CHAPTER XV
AMORIS INTEGRATIO: WE ARE CLAPT IN THE STOCKS
The measure of Cynthia's resentment might be inferred from that of herendurance. The weary silent miles she trudged along must have calledforth a great impetus from within, for without that stimulus the poorlittle creature must have drooped and flagged upon the dark road longere she did. It was not until the birds began to chirp in the trees,and the grey face of the dawn began to speckle the darkness that sheabated her defiant paces. But once she had begun to do so, theweakness grew rapidly upon her.
Presently she stumbled and nearly fell. Then it was I took the courageto venture on the first of my penitent advances. I lightly touched hershoulder to support her. Finding that she had not the strength, Ihardly dare say the inclination, to resist, I took her at last by thearm, very tenderly at first, but then a little more firmly, and thenmore firmly still. Thus, without a word passing on the side of either,the sense of our comradeship was re-established. If I could not feelthat I was forgiven, I might take the comfort to myself that I wassuffered.
It soon grew apparent, now that the meridian of poor Cynthia's wrathwas overpast, that the child would have to pay the price of it. Shebecame a very weight in my arms, and with the first beams of daylightwas ready to faint with fatigue. In the reaction of her mood sheyielded herself to my will as readily and completely as ever.Therefore, to spare her as much as I could, I seized the first occasionto give her a place of rest.
In the little light there were no houses to be seen, and even had therebeen, it was too early to hope to gain sanctuary in them. There was awood, however, close at hand, whither I partly led and partly carriedher. Within its warm and dry recesses, I selected a couch of greenearth for her underneath a great tree, whose rough bark made somethingof a pillow for her head. First, I took off my great-coat and spreadit on the ground as comfortably as I could, placed her upon it, andthen divesting myself of my thick, rough jacket wrapped her snugly init. The poor child was no sooner fixed in a position of some littlecomfort than she fell fast asleep.
While she was very mercifully occupied thus, I spent several hours inpacing up and down the glades of the wood to keep myself warm, for,after all, in the air of the dawn, the sleeves of one's shirt are novery adequate protection. To diversify this occupation I hunted anoccasional squirrel, but with no prospect of catching one; and lay inwait, stone in hand, for many a white-tailed rabbit, but did so invain. Indeed, the only good fortune that fell to me in these nefariouspursuits was the discovery of a bird's-nest with several fine eggs init. But somehow I had not the heart to disturb those exquisite things;it may have been, especially as a small piece of sentiment may not comeamiss even to the sworn enemies of it on an occasion of this kind, thatthe distrest birds and the distrest Cynthia had something in common.
Any lingering fumes of wine being long since out of my head, thanks tothe operations of the wholesome open air, I grew conscious of a verydistinct craving for food about eight of the clock. It was then thatthe thought of the generous Mr. Fielding's guinea proved such a sourceof solid comfort. One must be a vagrant by the wayside, dependent onchance for one's crusts of bread, to experience what the contemplationof twenty-one shillings sterling means, when that contemplation issharpened and assisted by a biting hunger. In the days of my materialgreatness, not my houses, lands, revenues, not all my preciouspossessions had the power to bestow upon me that inexpressible sense ofdelightful anticipation which Mr. Fielding's guinea was able to do. Awhole guinea to a desperately hungry mortal who for two days had beggedhis bread! What would it not purchase? How much sheer honest feedingdid it represent! It would permit of delicate feeding, too, forCynthia. A fine lusty mutton-pasty for the earl; and a bowl ofcream-covered milk, flanked with the whitest bread and the purestbutter, for his countess.
Cynthia still slept so soundly that I could not find it in my heart torouse her. Quite a long time I debated within myself whether to leaveher thus whilst I betook myself to the nearest house in quest of food.At last, as she showed no signs of waking yet, I determined to do so.Fixing the spot with particular care in my mind where she lay, I wentoff briskly on my errand. Happily a farm-house of goodly size was buta little distant; and here, by the aid of the magic guinea, was Iaccommodated, though, to be sure, without any special degree of favour.And at least my appearance could not be said to merit it. I waswithout my coat, my clothes were coarse, and the worse for travel, Istill bore a black eye, and the small wound at the side of my head wasstill rendered visible by the blood that had dried about it. But as Ihad promised myself I got a draught of most excellent ale, amutton-pasty too, which I bore along with me to eat at my leisure;whilst I procured for Cynthia a jug of warm milk, and fresh butterspread on some dainty slices of bread.
As soon as I returned to the place where Cynthia lay, she awoke,wonderfully refreshed and with no trace of the distresses of theprevious night about her. She gave expression to her delight when Iproudly produced her breakfast; whereon I redonned my coat. And nosooner did she observe the use to which it had been put, than sheupbraided me for discarding it. Seating myself beside her, we made aperfectly admirable meal, but perhaps it was not after all our keenhunger that made the best sauce to it, but rather the fact that we wereboth in our natural minds again, and that our differences wereforgotten. All the same, I devoutly hoped that my dear Cynthia wouldnot pause to inquire from what source the royal breakfast sprang. Ihad no wish, you may be sure, to associate it with Mr. Fielding,however black the ingratitude. Happily the question was not asked.
When we had made our meal in this happy fashion, we repaired to thefarm-house from which it had been obtained, to crave permission toperform our ablutions. By paying for the same, we were able to makethem in some comfort. Like the arrant spendthrifts that we were, moneywas no object to us so long as our fortune lasted. This accomplished,we set off again wonderfully refreshed in mind and body. It was asweetly fair spring morning, that made us step forth blithely. Ittakes a very old and hardened cynic to resist nature at her vernalperiod. And I think our reconciliation added to our happiness,although not once did we allude to the unlucky events of the nightbefore. But we exhibited such a fine consideration for one anothernow, and were so scrupulous of every little detail of our demeanour onetowards the other, as plainly showed that the articles of peace werebeing heartily subscribed to by us both. All the way it was, "Let mecarry thy coat, my pretty one," or "Darling, walk this side of me inthe shade lest the sun should overpower you," or "I do hope this brightsunshine will not affect your poor, broken pate."
Sedulously avoiding all places of any size, lest our enemies should belurking in them, we selected a modest roadside inn, in which to rest atmid-day, having left, I think, the town of Guildford some two miles toour right. Here we ate and drank again with a degree of comfort that,considering our low estate, was quite luxurious. So discreetly had weordered the reckoning too, that there would be means enough left to usto furnish us with supper and a bed at some similar unpretentious innwhen evening came. You may believe me, or believe me not, but merelyto think of sleeping once again on a bed of feathers, after havingpassed the best part of the two previous nights and days afoot, wasalmost a distracting pleasure. I suppose a beggar's happiness consistssolely in his belly and his bones; and even if it is not of the highestkind, what can be so intimate and full of zest?
The evening came without any adventure worthy to be recorded. We stillkept well off the beaten tracks and were therefore so happy as not toencounter runners from Bow Street, indignant parents, nor schemingrivals. The inn we selected was an ungenteel one enough in a remotevillage; and that night we supped and lay in it in conscious state, androyally spent the last of Mr. Fielding's guinea on a breakfast thefollowing morning. It was wanton in us, I dare say, to spend such asum in a fashion so prodigal, but as yet our extremity had taught us nomeasure of prudence. Besides, when we had not the wherewithal, were wenot imbued with the excitements of tho
se hunters who pursue for theirneeds? It is an incomparable kind of sport to seek for food andlodging with devil a farthing to purchase it.
With every penny of our late fortune squandered, we were again reducedto this employ. It was then I bethought me of the gypsy's flute. Ibore it still in the pocket of my cloak; and had improvised severalmelodies already upon it to cheer our lonely way. Thus, when we cameto a village about noon, wanting refreshment and even a penny tofurnish it, I boldly took forth the instrument and blew it for all Iwas worth as we walked slowly along the principal street. Probably mynotes were lustier and in better tune than is ordinary with others ofthis profession; or again, even an itinerant musician may have been astrange bird in this out-of-the-way place; for be it known that whenCynthia holding my hat in her hand sweetly importuned every staringyokel and every opened window with her daintiest smile and hergracefullest curtesy, we had acquired the sum of fourpence, mostly inhalfpence, by the time we had come to the village alehouse. Thither werepaired to invest this reward of our toil in as good a repast of breadand cheese and ale as could be obtained for the money. We seasoned itby a fine argument as to whom the credit of it belonged. I vowed itwas my fine playing that was alone responsible for it; whilst Cynthiawas equally firm in her conviction that it was entirely due to theelegance of her solicitations.
We were mightily pleased with a prospect that offered a new source ofrevenue. But ere long we were doomed to discover that it was not fairas we had supposed, and that it had its drawbacks. This melancholyincident happened the very next time we put it in practice. The sceneof it was a somewhat larger village than the first, and we attractedsuch an amount of attention that I believe Cynthia collected as much assevenpence in a very little while. And so encouraged were we by theamount of favour with which we were received that we were emboldened togive a kind of set performance in front of the village ale-house. Ithad even been decided that Cynthia should sing a love ballad, for shehad a very sweet voice and was prettily accomplished in the use of it.
Everything prospered with us admirably well for some time. An audiencegathered about us; and although a little inclined to be abashed atfirst, we overcame those feelings very soon and gave our singing andmusic with great spirit. But just before we had come to the conclusionof the last piece, the throng was invaded by several stalwart fellows,amongst whom were the beadle of the parish and the squire of the place,both highly indignant to be sure. The latter was red and fat and fullof choler.
"Take 'em both, Thomas," says he, wonderfully angry and stern, "andthey shall be clapt into the stocks, sink me so they shall. The ideaof two vagrant wretches daring to affront me thus under my very nose.There shall be no playing of profane tricks and loud music in thisparish, curse me if there shall be."
Meanwhile the beadle, in the exercise of his authority, had twice sethis dirty hands on my coat, and twice had I gently but firmly removedthem.
"I will venture to say we are doing no harm to any one, sir," says I tothe squire, controlling my resentment as well as I could, and strivingto ape a humility I did not feel. "And surely, sir, you will not betoo hard on poor people."
This fellow, however, was plainly of that tribe that loves to exultover the weak. It was his pleasure to display a greater and moredespotic authority the less occasion there was for its exercise. Themeeker he found us the more unbending was his indignation.
"How dare you venture to address me, you wandering vagabond?" says he."Your damnable impertinence does but aggravate your offence. I willsee whether you will defy me, I will so. You shall go to the stocks atonce, and you may bless your fortune it is not the house of correction."
It needed but a glance to assure us that to resist would be vain. Notonly the beadle, but several other persons under the immediate eye ofthis despot, were but too ready to curry favour with him by doing hisbidding. In fact, one and all of those present seemed to conceive amighty admiration of his rage. They felt such a display of anger andunfettered will to be sublime. Therefore, we were pushed and hustledwith many unnecessary indignities, all the throng following to thevillage green, and were set side by side in the stocks forthwith. Whenwe had been duly affixed in this place of humiliation, the squire madeus quite a lengthy harangue, not so much I suspect for our edificationas for the glory of himself. His anger against us inoffensivecreatures who answered him not a word, mounted higher and higher tillit grew truly magnificent. He stamped and raved and swore; he had amind to do this, and a mind to do that, and 'fore God he would if itwere not for the abominable leniency of his character. The beadle keptnodding his head, and fretted himself into a kind of ecstasy ofadmiration of the squire's remarks; whilst the villagers could be heardto say to one another: "Lord, an't squire noble angry-like to be sure."But neither of us retorted on the fellow by so much as a word, and Ithink we were well advised not to do so, for had we but unbosomedourselves of a very small part of what was in our hearts he might havehad a real grievance to set against us.
Therefore we both regarded him in silence, and strove to maintain ademeanour of the coldest disdain. It was not very easy, to be sure, inthat posture, with jeers and humiliation besetting us on every side.Yet we persevered in it so well that presently it did not fail in itseffect. For our persecutor was such a poltroon at heart that althoughwe were secured and quite at his mercy, he no sooner observed that wescorned him, than the torrent of his eloquence grew sensibly less. Solong as we were humble and appeared to shrink and tremble before him,his rage knew no bounds. But the moment we called in a little disdainto our aid, he grew less certain of himself, and was so baffled andheld in check by it, that at last he bethought himself that he wouldbest serve his dignity by taking himself off. His parasite the beadlewent with him, but a considerable number of the yokels stayed to keepus company. Their disposition was to make sport of our misfortune.But how true is that old saw--so the master, so the man.
For with a good deal of difficulty, as you may guess, we managed topreserve an appearance of mighty dignified unconcern, however far wemight be from feeling it, and contrived to converse one with another ina perfectly natural and amiable manner, for all the world as though wewere not sitting in the stocks at all, but in the village alehouse. Inthe face of such a fine contempt the spectators were just as much at aloss as ever the squire had been. They were there to bully and baitus, but under our unwavering eyes had not the courage to do so. Indeedit seemed to involve such a degree of initiative on their part to kicktwo persons who after all were not thoroughly and effectually knockeddown, that one by one they followed the example of the squire and slunkaway.
When the best part of these idle and mischievous persons had departed,and our admirers were diminished to about a score of the villageurchins who were not to be so easily daunted, says I to my littlecompanion, who to be sure had been wonderfully steadfast through allour misfortunes:
"I think, your ladyship, we shall best forget the distresses of ourpresent situation by arrogating to ourselves the grandeur of our formerstate. How was the dear queen when you saw her last? Had she quiterecovered of her whooping-cough?"
"Oh yes, I thank your lordship," says Cynthia glibly. "But surely yourlordship was at the levee last Tuesday month?"
"No, rat me if I was," says I, with a languid air. "The fact of thematter is, I have not the taste for these routs and drums and crushesand assemblies. My father, the late lord, I have heard boast that henever missed above three in thirty years. But I think your ladyshipwill be the first to own that in these days the _haut ton_ is not sovastly energetic as it once was. For myself, I would be the first toconfess that the practices and observances of the genteel and politeworld weary me to distraction. I never get into my Court suit but whatI die of fatigue in the operation!"
"His Grace of Middlesex I have heard speak to the same tenor," saysCynthia; "and often enough have I heard her grace the duchess reproveit in him."
"I think," says I, "it was a fashion that first obtruded itself in thePrin
ce of Wales."
"Ah, the dear prince!" says she. "How like his poor dear RoyalHighness it is, to be sure! I hope your lordship was not with him atthat particular drawing-room where he took off so many of the gentlemento play a game at basset or hazard or what not in the antechamber."
"Primero, your ladyship," says I gravely.
It was in this edifying fashion that we supported ourselves in ourpresent trials. Our conversation was carried to the very heights ofthe genteel, and was chiefly concerned with the Royal Family. Wementioned nobody under a peer, and contrived to bring in those greatpersons in a highly inept and fashionable manner. Had any one heardour conversation they must have marvelled to know how two people sovastly polite and who moved in such exalted circles could ever havecome in that place. The smack of humour in the thing was undeniable,but I am not sure that we did not retail those details, anecdotes, andreminiscences in the mincing, clipping tone of St. James's as much fora vindication of ourselves and a salve for our wounded feelings as forthe whimsicality of the occupation.
We were still beguiling the time in this way when the beadle came torelease us. In the performance of this office he gave us a great dealof advice that we could very well have dispensed with. He was alsocharged with a message from the squire as to how much more serious theconsequences would be if either of us were caught in those parts again.Having at last obtained our freedom, we were not long in shaking thedust of this unlucky parish off our feet.
As we went away we were a good deal disconcerted by the turn ouraffairs were taking. It was already growing dark, and sensibly colder,and worse, it was coming on to rain. And we had but a matter ofsevenpence to provide us with the supper that we should soon be greatlyin need of, and a protection from the night's inclemency. To have hadrecourse to the flute once more, and I gravely doubt after what hadhappened whether we should have had the stomach to have done so, wouldnot have served us. We were a long way from the next village, and theevening had already come.