A Rent In A Cloud Part 3

To any eye that watched him, as with scarce an effort he sent his boat forward, while the lazy cirri of smoke that rose from his short pipe indicated ease, there would have seemed one who was indulging in the very fullest enjoyment of a scene second to none in Europe. You had but to look along the sh.o.r.e itself to see the most gorgeous picture of wooded islands and headlands glowing in every tint of colour from the pure white of the oleander to the deep scarlet of the San Giuseppe, with, in the distance, the snow-capped Alps of the St. Bernard, while around and close to the very water's edge peeped forth little villas, half smothered in orange-blossoms. Far over the lake came their floating perfumes, as though to lend enchantment to each sense, and steep the very soul in a delicious luxury.

Now, as Calvert felt the refres.h.i.+ng breath of the gentle air that stirred the water, he was conscious of a glorious morning, and of something generally grand in the scene about him; but that was all. He had little romance--less of the picturesque--in his nature. If his eyes fell on the lake, it was to fancy the enjoyment of cleaving through it as a swimmer; if he turned towards the Alps, it was to imagine how toilsome would prove the ascent; how deeply lay the snow on the wheels of the diligence; how many feet below the surface were buried the poles that once marked out the road. But even these were but fleeting fancies.

His thoughts were seriously turned upon his own future, which opened no bright or brilliant prospect before him. To go back again to India, to return to the old regimental drudgery, or the still more wearisome existence of life in a remote detachment; to waste what he felt the best years of life in inglorious indolence, waiting for that routine promotion that comes a.s.sociated with the sense of growing old; and to trace at last the dim vista of a return to England, when of an age that all places and people and things have grown to be matters of indifference. These were sad reflections. So sad, that not even the bright scene around him could dispel. And then there were others, which needed no speculation to suggest, and which came with the full force of doc.u.ments to sustain them. He was heavily in debt. He owed money to the army agent, to the paymaster, to the Agra Bank, to the regimental tailor, to the outfitter--to everyone, in short, who would suffer him to be a debtor. Bonds, and I O's, and promissory notes, renewed till they had nigh doubled, pressed on his memory, and confused his powers of calculation.

An old uncle, a brother of his mother's, who was his guardian, would once on a time have stood by him, but he had forfeited his good esteem by an act of deception with regard to money, which the old man could not forgive. "Be it so," said he; "I deemed my friends.h.i.+p for you worth more than three hundred pounds. You, it would seem, are differently minded; keep the money and let us part." And they did part, not to meet again.

Calvert's affairs were managed by the regimental agent, and he thought little more of an old relative, who ceased to hold a place in his memory when una.s.sociated with crisp inclosures "payable at sight."

"I wonder what would come of it if I were to write to him; if I were to put it to his humanity to rescue me from a climate where, after all, I might die--scores of fellows die out there. At all events, I detest it.

I could say, 'My leave expires in October, if you would like to see me once more before I quit England for ever, for I am going to a pestilential spot--the home of the ague and jungle fever, and Heaven knows what else--your sister's son--poor Sophy's child.' That ought to touch him." And then he went on to think of all the tender and moving things he could write, and to picture to himself the agitation of him who read them; and thus speculating, and thus plotting, he swept his light boat along till she came close in to sh.o.r.e, and he saw the little villa peeping through the spray-like branches of a weeping ash that stood beside it "Higher up," cried a voice, directing him. "Don't you know the landing-place yet?" And, startled by a voice not altogether strange to him, he looked round and saw the old lady of the Rhine steamer, the same who had snubbed him at Coblentz, the terrible Miss Grainger of the lost writing-case. It was some minutes before he remembered that he was performing the part of boatman, and not appearing in his own character. Resolved to take all the benefit of his incognito, he lifted his hat in what he fancied to be the true Italian style, and taking a basket in each hand, followed the old lady to the house.

"It is three days that we have been expecting you," said she, tartly, as she walked briskly on, turning at times to point a sarcasm with a fierce look. "You were punctual enough on Tuesday last, when you came for your rent. You were to the very minute then, because it suited yourself. But you are like all your countrymen--mean, selfish, and greedy. As to those pears you brought last, I have struck them off the account. You may bring others if you please, but I'll not pay for rotten fruit any more than I will for three journeys to Como for nothing--do you hear me, Sir?

three journeys to look after my writing-desk, which I lost on the Rhine, but which I know was forwarded here, though I can't get it. Is it worth your while to answer? Oh, of course, your old excuse--you are forgetting your English--it is so long since you were a courier. You knew quite enough, when I came here, to make me pay more than double the proper rent for this miserable place, with out a carpet, or--" Just as she readied thus tar, she was joined by one of the young girls, whose looks had vastly changed for the better, and was now a strikingly fine and handsome girl.

"Milly," said the old lady, "take this man round by the kitchen garden, and get some one to take the fruit from him, and be sure you count the melons."

Not sorry for the change of companions.h.i.+p, Calvert followed Milly, who, not condescending to bestow a look on him, moved haughtily on in front.

"Leave your baskets yonder, my good man," said she, pointing to a bench under a spreading fig-tree; and Calvert, depositing his burden, drew himself up and removed his hat. "My aunt will pay you," said she, turning to go away.

"I'd far rather it had been the niece," said he, in English.

"What do you mean? Who are you?"

"A stranger, who, rather than suffer you to incur the privation of a breakfast without fruit, rowed across the lake this morning to bring it."

"Won't he go, Milly? What is he bargaining about?" cried Miss Grainger, coming up.

But the young girl ran hastily towards her, and for some minutes they spoke in a low tone together.

"I think it an impertinence--yes, an impertinence, Milly--and I mean to tell him so!" said the old lady, fuming with pa.s.sion. "Such things are not done in the world. They are unpardonable liberties. What is your name, Sir?"

"Calvert, Madam."

"Calvert? Calvert? Not Calvert of Rocksley?" said she, with a sneer.

"No, Ma'am, only his nephew."

"Are you his nephew, really nis nephew?" said she, with a half incredulity.

"Yes, Madam, I have that very unprofitable honour, if you axe acquainted with the family, you will recognise their crest;" and he detached a seal from his watch-chain and handed it to her.

"Quite true, the portcullis and the old motto, 'Ferme en Tombant' I know, or rather I knew your relatives once, Mr. Calvert;" this was said with a total change of manner, and a sort of simpering politeness that sat very ill upon her.

Quick enough to mark this change of manner and profit by it, he said, somewhat coldly, "Have I heard your name, Madam? Will you permit me to know it?"

"Miss Grainger, Sir. Miss Adelaide Grainger"--reddening as she spoke.

"Never heard that name before. Will you present me to this young lady?"

And thus with an air of pretension, whose impertinence was partly covered by an appearance of complete unconsciousness, he bowed and smiled, and chatted away till the servant announced breakfast.

To the invitation to join them, he vouchsafed the gentlest bend of the head, and a half smile of acceptance, which the young lady resented by a stare that might have made a less accomplished master of impertinence blush to the very forehead. Calvert was, however, a proficient in his art.

As they entered the breakfast-room, Miss Grainger presented him to a young and very delicate-looking girl who lay on a sofa propped up by cus.h.i.+ons, and shrouded with shawls, though the season was summer.

"Florence, Mr. Calvert Miss Florence Walter. An invalid come to benefit by the mild air of Italy, Sir, but who feels even these breezes too severe and too bracing for her."

"Egypt is your place," said Calvert; "one of those nice villas on the sea slope of Alexandretta, with the palm-trees and the cedars to keep off the sun;" and seating himself by her side in an easy familiar way, devoid of all excess of freedom, talked to her about health and sickness in a fas.h.i.+on that is very pleasant to the ears of suffering. And he really talked pleasantly on the theme. It was one of which he had already some experience. The young wife of a brother officer of his own had gained, in such a sojourn as he pictured, health enough to go on to India, and was then alive and well, up in the Hill country above Simlah.

"Only fancy, aunt, what Mr. Calvert is promising me--to be rosy-cheeked," said the poor sick girl, whose pale face caught a slight pinkish tint as she spoke. "I am not romancing in the least," said Calvert, taking his place next Milly at the table. "The dryness of the air, and the equitable temperature, work, positively, miracles;" and he went on telling of cures and recoveries. When at last he arose to take leave, it was amidst a shower of invitations to come back, and pledges on his part to bring with him some sketches of the scenery of Lower Egypt, and some notes he had made of his wanderings there.

"By-the-way," said he, as he gained the door, "have I your permission to present a friend who lives with me--a strange, bashful, shy creature, very good in his way, though that way isn't exactly my way; but really clever and well read, I believe. May I bring him? Of course I hope to be duly accredited to you myself, through my uncle."

"You need not, Mr. Calvert I recognise you for one of the family in many ways," said Miss Grainger; "and when your friend accompanies you, he will be most welcome." So, truly cordially they parted.

CHAPTER V. OLD MEMORIES.

WHEN Calvert rejoined his friend, he was full of the adventure of the morning--such a glorious discovery as he had made. What a wonderful old woman, and what charming girls! Milly, however, he owned, rather inclined to the contemptuous. "She was what you c.o.c.kneys call 'sarcy,'

Loyd; but the sick girl was positively enchanting; so pretty, so gentle, and so confiding withal. By-the-way, you must make me three or four sketches of Nile scenery--a dull flat, with a palm-tree, group of camels in the fore, and a pyramid in the background; and I'll get up the journal part, while you are doing the ill.u.s.trations. I know nothing of Egypt beyond the overland route, though I have persuaded them I kept a house in Cairo, and advised them by all means to take Florence there for the winter."

"But how could you practise such a deception in such a case, Calvert?"

said Loyd, reproachfully.

"Just as naturally as you have 'got up' that grand tone of moral remonstrance. What an arrant humbug you are, Loyd. Why not keep all this fine indignation for Westminster, where it will pay?"

"Quiz away, if you like; but you will not prevent me saying that the case of a poor sick girl is not one for a foolish jest, or a--"

He stopped and grew very red, but the other continued:--

"Out with it, man. You were going to say, a falsehood. I'm not going to be vexed with you because you happen to have a rather c.r.a.pe-coloured temperament, and like turning things round till you find the dark side of them." He paused for a few seconds and then went on: "If you had been in my place this morning, I know well enough what you'd have done. You'd have rung the changes over the uncertainty of life, and all its miseries and disappointments. You'd have frightened that poor delicate creature out of her wits, and driven her sister half distracted, to satisfy what you imagine to be your conscience, but which, I know far better, is nothing but a morbid love of excitement--an unhealthy pa.s.sion for witnessing pain. Now, I left her actually looking better for my visit--she was cheered and gay, and asked when I'd come again, in a voice that betrayed a wish for my return."

Loyd never liked being drawn into a discussion with his friend, seeing how profitless such encounters are in general, and how likely to embitter intercourse; so he merely took his hat and moved towards the door.

"Where are you going? Not to that odious task of photography, I hope?"

cried Calvert.

"Yes," said the other, smiling; "I am making a complete series of views of the lake, and some fine day or other I'll make water-colour drawings from them."

"How I hate all these fine intentions that only point to more work. Tell me of a plan for a holiday, some grand scheme for idleness, and I am with you; but to sit quietly down and say, 'I'll roll that stone up a hill next summer, or next autumn,' that drives me mad."

"Well, I'll not drive you mad. I'll say nothing about it," said Loyd, with a good-natured smile.

"But won't you make me these drawings, these jottings of my tour amongst the Pyramids?"

"Not for such an object as you want them to serve."