Beyond the Rocks

7/27/2019 Beyond the Rocks

1/217


2/217


3/217

BeyondtheRocks

1

CHAPTERI

The hourswere composedmostly of dull or rebelliousmoments

duringthe

period

of

Theodoras

engagement

to

Mr.

Brown.

From

the

veryfirstshehadthought ithard thatsheshouldhavehad to takethissituation, insteadofSarahorClementine,herelderstepsisters,somuch nearer his age than herself.To do themjustice, either oftheseladieswouldhavebeengladtorelieveheroftheobligationtobecomeMrs.Brown,butMr.Brownthoughtotherwise.

Ayoungandbeautifulwifewaswhathebargainedfor.

Toenter

afamily

composed

of

three

girlstwo

of

the

first

family,

onealmost thirtyandasecondveryplainafatherwithahabitofaccumulatingdebts and obliged to live atBruges and inexpensiveforeign seaside towns, required a strongmotive; and thisJosiahBrown found in the deliciously rounded, white velvet cheek ofTheodora,thethirddaughter,tosaynothingofherslendergrace,thegrace of a young fawn, and a pair of gentianblue eyes that saidthingstopeopleinthefirstglance.

Poor,foolish,

handsome

Dominic

Fitzgerald,

light

hearted,

debonair

Irish gentleman, gay and gallant on his miserable pension of abrokenandretiredGuardsman,hadhadjustsufficientsensetoinsistupon magnificent settlements, certainly prompted thereto byClementine,whoinheritedthehardheadednessoftheearlydefunctScotchmother,aswellasherhighcheekbones.Thataffairhadbeenayouthfulmesalliance.

Youhadbetterseeweallgainsomethingbyit,papa,shehadsaid.

Makethe

old

bore

give

Theodora

ahuge

allowance,

and

have

it

all

fixed and settled by law beforehand. She is such a fool aboutmoneyjust likeyoushewill shower ituponus; andyoumakehimpayyouasumdownaswell.

CaptainFitzgeraldfortunatelyconsultedanhonestsolicitor,andsothings were arranged to the satisfaction of all parties concernedexceptTheodora herself,who found thewhole affair far fromhertaste.

Thatonemustmarryarichmanifonegotthechance,tohelppoor,darling papa, had always been part of her creed, more or lessinspiredbypapahimself.Butwhenitcametothescratch,andJosiah


4/217

BeyondtheRocks

2

Brownwasofferedasahusband,Theodorahadhadtouseeverybitofhernerveandselfcontroltopreventherselffromrefusing.

Shehad

not

seen

many

men

in

her

nineteen

years

of

out

at

elbows

life,butshehadimagination,andtheoneortwopeepsatsmartoldfriendsofpapas,landedfromstrayyachtsnowandthen,atoutoftheway French wateringplaces, had given her an ideal far, farremovedfromthepersonalityofJosiahBrown.

But,asSarahexplained toher,suchmencouldneverbehusbands.Theymightbelovers,ifonewasfortunateenoughtomove intheirsphere, but husbandsnever! and there was no use Theodora

protestingthis

violent

devotion

to

darling

papa,

if

she

could

not

do

a

smallthinglikemarryingJosiahBrownforhim!

Theodorasbeautifulmother,dead in the firstyearofherrunawaymarriage,hadbeen thedaughterofa stiffnecked,unforgivingoldearl; shehadbequeathedher child,besides thesegentianeyesandwonderful,silveryblondhair,awarm,generousheartandamoreorlessromantictemperament.

Theheart

was

touched

by

darling

papas

needs,

and

the

romantic

temperamentrevoltedbyJosiahBrownspersonality.

However, there itwas!Themarriage tookplaceat theConsulateatDieppe,andaperfectlymiserable littlebridegot into the train forParis,accompaniedbyafat,short,prosperous,middleclassEnglishhusband,whohadaccumulatedalargefortuneinAustralia,quitebyaccident,inacomparativelyfewyears.

JosiahBrown

was

only

fifty

two,

though

his

head

was

bald

and

his

figurefarfromslight.Hehadaliver,achest,andatemper,andheadoredTheodora.

CaptainFitzgeraldhad felta fewqualmswhenhehadwishedhislittledaughtergoodbyeontheplatformandhadseenthebluestarsswimmingwith tears.The twodaughters left tohimweresoplain,andhehatedplainpeopleabouthim;but,ontheotherhand,womenmust marry, and what chance had he, poor, unlucky devil, of

establishinghis

Theodora

better

in

life?

JosiahBrownwasagoodfellow,andhe,DominicFitzgerald,hadforthe first time formanyyearsa comfortablebalanceathisbankers,


5/217

BeyondtheRocks

3

andcouldrunuptoParishimselfinafewdays,andwhoknows,theAmericanwidow, fabulouslyrichJaneAnastasiaMcBridemighttakehimseriously!

CaptainDominicFitzgeraldwas irresistible,andhad that fortunateknackoflookinglikeagentlemanintheoldestclothes.Ifmarriedforthe third timebut this time prosperously, to a fabulously richAmericanhiswellborn relationswouldoncemorewelcomehimwithopenarms,hefeltsure,andvisionsofthebestpheasantshootsatoldBeechleigh,andpartridgedrivesatRotheringCastle floatedbeforehiseyes,quiteobscuringthefadingsmokeoftheParistrain.

Apretty

tough,

dull

affair

marriage,

he

said

to

himself,

reminded

oncemoreofTheodoraby treadingonawhite rose in the station.HopetoHeavensSarahpreparedherforitabit.Thenhegotintoafiacreanddrovetothehotel,whereheandthetworemainingMissesFitzgeraldwerelivinginthestyleoftheirforefathers.

Josiah Browns valet,Mr. Toplington, who knew the world, hadengagedroomsfor thehappycoupleat theGrandHotel.WellgototheRitzonourwayback,hedecided,butatfirst,incasetheres

scenesand

tears,

its

better

to

be

anumber

than

aname.

Mademoiselle Henriette, the freshly engaged French maid, quiteagreedwithhim.TheGrand,shesaid,wasplusconvenablepourunelunedeMielLunedeMiel!


6/217


7/217

BeyondtheRocks

5

CHAPTERII

Itwas a year laterbeforeTheodora saw her family again.A very

severeattack

of

bronchitis,

complicated

by

internal

catarrh,

prostratedJosiahBrowninthefirstdaysoftheirmarriage,andhadturnedherintoasuperintendentnurseforthenextthreemonths;bythat time a winter at Hyeres was recommended by the bestphysicians,andofftheystarted.

Hyeres, with a semiinvalid, a hospital nurse, and quantities ofmedicinebottlesanddraughtprotectors, isnot the idealplaceonereadsofinguidebooks.Theodoragrewtohatetheskyandtheblue

Mediterranean.She

used

to

sit

on

her

balcony

at

Costebelle

and

gaze

at the olivetrees, and the deepgreen velvet patch of firsbeyond,towardsthesea,andwonderatlife.

She longed to go to the islandsanywherebeyondand onedayshereadJeandAgreve;andafterthatshewonderedwhatLovewas.Ittookamightyholduponherimagination.ItseemedtoheritmustmeanLife.

Itwas

the

beginning

of

May

before

Josiah

Brown

thought

of

leaving

for Paris. England would be their destination, but the doctorsassured him amonth of Pariswouldbreak the change of climatewithmoresafetythaniftheycrossedtheChannelatonce.

Costebellewasafairylandofrosesastheydrovetothestation,andpeacehaddescendeduponTheodora.Shehadfallenintoherplace,aplace occupied by many wives before her with irritable,hypochondriacalhusbands.

ShehadoftenbeentoParisinhermaidendays;sheknewitfromthepointofviewofacheapboardinghouseandsnatchedmeals.Buttheuncheckedgayetyoftheairandthefaconhadnotbeentarnishedbythat. She had played in the Tuilleries Gardens and watchedPonchinelloattheRondPoint,andlaterbeentakenonceortwicetodineatacheapcafeintheBoisbypapa.AndonceshehadgonetoRobinsononacoachwithhimandsomearistocraticacquaintancesofhis,andeatenluncheonupthetree,andthatwasadayofthegods

andto

be

remembered.


8/217


9/217

BeyondtheRocks

7

Theodorashand,hadmadeJosiahBrownunconsciouslysaySirtohim.

Hehad

blushed

and

bitten

his

tongue

for

doing

it,

and

had

blustered

and patronized immoderately afterwards,but he never forgot theincident. They were notbirds of a feather, and never wouldbe,thoughtheexquisitemannersofDominicFitzgeraldcouldcarryanysituation.

Josiahwasnotaltogetherpleased to seehis fatherinlaw.Heevenexperiencedalittlejealousy.Theodorasface,whichgenerallyworeamaskofgentle,solicitousmeeknessforhim,suddenlysparkledand

rippledwith

laughter,

as

she

pinched

her

papas

ears,

and

pulled

his

mustache,andpurredintohisneck,withjoyattheirmeeting.

It was that purring sound and those caressing tricks that JosiahBrownobjectedto.Hehadneverreceivedanyofthemhimself,andsowhyshouldDominicFitzgerald?

CaptainFitzgerald,forhispart,wasenchantedtoclasphisbeautifuldaughteroncemoreinhisarms;hehadalwayslovedTheodora,and

whenhe

saw

her

so

quite

too

desirable

looking

in

her

exquisite

clothes,hefeltaveryfinefellowhimself,thinkingwhathehaddoneforher.

Itwasnotanunnaturalcircumstance thatheshould lookupon theideaofadinnerattherespectableprivatehotel,withhissoninlawand daughter, as a trifle dull for Paris, or that he should havesuggestedamealattheRitzwoulddothembothgood.

Comeand

dine

with

me

instead,

my

dear

child,

he

said,

with

his

grandair. Josiah,youmustbegin togoouta little and shakeoffyourillness,mydearfellow.

ButJosiahwaspeevish.

Not tonightcertainly not tonight. Itwas the eveninghewas totake the twodosesofhisnewmedicine,onehalfanhourafter theother, and he could not leave the hotel. Then he saw how poor

Theodorasface

fell,

and

one

of

his

sparks

of

consideration

for

the

feelings ofothers came tohim, andhe announcedgruffly thathiswifemightgowithherfather,ifshepleased,providedshecreptinto


10/217

BeyondtheRocks

8

herroom,whichwasnextdoortohisown,withouttheleastnoiseonherreturn.

Imust

not

be

disturbed

in

my

first

sleep,

he

said;

and

Theodora

thankedhimrapturously.

Itwassogoodofhimtolethergoshewould,indeed,makenottheleastnoise,and shedancedoutof the room toget ready inawayJosiah Brown had never seen her do before. And after she hadgoneCaptainFitzgeraldcameback to fetchherthis factrankledwithhimandpreventedhissleepformorethantwentyminutes.

Mysweet

child,

said

Captain

Fitzgerald,

when

he

was

seated

beside his daughter in herbrougham, rolling down the ChampsElysees,youmustnotbesograteful;hewont letyououtagainifyouare.

Oh,papa!saidTheodora.

They arrived at theRitzjust at the rightmoment. Itwas a lovelynight,butrathercold,sotherewerenodinersinthegarden,andthe

crowdfrom

the

restaurant

extended

even

into

the

hall.

It was an immense satisfaction to Dominic Fitzgerald to walkthroughthemallwiththissingularlybeautifulyoungwoman,andtoremark the effect sheproduced,andhis cupofhappinesswas fullwhen they came upon a party at the lower end by the door;prominent,ashostess,beingJaneAnastasiaMcBridethefabulouslyrichAmericanwidow.

Inasecond

of

time

he

reviewed

the

situation;

afaint

coldness

in

his

mannerwouldbe the thing todrawand itwas; forwhenhehadgreetedMrs.McBride without gush, and presented his daughterwiththeairofjustpassingon,thewidowimploredthemwithgreatcordialitytoleavetheirsolitarymealandjoinherparty.Norwouldshehearofanyrefusal.

ThewholescenewassonovelanddelightfultoTheodorashecarednotatallwhetherherfatheracceptedorno,solongasshemightsit

quietlyand

observe

the

world.

Mrs.McBride had perceived immediately that the string of pearlsroundMrs.JosiahBrownsneckcouldnothavecost less thannine


11/217

BeyondtheRocks

9

thousandpounds,and thather frock,although so simple,was thelast andmost expensive creationofCallotSoeurs.Shehadalwaysbeen horribly attractedbyCaptain Fitzgerald, ever since that race

weekat

Trouville

two

summers

ago,

and

fate

had

sent

them

here

to

night,andshemeanttoenjoyherself.

Captain Fitzgerald acceded to her requestwith hisusualpolishedease,and theradiantwidowpresented therestofherguests to thetwonewcomers.

The tallmanwith thefiercebeardwasPrinceWorrzoff,married toherniece,SaidieButcher.SaidieButcherwasshort,andhadavoice

youcould

hear

across

the

room.

The

sleek,

fair

youth

with

the

twinkling gray eyes was an Englishman from the Embassy. Thedisagreeablelookingwoman in thebadlymademauvesilkwashissister, LadyHildon. The stout, hooknosedbird of preywith theheavygoldchainwasaWesternmillionaire,andthesmilinggirlwashisdaughter.Then, last of all, cameLordBracondaleand itwaswhenhewaspresentedthatTheodorafirstbegantotakeaninterestintheparty.

Hector,fourteenth

Lord

Bracondale

of

Bracondale

(as

she

later

that

night read in thePeerage)was aged thirtyoneyears.Hehadbeeneducated atEton andOxford, served for some time in the FourthLifeguards,beenunpaidattacheatSt.Petersburg,waspatronoffivelivings,andsatintheHouseofLordsasBaronBracondale;creation,1505; seat, Bracondale Chase. Brothers, none. Sister living, AnneCharlotte,marriedtothefourthEarlofAnningford.

Theodora read all this over twice, and also even the predecessors

andcollateral

branchesbut

that

was

while

she

burned

the

midnightoilandlistenedtothesnortsandcoughsofJosiahBrown,slumberingnextdoor.

For the time being she raised her eyes and looked into LordBracondales,andsomething toldher theywere thenicesteyesshehadeverseeninthisworld.

ThenwhenavolubleFrench counthad rushedup,withgarrulous

apologiesfor

being

late,

the

party

was

complete,

and

they

swept

into

therestaurant.


12/217

BeyondtheRocks

10

Theodora sat between the Western millionaire and the RussianPrince,butbeyonditwas a round table,onlyjustbig enough toholdthemcameherhostessandLordBracondale,andtwoorthree

timesat

dinner

they

spoke,

and

very

often

she

felt

his

eyes

fixed

uponher.

Mrs.McBride,likeallAmericanwidows,wasanadmirablehostess;theconversationneverflagged,orthegayetyforonemoment.

TheWesternmillionairewas shrewd, and announced somequainttruthswhilehepickedhisteethwithanaudiblesound.

Thisis

his

first

visit

to

Europe,

Princess

Worrzoff

said

afterwards

toTheodorabywayofexplanation.Heissocolossallyrichhedontneedtoworryaboutsuchthingsathistimeoflife;butitdoesmakemeturntohearhim.

CaptainFitzgeraldwasinhiselement.Noguestshonesobrilliantlyashe.Hiswitwasdelicate,his salliesweredaring,his lookswereinsinuating,andhisappearancewasperfection.

Theodorahad

every

reason

to

tingle

with

pride

in

him,

and

the

widowfeltherheartbeat.

Isnthejusttoobrightyourfather,Mrs.Brown?shesaidastheylefttherestauranttohavetheircoffeeinthehall.YoumustletmeseequantitiesofyouwhileweareallinParistogether.Itisalovelycity;dontyouagreewithme?

AndTheodoradid.

LordBracondalewasofthesamebreedasCaptainFitzgeraldthatis, theyneitherof thempermitted themselves tobe supersededbyanyothermanwiththeobjectoftheirwishes.Whentheywantedtotalktoawomantheydid,iftwentyFrenchcountsorRussianprincesstood in the way! Thus it was that for the rest of the eveningTheodorafoundherselfseateduponasofaincloseproximitytotheman who had interested her at dinner, and Mrs. McBride andCaptain Fitzgerald occupied two armchairs equally well placed,

whilethe

rest

of

the

party

made

general

conversation.


13/217

BeyondtheRocks

11

HectorBracondale,amongotherattractions,hadacharmingvoice;itwasdeepandarresting,andhehadawayof looking straight intotheeyesofthepersonhewastalkingto.

Theodoraknew atoncehebelonged to the tribewhomSarahhadtoldhercouldneverbehusbands.

Shewondered vaguelywhy, all the time shewas talking to him.Why had husbands always to be bores and unattractive, andsometimes even simply revolting, like hers?Was itbecause thesebeautifulcreaturescouldnotbeboundtoanyonewoman?Itseemedtoherunsophisticatedmindthatitcouldbeverynicetobemarried

toone

of

them;

but

there

was

no

use

fighting

against

fate,

and

she

personallywasweddedtoJosiahBrown.

Lord Bracondales conversation pleased her. He seemed tounderstand exactlywhat shewanted to talk about; he saw all thethingsshesawandhehadreadJeandAgreve!theygottothatatthe endof the firsthalfhour, and then she frozeup a little; someinstincttoldheritwasdangerousground,soshespokesuddenlyoftheweather,inabanalvoice.

Meanwhile,fromthebeginningofdinner,LordBracondalehadbeensaying to himself she was the loveliest white flower he had yetstruckinapathofvariedexperiences.Hereyessoinnocentandtrue,with the tender expressionofa fawn; theperfect turnofherheadandslenderpillarofathroat;hergraceandgentleness,allappealedtohiminamaddeningway.

Sheisasleeptothewholeoflifespossibilities,hethought.What

canher

husband

be

about,

and

what

an

intoxicatingly

agreeable

task

towakeherup!

Hehadlivedamongtheworldwheretheawakingofyoungwives,oroldwives,oranywomanwhocouldpleaseman,wasthenaturalcourseoftheday.Itneverevenstruckhimthenitmightbeacruelthing todo.Awoman oncemarriedwas always fair game; if thehusbandcouldnotretainheraffectionsthatwashislookout.

HectorBracondale

was

not

abrute,

just

an

ordinary

Englishman

of

theworld,whohadlivedandlovedandseenmanylands.


14/217

BeyondtheRocks

12

HereadTheodoralikeanopenbook:heknewexactlywhyshehadtalkedabouttheweatherafterJeandAgreve.Itthrilledhimtoseehersofteyesdreamyand luminouswhen they first spokeof thebook,

andit

flattered

him

when

she

changed

the

conversation.

As forTheodora, she analyzednothing, she only felt thatperhapssheoughtnottospeakaboutlovetooneofthosepeoplewhocouldneverbehusbands.

Captain Fitzgerald,meanwhile,wasmaking tremendous headwaywith the widow. He flattered her vanity, he entertained herintelligence,andheevenendedby lettingherseeshewascausing

him,personally,

great

emotion.

At last thispromisingeveningcametoanend.TheRussianPrince,withhisAmericanPrincess,gotuptosaygoodnight,andgraduallythepartybrokeup,butnotbeforeCaptainFitzgeraldhadarrangedtomeetMrs.McBrideatDoucets in themorning,andgiveher thebenefitofhis tasteandexperience inafurthershoppingexpeditiontobuyoldbronzes.

Wecan

all

breakfast

together

at

Henrys,

he

said,

with

his

grand

manner,whichincludedthewholeparty;andforoneinstantforceofhabitmadeTheodorasheartsinkwithfearattheprospectofthebill,as ithadoftenhad todo inoldendayswhenherfathergave theseroyalinvitations.ThensherememberedshehadnotbeensacrificedtoJosiahBrown fornothing,and that even ifdear,generouspapashould happen tobe a little hardup again, a few hundred francswouldbenothingtohertoslipintohishandbeforestarting.

Therest

of

the

party,

however,

declined.

They

were

all

busy

elsewhere, except Lord Bracondale and the French Counttheywouldcome,withpleasure,theysaid.

TheodorawonderedwhatJosiahwould say.Would he go? and ifnot,wouldhelethergo?Thiswasmoreimportant.

Thenweshallmeetatbreakfasttomorrow,LordBracondalesaid,ashehelpedheronwithhercloak.Thatwillgivemesomethingto

lookforward

to.


15/217


16/217

BeyondtheRocks

14

SoTheodoracreptuptoherapartment,comforted;andinthesalonitwasshecaughtsightofthePeerage.

JosiahBrown

bought

one

every

year

and

travelled

with

it,

although

untilhemettheFitzgeraldfamilyhehadnotknownasinglepersonconnectedwithit;butitpleasedhimtobeabletolookuphiswifesname,and to read thathermotherwas thedaughterofa real liveearlandherfatherthebrotherofabaronet.

Hector!IlikethenameofHector,werethelastcoherentthoughtswhichfloatedthroughthebrainofTheodorabeforesleepclosedherbroad,whitelids.

Meanwhile, Lord Bracondale had gone on to sup at the Cafe deParis,withMariondeBeauvoisonandEsclarmondedeChartres;andamongthediamondsandpearlsandscentsandfeathershesuddenlyfelt a burning disgust, and a longing to be out again in themoonlightalonewithhisthoughts.

Maisquastu,monvieuxchou?theysaid.CebelHectorcheriilaunbeguinpourquelquunmaiscenestpaspournousautres!


17/217

BeyondtheRocks

15

CHAPTERIII

JosiahBrown cut the top offhis oeuf a la coquewith aknife athis

premierdejeuner

next

day.

The

knife

grated

on

the

shell

in

a

determinedway,andTheodorafeltherheartsinkattheprospectofbroachingthesubjectofthebreakfastattheCafeHenry.

I am so glad the rain has stopped, she said, nervously. ItwasrainingwhenIwokethismorning.

Indeed,repliedJosiah.Andwhatkindofaneveningdidyoupasswiththatfatherofyours?

Averypleasantone,saidTheodora,crumblingherroll.Papametsomeold friends,andwealldined togetherat theRitz.Iwishyouhadbeenabletocome,itmighthavedoneyougood,itwassogay!

Iamnotfitforgayety,saidherhusband,peevishly,scoopingoutspoonfulsofyolk.Andwhoweretheparty,pray?

Theodora obediently enumerated them all, and the highsounding

titleof

the

Russian

Prince,

to

say

nothing

of

the

English

lord

and

lady,hadamollifyingeffectonJosiahBrown.HeevenrememberedthenameofBracondalehadhenotbeenagrocersassistantinthesmall town of Bracondale for awhole year in his apprenticeshipdays?

Papawantsus tobreakfast todaywithhimatHenrys foryou tomeetsomeofthem,Theodorasaid,withmoreconfidence.

Josiahhad

taken

asecond

egg

and

his

frown

was

gone.

Wellseeabout it,wellseeabout it,hegrunted;buthiswifefeltmorehopeful,andwasevenunusuallysolicitousofhiswantsinthewayof coffeeandmarmaladeand cream.Josiahwas shrewd ifhedidhappentobedeeplyselfabsorbedinhishealth,andhenoticedthatTheodoras eyeswerebrighter andher stepmore elastic thanusual.

Heknew

he

had

bought

one

of

them

there

aristocrats,

as

his

old

aunt,whohadkeptapublichouseatNewNorton,wouldhavesaid.Boughtherwithsolidgoldhehadnoillusionsonthissubject,andhe quite realized if the solid gold had notbeen amassed out of


18/217

BeyondtheRocks

16

England,sothattoherfamilyhecouldberepresentedassomethingfrom the coloniesrather rough, but such a good fellowevenCaptain Fitzgeralds impecuniosity and rapacity would not have

risento

his

bait.

Hewas alsograteful toTheodorashehadbeen someek always,andsuchakindandunselfishnurse.Withhisimpairedconstitutionanddelicatechesthehadgivenupallhopesoflookingonherasawifeagain,justyet;but,asanurseandanornamentapegtohangtheevidencesofhiswealthuponshewaslittleshortofperfection.Hecouldhavebeenfranticallyinlovewithherifshehadonlybeenthegirlfrom thestationbar inMelbourne.JosiahBrownwasnota

badfellow.

BythetimeMr.Toplingtonadvancedinhisdignifiedwaywiththeaccuratelymeasuredtoniconasilvertrayandthesingleaciddroptoremovethetaste,JosiahBrownhaddecidedtogoandpartakefoodwith his fatherinlaw atHenrys. If he hadbeen good enough toentertain theGovernorofAustralia,hewasquitegoodenough forRussianprincesorEnglish lords,he toldhimself.Thus itwas thatCaptainFitzgerald,whocameinpersoninafewminutestoindorse

hisinvitation,

found

an

unusually

cordial

reception

awaiting

him.

I am too delighted, my dear Josiah, he said, that you havedecided to comeoutofyour shell.Mopingwouldkilla cat;and Ishallorderyoutheplainestchickenandsouffleauxfraises.

Josiahcaneatalmostanything,papa.Idontthinkyouneedworryaboutthat,saidTheodora,whohopedtomakeherhusbandenjoyhimself.AndthenCaptainFitzgeraldlefttomeethiswidow.

Allthemorning,whileshewalkedupanddownunderthetreesintheAvenueduBoisbesideherhusband,wholeaneduponherarm,Theodoras thoughtsweremilesaway.She felt stimulated,excited,intenselyinterestedinthehour,afraidtheywouldbelate.Twicesheansweredatrandom,andJosiahgotquitecross.

IaskedyouwhichyouconsideredwoulddomemostgoodwhenwereturntoEngland,tocontinueseeingSirBaldwinonceaweekor

tohave

Dr.

Wilton

permanently

in

the

house

with

us,

and

you

answerthatyouquiteagreewithme!Agreewithwhat?Agreewithwhich?Youaretalkingnonsense,girl!


19/217

BeyondtheRocks

17

Theodora apologized gently, and herwhite velvet cheeksbecametingedwithwild roses. It seemed as if the victoria,with its highsteppers,would never come andpick themup; and itmustbe at

leastquarter

of

an

hours

drive

to

Henrys.

She

did

not

understand

whereitwasexactly,butpapahadsaidthecoachmanwouldknow.

Ifsomeonehadtoldher,asClementinecertainlywouldhavedonehadshebeenthere,thatshewassimplythusinterestedandexcitedbecause shewished to seeagainLordBracondale, shewouldhavebeenhorrified.Sheneverhadanalyzed sensationsherself,and thedayhadnotyetarrivedwhenshewouldbegintodoso.

Atlast

they

were

rolling

down

the

Champs

Elysees.

The

mass

of

chestnut blooms in full glory, the tender green still fresh andspringlike, the skyasblueasblue,andeverycreature in the streetwithanairofgayetythatParisaloneseemstoinspireinthehumanrace. It entered into herblood, this rush of spring and hope andlaughterand life, and a radiant creaturegotout of the carriage atHenrysdoor.

The two men were waiting for themLord Bracondale and the

FrenchCounther

father

and

Mrs.

McBride

had

not

yet

appeared.

Theodora introduced them to her husband, and Lord Bracondalesaid:

Mrs.McBrideisalwayslate.Ihavefoundoutwhichisyourfatherstable;dontyouthinkwemightgoandsitdown?

And theydid.Theodoragotwell into thecornerof thevelvetsofa,

theCount

on

one

side

and

Lord

Bracondale

on

the

other,

with

Josiah

beyondtheCount.

Theymadeconversation.TheFrenchmanwasvolubleandagreeable,andthenexttenminutespassedwithoutincident.

Josiah,notquiteat ease,perhaps,buton thewholenot illpleasedwithhissituation.TheCounttookallupsanddownsasofthedayswork, sure of a good breakfast, sooner or later, unpaid for by

himself.And

Lord

Bracondales

thoughts

ran

somewhat

thus:

She isevenmorebeautiful indaylight thanatnight.She cantbemore than twentywhat a skin! likeawhitegardeniapetaland,


20/217

BeyondtheRocks

18

good Lord, what a husband! How revolting, how infamous! Isuppose that old schemer, her father, sold her to him. Her eyesremind one of forgotten fairy tales of angels.Can anythingbe so

sweetas

that

little

nose

and

those

baby

red

lips.

She

has

asoul,

too,

peepingoutofthebluewhenshelooksupatone.SheremindsmeofPraxitelesPsychewhen she looks down.Whydid I notmeet herlong ago? Ibelieve Ioughtnot to staynowsomething tellsme Ishall fall deeply into this. And what a voice!as gentle andcaressingasa tenderdove.Amanwouldgivehis soul for such awoman. As guileless as an infant saint, tooand sensitive andhumanandunderstanding.IwishtoGodIhadthestrengthofmindtogetupandgothisminutebutIhaventitisfate.

Oh,hownaughtyofpapa,saidTheodora,tobesolate!Areyouveryhungry,Josiah?Shallwebeginwithoutthem?

But at thatmoment,with rustling silks and delicate perfume, thewidow andCaptainFitzgerald came inat thedoor andjoined theparty.

I am just too sorry, the lady said, gayly. It is all Captain

Fitzgeraldsfaulthe

would

try

to

restrain

me

from

buying

what

I

wanted,and so itmademeobstinateand Ihad to stay right thereandorderhalftheshop.

How Iunderstand you! sympathizedLord Bracondale. I knowjustthatfeelingofwantingforbiddenfruit.Itmakesthezestoflife.

Hehad foreseen thedispositionof theparty,andby sitting in theoutsidecornerseatattheendknewhewouldhaveTheodoraalmost

entete

atete,

once

they

were

all

seated

along

the

velvet

sofa

beyond

JosiahBrown.

What do you do with yourself all the time here? he asked,loweringhisvoicetothatdeepnotewhichonlycarriestotheearitisintendedfor.Mayoneeverseeyouagainexceptatachancemeallikethis?

I dont know, said Theodora. Iwalk up and down in the side

alleesof

the

Bois

in

the

morning

with

my

husband,

and

when

he

has

hadhissleep,afterdejeuner,wedrivenearlyall theafternoon,andwehave tea,at thePreCatalananddriveagainuntilabout seven,


21/217

BeyondtheRocks

19

andthenwecomeinanddine,andIgotobedveryearly.Josiahisnotstrongenoughyetforlatehoursortheatres.

Itsounds

supernaturally

gay

for

Paris!

said

Lord

Bracondale;

and

thenhefeltabrutewhenhesawthecloudintheblueeyes.

No, itisnotgay,shesaid,simply.Buttheflowersarebeautiful,andthegreentreesandthechestnutblossomsandthefineairhere,andthereisalittlestreamamongthetreeswhichlaughstoitselfasitruns,andallthesethingssaysomethingtome.

Hefeltrebukedrebukedandinterested.

Iwouldliketoseethemallwithyou,hesaid.

Thatwasoneofhischarmsdirectness.Hedidnotinsinuateoften;hestatedfacts.

Youwouldfinditallmuchtoomonotonous,sheanswered.Youwould tireof themafter the first time.Andyoucould ifyou liked,too,because I supposeyou are free,being aman, and can choose

yourown

life,

and

she

sighed

unconsciously.

And there came to Hector Bracondale the picture of her lifesacrificed, no doubt, to others needs.He seemed to see the longyears tied toJosiah Brown, the cramping of her soul, the drearydesolation of it. Then a tenderness came over him, a chivalroustendernessunfeltbyhimtowardswomennowformanyalongday.

Iwonder ifIcanchoosemy life,hesaid,andhe looked intoher

eyes.

Whycanyounot?Shehesitated.Andmay Iaskyou, too,whatyoudowithyourselfhere?

Heevadedthequestion;hesuddenlyrealizedthathisdayswerenotmoreamusing thanhers,although theywere filledupwith racingandvariedemploymentswhile the thoughtofhisnightssickenedhim.

I think Iamgoing tomakean immensechangeand learn to takepleasureintherunningbrooks,hesaid.Willyouhelpme?


22/217

BeyondtheRocks

20

I know so little, and you know somuch, and her sweet eyesbecamesoftanddreamy.Icouldnothelpyouinanyway,Ifear.

Yes,you

couldyou

could

teach

me

to

see

all

things

with

fresh

eyes.Youcouldopenthedoorintoanewworld.

Do you know, she said, irrelevantly, Sarahmy eldest sisterSarah toldme itwasunwiseever to talk tostrangersexcept in theabstractandhereareyouandIconversingaboutourowninterestsandfeelingsarenotwefoolish!Shelaughedalittlenervously.

No,we are not foolishbecausewe are not strangerswe never

wereandwe

never

will

be.

Arenotstrangers?

Nodoyounotfeelthatsometimesinlifeonesfriendshipsbeginby antipathysometimesby indifferenceand sometimesby thatsuddenmagnetism of sympathy as if in some former lifewe hadbeen very near and dear, and were only picking up the threadsagain, and to such two souls there is no feeling that they are

strangers.

Theodorawas too entirelyunsophisticated to remainunmovedbythis reasoning. She felt a little thrillshe longed to continue thesubject,andyetdarednot.SheturnedhesitatinglytotheCount,andforthenexttenminutesLordBracondaleonlysawthesoftoutlineofhercheek.

Hewonderedifhehadbeentoosudden.Shewasquitetheyoungest

personhe

had

ever

methe

realized

that,

and

perhaps

he

had

acted

withtoomuchprecipitation.Hewouldchangehistactics.

TheCountwasonlytoopleasedtoengagetheattentionofTheodora.Hewasvoluble;shehadverylittletoreply.Thingswentsmoothly.Josiah was appreciating an exceedingly good breakfast, and theplayfulsalliesofthefairwidow.All,infact,wascouleurderose.

Wontyoutalktomeanymore?LordBracondalesaid,afterabout

aquarter

of

an

hour.

He

felt

that

was

ample

time

for

her

to

have

become calm, and,beautiful as the outline of her cheekwas, hepreferredherfullface.


23/217

BeyondtheRocks

21

Butof course, saidTheodora.Shehadnotheardmore thanhalfwhattheCounthadbeensaying;shewishedvaguelythatshemightcontinuethesubjectoffriendship,butshedarednot.

Doyouevergo toVersailles?heasked.This,at least,wasasafesubject.

Ihavebeentherebutnotsincenotthistime,sheanswered.Ilovedit:sofullofmemoriesandsentiment,andOldWorldcharm.

Itwouldgivememuchpleasure to takeyou to see it again,hesaid,withgravepoliteness.Imustdevisesomeplanthatis,ifyou

wishto

go.

Shesmiled.

It isa favoritespotofmine,and therearesomeallees in theparkmorefullofthestoryofspringthanyourBoiseven.

Idonotseehowwecango,saidTheodora.Josiahwouldfindittoolongaday.

Imustdiscuss itwithyourfather;onecangenerallyarrangewhatonewishes,saidLordBracondale.

At thismomentMrs.McBride leanedoverandspoke toTheodora.She had, she said, quite convertedMr. Brown.He onlywanted alittle cheering up to be perfectly well, and she had got him topromise to dine that evening at Armenonville and listen to theTziganes.Itwasgoingtobeagloriousnight,butiftheyfeltcoldthey

couldhave

their

table

inside

out

of

the

draught.

What

did

Theodora

thinkaboutit?

Theodorathoughtitwouldbeadeliciousplan.Whatelsecouldshethink?

Ihavealargepartycoming,Mrs.McBridesaid,andamongthemacompatriotofminewhosawyou lastnightand isdying tomeetyou.

Really,saidTheodora,unmoved.

LordBracondaleexperiencedasensationofannoyance.


24/217

BeyondtheRocks

22

I shallnotaskyou,Bracondale, thewidow continued,playfully.JusttoassertBritishsuperiority,youwouldtrytomonopolizeMrs.Brown,andmypoorHerrymanHoggenwaterwouldhave tocome

inalong,

long

second!

Josiahfeltarushofpride.Thisbrilliantwomanwasmakingmuchofhismeeklittlewife.

LordBracondalesmiledthemostgenialsmile,withrageinhisheart.

Icouldnothaveacceptedinanycase,dearlady,hesaid,asIhavesome people dining with me, and, oddly enough, they rather

suggestedthey

wanted

Armenonville

too,

so

perhaps

Ishall

have

the

pleasureoflookingatyoufromthedistance.

The conversation thenbecame general, and soon after this coffeearrived,andeventuallytheadieuxweresaid.

Mrs. McBride insisted upon Theodora accompanying her in hersmartautomobile.

Youleave

your

wife

to

me

for

an

hour,

she

said,

imperiously,

to

Josiah, and go and see the world with Captain Fitzgerald. HeknowsParis.

Mydear,you arejust the sweetest thing Ihave come across thissideoftheAtlantic,shesaid,whentheywerewhizzingalonginhercar. But you look as if youwanted cheering too. I expect yourhusbandsillnesshasworriedyouagooddeal.

Theodorafroze

alittle.

Then

she

glanced

at

the

widows

face

and

its

honestkindlinessmeltedher.

Yes, Ihavebeenanxiousabouthim, she said, simply,buthe isnearlywellnow,andweshallsoonbegoingtoEngland.

Mrs.McBridehadnottakenacompaniononthisdrivefornothing,andsheobtainedalltheinformationshewantedduringtheirtourinthe Bois. How Josiah Brown had bought a colossal place in the

easterncounties,

and

intended

to

have

parties

and

shoot

there

in

the

autumn.HowTheodorahoped to seemoreofher sisters than shehaddonesincehermarriage.ThequestionofthesesistersinterestedMrs.McBrideagooddeal.


25/217

BeyondtheRocks

23

For a man to have two unmarried daughters was rather anundertaking.

Whatwere

their

agestheir

habitstheir

ambitions?

Theodora

told

her simply. She guessed why she was being interrogated. Shewished toassisther father,and to say the truth seemed toher thebestway.Sarahwaskindandhumorous,whileClementinehadthebrains.

And they areboth dears, she said, lovingly, and have alwaysbeensogoodtome.

Mrs.McBride

was

ashrewd

woman,

full

of

American

quickness,

lightning deduction, and a phenomenal insight into character.Theodoraseemed toher tobe too tenderaflowerfor thisworldofeastwind.Shefeltsuresheonlythoughtgoodofeveryone,andhowcould one get on in life if one took that view habitually! Theappallinglyhardknocksfatewouldgiveoneifonewassotrusting!But as the drive went on that gentle something that seemed toemanatefromTheodora,thesomethingofpuresweetnessandlight,affectedher,too,asitaffectedotherpeople.Shefeltshewaslooking

intoadeep

pool

of

crystal

water,

so

deep

that

she

could

see

no

bottomor fathom thedistanceof it,butwhichreflected inbrilliantblueGodsskyandthesun.

Andsheisbynomeansstupid,thewidowsummeduptoherself.HermindisasbrightasanAmericans!Andshe isjusttooprettyandsweet tobeeatenupby thesewolvesofmenshewillmeet inEngland,with thatunromantic,unattractivehusbandalong. ImustdowhatIcanforher.

BythetimeshehaddroppedTheodoraatherhotelthesituationwasquiteclear.Of course thegirlhadbeen sacrificed toJosiahBrown;shewassoundasleepinthegreatforcesoflife;shewasboundtobehideouslyunhappy,anditwasallanabominableshame,andoughttohavebeenprevented.

ButMrs.McBridenevercriedoverspilledmilk.

IfIdecide

to

marry

her

father,

she

thought,

as

she

drove

off,

I

shallkeepmyeyeonher,andmeanwhileIcanmakeherlifesmilealittleperhaps!


26/217


27/217

BeyondtheRocks

25

CHAPTERIV

Theodoradidnotwonderwhyshefeltinnoexaltedstateofspirits

asshe

dressed

for

dinner.

She

seldom

thought

of

herself

at

all,

or

whatheremotionswere,butthefactremainedtherewasnoneoftheexcitement there had been over the prospect of breakfast. Herhusband,onthecontrary,seemedquitefussy.

Adevilishfinewoman,hehaddescribedMrs.McBride.Actslikeatonicuponme;doesmemoregoodthanapintofchampagne!

Is shenotdelightful?agreedTheodora;soverykindandgay. I

amsure

the

dinner

will

do

you

good,

Josiah,

and

perhaps

we

might

giveoneinreturn.Whatdoyousay?

Josiahsaid,Certainly!Hecouldgiveamealwiththebestofthem!Theywouldconsultthatfatherofhers,whoknewParissowell,andaskhimtohelpthemtoarrangearegularslapuptreat.

And so they arrived atArmenonville. Itwas adivine night,quitewarm,andasoftthreequartermoon.

Mrs.McBridehadeverythingarrangedtoperfection.Theirtablewasjustwhereitshouldbe,themenuwasallthatheartofgourmetcoulddesire,andthecompanysparkling.

Theodora foundherself seatedbesideMr.HarrymanHoggenwaterandanelderlyAustrian,andbefore thehorsdoeuvreswereclearedawaybothgentlemenhaddecidedtomakelovetoher.

Itwas

when

the

bisque

decrevisses

was

being

handed

she

became

conscious that,not two tables off, therewas an emptyone simplyarranged with flowers, and almost at the same instant LordBracondaleandhispartyarriveduponthescene.

All Theodoras perceptions seemed to be sharpened. She knewwithoutturningherheadthetablewasforthem,andthattheywereadvancing towards it.Shehad felt theirarrivalalmostbefore theirautomobilestopped;andnowshewouldnotlookup.

A strange sensation, as of excitement, tingled through her. Shelonged toascertain if thewomanwasgoodlookingwhomade thethirdinthispartyofthree.Shepeepedeventuallywiththecorner


28/217

BeyondtheRocks

26

ofhereye.LordBracondalehadsoplacedhisgueststhathehimselffacedTheodora,andtheladyhadherbackturnedtoher.

ThusTheodoras

curiosity

could

not

be

gratified.

SheisEnglish,shedecided;thatroundshapedbackalways isandverywellbredlooking,andnotmuchtasteindress.Iwonderifshe is old or youngand if that is the husband. Yes, he isunattractiveitmustbethehusbandandoh,Iwonderwhattheyaretalkingabout!LordBracondaleseemssointerested!

Andifshehadknownitwas

Really,Monica,howfortunate tohavesecuredyouatshortnoticelike this,LordBracondalewas saying. Ionly found Ihada freeeveningatbreakfast,andImetJackonmywaytothepologroundjustinthenickoftime.

We love coming,Mrs. Ellerwood replied. For unsophisticatedEnglishpeopleitisagreattreat.WegobackonSaturdayeveryonewillbeaskingwhatiskeepingyouheresolong.

Myplansarevague,LordBracondalesaid,casually.Imightcomebackanyday,or Imay stayuntilwell intoJuneitquitedependsuponhowamusedIam.IratherloveParis.

Andtohimselfhewasthinking

How Iwish that atrociouswoman over therewith the paradiseplumewouldkeepherhatoutof theway.Ah, that isbetter!How

lovelyshe

looks

to

night!

What

an

exquisite

pose

of

head!

And

what

arethosetwodamnedforeignerssayingtoher,Iwonder.Underbredbrute,theAmerican,HerrymanHoggenwater!Whataname!She islaughingsheevidently findshimamusing.Abominablycattishofthewidownottoaskme.Iwonderifshehasseenmeyet.Iwanttomakeherbowtome.Ah!ForjustthenmagnetismwastoostrongforTheodora,and,inspiteofherdetermination,theireyesmet.

A thrill, little shortofpassion, ran throughLordBracondaleashe

sawthe

wild

roses

flushing

her

white

cheeksthe

exquisite

flattery

tohisvanity.Yes,shehadseenhim,anditalreadymeantsomethingtoher.


29/217

BeyondtheRocks

27

He raised his champagne glass and sipped a sip,while his eyes,moreardentthantheyhadeverbeen,soughtherface.

AndTheodora,

for

her

part,

felt

aflutter

too.

She

was

angry

with

herself forblushing, such a schoolgirlish thing to do, Sarah hadalways toldher.Shehopedhehadnotnoticed itat thatdistanceprobably not.Andwhat did hemeanby drinking her health likethat?Heoh,hewas

Now, truly, Mrs. Brown, you are cruel, Mr. HerrymanHoggenwatersaid,pathetically,interruptingherthoughts.ItellyouI am simply longing to know if youwill come for a drive inmy

automobile,and

you

do

not

answer,

but

stare

into

space.

Theodoraturned,andthentheyoungAmericanunderstoodthatforallhergentlelooksitwouldbewisernottotakethistonewithher.

Headmiredher frantically,hewasjustcrazyabouther,he toldMrs.McBride later.And so now he exerted himself toplease andamuseherwithallthevivacityofhisbrilliantnation.

Theodorawas

enjoying

herself.

Environment

and

atmosphere

affectedherstrongly.Thebrightpink lights, thesenseofnightandthesoftmoonbeyondthewideopenbalconywindows,thescentsofflowers, the gayety, and, above all, the knowledge that LordBracondalewas there,gazingatherwheneveropportunityoffered,witheyes inwhichshe,unlearnedasshewas insuchthings,couldreadplainlyadmirationandunrest.

Itallwent toherheada little,andshebecamequiteanimatedand

fullof

repartee

and

sparkle,

so

that

Josiah

Brown

could

hardly

believe his eyes and earswhen he glanced across at her. This hismeekandquietmouse!

Hisheart swelledwithpridewhenMrs.McBride leanedoverandsaidtohim:

Youknow,Mr.Brown,youhavegotthemostbeautifulwifeintheworld,andIhopeyouvalueherproperly.

ItwasthisdaringqualityinhishostessJosiahappreciatedsomuch.Shesnotafraidtosayanything,ponmysoul,hesaidtohimself.I rather think I knowmy own possessions value! he answered


30/217

BeyondtheRocks

28

aloud,withapompouspuffingoutofchest,andacoughtoclearthethroat.

TheAustrian

Prince

on

Theodoras

right

hand

pleased

her.

He

had

a

quietmanner,andthefreemasonryofbreedingintwopeople,evenofdifferentnations,drewher to talknaturally tohim ina friendlyway.

Hewasafatalist,hetoldher;whatwouldbewouldbe,andmortalslikehimselfandherselfwerejustscatteredleaves,likebarksfloatingdownacurrentwhereweremostlyrocksahead.

Thenmust

we

strike

the

rocks

whether

we

wish

it

or

no?

asked

Theodora.Cannotwehelpourselves?

Ah,madame,forthat,hesaid,wecanstrivealittleandavoidthisoneand that,but if it isour fatewewillcrashagainst them in theend.

What a sad philosophy! said Theodora. Iwould ratherbelievethatifonedoesonesbestsomekindangelwillguideonesbarkpast

therocks

and

safely

into

the

smooth

waters

of

the

pool

beyond.

Youareyoung,hesaid,andIhopeyouwillfinditso,butIfearyouwillhavetotryveryhard,andcircumstancesmayeventhenbetoostrongforyou.

In that case Imust gounder altogether, said Theodora;but hereyes smiled, and that night at least such a possibility seemed farenoughawayfromher.

TheAustrian looked across at her husband. Suchmarriageswererare in his country, and he had thought so too in England. Hewonderedwhat their story couldbe.Hewondered how soon shewouldtakealoverandherealizedhowinfinitelyworthwhilethatloverwouldfindhissituation.

Hewishedhewerenotsoold.Ifshemustbreakupherbarkontherocks,hecouldtaketheplaceofsteersmanwithpleasure.Buthewas

acourteous

gentleman

and

he

said

none

of

these

things

aloud.


31/217

BeyondtheRocks

29

Meanwhile,LordBracondalewasnot enjoyinghisdinner.For thefirst time for several years he found himself jealous! He, unlikeTheodora,knewthemeaningofeveryoneofhissensations.

She iscertainly interested inPrinceCarolstein,he thought,ashewatchedher;hehasaEuropeanreputationforfascination.Shehasnotlookedthiswayoncesincetheentrees.IwishIcouldhearwhatthey are talking about.As for that young puppyHoggenwater, Iwouldliketokickhimroundtheroom!Lord,lookhowheisleaningoverher!Itsickensme!Theyoungfool!

Mrs.Ellerwood turned round in her seat and surveyed the room.

Theyhad

almost

come

to

the

end

of

dinner,

and

could

move

their

chairsalittle.ShehadthetrueEnglishwomansfeelingwhenamongforeignersthat they were all there as puppets for herentertainment.

Look, Hector, she saidthey were cousinsdid you ever seesuchalovelywomanasthatoneoverthereamongthelargeparty,intheblackchiffondress?

ThenHector

committed

abetise.

Where?saidhe,hiseyespersistentlyfixedinanotherdirection.

There; you cantmistake her, she looks so purewhite, and fair,amongall theseFrenchwomenTheonewith theblueeyesand thelovelyhatwith thosesweeping feathers.She isexquisitelydressed,andboththosemenlookfearfullydevotedtoher.Cantyousee?Oh,youarestupid!

My dearMonica, saidJack Ellerwood,whojoined rarely in theconversation, Hector hasbeen sitting facing thisway all throughdinner.He isamanwhocanappreciatewhathesees,andIdonotfancyhasmissedmuchhaveyou,Hector?andhesmiledaquietsmile.

Mrs.EllerwoodlookedatLordBracondaleandlaughed.

Itis

Iwho

am

stupid,

she

said.

Naturally

you

have

seen

her

all

thetime,andknowherprobably.Aretheycocottes,orAmericans,orRussianprincesses,orwhat?thewholecollection?


32/217

BeyondtheRocks

30

Ifyoumean that largeparty in thecorner, theyaremostof themfriends and acquaintances ofmine,he said, rather icilyshehadannoyed himand they belong to the aristocracies of various

nations.Does

that

satisfy

you?

Iam

afraid

they

are

none

of

them

demimondaines,soyouwillbedisappointedthistime!

Mrs.Ellerwoodlookedathim;sheunderstoodnow.

Heisinlovewiththewhitewoman,shethought;thatiswhyhewassoanxioustodineheretonight,whenJacksuggestedMadrid;thatiswhyhestaysinParis.ItisnotEsclarmondedeChartresafterall!HowexcitedAuntMillywillbe!Imustfindouthername.

She is abeautiful creature, saidJackEllerwood,as if tohimself,whilehecarefullysurveyedTheodorafromhispositionatthesideofthetable.

HectorBracondales irritation rose.Relationswere tactless, andhefeltsorryhehadaskedthem.

Youmusttellmehername,Hector,pleadedMrs.Ellerwood;the

verywhite,

pretty

one

Imean.

NowjusttopunishyourcuriosityIshalldonosuchthing.

Hector,youareapig.

Probably.

Andsoselfish.

Possibly.

WhymayntIknow?Yousetalighttoallsortsofsuspicions.

Doublyinterestingforyou,then.

Provokingwretch!

Dontyou

think

you

would

like

some

coffee?

The

waiter

is

trying

to

handyouacup.


33/217

BeyondtheRocks

31

Mrs. Ellerwood laughed. She knew therewas no use teasing himfurther;but therewere othermeans, and shemust employ them.Theodora had become the pivot upon which some of her world

mightturn.

Theobjectofthissolicitudewasquiteunconsciousoftheinterestshehadcreated.Shedidnotnaturallythinkshecouldbeofimportancetoanyone.Hadshenotbeentheyoungestandsnubbedalways?

ThesamethoughtcametoherthatwasconjuringthebrainofLordBracondale:wouldtherebeachancetospeaktonight,ormusttheyeachgotheirwayinsilence?Hemeanttoassistfateifhecould,but

havingMonica

Ellerwood

there

was

aconsiderable

drawback.

Mrs.McBridespartyweretotaketheircoffeeinoneofthebosquetsoutside,andallgotupfrom their table inafewminutes togoout.Theywouldhavetopassthepartieatrois,whowerenearerthedoor.Monica would take her most searching look at them, LordBracondalethought;nowwasthetimeforaction.SoasMrs.McBridecamepastwithCaptainFitzgerald,herosefromhisseatandgreetedher.

Youhavebeen exceedinglymean,hewhispered.Whatareyougoingtodoformetomakeupforit?

The widow had a very soft spot in her heart for Ce beauBracondale,as shecalledhim,andwhenhepleaded like that shefoundhimhardtoresist.

Comeandseemetomorrowattwelve,andwewilltalkaboutit,

shesaid.

Tomorrow!exclaimedLordBracondale;butIwanttotalktohertonight!

Getridofyourparty,then,andjoinusforcoffee,andthewidowsmiledarchlyasshepassedon.

Theodorabowedwith grave sweetness as she alsowentby, and

mostof

the

others

greeted

Hector,

while

one

woman

stopped

and

toldhimshewasgoingtohaveanautomobilepartyinadayortwo,andshehopedhewouldcome.


34/217

BeyondtheRocks

32

WhentheyhadallgoneonMrs.Ellerwoodsaid:

I wonder why Americans are so much smarter than we poor

English?Icant

bear

them

as

anation

though,

can

you?

Yes,saidLordBracondale.I think thebest friends Ihave in theworldareAmerican.Thewomenparticularlyareperfectlycharming.Youfeelallthetimeyouareplayingagamewithreallyexperiencedadversaries,anditmakesitinteresting.Theyarefullofresource,andyouknowunderneathyoucouldneverbreak theirhearts.Iamnotsure if theyhaveany in theirowncountry,but ifso they turn intothe most wonderful and exquisite bits of mechanism when they

cometo

Europe.

Andyouadmirethat.

Certainlyheartsareagreatbore.

Youwerealwaysacynic,Hector;that isperhapswhatmakesyousoattractive.

AmIattractive?

Icantjudge,saidMrs.Ellerwood,nettled foramoment.Ihaveknownyoutoolong,butIhearotherwomensayingso.

That iscomforting,atallevents,saidLordBracondale.Ialwayshaveadoredwomen.

No,youneverhave,thatisjustit.Youhaveletthemadoreyou,and

utterlyspoil

you;

so

now

sometimes,

Hector,

you

are

insupportable.

YoujustsaidIwasattractive.

Ishallnotarguefurtherwithyou,saidMrs.Ellerwood,pettishly.

AndIthinkweoughttobesayinggoodnight,Hector,interruptedthesilentJack.Wearemakinganearlystart forFontainebleau tomorrow,andMonicalikesanyamountofsleep.

ThisdidnotsuitMrs.Ellerwoodatall;but ifJackspokeseldomhespoketosomepurposewhenhedid,andsheknewtherewasnousearguing.


35/217

BeyondtheRocks

33

So with a heart full of ungratified curiosity, she at last allowedherselftobepackedintoHectorsautomobileanddrivenaway.

Ofcourse

hell

go

and

join

that

other

party

now,

Jack!

What

did

you

make me come away for, you tiresome thing! she said to herhusband.

Hehasdonememanyaturninthepast,saidJack,laconically.

Thenyouthink?

ButJackrefusedtothink.


36/217


37/217

BeyondtheRocks

35

CHAPTERV

Theodora was sitting rather on the outskirts of the party in the

bosquet,her

two

devoted

admirers

still

on

either

side

of

her.

All

the

chairswerearranged informally,andherswasagainsttheopening,so that itprovedeasy forLordBracondale to comeupbehindherunperceived.

Shebelievedhehadgone.Shecouldnot seedistinctly fromwhereshewas,butshehad thoughtshesaw theautomobilewhizzingby.She recognized Mrs. Ellerwoods hat. An unconscious feeling ofblanknesscameoverher.Shegrewmoresilent.

A ladybeyond the Prince spoke to him, and at thatmomentMr.Hoggenwaterrosetoputdownhercoffeecup,andinthissecondoflonelinessadeepvoicesaidinherear:

IcouldnotgoIwantedtosaygoodnighttoyou!

ThenTheodoraexperiencedanewemotion;shecouldnothavetoldherselfwhat itwas,but suddenly a gladness spread through her

spirit;the

moon

looked

more

softly

bright,

and

her

sweet

eyes

dilatedandglowed,whilethatvoice,gentleasadoves,trembledalittleasshesaid:

LordBracondale!Oh,youstartledme!

Hedrewachairandsatdownbehindher.

How shall we get rid of your Hogginheimer millionaire? he

whispered.I

feel

as

if

Iwanted

to

kill

every

one

who

speaks

to

you

tonight.

Thehalflight,themoon,Paris,andthespringtime!Theodoraspentthenexthourinadreamadreamofbliss.

Mrs.McBride,withherallseeingeye,perceivedtheturneventshadtaken. She was full of enjoyment herself; she had quitealmostquitedecided to listen to the addresses of Captain Fitzgerald,

thereforeher

heart,

not

her

common

sense,

was

uppermost

this

night.


38/217


39/217


40/217

BeyondtheRocks

38

him.Hewas conscious of feelings of dissatisfactionwith himselfwhenhelefther,ofdisgustwiththedaysofunmeaningaims.

Hehad

begun

out

of

idle

admiration;

he

had

continued

from

inclination;buttonightitwasplusfortque lui,andheknewhewasinlove.

Thehabitof indulgingany emotionwhichgavehimpleasurewasstill strong upon him; itwas not yet hewouldbegin to analyzewherethispassionmightleadhimmightleadthemboth.

It was too deliciously sweet to sit there and whisper to her

sophistriesand

reasonings,

to

take

her

sensitive

fancy

into

new

worlds,toplayuponherfeelingsthosefeelingswhichherealizedwereasfineandasfulloftoneasthesoundswhichcouldbedrawnfromaStradivariusviolin.

Itwas a night of newworlds for themboth, for if Theodora hadneverlookedintoanyworldatall,healsohadneverevenimaginedonewhichcouldbesoquitedivineas thisthissharedwithherinthemoonlight,with themagic of the Tziganemusic and the soft

springnight.

Hehadjustsufficientmasteryoverhimself leftnot tooverstep thebounds of respectful anddeep interest inher.Hedidnot speak aword of love. Therewas no actual sentencewhich Theodora feltobliged toresentandyet through itallwas thesubtle insinuationthattheyweremorethanfriendsorwouldbemorethanfriends.

Andwhenitwasallover,andTheodoraspulseswerecalmerasshe

layalone

on

her

pillow,

she

had

asudden

thrill

of

fear.

But

she

put

it

asideitwasnothernaturetothinkherselftheobjectofpassions.Iwouldbeaverysillywomantoflattermyselfso,shesaidtoherself,andthenshewenttosleep.

LordBracondale stayedawake forhours,buthedidnot supwithEsclarmondedeChartresorMariondeBeauvoison.AndtheCafedeParisandMaximsandtheafterwardssawhimnomore.

Onceagain

these

houris

asked

each

other,

Mais

quest

ce

quil

a!

Ce

belHector?Ousecachetil?


41/217

BeyondtheRocks

39

CHAPTERVI

Before shewent tobed in her hotel in theRuedeRivoli,Monica

Ellerwoodwrote

to

her

aunt.

PARIS,May15th.

MYDEARAUNTMILLY,We have had adelicious littleweek,Jack and I,quite like an oldhoneymoonpairand todaywe ranacrossHector,whohas remainedhiddenuntilnow.He is lookingsplendid,justashandsomeandfulloflifeasever,soitdoesnottellupon his constitution, that is one mercy! Not like poor Ernest

Bretherton,who,

if

you

remember,

was

quite

broken

up

by

her

last

year.AndIhaveonegoodpieceofnewsforyou,dearAuntMilly.IdonotbelieveheissofranticallywrappedupinthisEsclarmondedeChartreswomanafterallinspiteofthatdiamondchainatMonteCarlo. For tonight he took us to dine atArmenonvillealthoughJack particularlywanted to go to theMadridandwhenwe gotthere we saw at once why! There was a most beautiful womandiningtherewithaparty,andHectornevertookhiseyesoffherthewholeofdinner,JacksaysIhadmybackthatwayandhegotrid

ofus

as

soon

as

he

could

and

went

and

joined

them.

Very

young

she

looked, but I suppose married, from her pearls and clothesAmericanprobably,asshewasperhapstoowelldressedforoneofus;but quite a lady and awfully pretty.Hectorwas so snappishabout it,andwouldnot tellhername, that itmakesme surehe isverymuch in lovewithher,andJack thinks so too.So,dearAuntMilly,youneedhavenomoreanxietiesabouthim,asshecanthavebeenmarried long, she looks soyoung,and somustbequite safe.JacksaysHectoristhoroughlyabletotakecareofhimself,anyway,

butIknow

how

all

these

things

worry

you.

If

Ican

find

out

her

name

before Igo Iwill, thoughperhapsyou think it isoutof the fryingpan into the fire, as itmakes him nomore in themood tomarryMorellaWinmarleighthanbefore.Unless,ofcourse,thisnewoneisunkindtohim.WeshallbehomeonSaturday,dearAuntMilly,andIwillcomeroundtolunchonSundayandgiveyouallmynews.

Youraffectionateniece,MONICAELLERWOOD.

Which epistlejarred uponHectorsmotherwhen she read it overcoffeeathersolitarydinneronthefollowingnight.


42/217

BeyondtheRocks

40

PoordearMonica! she said toherself. Iwonderwhere shegotthis strain fromher fathers family, I supposeIwish shewouldnotbesobald.

Thenshesatdownandwrotetohersonshewasnotevengoingtothe opera that night.And if she had looked up in the tallmirroropposite, she would have seen a beautiful, stately lady with apuckered,plaintivefrownonherface.

If a woman absolutely worships a man, even if she is only hismother,sheisboundtospendmanymomentsofunhappiness,andLadyBracondalewasnoexception to thegeneral rule.Hectorhad

alwaysgone

his

own

way,

and

there

were

several

aspects

of

his

life

she disapproved of. These visits to Parishis antipathy tomatrimonyhisboredomwithgirlssuchnicegirlssheknew,too,andhadoften thrownhimwith!hisdelight inbiggameshootinginalarmingand impossible countriesand,aboveall,hisabsoluteindifference toMorellaWinmarleigh, the onlywomanwho reallyandtrulyinherheartofheartsLadyBracondalethoughtworthyofhim, although she would have accepted several other girls aschoosing the lesserevil tobachelorhood.ButMorellaWinmarleigh

wasperfection!

She

owned

the

enormous

property

adjoining

Bracondale; she was twentysix years old, of unblemishedreputation,nice looking,andnotnotoneofthosemodernwomenwho are bound to cause anxieties. Under any circumstances onecould count upon Morella Winmarleigh behaving with absolutepropriety.Agirlborntobeamotherinlawsjoy.

ButHectorpersistentlyremainedatlarge.Itwasnotthatheopenlydefiedhismotherhesimplymadelovetoherwhenevertheywere

together,twisted

her

round

his

finger,

and

was

off

again.

ToseemotherwithHector,LadyAnnigfordsaid,isawonderfulsight.AlthoughIadorehimmyself,Iamnotatthestagesheis!Shesits therebeaming on him exactly like an exceedingly proud andfondcatwithnewkittens.Hetreatsherasifshewereayoungandbeautifulwoman,caressesher,petsher,paysnottheleastattentiontoanythingshesays,anddoesabsolutelywhathepleases!

Hectorand

Lady

Bracondale

together

had

often

made

the

women

whowereinlovewithhimjealous.


43/217

BeyondtheRocks

41

When she had finished her letter the stately lady read it overcarefullyshe had a certain tact, and Hectormust be cajoled toreturn, not irritated. Monicas epistle, in spite of that touch of

vulgaritywhich

she

had

deplored,

had

held

out

some

grains

of

comfort. She hadbeen getting really anxious over this affairwiththeFrenchperson.EventoherselfLadyBracondalewouldnotuseany of the terms which usually designate ladies of the type ofEsclarmondedeChartres.

SinceherbrotherinlawEvermondhadreturnedfromMonteCarlobringingthatdisturbingstoryofthediamondchain,shehadbeenonthornsofsucha lightmindandalwaysso fullofworldlygossip,

Evermond!

Hector had gone fromMonte Carlo toVenice, and then to Paris,wherehehadbeenformore thanamonth,andshehadheard thatmencouldbecomequite infatuatedandabsolutelyruinedby thesecreatures.So forhim tohave takena fancy toamarriedAmericanwasconsiderablybetter than that.Shehadmetseveralmembersofthis nation herself in England, and were they not always verydiscreet,withwellbalancedheads!Soaltogetherthepuckeredfrown

soonleft

her

smooth

brow,

and

she

was

able

to

resume

the

knitting

ofatieshewasdoingforherson,withaspiritmoreorlessatrest,though she sighed now and then as she remembered MorellaWinmarleigh could not be expected to wait foreverand hercherished vision of perfectly behaved, vigorously healthygrandchildrenwas still a longway frombeing realized. Forwithsuchamotherwhatperfectchildrentheywouldbe!Thiswasalwaysherfinalreflection.


44/217


45/217

BeyondtheRocks

43

CHAPTERVII

AttwelveoclockpunctuallyLordBracondalewasusheredintoMrs.

McBridessitting

room

at

the

Ritz,

the

day

after

her

dinner

party

at

Armenonville.Heexpectedshewouldnotbeready toreceivehimforat leasthalfanhour;havingsaid twelvehemighthaveknownshemeanthalfpast,buthewas inamoodof impatience,and feltobligedtobepunctual.

He was suffering more or less from a reaction. He had beguntowardsmorning to realize themanner inwhichhehad spent theeveningwasnotaltogetherwise.Notthathehadtheleastintention

ofnot

repeating

his

follyindeed,

he

was

where

he

was

at

this

hour

fornootherpurpose than toenlist thewidowssympathy,andhercooperationinarrangingasmanyopportunitiesforsimilareveningsastogethertheycoulddevise.

After all, she only kept himwaiting twentyminutes, and he hadbeenratheramusedlookingatthepilesofbricabracobsequiousartdealershadleftforthisrichladysinspection.

Anumber

of

spurious

bronzes

warranted

pure

antique,

clocks,

brocades,whatnot,lyingaboutonalltheavailablespace.

AndIwonderwhatitwilllooklikeinhermarblepalacehalls,hethought,ashepassedfromonearticletoanother.

I am just too sorry to keep you, mon cher Bracondale, Mrs.McBridesaid,presently,suddenlyopeningtheadjoiningdoorafewinches,but it isaquiteexasperatinghatwhichhasdelayedme. I

cantget

the

thing

on

at

the

angle

Iwant.

I

Maynt Icomeandhelp,dear lady? interruptedHector.Iknowallabout the subject. Ihad tobuy fortysevenatMonteCarlo,andseethemalltriedon,tooandonlylately!DoaskMarietoopenthatdooralittlewider;Iwilldecideinaminutehowitshouldbe.

Insolent!said thewidow,whospokeFrenchwithperfectfluencyandaquitemarvellouslypureAmericanaccent.But shepermitted

thegiggling

and

beaming

Marie

to

open

the

door

wide,

and

let

Hectoradvanceandkissherhand.


46/217


47/217

BeyondtheRocks

45

Andwhatmust Iconfess?askedHector,when theywereseated.ThatIamfranticallyinlovewithyou,andyourcoldnessisdrivingmewild?

Certainlynot!saidthewidow,whilesheroseagainandbegantoarrangesomegiantrosesinawonderfulbasketwhichlookedasifithadjustarrivedhershrewdeyehadseenthecard,FromCaptainFitzgerald,withhisbestbonjour.Certainlynot!Wearegoing totalk truth,or, topunishyou, Ishallnotaskyou tomeetheragain,andIshallwarnherfatherofyourstrictlydishonorableintentions.

Youwouldnotbesocruel!

Yes I would. And it is what I ought to do, anyway. She is asinnocentasawoolly lamb,andunsophisticatedandguileless,andwillprobablybefalling in lovewithyou.Youtake thewindoutofthesailsofthathusbandofhers,yousee!

DoI?saidHector,withoverdoneincredulity.

She looked at him.His long, lithe limbs stretched out, every line

indicativeof

breeding

and

strength.

She

noted

the

shape

of

his

head,

theperfectgrooming,his lazy, insolentgrace,hiswhimsical smile.Englishmen of this class were certainly the most provokinglybeautifulcreaturesintheworld.

Itisbecausetheyhavedonenothingbutordermen,killbeasts,andsubjugate women for generations, she said to herself. Lazy,naughty darlings! If they came to our country andworked theirbrains a little, theywould soon lose that look. But itwouldbe a

pity,she

addedyes,

apity.

What are you thinking of? asked Lord Bracondale, while shegazedathim.

Iwas thinking you are abeautiful, useless creature.Just like allyournation.Youthinktheworldismadeforyou;inanycase,allthewomenandanimalstokillare.

Whatan

abominable

libel!

But

Iam

fond

of

both

thingswomen

andanimalstokill.

Andyouclassthemequallyorperhapstheanimalsareahead.


48/217

BeyondtheRocks

46

Indeednotalways,saidHector,reassuringly.Somewomenhavequitethefirstplace.

Youare

too

flattering!

retorted

the

widow.

Those

sentiments

are

allverywellforyourownpoorspirited,downtroddenwomen,butthey wont do for Americans! A man has to learn a number oflessonsbeforeheisfittedtocopewiththem.

Oh,tellme,saidHector.

Hehasgottolearntowait,foronething,towaitaboutforhoursifnecessary,andnottolosehistemper,becausethewomancantmake

upher

mind

to

be

in

time

for

things,

or

to

change

it

often

as

to

where

shewilldine.Thenhehastolearntogiveupanypleasureofhisownforhersand travelwhen shewants to travel,or stayhomewhenshewants togoalone. Ifhe isanEnglishmanhedonthavebrainsenoughtomakethemoney,buthemust letherspendwhathehasgothowshelikes,andnotinterferewithherown.

Andinreturnhegets?

Thewoman

he

happens

to

want,

Isuppose.

And

the

widow

laughed,showingherwonderfullypreservedbrilliantwhiteteeth.

Youenunciategreattruths,belledame!saidHector,andyourlastsentenceisthegreatestofallThewomanhehappenstowant.

Which brings us back to our muttonsin this case only adefencelessbabylamb.Nowtellmewhatyouareherefor,tryingtocajolemewithyourgoodlooksandmockhumility.

Iamheretoaskyoutohelpmetoseeheragain,then,saidHector,whoknewwhen tobedirect.Ihaveonlymether three times,asyou know,but I have fallen in love, and she is going away nextweek,andthereisonlyoneParisintheworld.

Youcandoagreatdealofmischiefinaweek,Mrs.McBridesaid,lookingathimagaincritically.Ioughtnottohelpyou,butIcantresistyouthere!Whatcanwedevise?

It ispossible theprobabilityofTheodoras fathermaking a fourthmay have had something thing to do with her complaisance.


49/217

BeyondtheRocks

47

Anyway,itwasdecidedthatiffeasiblethefourshouldspendadayatVersailles.

Theyshould

go

in

their

two

automobiles

in

time

for

breakfast

at

the

Reservoirs.Theywouldstart,TheodorainMrs.McBrideswithher,andCaptainFitzgeraldwithLordBracondale,andeachcouplecouldspend theafternoonas theypleased,diningagainat theReservoirsand whirling back to Paris in the moonlight. A truly rural andrefreshingprogramme,goodforthesoulofman.

And I can rely upon you to get rid of the husband? said LordBracondale,finally.Idonotseethepoetryoftheaffairwithhisbald

headand

mutton

chop

whiskers

as

an

accessory.

Leave that toCaptainFitzgeraldandmyself,Mrs.McBride said,proudly.IhaveaschemethatMr.BrownshallspendthedaywithClutterbuckR.Tubbs,examiningsomenewmachinerytheyarebothinterested in. Leave it to me! The part of Deus ex machina wasalwaysarolethewidowloved.

Thentheydescendedtoanagreeablelunchintherestaurant,witha

numerousparty

of

her

friends

as

usual,

and

Lord

Bracondale

felt

afterwards full of joy and hope, to continue his sinful pathunrepenting.

The days that intervened before Theodora saw him again wereuneventful and full ofblankness. Thewalks in the Bois appearedmore tedious than ever in themorning, the drives in theAcaciasmoreexasperating. Itwasacontinualalertness tosee ifshecaughtsightofafamiliarface,butsheneverdid.Fatewasagainstthem,as

shesometimes

is

when

she

means

to

compensate

soon

after

by

some

gloriousdayof thegods.And althoughLordBracondale called atherhotelandwalkedwherehethoughtheshouldseeher,andevendroveintheAcacias,theyhadnomeeting.

Josiah did not feel himself sufficiently strong to stand the air oftheatres,and theywentnowhere in the evenings.Hewaskeepinghimself for his own dinnerparty,whichwas to take place at theMadridontheMonday.

Captain Fitzgerald had arranged it, and besides Mrs. McBrideseveral of his friends were coming, and a special band ofwonderfullytalentedTziganes,whoweredelightingParisthatyear,


50/217

BeyondtheRocks

48

hadbeenengagedtoplaytothem.Ifonlytheweathershouldremainfineallwouldbewell.

Asurprise

awaited

Theodora

on

Saturday

morning.

A

friendly

note

fromMrs.McBridearrived,askingher ifshewouldspend thedaywith her atVersailles, as she had asked her husband to do her afavorandlunchwithMr.ClutterbuckR.Tubbs.

Theodora awaitedJosiahs presence at thepremier dejeuner,whichthey took in their salon,with absolute excitement.He came in, apompoussmileonhisface.

Goodday,

my

love,

he

said,

blandly.

That

charming

widow

writesmethismorning,askingifIwilldoherafavor,andtakeherfriend,Mr.Clutterbuck Tubbs, to examine thatmachinery for theseparation of fatsweboth have an interest in, and he suggests Ishould lunchwithhim, ashe isvery anxious tohavemyopinionuponthemeritsofit.

Yes,saidTheodora.

Shealso

says,

referring

to

the

letter

in

his

hand,

she

will

take

chargeofyoufortheday,andtakeyoutoVersailles,whichIknowyouwishtogoto.Shewantsanansweratonce,asshewillcallforyouattwelveoclockifweaccept.

I have heard from her, too, said Theodora. What shall youanswer,Josiah?andshelookedoutofthewindow.

Oh, Imayaswellgo, I think.There ismoney in the invention,or

thatold

gimlet

eye

would

not

be

so

keen

about

it;

Italked

the

matter

overwithhimatArmenonvilletheothernight.

Then shallyouwriteor shall I? saidTheodora,as evenlyas shecould.Herservantiswaiting.


51/217

BeyondtheRocks

49

CHAPTERVIII

Theodorahummedtoherselfagladlittlechansonnetteasshechanged

herbreakfast

negligee

for

the

freshest

and

loveliest

of

her

spring

frocks.Shedidnotknowwhyshewassohappy.Therehadbeennowordofanyoneelsebeingoftheparty,onlysheandMrs.McBride,but Versailleswouldbe exquisite on such a day, and somethingwhisperedtoherthatshemightnotyawn.

Themost radiant vision awaited thewidow,when,with unusualpunctuality,herautomobilestoppedatthehoteldoor.Shecamein.Shewas voluble, she flatteredJosiah. So good of him to takeMr.

Tubbsandshe

hoped

it

would

not

tire

him.

Theodora

should

be

welllookedafter.TheymightbelateandevendineatVersailles,shesaid, and Mr. Brown was not to be anxiousshe would beresponsibleforthesafereturnofhisbeautiful littlewife.(Theodorawas five foot seven at least, but her small head and extremeslendernessgavepeople thefeelingshewas littlesomethingtobeprotectedandguardedalways.)

Josiahwas affable.Mrs.McBrideswordswere so smooth and so

many,he

had

no

time

to

feel

Theodora

was

going

to

dine

out

withouthim,orthatanythinghadbeenarrangedforultimateends.

TheautomobilehadalmostreachedSuresnesbeforethewidowsaidtoherguest:

YourfatherandLordBracondalehavepromised tomeetusattheReservoirs. Captain Fitzgerald toldme how youwanted to go toVersailles,andhowyourhusbandisnotstrongenoughtotakethese

excursions,so

Ithought

we

might

have

this

little

day

out

there,

while

heisengagedwithMr.ClutterbuckTubbs.

Howsweetofyou!saidTheodora.

As they rushed through the smiling country,bothwomens spiritsrose,andMrs.McBrideswerethespiritsofexperienceanddidnotmountwithoutduecause.Sinceshehadbeenagirl inDakotaandpassionately in lovewith her first husbandthe defunctMcBride

wasasecond

ventureshe

had

not

met

aman

who

could

quicken

herpulse likeCaptainFitzgerald. Itwasacuriouscoincidence thattheybothhad already twopartners to regret. Itwas an extra link


52/217

BeyondtheRocks

50

between them,andJaneMcBride,whowas superstitious, read theomentomeanthatthistimeeachhadmethistruemate.

Ifhe

is

irresistible

to

day,

Ithink

Ishall

clinch

matters,

she

was

sayingtoherself.

WhileTheodorasmusingsran:

HowbeautifulVersailleswilllook,andIdaresayhewillknowallaboutitshistory,andbeabletotellmeinterestingthings;andoh!IamsogladIputonthisfrock,andoh!Iamsohappy.

Andaloud

they

spoke

of

paradise

plumes

and

the

new

gray,

and

the

meritsanddemeritsofCallotandDoucetandJeanneValez.Andthewidow said somebrightAmerican thingsabouthusbandsand theworldingeneralthatconveyedcrisptruths.

Thedriveseemedalltooshort,andthereweretheirtwocavaliersinthecourtyardawaiting themat theReservoirs,havingarrivedjustbeforethem.

Tothe

end

of

her

life

Theodora

will

remember

that

glorious

May

day.Itsevenminutestdetail,thecolorofthechestnuttrees,thetintofthesky,thescentintheair,everylineofhisfigureandturnofhishead,everylookinhiseyesandtheyweremanyandvariedandalsoandalas!everygrowingemotion inherownheart.Butat themoment allwas gladness, and exquisite, young, irresponsiblejoy.Sansarrierepenseeordisquietingreflection.

Shewonderedwhichofthetwomenwasthehandsomerasshegot

outof

the

automobiledear,

darling

papa

or

Lord

Bracondale;

both

werequiteshowcreaturesof theirage,andbothwereof the sameclassandknowledgeofsavoirvivre.Everyonesaidsuchpoliteandgracious things, itwas all so smooth and gay, and it seemed sonatural that they should takea turnup towards the chateauwhilebreakfastwasbeingprepared.

Halfpastoneoclockwastimeenoughtoeat,thewidowsaid.

Iwant

to

show

you

anumber

of

spots

Ilove,

Hector

announced,

choosingadifferentpathtotheotherpair.Anditisadaywecanbehappyin,cantwe?


53/217

BeyondtheRocks

51

Iwanttobehappy,saidTheodora.

Thenwe shall go no farther now;we shall sit on this seat and

admirethe

view.

See,

we

are

quite

alone

and

undisturbed;

all

the

worldhasgonehometobreakfast.

Thenhelookedather,andthoughhereallydidtryatthisstagetobereasonable,somethingoftheintenseattractionhefeltforherblazedinhiseyes.

Shewas sufficiently delectable a picture to turn the sagest head.Therewas something so absolutely purewhite about that skin, it

seemedgood

to

eat,

flawless,

unlined,

unblemished,

under

this

brilliantlight.

The way her silvery blond hair grew was just the right way awomanshairoughttogrow,hethought;lowonahigh,broadbrow,ripplingandsoft,andquantitiesofit.Whatcoulditbeliketocaressit, torunones fingers through it, toburyones face in it?Ah!andthen therewere her tender eyes, dewy and shadowedwith darklashes, and so intenselyblue.His glancewandered farther afield.

Suchafigure!

slender

and

graceful

and

fine.

There

was

something

almostchildishabout itall; the innocent lookofaveryyounggirl,with the polish of thewoman, garbedby an artist. It seemed thegreatpearlsinherearswerenotmoremilkilywhitethanherthroat,and hewas surewere also her little slender hands, that did notfidget,but lay idly inher lap,holdingherblueparasol.Hewouldliketohavetakenoffherglovestosee.

Passionatedevotionwassurgingupinhisbreast.

AndhewasanEnglishman,anditwasstillthemorning.Therewasno moon now and he had not even breakfasted! This showssufficientlytowhatstatehehadcome.

IwantyoutotellmeallaboutVersailles,shesaid,lookingtotheleft and the gray wing beyond the chapel. Its histories and itsmeanings. Iused to read about it all after Sarahbroughtme hereonce forour treat,butyouprobably are learnedupon the subject,

andIwant

to

know.

IwouldmuchratherhearwhatyoudidwhenSarahbroughtyouhereforyourtreat,hesaid.


54/217


55/217


56/217

BeyondtheRocks

54

was unknown, and they might not be back for tea, so LordBracondalemust take the greatest care of Theodora and give hersome if theydidnot turnup.Theycertainlywould fordinner,but

eightoclock

would

be

time

enough

for

that.

Whenyourdestination isunknownyou cannever sayhowmanyhoursitwilltaketogetthereandback,shepointedout.Andnoonefeltinclinedtoarguewithheraboutthisobvioustruth!

NowifTheodorahadbeenafreeunmarriedgirl,orafreerwidow,itishighlyprobablefatewouldnothavearrangedthislongafternooninblissful surroundings undisturbedby any one.As itwas,who

knowsif

the

goddess

settled

it

with

asmile

on

her

lip

or

atear

in

her

eye? Itwas settled,atallevents,and lookedas if itweregoing tocontainsomemomentsworthremembering.


57/217

BeyondtheRocks

55

CHAPTERIX

And what is your pleasure, fair queen? Hector said, as they

listenedto

the

diminishing

noise

of

the

widows

Mercedes.

We

are

alone,andwehavetheworldbeforeus.Issueyourcommands.

No, saidTheodora,and shepoutedher red lips.Iwantyou tosettlethat.Iwantyoutoarrangeforwhateveryouthinkwouldgiveme thegreatestpleasure.Then I shallknow ifyouunderstandmeandguesswhatIwouldlike.

Thiswas themostdaring speech shehadevermade,and shewas

surprisedat

her

own

temerity.

Very well, he said. That means you belong to me until theyreturn,andathrillranthroughhim.Hasnotyourfather,hasnotyour hostess, given you intomy charge?And, now you yourselfhavesealedthecompact,weshallseeifIcanmakeyouhappy.

Ashesaidthewordsyoubelongtome,Theodorathrilledtooasensation as of an electric shock almost quivered through her.

Belongedto

himah!what

would

that

mean?

He called his chauffeur, who started the automobile and droveunderthecoveredportecocherewheretheystood.

LordBracondalehadnotspokenall thetimehewashelpingher inand arranging rugs with the tenderest solicitude,but when theyweresettledandstarteditwasacoupewithagreatdealofglassaboutit,sothattheygotplentyofairheturnedtoher.

Now,doyouknowwhat Iamgoing todowithyou,madame? Ishallonlyunfoldmyplansbitbybit,andwatchyourfacetoseeifIhavechosenwell. Iamgoing to takeyou first to thePetitTrianon,andwe are going towalk leisurely through the rooms. I am notgoingtoworryyouwithmuchsightseeingandtouristsandlessonsofhistory,butIwantyoutoglanceatthissettingofthelifepictureofpoorMarieAntoinette,because it is full of sentiment and itwillmake you appreciate more the hameau and her playground

afterwards.Something

tells

me

you

would

rather

see

these

things

thanallthefinepicturesandsalonsofthestiffchateau.

Ohyes,saidTheodora;youhaveguessedwellthistime.


58/217

BeyondtheRocks

56

Thenhereweare,almostarrived,hesaid,presently.

They hadbeen going very fast, and could see the square,white

housein

front

of

them,

and

when

they

alighted

at

the

gates

she

foundtheguardianwasanoldfriendofLordBracondales,andtheywere leftfree towanderalone in theroomsbetween thebatchesoftourists.

But every one knows the Petit Trianon, and can surmise how itsbeautiesappealedtoTheodora.

Oh, the poor, poor queen! she said, with a sad ring in her

expressivevoice,

when

they

came

to

the

large

salon;

and

she

sat

hereandplayedonherharpsichordandIwonderifsheandFersenwereeveraloneandIwonderifshereallylovedhim

Thenshestoppedsuddenly;shehadtoldherselfshemustnevertalkaboutlovetoanyone.Itwasasubjectthatshemusthavenothingtodowith.Itcouldnevercomeherway,nowshewasmarriedtoJosiahBrown,anditwouldbeunwisetodiscussit,evenintheabstract.

Thesame

beautiful,

wild

rose

tint

tinged

the

white

velvet

as

once

before when she had spoken of Jean dAgreve, and again LordBracondaleexperiencedasensationofsatisfaction.

Butthistimehewouldnotlethertalkabouttheweather.Thesubjectofloveinterestedhim,too.

Yes,Iamsureshedid,hesaid,andIalwaysshallbelieveFersenwasherlover;nolife,evenaqueens,canescapeonelove.

Isupposenot,saidTheodora,verylow,andshelookedoutofthewindow.

Love isnotapassionwhichasksour leave ifhemaycomeorno,you see,Hector continued, trying to control his voice to sounddispassionate and discursivehe knew hemust not frighten her.Love comes in a thousand unknown, undreamedof ways. Andthenhegildstheworldandmakesitintoheaven.

Doeshe?almostwhisperedTheodora.


59/217

BeyondtheRocks

57

And think what it must have been to a queen, married to atiresome,unattractiveBourbonandFersenwasyoungandgallantandthoughtfulforherslightestgood,and,fromwhatonehearsand

hasread,

he

must

have

understood

her,

and

been

her

friend

as

wellandsometimesshemusthaveforgottenaboutbeingaqueenforafewmomentsinhisarms

Theodoradrewalong,longbreath,butshedidnotspeak.

Andperhaps,ifweknew,theremembranceofthosemomentsmayhavebeenhergloryandconsolationinthelastdarkhours.

Oh!Ihope

so!

said

Theodora.

Then she walked on quickly into the quaint, little, lowceilingedbedroom.Oh, shemust get out into the airor shemust talk offurniture,orcurtainstuffs,orwherethebathhadbeen!

Love,love,love!Anddiditmeanlifeafterall?sinceeventhisfaroffloveofthispoordeadqueenhadsuchpowertomoveher.AndperhapsFersenwas likebut this last thoughtcausedherheart to

beattoo

wildly.

Therewerenorosesnow,shewasverypaleasshesaid:Itsaddensme,this.Letusgooutintothesun.

Theydescendedthestaircaseagainalmostinsilence,andonthroughthe little door in the courtyard wall into the beautiful gardenbeyond.

Showme

where

she

was

happy,

where

you

know

she

was

happy

beforeanytroublescame.Iwanttobegayagain,saidTheodora.

Sothey

Beyond the Rocks

Documents

Transcript of Beyond the Rocks