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In the close-curtained library of Chepstow House, Cleek, with little Lord Chepstow sleeping in his arms, sat in solemn conclave with Lady Chepstow, Captain Hawksley, and Maverick Narkom. While they talked, Ailsa, like a restless spirit, wandered to and fro, now lifting the curtains to peep out into the darkness, now listening as if her whole life's hope lay in the coming of some expected sound.
The fact that often he did not care did not mean that he did not know. He was no ignorant citizen, and in his acquaintance with Mrs. Chepstow his worldly knowledge did not forsake him. Clearly he understood how the average London man the man he met at his clubs, at Ranelagh, at Hurlingham would sum up any friendship between Mrs. Chepstow and himself. "Mrs. Chepstow's hooked poor old Armine!"
But instantly, as if regretting a sincere indiscretion, she added: "Doctor Isaacson, what an idiot you must think me!" "Why, Mrs. Chepstow?" "For saying that. You, of course, think we are the slaves of our bodies." "I certainly do not think you an idiot," he could not help saying, with significance. "Isaacson is not an ordinary doctor," said Armine. "You needn't be afraid of him."
"Did this affair occur in England or Wales?" "In the heart of England, yere hanner; we have never been to the Welsh chapels, for we know little of the language." "Well, I am glad it didn't happen in Wales: I have rather a high opinion of the Welsh Methodist. The worthiest creature I ever knew was a Welsh Methodist. And now I must leave you and make the best of my way to Chepstow."
He went on, unruffled, in his great voice, as if I had not spoken: "Many names have been mine through the uncounted eons many names. In this flesh men call me Constantine Paphluoides." It was no wonder Chepstow could not turn its tongue about that name; that and his manner together must have dumfounded our straight-thinking townspeople.
The castle was no Chepstow structure, rough and rude for war, but more like the ornate and castellated palace at Heidelberg, and it was almost as high above the Trent as the latter is above the Neckar. The view the site commands is truly magnificent, embracing the Trent Valley, and an extensive vista beyond it.
They talked for a few minutes about health, with a curious formality, like people who are conscious that they are being critically listened to, or who are, too consciously, listening to themselves. Once or twice Meyer Isaacson glanced across the room to Mrs. Chepstow. She was eating her supper slowly, languidly, and always looking down. Apparently she had not seen him or Armine.
They dominated the Thames Embankment, and a light breeze from the water stirred the white and green curtains that framed them. Into this pretty and peacefully cheerful chamber Nigel Armine was shown by a waiter at five o'clock precisely, and left with the promise that Mrs. Chepstow should be informed of his arrival.
And, therefore, everything which can restore to them health of body, will preserve in them health of mind. Everything which ministers to the CORPUS SANUM, will minister also to the MENTEM SANAM; and a walk on Durham Downs, a game of cricket, a steamer excursion to Chepstow, shall send them home again happier and wiser men than poring over many wise volumes or hearing many wise lectures.
But I do say that if you examined the life of a woman with a face like that the real life you would be certain to find that it had not been devoid of actions such as you would expect, actions illustrating that look of ideality which any one can see. What does Mrs. Derringham really know of Mrs. Chepstow? She is not personally acquainted with her, even. She acknowledged that.
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