‘What are you going to do?’
‘Nothing.’
Dick stared at him.
‘Do you mean to say you’re going to sit still and let them throw mud at you?’
‘If they want to.’
‘But look here, Alec, what the deuce is the meaning of the whole thing?’
Alec looked at him quietly.
‘If I had intended to take the world in general into my confidence, I wouldn’t have refused to see the interviewers who came to me this evening.’
‘We’ve known one another for twenty years, Alec,’ said Dick.
‘Then you may be quite sure that if I refuse to discuss this matter with you, it must be for excellent reasons.’
Dick sprang up excitedly.
‘But, good God! you must explain. You can’t let a charge like this rest on you. After all, it’s not Tom, Dick, or Harry that’s concerned; it’s Lucy’s brother. You must speak.’
‘I’ve never yet discovered that I must do anything that I don’t choose,’ answered Alec.
Dick flung himself into a chair. He knew that when Alec spoke in that fashion no power on earth could move him. The whole thing was entirely unexpected, and he was at a loss for words. He had not read the letter which was causing all the bother, and knew only what Lady Kelsey had told him. He had some hope that on a close examination various things would appear which must explain Alec’s attitude; but at present it was incomprehensible.
‘Has it occurred to you that Lucy is very much in love with you, Alec?’ he said at last.
Alec did not answer. He made no movement.
‘What will you do if this loses you her love?’
‘I have counted the cost,’ said Alec, coldly.
He got up from his chair, and Dick saw that he did not wish to continue the discussion. There was a moment of silence, and then Lucy came in.
‘I’ve given my partner away to a wall-flower,’ she said, with a faint smile. ‘I felt I must have a few words alone with you.’
‘I will make myself scarce,’ said Dick.
They waited till he was gone. Then Lucy turned feverishly to Alec.
‘Oh, I’m so glad you’ve come. I wanted so much to see you.’
‘I’m afraid people have been telling you horrible things about me.’
‘They wanted to hide it from me.’
‘It never occurred to me that people could say such shameful things,’ he said gravely.
It tormented him a little because it had been so easy to care nothing for the world’s adulation, and it was so hard to care as little for its censure. He felt very bitter.
He took Lucy’s hand and made her sit on the sofa by his side.
‘There’s something I must tell you at once.’
She looked at him without answering.
‘I’ve made up my mind to give no answer to the charges that are brought against me.’
Lucy looked up quickly, and their eyes met.
‘I give you my word of honour that I’ve done nothing which I regret. I swear to you that what I did was right with regard to George, and if it were all to come again I would do exactly as I did before.’
She did not answer for a long time.
‘I never doubted you for a single moment,’ she said at last.
‘That is all I care about.’ He looked down, and there was a certain shyness in his voice when he spoke again. ‘To-day is the first time I’ve wanted to be assured that I was trusted; and yet I’m ashamed to want it.’
‘Don’t be too hard upon yourself,’ she said gently. ‘You’re so afraid of letting your tenderness appear.’
He seemed to give earnest thought to what she said. Lucy had never seen him more grave.
‘The only way to be strong is never to surrender to one’s weakness. Strength is merely a habit. I want you to be strong, too. I want you never to doubt me whatever you hear said.’
‘I gave my brother into your hands, and I said that if he died a brave man’s death, I could ask for no more. You told me that such a death was his.’
‘I thought of you always, and everything I did was for your sake. Every single act of mine during these four years in Africa has been done because I loved you.’
It was the first time since his return that he had spoken of love. Lucy bent her head still lower.
‘Do you remember, I asked you a question before I went away? You refused to marry me then, but you told me that if I asked again when I came back, the answer might be different.’
‘Yes.’
‘The hope bore me up in every difficulty and in every danger. And when I came back I dared not ask you at once; I was so afraid that you would refuse once more. And I didn’t wish you to think yourself bound by a vague promise. But each day I loved you more passionately.’
‘I knew, and I was very grateful for your love.’
‘Yesterday I could have offered you a certain name. I only cared for the honours they gave me so that I might put them at your feet. But what can I offer you now?’
‘You must love me always, Alec, for now I have only you.’
‘Are you sure that you will never believe that I am guilty of this crime?’
‘Why can you say nothing in self-defence?’
‘That I can’t tell you either.’
There was a silence between them. At last Alec spoke again.
‘But perhaps it will be easier for you to believe in me than for others, because you know that I loved you, and I can’t have done the odious thing of which that man accuses me.’
‘I will never believe it. I do not know what your reasons are for keeping all this to yourself, but I trust you, and I know that they are good. If you cannot speak, it is because greater interests hold you back. I love you, Alec, with all my heart, and if you wish me to be your wife I shall be proud and honoured.’
He took her in his arms, and as he kissed her, she wept tears of happiness. She did not want to think. She wanted merely to surrender herself to his strength.
XVI
Lady Kelsey’s devout hope that her party would finish without unpleasantness was singularly frustrated. Robert Boulger was irritated beyond endurance by the things Lucy had said to him; and Lucy besides, as if to drive him to distraction, had committed a peculiar indiscretion. In her determination to show the world in general, represented then by the two hundred people who were enjoying Lady Kelsey’s hospitality, that she, the person most interested, did not for an instant believe what was said about Alec, Lucy had insisted on dancing with him. Alec thought it unwise thus to outrage conventional opinion, but he could not withstand her fiery spirit. Dick and Mrs. Crowley were partners at the time, and the disapproval which Lucy saw in their eyes, made her more vehement in her defiance. She had caught Bobbie’s glance, too, and she flung back her head a little as she saw his livid anger.
Little by little Lady Kelsey’s guests bade her farewell, and at three o’clock few were left. Lucy had asked Alec to remain till the end, and he and Dick had taken refuge in the smoking-room. Presently Boulger came in with two men, named Mallins and Carbery, whom Alec knew slightly. He glanced at Alec, and went up to the table on which were cigarettes and various things to drink. His companions had no idea that he was bent upon an explanation and had asked them of set purpose to come into that room.
‘May we smoke here, Bobbie?’ asked one of them, a little embarrassed at seeing Alec, but anxious to carry things off pleasantly.
‘Certainly. Dick insisted that this room should be particularly reserved for that purpose.’
‘Lady Kelsey is the most admirable of all hostesses,’ said Dick lightly.
He took out his case and offered a cigarette to Alec. Alec took it.
‘Give me a match, Bobbikins, there’s a good boy,’ he said carelessly.
Boulger, with his back turned to Alec, took no notice of the request. He poured himself out some whisky, and raising the glass, deliberately examined how much there was in it. Alec smiled faintly.
>
‘Bobbie, throw me over the matches,’ he repeated.
At that moment Lady Kelsey’s butler came into the room with a salver, upon which he put the dirty glasses. Bobbie, his back still turned, looked up at the servant.
‘Miller.’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Mr. MacKenzie is asking for something.’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘You might give me a match, will you?’ said Alec.
‘Yes, sir.’
The butler put the matches on his salver and took them over to Alec, who lit his cigarette.
‘Thank you.’
No one spoke till the butler left the room. Alec occupied himself idly in making smoke rings, and he watched them rise into the air. When they were alone he turned slowly to Boulger.
‘I perceive that during my absence you have not added good manners to your other accomplishments,’ he said.
Boulger wheeled round and faced him.
‘If you want things you can ask servants for them.’
‘Don’t be foolish,’ smiled Alec, good-humouredly.
Alec’s contemptuous manner robbed Boulger of his remaining self-control. He strode angrily to Alec.
‘If you talk to me like that I’ll knock you down.’
Alec was lying stretched out on the sofa, and did not stir. He seemed completely unconcerned.
‘You could hardly do that when I’m already lying on my back,’ he murmured.
Boulger clenched his fists. He gasped in the fury of his anger.
‘Look here, MacKenzie, I’m not going to let you play the fool with me. I want to know what answer you have to make to Macinnery’s accusation.’
‘Might I suggest that only Miss Allerton has the least right to receive answers to her questions? And she hasn’t questioned me.’
‘I’ve given up trying to understand her attitude. If I were she, it would make me sick with horror to look at you. But after all I have the right to know something. George Allerton was my cousin.’
Alec rose slowly from the sofa. He faced Boulger with an indifference which was peculiarly irritating.
‘That is a fact upon which he did not vastly pride himself.’
‘Since this morning you’ve rested under a perfectly direct charge of causing his death in a dastardly manner. And you’ve said nothing in self-defence.’
‘I haven’t.’
‘You’ve been given an opportunity of explaining yourself, and you haven’t taken it.’
‘Quite true.’
‘What are you going to do?’
Alec had already been asked that question by Dick, and he returned the same answer.
‘Nothing.’
Bobbie looked at him for an instant. Then he shrugged his shoulders.
‘In that case I can draw only one conclusion. There appears to be no means of bringing you to justice, but at least I can tell you what an indescribable blackguard I think you.’
‘All is over between us,’ smiled Alec, faintly amused at the young man’s violence. ‘And shall I return your letters and your photographs?’
‘I assure you that I’m not joking,’ answered Bobbie grimly.
‘I have observed that you joke with difficulty. It’s singular that though I’m Scotch and you are English, I should be able to see how ridiculous you are, while you’re quite blind to your own absurdity.’
‘Come, Alec, remember he’s only a boy,’ remonstrated Dick, who till now had been unable to interpose.
Boulger turned upon him angrily.
‘I’m perfectly able to look after myself, Dick, and I’ll thank you not to interfere.’ He looked again at Alec: ‘If Lucy’s so indifferent to her brother’s death that she’s willing to keep up with you, that’s her own affair.’
Dick interrupted once more.
‘For heaven’s sake don’t make a scene, Bobbie. How can you make such a fool of yourself?’
‘Leave me alone, confound you!’
‘Do you think this is quite the best place for an altercation?’ asked Alec quietly. ‘Wouldn’t you gain more notoriety if you attacked me in my club or at Church Parade on Sunday?’
‘It’s mere shameless impudence that you should come here to-night,’ cried Bobbie, his voice hoarse with passion. ‘You’re using these wretched women as a shield, because you know that as long as Lucy sticks to you, there are people who won’t believe the story.’
‘I came for the same reason as yourself, dear boy. Because I was invited.’
‘You acknowledge that you have no defence.’
‘Pardon me, I acknowledge nothing and deny nothing.’
‘That won’t do for me,’ said Boulger. ‘I want the truth, and I’m going to get it. I’ve got a right to know.’
‘Don’t make such an ass of yourself,’ cried Alec, shortly.
‘By God, I’ll make you answer.’
He went up to Alec furiously, as if he meant to seize him by the throat, but Alec, with a twist of the arm, hurled him backwards.
‘I could break your back, you silly boy,’ he cried, in a voice low with anger.
With a cry of rage Bobbie was about to spring at Alec when Dick got in his way.
‘For God’s sake, let us have no scenes here. And you’ll only get the worst of it, Bobbie. Alec could just crumple you up.’ He turned to the two men who stood behind, startled by the unexpectedness of the quarrel. ‘Take him away, Mallins, there’s a good chap.’
‘Let me alone, you fool!’ cried Bobbie.
‘Come along, old man,’ said Mallins, recovering himself.
When his two friends had got Bobbie out of the room, Dick heaved a great sigh of relief.
‘Poor Lady Kelsey!’ he laughed, beginning to see the humour of the situation. ‘To-morrow half London will be saying that you and Bobbie had a stand-up fight in her drawing-room.’
Alec looked at him angrily. He was not a man of easy temper, and the effort he had put upon himself was beginning to tell.
‘You really needn’t have gone out of your way to infuriate the boy,’ said Dick.
Alec wheeled round wrathfully.
‘The damned cubs,’ he said. ‘I should like to break their silly necks.’
‘You have an amiable character, Alec,’ retorted Dick.
Alec began to walk up and down excitedly. Dick had never seen him before in such a state.
‘The position is growing confoundedly awkward,’ he said drily.
Then Alec burst out.
‘They lick my boots till I loathe them, and then they turn against me like a pack of curs. Oh, I despise them, these silly boys who stay at home wallowing in their ease, while men work — work and conquer. Thank God, I’ve done with them now. They think one can fight one’s way through Africa as easily as walk down Piccadilly. They think one goes through hardship and danger, illness and starvation, to be the lion of a dinner-party in Mayfair.’
‘I think you’re unfair to them,’ answered Dick. ‘Can’t you see the other side of the picture? You’re accused of a particularly low act of treachery. Your friends were hoping that you’d be able to prove at once that it was an abominable lie, and for some reason which no one can make out, you refuse even to notice it.’
‘My whole life is proof that it’s a lie.’
‘Don’t you think you’d better change your mind and make a statement that can be sent to the papers?’
‘No, damn you!’
Dick’s good nature was imperturbable, and he was not in the least annoyed by Alec’s vivacity.
‘My dear chap, do calm down,’ he laughed.
Alec started at the sound of his mocking. He seemed again to become aware of himself. It was interesting to observe the quite visible effort he made to regain his self-control. In a moment he had mastered his excitement, and he turned to Dick with studied nonchalance.
‘Do you think I look wildly excited?’ he asked blandly.
Dick smiled.
‘If you will permit me to say so, I think butter wou
ld have no difficulty in melting in your mouth,’ he replied.
‘I never felt cooler in my life.’
‘Lucky man, with the thermometer at a hundred and two!’
Alec laughed and put his arm through Dick’s.
‘Perhaps we had better go home,’ he said.
‘Your common sense is no less remarkable than your personal appearance,’ answered Dick gravely.
They had already bidden their hostess good-night, and getting their things, they set out to walk their different ways. When Dick got home he did not go to bed. He sat in an armchair, considering the events of the evening, and trying to find some way out of the complexity of his thoughts. He was surprised when the morning sun sent a bright ray of light into his room.
But Lady Kelsey was not yet at the end of her troubles. Bobbie, having got rid of his friends, went to her and asked if she would not come downstairs and drink a cup of soup. The poor lady, quite exhausted, thought him very considerate. One or two persons, with their coats on, were still in the room, waiting for their womenkind; and in the hall there was a little group of belated guests huddled around the door, while cabs and carriages were being brought up for them. There was about everyone the lassitude which follows the gaiety of a dance. The waiters behind the tables were heavy-eyed. Lucy was bidding good-bye to one or two more intimate friends.
Lady Kelsey drank the hot soup with relief.
‘My poor legs are dropping,’ she said. ‘I’m sure I’m far too tired to go to sleep.’
‘I want to talk to Lucy before I go,’ said Bobbie, abruptly.
‘To-night?’ she asked in dismay.
‘Yes, I want you to send her a message that you wish to see her in your boudoir.’
‘Why, what on earth’s the matter?’
‘She can’t go on in this way. It’s perfectly monstrous. Something must be done immediately.’
Lady Kelsey understood what he was driving at. She knew how great was his love, and she, too, had seen his anger when Lucy danced with Alec MacKenzie. But the whole affair perplexed her utterly. She put down her cup.
‘Can’t you wait till to-morrow?’ she asked nervously.
‘I feel it ought to be settled at once.’
Delphi Collected Works of W. Somerset Maugham (Illustrated) Page 127