"Then do not stay away, while yet we both remain in Lyme," she rejoined, with perhaps an equal level of insincerity; and so we parted-two women of self-sufficient habits, and little inclination for the society of females, and yet driven together by a mutual need for confidences gained. I had come to Mrs. Barnewall with the intention of soliciting intelligence; but it was only at our parting that I knew her to have received me with an equal equal aim in view. I felt that I had been carefully managed from my first step inside her hail; but the aim in view. I felt that I had been carefully managed from my first step inside her hail; but the why why of it eluded me. of it eluded me.
1 Wootton Fitzpaine is a small village some three-and-a-half miles northeast of Lyme, between the forested Wootton Hill and Coney"s Castle Hill, on which sit the ruins of an Iron Age settlement. - Wootton Fitzpaine is a small village some three-and-a-half miles northeast of Lyme, between the forested Wootton Hill and Coney"s Castle Hill, on which sit the ruins of an Iron Age settlement. -Editor"s note.2 Tattersall"s was the most famous of the horse auction houses in the London of Austen"s day; it was also known for its betting book, kept in an anteroom, and forming the secondary occupation of the gentlemen who frequented the place. - Tattersall"s was the most famous of the horse auction houses in the London of Austen"s day; it was also known for its betting book, kept in an anteroom, and forming the secondary occupation of the gentlemen who frequented the place. -Editor"s note.3 There were numerous varieties of snuff in Austen"s day, rather as there are of herbal teas in our own, and different blends were chosen according to the mood of the consumer or the time of day. The Prince of Wales kept varieties from all over the world in his snuff cellar, though he disliked snulT itself, and contrived never to inhale it however many times a day he went through the ritual. His mother, Queen Charlotte, consumed from the age of seventeen only one blend There were numerous varieties of snuff in Austen"s day, rather as there are of herbal teas in our own, and different blends were chosen according to the mood of the consumer or the time of day. The Prince of Wales kept varieties from all over the world in his snuff cellar, though he disliked snulT itself, and contrived never to inhale it however many times a day he went through the ritual. His mother, Queen Charlotte, consumed from the age of seventeen only one blend4-of tobacco, ambergris, attar, and bitter almonds. -FAilor"s note.
Chapter 20 - The Watcher in the Doorway.
Sunday, 23 September 1804 *
IT WAS NEARLY THE HOUR FOR DINNER WHEN I I RETURNED TO WINGS RETURNED TO WINGS cottage from Wootton Fitzpaine yesterday afternoon, but the fog had lifted under the influence of a light breeze, promising a shift in the weather; and so I seized a few moments of liberty to slip down Pound Street to the linendraper"s, of a mind to view Mr. Milsop"s latest sketches of evening gowns, so important to the effect of a good length of peach-coloured silk, and to consider whether a demi-turban cottage from Wootton Fitzpaine yesterday afternoon, but the fog had lifted under the influence of a light breeze, promising a shift in the weather; and so I seized a few moments of liberty to slip down Pound Street to the linendraper"s, of a mind to view Mr. Milsop"s latest sketches of evening gowns, so important to the effect of a good length of peach-coloured silk, and to consider whether a demi-turban1 or a feather should be better suited to my headdress; and with such pleasant fancies dancing before my eyes, and banishing all thoughts of smugglers, their wives, and their purported bloodlettings, I very nearly ran down poor Mr. Dagliesh, who was engaged in conversing with a rotund lady of middle age, not five paces from Mr. Milsop"s door. or a feather should be better suited to my headdress; and with such pleasant fancies dancing before my eyes, and banishing all thoughts of smugglers, their wives, and their purported bloodlettings, I very nearly ran down poor Mr. Dagliesh, who was engaged in conversing with a rotund lady of middle age, not five paces from Mr. Milsop"s door.
"Miss Jane Austen!" he cried, with a flourish of his hat and a hasty bow. "I hope I find you well?"
"Very well, Mr. Dagliesh," I replied, with a nod for his companion, who paid no heed to ceremony and made her lumbering way on up the street, leaving me to enjoy the gentleman"s undivided attentions. "I am relieved to see you in excellent health."
"Had you any reason to fear for it?" he enquired.
"Oh! No reason at all-though I guessed you were so much in demand, and in the middle of the night, too- about the shingle and the downs, in attending to all manner of wounds of a sudden received, whose victims have not the luxury of appearing by the light of day-that I thought you must soon be quite broken down."
He started, and gave me a narrow look, and with a foolish smile, said that the demands of a country practise were sometimes unmanageable.
"Particularly when one is under the obligation of attending to one"s friends," I continued. "The demands of a stranger might be put off to another day; but the necessity of one"s intimate acquaintance may not be gainsaid. And there has been so much of that sort of thing in Lyme, of late! A lady thrown from a horse here, a shot to the back there, a skirmish at sea that might leave a man at the mercy of Fate-I wonder you have slept at all, from riding to the Grange."
"Miss Austen-" he began, and then halted in confusion.
"I know now why you could not be summoned, the very night of my sister"s unfortunate injury-for you were undoubtedly in attendance upon some smugglers" band, deep in the folds of the Pinny, or secreted in a convenient cave. And nothing is plainer than your failing to appear the morning of her departure for London, to pay your respects. It was the very morning that Mr. Sidmouth routed the dragoons, just below the Cobb, and even 1 1 observed Davy Forely the lander to have been shot Was it Mademoiselle LeFevre who cared for him there, in the kitchen garret, against the Preventy Men"s discovery?" observed Davy Forely the lander to have been shot Was it Mademoiselle LeFevre who cared for him there, in the kitchen garret, against the Preventy Men"s discovery?"2 "I could not undertake to say," the surgeon"s a.s.sistant replied. "It was not there there that I attended him, certainly. But tell me, Miss Austen-would you have a man die of a wound he did not merit, when a surgeon could easily be called? Is there some that I attended him, certainly. But tell me, Miss Austen-would you have a man die of a wound he did not merit, when a surgeon could easily be called? Is there some wrong wrong you might find, in my ministering to such unfortunates? For to heal you might find, in my ministering to such unfortunates? For to heal is is my calling in life." my calling in life."
"No wrong, Mr. Dagliesh-unless it be that your care for the local criminal set prevents you from attending to those more worthy of your attention. Had my sister died of her injuries, I should look with less gentleness at the manner in which you spend your evenings."
"Heaven forbid!" he cried, with a sensible look. "And how does your sister? She continues to mend?"
"As swiftly as we might have hoped-her Ijmdon Ijmdon physician having physician having no other no other claim upon his time and attention, that might prove more remunerative." claim upon his time and attention, that might prove more remunerative."
"You are severe upon me." He turned his hat in both hands, worrying at the brim. "But money has not been my object, though you would would have my motives solely mercenary. I may go so far as to a.s.sert, Miss Austen, that neither my conduct, nor that of those I have attended, merits such censure; but honour forbids me saying more." His look, when he raised his eyes, had something of pleading in it, and a circ.u.mspection I should not have guessed Mr. Dagliesh capable of. "There is a n.o.bility in the most common of men, Miss Austen, when they are spurred to act from principle; and I have found that the have my motives solely mercenary. I may go so far as to a.s.sert, Miss Austen, that neither my conduct, nor that of those I have attended, merits such censure; but honour forbids me saying more." His look, when he raised his eyes, had something of pleading in it, and a circ.u.mspection I should not have guessed Mr. Dagliesh capable of. "There is a n.o.bility in the most common of men, Miss Austen, when they are spurred to act from principle; and I have found that the appearance appearance of what is wrong may often cloak, conversely, a very great good." of what is wrong may often cloak, conversely, a very great good."
"As I am sure the opposite is true," I rejoined, somewhat tardy, "with all manner of evil parading itself as circ.u.mspection and propriety."
"That has ever been the case," he said, with some gentleness. "The wonder is that we should still be equally as fooled." And with a civility, he left me-though less happy in my designs upon peach-coloured silk.
IT WAS AS I RETURNED FROM POUND STREET TO WlNGS COTTAGE, that I first noticed the presence of a man to my back. He appeared to find interest in shop windows at exacdy the moment I turned to gaze at something on offer; and resumed his slow stroll in my train whenever my interest was satisfied, and my own walk recommenced. Upon first perceiving him, I was puzzled; then alarmed; and finally, determined upon calculation. Though I had half a mind to confront him with questions, the possibility that I but succ.u.mbed to an over-active imagination, could not be discounted; and so I turned instead into a local purveyor of comestibles, in search, ostensibly, of tea. I knew the shop to let out onto an adjacent street at its rear; and upon learning that no tea was to be had in all of Lyme-a curious notion, that-I exited by this latter way. Imagine my dismay, upon perceiving the gentleman as yet behind! For he had a.s.suredly pursued me to the shop"s interior, and thence into the adjacent street.
I had no desire to alert him to my awareness of his presence, by attempting blatantiy to lose him; and so, with my head down and my feet purposeful, I made as swiftly as I might for Wings cottage. A hurried ascent to my room, to dress for dinner-and to observe the gendeman posted in the street below, arranged so very casually in a doorway, for all the world like one of my brother James"s Loiterers.3 I wonder what shall become of him? Does he intend to remain there the rest of the night? And who has set him upon me-and for what possible reason? Is he, perhaps, one of Roy Cavendish"s men, intent upon learning the direction of my enquiries, since I have been so rude as to avoid communication with the Customs man himself?
I was unsettled the length of dinner, and could make only the most cursory of replies to my mother"s many suppositions regarding Wootton House, and my father"s observations of the history of Wootton Fitzpaine"s church.
And now, alone with my pen and paper in the clear light of a Sunday morning, with little of activity before me other than the writing of a long-overdue letter to my poor Ca.s.sandra, I am incapable of so simple a task, and must rise continually to peer out at the street, in as stealthy a manner possible, in search of an unknown watcher.
Monday, 24 September 1804 *
NOT LONG AFTER BREAKFAST THIS MORNING, AS I I SETTLED DOWN IN SETTLED DOWN IN the sitting-room to mend the slit in my brown wool, and mull over all that I knew of Lyme"s tangled affairs, I was starded to find in the depths of my workbasket, a bit of paper-its edges sealed with a drop of tallow. Opening it in some wonderment, I discovered it to be a missive from our man James, written painstakingly with a bit of lead, and looking something of a scrawl. the sitting-room to mend the slit in my brown wool, and mull over all that I knew of Lyme"s tangled affairs, I was starded to find in the depths of my workbasket, a bit of paper-its edges sealed with a drop of tallow. Opening it in some wonderment, I discovered it to be a missive from our man James, written painstakingly with a bit of lead, and looking something of a scrawl.
Dear Miss, it ran, /????? it ran, /????? be seing Matty Hurley as you askt it be seing Matty Hurley as you askt it being my free day. Do you come to St. Michael"s church at being my free day. Do you come to St. Michael"s church at 3 3 o"cfock. I hope as this will serve. Yours respeckfuUy James. o"cfock. I hope as this will serve. Yours respeckfuUy James.
I had but to waste the better part of the morning, then, in fitful bursts of work, and occasional glances from the scullery window-which revealed no watchers waiting in doorways; and indeed, I am forced to wonder if my fancies did not run away with me Sat.u.r.day e"en, in being surfeited with all manner of preposterous schemes.
ST. MICHAEL"S BEING BUT A SHORT WALK DOWN BROAD TO BRIDGE Street, and from thence, after a brief look at the sea and Broad Ledge, which was visible now at low tide, Street, and from thence, after a brief look at the sea and Broad Ledge, which was visible now at low tide,4 up Church Street, I had a very little way to go. I set out not long before three o"clock, accordingly, in my demure close bonnet and with a basket of clothes depending from my arm; for at my mother"s hearing that I intended visiting the church, she up Church Street, I had a very little way to go. I set out not long before three o"clock, accordingly, in my demure close bonnet and with a basket of clothes depending from my arm; for at my mother"s hearing that I intended visiting the church, she would would charge me with delivering her contribution to the ladies" auxiliary, and was only persuaded with difficulty against accompanying me herself. charge me with delivering her contribution to the ladies" auxiliary, and was only persuaded with difficulty against accompanying me herself.
St. Michael"s is not a handsome edifice; and that may be attributed, perhaps, to it being two churches at once- a late Norman one, and the present building, which dates from the sixteenth century. It sits n.o.bly upon a cliff, how-ever, and seems quite suited to the spirit of Lyme, with all its peculiarities. I should not wish wish a more regular building to take its place; it seems, indeed, to have been a part of this coast forever. a more regular building to take its place; it seems, indeed, to have been a part of this coast forever.
I stood a moment on the stoop of the church, and glanced back the way I had come; and shivered to think that I detected a figure lingering behind; but it must have been an effect of the sunlight, a chimera of sorts, for when I blinked to observe a second time, the figure was no more. I pushed open the church"s heavy oak door, and stepped into the cool dimness of its vestibule.
All was hushed, and the few supplicants scattered amidst the pews, too bowed in prayer to attend to my arrival. I looked about for James"s broad shoulders, and could not find them; and so, after a moment, I progressed up a side aisle and took my place among the reverent. The church bell tolled the hour.
After fifteen minutes of silent contemplation, I determined to search for James outside the church; and made my way once more to the vestibule. It was tliere tliere I encountered Miss Crawford, as staunch as a general the afternoon of a batde. She stood to one side of the vestibule itself, in the Auxiliary"s anteroom, in an imposing black cap arrayed with jet. Her nostrils were pinched as though in reception of a noisome odour, but her bony hands fairly flew among the ordered piles of cast-off clothing. She looked up as I hesitated on the iitde room"s threshold, and under the command of Miss Crawford"s gaze, I could not but drop a curtsey. I encountered Miss Crawford, as staunch as a general the afternoon of a batde. She stood to one side of the vestibule itself, in the Auxiliary"s anteroom, in an imposing black cap arrayed with jet. Her nostrils were pinched as though in reception of a noisome odour, but her bony hands fairly flew among the ordered piles of cast-off clothing. She looked up as I hesitated on the iitde room"s threshold, and under the command of Miss Crawford"s gaze, I could not but drop a curtsey.
"Good afternoon, Miss Austen," that lady said sharply over her spectacles. "I understand you were at Wootton Fitzpaine on Sat.u.r.day. You should have informed me of your visit prior to having paid it, and I should have charged you with enquiring of Mrs. Barnewall when when she intends to make her contribution to the ladies" auxiliary. My brother tells me she is to leave the country soon; and it should be a very shabby thing, if in all the busde of making ready, St. Michael"s were forgot. But no matter. I was not to know you were to go-and on such a foggy afternoon, too!-and so I shall have the trip to make over." she intends to make her contribution to the ladies" auxiliary. My brother tells me she is to leave the country soon; and it should be a very shabby thing, if in all the busde of making ready, St. Michael"s were forgot. But no matter. I was not to know you were to go-and on such a foggy afternoon, too!-and so I shall have the trip to make over."
"My apologies, Miss Crawford. I could not imagine you to have an interest in that quarter, and thus could not be expected to inform you of my plans."
"Expected! Hardly. The young young are never are never expected expected to treat anyone with consideration. But never mind. I see you have your mother"s things in that basket" to treat anyone with consideration. But never mind. I see you have your mother"s things in that basket"
"I do, and I send them with her compliments."
Miss Crawford paused to examine a tiny nightdress, of fine cambric, overlaid with my mother"s excellent satin st.i.tch; and sniffed audibly. "The seams might have been straighter; but then, one never gives as much care to things for the poor, as for one"s own; and I suppose her eyes are weak, at her age."
"I shall inform her of your grat.i.tude," I said drily, and turned for the door.
"Do you remember, Miss Austen, to tell her of the ladies" tea, to be held at Darby on Sat.u.r.day," Miss Crawford called sharply after me. "It is meant as a kindness to the good-hearted women who do so much for the unfortunates of the parish. It is a vast deal of trouble, to be sure, but I count it as nothing. It is the least least that I may do. It is to be a very fine tea." that I may do. It is to be a very fine tea."
"Though, perhaps inevitably, tealess," tealess," I observed. I observed.
"Whatever do you mean to say, Miss Austen?"
"I had understood there was not a leaf to be had, in all of Lyme."
"But that is hardly the case at Darby, Darby, I may a.s.sure you." Miss Crawford spoke with an air of smug complacency. "My dear brother is never at a loss for tea-but then, we may consider him as having resources, that should be denied a mere I may a.s.sure you." Miss Crawford spoke with an air of smug complacency. "My dear brother is never at a loss for tea-but then, we may consider him as having resources, that should be denied a mere visitor, visitor, such as yourself." such as yourself."
"Indeed we may," I rejoined, in some amus.e.m.e.nt at her vanity, and quitted the church and Miss Crawford together.
I made my way to the little churchyard, and found James with his back against a headstone, and a burly man, quite ill-shaven, at his side. The latter discarded a bit of gra.s.s he had been twirling between his teeth, and pulled himself to his feet He had no hat to hold, and so stood with his head slighdy bowed, awaiting my notice-a balding fellow, with a crooked nose, a perpetual dimple in one cheek, and a rough warmth to his gaze. Despite his att.i.tude of deference, he had a confident air, as though life held no mysteries beyond his understanding.
"Miss Austen, miss," James said, with the barest suggestion of anxiety in his aspect. "We thought as you weren"t coming/"
"I was somewhat detained by church business,"I replied. "I take it you are Matthew Hurley?"
"Matty"ll do just fine, miss."
"I"ve been a-teliin" Matty here how Maggie Tibbit"d have it "e owes her money," James began, "and Matty- well, you tell Miss Austen, then."
"I don"t owe Bill Tibbit nothin" nor a curse," the fellow said comfortably, "and haven"t done, since he ran the Royal Belle Royal Belle aground." aground."
"The ship"s loss does seem to have turned all of Lyme against him," I observed.
"It did that. He were paid to lose the Belle, Belle, and three fine young men o" town was lost with it." Mr. Hurley paused a moment to clear his throat, and as abrupdy spat. and three fine young men o" town was lost with it." Mr. Hurley paused a moment to clear his throat, and as abrupdy spat.
I glanced at James"s untroubled countenance, then turned to his companion. "It was the Reverend"s ship, I understand."
"Now,?? be tellin" you that?" Matty Hurley said, with a narrowed eye.
"Maggie Tibbit. She said that her husband had been a regular spotter for the smugglers" crews, and that he lingered too long over his tankard, when he should better have been gone to Puncknowle and the signal tower."
"It"s right convenient she should think so," the man replied, "but that warn"t the truth of it. Bill were paid, paid, and he met "is end fer it, as did the feller as paid "im." and he met "is end fer it, as did the feller as paid "im."
I looked from one to the other with a growing apprehension. "You cannot mean-that is to say-Mr. Hurley, would you have it that Captain Fielding Captain Fielding paid the man to ground the paid the man to ground the Bella Bella And that he lost his life as a result?" And that he lost his life as a result?"
"I ain"t savin" here nor there," the fellow a.s.serted, his eyes shifting. "It"s a deep business, as no lady should concern hersel" wit. But Maggie Tibbit oughter know better."
This was a thought to give one pause, indeed. The Captain must have believed the ship to be engaged in smuggling, and attempted to thwart the trade in a ruthless manner, considering the consequences. And yet, if the doomed ship was not the Reverend"s- a thought to give one pause, indeed. The Captain must have believed the ship to be engaged in smuggling, and attempted to thwart the trade in a ruthless manner, considering the consequences. And yet, if the doomed ship was not the Reverend"s- "How can you be so certain that the Belle Belle was was not not the Reverend"s, Mr. Hurley?" the Reverend"s, Mr. Hurley?"
"Let"s jist say as I was a-waitin" on the Chesnil beach for "er to land, and had the pulling of the bodies out o" the surf," he replied darkly. "I hope I may never see another such a sight, as long as I may live. Terrible it was, and Nancy Harding"s boy but fifteen."
"But what can a ship have been doing, in so clandestine a manner, if not not to smuggle contraband?" to smuggle contraband?"
Matty Hurley shrugged, and flicked a glance at James, who turned back a bewildered countenance. "You"ll be a stranger to Lyme, miss, and all our "fairs," Matty offered. "I"m not sure yer needin" to know. Just settle as it was a matter o" some importance, as three young coves and a pa.s.sel of Frenchies give their lives for, and not a thing to do with brandy barrels or kegs o" snuff. Bill Tibbit was no good, and a traiter, and we"re well quit of "im, whatever "is Maggie says. You can tell "er so for me." He turned away, of a conviction, no doubt, that our discussion was at an end; but I could not suffer him to leave in so sybil-like a manner. A cloud of conflicting thoughts held converse in my mind, but through them ail I grasped at one. The man had declared that the boat was not not the Reverend"s; but I knew of one other household, at least, that was much given to signalling ships at sea. the Reverend"s; but I knew of one other household, at least, that was much given to signalling ships at sea.
"Matty," I said, reaching a hand to detain him, "did the Royal BeUe Royal BeUe belong to Mr. Geoffrey Sidmouth?" belong to Mr. Geoffrey Sidmouth?"
The astonishment that overlaid his hardened features was a spectacle to behold, and should have elicited my delighted laughter, had not I perceived his underlying consternation, as having betrayed perhaps too much. "Never fear," I a.s.sured him. "Your secret is safe with me-though from your words, I must declare it a rather open one, since most of Lyme seems admitted to it."
"Just the folk o" the Buddie district," Matty said grudgingly, "and only them as are trusty."
"So it was Mr, Sidmouth s Mr, Sidmouth s ship that ran aground," I said thoughtfully, "as a result of Bill Tibbit"s carelessness, or design. And Bill Tibbit died for it, as did Captain Fielding. That ship that ran aground," I said thoughtfully, "as a result of Bill Tibbit"s carelessness, or design. And Bill Tibbit died for it, as did Captain Fielding. That does does alter the complexion of Sidmouth"s case. For his motives and his natural reticence about the matter, become all too clear." alter the complexion of Sidmouth"s case. For his motives and his natural reticence about the matter, become all too clear."
"I thought she come here on a matter o" Maggie Tib-bit"s," Matty protested, with a glare for James.
"She did!" the poor man rejoined, in natural dismay. "Miss Austen?"
"No matter," I replied. "There is another of whom I had better enquire, and leave Mr. Hurley in the clear." I turned and looked towards the horizon, in an effort to judge of the time-for of a sudden I had a notion to conduct a further piece of business in the hours remaining before dinner. It could not be far from half-past three; and we generally dined at five. It should just do.
"You have been very helpful, Mr. Hurley, and I thank you-for what you would not, as well as what you might, impart." The wretched fellow shifted from one foot to the other, and looked desperate to be gone, his native confidence fled. I reached into my reticule and retrieved several coins, which I pressed upon the two men, who bobbed their thanks, however doubtfully. For my part, I affected a desire to return to the church, that they might be freed of my presence, and go about their business, as unmolested as I preferred to go about mine mine-for I had no desire to be observed, in making my way, as I must, towards the grim stone keep that served as Lyme"s gaol.
1 This was less a turban than a length of material-often lace-tied around the crown and knotted at one side of the head, in a somewhat Turkish fashion. - This was less a turban than a length of material-often lace-tied around the crown and knotted at one side of the head, in a somewhat Turkish fashion. -Editor"s note.2 The The Preventy Men Preventy Men was a common name for the officers of the Board of Customs. - was a common name for the officers of the Board of Customs. -Editor"s note.3 Austen"s brothers James and Henry, while students at Oxford, established the literary journal Austen"s brothers James and Henry, while students at Oxford, established the literary journal The Loiterer, The Loiterer, to which Austen herself may have contributed the occasional letter. - to which Austen herself may have contributed the occasional letter. -Editor"s note.4 Broad Ledge was originally a part of Lyme proper-medieval maps of the area suggest it once was crowded with houses-but was later inundated by the sea, and is now visible only at low tide. It serves as a reminder of the shifting nature of the Dorset coastline. - Broad Ledge was originally a part of Lyme proper-medieval maps of the area suggest it once was crowded with houses-but was later inundated by the sea, and is now visible only at low tide. It serves as a reminder of the shifting nature of the Dorset coastline. -Editor"s note.
Chapter 21 - Final Confession....
24 September 1804, cont.
RATHER THAN HUGGING A LONELY STRETCH OF COASTLINE HIGH above the turbulent seas, bereft of civilisation and the comforts of humanity, as should befit a prison in Lyme, the gaol where Mr. Sidmouth was held sat in the very midst of the town, with a stock in front and a cubby for the watchman; I should move under the keenest observation as I approached the place, but could not find it in me to care, as my errand seemed too urgent to admit of delicacy. I knew not whether the gentleman was permitted visitors-but deemed it likely that what persuasion might not produce, the application of coin should speedily acquire. above the turbulent seas, bereft of civilisation and the comforts of humanity, as should befit a prison in Lyme, the gaol where Mr. Sidmouth was held sat in the very midst of the town, with a stock in front and a cubby for the watchman; I should move under the keenest observation as I approached the place, but could not find it in me to care, as my errand seemed too urgent to admit of delicacy. I knew not whether the gentleman was permitted visitors-but deemed it likely that what persuasion might not produce, the application of coin should speedily acquire.
The watchman-a smallish fellow clothed in nankeen, with a sharp nose, watery eyes, and a perpetual habit of sneezing-rose from his stool as swift as a street tumbler, and danced a bow before me.
"Gordy Trimble at yer service, ma"am, though what service ye might be seekhV here, here, "tis beyond me to say," he offered by way of introduction. "tis beyond me to say," he offered by way of introduction.
"I am Miss Jane Austen," I said with dignity, "and have come with a basket of victuals from St. Michael"s Church-a gesture of charity towards the poor man detained within those walls." I had retrieved my mother"s basket from Miss Crawford after parting from James and Mr. Hurley, in the thought that the ladies" auxiliary should hardly require it as mightily as /should. In making my way towards the gaol, I had tarried only long enough to purchase bread and cheese, and a few apples, to put in its depths.
"Poor man? Never thought as I"d hear His Worship called poor, ma"am, and that"s a fact. And him been stylin" hissel" so fine. Ah, well-the world"s gone topsyturvy, it has, and Gordy Trimble"s not the one to make the right of it." He reached a hand to the basket handle, and I saw with a start my mistake. man? Never thought as I"d hear His Worship called poor, ma"am, and that"s a fact. And him been stylin" hissel" so fine. Ah, well-the world"s gone topsyturvy, it has, and Gordy Trimble"s not the one to make the right of it." He reached a hand to the basket handle, and I saw with a start my mistake.
"I should like to deliver the goods myself," I told him firmly.
"Eh, now, you"ll not be thinkin" I"ll have the eatin" of "em before him?"
"a.s.suredly not-that is to say-I should like to speak with Mr. Sidmouth a moment, since he is so soon to be taken away," I faltered.
The little man"s face creased in a wicked smile. "Sweet on him, are ye? Half o" Lyme is in the same state, or I"m not Gordy Trimble. The parade o" ladies as has been through that door would make a priest blush, it would. Not to mention the mademoiselle. Fair spends her days here, she does-though I"ll not be lettin" her sit by him that long. Leans in the doorway, mooning like a sick calf, until the sun"s about down; then hies hersel" off to the Grange, for to attend to the milking."
"Is the mademoiselle within at present?" I enquired, in some apprehension. I had not thought to encounter Seraphine when I hastily undertook my errand.
"Nay-you"ll be havin" yer five minutes to yersel, I reckon," the watchman replied. "But no more." He peered into the basket and poked a finger around the victuals. "Wouldn"t want you bringin" a knife or a pistol to my prisoner, now would I?"
"Mr. Trimble!" I cried, "i am a clergyman"s daughter." I sailed past him to the door of the small keep-a square, whitewashed building with a thatched roof-and waited while he jangled his keys. Mr. Trimble retained a quant.i.ty of them for a man with only one room and one prisoner to guard. I could hear the slight sounds of scuffling, and a length of chain dragged along the floor, from beyond the heavy oak; Sidmouth must be alerted to visitors, and be rising to his feet.
The door swung open, and emitted a cloud of dust from the hay that served as flooring; I sneezed, and understood now the gaoler"s streaming eyes. How did Sidmouth stand it? But I had not another moment to consider it, for the heavy door closed behind me, and I was thrown into the dimmest complicity possible with the man. A warm stillness to the air, and a slighdy sour smell, of too much humanity confined too long in so slight a s.p.a.ce; it should surely drive one mad, for too many days together.
The hay rusded not five feet from where 1 stood. "Who is it?" he enquired, in a tone of some doubt; and I knew that backlit in the open doorway as I must have been, my features were obscured to him. "Not Seraphine. But a woman."
"Miss Austen," I replied-and was surprised to hear how strongly my voice emerged. My heart was aflutter, and the palms of my hands grown moist; such anxiety, over so simple a purpose! I had visited a prison far worse than this, and faced evils of a sterner nature; and yet, today, I might have been as weak as a child, and as ill-formed for such an experience.
A short laugh, harsh in that stillness, and yet tinged with amus.e.m.e.nt "Miss Jane Austen of Bath, in the very midst of Lyme gaol! To what a turn have matters come! I should rise and welcome you with a proper bow, madam-but that I cannot rise at all, at the moment I hope that you will forgive me, and ascribe my poor manners to the proper cause."
A faint shaft of sunlight fell from a slit placed high in the wall to my back; and as my eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room, I discerned the darker shape against the stone that must be SidmouuYs form. A manacle was clasped about each ankle, and bolted to the wall so that he was denied a range of movement, though his arms as yet were free. I took a step towards him.
"What possible reason can you have, for so exposing yourself to the opprobrium of Lyme society, in seeking me here?" the master of High Down continued easily.
"I have brought you some victuals," I said, laying the basket at his feet, and sinking low myself. I dared not sit, for fear of the state of the straw, but rocked about on my ankles. "But I will not deny, Mr. Sidmouth, that this food is as a mere pretext, for gaining entry enough to speak with you. I am come on a matter of some urgency."
"A welcome change," he rejoined drily, "since all urgency, I fear, has fled from my days. It is extraordinary, is it not, Miss Austen, how the perception of time will shift, according to the measure of one"s duties? In having none to perform, I find myself equipped with so much time, that I might effect a revolution in men"s affairs, did I but have the freedom-for I pa.s.s a year in every day, or so it seems."
"And yet the days still pa.s.s," I said crossly, "and the number you command grows short. I myself have but five minutes. We must not waste them in philosophy, sir. But your talk of revolution does does inspire a thought-not of war and tumult, but its alternative-a world of reason and order, however imperfect it might have been. Mr.Sidmouth, I have been turning over in my mind a welter of conflicting thoughts-for I have heard such varied accounts of your business, as confuse me exceedingly. Some would have you a smuggler, the very Reverend, in fact; while others would call you simply a rogue. Much time and penetration on my part has gone to find the meaning of the business. But T believe that I have." inspire a thought-not of war and tumult, but its alternative-a world of reason and order, however imperfect it might have been. Mr.Sidmouth, I have been turning over in my mind a welter of conflicting thoughts-for I have heard such varied accounts of your business, as confuse me exceedingly. Some would have you a smuggler, the very Reverend, in fact; while others would call you simply a rogue. Much time and penetration on my part has gone to find the meaning of the business. But T believe that I have."
"Then pray enlighten me, Miss Austen, for I am told that a few sentences will suffice to sum up the matter." I could not discern his expression; but I caught the flash of white teeth, and the glitter of his eyes, and imagined him smiling sardonically. "It seems that Captain Fielding was in love with my cousin, and that I grew so enraged at her indifference to me, that I killed the man. What better resolution could there be?"