armadale-第102章

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then　opened　her　writing…desk。　〃Now　for　my　letter　to　the　major！〃
she　said。　〃How　shall　I　word　it？〃

A　moment's　consideration　apparently　decided　her。　Searching
through　her　collection　of　pens；　she　carefully　selected　the　worst
that　could　be　found；　and　began　the　letter　by　writing　the　date　of
the　day　on　a　soiled　sheet　of　note…paper；　in　crooked；　clumsy
characters；　which　ended　in　a　blot　made　purposely　with　the　feather
of　the　pen。　Pausing；　sometimes　to　think　a　little；　sometimes　to
make　another　blot；　she　completed　the　letter　in　these　words：


〃HON'D　SIRIt　is　on　my　conscience　to　tell　you　something；　which　I
think　you　ought　to　know。　You　ought　to　know　of　the　goings…on　of
Miss；　your　daughter；　with　young　Mister　Armadale。　I　wish　you　to
make　sure；　and；　what　is　more；　I　advise　you　to　be　quick　about　it；
if　she　is　going　the　way　you　want　her　to　go；　when　she　takes　her
morning　walk　before　breakfast。　I　scorn　to　make　mischief；　where
there　is　true　love　on　both　sides。　But　I　don't　think　the　young　man
means　truly　by　Miss。　What　I　mean　is；　I　think　Miss　only　has　his
fancy。　Another　person；　who　shall　be　nameless　betwixt　us；　has　his
true　heart。　Please　to　pardon　my　not　putting　my　name；　I　am　only　a
humble　person；　and　it　might　get　me　into　trouble。　This　is　all　at
present；　dear　sir；　from　yours；

〃A　WELL…WISHER。〃


〃There！〃　said　Miss　Gwilt；　as　she　folded　the　letter　up。　〃If　I　had
been　a　professed　novelist；　I　could　hardly　have　written　more
naturally　in　the　character　of　a　servant　than　that！〃　She　wrote　the
necessary　address　to　Major　Milroy；　looked　admiringly　for　the　last
time　at　the　coarse　and　clumsy　writing　which　her　own　delicate　hand
had　produced；　and　rose　to　post　the　letter　herself；　before　she
entered　next　on　the　serious　business　of　packing　up。　〃Curious！〃
she　thought；　when　the　letter　had　been　posted；　and　she　was　back
again　making　her　traveling　preparations　in　her　own　room；　〃here　I
am；　running　headlong　into　a　frightful　riskand　I　never　was　in
better　spirits　in　my　life！〃

The　boxes　were　ready　when　the　fly　was　at　the　door；　and　Miss　Gwilt
was　equipped　（as　becomingly　as　usual）　in　her　neat　traveling
costume。　The　thick　veil；　which　she　was　accustomed　to　wear　in
London；　appeared　on　her　country　straw　bonnet　for　the　first　time。〃
One　meets　such　rude　men　occasionally　in　the　railway；〃　she　said　to
the　landlady。　〃And　though　I　dress　quietly；　my　hair　is　so　very
remarkable。〃　She　was　a　little　paler　than　usual；　but　she　had　never
been　so　sweet…tempered　and　engaging；　so　gracefully　cordial　and
friendly；　as　now；　when　the　moment　of　departure　had　come。　The
simple　people　of　the　house　were　quite　moved　at　taking　leave　of
her。　She　insisted　on　shaking　hands　with　the　landlordon　speaking
to　him　in　her　prettiest　way；　and　sunning　him　in　her　brightest
smiles。　〃Come！〃　she　said　to　the　landlady；　〃you　have　been　so　kind；
you　have　been　so　like　a　mother　to　me；　you　must　give　me　a　kiss　at
parting。〃　She　embraced　the　children　all　together　in　a　lump；　with
a　mixture　of　humor　and　tenderness　delightful　to　see；　and　left　a
shilling　among　them　to　buy　a　cake。　〃If　I　was　only　rich　enough　to
make　it　a　sovereign；〃　she　whispered　to　the　mother；　〃how　glad　I
should　be！〃　The　awkward　lad　who　ran　on　errands　stood　waiting　at
the　fly　door。　He　was　clumsy；　he　was　frowsy；　he　had　a　gaping　mouth
and　a　turn…up　nose；　but　the　ineradicable　female　delight　in　being
charming　accepted　him；　for　all　that；　in　the　character　of　a　last
chance。　〃You　dear；　dingy　John！〃　she　said；　kindly；　at　the　carriage
door。　〃I　am　so　poor　I　have　only　sixpence　to　give　youwith　my
very　best　wishes。　Take　my　advice；　Johngrow　to　be　a　fine　man；
and　find　yourself　a　nice　sweetheart！　Thank　you　a　thousand　times！〃
She　gave　him　a　friendly　little　pat　on　the　cheek　with　two　of　her
gloved　fingers；　and　smiled；　and　nodded；　and　got　into　the　fly。

〃Armadale　next！〃　she　said　to　herself　as　the　carriage　drove　off。

Allan's　anxiety　not　to　miss　the　train　had　brought　him　to　the
station　in　better　time　than　usual。　After　taking　his　ticket　and
putting　his　portmanteau　under　the　porter's　charge；　he　was　pacing
the　platform　and　thinking　of　Neelie；　when　he　heard　the　rustling
of　a　lady's　dress　behind　him；　and；　turning　round　to　look；　found
himself　face　to　face　with　Miss　Gwilt。

There　was　no　escaping　her　this　time。　The　station　wall　was　on　his
right　hand；　and　the　line　was　on　his　left；　a　tunnel　was　behind
him；　and　Miss　Gwilt　was　in　front；　inquiring　in　her　sweetest　　tones
whether　Mr。　Armadale　was　going　to　London。

Allan　colored　scarlet　with　vexation　and　surprise。　There　he　was
　obviously　waiting　for　the　train；　and　there　was　his　portmanteau
close　by；　with　his　name　on　it；　already　labeled　for　London！　What
answer　but　the　true　one　could　he　make　after　that？　Could　he　let
the　train　go　without　him；　and　lose　the　precious　hours　so　vitally
important　to　Neelie　and　himself？　Impossible！　Allan　helplessly
confirmed　the　printed　statement　on　his　portmanteau；　and　heartily
wished　himself　at　the　other　end　of　the　world　as　he　said　the
words。

〃How　very　fortunate！〃　rejoined　Miss　Gwilt。　〃I　am　going　to　London
too。　Might　I　ask　you　Mr。　Armadale　（as　you　seem　to　be　quite
alone）；　to　be　my　escort　on　the　journey？〃

Allan　looked　at　the　little　assembly　of　travelers；　and　travelers'
friends；　collected　on　the　platform；　near　the　booking…office　door。
They　were　all　Thorpe　Ambrose　people。　He　was　probably　known　by
sight；　and　Miss　Gwilt　was　probably　known　by　sight；　to　every　one
of　them。　In　sheer　desperation；　hesitating　more　awkwardly　than
ever；　he　produced　his　cigar　case。　〃I　should　be　delighted；〃　he
said；　with　an　embarrassment　which　was　almost　an　insult　under　the
circumstances。　〃But　II'm　what　the　people　who　get　sick　over　a
cigar　call　a　slave　to　smoking。〃

〃I　delight　in　smoking！〃　said　Miss　Gwilt；　with　undiminished
vivacity　and　good　humor。　〃It's　one　of　the　privileges　of　the　men
which　I　have　always　envied。　I'm　afraid；　Mr。　Armadale；　you　must
think　I　am　forcing　myself　on　you。　It　certainly　looks　like　it。　The
real　truth　is；　I　want　particularly　to　say　a　word　to　you　in
private　about　Mr。　Midwinter。〃

The　train　came　up　at　the　same　moment。　Setting　Midwinter　out　of
the　question；　the　common　decencies　of　politeness　left　Allan　no
alternative　but　to　submit。　After　having　been　the　cause　of　her
leaving　her　situation　at　Major　Milroy's；　after　having　pointedly
avoided　her　only　a　few　days　since　on　the　high…road；　to　have
declined　going　to　London　in　the　same　carriage　with　Miss　Gwilt
would　have　been　an　act　of　downright　brutality　which　it　was　simply
impossible　to　commit。　〃Damn　her！〃　said　Allan；　internally；　as　he
handed　his　traveling　companion　into　an　empty　carriage；
officiously　placed　at　his　disposal；　before　all　the　people　at　the
station；　by　the　guard。　〃You　shan't　be　disturbed；　sir；〃　the　man
whispered；　confidentially；　with　a　smile　and　a　touch　of　his　hat。
Allan　could　have　knocked　him　down　with　the　utmost　pleasure。
〃Stop！〃　he　said；　from　the　window。　〃I　don't　want　the　carriage〃
It　was　useless；　the　guard　was　out　of　hearing；　the　whistle　blew；
and　the　train　started　for　London。

The　select　assembly　of　travelers'　friends；　left　behind　on　the
platform；　congregated　in　a　circle　on　the　spot；　with　the
station…master　in　the　center。

The　station…masterotherwise　Mr。　Mackwas　a　popular　character
in　the　neighborhood。　He　possessed　two　social　qualifications　which
invariably　impress　the　average　English　mindhe　was　an　old
soldier；　and　he　was　a　man　of　few　words。　The　conclave　on　the
platform　insisted　on　taking　his　opinion；　before　it　committed
itself　positively　to　an　opinion　of　its　own。　A　brisk　fire　of
remarks　exploded；　as　a　matter　of　course；　on　all　sides；　but
everybody's　view　of　the　subject　ended　interrogatively；　in　a
question　aimed　pointblank　at　the　station…master's　ears。

〃She's　got　him；　hasn't　she？〃　〃She'll　come　back　'Mrs。　Armadale；'
won't　she？〃　〃He'd　better　have　stuck　to　Miss　Milroy；　hadn't　he？〃
〃Miss　Milroy　stuck　to　_him。_　She　paid　him　a　visit　at　the　great
house；　didn't　she？〃　〃Nothing　of　the　sort；　it's　a　shame　to　take
the　girl's　character　away。　She　was　caught　in　a　thunder…storm
close　by；　he　was　obliged　to　give　her　shelter；　and　she's　never
been　near　the　place　since。　Miss　Gwilt's　been　there；　if　you　like；
with　no　thunderstorm　to　force　_her_　in；　and　Miss　Gwilt's　off　with
him　to　London　in　a　carriage　all　to　themselves；　eh；　Mr。　Mack？〃
〃Ah；　he's　a　soft　one；　that　Armadale！　with　all　his　money；　to　take
up　with　a　red…haired　woman；　a　good　eight　or　nine　years　older　than
he　is！　She's　thirty　if　she's　a　day。　That's　what　I　say；　Mr。　Mack。
What　do　you　say？〃　〃Older　or　younger；　she'll　rule　the　roast　at
Thorpe　Ambrose；　and　I　say；　for　the　sake　of　the　place；　and　for　the
sake　of　trade；　let's　make　the　best　of　it；　and　Mr。　Mack；　as　a　man
of　the　world；　sees　it　in　the　same　light　as　I　do；　don't　you；　sir？〃

〃Gentlemen；〃　said　the　station…master；　with　his　abrupt　military
accent；　and　his　impenetrable　military　manner；　〃she's　a　devilish
fine　woman。　And　when　I　was　Mr。　Armadale's　age；　it's　my　opinion；
if　her　fancy　had　laid　that　way；　she　might　have　married　Me。〃

With　that　expression　of　opinion　the　station…master　wheeled　to　the
right；　and　intrenched　himself　impregnably　in　the　stronghold　of
his　own　office。

The　citizens　of　Thorpe　Ambrose　looked　at　the　closed　door；　and
gravely　shook　their　heads。　Mr。　Mack　had　disappointed　them。　No
opinion　which　openly　recognizes　the　frailty　of　human　nature　is
ever　a　popular　opinion　with　mankind。　〃It's　as　good　as　saying　that
any　of　_us_　might　have　married　her　if　_we_　had　been　Mr。
Armadale's　age！〃　Such　was　the　general　impression　on　the　minds　of
the　conclave；　when　the　meeting　had　been　adjourned；　and　the
members　were　leaving　the　station。

The　last　of　the　party　to　go　was　a　slow　old　gentleman；　with　a
habit　of　deliberately　looking　about　him。　Pausing　at　the　door；
this　observant　person　stared　up　the　platform　and　down　the
platform；　and　discovered　in　the　latter　direction；　standing　behind
an　angle　of　the　wall；　an　elderly　man　in　black；　who　had　escaped
the　notice　of　everybody　up　to　that　time。　〃Why；　bless　my　soul！〃
said　the　old　gentleman；　advancing　inquisitively　by　a　step　at　a
time；　〃it　can't　be　Mr。　Bashwood！〃

It　_was_　Mr。　BashwoodMr。　Bashwood；　whose　constitutional
curiosity　had　taken　him　privately　to　the　station；　bent　on　solving
the　mystery　of　Allan's　sudden　journey　to　LondonMr。　Bashwood；
who　had　seen　and　heard；　behind　his　angle　in　the　wall；　what
everybody　else　had　seen　and　heard；　and　who　appeared　to　have　been
impressed　by　it　in　no　ordinary　way。　He　stood　stiffly　against　the
wall；　like　a　man　petrified；　with　one　hand　pressed　on　his　bare
head；　and　the　other　holding　his　hathe　stood；　with　a　dull　flush
on　his　face；　and　a　dull　stare　in　his　eyes；　looking　straight　into
the　black　depths　of　the　tunnel　outside　the　station；　as　if　the
train　to　London　had　disappeared　in　it　but　the　moment　before。

〃Is　your　head　bad？〃　asked　the　old　gentleman。　〃Take　my　advice。　Go
home　and　lie　down。〃

Mr。　Bashwood　listened　mechanically；　with　his　usual　attention；　and
answered　mechanically；　with　his　usual　politeness。

〃Yes；　sir；〃　he　said；　in　a　low；　lost　tone；　like　a　man　between
dreaming　and　waking；　〃I'll　go　home　and　lie　down。〃

〃That's　right；〃　rejoined　the　old　gentleman；　making　for　the　door。
〃And　take　a　pill；　Mr。　Bashwoodtake　a　pill。〃

Five　minutes　later；　the　porter　charged　with　the　bu