A Bottle in the Smoke: A Tale of Anglo-Indian Life

by Janet Milne Rae

  CHAPTER XXIV.

  A few weeks had elapsed since Alfred Rayner had spurned the searchlightwhich might have shown him some of the plague spots of his own heart.They had proved very trying weeks in the house in Clive's Road. Hesterwas striving to be tactful and tender, but her husband's waywardoutbursts of temper made things very hard for her, and even outsidersbegan to mark the change in her looks.

  "The Madras climate is already beginning to tell on Mrs. Rayner! Herbloom has been short-lived, but I expect she will soon be carried off tothe hills and get her good looks restored at Ooty," were the remarkspassed from lip to lip, but none divined the true cause of the youngwife's weary mien.

  In official circles the yearly migration to the hills had already begun.The Governor and his suite had departed, and the constant succession ofgaieties were over for the season. This indeed proved a relief toHester, but it threw her husband more on his own resources, which wasthreatening to prove disastrous. He now habitually lounged at the Cluband frequented card-playing resorts, returning late, often morose andself-accusing. His moods, whatever they were, always reacted on hiswife, who was indeed learning patience through suffering.

  One evening, however, he came home with an air of buoyancy which was nowvery unusual to him. He had hardly alighted from his mail-phaeton whenhe hurried to Hester, saying eagerly:

  "I've got a project to unfold, my dear! What do you say to a jaunt toCalcutta? You're looking pale. It is warming up here in this southernhole. Three days at sea will do you a world of good, not to speak of ajolly holiday in Calcutta!"

  "But, Alfred, this is surely all very sudden! Are you really thinking ofa voyage all the way to Calcutta?" faltered Hester, whose breath wasalmost taken away by her husband's eagerness.

  "Of course I am, and do you suppose I'd leave you all alone here? Thetrip will do you ever so much good--break the monotony that creeps overone like a fungus in this humdrum place. I've just written to acceptMelford's invitation, so there's no drawing back now. You remember hebrought out his bride the steamer after ours? It's some weeks since hewrote asking us to pay them a visit. It didn't seem to me possible then,but I've made up my mind to take the step now. The truth is, I have adesire to interview the reigning partner of my father's old firm,Truelove Brothers. My allowance comes to me with exemplary regularity,it is true, but it may be they owe me a much larger sum than I get. Atall events, being a minor no longer, it's high time I should beinvestigating these matters for myself. So pack up, my darling, andlet's have a second honeymoon on the ocean's breast!"

  The proposal had many attractions for Hester. Not that she resented thealleged monotony of life on the plains of India as some around her werecontinually complaining they did, but truly there had been a monotony ofjars and frets in her intercourse with her husband of late, and shelonged to break the cruel spell. He was looking ill and haggard, perhapsthe change of scene and the contact with old acquaintances might helphim; and she also looked forward to seeing the great city with itshistorical associations.

  With renewed hope she set about preparations for the journey. Soon allthe household at Clive's Road were sharing the exciting news that Doraiand Dosani were going on a holiday, and the ayah and the dressing boywere to accompany their master and mistress. Hester had written to Mrs.Fellowes to tell her of the pending departure, and all preparations werewell advanced when her husband, returning on the following evening at alate hour, announced with hesitating mien that he feared the sea journeymust be given up, that he was obliged for business reasons to includeBombay in his trip, and five days in the train, which was then thelength of the journey, was unthinkable for such a frail creature as shewas. Moreover, he had that day met a friend whom he desired, also forbusiness reasons, to have as his companion, and he being a bachelorpreferred to travel _en garcon_. This they could do much more cheaplythan if they "were hum-bugged by wives," as his friend elegantlyexpressed it.

  So it came about that Hester's quick hope came to a sudden end. For alittle she felt keen disappointment, enhanced by the knowledge that inher husband's change of plans there was a large element of wilfulselfishness. She accepted the decision without a murmuring word, andfelt almost surprised to perceive the strain of penitence which markedhis manner as she cheerfully busied herself in making all preparationsfor his journey.

  "I don't half like leaving you alone like this," he remarked on themorning of his departure. "I've been thinking of a nice plan for you.Suppose you write to Mrs. Fellowes and suggest a visit to her!"

  Hester, however, declined to fall in with the proposal, assuring herhusband that she would find plenty to occupy her during her solitaryweeks. But on the same afternoon when Mrs. Fellowes called to sayfarewell to her friend, and found to her astonishment that the hoped-forholiday was abandoned as far as Hester was concerned, she at onceinsisted that she should take up her abode at Royapooram during herhusband's absence. Thither Hester went on the day after Mr. Rayner'sdeparture to find rest and solace in the companionship of these goodfriends.

  Alfred Rayner's purpose in going to Calcutta was not very definite inhis own mind. He looked on it in the light of an experiment--a gamble.It was, in fact, the need of money which urged him to try to gauge thecapacities of Truelove Brothers, and to make the attempt to bleed themmore heavily. Zynool's loan had tided him over a period, but financialembarrassments were becoming pressing, and he decided to exhaust thepossibilities of help from the quarter from whence help had come withsuch unfailing regularity longer than he could remember. It is true hisaunt had always volubly assured him that his allowance was all the firmof Truelove Brothers had in store for him. But what were the assertionsof a woman like Aunt Flo, he thought with scorn, so ignorant, soprevaricating, as he knew her to be. More than likely he had been up tothis date the victim of a cruel conspiracy to defraud him of his legalrights as the son of one of the late partners of the firm. He had,however, to remind himself that his recent endeavours to probe thematter by a sharp query in a letter had elicited a firm though courteousreply that the allowance which he received was the limit of his claim.But now, since his financial condition was becoming desperate, unlessindeed he changed his whole scale of living, he had resolved to make theattempt to sift the matter in person. The _detour_ to Bombay mightindeed have been well dispensed with, and had only been yielded to atthe solicitation of one of the most worthless of his recentacquaintances.

  So it happened that when Alfred Rayner took his seat in the crowdedtrain _en route_ for Calcutta his purse was more empty than he liked tocontemplate. Prudence had even dictated that he should stoop to a seatin a third-class carriage. He sat in a corner wedged in between closelypacked natives, his sun topee drawn over his eyes, the lower part of hisface covered by his pocket-handkerchief. But he could not shut his earsto the discordant babel of voices round him, for every third-classpassenger in the East is nothing if not vociferous. His elegant personwas continually prodded by angular packages, his delicate nostrils, inspite of all precautions, assailed by the most forbidding odours.

  The journey seemed interminable. The slight refreshment he had been ableto secure as the train was in motion he could hardly eat in suchrepulsive surroundings. At last the express swung into Howrah station,but even then Rayner's gnawing discomfort was not at an end.

  He had been congratulating himself that as he had not mentioned the hourof his arrival, he would not be met at the station. But he reckoned toomuch on Mr. Melford's ignorance of the time-table. On peering out of hisbox-like carriage window, he caught sight of his friend in eager searchafter his smart acquaintance of Piccadilly days, while that gentlemanlurked in a third-class carriage, choke full of natives.

  Rayner decided that the only thing left for him to do was to secretehimself in the grimy comer which he had longed to leave, till he couldguarantee that his friend's back was turned. When that moment arrived hejumped with alacrity to the platform and hurried to report himself.

  "Ah, here you are, Rayner--thought you were going to cheat us too! Mywi
fe and I are awfully sorry Mrs. Rayner's heart failed her at the lastmoment. Carrie has been making great moan about her disappointment sinceyour letter came. Stupid of me not to have caught sight of you before! Ithought I searched every carriage!"

  "Oh, I think I was at the far end. But here I am, precious glad to beout of that beastly train."

  "Sorry you haven't been comfortable. Carrie and I thought we were in thelap of luxury on our trip to Bombay. We thought the carriages most grandand comfortable, but you always were a fastidious chap, Rayner! I onlyhope you'll deign to be satisfied with our humble abode. I warn you it'sup two pairs of stairs, good enough rooms when one reaches them, that ofcourse is a necessity out here. But I hope before long we may be ableto transfer ourselves to a house with a compound," said the younghusband, with a cheerful smile.

  "Doing a roaring trade, no doubt, Melford? Wish I'd gone in for being amerchant. Law is poor pay and no pudding!"

  "Not in your case evidently, Rayner. Tresham was telling me what apalatial residence you have in Madras, and what fine entertainments yougive--and of your equipages galore. Our one buggy is all we've been ableto muster as yet. But I'm saving up for an evening carriage for Carrie.I think I may see my way to that before the hot weather fairly sets in.But you and Mrs. Rayner will be taking flight to the Neilgherries soon,I suppose?"

  "Yes, Ooty will see us before long no doubt. My wife is feeling the heatbadly already. Her English roses that Madras has raved about all theseason are vanishing."

  "Oh, yes, I heard about those said roses from Tresham. He reported thatMrs. Rayner is quite the prettiest woman in Madras, and charmingbesides. You can imagine how eager Carrie and I were to see her, andwhat a disappointment your wire and then your letter was!"

  "Yes, I couldn't give details in my wire, but the fact is my wife isdevoted to a certain Mrs. Fellowes, the wife of Colonel Fellowes whocommands the Native Infantry Battalion in Madras just now. There'snothing she loves so much as a visit to those people. She helps Mrs.Fellowes with girls' meetings and things of that sort."

  "Oh, does she! That would have been another bond with my wife. She hasgot involved in good works, visits the Zenanas, and does what shecan----"

  "Thankless business, I say, but it serves to keep our ladies out ofmischief, perhaps," said Rayner, with a shrug of his shoulders.

  The gharry had now reached Ballygunge Road and drew up before the wideentrance door of the Melford's flat.

  "Think of being condemned to climb those horrid stairs when one comeshome dead beat!" muttered Mr. Rayner to himself, as he followed his hostup the long flight of steps.

  The home of the Melfords, when reached, however, appeared, even to hisfastidious eyes, ample and even elegant. Its young mistress, thoughwithout Hester's grace and beauty, was a sweet comely young matron withthe glow of health and happiness in her eyes. Her guest could discernthat her expression of regret over his wife's absence was genuine. Atwinge of remorse visited him when he recalled his action in the matter,and it was quickened by the recollection of the discreditable record ofhis days in Bombay. He winced to think of the follies for which he hadbartered his wife's chance of a pleasant holiday with this kind host andhostess, and resolved that he would proceed with all haste to make themost of his opportunities with Truelove Brothers, and try to secure alarger share of their profits so that he might have more luxury toshower upon her.

  On confiding his hopes and plans to his host over a cheroot afterdinner, he was assured by him that the firm in question was an excellentone.

  "As sound as the Bank, by Jove! I think I'll leave the Madras High Courtand become a merchant!" exclaimed Mr. Rayner, his eyes dancing withpleasure as he listened to the praise of Messrs. Truelove.

  "I wonder you never thought of that open door before, Rayner," said Mr.Melford between the puffs of his pipe.

  "Be you sure I did. But that I should be a Madras barrister seemed thegoal of my aunt's ambition. She brought me up, you know. I fell into thetrap, being young and foolish; moreover, she always assured me that thereigning partner, Mr. Fyson, was as hard as a nail, and that he wouldnever give me a bite of the plum."

  "I've always thought Fyson a very good sort--straight man to deal with,"remarked Melford musingly.

  "Well, I shall have an opportunity of testing him to-morrow. I'm ratherlooking forward to it," returned Rayner, brushing the ash from hischeroot.

  "So you're bent on business at once? I thought you might have come to myoffice first, and then Carrie has a project for the afternoon--aninvitation to go up the Hoogly in a steam launch with friends. Sheaccepted for you, thinking you would enjoy it. I may manage to get offfor the afternoon too, and make one of the party. You're sure to enjoy atrip on the river, Rayner."

  "Yes, but business must come before pleasure! I certainly hope to do theCalcutta sights later but Truelove Brothers call me first. But I won'tbe the whole day with them. I hope I may be able to join the pleasuretrip in the afternoon."

  "Of course you will! You can meet me at my office and we'll drive hometo tiffin together. My place isn't far from Truelove's. A tikka-gharrywill fetch you. You look a bit tired, Rayner! Suppose we turn in? Carrieand I keep early hours."

  "Thanks, I shan't object! I want to be fresh to-morrow. I say, Melford,if I present a good front don't you think they may be so enamoured of methat they will conclude the bargain at once, and the indenture ofpartnership go forward without a hitch?"

  "Not such an easy matter, Rayner," replied his host, shaking his head.He being chief assistant in a good mercantile firm hoped one day iffortune favoured him to become a small partner, but he knew too well theobstacles to be overcome to be able to assure his friend of a speedysuccess. He acknowledged that Rayner's close relationship with thewell-known firm put him on a favourable footing; and certainly AlfredRayner had an assertive air, the humble man meekly acknowledged, whichsometimes spelt success.