Jane And The Man Of The Cloth Part 16

"And perhaps even with the woman's manner of obtaining them," my father finished smoothly. "I should think a visit to the Honourable Barnewalls highly profitable."

We turned with some reluctance from the vivid view of the bay, and had the wind at our backs for the remainder of the way home. It was a slow walk, and marked only by desultory conversation, for my father was much fatigued; and I was far too preoccupied with his perspective on the matter, to spare a thought for much else. The Honourable Barnewalls had their fingers in every piece of this pie; and I wondered I had not troubled to notice it before. It was stewho had first introduced le Chevalier le Chevalier to my acquaintance, and to my acquaintance, and he he who elicited the valuable intelligence that Geoffrey Sidmouth marked his horses' shoes. It should take less than a few hours for a private smithy to render a Barnewall horse similarly shod; and the Honourable Mathew had enjoyed the span of a day, between learning of the Grange's brand and the murder of Captain Fielding. Could he have so wished to obtain the stallion Satan, that he resorted to theft and murder to do it? It seemed incredible. But might there exist who elicited the valuable intelligence that Geoffrey Sidmouth marked his horses' shoes. It should take less than a few hours for a private smithy to render a Barnewall horse similarly shod; and the Honourable Mathew had enjoyed the span of a day, between learning of the Grange's brand and the murder of Captain Fielding. Could he have so wished to obtain the stallion Satan, that he resorted to theft and murder to do it? It seemed incredible. But might there exist some other some other motive in the matter, that should make the death of Captain Fielding, and the guilt of Geoffrey Sidmouth, in every way delightful to the peer-in-waiting? motive in the matter, that should make the death of Captain Fielding, and the guilt of Geoffrey Sidmouth, in every way delightful to the peer-in-waiting?

For Mrs. Barnewall was familiar with the River Buddie district, and the Tibbit household; she clearly spent a fortune on dress, and her husband a fortune on horses; and yet, they continued to live in a style that suggested a comfortable income. Could it be that Mathew Barnewall-stupid, vulgar, utterly uninteresting Mathew Barnewall-was the very Reverend himself?

But my interest in the Barnewalls' affairs, though quickened by my father's observations, must await another day's satisfaction; for the afternoon was much advanced, and my father wanted his dinner, and I confessed to feeling much fatigued in my own right, and to be longing for the quiet of Wings cottage, and my too-long neglected Watsons. Watsons. The fitful attention I had paid poor Emma in recent days, had left my heroine marooned in the midst of a fairly tedious ball-albeit her first in her adopted neighbourhood-and at the mercy of a small boy, who had been dancing with her far longer than was necessary, owing to my scattered wits. And so, I sat down once more before the fire in the HtUe sitting-room-having crossed through the scullery in order to reach it, the doorway to the hall being now permanendy barred by the bulk of the oak secretary-and applied myself to my writing with every intention of industry. The fitful attention I had paid poor Emma in recent days, had left my heroine marooned in the midst of a fairly tedious ball-albeit her first in her adopted neighbourhood-and at the mercy of a small boy, who had been dancing with her far longer than was necessary, owing to my scattered wits. And so, I sat down once more before the fire in the HtUe sitting-room-having crossed through the scullery in order to reach it, the doorway to the hall being now permanendy barred by the bulk of the oak secretary-and applied myself to my writing with every intention of industry.

It would not do, however; in a very little while my attention wandered, from the odious Lord Osborne and the bland Mr. Howard, and the still less amusing Tom Mus-grave; they were all of them pale subst.i.tutes for Geoffrey Sidmouth, and my emotions were all alive to the dangers that so threatened that gendeman, and over which I had but little power. He was at once more real, real, and more vividly engaging, than anything my imagination might summon-and thus a person unique in my experience. For I have generally found the creations of my pen more pleasing, and arguably better company, than the bulk of the men thrown in my way. and more vividly engaging, than anything my imagination might summon-and thus a person unique in my experience. For I have generally found the creations of my pen more pleasing, and arguably better company, than the bulk of the men thrown in my way.

With a sigh, I closed up my ink botde, and gathered up my little papers, and submitted to a dubious glance from my father. "Your efforts do not engage you, Jane?"

"No, Father. The words come only with difficulty this evening."

"Then I trust you are off to bed."

"I believe I shall shall retire, if you have no objection." retire, if you have no objection."

My father gave a look to my mother's comfortable countenance, which bore the ghost of a smile as she laboured over the st.i.tching of a child's undergarment (which should go, no doubt, to St. Michael's Ladies Auxiliary, of which she had become a temporary member), and nodded. "I trust that tonight, at least, you shall endeavour to sleep," sleep," he said, with a slight warning in his tone; and I knew that he thought of my nocturnal ram-blings along the Charmouth road, and the mortal danger they had invited. he said, with a slight warning in his tone; and I knew that he thought of my nocturnal ram-blings along the Charmouth road, and the mortal danger they had invited.

"But of course," I replied, with as much innocence as I could muster; and made my way back through the scullery.

It was as I gained the hall, however, and would turn towards the stairs, that I encountered our valuable James. He was engaged in tr.i.m.m.i.n.g a lanthorn set into an alcove in the entryway. It would would smoke, despite our best efforts, and we had all but despaired of its utility, and determined to abandon it for another, of more recent vintage; but I observed to my delight that James had succeeded where less able hands had failed. He is genuinely a master of all things domestic. At my appearance, he stood to his full height, and turned to me with an expression of deference. Such an opportunity for confidence-and beyond the ears of my mother-should only rarely offer; and so of a sudden I seized it. smoke, despite our best efforts, and we had all but despaired of its utility, and determined to abandon it for another, of more recent vintage; but I observed to my delight that James had succeeded where less able hands had failed. He is genuinely a master of all things domestic. At my appearance, he stood to his full height, and turned to me with an expression of deference. Such an opportunity for confidence-and beyond the ears of my mother-should only rarely offer; and so of a sudden I seized it.

"James," I said, in a barely-audible whisper and with an eye for the barricaded sitting-room door. "I would speak with you in private."

He looked over his shoulder, as though my parents' eyes might bore through even the oak secretary, and nodded conspiratorially. I turned back into the scullery-but it remained the province of Cook and Jenny, who were setting the bones from dinner to boil-and felt myself in a quandary. Did I exit the front door, my father should hear, and believe me gone on some mysterious errand; I should not put it past him to follow, and leave my mother in some confusion as to his purpose.

"The back garden, miss?" came a whisper from James; and indeed, it should be the very thing. I slipped past him, and mounted the stairs, while he followed along behind-as was entirely proper, for he served to valet my father in the evenings, and was generally engaged at this hour in setting out his nightclothes, and arranging his toiletries upon the wash stand.

Wings cottage has a peculiar charm, in being built into the rising ground at its back, so that the first storey might almost be another ground floor. With a door just off the first-floor hallway, the back garden is suitable for ladies' use, being accessible to the bedchamber and dressing-room; and indeed, my mother and Ca.s.sandra had sat here in the sun of a morning or two, while Ca.s.sandra was recovering, and enjoyed the gende breezes, and the last of the summer's flowers, nodding from the bank. I had not had time to give the garden much thought; but I was pleased to find that two wooden chairs remained upright in the gra.s.s, despite the storms of the past week, and that today's sun and wind had entirely dried them. I took one with alacrity, and gazed up at the heavens; the first stars had begun to make their appearance, though the sky as yet held light We Austens are determinedly unfas.h.i.+onable, and xmU xmU dine early; and so the sun had barely set, though we were some hours already pushed back from the table. dine early; and so the sun had barely set, though we were some hours already pushed back from the table.

"How may I be of service, miss?" James enquired, with an uneasy glance over his shoulder for ears beyond the doorway. He had remained standing, and could not but feel the awkwardness of the arrangement; for indeed, there was the faintest whisper of an a.s.signation about our presence together in the garden. I should not like him to seem less than at ease, and so paid him the respect due to his situation.

"I shall not keep you long," I began, in a lowered tone. "Are you perchance acquainted, James, with a fellow by the name of Matthew Hurley?"

"What-Matty the n.o.b?" he rejoined, with a broad smile. "We all knows Matty. There's nothin' he can't fix nor find, for a price-and it's allus too high. What you want wit' Matty, miss? Leastways-" he amended consciously-"if I'm not bein' impertnunt."

"You will remember that I had an errand to Mrs. Tib-bit." I leaned towards him, the better to inspire confidence. "About the clothes for the Tibbit children."

"Right you are, miss."

"It seems that Mrs. Tibbit believes her late husband is owed some monies by Matthew Hurley, for some job of work they recently performed together; and though the manner of her husband's death must throw suspicion upon all all his former activities, not to mention confederates, I felt it my duty as a Christian to pursue the matter on her behalf." his former activities, not to mention confederates, I felt it my duty as a Christian to pursue the matter on her behalf."

"Bill owed some money?" James snorted in disbelief; "I reckon 'tis the other way 'round. But I guess you're wantin' the way to Matt Hurley, is that it?"

"In truth, James,"? said, with a pitiful expression of dependence, "I had understood that the fellow keeps such low company, that it should be a penance for any lady to seek him out. I had rather hoped that you you might enquire of Mr. Hurley as to the particulars of his dealings with Mr. Tibbit. He might prove more forthright to a man of his acquaintance, and a native of his town known to him some years, than he should to a lady and a stranger." might enquire of Mr. Hurley as to the particulars of his dealings with Mr. Tibbit. He might prove more forthright to a man of his acquaintance, and a native of his town known to him some years, than he should to a lady and a stranger."

James shrugged. "If 'tis important to you, miss, I'm happy to oblige. But I can't see rightly why you pay such mind to Maggie Tibbit. The truth's as scarce as teeth in her her mouth, beggin" your pardon, miss; and from the manner of his death, I reckon Bill Tibbit got what he was owed." mouth, beggin" your pardon, miss; and from the manner of his death, I reckon Bill Tibbit got what he was owed."

"I gave the woman my solemn vow, for she was much disturbed in the matter-and indeed, she has many mouths to feed, and might feel the want of coin severely." I hesitated, wondering how openly I might direct the course of James's enquiries. "I gathered that the labour was a matter of digging, performed for the late Captain Fielding-and that Maggie Tibbit might have gone to the Captain himself, but for his sudden death."

James did not respond for a moment, and his eyes narrowed shrewdly. "They've been a number of sudden deaths, to my thinking," he finally said thoughtfully, "and none of 'em too well explained, for that matter. I'll see what Matty Hurley has to say for himsel'. You just place your cares in James's keeping, miss, and think no more about it"

I thanked him, and pressed a few pence into his hand, which he blus.h.i.+ngly accepted, though only after profuse entreaty; and I sent him on his way. As I watched him go, I gave thanks for the Jameses of this world, and their easy access to places a lady should take care not to visit. He is very likely to form his own construction of matters, but little likely to divine the truth of my purpose-suspicion being far from his nature, and detection beyond his power. I have observed that men will quite happily believe they are rendering a service service to a lady, where they might baulk at being made a mere p.a.w.n; and yet it is the latter that is so often the case. to a lady, where they might baulk at being made a mere p.a.w.n; and yet it is the latter that is so often the case.

And with that thought, the face of Seraphine LeFevre rose unbidden before my eyes. The equivocations of this afternoon did not sit well upon my mind. I could not be easy in her character; I mistrusted her motives, and her purpose was unclear to me. Did she tend the wounded at the Grange tonight, as the stars shone from a darkening sky? Or had my suspicions unnerved her-and sent her out on the beach to a dark green boat, and a hard row against the tide, and a cutter waiting to sail for France- leaving Sidmouth alone in a stone-hearted gaol?

Chapter 19 - Tete-a-Tete at Wootton Fitzpaine.

22 September 1804 *

LAST EVENING'S STARS PROVED AS LITTLE TO BE RELIED UPON, AS THE conflicting reports of Sidmouth's character; for this morning dawned still and wet, with a thick fog rolled in off the harbour, and all the town's bustle and business at once magnified and m.u.f.fled by the impenetrable cloud. I gazed at the lowering gloom with displeasure. If any hoof-prints yet remained at the site of Captain Fielding's misadventure, they should be utterly marred by rain, and offer little in the way of suggestion as to the murderer's comparative size and strength. conflicting reports of Sidmouth's character; for this morning dawned still and wet, with a thick fog rolled in off the harbour, and all the town's bustle and business at once magnified and m.u.f.fled by the impenetrable cloud. I gazed at the lowering gloom with displeasure. If any hoof-prints yet remained at the site of Captain Fielding's misadventure, they should be utterly marred by rain, and offer little in the way of suggestion as to the murderer's comparative size and strength. Tliat Tliat door was closed to me; but others might yet be opened. door was closed to me; but others might yet be opened.

It was decidedly not not a day for paying a call; and so I was hard-pressed to explain the energy of my resolve to wait upon the Barnewalls this afternoon, at my mother's exclaiming over the poor nature of the day, and declaring it fit only for remaining indoors by a comfortable fire. Indeed, she began to talk so much of an early removal from Lyme, it being evident that the closer weather of autumn was hard upon us, and the fair golden days of late Sep-tember fast in decline, that I seized upon her mood and avowed as I a day for paying a call; and so I was hard-pressed to explain the energy of my resolve to wait upon the Barnewalls this afternoon, at my mother's exclaiming over the poor nature of the day, and declaring it fit only for remaining indoors by a comfortable fire. Indeed, she began to talk so much of an early removal from Lyme, it being evident that the closer weather of autumn was hard upon us, and the fair golden days of late Sep-tember fast in decline, that I seized upon her mood and avowed as I must must pay the call, as we might determine to be off at any moment, and the Barnewalls sadly neglected. I was forced to exaggerate here the level of attention the lady had paid me, from the necessity of painting an object worthy of serious consideration; but eventually gained my point. A hack chaise was summoned; my father handed me in with a wink; and in less time than I should have imagined possible, I was on my way to the Barnewalls" residence. It was a slow trip, owing to the fog, and elicited many a grumble and curse from the coachman; but I benefited from the solitude and tedium of the occasion, in reviewing my purpose in paying such a call. pay the call, as we might determine to be off at any moment, and the Barnewalls sadly neglected. I was forced to exaggerate here the level of attention the lady had paid me, from the necessity of painting an object worthy of serious consideration; but eventually gained my point. A hack chaise was summoned; my father handed me in with a wink; and in less time than I should have imagined possible, I was on my way to the Barnewalls" residence. It was a slow trip, owing to the fog, and elicited many a grumble and curse from the coachman; but I benefited from the solitude and tedium of the occasion, in reviewing my purpose in paying such a call.

I knew from rumour, and something Mrs. Barnewall had dropt, that they had taken an excessively large establishment some few miles out of Lyme, near the village of Wootton Fitzpaine.1 This is a small habitation, tucked into a valley between two hills, with an ancient ruin on the one and a lovely growth of woods crowning the other. One or two well-kept farms, and a cruciform church, in some need of repair, form the major part of the village; and as I eyed the belfry of the latter, I could not but think that it should make an excellent signal tower, did someone have need of conversing with s.h.i.+ps at sea. I had neither time nor inclination to explore its utility, however; the one truly fine house in Wootton Fitzpaine was my object, and I could spare only a thought for the scattered settlement it overlooked. This is a small habitation, tucked into a valley between two hills, with an ancient ruin on the one and a lovely growth of woods crowning the other. One or two well-kept farms, and a cruciform church, in some need of repair, form the major part of the village; and as I eyed the belfry of the latter, I could not but think that it should make an excellent signal tower, did someone have need of conversing with s.h.i.+ps at sea. I had neither time nor inclination to explore its utility, however; the one truly fine house in Wootton Fitzpaine was my object, and I could spare only a thought for the scattered settlement it overlooked.

Wootton House proved to be an excellent modern estate, its limestone construction dating not earlier than the middle of the last century, and well-fitted-out by its own-ers, who were absent in London, and who had leased the place to the Barnewalls through their Dorset agents-or so Mrs. Barnewall informed me, within a few minutes of my arrival at her door, having seen me divested of my pelisse and hat, and begun the necessary civility of showing me around the house. If my call occasioned any surprise, she was equal to it; and ascribed my attention to the weather, which should render even the most resourceful unutterably stupid, did they remain within doors too long. Or so she said; though I observed a book laid down at my entrance, and a comfortable lap rug thrown aside, and knew that I had discomfited my hostess a little.

She was dressed today in a remarkably decent gown of French blue wool, with a full bodice and sleeves, and very little ornamentation; I was surprised to observe that the cut followed the lines of no ancient civilisation, as her gowns so often did; it had virtually the effect of a cowl, and rendered her slanting eyes, and pale face, and dark springy locks, the more interesting for its severity. And so I a.s.sumed her to be effecting the mood of the cloister, so suited to the general atmosphere out of doors; and decided that this was as much a sort of trumpery as her Roman or Egyptian garb.

We began with a parade through the princ.i.p.al rooms, all very fine, and done in excellent taste, with silk draperies and mahogany furniture-so curiously formal for Lyme, that I adjudged the present owners to be little in residence there, and to have simply repeated their usual style of city living, in their country place. As we walked, Mrs. Barnewall informed me that she had been a full six months in command of the house, and that though they intended a removal to Ireland in but a few weeks, her husband had determined to renew the lease the following spring, and spend the better part of the summer season in Dorset.

"I am excessively disappointed," she declared, "for I had longed longed for a London season, or perhaps a trip to the Alps-though the renewal of hostilities between England and France might make such a journey difficult. I could have been happy with Easter in Bath, and spent May and June in London, with a daily parade along Rotten Row, and devoted my industry to the direction of a legion of dressmakers-and retired to someone's shooting lodge for August and September. But it is not to be. Mr. Barnewall is not to be gainsaid. To Dorset we shall return. I hope that we may find you here as well, Miss Austen- for I for a London season, or perhaps a trip to the Alps-though the renewal of hostilities between England and France might make such a journey difficult. I could have been happy with Easter in Bath, and spent May and June in London, with a daily parade along Rotten Row, and devoted my industry to the direction of a legion of dressmakers-and retired to someone's shooting lodge for August and September. But it is not to be. Mr. Barnewall is not to be gainsaid. To Dorset we shall return. I hope that we may find you here as well, Miss Austen- for I depend depend upon good society, in such retirement. You think of returning, I hope?" upon good society, in such retirement. You think of returning, I hope?"

"I cannot undertake to say," I replied, "my time is at my parents' disposal, I fear, and I go and come as they choose to send me. But I wonder, Mrs. Barnewall, at your engaging a residence so long, in a town and amidst a society for which you show so little affection. What can it be, that so fixes your husband's interest here?"

The lady burst out laughing. "This is frankness, indeed, Miss Austen! Have you learnt to admire Lyme less, less, now you have suffered it the now you have suffered it the more't" more't" She slid her arm through mine and urged me along a gallery, painted pale yellow and overlaid with plaster figures and garlands in the best Adam manner, designed for the parade of portraits of people utterly unrelated to my hostess. She seemed to think nothing of living amidst another family's ancestors, though / should find it decidedly strange. The stern faces in oils might have been so many She slid her arm through mine and urged me along a gallery, painted pale yellow and overlaid with plaster figures and garlands in the best Adam manner, designed for the parade of portraits of people utterly unrelated to my hostess. She seemed to think nothing of living amidst another family's ancestors, though / should find it decidedly strange. The stern faces in oils might have been so many objets d'art objets d'art on a shop-keeper's wall, for all the mind she paid them. "I fancy we are of the same opinion, more often than not; for though you profess the usual proprieties, and are careful to keep your face as demure as any chit of fifteen, the most delicious absurdities on a shop-keeper's wall, for all the mind she paid them. "I fancy we are of the same opinion, more often than not; for though you profess the usual proprieties, and are careful to keep your face as demure as any chit of fifteen, the most delicious absurdities will will escape your mouth, whenever you open it!" escape your mouth, whenever you open it!"

I felt I had only echoed her declared sentiments, and said so.

"But that is the wonder of it! Can you be insensible that the majority of ladies should have ignored my obvious dislike of this place, and uttered some commonplace phrases in praise of its ugliness, and avowed themselves blessed in such an habitation? But pretence and hypocrisy are not for Miss Austen. You are a valuable acquaintance indeed; and to your friends, must be irreplaceable."

We had come to a staircase, and ascended it to a broad landing, with a window in the style of Palladio that rose to the height of several storeys.

"This must be lovely in fine weather," I ventured.

"Indeed. It overlooks the rear of the house, and the walled garden, and to the right, in the distance, Mr. Barnewall's stables. Or rather, the owner's owner's stables, which Mr. Barnewall has seen fit to employ rather more fully than has been their wont." stables, which Mr. Barnewall has seen fit to employ rather more fully than has been their wont."

I was reminded sharply of my purpose in paying this call, which object had been overlaid with a surprising level of agreeability, so unexpected in such a quarter, and lulled to quiescence by the warmth of my companion. But I shook myself from complaisance, and turned to a subject of nearer interest than my own frankness and value as an acquaintance, however delightful those observations had been.

"Mr. Barnewall, I understand, is an avid horseman."

"Oh! Avidity is too gende a descriptor, I a.s.sure you. It was at the races that I was first introduced to my future husband; at the races that he proposed marriage to me; and at the races, very nearly, that we were married-Mr. Barnewall having a horse in the running on the very morn he was to be at the church, and most anxious to know the outcome of the match. Our wedding trip was rather an excursion about the breeding capitals of Europe, and instead of Sevres, or a trunkful of dresses, I returned from my three-months' tour in possession of several cunning little mares. We are all for horses in Ireland, I a.s.sure you, and while in Dorset must spend the better part of every afternoon riding out to visit one or another of the local stock farms. Whenever I do do get to London next, I am sure I shall be amusing myself in whatever fas.h.i.+on allowable, while Mr. Barnewall eats, drinks, and sleeps in TattersalFs arms" get to London next, I am sure I shall be amusing myself in whatever fas.h.i.+on allowable, while Mr. Barnewall eats, drinks, and sleeps in TattersalFs arms"2 The view beyond the window, which on a good day should have offered so much for my edification, remained resolutely blank. Blacksmiths by the score there might be, all pounding away at the hooves of a veritable herd of horses, and the cloud of fog that enveloped the Barnewall stables should reveal none of it to my sight "Such a hobby must require a considerable retinue for its maintenance," I observed circ.u.mspectly.

"And a fortune in expense," my companion returned, with a knowing glance. "I am sure you are too good to voice such a thought aloud; but it remains true, nonethe-less.

"How many animals have you at present?"

"Some thirty mares, and two or three stallions, and one or two foals. But that is nothing, I am afraid, to what we maintain at Ireland."

"How extraordinary! And what shall you do with them when you depart for that country?"

Mrs. Barnewall shrugged. "As we are to renew the lease of Wootton House, we shall engage to keep the horses here, and their stable boys with them. Our manager, Mr. Farnsworth, is a true gem-or so my husband says; and in our absence he shall ensure that every possible measure is taken for the animals' comfort"

"But what consideration must be given, to every aspect of the horse's life!" 1 cried. "What supplies of fodder, and attention to tack, and endless trips to the farrier and the blacksmith!"

"As to the farrier, he comes to us, my dear," Mrs. Barnewall replied in some amus.e.m.e.nt, "and the estate has its own smithy. But enough talk of horses, or you shall be wanting a visit to the stables; and I confess my slippers are unequal to the remains of the black frost. You shall have to endure your impatience regarding the beasts, another day."

I cared little for the denied stable visit; it was enough to know that the means to make a shoe existed on the property, and that Mathew Barnewall was indeed a desperate addict of horseflesh in all its forms. But I could not yet see him resorting to murder, however important a horse might be, in order to obtain it. For tho' Geoffrey Sidmouth's goods might be forfeit, and Satan sold, were he condemned for a murder that Barnewall committed, it seemed a circuitous route to the business.

If murder had been done, and a horse from Wootton House its agent, then the motive must be far more serious and deadly indeed. Nothing less than Barnewairs entire manner of living must be at stake-and there, there, were he indeed the Reverend, I might find a reason for Captain Fielding's killing. were he indeed the Reverend, I might find a reason for Captain Fielding's killing.

"And now, Miss Austen, will you take some refreshment in the morning room? Though I confess it bears a rather chilly aspect today."

I a.s.sented to the suggestion with alacrity, and descended the stairs in Mrs. Barnewairs train. After a pa.s.sage through a central hall, from which several corridors sprang, and the selection of one of these, we proceeded past the open doors of several drawing-rooms and a dining-parlour before achieving the morning room. It was a cheerful place, being painted a pale green, and draped in a flowered stuff of a similar hue, and bearing about its cornice the figures of several cherubs, all engaged in staring down at us with the most puckish of expressions; it was at once more intimate, and less formal, than the part of the house in which I was originally received. Here Mrs. Barnewall should conduct her correspondence, and have her second cup of breakfast chocolate, and say yea or nay to the cook's choice for the day's dinner, and take up what needlework or sketchbook should suit her fancy. A pianoforte stood at one end, backed by an excessively large pier gla.s.s, that whichever performer chose to essay the keys, might have an admiring audience of at least at least herself. I could not help an involuntary exclamation as I perceived the instrument, for my music had been denied me throughout the length of our travels; and my delight did not go unnoticed by my hostess. herself. I could not help an involuntary exclamation as I perceived the instrument, for my music had been denied me throughout the length of our travels; and my delight did not go unnoticed by my hostess.

"You are a proficient, I presume?"

I shook my head regretfully. "An aspirant only to that t.i.tle, and sadly in want of practise from a summer's worth of neglect."

"Pray, delight me with your skill, Miss Austen. Music is above all things my preferred activity."

"Then I should rather hear yourself, and avoid embarra.s.sment."

"Oh! I never learnt, I am afraid-and so should hardly stand in censure upon your performance."

After a moment's hesitation, I drew off my gloves, and seated myself at the piano, and attempted one of the simple airs I so loved to play for my sister, of a quiet morning in Steventon, so many years ago.

"It is is a plaintive melody," Mrs. Barnewall observed, when I had done; "but perhaps you merely echo the weather." a plaintive melody," Mrs. Barnewall observed, when I had done; "but perhaps you merely echo the weather."

"Perhaps," I said with a smile, and rose from the instrument "I may confess to a longing for my sister, who is the dearest creature in the world to me, and denied me by the misfortunes of which I know you have heard."

"Indeed!" Mrs. Barnewall cried, as she threw herself carelessly into a settee. "The famous overturning. An event almost as thoroughly discussed by the Lyme worthies as Mademoiselle LeFevre's unfortunate accident only a few weeks before."

"Her unfortunate accident?'" I replied, feigning bewilderment. "What accident was this?"

"Why, my dear, you must must have heard of it-the Miss Schuylers talked of little else the length of their stay. Not that they are possessed of such faculties as should provide them with frequent diversion, it is true-they were much dependent upon the affairs of others for their edification and amus.e.m.e.nt. But I recollect. have heard of it-the Miss Schuylers talked of little else the length of their stay. Not that they are possessed of such faculties as should provide them with frequent diversion, it is true-they were much dependent upon the affairs of others for their edification and amus.e.m.e.nt. But I recollect. Your Your business of the overturning, and the hanging of the man on the Cobb, quite put all thought of the mademoiselle and Captain Fielding out of our minds for a time." business of the overturning, and the hanging of the man on the Cobb, quite put all thought of the mademoiselle and Captain Fielding out of our minds for a time."

"It was the Captain who caused Mademoiselle Le-Fevre's accident?"

"No, no--it was he he who rescued her. Hence his affectionate name of who rescued her. Hence his affectionate name of le Chevatier." le Chevatier." My confidante reached for an exquisite porcelain box that sat upon a Pembroke table near her seat, and to my amazement, drew forth a pinch of powder on the tip of her forefinger, which she inhaled as elegandy as it was possible to do. At my inability to conceal my surprise, she smiled devilishly. "Would you care for some snuff, Miss Austen? Or is the daughter of a clergyman a stranger to this, as to so many other vices?" My confidante reached for an exquisite porcelain box that sat upon a Pembroke table near her seat, and to my amazement, drew forth a pinch of powder on the tip of her forefinger, which she inhaled as elegandy as it was possible to do. At my inability to conceal my surprise, she smiled devilishly. "Would you care for some snuff, Miss Austen? Or is the daughter of a clergyman a stranger to this, as to so many other vices?"

"I do not believe I should find it agreeable." My voice sounded priggish, even to my own ears. "How can you find it so?"

"It clears the mind wonderfully," she said, and sneezed.

"Indeed?" I confess the practise is new to my experience. Though my brothers James and Edward are both fond of their clay pipes, they take care never to smoke them within doors, and as it is my fathers view that tobacco is a dangerous addiction, I was hardly exposed to the fumes in my infancy. Even Henry, however-charming, foolish, light-hearted Henry-has avoided the fas.h.i.+on for snuff. Though there are some who have partaken of the substance for years, I may fairly state that only recently has it become the rage to carry the little boxes about, and change them according to whether one is at home or in society, or abroad of a morning or an evening. I had never never witnessed a woman consuming snuff- even my flamboyant sister Eliza. witnessed a woman consuming snuff- even my flamboyant sister Eliza.3 "I failed to discover the meaning behind le Chevalier" le Chevalier" I said, with an effort to appear rueful. "I fear I have not your penetration, Mrs. Barnewall, and the Captain I said, with an effort to appear rueful. "I fear I have not your penetration, Mrs. Barnewall, and the Captain did did appear indisposed to discuss the matter." appear indisposed to discuss the matter."

"That is like his natural reticence," she replied sofdy, and sighed, her snapping dark eyes momentarily clouded. I had not considered that the lady might consider herself in mourning. Such obtuseness should be unforgivable, had I not believed her too light in her attachments to regard the poor Captain with anything like tenderness. But T am too p.r.o.ne to a hasty judgment of the characters and impulses of others; it may be fairly declared my chief failing.

"The tale does him no dishonour, 1 trust?"

"Hardly." She adjusted a cus.h.i.+on at her elbow, and sctded in for a long chat. "It was a few weeks before your arrival, Miss Austen, about the middle part of August, I should say. We had ail been in attendance at the Thursday night a.s.sembly, though the crowd was rather thin, the summer people in general having departed for country estates to the north. There was nothing like a moon that night, as I recall, and so for those of us who travelled into town by carriage, the drive home was a slow business. Captain Fielding had not not been in the rooms-indeed, I had thought him away from Lyme on some business-and his absence deprived the ball of a good part of its gaiety. been in the rooms-indeed, I had thought him away from Lyme on some business-and his absence deprived the ball of a good part of its gaiety.

"Mr. Barnewall and I had agreed to follow Mr. Crawford to Darby, for a late supper and some cards, being little inclined to retire early, despite the ball's having closed a full hour before its usual two o'clock. And so our carriages travelled in train, up the Charmouth road towards Mr. Crawford's estate-until with a 'Whoa!' the equipage in front was pulled up, and in a moment Mr. Crawford had descended, and then my husband must be impatient to know what was toward, and we were all out in the road in the middle of the night, with only the light of a Ian thorn to show the scene.

"And what a scene!"

"Mademoiselle LeFevre?"

She shook her head. "Captain Fielding, unhorsed and with the lady quite insensible in his arms. What a picture they made! Her long red cloak, trailing from unconscious limbs, and the fall of her extraordinary hair across his arm; his face bruised and weary, and himself standing upon a wooden leg, and endeavouring to bear her homeward, without benefit of a.s.sistance or even his horse! Had we not arrived at the very moment, I cannot think how things should have gone; but we did, and commended him for his gallantry, and managed them both to their respective houses."

"But what had had occurred?" I cried, in some exasperation. occurred?" I cried, in some exasperation.

"We had it from the Captain-whom we chose to convey homeward, while the Crawfords took the mademoiselle-that the lady had been abroad on horseback, well after midnight, about some errand of her cousin, Mr. Sidmouth-only fancy!-and that her horse had starded, and bolted, and thrown her to the ground; at which point she was fortunate in the Captain's happening upon her on the road, at his return very late from business in Dorchester. Only think! Our carriages might have run over her body in the dark, as she lay insensible, had he not appeared to act as saviour!"

"Perish the thought!" I said, with suitable fervour. "But why, then, had the Captain's horse also also run off?" run off?"

Mrs. Barnewall leaned closer, her eyes once more brilliant with animation. "I understood from Fielding that he was unhorsed in the animal's act of leaping over the mademoiselle's still form, as the beast came upon her in its way. It was thus he made the discovery of her."

"I suppose Mr. Sidmouth was very grateful," I observed, with conscious stupidity, "to have his cousin so safely restored."

"Mr. Sidmouth seemed rather to despair of his errand's having gone awry," Mrs. Barnewall replied, "but that is ever his way. He should rather have all the world trampled underfoot, than have his own business interrupted; and the poor little Frenchwoman is but a cog in his larger affairs. She is capable, I suppose, and dutiful in her bidding, and there her utility ends. But we knew of this only later, when it became apparent that there was a grudge between Sidmouth and the Captain-the result of which we have all unfortunately seen."

"And what do you you believe is Sidmouth's business?" I enquired of her tentatively. "He is much abroad, in France, I hear-though perhaps not so much of late." believe is Sidmouth's business?" I enquired of her tentatively. "He is much abroad, in France, I hear-though perhaps not so much of late."

"Because of the war, you would mean?" She sat back against the cus.h.i.+ons, one delicate forefinger to her red-dened nostrils. "Aye, that is very bad for business, I have no doubt. I myself intended to purchase a lovely length of silk, promised me by one of the Free Traders hereabouts, and I find it is not to be had. The controls at the ports are much stronger, I hear, and the Royal Navy less amenable to turning a blind eye, no matter how much brandy is waved beneath their noses."

"Whatever would you speak of, Mrs. Barnewall?" My brow was furrowed, my countenance the very picture of confusion.

"Why, the Gentlemen of the Night, of course! The Reverend's men, who keep us all in silk and snuff, and playing cards and sealing wax. You will will have heard of the Reverend-as I recall, we discussed his exploits at your very first a.s.sembly." have heard of the Reverend-as I recall, we discussed his exploits at your very first a.s.sembly."

I studied my acquaintance's expression-the slanting eyes, sparkling with fun-or was it calculation?-the determined smile, which might hide a mind curious to know how much I had guessed of her affairs-the impenetrable facade of a carefully composed woman, betraying nothing of her true mind. She had allowed mc to know that she was familiar with the smugglers' habits, that she patronised them for their wares; and had even referred obliquely to Maggie Tibbit's silk. One might almost think that she knew of my visit to the woman, and my own purchase of the stuff-as perhaps she did. For the first time I was afraid in her presence, from knowing myself to be in waters too deep for steady footing.

"I did not know that people in my acquaintance were aware of the clandestine trade," I said slowly.

"Aware of it? But, my dear, they run run it," she replied, in some amus.e.m.e.nt. "Whatever do you think Sidmouth's business is? His errands for the little LeFevre? His grudge against the Captain, whom we all know to have been opposed to the Trade? Depend upon it, Miss Austen, the Captain's death-however conveniendy it might be ascribed to an it," she replied, in some amus.e.m.e.nt. "Whatever do you think Sidmouth's business is? His errands for the little LeFevre? His grudge against the Captain, whom we all know to have been opposed to the Trade? Depend upon it, Miss Austen, the Captain's death-however conveniendy it might be ascribed to an affaire de coeur affaire de coeur over the over the pet.i.te pet.i.te mademoiselle-was a matter of business. And if I adjudge Sidmouth righdy, he will dispose of the coroner's charge in similar terms. He will disappear, of a sudden, from his Lyme gaol, and take a swift s.h.i.+p for France, where he shall be given up for dead; but in a little while, in a different town, on another part of the coast, the Reverend will reappear." mademoiselle-was a matter of business. And if I adjudge Sidmouth righdy, he will dispose of the coroner's charge in similar terms. He will disappear, of a sudden, from his Lyme gaol, and take a swift s.h.i.+p for France, where he shall be given up for dead; but in a little while, in a different town, on another part of the coast, the Reverend will reappear."

"You are very intimate with the gendeman's business, Mrs. Barnewall," I observed.

"Am I?" She laughed mockingly, and reached for her snuffbox with the archest of glances. "I must say I find the gentleman irresistible. But then, most women do, do they not, Miss Austen? I daresay you have fallen victim to Sidmouth yourself, on one or two occasions."

"If I have, I should be the very last to own it," I said firmly, and rose to take my leave. "It has been a most enjoyable afternoon, Mrs. Barnewall; I regret that I visited Wootton House only at the close of your stay in these parts. I should like to have seen it in finer weather."