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diff --git a/6218-h/6218-h.htm b/6218-h/6218-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..abac57e --- /dev/null +++ b/6218-h/6218-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1912 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + At the Sign of The Eagle, by Gilbert Parker + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +The Project Gutenberg EBook of At The Sign Of The Eagle, by Gilbert Parker + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: At The Sign Of The Eagle + +Author: Gilbert Parker + + +Release Date: October 18, 2006 [EBook #6218] +Last Updated: August 27, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AT THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE *** + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1> + AT THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Gilbert Parker + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + “Life in her creaking shoes + Goes, and more formal grows, + A round of calls and cues: + Love blows as the wind blows. + Blows!...” + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + “Well, what do you think of them, Molly?” said Sir Duke Lawless to his + wife, his eyes resting with some amusement on a big man and a little one + talking to Lord Hampstead. + </p> + <p> + “The little man is affected, gauche, and servile. The big one picturesque + and superior in a raw kind of way. He wishes to be rude to some one, and + is disappointed because, just at the moment, Lord Hampstead is too polite + to give him his cue. A dangerous person in a drawing-room, I should think; + but interesting. You are a bold man to bring them here, Duke. Is it not + awkward for our host?” + </p> + <p> + “Hampstead did it with his eyes open. Besides, there is business behind it—railways, + mines, and all that; and Hampstead’s nephew is going to the States + fortune-hunting. Do you see?” + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless lifted her eyebrows. “‘To what base uses are we come, + Horatio!’ You invite me to dinner and—‘I’ll fix things up right.’ + That is the proper phrase, for I have heard you use it. Status for + dollars. Isn’t it low? I know you do not mean what you say, Duke.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Duke’s eyes were playing on the men with a puzzled expression, as + though trying to read the subject of their conversation; and he did not + reply immediately. Soon, however, he turned and looked down at his wife + genially, and said: “Well, that’s about it, I suppose. But really there is + nothing unusual in this, so far as Mr. John Vandewaters is concerned, for + in his own country he travels ‘the parlours of the Four Hundred,’ and is + considered ‘a very elegant gentleman.’ We must respect a man according to + the place he holds in his own community. Besides, as you suggest, Mr. + Vandewaters is interesting. I might go further, and say that he is a very + good fellow indeed.” + </p> + <p> + “You will be asking him down to Craigruie next,” said Lady Lawless, + inquisition in her look. + </p> + <p> + “That is exactly what I mean to do, with your permission, my dear. I hope + to see him laying about among the grouse in due season.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Duke, you are painfully Bohemian. I can remember when you were + perfectly precise and exclusive, and—” + </p> + <p> + “What an awful prig I must have been!” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t interrupt. That was before you went aroving in savage countries, + and picked up all sorts of acquaintances, making friends with the most + impossible folk. I should never be surprised to see you drive Shon McGann—and + his wife, of course—and Pretty Pierre—with some other man’s + wife—up to the door in a dogcart; their clothes in a saddle-bag, or + something less reputable, to stay a month. Duke, you have lost your + decorum; you are a gipsy.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear Shon McGann and Pierre wouldn’t enjoy being with us as I should + enjoy having them. You can never understand what a life that is out in + Pierre’s country. If it weren’t for you and the bairn, I should be off + there now. There is something of primeval man in me. I am never so healthy + and happy, when away from you, as in prowling round the outposts of + civilisation, and living on beans and bear’s meat.” + </p> + <p> + He stretched to his feet, and his wife rose with him. There was a fine + colour on his cheek, and his eye had a pleasant fiery energy. His wife + tapped him on the arm with her fan. She understood him very well, though + pretending otherwise. “Duke, you are incorrigible. I am in daily dread of + your starting off in the middle of the night, leaving me—” + </p> + <p> + “Watering your couch with your tears?” + </p> + <p> + “—and hearing nothing more from you till a cable from Quebec or + Winnipeg tells me that you are on your way to the Arctic Circle with + Pierre or some other heathen. But, seriously, where did you meet Mr. + Vandewaters—Heavens, what a name!—and that other person? And + what is the other person’s name?” + </p> + <p> + “The other person carries the contradictory name of Stephen Pride.” + </p> + <p> + “Why does he continually finger his face, and show his emotions so? He + assents to everything said to him by an appreciative exercise of his + features.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, you ask a great and solemn question. Let me introduce the young + man, that you may get your answer at the fountain-head.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a moment, Duke. Sit down and tell me when and where you met these + men, and why you have continued the acquaintance.” + </p> + <p> + “Molly,” he said, obeying her, “you are a terrible inquisitor, and the + privacy of one’s chamber were the kinder place to call one to account. But + I bend to your implacability.... Mr. Vandewaters, like myself, has a taste + for roving, though our aims are not identical. He has a fine faculty for + uniting business and pleasure. He is not a thorough sportsman—there + is always a certain amount of enthusiasm, even in the unrewarded patience + of the true hunter; but he sufficeth. Well, Mr. Vandewaters had been + hunting in the far north, and looking after a promising mine at the same + time. He was on his way south at one angle, I at another angle, bound for + the same point. Shon McGann was with me; Pierre with Vandewaters. McGann + left me, at a certain point, to join his wife at a Barracks of the Riders + of the Plains. I had about a hundred miles to travel alone. Well, I got + along the first fifty all right. Then came trouble. In a bad place of the + hills I fell and broke an ankle bone. I had an Eskimo dog of the right + sort with me. I wrote a line on a bit of birch bark, tied it round his + neck, and started him away, trusting my luck that he would pull up + somewhere. He did. He ran into Vandewaters’s camp that evening. + Vandewaters and Pierre started away at once. They had dogs, and reached me + soon. + </p> + <p> + “It was the first time I had seen Pierre for years. They fixed me up, and + we started south. And that’s as it was in the beginning with Mr. John + Vandewaters and me.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless had been watching the two strangers during the talk, though + once or twice she turned and looked at her husband admiringly. When he had + finished she said: “That is very striking. What a pity it is that men we + want to like spoil all by their lack of form!” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be so sure about Vandewaters. Does he look flurried by these + surroundings?” + </p> + <p> + “No. He certainly has an air of contentment. It is, I suppose, the usual + air of self-made Americans.” + </p> + <p> + “Go to London, E.C., and you will find the same, plus smugness. Now, Mr. + Vandewaters has real power—and taste too, as you will see. Would you + think Mr. Stephen Pride a self-made man?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot think of any one else who would be proud of the patent. Please + to consider the seals about his waistcoat, and the lady-like droop of his + shoulders.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet he is thought to be a young man of parts. He has money, made by his + ancestors; he has been round the world; he belongs to societies for + culture and—” + </p> + <p> + “And he will rave of the Poet’s Corner, ask if one likes Pippa Passes, and + expect to be introduced to every woman in the room at a tea-party, to say + nothing of proposing impossible things, such as taking one’s girl friends + to the opera alone, sending them boxes of confectionery, and writing them + dreadfully reverential notes at the same time. Duke, the creature is + impossible, believe me. Never, never, if you love me, invite him to + Craigruie. I met one of his tribe at Lady Macintyre’s when I was just out + of school; and at the dinner-table, when the wine went round, he lifted + his voice and asked for a cup of tea, saying he never ‘drank.’ Actually he + did, Duke.” + </p> + <p> + Her husband laughed quietly. He had a man’s enjoyment of a woman’s dislike + of bad form. “A common criminal man, Molly. Tell me, which is the greater + crime: to rob a bank or use a fish-knife for asparagus?” + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless fanned herself. “Duke, you make me hot. But if you will have + the truth: the fish-knife business by all means. Nobody need feel + uncomfortable about the burglary, except the burglar; but see what a + position for the other person’s hostess.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, women have no civic virtues. Their credo is, ‘I believe in + beauty and fine linen, and the thing that is not gauche.’” + </p> + <p> + His wife was smiling. “Well, have it your own way. It is a creed of + comfort, at any rate. And now, Duke, if I must meet the man of mines and + railways and the spare person making faces at Lord Hampstead, let it be + soon, that it may be done with; and pray don’t invite them to Craigruie + till I have a chance to speak with you again. I will not have impossible + people at a house-party.” + </p> + <p> + “What a difficult fellow your husband is, Molly!” + </p> + <p> + “Difficult; but perfectly possible. His one fault is a universal sympathy + which shines alike on the elect—and the others.” + </p> + <p> + “So. Well, this is our dance. After it is over, prepare for the + Americanos.” + </p> + <p> + Half-an-hour later Mr. Vandewaters was standing in a conspicuous corner + talking to Lady Lawless. + </p> + <p> + “It is, then, your first visit to England?” she asked. He had a dry, + deliberate voice, unlike the smooth, conventional voices round him. “Yes, + Lady Lawless,” he replied: “it’s the first time I’ve put my foot in London + town, and—perhaps you won’t believe it of an American—I find + it doesn’t take up a very conspicuous place.” + </p> + <p> + The humour was slightly accentuated, and Lady Lawless shrank a little, as + if she feared the depths of divertisement to which this speech might lead; + but a quick look at the man assured her of his common-sense, and she + answered: “It is of the joys of London that no one is so important but + finds the space he fills a small one, which may be filled acceptably by + some one else at any moment. It is easy for kings and princes even—we + have secluded princes here now—to get lost and forgotten in London.” + “Well, that leaves little chance for ordinary Americans, who don’t bank on + titles.” + </p> + <p> + She looked up, puzzled in spite of herself. But she presently said, with + frankness and naivete: “What does ‘bank on titles’ mean?” + </p> + <p> + He stroked his beard, smiling quaintly, and said: “I don’t know how to put + the thing better-it seems to fill the bill. But, anyway, Americans are + republicans; and don’t believe in titles, and—” + </p> + <p> + “O, pardon me,” she interrupted: “of course, I see.” + </p> + <p> + “We’ve got little ways of talking not the same as yours. You don’t seem to + have the snap to conversation that we have in the States. But I’ll say + here that I think you have got a better style of talking. It isn’t + exhausting.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Pride said to me a moment ago that they spoke better English in + Boston than any other place in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he, though, Lady Lawless? That’s good. Well, I guess he was only + talking through his hat.” + </p> + <p> + She was greatly amused. Her first impressions were correct. The man was + interesting. He had a quaint, practical mind. He had been thrown upon his + own resources, since infancy almost, in a new country; and he had seen + with his own eyes, nakedly, and without predisposition or instruction. + From childhood thoroughly adaptable, he could get into touch with things + quickly, and instantly like or dislike them. He had been used to approach + great concerns with fearlessness and competency. He respected a thing only + for its real value, and its intrinsic value was as clear to him as the + market value. He had, perhaps, an exaggerated belief in the greatness of + his own country, because he liked eagerness and energy and daring. The + friction and hurry of American life added to his enjoyment. They acted on + him like a stimulating air, in which he was always bold, collected, and + steady. He felt an exhilaration in being superior to the rustle of forces + round him. It had been his habit to play the great game of business with + decision and adroitness. He had not spared his opponent in the fight; he + had crushed where his interests were in peril and the sport played into + his hands; comforting himself, if he thought of the thing, with the + knowledge that he himself would have been crushed if the other man had + not. He had never been wilfully unfair, nor had he used dishonourable + means to secure his ends: his name stood high in his own country for + commercial integrity; men said: he “played square.” He had, maybe, too + keen a contempt for dulness and incompetency in enterprise, and he loathed + red-tape; but this was racial. His mind was as open as his manners. He was + utterly approachable. He was a millionaire, and yet in his own offices in + New York he was as accessible as a President. He handled things without + gloves, and this was not a good thing for any that came to him with a weak + case. He had a penetrating intelligence; and few men attempted, after + their first sophistical statements, to impose upon him: he sent them away + unhappy. He did not like England altogether: first, because it lacked, as + he said, enterprise; and because the formality, decorum and excessive + convention fretted him. He saw that in many things the old land was + backward, and he thought that precious time was being wasted. Still, he + could see that there were things, purely social, in which the Londoners + were at advantage; and he acknowledged this when he said, concerning + Stephen Pride’s fond boast, that he was “talking through his hat.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless smiled, and after a moment rejoined: + </p> + <p> + “Does it mean that he was mumming, as it were, like a conjurer?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly. You are pretty smart, Lady Lawless; for I can see that, from + your stand-point, it isn’t always easy to catch the meaning of sayings + like that. But they do hit the case, don’t they?” + </p> + <p> + “They give a good deal of individuality to conversation,” was the vague + reply. “What, do you think, is the chief lack in England?” + </p> + <p> + “Nerve and enterprise. But I’m not going to say you ought to have the same + kind of nerve as ours. We are a different tribe, with different + surroundings, and we don’t sit in the same kind of saddle. We ride for all + we’re worth all the time. You sit back and take it easy. We are never + satisfied unless we are behind a fast trotter; you are content with a good + cob that steps high, tosses its head, and has an aristocratic stride.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you been in the country much?” she asked, without any seeming + relevancy. + </p> + <p> + He was keen enough. He saw the veiled point of her question. “No: I’ve + never been in the country here,” he said. “I suppose you mean that I don’t + see or know England till I’ve lived there.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, Mr. Vandewaters.” She smiled to think what an undistinguished + name it was. It suggested pumpkins in the front garden. Yet here its owner + was perfectly at his ease, watching the scene before him with good-natured + superiority. “London is English; but it is very cosmopolitan, you know,” + she added; “and I fancy you can see it is not a place for fast trotters. + The Park would be too crowded for that—even if one wished to drive a + Maud S.” + </p> + <p> + He turned his slow keen eyes on her, and a smile broadened into a low + laugh, out of which he said: + </p> + <p> + “What do you know of Maud S? I didn’t think you would be up in racing + matters.” + </p> + <p> + “You forget that my husband is a traveller, and an admirer of Americans + and things American.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s so,” he answered; “and a staving good traveller he is. You don’t + catch him asleep, I can tell you, Lady Lawless. He has stuff in him.” + </p> + <p> + “The stuff to make a good American?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; with something over. He’s the kind of Englishman that can keep cool + when things are ticklish, and look as if he was in a parlour all the time. + Americans keep cool, but look cheeky. O, I know that. We square our + shoulders and turn out our toes, and push our hands into our pockets, and + act as if we owned the world. Hello—by Jingo!” Then, apologetically: + “I beg your pardon, Lady Lawless; it slipped.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless followed Mr. Vandewaters’s glance, and saw, passing on her + husband’s arm, a tall, fascinating girl. She smiled meaningly to herself, + as she sent a quick quizzical look at the American, and said, purposely + misinterpreting his exclamation: “I am not envious, Mr. Vandewaters.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not. That’s a commoner thing with us than with you. American + girls get more notice and attention from their cradles up, and they want + it all along the line. You see, we’ve mostly got the idea that an + Englishman expects from his wife what an American woman expects from her + husband.” + </p> + <p> + “How do Americans get these impressions about us?” + </p> + <p> + “From our newspapers, I guess; and the newspapers take as the ground-work + of their belief the Bow Street cases where Englishmen are cornered for + beating their wives.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we were to judge of American Society by the cases in a Chicago + Divorce Court?” + </p> + <p> + “There you have me on toast. That’s what comes of having a husband who + takes American papers. Mind you, I haven’t any idea that the American + papers are right. I’ve had a lot to do with newspapers, and they are + pretty ignorant, I can tell you—cheap all round. What’s a newspaper, + anyway, but an editor, more or less smart and overworked, with an owner + behind him who has got some game on hand? I know: I’ve been there.” + </p> + <p> + “How have you ‘been there’?” + </p> + <p> + “I’ve owned four big papers all at once, and had fifty others under my + thumb.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless caught her breath; but she believed him. “You must be very + rich.” + </p> + <p> + “Owning newspapers doesn’t mean riches. It’s a lever, though, for tipping + the dollars your way.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose they have—tipped your way?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes: pretty well. But, don’t follow this lead any farther, Lady Lawless, + or you may come across something that will give you a start. I should like + to keep on speaking terms with you.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean that a man cannot hold fifty newspapers under his thumb, and + live in the glare of a search-light also?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly. You can’t make millions without pulling wires.” + </p> + <p> + She saw him watching the girl on her husband’s arm. She had the instinct + of her sex. She glanced at the stately girl again; then at Mr. Vandewaters + critically, and rejoined, quizzically: “Did you—make millions?” + </p> + <p> + His eyes still watching, he replied abstractedly. “Yes: a few handfuls, + and lost a few—‘that’s why I’m here.’” + </p> + <p> + “To get them back on the London market?” + </p> + <p> + “That’s why I am here.” + </p> + <p> + “You have not come in vain?” + </p> + <p> + “I could tell you better in a month or so from now. In any case, I don’t + stand to lose. I’ve come to take things away from England.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope you will take away a good opinion of it.” + </p> + <p> + “If there’d been any doubt of it half an hour ago, it would be all gone + this minute.” + </p> + <p> + “Which is nice of you; and not in your usual vein, I should think. But, + Mr. Vandewaters, we want you to come to Craigruie, our country place, to + spend a week. Then you will have a chance to judge us better, or rather + more broadly and effectively.” She was looking at the girl, and at that + moment she caught Sir Duke’s eye. She telegraphed to him to come. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Lady Lawless, I’m glad you have asked me. But—” He + glanced to where Mr. Pride was being introduced to the young lady on Sir + Duke’s arm, and paused. + </p> + <p> + “We are hoping,” she added, interpreting his thought, and speaking a + little dryly, “that your friend, Mr. Stephen Pride”—the name sounded + so ludicrous—“will join us.” + </p> + <p> + “He’ll be proud enough, you may be sure. It’s a singular combination, + Pride and myself, isn’t it? But, you see, he has a fortune which, as yet, + he has never been able to handle for himself; and I do it for him. We are + partners, and, though you mightn’t think it, he has got more money now + than when he put his dollars at my disposal to help me make a few millions + at a critical time.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless let her fan touch Mr. Vandewaters’s arm. “I am going to do + you a great favour. You see that young lady coming to us with my husband? + Well, I am going to introduce you to her. It is such as she—such + women—who will convince you—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes?” + </p> + <p> + “—that you have yet to make your—what shall I call it?—Ah, + I have it: your ‘biggest deal,’—and, in truth, your best.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that so?” rejoined Vandewaters musingly. “Is that so? I always thought + I’d make my biggest deal in the States. Who is she? She is handsome.” + </p> + <p> + “She is more than handsome, and she is the Honourable Gracia Raglan.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t understand about ‘The Honourable.’” + </p> + <p> + “I will explain that another time.” + </p> + <p> + A moment later Miss Raglan, in a gentle bewilderment, walked down the + ballroom on the arm of the millionaire, half afraid that something gauche + would happen; but by the time she had got to the other end was reassured, + and became interested. + </p> + <p> + Sir Duke said to his wife in an aside, before he left her with Mr. + Vandewaters’s financial partner: “What is your pretty conspiracy, Molly?” + </p> + <p> + “Do talk English, Duke, and do not interfere.” + </p> + <p> + A few hours later, on the way home, Sir Duke said: “You asked Mr. Pride + too?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I grieve to say.” + </p> + <p> + “Why grieve?” + </p> + <p> + “Because his experiences with us seem to make him dizzy. He will be + terribly in earnest with every woman in the house, if—” + </p> + <p> + “If you do not keep him in line yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so. And the creature is not even interesting.” + </p> + <p> + “Cast your eye about. He has millions; you have cousins.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not mean that, Duke? I would see them in their graves first. He + says ‘My lady’ every other sentence, and wants to send me flowers, and a + box for the opera, and to drive me in the Park.” + </p> + <p> + Her husband laughed. “I’ll stake my life he can’t ride. You will have him + about the place like a tame cat.” Then, seeing that his wife was annoyed: + “Never mind, Molly, I will help you all I can. I want to be kind to them.” + </p> + <p> + “I know you do. But what is your ‘pretty conspiracy,’ Duke?” + </p> + <p> + “A well-stocked ranche in Colorado.” He did not mean it. And she knew it. + </p> + <p> + “How can you be so mercenary?” she replied. + </p> + <p> + Then they both laughed, and said that they were like the rest of the + world. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless was an admirable hostess, and she never appeared to better + advantage in the character than during the time when Miss Gracia Raglan, + Mr. John Vandewaters, and Mr. Stephen Pride were guests at Craigruie. The + men accepted Mr. Vandewaters at once as a good fellow and a very sensible + man. He was a heavy-weight for riding; but it was not the hunting season, + and, when they did ride, a big horse carried him very well. At + grouse-shooting he showed to advantage. Mr. Pride never rode. He went + shooting only once, and then, as Mr. Vandewaters told him, he got + “rattled.” He was then advised by his friend to remain at home and + cultivate his finer faculties. At the same time, Mr. Vandewaters + parenthetically remarked to Sir Duke Lawless that Mr. Pride knew the poets + backwards, and was smart at French. He insisted on bringing out the good + qualities of his comrade; but he gave him much strong advice privately. He + would have done it just the same at the risk of losing a fortune, were it + his whim—he would have won the fortune back in due course. + </p> + <p> + At the present time Mr. Vandewaters was in the heat of some large + commercial movements. No one would have supposed it, save for the fact + that telegrams and cablegrams were brought to him day and night. He had + liberally salaried the telegraph-clerk to work after hours, simply to be + at his service. The contents of these messages never shook his equanimity. + He was quiet, urbane, dry-mannered, at all times. Mr. Pride, however, was + naturally excitable. He said of himself earnestly that he had a sensitive + nature. He said it to Mrs. Gregory Thorne, whose reply was: “Dear me, and + when things are irritating and painful to you do you never think of + suicide?” Then she turned away to speak to some one, as if she had been + interrupted, and intended to take up the subject again; but she never did. + This remark caused Mr. Pride some nervous moments. He was not quite sure + how she meant it. But it did not depress him as it might otherwise have + done, for his thoughts were running much in another channel with a foolish + sort of elation. + </p> + <p> + As Lady Lawless had predicted, he was assiduously attentive to her, and it + needed all her tact and cheerful frankness to keep him in line. She + managed it very well: Mr. Pride’s devotion was not too noticeable to the + other guests. She tried to turn his attentions to some pretty girls; but, + although there were one or two who might, in some weak moments, have + compromised with his millions, he did no more than saunter with them on + the terrace and oppress them with his lisping egotism. Every one hinted + that he seemed an estimable, but trying, young man; and, as Sir Duke said + to his wife, the men would not have him at any price. + </p> + <p> + As for Mr. Vandewaters and Gracia Raglan, Lady Lawless was not very sure + that her delicate sympathy was certain of reward. The two were naturally + thrown together a good deal; but Miss Raglan was a girl of singular + individuality and high-mindedness, and she was keen enough to see from the + start what Lady Lawless suspected might happen. She did not resent this,—she + was a woman; but it roused in her a spirit of criticism, and she threw up + a barrier of fine reserve, which puzzled Mr. Vandewaters. He did not see + that Lady Lawless was making a possible courtship easy for him. If he had, + it would have made no difference: he would have looked at it as at most + things, broadly. He was not blind to the fact that his money might be a + “factor”, but, as he said to himself, his millions were a part of him—they + represented, like whist-counters, so much pluck and mother-wit. He liked + the general appreciation of them: he knew very well that people saw him in + them and them in him. Miss Raglan attracted him from the moment of + meeting. She was the first woman of her class that he had ever met + closely; and the possibility of having as his own so adorable a comrade + was inspiring. He sat down sometimes as the days went on—it was + generally when he was shaving—and thought upon his intention + regarding Miss Raglan, in relation to his humble past; for he had fully + made up his mind to marry her, if she would have him. He wondered what she + would think when he told her of his life; and he laughed at the humour of + the situation. He had been into Debrett, and he knew that she could trace + her family back to the Crusades. + </p> + <p> + He determined to make a clean breast of it. One day he was obliged to + remain at the house in expectation of receiving important telegrams, and + the only people who appeared at lunch were Lady Lawless, Mrs. Gregory + Thorne (who was expecting her husband), Miss Raglan; Pride, and himself. + While at luncheon he made up his mind to have a talk with Miss Raglan. In + the library after luncheon the opportunity was given. It was a warm, + pleasant day, and delightful in the grounds. + </p> + <p> + After one or two vain efforts to escape, Mrs. Gregory Thorne and Lady + Lawless resigned themselves to the attentions of Mr. Pride; and for once + Lady Lawless did not check Mrs. Thorne’s irony. It was almost a + satisfaction to see Mr. Pride’s bewildered looks, and his inability to + know whether or not he should resent (whether it would be proper to + resent) this softly-showered satire. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Vandewaters and Gracia Raglan talked more freely than they had ever + done before. + </p> + <p> + “Do you really like England?” she said to him; then, waving her hand + lightly to the beeches and the clean-cropped grass through the window, “I + mean do you like our ‘trim parterres,’ our devotion to mere living, + pleasure, sport, squiring, and that sort of thing?” + </p> + <p> + He raised his head, glanced out, drew in a deep breath, thrust his hands + down in the pockets of his coat, and looking at her with respectful good + humour, said: “Like it? Yes, right down to the ground. Why shouldn’t I! + It’s the kind of place I should like to come to in my old days. You + needn’t die in a hurry here. See?” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure you would not be like the old sailors who must live where + they can scent the brine? You have been used to an active, adventurous, + hurried life. Do you think you could endure this humdrum of enjoyment?” + </p> + <p> + It would be hard to tell quite what was running in Gracia Raglan’s mind, + and, for the moment, she herself hardly knew; but she had a sudden, + overmastering wish to make the man talk: to explore and, maybe, find + surprising—even trying—things. She was astonished that she + enjoyed his society so keenly. Even now, as she spoke, she remembered a + day and a night since his coming, when he was absent in London; also how + the party seemed to have lost its character and life, and how, when Mr. + Pride condescended, for a few moments, to decline from Lady Lawless upon + herself, she was even pleasant to him, making him talk about Mr. + Vandewaters, and relishing the enthusiastic loyalty of the supine young + man. She, like Lady Lawless, had learned to see behind the firm bold + exterior, not merely a notable energy, force, self-reliance, and + masterfulness, but a native courtesy, simplicity, and refinement which + surprised her. Of all the men she knew not a half-dozen had an + appreciation of nature or of art. They affected art, and some of them went + to the Academy or the private views in Bond Street; but they had little + feeling for the business. They did it in a well-bred way, with taste, but + not with warmth. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Vandewaters now startled her by quoting suddenly lines from an English + poet unknown to her. By chance she was turning over the Academy pictures + of the year, and came at last to one called “A Japanese Beauty of Old + Days”—an exquisite thing. + </p> + <p> + “Is it not fascinating?” she said. “So piquant and fresh.” + </p> + <p> + He gave a silent laugh, as was his custom when he enjoyed anything, and + then replied: + </p> + <p> + “I came across a little book of verses one day in the States. A friend of + mine, the president of a big railway, gave it to me. He does some painting + himself when he travels in his Pullman in the Rockies. Well, it had some + verses on just such a picture as that. Hits it off right, Miss Raglan.” + </p> + <p> + “Verses?” she remarked, lifting her eyebrows. She expected something out + of the “poet’s corner” of a country newspaper. “What are they?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, one’s enough to show the style. This is it: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “‘Was I a Samurai renowned, + Two-sworded, fierce, immense of bow? + A histrion angular and profound? + A priest? or porter? Child, although + I have forgotten clean, I know + That in the shade of Fujisan, + What time the cherry-orchards blow, + I loved you once in old Japan.’” + </pre> + <p> + The verse on the lips of Mr. Vandewaters struck her strangely. He was not + like any man she had known. Most self-made Englishmen, with such a burly + exterior and energy, and engaged in such pursuits, could not, to save + themselves from hanging, have impressed her as Mr. Vandewaters did. There + was a big round sympathy in the tone, a timbre in the voice, which made + the words entirely fitting. Besides, he said them without any kind of + affectation, and with a certain turn of dry humour, as if he were inwardly + laughing at the idea of the poem. + </p> + <p> + “The verses are charming,” she said, musingly; “and the idea put that way + is charming also. But do you think there would be much amusement in living + half-a-dozen times, or even twice, unless you were quite sure that you + remembered everything? This gentleman was peculiarly fortunate to recall + Fujisan, and the orange orchards—and the girl.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you are right. One life is about enough for most of us. Memory + is all very fine; but you’d want a life set apart for remembering the + others after awhile.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you not add, ‘And that would bore one?’ Most of the men I know + would say so.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I never used the word that way in my life. When I don’t like a + thing, that ends it—it has got to go.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot do that with everything.” + </p> + <p> + “Pretty much, if I set my mind to it. It is astonishing how things’ll come + round your way if you keep on thinking and willing them so.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you always got everything you wanted?” He had been looking off into + the grounds through the open window. Now he turned slowly upon her. + </p> + <p> + “So far I have got everything I set my mind to get. Little things don’t + count. You lose them sometimes because you want to work at something else; + sometimes because, as in cards, you are throwing a few away to save the + whole game.” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her, as she thought, curiously. In his mind he was wondering + if she knew that he had made up his mind to marry her. She was suddenly + made aware of the masterfulness of his spirit, which might, she knew, be + applied to herself. + </p> + <p> + “Let us go into the grounds,” he added, all at once. Soon after, in the + shade of the trees, she broke in upon the thread of their casual + conversation. “A few moments ago,” she murmured, “you said: ‘One life is + about enough for most of us.’ Then you added a disparaging remark about + memory. Well, that doesn’t seem like your usual point of view—more + like that of Mr. Pride; but not so plaintive, of course. Pray do smoke,” + she added, as, throwing back his coat, he exposed some cigars in his + waistcoat pocket. “I am sure you always smoke after lunch.” + </p> + <p> + He took out a cigar, cut off the end, and put it in his mouth. But he did + not light it. Then he glanced up at her with a grave quizzical look as + though wondering what would be the effect of his next words, and a smile + played at his lips. + </p> + <p> + “What I meant was this. I think we get enough out of our life to last us + for centuries. It’s all worth doing from the start, no matter what it is: + working, fighting, marching and countermarching, plotting and + counterplotting, backing your friends and hating your foes, playing big + games and giving others a chance to, standing with your hand on the + lynch-pin, or pulling your head safe out of the hot-pot. But I don’t think + it is worth doing twice. The interest wouldn’t be fresh. For men and women + and life, with a little different dress, are the same as they always were; + and there’s only the same number of passions working now, as at the + beginning. I want to live life up to the hilt; because it is all new as I + go on; but never twice.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed?” She looked at him earnestly for a moment, and then added: “I + should think you would have seen lost chances; and doing things a second + time might do them better.” + </p> + <p> + “I never missed chances,” he replied, simply: “never except twice, and + then—” + </p> + <p> + “And then?” + </p> + <p> + “Then it was to give the other fellow a chance.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” There was a kind of dubiousness in her tone. He noticed it. “You can + hardly understand, Miss Raglan. Fact is, it was one of those deals when + you can make a million, in a straight enough game; but it comes out of + another man—one, maybe, that you don’t know; who is playing just the + same as you are. I have had a lot of sport; but I’ve never crippled any + one man, when my engine has been dead on him. I have played more against + organisations than single men.” + </p> + <p> + “What was the most remarkable chance you ever had to make a million, and + did not?” + </p> + <p> + He threw back his head, smiling shrewdly. “When by accident my enemy got + hold of a telegram meant for me. I was standing behind a frosted glass + door, and through the narrow bevel of clear glass I watched him read it. I + never saw a struggle like that. At last he got up, snatched an envelope, + put the telegram inside, wrote my name, and called a messenger. I knew + what was in the message. I let the messenger go, and watched that man for + ten minutes. It was a splendid sight. The telegram had given him a big + chance to make a million or two, as he thought. But he backed himself + against the temptation, and won. That day I could have put the ball into + his wicket; but I didn’t. That’s a funny case of the kind.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he ever know?” + </p> + <p> + “He didn’t. We are fighting yet. He is richer than I am now, and at this + moment he’s playing a hard game straight at several interests of mine. But + I reckon I can stop him.” + </p> + <p> + “You must get a great deal out of life,” she said. “Have you always + enjoyed it so?” She was thinking it would be strange to live in contact + with such events very closely. It was so like adventure. + </p> + <p> + “Always—from the start.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me something of it all, won’t you?” He did not hesitate. + </p> + <p> + “I was born in a little place in Maine. My mother was a good woman, they + said—straight as a die all her life. I can only remember her in a + kind of dream, when she used to gather us children about the big + rocking-chair, and pray for us, and for my father, who was away most of + the time, working in the timber-shanties in the winter, and at odd things + in the summer. My father wasn’t much of a man. He was kind-hearted, but + shiftless, but pretty handsome for a man from Maine. + </p> + <p> + “My mother died when I was six years old. Things got bad. I was the + youngest. The oldest was only ten years old. She was the head of the + house. She had the pluck of a woman. We got along somehow, until one day, + when she and I were scrubbing the floor, she caught cold. She died in + three days.” + </p> + <p> + Here he paused; and, without glancing at Miss Raglan, who sat very still, + but looking at him, he lighted his cigar. + </p> + <p> + “Then things got worse. My father took to drinking hard, and we had mighty + little to eat. I chored around, doing odd things in the village. I have + often wondered that people didn’t see the stuff that was in me, and give + me a chance. They didn’t, though. As for my relatives: one was a + harness-maker. He sent me out in the dead of winter to post bills for + miles about, and gave me ten cents for it. Didn’t even give me a meal. + Twenty years after he came to me and wanted to borrow a hundred dollars. I + gave him five hundred on condition that he’d not come near me for the rest + of his natural life. + </p> + <p> + “The next thing I did was to leave home—‘run away,’ I suppose, is + the way to put it. I got to Boston, and went for a cabin-boy on a steamer; + travelled down to Panama, and from there to Brazil. At Brazil I got on + another ship, and came round to San Francisco. I got into trouble in San + Francisco with the chief mate of the Flying Polly, because I tried to + teach him his business. One of the first things I learned in life was not + to interfere with people who had a trade and didn’t understand it. In San + Francisco I got out of the situation. I took to selling newspapers in the + streets. + </p> + <p> + “There wasn’t enough money in it. I went for a cabin-boy again, and + travelled to Australia. There, once more, I resigned my position, chiefly + because I wouldn’t cheerfully let the Mate bang me about the quarter-deck. + I expect I was a precocious youth, and wasn’t exactly the kind for + Sunday-school prizes. In Melbourne I began to speculate. I found a ticket + for the theatre where an American actor—our biggest actor today—was + playing, and I tried to sell it outside the door of the theatre where they + were crowding to see him. The man who bought it was the actor himself. He + gave me two dollars more than the regular price. I expect he knew from my + voice I was an American. Is there anything peculiar about my voice, Miss + Raglan?” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him quickly, smiled, and said in a low tone: “Yes, something + peculiar. Please go on.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, anyway, he said to me: ‘Look here, where did you come from, my + boy?’ I told him the State of Maine. ‘What are you doing here?’ he asked. + ‘Speculating, said I, and seeing things.’ He looked me up and down. ‘How + are you getting on?’ ‘Well. I’ve made four dollars to-day,’ I answered. + ‘Out of this ticket?’ I expect I grinned. He suddenly caught me by the arm + and whisked me inside the theatre—the first time I’d ever been in a + theatre in my life. I shall never forget it. He took me around to his + dressing-room, stuck me in a corner, and prodded me with his forefinger. + ‘Look here,’ he said, ‘I guess I’ll hire you to speculate for me.’ And + that’s how I came to get twenty-five dollars a month and my living from a + great American actor. When I got back to America—with him—I + had two hundred and fifty dollars in cash, and good clothes. I started a + peanut-stand, and sold papers and books, and became a speculator. I heard + two men talking one day at my stall about a railway that was going to run + through a certain village, and how they intended to buy up the whole + place. I had four hundred and fifty dollars then. I went down to that + village, and bought some lots myself. I made four thousand dollars. Then I + sold more books, and went on speculating.” + </p> + <p> + He paused, blew his cigar-smoke slowly from him a moment; then turned with + a quick look to Miss Raglan, and smiled as at some incongruous thing. He + was wondering what would be the effect of his next words. + </p> + <p> + “When I was about twenty-two, and had ten thousand dollars, I fell in + love. She was a bright-faced, smart girl. Her mother kept a boarding-house + in New York; not an up-town boarding-house. She waited on table. I suppose + a man can be clever in making money, and knowing how to handle men, and + not know much about women. I thought she was worth a good deal more to me + than the ten thousand dollars. She didn’t know I had that money. A drummer—that’s + a commercial traveller—came along, who had a salary of, maybe, a + thousand dollars a year. She jilted me. She made a mistake. That year I + made twenty-five thousand dollars. I saw her a couple of years ago. She + was keeping a boarding-house too, and her daughter was waiting on table. + I’m sorry for that girl: it isn’t any fun being poor. I didn’t take much + interest in women after that. I put my surplus affections into stocks and + shares, and bulling and bearing... Well, that is the way the thing has + gone till now.” + </p> + <p> + “What became of your father and your brother?” she asked in a neutral + tone. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know anything about my father. He disappeared after I left, and + never turned up again. And Jim—poor Jim!—he was shiftless. Jim + was a tanner. It was no good setting him up in business. Steady income was + the cheapest way. But Jim died of too much time on his hands. His son is + in Mexico somewhere. I sent him there, and I hope he’ll stay. If he + doesn’t, his salary stops: he is shiftless too. That is not the kind of + thing, and they are not the kind of people you know best, Miss Raglan.” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her, eyes full-front, bravely, honestly, ready to face the + worst. Her head was turned away. + </p> + <p> + He nodded to himself. It was as he feared. + </p> + <p> + At that moment a boy came running along the walk towards them, and handed + Mr. Vandewaters a telegram. He gave the lad a few pence, then, with an + apology, opened the telegram. Presently he whistled softly, in a quick + surprised way. Then he stuffed the paper into his waistcoat pocket, threw + away his cigar, and turned to Gracia Raglan, whose face as yet was only + half towards him. “I hope your news is good,” she said very quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty bad, in a way,” he answered. “I have lost a couple of millions—maybe + a little more.” + </p> + <p> + She gasped, and turned an astonished face on him. He saw her startled + look, and laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Does it not worry you?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “I have got more important things on hand just now,” he answered. “Very + much more important,” he added, and there was that in his voice which made + her turn away her head again. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose,” he went on, “that the story you have just heard is not the + kind of an autobiography you would care to have told in your + drawing-room?” + </p> + <p> + Still she did not reply; but her hands were clasped tightly in front of + her. “No: I suppose not,” he went on—“I—I suppose not. And + yet, do you know, Miss Raglan, I don’t feel a bit ashamed of it, after + all: which may be evidence of my lost condition.” + </p> + <p> + Now she turned to him with a wonderful light in her eyes, her sweet, + strong face rich with feeling. She put out her hand to his arm, and + touched it quickly, nervously. + </p> + <p> + “Your story has touched me inexpressibly,” she said. “I did not know that + men could be so strong and frank and courageous as you. I did not know + that men could be so great; that any man could think more of what a woman + thought of—of his life’s story—than of”—she paused, and + then gave a trembling little laugh—“of two millions or more.” + </p> + <p> + He got to his feet, and faced her. “You—you are a woman, by heaven!” + he said. “You are finer even than I thought you. I am not worthy to ask + you what I had in my mind to ask you; but there is no man in God’s + universe who would prize you as I do. I may be a poor man before sundown. + If that happens, though, I shall remember the place where I had the + biggest moment of my life, and the woman who made that moment possible.” + </p> + <p> + Now she also rose. There was a brave high look in her face; but her voice + shook a little as she said: “You have never been a coward, why be a coward + now?” + </p> + <p> + Smiling, he slowly answered: “I wouldn’t if I were sure about my dollars.” + </p> + <p> + She did not reply, but glanced down, not with coquetry, but because she + could not stand the furnace of his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “You said a moment ago,” she ventured, “that you have had one big moment + in your life. Oughtn’t it to bring you good fortune?” + </p> + <p> + “It will—it will,” he said, reaching his hand towards hers. + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” she rejoined archly. “I am going. Please do not follow me.” + Then, over her shoulder, as she left him: “If you have luck, I shall want + a subscription for my hospital.” + </p> + <p> + “As many thousands as you like,” he answered: then, as she sped away: “I + will have her, and the millions too!” adding reminiscently: “Yes, Lady + Lawless, this is my biggest deal.” + </p> + <p> + He tramped to the stables, asked for and got a horse, and rode away to the + railway station. It was dinner time when he got back. He came down to + dinner late, apologising to Lady Lawless as he did so. Glancing across the + table at Mr. Pride, he saw a peculiar excited look in the young man’s + face. + </p> + <p> + “The baby fool!” he said to himself. “He’s getting into mischief. I’ll + startle him. If he knows that an army of his dollars is playing at + fox-and-geese, he’ll not make eyes at Lady Lawless this way—little + ass.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless appeared oblivious of the young man’s devotional exercises. + She was engaged on a more congenial theme. In spite of Miss Raglan’s + excellent acting, she saw that something had occurred. Mr. Vandewaters was + much the same as usual, save that his voice had an added ring. She was not + sure that all was right; but she was determined to know. Sir Duke was + amused generally. He led a pretty by-play with Mrs. Gregory Thorne, of + whom he asked the details of the day, much to the confusion, not admirably + hid, of Mr. Pride; lamenting now and then Mr. Vandewaters’s absence from + the shooting. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Vandewaters was cool enough. He said that he had been playing at + nine-pins with railways, which was good enough sport for him. Soon after + dinner, he was handed two telegrams. He glanced slowly up at Pride, as if + debating whether to tell him something. He evidently decided against it, + and, excusing himself by saying he was off to take a little walk in Wall + Street, went away to the telegraph office, where he stayed three hours. + </p> + <p> + The magnitude of the concerns, the admirable stoicism with which he + received alarming news, his dry humour while they waited between messages—all + were so unlike anything the telegraph-clerk had ever seen, or imagined, + that the thing was like a preposterous dream. Even when, at last, a + telegram came which the clerk vaguely felt was, somehow, like the fall of + an empire, Mr. Vandewaters remained unmoved. Then he sent one more + telegram, gave the clerk a pound, asked that the reply be sent to him as + soon as it came, and went away, calmly smoking his cigar. + </p> + <p> + It was a mild night. When he got to the house he found some of the guests + walking on the veranda. He joined them; but Miss Raglan was not with them; + nor were Lady Lawless and Mr. Pride. He wanted to see all three, and so he + went into the house. There was no one in the drawing-room. He reached the + library in time to hear Lady Lawless say to Mr. Pride, who was + disappearing through another door: “You had better ask advice of Mr. + Vandewaters.” + </p> + <p> + The door closed. Mr. Vandewaters stepped forward. + </p> + <p> + He understood the situation. “I guess I know how to advise him, Lady + Lawless,” he said. + </p> + <p> + She turned on him quietly, traces of hauteur in her manner. Her self-pride + had been hurt. “You have heard?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Only your last words, Lady Lawless. They were enough. I feel guilty in + having brought him here.” + </p> + <p> + “You need not. I was glad to have your friend. He is young and effusive. + Let us say no more about it. + </p> + <p> + “He is tragically repentant; which is a pity. There is no reason why he + should not stay, and be sensible. Why should young men lose their heads, + and be so absurdly earnest?” + </p> + <p> + “Another poser, Lady Lawless.” + </p> + <p> + “In all your life you never misunderstood things so, I am sure.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there is no virtue in keeping your head steady. I have spent most + of my life wooing Madame Fortune; I find that makes a man canny.” + </p> + <p> + “She has been very kind to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it would surprise you if I told you that at this moment I am not + worth ten thousand dollars.” She looked greatly astonished. “I do not + understand,” she said. She was thinking of what this might mean to Gracia + Raglan. + </p> + <p> + “You see I’ve been playing games at a disadvantage with some ruffians at + New York. They have combined and got me into a corner. I have made my last + move. If it comes out right I shall be richer than ever; if not I must + begin all over again.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless looked at him curiously. She had never met a man like him + before. His power seemed almost Napoleonic; his imperturbability was + absolute. Yet she noticed something new in him. On one side a kind of grim + forcefulness; on the other, a quiet sort of human sympathy. The one, no + doubt, had to do with the momentous circumstances amid which he was + placed; the other, with an event which she had, perhaps prematurely, + anticipated. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder—I wonder at you,” she said. “How do you keep so cool while + such tremendous things are happening?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I believe in myself, Lady Lawless. I have had to take my measure + a good many times in this world. I never was defeated through my own + stupidity. It has been the sheer luck of the game.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not look like a gamester,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “I guess it’s all pretty much a game in life, if you look at it right. It + is only a case of playing fair or foul.” + </p> + <p> + “I never heard any Englishmen talk as you do.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely not,” he responded. “I don’t want to be unpleasant; but most + Englishmen work things out by the rule their fathers taught them, and not + by native ingenuity. It is native wit that tells in the end, I’m + thinking.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you are right,” she rejoined. “There must be a kind of genius in + it.” Here her voice dropped a little lower. “I do not believe there are + many Englishmen, even if they had your dollars—” + </p> + <p> + “The dollars I had this morning,” he interposed. + </p> + <p> + “—who could have so strongly impressed Gracia Raglan.” + </p> + <p> + He looked thoughtfully on the ground; then raised his eyes to Lady + Lawless, and said in a low, ringing tone: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am going to do more than ‘impress’: I am going to convince her.” + </p> + <p> + “When?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow morning, I hope,” was the reply. “I believe I shall have my + millions again.” + </p> + <p> + “If you do,” she said slowly, “do you not think that you ought to run no + more risks—for her sake?” + </p> + <p> + “That is just what I mean to do, Lady Lawless. I’ll settle millions where + they ought to be settled, drop Wall Street, and—go into training.” + </p> + <p> + “Into training?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, for a house on the Hudson, a villa at Cannes, a residence in + Grosvenor Square, and a place in Devonshire—or somewhere else. + Then,” he added, with a twinkle in his eye, “I shall need a good deal of + time to cultivate accent.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t!” she said. “You are much more charming as you are.” + </p> + <p> + They passed into the drawing-room. + </p> + <p> + “Are these things to be told?” she asked, with a little suggestion in her + voice. + </p> + <p> + “I can trust your discretion.” + </p> + <p> + “Even in such circumstances?” she asked. She paused, with a motion of her + fan back towards the room they had left. + </p> + <p> + “You have taught him a lesson, Lady Lawless. It is rough on him; but he + needs it.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope he will do nothing rash,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he’ll write some poetry, and refuse to consider his natural + appetite.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you go and see him now?” she asked. “Immediately. Good night, Lady + Lawless.” His big hand swallowed hers in a firm, friendly clasp, and he + shook it once or twice before he parted from her. He met Sir Duke Lawless + in the doorway. They greeted cheerfully, and then Lawless came up to his + wife. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear,” he said, with an amused look in his face, “well, what + news?” + </p> + <p> + She lifted her eyebrows at him. + </p> + <p> + “Something has happened, Molly, I can see it in your face.” + </p> + <p> + She was very brief. “Gracia Raglan has been conquered; the young man from + Boston has been foolish; and Mr. Vandewaters has lost millions.” + </p> + <p> + “Eh? That’s awkward,” said Sir Duke. + </p> + <p> + “Which?” asked his wife. + </p> + <p> + Vandewaters found Mr. Pride in his bedroom, a waif of melancholy. He drew + a chair up, lighted a cigar, eyed the young man from head to foot, and + then said: “Pride, have you got any backbone? If you have, brace up. You + are ruined. That’s about as mild as I can put it.” + </p> + <p> + “You know all?”—said the young man helplessly, his hands clasped + between his knees in aesthetic agony. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I know more than you do, as you will find out. You’re a nice sort of + man, to come into a man’s house, in a strange land, and make love to his + wife. Now, what do you think of yourself? You’re a nice representative of + the American, aren’t you?” + </p> + <p> + “I—I didn’t mean any harm—I—couldn’t help it,” replied + the stricken boy. + </p> + <p> + “O, for God’s sake, drop that bib-and-tucker twaddle! Couldn’t help it! + Every scoundrel, too weak to face the consequences of his sin, says he + couldn’t help it. So help me, Joseph, I’d like to thrash you. Couldn’t + help it! Now, sit up in your chair, take this cigar, drink this glass of + whiskey I’m pouring for you, and make up your mind that you’re going to be + a man and not a nincompoop—sit still! Don’t fly up. I mean what I + say. I’ve got business to talk to you. And make up your mind that, for + once, you have got to take life seriously.” + </p> + <p> + “What right have you to speak to me like this?” demanded the young man + with an attempt at dignity. Vandewaters laughed loudly. + </p> + <p> + “Right? Great Scott! The right of a man who thinks a damned sight more of + your reputation than you do yourself, and of your fortune than you would + ever have wits to do. I am the best friend you’ve got, and not the less + your friend because I feel like breaking your ribs. Now, enough of that. + This is what I have to say, Pride: to-night you and I are beggars. You + understand? Beggars. Out in the cold world, out in the street. Now, what + do you think of that?” + </p> + <p> + The shock to Mr. Pride was great. Mr. Vandewaters had exaggerated the + disaster; but he had done it with a purpose. The youth gasped “My God!” + and dropped his glass. Vandewaters picked it up, and regarded him a moment + in silence. Then he began to explain their financial position. He did not + explain the one bold stroke which he was playing to redeem their fortunes: + if possible. When he had finished the story, he said, “I guess that’s a + bit more serious than the little affair in the library half an hour ago?” + </p> + <p> + He rose to his feet. “Look here, Pride, be a man. You’ve never tried it + yet. Let me teach you how to face the world without a dollar; how to make + a fortune. Then, when you’ve made it, you’ll get what you’ve never had yet—the + pleasure of spending money dug out of your own wits.” + </p> + <p> + He carried conviction into a mind not yet all destroyed by effeminacy and + indulgence of the emotions. Something of the iron of his own brain got + into the brain of the young man, who came to his feet trembling a little, + and said: “I don’t mind it so much, if you only stick to me, Vandewaters.” + </p> + <p> + A smile flickered about the corners of Vandewaters’s mouth. + </p> + <p> + “Take a little more whiskey,” he said; “then get into bed, and go to + sleep. No nonsense, remember; go to sleep. To-morrow morning we will talk. + And see here, my boy,”—he caught him by both arms and fastened his + eyes,—“you have had a lesson: learn it backwards. Good night.” + </p> + <p> + Next morning Mr. Vandewaters was early in the grounds. He chatted with the + gardener, and discussed the merits of the horses with the groom, + apparently at peace with the world. Yet he was watching vigilantly the + carriage-drive from the public-road. Just before breakfast-time a + telegraph messenger appeared. Vandewaters was standing with Sir Duke + Lawless when the message was handed to him. He read it, put it into his + pocket, and went on talking. Presently he said: “My agent is coming from + town this morning, Sir Duke. I may have to leave to-night.” Then he + turned, and went to his room. + </p> + <p> + Lady Lawless had heard his last words. + </p> + <p> + “What about your ranche in Colorado, Duke?” + </p> + <p> + “About as sure, I fancy, as your millionaire for Gracia.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Raglan did not appear at breakfast with the rest. Neither did Mr. + Pride, who slept late that morning. About ten o’clock Mr. Vandewaters’s + agent arrived. About twelve o’clock Mr. Vandewaters saw Miss Raglan + sitting alone in the library. He was evidently looking for her. He came up + to her quietly, and put a piece of paper in her lap. + </p> + <p> + “What is this?” she asked, a little startled. + </p> + <p> + “A thousand for your hospital,” was the meaning reply. + </p> + <p> + She flushed, and came to her feet. + </p> + <p> + “I have won,” he said. + </p> + <p> + And then he reached out and took both her hands. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: + + But I don’t think it is worth doing twice + He wishes to be rude to some one, and is disappointed + I—couldn’t help it + Interfere with people who had a trade and didn’t understand it + Lose their heads, and be so absurdly earnest + Scoundrel, too weak to face the consequences of his sin +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s At The Sign Of The Eagle, by Gilbert Parker + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AT THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE *** + +***** This file should be named 6218-h.htm or 6218-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/1/6218/ + +Produced by David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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