The Courtship of Morrice Buckler: A Romance

  CHAPTER XII.

  LADY TRACY.

  Outside the house I came face to face with the original of theminiature. So startled and surprised was I by her unexpectedappearance that I could not repress an exclamation, and she turned hereyes full upon me. She was seated upon a horse, while a mounted groombehind her held the bridle of a third horse, saddled, but riderless.'Twas evident that she had come to the house in Marston's company, andnow waited his return. My conviction that Marston had handed theminiature to Ilga was, I thought, confirmed beyond possibility ofdoubt, and I scanned her face with more eagerness than courtesy,hoping to discover by those means a clue to her identity. For a momentor so she returned my stare without giving a sign of recognition, andthen she turned her head away. It was clear, at all events, that shehad no knowledge or remembrance of me, and though her lips curved witha gratified smile, and she glanced occasionally in my direction fromthe tail of her eye, I could not doubt that she considered myexclamation as merely a stranger's spontaneous tribute to her looks.

  Indeed, the more closely I regarded her, the less certain did I myselfbecome that I had ever set eyes on her before. I was sensible of avague familiarity in her appearance, but I was not certain but what Iought to attribute it to my long examination of her likeness. However,since Providence had brought us thus opportunely together, I wasminded to use the occasion in order to resolve my perplexities, andadvancing towards her:

  "Madam," I said, "you will, I trust, pardon my lack of ceremony when Iassure you that it is no small matter which leads me to address you. Ionly ask of you the answer to a simple question. Have we met beforeto-day?"

  "The excuse is not very adroit," she replied, with a coquettish laugh,"for it implies that you are more like to live in my memory than I inyours."

  "Believe me!" said I eagerly, "the question is no excuse, but one ofsome moment to me. I should not have had the courage to thrust myselfwantonly upon your attention, even had I felt----"

  I broke off suddenly and stopped, since I saw a frown overspread herface, and feared to miss the answer to my question.

  "Well! Even had you felt the wish. That is your meaning, is it not?Why not frankly complete the sentence? I hear the sentiment so seldom,that of a truth I relish it for its rarity."

  She gave an indignant toss of her head, and looked away from me,running her fingers through the mane of her horse. I understood thatflattery alone would serve my turn with her, and I answered boldly:

  "You are right, madam. You supply the words my tongue checked at, butnot the reason which prompted them. In the old days, when a poormortal intruded upon a goddess, he paid for his presumption with allthe pangs of despair, and I feared that the experience might not beobsolete."

  She appeared a trifle mollified by my adulation, and replied archly,making play with her eyebrows:

  "'Tis a pretty interpretation to put upon the words, but the wordscame first, I fear, and suggested the explanation."

  "You should not blame me for the words, but rather yourself. Anawkward speech, madam, implies startled senses, and so should bereckoned a more genuine compliment than the most nicely-orderedeulogy."

  "That makes your peace," said she, much to my relief, for this work ofgallantry was ever discomforting to me, my flatteries being of theheaviest and causing me no small labour in the making. "That makesyour peace. I accept the explanation."

  "And will answer the question?" said I, returning to the charge.

  "You deserve no less," she assented. "But indeed, I have norecollection of your face, and so can speak with no greater certaintythan yourself. Perchance your name might jog my memory."

  "I am called Morrice Buckler," said I.

  At that she started in her saddle and gathered up the reins as thoughintending to ride off.

  "Then I can assure you on the point," she said hurriedly. "You and Ihave never met."

  I was greatly astonished by this sudden action which she made. 'Twasas though she was frightened; and I knew no reason why any one shouldfear me, least of all a stranger. But what she did next astonished mefar more; for she dropped the reins and looked me over curiously,saying with a little laugh:

  "So you are Morrice Buckler. I gave you credit for horn-spectacles atthe very least."

  Something about her--was it her manner or her voice?--struck me assingularly familiar to me, and I exclaimed:

  "Surely, surely, madam, it is true. Somewhere we have met."

  "Nowhere," she answered, enjoying my mystification. "Have you everbeen presented to Lady Tracy, wife of Sir William Tracy?"

  "Not that I remember," said I, still more puzzled, "nor have I everheard the name."

  "Then you should be satisfied, for I am Lady Tracy."

  "But you spoke of horn-spectacles. How comes it that you know so muchconcerning me?"

  "Nay," she laughed. "You go too fast, Mr. Buckler. I know nothingconcerning you save that some injustice has been done you. I was toldof a homespun student, glum and musty as an old book, and I findinstead a town-gallant point-de-vice, who will barter me complimentswith the best of them."

  "You got your knowledge, doubtless, from Hugh Marston," I replied,with a glance at the door; "and I only wonder the description was notmore unflattering."

  "I did not mean him," she said slowly. "For I did not even know thatyou were acquainted with"--she paused, and looked me straight in theface--"with my brother."

  "Your brother!" I exclaimed. "Hugh Marston is your brother?" And Itook a step towards her. Again I saw a passing look of apprehension inher face, but I did not stop to wonder at it then. I understood thatthe indefinable familiarity in her looks was due to the likeness whichshe bore her brother--a likeness consisting not so much of a distinctstamp of features as of an occasional and fleeting similarity ofexpression.

  "I understand," said I, more to myself than to her.

  She flushed very red in a way which was unaccountable, and broke inabruptly.

  "So you see we have never seen one another before to-day. For the lastyear I have been travelling abroad with my husband, and only came toLondon unexpectedly this morning."

  Her words revealed the whole plot to me, or so I thought. Secured fromdiscovery by the pledge of secrecy which he had exacted from Ilga,Marston had shown this miniature of his absent sister, and invented astory which there was no one to disprove. Looking back upon theincident with the cooler reflection which a lapse of years induces, Imarvel at the conviction with which I drew the inference. But althoughnow I see clearly how incredible it was that a man of Marston'sbreeding and family should so villainously misuse the fair fame of onethus near to hand, at the time I measured his jealousy by the violenceof my own, and was ready to believe that he would check at no barriersof pride and honour which stood between him and his intention. Events,moreover, seemed to jump most aptly with my conclusion.

  So, full of my discovery of his plot, I said a second time, "I.understand;" and a second time she flushed unaccountably. I spoke thewords with some bitterness and contempt, and she took them to refer toherself.

  "You blame me," she began nervously, "for marrying so soon afterJulian died. But it is unfair to judge quickly."

  The speech was little short of a revelation to me. So busy had mythoughts been with my own affairs, that I had not realised this was intruth the woman who had been betrothed to Julian, and who had betrayedhim to his shameful death. I looked at her for a moment, stunned bythe knowledge. She was, as her portrait showed her to be, very pretty,with something of the petted child about her; of a trim and supplefigure, and with wonderfully small hands. I remarked her handsespecially, because her fingers were playing restlessly with thejewelled butt of her riding-whip; and I did not wonder at her powerover men's hearts. A small, trembling hand laid in a man's great palm!In truth, it coaxes him out of very pity for its size. For my part,however, conscious of the evil which her treachery had done to Julian,ay, and to myself, too, I felt nothing but aversion for he
r, and,taking off my hat, I bowed to her silently. Just as I was turningaway, an idea occurred to me. She knew nothing of her brother's plotto ruin me in Ilga's estimation. Why should I not use her to confoundhis designs?

  "Lady Tracy," said I, returning to her side, "it is in your power todo me a service."

  "Indeed?" she asked, her face clearing, and her manner changing to itsformer flippancy. "Is it the new fashion for ladies to render servicesto gentlemen? It used to be the other way about."

  "As you have sure warrant for knowing," I added.

  The look of fear which I had previously noticed sprang again into hereyes; now I appreciated the cause. She was afraid that I knewsomething of her share in Julian's death.

  "It has been my great good fortune," she replied uneasily, "when Ineeded any small services, to meet with gentlemen who rendered themwith readiness and forbearance."

  She laid a little stress upon the last word, and I took a step closerto her.

  "You cannot be aware, I think, who lodges in this house."

  "I am not," she replied. "Why? Who lodges here?"

  "Countess Lukstein."

  She gave a little faltering cry, and turned white to the lips.

  "You need have no fear," I continued. "I said Countess Lukstein, thewife, or rather, the widow. For a widow she has been this many amonth."

  "A widow!" she repeated. "A widow!" And she drew a long breath ofrelief, the colour returning to her cheeks. Then she turned defiantlyon me. "And what, pray, is this Countess Lukstein to me?"

  "God forbid that I should inquire into that!" said I sternly, and hereyes fell from my face. "Now, madam," I went on, "will you do me thefavour I ask of you?"

  "You ask it with such humility," she answered bitterly, "that I cannotfind it in my heart to refuse you."

  "I expected no less," I returned. "Let me assist you to dismount."

  She drew quickly away.

  "For what purpose? You would not take me to--to his wife."

  "Even so!"

  "Ah, not that! Not that! Mr. Buckler, I beseech you," she imploredpiteously, laying a trembling hand upon my shoulder. "I have not thecourage."

  "There is nothing to fear," I said, reassuring her. "Nothingwhatsoever. Your brother is there. That guarantees no harm can come toyou. But, besides, Countess Lukstein knows nothing of the affair. Noone knows of it but you and I."

  She still sat unconvinced upon her saddle.

  "How is it you know, Mr. Buckler?" she asked, in a low tone.

  "Julian told me," I answered, perceiving that I must needs go furtherthan I intended if I meant to get my way. "Cannot you guess why? Isaid the Count was dead. I did not tell you how he died. He was killedin a duel."

  She looked at me for a moment with a great wonder in her eyes.

  "You!" she whispered. "You killed Count Lukstein?"

  "It is the truth," I answered. "And the Countess knows so little ofthe affair that she is even ignorant of that."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Should I come here a-visiting, think you, if she knew?"

  The words seemed somewhat to relieve her of apprehension, and sheasked:

  "To what end would you have me speak to her? What am I to say?"

  "Simply that you and I have met by chance, for the first time thismorning."

  "Then she couples your name with mine," she exclaimed, in a freshalarm. "Without ground or reason! Your name--for you killed him--withmine. Don't you see? She must suspect!"

  "Nay," I answered. "It is the strangest accident which has led her tolink us together in her thoughts. She can have no suspicion."

  "Then how comes it that she couples us who are strangers?"

  I saw no object in relating to her the device of her brother, or indisclosing my own passion for the Countess. Moreover, I bethought methat at any moment Marston might take his leave, and I was resolvedthat Lady Tracy should speak in his presence, since by that means hewould be compelled to confirm her words. So I broke in abruptly uponher questioning.

  "Lady Tracy, we are wasting time. You must be content with myassurances. 'Tis but a little service that I claim of you, and onethat may haply repair in some slight measure the fatal consequences ofyour disloyalty."

  She slipped her foot from the stirrup, and, without touching the handI held out to assist her, sprang lightly to the ground. It may be thatI spoke with more earnestness than I intended.

  "What mean cowards love makes of men!" she said, looking at mescornfully.

  The remark stung me sharply because I was fully sensible that I playedbut a despicable part in forcing her thus to bear testimony for meagainst her will, and I answered angrily:

  "Surely your memory provides you with one instance to the contrary;"and I mounted the steps and knocked at the door.

  Otto Krax answered my summons, and for once in his life he betrayedsurprise. At the sight of Lady Tracy, he leaped backwards into thehall, and stared from her to me. Lady Tracy laid a hand within my arm,and the fingers tightened convulsively upon my sleeve; it seemed asthough she were on the point of fainting. I bade the fellow, roughly,to wait upon his mistress, and inquire whether she would receive me,and a friend whom I was most anxious to present to her. With acuriosity very unusual, he asked of me my companion's name, that hemight announce it. But since my design was to surprise Hugh Marston, Iordered him to deliver the message in the precise terms which I hadused.

  So changed indeed was the man from his ordinary polite impassivity,that he abruptly left us standing in the hall, and departed on hiserrand with no more ceremony than a minister's servant shows to theneedy place-seekers at his master's levee. We stood, I rememberparticularly, in a line with the high window of which I have alreadyspoken, and the full light of the noontide sun fell athwart our faces.I set the circumstance down here inasmuch as it helped to bring abouta very strange result.

  "Who is the man?" whispered Lady Tracy, in an agitated voice. "Does heknow me?"

  "Nay," said I, reassuring her. "It may be that he has seen you before,at Bristol, for he was Count Lukstein's servant. But it is hardlyprobable that the Count shared his secret with him. And the matter wasa secret kept most studiously."

  "But his manner? How account for that?"

  "Simply enough," said I. "The person who slandered us to the Countess,gave her, as a warrant and proof, a miniature of you."

  "A miniature!" she exclaimed, clinging to me in terror. "Oh, no! no!"

  "Gott im Himmel!"

  The guttural cry rang hoarsely from the top of the stairs. I lookedup; Otto was leaning against the wall, his mouth open, his faceworking with excitement, and his eyes protruding from their sockets. Ihad just sufficient time to notice that, strangely enough, his gazewas directed at me, and not at the woman by my side, when I felt thehand slacken on my arm, and with a little weak sigh, Lady Tracyslipped to the floor in a swoon.

  I stooped down, and lifting her with some difficulty, carried, orrather dragged her to a couch.

  "Quick, booby!" I shouted to Otto. "Fetch one of the women and somewater!"

  My outcry brought Ilga onto the landing.

  "What has befallen?" she asked, leaning over the rail.

  "'Tis but a swoon," I replied; "nothing more. There is no cause foralarm."

  "Poor creature!" she said tenderly, and came running down the stairs."Let me look, Mr. Buckler. Ailments, you know, are a woman'sprovince."

  I was kneeling by the couch, supporting Lady Tracy's head upon my arm,and I drew aside, but without removing my arm. Ilga caught sight ofher face, and stopped.

  "Oh!" she cried, with a gasping intake of the breath; then she turnedon me, her countenance flashing with a savage fury, and her voice sobitter and harsh that, had I closed my eyes, I could not have believedthat it was she who spoke.

  "So you lied! You lied to me! You tell me one hour that you have neverhad speech with her, the next I find her in your arms."

  "Madame," I replied, withdrawing my arm hastily, "I told you thetruth."

  The he
ad fell heavily forward upon my breast, and I sought to arrangethe body full-length upon the couch.

  "Nay," said the Countess. "Let the head rest there. It knows itsproper place."

  "I told you the truth; believe it or not as you please!" I repeated,exasperated by her cruel indifference to Lady Tracy. "I never so muchas set eyes upon this lady before to-day. I know that now. For thefirst time in my life, I saw her when I left you but a few minutesago. She was waiting on horseback at your steps, and I persuaded herto dismount and bear me out with you."

  "A very likely plausible story," sneered Ilga. "And whom did yourfriend await at my steps?"

  "Her brother," I replied shortly. "Hugh Marston."

  "Her brother!" she exclaimed. "We'll even test the truth of that."

  She ran quickly to the foot of the stairs, as though she would ascendthem. But seeing Otto still posted agape half-way up, she stopped andcalled to him.

  "Tell Mr. Marston that his sister lies in the hall in a dead faint!"

  Otto recovered his wits, and went slowly up to the parlour, while theCountess eyed me triumphantly. But in a moment Marston came flyingdown the stairs; he flung himself on his knees beside his sister.

  "Betty!" he cried aloud, and again, whispering it into her ear with acaressing reproach, "Betty!" He shook her gently by the shoulders,like one that wakes a child from sleep. "Is there no help, no doctornear?"

  One of the Countess's women came forward and loosed the bodice of LadyTracy's riding-habit at the throat, while another fetched a bottle ofsalts.

  "It is the heat," they said. "She will soon recover."

  Marston turned to me with a momentary friendliness.

  "It was you who helped my sister. Thank you!" He spoke simply and withso genuine cordiality that I could not doubt his affection for LadyTracy; and I wondered yet the more at the selfish use to which he hadput her reputation.

  After a while the remedies had their effect, and Lady Tracy opened hereyes. Ilga was standing in front of her a few paces off, her face setand cold, and I noticed that Lady Tracy shivered as their glances met.

  "Send for a chair, Hugh!" she whispered, rising unsteadily to herfeet.

  "'Twere wiser for you to rest a little before you leave," said theCountess, but there was no kindliness in her voice to second theinvitation, and she did not move a step towards her.

  "I would not appear discourteous, madame," faltered Lady Tracy, "but Ishall recover best at home."

  "I will fetch a chair, Betty," said Marston, and made as though to go;but with a terrified "No, no!" Lady Tracy caught him by the coat anddrew his arm about her waist, clasping her hand upon it to keep itthere. 'Twas the frankest confession of fear that ever I chanced upon,and I marvelled not that Ilga smiled at it. However, she despatchedOtto upon the errand, and presently Marston accompanied his sister toher home.

  Ilga and myself were thus left standing in the hall, looking each atthe other. I was determined not to speak, being greatly angered forthat she had not believed me when I informed her Lady Tracy wasMarston's sister, and I took up my hat and cane and marched with mynose in the air to the door. But she came softly behind me, and saidin the gentlest tone of contrition:

  "I seem to spend half my life in giving you offence and the other halfin begging your pardon."

  And contrasting her sweet patience with me against the cold dislikewhich she had evinced to Lady Tracy, I, poor fool, carried home withme the fancy yet more firmly rooted than before, that her antagonismto the original of the miniature was no more than the outcome of awoman's jealousy.