CHAPTER VIII
Four days after Mr. Clendon had rescued her from the Wolf, Celia, whohad been listening daily for his footsteps, heard them on the stairs.She ran down, and caught the old man by the hand.
"Oh, come in!" she said, excitedly. "I have something to tell you."
He looked at her flushed face, her eyes all alight now; but without asmile, and with his usual impassiveness, he went to her room.
"The most wonderful thing has happened!" she exclaimed. "Oh, but first,let me try to thank you! The people who brought the things would nottell me who had sent them, but they insisted that everything was paidfor, and, of course, I knew the milk and the bread, and the groceriesand the rest of it, came from you."
"That is nothing," he said, with the simplicity of good breeding. "Tellme of this wonderful news."
"It's the most extraordinary, the most miraculous news," she said, witha long breath. "You remember that advertisement I showed you? Well,there came an answer to it--an answer! Here it is." She handed him oneof several letters she had snatched up from the table. "It is from avery great man, you see; but, of course, it is one of his secretarieswho writes. It is from a real live marquess!--Lord Sutcombe. Of course,you have heard of him?"
Mr. Clendon nodded affirmatively.
"He is well known."
"Though I had no hope of getting the situation, I sent some letters ofpoor Mr. Bishop's as testimonials, and this morning--oh, it is almostincredible--I received this letter, informing me that my testimonialswere satisfactory, and that I had obtained the post. And what do youthink it is? Oh, the most delightful of all work--the very thing Iwould have chosen! It is to arrange, and catalogue, and generally takecare of a large library. And the salary--this is the most wonderfulpart of the whole fairy tale--is to be L150 a year. Think of it!One--hundred--and-fifty--pounds a year!"
"It is a very good salary," said Mr. Clendon. "I congratulate you."
She laid her hand on the wrinkled one which rested on his stick.
"But don't you think it is quite extraordinary? Surely one does notusually get such a post as this so easily as I have done! There is akind of magic in it. You"--she looked at him keenly, searchingly--"Mr.Clendon, have you had any hand in this?"
He looked up at her and shrugged his shoulders.
"Do you think it is likely that I consort with marquesses or have anyinfluence with them?" he asked, with a smile.
"Anyway, it is you who have brought me this great good luck," she said,as gratefully as if he had admitted the truth. "You have been my mascot.A very dear, generous mascot. But you will let me pay you back? But I amalmost ashamed to speak of payment, when no money could repay."
"Certainly you shall pay me, my dear young lady," he said, quietly. "Iam poor, and you are proud. But you will wait until you draw the firstinstalment of your salary."
"No need," she exclaimed, triumphantly. "See here!" She held up acheque. "The Marquess--what a kind, good sort of man he must be!--hassent me a cheque to pay my fare and other expenses."
Mr. Clendon took the cheque.
"I see it is an open one. The bank will pay you when you present it," heremarked, in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Yes, I am going presently. In the last letter he says that I can godown to the place--Thexford Hall, it is called--as soon as I please;and, of course, I shall start to-morrow. It is in Devonshire, and all mylife I've longed to see Devonshire. And now I'm to be _paid_ for goingthere! Mr. Clendon, I have been living in a dream since this lettercame. I've read it fifty--oh, a hundred times! Sometimes I've held ittightly in both hands, afraid that it should turn to a withered leaf, asthe paper did in the fairy story, or that I should wake up from my dreamand find my hands empty. Do you know Thexford Hall?"
"It is a large place, I believe--quite a famous one," he said. "I hopeyou will be happy there."
"I should be quite happy if it were not so far from Brown's Buildings,and--and one who has been so good to me," said Celia, her eyes suddenlymoist. "But I may come up and see you some day, on my first holiday?Yes, and it's not only you, but--Well, strange as it may sound, I havegrown fond of the Buildings. You see, it was my first home; I mean myown home. And I've got to like the people, though I know so little ofthem. Oh, Mr. Clendon----"
She paused a moment, and the colour stole to her face and she lookedhard at the fire. She went on hesitatingly, almost shyly:
"You remember the young man who lived opposite? He has gone; but Ithink--I mean, it is just possible that he may come back."
She was silent for a moment or two, as she asked herself whether sheshould tell this good friend of hers all that had happened on thatfateful night; but she felt that she could not do so. The secret did notbelong to her.
"He may come back," she continued, in a low voice. "And if he should,and you see him, will you give him a message that was left with me forhim. It is just, 'It is all right.'"
"Certainly," said Mr. Clendon, without the least sign of curiosity,though his piercing eyes had been watching her face. "Will you write tome, and tell me how you get on at--what is the name of the place?--ah,yes, Thexford?"
"Why, of course I will. I will write and tell you everything," saidCelia, promptly, gratefully.
"And if it should not suit you, and you are not happy there, you willtell me frankly?"
"Oh, yes; for you will still be my mascot, will you not? But I am sureto be happy. I love books. I shall be in Devonshire, and I shall beearning all this money. Mr. Clendon, I am the very luckiest girl in theworld."
"And the best, I am sure," he said, gently. "Now, I will go down to thebank with you, if you will let me, and see that you get this money allright."
This was the last straw. She could not keep back her tears. She hurriedinto her coat and hat, and they went out together. As they descended thestairs, they happened to pass the little chorus girl and the grim oldlady, and Celia could not help nodding and smiling at them. The chorusgirl smiled back, and even the grim old lady's frown relaxed as shebowed in stately fashion.
"I'm so happy, that I could shake hands with everybody," said Celia. "Ifeel as if I must make friends with everyone I meet."
Then suddenly the happiness fled from her face, her eyes grew dark andsad; for at that instant she thought of the young man, the fugitiveflying from justice. Where was he? What was he doing? Oh, if he wouldonly come back and get the message!
The polite and amiable cashier at the bank handed over ten brightsovereigns, and with these in the purse clasped in her hand Celiareturned to the Buildings, to engage in a fight with Mr. Clendon overthe sum which he declared was all that was due to him. But it wassettled at last, though scarcely to Celia's satisfaction.
"I'd come to see you off to-morrow," he said, as he held her hand atparting, "but I have an early rehearsal. Good-bye, and God bless you,"he added, in a very low voice.
When he had gone Celia mopped her eyes and finished her packing, and thenext morning a taxi bore her from the Buildings. She looked out of thewindow as long as the huge and grimy place remained in sight, and shesighed when it had disappeared. In a sense she still belonged to TheJail; for there had been no time to dispose of her furniture, and shewas so rich that she felt justified in keeping on the room for a while.The rent was only a few shillings a week, and she could well afford topay it, at any rate until she had decided to sell the furniture. At thebottom of her heart was the desire to keep it, for the sake of itsassociation: perhaps they would let her have it at Thexford Hall?
The journey, which no doubt most of the passengers considered a longone, was to Celia a delightful experience, for she had been immured inLondon long enough to enjoy the change. Her heart beat fast and herbreath came quickly, with suppressed excitement and a touch of anxiety,as the train drew up to the small station of Thexford. On the platformstood a tall footman, and as she alighted he came up, touched his hat,and spoke her name. The station-master and the porter were in attendancealso, and all three received her as if she were a person of consequence
.The footman led the way to a landaulette car, touched his hat again ashe closed the door on her, and the car glided off, carrying Celia stillnearer to the unknown.
They ran through a beautiful, undulating country, dotted here and therewith farms. Then the way grew wilder. They passed across a stretch ofmoorland, turned into an avenue guarded by huge iron gates, and,mounting quickly, stopped before an old red brick mansion, the size andgrandeur of which filled Celia with awe. The great door opened, and afootman, behind him a middle-aged lady in a black silk dress, stoodready to receive Celia.
"I am the housekeeper--Mrs. Dexter," said the lady, pleasantly. "I amafraid you have had a wearisome journey, Miss Grant. Let me take you toyour room at once."
They crossed a large hall, lit by the afternoon sun, which, streamingthrough a window of stained glass, poured flashes of vari-coloured lighton the antique furniture, the men in armour, the trophies and pictureson the wall. Mrs. Dexter led the way up a broad flight of stairs to aroom on the first floor, a room so large and beautiful that Celia haddifficulty in repressing an exclamation.
"Is this for me?" she could not help asking.
"Yes," replied Mrs. Dexter, "unless you wish to change it. There areplenty of rooms vacant, unfortunately."
"Does no one live here?" asked Celia, with astonishment.
"Only myself and the other servants," replied Mrs. Dexter. "The Marquessis enormously rich, probably one of the richest noblemen in England. Ofcourse, some of the rooms, the state-rooms, are kept shrouded; but theycould be prepared almost at an hour's notice--though we might not getthat," she added, with a smile. "I hope you will not feel dull andlonely. You have come from London, where everything is so bright andgay."
Celia thought of the Jail and smiled.
"We are rather isolated here," continued Mrs. Dexter. "There is thevillage, of course; but we have very few neighbours. The nearest houseof any consequence, Lensmore Grange, is nearly two miles away. Didn'tyou know that you would be alone here? Oh, I hope you won't mind, for Ihad so looked forward to having someone in the house."
"No, no," said Celia, quickly, and she smiled again, reassuringly. "Ithink I rather like it; and if I didn't, I should remain, for I am quitepoor, and this situation means so much to me."
This little speech completed Celia's conquest of the good-naturedhousekeeper.
"We must try to make it as cheerful as we can for you, my dear--I mean,Miss Grant," she corrected herself.
Celia shook her head.
"No, no," she said. "I think it is very kind of you to speak to me sonicely, to be so good to me, before you know I'm worth it. I am surethat we shall--like each other, and that I shall be very happy here."
"I hope so. I'll do all I can," said Mrs. Dexter, evidently moved byCelia's warm response. "Now I'll send you up some tea, and if you're nottired I will show you the house when you have rested."
In a very short time a maid, neatly dressed in black alpaca, with capwith white strings, brought up the tea. Celia noticed that the salverand the service were of silver. It was a very luxurious tea; the maidwas respectful, but pleasantly sympathetic. Said she:
"Shall I put away your things after tea, miss, or now at once? I am towait on you."
"Oh, that's very nice," said Celia. "You will not have much trouble, atany rate, with my things," she added, with a laugh. "For I have veryfew."
"Yes, miss," said the maid. "Fashions change so soon, don't they?"
It was beautifully done, and Celia laughed again, appreciatively. Theplace had seemed to her a kind of Paradise, and certainly it wasinhabited, judging by the specimens she had seen, by persons of angelicamiability. She was so excited that she could scarcely drink her tea,and when Mrs. Dexter reappeared, she sprang up all eagerness. For halfan an hour she went from room to room, almost speechless with admirationand a delighted awe. It was her first experience of a house of the sizeand grandeur of Thexford Hall, and almost at every step she took she wastrying to realize that she was actually going to live there. And to bepaid L150 per annum for doing so!
"Now I'll show you the library," said Mrs. Dexter. "Naturally, that willinterest you more than anything else, though our state-rooms areconsidered to be very fine. Indeed, the drawing-room, with the Inigochimneypieces, is said to be unique. This is the library."
She opened a thick mahogany door, and as Celia crossed the threshold anexclamation of ecstatic delight escaped her lips. And not without cause;for the Thexford library is a famous one. Celia was not unduly impressedby the number of the books, though the collection is by no means a smallone, for she had spent weeks and months at the British Museum ReadingRoom; but the subdued splendour of the room, its vaulted roof, its ebonybookcases, enriched by Wedgwood plaques, the great fireplace, with itsmarble mantelpiece rising to the very ceiling, kept her for a minute ortwo dumb with amazement.
"No doubt you will spend a great deal of your time here," said Mrs.Dexter. "I have had the fire lit; we burn wood only in the largerrooms." She nodded towards the great logs glowing between the brazendogs and giving the room not only warmth but an air of comfort andhomeliness. "I hope you will find everything you want; but if not, youhave only to ask for it. His lordship sent me special instructions thatI was to provide you with everything you required."
"As if anyone could want anything more than there is here," said Celia,with a smile and upraised brows. "The Marquess must be a very kind man;he has been so good and thoughtful."
"He is," said Mrs. Dexter. "But people of his rank always are kind tothose in their service. At least, that is my experience. You have notseen his lordship?"
"No," replied Celia. "I should like to do so. I should like to try tothank him for his kindness to me."
Mrs. Dexter smiled.
"I don't think he would like that, my dear. Great people don't likebeing thanked. At least, that's my experience," she repeated. "I willshow you his lordship's portrait, if you like," she said, as they passedinto the hall. "It is growing dark here; that painted window keeps outthe light."
She switched on the electric light, and directed Celia's attention tothe row of family portraits.
"I'll tell you who they all are some day," she said. "That is thepresent Marquess, at the end there."
Celia went to it and looked at it with interest.
"He has a nice face," she said.
"Yes, it is a good-looking family, as you see," said Mrs. Dexter, with asmile.
Celia's eyes wandered from the portrait of the Marquess to the onehanging next to it. It was the picture of a young man dressed in ridingkit. He was a handsome lad, with a dare-devil look in his dark eyes, ahint of wildness, of recklessness and defiance, in the carriage of hishead, the curve of his lips.
"That is a very beautiful picture," said Celia.
"Yes; it is one of the best in the gallery," said Mrs. Dexter. "It isthe portrait of the Marquess's brother--his elder brother. He was verywild, and caused the family much trouble. He is dead, of course, or hewould have been the marquess instead of his present lordship."
"He is very handsome," said Celia. "I suppose that is why one feels sosorry for him."
She moved away from the picture as she spoke; but presently, as if drawnby it, she returned to it.
"The picture interests you?" said Mrs. Dexter, with a smile. "That isalways the way with us women, my dear. It is always the wild and wickedmen who attract us."
"Oh, but that's a libel, surely," said Celia. "No; I think you areright. But how foolish of us, if it is true."
She turned away and went towards the great fireplace where the logs werenow burning; but after a moment or two, as she stood with her foot onthe fender, she looked again over her shoulder at the picture.
"It is very strange," she said, "but I have a curious feeling that Ihave seen someone very like--no, not very like, but bearing a faintlikeness to that portrait."
"Yes, my dear? One often has that feeling when looking at a portrait.Can't you remember who it was?"
"No," said Celia
, "I've been trying to think; but I can't remember evermeeting anyone resembling that face. I suppose it is only my fancy."
"I dare say," assented Mrs. Dexter. "You will dine at the usual hour,eight o'clock, I suppose? I am going to have your dinner served in thelittle room behind the library. You will not feel so lonely as you wouldin the big dining-room; but, of course, if you prefer----"
"What, sit there all by myself, in that great big room! I should die offright. I should feel as if I had been wrecked on a desert island. Oh,the little room, please, by all means."