the patrician-第12章

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all　the　stars　of　the　past　night；　dropped　to　the　dark　earth；　were
waiting　to　glide　up　to　heaven　again　on　the　rays　of　the　sun。　　At
Ravensham　she　walked　regularly　in　her　gardens　between　half…past　seven
and　eight；　and　when　she　paid　a　visit；　was　careful　to　subordinate
whatever　might　be　the　local　custom　to　this　habit。

When　therefore　her　maid　Randle　came　to　Barbara's　maid　at　seven
o'clock；　and　said：　〃My　old　lady　wants　Lady　Babs　to　get　up；〃　there　was
no　particular　pain　in　the　breast　of　Barbara's　maid；　who　was　doing　up
her　corsets。　　She　merely　answered　〃I'll　see　to　it。　　Lady　Babs　won't
be　too　pleased！〃　　And　ten　minutes　later　she　entered　that　white…walled
room　which　smelled　of　pinks…a　temple　of　drowsy　sweetness；　where　the
summer　light　was　vaguely　stealing　through　flowered　chintz　curtains。

Barbara　was　sleeping　with　her　cheek　on　her　hand；　and　her　tawny　hair；
gathered　back；　streaming　over　the　pillow。　　Her　lips　were　parted；　and
the　maid　thought：　〃I'd　like　to　have　hair　and　a　mouth　like　that！〃　　She
could　not　help　smiling　to　herself　with　pleasure；　Lady　Babs　looked　so
prettyprettier　asleep　even　than　awake！　　And　at　sight　of　that
beautiful　creature；　sleeping　and　smiling　in　her　sleep；　the　earthy；
hothouse　fumes　steeping　the　mind　of　one　perpetually　serving　in　an
atmosphere　unsuited　to　her　natural　growth；　dispersed。　　Beauty；　with
its　queer　touching　power　of　freeing　the　spirit　from　all　barriers　and
thoughts　of　self；　sweetened　the　maid's　eyes；　and　kept　her　standing；
holding　her　breath。　　For　Barbara　asleep　was　a　symbol　of　that　Golden
Age　in　which　she　so　desperately　believed。　　She　opened　her　eyes；　and
seeing　the　maid；　said：

〃Is　it　eight　o'clock；　Stacey？〃

〃No；　but　Lady　Casterley　wants　you　to　walk　with　her。〃

〃Oh！　　bother！　　I　was　having　such　a　dream！〃

〃Yes；　you　were　smiling。〃

〃I　was　dreaming　that　I　could　fly。〃

〃Fancy！〃

〃I　could　see　everything　spread　out　below　me；　as　close　as　I　see　you；　I
was　hovering　like　a　buzzard　hawk。　　I　felt　that　I　could　come　down
exactly　where　I　wanted。　　It　was　fascinating。　　I　had　perfect　power；
Stacey。〃

And　throwing　her　neck　back；　she　closed　her　eyes　again。　　The　sunlight
streamed　in　on　her　between　the　half…drawn　curtains。

The　queerest　impulse　to　put　out　a　hand　and　stroke　that　full　white
throat　shot　through　the　maid's　mind。

〃These　flying　machines　are　stupid；〃　murmured　Barbara；　〃the　pleasure's
in　one's　body…wings！〃

〃I　can　see　Lady　Casterley　in　the　garden。〃

Barbara　sprang　out　of　bed。　　Close　by　the　statue　of　Diana　Lady
Casterley　was　standing；　gazing　down　at　some　flowers；　a　tiny；　grey
figure。　　Barbara　sighed。　　With　her；　in　her　dream；　had　been　another
buzzard　hawk；　and　she　was　filled　with　a　sort　of　surprise；　and　queer
pleasure　that　ran　down　her　in　little　shivers　while　she　bathed　and
dressed。

In　her　haste　she　took　no　hat；　and　still　busy　with　the　fastening　of
her　linen　frock；　hurried　down　the　stairs　and　Georgian　corridor；
towards　the　garden。　　At　the　end　of　it　she　almost　ran　into　the　arms　of
Courtier。

Awakening　early　this　morning；　he　had　begun　first　thinking　of　Audrey
Noel；　threatened　by　scandal；　then　of　his　yesterday's　companion；　that
glorious　young　creature；　whose　image　had　so　gripped　and　taken
possession　of　him。　　In　the　pleasure　of　this　memory　he　had　steeped
himself。　　She　was　youth　itself！　　That　perfect　thing；　a　young　girl
without　callowness。

And　his　words；　when　she　nearly　ran　into　him；　were：　〃The　Winged
Victory！〃

Barbara's　answer　was　equally　symbolic：　〃A　buzzard　hawk！　　Do　you　know；
I　dreamed　we　were　flying；　Mr。　Courtier。〃

Courtier　gravely　answered

〃If　the　gods　give　me　that　dream〃

》From　the　garden　door　Barbara　turned　her　head；　smiled；　and　passed
through。

Lady　Casterley；　in　the　company　of　little　Ann；　who　had　perceived　that
it　was　novel　to　be　in　the　garden　at　this　hour；　had　been　scrutinizing
some　newly　founded　colonies　of　a　flower　with　which　she　was　not
familiar。　　On　seeing　her　granddaughter　approach；　she　said　at　once：

〃What　is　this　thing？〃

〃Nemesia。〃

〃Never　heard　of　it。〃

〃It's　rather　the　fashion；　Granny。〃

〃Nemesia？〃　repeated　Lady　Casterley。　　〃What　has　Nemesis　to　do　with
flowers？　　I　have　no　patience　with　gardeners；　and　these　idiotic　names。
Where　is　your　hat？　　I　like　that　duck's　egg　colour　in　your　frock。
There's　a　button　undone。〃　　　And　reaching　up　her　little　spidery　hand；
wonderfully　steady　considering　its　age；　she　buttoned　the　top　button
but　one　of　Barbara's　bodice。

〃You　look　very　blooming；　my　dear；〃　she　said。　　〃How　far　is　it　to　this
woman's　cottage？　　We'll　go　there　now。〃

〃She　wouldn't　be　up。〃

Lady　Casterley's　eyes　gleamed　maliciously。

〃You　tell　me　she's　so　nice；〃　she　said。　　〃No　nice　unencumbered　woman
lies　in　bed　after　half…past　seven。　　Which　is　the　very　shortest　way？
No；　Ann；　we　can't　take　you。〃

Little　Ann；　after　regarding　her　great…grandmother　rather　too
intently；　replied：

〃Well；　I　can't　come；　you　see；　because　I've　got　to　go。〃

〃Very　well；〃　said　Lady　Casterley；〃　then　trot　along。〃

Little　Ann；　tightening　her　lips；　walked　to　the　next　colony　of
Nemesia；　and　bent　over　the　colonists　with　concentration；　showing
clearly　that　she　had　found　something　more　interesting　than　had　yet
been　encountered。

〃Ha！〃　said　Lady　Casterley；　and　led　on　at　her　brisk　pace　towards　the
avenue。

All　the　way　down　the　drive　she　discoursed　on　woodcraft；　glancing
sharply　at　the　trees。　　Forestryshe　said…like　building；　and　all
other　pursuits　which　required；　faith　and　patient　industry；　was　a　lost
art　in　this　second…hand　age。　　She　had　made　Barbara's　grandfather
practise　it；　so　that　at　Catton　（her　country　place）　and　even　at
Ravensham；　the　trees　were　worth　looking　at。　　Here；　at　Monkland；　they
were　monstrously　neglected。　　To　have　the　finest　Italian　cypress　in
the　country；　for　example；　and　not　take　more　care　of　it；　was　a
downright　scandal！

Barbara　listened；　smiling　lazily。　　Granny　was　so　amusing　in　her
energy　and　precision；　and　her　turns　of　speech；　so　deliberately
homespun；　as　if　shethan　whom　none　could　better　use　a　stiff　and
polished　phrase；　or　the　refinements　of　the　French　languagewere
determined　to　take　what　liberties　she　liked。　　To　the　girl；　haunted
still　by　the　feeling　that　she　could　fly；　almost　drunk　on　the
sweetness　of　the　air　that　summer　morning；　it　seemed　funny　that　anyone
should　be　like　that。　　Then　for　a　second　she　saw　her　grandmother's
face　in　repose；　off　guard；　grim　with　anxious　purpose；　as　if
questioning　its　hold　on　life；　and　in　one　of　those　flashes　of
intuition　which　come　to　womeneven　when　young　and　conquering　like
Barbarashe　felt　suddenly　sorry；　as　though　she　had　caught　sight　of
the　pale　spectre　never　yet　seen　by　her。　　〃Poor　old　dear；〃　she
thought；　〃what　a　pity　to　be　old！〃

But　they　had　entered　the　footpath　crossing　three　long　meadows　which
climbed　up　towards　Mrs。　Noel's。　　It　was　so　golden…sweet　here　amongst
the　million　tiny　saffron　cups　frosted　with　lingering　dewshine；　there
was　such　flying　glory　in　the　limes　and　ash…trees；　so　delicate　a　scent
from　the　late　whins　and　may…flower；　and；　on　every　tree　a　greybird
calling　to　be　sorry　was　not　possible！

In　the　far　corner　of　the　first　field　a　chestnut　mare　was　standing；
with　ears　pricked　at　some　distant　sound　whose　charm　she　alone
perceived。　　On　viewing　the　intruders；　she　laid　those　ears　back；　and　a
little　vicious　star　gleamed　out　at　the　corner　of　her　eye。　　They
passed　her　and　entered　the　second　field。　　Half　way　across；　Barbara
said　quietly：

〃Granny；　that's　a　bull！〃

It　was　indeed　an　enormous　bull；　who　had　been　standing　behind　a　clump
of　bushes。　　He　was　moving　slowly　towards　them；　still　distant　about
two　hundred　yards；　a　great　red　beast；　with　the　huge　development　of
neck　and　front　which　makes　the　bull；　of　all　living　creatures；　the
symbol　of　brute　force。

Lady　Casterley　envisaged　him　severely。

〃I　dislike　bulls；〃　she　said；　〃I　think　I　must　walk　backward。〃

〃You　can't；　it's　too　uphill。〃

〃I　am　not　going　to　turn　back；〃　said　Lady　Casterley。　　〃The　bull　ought
not　to　be　here。　　Whose　fault　is　it？　　I　shall　speak　to　someone。　　Stand
still　and　look　at　him。　　We　must　prevent　his　coming　nearer。〃

They　stood　still　and　looked　at　the　bull；　who　continued　to　approach。

〃It　doesn't　stop　him；〃　said　Lady　Casterley。　　〃We　must　take　no　notice。
Give　me　your　arm；　my　dear；　my　legs　feel　rather　funny。〃

Barbara　put　her　arm　round　the　little　figure。　　They　walked　on。

〃I　have　not　been　used　to　bulls　lately；〃　said　Lady　Casterley。　　The
bull　came　nearer。

〃Granny；〃　said　Barbara；　〃you　must　go　quietly　on　to　the　stile。　　When
you're　over　I'll　come　too。〃

〃Certainly　not；〃　said　Lady　Casterley；　〃we　will　go　together。　　Take　no
notice　of　him；　I　have　great　faith　in　that。〃

〃Granny　darling；　you　must　do　as　I　say；　please；　I　remember　this　bull；
he　is　one　of　ours。〃

At　those　rather　ominous　words　Lady　Casterley　gave　her　a　sharp　glance。

〃I　shall　not　go；〃　she　said。　　〃My　legs　feel　quite　strong　now。　　We　can
run；　if　necessary。〃

〃So　can　the　bull；〃　said　Barbara。

〃I'm　not　going　to　leave　you；〃　muttered　Lady　Casterley。　　〃If　he　turns
vicious　I　shall　talk　to　him。　　He　won't　touch　me。　　You　can　run　faster
than　I；　so　that's　settled。〃

〃Don't　be　absurd；　dear；〃　answered　Barbara；　〃I　am　not　afraid　of
bulls。〃

Lady　Casterley　flashed　a　look　at　her　which　had　a　gleam　of　amusement。

〃I　can　feel　you；〃　she　said；　〃you're　just　as　trembly　as　I　am。〃

The　bull　was　now　distant　some　eighty　yards；　and　they　were　still　quite
a　hundred　from　the　stile。

〃Granny；〃　said　Barbara；　〃if　you　don't　go　on　as　I　tell　you；　I　shall
just　leave　you；　and　go　and　meet　him！　　You　mustn't　be　obstinate！〃

Lady　Casterley's　answer　was　to　grip　her　granddaughter　round　the
waist；　the　nervous　force　of　that　thin　arm　was　surprising。

〃You　will　do　nothing　of　the　sort；〃　she　said。　　〃I　refuse　to　have
anything　more　to　do　with　this　bull；　I　shall　simply　pay　no　attention。〃

The　bull　now　began　very　slowly　ambling　towards　them。

〃Take　no　notice；〃　said　Lady　Casterley；　who　was　walking　faster　than
she　had　ever　walked　before。

〃The　ground　is　level　now；〃　said　Barbara；　〃can　you　run？〃

〃I　think　so；〃　gasped　Lady　Casterley；　and　suddenly　she　found　herself
half…lifted　from　the　ground；　and；　as　it　were；　flying　towards　the
stile。　　She　heard　a　noise　behind；　then　Barbara's　voice：

〃We　must　stop。　　He's　on　us。　　Get　behind　me。〃

She　felt　herself　caught　and　pinioned　by　two　arms　that　seemed　set　on
the　wrong　way。　　Instinct；　and　a　general　softness　told　her　that　she
was　back　to　back　with　her　granddaughter。

〃Let　me　go！〃　she　gasped；　〃let　me　go！〃

And　suddenly　she　felt　herself　being　propelled　by　that　softness
forward　towards　the　stile。

〃Shoo！〃　she　said；　〃shoo！〃

〃Granny；〃　Barbara's　voice　came；　calm　and　breathless；　〃don't！　　You
only　excite　him！　　Are　we　near　the　stile？〃

〃Ten　yards；〃　panted　Lady　Casterley。　　。

〃Look　out；　then！〃　There　was　a　sort　of　warm　flurry　round　her；　a　rush；
a　heave；　a　scramble；　she　was　beyond　the　stile。　　The　bull　and　Barbara；
a　yard　or　two　apart；　were　just　the　other　side。　　Lady　Casterley　raised
her　handkerchief　and　fluttered　it。　　The　bull　looked　up；　Barbara；　all
legs　and　arms；　came　slipping　down　beside　her。

Without　wasting　a　moment　Lady　Casterley　leaned　forward　and　addressed
the　bull：

〃You　awful　brute！〃　she　said；　〃I　will　have　you　well　flogged。〃

Gently　pawing　the　gro