CHAPTER XIX
STROKE AND COUNTER-STROKE
Those fifteen minutes had none the less proved a _mauvais quartd'heure_ for Mr. Kelly. As he entered the room, the memories of thegrey morning when first he stood there were heavy upon his thoughts. Acheerful fire burnt upon the hearth now as then. There was the setteeon which her ladyship had lain in her pretended swoon. The text whichhe had read in the Deanery recurred to him: 'Her ways are the ways ofDeath; her feet take hold on Hell.' Through the open door came thesound of music and the words jangled through Kelly's mind to the tune.
Lady Oxford closed the door; as the latch caught, Kelly lifted hishead and faced her. On that first occasion her ladyship had worn amask, and in truth she wore no mask now. A cruel smile played abouther lips; a cruel light glittered in her eyes. She looked him overwith triumph, as though he were her captive bound hand and foot. Thelook braced Mr. Kelly. He started from his memories as a man starts upfrom sleep; he lived alert and complete in the moments as they passed.Rose, the King's papers, his own liberty--this was his new text. Herladyship could be trusted to give a sufficient exposition of theother.
She seated herself, and with her fan beckoned him to a chair.
'We have much to speak of, sir. I hear that I have to make you mycongratulations, and to pay you my thanks. You may conceive with whatsincerity.'
Mr. Kelly remained standing by the fireside.
'For what services does your ladyship thank me?'
'You have made me a tavern-jest. I have to thank you for a ballad.'
Mr. Kelly did not deny or argue the point. His pressing business wasto know what Lady Oxford intended.
'And on what fortunate event does your ladyship congratulate me?'
'Are there so many fortunate events in the life of an Irish runagateand traitor? On your happy marriage, sir, with the starvingapothecary's daughter.'
Mr. Kelly laughed pleasantly.
'Your ladyship is pleased to be facetious. Upon my honour, I know nosuch woman,' he said, thinking thus to provoke her to disclose herpurposes.
Lady Oxford, to his surprise, rose up with a joyful air. 'I knew it,'she cried. 'I knew the story of the girl was the idle talk of theCocoa Tree. And Lady Mary thought to stab me with the cruel news. Ah,if the honour of my Strephon be pledged, his Smilinda's angervanishes.'
Here she threw her arms about Kelly's neck, in a very particularembrace, as if she would kiss him. But she refrained from such acaress. Her arms were clasped tighter and yet more tight till Kellycould scarcely breathe, and her cold whispering mouth touched his ear.
'There was, then, no starving apothecary?'
'None, madam. You have been misinformed.'
The embrace grew deadly tight. He could not have thought that a womanhad such strength in her arms.
'No man named Townley? No daughter Rose? No wound? No nursing? Nolove-vows? No dog Harlequin? No betrothal? Liar!' she whispered in astrange voice, 'I see your miss's ring upon your finger. I saw myportrait upon her breast. Did she steal it? 'Tis like enough. But 'tislikelier that you lie!'
'Your ladyship misunderstands,' said Kelly. 'I denied that there was astarving apothecary's daughter. I did not deny that there was a mannamed Townley, who, by the way, is your ladyship's guest. I did notdeny there was a daughter Rose----'
'Go!' she cried suddenly, releasing Kelly, and pushing him off. 'Iknow everything, everything. Go, traitor to your King and to yourword! And when you are hanged, but _not till you are dead_, rememberthat you have made a toy and jest of _me_, babbling to your Lady Marysand your Wogans.'
She flung herself back on a settee panting and tearing her lacedhandkerchief into shreds. Kelly waited a little for her to recover hercomposure.
'Madam,' he said, 'in the fatal circumstances you mention with suchrelish, it is certainly not of you that I shall think, though in lesspainful moments I shall ever do so with honour and gratitude. As forwhat you say of my babbling, I protest my innocence before Heaven.Your ladyship forgets that you have an enemy from whom it was my goodfortune once to defend you.'
Lady Oxford dropped her handkerchief and sat forward staringdoubtfully at Kelly, who at once pressed his advantage.
'It was into this room that I then had the honour of escorting yourladyship. Upon that occasion, if I may be pardoned for reminding you,what appears now to be treachery in me, seemed more akin to loyalty.But though the sentiments of your ladyship have suffered a changesince then, those of Mr. Scrope have not. It was he who had attackedyou then; it is he who attacks you now, and, believe me, it is myregret that I was not again at hand to defend you.'
The Parson should have stopped before those last few words werespoken. He spoke them in all sincerity, but they lost him theadvantage he had gained, for it was not in Lady Oxford's nature tobelieve them. She made her profit out of her lovers' sincerity, yetcould not comprehend it. It seemed almost as though some instinct ledher to choose them for that very quality, with which her judgmentcould not credit them.
'A fine story,' she exclaimed with a sneer, 'and no doubt theapothecary's daughter would be entirely content with it, but I knowyou lie.'
Kelly bowed in silence.
'Wait,' she said, mistaking the bow, for Mr. Kelly had a certainquestion to ask before he returned to the company; 'we must appeartogether.'
She took in her hand a box of lace which had been placed ready in theroom.
'Your hand, if you please, Mr. Johnson, for the last time. You aregoing, sir, to your death by rope and knife, or by point of sword.'
Mr. Kelly gave Lady Oxford his hand, and put his question:
'Your Ladyship has no fear that I shall escape?'
Her ladyship had none whatever, as her smile clearly showed.
'Then perhaps your ladyship will inform me how much liberty I havestill left to me.'
'You have to-night free,' she answered, and as he heard the wordsKelly's heart gave a great leap within him. 'So much reprieve youhave. But you must not go till I dismiss you. Enjoy yourself.' Shetook Kelly's hand with a low courtesy.
He had to-night free! At all events, the King's papers would be saved.If all else went down, the papers would be saved. So it came aboutthat he met Wogan at the stair-foot with a smiling face.
In the withdrawing-room the clatter of tongues had begun again, sothat neither Lady Oxford nor the Parson distinguished the shouts ofthe newsboys, as they mounted the stairs. To Mr. Wogan, indeed, whofollowed upon their heels, the words no longer rose clear and audible.But as they entered the room, it was plain something was stirring. Thewindows stood open, gentlemen leaned out, ladies asked questions;about each window there was a restless, noisy group. The candlesguttered in the wind; the card-tables were deserted; and straight infront of him Mr. Wogan saw Rose, her hands clasped in an extremity ofapprehension. Colonel Montague stood beside her chatting easily andmaking as though he remarked nothing of her uneasiness.
Then the hoarse cries again rang through the room.
'Bloody Popish Plot.' 'A Plot discovered.'
'What, yet another Plot?' said Mr. Wogan smiling to Lady Oxford.
'Mr. Walpole discovers plots by the dozen; he is the most active ofour guardians, 'said Kelly easily. He dared not look at Rose.
'We must hear more of it,' said Lady Oxford pleasantly, and callingher black boy: 'Run, Sambo, bring this late-flying night-bird of illomen.'
The boy grinned, and ran away upon his errand. Lady Oxford came up tomy Lady Mary Montagu.
'See, madam,' she cried, opening the box of lace with the air of achild that has a new toy.
'See what this kind obliger has brought me from the looms of the FairyQueen. All point d'Alencon of the finest. Yes, you may well lookenvious. Here is meat for a Queen.'
The other ladies, deserting the windows when they heard that magicalword 'lace,' crowded round, and Kelly was, where many a pretty fellowwould have loved to be, in the centre of a perfumed world of fans andhoops, of sparkling eyes
and patched faces. Kelly, however, had otherbusiness on hand, and, slipping through the group while Lady Oxfordwas praising her lace, he drew Wogan aside to a window now deserted.There he told him of his conversation with Lady Oxford.
'So you see, Nick, I have to-night free. I mean to run to my lodging,burn the papers, and then--why one has a night free. I may yet outwitmy lady. Besides, the papers once burned, there's little proof tocondemn me. Speak to Rose, Nick! She will believe _you_; you neverlied to her. Tell her there's no need to despair. Then make speed tothe coast. I must go to Ryder Street.'
As he turned, Nick caught him by the arm.
'You must not go yet.'
'Why?'
For answer Wogan turned to the window.
'Stand here in the shadow of the curtain. Across the street; there, inthe corner.'
Kelly put his hands to his face to shut out the light of the room, andpeered into the darkness.
'There is a man. Who is it?'
'I told you! Scrope. I saw him an hour ago. A link-boy's torch showedme his face. You have to-night free. An hour or so more will makelittle difference to you, and may tire out our friend there--or he maymean another bout with the sharps.'
'I hope so,' said Kelly.
At this moment Sambo returned with a little damp sheet of the _FlyingPost_, and the laces were forgotten. Sambo carried the sheet to LadyOxford.
'Faugh,' said she, 'I dare not touch the inky thing!'
Wogan came out from his window, where he left his friend, and took thesheet from the boy's black paw.
'Does your ladyship wish to alarm us all by reading out the news?These Papists are terrible fellows.'
'Read! Read!' said Lady Oxford, with a contented laugh.
Wogan ran his eyes over the print.
'It is scarce fit for ladies' ears,' he said meaningly. 'Some nonsenseout of Grub Street. The wretch should be whipped from Temple Bar toWestminster,' and Wogan made as if he would tear the sheet.
Her ladyship hesitated. But she could not guess what the sheetcontained, and she knew Mr. Wogan would try to screen his friend.
'Nay, read sir,' she said boldly, 'or must I imperil my own fingerswith the foul thing?'
Wogan folded the paper, and with a bow held it out to her ladyship;again she hesitated; she did not take the sheet; she looked intoWogan's face as though she would read the news-sheet there. Curioussmiles began to show upon the faces about her, heads to nod, lips towhisper.
'Shall I oblige your ladyship?' asked Mr. Methuen, who stood by.
'If you please,' replied Lady Oxford, but in a less certain tone thanshe had used before.
Mr. Methuen took the sheet from Wogan's hand, unfolded it, and glancedat it.
'It is indeed scarce fit for your ladyship's ears,' he said; and inhis turn he folded it.
The smiles broadened, the whispers increased. Lady Oxford wasaltogether disconcerted.
'I will read it,' a young voice rang out. Lord Sidney Beauclerkstepped forward, took the sheet from Mr. Methuen, and at once read italoud. He began defiantly, but towards the end his voice faltered. Mr.Kelly did not turn round, and seemed to pay no heed whatever.
'They write from Paris that a foul Plot against the Throne, and eventhe sacred Person of His Most Gracious Majesty hath been discovered.In Town, it is thought that a Lady of great Beauty who has a Tory Lordof advanced years and gouty Habit to her Husband, and a young WhigOfficer of great Promise for her Friend, hath given the Intelligenceto the Minister. Nobody has yet been taken, but the Gentry of theSilver Greyhound are thought to have their eyes on a certain ReverendNonjuror. We say no more for the present.'
Lord Sidney crumpled up the sheet, and retiring from the circle,slowly tore it in pieces.
'To be sure, they say quite enough,' murmured Lady Mary, and no oneelse spoke, but all looked to Lady Oxford.
Lady Oxford was brave.
In the silence of the company who were gathered round she spoke.
'Too scurrilous to need a contradiction! Doubtless it is I and my kindlace-dealer who are aimed at. Now Mr. Johnson is here, and is myguest. The inference is plain.'
Mr. Johnson turned from the window and came up to the group.
'My confidence in her ladyship is as great as my certainty that thereis no Plot in which I am concerned,' said Kelly, bowing to the lady,and letting his jolly laugh out of him to the comfort of the companywho did not smoke his jest. Mr. Wogan admired his friend.
It was now become impossible for Kelly to leave the house. Should hego now, his going would wear all the appearances of a hasty flight,and who knew but what some of Mr. Walpole's spies might be within theroom as well as in the street? Kelly must remain and brave it out, ashe clearly recognised. For,
'There are ears to be cut for this,' he went on, 'but we had better becutting the cards.'
'Mr. Johnson holds the bank with me!' cried Lady Oxford. 'After thisterrible false alarm I am ready to risk all, and brave everything. Imust win enough to pay for my laces; I am much in Mr. Johnson's debt.Sambo, my money box.'
The black boy ran out of the room. Mr. Kelly walked towards thecard-table, and as he went, a light hand was laid upon his arm, andRose's trembling voice whispered in his ear:
'George, you will go. Yes, now, to-night. There may yet be time foryou to cross to France.'
Mr. Kelly was comforted beyond words, beyond belief. Rose knew, andshe forgave; he had not thought it was in woman's nature. But he wasalso tempted to fly; his papers unburned, the Cause deserted. The handupon his sleeve had its fingers on his heart-strings, and was twangingthem to a very pretty tune. A few strides would bring him to thedoorway, a couple of leaps to the foot of the stairs, and outside wasthe night.
'You will go,' she repeated, seeing how her voice weakened him.'Now--now.'
'Yes 'trembled on his lips. It seemed to Rose in her great longingthat she heard the word breathed upon the air. But he did not speakit; he spoke no word at all. He started, his mouth dropped, his blueeyes stared, the blood was drained from his cheeks. He stood amazed,like one that sees a ghost. Rose followed the direction of his eyes;she saw the guests, the tables, the candles, but nothing that shouldso startle her lover.
'What is it?' she asked, fearing any delay that checked the assent shehad seen tremble on his lips. 'You will go! You will go!' But even asshe spoke she knew that he would not go. His face kept its pallor, butgrew resolute, ennobled. He had ceased to think of his own safety.
'I cannot go,' he said.
'Why?'
'Mr. Johnson,' Lady Oxford's voice broke in. Sambo had returned with acasket curiously enamelled. 'Mr. Johnson,' said she, looking into thecasket: 'Some five hundred pounds.'
'And six rouleaux,' added Kelly, bringing out the spoils of Hazardwith an air.
Rose turned away, her face of a sudden grown very white and hard. Shehad done her best to make Kelly seek safety, and he would not: couldshe do more?
The Parson crossed suddenly to Wogan, his face very pale, but with awonderful bright light in his eyes.
'Nick, I have seen the King, here, in this room, young, happy. Theshadow of the hundred years of sorrow of his race has lifted from hisforehead.'
'The King is at Antwerp, George. You have not seen him.'
'Then it is his spirit, which has taken form to hearten us,' Kellywhispered in a voice of awe.
'George, you have seen Lord Sidney Beauclerk.' It needed no more thana word to make him understand. He had not seen the King nor the King'sappearance, only the King's cousin, Lord Sidney. But now he could notforget any longer that the King's papers were in his lodgings; that atall costs he must reach his lodgings unfollowed; that at all coststhose papers must be a little pile of ashes before the morning came.
'The bank is open,' said Lady Oxford. 'Colonel Montague, will you finda lady and be our opposite?'
The glum Colonel bowed in silence, and allied himself with sillysmiling Lady Rich. The play was high. The luck had not deserted Kelly,while Lady Oxford paid him a hundred flatter
ing compliments andbantered her military lover, who was not ready at repartee or was notready then.
'_Malheureux en jeu_,' said Lady Oxford, repeating the proverb LadyMary had already quoted that evening. 'How fortunate, Colonel, must beyour affections!'
'It is only your ladyship who has all the luck and wins, or wins backif she loses,' answered the Colonel, looking at Mr. Kelly with an evilfavour, and her ladyship laughed in pure delight.
There was another game besides Quadrille played at that table. LadyOxford was setting Colonel Montague and the Parson by the ears. Didshe wish to embroil them in a quarrel to make Kelly's ruin doublysure? Wogan watched the Colonel; he had the first claim upon theColonel's sword. Mr. Kelly kept smiling and raking in the ripplinggolden stakes. The company stood round; they had left their tables tosee this great battle of Quadrille. At times Wogan caught a glimpse ofRose Townley through a gap in the circle. She could not know why herlover had not fled. She only knew that, in her despite, he stayed inthe house of the woman of whom he had told her at Avignon, though hislife was in peril; she only saw that woman fawning upon him, and himsmiling back to the woman. Lady Mary had stolen her hand into thegirl's, that no doubt was cold as marble, and in his heart Woganblessed her kind ladyship. At last all the tide of gold had turned toLady Oxford's side of the table. The Colonel rose and confesseddefeat.
People began to say their good-byes. Dr. Townley crossed the room tohis daughter, who rose at once with a word of thanks to Lady Mary. Mr.Kelly remarked her movement, and with an imploring look bade her waituntil Lady Oxford released him.
'Mr. Johnson,' said her ladyship, dividing the winnings, 'shortaccounts make long friends. I think when you reckon up the night youwill find that all my great debt to you is fully paid.'
Mr. Kelly bowed, and took the money, his eyes on her flushed face andglittering serpent's eyes. Lady Oxford turned to Colonel Montague.
'Your revenge is waiting for you, Colonel, whenever you are pleased toclaim it. To-morrow if you will.'
'Madam, I may claim my revenge to-night,' said the Colonel, andstepped back with his full weight upon Kelly's foot. There was nomistaking the deliberate movement. Lady Oxford made as though she hadnot seen it, but as she turned away her face had a look of pleasure,which Mr. Kelly remarked.
'Nay, Colonel,' said Wogan, 'you and I have a game to play, youremember. Le Queux's is still open and I claim the first call on yourleisure at Hazard.'
Colonel Montague answered Mr. Wogan with a good-nature which thelatter did not comprehend.
'I have indeed some words to say to you, sir.'
'But, Colonel,' said the Parson, 'you trod upon my foot. I shall behappy to consult you on the bruise to-morrow.'
'To-morrow?' said Montague, his face hardening instantly. 'I mayinquire after it before then,' and so making his bow he got him fromthe room.
Lady Oxford gave her hand to Wogan and dismissed him with a friendlyword. She was so occupied with the pleasure of her revenge that shehad altogether forgotten his jest about the ballad. Wogan on his sidemade his leave-taking as short as could be, for out of the corner ofhis eye he saw Kelly offering his arm to Miss Townley, and Kelly mustnot leave the house without Wogan at his side. For, in the firstplace, Colonel Montague was for a sure thing standing sentinel withinten paces of the door, and after he had run the gauntlet of theColonel, there was Scrope for him to make his account with, shouldScrope attempt to follow in his tracks. Mr. Wogan had a mind to insistupon his first claim to Colonel Montague's attentions, and, once theywere rid of him, it would not be difficult to come to a suitableunderstanding with Scrope should he attempt to follow them to RyderStreet.
Mr. Wogan was indeed already relishing in anticipation the half-hourthat was to come, and hurried after the Parson, who was by this timeclose to the door with Rose upon his arm and Dr. Townley at his heels.
'Good night, Mr. Johnson,' said her ladyship in a lazy voice. 'Takecare of yourself, for they tell me the streets are not too safe.'
Kelly dropped Rose Townley's arm and turned back towards Lady Oxford.
'But surely,' said he with some anxiety, 'tonight the streets aresafe. Your ladyship assured me of their safety to-night.'
Lady Oxford made no reply for a few seconds, she stood watching Kellywith an indolent smile. A word of Lady Mary's came back to Wogan'smind--a word spoken two years since in Paris, 'She will play cat toany man's mouse.'
'To-night?' said Lady Oxford, lifting her eyebrows, and she glancedtowards the clock. It was five minutes to one. Kelly stared at theclock, his mouth open and his eyes fixed. Then he drew his hand acrosshis forehead, and, walking slowly to the mantelpiece, leaned his handson it in a broken attitude and so stared at the clock again. LadyOxford had struck her last blow, and the last was the heaviest. Kellyhad the night free, but the night was gone--and the streets were notsafe. Nothing could be saved now--not even the King's papers. ThenWogan saw a change come over his face. The despair died out of it andleft it blank as a shuttered window. But very slowly the shutteropened. He was thinking; the thought became a hope, the hope aresolve. First his knees straightened, then the rounded shoulders rosestiff and strong. In his turn Kelly struck.
'Your ladyship,' he said, 'was kind enough some time ago to entrust mewith your own _brocades_. Those brocades are in the strong box in mylodgings.'
Wogan understood. Brocades was the name for letters in the jargon ofthe Plot. Lady Oxford's love-letters were in that box which he hadhandled that very afternoon. If Kelly was seized in the street hisrooms would be searched, the King's papers found, and, with the King'spapers, Lady Oxford's love-letters. Lady Oxford understood too. Heringenious stratagems of the evening to discredit the ballad and saveher fair fame would be of little avail if the world once got wind ofthose pretty outpourings of Smilinda's heart. Her face grew verywhite. She dropped her fan and stooped to recover it. It wasnoticeable, though unnoticed, that no one of those who were stillpresent stepped forward to pick up the fan. Curiosity held them inchains, not for the first time that evening. It was as though theystood in a room and knew that behind locked doors two people wereengaged in a duel. Now and then a clink of steel would assure themthat a thrust was made; but how the duel went they could not tell.
When Lady Oxford rose her colour had returned.
'My brocades?' she said. 'Indeed, I had purely forgotten them. Youhave had them repaired in Paris?'
'Yes, madam,' answered Kelly deliberately. 'I do not think the streetsare so unsafe as your ladyship supposes; but I should be sorry forthem to fall into any hands but your own if by any chance footpads endmy days to-night.'
He bowed and walked towards Rose Townley and her father, who stood inthe doorway at a loss what to make of the scene. He had crossed halfthe distance before Lady Oxford moved. Then, it seemed with one swiftstep, she stood at Kelly's side.
'Mr. Johnson, you are my prisoner!' she exclaimed. 'My dear brocades!Mr. Johnson, you are surely the most attentive of men. You must tellme how they have been repaired; I shall not close my eyes unless youtake pity on my impatience.'
Had Kelly been the man to care for triumphs wrested from a woman, hewould have found his occasion now. A minute before, Lady Oxford's eyesglittered with menaces, her face was masterful; now, her eyes besoughtpity, her face was humbled.
'If your ladyship will permit me,' said Kelly, 'I will return when Ihave seen Miss Townley to her chair.'
It was a difficult moment for Miss Townley. For to those who looked onit seemed that by some means here was Mr. Johnson brought back intobondage before the very eyes of his betrothed. But Rose was patient ofLady Mary's lesson. 'Tomorrow give him his _conge_ if you will;to-night be staunch! It is for life and honour!' She knew no more, butshe was loyal. Wogan had seen men go, for the Cause, to a shamefuldeath by torture. But he never saw courage so unfaltering, or loyaltyso true, as this girl's. She was not herself in that hour; she hadtaken up a part as an actress does, and she played it clean, andplayed it through. To-morrow she might be a woman again,
a womanwronged, deceived, insulted; to-night, with the astonishing valour andduplicity of her sex, she was all in her part, to see nothing, to knownothing, to be staunch.
To the smiles, the simpered sarcasms, the quizzing glances, she paidno heed. She said, with a simple dignity, to Lady Oxford:
'I will not keep Mr. Johnson long. It is but a few steps to yourladyship's door, where my chair waits for me,' and she held out herhand to Kelly. She had her reward. Kelly's face put on a look of pridewhich no one in the room could mistake. He took her hand with a laugh,and threw back his chest.
'I will return, your ladyship,' he said gaily, and with Rose passedout of the door. The whispers were stilled; the couple went down thestairs in a great silence. Rose bore herself bravely until she hadstepped into her chair; showed a brave face then at the window.
'I shall hear of you from France,' she whispered. 'Good-night.'
The chair was carried off; Dr. Townley followed. The Parson returnedslowly up the stairs. His heart was full; in Rose's eyes he had seenthe tears gathering; no doubt in the darkness of her chair they wereflowing now. She would hear of him from France! Well, he had his oneweapon--Lady Oxford's letters. If he used that weapon aright, whyshould she not hear of him from France? By the time he reached the topof the stairs, he was already putting together the words of the letterhe should write.
When he re-entered the withdrawing-room, the last few guests, of whomWogan was one, were taking their departure. Wogan saw Kelly movetowards the little card-table which had stood empty. Kelly sat down,and with the fingers of one hand he played with the cards, cuttingthem unwittingly as though for a deal. It was, after all, he and notWogan who had to play the hand with the shrouded figure. Wogan hadalready made his adieux. As he passed out of the door Lady Oxford wasstanding in the middle of the room plucking at her fan. As he wentdown the stairs, the door was flung to with a bang. Lady Oxford andKelly were left alone.