CHAPTER VIII.
Lady Victoria was not afraid of the sea. No indeed, and if her brotherwould go with her she would like nothing better. And Miss Skeat, too,would she like to come? Such a pity poor Margaret had a headache. Shehad not even come to breakfast.
Yes, Miss Skeat would come, and the boatswain would provide them bothwith tarpaulins and sou'-westers, and they would go on deck for a fewminutes. But Mr. Barker was so sorry he had a touch of neuralgia, andbesides he knew that Claudius was on deck and would be of more use tothe ladies than he could ever be. Mr. Barker had no idea of getting wet,and the sudden headache of the Countess, combined with the absence ofClaudius from her side, interested him. He meant to stay below and watchthe events of the morning. Piloted by the Duke, the strong English girland the wiry old Scotch lady made their way up the companion, notwithout difficulty, for the skipper's prediction was already fulfilled,and the _Streak_ was ploughing her way through all sorts of weather atonce.
The deck was slippery and sloppy, and the sharp spray was blowing itselfin jets round every available corner. The sky was of an even leadcolour, but it was hard to tell at first whether it was raining or not.The Duke's face gleamed like a wet red apple in the wind and water ashe helped his sister to the leeward and anchored her among the shrouds.
"Hullo, Claudius, you seem to like this!" he sang out, spying the tallSwede near the gangway. Claudius came towards them, holding on by thepins and cleats and benches. He looked so white that Lady Victoria wasfrightened.
"You are not well, Dr. Claudius. Please don't mind me, my brother willbe back in a moment. Go below and get warm. You really look ill."
"Do I? I do not feel ill at all. I am very fond of this kind of weather."And he put one arm through the shrouds and prepared for conversationunder difficulties. Meanwhile the Duke brought out Miss Skeat, whorattled inside her tarpaulin, but did not exhibit the slightestnervousness, though a bit of a sea broke over the weather-bow just asshe appeared.
"Keep your eye peeled there, will you?" the Duke shouted away to the menat the wheel; whereat they grinned, and luffed a little, just enough tolet the lady get across.
"Steady!" bawled the Duke again when Miss Skeat was made fast; and themen at the wheel held her off once more, so that the spray flew up in acloudy sheet.
Claudius was relieved. He had expected to see Margaret come up thecompanion, and he had dreaded the meeting, when he would almost ofnecessity be obliged to help her across and touch her hand; and heinwardly blessed her wisdom in staying below. The others might havestayed there too, he thought, instead of coming up to get wet and tospoil his solitude, which was the only thing left to him to-day.
But Claudius was not the man to betray his ill-temper at beingdisturbed; and after all there was something about these two women thathe liked--in different ways. The English girl was so solidlyenthusiastic, and the Scotch gentlewoman so severely courageous, that hefelt a sort of companionable sympathy after he had been with them a fewminutes.
Lady Victoria, as previously hinted, was married, and her husband, whowas in the diplomatic service, and who had prospects afterwards ofcoming into money and a peerage, was now absent on a distant mission.They had not been married very long, but his wife was always ready totake things cheerfully, and, since she could not accompany him, she hadmade up her mind to be happy without him; and the trip with her brotherwas "just the very thing." Mr. Barker admired what he called herexuberant vitality, and expressed his opinion that people with adigestion like that were always having a good time. She was strong andhealthy, and destined to be the mother of many bold sons, and she had acertain beauty born of a good complexion, bright eyes, and white teeth.To look at her, you would have said she must be the daughter of somerobust and hardworking settler, accustomed from her youth to face rainand snow and sunshine in ready reliance on her inborn strength. She didnot suggest dukes and duchesses in the least. Alas! the generation ofthose ruddy English boys and girls is growing rarer day by day, and amealy-faced, over-cerebrated people are springing up, who with theirchildren again, in trying to rival the brain-work of foreigners withlarger skulls and more in them, forget that their English forefathershave always done everything by sheer strength and bloodshed, and can aseasily hope to accomplish anything by skill as a whale can expect todance upon the tight rope. They would do better, thought Lady Victoria,to give it up, to abandon the struggle for intellectual superiority ofthat kind. They have produced greater minds when, the mass of theircountrymen were steeped in brutality, and Elizabethan surfeit of beefand ale, than they will ever produce with a twopenny-halfpenny universaleducation. What is the use? Progress. What is progress? Merely theadequate arrangement of inequalities--in the words of one of their ownthinkers who knows most about it and troubles himself least abouttheories. What is the use of your "universal" education, to whichnine-tenths of the population submit as to a hopeless evil, which takesbread out of their mouths and puts bran into their heads; for might theynot be at work in the fields instead of scratching pothooks on a slate?At least so Lady Victoria thought.
"You look just like a sailor," said she to Claudius.
"I feel like one," he answered, "and I think I shall adopt the sea as aprofession."
"It is such a pity," said Miss Skeat, sternly clutching the twisted wireshroud. "I would like to see you turn pirate; it would be sopicturesque--you and Mr. Barker." The others laughed, not at the idea ofClaudius sporting the black flag--for he looked gloomy enough to domurder in the first degree this morning--but the picture of theexquisite and comfort-loving Mr. Barker, with his patent-leather shoesand his elaborate travelling apparatus, leading a band of black-browedruffians to desperate deeds of daring and blood, was novel enough to beexhilarating; and they laughed loudly. They did not understand Mr.Barker; but perhaps Miss Skeat, who liked him with an old-maidenlyliking, had some instinct notion that the gentle American could bedangerous.
"Mr. Barker would never do for a pirate," laughed Lady Victoria; "hewould be always getting his feet wet and having attacks of neuralgia."
"Take care, Vick," said her brother, "he might hear you."
"Well, if he did? I only said he would get his feet wet. There is noharm in that, and it is clear he has neuralgia, because he says ithimself."
"Well, of course," said the Duke, "if that is what you mean. But he willwet his feet fast enough when there is any good reason."
"If you make it 'worth his while,' of course," said Lady Victoria, "Ihave no doubt of it." She turned up her nose, for she was not very fondof Mr. Barker, and she thought poorly of the Duke's financialenterprises in America. It was not a bit like a good old Englishgentleman to be always buying and selling mines and stocks and all sortsof things with queer names.
"Look here, Vick, we won't talk any more about Barker, if you please."
"Very well, then you can talk about the weather," said she.
"Yes," said Claudius, "you may well do that. There is a good deal ofweather to talk about."
"Oh, I like a storm at sea, of all things!" exclaimed Lady Victoria,forgetting all about Mr. Barker in the delicious sense of saltness andfreedom one feels on the deck of a good ship running through a livelysea. She put out her face to catch the fine salt spray on her cheek.Just then a little water broke over the side abaft the gangway, and thevessel rose and fell to the sweep of a big wave. The water ran alongover the flush deck, as if hunting for the scuppers, and came swashingdown to the lee where the party were standing, wetting the ladies' feetto the ankle. The men merely pulled themselves up by the ropes theyheld, and hung till the deck was clear again.
"I don't suppose it hurts you to get wet," said the Duke to his sister,"but you would be much better under hatches while this sort of thing isgoing on."
"I think, if you will help me, I will go down and see how the Countessis," said Miss Skeat; and Claudius detached her from the rigging and gother down the companion, but the Duke stayed with his sister, who beggedfor a few minutes more. Once below, Claudius felt how near h
e was toMargaret, who was doubtless in the ladies' cabin. He could reach his ownquarters without entering that sanctum, of course, but as he still heldMiss Skeat's arm to steady her to the door, he could not resist thetemptation of putting his head through, for he knew now that she must bethere. It was a large sitting-room, extending through the whole beam,with big port-holes on each side. Miss Skeat entered, and Claudiuslooked in.
There was Margaret, looking much as usual, her face turned a little fromhim as she lay in a huge arm-chair. She could not see him as she was,and his heart beat furiously as he looked at the face he loved best ofall others.
Margaret spoke to Miss Skeat without turning her head, for she wasworking at some of her eternal needlework.
"Have you had a good time? How did you get down?"
"Such an airing," answered the lady-companion, who was divesting herselfof her wraps, "and Dr Claudius--"
The last was lost to the Doctor's ear, for he withdrew his head and beata hasty retreat. Miss Skeat also stopped speaking suddenly, for as shementioned his name she looked naturally towards the door, supposing himto be standing there, and she just saw his head disappear from betweenthe curtains. Margaret turned her eyes and saw Miss Skeat'sastonishment.
"Well, what about Dr. Claudius?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing," said Miss Skeat, "you asked me how I got down, and I wasgoing to say Dr. Claudius gave me his arm, and I thought he had come inhere with me."
Neither Miss Skeat nor Claudius had noticed Mr. Barker, who wasensconced on a corner transom, with his nails and a book to amusehimself with. He saw the whole thing: how the Doctor put his white faceand dripping beard through the curtains, and suddenly withdrew it at themention of his name, and how Miss Skeat held her peace about having seenit too. He reflected that something had happened, that Miss Skeat knewall about it, and that she was a discreet woman. He wondered what itcould be. Claudius would not look like that unless something were wrong,he thought, and he would certainly come back in five minutes ifeverything were right. He had not seen him at breakfast. He took out hiswatch softly and let it drop on his book, face upwards. Meanwhile hetalked to the two ladies about the weather, and listened to Miss Skeat'srapturous account of the spray and the general slipperiness of the upperregions. When five minutes were elapsed he put his watch back and saidhe thought he would try it himself, as he fancied the fresh air would dohim good. So he departed, and obtained a pair of sea-boots and anoilskin, which he contemplated with disgust, and put on withresolution. He wanted to find the Duke, and he wanted to see Claudius;but he wanted them separately.
Mr. Barker cautiously put his head out of the cuddy door and espied theDuke and his sister. This was not exactly what he wanted, and he wouldhave retired, but at that moment Lady Victoria caught sight of him, andimmediately called out to him not to be afraid, as it was much smoothernow. But Mr. Barker's caution had proceeded from other causes, and beingdetected, he put a bold face on it, stepped on the deck and slammed thedoor behind him. Lady Victoria was somewhat surprised to see him treadthe slippery deck with perfect confidence and ease, for she thought hewas something of a "duffer." But Barker knew how to do most things moreor less, and he managed to bow and take off his sou'wester withconsiderable grace in spite of the rolling. Having obtained permissionto smoke, he lighted a cigar, crooked one booted leg through the ironrail, and seated himself on the bulwark, where, as the steamer lurched,he seemed to be in a rather precarious position. But there was a sort ofcat-like agility in his wiry frame, that bespoke unlimited powers ofbalancing and holding on.
"I thought there were more of you," he began, addressing Lady Victoria."You seem to be having quite a nice time here."
"Yes."
"I wish I had come up sooner; the atmosphere downstairs is veryoppressive."
"I thought you had neuralgia," said Lady Victoria.
"So I had. But that kind of neuralgia comes and goes very suddenly.Where is the giant of the North?"
"Dr. Claudius? He went down with Miss Skeat, and when he came up againhe said he would go forward," answered she, giving the nauticalpronunciation to the latter word.
"Oh, I see him," cried Barker, "there he is, just going up the bridge.By Jove! what a height he looks."
"Yes," put in the Duke, "he is rather oversparred for a nor'-easter, eh?Rather be your size, Barker, for reefing tawpsels;" and the Englishmanlaughed.
"Well," said Barker, "when I first knew him he used to wear a balustraderound his neck to keep from being dizzy. I wouldn't care to have to dothat. I think I will go and have a look too." And leaving his companionsto laugh at his joke, Mr. Barker glided easily from the rail, and beganhis journey to the bridge, which he accomplished without any apparentdifficulty. When he had climbed the little ladder he waved his hand tothe Duke and his sister, who screamed something complimentary in reply;and then he spoke to Claudius who was standing by the skipper, his legsfar apart, and both his hands on the railing.
"Is that you, Barker?" asked Claudius; "you are well disguised thismorning."
"Claudius," said the other, "what on earth is the row?" The captain wason the other side of the Doctor, and could not hear in the wind.
"What row?" asked Claudius. Barker knew enough of his friend by thistime to be aware that roundabout methods of extracting information wereless likely to be successful than a point-blank question.
"Don't pretend ignorance," said he. "You look like a ghost, you are sopale, and when you put your head through the curtains a quarter of anhour ago, I thought you were one. And you have not been near theCountess this morning, though you have never been away from her beforesince we weighed anchor. Now, something has happened, and if I can doanything, tell me, and I will do it, right away." It is a good old plan,that one of trying to satisfy one's curiosity under pretence of offeringassistance. But Claudius did not trouble himself about such things; hewanted no help from any one, and never had; and if he meant to tell,nothing would prevent him, and if he did not mean to tell, no powerwould make him.
"Since you have found it out, Barker, something has happened, as yousay; and thanks for your offer of help, but I cannot tell you anythingmore about it."
"I think you are unwise."
"Perhaps."
"I might help you a great deal, for I have some natural tact."
"Yes."
"Besides, you know I am as secret as the grave."
"Quite so."
"I introduced you to the Countess, too."
"I know it."
"And I should be very sorry indeed to think that my action should havehad any evil consequences."
"I am sure you would."
"Then, my dear fellow, you must really take me a little more into yourconfidence, and let me help you," said Barker, in the tone of an injuredman.
"Perhaps I ought," said Claudius.
"Then why will you not tell me what has happened now?"
"Because I won't," said Claudius, turning sharply on Barker, andspeaking in a voice that seemed to make the railings shake. He wasevidently on the point of losing his temper, and Barker repented himtoo late of his attempt to extract the required information. Now hechanged his tone.
"Excuse me, Claudius, I did not mean to offend you."
"You did not offend me at all, Barker. But please--do not ask me anymore questions about it." Claudius was perfectly calm again.
"No indeed, my dear fellow, I would not think of it;--and I don't seemto think that I should advise anybody else to," he added mentally. Hemade up his mind that it must be something very serious, or Claudius,who was so rarely excited, would hardly have behaved as he had done. Hemade a few remarks about the weather, which had certainly not improvedsince morning; and then, resolving that he would find out what was thematter before he was much older, he glided down the ladder and went aft.Lady Victoria had disappeared, and her brother was trying to light ashort black pipe.
"Duke," Barker began, "what the deuce is the matter with Claudius thismorning?"
"Don't know, I'm
sure. My sister thinks it is very odd."
"Well, if you don't know, I don't either, but I can make a pretty goodguess."
The Duke's vesuvian was sputtering in the spray and wind, and he got agood light before he answered.
"I'll take six to four he marries her, at all events."
"I don't go in for playing it as low down as that on my friends," saidBarker virtuously, "or I would take you in hundreds. You must be crazy.Can't you see he has shown up and is sold? Bah! it's all over, as sureas you're born."
"Think that's it?" said the other, much interested. "You may be right.Glad you would not bet, anyhow."
"Of course that's it. The idiot has proposed to her here, on board, andshe has refused him, and now he has to face the fury of the elements tokeep out of her way."
"Upon my soul, it looks like it," said the Duke. "He won't stay on thebridge much longer if this lasts, though."
"You had best ask your sister," answered Barker. "Women always knowthose things first. What do you say to a game? It is beastly dirtyweather to be on the deck watch." And so they pushed forward to thesmoking-room, just before the bridge, and settled themselves for the daywith a pack of cards and a box of cigars.
As Margaret had not put in an appearance at breakfast, which was a lateand solid meal on board, and as there was no other regular congregationof the party until dinner, for each one lunched as he or she pleased, itwas clear that the Countess and Claudius would not be brought togetheruntil the evening. Margaret was glad of this for various reasons, somedefinable and others vague. She felt that she must have misjudgedClaudius a little, and she was glad to see that her exhibition ofdispleasure on the previous night had been sufficient to keep him away.Had he been as tactless as she had at first thought, he would surelyhave sought an early opportunity of speaking to her alone, and the restof the party were so much used to seeing them spend their morningstogether that such an opportunity would not have been lacking, had hewished it. And if he had misunderstood her words and manner--well, ifhe had not thought they were meant as a decisive check, he would havefollowed her there and then, last night, when she left him. She felt alittle nervous about his future conduct, but for the present she wassatisfied, and prepared herself for the inevitable meeting at dinnerwith a certain feeling of assurance. "For," said she, "I do not love himin the least, and why should I be embarrassed?"
Not so poor Claudius, who felt the blood leave his face and rush wildlyto his heart, as he entered the saloon where the party were sitting downto dinner. The vessel was rolling heavily, for the sea was running highunder the north-easter, and dinner would be no easy matter. He knew hemust sit next to her and help her under all the difficulties that ariseunder the circumstances. It would have been easy, too, for them both tosee that the eyes of the other four were upon them, had either of themsuspected it. Claudius held himself up to the full of his great heightand steadied every nerve of his body for the meeting. Margaret belongedto the people who do not change colour easily, and when she spoke, eventhe alert ear of Mr. Barker opposite could hardly detect the faintestchange of tone. And yet she bore the burden of it, for she spoke first.
"How do you do, Dr. Claudius?"
"Thank you, well. I was sorry to hear you had a headache to-day. I hopeyou are better."
"Thanks, yes; much better." They all sat down, and it was over.
The conversation was at first very disjointed, and was inclined to turnon small jokes about the difficulty of dining at an angle of forty-fivedegrees. The weather was certainly much heavier than it had been in themorning, and the Duke feared they would have a longer passage than theyhad expected, but added that they would be better able to judgeto-morrow at twelve. Claudius and Margaret exchanged a few sentences,with tolerable tact and indifference; but, for some occult reason, Mr.Barker undertook to be especially lively and amusing, and after thedinner was somewhat advanced he launched out into a series of storiesand anecdotes which served very well to pass the time and to attractnotice to himself. As Mr. Barker was generally not very talkative attable, though frequently epigrammatic, his sudden eloquence wascalculated to engage the attention of the party. Claudius and Margaretwere glad of the rattling talk that delivered them from the burden ofsaying anything especial, and they both laughed quite naturally atBarker's odd wit. They were grateful to him for what he did, andClaudius entertained some faint hope that he might go on in the samestrain for the rest of the voyage. But Margaret pondered these things.She saw quickly that Barker had perceived that some embarrassmentexisted, and was spending his best strength in trying to make the meal aparticularly gay one. But she could not understand how Barker could havefound out that there was any difficulty. Had Claudius been makingconfidences? It would have been very foolish for him to do so, andbesides, Claudius was not the man to make confidences. He was reticentand cold as a rule, and Barker had more than once confessed to theCountess that he knew very little of Claudius's previous history,because the latter "never talked," and would not always answerquestions. So she came to the conclusion that Barker only suspectedsomething, because the Doctor had not been with her during the day. Andso she laughed, and Claudius laughed, and they were well satisfied topay their social obolus in a little well-bred and well-assumed hilarity.
So the dinner progressed, in spite of the rolling and pitching; forthere was a good deal of both, as the sea ran diagonally to the course,breaking on the starboard quarter. They had reached the dessert, and twoat least of the party were congratulating themselves on the happytermination of the meal, when, just as the Duke was speaking, there wasa heavy lurch, and a tremendous sea broke over their heads. Then came afearful whirring sound that shook through every plate and timber andbulkhead, like the sudden running down of mammoth clock-work, lastingsome twenty seconds; then everything was quiet again save the sea, andthe yacht rolled heavily to and fro.
Every one knew that there had been a serious accident, but no one movedfrom the table. The Duke sat like a rock in his place and finished whathe was saying, though no one noticed it. Miss Skeat clutched her silverfruit-knife till her knuckles shone again, and she set her teeth. Mr.Barker, who had a glass of wine in the "fiddle" before him, took it outwhen the sea struck and held it up steadily to save it from beingspilled; and Lady Victoria, who was not the least ashamed of beingstartled, cried out--
"Goodness gracious!" and then sat holding to the table and looking ather brother.
Margaret and Claudius were sitting next each other on one side of thetable. By one of those strange, sympathetic instincts, that onlymanifest themselves in moments of great danger, they did the same thingat the same moment. Claudius put out his left hand and Margaret herright, and those two hands met just below the table and clasped eachother, and in that instant each turned round to the other and looked theother in the face. What that look told man knoweth not, but for oneinstant there was nothing in the world for Margaret but Claudius. As forhim, poor man, he had long known that she was the whole world to him,his life and his death.
It was very short, and Margaret quickly withdrew her hand and lookedaway. The Duke was the first to speak.
"I do not think it is anything very serious," said he. "If you will allsit still, I will go and see what is the matter." He rose and left thesaloon.
"I don't fancy there is any cause for anxiety," said Barker. "There hasprobably been some slight accident to the machinery, and we shall be offagain in an hour. I think we ought to compliment the ladies on thecourage they have shown; it is perfectly wonderful." And Mr. Barkersmiled gently round the table. Lady Victoria was palpably scared andMiss Skeat was silent. As for Margaret, she was confused and troubled.The accident of her seizing Claudius's hand, as she had done, was athousand times more serious than any accident to the ship. The Doctorcould not help stealing a glance at her, but he chimed in with Barker inpraising the coolness of all three ladies. Presently the Duke came back.He had been forward by a passage that led between decks to theengine-room, where he had met the captain. The party felt reassur
ed asthe ruddy face of their host appeared in the doorway.
"There is nothing to fear," he said cheerfully. "But it is a horridnuisance, all the same."
"Tell us all about it," said Lady Victoria.
"Well--we have lost our means of locomotion. We have carried away ourpropeller."
"What are you going to do about it?" asked Barker.
"Do? There is nothing to be done. We must sail for it. I am dreadfullysorry."
"It is not your fault," said Claudius.
"Well, I suppose not. It happens even to big steamers."
"And shall we sail all the way to New York?" asked his sister, who wascompletely reassured. "I think it will be lovely." Miss Skeat alsothought sailing much more poetic than steaming.
"I think we must hold a council of war," said the master. "Let us put itto the vote. Shall we make for Bermuda, which is actually nearer, butwhich is four or five days' from New York, or shall we go straight andtake our chance of a fair wind?"
"If you are equally willing to do both, why not let the ladies decide?"suggested Barker.
"Oh no," broke in the Countess, "it will be much more amusing to vote.We will write on slips of paper and put them in a bag."
"As there are five of you I will not vote," said the Duke, "for we mightbe three on a side, you know."
So they voted, and there were three votes for New York and two forBermuda.
"New York has it," said the Duke, who counted, "and I am glad, on thewhole, for it is Sturleson's advice." Barker had voted for New York, andhe wondered who the two could have been who wanted to go to Bermuda.Probably Miss Skeat and Lady Victoria. Had the Countess suspected thatthose two would choose the longer journey and out-vote her, if thedecision were left to the ladies?
Meanwhile there had been heavy tramping of feet on the deck, as the mentrimmed the sails. She could only go under double-reefed trysails andfore-staysail for the present, and it was no joke to keep her head upwhile the reefs were taken in. It was blowing considerably more thanhalf a gale of wind, and the sea was very heavy. Soon, however, theeffect of the sails made itself felt; the yacht was a good sea-boat, andwhen she fairly heeled over on the port-tack and began to cut the wavesagain, the ladies downstairs agreed that sailing was much pleasanter andsteadier than steam, and that the next time they crossed in a yacht theywould like to sail all the way. But in spite of their courage, andnotwithstanding that they were greatly reassured by the explanations ofMr. Barker, who made the nature of the accident quite clear to them,they had been badly shaken, and soon retired to their respectivestaterooms. In the small confusion of getting to their feet to leave thecabin it chanced that Claudius found himself helping Margaret to thedoor. The recollection of her touch and look when the accident happenedwas strong in him yet and gave him courage.
"Good-night, Countess," he said; "shall I have the pleasure of readingwith you to-morrow?"
"Perhaps," she answered; "if it is very fine. Fate has decreed that weshould have plenty of time." He tried to catch a glance as she left hisarm, but she would not, and they were parted for the night. Barker hadgone into the engine-room, now quiet and strange; the useless machinerystood still as it had been stopped when the loss of the propeller,relieving the opposition to the motor-force, allowed it to make itslast frantic revolutions. The Duke and Claudius were left alone in themain cabin.
"Well," said the Duke, "we are in for it this time, at all events."
"We are indeed," said Claudius; "I hope the delay will not cause you anyserious inconvenience, for I suppose we shall not reach New York for afortnight at least."
"It will not inconvenience me at all. But I am sorry for you--for youall, I mean," he added, fearing he had been awkward in thus addressingClaudius directly, "because it will be so very disagreeable, such anawful bore for you to be at sea so long."
"I have no doubt we shall survive," said the other, with a smile. "Whatdo you say to going on deck and having a chat with Sturleson, now thatall is quiet?"
"And a pipe?" said the Duke, "I am with you." So on deck they went, andclambered along the lee to the smoking-room, without getting very wet.Sturleson was sent for, and they reviewed together the situation. Theresult of the inquiry was that things looked much brighter to all three.They were in a good sea-boat, well manned and provisioned, with nothingto fear from the weather, and if they were lucky they might make SandyHook in a week. On the other hand, they might not; but it is always wellto take a cheerful view of things. People who cross the Atlantic inyachts are very different from the regular crowds that go backwards andforwards in the great lines. They are seldom in a hurry, and havegenerally made a good many voyages before. Perhaps the Duke himself, inhis quality of host, was the most uncomfortable man on board. He didnot see how the Countess and the Doctor could possibly survive beingshut up together in a small vessel, for he was convinced that Barkerknew all about their difficulty. If he had not liked Claudius so much,he would have been angry at him for daring to propose to this beautifulyoung friend of his. But then Claudius was Claudius, and even the Dukesaw something in him besides his wealth which gave him a right to aspireto the highest.
"I can't make out," the Duke once said to Barker, "where Claudius gothis manners. He never does anything the least odd; and he always seemsat his ease."
"I only know he came to Heidelberg ten years ago, and that he is aboutthirty. He got his manners somewhere when he was a boy."
"Of course, there are lots of good people in Sweden," said the Duke;"but they all have titles, just as they do in Germany. And Claudius hasno title."
"No," said Barker pensively, "I never heard him say he had a title."
"I don't know anything about it," answered the Duke. "But I have been agood deal about Sweden, and he is not in the least like a respectableSwedish burgher. Did you not tell me that his uncle, who left him allthat money, was your father's partner in business?"
"Yes, I remember once or twice hearing the old gentleman say he had anephew. But he was a silent man, though he piled up the dollars."
"Claudius is a silent man too," said the Duke.
"And he has sailed into the dollars ready piled."
But this was before the eventful day just described; and the Duke hadforgotten the conversation, though he had repeated the reflections tohimself, and found them true. To tell the truth, Claudius looked morelike a duke than his host, for the sea air had blown away theprofessorial cobwebs; and, after all, it did not seem so veryincongruous in the Englishman's eyes that his handsome guest should fallin love with the Countess Margaret. Only, it was very uncomfortable; andhe did not know exactly what he should do with them for the next tendays. Perhaps he ought to devote himself to the Countess, and thuseffectually prevent any approaches that Claudius might meditate.Yes--that was probably his duty. He wished he might ask counsel of hissister; but then she did not know, and it seemed unfair, and altogetherrather a betrayal of confidence or something--at all events, it was notright, and he would not do it. Barker might be wrong too. And so thepoor Duke, muddle-headed and weary with this storm in his tea-cup, andwith having his tea-cup come to grief in a real storm into the bargain,turned into his deck-cabin to "sleep on it," thinking the morning wouldbring counsel.
Claudius had many things to think of too; but he was weary, for he hadslept little of late, and not at all the night before; so he lay downand went over the scenes of the evening; but soon he fell asleep, anddreamed of her all the night long.
But the good yacht _Streak_ held on her course bravely, quivering in thejoy of her new-spread wings. For what hulk is so dull and pitifullymodern as not to feel how much gladder a thing it is to bound along withstraining shrouds and singing sails and lifting keel to the fierce musicof the wind than to be ever conscious of a burning sullenly-thuddingpower, put in her bosom by the unartistic beast, man, to make her grindher breathless way whither he would, and whither she would not? Not themeanest mud-scow or harbour tug but would rather have a little mast anda bit of canvas in the fresh salt breeze than
all the hundreds ofland-born horse-powers and fire-driven cranks and rods that ahaste-loving generation can cram into the belly of the poor craft. Howmuch more, then, must the beautiful clean-built _Streak_ have rejoicedon that night when she felt the throbbing, gnashing pain of the enginesstop suddenly in her breast, and was allowed to spread her beautifulwings out to be kissed and caressed all over by her old lover, thenorth-east wind?
And the grand crested waves came creeping up, curling over their darkheads till they bristled with phosphorescent foam; and some of thembroke angrily upward, jealous that the wind alone might touch thosegleaming sails. But the wind roared at them in his wrath and drove themaway, so that they sank back, afraid to fight with him; and he took theship in his strong arms, and bore her fast and far that night, throughmany a heaving billow, and past many a breaking crest--far over theuntrodden paths, where footsteps are not, neither the defiling hand ofman.
But within were beating hearts and the breathings of life. The strongman stretched to his full length on his couch, mighty to see in hishard-earned sleep. And the beautiful woman, with parted lips and wildtossing black hair; dark cheeks flushed with soft resting; hands laidtogether lovingly, as though, in the quiet night, the left hand wouldlearn at last what good work the right hand has wrought; the fringe oflong eyelashes drooping with the lids, to fold and keep the gloriouslight safe within, and--ah yes, it is there!--the single tear stillclinging to its birthplace--mortal impress of immortal suffering. Is itnot always there, the jewelled sign-manual of grief?
But the good yacht _Streak_ held on her course bravely; and thenorth-easter laughed and sang as he buffeted the waves from the path ofhis love.
Doctor Claudius, A True Story Page 8