CHAPTER XXIX
THE ENEMIES' PLANS
It has been shown that Arnault believed the decisive period to havecome that would see the success or failure of his "operation" inthe Catskills. Keen, penetrating, he had comprehended the situationclearly. He knew that Stella wished to accept Graydon, and was held incheck by financial considerations only. He had seen her manner duringthe preceding moonlight evening, and with intense anger had observedfrom a neighboring grove the episode in the summer-house. The twig hadnot casually parted under his step, but had been snapped between hisfingers. Stella's quick alarm and flight had revealed the continuanceof his hold upon her fears, if not her heart. From that moment hedismissed all indecision. In bitterness he realized that his prolongedstay in the mountains had not advanced his interests. He had hopedto win the girl by devotion, keeping financial pressure in thebackground; she had been only suave, agreeable, and elusive. He hadtold her that he expected her decision by Saturday evening; she hadmerely bowed in a non-committal way. Meanwhile it was evident that ifthe Muirs kept up, apparently retaining the power to pass unscathed tobetter times, she would prolong her hesitancy, and in the end acceptGraydon. He determined, therefore, to see her first, then her father,and to call in his loan immediately.
While Graydon and Madge were returning next morning from the lonelyfarmhouse Arnault was breakfasting at the hotel. He appeared inexcellent spirits. Miss Wildmere's alert observation could not detectfrom his manner his knowledge of the fact that she had been on thepoint of yielding to Graydon the evening before. He was full ofgallant courtesy toward her, and every glance and word expressedadmiration. This was always the breath of life to her, and whileit had ceased to give positive pleasure, its absence was likeuncomfortable weather.
After the meal was over he led her to the same summer-house in whichGraydon had almost spoken words endowed with a lover's warmth andeagerness.
"Stella," he said, "I shall go to town on the ten-o'clock train."
"I supposed you had concluded to remain all the week," she replied.
"No; very important interests call me to the city, much to my regret.You only bowed when I requested that I should receive a final answerbefore the close of this week. I shall return Saturday. Will you endmy suspense within this time?"
She was silent.
"Will you make me another promise, then? Will you remain free thisweek? If you will not bind yourself to me, will you promise thatno one else shall have a claim upon you until the time specifiedexpires?"
After some hesitation she said, "Yes, I will promise that."
"Please do so, and you will not regret it," was his quiet response.
"I am not so eager to be bound that I cannot promise so much."
"Very well then, I am content for the present;" and he changed thesubject.
They soon returned to the piazza, and Arnault employed his utmosteffort to be agreeable during the brief time remaining.
Earlier in the week he had written Mr. Wildmere a letter, inconsequence of which the momentous telegram had restrained thedaughter at the critical moment already mentioned.
When Madge came down to a late dinner she saw that Arnault haddisappeared from the Wildmere table, and that the belle was alreadya victim of _ennui_ in the absence of both gentlemen. During theafternoon Mrs. Muir was eager to gossip a little over the aspect ofaffairs, but soon found that Madge would do scarcely more than listen.
"I don't understand that Miss Wildmere at all," said the eldersister; "late last evening she went to yonder summer-house, hanging onGraydon's arm as if they were engaged or married, and now he's gone tobe absent several days. This morning she was there again with Arnault,and he wasn't talking about the weather, either. Now he's gone also.Before Graydon went she had another long interview with him while youwere asleep. Good gracious! what is she aiming at? Young men were notso patient in my day or in our village; and quiet as Henry appears,he wouldn't play second string to a bow as Graydon does. When MissWildmere first came I thought it was about settled, and I tried to bepolite to one whom I thought we should soon have to receive. Now it'sa sort of neck-and-neck race between the two men. If Graydon wins, howshall you treat Miss Wildmere?"
"Politely for Graydon's sake, of course."
"Whose chances are best?"
"Graydon's."
"Do you think she loves him?"
"Yes, as far as she can love any one.'
"Why, Madge, what do you mean?"
"She could not love as we should; she doesn't know what the wordmeans. If she did she wouldn't hesitate."
"You think Henry's opinion of her is correct, then?"
"I think he's right usually. Miss Wildmere is devoted to onebeing--herself."
"Why, Madge, it would be dreadful to have Graydon marry such a girl!"
"Graydon is not Harry Muir. He attained his majority some yearssince."
"He certainly is old enough to show more spirit. Well, I don'tunderstand her tactics, but such belles, I suppose, are a law untothemselves."
"Don't let us gossip about her any more. If Graydon becomes engagedthere is only one thing for us to do. Miss Wildmere has made herselfdisagreeable to me in many little nameless ways, and we never could befriends, but I shall not give Graydon cause for just complaint. If heasks me to see her with his eyes, I shall laugh at him and decline."
"They shall never live with us," said Mrs. Muir, emphatically. "I knowI'm not a brilliant and accomplished woman, but I have always madehome a place of rest and comfort for Henry, and I intend it alwaysshall be just such a refuge. He is nervous and uncomfortable wheneverthat girl comes near him. Some people can't get on together at all.I am so glad that he likes you! He says you are one that a man coulddepend upon in all sorts of weather."
"We'll see; but I like Santa Barbara weather, which is usuallyserene."
"Oh, Madge, you'll not go there again?"
"Yes, I shall probably make it my home. I should never keep my healthin the East, and I should dread a winter in New York more than I cantell you."
"Well," said Mrs. Muir, discontentedly, "I suppose you will have yourown way in everything hereafter; but I think you might at least try tospend a winter with us."
"If there were cause I would, Mary, but you are happy in your home,and I am not greatly needed. In my Western home I feel I can get themost out of life, just as you are getting the most out of yours. Ishould suffer from my old troubles in New York." This statement wastrue enough to both ladies, although a very prosaic impression wasconveyed to Mrs. Muir's mind.
To Madge, Graydon's absence contained a strong element of hope. Hewould not have gone away if all had been settled between him and MissWildmere, and, as Mary had said, there appeared stronger evidence ofuncertainty now than at first. Graydon had seen Miss Wildmere, and sheevidently had not finally dismissed Arnault.
Madge indulged in no idle brooding, however, and by activity everyhour in the day, passed the time bravely. One of her boy admirers hada horse, and became her escort on long excursions; and with Mrs. Muirshe went to see Tilly Wendall again on Friday morning. The poor girlwas very weak indeed, and could do little more than smile her welcome.Madge promised to spend Sunday night with her. She would have comebefore, but Graydon had told her that he might return Friday evening,and as a storm was threatening she thought it probable that he wouldhasten back to avoid it. She believed that there was still hope forher, and determined that she should never have cause in the future toreproach herself with lost opportunities. There was no imperative callof duty to her sick friend, for Mrs. Wendall said that two or threeneighbors had lately offered their services.
Mrs. Muir was gladdened on her return to the hotel by a telegram fromher husband, saying that he would arrive on the late train and spendSaturday with her. She and Madge sat down to dinner in a cheerfulmood, which evidently was not shared by Miss Wildmere.
That brilliant young woman, although she made herself the centre ofall things as far as possible, was a victim of poverty when thrownupon
her own resources. Madge detected her in suppressed yawns, andhad noted that she had apparently done little else than read novelssince parting with the two men who were metaphorically at her feet.Since the telegram she had not received a word from her father or anyone, and was inwardly chafing at the dead calm that had followed herexciting experiences. She did not misinterpret the deceptive peace,however, and knew that on the morrow she must decide what even sheregarded as the most momentous question of life. Persons under thedominion of pure selfishness escape many perplexities, however, andshe was prone to take short cuts to desired ends. Ready to practicedeceit herself, she became more strongly impressed that her fatherand Arnault were misleading her. Therefore she impatiently awaited theformer's appearance, that she might tax him with duplicity. Unless hehad something stronger than vague surmises to offer, she intended onthe morrow to promise Graydon Muir to be his wife.
As has been seen, Wildmere had too much conscience to try to sell hisdaughter outright, but since she was in a mood for a bargain he hadinsured the possibility of one remarkably good in his estimation, andwas now on his way with very definite offers and statements indeed.
In the late afternoon Madge was speaking about a book to anacquaintance who said, "Go up to my room and get it."
Madge was not sure whether she cared to read the book or not, and satdown to examine it. Suddenly she heard distinctly the words, "I don'tbelieve Henry Muir is in danger of failure. Graydon scouted the idea.You and Arnault are seeking to mislead me."
Madge then remembered that the next room was occupied by MissWildmere, and her first impulse was to make a noise, that theproximity of some one might be known, but like a flash came thethought, "Chance may have put me in the way of getting information ofvital importance to Henry;" and the next sentence spoken assured herthat this was true, for she heard a voice which she recognized as Mr.Wildmere's say:
"In all human probability Muir will be compelled to suspend to-morrow.Mr. Arnault has placed in his hands a call loan. You know what thatis. Arnault is so alarmed about Muir's condition that he will demandthe money in the morning, and I am perfectly satisfied that Muir can'traise it. You know enough about business to be aware of what willhappen if he cannot. Such is the market now that if Muir goes downhe will be cleaned out utterly, and Graydon will have to begin at thebottom like any other young man without resources. Of course, Arnaultcannot afford to lose the money, and must act like any other businessman.
"But he did not send me here to tell you this. As his broker I knowabout it, and tell you of my own accord. This is what he did authorizeme to say to you. Had not business interests, which have alreadysuffered from his devotion to you, prevented, he would be here nowto make the offer in person. He says that he will settle upon you onehundred thousand dollars in your own right the day you marry him, andalso give you an elegant home in the city. Now what is your answer?"
"When Henry Muir fails I'll believe all this," was the sullen reply.
"Be careful, Stella. Devoted as Arnault is he is not a man to betrifled with. He has made you a munificent offer, but if you show thiskind of spirit he is just the one to withdraw at once and forever.If you love Graydon Muir well enough to share his poverty, I havenot another word to say, although I shall be homeless myself inconsequence."
"Nonsense, papa! You have been on the eve of ruin more times than Ican remember. Graydon assured me that he was abundantly able to takecare of me, and that his brother was in no danger. I can have all theelegance I want and still follow my own inclination. If Henry Muirfails, of course that ends the matter; and if he is to fail to-morrowit will be time enough to give Mr. Arnault my answer to-morrow night,as he asked that I would. If I give him a favorable one I prefer to doit in person, for I don't wish to appear mercenary. You, I hope, havethe sense to keep this phase out of view."
"Oh, certainly. Such high-minded people as we are should not bemisjudged," was the bitter reply.
"One has to take the world as it is, and one soon learns that all arelooking after their own interests," was the cynical reply.
"A beautiful sentiment for one so young! Well, I must return to thecity to-night, and I cannot take your acceptance of Mr. Arnault'soffer?"
"No. I will give my answer in person to-morrow night. I can eitheraccede in a way that will please him, or decline in a manner thatwill keep his friendship. I suppose you believe what you say aboutMr. Muir, but I am sure you are mistaken, and I have set my heart onmarrying Graydon."
"Your heart?" satirically.
She made no answer.
"You are taking no slight risk," he resumed, after a moment.
"Either Arnault is misleading you, or Graydon is deceiving me, and Iwould believe him in preference to Arnault any day. I won't be duped."
"But I tell you, Stella, that under the circumstances Graydon'signorance is not at all strange. He has been absent; he is not inthe firm; and what is swamping Muir is an investment outside of hisregular business."
"You yourself said within a month that if Henry Muir went through thisbusiness crisis he would represent one of the strongest and wealthiesthouses in the country. If he is in the danger you assert, the factwill soon be manifested. Mr. Arnault has requested my answer to-morrownight. I have not promised to give it; I have only promised him not toaccept Graydon in the meantime."
"The fact that Mr. Arnault is helping me so greatly counts fornothing, I suppose."
"Oh, yes; I appreciate it very much, but not enough to marry himunless I must. I am literally following your advice--to choose betweenthese two men. I shall convey to Mr. Arnault the impression that Iam deeply moved by the generosity of his offer. I am. Girls don'tget such offers every day. You can show him that the very fact of myhesitation proves that I am not mercenary; or I can, when I see him.At the same time I am not at all satisfied that Graydon Muir's offeris not a better one, and it is certainly more to my mind--if youdon't like the word heart. This fact, however, may as well not bementioned."
After some moments' hesitation he said, slowly: "Very well, then. Youare my daughter, although a strange one, and I shall do as well foryou as I can."
"Yes, please. I parted with sentiment long ago, but I can do well bythose who do well by me. I shall soon be off your hands, and then youwon't have me to worry about."
He made no response, and Madge heard his step pass into his wife'sroom. A moment later Miss Wildmere also departed, and her voice wassoon heard on the piazza. The conversation had been carried on in acomparatively low tone, and some words had been lost, but those heardmade the sense given above. Circumstances had favored Madge. Theopen window at which she was sitting was near the next window in MissWildmere's room, and within two or three feet there was the customarythin-panelled door which enables the proprietor to throw roomstogether, as required, for the accommodation of families. Therefore,without moving or volition on her part information vital to herrelatives had been brought to her knowledge. She was perfectlyoverwhelmed at first, and sat as if stunned, her cheeks scarlet withshame for the act of listening, even while she felt that for the sakeof the innocent and unsuspecting, to whom she owed loyalty and love,it was right. Soon, however, came the impulse to seek the refuge ofher own room and think of what must be done. She stepped lightly tothe outer door; there was no sound in the corridor, and with all thecomposure she could assume she passed quietly out and gained her ownapartment unobserved.