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diff --git a/39787-8.txt b/39787-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f4823ec..0000000 --- a/39787-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8954 +0,0 @@ - HIS MAJESTY'S WELL-BELOVED - - - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: His Majesty's Well-Beloved - An Episode in the Life of Mr. Thomas Betteron as told by His - Friend John Honeywood - -Author: Baroness Orczy - -Release Date: May 24, 2012 [EBook #39787] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS MAJESTY'S WELL-BELOVED *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - -[Illustration: Cover] - - - - - HIS MAJESTY'S WELL-BELOVED - - AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF MR. - THOMAS BETTERTON AS TOLD BY - HIS FRIEND JOHN HONEYWOOD - - - BY - - BARONESS ORCZY - - AUTHOR OF "THE LEAGUE OF THE SCARLET - PIMPERNEL," "FLOWER O' THE LILY," - "LORD TONY'S WIFE," ETC. - - - - - NEW YORK - - GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY - - - - - _Copyright, 1919,_ - - _By George H. Doran Company_ - - - - _Printed in the United States of America_ - - - - CONTENTS - - -CHAPTER - - I. How it all Began - II. The Rift Within the Lute - III. A Criminal Folly - IV. More than a Passing Fancy - V. The Outrage - VI. The Gathering Storm - VII. An Assembly of Traitors - VIII. The Lion's Wrath - IX. A Last Chance - X. The Hour - XI. Rumours and Conjectures - XII. Poisoned Arrows - XIII. The Lady Pleads - XIV. The Ruling Passion - XV. More Deaf than Adders - XVI. The Game of Love - - - - - HIS MAJESTY'S WELL-BELOVED - - - - CHAPTER I - - - How it all Began - - - 1 - - -_From Mr. John Honeywood, clerk to Mr. Theophilus Baggs, -attorney-at-law, to Mistress Mary Saunderson, of the Duke's Theatre in -Lincoln's Inn Fields._ - - -1662. October the 10th at 85, Chancery Lane in the City of London. -Honoured Mistress,-- - -May it please you that I, an humble Clerk and Scrivener, do venture to -address so talented a Lady; but there is that upon my Conscience which -compels me to write these lines. The Goodness and Charity of Mistress -Saunderson are well known, and 'tis not as a Suppliant that I crave -pardon for my Presumption, but rather as one whose fidelity and loyalty -have oft been tried and never been found wanting. 'Tis said, most -gracious Mistress, that your fancy hath been touched by the tenderness -and devotion of a Man who is as dear to me as if he were mine own -Brother, but that You hesitate to bestow upon him that for which he -craves more than for anything in the world, your Hand and Heart. And -this because of many Rumours which have sullied his fair Name. Mr. -Betterton, Madam, hath many enemies. How could this be otherwise seeing -that so vast a measure of Success hath attended his career, and that the -King's most gracious Majesty doth honour him with Friendship and Regard -to the exclusion of others who are envious of so great a fame? Those -Enemies now, Madam, seeing that your Heart hath been touched with the -man's grace and bearing, rather than with his undying Renown, have set -themselves the task of blackening Mr. Betterton's character before your -eyes, thus causing you mayhap grievous Sorrow and Disappointment. But -this I do swear by all that I hold most sacred, that Mr. Betterton hath -never committed a mean Act in his life nor done aught to forfeit your -Regard. Caustic of wit he is, but neither a Braggart nor a Bully; he -hath been credited with many good Fortunes, but so hath every Gentleman -in the Kingdom, and there is no discredit attached to a man for -subjugating the Hearts of those that are both frail and fair. My Lady -Castlemaine hath bestowed many favours on Mr. Betterton, so hath the -Countess of Shrewsbury, and there are others, at least the Gossips do -aver it. But on my Soul and Honour, he hath never ceased to love You, -until the day when a certain great Lady came across his path for his -misfortune and his undying Regret. And even so, Madam, though -appearances are against him, I own, let me assure You that the swerving -of his Allegiance to You was not only transitory but it was never one of -the Heart--it was a mere aberration of the senses. He may never forget -the Lady--he certainly will never forget her Cruelty--but he no longer -loves Her, never did love Her as he loves You, with his Heart and Mind, -with Tenderness and Devotion. The other was only a Dream--a fitful -fancy: his Love for You is as immortal as his Fame. Therefore, gracious -Mistress, I, the humble Friend of so great a Man, have ventured to set -forth for your perusal that which he himself would be too proud to put -before you--namely, his Justification. As for the rest, what I am about -to relate is the true Historie of Mr. Betterton's Romance, the only one -which might give you cause for sorrow, yet none for uneasiness, because -that Romance is now a thing of the past, like unto a Flower that is -faded and without fragrance, even though it still lies pressed between -the pages of a great man's Book of Life. Everything else is mere -Episode. But this which I have here set down will show you how much -nobility of heart and grandeur of Character lies hidden beneath the -flippant and at times grim exterior of the Man whom you have honoured -with your regard. - -The writing of the Historie hath caused me much anxiety and deep -thought. I desired to present the Truth before you, and not the -highly-coloured effusions of a Partisan. I have slurred over nothing, -concealed nothing. An you, gracious Mistress, have the patience to read -unto the End, I am confident that any Hesitation as to your Future which -may still linger in your Heart will vanish with the more intimate -Knowledge of the true Facts of the case, as well as of the Man whose -faults are of his own Time and of his Entourage, but whose Merits are -for the whole World to know and to cherish, for as many Cycles of years -as there will be Englishmen to speak the Words of English Poets. - - - - 2 - - -Dare I take you back, honoured Mistress, to those humble days, five -years ago, when first I entered the Household of your worthy Uncle, Mr. -Theophilus Baggs, and of his still more worthy Spouse, Mistress -Euphrosine, where for a small--very small--stipend, and free board and -lodging, I copied legal documents, Leases, Wills and Indentures for my -Employer? - -You, fair Lady, were then the only ray of Sunshine which illumined the -darkness of my dreary Life. Yours was a Gaiety which nothing could -damp, a Courage and Vitality which not even the nagging disposition of -Mistress Euphrosine succeeded in crushing. And when, smarting under her -many Chidings, my stomach craving for a small Measure of satisfaction, -my Bones aching from the hardness of my bed, I saw your slim Figure -flitting, elf-like, from kitchen to living-room, your full young Throat -bursting with song like that of a Bird at the first scent of Spring, I -would find my lot less hard, the bread less sour, even Mistress -Euphrosine's tongue less acrimonious. My poor, atrophied Heart felt the -warmth of your Smile. - -Then sometimes, when my Work was done and my Employers occupied with -their own affairs, You used to allow me to be of service to you, to help -you wash the dishes which your dainty Hands should never have been -allowed to touch. - -Oh! how I writhed when I heard Mistress Euphrosine ordering You about as -if You were a kitchen-wench, rather than her husband's Niece, who was -honouring his House with your presence! You, so exquisite, so perfect, -so cultured, to be the Handmaid of a pair of sour, ill-conditioned -Reprobates who were not worthy to tie the lacets of your dainty shoes. -With what Joy I performed the menial tasks which never should have been -allotted to You, I never until now have dared to tell. I did not think -that any Man could find dish-washing and floor-scrubbing quite so -enchanting. But then no other Man hath ever to my knowledge performed -such tasks under such happy circumstances; with You standing before me, -smiling and laughing at my clumsiness, your shapely arms akimbo, your -Voice now rippling into Song, now chaffing me with Words full of -kindness and good-humour. - -I have known many happy Hours since that Day, Mistress, and many Hours -full of Sorrow, but none so full of pulsating Life as those which -outwardly had seemed so miserable. - -And then that wonderful afternoon when Mr. Theophilus Baggs and his -Spouse being safely out of the way, we stole out together and spent a -few hours at the Play! Do you remember the day on which we ventured on -the Escapade? Mr. Baggs and Mistress Euphrosine had gone to Hampton -Court: he to see a noble Client and she to accompany him. The day being -fine and the Client being a Lady possessed of well-known charms, -Mistress Euphrosine would not have trusted her Lord alone in the company -of such a forward Minx--at least, those were her Words, which she -uttered in my hearing two Days before the memorable Expedition. - -Memorable, indeed, it was to me! - -Mr. Baggs left a sheaf of Documents for me to copy, which would--he -thought--keep me occupied during the whole course of a long Day. You -too, fair Mistress, were to be kept busy during the worthy couple's -absence, by scrubbing and polishing and sewing--Mistress Euphrosine -holding all idleness in abhorrence. - -I marvel if you remember it all! - -I do, as if it had occurred yesterday! We sat up half the Night -previous to our Taskmasters' departure; you polishing and sewing, and I -copying away for very life. You remember? Our joint Savings for the -past six Months we had counted up together. They amounted to three -shillings. One shilling we spent in oil for our lamps, so that we might -complete our Tasks during the Night. This left us free for the great -and glorious Purpose which we had in our Minds and which we had planned -and brooded over for Days and Weeks. - -We meant to go to the Play! - -It seems strange now, in view of your Renown, fair Mistress, and of mine -own intimacy with Mr. Betterton, that You and I had both reached an age -of Man and Womanhood without ever having been to the Play. Yet You -belonged from childhood to the household of Mistress Euphrosine Baggs, -who is own sister to Mr. Betterton. But that worthy Woman abhorred the -Stage and all that pertained to it, and she blushed--aye, blushed!--at -thought of the marvellous Fame attained by her illustrious Brother. - -Do you remember confiding to me, less than a month after I first entered -the household of Mr. Baggs, that You were pining to go to the Play? You -had seen Mr. Betterton once or twice when he came to visit his -Sister--which he did not do very often--but you had never actually been -made acquainted with him, nor had you ever seen him act. And You told me -how handsome he was, and how distinguished; and your dark Eyes would -flash with enthusiasm at thought of the Actor's Art and of the Actor's -Power. - -I had never seen him at all in those Days, but I loved to hear about -him. Strange what a fascination the Stage exercised over so -insignificant and so mean a creature as I! - - - - 3 - - -Will you ever forget the dawn of that glorious Day, fair Mistress? - -Mr. Baggs and his Spouse went off quite early, to catch the chaise at La -Belle Sauvage which would take them to Hampton Court. But however early -they went, we thought them mighty slow in making a start. An hundred -Recommendations, Orderings, Scoldings, had to be gone through ere the -respectable Couple, carrying provisions for the day in a Bandana -Handkerchief, finally got on the way. - -It was a perfect Morning early in March, with the first scent and feel -of Spring in the air. Not a Cloud in the Sky. By Midday our tasks were -entirely accomplished and we were free! Free as the Birds in the air, -free as two 'prentices out for a holiday! But little did we eat, I -remember. We were too excited for hunger; nor had Mistress Euphrosine -left much in the larder for us. What did we care? Our Enthusiasm, our -Eagerness, were Cook and Scullion for us, that day! - -We were going to the Play! - -Oh! how we tripped to Cockpit Lane, asking our way from passers-by, for -we knew so little of London--fashionable London, that is; the London of -Gaiety and Laughter, of careless Thoughts and wayward Moods. Holding -hands, we hurried through the Streets. You wore a dark Cape with a Hood -to hide your pretty Face and your soft brown Hair, lest some -Acquaintance of your Uncle's should chance to see You and betray our -guilty secret. - -Do you remember how we met Mr. Rhodes, the bookseller, and friend of Mr. -Baggs?--he to whom young Mr. Betterton was even then apprenticed. At the -corner of Princes Street we came nose to nose with him, and but for -great presence of mind on my part when, without an instant's hesitation, -I ran straight at him and butted him in the Stomach so that he lost his -Balance for the moment and only recovered complete Consciousness after -we had disappeared round the corner of the Street, he no doubt would -have recognised us and betrayed our naughty Secret. - -Oh, what a fright we had! I can see You now, leaning, breathless and -panting, against the street corner, your Hand pressed to your Bosom, -your Eyes shining like Stars! - -As for the rest, it is all confusion in my mind. The Crowd, the Bustle, -the Noise, this great Assembly, the like of which I had never seen -before. I do not know how we came to our seats. All I know is that we -were there, looking down upon the moving throng. I remember that some -Worthy of obvious note was sitting next to me, and was perpetually -treading upon my toes. But this I did not mind, for he was good enough -to point out to me the various Notabilities amongst the Audience or upon -the Stage; and I was greatly marvelled and awed by the wonderful -familiarity with which he spoke of all these distinguished People. - -"There sits General Monk. Brave old George! By gad! 'twere interesting -to know what goes on inside that square Head of his! King or Protector, -which is it to be? Or Protector _and_ King! George knows; and you mark -my words, young Sir, George will be the one to decide. Old Noll is -sick; he can't last long. And Master Richard hath not much affection -for his Father's Friends--calls them Reprobates and ungodly. Well! can -you see George being rebuked by Master Richard for going to the Play?" - -And I, not being on such intimate terms with the Lord Protector's Son or -with General Monk, could offer no opinion on the subject. And after a -while my Neighbour went on glibly: - -"Ah! here comes my Lady Viner, flaunting silks and satins. Aye, the -fair Alice--his third Wife, mark you!--knows how to spend the money -which her Lord hath been at such pains to scrape together. By gad! who'd -have thought to see red-haired Polly Ann so soon after the demise of His -Grace! See, not an inch of widows' Weeds doth she wear in honour of the -old Dotard who did her the infinite favour of dying just in the nick of -time...." - -And so on, the Man would babble in a continuous stream of talk. You, -Mistress, listened to him open-mouthed, your great brown Eyes aglow with -curiosity and with excitement. You and I knew but little of those great -Folk, and seeing them all around us, prepared for the same enjoyment -which we had paid to obtain, made us quite intoxicated with eagerness. - -Our Neighbour, who of a truth seemed to know everything, expressed great -surprise at the fact that Old Noll--as he so unceremoniously named the -Lord Protector--had tolerated the opening of the Cockpit. "But," he -added sententiously, "Bill Davenant could wheedle a block of ice out of -the devil, if he chose." - - - - 4 - - -Of the Play I remember but little. I was in truth much too excited to -take it all in. And sitting so near You, Mistress--for the Place was -overcrowded--my Knee touching yours, your dear little hand darting out -from time to time to grip mine convulsively during the more palpitating -moments of the Entertainment, was quite as much as an humble Clerk's -brain could hold. - -There was a great deal of Music--that I do remember. Also that the -entertainment was termed an opera and that the name of the piece was -"The Cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru." My omniscient Neighbour told me -presently that no doubt the Performance was an artful piece of Flattery -on the part of Bill (meaning, I suppose, Sir William Davenant) who, by -blackening the Spaniards, made Old Noll's tyranny appear like bountiful -Mercies. - -But I did not like to hear our Lord Protector spoken of with such -levity. Moreover, my Neighbour's incessant Chatter distracted me from -the Stage. - -What I do remember more vividly than anything else on that memorable Day -was your cry of delight when Mr. Betterton appeared upon the Stage. I -do not know if you had actually spoken with him before; I certainly had -never even seen him. Mr. Betterton was then apprenticed to Mr. Rhodes, -the Bookseller, and it was entirely against the Judgment and Wishes of -Mistress Euphrosine Baggs, his Sister, that he adopted the Stage as an -additional calling. I know that there were many high Words on that -subject between Mr. Betterton and Mistress Euphrosine, Mr. Rhodes -greatly supporting the young Man in his Desire, he having already -formulated schemes of his own for the management of a Theatre, and -extolling the virtues of the Actor's Art and the vastly lucrative State -thereof. - -But Mistress Euphrosine would have none of it. Actors were Rogues and -Vagabonds, she said, ungodly Reprobates who were unfit, when dead, to be -buried in consecrated ground. She would never consent to seeing a -Brother of hers follow so disreputable a Calling. From high words it -came to an open Quarrel, and though I had been over a year in the House -of Mr. Theophilus Baggs, I had never until this day set eyes on young -Mr. Betterton. - -He was not taking a very important part in the Opera, but there was no -denying the fact that as soon as he appeared upon the Stage his very -Presence did throw every other Actor into the shade. The Ladies in the -Boxes gave a deep sigh of content, gazing on him with admiring eyes and -bestowing loud Applause upon his every Word. And when Mr. Betterton -threw out his Arms with a gesture expressive of a noble Passion and -spoke the ringing lines: "And tell me then, ye Sons of England..."--his -beautiful Voice rising and falling with the perfect cadence of an -exquisite Harmony--the uproar of Enthusiasm became wellnigh deafening. -The Ladies clapped their Hands and waved their Handkerchiefs, the -Gentlemen stamped their feet upon the floor; and some, lifting their -Hats, threw them with a flourish upon the Stage, so that anon Mr. -Betterton stood with a score or more Hats all round his feet, and was -greatly perturbed as to how he should sort them out and restore them to -their rightful Owners. - -Ah, it was a glorious Day! Nothing could mar the perfection of its -Course. No! not even the Rain which presently began to patter over the -Spectators, and anon fell in torrents, so that those who were in the Pit -had to beat a precipitate retreat, scrambling helter-skelter over the -Benches in a wild endeavour to get under cover. - -This incident somewhat marred the Harmony of the Ending, because to see -Ladies and Gentlemen struggling and scrambling to climb from bench to -bench under a Deluge of Rain, was in truth a very droll Spectacle; and -the attention of those in the Boxes was divided between the Happenings -on the Stage and the antics of the rest of the Audience. - -You and I, fair Mistress, up aloft in our humble place, were far better -sheltered than the more grand Folk in the Pit. I put your Cloak around -your Shoulders to protect You against the Cold, and thus sitting close -together, my knee still resting against yours, we watched the -Performance until the end. - - - - 5 - - -How we went home that afternoon I do not remember. I know that it was -raining heavily and that we got very wet. But this caused me no -Inconvenience, because it gave me the privilege of placing my Arm round -your Shoulders so as to keep your Cloak from falling. Also my Mind was -too full of what I had seen to heed the paltry discomfort of a Wetting. -My thoughts were of the Play, the Music, the brilliant Assembly; yours, -Mistress, were of Mr. Betterton. Of him you prattled all the way home, -to the exclusion of every other Topic. And if your enthusiastic Eulogy -of that talented Person did at times send a pang of Sorrow through my -Heart, You at least were unaware of my Trouble. Not that I took no -share in your Enthusiasm. I did it whole-heartedly. Never had I -admired a Man before as I did Mr. Betterton on that Day. His Presence -was commanding, his Face striking, his Voice at times masterful and full -of Power, at others infinitely sweet. My officious and talkative -Neighbour, just before the Rain came down and rendered him dumb, had -remarked to me with a great air of Knowledge and of Finality: "Mark my -word, young Sir, England will hear something presently of Tommy -Betterton." - -It was not until we reached the corner of Chancery Lane that we were -forced to descend to the Realities of Life. We had had a glorious Day, -and for many Hours had wholly forgotten the many Annoyances and -Discomforts with which our lives were beset. Now we were a little tired -and exceedingly wet. Mistress Euphrosine's Scoldings, our oft empty -stomachs, hard Beds and cheerless Lives loomed once more largely upon -the Horizon of our mental vision. - -Our Pace began to slacken; your glib Tongue was stilled. Holding Hands -now, we hurried home in silence, our Minds stirred by a still vague -Sense of Fear. - -Nor was that Fear unjustified, alas! as subsequent Events proved. No -sooner had We entered the House than We knew that We were discovered. -Mr. Baggs' cloak, hung up in the Hall, revealed the terrifying Fact that -he and his indomitable Spouse had unaccountably returned at this hour. -No doubt that the Weather was the primary cause of this untoward Event: -its immediate result was a Volley of abuse poured upon our Heads by -Mistress Euphrosine's eloquent Tongue. We were Reprobates, Spawns and -Children of the Devil! We were Liars and Cheats and Thieves! We had -deserved God's wrath and eternal punishment! Heavens above! how she did -talk! And we, alas! could not escape that vituperative Torrent. - -We had fled into the Kitchen as soon as We had realised that we were -fairly caught; but Mistress Euphrosine had followed us thither and had -closed the door behind her. And now, standing facing Us, her large, -gaunt Body barring every egress, she talked and talked until You, fair -Mistress, gave way to a passionate Flood of tears. - -All our Pleasure, our Joy, had vanished; driven hence by the vixenish -Tongue of a soured Harridan. I was beside myself with Rage. But for -your restraining influence, I could have struck that shrieking Virago, -and for ever after have destroyed what was the very Essence of my Life. -For she would have turned me out of Doors then and there, and I should -have been driven forth from your Presence, perhaps never to return. - -The sight of your Patience and of your Goodness helped to deaden my -Wrath. I hung my Head and bit my Tongue lest it should betray me into -saying things which I should have regretted to the end of my Days. - -And thus that memorable Day came to a close. Somehow, it stands before -my mind as would the first legible Page in the Book of my Life. Before -it, everything was blurred; but that Page is clear. I can read it now, -even after four years. For the first time, destiny had writ on it two -Names in bold, indelible Characters--yours, Mistress, and that of Mr. -Betterton. Henceforth, not a Day in my Life would pass without one of -You looming largely in its Scheme. - -Mary Saunderson! Tom Betterton! My very pulses seem to beat to the -tune of those two Names! I knew then, by one of those subtle intuitions -which no Man has ever succeeded in comprehending, that Heaven itself had -intended You for one another. How then could I stand by and see the -Wickedness of Man striving to interfere with the decrees of God? - - - - - CHAPTER II - - - THE RIFT WITHIN THE LUTE - - - 1 - - -After that memorable Day, Mistress, we were like naughty Children who -were being punished for playing truant out of School. For Weeks and -Months our Lives went on with dreary monotony, with never a chance of -seeing Something of that outside World of which we had caught a glimpse. -You continued to sew and to scrub and to be at the beck and call of a -Scold. I went on copying legal Documents till my very Brain appeared -atrophied, incapable of a single happy Thought or of a joyous Hope. - -Out there in the great World, many things were happening. The Lord -Protector died; his Son succeeded. And then England woke to the fact -that she had never cared for these Regicides, Republicans and Puritans; -that in her Heart she had always loved the martyred King and longed to -set his Son once more upon his Throne. - -I often thought of my loquacious Neighbour at the Play, with his talk of -Old Noll and Master Richard and of George. For George Monk in truth had -become the Man of the hour; for he it was who was bringing King Charles -back into his Kingdom again. - -Two years had gone by since our memorable Day at the Play, and as that -same Neighbour had also foretold, England was hearing a great deal about -Tom Betterton. His Name was on every one's lips. Mr. Rhodes, the -Bookseller, had obtained a licence from General Monk to get a Company of -Actors together, and the palmy Days of the Cockpit had begun. Then it -was that some faint Echo of the Life of our great City penetrated as far -as the dull Purlieus of Mr. Baggs' Household; then it was that the ring -of the Fame of Mr. Betterton even caused Mistress Euphrosine to recall -her former arbitrary Judgments. - -Every one now was talking of her illustrious Brother. General Monk -himself had made a Friend of him, so had Sir John Grenville, who was the -King's own Envoy; and those who were in the know prophesied that His -Majesty Himself would presently honour the eminent Player with his -regard. My Lord Rochester was his intimate Friend; Sir George Etherege -was scarce ever seen in public without him. Lord Broghill had vowed -that the English Stage was made famous throughout the Continent of -Europe by the superlative excellence of Mr. Betterton. - -To such Eulogies, coming from the most exalted Personages in the Land, -Mistress Euphrosine could not turn an altogether deaf Ear; and being a -Woman of character and ambition, she soon realised that her Antagonism -to her illustrious Brother not only rendered her ridiculous, but might -even prove a bar to Mr. Theophilus Baggs' Advancement. - -The first Step towards a Reconciliation was taken when Mr. Baggs and his -Spouse went together to the Play to see Mr. Betterton act _Solyman_ in a -play called "The Siege of Rhodes." You and I, Mistress, were by great -favour allowed to go too, and to take our places in that same Gallery -where two Years previously You and I had spent such happy hours. We -spoke little to one another, I remember. Our hearts were full of -Memories; but I could see your brown Eyes lighten as soon as the eminent -Actor walked upon the Stage. The same Glamour which his personality had -thrown over You two years ago was still there. Nay! it was enhanced an -hundredfold, for to the magnetic presence of the Man was now added the -supreme Magic of the Artist. I am too humble a Scrivener, fair Lady, to -attempt to describe Mr. Betterton's acting, nor do I think that such Art -as his could be adequately discussed. Your enjoyment of it I did fully -share. You devoured him with your Eyes while he was on the Stage, and -the Charm of his Voice filled the crowded Theatre and silenced every -other sound. I knew that the World had ceased to exist for You and that -the mysterious and elusive god of Love had hit your Heart with his -wayward dart. - -I thank God that neither then nor later did any feeling of Bitterness -enter into my Soul. Sad I was, but of a gentle Sadness which made me -feel mine own Unworthiness, even whilst I prayed that You might realise -your Heart's desire. - -Strangely enough, it was at the very moment when I first understood the -state of your Feelings that mine eyes, a little dimmed with tears, were -arrested by the Sight of a young and beautiful Lady, who sat in one of -the Boxes, not very far from our point of vantage. I wondered then what -it was about her that thus enchained mine Attention. Of a truth, she -was singularly fair, of that dainty and translucent Fairness which I for -one have never been able to admire, but which is wont to set Men's -pulses beating with an added quickness--at least, so I've heard it said. -The Lady had blue Eyes, an exquisitely white Skin, her golden Hair was -dressed in the new modish Fashion, with quaint little Ringlets all -around her low, square Brow. The face was that of a Child, yet there -was something about the firm Chin, something about the Forehead and the -set of the Lips which spoke of Character and of Strength not often found -in one so young. - -Immediately behind her sat a young Cavalier of prepossessing Appearance, -who obviously was whispering pleasing Words in the Lady's shell-like -ear. I confess that for the moment I longed for the presence of our -loquacious Neighbour of two years ago. He, without doubt, would have -known who the noble young Lady was and who was her attentive Cavalier. -Soon, however, the progress of the Play once more riveted mine Attention -upon the Stage, and I forgot all about the beautiful Lady until it was -time to go. Then I sought her with mine Eyes; but she had already gone. -And I, whilst privileged to arrange your Cloak around your shoulders, -realised how much more attractive brown Hair was than fair, and how -brilliant could be the sparkle of dark Eyes as against the more -languorous expression of those that are blue. - - - - 2 - - -I was not present at the time that You, Mistress, first made the -acquaintance of Mr. Betterton. He came to the House originally for the -sole purpose of consulting with his Brother-in-law on a point of Law, he -having an idea of joining Sir William Davenant in the Management of the -new Theatre which that Gentleman was about to open in Lincoln's Inn -Fields. - -The season in London promised to be very brilliant. His Majesty the -King was coming into his own once more. Within a Month or two at the -latest, he would land at Dover, and as even through his misfortunes and -exile he had always been a great Patron of the Arts of Drama and -Literature, there was no doubt that he would give his gracious Patronage -to such enterprises as Sir William Davenant and Mr. Killigrew, not to -mention others, had already in view. - -No doubt that Sir William Davenant felt that no Company of Actors could -be really complete without the leadership of Mr. Betterton; and we all -knew that both he and Mr. Killigrew were literally fighting one another -to obtain the great Actor's services. - -In the end, of course, it was Sir William who won, and thus Mr. -Betterton came to visit Mr. Theophilus Baggs to arrange for an Indenture -whereby he was to have a Share of the Profits derived from the -Performances at the new Theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields. - -You, Mistress, will remember that Day even better than I do, for to me -it only marked one more Stage on the dreary road of my uneventful Life, -whilst for You it meant the first Pearl in that jewelled Crown of -Happiness which Destiny hath fashioned for You. Mr. Baggs had sent me -on that day to Richmond, to see a Client of his there. Whether he did -this purposely, at the instance of Mistress Euphrosine, in order to get -me out of the way, I know not. In her Estimation I was supposed to have -leanings for the Actor's profession in those days--surely a foolish -Supposition, seeing how unprepossessing was my Appearance and how -mediocre my Intellect. - -Without doubt, however, could she have read the Secrets of your Soul, -dear Mistress, she would have sent You on an errand too, to a remote -corner of England, or had locked You up in your Room, ere you came face -to face with the great Man whose Personality and Visage were already -deeply graven upon your Heart. - -But her futile, unamiable Mind was even then torn between the desire to -make a brave show of Prosperity before her illustrious Brother and to -welcome him as the Friend and Companion of great Gentlemen, and the old -puritanical Spirit within her which still looked upon Actors as Rogues -and Vagabonds, Men upon whom God would shower some very special, -altogether terrible Curses because of their loose and immoral Lives. - -Thus Mistress Euphrosine's treatment of the distinguished Actor was ever -contradictory. She did her best to make him feel that she despised him -for his Calling, yet nevertheless she fawned upon him because of his -connection with the Aristocracy. Even subsequently, when Mr. Betterton -enjoyed not only the Patronage but the actual Friendship of His Majesty -the King, Mistress Euphrosine's attitude towards him was always one of -pious scorn. He might be enjoying the protection of an earthly King, -but what was that in comparison with his Sister's intimacy with God? He -might consort with Dukes, but she would anon make one in a company of -Angels, amongst whom such Reprobates as Actors would never find a place. - -That, I think, was her chief Attitude of Mind, one that caused me much -Indignation at the time; for I felt that I could have knelt down and -worshipped the heaven-born Genius who was delighting the whole Kingdom -with his Art. But Mr. Betterton, with his habitual kindliness and good -humour, paid no heed to Mistress Euphrosine's sour Disposition towards -him, and when she tried to wither him with lofty Speeches, he would -quickly make her ridiculous with witty Repartee. - -He came more and more frequently to the House, and mine Eyes being -unusually sharp in such matters, I soon saw that You had wholly won his -regard. Those then became happy times. Happy ones for You, Mistress, -whose Love for a great and good Man was finding full Reciprocity. Happy -ones for him, who in You had found not only a loving Heart, but rare -understanding, and that great Talent which he then and there set himself -to develop. They were happy times also for me, the poor, obscure -Scrivener with the starved Heart and the dreary Life, who now was -allowed to warm his Soul in the Sunshine of your joint Happiness. - -It was not long before Mr. Betterton noticed the profound Admiration -which I had for him, not long before he admitted me to his Friendship -and Intimacy. I say it with utmost pride, that I was the first one with -whom he discussed the question of your Career and to whom he confided -the fact that You had a conspicuous talent for the Stage, and that he -intended to teach and to train You until You could appear with him on -the Boards. You may imagine how this Idea staggered me at first--aye! -and horrified me a little. I suppose that something of the old -puritanical middle-class Prejudice had eaten so deeply into my Soul that -I could not be reconciled to the idea of seeing any Woman--least of all -you, Mistress--acting a part upon the Stage. Hitherto, young Mr. -Kynaston and other boy-actors had represented with perfect grace and -charm all the parts which have been written for Women; and I could not -picture to myself any respectable Female allowing herself to be kissed -or embraced in full view of a large Audience, or speaking some of those -Lines which our great Dramatists have thought proper to write. - -But Mr. Betterton's Influence and his unanswerable Arguments soon got -the better of those old-fashioned Ideas, and anon I found myself looking -eagerly forward to the happy time when You would be freed from the -trammels of Mistress Euphrosine's Tyranny and, as the Wife and Helpmate -of the greatest Actor of our times, take your place beside him among the -Immortals. - - - - 3 - - -It was not until the spring of the following Year that I first noticed -the cloud which was gathering over your happiness. Never shall I forget -the day when first I saw Tears in your Eyes. - -You had finally decided by then to adopt the Stage as your Profession, -and at the instance of Mr. Betterton, Sir William Davenant had promised -You a small part in the new Play, wherewith he was about to open his new -Theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields. The piece chosen was called "Othello," -written by one William Shakespeare, and Sir William had finally decided -that the parts written in this Play by the Author for Women should be -enacted by Women; an arrangement which was even then being worked quite -successfully by Mr. Killigrew at his Theatre in Clare Market. - -I knew that a brilliant Future lay before You; but Mistress Euphrosine, -who had constituted herself your Guardian and Mentor, tried in vain to -turn You from your Career. The day when You made your Decision was yet -another of those momentous ones which will never fade from my Memory. -You had hitherto been clever enough to evade Mistress Euphrosine's -Vigilance whilst you studied the Art of speaking and acting under the -guidance of Mr. Betterton. She thought that his frequent Visits to the -House were due to his Regard for her, whereas he came only to see You -and to be of service to You in the pursuit of your Studies. - -But the time came when You had to avow openly what were your Intentions -with regard to the Future. Sir William Davenant's Theatre in Lincoln's -Inn Fields was to be opened in June, and You, Mistress, were, together -with his principal Actresses, to be boarded after that by him at his own -House, in accordance with one of the Provisions of the Agreement. The -Question arose as to where You should lodge, your poor Mother having no -home to offer You. Mistress Euphrosine made a great Show of her -Abhorrence of the Stage and all the Immorality which such a Career -implied. My cheeks blush with shame even now at the recollection of the -abominable language which she used when first You told her what You -meant to do, and my Heart is still filled with admiration at your -Patience and Forbearance with her under such trying circumstances. - -Fortunately for us all, Mr. Betterton arrived in the midst of all this -wrangle. He soon succeeded in silencing Mistress Euphrosine's -exacerbating tongue, and this not so much by the magic of his Persuasion -as by the aid of the golden Key which is known to open every door--even -that which leads to a scolding Harridan's heart. Mr. Betterton offered -his Sister a substantial Sum of Money if she in return would undertake -to give You a comfortable lodging until such time as he himself would -claim You as his Wife. He stipulated that You should be made -comfortable and that no kind of menial work should ever be put upon You. - -"Mistress Saunderson," he said impressively, "must be left absolutely -free to pursue her Art, unhampered by any other consideration." - -Even so, Mistress Euphrosine could not restrain her malicious tongue, -and the whole equitable arrangement might even then have fallen through -but for your gentleness and quiet determination. Finally, Mistress -Euphrosine gave in. She accepted the liberal terms which her -illustrious Brother was offering her for your Maintenance, but she -reserved unto herself the right of terminating the Arrangement at her -will and pleasure. Obviously, she meant to be as disagreeable as she -chose; but You had to have a respectable roof over your head until such -time as You found a Haven under the ęgis of your future Husband's Name. - -After that, it seemed as if no cloud could ever come to obscure the -Heavens of your happiness. Nevertheless, it was very soon after that -Episode that I chanced upon You one evening, sitting in the parlour with -the Book of a Play before You, yet apparently not intent upon reading. -When I spoke your name You started as if out of a Dream and quickly You -put your handkerchief up to your eyes. - -I made no remark then; it would have been insolence on my part to -intrude upon your private Affairs. But I felt like some faithful cur on -the watch. - -For awhile dust was thrown in my eyes from the fact that Mr. Betterton -announced to us his projected trip abroad, at the instance of Sir -William Davenant, who desired him to study the Scenery and Decorations -which it seems were noted Adjuncts to the Stage over in Paris. If Mr. -Betterton approved of what he saw there, he was to bring back with him a -scheme for such Scenery to be introduced at the new Theatre in Lincoln's -Inn Fields, which would be a great triumph over Mr. Killigrew's -Management, where no such innovations had ever been thought of. - -Naturally, Mr. Betterton, being a Man and an Artist, was eager and -excited over this journey, which showed what great confidence Sir -William Davenant reposed in his Judgment. This, methought, accounted -for the fact that You, Mistress, seemed so much more dejected at the -prospect of his Absence than he was. I also was satisfied that this -Absence accounted for your tears. - -Fool that I was! I should have guessed! - -Mr. Betterton was absent two months, during which time I oft chanced -upon You, dear Mistress, with a book lying unheeded on your lap and your -dark eyes glistening with unnatural brilliancy. But I still believed -that it was only Mr. Betterton's Absence that caused this sadness which -had of late fallen over your Spirits. I know that he did not write -often, and I saw--oh! quite involuntarily--that when his Letters came -they were unaccountably short. - -Then, one day--it was in May--seeing You more than usually depressed, I -suggested that as the weather was so fine we should repair to the -Theatre in Clare Market, and there see Mr. Killigrew's company enact -"The Beggar's Bush," a play in which Major Mohun was acting the part of -_Bellamente_ with considerable success. - -Had I but known what we were destined to see in that Theatre, I swear to -God that I would sooner have hacked off my right leg than to have taken -You thither. Yet We both started on our way, oblivious of what lay -before Us. Time had long since gone by when such expeditions had to be -done in secret. You, Mistress, were independent of Mistress -Euphrosine's threats and tantrums, and I had come to realise that my -Employer could nowhere else in the whole City find a Clerk who would do -so much for such very scanty pay, and that he would never dismiss me, -for fear that he would never again meet with such a willing Drudge. - -So, the day being one on which Mr. Baggs and Mistress Euphrosine were -absenting themselves from home, I persuaded You easily enough to come -with me to the Play. - -Your spirits had risen of late because you were expecting Mr. -Betterton's home-coming. In fact, You had received authentic news that -he would probably be back in England within the week. - - - - 4 - - -At once, when I took my seat in the Gallery beside you, I noticed the -beautiful fair Lady in the Box, whom I had not seen since that -marvellous day a year ago, when you and I sat together at the Play. She -was more radiantly beautiful than ever before. - -Discreet enquiries from my Neighbour elicited the information that she -was the Lady Barbara Wychwoode, daughter of the Marquis of Sidbury, and -the acknowledged Belle among the Debutantes of the season. I understood -that nothing had been seen of the Lady for the past year or more, owing -to the grave and lingering illness of her Mother, during the whole -course of which the young Girl had given up her entire life to the -tending of the Invalid. - -Now that his Lordship was a Widower, he had insisted on bringing his -Daughter to London so that she might be brought to the notice of His -Majesty and take her place at Court and in Society, as it beseemed her -rank. That place the Lady Barbara conquered quickly enough, by her -Beauty, her Charm and her Wit, so much so that I was told that all the -young Gallants in the City were more or less over head and ears in love -with her, but that her affections had remained steadfastly true to the -friend and companion of her girlhood, the young Earl of Stour who, in -his turn had never swerved in his Allegiance and had patiently waited -for the day when her duty to her Mother would cease and her love for him -be allowed to have full sway. - -All this, of course, sounded very pretty and very romantic; and you, -Mistress, gave ungrudging admiration to the beautiful girl who was the -cynosure of all eyes. She sat in the Box, in the company of an elderly -and distinguished Gentleman, who was obviously her Father, and of -another Man, who appeared to be a year or two older than herself and -whose likeness of features to her own proclaimed him to be her Brother. -At the rear of the box a number of brilliant Cavaliers had congregated, -who had obviously come in order to pay court to this acknowledged Queen -of Beauty. Foremost among these we noticed a tall, handsome young Man -whose noble features looked to me to suggest a somewhat weak yet -obstinate disposition. He was undeniably handsome: the huge, fair -periwig which he wore lent a certain manly dignity to his countenance. -We quickly came to the conclusion that this must be the Earl of Stour, -for it was obvious that the Lady Barbara reserved her most welcoming -smile and her kindliest glances for him. - -The company in the Box kept us vastly amused for a time, in the -intervals of watching the Actors on the Stage; and I remember that -during the second Act the dialogue in the Play being somewhat dull, both -You and I fell to watching the Lady Barbara and her throng of Admirers. -Suddenly we noticed that all these Gentlemen gave way as if to a -New-comer who had just entered at the rear of the Box and was apparently -desirous of coming forward in order to pay his respects. At first we -could not see who the New-comer was, nor did we greatly care. The next -moment, however, he was behind the Lady Barbara's chair. Anon he -stooped forward in order to whisper something in her ear. - -And I saw who it was. - -It was Mr. Betterton. - -For the moment, I remember that I felt as if I were paralysed; either -that or crazed. I could not trust mine eyes. - -Then I turned my head and looked at You. - -You too had seen and recognised. For the moment You did not move, but -sat rigid and silent. Your face had become a shade or two paler and -there was a scarce perceptible tremor of your lips. - -But that was all. I alone knew that You had just received a stab in -your loving and trusting Heart, that something had occurred which would -for ever mar the perfect trustfulness of your early love ... something -which you would never forget. - - - - 5 - - -You sat out the rest of the Play, dear Mistress, outwardly quite serene. -Never, I think, has my admiration for your Character and for your Worth -been more profound. I believe that I suffered almost as much as You. I -suffered because many things were made clear to me then that I had -ignored before. Your tears, your many Silences, that look of trustful -happiness now gone from your eyes. I understood that the Incident was -only the confirmation of what you had suspected long since. - -But you would not let any one see your heart. No! not even me, your -devoted Bondsman, who would gladly die to save You from pain. Yet I -could not bring my heart to condemn Mr. Betterton utterly. I did not -believe even then that he had been unfaithful--led away no doubt by the -glamour of the society Beauty, by the talk and the swagger of all the -idle Gentlemen about town--but not unfaithful. His was not a Nature to -love more than the once, and he loved You, Mistress--loved You from the -moment that he set eyes on You, from the moment that he knew your Worth. -His fancy had perhaps been captured by the beautiful Lady Barbara, his -Heart wherein your image was eternally enshrined, had been momentarily -bewitched by her wiles; but he was not responsible for these -Actions--that I could have sworn even then. - -Mr. Betterton is above all an Artist, and in my humble judgment Artists -are not to be measured by ordinary standards. Their mind is more -fanciful, their fancy more roving; they are the Butterflies of this -World, gay to look at and light on the wing. - -You never told me, Mistress, what course You adopted after that eventful -afternoon; nor would I have ventured to pry into your secrets. That You -and Mr. Betterton talked the whole matter over, I make no doubt. I -could even tell You, methinks, on which day the heart to heart talk -between You took place. That there were no Recriminations on your part -I dare aver; also that Mr. Betterton received his final dismissal on -that day with a greater respect than ever for You in his Heart, and with -deep sorrow weighing upon his Soul. - -After that, his visits to the house became more and more infrequent; and -at first You would contrive to be absent when he came. But, as I have -always maintained, his love for You still filled his innermost Being, -even though the Lady Barbara ruled over his fancy for the time. He -longed for your Presence and for your Friendship, even though at that -time he believed that You had totally erased his image from your Heart. - -And so, when he came, and I had perforce to tell him that You were -absent, he would linger on in the hope that You would return, and he -would go away with a bitter sigh of regret whenever he had failed to -catch a glimpse of You. - -You never told me in so many Words that you had definitely broken off -your Engagement to Mr. Betterton, nor do I believe that such was your -intention even then. Mistress Euphrosine certainly never realised that -You were smarting under so terrible a blow, and she still spoke glibly -of your forthcoming marriage. - -It was indeed fortunate for You, fortunate for us all, that both she and -Mr. Baggs were too self-absorbed--he in his Business and she in her -Piety--and too selfish, to be aware of what went on around them. Their -self-absorption left You free to indulge in the luxury of suffering in -silence; and I was made almost happy at times by an occasional -surreptitious pressure of your Hand, a glance from your Eyes, telling me -that my Understanding and Sympathy were not wholly unwelcome. - - - - - CHAPTER III - - - A CRIMINAL FOLLY - - - 1 - - -In June, you made your debut upon the stage, dear Mistress. Though You -only played a small Part, your Grace and Charm soon won universal -approval. I have so often told You of my feelings, my hopes, my tremors -and my joy on the occasion when first I saw You upon the boards, that I -will not weary You with the re-telling of them once again. Securely -hidden behind a pillar, I only lived through the super-acuteness of my -Senses, which drank in your Presence from the moment when You stepped -out from behind the Curtain and revealed your gracious personality to an -admiring Audience. - -As long as I live, every word which You spoke on that day will continue -to ring in mine ear, and ere mine eyes close for ever in their last long -Sleep, I shall see your exquisite Image floating dreamlike before their -gaze. - - - - 2 - - -From that day onward, I saw you more seldom than I had been wont to do -before. Your Success at the new Theatre had been so pronounced that Sir -William Davenant soon entrusted You with more important parts. Thus -your time was greatly taken up both with Performances and with -Rehearsals and with the choosing and trying on of dresses. Of -necessity, your work threw you often in the company of Mr. Betterton, he -being the leading Actor in Sir William's Company, and the most popular -as he was the most eminent of His Majesty's Well-Beloved Servants. In -fact, his Fame at this time was reaching its Apogee. He was reckoned -one of the Intimates of His Majesty himself; Gentlemen and Noblemen -sought his company; great Ladies were zealous to win his favours. - -Needless to say that concurrently with his rise to pre-eminence, an army -of Enemies sprung up around him. Hungry curs will ever bay at the moon. -Set a cat upon a high post and in a moment others will congregate down -below and spit and yowl at their more fortunate kind. Scandal and -spite, which had never been so rife as in these days, fastened -themselves like evil tentacles on Mr. Betterton's fair Name. - -He was too proud to combat these, and You too proud to lend an ear to -them. You met him now upon an easy footing of Friendship, of gentle -gratitude as of a successful Pupil towards a kindly Teacher. To any one -who did not know You as I do, You must at that time have seemed -completely happy. You were independent now, earning a good salary, -paying Mistress Euphrosine liberally for the lodgings which she placed -at your disposal; free to come and go as You pleased, to receive the -visits of Gentlemen who were desirous of paying their respects to You. -You were, in fact, Mistress Saunderson, the well-known Actress, who was -busy climbing--and swiftly, too--the Ladder of Fame. - -Of your proposed Marriage with Mr. Betterton there was of course no -longer any talk. For some reason best known to herself, and which I -myself never tried to fathom, even Mistress Euphrosine had ceased to -speak of it. - -Did she, within the depths of her ambitious and avaricious Heart, -harbour the belief that her Brother would one day wed one of those great -Ladies, who were wont to hang entranced upon his lips, when he spoke the -immortal words of the late Mr. William Shakespeare or of Mr. John -Dryden? I know not; nor what benefit she would have derived from it if -such an unlikely Event had indeed taken place. - -Towards me, she was still frigidly contemptuous. But as to that, I did -not care. I was determined to endure her worst gibes for the sake of -dwelling under the same roof which still had the privilege of sheltering -You. - - - - 3 - - -It was one day early in September--just something over a year ago, in -fact--that my Lord Stour called at the house of Mr. Theophilus Baggs. I -knew him at once for the Cavalier who was ever in attendance upon the -Lady Barbara Wychwoode and whom rumour had assigned to her as her future -Husband. - -Frankly, I had never liked him from the first. I thought him overbearing -and arrogant. His manner towards those who were inferior to him in -station was always one of contempt. And I often wondered how Mr. -Theophilus Baggs, who was an Attorney of some standing in the City of -London, could endure the cool insolence wherewith young Gentlemen like -my Lord Stour and others were wont to treat him. Not only that, but he -seemed to derive a sort of gratification from it, and was wont to -repeat--I was almost going to say that he would boast of--these acts of -overbearance to which he was so often subjected. - -"Another of the stiff-necked sort," he would say after he had bowed one -of these fine Gentlemen obsequiously out of his office. "An honest, -God-fearing Man is as dirt beneath the feet of these Gallants." - -My Lord Stour, of a truth, was no exception to the rule. I have since -been assured that he was quite kindly and gracious in himself, and that -his faults were those of the Milieu in which he had been brought up, -rather than of himself. - -Of course, You, dear Mistress, were out of the house during the whole of -that never-to-be-forgotten day of which I am about to speak, and -therefore knew nothing of the terrible Event which then occurred and -which, in my humble judgment, completely revolutionized Mr. Betterton's -character for the time being. But Fate had decreed that I should see it -all. Every moment of that awful afternoon is indelibly graven upon my -Memory. I had, however, neither the Chance nor the Opportunity to speak -to You of it all. At first I did not think that it would be expedient. -The humiliation which Mr. Betterton was made to endure on that day was -such that I could not bear to speak of it, least of all to You, who -still held him in such high esteem. And later on, I still thought it -best to be silent. Mr. Betterton and You seemed to have drifted apart -so completely, that I did not feel that it would do any good to rake up -old hurts, and to submit them to the cruel light of day. - -But now everything is changed. The Lady Barbara's influence over Mr. -Betterton has gone, never to return; whilst his Heart once more yearns -for the only true Love which has ever gladdened it. - - - - 4 - - -My Lord Stour came to call upon Mr. Theophilus Baggs at three o'clock of -the afternoon. Kathleen, the maid of all work, opened the door to him, -and Mistress Euphrosine received him in the Parlour, where I was also -sitting at my desk, engaged in copying out a lengthy Indenture. - -"Master Baggs awaits me, I think," my Lord said as he entered the room. - -Mistress Euphrosine made a deep curtsey, for she was ever fond of the -Aristocracy. - -"Will you deign to enter, my Lord?" she said. "My husband will wait upon -your pleasure." - -"Tell him to be quick, then," said my Lord; "for I have not a great deal -of time to spare." - -He seated himself beside the table and drew off his gloves. He had -taken absolutely no notice of my respectful salutation. - -Mistress Euphrosine sailed out of the room and a moment or two later Mr. -Baggs came in, carrying a sheaf of papers and looking very fussy and -obsequious. - -My Lord did not rise to greet him, only turned his head in his direction -and said curtly: - -"You are Mr. Theophilus Baggs, Attorney-at-law?" - -"At your Lordship's service," replied my employer. - -"Brother-in-law of Tom Betterton, the Actor, so I am told," my Lord went -on with quiet condescension. - -This innocent remark, however, appeared to upset Mr. Baggs. He -stammered and grew as red as a turkey-cock, not realizing that his -connection with the great Actor was truly an honour upon his Name. He -hemmed and hawed and looked unutterably foolish, as he mumbled -confusedly: - -"Er ... that is ... only occasionally, my Lord ... very occasionally, I -may say ... that is ... I..." - -"Pray calm yourself," broke in my Lord haughtily. "I admire the -fellow's acting ... the Man himself does not exist for me." - -"You are most gracious, my Lord," murmured Mr. Baggs promptly, whilst I -could have struck him for his obsequiousness and his Lordship for his -arrogance. - -It seems that the matter which had brought Lord Stour to Mr. Baggs' -office was one of monies connected with the winding-up of the affairs of -the late Earl, uncle of the present Peer. I was busy with my work -during the time that these affairs were being discussed and did not pay -much heed to the conversation. Only two fragments thereof struck mine -ear. I remember, chiefly because they were so characteristic of the two -men--the Aristocrat and the Plebeian--and of the times in which we live. - -At one time Mr. Baggs ventured to enquire after the health of the -Honourable Mrs. Stourcliffe, his Lordship's mother; and you should have -heard the tone of frigid pride wherewith my Lord seemed to repel any -such presumptuous enquiries. - -The other fragment which I overheard was towards the end of the -interview, when Mr. Theophilus Baggs, having counted over the Money -before his Lordship, placed a Paper before him and bade me bring him a -pen. - -"What's this?" queried my Lord, astonished. - -"Oh!" Mr. Baggs stammered, with his habitual humility of demeanour, "a -mere formality, my Lord ... er ... h'm ... only a ... er ... receipt." - -"A receipt?" my Lord asked, with an elevation of his aristocratic brows. -"What for?" - -"Er ... er..." Mr. Baggs stammered. "For the monies, my Lord. That is -... er ... if you will deign to count it over yourself ... and see that -it is correct." - -At this, my Lord rose from his seat, waved me aside, took and pocketed -the money. Then he said coolly to Mr. Baggs: - -"No, Sir; I do not care to count. My Uncle knew You to be honest, or he -would not have placed his affairs in your hands. That is sufficient for -me. I, on the other hand, have received the money.... That is -sufficient for You." - -"But----!" ejaculated Mr. Baggs, driven out of his timidity by such -summary procedure. - -"Egad, Sir!" broke in my Lord, more haughtily than before. "Are you -perchance supposing that I might claim money which I have already had?" - -"No ... no!" protested Mr. Baggs hastily. "I assure you, my Lord ... er -... that it is ... h'm ... a mere formality ... and..." - -"My word," retorted my Lord coolly, "is sufficient formality." - -Whereupon he turned to the door, taking no more notice of me than if I -were the doormat. He nodded to Mr. Baggs, who was of a truth too deeply -shaken to speak, and with a curt "I wish you good-day, Mr. Notary!" -strode out of the room. - -I doubt not, Mistress, that You and many others of gentle Manners if not -of gentle Birth, would think that in recounting this brief interview -between my employer and the young Earl of Stour, I have been guilty of -exaggeration in depicting my Lord's arrogance. Yet, on my word, it all -occurred just as I have told it. No doubt that Mr. Baggs' -obsequiousness must have been irritating, and that it literally called -forth the haughty Retort which otherwise might have remained unspoken. -I myself, humble and insignificant as I am, have oft felt an almost -uncontrollable impulse to kick my worthy Employer into some measure of -manliness. - -For let me assure You that, though subsequently I became more closely -acquainted with my Lord Stour, I never heard him use such haughty -language to any of his Dependents, nor do I think that so gentle a Lady -as Lady Barbara Wychwoode would have bestowed her fondness and regard -upon him had his Nature been as supercilious and as insolent as his -Words. - - - - 5 - - -That afternoon was indeed destined to be fuller of events than I ever -could have anticipated. No sooner had I closed the door upon my Lord -Stour, when I heard footsteps ascending the stairs, and then my Lord's -voice raised once more, this time with a tone of pleasure mingled with -astonishment. - -"Wychwoode, by gad!" he exclaimed. "And what in Heaven's name have you -come to do in the old fox's lair?" - -I did not hear the immediate reply. More fussy than ever, Mr. Baggs had -already signed to me to reopen the door. - -"Lord Douglas Wychwoode," he murmured hurriedly in my ear. "One of the -younger sons of the Marquis of Sidbury. I am indeed fortunate to-day. -The scions of our great Nobility do seek my help and counsel..." and -more such senseless words did he utter, whilst the two young Gentlemen -paused for a moment upon the landing, talking with one another. - -"I thought you still in France," Lord Douglas said to his friend. "What -hath brought you home so unexpectedly?" - -"I only arrived this morning," the other replied; "and hoped to present -my respects this evening, if your Father and the Lady Barbara will -receive me." - -"Indeed, they'll be delighted. _Cela va sans dire_, my friend. My -sister has been rather pensive of late. Your prolonged absence may have -had something to do with her mood." - -"May you speak the truth there!" my Lord Stour remarked with a sigh. - -"But now you have not told me," rejoined Lord Douglas, as he and his -friend finally went into the room and curtly acknowledged Mr. Baggs' -reiterated salutations, "what hath brought you to the house of this -bobbing old Thief yonder." - -"Private business," replied Lord Stour. "And you?" - -"The affairs of England," said the other, and tossed his head proudly -like some young Lion scenting battle. - -Before his friend could utter another remark, Lord Douglas strode -rapidly across the room, took some papers out of the inner pocket of his -coat, and called to Mr. Baggs to come up closer to him. - -"I want," he said in a quick and peremptory whisper, "a dozen copies of -this Deed done at once and by a sure hand. Can you do it?" - -"Yes, I think so," replied Mr. Baggs. "May I see what the paper is?" - -I was watching the pair of them; so was my Lord Stour. On his face -there came a sudden frown as of disapproval and anxiety. - -"Wychwoode----!" he began. - -But the other did not heed him. His eyes--which were so like those of -his Sister--were fixed with an eager, questioning gaze upon my Employer. -The latter's face was absolutely expressionless and inscrutable whilst -he scanned the paper which Lord Douglas, after a scarce perceptible -moment of hesitation, had handed to him for perusal. - -"Yes," he said quietly, when he had finished reading. "It can be done." - -"At once?" asked Lord Douglas. - -"At once. Yes, my Lord." - -"By a sure hand?" - -"Discretion, my Lord," replied Mr. Baggs, with the first show of dignity -I have ever seen him display, "is a virtue in my profession, the failing -in which would be a lasting disgrace." - -"I rely even more upon your convictions, Mr. Baggs," Lord Douglas -rejoined earnestly, "than upon your virtues." - -"You and your friends, my Lord, have deigned to talk those matters over -with me many a time before. You and they know that You can count on -me." - -Mr. Baggs spoke with more Quietude and Simplicity than was his wont when -dealing with some of these noble Lords. You may be sure, dear Mistress, -that I was vastly astonished at what I heard, still more at what I -guessed. That Mr. Baggs and his Spouse belonged to the old Puritan -Party which had deplored the Restoration of the Kingship, I knew well -enough. I knew that both he and Mistress Euphresine looked with -feelings akin to horror upon a system of Government which had for its -supreme head a King, more than half addicted to Popery and wholly to -fast living, with women, gambling and drinking all the day. But what I -had never even remotely guessed until now was that he had already lent a -helping hand to those numerous Organisations, which had for their object -the overthrow of the present loose form of Government, if not that of -the Monarchy itself. - -I did not know, in fact, that beneath a weak and obsequious exterior, my -Employer hid the stuff of which dangerous Conspirators are often made. - -For the nonce, however, I imagine that he contented himself with writing -out Deeds and Proclamations for the more important Malcontents, of whom -apparently my Lord Douglas Wychwoode was one. He had never taken me -into his confidence, even though he must have known that he could always -rely upon my Discretion. What caused him to trust me now more than he -had done before, I do not know. Perhaps he had come to a final decision -to throw in his lot with the ultra-Protestant party, who viewed with -such marked disfavour the projects of the King's marriage with the -Popish Princess of Portugal. Certain it is that he came to me without -any hesitation with the Papers which Lord Douglas had just entrusted to -him, and that he at once ordered me to make the twelve copies which his -Lordship desired. - -I retired within the window-recess which You know so well, and wherein I -am wont to sit at my copying work. Mr. Baggs then set me to my task, -after which he drew the screen across the recess, so that I remained -hidden from the view of those who were still in the room. I set to with -a Will, for my task was a heavy one. Twelve copies of a Manifesto, -which in itself covered two long pages. - -A Manifesto, in truth! - -I could scarce believe mine eyes as I read the whole rambling, foolish, -hot-headed Rigmarole. Did I not have the Paper actually in my hand, had -I not seen Lord Douglas Wychwoode handing it himself over to Mr. Baggs, -I could not have believed that any Men in their sober senses could have -lent a hand to such criminal Folly. - -Folly it was; and criminal to boot! - -The whole matter is past History now, and there can be no harm in my -relating it when so much of it hath long ago been made public. - -That Manifesto was nothing more or less than an Appeal to certain -Sympathizers to join in one of the maddest enterprises any man could -conceive. It seems that my Lady Castlemaine's house was to be kept -watched by Parties of these same Conspirators, until one night when the -King paid her one of his customary evening Visits. Then the signal was -to be given, the House surrounded, my Lady Castlemaine kidnapped, His -Majesty seized and forced to abdicate in favour of the young Duke of -Monmouth, who would then be proclaimed King of England, with the Prince -of Orange as Regent. - -Now, have you ever heard of anything more mad? I assure You that I was -literally staggered, and as my Pen went wearily scratching over the -Paper I felt as if I were in a dream, seeing before me visions of what -the end of such a foolish Scheme would be: the Hangman busy, the Prisons -filled, sorrow and desolation in many homes that had hoped to find peace -at last after the turmoil of the past twenty years. For the appeals -were directed to well accredited people outside London, some of whom -were connected with the best known Families in the Country. I must, of -course, refrain from mentioning names that have been allowed to fall -into oblivion in connection with the affair; but You, dear Mistress, -would indeed be astonished if You heard them now. - -And what caused me so much worry, whilst I wrote on till my hand felt -cramped and stiff, was mine own Helplessness in the matter. What could -I do, short of betraying the trust which was reposed in me?--and this, -of course, was unthinkable. - -I wrote on, feeling ever more dazed and dumb. From the other side of the -screen the Voices of the two young Gentlemen came at times to mine ear -with unusual clearness, at others only like an intermittent hum. Mr. -Baggs had apparently left the room, and the others had no doubt become -wholly oblivious of my Presence. Lord Douglas Wychwoode had told his -Friend something of his madcap Schemes; his voice sounded both eager and -enthusiastic. But my Lord Stour demurred. - -"I am a Soldier," he said at one time; "not a Politician." - -"That's just it!" the other argued with earnestness. "It is Men like -you that we want. We must crush that spendthrift Wanton who holds the -King in her thrall, and we must force a dishonoured Monarch to give up -the Crown of England to one who is worthier to wear it, since he -himself, even in these few brief months, has already covered it with -infamy." - -"You have set yourself a difficult task, my friend," my Lord Stour urged -more soberly; "and a dangerous one, too." - -"Only difficult and dangerous," retorted Lord Douglas, "whilst such Men -as you still hold aloof." - -"I tell you, I am no Politician," his Friend rejoined somewhat -impatiently. - -"But You are a Man, and not a senseless profligate--an earnest -Protestant, who must loathe that cobweb of Popery which overlies the -King's every Action, and blurs his vision of duty and of dignity." - -"Yes--but----" - -Then it was that Lord Douglas, with great patience and earnestness, gave -to his Friend a detailed account of his criminal Scheme--for criminal it -was, however much it might be disguised under the cloak of patriotism -and religious fervour. How Lord Stour received the communication, I -could not say. I had ceased to listen and was concentrating my mind on -my uncongenial task. Moreover, I fancy that Lord Stour did not say -much. He must have disapproved of it, as any right-minded Man would, -and no doubt tried his best to bring Lord Douglas to a more rational -state of mind. But this is mere conjecture on my part, and, of course, -I could not see his face, which would have been a clear index to his -thoughts. At one time I heard him exclaim indignantly: - -"But surely You will not entrust the distribution of those Manifestos, -which may cost you your head, to that obsequious and mealy-mouthed -notary?" - -Mr. Baggs should have heard the contempt wherewith my Lord uttered those -words! It would have taught him how little regard his servile ways had -won for him, and how much more thoroughly would he have been respected -had he adopted a more manly bearing towards his Clients, however highly -these may have been placed. - -After this, Lord Douglas Wychwoode became even more persuasive and -eager. Perhaps he had noted the first signs of yielding in the Attitude -of his Friend. - -"No, no!" he said. "And that is our serious trouble. I and those who -are at one with me feel that we are surrounded with spies. We do want a -sure Hand--a Hand that will not err and that we can trust--to distribute -the Manifestos, and, if possible, to bring us back decisive Answers. -Some of the Men with whom we wish to communicate live at some -considerable distance from town. We only wish to approach influential -people; but some of these seldom come to London; in fact, with the -exception of the Members of a venal Government and of a few effete Peers -as profligate as the King himself, but few Men, worthy of the name, do -elect to live in this degenerate City." - -His talk was somewhat rambling; perhaps I did not catch all that he -said. After awhile Lord Stour remarked casually: - -"And so You thought of me as your possible Emissary?" - -"Was I wrong?" retorted Lord Douglas hotly. - -"Nay, my friend," rejoined the other coldly. "I am honoured by this -trust which You would place in me; but----" - -"But You refuse?" broke in Lord Douglas with bitter reproach. - -I imagine that my Lord Stour's reply must have been an unsatisfactory -one to his Friend, for the latter uttered an exclamation of supreme -impatience. I heard but little more of their conversation just then, for -the noise in the Street below, which had been attracting my Attention on -and off for some time, now grew in intensity, and, curious to know what -it portended, I rose from my chair and leaned out of the window to see -what was happening. - -From the window, as You know, one gets a view of the corner of our -Street as it debouches into Fleet Street by the _Spread Eagle_ tavern, -and even the restricted View which I thus had showed me at once that -some kind of rioting was going on. Not rioting of an ordinary kind, for -of a truth we who live in the heart of the City of London are used to -its many cries; to the "Make way there!" of the Sedan Chairman and the -"Make room there!" of the Drivers of wheel-barrows, all mingling with -the "Stand up there, you blind dog!" bawled by every Carman as he tries -to squeeze his way through the throngs in the streets. - -No! this time it seemed more than that, and I, who had seen the crowds -which filled the Streets of London from end to end on the occasion of -the death of the Lord Protector, and had seen the merry-makers who had -made those same streets impassable when King Charles entered London a -little more than a year ago, I soon realized that the Crowd which I saw -flocking both up and down Fleet Street was in an ugly mood. - -At first I thought that some of those abominable vagabonds from -Whitefriars--those whom we call the Alsatians, and who are in perpetual -conflict with the law--had come out in a body from their sink of -iniquity close by and had started one of their periodical combats with -the Sheriffs' Officers; but soon I recognized some faces familiar to me -among the crowd as they ran past the corner--Men, Women and Boys who, -though of a rough and turbulent Character, could in no way be confounded -with the law-breaking Alsatians. - -There was, for instance, the Tinker, whom I knew well by sight. He was -running along, knocking his skillets and frying-pans against one another -as he passed, shouting lustily the while. Then there was a sooty -chimney-sweep, whom I knew to be an honest Man, and the broom Men with -their Boys, and many law-abiding Pedestrians who, fearful of the crowd, -were walking in the traffic way, meekly giving the wall to the more -roisterous throng. They all seemed to be a part of that same Crowd -which was scampering and hurrying up and down Fleet Street, shouting and -causing a disturbance such as I do not remember ever having seen before. - -I should have liked to have gazed out of the Window until I had -ascertained positively what the noise was about; but I remembered that -my task was only half-accomplished and that I had at the least another -half-dozen Manifestos to write out. I was on the point of sitting down -once more to my Work when I heard Lord Douglas Wychwoode's voice quite -close to the screen, saying anxiously, as if in answer to some remark -made by his friend: - -"I trust not. My Sister is out in her chair somewhere in this -neighbourhood, and only with her two Bearers." - -Apparently the two Gentlemen's attention had also been arrested by the -tumult. The next moment Mr. Theophilus Baggs came in, and immediately -they both plied him simultaneously with questions. "What were those -strange cries in the street? Was there likely to be a riot? What was -the cause of the tumult?" All of which Mr. Baggs felt himself unable to -answer. In the end, he said that he would walk down to the corner of -the Street and ascertain what was happening. - -Ensconced within the window recess and hidden from view by the screen, I -soon gave up all attempt at continuing my work. Somehow, the two -Gentlemen's anxiety about the Lady Barbara had communicated itself to -me. But my thoughts, of course, were of You. Fortunately for my peace -of mind, I knew that You were safe; at some distance, in fact, from the -scene of the present tumult. Nevertheless, I had already made up my -mind that if the rioting spread to the neighbouring streets, I would -slip out presently and go as far as Dorset Gardens, where you were busy -at rehearsal, and there wait for you until you came out of the Theatre, -when, if you were unattended, I could escort you home. - -I could not myself have explained why the Noise outside and the obvious -rough temper of the People should have agitated me as they undoubtedly -did. - -Anon, Mr. Baggs returned with a veritable sackful of news. - -"There is a great tumult all down the neighbourhood," said he, "because -Lady Castlemaine is even now at the India House drinking tea, and a lot -of rowdy folk have made up their minds to give her a rough welcome when -she comes out. She is not popular just now, my Lady Castlemaine," Mr. -Baggs continued complacently, as he gave a look of understanding to Lord -Douglas Wychwoode, "And I fancy that she will experience an unpleasant -quarter of an hour presently." - -"But, surely," protested my Lord Stour, "a whole mob will not be allowed -to attack a defenceless woman, however unpopular she may be!" - -"Oh, as to that," rejoined Mr. Baggs with an indifferent shrug of the -shoulders, "a London mob is not like to be squeamish when its temper is -aroused; and just now, when work is scarce and food very dear, the sight -of her Ladyship's gorgeous liveries are apt to exasperate those who have -an empty stomach." - -"But what will they do to her?" urged my Lord, whose manly feelings were -evidently outraged at the prospect of seeing any Woman a prey to an -angry rabble. - -"That I cannot tell you, my Lord," replied Mr. Baggs. "The crowd hath -several ways of showing its displeasure. You know, when a Frenchman or -some other Foreigner shows his face in the Streets of London, how soon -he becomes the butt of passing missiles. The sweep will leave a sooty -imprint upon his coat; a baker's basket will cover him with dust; at -every hackney-coach stand, some facetious coachman will puff the froth -of his beer into his face. Well! you may draw your own conclusions, my -Lord, as to what will happen anon, when my Lady Castlemaine hath -finished drinking her dish of tea!" - -"But surely no one would treat a Lady so?" once more ejaculated my Lord -Stour hotly. - -"Perhaps not," retorted Mr. Baggs drily. "But then you, see, my Lord, -Lady Castlemaine is ... Well; she is Lady Castlemaine ... and at the -corner of our street just now I heard murmurs of the Pillory or even -worse for her----" - -"But this is monstrous--infamous----!" - -"And will be well deserved," here broke in Lord Douglas decisively. -"Fie on You, Friend, to worry over that baggage, whilst we are still in -doubt if my Sister be safe." - -"Yes!" murmured Lord Stour, with a sudden note of deep solicitude in his -voice. "My God! I was forgetting!" - -He ran to the window--the one next to the recess where I still remained -ensconced--threw open the casement and gazed out even more anxiously -than I had been doing all along. Mr. Baggs in the meanwhile endeavoured -to reassure Lord Douglas. - -"If," he said, "her Ladyship knows that your Lordship hath come here to -visit me, she may seek shelter under my humble roof." - -"God grant that she may!" rejoined the young Man fervently. - -We all were on tenterhooks, I as much as the others; and we all gazed -out agitatedly in the direction of Fleet Street. Then, all at once, my -Lord Stour gave a cry of relief. - -"There's the chaise!" he exclaimed. "It has just turned the corner of -this street.... No! not that way, Douglas ... on your right.... That is -Lady Barbara's chaise, is it not?" - -"Yes, it is!" ejaculated the other. "Thank Heaven, her man Pyncheon has -had the good sense to bring her here. Quick, Mr. Notary!" he added. -"The door!" - -The next moment a Sedan chair borne by two men in handsome liveries of -blue and silver came to a halt just below. Already Mr. Baggs had -hurried down the stairs. He would, I know, yield to no one in the -privilege of being the first to make the Lady Barbara welcome in his -House. The Excitement and Anxiety were momentarily over, and I could -view quite composedly from above the beautiful Lady Barbara as she -stepped out of her Chair, a little flurried obviously, for she clasped -and unclasped her cloak with a nervy, trembling hand. - -A second or two later, I heard her high-heeled shoes pattering up the -stairs, whilst her Men with the Chair sought refuge in a quiet tavern -higher up in Chancery Lane. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - - MORE THAN A PASSING FANCY - - - 1 - - -I would that You, fair Mistress, had seen the Lady Barbara Wychwoode as -I beheld her on that never-to-be-forgotten afternoon, her Cheeks of a -delicate pallor, her golden Hair slightly disarranged, her Lips -trembling with excitement. You, who are so inexpressibly beautiful, -would have been generous enough to give ungrudging Admiration to what -was so passing fair. - -She was panting a little, for obviously she had been scared, and clung -to her Brother as if for protection. But I noticed that directly she -entered the room her Eyes encountered those of my Lord Stour, and that -at sight of him a happy smile at once over-spread and illumined her -Face. - -"I am so thankful, Douglas, dear," she said, "that Pyncheon happened to -know you were here. He also knew the way to Mr. Baggs' house, and as -soon as he realized that the crowd in Fleet Street was no ordinary one, -he literally took to his heels and brought me along here in amazingly -quick time. But, oh!" she added lightly, "I can tell You that I was -scared. My heart went thumping and I have not yet recovered my breath." - -Her cheeks now had become suffused with a blush and her blue eyes -sparkled, more with excitement than fear, I imagined. Certain it is -that her Beauty was enhanced thereby. But Lord Douglas, with a -Brother's privilege, shrugged his shoulders and said with a show of -banter: - -"Methinks, Babs, dear, that your heart hath chiefly gone a-thumping -because you are surprised at finding Stour here." - -She gave a gay little laugh--the laugh of one who is sure of Love and of -Happiness; the same laugh, dear Mistress, for which I have hearkened of -late in vain from You. - -"I only arrived in London this morning," my Lord Stour explained. - -"And hastened to pay your respects to the law rather than to me," Lady -Barbara taunted him lightly. - -"I would not have ventured to present myself at this hour," he rejoined. -"And, apparently, would have found the Lady Barbara from home." - -"So a beneficent Fairy whispered to You to go and see Mr. Notary, and -thus arranged everything for the best." - -"The beneficent Fairy had her work cut out, then," Lord Douglas -remarked, somewhat impatiently, I thought. - -"How do you mean?" she retorted. - -"Why," said he, "in order to secure this tryst, the beneficient Fairy -had first to bring me hither as well as Stour, and Lady Castlemaine to -the India House. Then she had to inflame the temper of a whole Crowd of -Roisterers sufficiently to cause the worthy Pyncheon to take to his -heels, with you in the chair. In fact, the good Fairy must have been to -endless trouble to arrange this meeting 'twixt Lady Barbara and her -Lover, when but a few hours later that same meeting would have come -about quite naturally." - -"Nay, then!" she riposted with perfect good humour, "let us call it a -happy Coincidence, and say no more about it." - -Even then her Brother uttered an angry exclamation. He appeared -irritated by the placidity and good humour of the others. His nerves -were evidently on edge, and while my Lord Stour, with the egoism -peculiar to Lovers, became absorbed in whispering sweet nothings in Lady -Barbara's ears, Lord Douglas took to pacing up and down the Room like -some impatient Animal. - -I watched the three of them with ever-growing interest. Being very -sensitive to outward influences, I was suddenly obsessed with the -feeling that through some means or other these three Persons, so far -above me in station, would somehow become intermixed with my Life, and -that it had suddenly become my Duty to watch them and to listen to what -they were saying. - -I had no desire to pry upon them, of course; so I pray You do not -misunderstand nor condemn me for thus remaining hidden behind the screen -and for not betraying my Presence to them all. Certainly my Lord Stour -and Lord Douglas Wychwoode had known at one time that I was in the Room. -They had seen me installed in the window-recess, with the treasonable -Manifestos which I had been set to copy. But since then the two -Gentlemen had obviously become wholly oblivious of my Presence, and the -Lady Barbara did not of course even know of my Existence, whilst I did -not feel disposed to reveal myself to any of them just yet. - - - - 2 - - -Lord Douglas, thereafter, was for braving the Rioters and for returning -home. But Lady Barbara and Lord Stour, feeling happy in one another's -Company, were quite content to bide for a time under Mr. Baggs' -sheltering roof. - -"You must have patience, Douglas," she said to her Brother. "I assure -you that the Streets are not safe. Some rowdy Folk have set themselves -to attacking every chair they see and tearing the gold and silver lace -from the Chairmen's liveries. Even the side-streets are thronged. -Pyncheon will tell you of the difficulty he had in bringing me here." - -"But we cannot wait until night!" Lord Douglas urged impatiently. - -"No!" said she. "Only an hour or two. As soon as the people have seen -Lady Castlemaine and have vented their wrath on her, they will begin to -disperse, chiefly into the neighbouring Taverns, and then we can slip -quietly away." - -"Or else," broke in Lord Stour hotly, "surely the watchmen will come -anon and disperse that rabble ere it vents its spite upon a defenceless -Woman!" - -"A defenceless Woman, you call her, my Lord?" Lady Barbara retorted -reproachfully. "She is the most dangerous Enemy England hath at this -moment!" - -"You are severe, Lady Barbara----" - -"Severe!" she exclaimed, with a vehement tone of resentment. "Ah! you -have been absent, my Lord. You do not know--You do not understand! Over -abroad You did not realise the Misery, the Famine, that is stalking our -land. Money that should be spent on reclaiming our Industries, which -have suffered through twenty years of civil strife, or in helping the -poor to tide over these years of lean Harvests, is being lavished by an -irresponsible Monarch upon a greedy Wanton, who----" - -"Barbara!" - -She paused, recalled to herself by the stern voice of her Brother. She -had allowed her Indignation to master her maidenly reserve. Her cheeks -were aflame now, her lips quivering with Passion. Of a truth, she was a -Woman to be admired, for, unlike most of her sex, she had profound -feelings of Patriotism and of Charity; she had valour, enthusiasm, -temperament, and was not ashamed to speak what was in her mind. I -watched my Lord Stour while she spoke, and saw how deeply he worshipped -her. Now she encountered his Gaze, and heavy tears came into her Eyes. - -"Ah, my Lord," she said gently, "you will see sadder sights in the -Streets of London to-day than ever you did in the Wars after the -fiercest Battles." - -"'Tis no use appealing to him, Babs," Lord Douglas interposed with -obvious exacerbation. "A moment ago I told him of our Plans. I begged -him to lend us his sword and his hand to strike a blow at the Profligacy -and Wantonness which is sending England to perdition worse than ever -before----" - -Lady Barbara turned great, reproachful eyes on my Lord. - -"And you refused?" she whispered. - -My Lord looked confused. All at once, I knew that he was already -wavering. A weak Man, perhaps; he was deeply, desperately enamoured. I -gathered that he had not seen the Lady Barbara for some months. No -doubt his Soul hungered for her Smiles. He was the sort of Man, -methinks, who would barter everything--even Honour--for the Woman he -loved. And I do not think that he cared for much beyond that. His -Father, an you remember, fought on the Parliament side. I do not say -that he was one of the Regicides, but he did not raise a finger to help -or to serve his King. And he had been a rigid Protestant. All the -Stourcliffes of Stour were that; and the present Earl's allegiance to -King Charles could only have been very perfunctory. Besides which, this -is the age of Conspiracies and of political Factions. I doubt not but -it will be another twenty years before the Country is really satisfied -with its form of Government. I myself--though God knows I am but a -humble Clerk--could wish that this Popish marriage for the King had not -been decided on. We do not want religious factions warring with one -another again. - -But all this is beside the mark, nor would I dwell on it save for my -desire to be, above all, just to these three People who were destined to -do the Man I love best in the world an irreparable injury. - -As I said before, I could see that my Lord Stour was hesitating. Now -Lady Barbara invited him to sit beside her upon the Sofa, and she began -talking to him quietly and earnestly, Lord Douglas only putting in a -word or so now and again. What they said hath little to do with the -portent of my Narrative, nor will I plague You with the telling of it. -Those people are nothing to You; they have nothing to do with humble -Plebeians like ourselves; they are a class apart, and we should never -mix ourselves up with them or their affairs, as Mr. Betterton hath since -learned to his hurt. - - - - 3 - - -While they were talking together, the three of them, I tried once more -to concentrate my mind upon my work, and finished off another two or -three copies of the treasonable Manifesto. - -All this while, you must remember that the noise and rowdiness in the -streets had in no way diminished. Rather had it grown in intensity. -The people whom I watched from time to time and saw darting down -Chancery Lane or across the corner of Fleet Street, looked more excited, -more bent on mischief, than before. I had seen a few stones flying -about, and once or twice heard the ominous crash of broken glass. - -Then suddenly there came an immense Cry, which was not unlike the -snarling of hundreds of angry Beasts. I knew what that meant. My Lady -Castlemaine was either on the point of quitting the India House or had -been otherwise spied by the Populace. I could no longer restrain my -Curiosity. Once more I cast my papers aside and leaned out of the -window. The shouting and booing had become more and more ominous. -Apparently, too, a company of the City Watchmen had arrived. They were -trying to force through the throng, and their calls of "Make way there!" -sounded more and more peremptory. But what was a handful of Watchmen -beside an excited crowd of Rioters determined to wreak their temper upon -an unpopular bit of baggage? I doubt not but that His Majesty's -Body-guard could alone restore order now and compass the safety of the -Lady. - -As I leaned out of the Window I could see stones and miscellaneous -missiles flying in every direction; and then suddenly I had a clear -vision of a gorgeous Sedan Chair escorted by a dozen or more City -Watchmen, who were trying to forge a way for it through the Crowd. They -were trying to reach the corner of our Street, hoping no doubt to turn -up this way and thus effect an escape by way of the Lower Lincoln's Inn -Fields and Drury Lane, while the Crowd would of necessity be kept back -through the narrowness of the Streets and the intricacies of the Alleys. - -The whole point now was whether the Chairmen could reach our corner -before the Roisterers had succeeded in beating back the Watchmen, when -of course they meant to tear Lady Castlemaine out of her chair. Poor, -wretched Woman! She must have been terribly frightened. I know that I -myself felt woefully agitated. Leaning out toward the street, I could -see Lady Barbara's pretty head at the next window and my Lord Stour and -Lord Douglas close beside her. They too had forgotten all about their -talk and their plans and Conspiracies, and were gazing out on the -exciting Spectacle with mixed feelings, I make no doubt. As for me, I -feel quite sure that but for my sense of utter helplessness, I should -have rushed out even then and tried to lend a hand in helping an -unfortunate Woman out of so terrible a Predicament, and I marvelled how -deep must have been the hatred for her, felt by Gentlemen like my Lord -Stour and Lord Douglas Wychwoode, that their Sense of Chivalry forsook -them so completely at this Hour, that neither of them attempted to run -to her aid or even suggested that she should find shelter in this House. - -As for Mr. Baggs, he was not merely idly curious; he was delighted at -the idea that my Lady Castlemaine should be maltreated by the mob; -whilst Mistress Euphrosine's one idea was the hope that if the Rioters -meant to murder the Baggage, they would not do so outside this door. -She and Mr. Baggs had come running into the Parlour the moment the -rioting reached its height, and of a truth, dear Mistress, you would -have been amused to see us all at the three front windows of the -house--three groups watching the distant and wildly exciting happenings -in Fleet Street. There was I at one window; Mr. and Mrs. Baggs at the -other; Lady Barbara and the two Gallants at the third. And the -ejaculations which came from one set of Watchers or the other would fill -several pages of my narrative. - -Mistress Euphrosine was in abject fear. "Oh! I hope," cried she now and -again, "that they won't come this way. There'll be murder upon our -doorstep!" - -My Lord Stour had just one revulsion of feeling in favour of the -unfortunate Castlemaine. "Come, Douglas!" he called at one time. -"Let's to her aid. Remember she is a Woman, after all!" - -But Lady Barbara placed a restraining hand upon his arm, and Lord -Douglas said with a rough laugh: "I would not lift a finger to defend -her. Let the Devil befriend her, an he list." - -And all the while the mob hissed and hooted, and stones flew like hail -all around the Chaise. - -"Oh! they'll murder her! They'll murder her!" called Mistress -Euphrosine piously. - -"And save honest men a vast deal of trouble thereby," Mr. Baggs -concluded sententiously. - -The Watchmen were now forging ahead. With their sticks and staves they -fought their way through bravely, heading the chair towards our street. -But even so, methought that they stood but little Chance of saving my -Lady Castlemaine in the end. The Crowd had guessed their purpose -already, and were quite ready to give Chase. The Chairmen with their -heavy burden could be no match against them in a Race, and the final -capture of the unfortunate Woman was only now a question of time. - -Then suddenly I gave a gasp. Of a truth I could scarce believe in what -I saw. Let me try and put the picture clearly before you, dear -Mistress; for in truth You would have loved to see it as I did then. -About half a dozen Watchmen had by great exertion succeeded in turning -the corner of our Street. They were heading towards us with only a -comparatively small knot of roisterers to contend against, and the -panting, struggling Chairmen with the Sedan Chair were immediately -behind them. - -As far as I could see, the Crowd had not expected this Manoeuvre, and -the sudden turning off of their prey at right angles disconcerted the -foremost among them, for the space of a second or two. This gave the -Chairmen a brief start up the street. But the very next moment the Crowd -realized the situation, and with a wild war-cry, turned to give Chase, -when a Man suddenly stepped out from nowhere in particular that I could -see, unless it was from the _Spread Eagle_ tavern, and stood at the -bottom of the street between two posts, all alone, facing the mob. - -His Appearance, I imagine, had been so unexpected as well as so sudden, -that the young Roisterers in the front of the Crowd paused--like a Crowd -always will when something totally unexpected doth occur. The Man, of -course, had his back towards us, but I had recognized him, nor was I -surprised that his Appearance did have the effect of checking for an -instant that spirit of Mischief which was animating the throng. Lady -Barbara and the young Gentlemen at the other window were even more -astonished than I at this wholly unforeseen occurrence. They could not -understand the sudden checking of the Rioters and the comparative -silence which fell upon the forefront of their ranks. - -"What does it all mean?" my Lord Stour exclaimed. - -"A Man between the chair and its pursuers," Lord Douglas said in -amazement. - -"Who is it?" queried Lady Barbara. - -"Not a Gentleman," rejoined Lord Douglas; "for he would not thus stop to -parley with so foul a mob. Meseems I know the figure," he added, and -leaned still further out of the window, the better to take in the whole -of the amazing scene. "Yes--by gad! ... It is..." - -Here Mistress Euphrosine's cry of horror broke in upon us all. - -"Alas!" she ejaculated piously. "'Tis that reprobate Brother of mine!" - -"So it is!" added Mr. Baggs drily. "'Tis meet he should raise his voice -in defence of that baggage." - -"But, who is it?" insisted my Lord Stour impatiently. - -"Why, Betterton the Actor," replied Lord Douglas with a laugh. "Do you -not know him?" - -"Only from seeing him on the stage," said the other. Then he added: "An -Actor confronting a mob! By gad! the fellow hath pluck!" - -"He knows," protested Mr. Baggs acidly, "that the mob will not hurt him. -He hath so oft made them laugh that they look upon him as one of -themselves." - -"Listen!" said Lady Barbara. "You can hear him speak quite plainly." - -Whereupon they all became silent. - -All this, of course, had occurred in far less time than it takes to -describe. Not more than a few seconds had gone by since first I saw Mr. -Betterton step out from Nowhere in particular into the Street. But his -Interposition had given my Lady Castlemaine's Chairmen and also the -Watchmen, who were guarding her, a distinct advance. They were making -the most of the respite by hurrying up our street as fast as they were -able, even while the Crowd--that portion of it that stood nearest to Mr. -Betterton and could hear his Voice--broke into a loud laugh at some -Sally of his which had apparently caught their Fancy. - -From the distance the cry was raised: "To the pillory, the Castlemaine!" - -It was at this point that my Lady Barbara bade every one to listen, so -that we all could hear Mr. Betterton's rich and powerful Voice quite -plainly. - -"Come, come, Friends!" he was saying; "the Lady will get there without -your help some day, I'll warrant. Aye! and further too, an the Devil -gives her her due! Now, now," he continued, when cries and murmurs, -boos and hisses, strove to interrupt him. "You are not going to hiss a -hard-working Actor off the Stage like this. Do, in the name of Sport, -which every sound-minded Englishman loves, after all, await a fitter -opportunity for molesting a defenceless Woman. What say You to -adjourning to the _Spread Eagle_ tavern, where mine Host hath just -opened a new cask of the most delicious beer You have ever tasted? -There's a large room at the back of the bar--You know it. Well! every -one who goes there now--and there's room for three or four hundred of -You--can drink a pint of that beer at my expense. What say You, -Friends? Is it not better than to give chase to a pack of Watchmen and -a pair of liveried Chairmen who are already as scared as rabbits? See! -they are fast disappearing up the street. Come! who will take a pint of -beer at the invitation of Tom Betterton? You know him! Is he not a -jolly, good fellow?..." - -Of course, he did not deliver this speech uninterruptedly. It was only -snatches of it that came to our ear. But we Listeners soon caught the -drift of it, and watched its reception by the Crowd. Well! the -Fire-eaters gradually cooled down. The prospect of the ale at the -_Spread Eagle_ caused many a smack of the lips, which in its turn -smothered the cries of Rage and Vituperation. Anon, One could perceive -one forearm after another drawn with anticipatory Pleasure across lips -that had ceased to boo. - -Just then, too, Heaven interposed in a conciliatory spirit in the form -of a few drops of heavy Rain, presaging a Storm. The next moment the -stampede in the direction of the _Spread Eagle_ tavern had begun, whilst -my Lady Castlemaine's Chairmen trudged unmolested past our door. - -My Lord Stour gave a loud laugh. - -"'Twas well thought on," he exclaimed. "The Mountebank hath found a way -to stop the Rabble's howls, whilst my Lady Baggage finds safety in -flight." - -But Lady Barbara added thoughtfully: "Methinks 'twas plucky to try and -defend a Woman single-handed." - - - - 4 - - -I watched the turbulent throng, filing now in orderly procession through -the hospitably open doors of the _Spread Eagle_ tavern. Mr. Betterton -remained for awhile standing at the door, marshalling the more -obstreperous of his invited Guests and parleying with Mr. Barraclough, -the Host of the _Spread Eagle_--no doubt making arrangements for the -quenching of three or four hundred thirsts at his expense. Then he -suddenly turned on his heel and came up the Street. Lord Douglas gave -one of his rough, grating laughs, and said: - -"So now I see that, like a wise man, Mr. Betterton mistrusts his -Popularity and proposes to seek refuge from his ebullient Friends." - -"I believe," said Mistress Euphrosine to her Lord in an awed whisper; "I -believe that Thomas is coming here." - -Which possibility greatly disconcerted Mr. Baggs. He became quite -agitated, and exclaimed fussily: - -"I'll not have him here ... I'll not ... Not while her Ladyship is here -... I'll not allow it!" - -"And pray why not, Mr. Notary?" Lady Barbara put in haughtily. "Mr. -Betterton sups twice a week with His Majesty. Surely then you may -invite him without shame under your roof!" - -"And I've never seen the great Actor close to," remarked Lord Stour -lightly. "I've oft marvelled what he was like in private life." - -"Oh!" said Lord Douglas, with a distinct note of acerbity in his voice, -"he is just like any other Fellow of his degree. These Mountebanks have -of late thought themselves Somebodies, just because 'tis the fashion for -Gentlemen to write plays and to go to the Theatre. My Lord Rochester, -Sir George Etherege and the others have so spoilt them by going about -constantly with them, that the Fellows scarce know their place now. -This man Betterton is the worst of the lot. He makes love to the Ladies -of the Court, forgets that he is naught but a Rogue and a Vagabond and -not worthy to be seen in the company of Gentlemen. Oh! I've oft had an -itching to lay a stick across the shoulders of some of these louts!" - -I would that I could convey to you, dear Mistress, the tone of Spite -wherewith Lord Douglas spoke at this moment, or the look of Contempt -which for the moment quite disfigured his good-looking Face. That he -had been made aware at some time of Mr. Betterton's admiration for Lady -Barbara became at once apparent to me, also that he looked upon that -admiration as a Presumption and an Insult. - -I was confirmed in this Supposition by the look which he gave then and -there to his Sister, a look which caused her to blush to the very roots -of her hair. I fancy, too, that he also whispered something on that -Subject to my Lord Stour, for a dark frown of Anger suddenly appeared -upon the latter's Face and he muttered an angry and rough Ejaculation. - -As for me, I am an humble Clerk, a peaceful Citizen and a practising -Christian; but just at that moment I felt that I hated Lord Douglas -Wychwoode and his Friend with a bitter and undying hatred. - - - - 5 - - -Meseemed as if the air within the room had become surcharged with a -subtle and heady fluid akin to an Intoxicant, so many Passions were even -then warring in the innermost hearts of us all. There was Hatred and -Spite, and Fervour and Love. We were all of us alive at that moment, if -You know what I mean. We were Individuals who felt and thought -individually and strongly; not just the mere sheeplike Creatures swayed -hither and thither by the Modes and Exigencies of the hour. And I can -assure you that even then, when we heard Mr. Betterton's quick step -ascending the stairs, we all held our breath and watched the door as if -something Supernatural was about to be revealed to us. - -The next moment that door was thrown open and Mr. Betterton appeared -upon the threshold. - -Ah! if only You had seen him then, Mistress, your heart would have -rejoiced, just as mine did, at the sight. Personally, I could never -tell You if Mr. Betterton is tall or short, handsome or ill-favoured; -all that I know is that when he is in a room you cannot look at any one -else; he seems to dwarf every other Man by the Picturesqueness of his -Personality. - -And now--oh! You should have seen him as he stood there, framed in the -doorway, the grey afternoon light of this dull September day falling -full upon his Face, with those glittering Eyes of his and the kindly, -firm Mouth, round which there slowly began to spread a gently mocking -Smile. He was richly dressed, as was his wont, with priceless lace -frills at throat and wrists, and his huge Periwig set off to perfection -the nobility of his brow. - -With one swift gaze round the room, he had taken in the full Situation. -You know yourself, dear Mistress, what marvellous Powers of Intuition he -has. His glance swept over Lady Barbara's exquisite comeliness, her -somewhat flurried mien and wide, inquisitive eyes; over Lord Douglas, -sullen and contemptuous; my Lord Stour, wrathful and suspicious; -Mistress Euphrosine and Mr. Baggs, servile and tremulous. I doubt not -that his keen Eyes had also spied me watching his every Movement from -behind the screen. - -The mocking Smile broadened upon his Face. With one shapely leg extended -forward, his right arm holding his hat, his arm executing a superb -flourish, he swept to the assembled Company an elaborate Bow. - -"My Lords, your servant," he said. Then bowed more gravely to Lady -Barbara and added, with a tone of subtle and flattering deference: "I -am, as always, your Ladyship's most humble and most devoted Slave." - -Whereupon her Ladyship swept him one of those graceful Curtsies which I -understand have become the Mode in fashionable Society of late. But the -young Gentlemen seemed to have lost count of their Manners. They were -either too wrathful or too much taken aback to speak. Mistress -Euphrosine, with her nose in the air, was preparing to sail majestically -out of the room. - -Mr. Betterton then stepped in. He threw down his hat and playfully made -pretence to intercept Mistress Euphrosine. - -"Sister, I do entreat You," he said with mock concern, "do not carry -your well-shaped nose so high. The scent of Heaven will not reach your -nostrils, try how you may.... 'Tis more likely that you will smell the -brimstone which clings to my perruque." - -And before Mistress Euphrosine had time to think of a retort, he had -turned to her Ladyship with that gentle air of deference which became -him so well. - -"How comes it," he asked, "that I have the privilege of meeting your -Ladyship here?" - -"A mere accident, Sir," my Lord Stour interposed, somewhat high-handedly -I thought. "Her Ladyship, fearing to be molested by the Crowd, came to -meet Lord Douglas here." - -"I understand," murmured Mr. Betterton. And I who knew him so well, -realized that just for the moment he understood nothing save that he was -in the presence of this exquisitely beautiful Woman who had enchained -his Fancy. He stood like one transfixed, his eyes fastened almost in -wonderment upon the graceful Apparition before him. I should not be -exaggerating, fair Mistress, if I said that he seemed literally to be -drinking in every line of her dainty Figure; the straight, white throat, -the damask cheek and soft, fair hair, slightly disarranged. He had of a -truth lost consciousness of his surroundings, and this to such an extent -that it apparently set my Lord Stour's nerves on edge; for anon he said -with evident Irritation and a total Disregard both of polite Usage and -of Truth, since of course he knew quite well to whom he was speaking: - -"I did not catch your name, Sir; though you seem acquainted with her -Ladyship." - -He had to repeat the Query twice, and with haughty impatience, before -Mr. Betterton descended from the Clouds in order to reply. - -"My name is Betterton, Sir," he said, no less curtly than my lord. - -"Betterton? Ah, yes!" his Lordship went on, with what I thought was -studied Insolence, seeing that he was addressing one of the most famous -Men in England. "I have heard the Name before ... but where, I cannot -remember.... Let me see, you are...?" - -"An Actor, Sir," Mr. Betterton gave haughty answer. "Therefore an -Artist, even though an humble one; but still a World contained in one -Man." - -Then his manner changed, the stiffness and pride went out of it and he -added in his more habitual mode of good-natured banter, whilst pointing -in the direction of Mistress Euphrosine: - -"That, however, is not, I imagine, the opinion which my worthy Sister--a -pious Lady, Sir--hath of my talents. She only concedes me a Soul when -she gloats over the idea that it shall be damned." - -"You are insolent!" quoth Mistress Euphrosine, as she stalked -majestically to the door. "And I'll not stay longer to hear you -blaspheme." - -Even so, her Brother's lightly mocking ripple of Laughter pursued her -along the course of her dignified exit through the door. - -"Nay, dear Sister," he said. "Why not stay and tell these noble -Gentlemen your doubts as to which half of me in the hereafter will be -stoking the Fires of Hell and which half be wriggling in the Flames?" -Then he added, turning gaily once more to the Visitors as Mistress -Euphrosine finally departed and banged the door to behind her: "Mistress -Baggs, Sir, is much troubled that she cannot quite make up her mind how -much of me is Devil and how much a lost Soul." - -"Of a surety, Sir," retorted Lord Douglas, with the same tone of -malicious Spite wherewith he had originally spoken of Mr. Betterton, -"every Gentleman is bound to share your worthy Sister's doubts on that -point ... and as to whether your right Hand or your sharp Tongue will -fizzle first down below." - -There was a moment's silence in the room--oh! the mere fraction of a -second--whilst I, who knew every line of Mr. Betterton's face, saw the -quick flash of Anger which darted from his eyes at the insolent speech. -Lady Barbara too had made an instinctive movement, whether towards him -in protection or towards her Brother in reproach, I could not say. -Certain it is that that Movement chased away in one instant Mr. -Betterton's flaming wrath. He shrugged his shoulders and retorted with -quiet Mockery: - -"Your Lordship, I feel sure, will be able to have those doubts set at -rest presently. I understand that vast intelligence will be granted to -Gentlemen down there." - -At once my Lord's hand went to his sword. - -"Insolent!--" he muttered; and my Lord Stour immediately stepped to his -Friend's side. - -Like the Fleet Street crowd awhile ago, these two Gentlemen meant -mischief. For some reason which was not far to seek, they were on the -verge of a Quarrel with Mr. Betterton--nay! I believe that they meant -to provoke him into one. In wordy Warfare, however, they did not stand -much chance against the great Actor's caustic Wit, and no doubt their -sense of Impotence made them all the more wrathful and quarrelsome. - -Mr. Baggs, of course, servile and obsequious as was his wont, was ready -enough to interpose. A Quarrel inside his house, between valued Clients -and his detested Brother-in-law, was not at all to his liking. - -"My Lords ..." he mumbled half-incoherently, "I implore you ... do not -heed him ... he..." - -His futile attempts at Conciliation tickled Mr. Betterton's sense of -humour. The last vestige of his Anger vanished in a mocking Smile. - -"Nay, good Master Theophilus," he said coolly, "prithee do not interfere -between me and the Wrath of these two Gentlemen. Attend to thine own -Affairs ... and to thine own Conspiracies," he added--spoke suddenly -under Mr. Baggs' very nose, so that the latter gave a jump and -involuntarily gasped: - -"Conspiracies? ... What--what the devil do you mean, Sir, by -Conspiracies?" - -"Oh, nothing--nothing--my good Friend," replied Mr. Betterton lightly. -"But when I see two hot-headed young Cavaliers in close conversation -with a seedy Lawyer, I know that somewhere in the pocket of one of them -there is a bit of Handwriting that may send the lot of them to the Tower -first and to--well!--to Heaven afterwards." - -My Heart was in my Mouth all the time that he spoke. Of course he could -not know how near the Truth he was, and I firmly believe that his banter -was a mere Arrow shot into the air; but even so it grazed these noble -Lords' equanimity. Lord Douglas had become very pale, and my Lord Stour -looked troubled, or was it my fancy? But I am sure that her Ladyship's -blue eyes rested on Mr. Betterton with a curious searching gaze. She -too wondered how much Knowledge of the Truth lay behind his easy -Sarcasm. - -Then Lord Douglas broke into a laugh. - -"There, for once, Sir Actor," he said lightly, "your perspicacity is at -fault. My Lord the Earl of Stour and I came to consult your -Brother-in-law on a matter of business." - -"And," exclaimed Mr. Betterton with mock concern, "I am detaining you -with my foolish talk. I pray you, Gentlemen, take no further heed of -me. Time treads hard on your aristocratic Heels, whilst it is the Slave -of a poor, shiftless Actor like myself." - -"Yes, yes," once more interposed the mealy-mouthed Mr. Baggs. "I pray -you, my Lords--your Ladyship--to come to my inner office----" - -There was a general movement amongst the Company, during which I -distinctly heard Lord Douglas Wychwoode whisper to my Lord Stour: - -"Can you wonder that I always long to lay a stick across that Man's -shoulders? His every word sounds like insolence ... And he has dared to -make love to Barbara...." - -Her Ladyship, however, seemed loth to linger. The hour, of a truth, was -getting late. - -"Father will be anxious," she said. "I have stayed out over long." - -"Are the streets safe, I wonder?" my Lord Stour remarked. - -"Perfectly," broke in Mr. Betterton. "And if her Ladyship will allow -me, I will conduct her to her Chair." - -Again my Lord Stour flashed out angrily, and once more the brooding -Quarrel threatened to burst the bounds of conventional Intercourse. -This time the Lady Barbara herself interposed. - -"I pray you, my good Lord," she said, "do not interfere. Mr. Betterton -and I are old Friends. By your leave, he shall conduct me to my chair. -Do we not owe it to him," she added gaily, "that the streets are quiet -enough to enable us all to get home in peace?" - -Then she turned to Mr. Betterton and said gently: - -"If You would be so kind, Sir--my men are close by--I should be grateful -if You will tell them to bring my chair along." - -She held out her hand to him and he bowed low and kissed the tips of her -fingers. Then he went. - - - - 6 - - -Lord Douglas' spiteful glance followed the distinguished Actor's -retreating figure until the door had closed upon him. Then he said -drily: - -"Perhaps you are right, Babs. He may as well fetch your chair. It is -raining hard and one Lacquey is as good as another." - -He turned to Mr. Baggs, who, standing first on one leg then on the -other, presented a truly pitiable spectacle of Servility and -Unmanliness. I think he had just come to realize that I had been in the -room behind the screen all this while, and that my Presence would be -unwelcome to their Lordships if they knew that I had overheard all their -Conversation. Certain it is that I saw him give a quick glance in my -direction, and then he became even more fussy and snivelling than -before. - -"In my inner Office," he murmured. "I pray you to honour me, my -Lords.... A glass of wine, perhaps ... until the copies are finished. I -should be so proud ... and ... and ... we should be quite undisturbed -... whereas here ... I only regret..." - -I despised him for all that grovelling, and so did the Gentlemen, I make -no doubt. Nevertheless, they were ready to follow him. - -"We must wait somewhere," Lord Douglas said curtly. "And I should be -glad of a glass of wine." - -Lady Barbara was standing in the window-recess, waiting for her chair. -She insisted on my Lord Stour going with her Brother into the inner -room. Undoubtedly, she did not wish either of them to meet Mr. Betterton -again. - -"I promise you," she said with quiet Determination, "that I'll not stop -to speak with him. I'll watch through the window until my Men bring the -chair; then I will go down at once." - -"But----" protested his Lordship. - -"I entreat you to go, my Lord," she reiterated tartly. "And you too, -Douglas. My temper is on edge, and if I am not left to myself for a few -moments I shall have an attack of Nerves." - -She certainly spoke with unwonted Sharpness. Thus commanded, it would -have been churlish to disobey. The young Gentlemen, after a second or -two longer of Hesitation, finally followed Mr. Baggs out of the room. - -Now, I could not see the Lady Barbara, for she was ensconced in a -window-recess, just as I was; but I heard her give a loud Sigh of -Impatience. There was no doubt that her Nerves had been jarred. Small -wonder, seeing all that she had gone through--the noise and rioting in -the streets, her Terror and her Flight; her unexpected meeting with her -Lover; then the advent of Mr. Betterton and that brooding Quarrel -between him and the two Gentlemen, which threatened to break through at -any moment. - -The next minute I saw her Ladyship's chair brought to a halt down below, -and she crossed the Line of my Vision between the window and the sofa, -where she had left her cloak. She picked it up and was about to wrap it -round her shoulders, when the door was flung open and Mr. Betterton came -in. He gave a quick glance round the room and saw that the Lady Barbara -was alone--or so he thought, for, of course, he did not see me. He -carefully closed the door behind him and came quickly forward, -ostensibly to help her Ladyship on with her cloak. - -"It is kind of you, Sir, thus to wait on me," she said coldly. "May I -claim your Arm to conduct me to my chair?" - -She was standing close in front of him just then, with her back to him -and her hands raised up to her shoulders in order to receive her cloak, -which he had somewhat roughly snatched out of her grasp. - -"My Arm?" he riposted, with a vibrating note of passion in his mellow -voice. "My Life, myself, are all at your Ladyship's service. But will -not you wait one little moment and say one kind word to the poor Actor -whose Art is the delight of Kings, and whose Person is the butt of every -Coxcomb who calls himself a Gentleman?" - -He flung the cloak upon a chair and tried to take her hand, which, -however, she quickly withdrew, and then turned, not unkindly, to face -him. - -"My Brother is hasty, Sir," she said more gently. "He has many -prejudices which, no doubt, time and experience of life will mend. As -for me," she added lightly, "I am quite ready to extend the hand of -Friendship, not only to the Artist but to the Man." - -She held out her hand to him. Then, as he did not take it, but stood -there looking at her with that hungry, passionate look which revealed -the depth of his Admiration for her, she continued with a bantering tone -of reproach: - -"You will not take my hand, Sir?" - -"No," he replied curtly. - -"But I am offering You my Friendship," she went on, with a quick, nervy -little laugh; for she was Woman enough, believe me, to understand his -look. - -"Friendship between Man and Woman is impossible," he said in a strange, -hoarse voice, which I scarce recognized as his. - -"What do you mean?" she retorted, with a sudden stiffening of her Figure -and a haughty Glance which he, of a truth, should have known boded no -good for his suit. - -"I mean," he replied, "that between a Man and a Woman, who are both -young and both endowed with Heart and Soul and Temperament, there may be -Enmity or Love, Hatred or Passion; but Friendship, never." - -"You talk vaguely, Sir," she rejoined coldly. "I pray You, give me my -cloak." - -"Not," he retorted, "before I have caused your Ladyship to cast one -short Glance back over the past few months." - -"With what purpose, I pray You?" - -"So that You might recognize, as You gaze along their vista, the man who -since he first beheld you hath madly worshipped You." - -She stood before him, still facing him, tall and of a truth divinely -fair. Nay! this no one could gainsay. For the moment I found it in my -Heart to sympathize with his Infatuation. You, dear Mistress, were not -there to show him how much lovelier still a Woman could be, and the Lady -Barbara had all the subtle flavour, too, of forbidden fruit. Mr. -Betterton sank on one knee before her; his mellow Voice sounded -exquisitely tender and caressing. Oh! had I been a Woman, how gladly -would I have listened to his words. There never was such a Voice as -that of Mr. Betterton. No wonder that he can sway the hearts of -thousands by its Magic; no wonder that thousands remain entranced while -he speaks. Now, I assure You, Mistress, that tears gathered in my eyes, -there was such true Passion, such depth of feeling in his tone. But -Lady Barbara's heart was not touched. In truth, she loved another Man, -and her whole outlook on Life and Men was distorted by the Environment -amidst which she had been brought up. - -The exquisite, insinuating Voice with its note of tender Appeal only -aroused her contempt. She jumped to her feet with an angry exclamation. -What she said, I do not quite remember; but it was a Remark which must -have stung him to the quick, for I can assure You, dear Mistress, that -Mr. Betterton's pride is at least equal to that of the greatest Nobleman -in the land. But all that he did say was: - -"Nay, Madam; an Artist's love is not an insult, even to a Queen." - -"Possibly, Sir," she riposted coldly. "But I at least cannot listen to -You. So I pray You let me rejoin my Servants." - -"And I pray You," he pleaded, without rising, "humbly on my knees, to -hear me just this once!" - -She protested, and would have left him there, kneeling, while she ran -out of the room; but he had succeeded in getting hold of her Hand and -was clinging to it with both his own, whilst from his lips there came a -torrent of passionate pleading such as I could not have thought any -Woman capable of resisting for long. - -"I am not a young Dandy," he urged; "nor yet a lank-haired, crazy Poet -who grows hysterical over a Woman's eyebrow. I am a Man, and an Artist, -rich with an inheritance such as even your Ancestors would have envied -me. Mine inheritance is the Mind and Memory of cultured England and a -Name which by mine Art I have rendered immortal." - -"I honour your Genius, Sir," she rejoined coolly; "and because of it, I -try to excuse your folly." - -"Nay!" he continued with passionate insistence. "There are Passions so -sweet that they excuse all the Follies they provoke. Oh! I pray You -listen ... I have waited in silence for months, not daring to approach -You. You seemed immeasurably above me, as distant as the Stars; but -whilst I, poor and lowly-born, waited and worshipped silently, success -forged for me a Name, so covered with Glory that I dare at last place it -at your feet." - -"I am touched, Sir, and honoured, I assure You," she said somewhat -impatiently. "But all this is naught but folly, and reason should teach -you that the Daughter of the Marquis of Sidbury can be nothing to You." - -But by this time it was evident that the great and distinguished Actor -had allowed his Folly to conquer his Reason. I closed my eyes, for I -could not bear to see a Man whom I so greatly respected kneeling in such -abject humiliation before a Woman who had nothing for him but disdain. -Ah! Women can be very cruel when they do not love. In truth, Lady -Barbara, with all her Rank and Wealth, could not really have felt -contempt for a Man whom the King himself and the highest in the land -delighted to honour; yet I assure You, Mistress, that some of the things -she said made me blush for the sake of the high-minded Man who honours -me with his Friendship. - -"Short of reason, Sir," she said, with unmeasured hauteur at one time, -"I pray you recall your far-famed sense of humour. Let it show you -Thomas Betterton, the son of a Scullion, asking the hand of the Lady -Barbara Wychwoode in marriage." - -This was meant for a Slap in the Face, and was naught but a studied -insult; for we all know that the story of Mr. Betterton's Father having -been a menial is utterly without foundation. But I assure You that by -this time he was blind and deaf to all save to the insistent call of his -own overwhelming passion. He did not resent the insult, as I thought he -would do; but merely rejoined fervently: - -"I strive to conjure the picture; but only see Tom Betterton, the -world-famed Artist, wooing the Woman he loves." - -But what need is there for me to recapitulate here all the fond and -foolish things which were spoken by a truly great Man to a chit of a -Girl, who was too self-centred and egotistical to appreciate the great -Honour which he was conferring on her by his Wooing. I was holding my -breath, fearful lest I should be seen. To both of these proud People -before me, my known Presence would have been an added humiliation. -Already Lady Barbara, impatient of Mr. Betterton's importunity, was -raising her Voice and curtly bidding him to leave her in peace. I -thought every moment that she would call out to her Brother, when Heaven -alone would know what would happen next. - -"Your importunity becomes an insult, Sir," she said at last. "I command -You to release my hand." - -She tried to wrench it from his Grasp, but I imagine that his hold on -her wrist was so strong that she could not free herself. She looked -around her now with a look of Helplessness, which would have gone to my -Heart if I had any feeling of sympathy left after I had poured out its -full measure for my stricken Friend. He was not himself then, I assure -You, Mistress. I know that the evil tongue of those who hate and envy -him have poured insidious poison in your ears, that they told you that -Mr. Betterton had insulted the Lady Barbara past forgiveness and had -behaved towards her like a Cad and a Bully. But this I swear to be -untrue. I was there all the time, and I saw it all. He was on his -knees, and never attempted to touch her beyond clinging to her Hand and -covering it with kisses. He was an humbled and a stricken Man, who saw -his Love rejected, his Passion flouted, his Suffering mocked. - -I tell you that all he did was to cling to her hand. - - - - 7 - - -Then, all at once, I suppose something frightened her, and she called -loudly: - -"Douglas! Douglas!" - -I don't think that she meant to call, and I am sure that the very next -moment she had already regretted what she had done. - -Mr. Betterton jumped to his feet, sobered in the instant; and she stood -alone in the middle of the room, gazing somewhat wild-eyed in the -direction of the door, which had already been violently flung open and -through which my Lord Stour and Lord Douglas now hurriedly stepped -forward. - -"What is it, Babs?" Lord Douglas queried roughly. "Why are You still -here? ... And what...?" - -He got no further. His glance had alighted on Mr. Betterton, and I -never saw quite so much concentrated Fury and Hatred in any one's eyes -as now appeared in those of Lord Douglas Wychwoode. - -But already the Lady Barbara had recovered herself. No doubt she -realized the Mischief which her involuntary call had occasioned. The -Quarrel which had been slowly smouldering the whole Afternoon was ready -to burst into living flame at this moment. Even so, she tried to stem -its outburst, protesting that she had been misunderstood. She even -tried to laugh; but the laugh sounded pitiably forced. - -"But it's nothing, Douglas, dear," she said. "I protest. Did I really -call? I do not remember. As a matter of fact, Mr. Betterton was good -enough to recite some verses for my delectation ... My Enthusiasm must -have run away with me ... and, unwittingly, I must have called out..." - -Obviously the Explanation was a lame one. I felt myself that it would -not be believed. On the face of my Lord Stour thunderclouds of Wrath -were fast gathering, and though Mr. Betterton had recovered his presence -of mind with all the Art at his command, yet there was a glitter in his -eyes which he was powerless to veil, whilst the tremor of her Ladyship's -lips while she strove to speak calmly aroused my Lord Stour's -ever-wakeful Jealousy. - -Lord Douglas, as was his wont apparently whenever he was deeply moved, -was pacing up and down the room; his hands were clasped behind his back -and from time to time I could see their convulsive twitching. Lord -Stour now silently helped her Ladyship on with her cloak. I was -thankful that Mr. Baggs and Mistress Euphrosine were keeping in the -background, else I verily believe that their obsequious Snivellings -would have caused my quivering Nerves to play me an unpleasant trick. - -Mr. Betterton had retired to the nearest window recess, so that I could -not see him. All that I did see were the two Gentlemen and the -threatening Clouds which continued to gather upon their Brows. I also -heard my Lord Stour whisper hurriedly in Lord Douglas' ear: - -"In the name of our Friendship, Man, let me deal with this." - -I felt as if an icy hand had gripped my Heart. I could not conjecture -what that ominous Speech could portend. Lady Barbara now looked very -pale and troubled; her hands as they fumbled with her cloak trembled -visibly. Lord Stour, with a masterful gesture, took one of them and -held it firmly under his arm. - -He then led her towards the door. Just before she went with him, -however, her Ladyship turned, and I imagine sought to attract Mr. -Betterton's attention. - -"I must thank you, Sir," she said, with a final pathetic attempt at -Conciliation, "for your beautiful Recitation. I shall be greatly -envied, methinks, by those who have only heard Mr. Betterton declaim -upon the Stage." - -Lord Douglas had gone to the door. He opened it and stood grimly by -whilst my Lord Stour walked out, with her Ladyship upon his arm. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - - THE OUTRAGE - - - 1 - - -A great Sadness descends upon my Soul, dear Mistress, even as I write. -Cold shivers course up and down the length of my spine and mine eyes -feel hot with tears still unshed--tears of Sorrow and of Shame, aye! and -of a just Anger that it should have been in the power of two -empty-headed Coxcombs to wreak an irreparable Injury upon one who is as -much above them as are the Stars above the grovelling Worms. - -I use the words "irreparable Injury" advisedly, dear Lady, because what -happened on that late September afternoon will for ever be graven upon -the Heart and Memory of a great and noble Man, to the exclusion of many -a gentle feeling which was wont to hold full sway over his Temperament -before then. Time, mayhap, and the triumph of a great Soul over -overwhelming temptation, have no doubt somewhat softened the tearing -ache of that cruel brand; but only your Hand, fair Mistress, can -complete the healing, only your Voice can, with its tender gentleness, -drown the insistent call of Pride still smarting for further Revenge. - - - - 2 - - -Lord Douglas Wychwoode did not speak to Mr. Betterton after her Ladyship -and my Lord Stour had gone out of the room, but continued his restless -pacing up and down. I thought his Silence ominous. - -Half consciously, I kept my attention fixed upon the street below, and -presently saw the Lady Barbara get into her chair and bid adieu to his -Lordship, who remained standing on our doorstep until the Sedan was -borne away up the street and out of sight. Then, to my astonishment, he -walked down as far as the _Spread Eagle_ tavern and disappeared within -its doors. - -The Silence in our parlour was getting on my nerves. I could not see -Mr. Betterton, only Lord Douglas from time to time, when in his -ceaseless tramping his short, burly figure crossed the line of my -vision. - -Anon I once more thought of my Work. There were a couple more copies of -the Manifesto to be done, and I set to, determined to finish them. Time -went on, and the afternoon light was now rapidly growing dim. Outside, -the weather had not improved. A thin rain was coming down, which turned -the traffic-way of our street to sticky mud. I remember, just after I -had completed my Work and tidied up my papers, looking out of the window -and seeing, in the now fast-gathering gloom, the young Lord of Stour on -the doorstep of the _Spread Eagle_ tavern, in close conversation with -half a dozen ill-clad and ill-conditioned Ruffians. But I gave the -matter no further thought just then, for my mind happened to be -engrossed with doubts as to how I should convey the Copies I had made to -my Employer without revealing my presence to Lord Douglas Wychwoode. - -His Lordship himself, however, soon relieved me of this perplexity, for -presently he came to a halt by the door which led to the inner office -and quite unceremoniously pushed it open and walked through. I heard his -peremptory demands for the Copies, and Mr. Baggs' muttered explanations. -But I did not wait a moment longer. This was obviously my best -opportunity for reappearing upon the Scene without his Lordship -realizing that I had been in the parlour all the time. I slipped out -from my hiding place and carefully rearranged the screen in its former -position, then I tiptoed across the room. - -In the gloom, I caught sight of Mr. Betterton standing in one of the -Recesses, his slender white hands, which were so characteristic of his -refined, artistic Personality, were clasped behind his back. I would -have given a year or two of my humdrum life for the privilege of -speaking to him then and of expressing to him some of that Sympathy with -which my heart was overflowing. But no one knows better than I how -proud a Man he is, and how he would have resented the thought that any -one else had witnessed his Humiliation. - -So I executed the Manoeuvre which I had in my mind without further -delay. I opened the door which gave on the stairs noiselessly, then -closed it again with a bang, as if I had just come in. Then I strode as -heavily as I could across the room to the door of the inner office, -against which I then rapped with my knuckles. - -"Who's that?" Mr. Baggs' voice queried immediately. - -"The Copies, Sir, which you ordered," I replied in a firm voice. "I -have finished them." - -"Come in! come in!" then broke in Lord Douglas impatiently. "I have -waited in this accursed hole quite long enough." - -The whole thing went off splendidly, and even Mr. Baggs did subsequently -compliment me on my clever Ruse. Lord Douglas never suspected the fact -that I had not been out of the Parlour for a moment, but had heard from -the safe shelter of the window-recess everything that had been going on. - - - - 3 - - -When, a few moments later, I returned to the Parlour, eager to have a -few minutes' speech with Mr. Betterton, I saw that he had gone. Anon, -Kathleen, the maid, brought in the candles and closed the shutters. I -once more took my place at my desk, but this time made no use of the -screen. After awhile, Lord Douglas came in, followed by the -ever-obsequious Mr. Baggs, and almost directly after that, my Lord Stour -came back. - -His clothes were very wet and he shook the rain out from the brim of his -hat. - -"What a time You have been!" Lord Douglas said to him. "I was for going -away without seeing You." - -"I wanted to find out what had happened in here," my Lord Stour gave -reply, speaking in a whisper. - -"What do you mean?" - -"The Fellow had the audacity to pay his addresses to Lady Barbara," my -Lord Stour went on, still speaking below his breath. "I guessed as -much, but wanted to make sure." - -Lord Douglas uttered an angry Oath, and Lord Stour continued hurriedly: - -"Such Insolence had to be severely punished, of course; and I saw to -it." - -"How?" queried the other eagerly. - -"I have hired half a dozen Ruffians from the tavern yonder, to waylay -him with sticks on his way from here, and to give him the sound -thrashing he deserves." - -It was with the most terrific effort at self-control that I succeeded in -smothering the Cry of Horror which had risen to my lips. As it was, I -jumped to my feet and both my chair and the candle from my desk fell -with a clatter to the floor. I think that Mr. Baggs hurled a Volley of -abuse upon me for my clumsiness and chided me in that the grease from -the candle was getting wasted by dripping on the floor. But the -Gentlemen paid no heed to me. They were still engaged in their -abominable conversation. While I stooped to pick up the chair and the -candle, I heard my Lord Stour saying to his Friend: - -"Come with me and see the Deed accomplished. The Mountebank must be made -to know whose Hand is dealing him the well-merited punishment. My -Hirelings meant to waylay him at the corner of Spreadeagle Court, a -quiet place which is not far from here, and which leads into a blind -Alley. Quickly, now," he added; "or we shall be too late." - -More I did not hear; for, believe me, dear Mistress, I felt like one -possessed. For the nonce, I did not care whether I was seen or not, -whether Mr. Baggs guessed my purpose or not. I did not care if he -abused me or even punished me later for my strange behaviour. All that -I knew and felt just then was that I must run to the corner of -Spreadeagle Court, where one of the most abominable Outrages ever -devised by one Man against Another was even then being perpetrated. I -tore across the room, through the door and down the stairs, hatless, my -coat tails flying behind me, like some Maniac escaping from his Warders. - -I ran up Chancery Lane faster, I think, than any man ever ran before. -Already my ears were ringing with the sound of distant shouts and -scuffling. My God! grant that I may not come too late. I, poor, weak, -feeble of body, could of course do nothing against six paid and armed -Ruffians; but at least I could be there to ward off or receive some of -the blows which the arms of the sacrilegious Miscreants were dealing, at -the instance of miserable Coxcombs, to a man whose Genius and Glory -should have rendered him almost sacred in their sight. - - - - 4 - - -As long as I live will that awful picture haunt me as I saw it then. - -You know the Blind Alley on the left-hand side of Spreadeagle Court, -with, at the end of it, the great double doorway which gives on the back -premises of Mr. Brooks' silk warehouse. It was against that doorway -that Mr. Betterton had apparently sought some semblance of refuge when -first he was set upon by the Ruffians. By the time that I reached the -corner of the Blind Alley, he had fallen against the door; for at first -I could not see him. All that I saw was a group of burly backs, and -arms waving sticks about in the air. All that I heard, oh, my God! were -ribald cries and laughter, and sounds such as wild animals must make -when they fall, hungry, upon their Prey. The Ruffians, I make no doubt, -had no grudge against their Victim; but they had been well instructed -and would be well paid if their foul deed was conscientiously -accomplished. - -My Wrath and Anxiety gave me the strength which I otherwise lack. -Pushing, jostling, crawling, I contrived to work my way through the -hideous Barrier which seethed and moved and shouted betwixt me and the -Man whom I love. - -When I at last kneeled beside him, I saw and heard nothing more. I did -not feel the blows which one or two of the Ruffians thought fit to deal -to Me. I only saw him, lying there against the door, panting, bleeding -from forehead and hands, his clothes torn, his noble Face of a deathly -Pallor. I drew his handkerchief from his coat pocket and staunched the -wounds upon his face; I pillowed his head against my Shoulder; I helped -him to struggle to his feet. He was in mortal pain and too weak to -speak; but a ray of kindliness and of gratitude flashed through his eyes -when he recognised me. - -The Ruffians were apparently satisfied with their hideous work; but they -still stood about at the top of the Alley, laughing and talking, waiting -no doubt for their Blood Money. Oh! if wishes could have struck those -Miscreants dumb or blind or palsied, my feeble voice would have been -raised to Heaven, crying for Vengeance on such an infamous Deed. Hot -tears came coursing down my cheeks, my temples throbbed with pain and -Misery, as my arm stole round the trembling figure of my Friend. - -Then all at once those tears were dried, the throbbing of my temples was -stilled. I felt no longer like a Man, but like a petrified Statue of -Indignation and of Hate. The sound of my Lord Stour's Voice had just -struck upon mine ear. Vaguely through the gloom I could see him and -Lord Douglas Wychwoode parleying with those abominable Ruffians.... I -heard the jingle of Money ... Blood Money ... the ring of ribald -laughter, snatches of a bibulous song. - -These sounds and the clang of the Gentlemen's footsteps upon the -cobble-stones also reached Mr. Betterton's fast-fading Senses. I felt a -tremor coursing right through his limbs. With an almost superhuman -Effort, he pulled himself together and drew himself erect, still -clinging with both hands to my arms. By the time that the two young -Cavaliers had reached the end of the blind Alley, the outraged Man was -ready to confront them. Their presence there, those sounds of jingling -money and of laughter, had told him the whole abominable tale. He fought -against his Weakness, against Pain and against an impending Swoon. He -was still livid, but it was with Rage. His eyes had assumed an -unnatural Fire; his whole appearance as he stood there against the solid -background of the massive door, was sublime in its forceful Expression -of towering Wrath and of bitter, deadly Humiliation. - -Even those two miserable Coxcombs paused for an instant, silenced and -awed by what they saw. The laughter died upon their lips; the studied -sneer upon their Face gave place to a transient expression of fear. - -Mr. Betterton's arm was now extended and with trembling hand he pointed -at Lord Stour. - -"'Tis You----" he murmured hoarsely. "You--who have done--this thing?" - -"At your service," replied the young Man, with a lightness of manner -which was obviously forced and a great show of Haughtiness and of -Insolence. "My friend Lord Douglas here, has allowed me the privilege of -chastising a common Mountebank for daring to raise his eyes to the Lady -Barbara Wychwoode----" - -At mention of the Lady's name, I felt Mr. Betterton's clutch on my arm -tighten convulsively. - -"Does she----" he queried, "does she--know?" - -"I forbid You," interposed Lord Douglas curtly, "to mention my Sister's -name in the matter." - -"'Tis to my Lord Stour I am speaking," rejoined Mr. Betterton more -firmly. Then he added: "You will give me satisfaction for this outrage, -my Lord----" - -"Satisfaction?" riposted his Lordship coolly. "What do you mean?" - -"One of us has got to die because of this," Mr. Betterton said loudly. - -Whereupon my Lord Stour burst into a fit of hilarious laughter, which -sounded as callous as it was forced. - -"A Duel?" he almost shrieked, in a rasping voice. "Ha! ha! ha! a -Duel!!!--a duel with You? ... With Tom Betterton, the Son of a -Scullion.... By my faith! 'tis the best joke you ever made, Sir Actor -... 'tis worth repeating upon the Stage!" - -But the injured Man waited unmoved until his Lordship's laughter died -down in a savage Oath. Then he said calmly: - -"The day and hour, my Lord Stour?" - -"This is folly, Sir," rejoined the young Cavalier coldly. "The Earl of -Stour can only cross swords with an Equal." - -"In that case, my lord," was Mr. Betterton's calm reply, "you can only -cross swords henceforth with a Coward and a Liar." - -"Damned, insolent cur!" cried Lord Stour, maddened with rage no doubt at -the other's calm contempt. He advanced towards us with arm -uplifted--then perhaps felt ashamed, or frightened--I know not which. -Certain it is that Lord Douglas succeeded in dragging him back a step or -two, whilst he said with well-studied contempt: - -"Pay no further heed to the fellow, my Friend. He has had his -Punishment--do not bandy further Words with him." - -He was for dragging Lord Stour away quickly now. I do believe that he -was ashamed of the abominable Deed. At any rate, he could not bear to -look upon the Man who had been so diabolically wronged. - -"Come away, Man!" he kept reiterating at intervals. "Leave him alone!" - -"One moment, my Lord," Mr. Betterton called out in a strangely powerful -tone of Voice. "I wish to hear your last Word." - -By now we could hardly see one another. The Blind Alley was in almost -total gloom. Only against the fast-gathering dusk I could still see the -hated figures of the two young Cavaliers, their outlines blurred by the -evening haze. Lord Stour was certainly on the point of going; but at -Mr. Betterton's loudly spoken Challenge, he paused once more, then came -a step or two back towards us. - -"My last Word?" he said coldly. Then he looked Mr. Betterton up and -down, his every Movement, his whole Attitude, a deadly Insult. "One -does not fight with such as You," he said, laughed, and would have -turned away immediately, only that Mr. Betterton, with a quick and -unforeseen Movement, suddenly reached forward and gripped him by the -Wrist. - -"Insolent puppy!" he said in a whisper, so hoarse and yet so distinct -that not an Intonation, not a syllable of it was lost, "that knows not -the Giant it has awakened by its puny bark. You refuse to cross swords -with Tom Betterton, the son of a Menial, as you choose to say? Very -well, then, 'tis Thomas Betterton, the Artist of undying renown, who now -declares war against You. For every Jeer to-day, for every Insult and -for every Blow, he will be even with You; for he will launch against You -the irresistible Thunderbolt that kills worse than death and which is -called _Dishonour_! ... Aye! I will fight You, my Lord; not to your -death, but to your undying Shame. And now," he added more feebly, as he -threw his Lordship's arm away from him with a gesture of supreme -contempt, "go, I pray You, go! I'll not detain You any longer. You and -your friend are free to laugh for the last time to-day at the name which -I, with my Genius, have rendered immortal. Beware, my Lord! The -Ridicule that kills, the Obloquy which smirches worse than the impious -hands of paid Lacqueys. This is the Word of Tom Betterton, my Lord; the -first of his name, as you, please God, will be the last of yours!" - -Then, without a groan, he fell, swooning, upon my shoulder. When -consciousness of my surroundings once more returned to me, I realized -that the two Gentlemen had gone. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - - THE GATHERING STORM - - - 1 - - -It was after that never-to-be-forgotten Episode that Mr. Betterton -honoured me with his full and entire Confidence. At the moment that he -clung so pathetically to my feeble arms, he realized, I think for the -first time, what a devoted Friend he would always find in me. Something -of the powerful magical Fluid of my devotion must have emanated from my -Heart and reached his sensitive Perceptions. He knew from that hour -that, while I lived and had Health and Strength, I should never fail him -in Loyalty and willing Service. - -Soon afterwards, if you remember, Mr. Betterton went again to Paris, by -command of His Majesty this time, there to study and to master the whole -Question of Scenery and scenic Effects upon the Stage, such as is -practised at the Theatre de Moličre in the great City. That he -acquitted himself of his task with Honour and Understanding goes without -saying. The rousing Welcome which the public of London gave him on his -return testified not only to his Worth but also to his Popularity. - -The scenic Innovations, though daring and at times crudely realistic, -did, in the opinion of Experts, set off the art of Mr. Betterton to the -greatest possible Advantage. No doubt that his overwhelming Success at -that time was in a great measure due to his familiarity with all those -authentic-looking doors and trees and distant skies which at first -bewildered such old-fashioned actors as Mr. Harris or the two Messrs. -Noakes. - -Never indeed had Mr. Betterton been so great as he was now. Never had -his Talents stood so high in the estimation of the cultured World. His -success as _Alvaro_ in "Love and Honour," as _Solyman_ in the "Siege of -Rhodes," as _Hamlett_ or _Pericles_, stand before me as veritable -Triumphs. Bouquets and Handkerchiefs, scented Notes and Love-tokens, -were showered upon the brilliant Actor as he stood upon the Stage, -proudly receiving the adulation of the Audience whom he had conquered by -the Magic of his Art. - -His Majesty hardly ever missed a Performance at the new Duke's Theatre -when Mr. Betterton was acting, nor did my Lady Castlemaine, who was -shamelessly vowing about that time that she was prepared to bestow upon -the great Man any Favour he might ask of her. - - - - 2 - - -But outwardly at any rate, Mr. Betterton had become a changed Man. His -robust Constitution and splendid Vitality did in truth overcome the -physical after-effects of the abominable Outrage of which he had been -the Victim; but the moral consequences upon his entire character and -demeanour were indeed incalculable. Of extraordinary purity in his mode -of living, it had been difficult, before that Episode, for evil Gossip -to besmirch his fair name, even in these lax and scandalous times. But -after that grim September afternoon it seemed as if he took pride in -emulating the least estimable characteristics of his Contemporaries. -His Majesty's avowed predilection for the great Actor brought the latter -into daily contact with all those noble and beautiful Ladies who graced -the Court and Society, more by virtue of their outward appearance than -of their inner worth. Scarce ever was a banquet or fźte given at While -Hall now but Mr. Betterton was not one of the most conspicuous guests; -never a Supper party at my Lady Castlemaine's or my Lady Shrewsbury's -but the famous Actor was present there. He was constantly in the -company of His Grace of Buckingham, of my Lord Rochester and others of -those noble young Rakes; his name was constantly before the Public; he -was daily to be seen on the Mall, or in St. James's Park, or at the more -ceremonious parade in Hyde Park. His elegant clothes were the talk of -every young Gallant that haunted Fop's Corner; his sallies were quoted -by every Cavalier who strove for a reputation as a wit. In fact, dear -Lady, You know just as well as I do, that for that brief period of his -life Mr. Betterton became just one of the gay, idle, modish young Men -about town, one of that hard-drinking, gambling, scandal-mongering crowd -of Idlers, who were none of them fit to tie the lacets of his shoes. - -I, who saw more and more of him in those days, knew, however, that all -that gay, butterfly Existence which he led was only on the surface. To -me he was like some poor Animal stricken by a mortal wound, who, -nevertheless, capers and gyrates before a grinning Public with -mechanical movements of the body that have nothing in common with the -mind. - - - - 3 - - -Of the beautiful Lady Barbara I saw but little during the autumn. - -There was much talk in the Town about her forthcoming Marriage to my -Lord of Stour, which was to take place soon after the New Year. Many -were the conjectures as to why so suitable a Marriage did not take place -immediately, and it seemed strange that so humble and insignificant a -Person as I was could even then have supplied the key to the riddle -which was puzzling so many noble Ladies and Gentlemen. I knew, in my -humble capacity as Spectator of great events, that the Marriage would -only take place after the vast and treasonable projects which had -originated in my Lord Douglas Wychwoode's turbulent mind had come to a -successful issue. - -I often confided to You, dear Mistress, in those days that Mr. -Betterton, in the kindness of his Heart, had made me many an offer to -leave my present humdrum employment and to allow myself to be attached -to his Person as his private Secretary and personal Friend. For a long -time I refused his offers--tempting and generous though they -were--chiefly because if I had gone then to live with Mr. Betterton, I -should have been irretrievably separated from You. But in my Heart I -knew that, though the great Man was not in pressing need of a Secretary, -his soul did even long and yearn for a Friend. A more devoted one, I -vow, did not exist than my humble self; and when, during the early part -of the autumn, You, dear Mistress, finally decided to leave your present -uncomfortable quarters for lodgings more befitting your growing Fame and -your Talents, there was nothing more to keep me tied to my dour and -unsympathetic Employer, and to his no less unpleasant Spouse. - -I therefore gave Mr. Theophilus Baggs notice that I had resolved to quit -his Employ, hoping that my Decision would meet with his Convenience. - -I could not help laughing to myself when I saw the manner in which he -received this Announcement. To say that he was surprised and indignant -would be to put it mildly; indeed, he used every Mode of persuasion to -try and make me alter my decision. He began by chiding me for an -Ingrate, vowing that he had taught me all I knew and had lavished Money -and Luxuries upon me, and that I was proposing to leave him just when -the time had come for him to see some slight return for his Expenditure -and for his pains, in my growing Efficiency. He went on to persuade, to -cajole and to bribe, Mistress Euphrosine joining him both in -Vituperation and in Unctuousness. But, as You know, I was adamant. I -knew the value of all this soft-sawder and mouth-honour. I had suffered -too many Hardships and too many Indignities at the hands of these -selfish Sycophants, to turn a deaf ear now that friendship and mine own -future happiness called to me so insistently. - -Finally, however, I yielded to the extent of agreeing to stay a further -three months in the service of Mr. Baggs, whilst he took steps to find -another Clerk who would suit his purpose. But I only agreed to this on -the condition that I was to be allowed a fuller amount of personal -Freedom than I had enjoyed hitherto; that I should not be set any longer -to do menial tasks, which properly pertained to a Scullion; and that, -whenever my clerical work for the day was done, I should be at liberty -to employ my time as seemed best to me. - -Thus it was that I had a certain amount of leisure, and after You left -us, fair Mistress, I was able to take my walks abroad, there where I was -fairly certain of meeting You, or of having a glimpse of Mr. Betterton, -surrounded by his brilliant Friends. - -Often, dear Mistress, did You lavish some of your precious time and -company upon the seedy Attorney's Clerk, who of a truth was not worthy -to be seen walking in the Park or in Mulberry Gardens beside the -beautiful and famous Mistress Saunderson, who by this time had quite as -many Followers and Adorers as any virtuous Woman could wish for. You -never mentioned Mr. Betterton to me in those days, even though I knew -that You must often have been thrown in his Company, both in the Theatre -and in Society. That your love for him had not died in your Heart, I -knew from the wistful look which was wont to come into your eyes -whenever You chanced to meet him in the course of a Promenade. You -always returned his respectful and elaborate bow on those occasions with -cool Composure; but as soon as he had passed by and his rich, mellow -Voice, so easily distinguishable amongst others, had died away in the -distance, I, who knew every line of your lovely face, saw the familiar -look of Sorrow and of bitter Disappointment once more mar its perfect -serenity. - - - - 4 - - -We had an unusually mild and prolonged autumn this past year, if you -remember, fair Mistress; and towards the end of October there were a few -sunny days which were the veritable aftermath of Summer. The London -Parks and Gardens were crowded day after day with Ladies and Gallants, -decked in their gayest attire, for the time to don winter clothing still -appeared remote. - -I used to be fond of watching all these fair Ladies and dazzling -Cavaliers, and did so many a time on those bright mornings whilst -waiting to see You pass. On one occasion I saw the Lady Barbara -Wychwoode, in company with my Lord Stour. - -Heaven knows I have no cause to think kindly of her; but truth compels -me to say that she appeared to me more beautiful than ever before. She -and his Lordship had found two chairs, up against a tree, somewhat apart -from the rest of the glittering throng. I, as a Spectator, could see -that they were supremely happy in one another's company. - -"How sweet the air is!" she was sighing contentedly. "More like spring -than late autumn. Ah, me! How happily one could dream!" - -She threw him a witching glance, which no doubt sent him straight to -Heaven, for I heard him say with passionate earnestness: - -"Of what do Angels dream, my beloved?" - -They continued to whisper, and I of course did not catch all that they -said. My Lord Stour was obviously very deeply enamoured of the Lady -Barbara. Because of this I seemed to hate and despise him all the more. -Oh! when the whole World smiled on him, when Fortune and Destiny -showered their most precious gifts into his lap, what right had he to -mar the soul which God had given him with such base Passions as Jealousy -and Cruelty? With his monstrous Act of unwarrantable violence he had -ruined the happiness of a Man greater, finer than himself; he had warped -a noble disposition, soured a gentle and kindly spirit. Oh! I hated -him! I hated him! God forgive me, but I had not one spark of Christian -spirit for him within my heart. If it lay in my power, I knew that I was -ready to do him an Injury. - -From time to time I heard snatches of his impassioned speeches. -"Barbara, my beloved! Oh, God! how I love You!" Or else: "'Tis -unspeakable joy to look into your eyes, joyous madness to hold your -little hand!" And more of such stuff, as Lovers know how to use. - -And she, too, looked supremely happy. There was a sparkle in her eyes -which spoke of a Soul intoxicated with delight. She listened to him as -if every word from his lips was heaven-sent Manna to her hungering -heart. And I marvelled why this should be; why she should listen to -this self-sufficient, empty-headed young Coxcomb and have rejected with -such bitter scorn the suit of a Man worthy in every sense to be the Mate -of a Queen. And I thought then of Mr. Betterton kneeling humbly before -her, his proud Head bent before this ignorant and wilful Girl, who had -naught but cruel words for him on her lips. And a great wrath possessed -me, greater than it ever had been before. I suppose that I am very -wicked and that the Devil of Revenge had really possessed himself of my -Soul; but then and there, under the trees, with the translucent Dome of -blue above me, I vowed bitter hatred against those two, vowed that Fate -should be even with them if I, the humble Clerk, could have a say in her -decrees. - - - - 5 - - -Just now, they were like two Children playing at love. He was insistent -and bold, tried to draw her to him, to kiss her in sight of the -fashionable throng that promenaded up and down the Avenue less than -fifty yards away. - -"A murrain on the Conventions!" he said with a light laugh, as she -chided him for his ardour. "I want the whole Universe to be witness of -my joy." - -She placed her pretty hand playfully across his mouth. - -"Hush, my dear Lord," she said with wonderful tenderness. "Heaven -itself, they say, is oft times jealous to see such Happiness as ours.... -And I am so happy..." she continued with a deep sigh, "so happy that -sometimes a horrible presentiment seems to grip my heart..." - -"Presentiment of what, dear love?" he queried lightly. - -I did not catch what she said in reply, for just at that moment I caught -sight of Mr. Betterton walking at a distant point of the Avenue, in the -Company of a number of admiring Friends. - -They were hanging round him, evidently vastly amused by some witty -sallies of his. Never had I seen him look more striking and more -brilliant. He wore a magnificent coat of steel-grey velvet with richly -embroidered waistcoat, and a cravat and frills of diaphanous lace, -whilst the satin breeches, silk stockings and be-ribboned shoes set off -his shapely limbs to perfection. His Grace of Buckingham was walking -beside him, and he had my Lady Shrewsbury upon his arm, whilst among his -Friends I recognised my Lords Orrery and Buckhurst, and the Lord -Chancellor himself. - -The Lady Barbara caught sight of Mr. Betterton, too, I imagine, for as I -moved away, I heard her say in a curiously constrained voice: - -"That man--my Lord--he is your deadly Enemy." - -"Bah!" he retorted with a careless shrug of the shoulders. "Actors are -like toothless, ill-tempered curs. They bark, but they are powerless to -bite!" - -Oh, I hated him! Heavens above! how I hated him! - -How puny and insignificant he was beside his unsuccessful Rival should -of a surety have been apparent even to the Lady Barbara. Even now, Mr. -Betterton, with a veritable crowd of Courtiers around him, had come to a -halt not very far from where those two were sitting; and it was very -characteristic of him that, even whilst the Duke of Buckingham was -whispering in his ear and the Countess of Shrewsbury was smiling archly -at him, his eyes having found me, he nodded and waved his hand to me. - - - - 6 - - -A minute or two later, another group of Ladies and Gallants, amongst -whom Her Grace the Duchess of York was conspicuous by her elegance and -the richness of her attire, literally swooped down upon Mr. Betterton -and his Friends, and Her Grace's somewhat high-pitched voice came -ringing shrilly to mine ear. - -"Ah, Mr. Betterton!" she exclaimed. "Where have you hid yourself since -yesterday, you wicked, adorable Man? And I, who wished to tell you how -entirely splendid was your performance in that supremely dull play you -call 'Love and Honour.' You were superb, Sir, positively superb! ... I -was telling His Grace a moment ago that every Actor in the world is a -mere Mountebank when compared with Mr. Betterton's Genius." - -And long did she continue in the same strain, most of the Ladies and -Gentlemen agreeing with her and engaging in a chorus of Eulogy, all -delivered in high falsetto voices, which in the olden days, when first I -knew him, would have set Mr. Betterton's very teeth on edge. But now he -took up the ball of airy talk, tossed it back to the Ladies, bowed low -and kissed Her Grace's hand--I could see that she gave his a significant -pressure--gave wit for wit and flattery for flattery. - -He had of a truth made a great success the day before in a play called -"Love and Honour," writ by Sir William Davenant, when His Majesty -himself lent his own Coronation Suit to the great Actor, so that he -might worthily represent the part of _Prince Alvaro_. This Success put -the crowning Glory to his reputation, although in my humble opinion it -was unworthy of so great an Artist as Mr. Betterton to speak the -Epilogue which he had himself written in eulogy of the Countess of -Castlemaine, and which he delivered with such magnificent Diction at the -end of the Play, that His Majesty waxed quite enthusiastic in his -applause. - - - - 7 - - -Standing somewhat apart from that dazzling group, I noticed my Lord -Douglas Wychwoode, in close conversation with my Lord Teammouth and -another Gentleman, who was in clerical attire. After awhile, my Lord -Stour joined them, the Lady Barbara having apparently slipped away -unobserved. - -My Lord Stour was greeted by his friends with every mark of cordiality. - -"Ah!" the Cleric exclaimed, and extended both his hands--which were -white and plump--to my Lord. "Here is the truant at last!" Then he -waxed playful, put up an accusing finger and added with a smirking -laugh: "Meseems I caught sight of a petticoat just behind those trees, -where his Lordship himself had been apparently communing with Nature, -eh?" - -Whereupon my Lord Teammouth went on, not unkindly and in that dogmatic -way which he was pleased to affect: "Youth will ever smile, even in the -midst of dangers; and my Lord Stour is a great favourite with the -Ladies." - -Lord Douglas Wychwoode was as usual petulant and impatient, and rejoined -angrily: - -"Even the Castlemaine has tried to cast her nets around him." - -My Lord Stour demurred, but did not try to deny the soft impeachment. - -"Only because I am new at Court," he said, "and have no eyes for her -beauty." - -This, of course, was News to me. I am so little versed in Court and -Society gossip and had not heard the latest piece of scandal, which -attributed to the Lady Castlemaine a distinct _penchant_ for the young -Nobleman. Not that it surprised me altogether. The newly created -Countess of Castlemaine, who was receiving favours from His Majesty the -King with both hands, never hesitated to deceive him, and even to render -him ridiculous by flaunting her predilections for this or that young -Gallant who happened to have captured her wayward fancy. My Lord -Sandwich, Colonel Hamilton, the handsome Mr. Wycherley, and even such a -vulgar churl as Jacob Hill, the rope dancer, had all, at one time or -another, been favoured with the lady's fitful smiles, and while -responding to her advances with the Ardour born of Cupidity or of a -desire for self-advancement rather than of true love, they had for the -most part lost some shreds of their Reputation and almost all of their -Self-respect. - -But at the moment I paid no heed to Lord Douglas' taunt levelled at his -Friend, nor at the latter's somewhat careless way of Retort. In fact, -the whole Episode did not then impress itself upon my mind, and it was -only in face of later events that I was presently to be reminded of it -all. - - - - 8 - - -For the moment I was made happy by renewed kindly glances from Mr. -Betterton. It seemed as if his eyes had actually beckoned to me, so I -made bold to advance nearer to the dazzling group of Ladies and -Gentlemen that stood about, talking--jabbering, I might say, like a -number of gay-plumaged birds, for they seemed to me irresponsible and -unintellectual in their talk. - -Of course, I could not hear everything, and I had to try and make my -unfashionably attired Person as inconspicuous as possible. So I drew a -book from my pocket, one that looked something like a Greek Lexicon, -though in truth it was a collection of Plays writ by the late Mr. -William Shakespeare, in one or two of which--notably in one called -"Hamlett"--Mr. Betterton had scored some of his most conspicuous -Triumphs. - -The book, and my seeming absorption in it, gave me the countenance of an -earnest young Student intent on the perusal of Classics, even whilst it -enabled me to draw quite near to the brilliant Throng of Distinguished -People, who, if they paid any heed to me at all, would find excuses for -my Presumption in my obvious earnest Studiousness. I was also able to -keep some of my attention fixed upon Mr. Betterton, who was surrounded -by admiring Friends; whilst at some little distance close by, I could -see Mr. Harris--also of the Duke's Theatre--who was holding forth in a -didactic manner before a group of Ladies and gay young Sparks, even -though they were inclined to mock him because of his Conceit in pitting -his talent against that of Mr. Betterton. - -There was no doubt that a couple of years ago Mr. Harris could be, and -was considered, the greatest Actor of his time; but since Mr. Betterton -had consolidated his own triumph by playing the parts of _Pericles_, of -_Hamlett_ and of _Prince Alvaro_ in "Love and Honour," the older Actor's -reputation had undoubtedly suffered by comparison with the Genius of his -younger Rival, at which of course he was greatly incensed. I caught -sight now and then of his florid face, so different in expression to Mr. -Betterton's more spiritual-looking countenance, and from time to time -his pompous, raucous voice reached my ears, as did the more strident, -high-pitched voices of the Ladies. I heard one young Lady say, to the -accompaniment of some pretty, mincing gestures: - -"Mr. Betterton was positively rapturous last night ... enchanting! You, -Mr. Harris, will in truth have to look to your laurels." - -And an elderly Lady, a Dowager of obvious consideration and dignity, -added in tones which brooked of no contradiction: - -"My opinion is that there never has been or ever will be a Player equal -to Mr. Betterton in Purity of Diction and Elegance of Gesture. He hath -indeed raised our English Drama to the level of High Art." - -I could have bowed low before her and kissed her hand for this; aye! and -have paid homage, too, to all these gaily-dressed Butterflies who, in -truth, had more Intellectuality in them than I had given them credit -for. Every word of Eulogy of my beloved Friend was a delight to my -soul. I felt mine eyes glowing with enthusiasm and had grave difficulty -in keeping them fixed upon my book. - -I had never liked Mr. Harris personally, for I was wont to think his -conceit quite overweening beside the unalterable modesty of Mr. -Betterton, who was so incomparably his Superior; and I was indeed -pleased to see that both the Dowager Lady--who, I understood, was the -Marchioness of Badlesmere--and the younger Ladies and Gentlemen felt -mischievously inclined to torment him. - -"What is your opinion, Mr. Harris?" my Lady Badlesmere was saying to the -discomfited Actor. "It would be interesting to know one Player's opinion -of another." - -She had a spy-glass, through which she regarded him quizzically, whilst -a mocking smile played around her thin lips. This, no doubt, caused -poor Mr. Harris to lose countenance, for as a rule he is very glib of -tongue. But just now he mouthed and stammered, appeared unable to find -his words. - -"It cannot be denied, your Ladyship," he began sententiously enough, -"that Mr. Betterton's gestures are smooth and pleasant, though they -perhaps lack the rhythmic grandeur ... the dignified sweep ... of ... of -... the..." - -He was obviously floundering, and the old Lady broke in with a rasping -laugh and a tone of somewhat acid sarcasm. - -"Of the gestures of Mr. Harris, you mean, eh?" - -"No, Madam," he retorted testily, and distinctly nettled. "I was about -to say 'of the gestures of our greatest Actors.'" - -"Surely the same thing, dear Mr. Harris," a young Lady rejoined with -well-assumed demureness, and dropped him a pert little curtsey. - -I might have been sorry for the Man--for of a truth these small -pin-pricks must have been very irritating to his Vanity, already sorely -wounded by a younger Rival's triumph--but for the fact that he then -waxed malicious, angered no doubt by hearing a veritable Chorus of -Eulogy proceeding from that other group of Ladies and Gentlemen of which -Mr. Betterton was the centre. - -I do not know, as a matter of fact, who it was who first gave a spiteful -turning to the bantering, mocking Conversation of awhile ago; but in my -mind I attributed this malice to Lord Douglas Wychwoode, who came up -with his clerical friend just about this time, in order to pay his -respects to the Marchioness of Badlesmere, who, I believe, is a near -Relative of his. Certain it is that very soon after his arrival upon -the scene, I found that every one around him was talking about the -abominable Episode, the very thought of which sent my blood into a Fever -and my thoughts running a veritable riot of Revenge and of Hate. Of -course, Mr. Harris was to the fore with pointed Allusions to the grave -Insult done to an eminent Artist, and which, to my thinking, should have -been condemned by every right-minded Man or Woman who had a spark of -lofty feeling in his or her heart. - -"Ah, yes!" one of the Ladies was saying; "I heard about it at the time -... a vastly diverting story...." - -"Which went the round of the Court," added another. - -"Mr. Betterton's shoulders," a gay young Spark went on airily, "are said -to be still very sore." - -"And his usually equable Temper the sorer of the two." - -Lord Douglas did not say much, but I felt his spiteful Influence running -as an undercurrent through all that flippant talk. - -"Faith!" concluded one of the young Gallants, "were I my Lord Stour, I -would not care to have Mr. Betterton for an enemy." - -"An Actor can hit with great accuracy and harshness from the Stage," Mr. -Harris went on pompously. "He speaks words which a vast Public hears -and goes on to repeat _ad infinitum_. Thus a man's--aye! or a -Lady's--reputation can be made or marred by an Epilogue spoken by a -popular Player at the end of a Drama. We all remember the case of Sir -William Liscard, after he had quarrelled with Mr. Kynaston." - -Whereupon that old story was raked up, how Mr. Kynaston had revenged -himself for an insult upon him by Sir William Liscard by making pointed -Allusions from the Stage to the latter's secret intrigue with some -low-class wench, and to the Punishment which was administered to him by -the wench's vulgar lover. The Allusions were unmistakable, because that -punishment had taken the form of a slit nose, and old Sir William had -appeared in Society one day with a piece of sticking plaster across the -middle of his face. - -Well, we all know what happened after that. Sir William, covered with -Ridicule, had to leave London for awhile and bury himself in the depths -of the Country, for, in Town he could not show his face in the streets -but he was greeted with some vulgar lampoon or ribald song, hurled at -him by passing roisterers. It all ended in a Tragedy, for Lady Liscard -got to hear of it, and there was talk of Divorce proceedings, which -would have put Sir William wholly out of Court--His Majesty being -entirely averse to the dissolution of any legal Marriage. - -But all this hath naught to do with my story, and I only recount the -matter to You to show You how, in an instant, the temper of all these -great Ladies and Gentlemen can be swayed by the judicious handling of an -evil-minded Person. - -All these Ladies and young Rakes, who awhile ago were loud in their -praises of a truly great Man, now found pleasure in throwing mud at him, -ridiculing and mocking him shamefully, seeing that, had he been amongst -them, he would soon have confounded them with his Wit and brought them -back to Allegiance by his magic Personality. - -Once again I heard a distinct Allusion to the Countess of Castlemaine's -avowed predilection for Lord Stour. It came from one of the Cavaliers, -who said to Lord Douglas, with an affected little laugh: - -"Perhaps my Lord Stour would do well to place himself unreservedly under -the protection of Lady Castlemaine! 'Tis said that she is more than -willing to extend her Favours to him." - -"Nay! Stour hath nothing to fear," Lord Douglas replied curtly. "He -stands far above a mere Mountebank's spiteful pin-pricks." - -Oh! had but God given me the power to strike such a Malapert dumb! I -looked around me, marvelling if there was not one sane Person here who -would stand up in the defence of a great and talented Artist against -this jabbering of irresponsible Monkeys. - - - - 9 - - -I must admit, however, that directly Mr. Betterton appeared upon the -scene the tables were quickly turned once more on Mr. Harris, and even -on Lord Douglas, for Mr. Betterton is past Master in the art of wordy -Warfare, and, moreover, has this great Advantage, that he never loses -control over his Temper. No malicious shaft aimed at him will ever -ruffle his Equanimity, and whilst his Wit is most caustic, he invariably -retains every semblance of perfect courtesy. - -He now had the Duchess of York on his arm, and His Grace of Buckingham -had not left his side. His Friends were unanimously chaffing him about -that Epilogue which he had spoken last night, and which had so delighted -the Countess of Castlemaine. My Lord Buckhurst and Sir William Davenant -were quoting pieces out of it, whilst I could only feel sorry that so -great a Man had lent himself to such unworthy Flattery. - -"'Divinity, radiant as the stars!'" Lord Buckhurst quoted with a laugh. -"By gad, you Rogue, you did not spare your words." - -Mr. Betterton frowned almost imperceptibly, and I, his devoted Admirer, -guessed that he was not a little ashamed of the fulsome Adulation which -he had bestowed on so unworthy an Object, and I was left to marvel -whether some hidden purpose as yet unknown to me had actuated so -high-minded an Artist thus to debase the Art which he held so dear. It -was evident, however, that the whole Company thought that great things -would come from that apparently trivial incident. - -"My Lady Castlemaine," said Sir William Davenant, "hath been wreathed in -smiles ever since you spoke that Epilogue. She vows that there is -nothing she would not do for You. And, as already You are such a -favourite with His Majesty, why, Man! there is no end to your good -fortune." - -And I, who watched Mr. Betterton's face again, thought to detect a -strange, mysterious look in his eyes--something hidden and brooding was -going on behind that noble brow, something that was altogether strange -to the usually simple, unaffected and sunny temperament of the great -Artist, and which I, his intimate Confidant and Friend, had not yet been -able to fathom. - -Whenever I looked at him these days, I was conscious as of a sultry -Summer's day, when nature is outwardly calm and every leaf on every tree -is still. It is only to those who are initiated in the mysteries of the -Skies that the distant oncoming Storm is revealed by a mere speck of -cloud or a tiny haze upon the Bosom of the Firmament, which hath no -meaning to the unseeing eye, but which foretells that the great forces -of Nature are gathering up their strength for the striking of a -prodigious blow. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - - AN ASSEMBLY OF TRAITORS - - - 1 - - -I, in the meanwhile, had relegated the remembrance of Lord Douglas -Wychwoode and his treasonable Undertakings to a distant cell of my mind. -I had not altogether forgotten them, but had merely ceased to think upon -the Subject. - -I was still nominally in the employ of Mr. Baggs, but he had engaged a -new Clerk--a wretched, puny creature, whom Mistress Euphrosine already -held in bondage--and I was to leave his Service definitely at the end of -the month. - -In the meanwhile, my chief task consisted in initiating the aforesaid -wretched and puny Clerk into the intricacies of Mr. Theophilus Baggs' -business. The boy was slow-witted and slow to learn, and Mr. Baggs, who -would have liked to prove to me mine own Worthlessness, was nevertheless -driven into putting some of his more important work still in my charge. - -Thus it came to pass that all his Correspondence with Lord Douglas -Wychwoode went through my Hands, whereby I was made aware that the -Traitors--for such in truth they were--were only waiting for a -favourable opportunity to accomplish their damnable Purpose. - -They meant to kidnap His Majesty's sacred Person, to force him to sign -an Abdication in favour of the son of Mistress Barlow--now styled the -Duke of Monmouth--with the Prince of Orange as Regent during the Duke's -minority. - -A more abominable and treasonable Project it were impossible to -conceive, and many a wrestling match did I have with mine own -Conscience, whilst debating whether it were my Duty or no to betray the -confidence which had been reposed in me, and to divulge the terrible -Secret of that execrable plot, which threatened the very life of His -Majesty the King. - -I understood that the Manifestos which it had been my task to -multiplicate, had met with some success. Several Gentlemen, who held -rigidly Protestant views, had promised their support to a project which -ostensibly aimed at the overthrow of the last vestiges of Popery in the -Country. My Lord Stour, who had also become a firm Adherent of the -nefarious scheme, in deference, I presume, to the Lady Barbara's wishes -in the matter, had, it seems, rendered valuable service to the cause, by -travelling all over the Country, seeing these proposed Adherents in -person and distributing the fiery Manifestos which were to rally the -Waverers to the cause. - -I imagined, however, that the whole project was in abeyance for the -moment, for I had heard but little of it of late; until one day I -happened to be present when the Conspirators met in the house of Mr. -Theophilus Baggs. - -How it came to pass that these Gentlemen--who were literally playing -with their lives in their nefarious undertaking--talked thus openly of -their Plans and Projects in my hearing, I do not pretend to say. It is -certain that they did not suspect me; thought me one of themselves, no -doubt, since I had written out the Manifestos and was Clerk to Mr. -Baggs, who was with them Body and Soul. No doubt, had Mr. Baggs been on -the spot on that day, he would have warned the Traitors of my presence, -and much of what happened subsequently would never have occurred. - -Thus doth Fate at times use simple tools to gain her own ends, and it -was given to an insignificant Attorney's Clerk to rule, for this one -day, the future Destinies of England. - - - - 2 - - -My Lord Stour was present on that memorable afternoon. I am betraying -no Secret nor doing him an injury by saying that, because his connection -with the Affair is of public knowledge, as is that of Lord Douglas -Wychwoode. The names of the other Gentlemen whom I saw in Mr. Baggs' -room that day I will, by your leave, keep hidden behind the veil of -Anonymity, contenting myself by calling the most important among them my -Lord S., and another Sir J., whilst there was also present on that -occasion the gentleman in clerical Attire whom I had seen of late in -Lord Douglas' Company, and who was none other than the Lord Bishop of D. - -My Lord Stour was in great favour amongst them all. Every one was -praising him and shaking him by the hand. His Lordship the Bishop took -it upon himself to say, as he did most incisively: - -"Gentlemen! I am proud and happy to affirm that it is to the Earl of -Stour that we shall owe to-night the Success of our Cause. It is he who -has distributed our Appeal and helped to rally round us some of our most -loyal Friends!" - -Lord Stour demurred, deprecated his own efforts. His Attitude was both -modest and firm; I had not thought him capable of so much Nobility of -Manner. - -But, believe me, dear Mistress, that I felt literally confounded by what -I heard. Mr. Baggs, who had pressing business in town that day, had -commanded me to remain at home in order to receive certain Gentlemen who -were coming to visit him. I had introduced some half-dozen of them, and -they had all gone into the inner office, but left the communicating door -between that room and the parlour wide open, apparently quite -acquiescing in my presence there. In fact, they had all nodded very -familiarly to me as they entered; evidently they felt absolutely certain -of my Discretion. This, as you will readily understand, placed me in a -terrible Predicament. Where lay my duty, I did not know; for, in truth, -to betray the Confidence of those who trust in You is a mean and low -trick, unworthy of a right-minded Christian. At the same time, there -was His Majesty the King's own sacred Person in peril, and that, as far -as I could gather, on this very night; and surely it became equally the -duty of every loyal Subject in the land to try and protect his Sovereign -from the nefarious attacks of Traitors! - -Be that as it may, however, I do verily believe that if my Lord--Stour -whom I hated with so deadly a hatred, and who had done my dear, dear -Friend such an irreparable injury--if he, I say, had not been mixed up -in the Affair, I should have done my duty as a Christian rather than as -a subject of the State. - -But You, dear Mistress, shall be judge of mine actions, for they have a -direct bearing upon those subsequent events which have brought Mr. -Betterton once again to your feet. - -I have said that my Lord Stour received his Friends' congratulations and -gratitude with becoming Modesty; but his Lordship the Bishop and also -Lord S. insisted. - -"It is thanks to your efforts, my dear Stour," Lord S. said, "that at -last success is assured." - -"But for you," added the Bishop, "our plan to-night might have -miscarried." - -My God! I thought, then it _is_ for to-night! And I felt physically -sick, whilst wondering what I should do. Even then, Lord Douglas -Wychwoode's harsh Voice came quite clearly to mine ear. - -"The day is ours!" he said, with a note of triumph in his tone. "Ere -the sun rises again over our downtrodden Country, her dissolute King and -his Minions will be in our hands!" - -"Pray God it may be so!" assented one of the others piously. - -"It shall and will be so," protested Lord Douglas with firm emphasis. -"I know for a fact that the King sups with the Castlemaine to-night. -Well! we are quite ready. By ten o'clock we shall have taken up our -Positions. These have all been most carefully thought out. Some of us -will be in hiding in the Long Avenue in the Privy Garden; others under -the shadow of the Wall of the Bowling Green; whilst others again have -secured excellent points of vantage in King Street. I am in command of -the Party, and I give you my word that my Company is made up of young -Enthusiasts. They, like ourselves, have had enough of this corrupt and -dissolute Monarch, who ought never to have been allowed to ascend the -Throne which his Father had already debased." - -"You will have to be careful of the Night Watchmen about the Gardens, -and of the Bodyguard at the Gate," one of the Gentlemen broke in. - -"Of course we'll be careful," Lord Douglas riposted impatiently. "We -have minimized our risks as far as we are able. But the King, when he -sups with the Castlemaine, usually goes across to her House unattended. -Sometimes he takes a Man with him across the Privy Gardens, but -dismisses him at the back door of Her Ladyship's House. As for the City -Watchmen over in King Street, they will give us no trouble. If they do, -we can easily overpower them. The whole thing is really perfectly -simple," he added finally; "and the only reason why we have delayed -execution is because we wanted as many Sympathizers here in London as -possible." - -"Now," here interposed His Lordship the Bishop, "thanks to my Lord -Stour's efforts, a number of our Adherents have come up from the country -and have obtained lodgings in various Quarters of the town, so that -to-morrow morning, when we proclaim the Duke of Monmouth King and the -Prince of Orange Regent of the Realm, we shall be in sufficient numbers -to give to our successful Coup the appearance of a national movement." - -"Personally," rejoined Lord Douglas, with something of a sneer, "I think -that the Populace will be very easily swayed. The Castlemaine is not -popular. The King is; but it is a factitious Popularity, and one easily -blown upon, once we have his Person safely out of the way. And we must -remember that the 'No Popery' cry is still a very safe card to play with -the mob," he added with a dry laugh. - -Then they all fell to and discussed their abominable Plans all over -again; whilst I, bewildered, wretched, indignant, fell on my knees and -marvelled, pondered what I should do. My pulses were throbbing, my head -was on fire; I had not the faculty for clear thinking. And there, in -the next room, not ten paces away from where I knelt in mute and -agonized Prayer, six Men were planning an outrage against their King; -amidst sneers and mirthless laughter and protestations of loyalty to -their Country, they planned the work of Traitors. They drew their -Swords and there was talk of invoking God's blessing upon their -nefarious Work. - -God's blessing! Methought 'twas Blasphemy, and I put my hands up to -mine ears lest I should hear those solemn words spoken by a consecrated -Bishop of our Church, and which called for the Almighty's help to -accomplish a second Regicide. - -Aye! A Regicide! What else was it? as all those fine Gentlemen knew -well enough in their hearts. Would not the King resist? He was young -and vigorous. Would he not call for help? Had not my Lady Castlemaine -Servants who would rush to His Majesty's assistance? What then? Was -there to be murder once more, and bloodshed and rioting--fighting such -as we poor Citizens of this tortured land had hoped was behind us -forever? - -And if it came to a hand-to-hand scuffle with the King's most Sacred -Majesty? My God! I shuddered to think what would happen then! - -There was a mighty humming in my ears, like the swarm of myriads of -bees; a red veil gradually spread before my eyes, which obscured the -familiar Surroundings about me. Through the haze which gradually -o'er-clouded my brain, I heard the voices of those Traitors droning out -their blasphemous Oaths. - -"Swear only to draw your swords in this just cause, and not to shed -unnecessary blood!" - -And then a chorus which to my ears sounded like the howling of Evil -Spirits let loose from hell: - -"We swear!" - -"Then may God's blessing rest upon You. May His Angels guard and -protect You and give You the strength to accomplish what You purpose to -do!" - -There was a loud and prolonged "Amen!" But I waited no longer. I rose -from my knees, suddenly calm and resolved. Do not laugh at me, dear -Mistress, for my conceit and my presumption when I say that I felt that -the destinies of England rested in my hands. - -Another Regicide! Oh, my God! Another era of civil Strife and military -Dictatorship such as we had endured in the past decade! Another era of -Suspicions and Jealousies and Intrigues between the many Factions who -would wish to profit by this abominable crime! It was unthinkable. -Whether the King was God's Anointed or not, I, for one, am too ignorant -to decide; but this I know, that the Stuart Prince was chosen little -more than a year ago by the will of his People, that he returned to -England acclaimed and beloved by this same Populace which was now to be -egged on to treason against him by a handful of ambitious Malcontents, -who did not themselves know what it was they wanted. - -No! It should not be! Not while there existed an humble and puny -subject of this Realm who had it in his power to put a spoke in the -wheel of that Chariot of Traitors. - -Ah! there was no more wavering in my heart now! no more doubts and -hesitation! I would not be betraying the confidence of a trusting Man; -merely disposing of a secret which Chance had tossed carelessly in my -path--a Secret which pertained to abominable Miscreants, one of whom was -the man whom I detested more than any one or anything on God's earth--a -flippant, arrogant young Reprobate who had dared to level a deadly -insult against a Man infinitely his superior in Intellect and in Worth, -and before whom now he should be made to lick the dust of Ignominy. - -I was now perfectly calm. From my desk I took a copy of the Manifesto -which had remained in my possession all this while. I read the contents -through very carefully, so as to refresh my memory. Then I took up my -pen and, at the foot of the treasonable document, I wrote the word: -"To-night." Having done that, I took a sheet of notepaper and carefully -wrote down the names of all the Gentlemen who were even now in the next -room, and of several others whom I had heard mentioned by the Traitors -in the course of their Conversation. The two papers I folded carefully -and closed them down with sealing wax. - -My hand did not shake whilst I did all this. I was perfectly -deliberate, for my mind was irrevocably made up. When I had completed -these preparations, I slipped the precious Documents into my pocket, -took up my hat and cloak, and went out to accomplish the Errand which I -had set myself to do. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - - THE LION'S WRATH - - - 1 - - -His Majesty the King was, of course, inaccessible to such as I. And the -time was short. - -Did I say that the hour was even then after six? The streets were very -dark, for overhead the sky was overcast, and as I walked rapidly down -the Lane to the Temple Stairs, a thin, penetrating drizzle began to -fall. - -My first thought had been to take boat to Westminster and to go to the -house of Mr. Betterton in Tothill Street, there to consult with him as -to what would be my best course to pursue. But I feel sure that You, -dear Mistress, will understand me when I say that I felt a certain pride -in keeping my present Project to myself. - -I was not egotistical enough to persuade myself that love of Country and -loyalty to my King were the sole motive powers of my Resolve. My -innermost Heart, my Conscience perhaps, told me that an ugly Desire for -Revenge had helped to stimulate my patriotic Ardour. I had realized -that it lay in my power to avenge upon an impious Malapert the hideous -Outrage which he had perpetrated against the Man whom I loved best in -all the World. - -I had realized, in fact, that I could become the instrument of Mr. -Betterton's revenge. - -That my Denunciation of the abominable Conspiracy would involve the -Disgrace--probably the Death--of others who were nothing to me, I did -not pause to consider. They were all Traitors, anyhow, and all of them -deserving of punishment. - -So, on the whole, I decided to act for myself. When I had seen the -Countess of Castlemaine and had put her on her guard, I would go to Mr. -Betterton and tell him what I had done. - -I beg you to believe, however, dear Mistress, that no thought of any -reward had entered my mind, other than a Word of Appreciation from my -Friend. - - - - 2 - - -I had, as perhaps you know, a slight acquaintance with Mistress Floid, -who is one of my Lady Castlemaine's tire-women. Through her, I obtained -speech with her Ladyship. - -It was not very difficult. I sent in the two Documents through Mistress -Floid's hands. Five minutes later I was told that my Lady desired -speech with me. - -I was a little bewildered and somewhat dazzled to be in the presence of -so great a lady. The richness of the House, the liveries of the -Servants, the superciliousness of the Lacqueys, all tended to discompose -me; whilst the subtle Scent of Spice and Perfumes which hung in the air -and the chorus of bird-song which came from an unseen Aviary, helped to -numb my Senses. I was thankful that I had not trusted to Speech and -Memory, but had set documentary Evidence forward to prove what I had to -say. - -Of my interview with her Ladyship I have only a confused memory. I know -that she asked many questions and listened to my stammering replies with -obvious impatience; but I have only a very vague recollection of her -flashing Eyes, of her Face, flaming with anger, of her jewelled Hand -clutching the documents which I had brought, and of the torrent of -vituperative abuse which she poured upon the Traitors, who she vowed -would pay with their lives for their Infamy. I know that, in the end, I -was allowed to kiss her hand and that she thanked me in her own Name and -that of His Majesty for my Loyalty and my Discretion. - -I went out of the room and out of the house like a Man in a dream. A -whirl of conflicting Emotions was rending my heart and my brain, until -sheer physical nausea caused me nigh to swoon. - -Truly it was a terrible Experience for a simple-minded Clerk to go -through, and it is a marvel to me that my brain did not give way under -the Strain. - -But my instinct--like that of a faithful dog seeking shelter--led me to -the lodgings of Mr. Betterton in Tothill Street, the very house in which -his father had lived before him. - -He had not yet returned from the Theatre, where he was at Rehearsal; but -his Servant knew me well and allowed me to go up into the parlour and to -lie down upon the sofa for a moment's rest. - -It was then nearing seven, and I knew that Mr. Betterton would soon be -coming home. I now felt infinitely weary; numbness of body and brain -had followed the conflicting Emotions of the past hours, and I was only -conscious of an overwhelming desire to rest. - -I closed my eyes. The place was warm and still; a veritable Haven of -Quietude. And it was the place where dwelt the Man for whose sake I had -just done so much. For awhile I watched the play of the firelight upon -the various articles of furniture in the room; but soon a pleasing -Torpor invaded my tired Brain, and I fell asleep. - - - - 3 - - -The sound of Voices upon the landing outside, the opening and closing of -one door and then another, recalled me to myself. The familiar sound of -my Friend's footsteps gave me an infinity of Pleasure. - -The next moment Mr. Betterton came into the room. He was preceded by -his Servant, who brought in a couple of Candles which he placed upon the -table. Apparently he had said nothing to his Master about my presence -here, for Mr. Betterton seemed vastly surprised when he saw me. I had -just jumped to my feet when I heard him entering the room, and I suppose -that I must have looked somewhat wild and dishevelled, for he expressed -great astonishment at my Appearance. - -Astonishment, and also Pleasure. - -"Why, friend Honeywood!" he exclaimed, and came to greet me with both -hands outstretched. "What favourable Wind hath blown you to this port?" - -He looked tired and very much aged, methought. He, a young Man, then in -the prime of Life, looked harassed and weary; all the Elasticity seemed -to have gone out of his Movements, all the Springiness from his -Footstep. He sat down and rested his elbows on his knees, clasped his -slender hands together and stared moodily into the fire. - -I watched him for awhile. His clear-cut Profile was outlined like an -Italian Cameo against the dark angle of the room; the firelight gave a -strange glow to his expressive Eyes and to the sensitive Mouth with the -firm lips pressed closely together, as if they would hold some Secret -which was even then threatening to escape. - -That look of dark and introspective Brooding sat more apparent now than -ever upon his mobile face, and I marvelled if the News which I was about -to impart would tend to dissipate that restless, searching glance, which -seemed for ever to be probing into the future decrees of Fate. - -"I have come to tell you news, Sir," I said after a while. - -He started as from a Reverie, and said half-absently: - -"News? What news, friend? Good, I hope." - -"Yes," I replied very quietly, even though I felt that my heart was -beating fast within my breast with excitement. "Good news of the Man -You hate." - -He made no reply for the moment, and even by the dim, uncertain light of -the fire I could see the quick change in his face. I cannot explain it -exactly, but it seemed as if something Evil had swept over it, changing -every noble line into something that was almost repellent. - -My heart beat faster still. I was beginning to feel afraid and a queer, -choking Sensation gripped me by the throat and silenced the Words which -were struggling to come to my lips. - -"Well?" queried Mr. Betterton a second or two later, in a calm, dull, -unemotional Voice. "What is thy news, friend Honeywood?" - -"There is a plot," I replied, still speaking with an effort, "against -His Majesty and the Countess of Castlemaine." - -"I knew that," he rejoined. "'Tis no news. There is more than one plot, -in fact, against the King and the Castlemaine. You surely haven't come -out on this wet night," he added with a mirthless laugh, "in order to -tell me that!" - -After all that I had gone through, after my tussle with my conscience -and my fight against myself, I felt nettled by his flippant tone. - -"I know not," I said firmly, "if there is more than one plot against His -Majesty the King. But I do know that there is one which aims at -striking at his sacred Person to-night." - -"That also is possible," he retorted, with still that same air of -flippant Carelessness. "But even so, I do not see, my dear Friend, what -You can do in the matter." - -"I can denounce the Plot," I riposted warmly, "and help to save the life -of His Majesty the King." - -"So you can, my dear Honeywood," he said with a smile, amused at my -vehemence. "So you can! And upon the King's gratitude you may lay the -foundations of your future Fortune." - -"I was not thinking of a Fortune," I retorted gruffly; "only of -Revenge." - -At this he looked up suddenly, leaned forward and in the firelight tried -to read my face. - -"Revenge?" he queried curtly. "What do you mean?" - -"I mean," I replied earnestly, "that the Plot of which I speak is real, -tangible and damnable. That a set of young Gallants have arranged -between themselves to waylay His Majesty the King this night in the -house of the Countess of Castlemaine, to kidnap his sacred person, force -him to abdicate, then proclaim the Duke of Monmouth King and the Prince -of Orange Regent of the Realm." - -"How do you know all this, Honeywood?" Mr. Betterton rejoined quietly, -dragged, meseemed, out of his former Cynicism by the earnestness of my -manner. - -"I was one of the first to know of it," I replied, "because on a certain -day in September I was employed in copying the Manifesto wherewith that -pack of Traitors hoped to rally distant Friends around their Standard. -For awhile I heard nothing more of the Affair, thought the whole thing -had sizzled out like a fire devoid of fuel; until to-day, when the -Conspirators once more met in the house of Mr. Theophilus Baggs and -arranged to carry their execrable Project through to-night. Careless of -my presence, they planned and discussed their Affairs in my hearing. -They thought, I suppose, that I, like Mr. Baggs, was one of their Gang." - -Gradually, while I spoke, I could see the Dawn of Comprehension -illumining Mr. Betterton's face. He still was silent, and let me speak -on to the end. He was once more gazing into the fire; his arms were -resting on his knees, but his hands were beating one against the other, -fist to palm, with a violent, intermittent Gesture, which proclaimed his -growing Impatience. - -Then suddenly he raised his head, looked me once more straight in the -eyes, and said slowly, reiterating some of my words: - -"The Conspirators met in the house of Mr. Theophilus -Baggs--then--he----" - -I nodded. - -"My Lord Stour," I said, deliberately measuring my words, "is up to his -neck in the damnable Conspiracy." - -Still his searching gaze was fixed upon me; and now he put out his hand -and clutched my forearm. But he did not speak. - -"I was burning with rage," I said, "at the insult put upon you by my -Lord Stour ... I longed to be revenged..." - -His clutch upon my arm tightened till it felt like a Vice of Steel, and -his Voice came to my ear, hoarse and almost unrecognizable. - -"Honeywood," he murmured, "what do You mean? What have You done?" - -I tried to return his gaze, but it seemed to sear my very Soul. Terror -held me now. I scarce could speak. My voice came out in a husky -whisper. - -"I had the copy of the Manifesto," I said, "and I knew the names of the -Conspirators. I wrote these out and placed them with the Manifesto in -the hands of my Lady Castlemaine." - -Dear Mistress, you know the beautiful picture by the great Italian -artist Michael Angelo which represents Jove hurling his thunderbolt at -some puny human Creature who hath dared to defy him. The flash of Anger -expressed by the Artist in the mighty god's eyes is truly terrifying. -Well! that same Expression of unbounded and prodigious Wrath flashed out -in one instant from the great Actor's eyes. He jumped to his feet, -towered above me like some Giant whom I, in my presumption, had dared to -defy. The flickering candle light, warring with the fireglow, and its -play of ruddy Lights and deep phantasmagoric Shadows, lent size and -weirdness to Mr. Betterton's figure and enhanced the dignity and -magnitude of his Presence. His lips were working, and I could see that -he had the greatest difficulty in forcing himself to speak coherently. - -"You have done that?" he stammered. "You...?" - -"To avenge the deadly insult----" I murmured, frightened to death now by -his violence. - -"Silence, you fool!" he riposted hoarsely. "Is it given to the Mouse to -avenge the hurt done to the Lion?" - -I guessed how deeply he was moved by these Words which he spoke, more -even than by his Attitude. Never, had he been in his normal frame of -mind, would he have said them, knowing how their cruel intent would hurt -and wound me. - -He was angry with me. Very angry. And I, as yet, was too ignorant, too -unsophisticated, to know in what way I had injured him. God knows it -had been done unwittingly. And I could not understand what went on in -that noble and obviously tortured Brain. I could only sit there and -gaze upon him in helpless Bewilderment, as he now started to pace up and -down the narrow room in very truth like a caged Lion that hath been -teased till it can endure the irritation no longer. - -"You are angry with me?" I contrived to stammer at last; and indeed I -found much difficulty in keeping the tears which were welling up to mine -eyes. - -But my timid query only appeared to have the effect of bringing his -Exasperation to its highest pitch. He did in truth turn on me as if he -were ready to strike me, and I slid down on my Knees, for I felt now -really frightened, as his fine voice smote mine ears in thunderous -Accents of unbridled Wrath. - -"Angry?" he exclaimed. "Angry...? I..." - -Then he paused abruptly, for he had caught sight of me, kneeling there, -an humble and, I doubt not, a pathetic Figure; and, as you know, Mr. -Betterton's heart is ever full of Pity for the Lowly and the Weak. By -the flickering candle light I could distinguish his noble Features, a -moment ago almost distorted with Passion, but now, all of a sudden, -illumined by tender Sympathy. - -He pulled himself together. I almost could see the Effort of Will -wherewith he curbed that turbulent Passion which had threatened to -overmaster him. He passed his hand once or twice across his brow, as if -he strove to chase away, by sheer physical Force, the last vestige of -his own Anger. - -"No--no----," he murmured gently, bent down to me and helped me to my -feet. "No, my dear Friend; I am not angry with You ... I--I forgot -myself just now ... something seemed to snap in my Brain when you told -me that ... When you told me that----" he reiterated slowly; then threw -back his head and broke into a laugh. Oh! such a laugh as I never wish -to hear again. It was not only mirthless, but the Sound of it did rend -my heart until the tears came back to mine eyes; but this time through -an overwhelming feeling of Pity. - -And yet I did not understand. Neither his Anger nor his obvious Despair -were clear to my Comprehension. I hoped he would soon explain, feeling -that if he spoke of it, it would ease his heartache. Mine was almost -unendurable. I felt that I could cry like a child, Remorse warring with -Anxiety in my heart. - -Then suddenly Mr. Betterton came close to me, sat down on the sofa -beside me and said, with a Recrudescence of his former Vehemence: - -"Friend Honeywood, you must go straightway back to my Lady Castlemaine." - -"Yes," I replied meekly, for I was ready to do anything that he desired. - -"Either to my Lady Castlemaine," he went on, his voice trembling with -agitation, "or to her menial first, but ultimately to my Lady -Castlemaine. Go on your hands and knees, Honeywood; crawl, supplicate, -lick the dust, swear that the Conspiracy had no existence save in your -own disordered brain ... that the Manifesto is a forgery ... the list of -Conspirators a fictitious one ... swear above all that my Lord Stour had -no part in the murderous Plot----" - -I would, dear Lady, that mine was the pen of a ready Writer, so that I -might give you a clear idea of Mr. Betterton's strange aspect at that -moment. His face was close to mine, yet he did not seem like himself. -You know how serene and calm is the Glance of his Eyes as a rule. Well! -just then they were strangely luminous and restless; there was a glitter -in them, a weird, pale Light that I cannot describe, but which struck me -as coming from a Brain that, for the moment, was almost bereft of -Reason. - -That he was not thinking coherently was obvious to me from what he said. -I, who was ready and prepared to do anything that might atone for the -Injury, as yet inexplicable, which I had so unwittingly done to him, -felt, nevertheless, the entire Futility of his Suggestion. Indeed, was -it likely that my Lady Castlemaine's Suspicions, once roused, could so -easily be allayed? Whatever I told her now, she would of a surety warn -the King--had done so, no doubt, already. Measures would be taken--had -already been taken--to trap the infamous Plotters, to catch them -red-handed in the Act; if indeed they were guilty. Nay! I could not -very well imagine how such great Personages would act under the -Circumstances that had come about. But this much I did know; that not -one of them would be swayed by the Vagaries of a puny Clerk, who had -taken it upon himself to denounce a number of noble Gentlemen for -Treason one moment and endeavoured to exonerate them the next. So I -could only shake my head and murmur: - -"Alas, Sir! all that now would be too late." - -He looked at me searchingly for a second or two. The strange glitter -died out from his eyes, and he gave a deep sigh of weariness and of -disappointment. - -"Aye!" he said. "True! true! It is all too late!" - -Imagine, dear Mistress, how puzzled I was. What would You have thought -of it all, yourself, had your sweet Spirit been present then at that -hour, when a truly good, yet deeply injured Man bared his Soul before -his Friend? - -Just for a second or two the Suspicion flashed through my mind that Mr. -Betterton himself was in some secret and unaccountable manner mixed up -with the abominable Conspiracy. But almost at once my saner Judgment -rejected this villainous Suggestion; for of a truth it had no foundation -save in Foolishness engendered by a bewildered brain. In truth, I had -never seen Mr. Betterton in the Company of any of those Traitors whose -names were indelibly graven upon the tablets of my Memory, save on that -one occasion--that unforgettable afternoon in September, when he entered -the house of Mr. Theophilus Baggs at the hour when Lord Douglas -Wychwoode had just entrusted his Manifesto to me. What was said then -and what happened afterwards should, God help me! have convinced me that -no sort of intimate Connection, political or otherwise, could ever exist -between my Lord Stour, Lord Douglas Wychwoode or their Friends, and Mr. -Betterton. - - - - 4 - - -Even while all these Thoughts and Conjectures were coursing through my -brain, my innermost Consciousness kept my attention fixed upon my -friend. - -He had once more resumed his restless pacing up and down the narrow -room. His slender hands were closely linked together behind his back, -and at times he strode quite close to me, so close that the skirts of -his fashionably cut coat brushed against my knee. From time to time -disconnected Phrases came to his lips. He was talking to himself, a -thing which I had never known him do before. - -"I, who wished to return Taunt for Taunt and Infamy for Infamy!" he said -at one time. And at another: "To-day ... in a few hours perhaps, that -young Coxcomb will be in the Tower ... and then the Scaffold!" - -I listened as attentively as I could, without seeming to do so, thinking -that, if I only caught more of these confused Mutterings, the Puzzle, -such as it was, would become more clear to me. Picture the two of us -then, dear Mistress, in the semi-darkness, with only fitful candle light -to bring into occasional bold relief the fine Figure of the great Actor -pacing up and down like a restless and tortured Beast; and mine own -meagre Form cowering in an angle of the sofa, straining mine ears to -catch every syllable that came from my Friend's lips, and mine eyes to -note every Change of his Countenance. - -"She will think 'twas I who spied upon him," I heard him say quite -distinctly through his clenched teeth. "I who betrayed him, her -Friends, her Brother." - -"He will die a Martyr to the cause she loves," he murmured a few moments -later. "A Hero to his friends--to _her_ a demi-god whose Memory she -will worship." - -Then he paused, and added in a loud and firm voice, apostrophizing, God -knows what Spirits of Hate and of Vengeance whom he had summoned: - -"And _that_ is to be my Revenge for the deadliest Insult Man ever put -upon Man! ... Ha! ha! ha! ha!" he laughed, with weird Incontinence. -"God above us, save me from my Friends and let me deal alone with mine -Enemies!" - -He fell back into the nearest chair and, resting his elbows on his -knees, he pressed his forehead against his clenched fists. I stared at -him, mute, dumbfounded. For now I understood. I knew what I had done, -knew what he desired, what he had striven for and planned all these past -weary weeks. His Hopes, his Desires, I had frustrated. I, his Friend, -who would have given my Life for his welfare! - -I had been heart-broken before. I was doubly so now. I slid from the -sofa once more on my knees and, not daring to touch him, I just remained -there, sobbing and moaning in helpless Dejection and Remorse. - -"What can I do?--what can I do?" - -He looked at me, obviously dazed, had apparently become quite oblivious -of my presence. Once more that look of tender Commiseration came into -his eyes, and he said with a gently ironical smile: - -"You? Poor little, feeble Mouse, who has gnawed at the Giant's -prey--what can you do? ... Why, nothing. Go back to our mutual Friend, -Mr. Theophilus Baggs, and tell him to make his way--and quickly too--to -some obscure corner of the Country, for he also is up to the neck in -that damnable Conspiracy." - -This set my mind to a fresh train of thought. - -"Shall I to my Lord Stour by the same token?" I asked eagerly. - -"To my Lord Stour?" he queried, with a puzzled frown. "What for?" - -"To warn him," I replied. "Give him a chance of escape. I could tell -him you sent me," I added tentatively. - -He laughed. - -"No, no, my Friend," he said drily. "We'll not quite go to that length. -Give him a chance of Escape?" he reiterated. "And tell him I sent You? -No, no! He would only look upon my supposed Magnanimity as a sign of -cringing Humility, Obsequiousness and Terror of further Reprisals. No, -no, my Friend; I'll not give the gay young Spark another chance of -insulting me.... But let me think ... let me think ... Oh, if only I -had a few days before me, instead of a mere few hours! ... And if only -my Lady Castlemaine..." - -He paused, and I broke in on the impulse of the moment. - -"Oh, Sir! hath not the Countess of Castlemaine vowed often of late that -she would grant any Favour that the great Mr. Betterton would ask of -her?" - -No sooner were the words out of my mouth than I regretted them. It must -have been Instinct, for they seemed innocent enough at the time. My -only thought in uttering them was to suggest that at Mr. Betterton's -request the Traitors would be pardoned. My Lady Castlemaine in those -days held the King wholly under her Domination. And I still believed -that my Friend desired nothing so much at this moment than that my Lord -Stour should not die a Hero's death--a Martyr to the cause which the -beautiful Lady Barbara had at heart. - -But since that hour, whenever I have looked back upon the Sequence of -Events which followed on my impulsive Utterance, I could not help but -think that Destiny had put the words into my mouth. She had need of me -as her tool. What had to be, had to be. You, dear Mistress, can now -judge whether Mr. Betterton is still worthy of your Love, whether he is -still worthy to be taken back into your heart. For verily my words did -make the turning point in the workings of his Soul. But I should never -have dared to tell you all that happened, face to face, and I desired to -speak of the matter impartially. Therefore I chose the medium of a pen, -so that I might make You understand and, understanding, be ready to -forgive. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - - A LAST CHANCE - - - 1 - - -Of course, what happened subsequently, I can only tell for the most part -from what Mr. Betterton told me himself, and also from one or two facts -revealed to me by Mistress Floid. - -At the moment, Mr. Betterton commended me for my Suggestion, rested his -hand with all his former affectionate Manner upon my shoulder, and said -quite simply: - -"I thank you, friend, for reminding me of this. My Lady Castlemaine did -indeed last night intimate to me that she felt ready to grant any Favour -I might ask of her. Well! I will not put her Magnanimity to an over -severe test. Come with me, friend Honeywood. We'll to her Ladyship. -There will be plenty of time after that to go and warn that worthy Mr. -Baggs and my equally worthy Sister. I should not like them to end their -days upon the Scaffold. So heroic an ending doth not seem suitable to -their drabby Existence, and would war with all preconceived Dramatic -Values." - -He then called to his man and ordered a couple of linkmen to be in -readiness to guide us through the Streets, as these were far from safe -for peaceful Pedestrians after dark! Then he demanded his hat and -cloak, and a minute or so later he bade me follow him, and together we -went out of the house. - - - - 2 - - -It was now raining heavily, and we wrapped our Cloaks tightly round our -Shoulders, speeding along as fast as we could. The streets were almost -deserted and as dreary as London streets alone can be on a November -evening. Only from the closed Windows of an occasional Tavern or -Coffee-house did a few rays of bright light fall across the road, -throwing a vivid bar of brilliance athwart our way, and turning the -hundreds of Puddles into shining reflections, like so many glimmering -Stars. - -For the rest, we were dependent on the linkmen, who walked ahead of us, -swinging their Lanterns for Guidance on our path. Being somewhat timid -by nature, I had noted with satisfaction that they both carried stout -Cudgels, for of a truth there were many Marauders about on dark nights -such as this, Footpads and Highway Robbers, not to mention those bands -of young Rakes, who found pleasure in "scouring" the streets o' nights -and molesting the belated Wayfarer. - -Mr. Betterton, too, carried a weighted stick, and he was a Man whom -clean, sturdy living had rendered both athletic and powerful. We were -soon, both of us, wet to the Skin, but Mr. Betterton appeared quite -oblivious of discomfort. He walked with a quick step, and I perforce -had to keep up with him as best I could. - -He had told me, before we started out, that he was bent for my Lady -Castlemaine's House, the rear of which looks down upon the Gardens of -White Hall. I knew the way thither just as well as he did. Great was -my astonishment, therefore, when having reached the bottom of King -Street, when we should have turned our steps northwards, Mr. Betterton -suddenly ordered the linkmen to proceed through Palace Yard in the -direction of Westminster Stairs. - -I thought that he was suffering from a fit of absent-mindedness, which -was easily understandable on account of his agitated Frame of Mind; and -presently I called his attention to his mistake. He paid no heed to me, -however, and continued to walk on until we were some way up Canon's Row. - -Here he called to his linkmen to halt, and himself paused; then caught -hold of my cloak, and dragged me under the shelter of a great gateway -belonging to one of those noble Mansions which front the River. And he -said to me, in a strange and peremptory Voice, hardly raised above a -Whisper: - -"Do You know where we are, Honeywood?" - -"Yes," I said, not a little surprised at the question. "We are at the -South End of Canon's Row. I know this part very well, having often----" - -"Very well, then," he broke in, still in the same imperious Manner. -"You know that we are under the gateway belonging to the Town Mansion of -the Earl of Stour, and that the house is some twenty yards up the -fore-court." - -"I know the house," I replied, "now you mention it." - -"Then you will go to my Lord Stour now, Honeywood," my Friend went on. - -"To warn him?" I queried eagerly, for of a truth I was struck with -Admiration at this excess of Magnanimity on the part of an injured Man. - -"No," Mr. Betterton replied curtly. "You will go to my Lord Stour as my -Friend and Intermediary. You will tell him that I sent You, because I -desire to know if he hath changed his mind, and if he is ready to give -me Satisfaction for the Insult, which he put upon me nigh on two months -ago." - -I could not restrain a gasp of surprise. - -"But----" I stammered. - -"You are not going to play me false, Honeywood," he said simply. - -That I swore I would not do. Indeed, he knew well enough that if he -commanded me to go to the outermost ends of the Earth on his errand, or -to hold parley with the Devil on his behalf, I would have been eager and -ready to do it. - -But I must confess that at this moment I would sooner have parleyed with -the Devil than with the Earl of Stour. The Man whom I had denounced, -You understand. I felt that the shadow of Death--conjured by me, -menacing and unevasive--would perhaps lie 'twixt him and me whilst I -spoke with him. Yet how could I demur when my Friend besought me?--my -Friend, who was gravely troubled because of me. - -I promised that I would do as he wished. Whereupon he gave me full -instructions. Never had so strange a task been put upon a simple-minded -Plebeian: for these were matters pertaining to Gentlemen. I knew less -than nothing of Duels, Affairs of Honour, or such like; yet here was -I--John Honeywood, an humble Attorney's Clerk--sent to convey a -challenge for a Duel to a high and noble Lord, in the manner most -approved by Tradition. - -I was ready to swoon with Fright; for, in truth, I am naught but a timid -Rustic. In spite of the cold and the rain I felt a rush of hot blood -coursing up and down my Spine. But I learned my Lesson from end to end, -and having mastered it, I did not waver. - -Leaving Mr. Betterton under the shelter of the gateway, I boldly crossed -the fore-court and mounted the couple of steps which led up to the front -door of the Mansion. The fore-court and the front of the House were -very dark, and I was not a little afraid of Night Prowlers, who, they do -say, haunt the immediate Purlieus of these stately Abodes of the -Nobility, ready to fall upon any belated Visitor who might be foolish -enough to venture out alone. - -Indeed, everything around me was so still and seemed so desolate that an -Access of Fear seized me, whilst I vainly tried to grope for the -bell-handle in the Darkness. I very nearly gave way to my Cowardice -then and there, and would have run back to my Friend or called out to -the Linkmen for their Company, only that at the very moment my Hand came -in contact with the iron bell pull, and fastened itself instinctively -upon it. - -Whereupon the clang of the Bell broke the solemn Silence which reigned -around. - - - - 3 - - -I had grave Difficulty in obtaining access to my Lord Stour, his Servant -telling me in the first instance that his Lordship was not at home, and -in the second that he was in any event too busy to receive Visitors at -this hour. But I have oft been told that I possess the Obstinacy of the -Weak, and I was determined that, having come so far, I would not return -to Mr. Betterton without having accomplished mine Errand. So, seeing -that the Servant, with the Officiousness and Insolence of his kind, was -about to slam the door in my face, an Inspiration seized me, and taking -on a haughty Air, I stepped boldly across the Threshold and then -commanded the Menial to go to his Lordship at once and announce the -visit of Mr. Theophilus Baggs' Clerk on a matter of the utmost Urgency. - -I suppose that now I looked both determined and fierce, and after a good -deal of hem-ming and hawing, the Varlet apparently felt that -non-compliance with my Desire might bring contumely upon himself; so he -went, leaving me most unceremoniously to cool my heels in the Hall, and -returned but a very few minutes later looking distinctly crestfallen and -not a little astonished. - -His Lordship would see me at once, he announced. Then bade me follow him -up the stairs. - -To say that my Heart was beating furiously within my Breast would be but -a bald Statement of my Frame of Mind. I fully expected that his -Lordship, directly he knew that it was not Mr. Baggs who had sent me, -would have me ignominiously turned out of the House. However, I was not -given much time to indulge in my Conjectures and my Fears, for presently -I was ushered into a large room, dimly lighted by a couple of wax -candles and the Walls of which, I noticed, were entirely lined with -Books. - -After the Menial had closed the door behind me, a Voice bade me curtly -to come forward and to state mine Errand. Then I saw that my Lord Stour -was not alone. He was sitting in a chair in front of the fire, and -opposite to him sat the beautiful Lady Barbara, whilst standing in front -of the hearth, with legs apart and hands thrust in the pockets of his -breeches, was Lord Douglas Wychwoode. - -What Courage was left in me now went down into my shoes. I felt like a -Man faced with three Enemies where he had only expected to meet one. My -Throat felt very dry and my Tongue seemed to cleave to my Palate. -Nevertheless, in response to a reiterated curt Command to state mine -Errand, I did so unfalteringly. - -"Mr. Thomas Betterton, one of His Majesty's Well-Beloved Servants," I -said, "hath sent me to his Lordship the Earl of Stour." - -My Words were greeted with an angry Oath from Lord Douglas, an ironical -Laugh from my Lord Stour and a strange little Gasp, half of Terror, -wholly of Surprise, from the Lady Barbara. - -"Methought You came from Mr. Baggs," my Lord Stour remarked haughtily. -"So at least You gave my Servant to understand, else You would not have -been admitted." - -"Your Lordship's Servant misunderstood me," I rejoined quite quietly. -"I gave my name as Clerk to Mr. Baggs; but mine Errand concerns Mr. -Thomas Betterton, and he honours me with his Friendship." - -"And as Mr. Betterton's Affairs do not concern me in any way----" his -Lordship began coldly, and would no doubt have dismissed me then and -there, but that the Lady Barbara interposed gently yet with great -Firmness. - -"I pray You, my Lord," she said, "do not be over-hasty. We might at -least listen to what Mr. Betterton's Messenger has to say." - -"Yes," added Lord Douglas in his habitual brusque Manner. "Let us hear -what the Fellow wants." - -This was not encouraging, you will admit; but, like many over-timid -People, there are times when I am conscious of unwonted Calm and -Determination. So even now I confronted these two supercilious Gentlemen -with as much Dignity as I could command, and said, addressing myself -directly to the Earl of Stour: - -"Mr. Betterton hath sent me to You, my Lord, to demand Satisfaction for -the abominable Outrage which You perpetrated upon his Person nigh on two -months ago." - -Lord Stour shrugged his Shoulders and riposted coldly: - -"That tune is stale, my Man. Mr.--er--Betterton has had mine Answer." - -"Since then, my Lord," I insisted firmly, "Time hath no doubt brought -saner Reflection. Mr. Betterton's Fame and his Genius have raised him -to a level far above that conferred by mere Birth." - -"Have made a Gentleman of him, You mean?" Lord Stour rejoined with a -sarcastic curl of the lip. - -"More noble far than any Gentleman in the Land," I retorted proudly. - -He gave a harsh laugh. - -"In that case, my Man," he said tartly, "you can inform your worthy -Friend that two hundred years hence my Descendants might fight him on a -comparatively equal Footing. But until then," he added firmly and -conclusively, "I must repeat for the last time what I have already told -Mr.--er--Betterton: the Earl of Stour cannot cross Swords with a -Mountebank." - -"Take care, my Lord, take care----" - -The Exclamation had burst quite involuntarily from my Lips. The next -moment I felt ashamed to have uttered it, for my Lord Stour looked me up -and down as he would an importunate Menial, and Lord Douglas Wychwoode -strode towards me and pointed to the door. - -"Get out!" he commanded curtly. - -There was nothing more to be done--nothing more to be said, if I desired -to retain one last Shred of Dignity both for myself and for the great -Artist who--in my Person this time--had once again been so profoundly -humiliated. - -My wet cloak I had left down in the Hall, but I still held my hat in my -hands. I now bowed with as much Grace as I could muster. Lord Douglas -still pointed a peremptory finger towards the door, making it clear that -I was not going of mine own Accord, like the Intermediary of any -Gentleman might be, but that I was being kicked out like some insolent -Varlet. - -Oh! the shame of it! The shame! - -My ears were tingling, my temples throbbing. A crimson Veil, thrust -before mine eyes by invisible Hands, caused my footsteps to falter. Oh! -if only I had had the strength, I should even then have turned upon -those aristocratic Miscreants and, with my hands upon their throats, -have forced them to eat their impious Words. - -But even as I crossed the Threshold of that Room where I had suffered -such bitter Humiliation, I heard loud and mocking Laughter behind me; -and words such as: "Insolence!" "Mountebank!" "Rogue!" and "Vagabond!" -still reached my ears. - -I suppose that the door did not close quite fully behind me, for even as -I crossed the landing meseemed that I heard the Lady Barbara's voice -raised in a kind of terrified Appeal. - -"Would to God, my dear Lord," she appeared to plead with passionate -Earnestness, "You had not incurred the Enmity of that Man. Ever since -that awful day I have felt as if You were encompassed by Spirits of Hate -and of Vengeance which threaten our Happiness." - -Her Voice broke in a sob. And, indeed, I found it in my heart to pity -her, for she seemed deeply grieved. I still could hear him--her Lover -and mine Enemy, since he was the Enemy of my Friend--trying to laugh -away her fears. - -"Nay, sweetheart," he was saying tenderly. "A Man like that can do us -no harm. Mine own Conscience is clear--my Life honourable--and to-night -will see the triumph of your Cause, to which I have given willing help. -That Man's Malice cannot touch me, any more than the snarling of a -toothless cur. So do not waste these precious moments, my Beloved, by -thinking of him." - -After which the door behind me was closed to, and I heard nothing more. -I hurried down the Stairs, snatched up my cloak and hurried out of the -House. - -Never should I have believed that a human Heart could contain so much -Hatred as mine held for my Lord Stour at that moment. - - - - 4 - - -I found Mr. Betterton waiting for me under the Gateway where I had left -him a quarter of an hour ago. - -As soon as he heard my footsteps upon the uneven pavement of the -fore-court, he came forward to meet me, took hold of my cloak and -dragged me back into shelter. - -He only said the one word: "Well?" but it is not in my power, dear -Mistress, to render adequately all that there was of Anxiety, Impatience -and of Passion in that one brief Query. - -I suppose that I hesitated. Of a truth the Message which I was bringing -was choking me. And he who is so sensitive, so understanding, learned -everything, and at once, from my Silence. - -"He hath refused?" he said simply. - -I nodded. - -"He will not fight me?" - -And my Silence gave reply. A curious, hoarse Cry, like that of a -wounded Animal, escaped his Throat and for a moment we were both -silent--so silent that the patter of the rain appeared like some -thunderous Noise: and the divers sounds of the great City wrapped in the -Cloak of Evening came to us with sharp and eerie Distinctness. Far -away, a dog barked; some belated Chairman called: "Make room, there!"; a -couple of Watchmen passed close by, clinking their halberts against the -ground, and from one of the noble Mansions nigh to us there came the -sound of Revelry and of Laughter. - -I felt like in a Dream, conscious only that the Finger of Destiny was -pointing to the Dial of a Clock, and that I was set here to count the -Seconds and the Minutes until that ghostly Finger had completed its task -and registered the final Hour when the Decrees of God would inevitably -be fulfilled. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - - THE HOUR - - - 1 - - -A quarter of an hour--perhaps less--later, we were speeding back, Mr. -Betterton and I, down Canon's Row on our way to Westminster Stairs, -intending to take boat for the City. - -In the terrible mental upheaval which had followed on the renewed -Outrage that had been put upon my beloved Friend, I had well-nigh -forgotten that secret conspiracy which was even now threatening the -stability of our Country, and in which my former Employer and his Spouse -were so deeply involved. - -The striking of Church Bells far and near, chiming the hour of eight, -recalled me to the danger which threatened Mr. Baggs along with his more -aristocratic co-traitors. And, strangely enough, Mr. Betterton thought -of this at the very same time. He had been sunk in moody Reverie ever -since my Silence had told him the grim tale of my unsuccessful Embassy -to the Earl of Stour, and through the darkness it was impossible even -for my devoted eyes to watch the Play of Emotions upon his tell-tale -face, or to read in his eyes the dark thoughts which I knew must be -coursing through his Brain. - -In myself, I could not help but be satisfied at the turn of Events. The -Conspirators, denounced by me to the Countess of Castlemaine, would of a -certainty meet the Punishment which they so fully deserved. Lord Stour -was one of them, so was Lord Douglas Wychwoode. The Scaffold, or at -least, Banishment, would be their lot, and how could I grieve--I, who -hated them so!--that the Earth would presently be rid of two arrogant -and supercilious Coxcombs, Traitors to their King, vainglorious and -self-seeking. True, the Lady Barbara would weep. But when I remembered -the many bitter tears which you, dear Mistress, have shed these past -months because she had enchained the fancy of the Man whom you loved, -then had scorned his Ardour and left him a Prey to Humiliation and Shame -at the hands of Men unworthy to lick the dust at his feet; when I -remembered all that, I could find no Pity in my heart for the Lady -Barbara, but rather a Hope that one so exquisitely fair would pass -through Sorrow and Adversity the purer and softer for the Ordeal. - -True again, that for some reason still unexplained Mr. Betterton -appeared to desire with an almost passionate intensity that his -successful Rival should escape the fate of his fellow-Conspirators. -Such Magnanimity was beyond my Comprehension, and I felt that the -Sentiment which engendered it could not be a lasting one. Mr. Betterton -was for the moment angry with me--very angry--for what I had done; but -his Anger I knew would soon melt in the Warmth of his own kindly Heart. -He would forgive me, and anon forget the insolent Enemy after the latter -had expiated his Treachery and his Arrogance upon the Scaffold. The -whole of this hideous past Episode would then become a mere Memory, like -unto a nightmare which the healthful freshness of the newly-born Day so -quickly dispels. - - - - 2 - - -So on the whole it was with a lightened heart that I stepped into the -boat in the wake of Mr. Betterton. I thanked the Lord that the Rain had -ceased for the moment, for truly I was chilled to the Marrow and could -not have borne another wetting. - -Every Angle and Stone and Stair and Landing Stage along the Embankment -was of course familiar to me; and I could not help falling into a -Reverie at sight of those great houses which were the City homes of some -of the noblest Families in the Land. How many of these stately walls, -thought I, sheltered a nest of Conspirators as vile and as disloyal as -were Lord Douglas Wychwoode and his friends? Suffolk House and Yorke -House, Salisbury House and Worster House, to mention but a few. How did -the mere honest Citizen know what went on behind their Portals, what -deadly secrets were whispered within their doors? - -I had been taught all my life to respect those who are above me in -Station and to reverence our titled Nobility; but truly my short -Experience of these high-born Sparks was not calculated to enhance my -Respect for their Integrity or my Admiration for their Intellect. Some -older Gentlemen there were, such as the Lord Chancellor himself, who -were worthy of Everybody's regard; but I must confess that the Behaviour -of the younger Fops was oft blameworthy. - -I might even instance our Experience this dark night after we had landed -at the Temple Stairs, and were hurrying along our way up Middle Temple -Lane in the wake of our linkmen. We were speeding on, treading -carefully so as to avoid as much as was possible the mud which lay -ankle-deep in the Lane, when we suddenly spied ahead of us a party of -"Scourers"--young Gentlemen of high Rank, very much the worse for drink, -who, being at their wits' end to know how to spend their evenings, did -it in prowling about the Streets, insulting or maltreating peaceable -Passers-by, molesting Women, breaking Tavern windows, stealing -Signboards and otherwise rendering themselves noxious to honest -Citizens, and helping to make the Streets of our great City an object of -terror by night, in emulation of highway Robbers and other foul -Marauders. - -No doubt Mr. Betterton and I would--despite the aid of our two linkmen -and of their stout Cudgels--have fallen a victim to these odious -Miscreants, and the great Actor would of a surety have been very rudely -treated, since he had so often denounced these Mal-practices from the -Stage and held up to public Ridicule not only the young Rakes who took -part in the riotous Orgies, but also our Nightwatchmen, who were too -stupid or too cowardly to cope with them. But, knowing our danger, we -avoided it, and hearing the young Mohocks coming our way we slipped up -Hare Alley and bided our time until the noise of Revels and Riotings -were well behind us. - -I heard afterwards that those Abominable Debauchees--who surely should -have known better, seeing that they were all Scions of great and noble -Families--had indeed "scoured" that night with some purpose. They broke -into Simond's Inn in Fleet Street, smashed every Piece of Crockery they -could find there, assaulted the Landlord, beat the Customers about, -broke open the money-box, stole some five pounds in hard cash and -insulted the waiting-maids. Finally they set a seal to their Revels by -falling on the Nightwatchmen who had come to disperse them, beating them -with their own halberts and with sticks, and wounding one so severely -that he ultimately died in Hospital, while the Miscreants themselves got -off scot-free. - -Truly a terrible state of Affairs in such a noble City as London! - - - - 3 - - -As for Mr. Betterton and myself, we reached the corner of Chancery Lane -without serious Adventure. As we neared the house of Mr. Theophilus -Baggs, however, I felt my Courage oozing down into my shoes. Truly I -could not then have faced my former Employer, whom I had just betrayed, -and the mean side of my Action in the Matter came upon me with a shaming -force. - -I begged Mr. Betterton, therefore, to go and speak with Mr. Baggs whilst -I remained waiting outside upon the doorstep. - -Of all that miserable day, this was perhaps to me the most painful -moment. From the instant that Mr. Betterton was admitted into the house -until he returned to me some twenty minutes later, I was in a cold -sweat, devoured with Apprehension and fighting against Remorse. I could -not forget that Mr. Baggs had been my Master and Employer--if not too -kind an one--for years, and if he had been sent to the Tower and -accompanied his fellow Conspirators upon the Scaffold, I verily believe -that I should have felt like Judas Iscariot and, like him, would have -been unable to endure my life after such a base Betrayal. - -Fortunately, however, Mr. Betterton was soon able to reassure me. He -had, he said, immediately warned Mr. Baggs that something of the Secret -of the Conspiracy had come to the ears of the Countess of Castlemaine, -and that all those who were in any way mixed up in the Affair would be -wise to lie low as far as possible, at any rate for a while. - -Mr. Baggs, it seems, was at first terrified, and was on the point of -losing his Head and committing some act of Folly through sheer fright. -But Mr. Betterton's quieting Influence soon prevailed. The worthy -Attorney, on thinking the matter over, realized that if he destroyed -certain Documents which might prove incriminating to himself, he would -have little else to fear. He himself had never written a compromising -Letter--he was far too shrewd to have thus committed himself--and there -was not a scrap of paper in any one else's possession which bore his -Name or might mark his Identity, whilst he had not the slightest fear -that the other Conspirators--who were all of them Gentlemen--would -betray the Complicity of an humble Attorney who had rendered them loyal -Service. - -Strangely enough, Mr. Baggs never suspected me of having betrayed the -whole thing; or, if he did, he never said so. So many People plotted -these days, so many Conspiracies were hatched then blown upon, that I -for one imagine that Mr. Baggs had a hand in several of these and was -paid high Fees for his share in them. Then, when anything untoward -happened, when mere Chance, or else a Traitor among the Traitors, caused -the Conspiracy to abort, the worthy Attorney would metaphorically shake -the dust of political Intrigue from his shabby shoes, and make a bonfire -of every compromising Document that might land him in the Tower and -further. After which, he was no doubt ready to begin all over again. - -So it had occurred in this instance. Mr. Betterton did not wait to see -the bonfire, which was just beginning to blaze merrily in the -old-fashioned hearth. He told me all about it when he joined me once -more upon the doorstep, and for the first time that day I heard him -laugh quite naturally and spontaneously while he recounted to me Mr. -Baggs' Terrors and Mistress Euphrosine's dignified Fussiness. - -"She would have liked to find some Pretext," he said quite gaily, "for -blaming me in the Matter. But on the whole, I think that they were both -thankful for my timely Warning." - - - - 4 - - -But, as far as I was concerned, this ended once and for all my -Connection with the house of Mr. Theophilus Baggs, and since that -memorable night I have never once slept under his roof. - -I went back with Mr. Betterton to his House in Tothill Street. By the -time we reached it, it was close on ten o'clock. Already he had -intimated to me that henceforth I was to make my home with him; and as -soon as we entered the House he ordered his Servant to make my room and -bed ready for me. My Heart was filled with inexpressible gratitude at -his Kindness. Though I had, in an altogether inexplicable manner, run -counter to his Plans, he was ready to forgive me and did not withdraw -his Friendship from me. - -As time went on, I was able to tell him something of the Emotions which -coursed through my Heart in recognition of his measureless Kindness to -me; but on that first evening I could not speak of it. When I first -beheld the cosy room which he had assigned to me, with its clean and -comfortable bed and substantial furniture, I could only bow my Head, -take his Hand and kiss it reverently. He withdrew it as if he had been -stung. - -"Keep such expressions of Respect," he said almost roughly, "for one who -is worthy." - -"You," I riposted simply, "are infinitely worthy, because You are good." - -Then once again his harsh, mirthless Laugh--so unlike his usual -light-hearted Merriment--grated upon mine ear. - -"Good!" he exclaimed. "Nay, friend Honeywood, You are not, meseems, a -master of intuition. Few Hearts in London this night," he added -earnestly, "harbour such evil Desires as mine." - -But in spite of what he said, in spite of that strange look in his eyes, -that Laugh which proclaimed a perturbed Soul, I could not bring myself -to believe that his noble Heart was a Prey to aught but noble Desires, -and that those awful and subtle Schemes of deadly Revenge which have -subsequently threatened to ruin his own Life were even now seething in -his Brain. - -For the moment, I only remembered that when first he had requested me to -accompany him on his evening Peregrinations, it had been with a view to -visiting the Countess of Castlemaine, and I now reminded him of his -Purpose, thinking that his desire had been to beg for my Lord Stour's -pardon. I did so, still insisting upon her Ladyship's avowed -Predilection for himself, and I noticed that while I spoke thus he -smiled grimly to himself and presently said with slow Deliberation: - -"Aye! Her Ladyship hath vowed that out of Gratitude for his public -Eulogy of her Virtue and her Beauty, she would grant Mr. Thomas -Betterton any Favour he might ask of her." - -"Aye! and her Ladyship is not like to go back on her word," I assented -eagerly. - -"Therefore," he continued, not heeding me, "the Countess of Castlemaine, -who in her turn can obtain any Favour she desires from His Majesty the -King, will at my request obtain a full and gracious Pardon for the Earl -of Stour." - -"She will indeed!" I exclaimed, puzzled once more at this strange trait -of Magnanimity--Weakness, I called it--on the part of a Man who had on -two occasions been so monstrously outraged. "You are a hero, Sir," I -added in an awed whisper, "to think of a pardon for your most deadly -Enemy." - -He turned and looked me full in the eyes. I could scarce bear his -Glance, for there seemed to dwell within its glowing depths such a World -of Misery, of Hatred and of thwarted Passion, that my Soul was filled -with dread at the sight. And he said very slowly: - -"You are wrong there, my Friend. I was not thinking of a pardon for -mine Enemy, but of Revenge for a deadly Insult, which it seems cannot be -wiped out in Blood." - - - - 5 - - -I would have said something more after that, for in truth my Heart was -full of Sympathy and of Love for my Friend and I longed to soothe and -console him, as I felt I could do, humble and unsophisticated though I -was. Thoughts of You, dear Mistress, were running riot in my Brain. I -longed at this momentous hour, when the Fate of many Men whom I knew was -trembling in the balance, to throw myself at Mr. Betterton's feet and to -conjure him in the name of all his most noble Instincts to give up all -thoughts of the proud Lady who had disdained him and spurned his -Affections, and to turn once more to the early and pure Love of his -Life--to You, dear Mistress, whose Devotion had been so severely tried -and yet had not been found wanting, and whose influence had always been -one of Gentleness and of Purity. - -But, seeing him sitting there brooding, obviously a Prey to Thoughts -both deep and dark, I did not dare speak, and remained silent in the -hope that, now that I was settled under his roof, an Opportunity would -occur for me to tell him what weighed so heavily on my Heart. - -Presently the Servant came in and brought Supper, and Mr. Betterton sat -down to it, bidding me with perfect Grace and Hospitality to sit -opposite to him. But we neither of us felt greatly inclined to eat. I -was hungry, it is true; yet every Morsel which I conveyed to my mouth -cost me an effort to swallow. This was all the more remarkable as at -the moment my whole Being was revelling in the Succulence of the fare -spread out before me, the Excellence of the Wine, the snowy Whiteness of -the Cloths, the Beauty of Crystal and of Silver, all of which bore -testimony to the fastidious Taste and the Refinement of the great -Artist. - -Of the great Events which were even then shaping themselves in White -Hall, we did not speak. We each knew that the Other's mind was full of -what might be going on even at this hour. But Mr. Betterton made not a -single Reference to it, and I too, therefore, held my tongue. In fact, -we spoke but little during Supper, and as I watched my dearly loved -Friend toying with his food, and I myself felt as if the next mouthful -would choke me, I knew his Mind was far away. - -It was fixed upon White Hall and its stately Purlieus and upon the house -of the Countess of Castlemaine, which overlooked the Privy Gardens, and -of His Majesty the King. His senses, I knew, were strained to catch the -sound of distant Murmurs, of running Footsteps, of the grinding of Arms -or of pistol shots. - -But not a Sound came to disturb the peaceful Silence of this comfortable -Abode. The Servant came and went, bringing food, then clearing it away, -pouring Wine into our glasses, setting and removing the silver Utensils. - -Anon Mr. Betterton and I both started and furtively caught one another's -Glance. The tower clock of Westminster was striking eleven. - -"For Good or for Evil, all is over by now," Mr. Betterton said quietly. -"Come, friend Honeywood; let's to bed." - -I went to bed, but not to sleep. For hours I lay awake, wondering what -had happened. Had the Conspirators succeeded and was His Majesty a -Prisoner in their hands? or were they themselves Captives in that -frowning Edifice by the Water, which had witnessed so many Deaths and -such grim Tragedies, and from which the only Egress led straight to the -Scaffold? - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - - RUMOURS AND CONJECTURES - - - 1 - - -Very little of what had actually occurred came to the ear of the Public. -In fact, not one Man in ten in the whole of the Cities of London and -Westminster knew that a couple of hours before midnight, when most -simple and honest Citizens were retiring to their beds, a batch of -dangerous Conspirators had been arrested even within the Precincts of -White Hall. - -I heard all that there was to know from Mr. Betterton, who went out -early the following Morning and returned fully informed of the events of -the preceding Night. Subsequently too, I gleaned a good deal of -information through the instrumentality of Mistress Floid. As far as I -could gather, the Conspirators did carry out their Project just as they -had decided on it in my Presence. They did assemble in King Street and -in the by-lanes leading out of it, keeping my Lady Castlemaine's House -in sight, whilst others succeeded in Concealing themselves about the -Gardens of White Hall, no doubt with the Aid of treacherous and suborned -Watchmen. - -The striking of the hour of ten was to be the signal for immediate and -concerted Action. Those in the Gardens stood by on the watch, until -after His Majesty the King had walked across from his Palace to Her -Ladyship's House. His Majesty, as was his wont when supping with Lady -Castlemaine, entered her house by the back door, and his Servants -followed him into the house. - -Then the Conspirators waited for the Hour to strike. Directly the last -clang of church bells had ceased to reverberate through the humid -evening air, they advanced both from the Back and the Front of the House -simultaneously, when they were set upon on the one side by a Company of -His Majesty's Body Guard under the Command of Major Sachvrell, who had -remained concealed inside the Palace, and on the other by a Company of -Halberdiers under the Command of Colonel Powick. - -When the Traitors were thus confronted by loyal Troops, they tried to -put up a Fight, not realizing that such measures had been taken by Major -Sachvrell and Colonel Powick that they could not possibly hope to -escape. - -A scuffle ensued, but the Conspirators were very soon overpowered, as -indeed they were greatly outnumbered. The Neighbourhood--even then -slumbering peacefully--did no more than turn over in bed, marvelling -perhaps if a party of Mohocks on mischief bent had come in conflict with -a Posse of Night-watchmen. The Prisoners were at once marched to the -Tower, despite the Rain which had once more begun to fall heavily; and -during the long, wearisome Tramp through the City, their Ardour for -Conspiracies and Intrigues must have cooled down considerably. - -The Lieutenant of the Tower had everything ready for the Reception of -such exalted Guests; for in truth my Lady Castlemaine had not allowed -things to be done by halves. Incensed against her Enemies in a manner -in which only an adulated and spoilt Woman can be, she was going to see -to it that those who had plotted against her should be as severely dealt -with as the Law permitted. - - - - 2 - - -Later on, I had it from my friend, Mistress Floid, that the Lady Barbara -Wychwoode visited the Countess of Castlemaine during the course of the -morning. She arrived at her Ladyship's House dressed in black and with -a Veil, as if of mourning, over her fair Hair. - -Mistress Floid hath oft told me that the Interview between the two -Ladies was truly pitiable, and that the Lady Barbara presented a -heart-rending Spectacle. She begged and implored her Ladyship to -exercise Mercy over a few young Hotheads, who had been misled into -Wrong-doing by inflammatory Speeches from Agitators, these being naught -but paid Agents of the Dutch Government, she averred, set to create -Discontent and if possible Civil War once again in England, so that -Holland might embark upon a War of Revenge with some Certainty of -Success. - -But the Countess of Castlemaine would not listen to the Petition at all, -and proud Lady Barbara Wychwoode then flung herself at the other Woman's -feet and begged and implored for Pardon for her Brother, her Lover and -her Friends. Mistress Floid avers that my Lady Castlemaine did nothing -but laugh at the poor Girl's pleadings, saying in a haughty, -supercilious Manner: - -"Beauty in tears? 'Tis a pretty sight, forsooth! But had your Friends -succeeded in their damnable Plot, would You have shed tears of sympathy -for Me, I wonder?" - -And I could not find it in me to be astonished at my Lady Castlemaine's -Spitefulness, for in truth the Lady Barbara's Friends had plotted her -Disgrace and Ruin. Not only that, they had taken every opportunity of -vilifying her Character and making her appear as odious in the Eyes of -the People as they very well could. - -You must not infer from this, dear Mistress, that I am upholding my Lady -Castlemaine in any way. Her mode of life is abhorrent to me and I deeply -regret her Influence over His Majesty and over the public Morals of the -Court Circle, not to say of the entire Aristocracy and Gentry. I am -merely noting the fact that human Nature being what it is, it is not to -be wondered at that when the Lady had a Chance of hitting back, she did -so with all her Might, determined to lose nothing of this stupendous -Revenge. - -However secret the actual Arrest of the Conspirators was kept from -public Knowledge, it soon transpired that such great and noble Gentlemen -as Lord Teammouth, Lord Douglas Wychwoode, the Earl of Stour, not to -mention others, were in the Tower, and that a sensational Trial for -Conspiracy and High Treason was pending. - -Gradually the History of the Plot had leaked out, and how it had become -abortive owing to an anonymous Denunciation (for so it was called). The -Conspiracy became the talk of the Town. Several Ladies and Gentlemen, -though not directly implicated in the Affair, but of known -ultra-Protestant views, thought it best to retire to their Country -Estates, ostensibly for the benefit of their Health. - -Sinister Rumours were afloat that the Conspirators would be executed -without Trial--had already suffered the extreme Penalty of the Law; that -the Marquis of Sidbury, Father of Lord Douglas Wychwoode, had suddenly -died of Grief; that Torture would be applied to the proletarian -Accomplices of the noble Lords--of whom there were many--so as to -extract further Information and Denunciations from them. In fact, the -Town seethed with Conjectures; People talked in Whispers and dispersed -at sight of any one who was known to belong to the Court Circle. The -Theatres played to empty Benches, the Exchanges and Shops were deserted, -for no one liked to be abroad when Arrests and Prosecutions were in the -Air. - -Through it all, very great Sympathy was evinced for the Lady Barbara -Wychwoode, whose pretty Face was so well-known in Town and whose Charm -of Manner and kindly Disposition had endeared her to many who had had -the privilege of her Acquaintance. Public Opinion is a strange and -unaccountable Factor in the Affairs of Men, and Public Opinion found it -terribly hard that so young and adulated a Girl as was the Lady Barbara -should at one fell swoop lose Brother, Lover and Friends. And I may -truly say that Satisfaction was absolutely genuine and universal when it -became known presently that the young Earl of Stour had received a full -and gracious Pardon for his supposed Share in the abominable Plot. - -Whether, on closer Investigation, he had been proved innocent or whether -the Pardon was due to exalted or other powerful Influences, no one knew -as yet: all that was a Certainty was that my Lord Stour presently left -the Tower a free Man even whilst his Friends were one and all brought to -Trial, and subsequently most of them executed for High Treason, or -otherwise severely punished. - -Lord Teammouth suffered Death upon the Scaffold, so did Sir James -Campsfield and Mr. Andrew Kinver; and there were others, whose Names -escape me for the moment. Lord Douglas Wychwoode succeeded in fleeing -to Scotland and thence to Holland; most people averred owing to the -marvellous Pluck and Ingenuity of his Sister. A number of Persons of -meaner degree were hanged; in fact, a Reign of Terror swept over the -country, and many thought that the Judges had been unduly harsh and over -free with their Pronouncements of Death Sentences. - -But it was obvious that His Majesty himself meant to make an Example of -such abominable Traitors, before political Intrigues and Rebellion -spread over the Country once again. - -It was all the more strange, therefore, that one of the -Conspirators--the Earl of Stour, in fact, whose name had been most -conspicuous in connection with the Affair--should thus have been the -only one to enjoy Immunity. But, as I said before, nothing but -Satisfaction was expressed at first for this one small Ray of Sunshine -which came to brighten poor Lady Barbara Wychwoode's Misery. - -As for me, I did not know what to think. Surely my heart should have -been filled with Admiration for the noble Revenge which a great Artist -had taken upon a hot-headed young Coxcomb. Such Magnanimity was indeed -unbelievable; nay, I felt that it showed a Weakness of Character of -which in my innermost Heart I did not believe Mr. Betterton capable. - -To say that I was much rejoiced over the Clemency shown to my Lord Stour -would be to deviate from the Truth. Looking back upon the Motives which -had actuated me when I denounced the infamous Plot to the Countess of -Castlemaine, I could not help but admit to myself that Hatred of a young -Jackanapes and a Desire for Vengeance upon his impudent Head had greatly -influenced my Course of Action. Now that I imagined him once more -kneeling at the Lady Barbara's feet, an accepted Lover, triumphant over -Destiny, all the Sympathy which I may have felt for him momentarily in -the hour of his Adversity, died out completely from my Heart, and I felt -that I hated him even more virulently than before. - -His Image, as he had last stood before me in the dimly-lighted room of -his noble Mansion, surrounded by Books, costly Furniture, and all the -Appurtenances of a rich and independent Gentleman, was constantly before -my Mind. I could, just by closing mine eyes, see him sitting beside the -hearth, with the lovely Lady Barbara beaming at him from the place -opposite, and his Friend standing by, backing him up with Word and Deed -in all his Arrogance and Overbearing. - -"The Earl of Stour cannot cross swords with a Mountebank." - -I seemed to hear those Words reverberating across the street like the -clank of some ghostly Bell; and whenever mine ears rang to their sound I -felt the hot Blood of a just Wrath surge up to my cheeks and my feeble -Hands would close in a Clutch, that was fierce as it was impotent. - - - - 3 - - -The reported Death from grief of the Marquis of Sidbury proved to be a -false Rumour. But the aged Peer did suffer severely from the Shame put -upon him by his Son's Treachery. The Wychwoodes had always been loyal -Subjects of their King. At the time of the late lamented Monarch's most -crying Adversity, he knew that he could always count on the Devotion of -that noble Family, the Members of which had jeopardized their entire -Fortune, their very Existence, in the royal Cause. - -Of course, the present Marquis's two Children were scarce out of the -Nursery when the bitter Conflict raged between the King and his People; -but it must have been terribly hard for a proud Man to bear the thought -that his only Son, as soon as he had reached Man's Estate, should have -raised his Hand against his Sovereign. - -No doubt owing to the disturbed State of many influential Circles of -Society that Winter, and the number of noble Families who were in -mourning after the aborted Conspiracy and the wholesale Executions that -ensued, the Marriage between the Lady Barbara Wychwoode and the Earl of -Stour was postponed until the Spring, and then it would take place very -quietly at the Bride's home in Sussex, whither she had gone of late with -her Father, both living there for a while in strict Retirement. - -Lord Douglas Wychwoode, so it was understood, had succeeded in reaching -Holland, where, I doubt not, he continued to carry on those political -Intrigues against his lawful Sovereign which would of a surety one day -bring him to an ignominious End. - -I was now living in the greatest Comfort and was supremely happy, in the -House of Mr. Betterton. He employed me as his Secretary, and in truth my -place was no sinecure, for I never could have believed that there were -so many foolish Persons in the World who spent their time in writing -Letters--laudatory or otherwise--to such great Men as were in the public -Eye. I myself, though I have always been a wholehearted Admirer of Men -of Talent and Erudition, would never have taken it upon myself to -trouble them with Effusions from my Pen. And yet Letter after Letter -would come to the house in Tothill Street, addressed to Mr. Thomas -Betterton. Some written by great and noble Ladies whose Names would -surprise You, dear Mistress, were I to mention them; others were from -Men of position and of learning who desired to express to the great -Artist all the Pleasure that they had derived from his rendering of -noble Characters. - -Mr. Pepys, a Gentleman of great knowledge and a Clerk in the Admiralty, -wrote quite frequently to Mr. Betterton, sometimes to express unstinted -Praise for the great Actor's Performance in one of his favourite Plays, -or sometimes venturing on Criticism, which was often shrewd and never -disdained. - -But, after all, am I not wasting time by telling You that which You, -dear Mistress, know well enough from your own personal Experience? I -doubt not but you receive many such Letters, both from Admirers and from -Friends, not to mention Enemies, who are always to the fore when a Man -or Woman rises by Talent or Learning above the dead level of the rest of -Humanity. - -It was then my duty to read those Letters and to reply to them, which I -did at Mr. Betterton's Dictation, and in my choicest Caligraphy with -many Embellishments such as I had learned whilst I was Clerk to Mr. -Baggs. Thus it was that I obtained Confirmation of the Fact which was -still agitating my Mind: namely, Mr. Betterton's share in the Events -which led to His Majesty's gracious Pardon being extended to the Earl of -Stour. I had, of course, more than suspected all along that it was my -Friend who had approached the Countess of Castlemaine on the Subject, -yet could not imagine how any Man, who was smarting under such a -terrible Insult, as Mr. Betterton had suffered at the hands of my Lord -Stour, could find it in his Heart thus to return Good for Evil, and with -such splendid Magnanimity. - -But here I had Chapter and Verse for the whole Affair, because my Lady -Castlemaine wrote to Mr. Betterton more than once upon the Subject, and -always in the same bantering tone, chaffing him for his Chivalry and his -Heroism, saying very much what I should myself, if I had had the Courage -or the Presumption to do so. She kept him well informed of her -Endeavours on behalf of Lord Stour, referring to the King's Severity and -Obstinacy in the matter in no measured Language, but almost invariably -closing her Epistles with a reiteration of her promise to the great -Artist to grant him any Favour he might ask of her. - -"I do work most strenuously on your behalf, You adorably wicked Man," -her Ladyship wrote in one of her Letters; "but I could wish that You -would ask something of me which more closely concerned Yourself." - -On another occasion she said: - -"For the first time yester evening I wrung a half Promise from His -Majesty; but You cannot conceive in what a Predicament You have placed -me, for His Majesty hath shown signs of Suspicion since I plead so -earnestly on behalf of Lord Stour. If my Insistence were really to -arouse his Jealousy your Protégé would certainly lose his Head and I -probably my Place in the King's Affections." - -And then again: - -"It greatly puzzles me why You should thus favour my Lord Stour. Is it -not a fact that he hath insulted You beyond the Hope of Pardon? And yet, -not only do You plead for your Enemy with passionate insistence, but You -enjoin me at the same time to keep your noble purpose a Secret from him. -Truly, but for my promise to You, I would throw up the Sponge, and that -for your own good.... I did not know that Artists were Altruists. -Methought that Egotism was their most usual Foible." - -Thus I could no longer remain in doubt as to who the Benefactor was, -whom my Lord of Stour had to thank for his very life. Yet, withal, the -Secret was so well kept that, even in this era of ceaseless Gossip and -Chatter, every one, even in the most intimate Court Circle, was ignorant -of the subtle Intrigue which had been set in motion on behalf of the -young Gallant. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - - POISONED ARROWS - - - 1 - - -Do you remember, dear Mistress, those lovely days we had in February -this year? They were more like days of Spring than of Winter. For a -fortnight we revelled in sunshine and a temperature more fitting for May -than for one of the Winter months. - -In London, Rich and Poor alike came out into the Air like flies; the -public Gardens and other Places of common resort were alive with -Promenaders; the Walks and Arbours in the Gray's Inn Walks or the -Mulberry Garden were astir with brilliant Company. All day, whether you -sauntered in Hyde Park, refreshed yourself with a collation in Spring -Gardens or strolled into the New Exchange, you would find such a crowd -of Men and Women of Mode, such a Galaxy of Beauty and Bevy of fair Maids -and gallant Gentlemen as had not been seen in the Town since that merry -month of May, nigh on two years ago now, when our beloved King returned -from Exile and all vied one with the other to give him a cheerful -Welcome. - -To say that this period was one of unexampled Triumph for Mr. Betterton -would be but to repeat what You know just as well as I do. He made some -truly remarkable hits in certain Plays of the late Mr. William -Shakespeare, notably in "Macbeth," in "King Lear," and in "Hamlett." -Whether I like these Plays myself or not is beside the point; whatever I -thought of them I kept to myself, but was loud in my Admiration of the -great Actor, who indeed had by now conquered all Hearts, put every other -Performer in the Shade and raised the Status of the Duke's Company of -Players to a level far transcending that ever attained by Mr. -Killigrew's old Company. - -This Opinion, at any rate, I have the Honour of sharing with all the -younger generation of Play-goers who flock to the Theatre in Lincoln's -Inn Fields, even while the King's House in Vere Street is receiving but -scanty Patronage. Of course my Judgment may not be altogether -impartial, seeing that in addition to Mr. Betterton, who is the finest -Actor our English Stage has ever known, the Duke's House also boasts of -the loveliest Actress that ever walked before the Curtain. - -You, dear Mistress, were already then, as You are now, at the zenith of -your Beauty and Fame, and your damask Cheeks would blush, I know, if you -were to read for yourself some of the Eulogies which the aforementioned -Mr. Samuel Pepys in his Letters to Mr. Betterton bestows upon the -exquisite Mistress Saunderson--"Ianthe," as he has been wont to call you -ever since he saw You play that part in Sir William Davenant's "The -Siege of Rhodes." - -Of course I know that of late no other sentimental tie hath existed -outwardly between Mr. Betterton and Yourself save that of Comradeship -and friendly Intercourse; but often when sitting in the Pit of the -Theatre I watched You and Him standing together before the curtain, and -receiving the Plaudits of an enthusiastic Audience, I prayed to God in -my Heart to dissipate the Cloud of Misunderstanding which had arisen -between You; aye! and I cursed fervently the Lady Barbara and her noble -Lover, who helped to make that Cloud more sombre and impenetrable. - - - - 2 - - -I naturally heard a great deal more of Society Gossip these days than I -was wont to do during the time that I was a mere Clerk in the Employ of -Mr. Theophilus Baggs. My kind Employer treated me more as a Friend than -a Servant. I had fine Clothes to wear, accompanied him on several -Occasions when he appeared in Public, and was constantly in his -tiring-room at the Theatre, where he received and entertained a -never-ending Stream of Friends. - -Thus, towards the end of the Month, I gathered from the Conversation of -Gentlemen around me that the Marquess of Sidbury had come up to Town in -the Company of his beautiful Daughter. He had, they said, taken -advantage of the fine Weather to make the Journey to London, as he -desired to consult the Court Physician on the Matter of his Health. - -I shall never forget the strange Look that came into Mr. Betterton's -face when first the Subject was mentioned. He and some Friends--Ladies -as well as Gentlemen--were assembled in the small Reception Room which -hath lately been fitted up behind the Stage. Upholstered and curtained -with a pleasing Shade of Green, the Room is much frequented by Artists -and their Friends, and it is always crowded during the Performance of -those Plays wherein one of the leading Actors or Actresses has a part. - -We have taken to calling the place the Green Room, and here on the -occasion of a performance of Mr. Webster's "Duchess of Malfy," in which -You, dear Mistress, had no part, a very brilliant Company was assembled. -Sir William Davenant was there, as a matter of course, so was Sir George -Etherege, and that brilliant young dramatist Mr. Wycherley. In addition -to that, there were one or two very great Gentlemen there, members of -the Court Circle and enthusiastic Playgoers, who were also intimate -Friends of Mr. Betterton. I am referring particularly to the Duke of -Buckingham, to my Lord Rochester, Lord Orrery and others. A brilliant -Assembly forsooth, which testified to the high Esteem in which the great -Artist is held by all those who have the privilege of knowing him. - -I told You that when first the Name of the Lady Barbara was mentioned in -the Green Room, a strange Glance, which I was unable to interpret, shot -out of Mr. Betterton's eyes, and as I gazed upon that subtle, impalpable -Change which suddenly transformed his serene Expression of Countenance -into one that was almost Evil, I felt a curious sinking of the Heart--a -dread Premonition of what was to come. You know how his lips are ever -ready to smile: now they appeared thin and set, while the sensitive -Nostrils quivered almost like those of the wild Beasts which we have all -of us frequently watched in the Zoological Gardens, when the Attendants -bring along the food for the day and they, eager and hungry, know that -the Hour of Satisfaction is nigh. - -"The fair Lady Babs," one of the young Gallants was saying with studied -Flippancy, "is more beautiful than ever, methinks; even though she goes -about garbed in the Robes of Sorrow." - -"Poor young thing!" commented His Grace of Buckingham kindly. "She has -been hard hit in that last Affair." - -"I wonder what has happened to Wychwoode," added Lord Rochester, who had -been a known Friend of Lord Douglas. - -"Oh! he reached Holland safely enough," another Gentleman whom I did not -know averred. "I suppose he thinks that it will all blow over presently -and that he will obtain a free pardon----" - -"Like my Lord Stour," commented Mr. Betterton drily. - -"Oh! that's hardly likely," interposed Sir George Etherege. "Wychwoode -was up to the neck in the Conspiracy, whilst Stour was proved to be -innocent of the whole affair." - -"How do you know that?" Mr. Betterton asked quietly. - -"How do I know it?" retorted Sir George. "Why? ... How do we all know -it?" - -"I was wondering," was Mr. Betterton's calm Rejoinder. - -"I imagine," broke in another Gentleman, "that at the Trial----" - -"Stour never stood his trial, now you come to think of it," here -interposed my Lord of Rochester. - -"He was granted a free Pardon," asserted His Grace of Buckingham, "two -days after his Arrest." - -"At the Instance of the Countess of Castlemaine, so I am told," -concluded Mr. Betterton. - -You see, he only put in a Word here and there, but always to some -purpose; and oh! that Purpose I simply dared not guess. I was watching -him, remember, watching him as only a devoted Friend or a fond Mother -know how to watch; and I saw that set look on his Face grow harder and -harder and a steely, glittering Light flash out of his Eyes. - -My God! how I suffered! For with that Intuition which comes to us at -times when those whom we love are in deadly peril, I had suddenly beheld -the Abyss of Evil into which my Friend was about to plunge headlong. -Yes! I understood now why Mr. Betterton had pleaded with my Lady -Castlemaine for his Enemy's Life. It was not in order to confer upon -him a lasting benefit and thus shame him by his Magnanimity; but rather -in order to do him an Injury so irreparable that even Death could not -wipe it away. - -But you shall judge, dear Mistress; and thus judging You will understand -much that has been so obscure in my dear Friend's Character and in his -Actions of late. And to understand All is to forgive All. One thing -you must remember, however, and that is that no Man of Mr. Betterton's -Worth hath ever suffered in his Pride and his innermost Sensibilities as -he hath done at the Hands of that young Jackanapes whom he hated--as I -had good cause to know now--with an Intensity which was both cruel and -relentless. He meant to be even with him, to fight him with his own -Weapons, which were those of Contempt and of Ridicule. He meant to -wound there, where he himself had suffered most, in Reputation and in -Self-Respect. - -I saw it all, and was powerless to do aught save to gaze in mute -Heart-Agony on the marring of a noble Soul. Nay! I am not ashamed to -own it: I did in my Heart condemn my Friend for what he had set out to -do. I too hated Lord Stour, God forgive me! but two months ago I would -gladly have seen his arrogant Head fall upon the Scaffold; but this -subtle and calculating Revenge, this cold Intrigue to ruin a Man's -Reputation and to besmirch his Honour, was beyond my ken, and I could -have wept to see the great Soul of the Man, whom I admired most in all -the World, a prey to such an evil Purpose. - -"We all know," one of the young Sparks was saying even now, "that my -Lady Castlemaine showed Stour marked favour from the very moment he -appeared at Court." - -"We also know," added Mr. Betterton with quiet Irony, "that the whisper -of a beautiful Woman often drowns the loudest call of Honour." - -"But surely you do not think----?" riposted Lord Rochester indignantly, -"that--that----" - -"That what, my lord?" queried Mr. Betterton calmly. - -"Why, demme, that Stour did anything dishonourable?" - -"Why should I not think that?" retorted Mr. Betterton, with a slight -Elevation of the Eyebrows. - -"Because he is a Stourcliffe of Stour, Sir," broke in Sir George -Etherege in that loud, blustering way he hath at times; "and bears one -of the greatest Names in the Land." - -"A great Name is hereditary, Sir," rejoined the great Actor quietly. -"Honesty is not." - -"But what does Lady Castlemaine say about it all?" interposed Lord -Orrery. - -"Lady Castlemaine hath not been questioned on the subject, I imagine," -interposed Sir William Davenant drily. - -"Ah!" rejoined His Grace of Buckingham. "There you are wrong, Davenant. -I remember speaking to her Ladyship about Stour one day--saying how glad -I was that he, at any rate, had had nothing to do with that abominable -Affair." - -"Well?" came eagerly from every one. "What did she say?" - -His Grace remained thoughtful for a time, as if trying to recollect -Something that was eluding his Memory. Then he said, turning to Mr. -Betterton: - -"Why, Tom, you were there at the time. Do You recollect? It was at one -of Her Ladyship's Supper Parties. His Majesty was present. We all fell -to talking about the Conspiracy, and the King said some very bitter -things. Then I thought I would say something about Stour. You -remember?" - -"Oh, yes!" replied Mr. Betterton. - -"What did Lady Castlemaine say?" - -"I don't think she said anything. Methinks she only laughed." - -"So she did!" assented His Grace; "and winked at You, you Rogue! I -recollect the Circumstance perfectly now, though I attached no -importance to it at the time. But I can see it all before me. His -Majesty frowned and continued to look glum, whilst the Countess of -Castlemaine vowed with a laugh that, anyway, my lord Stour was the -handsomest Gentleman in London, and that 'twere a pity to allow such a -beautiful Head to fall on the Scaffold." - -"It certainly sounds very strange," mused my Lord Rochester, and fell to -talking in Whispers with Sir George Etherege, whilst His Grace of -Buckingham went and sat down beside Mr. Betterton, and obviously started -to discuss the Incident of the Supper Party all over again with the -great Actor. Other isolated Groups also formed themselves, and I knew -that my Lord Stour's Name was on every one's lips. - -Traducement and Gossip is Meat and Drink to all these noble and -distinguished Gentlemen, and here they had something to talk about, -which would transcend in Scandal anything that had gone before. The -story about my Lord Stour would spread with the Rapidity which only -evil-loving Tongues can give. Alas! my poor Friend knew that well -enough when he shot his poisoned Arrows into the Air. I was watching -him whilst His Grace of Buckingham conversed with him: I saw the -feverishly keen look in his eyes as he, in his turn, watched the Ball of -Slander and Gossip being tossed about from one Group to another. He -said but little, hardly gave Answer to His Grace; but I could see that -he was on the alert, ready with other little poisoned Darts whenever he -saw Signs of weakening in the Volume of Backbiting, which he had so -deliberately set going. - -"I liked Stour and I admired him," Lord Rochester said at one time. "I -could have sworn that Nature herself had written 'honest man' on his -face." - -"Ah!----" interposed Mr. Betterton, with that quiet Sarcasm which I had -learned to dread. "Nature sometimes writes with a very bad Pen." - - - - 3 - - -It was not to be wondered at that the Scandal against my Lord Stour, -which was started in the Green Room of the Theatre, grew in Magnitude -with amazing Rapidity. I could not tell you, dear Mistress, what my -innermost feelings were in regard to the Matter: being an humble and -ignorant Clerk and devoted to the one Man to whom I owe everything that -makes life pleasing. I had neither the Wish nor the mental Power to -tear my Heart to Pieces, in order to find out whether it beat in -Sympathy with my Friend, or with the Victim of such a complete and -deadly Revenge. - -My Lord Stour was not then in London. He too, like many of his -Friends--notably the Marquis of Sidbury and others not directly accused -of Participation in the aborted Plot--had retired to his Country Estate, -probably unwilling to witness the gaieties of City Life, while those he -cared for most were in such dire Sorrow. But now that the Lady Barbara -and her Father were once more in Town, there was little doubt that he -too would return there presently. Since he was a free Man, and Lord -Douglas Wychwoode had succeeded in evading the Law, there was no doubt -that the natural Elasticity of Youth coupled with the prospect of the -happy future which lay before him, would soon enable him to pick up the -Threads of Life, there where they had been so unexpectedly and -ruthlessly entangled. - -I imagine that when his Lordship first arrived in Town and once more -established himself in the magnificent Mansion in Canon's Row which I -had bitter cause to know so well, he did not truly visualize the -Atmosphere of brooding Suspicion which encompassed him where e'er he -went. If he did notice that one or two of his former Friends did give -him something of a cold shoulder, I believe that he would attribute this -more to political than to personal Reasons. He had undoubtedly been -implicated in a Conspiracy which was universally condemned for its -Treachery and Disloyalty, and no doubt for a time he would have to bear -the brunt of public Condemnation, even though the free Pardon, which had -so unexpectedly been granted him, proved that he had been more misguided -than really guilty. - -His Arrival in London, his Appearance in Public Places, his obvious -ignorance of the Cloud which was hanging over his fair Name, were the -subject of constant Discussion and Comment in the Green Room of the -Theatre as well as elsewhere. And I take it that his very Insouciance, -the proud Carelessness wherewith he met the cold Reception which had -been granted him, would soon have got over the scandalous tale which -constant Gossip alone kept alive, except that one tongue--and one -alone--never allowed that Gossip to rest. - -And that Tongue was an eloquent as well as a bitter one, and more -cunning than even I could ever have believed. - -How oft in the Green Room, in the midst of a brilliant Company, have I -listened to the flippant talk of gay young Sparks, only to hear it -drifting inevitably toward the Subject of my Lord Stour, and of that -wholly unexplainable Pardon, which had left him a free Man, whilst all -his former Associates had either perished as Traitors, or were forced to -lead the miserable life of an Exile, far from Home, Kindred and Friends. - -Drifting, did I say? Nay, the Talk was invariably guided in that -direction by the unerring Voice of a deeply outraged Man who, at last, -was taking his Revenge. A word here, an Insinuation there, a witty -Remark or a shrug of the shoulders, and that volatile sprite, Public -Opinion, would veer back from any possible doubt or leniency to the -eternally unanswered Riddle: "When so many of his Friends perished upon -the Scaffold, how was it that my Lord Stour was free?" - -How it had come about I know not, but it is certain that very soon it -became generally known that his Lordship had been entrusted by his -Friends with the distribution of Manifestos which were to rally certain -Waverers to the cause of the Conspirators. And it was solemnly averred -that it was in consequence of a Copy of this same Manifesto, together -with a list of prominent Names, coming into the hands of my Lady -Castlemaine, that so many Gentlemen were arrested and executed, and my -Lord Stour had been allowed to go scot-free. - -How could I help knowing that this last Slander had emanated from the -Green Room, with the object of laying the final stone to the edifice of -Calumnies, which was to crush an Enemy's Reputation and fair Fame beyond -the hope of Retrieval? - - - - 4 - - -A day or two later my Lord Stour, walking with a Friend in St. James's -Park, came face to face with Mr. Betterton, who had Sir William Davenant -and the Duke of Albemarle with him as well as one or two other -Gentlemen, whilst he leaned with his wonted kindness and familiarity on -my arm. Mr. Betterton would, I think, have passed by; but my Lord Stour, -ignoring him as if he were dirt under aristocratic feet, stopped with -ostentatious good-will to speak with the General. - -But his Grace did in truth give the young Lord a very cold shoulder and -Sir William Davenant, equally ostentatiously, started to relate piquant -Anecdotes to young Mr. Harry Wordsley, who was just up from the country. - -I saw my Lord Stour's handsome face darken with an angry frown. For -awhile he appeared to hesitate as to what he should do, then with scant -Ceremony he took the Duke of Albemarle by the coat-sleeve and said -hastily: - -"My Lord Duke, You and my Father fought side by side on many occasions. -Now, I like not your Attitude towards me. Will you be pleased to -explain?" - -The General tried to evade him, endeavoured to disengage his -coat-sleeve, but my Lord Stour was tenacious. A kind of brooding -Obstinacy sat upon his good-looking face, and after awhile he reiterated -with almost fierce Insistence: - -"No! no! you shall not go, my Lord, until You have explained. I am -tired," he added roughly, "of suspicious looks and covert smiles, an -atmosphere of ill-will which greets me at every turn. Politically, many -may differ from Me, but I have yet to learn that a Gentleman hath not -the right to his own Opinions without being cold-shouldered by his -Friends." - -The Duke of Albemarle allowed him to talk on for awhile. His Grace -obviously was making up his mind to take a decisive step in the matter. -After a while he did succeed in disengaging his coat-sleeve from the -persistent Clutch of his young Friend, and then, looking the latter -straight between the eyes, he said firmly: - -"My Lord, as You say, your Father and I were Friends and Comrades in -Arms. Therefore You must forgive an old Man and a plain Soldier a -pertinent question. Will you do that?" - -"Certainly," was my Lord Stour's quiet Reply. - -"Very well then," continued His Grace, while all of us who were there -held our breath, feeling that this Colloquy threatened to have a grave -issue. "Very well. I am glad that You have given me this opportunity of -hearing some sort of Explanation from You, for in truth, Rumour of late -hath been over busy with your Name." - -"An Explanation, my Lord?" the young Man said, with an added frown. - -"Aye!" replied His Grace. "That's just the Word. An Explanation. For -I, my Lord, as your Father's Friend, will ask You this: how is it that -while Teammouth, Campsfield and so many of your Associates perished upon -the Scaffold, You alone, of those implicated in that infamous Plot, did -obtain an unconditional Pardon?" - -Lord Stour stepped back as if he had been hit in the face. Boundless -Astonishment was expressed in the Gaze which he fixed upon the General, -as well as wrathful indignation. - -"My Lord!" he exclaimed, "that Question is an insult!" - -"Make me swallow mine own Words," retorted His Grace imperturbably, "by -giving me a straight Answer." - -"Mine Answer must be straight," rejoined Lord Stour firmly, "since it is -based on Truth. I do not know." - -The Duke shrugged his Shoulders, and there came a sarcastic laugh from -more than one of the Gentlemen there. - -"I give your Lordship my Word of Honour," Lord Stour insisted haughtily. -Then, as His Grace remained silent, with those deep-set eyes of his -fixed searchingly upon the young Man, the latter added vehemently: "Is -then mine Honour in question?" - -Whereupon Mr. Betterton, who hitherto had remained silent, interposed -very quietly: - -"The honour of some Gentlemen, my Lord, is like the Manifestation of -Ghosts--much talked of ... but always difficult to prove!" - -You know his Voice, dear Mistress, and that subtle carrying Power which -it has, although he never seems to raise it. After he had spoken You -could have heard the stirring of every little twig in the trees above -us, for no one said another Word for a moment or two. We all stood -there, a compact little Group: Lord Stour facing the Duke of Albemarle -and Mr. Betterton standing a step or two behind His Grace, his fine, -expressive Face set in a mask of cruel Irony. Sir William Davenant and -the other Gentlemen had closed in around those three. They must have -felt that some strange Storm of Passions was brewing, and instinctively -they tried to hide its lowering Clouds from public gaze. - -Fortunately there were not many Passers-by just then, and the little -Scene remained unnoted by the idly curious, who are ever wont to collect -in Crowds whenever anything strange to them happens to attract their -Attention. - -My Lord Stour was the first to recover Speech. He turned on Mr. -Betterton with unbridled Fury. - -"What!" he cried, "another sting from that venomous Wasp? I might have -guessed that so miserable a Calumny came from such a vile Caitiff as -this!" - -"Abuse is not Explanation, my Lord," interposed the Duke of Albemarle -firmly. "And I must remind you that you have left my Question -unanswered." - -"Put it more intelligibly, my Lord," retorted Lord Stour haughtily. "I -might then know how to reply." - -"Very well," riposted His Grace, still apparently unmoved. "I will put -it differently. I understand that your Associates entrusted their -treasonable Manifestos to you. Is that a fact?" - -"I'll not deny it." - -"You cannot," rejoined the Duke drily. "Sir James Campsfield, in the -course of his Trial, admitted that he had received his Summons through -You. But a Copy of that Manifesto came into the hands of my Lady -Castlemaine just in time to cause the Conspiracy to abort. How was -that?" - -"Some Traitor," replied Lord Stour hotly, "of whom I have no -Cognizance." - -"Yet it was You," riposted the General quietly, "who received a free -Pardon ... no one else. How was that?" he reiterated more sternly. - -"I have sworn to You that I do not know," protested my Lord Stour -fiercely. - -He looked now like a Man at Bay, trapped in a Net which was closing in -around him and from which he was striving desperately to escape. His -face was flushed, his eyes glowed with an unnatural fire. And always -his restless gaze came back to Mr. Betterton, who stood by, calm and -impassive, apparently disinterested in this Colloquy wherein a man's -Honour was being tossed about to the Winds of Slander and of Infamy. -Now Lord Stour gazed around him, striving to find one line of genuine -Sympathy on the stern Faces which were confronting him. - -"My word of Honour, Gentlemen," he exclaimed with passionate -Earnestness, "that I do not know." - -Honestly, I think that one or two of them did feel for him and were -inclined to give him Credence. After all, these young Fops are not -wicked; they are only mischievous, as Children or young Puppies are wont -to be, ready to snarl at one another, to yap and to tear to pieces -anything that happens to come in their way. Moreover, there was the -great bond of Caste between these People. They were, in their innermost -Hearts, loth to believe that one of themselves--a Gentleman, one bearing -a great Name--could be guilty of this type of foul Crime which was more -easily attributable to a Plebeian. It was only their Love of -Scandal-monging and of Backbiting that had kept the Story alive all -these weeks. Even now there were one or two sympathetic Murmurs amongst -those present when my Lord Stour swore by his Honour. - -But just then Mr. Betterton's voice was heard quite distinctly above -that Murmur: - -"Honour is a strangely difficult word to pronounce on the Stage," he was -saying to Sir William Davenant, apparently _į propos_ of something the -latter had remarked just before. "You try and say it, Davenant; you -will see how it always dislocates your Jaw, yet produces no effect." - -"Therefore, Mr. Actor," Lord Stour broke in roughly, "it should only be -spoken by those who have a glorious Ancestry behind them to teach them -its true Significance." - -"Well spoken, my Lord," Mr. Betterton rejoined placidly. "But you must -remember that but few of His Majesty's Servants have a line of glorious -Ancestry behind them. In that way they differ from many Gentlemen who, -having nothing but their Ancestry to boast of, are very like a -Turnip--the best of them is under the ground." - -This Sally was greeted with loud Laughter, and by a subtle process which -I could not possibly define, the wave of Sympathy which was setting in -the direction of my Lord Stour, once more receded from him, leaving him -wrathful and obstinate, His Grace of Albemarle stern, and the young Fops -flippant and long-tongued as before. - -"My Lord Stour," the General now broke in once more firmly, "'tis You -sought this Explanation, not I. Now You have left my Question -unanswered. Your Friends entrusted their Manifestos to You. How came one -of these in Lady Castlemaine's hands?" - -And the young Man, driven to bay, facing half a dozen pairs of eyes that -held both Contempt and Enmity in their glance, reiterated hoarsely: - -"I have sworn to You that I do not know." Then he added: "Hath Loyalty -then left this unfortunate Land, that You can all believe such a vile -thing of me?" - -And in the silence that ensued, Mr. Betterton's perfectly modulated -Voice was again raised in quietly sarcastic accents: - -"As You say, my Lord," he remarked. "Loyalty hath left this unfortunate -Country. Perhaps," he added with a light shrug of the shoulders, "to -take Refuge with your glorious Ancestry." - -This last Gibe, however, brought my Lord Stour's exasperation to a -raging Fury. Pushing unceremoniously past His Grace of Albemarle, who -stood before him, he took a step forward and confronted Mr. Betterton -eye to eye and, drawing himself up to his full Height, he literally -glowered down upon the great Artist, who stood his Ground, placid and -unmoved. - -"Insolent Varlet!" came in raucous tones from the young Lord's quivering -lips. "If you had a spark of chivalry or of honour in You----" - -At the arrogant Insult every one drew their breath. A keen Excitement -flashed in every eye. Here was at last a Quarrel, one that must end in -bloodshed. Just what was required--so thought these young Rakes, I feel -sure--to clear the Atmosphere and to bring abstruse questions of -Suspicion and of Honour to a level which they could all of them -understand. Only the Duke of Albemarle, who, like a true and great -Soldier, hath the greatest possible Abhorrence for the gentlemanly -Pastime of Duelling, tried to interpose. But Mr. Betterton, having -provoked the Quarrel, required no interference from any one. You know -his way, dear Mistress, as well as I do--that quiet Attitude which he is -wont to assume, that fraction of a second's absolute Silence just before -he begins to speak. I know of no Elocutionist's trick more telling than -that. It seems to rivet the Attention, and at the same time to key up -Excitement and Curiosity to its greatest strain. - -"By your leave, my Lord," he said slowly, and his splendid Voice rose -just to a sufficient pitch of Loudness to be distinctly heard by those -immediately near him, but not one yard beyond. "By your leave, let us -leave the word 'honour' out of our talk. It hath become ridiculous and -obsolete, now that every Traitor doth use it for his own ends." - -But in truth my Lord Stour now was beside himself with Fury. - -"By gad!" he exclaimed with a harsh laugh. "I might have guessed that it -was your pestilential Tongue which stirred up this Treason against me. -Liar!--Scoundrel!----" - -He was for heaping up one Insult upon the other, lashing himself as it -were into greater Fury still, when Mr. Betterton's quietly ironical -laugh broke in upon his senseless ebullitions. - -"Liar?--Scoundrel, am I?" he said lightly, and, still laughing, he -turned to the Gentlemen who stood beside him. "Nay! if the sight of a -Scoundrel offends his Lordship, he should shut himself up in his own -Room ... and break his Mirror!" - -At this, my Lord Stour lost the last vestige of his self-control, seized -Mr. Betterton by the Shoulder and verily, I thought, made as if he would -strike him. - -"You shall pay for this Insolence!" he cried. - -But already, with perfect _sang-froid_, the great Artist had arrested -his Lordship's uplifted hand and wrenched it away from his shoulder. - -"By your leave, my Lord," he said, and with delicate Fingers flicked the -dust from off his coat. "This coat was fashioned by an honest tailor, -and hath never been touched by a Traitor's hand." - -I thought then that I could see Murder writ plainly on My Lord's face, -which was suddenly become positively livid. The Excitement around us -was immense. In truth I am convinced that every Gentleman there present -at the moment, felt that something more deep and more intensely bitter -lay at the Root of this Quarrel, between the young Lord and the great -and popular Artist. Even now some of them would have liked to -interfere, whilst the younger ones undoubtedly enjoyed the Spectacle and -were laying, I doubt not, imaginary Wagers as to which of the two -Disputants would remain Master of the Situation. - -His Grace of Albemarle tried once more to interpose with all the -Authority of his years and of his distinguished Position, for indeed -there was something almost awesome in Lord Stour's Wrath by now. But -Mr. Betterton took the Words at once out of the great General's mouth. - -"Nay, my Lord," he said with quiet Firmness, "I pray You, do not -interfere. I am in no danger, I assure You. My Lord Stour would wish -to kill me, no doubt. But, believe me, Fate did not ordain that Tom -Betterton should die by such a hand ... the fickle Jade hath too keen a -Sense of Humour." - -Whereupon he made a movement, as if to walk away. I felt the drag upon -my arm where his slender hand was still resting. The Others were -silent. What could they say? Senseless Numskulls though they were for -the most part, they had enough Perception to realize that between these -two Men there was Hatred so bitter that no mere Gentlemanly Bloodshed -could ever wipe it away. - -But ere Mr. Betterton finally turned to go, my Lord of Stour stepped out -in front of him. All the Rage appeared to have died out of him. He was -outwardly quite calm, only a weird twitching of his lips testified to -the Storm of Passion which he had momentarily succeeded in keeping under -control. - -"Mr. Actor," he said slowly, "but a few Weeks ago You asked me to cross -swords with You.... I refused then, for up to this hour I have never -fought a Duel save with an Equal. But now, I accept," he added -forcefully, even while the Words came veiled and husky from his throat. -"I accept. Do You hear me? ... for the laws of England do not permit a -Murder, and as sure as there's a Heaven above me, I am going to kill -You." - -Mr. Betterton listened to him until the end. You know that Power which -he hath of seeming to tower above every one who stands nigh him? Well! -he exercised that Power now. He stepped quite close to my Lord Stour, -and though the latter is of more than average height, Mr. Betterton -literally appeared to soar above him, with the sublime Magnificence of -an outraged Man coming into his own at last. - -"My Lord of Stour," he said, with perfect quietude, "a few weeks ago you -insulted me as Man never dared to insult Man before. With every blow -dealt upon my shoulders by your Lacqueys, You outraged the Majesty of -Genius ... yes! its Majesty! ... its Godhead! ... You raised your -insolent hand against me--against me, the Artist, whom God Himself hath -crowned with Immortality. For a moment then, my outraged Manhood -clamoured for satisfaction. I asked You to cross swords with me, for -You seemed to me ... then ... worthy of that Honour. But to-day, my -Lord of Stour," he continued, whilst every Word he spoke seemed to -strike upon the ear like Blows from a relentless Hammer; "Traitor to -your Friends, Liar and Informer!!!! Bah! His Majesty's Well-Beloved -Servant cannot fight with such as You!" - -In truth I do not remember what happened after that. The unutterable -Contempt, the Disgust, the Loathing expressed in my Friend's whole -Attitude, seemed to hit even me between the eyes. I felt as if some -giant Hands had thrown a kind of filmy grey veil over my Head, for I -heard and saw nothing save a blurred and dim Vision of uplifted Arms, of -clenched Fists and of a general Scrimmage, of which my Lord Stour -appeared to be the Centre, whilst my ears only caught the veiled Echo of -Words flung hoarsely into the air: - -"Let me go! Let me go! I must kill him! I must!" - -Mr. Betterton, on the other hand, remained perfectly calm. I felt a -slight pressure on my arm and presently realized that he and I had -turned and were walking away down the Avenue of the Park, and leaving -some way already behind us, a seething mass of excited Gentlemen, all -intent on preventing Murder being committed then and there. - -What the outcome of it all would be, I could not visualize. Mr. -Betterton had indeed been able to give Insult for Insult and Outrage for -Outrage at last. For this he had schemed and worked and planned all -these weeks. Whether God and Justice were on his side in this terrible -Revenge, I dared not ask myself, nor yet if the Weapon which he had -chosen were worthy of his noble Character and of his Integrity. That -public Opinion was on his side, I concluded from the fact that the Duke -of Albemarle and Sir William Davenant both walked a few yards with him -after he had turned his back on my Lord, and that His Grace constituting -himself Spokesman for himself and Sir William, offered their joint -Services to Mr. Betterton in case he changed his mind and agreed to -fight my Lord Stour in duel. - -"I thank your Grace," was Mr. Betterton's courteous reply; "but I am not -like to change my Mind on that Score." - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - - THE LADY PLEADS - - - 1 - - -I am not able quite to determine in my own mind whether the Lady Barbara -Wychwoode did hear and see something of the violent Scene which I have -just attempted to describe. - -I told You, dear Mistress, that fortunately for us all, this part of the -Park where the Scene occurred was for the moment practically deserted. -At any rate, no Crowd collected around us, for which, methinks, we were, -every one of us, thankful. If a few of the Passers-by heard anything of -the altercation, they merely hurried past, thinking no doubt, that it -was only one or two young City Sparks, none too sober even at this -morning hour, who were quarrelling among themselves. - -When we walked away down the Avenue which leads in the direction of -Knight's Bridge, Mr. Betterton's well-known, elegant figure was remarked -by a few Pedestrians on their way to and fro, as was also the familiar -one of the Duke of Albemarle, and some People raised their hats to the -great Artist, whilst others saluted the distinguished General. - -Presently His Grace and Sir William Davenant took leave of Mr. -Betterton, and a few moments later the latter suggested that we should -also begin to wend our way homewards. - -We retraced our steps and turned back in the direction of Westminster. -Mr. Betterton was silent; he walked quite calmly, with head bent and -firm footsteps, and I, knowing his humour, walked along in silence by -his side. - -Then suddenly we came upon the Lady Barbara. - -That she had sought this meeting I could not doubt for a moment. Else, -how should a Lady of her Rank and Distinction be abroad, and in a public -Park, unattended? Indeed, I was quite sure that she had only dismissed -her maid when she saw Mr. Betterton coming along, and that the Wench was -lurking somewhere behind one of the shrubberies, ready to accompany her -Ladyship home when the interview was at an end. - -I said that I am even now doubtful as to whether the Lady Barbara saw -and heard something of the violent Altercation which had taken place a -quarter of an hour ago between her Lover and the great Actor. If not, -she certainly displayed on that occasion that marvellous intuition which -is said to be the prerogative of every Woman when she is in love. - -She was walking on the further side of Rosamond Pond when first I caught -sight of her, and when she reached the Bridge, she came deliberately to -a halt. There is no other way across the Pond save by the Bridge, so -Mr. Betterton could not have escaped the meeting even if he would. -Seeing the Lady, he raised his hat and made a deep bow of respectful -salutation. He then crossed the Bridge and made as if he would pass by, -but she held her Ground, in the very centre of the Path, and when he was -quite near her, she said abruptly: - -"Mr. Betterton, I desire a word with you." - -He came at once to a halt, and replied with perfect deference: - -"I await your Ladyship's commands." - - - - 2 - - -I was for hurrying away, thinking that my Presence would be irksome both -to the Lady and to my Friend; but an unmistakable pressure of Mr. -Betterton's hand on my arm caused me to stay where I was. As for the -Lady, she appeared not to care whether I stayed or went, for immediately -she retorted: - -"My commands, Sir Actor? They are, that you at once and completely do -Reparation for the wrong which you are trying to do to an innocent Man." - -She looked proud and commanding as a Queen, looking through the veil of -her lashes at Mr. Betterton as if he were a supplicating Slave rather -than the great Artist whom cultured Europe delighted to honour. Never -did I admire my Friend so much as I did then. His self-possession was -perfect: his attitude just the right balance 'twixt deference due to a -beautiful Woman and the self-assurance which comes of conscious Worth. -He looked splendid, too--dressed in the latest fashion and with unerring -taste. The fantastic cut of his modish clothes became his artistic -Personality to perfection: the soft shade of mulberry of which his coat -was fashioned made an harmonious note of colour in the soft grey mist of -this late winter's morning. The lace at his throat and wrists was of -unspeakable value, filmy and gossamer-like in texture as a cobweb; and -in his cravat glittered a diamond, a priceless gift to the great English -Artist from the King of France. - -Indeed, the Lady Barbara Wychwoode might look the world-famous Actor up -and down with well-studied superciliousness; she might issue her -commands to him as if she were his royal Mistress and he but a Menial -set there to obey her behest; but, whatever she did, she could not dwarf -his Personality. He had become too great for disdain or sneers ever to -touch him again; and the shafts of scorn aimed at him by those who would -set mere Birth above the claims of Genius, would only find their points -broken or blunted against the impenetrable armour of his Glory and his -Fame. - -For the nonce, I think that he was ready enough to parley with the Lady -Barbara. He had not to my knowledge spoken with her since that never -forgotten day last September; and I, not understanding the complex -workings of an Artist's heart, knew not if his Love for her had outlived -the crying outrage, or had since then turned to Hate. - -In answer to her peremptory command, he assumed an air of innocent -surprise. - -"I?" he queried. "Your Ladyship is pleased to speak in riddles." - -"Nay!" she retorted. "'Tis you, Sir, who choose not to understand. But -I'll speak more plainly, an you wish. I am a woman, Mr. Actor, and I -love the Earl of Stour. Now, you know just as well as I do, that his -Lordship's honour has of late been impugned in a manner that is most -mysterious. His Friends accuse him of treachery; even mere -Acquaintances prefer to give him the cold shoulder. And this without -any definite Indictment being levelled against him. Many there are who -will tell You that they have not the faintest conception of what crime -my Lord Stour stands accused. Others aver that they'll not believe any -Slander that may be levelled against so high-souled a Gentleman. -Nevertheless, the Slander continues. Nay! it gathers volume as it worms -its way from one house to another, shedding poison in its wake as it -drifts by; and more and more People now affect to look another way when -the Earl of Stour comes nigh them, and to be otherwise engaged when he -desires to shake them by the hand." - -She paused for a moment, obviously to regain her Composure, which was -threatening to leave her. Her cheeks were pale as ashes, her breath came -and went in quick, short gasps. The Picture which she herself had drawn -of her Lover's plight caused her heart to ache with bitterness. She -seemed for the moment to expect something--a mere comment, perhaps, or a -word of Sympathy, from Mr. Betterton. But none came. He stood there, -silent and deferential, with lips firmly set, his slender Hand clutched -upon the gold knob of his stick, till the knuckles shone creamy-white, -like ivory. He regarded her with an air of Detachment rather than -Sympathy, and though by her silence she appeared to challenge him now, -he did not speak, and after awhile she resumed more calmly: - -"My Lord of Stour himself is at his wits' ends to interpret the attitude -of his Friends. Nothing tangible in the way of a spoken Calumny hath as -yet reached his ears. And his life has been rendered all the more -bitter that he feels that he is being struck by a persistent but -mysterious Foe in what he holds dearer than aught else on earth, his -Integrity and his Honour." - -"'Tis a sad case," here rejoined Mr. Betterton, for her Ladyship had -paused once more. "But, by your leave, I do not see in what way it -concerns me." - -"Nay! but I think you do, Sir Actor," Lady Barbara riposted harshly. -"Love and Hate, remember, see clearly where mere Friendship and -Indifference are blind. Love tells me that the Earl of Stour's -Integrity is Unstained, his Honour unsullied. But the Hatred which you -bear him," added her Ladyship almost fiercely, "makes me look to You for -the cause of his Disgrace." - -No one, however, could have looked more utterly astonished, more bland -and uncomprehending, as Mr. Betterton did at that moment. He put up his -hand and regarded the Lady with an indulgent smile, such as one would -bestow on a hot-headed Child. - -"Nay, your Ladyship!" he said courteously. "I fear that you are -attributing to an humble Mountebank a power he doth not possess. To -disgrace a noble Gentleman?" he exclaimed with well-feigned horror. -"I?--a miserable Varlet--an insolent cur whom one thrashes if he dares -to bark!" - -"Ah!" she broke in, with a swift exclamation. "Then I have guessed the -truth! This is your Revenge!" - -"Revenge?" he queried blandly. "For what?" - -"You hate the Earl of Stour," she retorted. - -Once more his well-shaped hand went up, as if in gentle protest, and he -uttered a kind and deprecating "Oh!" - -"You look upon the Earl of Stour as your enemy!" she insisted. - -"I have so many, your Ladyship," he riposted with a smile. - -"'Twas you who obtained his Pardon from my Lady Castlemaine." - -"The inference is scarcely logical," he retorted. "A man does not as a -rule sue for pardon for his Enemy." - -"I think," she rejoined slowly, "that in this case Mr. Betterton did the -illogical thing." - -"Then I do entreat your Ladyship," he protested with mock terror, "not -to repeat this calumny. _I_, accused of a noble action! Tom Betterton -pardoning his Enemies! Why, my friends might believe it, and it is so -difficult these days to live down a good Reputation." - -"You choose to sharpen your wit at my expense, Sir Actor," the lady -rejoined with her former haughtiness, "and to evade the point." - -"What is the point, your Ladyship?" he queried blandly. - -"That you set an end to all these Calumnies which are levelled against -the Earl of Stour." - -"How can we stay the Sun in his orbit?" he retorted; "or the Stars in -their course?" - -"You mean that your Campaign of Slander has already gone too far? But -remember this, Mr. Betterton: that poisoned darts sometimes wound the -hand that throws them. You may pursue the Earl of Stour with your -Hatred and your Calumnies, but God will never allow an innocent Man to -suffer unjustly." - -Just for a few seconds Mr. Betterton was silent. He was still regarding -the Lady with that same indulgent smile which appeared to irritate her -nerves. To me, the very air around seemed to ring as if with a clash of -ghostly arms--the mighty clash of two Wills and two Temperaments, each -fighting for what it holds most dear: she for the Man whom she loved, he -for his Dignity which had been so cruelly outraged. - -"God will never allow," she reiterated with slow emphasis, "an innocent -Man to suffer at the hands of a Slanderer." - -"Ah!" riposted Mr. Betterton suavely. "Is your Ladyship not reckoning -over-confidently on Divine interference?" - -"I also reckon," she retorted, "on His Majesty's sense of justice--and -on the Countess of Castlemaine, who must know the truth of the affair." - -"His Majesty's senses are very elusive," he rejoined drily, "and are apt -to play him some wayward tricks when under the influence of the Countess -of Castlemaine. The Earl of Stour, it seems, disdained the favours -which that Lady was willing to bestow on him. He preferred the superior -charms and intellect of the Lady Barbara Wychwoode. A very natural -preference, of course," he added, with elaborate gallantry. "But I can -assure your Ladyship that, as Helpmeets to heavenly Interference, -neither His Majesty nor the Countess of Castlemaine are to be reckoned -with." - -She bit her lip and cast her eyes to the ground. I could see that her -lovely face expressed acute disappointment and that she was on the verge -of tears. I am not versed in the ways of gentle Folk nor yet in those of -Artists, but I could have told the Lady Barbara Wychwoode that if she -wanted to obtain Sympathy or Leniency from Mr. Betterton, she had gone -quite the wrong way to work. - -Even now, I think if she had started to plead ... but the thought of -humbling herself before a Man whom she affected to despise was as far -from this proud Woman's heart, as are thoughts of self-glorification -from mine. - -A second or two later she had succeeded in forcing back the tears which -had welled to her eyes, and she was able once more to look her Adversary -straight in the face. - -"And will you tell me, Sir Actor," she queried with cold aloofness, "how -far you intend to carry on this Infamy?" - -And Mr. Betterton replied, equally coldly and deliberately: - -"To the uttermost limits of the Kingdom, Madam." - -"What do you mean?" she riposted. - -He drew a step or two nearer to her. His face too was pale by now, his -lips trembling, his eyes aglow with Passion masterfully kept under -control. His perfect voice rose and fell in those modulated Cadences -which we have all learned to appreciate. - -"Only this, your Ladyship," he began quite slowly. "For the present, -the History of the Earl of Stour's treachery is only guessed at by a -few. It is a breath of Scandal, born as you say somewhat mysteriously, -wafted through Palaces and noble Mansions to-day--dead, mayhap, -to-morrow. But I have had many opportunities for thought of late," he -continued--and it seemed to me as if in his quivering voice I could -detect a tone of Threat as well as of Passion--"and have employed my -leisure moments in writing an Epilogue which I propose to speak -to-morrow, after the Play, His Majesty and all the Court being present, -and many Gentlemen and Ladies of high degree, as well as Burgesses and -Merchants of the City, and sundry Clerks and other humbler Folk. A -comprehensive Assembly, what? and an attentive one; for that low-born -Mountebank, Tom Betterton, will be appearing in a new play and the -Playhouse will be filled to the roof in order to do him honour. May I -hope that the Lady Barbara Wychwoode herself----" - -"A truce on this foolery, Sir," she broke in harshly. "I pray you come -to the point." - -She tried to look brave and still haughty, but I knew that she was -afraid--knew it by the almost unearthly pallor of her skin, and the -weird glitter in her eyes as she regarded him, like a Bird fascinated by -a Snake. - -"The point is the Epilogue, my Lady," Mr. Betterton replied blandly. -"And after I have spoken it to-morrow, I shall speak it again and yet -again, until its purport is known throughout the length and breadth of -the Land. The subject of that Epilogue, Madam, will be the secret -History of a certain aborted Conspiracy, and how it was betrayed in -exchange for a free Pardon by one of our noblest Gentlemen in England. -Then, I pray your Ladyship to mark what will happen," he continued, and -his melodious voice became as hard and trenchant as the clang of metal -striking metal. "After that Epilogue has been spoken from the Stage -half a dozen times after His Majesty has heard it and shrugged his -shoulders, after my Lady Castlemaine has laughed over it and my Lord of -Rochester aped it in one of his Pasquinades, there will be a man whose -Name will be a by-word for everything that is most infamous and most -false--a Name that will be bandied about in Taverns and in drinking -Booths, quipped, decried, sneered at, anathematized; a Name that will be -the subject of every lampoon and every scurrilous rhyme that finds -over-ready purchasers--a Name, in fact, that will for ever be whispered -with bated breath or bandied about in a drunken brawl, whene'er there is -talk of treachery and of dishonour!" - -At this, she--great Lady to her finger tips--threw up her head proudly, -still defying him, still striving to hide her Fears and unwilling to -acknowledge Defeat. - -"It will be your Word against his," she said with a disdainful curl of -her perfect lips. "No one would listen to such calumnies." - -And he--the world-famed Artist--at least as proud as any high born -Gentleman in the Land, retorted, equally haughtily: - -"When Tom Betterton speaks upon the Stage, my Lady, England holds her -breath and listens spellbound." - -I would I could render the noble Accent of his magnificent Voice as he -said this. There was no self-glorification in it, no idle boasting; it -was the accent of transcendent Worth conscious of its Power. - -And it had its effect upon the Lady Barbara Wychwoode. She lowered her -Eyes, but not before I had perceived that they were full of Tears; her -Lips were trembling still, but no longer with Disdain, and her hands -suddenly dropped to her side with a pathetic gesture of Discouragement -and of Anguish. - -The next moment, however, she was again looking the great Actor fully in -the face. A change had come over her, quite suddenly methought--a great -Change, which had softened her Mood and to a certain extent lowered her -Pride. Whether this was the result of Mr. Betterton's forceful -Eloquence or of her own Will-power, I could not guess; but I myself -marvelled at the Tone of Entreaty which had crept into her Voice. - -"You will not speak such Falsehoods in Public, Sir," she said with -unwonted softness. "You will not thus demean your Art--the Art which -you love and hold in respect. Oh, there must be some Nobility in You! -else you were not so talented. Your Soul must in truth be filled with -Sentiments which are neither ignoble nor base." - -"Nay!" he exclaimed, and this time did not strive to conceal the intense -Bitterness which, as I knew well enough, had eaten into his very Soul; -"but your Ladyship is pleased to forget. I am ignoble and base! There -cannot be Nobility in me. I am only the low-born Lout! Ask my Lord of -Stour; ask your Brother! They will tell you that I have no Feelings, no -Pride, no Manhood--that I am only a despicable Varlet, whom every -Gentleman may mock and insult and whip like a dog. To You and to your -Caste alone belong Nobility, Pride and Honour. Honour!!!"--and he broke -into a prolonged laugh, which would have rent your Heart to -hear--"Honour! Your false Fetish! Your counterfeit God!! Very well, -then so be it!! That very Honour which he hath denied me, I will wrench -from him. And since he denied me Satisfaction by the Sword, I turn to -my own weapon--my Art--and with it I will exact from him to the -uttermost fraction, Outrage for Outrage--Infamy for Infamy." - -His wonderful Voice shook, broke almost into a sob at last. I felt a -choking sensation in my Throat and my Eyes waxed hot with unshed Tears. -As if through a mist, I could see the exquisite Lady Barbara Wychwoode -before me, could see that she, too, was moved, her Pride crushed, her -Disdain yielding to involuntary Sympathy. - -"But he is innocent!" she pleaded, with an accent verging on Despair. - -"And so was I!" was his calm retort. - -"He----" she entreated, "he loves me----" - -"And so do I!" he exclaimed, with a depth of Passion which brought the -hot Blood to her pale Cheeks. "_I_ would have given my Life for one -Smile from your Lips." - -Whereupon, womanlike, she shifted her ground, looked him straight -between the Eyes, and, oh! I could have blushed to see the Wiles she -used in order to weaken his Resolve. - -"You love me?" she queried softly, and there was now a tone of almost -tender Reproach in her Voice. "You love me! yet you would drag the Man -who is dearer to me than Life to Dishonour and to Shame. You trap him, -like a Fowler does a Bird, then crush him with Falsehoods and Calumnies! -No, no!" she exclaimed--came a step or two nearer to him and clasped her -delicate Hands together in a Gesture that was akin to Prayer. "I'll not -believe it! You will tell the Truth, Mr. Betterton, publicly, and clear -him.... You will.... You will! For my sake--since You say You love -me." - -But the more eager, the more appealing she grew, the calmer and more -calculating did he seem. Now it was his turn to draw away from Her, to -measure Her, as it were, with a cold, appraising Look. - -"For Your sake?" he said with perfect quietude, almost as if the matter -had become outside himself. I cannot quite explain the air of detachment -which he assumed--for it was an assumption, on that I would have staked -my Life at the moment. I, who know him so well, felt that deep down -within his noble Heart there still burned the fierce flames of an ardent -Passion, but whether of Love or Hate, I could not then have told You. - -She had recoiled at the coolness of his Tone; and he went on, still -speaking with that strange, abnormal Calm: - -"Yes!" he said slowly, "for _Your_ love I would do what You ask ... I -would forego that Feast of Satisfaction, the Thought of which hath alone -kept me sane these past few months.... Yes! for the Love of Lady -Barbara Wychwoode I could bring myself to forgive even his Lordship of -Stour for the irreparable wrong which he hath done to Me. I would -restore to him his Honour, which now lies, a Forfeit, in my Hands: for I -shall then have taken Something from him which he holds well-nigh as -dear." - -He paused, and met with the same calm relentlessness the look of Horror -and of Scorn wherewith she regarded him. - -"For my Love?" she exclaimed, and once more the warm Blood rushed up to -her face, flooding her wan Cheeks, her pale Forehead, even her delicate -Throat with crimson. "You mean that I? ... Oh! ... what Infamy! ... So, -Mr. Actor, that was your reckoning!" she went on with supreme Disdain. -"It was not the desire for Vengeance that prompted You to slander the -Earl of Stour, but the wish to entrap _me_ into becoming your Wife. You -are not content with Your Laurels. You want a Coat of Arms ... and -hoped to barter one against Your Calumnies!" - -"Nay, your Ladyship!" he rejoined simply, "in effect, I was actually -laying a Name famed throughout the cultured world humbly at your feet. -You made an appeal to my Love for You--and I laid a test for your -Sincerity. Mine I have placed beyond question, seeing that I am -prepared to drag my Genius in the dust before Your Pride and the -Arrogance of Your Caste. An Artist is a Slave of his Sensibilities, and -I feel that if, in the near Future, I could see a Vision of your perfect -hand resting content in mine, if, when You pleaded again for my Lord -Stour, You did so as my promised Wife--not his--I would do all that You -asked." - -She drew herself up to her full height and glanced at him with all the -Pride which awhile ago had seemed crushed beyond recall. - -"Sir Actor," she said coldly, "shame had gripped me by the throat, or I -should not have listened so long to such an Outrage. The Bargain You -propose is an Infamy and an Insult." - -And she gathered up her Skirts around her, as if their very contact with -the Soil on which he trod were a pollution. Then she half turned as if -ready to go, cast a rapid glance at the Shrubberies close by, no doubt -in search of her Attendant. Why it was that she did not actually go, I -could not say, but guessed that, mayhap, she would not vacate the Field -of Contention until quite sure that there was not a final Chance to -soften the Heart of the Enemy. She had thrown down yet another Challenge -when she spoke of his proposed Bargain as an Infamy; but he took up the -Gage with the same measured Calm as before. - -"As you will," he said. "It was in Your Ladyship's name that the Earl -of Stour put upon Me the deadliest Insult which any Man hath ever put on -Man before. Since then, every Fibre within Me has clamoured for -Satisfaction. My Work hath been irksome to me ... I scarce could think -... My Genius lay writhing in an agony of Shame. But now the hour is -mine--for it I have schemed and lied--aye, lied--like the low-born cur -You say I am. A thousand Devils of Hate and of Rage are unchained -within me. I cannot grapple with them alone. They would only yield--to -your kiss." - -"Oh!" she cried in uttermost despair, "this is horrible!" - -"Then let the Man you love," he rejoined coldly, "look to himself." - -"Conscious of his Innocence, my Lord Stour and I defy you!" - -"Ah, well!" he said imperturbably, "the Choice is still with Your -Ladyship. Remember that I do not speak my Epilogue until to-morrow. -When I do, it will be too late. I have called my Phantasy 'The Comedie -of Traitors.'" - -Whereupon he bowed low before her, in the most approved Fashion. But -already she was fleeing up the path in the direction of Westminster. -Soon her graceful Figure was lost to our sight behind an intervening -clump of Laurels. Here no doubt her Ladyship's Attendant was waiting -for her Mistress, for anon I spied two figures hurrying out of the Park. - - - - 3 - - -For a long time Mr. Betterton remained standing just where he was, one -hand still clutching the knob of his Stick, the other thrust in the -pocket of his capacious Coat. I could not see his Face, since his Back -was turned towards me, and I did not dare move lest I should be -interrupting his Meditations. But to Me, even that Back was expressive. -There was a listlessness, hardly a stoop, about it, so unlike my -Friend's usual firm and upright Carriage. How could this be otherwise, -seeing what he had just gone through--Emotions that would have swept -most Men off their mental balance. Yet he kept his, had never once lost -control of himself. He had met Disdain with Disdain in the end, had -kept sufficient control over his Voice to discuss with absolute calm, -that Bargain which the Lady Barbara had termed infamous. There had been -a detachment about his final Ultimatum, a "take it or leave it" air, -which must have been bitterly galling to the proud Lady who had stooped -to entreat. He was holding the winning Hand and did not choose to -yield. - -And it was from his attitude on that Day that I, dear Mistress, drew an -unerring inference. Mr. Betterton had no Love for the Lady Barbara, no -genuine, lasting Affection such as, I maintain, he has never ceased to -feel for You. Passion swayed him, because he has, above all, that -unexplainable artistic Temperament which cannot be measured by everyday -Standards. Pride, Bitterness, Vengefulness--call it what you will; but -there was not a particle of Love in it all. I verily believe that his -chief Desire, whilst he stood pondering there at the bridgehead, was to -humiliate the Lady Barbara Wychwoode by forcing her into a Marriage -which she had affected to despise. He was not waiting for her with -open, loving Arms, ready to take her to his Heart, there to teach her to -forget the Past in the safe haven of his Love. He was not waiting to -lay his Service at her feet, and to render her happy as the cherished -Wife and Helpmate of the great Artist whom all England delighted to -honour. He was only waiting to make her feel that She had been -subjected to his Will and her former Lover brought down to Humiliation, -through the Power of the miserable Mountebank whom they had both deemed -less than a Man. - -Thus meditating, I stood close to my Friend, until Chance or a fleeting -Thought brought him back to the realities of Life. He sighed and looked -about him, as a Man will who hath just wakened from a Dream. Then he -spied me, and gave me his wonted kindly smile and glance. - -"Good old John!" he said, with a self-deprecating shrug of the -shoulders. "'Twas not an edifying Scene You have witnessed, eh?" - -"'Twas a heartrending one," I riposted almost involuntarily. - -"Heartrending?" he queried, in a tone of intense bitterness, "to watch a -Fool crushing every Noble Instinct within him for the sake of getting -even with a Man whom he neither honours nor esteems?" - -He sighed again, and beckoned to me to follow him. - -"Let us home, good Honeywood," he said. "I am weary of all this -wrangle, and pine to find solace among the Poets." - -Nor did he mention the name of the Lady Barbara again to me, and I was -left to ponder what was going on in his Mind and whether his cruelly -vengeful Scheme for the final undoing of my Lord Stour would indeed come -to maturity on the following day. I knew that a great and brilliant -Representation of the late Mr. William Shakespeare's play, "Twelfth -Night," was to be given at the Duke's Theatre, with some of the new -Scenery and realistic scenic Effects brought over last Autumn from Paris -by Mr. Betterton. His Majesty had definitely promised that he would be -present and so had the Countess of Castlemaine, and there would -doubtless be a goodly and gorgeous Company present to applaud the great -Actor, whose Performance of Sir Toby Belch was one of the Marvels of -histrionic Art, proclaiming as it did his wonderful versatility, by -contrast with his equally remarkable exposition of the melancholy -Hamlett, Prince of Denmark. - -That I now awaited that Day with Sorrow in my Heart and with measureless -Anxiety, You, dear Mistress, will readily imagine. Until this morning I -had no idea of the terrible Thunderbolt which my Friend had in -preparation for those who had so shamefully wronged him; and I still -marvelled whether in his talk with the Lady Barbara there had not lurked -some idle Threats rather than a serious Warning. How could I think of -the Man whom I had learned to love and to reverence as one who would -nurture such cruel Schemes? And yet, did not the late Mr. Shakespeare -warn us that "Pleasure and Revenge have ears more deaf than Adders to -the voice of any true decision"? Ah, me! but I was sick at heart. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - - THE RULING PASSION - - - 1 - - -And now, dear Mistress, I come to that memorable Evening wherein -happened that which causes You so much heart-ache at this Hour. - -I know that the Occurrences of that Night have been brought to your -Notice in a garbled Version, and that Mr. Betterton's Enemies have -placed the Matter before You in a manner calculated to blacken his -Integrity. But, as there is a living Judge above Us all, I swear to -You, beloved Mistress, that what I am now purposing to relate is nothing -but the Truth. Remember that, in this miserable Era of Scandal and -Backbiting, of loose Living and Senseless Quarrels, Mr. Betterton's -Character has always stood unblemished, even though the evil Tongue of -Malice hath repeatedly tried to attack his untarnished Reputation. -Remember also that the great Actor's few but virulent Enemies are all -Men who have made Failures of their Lives, who are Idlers, Sycophants or -Profligates, and therefore envious of the Fame and Splendour of one who -is thought worthy to be the Friend of Kings. - - - - 2 - - -We spoke but little together that day on our way home from the Park. -Mr. Betterton was moody, and I silent. We took our dinner in quietude. -There being no Performance at the Theatre that day, Mr. Betterton -settled down to his Desk in the afternoon, telling me that he had some -writing to do. - -I, too, had some of his Correspondence to attend to, and presently -repaired to my room, my Heart still aching with Sorrow. Did I not guess -what Work was even now engrossing the Attention of my Friend? He was -deep in the Composition of that cruel Lampoon which he meant to speak on -the Stage to-morrow, in the presence of His Majesty and of a large and -brilliant Assembly. Strive as I might, I could not to myself minimize -the probable Effect of the Lampoon upon the Mind of the Public. It is -not for me, dear Mistress, to remind You of the amazing Popularity of -Mr. Betterton--a Popularity which hath never been equalled ere this by -any Actor, Artist or Poet in England. Whatever he spoke from the Stage -would be treasured and reiterated and commented upon, until every -Citizen of London and Westminster became himself a storehouse of Mud -that would be slung at the unfortunate Earl of Stour. And the latter, -by refusing to fight Mr. Betterton when the Latter had been the injured -Party, had wilfully cast aside any Weapon of Redress which he might -after this have called to his Aid. - -Well! we all know the Effect of scurrilous Quips spoken from the Stage; -even the great Mr. Dryden or the famous Mr. Wycherley have not been -above interpolating some in their Plays, for the Confusion of their -Enemies; and many a Gentleman's or a Lady's Reputation has been made to -suffer through the Vindictiveness of a noted Actor or Playwright. But, -as you know, Mr. Betterton had never hitherto lent himself to such -Scandal-monging; he stood far above those petty Quarrels betwixt -Gentlemen and Poets that could be settled by wordy Warfare across the -Footlights. All the more Weight, therefore, would the Public attach to -an Epilogue specially written and spoken by him on so great an occasion. -And, alas! the Mud-slinging was to be of a very peculiar and very -clinging Nature. - -"Then let the Man you love look to himself!" the outraged Artist had -said coldly, when confronted for the last time by the Lady Barbara's -Disdain. And in my Mind I had no doubt that, for Good or for Evil, if -Tom Betterton set out to do a Thing, he would carry it through to its -bitter End. - - - - 3 - - -When, having finished my work, I went into Mr. Betterton's study, I -found him sitting beside his Desk, though no longer writing. He was -leaning back against the cushions of his chair with eyes closed, his -face set and hard. Some loose papers, covered with his neat, careful -Caligraphy, lay in an orderly heap upon the Desk. - -His Work was evidently finished. Steeped in Bitterness and in -Vengeance, his Pen had laboured and was now at rest. The Eloquence of -the incomparable Actor would now do the rest. - -As I entered the Room, the tower clock of Westminster was just striking -seven. The deep bay Window which gave on a solitary corner of St. -James's Park, was wide open, and through it there came from afar, wafted -upon the evening breeze, the strains of a masculine Voice, warm and -mellow, singing to the accompaniment of one of those stringed -Instruments which have been imported of late from Italy. - -The Voice rose and fell in pleasing Cadences, and some of the Words of -the Song reached mine Ear. - - "You are my Life. You ask me why? - Because my hope is in your love." - - -Whether Mr. Betterton heard them or not, I could not say. He sat there -so still, his slender Hands--white and tapering, the veritable Hands of -an Artist--rested listlessly upon the arms of his chair. - - "Through gloomy Clouds to sunlit Skies, - To rest in Faith and your dear Eyes." - - -So sang the sweet Minstrel out there in the fast gathering Gloom. I -went up to the window and gazed out into the open Vista before me. Far -away I could see the twinkling lights from the windows of St. James's -Palace, and on my right those of White Hall. The Singer I could not -see. He appeared to be some distance away. But despite the lateness of -the hour, the Park was still alive with people. And indeed as I leaned -my Head further out of the Window, I was struck by the animated -spectacle which it presented. - -No doubt that the unwonted mildness of this early spring evening had -induced young Maids and Gallants, as well as more sober Folk and -Gentlemen, to linger out in the open. The charm of the Minstrel and his -Song, too, must have served as an additional Attraction, for as I -watched the People passing to and fro, I heard snatches of Conversation, -mostly in praise of the Singer or of the Weather. - -Anon I espied Sir William Davenant walking with Mr. Killigrew, and my -Lord of Rochester dallying with a pretty Damsel; one or two more -Gentlemen did I recognize as I gazed on the moving Sight, until suddenly -I saw that which caused me to draw my Head back quickly from the Window -and to gaze with added Anxiety on the listless Figure of my Friend. - -What I had seen down below had indeed filled my Heart with Dread. It -was the Figure of my Lord Stour. I could have sworn to it, even though -his Lordship was wrapped in a mantle from Head to Foot and wore a -broad-rimmed Hat, both of which would indeed have disguised his Person -completely before all Eyes save those of Love, of Hate, or of an abiding -Friendship. - -What was my Lord Stour doing at this Hour, and in disguise, beneath the -Window of his bitterest Foe? My Anxiety was further quickened by the -Certainty which I had that neither he nor the Lady Barbara would allow -Mr. Betterton's Schemes to mature without another Struggle. Even as I -once more thrust my Head out of the Window, in order to catch another -glimpse of the moody and solitary Figure which I had guessed to be Lord -Stour, methought that close by the nearest Shrubbery I espied the Figure -of the Lady Barbara, in close conversation with her Attendant. Both -Women were wrapped in dark Mantles and wore thick veils to cover their -Hair. - -A dark presentiment of Evil now took possession of my Soul. I felt like -a Watch-dog scenting Danger from afar. The Man whom I loved better than -any other on Earth was in peril of his Life, at the hands of an Enemy -driven mad by an impending Doom--of that I felt suddenly absolutely -convinced. And somehow, I felt equally convinced at the moment that -we--I, the poor, insignificant Clerk, as well as my illustrious -Friend--were standing on the Brink of an overwhelming Catastrophe. - -I had thought to warn him then and there, yet dared not do so in so many -words. Men in the prime of Life and the plentitude of their mental -Powers are wont to turn contemptuous and obstinate if told to be on -their guard against a lurking Enemy. And I feared that, in his utter -contempt for his Foe, Mr. Betterton might be tempted to do something -that was both unconsidered and perilous. - -So I contented myself for the nonce with turning to my Friend, seeing -that he had wakened from his reverie and was regarding me with that look -of Confidence and Kindliness which always warmed my heart when I was -conscious of it, I merely remarked quite casually: - -"The Park is still gay with Ladies and Gallants. 'Tis strange at this -late hour. But a Minstrel is discoursing sweet Music somewhere in the -distance. Mayhap people have assembled in order to listen to him." - -And, as if to confirm my Supposition, a merry peal of laughter came -ringing right across the Park, and we heard as it were the hum and -murmur of Pedestrians moving about. And through it all the echo of the -amorous Ditty still lingering upon the evening air: - - "For you are Love--and I am yours!" - - -"Close that window, John," Mr. Betterton said, with an impatient little -sigh. "I am in no mood for sentimental Ballads." - -I did as he desired, and whilst in the act of closing the Window, I said -guardedly: - -"I caught sight of my Lord Stour just now, pacing the open Ground just -beneath this Window. He appeared moody and solitary, and was wrapped -from head to foot in a big Mantle, as if he wished to avoid -Recognition." - -"I too am moody and solitary, good Honeywood," was Mr. Betterton's sole -comment on my remark. Then he added, with a slight shiver of his whole -body: "I prithee, see to the Fire. I am perished with the cold." - -I went up to the Hearth and kicked the dying embers into a Blaze; then -found some logs and threw them on the Fire. - -"The evening is warm, Sir," I said; "and you complained of the Heat -awhile ago." - -"Yes," he rejoined wearily. "My head is on fire and my Spine feels like -ice." - -It was quite dark in the Room now, save for the flickering and ruddy -firelight. So I went out and bade the Servant give me the candles. I -came back with them myself and set them on the Desk. As I did so, I -glanced at Mr. Betterton. He had once more taken up his listless -Attitude; his Head was leaning against the back of his Chair, and I -could not fail to note how pallid his Face looked and how drawn, and -there was a frown between his Brows which denoted wearying and absorbing -Thoughts. Wishing to distract him from his brooding Melancholy, I -thought of reminding him of certain artistic and social Duties which -were awaiting his Attention. - -"Will you send an Answer, Sir," I asked him with well-assumed -indifference, "to the Chancellor? It is on the Subject of the Benefit -Performance in aid of the Indigent Poor of the City of Westminster. His -Lordship again sent a messenger this afternoon." - -"Yes!" Mr. Betterton replied readily enough, and sought amongst his -Papers for a Letter which he had apparently written some time during the -Day. "If His Lordship's Messenger calls again, let him have this Note. -I must arrange for the Benefit Performance, of course. But I doubt if -many members of the Company will care to give their Services." - -"I think that Mr. Robert Noakes would be willing," I suggested. "Also -Mr. Lilleston." - -"Perhaps, perhaps!" he broke in listlessly. "But we must have Actresses -too, and they----" - -He shrugged his shoulders, and I rejoined with great alacrity: - -"Oh! I feel sure that Mistress Saunderson would be ready to join in any -benevolent Scheme for the betterment of the Poor." - -"Ah! but she is an Angel!" Mr. Betterton exclaimed. And, believe me, -dear Mistress, that those words came as if involuntarily to his Lips, -out of the Fulness of his Heart. And even when he had spoken, a Look of -infinite Sadness swept over his Face and he rested his Head against his -Hand, shading his Eyes from the light of the Candles, lest I should read -the Thoughts that were mirrored therein. - -"There came a messenger, too, this afternoon," I reminded him, "from -Paris, with an autograph Letter from His Majesty the King of France." - -"Yes!" he replied, and nodded his Head, I thought, uncomprehendingly. - -"Also a letter from the University of Stockholm. They propose that You -should visit the City in the course of the Summer and----" - -"Yes, yes! I know!" he rejoined impatiently. "I will attend to it all -another time ... But not to-night, good Honeywood," he went on almost -appealingly, like a Man wearied with many Tasks. "My mind is like a -squeezed Orange to-night." - -Then he held out his Hand to me--that beautiful, slender Hand of his, -which I had so often kissed in the excess of my Gratitude--and added -with gentle Indulgence: - -"Let me be to-night, good Friend. Leave me to myself. I am such poor -Company and am best alone." - -I took his hand. It was burning hot, as if with inward Fever. All my -Friendship for him, all my Love, was at once on the alert, dreading the -ravages of some inward Disease, brought on mayhap by so much Soul-worry. - -"I do not relish leaving You alone to-night," I said, with more -gruffness than I am wont to display. "This room is easy of Access from -the Park." - -He smiled, a trifle sadly. - -"Dost think," he asked, with a slight shrug of the shoulders, "that a -poor Mountebank would tempt a midnight Robber?" - -"No!" I replied firmly. "But my Lord Stour, wrapped to the eyes in his -Mantle, hath prowled beneath these Windows for an hour." Then, as he -made no comment, I continued with some Fervour: "A determined Man, who -hates Another, can easily climb up to a first floor Window----" - -"Tush, friend!" he broke in sharply. "I am not afraid of his Lordship -... I am afraid of nothing to-night, my good Honeywood," he added -softly, "except of myself." - - - - 4 - - -You certainly will not wonder, dear Mistress, that after that I did not -obey his Commands to leave him to himself. I am nothing of an -Eavesdropper, God knows, nor yet would I pry into the Secrets of the -Soul of the one Man whom I reverence above all others. But, even as I -turned reluctantly away from him in order to go back to my Room, I -resolved that, unless he actually shut the Door in my Face, I would -circumvent him and would remain on the watch, like a faithful Dog who -scents Danger for his Master. In this I did not feel that I was doing -any Wrong. God saw in my Heart and knew that my Purpose was innocent. -I thank Him on my Knees in that He strengthened me in my Resolve. But -for that Resolve, I should not have been cognizant of all the details of -those Events which culminated in such a dramatic Climax that night, and -I would not have been able to speak with Authority when placing all the -Facts before You. Let me tell You at once that I was there, in Mr. -Betterton's Room, during the whole of the time that the Incident -occurred which I am now about to relate. - -He had remained sitting at his Desk, and I went across the Room in the -direction of the communicating Door which gave on my own Study. But I -did not go through that Door. I just opened and shut it noisily, and -then slipped stealthily behind the tall oaken Dresser, which stands in a -dark Angle of the Room. From this point of Vantage I could watch -closely and ceaselessly, and at the slightest Suspicion of immediate -Danger to my Friend I would be free to slip out of my Hiding-place and -to render him what Assistance he required. I had to squat there in a -cramped Position, and I felt half suffocated with the closeness of the -Atmosphere behind so heavy a Piece of Furniture; but this I did not -mind. From where I was I could command a view of Mr. Betterton at his -Desk, and of the Window, which I wished now that I had taken the -Precaution to bar and bolt ere I retired to my Corner behind the -Dresser. - -For awhile, everything was silent in the Room; only the great Clock -ticked loudly in its case, and now and again the blazing logs gave an -intermittent Crackle. I just could see the outline of Mr. Betterton's -Shoulder and Arm silhouetted against the candle light. He sat forward, -his elbow resting upon the Desk, his Head leaning against his Hand, and -so still that presently I fell to thinking that he must have dropped to -sleep. - -But suddenly he gave that quick, impatient Sigh of his, which I had -learned to know so well, pushed back his chair, and rose to his Feet. -Whereupon, he began pacing up and down the Room, in truth like some -poor, perturbed Spirit that is denied the Solace of Rest. - -Then he began to murmur to himself. I know that mood of his and believe -it to be peculiar to the artistic Temperament, which, when it feels -itself untrammelled by the Presence of Others, gives vent to its -innermost Thoughts in mumbled Words. - -From time to time I caught Snatches of what he said--wild Words for the -most part, which showed the Perturbation of his Spirit. He, whose Mind -was always well-ordered, whose noble Calling had taught him to -co-ordinate his Thoughts and to subdue them to his Will, was now -murmuring incoherent Phrases, disjointed Sentences that would have -puzzled me had I not known the real Trend of his Mood. - -"Barbara!..." he said at one time. "Beautiful, exquisite, innocent Lady -Babs; the one pure Crystal in that Laboratory of moral Decomposition, -the Court of White Hall...." Then he paused, struck his Forehead with -his Hand, and added with a certain fierce Contempt: "But she will yield -... she is ready now to yield. She will cast aside her Pride, and throw -herself into the arms of a Man whom she hates, all for the sake of that -young Coxcomb, who is not worthy to kiss the Sole of her Shoe!" - -Again he paused, flung himself back into his Chair, and once more buried -his Face in his Hands. - -"Oh, Woman, Woman!" I could hear him murmuring. "What an Enigma! How -can the mere Man attempt to understand thee?" - -Then he laughed. Oh! I could not bear the sound of that laugh: there -was naught but Bitterness in it. And he said slowly muttering between -his Teeth: - -"The Philosopher alone knows that Women are like Melons: it is only -after having tasted them that one knows if they are good." - -Of course, he said a great deal more during the course of that dreary, -restless hour, which seemed to me like a Slice out of Eternity. His -Restlessness was intense. Every now and then he would jump up and walk -up and down, up and down, until his every Footstep had its counterpart -in the violent beatings of my Heart. Then he would fling himself into a -Chair and rest his Head against the Cushions, closing his Eyes as if he -were in bodily Pain, or else beat his Forehead with his Fists. - -Of course he thought himself unobserved, for Mr. Betterton is, as You -know, a Man of great mental Reserve. Not even before me--his faithful -and devoted Friend--would he wittingly have displayed such overmastering -Emotion. To say that an equally overwhelming Sorrow filled my Heart -would be but to give You, dear Mistress, a feeble Statement of what I -really felt. To see a Man of Mr. Betterton's mental and physical Powers -so utterly crushed by an insane Passion was indeed heartrending. Had he -not everything at his Feet that any Man could wish for?--Fame, Honours, -the Respect and Admiration of all those who mattered in the World. -Women adored him, Men vied with one another to render him the sincerest -Flattery by striving to imitate his Gestures, his Mode of Speech, the -very Cut of his Clothes. And, above all--aye, I dare assert it, and -You, beloved Mistress will, I know, forgive me--above all, he had the -Love of a pure and good Woman, of a talented Artist--yours, dear -Lady--an inestimable Boon, for which many a Man would thank his Maker on -his Knees. - -Ah! he was blind then, had been blind since that fatal Hour when the -Lady Barbara Wychwoode crossed his Path. I could endorse the wild Words -which he had spoken to her this forenoon. A thousand devils were indeed -unchained within him; but 'tis not to her Kiss that they would yield, -but rather to the gentle Ministration of exquisite Mistress Saunderson. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - - MORE DEAF THAN ADDERS - - - 1 - - -I felt so cramped and numb in my narrow hiding-place that I verily -believe I must have fallen into a kind of trance-like Slumber. - -From this I was suddenly awakened by the loud Clang of our front-door -Bell, followed immediately by the Footsteps of the Serving Man upon the -Landing, and then by a brief Colloquy between him and the belated -Visitor. - -Seriously, at the moment I had no Conception of who this might be, until -I glanced at Mr. Betterton. And then I guessed. Guessed, just as he had -already done. Every line of his tense and expectant Attitude betrayed -the Fact that he had recognized the Voice upon the Landing, and that its -sound had thrilled his very Soul and brought him back from the Land of -Dreams and Nightmare, where he had been wandering this past hour. - -You remember, dear Lady, the last time Mr. Betterton played in a Tragedy -called "Hamlett," wherein there is a Play within a Play, and the -melancholy Prince of Denmark sets a troupe of Actors to enact a -Representation of the terrible Crime whereof he accuses both his Uncle -and his Mother? It is a Scene which, when played by Mr. Betterton, is -wont to hold the Audience enthralled. He plays his Part in it by lying -full length on the Ground, his Body propped up by his Elbow and his Chin -supported in his Hand. His Eyes--those wonderful, expressive Eyes of -his--he keeps fixed upon the guilty Pair: his Mother and his Uncle. He -watches the play of every Emotion upon their faces--Fear, Anger, and -then the slowly creeping, enveloping Remorse; and his rigid, stern -Features express an Intensity of Alertness and of Expectancy, which is -so poignant as to be almost painful. - -Just such an Expression did my dear Friend's Face wear at this Moment. -He had pushed his Chair back slightly, so that I had a fuller view of -him, and the flickering light of the wax Candles illumined his clear-cut -Features and his Eyes, fixed tensely upon the door. - - - - 2 - - -The next moment the serving Man threw open the door and the Lady Barbara -walked in. I could not see her until she had advanced further into the -middle of the Room. Then I beheld her in all her Loveliness. Nay! -I'll not deny it. She was still incomparably beautiful, with, in -addition, that marvellous air of Breeding and of Delicacy, which -rendered her peerless amongst her kind. I hated her for the infinite -wrong which she had done to my Friend, but I could not fail to admire -her. Her Mantle was thrown back from her Shoulders and a dark, filmy -Veil, resembling a Cloud, enveloped her fair Hair. Beneath her Mantle -she wore a Dress of something grey that shimmered like Steel in the -Candlelight. A few tendrils of her ardent Hair had escaped from beneath -her Veil, and they made a kind of golden Halo around her Face. She was -very pale, but of that transparent, delicate Pallor that betokens -Emotion rather than ill-health, and her Eyes looked to me to be as dark -as Sloes, even though I knew them to be blue. - -For the space of one long Minute, which seemed like Eternity, these two -remained absolutely still, just looking at one another. Methought that -I could hear the very heart-beats within my breast. Then the Lady said, -with a queer little catch in her Throat and somewhat hesitatingly: - -"You are surprised to see me, Sir, no doubt ... but ..." - -She was obviously at a loss how to begin. And Mr. Betterton, aroused no -doubt by her Voice from his absorption, rose quickly to his Feet and -made her a deep and respectful Obeisance. - -"The Angels from Heaven sometimes descend to Earth," he said slowly; -"yet the Earth is more worthy of their Visit than is the humble Artist -of the Presence of his Muse." Then he added more artlessly: "Will You -deign to sit?" - -He drew a Chair forward for her, but She did not take it, continued to -speak with a strange, obviously forced Gaiety and in a halting Manner. - -"I thank you, Sir," she said. "That is ... no ... not yet ... I like to -look about me." - -She went close up to the Desk and began to finger idly the Books and -Papers which lay scattered pell-mell upon it, he still gazing on her as -if he had not yet realized the Actuality of her Presence. Anon she -looked inquiringly about her. - -"What a charming room!" she said, with a little cry of wonder. "So new -to me! I have never seen an Artist's room before." - -"For weeks and months," Mr. Betterton rejoined simply, "this one has -been a temple, hallowed by thoughts of You. Your Presence now, has -henceforth made it a Sanctuary." - -She turned full, inquiring Eyes upon him and riposted with childlike -Ingenuousness: - -"Yet must You wonder, Sir, at my Presence here ... alone ... and at this -hour." - -"In my heart," he replied, "there is such an Infinity of Happiness that -there is no Room for Wonder." - -"An Infinity of Happiness?" she said with a quaint little sigh. "That -is what we are all striving for, is it not? The Scriptures tell us that -this Earth is a Vale of Tears. No wonder!" she added naļvely, "since we -are so apt to allow Happiness to pass us by." - -Oh! how I wished I had the Courage then and there to reveal myself to -these Twain, to rush out of my Hiding-place and seize that wily -Temptress who, I felt sure, was here only for the undoing of a Man whom -she hated with unexampled Bitterness. Oh, why hath grudging Nature made -me weak and cowardly and diffident, when my whole Soul yearns at times -to be resourceful and bold? Believe me, dear Mistress, that my Mind and -my Will-power were absolutely torn between two Impulses--the one -prompting me to put a stop to this dangerous and purposeless Interview, -this obvious Trap set to catch a great and unsuspecting Artist unawares; -and the other urging me not to interfere, but rather to allow Destiny, -Fate or the Will of God alone to straighten out the Web of my Friend's -Life, which had been embroiled by such Passions as were foreign to his -noble Nature. - -And now I am thankful that I allowed this latter Counsel to prevail. -The Will of God did indeed shape the Destinies of Men this night for -their Betterment and ultimate Happiness. But, for the moment, the -Threads of many a Life did appear to be most hopelessly tangled: the -Lady Barbara Wychwoode, daughter of the Marquis of Sidbury, the fiancée -of the Earl of Stour, was in the house of Tom Betterton, His Majesty's -Well-Beloved Servant, and he was passionately enamoured of her and had -vowed Vengeance against the Man she loved. As he gazed on her now there -was no Hatred in his Glance, no evil Passion disturbed the Look of -Adoration wherewith he regarded her. - -"Barbara," he pleaded humbly, "be merciful to me.... For pity's sake, -do not mock me with your smile! My dear, do you not see that I scarce -can believe that I live ... and that you are here? ... You! ... You!" he -went on, with passionate Earnestness. "My Divinity, whom I only dare -approach on bended Knees, whose Garment I scarce dare touch with my -trembling Lips!" - -He bent the Knee and raised the long, floating End of her cloudlike Veil -to his Lips. I could have sworn at that Moment that she recoiled from -him and that she made a Gesture to snatch away the Veil, as if his very -Touch on it had been Pollution. That Gesture and the Recoil were, -however, quite momentary. The next second, even whilst he rose once -more to his Feet, she had already recovered herself. - -"Hush!" she said gently, and drew herself artlessly away from his -Nearness. "I want to listen.... People say that Angels wait upon Mr. -Betterton when he studies his Part ... and I want to hear the flutter of -their Wings." - -"The Air vibrates with the Echo of your sweet Name," he rejoined, and -his exquisite Voice sounded mellow and vibrant as a sensitive Instrument -touched by a Master's Hand. "Your name, which with mad longing I have -breathed morning, noon and eve. And now ... now ... I am not dreaming -... You are near me! ... You, the perfect Lady Barbara ... my Lady -Babs.... And you look--almost happy!" - -She gave him a Look--the true Look of a Siren set to enchain the Will of -Man. - -"Happy?" she queried demurely. "Nay, Sir ... puzzled, perhaps." - -"Puzzled?" he echoed. "Why?" - -"Wondering," she replied, "what magic is in the air that could make a -Woman's Heart ... forsake one Love ... for ... for Another." - -Yes! She said this, and looked on him straight between the Eyes as she -spoke. Yet I knew that she lied, could have screamed the Accusation at -her, so convinced was I that she was playing some subtle and treacherous -Game, designed to entrap him and to deliver him helpless and broken into -her Power. But he, alas! was blinded by his Passion. He saw no Siren in -her, no Falsehood in her Smile. At her Words, I saw a great Light of -Happiness illumine his Face. - -"Barbara!" he pleaded. "Have pity on me, for my Reason wanders. I dare -not call it back, lest this magic hour should prove to be a Dream." - -He tried to take her in his Arms, but she evaded him, ran to the other -side of the Desk, laughing merrily like a Child. Once again her -delicate Fingers started to toy with the Papers scattered there. - -"Oh, ho!" she exclaimed, with well-feigned astonishment. "Your desk! -Why, this," she said, placing her Hand upon the neat pile before her, -"must be that very Thunderbolt wherewith to-morrow you mean to crush an -arrogant Enemy!" - -"Barbara!" he rejoined with ever growing passion, and strove to take her -Hand. "Will you not let me tell You----" - -"Yes, yes!" she replied archly, and quietly withdrew her Hand from his -grasp. "You shall speak to me anon some of those Speeches of our great -Poets, which your Genius hath helped to immortalize. To hear Mr. -Betterton recite will be an inestimable Privilege ... which your many -Admirers, Sir, will envy me." - -"The whole world would envy me to-night," he retorted, and gazed on her -with such Ardour that she was forced to lower her Eyes and to hide their -Expression behind the delicate Curtain of her Lashes. - -I, who was the dumb Spectator of this cruel Game, saw that the Lady -Barbara was feeling her way towards her Goal. There was so much -Excitement in her, such palpitating Vitality, that her very Heart-beats -seemed to find their Echo in my breast. Of course, I did not know yet -what Game it was that she was playing. All that I knew was that it was -both deadly and treacherous. Even now, when Mr. Betterton once more -tried to approach her and she as instinctively as before recoiled before -him, she contrived to put strange softness into her Voice, and a subtle, -insidious Promise which helped to confuse his Brain. - -"No--no!" she said. "Not just yet ... I pray you have pity on my -Blushes. I--I still am affianced to my Lord Stour ... although..." - -"You are right, my beloved," he rejoined simply. "I will be patient, -even though I am standing on the Threshold of Paradise. But will You -not be merciful? I cannot see you well. Will you not take off that -Veil? ... It casts a dark shadow over your Brow." - -This time she allowed him to come near her, and, quite slowly, she -unwound the Veil from round her Head. He took it from her as if it were -some hallowed Relic, too sacred to be polluted by earthly Touch. And, -as her back was turned towards him, he crushed the Gossamer between his -Hands and pressed its Fragrance to his Lips. - -"There!" she said coolly. "'Tis done. Your magic, Sir Actor, has -conquered again." - -It seemed to me that she was more self-possessed now than she had been -when first she entered the Room. Indeed, her Serenity appeared to grow -as his waned perceptibly. She still was a little restless, wandering -aimlessly about the Room, fingering the Books, the Papers, the Works of -Art that lay everywhere about; but it seemed like the restlessness of -Curiosity rather than of Excitement. In her own Mind she felt that she -held the Winning Hand--of this I was convinced--and that she could -afford to toy with and to befool the Man who had dared to measure his -Power against hers. - -After awhile, she sat down in her Chair which he had brought forward for -her, and which stood close to the Desk. - -"And now, Sir," she said with cool composure, "'tis You who must humour -me. I have a fancy ... now, at this moment ... and my Desire is to be -thoroughly spoiled." - -"Every Whim of yours," he rejoined, "is a Command to your humble Slave." - -"Truly?" she queried. - -"Truly." - -"Then will You let me see you ... sitting at your Desk ... Pen in hand -... writing something just for me?" - -"All my work of late," he replied, "has been done because of You ... but -I am no Poet. What I speak may have some Merit. What I write hath -none." - -"Oh!" she protested with well-simulated Coquetry, "what I desire You to -write for me, Sir Actor, will have boundless Merit. It is just a couple -of Lines designed to ... to ... prove your Love for me--Oh!" she added -quickly, "I scarce dare believe in it, Sir ... I scare understood ... -You remember, this morning in the Park, I was so excited, yet you asked -me--to be--your Wife!" - -"My Wife!" he cried, his Voice ringing with triumphant Passion. "And -you would consent?----" - -"And so I came," she riposted, evading a direct Answer, "to see if I had -been dreaming ... if, indeed, the great and illustrious Mr. Betterton -had stooped to love a Woman ... and for the sake of that Love would do a -little Thing for Her." - -Lies! Lies! I knew that every Word which she spoke was nothing but a -Lie. My God! if only I could have unriddled her Purpose! If only I -could have guessed what went on behind those marvellous Eyes of hers, -deep and unfathomable as the Sea! All I knew--and this I did in the very -Innermost of my Soul--was that the Lady Barbara Wychwoode had come here -to-night in order to trick Mr. Betterton, and to turn his Love for her -to Advantage for my Lord Stour. How carefully she had thought out the -Part which she meant to play; how completely she meant to have him at -her Mercy, only in order to mock and deride him in the End, I had yet to -learn. - -Even now she completed his Undoing, the Addling of his noble Mind, by -casting Looks of shy Coquetry upon him. What Man is there who could -have resisted them? What Man, who was himself so deeply infatuated as -was Mr. Betterton, could believe that there was Trickery in those -Glances? He sat down at his Desk, as she had desired him to do, and -drew Pen, Ink and Paper closer to his Hand. - -"An you asked my Life," he said simply, "I would gladly give it to prove -my Love for You." Then, as she remained silent and meditative, he -added: "What is your Ladyship's wish?" - -"Oh!" she replied, "'tis a small matter ... It concerns the Earl of -Stour ... We were Friends ... once ... Playmates when we were Children -... That Friendship ripened into a--a--Semblance of Love. No! No!" she -went on rapidly, seeing that at her Words he had made a swift Movement, -leaning towards her. "I pray you, listen. That Semblance of Love may -have gone ... but Friendship still abides. My Lord Stour, the Playmate -of my Childhood, is in sore trouble ... I, his Friend, would wish to -help him, and cannot do this without your Aid. Will You--will You grant -me this Aid, Sir," she queried shyly, "if I beg it of You?" - -"Your Ladyship has but to command," he answered vaguely, for, in truth, -his whole Mind was absorbed in the contemplation of her Loveliness. - -"'Twas You," she asserted boldly, "who begged for his Lordship's pardon -from the Countess of Castlemaine ... 'Twas not he who betrayed his -Friends. That is a Fact, is it not?" - -"A Fact. Yes," he replied. - -"Then I pray you, Sir, write that down," she pleaded, with an ingenuous, -childish Gesture, "and sign it with your Name ... just to please me." - -She looked like a lovely Child begging for a Toy. To think of Guile in -connection with those Eyes, with that Smile, seemed almost a Sacrilege. -And my poor Friend was so desperately infatuated just then! Has any Man -ever realized that Woman is fooling him, when she really sets her Wiles -to entrap him? Surely not a Man of Mr. Betterton's keen, artistic and -hot-blooded Temperament. I saw it all now, yet I dared not move. For -one thing, the time had gone by when I might have done it with good -Effect. Now it was too late. Any interference on my part would only -have led to Ignominy for myself and the severance of a Friendship that I -valued more than Life itself. Betwixt a Friend's warning and a Woman's -Cajolery, what Man would hesitate? What could I, in any event, have -done now, save to hold up the inevitable Catastrophe for a few -Moments--a few Seconds, perhaps? Truly, my hour was past. I could but -wait now in Silence and Misery until the End. - -There she sat, pleading, speaking that eternal Phrase, which since the -beginning of primeval times hath been used by wily Woman for the undoing -of a generous-minded Man. - -"Will You do this, Sir--just to please me?" - -"I swear to You that it shall be done," he rejoined with passionate -fervour. "But will you not let me tell you first----" - -"No!--No!" she said quickly, clasping her delicate hands. "I pray -You--not just yet. I--I so long to see You write ... there ... at this -Desk, where lie piled letters from every illustrious Person and every -crowned Head in Europe. And now You will write," she entreated, in the -tone of an indulged and wayward Child. "You will? Just one little -Document for me, because ... because You say You love me, and ... -because ... I..." - -"Barbara!" he cried in an Ecstasy of Happiness. "My Beloved!" - -He was on the point of falling on his Knees, but once more a demure -Gesture, a drawing back of her whole Figure, restrained him. - -"No! No!" she reiterated firmly. "When you have written, I will -listen----"--another Glance, and he was vanquished. Then she completed -her Phrase--"to all you have to say." - -He drew back with a sigh, and took up his Pen. - -"As you command," he said simply, and made ready to write. - - - - 3 - - -Even now, whene'er I close mine Eyes, I can see those twain as a vivid -Picture before me. The Massive Desk, littered with papers, the Candles -flickering in their Sconces, illumining with their elusive Light the -Figure of the great Actor, sitting with shoulders slightly bent forward, -one Arm resting upon the Desk, half buried in the filmy folds of her -Ladyship's Veil, his Face upturned towards the Enchantress, who held him -at this Hour an absolute Slave to her Will. She had risen from her -Chair and stood immediately behind him; her Face I could not see, for -her back was towards me, but the light caught the loose Tendrils of her -fair Hair, and from where I stood watching, this looked just like a -golden Aureole around her small Head, bent slightly towards him. She -too was leaning forward, over him, with her Hand extended, giving him -Directions as to what he should write. - -"Oh, I pray You," she said with an impatient little Sigh, "do not delay! -I will watch You as You write. I pray You write it as a Message -addressed to the Court of White Hall. Not in Poetry," she added, with a -nervous little Laugh; "but in Prose, so that all may understand." - -He bent to his task and began to write, and she straightened out her -elegant Figure and murmured, as if oppressed: "How hot this room is!" - -Slowly, as if in Absence of Mind, She wandered towards the Window. - -"I have heard it said," she remarked, "that Mr. Betterton's worst enemy -is the cold. But a fire! ... on such a glorious Evening. The first -Kiss of awakening Spring." - -She had reached the Window now, and stood for awhile in the Bay, leaning -against the Mullion; and I could not help but admire her Duplicity and -her Pluck. For, indeed, She had risked Everything that Woman holds most -dear, for the sake of the Man she loved. And She could not help but -know that She herself and her fair Name would anon be at the mercy of a -Man whom her Cajoleries and her Trickery would have rendered desperate. - -Anon, as if quite overcome by the Heat, she threw open the Casement, and -then leaned out, peering into the Darkness beyond. Ensconced in my -Corner at some distance from the Window, I was conscious of the Movement -and subdued Noise which came up from the still crowded Park. A number -of People appeared to be moving out there, and even as I strained my -Ears to listen, I caught the sweet sound of the selfsame Song of awhile -ago, wafted hither on the cool night Air: - - "You are my Life! You ask me why? - Because my Hope is in Your Love." - - -I caught myself marvelling if the Ladies and Gallants of the Court had -strolled out into the Park at this hour, drawn thither by the amorous -Melodies sung by the unknown Minstrel; or by the balmy Air of Spring; or -merely by the passing Whim of some new Fashion or Fancy. I even -strained my Ears so that I might recognise the sound of Voices that were -familiar to me. I heard my Lord of Rochester's characteristic Laugh, -Sir William Davenant's dictatorial tones and the high-pitched Cackle of -Mr. Killigrew. - -So doth our Mind oft dwell on trivial Thoughts at times of gravest -Stress. Her Ladyship had sat down on a low Stool beside the Window. I -could only see the vague outline of her--the Expression of her Face, the -very Poise of her Head, were wrapt in the surrounding Gloom. - -For awhile there was perfect Silence in the Room, save for the -monotonous ticking of the old Clock and the scratching of Mr. -Betterton's Pen as he wrote with a rapid and unhesitating Hand. - -The Minutes sped on, and anon he had completed his Task. I saw him lay -down his Pen, then raise the Paper and read through very carefully all -that he had written, and finally strew Sand upon the momentous Document. -For awhile after that he remained perfectly still, and I observed his -clear-cut Face, with Eyes fixed as it were inwards into his own Soul, -and sensitive Lips pressed tightly one against the other. The Hand -which held the Document was perfectly steady, an obedient slave to his -Will. And yet that Sign-manual, as directed by her Ladyship, was a -direct Avowal of a dastardly Deed, of the gratuitous Slandering of an -innocent Man's Honour, without Provocation or Justification, seeing that -no mention was made in the Confession of the abominable Outrage which -had brought about this grim Retaliation, or of the Refusal on the part -of his Lordship to grant the Satisfaction that is customary between -Gentlemen. It was, in fact, his own Integrity and his own Honour that -the eminent Actor was even now bartering for a Woman's Love. This will -prove to You, dear Mistress, that Mr. Betterton's Love for the Lady -Barbara Wychwoode did not at any time resemble true Affection, which, of -all the Passions to which the human Heart is apt to become Slave, is the -one that leads the Mind to the highest and noblest Thoughts; whereas an -Infatuation can only be compared to a Fever. Man hath no more control -over the one than he hath over the other, and cannot curb its Violence -or the Duration of its Attack. - - - - 4 - - -The next thing that I remember most clearly is seeing Mr. Betterton put -the fateful Paper down again, take up her Ladyship's Veil and bury his -Face in its cloudy Folds. I heard him murmur faintly, after awhile: - -"Now, if I dared, I would believe myself almost happy!" - -Then he rose, picked up the Paper, and with it went up to the Lady -Barbara. - -"'Tis done, as you did command," he said quite quietly, and placed the -Document in her Hand. She took it from him and rose to her Feet. - -"A Light, I pray You," she said coldly. - -He brought one of the Candles across and stood beside her, holding it -aloft. She read the Paper through with great Deliberation, nodding -Approval from time to time as she did so. Then she folded it into a -very small Compass, while she thanked him coldly and guardedly. He then -went back to the Desk with the Candle and put it down. During these few -Seconds, whilst his back was turned to her, I noticed that the Lady -Barbara took a heavy, jewelled Brooch from her Gown and fastened it by -its pin to the Document. Her movements were methodical but very quick, -and my own Mind worked too slowly to guess at her Intention. - -The next moment, Mr. Betterton was once more by her side. Eager, alert, -and with the glow of Triumph in his Eyes, he flung himself at her Feet. -She was his now!--his by Right of Conquest! He had won her by -measureless Self-Sacrifice, and now he meant to hold the Guerdon for -which he had paid so heavy a Price. - -"Because you deigned to cross this humble Threshold," he said, and his -arms encircled her Waist with the masterful and passionate Gesture of a -Victor, "the poor Actor places his Name and Fame, his Pride and baffled -Revenge, at your feet." - -"At the World's Feet, Sir Mountebank!" she cried exultantly, and with a -swift movement she flung the weighted Paper far out through the Window. -Then, leaning out into the Darkness, she called at the top of her Voice: -"To me, Adela! Here is the Message from Mr. Betterton. Take it to my -Lord Sidbury at once!" - -But Mr. Betterton was no longer in a mental State to care what happened -after this; I doubt if he realized just what was impending. He was -still on his Knees, holding on to her with both Arms. - -"Nay!" he said wildly. "That is as You please. Let the whole World -think me base and abject. What care I for Honour, Fame or Integrity now -that You are here, and that You will be my Wife?" - -Ah! the poor, deluded Fool! How could he be so blind? Already the Lady -Barbara had turned on him with flashing Eyes, and a loud, hysterical -Laugh of measureless Contempt broke from her Lips. - -"Your Wife!" she exclaimed, and that harsh laugh echoed through the -Silence of the House. "So, Mr. Actor, you thought to entrap the Daughter -of the Marquis of Sidbury into becoming your Wife! ... Nay! you -miserable Fool! 'Twas I entrapped and cheated you.... Your Wife! Ye -Saints in Heaven, hear him! His Wife! The Wife of Thomas Betterton, -the Mountebank!! I!!!" - -Her Words, her Laughter, the Bitterness of her Contempt, stung him like -a Whip-lash. In an instant, he was on his Feet, staggered back till he -came in contact with the Desk, to which he clung with both hands, while -he faced her, his Cheeks pale as Ashes, his Eyes glowing with a Light -that appeared almost maniacal. - -"You cheated me?" he murmured inarticulately. "You lied to me? ... You -... I'll not believe it ... I'll not believe it...." - -She appeared not to heed him, was gazing out of the Window, shouting -directions to some one--her waiting-maid, no doubt, or other -Confidante--who was searching for the Paper down below. - -"There, Adela!" she called out eagerly. "Dost see ... just by those -bushes ... something white ... my brooch.... Dost see?" - -Suddenly she gave a Cry of Triumph, and then turned back exultantly to -her baffled Foe. - -"My maid," she said, somewhat wildly, and panting as if she were -exhausted with fast running. "We had planned it all ... She is devoted -to me ... She has been on the Watch ... She has the paper now ... -There!" she added, and with outstretched arm pointed out into the Gloom -beyond. "There; Do you see?" - -Can You wonder that her Trickery, her Contempt had made him mad? -Indeed, even I felt that at that moment I could have held her slender -throat between my two Hands and crushed the Life out of her. To a Man -of Mr. Betterton's temperament, the Provocation was obviously beyond his -Powers of Endurance. Even in the dim Light, I could see a positive Fury -of Passion akin to Hate literally distorting his Face. The next second -he was once more by her side, and whilst she still cried wildly: "Do you -see? Do you see? Run, Adela, run!" he seized her in his arms and -retorted roughly: - -"I see nothing now but your Beauty, and that has made me mad." - -"Run, Adela! Run!" she cried again. "That message from Mr. Betterton -is for the whole World to see!" - -But he held her tightly round the Shoulders now, and she, probably -realizing her Danger for the first time, strove to struggle against his -Embrace. - -"Let me go!" she commanded. "Let me go! or I swear by God in Heaven -that I will find the Strength to kill myself and You." - -"I love You," was his only reply to her Threat. "Nay!" he added, -speaking in rapid, jerky Phrases, the while she continued to struggle -with ever growing loss of Power. "You shall kill me later if You will, -but not till I have lived. My Dear, my Love, my Saint! Have I not -worshipped you for days and months? Have I not held You in Dream in my -Arms? You are my Muse, my Divinity, my Hope! Mine! Mine! Exquisite, -adorable Lady Barbara! No! No! You cannot escape, struggle how You -might. This is my hour! 'Tis you who gave it me, and I defy Heaven -itself to rob me of a single instant!" - -My God! what could I do? More and more did I curse the Folly and -Cowardice which had kept me riveted to this Spot all this while. Now -there was nothing for it but to reveal my Presence, to draw upon my -foolish Head the Contempt and Anger of a Man for whom I would gladly -have laid down my Life. My Brain became confused. I ceased to see -clearly. A ruddy Mist was gathering before my Eyes. I was on the Verge -of losing Consciousness and was struggling pitifully to retain Command -over my Senses. Through this fast approaching Swoon I could hear, as -through an intervening Veil, the hoarse and broken Accents of the Voice -that I loved so well: - -"You are here alone with me. The last shred of my Reason is scattered -to the Winds. England, Fame, the World, are empty Words to me. Do you -not see that now I am ready to die an hundred Deaths, for at last I -shall have lived ... I shall have held You in my Arms." - -And one great and pitiful Appeal from her Lips: "Oh, God! If there is -Justice in Heaven--defend me now----" - -And, even half conscious as I was, I saw her--yes, saw her quite -distinctly give a sudden wrench which freed her right Arm. She plunged -her Hand into the bosom of her Gown, and the next instant the flickering -light of the Candle flashed a vivid gleam upon the narrow steel blade of -a dagger which she held. This, with the swiftness of lightning, brought -me back to the Consciousness of the present, grim Reality. With a loud -and sudden Cry, I darted out of my Hiding Place and stood there before -them both, pale no doubt with a well-nigh unearthly Pallor, which must -have given me the Appearance of a Ghost. - -It was now the Lady Barbara who was nigh to Swooning. But, with that -coolness which comes at times to the Helpless and the Weak, I had -already snatched her Veil from the Desk, and whilst she tottered and -almost fell into my Arms, I wrapped it around her Head. - -"Quick! The Door!" I said. "You are quite safe!" - -I dared not look at Mr. Betterton. Indeed, I could not even now tell -You in what Attitude or with what Expression of Face he watched me -whilst I seemed thus to take Command of the Situation. The Lady Barbara -was trembling so violently that some few moments elapsed before she was -able to walk across the Room. When she finally did so, her Foot kicked -against the Dagger which had dropped from her Hand when I so suddenly -appeared before her. She gave a faint Cry of Horror, and I stooped and -picked up the Dagger and placed it back in her Hand without looking at -her. - - - - 5 - - -Her Ladyship then went on towards the door. But suddenly she came to a -halt, and I, who was close to her heels, paused likewise, for I felt -that every drop of Blood within me had turned to Ice. From the Hall -below there had come the sound of angry Altercation and a Man's voice -was raised loudly and peremptorily, saying: - -"Let me pass, man! I will speak with Mr. Betterton." - -The voice was that of my Lord Stour. - -The Lady Barbara stood quite still for a moment, rigid as a carved -Statue. Then a low, inexpressibly pathetic Moan rose to her Lips. - -"Oh! for the Earth to open!" she cried pitiably, "and bury me and this -Shame----" - -She was overwrought and weak with Emotion, but in any Event it was a -terrible Position for any Lady of Rank to be found in, at this late -hour, and alone. Overcome no doubt with the superabundance of harrowing -Sensations, she tottered as if about to swoon. Mr. Betterton caught her -as she fell. - -"My Divinity! My Queen!" he murmured quickly. "No one shall harm you, -I swear it! No one shall!" Then he added under his breath: "Heaven -above me, help me to protect her!" - -Whereupon he lifted her up in his Arms as if she were a Child, and -carried her as far as the Embrasure of the Window. Then, with one of -those quick movements which were so characteristic of him, he drew the -Curtains together, which shut off the Bay from the rest of the Room and -screened its fair Occupant completely from view. - -He was a different Man now to the Passion-racked Creature of awhile ago; -absolutely calm; the Man I had known and loved and respected all these -years. Though my whole Being was still convulsed in an Agony of -Apprehension, I felt that from him now would come moral Comfort for me -and Protection for the unfortunate Lady, whose Burden of Sorrow had at -last touched his Heart. And I do verily believe, dear Lady, that in -that Instant of supreme Danger for us all, his Passion fell from him -like a Curtain from before his Eyes. It had gone through its -culminating Anguish when he discovered that she whom he loved had lied -to him and cheated him. Now, when she stood here before him, utterly -helpless and utterly crushed, his Infatuation appeared to writhe for one -Moment in the Crucible of his own Manliness and Chivalry, and then to -emerge therefrom hallowed and purified. - - - - 6 - - -In the meanwhile, less than a minute had elapsed. My Lord Stour had -ascended the Stairs, undeterred by the Protestations of Mr. Betterton's -Servant. The next moment he had violently wrenched the Door open and now -stood before us, pale, trembling with Rage or Excitement, hatless, his -Mantle thrown back from his Shoulders. His right Hand clutched his -naked Sword, and in his Left he had a crushed ball of paper, held -together by her Ladyship's brooch. His entire Attitude was one of firm -and deadly Menace. - -"I heard a Voice!" he exclaimed, staring wildly around him. "I saw a -Face--a Form.... This Paper was flung out from yonder Window ... was -picked up by a serving Wench.... What does it mean?" he queried -harshly, and advanced threateningly towards Mr. Betterton, who was -standing midway between him and the curtained Bay. - -"How can I tell?" riposted the great Actor blandly, with a careless -Shrug of his Shoulders. "I was not moon-gazing, as your Lordship -appears to have done. A paper, did You say?" - -"You are not alone," retorted my Lord roughly. "I heard a voice ... just -now...." - -"We are all apt to hear voices in the moonlight, my Lord," Mr. Betterton -rejoined simply. "The Artist hears his Muse, the Lover his Mistress, -the Criminal his Conscience." - -His unruffled calm seemed to exasperate his Lordship's fury, for he now -appeared even more menacing than before. - -"And did You perchance hear a Voice to-night, Sir Actor," he queried, -his voice hoarse with Passion, "warning You of Death?" - -"Nay!" replied Mr. Betterton. "That Voice whispers to Us all, and -always, my Lord, even in our Cradles." - -"Then hear it for the last time now, and from my Lips, you abominable -Mountebank!" my Lord cried, beside himself in truth. "For unless You -draw aside that Curtain, I am going to kill You." - -"That is as you please," retorted Mr. Betterton simply. - -"Stand aside!" commanded his Lordship. - -But Mr. Betterton looked him calmly up and down and did not move one -inch. - -"This is a most unwarrantable Interference," he said quietly, "with the -Freedom of His Majesty's well-beloved Servant. Your Lordship seems to -forget that every inch of this Floor is mine, and that I stand on it -where I please. I pray you, take that Paper--that Message--elsewhere. -An it came down from Heaven, read it--but leave me in Peace." - -"I'll not go," asserted my Lord harshly, "till you have drawn aside that -Curtain." - -"Then we'll see whose Legs will weary first, my Lord, yours or mine," -was Mr. Betterton's unruffled rejoinder. - -"Draw then and defend yourself!" cried my Lord, who before his Enemy's -unbroken Calm, had lost what Semblance of Self-Control he still -possessed. - -"I am unarmed," riposted Mr. Betterton simply. - -"Then let Satan have his due," exclaimed the young Hothead, and raised -his Sword ready to strike, "for your Soul shall go down to Hell at -last!" - -In a moment, of course, I was on him. But he had the vigour of a -trained Soldier, enhanced by an overwhelming Passion of Enmity and of -Rage; and though I seized him unawares--I doubt if he had realized that -I was in the Room--he shook me off in an instant, as a Dog might shake -off an importunate Rat. Before I had time to recover my breath from his -quick and furious Defence, he had turned on me and dealt me such a -vigorous Blow with his Fist between the Eyes, that the whole Room began -to gyrate around me and the Atmosphere became peopled with Stars. I -staggered and half fell against the Dresser that had sheltered me awhile -ago. For the space of half a dozen seconds mine Eyes were closed. - - - - 7 - - -When I opened them again, the Scene had indeed changed. Her Ladyship -had pushed the Curtains aside and stood there in the window Embrasure, -revealed to her irate Lover. And he, though he must have known that she -was there all the Time, appeared so staggered by her Apparition that his -Arm dropped by his side and his Sword fell with a clatter to the Ground, -while he murmured as if in the last Throes of mental Suffering: - -"Barbara ... my Barbara .. here--alone--at night ... with this Man!..." - -Her Ladyship, however, appeared perfectly composed. The light of the -Candles revealed her exquisite Face, pale but serene, and her small Head -crowned with the Aureole of her golden Hair, held up proudly as one who -hath naught to fear, naught for which she need be ashamed. She pointed -with perfect steadiness to the Paper which my Lord still held tightly -clasped in his left Hand. - -"That paper!" she said, and only a slight veiling of her Voice betrayed -the Emotion which she felt. "I sent it. 'Tis for you, my Lord. It will -clear your Honour, and proclaim your Innocence." - -But his Lordship did not appear to hear her. He continued to murmur to -himself mechanically, and in tones of the deepest Despair: - -"Barbara ... alone ... with him!" - -"Read that Paper, my dear Lord," her Ladyship insisted with calm -dignity, "ere with another Thought you further dare to wrong me!" - -These simple Words, however, so full of conscious Worth and of -Innocence, let loose the Floodgates of my Lord's pent-up, insensate -jealousy. - -"Wrong you!" he cried, and a harsh, almost maniacal laugh broke from his -choking Throat. "Wrong you! Nay! I suppose I must be grateful and -thank Heaven on my Knees that You, my promised Bride, deigned to -purchase mine Honour at the Price of your Kisses!" - -At this gross Insult her Ladyship uttered a pitiful Moan; but ere she -could give Reply, Mr. Betterton, who hitherto had not interfered between -the Twain, now did so, and in no measured Tone. - -"Silence, Madman!" he commanded, "ere You blaspheme." - -But my Lord had apparently lost his last Shred of Reason. Jealousy was -torturing him in a manner that even Hatred had failed to do. - -"God!" he exclaimed repeatedly, calling to the Almighty to witness his -Soul-Misery. "I saw her at that Window.... Who else saw her?... How -many Varlets and jabbering Coxcombs know at the present moment that the -Lady Barbara Wychwoode spends the night alone with a Mountebank?" In an -excess of ungoverned Rage he tore the Paper to shreds and threw the -Scraps almost into her Ladyship's Face. "Take back your Proofs!" he -cried. "I'll not take mine Honour from Your hands! Ah!" he added, and -now turned once more toward Mr. Betterton, who, I could see, was calmly -making up his Mind what next to do. "Whoever you are--Man or Devil--are -you satisfied with your Revenge? Was it not enough to cover _me_ with -Infamy; what need had You to brand _Her_ with Dishonour?" - -Overcome with Emotion, his Soul on the Rack, his Heart wounded and -bleeding, he appeared like a lost Spirit crying out from an Abyss of -Torment. But these last Ravings of his, these final, abominable Insults, -levelled against the Woman who had done so much for him, and whom he -should have been the first to protect, lashed Mr. Betterton's ire and -contempt into holy Fury. - -"Ye gods in Heaven, hear him!" he cried, with an outburst of Rage at -least as great as that of the other Man. "He loves her, and talks of -Dishonour, whilst I love her and only breathe of Worship! By all the -Devils in Hell, my Lord Stour, I tell you that you lie!" - -And before any of us there realized what he meant to do, he ran to the -Window, threw open all the Casements with such violence that the glass -broke and fell clattering down upon the gravelled place below. - -"Hallo!" he called in a stentorian Voice. "Hallo, there!" - -My Lord Stour, bewildered, un-understanding, tried to bluster. - -"What are you doing, man?" he queried roughly. "Silence! Silence, I -say!" - -But Mr. Betterton only shouted the louder. - -"Hallo, there! Friends! Enemies! England! Here!" - -I could hear the Tumult outside. People were running hither from -several directions, thinking, no doubt, that a Fire had broken out or -that Murder was being done. I could hear them assembling beneath the -window, which was not many feet from the Ground. "Why! it's Tom -Betterton!" some of them said. And others added: "Hath he gone raving -mad?" - -"Is any one there who knows me?" queried Mr. Betterton loudly. - -"Yes! Yes!" was the ready response. - -"Who is it?" he asked, peering into the darkness below. - -I heard Sir William Davenant's voice give reply. - -"Killigrew and I are down here, Tom. What in the Name of ---- is the -matter?" - -"Come round to my rooms, Davenant," Mr. Betterton replied; "and bring as -many friends with you as you can." - -He was standing in the Bay of the Window, and his Figure, silhouetted -against the Light in the Room, must have been plainly visible to the -crowd outside. That a number of People had assembled by now was -apparent by the Hum and Hubbub which came to us from below. Unable to -restrain my Curiosity, I too approached the open Casements and peered -out into the Gloom. Just as I thought, quite a Crowd had collected down -there, some of whom were making ready to climb up to the Window by way -of the Gutter-pipes or the solid stems of the Ivy, whilst others were -trooping down the narrow little Alley which connects Tothill Street with -the Park at the base of Mr. Betterton's house. There was a deal of -talking, laughing and shouting. "Tom Betterton is up to some Prank," I -heard more than one Person say. - - - - 8 - - -Perhaps You will wonder what was my Lord's Attitude during the few -minutes--it was less than five--which elapsed between the Instant when -Mr. Betterton first threw open the Casements, and that when the Crowd, -headed by Sir William Davenant and Mr. Killigrew, trooped down the Alley -on their Way to this House. To me he seemed at first wholly -uncomprehending, like a Man who has received a Blow on the Head--just as -I did from his Fist a moment ago--and before whose Eyes the Walls of the -Room, the Furniture, the People, are all swimming in an Ocean of Stars. -I imagine that at one time the Thought flashed as Lightning through his -Mind that this was but the culminating Outrage, wherewith his Enemy -meant to pillory him and his Bride before a jeering Public. That was -the moment when he turned to her Ladyship and, uttering a hoarse Cry, -called to her by Name. She was, just then, leaning in -semi-consciousness against the Angle of the Bay. She did not respond to -his Call, and Mr. Betterton, quick in his Movements, alert now like some -Feline on the prowl, stepped immediately in front of Her, facing my Lord -and screening Her against his Approach. - -"Stand back, Man," he commanded. "Stand back, I tell You! You shall -not come nigh Her save on bended Knees, with Head bowed in the Dust, -suing for Pardon in that you dared to Insult her." - -Everything occurred so quickly, Movements, Events, High Words, -threatening Gestures from both sides, followed one another in such rapid -Succession, that I, overcome with Agitation and the Effect of the -stunning Blow which I had received, was hardly able to take it all in. -Much less is it in my Power to give You a faithful Account of it all. -Those five Minutes were the most spirit-stirring ones I have ever -experienced throughout my Life--every Second appeared surcharged with an -exciting Fluid which transported Me to supernal Regions, to Lands of -Unrealities akin to vivid Dreams. - -At one Moment, I remember seeing my Lord Stour make a rapid and furtive -movement in the direction of his Sword, which lay some little Distance -from him on the Ground, but Mr. Betterton was quicker even than his Foe, -more alert, and with one bound he had reached the Weapon, ere my Lord's -Hand was nigh it, had picked it up and, with a terrific Jerk, broke it -in half across his Knee. Then he threw the mangled Hilt in one -direction, the Point in another, and my Lord raised his Fists, ready, -methinks, to fly at his Throat. - -But, as I have already told You, dear Mistress, the whole Episode stands -but as a confused Mirage before my Mind; and through it all I seemed to -see a mere Vision of her Ladyship, pale and ethereal, leaning against -the Angle of the Bay; one delicate Hand was clutching the heavy Curtain, -drawing it around her as it were, as if in a pathetic and futile Desire -to shield herself from view. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - - THE GAME OF LOVE - - - 1 - - -In the meanwhile, the Crowd all round the House had visibly swelled. -Some People were still standing immediately beneath the Bow-window, -whilst Others swarmed into Tothill Street; the foremost amongst the -Latter had given a vigorous Tug at the Bell-pull, and the front Door -being opened for them by the bewildered Servant, they had made a noisy -Irruption into the House. We could hear them clattering up the Stairs, -to the Accompaniment of much Laughing and Talking, and the -oft-reiterated Refrain: "Tom Betterton is up to some Prank! Hurrah!" - -Some few again, more venturesome and certainly more Impudent than most, -had indeed succeeded in scrambling up to the Window, and, one after -another, Heads and Shoulders began to appear in the Framework of the -open Casements. - -Her Ladyship had no doubt realized from the first that Escape became -impossible, within two Minutes of Mr. Betterton's first Summons to the -Public. Just at first, perhaps, if my Lord had preserved his entire -Presence of Mind, he might have taken her by the Hand and fled with Her -out of the House, before the unruly Crowd had reached Tothill Street. -But my Lord, blinded by jealous Rage, had not thought of Her quickly -enough, and now the Time was past, and he remained impotent, gasping -with Fury, hardly conscious of his Actions. He had been literally swept -off his Feet by Mr. Betterton's eagle-winged _coup de main_, which left -him puzzled and the prey to a nameless Terror as to what was about to -follow. - -Now, when he saw a number of Gentlemen trooping in by the Door, he could -but stare at them in utter Bewilderment. Most of these Gallants were -personally known to him: Sir William Davenant was in the forefront with -Mr. Thomas Killigrew of the King's Theatre, and the Earl of Rochester -was with them, as well as Mr. Wycherley. I also recognized Sir Charles -Sedley and old Sir John Denham, as well as my Lord Roscommon, among the -crowd. - -They had all rushed in through the Door, laughing and jesting, as was -the wont of all these gay and courtly Sparks; but at sight of the Lady -Barbara, they halted. Gibes and unseemly Jokes broke upon their Lips, -and for the most part their Hands went up to their Hats, and they made -her Ladyship a deep obeisance. Indeed, just then she looked more like a -Wraith than a living Woman, and the Light of the Candles, which -flickered wildly in the Draught, accentuated the Weirdness of her -Appearance. - -"What is it, Tom? What is amiss?" Sir William Davenant was thus the -first to speak. - -"We thought You were playing some Prank." - -"You did call from that Window, did You not, Tom?" my Lord Rochester -insisted. - -And one or two of the Gentlemen nodded somewhat coldly to my Lord Stour. - -"Yes. I did call," Mr. Betterton replied, quite firmly. "But 'twas no -Whim on my Part thus to drag You into my House. It was not so much my -Voice that you heard as the Trumpet blast of Truth." - -At this, my Lord Stour broke into one of those harsh, mirthless Fits of -Laughter which betokened the perturbation of his Spirit. - -"The Truth!" he exclaimed with a cutting Sneer. "From You?" - -"Aye! the Truth!" Mr. Betterton rejoined with perfect calm, even whilst -his Friends glanced, puzzled and inquiring, from my Lord Stour to him, -and thence to her Ladyship's pale face, and even to Me. "The Truth," he -added with a deep Sigh as of intense Relief; "The Truth, at Last!" - -He stood in the centre of the Room, with one Hand resting upon the Desk, -his Eyes fixed fearlessly upon the Sea of Faces before him. Not the -slightest Tremor marred the perfect Harmony of his Voice, or the firm -poise of his manly Figure. You know as well as I do, dear Mistress, the -marvellous Magnetism of Mr. Betterton's Personality, the Way he hath of -commanding the Attention of a Crowd, whenever he chooseth to speak. -Think of him then, dear Lady, with Head thrown back, his exquisite Voice -rising and falling in those subtle and impressive Cadences wherewith he -is wont to hold an Audience enthralled. Of a truth, no experienced -Manager in Stage-Craft could have devised so thrilling an Effect, as the -Picture which Mr. Betterton--the greatest Actor of this or of any -Time--presented at that Moment, standing alone, facing the Crowd which -was thrilled into deadly Silence, and with the wraith-like Figure of -that exquisitely beautiful Woman as a Foil to his own self-possessed, -virile Appearance. - -"Gentlemen," he began, with slow, even Emphasis, "I pray you bear with -me; for what I have to say will take some time in telling. Awhile ago -his Lordship of Stour put upon me such an Insult as the Mind of Man can -hardly conceive. Then, on the Pretence that I was not a born Gentleman -as he was, he refused me Satisfaction by the Sword. For this I hated him -and swore that I would be even with him, that I would exact from his -Arrogance, Outrage for Outrage, and Infamy for Infamy." He then turned -to my Lord Stour and spoke to him directly. "You asked me just now, my -Lord, if my Revenge was satisfied. My answer to that is: not yet! Not -until I see You on Your bended Knees here, before these Gentlemen--my -Friends and Yours--receiving from the miserable Mountebank whom you -mocked, the pitiful cur whom You thrashed, that which you hold--or -should hold--more precious than all the Treasures of this earth: your -Honour and the good Name of the Lady who honours You with her Love! -Gentlemen!" he went on, and once more faced the Crowd. "You know the -Aspersions which have been cast on my Lord Stour's Loyalty. Rumours -have been current that the late aborted Conspiracy was betrayed by him -to the Countess of Castlemaine, and that She obtained his Pardon, whilst -all or most of his Associates were driven into Exile or perished on the -Scaffold. Well, Gentlemen, 'twas I who begged for my Lord's pardon from -the Countess of Castlemaine. His Degradation, his Obloquy, was the -Revenge which I had studiously planned. Nay! I pray you, hear me unto -the End," he continued, as a loud Murmur of Horror and of Indignation -followed on this Self-Accusation. "My Lord Stour is no Traitor, save to -Her whom he loves and whom in his Thoughts he hath dared to outrage. -The Lady Barbara Wychwoode deigned to plead with me for the Man whom she -honoured with her Love. She pleaded with me this afternoon, in the -Park, in sight of many Passers-by; but I in my Obstinacy and Arrogance -would not, God forgive me, listen to her." - -He paused, and I could see the beads of Perspiration glittering upon his -Forehead, white now like Italian Alabaster. They all stood before him, -subdued and silent. Think of Sir William Davenant, dear Mistress, and -his affection for Mr. Betterton; think of my Lord Roscommon and of Sir -Charles Sedley and his Lordship of Rochester, whose Admiration for Mr. -Betterton's Talent was only equalled by their Appreciation for His -Worth! It was before them all, before all these fastidious Gentlemen, -that the great and sensitive Artist had elected to humble his Pride to -the dust. - -But you shall judge. - -"Gentlemen," Mr. Betterton went on after a brief while; "We all know -that Love is a Game at which one always cheats. I loved the Lady -Barbara Wychwoode. I had the presumption to dream of her as my future -Wife. Angered at her Scorn of my Suit, I cheated her into coming here -to-night, luring her with the Hope that I would consent to right the Man -for whose sake she was willing to risk so much, for whom she was ready -to sacrifice even her fair Name. Now I have learned to my hurt that -Love, the stern little god, will not be trifled with. When we try to -cheat him, he cheats us worse at the last; and if he makes Kings of us, -he leaves us Beggars in the End. When my Lord Stour, burning with -sacrilegious jealousy, made irruption into my Room, the Lady Barbara had -just succeeded in wringing from me an Avowal which proclaimed his -Integrity and my Shame. She was about to leave me, humbled and crushed -in my Pride, she herself pure and spotless as the Lilies, unapproachable -as the Stars." - - - - 2 - - -Mr. Betterton had ceased speaking for some time; nevertheless, Silence -profound reigned in the dark, wainscotted Room for many seconds after -the final echo of that perfect Voice had ceased to reverberate. Indeed, -dear Mistress, I can assure You that, though there were at least fifty -Persons present in the Room, including those unknown to Me who were -swarming around the Framework of the Casements, you might have heard the -proverbial Pin drop just then. A tense Expression rested on every Face. -Can You wonder that I scanned them all with the Eagerness born of my -Love for the great Artist, who had thus besmirched his own fair Name in -order to vindicate that of his bitterest Foe? That I read Condemnation -of my Friend in many a Glance, I'll not deny, and this cut me to the -Quick. - -True! Mr. Betterton's Scheme of Vengeance had been reprehensible if -measured by the high Standards of Christian Forbearance. But remember -how he had been wronged, not once, but repeatedly; and even when I saw -the Frown on my Lord Roscommon's brow, the Look of Stern Reproof in Sir -Charles Sedley's Face, there arose before mine Eyes the Vision of the -great and sensitive Artist, of the high-souled Gentleman, staggering -beneath the Blows dealt by a band of hired Ruffians at the Bidding of -this young Coxcomb, whose very Existence was as naught in the Eyes of -the cultured World beside the Genius of the inimitable Mr. Betterton. - -I said that the Silence was tense. Meseemed that no one dared to break -it. Even those idly Curious who had swarmed up the Rainpipes of this -House in order to witness one of Tom Betterton's Pranks, felt awed by -the Revelation of this Drama of a great Man's Soul. Indeed, the Silence -became presently oppressive. I, for one, felt a great Buzzing in mine -Ears. The Lights from the Candles assumed weird and phantasmagoric -Proportions till they seared my aching Eyes. - -Then slowly my Lord Stour approached her Ladyship, sank on his Knees -before Her and raised the Hem of her Robe to his Lips. A sob broke from -her Throat; she tried to smother it by pressing her Handkerchief into -her Mouth. It took Her a second or two to regain her Composure. But -Breeding and Pride came to her Aid. I saw the stiffening of her Figure, -the studied and deliberate Movement wherewith She readjusted her Mantle -and her Veil. - -My Lord Stour was still on his Knees. At a sign from her Ladyship he -rose. He held out his left Arm and she placed her right Hand on it, -then together they went out of the Room. The Crowd of Gentlemen parted -in order to make way for the Twain, then when they had gone through, -some of the Gentlemen followed them immediately; others lingered for -awhile, hesitating. Sir William Davenant, Mr. Killigrew, my Lord -Rochester, all of Mr. Betterton's Friends, appeared at first inclined to -remain in order to speak with him. They even did me the Honour of -consulting me with a Look, asking of my Experience of the great Actor -whether they should stay. I slowly shook my Head, and they wisely acted -on my Advice. I knew that my Friend would wish to be alone. He, so -reserved, so proud, had laid his Soul bare before the Public, who was -wont to belaud and to applaud him. The Humiliation and the Effort must -have been a terrible Strain, which only Time and Solitude could -effectually cure. - -He had scarce moved from his Position beside the Desk, still stood there -with one slender Hand resting upon it, his Gaze fixed vaguely upon the -Door through which his Friends were slowly filing out. - -Within two minutes or less after the Departure of my Lord Stour and her -Ladyship, the last of the Crowd of Gentlemen and of Idlers had gone. -Anon I went across the Room and closed the Door behind them. When I -turned again, I saw that the knot of quidnuncs no longer filled the -Casements, and a protracted hum of Voices, a crackling of Ivy twigs and -general sound of Scrimmage and of Scrambling outside the Window, -proclaimed the Fact that even they had had the Sense and the Discretion -to retire quietly from this Spot, hallowed by the Martyrdom of a great -Man's Soul. - - - - 3 - - -Thus I was left alone with my Friend. - -He had drawn his habitual Chair up to the Desk and sat down. Just for a -few Moments he rested both his Elbows on the Desk and buried his Face in -his Hands. Then, with that familiar, quick little Sigh of His, He drew -the Candles closer to him and, taking up a Book, he began to read. - -I knew what it was that he was reading, or, rather, studying. He had -been absorbed in the Work many a time before now, and had expressed his -ardent Desire to give public Readings of it one day when it was -completed. It was the opening Canto of a great Epic Poem, the -manuscript of which had been entrusted to Mr. Betterton for Perusal by -the author, Mr. John Milton, who had but lately been liberated from -prison through the untiring Efforts of Sir William Davenant on his -behalf. Mr. Milton hoped to complete the Epic in the next half-dozen -years. Its Title is "Paradise Lost." - -I remained standing beside the open Window, loath to close it as the Air -was peculiarly soft and refreshing. Below me, in the Park, the idle, -chattering Crowd had already dispersed. From far away, I still could -hear the sweet, sad Strains of the amorous Song, and through the -Stillness of the Evening, the Words came to mine Ear, wafted on the -Breeze: - - "You are my Faith, my Hope, my All! - What e'er the Future may unfold, - No trial too great--no Thing too small. - Your whispered Words shall make me bold - To win at last for Your dear Sake - A worthy Place in Future's World." - - -I felt my Soul enwrapt in a not unpleasant reverie; an exquisite Peace -seemed to have descended on my Mind, lately so agitated by Thoughts of -my dear, dear Friend. - -Suddenly a stealthy Sound behind Me caused me to turn; and, in truth, I -am not sure even now if what I saw was Reality, or the Creation of mine -own Dreams. - -The Lady Barbara had softly and surreptitiously re-entered the Room. -She walked across it on tip-toe, her silken Skirts making just the -softest possible _frou-frou_ as she walked. Her cloud-like Veil wrapped -her Head entirely, concealing her fair Hair, and casting a grey Shadow -over her Eyes. Mr. Betterton did not hear her, or, if he did, he did -not choose to look up. When her Ladyship was quite close to the Desk, I -noticed that she had a Bunch of white Roses in her Hand such as are -grown in the Hot-houses of rich Noblemen. - -For a few Seconds she stood quite still. Then she raised the Roses -slowly to her Lips, and laid them down without a word upon the Desk. - -After which, she glided out of the Room as silently, as furtively, as -she came. - - - - 4 - - -And thus, dear Mistress, have I come to the end of my long Narrative. I -swear to You by the living God that everything which I have herein -related is the Truth and Naught but the Truth. - -There were many People present in Mr. Betterton's room during that -memorable Scene, when he sacrificed his Pride and his Revenge in order -to right the Innocent. Amongst these Witnesses there were some, whom -Malice and Envy would blind to the Sublimity of so noble an Act. Do not -listen to them, honoured Mistress, but rather to the promptings of your -own Heart and to that unerring Judgment of Men and of Events which is -the Attribute of good and pure Women. - -Mr. Betterton hath never forfeited your Esteem by any Act or Thought. -The Infatuation which momentarily dulled his Vision to all save to the -Beauty of the Lady Barbara, hath ceased to exist. Its course was -ephemeral and hath gone without a Trace of Regret or Bitterness in its -wake. The eminent Actor, the high-souled Artist, whom all cultured -Europe doth reverence and admire, stands as high to-day in that same -World's Estimation as he did, before a young and arrogant Coxcomb dared -to measure his own Worth against that of a Man as infinitely above him -as are the Stars. But, dear Mistress, Mr. Betterton now is lonely and -sad. He is like a Man who hath been sick and weary, and is still -groping after Health and Strength. Take pity on his Loneliness, I do -conjure You. Give him back the inestimable Boon of your Goodwill and of -your Friendship, which alone could restore to him that Peace of Mind so -necessary for the furtherance of his Art. - -And if, during the Course of my Narrative, I have seemed to you -over-presumptuous, then I do entreat your Forgiveness. Love for my -Friend and Reverence for your Worth have dictated every Word which I -have written. If, through my Labours, I have succeeded in turning away -some of the just Anger which had possessed your Soul against the Man -whom, I dare aver, you still honour with your Love, then, indeed, I -shall feel that even so insignificant a Life as mine hath not been -wholly wasted. - -I do conclude, dear and honoured Mistress, with a Prayer to Almighty God -for your Welfare and that of the Man whom I love best in all the World. -I am convinced that my Prayer will find Favour before the Throne of Him -who is the Father of us All. And He who reads the innermost Secrets of -every Heart, knows that your Welfare is coincident with that of my -Friend. Thus am I content to leave the Future in His Hands. - -And I myself do remain, dear Mistress, - Your humble and obedient Servant, - JOHN HONEYWOOD. - - - - - EPILOGUE - - -Ring down the Curtain. The Play is ended. The Actors have made their -final Bow before You and thanked You for your Plaudits. The chief -Player--a sad and lonely Man--has for the nonce spoken his last upon the -Stage. - -All is Silence and Mystery now. The Lights are out. And yet the -Audience lingers on, loath to bid Farewell to the great Artist and to -his minor Satellites who have helped to wile away a few pleasant Hours. -You, dear Public, knowing so much about them, would wish to know more. -You wish to know--an I am not mistaken--whether the Labour of Love -wrought by good Master Honeywood did in due course bear its -Fruitfulness. You wish to know--or am I unduly self-flattered--whether -the Play of Passion, of Love and of Revenge, set by the worthy Clerk -before You, had an Epilogue--one that would satisfy your Sense of -Justice and of Mercy. - -Then, I pray You, turn to the Pages of History, of which Master -Honeywood's Narrative forms an integral and pathetic Part. One of these -Pages will reveal to You that which You wish to know. Thereon You will -see recorded the Fact that, after a brief and distinguished Visit during -that Summer to the City and University of Stockholm, where Honours -without number were showered upon the great English Actor, Mr. Betterton -came back to England, to the delight of an admiring Public, for he was -then in the very Plenitude of his Powers. - -Having read of the Artist's triumph, I pray You then to turn over the -Page of the faithful Chronicle of his Career, and here You will find a -brief Chapter which deals with his private Life and with his Happiness. -You will see that at the End of this self-same year 1662, the Register -of St. Giles', Cripplegate, contains the Record of a Marriage between -Thomas Betterton, Actor, of the parish of St. Margaret's, Westminster, -and Mary Joyce Saunderson, of the aforesaid parish of St. Giles'. - -That this Marriage was an exceptionally happy one we know from -innumerable Data, Minutes and Memoranda supplied by Downes and others; -that Master John Honeywood was present at the Ceremony itself we may be -allowed to guess. Those of us who understand and appreciate the -artistic Temperament, will readily agree with the worthy Clerk when he -said that it cannot be judged by ordinary Standards. The long and -successful Careers of Thomas Betterton and of Mistress Saunderson his -Wife testify to the Fact that their Art in no way suffered, while their -Souls passed through the fiery Ordeal of Passion and of Sorrow; but -rather that it became ennobled and purified, until they themselves took -their place in the Heart and Memory of the cultured World, among the -Immortals. - - - - - THE END - - - - - ---- - - - - - By BARONESS ORCZY - - -His Majesty's Well-Beloved -The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel -Flower o' the Lily -The Man in Grey -Lord Tony's Wife -A Sheaf of Bluebells -Leatherface -The Bronze Eagle -A Bride of the Plains -The Laughing Cavalier -"Unto Cęsar" -El Dorado -Meadowsweet -The Noble Rogue -The Heart of a Woman -Petticoat Rule - - - - GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY - - NEW YORK - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS MAJESTY'S WELL-BELOVED *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39787 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a -registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, -unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything -for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. 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