Part 27 (1/2)
Mrs. Grebby puts her hand to her heart.
”There, there, child!” she says, ”don't be frightened,” while her legs seem sinking under her, and she grasps Eleanor's arm for support. ”But the man from the post-office, 'e--e's brought a telegram for you.”
”Anything wrong at home?” asks Mrs. Roche.
”Not that I know of--_yet_,” continues the shaking woman; ”it hasn't been opened.”
Eleanor bursts out laughing, and the amused peal rea.s.sures Mrs. Grebby.
”Why, Ma, I get them nearly every day at Richmond, there is nothing to be alarmed at in a wire. Philip was going to let me know his train. I thought I told you.”
She opens the message, and as she scans it her face falls.
”He is not coming,” she says. ”Too busy, and won't be able to manage it now. How like Philip! To let you get all ready for him and then fail.”
It is more the annoyance of having dressed herself in vain than disappointment at not seeing him which vexes Eleanor.
”I dislike people throwing you over at the last moment; it is very inconsiderate and unkind. But I suppose he can't help it, poor fellow,”
with a touch of regret for her petulance. ”I am very extravagant, Ma. I spend no end on clothes, though you wouldn't think it to look at me now.
Philip just trots off to the City and makes the money, so it does not matter a bit.”
Mr. Grebby expresses lavish sorrow at Mr. Roche's non-appearance, while Eleanor wanders out down the budding lanes towards the station, just as if Philip were coming after all, only there is neither tumult of sorrow nor joy in her heart. She feels just indifferent to everything and everybody. The hedges are sprouting with young green. Surely the world is fair to all eyes but Eleanor's!
Her head is bent, she is gazing on the ground.
Suddenly a shadow crosses her path--the shadow of a man.
She looks up slowly, standing still, rooted to the spot.
A cold chill creeps through her veins, gradually changing to burning fire. She can neither speak nor move, the hedges seem to fly round, the trees spin, the twittering birds shriek!
”_Carol!_”
The word breaks from her lips at last like a cry.
Why has Philip failed her, why is he not here to save?
Someone is holding her hand in a pa.s.sionate clasp, someone presses her cheeks, her lips! Is it a dream or reality, life or death?
The spring bursts suddenly into smiles. Nature laughs loudly, all the world is one wide pleasure field, a place to love, to die in for joy!
”Why did you run away?” he whispers, still holding her in his arms. ”Why did you hide yourself from me, shut out the light from my days? It was cruel, Eleanor. Surely you knew I would have gone to the end of the world to find you, and you thought to evade me here.”
”Fate has willed it otherwise. How did you discover me?”
”Giddy Mounteagle gave me your address. I never gave her a moment's peace till she divulged it, poor woman.”
A spark of anger flashes in Eleanor's love-laden eyes.
”The traitress!” she murmurs under her breath.