CHAPTER XIV
A message came up to Katherine next morning--the morning of ChristmasDay--from Lady Garribardine to say that she could walk across the parkto church with the two elder children and that she was to take them intothe front pew that faced the large carved family one behind the choir atright angles.
And from this well-placed outlook Miss Bush later on observed the houseparty enter by a door in the chancel. They filled the whole long seatand overflowed into the pew where she and the children sat, and ithappened that Gerard Strobridge was next her and knelt to say hisprayers.
Propinquity is a very curious thing, and when all possibility ofconversation is nil, propinquity has sometimes been known to exert avery powerful influence. Gerard Strobridge was conscious with everythrob of his pulse of the nearness of Katherine Bush; there was amagnetic disturbing emanation he felt coming from her, which excited himunaccountably. He kept glancing at her regular profile from time totime. Her very pale skin and large red mouth attracted him immensely.She never once looked at him, and maintained an air of absoluteunconsciousness.
"What is she thinking about, I wonder?" he mused. "I have never seen aface more sphinxlike; she could be good or devilishly bad, she couldlove passionately and hate coldly, she could be cruel as the grave andhard as adamant. She is a woman that a man were wiser not to know toowell for his own safety."
But reflections of this sort never yet made son of Adam avoid theobject of them, so when they came out and Katherine was waiting forinstructions from her employer as to the disposal of the children, Mr.Strobridge came up to her.
"A happy Christmas, Miss Bush," he said. "Are you going to walk backthrough the Park? Here, Teddy, I will come with you."
"We are going in the motor with Grandmamma," both children cried atonce as Katherine returned his greeting, and they ran off to LadyGarribardine. So Katherine started to walk on alone, while the rest ofthe party lingered about the porch and made up their minds as to whetheror no they would drive.
She had gone some way and was on a path by a copse in the Park, when Mr.Strobridge caught her up.
"Why did you race ahead, Miss Bush?" he asked. "Did you not want anycompanion in your solitude?"
"I never thought about it," she returned quite simply.
"I did--I wanted to walk with you, I have been watching you all the timein church. I believe that you were in dreamland again; now will be thevery moment to finish our discussion upon it."
"I don't think we had begun it."
"Well, we will."
"How are we to start?"
"You are going to tell me where yours is--in the heart or in the head?"
"Such a conversation would be altogether unprofitable." There wasmischief lurking in the corner of her eye and trembling in the curves ofher full mouth.
"I must judge of that."
"How so? Do I not count?"
"Enormously--that is why I want to hear of your dreamland."
"It is a place where only I can go."
"How unsociable--but you look disobliging."
"I am."
"Very well, I give up the task of trying to make you tell me about it.By the way, I have not had the chance to thank you for so kindlyfinishing those papers for that confounded charity. My aunt said theywere in perfect order."
"I am glad of that."
He raised his head and looked away in front of them down into a dell andso up again to the house.
"Isn't this a beautiful view? I always think of 'the stately homes ofEngland' when I walk back from church."
Katherine's eyes followed his to the gabled, irregular red brick house,with its wreath of blue smoke going straight up into the winter sky.
"I have never seen one before," she told him. "You can imagine howwonderful this appears to me after the place where I have lived. I hadonly seen Hampton Court, but somehow all the people there and its beinga museum did not make it have the impression of a house that isinhabited."
"This pleases you, does it?"
"Naturally. I love everything about it, the space, and people not beingallowed in. It is Her Ladyship's own--she can shut the gates if shewants to and have it all to herself--that must be good."
"What a strange girl! You would not like to share anything, then? I havealready remarked this deplorably selfish instinct in you, in referenceto your dreamland--and you would keep poor devils out of your park,too, if you could!"
"Generally--yes."
"Well, I want to be the exception to this exclusiveness. If I come upone afternoon to the old schoolroom, for instance, and ask you to talkto me, will you turn me out?"
"It depends what you want me to talk to you about. If it is upon asubject only to please you--yes--if to please me then I may let you stayfor a little."
"What subjects would please you?"
"I would like to hear all about the pictures in the house, forinstance--you see, before I came to Lady Garribardine I had neverconversed with anyone educated in art. So I have only a very little bookknowledge to go upon."
"We will talk about art then; the house is full of interesting things,part of it is so old."
For the rest of the way he did his best to entertain his aunt'sinsignificant secretary, and they both knew that the walk had been verycharming. When they got into the shrubbery, Katherine took the pathwhich led to the small rose-garden courtyard, on which the schoolroomstaircase opened.
"Of course, I had forgotten you have a front door all to yourself."
"Yes--our roads divide here. Good morning, Mr. Strobridge."
"Are you going to shake hands with me?"
"No, it is quite unnecessary."
"_Au revoir_, then. To-night I shall dance with you. I have not dancedfor ten years."
"Then probably you will not do it well. Recollect I come from Bindon'sGreen where we learn the very newest steps. I never have put up with abad partner."
"I can't 'turkey trot,' if that is what you mean."
"Then I am afraid you are too old and too old-fashioned for my taste."And smiling demurely, she walked off to the quaint, wrought-iron gatewhich opened into the rose garden.
Gerard Strobridge laughed as he went on his way. Why was he attracted tothis girl? He was a person of the highest fastidiousness, and had neverhad a _liaison_ with any woman beneath him in class in his life, even inhis Oxford days. It was against his idea of the fitness of things. Toflirt with his aunt's secretary! But the creature was so sensible, andso intelligent it made matters appear in a different light--there surelycould not be much harm in discussing pictures and sculpture with her, ora poet or two! But at this stage he did put some restraint upon himself,and made no further attempts to see her until she came down to pour outthe tea again. He bravely made love to Laeo, and exercised as much skillto keep matters from approaching a climax as he was wont to use inbringing on that happy occurrence. It caused him a cynical amusement.
Katherine had on the dress which rather resembled his wife's, and lookedalmost as distinguished, and a good deal more healthy and attractive.
Her demeanour was so admirable, too; she had none of either thatoverhumble obsequiousness or touchy assertion, which so oftendistinguished these quasi-gentlefolk, he thought. She might have been aLady Clara Vere de Vere in her quiet dignity and utter freedom from allself-consciousness.
It was evident that she was not thinking of herself at all, or wonderingwhether or no she was being noticed or slighted, or properly orimproperly treated. She was just gravely pouring out the tea andattending to people's wants as quietly sure of herself as his aunt wouldhave been. Indeed, it almost seemed to Gerard watching her that shestood out, if he could have selected one from the whole party, as themost perfect specimen of womanhood.
Was it her supreme will--her force of character which had overcome allclass traditions? He remembered what she had said about no ordinaryRadical ever being able to be a foreign minister. How she must havethought out matters! Her brain was that of a woman in a thousand.
T
he Christmas tea grew very merry, and old Colonel Hawthorne, friend ofthe family for countless years, found it his pleasant duty to be genialwith the good-looking secretary. Gerard continued to watch; she answeredthe pleasantries with so much wit, and never the least presumption.
After a while he drifted up to his aunt's own sitting-room for a quarterof an hour before dressing time--Laeo had been cajoled into thinking allwas well between them, and had gone off to make herself especiallybeautiful for dinner.
She had been through one or two disquieting moments. Gerard had appearedall that an eager lover should be, and she felt she must have beenstupid in some way to have given him the impression that she was seriousin her protestation of "not yet." She had no rival--that was plain to beseen. He never spoke to Betty d'Estaire--who was the only other youngwoman of the party. Perhaps it was because of Beatrice! Gerard wassuch a perfect gentleman, perhaps in some corner of a foolishlyoverpunctilious heart he was deterred by--Beatrice! But fortunatelyBeatrice was leaving the day after Boxing Day.
In any case her usual method of rigid circumspection--until the verylast moment--had not been quite successful with this would-be lover; hehad been deceived by it and slightly rebuffed. It was merciful as far asher own emotions were concerned, but she knew men well enough to knowthat unless she herself had damped his ardour, this state of things wasnot altogether natural, and therefore it might imply some lack in herown charm, which was not an agreeable thought. However, she need notfeel really disquieted while his attentions were still so _empresse_.
* * * * *
"Seraphim, I walked back from church with Miss Bush," Gerard said,stretching himself out in a huge chair by his aunt's fire, while helighted a cigarette. "You are quite right, she is a most intelligentyoung woman; how do you account for that something about her which isnot at all of her class?"
"I don't know, it has puzzled me. I was watching her to-day pouring outthe tea; she is the first secretary I have ever had, not excepting poorArnott, who on such occasions did not feel that one or other of theguests was trying to snub her--Katherine Bush is never on thedefensive--it is quite unique in a person of her station."
"I watched her, too, and was struck with the same thing; and to-day shetalked so well. She wanted to hear about the pictures--she is absolutelyfrank and tells one in the naivest manner about what things she isignorant of--but one finds that she must have read considerably."
"She is full of theories about tradition and evolution. I let her tellme them motoring down--she seems to have dissected herself and herfamily in an endeavour to eradicate what she disapproves of in the wayof instincts."
"It is astonishing, isn't it, Seraphim?"
"Very--she made one or two rather dreadful gaffes when she first came,especially during the tableaux week--it was quite interesting to see herface when she realised this. She did not once try to explain themaway--she drew in her lips and I could see she was registering a vownever to make the same mistake again. That kind of nature always winsany game it is playing."
"I wonder what hers is--don't you?"
"The immediate one obviously is to turn herself into a lady--She meansto do in a few years consciously, what nature takes many generations toaccomplish in the ordinary course of events--Her progress is quiteremarkable even in these six weeks."
"What shall you do with her, Seraphim?"
"Keep her as long as she will stay with me, G., and perhaps take hereducation in hand myself when you all leave." And then Lady Garribardinelaughed softly. "Laeo is a huge joke, dear boy--I think the parrot roomssuit her, don't you? Are you pleased with my arrangements for myguests?"
There was something exquisitely whimsical in Her Ladyship's old blackeyes, his met them delightedly. Aunt and nephew understood each other sowell, these two perfect citizens of the world!
"Laeo is charming! And I am sure she is deriving all sorts ofinspirations from the blue macaw's amourettes with the yellow-crestedcockatoo, which she looks at from her downy couch--Seraphim, I am goingto persuade Beatrice to stay on--Beatrice is an excellent creature inspite of her contempt for my powers as a chauffeur! She is quite amusedwith Victor Thistlethwaite. I paved the way by suggesting to her thismorning that she should take the early train on Thursday, and she saidat once, that she rather thought she was not leaving until Saturday withthe rest."
Lady Garribardine chuckled delightedly; the noise was as of creambubbling--if cream can bubble!
"_Tiens!_" was all she said and then went on to speak of other things."Betty d'Estaire is going to catch young Allonby, G. I believe they willsettle it to-night. For one of my blood she has a number of overmodernfaults, and Gwendoline and Arabella will be glad to get her off theirhands."
"She is a promising young person."
"Even blood can't stand against the total want of discipline whichprevails among the present generation, G. When these impossible girls'children have grown up there won't be any ladies left."
"I don't think they will have many children--we are breeding a neuterrace, Seraphim. All the games are making their bones too rigid, and allthe want of discipline is weakening their nerves--very few of the futureones will be able to stand the agonies of child-bearing."
"You are not in a position to criticise, G., with no offspring of yourown!"
"I am not an eldest son; there is no obligation entailed upon me! Dickhas three boys, fortunately, and Alec, two."
"I consider that the poorest excuse."
Mr. Strobridge sighed.
"Perhaps it is--the whole thing is rather played out with us all, isn'tit? Seraphim, when I talked with that balanced, healthy young womanto-day, I felt we want an admixture of new blood in a number of ourfamilies, if only to bring back our enthusiasm. Dick's children are fineenough fellows physically, but there is not half a peck o' wits amongthem--and as you know, Alec's little Yankee chaps are what their mothercalls 'brainy' to a degree, but masses of overstrung nerves as well."
Lady Garribardine leaned forward from among her sofa cushions and lookedat her nephew with a quizzical eye.
"G., if you were free and my heir, I'd marry you off to Katherine Bushjust for the pleasure of the experiment!"
Then the little Sevres clock chimed. "Why, it is striking thequarter--rush off at once, dear boy!--and don't forget to put on yourhunt coat; the scarlet pleases the children."
* * * * *
In another part of the house, Her Ladyship's secretary, quite unawarethat she was under discussion, was joyously dressing in her prettyoak-panelled room, with a delicious sense of excitement. Martha wascoming in to help her presently for this wonderful first occasion in herlife when she should put on a real evening dress, showing pearl whiteneck and arms. Gladys had given her every instruction as to itsfastenings and had supervised the making of it with a zeal which shewould only have bestowed upon an order from the richest customer. Thefrock fitted to perfection, and was astonishingly becoming in its blacksimplicity.
Martha had brought her in some beautiful lilies of the valley, when shecame with her hot water, accompanied by the information that Mr.Strobridge's valet had handed them to her for Miss Bush, from hismaster.
Gerard had been robbing the hothouses evidently. The head gardener was aparticular friend of his. They were just the touch wanted to completethe picture; their snowy whiteness and brilliant forced green gave thenote of freshness which went so well with Katherine's skin--of anastonishing purity--by candle-light as clear as ivory and as pale intone.
She gazed into her looking-glass and felt satisfied with what she saw,and presently she held her shoulders back and her head up, and walkeddown the corridor with the grace of a Comedie Francaise queen! Sogreatly does the consciousness of fine raiment affect the morale ofyoung women!
Lady Beatrice came out of her room in the great gallery and they wentdown together.
"You do look so pretty, Miss Bush," she said. "What a duck of a frock!It looks like an Ermantine."
&n
bsp; "Yes, my sister is a saleswoman there, and she had it made for me,"Katherine told her.--"I am glad you think it looks well. I have neverhad on a real evening dress before."
"You know how to wear it so that is all right! Ah, children, comealong!" as three joyous calls came from over the banisters. AndKatherine slipped on alone. Lady Garribardine had told her, before shewent to dress, to go to Bronson to see that a special order about thepresents was carried out.
All the party were assembled in the great drawing-room when this dutywas done, and so her entrance did not pass unremarked.
"By Jove!" was the significant exclamation of old Colonel Hawthorne.
"And I am to have the pleasure of taking you in to dinner," said thecharming young man who had so far succeeded in diverting Lady Beatrice.
Gerard Strobridge felt a strange sensation as he looked at Katherinepresently, between the great bowls of camellias--there was no comparisonwith anyone at the table; Her Ladyship's secretary had blossomed forthinto the beauty of the night.
"How clothes can alter a person!" Mrs. Delemar said withoutconscious spite--dependents, even pretty ones, were not things whichcounted.--"Look, G.--dear Sarah's typist appears quite pretty to-night,and how kind she is to her servants; see, she has let the girl havethose beautiful lilies of the valley which Hawke told me to-day when youwere making him give me the orchids, it just breaks his heart to have tocut!"