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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour gtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est fiimd d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, lit de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 miM^- i^MMiHiai^^lMt^'nttt;); fe... astefessji^. ifi [iWWfci T'"^ )-H^ Hir^-^-^ r f' 5/ ^//^Jt i I' i 'i % /">■ -x ) I (!(.01)-NT<;HT, AI.I.KCHV f.../ I THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH .1 SI BqM By I. ZANGWILL AUTHOR OK "DREAMKRS OF THE GHETTO ' "THE MASTER" ETC., ETC. ILLUSTRATED BY LOUIS LOEB ll'- 2^ W. J. GAGE & CO. LIMITED TORONTO 1900 , \ ) I I !J U AU righlt nttrvnf TO M. W. AND E. W. V VI VII u X] XI] XIII XIV XV XVI XVII, XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. CONTENTS cnAPTER fa^^u rfT 1. Allegra .... ^■'^°^- II. "EUJAH" . . . , \ ^ III. "Bkllona", ^^ IV. Home Politics. . ^^ V. Tom " 2^ VI. Life and Letters ... VII. "Fizzy, MP." . ^ VIII. The Duchess ?^ IX. Fizzy Falls ^^ X. Family Life .... XI. MiDsTOKE ......" ■^^^ XIL Reconciliation . . XIII. Feudalism ^^^ XIV. Home News and Fohlign ^^^ XV. A Bloody Banquet . ^ XVI. Wak " ^^^ XVII. Dark Days ^^^ XVIII. Bob Broseu. ^^^ XIX. "The House". . . . , [ ^^^ XX. Mrs. Broser at Home "^^ XXI. The World and the Flesfi . . . [ ^^^ XXII. Eve in thr Garden ^^^ XXIII. Elijah Translated ^'^^ ■ * ' ■ 840 I CONTENTS <'"*"«» JBooft nil PMw. I. Tenebhae 251 II. "A Deliveueu ?" 256 III. Resurrection 265 IV. Causerie 276 V. R.KPHAEL DOMINICK 282 VI. Mors et Vita 291 VII. Power 298 VIII. Talk and Trumpet 310 IX. Margaret Engeluorne 319 X. Christian Martyrs 331 XI. Feudalism Again 339 XII. Arms and the Men 345 XIII. Raphael Returns 358 XIV. Carried Forward 363 XV. Modern Love 368 2iVI. Old Comrades 380 XVII. The Duchess in Journalism 885 XVIII. A Race to the Death 391 XIX. At the Bazaar 898 XX. The Brink op Love 404 XXI. The Brink of Death 413 XXII. Reaction 426 XXIII. The Goal 441 XXIV. The Duel op the Sexes 447 XXV. Farewell 454 PAOR 251 256 265 276 282 291 298 310 319 331 339 345 358 363 368 380 885 391 898 404 413 426 441 447 454 ILLUSTRATIONS GOOD NIGRT, ALLEGKA ' " •"VOUK NIECE? ALLIGATOR?"' " •••••'• ^o^^^ece "THE CROWD DKEW BACK". . . . . [ ^'^ '' ^^ " 'I can't, BOB, I CAN'T'" " ^^^ '" AFTER MY DEATH "• ^^^ '"KIT IS KILLING YOU'" .... "288 THE POISONED ARROW ' ^^^ " 433 Booh U i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH CHAPTER I ALLEGRA OH, there you are, Miss Ally, blazing away the gas. Here's a letter for you." ^ " Put it down, Gwennv." Allegra's eye, " in a fine frenzy rolling," did not lift ^nft. T.*^' P'P'.' °" "^^^^ ^'^ P^^ ™ rhyming and the bedroom mirror before which she wrote cof' tmued to reflect only a curly head of reddish-brown hair.* the old Welsh family servant stared. Allegra's wont was to fall on her rare letters like a famished tigress and tear open their vitals in a twinkling. " You might be telling us the news from the young ladies," Gwennv said with asperity. Allegra did not reply, but made a long erasure, frowned, and gnawed at her quill. " You might be telling your mother the news from the young ladies," persisted Gwenny severely. ''^Hasn't mother got a letter, too?" "Not a scrap. Blood is cheaper than ink. Weave 01 no account. Allegra fidgeted, unwilling to be dragged from Par- nassus either by domestic politics or the Ppistolarv oh-xt- ter of Duisie or Mabel. Had she not been looking for- 3 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH . ward to the silence of the bedroom-the unruffled twin bed beside hers ? Otherwise of what use to have packed the girls oif to the gajeties of Cambridge ? "wuV^l7 '''"*®' ''^''^ ™"'* ^^ ^^'cll," she said curtly. V/hat other news can there be?" " Indeed ! Two girls going into a barracks of young men like Daniel m the lions' den. A university isn't exactly Pabell Dofydd." ^ "Pabell— ?" Allegra looked up for the first time. ^ A flush spread over Gwenny's sallow, emaciated face. Lord''"'^^'''^ ^'''' '""-^'"^ '^^''^ Tabernacle of the Allegra laughed-a merry, girlish laugh that dissipated the^ eye's poetic frenzy. " Is that Welsh ?" ^ And if It is, it's as good as English," and the fine frenzy passed to Gwenny's eye. The old woman had " You silly old Gwenny ! I love funny words " Gwenny threw the letter down on Mabel's bed '^ It's like an oven in here," she said gruffly. "Is it? So it is. Open the window, please " Gwenny jerked up the small-paned black sash viciously A refreshing air blew in from the Thames. Allegra unconsciously drew a deep breath moon^-"'%f/ '"'.^ ecstatically: "what a beautiful moon ! She peered out into the warm June night, and on the uninhabited bank opposite. Two wisps of cloud on the moon s face gave it a momentary appearance of an Ruminated dia with hands, and she thought of the Clock Tower of the House of Commons farther dovvn the river and then compassionately of her fatlier, still pris- one^ by dull business in the stuffy national vestry And who's been putting up that text ?" Gwenny's querulous voice reminded her that the Familv bkeleton (as Dulsie had christened her) was still waiting ffled twin ve packed id curtly. of young sity isn't ; time, ted face. 3 of the lissipated the fine nan had rVelsh in " It's iciously. Allcgra •eautiful ;:;-ht, and foliage )f cloud 26 of an of the own the ill pris- Family waiting ALLEGRA to read the letter She popped in her head. " I put it up," she said, smiling. ^ 1 at^^lf ^'''''''^ "'^*''^' ^^"^ others— and it isn't printed nice- " It isn't printed at all. I wrote it." The old woman put on her spectacles and read out slow- ly, with waxing mistrust, for her world was divided into Christians and Church-of -England : " Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (That last infirmity of noble minds). To scorn delights and live laborious days." " Is that in the Bible ?" she asked. a 5'^ in m^/ Bible," said Allegra, evasively. Your Prayer-Book is not the Bible," Gwenny remind- ed her resentfully. " I never saw anything in the Bible about fame, except And Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus.' " "Tetrarch! What a lovely word I" And Allegra's eyes reht as she wrote : 6 o c^ca "The purple Tetrarch vanquished by the Babe." " Babe^" ^she muttered, "cabe, fabe, labe, mabe, rabe, sabe, tabe. An anxious frown darkened her bright younff brow as with an _ ink-stain. " Yabe, zabe, clabe, crabe, shabe, stabe. .s it possible there's no rhyme to babe « I never knew that before. Such a simple word, too !" She wondered lugubriously how the idyllists of the nursery had managed. Then some inner sprite whispered " As- donht ' n 1. 1 ^'^ ' ^uf ^^ "^ J°^' ^°"°^^^ by a cloud of doubt. Could she possibly get Astrolabe in ? And what did It mean exactly ? Anxiously she turned the pages of ^Z^IT'- ^ ^^^^ '' '''''' --P^^ ^- I^P' and "That star unkenned of earthly Astrolabe." The banging of the door awoke her from bliss. Gwenny THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH had gone. Allogra's Up quivered in remorse, and she rose a If to go after the old woman, but she went no farther than picking up the letter. She was only sixteen a flutter with sweet impulses, and her ehin was poin d?\vhi hi ^aid to be a sip of indecision. Soul and body eemed niiDtf Y "r'i ?:^''' interflashing in a fascinatinnem' mnity. You had the sense of frank, girlish, blue-gray eves tTt::::Vr''-'l '^"^^' ^^ ^^^^^-^ lai;ghter,TrLSng nto tears, of quick emotion and nervous half-hysteria of hnmor playing about the closed mouth and the dancing eyes; of ambition reaching towards the coming years, and conceiving failure as more tragic than death, of high he the woman half out of her shell 2eZrt T I' ^" n'^'. *^'" '^ ^P^^' ^"^^^^^^ to know uhether it was from Dulsie or Mabel, for the pointed pen- manship of the early Victorian period was a symbol of^the general absorption of woman's individuality into the lady! like. The contents, however, were not so prim. ^ is aU lT„ v» ?"'^°«^:-<^l^ what a fool you were not to come • This hapron WhTal.:J^""- ,«"^\f""' Connie makes a splendd two and everybody s^it was' fl. owTng' to^Tom bST.S "? s^ hiKhlslanSs'^" AL"rn^ 'T 'T h-dTome'h^e Zftiu T Tav^ L. f^'s "annels. And I never knew how lovely Dulsie wai fill CI veasp'ortia 'y'JfP-'T^ ^r"' •'"«' 'i^e the pfctures or Kitty friendt W« fa' .•„ *,^* "* ^?™ ^ ^""""^ "^^ ^e has such a lot of nice the streets under the eye of a ' BnH Hn,,' a mouth and sen,!, her into 6 I d she rose 10 farther I, a-flutter which is y seemed :ing femi- ?ray ejes, breaking steria, of i dancing ears, and high he- candy — instinct to know ited pen- ol of the the lady- ne! This I splendid , dinneia, been one, the ideal .0 sit out And then went up troke. I vas till 1 e waa till of Kitty 3t of nice bles, and omc boy, her into I only ire more I do be- rse they 1.0 marry and the A L L E G R A is'jut lool^e'et'fJr^'^frd"/ IfiZt v^'"^/^ P",^«« ^''•'P^'- -^^-^ «l.ivery. and all that But taikTn^of^h."^ ^"-^ '•«''«'°"«. and spine- only begins when all is over and vo,f "L'','™P'"*''- ^^^ ""eal bumping which isn't as big as our riVer bu^t th ° „ "'"" °". ^''^ sunshiny Can^ and don't you remember father tellinl 7« h'' ^''TH °^ ** '^" ^^e same tl'o Jlissus? And when you row & f ^^ T''' ^""''^ •>"™P*'d across Huch a swarm of parasofs of every color 'f '"' T ^""^ ^"'^"^^ ^"'i^. ."Very other, and all the oars lookiLl/' • •''^ ^^^ scrunching, into l>u.«hin,. and shouting a;;%t.Snrand'sSs"caf' ■'"' ''"^''"">' people coming up like wet ratq To^ U ,^ capsizing, and the and it's a wonder we diHn'I ; • ^''"J^ed me a dripping Duchess Home.' as D°"l e 'ZltaV iTrembTed't'" "* '''' H'V^r ^God's Tt rause of mother's howling when wo Si ^^ T J^^ ^^'''^^' ^^t be- know we'ye got only one dmn J f * ^'"'"^but because-well, you (hose new little Spanish toques vvlnT''''n ^ ^"^ ^""g^* one^f we have to take tea with th^e Mastlr if t /""'j' T'* "'"^ "«'«'. f""" Hounds. But he is Tery hnportant a 11 Vh"p'^'* what-only it's not mires father's speeches althKh,i„ ..''*'"''• '^"^ «*^y« ^'^ ad- duty should be repealed as it wo„l5 n f " * ^^'^^ ^^"^ *»>« PaP" nasty newspapers/ n,V„''„;^^^^^/^^„P/°^^^^^^ "^^a™ °^ ^''^'^P ^nd "hont it. Well, good-bye. Du"ieSn« ^„*-"^,'"^ *" "nderstand all you a fool. ^ ^ "''"^ •'•''"» ">« '" Joye and in thinking Affectionately yours, Mabel. pai7of'';;;nTntXes'annl?[e7;mrt1. ''' '' '''''' '«"'* -""^her in-I dare sa/theyM 'fit i you iiSj't 'i\'r'' ??" ""^'^ presented Skeleton wil/pack^them 'uliZ'^^ yTu' L^eTeiligtothll^'""^ Allegra's face grew wistful at the picture of the sunlit boats and the diamond-dripping oars, but she fixed he eye " Tb. W t^t \^r^ 'i^^^ *^ *^« bedroom decorations The Way of the Ungodly shall Perish," and other S^ distic sentiments from the Old Testament chosen bv ar7tvTutIiL'n";r "TTt" '^°" ^^^ ^'^^-^^ amy, but Milton s lines had the acuteness of a trumpet- call. Fame was indeed Allegra's present smir in 3 mg a»ong i^r.^.^.i:^r:^^:^:^:zs;:^ !i! THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH «J^com] childhood, a. "1 of all social planes, not exclndinff 1 10 liighcst, though had the writers known tliat in Allom-a thej addressed a Cabinet Minister's .laughter, they might have dreamed wildly of state pensions. But the C or nu- copms chief circulation was among ill-to-do schoolboys an.l schoolgirls; a fact to the credit of the juvenile mob, begirt by importunate illustrations of ghosts and pirates tor whereas your superior cherub has hi^ reading matter sifted like his diet, the youngster of the streets lays out his infrequent penny to his heart's content. Nothing could be more elevating than the Cornucopia's " Answers to Correspondents," in which moral guidance was mixed with recipes for making rockets. Allegra herself had once received information on the training of rabbits, r nd though her rabbits had pined away, Allegra's faith in the Editor's omniscience was undisturbed. He was to her a divinity shrined in Fleet Street from mortal gaze. The Cornu- Tr^To7^l"' T '^' ^^'^Y' "^"^^ ^'^ ^^' g-"tle read- ers-felt like a happy tamily, over which he presided like a grandfatherly god. But perhaps the paper owed its success less to the Editor's austere principles and radiating benevolence than to its fostering the literary passion in i"? piirchasers. The itch of writing is regarded as a ma"adv of he mature but it is in truth an infantile disease, which IS worked out of the system early, save in an insurable minonty, mostly fools. The Cornucopia was earl est to discover this, and by a back page of versified ridcUes wit- te^ by Its readers, it provided an easy gradus to Parnassus. (1 arnassus was a word often on the riddlers' oen^ ) Mv first was a lyric, and juy second a sonnet, an V.rx whole was a charade quite easy to guess. By ; '<•, ,]..vico a hi^h heroic strain might be worked off as an acrostic, torsos of epics found the light as anagrams, and Clio assisted at the parturi ion of a palindrome. W. P. B. was the Cornu^ copians humorous-melancholy synonym for failure If ';.Y".a..us was Paradise, the Waste-Paper Basket was the -.'-rnr, out under the cheery editorial tact there was no 8 though ALLEORA ! offlo^f T?^"" ''°P' '^ •^'" ""^''•^^ ^^^^^- Doubtless most 1 of the doddering soptusgenarians Avho fovorishK bought, the paper for their imaginary infants were riddling rhyme- sters; print was the bait at whieh they nibbled with toorh- u^A iTtT' r 1 \''^l"g^"""";' pseudonyms of Baby Bunting and L It le Red Riding-IIood masked the poetic outpourings ot still hopeful senescence. But there was a broader path to Parnassus, for you might actually aspire to contribute unpaid matter to the prior pages, and sometimes— O golden spur!— money prizes were offered for the best poem or story. The same uncanny insight into human nature which Lad brought the Cornucopia into universal request had dictat. d its choice of the subject for competition—'' Fame " Not) ing obsesses the imagination of the unpublished so much as the trials and triumphs of the literary aspirant. The amateur author's pet theme is the professional author, to wit himself magmfied and haloed. Fiye pounds awaited the best hundred lines on - Fame " in heroic couplets ; two pounds the second best! while half a guinea consoled the Pegasus that was placed. In Allegra's day-dream world nothing loomed so vast and shining as this same " Fame," and so she had been working desperately what time Dulsie and lAfabel assisted at the M^y.te festivities. To-night or never the poem must be finished. Posted to Fleet Street the first thin- in the morning, it would just arrive in time. In the re"^ luorseless progression of the days the term of the compe- tition had arrived. ^ Allegra's poem was a haggis of motley allusions in the rSr'Tl'n-^7j'^°"^' ^^^^*^"^ Chatterton and Apelles and the Cid, Plato and Byron and Charlemagne, Mrs. Siddons and Thermopylae and Clio, were blended with Paladins, Crusaders, Seraphim, and the Holy Grail Parnassus came three times and Fame's Scroll four, not including Its "Bead-Ron." But the main note was mar- tial. Armor clanked and the bugle blew throughout 9 1 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH thpf."!l^^'' ;?^ poetess did not feel that her verses, even in their eleventh incarnation, had risen to the height of their great argjnnent ; they had not even risen to her own he gh ttat HHl ^^ " '''•'"; "">^ "" '^'' b'^ P"^-' «" thrillinl: that ht le inner circle of Cornucopians, whose rustling laurels kept one another from sleep/ to say nothing of ? the hor?^"^ of mere readers, which was^as the circle o was lost ^"^P^ration did not come to-night, all M^lell'^lT,'^ 'T^J '' was coming. Gwenny's entrance and iMabel s letter had not disconcerted it. The moon had tl'dr'"" 'I ?i^"^P; ^^ ^^^""-^ '-^ ^-^ P- ure at the dressing-table under the gas-globe: her eyes shone her hear sang her cheeks glowed. Sr^^ses seJued to hover ;t;;^l';[n^;i/?o;r'"^ -' '-'''' ^--^^-^ ^^^^ ^-^ And then suddenly something fell with a little thud tTn.W //P''*i"^^ ^ ^''^^''^y^ ^''^ ^ poor singed moth V th h^er^rie. . 1 '^^ '^-^ '^'^'^'^^^^S insect delicately with her pen helping to set it on its legs again. It crawl- ed off lop-sided, with one-winged, spasmodic efforts oTy. fehe was glad when it dragged itself out of sight. Alas » It was but the pioneer of a suicidal swarm that kept flutter- ^vlth her handkerchief, but they returned recklessly-^ strange,dingy,fluffy creatures of all sizes and shapes smwn perhaps of the abnormal heat wave, whirring dtzHy dd wards, frizzled and contorted. Allegra wat sorry^the old woman had opened the window; andlhough, now^tlat her consciousness was directed to the point, she felt the room oppressive y hot the descent of a dadd^-long-legs with Tt legs shrivelled short made the air from without "even more JiiTrivt. "" " ''"P '"^ '''' ^^"* ^"* *^- -g^^ "-d In vain. An invading cohort seemed to be already in possession-an army bent on storming the fiery posSon IS, even in t of their 'n height, thrilling rustling ng of the circle of light, all ance and oon had )sture at tone, her to hover she had tie thud d moth as pale ilicately t crawi- 3 to fly. Alas! flutter- n away essly — , spawn '' down- the old bat her B room nth its a more ht and ady in sition. ALLEGRA But how CO u thfMtrvot , "s ™:3r» "to^?; tears of pity turned to self ni^l , '^ ™' o™"-' »<»• THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ' the stairs to the neighboring bedroom, which she shared with Dulsie. thed^^^^^^' ^'^"'^■" ^^^^ ^ careless cry as Joan passed "Yes!" All.gra answered crossly. "I mean, I want my room to myself." " Don't be so cock-a-hoop about it. I've got two beds ol my oAvn." Allegra heard Joan singing as she undressed, and she envied the Iight-heartedness of Youth. 'vi le shared m passed , I want two beds and she CHAPTER II "ELIJAH" AI'TER a vague period of numb misery and wander •^ ing thoughts, Allegra found her brain tHrnTn^o^'; fresh couplets, and presently lo! she was .firn w"?^ ?i old eagerness, intensified by dread of everv?h^n. . I ' ,.« "r'",;i'" -fir,""', ':—'•■"'. from the flamo I" S!l A T-^ ^^^ ^^ snatched for.!" ti^*? '?- ^Sl ;?:cr :^ 13 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH . knew she had sinned. His present attitude brought tlie episode back, and she had a lively twinge of remorse,- conceiving now the horror of little rabbits' legs scurry- ing across the wet lines of " Fame." The memory de- <|^cided her for retreat; but her father turned his head vaguely. *' Ah, come in, Mabel," he said pleasantly, not ceasing to write. Allegra's face flushed up as if to match her hair. " I'm not Mabel," she said apologetically. " Mabel's at Cam- bridge." He smiled ; the wistful fascinating smile which had won oyer howling mobs, and which Allegra had inherited from him.^ In fact there were moments when he seemed only a whiskered and world- worn Allegra. Something of wom- anly sweetness shone in the brown eyes undt the great white forehead, and sometimes the pain in them vanished in a gayety less boyish than girlish in its tenderness and humor. " It's a wise father that knows his own child," he mur- mured ; " then you must be Allegra. And why is Allegra roaming about at this hour ?" Allegra crimsoned deeper. Her literary passion had roots of virginal shyness ; not even her sisters were in the secret And how could one lay bare one's pity for moths ? Not since that moment — a month ago — when she was curt- sying to the Queen, walking backwards, had Allegra felt so uncomfortable. *^ I didn't know any one was here," she murmured. "Am I in your way, dear?" he said, with quick con- Biderateness. " Do you want anything ?" " Oh, no, no, father ; don't disturb yourself. I— I only •— " she ended desperately. " May I "use your ink ?" " Certainly, dear. And would you like the Great Seal too ?" His laughing eyes, gleaming benevolently boliind his reading-glasses, met hers, and at once a great ease fell upon 14 ^ M rought the f remorse,- !gs seiirry- einorj de- liis head ceasing to ir. " I'm s at Cam- h had won rited from imed only g of wom- the great L vanished rness and " he mur- is Allegra 3sion had 3re in the 3r moths ? was curt- legra felt red. uick con- [ — I only reat Seal 'hind his fell upon "ELIJAH" f ^ ^Sf:f]:;S^^"^"^"er from her sis- I tion.d between themfi7y'^ll'''f^ \^'^ ""'' ^''^ "^«n- «ively In her imaginative chi^n'.^T f"^ ^'' ^^^^u- a snuffy, red-nosed old gentS^^^^ ^^ °^«r^^eard had just given up being Lord S2ll'. fv" ""^^rstood of what Her Majesty had said whr'' ?"^"^ ^'' ^ ^t^er the Great Seal. The pfet'^e Tt c" ^?l^^'\ ^'' ^^^^ about the steps of tlie thrnn. f • ^Z'"'** ^^^^ flopping Pleted her idea of the b a»rf ufvor'l.'^' ^^'^^ ' ^^ -"- her father who would lokaftJw?^ ^^T" ' ^^^ ««ked father told her the next Lord cll ^1 ^'^^ ^°^' ^^^ her the Keeper of the Gr at Seal T^" 7' *^^^/ *ial being - an official li.t, and si e reid fWh T^ \'^ *^ '^'^' was carried behind him bv th. f !' o^"^ *^^ ^^'^ature and deposited „pon the V oLek''?r"^'^!?"^^-^^"- Chancellors he had knoAvn nevpt ^ . ,^- ^'^ ^^^ some or night: which gave nmv n T ^ ^ ^^ '"'^^ *^^ ^^^^' ^ay riages and sprawllfig at td^ ?"''' '^ >'^ "^^"g in car*!^ sacks of wool vagi^ely connp'f ^ """-T^^ ""' «^l"«tting on ^yo years later,^2n she hal '" ^ ' ''" ^^''^ ^^^P of doubt, every spark of sceptic?!^''''" -^ ^'li""nerings erm by his gravely hun?fnro^/7' 'V^^^^ ^'' «"«thfr m the histor/of England 'hat told" ^ ' '1^' ^^^^^''^^'^ II. was crossing the horslfe ry on tlt'^T."^^'" ^'''^'^ firs baffled flight to France he hJlt ^""''' "^ '"« Seal into the river, pateS rlt *^'-''''" *^^° ^^^at element. ' latently restoring it to its native ^rapf^''' '' "P ^- William of Orange^ All. ^^^^ Yes-the very next morning, and took it to White- Encouraged therefore bv hpr f.,^. , d;ew up a ehair to the tabfe Zftu'u u''""^' ^"^^^ f are^ a little place for w' he h.7^ ^" abstractedly forgotten her in ke manusS t was ^l^^-^^"*!^ ^^^eady "''-' --^ towards her, anS t ^^d,S ctli^^-b^? THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH the Departmental Clerk flashed its sense upon her indiffer- ent eye. " And bo it further enacted that the said Commis- sioners shall receive from time to time, for their guid- ance in the execution of their said Commission, such in- structions, not being repugnant to the provisions of this Act, as shall for that purpose be issued to them by Her Majesty, through one of her principal Secretaries of State . ". . ." Somehow it reminded her of Joan sharpening a slate- pencil, and she shuddered. Poor father ! To have things like that added to his do- mestic worries. Xo wonder his nice tawny head was grow- ing all silver, losing even that " bimetallism " which Dul- sie's wit had detected in it. A wave of tenderness for him began to heave her breast. But she chanced to see the clock, and she settled severely to her poetic task. It was a colossal clock, purchased, like all the furniture, by the mistress of the house, and remarkable even after the Great Exhibition of bad taste had misled an artless na- tion into the rococo. The eye was enticed, not only by a floral gilt maze, populated with figures, but by bas-reliefs of allegorical cherubs surmounted by semi-detached and semi-attired statuettes of Grecian nymphs. The dial itself, tiny in size and swaddled in an ormolu wreath that depend- ed from a cro\ming basket of ormolu flowers, would have been lost to the vision had it not been so near the summit of the structure. That clock alone would have told you the time of the century. It was the period when the simple outline of the Greeks was regarded as only the A B C of art; mere ground-theme for the pizzicato passages of a more enlightened posterity. Even these decorative convo- lutions were obscured in a gorgeous riot of minute involu- tions. Big ornaments had little ornaments on their backs, and little ornaments had lesser ornaments, and so ad infini- tum. You could not see the forest for the trees, nor the 16 H her indiffer- id Commis- their guid- 3n, such in- ions of this leni by Her jretaries of mg a slate- ;d to his do- d was grow- which Dul- less for him [ to see the e furnitwrc, en after the artless na- it only by a ' bas-reliefs tached and i dial itself, hat depend- would have the summit told you the the simple 3 A B C of 3sages of a itive convo- lute involu- their backs, 30 ad infini- 36-3, nor the "ELIJAH" trees for the twigs. The aim of the artist was not to con- ceal art but to conceal the article. i.^T ^\' ^u^f '^""^^ *^^^^ ^* '"^^^'^ Allegra and her u f e for i^: 1 """"'Jr^ '' ^*^"P^^^^*^ itsel? below the burtace. for its leg after losing itself in a bush of orna- IZ thHthef V^'' '''''' ^^^^-^^ - f- - possible irom the other, and sprouting forth a limbless chemb which turned its back on its fellow. S demands of "^Anf IT ""7?.' '^ '""''''^^ P^^^l bifurcations '' And Allegra's father, too, the Elijah of whose mantle there is question in this story, was e^rly VicIorTn H s oul was of the old eternal pattern that siks d^Kingdom of God and is jarred by Ahabs and Jezebels, but his color ing was according to the epoch. He was ting;d by D cken W ft r''''.^^ V M W^' by Combe's ConstLiolo Man tot o"'r ^^'"^*^«"' by the Chartists. If he vibrated Br herh^d'o^f nJ"'"'' '^ ^'-^ ^^^^*^ '' ^'^^ -d ^^ n^[^ W^ 7 ^*'''"' '''^^^ ^n *be background of his And his first thought was for England— England at ne-ice clean, contented, sober, happy A beacon S a welt^er n^ Continent. Ereedom was no nebulous figure Tureolef Se E "^ '^^''T' S°"^"^ ^^^ -'« trumpet; but E te Trade, Eree Speech, Eree Meals, Eree Education He Id not rage against the Church as the enmy, but he did not count on it as a friend. His Millennium was eartt esn^lT'^.L ^'' philosophy sunny, untroubled by Dan- ^i'fiZt^Z;:;!' rr^^ 7-tial,^eon:ti- f.o.t^^^^ growth of a modern manufacturing world steam b.S^ h'iTiHtv ^'h Tr ^'^ ?^"^^ '' Comiit ran ults'y Hostility. He did not play the game Wli,V «T^ t "^ TTp t}ir\ Ti^f ^^1. A J? ■ ' "®st Club m England '* He did not debate for argument's sake or to upset^Minis- THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ■I ■ t ters. He was not bounded by the walls of the Chamber nor ruled from the Speaker's chair : the House was resent- fully conscious it had no final word over his reputation or his influence. He stood for something outside it, some- thing outside himself, something large, vague, turbulent, untried, unplumbed, unknown — the People. The late- minted word Radical — which when the Queen came to the throne had only meant an out-and-oui Reformer of the Franchise — had taken on a more sinister significance, a brazen resonance of strikes and trade-unions and the anarchy of Americanism, since Thomas Marjorimont had fallen a-prophesying. And the paradox was that he was not of the mob him- self. His very name of Marjorimont was an index of kin- ship with the inner gang that had owned and ruled Eng- land for centuries, and at whose privileges the dreaded Reform Bills had but nibbled. Fortune did her best to give him the happy life of a rich and nobly connected Eng- lish gentleman, but he wedded himself to a daughter of the people as well as to democratic principles, and in de- spite of these leaden drags had by sheer strength of genius and honesty forced a great industrial measure on a kicking Tory Cabinet, and himself on the next Whig administra- tion, still more reluctant to let in upon itself the on-sweep- ing flood of Radicalism. But he bore about him the marks of the fight : of the People's long distrust of a Tory sprig, whose very name of Marjorimont with its pretentions pro- nunciation as Marchmont was a lingual tripping-rope, scarcely removed by his formally spelling it Marshmont, as it was most easily pronounced : of the opposition of the Middle Classes, expressed in refusals of halls for him to speak in, or even hotel beds for him to sleep in: of the hatred of his own order for a " traitor," acutest in his noble relatives. The late hours and lifeless air of the House of Commons had undermined what health was left from his oratorical crusades, and lately a touch of unearned hereditary gout 18 the Chamber se was resent- reputation or side it, some- ue, turbulent, e. The late- sn came to the 'ormer of the ignificance, a ions and the •jorimont had the mob him- index of kin- id ruled Eng- i the dreaded d her best to (nneeted Eng- i daughter of !3, and in de- gth of genius ! on a kicking » administra- the on-sweep- im the marks a Tory sprig, 3tentious pro- ripping-rope, Marshmont, >sition of the Is for him to sp in: of the cutest in his of Commons lis oratorical 'editary gout "ELIJAH" Jiut aren't you kind, too ?" ho.md™""'- "^™™''»1-Vs- O„col„sodtorideto ;• What, and sec foxes torn in pieces-ugh !" _^ Worse ! Toor little hares." '' 1 should never have believed it of you." don Wd the^To^pt "^''"'™^'^- " ''"" "^''^"''^ books."™'' "■''"' ""^ P"?"^"' ""^y''" » dull compared to papL ar all 'ffi gir^s'^tf ?st"ptt '^" ""'■ " «"'" "It'fSLtal."Su?Tft^;r^^^^^^^^^^^^ ''Xs:s""fol.*rfTf-^^^^ contemporary history." Ine^raddnr" T^'J^S "^ that rages in the untaxed TmeSunreK '^ ^'"-'^ lently abused in the States, 30U see " ^ ^' ^'^ ^^"■ . Was he? What a shame! I do wish von 'd h.; x.- m one day instead of those stupid Sdans" ^^Y"\ a swift vision of herself ..urrepHtious H • .1 ^"^ ''^^ ^«t'scoat-tail, and perhaps slipp^l^^ai^^^^^^^^^ THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH Her father laughed heartily. " Thank you, thank you, my dear. If this is what you say of my Whigs and Radi- cals, what would you say if I brought you Tories ?" " I don't suppose I should see any difference. They would talk of amendments and divisions just the same, wouldn't they ?" He laughed again. "But what were we talking about?" " You were telling me you used to hunt poor little hares," " Don't make such faces at me — if I hadn't, you would never have been born." Allegra shook her quill at him. " That's not hare, that's Great Seal." "No, it's true. I see I've cried ' Wolf ' too often, and you do read the Tory papers after all. But I sometimes speak the truth despite them. It all happened when I was staying at Llangellan Castle ^ri the beginning of my political career, before it had dawned on the old Viscount what a red Radical I was, Now I am as hated in the county as if I had shot foxes. Such a windy November morning it was, we could hardly sit our saddles ! And I can still see Lady Barbara, a slim little thing my people rather wanted me to marry, bent forward like a reed. But we soon started a hare, and off we flew to the music of hounds and liorn," A note of the old Pagan exultation crept into his voice, " On we went in the wind's teeth, up hill, down hill, over field and fence, the hare running straight and extraordinarily like a fox, and we almost thought it would give the dogs leg-bail, but at last the pack mobbed it in a patch of mangel-wurzel, and the Master and I dashed up just in time to be in at the death. But we were not. A tall, beautiful creature, with flashing eyes like an angry wood-nymph, flew out of a thicket, and with her bare hands beat off the bloodthirsty dogs — I never saw anything like it in my life — and snatched the poor scream- ing hare to her bosom." 20 i u, thank you, igs and Radi- ries ?" rence. They 1st the same, we talking it poor little 't, you would t hare, that's K) often, and I sometimes med when I nning of my old Viscount hated in the y ^November les ! And I g my people a reed. But ;he music of n exultation d's teeth, up are running I we almost [ast the pack the Master th. But we ing eyes like nd with her [ never saw poor scream- "ELIJAH" '; How splendid ! But didn't the dog, fly at her ?" her hai, ^^^^^ se^ ed"'.iiS' thf ' irit of'thi' ""," And how she iaslied oi.t at ,.» in 117 lT *"° ™"'- of the lord of the ma„°or tha' "oVMslf"' TdXt ,f ?'' rir.-™?,;^."* " -oed de.ieio„f''i wLt^ '^'eHo';; some polities. She wished .?»Tr?-''' ""'^ ^""' ''^<^ subj;ec{; but the IMeTands o'/tl^lveTdlaf ofth:" "^ clock were marching on Rpr f!fJ » u ■ *^® ^reat wait, but not hers Thp W f ?t''^' ' ''^^'^"^^^ "light tongue involuntfrii; "'°- ^'"' l"^^""" ""^d "« ier quilSl'"" Ah'l:f i!'-"^- :.H« '-''^'' ^' her awhile Disraelf." ' ' " '5™'"'™ y" '^ould put to Mr. areV™'„g uTe dft of t'l "'% ^"J" ^™™' "h™ y»" see^afaSs ^a'J*' "* "'" S"'''' ^ow I should like to 1 n "' ■>■?" ha™ seen the Prime Minister " ^^ That s not the only kind of hero." ^ Of course not. There's Tennyson " 21 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ij ? IK "la he a hero?" " You know what T mean — a great man." *' What is your idea of a great man ?" Unused to such Socratic searchingness, AHegra check- ed the reply on her impulsive tongue, and meditated, with lips adorably puckered. " A great man is one who works for the world." What " working for the world " was, Allogra did not know exactly, but it was something that went to the sound of music and the throbbing of angelic wings, and you walked uplifted in a great light, with tears in your eyes. The great Radical surveyed her with fresh interest. She had developed a personality, then, while he was not looking, this odd, fascinating child. He had let her soul run wild. " And you think soldiers work for the world ? I should rather say they provide work for the world— to repair the damage they do. Have you ever thought what war means, Allegra ?" " It means glory." 1^' It means fifty millions on the National Debt ; it means — " Here the moth Allegra had tried to save fell oppor- tunely. " That's what it means." "Oh, poor thing!" Allegra forgot the argument. " Yes," said her father sternly, " burnt moths, and torn hares, and drowned kittens, and all that you detest. How would you like it if Chelsea were cannonaded ?" " Oh, but that's impossible. No foreign foe can set foot on British soil. The last time it saw a battle was a centurv ago." ^ " And the next time may be next year. Bang! comee a bombshell through that window. It explodes; my head flies through the ceiling; yours through the door, and the clock up the chimney." " You are joking." " Joking ? Have you never read an account of a battle, a siege ?" 22 On7tr — J I AH Ulegra check- Btlitated, with rid." legra did not t to the sound igs, and you your eyes, resh interest. e he was not i let her soul d ? I should d — to repair ;ht what war ebt ; it means re fell oppor- rgument. ths, and torn letest. How ?" 3 can set foot /as a century Bang! comee es; my head ioor, and the t of a battle, " £ L IJ A H " s Jm^'p^oT'l^n^L^t^X^ ^^^-^'""^-^ -*« ^-P nation " I know all aCK' continued cross-exam - charge of the l^^tit^' ^^^^ ^.J^^y^ and the all ?— ^ -ongarie. Doesn't Milton describe it ' I>*gion. and cohorts, turn,, of horne and wings ' aXllTng'hrrt'^^"'^^--^^^--^ «teel, and banners, andlrbowe'lS':?;h'Sn tlfl ''''' ''^^^^'^ know nothing of Ah if nT 7 f "' ^^^ ^'^"^^^ t^ey we must mak! an end of war ''"^ "' '^' ''^' ^^ *^- ^^^^'^ snm'ed ht^work^'^Bml f\ "^^^ ^^^^^^^ He re- could happen here in Enid " Vh' "^^^""^ '"'^' *^^"^« He glanced up. Avhv n !. ? wf ^ '* ^^'*- England ? In any case war', I ^^'l ^"^"^""^^^ ^^^ to roost. 1 saw the 01^ • •'"''" *^"* ^°"^e« ^ome Cross at the Garden of the A^"^ V'^ '^' ^'^^t'^^a wheeled up in Ba h ehairs Th ""'f *-^' u ^^^^^« ^^^^ tered by shells. One of [him L ^'^' ^"^ ^^^^ «hat- Yeoford." ^* ^^^'^ ^«« "^7 own cousin Kick of S:rtedi;s:^Sr'r^'' ;^^ *^^«^ -^- ity of the most intelHgent? C J ""? ^V^ing stupid- and the world is ch.Sq.? Z''^,^ ^^^^' a touch- had figured in Alleg 'a Wn^^^^^^ T^ "^^'^^"^^ «<>Idiers never really thought of thpi?' ^"t^^omehow she had War had been aXe art fT. r'''\?"^^ ^^ ^^^^r stars, frenay. Butnowuluid,tl f"]^?' " ^"^ «^«thetic be hacked to pieces ''"^ °"' ' ^^*^^^^ « cousin might the^fc^:?^H\;;nitf^^^^ --- - which was not, then, an exSl n.l!„l *^'' /"■<','" her eyes. War cloud that mfgh" b"r ,^"ver ir./P'™^r' '"'"' *™de"- pn7i7 niJ ■i:'--i , ^ "^er ones own do^^r in fK- ^ ' -"s'-d, „„.id these quiet earpetei 'ho^^lS * THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH I ill f eii V '• turbing the snug succession of breakfast and dinner, of Easter and Christmas, and mutilating not vague foreign- ers, but persons one actually knew. Her mother, Gwenny, Joan, the snub-nosed page-boy, the polyglot governess, burly Wilson the coachman — each and all might become as the moth — formless, limbless, crawling lop-sided from the hell of war. Nay more ! That warm breathing flesh she called herself might be stabbed and shattered. The planet lay suddenly bare and raw — a brutal arena of piti- less savagery. But she shuddered back into her warm self, into the domestic snugness of the drawing-room. And all that was left of that brutally vivid moment was a pale intellectual deposit — a conviction that it was impossible now to send her poem to the Cornucopia. It was full of war— the wrong thing glorified, the mischievous con- cept transmitted. How if it won and was published ?— the whole world might be infected. Perhaps that was why the moths had been sent to her, she thought mystically. They suffered, to stay her pen. Pity for them and her ruined hopes gave new tears to her eyes, a swelling as of hysteria to her breast. She had come here to save her poem from the moths, and lo ! she must herself destroy it. She gathered up her papers hastily. "Good-night, Allegra," he murmured, relapsed into concentration. But she felt the parting inadequate to the new relation established between them that night: the strings seemed already loosening; they must be knotted. She leaned affectionately over his shoulder, stroking it, and letting her eye rest with a new s^Tnpathy on his manu- script : . " Her Majesty's justices of the peace and for the county, ridmg, division, district, borough, parish " From war to justices of the peace ! What a fall ! But then if war were sordid, justices of the peace might hold more poetry than appeared on the surface. To the aid 24 H d dinner, of igue foreign- ber, Gwenny, 5t governess, light become p-sided from •eathing flesh ttered. The irena of piti- ;o her warm g-room. And it was a pale IS impossible t was full of bievous con- 3ublished ? — erhaps that she thought pen. Pity i to her eyes, ad come here must herself elapsed into squate to the t night: the ■ be knotted, stroking it, 5n his manu- "ELIJAH" of this argument from inversion sprang a line of her Mil- ten: "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than War." But at this moment she became aware, by some subtle in stmct of attraction, that her mother wa in^he room ShJ t^d tbf ^''^ -/d there in a hastily donned re" wrapp r r the county, I fall! But ! might hold To the aid CHAPTER III fi " BELLONA » Q HE had eyes like a gazelle, and was, for all the mar- t ^^''"''"»« P-ked he. peHi!Te1,„ra!'butehT^-„Ul^' "^P"*'-" ^y tUa im- "And don't sit „n 7 •? ^ suppressed sobs. gas " followed he out T/S '"^ "Tl ^"^ ^^^^^^ the -ent up stairs, ca^^e the reprt'h'to'^ ^f\f '^^' '' «^^ were so desirous to sneak nf ■ ^"^ ^^*^^^-' " ^f you ^"ont, I was read to hearl^ T""'"' ^^'' ^ar-jor-i- hear a kind word.'' *^'"^' ^"^ ^^ ^^"rse / never The Mar-jor-i-mont was fatal All. i augury of this mispronunciation nf l^ ^^ ^"'^ ^^^ »» alien with whom his o^ ^'^e u«d "^ • \'" ^"^t^^^atie speech. Poor father, p^r mother 1 "^ "^^*' ^^ ^^"^^^^^^ poor Allegra ! Life was aH !? •' ^ °' P,^"^' P^°^ ^ot^s, What was Peace? slethou^hf'Tr^ '^"^"^- ^^^^ miagination had alwavTJav^fKtt ^""'^ °°^ ^^y her Anything to escape th^ souahhr ^^ ^Tf'' ^"^ ^^^^ets. flippancies of her^sisS /rstS^^ atmosphere, the and page-boys. She had alwTv. r r?^'*'°°' ^^ «°«^« her visions. Perhaps "'twe^CM «^«"^' alone with to sit out dances S molnlft n ^i ^""^^ ^*^^«^« "««/' then there were colds. ShXTf'^'S''' ^ ' «^«« she mounted the two flights Z l'^"^?^"f violently as resolved not to let thfs yfa'rntVt? "^'""'^'^ ^'' ''''^> household. jearnmg to scream terrify the are°t tl'S^^ """^ ^"^ -»" "ot roaist crying: " Joan, " I wanted to tdl Z-l '""''^'' ?^ ""' "'g^'^ ?" fencing-lessons." ""' S»'ng to take any more /\T':Ts^Z^, til,""* *"- '-^ -■«' ""er. heat her foil i„,o a ploShare -1 1, "Jf-' rV^taphorically nation with false nih?T"'°"'= '* ^"^ '""'"ed her imagf- "CVek.a.hoop alain." Jo» sneered. "Y.„ think * i I THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH because you touched the Swedish Turnip yesterday, you could challenge the Three Musketeers." The Swedish Turnip was the nickname of their fencing- master, a ruddy Swede, but Allegra was as surprised at Joan's reply as at her own remark. The misconception touched her sense of humor ; her nervous currents passed off in a prolonged laugh. " Crow away !" said Joan. " But wait till Jim comes home. He'll take you down." '_' We shall see. Good-night." She went to her room, smiling and relieved, not troubling even to strike a light. But that beautiful moon shone on her as she knelt at her bedside, a sweet penitent in white. "O God," she added extemporaneously, "teach me to win back my mother's love, and teach her to be as gentle to my father as she is to hares and rats. Teach me what is Truth, what is Right. And teach the silly moths to fear the flame." erday, you ^ir fencing- irprised at iconception mts passed Jim comes her room, ke a light, nelt at her ' teach me e as gentle h me what y moths to CHAPTER IV HOME POLITICS ^Allegra did not disturb me." ' ^^ Vh, and / do." ^.""^\'^'* ^® ^° unreasonable, sweetheart All. down here to write. If T hJ ^'^^'*^^"^^"- Allegra came ing-" ^^ ^ ^ad come up to jou, this draft- ;; What's jour Honorable Andrew for ?" Offic?" ^ ^°* ^"^ "^"- ^'- -rked him very hard at the cocWeraid^mpere^^^^^^^^^ r ^ -^^*--> ^e is to be ;; I thought'we h^dt eSttT "^^^ ^^^-^•" patronage to your own Hfl, I ^ • ^^ l^^ * ^^^^^"^ » ^itt e you are stll hfZ "'""" ^"' "ndo^tand these Si' If father gSSar/r/r"^ ^™"''"' ^'™ ""-' ^ • I'd SWspSet.^," ^''"'- "J^"' " »''«" not be fron. the eve'ryW^'s tr,;:!?, ''''^' ">»*'» '■» i"" Pooketl Except 2» THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " All the more reason for keeping ours out. I am sorry, Mary, but I can't discuss these things with you." *' I know ; there is nothing you can discuss with me. I'm not wanted ; I might as well be dead." He drew nearer to her and put into his voice the caress he had not the courage to attempt otherwise, *' Dearest, you know it's my only joy that you are alive." She softened, and there was a half-sob in her voice. " It doesn't seem so. When once in the blue moon you do get home before midnight, you sneak in like a thief ; you never dream of me. If it isn't writing, it's reading." " I thought you would be asleep. You see, the House got counted out — the enemy caught us napping. It was vexatious, of course, but I consoled myself with the thought of a quiet hour's work — " *' 1 should have thought the day was long enough." " At the Office there is always so much to do : oceans of correspondence, answers to members' questions to be got ready for the afternoon, and this morning a pig-headed deputation of Tory farmers into the bargain ! And at the House it's worse. There's a fever i ii the air, half the time I have to be in my place listening or spoaking, and even when I do settle myself in my den, I have to rush upstairs whenever the Division bell rings. Ah, my dear, the Treasury Bench is not so far from the galley bench." " Lord Ruston seems to thrive on it. His wife toid me he never gets up till noon." " The Foreign Office is a fixed tradition. Claridge really does the work, though the public has never heard of him. Ruston has only to take the credit ; that can be done in the afternoons." *' But you've got a permanent official, too." " That's what makes so much work," he said dryly. " I will not be swaddled in red tape. The precious hours I waste in listening to legends of my predecessors !" " I don't care how it is," she said plaintively. " I see lesa and less of you every year." 30 EI I am sorry, HOME POLITICS >> t( 38 with me. ;e the caress " Dearest, voice. " It 1 you do get I ; you never , the House ng. It was the thought lOUgh." do: oceans )ns to be got pig-headed And at the alf the time g, and even ush upstairs f dear, the bench." vife told me . Claridge rer heard of can be done dryly. "I ous hours I ►rs!» ly. " I see Her. ' a Ira* step towards caressing home'^trdCrXirthem^'/ you managed to eo.e and master—" ^ vvnips, JVow you are a lord ;; Ah but I could pair then." .-f/?^?/«^n't you pair now?" nghteousness:-"^ '''' ^°"^^^'* be counted unto me for i-^hS^t;htr~:^-- AMin- with the Government." ^11— it's understood he's -He smiled " TVi + 1 1 British Constitution Th? P ^ .«'^™,^on-sense-not the existence." His C'rl r ^^"^^er himself has no le^al and lay there fendt;' ^'^feU ^ ' '^-^^V^ ^^^ ^^^^S al level to which the quarrel had IT '" '^' «««versation- Pe?^^T.I^:t™?f ~ "-dt.e. and the leg of the table.^ Iach arm ™'Y J^? ^^^ «^««k r^ght rampant, the left co^cLnt o '^1'^ ^^." ^°^' ^^^ Mrs. Marshmont would sit pS;. .?" *^''.°^^ *b^°"« 1 know It's verv ha^A • .. ^®P"^se him. sweetheart, a Minister's not lifo^ ^' '^P^^*^^' " ^ut, bowl's to be helped." '' """^ "^^^t^^- I don't see flu8h\rswi7t\?l,wl'f ^''^. away from hers, with , baps the salary had'been; fantor in 5,t '"'P^'^^" *^^<^"p«r'- ^a-.torin his acceptance of a seat I! 1 1; ( 1 ; i 1 H i t 111 !-. '• 1 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH in the Cabinet poisoned his rare moments of human pleas- ure in the position. He had been so against it at the out- set: it seemed dishonorable to take office from a Premier he had denounced. But his friends, almost to a man, were insistent. He owed it to the country, to his followers, to himself. It was the proverbial thin edge of the wedge. Through him, this great force of the future. Radicalism, would enter for the first time into the inmost councils of the Nation. The British Constitution, like Nature, did not make leaps. You could not expect earthquakes. A complete Radical Cabinet could not grow up in one night like Jonah's gourd. Once inside the Whig Cabinet he could wake it up, snap fingers at the dukes. His mere presence would tinge the whole: a drop of live red blood in a cup of ditch water. And then what gnashing of teeth in the Tory camp when fronted with a coalition of Whigs and Radicals, in an invincible Liberal Party! And to these serpentine arguments his Continental friends had added by cable, eager to have a lover of mankind in the forging-place of British thunder-bolts. He had given in. He had accepted the apple and munched u on the Treasury Bench. But there was a worm at the heart of it. He had exiled himself from the Paradis3 of Independence. The direct opposition of the Tories was a spur, but this purring of friends, this mur- muring of compromise and conciliation, above all this courteous disregard of him at the Council Table, chafed his soul. The Premier sat bland, genial, surrounded with tra- ditions and respect. With a few henchmen he ruled all. Even the dukes had only the privilege of agreeing with him, however imposing their names on the prospectus, how- ever autocratic their Departmental sway. "Wait, wait," the Marshmontites whispered. "You are paving the way for a real Radical Party." "I am paving hell," he retorted. He tried, like the dukes, to find consolation in his Department, but the for- malism of the staff was wearing, especially in its in- 3^- H luman pleas- it at the out- Q a Premier a man, were followers, to t the wedge. Radicalism, t councils of ISTature, did bqiiakes, A in one night Cabinet he . His mere ve red blood bing of teeth on of Whigs ;y! And to friends had nkind in the 3 apple and there was a lelf from the sition of the is, this mur- »ove all this ie, chafed his ded with tra- he ruled all. freeing with spectus, how- Ted. " You ied, like the but the for- V in its in- HOME POLITICS him for signature, not dfssrc^or '""'"'^ ''''''^'^^ ^o -But of all this his wife knew'littlo nf hmAy, witli a corresDondh.r! 7 f-* ^^ ^ P*^"^ Welsh Jove of Sluakspere-^ rmeZ,. tT"'''".' T''^''^^^ ^^ - J;ad taught he^r Eng?rh-she Ld '^'"^ i" -'^ ^''' ^^'''' than the gypsies whose blood ' ''^^^^^^, ^^gher ideals a.y in the rValms of the utotc ous'T^''^- ^''' "^^"« ly elemental. ""conscious , she was magnificent- a b'eltrft:;?^Lir'st""^' T ^°^^^*^^' '' -- never I^recding,but of bS]aw tt^oT '^?/"Vr '^ ^^^^ing mont, too, was autof omo^s and ^ik? ^n ^^^^^^^ ^^arslf half-mates, he lived hisTSellr. ^" "'"^^ ^^'^^^ "^^^^j tude was become so haltua bv^hl t T''^^""^ '^^' ««i- "P,.that they had nev oceuted to^' ^'' '^^^^^^^ ^^^- Besides, they were mostly dauXr, . , '• T^^P^^^^^^' him merely extensions and redunl cSn f f ^'. '"'"^'^ "' personality, annexes to l/er indS^^ ' v^^'^" ""''^'''^ proofs of its predominance over h?sa(; '^,^^\^^^M, passed from Harrow to Cambridlp. I '^'^'' ^^-^^ ^'^^ was at Harrow now. AndsoTht f ' w'^ yonngev, Jim, leal life of his, vibrant wifb^' -"^"'^'H' '^^^"^^ r [H girdled ;ith wod ZLZTP '^t°^^"^ ''^'^ '^- with gtnate^t^^^^^^^^ ^^e provinces triumph to a cold railway carr,'/ ^'°"', ^ throbbing Even now his own house L'T?^'' °' f "^^" hotel-bed faithful feminine SLiri^/n^/her hotel, with a fame faces, but he did not talk nniv ^^'T""^ *° '^^ the he occasionally made Tl ^^'^'''' ^^ *^^ hoard. That He made no more of It^'lUhl ^K ''"^ " ^e^^Paper. of his day's doings, and in thn «« "'^".''' '"^^ "^akes ^- ^own twice^o see S^^ToK^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ linii THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH House, where she was stuck like a ceiling decoration over the hot,noisome chandelier, and once in the new and more commodious premises. And now if she rudely reminded him of the profits of the business, could he wonder? He replied, more to con- vince himself than her : ; " The money doesn't coimt at all. If it were the money, I'd gladly give up twice as much to save you an hour's pain." She laughed, softened. " You silly old thing ! That would give me twice as much pain. You always forget I have to manage en the money." It was one of her delusions — based upon occasional capricious economies — that she administered his finances like a chancellor of genius; in verity, she dissipated his substance on a scale proportioned to her ideas of what befitted a family related to the peerage. He leaned his face again to hers, and she wept again. " We were happier at Hazclhnrst. Why couldn't you have remained a country gentk.iian ?" He forbore to explain. At first he had imagined t'lat the divine instinct which urged her to rescue hares was of a piece with that which urged him to save mankind, but he was soon disillusioned and permanently puzzled by psychological contradictions he had not the temperament to analyze away. He did not see that the crude, visible, physical fact touched a highly sensitive nerve-system, while complex mental suffering or a large outlook found no ap- paratus of sympathetic registration in her elemental nat- ure. He said evasively: "We'll have our holiday at Hazelhurst, if you like." She clapped her hands childishly : " Yes, let's go down — you and I alone — to the woods and waters. Let's go Saturday." " I meant when the session's over." She pouted. " Then let's go Saturday to Monday." '' You forget the Huston dinner." 34 H loration over iw and more be profits of more to con- i e the money, >u an hour's ling ! That [ways forget 1 occasional his finances issipated his eas of what pt again, wouldn't you lagined t'lat hares was of lankind, but puzzled by temperament 'ude, visible, system, while 'ound no ap- emental nat- holiday at et's go down •s. Let's go londay." HOME POLITICS "Can't you cut that?" Xow VS 1,7 ctn It"^^"'-^™ ■•' *->• You know She pushnl his head away « V„„ l ^ o„ never will do the least^Ling I "a k';™ ' ,'"°«' «■» »«• '.»n. But, 1 mistress he house- ieveloped >11 in love presence, his reluc- day, and ept in its ling made ing in her f ecstasy, flat with h, for the 333 den in TOM being fixed not to clash wi h the S er's an i; ?'? wr..ng.table being rudely shifted t^T^:^^:^ said thrS[if ^i^hVs^^^^ ^^"^^ '^'' - '^'^ ^^^«/' had to Insulting tone, if you knew what I have Punch-- ^ ^'""^ *^^"^^ l>eer a cartoon in You take Punch seriouslv'" hia ^^ofuv • x sarcastically. " Whv even thJio^- .^J'^'' ^"t^^rupted lines !" ^' ^"^ *^^ ^^^^^s stick to their crino- the"?elfk*rty%ndThr""^^f ,^" '''''' «ki*« -bout the Arms of E^land ^..IV^'K^ rP""^"^ ^-^-D. on corn by the hare and th7^^^°^ ^^ ^^°^ ^"^ ^^^ Uni- Quake?, .r! 'pr m^lit/^"^^^^^^^ .^^^^^ '^'^ ^^ ^- a Chur!hTf%ian^dT"'^^^ '"°^« *^^ ^-^n-ts are ;; How are they to know ? You don't go to church sir " mildfy""" "tLZ'^'' '^'"■"■" '>'^f«*»' reminded hin, good ^f her r.lL%r4f°!"P™'»'f • ^-d it was ve" . " agree to sit in the liarshmont pew at THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH Hazeliiurst Church. And that reminds me that your accusation is only true as regards London. 'No, no ; I am proud to count Quakers among my friends, but nobody could possibly imagine we were Quakers ourselves."^ " Everybody knows who and what the Mar-jor-i-monts are, but Marshmont is another pair of shoes." The father winced, reminded of his wife's *' Mar-jor-i-mont," and too pained by this new issue to remonstrate. " Our name has been defaced out of all recognition. It's like pulling down a wing of an old house. A Mar-jor-i-mont is a fellow who servefc king and country ; a Marshmont you can quite figure in a broad-brimmed hat and drab toggery, like that Quaker chap who said he was tired of the British Lion." " And who never wore a broad-brimmed hat in his life," said the father dryly. " I go by Punch." " In which Palmerston always sucks a straw." " I don't care a straw about the details. I go by the broad fact." " The broad-brimmed fiction, you mean." Tom smiled. " I always heard you were good at Parlia- mentary repartee, sir. But the fact remains that up at Cambridge a cad once tried to 'thee' me in his talk. Perhaps he expected me to turn the other cheek. He cer- tainly didn't expect to see his nose run claret." " You were right to assert yourself, my boy. But the ex- ploits of our ancestors do not commend themselves to me." " Not Sir Kupert's at Marston Moor against the Kound- heads ? Not the first earl's at Malplaquet ? You don't see the beauty of a pedigree like that ?" " I prefer to think of the few scholars and divines be- hind us. Physical courage, no doubt, some of our pro- genitors had, in moments of bellicose intoxication ; but I question if they had the higher nobility of every-day chiv- alry. At any rate I desire to see our own branch of tjie family carr^ung on the work of civilization, not of bar- barism." 42 TOM lat your 10 ; I am ; nobody r-i-raonts ae father ' and too lame has Lug down How who ite figure t Quaker his life," ;o by the it Parlia- lat up at his talk. He cer- iit the ex- s to nie." e Round- ^ou don't [vines be- our pro- )n; but I •day chiv- ch of tjie )t of bar- " Barbarism ! No wonder they call you Tom gasped; a Quaker !" -one low „„to one high Tot ^I^vlE.'"*" ™°"'« ""'"^ voice " ° "'""'' "'^" "'''"^ Tom at last, in a quiet wo:,f ^ f t™e 3^1 mV^' "'^' ^°" ™"" -"^ » -^ .ol'diL-rSls?'*'''" "'""^ '•°^-'' «' -• The His father's head drooped honelesslv "T +;, i,^ "™sThrwhvn-!.''r"V«^ IS tnat why I didn't go to Eton ?" .rartly." ashtenftrgTlo^d^^ "^"* ^^^^ Byron wasn't ;• If he had been, he would have been a greater poet " The young man made a petulant movement "li w«, :2zr'rL7 -t '':^^^^^^-- ^^- -^ -""'^ meS r: ?ou^hf /n 1 * ^° ^'°"' ^^^^ ^«r books or figures 1 ought to have gone straight from school into the sfrvToe like so many chaps like your own grandfather.'' " Our grandfathers cannot rule us from their urn. IfoST'^'' ""^^ '^'^ ^^^^ '- itself--n"ne mTstZd " And yet you would bind me !" and tlr Z'""'''^'""i blow-straight between the eyes- i '';af Lr ^nlSt'V'sf "xt t£^ nto the air A, ,S:= ,'°'"''' *'"■ ""'">"•« ""Patiently ton,, the dliud^d S^ ;";rnT;T-''L^ "?'' P>^^"' ™- - tl. courage to u^.rir?t,1ttSdt S fjclf 43 ' THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH fluffing all its feathers with joy, and putting its tail from side to side. The heart behind its little red breast was the only happy heart in the room. When the father spoke again, his voice was husky but firm. " I have not the right to bind you." ^^ " But will you help me ? I am dependent on you. " To curtail your independence would be to bind you." " Thank you, father. I appreciate your attitude. Of course my ordinary allowance will not provide for a com- mission." . . ,„ " You wish to purchase a commission ! "How else?" j v j i, t " There are a few regiments here and abroad — oh, i didn't suppose those appealed to you. But you know how I have voted year after year against this corrupt system. ^ " Oh, who pays attention to that annual motion ! It s a standing joke. We have the best army in the world- why not let well alone? Come, father," and he smiled, " surely you wouldn't ask me to wait till the purchase Bystem is abolished— till I am old and gray?"^^ " It will be abolished sooner than you think. " Then I shouldn't want to join. Fancy messing with a lot of cads!" , , , . " Cads ! When they would have worked their way up by merit." „ " Merit or not, they'd have dirty finger-nails. ^^ " For dirty work you don't want clean hands.' The young man laughed. " Wait till Louis Napoleon invades England, father— you'll change your tune. " The first Napoleon didn't purchase even his rank as lieutenant. No, no, Tom; if there must be war, the French system's the finer. Every corporal carries a mar- shal's baton in his knapsack." ^ " England isn't France, no, nor America either. Our men require to be led by gentlemen. And are you going to examine a gentleman in Greek to see if he's likely to lead a forlorn hope? Can a man ride a horse? That's the 44 tail from st was the husky but 70U." ad you." tude. Of for a com- lad — oh, I know how system." tion I It's le world — he smiled, 3 purchase jssing with sir way up J Napoleon une." lis rank as 3 war, the ries a mar- ther. Our ou going to ily to lead a That's the TOM s.M^''^7l °^ 'h" f-th^'sbrow deepened, but he only " Of «, JT'/'"'- ^ '•'"'"r' <•» °" ""^ diseredit," credk And hJ^I,™"""?''-'" ""' ^^'^ understands Tom smiled: « How did you know that, sir ?" " Ynn ff T }" '"' =**" ""»■"' '«'« " little in return You forget I am a professional student of finanee T can s^e by yourfaeeyou .re not up to your nllc'""""^- ' own tunCandl idtt Ift^Cne'r "' ""^Y ^ ha! but not so deep in debt7 ^ "''""'" »"d-ha! "Ah, and you paid that-but not your tailor 1" S^i^rStir ^» '^-^4-rX'xM;: no-7wonS"^-"' Mrs. Marshmont shrieked. "No 1, i, * ™™ y™ murdered." ' nervouTCds.'^J^^t^tr'-r*""'' ^^f "S*°* ''^ ^ot « v«„ "■ „f ^"'v ne^ur even see a battle" Yea, you wtll. y„„,,^^ 3,^^ „„. J«^«;_ _^^ ^^^^ THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH uniform comes home, and you'll be killed by the first Helauffhed. " You are indeed a Cassandra." " Cassandra or Cleopatra, I tell you you shall stay at home. Let go my hands !" She tore them from has good- humored grasp and pushed him violent y backward agamst the mantel-piece. To her he was still the small boy she hadXpped With difficulty he saved his head from col- lidine with the great clock. „^ , . j - You see," he said humorously. " It's just as dangcr- "^'DaL^erlsr'ne had roused the hysteric note and her handf went dramatically heavenwards ' And this is what I get for waiting on him hand and foot and airing his under-garments myself, and lying awake sleepless till T hear his latch-key in the door ! And a nice f ather- arrange a5l this behid my back! I thought at least ho had hands without hair, but he's an Esau of Esaus. Wha el' e can you expect of a hunter o± God's creatures ? And he hunts me-I crouch bleeding in the thicket. Because he has no heart, he can't understand how other peop e s heart' may dri^ blood. But I'll go to him-he sha n t rob me of my fi?st-born. Out of my way!" she screamed as her first-born half-seriously barred her passage. She ?ook him f renziedly by the shoulders and thrust him aside. Thi she fell to wringing her hands and bemoaning her- '' Mk^r ran in with flying hair, and a huddled-on dress. Shttduied h r" isters to descend with her to the scene of war but^Ioan's mock recitation of " How do the waters come down at Lodore?" had turned their first anxiety to leSty, f or to all Allegra's apprehensions, Joan had retorted imperturbably with lines like or. And crashing, and lashing, and bashing, and gnashing; And scowling, and growling, and howling, and yowling. 46 the first il stay at his good- d against I boy she from col- ls danger- note, and nd tins is tnd airing sleepless 3 father — at least he IS. What •es ? And Because jr people's -he sha'n't screamed, sage. She him aside. >aning her- id-on dress. o the scene the waters anxiety to lad retorted ashing; rowling. TOM how Ld:Te dir„ t Hnd'Swr/r °i *°»- must be to him so rr^^,nU „, r ^6"iiying the outburst of the habituated Ju'hoir ^""^ '°"^' *''"'' '» ""^ ^-' . the Wood of myTartor J' ^ '" ^"""^ *"" ^I^ »P Tom'= n! ! 1 ^ ^ tragedy was afoot ? you imL7o :^ ' i-flTtior '"""•. " ^''' "" "•«''*. goons, and mother-; marinatC .T™/""""' '" *" "■•''- stead of decorated!" ""S^"""™ "'''^ady sees me dead in- mote i^w mTfSiratr^d' at t^f ""™/ .''s""- ^^^ bi^fore we kne'w there TUJ^-! " (°'" °' *" P^-ocipice A huud^d times'j;:^Zed^rofVol^^''''" r'r Mountain." She brono-l.f o + u 5 ^ Woman of the atmosphere of artificTa t,nft '" f ^^^^^dness into this " Well, if you ee truly I ?•. ^^^'^'^ shuddered, be silly to try to dodlp i^ - a f ^ *^ '^"^^- ^^ ^^ "^ould iij:-ffr'S„!;L^'rdheH„ed.. interfu^tfitlf "'^L'ii'h'trr ^"- ^"^''-"t pieces like the Sekite f" '" ''™"'" "« ''«'™ i" j.^;' War is wicked," Aliegra declar.d, with stem white of laugto.'"""' ^^ "■■' "^ opposition, burst into a roar 47 •PWi" THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " Oho! is thee, too, a Friend?" « I'm for peace, not war. If we must fight, let us fieht with the forces of evil around us, with the poverty and the pain. Think of the women and children crawling like beasts in the coal-mines. O Tom, let us make Eng- land great, not big." Tom's blue eyes danced with honest merriment. ^ "Why, mother, the child has been studying fathers The mother flashed angry eyes upon her. " I saw them plotting together." , n„ ., • i " Why shouldn't I study father's speeches ? the girl asked hotly. " It would be better for you both if you had more respect for him. For he is in the right,— father is in the right. I have proved it, not from his speeches only. All the books say the same thing. Do you know how many people in England have no crust for their stomach, no bed for their back? Four millions. Four millions, while we eat four meals a day." , , ,, -kr i. " And don't you do your share ?" asked MiS. Marah- mont shrilly. " I do, and I'm ashamed of it." " The remedy is simple," Tom laughed. ^^ " Not so simple as your ideas of political economy. " Don't talk to your elder brother like that, miss, her mother snapped. , ^ , , t ^A " If my starving could do any good, God knows I would starve. But the only way is to improve the general condi- tions. We must assure every man the fruits of his own industry. Is nine shillings a week the fair reward of the agricultural laborer ? How can he bring up a family on nine shillings?" Her pretty eyes flashed with anger and "Hush, Allegra," said Mrs. Marshmont,^^ reddening. " What do you know of bringing up families?" . « Y-sre seen "^^" Kriror wn yours. I know what it costs." you bring iTn 48 1^ it, let us le poverty I crawling lake Eng- it. g father's saw them " the girl if you had —father is aches only, how many Lch, no bed ons, while rs. Marsh- nomy, miss, if her ws I would leral condi- of his own vard of the , family on anger and reddening. w what it TOM Big-hearted Tom, startled, went over to her and nnt I"8 am around her. « Who i, hurting little n.other*'? whohaff S'wZr n":^' *" ""'■^ p"-" » *^ "™- Allegra's oyerwelling tears froze on her eyelids TTpr heart stiffened itself against this illogical parent WhaJ rather. ""'*"""' '"«' No helpmate she, mar-mate who^S'baok' 'In? '""; '^?T ""^'^ »-' '™ """her, ^Cpfrmoth^xriiiitv^^^^^^ ventS'at'Lr '" ""' '" "^ "P'"™'^''. "Other," Tom «hl'to„ed""™" ""y' ^"* P-»'- ">e my baby K:|m^f:J^srd°o-^i^ls?-•«^^^^^^ ; wt ?»' X 0? r^iri'irAT^' " f''- '-J- ■MMiMHBaaM V *i CHAPTER VI LIFE AND LETTERS IT was in a dream of this night that the germ of Allegra's new poem came to her. Probably it all ^ rew out of the nightmare that haunted her even by day, since she had begun to follow her father's footsteps through the maze of human misery. Political economy radiated back the glow of her young soul and became passionate and palpitating. Even statistics took on flesh and blood to her phantasy — very appalling flesh and blood sometimes. The four million paupers stood in a solid phalanx, ragged, hungry, dishevelled, and raucous, a Dantesque horror. Perhaps, too, the poems of Deldon — which, despite their vast popularity, she had not known till she chanced on them among her father's pamphlets — contributed to her latest manner: Deldon with his strange blend of revo- lutionary Radicalism and celestial allegory, " the angel Israfel banging a drum," as the Edinburgh Revieiv christened him. Anyhow, Allegra's new poem was so beautifully vague, so vaguely beautiful, that she could not have explained what it meant, even to herself. The theme that gleamed so magically golden in her dream faded to drab in the cold dry light of day, yet a sort of elusive splendor still seemed to hover about it, and Al- legra worked at it in shamefaced secrecy. It concerned a beautiful stone statue that stood solitary in a great deserted hall, amid the crumbled pillars of a ruined an- cient palace, and all around it stretched a vast desert of sand. And through the hall blew the four v/inds, bearing 60 m )f Allegra's J out of the ce she had 1 the maze ated back ionate and d blood to sometimes. I phalanx, Dantesque 3spite their shanced on ted to her d of revo- ' the angel }h Review poem was that she to herself, her dream t a sort of t, and Al- concerned in a great ruined an- t desert of is, bearing LIFE AND LETTERS " the music of humanity." From ever^ part of the eartli and from time, long past came the passion^^'p tiful wa 1 illsTuinf Tr^ violin noL, and a'^falnt^^em: u ous fluting of far-away miseries. And graduallv through a>ons measureless, the statue began to chanle^^ a heart of flesh developed under the stone^nd thfmS: broke upon the heart, and tie v-an throbbed and Sd Hiat lelt It all, and beat out ^. ^^^ijy endlpq^ lifn ^.^.^ ful stone figure, ,n the forlorn hall of cnunblcd pillars 2*0 rn,nod ancient palace, amid the vast stretclles of mulh tetter'-"'''" '"' ^™"- " «™»»y -^^ '» <>„ then, selves."""''' """ """• ^ """'' ^^ ""gl" to i" 4om onr- , ;; ^" tXiter'ftli;'?^?"^' '""«' *° "" "'* -^ «-." " You know as well as L do." plurp"er™7heV"h'*' ^'^''^'' *>"' *^ «'- shorter and mindsTd^;tWng "" '*""''• ^""^ ™' "-" - '-o Iegra?o"t"m;;",ot"™' ™"'"'"' ^°' ""= P""'" »-d Al- " And woollen socks," added Joan imperturbably. 61 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " You only pauperize them. You don't touch the real problem. How dare we give the poor presents? Our hands are not clean." " And so you would clean them by blacking shoes ?" " Physical dirt might be moral cleanliness." " Good heavens, Allegra, if only old Mrs. Rhys heard you ! After mother and I have lectured her by the hour to scrub her floors and her children !" " Give her more air and light — cleanliness will come of itself. If you squeeze her into a dog-kennel — " " Why, when have you been to Mrs. Rhys's ?" " I've never been. I know on general principles." " General principles ! You'd know better if you went visiting with mother and me. That reminds me, where's that half-a-crown ?" '* What half-a-crown ?" " The one you promised me in aid of the cotton-spinner who was caught in the niachinery." Allegra blushed. " Oh, I am so sorry, Joan. I forgot. I bought a book with it." " And didn't even lend me the book ?" " It wouldn't have interested you. It was about the Factory Act." " Oh, a present for father ! You might have given him something nicer." ** Stop squabbling, you pair of nincompoops !" Dulsie's voice rang out. " I can't go to sleep." While the groat Spenserian, mystical, allegorical poem was on the stocks, the result of the Cornucopian competi- tion was published in large capitals. With what a thrill Allegra read the n.o.me of the first prize-winner — Raphael Dominick — a name henceforward to be inscribed on " the Scroll." All through the length and breadth of England people must be speaking of him, waiting as anxiously as herself for the next number to read the epoch-making heroic couplets on " Fame." The second and third win- ners i»^*^ereated her soarcelv at all — she not^d with p. tnnch 52 H »iich the real sents ? Our shoes ?" Rhys heard by the hour will come of ?" nciples." if yoii went me, where's itton-spinner 1. I forgot. s about the e given him I" Dulsie's orical poem an compcti- 'hat a thrill r — Raphael jod on " the of England mxiously as )och-inaking I third win- I'ith a tnuoli LIFE AND LETTERS of sadness that neither was feminine AT, f could not reach the hoip'hZ .^ ""°®- ^^ •' women, they ^vith a side-sa Idle wtn ti^''"V''' ^°* *^ ^^ ^^^d^" Hva and hor sex shrank pt, ^"""' P"'"! 'P?^^^^^' ^^- What majesty of'dS Xt 7Z Z f "'^T^^^^i ^0 victim, this ffreat soul 3 .\ /f ^""^^^"^ ^^^"^^l Deeds of' derrifg do td . feir nT "''?' ^'^^^^P^' subordinated to moral hern !i ^i^eir place, but sternly It was a high paL; of 'T,'?^ TI ^«% "^tional purposes^ achieves, of^the^name thlt " ! ^ ^"''^' °^ *^' ^'^*^ '^^'* -ad it ;ith tea'lVflam r ZV" ' f'""' ^"^^^^ elm-tree in the bioV LIT -. ^®"''®^^^ ' "^der tlie she dashed tli-o^'gh^^^^^^^ %'' the heavens as shared with her si ters 't J^^"'-^^ '*''^ ^^'^^ «h« couplet to her bedroom tets She ''' T'. ^"^P^"^^ poet. What was his hSorv ? TT. liTJ^T'^ ^^^^ *he ^bng glory ? Faniom «f .Y ?r ^'^ ^^ *^«^^ this daz- dor ?o splLdor ?ouL of r^"^' \' ^'""^^ ^° ^^«°^ «?!-- Oh, Heiven f;rfend 1^' pih^''' ^' ^''' ^"^ "^^^^^^^ ? women were poor creaiurfs wi/i%f -"'^f "^ ^^^^•' ^h, their furbelows and flirtation t H T 'l^'^' ""^ ^^^^^^ no sense of national StystiH 1 ^'''"?J ^^'^ ^^^ poems! She must burn W l/l] n '°"^^ *^^^' ^^^e flabby and meaningless besid^ .V ^ a egorical stanzas- to smooth the pa h of tZ '' V"^^ resonance. Oh, mentally motheShfm.h. I 'T'^^'' ^^"^^^^ herself looked i, his a£L,"gi;t' -^^^^^^^ -r- She guarantee of good fai h M- 4 ^ ^^^^ ^ number as a like the places^?^ wh? hJoa^ t A"^^ ^"^^- ^* ^^^^^ed He was poor, then tht God J?. J''' "?°'^'' *°°^ J^"^««- moment he might be hunol.- ^ r'^'^.^^"^"'- ^^ this very Gveat Heavens^ he mthfb?-^ I'l .^''^1' ^^^^ Chatterton^ Stop! Stay thy ha^d . 2 \^'V"? *^^ ^^^^^ ^^-^^ght! not hear Allgr^ daslfiiTtt' .^""^ ^? ' ^«^* ^^-^ break throu j, the d of, le^' iTy""^, ^"'^ ' «^^ foohsh! there were the fi;e p^a^ he --v ^^^^^^-'l^ow Allegra came to herself with a lit! l?" ^T , witn a httle laugh, both of relief IHI 9 ; THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH and self-mockery, and the blood returned to her whitened cheeks. But she burnt the Spenserian stanzas — very dramati- cally—as one offering a burnt-offering for past vanities— and with a vow of self-consecration to the service of hu- manity. Fame was for the great: enough if she could hnd a humble channel of " work for the world." Perhaps her father would let her help him. Surely she could do something for him, copy something, look up something, especially with all her new wealth of knowledge anent Factory Acts and pauper statistics, her daily study of the newspapers, and "contemporary history." Yes, Provi- dence had marked out her path. She would do for the statesman what his wife should have done for him; she would be at his beck ; she would anticipate his call. And in this religious uprising, this sense of the world as a selfish place of eating and drinking, she grew alien from Dulsie and Mabel, as mere exemplars of flippant womanhood, whose very church-going held no more spiritu- ality than their croquet-matches. How could they enjoy, as they did, this empty egotistic round ? An obscure poet, one Browning (of whose verses she had picked up a re- viewer's copy, uncut, in the fourpenny box), seemed to supply the answer : "Finished and finite clods, untroubled by a spark." The line recurred to her again and again, always in the presence of ^yonlen, especially women with smug jewelry. Their radiating acquiescence in the injustice "of things stung her to comprehensive disdain. Would she ever sink to that— tui . vegetable? No, never; she swore it. Yet disquieting suspicions floated to her from her motley read- ing; in this very Browning, as in so many of the poets, there were lines saggesting that the passage of the years brought despair and cynicism. It was a pet theme, in- deed, with the young Cornucopians, this desiccation of their emotions, the waning of the visions of nhi'ldhood. 54 lH her whitened ery dramati- st vanities — srvice of hu- if she could ." Perhaps she could do 3 something, *^ledge anent study of the Yes, Provi- i do for the or him; she call. )f the world i grew alien of flippant uoro spiritu- they enjoy, »bscure poet, :ed up a re- , seemed to ark." ways in the lUg jewelry. e of things lie ever sink )re it. Yet notley read- f the poetji, >f the years theme, in- ^iccation of ^hilHl 1 nrtfi I'lI'E AND LETTEES Nay, AUegra herself had plaved ^hh +i, . -a exercise, sometimes even tSLg ^^1^ "' ^^''7''^ when the glow of a ro<^ f .„ • ? ^7 , ^°' Particular y at twilighf added 'est to ho Vr '^''"^^''^ drawing-roozn devoted^ double acrostic to t -"' ^'''y' ^^^ ^ad s^ons, and coquetted wh meCh^ in" '" ''''\ ^"^- IJiit in her unliterarv ImnrT A i ? "" conundrum. J^ian, and IS^ature ^^ ^°d, and becauseo/thedTsheTn'TmS^^^^^^^ ^?"^-^^^' ^^^ own eccentricities ConvpnTjn i P' H^^ ^-^ "^'^^^^ «f its ror, crowned by ihe gZS "n '"^^ ^f ^^^ ^^^^^ "-- ported on the wWs and w/i P^ieapple, it was sup- ing irrelevantly on arv n Wkt'^^T^^^^ '^'""^l"^ ^*^"^- sense of strain into treUs'aw'Kf a V^'^ ^'' " wondered how the wings and hp^^' V^ ^"'^^ '^^^^^ strain, yet themselves Safn Ik ""^^V^'^^^"^^* this ^W she suddenlv re"f a Ih 'T' ^"^.""^^ushed. design. Even thus Vould s\e-"Al&C^^ /^^-^^ of the years with their prosaic bu,E ~ *^^ '*^^"^ ?ng, supporting herself IrmTy on^\tf 1.'''^^'' ""^^'^'^- "^g wings heavenward. A verse S tl P T"'"' T'^"^' Gwenny's mouth --' Thy Z^I. • ' ^'^^^T' •'^*°" ^^ eagle's "-mixed itself myftical y li b tf •" -"'^ ^^^^ ^^^ age should not ossifv C / ;'"' ^^^ery. ^es, .young, ardent, altru tfc And so T"^^ ''T'' ^^^^^^ tion at table linked o7inv^ / '^^^^^^^^^r the conversa- She had pert XL Tisl^of ?f f.""" ,T ™='»™ her. r'ogioal doubts aVouTthc o^ZmI "'t",? '?''' ""^, Sixteen, one miffht e-low or^^T ^ , -^^ *^^ ^'"^^J^e of anud the ashes of fofty ? "'"' ^"^ ^"^^^ ^'^"^^ ^t be 55 >!■■' |: 'is ''J ! 1 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH' In such a mood of apprehension Allegra wrote herself a^ letter. She addressed the envelope, '' To Allegra at Forty." "My dear Allegra,— Although we liave not met for a ciuartor of a cen.ury 1 lake the liberty of addressing you still by your Christian name. It il possible you may not remember me, and, for my nart, 1 do not know whether you are married and have lots of eluldren (but I hope not, for how can we work for humanity if we have to be worried with nursery cares?), or whether your name is still Al- legra Marshmont. I only know that you are very old. It may be too, that you are very blasie, that you say all is vanity, and tliere 18 nothing new under the sun. Please, please, don't go on thinking that. Remember that day in the woods of Hazelhurst, when you walked in God's Cathedral, and Milton's organ rolled through the leafy aisles. Now, as then, you are ' in your great Taskmaster's eye.- I can well imagine that during this vast stretch of time you have met with sad things and disappointments and disillusions, but yet the world is very beautiful and very wonderful, and there is so much we can do to make humanity nobler and happier. Ah, don't despair, Allegra dear. Think of the scent of the hawthorn, and the song of the blackbird, and how glorious it is to gallop across a moor or skate across a pond. I am just out, and you are /ery, very old, but I know that the sunlight prevails, and not darkness. ' So on our heels a fresh perfection tread . A power more strong in beauty, born of "i And fated to excel us, as we pass In glory that old Darkness.* "You may sneer at the poets, but Keats is right. Yes, Eyil shall never triumph over Good. Keats did not despair, though he knew he must die of consumption. Ah, if you should happen to have married a man like Keats, or Raphael Dominick— a man with the eye of faith and the lips of song— then you may at once throw this letter into the W.P.B. But if you despair of your own happi- ness, remember, dear, there is always the life of service. And, per- haps, if you have grown sick of the world, it is not the world but yourself that you are sick of. Perhaps you have fallen by fhe way — into the slough of selfishnci. Perhaps, as Gwenny would say, the tares have choked the good seed. Perhaps you have abandoned your early ideals and sought for mere material happiness. No won- der, then, you have despaired of goodness and r.obleness. Not be- lieving in light, you have ceased to be a child of light. (See the twelfth chapter of St. John.) If this be so, then I pray -o. \ mem- ber me, and repent for my sake. Be brave, strong, a' 1 may misquote Shakspere, ' To thy young self be true.' 66 WiWI I' 'ote herself Allegra at a qiiiirter of )ur Cliristitiii for my j)art, i of cliUdren " we have to e is still Al- It may be, y, and tFiere on thinking t, when you through the faskmaster'a of time you llusions, but I there is so . Ah, don't am, and the ;ros8 a moor ry, very old, LIFE AND LETTKBS ke the ,.oor mortals in ' The Vision of M-'"''l "''""^'y- ^^'^rhaps, through one of the early tran door« ?., ¥'■?''' y"" ''^ve tumbled dear, and then this letter wiJ] ho w.V^ ^'l'^^'' "^ "uman Life o any longer, but remain your Jm fSnd,' " ' '"' ""''''' "«' "^^^e it Allegba Mabshmont." Slie sealed the letter with black wax and hid it her unburnt poems, ' ^ ^' among Yes, EtiI , though he happen to a man with once throw own happi- And, per- ; world but by fhe way would say, abandoned I. No won- 9. Not be- (See the o. I Tiem- : may n »l Si! 1'^ CHAPTER VII "FIZ/Y, M.P." KOFT halfpast four of a Saturday a.-^ternoon, i,ro in ■uLh ''^^^''^°4<>^ season, the Right Honorable Thomas Maish.aun. ,rnved f-onie, arm in arm with his dapper and bniu.n^ H?f ^^rnan, William Fitzwinter, M.P, otlJer- wise ±i;jz,sn Ihe diminutive expressed felicitously the sparkle oi the man and the contempt or afloction of his contemporanes He was in some sort the eo. plemcnt of Marshmont. As the latter had shown that uoble birth was no bar to democratic principles, so did Fizzv, son and 'l-i -r/ ^ll^^'^'-class manufacturer, testify to 'their com- patibility with enormous wealth. In appearance the pair made a notable contrast, the burly carelessly dressed Minis- ter with his Jovian forehead and stately port, leanin.^ heavily on his gnarled stick, and the dandified little manu lacturer with his air of fashion contradicted only by his cigar. A man of enormous courage. Fizzy was one of the hrst ot his generation to smoke in the streets, and as ho now walked in friendship's hook with the Minister, he did not hesitate to becloud even his companion's reputa- Fizzy ran the organ of the newest of English parties— the Morning Alirror— and although he was too much a man of pleasure to edit it systematically, he was under- stood to be generally responsible for its libels. At any rate It was only its policy that he ever disclaimed ir private He was the one Radical of importance not ^ "avor of Marshmont's acceptance of office, but the Mor>' Mirror had thundered h^zzahs, and to Marshmor^'s sii , .i-minded 58 3on, ;,(TG in •Ic Thomas his dapper r.R, other- itously the tion of his plemcnt of Loble birth V, sou and their coni- 3e the pair sed Minis- t, leaning ttle man 11- ily by his one of the and as lie nister, he 's reputa- parties — ) much a as under- t any rate private. "avor of Mirror ominded M- "FIZZY, M.P." "TTet^LVSteSri'-'O '^""^f, ^^"l' " wink, loaders, or to bofpater ft Ul , I h^ . f "'""^ ^'^"^ "i" was unrelentitK. " '""" "^e- But Fizzy he:|:t^:^-^^rritit^rr.:^^-'-" called the Just ?" ^ ^'"^^^ °^ ^"^^^ng Aristides Atw Srhad'{L'cZr%r ^p^^^^*^- p-p- if relief by readil nuft l^f ^ ^^'."'^^ ^^^^^ ^ave found brass-mo^uth^d r/eitr oVl^'elsTol^^^^ '^[ ^^^^*!,^-' "^^ of the upper classes." *^^ P'"^^^ ^^^ murder Marshmont smiled faintlv " P„+ ?> u ne r^,.,, goes to one ex reme ^^' ^' "'^'^' " ^^^^^^^ il//n-or to go to the o^her " ' *^''^ '' "^ "^^^ ^^r the age' wmt TtS'^;,tg ^^ S\r 7^-^^^ ■' ''- ^'^ -- mate of you-that is to Tnv -P"* '"^ ** ^^^^^^1 esti- the world would L; oh if' Z^Tl'^'r'"' '^ ^«"- forhim, his enemies can't be l. ^" ^'' ^"""^« «^^ «ay ;;^ut nobody bSlter^^^^^^^^ ^r- P., ^lespite that o Inv of r '^, ^^^"^^°^ Fitzwinter^ fountain of honor, ^o L ^^'"^ ^?T ^ «"^ "^■^'^^^f t^^e instinct of fairness ZV^.i^ZVP-^'^'^r "^^-^^ weighs on a false balance-To ^ S thfrl ^^' "^''^^ ^^ ut just, therefore, cue must Il 1 ■ 1 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ^ntp'/°'T^''"^ ^^' ^^'' '^'^''^' «^ *'»« "machine. Sup- pose one of my barmen in selling that product on whose profits the Mu-ror is established, and which therefore ai' iZ r ir/'f'^\^^^^^^^^^tion, suppose one of my young men should declare it was worth twenty-seven and s^ixnencS he result ? A decline of the price from twenty-seven and sixpence to twenty-five shillings ! Bang go my hones profits, the mrror smashes, and the Feudal Systci is in for another long run. Fatal consequences of one smaH truth IS an unprepared world! No! Language to 1x3 used truthfully must be used in its living mea'ni^ not n s dead die lonary meaning; and in a world where ^ wor h thirty shillings ' is understood to mean ' worth twent,!- seven and sixpence ' the man who tells the truth is a Ha/" their fcTaltV'" *"^*' ""^^ ''' '^ ^'' --^^ back to acceptT" P^^^^^ "^^ b^-- -" -- be "Not so long as we acquiesce in depreciating the cur- rency. Better hold your ' Mirror ' up to Natura" .1. r^ "b^^ ^^e Minister. "Must politics treachment and Domestic R.S ^'"'''' ™' «" f"-- Ee- »-P.™»« like that ™tlfded'li\™"' ".-P"-""""? a«d Pr.me Minister edits hiSev lZ"'t ,'" ^"^^ The r.«e., steering by J„h„ Bu K' ihiftin. ''';;' .^''"^ "« yes, indeed." Tl,„ ij- • f '"".""ig moods." "And th„,, .raekrtl- '."'" '«''<") n«»-e deeply "ut we may ,nd onrselvestd ly i'TtZ' """ ''".r "V in a JLuropean war." THE M.vNTLE OF ELIJAH " Thnf is what I told them, but—" began the Minister, and stopped short, both in his sentence and in his walk, while Fizzy burst into a roar of laughter. "Don't look so glum. '•, .,^ ,,.mrnalist in London ktiows you are sending out a battalion — " " How can they know, when we only just — " " How can they know ? Didn't you invite General Maxy to your pow-wow ? Didn't the Secretary of State for War come up from Carlsbad, didn't the Duke of Woodport walk to the Treasury in grave confab with the First Lord of the Admiralty, didn't the — " Spare me !" interrupted Marshmont, smiling despite himself. " You are like the Dervish in the Oriental story who described the ass he hadn't seen." " Except that I do the trick in the plural. But here is your carriage and here is your wife getting into \. with all the grace of sixteen. How do you do, Mrs. Marsh- mont ?" nnd at the apparition of that overwhelming beauty in the swelling skirts of the period, he threw away his cigar, and raised his hat, for his courage was only equalled by his chivalry. Mrs. Marshmont bowc.) almost imper- ceptibly, and turning angrily to her husband, she cried: ''It's too bad of you, Thomas. I've lost an hour of this glorious sunshine waiti^ j; for you and I had just rnade up m^, ^n'md to put up with Allegra's society. The other girls are so busy with their frocks for to- night." "Ah, how do you do, Miss Allegra?" .aterjected Fizzy suavely, perceiving the pretty creature blushing ^1-speiate- ly under her veil. Allegra had ; .ed hard to delegate the honor to Joan, but that stn -dy young person was conscien- tiously engaged in fumi^, ig'")hides in the -irden and remorselessly catching ro. )eet . "Are the girls going .,ufc again tonight?" the father asked lamely. " You don't mean to say you've forgotten Lady Eubton's last ev enmg. 62 I e Minister, I his walk, in London leral Maxy te for War dport walk 3t Lord of ng despite Bntal story Jut here is to i. v/ith 's. JVIarsh- ng beauty away his Y equalled )st imper- she cried: . hour of had just 3 society. :9 for to- ted Fizzy lospei ate- legate the conscien- irden and he father Huston's "FIZZY, M.P." " Good gracious, is that to-night ? Nn nn t n ^ , I cannot meet Ruston again to-day " ' ^^' ^ "'^"^ ^^^ husbanTira'ii^JgitSihT^^ ^-•^' "^our there's been a scSn.agt^rt^clb^net^^ Secretary'and ^^^^P^^::^^^ -^ ^^^ helplessly. takt"rtl"tretra|rt^^^^i 'r ^ ^^*^- -^de J--r compelled to si?n^,eas^/;i.i",^^^^ Le hi„,self was thereby Fitzwinter was liLSirvld ,o T^ '' th.hov.e.. ul edly with his face to he Id es *Th''''' ^"t ''' ^°^*«"t- "^to a groom, handed M\r„ u P^fboy, converted snuggled in her lap wUhalH^^^^^ ^'' '^' (''^^'^^ «d poodle), and tL CrouLp l^^^^'f '^ "^ ^ ^^ribbon- Belgravian^treets with Xe?r r^^^^^^ '^7^ '^' browsing and gayly striped sim blinds "'^'^^^^^^ window-flowert As they approached the Park Vi. • , .. a little upset. " """""V- I am afraid m^ wife will be edllSti^"'''^'"' °"' '" Novabarba!" that lady seream- There won't be any iightf " IT "?""« '° ^"7 '""«• -just the thing to stop figfe 3 ' ™'^ " P^^^e of po.ver -it/a tinkle"" ''"''""'^ "^-■"' «s it?" said Fi^zy ™1' J." thltteTf'ltlS dZn'"^ " v"'^- "»-'™™' voted against it " "'""Mown. yo„ „„git ,„ ^_^^^ be«'foftC^p,t:'^.;™je^, strong, a,,d if it h„<,n'. selfuponhiseonversationai haunch^s^"'" " '""""^ '''""- 63 t \ 1. THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ' Prim?Mhu7.r".^"l''"'^^"''^^ ^^^^ *^^ ^^^^^«*' ^"t the jrrime lUmister gave the casting vote " and my'wr-'!"^^''' ""'""^•' '' ^^^^"' ^«^— ^ou shL'^^irrn;!';!'' '^"^' ^'^"^'^^- ^^--'« - -- Tom^\n"^^ '^'^ ^'^ Jlory "Ah ?l If^T^'P"^', ""^^^ be arrayed in vduptuoust ' All'' ^' ^"'"' ^^''- M«^-«bmont%ighed voiuptuouslj. Allegi-a repressed a sneer. - It's the onlv part of London," Mrs. Marshmont explained '' where one may be sure of not meeting a starved or ill trWtd horse " to^diT T^T'"^ '" T^^'^y' ^"^ 1-r reverie hastened to add the dumb agony of animals to the wail of human ty But the conversation of William Fitzwinter MP 'S/heldtlilT, T'T' '^^-^^~'^^t J^e^tt room W Ir ^ ^^'"^ ^^""'^ «* Commons smoking- TT?.?.'). 1 ^''- 7^' "^^'^ t°^^^ dowa for Allegra's ea^-f deal o? it?dTr'r^ '^ ^*^^PP^"^ '''' '' ''^ glamour ;,d aeatli o± its dignity. An unequalled experience of 7npr! ±^urope. Princes, grand chamberlains, immortal bards catT^^r, ?r' ,'f T-— ^^1 -s 'stinking'fisl'That his nos?n- Z '^ ^'""1^^ "'*"""«<^ ^^^« the breath of ?he absurditiofnfri T.' ^""'^'^'^^ ^"ggested to him only Abbe7^;4 /oUd ^. ''^ '"^ ^^^^P*^^' ^"^ Westminster suroHceJ ^"^^^1 '"^'"'•>' '^^^^^ ^^^ ^^««bing of dirty cynic sm m} ^"'t ^^^ ''''' ^''^ *^^ «ff««t «f ^vilful fusion worked by the ^amauJ';::^::^:^^:^ 66 I l\ 1 ; ij THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH of the stalls, while /,:"tf;f-^ -^ ^^^ ^Le stpS throws off robes and w fand l' T .'''''-^'^^^^^ ^''^^'^-^■^^^ pots. And so, under hif ^ar j.;^ .:^^ ^^ ^ '' ^-^^'^- matic old gentlemen. Queens m.hn'i ^^'^ ^""^'"^ ««th- aged ladies, Ambas ado^-T e dert ^^ '^ -"T"^''' "^^^dle- inade Allegra's world rock Hi '^ ,P'-actieal jokers. He J^-^jJ, this illogical icSealit ,^ tZ tl "" ^"^ ^'^^ of the il/o/vro/^r ,1/,-,,,,. ^j,j ' "' °7'' these preachments i^ingdom of P„.o Keasin ffi ^nnT" ''^' ?"'"'^ «*' '^^- -which ifarshmont was too „ nn ? ^^"' *^"« afternoon . ranged literally from Clla to Penf ? ^"'^"*"P* "^"^'h- plucbng of mandarins' ^Uai^sb ^™"^ ^^^'i' "^^^taphoric potentiary, to the spread of F,n "^"^ '"''^^^^"-^^ P'^^'"'- eirrTf"^ the native Indian ^'^1" ""^^^'"^^^^ -'f Constantinople. Fizzv skipped e'l ''''^' ^'''^^'^y ^'^ "-lies into Asia; and the di Xisi^ 'J n''"'' '^' -^^^^'^'a- ^Sgy «f"ping-grounds, t^^^^^^^ ""^ I^arnasens, with its ^n one of the Southern StaC of '-' ^"'' ^Jventures of the futile attempts to ex^l e /h T''' ^'"^ «" ^^^'^'o-nt for murder. Twice he had n! , <^^overnor'8 son-in-law F-Y ^^^^t for ^T,,, y^^^\^f on found guilty, and when b.y the rejection of all thefn ror. o f. '""' '''" '^ ^"^'^'^od diee. In despite of whid. to AHo ^^ ^''""""^ "^ P''0)u- "^en proceeded to talk wi^kllAfl^'r "^^^"!«^""oni both ^ow the United States ,... . ! '' ^^'^^''^ Tie,,ublic. ara because of the S e "h , ir"]'^ '''''' '' ^^^^S- so she waited inipatient y fo tt J^''^';"' '^ *''' ^^"'^^, terrupted almost rudely "''^'''^^' '"' ^ at last in- ''Se"ltTnw:'^^'^"^' ^^^- Fitzwinterr " Ol, .h. ■ "^^-^'0^1 ^vith them '" '•'ni^ .r;:r,''r '''";■'''«•-•'■' --''v„,.." "»tor liko that— sovM h„„drod tt() JAH )ackground, for lie more stupid •jbody relaxes, «'»t of pewter -s became astli- ^i'i'ie'• ^^^« ^'^ Partly atlas, while Kovabarba is on v 1 l^ ^''"''^ ^^lioolboy's ^hat the maps are dr^wn o diff ^''T'' ?^ '' i^^^^'^^i- "ot nnknown, but it i not vi.ldt'v"'-.^''' ''^ p'^^aps, "St telling Mr. ^^farshmont anrinn i '' ''"^' ''^ ^ ^^^« tations, It is the vividly vLs Le Hnft 11 ''V" ^"^ ^^P"" A ovabarba as small as^it am ea to ^f'" n ^^"' ^^^'^^" ^^^^^e still neither be British nor a'Sn^^ Bnton, it would Allegra^ '''" "'^ ^^ ^^ brother g^'ing out there?" asked fs^J^Zrt be^!;^I r£,J: ^V-t British-but the start. Xow it's mostlv in 1 u ^^ '^«^''* ^"^ did at .your father cleverly ehristnsf ^"^^^^ ^''"«^ -^-n Snoring the Minister's See of '""'^""''^^ '''^^-^'^■" And since vour f ..thnf l^ f ^ ^'oprecation he went on • that your br^th^W^'^^i^^^,^^-^ ^ood enough to Tefl^is' ^f ^"? you the historv'"!- h tm'^''"'^"' ^. ^^^"'^ ^-'"^ Morning Mirror. Xot thVt ff ''^P'^^'^ ^" Monday's «^.vthing is new, if "t old '' "'T"' '"'* ^^ '"^ i«"'-"alist ^"'^ted up all the fa ts n he'l^"''p P"^' «^ '">' ^taff Foreign OfHce clerk who if \^^"f ^^^oks, assisted by a «I>ondenoeforaeo tid tif 1t^"^^^ ^'^ ^^^ -L -an from playing iives/'^Jlli^^/UlT'^^-^- "gentle- i 9 AH syllables, with ds, but Fova- t as much as a gs to Britain. Jpso, if I n-^^y 3rs and creeds • A fraction action." 'inpbantly. '' Fizzy went is seventeen I'lishman con- 'bis is partly ^ scliool boy's a page-map. IS? perhaps, d, as I was I and repu- t even were n, it would 're ?" asked i-itish— but ■' it did at '"se whom ti'aitors." 9 went on : to tell us ^n't mind Monday's ioiii-nal'ist "ly staff 'ted by a Id corre- ff fjontjo- I Marsh- "FIZZY, M.P.'> iXonageX^^'^ ''''' ^^™^ ^^^^^ - the good old said ha^fla^eSa^lf ^ '^^^ everything!" the Minister ''Except pray," admitted Fizzy. - Well, it seems the whole business began with one Linwood, a West India planter whose sugar-canes had ceased to pay. This ^en nT.^ I '""^ "^ speculation acquired from the Sultan of -Novabarba a province just as it stood: lands, rivers vil- lages, gum-trees, natives, gods-a going concern. He had power of hfe and death over his motley subjects and when b^t ^T' ^'T''r^ '''' "g^* of 'taxation But when he tried vo collect the taxes, he got mainly axes As this sort of thing didn't pay, he naturtlly thoug^h of turt ing It into a Company, and this, with the aidff bLS a prosperous Scotch pron.oter in Cornhill, he achfeved and retiring soon after, bought a baronetcy with the pur- chase-money, married so as not to waste the^good-wll va^iL of his title, and died last year, leaving a baby Baronet The more astute Scotchman stuck to the Company and pegged away at getting a Royal Charter, much to di'^ «. uoyance of the Foreign Office, which b km involtdTn a vexatioiis correspondence with several ^reat Pol^^^^ having spheres of influence in the neighbo hood Tl e ambassadors used to appear once a month with uhimatums conlr?f? 'p °'- ''K' ^""-^^^'- ^^t^^^" 1- had nearly concerted one Foreign Secretary, there was a change of minis ry, and Sisyphus had to roll his stone up tt rfou J tain all over again. ^ "loun tar^'^AW^ri^'fl"'' ^^fV'-^e was Colonial Secre- StnlkV 1 ^''"^T ^"*' l>rainless barrister nnmed Q allv ml T" ^-f"'* ""'^-^^ t" «"°^^ Warbrook^s uci^e AMtn inni. \\ arbrooko, who was too honest to risk iTnrbufirr-fiV?"' '^'r' ^^^ '^'^^-""^ him to «;' of £ wit. f ' ■'"' '" ''^' ■^'^' "^ Woodpon as one Of his piivate secretaries. The Duko,,liscovering his use- *l 1 1' THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ' I'ell was brino,-, „ q^,. 3' ^° ^ "^^^ co„ipany Egff- >,.^^u„ _ , ..*^ i^ '-*"'^> and ffave as n'o „„.(?„../ -^ „. & lady BagnoU, got luCf , f^ed'fnl; "'^^^"^ ^« ^'''^^- house at wln-eli Warbrooke • , 1 ' '^'' ^''''^' ^^-""^rv- JoungclerkattheColoniaJOffl \'^ *'''''^ ^^'«« --^'^v nice ed to rule over West CaSr!," r '^^ ^^ ^^^°'"'-"S- ;or husband a Governor wo^fd'sll^t ?^^^^^^«^ ^-"^ the Company got the rborfl i? , ^'-^ ^^ wanted. So the Gove'rnorsl'ip and tL I'Ve^^jr" ^^^JV^-^. Stack on the Stock Exchange Ten t, f'l ^ ^"^'T ^"^*«^'«" he shares had fallen into the Inn'r fH' T'^^'" ^"''^^ of Traitors-International Trader tl I^'^ ^''tornational own parlance-thev worked I^^r'tp'V"^*-^ '' *°' "' ^^^^^ a sort of Protectorate ov^the rt ' '^" "''" ^'stahlishing ^la.y Sir Donald Ba<.nel7 ^^Vp^ / ''' ' P'^^^'^'^««'"ons. To star, LadjBagnell'smrH-L u"' '""*' ''^hout with his Post, Mr.' Stacks pos^^^^ gILt ""^^^' J" ^'^^ ^^--^ Solon to a savage empire sS r P'"T'"^ '''"^ P^a^s the h. fjding-bott^^n.f^:-t^;; l^^e L ,„^^^ ^^ eyed'^ '»-t how Bntain expands?" askedTnegra, open- She lay, ,'„ Z, h^', ""1''.""™""',''-^ ''"'•■'«'••' '"■■• ohick. ,';!!^'.':i._",'."' '"i..al .silence tliel 'a^rhir'Tf' r'" " / — '■-^jiiai fill "" t^.1S"n T'^ ""^^'"^ '- -- dun«.hin.^^r -'- ecI. The ^c n f L^Er'^ ^^^" '" «^^^^ ^lleg a, ^i,,,,,,. glory of War!^ '^'' "^"'^^'^'^ ^^^^'"^d evaporating life "L Bid you imagine we acmn'm a • \n order to provide themuM>hT} d"!""'"'''^^^ territories the Bi/,Ie/ The .] tTsl f^l ^^^^ ■ti^h Constitution couldn't possibly I I AH him, but could vifc and oliij. Tlie poor man ;f>nipany Bag- "pi'ences War- >b', but Mrs. 5^is to become ^♦■('Ii country- ^be salmon ^'as any nice recommend- Jrstood from wanted. So ^•K Stacks PI' quotation H'n most of iternational to> in their ^establishing 'ssions. To- it with his If Morning i plajs the iiowls for gi'a, open- f^r chicks. ^■, never a l)Ut every ■y "ig the onlj rarriors civil- said Marsh- ^vas flippant, led with the e position I cried JVfrs. \\ now — the said Fizzy, CHAPTEE VIII THE DUCHESS TT was rather unfortunate that Allegra's first important J- party should find her in this religious revolt against the ^r ^^ 1?® ^^% ^"^ ^^® -J^y «f the world, so that she should walk up Lady Rngton's celeb: ited staircase with a conscientious hostility towards what really interested her exceedingly. A few months ago she had been grateful to her mother for rushing her " out " with a precipitation which less good-humored spinsters than Dulsie and Mabel might have resented: her spirit had yearned towards the great world thronged with brilliant men and wonderful women. Even now, she told herself, that famous salon must hold amid all its selfish glitter, abundance of men who worked for the world." And in truth it was fnll of the glory of life and power and adventure, and threads went out of it to the four qiuirters of the earth. Allegra's girlish curiosity prevailed over her prejudice, and she kept Mabel—who would have preferred to note the dresses- busy with questions as to who was who. Dulsie had been early detached from the group of girls by a young Spanish diplomatist, and Allegra only caught occasional glimpses of her, sailing under the flags of all nations, as was her cosmopolitan custom of flirtation. It was her method of expressing her father's universalism. «ut the good-natured Mabel's knowledge was not unequal to Allegra s curiosity, for political society was small and met Itself everywhere, and Lady Ruston addressed her cards herself, and was not dependent upon the self-consti- tutea masters of the revels who supplied so many hostesa- 73 THE MANTLE OF EUjah ' es with "lists" At th- i bocause some of the ^reat me . i • ' ,""^""tl>^ not only ^Jrum and the Italian ope,?, j, t '^"'' '^'^ o{ rout and "^aturelj made for theC ' 1? ""^^'I'^P^J^^slj and pro «eure members of thriCtv ''0^7' ''"' ^'''''^^' t^'e^ob- their celebrity recognized •'.ndtl? ^^^*^"«^«"«"y to hav' Jn an atmosphere of ^j",?' ''"^ ^^^eir convictions heated political empeV P''''"^' "^"^^^ soilings, a^^ tl/b'gfishtt^Ieft':^ iTttlTiisT'"''^'^ H^'^ ^ "^* J^^Jd all these occasions, and ev ^ds^^ ',::/f^ ^ ^^ ^ime on Are you better ?" had begun to hi ''^'^'^l^^ question : science of phrenology, ^leh 1, t ' " -^"^ ^'^^ ^^ ^he been consulted, manv nf 7i • ^^^" '» its glory had taken for tritons"'"it wa '^^r "T" T^^^^^'^e - and r^ '^'' ^^°"*«^ '"■vcr sec anvtlii,,,; of 1,p,- ,rif !i ^'^"''"^ ""W' at once. I whatever are the men eo^ . V™"'" '" 8° '■""e. But childlike 3.on_;vi,;:!ie„l"l,: """J.^-^- '^ ™- man i„ London at mv S"' ^^' **"' ^ ''"^ "' H>''ged up half to clothe and h,l? / "T^ ""<' ''aHad w Mrs. Bro,vni^:.r;;.;^^3rgirhtet=^™^''^ 76 • You don't e and deter- and a gleam ens to be the ok so out in everywhere at once, I lome. But ■ A sweet had every , glittering W'ons, and e of our uck while 'e what / ir George, ii' man !" had re- 'ss. She mce that I ballad ' prosaic repair— d her shoe, THE DUCHESS Certainly this duchess's smile lingered complacently as she contmued : i- j a^ "The art of compliment— it's becomin' a lost art like all the other arts. 1 o-day everybody is ..^ rude and mat- tcr-ot-iact. There is no consideration peoplo's feel- m s-I don t care whether Sir George m. at what he said or not I hke the gallantry of it, the chivalry. Ah mv dear Mrs. Gantin, and how's the Bishop? Of course these dreadful Eitualists, I know. Ten years ago I told Aewman to his face that he was only a Jesuit in disguise But you ought to give that archdeacon the sack, you ?eally ought. Talkin' of the Scarlet Woman, did ymi ever see such a painted creature in your life? Who is she ? Whv rliT n\ ^f"^J^l Peff'^"! who was massacred at Cabul. Oh yes, that's her daughter with her. The moth- er says she s seventeen, but as the date of the massacre may be found in the history books, the widow is taking heavy risks with her reputation, ^^o, don't go away, my dear, she_ said, as the uninterested and forgotten Alle- gra was seizing the opportunity to escape. " I'm so anx- ious to know all about you. I am sure I could improve you. Do tell me your name." ^ ^^ Allegra Marshmont." 'What!" The duchess grew as vermilion as General Penford's widow. " That rascal's daughter !" ^^ lou are speaking of mv father !" "And of my own brother. Tut! tut! I suppose I may call my own brother a rascal." ^^ '' T— I— didn't know." shouRA^ l^^^"'' ^''''" ^ ''^' ^'''' ^""t Emma, how siiould you know you were my niece what's-a-name ?" Allegra. She was astounded to find herself so near the purple, though she had always known vaguely that there were coronets on the paternal horizon. ^ ^ " ]^o win^^ f'''^'^ ^'' mannishly under the chin :No wonder you're pooty. I thought I couldn't be such 77 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) Y // ^/ v*;^ y. t/j 1.0 I.I 11.25 |J0 '™^ m ^ m 22 IIP° *iiUU 1.8 U III 1.6 % <^ /^ /. e3 ^> %^^y O u/% /A HioiDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 872-4503 ^ "^^•V qv \\ C/j J li' 'i S i ', ■I' THE MANTtE OF ElIJAIX -nows me." -^ " ^^^" * ^now mc- -everybody never told JeTe Site' u^'^^ '^"^P^^'' "^"t father , " Oh ! he didn'ii" Th: 1^" 7' ' ^"^^«««-" Oh jou cast him off! t spp— k the^ nobility." °- ^ see-beeause he is against stopped! fofoS pLm;ted'\Trn f T" ^he Duchess Well you see it was father's do?^' "f "'* ^^ ^«t^"«^nce. ess of Dalesbury then B^.t f S T^ '''«^" * the Duch- and that's the pfain English ofTt 'i'^^"^* ^«- -a^"- «et m' Property and thf Throne rndttp^' T '^^^^'V p" P'^^^'^^^'nto the hands of the Mnh v^"'"^ «"^ P^^" Kosmere Park after we've le the iL ^°" °"^^^ *« «ee "P by the root, greasy brmvn 1' 5°^ ^n; saplin's torn broken cider-bottles on the path? \r'!; *^' ^^^^'er-beds, . jour father is makin' of E^ng^al^;, ^'^ ^^^^' *^«^'« ^^hat speak tf;o^^ *^^"^^ *^«^> I don't know that I ought to I'mglad'lmetU^AlSto^^^ ^(arjorimont biood again f JOU Alligator ^"^ I oan^reZmlZt'f ''t^ never could remember the St^ J 'S^ ^'"^ «"r« I father and I will makn if ^^'"^- 'Some day your his natural world agai^' P^e^^lT^ Y' ''''''' ^^^ -" tion between Whig and Torv ^ ' .' ^ '^°°P^^ d^-«tinc- come to this houselbut I ahJaT. '..'^ 1"^ ^"^"^s won't Nowadays it's just a per S tV/^'/' 'r^"^' ^^^^^^^^ the great houses should stekL^, ^"'v *^" P^^'kin's-l- demagogues and the aUieistl '' ^ "''^ °^^'' "S«^'~ «* the ^ou mean honor among^thieves," said Allegracal.lv I AH : rhyme or rea- ne- -everybody "But father less." visibly tal-en We're all so ''d cut the tip f we had cast be is against he Duchess of reticence, 't the Duch- om crazy — •wn nest, up- eh and put- >ught to see 'pHn's torn flower-beds, that's what I ought to 'od again! my callin' m sure I day your back into d distinc- ads won't it history, ii'kin's — ai.ist the I calmly. THE DUCHESS The Duchess's eyes blazed like her tiara , '' You young-Alligator !" she gasped. Then she burst into a good-humored laugh. '< Why you've caught it from you ? A ot that I don't admire your spirit. I forgave your fither the day he took office. It's in the blood I saic to myself, you can't keep the Marjorimonts down ihey may cut off their noses to spite their faces, and cut off their names to spite their relations, but they're bound to rise. And after ail, Tom hasn't played his cards badly. We Tories are on the shelf-the only way he could g.t a chance was by going over to the Opposition. But that wouldn t have be^en very dignified, and besides the \,hig Dukes wouldn't have looked at him, if he'd been a merf commoner with a few thousands a year, just enough to pay for his borough .^o but Tom's invented a new party^ail to himself-he's frightened 'em with fee-fi-fo-fum talk of the new ogre~the People. He's got a new nrer all tl himself, that terriUe Morning Mi^r which Z' let u cf F r'"f -f "" ^'^ °"y ''^^'''' ^"^1 ^^'«"'d be the ruin tt^mtn'^ifVoI' " ' ^^^' '' ^™^^- ''' '^ ^^' ^^'^ -^^ ouri?'li-/Tn ' '"^ "T Pf P^^ ^'^ -'^^^ '^ ^"^ f'lther seri- ously, said Allegra stoutly. She had been lately reading ftudj '' '""'"^ discovered a file in the nursery "You mean that dreadful Law Tom forced on Parlia- S lo '"*' '^""T '"' '""^^' ""'^ ^««« t^« "lasses no good—because we've less to spend among 'em." ^^ Ihat is an economic fallacy," said Allegra. (xood gracious-what is the world comin' to! Such re^llv'u'seTl!" "T^";^^*'^ ^^^^ « ''^'^ ' ^ou shourdn't t'a Sire wh? ''/^^^^^ ^^^^' >'^"'" ^''^^' ^^^ t at creature who wrote to the Times the other day to corn- Mr BbomTr^F '" "-^ ?r^' ^'^"'" ^^ dres'sin're tWTn.T?; I^T^'"'^ ^^"^«^>^ ^"deed ! Ifit^v.sn'^ that Tom had to find some way of makin' himself felt: I'd 79 ' THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH person— °' """' '"' was sucli an amusin' ,, ^ P'*^^^' ^^ higs grow dumb."' ;; A Mi.zt rH:i:,t";>s '"^'■^^ '"^ «-''-■ A Privv n^» .'.V"'*""^' Allegra assenf^d Duchess .Sing^""^l■l>: aS "T""^'" -" *« Baronets. By-Ld-bv hetnii. ?{.'",'',"' Precedence of " Never 1 He is ri.ht li t ■" ?' ^P^"' House." tl.e only tides he "illter era™ " ' ''""°"''"'- ^''"'^ -<> ^houfdtaasCll'asZ^." '•'* ff-'^' Y»» ward, how ■» «» know this remark- ar:°oT':h^e°"dSn*lI:'dVSr™'"-.T--''' ™ *e beard?" s»^^nea looiczn man with the white »tf:s^nS'^itiol::'-~^^^^^ 80 fe^ AH it again, I am J— not a bit," !s — poor dear ch an amusin' im, b.'" the Duchess, ted. e," said the recedence of House." These are rself. You Mr. Plum- are a useful ei" and clap )med to the ilated, was sneered, e. Minnie le is, Alli- is remark- in' on the he white w only a and even ^n in his THE DUCHESS "That couple!" she mur- There must be a mistake, mured. '' Yes !" said the Duchess, beamingly misinterpreting her amazement. " That's the Duke. Isn't he a sweet creature? So devoted, so good, such an eneyclop{r>dia. Naughty Minnie to desert her dotin' mother," she added, as they approached. Allegra's shock was half compounded of a question v/hethcr she herself really looked like thac. An impres- sion that she was pretty — gathered from governesses and old gentlemen, and supporting her in comfort — quaked under her. Of course she knew Joan didn't approve of her pointed chin, but then others — " This ia my niece, Alligator, Tom's gal." The old gentleman looked as amazed as Allegra. "Your niece? Alligator?" The words sounded husky, and as if muffled by his beard. Allegra had an odd sense of uis soul being wrapped up in it against the cold world. " Well, Ally something," said the Duchess. " I call her Alligator for ^hort, and she doesn't mind, do you, dear ? And this is m-y Minnie. Isn't she sweet ? You may kiss each other, dears — first cousins." Both girls hung back awkwardly. But Allegra said smiling, " You are the first cousin I've ever met." " Oh, indeed !" cried Minnie restored to speech. " I've got lots, all sorts — firsts, seconds and thirds — like railway passengers." ^^ "Ah, always the witty word!" cried the Duchess. " You can't catch my Minnie asleep." The Duke here took Allegra's hand and held it. " So you are Tom Marshmont's daughter." II One of them." " Wliat ! Are there more ?" screamed the Duchess. " Lots more. Connie, Dulsie, Mabel — " Stop ! Stop ! I won't have anything to do with them. I dare say they are horrid. You can't have more than one 81 '11 ^ r'i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH nice gal in a familv AM ^ 7 Uh at Eo,„ere i„ .Be autf .„, l^./^rjil:? A-Ieg^^r,;:!.^'. -^"'--"'^ '" -'0 .ho Duke, .ti„ retaining •'?<"■<', isn't he a (larlin7 by the pillar. If ™„ ' nf " '" «'"'' "•""-'f- « n ^'i '■'* withdrew her hand 7 T"'" ""«' I'uch- j»^r-etch.j-rCn:-^?:^-;«s Allegra hesitated. " Tf K^ -n Come 2 Of «,; , . ^® ^'^^ come—" To who ?" Thfl n„ni "-^^ ^"® ^8 married '" matical. '^' -D^^l^ess was not pedantica% gram- To my father." to peneTrttrirouXt IW.*^^^"" ^««""g of the jest already, smiling. *= '^' -^^"chess's tiara. The Duke wag H^8 wife turned on him « T Hn ^. 82 ^ ^^''^^ ^^^ «"" call for rAH fnimps. But >" re coinin' to n't she, Dales- still retaining h of mine but id we're goin' 'tess did not 3 patting her •"iddlesticks ! bodj tnows j're simply le heirs." glad relief. ' me, Duch- )iLke's. 'ad of Lord id in send- n' to scold the same e of jour n't nearlj-^ •ied !" 'ly gram- the jest •uke was call for ' YOUH MKCK V AI.I.K! \TOU ?' " i I *. 'If § THE DUCHESS sniggerin*. I didn't know Tom had married again. I thought from the odd resemblance it must be your sister." " It's not my step-mother, it's my mother." The Duke chuckled. " You have a peculiar sense of humor, Dalesbury," said his wife freezingly. " But really in these days of paint and powder, you can't tell a gal from an old 'ooman." Allegra's haughtiness matched the Duchess's. " My mother is not painted. She has always been the most beautiful creature in the world." ^ " Tut, tut !" said the Duchess. " Every child thinks Its own mother the best. Well, well, run to your mammy, if you're so fond of her." Allegra hesitated. " And am I to tell my father that you — " " ^^y ."<^» '"^ell him nothing. I won't see him just now. He— he is so occupied with his wife — we can't meet after all these years before a stranger. You understand, Alli- gator." "Yes, I understand," said Allegra, and f ,ught she did, till she came to think it over. The gawky girl blocked her path with an offered hand. Good-by, Ally," she said. " I'm sure it isn't gator. 1 hope we shall meet again." "I hope so." A.id Allegra sought her father. «v^*^' ^^^^* became of you?" he cried playfully. You ve missed such a treat. I wanted to introduce you to — guess !" " Tennyson," she gasped. He shook his head. " That lion stays in his den— but one nearly his equal in name and mane." " Deldon !" He nodded, laughing. " Where is he ? Where is he ?" " I^oft, swallowed up. I was thunderstruck to see the 1 oet of the People asked here." 83 THE jrANTLE OF ELIJAH li . , A suppose they were— wh^n 1? ^vi;h molancholv hnmor^ ^''" ^'^ '''' ««M" ho said MarshnCt K L'^ ^"^^'^^^-^ ^«"^ there he is I" Mrs at|:!r;c5tlSt.S^--^^np-urbation ^or once no disillusion awaTted her She M-,sl,od sli„ coHld have «!« I <^°/"™°I>ian ideas. Ttn'lr ™^"^ -yi»V" vV^sr /"he'? ;r'"p- at alJ ^ Unconsciously she movnr? . j f *^^^ P^ose her parents, and by stfainiL Tor 1 T'^'. ^''''' t^^^ing word— the word " No " ' / I- T'^f ^^^"^ ^im say one whether it was prose or p7e ry"'iS;l ^^^^^^^ ^o^^^ would have had a stronger thrill T^ ?'f ^^ " ^^y " «he ^^olation from its significance for sh^". fl '""''''"'^ ^^n- nine question to which it was' a rent " n'^^^ *^^ ^«"^^'- fevenshly, Mr. Deldon, and so ?«n'^T ?u'" * ^"" ^^^'^e know what youVewriftPn*;n ^^Pif^Ij that jou don't :; ^o," said tl'e Poet " ^"" ''' '' °^ '^' Paper ?' ^ was SspireT '^'" '"'^ *^' ^«^^' "«iVeIy. «i thought ^r^^^^Z.^^:j:i^> -^,«He was mov. q ,.pat.ent "Where. B^Isre^^d^ab^eH'^^Trr:^^^^ •^abd rtl:;:^/^ ""^ ^^P^^'- Emir now, I think, but -It'^^ 'r Voke tlTnl ^*'V-^ ^"H here. We W, ama.ed b, her^^lf^fc^^^^^ P-Ple eyed g^ — u„.. ueeaaionally rAH thej going to ^ked," ho said J he is I" Mrs. perturbation anJ pendent less jet care- 'nventions of on, encircled ^opian ideas, his worship- 5 talk prose ^im, towing ^im saj one ard to say. ' Na.y - she tracted con- d the femi- t jou write .you don't paper ?" I thought was mov- her moth- arrested hink, but 3re. We pie eyed isionalijr THE DUCHESS Mrs. Marshmont would crave for the grand world but invariably it bored her. This did not prevent her from craving again, as soon as she had forgotten her feelings _ " I don't think, mother, that Dulsie will like to go home just yet," Allogra suggested slyly. '[ Then it will be good for Dulsie's soul not to follow the desire of her heart, and the inclination of her eyes. When r was a girl, the only party I went to was the tea party at a funeral. But they were a good deal more enjoyable than those political parties." Allegra suppressed the desiro to point out that at that rate her mother had fared as well as Dulsie, and Mrs :\rarshmont continued : " I don't really see what Dulsie can find to attract her. I would rather be at home with my rat." "There are rats here, too, my dear," said Marshmont, smiling. ' Allegra's eyes flashed first with amused apprehension, then with yathful remembrance. '^ That's what she said you would be, father. ' "Who said?" " The Duchess of Dalesbury !" u V^^ I^uchess. Why, you have never met her ?" \ OS, father. .; <• st now. She wanted me to fetch you to her. '' Mrs. Marshmont interposed sharply. " She wanted you to fetch father, like a pet rat V Father and daughter laughed. " Xo, mother, she wanted to make it up with father ; sh" seemed very fond of him still." Mrs. Marshmont's eyes blazed. " Fond of him still ?" she^repeated, with bewildered jealousy. _ " Stupid old darling,'-' he whispered. " She's mv sister. - "Your sister!" she cried, even more bewildered and even more angry. - And why did you never tell me that ? And why don't we see her? She might have been very 85 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH "seful to the ffiria t>„. u Duchess? You're not a kt 'IT ^i'^ ''^'^^ '^ ^ a Jfo, but her husband is ''%]?' '"^'^ confusedly. Oh, I see, of course A ^^'^ ^'xplained. ^ , " The easie'st thTng fn th^^H^ mJ '^" ^^-^-•" ^3:- The ennobled Emma hldh ' ^^^«^«'""ont said dry- Him : to his low-born u^^SodL"""-"'^^' «^«^°^vy t^o had refrained from SDealrfn ^'^l''''"'''^^"^ ^^ the breach 3^-;- been talljin.^ry'^K .^^ " ^"^ ^ Alle^ uS^'^ had a long chat." was my sister." 'l/i^^:tt^!erm"/^\*^°^^^^ ed It with some of her Sd affection '' ' ^'"^ ^^^ P^^ss- w^&l^d^raf'SiJ ;t\rt ? '^^ -^^-fm asked. ^'^ J^ou think of ^3/ sister ?" he ;; Candidly ?" " Of course." 4£™ W^^^^^ -^^-st and most con- He laughT^" OM 'k^^''^'"^"* ^^^ «h«<^ked. " Well, you haven^t f STp ?"* '" ^'^^ «« ^^at." ^ " Perhaps you are lht,u •'^' ''^*""««-" I knew he? she waa m^r^L t '^l^ meditatively. « When Duchesses deterirrate^^ '"'^ '^' ^^^^«* ^'^^ Mlrjorl^^t. I lAH • sister to be a confusedly, lined. ■ Duchess." fnont said dry- y shadowy to of the breach 'd so Allegra,' ought mother nd and press- s wonderful sister?" he 1 most con- ked, lat." J.. " When TJorimont. CHAPTER IX FIZZY FALLS ALLEGRA was cantering in the Park a few days later -^^ attended by burly Wilson the coachman in the charac- ter of groom, when a more agreeable cavalier attached himself ^ to her; .^ne other than William Fitzwinter, M. if., in his flawless equestrian attire, on a tall black " Its name is Novabarba," he told her as they slackened to a trot. Allegra inquired its connection with the storm- centre of foreign politics. R ";,^°"t u V,' ""^ ^**^'* ^''"®' ^^'^^'^ a"- ^ova. new, Barba, a barb." ' "w^J't'i,'^''? Allegra, disappointed. Then '^martly, Well, I hope it never will be beaten." u ^i^ i7^^\ '■'^^'' °^ laughter applauded the jest. " A hundredfold better reason. I adopt it forthwith. But let us keep It to ourselves, else we shall be torn to pieces. What would your brother say !" "My brother!" Allegra made a mouth. " He actually says he hopes there will be fighting when he gets there." Im afraid he'll have his wish." And Fizzy looked grave. '' 1 5^^"^ ^f^^^ ^^ ^°"^^ fig^* on tlie Novabarbese side." Be careful ! That was the Chevalier Garda on the gray horse— an Italian blackmailer." '' And what is a blackmailer ?" " Heaven guard your innocence, my dear child, and may you never learn! Rut for your father's sake, don't say things against Britain aloud !" 87 I ;: III THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH if ;; But you say them in the Morning Mirror " u ^^ ^''^ ^ead the Mirror?" vJi course." had an appealing gra?e. "='«»'ea by the riding-habit „ I— I've tried verses." m^-^Z7w:t.n tSo r'S= "" ^^-»-g ""Pos- the new Poet of tto pipfe " ^ ^•'' ^"'"'y- "S'"" shall be do^^-^VraUth" a": tt/"''^''- "^^'"'^ "I'e Del- poor and shrunken! C'°™«op,a suddenly seemed ^Uh, how can you say that?" ^' "Do they roll f„ a &j\7eZ^^' '™°''^'> "P i^' horse. givingelaS. ""' '""' ^^''^ ^'^ -" -en," he replied, toi^-rSesr'ThTt'r/rt t"^?r^h "«^i "" »'"«" op at last. " You know I oLu"' '" f'"*' "' ^e came again." """^ ^ ^•■W n«™r beat Novabarba a b'li'om'n I"'' ""■ '" ^'^ "■"<•' ■" g^^ -morse. " What meL'TjeX'h'ad writr at t!"™'"'" "'"'■■'■• I" fto the People. ""'' '''™ "P -^eral Poems for "You don't ride everv day?" he s„\A ;„ • • , ■■ ^y • ne said inquiringly. , M AH r. •e safer." 't set off at a rown open to ~ she stam- tchinglj; the riding-habit ming impos- i^ou shall be e like Del- 'nly seemed I'ould know hem. She her horse. le replied, er animal s be came ^ovabarba " What In the oems for I FIZZY FALLS "No. You see we giils have only one saddle-horse between us. Tuesday and Friday are my lucky days " '^ My lucky days, you mean." "Why, what can it matter to you?" asked Allegra Fizzy coughed. " I don't like one-horse affairs, as they say in the States. I'd like to see you with a horse of your own. "Oh, wouldn't the- Ve lovely?" she cried wistfully. And another rhyme Ox aie Duchess May floated throudi her brain. ° " Then the good steed's rein she took, and his neck did kiss and stroke Toll Slowly. bo he neighed to answer her; and then followed up the stair For the love of her sweet look." Fizzy began to describe his rides in Algeria. He told her of the mysterious underground telegraph of the desert, wherein you will be astonished to find the Chief of the iribe expecting you, though you have come at a gallop unannounced, and he fascinated her with the idea of one day tasting for herself the charm of the East, and the lite in the tents. He insinuated he must be at hand to protect her, for there were lawless hordes who captured you and demanded blood-money of your rela- tives. Allegra suggested smilingly, not without a shadowy thought of her mother, that they must sometimes blunder into capturing somebody whose return was not urgently desiderated. Fizzy admitted that there was bad luck in ail businesses, but that in her own case he would be glad It her relatives refused to redeem her, as that would give him a chance. Allegra laughed girlishly and said she thought her father would raise the ransom, or at the worst Drroons ^"^ ^^'' '*^^''''*' ^* *^® ^'^^^ ""^ "" squadron of "What! and provoke new complications with the Pow- aboiit ""^^ questions there would be in the House 89 I ! i! 1 i, "'^ MANTLE OP ELIJAH 'That would be nice TT. • n,,,^.. ""-'■ ^''^. I've „eve. Wd a .peeci ,.„ Jou amaze me. Kevpr i, ^ m ^-f/^,.our father speak?"'' ^^'^ *^ *^e House? ^^ever .^^^J^t« the bullfinch." iauffhter^«o ^^-^ ""^^earses sometimes " V , -I ^[' o? .t-sr "»- to Ms :.e^s -of "fer a pa„,e ''-•" >™n't y„„ ?,' he wound up •A should lilce tn ^» to ttiuk of it." "'■• '° ""-"h- Only father never Jn.ff'i^-'^P'ore his den in th„ .„._._. . . seems " You J J ^^ °®^*^r "S-r^erha. '"" '"""^ ™^^ ^ 'P^^ the ""tT: ' ""''""'-^ "■'•" "* a question in ■»o_st_aSusi„g^:;:;.^°'- ° '^"" "P"'^'"'," she said. " I„ y„„ "''• ^* ^«« ParticularJv 'Jf'^ «^"* ^^^^ ^^eople's ^.^ ^...mg, oecause just now JAH t I should feel .' out you." >n me." •olitics! What rd a speech in ■ouse? Is'ever zzy's roar of liook the rep- ays comes to »ut it doesn't 'ome to the ' wound up ither never and climb speak the uestion in " In jour presently •y waved ^appoint- People's nst now FIZZY FALLS a really good chorus was buzzing in her brain, beginning: "Back, back from Novabarba, Like Christ be meekly bold. Teach Europe England's honor. And not her love of gold." Anyway, it ought not to be lost. The Cornucopia expand- ed to its ancient dimensions. But the next day a beautiful bay mare pawed at her wir^^- w^r''' %'''^'' ^'' ^^''' Allegra Marshmont, wi h Mr William Fitzwinter's humble request that she will not look m its mouth. Its name is Reform " Allegra summoned from Parnassus and Novabarba, tYfui^T^^it^^'^"^^^^"^- " ^^^ ' ^^^'* ^-p^ -«^ ^ ^-- , " Why not ?" said Mrs. Marshmont who had rushed ^:^:: *'^ '^" '°^^ ^^^ -^' -- ---g the « ^^* ^r- Fitzwinter is practically a stranger!" „f J, /J"^ ^?^''* anything from your relatives ? Look at that old Duchess. I call it shameful." 1 cant accept it all the same. Please take it back with my thanks," she said to the man. " ^f^^f your pardon, miss, but I was told to say your father s daughter couldn't reject Reform." Allegra smfled' Put on your habit at once," said her mother im- periously, " and try its paces." And within a few minutes, Allegra, dazed and daz- her ' iTT f ^^^"g, °^t °f the drive, while her mother posted crTtica% "^ '^" '*°"' ^^'^' '' '^' S^t^' «^^^^yi"g lier inrJ,^'^''} ^T"^ ^^" '^'^''^^ "^^ ^° ^^^"/' she said, as Re- form thundered up for the third time. a darnf/ 'f ^"g,^o^^."> glowing and blushing. « She's " T T^"u , """'* '^"te at once to thank him." .aid Mtriario^^^^^ ^- -ght to write to a gentleman," " Why not ?" said Allegra, guiltily conscious of a whole 91 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH secret co„osp„„deSeT&^;*» "'™ght of DuS and Dills e's nlea thnf J ■ . 5 ' '^'^""a". and even IfnUa,, J^"IsieJier tongue was tied I' ."^'"^ °^* «PProve of njoment with sending verbal LT*'"^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ the Mr3.Marshn;ontprov?dLot vt^^^^^^^ the man. father agreed to do it A « ? "^ ^^"*® *^e letter, and the bs honorable relati^^, ei'dtS^^' ^'V^^^^^ -cref^^^^ ^Uitehall, and Allegra had "^f i ''''?^"^ h^"« work to wUh the home correSidence 7t l^VJ^^T ^^ ^-^Pi4 . ^^' ^tjng the letter herluXo^^h^e.f.^'' ^"^^^^ really % dear Fitzwinter " if ^ ^^ ^^'^^^^ signed it ifeform. Allem n h ^ i'/''^ ^^^ has deserved If 1 ^ ^l*'"^'*' ^or her. I'ury Reform p .^'^' ^''^ advantage of ,w f ''^ !' delighted witJ done-^her a^'H^^"^"""..^^'" carry t An/"" '"""'« ^^« have t you said tLothtn'o' "^II^ y°» do n.e one? ?n fT fJ"''^ ^^^ have the davs of DeZ.il^ *^^* ^^ «'oq"ence has Ln '^'"■''*"^ ^'>'-«'- for poor I?v,ien "/';'"''' ""'"^'y- «"ch e,,loi •'I ""'m P.*''°'^ «•"«« preside „s oo„ if r '"r""''"'''""^ ^^ ^vhose ^^^^^^ ''^^^ved li'oii fi.„ ^ ^ «rliament riaf.a\ r ,"""V oy-tne-wav, I am to only a man ofTao ''aUllre^'f "'^{^V^^ «-""d '.oar^LT^ Yours sincerely, THOiiAs Mabsumont." '4 fi rAH > the Editor of sure Dulsie or sie's admirers races of man- rht of Bulsie's I even Italian, )est method of 't approve of lerself for the gh the man. etter, and the ^ly secretary, his work to e of helping llegra really gned it. ires me to ex- able gift, and ■ouble for her lelighted with ' we have to 'ce you have rning Mirror rpassed since 1 be reserved way, I am to would estal)- w you have t it was our ■ while I .\m ur attention and if I had buzzed with e Mirror of ostilities in d seriously ' not, I am or repute, id renewals UMONT." FIZZY FALLS To which Fizzy replied laconically; "As to noor TJrv den, you know I have never been able to see anHood k." the dead languages. Dead men turn no vote^ ^ Your ThlJ . ^^ P^'^P^^ perspective' be established The utmost concession I will make meantime is that vou are the greatest living orator." ^ Allegra did not meet the greatest living journalist for torm Each in turn reported meeting Mr. Fitzwinter who had only, however, raised his hat as lie flew by s'^t at last her own turn came round, and in the new pnde of ^^oyabarba advanced to meet her. She drew rein and il peated her thanks. Fizzy stopped her with :'' You Aather" has already scolded me sufficiently." u i^' i^'^* was for overpraising his oratory." l,-,t.^ far child, if you had ever been to the House and " Wpir ^"l7-^' '\^''''' ^^^^ ^ mono'pdy-" Well, twaddle without even truth— t" He roared again " Excellent-excelknt-the greatest ;o"';enotctff^"^^- ^'^'' '^'-' ^-'^^ b-mf?l banl^'^Tr"'? '^-^^^ 5''^''^ '' ^^t ^aref^V she laughed back. Then fearing that the mention of the Mirror miJht seem an indelicate reminder of his invitation to ^-tTri umns, shewentonauicklv."P,,/c • 1 , \ "^ ^^^" dure Ihe flood of talU"^ ' ' ''"'"'^^' ^°^^ ^° ^°" ^^- rooL/''^''"'*" ^ "''"P" *° *^^ ^^^rat of the smoking- ' « I^"^,^^ar«* Js a volcano." ^KoT ?"!,'* ^^^'^'"' *^^ ^^^■'•''«^- Miss Aristophanes " She flushed, reminded again of her poor poem. « But yd THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ^%i^r;^^^^^^-i^^ »". WHO and 'ls:::':zT^%^r:f - r'^^'- «-- who dares not eve7spS t„f ' "'y'^''"'^' and 'or'- ears pour, or ruk^ StbSlZ ^I'l' "'^''S'' ^■'»^ some flood." "uuies tne whole drearisomc, weari- " Who is that 2" had to do." ^ '*^ understood what the Speaker for" JSitt:^rCr ,^ene. ^f "'"^ ^^""^ - fp" ^°r f-'^r!" *^' ^°"«^ of T.ords, doesn't he «" to d:i ten^'or^' ^--^ --^ «^*' L not ^^ But they don't read so badlv in the naner^ " p.op^p::Sit>asTr ;^ '-' ^-V -Wish the what a prett^ femimn^hCd ht wrTto^"/' "• ^^-''--^'y ^^^AHegra could only meohanieall.tuieken Keforn. to a 4'-"'m.ed.'' ^""''"''^ *" '»<' "- » hand like that," 2^°S': "^'o" must have a hundred." «ff *['".?■"' ""^^ Whore?" "Evm-bodj.l,assee«rart" '^ ""'' '■"'"^'««' '» "^d; , Alkgra"lu™^; j; Z:^f '-^? a-;! "right e.es." i^eiters can t be written without oyes " 94 FAH igh it all, who 2:ht ?" J— who listens i' and 'er'— through whose irisome, weari- iker !" it a poor poll- ining with the t the Speaker 3 paid rojally . so as to get ler he doesn't ti't he r ches, but not establish the Bj-the-way ieform to a like that," Agra's lips; d to add: ht eyes." (right eyes FIZZY FALLS " \^ ^]f^ ^ P"" ?" she asked, more easily. As if I would dare do such a thing!"" Allegra laughed. ;; I think you would dare anything " .« u . Y^ "^7 ''"'*'• ^^^ere is something I want very much to do. But I don't dare." "I don't believe it." He was silent and her mind ^rif ed to the simultaneous beating of the horses' hoofs finding pleasure in the rhythm. °''^'' hu^' ?^^: :^^ ^-*' -d ^- voice was low and " Well, aren't there hundreds ?" She snoke hVbHv T.„f her pulses began to throb with dim disquiet^ ^ ^ ^"' theMr^^^^^^^^^ "Where? At [[ N"ow you ^ifli'p dared to make a pun !" meant tn'! u'^T "'^^ ^* ''^' ^ P"^^ '-accident. I only meant to echo what you said before." ^ ^^ I know, I know," she murmured. " Sr Ir^N? '"*'•„ "f"" ^°- B"t where 2" knoJ"" '''™ '"=™ "" °™-^ «>« -oriJ, you ought to fed t^ttLTauV? d^J^tr T/^ f""*^*^'' »d I .you help me ?utr ^''°" *" '""g^-S^- Can't He leaned from his saddle towards her TT.. . ?ur tatTatT""^ '"°™r"^ more defin'e Sa\Z. dully that sh^ uT"^ j"? ™ .■;" forehead, and she felt Ho/ frangthfs eve, „","''! 'r/"'' '" ""^ ^ot sun Wh.hadsf:ntrrti:ertLttt "-"'^ "■'^ '"»"-' wve me a word" he half ,,-!.,%» j " Whfif ^xjr^^A 9>r I . , ^" wiiispered. WHat word ?" she said helplessly. 95 THE MANTLE OE ELIJAH " Any word except 'No*'* What do jou mean ?" she breathed wond'eTf^thingJ: ^^I^. ''^' «« this was that Pointi„g-not unlike ^aCh;33,^°]^,^"^'-,'i« '^^ ^^^^P" her heart seemed in her bveasT Lt^ f"^ 1"^ ^^^^^'' felt ! To think that love-^.t opjI^ ^ ^''^' ^^^^ ^^^^ks ejs and the Deldons ortL^S !? 'ff-^'^*^^ ^^^ ^hel- in the dapper person of « ! ''°^^d~shonld incarnate itself who had s'eLe'd t? Lorl^t .inZr ^^"^'f ^^^ ' ^ -- the veil of evervthing Sl^l S hI?,""^.*^ ''' ^'^^^^ ±elt like crjing, and presently show I onlv ^^^^^^ and she nrably aga n to the rhvH.,n;/i u T- " -^ listening pleas- What a lovelj b-re/e f /S ^' "'^^ ^^^^ l^orses' hooK. straight ? irL n s' en d sLn^n^/ ^f ' ' . ^'^'^^^ ^^^^ ^^ she bethought herself wt f sHr ^H T^''''^■ ®"^^«"Iy give back Reform. Her eves fili u'^ '^°"^^ ^^^^ to . The^ passed severaVhida vhom .fr F-^"' with his wonted gailantrv Alio I' ^'}^'''''^ter saluted " There are so n anv Z',. ^ ^^^ ^^""^ ^^^ ^^ice. " "R„4. V "ia»y women in the worlrl " c^,^ -j -But only one Alleffra " TT i i !"' she said. in the most unoriginal fashion T? /i°^ '* """* "^^ «* last frightened the girl She fek thn V ^'^ """^' "" ^^« ^^Ps barrassing than her iS rvfew with /f'n" '"'" "^^« «"- the^problem was to go bac Wd ^^ ^^^^^^^ ^- both ., J;-^ reallv be turning ho.5e nt/^'she said awk- quiL'hrarse'^P^' *^ ^'^"^^ ^-^ ^— His voice was pos^i^rsuU ^^^^^^^^ «hort frocks. I couldn't ^J^e winced. " I am the best Judge of that," he mut- bodyp' ilirrwlrr^^^." ^^^^^^ ^^ marr^-any. fididn'Jl^Vyofr^^ '*^^^^^^^ " Oh please, don't be veved T „ ue vexen. i am so sorry." JAH o this was that lous and disap- old and leaden ^ery her cheeks with the Shel- 'iicaniate itself 'etor ! A man J to see behind ^hing and she istening pleas- ! liorses' hoofs. Was Iier hat (i- Suddenly would have to irs. vinter saluted er voice, she said. It now at last le on his lips 'en more em- 5n. In both le said awk- 18 voice was I couldn't t," he mut- FIZZY FALLS ''^ Don't you like me— just a little bit ?" I like you a great deal. I think you are a force for ^pfedr ''-''''' ^^^ *^ ---^^^ -^ ^^^"Vto " And yet you won't help jne /" . Allegra turned from red to white. Here was a new Idea. Could she really help this man in his life work^ r so was tnere not a call upon her ? Was not this indeed he role of which she had dreamed so much of late-the mie woman's role to sweeten life for some great strong man ? But no ! This man was too strong and not great enough. He neither needed nor dominated her. He^vas not a great, weak, loving creature like her father. She Sa ion' ""d: X f-r '" r'"^^^- ^"^ ^^ -- ^^^ ;o;ms fofthTil^^'jl '''''' things-about-about 'those her^Pvp?fln T *"*^'-«^ "^"^t I'e given up, too, and again shlfT-f "^""'^^^r^- How tiresome life vas! Bu^ honef I """" I" T ^'"^"^ ^''' "««^Pected suitor indulge hopes-It was kinder to stamp them out like the scorchfd 1.1 " I^^'u ^ f ^"^"^ ''^^^^^ ^""^^ of other things " she said blun ly, 'and I never wish to talk of this thing again." He replied with welcome lightness: ^' This is the firs^ "'Bu'^o'Tr^T^ /'"^ *^^«^^^ ^' the first fence" but ^ou said you had done everything except nrav " she^reminded him, gladly catching his tone^ ' ^ ^' - tZT""^ '" praying Yes and confession, too!" I absolve you then. Go and sin no more." f^'^-^or he sa d, returning to melancholy. " All framed ^^gold, m place of the black we had when Br^den said " hrh!?"'''^ *^? 5°y ''"^ P'^"^^^'^ <^" '^^ black. She said she had persuaded her father to let. her <,o-^,,,^nrt him-m her new character of amanuensis-to thrSTden 97 "^ n '.If THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH Memorial meeting in Midstokn Ti i. to hear him speak '''''^'*^^^- Thus she would be able ;; And what about hearing me ?" wind^^;SE;r"^°^^^^^"^^---- The,areiust Iwasquiteforg^-ettinf hTtme M"t ^""'^ '^'^^ '"e' " And I shall not e^at any " '" ^' ^''' ^^^ ^"^^«h-" a -V^ft^l^^H^airp:^^ ^^^ ^"'V^-' -^ -th turn to the head of thenZT T •^' , ^"^ '^^ ^^^got to re- Wilson was wtf i",S laK^^^^^^ spare his horseflesh. She Wot o ? rh'""/ w-^*^' ^^^^ ^^ nor was she reminded of M? • ^'"'"* ^^^^^«" ^^ fact, «he had galloperun^i„fi„^^\;t1r' "^^" ^^^« ^^^^^ Park and must go al t " wa? L!t w^'""^ ^^^^ «^ ^he on the homeward s de a^.! "^Z '^^ , ^^^^" '^^ ^^^ arrive her unattended cond^L """^ ^^"^'^^^ ^« the str-Bts «l;e turned a^l iTtrrd'^^r" ^i;^^/ ^^-^' -^' where to be seen. "^"^ Wilson was no- to find if she had arrived and 1, ^PP^^^^d, galloped up of her. But this was e'ul ^" t'.'f^ ^^'^ ^^ ^^^^eh vivid imagination pLturir fdn '"' ^^'': ^^^^shmont's Phe, not Iven HmiC to e^^thn 'TT .''' 'T'^'' tad she seen Allegra's hrnTifr A • ^^""^ ^^ «^early and her hair dabblfd in b ood thaT f'"'^ '^' P^"^"^«"*' as a relief to see her come ^n'l* '""' 'I "^"^^^ ^ «^^««k J^rs. Marshmont felt angHer Znl ThT^- ^f .^^'''^^''^^ on a stretcher. ^ ^ " ^^^ S^^^ had arrived into AeTaK;""' "^ '''^^■"' ^'"' --^ vaguety, rushing wel/baTk VS'^'"" '^'«' "">*<=- I lost Wilson and "And he's lost,. on, ,„,^^„„,^^^,,^^^,^^_ ^^^ ^^^^ t AH would be able They are just >lefullj. nd dear me! te for lunch." >ne, and with forgot to re- let a cavalier, ility, half to ilson in fact, n she found side of the le did arrive the strcsts, a shock, and !on was no- )ther on the galloped up k in search arshmont's >f catastro- so clearly pavement, ch a shock I glowing, id arrived y, rushing ilson and Oh yes, ,f \ FIZZY FALLS you can smile. It's a Comedy of Errora for you. But it's King Lear for me. Such daughters ! ^N'ot one cares a pm, if I'm on the rack! And the lunch is spoiled too." ^ " I don't mind." Mrs. Marshmont screamed. " What did I say ? You don't care how I fare ? Any bone is good enough for a dog." 1^ Forgive me, mother— I didn't know you had waited." 'Do you suppose I am like you— without a scrap of fee ing ! Did you think I could eat, when you were lyinir bathed in your blood ?" ^ ^ " But I wasn't—" Mrs. Marshmont glared at her. "No! You hadn't even that excuse for torturing me. Don't stand there flicking your whip— I know you're itching to try it on me. :, f T, ^^^^ ^ sensible mother, / shouldn't have spared the rod. ^ Allegra began to be angry. Her bones held memory of too many a mauling at the irate maternal hands, whose rings were especially unpleasant. Now to be reproached lor not having been chastised ! It made the remembered wounds smart doubly. "If I am spoiled," she said, "it's because you didn't spare the rod, not because you did." T " ^^""^ is right. Contradict Scripture. What next, 1 wonder. Go in and stop your mouth with lunch before new blasphemies come out." She pushed her into the dming-room. You think because you sneak and purr around your father and write a few miserable letters for him you can say and do what you please. Oh, and there's too !"^'' 2/ow— came by hand. In a gentleman's hand The girls, who were expectant at table, sent droll glances at her as, under her mother's militant eye, she opened the elegant envelope beside her plate. The carven eagles under the sideboard brought her small consolation 99 I \ "■"^ MANTLE OF ELIJAH Their „„e„.,,ed u.a.s ..„., in the crisis. ""f!"^- , " — -^n«>a merely It was onlj a note from Fi^.v .^u . refused the donkey.'' '^''' ^"" ^^'^^Pted the l.orse if y"" , With a smile tint hoh] i i J-« into her pocket Lrr^^^^^^^ *^-' ^Hegra crammed blending with her resentmen; t^'^^j^^ness and shyness "^other's inquisitorial ga/rbv'.f' ''^''''"^ '^ soften he, ^vas, perhaps, ungrateful BufT""^ '^ *° ^^'- Which "^ont girls reahid what con T """^ "^ ^^e Ma h congrnons parentage had brnn^ ru'"^" ^^^^^^^"^ their in the English ffirl'.H? brought them, in a normT i r„- -* ■*-. sxTfirKi I ' f J AH 'eenicd merely 1S3 Marshmonf, Lj Refori,! as a is--bnf ,>!,.age -''f J- i shall G horse if you gi'a ci-ainmed i and shyness to soften her her. Which f" the Marsh- Mn their in- poriod when Jminine foot t while Dnl- landed, her ? lier under CHAPTER X FAMILY LIFE IV/TR. WILLIAM FITZWIXTER'S good-hi;mored re- and to show that she met him in the proper spirii .he rode l"u/at%ir'sf-[ Tr''^'^^^ without, Lve'veJ at ing ium at all. Such delicacy pleased and disappointed her and she had twinges of remorse as to wheK.he had blighted a noble life. This experience of hers mad >Dul sje's debonair handling of affairs of the heart mor > di^ /jlmg than ever. Dulsie cheerfully admiS thT Jf a dozen men expected to marry her. <' Bu I can't ko 4 aZZ my engagements," she would say. Allegra almost ^jl ec sl^ could make as light of i. Fitzl nter's id nt but they pressed upon her conscience, and a few ni S b ore leaving for Midstoke with her f a'ther, sL sought he aid of Joan's conscience. Although she desp sed herfou I e sister's ludgment of high general ethics, on a practi ll question she respected her swift clairvoyance her nrp I eTe^to^Sf 1 ''' r?' ™°^-^ thaifr'adLXr even to Herself Joan cut short the blushing confession .. D""" "'■y '■'<'"'' you warn me?" ** No, I wouldn't." =l,on'^^^''^ ^V" ''*''^' Contradicting me already T Seal"" '^'^ ^^'^^^ «* *^^ -^J^^-I and a iut'et of 101 « THE MANHE OF ELIJAH 11:: ;; Not at ,„y wedding " «"""« '° '"^ " bridesmaid !" " There won^K^^^^'^^'^^gers!" " vi , °" * '^e any wedding " 4 77 lonVe refused him!" cried Tn l^'^ murmured. AlJegra hung her ],ead ^ '^^'^ '^^'P^y- u X^?'\ "^e that note at once f" ^Vhat note tasked A] Wa pro|:ir-*r.asd,ingtoseetheotherda,--the .foa^^Cd!'* "inSpTatVr- ^ -eptance." AJJegra breathed a "Yes." joureavoungfoolf" ,, You old fool then l" -e,".e,St„T.r'^''-he.me.3i„theotW ^^ -But he IS so old." And so rich; and so -full r .your Klea of a husband! n ''^ i'^^^'^on-sense. What'M ^ee ir the Fops' Alley at the Sn."^ '^'T -^'^""^ "^^n you foreign tenor ?" "^ *^^ ^pera. Or is it a squal W J oan sniffed. " I g^P f " "^"^^ "o* ^ "^fil it " ;; And don't you ?" ^""^ '''""* ^ love-match." /'I? Ko, indeed I ISTot aftpr . • Taat was a love-match." ' '"''"^ "^^ther and father. 102 % i JAH usion. bridesmaid I" murmured. >ther dajr— the ceptance." forget I am row could I in the other 'e. What's g men you a squalling rn, but re- r of those notion of fil it." ad father. FAMILY LIFE " nli'T^-T.'u"''*'?"'"''' ■"" »««in she found her feet out te "■*'■' '' " '"--"•f"" ™r,e, if one began wut reveS" ''^ '°™* ^"^ ^"-«-*-"' Joan retorted ir- Allegra's joung brow wrinkled itself " T+ -"i^d^rn-itrtir-vS"^^^^^^^ ^^ At what wedding, Joan V At Mr. Fitzwinter's." ;; Oh Joan ! What do you mean ?" lookL'eXi^'f rel^7hifn%o'^^*^r"*^^ "^^«^^^- ^^^'^ " You're joking " ^''"^ ^^ ^''°" ''y ^he word." tbe Marshmont ^7 LsH ch' ^'f ^i V""^" ^^^^^ Think of the good one c^an do wl^Vr ^'t^ W T^^^^^^^ yes and with his newspape^ too Th^T 1 ' ' T "'•^' fath^r^will be-how it^.^1 ^ .^ thl K^ wa?rr'e^t^;^ed '^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ T" *« ^^^te. She winter's. Wha Xt nf,n 'Z^^^'^} than at Mr. Fitz- «ounded blasphemous ^1'^- -^\ ''^''''^^''^ ^«« raying -ladngth^ftTalVh:!^"^*"^^ P^°^«-^-- ^^t f " Wei/'' '' T* /".^r ''''^' ^°" •'" «J^« cried. AndrLssr ,;^::^";b;^^^^^ ^- with him.- ?nd made staccato stlchos a "CnH^t ^^f ''" '^^J^^*' iiig lor Tom's use in A^ovab- rba '"Ir"''^^ ^^« ^"« «nish- 103 The young cornet's de- THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH I parture— which would precede the Midstoke expedition by a day— was throwing Allegra's into the shade, or rather postponing M'-s. Marshmont's agitation over it. As her mind only realized one thing at a time, she never econo- mized her emotions by taking her troubles in the lump. She went out to meet each misfortune half-wav, receiving it as with an emotional etiquette : and the fevers and more or less mortal wounds that awaited Tom would be duly succeeded by the railway accidents on the London and Midstoke line. Her husband, strengthened by her weak- ness, refused to let her see Tom off, but he went down to the dock himself, taking only Jim, who was now up from Harrow for the holidays. He returned doubly sad, with a confused impression of martial music, waving helmets and handkerchiefs, weeping wives, and a huge roaring mob swaying deliriously with patriotic frenzy, as if, though the nation was at peace, some brute instinct joyous- ly scented war. He had never before been brought into such personal contact with the army, and for the first time in his life the People impressed him, not as a mild, heavy- eyed, half-starved ox, stupidly bearing the intolerable yoke of the classes, but as a wild carnivorous beast, lust- ing for blood. The one touch of pleasure the scene brought him was Jim's unexpected comment: ''Canni- bals beating the tom-tom !" The supercilious young gentleman, with his spruce jacket, shining white collar, and glossy high hat, towards whom he had been feeling curiously unsympathetic, seem- ed suddenly a representative of civilization, and his son. On the way home he tried to dig into this new unknown mind, hoping for Allegra-like treasure. But to his simple spade it seemed full of baifling windings. Jim appeared almost a changeling, without the family beauty or the family tallness; delicate in health, yet coarse in feature, and with a nose turned up as in permanent disapproval. At Harrow he sneered at his contem.poraries and worked his fags like a slave-driver, yet he had something of his 104 I 'Si FAMILY LIFE mother's fascination, for he was never without a following. His only physical prowess was with the foils, but this sufficed to redeem him socially from his triumphs in Latin verse. Perhaps, too, the tradition of Tom was in his favor — the golden legend of long-jumping and swift bowling. During the absence of the males the Marshniont house- hold rocked with a feminine storm. It arose from Mrs. Marshmont's unexpected invention of a new grievance — that no plans had been made for the autumn. " Of course I couldn't think of anything before Tom was gone," she declared with tearful truth. " But now that we ought to be escaping from this brick and mortar oven, your father has not arranged a thing. He would go and let Hazelhurst for the year against all my advice and protestations, and now we have not a resting-place for the sole of our foot. Why, we must be the only peo- ple in London. And now he's off to Midstoke, leaving us like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego." " It's worse at Midstoke," laughed Mabel incautiously. " Think of all those blast-furnaces." " Of course: you all take his part." Fro.-n such small beginnings Mrs. Marshmont mounted till she reached her bedroom, threatening suicide. Allegra flew after her in alarm, but the door was locked in her face. She ran down, her heart palpitating wildly, and implored Joan to return with her and stave off tragedy. " Go down and get Gwenny," Joan said coolly : " Gwenny has more influence than I." " No, no," Allegra panted. " Gwenny cowers before her. You don't." '*' You're all fools. Not one of you knows how to take her." Joan walked up the stairs, softly reciting : "And bouncing, and flouncing, and trouncing, And snuRUin". and bawHn", and mauHn?, That's how the mother goes up to her door." 105 \l I >w THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH to pa4'?X' -sV^-f??"^- " ^""'-' ""-' ™» I '->P yon " Yes, Joan." They heard a portmanteau being draffged from th. dressing-room. Joan pinched Alle-.S -£tfhlT ii IS stuck," she said. ^^^le^'a. LJut the handle The key grated, and Mrs. Marshmont, holding a ro.t stX' '' '^^ ^^^^ '^°^- ^^^ -^ -- P-iel onT; Jol^'rilfrnt';-' '^'^ ^^^^* *^^* ^^- -^' -other," An elaborate discussion ensued, in which AlIeo-r« Wo her share very seriously, as being the fellow pH 3^ Sh! iZ.V ""T. -"^^r*^"^ *^ *h"^k out how nLfy ne^k-des ^^ But you wanted the money, sweetest." togetquarterTatrfarm-hoti" '^^"* ^^^ ^^^^" ^-^^^ ters'1>^-^;tr*1 i:i''rV^^ ^^ r^ -- There's Rosmere and-"'^ ^* '^''^ '^ "P ^^ ^^^rett. He interrupted her smilingly. " But Afnrv ^o go a-begging of my sister." ' '^' ^^ "^^""^ 106 H n I help you d from the t the handle Jing a coat, 2hed on her mother," llegra bore grim. She ly neck-ties )ud to find t-medicine. 1 no marks ilmer than nd so soon ad packed pack hers, soon as I ig of jou, darling's w we had ' to recall 1 manage your sis- Debrett. we can't FAMILY LIFE 4t My sisters are not backward in begging of me '" ^ Of this her husband had become gradually aware more in admiration than in anger, though he was still ignorant that herds of minor Welsh relatives hovered about the tradesmen s door, and were occasionally harbored cautious- y for weeks m the nether regions, like people on whose head a price was set, rather than people who cost so much a head. "Yes yes," he said, soothingly. "But IVe never spoken to Emma for years. The places are not even hers -but the Duke's And the Duke I've never spoken to at al ^o more have I to the Duchess for the matter of that, he added, smiling. " Well, it's a shame she should have three countrv houses, and we none at all." " It's a shame we should have five servants, mother, and many people none at all," Allegra put in vants""" ^^'''■'^'^°''* kindled. " We haven't got five ser- " Yes, reckoning Wilson." mi^w V^ '"'I'-f''' ^'"' '"''" ^ ^'^^^ ^^ ^^^^d as the five put together, while you are jingling on the piano." ^ It s a question of society, not of the individual." Hush, hush, Allegra," her father interposed. " Fm afraid you re getting infected with some of that Conti- nental socialism." "She is always hankering after the Continent," Mrs. Marshmont added resentfully. .ior^""' ^^^^T't ^ ^''T'' ''^''y ^^"^^ about Continental so- ranged.' ' '"" ^'' "^^''^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ tb^^^g^ are ar- Tnl ^ ''''f' y^^ faw how badly yonr things are arranged," iZ\rTl"'''''f ri^''^^^''''''^y- "Y^^'" simply ruin refoldedli. "^' '""''"'''^ '' ^^^™ Allegra's box and mildr?""tt 1^'"^ ,^«™P^/f «"' Allegra," said her father mildly, the world would come to a standstill. The in- 107 rl 1 1 if i ' ii i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH Sed'' "''''' ^^^'' ^"' ^^^'' ^'"'^ ^^^ ^' fairly -e- Allegra received the dictum with respect, but with a growing suspicion that her father's sweet reasonaWeness in'Jil ioT tl ''' "'"^*^"" ^"^-^^^^^^ ^^-* obsessed he niagmation She sometimes yearned even for Fitzwin- ter s poisoned rapier. If she could only have felt in him a touch of the prophet. _ The next morning at breakfast— even while the car- the station-the iVlinister announced, looking up from a letter, that Mr. Fitzwinter had invited the family o his Devonshire country house. The table buzzed with surprise and pleasure, and Joan's foot pressed Alle gra s. - YtT\Tx}'T 1? '^",^" so/' said Allegra, coloring, lou selfish chit," cried Mrs. Marshmont. "Do you fnyboct^^^^^^^^^^^ '"' ^" ' '""' '^ '°""'* "^"* '^^'^ "I shall be delighted to see more of Mr. Fitzwinter " said Joan, treading more heavily on Allegra's foot. her IZr^^'V""' -"^'^^i^S ^^ ^^'- Fitzwinter," said her father. He is going off to Novabarba for the shoot- ing he says He puts the house at our disposal." that caS— " ^ "Mischievous glance at Joan. " Oh, in M^rr ''^'^^ '^''°*'''^ "^'^ ^^ S^* ^^ ^ovabarba?" asked u ??T r% '"7 *^ ^^ '^^^^ animals," said Jim. My belief is he means the Avild animals who are ffo- ng to shoot one another," cried Mrs. Marshmont shreld ffn. ; 1 •' ^-""'T ""f ^'^ '^^ *^^ ^"" «« ^^e calls it, but what IS fun to him is death to me." JoL"''I Yni; -r"' •?" T'^"' ?^*^^«^'" '>««til^ intervened TTr,;. T ^ r^'* '^' '^ *° ^«^^ that beautiful Manor House : I read about it once-there are the most wonderful domed conservatories stretching out on a cliff. I could 108 # EI ! fairly re- but with a sonableness ibsessed her 5r Fitzwin- felt in him le the car- r father to f up from family to izzed with ssed Alle- i, coloring. " Do you ^ant to see tzwinter," lOt. iter," said the shoot- " Oh, in I ?" asked n. 10 are go- t shrewd- but what itervened il Manor 'onderful I could FAMILY LIFE for ever. And her eye sought Allegra's live there roguishly. " But I hope it's not too lonely," said Dulsie. '' One doesn t want to be buried in a conservatory on a cliff " ^r 1 1 a/'"''*'^''" '' "*"* ''^^^^^^ ^^'ith majors," replied Mabel, but a man who stayed there last Christmas told me there are quite old families within a five-mile radius tTe cotijlouT'? "^^ ^'''^ '""'' ''"'' "P ^"'"^ ^'^^'^"'^"^^ f«^ " It is indeed most kind of Mr. Fitzwinter," said Mrs Marshmont, "and I hope, Thomas, you will express as much in your letter." f aa Jih^Y^ ^^^'"''^ ^? '* ^' '^''" ^^ ^^'« a^e settled in our hSf nf .^T 1^,'u' ^^^^^^«"Po^ Allegra, bethinking herself that 1 would be written in a "pretty feminine hand " blushed with apparent irrelevance. mont, who had known for ever so long that her husband was reducing the expedition to a minimum-one dt to go, one day to speak, and one day to return. u ,r^^^^ ^y^" ^^ replied patiently. Juliet'' ^''^''^'^ ^''''' *'" *^''''" '^^ quoted-a matronly "Then why not go down to , Devonshire— I'll come straight to The Manor House!" 11 2^"^ ^^^'■^ ^°"^ ''* ^e time to pack and—" Tv/ -.r"" ^r""^^ ^^"'' "^'^^^er ?" Joan asked. Mrs Marshmont stared at her. " Twenty years ? Are you out of your senses, Joan ?" ^ ^ • ^^re hum^'" "''*^''' '""^^ ^" "^^ '^^*^ sense-the sense of The Minister created a diversion by farewell embraces Don't tease the bullfinch, Dulsie," was his finarcrv as Wilson with a cluck jerked off the horses. ^' :; ! i 1 .^ t 1 I f 1^' CHAPTER XI MIDSTOKE ■]\/f IDSTOKE was a vertebra of the backbone of Brit- 1^ am, a humming hive of money-making, and, as in cc ebration of its prosperity, what seemed a perpetual jubilation of fireworks rose over the low stone houses of the town proper. But it was only the blazing jets from the furnaces— bonfires proclaiming the glad tidings of the conversion of iron into steel and of steel into gold. To feed these unsleeping fires, a section of Midstoke woke when the world lay snuggled under the blanket of darkness, and went shivering and ya^vning through the narrow, dim-lit, but spasmodically ruddied streets under thekeen stars. And besides these sleepless iron-works with their double shifts, Midstoke pulsated with factories, wherein, from dawn to dusk, eoarse-jowled men and un- shapely women and shuffle-footed girls tended the iron monsters whose sla% es they had become, and which draffg-ed them down as in envy of their humanitv to the same end- less monotony of blind recurrent movement; avenging an instants disrespect by beating oojt their brains with steel rods or grinding their bones bet%n toothed wheels Allegra had been looking forwa^ to these Moloch fires and Juggernaut wheels as to an em1»tional orgie, for her fatlier had promised her the spectacle. But an emotional orgie of another sort awaited her. Marshmont had refused private invitations in favor of ZfnP -V '"^ ^?^l- ^^'' ^^"^ y^^'' «f Pl'^tform tour- ing had familiarized him with the hardships of local hos- pitality— the general atmosphere of amiable ladies with 110 I V > \ M I D S T O KE ne of Brit- , and, as in I perpetual 3 houses of 5 jets from tidings of to gold, f Midstoke blanket of b rough the reets under works witli factories, m and un- ^ the iron ch dragged same end- '■enging an with steel heels, oloch fires ie, for her emotional n favor of form tour- loeal hos- idies with birthday-books and confession-albums ; the " few friends at dinner" turned into a lion-exhibition by the proud host; the slippered chat after supper frustrated by in- cursions of near neighbors and distant relatives: never a moment in which to possess one's soul or indeed exco"-i- tate one's speech. Against these drawbacks was to be ?et the acquisition of local knowledge and useful commercial data, or rather the possibility of sifting some grains of iact from a medley of prejudiced gossip. Sometimes he fluctuated in favor of particular hosts, but in this instance his decision in favor of hotel bills was really part of the tribute he was come to pay Bryden. It was Bryden whose guest he had always been at Midstoke. Bryden's bachelor freedom had permitted of glorious hours of dreaming and scheming a regenerated England, and any lesser host would profane so dear a memory. But the Minister had reckoned without his real host— the town of Midstoke. Midstoke was very proud of Bry- den, and of its position as the metropolis of Eadicalism, It was a self-made town, whose factory chimneys had an instinctive opposition to ivy-mantled towers, and it was the only town in England that returned no representative of medievalism. Marshmont himself had to divide his constituency with a sporting Tory squire. But in Mid- stoke revolutionary thought flamed and hissed like the blast-furnaces, and there were voices daring to say that even the puddlers who tended them should have their vote just as well as the folks in the fifteen-pound houses. It was the era of Franchise Bills, of Ministers outdoing one another in lowering the franchise, like competitive sales- men, of Cabinets upsetting on a question of five pounds ; of parliamentary jeremiads on the Deluge that would fol- low the removal of another pound from the political dam. Midstoke cried in the wilderness for universal suffrage — that the wilderness might blop°om as the rose. Since his elevation to the Cabinet, Marshmont had not set foot in Midstoke. Midstoke had therefore st"ll to 111 J} !'!■ m r 1 1?. s^l t^ fl , ll 1 4 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH celebrate his triumph, and the fact that he was come to praise its own dead Casar added glow to its welcome. The travellers found a motley deputation, headed by the Mayor and one of the Members and tailed by small boys, excitedly thronging the platform. A brass band struck up " See the Conquering Hero Comes." Marshraont looked miserable, Allegra tearfully happy, and the unexpected sight of this pretty creature kindled the enthusiasm to a white heat, sufficient to melt a heart of pig-iron. " God bless your gowden locks," cried a head-shawled factory-girl, and there was an inarticulate roar of ap- proval, and a red-faced young man, with an air of Master of the Ceremonies, called out " Three cheers for the young lady," and they were given, while Allegra, suddenly translated to a public pere n age, looked as shame- faced as her father. An open carriage, too, had been pro- vided, and when, escorted and embarrassed by a mob, they had ploughed their way through the station, Allegra be- came aware that a blacker and grimier mob was heaving outside, brightened by flags and banners. She took her seat by her father's side, the Mayor and the Member facing them, and through a haze of tears she saw the great swarthy towm and its swarms of sunless faces. And then the same young man had a further inspiration. He start- ed to unhitch the carriage, and presently the triumphal car was being drawn along by what Allegra afterwards described as " huzzahing horses !" The crowd, the cheers, as enkindling and uplifting as the spurts of flame over the houses, thrilled Allegra with a strange new sense of her father's greatness and the greatness of his cause. Here he was the royal lion. At home she saw him tame as her mother's rat. In the London streets he was un- recognized or taken as a matter of course. And these swelling throats, too, gave body to the dreams he dreamed, transmuted them from words to living realities. These great-hearted, rough-handed toilers who loved him so — for them one could live and die. 112 'as come to elcome. ided by the small boys, 1 struck up lont looked unexpected isiasm to a m. ad-shawled oar of ap- of Master the yonng suddenly as shame- 1 been pro- mob, they Ulegra be- as heaving 3 took her ber facing the great And then lie start- triumphal ifterwards ihe cheers, lame over 7 sense of lis cause, him tame 9 was un- \.nd these dreamed, 8. These him so — MIDSTOKE And her anger mounted suddenly against her mother- shooting up like those fiery jets— against the woman who made herself the centre of a household which held this man of men: who sacrificed and tortured, where she should have soothed and worshipped: who, immersed in her petty domesticities, heard not the flutter of angelic wings, was blind to the beauty at which the ages would wonder. Unconsciously her own hand sought her father's and sent her warm love through its loving warmth. _ Her first contact with the crowd was as vitally instruc- tive to Allegra as her father's experience of the mob at the dock had been to him the day before. For him, indeed, that lesson was already being obscured by this, his more faunliar conception of the People : the vision of the wild beast receded to a nightmare shadowiness, and his old image of the overladen ox returned, the ox, heavy-eyed but lowing at sight of Christ in the manger. Allegra's anxiety for her other emotional orgie was only whetted by this. She dragged her father that same after- noon through the whirring mills with their marvellously dovetailed machines, ingenious to the verge of humor in their automatic adjustments, and midnight found her within the dusky glare of the iron Inferno, dazed by the thwack of steam-hammers, the gride of giant shears, the c angor of rollers, and picking her way gingerly amid blasts of burning air. At first it was very terrifying to dodge long beams of white-hot iron shooting past her on tiny trucks, and fierce glowing knobs in the grip of huge tongs, or to steer amid yawning, roaring caverns of flame of a temperature so transcendental as to seem subtilized into spirituality, and she had an impulse to let them suck her in which reminded her of the moths. But she was astonished to find how soon she had accommodated herself to the situation, with what coolness she followed her guides over the hot sand through the hissing maze of colossal brick cones, tended by red demons perpetually poking, with what a sense of home she returned to the furnace 113 |i ' ! I f I .'•I n THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH at which she had first watched the blast of air whiten the melhng metal to unimaginable ardency. She wonder- ed If It would be so in the literal Inferno, and from the tear-nus ed remotenesses of the past came up thp memory ol a childish conversation on the topic with Gwenny, to nhom she had once pointed out (after getting half scald- tLrjfV V"\' "'"'^^ '^' ^"^ J""^P^^ prematurel' that nothing hurt very much after the first few seconds: shall enrn'^''r "" specially arranged that the agony sha 1 endure, Gwenny had replied reassuringly, '^eveii I sT tf " ^""^ -/^lastingly, yet never be^colisumed It is like the agony of thirst, which grows not less but more as time goes on. The lost shall thirst for a cup of cold water through all eternity." ^ When Allegra at last went to bed in the small hours and in the strange hotel bed, she was long in falling asleep the belching town, her aching eyes closed, and she dream- Mo t 7^T^ sweeping the chimneys of hell with a great black fire-brush, surrounded by small demons shotting God bless your gowden locks." ^ ^"f there is no rest for the wicked, or those who meddle of t^P F '/r f"'f^ ."^"'* ''^^' ^^ th^ ^^il^er frenzy of he First Eryden Anniversary. Her father was to un- veil the bust and make a great speech in the afternoon for so Ml did the fever mount that lAIidstoke had given naces, ^^ Inch bore out Gwenny's ideas to the last spark. Ihe brief hours before lunch were devoted to the I^Iinis- 11 IvoT'^'T '"?' ''^'^""" ^^ ^^t"^*^e« «"d futilities, totfm:: .%'""', ?T'""^^"* ^'''^'' nominations fonn^ h T ^^''r^ ^" ^°"^^"- I^"t at last Allegra found hei^elf seated on a platform amid politicians and rsar's bust—not undramatically— and there Avas a hush of aAve a reverential upstanding, followed by a round of cheers! And over the rest of his speech that beautiful stone head threw the majestic simplicity of its marble silence. lie spoke of how the heart of him, Avhose noble features nobly sculptured Avero now a Midstoke monument for all time had ever thrilled to " the still, sad music of humanity," and Allegra lost the sense of his next sentences through groping after a dreamlike reminiscence, Avhich finally tiirned out to be a dream, indeed: none other than her vision of the stone statue Avith the heart of flesh in the mined palace amid the desert of sand. Her thoughts wandered away to the burnt poem that she had based upon it.^^ But her father startled her back into attention. ^ " I loved this man," he cried with sudden ringing pas- sion, and threw his arm around the bust. " Why should I be ashamed to speak of my love ? O Jonathan, my brother, how are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of Avar perished !" And at this strange heart-cry, this visi- ble contrast of the dead stone and the living man, the Tlall seemed to rock as with an oarthqunke, and people sprang on chairs and shouted and Allegra felt herself 116 ircak-down, saw he had would not d, was his 11 this pre- thnnder or lined fore- e on which 11 nor pro- eak of tlio r. It was notion, hy at Caesar's sh of awe, of cheers. ;tone head 3nco. lie iros nobly ■ all time, innanitj," s through ;h finally than her sh in the thoughts isod upon n. ging pas- ly should than, my ;apons of this visi- man, the k1 people t herself MIDSTOKE swept upward to her feet, too, by the mighty wave of ex- altation, and she was crying and laughing and watching the big tears roll down the orator's face. She wished to wipe them away, and yet she wished them to be there lie, all unconscious of them, put out a deprecating hand, which like a mesmerist's waved the mob down to their scats and their silence. And now the speech grew soberer more in his wonted manner, returning to earthen facts and iron laws. He sketched out the programme of the future, the lines on which all good men and true should work— not Radicals only, there were good men and true in all parties; let them not imitate the follies of the past by ticketing men off into camps ; he was not even sure that the working-classes needed special representatives in Par- liament. At this point Allegra was sensible of a slight loss of temperature in his audience, and what made her teel It more morbidly in them was that she felt it in her- self. But he regained his hold as he spoke of Novabarba, of this eternal red-herring of foreign complications dragged across the path of domestic reform: of this spirited foreign policy" which was usually only the cover for a spiritless shuffling out of all Governmental promises. And at this almost open attack on the Cabinet of udnch he was part, the Hall grew frenzied again, flat- tered to be the scene of a declaration so sensational, so palpably destined to be telegraphed far and wide, and to be the nucleus of articles innumerable. As the speaker passed to his peroration, he rose again to the lyric heights ot his exordium, threw off from his wings the clog of facts and figures kindling to the inspiration of the great orator he celebrated. He limned in a few strokes the world that Bryden had prophesied— every man with a voice in the ruling of the realm, the peerage shrivelling away before the aristocracy of simple manhood, the corrupt corse of feudalism buried fathoms deep to " suffer a sea change into something rich and strange": the Empire limited to its natural racial 117 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH 3 I |i: ' :« If'' ) 1, II i\ I ! expansion, the wen of India amputated, with all else through which the life-blood of the British Constitution did not circulate: war-ships replaced by merchantmen, the glory of war by the service of humanity, its cost ex- pended on the education of the people, the spider spin- ning his web across the cannon's mouth ; a world of free peoples freely exchanging their products, material and spiritual, obscuring their frontiers by friendly fusion casting out their fear by love. And they should beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning- hooks: nation should not lift up sword against nation, neither should they learn war any more. His voice had a dying fall, and left a religious hush behind it, so that even when the great orator resumed his seat the tense si- lence still held for an instant, nor was it really dispossess- ed by the inevitable punctuation of applause. "Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen,— Like the .aore of the fat boy in PicJcivick—" Allegra felt a jar through every fibre. Who was this tall, red-faced young man sprung so unexpectedly upon the palpitant scene, and plunging on his brazen way with such cocksure com- placency? The fat boy in Piclwich always fell asleep; so did the Government unless perpetually prodded. Their great representative, Bryden, had been denounced as a Quaker: Cabinets had found him a Shaker. Mr. Marsh- mont had spoken of the red-herring of Novabarba— he should say, the blood-red herring. It was all out of key witn the noble oration, with the silent marble face,— these witticisms, these crude, caustic epigrams, these colloquial tropes and turns, this rush of breezy prose. But she was in the minority. The audience seemed rather to accept with relief tliese draughts of common air after the tenu- ous etheT of the heights. The young man was apparently a local favorite. A ripple of laughter occasionally swell- ing to a roar followed his sentences. And presently, as he grew less smart and more serious, Allegr.". herself was drawn into the sympathetic current. ' Perhaps it was 118 t th all else onstitution rchantmen, its cost ex- nder spin- rid of free terial and Ij fusion, beat their ) pruning- ist nation, voice had it, so that e tense si- dispossess- ! the cuore ir through ung man, cene, and mre com- 11 asleep; i. Their iced as a r. Marsh- )arba — he ut of key !e, — these colloquial t she was to accept the tenu- Dparently lly swell- )resently, « herself ps it was MIDSTOKE because she suddenly recognized in him the young man of yesterday, who had called on the mob to give three cheers for her, and who had headed the '' huzzahing horses! Perhaps it was because he had arrived at the eulogxum which, it seemed, he had to pronounce on her lather through the medium of this vote of thanks. And now the flippant note died away altogether. Emotion came into his harsh incisive tones as he spoke of the great apostle of light who was honoring them and their dead hero that day, and who might now say, like Eliiah, " I even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men." What a priv- ilege for himself that afternoon to kiss, so to speak, tL hem of Elijahs mantle! And then growing prophet c himself, he declaimed against the wrongs of the poor and the down-trodden, and the corruptions of princes and bishops and the aristocracy till great cords^f pLsion stood out on his temples. i:'a:,'=ivii A brazen speech enough, but the brass was martial and Allegra thrilled to it. This bold outspokenness tWs blasphemy against Church and Crown, was what her mood demanded: her father's words shrank to timidity bXc this iconoclastic vigor Here was a fighter. Befoi7l e had finished, she had forgiven his unhappy beginning as' signed It to a rehearsed jest, the prepared springboard for impromptu soarings. ^ ^ "BTavo"Bob'''nf^7"' f'r-'^^ ^^"^ J^^^^d ^^ the ±iravo, Bob, of a fervent admirer. His other name was Broser she learnt from the seconder of the motion Tud when the vote of thanks was passed, and the hubbib of exodus began, she was not sorry to find the young warrior pushing his way towards her father, as if bent La per- sonal hand-shake Her father gave it effusively, and fust as Aljegra was hoping Mr. Broser would insi t on her lady, glad to find her a small meek creature who might be ■A il THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH i:;;! rii 'i& ' expected duly to sink herself in her husband's perfervid personality. But she had scarcely satisfied her curiosity when she felt a dig in the back as from a stick. She turned and saw with a shock the Duchess of Dalesbury brandishing a parasol. " Let us congratulate each other, Alligator," said the Duchess. " You here ?" murmured Allegra. " Yes— Rosmere is not so many miles off, I was dyin' to hear how he spoke, and I've been behind you incognita all the time. He is splendid— splendid— tells these poor fools nonsense of course, but the English of it, the English of It. There ain't many that can use English like the Marjorimonts. But what a terrible person— that Bob " " Terrible to the Throne and the Church, I grant you " said Allegra sturdily. Her last repugnance to Broser vanished before the Duchess's disapproval. "What! You admire that brass-mouthed atheist?" " Hush, hush, he can hear you." <( And didn't I have to hear him ? The fat boy in PicJc- wich, indeed! I felt like thumpin' him with my para- " If you had spent a night in the iron-works, you would have felt like thumping the capitalists." "And who is your Bol>— a mill-owner's son, I heard somebody say." " I don't know— but if so, it's all the nobler of him— to feel for the poor — like father." " Like your father ! Y^ou dare to compare that beef- faced bully to my brother ! O Alligator !" " He isn't a bully, and if he is, you all deserve it. He is the kind of man England wants — to carry on father's work." *' England in need of men like 'hat! N"o, Alligator, England needs gentlemen." Allegra restrained herself. " And how is Lady Minnie ?" she asked distantly. " More beautiful than ever." 120 ft ,5* i perfervid curiosity, ;ick. She Dalesbury * said the was dviii' incognita hese poor e English L like the lat Bob." ant you," o Broser eist?" ' in Pick- mj para- ou would I heard >f him — lat beef- it. Ho father's alligator, herself, tlv. MIDSTOKE " And the Duke ?" " He is writing another book." Allegra, alarmed lest she should betrav ignorance of the others hastened to say, ^' Shall I tell father vou are jiere r 1 • " ^^^J} ^^^^^ *®^^ '""^ myself— as soon as he disentangles iiimsclf from his horny-handed worshippers." This, however, proved a longer process than the Duchess could endure, so protruding her parasol through a hole in the mob, she prodded the Minister between the ribs. " Good-afternoon, Tom !" " Emma !" The Minister dropped the glass of water Broser had just handed him, and Mrs. Broser's meek bodice was copiously besplashed. ^" I beg your pardon," he stammered. ^^ "'No matter, no matter in the least," cried Broser My only regret is that the glass you drank from is broken, and I had hoped to guard it as an heirloom." " Are you comin', Tom ?" " Presently, Emma, presently." " But I want you to dine with me." " At Rosmere ? Impossible." " Then, I'll dine with you." " I am sorry. I have just promised Mr. Broser to dine with him. Emma, may I introduce Mr. Broser? Mr. Broser— this is my sister, the Duchess of Dalesbury." Mr. Broser having no glass to drop, dropped an " h " m his agitation as he declared his 'appiness at meeting the Duchess. The Duchess smiled sweetly upon him in return and declared her happiness at witnessing his ora- torical triumph. His face shone like a patted school- boy s as he rejoined: "I am sure we shall be only too de- ighted and honored to have her Grace, too, at our humble board." " mthing would give me greater pleasure," returned the l^^^ohoss with infinite suavity. " But I have not i.iet my brother for so long that I am sure a gentleman of Mr. 121 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH •■ it^ Iff, :;': Broser's taste and good feeling will surrender him to me altogether, just for this once." Mr. Broser replied with his ready wit that, placed as he was between Scylla and Charybdis (he mispronounced both), and having to choose between paining himself and paining the Duchess, he had no option but to deny himself the honor and pleasure of entertaining Midstoke's revered visitor. Whereupon with much gallant bowing and curt- sying the Duchess and the Demagogue took leave of eacli other. Her Grace bore off the Minister, and Mrs. Broser, forgotten of all, followed in the wake of her husband! Awed by the presence of a Duchess, the rest of the crowd dissipated, leaving the lion free. Allegra had beheld the little comedy with silent amaze- ment. It was the only time she ha'd seen the Duchess polite. But when, as they descended the platform the Duchess said sharply: "Oh Tom, to think if I hadn't come, you would have brok a bread with that beast!" Allegra intervened angrily: "But you told him you en- joyed his speech." " My dear," said the Duchess, " one isn't rude to that sort of person." Allegra turned to her father and took his hand lovingly: " Are you tired, dear ?" " No, not tired — but a little ashamed." " Ashamed, father ? Of what ?" " I was too theatrical — that clasping of the bust!" _" That was fine, father. It had all the thrill of drama with all the weight of reality." Allegra was unconscious- ly summing up her impressions of the Mdiole meeting. "My only consolation is that I hadn't rehearsed it. It came of itself. But how they cheered that, while the real solid parts of my speech made them restive, so that I caught myself Avorking up to fresh cheers. Ah, that is the worst of addressing meetings. You sink to an actor. You long to spice and over-color, yoa can't endure long arid tracts of silence, even though you know that frequent J28 im to mo placed as onounced isclf and Y himself 3 revered iiid curt- 3 of each 1. Broser, husband, be crowd t amaze- Duchess •orm the I hadn't beast!" you en- 3 to that ovingly : MIDSTOKE cheers are the sure signs of bad speaking ; of a mere fire- work display." " I don't see that, Tom," said the Duchess, as they came into the street. " Surely, Emma ! Frequent cheers mark a lack of continuous exposition. The cheer should be the climax of a gradual ascent." " Three cheers for Marshmont !" cried a voice, and the mob that had not got in, gave them. " How badly you must have been speaking just then, father," Allegra laughed, as they entered their carriage. " Yes, he was talkin' nonsense," assented the Duchess. " Cheers are the certificates of eloquence." " Well, Mr. Broser got more than father," said Allegra slyly. _" Possibly your father may be right," the Duchess ad- mitted meditatively. t!" f drama >nscious- ing. irsed it. hile the o that I that is n actor, ire long frequent ... CHAPTER XII RECONCILIATION ;f H V i I'lr i' i npiIE dinner, served in the private sitting-room, began -■- placidly enough, politics being left behind with the high-hatted saints in stained glass, though the mildness thus engendered in the conversation gave the meal rather a vegetarian air. The Duchess had heavy arrears of fam- ily gossip to deliver to her prodigal brother, who listened with more patience than Allegra. The girl was still un- der the intoxication of her first public meeting, and re- sented trivial details concerning commonplace creatures of fashion, who, instead of " working for the world," let the world work for them. Even so had Mabel, fresh from the romance of her first ball, resented her mother's remind- er in the homeward carriage that cook had given notice to leave, and father's throat was beginning to worry him. But if Allegra still felt hostile to the Duchess and her world, the Duchess had apparently nothing but the most amiable sentiments towards Allegra, and having renewed her invitation to Rosmere, she grew so eager when Alle- gra refused it that nothing could content her but to carry off the girl at the point of her fork. In vain Allegra wriggled in deprecation, protesting to the point of mendacity. The Duchess was not accustomed to other people getting their own way. " A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," she said. " Then let me help you to some more partridge," said Marshmont good-humoredly. 124 RECONCILIATION She held out her plate instantly. " I'll have partridge and Alligator too." ^ '' My dear Emma ! What a menu !" " Yes, it does seem as if the child was afraid I would eat her." "m;' said Allegra smiling. "Only that I should disagree with you." " Tut ! I'm not afraid of that," replied the Duchess, missing the jest. "Alligator is tougher than partridge," her brother hint- ed ^elyly. " Ha ! ha ! In that sense. Why, that was almost worthy of my Minnie. But as aunts don't eat nieces, dear," and she put down her fork to pat the girl's cheek, '' there'll be no disagreein'. When you are older "—Allegra shud- dered, foreseeing that eternal cocksure croak of pessi- mism—" no, you needn't shudder, you've got ages before you, but when you do get older, you'll find out that all the nice people agree more than they disagree. Take this bird, for instance — you and I both agree about that." And she resumed her fork. " I doubt it," replied Allegra obstinately. " To you a partridge's life is more precious than a peasant's." *| Nonsense. Who told you that ?" " I have read about the Game Laws. A partridge may only be shot between now and February, a poacher all the year round." ^1 The child is right, Emma," said Marshmont. . J,' "^'^^^ *^^ ^^^^® ^s Avrong, Thomas, for the Bible says Thou shalt not steal.' " " The stealing isn't entirely on the poacher's side," said Marshmont. "The ground game injure the farmer's crop, but he has no remedy. That's where the United States are so ahead of us— they started free from Feudal- ism. Here, if Hodge throws his stick at a hare that cross- es his path, he may be clapped into prison. The whole thing's a superstition." 125 3 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ./ "Not at all, Thomas," said the Duchess smartly. " The superstition is, that it is unlucky if a hare crosses your path. If you throw your stick at the hare, you de- serve to be unlucky." " 'Not if you are unlucky already," Allegra protested. " Not if — as Deldon puts it — 'You sow that others may reap.. And reap that others may riot.' A farm-laborer who toils and sweats all the week round yet never earns enough to taste meat, has the right to catch all he can." " So has the policeman," laughed the Duchess. " And the Devil !" added Allegra sternly. The Duchess dropped hf^r fork again, but not to pat Allegra's .cheek. " Well, /homas," she said, " this is nice language your daughter holds." " Do you mean the sentiment or the phraseology ? Both seem to me essentially religious." " If that is your idea of religion," said the Duchess frigidly, " I will trouble you to serve the apple tart. Ar- gument is useless." The grand manner somewhat abashed Allegra. " I warned you. Duchess, we should never agree," she mur- mured. " Don't call me Duchess. I'm your Aunt Emma. You'll be saying your Grace next." Allegra laughed merrily. " Why, so I will, Aunt Emma. For that's my idea of religion." Her father chuckled too as he served the apple tart, and the Duchess after a moment of bewilderment joined in the laugh. " Then it's settled you're comin' with your Aunt Em- ma," she said beamingly. Allegra was taken aback. " But — " •' But what ? Haven't we threshed it all out ? Your sisters will send you on extra frocks. Your father admits 126 t] A d A smartly. e crosses , you de- )rote8ted. }k round t to catch )t to pat "this is seology ? Duehyss irt. Ar- rra. " I she mur- Emma. il, Aunt tart, and oined in unt Em- ? Your sr admits 1 RECONCILIATION ^'eZa'ry"iaver' '""^ '' W„self-he's accustomed Well, to tell the truth, Allegra," aaid the Minister clever f;™!-' "~' ""'"' "' "'"^"''<' -<>« -'^"a ^'^' Broser," she prompted instantly. . Ah, yes Broser. He was just begging me to use him m some such capacity when your aunt'Lnfe up. He saM —well, he was very flattering, and—" ed U;^ Dulhel.''" '' "^P"' ''' ""'' "^^^^^^^" ^-*--Pt- " Nothing: nothing whatever." ' Precisely what they are worth, Thomas. Bu^ you know I don't mean money. Half the heirs and all ^he younger sons would be glad of the job at the same salary! It s the short cut to a political career " ^ 'Oh, aunt" protested Allegra flushing. "It was very fine of him. It showed his reverenfe for fatler was not merely oratorical; that he really does want to kiss the hem of Elijah's mantle—" *| By way of hangin' on to it." No, really, Emma. I cannot permit you to say that One must beware of reading low inotives into evernhiW I would stake my life on that young man's sincerTt^" ^• « wi '"'"''''^ ^' ''"^ Allegra. ^ ess ^ir'/r.'irT ^"'' ^^'^ -^'^"^ ^^^^^'" ^^^^ ^^e Duch. «nL ^ ^ ' I warned you. Meantime I will take some more cream with my tart. Thank you, Alligator How long shall you need to pack ?" ' ^"igaior. But mother—" thai ^ZllT'T M " ^ ^'^'^^'''^- ^°"^ ^^'^'^ admits tnat much. A girl of your age must be provided for f tr IZ ',*""^ "^ ^^^"<^e. Mr. Fitzwinter's Place Ts doubtless delightful, but you'll never get a proposal Ze yountmr-"'"'' "^'^ ^'''^^^^ ^«'-^-' ^^ "e 127 Mil THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH \ ',.:'. }( " You think I may come in for her cast-off proposals. No, thank you, aunt." " You little minx ! Did I offer you IMinnie's leavin's?" ** Here is the waiter back," murmured Allegra, her cheeks burning. " Then he can remove our leavin's," said the Duchess loudly. Allegra discovered later that the Duchess did not mind discussing intimate topics before servants — a habit of which she was not quite weaned even when they began to contribute to society journals. But there was one thing which she discovered almost immediately and with no less surprise: to wit, that the Duchess's kiss was wr\rm and motherly. Not that she remembered such a kiss from her mother's lips, but it had the quality which she instinc- tively associated with motherliness. The kiss was given while the waiter was handing round the black coffee; so disconcerting Allegra that she forgot to take sugar, and so dulcifying her tliUt she forgot to notice its absence. All her dislike for the prejudiced patrician melted in this sudden sense of a kind stout lady. And now that she al- owed herself to be seduced to Eosmere, she found that an undii'current had all al )ng been flowing in that direc- tion, towards this larger unknown life, even towards the shy Duke, and the interesting if unbeautiful Minnie. The Duchess herself had always had the attraction of re- pulsion. Now slie appeared a more desirable protectress than Mrs. Marshmont, even as, despite Fizzy's delicate absence, the Devonshire house seemed less habitable than Rosmerc. Mr. Broser's reverential discipleship had sug- gested how she could be replaced as amanuensis. Re- placed ? Nay, her father for the first time would find at his elbow a spirit of fire and love! Broser would even serve as an antidote t o her mother ! 128 I proposals. loavin's ?" legra, her e Duchess . not mind habit of Y hogiux to one thing 1 Avith no was wnrm , kiss from he instine- was given coffee; so i;ar, and so ence. All Bd in this hat she al- •ound that that direc- )wards the il Minnie, tion of re- protectress 's delicate table than p had sng- snsis. Re- uld find at i'ould even CHAPTER XIII FEUDALISM ^T Hazelhurst-the rural suburb of her father's con- stituencj-where the Marshmonts had an ols, Allegra had given castle was pelessness, itive scali- .'r be part- . the hum- iled in its \'orld on a apparent, d of cling- lon and is FEUDALISM "How differently I should have addressed Aunt Em- ma/ wrote Allegra " if, instead of her tapping me on he ulr of Ro"' '^^^nP-^t-te through all ^th is pubic rumor of Ro.-uere, all these sacred privacies of moor and forest, and deer-dappled vistas of Park, and avenues of foo men before I could get a worshipful glin.pL oTher ust as I had to pass through scarlet soldiers a^nd sole nn beef-eaters and courtiers in fancy dress, and shiver t a carnage, and be kept dangling in a ball-room, before I cou d kiss the Queen's hand. What you find w'rapped np in so many papers viust be precious. No wonder the Duchess behaves as she does. She carries Rosmere w th her when she goes abroad, and forgets we are not all of her parish. And yet I dare say her title dazdes many into stomaching her rudeness. Burns says: •The rank is but the guinea stamp. The man's the gowd for a' that.' But often the rank seems to me more like the stamp on a bank-note ^vd^ch depends for its value entirely on the stamp. Is the Duchess stamped gold or stamped paper « At present I put her down as silver, but as I began b^ thinking her copper, or rather brass, her intrinsic value may rise further. All the same she imposes herself by dint of her stamp, not of her essence." ^ When she avowed to the inquiring ^finnie the secret of her frequent withdrawals to the solitude of her room Minnie said with an indignant air that she was a spy h enemy's country. ^-^ secre^r Yon^i{l'^"'^^?.?*".t^^ "^ '^^ «"^^k« "^ vited me." ' ''^' ^ '""^^ ^^ ^^^^^ .^^^ "^- to ll7J' ' «P.v,'; Minnie persisted, " and as such liable father'" ^^^'''''"^ '^ ^'"^ S° ""^ «^^^^ ^he birds with Allegra laughed The Duke's plebeian awkwardness with his gun brought him many a scolding from his head lol THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH m:\ It' keeper, and was one of the bitters in the Duchess's am- brosial cup. While Allegra was laughing, it occurred to her that Minnie had been joking all along, for she had not yet discovered anything in life which Minnie seemed to takt as earnestly as she herself took everything ; unless it was making little sketches of scenery and people: an occupation for which Allegra in her present phase had a Puritan contempt. At any rate she felt Minnie would have done better to minister to a great male painter than to express her own feeble femininity on canvas. Another cause that threw her back on herself she did not confess even to Minnie. It was an experience that, but for her knoAvledge of her father and ]\[r. Broser, might have shaken her faith in masculinity. " The heirs " — served without their shells — not attracting her, she con- fined her conversation largely to the elderly personages of distinction who passed through the house, and from whom she gleaned much instruction, particularly when they were foreigners. But the more fascinatingly in- structive they were, the more they seemed to fall into the flippancies of flirtation. It was very surprising to Alle- gra, this Dulsie-like levity of the learned and the famous, with names on " the Scroll " ; still more surprising when she had glimpses of deeper designs than flirtation, as when the old Admiral of Arctic renown, whose i)retty young wife was the magnet of " the heirs," began to pour out his passion for her among the orchids. Startled as Alle- gra was to find a breezy seaman, whom she associated un- consciously with white glaciers, expressing himself tropi- cally in a conservatory, a deeper amaze forced from her lips the cry: " But you are married !" " Don't be so morbid, my dear 1" said the ruddy-faced old hero. He attempted to kiss her, but she fled out of the glass-house as if its air was stifling her. Thus was another veil of happy illusion removed from the girl's eyes, and a new and " morbid " world opened to her. What! Marriage neither prevented men from 132 hess's am- ccurred to •r she had lie seemed ng; unless :)eople: an lase had a nie would inter than If she did lence that, >ser, might heirs " — ', she con- personages and from arly when tingly in- 11 into the ig to Alle- le famous, sing when Q, as when tty young I pour out id as Alle- viated un- self tropi- from her iddy-faced out of the oved from opened to nen from FEUDALISM making love, nor was the aim of their love-making. One could not be safe even with the married! Tossed be- tween bachelors who wanted to wed, and husbands who did not, a girl might well take on the look of a hunted creature. And what Protean shapes this love could as- sume—an orchid itself surely, now poetic, now fantastic now grotesque! To evade the men's conversation alto^ gether, Allegra often played to them after dinner in the ast Louis beize drawing-room— so gracious to her eve after the rococo of home-and as she had many pieces at her fingers ends, she dodge^^ even the masculine turning oyer of the music. By day shooting and, later, huntin? rid her of the sex, so that after passionate arguments against both amusements, she had come to see their value When the ladies were invited to join the men at the bill- iard-table in a harmless game of '^ shell-out," Alleffra would slip up to her room and her Report. But to the Duchess, Allegra made no report of any kind. She did not like to tell her Grace-so beamingly perva- sive a fairy godmother-that some of her guests could not be trusted beyond her nose. She wished that similar things would happen to Minnie, so that the offenders might be expelled, but either Minnie was respected by all, or she was as reticent as Allegra. j , ^ i^ The Duke himself, though ho was very affectionate in his manner, never went beyond liolding her hand or pat- ting It, as at Lady Ruston's, and it was pleasant to walk with him m the sculpture-gallery or sit with him in his great solemn library with the frescoed ceilings, and calf and morocco walls, and turn over his vast collection of en- gravings of the Old Masters, and r.-alize with sudden com- placency that here she was at the very heart of hearts of this wonderful historic Rosmere. And in such moments a sense ot some greatness, that was and yet was not the pock- marked kindly old man, some real golden bullion in His- tory s vaults to justify this duoal bank-note, mingled dim- ly and as ,f apologetically with her irrepressible snobbish- i;3U < M |i| ■i I' J'J |i ! "ih -i IHB' THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ness. After the belch and whir of ]\Iidstoke,Rosmere with its great tradition, its treasure of an and memories, seem- ed the protest of the human soul against the rawness of life, an expression of its own essential dignity. Thus, and no otherwise, should the human spirit be housed. She felt herself equal tc this shell. But in the Report such consid- erations were dismissed as the " soporific sophistry of possession." Kemembering that the Duke too was literary, she hunt- ed secretly in the catalogue for his works, but could not find them, and was driven to ask for them. He ex- plained deprecatingly that he had only published one of them as yet, and at her instance he produced it shy- ly. It was a slim elegant folio, called Orvleto, con- sisting largely of elaborate colored illustrations. He ex- plained the title was the name of a town, not far from Rome, which contained some of the earliest monuments of Italian art. These and the Etruscaii antiquities had so interested him, when he was making the Grand Tour with his tutor, that he had set to work to write a mono- graph on the town, which he believed had helped to direct attention to it. He showed her in the Preface his gi'ate- ful acknowledgments to the tutor. " Is that architecture ?" cried Allegra, catching sight of the gorgeous frontispiece — a many-colored reproduction of a cathedral facade. '' It looks like a page of an illumi- nated missal." " That's exactly what I say it is — in stone," said the Duke, pointing, enchanted, to the text. " These quaint Biblical scenes are bas-reliefs." " How young God is in the Garden of Eden !" she said. " Ir most of your other Italian engravings He is an old man. But I suppose it is just as defensible to figure Him as a young man. How I should love to go to Italy and see all these wonderful things!" " Perhaps I shall take you some day," said the Duke, and Allegra wondered why he sighed. In the interim she 134 i FETJDALISM lere with ies, seem- iwness of lius, and She felt ill consid- bistry of she hunt- 30uld not He ex- anblished 3d it sliy- eto, con- He ex- far frora snuments ities had md Tour a mono- to direct tiis grate- ing sight roduction n illumi- said the 50 quaint she said, is an old to figure ) to Italy he Duke, terim she devoured his book at a gulp, and expressed to him her pleasure at the meal: whereupon he presented her with a copy, inscribed " To the Dear Eeader." It seemed almost too expensive a present— a sort of reduced edition ot Kosmere— and Aliegra considered remorsefully if she had seemed to tout for it, as for Fitzwinter's mare. His next book seemed, however, both a safe and a pleasing topic, and she wormed out of him that it would bo called Fu-c French Catliedrah, but that he would not publish till he had revised his early impressions bv another visit Owing to the Ducliess's reluctance to cross the Channel, he could not fix the date of publication. He spoke of the actual publication of the work as if that were the least part; he trampled magnificently upon the Cornucopian traditions, and Aliegra had a vision of publishers' doors flying open at the talismanic passAvord: "Eosmere!" Allegra's first impression of him as a soul mufiled pvotect- ively in a great beard persisted— it seemed a shrinking, beautiful soul ; and if she could not share the Duchess's vision of his physical beauty, she made no secret of her admiration of his spiritual gifts. "Didn't I tell you he was an encycloptrdia ?" cried the Duchess, enraptured. And so handsome, too ! Like an encycloptcdia in a beau- tiful bindin' ! Don't you think his beard becomes him ? He set the fashion in beards. ^S^obody wore a beard before the Crimean war — except a few dowagers. I al- ways tell Minnie how grateful she ought to be for having had two chances of beautv." It still appeared to Aliegra that she had taken neither having at most a curious subtlety of expression that neu- tralized the indistinction of her somewhat overgrown figure, but in the face of the Duchess's extraordinary convection she doubted her own senses. Politics was the only topic of conversation on which she was sure the Duch- ess was wrong, the truth here being so simple and ob- vious. ' When the Novabarbese trouble came to what The Times 135 ■ M i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH called a climax, and the British Lion roared for blood, Allegra shocked the breakfast table by retailing Mr. Will- iam Fitzwinter's revelations. It was as if a number of the dreadful Morning Mirror had been served up instead of 2'he Times. Allegra barely saved the situation by mentioning that, according to a letter from Joan, her father had gone up hurriedly from Devonshire to London, to attend a specially summoned Cabinet Council. This titbit of news not being in The Times yet, was savored and turned over and over on every tongue, and so Alleo-ra was forgotten, if not forgiven. For although Britain allows of two sides in politics in time of peace, in war- time there are only patriots and traitors. And before she left Eosmere her loose principles and Deldonian quotations shocked the County at the Bachelors' Ball. Young squires, who had incautiously taken two waltzes on the strength of her appearance, knocked breath- less by her earnest conversation, returned for their second round with apprehension. ''Don't you think we're all as bad as Nero — fiddling like this?'' she asked one — to which he replied vacuously : " But we're not fiddling — it's the band." And her supper partner, to her plaintive cry (drowned by the popping of champagne corks), " We ought not to be feasting, when so many are starving," replied reassuringly : " Don't you hurry — let 'em forage for themselves. Besides, there's a little table quite empty in that corner." The Duke had a way of evading politics ; he simply ex- isted ducally and said nothing. Sometimes he sat on the Bench, and sometimes he rode over his broad lands with Minnie or a bailiif ; and sometimes he retired to the stables to smoke, the Duchess not having yet tolerated cigars in the house, and even shooting-jackets being forbidden at the breakfast table. Indeed, it was soon borne in on Alle- gra that it was the Duchess who wore the peer's robes. Allegra heard her consult her husband about something and she never forgot the gentle pathetic humor of the 136 for blood, Mr. Will- lumber of ip instead uation by Joan, her London, 3il. This is savored !0 AUegra 1 Britain i, in war- iples and Bachelors' aken two >d breath- iir second we're all 1 one — to iddling — plaintive :s), " We tarving," m forage ite empty mply ex- at on the nds with le stables cigars in idden at on Alle- [•'s robes. ')mething r of the FEUDALISM ^ T^u HW'" ^^" "'^' "^ ''''' ^^^ ^-- ^- _ Though the internal life of Rosmere really went verv simply, visitors getting the plainest of breakfasts and lunches, and the hostess inspecting the kitchen with the regular irregularity of a canny housewife, and even intruding on the butler's brew-house, yet the Duchess saw to It that the magnificent traditions of Rosmere did not get moth-eaten. It was the Duchess— though the Duke was beside her-who drove to the local races in a chariot drawn by six superb horses, with a dozen tall outriders m powdered curls and cocked hats ; the Duchess who open- ed flower anu vegetable shows, and distributed the prizes; the Duchess who kept up the mediaeval custom-dating ±rom the days when Rosmere was an Abbey— of passin? a loaf of bread through the postern-gate to every mendf: cant, and who rewarded by a blue swallow-tail with brass buttons the oldest parishioner who had brought up the largest family without parish relief; the Duchess who ex- acted some quaint annual tribute of eggs or farthings from every parishioner in sign of feudal homage, and duly di^ tributed the potatoes for which an ancestor had purchased a right of way from the village; the Duchess who rever fM« » '/ pagan wife reverenced her husband's gods- end mT. r^ '^I '\' '^^'' ^"^^^^^^'^ ^^^^<>«^ hatchments and memorials made of the village church a shrine of the Dalesbury blood, rather than of tlie blood of Redemption What wonder If the story goes that when the parson, Tn nie, said. O Lord, save this woman Thy servant," the Clerk ^^responded: MVho putteth her Grace's trust in As for the parson's wife, her only chance was when the Duchess went to her other seats or to town. Bu ?here Zi f.'e!\l^: Ltt-r The Duchess hadtlrtd; I,-;.;-* i"x" :r ^^huulgirls must do their hair, and the limits of feethers and ribbon, so that the clerical lady 137 -^ h- > THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH could only taste the sweets of emp're by pouncing iipon culprits who had divagated from the sumptuary laws of Rome. Not that it was her desire to strike out for herself ; her whole deportment was modelled on the Duch- ess's ; her voice, originally sweet and caressing, imcon- sciously imitated the harsh note of the Duchess's; and instead of growing like her husband, as is the wont of a dutiful wife, she became more and more a duplicate of the Duchess. This grandmotherly government — " by three old wom- en, including the clergyman," as Lady Minnie irreverent- ly describee^ it to he* astonished cousin — formed the ground-work of Allegra's Keport. " There are two dis- eases in especial against which the peasant has to be pro- tected — Small-pox and Dissent, and the latter is the more dangerous. It is the beginning of Independence. If you dare to differ from the Established Cliurch, you might slide into disrespect of the Established Order. Gwenny was right : the Devil lays his traps subtly. To counteract the Devil, the Dissenter is deprived of doles in aid. As Minnie puts it somewhat profanely, the Dissenter gets no blankets in this world, and is warned he will need none in the next! I spoke to one named William Curve who had been preaching in a barn, and he admitted that in- tolerance was all they had to comi)lain of here, and tliat the rule of the Duke is really a beneficent autocracy — that the Duke has made good roads and erected way-side fountains, but that in some villages to which he tramps on his preach- ing tours — and he has tramped ten thousand miles for Christ's sake he tells me — the condition of the peasants is nearly as bad as in France before the Revolution. Bar- ley - meal - dumplings are a staple dish. Very often they live on kettle-broth (bread soaked in hot water) and tea made with burnt crusts, and even for this bread — with the four-pound loaf at tenpence — they often cannot pay till harvest bounty. lie himself had slaved on a farm from four in the morning till ten at night without tasting 13S r a V P b FEUDALISM luicon- that was a Christinas dream. Even if after years and .years you scrape together enough to buy a patch of ground or a httle cottage, nobody will sell it to you. A^d the ivj-clad cottages with climbing roses that poets rave about —alas! I have done it myself, though I am not a poet- are according to my friend William Curve, often simply centres of pestilence, physical and moral. He told me that hirteen people sometimes slept in one small room, and that there was a mort (he meant a heap-to listen to him was like hearing mother read Shakspere) of abomi- nations not fit for a young lady's ears. This, like ' wait till you re older,' is one of the expressions that annoy me so terribly. As if I did not need to know everything. Vh^L? f' ''^^'^,^'% a"y greater abomination than thirteen people in one bedroom. I know how it frets me eve.i to share my room with Mabel, and how satisfying IS the sense of privacy in the bedroom in which I am vriting now. I told Minnie about it, and asked her to join me m forming an organization to right the peas- an s wrongs but all she answered was: ' It is certainly unlucky for thirteen people to sleep in a room.' It will certainly be unlucky for these aristocrats-they will get themselves pillotined-that is what will be the end of it Tl ;. if ^^^ i'"' ^^^^''^ peasants had more manhood, ihey bow and smirk and swallow insults and Charity MinnTe!" ^'^ "'" '^'^ ^"^^^ Tories than .r.^^^M^lf Minnie's character continued to baffle Alle- mother she could never have analyzed her to Minnie as candidly as Minnie analyzed her Grace. Perhaps t was becatise Allegra had even now not shaken off the purely physical fascination of her mother's fadeles^ " The trouble with mother is that she takes herself and 139 > ; .■ ■/ » THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH her position so seriously," said Minnie, as she copied in pencil the eng-rnviiig of " Mona Lisa " I'rom one of the Duke's portfolios. "' She sees herself exactly as the vil- lage sees her. Whereas we should pray for perspective — not to see ourselves as ithera see us." " You are very clever," said Allcgra reflectively. " I wish mother could hear you say that. She would think even more highly of you than she does." " Does she think highly of me ?" inquired Allegra in pleased surprise. '' Aren't you her niece ? Whatever is hers she thinks highly of — her husband and her daughter, her niece and her brother, her house and her park, yea oven her Church and her God. She feels she lives the best life, and her last breath will boast that she is dying the best death, and express her assurance of the best life to fome." " But that's a very enviable frame of mind," said Alle- gra, smiling. " And some mothers might be the better for thinking less meanlv of all that is theirs." " Yes, if she kept her appreciation for home consump- tion ; if she wasn't such a babbler." " Well, everybody makes allowancie for a mother's eye." *' A mother's / you mean — with a large capital. It's just an extension of egotism. She actually imagines I think as she does, that I am just an overflow of her per- sonality. I've long given up the attempt to persuade her that I have a will of my own. At first I used to argue — but I soon made the discovery that it was more profitable to contradict her with my brain than with my tongue. What a blessing we have got a secret Council Chamber behind our foreheads that nobody can penetrate!" And she sketched in Mona Lisa's unfathomable smile. Allegra smiled her sweet transparent smile : " I've often wondered what lay behind the foreheads in your ancestral portrait-gallery. If the painters could only have paint- ed that!" " If they could onlv have painted the foreheads !" said 140 I I copied in le of the s the vil- ;rspective he would llegra in le thinks lieee and r Church and her eath, and aid Alle- he better conaump- jr's eye." tal. It's lagines I her per- uade her argue — profitable ' tongue. Chamber smile. !'ve often ancestral ve paint- is!" said FEUDALISM Minnie. "Why our gallery is as bad as the Royal Academy m London." "^ 'i ^°!1^"^^* to paint the present generation, then." Mother wouldn't endure my doing any real work. I wanted to live m Rome and study. B^t she said the Dalesburys don't paint, they are painted. That is her Idea of aristocracy— to be a model, not an artist." i^.; fwT-"^ uf^""* "^y ^^«*''^r Tom has similar Ideas, that it is nobler to be a butcher than a statesman. :N ever forget Alligator,' she said to me the otlior after- noon, when I drove out with her to distribute the bottleg of tf^lX'^^iJT^ '-- f-get that you belong "Yes, I know. She talks like an Anglo-Israelite. But el '?es r" Ptras^when you think of all the pros- " Proselytes ?" «w!L®.W^^P^!r'-\°'? ^"■^'^^"^ '^^° ^a^e become touched mth the true faith in escutcheons and family portraits, and whose blood, I presume, turns blue-a sort of sacred mystery. " You must have a drop of father's blood," cried Alle- gra excitedly. ' Mona Lisa's smile became more mysterious than ever under Minnie's skilful touch. " I only trust mother didn't make you drink the tar- water, she replied evasively. _ "I— I did take a glass," Allegra confessed with an involuntary shudder. "There! That's mother all over. Because it does her fow it^"" ' '* does— everybody else must swal- A more amusing instance of the Duchess's "extension ot egotism _ was forced upon Allegra's observation the very n^xt time she accompanied her hostess on a mat.rf- srchal round. At lunch there had been talk of the by- 141 11 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH election that was temporarily deposinpj tho Novabarbese crisis, and in which the Radical candidate was a blind man. Despite iiis abhorrent opinions, tlie Duchess ad- mired his pluck, and comin«^ upon an old blind carrier who complained that his master hnd withdrawn him from the road, " though many's the moonless ni^ht I've druv 'twixt here and Midstoke, before 'he Lord blindfolded me," she was moved to tell him about the blind politician. " I like to see people of spirit," she said, as he stood bent with age, affliction, and reverence in the doorway of his step-daughter's thatched cottage. " Spirit is what I have tried most to cultivate in the parish. You know there is a blind gentleman — a man of university breed- in' — who wishes to go into Parliament." " Is there, yer Grace ?" he said apathetically. " Yes— isn't it splendid ?" " Ess, yer Grace." " And isn't it wonderful that in all ranks of life the Al- mighty should send the same affliction ?" " Ess, yer Grace." He shuffled his aged limbs. " The same misfortune might happen even to me !" " Nay, nay, yer Grace, I'll never live to see that." And he shook his gray head incredulously. ** Well, I don't suppose it will. But all the same, isn't it a comfort to you to think that your betters have to suf- fer in the same way as you ?" " Ess, yer Grace." And his sightless eyes roved hope- lessly up and down the landscape they had so long pos- sessed. " And must it not be a comfort to us all. Alligator, to see that in all ranks of life people meet fate with forti- tude ?" " Certainly, aunt." " And so, my poor fellow, they won't allow you to drive a wagon because you might smash it up !" " But I could blow my horn, yer Grace, and the old 'osg knows every — " 142 ' I r s r ivabarbcso 3 a blind ichess ad- id carrier him from I've druv indfoldod politician, he stood doorway t is what foil know ity breed- fe the Al- 3. me!" It." And ime, isn't i^e to suf- /ed hope- long pos- igator, to ith forti- i to drive e old 'osg FEUDALISM "But they would allow the blind gentleman to guide the^ country. It's perfectly shameful." " That's what I told master, vcr Grace." "But then all the Kadicals^are blind, so he wouldn't stand out. " Xoa, yer f race." At dinner, U a> aiidio)-ce of peers and plenipotentiaries, Allegra heard il ., Du.aess narrate the episode. "We have a poor blind agoner in the village. He takes great interest in the career of the Radic:,! candidate-it is touch- in to see how misfortunes knit the world together, and he said how wonderful were the ways of Providence in ex- emptin no class from the burden of alHiction, and thus practically equalizin' all ranks. Eut he argued, and not unna urally to my thinkin', that if a blind man was al- owed to guide the country, why should he not be permit- ted to drive las wagon ?" This was one of the Duchess's methods of self-delusion, Allegra perceived: first to suggest appropriate sentiments to other persons, and then to believe that the other persons had originated them. The poor Duke's anxiety to become Mayor of King's Paddock (an ancient borough half-way betwixt Kosmere and Alidstoke) Allegra now saw was entirely invented bv the Duchess, who had one day confided to her how this noble patriot, finding the old Rosinere influence imperilled bythe Eadical brimstone belching forthfroni Midstoke,had resolved to sav,. the town by heroic measures. Being cut off by his rank Irom representing King's Paddock in Parlia- ment, he had taken steps to become its mayor. There was bathos,of course in thisdescent tocivic heights,but the mob must be kept back at any cost. The Duchess sighed as she said she hoped that when the Tory Party did come back to power they would not forget to give the Duke the Garter. Why, what is the Garter, Aunt Emma ?" The Duchess stared. " You little savage ! Wherever havo^you been brought up ?" 143 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH Allegra blushed. " Oh yes, I remember. Honi soit qui mal y pense." But she merely pictured the Duke with something in gold round one stocking and she won- dered why its possession should gratify the owner of Ros- mere. Even when, to guard against any return of the Duchess to the subject, she had studied the whole glitter- ing panoply of collars and plumes from a book in the library, the thought remained with her that the Garter had been invented to give Dukes something to desire. Honi soit the Duke 1 she won- ler of Ros- irn of the ole glitter- )ok in the :he Garter esire. CHAPTER XIV HOME NEWS AND i OREIGN ^LL this while The Manor House, Devon, and Ros- mere had been exchanging friendly shots. These tZ' Ifll T'? ^^^^^^g«d mainly betwixt Allegra and il. ' ? A?r^^ l^'^^^y. '" feminine trivialities and the relays of Allegra's wardrobe. Remembering the weight of her father's post-bag, Alle- gra modestly refrained from adding to it She inter- changed loving messages with him through Joan. Be- recoWed' 7^Th.^"' '^''' ^'^"'-^ ^T" ^'^- Meantime she llZZt -1 '"^'"°' '"^'^^ '^^^"^ rapturous report anent the rival mansion. ^ "The Manor House is wonderful, an old, old house with the newest comforts and an Italian garden and an English wilderness laid out by Brunei. Sitting in the great hall you see right out through the domed con- servatory and palm -house on to the blue sea dotted with white sajls TJie grand staircase is in oak and is lighted by a beautiful Gothic window, and there are early English mantel-pieces in the hall and principal rooms, and quaint tapestries in the music-room-all with an immemorial flavor, not patched in from somewhere else— and the draw- ing-room IS panelled with oil-paintings by foreign masters and Mabe says they are really good, especially those over the mantel-pieces I am no judge of that, but I am sure the stables (which you get to through a stone archway) are first class and the kennels superb. But what seemed most unique were the piggeries and phcasantries." Here Joan waxed minutely enthusiastic. "Dear old Joan" 145 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ,/i U. I thought Allegra, with a complex contempt for Joan's pagan enjoyment of grandeurs which were really second- rate. " She's only seen our little place at llazelhurst, so The Manor House seems Aladdin's Palace. I am glad Aladdin is not there. She might be tempted to do some- thing desperate. I don't suppose Minnie would think much of those paintings." And she felt an art-critic her- self, uplifted on Minnie's scorn. From Dulsie there came only one communication, the handwriting exactly like Mabel's, but revealing itself as Dulsie's — the moment the envelope was torn open — by the absence of italics and the abundance of dashes and brack- ets. " I like Devon — an earthly Paradise — surely the rich red earth from which Adam was made. (Adam means 'red earth' a Jewish adorer once told me.) I wish I knew the secret of the manufacture — but it's a lost art, like Henri Deux pottery-ware — so I shall never possess my ideal adorer. There is a cat here, named * Larrups ' (which is Devon for ' ragged,' I learnt from a local young squire.) He is the pet of Mr. Fitzwinter's housekeeper and a maid told me yesterday she liked his character, be- cause he wasn't ' so English as some.' You see the Devo- nians regard themselves as far above Englishmen: — your Duchess may have the strawberry leaves but we have the cream of the cream — I'll tell the Family Skeleton to post you me (though she says my love for it is * idolatrous '). Silly old Skeleton!" ^' Silly old Dulsie !" Allegra thought. " Will she never think of anything but being adored? Why doesn't she try to think of men seriously, of being a man's helpmate?" Turning the page accidentally, she found a postscript. ** Since writing the above there has been a deadly set-to between motlar and the housekeeper over this very ' Larrups ' and mother's rat. At first the house- keeper promised to keep her feline pet in the kitchen, except at nights — but it got into the drawing-room and 146 I i a t r a for Joan's lly second- lazelhurst, I arn glad do some- mid think -critic her- iation, the 5 itself as in — by the md brack- y the rich am means I wish I 1 lost art, er possess Larrups ' ical young usekeeper racter, be- the Devo- sn : — ^your have the )n to post atrous '). she never T doesn't a man's be found has been Bper over he house- kitchen> oom and HOME NEWS AND FOREIGN J^.Ji^^:^~r:r^\;- ^t it-' f^^^- our fine rZ^:!Xrt:^'^r''^'^ ^^t^ ^^•^' telegrams. Mother wn« X ^ ^^'^ "''^''^ ^^'^^^ the on ?he nail-?a 1 ;^a ,1 [.r "^ up and going home soothe hcr-she called iimir^- '""'^"^'^ ^""^^ "«* ed us in nnit! Qi^ 1 ^Jar-jor-i-mont and order- bloorstaLT^Lf'f/^S\f^--S-e to ^shake tho Balmoral boots-buf Tni. \^T ^^""'"^ ^^ ^"^ washing hadn't con e w/'^f^ °"* 'Y' '^'^ ^^'^^^'s wqit iL fi . T ^^^^ .yet— so mother agreed to tliat cats shouid be crvertlT f T ''•"'•'■''' "'^ " »"' " fondne. for r ..„:.hrret'Lx:" d-sr'/s-^^'"- .ra Lt:;' ""l^VTIii-'f r' 4;,''" '.''"^'■' ■^•"'■ crisis, with Endamr, f t„ \ ■""'■'^''^ °* " P"""™! oo„ld'keep hi, ifead eoo' "' "'"*' °" ^^■'"■*" *"*'=■• Joan" Ttri^Z T^tlel'" ''"^ ""' '"'^ «»' f™™ Council. They ha. «Un , ™'""'ons to a Cabinet Sri^:r?^?'^"'^™Ss]^ri:f^r; ■fortablc. ' ''°''''' *"' '"-^keeper had made them eZ" ifsle^'rdtTvnot'kcrarr '"''' .""S^''^' " ^es- «t mother's Xlrat tT ™r''™'! ,"""'<' « 'P^ng other!" Here Mlowed T "^ •'' ""'? didn't kill each the episode skiDnin,^„nt > °" ' superfluous account of " Isn't it disS "5 b ^ °™ P"" »' '''"' "^ »""^*»"5. from png-dlSf'to hfsbtdsTT^nrpt" C/b' ?"""'' a husband soon, having rejected tK T j ," ""^P^g to keep you. Bvthe?wflf P„f '?'''"'f ''''"' ^''^d miss yon mueb. Tor l|,;Yd w™ "?>«" «« - almost as full as t:^,^^ ^i ^ T^^ THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH J ? i i genes .-eminds me to tell you of the new ' home secretary ' ftther picked up and installed here— a Mr. Broser, who has brought about the impossible, for he has made us all wish the Honorable Andrew had not taken a back seat. Kot that he doesn't try to be entertaining, for he IS full of quips and cranks, but, as Dulsie says, we now realize the difference between the Honorable Andrew and a Merry Andrew. Besides our gentle kinsman (if father's nephew's brother-in-law can be called a kinsman) has no consort, whereas Mr. Broser means likewise Mrs. Broser, a lady who seems to have sprung from a beastly rich Midstoke family with iron-works and things, but to be pathetically aware that she's not in it with us for breeding.. This at least gives her better manners than her lord and master, who cer- tainly fancies himself the fine ge: 'leman. Poor little Avoman ! I never knew any one we such a large crino- line and yet take up so little room. You almost forgive her for dressing like a housemaid on her Sunday out. Her reading seems to comprise only a few novels and ser- mons—Jim, who can hardly bring himself to be civil to the man, declares her husband hasn't read as much, but I must admit the male Broser is very smart in catching up things and of course he can see a joke, whereas Mrs. B. just gawks ai you blankly with her watery ])lue eyes. But, as Dulsie says, it's no use casting pearls before pig- iron. Mr. Broser is fearfully polite to all of us girls, but Dulsie from the depths of her experience of mankind says that this is only French polish, concealing a stern contempt for our sex. Certainly he has a right tc ^ •<' ^jinion, judg- ing by Mrs. Broser, who simply makci m\.. '? a door-mat for him, though I am sure she brought Iii;r u .;onsiderable dowry. ^ We all told father he ought to get a young man from his Department or somebody of position, instead of this ignorauius, some younger Wn, like Lord Arthur Pangthorne, who says he'd be awfully glad of the chance of a career. He was here the other day— it scoma he met 148 secretary ' roser, who made us m a back iig, for he Isie says, Honorable ur gentle i^ can be r. Broser seems to nily with ware that east gives who cer- oor little rge crino- ?t forgive iday out. 3 and ser- e civil to iiuch, but catching reas Mrs. >lue eyes, ifore pig- girls, but dnd says contempt on, judg- door-mat siderable ung man istead of Arthur e chance s he met HOME NEWS AND FOEEIGN ItLT-'y''" "' <^-t"<'se, „„d hia people live „e„ have her make herself thn t '^°"''"'^*- Would you" If she makes' L" fdo^r fo"' t°"^^' ^"^^ ^^^^^^ niakes himself a door mat Wf ^?' ^""' ^'^^member he do honor to the devotees j Z f 'u ^°*'^ ^^^^^ions Broser's personallquaintan^P !%"?* '^' P^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^r. and although the^Xrlnows I^Je^of v' '^^^^^^"^' destined to do ffreatthino.= fT^!; °^ ^^m yet, he is and build upThe nte^i' "'^'^^^^ Your self-conscou "ess of Zr '°"'A°^ '^'' ^'''-'''' to. me to hold more :Sg itftLntrs T'"^'"^"^ scousness of her bad breeding If ,'« . ?'"'''' '^"■ meditate marrying piggeries ?nd nl """"K^-"' ^'^" ^^^^^ at her devotion to a hu?S 1 P'^^asantnes to sneer but the honor of being^^^^^wl^^ tIT '^" "^^ "°^^""^ ello were not polishJ aZfhJ'^^T'''^^^^^^^^^- that divine Mr Oarlvip n^lK ^.^ -1"'^ ^^^^ reading in top-boots. Yei tho e Ion bnnrU'r^^^^f ^ ^"^ ^^« "^"ddy pomaded caval Lrs. ' fced O ^'^ '" ^^^ ^"^^^^ ^^^d way^' The Sham Bert illft^l^Zntl! ^^^^ '''''' Joan did not answer thi^ TuJ \ >vorid. Manor Ho„3e was fl,erb?SjtVe:f,i;:r ''°'" ^"^ and I never dreamed! IZrlZSu "", "" ^'^'^"''"' Evervhodv is delinhhd 1 P"""; /"it'e me he «aa after. and joan^vlLtyflf ™IT or- ^"'° iT ""'""g. know yet; he went un7oTn !■ °^ ^^^ Either doesn't graphs th 3 ^ZZZ^L -^ ^°"'""' ""<' "™- '"!«- remain in to,™ till plnf ""''! '' '° t™Wesome he uill Brosershave^ie " tokoen'h" """'' '" *" """■■«^°» has its compeL,i„?3, von :L '"' EmT/ ^T^ ^""."^ >8 satisfied, father w 11 ' ;'! ; j ^ .f P<'?',''s mother would join that chit of aTan"n obierti ^. t^ ''" ''"' 149 oDjecting to a younger il THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH son, but Dulsi • declares mother is jealous of us all and will only be glad when she is left alone uith fat hoi and her rat. This is a hint for you to hurry up — mother told Gwennv she expected any momxat to bear of your engage- ment to a belted oarl. I wish to g rdnes.s iVrtliur was an carl. It is terribJ'^, this law of prii.!ogcniture. I never realized befor- the injustice of it. Eclipse first, and the rest nowhere. Mr. Broser was saying once at table that ir .ver he gets into Parliament, he will sweep away the whole system. I laughed at him then, but now I see he was right. Arthur, too, would like to get into Parlia- ment, because then he says the Whip, will give him some post and we can marry on it. Artiiiir's people are all Tories of course, but he thinks it best to go in as a Radical, because father's a Radical and the Tories are all out of it, just now. Tie says he expects poor people will like to be represented by a lord. Joan, who is as nasty as she can well be, tries to dishearten us by saying she's certain father's already pledged all his influence to Mr. Broser, but surely they need not clash." Clash? Allegra paused to laugh sardonically to her- self. Clash? This jejune lordling and that Viking of the platform! She pictured a Midstoke steam-hammer clashing with a china doll. And then the impudence of the poppet's Radicalism. No, no, my fine fellow, the People is not such a simpleton as you think ! She could hardly bear to read further in this foolish feminine epistle, — why was there no \V. P. B. in the ducal dining-room ? she thought — but she went through it dutifully to the ■ last foolish feminine line. " Write Xx- me at once and wish me happiness for he is a handst " And hasn't even told me who crum;li'ig up the letter disda. f»'^' happ« , 'i to mention Lord Art! -. . have been all in the dark. Maui ^*."n't realize that what bulks so largely in her mind dor.u'i exist at all in mine. . . . Oh, what feather-headed creatui"; .orneu are — they 150 hoy." .^ ., !" she thought, " If Joan hadn't ingthorne, I should ] I i: a A C ti th w ar tiy.\' US all and "atUoi and loth ;r told ur engage- iir was an 1 never t, and the table that away the LOW I see to Parlia- him some le are all I Radical, all out of will like dy as she 's certain :. Broser, y to her- I'^iking of i-hammer idence of How, the 5he could le epistle, ng-room ? y to the once and thought, m hadn't I should hat what in mine. ,re — they HOME NEWS AND FOREIGN before didn'tri'-trtn? ;rsrois7^;f;'-° just like women r.n ao„o« a "''^"^" ' Pi^^-'ii i 1 hat is -.ste, to be caught ip into'thr:;,:„t/:fTg;eI? the'DuSlCefTp'ted '"'^ ""^ '™''^»'*' ^"■««'»?" .0 fherewl-tthaV" '"^ ^'''"'™''' »" '■^'P^^ '--If ue^Zlto^neT^- "^ ''"^- ^ '"P'' "■-''» ™ bad " There is rather. But hut T ti,,-r,u •4.> yet." '^ -^ *^^"^ Its private just '^inlhirf V?"''^ '" ^"^-^^^ ^^ I^^^ throat, in thp ^ -^ ^'"•^Z '"^ "^"«t «i"k our private griefs m the degeneration of England" nursued tJ,n t^ ^u buttering her toast earpf„llv<r '" -? Runic stone ."' But Allegra gaz 1 at le Runic stones with h(>r eyes only: she was saying something " in her 'rain." She re- membered how ]\Iinnie, too, had discovered th-- advantages of this " secret council-chamber " which enabled her to contradict her mother peacefully, and the suggestion of heredity was startling. " Though we beat at our bars so wildlv, are we just 154 HOME NEWS AND FOREIGN the parent birds over again ?" thought Allegra. " Shall lloA I '"'^" '}"' ' discoveries ' whicJi the dead wtu^ sleep here have made i Or is it just the iivpocrisy of or common womanhoo. -to say things ' in one's brafn '>' At the lodge of Ethelstan Hall they found a wizened «uri;"*' r""r-^'^^ -hlskers^vho salutrtS lespecttuly and whose professional parchment faoo jntroduced him as Mr. Sadler, the lawyer. He valked beside the carriage as it went crunching along the e^avel drive. Soon an ascending path to th! ri.dft, with the " What's that ?" she asked. to I Calvary.!'*'"'* ^^P°''^''' ^^'""'' ^''"^ ^^«««- ^' ^^^^s "How curious ! Can we go up there ?" The lawyer hemmed. '> I don't know if there's room for the horses your Grace, and the grass is wet after thrdn'' We can do it, your Grace," said Tenby. The carriage backed and the horses turned, their hoofs falling muted on the thick coating of russet leaves th«f seemed a mournful symbol of more^hL ryea^rto^^ Tall neglected trees hugged one another with manifoTd skeleton arms, and the beautiful, keen, ^ le da^ sudden v changed into a dank gloom. On either side ri-y passed ni^ss-grown mouldering stone figures, chipreu aid w^ which they surmised were the Apostles. ^ ' "' anolnctf^ 1? '^f' ^^"' ^"^^^'" e^P^ained the lawyer and Sret'' " '^ ""^^^ ^^^"^ ^^^^^^ *^^ -^ 'els we:?;u^lnglot^^^^^^ ' ^'^^^'^ ''^ ^^^^^^tans ity'^AnfrP^kT' ^'''''- ^"^ converted to Christian- " But England threw off the yoke of the Scarlet Wom- an 156 sm I P-0 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " The Ethelstans kept the faith." '' They seem to have neglected everything else," said the Ducliess with asperity. " T never saw a place so ruined. *' What's that Inrkin' in the grass yonder ? The Virgin Mary, I dare say." '' No, your Grace ; that's a tomb. The Ethelstans had themselves buried here. We are approaching the chapel." " And do the Ethelstans expect me to buy their an- cestors ?" " No, your Grace,'' replied Mr. Sadler simply. " You may cart them away." " Cart them away !" screamed the Duchess. " Those are my instructions," he replied unmoved. " I asked young Mr. Etholstan just before he left for Paris, if he made a point of their retention, and he said, ' No; they can cart 'em away!' " " And that's your modern young man !" exclaimed the Duchess bitterly. " From immemorial ages, even before the Conquest, the family has lived here and died here. And now this young gentleman deserts the historic nest, and is off to Paris to drink absinthe on the boulevards with a demoiselle! And any bumpkin with money may play bowls with the bones of his ancestors! I hope you see the disgrace of it. Alligator." " I do indeed, aunt." And Allegra for once felt herself in sympathy wuth the Duchess. The carriage came to a forced stop at the chapel — a mildewed stone building, over the portal of which a dilapi- dated Christ hung on a moss-grown cross. There was an unhomely look about the Christ, forlorn and deserted in a world which had once been His. And yet as Allegra's eye turned from the beautiful horses, and the groom with his smart cockade, and the speckless coachman, and the shining equipage, and the gayly dressed Duchess, to that crumbling figure of re- proach, she wondered if perhi.j-s He had not been even more bitterly despised and reiocted of men in the hour isg" "You HOME NEWS AND FOREIGN and all its paean nomn WV,nf v lu "^^""^7 Kosmcre feell that thou hast and follow Me'" from ,1™ knee" ""■"""■' ""^ shopkeepers had risen " Ugh !" said the Duchess " Wlmf „ i , , , We won't go in there f I L.. X ^ '^"^^'P '^^^' P'«^«J ful." ^°P® *^® '^o"se is more cheer- " It's not been so long unused " 93 ul Mr. q„ n his prosaic simplicity ' "^^ ^^"^^^^ ^^^^^ Ind X wlJh Va^r ^" t^ ApostlerArl- to ll'^T"" '"^"^' • ^^^^"^^ ^-Stenton has gone up ;; Thank Heaven !" cried the Duchess. oitomentTnd^ll/""^ ^'T^' ^''^"^^^^' ^^^ '^^ ^^^ ^- pale ' "^'' ^°^"'^ ^"' '^'^''Sh she had turned ho7d?,o"u\i^c:;f^\;2 ^^" ^^"^ ^^^^*™ ^"* « ?i! ^"""^ "" telegram from headquarters." Jnen mj lather must have resiffned t" a^iA An growing whiter. • ^^^^s"^^ ' said Allegra, " What!" shrieked the Duchess. " "V 157 told you that ' ji /« 'H'J I -r THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " Nobody : my own heart. He objects to war ; he cannot possibly countenance — " " x^onsense — he will ruin himself. I never remember the country so unanimous." " Let him ruin himself. Christ said, ' Sell tliat lliou hast and follow me.' " " Yes, but not sell your country," put in Minnie quietly. "You, too, Minnie!" And Allegra burst into tears and ran up to her room and locked the door — like her mother. The last post brought a letter from Joan, who evidently had not yet heard the great news. " You don't deserve I should write, but this is to tell you not to write any more here. We are going home. Larrups has eaten mother's rat. * * * * * These asterisks are hysterics. The bloody halls of Devon &c. But I believe she is not sorry for an excuse to get back to father. A much more serious catastrophe — Mabel's engagement to a penniless, brainless boy — mother met with resignation. I expect she's as tickled at being mother-in-law to a lord, as Mabel is to become Lady Arthur. A nice Lady Arthur — without a farthing for a trousseau. Father confessed to me that his income had diminished almost in proportion as his family had in- creased. ' But you get a big salary from the Govern- ment, don't you V I asked. ' I don't know what we should do without it,' he said, instead of answering. So if the Tories ever come into power again, the look-out will be cheerful — with a pauper lord on our hands, too. Poor father! he really ougiit to have had a wife like me. I think I shall have to take our finances seriously in hand. Mother who seems disappointed at your failure to capture a coronet wants to know when you are coming home. Never, if I were you. Home, sweet Home. And now Mr. Brosor will be added 1 Heigh ho !" Allegra, her soul already resolved to shake otf Kosmere, 158 HOME NEWS AND FOREIGN stifle thfdTvin Jinp^L^^^^^^ ^-^^ -rfs revolvLg feJ^]Z:\::::i^^^^^^<^^r bod. The Duchess looked black-T/S TimS in Vef iand It s a 1 over uuth your father !» ''^''^• ^ Thank God .'"said Allegra. Actum est de Balbo," murmured the Duke " Noth mg, Emma-only a classical reminiscence." ^ '*^" Thp n'f' J '"' ""T' '^* "^« see the paper " in the Ministry has S tl^ u ^"°^"^^"g an extremist Always a tSn in tt si/Z'^'i ^" ''^'^''^ '^ P^^^^^^' Marshmont has done hrcol ' ^^l''""' ^^^^"^^' ^^• ing himself^ Her Aiatstv' S'' ' ^'''? ^^ ^^^*^^^^«^^- into war. On tlfe contra rv ',^r 'r^''^^^"' "°* ^"^^^d soberinhi cZmercJanLr^TV^f/ politician, so the forces of So"? Urhf n?"/ •' f '"^^ ^? miscalculate too much on our c^mm^-ci^lT /' ^'''"'' ^' ^^' ^^' ^ye other and more bSS/r ^"^^ ^P^^^nts to perceive the fabric of a naLn' 1 fe We '^^'' "^f^^ "P '^'' "^^^^ ing our pocke Afr m I ''^""''^ ^^^^'^^« ^e consider- a valua4lr nis?er in tt"\Tn "'"^^ ^°"^^^^^^ P^^^e TTnited Cabinet "m Ta. 'he !"""'. ''^^"*^"^ « nation." "^^ ="Ppori; of a unanimous 159 » i| f i ni THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH 'II " Don't cry, my fhild," said the Duke, perceiving the big round drops beginning to fall. " You'll spoil your pretty eyes." And he moved towards her and took her hand. " Let her cry," said the Duchess. " I could cry myself over Tom's silliness." Allegra raised a tear-stained face. " I am crying for joy," she said proudly. " Alligator's tears," murmured Minnie. " We cannot always be considering our pocket — that's the only true thing in what your wretched organ of the Classes says. But oh, how ironical to say it ! I must go home to my father now, Aunt Emma." " Tut, tut ! you're not the Prodigal Daughter, if he's the Prodigal Son." " Your father won't be at home, my dear," the Duke interposed. " He is going to address his constituents, the paper says. Though if I were he, I'd keep my thunder till Parliament meets." " He'll have plenty left for Parliament," said Allegra pugnaciously, as she withdrew her hand from the Duke's. " Do you know what time the next train goes ?" " The next train may go. Alligator, but you'll stay here. The idea of snivellin' round your father! I've told you you shall go up to London with us, when we pass througli toAvn, as soon as this Mayor business is over." " But my people are returning at once. Oh, it is ter- rible to think of my father being worried by their return >> now " Perhaps that is why he is going to address his con- stituents," suggested Minnie. " My mother will need me anyhow." " What, with a litter of gals treadin' on one another's trains !" " I don't know why you want to keep me," Allegra broke out desperately. " You all hate me !" '*0h, my child!" said the Duke gently, "I'm in love with you." 160 a b: I tin ing the big our pretty hand, cry myself crying for cet — that's ;an of the ! I must er, if he's the Duke nstituents, keep my d Allegra le Duke's. stay here, i told you 19 through it is ter- eir return 3 his con- another's ' Allegra n in love HOME NEWS AND FOEEIGN •My poor Alligator!" she said « TT™ . , me of myself at your affel TU,' , , ^^ """^^"^ love with you." ^ ' " '"''y "'^ l^ite is in bemS/hrif^Ldlifed "" "P'"""^'" »"■■'' ^^"^8-. talf Again that paralyzing phrase. lorn r said the Dufhp^e << t„ +i, i. ^i of your father, Alligator ?» """ "■" ™y *° 'P""'' wZ7ep^?i:::;o«2r:;:^';.^^»--^^^ "o;|::m x.t:oiSo:t.?*°- ^"^^^a^-^-- " AuVvel'Tli- T'' ™'"'= °»''" "■"■■mMod Minnie. you say wi L' ;oSiT; StlT""' '™,*" ''"'™ '» -'"" lean tor theCi^'If^'^fheT"' "'"" "" '"^ ""'^ Minnie hummed the then popular ballad : "wlf '".l"'"", "' "'■'■ """ kMrt was the only sound I hoard." ^wm so even this move of vou" fntu^„>_ .. , .i.c- eg„t,st,eal dame, " may only mean thal'S sles^lTal Jul "^ ! I M "A, ':'.!. I . ^1 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH to upset the Government, become Premier, and carry on the war better himself. But i+'s a dangerous game." At that the bomb-shell in Allegra's brain nearly ex- ploded, but Minnie humming fortissimo, she merely said : I must send a telegram to him anyhow, to ask if I can be of use." " And I'll send one," said the Duchess, " to tell him he s broken my heart." Curiously enough, it was the first time either had held written communication with the Minister. Allegra penned, moreover, the first telegram of her guarded life, and had a fitting sense of importance. " Your little Ally is proud of your splendid protest and desires to know if she can be of use at home. Love to all." " I'll walk in with it, aunt," she said. '' Shall I take yours too ?" " Yes, but see if you can make it out." Allegra read out with cumulative blushes : " Disgusted with your diplomacy. A blunder of the first order. Don't make another by recalling Allegra. We have all grown fond of the sweet child and are gradually weaning her of her ridiculous opinions. My love to my nephew in A^^vabarba. Rule Britannia. Emma." The task of handing this to the telegraph-operator loom- ed terrible to the shy girl. However, she could not back out now, and besides she wanted t. buy a Morning Mirror surreptitiously. With heavily veiled and averted face she handed the clerk both messages together, as if they can- celled each other's indelicacies, but he merely mentioned the cost. In the shadow of Rosmere, the nefarious Mirror could net be found, and this renewed her sense of revolt, and the feeling of being somehow kept a prisoner aggravated it to hysteric anger. Rosmere hung like a low ceiling over all aspiration, all free thinking. The ceiling might be of ancient oak, and charged with historic poetry, but oh, how 16^ id carry on ame." nearly ex- lerely said : sk if I can to tell him 'r had held ;ra penned, e, and had lid protest me. Love lall I take Disgusted rst order, e have all y weaning ly nephew ator loom- l not back ng Mirror d face she they can- nentioned 7-0/° could t, and the •avated it iling over ight be of it ohjhow HOME NEWS AND FOREIGN it weighed one down ! The past, the past, always the past. It was the future that beckoned, tha glimmered Yes, he was right, that modern young Ethelstan Cart away their graves ! Let the past consume its o^^n smok To-day too has its rights, demands to draw great free breaths Down with the ghosts on our shoulder , the Wons T ^'p-- ^^"p"*^^'^ "^^^^^^ sledge-hamm rs- Si thnT; 1-7 P^^"««' Brosers-to crash rudelv through ail these historic mendacities, tyrannies, iniustices- the more and not the less grievous for the logger duatono' their oppressiveness. ui.iLiuii o... And amid the feudal curtsying of the village children and he cottagers she welcomed the chance encoun e t th Wilham Curve, the fustian-coated Methodist; her pleas nre increasing when he was found to be in possession tZfZ^.^'''' -' -^^-^ - eongrat^.Urr fehe snnled so as not to shed a tear. '' But I must nav you for the paper. Women are honest too." ^ ^ He shook his head, refusing the silver coin. "Worn- en! he murmured. eagldy.' •^"'^ ^'"'' *'""^ ^"^'^^^ ^^ ^^°"^^n-"' «he said "' & me!r«r' ' ^"""^ ''""''"•" ^^^ ^^'^^ hi« J^ead. u t^","^^^" she was as rare as my father " Ay but the best of 'em's born with a twist. I some- nnes tin,. : an honest woman's the noblest work of man 1 11 .0 oidd^ug you good-afternoon, miss." .^W\:^i^^'^\ ^-tJ-^ g^eat soul hamper- were nev->rh^npi' '"''r''^- ^''' '' ''^' ^^"^- '''^'oLn sKr elf wr«.77' ''•'"'"' T^'^' '''''' ''''^^'^^ them. heTse f to Xf yPocnsy and guile, often permitting S'Wnirc^lfSr '' '''' ^-"^ cirele-w^th bomb^ ^iie walked back, rapt in the study of the newspaper, 163 .;fli THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH drinking in the praises of l,er father like wine her tren^ growing springier with each superlative ' ^^ sangumary mto.ioation. Whether it was the capture of or me equaiu toolish British misconcentfon flmt tV,^ q i tan was responsible for the raids 0^^761" as .nnlo robber chief on whose head the Sultan himself iLe a price ; whether it was the British assertion of su 'eraTnty o^er the new Xovabarbese mines, or the Europeai comnlf ca ions as to tithes, or the private feuds r.ccasioned bv tt mtrigues of the Dragoons with the nativ^ rme'l^fhose very Dragoons sent out, be it noted -o stnvn Ifl^ whether itwas the Sulta;'s scheming o get lack hfs ZJ ince, or his fear lest he lose the otLrs fwhetliei le^'r: spurred on by Paul Haze's ambition o hfoum or hi youngest wife's, or insulted bv the refusal of Queen vt torui^s hand, to which in his barbaric ignorance he asnir A or whether the whole thing is the work of those whom ^^r' Marshmont has brilliantly stigmatised as ' nternaTionai traitors.' anxious tn ripf.i„ au--i 4 '" international .ec.„.^ a dividend on the common 164 If I H B, her tread tives in the ft his origi- * tlie si^eech bate on the ocond lead- ut here the ilms of tlie the 23ubh"c what they ^apers and on fog by lat no two I for their 3apture of ish envoy hether the 3n on the tion staff, t the Snl- a simple has set a uzerainty n compli- ed by the ni — those off war; his prov- r he was n or his leen Vic- aspires ; hom "Mr. •national common HOME NEWS AND FOREIGN shares of British West iXovabarba, J.iniited ; or has been nanaMwred by the secret agents of the Continen afPowers o^vn^; f 7 ^"'"^^ •^"P'^^^^^ ^^^"^ Novabarba and the L oun Hinterlands extended; whether it was the bunffW diplomacy of Governor Stacks, or his obed ence to stref witiThfrr r^*'^'"' ^^ ^'^^ ^^---^^ -^ - brm Lt so d : ^Mth his deaf ear turned to Downing Street mak-in J , ^ sanctioned attacks on the natives, or uLuS.Tp omi^es" to them ; or whether it was the policy of the Colonia" O? fice to depose the Sultan and repJ.ce him by a sove eSn more subservient to Bruish interests-in^short from whichever of the entanglements that beset the Sof th^ ;rtm"rar"""f "^ In mself among inferior rtel th present war arises, one thing is clear* tbp mar, \^ +u w! I fi ^'''"' ''"^ "^"st be wiped out." her fir'l ^^'' ''^"'"'^ ^^°"^^' '^' ^^"^^ ^ telegram- " So glad you approve of my giving up the great seal. i if. ..^V;'^; t." ..i !1' ■'■,! CHAPTER XV A BLOODY BANQUET townspeople ! Those inteeS^po,. J^l^J^^ J'^P'^' S^o of the vis^ rT:k rrrsel'thf f^^f S'e uana s brilliant oration, felt it unbefitting her dio-nitv M sit among the c vie larliVa ir, tu^ n ^ «ignit\ to she drunk thi?.r''"'" ^'^'^^ ^^'^" S^'^^^br pride, had turn ^^ '^"P ^' *^^^^ ^^»« ^^itli each in IGG ;^or of Mid- e bowed to oeession to 3r the new The host or simple nen! The e Duchess prevailed. in of the ote fever- annals of es, native and par- ere, Min- tlic Mar- 3Ut tOAVn, er-dinner her hus- ignitv to ould she uette by the cor- ide, had each in A BLOODY BANQUET As the carriage passed through the dusky old-fashioned arcadod streets, the town seemed alive%vith revelry liands were blarmg unconcerted concertinas were squeak- ng girls were hawking large colored streamers, and de- the Tow/t7 uVrt' ''' ^ f'-'' ^^«^^'^ hovered about futilllv Th. ' ^'"' r""^ "" ^'"^"^"^t' ^h^"gh more n IrSf ■ ne^vspaper boys standing about the quaint p ards o7 "m"' T^rf'r^^ unregarded, despite\heir placards of More British losses." For, althouk it wa^ Sn'f more"'-r ""r'^^'^^^ ^"^^^^"^ wiSandbg ±5ritains more civilized troops, yet everybody knew thev wexe only making things worse for themfelve^in the enl What was more serious was the discovery by the public hat most of the tribes were Christians of on^e denomfna- work'' '. t^^^^-f.-^" h«d the missionaries done^fr work— and hence their conversion could not be looked for to redeem the bloodshed. tesHfipd"lhr/r' ^'""'^ missionary, returned to Europe, testified that he yearned to go back to his dear Novabar bese, who called him " Pere," and who, if they returned from a toilsome hunting expedition wilh onlyVie ^iece of game, would ay it at his feet. His flock was the mos? nomadic and primitive of all the tribes, yet they had no even a tradition of cannibalism, but on ihe contrary faded legends of a civilization anterior to the glories of Tyre To crown their perverseness, all the tribes appealed to Clmsian ethics and the justice of their causT^hough united under a paynim Sultan whose polygam^, it was felt made such protestations unbecoming and ev^n inTe awte frr^' n''"' ^'''''^''' P^^P^^ seem7d to t aware (oh those Continental intriguers with their rival missionaries!) that they had sympathizers in Europe and even a spokesman in Brit^in's own Council Chamber a tlln stn& ''' ^'"^"^■" ^- ^^^- '^^ leadersh?;tthe than send his troops out against them. Altogether the 167 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH contest boded to be longer and bloodier than had been fore- seen, the Teutonic military adventurer, Paul Haze, having done his work almost as well as the missionaries, wiiile the possibilities of European complications at some stage of the struggle had contributed to embitter the Mirror's _ man in the street." Marshmont had been a straw fi<.ht- ing against a current. Ilis speech to his constituents had met little favor in his own constituency (where the Torv squire was still paramount), and had raised a storm of hostility without; his protest in the Parliament, which had met to vote supplies, did nothing to diminish them, find- ing few supporters outside the seasoned members of the Jeace Party, and evoking many catcalls and cries of > Tu ^u ^^^'^er," besides being interrupted and K*k;uped by the Tory cheers acclaiming the news just ar- rived of the defeat of the blind Radical. Marshmont's miv^ture of moral arraignment with punctilious arithmetic m this speech won him the nickname of the Prophet Petty Cash; a title lending itself felicitously to the pictorial grotesqueries of the caricaturist. The outcast Prophet Petty Cash in his hundred shapes became better know to the mob than the Right Hon Ihomas Marshmont had ever been in the fullest glory of his ministerial career. And what wounded him more deep y Midstoke— Midstoke itself— at a mass-meet- ing had proclainicd its confidence in the Government and broken the heads of the dissenting few. Marshmont, at a safe distance, had only his heart broken. Although the Radical M P. who had not been asked to take the chair at the Bryden Memorial Meeting had occupied it at this Marshmont did not suspect the man's good faith. He put down the collapse of the centre of Radicalism to Broser's absence, and did not know that Broser had inspired the explanation. Allegra had been looking forward to the humors of the MayoraJ Banquet by way of relief, so surfeited had she been with these horrors and those of her imagination. 168 i\v figlit- tind- A BLOODY BANQUET Ever since the night of the burnt moths, the thought of war liad been a pictured chaos of atrocities, and now that she was able dehnitely to visualizr "om and Colonel Orr- fetenton in the thick of the m^ .he wounds-of which 8he read with morbid fascinatiui.— were felt through her own body, sometimes so vividly that they might have left stigmata. Nor did she suffer less for the Novabarbese, wiiose cause— on her father's authority— she esteemed the more righteous. All this made iier pale and sleepless, her mouth had lost its trick of humor, the sun had gone out of her eyes, bhe longed to return home, and hence this fete- day had been a point of light for the further reason that it marked the term of her stay at Rosmere. Sundav would see the Duke enduring the religious supplement of the CIVIC ceremonies, but after Monday, Rosmere would return to the tourist. Allegra looked down on six long tables agleam and aglow with glass and silver and fruit and flowers, and tall loving- cups and racing trophies, and bordered by rows of heads in various stages of baldness, with here and there a uniform blazing amid the black dress-coats. Overhead stretched a florid white and gold ceiling, but the wall panels were blank, evidently designed," said Minnie, '' to be filled some day with bad frescoes." Over the lintel of the cen- tral doorway ran the inscription in Old English lettering, In God we trust." At the farthest extremity of the room was a platform with what seemed to Allegra a large Christ- mas tree, on which men-toys dangled, as if for the edifica- tion of a nursery of giants, but suddenly, with a burst of music, It turned into a medley of palms and chrysanthe- mums half concea ing, half revealing, an orchestra. Ha, there s father!" And Minnie's face wrinkled in a broad smile. "Where?" cried Allegra, craning her head over the Following the angle of Minnie's neck and shoulder, Al- legra discovered the little man shrinking shyly into the 169 ,^!^v #, o. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. %^. i< fe 1.0 I.I Vi 1^ IM 11-25 III 1.4 M 22 IM 1.6 IZ/^i Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4S03 V :\ \ IP u m f ; > ri I of THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH recesses of a great chair of state, but with his furred robe of office thrown back as though it stifled hiiu. Over his head rose from behind his chair an infinitely grander bein all gold lace and shouldering a gilded mace'lfke a seep e ^^ VV xio IS that ?" she whispered. Tu n'^^\ ^^^ toast-master," said Lady Sheen gravely 1 he Countess was the very antithesis of Minnie: placid! plati^udinanan, and with a sneaking affection for High! Church practices. ^ la.th'^' wl gl«"ce met Minnie's .nd ADeg^a stifled a laugh. \\ hen she became aware that she must not laugh because somebody had just started speaking, her desire to laiigh became hysterical, and she was glad\vhen a grea? poHteTy '"^"^^'^^^"^ ^"^b^^d ^^^ to work off her emotion At first she could scarcely catch the words of the speak- ers or concentrate her attention on their banal verWage but gradually it was borne in upon her that her exSa tiTea'r C^'t ^T'" ^''' '^ ^' "^^'^^ that she was to ear nothing but braggart allusions to the Flag and Nov^barba It was not only that the Army and %7y toast was drunk with deafening enthusiasm-for this wis natural with a Major-General and an Admiral Wi' over from Rosmere ; it was not only that the Major-Sa declared hat never had Eritain had so brave L army a whch Al egra was learning to associate with Admirals certtfied that England's fleet could beat back the Armadas of Europe; every one of the speakers went out of iS wav to mention the War, and Britain's honor. Both oc irred cap tulation of stale newspaper aneedotos illustrative of British valor, and the Town Clerk in replvN.g a d that England would not falter in her Imperkl mis ion no cZ'\lf"'T^ ^T^^t^ "f Mammoi^ counted the Petty Cash, and a thousand Quakers stuffed their ears to His tory's trumpet-call with their own cotton-a„ allusion to 170 mm. A BLOODY BANCJUET some manufacturing members of the Peace Party that was vastly enjoyed. Tlie trumpet-call itsell was sounded by the orchestra between the speeches, and the war-drum was banged with savage gusto, and there was a great glow of patriotism and champagne. At Midstoke, Allegra had gained her first perception of the forces thnt were with her father ; at King's Paddock, she realized sensuously for the first time the forces against' and their crushing predominance was intensified by the bit- ter recollection that even Midstoke had failed him. Brit- ain's blood was up, a speaker cried, and for one mad mo- ment of delirious defiance to United Europe, Allegra al- most seemed to see it staining red those white-and-black uniforms of peace- The next moment her own blood glowed furiously in her veins. The speaker had passed on to taunt her father ; he declared that but for Marsli- mont's known sympathy the Xovabarbese would not h?ve had the courage to go on fighting: such a man was a traitor to his country ; on his head lay the blood of the slaughtered English soldiers. On his head— her father's head? Oh infamy! Oh thrice-accursed British Pharisaism ! Her hands gripped the gallery bar frenziedly, her eyes shot sparks, her throat ejaculated hoarsely, " Liar!" But her cry was drowned in the vast roar of approval' and Minnie, amused and dismayed, pulled her back, saying, with a smile, '' Wom- en may not speak." . \'^ will speak," hissed Allegra, white-hot. " Thev sha'n t he about my father.'' '^ " You mustn't annoy mine." Allegra's eye turned involunta.'ily to the Mayor's chair. Ihe poor Duke was writhing nervously, waiting for the rattle and roar to subside. But the;y rose again and again, mingled with cries of " Down with traitors." And then somebody called for three groans for the Prophet Petty Cash, and the festive company became a patriotic fo^-horn it was Midstoke reversed with a vengeance. There she 171 I m ii THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH had been elated by noise, had built dreams on breath Oh I'ow foolish! And now -women might not speak! Oh for a moment of Brcser! Oh for his strenuous voice to thunder agains these blood-thirsty guzzlers, these defamers o1 a great soul who had given up all to follow the God their lintel paraded and their groans denied ! England's Imperial mission? England's providential destiny? What did It al mean ? Was it to multiply Midstokes tnrough the world, people the grassy spaces of the planet with famished factory girls, or even well-fed Aldermen « If an apple was rotten at the core, its swelling to the size of a melon did not make it greater. Nay, were not swell- ings the sign of disease? What was this vaunted Eng- land? Was It something apart from the millions seeth- ing in Its slums, or rotting in its honeysuckled cottages, or even swilling champagne in its banqueting halls ? She could not understand. Was it not sufficient of a mission --enough to task the finest hearts and brains— to set things straighter at home ? That was all her father preach- ed. And for this he was to be called traitor, hooted like a felon, caricatured, pursued w^' .-e-and-cry! Heaven save England from her patriot.- had cried in Parlia- ment, and It was this phrase, she ielt sure, that England could not forgive him; this phrase that rankled in the breasts of the speakers to-night and poisoned their com- placency, while it envenomed their utterances. The Duke's evident uneasiness on her behalf— he now seemed to be instructing the gilded toast-master to cry Order —softened Allegra's anger. The Duke at least was a gentleman. By the time the speaker was able to resume, she had simmered down to disdain. She bor- rowed an opera-glass which the Countess had brought with her. That beef-faced, !ow-browed bourgeois her father's censor I So far from giving up India, as these false prophets counselled, Britain, b" was crying, would never sleep till the IJnion Jack waved over every inch of Iv'ovabarba. 172 Oh Oh A BLOODY BANQUET " Does he mean one flag per inch ?" whispered Minnie, who had begun to sketch him on a scrap of paper. But Allegra was now too fascinated to reply. - She was watching the red fleshy back of his neck bulging out, in the stress of his emotion, against his high shirt - collar like a purple wen, and she was wondering if he would die then and there of patriotic apoplexy. Rather to her relief, he sat down uninjured, his wen subsiding peace- frlly. And then an agreeable inteilude was provided by a company of mummers, who came by ancient custom to present an address to his Worship. But these, too, Avere heralded by patriotic strains from a street band, and masqueraded mainly as soldiers and sailors. They halt- ed awkwardly before the mayoral chair, playing their parts with the uncouthness of an inartistic race; some achieved clumsily a military or nautical salute, the high- est reach of their invention. But n(,iv the toast of the evening approached, and the toast-master in his most impressive tones begged silence for it. The Dean of Mossop proposed it, to a running fire of che .rs. He had a spacious countenance, bushed in white. He said, on account of the lateness of the hour, and the well-known modesty of his Grace, he would not praise their new Mayor, but just ask them to drink the toast. Besides, everybody knew that for a combination of manly and statesmanly qualities the Duke of Dales- bury was unsurpassed in his generation ; that, setting an example to the peerage of devotion to the City as well as to the State, he had added the responsibilities of the Civic Council to the burden of the House of Lords ; that in an age in which the upper classes did not always remember the motto. Noblesse oblige — "^ Thank Heaven, the doven hoof of Radicalism at last!" whispered Allegra. "No; the aureole of the Church," Minnie reminded her. — that in an age in which the domestic virtues were 173 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH flouted by some so-called leaders of society, the Duke, by his shining example of matrimonial stability jiiid felicity, was in the strictest sense a pillar of State and Church; that his world-wide reputation for philanthropy was' supplemented, he might even say hall-marked, by a local reputation for goodness of heart, for personal interest in the humblest of his cottagers ; that amid all these di- verse interests and occupations he had yet found time to win another reputation as an authority upon art and his- tory; that whatever role he had hitherto filled, he had filled brilliantly ; and who could doubt, therefore, but that in the capacity of Mayor of their ancient borough, their noble friend would add new lustre to his name and the annals of King's Paddock? Since all men knew these things, why should he, the Dean, take up their time with recapitulating them? No; he would spare the noble !\r.iyor's blushes. He would not say that — Here began a new list of virtues. Had a degenerate posterity forgotten the very vocabulary of virtue, it might have been reconstructed in its entirety from the exhumed description of the Duke of Dalesbury by the Dean of Mossop on the memorable occasion of his Grace's assumption of the mayoralty of the ancient borough of King's Paddock. Allegra fretted impatiently. Much as she liked the Duke, it seemed to her that larks fell into his mouth roasted ; that he was complimented on the cooking of them, and thanked for consuming them. But she for- gave the Duke his good fortune when she found that in his reply he carefully neglected Novabarba, save by a back- handed allusion. Although men might differ — and differ honestly, he said with emphasis — about foreign politics, there could be no two opinions on the home politics of King's Paddock. (Here came a Latin - sounding quota- tion which Allegra did not understand, but which every- body else applauded.) The historic glories of its medic- inal springs must be restored, and to this end the beau- tiful orchestra they had heard to-night should play all 174 A BLOODY BANQUET the season in the public gardens— at his expense. And m the perfervid cheers hailing the happy prospect of a re- juvenated King's Paddock, Novaharba and the Empire were forgotten. Nor was Allegra wholly cheated of the anticipated humors, though they came a day after the fair. The world was just revelling in the early developments of plVptography, and a shrewd King's Paddock photographer, foreseeing an immense demand, had begged the Duke to honor him with a sitting in his mayoral robes. This the Duke had shudderingly declined : once in his life he had donned his Peer's robes, and then relapsed with relief into his dressing-gown. He had taken to his bed to avoid wearing his coronet at the Queen's coronation, and loyally hoped there would be no other coronation in his lifetime. The brave Admiral nevertheless displayed at Rosmere a photograph of " Our noble Mayor " bought in the town. Under pressure the photographer confessed that the head had been got from a miniature, while somebody had sat in the robes for the body. wl^ K .1 '' CHAPTER XVI WAR " WE 8ha;n't wait any longer/' said Mrs. Marshmont » » decisively, as she got up from her dog-armed easy- chair. She was a radiant figure in a red dinner-gown, from which her snoulders rose in almost arrogant beauty! J^or were her four daughters less dazzling in their several Irocks. Allegra, happy to be home again, and magnetized afresh by her mother, nestled in blue near the parental red. Lord Arthur Pangthorne was to come to dinner and be broken to his future father-in-law, who, all unaware of the reason, had promised faithfully to escape from the House of Commons. So far neither male had appeared though the dinner hour had gurgled softly from the in- fantine interior of the colossal allegorical clock. Mrs. Marshmont's temper always spoiled synchronously with the dishes, and the better the dinner the worse her temper. " But, mother," urged Mabel, whose beautiful face had grown whiter and whiter with each tick of the clock, " we can't begin without Arthur." " And pray who is your Arthur that he should be more important than your father? If we can begin without the one, we can begin without the other." " Let us wait five minutes longer," pleaded Allegra. She was quite anxious to see the young gentleman who had bowled over Mabel. " No ; now is the time for Mabel to teach her sweetheart a lesson. I have had to suffer this all my life from your father." "He has had more important business to attend to," said Allegra gently. lie WAR More important, Miss Impudence! And what can be more important than a man's own household ? I hope you may never come to marry a politician!" 'I I hope I may," slipped from Allegra's tongue. "Then marry one with sense— not one who ruins his wife and children to gratify his selfish ideas. And with his throat in that state, too ! I don't know how we're to live." " We arc all going to earn our own livings," said Alle- gra gravoly. " Earn your livings !" screamed Mrs. Marshmont, gen- uinely shocked. It was the day when women were divided into ladies, housewives, and servants. "^ I shall open a school for languages," said Dulsie. " You !" cried her mother seriously. " What ffirls would obey you ?" "I shouldn't teach girls," Dulsie replied ffravelv. "Young men." ^ & j Mrs. Marshmont gasped. II By correspondence," Dulsie added suavely. " And mother could give Shaksperean readings," said Mabel, brightened by her sister's humor. " No," corrected Joan, who was doing Be.lin wool-work. "'How does the water come down at Lodore?'" She winked at Mabel to keep it up and gain time. I' Arthur will earn my living," said Mabel. " I didn't know he could earn his own," snapped her mother. " Well — he has an allowance." " It doesn't allow for two." "Wait till Arthur becomes an M. P.," she replied incautiously. " I will not wait another moment," said Mrs. Marsh- mont, sweeping doorwards. " Listen!" said Joan. " I hear no newsboy," said her mother. " What's the newsboy callin-^''^"^ - -^'^ 1 let ^Si^^'^r "^'"^ »ot;v'ait either," said .Airs. Marshmont leading the way tirmly. - Your father pronnse.l r to mTn "m r r r^ ^^^-^"'^ ^" ^^"^ -"- «f i-^^ ell my poor Mabel, there is some nice lobster soup " ' All IS ost save lobster," said Dulsie dramatieallv. i, ,n^ ? • 'f/^^ '^'""' ^^^" "t 1^^^ ^^-"^ J-w- '' Th;re 13 some street row. ' j-^t^ic Even poor Mabel suppressed a smile-Joan's inven- tiveness was too audacious. Ere Mrs. Marsh nontiTd reached he door, however, it became eviden 1 i Jo^n rneTatntitV?'- Shrieks groans, whistles ht amiea and stifled the sense of the articulate cries tlinf seemed blent with them. All ran to the windows ad Allegra was about to throw up a sash. Joan's hind re it \ lu ^ ^''''}'Sht they could just descry throu" the glass the figure of a man followed by a menacino^ .^a f- In another instant, as he came through their own "ite^n cry broke from Allegra's lips. ^ *^' "" "It's father!" " Cowards !" their father's voice rang out, heard clearlv hrough the broken pane. " Attacking women !" He 1 ,d turned and faced them, brandishing his great stick, as thev wkhTut « rr '^Mi^t"' "^'^ '^'^y «^-«"k back, 'as Wl without a leader will always shrink before a defiant eve ZJ:""' "^*-^ '""^ ^'^^"^ ^"t-h instinct agaSst trespassing on private property. «8«insr "Yah! Petty Cash!" th^y groaned as in farewell '' There f to pro- y, she let trshmont, id Jiic to 1". Come, icallv. " There s iiivon- ont had at Joan s, hoots, 'ics tliat ws, and land re- ohl, jou througli ig gang, gate, a a stone irity so 11 back, clearly Te had as thev IS louts nt eye, igainst rewell. WAR But a jocose rough in the middle, to whom the eve was in- visible, gave a violent shove to those in front of him, so that they toppled upon :Marshmont, who thrust them back witii the ferrule of liis stick. Then the hustling mob, howling obscenely against traitors and Prophets of Petty Cash, closed upon him, and Allegra felt herself being bruised and trampled upon as she gazed paralyzed upon this unexpected scene. But ere she could move or speak, a beautiful red-robed bare-shouldered figure burst upon tiie gravel path, and into the heart of the affray, wid drag- ging back the ex-Minister, confronted the mob, with her white bosom panting indignantly, and her hands and voice raised like a tragedy queen's. " Bruter; ' You call yourselves Englishmen ! Fifty to one ! Fight fair, you hounds of hell !" The roughs cowered before the blaze of beauty and wrath — fascinated like all animals by this strange creat- ure; the more respectable of the crowd drew back in sud- den shame. Allegra was irresistibly reminded of the hare-and-hounds episode, wiiich liad united these two ill- matched lives, and she wondered at this curious complex development of Fate's freakishness, as she watched her mother pass majestically into the house with her rescued husband, who had hastily thrown his scarf round her shoulders. She ran down into the hall, to find her mother unexpectedly sobbing over him, wiping blood from his face with her dainty lace handkerchief, and mingling little pitiful love-murmurs with her sobs, while the maid- servants and the page-of-all-work stood gaping. _ " It is nothing, darling, it is nothing," he kept protest- ing laughingly. " Do let me run up and dress for din- ner. "There is no dinner," she sobbed vaguely. "Lord Arthur hasn't come. Oh my poor forsaken lambkin !" " Lord Arthur ?" he repeated inquiringly, i.ever mind now — nothing matters now. You are safe, that is all I want. But how they have gashed you !" I '1 y i.' » ' •'. ' .i mp THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH He laughed. " Why, this is not a pateh— literally— on what I used to get in my early days. Makes me feel quite young again." /. ^.^^^y "^^^ *<^ ^^^^ you like this! and I knew nothing of It ? Ah, now I know why you used to cut yourself so often in shaving!" _ "Why should I bother you with trifles? But London IS becoming quite provincial. This never happened to me b of ore in London. It must be those caricatures. Bolt t^e door somebody," he said, as the groans for the Prophet Petty Cash recommenced outside. " It serves you right— you shouldn't fly in everybody's face. No wonder they fly in yours. You object to war, and you get it at your own door." "As long as I don't get it inside my door," he laughed, kissing her. "Come, dear, you shall help me dress. Don't look so glum, Allegra. Go and tell the girls I'll be ready in a jiffy." AKegra ran up with a lighter heart, and found Dulsie and .Mabel sitting white-faced on the sofa, grasping each other's hand desperately. " Father's all right," she pant- ed. 'Mother saved his life. But where is Joan ?" she added in alarm. "Upstairs, shutting all the front shutters," Mabel moaned. She glanced at the now shuttered windows. "Have they been throwing more stones ?" One smashed against a shutter as she asked, and the shattered glass rattled be- hind it. Her alarm returned. " The dining-room!" she cried. '' They're always shut before we feed," Dulsie wailed. " Are they ?" Allegra had never noticed it. She ran down to make sure, and found Joan instructing the page- boy to slip out by the back garden do; WAR " Here ! Come back-you can't go without your over- coat in this weather!" "^ Despite the weather the crowd still lingered, and seem- ed to be swollen momently, especially by shrill-voiced urehms. And presently, as the four girls waited in the iirilnk7.Tf'ir^^ a hailstorm of stones and the cease- " gH'«' Britannia. Britannia rules the waves Untons never— never— never— shall be slaves." " Methinks they protest too much," said Dulsie who had recovered her spirits under the expectation of iL's s'layeTto night.'?' ''' ""^'^"^ "^" ^^^^^^ ' S-^ --^ " Yes--they ought to get hard labor, the brutes " said Joan viciously. ;^ But I suppose the police a e waiting till the las pane in the house is smashed And that's youf Bemos, Allegra, that you'd like to see governing Fng- aTe7%Cr!^''''Tri^ ^^''^ ^''' "^^^^ t'>«^ ^^-hat they are! ^^ There must be Free Education. Their souls mus^ ;; Their souls ! They've got no souls." a spa^k'of Goi'"''^^" ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^-^ ^ soul- "A spark of God!" Joan snorted. - Th^se beerv savages! Listen to 'em " ^ cUo^lrWr,?™ 0™'' I-"- God ha, left Himself rea'lity!"'" "" "'"'' °*'™ ™»»St-I see no signs of the " And tVlP l"mmr.,.+„i:*„ ^J! xl , „„ We're just a lot of I ^"^ -^^ immortality of the soul ?" On a par with Gwenny's hell. V little ants running about." 183 i' ir I I: THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ' stricken'" ^''' '^ ^""^ ^'"^^ '" •" ^"'^" ^^^^^^ ^^^e- " Oh, I can just run about with the rest. Go to the ant and be wise— isn't that what Gwenny says «" _ ''You silly children!" interrupted Dulsie. "This isn't the time to talk theology." .olliT'T ^^TJ'J^ ^\^ ^'"^^ t^ talk?" Joan retorted scathingly. " Anthropology ?" Here the great clock chirped nine IWating:-""'" ''"^'^' ^"^^^^- "^'- ^-^^**- MrJl''°"^'^f* ^^""^ ^?*^" anything, anyhow," whimpered Mabel, prostrate on the sofa. - No,v__i thi„k m ^go to A terrific rat-a-tat-tat and a ringing at the bell resound- ed even above the patriotic clamor. Mabel sprang up glowing with life. 7 27.ere^. Arthur. He said he'd ^ry to come!" Then, with a change of voice, "Oh, I hope they won't hurt him." ' > -^ "^pe cally^''* '^ ^^"-^ ^'"''^ ^''' ^ ^°'^'" '^'^ '^^^^ «^^«^«ti- the'^c^rowd'T^'"^ ^^""^ '''' ^""^ """' ^' '^ ^^^P'"^ *™^ "^^^^ " Tow-row-row-row-row-row, To the British Grenadier." " Well, why don't they open the door ?» cried Mabel im- patiently. " I suppose they're afraid," said Joan. « They think It's only the roughs." ^ ^ •' He'll go away," Mabel whined. The ringing recommenced. J' ^?^ T ?r? ^"^ ^^* ^""^ '< '^'^ ^^"egra, with an impulse^of girlish curiosity and sisterly kindness. JNo, said Joan. " You may get hurt." But Allegra was already half down the stairs. She pushed through the trembling maid-servants. « Who is It i siic cri. ;d cautiously through the door. 184 WAK Only me, ' came a strong voice. Allegra's heart leapt up. She felt a sudden sense of security. Here was re- enfoi cement, here safety. _ She opened the door and Broser slipped in, accompa- nied by a waft of cold air and a louder burst of song. He shot the bolts again swiftly, hardly looking at her and not even removing his hat till the door was secured. Mejyitime she saw that his hands were scratclied, his face was flushed and perspiring, his tie and collar were crumpled. ^ She took his umbrella and his hat and his overcoat They had never spoken to each other before, but this vas no time for conventionalities. " I hope you are not hurt ?" she said. " This is nothing to the football scrimmages at Mid- stoke. I see they've broken your windows. I hope that's all ?" "Practically all. Only Petty Cash," said Allegra with a bright smile. " Ruffians !" He clinched his fist and looked dangerous. She noticed there was a telegram in his hand. " For your father," he said, smoothing it out. " The boy gave it me at the gate— he couldn't get through— fortunately he knew me. I'll run up to the study at once. Nine o'clock, your father told me, I Avas to knock off some letters." Allegra smiled. Her mother had plotted clumsily. Lord Arthur would not have seen much of his future father-in-law. " He hasn't dined yet — he is dressing. You must dine with us." She thought: "Lucky there's Lord Arthur's cover." " Tn this state ?" he queried ruefully, looking into the hall mirror. "Not dressed, and not straightened out -^and, to tell the truth, not hungry. Mrs. Broser and I dine early for the sake of the little ones." " Then you can call it supper." She rather wondered at her own insistence, especially as her mother had not yet invited Mr. Broser to her London table. 185 THE MANTLE OE ELIJA H n. 1. i'i, '?^^ll~^'^''" ™"'^ '^^'^ for l"m in the drawinff-room ing sight of the impatient .Afabel at their head " It'l only-It's Mr. Broser," she called up. Poor AIab;i ^uL peared. From without came the stentorian chant : ^' "Britannia, the pride of the ocean, The home of the brave and the free." ;; How long have they been howling ?» asked Broser. It seems an eternity-but I suppose it's only a bad quarter of an hour. We have sent for tlie police'' begins ' ' "'"'^'^ "'S""^^*- ^^^^^ did it " They seem to have followed father." His face of horror pleased her She assured him hastily : " llTont a little cut about the face " ^ gar^en'''^'H ^""^r'- -I ^^"^ I* *^°^^ blackguards in the garden i He made as if to unbolt the door tion ' ''°' '"^'^' *''''' ^^^''""^ ^^^''"^ '-^nd admira- terfd ^"""^ ^'"PP'^- " ^"^^'"^ ^^^" ^"^ t^i«'" te mut- The sentiment did not seem to her disproportionate to he occasion or the speaker, set as it was To the turbiUen? music without. She tingled with electrical excSen feehng herself in the thick of history and face foTee •hrirTasH:::::^^! '-'^ -^^^^ -^^ ^^- ^^ eyeslh^n^ "You do not know my name, Mr. Broser," she said gayly, as they mounted the stairs. " I have the advantage h^^^nJ^^^Y^'r. " ^^" ^^^*^ ^^^y advantages over me, b t not that. Do you suppose I did not hear of Alleo-ra all day long at The Manor House ?" " Her name in his mouth gave her a curious thrill. 1S6 j; J.-:. me WAR " Ah," she smiled, " but I've seen you and you've never seen me!" ^ " What ! How about Midstoke station ? And do you Ir^KJ ^^^^"'^ *^^^ another peep at you in the Town liall r '' How silly I am ! Of course !" She blushed deeply remembering he had started the cheers for her when the train came in. And from without, in strange ironic con- trast, came the rousing chorus : "Hurrah for the Red, White, and Blue! Three cheers for the Red. V iiite, and Blue! Thy banners make tyranny tremble When borne by the Red, White, and Blue," " You hear ?" he said. " They are cheering again for you. The red, white, and blue."' She flushed deeper, becoming conscious that she wore a blue frock and a pretty one. " Then the other line's for you" she retorted. " ' Thy banners make tyranny tremble.' " " Thank you ! I wish they did." Mr. Broser certainly did not make Joan tremble. She inquired sternly: " Why didn't you go for the police?" Disconcerted, he stammered that he ought to have done so. Then he pleaded the telegram. There seemed now a vast multitude in the street, auo-- mented by curiosity and the love of fun, not dangerous, yet not to be easily dispersed, even if the police were already there, as was probable. The melody changed to God sav e the Queen." " Ah, thank Heaven !" cried Dulsie. " They are wind- ing up." a 1\^Y ''^^^''"^^ they're only beginning," said Broser. ^ Ah here is the hero-martyr," as husband and wife came m. How do you feel, sir ?" 187 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH "Hungry. We shall have a musical dinner," said Marslunoijt smiling through sticking-plaster. ' forlh - v"'' ^ '•'""^^^."^^^^r," Mrs. Marshmont burst 1 11 } ""x ""'"^ everything with your politics." Conld'^^' ' T '''''"^' ""' S^"^^ °^" ^"g^r ^'^d shame, (^uld her mother not restrain herself even in the presetice nls^oir 1^^ ^^--^^ ^--^^^--^e Proph^ heC hand and as she felt his warm response, a wave of pas- ^lonate happmass swept away her anger. He withdrew his hand to receive the telegram from Broser. The crowd had returned to its i-^'Jwu " Tov-row-row-row- row-row, To the British Grenadier." fj' ^^f\ •'*PP'°P"'^;e, anyhow," laughed the ex-Minis- nV'l i'k 7T/'1 telegram, -for I heard a rmnor n the lobby as I left the Ilouse-I don't know how true nf ht~f t Grenadiers-" He paused, and the flesh of his face changed almost to the hue of the plaster. dead'" ^''^^'™°'^* S^^® ^ terrific shriek: "My boy is Tu "^"i ''''i " ^^ stammered, trying to hide the telegram. Ihen, hopelessly, "It is very good of the War Office to let us know. The spiritual darkness that can be felt descended on the room, i ear for the mother strengthened the rest. There was one breathless moment in which they waited for her shrieks. ^ But no shrieks came. She sank down on her arm-chair moaning dazedly: "My Tom, my baby-boy." fehe had been immeasurably more violent at the death' of the rat, yet nobody felt this calmer mood a relief. Her husband, the tears rolling down his cheeks, knelt at her side. _ He died bravely, Mary," he said hoarsely. m an unrighteous cause— but he helped to end the war 188 WAR It IS He fell in the last victorious charge, " How hot thank God all over." _ " Yes, it is all over," she repeated dazedlv It is !" -^ Then her eyes closed and her head fell back. "Open the window! Give her some air!" said her husband. He picked up a fleecy shawl and threw it over her, Eroser ran to pull back the shutters, Allegra dart- ed in tutiie search of smelling-salts, and Joan turned the gas lower. " What are you doing, Joan?" inquired her father. "Won't attract stones, keeps the room cooler," she re- plied laconically. Broser had no need to raise the window-sash : the cold air dashed through every broken pane. A dull red glare leapt up fitfully without. Dulsie and Mabel shrieked, and Mrs. Marshmont opened her eyes. " It's nothing," Broser reassured them bitterly from the window. "They are only burning you in effigy, 5> Sir " Ah, the witches I" said Mrs. Marshmont. " I knew one who made an image of a man in wax and burnt it ^he lived in a hut in the mountains, and a stream danced down past her door. How cold it is! Y mae hiraeth arnaf am fy ngwlad!" (« There is a longing on me f a person than the Viscount of that name, the heir of the Earldom of Yeoford, leaving an old father and a young son t( lament him. *' If poor Stanley had not had a little boy," the Duch- ess wrote to Allegra, "your father would have become the heir. The poor Earl, your father's ii icle and mine, has taken his little grandson to live wii i him. That young life is more precious than ever now . but I pray God, the old Earl will live many a long ye; r, for I hate to see baby Earls. Yet oven a 'baby Earl i> better than no Earl. And no Earl is better than no bal^y. I mean if U had happened to be a girl. I could wish my darling Minnie had been a boy, but it is useless repining." That last sentence was a side-light upon tl n Duchess, revealing a flaw in the perfection of her c< itentment. Allegra liked her aunt better for this shade of nearness to common humanity; though it was not rill y -ars later that she understood how the Duchess lived ■ nder the shadow of a possible eclipse, should the Duke . ic. Not only his love, but Rosmere and the other beautiful places would be taken from her ; such are the risks and di awbacks of Duchessdom. All through Mrs. Marshmont's illness, Broser proved himself an indefatigable handy man about the house, so that even Joan's prejudices "began to melt. Fe hov- ered around Thomas Marshmont as protectivelv as Atarsh- mont aronnd his wife. Mabel one day declared tl.at the bullfinch was growing jealous of Broser. " Look how it hisses at him and flutters its feathers." 193 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ' i f\ r" ,! J ' f I r 'A '< "That's not from jealousy," Dnlsie said promptly. It s because Broser's masquerading as father " And indeed in the almost constant atten.hance of the ex-Minister at us wife's bedside - a devotion that was facilitated by the arrival of the Parliamentary recess- Marshmonts political position necessarilv devolved upon his secretary Broser received his master's constituents, and answered most of his letters on general principles without even troubling the poor bedside watcher. Ifarsh- mont s own nerves were breaking down, his throat was growing worse, and more twinges of his hereditary gout were being paid over to him, but, with some vague, re- morseful sense of having sacrificed his wife to his career, he now felt he must sacrifice his career to his wife IIo tried to combine the two ideals by scribbling a political pamphlet in the sick-room, and this Allegra copied out tions by the aid of Mr. Broser. This throwing together of the twain in the garret kindled Gwenny's concern She spoke of it to the father at last. tuncern. "Jhe mistress would not like it," she said, "if she knew " a child »* ^""^ ^"""^ *^^^'"^ ^^°"*' ^'''"'"•^' • ^'^^'^ q^^te "Then she'd be better at a Children's Communion. But she s no child, and she's quite taken with that young man. *' ^ l Sr^'jP^,^- ^^^'^ ^ married man with children." I lie devil isn't only at the ear of bachelors." Marshmont smiled sadly. "Mr. Broser knows how to deal wath devils." 1^ Yes,^he'd outdevil 'em," admitted Gwenny. \oure getting a foolish old thing, Gwennv. Mr Broser is a gentleman." • " ? ^? ^^'f ^ ^^^■^' ^ wouldn't have spoken," and toss- ing her head Gwenny retired to the kitchen to pray for L i7'^^ discomfiture. Probably she mixed him up with Mr. Eobert Broser. 194 promptly, lice of the that Avas Y recess — Ived upon tistituents, principles, '. Marsh- iiroat was tary gout ^ague, re- lis career, i^ifc. IIo political ^pied out he quota- : together concern. le knew." le's quite imunion. at young dren. >> )ws how iV, ]\rr, uid toss- pray for him up CHAPTER XVIII BOB BROSER IITR. ROBERT BROSER, with whom this history is -*-▼-■- increasingly concerned, had at least one quality in common with Joan. His vision of life was simple and di- rect. Change as it might from year to year, it was never blurred by doubts or metaphysics, or even by remembrance of Its own mutations, or by expectation of future develop- ments. When he married Susannah Clagg, it was per- fectly clear to him that he was doing exceedingly well m loving a richly dowered young lady of higher social position than his own, for though to the aristocrat in his balloon all these midland middle - class manufacturing families might have appeared monotonously flat, yet to themselves they were an Alpine world, chaotically peak- ed. In the social atlas of Midstoke all these heights and valleys lay marked with that microscopic exactitude which makes a mountain out of every mole -hill. No consideration of birth, connection, calling, or income was too minute for registration, and Broser, as the son of one of those geniuses of the soil who are born in a hut, spend their days in a factory built by themselves, and endthem in a mansion built by a nobleman, was hamper- ed in his aspirations by his father's aspirates. If the young bridegroom on the day he scaled one of the higher peaks of Midstoke was aware that elsewhere in the great wonderful world were Himalayas that outdid even the highest of his Alps, these ranges had not come under his own eye^ nor challenged his own foot. He lived four years of ample satisfaction with his 195 «' ^ .1 i I J THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH Susannah, marred only by the death of one of the four children she bore him. Thou the demon of unrest enter- ed into his soul. Old Broser had kept his boys down almost to his ovm early pecuniary level, much as in higher circles a man who has suffered tortures as a fag, sends his sons to the same public school. Besides, the old peasant had in exaggeration the general Midstoke desire to "cut up well," and the imaginary posthumous satisfaction of daz- zling Midstoke by the revelation of his hoard -overcame even his repugnance to the Legacy Duties, whicU would make his death so expensive. N'ow, realizing that he had to wait until his father's death for financial indepcnihMice, Broser began to grow tired of his prosaic position in his father's business, and in the petty church and parochial matters of Midstoke, and to yearn for a larger field for his militant instincts. He had always been connected with a local Badical assc ciation, and now he began to push himself forward more and more in its affairs. Even Susannah's people were Radicals, having, like the rest of Midstoke, succumbed to the spell of Bryden, and realized that the manufacturers Avere left out of the distribution of political power. When but a lad, Broser had thrown himself headlong into the Cause, steeped himself in polemic literature, discovered his grievances, and added to them by daily study, till he grew to hate bitterly the classes that had monopolized power. For as, after his marriage, his social vision widened, and the Himalayas dawned upon his ken, their soaring summits seemed to abase him to the plain, and forgetting his own peak, be demanded that every hill should be laid low and every valley exalted; yea, even that the crowned apex of all should be smitten to the dust. Monarchy M-as an outworn superstition. Divine right Avas only an impertinent synonym for human wrong. It was human right that must be the watchword of thn future. The peerage was a brainless diseased crew, de- 196 I BOB BROSER )f the four irest enter- to his owTi 'los a man ions to the lit had in " cut up on of daz- '^vercame ich would is father's 11 to grow iness, and Midstoke, . instincts, rlical asso* vard more ople were Miinbed to Lifacturers n\ When ', into the liscovered ly, till he inopolizcd al vision his ken, the plain, lat every ted; yea, mitten to 1. Divine m wrong, fd of tho crew, de- sccn(:ed from royal favorites. The House of Lords was a relic of mediieval barbarism. The House of Commons was the happy hunting-ground of tho idle rich, to tho exclusion of the world's workers. The army and navy '.vere run as branches of Society, and the governmental departments were constellations of cousins. For the poor man only one function— to pay for it all. The social system was simply disguised slavery. The helotry was the depositary of virtue. But the People would no long- er be content with virtue's reward. Bryden's prophetic vision had reached to one man, one vote — there lay the last horizon of Radicalism, Broser and the boon com- panions of his political intoxication saw endless perspec- tives of progress, even unto that last Utopian Holland dotted with grazing equals. For himself, too, Broser began to see perspectives of proRToss — beyond this narrow provincial society which had begotten him and had so satisfied his energies that he had never been to London, except as a youth in his teens to see the Great Exhibition. It was from this very narrowness, this intense living, that, all unsuspecting, he drew the strength which now drove him forward to im- pose himself upon a wider world. But Broser was not so popular with his colleagues as he was with his au- diences, who had only to sway to his intellect and emo- tion. His colleagues had to bend to his will. He was a screw-steamer amid sailing-vesgels, ploughing his way straigiit ahead regardless of wind or weather. It was as President of the Young Men's Radical Association that he had proposed the vote of thanks to Marshmont, though the meeting was really under the auspices of an older organization. But years before, when a famous writer had come to read from his works before this same Y. M. R. A., Broser, who was then only a member of the Committee, equally insisted on making the speech which should introduce the writer to the audience. His claim was that he was President of the Literary Section, and 197 ; I>': „} '?^ w THE ilANTLE OF ELIJAH as such practically the President on this literary occa- sion. Bnt the real President of the Association reCd to surrender his privilege of introducing the great n an IjtL'nl r'u Y'f^^ '^ ^-^^'^^^ ™"gl"^g through: oiit the Club heralded the coming of the star, and even when he came the point had not^een decided Eroser ZJ ^,r''^'''\:''''^ still arguing it when the celebrity stood on the small stage behind the curtain. Before k the audience was stamping its feet with impatience. The disputants appealed to the celebrity helt'in dismaV'''"'^^ ' '""'"" '''' "^ '^ '^"'^'" " But surely it is obvious," crl' d Broser " that flie President of the Literary Section- ' " But the reading is for the whole Club, not for the Literary Section only," said the President. -Every' body expects me to introduce vou, sir." The clapping and stamping'becanie louder Gentlemen, gentlemen," appealed the celebrity, don t make me lose my reputation for punctuality." f,,.r. '' ^^^..^^^^ "^"^t not lose its reputation for" punc- tuality," said Broser to the President. " The curtain must be rung up instantly. Have the goodness to walk o the wing, Mr. President, leaving me to be discovered with our illustrious guest." fhJkhtl ^? ""^ T^ *^r?- ^° '"'^^ red-letter occasions the President must surely be in the chair. The position of ^our guest demands no less." "•^^ ^J}'^^^ ''°t ^ insulted," said the celebrity genially. Then, quaking under the President's eye "J mean, don't consider me in the least." ' ' "It will be a great blow to the Literary Section if I don t preside," said Broser. The celebrity had a happy thought. "Well, why can'^ one of you introduce me at the bepnning and the other thank me at the end?" The waiting public became clamorous. 198 BOB BROSER srary occa- on refused great man. ig througli- , and even d. Broser e celebrity Before it, ence. Tlie o decide," "that the ot for the " Every- celebrity, ility." for piinc- e curtain 3 to walk liscovered occasions i position celebrity eye, " 1 tion if I Q at the "Our audiences don't like to be kept waiting after the reading," said the President. " They don't seem to relish it before," said the celeb- rity grimly. " Then suppose we neither take the chair," Broser sug- gested sulkily. The celebrity, in his relief at the sug- gestion, overlooked the grammatical inelegance of the 1 resident of the Literary Section. _ " Even that would be better than the President's seem- ing to fail in respect," said the President of the Asso- ciation in general. "It seems to me a fair compromise," observed the ce- lebrity anxiously, for the audience was by now furious '\ery well," said Broser. "We'll both leave the stage. King up." The man at the right wing began to pull up the cur- tain, ilie President hurried to the left wing. As the curtain rose, Broser was discovered in the centre of the stage. The celebrity hovered in the background. As soon as the applause died down, Broser introduced the great man in a few brief phrases, and went off to ioin the turning President at the wing. ^'^'But you did introduce him!" hissed the latter. 1 suggested neither of us should occupy the chair" replied Broser coolly. " I am not occupying it. It is ya\yning vacantly— thanks to your obstinacy." But you introduced him." " Those few words cannot be considered a speech. I had to throw overboard all that the Literary Section ex- pected me to say about our illust-.ous visitor." And he looked so aggrieved that the President felt apologetic. But his rage returned the next morning when he found that the newspapers reported that Mr. Robert Broser words" ""' '''"*^'' '" ^ ^""^ well -chosen Nor was Broser more popular with the members for Midstoke. The great Bryden had politely rejected all -lyy THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH V '-m his social overtures, without, however, diminishing Bro- ser's admiration for his eloquence and comparative bold- ness, and Mrs. Broser subscribed handsomely to the bust. When the Right Honorable Thomas Marshmont came to Midstoke to unveil it, Broser was thrilled with the greatness of the man and the hour, and strove enthusiasti- cally to secure an important speech in so momentous a ceremonial. When he oflFered his fealty to the Minister and besought the great man to use him, his desire thus to get into touch with the great world was redeemed from sordidness by the halo which surrounded this world, as of a rallying-ground for the forces which move mankind, and which he would use to lift the People. For indeed there were wings under his provincial frock-coat, a-quiver to burst their sheath and spread to the breeze of advent- It was not, however, till he had forced himself ure upon the gentle Marshmont and accompanied him to The Manor House that he began to be aware that his Susannah would burden those wings oppressively on their upward strain. A certain gaucherie stamped her as other clay than the radiant Dulsie and Mabel, and though her anaem- ic personality, as neutral as the tint of her pale hair, had hitherto satisfied his need of an idolatress needing protection, he began to feel that an idolatress at home but an idol abroad were the happier combination. Her worshippers would have supplemented his, and her known worship of him would have exalted his public personality, besides adding a subtle sweetness to her pri- vate incense. And apart from this, there was the neces- sity for adequate behavior in the higher social groups among which his mission for human brotherhood would take him. He himself was equal to any fate, had bound- less intelligence and adaptability, but how about poor Susannah ? Broser had moments of heart - sickness in the thought of how his life-work might be impeded by her. His father had not brought him up to the cult of the 200 king Bro- tive bold- the bust, ont came with the ithusiasti- aentous a Minister 3sire thus med from world, as mankind, or indeed , a-quiver if advent- l himself m to The Susannah r upward ther clay er ana;m- lale hair, I needing at home ton. Iler and her is public I her pri- he neces- il groups )d would ;d bound- out poor kness in peded by It of the BOB BROSER morning tub, yet when he had found a cold-water batli in his room at The Manor House, he had instantly under- stood — where Susannah would have betrayed herself — and, even before he had schooled himself to'^ endure it, he had had the wit to splash the water over the floor with his hands, so that the servants should not suspect. When it was settled by the doctors that ^Marshmont must take Mrs. Marshmont abroad to divert and rouse her mind, Broser with vague foresight of diplomatic circles had likewise the wit to throw cold water on his wife's enthusiasm for foreign travel, pleading the chil- dren. AVhen Marshmont in his turn declared that he would not need Mr. Broser, at he must devote himself body and soul to his wife, Broser proved to him that this was the very reason he, Broser, was needed. The great leader must not let go the thread of politics. It would save him from depression, and the country from degeneration. :N"evertheless Marshmont, in his dejection at the death of Tom and the backsliding of the Radical party, and in the uncertainty of the duration of his wife's illness, did offer to resign his seat, but his constituents refused to sur- render him. After all they enjoyed the reflex of his im- portance, not least, perhaps, when he was unpopular. Let him take a long holiday by all means. And so Thomas Marshmont M.P., travelled hither and thither on the Con- tinent, and Broser developed into an admirable courier, who, though he had not the gift of tongues, was never dumfounded or discountenanced, but plouijbed his stolid British way through mediaeval cities, ancient catacombs, and complicated currencies. He packed the luggage and took the railway tickets and was never cheated at the booking-offices, even in Italy. He made the journey as smooth as a good sea-passage, though Gwenny, who acted as the invalid's maid, refused to budge from her preju- dices against him. But over Marshmont his ascendency grew, the more subservient he became. To the filial note 201 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH of the young man, the elder responded with the pater- nal. He tried to mend the ^aps in Broser's culture, to direct his reading in English, to improve his stvle ^nd his taste, and generally to teach him-what others ac- cused Marshmont himself of forgetting-that the human- itiM were as important as books of information By which teaching ^he late President of the Literary Section of the M. Y. M. R. A. profited eagerly. InZl tacular he skimmed the English poets from Chaucei to i)eldon,^ so as on his return to have to pretend less before Allegras allusions. But even more profitable was the teaching ^yhlch he received as unconsciously as it was given. His^ manners improved by involuntary assimila- tion; and his private voice grew distinct from his public voice. Add the equally unconscious broadening given by travel, and Broser's tour will be seen well worth his rail- way and hotel bills. Indeed no young nobleman of ?he ancient time ever had a better chance of meeting eminent personages, though Marshmont's visitors were mainly Con- tinental Radicals come to pay their respects to the English prophet turned sick-nurse, and Broser could only occasion- ally snatch the centre of the stage and exchange political views with them as at par. F^^iui^di As he heard himself talk, Broser felt himself more than ever equipped for membership of the House of Commons. he pater- ilture, to style and thers ac- ; human- Literary In par- aucer to 3s before was the ! it was issimila- s public ?iven by his rail- 1 of the eminent ily Con- English iccasion- political )re than mmons. CHAPTER XIX "THE HOUSE" TTXTIL he came to London from The Manor House, ,, . -'f^'oser had never seen the House of Commons. On the night of Marshmont's impeachment of the Government he saw It for the first time and in all its feverous glory And h,s emotion was one of surprise at the smallness o± t.ie historic chamber. "Is this the mighty ocean— is this all?" r,«o^i '"'^"^'^5^r^ y°o°^' With rows of dark green benches neatly parted in the middle, crowded with men lolW and wearing their hats as in a tap-house. Why Vspeak here was nothing, to one who had forced his ^rsonTlitv upon the ultimate bench of great halls. One could ho d this in the hollow of one's hand. The Prime Sister ? Th^T etu?7Eeth' '^''''T''. ^^^^^"^ ^^ ^^'^wl! -L le irea>,ury ±5ench— was it only a common form nr, :tv T T'"'^'^' ^"^^^"^ .your^neeT And r'Op position You just sat on the other side of the tabL rose td lo^d frr'^ ^' ^^^" -- a mL?4,';ou rose and looked disdainful: you took a step forward and banged a brass-bound box on the table. Why, Tn these t haVSinrS^:? "^^ ''T'' ^ P-ona/eCinte publicit? Si f '°'"^^ magnificence of platform puDiicity And as the speaking went on as theqp Tnn tonef „t'.?h '"r^' h ^™*^'' - WsUir^an : turned out to be channels for " hems " and " ha's " and h. one gray-beards mumWed and stumbled ponW nZ fully over pages of notes, the^pro«nei.lhe.^.w:fg& £ I I>: ■. t I ' '< •f THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH the gallery looked do^v^l on it all with an actual sense of superiority, in lieu of the awe he had expected to feel. And when they did get a man who could speak — when Marshmont rose to his feet to denounce the Novabarbese campaign — lo ! these cowardly ciiampions of War howled him down.; hitting him below the belt, so to speak. Broser's blood boiled. Oh, to bo in Marshmont's place down tiiere! How he would smite three Philistines hip and thigh ! Parliament had for years been in hi.? mind as a final ambition. Now the dream-like remoteness of it faded: It became a workaday thing, a practical possibility on the near horizon. Bah! he could easily dazzle and amuse some constituency into electing him. And then— look out, you down there ! He grasped his umbrella tighter, as gi-eat streams of energy ran through his every limb. The Front Bench did not .f^m so far ahead. These old fogies and middle-aged nonentities on the back benches, one could brush them aside as one sweeps through a crowd to catch a train. And the immemorial corruptions, how he would sweep through them, too ! Nothing should awe him any more, not the Throne itself. He had seen what this Parliament was— just the debating society of the Mid- stoke Young Men's Radical Association over again, and far less brilliant, instructive, and expeditious. The As- sociation settled the country's affairs in a fourth of the time. Ay, the House was a " soft job," as they said up North. And, unknown to himself, a smile of complacency softened his strong features. His chance caine sooner than even he had dared to ex- pect. One of the members for Midstoke— he who had presided at the war demonstration— applied for the Chil- tern Hundreds, having been appointed to a Colonial post m recognition of his services during the crisis. The news reached Broser in Naples, where Mrs. Marshmont had had a relapse, literally brought on by the bare ribs and sore flanks of the unhappy cab-horses that toiled under the 204 "THE HOUSE" everybod;^ that they were longing to return to England. " O to be in England, now that April's there !" he read to them from Bro^vning— one of the few lines he understood Gwenny needed no such ren.indor of the su' penontj of England. The images of Oatholic sm had combmed with the discomforts of hotel life ami "ng r a 1 way journeys to disgust her with travel. Gwennv under- stood pauper emigration but the rich nomad puz.led her. U ma am - she said to Mrs. Marshmont, " I can't understand why people rolth money should want to tra e^' Broser admitted candidly that he himself was bit- ten by the idea of going back to restore Midstoke to its who knew?-a Tory might even creep in. Unless, of course, Marshmont could not spare him temporarilv. But, my dear Broser, I must come down and help JKJIA, " No, no sir; you have already done more than I can ever repay." But Mrs. Marshmont pined for tlie En-lish countrv- side, and the old war-horse, her husband, yearned for bat- tle and shared Broser's fears for the metropolis of Radi- calism. So they all went home, and the name of Broser became temporarily famous as that of the most startling of the triangular duellists in a fiercely contested election. For a section of the Radicals, mistaking dislike of Broser's personality for distrust of his too advanced programme brought forward a more moderate candidate in opposition,' verv .h! "^V" '\'T^ ^^^'^"^ '^'' Tory minority the very chance Broser had professed to dread, a Tory can- didate was put up in the hope the two Radicals would neu- ralize each other. The more moderate Radical styled Zdf ''" J- ^-lection address, «a humble followerof Bryden. As Broser styled himself " a humble follower 205 H if THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH of Marshmont," the latter liad the pain and bewilderment pf feeling himself somehow opposed to his old comrade- in-arms, as well as entangled with opinions more icono- clastic than he had ever professed. But he was borne along on the current of Broscr's and Allegra's enthusiasm. For Allegra, who had reattached herself to her father's person, drove about the fiery, sooty town, canvassing dubious voters and preaching the doctrine of Broser to them with a convincing play of pretty eye and lip. She felt that at last she had entered the world of action, and was no longer open to Joan's scorn for the unpractical. Midstoke itself with its slag heaps and its polluted river, into which steam-jets hissed from factory walls, grew dear- er and diviner than Rosmere — from this strenuous ugli- ness should spring the future's gospel of light. Even the h-less old Broser was glorified to her eyes as the rug- ged progenitor; though she found it difficult to persuade him that there was something after all in his Bob's opin- ions. The world was all right, he argued obstinately: a man with gumption could always get on, while loafers and drinkers must go to the wall In the stress of all this polemics, Allegra's shyness began to wear off; by the end of the campaign she could almost have spoken' at the hustings. She was not allowed to go to the meet- ings, for they were often riotous. When the poll was declared, alas! the Tory was on top and Broser at the bottom ! The scat was lost to the party, Marshmont's prestige was seriously undermined, and Mrs. Marshmont's condition had gro\\Ti worse than ever through this ill-advised return to England. But no one thought of blaming Broser. Everybody waa too busy condoling with him and admiring the brave face he put on misfortune, and his proud prophetic speech to the crowd. " I am young," he said. " The abuses I challenge are old. Yet neither I nor they can wait. If not from Parliament, then from the house-tops I will cry against them, till they crumble. Midstoke, to which Brvden and 206 iklcrment conirndo- )re icono- vas borne thnsiasm. r father's anvassing Broscr to lip. She !tion, and practical, ted river, rew dear- ous ugli- t. Even I the rug- persuade )b's opin- itinately: e loafers ss of all off; by, e spoken :he meet- was on st to the ermined, irse than But no too busy e he put 1 to the ;hallenge lot from ' against ^den and "THE HOUSE" iaikness. But the light will shine on, and in shininc hirn aw,^y the historic shams, the antiquated fcuda s mf which stifle and cripple us. ^uumisma "Ay. it must come I The Tyrant's throne Is crumbling, with our hot tears rusted ; The Sword earth's mighty have leant on Is canker'd with our heart's blood crusted Koon ! for the men of Mind make way I " ie robber Rulers, pause no longer- Ye cannot stay the opening day • The world rolls on. the light grows stronger, The People's Advent's coming." her'gToom*° *"""' '' ^"""'''" "'"^ ^"^S^"' "P' *«» This proved to be Marshmont's last public camoaiim for more than a year. Worried by n.oney affairsTnd S act viVZn,n "'"'"T 7^"''' '"" for Joan', ch^rft he seWom wentrtb^t''-' """"t ""^''^ unendurable, diw|J:"cv-H„f 5 t?t^te^x-;r cured°\h:r'"'7^"'p°"''"'''y f" *=' i« te; t' j>; and yo^^tfd b'4rn^oYir Zl'l'l^-f^^ '^°'"' n,V office-boy. agajfst yo^u'^'d aJnta , tfoth™' T phlets. No, no, don't let i.s lav th» train of "-ar •' ^ A byproduct of this generous polie;';:* Abel's „.. • 207 ^., 1^ ,. a 1 ? ! i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH riage to Lord Arthur Pangthorne, in defiance of the heads of both families: to wit, the Marquis, and Joan. Fizzy further found a place for the bridegroom as assistant bailiff on his estates, for the young aristocrat had had some experience on the broad lands that would come to his brother, and preferred the post to sheep-farming in New Zealand. " Younger sons are the salt of the peerage and the sal- vation of the system," said Fizzy at the wedding-break- fast. '' If the estate was left to the eldest son, and the title to the youngest, we should have a House of Lords which even I shouldn't want to sweep away." This wedding brought a needed touch of color into the life of the Marshmonts, and proved better than Italy for Mrs. Marshmont. She tried to disguise it from Joan, but she was vastly proud of having given birth to a Lady Arthur, and her retrospective vision saw this child of hers as if gilded from the cradle. She felt Lord Arthur more as a son than Connie's husband, and had wild unspoken hopes that a grandson of hers would some day somehow arrive at the Marquisate. As if this influx of new blue blood had tinged Broser's thoughts too, he expressed a wish to see a famous political salon — like Lady Huston's. That lady had been exces- sively amiable to Marshmont since he had retired from the Ministry, and readily sent Broser a card at his re- quest. Besides, she had a faint curiosity to see the roar- ing Kadical of nine days' notoriety. Both Marshmont and Broser forgot about Mrs. Broser, while Lady Ruston remembered to forget Ik r, having had experience of the wives of rising politicians. But she found one peep at the newfangled monster enough: he was not to her sensi- tive nostrils. Poor Lord Ruston, however, with his mud- dled memory for faces, and that incapacity to recognize his own henchmen which sometimes changed the history of England, imagined that the young man strutting about so masterfully must be a son of one of his tame dukos. 208 [ the heads in. Fizzy 3 assistant t had had d come to arming in nd the sal- ling-break- n, and the } of Lords 3r into the 1 Italy for rom Joan, to a Lady ild of hers •thur more . unspoken ■f somehow (d Broser's is political >een exces- tired from at his re- e the roar- lilarshmont dy Ruston nee of the le peep at her sensi- h his mud- ) recognize ;he history tting about dukes. I "TH2 HOUSE" "How is your father?" he asked. It was his stock question for young men, though occasionally he bl mdered upon an orphan. The gratified Broser replied at Mg father was perfectly well, and would be delfghted o hear *^f I;%d Huston had inquired after him. great man w1tfJ'"r~' ^'"'^^ ^^^^^"^' '^''' ^^^^ the greai man witii genial vagueness, JJi''''^ your lordship does not suffer from age," re- plied Broser with his best society manner. ^ He was proud and flattered,yet at the same time his crit- ical eye was analyzing this historic person, without whom elt^^Xr^r'^''''''' T' "t^ °"'^ - amiable noT entity whom he was sure he could smash in fair debate As Lord Huston turned away to welcome a new truest with a non-committal remark about the weather Broser 7ol^ angry to think how this titled mediocri y had found a gates flying open before him, while he, Brier, wa rejected of the town he had served so faithfully ^^jectea Ah, those miserable Midstokers. How they would the rs Int " --t t"ency which was other than theirs! But never would he go back to them never though seven manufacturers plucked at his coat-taHs Let them live on the memory of their Brvden rt" perhaps it was better he should'^.tamp himsel Vn a W ^ ^rsSordtxt."" '^ ''' ^ ^^-^^ -^^-^ ^^^^ Nevertheless, when the onnnrfnm'fTr „„. n glad enough to divide the hors^i&^rmoS^^^^^^^^ was as the junior member for the Hazelhurst district that Broser forced the portals of the House The de'th of the Tory squire from apoplexy had given the chanle slire'To "?''l"i't -nstituency to Radicalism The famTlv Sr Yi ^''l '• ^'^™ ^^ ^^""^^l homage to h s re'refented Lt ^^^ "^^ '^' ""^ ^ory candidate it;preseniea only political onminns Mor-brrr^r^'-. i i mfluence and Allegra's sweet ^iles were Inough .^"sol;:™ ^09 ' ,1 i • -f- I i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH the victory, denied at Midstoke; and sponsored by such celebrities as William Fitzwinter and the ex-Minister, Robert Broser, M.P., stalked proudly past the Sergeant- at-arms, and took the oath of fealty to that Majesty it was understood he purposed to destroy. For his platform had already attracted some attention, thanks mainly to his having contested two by-elections: when the super of the general election occupies the centre of the stage. And, thrilling with this dramatic self - consciousness, feeling every inch the " Fighting Bob " he had already been nick- named, Broser made his first appearance in the historic Chamber much as young author or painter enters his first salon. The hostess, past whose gracious vision all the gods of the era have defiled, looks with kindly curiosity at the young man, but he enters with the convic- tion that she is abased at his feet and that every eye is watching his entry. Broser had made up his mind that his maiden speech should be Amazonian. He would r;'t catch the Speaker's eye coyly. K"ot for him the perfunctory ap- plause of an encouraging House. He would be a person- ality from the start. Of course he would follow Marsh- mont — even in the sense of letting him speak before him, but, though he would mount on Marshmont's shoulders, it must be seen from the first that he had a head of his own. Fortune gave him an opening. There was a question of a Parliamentary grant to a relative of the Crown. Bro- ser girded up his loins to smite the Court hip and thigh. He would unveil the expense of keeping a Royal Family. He would crystallize the vaporous Republicanism that floated up from the lowly places of the People. He would import into English politics the French or American accent. ^ He arranged to give his first London party in honor of his first speech, and carefully instructed Mrs. Broser how to comport herself. The good creature was ready enough 210 d by such [-Minister, Sergeant- ;sty it was platform inly to his per of the ge. And, is, feeling been nick- 16 historic er enters Dus vision th kindly he convic- ery eye is 3 maiden catch the ictory ap- a person- »w Marsh- 5fore him, shoulders, 3ad of his I question wn. Bro- md thigh. ,1 Family, lism that He would American L honor of roser how j„ u ij ciiuugii "THE HOUSE" to be rid of her provincialisms, save in the matter of Sun- day, at the loose observance of which in metropolitan Radi- cal circles she remained obstinately shocked. In Midstoke the sexes had a way of accentuating themselves by separa- tion. Ihe women would herd at one end of the drawing- room, the men at the other, or quite by themselves in a card-room or a smoking-room. When the Brosers received, A f .r'\. . ^^?, *^^ V^Tvasive spirit, not the hostess. At the Rustons' Broser had observed with astonishment the deference paid to the Lady. He was sorry he had not taken his wife about, so that she should observe the de- portment she was now called upon to imitate. Don t be surprised if gentlemen converse with vou " he^warned her, " and try to say something sensible in r'e- Brirrlimidiy'^ ^"''^ '"^^'"^ ^^'""^ ^°^'*''''" '^'^ ^^''' ;; Well, talk about me That will always interest them." Ah, 1 wish I was like Allegra Marshmont. She is so clever she would know what to say. And must I stav aU the time at the top of the stairs ?" ^ I' Yes, and smile all the time." 2 All the time ?" she repeated in alarm. ^^ On everybody and at everything «" Marshlr?""'' ' '" '°™ ' '^-^ ^'^P» -- «° »-* the "Good gracious, no! That you must do only to the I should like to see the Prince Broser irrelevantly. 01 the House to a new-comer gave wav to a growin- sense of outrage. Interruptions, groans, hisses, cries of '-TOe' 211 Prince of Wales," said Mrs. THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH 'Vide," sprang up to divert the roaring stream of oratory. But over all those hinderances Broser passed, foaming; stirred to fresh vigor. He must outshout the House, if only that Allegra, i;p there behind the grille, should not be cheated out of hearing him. They should not brow-beat him, these fossilized representatives of the comfortable classes. He knew their prejudices. Marshmont,whohad no glory even in the war of words, to whom it was a pain to provoke well-meaning folk, had done his best to moderate his disciple. But Broser, despite his residuum of rever- ence for his master, felt there was need of a terrible truth- ful Goth to trample through their lace-work of conven- tions. He was not to be bamboozled by their stained- glass windows, their mediaeval mummeries of robe and wig and hour-glass, of ushers and Black Rods, of swords and maces, and cocked hats. The hot blood of the down- trodden glowed in him : he felt himself the incarnation of the People, rising in leonine majesty and shaking the bars of its cage. In truth Broser was the conduit through which there at last arrived in the House that crude flood of thought that had carried the intelligent artisan off his feet : all that irreverent challenging of Throne and Church which divided with sensational crimes the columns of the People's journals ; all the righteous resentment of the scan- dals of high life and extravagances of Courts in implicit contrast with the blameless purity of the British working- man ; all that stream of pamphlets and leaflets and poems and pasquinades which had become the scriptures of a discontented Demos, the gospels of a movement not without religious sincerity. But even Broser with all the strength of his lungs and of his apostolic conviction could not outbellow the throat of the House, and the cock-crow of a young Tory blood threw everybody into convulsions. In vain Broser ges- ticulated and thundered: Parliament, he found, was not the Midstoke Y. M. R. A. There was borne in upon him a gloomy perception that he had underrated the forces of 212 I .J i )f oratory, foaming ; House, if iild not be brow-beat »mfortable ^ho had no a pain to moderate . of rever- ible truth- )f conven- r stained- robe and of swords the down- rnation of g the bars ugh which 3 flood of OF his feet : d Church nna of the f the scau- n implicit 1 working- md poems ures of a ot without "THE HOUSE" the fossils But, he told himself, they were underrating nim, too ; they should yet hang upon his lips. He went on impatiently to tlie end, tlirough all the clamor, though in pure pantomime, and resumed his seat amid a pandemonium of derisive cheers. Yet he was not utterly cast domi. A copy of his speech— minus only the few impromptus, extorted by opposition, but in compensa- tion punctuated with " Cheers "—was already in type at the Morning Mirror and Hazelhurst Herald, and the coun- try would hear it all the same. That the House dared not hear it was a triumph, not a defeat. II lungs and e throat of 'ory blood •roser ges- 1, was not upon him 3 forces of I'l I ' CHAPTER XX MRS. BROSER AT HOME "11 /TE, and Mrs Broser dined earlier than usual on the i-VA evening of their first London reception. It was the Saturday evening following the great unheard speech. Mrs. Broser had hegged for Wednesday— the other political va- cation—so that the festivities might not brim over into the Sunday, but Broser had replied that she must do as Lady Ruston did. To-night her uneasiness returned. 1^ Oh, I wish we weren't going to break the Sabbath." "Don't begin that again. We are not among your Midstoke gossips any longer." " I know, Bob, but ' ouldn't we finish at twelve ?" " What ! Like a public-house ?" Old Broser — tickled by Lord Ruston's solicitude as to his health— had parted with a bin of his oldest port for the occasion — and indeed would have come up himself to witness its imbibition, had Bob taken the hint as readily as the bin. The old fellow had become a Town Councillor, as though catching ambition from his son, and was prepared to follovr sympathetically his boy's career, conducted at Mrs. Broser's expense. But Bob was satis- fied he should follow it at a distance. He was sipping some of the port now, holding it up to the light to admire its color, and letting it linger voluptuously upon his pal- ate, for he loved the best in wines, cigars, meats, and fine linen, his taste in such things needing little refinement by London society standards. But he still cherished a fear of those standards, and was plaguing his wife all through dinner with questions as to whether this or that was duly 214 lal on the It was the eeeh. Mrs. »litical va- ;r into the as Lady bbath." ong your ve?" solicitude lis oldest come up . the hint 8 a Town son, and *s career, vas satis- 3 sipping :o admire 1 his pal- and fine ement by ;d a fear [ through was duly MRS. BROSER AT HOME arranged. He did not observe how ill she looked under the strain and anxiety of this momentous evolution Ihe chi dren still sat at table with them, Bobby pris- oned ,n his high baby-chair, and the twins, Polly ^aml i oHy, aged seven. Mrs. Broser studied their ration^ ca e fully, and with morbid solicitude cut up their food and her own prandial enio.>T.ient. They were not handsome even as children. Little Bobby Lad' his father's hig if"e head ana massive jaw, Polly and Molly had pale faces and rawy hair and eyes like slits. But to Mr . Broser they were marvels of beauty and intelligence. Bobby's pug^a^ Clous obstinacy she considered manrvspirit,while^sL^??er ceased to wonder over Polly's and Molly's premature re marks about adult things, which she misto4f or si^s of gen- '''t7 U ;P T'll "^T^y precociously commonplacf. lo-night the children's normal behavior seemed to their tense y strung father intolerable naughtiness, and he threatened hat they should never be allowed to eat with their parents again. er^i'^s'aTd Mol!/"' '""" ^'^^^^ °"^^^^^^^' "^ *^^ — Mrs. Broser laughed, but her lord frowned at her. sannlh.'''^' "^^* "^ '^''' '^^^'''' ''''y ^^^^^^ S"" "They have been hearing so much of this party" she said apologetically. ^ -^^ ^'^^ "I shall stand at the head of the stairs," said Pollv up e^e^ything.''"^^'^ ""''^ P^'"'"'" " ^^''' ' '^' ''^<^^'' " W ti *^^^ ^''*^'' ^"^ everything," he growled, well, you were angry because they wouldn't listen to you in Parliament," Molly protested. the back ' R^l ^A^X '^'l'^' ^"^ ^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^PPed on the back. He had taken the opportunity surreptitiously to swallow something beyond his years. ^P^^^o^^^y he was'be't^ter.'^'"^^^" "'^ *^^ "°^^^^ admiringly, when 215 ! ifWi I i ,'V THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH After these terrible infants were packed off to bed, Mrs. Broser retired to array herself for the great evening. ]3roscr, who Avas already in his dress clothes, with a gar- denia in his button-hole, marched up and down the recep- tion-rooms, feverish wath energy and far-reaching medita- tion. The rooms looked well to his eye — he had taken a house in a fashionable London square, and added imi- tations of the Marshmont drawing-room to his Midstoke furniture. He could not find so florid a clock, having to content himself with as tiny a dial, hidden between a erablike foundation and a crown of three Cupids playing with pigeons. Nor could he parallel Mrs. ]\[arshmont'8 easy-chair with the canine arms. But the aquiline side- board was easy to emulate, and the general effect of the rooms was similar. The flowers scattered everywhere to- night filled his heart with gay images. And so he paced and paced, lost in brilliant reverie. _ The chirping of the hour behind the little dial roused him, and he wondered impatiently why Mrs. Broser was not ready. In half an hour guests might begin to arrive, pnd it was her duty to be dressed in that wonderful new dress, and to give a last look round and final directions to the servants. He waited five minutes more, then he burst into her room without knocking. " My dear Susannah !" rushed remonstrantly from his lips, ere he perceived that she had been taken ill, half-way through her toilet, and was lying prostrate in her arm- chair by the fire, groaning, with her maid standing by, frightened. " What's the matter ?" he said in a tone softer but still remonstrant. " It's my liver again, I suppose," she moaned apolo- getically, " You mustn't give way to fancies," he said encourage ingly. Mrs. Broser burst into tears. " Oh Bob dear ! It has been coming on all day." 216 bed, Mrs. evening, th a gar- he reeep- y medita- ad taken Ided imi- Midstoke :, having etween a 3 playing 'shmont's line side- ct of the ivhere to- he paced il roused oser was ;o arrive, rful new ctions to he burst from his half-way ler arm- ding by, but still d apolo- ncourag- It has il MRS. BROSER AT HOME "m.v didn't you tell me? Why didn't you semi for the doctor i He turned on the maid. '^ Why didn't vou eo for the doctor, Clara ? Don't you know Mrs. Broser h!s to receive her guests ?" " I can't, Bob, I can't. Oh !" ;' But you must, old lady. Take a dose of salts or some- thing—you'll be all ritrht." " ^^^{^^1 ^"^ '''^'^^'^^ "'^ • They won't miss me. Let me go to bed." " Go for the doctor, Clara. He'll pull you round. I sTakino-"'' ^^^ *° ^^""^ ''' P^^^-"^e-up just before " ^^o» ^op\gO'. Clara. I know exactly what he'll sav. 1 ve been disobeying all his directions these last two days. He'll only scold me." ^ " What ! You've been having the doctor '" ;; Don't be angry. Bob. I didn't like to upset you." Well make an effort now, dearest. Do, for my sake." He picked up the wonderful new dress. "There dear' 1 do so want to see how pretty you look in it '" ' A light leaped into Mrs. Broser's eyes, but died out in a spasm of pam She hid the tempting frock from her vision, covering her face with her hands, and rocked her- self, moaning hysterically, " I can't. I can't." Help her on with it, Clara. Come, Susannah iust pull yourself together." "sannan, just She shook her head and sobbed out : " Don't you think I want to see all your friends, dear ? Oh, it is very hard on =. ! ^J"* -^7,"^"^*^^'.* desert me like this, darling. It will be so awkward to receive everybody myself, when they're ex^ pectmg a pretty hostess, and such a nuisance to expIaTn to everybody you're not well. Just fancy what a heap of questionings I shall have to endure. Come, Susannah don't spoil my evening. Brace up." He raised herrntly and put. the frock on her clumsily. Instinctive^ she adjusted it, and then the maid fastened it ^ 217 Ih! WI- THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " Thrt's all right, you see," he said, kissing her. " Look —look at yourself. Fancy my doorway without that charming figure. Bathe her eyes, Clara." Invi i-orated and magnetized by his rude healthy energy, Mrs. Broser ceased to sob aloud: only her breast heaved and fell while the maid ministered to her. Once or twice she drew in her breath sharply, as if at a spasm. Then, when she was all tricked out, and Broser was surveying her complacently, she collapsed suddenly, and fell across the bed, moaning afresh. " I can't," she sobbed, " I can't." Broser was in despair. He had set his mind on paral- leling the Ruston reception just as he had paralleled the Marshmont furuiture. And without a hostess, his party was spoiled. " My poor Susannah ! Wait a little ! Wait a little! You will feel better. Give her a dose of her medicine, Clara." Clara measured out various fluids with teaspoons, and Broser, dismissing h, r, foroed the sufferer to swallow the mixture. " There !" he said. " I'm sure you feel better. You mustn't give way to these morbid fancies, darling. Come, stand up. That's right ! I couldn't bear you to be away at the beginning of my social career. It would be such a bad omen. Think of it all, Susannah— this is just the opening out. Who knows how high I shall go? How would you like to have me Prime Minister of England ?" Susannah smiled through her tears: "I'm afraid I sha'n't live to see that." " Don't be so sure. The House is simply a mass of mediocrities. In ten years' time — where will they be ? As forgotten as their medieval superstitions, as dead as Roy- alty. In ten years England will be a Republic. The forces are gathering. I hear the rumble of doom. And Prime Minister of England— think what that will mean then." She gazed at him in open-eyed wonder, yet with more of admiration than incredulity. He had got to London 218 I I Mi •• "Look lout that y energy, at heaved J or twice I. Then, surveying ell across on paral- lleled the his party e! Wait 36 of her )on3, and allow the 3r. You Come, be away be such just the > ? How land «" afraid I mass of be ? As LS Roy- be forces d Prime then." ith more London, 1 ( AN'I', UOU, I I A.N'r 1 i 1 1 .a^jBti 1 1 i ^■^; ' RPR' '' i .' I \ n ^ \ - .1 t MRS. BROSER AT HOME lio was a Member of Parliamont V«q tu; ^ • would tr,d I And he, swollen by his fantasy, half believed dr«,ms ' »°""^"">™ eonies to the surface in w ^LVo^or r ":?aii;'oilh'r ^"^^,'' r ""^"-'■ ".onts in London thaT he'hTi'i^'e d upt In'sUrhr; prehminary survey of the field of aetion- a few M P 'f smmm blaek beard; odd British f,taor 1™,'' "1 '" '.'"P''''"^ »-ith pr de as he looked rn„n/y,;. ""'rt-tront expanded u-ore all eome to twinkfeTn hfs h n'oTV""' '"" 'T '^'^ Deldon himself-who had si o„ ' i^ihe P 'r'™. "'" ^^=» -was here, eonnectin^ the t Cd "les Tad,™ "r?""""" were n a marked minority- .1, """''^ . \'"^"^^< ■* is true, K>.ests being „„T Idu 'bie " Tn"r"'"p'^ °' '"^^ °* *« Krs. Brosef, awkS "d" antmie at thThef f'f ."' Sef ^j^ ^^.e^telr"^ a Tr.ol'aX tiff a^n" his satisfaction rnedTdh" ''°'-™g"y as at Midstoke, d-d her i^^ri'/'a^d: t nV r^rXt ^f t"n1 '"" ■p-;^i, » proud o± his humility— by calling bi'm " V^, com.„« on Saturday night, " wfen the'theatres Ire iS 'i f> il ¥■■ >V. THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH busy." And wlien her captious consort caught sight of Allegra surrounded by a galaxy, which included even Deldon, his dissatisfaction with Susannah was dashed with a shade of self - discontent. Why could he not have waited for one of those beautiful brilliant girls who matched his destiny? Together, they would have had the world at their feet, and trampled on it. True, he could not have hoped for an Allegra at this stage of his career, aware though he was of the girl's interest in it and him, but he might have fouglit to merit such a mate. That star could have shone over his forward path. N'ow however high he went, there would always be a drag upon him. That insignificant Susannah with her insipid con- versation would have to do the honors of his household even when he should be a Cabinet Minister. Well, well, he must bear it: he could not hide her away, now he had shown her. And after all she was a docile little person. See how she stood there, doing her best for him, though she was probably still far from well. He was really very fond of her, and Avhen everybody was gone, he would tell her so, and she would cling to him, murmuring words of adoration. Deldon was not the only man in Allegra's magnetized group. The Professor was there, too, and the Frau Pro- fessorin, as the Otto Ponts, the German doctor of Philos- ophy, and the partner of his home and opinions, were known among their comrades. They had both migrated from the Fatherland, where the police objected to their point of view. They spoke admiringly of England and Its freedom, much to Allegra's surprise, for, since the JNovabarbese war, she had come to think her country a synonym for brutality and oppression. There was only a shght German accent in their tones, but a good deal in their thinking. Thoy philosophized and generalized and pigeon- holed the universe. They saw everything in large cycles as points of a mathematical progression. Withal a glow of intellect, a large breath of encyclopedic knowledge, 220 ht sight of luded even vas dashed lid he not liant girls t^ould have it. True, stage of his it in it and ;h a mate, ith. ISTow, drag upon isipid con- household, 11, well, he )w he had tie person, m, though 'eally very would tell ; words of lagnetized Frau Pro- of Philos- ons, were migrated i to their ^land and since the country a ^as only a al in their id pigeon- rge cycles al a glow [xowledge, .4 MRS. BROSER AT HOME einanated from both, while the woman gave in addition the Ind™, Th ^t- 7r '""''■^'l « button a"d they *" bevlrl r"* ""■• ,"'°"?'' "'«■■ 0™ °Pi"i»ns went even wTe left ThfvT.V"''"'' r" ™"der'what perspective Kra almos. forgot to worship at the shrine of DeTdoT' wt seemed content to worsh n ThJr i • ^^^'' ^T'^"'' begged permission to send Lr a o' "/r ^"'*^l^' /"^^ 5't:irth^-:d-rt:^t^^^ ing that tLv had justU^^L ■' ;™''!!t"b",^';^P'»'»- those of her consc ence o/ P^:^^'/^^^ ?«'» aggravating staircase heg^n to ^^^,T:i vn i ^''^'^'".x!^" ^'''^' «"d the she loosed lirgr'pon"Lunl !'"'\ ^''^' ''''''^y ' <^^y head-forward dow^ ^L stairs i:*' "^T^^ ^^<^ P^tohed wn tne stans^^. An ascending Sunday edi- r THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH tor arrested her descent, and her unconscious face smiled faintly upon the new-comer, the muscles stretchlTl. hours having scarcely relaxed. stretched for The exclamations of alarm, the agitation arnnnrl th. doorway, soon dominated the din, and n the suZ. J paratzve silence the startled musiciaL alt ^ ^ ^^^ hushed them down, and it was as to a maladroit melr! j-roiessor Utto Font— who, it appeared, added medicine Ind an'to^r'^n ""^'"*^-P^^^ S'««""«h openedTer eTes and automatically put on her smile. ^ Wedsmore will soon be here." ^ ' '* Her hand stole out of the coverlet and took his. " Yon are not angry with me, darling, for spoiling your-" She gasped : a spasm of pain curtailed the sentence Im not going to die. Bob?" she whispered, with the first horrible suspicion of the truth edhfr!'^ ^''"'•" ^^^ ^^«^ty contempt of the idea cheer- 11 Ir^'' '? T,^"* *^ see you Prime Minister." You shall, old lady. N^w lie still." ^tricken husband. She hnd been greatly weakened bv child- " f'shelad o f T^r' ^f,^' '' ^«^^' «^--* --^al. 11 she had only told me!" moaned Broser. 222 H ' face smiled tretched for around the sudden com- :o their duty 'a. N^o one adroit melo- sr his wife's doctor," he i upon it." strations of sd medicine led her eyes doctor was ti confusion led me for 5 we should dear. Dr. is. " You r— " She ', with the idea cheer- be horror- 1 by child- >verstrain. ^RS. BROSER AT HOME thJZtr '^"' *^" ''''' ^-b-ds everything," said f^:^'::j. :::£.::^^^^^, .Vhou^ht IfTaT" ''?' f''^^' "Klis;ositi;n." ''^' '" ^^^^^■ ^^^^iAil;^^^^^^^^ r-r-ght to the was still conscious ^ "^ ^"""^"^^ '^^^^^ *^eir mother Monday ni^ht lllli^ confessed to her husband on the by all si t^Ud ': a'tS'l'r' ^"/-%-ercised terious House of Commonstn '"'^f^ ,'^'"* *^^« ^'y«- rise, and the cry of^^^Z^lV'^r" \T^'^'^ ^' ^^^« to attendants closed the House fn H T' 7''^ ^^^^^ ^he pressed her vividly ^Zl L f ^f ^ ^^ "^g^^* ^ad im- iied every reassu^L^ce^C sle' wSgf.:^ ^^^^^ -"^- voiee'sTair/t found him- s a fluttering . Those who to his face — a beard were lietly, and he id lifted him changed, and out afresh, 3dly. " This ras," he said 1 experience. And while ke himself a 18 a duty to Ha ! ha ! made a note eant at least er, who, un- Hornet, was 5f the great I party that r." and house- )) be 'found? THE WORLD AND THE PLESH I'^isVa' ;fjr/'i?he". '^^^ ^ P^"; « P-- -J^-eh is in sections." ^* ^^' '"''" "^ ^^^^^ his ideal wife That may be all very well for vmi » tt« i i i ily. He knew that Mrs oVm P T ^^^«"ghed uneas- higher law " to her comrad^for th"^'r T^l ^^ '' '^' so. Pont combined wTht;^ the Professor had told him Pulous intellectual honesty it^wr^''^ ?^'?°"^«^^ « ««ru. he had not yet foundM^ ' 7^ ^' ^""^ ""^ *^^ ^^^sons why oddly pouchS tLleft erLr'^ ^^^ "^^* '^^^ ^^ not belie him. ^^ ^"^^'^ ^^"^g- His face did HomV^ rXd^^^^^^^^^^ ^ f^e memorable " At JVIrs. Broser might obTecfrMrrp'*'.^^ %''^''' ^"^ t^^^t shocked himself, but wh^w/r* ^^^««^> ^^o was said nothing to his wifl « a^ *^ ^PP®^^ provincial. was not fetfered^^^^Ci Tl^'^'' ^^^^ ^^^"^^ ^^ fion, his wife had beuS be wf ••'^'''' ^^ ^"^ ^^««"p- J^e resolyed that thrfemale ^LI\1^^a'''''- ^' ^'^'^ again. Open flouting o? the ronvpn^^^ ""?•? ^ ^'^^ ous to a German professor Hvinln.f' ""^"^ "^^"J""- People, and haying his snh.rl f V^^ P""^^^"« ^f the pie, would not do fi onefep"/;''^."" ^^.^^^ ^^« Peo- the people from aboyr Sto pI "^"'-.""^ *° ^^^^ ^^^ Cesar's, and eyen h?s ownf^r/l- ^'^^ "^"^* '^^ ^^^^ neyer become a publ^^d^Son^^^^^^P "^^^ ^^^^ --* -omVntlTore'le^L^fl: 1'"^'" '^ ^^^^^^' ^^er a sectional matrimony "bn, !'*'"" T^ P«"<^'« notion of -without going far'afield M^? '^"'^^ ^^^ ^««^- ^nd nice daughters." ^^^^^-Marshmont himself has som3 mont5?' "' ''^''^^ *^^ --et mixed up with Marsh- fotaiument pect J ~~' "== tije dream of his nights. liis days and" the 229 J^^ PI 3 |i M i ^ }i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH "S^'n ^'?/?",niean?» he murmured. Well-if I had dared, J would have suffffested to you long ago to give up that secroMryslip^^Tdra" you down It hlunts your personality." ^ ^ BroH. r had begun to think that too: but then the sec retaryskp was the '; Open Sesame" to Allegra^s societv It would matter less if Marshmont were a rising force* He has played and lost. He had his chance and spfilt t" iou mean by resigning." ^ • ♦l,ol^1/°^'''^^^" J'^^ ^^ ^^"^ able to keep np the attack f his'^wifneTf ' '^^^ '""^'^'t'- ^'"^ ^^^^' ^'^ - se:\Sfr^UtZ!-\^:^; '%rdttiirr ' when^his enemies will be sorrv thly ^Hd^'t'^ficrhimT; voUTaZ ^^'t""^ ^?^"^' ^^d I "ot al^vays say- you and you alone have the true political insight «" io marry one of Marshmont's daughters" Vom went on, "would be fatal. The old man wouM expe you to support him-I mean politically. But perhaps also pecuniarily, nicht wahr? It's no secret that he h«. made ducks and drakes of his fortune Some ,av the Bankruptcy Court-who knows? A ruined politic an ather'-Slfw V^" ?''^ ^^"* "^^^^« -^ ^ P^--" lauier in-law. At present you can cut yourself apart frc -n him at any moment. If I were vou I would /c^ th^ secretaryship and take the first opportunity of voiw in the^opposite lobby, just to show that you are yourself!^' to'iisten'^^tir'ET?"'^ '^^^"^ '^^^'"^^^ «-- ^^' "Gewiss! You show, but people don't see. To the 230 I AH suggested to ip- It drags then the sec- Bgra's society. a rising force, ind spoilt it." ip the attack, t this illness it. You see ip, as Goethe but his day , the more I ij will come ?tick him up Ivvajs say — isight ?" I his cheeks, ters," Pont 'ou!d expect But perhaps that he has me day the 1 politician a pleasant apart f re m I resign the 'f voting in ourself." id, bridling House had e. To the THE WORLD AND THE FLESH ii-s the he. o7E%:y;Si: "''i?/s\if/;"'^ a brand-new mantle von w.'li k^ ^J irienu, till you get Th« P^ * *"n"ue, you will be second-hand " the recentness of Susann«).'rii !i u , ' ^^g^ther with --promising lLs:uZtny'^^^^^^^ ^-^ l>egun to see how greasy wL L , u f^?' ^^ ^'^^ so confidently to clfmbH7«%! -^'"'^ ^^ ^'^^ '^^ ^"^self of Commons had been ^arll ' 'T''''''' '^ '^' ^^^nse gauged the pach^lrmaLlS^'^^^^ ^'^ ^ot strength of supLi^u uuidTtv 1^^^^^''' '^' ^^"t« these as much as hp T; i ^^"^'^'t^- He had underrated He had n'^understoc^^fhe'^T/;::,;^ farshmont's position tages, secret string tlfni'T'^T-''' '^ T''^ ^^^«"- Frontal attacks on hese S 'T'^''^'' ^^^^ ^t^i's. The eagle no less tLnthd~^^^ ?T '"*^^- serpent. In his reaction a^aTn.tt- ^^ 'V^^^m of the he ex^gerated his LonZ. fcepttisnv'l'^ '^^^""*^' talk of the back door as to fnrlf fi ' ^"^"^ *^ ^« ^"uch -ho marched up the gr nd sta rft ".7"' ''''I ^^^^ "ow seemed of itself to lift h m m i u ^°'''P ^^ ^'^^^d Phere: it was not the go I p o7 hV ^^^'' '°^^"^ ^*«^<>«- s>nuations of the Peonle' pl f'TT' ^" ^he in- talk of the Clubs and tl^bry'll t wa ''^^^ *'/ ^^^^ how between these social la^^U . / f f"^"'^^ *« ^^e istic newspapers steered their 1 ^ '"^^"^l^ ^^^ ^^P^t^l" Altogetherhefeltirmonse^^^^^^^^^ '^^ blameless way- edge of the maze than hf, IT ^Z'^P^'^ ^^^^ ^"owl- had moderated his reverence ?oTh'' \'?^^'-^' ^-^ he as he had toned down hTs nWp^ his whilom Elijah even -coiling to jump fart c^^^^^^^f,^;" ?^ the H^ of his programme ; though he UA T x ^^*^'^^ ^^ i«t to be achieved sdely bv Pl.rl T"" ^"^ ''^ '^ ^«s "ot Republic might be mo J;ifa.t?'S^^ *^^"^P^^"g- The -^o.a. «o corrupt -ai^LS^-;ng,but^ THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH what? ' Y™ wm-lr „' tp"iro whd'7 "^ ^"'"■''"='^' that Pangthorne com>le Z "'?,"'"''<' f-milj-yes, and money for the cause "^T^ru^"' ^°" "'^«<' «» y»ir sinew, of war A manV "'' ^''" "> '"''* '» ?»" he will." "'" "^ ^'""' P"'^'""'' ean pick where in ^r™ ■■ a? !!;' ''^''d,'»<"'e»tly, so as to be contradicted Item™nt ' '^' ^"''"'" unexpectedly modified Lis evei7^te;°Tou°take' ,•'" '■'"'«" " '™"'<' " P«»™«- But marfia^poCbl'^^^'xT^-SXrr'^d'''^'-" t.mea made his English cumbrous """' '"""^ jum;:? i^prdemrv Li" tt .°"=^ ^^^-^ i-^ ^ad seductive Zdsunerior !« 4.?"' ^"^ "^""'^ '» "" «s come when AlwJ^L u "'^™ ""'"'• '"'"'^ the day with /rmi^s^ratitThi^r fe refd"- ^ the Mme And All^!!! / T ^® outsider could see dancbg e^es aid' S!™' ■"" ''" '" *'"' "'-!«• ter ger was the "-ecollectmn that AUegra's political I AH Marshmont'a amiable com- -she is called » two younger i cannot mar- ie Venusberg, iJj — yea, and ?ed all your add to your 1 pick where contradicted modified his resent. But jrade higher mind some- fore he had [ to him as lid the day , compared n breeding id prestige. obscurity ; !t knighted. could see — changing igh. , with her Iden anger ing squan- principles ed to Bro- s political \ THE WOHLD AND THE FLESH lor j,.t,;.o, „,, cvou fW ItpEa ,1 '"7." ^"'""''-J. of I'rovidoiicc to have ,l-i,„'l,.,l ,' . '™^ "mlic bus liis read. feidos"Ld f t "iit", " '"=IP""«t witW,, not l,c-.- sivoc, face soCn ,^1 ,^ '" '^'^"^ '""^ Did mere ■om.adc.: "^'^IfdV; 1 '? ™™« '"■ kvond wl.at terser- s .,,.„,; into t],rearas i„]V'^i""' "''° "'™-"' espouses . fp^v hi,f „ «. \**"vassing^ A Avoman never tr sens,-., . c're;', ;,r i tr ^^''u ^'''"^ ?-" abstractions." Was sli, ,„ 1^ m '"'^'' «eIf-sacrifioe for to political sovereTji haiTill '""," 'i'^ '">'«<'■ ""' ■•'•»« started to his eyes. %„r An2. t v "''' ■"'"' ? Tears too, for she was «„ „ ?'.%«•' Yes— and poor Bob the People ^a^ind^d S'tTi^ "'"'"^- ^he 'cause °oi ;!!'([ ! li V I I ' \ I •* 111 f CHAPTER XXII EVE IN THE GARDEN BY a curious coincidence the question of marrying Broser was startlingly obtruded upon Allegra's maiden consciousness just as Broser had decided to look elsewhere for his official partner. The superior Jim had gone to Oxford, having scorned Cambridge, and Allegra had come up for Commemoration in the charge of Lord and Lady Arthur Pangthorne. She had snatched at this brief interlude in the domestic drama, Avhich was growing daily more tragic, and in which Dul- sie's international flirtations provided the only vein of comedy, unless Mrs, Marshmont's renewed outbreaks were lo be taken gayly, in the spirit of Joan. From Joan herself Allegra had drifted away: alienated by Joan's humble unquestioning atheism and her frank wooing of William Fitzwinter, M.P., though in charitable moments she suspected that Joan had really made her god of the brilliant Fizzy. Marshmont's throat had grovm worse, though he taxed it less and loss, and his gout defied all Joan''- dietary solicitude, and worn out by his wife's trials and his own, he had reached a moody consciousness of :he failure of his life-work and the futility of his sacri- fices. His despair of the future exaggerated the barren- ness of the past, saw even his one great historic measure corroded by gnawing heresies, the old vermin-plague of fallacies springing up afresh. He was spared the knowl- edge that Jim himself wrote satirical verses involving these very economic fallacies. But then Jim wrote sa- tirical verses against evervthing in a learned, classical style, and, surrounded as ever by afi'jctionate cronies, 234 f marrying n. Allegra's ded to look ing scorned memoration home. She jstic drama, which Dul- ily vein of outbreaks From Joan by Joan's : wooing of lie moments god of the ovnx worse, t defied all his wife's msciousness 3f his sacri- the barren- ric measure n-plague of the knowl- 3 involving 1 wrote sa- d, classical ite cronies, EVE IN THE GARDEN believed with them that he was Aristophanes over again- only with better taste. - A genius need not ceaseTbe a gentleman " was one of his dicta. to fee thi.^f '^^ ^''^'" ^^''^ ^"'^^^ ^^^^ ^' ^^^^P"«ed to see this superfine young gentleman bringing Lad v Min- nie strawberries and cream, as she had been^to meet the mertTl/a^"" . ^'' '^' f-^"^^^ ^^^"^^ '^ revisft Ros- call ?hn,S M ."rP ^r '*"" *^ ^''- Marshmont by a call though Mrs. Marshmont still lived in hopes of it. A very ugly boy, your brother," was the Duchess's comment on her new nephew. ^ucness s « Hush, he'll hear you," Allegra breathed. 1 ve told him already," said the Duchess reassurindv I wonder who he takes after " '^a^uringiy. for^hfm a/d^y^'^-'^'Vr"^^"'' ^°"^^ ^^"^^''^ ^««estor IZftT- ^ ^T'r',}'''^ ^«9 content to make the sug- gestion in her brain." ^ "I know who he's like!" the Duchess cried. "He's ctsH"'*'"^'^ '^ ^°^-^h« — turn-up nose -the sam: " Sf 'a11 W ^T •' V"'^'^"P*^^^ ^"^g^- in terror. Uh, Alligator ! Forgotten your own cousin, Viscount lip to be Earl of Yeoford, he'll look exactly like your Jimmy— and I'm sorry for it !" ^ "Well, let us hope he'll grow to fit his name" said Allegra, smiling. And then suddenlv strange tSr's can e into her eyes at the beautiful day, the sunHt Trass t^ pre ty faces and dresses, the old Collegrw if the oM tblf^ri"''i?"^ ?PP^^ ^''''^'''' tJ^e play of Zled li.tt through the branches upon the white table-cloth and the at me neart of it The Kingdom of God on earth qn .i^,^ il^T"^'/^'- f .^'"^^^'^ prophet-thunders. That hoarv ivied chapel with its ancient windows-how its very ago i! * 'i! i «il I ^ THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH preached the powerlessness of Christianity! Her brim- ming eyes rested on Mabel and Lord Arthur, and she won- dered with a shade of envy at their perfect satisfaction with life and each other, as they ate their coffee-ices. Then she found herself listening to Minnie's and Jim's emulous epigrams, quizzing their fellow-creatures. This, too, seem- ed to satisfy them ; nor did they even appear to be aware that others might find equal amusement in themselves. " What's become of that Bob ?" the Duchess's strident voice broke in on her reflections. "What bob?" said Allegra, startled. For a moment she thought the Duchess had descended to slang, and was speaking of a lost shilling. " The fat boy in Pickwick/' Allegra got very red. "Oh, you mean Mr. Broser. He's an M. P. now." " That I know. And I was very angry to hear that you canvassed for him. I felt like m-itin' a long letter to scold you." " You did." Did I? I am so glad. I hope you never see him, no^v he has got what he wanted out of your father." " You are unjust. He is still acting as father's secre- tary." " Then I hope you keep him in his place." " His place !" echoed Allegra angrily. " His place will one day be in the Cabinet." The Duchess smiled confidently. " The outlook for our dear country is not so bad as that. Alligator. We still require manners and education in our Ministers." " You mean because Mr. Broser doesn't stick in Latin quotations — because his speeches deal with realities." "When Latin quotations leave public life, England's greatness will be ended." " But do you understand Latin ?" The Duchess flushed. " That has nothing to do with it, I insist on Latin in public life." 236 Her brim- and she won- i satisfaction 3e-ices. Then ira's emulous is, too, seem- to be aware emselves. sss's strident r a moment mg, and was Mr. Broser. lear that you mg letter to '^er see him, ■ather." ther's secre- " His place look for our •. We still ers." ck in Latin alities." , England's to do with I EVE IN THE GARDEN " ifv \ '"?m'*' °° ^^^* ^^««^*« and big brains " Alligator!" screamed the Duchess " Tfl , ^ marry that brute, I'll never forg'veTou " ''" ^' '"^ in^eFiroi' '^' T^' ^^^^S' ^"^ ^^^^ --^^ed it were mdeed from an earthquake, that she might be swallol^d but^'S^Tse'f frtd"a"nd"r\r^" ^"^^^^^ - -^^^^-g unconcealed^ efLh^ humble co-worker, and BVoser'! %ure himls^atTetJl wi owe': 'fl^t,^: T^^^'y memory. The Duchess had giossW S" Ij hPr^^'^'f rose her instinctive d?fianc:"of ' L TuXs's 7/"1" Broser should really ask her some day tm^^ Y J^l mission were herq tha-^r^r,^^- • : \ , vvnat a noble to see what's o-oin' nn A J .'„. ' " °'"'<' owl not ™-,,h o? thf MarToV-mo!^? .T™, Alligator! Isn't there 8hame at tl,e thoughTo™™ "'"' '" ^"^ '" ''"™ «* spea^of is i„eo„so,a/e1or h?^^:i?;'s'te'-» ^™ -ne has the devil's own luck" tl,« ri i, ,. , crrimlv " Po^^r^ ,. . . "^^' f"e Duchess renlied whose wives die." «n^«ck^. Ihe iucky are those 237 I • ■ i 'i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " I won't listen to snch dreadful things, Aunt Emma. Where is your Christian charity ?" " It is the office of a Christian to foil the devil. But tell me— that I may sleep soundly— tell me what are your intentions ?" " My intentions?" '' Towards the inconsolable widower." "My intentions are— strictly honorable!" And, mis- tress of herself again, Allegra smiled gayly in her aunt's face. The Duchess turned peevishly upon Minnie. " Haven't you had enough strawberries yet ?" " But 1 have not had enough of my new-found cousin !" protested Jim. "Ah! I don't wonder. She's better to look at than the lookin'-glass, eh? Minnie, speak to your misguided female cousin. Jimmy, give me your arm and point me out the Dons." "What's the matter. Ally?" asked Minnie, as the Duchess bore Jim away- /• enlist him against her union with Broser, Allegra diviii i angrily. " Nothing," she murmured. " Has mother been telling you how superior she is ?" " No .' only how inferior I am.'' " Ah, there's her whole gamut." _" You've always been a puzzle to me, Minnie," Allegra said after a pause. " Do you— or do you not— share this superstition of the Marjorimont blood ?" Minnie assumed her enigmatic smile. " Why should I share the superstition ? Enough that I share the blood." ^ " Don't be such a sphinx, Minnie." Don't be such a stupid, AlW. If the world reverences the Marjorimont blood— ho^" . ^ for the Marjorimonts ! Look sphinxlike, and say no. hiu-^ Don't blab, 'like moth- " Then you don't believe it deserves reverence, really ?" I don't aay that. But it's not mw business to rp.ver- 238 er t I I ant Emma. 1 levil. But what are . And, mia- 1 her aunt's 1 nie. > 1 d cousin !" ' )k at than misguided '. point me ..} e, as the 'i her union i! EVE IN THE GARDEN And IVe got better work for my organ ence it. I am it. of veneration." hour! O llW K,i- r'"\°°P-^"'S "W Masters by the "t\. ij ^i Eadwalism has addled your brain " Hu JauTty r "'"" "' ^™ ™-"PP-S in Ae Temple of yet 'stn*r*^,^n:''^e'=^.'' "-^ ^*™*™- -^ — . „ J™'''« making fun of me." some m^e mys eT"" '"""' '° »" '^-because I want had risen ^superior even t'Pflfrri^'r ^"'f^''^ *"">' J™ Duchess looked nubbed B u neJlb '''v '^* ""^ '"'^ *'' legra-s i-perturbabl^talfo^i^r^l^^^IX^t^ ^^ Al- leis?" /' Allegra •share this ough that •everences orimonts ! ike moth- , really?" to rever- a.; '^•Hs.'J IH^ ' ' m ELIJa d TRA.\ 8LATED T N" the height of the following season London was visited -»- by an epidemic of home-grown cholera, which, not con- tent with devastating ity native slums, spread in the most exclusive quarters, to the disgust of the upper classes, who had a vague feeling that Mature had been converted to the new Radicalism. But Mr. Robert Broser did not trust his convert. He was one of the first to plan his exodus abroad. True, the ParliaTiientary session claimed him, but then—" the poor little children !" He could not risk the snuffing out of their brilliant promise, nor place the burden of them upon other shoulders. He went one fore- noon ^to tell Marshmont so, and to resign his secretary- ship " in consequence." It seemed a providential oppor- tunity. Marshmont was practically extinct. And Al- legra was prettier than ever. She occupied his thoughts to the exclusion of other possibilities; tempted him to forget them, and be content with her. Yes, the double cut must be made. When he returned from the Continent he would be a free man, with his career before him. He found Marshmont sitting in the sunlit nursery- study, with his head on the table. The whole attitude expressed despair, and the bullfinch perched on his arm seemed to droop in equal dejection. Broser's salutation of Good-morning" went ^heeded. "Has anything happer ir ?" he said, alarmed. Marshmont raised a w' >. face. Broser's face blanched sympathetically, fi; ' . aw he knew not what. ' Have you not h'ard V said Marshmont. 240 I jn was visited I'hich, not con- d in the most r classes, who averted to the did not trust m his exodus 3laimed him, ould not risk lor place the ^ent one fore- lis secretary- ential oppor- t. And Al- his thoughts pted him to le double cut Continent he him. ilit nursery- lole attitude on his arm 's salutation irmed. ace blanched bat. ELIJAH TKANSLATED «N<>--what^"Bro8er gasped. his arms'T/ain'' w'l l/"'.'' ''' ^'' ^^^^ ^^" ^^tween how lucky !Tober7Rrn^'''^"'°''*.«''"^ "^«^ ? If so, " Mv dPflr Iff M r^"" "^^^ ^""^°g himself away » cerna3^ot/^^d;t^i '^Sa'^t^"^ .'~ ma7 Lr d'^^^"^ ^^^^ ^y -- ^- aTend^^" Ws^U tTge ^^^^ done tote poor ought to^ave?esi^edeat^^^^^^ "^"'^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^S^L^-'^^^ r t^ o1 JaS • o hS cTe?^ cepted it. ' ^'""^ Marshmont unexpectedly ac- up'int'olL^'Ltro^^^^^^^^^^^ ^.7 *^ ^^ k-ked g^st.^ he rose to his feet t^" ^hoolc^oVr bXctint brelt'Ider\T:;^o:Kd t';' I 'T f *^^ ^""^^^'^ for a father-in-law f A tuLhV m ^/ *^°"^^^*- ^ ^ord Parliamentary pith f^T^eP^^^^^ T^^^^^d from his peerage!" he cried confuse^y ' ^'^ ^^^^" ^^" « PremT'rl* TalT' /o' it's' th"^' .*^1 ^"^^^^^ «* ^he old Earl of Yeof;rd and hi, ^^^\^^««% cholera. The day ! Did you ever hear a.Sv ^'"'^ '?"^^^ ^^ ^" ««« thetic! And how imie one .? ;"^ '° ^'"^'^^^ «°d pa- cession ! Two buffers bTfl ^""T^^ *^" ^'^^^' ^^ ^"c- "It wasn't ifS ^Z^'tel^ ] T "^* ''''" mouthed. An anciPTit ^!? breathed Broser, open- law of the Earl of TeoCdTV'"! ' 7''}'^^'- Son-i"" egral Better and better TTn^r^'"^"^ '^' ^^^^ di- late. That .ver-worldlv r.. '1^ ^f'^^P^ '^ ^as too stifle all his hearts instino? ^"^^'T ^'^ *"^d to posed long ago. instincts. He should have pro- 241 m -t n "iwwi Mw rto,ag:7^.:"^ ■isr t-i,hi 1 1 *'l * THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " It '11 be in the evening papers," replied the Earl. " I had a wire to spoil my breakfast from my sister the Duch- ess of Dalcsbury. She rushed down to' nurse them both yesterday— good foolhardy creature ! But it was too late. I hope she goes scot-free, herself." " I hope so too," said Broser fervently. He desired to keep a Duchess in the family. " I met her at Midstoke, if you remember, on the ever-memorable day of your great speech at the Bryden Memorial Meeting. " A rare noble soul I thought her at the time— with such old-world cour- tesy. Ah ! what an epoch that was in my life ! What do I not owe to your lordship ?" ^^ "Lordship! Lordship!" cried the Earl angrily. " Leave that to the lackeys. A pretty lordship !" He threw off the bullfinch, which had retiirned to its perch on his person, and began to stride about the room. " All my life-work a failure— and— for ironic climax— the Earl of Yeoford !" " But you must accept, sir ?" said Broser sympathetical- ly, seeing he had blundered. " My poor wife is naturally delighted, and I dare not rob her of any gleam of hope or happiness life still holds for her. You must have seen how she has suffered from ray career. ^ Ah, how Fate flouts all my theories !" "It is indeed a calamity for you, sir," said Broser, mar- velling that the dregs of Marshmont's career should again seem precious wine as soon as the vessel had been shatter- ed, and that the broad lands and revenues of the Earldom could bring no balm to the soul of the baffled politician. "It is a calamity for me no less," Broser went on. And his voice had genuine tremors — but of anxiety. "I know — I know your sympathy for me." And Marshmont ceased in his stride to grasp his henchman's hand. " It is not only that I shall lose my leader, my mas- ter — '' Broser swallowed a lump. To have his hand held affectionately by an Earl gave him a real emotion. " You 242 ♦ AH the Earl. " I ster the Duch- rse them both t was too late. lie desired to • at Midstoke, of your great A rare noble Id-world cour- se ! What do Jarl angrily, •dship !" He I to its perch room. " All climax — the ympathetical- [ dare not rob till holds for red from my Broser, mar- should again been shatter- the Earldom 3d politician, nt on. And me." And 1 henchman's ler, my mas- lis hand held ition. " You ELIJAH TRANSLATED of ktZ'' t"'^u P'!"'''""' '"« Ji^mfort in the fieriest of letters H,s hand nvoUmtaril.y loosed the Earrf whisper"" """' '''•'''"'" "o -W i" an unaeeustomed turnlfFirt™;! who:, ""tTeLlrr', \"™ .^""«"- high nursery gnard an'd -stati'alB o ^^ "".^VhToH* ""> oouat; d'r ;t;r.:* It ' ""^ ""'"-'^>^ strnetion of all my fmure." ^^ ''°"'"~"' *" <■<=- " Allegra 'I" " Allegra." Broser bowed his head " T «„ i , to have ,01 .yon. I know there is „„ tpe fo^. T/'' ""'" Brie ' h'lr", '"""■'' ■ ^^"""^ y°- "^^d '«=- " B.f r heir nS;Vr''«^5/"^-t''n;»l.od leap. matic instinct mi.\-ed n^ctur~ „„.! °™'?'-"=''l "nd <1™- "■ith his own emot on*^ " N^ ™ndTT,'r-' ^™™ P'^^^ "ow. Yesterday nprh»„a , 7""'' I ."hall never ask her of,e of hertrfnT^i; •' rr "nV'"v;^'^' ■;?-'- ('lutched the Earl's hand ao^;^ a' Please "—he forgive this wret'ehed^conS „"n.™'l Tr'" .''7?'"" ^™Cert^IT''?°'^^"^«™^''a""eve know."" "" ™" "Bu?Crlfear?rrt'^-;jS-^^^^^^^^^ worship. Ah, thaTmt/able Otto P™t°f"n' ° '"'? u''"^"'' cal slaver our godlike humanity f^ ' *°"''"«' "* "y"'" heavenh. vSl'nl" Bnfhiw " ''jt'"«' 7"<^«' ".Tou raise " Thit'. ,1 ""^ "^^ I 'lope for an an"el «" Thats the way to talk to All^ra." And L old ^43 V i I ! THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH Its ' i^ri'' smile of humor played for the first time round the new h.arVs mouth. " I have j-cu permission to speak ?" " Axia my best wishes ! It will give mc a son in the House to carry on my ideas— now I am exiled." "You had that all the same, sir!" said Broser in a choking voice, and for the moment he believed himself. The Earl of Yeoford polished his spectacles with his handkerchief, then blew his nose so vigorously that his dehcate throat ached. "God bless you!" he f filtered. 'J^^\ ^'^® ^"^ ^^^^^ '^^P®* ^^" ^" ^^^^ ^"6 House, I in the^other— we may perhaps do something yet between us !" We shall pull down your House," sai'd Broser, jovial- ly. I -hall be the enemy at the gate— you the Samson within." "But I am not blind," laughed the Earl. 1 ' -> bull- finch gave a sort of whistle, as if in query. " No—/ am supposed to be that: love Ls blind," Br-ser laughed back. And the bullfinch whistled again. " That is Allegra practising in the drawing-room,' said the Earl kmdly. " You know she .^ had a musical fit of late." On the stairs Broser met the Countess of Yeoford, all ^ reathed .a smiles, and still beautiful despite all her sor- rows. "Have you heard the news, Mr. Broser?" she cried gayly. *^ Yes, your ladyship," he rcplieJ promptly. "I shall h presented again, and this time the Queen will have to kiss my cheek 1" "L • a T>nvilege great! to be envied," he said gallant- ly. = t tl 'Countess's brain was too excited to grasp the compJ.aent. She applied it naively to hor new Court perquisites, and replied, VmIi equally unconscious am- biguity: "Mr. Marshmont — I mean the Earl — doesn't seem to think so. He's all in the dumps. But I never saw the old Earl, or his grandson— so why shoul I I pre- 244 KB )und the new a son in the J." Bioser in a 1 himself, cles with his iisly that his he faltered. House, I in between us !" roser, jovial- the Samson . T^bull- ind," Bi'-^ser jain. :-room,' said lusical tit of Yeoford, all i all her sor- i» she cried 5 the Queen said gallant- to grasp the new Court iscious am- •1 — doesn't 5ut I never lou] I X pre- ELIJAII TRANSLATED DafesburfSVnf" Tf f^^'^ "^" ^^^ ^^-l^- of j^nit»uur_), ana i m sure I don't want to Tl.o r.]A w i i ;2;h,-i.. i "''"•nrng. and Dulsie was saWnt' hnJf "•>" "•""«' him Elijah, taken «p to fte Z"e „f To ^''''T;'''* " '' '^ ''™ ^ ''e itnot as'■heavt;tra?a^itgr:;l^?^' "'"• ''' ^^'^ from ,t Upp^? Zs"' """^ " ^™ ^--'- -I- eve;vt;,nt?;;s^rr:^ how. « very nice for mother, a-d Jr-!u"^- .^¥ """^y -dy incapacitated him fro;r;tk.f'^^Zi::iZ'^; m \'--^-M 1)1' -iH m'-'i I ' ' ; ( ! V.I \ M 9 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH father's opinions." And she flnshod lior frank look at hini, thrilling him. " lie has done his work, and may well repose on his laurels and have a little happiness. Fort- imatelj Elijah's successor is in the field. He will alter the mantle to suit the times. But his prophetic vision will he the same." He took the hand he had reluctantly let go. " Do you really regard me as the wearer of the liiautle?" " You know I have seen it round yon always." He plunged audaciously, hut confidently. " Your fa- ther has seen even farther than that— into your future and mine He sighed. '' Would my prophetic vision were indeed the same!" She flushed furiously under the startling significance oi his gaze, the tightening of his hand-clasp. ^ . " ^^y ^;^)!^^ ^«f «^^^n— ?" Her girlish bosom rose and fell painfully. Strange reminders of Fizzy in the Row, o± the Admiral in the orchid - house, emanated from liroser s eager eyes, and made an under-current of discom- lort beneath her astonishment and excitement. The play of emotion across her beautiful mobile face made him for- get^the exact point of his first attacking movement. Yes— your father surprised the secret T have hidden so long. He saw my fear of the Lady Allegra— the grand new creature." It was an even more effective line of at- tack. What could she do but laugh with embarrassment: Oh, you can't be so absurd !" " I am so absurd as to love you !" he said, with a hoarse undertone of despair. Eut he was far more confident than m his prior proposal to the father-in-law, and he tried to take her other hand. But she withdrew even the one he held. She had resolutelv banished the Duchess's suggestion from her waking thoughts, yet she had always T-vr V '^ *''° impossible happened, she would gladly T^^ .^\ ^ -^"* '^*^"' ^^^^* '* ^^^^ liappened, she did not feel_ at all glad. Perhaps it was the suddenness of the crisis that gave hei *his sense of grave intensity, as of the 246 lH rank look at mid may well ino.s8. Fort- le will alter phetic visioTi ). " Do you " Your fa- r future and vision were significance om rose and in the Row, nated from it of discom- . The play ide him for- nont. Iiavo hidden — the grand 3 line of at- arrassment : ith a hoarse •e confident aw, and he 2W even the e Duchess's had always ould gladly she did not ness of the y, as of the ELIJAH TRANSLATED .uSr'.tt'r'?;^.!"- "-''! ■■". "l-H »l.o had ,,-v„, thoiigiit.s raced tlirouiili Tom vanished, and she hea,.; B^risTr ^ayl ^b X '" I gate? Her eves filS" .,• v '^ • -'^'^ liesitatin^ at the 6_ c -ixLF eyes tilled with rolijrious tear^j f^„f i, disconcerted by her coyness, blunde^eS ^"' ^'' mat night, he reminded her tenderlv— " tl.nf • i ^ eK^tkVit„^;r^:!at'r~^ I first dared to dr°i,n Th^ 7 ^ ' '™',""= "'«'" «'"'" love-was ft ';„rs,rb„.iea, .'"' °' ""■•' *= ''^S'™-S "^ Allegra's tears froze. " But .you were married then 1" the":; r:?iTs:'^, -^ 't-™^--!"" »» ^t'-^Sut " Yes 'mf "I ^"e trained Parliamentarian did not fail riage. It was It there ' " • ^ "™' ""^erstand mar- for great purpose, " """age-the umon of souls ^:t^ J^::!:v^:!:%^ \ ^-d past ..s "-™ ».ow„ i„.: his arms, t,; - JX':inf'ultpltt :r: U : I .11 I THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH pleasure in surrendering to this fascinating masculine strength. Broser's pulses hammered furiously. To hold in his arms this exquisite palpitating being, so white, so warm ! He drew her sweet young lips to his in a fiery kiss. She tore herself from his grasp, and stood, dazed, angry, happy, unhappy— flushing and fluttering delicious- ly to a lover's eye. " Dearest Allegra," he said, with exultant tenderness, your father was truly a Prophet." fS \ ■> END OF BOOK I ig masculine ly. To hold so white, so is in a fiery stood, dazed, ng delicious- t tenderness, ffiooft n M II 4 ■5 i ''ill 1 ■ 1 I f 'I'f ! a^lii ; 1 'I CHAPTER I TENEBRAE impartial ^S of '^r^ . "'5'""?? ^"'^ ^°"^^^ ^^^^ its doi, with! s wami n? '"^.8'^"^7 ^^^ marigold win- wit ^e,p:^^-^^:2^^^y-^^^ -^^^-' looked do v^ILiotir ' '"i^i"-* ^ ^^'^"°^^ ^^'^ desirf; Bu X M shw^ '"^ ''"!! ^°" ^'^"^ heart's what, sent outtr b? se^sou^'^^ '' ^!" '"-7 ^^ as a wrecked creature dilwtlo """"'^f'' ^^^^"^^«' ocean cries aloud to the ?"£ ^ T" 'V^^ ''^'^^ ^^ knowing- if tiiere be'any% fpt^t^'^lLt^^^' ""' admire tin's miracle of ItfllL n I" ^ i"^^ ''^"^^ *« duly admired the marvellou fn A^^"'- f *; ^^«^' ^^^^^^^ reliefs of the human storv? ^"^^.^^^^l^^ ^^e quaint bas- tlie Garden Sf Ede„ o tY^ IT ?f'}^^^^y Presence in Resurrection C-^rl*']""^^" ^^^^^^ <^» the tiful renrodu.t'v, 4'"^^ n""^ ''- ^^ ^^°^ ^^e beau- graph-.: and tad ;as3e^.J^r '' ^^l^.^^ury's mono- passed w thin, promising herself a ^51 ' ' I m THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH rich feast of black and white perspectives and carven choir-stalls and fretted arches and glowing windows and mosaics and gently stimulated by the thorlht of see „o a fresco by Gentile da Fabriano, whose ifeinish S/.' particularly pleased her. But sliddenly-p Xps ^ ^^^^ from the girlish memories brought back by th^t manv colored fagade-she knew that all" this cult of t le L he fc was a barren mockery, empty of the faiti. which hSbu It ca hedrals, and for which cathedrals were re 1 ly buH • hat a 1 her interest in life was a make-believe fhat her' long struggle was hopeless, that she had come to the end of^ her strength, that she must throw up her arms and imt^es~lTt~^"^''' 't "'/"^" ^^"^^^^ ^«d tl^e -marble images—less in prayer than in prostration beneath the crushing weight of existence, and, thus fallen, prayed not and th:h ;'bitt'o"S"^'' ''r. '^^^^^^ ^^ ^- r^rkeTbtom ana ttie hot bitter drop? of her tears. Oh for the faith of this simple market-woman, enfolded still by this medt •i T''^^'''' "^ ^^^'^ «^d worship, treading surely Zt^" '''''l'^ '''''''' ""^^^ whose feet, as tiey had walked on earth, sprang up the blossom of miracle, and whose dead bones still brought healing to the living Ih surely for the complex, for the modern, there was baling.: all^th^ I flight relief from the pressure on her brain was a 1 the answer to her prayer, and that she knew was only he relief of tears. If s' had only had a baby, like th I twice-blessed peasant woman! Ali her emoti^ s had t be turned inwards. The tragedy of herself terrified her; still young, still pretty, a leader of society, a Cabinet Minister's wife-the toTt t 1 "r^""^ ^'''^' '' ^^" ' i''''^'^ J^^ar^ and .ou , a joyless draggmg-on, ennui alternating with fits of 1. i"'^/^'''"'^ *^' "^*"'' '^^ ^'^"»g^' ^^'i^*^ a longing to shriek out against everything. Impossible to endure it aJi another hour ! 252 M. LH and carven windows and it of seeing a nish naivete rbaps it was that manj- the esthetic :ch had built •eally built; ve, that her 3 to the end r arms and 1 the marble beneath the prayed, not eked bosom the faith of this medi- iing surely IS they had liracle, and iving. Ah, .'as healing, ' brain Avas w was only y, like this ons had to oung, still wife — the heart and I'ith fits of longing to endure it TE^EBRAE own passion of alndon.Lm ~" '"f.^'i"? '™« ««" l""- arid dospai,, shet™t t , T4 t"f r'' J^":'"^ .''" and face ife acain wp.-n !,»,„ T*^' '" ""'"'' •" ''iso the sense of rel g"ons lom a,t '•■■ ""™''- • I^""' "''* "aiVelv near to Hea™n''r" ^ "f"? ' "'* E""'' ^o she would bo back a^f^n'in i ^^ '" "'" «""«'' sunlight, grass.g,.own oW;; if , "„ '"Xfo,TT"J^' "'' ^''^'■- *' ate her eonseiousnoss of^ ^tindi g'; eslf '^ *° °""^'- fc>. -Maria, under the deen hlno ^i n f ^"* -Piazza daze descended the Inn? i ' ""^^^^^^ ^^y, and as in a found her dfltlnft'^' '\'^'' *"^^ ^''^'^^^ till she oliff. Far off s^. o4n wX;-'vr ^T^,?"^ ^^ ^'' '^'^^ a cart; otherwise onTr.l *'"^^'"^ ^""^ ^^'^^^ drawing the dr^vsrstillTesr y " 1 "^^^^ ^^f- brokf of lizards^nt^^e barren 3' .T^ '^' ^^^^^ ^^^'ker wards there came into ll 7 ", 'V'^ f '^' ^°°ked up- from the DuS^nrogirph f^^o^j^^^^^^^^^^ P^enc^e unlike Jerusalem " AV,rl ,v,-ti .r^^^^^^° o" ^^s rock is not fresh feeling Orviot? Jor , rT ' rl'' '^ ^"'"^^^^'^ had rung like rnuietLnXTT'- ^^"'" *^^« ^^"^^s echoes irfher r di you . btd p''^"' ^'"^^"^^^ ^^^"' vieto-actually conSnf 1 t^^iriritf ^"^'' ^^- charm, Jerusalem still hol.l T -i ^*^ visionary long- latent, reHgiJ^f en,"ot o , "eS'STbf ;-*°r''°^ ■■•Rlnmgs of cllildhood. With her „W 1, M f J "^ '"'' aae,j„,y, ,he erowned the arid roel ,ritf the T '"'■'; "'"J I'svid, and lifting her hand, t^-, i I ° ^'""P''' «* --longer wo:.dlL-in",:^:ofZk,'' "' ""^^^ ""^^ U Lrod, send me a Deliverer '" fe^rel^y from Jerusalem her help would come _0 God, send me a TH-'-prer''' But though her anguish wasnow translated into words, ■ll m ( THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH she knew not what she meant, nor wlio could deliver her nor how. ' " O God, send me a Deliverer !" A.^^i^ll""''^" '^'^? ^^ '^^"-"^^ «^"^'e impassible blank. And Earth was this bare rock. And herself was emptier arider than either. cuipuei, She turned back up the path that climbed gradually towards her visionary Temple, but had made but a few paces when, raising her eyes, she saw a man's figure descending to meet her. ^ Her heart leaped violently-the Deliverer! Then she smiled sadly at her childishness. As he approached, she saw that he was a gentleman but whether a native or a traveller she could not tell. He wore a tweed suit and a felt hat, such as English tourists affected, but his face seemed to wear the color of tohhT,' ' ''"^^'^ broodingly, with a slight stoop, each hand grasping one end of a walking-stick held behind his neck as if to prop up his weariness. For an instant her morbid fancy figured him on a cross. And as he passed her there gloomed from his face such tragic peace that her memory instantly linked it with that painted ^Z Zt:^)^ '''''- " '' ''''-' ^^ ^^-^' ^-^ Was this indeed her Deliverer? Had God indeed sent her an answer? Again she smiled bitterly at her super- stitious make-believe. Unconsciously to herself, her smile seemed an accentuation of her polite salutation. „ ^"0^ gtorno/' she said, as was her way-side habit. .,i.^r .''' ^?y^l^'^^' startled, dropping one end of his stick, to raise his hat. The solitary word rang Italian in cadence. Her miseries and fantastic make-bolieves vanished before her sudden interest in the earthly man. He struck long- silent chords, reached back mysteriously into some far past m her soul. She would have liked to turn back and look after him, but dignity forbade. Wf^vJd t^ey cv-r 254 - J - i| i deliver her, Jssible blank, was emptier, ed gradually le but a few man's figure ! Then she I gentleman, lot tell. He as English the color of slight stoop, held behind r an instant And as he tragic peace hat painted T'inci's head indeed sent t her duper- f, her smile n. de habit. 3 end of his 5nee. Her before her truck long- > some far n back and i-U^.. . lucj- ev(ji- f I I -^-^ 8 TENEBEAE to her thoughts^ to sd;.„U^„ ^- ^'™" " ■'i^'fction intolerable pain. '^^ ^""^ ''«^'' own i H --"•■''^''^■T'lTlilTrai CHAPTER II A DELIVERER?" C HE found her Welsh maid, Barda, impatiently await- ^ ing dejeuner in the sitting-room she had en- giged in the queer old hotel popularly known as La 1 osta. It was not a luxurious sitting-room, but it had a native flavor, as of metaphoric garlic. Large and oblong, It was not unlike a Venetian room in its unstinted spaces but the windows were in the longer wall. A sliding panel in the wooden wall opposite the windows led o two connected bedrooms. The furniture was old and heavy fashioned, and included a bookcase with glass doors, devoted to cutlery and crockery. Colored prints of the King and Garibaldi hung near the flv-blown mirror Greasy back-numbers of Roman newspapers and comic journals had been lying on a little chess-table near the door, but these >vere now piled on the faded piano, and replaced by a table-cloth with a cover for one. " The silly waiter would lav the things there for me my lady," the maid explained. " I told him we ate to- gether, so he laid here for me, and left the other there as well, the id'ot." " I'm afraid your Italian isn't equal to your Welsh," her mistress laughed. She liked to eat with Barda— that escapade from social forms. She was always glad to make such facile concessions to her democratic principles. She had also begged Barda not to call her '' my lady," but the girl would not be robbed of this superiority over the maids of plebeians. As if to make amends, she was sometimes more familiar than even her ladyship desired, 2.5fi iently await- he had en- nown as La but it had a and oblong, inted spaces, A sliding I'indows led rt-as old and glass doors, rints of the •wn mirror. and comic >le near the piano, and ere for me, I we ate to- iler there as :ur Welsh," iarda — that ys glad to principles, ■my lady," riority over ds, she was lip desired. "A DELIVEREE?" TriJl' w' "^ '"°^'^ °*^^^ °^^i^« t° recover their superi- tZTit "'''^""y "''^*^^ 'bey were going back ,„■ tram. Perhaps they had better stay the night The bed rooms seemed decent. Anyhow she could dede later uset o h'rtn t-^r^l*^'' ^'' ^'' -*--hed; she was used to her ladyship's whims. " It's lucky I brought n bag in case of accidents. But I told your ladysSfo let me take the india-rubber bath." ^aaysnip to let Her ladyship laughed. " I shall manage quite well :^^.'^^'^'^' -^ spotted thing I see hfnglTin The 'I It will be two lire at least." have aTindftliJ*""'' "°' """" ™^'™ >«=— '«« then, thriiW*'"! "!!'{, ''u """'"'='' "'"' "n«alls," grumbled stt ?-„f Z fedlLr- '" '"='' "- "■» -^ -^'^ ''-1 lou did the same even in Grand TTn<-p1« » «i an additional spice of enjoyment wSa^, ftX necessanrbv o".l P^rf\ "^^^^^"•>^ ^« aggravat'dlt ^am ETJL^hn i^'^'^"*'^'' ^^'^^ ^iked those ele- gant ji^nglish hotels which annex to Belgravia all tbnt L mediaeval and mystic, plant the flag of fl hion n tl i .1' ill "f ■aft. b '■m THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH looked up an instant later, lo! there was the brooding stranger, seated far away at the little table in this privatf sitting-room of hers, and already munching his bread, bhe was pleased, yet puzzled. "Well I like that!" said Barda, outraged in all her lady's-maiden instincts, " So do I," said her mistress, smiling. 'J Waiter !" Barda began angrily. " I^"«h hush Barda. The waiter doesn't understand mist'like" gentleman may. There's some _' There's no mistake," the girl muttered crossly, ihey pretended to let us a sitting-room, but they hadn't any, and they palmed off the common dining-room on us because there happened to be nobody in the house when we came. " Perhaps it's his private sitting-room, only he's politer than you. Box and Cox." ' j i i ''Well, and will he dine here and sit on here to-night'^ And your ladyship's bedroom—" her horrified glance indicated the s iding panel. " I think we had better go back to Kome. ^ " You have no spirit of adventure." " I don't like his face— he frightens me." Her ladyship gave the girl a hushing glance, yet shiv- ered herself. The furtive glimpses she had taken at the face had combined with his curious proximity to renew her sense of weirdness. Surely this man was to play some part in her life. -Perhaps a Deliverer, indeed. She tortured herself to divine something of his person- ality. But the outer indications were contradictory. The neat dress, the short hair punctiliously parted at the side and brushed up from the forehead, suggested a man of affairs ; the stoop, a scholar ; the mobile mouth was an actor's, but the small trim Vandyke beard eliminated this possibility and suggested rather a painter j the fingers 258 ! )' LH the brooding 1 this private g his bread. id in all her t understand ^'here's some red crossly. they hadn't ;-ro()m on us use when we he's politer re to-night''? fied glance id better go !e, yet shiv- aken at the y to renew n her life. his person- itradictory. irted at the sted a man uth was an linated this the fingers k "A DELIVERER?" tho spoon to their ,■„'"'""'' "■ '°°" ,1? ''"' P"' <^o^vn face ?Hg.;,o„ tt si.„pe w:"ET„Td"- Jf "/^H •''« « If^ ^.^^ «'>ore he may smoke." landk,^'"' Bafd "fvas°S/° *f '^ that An^Sia, of a her .ad'yshipf * :; a "„™ Tit" the " '"™'7- "' served from the same dish "■"" ' '"""S :ge^t d^stXthtT"" '"•^'^' "^^'^-^''-s'^- jnstlfsa™,^"" '■*™ '■»'' *» P-y f°' the bedrooms thattrtfsitltoTvedtlTh''"''^ '°*'' - •»-<• Cathedral, a the risk S th^ M .'j'"- ^T'VP''"^ her to the ments. On their "ay she told 1"^^/ '="r '""tic corn- remaining, and sent a tellil^ f ?'"''?■'' ""'■>' ™''W h<^ inform hfr of her whercS^ '" ^A"'"" »' R''™^ to behaved unexpectedlv well i/ """ 5" P'""'- ^arda open-mouther Tl7BTb m'/''™''^ ^u ""''' ''"""« h^r and saintly eompanief and ,h. '' ""1 ""P'™' ""S"'^ of the danfned, aSd so tgtabwfc pT-"-'''"-" eoncepfons that her n,istressir£ T, ^i]"!-^ ^^'l-'T"" ™ beauftul Englishwoman was her'aStrc sjf agai^ ! li I- I »l> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 4 ^ // < ? signore, then repelled hv ,hit in tan^-b-e „arr.e,. of aWfne,., walked back to the fire turn^ 261 ' ill i.i ; r'i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH at Iartfi,Tf ,if„'^°'= ■'°' "■""■-I' *e sl^orer she said m„rod. "' ° ''°"''''' ^''"^''- " ^'» *"«»• -e?" she :„„- tinf hflfaSl-SLufeh™'" wL'^h''^''^''' "^ " '»«-'■ ahe^ persisted. ^''^"' ''"''' y"" »'='"' "e ?" "At Midstoke, when you were a girl " it was a third shock, aud a more conmlev 41. ,^ dear divine days of "irlliAn^ 1 h ™'"P'?''- Ah, those lan^sVnr'f ,'"' ^f'T' " 'T''^" '"=' "» ">>k for auld TiT„ •, , a" '?"'' ^•>' S'^"' «'ood-flres-don't you «" pas'^d'orS^'fL^^xLta-r^ d^ '^' T'"-' Baffled, she re-established herself opposite the sleeping Barda, and let herself float on half-mystic clouds of con jeeture, not without rosy tints. Her thoughts passed to her mother, the Countess so rich and aristocratic in her radiant old age, a centre of KaTfathV'tir '' ^^t' ,^ependi;.ts,%riudint 7 '{a. I ^' *''^ younger brother of Gwennv She smiled tenderly at the poor poet's Druidic and mystical misiness in Cardiff. His daughter's name was reallv G::nni s"' O d '" '""•'^' /"^ ^' ^^^^ ""^ ""' iTwenmes Old memories forbade. Allegra had first thought of calling the girl by her " bardic name," bu 262 AH and down the >re ?" she said disturb jour le?" she mur- I, as if regret- ou seon me?" f- Ah, those ns came and candid face. talk for auld -don't you ?" ig sweetness — when one oapers, tuni- murmuring the sleeping )uds of eon- ^ountess, so a centre of . including enny. She id mystical iwnbroker's was really not be two had first lame," but "A DELIVERER?" »lept, tlLght ^..h a Zt of r f':, e'rar " ''"^ t.ona of life housed within that pmtj firo it rrcLTd"""'" " Oh !" she cried, in blinkin-^- rehVf " Ta ,-f i such eyes-coaiblalk AhT'' ^'^i"^' ^- "P^"^" ^^*^ ^'^^ ;; What Jew ?" ' ^ remember-it was that Jew." IP'f^ foreign-looking man. Is he gone 2" deserted old pSS' °°"'""^^' '" '^'^^ '" ">is JO J"" "^ '■■•"'' ^'"■*'''- «» '» b^d. I Shan not need BaS: Xung »d Crtinll;.* '"'f"^, "«■«; -^ *«itKa^^""--- ^-™> "'''-' ind'ia*iubK'tlf"" '""^""P- ^ ^-^ ^°"y "bo^t the wind without AnTa/'JIr f «^, •chimney, and%he -. her .hou,htt;trtl;:t:i, ™; :v^*^,_*-> even more melanfJinlTr f^ „ i'-'^^'^ca to tlnngs melancholy, to a panorama of the dead over Jo3 ■ f !^ I THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH whose bones one walked in this marvellous tomb called ital^^ In vain she strove to call up its living beauty- sapphire seas and pergolas overlooking them from terraced h Ih, white villages and way-side shrines ; the lovely gleam o oranges through thatch; olive-trees and pink andlhit^ almond blossoms and solemn lines of cypresses. The dead underworld obsessed her-that vast stratified ossuary of the vanished generations. She saw pagan skulls, perfect after thousands of years ; the catacombs of the early Chris- tians with their naive pictures of the raising of Lazarus • he portraits of Etruscan ^vives and husbands outside the ^ stone urns; the bones of swashbuckling nobles, once mar- rowed with the gross lustful life of the Middle' Age ;co?- f t^-L' ^""^ V'"^^"^ ^^^PO«ed in ancient churches' the tumbled Roman forum more funereal than a sepulchre mute memon-al of stilled voices. And suddenly U came sT.gtt tlTer^^^' - '-' ^^-^^^-^- ^^-viLTal i„Jlril-^''''/T.^^^^ *,''' ^"^^ generations calling-K>all. jubi ant.y in the warm lighted room. All around the groat barren rook and through the narrow sleepTng sheets peal To" h. '';" P^*^^"^ ^'^^^"^"^' -«^^"g the'ir ?a n a^! peal to the strange new world that had trodden them down that had grown its grass over them. When would the angels of Signorelli's fresco blow their g.-eat silver trumps for them ? When should they scTambe from their graves back to the sunlight » And with their voices joined the plaint of her dead self, her self that had lived and loved; very small and piping in the vast chorus, but oh,so full of heart.reak I tion!'nrRe£er^' '' '^'''' '^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^—c- 264 KR i IS tomb called ving beauty — from terraced le lovely gleam ink and white es. The dead ed ossuary of skulls, perfect le early Chris- g of Lazarus ; 3 outside their les, once mar- lie Ages; cof- ehurches; the a sepulchre, lenly it came the wind was calling— -call- of flame rose 1 around the seping streets heir vain ap- fodden them 30 blow their hey scramble of her dead Y small and rt-break I 10 Resurrec- CHAPTER III RESURRECTION H^^n.tT ''''"* °'i* abruptly, as if in reply. She Wlinrat it"%'L'' '^' 'f T '^' «ilent%^tranger nimbling at it She was shy of her childish posture on the fender, but unable to amend it without further only'the firelSght'""'' "^^^ ^^'^ ^^^^'" «^^ ^^d, "with whln^'nS'Thf iLT'por' "" °"- "^ ^«^ *^ ^^ meditation." ^' ■^°'^''^' '"^ intrusion on your .ou^^aVa^Ttot^^kfome'"^ ''''' ^^^^^^^^^ " ^^^ are ing'^^tS.^lu"^^ '"' '' ''-' ^' ^'^ ^- so witch- LiUle' snurt? 7S ^''"r'" ^' '^^^ «* last, bh^hes! '"''' '^ ^'"^^ fi^^J^-^d a-oss her face like Ah, you are a woman-hatpr f " qu^ • i , towards the |i; 1 265 and stood I THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH liater^"""" ''^° '''''"'* *"^^ *° ^ ^^"^«" '""«* ^e a woman- Her lieart almost stood still with a sense of eeriness His do^^oiward glance had decapitated his shadow and toTaugf ^''''' '^^"^^' '''' ^''' She forced Lseif " If you are not, your conversation will interest me all the more Come, let us chat of Midstoke. The very name of that blatant municipality gives me courage in this uT nef T'm IT.^'''''' ^^^^^ ^ '^ -fvous, fH^,t- Thltfi-? ^ u ^^T^ "^ Englishman in the hotel There ! did you hear that wail of the wind ? Do you know what zt seems to me-the cry of the dead generations ?^ PIis impassive face twitched 1 little. HowTumlnous h s trer^f'w ^d''^''^^°°"^ •. " ^T '" ^^« sai-rherTue slus wni 'r a banker, ur species." RESURRECTION "Even if you are, the difference of sex is in it,plf iZtZ \"f P?^^^^ b- ^ P-fitable conversa on" w"^ en refract life, they never reflect it." ^^^^Then this is the first time you have talked to a wom- not'a'^'mat ''" "' *'" ""'''' "^'^ ^' ^^I^-^ ^^ -re to it. We keep a Protestant parsonTn t e premLr^n" 1T:J''- '^^*^^^"^^^^' ^^^ ^^--^ - ^on^gerXn the^ there'^f ■ t'd^tln^'h! ^^' ''''^ " '^'''' ^"^ ^^e fatness W^^^^^^^ "^^^'^'^^^ - ^— ' a"d will fully^"'""^^"^ "' ^^"'' ^''' countrymen!" she cried joy- " Ah, you are like Whitlock. T was in ParJ^ ,J„.;„„ ^s last paroxysm against perfidious AlbLm lie read hf French abuse religiously. ' One knows it's mostlv lie^^ "tJ" "fV ?"V*'^ '''y Pl^^^^^t to read" " ^ '""' But IS It lies ? Are they not warranted in suspecting we desire now to annex the whole of Novabarba "^ ^ He hesi ated. " Block .mber one. You are the wif. of a prominent Cabinet \-iuister " ® "My husband and I are two persons," she .aid ver-t "he cried. ' °™ "™''' '"'™ "™'' "'^-V^ "k that?" or w^ri'ltVea^S^-r™' ^-'-S you saw „e, 70„r1It'ht"'*""«- ' '""■'' Mr. Broser's panegyric „„ Her face contracted in pain '' An^ +i,„* i wonder at his political posidon to-dat " "^'^'^ ^'" 269 lij! I 1 1 il Aift'SB^TJSfeJBBjlatiM THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH It is another interesting study in evolu- " Not at all. tion." ;; Evolution I Evolution !» she repeated, scornfully, a smi ' '"''''"' '^ '^' ^''''''" ^'' ««"««M with ;'Ah yes!" she said, unsmiling. " Anything— anv Inng-that he may survive." Her recklessne s wfs gain- !^ L J -T •?■ • , '^* ^''^^^ «« imperturbably— apncar- sontn !!• '' T!H .'"^ "^^"^«J that she should bare her soul to him. And this poise of his reacted on her -she ex- pa.ned his face to herself now-the face of a pHe ^to ulrstixLTodtrs^^ ' -^'-^ p^^- ^^^^ inai/;i:iir;r^ ^^ ''- ^^-^^ -— ^-p^*« ^^^ -m. " Bufdot I. "7'?;-^/ ^^'r^' ^''' his own way." RepifwLr ^'' ^^^"^ '^ ^*«^* *« «^^ke England a " You know I don't mean that. The way he i?et« ,', +l,n His gaze she fancied, had a compassionate softening ]; Ah, how I draped him in illusions—" In your father's mantle '" « S« and LTgX^^ ^" *'^ ^^^^* *-^^^--" helLr^^d^t!;^:;}:^^^^^-*^^-^^^- fh. J^^"" ^°" ^"?, he Aai;e bi^th worked together-for the same man. Ah, he will end as the EaH of Mid stoke, .^d that will be following your f^tLr' alter -.270 And r J KESURRECTION (( FZ^lJyiJ^ "-. ^Vhon I ,„„i stoke niootiT.g, and see liow der that I have been ahl ^flr he has d hack to that Mid- u (( A:vrr:;^;t:°"ir^'>™«;^? iverged—I won- nf oil »» sophists used to Ihe Soros is the hean T»,„ n i ask when was a heap a^heao ? T?"^ '??^^'^*^ "«^d to pebble till you said it was a hean th "^..'^^"^ P^^^^« *« pebble away, and asked you to ex'nl« *^^.*""^ ^^e last to be a heap. The change /n 17 u "^^^ '^ ^^^^ ^^««ed gradual. There was noTomenrn' ^T'^ ™ «"l^tle, eonvmeingly, '^oro./' Ev^y h" 7^''^ ^^'"" ^^^^^ «ry' be smd that you didn't 'IndeTsta^ th^" ''T'^'^'^^^i politics you had to give a ilZin/ ^^rld-that in the line of advancefvas up a tiraJ I. '" ^'' "^"^^' *^«t As he spoke AUpm-o . • \^P^^^^ staircase—" of her h/ban^i's^te^ ^";^ We view ?n the face of so many obstacles ''ff^"^^*"^^^^ successful ^mage I At no moment had Rmt ?''''' "^^ *^^^* ^^P^i^tic Never in her f requent n«, • !' ^"'""^^^ '"« Principles able to outfence Si-sskiffr'^'/'^*^^*^ ^^^ «he been was at his own antipodes '^T''- lA"^ 3'et here he would have said the AZeZ^tnoa '''''' ^^ « You are a seer," she said. ' """^ ^'^• have^^^^^^^^^^ Zt:: rj^.r--- ^.-the-wav, theatre here ?" "' '^^ ^«^^Wio near the amphi Umbrian So^ /t d'r/ 1' P^^ ^«"^^- -^ the well. There's a spiVal L v! ^ ^ ^'"'^ *^^ wonderful from it. Poor Trmh f Shi- ^^ ^°^^ ««^ another up abandoned spirall^ Your hur^J'.'''^^^ '^P^'^^^v and «fT- Even the Prince who h« '' 'T^ "^«r the top Plam-spoken attacks on Rrvaitt^-ruV^^^^^^^^ him his on the day when, head of a To- T '^'^^ ^«"^« ^^^th him the grant to the GrnI H'ZhlT''-''' " 271 ^^b he doesn't I THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH j ., 'ill i tell that vereign's income was his double his Sc boyish day-dream !" " How well you know him !" " His character has always fascinated me " "Why?" He did not answer. She repeated her question. " Oh, because — because he is everything I am not." ^ " Then I am glad I spoke to you," she cried impul- sively. " You are premature. But I am glad I spoke to you. Your own Soros is so much more interesting than vour husband's." "^ " You mean," she said, a whit taken aback, " my grad- ual concessions to him." "I mean— what have you done to realize the King- dom of God on earth ?" One of her girlish blushes suffused her cheek. The voice and face "f a priest, indeed ! " I tried— I did try," she said humbly. ^ " But you got entangled in society functions, in keep- ing house for a rising politician. Then also the romantic revival in art and letters interested you, and the profess- ors thereof. You allowed them to build you the House Beautiful. Also you went to Bayreuth." "Well, think of those early Victorian sideboards! And oh, the clock in my father's drawing-room." "Ah, yes — we have all travelled very far from the antimacassar period. Let it be counted unto you for righteousness that you have not become a leader in the smart set." He shuddered. " And I have seen your name on Charity Committees. But I will wager you never attended them like your sister." " You know about Joan, too ?" One cannot escape knowing the champion lady philan- thropist, interested in all humanity, plain and colored, m all animals, wild or tame ; herself keeping the largest stud of hobby-horses in England." 272 JAH income was his le." luestion. ; I am not." le cried impul- I spoke to you. ting than your ick, " my grad- lize the King- ir cheek. The itions, in keep- 10 the romantic ad the profess- you the House n sideboards ! oom." far from the imto you for leader in the Ben your name jer you never n lady philan- and colored, ng the largest ,i RESURRECTION ;; She should use mosquit„-„ets_like you." " Still r "' '°°' «'"««™«s." "lo"'- ean„:?.'^ \Ti ™*^ ':!' "n.''°'-'." You wish to set thinss sfr„i„ , h 8™""''"""? intellect, -als aua th^e i.=h,e^S.:::s%r ^att Tht Y^mays'moke"'^""'- "''' ^ '"'<' "■"»»' Wo«en. "' 5° niagicians smoke ?" havelltettLg':!^."''^ "^ ^-''-S- Joan would He ht a cigarette at the fire and puffed at it mount " """''' » 'P'"' «"™»« by wWch hi dreams horses fallen dowfin^'ft"* P"'!; ?^ ^^'^^'i '="ri«ge- to death in thtnCtf ?o ris™! '■"■ """"-S ""'^"'-"-s , And the interpretation thereof, magician!" ...e tJ^t-tr ;r;Zr fat.'- - '~>e. Out drctii^XtttuTrif/e "''«•■' ^ '^-Hh. .ou were Mefp? '■*'= ' T''" >■« f! lit THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH 1 ' f ■ ^i V.i opposite direction from the well, to walk to the Etruscan ISiecropolis, a sight Barda had no stomach for. But near one of the mediseval towers she came upon her Father Confessor, his stick clasped behind his neck. She smiled upon him. " You are late for lunch," she said. "I have already lunched," he rejoined, "with an aj?- nostic priest." "Is there such a thing?" she asked, as they walked along together. " Oh,yes: a delightful person: the father of his flock." And does he teach them Signorelli ?" " You mean paint Damnation ? Of course! Why should he spoil their zest of life ?" ''I should have thought the contrary— that he made them morbid." "Oh, no: as I was looking at Signorelli's ' Descent into Heli yesterday, I was thinking how vividly our ancestors enjoyed life, how important each individual soul was, to have the ranged battalions of Heaven and Hell fighting for It. What an intense sense of the significance of life, when the Church Fathers taught that between Eight and the smallest Wrong lay an infinity! Asceticism gains all Its saintlmess from the supposed intensitv of pleasure. ^ hat rich vitality to give material for Dantesque tortures ! lo the modern soul the material Crucifixion is no longer the divmest tragedy. Do you know Is^ietzsche's wond'er- ful saying: 'God hath His own hell: His love for men' And again, ' God is dead. He hath died of His pity for y » men " I have not read Nietzsche, but after those two sen- tences I shall/' " Do: you will find in him the doctrine of the Beyond- Man. But don't imagine I'm a disciple." *' So, to get a hold on lift, I must brood upon death." " No : it must come naturally. Do you care where you «r© buried, or what your tombstone will say ?" 278 the Etruscan me upon her 3 neck. She with an ajj- they walked : his flock." Why should at he made Descent into ur ancestors soul was, to [ell fighting ince of life, 1 Eight and ieism gains of pleasure, ue tortures ! is no longer le's wonder- e for men.* lis pity for se two sen- he Beyond- n death." ! where you CAUSERIE " No." Napoleon CI^it?ela'T'";^ ^^^"^ '' '^^ ^^-^ ncv'ol a tu^nLtad^^^^^^^^^ -re him to the unuttered thouo-ht- '' ^h^ .u i j i . the %r™s and crying K^ci'^*™'' ^ ™""^ T * 1, " f',"*^", ''''o Botticelli's Judith," he said " ,„^ " ?"' I. haven't slain your Philosophy." There are bits ™u ean hardlt Ui» °''' T '^'^ »°'« old-bits in the-lateJt daiS Pa'SnLnnTr ""'-"^^ Duke of Dalesbury Then I w* a Sri ^'rT "' ""^ "'' reproductions of Siffnorelli if T ™nf I '■""' ™''^ "° lyarchitectural." ^ ' ^ ■'^'nember-.t was main- " For a Duke." he'guS ot%tr lid' n t",''^r^^J^^"-^' ^^-^ him again." °' °^^ ^^^"' ^ '^^^^^ like to see " What binders you ?" "The Duchess, She cu^t^me dead when I married," ■•i' i\>' i 'C- '"ll^ °f Rome and its Itie chaos of phenomena ranged itsplf V.m, .„ ^a^eis. of influence rising, meandering dtL^;":!!"!;'''''' an s blocked view was exchanged for the aeronm,,'! travers ng a lucid chart nf 5;»;„ J "''onaut 3, over- scholarsh^ embraced th arts the re? •"""■■;'»'■"•. His •>«t nothi4 was deadlumbo; f^h's'^nd' \nt^' were vitally interrelated, expression. oTman'.i '^' spirn; even forms and modern wor„„ernot w^^^'f leaves pressed between the pages of a hi^!rl '1°' "'""ored with sap and greenness ^ '"^' ■""' K'owing Empirc'^hfr^eSrel" "™"'°-' ■""' "«' S«-enic m it with the 5t have per- if{- - '. Aad BOW ck." a strange CHAPTER V RAPHAEL DOMINICK jDAPHAELDOMINICK! Raphael Dominick ! Hor poet of " yZ^Vij''' *u' ^''^'^'^P^^' The victorious poet of Fame He whose verses she had hung up as wall-texts, the singer of Truth and Beauty, who ! name ^e had imagined registered eternally on "The Scroll^'' ]^o wonder she had felt him a friend o^f immemorial stand- hL /^^,/^^"^«^on^y of the Cornucopians had dra^vn them together unconsciously. grew :::; Tf T" "'•'""« '" •■'^ ''"'^'-'" ■-• He " Ah, 1 bore jou !" he said. mouth, x^org ve me if I have seemed to throw your con- versation into the W. P. B." ^ He flushed under her arch look. ''Arcades amho" she cried, laughing heartily. -He seemed puzzled. "^ Tl?''^PS''T7i.*'^^^"^- I don't know Latin. But I do know Raphael Dominick. His ' Fame ' has reached me— in heroic couplets." reached He laughed with embarrassment, but she was dad to hear^ow his laugh sounded. It was low and pleasaT v.„ V K'' "^ ^^^ magician," he replied. "How do you know of my early sins ?" " I, too, am a Cornucopian. Ah, how jealous I was of ^T. Sru " ^°" "^^^ t^^t Five Pounds !" Why— did you compete ?" 282 minick ! Hor rhe victorious d hung up as , whose name The Scroll!" jmorial stand- is had drawTi cal lore. He !i a humorous ow your con- irtily. Latin. But has reached was glad to pleasant. " How do ous I was of RAPHAEL DOMINICK " Yes— that is — no." " A truly Hegelian answer." becam;\rmt7nerTanTe' ''^^ ^ She stammered and because the moths Z^d^y at thelSt ' tn"f ^^^"^ It out- ust like you last nl " J- ''' *^ P"* up to her standard^ '' Tl at ^ whv I'/u""'"" ^''^'^ Patico, I suppose. Tell up Zhll^ ^' ^'^'^^ ''' ''>''- now ?" ^^ "^^^ "'^' ^'bat do you think of Fame i! ^J^^j^P,"^e-poem, or Fame itself?" BO beautifully !" Sh% Jed a ctpler ™*^ ^'^"* ^* thew^;Mts;^:^S-rs:^ "^- world in which they achieve it ^ThJ ^^T '' "«* ^^e of strenuous fello^Vsouls as^i- ''-^ ^'"""^-^^'^^^d - th love and pity, enaZur'd' oTSuSf 7 '"""^^?j Whose ears are nriekod im +« Ti. " . ^^^- ■"' ^ wor d new melody. Crtld Lt t Old Po^f^ "^^"? ^^ Browning's ' Vision ' ! Bu^ thev ^ ^*'' ^' '° ^^''^ that it is a world of tradinfn, M=\^ ''''' T^ *° ^"^ ^^t and sharp lawvers and t"fpf "u '^'" '"^ J^^^'^"^ critics P-agrapL. And ii tL;\t ^WsT'the^f ^ ^' ^"^^ ^"^ It is ail one whether Eanhael nZ' '? ^"^ ^"*' *^°' t^at is buzzed on the ly W ?in nf ^^"'^"^^J ^^ Jack Robinson firmity of noble Ss M« '"""• ^°* ^'^^ ' the last in- complete." ""^^ '' S^"^' ««^ their Evolution be His bitterness saddened her afresh "T * have lived n a great darlrpnL ^ "'■' *°^' ^^em to from which blinfafter i jr?-.?^."^",?^ ^^"^^^^^ Whole bleak landscape around^.^;'' P 'f^^j" ^ ^^^ ^he you won your poetic bavs 1^ ?"^ '^'^^ ^* ^^e time and I shah always be Z<\ M I'T'* ^'^" ^^° ^appy, pounds." ^ ^^ ^^^^ *° tbmk you did get the five " But I didn't." 283 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH imagined them saving Chattor- " You didn't! And ton in his garret!" I' What made yon fancy I was poor ?" " I beg jour pardon — but I — " " But you were right. In n.y garret the moths had no chance at a , am tliey have now consumed my poem in revenge. We had no candle, and it was writtc^ under a gas-jet on the common staircase of a great tonomont- house. When the gas was turned out, I arose from the stairs where many a foot had trampled on my poetic in- Bp ration, and went to bed-on two chairs and a pillow." ^^ Did you live alone then ?" " I have always lived alone." " But I mean, literally." *' My biography is irrelevant." " I beg your pardon." " What again ! I ha I better extend you a general am- nesty in advance~a papal indulgence. You afe at Hberty IVenVlike.^'" '^''' "^' ' "" '' '^ ^* ^^^^^^^ *« ^^ -'-^ thrfitJVoun'^^sr'"^' '''^"' ' ''''' '^'^y '''^'' ^- g^^ Edit!r'of'tt?>"'' ^ ''"'^'^ *^'"'- ®^^""^"^' ^^«««"«e the « S^ , f'^/vfwro/;w was a scoundrel." . What ! ' Allegra gasped. "All those high editorial principles, all those noble ' Answers to Correspondents ''" Another window-blind up «" fivJS^r '""^^■"'^'^"' ^^"^ «^- ■ '^t^e ihl\ ^"^""^^ *° *^'^^' ^^ '^"* ^°^ "^^ t« ^'^ sanctum- ttiat long-mystenous sanctum." Jle^'a;;^' teafs"'^" ^"'*^'^' ^" '''' 'P^^^^^"^ ^''^'-' "It was also a garret— worse than mine. There was a 1^ 1../ w-:len desk, and the floor was littered with heaps f t - -umbers, technically known as ' returns.' Over the ^00, W.1S a grei^l rusty bell without a clapper— I don't 28i I All aving Chatter- moths had no i my poem in rittcn under a 'cat tonomont- rose from the my poetic in- :id a pillow." a general am- are at liberty iy to be silent lidn't you get ', because the igh editorial 3pondents !' " itncV »oi the IS sanctum — cling betwixt There was a i with heaps .' Over the >er — I don't RAPHAEL DOMINICK Jcnow why I remember that, becauflo T nr.1,, leavings" ' oecauso 1 only saw it as I was " And the Editor— what V7as hfi 1,i.«? tt wonder !" °^ ^^ "^^ ^ How I used to gush about the glories of H oT • ' ^''f^'^'' '"' ^^^^^ly of old England He ha^^;T:'r"1'^''-r"^^"^^"^ pouch under his riTt ll i ? ^^^'''^' ^''^^^ * curious look of inteLity.'^ ^"' ''^""'^ «""^ ^^' *'««« « «trango Allegra wrinkled her forehead " WT,o, u such a face? What was his name ?» ^^^« ^^^^ I ^een Otto Pont." ^^ T, your husband found him out?" ^ ^ VV ^ny busband found out that tim P * married. I had already discovered fb^?? ^"^ ""''''' "^ But Mr. Broser was virt'^ously indtnlt T^^^ 7''"^'*- to me," she added reflectivelv "tw u It just occurs let me ask Mrs. l^ntTe must L Jl "' ^^,"""^^ ^^«"J^ " Probably the Profotnr ? f . H"°'^" ^" ^^'^ time." how and he di IrA Hke tHell ?^^ Jour husband some- " No; she was a fine snir , T f" T' " ^"•"H '»<>•" her?" "' » "ne spmt. And why didn't you help ^«^«.. .Butshe':L'de'alrsr"7;;. , . H meotiupnist now. thoiiD-h «^v. °*"' -^ tinuk she's vv, inough^^^fehe never stands still." U- I tJ^l^ \^n^ lj THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH ''^ But why are we standing still ?" u ^hall we sit amid the olive-trees ? You must be tired " Has Nature ever made anything more beautiful than moimd^ '^^ ^^''^' ^' '^® '^* ^''^'' °" ^ grassy " It is partly artificial." reair°°*^^'' '""^'°" ^"^"^^ ^""^^^ heavens, is nothing " Eeal ? ' Nature is made better by no mean but Nat- ure makes that mean.' You yourself do not disdain a pretty bonnet." '' Joan chose this one. But you haven't yet told me why you only got two pounds ?" " Oh, the Professor told me, stroking his big beard "— he stroked his own little beard mimetically— " that the best poem on ' Fame ' had really been written by a cousin of his, also named Pont. But he was afraid to award the prize to Pont, for fear of being thought unfair. I was therefore to have the public glory, but only the coin of the second prize. Overwhelmed by such scrupulousness, I signed the nominal receipt for five pounds from the pro- pnetor. ^ " When did you find him out ?" He flicked the grass with his stick. " When I sent him to report the Oxford and Cambridge boat-race." You sent ?iim ?" " Yes— *he roles mon changed. You see, our Editor, finding me such a dab with the pen, gave me journalistic work to do; which for a year appeared in a leading week- ly paper. Long after, I found out that the Professor had been using me as a ' ghost,' and getting five times what he gave mo." " The brute !" " Tt was for this paper I went to Midstoke— in the x^rofossor s place. 1' Ah, I wondered what you were doing in that galley." Doing a deseripf ivc report. Of eourso I was delight- 286 JAH I must be tired." i beautiful than iwn on a grassy ens, is nothing • mean but Nat- ) not disdain a n't yet told me s big beard " — tlly— " that the ten by a cousin id to award the unfair. I was the coin of the ■upulousness, I 5 from the pro- hen I sent him ace » ;e, our Editor, ■ne journalistic I leading week- •■ Professor had times what he Istoke — in tho that galley." I was delight- RAPHAEL DOMINICK |ci;;^tp„^r"T^J«';, being *» » Soc,-a.ist and oithe Cause (the Ca ,se w ' Po" n °? ?T"' '" -^ -Fame ~ by reou^t " rr .' "' "'"ch I rceitpH couldn't go Jp tTf had tt 7'^P ." ^^^^ «-t n towards the rent of the hall " '^'' ^'"^^^^°^ « guinea u™«bout the boat-race?" Uli, that was years l-f*... t u i . sub-editor of an evUg ;„*;:; ^jj'^"'' ^^ "^^"^^^^ to h.m do the boat-rael'^Th;„ iTLlT.^S&ns me to for the press-boat. Unles, ™,^ """^ ^""^ " '"vereign not really describe the race Whrt'"" *'""'•'"'» """W « was obviously faked J„„.!;,r ''^ ""P:*' ' «a>ne in, «rt of disguising yonrlgnorancet™',^'"' •"">"' '' *b" people's, but Font's was too IT m ''" '° "<>'' 'o other Uken a iady to dinner^ifhTtt-gn"^ ]^i VroUUy "4b«it s i";:i^„:it«^--«-^- 1 -„Td noTtrs": And then F Her ™iee was tender noo^terI^:S'aftt"'^°^f™-*■■«-"ie• When believed in me." ' ""' ""'"''<"■ °f People that have I don't wonder " aU^ ^ " Ultimately I cametf^.r"""''/'""''' '"""dibly bolts in that 4S s'^t'Zr.fT^^^'""^ *-'«ler- ^!;«^,°^«"omes of the S" ""der-world; chief of In hL^ ^:^J^:^i^^ «^.t ".^« throbbed -I'd get to the top of the tree " '"'°""'='>'^ " Then you on ml ::; •5^.'^,'':^;," f7'-- g-nt. But in its effects Prenticeship f„ f ; fe fora d?ef 'T -.^''■' ^h"* an ap palpitating fiery flux „J ^i^T^u'n' i t"^" ^'''. *« ^l"''™ by professional puddler, t^*^f j """ partisan moulds -jMeh opinion imanSacTur^d"'' *' '«*•■'«« ««'*on, ^be,aid%Sj:''™ "™ '"''- "'- -ne at JfiUstoke," 287 I. . . *' THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH He ended broodingly, not replying. " To accord fame to others, and learn its vanity !" " It is always depressing to be behind the scenes," she said, thinking of all her husband had told her of the polit- ical coulisses, in his hours of gossip or self-defence. "Yes — but not only that: journalism is even more subtly nocuous. Disillusioning enough to see log-rolling, wire-pulling, ignorance, incompetence, dishonesty — but these are behind all the scenes. This post-haste transfor- mation of life into ' copy ' — this word-weaving mill so scientifically organized since the ingenuous days of Buck- ley's Courant — makes the great panorama pass before the journalist as mere material for pompous articles or flip- pant paragraphs. Life and death, love and war, the high tragedies, the historic dreams — they lose at once their body and their soul, their substance and their vital re- lation to human hopes and emotions, flit in a ghostly world of hollow phrases. And then the brilliant young men who sell their own souls in producing these bubble-phrases, colored to suit the organ — ! My own newspaper was bought up a couple of years ago by Sir Donald Bagnell and devoted to this wretched conspiracy for the total British annexation of Novabarba in the interest of his Company." Some of the old righteous indignation leaped into her face. " And you resigned ?" " Very soon ; but most of my staff remained, pleading that they became mercenaries of Bagnell on the same principle as the penniless mediaeval free-lances took ser- vice with this or that marauding prince. Of course my standing out made me seem trebly desirable. Bagnell invited me down to his Highland Castle to talk it over, and hoping to talk him over into leaving me a free hand, I went. Bagnell, however, said nothing for a week, and his pretty wife and daughters purred round me. Then one day Bagnell took me out for a walk, and we climbed up a mountain to see the view of the lochs and six counties. 282, JAH To accord fame the scenes," she her of the polit- If-defence. 1 is even more D see log-rolling, dishonesty — hut it-haste transfor- veaving mill so IS days of Buck- , pass before the articles or flip- id war, the high e at once their \ their vital re- a ghostly world ant young men > bubble-phrases, newspaper was aid Bagnell and he total British ' his Company." leaped into her lained, pleading 11 on the same lances took ser- Of course my rable. Bagnell to talk it over, lie a free hand, for a week, and und me. Then i we climbed up nd six counties. ' AKTKK MY DKATU ' " iT - RAPHAEL DOMINICK P»fel',r?fS ZZ^^"^ ^r'>-»t at Us ex- body predicted a brilTia„f nnlir f' '°'^'"'<' "« '^O- .00 . ^HoT S;^? "far r:rr^' ^"^^»- - ^-o-. " J^ot without a rrint, .. ^^^"^ •^'^^ refused." very sweet and inno"e~d1r*1r- .^^^^ ^^'^ -- ^vas quite a paragonTdoZL^Tf '" ^[^^ ^^"^^ ^^^6 and father, though he couirmed, >.."'; ^ '^"^"^"^^ ^^^^t tnes into war tor his m^ end, ^^^^^"^ *^^'° ^<^""- contradicuons. No, thl^^ZT'T .^'^" *^^«« ^^ttle ^vhich, feeling in niv hr«inV' \ ^dmit, a moment in Man, I was tfmpted to prev ir Ir ^^^f «^ ^^e Beyond" splendid beast o^prey/^uTon fl^f ^^^«^^^^'« ' Wroving men, to use them for mvn^iri ^"""''^ features, called ^vhich bear their burdenT-in^nir''' T '^''^ "«^ Worses, quarrels in war. Baeked bv rl, '"f '"'" ^^°* ^^^ thei; I iiot achieve ? In that mn "'"^^^1^"^ Power, what might -emed at my feet" tot TaTf Lth 'T^'- ^^ *^^ -''^ I picked up^on that mou'tf in '^^^^^..l^^-f .^"t all frozen lamb, which still n J-., *^® ^^"^^ of a poor Mile End Road " '"^^'"^ ™^ mantel-piece in the ;, l^^u live there still »" " Ife .Vriea'tM"''-"^-''^'" -^ <<-*•" ShrC"^ "S5„.X, -«'" '" be going baek." ;; I appeal .0 0,:; :„ttt ?»"--?" 0.. the mortain'."" ^''^''""ran had committed suicide °^'^S'l^t"'•Ce.f ha,%^fr^ith^Y-"'' "^ -« qmred several other preTnS.^ • *?"' "'^' ""^ baa ac- ed weapons very nseC n 1 1 "trl7 '^'"'!"""'' P°-on- vou spp fhc roo-,74. • 1 = struffgle for Pvjofp^^^N """ '■' ""^ "|'''»8 of John Builtv^iis a^d 1 1 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH arteries. He itches for a second Novabarbese war, to repair his magnanimity in not having annexed the whole country after the first. Ah, the mob! It is a barrel- organ into which any air may be inserted. What tunes have I not heard it grinding out— in Italy, in Germany, in France; unconscious of the politician turning the' handle. Bagnell has made Britain resound with martial melodies." "But he will not get his war. That, at least, mv hus- band will never permit." " You think not ?" " If he does, he will not be my husband. The first A^ovabarbese war brought us together— the second would separate us forever." " Then I shall pray for war." "Ah, no! no! Don't say such horrible things. If you only knew how I suffer from every one of ' England's little wars,' which we are flippantly told exist to teach us geography !" "You suffer from hypersesthesia. Your hell is also a love of men. You will have to follow me and die, too." Some obscure glimpse of his meaning came to her Her old idealizing faculty, incurable by all life's lessons, was busy draping him in the radiance of honor, self-sacri- fice,_ martyrdom for great principles. Before her rose Orvieto and her visionary Tower of David, and the drowsy town and brooding sky affected her like some mys- tic fresco. " I could follow you," she said simply, " like the women who followed Christ." He turned a sad startled glance upon her. " But I shall not rise from the dead," he said. JAH barbese war, to nexed the whole It is a barrel- d. What tunes y, in Germany, in turning the" id with martial t least, mv hus- md. The first e second would ble things. If ! of * England's xist to teach us iir hell is also 3 and die, too." came to her. 1 life's lessons, 3nor, self-sacri- efore her rose avid, and the like some mys- like the women her. "But I CHAPTER VI MORS ET VITA T™^T7hafl1 *^'- ^'T '^"^'^^ i^ silence said," and ttttei^^^^^^^^ to-morrow," she no use asking you to come\Il '^'^' ^"* ^ ^"PP^^^ it's £nd Road." ^ -^ "^ '^ ^°°^e ^vhen you return to the Mile ;; lllv\t:^TnntV '^' ^' *^- ^ead, as in Paris." " Wel'llliiT 'T'' ^^"'' ^"^band." " T i^i- . ^" ^^^'6 to read you then " ^ I publish nothing " ^ ' ^"• Oh, why ?" ^' ^IT^^J7^^.^Z^^- ^- the libraries? nobody would believe." ^ ^^^''^"•' "^^ ^^^er thoughts I should believe them." -ne shook his head " at u i «y-'f. All writtganretS;™;^ '^'J "-em but the average ^yntms hZZhf, \u^'"'«^ *">« ^ej to »^_^Co„.aeH Wfifd ^f ter„ aTS you are ang^., alr^eaT,™ Wotan'T/ar'"^ ^ '"■'■ ^h. a,ro3eate refractor_I dare Tv v^ » inveterate idealizer P'rture of me." "" '^^ y™ have already a fancy 291 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAU ('■ •? He was truly provoking. " I have a truer picture than you fancy." " Is it anything like this ?" He held up the ivory poni- niel of his stick, showing it a motley of carved heads cherubic, Mephistophelian, grinning, weeping, poetic! bestial. Ihat is the only true picture of me." She smiled obstinately. " You are making faces at me. " It is at myself." " Japanese, I suppose ?" " Yes." That launched him upon Japanese art and brought them up to the hotel. Barda waited anxiously at the doorway with a tele- gram. It was from Joan. " Broser telegraphs arriving Rome this evening." " We start to-morrow morning, Barda," she said calm- i ■ \: ,P""^ Barda, vaguely hypnotized into a belief that the telegram ordained thus, uttered no protest. Raphael Dominick, too, was docile that evening, ioin- ing Allcgra at the fireside as from old habit, and con- versing in Italian till Barda had gone to bed. And, as if the exotic language made it easier for him to unveil himself— removing everything, as it somehow did, into an impersonal artistic atmosphere— he allowed Allegra to penetrate his simple secret. The new additions to his biography astonished her, so romantic were they. He was illegitimate to begin with and doubly illegitimate, for his mother was a Jewess and his father a Christian. This father Allegra now remem- bered to have heard of in her girlhood— a dilettante Eng- lishman, who wrote fantastic novels, penetrated the Mosque of Omar in Jerusalem disguised as a :Moham- raedan, and was drowned during a mistral in the Mediter- ranean She now learned that he bore with him a beau- tiful Jewish girl, who was saved from the shipwreck and p'cked up by a French cattle-boat, on board of which 292 [JAU •uer picture than p the ivory pom- )f carved lieads, vcppiiig, poetic, )f inc." naking faces at ipanese art and ay with a tele- i arriving Eome she said calm- d into a belief protest. t evening, join- babit, and con- sd. And, as if him to unveil ow did, into an ^ed Allegra to jnished her, so to begin with, 3 a Jewess and ra now renieni- iilettante Eng- )enetrated the as a Moham- n the Mediter- :h him a beau- the shipwreck )oard of which MORS ET VITA -Tchildl^drefpTsS'^^-H ^r^^-^^^- -other -ittees to London ' Here thet\tf"'1^° '''''''' -- P'^vcrty and isolation t'll tleL ""^^rgone terrible ^^•I'en years of comnar'a e Z ^ ^T ''^> «"^ ^1'^"- ^vomaIt-she die^Sn^ ^^^ ^^^^^'^ the poor -on after the OleSe theT" -^'^ ^''' ^^«^l^' ff . his relations ^iVh li td ',' f--;ed Raphael had of Journalism-co-operatinxr w 1, . ''''^^ ^^'^ '^''^^'^ made life shadowy. ^T seemed t^ u7 *^"^P?^-"^<^nt-had Nothing seemed real T , • '^^ ^"^"'^'^ everything, passed to and fro before^^";,7,^^ '" ' shadow-world, men I was a shadow too. 11^^;^^ "^ ' '''''''' ^"^ my one relation to reMiH vt t t"" "P°" "^^ ^^'^^ pitying aloofness wondering Tf^h.^ regarded with a easy to bring her-^re t] fs^ " *^^. ^^^PP'^^ss it was so With her, tlilastvlTtigeXeS-"^ '^^'"^'^ "' '"• 7-1 saw men rushing to and^ro n?^ • °"*.^^ ^^^^^enee juring themselves for Sasm; ^, '"'"^' '''''' ^"^^' P^^' stupid laugh and %hfing ^,^1?^ 'J'^'^'' '"^'^ ^ ences. Some pined in slZTlfh^ ^"^^ ^^'^''^^ ^i^er- equals in virtue'^or gil lif ei L '^''' ^" P"«0"«' their pie and fine linen fn embllne^ T ^'"^-^0"^^ in pur- seemed like actors ^imcinTo '..""''• , ^^' ^^^^test applause inaudible TSmdred'r'ir**' ^''^' ^ ^o^r of continue to be part of his flTM^^' °?' ^^^^ '^'onld I whereof was the^lLa/o ^I r l^J J^^^^^^ the recording no further claims upon me-^T , "^ ^^^ universe had mora ly „o right to be hi tht T'lJ" ^^'^f^^' ''^^ ^^^ suicide was wrong for others or no t1 f '"; """^^'''^'^^ I was without parents or rela ives L^'^'^'T^ *« myself, or rights, or duties." ^^^^tives, or creed, or country, "WasltVoW^f- h ^ . *. ir i k |Hi i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH —just as, had I been a believer, I should have retired to a monaHtery-I committed suicide of the emotions and the will, and became the passive spectator of the tra'^ic humors of existence. I took out of my life all aspira- tion, all pity, all love." ^ "How horrible!" "Horrible ! It was life that was horrible. Before mv death I heard the grass grow. Every drowning flv hurt me, every whipped horse. I wished to be the voice of all dunib creatures. The hypocrisies and injustices of the social order fretted , every nerve. The mere reading of history was a torture. I could as little live with ' men ' as you could live with the lepers of Assisi, or in satisfy- ing sisterhood with the Chinese, your soul uncramped by their standards." ^ '' " But if everything was shadowy, how could it hurt you so r' " That was the paradox: only the suffering seemed real ^ow I sit serene," he puffed lazily at his cigarette, " as deaf to the agony of my days as to that of antiquity. I had done nothing to mitigate that, why sliould I stick my little finger into this ? I enjoy the strut of the Pharisees and the 1 lulistines. The social spectacle gives me an ex- quisite and bitter laughter. It amuses me to see England fooled by Bagnell. I say to suffering and injustice^ Let me alone, cry to the living!" a fiend "^''^''"'''''^ •^'''"'" ^^'^ '^"^^'^' " "'■ ^^''''^^ *^^"^ ^^^ lie rose and looked down mockingly at her, making again that monstrous headless shadow, for only the small lamp by wliich Barda was knitting pierced the gloom. J^ut Barda s presence steadied Allegra's nerves, and the strange baleful look in his eyes did not frighten her. Uidn t 1 say you wouldn't believe me ? But shall there be no peace even in the grave ? How could I live in this poverty-stricken Italy at all, unless I reminded myself hourly that I am dead? No, I am concent to know and 2y4: J A II have retired to e emotions and :>r of the tragic life all aspira- >Ie. Before my Dwning % hurt the voice of all 1 justices of the lere reading of ve with * men * li, or in satisfy- uncramped by could it hurt tig seemed real. cigarette, " as f antiquity. I nkl I stick my f the Pharisees jives me an ex- to see England injustice, Let ould think you t her, making only the small ed the gloom, erves, and the frighten her. But shall there [ I live in this linded myself t to know and MORSETVITA r'oio: ttt'othTng s^: ZIT'^' '^'^ "—Is T touch me personally.'' ^' bankruptcy of England can Niente?" she a'slrpfl «,« i • Cu..ed bo she that Lves mv bone J " "" ^"«'«''. -f £?:n t:^:^-^ ^-^^^ - a., how ,„„, nerves tissues will w™/r awTv " A^i^ •"'' "''"■ The S^r-lce „, brain ^s'S^^!:^/:^^^ prese';ft'»S JIL'^on'rct!"" ^"pite Barda's consciousness. ^°® crucified on the cross of of omnisctence, but didn't he sav „„ ^'""' "^ i^eal An immense maternal niur n , .^er latent optimism ^eu^^'d To t'h^?" ^^^.^^-^^ «" iier soul. "^6^^ to do battle with this sick- meWri'/s':ui''a'g™ir;*'"h^-; ^''^f''' -"-"P"". H'nd and dumb." ^ * '" '"^ *''"*' " drear and st, It Wniilz-l l,„ __ re- " T* -"— . '^ ritark, . it would be more pleasant tho 0" are nodding. On t^ i,.^ ,, Pi^"°- I doubt if you "Barda— you are noddVnS n^ . '7~ r;r i^'«"o.- big lamp and gave Barl fT r?,° **" ^^^- She lit thp j-esumed his efsy chah and t^, **^'- ^'^^'^^ ^omin c\« legra tried the keys ^ *^''^ °" ««other log. it ^-. -lod,, touching the^notes lighti;;f thr/h^ J^P; [i^ THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH fingers were soothing his forehend. To-niirht tlio wind was stil], and the room listened to the eheeriul uprush of the tlanie and the gentle music. " What was that >" he said, when she ceased. Ihe AllvinaiKlc of Paradies." knm^"''""'* ^''""^^ '*' ^^''^' '""^ «'^»"'t'''"ff else I don't She laughed. " That might he as difficult as tellino .you something jou don't know." She pondered. "Do you know John B'ield's things ?" '• No." ^ " ^^"^ 'J'^'A'*" Englishman who lived in Russia— a fore- runner ol Chopin." She played a dreamy reverie, but as he expressed no opinion at the close, hof lingers glided into the Melancholic. When she had finished that, It struck her suddenly that she had soothed him asleep. 'A successful Schliimmerlied," she thought, smiling. She moved on tiptoe towards him and sat down opposite him, and studied his sleeping face so h^iritual in its repose, so different from the animality of that other man's sleeping face. And then she thought hat on that very spot where his head was resting, Barda's head had rested the night before, and it came over her that he was right, that he and Barda might be inhabitants of different planets; ay, and if human evolution moved through soul, not body, Robert Broser, too, was several species behind Raphael Dominick. She watched his gentle breathing— his simple uncon- sciousness. The universe had passed through that brain with Its seas and forests, and the stars in their courses' he panorama of history had passed through it; the gro- tesque kaleidoscope of modern social life; the arts the sciences the mathematics, the Babel of languages; Egypt and Babylon and the old civilizations-what had it not harbored ? *u ^^u^'T^- ^^^ ,^in^ow the Southern night faced her, and the throbbing clusters of stars in the vast silences. The 296 J A II -niejht tlio wind fi-iul iiprush of ased. iig else I don't ficnlt as tolling' ondcred. " Do Russia — a foro- reverie, but as fingers glided finished that, soothed him she thought, him and sat eping face, so le animality of sn she thought esting, Bania's came over her be inhabitants olution moved 0, was several simple uncoii- gh that brain, their courses: jh it; the gro- the arts, the ^uages ; Egyi)t lat had it not Faced her, and lilences. The MOKS ET VITA earth, bathed in moonliVri.f . *• , . thae felt i,„,oL;i) t t:"o?'[M;^::' "" "'"' "' ''°"' if M* CHAPTER VII POWER A PERFUI^CTORY knock at the door was followed -*--*^ by Its abrupt opening and the appearance of the waiter, with a gentleman behind him. Allegra started up from her chair. " Eccolasignora!" The gentleman advanced quickly towards her. Allegra grew scarlet with surprise and resentment. It was the Kight Honorable Robert Broser. " Carissima!" he said. It was one of the few Italian words he had picked up. She drew back, shuddering. L v"^ ^ ^^-^^ coming to Rome in the morning!" she said. Your sister was not certain. I could not wait I caught the last train. You forget how long you have been away from me." *' It seems very short to me." She addressed the wait- en^ II signore voule una camera — ma huona." " Suhito, signora." He smirked himself out. " What did you tell him ?" " To get you a good room." He frowned at her. They had not even shaken hands. « A.OU must be very tired," she said more gently. Not now I see you." He threw down his hat and came nearer. " No, no. We are not alone." Startled, his eye followed her nod. Raphael Dominick sti 1 slept in his easy-chair. Broser's brow grew blacker, Allegra s cheek redder. It came upon her as a sudden 298 r was followed earance of the illegra started I her. Allegra t. It was the he few Italian huddering. ing!" she said. i not wait. I you have been jssed the wait- ona." out. haken hands. e gently, hat and came lael Dominick grew blacker, • as a sudden POWEE embarrassment that it would he too complex to explain how the stranger came to be in her room. ^ yethJ/rd^Lf ^ ^'^"'^"^"•' '''' ^- ^-^band grimly, '' He is staying in the hotel." He seems to be very much at home in your room " ,,\''\y''^^y<>ora\ Whose then? His?" u Vf""'}^ s-everybody's-the public room." 1 hnd my wife in a public sitting-room '" TT,-« «^,nn^ « 1 J '!'''' "° P^^te sitting-rooms." And why did yoii poke .yourself in such a mV,t„2 I was wondenng as I came „p the fusty staTr " ^^''^^ " V^ ''t'a^r'°i,/Vi*!r'^.T,'^ "f-oi^-s pigs." fied freak won't leak'out.' " Witrth.'"F>'"'''-. " ^''"' ^o- <•■'"=<' «" »he said. jou. ^ And I have lots of news and messages from Lon- " It is kind of you to trouble." " ?e^lo7 f'l '" S''" '"* i'. wondering. was I'ked'^n"; S ^^,7™-""" ^'"' "^^^ "P™' ^hat oneofyourcfaritieVburittgltiraW" ™'^ '"'™' 209 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH She opened it automaticallj, her mind engaged appre- hensively HI trying to remember whether there was anv- hing among the other papers picked np that she would have preferred kept from the servants' or her husband's feaze. But she had only a vague memory of old poenhe turned the oice calling to nd page, read- .ds, if us i light, shim- ise. She was isal when the 3 and beat at have married man with the may at once i P O W E K veying each other, the t iX bn , . "^ "''" '^'^^'^ «"»- Allegra like Death look h g /T r"l o '" = '' """"^' '"^ with bouncing vitalitv he nv !l' i "^^ '"'^^ ■'^" ''^^1"^^- pore. He h^^l gowu 'stouter i'^ '"'''■'' ^'""' ^'^■^^'•^ seemed to throb with will nnu "''"" "''^•''^''•' 'i"'' screw. Seventeen /er "tee p' V ''''""' "'^^' ^^^ l^ad left his face fr^s^ nd ct r fo t>T"f''- '^'r'"'^ ,2:radual rise to power asalnrrlS. i- ",'^ ^"-l"-''^"^^ ^^'^ the extension of^. s hul J inu /'^/'^^^ ^"i"-^'« gle severer than he hrdTnLinfl Y ^''""^^ ^''^" '^^••".^'- ^n"gs,if hehadfold I'elotof tf, "' ^^^ ^«^^»'« ^egin- than iu his young davs of p.I 'l^^' ^'''''^'' *« '-1"'^"^ the universe, his^l'L: '^"^^^^^^ nances of fact and dream whll,? j u T '^'^'^P^'' ^^'^'^o- Dominick's face tia t S of n^ '^f, .^^'^"-'^t into Raphael Hnes of gloom. 1 1^ :^^^t^^Zr\ r" ^^^'^^^^ and back up his friends — n,,/] i , , "'"'' ^'^^ '-•"eniies conception'ofnat;Cl\>o t;r'?^^^ ?^resh impression of him^aft^r as' nee A it ^""^"^^ « iHiied tliat she had succeeded TlT ' • \^^ '''^' «'''*«»- arm's-length. Was i < W i ^^ '" ^'^'^P^"^^ '»m at "nder antipathy' '''"' ^^"^ "^^'" ^^i" ^^a^ developed His impeccable S^.s'h '7^^ ^"^ *« «l'^n>." 1- wife. \^llegra i! ftt;Ttt:v^^^^^^ - ^^ ^^-1 startled very sleepy already or Z ZP 'v ^^"."^"«t have been woke you.-" She ^^trodZ tJ ""'^ ' "'^^^"^ ^^'^"^'^ have cnrtly to each othei ^ '^'' '"'"' «"d they nodded hamlTid"" '"^'^'^'"^ "^^-* - that letter?" her bus- " Quite the eontrarv." c^p .„,-j ., • , . premature breaking of 'the seal ^'^ ^"^ '"''^""^'' °^ '^^^ "01 4 (:.: 11 >i- THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH The waiter popped in his head to ask if the signore would inspect the room chosen. Broser hesitated. Al- Jegra stood in frozen dignity. " Si/' he said, " and bring me acqua calda—l want a wash. Tell the beggar also to get me something to eat, Allegra. Good-night, Mr. Domi- nick, he said, with intention. Raphael Dominick dropped languidly into his arm- chair and threw a log on the fire. " Good-niffht, Mr Broser." The Right Honorable gentleman banged the door. "We had better say good-night, Mr. Dominick," said Allegra quickly, "and good-bye too. I shall go by the first train. I could not bear to be in Orvieto any longer." " Ah, you would hear only the voice of the living '" "Alas!" ^* He got up. " But you play beautifully. And I did not sleep m vain— I had a dream. From heaven, cU sa'^ You said you were tired of society, that you prayed for deliverance." " Yes ?" Her eyes flashed eagerly. " Could you spare an hour, say twice a week ?" " Certainly." "Then go to a flat, whose address I've scribbled on this card— It s quite near you— a Japanese man in armor will receive you. There you will play on the piano-a grand and good." She took the card. "It sounds like the Arabian i\ ights. And when I play, you will appear ?" " Not at all. I may never appear." " Then I sha'n't piky." " Yes, you will. My complementary half lives there." Your complementary — ?" " A girl who is dying— crudely dying of an incurable and agonizing disease. A girl who can neither live nor die." "How ghastly!" " It is only her body. Being my complement, she lives 302 [JAH k if the Bignore • hesitated. Al- 3aid, " and bring lie beggar also to light, Mr. Domi- 7 into his arm- Good-night, Mr. \ the door. Dominick," said shall go by the ■eto any longer." ;he living !" Ij. And I did heaven, chi sa? you prayed for week ?" icribbled on this n in armor will piano — a grand e the Arabian r?" If lives there." of an incurable leither live nor SuiC-ut, sne lives POWER intensely by her emotions and her faith Thi. xr .u .0 .g.ve' her a^it"t^„tfTu'it°\„tlr;?' "^^ which dogs virtue dislocated her sZld'er b 1 '" ^°"'™ But hasnt she any frieuds-i„ this piano aae?" will wrte he?ttt^"'"'' ^''"'^ °* thrdoadS ve. I knoeSst;: ' HereTa:'?.."""'"*- ^^^ ""^ ^^ -" ," ?"' *" g'fl may be dead." "And Li?? i^fJ"?' Margaret may." ^P- perpetual critic on tihSrthrs'if'°n7""''''*'' °* "» '"it-7strl™ "^r^P^^^^^-"'"'''' " or ari: a^'u.ore fct "'°°S, """^'P'-^'- ^ -" "- any.I,.ng, alytbiu/t'f^t'I,,,,, tt T," Tif Ca"™;"-'" his. He was unscruDulon^ • Inf u . ^^^^^ ^^^"^ Domi^ick aecepted'S'r -eol'^otlS "' "' ^^P'"'"' yet ';;;■ TutTu'r ^;H:;it,^v„,!r-' --^ ^ -■" would be a'true^pLfc: in'" "' """' ^athy. That I am sorry. I will do my best in future " 305 t t ti: it THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH "Thank jou." He reached out his hand again and took hers and it lay passively in his own. " Let me tell you, then, that my vfsit to the Pope is only a blind In reality I left England last Thursday, though even The Morning Mirror announced that I left Saturday night receiving ^an ovation on the platform of Victoria Sta- tion. He s very smart, that new secretary of mine, and m with all the press agencies." He chuckled, glad as ever of a confidante for his cleverness. " You did go somewhere else first, then ?" mn\^Q-'''*n^''''5i*T>^'^^^,^ ^'^^y- I ^^°* ^^ Brussels to meet bir Donald Bagnell and representatives of the north- ern countries that have percentages on the lYovabarbese railways or suzerainty over parts of the country. Of course I didn't dare meet Bagnell in England " Novabarba ! The fatal word sucked the blood from her cheek. ^Oh, but this was horrible, incredible. " We've settled the concessions they are to get in com- pensation, when England acquires the country." But how will England acquire it ? Most of the tribes are still indep mdent." " That was Lord Huston's mistake. They must be con- quered again. " On what pretext ?" " Pretexts we have always with us— like the poor." ies, poor pretexts— the wolf's to the lamb!" She rose in agitation. " Not at all. 'em." We don't desire to eat 'em : only to civilize » " To shear 'em, you mean. He shrugged his shoulders: "They're dirty- and too lazy to develop their own country. The dark places of the earth must be lit up." I That the electric-light companies may make a profit !" Why not ? If I add Novabarba to the Empire, I shall ultimately become Premier. Granted. But all the same it is the march of civilization." 306 JAH hand again and . " Let me toll ily a blind. In lough even The Saturday night, >f Victoria Sta- 'y of mine, and uckled, glad as t to Brussels to ^es of the north- lie iSTovabarbese e country. Of md." blood from her ble. to get in com- itry." 3St of the tribes 3y must be con- the poor." 5 lamb!" She only to civilize iirty — and too •k places of the aake a profit !" :he Empire, I ted. But all POWER ^- -;de .hro„grb.„tdr;r *sv.'^- °^' "- --^ alr"dy?" ""^"'^^ " "*™ ^™ '"'gotten your promise whoso mJtle you we^e to inherit e "m? T '"^ *"''" isetome? We wereto m,t. What of your prom- My God, a pretfy ^air^" "'"' '" ""'' "' ™'-y»- «"r if: ml ill 3 !: I i '-t THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH "Sir William Orr-Stenton is an English gentleman, and you know I still consider that order the highest in Jiurope. *^' Well, then !" he said triumphantly. _ " But when he was Colonel Orr-Stenton and I was a girl, I saw a good deal of him at Rosmere. And in his mind s eye he sees the whole round glohe under the British flag—like one of those Christmas puddings, with a flaL^ stuck m it. ° " So do I, Allegra, so do I. It is the note of English gentlemen. And %,'hat a delightful destiny for the glohe— to be a Christmas pudding. Peace on earth and plums to all men. It is your father's very id. il, and if I help to bring It about, I shall be truly the inheritor of his mantle And you accuse me of not keeping my promise !" He laughed, highly pleased with his neat Parliamentary repartee. -^ ^^ Allegra bit her lips. " I sHW keep mine," she said. 1 was a fool to argue. Good-night.'' He sprang iip: - And you'll not tell your inconvenient brother-in-law ? ' " An English gentleman should understand the laws of honor. Good-night." " Not without a kiss ?" She snatched up the lamp, half in defiance. Their shadows shifted grotesquely. -Ring for another," she said. I need this for my room." ij!j f "^ '* ^''''''' ^""^ ^^y ' Good-night ' like a good little " No murderer's lips shall touch mine." He laughed sneeringly. '^ You are becoming melodra- matic. You remind me of the Midstoke Theatre Royal." Remember rather the Midstoke Town Hall." He winced. But her defiance stung his blood, intensi- fied her piquancy. ''Come," he said more lightly. You cry ' Peace, Peace,' and you are all war. Let us and make it up. 308 UAH iglish gentleman, er the highest in ton and I was a ere. And in his under the British ings, with a flag ! note of English y for the glohe — rth and plums to and if I help to ;or of his mantle, promise !" He i Parliamentary mine," she said. our inconvenient tand the laws of defiance. Their T another," she ike a good little POWER " N-ot if jou are to bring this war » Bazaars." "^ ^""^ '^^« even in the Charity ^n the aperture ere it c osi I Ton'i • "^ ^^^'^"^^ ^'^' ^^'o , " I^ittlo spitfire ! You sJ . 1 I ' "'"^ ^^'^'eatened. love, or th. world well lost " A^^r ^'""V 'r^^'' ^^" ^^^ ment, he thrust back the n«n.l a ' i""' ''"" ''^'^itated a mo- r Good-night, you lit e fool » T ^'''f \'''' ^" '^^ ^^P^- m love and waLand this is both ttf,' '' ^"'^ ^^'^ my melodrama ?" *^- ^^ ^^^ ^o you think of tiousness'atd 'feather-headTdTe.^' T^^^^^^ «" ^^^ vexa- thrnsting her pretty peSailVL' ^- "^"^^^'•" ^^°"^an, all the same he felt S S ^tu^^^^^^ ""^ '''''' ^^^ been improved. situation between them had 3oming melodra- Theatre Royal." Hall." s blood, intensi- more lightly. 11 war. Let us CHAPTER VIII TALK AND TRUMPET FIZZY was enjoying himself, chaffing the Right Hon- orable Robert Broser for the amusement of the ladies and the mystification of the Italian Deputy who had been Fizzy's dinner guest, in his magnificent suite of apart- ments in the hotel at Rome. All the men were smoking (by request). Fizzy's Radical spirits had not been damp- ed either by ago or matrimony, but Broser refused to take either him or the attacks of the Mirror seriously. The Deputy took both men very seriously as illustrious British Deputies, and this dinner would figure in his Memoirs. He spoke English and was a great admirer of English in- stitutions. In Rome he was a rabid Socialist, with a venomous hatred of the Vatican, and whenever he stopped in his street walks, ground his teeth, rapped the pave- ment with his cane, and barked out oaths, his friends knew that a '-ardinal's carriage ^sas within eyeshot. He was an ecclesiastical pointer or setter. " Those cursed intolerant priests !" was his mildest invective. Joan, too, had abated no jot of l.or atheism, and Allegra, lonely among them_ all, felt in herself stirrings of all sorts of mysteri- ous impulses, vague instincl , flashes of insight, divina- tions, emotions, which to them were apparently as mu- sic to the deaf: she reached out as with antenna tow- ards a dim, evasive, yet pervasive spiritual world, of which they had no suspicion. Was there indeed more than fancy in Raphael Dominick's theory of new species groping to adjust themselves to new spiritual environ- ments ? 310 the Right Hon- lent of the ladies ty who had been suite of apart- sn were smoking I not been damp- r refused to take seriously. The lustrious British in his Memoirs, ir of English in- ocialist, with a lever he stopped ipped the pave- ths, his friends in eyeshot. He " Those cursed ive. Joan, too, ra, lonely among orts of mysteri- insight, divina- larently as mu- 1 antennae tow- itual world, of ?e indeed more of new species iritual environ- TALK AND TRUMPET at Westminster Abbey '^tC '^''"'Sf'' '" '""P'"™ know," ho explained to^-,,e Deprnv'-Z"; ■^'"''''T >"" that whenever wo wish hm-v ■'^' ' ," " "° (^''ookful "P an obsenre eitSn who^^ b^HeTthr ''i'7 '" ''' made it a temple.'' "unta there before we F.vf '""i^>V^"' exclaimed Lady Joan. Ru^oTh^d^at^rea^ Zt'V;' ^"?^^- '' ^^^^- ^^^d b chucked a Toofpeae: Jc t.V ""'^^ ^^^f ^^"'^^"^ ^-^^'^ quietly as they smncrX 1 ^'^"' '"*° ^^e Thames: as height of the sLson'^^^' "'''''''' °"^ '^ ^^"^ 1-tel in the "But that is scandalous !" his wife cried I fonn J '^"''''^- ^'' ^"g^^« affectiona ely " Ahn . I. 1 lound a new gr evance for mv r^.^ff '^^^1 ^"a ! have Broser laughed "Tl," "^^ .ff "^^ to play with ?" " Yes. The Anf ^ ' ' a ^' ^ ""^" ^°^^i<^ty." "AHomeforh'l.:',nii;^r^^-f7" ^^^' ^'^^^• tion. Still it's nut for mo tn . "^ ^'^' "^^<^ "'^titu- bachelor days peoplUaTd ?L If'" •^'^'?/- ^^ °^^ ^^''-^ o^vn paper: now ?hey av Fjf ''"'■^ '^^''■'■''' ^^'^^ Satan's brilliance. LooklVtlisifl V f *"^' '^' «'^ ^"^ temperanop lecturers '' "^'^ ^°' P°°^ ^^unken ;;Ah!- Uhe Deputy sagely. W uns^lLCsfaKf Lr ^^ ->' -^fe gratifies he waiters limping at niffhtfa f" ^1 '"'• ^^ '''^''' "^^^^ jmage of the Virgin J Zflnll n ' '""'"'^^^^ ^'^^ ^^ the has a tear screwfd into elch 2l ^ '""7 ^^^^««^=^' ^^hich Corp.. C..isti Day, wJrth^! ^I^^^^^ ^^^^ - |^;alet helices i^^l:r:;e^^;-:j-J-^^^^^ . " ?"t the waiters here are shamcf-iK- - i - listed Joan, unabashed. " I 8^?."/ "■''^'^^^^^•^ed,- per- 1 snail not come to this hotel THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH again. That Hotel de Castile looks attractive. Is it quite respectable ?" she asked the Deputy. _ '' My wife means, is it an hotel where ladies can smoke cigarettes and have golden hair ?" " Oh yes !" said the Deputy, and the others laughed. " Golden hair seems to be in circulation again," said Broser. " I wish I could get change for my silver," said Fizzy ruefully. Lady Joan passed her hand lovingly over his white hair. " Don't," she said. " That would leave you almost bald — at the current rate of exchange." This time even the Deputy laughed. " Did I ever tell you I was in China when the amusing gold-silver gang were exposed ?" asked Fizzy. "No," Lady Allegra laughed. "But we know you have been everywhere when anything happened." " The gold-silver gang quartered themselves in different coigns of China, which then knew even less about ' foreign devils ' than now, and began steadily giving the Chinese twenty English sovereigns in return for one English shil- ling." The ladies gasped. "What daring!" said Broser admiringly. "And so they hoodwinked the Chinese into the belief that silver was the metal that was twenty times as valuable as gold ?" " Yes," replied Fizzy, " as certain politicians bamboozle the British as to which is the really valuable national ideal. After some months of this unblushing persistence that gold was silver and silver gold, the Chinese began eagerly bringing them their gold for small bits of silver. But in the end the rogues' ears were cut off. We British," he blew a smoke-cloud at his brother-in-law, " only eject them from office. For my part, so long as I get twenty shillings over the counter for my gold piece, I don't care who keeps the bureau. I'd as lief be governed from New York or Berlin as from London. ,* ?? 312 JAH tractive. Is it adies can smoke ers laugh od. >n again," said er," said Fizzy- over his white save you almost This time even en the amusing ;zy. we know you )ened." Ives in different about ' foreijrn ng the Chinese le English shil- i(lj. " And so lief that silver able as gold ?" !ians bamboozle ! national ideal. 3tence that gold began eagerly silver. But in ^e British," he only eject them wenty shillings care who keeps New York or TALK AND TRUMPET J^ Surely not ! Surely not I" said the bewildered Dop- " Well, perhaps New York is too far off P,if n r p.re .s only a great firm of Government Contracto s ™" plying Governments as Gunter's supplies bal Uppers "' " jVr'' ".™"W take over Italy/'- Sighed the Depu y. \.JU ^ •"'/""'• "■« ""^'P of Ameriea. Alrfadv iorfes Trt""""""/""' ^'"" <''^'='"« <="» «■"! y™r fat rcest^:-ii; 7iznnterx kn his Gallie eonqnerors Tn X„, . ,?'?"". ."'''""•bed is not to eonquer the lion " ^'"' ""'^ '^" '"'"^ « ''O" i-'rf^rdi.sL'^.XBHt^^Sof ^z "-^-^^ we shall soon bo running Italy^'a pSre IX,7""«'" = ing-room : L „S no, come up To 'if -Pt" " <'^''"- hertm wasZll'of r",*? ™"?'"g ''°«' timidly; foV never entered i beforr?i\'" """''J^ '^^''»'' """^ '""^ had but b^» ,u I, ' ""' ,''^™"'<' *e was Broscr's wife to risf lb. 1 "T-P"'™"' '•'"nWng from the weal hy anir thft a.'th'oTJSruTk „TaY -'"f ^' 7 *^ -*» aeqnaintanee with her In ^"i'™,:,":^:?^! fP-^-g tba. their anxiety to talk about thrweltldheTheluh 313 i ' F ft .(1 p.' m i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH had exceeded the due courtesies of hotel life. As she entered a group clustered round her. Near her, she was morbidly conscious of another group of ladies and gentle- men listening eagerly, almost reverentially, to the disquisi- tions of a horrible American boy of about twelve, who was holding forth on the history and antiquities of Italy. ^^ It was in Perugia that the Baglioni — " " Show me Perugia on the map, dear," said a stout lady. II There, mother. T1k( capital of Umbria !" i! The ^capital, dear? But it's not in the middle." Don t be so stupid, mother. You've put me out. At Perugia we have got to see some more Pinturicchios " She was disgusted: "I thought we were through with those! ° " We had such lots in the churches here," her husband added. . " ^,f^\ foyhow, I guess you'll have to do the Peru- gmos, said the boy relentingly. " Perugino !" cried another lady in self-congratulatory accents. " I got through with him when I was a girl." Lady Allegra's eyes roved in search of the old ladv with the ear-trumpet. And presently she found the stran- ger sitting stiffly, but very lonesome-looking, in a deserted corner. She disentangled herself from her gushing ac- quaintances, and walked towards the pathetic old-fashion- ed figure, so pointedly ignored of all this swiftly sociable crowd. " O Alligator, hoAv your dress smells of smoke I" And even before She had felt the old motherly kiss, she knew by this scolding that she and the Duchess she had fail- ed to recognize were friends again. " Somehow it was easier to see you abroad than at home," the Duchess ex- plained, and Allegra cut short her ap( logy by taking the whole blame of the long separation upon herself. It was delightful in her loneliness to rest upon this garrulous breast and to know, too, that she comforted it, and she 314 FAH I life. As she ar her, she was lies and gentle- to the disquisi- vvelve, who was s of Italy. " said a stout . !" ! middle," It me out. At ricchios." ! through with " her husband do the Peru- congratulatory was a girl." the old ladv und the stran- in a deserted r gushing ac- !C old-fashion- k'iftly sociable moke I" And iss, she knew she had fail- lehow it was i Duchess ex- by taking the self. It was liis garrulous 1 itj and she TALK AND TEUMPET « b!," w^ '"5^ Revelations," smiled Allegra. the"ea,:„um;r "'' "^ """-" ^"'^^ P^'^^" -'o .hep; fi„t;fr.rdier,^ Allegra, amused, saw that her aimf lin.i .,!, ratuea on. in the battle of'e.istene^'U de aetble ™Z ^'^7 fence Eaphael Dominiek would Save phased-t" t thought But she was determined t^foi? i , and w'ait n! nigW> • ^''''' '^'''' ''^'^ ^' '■ I'ike goose-liver at mid- "S."l^®*^ on your side now." ^^ :^iglitin'_ Bob on my side ! N-gver !" ■cut he is! He's changed his coat Ar.A u m i, a coat^of-arms too som- dnxf '' c^ jj j ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ "He» I' 11 T^' n '^S '^^ ^^'^^^ provokingly. peciall, as-despite ''the l^ ^C^^^^Z 31a : II THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH oars might be straining towards tins corner of theirs. l^thought jou came to make it up," she replied coldly, c-i Au T ''''™®i *° ™^^^ "P ^«i- fifteen years' " How is the Duke ?" '' We are telkin' of the Demagogue." «.;! ?!_^^ ^^'' """^ '"^ ^^"^agog"'-'- He leads all you « wrl'/'? ^r^'"'' peremptorily removed her trumpet. Wasn t I a true prophet ? Didn't I toll vou power was hi': T •^''" " '^i '^'' ^^"^S^^ '-^- trumpet her breast refusing the right of reply. But Allegra, nettled replied all the same-as loudly as she dared- ' ^es, but you prophesied he wouldn't get it. You said he'd never be in office." ^ .u/^'' '!! ""^ T^^' • '^^'^*'^ ^^'^^^^^ '^e ought to be. I'm glad you admit I was right. Perhaps in fuhire, Allio-ator you will trust your Aunt EmmaF .Vnd she put tl e tnim: pet^pleadingly to her ear. " Tell me everythhig, deir '' ^^ Ihere is nothing at all to tell." u ^^' ^f" ^""'^^ *^^^ ™*^ ''»"• That's right." ^^ -No, that's MTong. You didn't hear me." _ -No so you may talk without fear. You got over your mfatua ion very soon, didn't you ? Ah, I'm glad yoifare a"T" ^rf -^'^ Marjorimont bl^od slfol^'Ld alter all. Glowing with satisfaction, the Duchess nro- ceeded to make complimentary remark^ about he famfly in general and to congratulate herself in particula/on having proved a Cassandra. - I always sa?d the La riage would turn ' ™ how that little Russia^ L "'" f,"""'"- ^ou heard Quadrille at the tW b, f' TT """r'' '" ""' R»y«I 5- in the enclo:„r?: 'a : ' '"«! r,i'«' *?• P™-" wasintheencosureatAscot 'st Tu\f *'''• l^""'" decent house left, and whTn'-tb/f?.?,^^"'^..?™"' '» ?h« ""ly nil decent honsricf,:rd when the n''^'i-^^°"^'= '» ">c o,.,, join the smart sc,cspeciallv^tl ,''"'' '™" *»« ""'^ North, as they say he 3 Ibn 'f"' '""""es that Miss Ah, they are a-bad'lot thrheirs " ° "'" " "^'y-ine- A, J;}} '^'■»' «>«>" »>* honse ? ■ Won't yon come to that A.|a^!;;n5:Et:s,o;:;s'™"'^--o: A"ogra went back to the drawing-room eried': aTn^^Hj ttoS t"™"^ ™""'" ™"-«>r Allcgra's plane and a t °e ,a^; t^'™','" P"' herself on of tl. 4„t ,„„ o/Uting X3rde- - er ladyship p.ie7!:^,h''rt'rht-t'£'^^ " -^ -<■ ^-^s^a - Consternation spread throngh the drawi„g.„om. As the Duchess walked off T.n,.o, • i was warm with virtue and vonn ^U", '''"^' ^'«^ ^^art self to meet again the d^vlZTi , ®^u' 'f ^ ^"'"'^^^^ ^^er- fascinated her at first si2n?d'J:^ ''\" ^^^ ^^ ^*^«"gely THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH to parteke her abhorrence of the Dragon. Was there no way of rescuing her from him? Why did he not die'i ihis new certainty of Alligator's unhappiness, coming on top of her morbid hatred of the man, swelled her poor old brain almost to bursting point. She felt like rushing back to the hotel and bearing off Alligator then and thence, leaving Broser wifeless and howling. How dared the brute claw and domineer over a Mr.rjorimont— a sweet young thing like that, too! " Oh, my poor Alligator, my poor Alligator," she moan- tu "^'I'j, f passers-by in the Piazza turned and looked at the old lady with the ear-trumpet. But her venom ebbed, old lady with the ear-trumpet. But her venom ebbed and only the high tide of virtue was left. That darling Alligator ! How sweet to feel the loving pressure of her fresh young lips. Yes, she would make it up with man- kind at large, even with her own relatives. Chaotic mem- ories of people she had scolded jostled in her brain Yes she could forgive them all. It was as if she was exchang- ing all these minor enmities— the small change of social friction for a lump sum, so as to have more to add to the hatred she felt was Broser's due. 1- ^^^ Alligator's mother herself— poor Tom's evil genius should be finally and fully forgiven— on Broser's account, -bven after Minnie's marriage to Jim, the Duchess had retused to recognize the opposition mother-in-law as any- thing but an intruder into the sacred pale. Now she would write to invite her to Rosmere. " Yes," she thought in an overflow of generosity, " and we will attend the next Drawing-room together." JAH Was there no iid he not die? ppiness, coming swelled her poor 'elt like rushing »ator then and ig. How dared •imont — a sweet itor," she moan- d and looked at ir venom ebbed, ' venom ebbed, That darling pressure of her t up with man- Chaotic mem- er brain. Yes, le was exchang- liange of social e to add to the m's evil genius roser's account. B Duchess had -in-law as any- ale. Now she tierosity, " and ther." CHAPTER IX MARGARET ENGELBORNE Japanese man in armnr ,7i t ^' guarded by the absent from h"s la^u^^'^ uit'. 7'""'' *"^"^^ ^"* ^^ ^^ Perhaps the lively uTelv /.I ^^^f ^nt-topped helmet. " Down, Ned ''' sai^tt ^^^ •", '7'^^"'"^ ^^"^ «^ g^^ard. and he were friends a.i\;^' ^]"^ .^" ^» ^"^tant Allegra took in her na^e 'if. %f •'^'^^^^^^^^'^^hiletheS being welcomed to a sort of hm^^^ '^' ^^^^^ ^erso f girl, radiating an indefinable n.'^'f'^!"^ ^^ ^ *^" P^le and physical suifetg But r' '^ ''"'''''''' aroma curiously intermingled and A l7' "' T'^ ^^^^^^^ sion of Margaret Engelborne remind phT' ^''' ^^P^^^' the Duchess's greeting in Rome -Oh ^u" '°°^^^""^ °^ smells of smoke!" ^ ^®' ^^> ^^^^ your dress wit'h Th^: ^odotr^"4ifh^t^^^^^^ .^-go-, at odds occupant of the room wh^ ^ ^^P' '^ ^^^« the other the soulful fac anTthe rjerf'T^""^ V^^ ^^^ -it" an easy-chair. Her AHeTrf I '^''i '"^" ^^^ ^ack in no other than Miran^ Sev 2''' V ^^r" ««"^^ ^e actress, whose eyes were starTof H '''''^.- Photographed voice trembled /ith the musio nf.l. T ^^^^* ^"^ "^^^se of the pitying angels Whenl' i^^'''' ^"^ *^« tears actually introduced as MrZ n ^^""'T' ^^^«ture was 'graph .. even s,tti.g with her baitoiXht 319 ie stage or off the This THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH was the very spirit of goodness, who had glided, a vestal virgin of lustration, through a recent society drama. It was impossible even to talk of anything else while Miranda was in the room : she monopolized the conversa- tion both as speaker and as subject. Even the wife of a Cabinet Minister did not interest her. Allcgra could barely edge in an inquiry as to the sick sister. Her own relegation to the background— novel in itself, and accen- tuated by her subconscious sense of patronage and phil- anthropy in coming— took her aback a moment, but the little shock passed instantly into- amusement, as she sur- rendered herself to the situation, and waited for the revelation of her hostess''^ personalitv, which lay under the same eclipse as her own. Miranda's relations with her hair-dresser occupied much time, and subsequently it transpired that her dairyman had conceived a passion for her— as pure as his milk— and in consequence brought her the best of everything without sending in a bill. Cream— butter— cheese— eggs, too !" And her dazzling eyes dilated at each new article, till at " eggs, too " they were spheres of spiritual light, and in Allegra's vivid imagination little winged cherubim seemed to break out through the egg-shells. Later she spoke of potatoes with a radiant play of feature; and when she said the weather was beastly for so near to May, she had the air of a Joan of Arc. When :Margaret Engelborne demurred, " The skies are not friendly, but neither are they horrid— just preocou- pied— to look up into them is like looking into eyes one loves and finding them too busy to smile," it 'seemed natural to Allegra that even the weather should be main- tained in the plane into which Miranda had lifted it It was not till later that she realized that the poetry belonged to Margaret, that Margaret saw evervthing throuo-h images of tenderness, vivified even the inanimate creation with child -heart fancies. It was not, indeed, easv to realize this to-day, seeing that when Miranda, in a .320 UAH 1 glided, a vestal ety drama, •thing else while sed the conversa- en the wife of a Allcgra could lister. Her own tself, and accen- 'onage and piiil- uoment, but the lent, as she sur- waited for the V'hic'h lay under s relations with subsequently it eived a passion equence brought ding in a bill. Lnd her dazzling It " eggs, too," lid in Allegra's bim seemed to r she spoke of ; and when she ;o May, she had " The skies are 1 — just preoc(?u- ig into eyes one ile," it seemed should be main- ad lifted it. It poetry belonged ^'thing through niniate creation , indeed, easy Miranda, in a HAKOARETENGELBOENE -"t tfiZffT- ' ■"""'^' """ ^ed didn't Nod. He is'Z.»U^ fct f P'-d-- "Poor ml d?g- Tho other dog's maT. I ^ """" "'"^ " Wgger P/ofcd „p his own Vni" '"hJ ™I "^ ^"''"S then that he would pick „pN™ -00 MhatT^ !° '"'™ known ing .We^t!" ' ^''^'''" --'"-d Miranda with wa„- .ituff-fo'^'/T-rrSrltC^re \l ''] ^»" ' ^^^' Margaret. ^ ""^'^ ''^^« impression of the real thaT;:hrtr£rfn ':£:^^ -^- ^t appeared theatre, and was speeulatinf fn r ^'^''?' "* ^ "^^^^r mantic religious drama. Zt it .0?'' Tf ^^'''^"' « ^o- dmne accents, " raking i„The shekp ,"' V^ ''""^'''"^ ^^ SrdW™^in«ri r?V S tit» itt cause poor Otto Pont had Wn • ^ ^^' ^'°™ go^ng- Be- -nte anything any 1~^^^^^ he was n^er to a hypocritical public! Beside? J /'^'^"^"^«- What ^he play a good deal, and cut down Ih '"'''^^ ^''^ '^^^'^^ pagan woman who had fZ ? *^® P^^* ^f the wicked had the word almosfthe whSe',^ *" ^«^; ^^ow, vSu o Pubhcwant? ^ "^^^^^ ^^me, and what did the Otto Pont! Sn +u ' »orgizi„g, albeit darkirTr"^ ^r^"''"' ™s still how ,t felt to be ruined £,;*»■ M °'"'- ^he wondied ".an the spiritual Cderin?Z"If,dl''^'^7J' ™' ™- 5, too. fl>. tu. -D-/^."'^^ herself known, si^^ ^emian-even anti-Christ: tha wo: i: 321 ;ian- i' J '/' i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH atmosphere of a home she had imagined Puritan, espe- cially when Miranda absent-mindedly relit tl o cigarette she had laid aside at the stranger's advent. Bu^ her faith in Raphael Dominick's judgment remained strong, and tliere was something in the imperturbable vet sympathetic attention of Margaret Engelborne to Miranda's babblings that reminded Allegra of liaphael's priestly attitude tow- ards her own confidences. As she sipped a cup of tea she studied Margaret's long, oval face with its delicate leatures and spiritual radiance, the chin not unlike her own,_ the eyes greenish, the hair dark and short; she studied the room in which she sat, and found it as distin- guished and original as its mistress. The old furniture, she perceived, had never passed through the shops, the china had lived always in hereditary homes. There was a Chippendale cabinet, a Chippendale bookcase gleaming with classics in English, French, and German, and a long set of Notes and Queries. There was a piano with a blue and white punch-bowl upon it. A Dresden clock ticked on the mantel-piece. Daffodils met the eye everywhere in beautiful Italian or Worcester vases. But mixed with this classic and cheerful serenity was a wealth of savage curios, exhaling grim suggestions of battle and sudden death, the chase and the torture-chamber; not merelv the properties of the old English hall, antlers, and guns, and blunderbusses, and buffalo horns, but big bows and arrows and javelms, and boomerangs, and stone cannon-balls, and a rhinoceros horn, and strange-shaped swords in unfamiliar scabbards, and uncouth, unknown instruments and weap- ons. And underneath this dominating note of violence a later impression of the innocuous grotesque awaited her; a_ collection ranging from Turkish tombstones to tiny Hindoo gods, from opium-pipes to Chinese puzzles, bhe feared to seem impolite by asking if she might begin to play, though she had barely snatched the hour from the endless social, philanthropic, and domestic duties of a great London hostess. iJ22 JAH I Puritan, espe- lit tin cigarette Bn'^^ her faith led strong, and yet sympatlictic mda's babblings ly attiiude tow- d a cup of tea ith its delicate not unlike her and short; she md it as distin- ! old furniture, the shops, the ?s. There was kcase gleaming lan, and a long ino with a blue m clock ticked ye everywhere Jut mixed with !alth of savage le and sudden not merely the and guns, and tvs and arrows, inon-balls, and in unfamiliar nts and weap- te of violence Bsque awaited tombstones to linese puzzles, e might begin hour from the ! duties of a I * MAROAItET E.VUELBOKNE Meg/a„d^oo„" cif.S ^ rcTttV™^' " ''■"■™^- interest. "i-rbeii the pratthng point of Muvver-Mog?" ""^ """' '■"^« JO" dejected, -nado her exi^nd "u ^^^VS fc JL""- 7 °* "A'^'^' and the little dog to fawn nn L i-,J"' '° P'a.v with her other viai,or*^,rithout ' '" ^^"«'"=* ''™rt<=.•« pointed to a .^Ph ,wi4i.g irirv ?ro ra;;^ rhr^ of a astoS" ^•°" """^ ^'"' ■•' "aughtyl-Xted AUegra, A 1^°°'' "T 'i""'" P""»g down the tree I" singer whose viHl tv Za ^ f ?''r^*^^" P«^"i« «f the allegories, and who ^haS bee? 'f /^'^^' "'^ ^^«^«^^ of a Christ-like soul, Shed Vk f' ''' ^^"^= «<^«g^ beauty of the earth Tho flv^ J u P^^?^ «^^^^ ^f the '' To Margaret Engdbornefr/r^R \^'^. '^^ inscription: f e was ^ad he hfd picked o^ III"" Dominick," and It seemed a sign he was not so f ^ ^'''V"' ^''^ S^^t. But then the inWirwrsol'jrs om'^ ''''''''''■ -Uo excuse me " ^ai,l Af„. . "* something to ask Miss Grey ''^'''*' ^*'*"^°^"g' "I had legra tl^ iTrmrf'^B^^ V '^' ^"^^^^^^^ '" ^I" back vaguely and relied?" ^''^^'"^ °"^^ ««^iled "It is so good c£ Mr. Dominick fn fin^ u- a noW ' , J16 13 Very good to us.'* - iin.. u^ a new inend. 323 il i: THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH m Allegra vas so glad of this additional testimony that she said, unthinkingly: " Ho contradicts his theories, then." But whether Margaret was aware of these theories or not, she replied : " Will you have some more tea ^" so that Allegra had again the sense of being checked. But it was only after several visits that she discovered Margaret would not discuss one friend with another. " No, thank you. Shall I play now V ** I am afraid I must not expect you o now. Your time is precious, and I could not ask you while Miss Grey was here, because she enjoyed talking, and it might have seemed rude to her." " But I have plenty of time !" Allegra protested men- daciously. Although amused at the scrupulous meander- ings of Miss Engelborne's unselfishness — which had, after all, resulted in the neglect of herself — she was attracted to this curious household, had already mentally and with scant regret thrown over the private view of some R. A.'s pictures. The carriage could wait. '* Shall I go in to your sister?" " It is so sweet of you. Lady Allegra, but I fear she will never be strong enough to see you. ]But she has been expecting you, and now I shall tell her that you are just as we dreamed you would be ! She will be so happy ! If you play on this piano, she will hear you quite well through the wall — it is better that the sound comes muffled." " Then I had better play something soft, too." " Yes, please. But may I go in a second and see if she is comfortable ?" Margaret returned with a longer face. " I am so sor- ry: the nurse is just busy with her. She could not be ready to listen for ten minutes. But she told me to thank you with all her heart, and you will come again, won't you 2" " Not if you drive me away like ^hat. Surely it is no bore to spend ten minutes in your amateur armory, to say nothing of your company." 324 I K''^- :■ . AH imony that she 3ories, then." '36 theories or } tea V so that 1. But it was ired Margaret now. Your lile Miss Grey it might have Drotested men- ilous meander- lich had, after was attracted tally and with f some R. A.'s ill! I go in to )ut I fear she it she has been t you are just so happy ! If ;e well through nuffled." too." and see if she " I am so sor- ! could not be Id me to thank 9 again, won't Surely it is no armory, to say I I MAHGAHiiT ENGELBORNE PelX'soTrel/do \'\\^''' «1 --e of the things? see them." ^ ' ^°'"^t""e«> I wonder if they even play'^Wth''em."" '' "'^ "^''''''^^ " ^^^ ^^u won't let me ;; They bite, Chrissie. Thatavhy" But they wouldn't bit- rne. i\4 doesn't " ^.Margaret snatehed up :ho child md h^^ed her far- a^::^otr?t!;:l&4ei;ij^i5t^^^ moment of his life. Tl,e Or entll wpl ^""^''"^ ^'^'''•>' Allegra: the Malay In- ' w h ts E^"' ''':''' 'T''' '"^ edges so as to make terrible funds'' a, AH^f ''^' .f '^'' explained imperturbahlv 0,,^. t ^^''^ Engelborne spatch " knife vervra;; hot i'' '^/P'"?'" " ^^'m' J^e- knife and a pick -^Indi^n « 1 '" • ?T^'P''^ '''^'^' « P^»- English hanlsT'tL'linZtdTf^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ wooden-handled which M«£i^'''^ executioner's sword, scabbard, roclt^t^^l^^^, [^ ^ ^"^'^^ tuiXi'::':ii --''' - ^o beauS;^;;:^:^:^:^: Allegra felt sick. "Where om^^A tu n , criminals?" ^°"^^ ^^^-^ ^"fJ so many 'IH But is that a a way o± praying ?" 325 on the prongs >> h I a Wh J-. ill THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " A form of penance. It doesn't hurt as much as it appears. The shoulders are first pounded to insensibility. But here is a penance even more showy." And with a faint smile Margaret indicated another pair of prongs connected by a horizontal piece of wood, and described how they were hung up and stuck into the thick muscles of the back, so that the penitent swung from them, as from a milkman's yoke, his feet off the ground. Allegra felt the prongs in her shoulders and turned faint. It was unfortunate to have inherited lier mother's vivid physical sympathy as well as her father's more com- plex interest in the human tragedy, and she was still as hypersensitive as on the night of the burnt moths. " Did they think that would please their god?" she said con- temptuously. " It was their way of pleasing the god within them- selves. They set themselves right with their own con- science." There came from these words and from Mar- garet's expression a \'aft of vitality which dispelled Al- legra's faintness. " But here is something more pacific," said Margaret, prodiicing a notched stick, " though I dare saj you won't know what it is." And as Allegra failed to guess, she told her it was a tally — an old East India Com- pany receipt. for seventeen thousand pounds. Allegra laughed at her own ignorance. " I remember reading about them. A lot were burned in the fire in the old House of Commons, weren't they? But after that, perhaps you'll tell me these sticks," she touched one, " aren't arrows." " Don't ! Be careful !" Margaret pulled her hand back. " They are poisoned." " Pc'soned ?" " Yes. Poisoned Novabarbese arrows. My father brought them back before the Novabarbese war broke out. They ^ave been superseded now, I believe, by German cannon except among the more backward tribes." Allegra C' utemplatcd them curiously, remembering I 326 AH as much as it ;o insensibility. ' And with a 3air of prongs and described ! thick muscles L them, as from rs and turned ;d her mother's ler's more com- he was still as moths. '' Did she said con- [ within them- heir own con- md from Mai*- i dispelled Al- more pacific," though I dare [legra failed to ast India Coni- I. " I remember the fire in the 3ut after that, touched one, her hand back. My father war broke out. e, by German ibes." remembering, MARGARET ENGELBORNE wood d:;s;',%:dii;;?h"a'ie''?T;, ° ^^"''""^ ^°'-' °" own hand, whenever nlng'ry add ^3" TZT'\7, dWthcm" n andTZ?' '"'! ."f "rt™"'^'.^ ^ have n,ud; ;; Yo,ro:s.r;o dX™.!:™ - "^ '"' -'""'' '''"''■" intlZtZfl:':j't!!h ^"' l-^ h"' «i" Ws earth- ness to Kid" °" ''^^ ^^ ^"1 ""^ ■" Jour kind- l.ap,v if I had prieked™y,elf?'lt7™a" ™' ""^ "-" affirrn'r ''™ '"" ^""' " ''"-^farrow," Margaret orlpin-prid™"""''' '='""" "' «^=' ^'■'^*- it was death a toadstool." *^' "^^^ '^- ^^ Jou die, it's ;; But how long would it take to know ?" commences only whpn th^ ^ "^"^-^ pncJc. 1 he agony Hood bnt^then'thlt^d'eLS'^ie ?;.?°' '''" '"'<> "■« ing tfta™!?'"" ' "^"^ " ™"-' P-itio-to be wait- '' I have been in that position." " w ''""'^'"^ yourself?" i'ou,:; ^l:i:,/J;J!tlipMnese bitch father had e fiew at his throat, and she bit 327 my hand as I! '» ' I 4II THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH I was tearing her away. I had to wait to know whether hydrophobia would set in." " That must have been a terrible time !" " ^ot so terrible. Does it matter so much when we go to God? But only this mark remained." She showed it — a great scar. " The worst was, it spoilt my play- ing." " I thought that was due to the dislocation of your shoulder. So Mr. Dominick said." " That, too. I was dancing about on the top of the stairs because it was my birthday, and father who was standing at the foot had just given me a new coat. But suddenly I swayed and caught at the banister, and I can still see his white face swimming up towards me. Poor father!" She turned away. " These are the original stone cannon- balls that were fired red-hot from the British batteries during the siege of Gibraltar." " Your father seems to have collected all the crudest things," Allegra said, unsympathetically. " We are a race of soldiers," Margaret replied simply. Allegra's vestiges of sympathy dwindled. She wished to change the subject. She saw some framed letters. " Ah, you collect autographs, too." Margaret's eyes kindled. " You don't often see Ten- nyson's. Look there! I got his when I was a school- girl in France by pretending I was a little French girl. I wrote as Henriette la Comblee, and that quite bowled him over. Victor Hugo's I got by writing as a little English girl." She laughed; Allegra laughed, too, re- lieved to find Raphael Dominick's " only Christian " not priggishly conscientious. " You have Deldon's, too," she said. " Yes — but I have outgrown my interest in him. His politics I always hated, and now his verses are not even musical. Your friend's my favorite poet among the mod- erns » " Who is my friend ?" Allegra was puzzled. 328 AH know whether ch when we go ' She showed poilt my play- cation of your op of the stairs was standing But suddenly can still see his Poor father !" 1 stone cannon- ritish batteries ill the cruelest splied simply. She wished to letters. " Ah, often see Ten- was a school- le French girl, t quite bowled ing as a little iighed, too, re- Christian " not t in him. His ^9 are not even imong the mod- _ .1 - 1 ZZIUU. MARGARET ENGELBORNE '''^!Z:^^' '''''^^' ^^-^' p""^"^- ^--^'r This time Margaret was puzzled. - Didn't you know ?- ^.^^ I love the poems. But he never told me they we;e Margaret flushed, as if she had been guilty of boasting a superior intimacy. '^ Perbaps he took it for gran ed you knew,' she suggested. " I think he did notTke to pu^^his real name to them because he was so wel kno^ rKTo^Sd.^'^ '"'''-' ^"^ - '^ -- ^fraidl ;; Tliat is so like him," said Allegra, with glistening eyes. tlnnt 1 1 ^'- P°^"^'. '°- ^'^^^ P^*«y« to God every night that he may be inspired to write more. I so hope he w publish another volume before she dies " ^ Allegra felt embarrassci. " I am glad anyhow that he has achieved his early poetical promise," she s^aid Ah, then you did know ?" ^^ Allegra smiled: ^' Well, it's a little roundabout to ex- Margaret'' ^'''" ""'"^ ^^^ *' ^^ P°"^ P^°"^i^^'" «aid Allegra was astonished to hear that Margaret wrote too She asked craftily, " And what is .,... peJi-name?' ' Margaret laughed. " What a delightful way of con- fe ing you have never heard of me. I use mv own name But I belong to the etceteras of literary gatherino-s • h si an obscure work-woman, to whom Mr. Do Jnick n^'d a f v acserved. How I should rush to give anvbodv mv auto mSs-^^sr'-Vr^^^'-''* '"'-'^^ '^ sho/;zt . maicks. She pointed to it with pride. ,u A I'll ''"^^^ ^^® ^' capable of admirinff Broser " thought Allegra, slightly chilled again "Your si- Vr will be ready now," she said. ''"'"^^ 329 ^1 ,1 II THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " Of course : how selfish I am, to be chattering about myself!" She ran out, and returned to say that Kit sent a thousand thanks and was full of happy anticipa- tion. Aliegra sat down to the piano and found herself play- ing the " Allemande " of Paradies. She smiled through tears when she made the discovery. " But it is only proper," she told herself. " He sent me here." And she passed on defiantly to the " Melan- cholic " of John Field, conscious at moments of the pen- sive smiling Margaret and the rapt little Chrissie, and the visioned Kit upon her bed of pain, and at others only of the sadder figure in the arnvchair at Orvieto, and the roar of the flame and the voices of the centuries. She had expected to come to a lazar-house. But she drove away with a sense — beyond and above all the quaint contradictions — of daffodils and music, of life and love, and little children, of sweet dignity, and no le endurance. She had come to help, but it was she < r. j had been helped. i .' : ' m ill AH altering about say that Kit appy anticipa- 1 herself play- miied through f. "He sent i the " Melan- ts of the pen- rissie, and the Dthers only of , and the roar ise. But she all the quaint life and love, ii^ endurance. r<:> had been CHAPTER X CHRISTIAN MARTYRS 'pHE playing to the unseen Katharine Engelbor^. mMMm .0 accept anything atY" „: ,ti' . te W thatlZf "^ Raphael Dominick would turn „n ;„ .1 • °^ ''''•'' her intuitive distrust of Marga^etl intXi '/^"^ ^? point, Allegra could scarce^ h1v;resiedt^^^^^^^ '*'r ^i from this mother-confessor fn wjl! ^^.^^^t^d seeking relief worn brought their sor'^S sT. "? ^^Y' '"^ *^° ^^°^^^- adding to Margaet's man foil ]f '5''"^'- ^"^^««^«r, from soon discovered that MarinS' '^'"'' '"'^"^"^^ ^' ^^^ pathy, but a soj^rlfeoi^^^^^^ ^f^ ^^; the ev . And thii« H- .L """-V^^^ting effort to amend arine she did not sw-nt^,, ^u ' of Allegra Kath- endured the sight-bu, X o,Tv f ° T",'" '^'•■=^'' ""^ ," The pity fs," 3aM Marga eV '"h 1? ""^ '"»'"/■ whom this happened K,>T„f i ■ ' "■""' """ I '■> dancing one, Zdot riding a„VSL' f^"^;"^"/. jnheruor of father's strength „" ^ t?,""/,?."'' '?"™?' ""o the ugly duckling, the sickl at while I was - -ov -"v.^iing, nie sickiv one with fhp .,--uT , dances had to rest for half a dolf wtwl ffi„l" 331 waltzes on the dress^ I ., iv V* •*^™^ia|| THE MA.NTLE OF ELIJAH ing-rooni sofa. It \vii.s there I rcdd Sarior Resarlus'' she interpolated with a smile. " Sli" was the one who was to marry — we had arriiDged it a'!. And she used to be the lucky one, too, while I was always tumbling down stairs or falling out of hansoms, a,;.! evdn nhtn; we were thrown out of a dog-cart together she wt/s urhurt, \\l\[\o I was laid up for weeks with my spine." Aii^iira saw as clearly at possible that as they fell Mar- garet Lad c-jngbt Kii in such a way that it should be her own back which was broken. But she replied, "And then thai ('^..^.i^jte — you are indeed unfort\i late." "But kit, thark God, was always fortunate till one day, at^ slic stretched out her hand to take something which was teasingly withdrawn, she discovered tiuit she could not extend the forearm. From that time her iimbs began to be paralyzed. Technically, it was a wasting away of the gristle. She has been ill some nine years now, get- ting worse and worse. For some years she was able to hobble about on sticks; for the last four she has been in bed, in that darkened room." " Not suffering, I hope." " Physically she suffers horribly. If I could only bear It for her, my poor darling! But spiritually she is the happiest of creatures." " She looks forward to death . "In God's good time. But meanwhile her interest is in life. She has not lost one of her old interests — every thread is drawn to her bedside. According to the doctors she ought to have died years ago, and if she had listened to them, she would have clouded her brain with opiates." " Do you mean to say she will not relieve her pain ?" " Did our Lord drink from the hyssop ?" AHegra was shaken to her depths. " But t she can- not live much longer, why should she suffer? " While G<'^' -"^/^verse char- Babies were perhaps nf * "' wonderful flat, them on visits, or Ma^rtare^ f^ , ^""'''^ brought flats. They were alwl'L f^'"^ ^^' *'^"^" ^n adjoining "'gbabyco^idre^is^a rsr w' "'^"^"^r ^^ -^ r)assed through the hall onTh^ ^ : xTt ^'I.^^J*-^ ciai Inends — women whn. u^.r • ? }^ — ^^'^ s spe- Margaret called tK It tZ" .""'"''^ P"^'« sunshine," !-«e, yet lack streT^h to lee ^1?."^' '^' '^''''^^ ^^^^^ >t was right to nurse her strength f^I^ ^"^'"l ""^^- ^"^ Allegra agreed, while LtS K^t ^^"' '''"''''''' the pain of the sordid reaHtv ^f^ . ''^^,^ *° ^P^^^ her world of music. It was a * ' f^ i ° f '• ^ ^'^^ ^^^^ ^^ the Thp flof ^ J ,., ^ poetical relation araTed by pSs n'd'""^ ^-n^-vous fir lovers sep- tonishing^Lrga et "h.^''"^''"'.' *^"* ""^^^^^ by the as delighted' toSt; tmT at£ \^ ^^^^^Z-^ wa« garet conducted these ploTs^orhf """^ ^* ^^"^^ ^ar- tjonal in her realistL nove -mate T^^ ««— stones. Sometimes two pa rTnf if ^1 '" ^^' ^^^^^^rv same time, and Margaref had to T' '''''' f "P ^* ^^^e but she tried if possibi to keep ttT^""^' " four-in-hand, and this involved much humn- '"^ ''P'"^*® ^^^P^^s, trances and exits, a^of a d^Z?'^ f ^"«^«"ent of%n- PJot. Kor was Miranda gZ 1 ^''T''^ ^^ « «"b- adorned the boards o? MargarTt's v. ' f ^ t'''''' ^^^ equally winsome but less S^ ^^^^^'^- An lights came to be heard her L^ff^ ''''^"^" °^ *b« foot- perhaps it was the ladies ou^t of . '"''^ '""^^^^- ^"t most consolation there Jnliif"^'^^^^"* ^bo found fluttering feathered creatil! ^ ^,'^''*'^'* ^^^b these aretb might be fot 'd sTt S^at IT/^ ''''''' °^ ^^^z- remembered that c„ the r W W ' ^T '"^^ ^^^S^ret buy food, and t'.ej Tn turn'ref^"^^^^^ """^ ^«^ot fy;ng to undermine thnp/oLTat,"'"^ gratefully from - ^- traditions would" alo|p; ^^d ^^^^ I:. I u THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH shakab]p. Novelists, too, would bask in Margaret's spirit- ual radiance, and smoke ei.C'nvptto'- with her — the inmost circle of Margaret's frionJihip was ringed with cigarette hmoke — and she had paradoxical relations with advanced women-novelists, whose work she refused to read lest that bhould imperil the friendship. People in distress came for condolence, and happy people for congratulation : men to talk about the women they loved, and women about the women they hated, or the children that had been taken from them by an unjust divorce law. The undergraduate whom Margaret was educating at Cambridge would run down in the vacation, and the " French boy " would come for his lesson. A few people turned up drunk and had to be isolated like fever cases, and some even of the sober had to be kept from contact with their antipathies. Strong Anglicans would not meet Jesuit fathers, and respectable matrons drew the line at divorcees, so that sometimes the variety theatre was given over to farcical comedies, with contrary people hidden away behind doors and screens; dining-room was divided against sitting-room, and sitting-room ag'^inst spare bedroom. There was one occasion on which Margarr ^ admitted that had a new visitor turr "1 up, tl ere wo ,d have been no accommoda- tion but the 1, ith-room. Fur besides ihe people who came to be helped, there were not wanting friends who came, like Allegra, ont ^i love and admiration A famous poet- ess, admitted to the bedside as an old Iviend, would read to Kit by the hour, and more than one chivalrous joung Englishman with a heart and -,, brain would hovor about Margaret anxious to d^^ her amid all this coming aa oil of Kit, she would writr r s advantageously, and fina time to visit the bedridden an( the dying, and dine with friends, and see the n> a- pieces at the theatres, and read all the best books. With her eyes failing, and her body aching, often keeping herself by sheer will-power from fainting, bnr sleep at night averaging two 336 fealty and service. And . and under a^^ the burden ies and sell tliem very dis- AH argaret's spirit- er — the inmost 1 with cigarette with advanced read lest that \ distress came 'atulation: men omen about the lad been taken undergraduate dge would run y " would come unk and had to ;n of the sober athies. ^^Irong and respectable that sometimes cical comedies, ind doors and t sitting-room, There was one lat had a new no accommoda- jople who came nds who came, A famous poot- rid, would read iva^vous }oung Id hovor about service. And a^^ the burden them very dis- hed ridden and e n« u- pieces at With her eyes lerself by sheer ; averaging two CHRISTIAN MARTYRS t;xtdr.t'hroX t'-'T'i ^-^--^ ^- ^-^ds through'her, or friend: LT^rL"^,. t^^^, t"? ''' forget some little thing or o^her fh.t 'J u f'^' '^^""^^ -S'fts to mark birthdays or .3 n^^ ^^^^^^ ^hem Her heart full of ch Idish 'T'T -^r"'^ °" t^^^bs. lived in unbroken eotmtl^;i;^tt'f^'^^^^ ''^' spired her, and whose sorrow r f^l *''^ ,f' '."^^^ ^^ho in- strove to diminish, praying that OnT'^"^- \^"^P""^->' '^'^ their evil wavs the sinners thnl ? '""i^^^ *"''" ^^^'^ ^<^ abandon their darlnrsin T^./r.' ''"^^ T-' ^^^^"^^'^ not pray for excent W 1 "" ''"' "othing she did -ith thL pVyersCeni^htf;"-"'! T^^'^'^"^^- ^"^ blessings of the day tL =• . "^ niinghd th.-mks for the their dead fa 1 er'^and the r T.?T^' ''''''''''' ^"^ ^^^^ Playing with them The bead tTe'v"". ^"^^^^' ^^'^'^ • '..>arate pleasure the day had brouJht''".f'l "^^ '''^ visitors, the acceptance nf Mo ^'^^"pt— the kindness of ^-- ..f an actres^Send th. f /' ^'l' '*"''•>'' '^' «"^- th.. charm ^ a n' w book thet ^f "K "f ""^''"^ ^^^^ers, -ne goo, ^ n. of nat ot ne s td )f /''''' '^^ ^*^^^^«' of Kit stretched on the raek .1 li J^^ ""'^^" ^-"'"'o - this great, sordi^ro rL7reSclesf To" ^ ^'^V^ ' •^'^^ .rew ashamed of herself an§ aTg^^^^;.^^^^^^^^^^^ torS: aTdtars''"irhat?f""t ''^^^ ^^-^^ ^i universe as a place of fire an A ''^^* ^"^ conceive the languorous. fsheVad he rtiTTo T T^^"^^ ^°^ ^h^ exigent the stern law by whi^Tl r ^li^^* T universally came to view even the PMn '''^- ^"^ ^« ^llegra with a more tolerant eye to o!l TTi^''^ -strumeSs flesh sprang out o? inten-l - • '^ ^^^^ torture of the " 337 "''^' ''"^ °^ *^^ '""«« ^'f i=.:i Ml THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH a strong and valid reality, of a diviiio importance in things. Such pain was well repaid by the glori- ous assurance of a significant universe; devoid of which the modern man, heir of the lore and beauty of the ages, with creation's forces under his thumb, obedient to electric buttons, was poorer than the lowest J^"ovabarbese fanatic dashing himself on the British cannon in the un- perturbed certainty of a prepared Paradise. That noth- ing matters — this was the one, the only atheism, as it was the only pessimism. The pleasure of childhood was that the pains were real. Yes, Raphael Dominick was right. Hell was essentially the flame of conviction that things mattered terribly. That was the true significance of Dante, though his material hell was as blurred now as Michael Angelo's fresco in the Sistine Chapel. The nat- ure of things was strenuous, was worth while. Even an age of persecution was better than an age of persiflage. Both sides at least were in earnest, the persecuting and the persecuted. All IP importance by the glori- e ; devoid of and beanty of inmb, obedient it N'ovabarbese rion in the un- ;. That noth- 3ism, as it was hood was that ick was right, m that things ignificance of urrod now as pel. The nat- lile. Even an of persiflage, luting and the CHAPTER XI FEUDALISM AGAIN gra herself, and on the davsof tf '^^V*'""^ ^^an Alle- P?rk her faney always \eaJ^."''t '^ '""'"'^^^ ^" ^^^^^^ 'rrf%--^/f^ooZ'lu^^^^^^^^ The geneU Cockades should only be worn bv .^ ''^'^'*- ^fd Navy people, or of people In fb n ^'"T' "^ ^^^"^7 ploy." P^°P'6 m the Queen's direct em- "But Avhat does it matter?" askerl All I hate a meaningless s^bol t ^^'"'^ prosecuting the tradesmenThrnn. ^Z '^^^"^ ^^«^ «re I wish they were stricter as ega^s Z ^" .^"'^"'^ «™- The more Alleffra saw J ,u- -! ^® ^^^^^ on silver." tor, the ,„„re ^he^clS: ^^ ^:2f ^' ^'"^'''Ot's cbarao- tome had the feudal sense ovp„ " ^^^rgaret Engel- au.. the D„ehe., »/r.hT~.Siti ^or ^X,^, hXiTalr^t""' " ir'' '^'-^ -»"* "■as probably pride of tatfe Tm " T"-P'l^'' but this or d^^s '" ""^^ "^ ™^'-° ' ' ""'^■" ''" here,esaJd:ra%Ti«L"7:r„r'' """"^ ^''^ ""-^ Why, that's 1,'L » . ^ " "ouse on a cliff she cried "'' ^'^' "^^ «-t-'>^ placc in BLushire," 339 'III THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " Yes, The Manor House, now in possession of Mr. Fitzwinter, belonged to ns once." " How strange ! I suppose you still think of it as yours." " Only because I was born in Devonshire. We lost it altogether in George I." " Oh, are you a Devonian ?" Margaret smiled sadly. " There is an old dying Devon- shire woman I go to see now, poor thing, because she feels lonely among ' the foreigners,' as she calls people of every other county, and she thinks my Devon voice helps her. I have never faced death before in which the Christ has borne no part, and it is horribly painful. But I ought not to have saddened you with my troubles — forgive me. Let us think of the Devon grass — that wonderful emerald- green which makes the best carpet for sunshine — and the Devon earth — the rich glowing red, in lieu of the sullen browns and grays of other counties. It looks as if it were dyed deep with the heart-blood of its brave sons. And in- deed Devon has furnished a longer roll of soldiers and sailors than any of the ' English ' counties." '' Don't talk of blood — with the Novabarbese war on the horizon." "Why not? Devon is eager to follow your husband's clarion-call. I know it offends your own modesty to hear him praised, because you feel so at one with him, but I feel I must tell you how T admire you both for breaking away from your father's Little-Englander ideals. It must have been a pain to all of you, I know, but perhaps even he may learn to see that nothing counts but England's honor." Allegra, outraged, felt it was so hopeless to answer this, that she said : " You must go down and stay in the home of your ancestors. Joan will be delighted.'' " If I could ! But you know it is imymssible." " Ah, I was forgetful — Mr. Fitzwintor's opinions." " Oh^ nobody minds them," said Margaret, airily. " And 1 would forgive him anything for his wife's sake. 340' JAH ssession of Mr. think of it as ire. We lost it Id dying Devon- ecause she foels people of every i^oice helps her. the Christ has But I ought not n-give me. Let ierful emerald- ishine — and the lU of the sullen )ks as if it were. sons. And in- of soldiers and bese war on the your husband's nodesty to hear nth him, but I th for breaking deals. It must it perhaps even but England's to answer this, ay in the home Bsible." i opinions." irgaret, airily, lis wife's sake. FEUDALlSil AGAIN fe would love me to ^o \L"'T\ ^^^^^ ^^^t, though ^'"owyoi. suggested it. ^It.^uuT^^ \' '' enehanted S 00 for Joan uas the name of thl '"'"" P"^*^« J"^tiee, o S.r .Nicholas Engelborne took ? ^'''''V^'ose marriage to Kent for four hmulred yea,t"' '^^'^^ ^'^^ Devonshire ^^fi^^^ZrfC:^-:^^^- f' Nicholas Perhaps you reniPmll 1 *"^t name" l«honkl so like to see it." >vouj(j you reallv?" ivr timidly produced a book lookin^^lT* ^''''^^^^-^h and then she handled with all tTe re^te f. ,' '" ^^b"™' but which people are bored by ZZltJ ''"^ *^ « ^^^le. - Alost fbe said. As Ma2Z±,'^ f'"'^ T'' ^^an by euz-ts '' l^ng artistic fingers All!' '^ *"'"'^ the leaves with hi t^^e E,,,,,,,„X^ Al egra that it was demoted t ored series of family Vutcb J V*^^ '"^ beautifully col- jears.^ ^ ''"'"^^^"^ ^^^ over eight hundred Wcl^;^;f ;'-"^«^-n hanging i„ the hall," said ba.. understood them^r/hTi'"' "'^"^- ^"^ ^ shouldn't ' Yes." ^ °®^^^ s bead !" hn^'tJ'!'^^'^ the heartiest adult How delicious ('evil's head. You: irsl' tbe Hat had Your crest 341 :^l. THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " Here is the first mention of us in the Domesday Book," said Margaret, laughing too. " In the Domesday Book 1" Allegra was more and more astonished. " No wonder you have the pride of the devil. You are much older than the Marjorinionts." '' But not so eminent to-day," said Margaret soothingly. " Even our title, being a close one, died out in George I., because there was no ' heir of the body, legally begot ' ; and I am perhaps the only Engelborne who rares for all the great past, or who makes a pilgrimage to our tombs and monuments. I am certain I am the only one who has pored over the will of Henry VIII. because an Engel- borne was one of the executors, or burrowed among the Archives of Venice to trace the activities of Sir Henry Engelborne." " Sir Henry Engelborne ! Why did I never connect you with him ? Ah, that is where you get your literary talent from. I don't think I ever saw an anthology with- out that lyric of his. And I remember being struck by his portrait at Oxford. The high square brow, the long straight nose, more like a soldier than a student, I thought." ^ " I told you we were a fighting race," said Margaret, highly gratified. " He won his spurs himself, for he was the youngest son, though his father was Lord Engelborne, and his mouth always makes me think of the old Eliza- bethan expression * my dearest dread.' But he was a scholar, too, as you know, this amorous poet, and the Pro- vost of Eton College, as well as eleven times ambassador here or there. There is an amusing story about his father, by-the-way. He made a vow never to marry a relative or a widow, or anybody mixed up with law, and while hang- ing about Westminster Law Court on business of his own and losing large sums thereby, he met a pretty widow who had similar grievances against the lawyers. He helped her to win her case, was delighted to discover she was a relative, and married her." 342 AH mesday Book," more and more ie of the devil. iret soothingly, t in George I., egally begot ' ; o eares for all ! to our tombs only one who ause an Engel- red among the of Sir Henry never connect ; your literary nthology with- g struck by his row, the long a student, I aid Margaret, 3lf, for he was d Engelborne, the old Eliza- ?ut he was a , and the Pro- es ambassador out his father, y a relative or id while hang- ess of his own ty widow who I. He helped ver she was a FEUDALISM AGAIN 4tei :r^2 ■xS""^- " «- '^ » P-son who was ever BeJ^ ,T:Atk a"d ?",'\^ °"'-^- iou seem to have flo,„Mai j ^"'^ ^**»terburv." Stuar^,, observed Arg.f""tr^^ «"^er fhe ^ es. Charles I fru] % -^ *^^ P^^^« ^«^- herself wedding-„igbt.vithus,"lfeKr:.^'ri spent their borne~of the seventeenth cpn. ^^t— the Katharine Engel- t^on of any of us ChenTcl7t^^^^^^^ Pght This was becaul sb^f 1? ^T^''' ^" ^'^r own into France, and when h.^fo !• '^''^^'^ *^« ^ojal exi^ pie say-a kind-hearted ^0/? ' ^"^?^'' whatever peo- for Cl-,rles II." ''"'* ^°°^ ^^^^^w. J always stick^p . i^'-i stick up for Charles TT i avu , rpf'o ^^, ^^'«gra s laughter was n r^^^ ,. ,, But bei;i;di^riegra?Sb. caret's reverence, fLlf-seSe'o/T ' ''^^^^"^^ f<>r Mar- felt the appeal of her owVanees^rv tT^" "^^«^ ^^^ving wrong she wondered, irrepudfatfn. .f'^ ^'' ^«*^«^ ^eef instead of retur„i„g'to it as an , ?''^ "' ^ '^"^^^"^ not something after all in fh' "^^P^ration ? Was there transmitted t^raditTon the trcl"^''' \'^'^ generations something enkindling n the it °^ ^^^'^^^^^^ ^^anded on poets, behind one ? And ft ^°'-^ ^^ ^^^^lars, knights' put to them a sense of di^iLTa a { ^^'^ '^ ^ot radiate y Were the Scotch pfTsant. H '"'^^"^ ^""^^« 1 i ' ence for old names ? wTs S ' "^^'^^ ^°^ ^^^^ir rever- ael Dominick would p^t it i f'f .'^' «' «^« ^^ne^v Raph. *^«n? But then, why^were 'tb^''^"*'^" ^^ artificial seC "n^ftt^-st^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ - -re. an,.h.gW vulgar, Ittmes through ^i" 'm I LAi THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH exogamy," replied Margaret, with her usual readiness, " you will always find a strain of base blood has crept in." Allegra smiled pensively at the symmetrical theories of life Margaret had built up for herself. But then, types like Raphael — how did they spring out of fortuitous con- junctions? Xo, the blue-blood theory did not work: hu- manity's only chance lay in a universal national tradition, a common fund of inspiring ideals into which any and every man might be born, so that all might die noble, but none could be noble at birth. " I wish I could share your belief in Feudalism, Mar- garet," she said. " A Marjorimont ought not to differ from an Engel- borne. To me it seems that chivalry and the Christliest interpretation of Noblesse Oblige both sprang from the feudal system, that it taught reciprocal responsibility, and crushed out the each-for-himself doctrine better than any other system has done. Do you believe, then, in the Mod- ern World, with its fierce competitions, its war of Capital and Labor, its main bond of union, self-interest V Allegra puckered her lips as in her girlhood, wondering humorously if by this roundabout channel she would ever be converted to the Duchess's point of view, as the Duchess had so often predicted. '' Wait till you are older!" The very timbre of her aunt's voice rang in her ears. It was at least true that never since that far-off moment when the Duchess had railed at the degenerate scion of the Ethel- stans had such a sense of the ennobling vaiue of a historic tradition penetrated her. And as it was the gentlest and tenderest of Christian souls that made her see any dignity in fighting, so it v/as the friend of those poor women and the slum-babies that made her feel any virtue in pride of birth. And then it cnnie upon her how curious it was that just to " Fizzy " The Manor House should have fallen — " Fizzy " with his conception of History as a pompous fraud and the British Empire as a badly organized busi- ness. ^H ual readiness, has crept in." irical theories >ut then, types 'ortuitous con- not work: hu- 3nal tradition, hich any and die noble, but udalism, Mar- om an Engel- :he Christliest ang from the Dnsibility, and jtter than any n, in the Mod- var of Capital rest?" od, wondering he would ever IS the Uuchess older!" The ears. It was moment when n of the Ethel- e of a historic e gentlest and ee any dignity or women and irtue in pride curious it was lid have fallen as a pf>ni])oi]s irganized imsi- CHAPTEE XII ARMS AKD TUK MEN "E^^rg^I^rtt" """• , ^''"'* ™» B^'^^e new to let her husband K"hii„l^"f '" ^^' '^V'^'i resolution tudinarian father ffom hiTdis 2' ''"T""^ "' ^" ™'<=- wg her pathetic private letter, u! country-seat was writ- .nfluenoe against ^histaShS ofVi'i iT/ '" l"' J- hat your hushflnrl ."^ i,^ "^i-ioii or tiis lite-work. f/ty of anLxinTSb:, rr ^ rttt '^ ^ ""^'- though It will always rempiS. TI ?•. *^*' ^® ^^^ote, an unhappy career tfft tTa lVo"r? "^"^^^ «^ him. But pin him to liis own ntl ^"^"^ 'P°»^°r ^o^ sider how he undermin^a ] M *T"''''\'^^ ^'"^ '^ «<>«- legislation, ^at money wil, b'lefTfortr'' '' ^^^^^ poses of peace ? I„ a war twentv T. IJ^'^ ^'^«*^^ P"^- away like water, while in VoTcp P K ^^^^' ^"^"^°"« ^o^v ""•"ion it dole; ou for^ ed,w '{"'"^ f "^^^^'^ ^^^^^ purposes. They called mc Petty C^sh 1.Z .^""^^"Harian 't^s the Great Exchequer I look'Vfter ' tI '' '''"'' *° ^« of the commercial sp nf .n^ tV •' J^^^ ««<^"sed me f«<^turor. I have tl^l^l^J^'' '''^'^i ^^^en a manu- stroying the old ari.^oer.o. T ) P'"'"' . ^"'*^«^ ^^ ^e- -•ddle classes whom I A av r "d'tr'^'^ ^-^^^ '^ ''- '^^^ feudal servitude have heonmofTi , ^"}«"^»Pate from the second-hand mi}ita,^y deZ" a'V''^^ themselves, with on and .Ulegra tried hopelLytotr 'T'^ '''^^W^ ,. : England needs a wl:!"Xl^ , ---. cannot feel that ^ ha. ;i;^;;ttr^^ *S»' THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH We are stagnant, infected with literary and artistic cor- niptions. The national fibre needs renewing. A war will shake up all classes." " And shake you up to the top !" " How clever ! You think that's at the bottom of it." And Broser laughed sneeringly. " You confessed as much — in Orvieto." " Somebody has got to be at the top. Can you name anybody stronger ?" Allegra was silent. She felt his was the voice of the new England : not of the new England as he had hastily misconceived it in his first gropings, taking for the onward flood a back-wasli of eighteenth-century optimism, but of the new England generated by the throbbing screws and pistons of the age of machinery, emerging through an ex- otic eesthetic green-sickness and socialistic sentimentalism to a native gospel of strenuousness and slang, welcome to the primordial brute latent beneath the nebulous spiritual gains of civilization. Broser's was this dynamic energy, this acceptance of brute facts, this cockney manliness, this disdain of subtleties, this pagan joy of life : it had under- lain his championship of the poor and was as honestly available in the service of the rich. And his gifts were the more potent that he had polished his manners and phrases, absorbed almost automatically from Allegra contemporary literature and art, and exuded them with apt brilliance in the House and in society. No, there was no reason why he should not rule England. " Ah, you know there is nobody else," he said, deliglit- ed by his wife's failure to reply. " Your silence is gold- en. You know we must rise to the top." " Speak for yourself." " You will rise with me." " I will not." " You can't help it." " I can. I will leave you." "What! Like what.'s-hpr-nnTTio ir^ T},n TTinl 'ill's Hons?. 346 AH id artistic cor- wing. A war bottom of it." ^an you name e voice of the le had hastily 'or the onward )ptimism, but ng screws and hrough an ex- sntimentalisni g, welcome to dous spiritual lamic energy, lanliness, this it had under- s as honestly lis gifts were manners and rdm Allegra ;d them with STo, there was said, delight- lence is gold- Jnirs Hov^e. ARMS AND THE MEN ^ou have too much originality to take a leaf out of lb- and he' wi tre c^ordi^? fc I ^^^ '^^ ^-ce to-day, " T harr^ 1 ^"™^ai than he has over bepn " ''^' ''Yotof coS 'Tut I'V^'"'^ --^"' here." ''"• "^"^ ^^^ ^«« ^^^ver asked to be asked Allegra turned away. He's a good fellow- ho dop^n" k shouldn't be at all surnriserlfv^T ^^'* ^^lice. I " I shall be honored '' ^' ^^"^'^ "^ ^^^ day-'' rZti :ho s Ced ttt r'' '- r- ^^^ ^an of the Countess, always 'appSn^^^fV^^ '' ^'' ^< ^^^ ed for all his children. °^ ^^^ ^^«^«*' telegraph- But when the half-distrapfprl mi faced by Joan (w th pfzt ^^i;^"uT^''r^^-^--only out- tim being wheeled about ds nnZ^'^'^'^r^' ^"""^ chair, and suffering merely a f,n-- '^'''tf^ ^^ a Bath person who wheeled him wa^ ]Z "?? "^ ^""^ ^'^"t. The ^ng could exceed lier olic tuJe fn K '^ ^'^""^^««- ^^^^tl' now these were no logger SiMnt'l '''^ ''"' "'^^^'^ tion He had in fac? suDnl.nV^ '"'^'^"^ ^^ ^^^ na- as the pet of her old age and st1 7''-'' ''''''^ ^^'^«^"re Jjjt which Larrups haf kll ed 1 ."T' ^^^P^^^^^ ^l^e be found curled up in e ^rv oT^^ ^"^' ^^^^^t now ^eemed to think it rude of h? ^'f^}oned seat, and she The Earl's throat too hnV '" '^""^^^ *« ^^^turb them for, although the aid 1/'°''" ^''''' '^-^ ^^^ long re ^• d-ed into t'he H^u^of L^^Z^'l -casio„all/S cal, he rarely spoke, and was stHI " ^^^"^^^ing Radi- at any length. A generat on hl\ "•"'" '^''^y ^"^Ported not, but which whef he fulfill ^ .'•"''" '^''^ ^^^^^' him earn fr ,,, pa/e^s^jf^f 1^, - -fe's fears would ^«^^- broken. But this .surreJlion'tf^;;;:' ^^C « THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH bese excitement roused the sleeping lion. He was deter- mined to go to London and roar amid the crimson up- holstery and rich-dyed windows of the aristocratic arena, much to Lady Yeoford's anxiety. ''Xonsense! What can you do?" she urged with un- conscious cruelty. " I can denounce the Government." Allegra was touched to tears. '* But you know it's no good denouncing it in the House of Lords," she said gently. " You might as profitably denounce it in the Monkey House at the Zoo," put in Fizzy more brutally. " What is the House of Lords but a Monkey House ?" said the old man, grasping eagerly at his favorite griev- ance. " All these brand-new peers — these brewers and bankers — aping the old feudal lords, mimicking their mediaeval militarism." " The war is certainly very popular with all classes," remarked Lady Yeoford. ''1 saw a flag waving at the vicarage, and poor little Tim, the cripple, pretending to bayonet another boy with his crutch." " Popular !" he echoed angrily. " Of course it's popu- lar. So is sport. A war is so obvious. Brass bands, uniforms, bayonets, blood : the prize-fighter interests every body, only some classes are ashamed to say so. Ancient races may have been soldiers first and nothing after, but. in the modern world, the soldier is only the guardian of civilization. The miner, the railway servant, the sewer lal-K^rer— -each risks his life daily but not so intoxicating- ly, and is shovelled into an obscure grave. The sailor fights the common foe of all humanity and is the inter- mediary of civilization. Hence the truer romance of the sea. The soldier's risk is only run in actual war-time; otherwise his occupation is healthy and easy. He is right- ly boycotted from the theatres. We keep him out of sight as we do the slaughter-man. When he does his duty, when he really fights and earns all the back wages, we fall at .11 le was deter- ci'iinson up- )cratic' arena, ged with un- in the House the Monkey Iv. V key House?" ivorite griev- brewers and licking their all classes," aving at the , pretending rse it's popn- Brass bands, terests every- so. Ancient ig after, but. guardian of it, the sewer intoxicating- The sailor is the inter- nance of the al war-time; He is right- out of sight s duty, when 3, we fall at ARMS AND THE MEN his feet astounded Wo ).„„ u »P a ,„,r.e for kis generals'' wTl"'',''" ""- ""'' '""ke gallantry. We thrill as te iranlfij "f °''" '''' g''"^"' tayonet. The brnte in us UoUif, k™ '™«'=' »» »'« Wood, and the eoward in us rL'etl "^^ °'" "" ">is tlle denlry as securely as the 'J '^^''^}y content to watch " But don't you thfnk it refll "/' ' ' ''""■%1't." omotions r nJ Coun S3 sked "is U' 'T, "™"'' '" """e (■on "''"'d, as ,f collecting informa- theirfelt-rn''"'"'" '' ™-<'' " '" "'ant to slaughter "' rt rS irgen3;^^:t 'v'™''''? P"" *«"««•" ages we fight," he gro„^d "mS """='' "S"'"'' the sav- housand-that's about onraverall °1 "f'^'" """■■■ '™ a mach,„e-gun and annihilate at, fr„v^' '" ™"''' '"" poison:," ;tt';hifk^i,tr^-'rTt".V"-*. T.ooit a. .he if -..rone-wo^fd SiitoMri'"' 'f',"-^'""'- oa, tenderly. ^°" "*''' ^^ ""d BryUen," put in Allegra, He sighed '' Tli was sane and listenedVi^' anXC ''".T-\"^^^ ^^« ^^'^^^^I ^ "pl of universal pcacJ ^"'7^^«"^^rica, thoy, 4 ZLn\ ''"" ™» '■"PyriKhted ?„■ have dedicated it to vonr 1m„ ;\' '"gi-apli Edition.' I J- be poor forgotten Dolrlnr, 7 ? , '^^ °^ Yeoford.' " m" taX''','' ""«'" ^hade of b ."f '"f^^^'g '"'"te hair ng, that tlie poet's vouthfnl ?• ^ ''^""^ «»d seen noth and p„J,sh,„g his old Swden£i "-^ P"?,"'' '"'" ohisellinj -- .w.h.,Vni.f 1,: --^^^^^^^^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) fe .'"» ^"'^"^ you •' You two:- retorted S, *f ^ '»«', togetl'er, .0 oMeet to P„pr^^-f„,,,;;.7ou «..ou.d be .ho last Well, said Fizzv, unabashed ■' ,i that we must hc-om^ strenv,„,V. ' . ^? ■''''"' ""''"' «» ""' victims!" strenuous— at the expense of our tho"rIpT.tTer' ta'bfn" ? "'et"'" ''' ?" '"'' ''""^k* ™' "fguments put forwtd the r„ln™'T'°"\ " ^" ""'»e -arasthorLsonsfora .ttkenr- °" "^ " "S'"-=™» In any case," added Vtnv " i ,^ come strenuous because somS^ f ™ ' '"^ '"'>>' .™> 1"=- iivo thousand mite away t stall ' T'*' """' """d" that we must sweep away the ^nl^f '"T'=' '° '"«»'■ don't wash." ^ ^ JNovabarbese because they to twl's^Lf rL:p.*dmirrp%°^'^ --" ■•' "rp-:i;r]iir'd»^^^^^^ ming-bath without passing thrn, I ^""^ ^" ^'^« «^^^'"^- ^vomen call ' the firs? wat"? ' " ^ ''^'* ^ '^""^ ^^^'"'^r- " % dtr mSr"? ''.Tr'-''^' !'^ Countess. ^ " At^Eton, ":« d ihe ^^,^j^ T" V'^^^ jou." of our Novabarbese generals ' Th ''^ ^'^ *^^ P^^^ place. All through^wTnter w. ^ •! T"^^ " *"^ ^» ^he was tepid." ^ *'" '^^ ^a^ted till the Thames "The 'Varsities boasted ^o^f very few baths, either," i I I mi 1 1 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH Fizzy added. " And how many batli-rooms were there in lielgravia when we were young ^ Our Empire , • built up by the unwashed, who were made Compan . i of the liath in reward." " An Oxford man told me that in the monkish ages dirt was a virtue," said Dulsie. " Quite true," said Fizzy. "■ Dirt was next to godli- ness." Jim here made his one contribution to the conversation. " All the cackle about cold tubs and muscle is irrele- vant. Modern battles are won by brain, not brawn. The future Napoleon will be a paralytic chess-player carried about the field on a water-bed." " Ajid paralytic poets on water-beds are responsible for all this cracking-up of strenuousness," said Fizzy. *' Convalescents and incurables dream wistfully of flour- ishing cutlasses on pirate ships, and a man who can't stick on a horse sings lovingly of cavalry charges. Thomson, the author of ' Rule Britannia,' was never in cold water in his life, while he died, according to Dr. Johnson, of a chill caught on the Thames." "Yes," put in the Earl eagerly. " Aeschylus fought at Marathon and Salamis but you don't find him shrieking for war. His interest is in moral problems. For war-songs we go to the deformed schoolmaster, Tyrtwus." " Was Tyrtseus deformed ?" cried Fizzy. " I'm so glad. Proves my point. There's some use in the Classics after all." But he sang the Spartans to victory," said Lady Min- nie coldly. " Pure literary lasciviousness," Fizzy persisted. " Our admirals and generals don't yowl about manliness. Their joy is to read books, and their ambition is to write them. They yearn for plays and music and pictures and the blessings of civilization. Do you think they enjoy seeing tlieir friends or their men with their jaws blown away, or their eves gouged out, or their — " 356 AH tns were there ir Empire .' • ie Compan ,. i monkish ages next to godli- e conversation, iscle is irrele- )t brawn. The player carried re responsible " said Fizzy, fully of flour- vho can'"t stick 38. Thomson, in cold water Johnson, of a ylus fought at him shrieking For war-songs IS." " I'm so glad. Classics after lid Lady Min- !y persisted, mt manliness, on is to write 1 pictures and k they enjoy r jaws blown Aiiiia AxVD Till: .MEN ? ™y, but it's a white depltaut R,„ "°, Possess i„ ^alinJ ( Canada ! ij„ T™ 'l ■ f "', ^ftralia i New stroke of empery r SavVl^ l"^ !'"•' "^ '*■•"(» one I am with you7 • ^ F-^loration of Proe Peoples and 't map fine to ni^t,,,.^ ' '"^Sed Allegra. " Isn't with L "?^e Ct ideTif ?'• "'"»" «P'-<"'d%vcr^i' " Anglo-SaxoS of cou se°" ''-I'l" p- '"'' ^™='»'>'^" " No. Why leave oTt ,t ^'^ f ""-^ sarcastically. Irish? Or the cL DuttM^T"'', ^T^'^'^-''' "^ tie legra suggested. '^ ™ ' ^"S'" " Imperials !" Al- ^ " Kii s:: ;rir r " r^ ^-^ ^-^- Angles, I should suggest mltf /'^ ^''^^- " ^^^er- there will be wranglefenLgh^" ' " ^^^ "^"^ ^ «^e & CHAPTER XITI RAPHAEL RETURNS EAPHAEL DOMINICK gazed at Margaret Engel- borne in stern disapproval. " But this will never do ! To come back and find vou like this !" ^ " I feel very white, I assure you." Margaret had a gamut for her happy moods, where other people have only blue and black for their miserable. " You look it," Raphael said severely. " What have you been doing?" " Enjoying myself." " Let us not fence." " It is the literal truth. I have so many keen interests, my nerves get worn out. Ask the doctors. But I get paid in pleasure." " In pleasure ! You are in pain at this moment." " I am happy to see you. Let us smoke cigarettes and pretend it's old times." He lit a cigarette and she lit hers from his, male- fashion. She tried to take Miranda Grey's wonted chair, which backed the light, but he forestalled her and con- tinued his severe, judicial scrutiny of her peaked and wan features. Then his glooming brow announced a black- cap verdict. " Don't be too hard on me," she pleaded. " I am going to be brutal. Kit is killing you." She closed her lips. " You are committing suicide." That stung her. " Can I desert, Kit ?" 358 irgaret Engel- c and find you argaret had a ople have only " What have keen interests, But I get paid moment." cigarettes and >m his, male- wonted chair, her and con- aked and wan need a black- you )f INO YOU ' I d wiBmWli^ f] 1. I w ffl L' RAPHAEL RETURNS " w^ ^/ ^r° ''""^^ °"® ™"st be saved." We are both in God's hand " She gasped. " You are cruel." ^^ I am kind. Beware of spiritual pride." sometime, contradicts the ton^e » ^' ^ ""^ «^Pres8ion __ Your eyes are growing dim again «" You would ait with your back to the light." Wo prevarication." His era.in nf l,„? i,, j i. ""'?wr-th "^°"/^^' -" s?«'n;'ag:^,^"''^ ""^"^ he^h^'l'r-L:^ tT^lf -'"■-- ""P^-ly than " Bnt It will be terrible if you so blinH " hn ..-a tt thmio'..- " Qi,^ , •!! 1 "^ « "'ina, tie said. He " an / I. ? 7'" Pf ^^P' '^^ «Jearer than I." .o£ to wai-^n-^rm.^- ' '-^ -He could have shaken her VJh^r ri;A i, God and die " ? Hrthon^U J 7 !u '^^ "^^^ ^"^«« leering eyes in tbp T .^^ ^ . *^^ thousands of lewd, "& ^^ ^^^ London streets, eves that oor Profess- Jebermenschj HAPHAEL RETURNS And what are Z Sof^rnow r""""'^- """'^ «■« "o^d •Starving." " That soon comes to an end v«, permanent occupation " " "^"'^ ^n^ a more pounds is all I got for i?" ""^ ^'^"^"^ ^ut twenty fad fwhTi^^mtt dt'-Tt^-^M- ^^^^ -^^^^ even under a false nlme^'^^^'^P*' ^ ^^ * ^' « Publisher^ ,, When did you write it ?" themoS^i^-^t^^^ he problem of Qualitative Becom,'; ^I'^^'^el evades ish^ A'eo-Kantians, pooh »" ^'^^'^'^t' -^s for your Brit- I should like to see i> " o„-j r> , interest. His heart warmed to jL '''"'^ .""''^ ^«»«in« ontological speculation wTth the ^L""^'' 7^''' ^^^^ "^^^ed ;; ^,^^-"J^ be very .^l^i^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ opium. ing-fee IfTo'^^Z::!:! ^f "' I'll pay you a read- monies demand two pounds' 1 P°""^' ! '^^^ ^^^^ bar- " I accept." pounds— on one condition." OnoV^^erZl^^^^^^^^ Engelborne." vit^d me."^^ uncomfortably at his beard. « She in- u S.°^^ ^ou^f^ that be ?" .. J,hrough Miranda Grey." ihat impossible Margaret!" h. ^u t. ^o sooner does she he«r ff ' *.,. ^^ ^^ought tenderly. - ot^a new sorrow than she achea THE MANTLE OF ELIJA H to assuage It. She will never forgive me my self-suffi- ciency." Aloud he said : " But Miss Engelborne is a poor woman; she will have the brokers in herself, if she is not eT prlabfy!^' ''''' '' ^'^ ^^^ ''''''-'' ^^^^^^ P^^^ Pont'despSely.""' "' ''^ "^'^"^'^^^ ^'^''' ^^^^ • 1"^ \V-r''i '\ 'y!*^ ™^- ^""g the MS. to my lodffinjr , m the Mile End Road. Here is my card " ^ ^ Pont surveyed it slowly. Ned's joyous bark ffreetin- a favorite visitor broke the silence greeting hung^!"' ^^^ """ *^' ^'^^ '^^"^"^' ^°" ^°«ked. I'm n«M^^'^\'™i^'^/''^ '^^PP^^ *^e flo"^ i^to his Imnd as Margaret entered. ;• j,i 1 ri ■ ^^A /■li 1 1 lulfS >iL^^»* JAH le my self-suffi- Iborne is a poor If, if she is not nother pension- e now?" asked to my lodging i bark greeting docked. I'm into his liand CHAPTER XIV CARRIED FORWARD i^'^^^'^so ''ir;r '""''J *™^'' ^.s visit to Mar. hours. ifwL for M° r"f'''? "'"" ^"^S'''''' days or fates wouwTave i that^An'; "'T t "'•"'■ Y^* '" the flat, should be seS t^ZteTot\ '"""f """ carriage sh„!.,°dTeg\"e; iTZ'f^ ^"'^™ -'- *« a pleasant surprise for thelwo f rfe d s' '"°''''- '^''" (jood-afternoon, Mr Pont" ^hc -j .. xr. please come iuto th^ dil^ro„m »" ""^- ^'" y" Involuntarily he fooked „Cb ' '•'^f'^'-haired woman. nick, she had SereT^irrt '■'' '"'" ?"?'""'' Domi- life Was she under thoT 'f .""^"^ "•"'"■' »* her a redeemer! Di5 he horr! I" "^ '" "^ f'^'asy of mediaeval eity? '"™" ™'»'- "d "J'tery from the .ahtU'rm'C'at rL''rh,1tf ^^^' f'' --"- c-ed that, like Margaret fe^ t C?Lt mC THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH !■ I phere with him, that the old spell was upon her, and that they were to begin where they had left otf. He jumped up and they shook hands. " You are in London for the season," she said, smiling. " For the slumming season. Really, an obscure person has much more chance of meeting the fashionable world by pitching his tent in the Mile End Road than by in- sinuating himself into Park Lane. Lady Joan Fitzwinter IS not the only swell that hunts among the species in our back streets, though she makes the biggest bag." " But you don't want to meet the swells. Why should you live there ?" " Why not? The Mile End Road is much finer than any m Orvieto. And of a Saturday night we have mar- ket scenes, quite Neapolitan. Belgravia holds nothing so picturesque." " But it is 80 far from the centre." " I told you my little hoard was in consols, and you know how the Chancellor cuts do\vn our interest. Prob- ably it never occurred to you, O plutocrat, that to be near the centre is impossible save for the species with detach- able golden weapons. O fortunatos nimium. London is Piccadilly and the Park or it is nothing. The rest is provincial, nay worse, parochial. To live in London one must be born rich or die dishonest. Ah, it is a terrible town, this London, that tries to squeeze every ounce of truth and honor out of us, every drop of art and ambition. When will some Beyond-Man arise to give his friends bread and cheese, as Wordsworth did ? Like Wordsworth, ... "I am opprest To think that now our life is only drest For show: mean handiwork of craftsman, cook, Or groom. We must run glittering like a brook." " I am glad you are opprest," she said mischievously. Any emotion is better than death." He dropped into his chair .«?nd sent a provokingly ealm 364 JAH n her, and that e said, smiling, obscure person hionable world ad than by in- oan Fitzwinter species in our >ag." Why should uch finer than we have mar- holds nothing isols, and you iterest. Prob- ;hat to be near 8 with detach- n. London is The rest is e in London it is a terrible rery ounce of and ambition. e his friends > Wordsworth, ;ook, brook." aischievously. 'okingly calm CARRIED FORWARD smoke-puff towards her " Afxr «rv, *• • If I had lived I Ihm^'i 1 , ^ f.'"^*'^" Js purely literarv in the next fr.:tV^e;iii^:K:'\^^T"^^^ '^"-d as she instinctivelV seated herseTfo/thp"-^ '^ impatience, still consider yourself a ghost '^ P^^no-stool: '' You She 1^.7^ ^T'^' •>'°"' ^^'^^^ ^ahr9- ksne smote a diseorrJ nn +i. • . tcristic." Half-way. Your death is charac- tem'^ul\,*1f r™™^'-'''" H» was so „„». „ I thought I did-at the time." doetSer °"^ ' "'=' °- »-' >ose it. Is that a^h new ''TXetalT-aef't.tre;'^''?"""-" or the dishonest. Yo„ hnsbLd "" 'f, "" '^ ^"^ ""^ •'"'tal I. have the misfortune to be neitt' "'"-r'"* "> >« ''"th; dishonest, I am too woaHot brntaT" ^°" '"""^ " ""^ Thinlrf theTrfosSre,irof°he'TvMt^ "" ." "">"' •"™ ! has to dye His hair bSnsfc li'r^"','-.';'^ "'["V'mn who I know," she sighed ?"T"' """like the aged " -,«™".V. "JoaVha ™™^ f '■" «'ov4 an.0. i^ou started out to onf k * ?" :^- You died out-lilo;;e" " '^ ^"^^^ ^"'^^«"d has - "» uit'U out am not 365 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " No ; he has merely evolved. Like the tadpole. The tadpole starts out as a fish and a vegetarian, and winds up with lungs, and carnivorous. There is an intermediate stage in Avhich it feeds on its own obsolescent tail. You and I have this draggle of early ideals behind us, and not till we devour our past can we become carnivorous." " Mr. Broser was always carnivorous." " That is pure wifely prejudice. But if you knew he was the 'great blond beast* of Nietzsche, why did you marry a man so much younger than yourself ?" '' Younger ?" "Yes; he is b.c. You are a.d., and very late a.b. Two thousand years is really too great a disparity between man and wife. No wonder you are unhappy. But I am keeping you from your duties, am I not ? Play to the poor thirteenth century in the next room." " You must not sneer at Kit." " Sneer at St. Kit ! Why, I had two candles lit for her in Orvieto Cathedral." " You !" " Yes — Kit might object if she knew, the stiff-necked Protestant. But it pleased the priest and it pleased me. White candles burning — it seems such a beautiful symbol. My mother used to light two white candles on Friday night. She practised her Judaism, you know. It was 1 double waste, because she might not extinguish them, and that was the only night I must not write by them. The other nights we often had none. But," he added gently, " their light shone over the rest of the week." Her fingers began playing very softly the Melan- cholie of John Field. Presently, glancing round shyly, she saw that his face was no longer fathomless. Only the despair on it was fathomless. " My music makes you sad," she murmured. "No, no; play on. Even this kind of death his its hell. Don't look at me, please — like St. Gregory's gloat- ing saints." 366 f I JAH le tadpole. The m, and winds up an intermediate scent tail. You hind us, and not iarnivorous." if you knew he e, why did von rself?" I very late a.b. isparity between ppy. But I am Play to the poor jidles lit for her the stiff-necked i it pleased me. 3autiful symbol, dies on Friday know. It was guish them, and by them. The e added gently, .ly the Melan- ig round shyly, [less. Only the mured. f death has its jrregory's gloat- CARRIED FOR WARD « T flowed on sootl„-."ily!°™VaL:rr «'°''.'-" , Tie music she murmured. ^uargarct lias quite deserted us," " \Vh 'T ^°°^'"^^'" he said, for St. Srgam."' °"''''° "8"'"' I ^hall put up caudles said R^pltr ^^*"°'' ™^ "Sht about the Eugelborues," 2 What did he say 2" t^seth Are they not incredible ^? ^^ ^''f^ ^^ ^^as- feel like Job's wife." "^'''^^^ • ^n their place I should ' That is exactly what I fpU ^^ "°on. But that is because 1/^ ' fTf"' *^^« ^^^^r- J^ke tramps out of wovk luZj'^t''^'^'''- We are ;; I do not follow you >>^^''^ '' ^^^ amateur tramp." r^^^i--s,"loke me Pont, to be a Pontist and ^J^^T!^""'' persuadest cerian evolutionism tha L« ^ ,^" '^"^ ^^^^^ Spen- tlnnkingof late." '"' "'""^P'^^ «"d dominated my ^^^e^'t^^:^^^^^ I'-^-or: ''these publisher ?" """''• ^^nd you will find me a " Tl.t' wl':erM,ev°;';/„ot''tl'" t"''f' ""'Pi^acl °n» thing at a tin.e. Bm ov.n • ~°' """■<= *»" ophy-" he shook his head " P-ace-time, Phiks- so ma^; prime'rs'""' "" ■"^•^'^" ^^ «% Ponnds. I fao„ theX'Lmdf ^^ " ™'"^ '--P"'- of Allegra's to offer undep;LtLr/er„;te.^ "^ ^"^ -H, I "veortne's'S.*" ''-«"' ■»>'o™ativ_3hal. „.e Bre|;^.r.t:™:!t:r^ *''*«•■ ' >'"- ^^ the o death. In „,y sanatori^^.n h ]? 1 'I'^'T ^"" ^^^^^^^ Raphael. ^^"^ '°"' «^ the aristocracy," laughed " Wo should call it f|.o Snn„v Q • . ^ *"Ke high fees. If r^'^f^o'T!^; t" a"''"';- ™'' 369 ^ syndicate. THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH We could set them up all over England— nay, all over Europe. There are millions in it." Pont departed, with a sovereign from Allegra, pending operations. Ulti- mately a job was found for the Professor, needless to say by the tireless and ingenious Margaret. The con- tinued failure of Cross and Crotvn in London induced Miranda Grey to take it out on a provincial tour, and with the same reliance on provincial ignorance she was persuaded to take the Professor in her train as acting- manager. "But do you understand the duties of acting-man- ager ?" Raphael asked him in amusement. "Certainly. He has only to work up calls, to drink with the local journalists, and to help them with their criticisms," said the Professor quite seriously. He had ceased to have any sense of the humors of dishonesty. One day the sky was so blue that Allegra dismissed her carnage and let Raphael walk homewards with her But tiiey found it unexpectedly windy, and Allegra was depressed by the troops of school-children just let loose froni school, cheering boys and girls, who waved flags and carried a boy in an ambulance with a grewsome, red-stain- ed bandage across his forehead; thus far-reaching were the new military influences set loose by the swarm of war- pictures. " The Cornucopia would fare ill in this generation " she said, with a sigh. " Oh, Pont would have made it bluggy, if blugginess was in fashion. All the children's papers run blood to- day. A war isn't all waste, you see, as your father thought. He forgot to count emotions and excitements, the boon to theatres and music halls, the patriotic suppers after the play, the immense and universal thrill of the great war- serial, to be continued in our next edition." " You are a mocking fiend." " A sober, calculating machine. We cannot go on with- out excitement. Life is a dull business. Soventv voara 370 is generation," i MODERN LOVE ried to odibaVCt ittT e i. el "Ti!;;";''!,''''^ ■"•",'"- say, why spend money on the Lord Ar,„ > IV ^^'' '"""^ *" many are starving! T ,>.»,„ o7 • ^u ^ ' ^''""' "■'"=» so the Lord Mayorl Show °L Z'"^ "'"y- '"" I "''I you dinners." ^ "°" ""' ™"'' »■»■■« to me than ten are .the -..n.est'of Urt'r^Fr.dl '/r^'^™ *"''" anxious not to be hidden bch;„rl\T '"'"'^''"^ vivants, " I know. Dissusting" "" ''"'""' """y be"." ;vbeel, sit and won^L why'it %^\^:^-''^^. ,\ «" 'he the Dieaning we put into it " ^ ""''• ^^'^^ '"'« ""ly ohses.rol',:^rstli:i7?5e;?net''' « ,. jet jou 371 L. 1. It, ^^^^^^H Wtt ^'f^^^B fl^l !^™« ^■r '^ aH ^^Bii' ^^^^^H 1^' ^^BHU ^^^^^H gii ,| .mB ff^^B ■^^1 HB'-' ^;il ^^^^H ir THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " He is in a minorit.y of one at the time. Androcles reheves the lion but the thorn goes towards his crown.'* ^ Inith will prevail," she said passionately. Only crucified Truth can conquer. Tiie masses will only receiv-e it mutilated. The allegory was profound." He laughed sardonically. " It is time the nineteenth cen- tury dropped the shallow optimism of the eighteenth." ^^ 1 thought you approved of the eighteenth century." fr^n!!- ^'''''•!4■ ., ''''V^'^ ''^"^"'^ '^^«" tl^e superficially true displaced the profoundly false. Fizzy is the typical JrocTV'f "";• /" '"^ ''^' «^«^"^^ 'j- corruption of creeds, he foi-gets that man is born to faith as the sparks nA ."TI^- ^°' "/ ^''' ^"°"*^"^P^ f^^ humanity's self- con radic ions does he see that mankind must stand on contradictory ideals, and that his own legs are like the legs of a compass at a hundred and sixtv de<^rees A pure ideal is like pure aloohol-a poison." Two contra- dictory ideals mixed are a vivifying potion. War itself ZTJc"" ""JY"' punctilious etique-e of civilization, he Red Cross follows the red sword. Did you ever notice in Margaret s armory the great stone clubs used by the -Piantagenet bishops ?" -^ age!'^''''' ''''^''''^ '^""^ '^"^'~^ *^^°"S^* ^^^y ^e^« ^■^^'- aSJ"" ^% T7- ^^'""y '^^^^ anticipated by the lake- tr -M y '^'^ were re-invented to enable bishop t. light without using steel." ' " But why ?" "A Gospel text was tartured to prove they mustn't shed blood. A bashed head also bleeds, I believe, but the^ did not inquire too anxiously. It is really touching to soV mankind straining its leg-muscles apart on slippery stand- ing-places. Less hypocritically, though Hallam savs more, the Crreek Church required the lustration of a canonical penance from every soldier who had shed the cnomv'- blood Origen and Tertullian admitted that Christianity and War weie inconsistent. The Crusades were really 372 MODERN LOVE i'';om (Christianity 'ho 1 T, 'I ^'''''^^1 «" eclectic, solt-sacrifico, hut L gospTof Z TT'' ■ ^''' ^''' »"^1 ironi Feudal Chivalry: am her a s o7 "'•^^^.'^^••«^'.v ^-'.os "ig beautiful stories anrll • i^*"" ''''"'^'"S «»^l read- fhe mark of the gS. "pr ,rffi,^"^'^"' furniture is ing camaraderie. Ifad .1,1 ^^^''^""a comes her charm- isolation, she would I ^il ''" ^"•>^ «^ t'^ese things in aslmnianityniay." '^^^ '°"'^'^ "'^ "ear perfection She is an auffel iiw] t fi • i " I^erhaps I am. '' ^ '^""^ ^'^^ ^'^ "^ love with her." ;; Is she the Beyond-Woman ?" -t ^:r:;xEi;!;r !:s-;;'-r--^ ^!^ristian with- an-oganco." witJiout vice, a patrician without ;; Then I prefer the woman of the nast " " You " ''°'"'" •'^ *^^^ ^"^"re ?» " Onlyl"\he"w?asti;f "';r'' '^^ P-^^J'>^-" >- face^-fe ttoil^h'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ t^^ ^^^ ^-duess. But u IZ]:'.'^ '^'^ through my father's " the cannon's nK>utl B u ^±' Th^ ^P!^ ''^ -ebs across ^b?^ To catch the poor Vy '' 7^'^ '^'^'' «Pi«"ing its Btill be the theatre of war Yatul I ''''""" ' mouth will jnd love. We have no ;pt,^n "'y^' ^^1" ^^^e of war pom hyper«>sthosia, due to the ^hrfiir '"^ ^ "^^-^ ^^^^er ing mstincts, but w^ do nn/ r ?"'"^ "P of our fight- teres^ clash/ war must be" ^^"^ '^^ ^^^* ^^-^ ^vhere in- With the lower creatures, 373 perhaps; not with men." THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " I thought I convinced jou that most men were lower creatures." *'At the time. Later, I thought such reaponing would jU8tif.y slaverv as against the human hrothevhood.'' Fine words don't alter facts. Is tl,r, freed slave the equal of the white man? Have yoi, „, ver heard of the colored cars in the Southern States? I wanted to travel in one when I was there, thinking it wouldn't matter as 1 wasn t a Christian, but they wouldn't let me." " Then you approve of sweeping away the Novabar- bese, she said, with a swift, feminine jump. " It is not my business," he said coolly. '' The Nova- barbese probably swei)t away some other Barbose." "But didn't you say you gave up a brilliant future rather than support Bagnell ?" she answered hotly. ' Ihat IS my business." He was too provokinff. How do you mean ?" A 1'^^!'^ *^® *°"^ °^ Bagnell and his Jews! Let others do the dirty work of civilization !" " Just now you had a Jewish sneer at the Christians now you are anti-Semitic." • x",v" ^"telligent Jews are anti-Semitea— and all un- intelligent Christians." She could not help smiling. " The more I see of you, the less I know of you." He held up the many headed pommel of his stick in silent reminder. ^ She laughed out- 1-^^ ^,, ' touchea one of the carved ivory heads. What does that one think of the war, anyhow ?" ' "That canny old chap? He says, * It is a traders' war.' " "That's what Mr. Fitzwinter says. The flag follows trade." ° • " "^r*T,^® ^^^^ ^^ sneeringly, endorses the Continental view of British hypocrisy. Whereas here is just the proof of John Bull's sincerity. Unlike Russia or Germany, he 374 ^' MODERN LOVE precedent,' «„ his Ki,,,,,-,.,.!,,.!'! , !™"' P>-'>«''leii^ to Jont to a^ei.le,,, Xem ?,!";" 'i'';"'; ''""'" ^""'> «'•«• "P-Eost India (;.,,n,tn e lit ;\™' r ''">"' l"' " i' 'Sh Wort Novabarba (C„,',, . 'r I'l' •''i"'l"""'<'». '>it- t™lia as he blundered „;;1'^^;';'a:;,„.^,M''"'"'"-"1 ""» Au,- ■, n" "•""■''^ »!."■ '^"'P''« will ,., , like Romo-, .. as mortal." 'it':!^™:r,: "■•"'■" f-^ .,.„,„. -.and if 3he r^^^.:^^:^:,!^^:^- :£^ ^i ti„l?™ y™ admit we don't aim at spreading eivili^.. -n Jt'j.oiV'Yor'Bl.lltr'-,'^;- *« P'"- -ti- the people he oppre"se7""th" ""'"' '"■™'- "™" »ee3 all comes to binrfdJaliL .1 ?"'«"' ' ™'"'uet8. It lieves he is spread ni if!""'' " ""•'■ "-^ «"'ly b" the onI.y possibfe, ConsfitS ""ircet' *^ "^^'""'^ -„,?ut the P-ied'cr;iren^t'L,i;;T;;Siiut,! " Who^ilowst"'"' '■' "^''^ *« ''™" ■■» false." Again he angered her << P„* u Peace-Maker." ^"*^ ^^ ^^«« to be Broser the f^XtZ: %^ZrCl!^' f theirs is the king- husband agrees with Spinoza dl? "^ T'"' ^^^^ pedes jour development WoiiW ""^ "^^"^^^^ ^^- too!" ^""'"t- Would jou were a Spinozist, 375 i^ fwH; THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " But 1 thought Spinoza was a sort of Christ." " Only in conduct, not in thought. Believe me, Broser IS not so black as you paint him. I told you women al- ways idealize— for good or ill. I catch 'curious twists in him— yearnings to do big things for the masses, for the Empire. If Nature has given him a thick skin, it is be- cause she intends him for tough work." " You will persuade me out of mv senses. You shame- lessly argue that Might is Right." "Ah, that is this fellow." He pointed to a more truculent head, like a gargoyle. " But Might and Bight are not such opposites. Right is Might anyhow. But Might involves Right, too. Might is weakness unless mor- ally federated. You cannot empty Might of morality. God is not on the side of the biggest 'battalions, unless they are faithful to one another and obedient to their generals. And since there will always be big battalions, is it not better that, like the old Hebrews, they should think God on their side ?" " Yes, but the old Hebrews had prophets who reminded them of their backsliding. The new national prophet sim- ply flatters his people." " But not only the new. Virgil flatters the Romans as much as Victor Hugo the French. The Jews are the only people whose literature is one long denunciation of them- selves, and who of these inspired libels made their liturgy. True," he added musingly, '' it became the worship of the letter. But what a letter!" " Well, but in the modern world, with all these self- flattering nations, each trying to push its own wares, ma- terial and spiritual, which are we really to believe has tlie divine mission ?" " I refer you to Nathan der Weise and Lessing's fable of the rings." " You mean, whichever in practice makes most for right- eououess.'' " Precisely. Do you knovv Wordsworth's lines : 376 I ' %i FAH :!hrist." ieve me, Brosor jou women ul- ciirious twists masses, for the k skin, it is be- 5. You shame- :ed to a more iglit and Right anyhow. But less unless mer- it of morality. )ns, unless they their generals, lions, is it not •uld think God who reminded al prophet sim- the Romans as ivs are the only :ation of theni- p their liturgy, he worship of all these self- wn wares, ma- believe has the Lessing's fable most for right- 's lines: MODERN LOVE "BuTSe^'i -^7- •" thU ^^rge agree: gr.ef that tarth a best hopes fest all with thee » " nVZe'^utlr?. '^°"' "-ghteousness." ti^at reH^irmtfcio t:;;:?: :''r ''^' ^^ ^^ ^^^ one take eare^of themselves Y„f.' •''""'" '^' ^'^''' ^^^ to chnreh but not to 1. '''''" "P°^^ « ^^«man to ffo I agree withS"S.or^ ^ugo.^ KE ^^ T^^^^"^"^ ind not oven a troo" "■"• ^ """""""i « year rent, a woor t "!;'e?°:::i "eettLfh-™' "»' »' •''^ «^' for JJ^;vo ,„n _ .e^CK^^CaXlfon .„„r waited f"„r;lt^r„g^J «.e ?.,„*.,,. What "le critic cKlsoIs me I c Xcl' ..^"""^m is absurd. »l.o,v which rod"is Moses's_to ™in ""■ °,"'^ ^imo can "ii:;»^. With jroS:''sts ; -tt^ff- £phaTtoroteeZ-^^^^" -^ ^""e Th°a;Zi;:,Th;'^„«?P^"„^^the honow ghost " ^ut nobody ever blamed voy » -Mow do you know that ?""^ ' 377 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " You told me your life." ".Yes— as one shows a railway tour on a map. I had to sit in the slow train— third-class— with the stuffv, snuffy people, and endure the endless crawl, and choke in the long tunnels. You see it all in a whisk. No, no one will ever really know my life— least of all a woman." •' But you have come out of the tunnels— the sunlight ot immortality is shining on you." "True. That means some money. The advantage of writing immortal works is that they iast at least vour own lifetime. Otherwise— to be one of the D's in a Bio- graphical Dictionary, sandwiched between a twelfth- century bishop and a twenty-fifth-century aeronaut' Oh, 1 am sick of the little people who compile the big dictionaries. The ants are wiser. Let us endure and die in silence." '' Is there nothing that could make you happy «" she cried desperately. " Nothing: save the repopulation of the planet." By whom ?" " By people I could live among." "By Beyond-Men? But then you would have nobody to despise !" '' " Ah, you despise me for despising." " I think you might put a little more love into vour contempt— and forgive them, for they know not what they do. " In short — I am a prig." This time she was desperate. " Yes !" He came over and took her hands. "And a prophet! Confess that, too." They laughed and looked into each other s eyes, and his grasp tightened. " So I am to put a little more love into my contempt." "I don't say into your contempt for me," she said, smiling, and trying to release her hands. "Forgive me," he said, loosing them, "I know not what I do." 378 rAH a map. I had the stuffy, snuffy id choke in the No, no one will man." s — the sunlight The advantage St at least your le D's in a Bio- ?en a twelfth- ury aeronaut ! lompile the big us endure and u happy?" she planet." MODERN LOVE tl^e :^iljZ:':^', ft^^nly ''' '^^^ ^^^"^ -^ -d sh "iT^dtnty Tealtd t^t^he ^"" '^- ^^^^--^-^- ^or clasp was m'^Brely Instinct ve wr^V''^°". '^^ ^^^^^"^1- even more poignantly ran«t A • f", "1°"^ ^o suffer the dull achLfe3nessthf^'^-'*''i ^^^'^ '^ ^^«8 Was the void to be Sd with « '^'^^ °^ *^^ ^^'^^ -o^d. consciousness of the g eat^hL u^'T/T *^^" pain-the must now deny itso'/even ifT ^^r hie had missed and herself resolutely Thin. w"^i .^°' '^' «"«^^cred Jhool-girl roma^nticfem Void" "t^^ '^ ^ecrudescent, Smce — at Orvieto T?aT^l,o^^ j ^r ^^^ ^^^^ no void her life, ,he vomU fioC ^"f.'"' """^ »»« i"'" exquisite friendships ^ ""* "«" <•>"■■«=. with 'd have nobody love into your now not what nd a prophet! )ked into each o I am to put ne," she said, " I know not , \ s i CHAPTER XVI OLD COMRADES TT \ya9 the greatest night of Broser's life. The Opposi- J- tion had tried to turn out the Government on its War Policj, but Broser was a "reat Parliamentary cricketer a hard hitter and a terribiy twisty bowler— and to-night he had scored his century not out, against the nastiest balls. In the rival House the poor old Earl of Yeoford had made a duck's egg. The original British West Nova- barba Company had been swallowed up bv the Govern- ment and the district turned into a Crown Colony, but the rest of the unhappy country was given over— as Broser put it— " to companies and quarrels." Annexation was pacification, he said, and the House had applauded, and the Prince, listening, had applauded, as all England, and all the Empire would applaud to-morrow. All, that is, except the small minority who shared the opinions o^' Al- legra or the prejudices of the Duchess of Dalesbr.; v. Tlio Sermon on the Mount he had repudiated with "apJonih. I agree with Lord Lyndhurst," he said, shrewdlv en- dorsing an aristocrat's bill: " To turn the other cheek is unworthy of a great nation." He had on a prior occa- sion endorsed Lord Palmerston's : " Man is a fighting ani- mal." And this breezy fearlessness, so sensitivelv in tune with the temper of the day, was fast making Broser the idol of Britain. The British working-man, who tweiitv years before had plunged feverishly into politics, reading history and debating in his clubs, the working-man who had assembled in his thousands to cheer " Fighting Bob's " republicanism, was now the devotee of athleticism and 380 e. The Opposi- ment on its War tary cricketer — T — and to-night nst the nastiest *^arl of Yeoford tish West N'ova- hy the Govern- wn Colony, but Dver — as Broser \nnexation was applauded, and 11 England, and . All, that is, opinions of Al- alesbivxy. The 1 with aplomh. I, shrewdly en- other cheek is n a prior occa- I a fighting aiii- sitively in tune ing Broser the in, who twenty olitics, reading rking-man who ighting Bob's " thleticism and OLD COMRADES ^^P^^Z^^^^^^' )f. '-n undernnned ""^^'r - Fighting Bob '' u • / "^'"^ ^^'^"^^ ^ «afe ehanpd his coat,%ut he 4s aUv Jf • V' """^^^ '^-'^^ ^^« ^iamned sentimental nonsc' se 'n ''''^\ '" *"^'^ '^ ««"• '^>acy but a blow stra^gbt ? , the ^'7^^^'^^^^ '^^Pl^- ^\hat wonder if 7^ ' V , ''^^'"''t-sleeve. ^f himself a sto hcte oVeltf^ '''^ ^" «-' '^ 1- ating from him in every diree on ?b '"''F' '''''' '^^^- fhe administration of his den,H' '5\^ '"^^^^ ^is will! h;s command, provided eountSs 1^''/^' P^*^'^""^^ «* of his force. And from all '-t^u ^^'^ *^^^ P«^«age and cables came to him a,'d T ,.°^ '^' ^vorld lettefs earth reached out anten^^t L « ' ^"''u "^^" «^ ^he premely self-centred bo rZ. i l^ ^^^°^« the seas. Su- We and social S^ln S '^"'"f ^^ ^^'^ ^^«-« ^f daily ;^'f ibuted his word and smiirr'^'"' condescension^ patronage, became the great a -tor .''' "^'"^^ P^^^^« ^^ and goes out to appjause '' ^'^^^ ^"^ers to music chance of sleep, the spring nessofT -"^^ f ^" ^^"'^'^clf a h^s. Teebnical neceiitlhad lent T-'*'' ?,f *^P ^^'«« "ot ose and in this supreme moment o. ^^ ''' *^^ ^^^^^^ Who goes home ?" struck Zr," ""''^P^ ^'^^ cry of norves. What home had he Co IT^^ ^?"^ '"'« t'nse air, under a sky of cloud tanHo/. , ^" *'^^ cool night Jon,^;Iost Susannah, heard he^rf T' ^' ^«"^C"^'^red h s BO 1 kod to see you' pZ, M n ^'';*-';^ ' ;.^ ^ «'>-"Id have would have twiied warm arm ":' ^"^ ' ^^^ ^'^'^ «he joy and pride, while this^teHn.. i "'^,^^™' ^^^^bed with radiated freezing airs of sco i ^^ /'"'^"''^ "^ «" ^llegra all his achievements Why had' "l '''"'?'"' unmoved^b^ Icry to-night to hear his iL "n , T ^'''^ ^'» the Gal- It ittl n\ THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH only of themselves, these hysterical minxes, never of the great caiises incarnated in their husbands. But he would be revenged upon her, he would no longer live this loveless life. His fancy lingered on other possibilities, kindled by memories of small dinner-parties at which great ladies had looked at him with bright eyes and seductive smiles. He digressed to Westminster Bridge to calm himself by the contemplation of the river with its wonderful twinkling reaches. As he turned back he was conscious of a shadow crossing his, and started nervously. After some moments he became sure he was followed. His heart beat quickly. A vague apprehension of assassination gave the last touch to his sense of importance. This I'^ova- barbese war touched many interests. He must really be more careful. He grasped his stick tighter and turned suddenly. " What the devil are you following me for ?" The white-bearded tramp jumped back. " Don't you know me, Mr. Broser ?" he said whiningly. " Professor Pont." " Professor Pont !" Contempt and reassurance were mingled in the statesman's laugh, as by the light of a street lamp he beheld the unreverend, white-bearded figure. " I've called on you many a time : but they never would let me into the lobby or through your hall door. You might have answered my letters." " Did you write to me V " Half a dozen times." " My secretary did not mention it. Begging-letters are not passed on to me." " How do you know they were begging-letters ?" Pont murmured. " I begged the question," said Broser, with one of his neat Parliamentary repartees. " Your old insight has not deserted you. T was tour- ing with a theatrical company and improving the business every night, but the stage-manager grew jealous of me." 382 AH 3, never of the But he would ve this loveless ies, kindled by h great ladies ictive smiles. • calm himself its wonderful was conscious vously. After ed. His heart : assassination 3. This i^ova- must really be ;er and turned tr 2" aid whiningly. issurance were ight of a street id figure. 3y never would ill door. You ging-letters arc •letters?" Pont ith one of his I. T was tour- iig the business calous 01 me. OLD COMRADES soone^orlMer.'?™"'' '''''' " ""^ °'"' ^'^^ ^^ »"' " You might help an old chum." __ You have the impudence to call me a chum !" replieJ'hrm^" "'" "' """" ""''^ = '»"« t™e now," he "Then be thankful I didn't press my chame like- W.S. _^ As you make your bed, m/ma„, Z you n^^st ,fe "And who made your wife's death-bed— that I lifted her to I.e on that nisht?" Pont shouted angrily "It",; you that killed her." ® •' ' see" TOu" frTlt^i ' ■ "^™ 1°"' """"^o"'. criminal liar ! f see you are hankering after your old prison-ouarters » ^^?oZf'^rf^' """•"eed in every fnst°nc? ' frienlshi^ I' it?^"'" "t V",'"^' ^°" ■•«»«"^e °" °W "You 1" U "P '^^ '",'"'''' "«"y ™ 'he papers." vapoHngs?" ™" "''""'• '^''° ™"" P""'* y°>- fair'i^Sr.Xr "• "" """ """"" "^ «'«• '» - y°» forZdl. '^''"''''' " P"""^-"""-" And Broser moved .he"soet?^t™2 "fe.r-O "--«-a boon for an^f VoTS^reS-se^:?:/' ^''"^ ->' <- ^^-^ was t'jou te!''StTclTiret'l^P- ^^'■" ^^:T.^i^:^ rises'' na'ir^:- -- Cdtl^rreS''"""'''""-^'*-^^^^^^^ , "I-et me go .'"gasped the Professor " Tlio ^.r IS turning his lantern on you " ''°'^' ^^^ pohceman loosedTiJ bun'dogtn|>' *'" "'""^^"^ ^^^-*'- ^--r 383 " Give me fifty pounds and I'll save you from a scandal, before it leaks out." " Pooh ! What scandal can you save me from ?" Pont looked mischievous meanings. " I have told you more than 1 should without a fee." Venomous thoughts darted, poisonous, through Broser's veins. But all he said, calmly, was, " You know the sen- tence for blackmailin*^." " Give me fifty pounds. The day will come when you will wish you had given me a thousand." " I never pay blackmail." " Then make mo a bet," said the Professor eagerly. " Bet me that a certain person will not bo found at a cer- tain address next Tuesday afternoon. If she — if the person is there, you pay me fifty pounds." Broser walked on in dignified silence. But in- wardly he was on fire with rage and shame. lie had no doubt who was the person and what the address — had he not seen it on a card in Orvieto ? — and amid all his tunnilt of mind, he was pleased with himself at outwitting the Professor. " Five pounds !" cried Pont desperately. " No ; but you may call me that hansom and I'll give you sixpence." Professor Otto Pont called the hansom and pocketed the sixpence. The man who drove off was, however, the unhappier of the two. He who had been so true, so faithful, so long- suffering! This was his reward! To be stabbed in the hour of his triumph ! [AH from a scandal, from ?" [ have told you iroiigh Broser's .1 know the sen- come when von )fossor eagerly, found at a cer- If she — if the nee. But in- le. He had no ddress — had he d all his tumult outwitting the m and I'll give a and pocketed le unhappier of lithful, so long- I stabbed in the CHAPTER XVII THE DUCHESS IN JOURNALISM O^rn^TutTo^^^^ «^ I^^^-^-y I^ad not let tlie Countess of Vnn/ V "magnanimous resolve to but she duly invited herl^P ^^^°«^P^"J ^er to Court, did not fail to umn .?\ ^''"''''' ""^ ^^'^y ^eoford " Wp 1 u P ^^ *^^® opportunity. and I v.^1 bTSShteTif"' clear Duchess, but Yeoford a few days w th us^' 'l^ar iT^'^' ^^"^^ ''''^^ ^P^"^ the counir-invitrtion and te^'X^' T'^'f, ^T?^^^ attempt to save her d,-cm,-fj;r..-,.' ^"^^ *^»e barest should not bel the E/ by stipulating that Mr. Broser ess's calm rep ^ « Ye "for7 '^' ^'''T'^ ^^ '^'^ C^""*- She replied l^;^ithd?a;tg^^^krbu^^^^^^^^^^ as she lad taken t- She feu .zz%isx:^rt K::;^tr told FW 1 • Eraser's political fortunes! She had f,£ i^ , , A^ucxitss tnat she never went nnf Banion-in-arn. and iourl'IiiSl-p^ioI'^TBlt! Tn 385 THE MANTLE ELIJAH i though she knew Fizzy was now left almost alone in his early Victorian Radicalism. " Ah, Duchess," said Mr. Fitzwintcr, bowing elegantly, "you are just in time to bid mo good-bye." " I am so glad," said the Duchess, drawing a deep breath of relief. Fizzy's roar shook the ^mtlered hall. The Duchess heard it without her trumpet. " Yes," he went on, " Im off to Xovabarba!" " Oh, you are leavin' England altogether. Bettor and better !" Fizzy roared louder and louder. His method of re- ceiving her rel)ukes disconcerted the Duchess, but the sight of his luggage being borne into the carriage she had left preserved .l\er good-humor. " What good aie vou in Novabarba f she said amicably. " You won't fight." " No, thank Heaven, but my wife insists on the excur- sion. We are taking out nurses and blankets in my yacht. That foolish little Joan can't bear to think of the wounded soldiers lying blanketless and untendod in the wet trench- es, with nothing to cover themselves with, except glory." " Glory without blankets is better than blankets with- out glory," said the Duchess sternly. " I am afraid the Rosraere poor would not agree with your Grace." "Not agree with me! Why, we have six families in mournin'. Two mothers almost at death's door with grief, yet proud of bavin' given birth to heroes." Fizzy acutely recognized the Duchess's habit of putting appropri- ate sentiments into the mouths of her retainers. " Your wife mustn't think," the Duchess wound up with resentful self-assertion against Joan's aggressive goodness, " that all the nursin' is done in Novabarba." " No," Fizzy admitted, " any more than all the war- correspondence. I am glad I shall be able to check that — ^yes, and our Generals' despatches, too." 386 AH 3t alone in his ving elegantly, awing a deep The Duchess •ba!" Better and method of re- diess, but the rriage she had said amicably. on the excur- s in my yacht, f the wounded he wet trench- ceept glory." blankets witli- lot agree with ix families in I's door witli >roes." Fizzy ting appropri- ners. " Your with resentful odness, " that 1 all the war- to check that THE DUCHESS IN JOURNALISM "Ah!" the Duchess snorted. " 1 dare sav von will Kn sendm over dreadful nonsense to your pap^v!^^'^'" "'" ^' - ThJ r''? '' ^'''^^"^'" '^'^ Fiziy airily. Duchess "^''^-^^«^^ ^" ti^^t behind Vou/'^laid the "That's just what I'm doing," Fizzy exnlainorl TT„ produced a sheaf of printed slf^s from'ar?nr pocke't' .f fl 13 .• ^ ,"''^^'' '^^''*^^- She had no experience of die Pontian paths of journalism. M^^rience "I can't trust my employees to rise to the greatness of the occasion-or the opportunity," he explained calrX ^^ Hut how can you know what's goin' to happen ?" Oh, Its easy enough, with a bull-dog like Broser in power. He takes no chances." The Duchess put up an eager ear-trumpet. The " bull- dog hke Broser arrided her, was a pleasant foretaste of unexpected possibihties. Ah, of course. Joan's husband would natural y_ be on Alligator's side-he must have turned against his wife's brutll brother-in-law. Xreover she was genuinely fascinated by Fizzy's reduction of prophecy to a profession. " I should like to see a sample," she said Fizzy glanced at his watch. - My wife must be having a fine farewell scene with her mother," he s.-id " Ladv leoforc IS persuaded we shall both die of poisoned arrows, and tTaMnV"" ''"'^"T ^fl*^^^ *^^ ^"^^^ ^^^ obsolete and that in any case we shall be out of the firing-line. The real possibility of shells never crosses her mind-but vve gain nothing by that." He shuffled the proofs of his lead in^ulrel:""" " ^^^'' ^'^^^ ' '''' ^'"' Duchess?" he Hj^i,/^°rffl'V^t''P'^'^' ""^^""g i"to his humor. ATI'' "Intd '''''''' ^"^- " ^'^ ^"-^ ^' tion."^^ ■" ^^'' ^"'^''' '^''''' ^ ^""^"^ «f ^^^PPy expecta- 387 , . ' t: :, THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " It is for the day he takes all the tricks and becomes Prime Minister!" " Nonsense!" shrieked the Duchess, turning quite pale. " What ! Haven't you heard the rumor that the Pre- mier is going to resign ?" " No. There is not a syllable in The Times." " You should read The Morning Mirror." " You don't mean to say — " the Duchess breathed. " Tiio rumor is in this mornin;5's number." " But it can't be true." " As a man, I sincerely hope it is false. But as a jour- nalist, I hope it is true. We pride ourselves on our ru- mors." '' But at the worst, Broser can't succeed him. Why, he's quite a boy!" " That is his one qualification. I don't believe. Duch- ess, in your theory that armies and nations are peculiarly fit to be governed by the decrepit. The younger Pitt was Premier at twenty-four." " But he had the tradition. Broser comes from the gutter." " We all end in the grave. Duchess. The gutter is good enough to begin in." "Tut! Tut! That is not the point. Broaer hasn't been in Parliament twenty years !" " All that is vieux jeu. When I first went to America it took me three weeks." " But he began as a Jacobin." Fizzy smiled : " In politics, as in business, honesty is the slowest policy." " In politics, as in business, dishonesty is criminal," the Duchess retorted. Fizzy shrugged his shoulders. " Only the little crimi- nals are put in prison. The big are put in the Cabinet." " And is that the tone your wretched paper takes ?" " Heaven forbid. That is only my private tolerance." He began to read into the ear-trumpet : 388 % All 3 and becomes ing quite pale, that the Pre- \ breathed. ;r » But as a jour- res oil our ru- I him. Why, believe, Duch- are peculiarly nger Pitt was nes from the gutter is good Broaer hasn't at to America ss, honesty is 3riminal," the e little crimi- the Cabinet." 3r takes V te tolerance." THE DUCHESS IN JOURNALIS M Tl H' niiii Minister l.UH^osS and ^^r M™ h" V^^ ^"""'^"'^- ^he Prime 8or to—" "*"fc"i^' ""'^ ^^ir. Hroser has been summoned to Wind- ifitiHc. It wi 1 never be. I won't torture myself bv hean.i' your fancies. Give nie facts " "^ ^ "M you please. But tiiat leader will appear one dav or I .n no t.pster " He shufHed the pack^of Jrophe S Will you have the one when the war ends ?" ^ ed e^eidy ' ^' """'' ^'^' '"'^''^'^ "^^ *^"°^P«<^ ^^^J*" "Knave of spades," said Fizzy. " The earth over the triumphed liiat blatant brass-browed bully—'" Eh_! Very good !" These being the Duchess's o^vn expressions she perceived a Junius come to judgment. ,, T^^" 7^ I^«f,f onate pursuit of personal power—'" Delightful!" whose^valiln?!^' '"' '^" independence of a spirited people, thelt^TborBrot)"" ^'""^ ^'^ Novabarbese-read ^^ Mr. Fitzwinter obediently ran his eye down the column. ihe annexation of— ahem— the Government's— er— o^vPrS^^" -^1,' • ^^' ^'""'^'^ Bagnell-' " The trumpet quivered with impatience. «Ah! here we are. 'This savage Midstoke steam-hammer—' " 'Tl^i^^^i'r^ gave a voluptuous sigh. .11 tl i'' ?t ^'"^'^ ^'''''" *^'^^ S°e« crashing through all the finer delicacies of political lifo— ' " ^ " ^^^ r^'fr' '"^^^'.'l ^ ^^^P ^^^ath of satisfaction. But should you say ' blind brute force ' ? His eve is always on the main chance." ^ True. (( ( ^^^^7!!^'^'-^^' «- Duches, gested : " leave out * force, sug- 389 m . i'i THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH "Certainly," said Fizzy in cheery acquiescence, pro- ducing a stylograph from his waistcoat pocket. " ' This hungry-eyed brute who goes crashing — ' " " With elephantine feet," the Duchess interpolated. " Eh ? Very good," said Fizzy, niischievously mimick- ing her. '' ' With elephantine feet,' " he read, writing it in. " And the odor of his native swamps," dictated the Duchess, pursuing her advantage. Fizzy laughed and shook his head. " That's a little strong." *' It is very strong," said the Duchess, with her usual unreceptiveness to double meanings. But just then they heard Lady Yeoford's tearful voice in farewell admoni- tion to Joan, and looking up they saw her in the gallery, with a handkerchief to her eyes. " You are sure that that will be in The Morning Mir- ror?" the Duchess wound up hastily. " As sure as that I shall be in Novabarba." " Ah !" Then with her air of magnificent patronage : " Put me down as a subscriber." " I'll put you on the free list," Fizzy responded blithely. " Eh ?" The Duchess froze. " I am in the habit of paying for my goods." Mr. William Fitzwinter smiled his suavest smile. *' Contributors always get free copies, Duchess." AH uescence, pro eket. '"This interpolated. 3usly mimick- read, writing dictated the 'hat's a little ith her usual ust then they swell admoni- n the gallery, Morning Mir- 1." it patronage: nded blithely, the habit of lavest smile. ess." CHAPTER XVIII A RACE TO THE DEATH "Jl/fARGARET seems very happy to-day-quite pink, • 1, u 'f-^f'. '^'"^ Raphael, when, after Allegra's play- ing, she had left the room to turn her sister ''Yet she^cannot hide that she is now going lame as well as " She walks by faith," Allegra reminded him. ^^ Ihat IS normal. There is something else." Perhaps it is that despite everything she was able to start a new story this morning— so the worry of having to conceal her impotence from Kit is over." " No ; I cannot help fancying you ave connected with ner pinkness. "Well, my visit to-day was unexpected." He shook his head : " That would be happiness on her own account. " You are uncanny." " Confess." admired.' ^ '^^"*' ^ ^"""^""^^^ ^^'^ morning," Allegra ''You!" " You put up candles." " That was for Kit." " And this was for Margaret. I know she was praying so passionately that I might find grace to resume my dd without m'eT'' ^'"" '""''^^ '"^^^'^^^ ^^ '^i" 1^^^' " But that is unfair pressure on one-she will never be quite happy until I admit that the Messiah has coJne • 391 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH I who do not even share the Jewish belief that He will come." " When do the Jews expect Him ?" " After Elijah reappears." "How interesting!" she said, thinking of her old name for her father. " And what is Elijah to do ?" " To bring peace into the world." Allegra had a thrill of the supernatural. " If father had only succeeded !" she murmured. Even had her fidelity to her father's teaching been sapped by Margaret's romantic imperialism, or Eaphael's realistic logic — and it Still stood solid — her mere heredi- tary hypera-sthesia would have made the perusal of the war news a torture. As of yore she could not read of wounds without feeling them through her own nerves, and assuredly in the Middle Ages the marks of the crucifixion would have been found upon her sainted person. Hence' she was almost as sorry as Margaret when the Novabarbese had a stroke of futile success: she wished the war to be over at a blow. And at every fresh addition to Death's inventory, her instinct rebelled against her new friends, yearned towards her discredited father in his feudal home. " Margaret has succeeded in making me pray too," "Raphael said with a tender smile. "But I exacted a usurious condition in return." " What condition ?" "Oh, that Margaret shall not keep all the fasts. T got my pound of flesh, you see." Her eyes smiled but her mouth quivered. " And what do you pray ?" He grew gloomy. " That Kit may die first. The same prayer as Margaret's — the only sensible thing she does pray." "But she doesn't mean it sensibly, I fear. She is thinking, if she were to die first, of the day or two of awful loneliness for Kit before Kit would rejoin her. * Of course God would not lot it be very long,' she says." 392 AH ■ that He will 5 of her old 1 to do ?" . " If father teaching been , or Eaphael's ' mere heredi- )ornsal of the I not read of 'n nerves, and he crucifixion rson. Hence' } Novabarbese the war to be on to Death's new friends, feudal home. e pray too," I exacted a the fasts. T " And what t. The same ing she does 'ear. She is ay or two of i rejoin her. g,' she says." A RACE TO THE DEATH stic^' «Jr^^k his brow with the ivory pommel of his some finer quixotry. The o I o r^d v s hn 1^"?/"^' r'^\ badly, but would not let the nrn Low J "l '" '"f^ would not take an emotion 'Lrt'^Tl/llTrtdd me about your aunt pales before such p de as S at ^ ""w\7n^tf "" " Phy-gnomy agaiZ" '''''■ ' '^' Because Margaret has a weakish chin." bo have I." •roan is the sentfme" al one B u I Z ''""«' "'"'/'"" pc,.„™lity_it effuses atevevfleiThik 7^ "^ "u •-.ever forgive in a thousand yea,u" "'"' ™'"" P|^.iea. "pain ^J^^ ^^^J^^^ C/e-^fd" st •-"e sweetness. Ised friskpH ot l^..^ i i ''^ • . '^P -a,V,, and the JmtslJdro'j^^l^lvr.rS™'* '"?/;;::;:^:!!:itdLr;': "^^ «»^''-'' '™"^- I-MittrgiriiSuSTfrXlS^ "'^^"^""^ -"- ' Les yeux verts Vont aux enfers.' ^^r:::^^:^^^ "-- -<• *•>- ^o^ Be. Kaphad L^Xr" """^ *' '^''^^"'■'g "<=» °f vanity," "H that wei-e all!" said Margaret seriously. "But THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH k- I I I was a horrid impatient fly-at-your-throat little girl, and my claAVS are only sheathed," " But you're not the green-eyed monster — jealousy." " Wait till I scratch." Then her wan smile faded. " Oh, that poor Pont, throwTi out of work by profession- al jealousy!" " Don't worry about Pont," said Raphael impatiently. He was angry with the Professor for being found out again and dusking Margaret's pinkness. " Miranda Grey didn't put it down to jealousy, did she ?" " She hasn't referred to it." Margaret, in fact, had got a letter from Miranda, who hoped a certain sick royalty wouldn't die, because she would have to close her theatre for a night, just when Crosf and Crown had " caught on." This point of v-ew saddened Margaret, but Miranda's request to have a new- town flat found for her restored her spirits. She was ofl course sure that Miranda's mercurial return to confidenc in the play, her desire to try it again in the metropolis, \\i entirely unwarranted by its success in small dull tow7, but though Miranda begged for her advice in the mat^ she had telegraphed instantly that the idea was excel! it. Margaret had no petty honesties. She saw that Mir^da had set her heart upon another London trial, and lere was no use in augmenting her risk by diminishin her self-confidence. " Well, you've done your best for Pont anyhow,' Alle- gra said soothingly. '' But have I ?" queried this ever-surprising M^garet. *' St. Cyril says that if we of Christ's Church ollowed His teachings for one short day, the whole word would be charmed to Christianity by nightfall. If I were bet- ter, there would be less jealousy in the world, and Pont would be still drawing his salary." ** Monstrous !" cried Eaphael "You are indeed a green-eyed monster of medisrval mysticism. As well blame yourself for the poison in your Xovabarbese ar- 3U4 i JAH t little girl, and ;r — jealousy." n smile faded, c by profession- lel impatiently, found out again tida Grey didn't Miranda, who ie, because she ght, just when 3 point of v"ew to have a new s. She was of < n to confidenc' metropolis, wf all dull tow7> J in the mafr I was excell^t. 7 that Mir;*da rial, and iere irainishin ber anyhow,' Alle- sing Mrgaret. lurch ollowed e word would If I (vere bet- )rld, and Pont are indeed a sm. As well ovabarbese ar- r- set i A BAOE TO THE DEATH pie's sinfulness." •>™'^*'^" »<> I'ray away certain peo- Allegra was, liowcver, immensely imoresse,! hv «, r. il'a sayng. " if each thought / 1 am ^^ , ! ^r '• ^^ It riglit—" she urged. ^""'' ^ ""n ^< ^ngr^j. ^^''shfhas'a^nt"' '' '°t «'""' "'^'''"'y'" '» <=ri<=d flySg^ahroad t l^reT o? n\T'?' "™" ^* ''""^ "'"'-' pre^Jnc'e"' """ •'""""^'' """ l"" before in Allegra's sai?quietlf"i^dT/i'" """'='■■ °* P'™'"'''" -^'"■■g^'-et ; -Kaphael sobered down <' \ ^ i- «m-ling. -Eut l.T^A V '""^ dismissal," he said '• Ye^s, I ha^ to I u„f for ll^l ^''7- ''V thoughtful of her t"Le su h 1'. "^V ? ^^ "^^^ fresh air. It is good^for my e^t " "'' '' ^' ^" *^^^ doy:fror;":odrntlc-"^>^ '^* ^^^ --^^^ -uld ;ir.h! YSnoriCeleta '' ^^"^ '^^^•" -Housf;;lSreTthet a'f ^f'^^' ^^^"^^^^^ «^e wilfully evir The poe, b?l.T?^''f' P^'^^^^fied it as delighted in these S of M. ' "'t^«:^"odern thinker particularly tak n by h rlnrshS'of""^T '"^ ^ ^'^^ shovels, and whatever niarrt ftn f ^^al-scuttles and fires by the vuW /eveEn li P"^,«.^^«"ty of burning " Wfiv r]nX revelation of machinery. ^^ Alleg.-a.'knowin/tre srutvLr""*^"' ^'r''^*'" 'aid ^^ous.yn.aintai„^edtS=d^r:S;tt=^ able.''°sVe7:tra CSt," /',"''"'' ™» «-'«k- a fresh sprig of L^in^TTnife, V "P ""1 Y »"'' ^'""^ down the two flights of shirt * .u ' *'"' *"•>' "" ^''«i' n-gnts of stmr| together and through the THE MAI^TLE OF ELIJAH <• s > hall into the broad sunny street. Margaret's aching eyes lit up at the sight of Allegra's beautiful horses. " What a pity we are to lose them !" she cried. The others looked at her wonderingly. " We didn't treat them properly while we had the chance. That is why they are being taken from us." " Oh, you mean the motor-car," said Allegra, while Raphael smiled tenderly at this new outbreak of naive mysticism. Whilst he shared her hansom, she spoke critically of the pictures at the Academy, and aflfectionately of the dainty new edition of " dear Charles Lamb's Letters," and her thin, sallow features glowed with the joy of the busy streets. Her one disapproval was for a woman driv- ing: an exercise ''too manly for town." The sad nev.s on an evening-paper bill, " Murder of all Missionaric if South Novabarba," merely provoked the comment, " \ /hatl a lot of missionaries will be attracted there now by the hope of ma^ "yrdom !" She loved passing faces, the flower- girls, the sliop windows, every touch of color and quaint- ness: enjoyed the surprise of a napping dog sprinkled by a water-cart. " I envy you — you get pleasure out of everything," he said. " Those who don't enjoy life in this world will get pun- ished for it in the next." " You got that out of Dante — with your green eyes." " I don't remember it. But I am certainly not with hii.i in his ' sorrow's crown of sorrow ' theory. For me, to remember past felicity is to be happy over again; and every gift I've had, every unselfish word it has been vouchsafed me to hear, gives me as acute pleasure now as in its first freshness." " She truly believes," he thought. " How her Faith shines beside that of theologians for whom religion is a metaphysical mystery, or of fools for whom it is a long^ drawn face! For her all is love and life." c 396 / AH 3t's aching eyes rses. cried. le we had the from US." Allegra, while break of naive ke critically of ioiiately of the inib's Letters," the joy of the ■ a woman driv- The sad nev^s Missionaric' i niment, " ^ /hat are now by the aces, the flower- lor and qnaint- ' dog sprinkled everything," he Id will get pun- ' green eyes." ly not with hihi y. For me, to ver again and rd it has been pleasure now as How her Faith m religion is a om it is a \onff- A RACE TO THE DEATH That night his landlady brought up a letter from her to his book-lined study-bed room. The mere caligraphy hurt him, for he knew it meant a strain upon her poor eves* • A^J^r7^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^"^ ^^^«^ed rude. Indeed, indeed, 1 know your considerateness for me, and I ought to have been more patient, for God had made me very, v?ry ^fW' J X * ^^ ^™^^ ^^^® ^^^^^S and my head was mud- dled, and I could not defend myself. But I do feel that we must all pull in ' with the Christ. I never try to pray away ' poison. I always try to apply the antidote, iiut if I simply tried to help people without reference to Mis desires, I should fail, however successful I might seem to mortal eyes. And conversely it would be a mock ery to pray to Him without trying to apply the antidote myself. But where the poison is (like that on these JMoyabarbese arrows) one to which there is no earthly antidote ; m cases where my hands are as tied as if some one was wounded by one of them— then surely I may pray without self-contempt, for I think, for I know, that the dear Christ does it all, if only we care enough and pray enough about it." ^ ^ "There is nothing to be done with her," he thought gloomily. " She must die." ^ j i CHAPTER XIX AT THE BAZAAh ON the Tuesday afternoon — a stifling summer after- noon — the Right Honorable Ko'oert Broser tore himself away from the Governmental bench of the stuflfy Bill-factory, and knocked at the door of Margaret Engel- borne's flat. Pie was like a simmering volcano, ready to shoot flames and lava. Since his encounter with Pont he had avoided meeting his wife: the impulse to knock her doAvn and thus cheat himself of a convincing exposure would have been too strong. Ah, it was a wise, if uncon- scious uneasiness, he told himself, that had taken him so swiftly from Rome to Orvieto. Oh, he would humble her, reduce her to terms, this innocent-faced idealist ! But a pretty girl had thrust forth an interrogative white-capped head, and he must assume that impassive Parliamentary manner reserved for the keenest pricks. He put a square boot in the doorway. " My wife is here, Lady Allegra Broser," he said, with calm authoritative- ness. '' N'o, your lordship." His angry blood flushed his face and burned in his veins. The base intriguers ! " But she is usually here on Tues- days!" he said. " Yes, my lord, and on Thursdays. But to-day she couldn't come — she has a stall at the Great Bazaar." His heart beat " Fool." Had he not himself given hor to understand it was necessary for his sake to be associated with the princesses and duchesses who were providing for the widows and orphans of the soldiers he had sent out? Yes, she had escaped him. And now she would be warned, 398 summer after- Tt Broser tore 3I1 of the stuffy largaret Engel- ilcano, ready to !r with Pont he 36 to knock her ncing exposure wise, if uncon- had taken him ! would humble ed idealist! a interrogative that impassive keenest pricks, [y wife is here, I authoritative- led in his veins. here on Tues- 3ut to-day she ; Bazaar." nself given hor to be associated 3 providing for had sent out? luld be warned, AT THE BAZAAK DJmtn'i'ek'Vcdfe"'' V^T , IT "^^^^"'^ *^" ^^- hand. -^^^ '^'PP^^ half-a-crown into her . Hft^^'T,^''.^'^^■p• Thank you, my lord." He turned back. " Mr. Domiinck is in ?" , ^ Yes, my lord. Shall I—" In the"s'trtf I'^'^'^^^r "^^ ''""^^ ^* «"• Good-day." excited by the coniunetl^roiThf gl^^nL^'d'lh^ iT'' Perspiring mortals ran up from Sl sidpT P ? T""- glowed in the old schoolboyish wa A ^°''' ' ^^'" the horse's head-it looked as i7fr >'°""8' "^^^ took the shafts. Broser bn^„ ^ 1 ■''^ '''^''^ *« ^^ "^^n in his enjofmenr Sfo ,ni'' r^''/"? it interfered with niek w uld look out^of Z w ntl '^^^ Vo'^nft^ ^ t ed, " I'm in a hurry. Push otdriver^ ' Then ? ^""^' chet rm^t:Vetlr;^^^^^^^^^ ^^°*^- — of watching the passage to and f"S "Ll' -T' f *^ obscure and even among the lattnr l! ^' "'^ ^"^ celebrated, feverish to ^nd Z^lVZSl '^^^^^^^ '"^^' ««' sweltering scented mob with a 1 .-""'^ '^'°"^^ ^^' 399 impression of THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH flags, flowers, gorgeous kiosks, chattering women, glitter- ing stalls. It was indeed an orgie of femininity, from princesses of the blood to the ladies Avho ruled society on a hundred a year, free of income tax. Duchesses vol- uminously veiled jostled actresses in piquant hats and ca- joling smiles, and flamboyant society beauties known to every bookseller's window revealed themselves as realities, side by side with the shyer damsels, the great heiresses, and the ])eautiful debutantes, irresponsible for the vulgar paragraphs of the society quidnuncs. Broser brushed rough- h by these amateur beggars, with their self-conscious ir- resistibility, elbowed iiis way through shrill conversations " Is that the uuchess of Yarrow ?" " Yes— they used to call her Helen of Troy in her young days." " She looks more like Helen of Avoirdupois now. It con- soles one for not having been beautiful. Isn't that Broser ?" " Wha' skimpy dresses! Call these stylish gowns! I guess they're more like uight-govms." " You're too fresh from Paris, my dear. I like that tall gray-haired woman with the black hat — so distinguished." " Probably she serves in a shop. Look ! look ! there's Broser." Broser 's success in turning these conversations on him- self did not enliven him. Journalists darted towards him like spiders, kodaks snapped him up as he passed. " Hullo, Bob ! Come and have a drink," and the uncle of Polly's husband, old Lord Winch, who was hobbling about in spats, pulled the statesman into a bar, tended by young noblemen made up excellently as barmen and not noticeably disguised. ^Miranda Grey, with the air of a ministering angel receiving the martyred saints in Para- dise, and proffering the cup of balm to their tortured lips, mixed " Novabarba Squashes " for infatuated mill- ionaires, while Lady Dulsie Marjorimont, looking he- witching and twenty in her black apron, neglwtpd IiPr duties as one to the manner born. 400 JAH women, glitter- ^mininity, from 10 ruled society Duchesses vol- ant hats and ca- luties known to Ives as realities, great heiresses, 3 for the vulgar ' brushed roiigh- elf-conscious ir- 11 conversations )f Troy in her MS now. It con- I'tthatBroser?" dish gowns! I I like that tall distinguished." i ! look ! there's ■sations on him- :ed towards him passed. " and the undo o was hobbling . bar, tended by )armen and not th the air of a saints in Para- their tortured nfatuated mill- nt, looking be- , neglected bor AT THE BAZAAR " Whore's Allegra ?" Broser asked her, " She's at the literary stall by the fountain." *' Have you heard from the Fitzwinters T the old lord inquired. '* No — yes. Perhaps my wife has. Let us go and ask." " Where's the hurry as long as you're happy ? Let's have another drink — a fizzy one, he ! he ! he ! I suppose you're not sorry he's gone to Novabarba." " We don't take Fizzy seriously, or Joan either. She'll have a pleasant trip — Fizzy's yacht is a floating hotel — but as for the good she'll do with her staff of nurses — " He shrugged his shoulders. Joan hated him, he knew, and her trumpeted enterprise — to which The Morning Mirror had devoted shameless columns — seemed to him only to accentuate unnecessarily for the public the darker side of imperial glory. Ah! there was Allegra at last, radiant and pure-eyed, surrounded by courtiers whom she had converted into customers. They moved away delicately, but the dogging reporters drew as near as they dared. Allegra's face, according to the evening papers, " showed a pleased sur- prise." The reporters did not know husband and wife had not met for days. With a cold smile she tendered him an autographed pho- tograph of himself. " One guinea," she said. He gave her a five-pound note. " I don't remember writing it." He stood an instant, turning over the books on her stall, to keep his hands from striking that saint's face, aureoled by its own hair. " There's another big British victory," he said, un- consciously^ fingering Eaphael Dominick's poems. Al- legra perceived the reporters, was loyally silent. Broser ploughed his way back to his cab, digging his nails into his palms. " To the House," he said curtly. The cabman — now conscious of his fare — showed his 401 I ' ,r '•{ t 1 ♦ THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH Cockney cuteness by driving to Broser's own house— the well-known corner house in the Belgravian square, triumphantly beflagged like all its neighbors. Broser sprang cut mechanically. lie found an old-fashioned chariot outside his door, and his door-step occupied by a smart groom colloguing with his butler. Simultaneously he realized that the Duchess of Dalesbury was unprece- dentedly calling on him, and that his cabman was a clever ass. Ere he had time to act on either discovery, the groom returned to the carriage, and the Duchess, touching her bonnet respectfully to her astonished menial, said to him in her harsh and now tremulous voice : " Not at home, your Grace." Then, handing him a slim folio, she said : " Say that I am very, very sorry to find her ladyship out, and that the Duke of Dalesbury sends her his new book." " Yes, your Grace," gasped the man, still dazed. As the Duchess lifted her eyes she perceived Broser, and cast him a look of deadly scorn. He, however, with his quick brain, had grasped what had happened, and his eyes danced with amusement. The Duchess, he knew, had often prom- ised to return Allegra's visits, but being resolved not to set foot in Broser's house, had craftily taken this oppor- tunity of Allegra's advertised presence at the Bazaar. On her way to Allegra's house rhe old lady had brooded with such malicious gusto on her groom's sure report with i respectful digital touch, " Not at home, your Grace," that she had automatically been delivered of the reply with its gesture, in her triumphant anticipation of receiving it. " How are you, Duchess ?" he said airily. Great as her standing was, he did not care now whether she came or not. He would soon be making peers himself. " Eh ?" She put up her ear-trumpet. " I don't think I have the pleasure, sir." " Yes, Duchess, we met years ago at Midstoke. You liked my speech." The recollection of how he had been tickled by her praise amused him. Now, Princes hung upon his word. 402 AH wn house — the ravian square, hbors. Broser old-fashioned occupied by a Simultauecusly ^ was unprece- in was a clever 'ery, the groom , touching her il, said to him ; at home, your he said : " Say ^ship out, and lew book." ill dazed. As roser, and cast with his quick lis eyes danced sd often prom- esolved not to en this oppor- e Bazaar. On brooded with eport with i r Grace," thai reply with its •eceiving it. Great as her e came or not. I don't think idstoke. You 7 he had been Prince* hung AT TIIK BAZAAR "What happened at Midstoko?" the Duchess inquired deafly. I' Von liked my speech," he shouted into the trumpet. " r-ikod your screech ? No, sir. Nor your manners either." As her groom and coachman and his own servants were listening, with the cabman in the background, Broser winced. " My manners!" he thought hotly. " And what about your niece's morals?" But with his wonted resourceful- ness he said to the ear-trumpet, with a pitying assumption (for the lackeys' benefit) of humoring a lunatic, '' I'll tell Allegra that you called." " What I called you ? Do!" He lost the remains of his temper. " Have you had a sunstroke? You ought not to sit in an open — " But the: ' ar-trumpet was jerked away. I' Tell her also that I agree with her. Now I see you, I feel sure the war is a crime." He smiled and motioned for the trumpet to her ear. " There's another great British victory," he bawled into it. " I always said you had the devil's own luck," and she snatched from his mouth his means of repartee, and cried • "Home!" Broser, tapping his forehead significantly to his liveried critics, took from his butler's hands the slim folio. "Five French Cathedrals," he read. "Good old Duke," he thought c( ntemptuously, giving it back. He remembered the Duke's mayoralty, chuckled over a Club anecdote about an alderman's saying to him : " Dook, the Duchess and I 'as one taste in common. We both love weak whiskey and water." As he drove to the House of Com- mons he was rather pleased at the cabman's mistake. How else would he ever have seen the Duchess touch her bon- net to hsr groom ? Then he thought of Thursday, and his amusement vanished. 403 iff If fl, ■ I! 11' CHAPTER XX THE BRINK OF LOVE ALLEGEA'S carriage had some difficulty in getting to -/a. Margaret on the Thursday afternoon, as the new outgoing Division of troops was to march through her street on the way to the dock, and London had shut out the sky with flags and the pavements with people. The Union Jack flew bravely from Margaret's open window, the Eoyal Standard flung its gay folds over Kit's never- raised yellow blind. The police made a path for Allegra througla the crowd in front of the building, but would not let her carriage wait. *'Kit is so glad the soldiers are passing," said Mar- garet, whose desperate desire to survive her sister endued her with miraculous vitality. " She never thought to hear military music again. We are pretending that an Engelborne is going out to fight for the Empire, and we are so happy." " Then she doesn't want my music to-day," said Allegra, a shade unsympathetically. " Perhaps her nerves cannot bear too much pleasure," Margaret answered unexpectedly. " It is a shame to have dragged you here, but I shall pretend your visit is to me, and in honor of our soldiers." "Isn't it getting too noisy for her?" Allegra asked evasively. Spasmodic cheers and snatches of song were floating up from the impatient sight-seers. " Her gladness will overpower everything. And then her window is closed — it will all be deadened. I only hope the pigeons will not be too frightened to come to tea." 404 y in getting to n, as the new h through her 1 had shut out I people. The open window, 3r Kit's never- ith for Allegra ng, but would ig," said Mar- ' sister endued er thought to rnding that an mpire, and we " said Allegra, uch pleasure," shame to have visit is to me, Allegra asked of song were ig. And then ened. I only ed to come to THE BRINK OF LOVE " Another young pair of lovers ?" " jSTo, Eeal nameless pigeons who have lately tapped at my window-sill at meal-times, dear things. I hope the soldiers won't scare them away." _" The pigeon is Peace," thought Allegra with her old trick of symbolism. '' All the tender interests of Peace are banged and blared away." The bell rang. " Ah, that is Miss Oxager's ring. She is one of Kit's dearest friends, just on a visit from Australia. How brave of her to come through the crowd ! I don't know why people are so good to us. But she will have her re- ward—she will meet you, if you will allow her. The Australians are such admirers of Mr. Broser, you know." Allegra talked to the plump elderly lady with the shrewd eyes and the lovable face till Raphael arrived, heat- ed from his struggle, and Margaret took Miss Oxager in to Kit. _ They sat down near the open window and talked, the liberal sunshine, the festive atmosphere of the crowd, the firmament of flags, the singing, the whistling, the wafts of laughter, exciting them despite themselves. Ned couched at their feet, his ears cocked up. " I seem to have known you all my life," Raphael said suddenly. " And I have known you since your earliest ' Fame.' " He smiled sadly. "Yes. The Germans in America make their wedding-cake in the form of a Cornucopia : that IS what we should have done. I ought to have car- ried you off from the Midstoke Town Hall. I, the young reporter, and you, the great Marshmont's daughter. A newspaper romance, indeed !" He went on more bitter- ly. ' But after all, what was Broser then ? I, too, might have become a politician, a patriot — " • "t7°1^ "^^^^* still— you are young— we need idealists m Parliament. My father has still some influence in his shire — Vague new fore-visionings of a Mantle- 405 ELIJAH bearer flitted through her brain. Perhaps here was the true Elisha. " Don't remind me that I am young— that I may live again." "I shall. Why should you not raise your coffin-lid and scramble out, like the dead in Signorelli ?" " Who is to blow the trump of resurrection ?" "Who? Your better self." " That is you," he retorted. " How can you ask ?" " I thought it was Margaret." " Haven't I told you Margaret satisfies my heart, r, .i my brain? You satisfy both. I am in love with you, and you know it." He spoke quite simply, making the confession as quietly as he had received hers at Orvieto. She, unembarrassed, replied in the same key : " If lov- ing me help to resurrect you, I am glad of it." " But you ! What do you feel ?" " What is the use of asking that ? I am bound." " Bound ? You with your free intellect !" " I was bound ere my intellect was free." " But now that it is "free ?" " I am bound." " It is absurd. The you that married Broser is not the present you. The girl that promised him fidelity is dead. Do you, too, prefer labels to facts ?" " I prefer feelings to arguments." " Then what do you feel ?" " I feel chained to my dead self." " But what do you feel about me ?" " I feel more sorry for you than I have ever been for myself." That is love, Allegra," he said gravely. It was the first time he had used her name; all the air seemed to v!.rrst« tremulously with the sound of it. She was fright- ened. 406 FAH )s here was the that I may live your coffin-lid lli ?" ion?" my heart, v ,•;, love with you, ly, making the 's at Orvieto. i key : " If lov- : it." bound." ;!" Broser is not him fidelity is ever been for r. It was the air seemed to 5he was fright- THE BRINK OF LOVE " !■ it more than pity ?" she murmured. Pity IS akin to love. The tenderness in your voice makes me turn uneasily in my grave-it is like the spring stirrmg m the grass overhead." He took her hand. « Al- legra. Angel of Resurrection, I am waiting to hear you sound the trumpet." ^ hJJ^7 T ^ \^^^ ^r "' S^^ ^^d "^t withdraw her hand , her bosom heaved. The consciousness she had sup- pressed now asserted itself volcanically. " Teach me to know." " To know ? You know everything." " Except the one thing which matters. I told you how I have always \ en outside of things-ever since the first flush of youth was over. I have looked on, as a deaf man looks on at a symphony, seeing only a mad galloo of fiddle- bows and a puffing into brass tubes. What does^it mean to hear? or to be lapped in music ? What does it mean to be mstde things-to be alive, to hope, to love, to dream, to be- lieve— to see children grow up round one, to move in a real world not m a shadow-mist, to row in real water that re- sists the oar? This is the privilege of every yokel— why should I be cut off from it ?" ^ " You cut yourself off." " No— not now. You quoted Goethe to me once. But how can I write with love, if I am loveless ? I cling to you, Allegra, as a drowning man clings to a boat beff- ging to be taken in." ^ »■ "om, oeg 1 ^? ^^ *^®^® ^^ "^ ^^^ ^" ^^6 said gently. ^^ Ah, yes, Broser fills it all up." He loosed his grip. And so you hack at my hands, and I may drown." real. You will find it sustain you." ;;Swini alone? In the great void ? You are cruel." ^^ Am 1 craeler to you than to myself?" __ Yes— you called me into voiir lif#» " l^e He got up. '^ I prayed not to be awaJkened. to speak to you." 407 Oqi/l l»Q«.r. Ul»_ I tried not }:*•" IH THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH She hid her face. " You have the right to reproacli me. I was mad, unstrung, superstitious. I had prayed for a Deliverer — and you came." " A.nd now I am to go. And neither of U3 is to be delivered ?" " It would not be a deliverance. Think, Raphael." His name came involuntarily. " I have had enough of thinking. Let us act." • " And what shall we do ?" " The simple lyric thing. We shall live and love. With you, it would be worth going on. Without you — " He shrugged his shoulders. " We should be socially crippled — we could do nothing for the world." " For what world — yours, or Barda's ? Or Ned's world of scents ? There is no world but what surrounds the in- dividual soul." " But we can help other souls." " You can help my soul. But these lower species, howl- ing down there in the street — as they howled when Nero made a bonfire of the Christians — what can you do for them? Leave them to their twaddling parsons, their sentimental novelists, their jingly composers. As well try to influence the four hundred millions pullulating in China. This itch for interference is a mere disease^ You don't even interfere. You only dream and senti- mentalize about it. Haven't you found yourself out yet ?" " You are hard on me," she said humbly. " Since I have seen Margaret's life, I have tried to do things: she has made me feel that it is the duty of the stronger soul — if mine be the stronger — to serve the weaker. My husband is a great force. I cannot move him now; but the war will soon be over, and then, if I am patient — " " And then ? Believe me, Allegra, one day of sunshine like this diffuses more happiness than a season's acta of Parliament. The Power that made the world vvill mend it." 408 JAH to reproach me. id prayed for a of us is to be ink, Raphael." us act." and love. With it you — " He luld do nothing Or Ned's world rrounds the in- r species, howl- led when Nero an you do for parsons, their sers. As well ns pullulating . mere disease^ am and senti- rself out yet V nbly. " Since to do things: )f the stronger ! weaker. My him now; but u patient — " ay of sunshine Bason's acta of )rld mil mend THE BRINK OF LOVE " But what if our help is necessary ?" " We are too presumptuous. Aeons elapsed before we appeared at all. Our habitation was prepared for us— the scientist and the Psalmist agre^. The Creation wasn't referred to an Executive Committee, or no doubt Joan would have been on it." " You paralyze the will." Why should you upbear the world ? Are you Atlas ? No ; you are Allegra,— Allegra, the spirit of joy. Be true to your name." "I have another name, Broser. And yet another— Marjorimont. I must be true to those." " Ah, even the blot on the 'scutcheon counts !" he said bitterly. " Yes," she answered defiantly. " I think my father underrated the inspiration of tradition. Noblesse oblige. Ihink of the newspapers. Another soeiety scandal ! And how my father would suffer— without reference to 'scutch- eons 1 Hasn't he suffered enough? And are there not enough wicked women ?" " Then it is time for a good woman — " " Think of Margaret ! Think of Kit ! Would they call me a good woman ?" A horrid image of the Duchess painted itself on her retina, a stony statue of judgment, flinging away her ear-trumpet, lest any plea for mercy reach her ear. *^ "Margaret and Kit do not think. They accept the world s morality, as they accept the color of their hair. Margaret told me she was twenty-two before she knew there was such a thing in the world as a ' bad woman.' What can she know of the realities of things ?" " That is to know the realities of things: not to know there are ^ bad women.' The * bad women' are unreal: nightmares, monsters, chimeras dire, that should be swept out of the centre of consciousness. Life tends to be simple and sweet as grass to be green in the sun." " That is what /^ay : and you remain chained to a man 409 .<■ ' ' I i Of -i'! -I , lb;i ^^^^H m ^^^^^^^^^^Hl^' ' iir-n THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH And I took you Or is it younger V you have ceased to love and a woman you have ceased to be." " I remain responsible for both." " Ah, you are thirteenth century, for twenty-first." " Yes — I was older than I looked. " You can still jest." " To prevent myself weeping." " Ah, you do feel. Trust yourself to me, Allegra. We will look down on all the kingdoms of the world. Let me be indeed your Deliverer." " You delivered me without knowing it. You sent me to ]\Iargaret." " And she has asphyxiated you with her medieval at- mosphere! You listen to Margaret — Margaret, who is ready to immolate all human happiness on the altar of faith, who defends every historic perversion of zealotry, the Inquisition itself. And I thought I had met a modern woman. Ah, my first theory was right: no woman will ever face life." He looked at her sardonically. " How I envy Broser his talons ! These are the men to whom women yield everything." " You are cruel to me," she said, paling. " You hack at my hands," he repeated. " You drive me back to drown." Her heart's tears flooded her eyes at last. " Why is life such a tangle ? I meant you to help me, and now I have hurt you." Her tears softened him. " Ko; you have only left me as I was, after just a peep into the world of meaning. for Margaret's light— pains and all ! Only the darlmess is unbearable." "I shall never forgive myself. But I thought you would be content to be my friend. After all we are souls — " He froze again. " Conversation with a woman is im- possible." 410 JAH a have ceased to md I took you is it younger ?" e, Allegra. We world. Let me . You sent me er mediseval at- argaret, who is on the altar of ion of zealotry, id met a modern no woman will lically. " How i men to whom " You drive 70U to help me, ve only left me )f meaning. ly the darlmess I thought you ter all we are I woman is im- THE BRINK OF LOVE I' Yes, when the Beyond-Man sinks to a Man " TTp iiT] ''\ . ""^ ^^"^, ^ Beyond-Man. It is so lonely." Ile^took his hat and stick. " I was foolish to live on " You were not foolish," she said, terrified. " Live on for my sake. I wish to feel you strong, believing in gooT Sing on— I won't have your voice stilled " ^ ^ wii?Ll??n^ mockingly " Spare me platitudes. You ba L B^i r '" ^' "'"^^ '?^ -^""^ '^' ^^°«P« for Xova- W W. V, n . ^'^ '''^'''.' f o™^ of manliness. Good- Dye. We shall not meet again." " Where are you going?" Her hypersensitive nerves already felt a dozen forms of suicide thrlFf'^fn ^ f '''^' I '^^^ "°^ "^^ *he conventional Prlil ^ """^^ ^^'"^ ^"'^ ^'^ "^y ^00^^^ a"d my thoughts Probably in my own room the sunshine will look eV ?ortm^nt of fb " 'Tf ' '''^ ^^"^' ^"^ ^^ must bear it Contempt of the world once meant love of the divine I have not even that to fall back on. If only I could^ive must live Its a somewhat ingeniously muddled uni- verse, mcht wakr? as Pont would say. You and Pon - my first illusion and my last." -font— Ho turned towards the door. " But why ar^ wp r,^f to meet again ?" she said desperately. ^ ^ ^^ ^^* Ah, a woman can never face a fact Evasive elusive she loves to play with possibilities, to dodge Sitie ^' ' A wilder cheering rose from the street r,.f iT 1 rl ' f ""^ coming," said Allegra. " You will not be able to get by. You had bett.r waft till they pals " fiaphael paused uncertainly. ^ ^ "Bravo, Broser. Hooray for Fightinff Bob»" TV,, cheers grew more distinct. A le/?ra looking mif.f .1 • Sound th« trumpet, beat th« drumi" 411 B, II THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH The mob commenced to sing. " Surely my husband is not heralding the procession," Allegra murmured. Eaphacl came to her side. " Yes — he is stoppini? here." A delirious mob surged round the arrested hansom; Broser was scowling, disgusted by this second contretemps of popularity. Raphael looked at Allegra. " Now you must stay with me," she said. Raphael stuck his hand out of the window and tore the Union Jack from its fastenings. "Bravo! Bravo!" he shouted, waving it frenziedly. Then joining in the chorus with a melodious voice that star led Allegra as much as his behavior, he sang, with the ornate flourishes : -„- -j i " Myrtles wreathe and roses twine, To deck the hero's brows divine." Broser looked up and saw him and Allegra side by side. AH be procession," 3toppiii£; here." ested hansom ; nd contretemps w and tore the it frenziedly. ious voice that he sang, with ra side by side. CHAPTER XXI THE BRINK OP DEATH JJAPITAEL DOMINICK waved his flag amicably at a „^^*^^e^ as he entered the room. ^ How do you do, Mr. Broser ? Delighted to meet vou again under such auspicious conditions '' ^ Broser gave him a haughty stare. To him Ranhael appeared hke some under-clerk of his Departmlt cau.h uiTthTp'r ifr ^^ ''''' '-''-' '-' P-^--% Se'] "ij M'^D^^iS^^^^^^ ^"^^^ '" '^ -'' ^^-tly, "It is not Mr. Dominick's flat," she cried, and then bit her tongue for having answered his insolent question i..,-/ ?r'^T° 'J "^^'^^ y°"^ ^^m ! A singular co- incidence May I ask, sir, why I find my wife he^e ?" has ?er folW me''^' ''''' ^"^^^^ " ^^«^ "^^t at the window, Mr. Brose? ?" ^ ^'''' *'^^ * ^^^^' BobSj^^L^k?^^^^^^^^^^^ it^l^fdb^rr form tc^dav b^?^w "" ^'PP^• ^^^ ^^^"^« g^^^ are in the'ituatn." '^"' ^'"^^ ^°"^P^^*^ ^^ ^oyment of " This persiflage will not save you from an -^n^^T,. tion, sir," Broser roared. ^xpxana- 413 n i "Gently, gently, sir. Your head is not out of the window." Margaret limped in. AUogra drew a half-sob of re- lief. " Miss Engelborne," she said, " my husband has come to see me home through the crowd. The carriage wasn't allowed to wait." Margaret bowed and smiled. " It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good. My flat will always be honored to have had a visit from Mr. Broser. I hope Lady AUe- gra has told you what an Imperialist I am !" Allegra could have stabbed her for stupidity with one of her own Indian daggers. She knew that Margaret was dying to bring in her Anglo-Imperial, Miss Oxager, but she spitefully forbore to suggest it. Polite conversation ensued, mainly on the probabilities of a speedy subju- gation of Novabarba. It was one of those comedy truces that interrupt tragedv. and the final touch was given to it when the shining seraph brought in tea and pent the storm in a teacup. Eaphael helped Broser to sugar. The exquisite and bitter laughter he had professed to derive from the social panorama was his in full measure as he watched the silent fume of this great creature, this mon- ster of will-power, through whose small self-seeking a great Empire was being made bigger, as a railway is extended for the world's benefit and the shareholders' per- centage. And he thought of Kit lying in earthly dark- ness and heavenly light under the same roof that sheltered this arch-materialist : the crucified girl and the complacent Cscsar. When Margaret went back to Miss Oxager, Raphael took the word. " Let us have no more of this farce, Mr. Broser." Broser gave him a baffled scowl. He had gathered by now whose home this was, and why Allegra was there. But he was only the angrier at being put in the wrong when he knew he was in the right. " Still Your scowl is not unwarranted — for — I am in love with your wife." 414 JAH not out of the half -sob of re- ly husband has The carriage n ill wind that vays be honored lope Lady Alle- m t" pidity with one it Margaret was iss Oxager, but ite conversation I speedy subju- 3 comedy truces jh was given to :a and pent the to sugar. The 'cssed to derive measure as he itwvQ, this nion- self-seekiiig a ,3 a railway is areholders' per- Q earthly dark- if that sheltered the complacent iT, Raphael took !e> Mr. Broser." ad gathered by 'srra \vas there. t in tne wrong I am in -■fnr THE BKINK OF DEATH Broser glared dnmfoundered. end to your aequa^IaTo," '' '"'" "'" "' ""'' P"' "" irillT ^'"'"^- "^ =''^" ""'"-'y -'koose my own " And lovers ?" Allegra's color ebbed and flowed Come come, Lady Allegra," Broser went on " Yon promised to remember my dignity." " Remember mine, please " ,_ To the snperflcial," Raphael a.ljed dryly, retorted"'"' t"°'"»- ""•'■"'l"S,'"''°"' ">e surface," Broser smile, "?l:te\LvtS;^''''' ''""'^^'' ^*'' " S«>"» motiI„°ar^r.osWkoUr'Ar"'"f "^f '■='''• "^de a « Ti„ °. / 1 ; ■ ""■ Allegro stepped between f hem Don't take him seriously. He omLt „#„ j . , a scene. It is the hour of h^; star " """^ '" "'"'"' h,?".?" a' '^■^"■^""^ impersonal view of thing, which had so often ,rr.tated Allegra, maddened her husband stick myself if t '1^" i'.^. *^ !F '^'' ^^ny-headed I have failed to sap." ^ ^ ''^'^^^•>^ ^^^^^^^^^^ that " I'ou confess ii, you shameless blackguard !" 415 i: ^ * ' 1 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " Ah — you recognize a brother. It is so rarely I meet a man of my omi mettle, devoid like myself of morals and religion, that but for the pain we are giving your wife, I should rejoice in the prolongation of this unique conversation." Broser gasped. " Is this a lunatic, Allegra ?" " Please, don't say you believe in anything outside your- self," Kaphael entreated, " that you recognize any law but your own will. Don't let us play the game on con- ventional lines. ^ Why, we might as well start talking of a duel. There is certainly a goodly choice of weapons." Broser's eye followed Raphael's and his face paled be- fore _ Margaret's bristling armory, at command of this maniac. " Come, Allegra," he said peremptorily. The faint strains of military music were borne to their ears. "Ah," said Raphael, "here come the men you are sending to death. Show yourself to them at the window. Let them cry morituri te salutamiis — must I translate it for you ? — we salute thee, Ca?sar, we who are about to die." Allegra sprang to the window and shut it down. Over- strung by the two scenes she had passed through, every nerve quivered. " I don't want to hear them," she cried hysterically. " If you knew how the thought of them stabs me, Robert. Can't you spare them, Robert ? Do ! Oh, you must !" " How can you talk so wildly — and before a stranger !" "But you can end it all — do end it all, I know you can. The Novabarbese are suing for peace." " I am surprised at you. Come!" He seized her arm rudely. She was trembling in every limb. She tore herself from his grasp and fell sobbing on the couch. Broser's eyes protruded semi-ludicrously — his expres- sion when thwarted by trifles. " People must die for the good of their country," said harshly. "' IsTovabarba is worth the price." 416 ho THE BRINK OF DEATH seized her arm Raphael snatched an arrow from the wall. ** One touch of this poisoned Novabarbesc arrow, and you die for the good of your country." Brosor retreated towards Allegi; 's ooncli. '' Come ^''/ay, Allegra, from this madman of ^ nrs." He lifted her •o her feet. Rajbael smiled sardonically. Tlis strange eyes shone. " A m;.lman who has not even the sanity to kill you. A tnadm .a — yes, a man who once dreamed of a righteous • arid, and then, cheated of that vision, dreamed yet again — of a woman's love. A madman indeed! Not for such as I, these wonderful women, but only for such as you, tramplers through life. You enfold the angels with your gross, carnal arms, while we shadows — must be content with shadows. You are a great man, Robert Broser, you will live in history, and I am only a poor poet whose name is written in water; but this woman was meant for me. She knows it in her soul, but she leaves me to die alone." " No, no. I would have you live." "Alone?" " Alone. Even as I." " But you are not alone." " No — I have not even my loneliness to myself. How I envy you ! You are alone to live and dream and think. You do not belong to any one." " Nor you: no soul can own another." Broser waved a hand, as brushing him away. " My wife knows her duty." " Her duty is to herself. Nothing else is real." " My duty to myself is my duty to my bond," Allegra pleaded. " There speaks the voice of savage ages. I ask you to be free — in his very face — and come to me, in the light of day." "You devil!" Broser gasped. "You would poison her sniil, as you would ^^oison mv body." " I am speaking to Lady Allegra." '417 V 'Ifl 1^ I: THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " I cannot. Our world is so full of evil. No one would understand." " Then I will no longer play at being dead." " What do you mean ?" she breathed. " I will have the courage to die." Allegra was darting towards him: Broser held her back. This time the mocking smile was his. " A pretty gentleman ! To kill himself in a lady's apartment — with a dying girl, too, I understand, on the premises." The arrow drooped in Raphael's hand. Then, with a muttered " Good-bye," he walked rapidly doorward. "Stop him! stop him!" she cried. "Don't let him take it away. Its prick is fatal." Broser sneered. " He'll not hurt himself." Allegra ran to the door. Raphael was in a mad mood, she felt. His freak with the flag had shown her a new Raphael. He was capable of anything. " Throw it down," she implored. " No. Good-bye." She plucked at it suddenly. He wrested it back. She uttered a cry. The point had pricked her upper arm near the shoulder. Raphael, terrified, let the weapon drop, A great hush fell over Allegra's soul. " Are you hurt ?" said Raphael. His face was ashen ; his voice and his limbs trembled. Her voice was low but steady. " It ran into my arm." There was an instant of weird silence. " Good God !" Broser shrieked. " You have killed my wife." " No, no ; it was my own stupidity." She was dazed : her voice sounded unnatural to herself. Broser began rolling up her sleeve. " But something can be done," he cried. " There is only a little red swelling — and a few drops of blood." " Nothing can be done," she said simply. " It takes five minutes to begin to vvor^:, and then I shall die quickly.'^ 418 rAH evil. No one roser held her is. " A pretty jartment — with emises." 1. Then, with Y doorward. Don't let him If." n a mad mood, own her a new :. "Throw it i it back. She upper arm near weapon drop. ace was ashen; into my arm." m have killed 3he was dazed: But something !y a little red ily. " It takes ;n I shall die THE BRINK OF DEATH He rang the bell in a frenzy. " Where is this person ? She must know what to do." " Perhaps cauterizing," said Eaphael hoarsely. The servant hurriud in, respectfully interrogative, an irritation in such a crisis. " Where is Miss Engelborne ?" Broser cried. Oh, but this was incredible ! Neither Broser nor Raph- ael yet realized that Allegra could die, though cold sweats were breaking oul all over their bodies, and their hearts were thumping like pistons. Only Allegra felt that death was upon her, with the unexpectedness of everything in life. There came oddly into her brain scenes from " The Vision of Mirza," which had so impressed her in child- hood : the multitudes in pursuit of bubbles falling through the trap-doors in the bridge. Well, was it not best to slip suddenly out of the procession ? What was there for her on the long, long bridge with its threescore and ten arches ? Only the hovering passions and harpies. Perhaps in a few minutes she would be on the shining islands. Then the horror of the coming agony began to crawl and creep through her veins like a myriad live things. The shining islands were blotted out — she could think only of the racking voyage, not of the peaceful harbor. Summoned by the mystified maid, Margaret dragged herself into the room : its dazed terror communicated itself subtly to her. Her eye fell first on Raphael, who was stooping to pick up the arrow. " You are poisoned, Raphael !" Neither he nor she noticed that she called him thus. " Nothing so fortunate," he groaned, throwing the arrow behind the piano. " It is I, Margaret," said AllegTa. " You !" "Don't fool about!" Broser burst forth. "Where is the nearest doctor ? Quick ! quick !" ^ But Margaret had sprung upon Allegra's bared arm like a tigress : her mouth was at the wound. 419 "IN'o! No!" Allegra fought with her, pushed her face away with the other hand. " You shall not. You hav(> Kit to live for." Kaphael pulled Margaret away. " That is my business. This death is mine. Give it me." But Allegra beat him off desperately : " No, no ; let me alone. It is the best way out !" " Die in agony ! You !" Raphael gasped. '^Eut he could not prevail. " Where is the nearest doctor, I ask you ?" Broser roared at Margaret. " lie could not come in time," Margaret moaned. " But he shall come in time." " lie could do nothing," said Allegra. *' But he shall do something. There must be something to inject, to swallow — Where is he ? I'll go myself. " The cheers they had not noticed forced themselves now through the closed window. The music was coming nearer. " Nobody could get through the crowd," said Raphael hopelessly. Broser's pallor became ghastly. Ho flung open the window — nothing but flags above, black myriads of heads below. " Good God !" he cried, the full horror beginning to grip him. " Is my wife to die like a rat in a hole ? Damn this mob!" " They have come to see your soldiers," said Allegra, wath all the bitterness of death. " God wills that you shall see me die by a Novabarbese arrow — like my brother." Broser thrust his head out farther. " Is there a doc- tor down there ?" he shouted. A few heads turned, looked up. " Is there a doctor down there ?" "Broser! Bravo, Bob! Hooray for Broser!" The crowd took up the cheer. " Silence ! Silence !" he cried hoarsely. 420 JAH er, pushed her ihall not. You ; is my business. vay out !" . But he could you ?" Broser 3t moaned. st be something [ go myself. " themselves now c was coming " said Raphael lung open the yriads of heads )rror beginning rat in a hole? ' said Allegra, wills that you TOW — like my [s there a doc- Broser!" The THE BRINK OF DEATH "Silence! He's going to speak! Speech! Speech!" " Is there a doctor among you f " Three cheers for Fighting Bob ! Hooray ! Hooray ! Hooray ! For he's a jolly good fellow !" The song was taken up all down the line: it flew to meet the martial music that grew momentlj' louder and nearer. Broser saw the bear-skins and helmets on the horizon. He felt like a cockle-boat before a tempestuous ocean. His face grew apoplectic. He turned back to Allegra. " Great God !" he cried, choking. " To see you die and not be able to help you !" His agitation smote tenderness for \Axa through Alle- gra's daze, and the softening thrill unloosed a flooding wave of self - commiseration. O God, the pity of it I To have had such vast opportunities in the world — health, wealth, birth, beauty — and to go down to the darkness a miserable failure ! A phrase began buzzing in her brain. " To Allegra at Forty," " To Allegra at Forty." Ah, it was well she had read that letter prematurely. Its sen- tences started repeating themselves: " But if you despair of your own happiness, remember, dear, there is always the life of service. . . . Perhaps you have fallen by the way, into the slough of selfishness." Yes, indeed, she had " fallen by the way." Oh, if God would only give her another chance! But no, that could not be. Already she felt the pricking in her veins, the buzzing in her ears. She saw herself in the dear old house of her girlhood, writing the letter to herself, and great tears began to trickle down her white cheeks. Margaret was on the floor, groping for the arrow be- hind the piano pedals. " If it should not be a poisoned one!" she whispered. " Is there any doubt of it ?" Raphael breathed, his heart going off at a frenzied gallop. She drew forth the arrow. " I cannot tell. I mixed them up." "O God, let it not be a poisoned one!" Raphael ut- 421 M. » (J If y »! ' 1 ' MANTLE ELIJAH tered the first spontaneous prayer of his manhood, and even as he did so he felt it was the most futile and absurd prayer imaginable — nay, his very synonym to Margaret for vain petitioning. The arrow was poisoned, or it was not. Margaret sprang up wildly. "Allegra! Allegra! God will not let you die. It must be a harmless arrow, it must be." " But I feel — I feel the poison beginning to work." Margaret put her arms round her. " No, no ; God will not let you die." " It would have worked by now — it is ten minutes," cried Eaphael. " It is not three," said Allegra, her dreadful calm re- turning. " I looked at the clock." " Two minutes more !" said Raphael huskily. " Must we wait tv;o eternit- i more ?" " Don't worry a ^ more, Robert. I have only two minutes. Give me your hand." Margaret released Allegra and motioned to Raphael to follow her. They stole outside, to join in heart-broken prayer and wordless hope; Raphael seeking as humbly as Margaret to " pray away poison." Broser's look was like a trapped beast's. Impotence was terrible to him. Allegra let her head fall on his shoul- der. This beautiful creature — this unbared white arm — to be plucked from him, to go down to corruption — im- possible! But he had felt the same when Susannah was being taken, and yet she had been taken. "Try to remember," A'^egra said brokenly, "that I was not so bad to tbc , Iren. I think they will be a little sorry." " Yes, I will fcrgl'^-^ you, Allegra. I will think only of our happy years." " It is beginning to burn. Oh, my poor father! My poor father 1" The soldiers were passing at last. The music, the cheers, 422 AH manhood, and tile and absurd n to Margaret )ned, or it was ^ra ! Allegra ! armless arrow, ; to work." >, no ; God will ten minutes," adful calm re- skily. " Must lave only two to Raphael to a heart-broken ng as humbly s. Impotence 11 on his shoul- ed white arm irruption — im- Susannah was enly, "that I they will be a 'ill think only ' father! My sic, the cheers, TUK roiSONKD AUUOW ;f ' ! !; THE BRINK OF DEATH the sunshine — was she to leave this intoxicating, beautiful world? Farewell, blue sky! Good-bye, dear streets! She ran to the window. Heaven was a flutter of flags, and earth a sea of handkerchiefs. How joyously went the rhythm of the tune that should be melancholy : "They dressed me up in scarlet red, And used me very kindly, But still I thought my heart would break For the girl I left behind me." How they marched, the brave, strong men, the swing of their movement like the tramp, tramp of one gigantic foot. But the spirited music changed to a dolorous wail of bagpipes. The Highlanders passed, bare-legged, with stern set faces, that softened as women cried to them or reached out a hand to touch them. Oh, the soldiers! The great strong soldiers,^ going down, out of the sun, breaking the hearts of their dear ones! And she — she who had been so strong, so sure of good and truth, so keen to right every wrong and wipe away every tear — her life had ended in nothing. " O God!" she cried. " Take me for these at least!" She turned to her husband — the tears rolled down his face. She clung to him : '' Bob ! Bob ! Remember we were to make an end of war. Save these men. Let me die happy." " Yes, yes." " No, no ; swear to me you will make peace before these men reach Novabarba." " Is that in my hands, my poor darling ?" " Yes. Swear to me. In another moment the agony will grow fierce. Then I shall not be able to plead, then close your ears to my shrieks — but now — " " I swear to you, dearest," " Thank you, Bob." She kissed him. He clasped her closer, but she slid to her knees and waited for death. T\p clock ticked away, second after second, and still the 423 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH soldiers went by, each regiment with ita own marchinc music, environed by the same cheers. Presently Margaret tapped at the door, and then she and Kaphael glided in. Their eyes met in a hope more agonizing than their fear. Another minute ticked itself off each tick ike the drop of cold water on the head ol the tortured prisoner. Raphael could endure it no longer. " You feel nothing! You are in no pain !" Allegra uplifted a tear-stained, bewildered face. " I— 1 — ,]ust before it seemed to burn." ^ '' Seemed ! Ah, thank God !" he cried hoarsely. " It IS your morbid fancy. I hypnotized you by saying it vis poisoned. The arrow was harmless." ^ •" ^ ." But I felt— I am sure—" Her eyes blinked at life as at a sunburst. "No, no! I understand. It is your old hypera;s- thesia. lour nerves always work out suggestions of pain. You feel nothing, I tell you." ^ " ??" ^^^ ^® ^° ^°°^ *° ^^ •" ^^^ whispered. Ah, how good God ir, to me!" said Margaret. Save ±or the stranger's presence she might have burst into tears. ±iut the long habit of lonely endurance and proud reticence bore her unbroken even through this moment of im- measurable relief. Broser wiped the cold perspiration irom his brow. "Come, get up," said Raphael. "Wake from your nightmare. He moved to lay a hand on her shoulder. Broser stepped between them. " Down on your knees, Mr. Dominick, and thank your Maker you have been saved from murder." He helped Allegra to her feet, and she lell sobbing upon his shoulder. " O Mr. Dominick !" said Margaret, " will you ever forgive me?" " Forgive you ?" " T^p.hould have destroyed the arrows." " You have perhaps saved my life by them," he said 424 r AH own marching , and then she n a hope more te ticked itself r on the head endure it no !" d face. " I— loarsely. " It by saying it )linked at life old hyperajs- 3tions of pain. red. rgaret. Save irst into tears, roud reticence 'ment of im- perspiration e from your r shoulder, a your knees, ve been saved feet, and she ^ill you ever THE BRINK OF DEATH quietly. " Good-bye, Lady Allegra. I shall go back to Italy. Try to forgot all my madness of to-day." She raised her head and met his sad eyes, " I shall remember only that you Avished to take death from my veins. I shall always regret I could not give you life." " You have given me life. I have had a real moment. I have choked in the deeps — in real water. I have been inside things, if not through love, through pity and ter- ror." " The pity and terror were for me, and therefore the higher love — the love that asks nothing and gives all." He saw that she was to give all to Broser once again, but the perception only lifted him to higher levels of ten- derness and abnegation. " Good-bye," he said again. " 1 have been inside, and I know that I have known nothing." im," he said T •( CHAPTFR XXTI REACTION "r\EATH - BED repentances should be followed by -■->' deaths. Life tries them too hard. It took but a few days of living to make Allegra repent of her repent- ance : of the fit of exaltation in which she had given her- self oack to Broser in lovin^ reconciliation, in which she had sought to obey Margaici's doctrine of ttj > sacrifice of the morally stronger to the morally weaker. "^ut how if such stooping did not uplift the lower, merely degraded the higher ? Margaret had given herself to Kit— but she ad sacri- ficed only the body. She remained herself in s^ Whereas to livo amicably with Broser, one must flatter . mood->, applaud his self-satisfaction. She loathed her- self for having once again abandoned herself to wifely duty. Eaphac'l Dominick was ri^ht: no soul could pos- sess another. She was no more Broser's chattel than she could be Domini-k's. Broser was intolerable, impossible, fatuoti.sly wrapped in conceit and success. This renewed intimacy with him only demonstrated more clearly how they 1, .; grown apart. ,Slie found him worse than in ] '■ Republican days, for all his finer manners. It Avas t tl "^ he made n< eflPort to end the war, despite liis p-omi contenting himself with [)rcdictions of the speedy destruction of the eneinv, it was not that he swam exult- ant on the tide of victory, it was the man himself. His politics might be as defensible as Raphael argued or Mar- garet belifived, but she would not take even the Millen- nium at his hands. Oh, if love is blind, hate sees, and 426 be followed by It took but a it of her repent- e had given her- m, in which she I ttj ' sacrifice of er, "^ut how if nereij degraded it she .ud sacri- lerself in s^ : must flatter . he loathed her- erself to wifely sonl could pos- chattel than she able, impossible, This renewed ore clearly how worse than in inners. It was var, despite liis ns of the speedy he swam exult- 1 himself. His argued or Mar- vpn the Millen- , hate sees, and REACTION she saw every little vulgarity, every touch of studied im- pressivetiess, every grain of coarseness. Even neutral details hurt her— his very way in dressing of stamping his feet into liis boots. He seemed to be stamping on everv- thing— oil her ideals, on her father, on her girlhood, on her woman's heart. Well, indeed, might he stamp a masterful foot. Al- 1 j-a had come back to him, the Prince had at last invited himself to his iiouse, and its mistress liud hastened to send out universally coveted cards for the great rer-ption that would wind 11]) and crown the season. A galaxy of emi- nent Anglo-Imperials would lend special color to the occa- sion. Another British victory, too— clearly the penulti- mate—was come to shed its forward-reaching lustre over this night of nights. The detachment that had just sailed would probably land in a conquered country, and with a little more luck the annexation of ^vabarba might even coincide with the visit of the Prince to whom he was presenting a province. The night of this newest victory, filled with after-din- ner elation, he proposed to Allegra an impromptu faunt to a great music-hall, urging he needed the relief of some lightness and gayety after all this public strain. They could sit, hidden in the depths of a box. In truth he itched for the roar of the People's approbation— not the Peoi^le of his young ..ays, fhe sad-eyed overladen ox turning at length to gore ihe oppressor, but that lolly music-hall public with which he was as popular as " the great Vance," and contact with which always gave him a benevolent sense of being father of his people. To-night he longed to receive his own self-satisfaction back ngain from that mighty multiplier- from all those thousands of hearts and throats and hands. Allegra hesitated, then decided not to be a kill-ioy Poor Br^er, poor " great blonde beast," as Raidm-I had defined :um, let iiim gambol and relax as he knew how. I couldn't risk hanging about," he laughed carelessly, f i Iff* m ,»l } . r THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH aa she took her place beside him in the brougham. " I've wired for a box." A suripicion that what he could not risk was beliip in- cognito, awoke within her a feeling of absolute pity for his limitations. But the progress of their brougham was slow. Grati- fied pugnacity, mixed more creditably with jubilance over the relief of a long-beleaguered garrison, had sent the town mad. Their house had been serenaded by the mob ere they drove off, and now rollicking foot-passengers, wrapped grotesquely in flags, and sporting portrait-but- tons and rosettes, stole the roadway from the vehicles, shrieked through whistles and tin trumpets, squeaked and banged in fife-and-drum bands. Omnibus roof called to omnibus roof, deep to deep. Pennants fluttered in lieu of whips from the tops of hansoms, and four-wheelers crawled along, decorated with bunting and aglow with Japanese lanterns. Every horse, every dog even, was pranked with patriotic emblems. Little boys staggered along imder standards heavier than themselves. Little girls flaunted it as nurses in mob-caps. Young men organized in great disorderly companies and waving fools' bladders made sudden ugly rushes, by which pickpockets profited. Gangs of professional roughs snatcned off the passers' hats and threw them skyward, filching their watches while their eyes were with their hats. Endless processions of girls and young women tickled the men with peacocks' feathers, or squirted them with dirty water, or pelted them with confetti, or swished them with cat o'-nine-tails of colored paper, and at each provocation tlie men kissed them. From every public-house, gay with flags and the tricolor ribbons of the barmaids, came beery choruses. Nor were the Clubs of the elect less hilarious, elderly cynics vying with prim young dandies at the blazing bow-windows. Even the art-students had thrown off thoir British frigidity, were parading with Parisian paroxysms sif by sida with reputable citizens flinging oft' 428 All uglmm. *' I'vo k. was beiiip in- )solute pity lor a slow. Gniti- i jubilance over , had sent tiie Ifd by the mob foot-passengers, ig portrait-but- n the vehicles, 5, sqiieaked and ( roof called to uttered in lieu 1 four-wheelers nd aglow with dog even, was boys staggered iselves. Little Young men d waving fools' ich pickpockets latcned off the filching their hats. Endless ckled the men ith dirty water, them with cat provocation tlie mse, gay with ds, came beery ; less hilarious, landies at the its had thrown with Parisian ens flinging off REACTION a life-time of villadom. Casual red-jackets were shoulder- ed and deified ; the very Salvation Army, the butt of the streets, was received with sudden respect, because it march- ed in military fashion and banged a sounding drum. And not only had Allegra this sense of a city given over to flags and illuminations and music and cheers and revelry and rowdyism, she knew that joy-bells were pealing and bon- fires flaring and torch-light processions passing through all Britain, nay, that the whole great Empire rang with jubilance, bloomed with bunting, palpitated with festive fires. At first her eyes filled with tears ; the physical con- tagion of all this delirium was irresistible. But soon every nerve quivered under the brutal jar. It was almost a relief to her to think of the quiet dead in jSTovabarba. For this Comus crew the Novabarbese had been expunged, that this civilization might spread over their happy hunt- ing-gTounds. Ah, she understood the French Revolution now. IIow Boon the diked-oif sea of savagery stole back over the hard- won tracts of tenderness. How easily Broser might have led a British Revolution, had he been a little bolder and honester ; how easily the barrel-organ, as Raphael put it, Would have played Republican tunes. Broser should have struck in that moment of his fiery youth when he held" the masses white-hot under his hammer. He might have been President instead of Premier. " I told you a war would shake 'em up," he laughed, ignorant of her train of thought. " I really think Ger- many ought to be content without any concession for its petty ]S"ovabarbese rights," " Why ?" she murmured. " Look at the profit the German factories must have made turning out all these millions of British flags and military toys and portraits of our heroes. I hear that they positively can't keep pace with our nursery demand for toy soldiers. Oh, it has shaken us up," he replied joyously. 429 itr THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " There seems to be somebody badly shaken up," she replied bitterly. " Where ?" ' " There — in that ambulance wheeled by two policemen. Oh, there will be many crushed and trampled upon to- night, I fear. Do see what has happened." " I dare not get out — I might be mobbed." " Then I'll get out." " You're as bad as Joan," he grumbled, as he sprang out, pulling his hat over his face. '* Drive on," he said, jumping in again, " It's only a woman being taken to the workhouse." He resettled him- self comfortably in his cushioned seat, his hand in his wife's, pleasantly conscious of her warmth and beauty. " Only !" she repeated. " But why on a stretcher ?" " She was found senseless from hunger in her garret — nobody knew she was starving." Allegra turned white. " A flag of triumph waved over the ambulance," she said mordantly. " Yes," he replied with satisfaction. " The very cradles and perambulators blossom. There isn't a disloyal heart in Britain." " Except your wife's," she longed to shriek. At one point the carriage must needs come to a stand- still. A great crowd was hooting and throwing stones at a shuttered house. " Why, it's Joan's !" Allegra cried in alarm. " Ah, that's why Fizzy ran off to Xovabarba," Broscr laughed. Allegra drew her hand from his: the memories that scene brought up were too bitter. The music-hall was the street over again. The vast audience packed to suffocation rose to its feet with a roar of welcome as the illustrious couple entered the bower of flags and roses, which in less exciting times was a box. .Allegra saw she had indeed been lured into sharing hi'? pompous publicity. " liule Britannia " and " God Save 430 AH laken up," she two policemen, apled upon to- , as he sprang " It's only a ! resettled him- Ls hand in his md beauty, stretcher ?" n her garret — iph waved over he very cradles disloyal heart ■iel<- ine to a stand- 1 rowing stones irm. barba," Broser memories that lin. The vast 3et with a roar d the bower of les was a box. ito shnrinc: lii'* nd "God' Save REACTION the Queen " rang from thousands of throats, nor could the performance proceed till the mad waving mob had sung For he s a jolly good fellow." Yes, this was what he? husband had done. This was what his Republicanism and Universal Peace had come to. He had engineered an outburst of feudal romanticism unknown since the days of the Tudors. The Army, the ^avy, the Old J^^obility, the Queen, God bless her, God bless them all. The a'ir palpitated with tremulous affection for all he had set out to destroy. Every school-boy longed to be a soldier. Rifle drill invaded the gardens of the ancient universities. Britain had been rebarbarized ; Novabarharized. as The Morning Mirror put it. England was on the highroad to join the military despotisms of the Continent. Verily the wheel had come full circle. On the homeward drive she only said, " I'll not go with you to the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's." And he, misunderstanding, " Oh, but the music is sure to be good !" He was going out to dinners this week, stealing hours from the dying session, tasting his triumph, rolling under his tongue the compliments on every menu. And Allegra was waxing hourly wearier of the 'phantasmal whirl and the fashionable cynicism. This London society— with its cosmopolitan chatter and its cycles of migration, with its habits more rooted in pleasures than in duties— seemed to her, in Raphael Dominick's phrase, to "go everywhere and arrive nowhere." A saving remnant redeemed it, perhaps, but the flamboyant section, alternating private immorality with public showiness, and fluttering fever- ishly round the turf and the Stock Exchange, offered an ironic spectacle of civilization's climax to the N'ovabarbese under civilization's broom. At one dinner a brilliant barrister, her neighbor, explained to her that tho law was more exciting than Monte Carlo. " All such a toss- up. You can never tell if your client is lying to 431 you. 1' I And even when you feel sure the other side is in the right, you can't be sure it '11 strike the judge and jury as it does you. " And the next night Mrs. Whindale, an aged satir- ist of her own sex, famous for her dogmatic utterances in print, confessed to her that she was approaching the grave without the faintest assurance on any of the great questions. " I started life with a full equipment of an- Now I ask mvself in vain : What am I ? Where swers. did I come from? Whither do I go? What is right? What is wrong?" Ana the poor ol^ woman kept back a tear. But why then was she so hard on the new woman- hood, Allegra thought; on the young generation putting forth anxious feelers, in the travail of a new evolution ? Ah, it was time for a new revelation, she felt. The Ser- mon on the Mount had failed to roll the stone up the Mount. The stone had rolled back now with a vengeance. Paganism had thro^vn off the mask, and lolled oner more at flower-crowned tables in festal garments, its vein . full of youth and lust and wine. But for her, Allegra, it was horrible to eat these dainty foods, to sip these spark- ling wines, the soul looking on joyless, self-conscious of futility: one's own skeleton, felt through the evanescent flesh, sat at ever}' feast. She was falling more and more into this habit of aloofness, surveying herself from with- out, like a figure in a play. Perhaps she had caught it from Raphael Dominick. At any rate it served to facili- tate the living with Broser. On their way home from din- ner she again made him stop the carriage. This time it was an old female scarecrow chivied from a street bench by a policeman. " But why mustn't she stay there ?" she asked from the carriage window. " We've got our orders, mum," the policeman said tartly. " But what is the use of the bench, then ?" " We should have it full of slppping tramps." Broser curtailed the discussion by giving the creature 432 Ml is in the right, jury as it does an aged satir- atic utterances )proaching the y of the great lipment of an- mi I ? Where Vhat is right? in kept back a le new woman- sration putting ^ evolution ? felt. TheSer- i stone up the :h a vengeance, lied one:"" more , its vei o , full er, Allegra, it ip these spark- If-conscious of the evanescent nore and more ;elf from witli- had caught it erved to facili- lome from din- This time it a street bench asked from the joliceman said ») r ..ij.... ig the creature REACTION money for a bed. As the carriage rolled on, Allegra kissed him with a sudden impulse. " That's a cheap kiss," he said. " You remember the price you wanted in Orvieto — the Premiership!" She drew back from his attempted repetition: it was an unfortunate reminder. She had not gone to the Engelborne flat on the Tues- day, but Thursday found her yearning to know liow Margaret and Kit fared, and how that ghastly race was going. She found Margaret daintily gowned as usual, and petting a child, but with her outer bulwarks of cheer- fulness evidently abandoned at last. The whole air of the flat was subtly different. Was it that Raphael Dominick had been removed ? Allegra had a new pang. She had virtually robbed poor Margaret of a friend. " I expected to find you in better spirits," she said. " The coming end of the war." " That is what depresses me." " You ! the Imperialist !" "Oh!" Margaret cried, "don't you think I feel it- all this terrible suffering? Now the stress is over, now England's honor is safe, one may think of it all. Oh, the mothers I have tried to console ! And then there is one of Kit's spocial friends, dead of fever, poor thing, in the prime of her youth : Kit showed her the light, and she went out to ISTovabarba as a nurse. Of course Kit mustn't know— she is terribly low to-day." She shudder- ed, and suddenly fell back on her chair, fainting. "Mother Meg! Mother Meg!" screamed the child. Allegra rang the bell in equal alarm. Evidently the death-race was a close one. She chafed the hands, a'dmir- mg, despite her agitation, the beautiful artistic fingers, the rings, the rare old lace at the wrists. But the maid had scarce appeared when Margaret opened her eyes and smiled. " Did I faint again ?" she said. 433 ''^iii (r«iw m THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH " O mj poor Margaret I This is terrible." " It's notiiing. I always come to. And I faint warm, while most people faint cold. That's a blessing. The only real inconvenience is, I dare not hold babies." " If you would only go away to The Manor House. Joan is out in Novabarba, you know: the whole place is at your disposal, she says." " It is so sweet of her. We are so looking forward to it, for if I am spared to go, Kit will share my gladness without any alloy of earthly pain." Allegra sighed hopelessly. Well, the race could not last much longer now. " We have been rejoicing The Manor House didn't fall into the hands of a Robinson," Margaret went on, smiling. "A Brown has Wimpole Hall, and Lord Cowderleigh's house belongs to a Smith." " How you've kept track of the country-side !" " The only time I was there," said ]\Iargaret proiidly, " I was able, standing at cross-roads, to tell an inhabitant the way to a Hall I had never seen. It was my dear father who made old Devon such familiar ground." Allegra felt a pang of envy, had an instant of selfish narrowness. Surely it was better to have had a father who devoted himself to his daughters than one who gave his whole life to his country. She had a novel flasli of sympathy for her semi-neglocted mother. Poor blun- dering parents. Why had they not guided her better at life's cross-roa If. ? Why iiad they let her fall into the hands of Broser ? Her father loved man, yet had proved so ignorant of men. She wondered suddenly what JMargaret would have done, wedded to a Broser. Sacrifice herself, no doubt! Stick to her contract! Pray for her hus])aMd, boping and enduring all things! And Allegra's instinct and reason rose in revolt. The original contract was iniquitous this promise to love, honor, and obey, extorted from a gjrl ig- norant of life, ignorant of her own womanhood. And 434 AH REACTION 5) i I faint warm, blessing. The babies." Manor House. he whole place cing forward to ire my gladness ce could not last ouse didn't fall ■ent on, smiling. I Cowderleigh's ■side !" irgaret proudly, II an inhabitant 5 my dear father d." nstant of selfish /e had a father n one who gave a novel flasli of 3r. Poor blnn- ided her better lier fall into the , yet had proved ret woidd have rself, no doubt! laud, lio]iing and tintit and reason iniquitous; this i from a girl ig- mianhood. And had she not fulfilled enough ? She had been denied chil- dren to bind her to Broser, but his children — his Polly and Molly and Bob — had she not given herself to them without stint or question, so long as she could serve them ? Had she not spent her best of youth and enthusiasm in the service of his career — that career now sure of its climax? 'No, he could not complain of his bargain, though no jot more of love or honor or obedience were paid over to him. On the Friday night — the evening before her own party —she was glad to be free of him, and at a Symphony Con- cert. She needed music, to wash away all this impurity and wretchedness. It was a great house, almost like a Grand Opera audience : only in the highest gallery could she perr-eive frock-coats and covered slioulders. 33ut the mere radiation of wealth and case had long ceased to sting her. Even tlie Huffy jewelled notoriety of the " smart " world, who sat in front of her in a wonderful green silk ermine-trimmed cloak, seemed merely pitiable. As little as Broser did she now dream of equating gallery with stalls. Life was too chaotic and nimble for bureau- cratic organization — Raphael Dominick's conversation had dispelled her last cloud-Utopias — and the real troubles of life were not those of the empty stomach, but of the empty heart. But what still had power to sting her, as she listened to the Parsifal Prelude (the remembered visu- al pictures of Bayrcuth flowing past her with the music), was the barren irsthetic response these people made to what the prophets cried through music or poems. She, too, had wallowed enougli in fine feelings — liaphael had found her out there — but still she had at least felt as real- ities the Love and Faith of which the music spoke. With what seriousness sh'j had once set out herself to seek the Holy Grail: even now was it too late to win the cup of salvation, the kiss of peace? She was not of this World; she must join the fervently loving, .solitary Enights, pass through the dense cypresses and cedars. 4-']5 THE MANTLE OE ELIJAH II The delicate throbbing music grew intenser, acuter, vi- brating with bitter-sweet emotion. " How subtly it expresses Schopenhauer in every bar !" said at the close her cultured Jewish companion, patroness of all the arts. The view astoiiished Allegra. " Do these people enjoy pessimism then V she asked. " Pessimism beautifully expressed is pleasurable," re- plied her philosophic friend. " But what these people enjoy to-night is the massive staccato barbaric bursts. Their nerves are strung up for war." " Oh," said Allegra reproachfully, " and I was forget- ting the war, and congratulating myself that at last I had found a place without a reminder of it." " What about those military bandmasters on the plat- form ?" laughed her friend. " I didn't notice them. What are they doing there ?" " Watching the conductor — to learn how to conduct." 'Oh, then civilians have still some virtue!" said Al- legra bitterly. She had been bored to death by the mili- tary portraits in every newspaper, shop window, and but- ton-hole ; by the perpetual gospel of " strenuousness." As she watched the great conductor, tiptoeing towards his orchestra on his long legs, he suddenly seemed to her like a great black bird, his coat tails spreading like rear feathers. And then she thought, with a tender whimsical smile, Raphael Dominick might have called him a Beyond- Bird, with a detachable throat that trilled celestial har- monies, now like pealing thunder, now like the ripple of a sunlit brook, controlled and infinitely modulated at his will and pleasure. How it obeyed his subtlest sense of time and tune, this complex musical apparatus of his with its manifold pipes and strings. What a highly evolved creature, this conductor: how foolish to annihilate all these wonderful potentialities with a fragment of shell. Yet there were those who scoffed at all men who were not in the tiring-line. Verily, civilization had forgotten 436 J A H user, aciiter, vi- T in every bar !" )anion, patroness esc people enjoy pleasurable," re- lat these people barbaric bursts. tid I was forget- bat at last I had ers on the plat- doing there ?" \v to conduct." irtue!" said Al- ■ath by the mili- dndow, and but- luousness." As ing towards his 3med to her like ading like rear ender whimsical d him a Beyond- ed celestial liar- ke the ripple of nodulated at his lubtlest sense of 'atus of his with highly evolved ^ annihilate all igment of shell, men who were n had forgotten REACTION itself, the watch-dog had been elevated above the master of the house. She studied the orchestra with new interest, admired the splendid symmetry of the movements of the bows, the swift precision of each instrument: shn thought of the striving of each performer after perfection, his long hours of practice, the risings in the cold dawn, the strug- gle to got and keep a place in his little world, the labor for wife and children, all the patient travail of peace. Strenuousness ? What was the soldier's burden ? Forced marches, rain, scant food, the risk of wounds, even death, but often enough a joyous picnic; mere pleasure-seek- ers worke ^ as hard in travelling, hunting, gypsying. War- courage was mainly contagious excitement. In sieges the civilians were always as brave and patient as the sol- diers. What wonder? They had all been under that stern drill-master. Life. Ah, Life ! Music alone expressed it, its nebulousness, its elusiveness. Her relation to Eaphael, to her mother, to Margaret, to her father, to her husband even — how vague and floating. Poor Raphael, God send him happi- ness. Oh, the pity and heart-break of things. On the side-bench, facing her diagonally, was a beautiful girl of sixteen. The high-necked dress, the flowing hair, the cheek of cream and roses, the candid eyes, the glow of in- nocence and idealism — she must have looked like that once. Was that child destined to become as she ? Music, music, one needed music to express the magic mystery of it all. And she no longer wanted to be a poet, only a great wordless creator, flinging out her passion in dia- pasons of sobbing sound. _ The fluffy " smart " person had slipped out of her green silk cloak and taken her white sho aiders to another bench, to chat with a friend. The cloak occupied her place, fol- lowed the lines of her figure, represented her, nay, Allegra suddenly saw, was her— listened as iut^jlligently, fulfilled her smart social round. And the Lady Allegra — what 437 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH t 'f Mil '»' was she liersolf in the social whirl ? Only hor outer dress, her vesture; and even that, cut as fashion dictated. The real self lived only in such moments as these. St. Cyril was right. One saved society by saving one's self. The call was to the individual soul. When she got home she found a letter from Joan :— " Oh, my darling Ally, T dare not tell you what T have seen here ... a nightmare of blood and 'fever, ^llie one blessing is, it can't last much longer. Oh, the i)oor sol- diers! Oh, the poor Xovabarbese! And vet people prate of a God of Mercy. ..." .111 Despite her first sentence Joan slid into more details with every page of her voluminous letter, till Allegra turned physically sick, an- ifraid to provoke ■QV, he couhl take i annexing Nova- I^ovabarba after t. He had been p his sovereignty ith a grave wan ler's," said Mar- \ay them on her ought. Can jou ..ith my darling. She is so fond of you is left to us ; I broke down," reared, her glass- :ov\'ards the room •or for her, paus- ted — only under knoss now. The rgaret's vagrant d of sunlight lay le pretty knick- •uoifix, the white ollows 'under the a face of sorrows faoc of peace, a s before. There THE GOAL " She met death jubilant," said Margaret, " like a woman going to her lover " She closed the door, leaving Allcgra alone with the auditress of her music. FlcAvers were already upon the breast. Allegra took the dead hand, the beautiful waxen dead hand, and pressed the lilies, in it. She could scarcely see the poor dead face for tears. Impossible Kit could have been only nerves and a brain, whose molecules, their vain biological agitation over, had relapsed to chcmic existence. Allegra's soul threw off the gray ashes of modern wisdom, yearned towards the soul that had once shone through that death-mask, tender, heroic, infinitely strong and patient. Surely such a creature could not be as the beasts that perish. Strenuousness ? Alas, she thought again, life offered opportunity enough for strenuousness. One need not seek it at the bayonet's point. By the side of these ghastly nine years of suffering, what were the heroism of a hun- dred V. C.'s? Strenuousness? Eelaxed in civilization's Ci^pua, must it always be resought through the fighting passion, through mans kinship with the beasts, never through his kinship with the angels? This dead girl was not merely herself; she was a large pitiful symbol of the faith and martyrdom of the ages, dreaming of a divine significance in things, and a divine purpose in the process of the suns. Was it all to lead up to the blatant triumph of a Broser, callous to all the spirit- ual subtleties which the centuries had agonized to evolve ? Had civilization come thus far only to perish l)y the Goths it bred in its own bosom ? The century that had seen poets and philosophers hail the coming Kingdom of God, was ending in darkness: France forswearing Justice, America Equality, England Freedom. Back in the music-room, Allegra arranged to come to the funeral, and to bear off ]\rargaret to Devonshire. " I only hope you won't be lonely," she said. ** Of course there's the housekeeper and her cat." 443 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH "I am never alone," said Margaret. " Thank you for both ol us The only thiTig on earth Ave have now to wish lor^is another volume of poems from Mr. Dominick " "^^ I thirk he will write it," said Allegra softly. ,~\ *'V"^. ^'"^ '''^"' '^^'^ prospect of it will be one of Kit s chief earth-interests, and the day I get the new book I shall hear her earth-laughter." !! Earth-laughter ! What a quaint phrase !" AVi^y quainter than heavenly laughter? Tha man wlio loves a woman dearly speaks of her laughter as heavenly, as divine, does he not? I suppose he foels in her an accentuation of the Christ's smile, all holy and pure and joyous. So I have often seemed to hear earth-kuffh- ter from my dead father, when, amid all the novel calls, trials, and pleasures of the after-life, a wave of haT> piness has reached him from the old earth he knew and loved. Descending the staircase, Allegra saw through mistv eyes a ^venerable white-bearded figure in a glossy hiah hat ana a broadcloth frock-coat, with a ro- ''> his button- hole, and in his white-gloved hand a litti .ite box tied with pink ribbon. To her surprise the glossy hat came off in the gloved hand, and the venerable beard bobbed in a courtly inclination. " Good-afternoon, Lady Allegra." There was a vinous reek in his breath. " Good-afternoon, Professor Pont," she said, startled. ■Uon't go up to-day." His face clouded. " Is it over «" " Yes." "■ Whicli ?" " ^]>' yo" saw it was a race. But Miss Engelborne herself has been spared, thank Heaven." " Ail she has great will-power. There is no death if we so choose. It was a great score for Christian Science. 1 am only sorry the sister gave in. My wife will be sorrv, too. I say ray wife with intention, for I was married 444 ' I ' :.iJAH " Thank you for 3 have now to wish r. Dominick." ^•ra softly. ^ect of it will bo the day I get the irase !" ?hter? Tho man her laughter as ippose he feels in all holy and pure hear earth-kugh- 11 the novel calls, a wave of hap- irth he knew and w through misty in a glossy high c *". his button - '■ site box tied lossy hat came off card bobbed in a lere was a vinous le said, startled. Miss Engelborne e is no death if hristian Science. ife will be sorry, I was married THE GOAL yesterday and I was bringing :Miss Engelborne a piece of the Cornucopia — of the wedding-cake." " I congratulate you," she murmured. So that was the secret of his fine clothes. He had found some fond moneyed female. " My wife "—he gloatea on the phrase—" will be so pleased to hear I met you. You are the first person she asked afto-, when she returned from her American lect- ure-tour," " What ! Is it the same Mrs. Pont ?" " My dear Lady Allegra, what do you take me for ? \ ou see, one does not need the fetters of matrimony to be faithful for a lifetime. Howeve-, us Christian Scientists we thought it best— she has converted me, I confess; though I dc not propose to join her on the platform, or obscure in any way her phenomenal success— moral and financial. And, iruly, her system is not incompatible with my World-Philosophy." Poor foolish Profcssonn! To bind herself irrevocably to this man after a lifetime of proved worthlessness. Oh, the unceasing self-abandonment of women: the strange unpredictable movement of life. Here was she growing more and more to feel the impossibility of marriage : and here was a woman who had safely dispensed with it, tying herself like a schoolgirl ! " It would be inappropriate to give Miss Engelborne the wedding-cake now, nicht wahr? May I present vou with it ?" ^ f J "Me!" Wedding-cake at such a moment! "No, thank you." "You must not be so stand-offish! I accepted some of your wedding-cake." " Did you ?" she murmured, anxious to be gone. " Did I ? Why, but for me there would have been no wedding, ilis alcoholized imagination believed it for a moment, and prompted him to add, with a malicious re- membrance of the scene on Westminster Bridge • " It was 44.5 !? I ! ^!$ ^j«r' THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH o/dde*"^'^ ^ob no<^ to miss the chance of marrying a lady She flushed crimson, then went back to white. She hated the speaker, and hated what he said, but it accorded only too well with what her detestation for Broser had been whispering of late. She bowed. " Good-afternoon." He put out his hand. She made a dab at it as the quick- est way of getting rid of him. But liis great white glove closed on her little gray glove. " Yes," he said, " it's very strange I was in at the first Mrs. Broser's death, and the second Mrs. Broser's marriage. And he hasn't oven ask- ed me to meet the Prince. If Bob hadn't made poor Su- sannah stand on her feet for hours receiving his guests shemight have been in your place to-night." ' Her memory went back to that gruesome reception saw a girlul, enthusiast talking to the Fonts, heard the cry of cou.cTnation as the hostess fell adown the staircase. But he didn't know she was ill," she said, defending him. ^ " Didn't he ? Why, there were frightful scenes be- tween them, the maid told me. Poor Susannah almost went clown on her knees — she was in agony." " I cannot listen to gossip." "Gossip! Why, Avasn't I in attendance on her^ iJidn t she say with her oAvn lips — " "I really must go," and Allegra hurried towards the carriage door the groom was holding open. But her heart wished to believe, beat " Soros! Soros '" .UAH f marrying a lady k to white. She id, but it accorded )r Broser had been od-afternoon." ' at it as the quick- great white glove lie said, " it's very Gr's death, and the 3 hasn't even ask- I't made poor Su- 3iving his guests, It." lesome reception, Ponts, heard the own the staircase. ! said, defending chtful scenes be- Susannah almost ly." idance on her ? ried towards the 1. Soros/ Soros!" CHAPTER XXIV THE DUEL OF THE SEXES pEOPLE were loitering about the great beflagged and -i- festooned corner house, watching the comings and goings. It was known the preparations were for Royalty, and the very brick-work was invested with glamour. The crowd was growing thicker with the waning afternoon: by nightfall the street would be impassable save for the carriages of the elect. In the great hall, which the workmen had just convert- ed into a fairyland of flowers and palms, she met her husband, complacently supervising. His brutally healthy face jarred on her memory of that other face — ivory against the white pillow. The festal preparations, the riot of roses on the staircase — the reek of the triumph of life and selfishness — made her gorge rise. To stand at the head of those ornate stairs, presiding over his apotheosis, while Kit lay dead, while her own father sat heart-broken, while Raphael Dominick wan- dered sad and lonely, while Novabarba was red with blood — no, she suddenly knew it was impossible. " I am going to my room," she said. "Nothing must be wrong to-night," he said, half au- thoritatively, half humorously. " Nothing shall — except me." " How do you mean ?" He was alarmed. She was mounting the stairs. " I fear I cannot face your guests." For a moment his dazed brain scarcely grasped the full implication of her words. Then he pursued her up that 447 THE MANTLE OE ELIJAH floral staircase which his imagination had so oft pictured them descending in state to receive the royal guest. *' What is the matter — are you ill ?" " Not physically.'^ "Oh, you frightened me. But you oughtn't to have the blues to-day, all sun and happiness, the best day of my life. Drink a glass of champagne." " No, thank you. I really must ask you to g(n on with- out me to-night." " Allegra, what do you mean ?" His voice had a touch 01 terror. *^' Do you forget I come from a death-bed ?" " That girl ! But she isn't a relative, or a public per- sonage. ' "She was a heroine. I'd rather see national mourning lor her than national rejoicing over the deadNovabarbcse " Do you begin that again ? I thought you had learned to understand." "I don't want to argue." She mounted the second flight He ran after her, passing a staring footman. ^^ But have you forgotten that the Pr— " " I have forgotten nothing." " You are doing this to spite me— to spoil my best She entered her bedroom. He followed ere she could turn the key Barda was laying out the latest Parisian creation. The sight of it made her shudder. In this shimmering robe she was to adorn his triumph, like some beribboned beast in a conqueror's procession. ^'1 1 shall not need it, Barda," she said. "Go away," he growled to the open-eyed girl. He argued, pleaded, stormed. Then he took Allegra by the shoulders. " You shall receive my guests." "Beat me black and blue, and with these bare shoulders I will receive your guests." He let her stagger back. " I could kill you," he mut- tered. 448 LI J AH lad so oft pictured royal guest. I oujrlitu't to have is, the best day of you to g(>t on with- 1 voice had a touch bed ?" 3, or a public per- lational mourning ead iS^ovabarbese." it you had learned unted the second ing footman. to spoil my best t^ed ere she could 16 latest Parisian liudder. In this iuniph, like some 3ion. i-eyed girl. He k: Allegra by the Its." se bare shoulders dl you," he mut- THE DUEL OF THE SEXES " As you killed your first wife ?" He staggered in his turn. For a moment he actually saw the earlier scene. It was a very simple hallucination, ilie dress was on the bed. Susannah had only to stand for the moment in Allegra's place. "I see— somebody has poisoned your mind. I didn't realize she was seriously ill." " Then realize now I am serious. I am going to lie down. Please leave me." " On condition you get up later." " You have my ultimatum." "Oho! then it is war. You have mine. You shall be nowhere in this house but at the head of my stairs." " Then I shall bo nowhere in your house. I shall go " Iho moment the words left her lips she saw that this was the one true course. Here was the solution for which her brain had been groping for days. Kow it had shot up the answer. Her first semi-separation in the in- terests of hypocrisy had been as absurd as Raphael had prockimed it. Ah, he had not had to grope for the true solution : he had found it at the first hearing. Bnt all these years she had been learning to know herself- - had moved through a countless series of subtle actions an I re- actions, and now at last— through lessons of love and death and hate— It seemed to her that she had found herself- no society opera-cloak, but an individuality, a woman self-centred, not despairing, ready to go out, to fight, first liand, for her own ideas, for her own ideals. And a great peace fell upon her soul. But upon Broser's fell a violent tempest. " Go where ?" he thundered. "That is my business." Had he been suffering, she felt she cou d have clung to him; had he been cast into a dungeon, she could have played the Fidelio to his Flores- tan. But he possessed everything in the world : he should no longer possess her. " Ail, I see it all," he shouted. " You have been to 449 ':]U THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH that vile Hat — von have 3oen your Domiuick again. You arc going to him." " Von cannot insult nio. Tie has gone hack to Italy." *' And you itch to follow him!" " Vea, at once." She wont towards the bell. '' I shall j)ack my personal belongings." lie j)ulled her back from the bell. " ITavc you lost your senses^ Von, who talk of ideals! How can you leave your lawful husband V '^ Your first wife left you — vou had to endure that." " My first wife died." " The first Allegra you married died: you killed her." " I'll kill the second Allegra, too, rather than have iliis scandal." " You saw Death has no terrors for me. But — a bud- ding Premier hanged by the neck ! The ¥ovabarbese will be avenged, nicht wah', as your old friend used to say." He clenched his fists. " You are a brazen vixen. Tho world wnll spit on you when it learns the truth." " Indeed ! Let us hope for your sake it never will learn the truth." " For 7ny sake ? What have I to be ashamed of ? That my wife ran away with a Jew !" " You know that is a falsehood." " Any other reason would be too ridiculous. Will you tell people it's politics — they'll laugh at you. Do you think anybody who knows the world will believe that you eloped with an idea — that you left your husband because you wore sentimental over savages?" " That is not .my reason." " What other ?" " That I am no longer sentimental over a savage." " If I am a savage I will act up to it." His eyes pro- truded, but it was the glare of potency, not impotency. They were grotesque, but too menacing to bo comical. She flinched before them. " You shall receive my guests to-night, or — " 450 .IJAII nick again. You back to Italy." :1s the bell. "I lavo yon lost your ow can you leave endure that." you killed her." rather than have me. But — a bud- ' ^ovabarbese will lid used to say." razen vixen. Tho 3 truth." ake it never will ihamedof? That 3ulous. Will you at you. Do you 11 believe that you [• husband because er a savage." ;." His eyes pro- y, not impotency. ig to be comical, receive my guests THE DUEL OF THE SEXES She sprang to tho bell. " I'll ring for TJanhi." Ho laughed; his fury passed. " ^riuit throat is played out, you little idiot. In the face of the scandal you threaten, nothing else counts. Servants' gos.sip? What is tiiac to Society's gossip ( You sliall not leave miv house, if I have to lock you in your room for the rest of your life. Mind you are dressed in good time." And he wont out, smiling sardonically. To-morrow he would be gentler; they would kiss and 'make it up. To- night he had no option but war. Allegra saw she had blundorod. She should have Hod and explained afterwards. Ilor heart boat si)asmo(lioallv, her cheek was white. She had the strength to go, but not the strength to endure these vulgar squabbles, these physi- cal encounters of hate, as loathsome as of love. Well, let her endue herself in her gown, let her surrender t<:> his will for the last time. To-night he was on the watch, was capable of stopping her by violence. Fighting Bob might achieve a supplementary domestic reputation. It would be easy enough to slip away to-morrow or the next day: his threat of medispval incarceration was ridiculous. Besides, she had not really planned where to go. She must take care, too, that he did not smirch her future and cripple her powers for rood. Her departure must be chap- eroned by the most (iu-mpeachable matron of her circle. She must leave in a blaze of publicity, and live for a time under protective Avings. Yes, on second thoughts, it was just as well he had delayed her flight. She rang for Barda and went to bed — to think. First, there was her family. Her mother was too old and too hysterical. There would be too many scenes, too many explanations. The poor decrepit Eail would suffer by them. Joan was in :NVv'abarba. Connie she had never really knowni. Mabel was too comfortably do- mesticated to be sympathetic. Polly and Molly would side with their father in an emergency. She ran over the list of her female friends— she was surprised to find how 451 THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH superficial wore lior rclatioiis witli tlic womoii alio kirfrfccl, iMargarct was the only one slic could ciidiirc to live witli, juhI Mar<:;arct was just now with iicr dead. l>iit then lliat Devonshire project — could they not take up their ahodo at The Manor Jlouso^ No, not at the start of her new career, ^farijaret was single, was r>oheniian. 'I'h(> outer worhl knew nothint,l)ut iiiij>'ht ovon depict )oiiiinick intrigno. > homo to hor par- tor sho couhl, pcr- id hero ^vas a now . indeed, Marji;aret's Oman wlio had left •ievo bitterly over .Joan must bo her tlie little Joan she hnmoronsly things )ua;h its tears. In •oser's house ? To 10 to play into her lis Orvieto story. IS as the chamber- nmion hor mother was scarcely feasi- The iniion of souls '0 been their m ar- il is soul had been ;. Why, the very e to her primitive 10, like a Hash of lat qneer old figure elt her kiss on her )ser from the first. id to some at least TiiK i)i:i.:l of the sexes of lier aunt's opinions. " Wait lill you are older," rang mockingly in her brain. Surely tJie Huehess was the; ideal protectress; prepared by Provideuee itself for this stage of the tragi-comedy. Her sharp tongue, her austere morality, her refusal to receive persons even with the Lord ('lunnberlain's certificate — all these known eccen- tricities of the dear old Tory gentlewoman would now be turned to the refugee's advantage. The Duchess had of course, had a card " to meet the Prince." If she should conm, Allegra might perhaps find a moment in which to plot her Ilegira. But of her coming there seemed scant chance. Well, she must be whipped up. Allegra found iierself yearning for this comfortress in her loneliness, a loneliness that wouM be accentuated amid the brilliant throng of her guests. At any rate slu^ would write to the Duchess while resentment was hot in her breast. To-mor- row she might weaken again, vacillate, hypnotized by this brutal Broser, by the world's oi)inions, by ]\rargaret's. The Duchess would serve to keep the lire afight, oiice she knew it was burning: would pour oil on the flames. She had writing materials brought to her, and she scribbled : " DiCAU AuxT, — Don't be upset but T have resolved to leave my husband as soon as possible. You M-ere right about him from the first. He threatens he will imprison me here by force sooner than let me go, but that of course is all nonsense. Anyhow, I want you to come some day and take me away, so as to throw your a>gis over me, as he is capable of any malice. I know you hate coming to- night, or we might have had a talk as "to ways and means. But to-morrow will do. IMy love to the Duke, and I am enjoying Fire French CaOiedrah." She had really liked the pictures. _ Barda undertook to post this secretly. It would be in time for the last delivery; she would put on express stamps to make sure. 453 I- t 1 CHA.PTER XXV FAREWELL FOR over an hour and a half Lady Allegra had stood at her post; looking down on the banks of white roses that hid the balustrade and the columns of crimson roses that concealed the pillars. The celebrated rooms buzzed with celebrities, and their womankind or their mankind, shone with historic jewels and pageant costumes. The eminent Anglo - Imperials felt themselves bourgeoning in this gorgeous hot-house of the elder civilization; they drank in the stitling, heavy-scented air as though it were and)rosial. The cachet of Fashion and Aristocracy had been given to the colonics in their person ; tliey themselves woidd plant similar oases of feudalism in the deserts of de- mocracy. Uniforms, court dresses, coronets, rich-gleam- ing orders, emblazoned carriages — these ought to be native elements of decent society, not the mere exotic pomp of im- ported governors. Even the barbaric splendor of the In- dian princes — their begemmed turbans, the armlets and bracelets glittering on their bare dusky flesh — stirred a subtle regret for that wonderful, regal old world, sul> merged by slapdash modern societies, whooping for equal- ity. And Broser, agent under Providence of this transfornia- tion of ideals, exuded an inmiense content from his min- isterial person. Tlie tighter grew the crush, the more his \yy^^•^,,t expanded. Uow lovely and stately his wife looked, more magnificent in her simple gown than some of those ladies whose dresses were scarcely visible through their 454 FAREWELL Allegra had stood anks of white roses 18 of crimson roses ated rooms buzzed or their mankind, nt costumes. Tlie iclves bourgeoning • civilization; they as though it were id Aristocracy had >n ; tliey themselves in the deserts of de- )ronets, rich-gleam- 3 ought to be native exotic pomp of im- splendor of the In- s, the armlets and ky flesh — stirred a ;al old world, sul>- vhooping for equal- of this transforma- tent from his min- crush, the more his ely his wife looked, than some of those sible through their jewels. Surely the first woman in London for brains, breeding, and beauty, spite all her private whimsies, doubt- less inherited from her mother. No need to instruct her how to talk to the lions, how to receive Royalty. She was the fit appendage of his greatness — he really would con- ciliate her a little on the morrow. Yes, he would yield her some little point of social legislation. What a pity that diamonds could not propitiate her! From the streets there was borne to his ears the dull roar of cheer after cheer — herald of the mightier ou^^' ^rst to come — as some popular politician or soldier step^.,d out upon the street-carpet from the interminable procession of carriages. When- ever there was a lull some patriotic strain would burst forth. Yes, Britain was as proud of Broser as Broser of Britain. Allegra, with that ever-increasing detachment of hers, felt herself outside of it all — her astral self surveyed that strange bejewelled and beflowered Lady Allegra Broser smiling and handshaking and receiving congratulations upon her husband's brilliantly successful policy. That was but the shell of herself, the opera-cloak keeping the lines of her figure. All at once her Self leapt back into her body. She was shaking hands with tlie Duchess of Dalesbury, and her " How good of you to come !" was no longer the stereotyped formula but a cry from the depths. " Yes — I have come for you," said the Duchess with a diabolical smile, and she dragged at Allegra's hand as if to pull her forward and down the stairs. Broser had darted sideways and extended his hand. "Ah, Duchess!" he said sarcastically, "delighted to see you at last under my humble roof." The Duchess ignored his hand, but put her ear-trumpet interrogatively to her left ear, while her right hand con- tinued to tug at Allegra. ^ " Delighted to see you," Broser was forced to repeat, his sarcosm rendered abortive. " It is the first time and the last," she replied in her 455 m -^ -ri; ft 1 -* THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH harshest tone. '^Good-night. The police won't let my carriage wait." She was blocking the ascent of the new arrivals now, preventing them saluting their hostess, so that the cha,-^er on the great staircase grew louder. Broser scowled, trying to smile. " You are not going so soon, Duchess," he said. " Yes — Alligator is coming away under my protection." " Poor old thing," he said to Allegra in a loud whis- per, in case the bystanders and the ascending guests should hear anything over the buzz of conversation and the music of the band. The Duchess put out her trumpet. " What have you to say against it, sir ?" He was disconcerted. " Come into the room and I will tell you," he said into the trumpet. *' Thank you, no. Come, Alligator!" Damn that Strauss waltz — why did they play it so low, you could hardly hear it ! Why didn't they crash it out in drowning thunders? His Parliamentary resourceful- ness rose to the crisis. He bent forward to" bawl into the trumpet : " I hope your sunstroke — V The Duchess whisked the trumpet away, and dragged the hostess a step forwards. Allegra had returned to her astral aloofness: she was fascinated by the dramatic duel between the master of the show and the beloved old face under the towering tiara. Broser put his hand detainingly upon his wife's arm. He was flushed and perspiring. " Get rid of her, please," he breathed, " don't let us have a scene." A scene! Allegra thought the scene was there, and odd enough to amuse the most fastidious playgoer. The few instants of its duration seemed to her the length of an Act, and she wondered the excitement of it had not vi- brated through all the rooms, that behind her and around her people were still humming pleasantly, and that the Strauss waltz was still gliding on in spiral sweetness 456 [ J A II ice won't let my iscent of the new their hostess, so iv louder. Broser he said. r my protection." in a loud whis- ing guests should on and the music ' What have you ! room and I will iy play it so low, they crash it out tary resourceful- to bawl into the ay, and dragged i returned to her le dramatic duel beloved old face his wife's arm. i of her, please," was there, and playgoer. The er the length of of it had not vi- her and around ly, and that the spiral sweetness FAREWELL through everything. Then she heard herself replying firm- ly : " Tiiere must bo no scene, Aunt Emma. I \vill come with you— but later." And as the reply with its im- mense implications penetrated her own brain, she awoke again. ''We can't always avoid scenes," said the Duchess. She was prepared to enjoy herself inimenselv— touch the crowning moment of a lifetime of public scolding, the town-cner climax of a candid career. But Allegra looked at her domimitingly and shook her head, and imperceptibly pulling at her hand in turn drew her towards the room. " Wait!" she said authoritatively. *' Till the Prince has gone." The reminder contributed to calm the Duchess. As Allegra turned her head again to greet the next guest, her eye, stili full of its dominating fire, met Broser's and he knew that he was beaten. He had been outwitted. Allegra, standing there for hours so innocently, had planned this unprecedented hu- miliation, this craftily feminine and cowardly circum- vention. He could have throttled her, the criininal con- • spiratress, hurled her down the stairs. And that absurd old^ confederate of hers— he could have battered in her ridiculous tiara with her own ear-trumpet. He remember- ed the episode of the hall-door, her touching her bonnet to her own footman. Who knew what she might say or do ? She was capable of any mad folly. Heaven grant this night at least passed without the breaking of the now inevitable storm of scandal. He was in a fury of appre- hension and impotency, tortured by his deepest instincts of domestic propriety and public dignity. The flow of late arrivals continued; running thinner. Allegra's daze had been replaced by a clear consciousness that she was winding up her relations with Broser. In a few hours the long hypocrisy would he over. jSTevermore the need to keep the bombsliclls " in her brain." " But surely," Broser protested in a fierce undertone, you don't mean to go." 457 1 ,''l THE MANTLE OE ELIJAH " With the last of your guests. How do you do, Sir Percival ?" His monstrous will was conclusively bafBed for the first time, and that not by a European coalition, but inglorious- ly by two specimens of the sex he had never taken into his serious calculations. To aggravate the irony, Fate had bided its time till the scowls and protrusive eye- balls, which were wont to relieve his tension under opposition, must be replaced by smiles. Allegra. on the other hand, was grateful that in this last quarrel of all she was spared all physical expression, and the intoler- able strain of verbal argument. Again and again, as they waited, in this palpitant atmosphere of music and light and flowers and buzzing voices, amid the many-colored brilliance of the ever-shifting crowd, in a fever that made hours of the few minutes, he edged in a passage of en- treaty, of command, of threat. But Allegra would not answer, went on with her smiling greetings. He had rid- den rough- 3hod over every rival will: he must endure this one exception. Only once — to his husky whisper: •' How do you expect me to explain things ?" did she vouch- safe a reply. '* You have explained away so much. Explain me away." And she reassured herself that her consciousness of coming freedom was no illusion, by glancing at that quaint old figure of the Duchess, who, she was aware, remained posted close behind her, with an air of waiting implacability, which seemed to invest her with the dignity of a figure of Fate. The thrill from the frenzied street passed across the hall, mounting the rose-heaped stairs, penetrating the packed rooms. Private herald of the advent, the equerry whispered his little list of those whom the Prince would delight to honor in the sanctum of reception below. The band stopped the Strauss waltz in the middle of a 458 ,IJAH w do you do, Sir baffled for the first on, but inglorious- never taken into 3 the irony, Fate d protrusive eye- is tension under iles. Allegra, on lis last quarrel of n, and the intoler- and again, as they F music and light the ni any-colored a fever that made a passage of en- illegra would not He had rid- he must endure 3 husky whisper: s ?" did she vouch- ch. Explain me consciousness of glancing at that , she was aware, an air of waiting r with the dignity passed across tlu; penetrating the Ivent, the equerry the Prince would ion below, n the middle of a ngs FAREWELL bar, and broke into the familiar anthem, doubly familiar in the feverish var-time : " Among our ancient mountains, And from our lovely vales, let the pray'r re-echo ". . . Broser was tottering ceremoniously down the stairs. THE END f I ^■r^ '^^ ■m ^■r '^^' i 1 ■■^f Pi^'' \ ■^■■1 A ©ur Bew fiction. THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH. By Israel Zangwill. 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PaiKir, 50c. time'."- ASf ^°'''°'"^"* ""^«' "y Baronite has road for a long "The book is a brilliant achievement. "-Can«r«a„ Magazim DROSS. By Henry Seton Mehkiman, author of "The Sowers," Koden .s Corners," etc. Crown 8vo., Cloth, $1.25. Paper, 75c. "Among the popular writers of fiction to-day, Merriman now thrrH%*>.'"f™°'*P'^°'- * * * Excitement 'is cSued to the end, the story moving with all the swiftness that marks 'ThS Sowers • It is a story that will surely improve MerrSs high 'aXp!^e'^" * ''"*^'' """^ ^'" ^''^ numberless readers!"-??!;? RAQQED LADY. ?y ^'!;.Su''^ HowKLLs. Author of "A Chance Ac- quaintance," "Their Wedding Journey," etc. With illustra- tions, by A. I. Keller. Crown 8vo., Cloth, $1.25. Paper, 75c. I'J ^^tf ged Lady ' is a book as frosh, and as truly charminff as any that Mr. Howells has ever v^rittex J- Philaddphi^PrZ^ of tvil^Ji!^* *''r^v?''l"'^'* """.^ yet most vivid and striking stories of the year. The heroine is one of the most oharminir life-like figures that one could wish to know. "-ro.o«" ■'■"^"-Pr^V W. .,. „„,„ ^, c. ,,,.„„,. JOHN KINGS QUESTION CLASS SESAME AND LILIES. unau t w title are familior wherever Enalish i, snolr™ Tl We edition U suitable tor the poc.fcet, and inolXo "c„„ J^^' Si;.:~':5,rr;L^^r,f ^L^'f tt^^^^^ FIX BAYONETS. By G. Manville Fenn. This i.s a sto.-v nt t^a- what after the .anner of Henty anrB^ltn ;:. "IZZl with the h 11-men, and participates in endless adventures and innumerable dangers. The rehVf nf f »,. * ^ '«ncuresand gems of the Dwats to capture it are ^lidV i *>'« /trata- «ng. Fully illustrated. 0^11$? 00 ^" ""^ ^vord-paint- hurrj!L^gt:ot;tTb^:srs ^^'^^^ °/ ^^^i* -^ '^-'^. specimen ot the Tommv Atkli,. f^'. j *'»^Se is a fine perl, ranked with Mr Uung'"Ston,'S'' "'^ '«' »o' i™Pro- IN THE YEAR OF WATERLOO story than this has been published for a long time " Air Caine possesses the gift of condensing historvrnnd tl P ; ^;:::::;ni;;^;;;:-^^--^^^ I'l 1 fl ycir Fir/ion /roi» llf Pre... o/ \V. ./. au^ lli c^ls this book "another of this authoress' bright Jthy, pleasant stories that do young girls S-d to read and th^ L/*.mn/ World pronounces it ' «"«/Vlotli $1 00 Mrs. Marshall's productions." Fully illustrated Cloth, $1.00. u This is a good story for girls, told in Mrs Marshall's well- kuown, captivating manner."-/Veema.',s Journal. THE ODDS AND THE EVENS. Bv Mrs L. T. Meadk. Mrs. Meade wrote her first book at the early age of 17, and ever --e her pen ^^^^^^^ The titles of "Daddy's Boy," "A World of Girls, ^^dd Kiffv » "The Girls of St. Wode's," show the mterest she has ? ^Nn Pi nd Ufe The present volume tells the story of a the many interesting characters, the hea thy to"e of the .vtm} , -Vml hinnv endincr, must make a very desirable book, ihese .ion of ,..,e ro.l world. Fully ,ltot™tod ^^^^^ " The story is full of fun and adventure. mri...i ,i '* It is the very model of a domestic nariauvo. 1; Go. Limited. •y of a pretty Irish lescription of Irish herself a native of ? from this author's moral tone. Mrs. her most sparkUng squalor of the Irish witty Irishman who Fully illustrated. 11 Icnown that Mrs. her mother. Many lave heen translated The BirmhKjhcnn s authoress' bright, girls good to read," 'one of the best of rated. Cloth, $1.00. Mrs. Marshall's well- urnal. ■NS. wrote her first book pen has been busy. Id of Girls," "Wild ' the interest she has tells the story of a families, and cannot v'pes of young people, hy tone of the story, >sirable book. These r own that is a reflec- I. Cloth, $1.00. P " f]{t-)nriiriham Daily vo,i\\Q.''— London Globe,