STORY ONE, CHAPTER SIX.
A PLEASANT EVENING.
Dutch Pugh seized his hat and coat, and was about to dash into thestreet, when the remembrance of that evening before the coming of theCuban came upon him, and he replaced them.
"Stop a moment," he said hoarsely, as he began to walk up and down oncemore. "Let me think--let me take matters coolly, or I shall go mad.There, there, this will not do; I'm going up and down here like a wildbeast in his cage."
He made an effort, and forced himself to sit down. "Now," he said,"let's see. What does this mean? Here am I, a strong, full-blooded,sane man, and what have I been doing?"
He paused for a moment before answering his question.
"Letting my mind dwell on thoughts that are a disgrace to me, till Iimagine--yes, imagine--so vividly that it seems real, all that nonsense.I picture the scene. I magnify a simple piece of cardboard, and makeit fit my own vile imaginations till I see what could never have takenplace; and on the strength of that, what am I going to do? Why rush offhome as jealous and mad as an Othello, ready to distort everything Isee, believe what does not exist, and generally play such a part as Ishould repent to my last day. Poor girl, has it come to this, that Icannot trust you, and am going to play the spy upon your actions?"
"No, hang me if I do. Now, look here, Dutch, this is not manly," hecontinued, catechising himself. "You are foolishly jealous of that man,are you not?"
"Yes," he said, answering his own question. "Now then, why are youjealous? Has your wife ever given you the slightest cause?"
"Never, so help me Heaven."
"There, then, does not that satisfy you? Why, man, if everyone who hasa handsome wife were to act like this, what a world we should have. Somuch, then, for your wife. Now, then, about this man--what of him? Heis polished and refined, and pays your wife attentions. Well, so wouldany foreigner under the circumstances. Shame, man, shame; he is yourguest, the guest, too, of a woman whose truth you know--whose whole lifeis beyond suspicion. You leave her every day to go here or there, anddoes she ask you where you have been--what you have done? Does shesuspect you? Why, Dutch Pugh, you wretched maniac, if she saw youtalking to a score of pretty women how would she act? I'll tell you.She'd open those sweet, candid eyes of hers, and beam upon you, and nomore doubt your truth than that of Heaven."
"And I'll not doubt yours, darling," he muttered, going to the desk,taking out the photograph, kissing it before putting it back; and then,tightening his lips, he took his seat, fixed his attention upon hiswork, and grew so intent that the next time he looked at his watch itwas close upon nine, when, in a calm, matter-of-fact way, he walked allthe way home.
In spite of his determination, he could not help seeing that Hesterlooked pale and troubled when he entered the little drawing-room, andthat her manner was strange and constrained. She met his gaze in atimid way, and without doubt her hand trembled.
He would not notice her, though, but began chatting to them, Laure beingin the highest of spirits and relating anecdotes of his travels tillDutch felt in the best of spirits, and it was near midnight when theyall rose for bed, Hester looking very pallid though--so much so thatDutch noticed it.
"Are you quite well, dear?" he asked.
She raised her eyes, and was about to speak when she caught Laure's eyesfixed upon her in a strange manner, and she replied hastily--
"Oh, yes, dear, quite, quite well?"
"You don't feel any of your old symptoms?"
"Oh, no," she replied, smiling. "You are so anxious about me."
"No wonder," said Laure, "with such a pearl of a wife. Well, I must tobed. Good-night, dear host and hostess."
He advanced to Hester Pugh and kissed her hand, turning directly toDutch and pressing his so affectionately that the young Englishmanreturned the grip with such interest that the Cuban winced, and thensmiled as he saw in Dutch's eyes how honest and true was the intent.
"I was sorry to be detained to-night," continued Dutch frankly; "it mustbe very dull here. Look here, Hester, I've asked John Studwick and hissister and Mr Meldon, a doctor, to dinner on Thursday. Send a letterto Miss Studwick yourself and ask Mr Parkley as well, so as to have apleasant evening."
Hester Pugh brightened up directly, and began to talk of thearrangements for the dinner, while the Cuban went off with a peculiarsmile upon his face.
"But I don't know what to say about this, Dutch," said Hester,playfully, as she made an effort to be gay and shake off the lassitudethat seemed to oppress her. "Report says, sir, that Miss Bessy Studwickwas very fond of a certain gentleman we know."
"Poor Bessy!" said Dutch, thoughtfully.
"Poor Bessy, sir. Then it is all true?"
"What--about Bessy Studwick, darling? Well, I think it was. It soundsconceited of me to say so, but I believe it was the case. But," headded, drawing her to him, "this certain gentleman only had one heart,and a certain lady took possession of it all. Hester, my darling, Inever in my life had loving thought about more than one woman, and her Ilove more dearly every day."
She closed her eyes, and the tears gathered beneath her lids as hepressed her to his heart and sighed gently.
Miss Studwick's name was mentioned no more that night.
The time passed quickly, away, and the Thursday came. Dutch had been sofully occupied, and so determined not to listen to the promptings of hisfancy, as he called it, that he refused to take any notice of the way inwhich the Cuban had settled down in his house. From being all eager nowto get the expedition fitted out, and ready to be pettish and impatientwith Mr Parkley and Dutch for their careful, deliberate preparations,he seemed now quite careless, pleading indisposition, and spending thegreater part of his time at the cottage.
The dinner passed off most pleasantly, and the table was made bright bythe magnificent flowers the Cuban had purchased as his offering to thefeast, and by the rich fruit Mr Parkley had added in his rough pleasantway, coming down to the cottage with a heavy basket on his arm, andsmiling all round as he dabbed his lace and head, hot with the exertion.
To the great delight of Dutch, he saw that quite a liking had sprung upbetween his wife and Bessy Studwick, both evidently trying hard to lethim see that they indulged in no thoughts of the past; while the Cubanceased his attentions to Hester, and taking Bessy down to dinner, heapedhis foreign, nameless little results of polish upon the tall, Juno-likemaiden.
The only person in the party who looked grave was John Studwick, whowatched all this with uneasy glances, though it must be said that heseemed just as much annoyed when Mr Meldon, the young doctor, wasspeaking to his sister. He lacked no attentions, though, himself, for,compassionating the state of the invalid's health, both Dutch and Hestertried hard to make the meeting pleasant to him.
"The little wife looks ill, Pugh," said Mr Parkley, as they went in todinner. "You ask Mr Meldon his opinion about her by-and-by. Ourcoming worries her."
"I'll ask her if she's poorly or worried," said Dutch smiling."Hester!"
She came up to him looking pale and startled, but he did not notice it.
"Mr Parkley thinks you wish all the visitors anywhere," said Dutchplayfully.
"He does not," said Hester, placing her hand on Mr Parkley's arm. "Heknows he is always so very welcome here."
She went in with him to dinner, and evidently exerted herself greatly tochase away the cloud that shadowed her, devoting herself to her guests,but in spite of her efforts her eyes were more than once directedpartially to where Laure was chatting volubly with Bessy Studwick, and,meeting his, remained for a few moments as if fascinated or fixed by hisgaze.
Later on in the evening, when they were all in the drawing-room, Hesterseemed quite excited, and full of forced gaiety, while Laure wasbrimming with anecdote, chatting more volubly than ever. Before long hewas asked to sing, and Hester sat down to the piano.
While he was singing in a low, passionate voice some Spanish love song,and those near were listening as if enthralle
d, Dutch felt his armtouched, and John Studwick motioned him to follow into the backdrawing-room, and then, seeing it was impossible to speak there, Dutchled the way into the little dining-room, where, with the rich tones ofthe Cuban's voice penetrating to where they stood, the invalid, whoseemed greatly excited, caught his host by the arm.
"Dutch Pugh," he said, "I like you because you're so frank and manly,and that's why I speak. I shan't go out with this expedition if thathalf Spanish fellow is going too. I hate him. Look how he has beenpestering Bessy all the evening. I don't like it. Why did you ask himhere?"
"My dear fellow," exclaimed Dutch, "be reasonable. You expressed a wishto meet him."
"So I did. Yes, so I did, but I don't like him now. I don't like hisways. Pugh, if I was a married man, I would not have that fellow in myhouse for worlds."
"My dear John Studwick," said Dutch, uneasily, "this is foolish. He isa foreigner, and it is his way."
"I don't like his way," cried the young man, whose cheeks were flushedand eyes unnaturally bright. "If he won Bessy from me, I should killhim. I was afraid of you once, but that's passed now."
"But, my dear boy," said Dutch, laying his hand on his shoulder, "youmust expect your sister to form an attachment some day."
"Yes, some day," said the young man. "Some day; but let her wait tillI'm gone. I couldn't bear to have her taken from me now. She iseverything to me."
"My dear Studwick, don't talk like that."
"Why not?" he replied with a strange look. "Do you think I don't know?I shall only live about six months: nothing will save me."
"Nonsense, man! That sea trip will set you right again. Come, let'sget back into the drawing-room."
He led the way back, and, seeking his opportunity, whispered to BessyStudwick that her brother was low-spirited, and taking her from theCuban's side, he made John Studwick happy by bringing her to him.
The Cuban's eyes flashed, and he arose and crossed the room, so thatwhen Dutch looked in that direction it was to see that he whisperedsomething to Hester, who glanced across at him where he was standing byBessy.
The next minute he was seized by Mr Parkley, who backed him up into acorner, where he seized one particular button on the young man'sbreast--a habit he had, going to the same particular button as a smallpig seeks the same single spot when in search of nutriment.
"Dutch," said Mr Parkley, as soon as they were alone, and while he wasbusily trying with his left hand to screw the button off, "Dutch, shakehands."
The young man did so wonderingly.
"That's right: no one's looking. That chap's going to sing anothersong, and little Hester's getting ready the music. See here, Dutch, youwon't be offended at what I say?"
"Offended? Absurd!"
"Old, tried, staunch friend, you know. Wouldn't say a word to hurt you,and I love that little girl of yours like a father--just as if she wasmy own flesh and blood."
"And I'm sure Hester loves and respects you, Mr Parkley."
"Yes, yes, of course; and that's what makes me so wild about it."
"I don't understand you, Mr Parkley," said Dutch, uneasily.
"There, that's what I was afraid of when I spoke. But I must say itnow, Pugh. I'm afraid I made a mistake in asking you to invite thatCuban hero. I'll tell him to come and stay with me."
"Indeed, I beg you will do no such thing, Mr Parkley," said Dutchhotly, as his face burned with mortification. "I understand what youmean, sir, and can assure you that your suspicions are unjust."
"I'm very glad to hear you say so, Pugh, I am indeed," said Mr Parkleyearnestly. "Don't be angry with me, my dear boy. I'm getting old--stupid, I suppose. There, don't take any more notice of what I said."
Under these circumstances it was hard work for Dutch Pugh to preserve anunclouded face before his guests, but he strove hard--the harder that hewas annoyed at people for having the same fancies as those he had triedso hard to banish. It was, then, with no small feeling of pleasure thathe welcomed the time when his guests departed, but even then he was notto be spared a fresh wound, for on taking Bessy Studwick down to the flyshe said to him in a low voice:
"Dutch, I have been trying so hard to-night to love your wife. I do sohope you will be very happy."
"Thank you, Bessy, thank you," he said warmly. "I'm sure you wish mewell."
"I do, I do, indeed," she whispered earnestly, "and therefore I say I donot like your new friend, that foreign gentleman. He is treacherous: Iam sure he is. Good-night."
"Good-night!" said Dutch to himself as he stood on the gravel path withthe gate in his hand listening to the departed wheels; and then in spiteof his determination the flood of evil fancies came rolling back,sweeping all before it.
"They all see it, and think me blind," he groaned as he literally reeledagainst the gate. "Those thoughts, then, were a warning--one I wouldnot heed. Hester--Hester--my love," he moaned as he pressed his handsto his forehead. "Oh, my God, that it should come to this!"
He stood leaning against the gate post for a few minutes in a stunned,dazed way, but recovering himself he clenched his hands and exclaimedthrough his teeth:
"I will not believe it. She could not be no false."
He strode in, apparently quite calm, to find Hester standing by thefire-place, looking very scared and pale, while Laure, who had thrownhimself back upon the couch, began to laugh in a peculiar way.
"Ah, you English husbands," he said, banteringly, "how you do forsakeyour beautiful wives. But there, the fair visitor was very sweet andgracious. I almost fell in love myself."
Dutch Pugh's eyes flashed for a moment, but he said nothing, onlyglanced at his wife, who met his look in a troubled way, and then lether eyes fall to the carpet, while Laure went on talking in a playful,bantering manner.