CHAPTER IV
THE GARDEN IN THE SQUARE
As it chanced Godfrey did see Isobel once more before he left England.It was arranged that he was to leave Charing Cross for Switzerlandearly on a certain Wednesday morning. Late on the Tuesday afternoon,Mr. Knight brought the lad to the Charing Cross Hotel. There, havingtaken his ticket and made all other necessary arrangements, he lefthim, returning himself to Essex by the evening train. Their farewellwas somewhat disconcerting, at any rate to the mind of the youth.
His father retired with him to his room at the top of the hotel, andthere administered a carefully prepared lecture which touched uponevery point of the earnest Christian's duty, ending up with admonitionson the dangers of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and a strongcaution against frivolous, unbelieving and evil-disposed persons,especially such as were young, good-looking and wore petticoats.
"Woman," said Mr. Knight, "is the great danger of man. She is theDevil's favourite bait, at least to some natures of which I fear yoursis one, though that is strange, as I may say that on the whole I havealways disliked the sex, and I married for other reasons than thosewhich are supposed to be common. Woman," he went on, warming to histopic, "although allowed upon the world as a necessary evil, is apainted snare, full of [he meant baited with] guile. You will rememberthat the first woman, in her wicked desire to make him as bad asherself, tempted Adam until he ate the apple, no doubt under threats ofestranging herself from him if he did not, and all the results thatcame from her iniquity, one of which is that men have had to work hardever since."
Here Godfrey reflected that there was someone behind who tempted thewoman, also that it is better to work than to sit in a garden ineternal idleness, and lastly, that a desire for knowledge is naturaland praiseworthy. Had Isobel been in his place she would have advancedthese arguments, probably in vigorous and pointed language, but, havinglearnt something of Adam's lesson, he was wiser and held his tongue.
"There is this peculiarity about women," continued his parent, "which Ibeg you always to remember. It is that when you think she is doing whatyou want and that she loves you, you are doing what she wants andreally she only loves herself. Therefore you must never pay attentionto her soft words, and especially beware of her tears which are herstrongest weapon given to her by the father of deceit to enable her tomake fools of men. Do you understand?"
"Yes," said Godfrey, with hesitation, "but----" this burst from himinvoluntarily, "but, Father, if you have always avoided women, as yousay, how do you know all this about them?"
For a moment Mr. Knight was staggered. Then he rose to the occasion.
"I know it, Godfrey, by observing the effect of their arts on others,as I have done frequently."
A picture rose in Godfrey's mind of his father with his eye tokeyholes, or peering through fences with wide-open ears, but wisely hedid not pursue the subject.
"My son," continued and ended Mr. Knight, "I have watched you closelyand I am sure that your weakness lies this way. Woman is and alwayswill be the sin that doth so easily beset you. Even as a child youloved Mrs. Parsons much more than you did me, because, although old andunsightly, she is still female. When you left your home this morningfor the first time, who was it that you grieved to part from? Not yourcompanions, the other boys, but Mrs. Parsons again, whom I found youembracing in that foolish fashion, yes, and mingling your tears withhers, of which at your age you should be ashamed. Indeed I believe thatyou feel being separated from that garrulous person, who is but aservant, more than you do from me, your father."
Here he waited for Godfrey's contradiction, but as none came, went onwith added acerbity:
"Of that _anguis in herba_, that viper, Isobel, who turns the pure milkof the Word to poison and bites the hand that fed her, I will saynothing, nothing," (here Godfrey reflected that Isobel would have beenbetter described as a lion in the path rather than as a snake in thegrass) "except that I rejoice that you are to be separated from her,and I strictly forbid any communication between you and her, bold,godless and revolutionary as she is. I had rather see any man for whosewelfare I cared, married to a virtuous and pious-minded housemaid, thanto this young lady, as she is called, with all her wealth and position,who would eat out his soul with her acid unbelief and turn the worldupside down to satisfy her fancy. Now I must go or I shall miss mytrain. Here is a present for you, of which I direct you to read achapter every day," and he produced out of a brown paper parcel a largeFrench Bible. "It will both do you good and improve your knowledge ofthe French tongue. I especially commend your attention to certainverses in Proverbs dealing with the dangers on which I have touched,that I have marked with a blue pencil. Do you hear?"
"Yes, Father. Solomon wrote Proverbs, didn't he?"
"It is believed so and his wide--experience--gives a special value tohis counsel. You will write to me once a week, and when you have hadyour dinner get to bed at once. On no account are you to go out intothe streets. Goodbye."
Then he planted a frosty kiss upon Godfrey's brow and departed, leavingthat youth full of reflections, but to tell the truth, somewhatrelieved.
Shortly afterwards Godfrey descended to the coffee-room and ate hisdinner. Here it was that the universal temptress against whom he hadbeen warned so urgently, put in a first appearance in the person of apleasant and elderly lady who was seated alongside of him. Noting thisgood-looking and lonely lad, she began to talk to him, and being awoman of the world, soon knew all about him, his name, who he was,whither he was going, etc. When she found out that it was to Lucerne,or rather its immediate neighbourhood, she grew quite interested,since, as it happened, she--her name was Miss Ogilvy--had a house therewhere she was accustomed to spend most of the year. Indeed, she wasreturning by the same train that Godfrey was to take on the followingmorning.
"We shall be travelling companions," she said when she had explainedall this.
"I am afraid not," he answered, glancing at the many evidences ofwealth upon her person. "You see," he added colouring, "I am goingsecond and have to spend as little as possible. Indeed I have broughtsome food with me in a basket so that I shall not need to buy any mealsat the stations."
Miss Ogilvy was touched, but laughed the matter off in her charmingway, saying that he would have to be careful that the Custom-houseofficers did not think he was smuggling something in his basket, and asshe knew them all must look to her to help him if he got intodifficulties on the journey. Then she went on chatting and drawing himout, and what is more, made him take several glasses of some deliciouswhite wine she was drinking. It was not very strong wine, but exceptfor a little small beer, practically Godfrey had been brought up as ateetotaller for economy's sake, and it went to his head. He becamerather effusive; he told her of Sir John Blake about whom she seemed toknow everything already, and something of his friendship with Isobel,who, he added, was coming out that very night at a fancy dress ball inLondon.
"I know," said Miss Ogilvy, "at the de Lisles' in Grosvenor Square. Iwas asked to it, but could not go as I am starting to-morrow."
Then she rose and said "Good-night," bidding him be sure not to be latefor the train, as she would want him to help her with her luggage.
So off she went looking very charming and gracious, although she wasover forty, and leaving Godfrey quite flattered by her attention.
Not knowing what to do he put on his hat and, walking across thestation yard, took his stand by a gateway pillar and watched the tideof London life roll by. There he remained for nearly an hour, since thestrange sight fascinated him who had never been in town before, theobject of some attention from a policeman, although of this he wasunaware. Also some rather odd ladies spoke to him from time to timewhich he thought kind of them, although they smelt so peculiar andseemed to have paint upon their faces. In answer to the inquiries oftwo of them as to his health he told them that he was very well. Alsohe agreed cordially with a third as to the extreme fineness of thenight, and assured a fourth that he had no wish to take a walk as hewas
shortly going to bed, a statement which caused her to break intouncalled-for laughter.
It was at this point that the doubting policeman suggested that heshould move on.
"Where to?" asked Godfrey of that officer of the law.
"To 'ell if you like," he replied. Then struck with curiosity, heinquired, "Where do you want to go to? This pillar ain't a leaningpost."
Godfrey considered the matter and said with the verve of slightintoxication:
"Only two places appeal to me at present, heaven (not hell as yousuggested), and Grosvenor Square. Perhaps, however, they are the same;at any rate, there is an angel in both of them."
The policeman stared at him but could find no fault with the perfectsobriety of his appearance.
"Young luny, I suspect," he muttered to himself, then said aloud:"Well, the Strand doesn't lead to 'eaven so far as I have noticed,rather t'other way indeed. But if you want Grosvenor Square, it's overthere," and he waved his hand vaguely towards the west.
"Thank you," said Godfrey, taking off his hat with much politeness. "Ifthat is so, I will leave heaven to itself for the present and contentmyself with Grosvenor Square."
Off he started in the direction indicated, and, as it seemed to him,walked for many miles through a long and bewildering series ofbrilliant streets, continually seeking new information as to his goal.The end of it was that at about a quarter to eleven he found himselfsomewhere in the neighbourhood of the Edgware Road, utterly stranded asit were, since his mind seemed incapable of appreciating furtherindications of locality.
"Look here, young man," said a breezy costermonger to whom he hadappealed, "I think you had better take a 'ansom for the 'orse will knowmore about London than you seem to do. There's one 'andy."
"That is an idea," said Godfrey, and entered the cab, giving theaddress of Grosvenor Square.
"What number?" asked the driver.
"I don't know," replied Godfrey, "the Ball, Grosvenor Square."
Off they went, and in due course, reaching the square, drove round ituntil they came to a great house where there were signs of festivity inthe shape of an awning above the entrance and a carpet on the pavement.
The cab stopped with a jerk and a voice from above--never having beenin a hansom before, at first Godfrey could not locate it--exclaimed:
"Here's your Ball, young gent. Now you'd better hop out and dance."
His fare began to explain the situation through the little trap in theroof, demonstrating to the Jehu that his object was to observe the ballfrom without, not to dance at it within, and that it was necessary forhim to drive on a little further. That worthy grew indignant.
"Blowed if I don't believe you're a bilk," he shouted through the hole."Here, you pay me my fare and hook it, young codger."
Godfrey descended and commenced a search for money, only to rememberthat he had left his purse in his bag at the hotel. This also heexplained with many apologies to the infuriated cabby, two gorgeousflunkeys who by now had arrived to escort him into the house, and agroup of idlers who had collected round the door.
"I told yer he was a bilk. You look after your spoons, Thomas; I expectthat's wot he's come for. Now you find that bob, Sonny, or I fetchesthe perlice."
Then an inspiration flashed on Godfrey's bewildered mind. Suddenly herecollected that, by the direction of heaven, Mrs. Parsons had sewn aten shilling piece into the lining of his waistcoat, "in case he shouldever want any money sudden-like." He undid that garment and heedless ofthe mockery of the audience, began to feel wildly at its interiorcalico. Joy! there it was in the lefthand corner.
"I have money here if only I can get it out," he gasped.
A woman in the gathering crowd, perhaps from pity, or curiosity, in themost unexpected way produced a pair of scissors from her pocket withwhich he began to hack at the waistcoat, gashing it sadly. At lengththe job was done and the half-sovereign appeared wrapped in a piece ofcotton wool.
"Take it," said Godfrey, "and go away. Let it teach you to have moretrust in your fellow creatures, Mr. Cabman."
The man seized the coin, examined it by the light of his lamp, tastedit, bit it, threw it on the top of the cab to see that it rang true,then with a "Well, I'm blowed!" whipped up his horse and went off.
Godfrey followed his example, as the flunkeys and the audience supposedto recover his change, though the last thing he was thinking of at thatmoment was change--except of locality. He ran a hundred yards or moreto a part of the square where there was no lamp, then paused toconsider.
"I have made a fool of myself," he reflected, "as Isobel always says Ido when I get the chance. I have come all this way and been abused andlaughed at for nothing."
Then his native determination began to assert itself. Why should it befor nothing? There was the house, and in it was Isobel, and oh! hewanted to see her. He crossed to the square-garden side and walked downin the shadow of the trees which grew there.
Under one of these he took his stand, squeezing himself against therailings, and watched the glowing house that was opposite, from whichcame the sounds of music, of dancing feet, of laughter and the tinklingof glasses. It had balconies, and on these appeared people dressed inall sorts of costumes. Among them he tried to recognise Isobel, butcould not. Either she did not come or he was too far off to see her.
A dance was ending, the music grew faster and faster, then ceased witha flourish. More people appeared on the balconies. Others crowded intothe hall, which he could see, for the door was open. Presently a paircame onto the steps. One of them was dressed as a knight in shiningarmour. He was a fine, tall young man, and his face was handsome, asthe watcher could perceive, for he had taken off his plumed helm andcarried it in his hand. The other was Isobel in her Plantagenetcostume, to which were added one rose and a necklet of pink pearls.They stood on the steps a little while laughing and talking. Then heheard her say:
"Let us go into the square. It will be cooler. The key is hanging onthe nail."
She vanished for a moment, doubtless to fetch the key. Then they walkeddown the steps, over the spread carpet, and across the roadway. Withinthree paces of where Godfrey stood there was a gate. She gave the keyto the knight, and after one or two attempts the gate swung open.Whilst he was fumbling at the lock she stood looking about her, andpresently caught sight of Godfrey's slim figure crouched against therailings in the deepest of the shadows.
"There is someone there, Lord Charles," she said.
"Is there?" he answered, indifferently. "A cab-tout or a beggar, Iexpect. They always hang about parties. Come on, it is open at last."
They passed into the garden and vanished. A wild jealousy seizedGodfrey, and he slipped after them with the intention of revealinghimself to Isobel. Inside the railings was a broad belt of shrubsbordered by a gravel path. The pair walked along the path, Godfreyfollowing at a distance, till they came to a recessed seat on whichthey sat down. He halted behind a lilac bush ten paces or so away, notthat he wanted to listen, but because he was ashamed to show himself.Indeed, he stopped his ears with his fingers that he might not overheartheir talk. But he did not shut his eyes, and as the path curved hereand the moon shone on them, he could see them well. They seemed verymerry and to be playing some game.
At any rate, first with her finger she counted the air-holes in theknight's helmet which he held up to her. Then with his finger hecounted the pearls upon her neck. When he had finished she clapped herhands as though she had won a bet. After this they began to whisper toeach other, at least he whispered and she smiled and shook her head.Finally, she seemed to give way, for she unfastened the flower whichshe wore in the breast of her dress, and presented to him. Godfreystarted at the sight which caused him to take his fingers from his earsand clutch the bush. A dry twig broke with a loud crack.
"What's that?" said Isobel.
"Don't know," answered Lord Charles. "What a funny girl you are, alwaysseeing and hearing things. A stray cat, I expect; London squares arefull of them. Now I have won my lady's favour
and she must fasten it tomy helm after the ancient fashion."
"Can't," said Isobel. "There are no pins in Plantagenet dresses."
"Then I must do it for myself. Kiss it first, that was the rule, youknow."
"Very well," said Isobel. "We must keep up the game, and there areworse things to kiss than roses."
He held the flower to her and she bent forward to touch it with herlips. Suddenly he did the same, and their lips came very close togetheron either side of the rose.
This was too much for Godfrey. He glided forward, as the stray catmight have done, of which the fine knight had spoken, meaning tointerrupt them.
Then he remembered suddenly that he had no right to interfere; that itwas no affair of his with whom Isobel chose to kiss roses in a garden,and that he was doing a mean thing in spying upon her. So he haltedbehind another bush, but not without noise. His handsome young face wasthrust forward, and on it were written grief, surprise and shame. Themoonlight caught it, but nothing else of him. Isobel looked up and saw.
He knew that she had seen and turning, slipped away into the darknessback to the gate. As he went he heard the knight called Lord Charles,exclaim:
"What's the matter with you?" and Isobel answer, "Nothing. I have seena ghost, that's all. It's this horrible dress!"
He glanced back and saw her rise, snatch the rose from the knight'shand, throw it down and stamp upon it. Then he saw and heard no morefor he was through the gate and running down the square. At its end, ashe turned into some street, he was surprised to hear a gruff voicecalling to him to stop. On looking up he saw that it came from hisenemy, the hansom-cab man, who was apparently keeping a lookout on thesquare from his lofty perch.
"Hi! young sir," he said, "I've been watching for you and thinking ofwot you said to me. You gave me half a quid, you did. Jump in and I'lldrive you wherever you want to go, for my fare was only a bob."
"I have no more money," replied Godfrey, "for you kept the change."
"I wasn't asking for none," said the cabby. "Hop in and name where itis to be."
Godfrey told him and presently was being rattled back to the CharingCross Hotel, which they reached a little later. He got out of the cabto go into the hotel when once again the man addressed him.
"I owe you something," he said, and tendered the half-sovereign.
"I have no change," said Godfrey.
"Nor 'ain't I," said the cabman, "and if I had I wouldn't give it you.I played a dirty trick on you and a dirtier one still when I took yourhalf sov, I did, seeing that I ought to have known that you ere just anobfusticated youngster and no bilk as I called you to them flunkeys.What you said made me ashamed, though I wouldn't own it before theflunkeys. So I determined to pay you back if I could, since otherwise Ishouldn't have slept well to-night. Now we're quits, and goodbye, anddo you always think kindly of Thomas Sims, though I don't suppose Ishall drive you no more in this world."
"Goodbye, Mr. Sims," said Godfrey, who was touched. Moreover Mr. Simsseemed to be familiar to him, at the moment he could not remember how,or why.
The man wheeled his cab round, whipping the horse which was a spiritedanimal, and started at a fast pace.
Godfrey, looking after him, heard a crash as he emerged from the gates,and ran to see what was the matter. He found the cab overturned and thehorse with a 'bus pole driven deep into its side, kicking on thepavement. Thomas Sims lay beneath the cab. When the police and othersdragged him clear, he was quite dead!