took

small

able

lips expressed such

of confusion, wholly doubted
why she had permitted her

it as
scrutinizing

moment,

she

the butler to her.

sideboard

to the

be

may

led her into the supper-room,

called

rush

his closed

sort

the

that

have

wondered

to

tongue

we

"The

little tremulousness

judgment, and
repair her error

he.

comfortably."
are
me,
you, Eodney?"

with

angry

said

and

supper-room,

Fanny

force

MADNESS.

glass of champagne,"

"

MIDSUMMER

do

all

events," he said,

this

yet, at

the

dining-room,then
room
by turns.

half-aloud.

He

looked

about

and

glanced into every

looking for Cecil, but
encountered

Alec

found

her

was

in

some

the

of

"

Look

here, Heriot,"

said

he,

was

was

staircase,

Rodney

to

careless

cerning
con-

peculiarstate

agitation. Alec, however, received

words
with
incoherent
anything

of

out

He

presently, who

Haxtoun

man,

He

nowhere.

at the foot of
walking up and down
Snow, who, even
talking with Arthur
Heriot's
perceptions, ordinarily very

this 3'oung

went

with

his
but

torrent

ness.
serious-

burst

of

TOO

"

laughter,
thing, and
its

have

you

and

you

does

"Whom

he
the

"Stein,

"

HALF.

339
done

everywhere,

know

Here's

etiquette.

fight a duel,

been

must

you

BY

CLEVER

the code

want

able

be

may

of honor

fellow

young

He

manager?

and

who

all
to

wants

help him."
ney,
inquired Rod-

to

kill?"

to

eve^-

hard

was

on

you,

Snow."
it's

isn't Stein,

"It

"

Medhurst," said Alec, laughing

again.
"Medhurst?"

repeated Rodney,

"What

has
"

to

Well, will you

"

all my

"With

to-night or
Snow
of

turned
said

me,"

Medhurst

has

I don't know
but

"

insulted

there

said

stab

him,"

"He

insulted

or

Snow's

at

know

you

him

knock
"

; be

But

Alec.

he

be

fun

I want

be

to

seem

of

sort

some

the

satisfaction.

duel,

lete,
obso-

tion."
repara-

shoot

him

Rodney,

ing
look-

"

Alec.
did

he?"

asked

fierce, puckered face.

highly

are

nowadays

other

to

Revive

you,

we

Christian
the

ought

making

intenselyserious.

they

"

Medhurst

on

are

am

and

me,

duels,

Oh, fight him!

"

"but

he;
about

I wait

"

very

turning

second?"

morning?"
You
sulky.

to-morrow

be

too,

remarked.

Shall

heart.

prise.
sur-

He,

to

seems

Arthur's

be

some

done?".

Medhurst

Medhurst
laugh.
everythingtopsy-turvy,"he

began

with

If he

civilized
smites

patient,be generous,

and
one

"

or

Ah,

well,

perfectly
cheek
else go

turn

and

down."

began by knocking

Arthur

down," said

MIDSUMMER

340
"He

be

to

seems

MADNESS.

the

devil

of

fellow," said

Rodney.
It
much

Arthur

possible that

was

wine,

else he

taken

had

little too

lighter-headedthan usual.
I could make
you quarrel with him, Heriot," he
said malignantly. "You
had
better lookout

*'

now

or

that he does
"Hold

undermine

not

Haxtoun,

"

of the way,

won't

his maudlin

nonsense

this

said

Rodney,

quarrelsome

I won't

you?

"

idiot!"

you

get

"

with

you

tongue,

your

angrily.

was

him

have

in this house.

Here

out

cur

blabbing
the

come

ladies."
And

that

at

and
the

and

her

been

took

the
She

way.
up

lowing
the stairs ; Cecil folher

carrying on

seemed

went

all made
her

to

up

chester,
Win-

as

arm

of feathers
she reached

stair.

I have

looked

Miss

Haxtoun,

on

and

two,

Rodney

the lowest

He

appeared

mantle, which

down.

"

Cecil
other

soft white

Mrs.

moment

looking for you,"

cloak
was

from

raised

into her face

in his

own

; his

her
a

said

stood

and

little above

with

forehead

he.

blocking

him, and

he

persistentinterrogation
was
contracted, his

closed.
imperious,his lipstightl}'
"
I don't know," he murmured,
whether
It seems
safer to keep you.
you go or not.
knows
what may
happen ?

eyes

"

let

to

Who

"

She

did not

sustain

his

consumed
"

He

I shall

answer

glance.

word.

She

could

scorchingsensation

not

even

of shame

her.
see

you

to-morrow,"

stepped aside and allowed

followingher, put the cloak over

he

said, gently.
her to pass,

her

shoulders

and,
and

TOO

drew

the hood

BY

her hear!

over

little embarrassed, but

Do

"

you

know

what

shook

her

head.

very

HALF.

She

while he did this with

at him
a

CLEVER

turned

and

looked

soft,childlike glance,
sweet

have

you

341

and

done

gracious.for me?"

he

asked.
She

Drawn

"

and

put

Mrs.

away
thorn

Haxtoun

called

now

to

good, useful,comfortable heart,

in its place."
and
was
already in the carriage,
her daughter. She
also addressed
my

Someto hear her.

Rodney, but he did not seem
bocVyelse put Cecil in, and shut the door.
Rodney
stood on the porch for a while, in a sort of stupor,
conscious
intense
heaviness
of au
weighing upon
him without
He
admittingto himself what it was.
afraid to give way
afraid to
to passion ; he was
was
violent and agitated.
be alone, lest he should become
The guests were
He
leavingsinglyand in groups.
aside and
let them
stood
turninghis
pass, without
When
the last carriage
face from the shadow.
had
rolled awa}', he went
and
in, and found his mother
Mrs. Dalton
ing
sittingin the parlor,the former drinkbouillon.
wondered

"I

Este".

Mrs.

"Of
"

were

course
so

am
so

many

were,
you
left it all for

You

Rodney,"
me

to

said

do."

I did."
warm,

and

so

people, and

very,
I

had

very

tired.

to remember

There
their

something about their families. It is so

hard to remember
people's names."
"
The deuce of a bore ! The}' ought to have little
labels affixed ; or why shouldn't they be signed,liko
pictures?
names

and

"

where

"

MIDSUMMER

342
Then

"

I should

the

MADNESS.

have

to

out

get

eye-glass to

my

all, what

"And,
signatures,"said Mrs. Este.
of knowing their names
is the use

the

and

read

men

and

dead,

are

the

about

nothing

comfort.

day?'
'

it is like

it

knows

Medusa's

indeed.

ready

to

Este"

Mrs.
in

white

she

tottered

to be

and

She
bird

fluttered

she

was

shall

have

dressed
wore

place."

my

magnificently,
little coronet

on

feeble, nevertheless

son,

and

lifted her

about

cheek

her, instead,

muttered,

he

am

have

very

mother!"

are

as

his

from

away

smoothing

You

old

"my

down

her

rough

as

arms

ruffled
used

you

with

the

to be

as

"Good-night! Good-night, Fanny

she

off

went

Dalton

on

her
made

maid's
a

very

air of

plumage.

said she.

Mrs.

tion.
genera-

"

mother-!

"

old

my

"Our

present

shall

flung his arms

ardently.

her

it

dead."

me

You

you.

she

to her

He

embraced

to

was

She

across

kissed.

"O

curls.

of

glimpse

Rodney.

like the

She

diamonds

point and

her

rose.

that."

wife, and

young

get

kingdom, Rodney.

my

Do

together, that
he
doing when

it strikes

like

it all ov.er

pass

beautiful

of

'

say,

; it is all locked

past

"

I don't

tired

am

were

when

about

care

and

them

exclaimed

gracious!"
generation can't talk
No,

we

All

They know
delight and my

there

my

head,

"Good

"

of

me.

my

were

mind, and

own

be

to

we

and

tire

none

was

Nobody

in my

up

to

when

'What

or,

came

used

turn

can

know

to

ones

new

what

remember

you

I used

women

after

!"

boy,"
And

arm.

pretty picturecoiled

up

TOO

on

sofa,watchingthe

BY

CLEVER

HALF.

littlescene

343
her half-

between

closed

eyelids.
Have
you forgivenme?

"

"

asked,

she

when

they

alone.

were

turned

Rodney
He

said

to

and

that

such

and

himself

bent

her

upon

that she

was

very
have

must
pertinacity

piercinglook.
pertinacious,

some

cause.

Forgive'you !" said he. "I have nothing to

I have no anger
forgivethat I remember.
Certainly,
againstyou."
I am
glad of that."
"On
the contrary, I admire
ney
you," pursued Rodlook
half -sitting,
well
half-reclining,
5 "you
very
It is impossiblenot to acknowledge
there.
the bewitchingness
of that attitude,with your bare
"

"

"

raised to the back

arms

Fanny laughed.
"
You
are
an
artist,
"

of }Tour head."

}Tou

see

the

not
picture,

the

woman."
artist in

appreciateyou
only makes me
"I
the
am
more," persisted Rodney.
thinking
about yourselfand not your beauty, at this moment.
I am
suddenly curious concerningyou."
The

"

me

If I could

"

' '

You

believe that ! "

I

may.

was

thinkingabout

what

said of

you

that you had looked

forward
to seeing
Medhurst,
him
attentive,humble, devoted, again. Of course,
"

it could

been

have

discovered

he
you

were

you

would

"

some

not

Once

readilylet

feel

sure

had

indifference

lukewarm.

too

I don't

so, if you

him

whether

desired
in

it.

you.
interested

fancy
Perhaps

in

escape."
that is flattery
or

man

proach."
re-

344
"

Men

and

companionship
solitude.

you

had

would

returned

whom

woman

mind

influences
seemed

or

they

to you

other

some

for Medhurst
You

once.

have

he
not

are

had

the

in your

man

all-powerful. If

You

forget.

men

"

is there

are

at

light,warmth,

silence, darkness,

to care,

something else,

on

like

the}' hate

These

cared,

have

MADNESS.

like children

are

and

MIDSUMMER

your

play, perhaps.
thoughts? I am
merely speaking

Or
not

I am
asking, you know.
my
thoughts aloud."
He
She had grown
at her.
paused and looked
bent on
the floor ; a little
pensive ; her eyes were
color tinged her
cheek.
I think," she said, softly, "you
understand
"

me."
"

should

"You

are

like to

proud

given to
fully awoke
She

love," he continued.

self-restraint;you

have

sentiment.

If your

heart

are

once

"
"

raised

her eyes

and

fixed them

oniim.

enigmatical,"she said.
"If
heart once
fullyawoke," he pursued,
your
"
it would
But the question
carry you a long way.
is, could your heart be fullyaroused ? Could you
"

You

; you

lavish

not

3-011 in

see

fall in

are

love?"

Fanny
She
showed

the

rose,

little
effort

then

sank

back

on

the

sofa.

all
features
her
agitated, and
would
of self-repression. One

joyfulemotion, almost
half yielding.
triumph, to which she was
Rodney regarded her with singularcomposure.
Tell me," he now
said softly.
For
she only lifted her eyes and looked
answer

have
a

was

half

"

said, too, that it

was

346

MIDSUMMER

kiss

his

head,

it.

upon
then

But

door

after

her.

all

the

lights

were

is

it
he

the

She

it

raised

"Good-night!"

"

MADNESS.

devil

with

said
Left

still

of

was

form

mere

smiling

alone

in

the

burning,

woman

he

"

he

bent

air.
and

again,

then

closed

parlor

where

said

to

self:"
him-

"HAD

WIST

BEFORE

CHAPTER

"HAD

"TUST

*J

between

river

was

WIST

the

to

and
the
the

day

this

thick

searched

it

few

the
He
the
him

all.

KIST."

Haxtoun

house

little nook,

the

tree, which
of

shape

hung
over-

Late

in

night,beneath
early morning sun

the

its first beams

for Cecil.
he

sunrise, for

which

dwarfed

as

morning he
by slumber, which

but

had

bamboo.

dark

was

but

they

Towards

moments,

the

which, finding no
stone-walls,turned for support

waited

overtaken

and

creepers,

through with

long before

slept at
suddenly

old

quiet niche

Medhurst

the house

the

greenery,

that

here

nearest

into

twisted

BEFORE

densely shaded

by vines and
longera foothold on

347

XXIII.

the

KIST."

was

; and

it

was

He

had

had

scarcely
had

lasted

left

been
but

sufficient to mark

dividingline between
yesterday and to-day.
the dominion
had gone
of
to sleep still under
imperioussentiment which had made it easy for
to accept the young
girl'slove. The barriers

between

them

were

all down

she

was

sweet

and

beyond all
precious to him : she was
necessary,
He had sunk
his.
things necessar}', and she was
into unconsciousness, feeling that he clasped and
awoke
He
of the world.
possessed the treasure
He
rose,
presently in quite a different mood.

MIDSUMMER

348

dressed, and

luminous

pearl};
had

said

no

knew

away

heinous

crime.

He

grew

he

to himself

conquered by

of

who

man

light,her

eyes

sank

has

little hands

done

sightof

the

burning

remembered

sorcery

never

; he

that he
Had

had

would
he been

out

merest

that,

tary
momen-

very

thing

do.

He

he had

had

boon

girlin the halflipstremulous, her

of this

declared
her

save

finds

him, and

She

him.

his

the young

that moment

reproach governed

he

he

he had

not

magical temptation.

through his

ran

He

when
self-respect

him, her

on

fire

; but

the

towards
fluttering

resist

east

committed

he

in his

he would

fixed

then

recovers

and
insanit}*,

delirium,

had

the

auroral

rosy,

the

over

that, by accident, by the

impulse,

over,

sky

floated

of

his

by

remembered

he

he

interval

an

carried

tried to

The

the

gloriesof the new day.

paced the damp turf, that

sensations

after

sworn

the

for

eyes

the

reason

doors, while

clouds

himself, as

to

of

out

vanishing.

were

vapors

he

went

MADNESS.

veins

still,as

yet the keenest

was

to

so

young,

himself,

from

her

of his senses?

over

own

selfso

experienc
in-

and
osity'.
gener-

If the

lation
reve-

of

feelinghad been the end of iD he might

have carried the precious,potent memory
to the end
of his days, and have been the richer for it. But to
have leaped into the positionof accepted lover,the
of this young
princess! The
prospectivehusband
idea was
absurd.
preposterous; wildly,frantically
He

was

ashamed

of himself

that, even

for

moment,

no
revoltingincongruityhad seemed
ity
incongruat all, but
a
delightfuland perfected ideal of
It was
existence.
spoliation; it was
robbery to
deprive her of her happy, girlishlife and offer her in

this

"

return

HAD

existence.

doing

it.

share

of

And

He

WIST

BEFORE

his

seemed

tame,

own

he had

never

have

had
been

KIST."

349

shabby

meagre,
any

intention

of

by a
of outside
current
forces, apparently powerless to
resist.
Now
his
that the vivid
impression upon
faded
he
was
imagination had
ready to
away
to himself,to find himself
impute the worst motives
There
for his conduct.
was
wholly without excuse
of yesterhis state of mind
no
logicalgap between
day
and to-day into which he could
interpolatethis
bewilderingepisode.
The
glamour, the extraordinarynaivete of his
the most
state of mind, the nightbefore, was
prising
surthing in his experience.
The
The
well awake
day was
by this time.
river was
flashingwith motion and light. There
indistinct murmurs,
were
movings, and beatings all
and
Birds
were
through the shrubberies
grass.
darting everywhere, whirring,clamoring with an
exuberance
had

of

begun.

energy
Medhurst

to

the

drone

looked

swept

of
at

on

the

insects

his

watch.

down
from
passed since he came
Would
o'clock.
his room
nearing seven
; it was
Cecil keep the appointment he had so imperiously
?
He
seemed
her pillow,
made
her lying on
to see
like a
lily,half-asleep,half-waking, the white
would
be
Before her mind
petals just unclosed.
rose-colored
of
mist
floating a diaphanous and
memories
and
hopes ; in this half daylightof her
remember
the
kiss he had
thoughts she would
Would
it be with a
given her the night before.
her parted lips,and
smile on
a
laugh in her rich
sudden
a
quickeningof
eyes, or with a blush and
Two

hours

had

350

terror, which

nameless

some

hide

tenderness,
He

could

he

proud,

seductive.
he

was,

him

moved

how

she

she

sion,
pas-

had

she

night he

had

had

she

it?

of

less

rowed

were

in

yet,

in hkn

had

he

once

her up
the

in

seen

And

at

she

as

If he

faith

All

and

above

been

been, just

know

first.

had

generous,

cling to?

instinct

melting.

the

membered
re-

river,
below

waters

glowed with the colors of the sunset, and

atmosphere about them, seemed
magically lit.

them
the

Certainly he
the

side

one

in

was

led

love, and,

strange

all the

by

the

on

white

saw

the

trunk

of

branches

mistook
at

for Cecil's
his

strongly.
young
little

intentness
face

and

of

It

heart

and

of

he had

then

thought

; but

birch, which

error
was

little

seriousness

sionate
pas-

it

once

the

disclosed

of

his

senses

coming down
abashed, with
diffused

over

he

was

swajnng
then

opening lilies,which
But
shining raiment.
now,
began to beat swiftly

girlherself

slowly,

mind

the

no

was

of

nated,
other, restrained, domi-

distance

hid, and

gleam

once,

The

white

first

the

was

in the

dress

frame

illusions

Twice

tyrannized over.

that

What

to

the

from

heavens

the

without

her

wish

to

her.

the

and

turn

sentiment,

consistent, less

was

way,

her

of

in, trust, and

the

on

heart

Yet, just as

dim

and

think

worshipped

worthy,
some

her

breath?

not

more

believe

to

at

it in his

had

more

made

face, perhaps annihilated

her

But

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

it
he
all
and

this time.
the

walk,

childlike
her

whole

manner.

Involuntarily Medhurst

started

up.

He

was

WIST

"HAD

BEFORE

KIST."

351

A strong sense
of the
ready to fall on his knees.
them
surged
realityof all that had passed between
He
not
was
back, governing his consciousness.
worthy of her, but she had sought him out ; she
had
her equal ; she had
made
him
given him her
could he not be
love ; and could he not be grateful,
she
of all he
the embodiment
not
loyal? Was
Her clear,frank
loved best in the world?
glance
she

as

approached

But,

as

he

went

even

touch

her

It

"

"

into

peace

forward

to

his very

her, he

meet

soul.

did

not

hand.

good

was

sent

of

said

he

come,"

to

you

softly.

Sit down."
She

sat down

on

at the foot of the

the bench

tree,

place by her side. She wore

wide-brimmed
hat, which, as she leaned her
all but the rosy oval of
her hand, hid
upon
and

took

he

cheek

and

his

the

she

see

that

and

he laid his

"Tell

was

last
you were
when
you awoke,

"

are

evening?
"

chin
the

could

fingersfluttered,

them.

upon

Cecil,"said he,

me,

Medhurst

her

trembling;

own

mind
of

throat.

milk-white

that

did you
mine?"

What

you

of the

you

were

same

think

He

"
Has
that little
:
increasingagitation
flutter of kind
feelinglasted all night,or are you
I am
?
and
do you see me
as
more
clear-e}*ed
now,

went

on,

with

"

For

answer

lovely face

she
towards

that he felt almost

with

bird's

lifted

her

him,

so

blinded

and

turned

radiant, so

her

dazzling,

by it ; then, all at once,

stooped and leaned her

swiftness,she

against his hand.

You
know," said he,
giveyou no luxuries,

head

cheek
"

can

"

"

that
none.

am

beggar. I
will try to take
a

MIDSUMMER

352
of

care

that

so

you

MADNESS.

need

you

I may

not

she

at him

He

dropped

smiled.

"

I have

money

her

hand

that ; don't

to be an.

seem

prospered, and

to come."

and

whispered.

not

in the years

prosper

looked

She

I have

Hitherto

man.

no
suffering,

no

help me,

great privation; but, Heaven

unlucky

know

and

"

of my

poor,"

not

am

own."

started

"

up.

Don't

of it

yourself,"he exclaimed,
For
throwing off the suggestionas if it stung him.
love ; to profit by
to steal your
to come
me
here,
be the final humiliation.
I had no
it, that would
I knew
it all the
rightever to think of you, none.
time.
intention
of speaking to you
last
I had no
I
I
night,but the words burst from me.
Cecil was
gazing at him as if fascinated.
"
I who
It was
to blame," she faltered.
was
This
innocent
nants
speech almost cost him the remsay

think

"

"

"

"

"

"

of his self-control.

he, "I

said

know,"

"You

had

decided

to

go

away."
But

"

"

Do

could

you

know

you

She

looked

Let

"

I dreamed

that

your

do

is to go

of

me

at

up

away," said Cecil.

last night that you

back

to

again.

You

lot in your
He

was

"

the

All

away.

house

now,

need

be

I know

it

you

and

troubled
"

with

he,

I have

preme
su-

have

to

think

never

by

no

me

neither

part

life."

conscious

But

true," said

come

I will go

"

I feel it

more.

him, half-smiling,
half-reproachful.

dream

effort.

even.

gone

gone?"

were

nor

have

not

only two

of his
courses

harshness, of his brutality

seemed

open

to

him,

"

354
I don't

"

it

MIDSUMMER

dare

himself.

trust
our

destiny

But

I know

about

I should

the

fate

of

your

me.

If

circumstances
suitor"

other

no

Cecil

made

You

"

cruel

that

could
for

down

do

all the
on

opens

had

never

I dreamed
I

come

follow
be

to

was

him," she said, as

of

you

away.

never

me

speak

told

gone

would

and

gone,

you.

different ; if you

were

to

"

had

you

fatality

no

which

one

it.

gesture of despair.

heart-broken.
that

alter

"

are

shut

right to

except the

doors

is

to

to

to feel that

can

there

me

; and

afraid

was

nothing

is still open

I have

that

he

glad enough

that

"

Medhurst

that

"

tells

choice

be

reason

my

"

said

had

chosen,

"

this
feel

not

he

"

is

myself," said

trust

exactly as

was

MADNESS.

night

knew

that

you

back.

knew,

and

you,

Mr.

last

Heriot's

all

if

were

too,

that

wife.

He

mained
re-

was

talking to me and looking at me, smiling all the time

just as he had smiled in the evening ; and I hated
him.
I longed to be free of him.
It was
a
great
heart ; it turned
me
misery ; it weighed on
my
cold and
somehow
sick, and I said to myself,I must
I must
be free.
wrench
But when
I
myself away.
tried to do

tight,and
sobbed
not
"

"

How

more

for

had
can

that

; that

strong

looking into
is

joy

away

Medhurst

would

her

attractive

go ; he

me

of this I woke

it

not

was

up,

true,
here

were

you

held

me

and, oh, I

that you

"

to decide

had

for

me

me."

fallen

you

let

not

the horror

at

with

gone
to be

it he

on

prefer

face.
than

"

his knees
me

to Heriot?"

Heriot

I am,

before

has

her.
he

asked,

everything ;

thousand

times

more

he

HAD

"

And

"

"

to be in love

ought

there
beautiful

more

times."
knew
"You

believe

to

almost

Oh,

"

Your

"

charming than I am
laughed slightly.

to think

but

too

"

her"

love

tide

always

it turned

brain

But

do

will have

to

"
"

"

You

me.

the current

and

"I

"

me.

buts"

will hate

with Heriot, wind

thousand

my
it all the time.

knew

many

mother

"Are

with

Cecil,

returned

Dalton,"

you

the full tide of

stem

I believe

and

it, but

dare

word,

Heriot."

with

jealous of her;

were

355

Mrs.

in love

were

my

KIST."

is

Medhurst

you

On

far cleverer.

attractive,and
}*ou

BEFORE

WIST

againstme,

now,

"

favorable."

are

afraid?"

you

He

about
her.
I am
"Afraid?
flung his arm
afraid of nothing but doing you some
injury."
He
was
ready .to forgeteverything again. She
to
was
so
near
him, so simple, so trusting,
so
he was
true in heart and feeling,
absolutely
ready to

dismiss

his

self-accusations

heart.

But

some

glimmer of

unerring,made
"

That

"

It

"

Heriot

"

of

him

was

was

sa}-

hideous
never

Spoken to me?"
his meaning.

"

He

has

not

"

He

has

been

made

draw

her

his

to

instinct,
blind, but

an

"

strange dream

has

and

of

yours."

dream."

spoken to you, I believe?"

she repeated, as if uncertain
love to

"

}rou?

making love to me all the time,"

cried Cecil,indignantly.
Good
God !
ejaculatedMedhurst, withdrawing
"

"

his
"

arm

from

I could

her waist.
not

"

What

help it," said

do

mean?

you

Cecil.

"

I did

"

not

356
like it ; but

that

Med

hurst

risen

had
said

Cecil,"

"

of
"

Yes,"

"

Did

"

He

it for
that

made

it

the

"

offer

Do

Heriot

made

and

you

an

you
offer

to do

I did

and
was

all

feel it

so.

it

me

not

she

accepted
arranged
I

could

"
"

to

mean

you

him?"

to mamma,

told

be.

to

tell what

not

Dalton,

clearly what

me

refuse

or

Mamma

was

tell

"

Mr.

accept

me.

Mrs.

went

answered, timidly.

she

you

first,"she

his feet.

to

Has

At

to marry

he,

alludingto.
marriage?"

are

it.

wished

mamma

thought you were

nothing mattered."

"

on,

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

say

engaged

are

you

to

Heriot?"
"

I have

what

"He

thinks

Thinks

so

; but

"
"

?"

"But

"

told him

not

so,"

you

are

engaged

to him

"

nodded.

She
"

Since

when?"

"

Since

the

"

Two

looked

day of
days ago."

like

creature

the

picnic."
Medhurst
gazed at her; she
in pain, but he could not spare

her.
"

He

"Oh,
"

accepted lover, then."

is your
no

Has

he

no

"

not

no!"

"

himself

considered

your

accepted

lover?"
She

trembling painfully;

was

her

color

came

and

went.
"

Tell

me

"

tell

me

"

he

cried, impatiently.

"HAD

"I

It

was

mind.

murmured.

357

"You

are

if with

cold,

"

out

arms

my

"

impossiblefor him to
Remembering the look
vfay her hands

his, the

mot

KIST.n

night,"said he, shiveringas

I reached

when

me."

with
Last

"

"

frightened,"she

am

angry

BEFORE

WIST

littlebirds into his own,

utter

what

in her

had

in his

was

fluttered

the kiss he had

they

as

e}-es

like timid
taken

lips,he felt dizzy and sick. A thousand

thoughts swarmed
throughhis mind.
could you," he cried,stung by pain,
how

from

her

erable
mis"

How
could

"

"

so?"
you treat me
Cecil's face was
of

ness
absolutelycalm ; it was the calmgatheringdespair at the gradual comprehension

she stood.

of where

Heriot I have

It is Mr.

"

with

look

if she

as

were

height and gazingon

I have thought of all
listened

Medhurst

her

impressionfrom
"I
he

knew

ever

are
""

her hands

you

the

treated

badly," she said,

standingon some
giddy
"It is you
depths below.

the time

and

without

gaining any

win

of him."
accurate

words.

You

3-ou.

do

done, Cecil, and

have

never

the first that he loved

from

tryingto

was

what

pressed

temples.

her

to

She

should.

One

thingis

to Heriot

you

are

in

no

way

that

"

not know

God

clear

you,

exactly

forbid that 3'ou

if you

are

ised
prom-

mine.

His

rights

would

help

prior,superior. I yieldmine."
I thought," said Cecil, " that you

me."
"

"

me."

Help you?
You

are

not

What

help do

kind ; you

you

need

are

not

of

mine?

generous

"

to

MIDSUMMER

-A-

358

Medhurst

MADNESS.

looked
don't

"You

with

her

at

know,

don't

you

"

bitter

smile.

know,"

he

said,

quietly.

very
"Let

sobbing
fall

voice

lips

his

at

and

then
failed

almost

trembling,

were

will

you

She

her.

feel

he.

chivalrous

But

"

Cecil.
have

been

also

been

looked

she

don't

fool,

to

that

do

to

or

"

He
"

be

what

borne

to

not

both

hands

all.

have
who

man

this

at

sure

say.

you,

but

to

am

placed

at

you

dishonest

Cecil,

with

angry

about

might

and

me.

perhaps

hence

ready

generous,"

feel

am

think

to

"

disloyal

think

not

dare

not

what

moment

do

do

kind

was

was

"

"

said

know,"

feet.

don't

"

her

all,

you

Her

Cecil.

cried

to

tell

me

hours

few

upon

her

head.

"O

my

thought

you

of

gust
"

voice,

mine
did

passion

few

hours

and

left

not

that

later,"
her.

"and

muttered;

he

were

She

tormented.
the

God!"

"

He

know
had
he

racked

looked

thousandth

shaken

repeated,

and

part

him.
in

once

mechanical

of

MEDHUEST

CHAPTER

CUTS

MEDHURST

COWARDS

r I

-J-

along

outside

the

sittingat
walk.

his

window
and

asked

and

had

are

Have

to

and

then

pushed

his hat.

I will go.

"

was

out

come

moment,

took

moved

not

round

came

"Where

Medhurst

him

spot just

Let

me

speak

first."

Haxtoun

Medhurst

the

to

where

hesitated

chair,rose,

Rodney

lawn

walked

Heriot

day Rodney

Very well," said he,

to Mr.

"

his

study
work,

KNOT.

GORDIAN

THE

Haxtouu's

Medhurst

back
"

Mr.

359

XXIV.

that

noon

KNOT.

THE

CUTS

going?"

you

you

the

any

from

the

house

and

he

place when
joined him.

asked.

choice?"

"None."
"

Then

let

walk.

can

us

The

go back

day

fact, the breeze

In

They
the

"

struck

stile found

You

don't

is

on

the

hills

beautiful,
"

as

not

far
too

as

we

warm.

is cool."

the grounds, and

straightacross
Rodney's dogs waiting for him

objectto

the

animals, I hope,"

at

patiently
im-

ney
Rod-

said.

"Quite
They
"

mischief.

the

contrary,"Medhurst
replied.
need
to be watched, or they will get into
They love to run something down ; they

360
cruel

are

they
other

do.

MIDSUMMER

beasts.
We

But

may

said

then

all cruel

are

people'spain

Medhurst

MADNESS.

or

hurts
may

they
until

know
we

find

not

what

out

how

us."
not

have

listened, but

he

nothing. They crossed the road, skirted a

selves
place opposite,climbed a high fence, and found themthe slope of a long hill filled with luxuriant
on
The golden stalks
rye ready for the harvest.
were
higher than their heads as they took the narrow
the great field.
cut
path which
diagonally across
The brilliant sky above, the sunlightstriking
through
the faintlynodding ears
to the slender stalks below,
curious effects of light. Rodney led the way,
gave
followed
in single file by the dogs, each
bent on
good behavior, Max solemn, and Duke with a sort
of tricky travesty of majesty.
Medhurst
lagged
behind, listless and languid. Some of his faculties
were
keenly awake, others were asleep. At the top of
the hill the plantation ended
abruptly,and the woods
began. The deep shade promised rest and coolness,
but
there was
no
proposal to sit down.
Rodney
allowed
his dogs to let off their suppressed spirits,
and
himself
led them
into extravagant antics.
To
his companion he hardly spoke ; and
Medhurst, on
his side,was
in a sombre, inexorable
mood
he was
not yet ready to break.
he should
When, presently,
make
effort and
this dull, brooding
an
conquer
he was
uncertain
what
he should
passivity,
say and
how
he should
act.
Beyond the strip of woods
began a higher hill,which was the loftiest eminence
for miles around.
They set out to climb it with a
their backs ;
on
dogged persistence. The sun was
they no longer felt a breath of the revivingbreeze,
"

MIDSUMMER

3G2

MADNESS.

said, that he had

now

legs,instead

four

of

human

not been

of

created

He

two.

existence.

"

animal

an

hated

the

Animals

are

with

ties
complexi-

egotists,"
he affirmed ; " but then each knows
by instinct just
he requires to make
him
what
happy, and he seizes
it with an utter indifference to what
does not belong
to him.
Man, on the contrary, a being cursed with
ideas and
imagination,is constantly inventing new
desires.
He does not analyze his own
needs :
new
he knows
is.

neither

All that

mankind

it is

; in

matter

as

if the

what

is,nor

possible for

have, he,

to

No

his will

what

the whole

his want

universe

individual, must

an

of
sess.
pos-

some
possession is costly,cumber-

long as his
conceive
tious
can
it,his miserable, jealous,ambispiritis not at rest until he has it,or has
his heart and
ruined
his life in a struggleto

mind

broken

fact, a trouble

and

pain,

so

"

it."

attain

"There

is

Medhurst,

who

something in what
had
paid little

at first mere

seemed

to insert its

driven

product

not

the real zest

since

of this

man

every

but

his consciousness
But

"

wedge.

the

attention

rhodomontade,

point into

say,"

you

then, is

to

from

come

tries to

pass

his

its

fully
care-

civilization

imitation,envy, ambition

of life

what

began

now

like

not

said

Does

competitions,

fellow-man

by

stride,at least?"
"

Don't

Apply
"I
"

"

ideas

your

to

don't

real

go off into the abstract.

life,to the concrete."

have

Let

"

generalize

What

nothing concrete," retorted Medhurst.

devil like me
stract."
enjoy a limitless abpoor
I

was

going

to

add

was

this," pursued

MEDHURST

THE

CUTS

wants
Rodney. " A man
Take, for instance, a man
why does he not give up
enjoy ? But, no ; instead

what

KNOT.

363

do him

can

doomed

good.

no

early death ;
what
he has no
right to
of yielding
to his fate, as
his requirementsby his
he measures
a beast
yields,
to accept love and
ness,
happiincapacities.Powerless
he still strugglesfor love and happiness."
"
don't mean
You
that," said Medhurst, interrupting
; take,instead,
eagerly. " Don't take a sick man
like me,

one

himself, and
who

whom

Make

failure.

others

him

needs

most

unsuccessful

an

"

to

'

limit

himself

dreamer.

He

wants

God

"

be

to

illustration.

of

knows

complete

He

is the

contrary,the

the

help

one

orable
feel the inex-

and

the

who

one

"

your

intolerant

must

one,

know,

yet he is,on
realties,and

'

to

obstinate

most

him

most

love

"

and

happiness."
The two exchanged glances.
words
to yourself,"muttered
take
Don't
my
Rodney, changing color.
"

"

But

"

I don't

could

how

know

help it?

what

"

I meant.

How

warm

it is !

thirsty. Sit still a moment, and I'll

go and look for a spring."
into the adjoining
He called the animals
copse, and
could hear him
Medhurst
talkingto them and to
until they had
himself
penetrated so far into the
When
out of reach of his ears.
woods
they were
in the freshest spirits,
they reemerged the dogs were
and Rodney was
laughingover their exploits. The
and
it was
he felt singularly
truth was,
nervous,
The

dogs

easier
than

are

beat

to
to go

about

at
straight

the
the

bush

and

make

subject.

He

more

now

talk

began

MIDSUMMER

364

talk about

to

MADNESS.

himself, giving a

recital of

his

doings
for the past ten years, interruptedby frequent digressions
for the sake
of elicitingsome
opinion
from
Medhurst, who, nevertheless, offered neither
admonition.
comment
to have
nor
Rodney seemed
been questioninghis conscience
and
putting himself
trial.

on

He

his

them, he

faults, but
declared,and

things.

He

over

and

life

see

reasonable

inclined

not

was

he

wanted

of

to do

no

dismiss
; he

the

pass

tired

was

to
longed now
it reallywas
as

existence

to

sponge

committing
foolish

more

crude

illusions,
in

wanted,

for the rest of his

fact,a

days, marked

by duties,and definitely
guided by routine.
At this point Rodney paused and glanced at
who
answered
his look calmly, and said
"
You
wish to marry."
I

"

see

"I
to

understand

you

You

have

marry.

wife,

your

understand

you

altered

and

You

admirably.
chosen

Miss
wish

every
the

future."

to be

engaged

of

"

me."

have

conditions

hurst,
Med-

going

are

Haxtoun
to

for
the

accept

Rodney laughed.
You

"

out

"

"

Do

believe

of

you

wonder

brimming

am

I wish

if I

hear

to

her.

repeat

happy,
settle down
I have

that for
with

senses

my

anything
;

"

to her?

assuredlydo."

that I

me

me

never

joy?

over

days I have
I find,to my

with

here
been

it
for

seems

the

domestic

to
rest

ine

of

; but

If I

seeing it

to

in my
should
now,

my
now

half

surprise,

sentiment.

myself she were

anything I fix it
I
Upon my word

so

been

see

with

mind

to

be

fectly
per-

if I could

life with
all I

her.

long

for

MEDHURST

is to

have

home

Cecil.

fair to

doubtless.

and

KNOT.

wife.

I shall

In

THE

CUTS

take

fact,there

But

her
is

365

that is

abroad

for

hardly

limit to the

no

time,

things

I intend to do for her."

"Naturally," Medhurst
He

was,

He

wanted

he

believed, well
to

situated

man

loved
But

was

when

tried

he

bitter

consciousness

and

unlike

started

up

"Is

it

then?"

so

it loomed

before

say.

him
least

him.

suggestionof this,

some

terrible flashed

smote

an

out

Rodney

and

of

shuddered

add

to

sob ; at

could
and

large one,

to

by this time.
subject of what a
do for the girlhe

The

like Heriot

himself

schooled

more.

say

something
not

exerted

what

it

was

his

across

he uttered
a

sound

was

which

unbearable
as

he

pain.
if confronted
by a spectre.
asked, in a bitter,peremptory

tone.

"It

is

so," answered
I

alarmed.

be

to

seem
"

"

not

am

Medhurst.

"But

altogetherthe

do

weak

not

fool

be."

for her?
Confess it !'"
you care
Is it worth while to press that point?
But

"Yes.

the

want

truth, and

"

I want

it from

you."
for her."

"

I do

"

Since when?"

"I

care

cannot

"But,

before

attracted

were

I do

tell you.
you

confessed

by her,

did

not know
to

you

it

myself."
yourselfthat you
not

know

that

her suitor ? "

was

did."

"I
"

you."

meant

to

make

it clear to you.

trusted

"

Heriot,

"

I trusted

than

this is

bitter,bitter
I

you,

be

to

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

366

say.

of

you,

jealous

"

was

"

said

day

when

over

your

with

"

could

What

fastened

different

You

make

"Call

played

cried

if

world

to

Your
It

showed

away

he

I the rich
of

man

"Yes,"

poor

man's

declared

don't

the

have

you

"

his

what

you

else

"

man's

little ewe-lamb."

unlike

not

of

pointless jest;

Rodney's

tone

in earnest.

was

bewilderment
the

I have

chance."

one

extraordinary bitterness
that

that

piercing and

loves

she
my

seemed

outbreak

the

voice
young,

was

like the poor

was

This

his

If
it

"

honorable
dis-

whether

unjustifiable,you

are

chance

one

for

Heriot,

conscious

am

how

you.

me?

love

part here."

"You

before

remains

air

not, I

or

will.

you

Rodney,

aflame.

eyes

in

were

you

were

you

"

miserable,

know,"

that

was

"

miserable

"How

"

it

cared

There

apology?
apology,
apology
my

my

believe

that

your

conduct,
you

idea

more

woman."

that

it

her ;

what

this.

the

on

for

and

more

was

her?"

for

care

it matter

happened

fancy

to

moment

every

"How

her?

but

younger

"

Medhurst,

agitated.

"

clined
in-

despisemyself."
"But
why
why"
did I permit myself
"Why

' '

are

you

"

then

I."

"

for

and

now

"

exclaimed
and
one

Medhurst,

incredulity.

"

with
I

"I

well

am

taking

"

little ewe-lamb

Rodney.

an

past

MEDHURST

thirty-six, no
"

and

am

"These
once

CUTS

longer

THE

KNOT.

367

hopeful, or strong,
tired of these persistentfailures."
persistentfailures,"repeated Medhurst,
young,

more.

"I

was

happy," Rodney

so

like the

good

enchanted

to

wanted

needs

and
be

to

himself

to

"

"And

her

lost

"I

on.

gospel, who

was

I have

penny.

felt

somebody ; but I have loved

A
nobody has ever loved me.
loved
in order
to feel sure
a
little,
robbed

few
man

of

in himself."

believe

have

so

always

love

to

people,

in the

woman

find

went

asked

you?"

Medhurst,

meditatively.
' '

When

I heard

that

Cecil

"

"

Who

told you ?"

"

No

and

I would

you

had.

between

come

me

"

matter,

I heard

"

kill you.

that
registering
boilingover with

But,

vow,

I said to

it.

myself

the

at

very'moment
across
Snow,

came

I
who

that
was
was

against you, and he put me

out of conceit with any idea of vengeance."
Medhurst
had
risen,and was pacing to and fro,
while Rodney still lay stretched
at his full length
the turf,propping up his chin with his hands.
on
Have
her to-day?
asked.
he now
you seen
"Yes," said Medhurst, coldly.
rage

"

' '

The

other

was

Medhurst

on

his
like

feet

in

moment,

and

panther, clutchingat
him
and
hurst,
Medshaking him
powerfully. But
thrown
not
though taken by surprise,was
Once
his
than
down.
on
more
guard he was
Rodney's match, and, watching for his opportunity,
movement,
presently,by a dexterous
caught
sprang

at

368
his
then

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

held

opponent's wrists, and

flung him back, and

them

stood

like

vice,

looking into

his

face.
"This

is

foolish

business,"

are

Heriot.
behaving childishly,

no

call for anger.

Rodney
He

impression

of

by

and

his

had

he

turns

he

Let

"

said

talk

our

"

to-day.
interview.

time, that she

You

She
was

of
to

every
in

his

tion,
self-renuncia-

give up
blind, jealous
violence, and
to

for it.
to

man

asked

I will

vexation.

resolution

remorse

coolly as

Medhurst.

Haxtoun

first

us

of

and

of

himself

committed

felt the smart

now

at

had

to me."

shifted

moment

have

inconsistency. His

vision

"You

you

consecutiveness

inspired by

was

listen

shame

own

no

was

nothing. Finally,in
rage,

and

Medhurst

concerning
There

moment.

ideas

Sit down

conscious

was

he.

Besides,

blushing with

was

said

me

moment,"

if I had

tell you

told

man

Miss

seen

what

then, and

happened
for

the

engaged to you."
ground, bending

and
over
Rodney sat on the
He
lifted
now
pullingnervously at tufts of grass.
his. dilated, feverishlybrilliant eyes, fixed them
on
Medhurst, and seemed
waiting to hear more.
is
"She
inexperienced,"
very
young
very
Medhurst
went
some
difficulty.
on, speaking with
"I
she pitied me,
and
for a time
fancy she
There
are
centration
feelings which
gather force and confrom
I
advise
being forbidden.
you
to give her a little time.
Show
her the best half
of yourself. I do not see
why all her heart should
not
like you."
go out to a man
Rodney jumped up ; he stretched out his hands.
"

"

"

370
which

he

His

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

took

first

feelingsrushed

one

with

side

and

an

Cecil ; but allthe time his

towards

then

the

impetuous

wavering

other.
current

ness
conscious-

He recoiled
stronglyimpressed by Medhurst.
from the idea that the young
girl'sbelief and love
to be disappointed. Many precious things are
were
broken
His indignawith the breaking of illusions.
tion
revived, and he felt irritated
against Medhurst
with him, not only for raisinghis eyes to Cecil,but
for winning upon
his own
sympathies. But, after
is bound
to obey,
all,there are certain laws a man
and Medhurst
ought not to have thought of his patron's
he had apparently
daughter at all. Still,now
into shadow.
He had
played his part and vanished
solved the problem in a way that seemed
to him very
simple,and had gone away.
Rodney was actingafter
his usual precedents,and obeying his adopted maxims
ation.
in gainingall the advantages he could from the situTake
the goods the gods provide," was
familiar to his heart and lips,and if other thoughts,
aspirations,and ideas had their echo in his mind
them
and soul he had rarely used
as
a rule of life.
was

"

Both

the

words

Medhurst

which

had

burned

in his eyes and

had

uttered, and
remained

those

unspoken,

shaking Rodney. He felt an almost

and
fellow-feelingfor the
inexplicabletenderness
schemes
for helping
He began to make
man.
young
him to struggleon, and finally
him.
He did not want
The
fall in utter darkness.
thought of insuringhim
had

some

the power

of

sort of material

success

became

more

and

more

With
a
good place, where
pleasant to him.
might reap the advantages of the world's wealth
and
be cancelled
his failures would
civilization,

he
and
his

MEDHURST

scarred

sensibilities

something
of

CUTS

bitter

for

healed.

Medhurst

provided
would

him

his

from

indefinite

be

mind,

With

for,

sensations

reaction

He

of

happiness

fortably
com-

his

that

wanted

himself

yield

stabs

man

young

to

up

do

to

against

felt

Rodney

371

longing

that

insured.
and

KNOT.

This

was

self-reproach.

happiness

THE

to

and

own

dismiss
the

quisite,
ex-

hope.

MIDSUMMER

372

MADNESS.

CHAPTER

f I

COWARDS

JL

Haxtoun
and

LOST

OPPORTUNITY.

sunset

Rodney

Haxtouns'

piazza,

where

what

Rodney, in a hollow
"
My secretaryhas
He

on

group

assembled.

earthquake

the
Mr.

that

day,

has

voice, as

happened?"
he

came

up

he
the

asked

steps.

left me."

going," the visitor replied,

going up to Cecil,and taking her lifeless hand in
his.
"I
But
I hope
suppose
you will miss him.
the loss is not irreparable."
Cecil had not yet raised her eyes.
"
"
said Mr. Haxtoun.
At
Bitterlyirreparable,"
state of health, it is a death-blow.
my
age, in my
He
promises faithfullyto send some
competent
"

told

was

the

across

still shattered.

was

know

walked

joined the

family
experienced an

his universe
you

and

lawn,
the

had

"Do

XXV.

within

person
he is too
with

my

book, my
"
Oh,

person

an

was

week

sanguine.
immortal

to

see

work

assist

me,

but

I feel

that

myself dying,like Buckle,

unachieved, saying, ' My

I cannot
finish my book !
book,
"
do
my dear," said Mrs. Haxtoun,

'

'

"

anything
been

he

me

so

admirable

enjoys

not

gest
sug-

have
painful. Mr. Medhurst
may
secretary; but, after all,no one
monopoly of all talents and all

LOST

And

virtues.

then

"How

was

to

it

373
was

go

said

much

very

to

away."
Rodney, eagerly.

that?"

The

editor of

and

the

East

take

his

Ah,

know

advantage
advantage?"

his

"To

"

you

Medhurst's

Mr.

' '

OPPORTUNITY.

for

the
a

'

Forum

year, and

'

is

Mr.

going

to

Europe

Medhurst

is to

place."
indeed

!"

Rodney observed, with

some

suggestion
he is luckier

meaning behind his words ;

than I supposed. He
always roused my sympathy
for his deprivationof the prizes of life,yet fate
seemed
to be always knocking at his door with
just
"

of

what
Mr.

he wanted."
Haxtoun

ready to go on with his lament,

of opinion that quite enough had
but his wife was
been said concerning the young
She began to
man.
Mrs. Dalton, who
had called that day to
talk about
her departure for
announced
say good-by, and had
Newport on the morrow.
is tired of us.
She
"Yes," said Rodney, "she
abhors
which
the trivial waste
goes on in quietlife,
and
likes to reserve
herself for grand occasions.
The
that it
play gave her something to do ; but now
is over
she would
find us very flat and dreary."
1 thought,"said Mrs. Haxtoun, with a little nod,
that Mr.
Medhurst's
departure might have precipitated
was

"

"

hers."

Rodney could not forbear glancingat Cecil. He

hardly knew whether it promised well or ill for him
had happened between
that whatever
and
Medhurst
the young
to the mother.
girlwas unknown
"I do not think," he remarked
languidly,"that
much
of the old passionhad survived their six years'

MIDSUMMER

374

MADNESS.

when
he knew
separation. He was very young
her better
formerly, he probably understands

her
now

"

It would

"

"

then."

he did

than

consider

that you
Don't

"

said

seem,"

"

Rodney.

with

Alec,

considerations

any

Any

of any

man

pique,

some

judgment"

mature

impute

in

put

"

to me,

age

beg,"

admire

may

pretty woman."
I shall

"

Mrs.

see

"I

Alec.

pursued

Dalton

in
be

to

am

Newport
at

week,"

next

uncle's

my

fora

month."
"

Happy

!"

man

said

He

Rodney.

and

rose

proached
ap-

Cecil.

Come

' '

he

me,"
She

Mrs.

pretty

him

solicitude

the

river breeze

he

said

She

looked
she

that

even

her

knows

seemed

to

been

how

Cecil,

to

seem

to

his

wrap

I love

as

they

to

me

charge

to take

descended
like

touch

feet must

with

at him

up
had

grown

lips had

until

more

"

with

if

the

tender

no

of

care

first
little

rough place

world."

that

long

She

instant.

in which

unused

saw

no

river-bank

blew.

"You

child,whose

as

shawl

mother

terrace.

in the

the

to

mons.
waiting for the sumhung about her daughter with
she
crossed
the piazza, and

Haxtoun

Rodney

"Your

the

on

to have

"

gave

you,"

down

said.

obeyed
expected

have

walk

and

they

lost
had

He
trembling smile.
out,
pale since she came
their color, and he spoke
a

descended

the last of

the;

line of terraces.
I

was

glad

you

asked

me

to

come

out."

she

said

LOST

then, with

to

alone.

see

you

He
' '

375

curious sort of composure.

I have

I wanted

"

something to tell you."

a troubled
glance.
?
he
want
to forgive
me
.

looked
Is

OPPORTUNITY.

it

at her with

"

anything you

asked.
is

"It
"

Let

something I

it be

confess."

must

if the confession

as

made," said

were

his spirits,
and
he, rallying

airy charm
againstme,
confess

of
"

them

all go

have

no

sins,did

into the

sins

And,

have

"

thousand

one.

speaking with his light,

I forgiveit if it be a sin
manner.
I forgiveit freely
; for I might myself
past,and

for you,

againstme."
Something in his
drooped a little. She

I will

better to let

seem

beginagain.
future, Cecil

give you

I will
; not

chance

no

to

sins

"Oh,"
could

into
look

do

but then, you

He

heart

into

your

held

do

You
not

do
hate

her hands

her hands

half-sob, "I

for

wish
!

I know

quitelove

eyes

ously.
impetu-

moment

one

heart.
not

Her

her.

stung

flung out

my

think.

you

words

said, with

she

look

"I

than

to

in the

againstyou

as

it not

you

"

it better

yet,

me

"

me."

in his and

looked

down

into

her face.

Encountering his gaze in this way, she

them.
bond between
experienced the effect of some
It seemed
impossible to question his authorityover
her.
' '

Do

you
she

show

no

she must
"

You

not

asked

sign of

want

me

him, almost
submission

to be

the

true
more

because

submit.
are

true ; you

are

honest."

"

est?"
to be hon-

determined
she

to

felt that

-A- MIDSUMMER

376
"

Do

not

MADNESS.

that, when

say

want

despise

to

you

me."
"

"

little

Ah,

only want

!"

he

you

to

tell

looked
me

her

steadily,
thing, that you

at

one

"

"

mine."

are

looked

She

Will

"

at him

All

I have

I will tell Mr.

what

is best

Her
force.
had

An

seen

her

aspect.

She

dreaded

her

her

He

nor

myself,

will

know

with

overwhelming

come

upon

her ; she

awful, sharply defined

new,

choice.

in

was

to

turn

do.'"

over

to

heart?

my

last I said

at

afraid

was

breaks
where

of terror had

fault in

blind

her

that

rushed

impulse

despair.

everything.
to

me

that

known

not

Heriot

for

trouble

pain

of

falsehoods, with

with

in, until

to confide

sort

me

ceaseless

day long

whom

with

have

you

secret, with

'

one

herself ;

trust

to

She

longed

to tell everything

it had

heart, and

she

seemed

to

Rodney Heriot might be ready to listen with

sympathy, if not with indulgence. But, met by his
persistentnegation,her visionary impulse seemed

her

that

lost.

Her

familiar
cousin

brother, and
There

seemed

mother

had

no

use

crushed

her

and

little world
had
in

She

been

the

her sweetness,
worth

others

she

of

her

had

no

her.
Her

her disdain,

feelings
heart

to

compelled to define for herself

the meaning of the vague,
impalpable thoughts
that floated in her mind, and
make
actual shapes
crowded
for the hurrying and
images that loomed
before her.
But
the experience was
disciplining
her to truth, to duty, to a feeling which
put the
turn.

had

father, mother,

changed its aspect for

any appeal to them.

her with

scepticism of
impulses, and to the

of

378

MIDSUMMER

Cecil looked
"

MADNESS.

at him

up

see," she cried, in

all.

have

to

knew,

weak,

was

but

how

of

tone

and

"

life.

I told

I to

tell you

was

"

despair;

wicked,

was

all my

suffer

"

"

if dazzled.

as

I shall

now

mamma,

she

"

that

it

see

day

hardly dared say it to myself at that time."

Rodney felt all his ideas stiffen into wintry
"Tell

frankly now,"
everything."

said

Mamma

marry

tell
"

me

wanted

almost

as

I say

then

if

to

me

talkingin

her

that I wanted

"Go

he.

sleep.

she

you,"
"

And

on,

"

said,
could

how

somebody

to marry

gidity.
ri-

else ?

"

"Medhurst?"
She
4 '

He

"

No,

not

"

But

he has

She
she

had

said

took

but

planned
will not
heart
must
me

that I

away

"

went
was

friend

all,I
'

day,
the

on

could

as

we

real

silent.

Presently

"

I needed
And

when

go

to.

not

presumptuously

What

I said within

Something
Even

wrong.
to

it so.'

happen.'
that

since?

and

have

was,

then ?

you

eyes.

"

nothing,and he, too, was

no

it

her

rushing to

then."

heart

I had

asked

not

I knew

"

the tears

nodded,

will

when

walked

up

facts, and

happen,

friend,
mamma

say,
my

'

own

something
were
speaking to
you
the glen, I kept pushing
making believe they
"

ended
with
meaningless things, which
}^our
be
words, and would
forgotten like other little
all that day and
heart
the next
phrases. And
my
so
was
so
strangelylight. I
heavy, or else it was
felt either in a nightmare or seemed
to float in the
were

LOST

clouds.

All

OPPORTUNITY.

voices

the

I heard

they did not address me

hurst spoke. And
when
I
was
going away
"

sounded

until

"

he told

You

"

until

"

far

off,

Mr.

Med-

last

me

"

night he

it settled everything

see

me."

for
"Tell

379

just what

me

Let

happened.

know

me

so

much."

Cecil did

analyze the meaning of the scorn

and
the passion in his voice.
She
obeyed him,
and
in a voice barely above
a
speaking hurriedly,
whisper :
that he said he was
I can
only remember
going
And
then I felt as if everything
ing.
vanishwas
away.
It was
if I were
as
drowning, I reached out
for help. I did not think at all except that I could
not

"

"

"

bear

not

; it

moment

"

But

he
no

to

in

you
that

me

was

that
true
un-

"

he

kiss

would

have

did

"

one

did

he

remember

not

occurred

never

simply

Did

voice

did

"

"

it.

not

wait

you?" Rodney asked, in

recognizedas his own.

for her answer,

but

said

lessly
reck-

"

"Tell

what

me

happened

when

met

you

this

morning."
She

had

forgottenall except her own trouble now,

and, countingon helpfrom some
one, believed itwould
from
come
Rodney. She looked up at him with the
her face.
tears running down
"
He had
alreadybegun to doubt that he had a
rightto speak to me," she said. " He declared he
was
"

too

poor

to ask

me

"And

what

"

not

well

to marry

enough placed in

the

him."

replydid

you

make

to that?"

world

MIDSUMMER

380
' '

That

all my

money,

sent

me

him

"

he

woman

when

voice

her

"

loved,

left me."

He

rather.

sank

the

have

heart,

my

he could

"
"

not

would

it broke

saw

some

"

him?

he

but

that I had

poor,

grandmamma

angry,

but

away,

he said

very

that

own,

made

"It

so

that comforted

Ah, and

"

not

was

MADNESS.

the

give up

loved

who

woman

him."
!"

"

Ah

"

But

burst

Rodney.
I had
not then
claimed,
exconfessed," she now
with all the bitterness of despair,
that I
from

"

in any

was

it

was

if

as

It

when

he heard

between

gulf opened

hard

was

told

that,

He

us.

quick, furious
hold

would
sweet.

which

And
a

new

went

it.

And

he

had

the circle of his

heart, which

beat

with

why not clasp her there,

creed, give her a new

his ; all he needed

opportunitywas

to take

courage
of the

throbs.

her, teach her

faith ? The

his

touched

As

Rodney.
within

almost

was,

almost

; she

for

moment

her, here she

arms

his love

was,

in

the

was

measure,

clinging,unreasoning,passionate sort, which

make
from her piquant and
a half -resistance
But
he wanted
her love ; a half -happiness,
brought a poignant pain with it,might be the
of calamities.

chief

"What

loving

is

heart

your

I don't

the first he
J hate

it,"he cried,

me?"

He

between

years

"

to you

at once."

away

and

bound

way

us

"that

hinders

you

laughed slightly. "Is

Tell

me

how

from
it the

tricked

Medhurst

away."
know,"
was

like

things that

she

said, impetuously.

nobody
are

made

else to
too

me.

easy.

"

From

And

then

long

"

for

LOST

OPPORTUNITY.

something actual, something

all others

choose, above
which

I renounced

381

difficult.

I would

choose,

would
life in

denied

something,

thing.
myself someI like better what
is hard and painful than
life would
what
She
a
rich,prosperous
give me."
broke off,growing scarlet.
Rodney had started to
his feet as if stung.
Forgive me, forgive me,
Mr. Heriot," she said, humbly.
I haven't much
vanity," he exclaimed, and it
I am
almost glad you did not count
is not hurt.
in
mother's
income, and old Este"'s picturesand
my
wood-carvings." He sat down again on the edge of
"

"

"

"

the bench, irresolute.

remarked,
"

He

after

"no

time, in

woman

ever

what

wondered

"I

have
a

tone

loved

he had

said

it

before," he

of absolute

me.

I don't win

better

say

or

tion,
convic-

love."

do, but

he

neither

logic,reason, nor will. All

his energy
that
was
paralyzed. He remembered
bade
him
have
Medhurst
had
patience, and
he
not hurry the young
girl. But at this moment
done
with the whole
was
ence,
experieager only to have
in
have it well blurred over
to forget it,and
there been more
the past. Had
solemnityabout his
declared
he might have
that his heart was
mood
shattered
broken, for he felt as if something was
But he could not rallyto the point of
within him.
His mind
his emotions by a name.
fastened
calling
certain past episodesof his life,in which, at the
on
seemed
within his grasp
crowning moment, what
melted
There
had
reason
was
always some
away.
tention,
why he could not succeed, let it be in act or inseemed

to have

love
his

dreams

or

hate.

The

moment

against realities they grew

he

measuivd

unlifelike,

382

MIDSUMMER

his

belief,of

weakness,

cruelly.This
with
"

not

my

the conviction

But

monstrous.

MADNESS.

dream

all his heart

of his

of fervid

incompetence, hurt

been

had

of his lack

the sweetest

him

of his life ;

to pass.
longed to have it come
No, I don't win love," he said again. " I have
the pity,for I want
for
won
you
yours ; more's
I want
wife.
nothing else, nothing in the

he

"

The

world.

desire

that it is here

now

He

did

not

it clutches

towards

her, then

swift

quiver

of

heart.

know

how

she

does

I love
not

He

face.

kissed

her

She

"

His

The

cup

but

once,

giant."
with a sharp,

does

within

remembered
.

recoiled

said

to know."

care

fair, young
had

her," he

like

me

turned

the

all at

come

half-

not

himself,"

eyes

rested

that

the

Medhurst

be

must

on

and

drunk

to

"
If
dregs, and it was full,full,brimming over.
I could
only be done with it," he thought; " if I
it."
could throw myself into a gulf,and so escape
"
I like Medhurst,
I liked him all the
You know
time," he said aloud ; " and I grudge him no goodfortune
except this."

the

"

Cecil had

herself

commanded

hitherto.

good-fortune," said she, with a

littlesob. ' ' I cannot helpsaying to myself,that all is
between
him and me
before it has reallybegun."
over
Rodney caught her hand.
"
"
Others
I can't have
you unhappy," he said.
bear it,
how.
must
matter
no
Despair is not for
you."
He
afraid
to stay longer with her, lest he
was
"But

this

is not

"

should
"

"

How

I must

promise
dark

too

much.

it grows

take you

in."

! " he

said,after

little pause.

CECIL

COMES

UP

CHAPTER

CECIL

for

six

rooms

UP

TO

been

TOWN.

note

immured
from

to call upon

the

383

XXVI.

COMES

weeks

again, received
at

TOWN.

day earlyin October, Medhurst,

ONE
him

TO

her, in his
Parthenia," where

"

for the winter.

Rosendale

had

people with

heard

whom

thrown

he
for

had

in editorial

life

Mrs.

Dalton, asking
first moment
of leisure,

she had

Medhurst,

taken
who

word

not

had

been

three

who

of
more

months,

since he
the
or

at

suite of

once

left

group
less

of

mately
inti-

sent

reply, fixingthe next morning for his visit,and

the ensuing day took
his way
on
up-town with a
been
not have
or
a
promptness which
may
may
tribute to Mrs. Dalton.
She, at least, was flattered
by his promptness.
"

You

the first person

thoughtof in coming
back to New
him
York," she said, running towards
and extendingher hands
to him ;
althoughI have
a thousand
thingsto do, a thousand
preparationsto
make.
Even now
I ought to be with iny tailor,
but
I was
enchanted
I put
so
at the idea of seeing you
him off.
Do
that I am
know
coming out at
you
of October?"
Garrick's,the twenty-third
I had heard not a whisper of it."
It was
hurriedlydecided on a week ago. Mr.
were

"

"

"

384
Stein

MIDSUMMER

MADNESS.

all the way

gagement.
Newport to make the enMiss Rutherford, the leadinglady, fell
be back for weeks, perhaps months."
ill,and cannot
She entered
into the subject of her debut;
at once
told the amount
of her salary,her requirements, her
perquisites, her impressions of her fellow-actors,
came

and

her

own

Her

not

"It

is

for

good

and

dently
evi-

exaggerated, view

an

ambition

; her

temperate

was

duties

and

orders," she

one

fixed

so

salary.

part of the working force of the

understands

one

under
humanizes

Nothing

fixed
a

be

to

me
"

finds one's self

world,

not

She

peremptory.

finallyobserved.
much
as
having
One

rehearsals.

the

practical,and

prospects.

demands

in

success

took
of her

to

the

and

movements

meanings of the rest of the machinery better."

"
if one
has time
Very likely,"said Medhurst,
for
those
I
have
large views.
generally been
spoke in the wheel, and
obliged to feel myself a mere
"

observation

my

!For the first time

Mrs.

Up to the present
utterlyengrossed in her
of him

thought
I

the
me

are

I could
came

looked

story

own

had

she

moment

at her

she

itor.
vis-

been

had

so

merely

audience.

an

was

you

Este"

later, Mrs.
"

as

Dal ton

doing nowadays?" she asked.

was
so
surprisedto hear that you left Rosendale
to Newport.
Nobody told
day before I went
time
that you
for good, but,
at the
were
gone

"What
' '

to its revolutions."

is limited

to New

Mr.

for.

sent

take

mentioned

his

the
Hill

position for

York

at

once.

fact

in her

telegraphed

letters."
to ask

if

and

months,

few

accepted

the

place.

-4 MIDSUMMER

386

They,

"

I suppose

off this autumn,

allude

you
he

there

idea

nothing

in it.

that

tellingyou
Este" wrote

that

me

to

it, but

was

found

Don't

tried

he

assure

you
my

her ?

Mrs.

his

up

madness.

mind

old.

too

was

that

remember

make

he

If

It
had

He

long, he could not pick up

like
handkerchiefs
and
offer bouquets of
roses
The
He
declares
men.
thing bored him.
younger
He
and only to her.
that he is devoted
to his mamma,
Poor old lady !
her to go to Paris with him.
wants
she
How
tired she is of the world, and yet how much
Mrs. Daihas got in it ! By the way, Frank

lived

himself

marry
to

that

out

entertained

you

never

midsummer

mere

comes

wedding.

no

Haxtoun,

would

he

of

people

some

Miss

to

was

heard

have

marry

wanted

wedding

doubt."

to the

His

mean.

you

no

"Wedding!

MADNESS.

for

too

"

"

"

ton

did

not

She

on.

go

about

was

to

ask

some

ranklingquestion concerning his infatuation of two

months
ago ; but, observingthe gleam in his eye, she
silent a
laughed softly,looking at him, remained
him promise to return soon, and
then made
moment,
to
him
the smile which
in parting gave
soon
was
charm

On

all the

town.

journey back to
up to thoughts he

the

himself

He

controlled.

had

himself

between
of

his belief

in

its

no

blank.

that

appointed
Coerced

his

office Medhurst

gave

and
latelychecked
interpretedthe heavy silence
had

Rosendale

and

as

everything there
;

way
to

that
bear

his
his

confirmation

was

moving

on

absence

had

left

pain, it

given him strength.He had found

This was
to do.
a friendlychance

more

had

than

to show

finally

enough
him

his

CECIL

and

powers,

own

He

had

COMES

learned

UP

TOWN.

determined

he had
than

more

TO

profitby

to

lesson

one

387

in life of

it.

late.

himself
longer estimated
beyond his true
hitherto misled
His imaginationhad
worth.
him
a little,
and, after sounding his imperfectionswith it
made
his fault blacker
until they were
virtues,it now
than
it was.
He had thought of Heriot with a stinging
of his own
sense
unfaithfulness,while he believed
him to be reinstated with Cecil,and
he
when
now

He

no

his

entered

chair, he
and

"I

"

Heriot

sittingin his
feeling of surprise,
overwhelming.
you ! he exclaimed,

found

seized

was

doubt,

and

room

with

almost

contrition

"

just thinkingof

was

stoppingshort, and staringat his

Rodney had sprung to his feet.
look

"Nevertheless, you
last
"

in the world

man

hankering after
"

Don't

mind

just this

have

my

"

Hardly,

you

looks.

my
moment

so

"

the

to

see,"

he

said.
be

am

glad

from

come

to

Mrs.

see

you.

Dalton,

who

keen

glance.
again?
"

far, at any

She

rate.

invited

me

complied. I knew nothing

gratefully
in fact,I knew
of her,
We
nothingof any one.
of her prospects ; she told me
talked chiefly
she is
going on the stage."
to

call,and

were

society."

in her meshes

Are

if I

as

wanted

you

spoke of you."
Rodney gave Medhurst
' '

me

that, by this time, you would

I fancied

Now,

at

visitor.

"

"

Yes, my

secured
succeed

likes

very

very

mother

heard

from

applause ;

and

She
she

that

she

had

fancy she will

she
likes sensation,and
is likelyto gain both.
I

good engagement.
well.

her

388
don't
her

blame

solace

her

for

She

life.

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

wanting

has

to

heart,

much

not

put something into

she

so

cannot

herself

by fallingin love ; and she is frightfully

discreet,so that she will not give herself away
Life becomes
tame
to
by being fallen in love with.
clever woman
like that.
a
Nothing would induce
We
all expend our
force on
to be a woman.
me
but
trivialities,
they expend theirs on such dull
trivialities.
dozen

Did

never

you

see

half-a-

of

group

arch, brilliant,
mutinous, discussing

women,

subject

in secret

conclave

with

such

avidity
that you long to know
it is,believingthe topic
what
to be something racy, wicked, delicious?
Depend
than
it,they are talking about nothing more
upon
whether
their petticoatsare to be scant or full next
flat at the hips or
bouffant. They are
season,
dreadfullyrestricted."
the sedative
Under
of Rodney's easy
places
commonMedhurst
and
had
regained his composure,
drew a chair oppositehis visitor and sat down.
now
"
Are you staying in town?"
he inquired.
have decided
"Yes, we came
up yesterday. We
York."
to spend the winter in New
"
Tell me
how
it is that you are not going to be
Medhurst
married?"
said, in a low voice, going
them
straightto the matter which most concerned
both without
preamble.
taneously
They looked at each other, first pale,then simulbeginning to redden.
some

"I

don't

point,

seemed

added,

of all

you

"

He

think

"

men,"

disinclined
Make

need

you

your

mind

to

said

information

Rodney,
more,

say
easy,

"

am

on

that

rather

but
not

dryly.
presently
to marry

CECIL

COMES

You

Haxtoun.

Miss

UP

carryingabout

the

TO

see

don't

ideas

same

To-day

and

year after year.

at stake, but to-morrow

TOWN.

fatiguemyself

month

after

go, mix
I resented

find out

that

still live,

sations,
Sen-

me.

and

fears,

into each other.

Last
merge
the idea that anybody wished
me
then

But

to marry.

seems

and

and

March

month

happiness

my

although happiness no longer exists for

sympathies,hopes
repugnances,
come

389

notion

the

of

marriage grew

too
oft, familiar with its
strange, until ' seen
face, I first endured, then pitied,then embraced.'

less

but

abruptlyand
get on?"

he

"lam

it,
"

stared

very

could,

Rodney broke
do
ceiling. "How
change of voice.

asked, without

doing

if I

"

the

at

I would

"

critical moment

the

at

embraced

almost

is,I

That

well.

At

least I

am

off

you

busy

man."
"

I shan't take

called

simply to

shall take

It had
the

no

not

up
ask

entered

to drive with

convenient

invitation,but
and

you

time," said Rodney.

I will call for

excuse.

been

your

his

to-day.
you."

for Medhurst

to

been

that afternoon

Heriot

me

objectionshad

by half-pastfour
the park. Rodney

"

accept
ruled,
over-

the two
in

rapid,
and excited mood, and he had been talking
brilliant,
since they set out.
The
ever
spell of
incessantly
hurst
Medconfession was
on
him, and he had been telling
about the past six weeks
in the country. He
had seen
a great deal of
Cecil,although their tacit
free of
Once
engagement had long since ended.
him
that the young
declared
a lover he
as
girlhad
liked him exceedingly.
was

390
' '

MADNESS.

MIDSUMMER

had

exceptional opportunities for falling

deeper and deeper in love with her," Rodney went
"but
I did not use
them; on the contrary, I
on,
exerted
myself to extricate my feelingsfrom their
entanglement. I cured my passion by talkingto her
about
Although I like you very well as a
you.
friend,Medhurst, I did not enjoy such a monopoly
of you as the young
I prefer to find
lady gave me.
reflection in a woman's
own
eyes."
my
I don't in the least understand
you."
whole
"Unluckily I have no time to make
my
meaning clear. I hope you are grateful to me,
but who
is gratefulin this world ?
Besides
what
I
have
sacrificed,what I have resigned,nobody will
You
have found
ever
quite know.
fittingopyour
portunity
"

"

and
shall be
The

have

shown

own

your

and

powers,

quite forgotten."
faces

two

emotion,

Yet

ideas.
different

with

each

the

understood
had

scene

not

been

red

and

was

dumb,

yellow

now

to

full

different

each

other.

of

In

something of the same

been
driving his spirited
paused a little beyond the
be waiting for some
one.

of

deaf,
had

with

had

had

struggle. Rodney
horses
rapidly,but
bridge, and seemed
The

each

absolutelyopposite train

an

men

each

way

lit up,

were

charm,
and

mellowed

had

if Medhurst

blind.
and

The
made

tints

of

various

Many of the leaves

fluttered down
in the September storms, and
had
paths
the thinned
foliageopened lovelyvistas into bridlewalks on every hand.
and pleasureWhile
Medhurst
was
tryingto speak, and utter
something of the conflict of feeling going on
the green

of

the

past

summer.

COMES

CECIL

within

him,

UP

TO

low, luxurious

TOWN.

391

with
carriage,

the best

appointments, stopped close beside them.

ney.
Rod"That
is my mother, Medhurst," observed
"
Suppose you get out and speak to her."
The younger
prise,
man
pleased surobeyed with some
took off his hat, and went
Est4,
up to Mrs.
made

who

marvellous

in

picture

her

bronze

her knees.
drawn
over
tiger-skin
to run
"O
away
you naughty, naughty man!
last summer," she began at once,
from
us
waving
her parasolat him with little,
coquettishadvances,
do
How
he
which
was
compelled to parry.
I fancy your desertion
you think poor Fanny felt ?

velvet, with

"

"

was

what

you

go

for

me

see

to

come

to

they

use

have

can

Oh,
!

She

night?

her

see

these

has

She

clothes.

They

Shall

stage.

sent
wants

actresses, what

compelled

not

are

little economies."

our

"You

and

the

on

first

envious.

me

clothes

to go

the

her

to

make

to

her

drove

the

way,

mamma,"

yes!

Dear

Mr.

block

cried

Rodney,

impatiently.
"Ah,

yes,

little girl,
a
she

is inclined

into

the

then

had
waved

say

heard
his

I let her

romance,
is

under
that

me,

go

this

trellis ; and

I will take

three

as

wandering

probably by

the

and

is

time

will you

turns, and

for her ? "

orders," said

Medhurst, startingat
glanced back at Rodney, to see if he
and
his mother's
command,
Rodney
The
drove
on.
hand, laughed, and

your
He

mine, drivingwith
She

bench

back

come

"At
once.

to

her, and

to

of

Ramble.

sittingon
go

guest

there

Medhurst,

carriage, too,

had

rolled

away.

Medhurst

was

MIDSUMMER

392
startled

by

Could

How

lasted

had

"You
a

had

in

one

away.

if

"

this

Est"

it?

bear

moment.

had

But

the

It

would

but

way,

went
so

tingle of joy
a
misleading

from

came

dream, he

place Mrs.

the

him

tainty
uncer-

have

unerring

an

on.

here?"

girl who
not
yet

young

and

led
you

"

for

if

mistake

to

easy

instinct

but

push

to

Certainly a voice
those picturesque rinths.
laby-

he to find the

was

vaguely indicated, and

which
ran
through him
he
to
was
fancy, how
been

tried

it be?

could

"

calling him from

Quite blindly,like

seemed

on.

he

half-hope

be

it

MADNESS.

he said

softly,going up to
loiteringalong the path,

was

reached

bench

the

under

the

trellis.

Cecil had

heard

She

walk.

had

but

yet

had

thrilled

that

she

that

she

turned

and

of

half

expected
in

was

him.

see

not

sound

the

But

one's

some

New

at the

to

step along the gravelwho

see

hasty

was

stride

coming,

behind

her

It was
not
-frightenedher.
to see
Medhurst; still,now
York, she might happen to
sound
of his voice she turned,

liftingup her great, soft eyes, the color on her

cheeks
kindling,then fading to return and deepen.
Did you know
I was
coming? he asked again.
"No
no," said Cecil, in a foolish,trembling,
"

"

"

little voice:
come

send

you

for

What

They
look

Mrs.

walking

would
"

"

was

here
me;

did you

Est"

would

insist that I should

She
by myself
but I thought"

think, pray ?

"

"

looking into each other's

and
fond, secure,
proud.
he

insisted.

she

"

were

think?"

said

eyes.
"

What

His
did

394
There

Cecil's

MIDSUMMER

came

MADNESS.

little,flutteringhalf-smile

on

lips.

"Can

you

can

"

forgive me?"

you

Medhurst

asked.
"

What

It

is there
easier

was

to

forgive?"

for her than

for

Medhurst

claim

to

her

what
she
happiness and take it in. Here was
had
longed for close to her, kind, strong, dear, not
and fancies
to be lost again. Her
driftingdreams
had
parted like the mists of dawn, and here was
the reality. Medhurst,
the other hand, could
on
realize,with terrible distinctness,the vast meaning
and
this
of
He
moment
felt
change to him.
humbled
and awed
by the great happiness which was
But
familiar
and
coming to him.
yet it seemed
natural that he should be standing there with Cecil,
and
undreamed-of
eloquence and
yet there was
suggestivenessin it. There was
nobody to see, he
said to himself,and he yieldedto the temptation,and,
leaning forward, kissed the young girl on her lips.
But
and
it was
one
some
Rodney Heriot.
saw,
Mrs.
Est6 was
to say ; it was
waiting,he had come
growing cooler,and she wanted to go home at once,
When
he approached the
Cecil must
and
join her.
looked
he was
from
two
to the
one
very pale. He
other

smiled.

and

tears, and

Medhurst

Cecil's
was

were

clasped,and

took

crushed

their

rather
two

an

hands,

between

them

with

wet

was

With

grave.

inexplicable impulse Rodney

which

face

sweet

both

of his.

ready to go home, Miss

then
asked, with high ceremony.
arrangement concluded ?
"

Are

Haxtoun?"

you

"

"

Is

he

this little

CECIL

But,
Heriot

as

of

he

by

truth,

life

faith

by

pain

by

his

own

dust,

being

unfaith,
chastisements.

FINIS.

TOWN.

light

throw

not

of

TO

thorns,

could

the

his

UP

showed
the

hating

which

false,

he

though
was

life

COMES

395

heart,
and

off.

weariness
He

compelled,
and

the

Rodney

realized
what

sweet

of

rewards

was