st. ives-第64章
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said he; 'and I hope; when your mind is at rest (and it does you
much honour to take it as you do); that you will sit down with me
to the postponed meal; not forgetting the bottle。 You have my
address?' he added; and gave it me … which was the only thing I
wanted。
At last; at the level of York Place; we parted with mutual
civilities; and I was free to pursue my way; through the mobs of
people returning from church; to my lodgings in St。 James' Square。
Almost at the house door whom should I overtake but my landlady in
a dress of gorgeous severity; and dragging a prize in her wake: no
less than Rowley; with the cockade in his hat; and a smart pair of
tops to his boots! When I said he was in the lady's wake I spoke
but in metaphor。 As a matter of fact he was squiring her; with the
utmost dignity; on his arm; and I followed them up the stairs;
smiling to myself。
Both were quick to salute me as soon as I was perceived; and Mrs。
McRankine inquired where I had been。 I told her boastfully; giving
her the name of the church and the divine; and ignorantly supposing
I should have gained caste。 But she soon opened my eyes。 In the
roots of the Scottish character there are knots and contortions
that not only no stranger can understand; but no stranger can
follow; he walks among explosives; and his best course is to throw
himself upon their mercy … 'Just as I am; without one plea;' a
citation from one of the lady's favourite hymns。
The sound she made was unmistakable in meaning; though it was
impossible to be written down; and I at once executed the manoeuvre
I have recommended。
'You must remember I am a perfect stranger in your city;' said I。
'If I have done wrong; it was in mere ignorance; my dear lady; and
this afternoon; if you will be so good as to take me; I shall
accompany YOU。'
But she was not to be pacified at the moment; and departed to her
own quarters murmuring。
'Well; Rowley;' said I; 'and have you been to church?'
'If you please; sir;' he said。
'Well; you have not been any less unlucky than I have;' I returned。
'And how did you get on with the Scottish form?'
'Well; sir; it was pretty 'ard; the form was; and reether narrow;'
he replied。 'I don't know w'y it is; but it seems to me like as if
things were a good bit changed since William Wallace! That was a
main queer church she took me to; Mr。 Anne! I don't know as I
could have sat it out; if she 'adn't 'a' give me peppermints。 She
ain't a bad one at bottom; the old girl; she do pounce a bit; and
she do worry; but; law bless you; Mr。 Anne; it ain't nothink really
… she don't MEAN it。 W'y; she was down on me like a 'undredweight
of bricks this morning。 You see; last night she 'ad me in to
supper; and; I beg your pardon; sir; but I took the freedom of
playing her a chune or two。 She didn't mind a bit; so this morning
I began to play to myself; and she flounced in; and flew up; and
carried on no end about Sunday!'
'You see; Rowley;' said I; 'they're all mad up here; and you have
to humour them。 See and don't quarrel with Mrs。 McRankine; and;
above all; don't argue with her; or you'll get the worst of it。
Whatever she says; touch your forelock and say; 〃If you please!〃 or
〃I beg pardon; ma'am。〃 And let me tell you one thing: I am sorry;
but you have to go to church with her again this afternoon。 That's
duty; my boy!'
As I had foreseen; the bells had scarce begun before Mrs。 McRankine
presented herself to be our escort; upon which I sprang up with
readiness and offered her my arm。 Rowley followed behind。 I was
beginning to grow accustomed to the risks of my stay in Edinburgh;
and it even amused me to confront a new churchful。 I confess the
amusement did not last until the end; for if Dr。 Gray were long;
Mr。 McCraw was not only longer; but more incoherent; and the matter
of his sermon (which was a direct attack; apparently; on all the
Churches of the world; my own among the number); where it had not
the tonic quality of personal insult; rather inclined me to
slumber。 But I braced myself for my life; kept up Rowley with the
end of a pin; and came through it awake; but no more。
Bethiah was quite conquered by this 'mark of grace;' though; I am
afraid; she was also moved by more worldly considerations。 The
first is; the lady had not the least objection to go to church on
the arm of an elegantly dressed young gentleman; and be followed by
a spruce servant with a cockade in his hat。 I could see it by the
way she took possession of us; found us the places in the Bible;
whispered to me the name of the minister; passed us lozenges; which
I (for my part) handed on to Rowley; and at each fresh attention
stole a little glance about the church to make sure she was
observed。 Rowley was a pretty boy; you will pardon me if I also
remembered that I was a favourable…looking young man。 When we grow
elderly; how the room brightens; and begins to look as it ought to
look; on the entrance of youth; grace; health; and comeliness! You
do not want them for yourself; perhaps not even for your son; but
you look on smiling; and when you recall their images … again; it
is with a smile。 I defy you to see or think of them and not smile
with an infinite and intimate; but quite impersonal; pleasure。
Well; either I know nothing of women; or that was the case with
Bethiah McRankine。 She had been to church with a cockade behind
her; on the one hand; on the other; her house was brightened by the
presence of a pair of good…looking young fellows of the other sex;
who were always pleased and deferential in her society and accepted
her views as final。
These were sentiments to be encouraged; and; on the way home from
church … if church it could be called … I adopted a most insidious
device to magnify her interest。 I took her into the confidence;
that is; of my love affair; and I had no sooner mentioned a young
lady with whom my affections were engaged than she turned upon me a
face of awful gravity。
'Is she bonny?' she inquired。
I gave her full assurances upon that。
'To what denoamination does she beloang?' came next; and was so
unexpected as almost to deprive me of breath。
'Upon my word; ma'am; I have never inquired;' cried I; 'I only know
that she is a heartfelt Christian; and that is enough。'
'Ay!' she sighed; 'if she has the root of the maitter! There's a
remnant practically in most of the denoaminations。 There's some in
the McGlashanites; and some in the Glassites; and mony in the
McMillanites; and there's a leeven even in the Estayblishment。'
'I have known some very good Papists even; if you go to that;' said
I。
'Mr。 Ducie; think shame to yoursel'!' she cried。
'Why; my dear madam! I only … ' I began。
'You shouldnae jest in sairious maitters;' she interrupted。
On the whole; she entered into what I chose to tell her of our
idyll with avidity; like a cat licking her whiskers over a dish of
cream; and; strange to say … and so expansive a passion is that of
love! … that I derived a perhaps equal satisfaction from confiding
in that breast of iron。 It made an immediate bond: from that hour
we seemed to be welded into a family…party; and I had little
difficulty in persuading her to join us and to preside over our
tea…table。 Surely there was never so ill…matched a trio as Rowley;
Mrs。 McRankine; and the Viscount Anne! But I am of the Apostle's
way; with a difference: all things to all women! When I cannot
please a woman; hang me in my cravat!
CHAPTER XXVIII … EVENTS OF MONDAY: THE LAWYER'S PARTY
BY half…past eight o'clock on the next morning; I was ringing the
bell of the lawyer's office in Castle Street; where I found him
ensconced at a business table; in a room surrounded by several
tiers of green tin