Clara Vaughan, Volume 2 (of 3)

by R. D. Blackmore

  CHAPTER VIII.

  Vigorous and elastic as I am, I cannot deny that the air and weatherhave great dominion over me. It was always so with my own dear father.Two days spent indoors, without any real exercise, would make him feelas uneasy as a plant in a cellaret. Crusty and crabbed, nothing couldever make him--not even gout I believe, if he had lived long enough forit--but when he had lost his fishing, or shooting, or bit of gardening,too long, he was quite unlike himself. It was a bad time then to coaxfor anything--no song, no whistling, no after-dinner nap.

  I too am not of a sedentary nature, though upon due occasion I can sitwriting or drawing for some hours together. But how fine a thing allthe while to see any motion outside--a leaf that can skip, or a cloudthat can run! How we envy a sparrow his little hop, even across thegutter. It is now a long month since I have been out of doors, exceptjust to sniff the air, without any bonnet on. I have never been boxedand pannelled so long since first I crawled out of my cradle. It is asharp bright frost--it seems to freeze harder in London than in the westof Gloucestershire, but not half so cleanly.

  Isola comes, like a tea-china rose bedded in poplin and ermine. Herclose-drawn bonnet of velvet, mazarin blue, is freaked with snowdrops,nod, nod, nodding, not too many of them. I hail the omen of spring, andmy spirits rise already. Idols is up for a lark (as the junior sophistsexpress it) and she has set her heart upon leading me such a dance.Shall she ever set that sweet heart upon anything, and not obtain it atonce? Who knows? Never, I am quite sure, when another heart is theobject.

  "Come, you grave old Grandmother. You are younger than me, I believe,in spite of all your stories; and you are old enough in your ways, forold mother Hubbard that lived in a cupboard. Oh my tippets andfurbelows, if I wore as tall as you, and half as long in the waist, whata dress I would have. Fifteen guineas at least. Come along, youbed-ridden dump of a Clara; it's freezing like bricks and silica, and Iam in such spirits, and Giudice is frightening Tom out of his life inthe kitchen."

  She danced round my little room, like a leaf when the wind is rising.The Pixie-king of my gordit could not have been lighter of foot, norhalf so lovely of form. How she managed to spin so between the "sticks,"none but herself can tell. What would poor Mrs. Shelfer have said? Inspite of her fears for the furniture, she would have laughed, I believe,and blessed the pretty feet.

  "Come along, Clara child. Do you think I am going to stand still hereall day?"

  "If you call that standing still, pray give me the senior sophist'sdefinition of motion."

  "Oh I want to skate, so dreadfully. And Pappy and Conrad won't let me.They say it isn't becoming. But what on earth can be more so? Wouldn'tI skim on one foot? I'll skate, in spite of them, Clara, if you'll onlykeep me in countenance."

  "Can you imagine me skating?"

  "No. I know you won't do it, you are so fearfully grave. But there'smore fun in you, when you like, or when you can't help yourself, as I'veseen you once or twice, than there is in a hundred such Merry-Andrews asme. At any rate we'll go and see them. On with your bonnet now, Icannot wait a minute. Have something to cover your eyes. Conny '11 bethere I know."

  On went my bonnet, nothing loth to have an airing again. It was fadingin the box.

  "Now lots of warm things, darling. You have no idea how cold it is, andscarcely sun enough to thaw the long frost in your eyes. Let me look atthem, Donna. Oh if mine were half as bright. You can't have got them inEngland."

  "Now, Idols, don't talk nonsense. Every inch of me is English, and notan inch of you; although your eyes are so blue. You are Scotch allover, or else you are all Swiss."

  For answer she began singing "the Merry Swiss Boy," and was going todance to her song, when I danced her off down stairs. Giudice was inthe kitchen, with Tom, from the top of the coffee-mill, sputteringanathemas at him. A magnificent dog he was, of the race of Maltesebloodhounds, now so scarce, fawn-coloured, long in the flank, deep inthe jowl, pouch-eared, and grave of eye. He regarded Tom no more than ifhe had been an old hat brushed the wrong way; and the birds, who wereall in a flutter, he took for British butterflies. He came leisurely tome, walking one side at a time, and solemnly deposited his great moistnose in my hand. I knew him then as the friend who addressed me, longsince, in the Villa Road.

  "Why, you graven images"--a popular person always has fifty nicknames;Isola had a hundred at least, and she liked them all--"what depth ofsecresy and statecraft is this! You know how I love dogs, and you nevereven told me of this splendid fellow's existence!"

  "Well, Donna dear, don't look so indignant. He doesn't belong to me,and he won't come with me unless he is told, and then he makes such afavour of it. See his long supple stride. He walks just like aleopard--don't you, you pious panther? I wonder he took to you so. Heis not fierce at all, except when he ought to be; but he hardly evermakes friends."

  "Whose dog is he?'

  "Conrad's to be sure. And I do believe Conny thinks more of him than hedoes of me. Get along, you yellow mammoth! Why he would keep his headthere all day?"

  "All dogs love me, Idols. It was so when I was a child. They know howhonest I am."

  "Well, I believe you are, Donna; and too honest sometimes. But I amhonest enough, and Giudice does not appreciate it. Come along, Judy.Are you going to stick there all day?"

  Away we went, and the great dog walked behind, keeping his head mostfairly adjusted between us, never shifting its place an inch, whether wewalked or ran--as we did where the street was empty, and when we gotinto the Park.

  Oh the cold air of heaven, fresh from the clear North Pole, where theGreat Bear stalks round the Little Bear with the vigilance of a mother,how it tightens the clip of the joints, puts a sting into every step,flushes the cheeks with Aurora, and sparkles in young eyes! For thenonce we forget who we are, never think how our clothes blow about, ourspirits are on the north wind, what are we more than snow flakes, let usglisten and lift on the air.

  Crossing the Park (lightly furrowed with snow at the drains, like ourhair when we part it) we came to a broad sheet of ice. We had heard along way off a crisp musical hollow sound, like tapping a box with ahole in it. The ice was not like the old ice at Vaughan Park, butseamed and channeled, and up and down, and powdered light grey withscrapings from skates and shoes. Thousands of people were on it, someskating, some sliding, some rushing about and playing hot game withcrooked sticks, some sweeping away with short brooms, some crying thingsfor sale and offering skates for hire, many standing still and wistfullyeyeing the land; but all in the height of good humour, laughing,chaffing, holloaing, drinking, and ordering more. Every now and thensome great performer (in his own eyes) would sail by the women grandly(like a ship heeling over), with his arms folded and foot over foot, anda long cigar in his mouth. For these one devoutly desired a fall. Theskaters of real eminence scorned this common show-off, and each had hisspecial admirers forming a ring around him, where he had cut his owncircus of smoother and greener ice.

  Along the brink of firm land, stood nurses and children innumerable; themaids on the giggle at every challenge borne to them from the glazedwaters, the little ones tugging, and kicking, and frantic to get on.The background of all the cold scene, whiter as it receded, and brokenby gliding figures, was formed by some low fringed islets, with openwater around them, and crane-necked wild fowl wheeling about, andwarning boards, and icemen pushing flat-bottomed boats along. In thefar distance, to the right, were two or three canvas tents, where theykept the range of the mercury, and the list of the accidents. The longvista was closed now and then, as high as hats and bonnets, by scuds ofthe drifting ice and snow.

  Here as we stood on the bank, Giudice forsook us shamefully, and boundedover the ice, with a levity quite scandalous for a serious-minded dog,towards one of the charmed circles, where eminent skaters whirled, likepeg-tops full of steam-engines. Was it likely that we, two girls ofspirit, would halt ignobly there? First on the ice went I, holdin
gIsola's hand, and tempting her nothing loth. In spite of her boastabout skating, Idols was frightened at first, and held very tightly byme, and wanted to run back. But the little feet grew braver at everystep, and she ventured even to clap her hands and dance. To me thething was no novelty, except from the number of people, and thepuckering of the ice. I had even the courage to slide with one foot,but never with both at a time. As for the cracking and bending whensome heavy man scoured by, on purpose, I dare say, to frighten us, Ilaughed with my heart in my mouth. Isola was amazed. She never couldhave conceived that I had so much effrontery. What cared I, if ahundred people stared at me? I was doing nothing unseemly, and dozensof ladies were there. The scene, and the air, and the spirits of youthset my blood all on the bound, and oh, blessing of blessings, my blessedsight was come back. How manly, and stirring, to feel, that a slip--anda limb may be broken; a crack--and one may be drowned.

  But, as usual, I suffered for my temerity. First we followed Giudice,and found him in the centre of the ring, where the greatest throng wasgathered, the dog skating with his master, who was one of the very bestskaters in the world. Giudice was graver than ever, but wistfullyglanced as he whirled round, at every point of escape. With his heavyfore feet on his master's shoulders, and his tongue lolling out, and hiseyes rolling sadly at each reluctant caper, and his poor tail betweenhis jerked legs, it was impossible not to see that his dignity andself-respect were suffering. So when Conrad came to speak to us, Iearnestly begged that Giudice might be set free, which was done in amoment, to the great disappointment of the bystanders, and the boundlessdelight of the dog, who came and gratefully kissed my hand.

  "Why, Donna," cried Isola in a small pet, "Giudice takes you for hismistress: he would never do that to me, if I coaxed him a hundredyears."

  Through, the colour the north wind had spread on my cheeks, I felt thewarm blood rushing, and bent over the dog to hide it; then much as Ilonged to see Isola's brother skate, I dragged her off rather rudelytowards the rougher part of the ice. Conrad looked rather surprised andhurt, but resumed his figuring with much apparent philosophy.

  Idols and I, with the flush in our cheeks, and the flash in our eyes,and our forms all buoyant with innocent fun, came suddenly round acorner on a party of low-looking men, who were casting flat stones,bowling, or curling, or playing at drake, with a great tin can for theirmark. We turned and were off in a moment; but we had been observed bythe sharpest and slyest eyes in London. A man gave chase inhalf-skating fashion, having bones tied under his boots, in lieu ofskates. We could easily have escaped, in spite of his bones; but was Igoing to run away, like a skittish servant-maid? I drew up Miss Isolasharply, whether she would or no, and confronted the enemy. It was Mr.Shelfer himself, the man so modest and bashful, who could never bear tolook at me. Though a dozen more came after him, I felt no alarm at all,knowing his wonderful shyness and diffidence. But his first addressamazed me.

  "Now's your time, lads. At 'em, I say. Here's the two prettiest galsin London."

  The low scoundrel! I saw that he was quite tipsy. But frightened as Iwas, for none but they were near, I could hardly help laughing at him.He had his usual slouch, and the long sly nose, and the pent-house gleamof the eye, and his gaunt cheeks drawn as if he was always sucking them,and the chimneypot hat, that had once belonged to some steady goingChurchman, with the crown flapping in, like the gills of a fish. Allthis was balanced by the skill and comical courage of Bacchus, upon apair of grating marrow-bones. Behind him his countless pockets yawnedand looked brown on the wind. And this was the being bowed down to byMrs. Shelfer!

  "Clara dear, stop, Clara!" the impudent sot cried out.

  I had stopped without that, and was already facing him. For a moment hewas abashed, for my eyes were full upon his; but the others were comingup.

  "Now this is what I calls harmony, dashed if it isn't. Why look at thetrees and the bushes. There's harmony in them trees, ay in every one on'em. Fine trees and pretty gals, them's the jockeys for me. That'swhat I calls natur' and something like. Houses! Lor, there's noharmony in houses and pantiles. Fine trees is all harmony, and so islovely woman. Don't tell the old gal at home. She never wouldunderstand. Why Idols there is a pretty duck as ever swam on the ice.But Clara's a ---- fine swan, and no mistake. Ducks is all very well,but a swan is the jockey for me. There's something to lay hold onthere. Give me a swan I say, and the harmony of them trees. BobRidley, I'll lay you a tanner I kisses that there swan. Ever see sucheyes, Bob, and look at the way she stands. Wonder there's a bit of iceleft here."

  The low rogue had a long pipe "in his head,"--as Farmer Huxtableexpressed it,--and at every leering sentence blew out a puff of smoke.

  "Bet you a tanner, Charley, you don't kiss that stunnin' gal," cried hisfriend, as drunk as himself.

  "Here goes, neck or nothing;" and the niddering made a dash at me. Idrew my clenched hand from my muff, where it had been tingling in myglove, and in his tipsy rush, his face came full against it. It was avery odd thing, and I know not how it happened. He reeled on his bonesfrom the collision, and staggered in staring amazement. Before he hadtime to recover, Conrad dashed up like a hawk at an owl; by somewonderful back-stroke he stopped in an instant, wrung Shelfer's crookedstick from his hand, hooked him under the collar, struck out again, andtowed the poor wretch away backward, at the speed of a mile in a minute.The fire flew from his skates as he dashed towards the open water.Giudice, at full gallop behind, tried in vain to keep up. Every man andwoman there turned to watch the issue. Shelfer threw out his handswildly, and screamed: he was utterly helpless, his teeth rattled morethan the bones on his boots. At the edge of the open water, threehundred yards away, Conrad stopped suddenly, like an engine incollision, unhooked Mr. Shelfer, and let him go with full impetus.Sprawling and yelling in vain, he flung up his arms, and fell backwardinto the water headlong. The icemen came running with boats, and ropes,and grapnels. But before the first splash was over, another was seen;Giudice, at a sign from his master, plunged in, drew the poor man ofharmony out, and laid him high and wet on the ice. He was taken at onceto the tent; where, as I afterwards heard, he made a fine afternoon ofit with the society's men; most of whom, it is needless to say, he knew.Be that as it may, the lesson did him good. He never insulted a ladyagain, or (what is still worse) a poor honest girl, with no education,and no one to defend her. As for me, I really believe he never durstblink his sly eyes in my direction again.

  I love good justice, in or out of the pod. The bean is as sweet to mefrom the rough air of heaven as from a juryman's pocket. But I thoughtMaster Conrad had overdone it this time. He had no right to risk thepoor man's life. And so I told him when he came back, as calm as if hehad cut a spread eagle. He assured me that he had not risked the man'slife at all. He knew the depth of the water there by the island. It wasfive feet and no more. Then I felt all of a glow and longed to give himthe kiss which had cost Mr. Shelfer so much. The next minute I felthumiliated, and burst into a passion of tears, to think what my fatherwould say at his pet of grace and luxury being insulted like that.Idols and Conrad, not knowing my story, could not understand it at all.

  They came home with me at once. Conrad, "under the circumstances,"ventured to offer his arm, which I, under the circumstances, ventured toaccept. At the door he left me; but Idols came in with Giudice,commissioned to see her safe home. She came in partly lest I shouldfeel lonely, partly to arraign Mrs. Shelfer (already condemned by bothof us girls) for daring to have such a reprobate drunken husband.