The Man on the Box
Page 11
XI
THE FIRST RIDE
The next morning Warburton was shown into a neat six-by-eight, just offthe carriage-room. There was a cot, running water and a wash-stand, anda boot-blacking apparatus. For the rest, there were a few portraits offast horses, fighters, and toe-dancers (the adjective qualifying allthree!) which the senator's sporting groom had collected and tacked tothe walls. For appearance's sake, Mr. James had purchased a cheaptrunk. Everything inside was new, too. His silver military brushes, hissilver shaving set, and so forth and so forth, were in charge of asafe-deposit storage company, alongside some one's family jewels. Theonly incriminating things he retained were his signet-ring and hisSwiss timepiece.
"Have you had your breakfast, sir?" asked William, the stable-boy.
"Yes, my lad. Now, as Miss Annesley has forgotten it, perhaps you willtell me of just what my duties here will consist."
"You harness, ride and drive, sir, and take care of the metals. I cleanthe leathers and carriages, exercise the horses and keep their hidesshiny. If anything is purchased, sir, we shall have to depend upon yourjudgment. Are you given to cussing, sir?"
"Cussing?" repeated Warburton.
"Yes, sir. Miss Annesley won't stand for it around the stables. The manbefore you, sir, could cuss most beautifully; and I think that's why hewas fired. At least, it was one reason."
Warburton smoothed his twitching mouth. "Don't you worry, William; it'sagainst my religion to use profane language."
William winked, there was an answering wink, and the two became friendsfrom that moment on.
"I'll bet you didn't say a thing to Pirate yesterday, when he boltedover the wall with you."
"Well, I believe I _did_ address a few remarks to Pirate which wouldnot sound well on dress-parade; but so long as it wasn't within hearingdistance, William, I suppose it doesn't matter."
"No, sir; I suppose not."
"Now, what kind of a master is the colonel?" asked Warburton, strappingon his English leggings.
"Well, it's hard to say just now. You see, I've been with the familyever since I was six. The colonel used to be the best fellow _I_ everknew. Always looking out for your comfort, never an undeserved harshword, and always a smile when you pleased him. But he's changed in thelast two years."
"How?"
"He doesn't take any interest in the things he used to. He goes aboutas if he had something on his mind; kind of absent-minded, you know;and forgets to-morrow what he says to-day. He always puts on a goodface, though, when Miss Betty is around."
"Ah. What night do I have off?"--of a mind that a question like thiswould sound eminently professional in William's ears.
"Sunday, possibly; it all depends on Miss Annesley, sir. In Virginianearly every night was ours. Here it's different." William hurriedlypulled on his rubber boots and gloves, grabbed up the carriage sponges,and vanished.
Warburton sat on the edge of his cot and laughed silently. All this wasvery amusing. Had any man, since the beginning of time, found himselfin a like position? He doubted it. And he was to be butler besides! Itwould be something to remember in his old age. Yet, once or twice thepins of his conscience pricked him. He _wasn't_ treating Nancy justright. He didn't want her to cry over his gracelessness; he didn't wanther to think that he was heartless. But what could he do? He stood toodeeply committed.
He was puzzled about one thing, however, and, twist it as he would, hecould not solve it with any degree of satisfaction. Why, after what hadhappened, had she hired him? If she could pass over that episode at thecarriage-door and forget it, _he_ couldn't. He knew that each time hesaw her the memory of that embrace and brotherly salute would risebefore his eyes and rob him of some of his assurance--an attributewhich was rather well developed in Mr. Robert, though he was loath toadmit it. If his actions were a mystery to her, hers were none the lessso to him. He made up his mind to move guardedly in whatever he did, topractise control over his mobile features so as to avert any shock orthoughtless sign of interest. He knew that sooner or later the daywould come when he would be found out; but this made him not the lesseager to court that day.
He shaved himself, and was wiping his face on the towel when Celesteappeared in the doorway. She eyed him, her head inclined roguishly toone side, the exact attitude of a bird that has suddenly met a curiousand disturbing specimen of insect life.
"M'sieu Zhames, Mees Annesley rides thees morning. You will pre_pairre_yourself according,"--and she rattled on in her absurd native tongue(every other native tongue _is_ absurd to us, you know!)--
"He is charming and handsome, With his uniform and saber; And his fine black eyes Look love as he rides by!"
while the chef in the kitchen glared furiously at his omelette souffle,and vowed terrible things to M'sieu Zhames if he looked at Celeste morethan twice a day.
"Good morning," said M'sieu Zhames, hanging up his towel. His faceglowed as the result of the vigorous rubbing it had received.
_"Bon jour!"_--admiringly.
"Don't give me any of your _bong joors,_ Miss,"--stolidly. "There'sonly one language for me, and that's English."
"_Merci!_ You Anglaises are _so_ conceit'! How you like _me_ to teachyou French, eh, M'sieu Zhames?"
"Not for me,"--shaking his head. She was very pretty, and underordinary circumstances . . . He did not finish the thought, but I willfor him. Under ordinary circumstances, M'sieu Zhames would have kissedher.
"No teach you French? _Non?_ Extra_orrd_inaire!" She tripped away,laughing, while the chef tugged at his royal and M'sieu Zhames whistled.
"Hang the witch!" the new groom murmured. "Her mistress must be verygenerous, or very positive of her own charms, to keep a sprite likethis maid about her. I wonder if I'll run into Karloff?" Karloff! Thename chilled him, somehow. What was Karloff to her? Had he known thatshe was to be in Washington for the winter? What irony, if fate shouldmake him the groom and Karloff the bridegroom! If Karloff loved her, hecould press his suit frankly and openly. And, as matters stood, whatchance on earth had he, Warburton? "Chuck was right; I've made amistake, and I am beginning to regret it the very first morning." Hesnapped his fingers and proceeded to the right wing, where the horseswere.
At nine o'clock he led Jane and Dick out to the porte-cochere andwaited. He had not long to loiter, for she came out at once, drawing onher gauntlets and taking in long breaths of the morning air. She noddedbriefly, but pleasantly, and came down the steps. Her riding-habit wasof the conventional black, and her small, shapely boots were ofpatent-leather. She wore no hat on her glorious head, which showed hergood sense and her scorn for freckles and sunburn. But nature had givenher one of those rare complexions upon which the sun and the wind havebut trifling effect.
"We shall ride north, James; the roads are better and freer. Jane has ahorror of cars."
"Yes, Miss Annesley,"--deferentially. "You will have to teach me thelay of the land hereabouts, as I am rather green."
"I'll see to it that you are made perfectly familiar with the roads.You do not know Washington very well, then?"
"No, Miss. Shall I give you a--er--boot up?" He blushed. He had almostsaid "leg up".
She assented, and raised her boot, under which he placed his palm, andsprang into the saddle. He mounted in his turn and waited.
"When we ride alone, James, I shall not object to your riding at myside; but when I have guests, always remember to keep five yards to therear."
"Yes, Miss." If he could have got rid of the idea of Karloff and thepossibilities which his name suggested, all this would have appealed tohim as exceedingly funny.
"Forward, then!"--and she touched Jane's flank with her crop.
The weather was perfect for riding: no sun, a keen breeze from thenorthwest, and a dust-settled road. Warburton confessed to me afterwardthat this first ride with her was one of the most splendid he had everridden. Both animals were perfect saddle-horses, such as are to befound only in the South. They started up the road at a brisk trot, andlater broke i
nto a canter which lasted fully a mile. How beautiful shewas, when at length they slowed down into a walk! Her cheeks wereflaming, her eyes dancing and full of luster, her hair was tumbledabout and tendrils fluttered down her cheeks. She was Diana: only hehoped that she was not inclined to celibacy.
What a mistake he had made! He could never get over this gulf which hehimself had thrust between them. This was no guise in which to meet awoman of her high breeding. Under his breath he cursed the impulse thathad urged him to decline to attend the ball at the British embassy.There he would have met her as his own true self, a soldier, a polishedgentleman of the world, of learning and breeding. Nancy would havebrought them together, calls would have been exchanged, and he wouldhave defied Karloff. Then he chid himself for the feeling he hadagainst the Russian. Karloff had a right to love this girl, a rightwhich far eclipsed his own. Karloff was Karloff; a handsome fellow,wealthy, agreeable; while James was not James, neither was he wealthynor at present agreeable. A man can not sigh very well on horseback,and the long breath which left Warburton's lips made a jerking, hissingsound.
"Have you ever ridden with women before. James?"
"Several times with my major's daughter,"--thoughtlessly.
"Your major's daughter? Who was your regimental colonel?"
James bit his lips, and under his breath disregarded William's warningabout "cussing."
"Permit me, Miss Annesley, to decline to answer."
"Did you ride as an attendant?"
"Yes; I was a trooper."
"You speak very good English for a stable-man."
"I have not always been a stable-man."
"I dare say. I should give a good deal to know what you _have_ been.Come, James, tell me what the trouble was. I have influence; I mighthelp you."
"I am past help;"--which was true enough, only the real significance ofhis words passed over her head. "I thank you for your kindness."
If she was piqued, she made no sign. "James, were you once a gentleman,in the sense of being well-born?"
"Miss Annesley, you would not believe me if I told you who I am andwhat I have been."
"Are you a deserter?"--looking him squarely in the eye. She saw thecolor as it crept under his tan.
"I have my honorable discharge,"--briefly.
"I shall ask you to let me see it. Have you ever committed adishonorable act? I have a right to know."
"I have committed one dishonorable act, Miss Annesley. I shall alwaysregret it."
She gave him a penetrating glance. "Very well; keep your secret."
And there was no more questioning on that ride; there was not evencasual talk, such as a mistress might make to her servant. There wasonly the clock-clock of hoofs and the chink of bit metal. Warburton didnot know whether he was glad or sorry.
She dismounted without her groom's assistance, which somewhatdisappointed that worthy gentleman. If she was angry, to his eye therewas no visible evidence of it. As he took the bridles in hand, sheaddressed him; though in doing so, she did not look at him, but gaveher attention to her gauntlets, which she pulled slowly from her achingfingers.
"This afternoon I shall put you in the care of Pierre, the cook. I amgiving a small dinner on Monday evening, and I shall have to call onyou to serve the courses. Later I shall seek a butler, but for thepresent you will have to act in that capacity."
He wasn't sure; it might have been a flash of sunlight from behind acloud. If it was a smile, he would have given much to know what hadcaused it.
He tramped off to the stables. A butler! Well, so be it. He could onlyreasonably object when she called upon him to act in the capacity of achambermaid. He wondered why he had no desire to laugh.