Part 7 (2/2)
Cedric reached to that nearest his heart and drew forth Sir John's letter and gave it opened into Constance's hand. She read it with blazing eyes and great eagerness; for 'twas a bundle of weapons she was examining and would take therefrom her choice. She flashed forth queries as to the probability of this or that with a semblance of interest that disarmed Cedric and made him wonder if this woman loved to such an extent, she could fling aside her own interests and submerge all jealousy, all self-love into the purest of all sacrifices, abnegation?
”What! no estates? That looks ill, for at one time Sir John was affluent, for Aunt Hettie has told me of him many a time.”
”But he lost it all, as I've heard ofttime from father; he has spoken not infrequent of Sir John's high living; he had great demesne, a great heart and great temper; and 'tis the last named that has fallen clear and unc.u.mbered to his daughter; and the heart will be found by careful probing, no doubt; and the demesne she will have when she condescends to take me as spouse.”
”Thou, thou espouse her?” and Constance feigned surprise, as if 'twere a new thing to her, when in reality she had suffered agony from its repet.i.tion.
”Aye, and why not, pray? Am I not of ripe years and know my mind?”
”And why so?--because thou shouldst wed one of high degree and fortune and worldly wisdom.”
”Nay, thou art wrong. 'Tis enough that she is of n.o.ble blood from father and mother; and I have fortune for us both; and worldly wisdom--bah! Constance, dost thou expect her to know all the intrigues of court, when she is but lightly past fifteen?”
”Fifteen?--Now by heaven, Cedric, thou wouldst not lie to me?”
”Nay, Con, I would not--I have no object in this case, 'tis a truth.”
”Fifteen, and indeed she is well-formed for such youth!”
”And what a beautiful and innocent face she has, too?”
”Beauteous, admitted; but innocent of what?”
”Innocent of all we know; she knows naught of this great world. Janet keeps all evil from her. We cannot conceive of such innocence in any one. The child has eaten the simplest things all her life; milk and gruel and beef-whey; 'tis no great wonder she is so pink and strong; Janet says in hand-to-hand battle in their convent chamber, the child hath thrown her oft in fair wit of strength;--such rough sport was not indulged in openly and Janet taught her thrusts and flings to broaden her chest and strengthen hip and back; she is stout and strong, and yet she makes one think of a beautiful flower until she falls in anger; then she shows a stout temper as well, and is wilful to all save Janet, who governs her by some strange method I ne'er saw before; for 'tis odd to see servant lead mistress. But, 'twas an awful thing happened me; I knew not, or had forgotten rather, the arrival of the babe Sir John speaks of. As thou knowest, I came home unexpectedly, and I found the letter here. It had arrived some time before, and I read it hastily, told Wa.s.son my duty and pa.s.sed the letter to a convenient pocket, and thence until the night of the _masque_ forgot all about the arrival of the infant. I was masqued, mad and raving at Christopher for not mending my bag-pipe, and I rushed swearing after him and Mistress Penwick heard my oaths, my broad Scotch ones thou knowest I love to use when in anger. She hates me for it, and I can do naught to win the confidence due me as her rightful guardian. So I have settled upon an immediate espousal--”
”Immediate? Thou marry a child,--'tis unseemly--”
”Nay, 'tis not unseemly; 'tis the most proper thing to do. Janet says so, too, and will urge her to accept me as soon as I wish to wed--which shall be at the earliest moment.”
”Janet, indeed! What right has a servant to forward the doings of master and mistress? Thou hadst best wait and have her Grace of Ellswold present her at Court and give the child at least one season in London to improve her convent ways.”
”Nay, Constance, if she were to grow one whit more beautiful, 'twould kill me dead.”
”I am afraid thou art easily slain; indeed, I never knew beauty was so murderous before. Thou art surely beside thyself; she here alone in this great castle without a mother's love to guide! No one to whom she can tell her troubles! How must the poor child feel to be forced into a marriage she most like--hates;”--and her ladys.h.i.+p's voice took on such a tone of pity one would think she was about to break into tears,--”'tis a barbarous act for thee to talk of marriage so soon to a helpless being.”
”There is nothing helpless about Kate, she can take her own part. She hath wit and temper for a half dozen.”
”But thou wilt acknowledge if she will have _her_ way she must leave the castle; for thou art bent upon _thy_ way--thou wilt not listen to reason; so, see to it, and wed her straightway if--if thou canst.” He was about to answer her with an oath, when suddenly Katherine stood in the half-open door smiling over the top of a great bunch of roses.
On Constance' face was a look of triumph, as she noted Cedric's confusion; but Katherine's words put Cedric at ease.
”I was told thou wert ill and that Lord Cedric was uneasy and had come to thee; and I reproached myself for not coming earlier to see if thou wert in need of aught.” She placed the vase of roses on a table close.
Constance thanked her and took the tapering fingers and hugged them between her own. Katherine looked down upon her thin, arrogant lips; and as there always comes to the innocent--when dealing with those of other mould--a warning, a feeling of repulsion, took possession of her and she withdrew her hand, and, in a moment, her presence.
”'Tis a vision of loveliness more refres.h.i.+ng than the nosegay she brought, thinkest thou not so, Constance?”
”Thou dost see with lover's eyes. How soon wilt thou espouse her; thy house is somewhat taken up by company, who are to remain for the summer, and how wilt thou get through the irksomeness of grand ceremonies without great preparation, for much will be expected of thy wealth and rank?”
”Damme, I'll have no pranks and ceremonies and entertainments; I have not time. I must wed her at once. Canst thou not see, under the circ.u.mstances, scandal-mongers will make eyes and prate of wrong for me thus to have a young maid here alone?” Now indeed this thought had not occurred to Constance in just this way; but now it struck her with a mighty force, and she shot at him a piercing glance through the half-closed imperious eyes.
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