CHAPTER XIV.
JAQUELINE.
"I thought I should never see you again."
It was almost dusk of the short day, as it had been cloudy and wasthreatening a storm. Roger had overtaken Jaqueline on her homeward way.
"How many days has it been?" turning a smiling face to him. "I havesold all my tickets, and I had meant to keep two for you. Come home tosupper with me. Of course you know what has happened! Patty acts as ifno girl ever had a lover before. It is amusing."
Her light tone angered him.
"Walk a little ways with me. I have something to say to you."
He drew her hand through his arm and strode on. She braced herself fora storm.
"What--down to the marsh? The frost is coming out of the ground, and weshall be swamped."
That was true enough. He turned suddenly.
"Let us go home. It looks like rain. I believe I felt a drop on myface," she began.
"Not until I have said my say," in a resolute tone of voice."Jaqueline, I cannot have this manner of going on. It is very unjustto me, and you will not be the more respected by parading LieutenantRalston's devotion to you when you have an acknowledged lover."
"His devotion to me? Why, everybody knows--at least, we all know----"
"That figment is only a cover for flirting."
"But--he is your friend." Her tone was quite resentful, and her temperwas rising.
"_Was!_" with emphasis. "But this shall no longer be a cover for you.You choose between us. If you like him so much better----"
"Roger, he has never uttered a word of love to me." She stopped shortin indignation.
"Oh, no! He has some lingering remnant of honor. But you will see howsoon he will ask you to marry him when I have given you up."
Given her up! There was a white line about her mouth, and her eyesseemed to hold the depth of midnight.
He had not meant to utter the words, though they had been in his mindfor days. At the first inception of such a suspicion he had said hewould never give her her liberty and see her married to another man,and then as he had seen her dispensing her smiles to a group of youngmen and bending her dainty head first to one and then to another, as ifwhat the present speaker was saying was of the utmost moment, a curiousrevulsion of feeling swept over him. Yes, let Ralston take her, withall her love for the admiration of everybody! Perhaps he did not carefor one supreme love.
She was silent from sheer amazement. That any man who was her reallover should talk of such a possibility stung her to the quick.
"Jaqueline, I cannot go on this way," and his voice dropped to a softerkey. "I want all the tenderness of the woman I love, and some of theattention, I must confess. If she cares for me I do not see how she canbe continually occupied with others. You give me just the fragments.You make engagements, you go out without the least thought that Imight have something in view; you have put off our marriage from timeto time, and now you must decide. If you love me well enough to marryme----"
"Out of hand!" She gave a scornful little laugh. "I thought it wasa girl's prerogative to appoint her own wedding-day. I will not behurried and ordered about as if I had no mind of my own. I will be noone's slave! I will not be watched and suspected and lectured, and shutup for fear someone will see me!"
"Jaqueline!"
She was very angry now, and it seemed to her as if she had a curiouslyclear conscience. She had not expected to stay at the Bradfords' untiljust after dinner, but there were still some points to settle, thensomeone proposed the ride. Ralston had not remained to dinner, and hadnot gone out to Mount Pleasant with them, but a servant had been sentin with several invitations for gentlemen. Impromptu parties were ofno infrequent occurrence among young people. Jaqueline did not know ofthe invitations until after the messenger had been sent; and from someoversight no one had mentioned Mr. Carrington.
She could have explained this. But when she glanced at the erectfigure, the steady eyes, the set lip, he looked so masterful. She wasused to her father's easy-going ways, and Ralston's persistence in thematter of Marian had a heroic aspect to her. If Roger was so arbitrarybeforehand, what would he be as a husband! She forgot how many timesshe had persuaded him from the very desire of his heart.
"It is just this, Jaqueline--I am tired of trifling. If you do not careto marry me, say so. I sometimes think you do not, that you care forlovers only, admirers who hover about continually, glad of a crumb froma pretty girl. I am not one of them. You take me and let my attentionssuffice, or you leave me----"
She had an ideal of what a lover should be, and he looked mostunlike it in this determined mood. Why, he was almost as arbitrary asgrandfather!
"Suppose I do not care to be hurried by a fit of anger on your part? Ifyou had asked an explanation like a gentleman----"
"I do not want explanations. You take me or leave me. I have dancedattendance on you long enough to no purpose."
"I certainly shall not take you in this dreadful temper!"
"Very well." He turned slowly. If he really cared for her he would notgo. She stood dignified and haughty. Of course he would come around,for if he truly loved her he could not face the future without her. Butthe door shut between them.
It was very ungenerous for him to be jealous of Ralston, and foolish ofhim not to like her part in the little play. She was not the heroinewho had two lovers adoring her, but a pretty maid who had made herelection and was pestered by someone she did not care for, and thestory turned on her quick wit in extricating her mistress from adilemma. Ralston was the lover to whom her sympathies went, and the oneher mistress secretly favored.
Mrs. Carrington came over that day to take the girls out for a driveand to try to persuade them to come over for a Sunday visit. Shecongratulated Patricia warmly on her prospects.
"Perhaps we shall have a double wedding," with a soft, motherly smile.
"Oh, don't plan for that!" ejaculated the elder girl with a shiver."Grandmamma did, you know, and such misfortunes happened."
"But it would be lovely!" Patricia exclaimed longingly, wondering ather sister's vehemence.
"And you think you cannot come?" Mrs. Carrington said as they droveback to Mrs. Jettson's. "It would be such a great pleasure to us all!"
"We have a Saturday-night engagement at the Hamiltons'," Patriciareplied. "And Sunday there are to be some guests to dinner."
"And the play Monday evening," added Jaqueline in a voice she tried tokeep steady.
"I don't wonder you two girls have delightful times and are full ofengagements," said the elder woman with a smile of admiration. "But myturn will come presently. Good-by, my dears."
Jaqueline felt confident she should meet her lover at the Hamiltons',but she did not. Sunday passed without him.
"Whatever is the matter?" inquired Patty.
"A little lovers' tiff," and Jaqueline gave an airy toss of the head,with a rather disdainful smile.
"You never do mean to quarrel with Roger Carrington!" exclaimed Pattyin surprise.
"It was of his own making."
"Jack, now that I have a lover of my very own, I don't see how you canbe so fond of--of other men. You haven't treated Roger at all well."
"I won't be called that detestable _Jack_! And I am not man-crazy!"
"No, they are crazy about you. I shouldn't think Roger would like it.No lover would stand it."
Jaqueline made no reply.
Monday there was a rehearsal, and Jaqueline remained to tea. Therewas a very enthusiastic audience, and the play was charmingly acted.Of course Roger was there, and chatted with Patricia and the doctor.Jaqueline in her heart acted for him alone. She was so eager andinterested in furthering Margaret Bradford's love for LieutenantRalston that she thought he must see how frankly and freely she couldrelinquish him. But Roger, knowing that Margaret Bradford had a reallover, looked at it from a different point of view.
"Will you give my congratulations to your sister?" he said to Patricia,rising, as the curtain fell for the last time. "
There is some importantbusiness at Mr. Monroe's, and I am to be there at ten."
"Are you not going to stay to the supper?" Patty cried in surprise. "Iknow Jaqueline expects you."
If she had sent ever such a little note to bid him come! But she hadmade no sign.
Then Jaqueline Mason was very angry. She would not believe any manactually in love could so hold aloof. It was an insult! And while herpassion was at white heat the next morning she penned a sharp note ofdismissal. He should not plume himself upon having given her up.
Mr. Mason came to Washington according to agreement, and was very wellsatisfied with his prospective son-in-law.
"But do not go on too fast," he advised. "Matters look squally ahead.And if we should have war----"
"It will hardly invade us, when there are more important cities opento attack. And I cannot really think it. As the capital of the nationwe must plan and build for the future. L'Enfant planned magnificently;it is for us to carry it out. And we younger men, who have not had ourtempers so tried with all the disputes, will continue it with greaterenthusiasm. It must be the grandest place in the whole country."
Mr. Mason smiled thoughtfully.
"I hope it may be. We had a hard fight for it in the beginning. I wantthe wisdom of our choice apparent."
"It will be the city of my adoption, and I shall bend all my energies,and whatever money I can spare, to its advancement. Having won my wifehere, it will always keep a charm for me. I should like to be marriedas soon as is convenient. Patricia will be very happy here, I am sure."
Patricia was a fortunate girl, her father thought. Fathers had theirdaughters' interests at heart in those days, when there was time tolive.
"What is this?" he asked of Jaqueline on the morning of theirdeparture, holding a brief note before her eyes. "You don't mean thatyou have dismissed Mr. Carrington?"
Jaqueline flushed deeply, then turned pale. For a moment it seemed asif her tongue was numb with terror. Had he really accepted her desirewithout a protest? Was it her desire?
"There was--oh, I cannot tell you now! Wait until we get home," shepleaded.
"But he says--it is your wish! Jaqueline, my child, you never couldhave been so foolish as to throw over a man like that!"
"Oh, papa--don't, don't! When you hear all----" and she clasped herarms about his neck.
"I can't imagine him doing an ungentlemanly act. And if you havelearned anything to his detriment--there are malicious tongues, youknow. Yet I cannot bear to think you were to blame."
The girl was silent, and swallowed hard over the lump of condemnationin her throat. For she had thought he would offer her some opportunityto rehabilitate herself. She could not believe she had given suchbitter offense. It seemed to her that she would have forgiven almostanything to Roger. Suppose he had wanted to take part in a play witha girl she had not liked? But, then, he and Ralston had been warmfriends. Roger went to places where she was not acquainted, at thehouses of some of the senators. The Monroes invited him. Yes, he metsome very charming women at dinners. But she knew she held his inmostheart, as far as other women were concerned. And why could he not havethe same trust in her?
Dr. Collaston treated it as a mere lovers' tiff. "They will make upagain," he said to Patricia. "And no doubt we'll be married at the sametime. Carrington is a fine fellow."
For the first day Patricia's affairs occupied everybody, to thefarthest slave cabin. Big and little wanted a peep at Miss Patty'slover. Comparisons were drawn between him and Mr. Carrington, and adoctor was looked upon as something rather uncanny. But he soon madehimself a favorite.
Mrs. Mason was consulted about the wedding.
"What are Jaqueline's plans?" she asked.
"I must get to the bottom of that matter," the father remarked with asigh. "Something has happened between them."
"And we all like Roger so much."
It was a fine day in early spring, with the breath of new growingthings making the air fragrant. Jaqueline was walking with Annis andtelling over the pretty ways and whims of the Jettson baby, and howfond the boys were of their little sister.
"Jaqueline!" called her father.
"No, don't come with me, dear. I'll be back in a few moments."
Annis sat down on a flat stone where a bit of trailing moss droppedfrom a tree, swinging to and fro. She amused herself trying to catchit. And then she heard a voice raised in tones that were not pleasant.
Without exactly meaning to make it harder for her sister, Patricia hadadmitted that Roger had some cause to find fault. Jacky had been verymuch admired, and she had not paid due attention to Roger. There hadbeen something about the play, but she didn't think Jaqueline cared anymore for Ralston than for half a dozen others. From it all Mr. Masongathered that his daughter had not been blameless.
To break an engagement without excellent reasons was considered veryreprehensible. A girl might have lovers by the score; and though shemight lay herself open to the accusation of flirting--this was easilyforgiven. But when one's word had once been passed, it was the sacredhonor of womanhood, and to break it left a stigma not easily overcome.
To Mr. Mason, with his strict sense of justice, this was a severe blow.He had been proud of Jaqueline going back into the Carrington family,and her warm welcome from both ladies. Dr. Collaston had a much largerfortune and was of good family, but the Carringtons had some of theproudest Maryland and Virginian blood in their veins, heroes who hadmade their mark, women both brave and beautiful. And there was no doubtbut that Roger would make some sort of a high record and be called uponto fill an important position.
"You have been a foolish and wicked girl!" he said angrily to hisdaughter. "You have disgraced yourself and us, and broken up a lifelongfriendship just to gratify a silly vanity and a spirit of contumacythat is despicable in a woman! I am sure Roger had some rights in thecase. If he had come to me I should have appointed a wedding-day atonce. And now you will be the laughing-stock of the county."
That was the mortifying point. Patricia would be married before her,with a great flourish of trumpets. She felt almost as if she wouldmake some effort to recall Roger. But that brief note to her father,explaining that he had given her her liberty because she wished it,being quite convinced it was better for them to separate, seemed to cutoff every avenue of promise.
"Father is awful mad at Jaqueline," said Varina to Annis. "He's scoldedher like fun! And she isn't going to marry Roger. The slaves say whenthe eldest lets her sister get married first that she will have to goand dance in the pigpen. Do you suppose she will?"
"No, she won't!" exclaimed Annis indignantly. "And I'm sorry. PoorJaqueline!"
"Oh, you needn't be sorry! Jack can get ever so many lovers. But I'dlike them both to be married. They're always saying, 'Run away, Rene,'or 'Go get this and that,' when they know you can't find it. And Pattyis going to live in a beautiful big house in Washington, ever so muchbigger than Aunt Jane's, and she will give balls and parties and go toMrs. Madison's every day. I mean to coax papa to let me live with her."
That was all very grand. Annis liked Dr. Collaston, too. Patty hadgrown curiously sweet, and everybody was coming to wish her happiness.
Jaqueline was evidently in disgrace. Even grandmother, who came down tospend a few days and hear the plans, read her a severe lecture. Mrs.Mason was sorry, for she felt in her heart that Jaqueline cared morefor Roger than she admitted.
But the sympathy from little Annis was the sweetest. She had a way ofpatting Jaqueline's hand and pressing it to her soft cheek, of glancingup with such tender eyes that it moved the elder's heart inexpressibly.
There was a world of excitement on the old plantation. Madam Floyd hadbeen married there in grand state and dignity, but "Miss Cassy" hadmissed a wedding in her youth, and now that one of the household, bornunder the roof-tree and reared among them all, one of the true "chillenat de big house," was to be wedded with a gay bevy of bridesmaids andan evening of dancing to bridal music, the whole place was astir. Dr.Collaston wo
uld wait no later than June.
"After all," declared Patty, "much of the work can be done afterward.The house will not be finished until August; meanwhile we shall staywherever we can, and spend a month at Bladensburg. So there need be nohurry about anything but gowns." The doctor had ordered some thingsabroad, for, although duties were high and the risks great, vesselscame and went in comparative safety.
Immediately upon the adjournment of Congress Mr. Monroe decided upon avisit to New York, ostensibly on his wife's account, who had been thefamous Miss Kortwright of that city. Political matters were kept in thebackground. It was known that there was an undercurrent at work for DeWitt Clinton as the next occupant of the Presidential chair. Mr. Monroedetermined to visit several of the larger cities, and Roger Carringtonwas glad of the opportunity to go away. Ralston had been sent with acorps of engineers to examine the defenses of several important points.
Jaqueline was relieved, and yet strangely disappointed. Did Ralstonknow that he had been considered a sort of marplot? Yet when Carringtonwent carefully over the ground, he thought if there was any faultbetween them it really was Jaqueline's appropriation of the young man.
Mrs. Carrington had been deeply disappointed; but, mother-like, sheblamed Jaqueline for the trouble. The answer to Patricia's weddinginvitation had been a brief note in which Madam and Ralph joined her incongratulations. The elder lady was now quite an invalid, so it wouldnot be possible for them to leave home.
Jaqueline felt curiously bewildered in those days. At times she decidedthat she really hated Roger for his jealous, overbearing disposition,and was thankful she was not to be his wife. Then a wave of the oldlove and longing would sweep over her. Would a line from her bring himback? But he was quite wrong about Ralston.
So there was a grand wedding, and young and old were invited, withnumerous guests from Washington. Annis and Varina brought up the rearof the bridesmaids, with Charles and a neighboring lad, dressed in thepretty French-court style.
"You are more beautiful than the bride," said Charles gallantly. "Whenyou are married you must be dressed just that way."
It was a summer of gayety, and there were times when everyone allowedJaqueline to forget her naughtiness, and she almost forgot it herself.Louis came home crowned with honors and very proud of his success, andpleased Patricia by his admiration of her husband.
"How tall and pretty Annis is growing!" he said to her mother. "Buttry to keep her a little girl, and let Rene have full swing first andmarry off. Though I shall rather pity her husband, her temper is socapricious. Annis is sweetness itself. She seems to be the peacemakeralways."
"Don't flatter her too extravagantly. I think you all torment Varina somuch that it makes her irritable."
"Varina and Charles bicker constantly. Charles must go to school nextyear and get the nonsense shaken out of him. Varina ought to try ittoo. There is a very excellent girls' school at Williamsburg, anda little of Aunt Catharine's discipline would do her good. We are arather lawless set, and you have been very kind to us."
"I have not found any of you troublesome," and the stepmother smiledupon her tall son. "Charles is anxious to go away now."
"He is a smart, queer chap, and will be a professor of some kind. Atpresent he is simply omnivorous; it makes little difference what, solong as he learns. And I really did not like to study."
"You have given your father a great deal of pleasure by yourperseverance," she said sweetly.
Varina was jealous that both brothers should haunt Annis so continuallyand be so ready to plan pleasures for her. She quite decided now thatAnnis might marry Charles.
"And if no one marries me I shall go and keep house for Louis inWashington," she announced.
There was a houseful of grown people one afternoon, when Annis tookher sewing and went down to the creek to a shady spot the childrenwere very fond of. Louis had made a kind of swinging seat with a wildgrapevine, and it was a favorite haunt of hers, though when she foundVarina in it she never disturbed her or disputed her claim. Charlesoften sat and read to her.
"Do, Rene, go away or find something to do!" exclaimed Jaquelinepresently, when the younger had been especially tormenting. "You areworse than a gadfly!"
"There's no one to amuse me. I don't care for those folks on the porchtalking politics."
"Then go down to the quarters and set the darkies to dancing or orderup Hornet."
"I don't want to ride alone. It was mean in Charles to go off withoutsaying a word."
"Papa sent him over to the Crears' on an errand."
"I wouldn't have spoiled the errand."
"I am going down to listen to the politics, and learn who will be nextPresident."
"Then I'll hunt up Annis."
Jaqueline hoped Annis had gone wandering in the woods. But Varina wentstraight to the retreat. Yes, there was Annis swinging in her shadynook with a very slow movement that did not hinder her from sewingon her strip of gay embroidery. And Charles sat on his horse in hisdelicate, high-bred manner. They all said he resembled the old courtierin the parlor.
The little creek purled over the stones, crooning its way along. Theair was sweet with innumerable fragrances, the sunshine veiled witha soft haze that deepened the shadows all about. Charles enjoyed thebrooding atmosphere and the picture Annis made. His horse had taken afew steps in the creek and quenched his thirst, and now seemed enjoyingthe fine prospect.
Varina made her complaint at once.
"I didn't want you to go with me," he answered. "Papa had nothing to dowith it."
"Oh, you might have made me Jack at a pinch, if Annis could not go."
"I didn't ask Annis. And I didn't want any pinches," laughingly.
Varina roamed up and down, interrupting the talk. Charles had stumbledover his brother's copy of Shakspere, that had opened a new world tohim. Louis laughed a little at his enthusiasm, but Annis never laughed.
"I mean some day to go and see all these places," he was saying. "Youknow, they are real places, and some of the people were real people.Perhaps they all were. Varina, don't you splash the water over Annis."
Varina had picked up a slender dead branch, and was beating up waves inthe little creek. The spray went quite a distance.
"No matter," said Annis. "A little water doesn't hurt. But tell me, didthey really put out Prince Arthur's eyes? How could they be so cruel?"
"I don't see how you can take an interest in such people. You're alwaystalking about wars and all manner of terrible things."
Varina brought her stick down with emphasis. Sam had been steppingsoftly about the edge of the creek, the cool water laving his hoofs. Hehad not minded the sprinkling on his sides, but this gave him a drenchin the face. He threw up his head and turned to walk out. Charles haddropped the bridle rein, but Sam was gentle enough. As he reachedthe edge he stepped on a rolling stone, stumbled, tried to regainhis poise, but both horse and boy went over. Sam righted himself in amoment, but Charles lay quite still.
"Oh, if you have killed him!" cried Annis.
Varina was white with an awful fear, too much alarmed to make a sound.It was Annis who flew to his side. She bathed his face and head withher handkerchief. Sam came and looked on with a human expression in hiseyes. Charles stirred and sighed.
"Oh, he isn't dead!" cried Annis joyfully.
"No, I'm not dead." Charles sat up, wincing a little. "What happened?"
Varina pushed Annis aside and knelt down with her arms around him. "I'mso sorry!" she began. "But that little douse didn't make Sam stumble.What can I do? Shall I run up to the house for anything?"
"Just help me up. No, I haven't any broken bones. Be thankful for that,Rene," and the boy tried every limb. There were twinges in his backand a queer, half-dizzy feeling in his head. "I'll be all right in amoment."
Sam seemed to feel reassured, and went to cropping the sedgy grass.
"There, don't cry, Rene. It wasn't all your fault. Sam trod onsomething that rolled--a stone, I think."
"And I do lov
e you so--ever so much more than you love me! And it givesme a heartache to see you all take in Annis and crowd me out."
Varina began to sob.
"I don't mean to crowd anyone out," declared Annis in a tone thatsounded as if it came over tears. "And you all have a part of my ownmamma."
"Annis is so good and sweet, and ready to give up any point, and youwant always to take things whether or no. Perhaps you'll grow up likeJaqueline or Patty, and Patty's awful sweet to everybody since she'shad a husband. There, don't cry any more; I'm not killed. I'll sit hereand rest a little. And, Rene, if you would only give over tormentingpeople when they tell you to stop!"
Varina was still a good deal alarmed. She could see Charles' white facewithout a bit of color in the lips as he lay on the ground. He was palestill, as he leaned back in the swing.
"And, Rene, you will never, never get a husband unless you do change.You'll be a cross and queer old maid, and not one of us will be willingto have you about. And you can be real nice."
"Oh, don't scold her so!" Annis went and clasped her arms aboutVarina's neck. "She is going to be sweet and good because nothingdreadful did happen. God, you know, kept it from happening. And whenone is very grateful one tries hard to do one's best. Sometimes I thinkyou don't love Rene enough, and it makes her hurt and sore."
Then the children made resolves all around, and Charles walked betweenthe girls up to the house. If the making up could only last!
"Don't say a word about it," he cautioned them. "Father would make afuss." Then he turned and kissed Varina, a caress he seldom offeredher.
"I'm going to try, I really am. But it is so hard not to be loved."
"But we do love you," declared both in a breath.
The trouble was they loved each other as well. And she wanted to beloved best.