Gustave acknowledged in every respect the justice of his brother"s observations, but continued as regularly to do what pleased him best, and offered to all reproaches the declaration that at present he was only a guest, and must be allowed to make himself at home in his new surroundings.
Between himself and Miss Clifford had arisen a curious, half antagonistic, half confidential relation. On the whole they were always prepared for war, and Jessie did her best to maintain that state of affairs. But it was difficult enough, for her adversary displayed such unwearying politeness and amiability as left her few occasions for the contrary. The certainly not very flattering estimate of his character which had been forced upon him in the very first hour of their acquaintanceship had obviously affected him very little. On his side he was full of attentions, with which he managed to mingle very adroitly the friendly confidence of a household companion, and Jessie saw with horror the courtship from which she had considered herself entirely free deliberately unfolded before her.
It was morning, about a week after the arrival of the new acquaintance.
Breakfast was just over. Gustave was giving Miss Clifford a sketch of some of his travelling experiences, which he did with such sparkling animation and such vivid colouring as enchained Jessie"s attention against her will.
Sandow, on the other hand, was occupied in looking for some business papers in his pocket-book, and listened only with half an ear.
When his brother had finished, he said satirically--
"One would really believe that you had undertaken the journey merely to find materials for some future article on the political or artistic views entertained here. Landscape, architecture, national life, you have lost no opportunities of studying, but the business you should have made the main interest is scarcely alluded to. You certainly went everywhere that my introductions would take you, but seem only to have dined with the firms and talked about politics afterwards."
"You surely did not expect us to take our business to table with us!"
cried Gustave. "That is a pleasure which only you provide for your guests. I believe you would hail it as a most blessed discovery if eating and sleeping could be dispensed with altogether. What an incalculable gain in hours of business for much-tormented mankind!"
Jessie cast a half terrified glance at her guardian. She knew that this was a very tender point with him. Gustave knew it too, yet every day he ventured on such remarks to his face. He understood most perfectly how to parry the masterful and sometimes offensive manner of his brother, so that he never allowed himself to appear corrected or in any way subordinate.
Sandow, whose strength did not lie in repartee, generally quitted the field when he began in that tone of mockery. So he now rose, and, closing his pocket-book, sarcastically replied--
"Well, you certainly do not belong to the much-tormented cla.s.s; you take your life easily enough. But I want to speak to you for a few minutes in my room before we go to the office. It concerns the New York affair."
"I will come immediately," returned his brother, who, however, remained calmly seated while the other left the room, and then, turning to Jessie, asked--
"Have you ever seen such a business maniac as my brother, Miss Clifford? At breakfast he makes business notes, at dinner he reads the money article, and I am convinced that he speculates in his dreams."
"Yes, he possesses a most untiring activity," replied Jessie, "and he looks for the same thing in other people. You should not keep him waiting, for I am sure he wants to speak to you particularly."
Gustave paid not the least attention to this broad hint to depart.
"It concerns Jenkins and Co. That agreeable firm actually besieges us with letters and telegrams respecting a common speculation. I am not at all in a hurry to talk about it, and my brother is very considerate when he knows I am with you."
That was unquestionably the case. For various reasons Sandow favoured in every way the growing intimacy between his brother and his ward, and even would go so far as to forgive a want of punctuality occasionally.
The hint to this effect was, however, very ungraciously received by the young lady. She thought best to maintain perfect silence.
"Besides that, I have a great desire to speak to you alone," continued Gustave. "For several days I have sought an opportunity in vain."
An icy, long-drawn "Indeed!" was the only reply.
So really after an acquaintanceship of scarcely a week, this man dared to approach her with his proposals, in spite of her distant demeanour, her plainly shown aversion. In spite of all he would try to complete the business contract which gave him the hand of the rich heiress, and still worse, with an easy a.s.surance as if undeniably in the right.
"I have a pet.i.tion to offer," he began afresh, "a pet.i.tion which, by granting you will make me for ever your debtor."
Miss Clifford looked as if carved out of stone, and her manner left no doubt that she had not the slightest intention of placing him "for ever in her debt." She summoned all her energies together to meet the approaching emergency with the necessary decision.
Gustave paid not the least attention to her, and continued with his usual genial smile--
"It concerns a young countrywoman of mine!"
"A--young countrywoman?" repeated Jessie, astonished to the last degree at the unexpected turn which the conversation had taken.
"Yes, a young German who came over in the same ship with me. She was going quite alone to a relative in New York, who had offered the orphan a home with him. On landing, however, she learnt that he had died a few days before, and the poor child found herself quite unprotected and forsaken in the New World."
"You took charge of her," remarked Jessie, with a certain sharpness.
"Certainly; I took her to a German family, where she could be received for a few days. But she cannot stay there long, and it must be a very difficult thing for a girl of scarcely sixteen, and without an introduction, to find a situation as governess or companion. Here in this town it might be more feasible, especially if a well-known house such as yours undertook to introduce her. My pet.i.tion is this, will you receive this young girl for a few weeks as a guest till something may be found for her?"
Generally Jessie was only too ready to help whenever it lay in her power, and a countrywoman of her mother"s had naturally every claim upon her sympathy, but the side from which the demand came caused it to fill her with the darkest suspicions. In her eyes Gustave Sandow was not the man to help any fellow-creature from pure philanthropy. Such an egoist must certainly have other motives for his actions, and she returned a very cautious answer.
"This takes me quite by surprise. I am to receive a total stranger, who, as you acknowledge, is entirely dest.i.tute of introductions?"
"I undertake the responsibility," cried Gustave eagerly. "Any security you can desire I will give."
"Oh, indeed!"
A light began to dawn upon her. She saw the dreaded offer vanish into the distance. A way of escape which she had never thought of suddenly opened before her.
"You seem to know your protegee very thoroughly, Mr. Sandow, and to take an extraordinary interest in her."
"Certainly I do. Towards an orphan that is the duty of every Christian."
"I was not aware that you were such a good Christian," said Jessie, with unconcealed irony.
"Then, Miss Clifford, you have misunderstood me in that as in so many other respects. Where humanity is concerned my opinions are in the highest degree Christian," declared Sandow solemnly.
Jessie"s lips curled scornfully at the word "humanity," but the thing began to interest her, so she asked--
"Then you wish for an invitation to our house for"--
"Miss Frida Palm, that is her name."
"I will speak to my guardian about it, and if he is willing"--
"Oh! pray do not; that is just what I am most anxious to avoid,"
interrupted Gustave. "I do not wish my brother to know anything of my appeal to you. Would it not be possible to give out that Miss Palm is a protegee of your own, recommended by some New York acquaintance, and whom you have agreed to receive? The suggestion is rather singular, I see that in your manner, so I place myself and my pet.i.tion entirely in your hands."
Jessie"s manner certainly showed how surprised she was. She bent on the speaker a long, searching look.
"Indeed, a very extraordinary demand. You really ask that we should literally perform a comedy, in order that you may gain a point with my guardian! With what object?"
"Certainly with no bad object, even if for the present that must remain my secret."
"Your secret is not hard to guess, at least for me," said Jessie sarcastically, but still with a feeling of intense relief at the turn things had taken. "Only acknowledge openly that your interest in this young lady is a much deeper and more serious one than appears, and that you have a decided object to gain in bringing her here."
Apparently overwhelmed, Gustave drooped his head.
"I acknowledge it."
"And for more than one reason you fear that your brother will be opposed to this interest."