a simpleton-第31章

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enemy。〃

〃What　else　can　you　expect；　when　you　part　my　husband　and　me？〃　said
Rosa；　with　quiet　sternness。

〃I　meant　well；〃　said　Lady　Cicely　sorrowfully；　〃but　I　wish　I　had
never　interfered。〃

〃So　do　I；〃　and　she　began　to　cry。

Lady　Cicely　made　no　answer。　　She　went　quietly　away；　hanging　her
head　sadly。

Rosa　was　unjust；　but　she　was　not　rude　nor　vulgar；　and　Lady　Cicely's
temper　was　so　well　governed　that　it　never　blinded　her　heart。　　She
withdrew；　but　without　the　least　idea　of　quarrelling　with　her
afflicted　friend；　or　abandoning　her。　　She　went　quietly　home；　and
wrote　to　Lady　；　to　say　that　she　should　be　glad　to　receive　Dr。
Staines's　advance　as　soon　as　convenient；　since　Mrs。　Staines　would
have　to　make　fresh　arrangements；　and　the　money　might　be　useful。

The　money　was　forthcoming　directly。　　Lady　Cicely　brought　it　to　Dear
Street；　and　handed　it　to　Dr。　Staines。　　His　eyes　sparkled　at　the
sight　of　it。

〃Give　my　love　to　Rosa；〃　said　she　softly；　and　cut　her　visit　very
short。

Staines　took　the　money　to　Rosa；　and　said；　〃See　what　our　best　friend
has　brought　us。　　You　shall　have　four　hundred；　and　I　hope；　after　the
bitter　lessons　you　have　had；　you　will　be　able　to　do　with　that　for
some　months。　　The　two　hundred　I　shall　keep　as　a　reserve　fund　for
you　to　draw　on。〃

〃No；　no！〃　said　Rosa。　　〃I　shall　go　and　live　with　my　father；　and
never　spend　a　penny。　　O　Christie；　if　you　knew　how　I　hate　myself　for
the　folly　that　is　parting　us！　　Oh；　why　don't　they　teach　girls　sense
and　money；　instead　of　music　and　the　globes？〃

But　Christopher　opened　a　banking　account　for　her；　and　gave　her　a
check…book；　and　entreated　her　to　pay　everything　by　check；　and　run
no　bills　whatever；　and　she　promised。　　He　also　advertised　the　Bijou；
and　put　a　bill　in　the　window：　〃The　lease　of　this　house；　and　the
furniture；　to　be　sold。〃

Rosa　cried　bitterly　at　sight　of　it；　thinking　how　high　in　hope　they
were；　when　they　had　their　first　dinner　there；　and　also　when　she
went　to　her　first　sale　to　buy　the　furniture　cheap。

And　now　everything　moved　with　terrible　rapidity。　　The　Amphitrite
was　to　sail　from　Plymouth　in　five　days；　and；　meantime；　there　was　so
much　to　be　done；　that　the　days　seemed　to　gallop　away。

Dr。　Staines　forgot　nothing。　　He　made　his　will　in　duplicate；　leaving
all　to　his　wife；　he　left　one　copy　at　Doctors'　Commons　and　another
with　his　lawyer；　inventoried　all　his　furniture　and　effects　in
duplicate；　too；　wrote　to　Uncle　Philip；　and　then　called　on　him　to
seek　a　reconciliation。　　Unfortunately；　Dr。　Philip　was　in　Scotland。
At　last　this　sad　pair　went　down　to　Plymouth　together；　there　to　meet
Lord　Tadcaster　and　go　on　board　H。M。S。　Amphitrite；　lying　out　at
anchor；　under　orders　for　the　Australian　Station。

They　met　at　the　inn；　as　appointed；　and　sent　word　of　their　arrival
on　board　the　frigate；　asking　to　remain　on　shore　till　the　last
minute。

Dr。　Staines　presented　his　patient　to　Rosa；　and　after　a　little　while
drew　him　apart　and　questioned　him　professionally。　　He　then　asked
for　a　private　room。　　Here　he　and　Rosa　really　took　leave；　for　what
could　the　poor　things　say　to　each　other　on　a　crowded　quay？　　He
begged　her　forgiveness；　on　his　knees；　for　having　once　spoken
harshly　to　her；　and　she　told　him；　with　passionate　sobs；　he　had
never　spoken　harshly　to　her；　her　folly　it　was　had　parted　them。

Poor　wretches！　they　clung　together　with　a　thousand　vows　of　love　and
constancy。　　They　were　to　pray　for　each　other　at　the　same　hours：　to
think　of　some　kind　word　or　loving　act；　at　other　stated　hours；　and
so　they　tried　to　fight　with　their　suffering　minds　against　the　cruel
separation；　and　if　either　should　die；　the　other　was　to　live　wedded
to　memory；　and　never　listen　to　love　from　other　lips；　but　no！　God
was　pitiful；　He　would　let　them　meet　again　ere　long；　to　part　no
more。　　They　rocked　in　each　other's　arms；　they　cried　over　each
otherit　was　pitiful。

At　last　the　cruel　summons　came；　they　shuddered；　as　if　it　was　their
death…blow。　　Christopher；　with　a　face　of　agony；　was　yet　himself；
and　would　have　parted　then：　and　so　best。　　But　Rosa　could　not。　　She
would　see　the　last　of　him；　and　became　almost　wild　and　violent　when
he　opposed　it。

Then　he　let　her　come　with　him　to　Milbay　Steps；　but　into　the　boat　he
would　not　let　her　step。

The　ship's　boat　lay　at　the　steps；　manned　by　six　sailors；　all
seated；　with　their　oars　tossed　in　two　vertical　rows。　　A　smart　middy
in　charge　conducted　them；　and　Dr。　Staines　and　Lord　Tadcaster　got
in；　leaving　Rosa；　in　charge　of　her　maid；　on　the　quay。

〃Shove　off〃〃Down〃〃Give　way。〃

Each　order　was　executed　so　swiftly　and　surely　that；　in　as　many
seconds；　the　boat　was　clear；　the　oars　struck　the　water　with　a　loud
splash；　and　the　husband　was　shot　away　like　an　arrow；　and　the　wife's
despairing　cry　rang　on　the　stony　quay；　as　many　a　poor　woman's　cry
had　rung　before。

In　half　a　minute　the　boat　shot　under　the　stern　of　the　frigate。

They　were　received　on　the　quarter…deck　by　Captain　Hamilton：　he
introduced　them　to　the　officersa　torture　to　poor　Staines；　to　have
his　mind　taken　for　a　single　instant　from　his　wifethe　first
lieutenant　came　aft；　and　reported；　〃Ready　for　making　sail；　sir。〃

Staines　seized　the　excuse；　rushed　to　the　other　side　of　the　vessel；
leaned　over　the　taffrail；　as　if　he　would　fly　ashore；　and　stretched
out　his　hands　to　his　beloved　Rosa；　and　she　stretched　out　her　hands
to　him。　　They　were　so　near；　he　could　read　the　expression　of　her
face。　　It　was　wild　and　troubled；　as　one　who　did　not　yet　realize　the
terrible　situation；　but　would　not　be　long　first。

〃HANDS　MAKE　SAILAWAY；　ALOFTUP　ANCHOR〃rang　in　Christopher's
ear；　as　if　in　a　dream。　　All　his　soul　and　senses　were　bent　on　that
desolate　young　creature。　　How　young　and　amazed　her　lovely　face！
Yet　this　bewildered　child　was　about　to　become　a　mother。　　Even　a
stranger's　heart　might　have　yearned　with　pity　for　her：　how　much
more　her　miserable　husband's！

The　capstan　was　manned；　and　worked　to　a　merry　tune　that　struck
chill　to　the　bereaved；　yards　were　braced　for　casting；　anchor　hove；
catted；　and　fished；　sail　was　spread　with　amazing　swiftness；　the
ship's　head　dipped；　and　slowly　and　gracefully　paid　off　towards　the
breakwater；　and　she　stood　out　to　sea　under　swiftly…swelling　canvas
and　a　light　north…westerly　breeze。

Staines　only　felt　the　motion：　his　body　was　in　the　ship；　his　soul
with　his　Rosa。　　He　gazed；　he　strained　his　eyes　to　see　her　eyes；　as
the　ship　glided　from　England　and　her。　　While　he　was　thus　gazing　and
trembling　all　over；　up　came　to　him　a　smart　second　lieutenant；　with
a　brilliant　voice　that　struck　him　like　a　sword。　　〃Captain's　orders
to　show　you　berths；　please　choose　for　Lord　Tadcaster　and　yourself。〃

The　man's　wild　answer　made　the　young　officer　stare。　　〃Oh；　sir！　not
nowtry　and　do　my　duty　when　I　have　quite　lost　hermy　poor　wifea
childa　mothertheresiron　the　stepsthere！there！〃

Now　this　officer　always　went　to　sea　singing　〃Oh　be　joyful。〃　　But　a
strong　man's　agony；　who　can　make　light　of　it？　　It　was　a　revelation
to　him；　but　he　took　it　quickly。　　The　first　thing　he　did；　being　a
man　of　action；　was　to　dash　into　his　cabin；　and　come　back　with　a
short；　powerful　double　glass。　　〃There！〃　said　he　roughly；　but
kindly；　and　shoved　it　into　Staines's　hand。　　He　took　it；　stared　at
it　stupidly；　then　used　it；　without　a　word　of　thanks；　so　wrapped　was
he　in　his　anguish。

This　glass　prolonged　the　misery　of　that　bitter　hour。　　When　Rosa
could　no　longer　tell　her　husband　from　another；　she　felt　he　was
really　gone；　and　she　threw　her　hands　aloft；　and　clasped　them　above
her　head；　with　the　wild　abandon　of　a　woman　who　could　never　again　be
a　child；　and　Staines　saw　it；　and　a　sharp　sigh　burst　from　him；　and
he　saw　her　maid　and　others　gather　round　her。　　He　saw　the　poor　young
thing　led　away；　with　her　head　all　down；　as　he　had　never　seen　her
before；　and　supported　to　the　inn；　and　then　he　saw　her　no　more。

His　heart　seemed　to　go　out　of　his　bosom　in　search　of　her；　and　leave
nothing　but　a　stone　behind：　he　hung　over　the　taffrail　like　a　dead
thing。　　A　steady　foot…fall　slapped　his　ear。　　He　raised　his　white
face　and　filmy　eyes；　and　saw　Lieutenant　Fitzroy　marching　to　and　fro
like　a　sentinel；　keeping　everybody　away　from　the　mourner；　with　the
steady；　resolute；　business…like　face　of　a　man　in　whom　sentiment　is
confined　to　action；　its　phrases　and　its　flourishes　being　literally
terra　incognita　to　the　honest　fellow。

Staines　staggered　towards　him；　holding　out　both　hands；　and　gasped
out；　〃God　bless　you。　　Hide　me　somewheremust　not　be　seen　SOgot
duty　to　doPatientcan't　do　it　yetone　hour　to　draw　my　breath
oh；　my　God；　my　God！one　hour；　sir。　　Then　do　my　duty；　if　I　dieas
you　would。〃

Fitzroy　tore　him　down　into　his　own　cabin；　shut　him　in　and　ran　to
the　first　lieutenant；　with　a　tear　in　his　eye。　　〃Can　I　have　a
sentry；　sir？〃

〃Sentry！　　What　for？〃

〃The　doctorawfully　cut　up　at　leaving　his　wife：　got　him　in　my
cabin。　　Wants　to　have　his　cry　to　himself。〃

〃Fancy　a　fellow　crying　at　going　to　sea！〃

〃It　is　not　that；　sir；　it　is　leaving　his　wife。〃

〃Well；　is　he　the　only　man　on　board　that　has　got　a　wife？〃

〃Why；　no；　sir。　　It　is　odd；　now　I　think　of　it。　　Perhaps　he　has　only
got　that　ONE。〃

〃Curious　creatures；　landsmen；〃　said　the　first　lieutenant。
〃However；　you　can　stick　a　marine　there。〃

〃And　I　say；　show　the　YOUNGSTER　the　berths；　and　let　him　choose；　as
the　doctor's　aground。〃

〃Yes；　sir。〃

So　Fitzoy　planted　his　marine；　and　then　went　after　Lord　Tadcaster：
he　had　drawn　up　alongside　his　cousin；　Captain　Hamilton。　　The
captain；　being　an　admirer　of　Lady　Cicely；　was　mighty　civil　to　his
little　lordship；　and　talked　to　him　more　than　was　his　wont　on　the
quarterdeck；　for　though　he　had　a　good　flow　of　conversation；　and
dispensed　with　ceremony　in　his　cabin；　he　was　apt　to　be　rather　short
on　deck。　　However；　he　told　little　Tadcaster　he　was　fortunate；　they
had　a　good　start；　and；　if　the　wind　held；　might　hope　to　be　clear　of
the　Channel　in　twenty…four　hours。　　〃You　will　see　Eddystone
lighthouse　about　four　bells；〃　said　he。

〃Shall　we　go　out　of　sight　of　land　altogether？〃　inquired　his
lordship。

〃Of　course　we　shall；　and　the　sooner　the　better。〃　　He　then　explained
to　the　novice　that　the　only　danger　to　a　good　ship　was　from　the
land。

While　Tadcaster　was　digesting　this　paradox；　Captain　Hamilton
proceeded　to　descant　on　the　beauties　of　blue　water　and　its　fine
medicinal　qualities；　which；　he　said；　were　particularly　suited　to
young　gentlemen　with　bilious　stomachs；　but　presently；　catching
sight　of　Lieutenant　Fitzroy　standing　apart；　but　with　the　manner　of
a　lieutenant　not　there　by　accident；　he　stopped；　and　said；　civilly
but　smartly；　〃Well；　sir？〃

Fitzroy　came　forward　directly；　saluted；　and　said　he　had　orders　from
the　first　lieutenant　to　show　Lord　Tadcaster　the　berths。　　His
lordship　must　be　good　enough　to　choose；　because　the　doctor
couldn't。

〃Why　not？〃

〃Brought　to；　sirfor　the　presentbywell；　by　grief。〃

〃Brought　to　by　grief！　　Who　the　deuce　is　grief？　　No　riddles　on　the
quarter…deck；　if　you　please；　sir。〃

〃Oh　no；　sir。　　I　assure　you　he　is　awfully　cut　up；　and　he　is　having
his　cry　out　in　my　cabin。〃

〃Having　his　cry　out！　why；　what　for？〃

〃Leaving　his　wife；　sir。〃

〃Oh；　is　that　all？〃

〃Well；　I　don't　wonder；〃　cried　little　Tadcaster　warmly。　　〃She　is；
oh；　so　beautiful！〃　and　a　sudden　blush　o'erspread　his　p