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I was nearing my twenty-second birthday when I returned to Hatchstead with an air and manner, I doubt not, sadly provincial, but with a lining to my pocket for whose sake many a gallant would have surrendered some of his plumes and feathers.
He came openly to Hatchstead on an honourable mission, as he conceived, and bearing an invitation which should give great gratification to the lady to whom it was addressed. Madame did Mistress Quinton the high compliment of desiring her company, and would doubtless recompense her well for the service she asked. Fontelles saw no more and asked no more.
And Carford knew Fontelles. On what errand did they come? Were they friends to one another or foes? If friends, they should find an enemy; if foes, there was another to share their battle. I could not tell the meaning of this strange conjuncture whereby the two came to Hatchstead; yet my guess was not far out, and I hailed the prospect that it gave with a fierce exultation.
We had parted in anger, she and I; I had blamed my share in the quarrel bitterly enough, it is likely she had spared herself no more; yet the more fault is felt the harder comes its acknowledgment. "Is Mr Dale in Hatchstead?" asked Carford boldly and bluntly. "I don't know where he is. He brought me here, but I have heard nothing from him since we parted." "Then surely he is gone again?"
Small things near are greater than great things afar, and at Hatchstead my affairs were of more moment than the fall of a Chancellor or the King's choice of new Ministers. A cry arose that I should open my packet and disclose what it contained. "Nay," said the Vicar, with an air of importance, "it may be on a private matter that the King writes."
"And it proved a pebble?" said she, leaning over me; for I had seated myself in a chair, being in no mood for ceremony. "Yes, a pebble; a very pebble, a common pebble." "A common pebble!" she echoed. "Oh, Simon, cruel Simon! But a pretty bright pebble? It looked like a gem, Simon?" "God forgive you, yes. In Heaven's name then long ago, when you came to Hatchstead what then? Weren't you then "
Thus we came to the Mall, and having left the coach, set out to walk slowly, my lord having his arm through mine. I was very glad to be seen thus in his company, for, although not so great a man here as at Hatchstead, he had no small reputation, and carried himself with a noble air.
The Vicar stepped out a pace into the road with his hand over his eyes, and peered at the strangers. "What do you call this place, sir?" came in a loud voice from the nearer of the riders. I started at the voice; it had struck on my ears before, and no Englishman owned it. "It is the village of Hatchstead, at your service," answered the Vicar. "Is there an inn in it?"
Nell laughed a short strange laugh; I saw her breast rise and fall, and a bright red patch marked either cheek. "Yes, I'm Nelly," said she, and laughed again. Barbara's eyes met hers. "You were at Hatchstead?" "Yes," said Nell, and now she smiled defiantly; but in a moment she sprang forward, for Barbara had reeled, and seemed like to faint again and fall.
"No sin comes but by desire," said I, pleading, "and if the desire is no sin, there is no sin. Come with me! I will fulfil all your desire and make your sin dead." She shrank back amazed; this was strange talk to her; yet she left her hand in mine. "Come with you? But whither, whither? We are no more in the fields at Hatchstead." "We could be again," I cried. "Alone in the fields at Hatchstead."
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