The Glass of Time

by Michael Cox

  Today, however, Mrs K is all smiles, and the light of bloody rebellion has gone from her eyes. She apologized most contritely for trespassing so far beyond her place, & promised that she would be more mindful of her position in the future, which I was glad to hear.

  This evening we are to attend an entertainment, at which we are promised fire-eaters, a ventriloquist, & Tyrolean minstrels! A very different prospect to yours tonight at dear peaceful Evenwood, I dare say!

  All, then, goes as well as we could hope. I am here, safe & sound, & shall not leave until our business is successfully concluded.

  I am, dear sir, your very affectionate,

  E.G.C.

  P.S. I put off my mourning in Baden. Although it pained me greatly, I thought it best to do so. However, the locket you were so kind to give me, containing my dear love’s hair, I shall always wear close to my heart, even when I am laid in my grave.

  LETTER 3

  Hotel Baltazar

  Carlsbad

  10th February 1855

  MY LORD,—

  He is found. I am sure of it. His name is Tadeusz Zaluski, a former colonel in the Prussian Army, although born the youngest son of a Polish nobleman from Lodz. He arrived here a few days since from Gräfenberg, where he had wished to take the water cure; but the place has deteriorated since the death of Herr Priessnitz, * & so he has come here instead.

  He speaks excellent English, is forty years of age, in somewhat poor health, & was cut off some years ago by his father. The reasons for this are unclear to me at present, but the separation is apparently permanent, & this has rendered his financial position increasingly precarious. All this I learned within fifteen minutes of being introduced to him.

  Mrs K has further discovered, from servant talk, that he travels constantly, to avoid his creditors. It is therefore likely that he will not remain here long, having no doubt already run up debts. All this encourages me greatly, for it demonstrates an acute need – & that is what we seek. He is, besides, cultivated, handsome enough, and – despite his troubles – good-humoured; and so, all in all, I think that he will do very well, if I can get him.

  Mrs K, you will gather, continues amenable. I have increased her remuneration, as you suggested, & this, together with the present of another gown (she is inordinately proud of her appearance, & takes the most ludicrous pains to appear ŕ la mode), has, I think, re-invigorated her loyalty. Of course we are taking a risk with her; but I know that I cannot accomplish this on my own, & yr Ldship’s judgment with regard to her trustworthiness must override any doubts that I may have on that score.

  Colonel Zaluski will be at the Grand Ball tomorrow evening, to which I have also been invited by a pleasant French diplomat and his wife, with whom I have passed several promenading afternoons lately. I hope to send you further news very soon.

  Until then, I remain, my dear sir,—

  Ever yours in respect and daughterly love,

  E. CARTERET

  LETTER 4

  Hotel Baltazar

  Carlsbad

  12 th February 1855

  MY LORD,—

  The Polish Colonel escorted me back to my hotel, after the Grand Ball last night, and I took the immediate opportunity to lay my proposal, in the most general terms, to him. My heart was in my mouth, I freely admit, for I feared that he would be shocked by my extreme forwardness, and by the audacity of the business. But my fears proved as unjustified as my first instinct was correct as to his suitability for the role I wished him to play.

  We arranged that he would visit me again here at the hotel this morning. He has just left, after two hours, and I hasten to write this to you, so that you may share with me, as soon as may be, the satisfaction of knowing that we have succeeded in achieving the first, and essential, part of our plan, and so soon after arriving here.

  He was thoroughly charming throughout, needed no unnecessary justification for our enterprise, and, being of elevated birth himself, professed genuine – indeed, profound and moving – sympathy for the great cause, to which you and I are dedicated. He was unconcerned about the pecuniary arrangements, which only served to reinforce the excellent impression I had already formed of him, saying that all that sort of thing could be discussed in due course. He returns tomorrow to take a room in the hotel.

  And so it is done. The heir will have a father.

  I remain, dear sir, ever yr loving,

  E. CARTERET

  LETTER 5

  Hotel Baltazar

  Carlsbad

  8 th March 1855

  MY LORD,—In haste.

  Colonel Zaluski and I depart from here early tomorrow morning for Franzenbad. Mrs K has been told of a legal man there who will draw up the necessary documents with regard to Colonel Zaluski’s position. He will also advise us on making the further arrangements that will be necessary in due course. Mrs K says that the man no longer practises his profession, having been implicated (though never convicted) in a financial scandal in his home city some years back; but she has assured us that he is well able to help us – for a reasonable consideration, of course. From her account, I gather that he has never been over-scrupulous in his professional dealings, even before the scandal, and that one more lapse will not incommode his conscience in the least.

  Ever yr devoted,

  E.

  LETTER 6

  Hotel Adler

  Franzenbad

  18 th March 1855

  MY LORD,—

  A dreadful crisis has occurred.

  Yesterday morning, while we were in conference with the lawyer, Herr Drexler, at his house, Mrs K’s son was apprehended in the act (it is claimed) of accosting a local girl. He escaped, however, & has now fled to the town of Egra, whither his mother (we think) has gone to find him.

  After we had come out of the lawyer’s house and had been informed of the incident, we returned to the hotel to await developments. The time for dinner arrived, but there was still no word or sign of Conrad. We learned from Herr Adler, the hotel’s proprietor, that the girl had not been seriously harmed, & that nothing unmentionable had been done to her, for which we were very grateful. However, the girl’s father is an important man in the town and is determined that Conrad must be found and prosecuted. Fortunately for us, no one has so far recognized Conrad as belonging to our party – he and Mrs K were lodging together in a house some distance from the hotel, & we have rarely been seen with him since we arrived.

  Mrs K went all about the town looking for her son, & did not return to the hotel until past eleven o’clock. She begged us to take a lenient view of the matter, insisting that Conrad was a good boy at heart and had meant no harm to the young woman. She also promised that there would be no repetition, for she would make sure that he was never again left alone, & assured us that she knew he would be sorry for what he had done.

  I told her I found it impossible to accept her assurances, having been deeply alarmed by the wholly unexpected turn of events, which could put all our careful plans in jeopardy. Just then, a messenger arrived with a note for Mrs K. It had been written on Conrad’s behalf, being unable to write himself, and bore the three words ‘Mother. Egra. Conrad’, by way of advising Mamma of his present place of refuge.

  The colonel agreed that we must instantly inform the authorities; but on hearing of our intention, Mrs K, with a face of fury, and letting out a kind of howl, rushed to the door, removed the key, and quit the room, closing the door behind her. In a moment, we heard the sound of the key turning in the lock! It took five minutes or more for someone to come, & then another key had to be found to let us out, allowing Mrs K even more time to make her escape.

  This morning we learn that the authorities have begun making a search of the lodging-houses in Egra, but with little expectation that they will find either of the fugitives. And so Colonel Z and I must proceed as best we can without the aid of Mrs K, which has not been wholly unwelcome until now. Luckily, the colonel speaks excellent German, & we have already made the acquaintance of Herr Drex
ler, who, although a little coarse in his manner, & rather too obviously fond of drink, is, in other respects, a man who knows how things are done here, & is willing to do them for us.

  Do not be alarmed, my dear sir, by this news. The situation was grave for a time, certainly, but the danger, we are sure, has passed, & we are determined that nothing shall now prevent us from completing the next stage of our enterprise.

  We leave here tomorrow, returning through Carlsbad, and then on to Toeplitz. The ceremony will take place there on Saturday week. Herr Drexler is confident that the money we have disbursed will ensure that everything is done as we wish.

  With regard to the other impending event, we think of taking a house in Ossegg until the end of the summer, and then move on to somewhere else, before we go to Prague, where the colonel has a sympathetic uncle.

  The prospect of being so long away from dear Evenwood, and from yr Ldship, is a dreary one; but the pill must be swallowed, & I am happy to endure any hardship, undergo any deprivation, for yr sake, & for the cause to which I have pledged myself.

  Ever yr loving,

  E. CARTERET

  II

  Letters from Colonel and Mrs Tadeusz Zaluski to the Late Lord Tansor

  MARCH 1855–MARCH 1856

  LETTER 7

  Mrs Emily Zaluski to Lord Tansor

  Hotel de la Poste

  Langestrasse

  Toeplitz

  24th March 1855

  MY LORD,—

  All is accomplished. I am married, as of yesterday.

  Herr Drexler was as good as his word. The documents had been drawn up exactly as required, the officials made content, the priest (pastor, rather) was waiting in the appointed place ready to attend us at the stated time.

  The ring I had brought with me looked very well, & was much admired by the impromptu congregation of village onlookers. Afterwards, we gave a little dinner at the hotel by way of celebration, to which we had invited the priest & a Belgian cloth-merchant & his wife, whom we had earlier recruited as witnesses. (I concocted a fine story that I had fled England, & the severe displeasure of a prejudiced father, to marry my dashing colonel – who, luckily, still has something of a dash about him. Mme Cloth-Merchant fairly swooned at the romantic daring of it all.)

  So all is well, and we are set fair for the next – and most important – part of our adventure.

  Only one thing has happened to check the relief I feel, and it is this.

  Before we left Franzenbad, after the disappearance of Conrad and his dreadful mother, we received the following epistle, which I here transcribe in all its literary glory:

  MADAM,—

  Well you have shown yr true colours in seeking to bring down some one who has done you nothing but good & faithful service since leaving England. The girl came to no harm and Conrad as I told you he would be is truly sorry for what he did – but that is nothing to you I see – for you have always disliked Conrad & have never given me my due either for what I have done on yr behalf.

  It wd have mattered not a jot to let Conrad be and say nothing – I wd have made certain no such thing happened again while we were in yr service – but you wished only to be rid of us I see – & wanted any excuse to do so – and so you were ready to denownce my poor boy – who deserves yr pity rather than what you are disposed in yr pride to give him, wch is to say contemt.

  Well Madam the police shall not have him – I shall find him before they do I can assure you – and by tomorrow we shall be beyond their reach – aye and yours too.

  But do not think Madam that I shall forget – I know yr secrets & have them safe in my head. You think you are rid of me for ever – but you are not. Time is my friend. Look for me.

  Until we meet again—

  B.K.

  A charming communication, I think you will agree. I had never trusted Mrs K, and she has shown herself to be both disloyal and vicious. I am most dreadfully sorry that the estimation of the noble friend who recommended her to you, regarding her character, has proved so utterly erroneous, tho’ of course no blame whatsoever can attach to yr Ldship for the woman’s disgraceful behaviour towards us.

  The threat so clearly implied in Mrs K’s letter, however, is of great concern to me. I have been as careful as I can not to reveal too much of our business to her; but she knows enough by now (and perhaps can guess more) to make her threat a serious one. Yr Ldship will know better than I how we might prepare ourselves against her. Perhaps we might seek the confidential advice of Mr A.V., who has already proved himself most helpful to us in the present enterprise.

  On another matter, my husband – there! I have written the word, for the first time – has been told of a house in Ossegg that appears most suitable for our purposes. We hope to secure it for six months before removing to Dux, and then to Prague for Christmas. I am, I own, happy to think that I shall have somewhere to call home once again, if only for a short time, & although it can never be home in the true sense, for that will always be Evenwood, that ever-blessed haven from the world.

  Our immediate task is to find new servants – Tadeusz has just gone out for this purpose. I shall write again with our new address as soon as I know it.

  Until then, I am, ever yr loving, & signing myself for the first time,

  E. ZALUSKI

  LETTER 8

  Colonel Tadeusz Zaluski to Lord Tansor

  [ Postmarked Ossegg, 16th September 1855]

  MY LORD,—

  It is with the most heartfelt satisfaction that I write to your Lordship to inform you that my dear wife gave birth to a fine healthy son, at a little after half past four yesterday morning, just as the sun was beginning to rise. We intend to call him Perseus Verney, and hope that this will meet with your Lordship’s approval.

  My wife is resting now, as the physician has instructed, and as she deserves, and I have come downstairs, at her earnest request, to write this letter to your Lordship so that it can be sent by the next available coach.

  Her son – I should say our son – has been placed in the capable care of Frau Steinmann, who has been with us since we left Toeplitz. She is a widow of some sixty years who speaks very little English, and so we have been able to converse freely in her presence. We have also found here a wet-nurse, who has no English, and a very able young man, Gerhart by name, who has taken a great liking to us both, but especially to my wife, and has so far proved himself to be both eager to serve us and deserving of our trust. He speaks a little English, having been employed for a time in a hotel in Marienbad, and so we are careful what we say in front of him, and always make a point of discussing confidential matters when we are away from the house and en plein air, for of course, after the business with Mrs Kraus, my wife and I are doubly wary. But servants we must have, and these two – in my considered judgment – are exactly what we require, and better could not be easily found.

  The baptism is to take place on Monday week. Drexler has arranged everything, as before, although I regret to inform your Lordship that my wife has been obliged to draw on the reserves that we are carrying with us to reimburse Drexler for what he terms ‘unforeseen outlays’ with respect to the ceremony.

  The house here stands away from the town, and we have hardly been out since we arrived. We are confident that, beyond Dr Weiss (brought in by Drexler from a town some thirty miles distance – another considerable expense) and a handful of tradesmen, as well of course as Frau Steinmann and Gerhart, not more than half a dozen people know that we are here, or of the birth of our son.

  I need hardly add that I am acutely conscious also of my debt of duty towards your Lordship, and you may depend on my carrying it out – as I have been ever used to do, as a military man – to the letter.

  My wife hopes to write to you herself, if she is strong enough, tomorrow.

  I remain, my Lord, yours to command,

  T. ZALUSKI (COLONEL)

  P.S. I had no sooner finished writing this letter than my wife called down, insisting that I bring it up to her so that she might corre
ct my English, and so that you might know that it comes from her as well as from me. Thus I was obliged to write it all out fair once again! T.Z.

  LETTER 9

  Mrs Tadeusz Zaluski to Lord Tansor

  [Postmarked Dux, 25th September 1855]

  MY LORD,—

  We have arrived in Dux. My son is strong and well! And so am I.

  The necessary documents were prepared by Drexler as arranged, and with the requisite date – Tadeusz has them all safe. Our task now is to continue to remain as sequestered from prying eyes as we can, until we are able to return to England.

  What a tedious time lies ahead! But Tadeusz is excellent company, and we have a good store of books (including, of course, several volumes of dear Phoebus’s poems, which I never tire of reading). The house is beautifully situated, with a distant view of the palace, and I can look forward to plenty of healthful exercise, as well as heart-lifting prospects of mountains and forests.

  The little one is a delight – more even-tempered than any baby I have known. And, young though he is, I already see such a likeness to his father! It has made me quite gasp sometimes. Tadeusz has been a rock, and I confess that I have grown quite fond of him, although of course I shall never feel for him a fraction of my devotion to dearest Phoebus, whom I have never ceased to think of through all these weeks and months, and never shall, for as long as I live.