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By

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Author

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Green

Cloth,

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Brimful

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net.

SERIES.)

(PIONEER
The

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of

good

and

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ceedingly
ex-

clever."

The

Telegraph."

Daily

expositions
been

brought

of

latter-day

the

to

of

"One

public

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liant
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for

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day."

An

Man

Imaginative
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The
to

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of

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dra-

."

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the

in

scene

make

dancing-rooms

Cairo

reading.

worth

book

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at

would
It

...

undoubtedly

The

of

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Crown

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and

liarly

LONDON

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vein

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artistic

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that

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own.

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN

has

written,
made

pecu

is

Flames
London

Phantasy

By

Robert

Hichens

Author

"The

Green

of

Carnation,""An

ImaginativeMan

"c.

"

And
Went

the souls

by

mounting up

her like thin

DANTE

to

God

"

flames

GABRIEL

ROSSETTI

London

William

H eine
1899

an

"

~a*"~-~~

f^JL-i
/w

/-

wt
J

"

First

rights

reserved

Impression,

Second

Impression,

Third

Impression,

1897
1897
1898

CONTENTS

VALENTINE

1"

BOOK

PAGE

CHAP.

I.

II.

VICTORIA

OF

SAINT

THE

STREET

QUESTION

III.

EPISODE

IV.

THE

OF

SECOND

OP

EXCHANGE

THE

FIRST

SITTING

VI.

AT

THE

CLUB

32

40

51

PAUSE

VIII.

57

SITTING

FOURTH

THE

IX.

BOOK

I.

II.

TRANCE

THE

PICCADILLY

IV.

THE

EUSTON

THE

HARLEY

VI.

VII.

DRIVE

THE

JULIAN

JULIAN

II"

63

THE

[IT.

V.

...

EPISODE

STREET

REGENT

THE

VII.

24

CONVERSATION

SITTING

THIRD

THE

12

SITTING
.

V.

I
....

IN

THE

83

RAIN

ROAD

EPISODE

VISITS

OF

THE

94

EPISODE

STREET

STRENGTH

76

EPISODE

THE

LADY

103

SPRING

OF

112

THE

FEATHERS
.

.123

CONTENTS

vi
CHAP.

VIII.

THE

LADY

OP

THE

PEATHEKS

VISITS

IX.

THE

LADY

OP

THE

FEATHERS

WASHES

X.

THE

DANCE

BOOK

I.

II.

LADY

THE

THE

FLIGHT

IV.

THE

FLAME

VI.

VII.

WOMAN'S

LADY

.198

2O6
LEARNS

FEATHERS

THE

FEATHERS

THE

OF

EYES

FLAME

THE

OF

184

BATS

THE

IN

LADY

THE

169

...

17$

OF

FEARS

JULIAN

THE

WEEPS

SINGS

VALENTINE

III.

V.

14$

FEATHERS

THE

OF

FEATHERS

THE

OP

PACE

HER

WISDOM

BUCKLES

223

VALENTINE
TO

EXPOUNDS
THE

17"

LADY

THE

OF

GOSPEL

THE

OF

LADY

BOOK

I.

OF

FEATHERS

THE

DOCTOR

III.

IV.

THE

VISITS

DOCTOR

THE

DEATH

DOCTOR

VI.

CLEAR

VIII.

IX.

X.

THE

THE

EMPTY

MEETS

TWO

OP

ROOM

254

....

STRANGERS

VISITS

LADY

THE

OF

THE

276

FEATHERS

WEATHER

287

ARRAY

DOCTOR

SHADOW

DOCTOR

FEATHERS

293
RECEIVES

ON

260

267

RIP

LEVILLIER

BATTLE

THE

IN

DOCTOR

V.

VII.

244

VOICE

THE

227

LEVILLIER

FEATHERS

THE

INFLUENCE

LEVILLIER

II.

215

HER

ON

ARMOUR

VIII.

135

1S1

LADY

THE

III"

HOURS

THE

OP

VALENTINE

VISIT

FROM

MRS.

WILSON

FIRE

DRIVES

302
3IO

OUT

WITH

THE

LADY

OF

THE

319

CONTENTS

BOOK

V"

vii

FLAMES

CHAP.

PAGE

I.

VALENTINE

INVITES

GUESTS

HIS

335

....

II.

III.

CAF"

THE

NOIE

341

HEALTH

OF

NEW

THE

YEAR

352

....

IV.

V.

THE

FIFTH

THE

LADY

364

SITTING

THE

OF

FEATHERS

STARVES
.

VI.

VII.

THE

SELLING

MEETING

381

STARVATION

AND

EXCESS
.

VIII.

IX.

AN

"THE

390
.

396

AWAKENING

LAST

373
.

JESSIE

OF

OF

SITTING"

404

BOOK

VALENTINE

I"

CHAPTER

THE

had

REFINEMENT

held

Each

in

ears

the

from

Carmen's

the

of

the

their

their

which

prison,
had

which

the

drown

to

or

women,

Intellectuality

is

of

that

trellis

the

watch
a

roses

deliberate

watch

greatly

not

and

them.

And

given

many

he

life

men

of
and

to

the
the

to

those

The

deem

it must

the

reverse

it wise

mistake
to

his

in

the

soul,

smoke
it

at

for

fire.

women,

many

loved

be

so,

to

cell,

he

time

is

the

of the

them,

loved
he

for

to
was

the

is made

mingle

the

of

keyword

intellect
as

so

enemies,
by

the

sharply

at

painted

scarcely appreciated

pleasures

opposing

of

flower-walled

always
that

change,

of

his

to

hastened

of

to

of

blatant

Valentine

long

therefore

word
loved

He

who

that

in

sat

For

prisoner.

moods,
the

he

as

and

is

as

protection,

age
master

it

world.

life
click

listened

mistaking

religion

his

and

command

hands,

larger

bloom

mistake

body.

the

he

in

rang

who

old

suffocate

his
what

men

out

If

in

had

the

harsh

be

the

at

to

or

warm

thought

of

cipher.

made

pleasures
of

he

drilling

wine,

rejoicing

thrilling meaning
that

preferred

to

it

of

with

creatures

poor

and

in

and

at

the

sins.

troops,

vice

music

the

freedom

some

bars
bud

roses

to

of

not.

He

tries

to

them

wonder

pity

like

join.

mingled

thinks

set

it

voluptuary

heeded

to

summons.

to

Seville

man's

Valentine

trumpets
classical

more

of

only
only

youth

desire

no

The

the

he

was

voices,

shrieking

and

with

But

sometimes,

regiment

barracks

it

it will

supremacy,

young

them,

passes

age

regiment.

any

castanets.

nature

what

vain, mingled

retreat

them

join

to

Each

sins.

of

ease

the

of

most

Cresswell

Valentine

of

curious

from

effort

it decides

decided

never

special

its

before

with

him

without

soul

the

over

governed

back

has

age

review,

to

It

him

STREET

VICTORIA

OF

power

more

religion.

than
and

his

SAINT

so

much
to

the

generality
contrasted
A

FLAMES

that
ingredients

form

often dubbed

good recipefor happinessare

there

But

worse.
or
incomprehensible,

were

at

moments

periodof

to
strange inability
rapt
why he was
long for sin ; when he wondered, rather wearily,
without
he
could
refuse,
from the follies that other men
enjoyed; why
after
clamoured
by
that
t
he
year
year with an
they
effort,
things
unceasinggluttony of appetite. The saint quarrelledmutely with

he felt discontented

Valentine's life when

at

his

with his
and argued, almost fiercely,
intellectuality,
cold and delicate purity.
I like some
am
ivory statue?" he thought sometimes,
"Why
and dancing
human
of
like
instead
a
being,with drumming pulses,
in my ears, like voices of sirens,
for ever
and voices calling
longings,
of

his holiness

"

Come,

rest in

come,

our

who

have

given joy to all

they

who

have

blessed

have

drawn
We

us.

learned

have
other

the sweet
are, instead

men

that I

am

bosoms, for

our

In

our

soft

sad

they

are

we

We

beginningof time.

the

their
from
good men
have
been
who
are
they

storyof the world.

gloryof embracing. On

the

from

men

the

and

sleepon

arms,

goodness,and

are

they

allegoryof the sage

the world has learned

the

arms

hearts the hearts of men

I be as
religionof singing.'Why cannot
our

melodious

of the saint

the saint of Victoria

"

Street

"

For, absurdlyenough,that

was

the

name

his world

gave

tine.
to Valen-

and he did not dwell,like the

age of romance,
in the clear solitudes of the great desert,but
saints of old centuries,
calls a "commodious
in what
writer
flat" in
the advertisement

This is not

Victoria Street.

an

No

littlejackals
throngedabout

in sinful circle

him

surrounded
by night. No school of picturesque
disciples
If he peeped above his blinds he could see the radiant
omnibuses

on

their

haltingway

towards

Westminster.

pay his visit in the morning ; and the sparrows

poisingabove the chimneys,instead of the wild
the sun,
Valentine was
modern
a
near
young

made

by day.

processionof
The

wandering organs sang in his ascetic ears, not once,

The
times a week.
milk-boycame, it must be
many
of

him

melodies

twice,but
presumed, to
the air alive,

nor

whose home is
eagles,
of twenty-four,
man
extremely well off,and

the

Army and Navy Stores,was

knew
everybody. He belonged to the best clubs and went,
to the best parties. His tailor had
habitation in
a
occasionally,
Sackville Street,and his glovescame
from the BurlingtonArcade.
He
often lunched
at the Berkeley and frequently
dined at Willis's.
Also he had laughed at the antics of Arthur
Koberts, and gazed
of
a
at
through pair
gold-mountedopera-glasses Empire ballets and
discreet juggleries
of Paul
at the
of
G'inquevalli.The romance
cloistered saintliness was
If
it
not
his.
had been he might never
dealt

at

have

rebelled.

for

in
religion

For

how

the heart

often
of man,

it is

romance

romance

which
which

makes

home

feathers the nest of

SAINT

THE

which

in

purity

of

kneels

him

he

knotted

would

be

scourged

mass

by

or

wondered

at

them.

Why
themselves

fling

one

friend,

night
Julian

for
the

wish

Addison.

by

to

found
coarse

dogs,

long

time
to

cowl

the

is

Bernard

it
that

he
the

not

speaks

Power

whose
Even

the

litany.

it

end.
or

to

or

When

He

The

by

roll

he

did

still

Why
He

expressed

given

are

contemporaries

thought.

wish

had

Apparently

in

offal?

been

not

others

as

and

Tears

pain.

purity.

his

not

he

seemed,

had

wondering
he

to

and

wild

prayer.

himself

him,

the

and

destinies

goodness,

sins

to
to

soul

St.

far-off

temperament,

repentance

like

came

his

sorrow

call

the

prospect

and

temper.

often

by

men

love

they
down,

and

understand,

him

he

him,
did

to

attitude

cheerful

saint

what

given

been

of

sandal

to

Trappist
his
not

pray,

the

robe

the

temperament

float

to

sea

had

been

the

to

of

threads
and

it

that

not

murmurs,

and

religion

the

and

prayerful

the

some,

had

moustaches

But

to

saint

to

made

not

is

Valentine

But

hold

to

clouds

the

Is

organ

situation

earthly
than

psalm

cord

of

calling

gives

the

When

it

many

God
?

that

night

chapel

rather

believes
is

tonsure

he

his

loudly,

hands

by

Is

leads
of

renunciations

snows

remote

which

dwell

to

thought

strange
ecstatic

wonderful

STREET

delights
waste

meditations

that

of

Algerian

sleeping

holiest

in

religion
to

the

his

monk

soul

the
and

dreams

heavenly
poetry

the

than

rather

fate,

his

of

silence

bizarre

hermit

the

VICTORIA

OF

to

it

at

more

did

they

could

not

understand.
to

his

bosom

II

CHAPTER

MOST

of

and

need

us

stir

to

after

all, it is the

to

mind

right

often

never

he

was

to

or

Julian

war.

in

He

singularly unlike
strength of a discord

the

chord

common

for

of his

"

had

rightly knew
flat in
sitting together in Valentine's
They were
had
rather
and
He
serious
became
a
expansive.
towards
serious
midnight, especially if he was
and
;

person
mind
with

no

of

and

Julian

with

desire

feeling

when

he

would

have

seemed

with

was

knew

of

smoking,
The

fell

the

one

door.

to

the

How

are

were

floor

on

such

abominable

And

fear

smoking

in

small.

or

It

flickered
Julian

was

only one
play of
terms

one's

taken
of

up

fasting,
break-

Valentine

common.

they

as

now,

sat

hesitation.
named

was

the

hid

heavy

curtain

lying

leaned

feeling

about

which

half

ing
becom-

any

custom

fire, before

Valentine

with
natural

valet

so,

draperies,

every

attitude.

pleasant

side.

of

had, in mind,

them.

green

habit

when

conventional

on

he

topics

was

terrier, Rip.

were

and

the

hour

affect

one's

without

hearth

the

Julian," Valentine
and

mood

dull

with

On

fox

They

"

they

unbuttoned

an

you

which

loosely

Valentine's

"

expressed

being hung

and

between
his

in

room

room,

in

or

being

Julian.

that

his
To

deceive

to

barriers

no

he

Julian.

like

endeavouring
Julian
habits.
personal
Long
ago
their
into
residence
fallen
together,
all
dining on
lunching, and
element,

an

with

interfered

please

to

for

ago,

love

fine, Valentine

fine, clean

that

"

to

special reason,
grown
of
friendship. How
specimen
until this evening.

no

just

chord

Long

harmony.

own

he

was

struck

the

to

acts,

nature

Julian

that

so

own,

Julian's

But,

the

than

rather

that

knew

larly
singu-

deeds.

in

if not

account

sometimes,

us

Valentine's

was

nature

of

with

hearth

the

by

perfect opposite,
thoughts that are

give

to

or

sit

to

Valentine's.

reason,

Theirs

wonder

his

note

seemed

this

opposite

like

unlike

totally
the

an

and

complete

QUESTION

to

us

EXCHANGE

OF

down

forward

the

tent-

ceiling

shrouded
which
a

divan

an

chair.
arm-

on

in

lay

cigarettes.

said, meditatively,

"

sometimes

wonder

why

great friends."
of

you

To

seek

reason

for

friendship

is

as

inhuman

to

as

probe

for the

could
"

never

Don't, for goodness'

Of
humanity, Valentine.

your
the most

over
me

But

loathsome.
You

anything loathsome.

fall into

of love.

causes

sake, let your intellect triumph

to
all modern
vices,that seems
that

EXCHANGE

OF

QUESTION

sheeted

are

you

against

danger with platearmour."

!"

Nonsense

"But

It sometimes

are.

you

Elisha,in

Elijah and

like

to

seems

way.

that

me

But

and

you

are

of your

covetous

am

mantle."
"

Then

"

No.

you want
I should

to be

me

like

you

caught from
to give me

and to stay here as

your nature, that is,
"
And
send the chariot of fire to the

of fire to the nearest

stables ?

?"

into heaven

you

mantle, your

your

powers,

well."

coach-house,and

the

horses

"

"

Exactly !
for this rascally
craving."
Well, but giveme a reason
"
and
What
I love yours.
nature
A reason
! Oh, I hate my
haunted
oneself
it is to go through life eternally
by
; worse
curse
than being married to an ugly,boring wife."
"

"

being morbid."
tellingyou justhow I feel."
is being morbid, accordingto some
That
people who claim to
direct Society."
would
like to abolish all the
The world's County Council,who
publicbars."
rooms."
force us
to do our
And
drinking in the privacyof our bed"

"

Now

you
Well, I'm

are

"

"

"

"

would

You

never

the saint of Victoria

"

beginto

And

he

his face

was

not

hate

frowned

do any
Street ?

drinking,Valentine.

How

could you

"

that nickname."

slowly. Tall, fair,curiouslyinnocent

the face of

blonde

ascetic.

cold,but nobody could imagine that

His blue eyes were

they would ever

looking,

certainly
gleam with

seemed
with desire as they looked upon sin. His mouth
for
kisses
and
often
for
not
made
so
women
longed to kiss
;
prayer,
it. Over
him, indeed, intellectuality
hung like a lightveil,setting

passionor

him

apart from

the uproar

ten

commandments.

which

Julian, on

the world
the

raises while

other

hand,

was

it breaks

the

brown,

with

expressionof

who
above
all
one
was
bright,eager eyes, and the
and
Valentine
had
still
human.
ever
been,
remained,
thingsintensely
to him a perpetual
wonder, a sort of beautiful mystery. He actually
all the muddy ways
of
reverenced
this youth who stood apart from
to be attracted
sin,too refined,as it seemed, rather than too religious,
feel
of
the
artistic
wile
too
to
devil's, completely
by any
any impulse
towards

the

subtle violence which

lurks

in oU

the

vagariesof

the

FLAMES

god, but in their mutual relations

became
this fact never
apparent. On the contrary,Valentine was
apt to look up to Julian with admiration,and the curious respect
often felt by those who are good by temperament for those who are
Valentine

body.

And

completelyhuman.
him, findingin this
of character.

pure, held

fire that

hedged him
with

cherished

loved

modesty

bounding

from

sin,the
had

He

of his friend

of

him against
protected
this

told Valentine

never

the wall

leash,was

that

armour

lookingup to
crowning beauty

the fact that Valentine

in

nature

watchful

exceedingand

the

for

Valentine

told Valentine

never

his

the assaults of self.

Julian

absurd

had

He

kept him

he

to Julian

was

care

secret,which
men

so

often

For

who
is not a
displayin hiding that which does them credit.
fated
the
But
?
Immortals
was
by
to-night
pocketByron nowadays
And
Valentine
led the way by
to be a night of self-revelation.
takinga step that surprisedJulian not a little. For, as Valentine
frowned,he said :
Yes, I beginto hate my nickname, and I beginto hate myself."
Julian could not helpsmilingat the absurdityof this bemoaning.
is it in yourself
What
that you hate so much
? he asked,with a
decided curiosity.
Valentine sat considering.
at length, I think it is my inhumanity,which
Well,"he replied
of many
robs me
things. I don't desire the pleasuresthat most
But lately
I have often wished to desire
know.
men
desire,as you
"

"

"

"

"

them."
"

Rather

"Yet

elaborate state of mind."

an

state easy to

is that ?

by. Why

me

won't

stop to speak to

never

do

driven.

understand,surely. Julian,emotions pass

Deep love, deep hate, despair,desire,
Men

me.

tell

as
they do. But I am
The fact of the matter

nature

shrinks

rather

reserve.

from
I

sin ; but
have

than I have to
instance,
"Hang it,Val, you

be

am

driven

is that

it is not
more

no

me

not

marvel

because

they are

as

desire is not
virtue

that

temptation to

be

evidently
My
shrinks,it is
in

me.

sensual, for

vulgar."

don't

want

to

have

the

temptation,do

you?"
Valentine

looked at Julian

curiously.
Julian ? he said.
temptation,
You
I have
know
horribly."
But you fightit and conquer it ?
"I
I am
fightit,and now
beginningto conquer
"

You

have

the

"

"

"

tl

"

under."
"Now?
Julian
"

Look

Since when?"

replied
by askinganother question.
here,how longhave we known each other

?"

it, to get it

"

Let

see.

me

"

Ah

"

And

"

I didn't

For

five years."
twenty-four,
you twenty-three. Just
justfive years I've fought,Val, been able to fight,"
I'm

then

before

"You

EXCHANGE

OF

QUESTION

"

in
fight,I revelled,

have

told

never

enemy's camp."

the

Did

this before.

me

suddenly get

you

conversion,as Salvationists say?"

like it.

"Something

But

had

conversion

my

do with

nothing to

trumpets and tambourines."

This

then

What

"

is

interesting."

confusion had
certain echoing awkwardness
certain

to tell you

meant
"
"

"

that's not very

; and
said Valentine, with

I ?"

But

never

at all."

Don't, if you would rather not."

Yes, I think I will. I must stop you from
cost, dear old boy. Well, you converted

any
converted

away

answered.

he

tell you.

daresay you'llbe surprisedwhen

"

unevenly :

he said rather

Then

looked

He

cigarettebefore

lightedanother

fire and

the

into

attitude.

his

into

expression,even

Julian's

into

come

dislikingyourselfat
me

far

as

Why,

so

am

far,I'm afraid."

genuine surprise.

"

never

tried to."
"

Exactly.

"

But

If you

doubt

had, no

explain."

told you all you do for me,

things. When
againstall these damned
"

I've

fact,I
heaven
was

never

of

notion

failed."

you'd have

being

loved

sinner.
And

sin

then

"

I'm

than

more

the

just
manhood,
at

passingfrom boyhood into

cheeks
He
stopped. His brown

are

with

I wanted

hate

tho

you.

In

anything

in

critical moment

I met

were

armour

my

you,
I met

it before

hated

never

I wanted

it.

earth.

or

You

Val.

when

you."

glowing,and

he

avoided

Valentine's gaze.
"

Go

Julian," Valentine

on,

said.

right,111 finish now, but

Perhaps you'llthink me a fool,or
"

All

"

Nonsense

"

Well,

I don't

know

or

sinned

only

as

how

to hear

know

why

good

it

is,but

when
the

even

saw

you

the

men

are.

Valentine

ever

began.

I first understood

When
I saw
injury one may do to others.
you, I
For
Valentine.
had
never
degrades oneself,
you
different from
You
the
are
so
me.
had, and you were
I know, and you have made
know
what
beasts
man
me
Why can't we be what we might be ?
did not reply. He seemed
lost in thought,and Julian
"

we

parsons
say, that sin is
from
one's
convictions,
religious
apart

that sin

sinless

this."

sentimentalist."

deal in what

don't you know,

itself,

understood

I want

I don't

!"

that there is

beastlyin

"

continued,throwing off

his

shamefacedness
original

FLAMES

8
"

Ever

in the

myself clown

throw

But

ness,'I suppose.

drives

because
beautifully,

you

do for

what

me

makes

preach and don't care.

from all
you'remade differently
There
do.
preacherscould ever

no

'

cussed-

You

of

just
So

us.
now

"

to

loathe

me

of sheer

out

wrong

one

I feel inclined

don't

you

live

look at you

gutter, one

Preachingoften

the notion.

straight. If

you'vekept me

since then

you

know."
at his cigarette.
lay back, puffingviolently
Valentine
is strange,"
said,seeing he had

He
"It

know,

live

to

as

is

do

effort to

no

me,

and

"You

finished.

it is absurd

so

to

praiseme."
"

I won't

I and
"

other

"

I don't think

calm, and

dead

It's better than

I wonder

you.
say, I would

am

it'soutrageous of you

but

to feel

to want

as

feel."

men

Is it ?

dead
"

praiseyou,

"

an

I think it is very
is monotonous."

so.

calm

gladit is

said. "How
curious that I should
And
so.
yet, Julian,in spiteof what

great deal to

give

life is

My

storm."
everlasting

Valentine

natural.

change souls

with you, if

tect
proyou

only for

reads

feel,a real,
laugh at me, but I do long
that one
of
men
agonisingstruggles holy
temptation.
I can
of,what can
hardly imagine. There
they be like?

have

been

day

or

You

two.

will

to

Those

keen

ascetics who

have

down
dashed themselves
on
their bodies to distract their

wept, and

ground, and injured,wounded

thoughtsfrom vice. To me they seem
the

story of the
He
shame.

monk

who

rescued

placedher in

convent

as

madmen.

great

courtesan

and

went

You

from

know

her

the

life of

into the desert.

But

He
him.
slunk back to the
image hauntedhim, maddened
he tried to
And
of God.
convent, and found her dying in the arms
drag her away, that she might sin only once
again with him, with
her
saviour.
But
she died,giving herself to God, and he went
him,
out cursingand blaspheming. This is only a dramatic
fable to me.
And yet I suppose it is a possibility."
Of course.
Val, I could imagine myselfdoing as that monk did,
but for you.
have been a monk
at all."
Only that I could never
if
I am
but
glad I help you to any happiness,Julian. But
oh ! to feel temptation!
Oh, not to feel it ! By Jove, I long to have done with the
infernal thing that's alwaysready to bother me.
Fighting it is no
her

"

"

"

"

"

"

fun, Val,

day

or

can

two, I should

Valentine

smoked

pale,beautiful
"Why can't
Why can't we
"

tell you.

If you
love to have

would

yours
in silence for two

like to
in

have

my

soul

for

exchange."
three

minutes.
His pure,
rather wistful as he gazed at the fire.
these affairs be managed?" he sighed out at length.

face
do

or

was

justthe

one

thing more

We

can

kill

man's

FLAMES

io

If he is,he can
put his madness
Perhaps. I don't know.
very ingeniously."
you very lucidly,
with
stroked the white back of Rip meditatively
Valentine

to

11

his

foot.
"

You

"

Never."

have

sat,have

never

? " he asked.

you

I have always thought it an idiotic find a very dull way

of wastingone's time.
Now, what on earth can a table have to do
"

Nor

I.

with one's soul ? "

"

I don't know.

What

is

one

"

One's essence, I suppose ; the

outward
in actions,and that is
hour
"
"

lightthat spreadsits
at
or
expelled,
extinguished,
inner

rays

the

think."

Expelled,I
I think
so

Even

soon.

back

me

"

No

"

from

forge the

to

That

too.

so

sny, held you back

hold

"

of death."

surelydie
try

soul ?

If

same

is

full of

so

I did not

leash of steel. And

could

we

cannot

strange power

so
has,you
passionless,
frigid,

soul,so

my

sins like

steel.

in the

which

souls,would

exchanre

even

yours

?"

way

doubt."

wonder," Valentine
"

said

he
thoughtfully.After a moment
of
for
a
experiment sitting,
just

added,
phantasy?
Why not ? It would be rather
It might be.
will just do
We
and I some
of
feelings,
get some
my
Shall

make

we

this absurd

"

"

"

"

That's

it.

well,Val.
because

You're

you're

alter.

never

But

If

to where

me
up
old saint ! "

And
"

you

rock

my

Your

it

once

of

never

to

see

whether

you

can

I know

you

too

yours."
get mine.

of defence.

You've
with

straightyourself
; and,
anything should happen,it will be
I shan't drag you down
you are.
so

he laid his hand

Valentine

could

fun."

his
on
affectionately

kept

me

straight

that

face,you'll

that

}'ou'll
drag

to

level,you

my

friend's shoulder.

smiled.

level is not

low," he said.

No, perhaps; but, by Jove, it could be, though. If you hadn't

been chucked into the world, I often think the devil must
have
had
him
You
How
he
off.
must
hate you, Val.
me
altogether.
keep
"

Hulloh

What's

that ? "

"What?"
"

Who's

that

laughing

outside ?

Has

Wade

got

friend

to-night?"
"

Not

that I know

Valentine
"

Any

one

touched

of.

I didn't hear

anything."

the electric bell,and his man

appeared.
in with you to-night,
Wade
? " he asked.

in

The
"

No,

"Oh!

sit

anything

want
"

lie
front
the

sir, certainly
Don't

Yes,

more,

of

maybe

we

up;

except

and

them
the

flat

yes,

"

to

be

alone

vanished.

close.

Valentine

house.

preferred

sir."

not,

to-night.

late

bring

another

And

couple

don't

we

of

sodas."

sir."

brought
door

II

surprised.

looked

man

EXCHANGE

OF

QUESTION

The

had
at

night.

no

A
butler
servant

moment
was

later

they

married

sleeping

and
in

heard

slept
the

flat.

the
out

of

He

III

CHAPTER

"

Shall
"

clear

we

It's

Yes.

certainly

they

only
Rip slept

on,

and

It

size.

do

might

twelve, Valentine

struck

hands

their

with

down

try this

for

three

turned

off

dimly

sitting.
but

people,

nothing

could

wrong,"

go

fire

table.
the

on

the

electric

The

room

hearth,

where

proceedings.

their

to

the

upon

by the

illuminated

indifferent

suppose

absurd

be

us

"

then."

sat

very

right

SITTING

more."

clock

the

as

was

the

Now

light, and

"

just

for

not

"There!

And,

this

little table

let

"

Valentine,

then," said

Now

FIRST

THE

OF

EPISODE

Julian

said, after

moment

of silence.

"Wrong!"
"

I don't

Yes.

if unsuitable

know
sit

people

exactly
together

what

Marr

of harm

amount

any

but

meant,

he

said

can

that
from

result

it."
"

What

"

"

H'm

don't
!

Anyhow,
and

of harm

sort

Wait
up

pulled

it back

when

have

must

badly hung
He

down

sat

We

"

No.

"

"'M

you
"

the

hit

ever

of his

rest

it off

remarks.

better

than

you

drew

curtain

the

the

over

door.

Wade

had

in.

came

curtain

altered," Valentine

the

door

is

opened,

it

is, every

said.

it falls

half

"

It

way

is

so

back,

is better."

That

give

he

said.

the

whatever

"

chance."

silent.

were

Do

people

whenever

talk,"

We'll

Presently
said suddenly
"

could

again.

won't

They

he

hideous.

looks

"

ajid

that

that

like

is all nonsense,

two

second."

jumped

and

that

expect
Julian, no

do.

"

know."

Ho

"

it

might

have

been

quarter

of

an

hour

feel

anything

no," Valentine

"

answered,

rather

doubtfully.

later"

Julian

EPISODE

THE

OF

SITTING

FIRST

13

"Sure?"
"

I think

"

You

"

Well

so."

can't
then

think

merely

you
I'll
say I am
yes,

"

old

sure,

are

chap."

sure."

Bight," rejoinedJulian.
Again theie was a silence,broken
Why did you ask me ? he said.
"

"
"

this time

by

Valentine.

"

"

Oh !
Then

justwanted

to

know."

"

didn't ?

you

what?"

"Didn't
"

reason.
special

no

Feel

anything?"

"

No, nothing particular."

"Well, what do you mean
by that ? "
"

What

"

That's

"

So

was

it

sure

anything."

was

vague."

was

my
slight. In

very

I can't be

I say.

I can't

"

fact,I'm

call it

even
as

good as

exactlysensation.
I felt

sure

It

nothing at

was

so

all.

It

fancy,nothing more."

mere

The
silent.
fire graduallydied down
again they were
dark.
room
PresentlyValentine said :
quite
grew
Hulloh
the
! here is Kip up againstmy foot. He is cold without

And

then

until the
"

fire,poor littlebeggar."
" Shall
we
stop ? asked Julian.
"
for to-night."
Yes, I vote we do
"

"

Valentine
and

turned

struck
it

match,

Julian

felt for the

and

he looked

knob

of the

electric

light

at each

other,blinking.
anythingin it ? asked Julian.
I don't know," said Valentine.
I suppose
not.
Rip ! Rip !
He is cold.
Did you ever
a
see
dog shiver like that ?
He picked the little creature
It nestled against
up in his arms.
his shoulder with a deep sigh.
he said,turningto pour out a
Well, we have made a beginning,"
drink.
It is rather interesting."
Julian was
lightinga cigarette.
it
is
Yes,
very,"he answered.
Valentine
a
brandy and soda ; then, as if struck by a
gave him
sudden
asked
:
thought,
You
didn't
feel
really
anything ?
"

Think

on.

"

there's

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"No."
"

Nor

I.

But

Julian looked
"

Hang it !
"
Why

"

That

He

I
do

is what

?
then, Julian,why do we find it interesting
puzzled.
don't know," he answered, after an instant of reflection.
"

we

? I wonder."
am

wondering."
his cigarette.

flicked the ash from

FLAMES

14
"

tively.
added meditahe presently
to any conclusion,"
"
and
hour
a
We sit in the dark for an
quarter,with our
talk ; the table
don't
solemnlyspreadout upon a table ; we
I don't

But

hands

doesn't

move

come

hear

we

sound

no

nothing;

see

we

And yet we
is simplyinsoluble.
of
sensation
This problem
interesting.

nothingthat

work

have not

we

feel

we

find the function

felt before.

I cannot

it out."

"It
must

"

I suppose
said Julian.
awfully puzzling,"
have been subtlyexcited because the thing was
is

nerves

our

absolute

an

novelty."
"

Possibly.But, if so,

"

That's

And

even

may

recover

they laughed the

so

however, Julian got

the

towards

went

are

up

to

undignified.If
our
long-lostbabyhood."
Soon
matter
easily
away.

go

boys."
school-

couple of children,mere

however
refreshing,

rather

enough, we

we

home

to

door,intendingto

open

we

to

long

afterwards,
Valentine

his chambers.
it and

sit

get his friend's

Suddenly he stopped:
Strange! he exclaimed.

coat.

"

"
"

What's

"

Look

at the

"

Well

?"

"

Don't you

the

?"

row

door,Julian."

see

?"

"What?"
"

The

back

curtain is half drawn

again."

Julian gave vent to a long,low whistle.

"So it is!"
"
It always does that when the door is opened."
"
And onlythen,of course
?"
"

Of course."

"

But

"

I know."

the door hasn't been

They regarded
added, with

I can't have

"

each

short

opened."

other

almost

uneasily.Then

Valentine

laugh:

drawn

it thoroughly
over

the door when

Wade

went

away."
41

I suppose

"

Good

"

Yes, I

Val."
Well,good-night,
night. Shall we sit again to-morrow
do."
let his friend out.

vote

Valentine
to himself
I

"

He

arn

not.

we

As

he

shut

the front

door, he said

positiveI
back

went

did draw

into

the

curtain.
"

?"

Yes, I

am

positive,"

the curtain
tent-room

thoroughly."
and

glanced again

at

the

EPISODE

After

from

deliberately
"

to-night

his

bedroom.

the

puzzled

SITTING

he

wonder,

seemed

15

to

put

the

matter

him.

Kip,"
I

Must

picked

He
into

along,

Come

of

instant

an

FIRST*

me

OF

he

you,

carry

dog

said.

up,

"

then

turned

Why,
?
out

you

are

cold

and

light,

and

walked

miserable

"

the

slowly

IV

CHAPTER

ON

the

following

in

his

drawing-room,

whereas

the

where

ground

gathered

Valentine

alone,

electric

seemed

tacitly

light

all

at

as

the

could

hear

of

omnibus,

an

an

the

occasional

passing

moment,

rest

the

on

upon
the

the

Or, perhaps,

towards

picture
mantelpiece.
which

monotonous

the

beautiful
It

seemed
his

upon

called
This

"

pictures

The
was

Valentine

his

the

of

smoke,

that
as

blue

walls

of

he
eyes

his

in

dull

one

were

had

of

cry

of

tragedies
for

were,

sanctum,

the

ing
lean-

longed

to

around

chair

fixed

no

tumult

the

line

in

sat

ardently
Valentine

before

his
the

meditatively

Knight,"
only picture containing

possessed.

of

ing
unreason-

ceiling, and

which

He

hours

as

and

Valentine

hung

for

hansom,

crimes

attitude.
sake
for-

room

outside, the
a

the
and

to

of

is

of

the

tide

this

of

Merciful
the

to

dislike

recurring

another
In

eyes

for now,

knee,

street

apex

when

him

with

thin

or

green

peaked

so,

by

of

the

even

But

men

prompted
in

clamour

explanatory

of the

many

dim

of the

that

"

hind-leg

seized

men

avoided.

is

two

of
had

kind

furtive, flashing

newsboy,

Christ

traffic

hour.

drawing-room.
fire, holding Rip

it

silent

Valentine

admirably

or

been

submerged
one

For

amateur

savour

upon

of

times

vague
the

weary

tent-wise

is

always

piano.
"

honour

them

long lounges and

desultory conversation,

had

comes

did

was

so

one

doubt,

he

city,

the

of

that

no

Perhaps

other

where

things

whim,

some

as
complete silence, such
mind
when
the
depression,
sound
melancholy, and

sought

expected

suggestive

were

haunt.

usual

jeering

he

tent-room,

forbid

to

To-night, however,
his

the

in

sat

shaded

him

at

when

or

and

he

there

grand
played

Steinway

music,

hurled

never

was

invariably

of

fond

notorious

being generally
times
Somedrawing-room.
and

him,

came.

the

waste

now

his

Then

Street,
some

upon

some

or

were

used
with

tea

musicians

inordinately

professionals

operations

to

round

opened

Jerusalem,

arrival

Victoria

upon

-room

seldom

very
came

women

out

tent

of

panorama

building

Sometimes

was

looked

Julian's

for

waiting

sat

of the

Valentine

on.

group

he

where

pretty
there.

which

window

once

and

stood,
carried

Valentine

night

only

SITTING

SECOND

THE

faced

him
a

holy

over

figure

of

children,

18

FLAMES

of

that prompted life to springout o

individuality
reward
that it might miraculously
death for one
perfectmoment
hin
before
floated
human
act
of
that
soul
humanity. Yes,
great
almost
cai
visibly.He could call it up before his mind as a man
he has admired
call up the vision of a supremely beautiful rose
there was
delicious a
And
from the Christ soul as ineffably
a scent
essence

the

divine

of the

scent

when

But

rose.

Valentine

tried to

his

see

owi

soul,he could not see it. He could not comprehend how its aspec
others,even
quite how it affected Julian. Only he coul(
comprehend, as he looked at the Christ, its imperfection,and j
to him
to be better than
he was
longing,not felt before,came
affected

given to him by Julian's confession. H"

knew
without
that well. He
effort
protectedhis friend now
with
effort?
Can
soul
b"
Could he not protecthim more
a
certainly
strives consciously
after beauty? A child'i
beautiful that never
This

was
aspiration

new

is beautiful in its innocence

nature

But

innocent.
beautiful

than

is not

an

child ?

innocent

an

because

innocent

and
distinct aspiration,

it has

woman

wonderful, mor"

more

Valentine

striven to b"

never

felt within

him

thai

he

vaguely connected it with th"

rewardinglipsthe ardenl
wan,
he no
face of the merciful knight. And
longerhad the desire tc
He
to
know
of
sin.
understand
desire
no
the powei
longer sought
to that power.
A subtle change
of temptationor the joy of yielding
Whether
it was
him.
h(
permanent, or only passing,
swept over
night a
droopingChrist,who

could not
A

touched

tell.

from

tinglingcry

arrival,and

Julian's

with

and

rowdy,
boisterously.
earth
on
"Why
almost

the

in

electric bell in

clapped
are

in here?"

you

entered.

Valentine

on

the

passage told oi
He
looked gay
shoulder

he exclaimed.

rathei

"Have

you

playing? "

been

exalted state
you in an
for
its
environment
?"
parlour
"

he

moment

the

Are

of

mind,

that

demands

the

best

"

Hardly."
But
why then have
enthroned
yourselfhere ?
"

"

whim, Julian.

to-night. It
want

to be

seems

I felt
to

let out

you

the

fire in

the

den

and

"

me

cold-blooded

strong inclination

less

nervous

room

to sit in this

than

the

room

other,and

possible."
fellow,what is there nervous
about
the tent?
Do
imagine ghosts lurking in the hangings,or
you
like bats, round that rosette in
phantoms of dead Arabs clinging,
"

Oh,

as

see

the roof ? You

"
Yes.
Where

But, my

as

dear

got it up the Nile,didn't

have

you

been

"

you

?"

"Dining

And, oddly enough, I

"

Probably."

"

you tell him

Only that we had
Did

did he

"What
"

"

anything about

"

say?"

Another

there

time

Did

likelyto

be?

Manifestation
was

nothing had happened."

that

sat, and

sitting?

our

are, and

'

gradual.

Marr

met

said, Pooh, pooh ! these processes

He

19

again,the man
he is in universal request justnow."
It seems
I suppose."
of his mystery-mongering,

out.

told you about.

"
On account

"

SITTING

SECOND

THE

be

may
ask

you
These

of what

people are

so

the

nature

in

vague

be,

must
"

manifestation.'

some

him

always

tation
manifesthe

terms

they employ."
tell you,
that
statement
must

said, Are
*

you

"

Of

"

Of course."

course

"

nothing
quitesure

looked

Valentine
"

he
had

You

No.

curiouslydoubtful
happened. I can't think

for

the

about

I
my
He

why.

?"

Yes

at him

of him.

out

"

'

answered

didn't mention

You

get much

seemed

Yal, that

you

I couldn't

him; but

asked

"Yes.

the curtain

"

left it

had

thought you

and

moment,

then

said

by any chance ? "

only partially
drawn, didn't

you?"
rather
Julian
reply. His face was
grave.
did not repeat the question. He
felt instinctively
that Valentine
did not wish to be obliged to answer
it. Oddly enough, during the
he
conscious
short silence which
of a slightconstraint
followed, was
felt with Valentine
such as
he had certainlynever
His
before.
to which
he was
gaietyseemed droppingfrom him in this quietroom
The
faded
often
visitor.
of
out
his
a
so
rowdy expression
face,and
he found himself glancinghalf furtively
at his friend.
"Valentine,"he presentlysaid, shall we reallysit to-night? "
"
to when
meant
came
Yes, surely. You
here, didn't
you
Valentine

made

no

"

you

"

"

I don't

"

We

believe there

is

anything in

Remember

will find out.

it."

that

I want

to

get

hold

of your

soul."
Julian
"

laughed.
ever
do, it will

If you

old

an

prove

of the

man

sea

to

you," he

said.
"

I will risk

And
"

then

he added

But, come,

Wade.
Julian

it,while

that," Valentine

Clear

don't

let

us

began removing
went

the
out

time.

waste

that little table

Valentine

answered.

by

the

I will go

send

away

piano."

photographsand
of the

and

room

and

books
told his

which
man

stood
to go.

on

FLAMES

2O

as

soon

down

previousnight.

the

on

seemed

silence,and sat for what

They kept

last Julian said

"Val!"

him, they sat

close upon

door

front

they heard the

oppositeto each other as

As

very

long time.

At

"Well?"
"

Let

tent-room."
go back into the

us

"Why?"
"Nothing will ever happen here."
"
Why should anything happen there ?
"

"Very

us

can't believe it will make

well,though

burning

fire is

The

go.

too

brightly

the

slightest

completedarkness."

ought to have

We

here.

Let

know.

don't

"

difference."

They got

and

up

into the

went

tent-room, which

cheerless with its firelessgrate.

"
Julian said.
this will be better,"
I know

looked rather

We'll have the

"

same

table as last night."

the door,
drew the green curtain quiteover
Valentine
carefully
Then
and called Julian's attention to the fact that he had done so.
they sat down again. E/ip lay on the divan in his basket with a
rug

him,

over

that

so

and

in search of warmth
The

and

might
of

from

them

and

by

movement

any

complete. They

of the world.

as

felt.

be

almost

might
and,
trickery,

safe from

disturb

careful

the rest

silence

the

not

companionship.

seemed

arrangements

isolated
absolutely
were

he

They
As

Valentine

were

Julian

were

in darkness,

said,they

rejoinedin

his calm

d'or,they were, therefore,

probablyalso safe from what Man
called "manifestations."
had mysteriously
Their
silence.
four hands, not
Dead, numb
touching, lay

voix

the

oval

table.

Rip slept unutterably,shrouded head

So
tillthe last gleam of the fire faded.
and body in his cosy rug.
minutes
had
tillanother
So
passed. The friends had not
twenty
had
made
the slightest
movement.
a
word,
scarcely
exchanged
Could a strangerhave been suddenlyintroduced into the black room,
and have remained
he might easily
have been
listening
attentively,
looselyon

"

"

deceived into the belief that,but for himself,it was

deserted.
To
and
both Valentine
Julian the silence seemed progressive.With
each
more

There
more

Each

they

glidingmoment
dense,
seemed
and

more

could

prominent,

more

have

declared

even

more

that it grew

grotesque

and

in it which
of pressure
handled
sensation
T
he
and
was
definitely.
interesting

to

himself

be

sort

it,and

each

had

deeper,
living.
them
acute.

sciousness
cona, perhaps deceptive,
gave
of yieldingup something,something impalpable,
escent,
evanfluent. Valentine,more
felt as if he were
especially,
pouring

to

thought
"

this

himself,by

from

away

with

lettingmy
" No
doubt,"his common
is the merest
fancy."
He
played with it

21

liquid,and

vital

sitting,a

he

this sensation

had

darkness, and

the

"

now

doubt

"

replied, no

sense

in

and

of its cage, here

soul out

Am

of

act

smile

mental

SITTING

SECOND

THE

feelingof

no

weariness.

Nearly

this

passed in

had

hour

an

morose

way,

when, with, it

both

Valentine

seemed, appallingabruptness,Rip barked.

Julian started
"

bark

the

Although

stifled in rug,

half

was

perceptibly.

3Sh ! " Valentine

hissed to the little dog.

of Rip was, with a violent

response
his covering,emerging from
himself from
The

shrill and

with

floor.
"
"
"

piercingvehemence,
sound, which

the

By
dog

that the

What

had

is he

to the

barking at

imagine. Hush, Rip !

Val, turn on the light,
quick!
stretched

into

sprang

view.

his hand

out

He

Rip ! Quiet !
scramble,to disentangle
which

again barked

he
time

same

leapingto

the

felt certain

locate,Valentine

? " Julian
S-sh !

said in the darkness.

"

You're

to it."

nearest

and
hastily,

right. Rip

was

"

'Sh !

"

door.

I can't

Valentine

at the

could

he

over

gone

earth

on

and

in

flash the

crouched

was

room

his front

"

his hind legsstandingalmost straight

along the floor,
close to the door, and facingit full.
His
head
was
down, and
and
if
this
he
as
were
that,
moving, darting
worrying the feet
way
of some
who
was
trying to advance from the door into the
person

legsextended
"

of the

centre

All his teeth

room.

glaringfiercely.
Julian,who had thrown
when

room

the

hasty and

turned

lightwas

showed,

and

his

yellow eyes

were

searchingglance round

on, sprang

forward

and

the matter

bent

the

down

to him.
"

and

Rip ! Rip
he began

Either

to stroke

this action
had

men,

young

! " he said.

"

something else

his, or

effect

an

What's

Sillydog !

"

him.

of

barking,and began to

Silly!

on

snuffle

not

the

known

by the
suddenly ceased

terrier,for he
at the
eagerly,
excitedly,

bottom

of the

door.
"

Val

It's as
!

For

if he

What

said

the devil's come

he found

of

mad,"

were

Valentine

astonishment

Julian,turning round.

to you

standing

up
his face.

by the

table with

on
deep
He pointedin silence to the door.
By Jove! that curtain again!'"said Julian, with
"

amazement.

The

curtain

"

I'm damned
was,

in

"

Hulloh,

"

an

an

sion
expres-

accent

of

!"

fact,drawn

back

from

the

door.

Valentine

PL A MRS

22

struck

match

put it

and

immediately darted

Rip

the passage, as if
the ground with
him.

He

out

then, by turns,
bath-room
room,
the two
latter

and

room

attention.

vehement

into the
and

door,then

four other

The

young

apartments

suite.

the

bedroom

bedroom, drawing-

"

The

doors

of

Having completed this

to the
more
progress, Rip once
front door,by which he paused,whimpering,in an

useless

followed

men

back into Valentine's

kitchen,that formed
opened by Valentine.

were

opened the door.

patteredexcitedlydown
sharpnose investigating
he

Then

candle.

of the

for something,
his
searching

to the front

ran

to

resorted

passage

and

the

uncertain,almost

wistful attitude.
"

it ! " said Julian.

Open

Valentine

They

did

looked

so.

out

the

upon

waited,listening.There
feebly. His excitement
tine shut the door, and

broad

and

dreary

sound.

steps, and

stone

still whimpered,rather

no
Rip
At last Valen
evidentlydying away.
they went back again to the tent-room,
the
accompanied closely
by
dog,who gradually
regainedhis calmness,
and who
accord into his basket,and,
presentlyjumped of his own
after turningquicklyround some
half-dozen times,composed himself
to sleep.
once
more
I wish, after all,we
had stayed in the other room
by the fire,"
Julian said.
Give me
some
brandy."
Valentine poured some
into a glassand Julian swallowed
it at a
gulp.
We
mustn't have Rip in the room
another time," he added.
He spoilt
the whole thing."
What
whole thing? Valentine asked, sinking
down
in a chair.
Well, the sitting.Perhaps perhaps one of Marr's mysterious
manifestations might have come
off to-niglit."
Valentine did not replyat first. When
he did,he startled Julian
by saying:
off."
Perhaps one of them did come
was

was

"

"

"

"

"

"
"

"

"

"
"

?"
Yes."
Did

"How?"
"

What

"

There's

"

Rip barkingat ?
accountingfor what

was
no

dogs will

do.

They

often bark

at shadows."
"

At

shadows"

yes,
Julian laughedwith

exactly.
some

"Perhaps

Valentine

looked at him

"
"

rather
I

what

cast

apparent uneasiness.

coming event,"he

is exactlywhat
Explain. For I was
That

But

exclaimed.

gravely.

he said.
felt,"

onlyjoking."

shadow

to-night?

"

"

brought

ours

it

felt, perhaps

only

was

event

some

SITTING

SECOND

THE

stage

this

that

fancy,

2$

stage

nearer,

second

of

sitting

nearer

its

on

journey."
what

To

"

"

Fancy."

felt"

Probably.

"

I ?

the

all

us."

to

"

in

the

demon

of

What

fools

quite
are!

we

dangerous

horse,

life

as

all

and

we]
dark

rather

give

else
unreasonable

"

door

don't

it is

be

dog

and

"

Julian

But

in

the

as

he

did

the

"

laughed
No,

desire

scarcely

Yes.

Au

shall

have

then

added.

He

Julian

the

mounting
Yet

room."

said,

with

my

dog

it ?

isn't

dark

risking

or

Yal,

But

let

us

curtain

"

of

accent

an

your

in

such

go

on.

completely
in

soul,

This

Perhaps

"

"

mine."

you

gives

the

over

this.

exchange,

an

selfish

Well,

of

wish

to

you

to

revoir, Yal,

au

keep

to-morrow

stood

strange

had
for

fancy
from

room

Yalentine

gone

the

long
that

while
the

intrusion

back

went

before

picture
of

"The
of

the

what

"

lie

barking.

Julian,

and,

slight

ment
excite-

new

your

soul

to

self.
your-

night."

revoir"

and
had

believe

it is
it.

want

After
room

spoke,

don't
it.

But

I
"

of

life."

to
"

no,

interested

getting

am

end

draw

"

He

started

he

Funny,

little

That

another.

or

and
"

nerves.

weather,

way

shudders.

possibly

Julian,

knows?

one

age,

an

nothing

rough

and

annoyance.

know.

to-night.

who

If

"

it

can

in

the

me

in

boat

such

that

though,

say,

when

think

time

our

answered,

What

"

half

do

room

Yalentine

sailing

or

horrors

should

must

one's

toughen

the

me

I
for

nothing

exactly

gave

felt.

saying

it, doesn't

"

it ?

what

and

dark,

Rip

feel

know

scarcely

of

rest

didn't

You

Oh,

squatting

"

"

could

not

tell

yet.

Perhaps

he

could

never

into
Merciful

bending
tell.

the

drawing

Knight"."
Christ

tected
pro-

CHAPTER

"

ISN'T

it

evening,

"that

don't

No.

"

Marr

"

That's

"

you

don't
him

on

eyes

have

whom

But

While,

happen

to

ing
knock-

keep

you
"

don't."

if you

set

never

I know.

"

him,
that

day

fcer

if

following

the

on

London

in

once

man

day af

meet

mean

probably

you

meet

you

against him

up

"You
"

if

said,

Julian

thing,"

extraordinary

an

SITTING

THIRD

THE

at

to-day

met

you

introduced

be

to

him,

all."
?

"

again."
odd.
him

met

"

Did

"

Rather.

he

He

is

my

club.

at

make

beginning
He

just

has

inquiries
nothing

more

any

elected

been

into

member."

sittings ?

our

"

He's

an

little

pink

else.

of

talked

He

you."

haunt

to

extraordinary

fellow, extraordinary."

"Why?
"

In

What

white

rather

eyes

He

"

That

think

very

it

proves

You

know

morbid.

He

absolutely.

I found

anything

him

That

of

who

man

what

Very

quiet.
has

silent

dark
well

manner

"

mean

call

women

shaves, big

and

thin

"

The

"

Yes.

"

All

"

No,

or

what

he

smoke

smoking

I told
to

him

pictures hung

on

I couldn't

night

I. said

the

had

what

exactly

papers."

showed

He

Val.

was

room

evening

"

room.

sit last

Directly
the

the

in

it

he

like, how

get him to
happened."

different

began
the

the

room?"

making
furniture

walls."

!"

them."

described

of them
one

as

what

even

pictures
I

curious.
to

Does

the

began

we

reads

never

proceedings,

our

last

at

that

was

inquiries
placed,

in

in

else, so

tell him

you

Yes.

minute
was

kind

he

where

hair, tall, very

uncanny

persistent interest
of

"Did
"

he's

Always.

most

talk

chap

blue

showing

black

is that

of

sort

Yes, perfectly."

"

"

the

complexion

noisy expression.

a
"

Oh,

sunken,

dressed.
and

appearance

Satanic

like?"

is he

?
two

"

that

favourite

of yours,

'The

Merciful

Knight/

FLAMES

26

being less frank with him than

he was
usual.
immediatelyconscious that
Perhaps for this reason
occasions
the two former
in sympathy as on
they were not so much
which
have
other
been
some
reason
of their sittings.Or there might
he could not identify. It is certain that he gradually became
which he believed to
of constraint,
of a stifling
sense
acutelyaware
He
be greatlyintensified by the surrounding darkness and silence.
if Julian was
conscious of it also,and at moments
wondered
longed
curious
But
to ask.
something
something held him back, that
He
hand
like
laid
all
times
feel
which
at
a
we
strong
upon us.
of his soul, unreasonably
that this discomfort
made
up his mind
due
must
it
be
considerable though
solelyto Julian's abrupt
was,
the
his curiosityabout
and
desire to check
obvious
demeanour
of
ran
by, his sense
drawing of the curtain. But, as the moments
that he began to cast
such fantastic proportions
uneasiness assumed
instant
At one
about for some
more
more
definite,
concrete, cause.
had
been
in
The day
he found it
the condition of his health.
damp
and drearyand he had suffered from neuralgia. Doubtless the pain
his nervous
for his
accountable
had acted upon
system, and was
A
little
he
later
and
was
increasinganxiety.
perpetually
present
His sense
of constraint
fain to dismiss this supposition
as untenable.
was
dread,and not at all of Julian,around
changing into a positive
in flight.Something,
he had believed that his thoughts were
whom
between
him and Julian,and so
he knew
not at all what, interposed
if
that
have
Valentine
felt
he
could
fixed the exact moment
as
definitely
the interposition
had taken place,
fix the exact
in which
as
one
can
in
which a person enters a room
And
where one is sitting.
the
moment
of
Valentine
was
one
interposition
malignant,
great horror, entirely
Valentine

felt that Julian

was

believed.
He

had

and
light,

an

impulseto spring up

to say,

"

Let

us

make

he did
tillhe could almost

still,
wondering why

an

from
end

the

table,to

of this

turn

"
jugglery!

on

Yet

the
he

walked in his mind,

curiosity
he
heard
its footsteps.He
fancy
that has been heralded in
sat, then, as one
awaiting an arrival,
a
some
way, by a telegram,
message, a carrier pigeon flown in at an
But
window.
the
horrible.
What
then
herald, too, was
open
would follow it ? What
was
coming ? Valentine felt that he began
Marr's queer remark,
to understand
You are en route." At the first
he had felt a very vague suggestion
of immoderate
sitting
possibilities,
made
at a
by the apparentlyfutile positionassumed
possibilities
table by himself and Julian.
the
seemed
march
on
To-night
vague
towards the definite. Fancy was
surelymoving towards fact.
With
his eyes wide open Valentine
gazed in the direction of
invisible oppositeto him.
He
wondered
how
Julian, sitting
Julian
sat

pacingabout

so.

"

was

what
feeling,

he

was

thinking. And

then

he remembered

that

THIRD

strange sayingof Marr's

would

What

give

he

brain

embodied

that

actions

27

that

troopingfrom

form, materialise,
procession of

take

thoughtscould

witness

to

SITTING

monstrous

mind

the

of his friend !

phantom-likethings,fringedwith

them

He

fire

small,spare,
moving with
againstthe darkness, silent-footed as spirits,
weapon
onward
to the vast
a level impetus, as
pale ghosts treading a sea,
cast out our
world of clashingminds, to which
we
carelessly
thoughts
The
into a cart.
who
shoots rubbish
a
man
as
vagrant fancies
danced
gestures of
steps and tiny,whimsical
along with attenuated
fairies,flutteringtheir flame-veined
wings. The sad thoughts
heads
and
monotonous
moved
hands, and tears
slowlywith drooped
evil
and
fell for ever
about their feet. The
thoughts that were
Julian
had
were
though combated
acknowledged them
many,
like the gait of those modern
endowed
with a strangelysinister gait,
the hidden
in their motions
deeds
sinners who
express, ignorantly,
had
their tongues decline to speak. The
faces
wayward thoughts
imagined

as

"

"

like women,
the cheeks

who

kiss and

of the

softly,and

frown

libertine

within

thoughts

the
a

limits

rosy

cloud

their

of

an

of

hour.
rouge

On
shone

brightened by
haggard eyes were
cunning
the noble thoughts,grand in gesture, god-likein
pigment. And
serene
bearing,did not pass them by, but spoke to them
words, and
from
their
them
And
to
there was
out
sought
degradation.
bring
music in this imagined procession
which
Valentine
no
longed to see.
All was
silent as, from
the gulf of Julian's mind, the inhabitants
stole furtively
to do their mission.
Yes, Valentine knew
to-night
that he should feel no wonder
if thought took form, if a disembodied
voice spoke,or a detached
hand
moved
into ripples
the air. Only he
of some
irritated and alarmed
was
by the abiding sense
surrounding
which
with
which
he
danger,
him,
fought against in vain.
stayed
His common
had not deserted
him.
On
the contrary,it was
sense
in
and
in
rebuke.
It strove
to
argumentative,cogent
explanation
his distress down
with
a
nd
sneer
shot
of
stingingepithets,
arrows
laughteragainsthis aimless fears. But the combat was nevertheless
routed
sense
was
tamely unequal. Common
by this enigmatic
and
at length Valentine's
so
spiritsbecame
enemy,
violentlyperturbed
that he could keep silence no longer.
"
Julian,"he said,with a pressure of chained alarm in his voice,
a

''Julian!"
"

"
"
"'
"

"I

Yes," Julian

replied,
tensely.
Anything wrong with you ?
Or with you ?
No, no.
Nothing definite."
"

What

then

?"

will confess to you

afraid."

that

to-nightI

feel" I

feel,
well,horribly

FLAMES

28
"

Of what

"

I have

it an

unreasonable.
is totally
feeling

The

That

gives

my

right

horror."
inexplicable
Ah

"

?"
idea.
no

five minutes
"

I !

"

Yes."

"

I haven't moved

my

dear Yal !

How

"

My

"

Don't

hands

be

did it."

you

hand."
then ? "

is it holdingmine

absurd, Julian

justwhere

are

why

with

!"

hands

Joined

left hand

joinedyour

that is why you

I wondered
ago.

! then

they

when

were

is not

hand

; my

near

down,

sat

we

Both

yours.
on

my

my

side of

the table."
Just where
they were ! Your little fingerhas been
linked in mine for the last five minutes.
You know that as
"

tightly
well

as

I do."
"

1"

Nonsense

"But

it is linked

"

I tell you

"

I'll

while I

now

speaking."

am

it isn't."
let you

soon

know

There

it,too.

Ah

no

wonder

you

forgetthat my muscles are like steel

and that I can pinch as a gin pinchesa rabbit's leg. I say, I didn't
reallyhurt you, did I ? It was only a joke to stop your little game."
I tell you," Valentine
said,almost angrily, your hand has
touched
never
once
mine, nor mine yours."
tion
His accent of irritable sincerity
appearedsuddenlyto carry convichave

snatched

it away.

You

"

"

to the mind

and

he sprang

also,convinced
switched

violently
up

whose

with

room

that

the

on

him, lookingvery white.

"

had

Julian

and
light,

saw

of extreme
uneasiness.
"
You
Nobody," Valentine replied.

been

not

joking,was

Julian

standingopposite
rapid glance upon
their inquirywith the

They both threw

returned
draperies

the devil's got in here ? " Julian

Who

table,

?"

us

dull green
completeindifference of artistic inanimation.
the room,

from the

the devil's in the

Then

appalled. He
to

Julian,for

cried,in the darkness

who
Valentine
"

of

repeated,with

the

savage

accent
"
"

Impossibleor not, somebody

Valentine

shook

the
means

impossible."
thing's
to

get in."

his head.
"

"

Then

"

Julian,what

"

Either

between

know

has found

you

were

lying?
are
you saying?

Don't

go too far."

has been sitting

at that table
you were, or else a man
of some
us, and I have held his hand, the hand
stranger.

Ouf!"
He shook his broad shoulders in an irrepressible
shudder.
I
not lying,
Julian.
I was
tell you so, and I mean
it."

"*

Put

"

Julian's,and

eyes met
hands on

Valentine's
your

SITTING

THIRD

THE

the table

29

believed him.

Julian

again,"Julian

said.

obeyed,and Julian laid his beside them, linkingone of

time,
of Valentine's,and, at the same
in one
his little fingerstightly
whiter, and
shuttinghis eyes. After a long pause he grew visibly
Valentine

hastilyunlinked
No, damn

"

touched
this is

his

finger.
it,Val, I hadn't

much

was

harder,and

of your

hold

the

hand

The

hand.

I say,

thicker.
bigger,

fingerwas

ghastly."
shook

he

Again

himself,and

cast

in here

with

searching glance

upon

the

little room.
has

Somebody

"

been

dark," he repeated.

"

Good

us,

sittingbetween

is it ?

God, who

us

in the

"

doubtful,but uneasy too.

Let us go through the rooms," he said.
They took a candle, and, as on the previousnight,searched,but
in vain.
They found no trace of any alien presence in the flat. No
There
No
door stood open.
book, no ornament, had been moved.
When
sound of any footstepsexcept their own.
they came
no
was
in
to Valentine's
bedroom, Rip leaped to greet them, and seemed
until he had followed
excitement
showed
excellent spirits. He
no
back into the tent-room.
them
But, arrived there, he suddenly stood
white paw from the ground,and emitted a long and
raised one
still,
stared at him, and then at each other.
dreary howl. The young men
"
Rip knows somebody has been here,"Julian said.
much
Valentine
more
uncomfortably impressed by the
was
and
of the dog than by Julian's declaration
demeanour
subsequent
agitation. He had been inclined to attribute the whole affair to a
looked

Valentine
"

trick of his friend's

such

surely,under

was

than
"

that of

disturbance
"

Is

Here

nerves,

nervous

circumstances

as

system of a fox terrier

these, more
truth-telling

he repeated,with
impossible,"
thingis absolutely

some

manner.

anything that

Valentine

the

man.

of

impossible?
"

the

But

But

nerves.

we

can't

investigate
straightaway

absolutely

"

did not

reply directly.
"
he said.
Let
sit down, soothe
a
us
cigarette,"
talk things over
calmly and openly. We have not

is

and

our

been

quitefrank with each other about these sittings

yet."
Julian
Valentine's
offer
with
his
usual
The
readiness.
accepted
fire was
relit with some
difficulty.Rip was coaxed into silence.
the
smoke
curled upward with its lazy demeanour,
Presently,as
the horror
that had
hung like a thin vapour in the atmosphere
seemed

"Now

to be

dissipated.
think

we

are

ourselves

again,and

can

be

reasonable,"

FLAMES

3o

Valentine

"

began.

suffer from

Don't

let

us

hysterical.
Spiritualists
always

be

hysteria."

sceptics
say, Val."
And
yes, do drink
probablythey are generallyright. Now
of that brandy and soda. Now, Julian,do you stillbelieve
gome
more
that a hand held yours justnow
?
Julian answered
showing no irritation at the question:
quietly,
with you
it as surelyas I know
that I am
I simplyknow
sitting
much
at this moment.
And
look here,you may laugh at me
as
as
denied
until
I
be
the
hand
to
you
yours,
you like" although supposed
felt the most curious sensation."
it,I had previously
"

The

"

"

"

"

"

what?"

"Of
"

Well, that somethingwas

had

coming,even

into

actuallycome,

the room."
Valentine
"

answered

thought it

it away,

was

trick of the
And

I succeeded.

and

Julian went

nothingto this,so

nerves,

and

then, justas I

was

on.

determined

drive

to

internally
laughing

dark, was first laid

hand, as
on
mine, full on it,Val, and then slid off on to the table and linked
in mine.
its littlefingertightly
I,of course, supposedthe hand was
and
crooked
round mine for fully
five minutes,
this
fingerwas
yours,
I should say.
After
trying to
you spoke,thinking that you were
deceive me
for a joke,I caught the hand in mine, and pinched it
at

in the

if groping about

myself,this

draggedaway."
strengthuntil it was forcibly
Strange,"Valentine murmured.
Deucedly strange ! and, what's more, diabolically
unpleasant."

with all my
"
"
"

I wonder

"

Marr

spoke about
"

It

"

But

Why
"

what

fellow,Marr,
this

By Jove, is
so vaguely?

one

would

of the

describe your
that?"

I can't tell.

sensations.

You

say you

That, I think, made

That

known

it was

strangeand

more

is certain.

I should

felt

he

horriblyafraid.

part of the horror.

I have

manifestations which

like it."

if you can
sort of definite vagueness,
in
of
But
mind.
state
contradiction, my
was

say to this."

"

seems

was

that

more

There

imagine such a seeming

scribable.
feelingis reallyindeterrible than anything

the

like to ask Dr. Levillier about

all this."
"
"

Levillier
Be

But
yes.
about
reasonable
"

he would

"

it,as he is about everything. Dear, sensible,

soft-hearted littledoctor.
emotional,strong-headed,
odd, saintly,
is unique."
They talked

for

time, arrivingat

He

no
conclusion,until,it
seemed, they had talked the whole matter
thoroughlyout. Yet
Valentine,who was
instinctive,
had, all the time, a secret
curiously
on

some

knowledge that Julian

frank.
being perfectly

Good-night, Julian."

"

Now

is this to be

Well,

it

the last."

was

impulsively.
Good-night."

I.

"

So would

"

Good-night."
into the

out

suddenly called

it,then

rather

I would

"

Julian went

asked, at length.

"

yes, I think
caught his hand

Julian

"

?
sitting

last

our

? " he

wish

do you
do you

What
What

last Julian

hesitated.

Valentine

"

At

not

was

said.

he
Good-night,"

"

him,

his overcoat.

puttingon

"

"

from

pained him.

conviction

The

"

"

31

keeping something

was

stood

He

to go.

got up

SITTING

THIRD

THE

out

hall,got

far

as

as

front

the

door,opened

"Valentine!"
"Yes."
"

Come

for

here

Valentine

moment."

found

and

went,

rather

door, looking flushed and

"

is

There

"

I knew

"

thing

one

his hand

standingwith

the

on

excited.

I haven't

told

you,"he began.

that."
The

did.

guessed you

During

him

sitting to-night

our

"

of
apprehension

well,of you.

"

horrible

most

don't
came

be
over

sensation

vexed
me.

"

I have

had.

extraordinary

an

There

Now

I have

you."

told

Valentine
"

Of

"

Yes.

me

There

"

Good

"

Do

"

No,

was

my blood run
!"
heavens

made

you

greatlyastonished.

was

? " he said.

you
of

wish

moment

the idea that I

when

was

alone with

cold."
told you ? "
But it is so extraordinary,
unnatural."
so

I hadn't
not.

course

God.
I say, we
have
resolved
utterly gone now, thank
won't sit again, haven't we ?
that we
makes
hate the whole
me
"Yes; and what you have just told me
The
a
seems
no
longer."
thing.
game
game
closed upon
the door had
When
Julian, Valentine sat down and
"

It is

"

M'rote

He

note.

addressed

it to
"

DOCTOR

HERMANN

LEVILLIER,

Harley Street,W.,"
and
next

laid it

on

morning.

his

so
writing-table

th'at it

might

be

posted early the

CHAPTER

LEVILLIER

himself

of

spider's web
The

man

and

dusts

wonder

at

altars

helps
spirit which

the

medical

students

and,

Ah,

"

he

and

hero

body

on

romances

from

its

condition

an

unnatural

to

When
of

power

man

it

fine

wins

unprompted

the

And

marble

of
stood

Victoria

by anything

that

the

dreary

he

more

failures,
believe

to
a

out

worn

two

over

tinents,
con-

his

sordidness

many

the

grew

day

seemed

know
you
who
Street

The
sordid

suddenly

high,

us

liver.

my

while

will

Cross,

pain
help
his

higher.

to

become
tea

Good

stomach,

air,

force

is

my

or

has
a

tannin.

well

its

wrung
When

fame.

muscular

hold

prove

have

done

only

produce

full of

getting
begun to

healthy body

all

am

only body that

Why,
my
pathos springs

is

consolidate

cult

low.

us

it has

the

deliberately

and

time
in

But

My

can

the

fiery beauty,
the

make

imaginative

my
which

admire

actually

it is

drags

or

people

are

write, who
that

and

by

there

soul, forsooth.

from

violent

which

so

found

One

know

body
a
long

and

organs,
me

have

lifts

with

glows

holds

lead

to

more

what

doctors

disorder,

has

prayer
heart
to

consulting-room.
recounting a series of

do

by

straight

that

steps

in

envelope

acquirements

Harley
I

say
You

state

scene

"

that

strange
system.

disgust.

moved

of

digestive
by giving

my

from

tea

prose

my

the

an

had

in

their

grew,

and

come

by drinking

been

away

paper,

best

due

lips,had

from

body

seems

soul.

the

great

said.

that.

which

flesh, the

doctor

They

me.

as

nastinesses,

the

recital

know

holds

intellectual

mighty

stirred
of

; you

put

we

miles

are

that

nervous

polishes

Levillier

Dr.

his

the

as

doctor,"
of

who

me,

who

mind

it, of

white

with

thousands

of

of the

little

the

dry,

him

strike

to

we

temple

process

for

with

symptoms,

the

within

famous

with

author,

to

impulses

existence,
sat

the

call

concerned

to bend
yet find time
may
keep beautiful, may
yet find

weaknesses,

unimaginable
the

the

temple,

atheism,

the

dyspeptic,

the
to

understood

in

of

threads

he

Reversing

the

he

although
body, and with

which

the

CLUB

painted windows,

letter.

he

THE

materialist,

functions

out

sweeps

the

the

the

tingling

who

before

not

was

with

much

AT

CONVERSATION

DOCTOR

VI

the

deed,
life,has

FLAMES

34

peopledeclared
would

who

their

of

as

as

with the
had
intimate
been
Valentine
very
years
he admired
for his intellect and loved for his nature.

some

doctor,whom

lay the
opinionof

he resolved to

now

him, and

his

hear

could

Valentine

Valentine's

note

messenger
dined at a

They
few

men

the

room

books,

devoted

lover.

that

night at his

rather

was

empty.

burlesques,horses, the

legs of
quietlyabout

moved

satisfied servitude.

of

patheticmasks

doctor conversed

him

actresses,the chances of politics.The waiters

with

about

acceptance.

an

of
desultorily

chatted

with

to dine

table,and

corner

was

discussed

ever

they talked

Levillier

brought back

had

they

rule

Dr.

the doctor

asked

The

club.

that
a

before

Julian

In all their conversations

the matter.

remember

not

with
sittings

of the

case

As
occultism.
or
spiritualism
painting,or music, of which

well

"

physicians,
patientsafter tending

souls of their

the

order

"

new

bodilyneeds.

For

So

a
starting

confessors

be father

for

pray

of

intention

the

would

who
celibates,

medical

and

had

he

Valentine

and

the

earnestly.
of

symphony composed by a daring

striven to reproducevices in notes, and
young Frenchman,
to summon
by harmonic progressions
up visions of thingsdamnable
which
demned
frequentlydefied the laws of harmony. Levillier gentlyconhim for puttinga great art to a small and degraded use.
At

first they

spoke

"

His

reproducein

could
"

follows ?
soar
"

he

Because
with

Can

is

He

painterin sound.
improvement to cry sin with

beginning.

the

who

man

wallows

too
originality

he could

"

We

learn

have

and

obedience.

"

Yes," Valentine
right. But, if you

had

do you
In this way.
How

to

heaven

But

do

that

man

with

you
force and

think

that

originality,

main

thingis to

genius

possess

construct,to present things

to

possess

it,to lead it,to

coax

genius is only a
it even,

until it

to be obedient."

Genius

They should not.

well,just as to have
magnificentthing."

"

?"

The

to.

to train

to

are

I have

the two
is

to
struggle,

answered

deduce

struggle."

Don't

Obedience

"

"

what

hell.

reproduced a

in any form, the genius to imagine,to

that seize upon the minds of men.
But
learns

more

marvellous

Think

voice.

of his time

waste

music."

has

force and

I believe

"

Berlioz,if it is

determinate

more
clearer,

regret the

me

said.

deeply,Cresswell,"he
has improved upon

He
a

new

makes

success

very

had

who

"

quarrel?
magnificent
thing,Cressvery

be

terms

is
obligedto fight,

thoughtfully.

"

right,I have

missed

very

believe you
great deal."

are

that ? "
never

had

to

be obedient.

I have

never

"

met

ever

and

bayonet

But
""

There

moments.

at

rather

lay claim

pure life. For I cannot

you that my life has been pure
Think
!"
?
one

assure

Without

Without

without

evil

wastes

away
I have
And

"

It

They
through

is this
finished

the

hall of

gave

the

books.
a

cigar.
small

rather

"

table.

the

into

went

Passing

huge, high

to

he had

When

pessimist

to-night."

from

led the

Valentine

the doctor

here

rose

club, they

dissatisfied."
tion,
of dissatisfac-

neither

been

has it led to ?

you

dinner, and

moments,

is this lack of

happy."

what

I asked

that

had

his
comfortably,

I believe

change, and

to tell you

papered with
and

at

consulting-roomsand

my

the very tissues of the body."

been, until quitelately. I have

what
was

crowds

which

humour

justmyself,and
optimist,
"

struggle."

one.

that

nor

an

hastilyadded,
anything fine.

to

"

"

be

must

Perhaps that is what wearies me

the
Perhaps it
doctor,
completeness of my coldness.
to strugglethat has at last begun to render me
necessity
free from
that evil humour
I thought you were
"

fixingthe

fine,pure life without

regardsthe
I

said,fixinghis clear,kind
in all my experiencethat-

say,"Valentine

is to

not; that

"Indeed
as

35

melee."

occasional

"

sword

the

using

lived

who

man

I don't think

"

Valentine's face.

CLUB

THE

little doctor

the
Surely the latter,"

eyes on
I have

AT

CONVERSATION

a
way
lit it and

secluded

room,

corner,

settled himself

feet, in their marvellously polished

reposingserenelyon the back of his

chair,Valentine continued,answering his attentive silence.
"
would
I suppose
call an absurdity. But
It has led to what
you
of
A
dissatisfaction
has been creeping
the
itself.
sort
first, change
of it. At
over
me, perhaps for a long while, I being unconscious
that I was
of being so
I found
length I became conscious.
weary
in definite,
active
free from the impulse to sin
to sin, I mean,
boots,lightlycrossed,his head

"

ways,

as

It seemed

sin.

men

young

to

me

great deal,missing the delight sin is said to

least missing the invigoratingnecessityyou
the

necessityto fight,to

"

I understand."

"

And

"

To

wage

that

give

missing a

was

to

natures, or

at

just mentioned,
againstimpulses."

war

have

to Julian."
night I expressedthis feeling
Adclison ?
the doctor said,an
expressionof
one

"

into his face.

sliding

I should

"

much

like to know

keen

how

interest

he received

it."
"

He

"Was
"No.

said,of

course,

that

such

dissatisfaction

was

rather

strous."
mon-

that all?"
He

otherwise,and

told

he

me

then

he

considered

surprisedme

temptationrather
very

much."

curse

than

FLAMES

36
"He

told you

secret?"

"Why, yes."
"

The

"

You

"

He

of your great influence

of this secret then ? "

secret

over

his life? "

knew
didn't tell it to ine.
Long ago I divined it.
fellow to a doctor,and the fact of his
interesting

Addison

is a

ship
strong friendthan
with you has made him more
would
he
even
interesting
His physiqueis tremendous.
otherwise have been.
He has a quite
far
and stronger passionsby
than most
unusual vitality,
men.
Englishhuman
I confess that my
of
nature
led
to
me
knowledge
very

foresee

for him.

to
naturally

me

of its falsification. I very

reason

future

vehement

too

utterlyfalsified led

anticipation
being
for the

and

troubled

very

soon

found

look

that

My
round

in

reason

you."
"
"

I had

never

Your

lack

suspectedit."
of suspicion
was

not

the least

reason

of the influence

you exercised."
"

strengthof his evil impulses,of

how he hated their assaults,
and of how being with me
enabled
him
to conquer them.
the
of
contemplation my unnatural
Apparently
nature
"

is

an

it ended

I continued

in

What

And

our

means

kind.

no

What

"Of
"

souls."
did you

which
he envied,and
condition,
to make
an
jest,
experiment,to try

my

take ? "

told

listened with

or
interruption

in

down,
sitting

without
sittings,

He

he made

bewail

to

then Valentine

the three

"

to him."

armour

exchange our
"

of the

me

It is."

"Well,
to

told

Possibly.He

Dr.

Levillier the exact

embellishment,without

keen

attention,and

intrudingcomment.

remark.
do you think of

it,doctor?

When

circumstances
omission

without

Valentine

of

of any

attempting
finished,

had

"

what

part of it?"
Of any part. Do you attach any importance
to it ? "

"

"

do,certainly."
thought you would laugh at the whole thing."
Why should I ? Why should I laugh at any circumstances
which strongly
I know ; or, indeed,
whom
affect men
?
any men
"

"

"

But

then, tell

do

believe in some
you
strange, unseen
held the hand
of
agency ? Do you believe that Julian absolutely
in
another
some
some
beingdwelling
sphere,
being attracted to us,
to come
to us
or, say, enabled
by such an action as our sittin" at a
table in the dark ?
"

No.

"

You

me,

"

I don't believe that."

attribute the whole thingto

bodilycauses

?"

"

Addison

don't think

the least of the circumstances

incidents of the
You
II
"

the door
positive
Quite positive."

hand

to

after

you,

I don't think

"

You

know

minds

our

all

we

The

mysterious.

more

"

allowed

curtain

it ?

with

your

"

not."

sure

constantlymake

motions

involuntarymotions,

of."

quiteunaware

are

the

And

nevertheless.

I do feel sure,

"

I feel

so.

opinion.

curtain,have

the

drawn

having

far

are

securelyshut ?

was

back, pullingthe
slipslightly

"

that

curtain

arid of the

dog

are

Gould

you

is indeed

hand

The

related,in my

have

of mind

light,for instance,I

hand.

felt that

37

reaction

and

sat in the

had

If you
would have

body, undoubtedly.

and

CLUB

it to the action

inclined to attribute

am

THE

AT

CONVERSATION

dog ?

do you

What

say

to that?"
"

don't

what

know

to

it

think

I do not

sensitive.

beyond

"

And

"

Yes.

the

was

the

In

of my

course

that
possibility
confess

; you

it
"

?"

of his conduct

cause

of

tumult

was

"

extraordinarily

are

bounds

the

for there
of your nerves
itself to him."
communicated

the tumult

dogs

But

say.

have

career

been

have

consulted

by a
disastrously

systems
patientswhose nervous
great many
tablethe
describe,
practicesyou
by so-called spiritualism,
upset by
One man
I knew, trying to cultivate himself
turning,and so forth.
he called

to what

on

Then

himself

cultivated
higherplane,'

into

lunatic

he still remains."

asylum, where
"

'

been

consider

you

?"

spiritualism

much

respect for the soul,too much belief in its great

destiny,Cresswell,to jugglewith it,or to play tricks with it. When
II

1 have

genius one

does not

want

him.

One

is rather

anxious

displayhis

mind.

When

to

detach

meets

one

with

corner

and

too

don't

want

power
which

has

to

try

placedit for

it is the

all its work

time.

friend

it is
"

Addison

in the

to

hear

game
him

into contact

come

it from

fashion
prevailing

where

to have

the

home

glory in many

puss-in-the-

at

talk
with

in which

fightuselessly.The
body. The influence
of the

soul,I
divine

limitations

against

soul

to

convinces

seriously
a

you

existence

can

do

exercise
of

spirits,
eventuallybe freed from the body, more
certainly
than any amount
of material manifestations,
sounds, apparent
sights,
physicalsensations. Why should we not be satisfied with remaining,
for a time, as we
I consider
?
that you and
Addison
are
illwere
advised in making this
doubt
absurd
no
experiment. Supposing
over

your
thingswhich

me

will

"

it to be

absurd, the

Supposingit not
"Yes.

What

"Then

the

"

raison

to be absurd

d'etre of

the

is
sittings

gone

at

once.

-"

then?"

danger

is

great. Imagine yourselfwith

Addison's

FLAMES

38
or
t*oul,
nature, him

How

"

There

be led ?

not you
exert

control

any

is very great, I
absolutelyin the existence of the soul,and in

in the

know,

you

might
would

it not?"

comes

believe,as

To what
ith yours.
in him
nature

that your
in you ? "

his nature
"Why should

over

\\

know

do you

of the

power

body,which

destiny; but that does not blind me to the extraordinary

body, a mere
influence,the extraordinarykingship,which a mere
husk and shell,
as
some
good peoplecall it I don't feel with them
obtain
not
can
only over another body, but, strangely,over the soul
has been, and
Addison
which is in that body. Your
influence over
which
Do you imagine that it is simply your nature
is,immense.
its immortal

"

"

?"

him

governs
"

I suppose

"

Your

so."
deal to do with the
appearance
may have an immense
of one
who
have the look, the expression,
has not

mere

You

matter.

sinned.

It

reins to

his

is

Addison

did not

partlythat which keeps Addison from giving the

for your
impulses. I consider that if it were
possible
and for your face to remain
nature
to change secretly,
unchanged,if
and retained your exact appearance, and if
you sinned perpetually
know

you sinned,you could still be his guardian,

in every way than he."
while,really,
yourselffar worse
"
But surelythat fights
againstyour theorythat the existence of
influence as I possess over
an
Addison ? "
a soul is proved by such
"

the

Not

I said if it

at all.

soul,if

but

"

body manifests

that's

the

possiblefor

were

just the

soul.

the

body

it is not
difficulty,

Supposing it

not

to express

possible.The

of
so, the power
if
it and imply a personalexistdevil, you choose to name
ence
for it,might have hold of the world even
more
tightlythan
such
Just conceive,under
conditions,how you might lure
not

were

evil,the
now.

Addison
and

to

seeingthe

thinks
action
cou!d

entire
you
wreck

if you
desired to do so.
face in which he has learned

destruction
same

goodness, he

could

suggest

his future

would
and

with

be

take

unable

part

in

to

Looking
to

see

at

believe that

could

you

what

be evil.

he

any
You

But, as thingsare,
perfectease.
change
malignant,your face would
your
and
to exercise a
too,
might
quickly cease
change
you
strong
He
Addison.
influence over
been unconmight even, having now
sciously
trained into a carious integrity,
learn to hate and to despise
You
remember
conversation
our
to-night about that symyou.
phony
did

nature

and

become

?"

to

"

Yes."

"

I said that the soul which

reproduceheaven."
"
I know."

could

reproduce hell

should

be able

Well, niy boy

"

to

me

the

"

of that

reverse

quitesee."

I don't

But

"

application to

The

boy

are

39

also."

might happen
Perhaps.
"

for you

"

CLUB

THE

AT

CONVERSATION

"

you

"

"Tome?"
"

Yes,

nature.

As

matter.

You

seem
you
say, you
have
been
even

Cherish

advice.

But, take my

"

Ah

"

Might

now

has

That

from

swing
been

"

Not

who

man

the

always

greatest ascetics.

or
way
the top of another

on

"

Yes."

*'

Then

same

billiard

sittingis

last

sign

body and for mind."

Perhaps. Well,
"

"

anything
'"
"

greatest

of

minds

little

are

push

can

ever

you,

"

men

balanced

own

my
And

manifestations

have

upset it and

often
send

billiard

one

of

The

you

it

rolling.

poised like

Indeed,

which

whole

send

be

very nature, may

be the
same.

of it.

sure

him

overcame

thing

that

feel

is wrong,

bad

at

for

definitelyagreed to give it up."

o'clock !

night ?

to-morrow

way.

I must

be

playat

the

going.

Are

you

doing

"

No."
I have

you come
"With
"

we

Eleven

well.

That's

will

may
curious
dread

That

is.

you

breath

Addison's

ball.

Addison's

Have

mind, your

Your

The

But, within

in these

is

extreme

once

?"

that

know

you

careful.

your

other.

the

is

to obtain.
process
with you."

reverse

Addison

do believe

then, doctor, you

one

ball

got

tliin

round

before
man,
as

out

for this

box

new

Duke's

Theatre.

Will

pleasure."

I will ask

Mall

?"

They put

were

in

equallygreat depth.

an

necessarily. But I believe that the

carefully,very deftlypoised,and that

very
them

Be

the

to

the

I have known
experience,
if you changed, might carry
But

filled

once

space

"

great height

the

"

that

not

made

have

libertines

think

but

heaven, the

lose

that
experience,

my

been

empty."

You

see.

extreme,

always

be left

will not

heaven

given a strangelyperfect
have
to
nothing to do with the
inclined to rebel against your
gift,
it.
Don't
play with it,as you have
have

if you

playing. Remember,

been

by

You

Oresswell.

to you,

on

Addison

also."

their

overcoats, and

they parted.
who

was

they

went

of

sight.

Near

coming
by, and

in

the
the

stood

walked
Athcnreum

little way

along Pall
they passed a tall,

He
opposite direction.
directlyregarding them

turned
till

they

VII

CHAPTER

THE

things

things

materialised

Levillier

Dr.

Duke's

the

at

make

Julian

to

piece

was,

he

the

up,

set

modern

were,

liver,

mire

But

his

forth,
slow

of

thinking,

author,

was

him

led

up

blessed

him

there,
leaving
in
the
gods
gallery. In
second
personal influence,
it

in

te

into

act

the

hugging
when

the

by
the

and

was

rose

do

to

Faust

sprang
of the

result

drawn

man

great

deal

simply

noted

been

upon

legend.
from

His

struggle,
vividness,

hero,

it

as

evil

an

dominated

act,

the

down,

by

personal influence, from

purity, to real elevation.

pinnacle, had
no
admiration
proclaimed
time

there
not

the

trated
illus-

gradually
of

the

sin,

the
the

at

he

acts

the

on

the

at

the
first

intention
of

side

of

sin

he
This

evil, and
The

conclusion

act.

the

introduced

figure successfully.

left

the

with

has

of the

first

this

of

Valentine

forwards.

succeeding

central

different

curtain

to

exerted

his

upon

mire,

"nd

the

the

new

and

subject

which

bad

outside
by an
to
wallowing

drawn,

having

birth

and

wrath

the

evil, which

detail,

pendulum,

of

he

or

of

the

Valentine

and

originality
showing one

backwards

man
was

the

deal

great

since

down,

human

swinging

which

in

permitted
fell again
piece, but
embracing

often

fidelity to much
amazing
modern
The
a
play was

and

of

gradually

modern

of

night

anything
him

good

curious

Instead

with

have

almost

ways

certain

drawn

particular vice,
the

act

what

idea

occasion.

between

different

had

wobbler,

his

John

gradually
of

invited

he

between

with

first

the

no

would

that

author.

man

he

sent

that

were

the

if,by

as

when

had

place

upon

many

the

of

and

plot applied
struggle

piece

daring
a
good

so

thoughts

cability
appliwas

the

are

facts

for

way

our

for

box

it

took

said

had

in

But

the

of the

allegory

that

which

But

that

if

mind,

party, he

his

notion

no

got

Theatre,

up

conversation
Club.

of the

action

thoughts

the

as

Baptist

them.

projected

play

is

curious

the

John

prepare

It

them.

the

by

and

have

These

Lord.

the

mind,

illustrate

startlingly

When

of

the

often

by chance
thought.

have

we

way

of

Baptists

we

apparently

the

prepare

the

do

the

to
to

REGENT

we

EPISODE

STREET

THE

man

of
had

the

been

dramatie

FLAMES

42
The
but

three

when

friends

they had

down

back

they went

littleas

spoke but
sat

and

to

Dr.

supper,
satisfaction with the

to the

flat,

Levillier had

pressed
ex-

tine's
champagne that Valentook
silence
the
insinuated into his glass,
politely
itselfwings and lightly
departed. They talked of the play,and
all impressed by it, but in slightly
appeared that they were
his

complete

butler

to

it

had

different ways,

and

for

different

Valentine, who

reasons.

was

appreciatedit,he
coldly,artistic,
work
out a problem
obviouslyendeavour to
finish
to teach a lesson.
It simply,with a great deal of literary
or
human
and dramatic force,stated a curiously
character,showed the
of a man
of his life,
nature
at work, and left him, after some
scenes
the
still at work
salvation or destruction,
not telling
his own
upon
to
audience what his end would
even
be, scarcely
imply his
trying
innate
tendency one way or the other. This satisfied Valentine.

but
intensely,
because
said,

This had
"

"

do

I have

made
not

him

feel

want

known
than

more

me

sometimes

almost

it did not

if he had

as

learn what

to

the

sightof

villains.

That

is somethingto my mind for ever, as

something. I can never
forgetthe one

man

Your

"

life is

block cut out

of that

of life.

man," he said.

enough. That satisfies

thousand
bombastic
heroes,a thousand
Life is neither ebony nor
ivory. That

him, good and bad.

equallybombastic

seen

becomes

ivory,Val," Julian

is

Ibsen's
or

'

Master

Builder

'

is

the other."

said.
"

play because the violent strugglebetween good

in his mind.
and evil woke up many
memories
The hero
responsive
shown
of the play had been
Julian had often
as
feelingprecisely
He
That
did
not
much
for the brilliant
felt.
was
care
enough.
very
which Valentine had remarked
with so much
artifice,
pleasure. He
the peculiar
note
effect of nature
did not specially
produced by the
and
directness
of
the
simplicity thoughtful
dialogue. He only knew
that he had seen
akin to his own,
was
somebody whose nature
in
dramatic,circumstances.
perhaps more
althoughplaced different,
Dr. Levillier combined, to some
appreciableextent, the differing
joys of his two companions, and obtained another that was quite
had
He
horses running in double harness that
two
his own.
seen
night,the bcdy and mind of the hero, and had taken delight in
what
had practically
escaped the definite notice of his
observing,
the author,
companions, the ingenuityand subtletywith which
had displayed
their liaison; the
without being obtrusive or insistent,
effect of each upon the other,their answeringexcursions and alarums,
that always had
their attempts at separate amours,
amours
an
which
the
the
the other had, for
inevitable effect upon
one
moment,
He

liked the

had

exclude

endeavoured

to

priestin

had both

As

him

they discussed the

from

its life. The

doctor

in him

and

the

eveningof bracingactivity.
enjoyeda glorious
each
advanced
and
his reason
of pleasure,
piece,

THE

expanded into a
attractive
to
even
peculiarly
and

strolled into

they

music, he sank
said

sigh,and

is

the satisfied

For

see

you

all the

it.
You

"

are

of

sorrows

boon

this modern

to

and

life,I suppose,
the

impressionthat

the

to convey

always manage

and

his exclamation

whimsicalityof

which
shadowed
expression
Light up, Doctor," he cried.

world.

with

polishedboots

his

out

over,

make

to

little joy in life! "

so

of the
"

supper
and
smoke

to

was

was

laughed at

Julian

drawing-room

chair,stretched

peoplesay th^re

And

"

into

when

And

sinners.

the

43

which
saintly geniality,

of

sorb

doctor

the

EPISODE

STREET

REGENT

joys win

yet you
the battle

after all."
had

Valentine

did not

He

it.

obeyed

the

hear

to

seem

injunctionto

and

what

they
He

lightup.

I believe that

And

with

joy will

a good cigar
appreciated
could
men
appreciate

he
some

win

the

battle in the

end," he said,

"

"

Why

"

evidences of it,or

acts, Addison,

deed will

and

proved successful.

puffthat
see

of the hardest

one

love.
appreciate

women

some

or

dreamily opening
saying. The doctor

was

were

was

toilers in all London, and

than
comfortable arm-chair
more

Paradise,

bad

piano and

the

assiduous

most

"

to

over

gone

the

but

emulate

never

think
colour

I do.
of

Sir Jcshua

The

will fade out

colour

act is eternal.

gocd
Reynolds

of

noble

Play to

never.

"

us,

Cresswell."
"

I wish you to talk.

I want
to
of your conversation
will help me."

The
improviseto-night.

sat down

looked

Yes, but

murmur

Julian

the doctor.

by

pleasanthour.

He, too,

very

happy.

It

in that

Sympathy
pretty room, complete
from their vitality,
sympathy, and a sympathy that sprang
the
dumbness
of
the
sat
avoiding
dusky
phlegmatic. Valentine
down
at the piano and began to play gently. The
from the
smoke
towards the watching pictures;the room
was
cigars curled away
was

was

human

full of soft music.

"

Yes, Addison," Dr. Levillier continued,in

with
perpetuallysitting

low

"

voice, I

am

with disease.

That consulting
communing
of
all
who
not
come
pool
Bethesda, only
to it,alas ! can
be healed.
I sit day by day in my confessional
I
like to call it that ; perhaps I was
meant
to be a priest and I read
of mine

room

sorrow,

is

as

"

"

the stories of the

from

yet I have

the
a

lives of

belief in

a belief
fliake,

and

men

circumstances
in

the

of them

most

bring them
triumph which
glory of good which

joy and
final

of women,

which

its

to

me,

sarily,
neces-

sad.

nothing
nothing can

can

conquer."
"

That's

Doctor,
fine,

But

do you

know

why

you

have it ? "

And
ever
ever

FLAMES

44

daresaythat questionis

"

difficultto

I often seek for

answer.

I find many,
though I can hardly say
my reasons, Cress well, and
that is
which
is the best,vor
whether
.any quite explainsthe faith
I
this
of
A propos
evening,by-the-by, long ago
always in me.
found

of my

one

reallygood
11

What

"

Oh, a

was

I believe that men

simpleone.
than
more
more
certainly,
readily,

very
eternal truths
Put

lot of bad men,

or

some

condemn."

hate and
that ? "

men

which

theatre,the theatre

the

in

reasons

men

express
individuals.

mass
as

bad, why should

won't call them

we

"

in the

we

"

careless,
loo.-.e,
thoughtlessmen, togetherin the pit of a theatre.
of
Many
them, perhaps,drink, and are rendered cruel by drink.
Many of them care nothingfor moralityand have wounded, in the
the souls of women.
way,
in most
of the relations

worst

Many

makes

of

and
goodness,

faith,that

is

What,

to every
so
certainly,
respondso directly,
and
and
gentleness, unselfishness, purity,and

before

put

eternal truth

wild

show

all these individuals

touch

that

incessant
it that
is
then,

of them

of life.

hardness

Those

of

good

men

to

try

that

lie for

ever

it must
beneath

be
the

themselves, don't know

hide the

to

I think

stage?

don't know

that it is all useless for them

been

the

upon

the rocks

"

of evil.

seas

them

it

which has
nobility
metaphoricallyto
what
they will. I

them, to
down, and
it. They can't get rid of it, do
of evil through life,
think of goodness as the shadow
the
after
becomes
the
at
death,
death,or perhaps long
that,

put

dance

into

thrust

on

like to
shadow

substance."
"
"

You
Not

think

quite.

kill the

cannot

we

But

I think

we

good that

can

go

it will take
"

And

"

Perhaps.

have you
But

other
some

What

*'

You
was

is

that,Doctor?

than

one

but

myself. There

define,and would
is

one

in this very

"

he said.

ought to know better than I,"Levil Her answered.

lookingat Valentine,who, apparently quite unconscious
still playing rather softly.Julian followed
presence, was

his eyes.
The lightin the

It is

that

glancedup surprised.

"

of their

to

for your belief ? "

difficult to
them
are

of

conviction to any
carry
with us."
room

He

?"

reasons

no

Julian

us

it,so near
killing
itself again,longerfar

near

and to be
longerto recover
relapsing
typhoidpatient."

the most

is in

manufactured
dim, a carefully
twilight.
and
how
ence,
strange how many things,
stir,
slight,
control,influin one
direction or another, the emotions.
Light and the

absence
button

of
can

room

was

divert a heart
lightcan
give a warship to the

easilyas the pressingof a

sea.
Twilightand music can
as

STREET

REGENT

THE

EPISODE

45

into an
angel for the moment.
change a beast into a man, a man
both
Julian
and
Dr. Levillier
that
after
dead,
evening was
Long
considered
it.
anxiouslyand, in their different ways, analytically,
such
of
as
men
probing,
many
They submitted it to a secret process
in
their
be
lives.
to
what
causes
enforce upon
great
they imagine
of amazement,
viewed
hour of wonder, an hour
an
That hour became
found
in
of
it a
illumination
in the
They
subsequent events.

of

climax

curious

of

culmination

a
misunderstanding,

all

deceptive

things.
a

modern

room

they only watched

intellectual youth, playing in a
a Steinway grand piano.

yet, in that hour

And

upon

They

young
Victoria

of

Street

London,

drawing-

sittingsideways to Valentine,and a little behind him.

turned
his
unless he slightly
he could not easilysee them
Levillier
's mute
they could observe him, and, obeyingDr.

were

Therefore
head.

man

But

Julian
injunction,
Valentine

did

now

so.

before him
gazing straight

was

top of the piano,

figureof Christ in the
the

over

the dim
his eyes seemed
to be fixed upon
"The
he
Merciful
of
Knight." Was
picture

and

not

playing to

the

did not
his musical
picture,playingto that figure in it? And
the
life of that
in
sound
vision
the
of
imaginationseek to reproduce
lived and died ?
The purityof his expresmailed knight who
never
sion,
more
unearthly,
always consummate, was to-nightmore
peculiar,
line can
than
before in any
And, as mere
place,at any moment.
of man
to the senses
a
conception of a great virtue or of a
convey
thus seen
in profile,
was
great vice,the actual shape of his features,
of an exquisitely
ascetic purity,
much
the embodiment
ment
embodias
an
is a drop of water
This struck both
as
piercedby a sunbeam.
Dr. Levillier and
amazed
at the
anew
Julian,and the doctor was
the

that

silent decree

to the

Lust

Revelation.
dark

head

such

flee from

would

upon

cannot
a

the

for Valentine

lost

as

Sin
the

bloodless
ease

of

body

of the

heaven

crystalcouch, or
And

prehensible
com-

surelyflee from
Valentine, as

would

courts
on

visible in forms

pale ivory.
given in music, and

a
a

of the
rest its

of this
message
to the air and the

the

was
line
crystalknowledge of his friends
he
improvisation journeyedthrough many themes
varying characters. He hymned the Knight'stemptation no less
"

too.

of

had

shape

lie at

pillow of

strange,unearthly youth now

dusk

shall be made

minds.

commonest

sculpturedin

temple
vampire

invisible

than

In

"

his

his

of
at the hour
triumph. But purity was in the hymn even
of the life ; a purity
temptation,and sang like a bird in every scene
detached,so refined as to be almost physicallycold.
classical,
I understand
you,"Julian whispered to the little doctor. " Yes,
is a great reason
why what you think may be
you are right. He
And
true.
here Julian lowered his voice to a breath,lest
yet
"

"

FLAMES

46
he

might

you

disturb

dear

boy

conscious,and

But
"

so

such
Cresswell,

curious

in

to

seems

way

self-

extraordinary
unearthly

an

to be in

I conceive

as

should

is

the best behaved,

the power to sin. And
or
might catch flies,
go to sleepduring a

had

never

is

There

Why

which

"

something

as

him.

"

There

right.
you are
about Valentine

religiousbelief

impossibleto

strain of-the child in

have

well,as

as"

"

."

Cresswell

about

definite

even

who
beings,

as
religious

is not

"

refrain,my
unconsciousness

child in the world

sweetest

He

"

?
said Dr. Levillier.
angels religious

the

you

exclude

player.

Forgivethe allusion

are.

Are

"

the

This very absence of controversial or dogmatic

Litany or a sermon.
much
to lift
of his power, seems
Valentine
positively
religion
gives
him higherthan religionists
of any creed."
that
You think
perhaps it is something in him of
you think
"

"

which
"

he is unconscious

Perhaps it

Valentine
And

the

which

does

for

much

so

?"

me

is."

glidedinto

now

an

accompaniment,and

ceased to talk.
such peculiar
skill as he showed

doctor and

Julian

began to sing.
Valentine
did
certainly
in playing,
but he had

singwith
he never
he used with great ease, and
a charming voice which
sang
a
singlenote, or phrased a passage, without complete intelligence
and understandingof his composer.
This
Only he lacked power.
could
in
he
interfered
with
the
a
give
scarcely
drawing-room,
pleasure
rather in a mood
and to-nightboth Levillier and Julian were
for
than
for
listened
with
silent
delicacy
great passion. They
supreme
for
Then
Levillier said :
time.
a
pleasure
how
Do you remark
wonderfullythe timbre of Cresswell's voice
is exact."
the
timbre
of
mind ? The parallel
his
expresses
not

"

Julian
"

That

It

nodded.
in

is his soul written

at this

was

pointthat

sound," the

Valentine

doctor

ceased

added.

and

got up from the

piano.
too," he said. "No, not
to-night."
cigarette
fond of that picture,
You
Cresswell ?
are
"I

smoke

must

"

Valentine
"

your

'

The

"

cigar,I'll have

said Dr.

Merciful

No.

"

I should

our

'

Knight ? Yes, I
Doctor ?
sittings,

didn't ask

He

"

be

"Well, my
said,with
are,

love it.

Have

in

Who

you

told Julian

for it."

me

said.

proceedings,"

his usual frankness.

fact,at the

opposite pole from

answered.
Marr

as

"

glad to have it,all the same," Julian

opinion is entirelyadverse to your

Levillier

"

Levillier

sat down.

opinionof

"You

is Marr

never

heard

of him."

Marr," Julian

"

"

"

What
Oh

He

day.

every
out."

came

evening,"Julian said.
at the theatre to-night.

is

was

"

calls himself

He

he has taken

him

see

saw

him

as

we

Julian

head, and

his

Valentine."

laughed.
wish

doesn't

Marr

of it is that

goes out in
first. Since

He

dinner

at

with
sittings

interest in my
"
him, Cresswell ?

know

shook

fun

The

now

occultist.

an

I met

the keenest

You

Valentine
"

But

"

no
clear,

Indeed

"

A professional
?
?
he, a spiritualist

societya great deal,apparently.

then

47

T, until the other

Nor

him

EPISODE

STREET

REGENT

THE

know

to

Valentine,"he

said.
"

Why

"

asked.

the doctor

Marr

Julian told him

the words

and gave

fairlyminute

Julian

when
"

this

Then

man

had

Scarcely

urges

tine,
in reference to Valen-

used

of Marr's
description

proceedings.Levillier

their
"

had

listened
to go

you

with

towards

great attention.

with

on

attitude
"

?
sittings

your

he said

finished.

that.

But

he

anxious

certainlyseems

that

we

should."
have both

resolved

"

You

"

Certainly,Doctor,"Valentine

"

Does

Marr

"

No.

I haven't
Then

minutes.
"

"

seen

he

Doctor

to

think

Of

speak

asked

with

me

?"

you

of Julian.

to since

final

our

apparent meditation

remarked,

pieceof advice

You"

in

sat

A.ddison,will you

give you

him

up, haven't

replied.

that ? " Levillier

know

little doctor

The

givethem

to

an

for

sitting."

two

or

three

abruptness:

impertinentelderlyperson

if I

"

not.

course

is it ? "

What

fellows know
that I am
not
a
mere
young
me, know
believer
in
that
or
is the fashion of the
every humbug
But one
that certain people are
thing I do firmlybelieve,

"

Well, you
sentimentalist
moment.

born

with

force.

to command, or
direct
power
The
world
doesn't completely
a

others,which

amounts

this.

to

recognise
recognise,
perhaps ought not to recogniseit. Some call it
hypnotism. I call it suggestion."
He paused,as if he had finished.
"
But your advice,Doctor ? Julian said,
wondering.
to give it you after all."
Oh, h'm ! I don't mean
"Why?"
Dr. Levillier became
enigmatic.
Because I have just remembered
that to warn
is often to supply
of stumbling,"he said.
a cause
Dr.
Levillier and Julian
drove together as far as the latter's
chambers
that evening,and, after bidding Julian
good night,the
The

law

doesn't

"

"

"

doctor

dismissed the cab and

set out

to walk

to

Harley Street.

He

FLAMES

43

proceededat

leisurely
threadinghis way
p^.ce along Piccadilly,
the
of
abstractedlyamong
wandering wisps
painted humanity that
in
a
dye the London
night with rouge. Occasionally
passing man
bid
him
dress
would
for
he
was
evening
good night,
universally
in the town.
known
But
he did not reply. With
his firm round
chin presseddown
his fur coat, and his eyelidslowered,he
upon
moved
between
thoughtfully.The problem of the relations existing
He
youth and life eternallyfascinated him.
pondered over them
it
What
liaison
a
so
now.
strange,complicated
was, sometimes
so
disastrous,always,to him, pathetic. Youth
happy, sometimes
lover sets up house with his mistress,
sets up house with life as
a
takes

attic

an

near

the
And

her,givesher

magical,and
perhaps,she is a
is

has

mansion

dream

and

And

any

more.

bondage ! "

amazes

the

strives in

eternity.And then,
whom
as
a lost girl
one
arid. She fills youth

faded creature, and terrible

She is grim and
innocence.
great horror and with a great fear. He

this

that

And

wonder, and

in

known

with

stars,or builds

they dwell together.

youth
his mistress.
He tests her, tries her, kisses and
And at first she
presents,weeps at her knees.

urchins.
way to know

street

every
cuffs

then, perhaps,at
And

dare
"

last he

kiss her
Deliver me
from
not

prays,
his mistress.
that he knows

he thinks

But,
her ? Is she not always a
sad,does he ever quite know
a sphinx who
jealously
guards a great secret ?
mystery, this life,

happy

or

eveningwith the two boys,for so the doctor called them in

Was
there not a
his thoughts,had set him musing thus definitely.
? For is not the
wonder and a secret in their dual life of friendship
potent influence of one soul over another one of the marvels of time ?
His

loved Valentine

doctor

The

as

human

saint

loves another

saint.

Not that he named

as
a saint loves a sinner.
it
with
to
but
be
Julian sinner,
was
him, observantly,
impossible
and not to feel the thrill of his warm,
sensitively,
passionate
humanity,
which cried aloud for governance, for protection. Julian could be
he loved Julian

But

the

great, with

greatness only attained

by purged humanity,
superiorsurelyto the peacefulpurityof angels. But he could be a
shipwrecked man
castaway,oh ! as much a castaway as the fainting
the hoarse surf rolls to the sad island of a desert sea.
Valentine
what
Without
might he not have been ?

whom

And
the
loose until his lighteyes were
little doctor let his imaginationrun
He winked
them
he turned
dim with absurd tears.
into
as
away
The
and
Street.
hour
the
curved
was
nearly two,
Regent
great
few persons who
rather deserted.
Those
were
thoroughfarewas
about

their

had

curious

gaitdenoted

creatures

for

What

aspect of wolves.

Their

watchful
eyes were
for colloquy. Poor
a ghastlyreadiness for pause,
with
A thing like a
their
liaison
life?
was

help in the dark.

The

doctor

longed to

be

"

cry
miracle- worker, to

FLAMES

50

his direction. He
waited,under the
of self-control ; for his limbs
powers
heart

beat

to

the

"

march,

and

every

movement, his
separate vein, every separate
trembled

to

step
to begone. The footpiercingly
Levillier heard it turningthe corner.
this person will see me
waitinghere. Will
pass me ? And, if he does,shall I be able to

seemed

hair of his

all his
obligationof exerting

body
appproached. Dr.
Now," thought he,

crying out

**

Will he
await,to endure the incident ? "
he

come

on

might listen in the night for sounds of

advanced
the hidden enemy.
Upon turningthe corner, the footsteps
instant
there
For
an
a
slackened,stopped.
pace or two, faltered,
had been struck by his
silence. The doctor knew that the man
was
and was
attentive figure,
pausingto regardit,to consider it. What
the doctor
be the result of the inspection? In a moment
would
sounded again,this time in retreat.
knew.
The footsteps
On this the impulseof the doctor to flee changed,givingway to a
And

he

as
listened,

scout

He
strict desire and determination.
face.
A
night wanderer, to see his

question,of

this person

came

and

upon
in pursuit. The
followed hastily

his

sight into

Vere

Street,and

interview this
greedy anxiety for view, for
resolved

was

the

him.
man

to

He, too, wheeled

round
had alreadyescapedfrom

doctor

broke

into

soft

run

the corner, skirtingwhich the man

ately
immediwas
him.
in his view, but at a considerable distance from
As the
the
the
turned
doctor sprang
man
round, and,
pavement
upon
until

he

reached

evidentlyobservingthat

he

pulsively
pursued,quickened his steps imdetermined
address
to
was
now
absolutely
And he was
not far from coming up
him, and began openlyto run.
he
whistled
with the fellow when
a
suddenly
passing hansom,
bounded
in, and thrust up the trapdoor in the roof. The direction
obvious,for the cabby glanced round at the
given was sufficiently
his
lifted
the
whip, brought it down with a sweep over
doctor,
Oxford
Street at a
horse's loins,and the cab disappeareddown
rockinggallop.
The doctor paused. He was
hard, and the perspiration
breathing
stood upon his face. His disappointmentwas
absurdlykeen, and
idea
of
he
had
another
instant
for an
even
some
cab, and of
hailing
it more
he deemed
followingin pursuit. But, upon reflection,
his
and
his
to
to
seek
bed in Harley
return upon
reasonable
steps,
he did,wondering what had moved
This accordingly
him so
Street.
at the abruptflight
of the
and wondering also,not a little,
strangely,
the
distant
In
of
and
which
brief
view
unknown
was
him,
person.
all that the doctor had obtained,he judgedhim to be tall,
spare, and
with
the
of
The
figure a gentleman.
aspect of
paleof countenance,
The

his face

had

him.

net

was

doctor

been

revealed

before

the

shelter of the

cab

cealed
con-

CHAPTER
PAUSE

that for three

IT chanced

days after

four

or

did
Julian
and
expedition Valentine
apart for so long a period,and each
found

Each

usual.

and

disgusts

of these

doings, and

well-worn

why he did
before, to gain

do

not

ever

amusement

of

intention

days

of his life.

because

he

give

up.

desire

to

excited

even

He

in

was,

fly in

him

All that
to know

came

bore, which

led

that

cause
depression's

there

that

of

Julian

the

him,
something

of

Dr.

Levillier's advice

this

of

this
few

these

from

out

and

was

and

knowledge

he
him, something which
fact,strangely pursued by

face

the

bar

to

did bored

he

definitely

of
His
power
dissatisfaction

purpose.

fact,clogged by an abiding sense

reallyhis eventual
depression. And it was

to

ledge
acknow-

not

amusements,

in

pleasurewas,

contents

Julian

ask

did

as

Park,

the

sought, more

from
his

about

in

not

and

him

went

at first he

He

so.

frustrated

course

did

of it ?

cause

life which

London

this

at

enveloped

out, rode

he

rarely

were

the

Valentine

But

theatre

the

wonder

to
was

that

dined

habitual
few.

to himself

definite

and

not

moved

was

pther.

White's,

at

theatres, lived the

visited two
many
share any

in

They

meet.

hesitation

of the

avoidance

to

night of

friendship.What

curious

looked

He

so

in

it

impelled him

than'

of their

abstinence

unwonted

not

the

decidedly

more

did

which

not

resolved

had

to

unreasonable

an

and

of his

own

thing
Everysecondary antagonistic
desire,and to sit again with Julian.
he
As
in which
lacked
he sought to find distraction
savour.
and
ballet that
sat watching a
was
one
glitteredwith electricity,
for
twinkle
the
of coloured
found
himself
he
longing
movement,
the gloom, the live expectation of the tent-room, night,and
silence,
Julian.
even

White's

At

more

not

he had

to

that had

and

sit any

up

more.

impressed him

of

the

men

weariness

the

his mind
was

thus.

of the

quite fullythat

His

horse

Park.
it would

be

better

merely Dr. Levillier's urgency*

had
personal conviction
gradually

not

as

usual.

desultorilyscandalous,
ennui, an ennui
revolving,like

round

It

him

struck
than

active

an

made

conversation

more

scrappy,

morning ride was

in a circus,
round
Yet

the

FLAMES

52

that if anythingresulted from such

proceedingsit would certainlynot be of an

forced itselfupon
imbecile

him

apparently
agreeable

that a secret danger might be

But, too,this very sense
lurkingagainsthim and Julian,if onlythey would consent together
to giveit power by the united action of sitting,
spurred him on to
has a bizarre love of
restless desire. It is not only the soldier who
nature.

peril. Many of those who sit at home in apparent calmness of

to the intricate
with a maniacal persistence,
safetyseek perils
perils
mules
More
human
of bodilyhealth,perils
to the mind.
scheme
in
the
sword
the
than
of the banner and
men
delight journeyingat
had to the
And Valentine
the extreme
now
edge of the precipice.
full this secret hankeringafter danger. As he knew it,he despised
he held
himself for it,for this attitude of the schoolboyin which
himself.

Until

now

preposterous and

he had
morbid

believed that he

bondage, free

on

was

free from

such

of his

account

stitutional
con-

vice,his innate love of the brooding

snow-fields of the intellect.
calms of refinement and of the upper
of his mistake
irritated him, but the irritation could
The discovery
not conquer
its cause, and each day the longing to sit once
more
indifference towards

almost
grew upon him, until it became
which occasioned Valentine's avoidance

togetherhe

painful. It
of Julian.

this

was

He

knew

longing
that

if

witless temptation,
yieldto this foolish,
and at any rate try to persuadeJulian into an act which
might be
attended
if
with
with
disaster.
Arid
then
not
misfortune,
Valentine's profound respect for Dr. Levillier,
a
respectwhich the
doctor inspiredwithout
who knew
effort in every one
him, was a
chain almost of steel to hold the young
back from gratification
man
of his longing. Valentine never
sought any one's advice except the
and
little doctor's,
he had a strong feelingof the obligation
laid
To ask it and to rejectit was
a
upon him by such sought advice.

they were

short

He
from

course

would

to insult.

resolved to avoid Julian until this

the shoulders of his mind.

Once

grippingdesire

was

shaken

twice he tacitly
wondered
whether
Julian was
also the
of
this
Felt
but
then
he
certain
could
that
his
friend
desire,
prey
be
not
he been, Julian would surelyhave found a
so afflicted. Had
swift occasion to call. But
he did not call. His feet did not turn
their accustomed
And
it did not occur
to
way to Victoria Street.
Valentine that Julian might be immersed
in the same
sort of struggle
or

himself.

He

thought he knew Julian well enough to be sure that

not have joinedissue with such an
without instant
enemy
A council of war
consultation.
would certainly
have been convened.
So Valentine believed himself lonelyin his feeling.One night ho
returned
from the theatre and a succeeding
supper-partyat half-past

as

he would

twelve,let himself into the flat with

threw
latchkey,

off his coat

USE

PA

before

and stood

puckeredin

fire.

the

frown.

He

dissatisfaction.

with

dominion

of

felt

Valentine
he could

not

out, late

to

bed,

what

the

as

usuallysmooth, white
contemplated the inevitable
a

hours,

could

hour

rest

he to do ?

an

obtain

abstinence

he

and

sleep,until he

sit

must

So

again,that
gratified

at first of

that

But

rooms.

was

of bed

to

that

after their mutual

especially

more
ridiculous,

vice

enforced

Rethought

Julian's

to

was,

hours

irksome.
intolerably

seems

to him
not

allowed

when

moments

are

few

was

has

man

It seemed

now.

go
Yet

his desire.

only

forehead

His

When
there

him,

over

it,even

from

53

starting

would

be

resolution.

Julian
refuse the

might refuse, would probably, in any event, wish to

Valentine
strove
to
make.
sincerelyto
request which he came
his effort was
his mind, but
desire
from
dismiss the
entirely
with
the intention
into his bedroom
vain.
Presently he went
He
of forcing himself to go, as usual, to bed.
began to undress
and
waistcoat
when
his
he felt that
and
had
off
coat
taken
slowly,
he must
He
resume
them, that he must remain, unnecessarily,
up.
and
had
the
mental
to
he
allowed
him,
prompting
hardly
govern
attired
himself
when
the
electric
bell
in
the
once
more
fully
passage
the
to
and
went
Valentine
descended
twice.
door,
opened
it,
rang
the flightof stone
steps to the main door of the house,which was
locked at night. Julian was
standing outside on the pavement.
That's good. May I
You
still up then," he exclaimed.
are
"

"

in ?

come
"

"

Yes, of

They
light.

wero

have

"

been

to-night?
going up, their footstepsechoing hoarselyin the dim
Where

course.

you

"Nowhere."

"

Then

"

Oh," Julian

made

what

thoughtwe

said

you turn
witli an

out

so

late ?

elaborate

"
I
carelessness,

becoming strangers, I
you up."
I see,"Valentine
said,wondering why
in the flat and
By this time they were

resolved

were

And

suppose.

don't know.

suddenly I

to look

"

Julian
had

lying.

was

shut

the door behind

them.
"

"

"

haven't you been

Why
Why
Oh

me

haven't

!
"

well

"

Yes, if you

"

To

"

tell the

Julian

near

looked

"

Julian

said.

"

?
me
you been near
do you want
to know
really?
have got a definite reason."

truth, I have
at Valentine

; but

and

it is such
then

an

"

absurd

added,with

one."

forced
decidedly

laugh :
"

want
"

You'll be
to

Now

awfullysurprisedwhen I tell you what it is,Val. I

sit again."
I know
why I stoppedundressingjustnow,"said Valentine.

FLAMES

54
11

1 must

of

hard

very

Rather

"

with

that you were

coming. Were
? "
to-nightand of our sittings

have had
me

and

the doctor

agreed to give

whole

the

had

we

that

talk

up, I've been

thing

done since

night."
I,"said Valentine.

"Nor

What

"

have

! you

again!
""
Again ! Yes,
I suppose.

thinghe says
you should.'
and

when

and

remarked

almost
to

I should

he

is, Have
'

without

I walk
directly

He

comes.

you

his

in

for the

chap has

That

so.

on

gone

having Marr

at

sort

and
in

here

the first

You

damned
will.'

You

of influence

and

And

said,'You

over

fancy

club,morning,

?
sittings

me

low, toneless voice,

have

taken

live there.

must

'

life of me,

the

into

with your
his formula

To-day he changed
was
going away, he looked

think he must
bed

think

Anyhow,

night,up

or

noon,

And

bad ?

as

!"

"

"Marr

to me,

been

elbow

at your
continually

go

since

ever

enjoyeda singlething I've

I haven't

miserable.
perfectly
that

thing,but

It is the oddest

thinking

you

sense

me,

should,
must/
odd

way
I declare I

for I couldn't

By the way, Marr

Last night,when
I

am.

of power
of divination.
he
began talkingabout doctors,and, by Jove,
happened to see him,
in the way of the
didn't he abuse them ! He says they stand more
in
forces
than any other body of
man
development of the spiritual
to

seems

have

sort

all as low materialists,immersed

in
them
people. He denounced
the tinkeringof the flesh.
does the flesh matter?
What
he said.
It is nothing. It is only an envelope. And
the more
tightlyit is
fastened together,the more
it stiflesthe spirit.I would
like to
catch hold of some
men's bodies and tear them
in piecesto get at
'

'

their

like

souls/
a

he made

Val, as

homicidal

maniac

than

that

cheerful

anything I

ever

remark, he looked

more

saw."

I suppose you didn't stand up for the doctors ? "

I did
But
for our
little man.
D'you think I wasn't
"
word
for
him ?
say a
"
to this chap ? "
What, you mentioned his name
"
"

"

"Certainly. Why not?"

I don't know," Valentine

"

"

What

could
objection

"None, of course
feelingthat I wished
And

then

you

said,hesitatingly.

there

none.

"

goingto

be ?
possibly
simply had

hadn't.

""

quite

unreasonable

That is all."

Valentine

the silence some

relapsedinto silence,
men
irritated.
of
The mention
they are needlessly,
uselessly
had affected him oddly. He now
Marr's name
felt a perverse desire
not to comply with the rather impertinent
not to sit,
predictionof
this dark-featured
whom
he
had
To carry out
never
prophet
seen.

keep when

this

would
prediction

seem

like

an

obedience to

stranger,governing,

PAUSE
and

unseen

at

affairs of those

over

did this

Why

distance.

he had

whom

55
man

himself

concern

with
sovereignty,

no

whom

in the
he had

?
friendship

no

said

Julian," Valentine

"

last,abruptly," I wish

at

would

you

something."

promise me

is it?"

"What

has nothing to do with us, and

He
fellow,Man*.
in our
he shows
it is a decided impertinence,this curiosity
doings.
his
Tell
him
to
of
his
advice
Don't answer
keep
questions.
any more
if you reallybelieve he is obtainingan
influence
And
to himself.
this

"

To

"

you, avoid him."

You
talk as if you disliked him."
I feel as if I hated him."

over

"

drop

have

"

"

Yes."

"

Well, I don't take

man

much

as

you

as

Thank

"

even

to him

?"

seen

I have

and

I will

him.

seen

drop him

promise you that."

boy."

can.

you,

never

old

about rather uneasily,

touching the ornaments
fidgeted
and
his
silver cigarettecase
mantelpiece,
opening
shutting

Julian
the
a

It

click.

he said

that he felt restless and

obvious

was

on

with

dissatisfied. Then

?"
Well, are we going to
to say
Surely you don't mean
persuade me into doing againwhat
"

that

"

? " asked

more

"

"

try,"Julian

to

came

do you know
of the same

And

you

were

"

How

"

That

"

But

as

thinking,especially
to-day,that

I."

again as much as I did."

Marr," Valentine said,with unusual

influences

man

you

who

has been

through me

"

At

though," he

the

said with

If I
sit

not.

So will you

sure
same

"Oh, doctors

sit ?

You

want

to

^ive in.

of it."
the doctor's advice."
time,remember
alwaysagainstthat sort of thing."

are

thought he had anything to do

again. But he can have nothing

it."

course

was

sarcasm.

stung.

I do."

"

do any

decision.

added

that,"
"

to

to sit

Julian !
nonsense,
the matter, I would
never

Of

then
been

What

to do with
"

mind

flushed red, like

Perhaps he
laugh.
with

not

"

"

"

repliedwith
and

I have

you wanted
I don't know

Julian

decided

to-nightto

Valentine.

looked at Valentine

He

we

here

came

you
both

I know

FLAMES

56

"

Julian,

have

manifestation
Each

us.

time

and

me,

Well,

then,

that

the

on

go

you
it.

just

say
I

can't

We

of

threshold

to

got

which
is

inevitable.

is

have

We

distress

one

has

or

taken

any

both

of

hold

of

force."

greater

hand

the
But

Perhaps.

standing

of

get

ever

to

"

Nerves

It

we

deadly

even

sensation

should

that,

inimical,

be

sat

with

time

"

know.

will

have

we

each

"

"

all, it

at

feeling

strong

stop

or,

evil,
and

or

at

"

have

"

nerves

least,

whether

Val,

now,
or

you

was

know

must

good,

Besides,

on.

held

you

to

try
we

nothing

at

are

all

effected

not

an

exchange."
"

No

"

Or

"

it

Of

"

souls

You

is

imbecile

an

proceeding

to

try.'1

proceeding."

temporising,

are

can.

After

will

now,

long

hesitation,

and

the
do

you

what

night

is

want

running
yes

"

Valentine

slowly

answered

away
or

no

as

hard

as

"

Yes."

And,
dice

it

Perhaps

No.

dangerous

Come

"

matter."

for

absurdly
life

or

as

death.

he

said

it, he

felt

like

man

who

tosses

the

FLAMES

58
! " Valentine

Hush

"

Julian
For

time the table continued

some

it

Then

interrupted.

silent.

was

tremblinglyceased,and

stereotypedperformances.
dead

stood,mere

lay the four

hands

of everyday

furniture

made

limp. A
deliberately
that
silence,
through
Valentine
to
of
a
c
ame
sense
growing
again
anxiety.
very gradually,
At first he foughtagainstit as most
perhapsout of self-respect,
men,
fightagainstthe entrance of fear into their souls. Then he yielded
wood

which

its

on

long periodof

to

it,and

And

the

let it crawl

over

left

inch

sea

Valentine's

unpopulatedsilence

soul

was

no

him,

ensued, and

as

the

of sand

flooded.

There

crawls

sea

uncovered.
was

no

flat sands.

over

Every

cranny

of

part of it which did not

flowed this invisible,
murmuring
un-

apprehension.And outwards
tide,devouringhis body,tillthe sweat was upon his face
cold like ice,and
and his strained hands and tremblingfingers
were
and
his teeth clicked,
his knees fluttered as the knees of palsied
age,
and his head, under its thatch,
row
againstrow, and his hairs stirred,
and
throbbed.
tingledand burned
Every faculty,too, seemed to
at
its
sentinel
like
stand straight
a
post, staringinto dust clouds
up
Eyes watched, ears
through which rode an approachingenemy.
b
rain
alert.
The
whole
was
listened,
hideously
body kept itselftense,
shudder

with

stiff,
wary.
that he was
of himself

For Valentine had a

to be attacked.

about

secret

conviction

what

By

He

was

His

wonder.

at

this moment

hardlymaster
longer ran

enough
thoughts
They crept like paralysedthings about his mind, and that
of his brain.
It was
if he thought
as
despitethe unnatural vitality
and
violently,
intensely,
yet could net think at all, as a man
with
wide
terrified may stare
open eyes and yet perceivenothing,
of perceiving.
for
moment
the
So Valentine waited,
a
faculty
lacking
with glaringeyeballs.And
blind man
like some
then,passinginto
he found himself vehemently and rapidly
another stage of sensation,
of terror,forming mental
of all the
discussing
pictures
possibilities
to

no

free.

cannot
He
see.
embodied,
things, of all the powers that we
the wind, the voice of the sea, the angry, hot scent of
materialised,
of the white lily,
the tuberose,the hyacinth. He
certain flowers,
for darkness,
for light,
for a wail,for a laugh,and set
created figures

them

in array

all round

could
imagined figures

him

in the

the

blackness.

horror

which

But
he

of these

none

felt.

He
drove
silent
motionless
missing
disa
away
cry,
of
But
there might be other beingsround
his hands.
wave
to
eternal
lest the sightof them
condemned
should
invisibility
us,
cannot
mad.
We
drive men
see
them, he thought. As a rule we
of
these
sensation
have no
no
gaunt neighbours,
suspicionof their
the whole

pack

cause

of them

with

do not
of their companionship. We
approach,
of
Yet
unconscious
them.
We
are
utterly
may

hear

their

there not

footsteps.
physical

be

mental

or

during which we
know, beyond all power

during
us, with

us.

we

through

divide them

paroxysms,
intangibleand

the

us, and

from

that

believed

in such

And,

he

to touch

in process of
were
the faint cry of an

of

conscious

become
of

us, attack

caress

us,

in

immersed

was

59

them,
doubt,that they are near
is it not possiblefor them
to
barriers
that
yet all-powerful

paroxysms,

which

break

SITTING

FOURTH

THE

such

us

? Valentine

and

paroxsym,
down.
He seemed

being broken

that

the

actually
approaching being,the dim uproar of its
to make
violent efforts to obtain its sinister will,and gain the power
itselfknown
to him
ghastly and malignant deed. He was
by some
barriers
to hear

unutterablyafraid.
The
hand
again!
"

yours ?
"

"

suddenly cried.

Julian

"

Valentine, is it

?
I say, is it yours ? "
don't you answer
to reply.
Valentine
forced himself,with difficulty,

Why

No,"

"

light!
Valentine
felt for it,
but his hand shook,and did not find the button.
"
Ah !
What
Make
are
haste, Val.
you doing ?
into
and
Julian's
The room
view,
sprang
eyes, with a furious,sick
eagerness, sought his hands.
Valentine,"he exclaimed hoarsely, I see nothing,but I've got
hold of the hand still. I've got it tight.Put your hand
here
that's
under mine.
Now
it
d'you feel the thing ?
if grasping another, was
in the air,
Julian's hand, contracted
as
about an inch,or an inch and a half,above the surface of the table.
"

For

God's

sake

the

then"

"

"

"

"

"

"

obedientlythrust

Valentine

his hand

beneath

it.

He

shook

now

his head.
"

I feel

"

Then

that.

the bones.
"

Yes,

can

There

can

trace

even

holding flesh and blood.

the muscles,
fingerstwitching,

veins.

Nothing whatever,"Valentine

"

We'll
with

this

see
"

the

through,"said

I won't

be

Don't

mean

"

are

certain

forced himself to

frightenedby

with

hand.

you

answer

see

and

calmly.

of angry
mination.
deterWe'll see it through.

sort

light."

speak,"he

whatever

sat still.

till I ask you

purely mechanical.

was

He

no.

whispered to Julian

speak
happens
"Why?"
"Don't; don't!"
"
All right."

They

You

Julian

Valentine turned it off. The action

had to perform it,whether
he would
or
"

does this

What

strange,Valentine.

"

Out

nothing/'

"I'm

feel the
the

is

I can't tell."

You

look very
feel nothing? "
u

"

?" said Julian.

I mad

am

I'llswear

said.

nothing,"he

to

in the

darkness.

speak."

"

Don't

FLAMES

60

And

the horror that had

Valentine so utterly
possessed
began
his
making
body and soul with infinismall steps. At length it had quite gone, and its place
tesimally
taken
was
then curiously
by a numb
calm, level and still at first,
almost
definite
calm
too
be
at
all.
to
definite,
Graduallythis calm
now

to fade away,

withdrew
with

the

its exit from

into

exhaustion,an exhaustion such as dwells incessantly

anaemic,with those whose hearts beat feeblyand whose

flickers low
vitality

to

fading. That

death, of death delicate and

desirable,
grateful.Valentine
there

in

darkness

the

beside

like

delicious arrival of
serene, ivorywhite and pure, death
indeed believed that he was
dying,
his friend,and, impersonally
it
as
was

seemed, somethingof him, his brain perhaps,seemed

be

to

bird floats

the sea, and listening,

and
over
high up, as a
that he did in this crisis. This attentive spiritheard
of his soul in its bodilyprison,
movement
heard his soul

floating
noting all
a

strange

if
as
stir,
out
of
it
h
eard
and rise up slowly,
noted its
shift,
waking
sleep,
of
hesitation.
the
of
the
ebbed
as
Then,
vitality
lower,
body
pause
there grew in the soul an
excitement
that aspiredlike a leaping
flame.
if a madman, prisonedin his narrow
It was
cell in a vast
as
secluded
with
his
of
heard
the crackling
asylum,
phantoms,
company
of the fire that devoured
his habitation,
stirred into an
and was
and
tumultuous
As
the
ignorant
passion.
madman, with a
yet
awed by the sinuous approach of the
childish,increasing
uneasiness,
unseen
fire,
might pace to and fro,round and round about his cell,
it
seemed
to this poisedwatchingfaculty
of Valentine
so
that his
soul wandered
in its confined cell of the body, at first with the
cushioned softness of an animal,moving mechanically,
driven by an
endless and unmeaning restlessness,
then with an increasing
energy,
of endeavour,
What
drove his soul ? Surely
a crescendo
a fervour,
it was
with an unseen
the steadydiminuAnd
endo
struggling
power.
of his bodily forces continued, until he was
a
corpse in
which a fury dwelt.
That fury was
the soul. He
had a strange
fancy that he, unlike all the rest of humanity,would die,yet still
in its fleshly
retain his spirit
and that the spirit
screamed
prison,
and foughtto be free on its wayward pilgrimageto heaven
hell.
or
and
had
since
sister spirits
that
All its brother
the beginnings
fled,
of

time, from

their bodies

punishmentor
fate,was

to

reward.

to be confined

and

to

the crisis of
His soul alone

at

be at

in

home

had gone
dissolution,

decayingbody,to
in

to meet

was

breath

to

different

ruption
physicalcor-

crumbling dwellingto

which

no

the soul, which

knows
penetrate. And
light,no air could ever
rebelled
fantastic
its
eternal
with
violence.
a
metier,
instinctively
the
died.
The
ceased
And
from beating.
still,
body
pulses
ever,
The

warm

blood

was

mixed

with

snow

until

it grew

cold

and

in the veins. The littledoor of the heart swung

gradually
congealed

SITTING

FOURTH

and

slower

slower

there

then

hinges,

down

beat

with

escaped

feebly

more

The

moment.

supreme

died,

body

his

came

vehemence,

frantic

its

upon

last

at
a

feebly.

more

"

soul

its

through

cry

61

of

prison

And
with

Valentine,
and,

door,

even

as

air.

the

*****

Valentine,

"

did

hear

you

that

strange

cry

"

*****

Valentine,

"

before,

so

like

neither

could

that
little

faint.
is

the

flame

cry

me.

any

from

It's
Valentine

instrument.

it?

beyond.
!

"

you
It

is
It's

are

sitting.

going.

now

It's

towards

There,

like

nor

Valentine,

floating

like

and

clear

animal,

an

sound

any

horribly

so

of

nor

where

see

heard

never

yet

child

from

you

and

small,
of

come

Don't

it

was

and

come

passing

Valentine

what

thin

so

-me.

it

has

that

piercing
the
I

wail
see

tiny
Now

vanished.

and
it

1"ART

JULIAN

II"

CHAPTER
TRANCE

THE

GAINING
the

from

reply to

no

cold.

His

stared

before
of

edge
died, and

him

set

lifted

arms,

light.

face

convulsion.

For

though

into

from

drooping body

the

Julian

fists.

the

and
and

man

just
parted,

were

and

hands

the

in

his

it out

at

seized Valentine
the

over

had

who

the

chair

was

quite pale

was

up

sprang
Valentine

wide
eyes were
open,
head
hung far back

exactly like

looked

He

lips
tightlytogether grinned through them, and
in

intenselycontracted

were

His

his chair.

He

alarmed.

electric

slightlyparted. His
without
expression. His

chair.

the

died

teeth

the

lipswere

grew

the

on

nervelesslyin

leaning back

the

turned

and

table

call, Julian

his

laid

fell

which

He
on
head,
put a pillow under
length on the divan.
still
at
it grotesquelyand
nothing.
lay sideways,
smiling horribly
of it
to force some
he poured out a glassof brandy, and strove
Then

glaring eyes, beat the

in vain.
he tore from the mantelpiece. All was
air with a fan which
There
came
no
sign of returning life. Then Julian caught Valentine's
the rigid,cold fingers. He laid
hands
in his and sought to unclench
No
his
the heart
of his friend.
his hand
on
pulsation beat beneath
horror
overtook
him.
touch.
Then
anxious
a
Suddenly he
great
Valentine's

between

felt

died

strange

the

were

seeking
dream
"

in his chair

sittingup
voice

Valentine

insistence

and

its final

of and

and

the

by

piercing,the
the

vision

freedom,

died beside
table.

attenuated

of the
route

en

in the

water

had

that Valentine

conviction

thin, so

teeth,dashed

The

the

in the

cry he had
flame that he

flyingsoul
to

him

which

distant

he

dark, had
heard, so
had
had

spheres

seen,

loved,

believpvs

scepticsdeny.
!

of the

Valentine

!"

hopeless.

But

he

cried

the
again, with
the cold,staring creature

desperate
upon

tho

FLAMES

64

a
brusque and fearful movement
green divan did not reply. With
Julian shut the eyelids.Would
they ever
again? He knelt
open
the
his friend,
that which had
over
or
floor,
leaningpassionately
upon
been his friend.
He bent his head down
the silent breast,listening.
on

Surelyif Valentine
the least
have
*

been

whether

claspingstone
Valentine

alone and
hall of

flat

was

reallydead.

communicated
direction,
this

sleepyboy

The

His

intention

silent

to that

bare

thought

terror,once

so

swerving round

and

run

let the

In

the

certain

glasshutches

Julian

then

ran

note

to

sprang to
back into the

Dr.

Levillier.

at it,his back would

placedthat, sitting
A
divan.
the
shiver ran
him
over
figureon

He

blind

posture. No, he

caught up
about

was

to

pen

and

be
at

must

face that

of

note-paper,

sheet

write, holding the

paper

on

his

the electric bell rang.

The boy had been very quick in
the hutch.
the paper and went
Julian laid down
to
in.
His knees shook as he descended
the dark echoing

knee, when
his

and

write

in

so

of such

dear.

was

leave him

struck him.

in motion
to

for certain

not

turned

night.

at

sign,
might

some

Julian

dared

of those wooden
harbour

by

only know

he

when

which,

one

messengers

was
writing-table

turned
the

with

handle, set the communicator

tent-room.

Yet

it

none.

Suddenly a thought
handle

show

was

If he could

iron.

or

were

go to seek aid.

the

in which

alive he would

were

stir,breath,shiver,pulse. There

from

boy

There stood the messenger,

stairs and opened the door.
urchin of about twelve,with rather sleepybrown
eyes.

rosy

faced

the little
up,"Julian said,and he hurried back to the flat,
emulatinghis giant stride up the stairs and arriving
boy violently
flushed and pantingat the door.
abstracted
Julian,who was entirely
without another word to the
made for the tent-room
in his agitation,
to
and
and
seized
write,urgently requesting
began
boy,
paper
pen
Valentine.
at once
to see
Dr. Levillier to come
Abruptly a childish
"

Come

voice intruded

itself upon

him.

Is the gentleman
Lor',sir,"it said.
Julian glancedup and found that the
"

"

followed him
gazingwith

into the tent-room, and

a

round-eyedconcern

upon

ill?

was

the

"

little

boy had innocently

standingnear
him,
stretched figureon the

now

divan.
"

"
Yes," Julian replied,
ill,
very ill. I want
you to go for a doctor/'
The boy approachedthe divan, moved apparentlyby the impelling

of
curiosity

leaned

He

Julian stoppedwritingand
years.
and looked at the face,at the inertia

tender

down

As he raised himself
limbs.
Julian
saw
staringat him.

watched
of hands

him.

and

he
up from a calm and close inspection
He
shook his round
bullet head, on

the thick hair grew in an imparted stubble.

No, I don't think he's ill,
sir,"he remarked, with

which
"

tion.
treble convic-

FLAMES

66

sions
the abrupt intrulife the most inexplicable
are
which
manifestations
of
those
lovely
give
disappearances
soldiers of the campaign of
healingto tired hearts,to the wounded
the world.
Why are they not permittedto stay? Bitterly Julian

inexplicable
thingsof
and

whom
he knew
only Valentine
question. Of all the men
all
of
be
the one
who
him.
Must
Valentine,
anything for
men,
might not stay with him ? The rest he could spare. He could not
The
He
could not.
impotence of his patience
spare Valentine.
tortured him physically
like a disease. He sprang up from his chair.
What
could he
He must
the truth.
to know
do something at once
He
could not tabulate
do ?
He had no knowledge of medicine.
to
his infernal instinct.
and he would not trust
physicalindications,
and
For it was
that which
cried to him
again Valentine is
again
asked

that

did

"

dead."

what could he do ?
tive.
into his mind.
darted
Dogs are miraculouslyinstincthought
know, might divine
Rip might know what he did not certainly
Valentine's
into
bedroom.
the truth.
He ran

What"

"

"

"

Rip,"he cried, Kip !

The littledog sprang from its lonelysleepand accompaniedJulian
to the tent-room.
energetically
Observing Valentine's attitude,it
then,
sprang upon the couch beside him, licked his white face eagerly,
It
showed
gate
investialarm.
to
hesitation,
gainingno response,
began
the body eagerlywith its sharp nose, snuffing
at head,shoulders,
legs,feet. Still it seemed in doubt, and paused at length with one
forefoot plantedon Valentine's breast,the other raised in air.
But as the words
"Even
Julian said to himself.
Rip is at fault,"
It
ran
through his mind, the little dog grew suddenly calmer.
dropped the hesitatingpaw, again licked the face,then nestled
quietlyinto the space between Valentine's left breast and arm, rested
its chin on the latter,
for
and, with blinkingeyes, preparedevidently
A
wild
to
Julian.
came
hope
again
repose.
"

Valentine

is not
Thank

will be well.

And
upon

so

he

kept

Already life

Thank

attentive

God

and

seemed

would

of the

an

face, his hand

Valentine's

Valentine

God

And

"

He

is in

from

recover

I will watch

it.

some

He

!"

his eyes always

hopefulvigil,
always touching Valentine's.
with an inexplicable
radiance.

blossominganew
speak once more, would

senses.

himself.

Presentlyhe will

hypnotic trance.

strange

said to

dead," he

Julian's hand

back

come

closed

if it

on

from

this world
underhis cold hand with

be

to draw him
impulsivestrength,
might
possible
to consciousness
back physically
and to speech. But
there was
no
And again Julian was
assailed with doubts.
Yet the dog
answer.
slepton happily,a hostageto peace.
how long that vigil
Julian never
knew
lasted. It might have been
a

warm,

five minutes

as

or

lifetime. The

vehemence

of his mental

debate

TRANCE

THE

67

what he
things. He forgotslew his power of observation of normal
was
waiting for. He forgot to expect Dr. Levillier. Two visions

Valentine, and life without

with

death

or

know

we

"

selfishness.

greedy,beautiful

They live,they

to us.

us, to die

be with

They

those

so

only in relation
who

women

are

live is to

To

relation.

There

us.

love, with

we

themselves

are

from

we

life

"

the trance,

watch

whom

die,in that wonderful

to go away

"

of

"

his brain

of

eyes

It is

him.

which

not

the

before

glaringcontrast

in

alternated

love

they angrilyexpostulatewith the dying,as if,indeed,

Do we
elected to depart out of their arms.
the dying deliberately
"
could stay with me, if only you
the
You
not all feel at moments
"
that is the last bitter cry of despairingaffection ?
had the will !
there, while Valentine lay silent and the dog sleptby
Julian, sitting
and
those two
ever
his breast, saw
lives,flashingand fading
ever
The
him.
dark
like lamps across
a
sea, life with, life without
those
immensity of the contrast, the millions of airy miles between
two
life-worlds,
appalledhim, for it revealed to him what mighty
issues of joy and griefhung upon the almost visionarythin thread
of one
littlelife. It is ghastlyto be so idiotically
dependent. Yet
time, is not ? And those who are independentlose,by
who, at some
Paradise.
But such a time of uncertainty
their power, their possible
endure
is a great penalty to pay for
Julian must
that which
now
as
of
the joy is past. He had his trance
the greatestjoy,when
even
his
whether
Valentine
He
the mind.
was
hypnotised by
ignorance
And
he sat motionless,
alive or dead.
so
were
making the tour of
of wonder, of doubt, and
an
hope, and yet,
eternityof suffering,
in
indefinite
it
some
all,
through
strange,
way, numb, phlegmatic,
and actuallystupid.

so

that

much

"

At
at

once

last the bell rang.

Dr. Levillier had
Julian's
of manner.
heaviness
by

is it ?

is the matter

What

"

What

"

I don't know.
is

He

was

struck

? " he asked.

tell me."

You

fainting unconscious
Unconscious,yes."
They were in the littlehall now.

"

He

arrived.

"

?"

"

Julian.
took
"

For

him

by

he

moment

the

Dr. Levilliernarrowlyscrutinised

thought

Julian had

been

drinking,and

he

arm.

No, it is fear,"he murmured,

releasinghim,

and

walking into

the tent-room.
Julian
said to
He

followed with

Death,
stood

at

"

You
a

Valentine

top
then

lipin

are

loud
not

little distance
and

bent

terrier smile of
liftedValentine's hand
a

footstep,
treadingfirmly.

here.

You

are

the

not

Each

step

here."

door,while Levillier approached

him.
over
Kip woke up and curled his
welcome.
The doctor stroked his head,
and held the wrist.
He dropped it,ancl
near

FLAMES

68

threw a glanceon Julian.

of interrogation
There was
in
a
scream
Julian's fixed eyes.
Dr. Levillier avoided it by droppinghis own
and again turning his attention to the figure on the divan.
He
undid

Valentine's

shirt,bared the breast,and

heart,keepingit there
"

Fetch

me

for

"

I don't

Dr.

the

bedroom, and

don't you

turn

groped in
the

up

light?

the
"

know," Julian answered, drily.

Levillier

When

the

on

long time.
he said to Julian.
hand-glass,"
a

into
Julian went
Mechanically,
dark upon the dressing-table.
Well, have you got it ? Why
"

laid his hand

that

saw

anxietywas

found

the

the

beginning to

doctor led Julian

unnerve

back

him.
the tent-

glasswas
pushed him gentlydown in a chair.
And
he said.
keep hoping."
Keep quiet,"
There is there is hope ?
Why not ?
Then the doctor held the littleglass
to Valentine's lips.The bright
to

and

room

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

surface

breath of life tarnished it to dulness.

Again the doctor felt his heart,drew his eyelids
apart, and carefully
the eyes, then slowlyturned round.
examined
"

Doctor

What

are

dimmed.

not

was

"

! " Julian

Doctor

Dr. Levillier made

His head
Valentine.
he

that

saw

of his

do ?

goingto

you

was

whispered.

"

Why

do you

and knelt
gesture of finale,

was

in

turn

away

"

bowed.

praying,and

thawed

senses

No

His
sprang

moment.

the

floor

by
lipsmoved silently.Julian
All the frost
up fiercely.
He
seized Levillier by the
on

shoulders.
"
"
Curse !
pray ! he cried out, don't pray.
You
shall not ! You
If he's dead you shall not pray.
"

Don't

to his knees.
littledoctor drew him down
Julian,hush ! My science tells me Valentine

curse

as

I do !

shall not ! "

The
"

is dead."

the doctor, with a motion,

Julian opened his white lips,but
to Kip, who
stilllayhappilyby his
silenced him, and added,pointing
master's side
But

that

to tell me
he is alive,
that this is some
dog seems
simulation
and
of
unnatural
death,some
perfect
strangelycomplete
Pray, pray with me that Valentine may wake."
sleepof the senses.
his
friend,with bent head,Julian strove to pray.
And, kneelingby
to that double prayer piercedthe two
It was
The answer
men.
so
instant,and so bizarre,
fightingagainstprobability,
yet heralding
and the end of that night's
pale circumstances.
light,
quicklyfrom his perfunctorysmile on the doctor,
Rip,relapsing
evident
had again fallen asleep with an
exceedingconfidence and
into
his
an
comfort, snoring
apparent peace that passed all
way
had the doctor spoken,givingJulian
understanding. But scarcely
"

TRANCE

THE

of

arm

from

it turned
with

supreme
bared
and

face

darted

scream

of

to the farthest

corner

wall in

againstthe

that very
instinct of the
it and

knew

Levillier.

it

afraid.

And

the
his

crossed

death,

and

close

he

death

hurt

sharply as
from the divan,and he could

trance

at

the

sleepless
slept,and now

of belief shook

error

same

the

that

while
partially

face.

thin,earnest

this

so

recoil in horror

huddled

and

room,

cart, it sprang

that
implicitly

into

divined

spasm

him

hurt

ever

was

believed

had

dog

by

over

run

of the

deepened

had

moment

dog

of terror.

an

agony
cold.
He

turned

Julian

face it recoiled and, with

the

From

bosom.

like the

howl,
piercing
away,

suddenly opened its eyes, shifted round in

Then
at Valentine's hand.
and bosom, smelt furtively
of
its
side
the
hand
the
to
master, investigatedit
anxiety,pursued its search as far as the white, strict
little dog

hope, than the

its nest

69

No

him.

death

He

Julian

saw

nothing.

say

Dr.
had

For

he,

too, felt horror.

despairValentine's hands slowlyunclenched

graduallyextended as by a man
fingerswere

in this moment

But

themselves, and

the

after

stretchinghimself
doctor

The

tricked

by

Julian

had

long sleep.

of

excitement

turned

his

quite

away,
pressedhis elbows
slightly,

moved

himself the

this,but believed

saw

the

of

into

mind

trembling.
on

But

see

what

see

with

Julian, turning,saw

his eyes, and

open

Is he indeed

upon

gaze

scrutiny.
Valentine,Valentine,how
"

me

thank

"

God

Julian
! you

at

you

last found

Julian."

the doctor

Valentine

friends

with

frightenedme
voice

to

are

supported

sit up
grave,

How

exclaim.

Oh, Valentine,you

alive.

are

alive ?

his two

And

voice," Julian,

"

do you
Then

delusion,
Valentine

that

him, and half sab up, still with closed eyes.

Julian,"Dr. Levillier said in a low, summoning

visions.

now

cushions

the

of

victim
foolish

"

you
Thank

alive,you

erect,

staring
fied
terri-

God,
are

not

dead."
Valentine's
"

lipssmiled slowly.

he answered.

"
Dead/'
No, 1 am not dead."
And
smiles at some
secret
again he smiled quietly,as a man
which
tickles
him
the
of
in
humour
him
or
thought
sense
whips
till,
like an obeying dog, it dances.
Dr. Levillier,
having regained his feet,stood silently
looking at
Valentine,all his professionalinstinct wide awake
to note
this

from

apparent resurrection
"

You

here,Doctor

"

the dead.

said

Valentine.

"

Why,

what

does this all

mean?"
"

I want

added, now

you

to

tell

me

turningtowards

that," Levillier said.

Julian.

"

And

you," he

FLAMES

70

Julian

But

blazingwith

joy and

be informed

be

too

was

with

much

excited

with emotion.

the

heart,to the

His eyes were

seemed
still to

answer.

Valentine

lassitude.
curious,serpentine

life seemed

The

body,creepingfrom
extremities,
graduallygrowing in

only very gentlyrunning againover

centre,from

to

And

his

to

the
the

of life in a full-grown man.

stronger and stronger,a dawn
Dr. Levillier had never
seen
anything quite like it before. There

eyes,

unnatural about it,he thought,yet he could

somethingviolently
He
could only stand by the broad couch,fascinated
not say what.
the
under
his gaze.
Once he had read a tale of the
spectacle
by
in a museum.
That might have been like
of a mummy
revivifying
of strengthalmost
The streams
this ; or the raisingof Lazarus.
life was
Valentine's
And
this new
t
rickled
veins.
so
visibly
through
Valentine
alert.
It
if
his
was
as
s
o
during
vigorous,
strange sleep
his energies,
his powers, settingthe
had been carpentering
polishing
from rest.
in
soul
almost
ruthlessness
of
his
a
order,gaining
temple
to win
He stretched his limbs now
athlete might stretch them
an
as
was

the full consciousness

of his hand

hold

of their muscular

to feel his

the doctor

force. When

pulse the hand

hard

was

and

tense

took
like

like thin bands of steel,

and
iron,the fingers
grippedfor a moment
in
water
swirls
life
in
blue
the
the
a
eyes bounded, raced,swirled as
felt
too
Levillier
there
if
much
Dr.
mill stream.
was
as
Indeed,
filled with wine until the wine
life in them, as if the cup had been
the
his
He
on
ran
over.
fingers
pulse. It was strong and rapid
put
felt the heart.
but beat steadily.He
and did not fluctuate,
That,

too, throbbed
Valentine

strongly.

And

while

he

his

made

examination

smiled at him.

right,you see,"Valentine said.

All right,"
the doctor echoed,still possessed
by the feelingthat
there lurked almost a danger in this apparentlyabounding health.
it a trance ?
it all ? Julian asked eagerly. Was
What
was
"

am

all

"

"

"

"

"

Yes, I suppose so."

s
tood
floor,
put
up, and again stretched all his
stillin the corner, huddled
His eyes fell upon Kip, who was
limbs.
out of his head.
up, his teeth showing,his eyes almost starting
"

trance

He

? " Valentine

"

his feet to the

Rip," he said, holding out his hand

here ! Come
come
along! Rip ! Rip !
"

"

said.

and

slappinghis knee,

What's

the matter

with

him?"
"Poor
little chap.
"He
dead," said Julian.
thought you were
"
Rip, it'sall right. Come !
and still displayedevery
But
to be pacified,
the dog refused
symptom of angry fear. At last Valentine, weary of callingthe

clog,went
movement

stoopedto pick it up. At the downward

the
dog shrank back, gathered itself
suddenlysprang forward with a harsh snarl and

towards
of

together,then

its

it and

master

TRANCE

THE

tried to fasten its teeth in his face.

71

Valentine

jumped

back

justin

time.
"

He

have

must

his

into

but

arms,

and

when

trembled

taken

have

to

seems

what

Julian,see

you

limb.

in every
said.
extraordinary!" Julian

struggledto escape
"How

"

with avidity,
Julian's advances
he walked
towards
Valentine,

welcomed

Curiously enough, Rip

nestled

he exclaimed.

him."

do with

can

mad,"

gone

"Since

dislike

violent

he

trance
your
What
can
you.

to

it

mean?"
"

Oh, nothingprobably.

other

will

He

get

it.

over

him

Put

into the

room."
did so, and

Julian

Dr. Levillier

returned.

His light,
kind eyes
sittingin an armchair.
intense
render
the
to
a
so
were
as
scrutiny
But Valentine
expressionof his usuallygentleface almost stern.
of
and
unconscious
his
attentive
to all
mainly
appearedquite
gaze
fixed

that Julian

he

You

spoke

Julian

looked

"

now

with

All

did.

said and

Now

word.

was

Valentine

on

this time

the

doctor

had

not

said

spoke.
of

? " he said

trance

guiltyas

as

interrogatively.

cribbing schoolboydiscovered

in his

dingy act.
"

Doctor, Val and

"Tome"
"
"

disobeyedyou."
never
give you

I should

But

is

advice

Valentine,with
And

advice

what

for

he said.
forgiveness,"

order."

an

to those

\\ho know

you,

Doctor,"said

laugh.

of mine

have

put

you

in the

corner

with

its

table-turning
again."

!"

Ah

Dr.

to you

"

been

have

"We

command

sudden

face to the wall ?

"

to crawl

why?"
have

We

"Your

"

I have

Levillier

formed

his

lipsinto

the

assumed

shape

by

one

whistling.
this has been

"

And

"

Yes," Julian

the result ? "

cried.

"

Never, as long as I live,will I sit again.

"
if
clown
on
Val, you go
your knees to me
"
I shall not do that/' Valentine quietly
interposed." I have no
desire to sit again now."
"

both

You

the doctor.

set

seem
"

Give

me

against such
your

solemn

dangerousfollyat last,"said
promise to stick to what you

have said."
And

the

Valentine
his usual

two

with

gave it,Julian
light smile. Julian had

young
a

gaiety. The

men

events

of the

with

by

no

strong gravity,
means

recovered

affected
nighthad seriously

him.

FLAMES

72

he graspedValentine by
excited and emotional, and now
he exclaimed :
the arm
as
"
Valentine, tell me, what made you give that strange cry just
Were
did
into your trance ?
or
before you went
you frightened,
"
it ?
touch you ? Or what was
something that hand
He

was

"

"

"

cry ?

"

Yes."

"

It

"

I."

not

was

hear it ? "

Didn't you
"No."
"

Julian turned

to the doctor.

Like nothingI have ever

unearthlysound," he said.
heard or imagined. And, Doctor, justafterwards I saw
something,
believe
Valentine
dead."
that
made
was
me
really
something
"

"

It

"

What

was

Julian

an

it ?

was

"

hesitated.

Then

avoided

he

directlyreplyingto

the

question.
Doctor,"he said," of

"

at death-beds

been
"

I have.

"

have

by

"

people have

But

dying,that

at

sort of shadow

of the
"

I have

often

moment

from

air.

And

they

have
a

watched

tiny flame,

lips of

the

the corpse
that
flame
is
the soul
say

and

going

body."
never

that,"Levillier said.

seen

And

"

I have

watched

deaths."

many
"

the

told me, people who

of death sometimes

almost, comes

evaporatesinto the
out

have

Very often,"Levillier replied.

never
seen
die,"Julian continued, still with
any one

excitement.
the

I needn't ask you if you

course

"

saw

such

flame

Julian
to-night,"
from

said.

"

After

I heard

the

a
come
saw
was
sitting,
cry, I distinctly
And
and afterwards,
and float up and disappearin the darkness.
Valentine lay so still and cold,I grew to believe that flame
when
his
was
soul,and that I had actuallyseen him die in the dark."

flame

where

Valentine
"

"

Valentine said,rather abruptly.

Imagination,"
"

?
Levillier
said.
Probably,"

Wasn't

it,Doctor

All

imagination.

"

"

Darkness

certainlymakes things
who
visible that do not exist. I have patients
are
perfectly
sane,
in
to
be
the
I
forbid
dark.
all
Remove
whom
ever
entirely
yet
objectsfrom their sight and they immediately see non-existent
things."
You
think that flame came
only from my inner consciousness ?
"

"

"

Julian asked.
"

suspectso.

eyes now."
Dr. Levillier bent over

Shut

your

Julian did so.

hard on Julian's eyes.

After

and

pressedhis

moment,

two

fingers
fore-

FLAMES

74

doctor

The

went

friends alone for

I

"

still

am

How
you
been

dead

is like

I made

up

old fellow !
that

mind

my

Oh, Val, if you

resurrection.

Dear

"

on.

yourself
again.

you

This

had

really!
would

Done

"

see

went

"

What

"

excited,"Julian

so

dead.

were

moment.

it is to

good

get his coat, leavingthe

into the hall to

out

done ? "

have

you

I don't know.

know

where

devil,probably."

to the

Gone

to find him

"

"

Do

"

street to begin with."

boy,he is in every London
My
In Victoria Street even
I was
!
only laughing."
"
did
feel
But tell me, what
?
you

you

dear

"
"

Nothing. As if I slept."
And you really
heard, saw, nothing?

"
"
""

Nothing."

"

And

?"

that hand

Valentine

smiled

seemed

again, and

hesitate.

to

But

then

he

repliedquietly:
I told you I could not feel it."
I did,until I heard that dreadful

"
"

drawn

from

away

Dr. Levillier
did not

Julian

began
"My

to pace

this ?

appeared in
notice

Don't

let

"

Excellent

then it

Again
the

with

doorway
his

suddenly

was

mean

his overcoat

excitement

on, but
rising. He

was

room.

said,vehemently, "what

he

does it

"

the

him.
down

up and

God!"
What

cry, and

me."

What

can

it

would
mean

about it."
bother too much
Levillier
from the
said
advice,"

Marr

say to all

?"

us

doorway.

Julian stood still.

"Doctor,

understand

can

are, Val.

amazing being you

an

you

had

And

yet somethinghas governed

of life.

sat

For

held

what
your attitude,"he said. "But
You are as calm and collected as if

and

to

were

you

converse

with

all through your

life.
spirits
has temporarilydeprived you

you,
all intents and

purposes

dead

while

you

in that trance."

were

Death

"

is

simplynothingthen,

one.
terrify

or
"

That's

Julian
"
"

felt better than

never

nothingnessdoes

not

excite

I do at this moment."

well,"said Levillier cheerfully.

pure, beautiful face with astonishment.
looked better."

regardedValentine's

And

you never
I shall sleep exquisitely
to-night,or

Valentine
As
he
across

and

rather

this

morning,"

said.

spoke he

the window.

his white face.

drew

away

the

heavy

very pale shaft of

green

curtain

lightstole

that

in,and

hung
lit up

TRANCE

THE

It

and

shadowy

silence

Dr.

blue,

white,

the

In

seemed

dying

night

wonder

of

and

Levillier
them

to

mystery

gold,

both,

looked

he

there,

the

against

painted

dawn,

jhe

standing

and,

dawn,

the

was

75

death

Julian

the

colours,

him,

of

of

life.

of
at

enigma

spirit

pale

and

gazed

strange

like
such

in

and

he

and

purity

of

imearthliness.

Valentine."

"Good-bye,
held

Julian

to

his

grasp

and

did

friend's,
take

not

but

it.

Valentine

In

his

gentlest

on

our

ship,
friend-

Julian,

dear

"Good-bye,

to

curtain

the

up

said

he

hand

his

out

looping

jegan
voice

last.

at

Doctor."

"Good-bye,

Julian

said

Levillier

Cresswell,"

Good-bye,

"

dawn

The

good-bye.

is

Julian."
"

Valentine."

Yes,

Valentine
"Take

Rip
in

jitten
And

As

Julian

close

to

emerged
of

.wo

"ainted

his

and

drew

Merciful

gold

frame

the

fingers

don't

want

be

to

that

dog

followed

eagerly

several

him,

Julian

times

could

his

on

He
At

blackness.

remained

in

the

length

the

and

room

one

and

perhaps

again.

smile
to

shrouded

light,
for

opened

calm

blood,

Valentine

was

the

on

door

was

with

which

turning

There

stained

friends,

two

drawing-room,

it, without

him.

were

closed

the

on

He

his

face,

fragment

of

adhered.

canvas

When

had
to

hour.

an

of

out

little

close

so

entered

behind

of

quarter

door

passage

He
door

the

away,

heels,

flat

the

darkness.
the

to-night.

him.

the

as

down

closed

you

went

his

kicking

soon

valked

for

just

reflection

apparent

sleep."

my

avoid

not

of

moment

with

away

when

"ressing

after

added,

Valentine's
the

up

Knight
in

manservant

blinds,
"

lying

shreds,

as

he

into

went

found,

upon
if rats

the

had

to

his

floor.
been

the

horror,
The

in

room

the

picture

hung

canvas

gnawing

the

it.

mornin"*
of

from

"The
tha

CHAPTER

THE

DK.

and

LEVILLIER

He

wished

The

dawn

came

was

the

in

sky
he

it

with

up

in

hope

as

deliberate
be

be

free

from

welcomed

his

the

the

horror

hard

the

began
sanity.

senses

dull

of the

fibre

shudder

to

to

building.
that

Dr.

himself

to

believe

this

prison

And

clung

yet

completely
of

demon
one

to

he

the

scheme

of

Valentine.

the

They

had

of

their

did

possible

Julian

fact

it

that

earth.

v/as,

has

trick

and

the

the

trick
And

as

this

at

idea

on

struck

to

could

of

out

twitter

to

the

its

an

allowed
He

to

tho

first time

death.

of all the

began

soared

for

had

of

of

such

to

begin

played

slavery

walls

escaped

sparrows

meaning

it had

that
a

up.

he

sly, bitter, chuckling

strung

death,

their

somehow

roadway, or
they loved.

which

with

four

had

For

perfect enjoyment

What
a

dirty
in

communing

the

world

dawn.

the

all

strenuous

Such

gradually

he

and

that

renew

necessary

now

that

to

the
be

the

puddles
chimneys

the

been

within

in

And

carpet.

soul.

must

For

in

the

learned

and

feet

His

eyes.

how

realise
of

slavery

heard

thick

bondage

Julian

and

and

and

round

What

his

was

brown

had

thing, surely,

to

feeling.

air

the

realised
the

gracious

right,
affected
unnaturally

walked,

sank

that

soot

in

were

environment

Levillier

become

he

as

they

as

of

condition

artificial
believe

artificial

An

houses

to

kept so
stretching away

the

of

a
making
was
glad

had

he

of

softness

dreary

face, and

his

which

face.
wind

the

He

on

in

room

his

Place,

breeze

pavement.

out

Only now
bondage had been, a veritable
could
been
surely only have

the

walk.

cloudy
Mayfair, and

limbs.

lines

the

at

come

feel

to

strong

in

lived

his

step.
door-

on

in

slowly

as

the

looked

Street

Grosvenor

little

that

of

wearily.

grew

exercising

to

vigil.
foggy perspective

almost

normal

sky, glad

air

Julian

towards
of

sake

the

Victoria

heart.

slowly
the

The

appalling a
through the
night

for

under

so

on

preferred

of

touch

cold

which

light,

grey

good-bye

Julian

but

just breaking, ever

housetops, and

forward

detour

out

feel the

to

other

hansom,

long-starved

walked

each

the

over

faint, dusky,

now

to

alone,

indeed

EPISODE

bade

hailed

be

to

PICCADILLY

Julian

doctor

The

II

What

the

power,

things
Julian

into

in
and

the
on

Julian's

EPISODE

PICCADILLY

THE

77

pavement by the chemist's shop that

His eyes
to the underground railwaystation of Victoria.
s opposite
and he beheld
through the
ell on the hutch of the boy-messengers,
and
the
He crossed
tapped on the
road,
'lass shutter three heads.
himself

nind he found

jlass. A
"

Want

"

No.

pulledit

man

young

up.
sir ?

"

to send

I wish

the

on

message,

speak to

to

one

boys, if

of your

the

one

is

mean

Ah, there he is."

lere.

his

pointed to

Julian

of the

little Hermes

midnight, who

was

his chin nestlingwearilyamong

Touched within, uneasilysleeping,
The
for him.
had
conduct
his
won
which
,he medals
exemplary
shook the child by the shoulder.
'oung man
"
"
to speak
Hulloh, Bob ! he yelled. " Here's a gentleman wants
0

yer."
Bob

vith his

big brown

eyes.

emarked

ain't

It

into his

put his hand

He

There's
took

Bob

stared

to realise matters.

good," he
glow in the

of

manner

no

Julian

upon

his cap, and

to

cab ride.

No," Julian said. " I stoppedto

gentleman is quitewell again."

^he

"

sir?

airily,
beginningto search for

"rospectof another
"

jerk,and

Presentlyhe began

doctor,

another

"Want

with

his dreams

from

came

tell you

that

pocketand produced

for your

something
it solemnly and, as

were

you

half

wrong,

crown.

mistake,"he said.
Julian

walked

on,

father's."
It wasn't my fault,sir,it was
shine
desire
intellectual
to
had
He
an
as
more

called after him

"

natters
tot

help smilingat
that drive
face

Place.

respect like

a
ragged
"assers-by,

in-soddened

to

respect

the

old

came,

one

of the

sharp nail
was

woman

like

On

authorityon

departed.

the child's evident discomfiture

Grosvenor

^ay towards
louses

than

of dissolution

of

vagabond
of

black

great
could

he

pursued his
doorstepsof the big
as

into the hearts

of the poor
squatting. Her

tumultuously
cloud,to the

scarlet

bonnet, braided with

here and there with the stray bugles which
littering

mbrace

Julian

view

from

the

rags, viciously
survived
from

Her
comparative respectability.
penetrating
denoted
oblivious of the lounging approach of
that she was
nores
he policeman,
whose
blue and burly form was
visible in the extreme
istance. Julian stopped to observe her reflectively.
His eye, which
oved the grotesque,was
pleasedby the bedragglementof her attitude,
the
in its burstingboot, which
flat foot,
protruded from the ocean
y
f her mud-stained
the
hair wandering
by
wisps of coarse
petticoats,
the breeze above
her brazen
wrinkles.
Poor
soul ! she kept a
1
of
she
could
iary her deeds,even
though
perhaps only make a mark
?here her signature should
have
been.
Julian
stared at her very
the human
itently,
and, as he did so, he started violently,
for,across
ome

bygone

era

FLAMES

78

there seemed to
background which her sleepingdissipation
supplied,
float the vague shadow, suggestion,
call it what you will,
of a tongue
of flame.
He

walked

As he passed
hastilyon, angrilyblaming his nerves.
he
that
he
fancied
noticed
the
man
policeman
glancedat him
with a certain flickering
suspicion.Was horror legiblywritten in
his face ? He wondered
in
to himself that,even
confessing
uneasily,
the dawn
and the lap of Grosvenor
Place, a horror had again seized
him.
did this shadow
What
which he had now
twice seen
portend?
his
He
not
at first
nerves
were
was
Surely
permanently upseb.
of himself.
ashamed
Near St. George'sHospital,
heartily
gaunt and
in
the
he
bent
his
left
arm
forcibly,
morning,
stopped again,
grey
and with his righthand felt the hard lump of muscle that sprang up
the

like

ball of iron

under

cursed himself for the

his

coat
sleeve.
all
of
fools.
greatest

whose

of the town, tea-partymen

and their moustaches, no
of the

him

to hold these

Those

hair.

He

clouds.

But

nerves.

beingan athlete,able
force,if need be. He
each
brain and biceps,
scales

doubt

gave

had

own

found

it

as

he

Thin, meagre

thoughts were

Julian

to hold his

And

ever

on

littlemen
their ties

themselves
turbances
to disup readily
had always pridedhimself on
in the world

muscular
side
develop
by side
It had seemed grand to

by mere

possibleto

adequate end.
being evenly,to balance
hung badly now, lopsidedly.One was
to

felt it he

an

scales of his

resolved that the other should

correct

it.

them

to

up

in the

After

cold

go round to Angelo'sand have an hour's

for every ill,
hard fencing. Cold water, the Englishman's"
panacea
would
tonic
this
cold steel,the pioneer's
errant
brain
Minerva,
So he said to himof his and drill ib into its customary obedience.
self.
bath

and

sleephe would

yet as he walked

there

to him

notion that this little

still his companion, that this night just
shadow
of a flame was
this
day justbegun, were the birthnightand the birthdayof
passed,
And

came

into being to bear him

small,ghostlikething which had come
he
to haunt him.
walked, followed alwaysclosely
Yes, as
company,
of
tall
iron
the Park, Apsley House, the
and
the
saw
gates
by Kip,
all uncertain,gentle,reduced to a whimsical
long line of Piccadilly,
of the dawning,he againrecalled
mildness of aspectin the half-light
that night to Dr. Levillier,
the fact,%vhichhe had mentioned
of
this

of
peoplewatching an invalid who had seen, at the precisemoment
f
rom
soul
its
the
like
dissolution,
escapingfurtively
a
fleshly
prison
lost in the air. Surely wandering
flame which
immediately
was
such things,
might still retain this faint |
souls,if,indeed,there were
if so, they might perhapsoccasionsemblance of a shape,a form. And
ally
to
attachment
fantastic
human
conceive a
a
panion
being,and comthe dog companions his master.
him silently
He might
as

THE

EPISODE

PICCADILLY

?9

he could
not comprehend,
companion, whose nature
could
not
him
he
out
Perhaps it felt
whose
guess.
objectin seeking
the
other
affection towards
hand, enmity. A
him; perhaps, on
Or it might have no definite
it might be either.
lover,or a spy
human
drift near
him in the air,as some
beings
purpose, but simply
because
drift feeblyalong togetherthrough life,
they have long ago
loved each other, or thought each other useful,or
fancied,in some

have

such

"

of

moment

madness, that

God

meant

for

them

other.

each

It

aimless,dreary soul, unable to be gone from sheer

dulness of purpose, a soul without
temperament, without character.
he happened to glance at
As this thought crossed Julian's mind
his left,and
the front of a shop on
against the iron shutters the
He
to
o
utlined.
but
flame was
distinctly
stopped at once
dimly
he sternly
Then
he stopped it was
look at it,but even
as
gone.
brought himself back from the vague regions of fancy, and was
might

be

an

angry that he had

lost in a forest.

permittedhimself
He

to wander

and

down

in them

patted Kip,

like

child

and

sought to
to thrust it forcibly
from its wayward course,
his mind
wrench
Yet
of
into its accustomed
healthysanity.
sanityseemed to
groove
become
abruptly commonplace, a sort of whining crossing-sweeper,
divert
To
chattering untimely, meaningless phrases to him.
he paused beside a peripatetic
himself entirely
coffee-stall,
presided
over
prematurelyold youth,with sharpfeatures and
by a grey-faced,
avarice.
the glancingeyes of poverty-stricken
he said.
Give me
of coffee,"
a cup
in excited obedience.
The youth clattered his wares
the
While
he was
out
pouring
steaming liquid,there drifted
of the morning a painted
down
to Julian through the grey weariness
forest of
a
girlof the streets,crowned with a large hat, on which
in the weak
and
feathers waved
breeze.
Julian
chilly
glanced at
her idlyenough and she glanced back at him.
Horror, he thought,
bent

and

"

looked

from

she

gaze

her

hovered

eyes

as

near

if from
him

women,

Julian, glad

coffee.

She

drew

And

"

And

nearer

As

she

his

returned

peculiardesultoryway

of any
offered
distraction,
and acceptedit.

and

"

window.

in the

her

of such
a

cup

of

bun, niy dear,"she hinted to the sharp-featured

youth.
a
of
bun," echoed
Julian, seeing his doubtful
pause

hesitation.
The

bun

came

into

view

from

hidden

basket,and

the

meal

the
began, Julian, Rip, and
lady of the feathers
forming a
the
kerb.
The
companionable group
lady's curious and
upon
almost thrilling
w
hich
had
seemed
from
beacon
to
expression,
some
her
soul some
heightof
exceptionaland dreary deed, faded under the
influence of the dough and currants.
A
smile overspread her thin
features. She examined
Julian with a graciousinterest.

FLAMES

80

she
It's easy to see youVe been makin5 a night of it,Bertie,''
the
suffocated
in
voice
of
divided
a
t
remarked
one
casually length,
and love of food.
between desire of conversation
"
"
said
Julian.
You think so ?
"
Ask me another as I don't know ;
Think so, dear, I'm sure
so !
"

do, darlin'."

draught from

Julian took another

that
coffee-cup

held

out

here

amazinglylittle.

so

"

And

what

early?

so

The
"
"

?
yourself

about

lady of

the feathers cast

againin

I'm afraid to go
Afraid ; why ?
talked

merely
mind,

"

he

said.

"

Why

are

you

"

the horror dawned

glanceupon
suspicious

him.

Then

her eyes.
"

Yes, that's

fact."

spoke abstractedly. In truth

floatingwisp of humanity to distract

Julian

this

to

home," she said.

"

thought of her

and

as

strange

he
his

of the streets
female David
that his soul might be rid

cockney music in his ears

its evil spirit.
Never you mind why," the lady answered.
She shivered suddenly,violently,
as
a
dog just come
to make

sent

of

the thick

"

out

of

water.
"

Have

another

"

And

cup ?

"

Julian said.

bun, dearie,"the lady again rejoined. She shook

her

tillall the feathers danced.

head

you mind
question. " There's

why," she said,revertingagain to his vagrant

some
thingsas don't do to talk about."
I've no wish to pry into your
I'm sure
Julian
privateaffairs,"
rejoinedcarelessly.
of her face. Surelythat
But
terror
again he noticed the worn
unwonted
which
experience,
night she too had passed through some
the paint and
amid
had written its sign manual
powder of her
"

Never

"

shame.

lady stared

The

seemed
and
"
"

back at him.

like

to grow

minglingwith

weed.

What's

Tears

tinted

eyelidsthe fear
her cheeks
over
followed,rolling

the coffee in her cup.

dear,"she murmured

Oh

her

Beneath

"

the matter?

lamentably.

"

Oh, dear,oh

!"

said Julian.

of weak
only shook her head, with the peevish persistence
down by chill
obstinacy,and continued vaguelyto weep as one worn
But

she

circumstance.
Julian turned

his eyes

sharp-featured
youth
he had

custom

that

the

wind

of

now

secured.

phantom flame
the morning. He

from

her

the

in which the
coffee-stall,
leant,well satisfied with the
negligently
Behind the youth'shead it seemed
to Julian
hung trembling, as if blown by the light
to

laid his hand

on

the

lady'sleft

arm

and

82

FLAMES

flown

its

at

always

seemed

But

who

master,

so

puzzled

had

things

many

kind

been

always

hitherto,

love

to

then

had

it, whom

to

it had

Julian.

puzzled

him

within

and

lay

the

last

few

days.
He

stroked

began

with

Valentine,

and

the

dark;

ladder.

blue

space

golden
angel,

one

beautiful.

devil.

ayngels
the

the

and

the

sat

round

lady's

him

far

that
bar

Yet

they

had

faces

to

hear

the

table

he

figures

saw

One

the
of

top

ended

outline

of
in

of

seemed

alike, and

were

was

land

the

ladder

leaned.
that

the

reached

the

it
like

grew

feather

was

youth

and

and

his

He

sharp-featured

he

away

this

two

till
the

Soon

sleep.

heaven

up

that

is

feathers

towards

and

up
to

clue

with

down.

a
an

were

faded.

seemed

that

air,
on

They

Julian

Was

in
And

climbed

it seemed

and

bar.

They

giant-killer

Julian
And

whose

maze

And

see.

the

hand

Levillier,

feathers.

the

Jack

Then

the

the

Dr.

could

of

ogres.

Good

he

yet

in

with

of

meditative

wander

to

lady

beanstalk

with

Rip

mind

vaguely
!

Oh
motto

Gawd
of

!
his

sharp

-featured

"

sleep 3

youth

say,

CHAPTER

Angelo's the

lying upon the breakfast table

people,before opening it he
or

him

at

considered

and

times

three

that

once

note, and, after

the address

the

who

writing ought

the

broke

at last he

the

The

surprised.

was

Before

the seal.

of his

he could

reading

envelope

the

two

It struck

be.

might

name

Yet

the

familiar

be

to

of many

the custom
on

found

him

to

and

correspondent

not

utter

note

he

And

it.

glanced at

Valentine."

"

signature:

Julian

writer

he

morning

next

read

capable of instant identification.

the tip of his mind.
on
was
literally
so

RAIN

THE

IN

from

returned

Julian

WHEN

DRIVE

III

had

He

knew

had

he

why

now

seemed

to

the
handwriting.
actually remembered
it
from
Valentine's
curiously changed
Regarding
usual
After
a
hand, yet containing many
points of resemblance.

remember,

yet

it

while

he

to the

came

not

again,he

found

conclusion

it

that

was

like

all the

the

bad

photograph of
points of the
delicacyof it. For

main

original,
imitating,closely enough,
original,
yet leavingout all the character,all the
his
Valentine's handwriting had always seemed
to Julian
to express
rather large and very clear,but delicate,
It was
nature.
the letters
formed, the lines perfectlyeven, neither depressed nor
exquisitely
more
slantingupwards. This note was
surely much
coarselywritten
than

he

"

yet of

And

usual.

wondered

had

DEAR

known.

not

He

Valentine's

was

read

the note

writing.
at

last

five,and

confidence.

shall

am

coming

try

and

hope

you
night'sexperiences? I

will
never

over

to

see

persuade Rip
be

in.

you

yet,"
you

Julian
were

thought,
in

some

this

tired

you

afternoon
me

to

after

his
last

felt better.
Ever

yours,
"

writingthat

to restore

Are

"

"And

Julian

JULIAN,
"

about

it

course

"I

unusual

should
frame

have
of

VALENTINE."

guessed by your
mind, either tired,

FLAMES

84
M

he looked

"

at the writing,
in
or
again,and closely,
than usual. Yet, it looks
calm and seraphic
a temper less delightfully
!
Then he laughed,
Valentine's
hand.
and
a bad-tempered
actually
into the fire that was
tossed the note carelessly
cracklingupon the
hearth.
Rip layby it,quietlysleeping.
Punctuallyat five o'clock Valentine appeared. Rip was still lying
but directly
the dog caughtsightof its master
happilybefore the fire,
all the hair along the middle
bristled on
of its back
end, and it
showed
symptom of acute distress and fury. Julian was
every
it
to
out of the room.
obliged put
have come
What
over
can
Rip, Valentine ? he said as he came
back.
This sudden hatred of you is inexplicable."
or

or

"

"

"

"

"

But it is sure
Valentine answered.
to pass away.
"Absolutely,"
of
There
mine
which
that trance
about
was
something uncanny
frightenedthe littlebeggar."
insensible
Perhaps. But the oddest thing is that while you were
his
head
contented
with
as
arm
as
Rip lay
possible.It
your
upon
was
only justas you began to show signsof life that he seemed to
I can't understand
it."
turn
againstyou.
Nor
I. Have
Marr to-day?
you seen
I haven't
I am
been to the Club.
"No.
so
glad you don't
"

"

"

"

him."

know

Valentine
a

looked

face
than

robust
decisively
Your

"

It

trance

certainlyhas

and

me

big chair,smoking

serene,

he

he

and

appeared

had

never

much

more

Julian noticed this.

to
positively
not

in

lying back

was

unclouded

usual.

seems

has rested

senses

was

entirelyhealthy. Indeed,

more

"

He

laughed.

cigarette.His

done

have

done

harm.

me

wonderfully. I

short

My

wonder

good,"he

you

if I

death

what

am

said.
of the

is called

medium."
"

if you are,"Julian said,

But I don't
surprised
be surprisedat anything to-day. Indeed, I have
I could
myself dwellingwith childish pleasureupon the most
posterous
preideas,hugging them to my soul,determiningto believe in

I shouldn't

think
found

be

"

them."
"Such

"Well,
And

what?"

as"

such

then

Julian told Valentine

wandering soul
had

he

was

thought

in Grosvenor

this."

as

he

beginningto
saw

Place, and

it when

again

of his curious

notion
and

companion him,
he was
gazing at
when

he

was

with

that

some

described
the

old

the

lady of

how

woman

the

feathers.
"

But," Valentine

the old
"

woman

Yes."

"

said," you

say

you

were

staringvery

hard

at

DRIVE

85

RAW

THE

IN

of the

might account for the matter of the first appearance

at
object,a kind
flame in daylight. If you look very steadily some
between
you and it."
of slight mirage will often intervene
of a flame when I was
this shadow
"Perhaps. But I have seen
not thinking of it or expectingit."
"

That

"

When

?"

"

Just

now.

As

you

the

into

came

room

it float out at

saw

that door."
"

You

"

I believe

"

But

?"

sure

are

Yes, I am."
why should this soul,if soul it be, haunt
so.

"
you ?

Perhaps,Val, you and I ought not to have played

should play at a game.
Perhaps
we
as
spiritualism
worried.
Julian paused. He was
lookinganxious, even
in
he
said,
Suppose we have not stopped time,"
raised his eyebrows.
Valentine
I can't tell.

"

"

at

"

I don't understand."

"

standing exactly oppositeto him, leaning againstthe

mantelpieceand looking down at him.
Julian

was

conversation
to have sat again after our
ought never
I
feel
that
said.
so
Julian
the doctor,"
to-day, strongly.
have taken
that perhaps we
just the one step too far,the one

with

We

"

"

in the dark
Fatal

"

be fatal."
that may
dear
Julian,you
My

unstrung by the

are

I feel

step

events

of the

sway

Julian.

night."
the calm

But
He

voice did

of Valentine's

not

to

seem

continued:
"

that I

Valentine,now

with you,

am

attacked

am

by

strange

idea."
"What
"

That

its consequences

have

last

strive to

we

If

is it?"

night may
forgetit,and

to

though

; yes, even

sittings.If it should

forgetour

be

so

"

anything
was
curiouslyupset, and

He

influence

of Valentine's

only born

was

did not

mood.

Indeed,

in Valentine's presence,

able

seem

was

this

new

to-day to take
anxiety of

communicated

the
his

apparently

him.

by
"

Everything

does

one

followingconsequence,"Julian

has

its

so.

I do

said.
It is the fashion to

the

contrary,that

say
often

we

do

not

things

believe it.

with

doctrine

of consequence,
and that our
intentions
the falseness of the doctrine.
Suppose I kiss a
so

with

make

intention

her hate

me.

to

make

The

her

chances

love me,
are

or,

on

that she

on
believe,

specialview

are

frustrated
I may

woman.

the

does

to

other

the

by
do

hand, to

neither the

one

FLAMES

85

and we go
simplyforgetsall about such a trifle,
natural lives. Julian,
for the rest of our
on
shaking hands politely
of most peopleare like winter days very short."
the memories
hidden thing in life whose memory
Perhaps. But there is some
those who are
is everlasting. All the philosophers
say so, especially
in
the chain of
their
faith
inclined to deny the Deity. They put
have done, you and I, Valentine,must
and effect. What
we
cause
She

the other.

nor

"

"

have
"

effect of

an

It will have

sort.

some
a

smiling,"unless
and is

over

it,so

the

The
"

sat

once

into

I went

penalty,which

tine
see,"said Valenpull yourselftogether. Come, this is
too of ten and the consequence
followed,
trance.
so

you

you,

can

I have

out of
come
fortunately
firmlybelieve in, has been paid.

Julian/'
is cleared,

score

"

you

have

We

nonsense.

bad effect upon

very

so."

I suppose
I have no

it

remember

of it.

doubt

Let

us

seems

Let

the nerves.
physicalman
diningto-night?"
in particular.I
Nowhere
said,rather listlessly.
the

"

have

"

with

forgetthe

likelyto affect those devils

whole

forgetit.

us

thought

not

matter, since to

that make

the hell of

Where
about

are

you

it,"Julian

then."

"

Dine

"

Yes, Valentine."

me

then added.
hesitated,
in Victoria Street,if you don't mind."
At the Savoy then, or shall we say the Berkeley? "
Very well,the Berkeley."

Julian
"
"
"
"

But

not

eighto'clock.

Good-bye tillthen. I
roof to Rip tillhe returns

At

the shelter of your

frame of mind about

Valentine

When
down

to

because

the

the

latter,

was

to

to

more

you to give
reasonable

me."
had

gone

Julian

to
club,ostensibly

he had

ask

must

desire to

see

look

Marr.

put
at

His

as
questionhim closely

on

his coat,and

walked

the

evening papers, really

if he did meet
intention,

to the

consequences

which

series of sittings,
undertaken
or
might follow upon a sitting
by two
for
unsuited
to
such
out
an
some
reason
enterprise
people
carry
would be in the club he felt no
of
shadow
together. That Marr
club
for
Marr
all
the
had
the
attraction
that
doubt.
Apparently
of
member
the smoking-and reading-rooms
to haunt
induces the new
his freshly
acquiredhome during the first week or two of its possession.
He
to
was
incessantlythere, as Julian had had reason
know.

exception. Julian explored the club

from end to end without findingthe objectof his search.
Finally
he went to the hall porter.
But

to-dayproved to

be

an

A
Is Mr. Marr

"

No, sir,he

"

Oh, thanks."
felt

has not

and found
absurdly,disappointed,
He
possessedMarr's private address.

had

restaurant

secured
The

arrived.

in the

yesterdayafternoon."

However

was

done.

at

the

and

the

was

idea

where

back

his

to

five minutes

night, but
waiting when

that
was

unoccupied

only one

two

and

friends sat down

began to

of the uproar of conversation

round
them.
directed
unconscious
the
of
quite
glances
many
never

succeeded

never

done
There's

virtue

the Victoria

Street

crowd

never

can

St. James's

in London.

that

Hall

even

Cresswell

how
He

He

known

best

in

men

personality.
to
a prettygirl
Saint,"murmured

"

understand

of the

one

man
a
companion. "What
the
Yes, or as a pianist,"
responded

him.

of his unusual
fortune

looks would

seemed

Valentine
towards

the

anywhere, and although he had

passingunnoticed
anythingremarkable, was
in

merely by

in
silently

eat rather

midst

"

no

went

Berkeley by

window,

to theirs

table next

He

crowded

very

table in the

had

he

be

would

room.

The

town

self
him-

even
strongly,

past eight. The

Julian

87

"

in at all since

been

wishing that he
certainlyhave called upon him.
Marr
lived,so there was nothing to
dressed for dinner,and was
rooms,
Valentine

RAIN'

THE

to-day?

in the club

"

Julian

IN

DRIVE

take

must

could

make

rather

man

if he
manages

stage."
enviously. His
on

to have
care

the

"

couldn't

preciousgood

her

play a
such

note.
plexion
com-

of himself."

live for time, they for eternity.

do. You
see
we
generally
We
wrinkles
the
at
have
to
only
bay for a few years, but they
keep
want
to look nice on the Judgment Day."
She was
at this pointshe laughed to indicate
a little actress, and
that she had said something smart.
As her laughwas
echoed
dutifully
who
clever
by the man
was
paying for the dinner she felt deliciously
"

Saints

for the rest of the

PresentlyJulian
"

I went

"

Did

"

Yes.

to the

you ?
I wanted

Valentine

evening.
said,
club this afternoon."
to have

suddenly put

down

talk with
the

that

fellow,Marr."

glassof champagne which

he

was

in the act of

to his lips.
raising
h
e
surely," began, with some

":But
seemed

to check

"

You

found

"

No."

"

for
"

out

of haste.

Then

he

himself,and finished calmly.

him, I suppose ?

thought he

"

was

perpetually
there,apparentlyon

you."
Yes, but to-dayhe hadn't been in
of town."

appearance

at all.

the look-out

Perhaps he

has

gone

3S

FLAMES

"Ah, probably."
At

this moment
strolled
two
entered the restaurant
and
men
towards the table next to that at which Valentine
and
Julian sat.
One of them knew
he
He
Julian and nodded as
was
passed.
juston
the point of sitting
down
and unfoldinghis napkin when
sudden
a
said to
and
over
thought seemed to strike him, and he came
Julian :
"

You remember
other night? "
"

Yes."

"

bit
Startling

Julian
"

What"

that dinner

at

Lady

Crichton's where

wasn't
to-night,
looked puzzled.
is Lady Oichton
illthen?
of

it ?

news

Damned

the

met

we

!"

sudden

"

I meant
about that poor
'"LadyCrichton ! No.
Julian swung
round in his seat and regarded the

Marr."
fellow,
full in the

man

face.
"
"

Marr

what

Why,
"

Dead

is it ? Has he had an accident ? "

said laconically,
man
arranging the

! the other
in his coat,and takinga comprehensivesurvey of the room.
"Dead! "
Julian repeated,
without expression." Dead
"Yes.

He

Well, bye-bye. Going

to the

on

Empire

gardenia
!"

?"

to go, but Julian caught his arm.

When
did he die ?"
moment.

turned

"

Wait

"

Last

"

What

night.
morning."

In

the

dead

of

the

night, or

in

the

early

of ? "
don't know.

going to be an inquest. The poor

Road,
chap didn't die at home, but in a privatehotel in the Euston
the
European.' He's lyingthere now.
Funny sort of chap,but not
"They

There's

bad in his way.

Here the man

expect
"

bent down

and

murmured

something into

Julian's

ear.
"

He
of

"

eh ?
againpresently. In the midst of life,'
loungedaway and began applyinghis intellect to the dissection

Well, see

'

you

sardine.

Julian

turned

round

in his chair and

But
again faced Valentine.
aspicthat lay upon his plate.

he did not go on eatingthe cutlet in

He sat lookingat Valentine,and at last said

horriblysudden

How

"

Yes," Valentine answered

sympathetically.
"

He

must

have

had

heart."

weak
"

"

It must

daresay.

suppose
"

!"

"

I suppose

Valentine,I can't realise it."

so.

be difficult. A

man

apparentlyquitewell."

Quite. Absolutely."

whom

you

saw

so

and
recently,

FLAMES

go
rain-soaked

by the sea.
swishingpetticoats,
draggled
with desire for shelter,
is a piteousvision as it passes by.
Valentine and Julian regardedit,turningup their coat collars and
instinctively
thrustingtneir hands deep into their pockets. Two
and
soldiers passed,pursued by a weary
tattered woman,
at whom
cloaks
their
the
broad
over
they laughinglyjeeredas they adjusted
shoulders.
They were
hurrying back to barracks and disregarded
a

For wet

country lane,or

humanity, with

storm-driven

reiterated exclamation

the woman's

home.

sand-dunes

wispy hair and

hansom

that

she would

with the

go with

glassdown,

them,

having
by
painted
face staring
through it upon the yellowmud that splashedround the
The
horse's feet.
down.
Suddenly the horse slippedand came
the painted and now
as
screaming face was dashed
glasssplintered
crowd
of
it.
A
wet
roughs and pavement vagabonds
through
gatheredand made. hoarse remarks on the woman's dress as she was
her silk gown a
hauled out in her finery,
bleedingand half fainting,
naked
shoulders
the
her
half
to
a
mud,
hostage to the wind.
prey
hats walked
towards
their club, discussing
in opera
Two
a
men
stories
the
A
and
rain.
divorce case,
funny
through
telling
very small,
stood
with
bare
feet
the
and
and
kerb-stone,
pale,
filthy
boy
upon
cried damp matches.
horrible London
Julian said as he and ValenHow
is to-night,"
tine
no

went

"

got into their cab.

"

Why
"

He
"

Yes.

this mad

go
I want

you to
pushed up the

to

our
necessary
errand ? "

"

with
Marr," Julian replied,
in
the
roof.
trap

European Hotel
D'you know it ?

The

in the Euston

its horrors ?

curious

Eoad," he

obstinacy.
said to the

"

Yes, sir,"the cabman

cracked

of
contemplation

see

to the

Drive

cabman.
"

add

"Why
on

his

whip
glasshad

said.

He

and drove towards

been

let down

was

smilingon

his

perch as

he

the Circus.

friends beheld a conthe two

tinuously
of
London
framed
in
prospect
racingraindropsand
the wooden
framework
of the movable
shutter.
It
time fantastic and tumultuous.
The glareof lightat
and

blurred
intersected
was

at the

by
same

the
the Circus shone over
mob
the everlasting

of convergingomnibuses,
everlasting
procession
of prostitutes
and of respectable
citizens
to
into
mount
the
vehicles
whose
waiting
paint proclaimedtheir
destination.
Active walkers darted dexterously
to and fro over
the
to
at
driver
whose
a
cobblestones,
occasionally
turningsharply swear
cab had bespattered
their black conventionality
with clingingdirt.
The drivers were
became
as
men
impassively
insulting,
placedfor the
in a high station of life. At
moment
the door of the Criterion
Restaurant
in a curlyhat
an
enormouslyfat and white bookmaker
and

diamonds

muttered

remarks

into the

ear

of

an

unshaven

music-

DRIVE

hall

"

singer. A gigantic"chucker-out
habit, and

RAIN

THE

IN

gi

them

observed

with

the dull

in vain
to them
beggar boy whined
into obscurity. Fixed
with
corner
alms, then fluttered on
"
of
the
in
island
the
wet
an
stones upon
lay
unwinking
pavement
bill of the evening papers, proclaimingin gigantic
the contents
row
black or red letters the facts of suicide,slander,divorce,murder,
read
complications.Dreary men
railway accidents,fires and war
forked
out half -pence
with dreary, un excited eyes, then
to
them
of
full
of
whose
sheets
were
arms
raucous
damp
youths
pink paper.
kissed " Good-bye
to his tremblingsweetheart
he
A Guardsman
as
her
into
and
assisted
two shop-girls,
a
Marylebone 'bus,
chivalrously
and
from
each
home
other
work,
nudged
giggledhysterically.
going
stood in the porch of the Monico
fat Frenchmen
Four
violently
and
the
of
their
at
Two
voices.
tops
gesticulating talkingvolubly
pushed past them with a look of contempt,
English undergraduates
the cafebeyond. A lady from
into
and went
speechlessly
Paris,all
ostrich tips,
smoothed
her cheek with her kid
red velvet and white
glove meditatively,and glanced about in search of her fate of the
gaze
for

of sullen

"

"

And

silent hours.

and

dark

then

Valentine

"

and

Julian

in

were

a
huge red cross
comparativedimness of ShaftesburyAvenue
of
the
on
a black
background started out
gloom above a play-house.
Julian shuddered
at it visibly.
You
are
Let
Julian,"Valentine said.
quiteunstrung to-night,

the

"

"

"

turn

us

"

No,

the cab round

no,

dear

my

go home."
all
fellow,I am

and

right.

It is only that I

see

I suppose it is owing
clearlythan usual.
thingsto-nightmuch more
side of London
to something physicalthat every
to have
seems
into
I
Of
about
in
dilly,
Piccacourse
prominence.
sprung
go
every day
St. James's Street,everywhere ; but it is as if my eyes had been
I can
London
see
always shut, and now
they are open.
to-night.
And
that cross
looked so devilishly
ironical up there,as if it were
laughing at the tumult in the rain. Don't you feel London
silently
to-night,
too, Valentine ?
"I always feel it."
"

"

"

or
?
Tragically
comically

"

I don't

know

that

would
You

"

are

of

women

those

boys searchingamong
probablybut for you."
"

could

say

truly either.

Calmly

or

temptuously
con-

be the word."

alwaysa philosopher.I

those hordes

see

rather

can't be

standing hour
them.

when
philosopher

after hour

I should

be

one

in the

rain,and

of those

boys

If you were, I doubt whether

I should feel horrified."
Not morally horrified,
I dare say, but
intellectually
disgusted.
?"

'

Eh
"

am

not

sure

whether

I shall

permit my

intellect quiteso much

FLAMES

gi
licence in the future
said

who

eyes were
Street,which

had

waked

in

said

in the

Valentine
past,"

Don't

on

It is not my

but my
writers

moral

which

sense

imagination. Sin is so
have representedit as

think so, Yal ?

vividly
justnow."
"

permittedit

Julian,but Julian was

gazing out on
Julian,
they were
crossingat that moment.
the
train
of
continued
dwellingon
thoughts
apparently
him by the sightof the paintedcross, ignoredthis remark

blue

Oxford

"

I have

thoughtfully.

His

and

as

And

you

The

wet

flowers

on

the
paintedfaces,

shuddered

just now, I believe,

although many clever

full of prose,
splendidlydecorated with poetry.
it is the prose of sin I realise so

waitinghats,the cold raindropson the

trudging to find sin,the dark clouds

the

boots

damp
But
the
pouring a benediction on it. I know what you mean.
Fair
whole questionis one
of weather, I think.
on
a
hot,
Vanity
sweet
with
summer
a
moon
over
Westminster,
night,
huge golden
soft airs and
dry pavements would make you see this city in a
different light. And
is the true one ?
which of the lights
I daresayneither."
I
Why not both ? The smartest coat has a lining,
you know.
well
there
velvet
the
sins
and
who
are
man
as
as
daresay
plushsins,
find the velvet is the lucky fellow.
Sins feel like plush to me,
can
however^ and I dislike plush. So I am not the lucky fellow."
"

"

"

"

No, Valentine, you

are

I'm

wrong.

all virtue

pretty sure

velvet and all vice is plush. So you stick to velvet."

"I
don't know.
the next
Ask
pretty dressmaker

Bloomsbury is a
They
Valentine

night."
genteelinfernoon a
it smoothly on
asphalteways.
watching Julian with a fixed and

traversed
was

and

The

All
narrow

the

scrutiny,

of dull houses seemed

rows

time
less,
end-

alike.
endlessly
all of them

full of

said Valentine.
solicitors,"
Presentlyin many fanlights
they saw the mysticlegend, Apartments."
Then there were
that had an aged air and sported
buildings
broken windows.
on
a background of red glasslit by
Occasionally,
Hotel."
A certain grimy
a
behind, sat the word
gas jet from
in the atmosphereof these streets.
Their aspect
degradationswam
different
from
the
which look
was
subtly
Bloomsbury thoroughfares,
and are full of the shadows of an everlasting
actively
church-going,
which pays its water rates and sends occasional conscience
respectability
the
of
to
Chancellor
looked
the
Exchequer. People
money
furtive,and went in and out of the houses furtively.They crawled
rather than
pranced,and their bodies bore themselves with a
with dripping
t
hat
seemed indiscreet, Occasional men
depression
"

meet.

wet

Julian failed to notice.

which

you

is

am

sure

are

"

"

knocked

umbrellas
into

narrow

here

ragged

wings.

corner,

and

long
from

the

by

Hotel,"

all

the

his

the

Violently
upon
It

tried

as

the

the

sit

to

right

cabby,
He

the

gutter

leering
shook

shrouded

hat,

down

alley

and

opened
to

the

gents.

the

Valentine

paved

was

the

the

door.

with

the

read
"

arches

Valet

ta

for

names

glass

panels,

by

up

and

it

thought
"

of

drops

the

reins,
the

bit

night,
moisture

squeezed

was

the

along
and

stood

edge,

from

further

sir,
from

stones.

trembling

pavoment

projected

was

Nice

horse

harshly

with

until

names,

Hotel."

smoking

if

as

up

fleeting

European

collided

cheerfully.

drove

"

great

"

slithered

splashed

reluctant

alleys
lit

Hotel,"
"

back

narrow

appeared

Hotel

The

feet

hauled

street,

gas.

with

cab

turned

shrank

of

end

gates

doors

cab

that

Albion

"

front

up.

its

of

at

Julian

drew

and

down,

pardon,

Beg

and

saluted

wheel

in

water
"

with

them,

cabman

haunches,

had

dimly

suddenly

were

its

by

the

Cosmopolitan

il

The

and

rain-swept

traffic

these

Night

feathers

tail

and

houses,

inscribed

houses

glowed

of

stands.

surprises.

wide

reserved

many

were

Hotel,"

flashed

cab

eyes

gates.

These

panels

The

Over

names

houses.

were

passing

the

of

in

umbrella

moulting

eloquent

with

lined

of

iron

Imperial

"

small

and

which

on

they

instantly

publicity

glass

is

disappeared

and

glass,

red

iron

with

raven

London

But

the

small

by

dyspeptic

straight

protected
of

like

and

under

doors

inhabited

passages

brooded

93

the

at

RAIN

THE

IN

DRIVE

spray.

on,"

ain't

it
his

and

said

the

"

waterproof

off.

damp

iron

gate,

and

they

walked

up

the

CHAPTER

THE

OPENING

the

room

the left

on

door

EPISODE

ROAD

EUSTON

they found

in

themselves

squalid passage.

of counter, above which

was
and
the shrill tinkle of a
as
giving on to the passage,
their entrance
this window
was
pushed up, and the

long window

bell announced

fronted

was

face and

large red

IV

by

sort

eyes of

furtive observant

stared upon

man

them

inquiringly.
he asked, in a husky
Do you require a room
for the night ?
Because
voice,invaded by a strong French accent.
No," interruptedJulian.
The man
nodded, and, strange to say, with apparent content.
There is trouble in my
I am
house," he said.
unlucky ; I come
to England from
to
honest
earn
an
living,and before
country
my
two
years, I have the policehere last night."
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Yes," said Julian.

"

What

last

come

know

You

know

it?

night with

ask for

He

I know."

"

Well, it is not my fault. The

How
lady,his wife, I suppose.

He

room.

room.
They go to bed.
I go
bell ring. I get

the
a

bell

again.
lady is gone.
Mon

dies.

Dieu

look

gentleman

falls back

on

the bed

as

in and

come

"

It is

perfectlywell. I give them

in the morning I hear
landing to listen. I hear the
the lady and
gentleman. The

Valentine
had
suddenly paused in his excited narrative.
his positionslightly
and was
ately
now
standing almost immedithe gas lamp that lit the glassdoor.
under

He

moved

"

The

I to

four o'clock

At

the
on
up.
of
to the chamber

run

man
gentleam

You

"

you

relation

are

of him

"

he

said.

"

You

to

come

see

him?"
"

I have

come

to

said Valentine.
But
certainly,"
and
he
to
gentleman,"
pointed
Julian,

him

see

relation of his. This

no

him

well, and

The

landlord

wished

"

"

to look

seemed

at

him

puzzled.

once

He

am

knew

more."

glanced

Julian, then back again to Valentine.

"
But," he began once
more
addressinghimself

from

to the

Valentine

to

latter, you
"

like
bed and
of him."

are

"

there is
died he

Yes, yes,

eyes.

your

95

gentleman fell

the poor

when
something^;
had

EPISODE

ROAD

EUSTON

THE

the

relation

are

you

on

said," you are mistaken.

"
Poor Marr's face was
as
"
I should think so,"exclaimed Julian.
from
is
different
darkness
utterlydifferent from yours, Valentine, as
No," Valentine

"

""

the

no, it is not

No,

eyes of the

voice,the

eyes.
say there

yes, I

manner"

is

is

there

But

con-

still

and

window,

tinued, leaning forward through

Valentine, " it is not the
scrutinising
"the

landlord

the
gentleman,"

his

violently
something

something,

cannot

tell."
"

are

Julian
I

"

came

the poor

am

to do ?

want

his

leant

and

forward

"

the counter.

on

arm

said.

great friend,"he
gentleman's

him."
see
landlord held up his fat hands with
refusal.
"
I cannot, sir. To-morrow
they remove
let

calmly interposed.

friend,"Valentine

dreaming, my
Now, Julian,what do you
"You

"

You

must

me

The

"

make

tryingto

man

Julian

"

an

Monsieur, I
as

They

sit

on

the

upon

you,

honest

an

of the

to

see

him

agitatedhands.
for

moment."

"

sovereigninto

another

takes

anemone

an

hard

living."
one

cannot.

insinuated

Julian
They took it

honest

into
money
I only wish

some

friend and

My

"

put

this is very

inquest. All

the

know,

him.

"

gentleman

poor

of
large gesticulation

shrimp, and

fingers.
protesting

his

made

gesture of

Abdication.
"

is the friend of the poor

tender-hearted,I am foolish

Well, if Monsieur

the heart, I

am

gentleman,I

have not

"

disappearedmuttering from the window, and in a moment

fullyas a
appeared at a door on the left,disclosinghimself now
of
low
frowsy ruffian, a very
type, flashily
degraded,flaccid looking,
candlestick
a
dressed,and of a most unamiable
expression.Taking
from
a
dirty marble-toppedslab that projectedfrom the passage
He

wall,he

match, lit the

his
flightof stairs,

narrow

the

struck

landing

reconnoitred

flittedaway
The

at

the

the

top
party for
a

boots
smart

paused

preceded them
up the
creakingloudly at every step. On
maidservant
with a very pale face

moment

in the darkness

landlord

candle, and

to the upper

by

door

with

furtive

then
curiosity,

regionsof the house.

with

numbered

black

number.
"

him,

He

is in

here,"he whisperedhoarsely.

After that he go from

me.

Mon

Dieu

"

To-morrow
1 I

am

they sit on

glad when

he is

96

FLAMES

My custom he is spoilt.My house get a bad name, and like

Mon
Dieu !
dog they hang him.
He opened the door stealthily,
forming St ! with his fat,coarse
lips.
I lightthe gas.
It is all dark."
No, no," Julian said,taking the candle from him, I will do

gone.

"

"

"

"
"

"

that.

down."

Go

motioned

He

Valentine, at
consideration
the

and
the room,
entered
followed by
away,
the
landlord
again stared with a greedy

and

before turning to
curiosity,

retreat

softlydown

stairs.

narrow

They

him
whom

found

themselves

in

of London.
a good-sized
room, typically
full of the peculiarand unmistakable
metropolitansmell,a
stale odour of the streets that suggests smuts
to the mind.
Two
with
set
mirror
between
a
looked
out
windows,
them,
long dingy

It

was

towards

the Euston
Venetian
Road.
blinds and thin white curtains
with
shrouded
them.
On
slab that stuck
a
looped
yellow ribbon,
out under the mirror was
bundle
of
tied with
a
placed
curling-pins
white tape,a small brush
and comb, and a bottle of Cherry Blossom
scent. Near the mirror stood a narrow
sofa covered with red rep. Upon
of which
lay a man's upturned top hat,in the corner
reposed a
of
reindeer
A
stick
with
a
gloves.
pair
gold top stood
walking
wall
in
the
the
marble
a
corner
against
by
mantelpiece. In the
middle of the room
a
lay a small open portmanteau, disclosing
disorder of shirts,
handkerchiefs
and boots,a cheque-book,a bottle
of brandy and some
there was
brushes.
a
By the fireplace
vulgar
armchair
in
The
full
red.
of the
was
room
looking
upholstered
this

faint sound

of London

London
traffic.
Julian went
straightup to the gas chandelier and lit all three
His
action
hurried and abrupt. Then
he set the candle
was
jets.
and turned sharplyround to
down
beside the bundle of curling-pins,
and in this glare
The
face the bed.
a glareof light,
was
now
room
voices and

lightthe broad bed

out harshlyenough.
of

with its white

sheets

The

were

counterpane and
turned

sheets stood
smoothly down under

who laythere upon his

the blue chin of the dead man,
with fast shut eyes dusky white,or rather grey, among
As Julian looked upon him he exclaimed :
"

Good

"

Not

No.
Julian
"

God, it isn't Marr

Valentine,it isn't Marr

back, his face,

the

pillows,

!"

?"

And
came

yet
"

nearer

wait
to

"

moment

the

bed
and

and

bent

looked

at

right down over

Valentine,who was

the

Then he drew away

at
corpse.
the other side of the bed.
"Oh, Valentine,this is strange,"he whispered,and drawing a
it. "This
is strange.
chair to the bedside he sank down
upon

FLAMES

g8
he

nothing. For

under

was

spellof

the

wild

hallucination.

It

glareof the gas lamps, the

soul of Marr
spoke,stared from the pure, proud face of Valentine.
It was
like a possession
if a devil
of his friend.
That was
as
horrible,
in
the sanctuary of a
to do evil
chose for a moment
to lurk and
did not speak.
Valentine
altar.
at
the
to
church,
blaspheme
very
A
He was
lookingdown on the dead serenityof Marr, vindictively.
blue
in
his
clear
intellect
flashed
busy
eyes, meditatingvigorously
him
from
man's
dead
to
the
bondage,following
craftily
escape
upon
if
him
it
of
seize
be.
the very door
his freedom, to
surely
might
that Valentine
This is what Julian felt in his hallucination,
was
but with a deadly intention,a deadly
pursuing Marr, uselessly,
seemed

to him

there,under the

that

hard

hatred.
"

! " Julian

Valentine

Valentine

looked

cried at last.

up.
the

removed.
Julian saw
his friend
spellwas
and
reserved.
The
protectorrightlyagain, calm, pure, delicately
His
death chamber
contained
a
no
no
phantom.
longer
eyes were
longerthe purveyors of a terrible deceptionto his mind.
here,"Julian said.
Oh, Valentine,come
round
Valentine came
by the end of the bed and stood beside him.
him narrowly.
Julian examined
stand opposite
to me
"Never
again,Valentine."
Oppositeto you ! Why not ?
Nothing,nothing. Or
everything. What is the matter with
and me, and you ?
And
this room,
why is Marr so changed ?
You
he
?
know
is
How
I have never
his face
changed
seen
And

in

instant

an

11

"

"
"

"

"

"

before."
"

Marr
and

do not

You

"

the

now.

He

has

gone

has

Valentine

got up.

and
curling-pins

turned
two

him

as
utterlygone.
left somethingquitedifferent, Let

Julian
the

it

see

I knew

out

one

took

burners,and

us

was

Julian checked him.

others when
Let the landlord
No, leave them.

of it.

All

that

driven

has

was

it away

go."

the candle

up
lifted his hand to

of the

out
Death

the gas

from its placebeside

chandelier.
He
had

just going
put them

to

out.

turn

out

Leave

him

the
in

light."
of the room,

treadingsoftly.A little way up the

landingto the upper parts of the house
a
lightnickered down to them, and they perceived the pale face of
Julian beckoned
to her.
the housemaid
regardingthem.
diligently
You
showed the gentleman the gentleman who is dead
to his
last night?
room
Yes, sir. Oh, sir,I can't believe he's reallygone so sudden like."
They

went

staircase that

out

led from

the

"

"

"

"

"

"

Then

you

saw

the lady with him 2 "

"Yes, sir,of

Oh,

"

was

she like ? "

nose

purled derisively.

housemaid's

The

EPISODE

gg

"

Oh

course.

What

Hush

"

ROAD

EUSTON

THE

sir,quitethe usual

Oh,

sort.

common

very

Not

person.

gentleman,sir."

at all like the poor

"Young?"
old,sir. No, I couldn't bring that againsther.
than
ever
well,more
growed on
a
hat, sir,and feathers
wore
bound."
I'llbe
ostrich,
"

Not

She

to say

one

"

"

Feathers

vision

"

lady of
lightof

of the

in the

wrapped
questionsto

wan

sprang
the earlydawn.
He

housemaid.

the

feathers

the

she

But

could

before

up

put

only

Julian,

several

rapid
again that

say

companion had been a very common

person, a very common
the
flashilydressed,not at all as she
sort of person indeed, and
of
would
to go out
Julian tipped her
a Sunday.
housemaid
care
dim
Then
he and
amazed
the
Valentine
her
left
and
landing.
upon
descended the stairs. The landlord was
waiting in the passage in an
wall.
the
taken unawares
He
seemed
attentive attitude against
by
their appearance, but his eyes immediatelysought Valentine's
face,
Marr's

"

"

it with
stillapparently
questioning

recollected that the

man

for his

curious

own

vague,
livingwhich the

Looking again

at

landlord

he
he

as

now,

could
had

not

been

was

that

the dead

believe
in the

table
accoun-

there

at

really

and

man

he only
continuously,

saw

Valentine

deceived

was

between

and

the

moments?

it.

No,

death

the

chamber

stairs.

above
"

landlord

this,and

a
existingbetween
fact, although apparently

Possibly
lurking in his mind
deception. Or could it be

resemblance
fleeting

some

was

noticed

likeness

remained

had

unremembered,

on

that

Valentine.

and

Marr

avidity. Julian

insisted

had

May
"

man.

we

into your

come

I want

to

to you

put

for

room
a

few

?"

moment

Julian

asked

the

questions."

sir,with pleasure."
certainly,
He
side door
the
them
into his sanctum
and showed
opened
It was
a
small, evil-looking
beyond the glass window.
room,
"

But

crowded
three

with

French

fumes

of stale tobacco.

printsof

than

On

doubtful

the

walls

hung

two

or

decency.
a
glassesranged on it occupiedthe middle of
the floor. On
chair by the fire the Gil Bias was
thrown
a
in a
One gas burner
unshaded
crumpled attitude.
flared,
by any glass
the Gil Bias.
Valentine
globe. Julian sat down
refused the
on
landlord's oner
of a chair,and
stood lookingrather contemptuously
at the inartistic improprieties
of the prints.
Did you
let in the gentleman wlio came
last night?
asked
bottle and

"

Julian.

two

or

more

table with

three

"

FLAMES

joo

"

see

sir,of course.
that only respect

But

"Exactly. I don't
lady like,the lady who
"

I mind

alwayshere.

am

my

house.

"

doubt

for

that

What

moment.

the

was

"
accompaniedhim ?

Oh, sir,very chic,very pretty."

Didn't, you hear her go out in the night? "

The landlord looked for a moment
as if he
stared
He
advisableness of a little bluster.
11

thought
"

Not

sound, not

bell rang

Till the

mouse.

Julian

and

slept.Then

"

recogniseher again?
hardly look at her and I

you
I

But

"

Yes, yes,

no.

And

doubt.

no

the

see

so

gentleman.

many."
When

you went

into

?"

room

"Ah.

He

half

was

fall back.
"

at

"

"

He

hard

better of it.

she is gone
"Would

his

the
considering

were

He

He

is dead.

That's all I wanted

sitting
up.

nothing.

say

know,"

to

in.

come

Julian said.

He

justlook

Then
"

"

at

me.

I run."

Valentine,shall

we

go?"
"

all means."

By

landlord

The

them

the

into

out

seemed

pouring rain.

stripof garden Julian

the bedroom

relieved at their
turned

decision,and

When

and

the first storey. Marr was

at ease, relieved of his soul.
on

illumination
windows

in the dismal
the
lit
windows
of
up at
in
there
the
lying
bright

they

looked

eagerlylet

But,

as

were

Julian

looked,the

the

dark.

economical
Evidently
grew
landlord had hastened up, observed the waste of the material he had
to pay for,and abruptlystoppedit. At the gate they called a cab.
"
No, let us have the glassup," Julian said. " A drop of rain
air."
And
I want
less doesn't matter.
some
more
or
two

suddenly

So do I," said Valentine.

abominable."
Of course
Julian said.

there

"

"

Of

"

What

be

no

atmosphere of
opinionsas

two

that

to

its

house

was

character,"

'

not."

course

"Yes.

can

The

"

"

drearyplaceto

But

attach immense

does

die in !"

it matter

importanceto

where
where

one
one

dies?

I think

not.

lives."

to an
horrible to come
end in such a place,
It seems
to have had
the only witness of one's death.
Frenchman
that wretched
as
Still,
I suppose it is only foolish sentiment.
Valentine, did you notice
"

how

happy Marr

looked ? "

"No."
"

Didn't

\vondered

you ? I
I did,"
as

thought you

watched

him

almost

as

if yon

"

How

"

It

I had

could I ?

seen

never

101

before."

him

seeing a likeness between

curious the landlord

was

EPISODE

ROAD

EUSTON

THE

and

you

him."
"

you think

Do

The

so

to

bo a relation,as we
could be much resemblance."
came

of

supposed one
naturally

man

Marr.

see

should

not

might

us

there

suppose
"

!
impossible.There can be none
back through the dismal
Piccadilly,
They rattled on towards
of
the
towards
Blooinsbuiy. Presently
asphalteways
thoroughfares,
"

There

is

Julian said :
"
I wish I had
"

Marr

seen

Julian

why,

But

It's

none.

die."
this

Why

extraordinaryinterest

in

man

"

and for so short a time ?

so slightly
you knew
"
It's because I can't get it out of my head that he had
than we know."
more
to do with our
sittings,
"

Impossible."

"

Marr's

about

Valentine

doctor

certain the

almost

am

thought

something

tell him

I must

so.

Valentine,let us drive to Harley Street now."

reply at once, and Julian said :

death.
did not

"

I will tell the cabman."

"

Very well."

Julian gave the order.

I wonder

"

in,"Julian said presently. " What

if he will be

is the

time?"
took out his watch

He

gas

lamp

flashed

"

Just eleven.

"

We

on

held it up

and

it for

sidewaysuntil

the

lightof

moment.

So late ?

surprised."
good
European.*
Longer than I thought. Probably the doctor will have come
in,
if
has
he
here
been
!
out
even
we
are
dining. Ah,
The cab drew up.
Julian got out and rang the bell in the rain.
were

while

am

at the

"

'

"

"

"

Is Doctor

"

No, sir. He

Will you

come

Levillier
is out

in and

at

home

dining.

wait- ?

"

"

But

expect him

every

said the manservant,

who

I rather

him.

moment.

knew

Julian

well.
"

Thanks, I think I will.

ask Mr.

Cresswell.

He's Avith

me

want

to

see

I will

just

to-night."

Julian returned to the cab, in which

Valentine
was
sitting.
The doctor will probably be home in a few minutes.
Lefc us go
in and wait for him."
"

"
"

Yes, you go in."

But

"

surely
:6
No, Julian,"Valentine said,and suddenly there came
into his
"
voice a weariness^
I am
rather tired to-night. I think I'll go home
to bed,"

FLAMES

102

"

Oh,"

"

Shall

said.

too,

come

He

with

leant

He

old

chap

foot

his

You're

last

night

step

of

the

on

He

disappointed.

obviously

was

ill after

feeling

not

are

you

Julian

sure

you're

"

tated.
hesi-

certain

that

"

the

cab

look

to

at

Valentine

closely.

more

No,

"

come

you

think

sleepy,rf Julian.

and

tired

Only

right.

Well,

will

with

the

"

stay

or

"

all

am

will

stay.

badly

want

to

have

talk

and

the

man

doctor."
All

"

night!"

Valentine
his

up
out

called

horse.

"

Give

The

"

"

Valentine,

Mr.

Valentine

Yes,
Of

He

leaned

just

was

going

at

Julian."

doctor,

through

the

puddles.

doorstep.
?

him

"

he

asked.

in

surprise.

But

his

sir."
?

of

course,

"

course.

voice,

didn't

it

didn't
"

you

"

It

Mr.

was

increasing
"

who

Julian

to

whipped

Valentine

sir."

notice
"

cried

splashing

Lawler

looked

servant

"

round

turning

was

the

to

the

on

that,

Mr.

"

and

regards

still

said

The
11

stood

Who

door

disappeared,

cab

Julian

cab

cabman,

best

my

the

to

the

as

wooden

house

the

address

his

Just

the

over

into

night."

Good

right.

Good

"

I'm
went

Valentine's

usual

voice,

sir,"

Lawler

said,

astonishment.

upset
into

to-night,"
the

house

Julian
and

muttered.
Lawler

closed

the

street

door.

with

'"

CHAPTER

HARLEY

THE

JULIAN

him

show

to

ease,
ever

into

to

told

the

sad

in

doctor's very

the

the

and

books,

did not
hesitate
Harley Street,so Lawler
dedicated
to
private room, a room
of a busy man's
hobbies.
cultivation
No
patient

favourite

was

of

secrets

appliances for the

no

the

professionof

of his

his

Here
were
body here.
of
no
writing
prescriptions,

Several

owner.

the

forth

shadowed

EPISODE

STREET

pots of

fondness

doctor's

for

of

the

Many
mutely spoke
about
were
novels, one, soberly dressed in a vellum
All the
Ouida's
photographs
Dog of Flanders."
children,except
a

fire

wide

doctor's

Mab,
their

huge

heads

the

on

fact alone

mantelpiece
it

made

had

each

There

was

no

which

lay
binding, being

which

studded
of

photographs

were

The

hearth, on which
mighty occupants, Rupert and
their evening ease, pillowing

heaving

imitation

an

were

of

newspapers
of
cage

large

and

The

bodies.
the
in

Devil
the

ticking
Clock

of

That

room.

sleeping canaries

was

the
long
narrow,
On the walls hung many
pictures,some
only door being at one end.
foils lay on
in a
of them
ottoman
an
giftsfrom the artists. Some
far corner.
The
doctor fenced admirably, and believed in the exercise
tonic to the muscles
and a splendid drill-sergeant
to the eyes.
as
a
which
lit only by wax
As Julian
into the room,
came
was
candles,
he could not
with
the
he
it
had
room
just left in
help comparing
which
the body of Marr
lay. The atmosphere of a house is a strange
to the
thing,and almost as definite to the mind as is an appearance
covered

eye.
air.

with

The

sensitive

nature

The

two

took

other's

original. A

cloth.

life

of

Valentine's.

was

and

mastiffs,who
upon

Zacharius.

Master

reflection

That

one.

flashed,was
the

clock

with

chamber

silent

gravely
grand piano

books

"

the

of the

roses

flowers.

for music.

love

growing

medical

no

hints

room

takes

was

it in like

breath

rather

of foatid

or

of fresh

atmosphere of the European Hotel had been sinister and

dreary,as of a building consecrated to hidden deeds, and inhabited
This
home
of a great doctor was
mainly by wandering sinners.
The
open-hearted and receptive,frank and refined.
sleeping dogs,
heaving gently in fawn-coloured
beatitude,set upon it the best hall-

FLAMES

io4
mark.

It

rest.

Yet

knew

well.

was

it

was

This

house
the

"

judging at

abode

sanctum

for happy
by this room
the
work, as
great world
shrine of lotos eating. The

least

"

of incessant

alone

was

the

insulted it
laughinglyboasted that he had never
by even so much as writinga postcardwithin its four walls.
woke
who
to wink
Julian stroked the clogs,
upon him majestically,
and
he was
left alone.
and sat down.
Lawler
quietlydeparted
at the
When
he first entered the house he had been disappointed
Now
he felt rather glad to have the doctor
departureof Valentine.
A conversation of two peopleis,
to himself for a quiet half-hour.
under certain circumstances,
more
complete than a conversation of
the
three,however delightful third may chance to be. Julian placed
Valentine
before all the rest of the world.
Nevertheless,to-night
he was
times
somegladthat Valentine had gone home to bed. It seems
of
scious.
self-conif
affection
contributes
the
to
a
man
as
making
of his greatest
Julian had a vague notion that the presence
friend to-nightmight render him self-conscious. He scarcelyknew
and wondered
at the extraordinary
why. Then he looked at the mastiffs,
difference between
and the companion animals whom
men
and
love
who
love
them.
What
however
natural,however
they
man,
independentand serene, could emulate the majesticand deliberate
of a big dog courted and caressed by a blazingfire and a
abandon
has not the dignityof soul to be so grandlynatural.
soft rug ? Man
of affectation
Yet his very pert self-consciousness,
the fringedpetticoats
which he wears, give him the kennel,the Collar,
the muzzle, the
of
the
to
to
subjection.And Julian,
whip,weapons
bring
dog
power
he watched
as
dreams,
Ilupertand Mab, wrapped in largelethargic
a
ll
found himself pityingthem, as civilised man
vaguely pities other
Poor old things! Sombre
inhabitants of the round world.
agitations
not theirs.
were
They had nothing to aim at or to fightagainst.
No
devils and
angels played at football with their souls. Their
liaisons were
clear,uncomplicatedby the violent mental drum-taps
that set the passions
marching go often at a quick step in the wrong
and laid his strong
direction. And Julian knelt down on the hearth-rug
hands on their broad heads.
Slowly they opened-their veiled
young
strict tail feeblyupon
and
s
truck
blinked.
the
a
One, Ilupert,
eyes
and gratified
goodwill. Mab heaved
carpet in token of acquiescence
until she rested more
herself over
completelyupon her side,and
rumble
allowed
to
an
enormous
through her monotonously.
sigh
Julian enjoyed that sigh. It made him for the moment
an
optimist,
makes
the
old
child
man
a
as
a happy
shiveringon
dreary
edge of
his thought.
death an optimist. Dogs are blessed things. That was
and
And
opened quietly,
justthen the door at the end of the room
and
his
crush
with
cloak
hat
in
his
Dr. Levillier came
on
a
in,
doctor
'

hand.

sometimes

FLAMES

io6

disease?"
"Heart
I don't know.
There

"

is

be

going to

inquest."

an

did he die?"

"When

rather at four in the morning ; justas Valentine

of his trance, it must
have been.
the
Don't you remember
"
clock striking
?
"

Last

night,or

out

came

CertainlyI
?

do.

But

do

why

the

connect

you

stances
circum-

two

"

Doctor, how can you tell that I do ? "

the tone of your voice."
By your expression,

"
"

I can't helpconnecting
I told
them.
right. Somehow
He
has
been with me
VaUntine so to-night.
to see Marr's body."
have justcome
You
from that death-bed,now
?
"You

are

"

"

"Yes."
Julian sketched
the

left to

last the

of
expression

him," he

immense

the dead

looked

He

"

rapidlythe

European Hotel, but

impressionmade upon him by

"

could

at first I

the

recognise
absolutelydirect

His

the most
face,dead, was
of
his
alive.
He
face,
possible

contradiction

he

man.

happy, so good,that

so

said.

of the

events

not

the

not

was

same

man."
The

"

Yes.

"

was

man

But

gone, you see, Addison."

it which remained
then what was

to work

this

change

"

in the body ?
"
Death givesa
of limbs and
work
"

The relaxing
of sinews,the droop
strangecalm.
absolute
t
he
absence
of
features,
motion, of breathing,

up an impression."
But there was
something more

a
was
well,
always struck
"

The
a

was

strong

bad
atrociously
doctor sat musing. Lawler came
soda
small basin of gruel and
me

as

than

here, more

happinessand

an

goodness.

I think

lot.

Marr

I told

you."

tray,on which
of
bottles,a decanter
the
and
himself a drink,

in with
water

There
had

peace.
And

the

Julian mixed
whisky, and a tall tumbler.
took
still
meditatively, the basin of gruelon to his knees. As
doctor,
there in
serious ascetic,
he looked a strange,little,
he sippedit,
sitting
boots
his
the
from
the light
wax
candles,
shining
plantedgently on
the
his lighteyes fixed on
the broad back of the slumberingmastiff,
fire.

He

did

speak again

not

he said

gruel.

Then

"

And

you

"

No, nothing."

the
must

was

half-waythrough his

absolutely
nothingof

know

gatherfrom
If I knew
t-lucly.
"I

until he

Marr's

?
past history

"

all you have told me

that it would be worthy of
it I might understand
the startling
change from

aspectof evil to the aspect of good at death.

have been far less evil than

you

I believe the

thought him,

for dead

man

faces

that

something

express

far

nature

Julian answered

But
"

the

in

known,

not

possiblyattributed

Marr

to

reallypossessed."

ever

that at the

of the

greatestrips,one

felt about

never

107

convinced
I feel absolutely

of the

one

he

than

horrible

more

always latent, if

was

Ignorantlyyou

departed natures.

EPISODE

STREET

HARLEY

THE

I did about

as

man

any

merciless

most

him

he

was

London

in

men

And

he

him

I knew

time

impressed

way."
him," Dr. Levillier said.
An idea,suggestedby Julian's last remark, suddenly struck him.
of evil,
He conveyeda strong impression
you say ?

others in the
"

same

I had

I wish

seen

"

"

"Yes."
"

In what

How

exactly?

way

"

Julian hesitated.
"

thinginto

power

words.

I felt that

me.

of

that it

him

about

like

was

suet

Awfully difficultto put

"

But

will,or something.
damnably bad character.

suggesteda bad, a
once

interested

He

or
intellect,

of

answered.

say,"he

It's difficult to

he

had

great

in every way
said to
woman

he
me

emanation."

an

"Ah!"

The

doctor finished his

gruel and put

down

the basin

the table

on

beside him.
"

the way, where did Marr

he, for instance,go home

By

Would

live ?
from

in my

Anywhere

direction ?

the theatres,
or
by
Piccadilly,

Regent Street?"
"

I don't know

"

Have

at all where

ever

you

him

seen

he lived."

with

animals,with dogs,for

instance

?"

"No."
"If

had

he

been

as

evil

as

you

suppose,

dog would

any

have

avoided him."
"

too."
Well, but dogs avoid perfection

"

Hardly, Addison."

"

But

The

Rip

and

!"

Valentine

remark

struck the doctor,that was

rightfoot slowlybackwards and forwards
the

up
"

you

loose
clog's

Yes," he said.
to

mean

to-day?
"

skin in

This

tell

"

Rip

is rather

pushed

his

Rupert'sback, rucking

inexplicable
beggar.

an

hasn't got

his horror

over

But

do

of Valentine

"

afternoon

he

was

touched

him

him

out

of the room."

"

H'm

"

Isn't it unaccountable
?"
I must
say that it is.

"

on

He

heavy folds.

he

me

obvious.

worse

I believe he would

have

than
gone

ever.

half

If Valentine
mad.

I had

had
to

put

faithful wretches.

If

!"

Dogs

are

such

FLAMES

io8
and

Enpert
would

Mab

againstme like
than the
fiercely

to turn

were

strike at my

heart

more

that

I believe it

deed

of any

man

could."
bent down

He

The

"

of

I have

he
cheap satirist,"
a

There

And

yet his

said,
animals,but I don't

Yes.

There

could trust
fliesat him."

be

are

many

thick and

thin.

utterly

so

his mind.

curious,subtle

some

intimate

all my

through

fact,as if it puzzledhim

to that

dismiss it from

must

with

him

dog

own

that he could not

"yet

to do that.

mean

natures, and there

human

Levillier returned

Dr.

and

for

reason

affectionate

that,"he said,

knowledge

of

dogs

Watch
Rip carefullywhen he is not with
natural and
after his health. Notice if he seems

divine it.

cannot

well.

Look

Does

he eat

He

Rather.

"

And

"

Quite."
Well, all I

he

He

nature.

Cress-

happy,

usual ? "

as

"

"

Rupert'sheavingback.
ever
comparingthe fickleness

some
great
trust."
I could,and would, implicitly
both know."
is one, Doctor, whom
we

"Cresswell.

"

over

is for

"

belief in

whom

men

"

his hand

ran

with the faithfulness of

men

"

and

did

content

seems

is

to-day."
with you ? "

say is that

can

Rip

doesn't

seem

to

possess

dog

uncanny."

Uncanny,"Julian

the word.
last few days.

on
said,seizing

become

"

everything

But

within the
Upon my word,
uncanny
I look back into the past of,say, a fortnight
when
ago, I ask myself
whether I am
a fool,
or
dreaming,or whether my health is going to
deuce.
London
different. I look on thingsstrangely. I
the
seems
has

"

fancy,I imagine
broke off.

He

Then

he said

I know at White's could

By Jove,Doctor,if half the men
mind they would think me
fitted for a lunatic asylum."

"

my

It doesn't matter

"

at White's

men

But

heart.
train

to you

think,

it is

as

you

say.

into the Black

runs

what

long

so

as

half the men, or the whole

you keep a cool head and

You

and

You

to call

male

know, Addison, men

women

muscles.

nervous

Yes,

have

unwholesome
an
lungs,which have drawn

"

Valentine

Country,into

day or two probablyyour

expelit again.7'
He smiled rather whimsically.Then
In

see

he said

talk of their

into

of the
a

run,

good
as

atmosphere.
it

in,will

and
strength,

are

inclined

creatures,but the
you

want

the

nerves
play tricks among
the droning
foils,the bicycle,

church.
I advise you to go out of town
for a
organ, and the village
week.
fish
with
a
Forget Marr, a queer
evidently,
possibly
power
of mesmerism.
And don't ask Valentine to go away with you."

"

why

But

not

"

he asked.
he is

Merely because

"

turned

have

109

Julian.
surprised

last remark

The

EPISODE

STREET

HARLEY

THE

that

events
I

right course.

usual, your

you out of your

is moving in a

the

with

intimatelyconnected

that

see

rather
circle,which contains,
narrow
your mind
Cresswell."
and
two peopleonly,Marr
besides yourself,
of me," Julian
rotten
How
it's
"
true.
Darkness and light. Yes,
"
exclaimed, like a schoolboy. I'm like a squirrelin a cage, going
in that
are
That's justit. Valentine and Marr
round and round.

cursed circle of
I

another.

one

and
sittings,
actuallybegan

insanely connect

to-nightthat

think

to

them

with

Marr

died,

"

well

fellow,because"

poor

so

our

"Yes."

something to do with
of
had a hypnotic power

Oh, it'stoo ridiculous,that his death had

"

say, he

i Supposing,
as you
sitting,

last

our

"

doctor

complete and

"

Cresswell

together.

them
Go

manner.
self-possessed,

and

Marr

"

could its exercise cause

injury to his health ?
ignoredthe questionin his quiet,and yet very

Could"

any kind.
the
But

It

met," he said. " It is follyto connect

"
of you.
you said,"and he laughed, rotten

never

is,as

to-morrow."
away
I will,you autocratic doctor.

"

friendship,
my

Your

Dr.

Since

he

had

fee do I

owe

you

?"

boy."
his chair and

in

in the
revelling

both of them
hour.

lower

Levillier sat

What

into

come

the

peace and

warm

the

Harley

smoked

they

ease

Street

in

silence,

of this

house

night

Julian

had

happier. His perturbationhad graduallyevaporated

little doctor's talk,
The
until now
scarcelya vestigeof it remained.
and
the aspect of his
face
his
above all the sightof
calm, thoughtful
calm, satisfied room, gave the coup de grdce to the uneasiness of a
of wide
When
the power
spurious and ill-omened excitement.
geous
of goodness and of umbramedical knowledge is joinedto the power
all men,
the man
to lay the
is,among
a doctor
intellectuality
the
set
at
to
is
human
nature
that
perpetually
walking
pains
ghosts

been

much

in their shrouds
smoked

on

and

dogs echoed and

to

cause

grew

alarm.

All Julian's

natural
to feel perfectly

ghostswere
and

emphasisedall the healingpower

laid.

He

comfortable.

The

of their small

and

of

largelimbs

and
As they lay sleeping,a tangle
elderlymaster.
them
till their fawn-coloured
supine strength,the fire shone over
with gold. The delightful
like satin touched
coats gleamed almost
u
nmeasured
of
unmeasured
satisfaction,
confidence,
sanctity
sang in
and fell with the
their gentle and large-hearted
rose
snores, which
of them
and
the
Now
o
f
then
sea.
one
on
slowly
regularity waves
stretched
a
leg or expanded the toes of a foot, as if intent on

surface
a larger
presenting

of sensation

to

the embrace

of coinforfi

FLAMES

no

of affection.

and

And they,so it seemed to Julian,keptthe pleasant

into existence between
him and the doctor alive.
.That silence rested him immensely. In it the two cigars
diminished
the
of
man's life,
but glowingto the
as
a
steadily,
steadily
length
silence

now

come

And
the grey ashes droppedaway
very end.
and Julian's mind
shed its grey ashes too and

dogs expanded
expanded in a

their

bodies

warm

on

the

of their

glowed serenely. The

hearth, and

wide-stretching
generosityof

vague,

accord,

own

his nature

evening

mute

emotion.
"

How

"

Yes.

at last.
is,Doctor,"he murmured
the words
good hour,"the doctor replied,
letting

comfortable
It's a

this

go

slowlyfrom his lips. I wish I could giveto all the poor creatures
in this cityjustone
good hour."
They smoked their cigarsout.
I ought to go,"Julian said lazily.
I know
it is dangerous to prolong a
No.
Have
one
more.
But
I think,Addison, to-nightyou
pleasure. It loses its savour.
"

"
"

and

get 110

can

handed

harm

from

the

experiment."

Julian the

cigarbox.
stir
half -hour,"he added,
won't
We
up the dogs for another
Here are
lookingat their happinesswith a shining satisfaction.
the matches.
Light up."
of the second
Julian obeyed,and they began the delightful
era
and peace.
into serenity
and sank a little deeper down, surely,
cigar,
fender with a hot tick,tick,
Occasional coals dropping into the
the
four
to
chirrupeda lullaby
happy companions. And the men
learnt a fine silence from the fine silence of the dogs.
Half-way through the second cigarRupert shifted under his
His eyes
master's patent leather boots and raised his huge head.
then ceased to blink and became attentive.
blinked out of their sleep,
been
had
which
Then his ears,
lyingdown oil each side of his head
attitude which
such features of a dog can
in the suavest
assume,
forward
and
he
listened
to
lifted themselves
as
pointedgrimly
up
contracted
under
His
flaccid
and
the
muscles
him,
legs
something.
of his back quivered. Mab, less readilyalert,quicklycaught the
out
of her sideways
infection of his attention,rolled over
position
of the clogswas
The
movement
beside him.
not
arid couched
to the doctor.
Rupert'scurious back, alert under his feet,
congenial
He

"

"

communicated

being.
"

The

must

an

immediate

sense

said to Julian :
acuteness of animal

of

to the
disquiet

very centre of his

He

have

heard

some

sound

senses

has its drawbacks.

in the

street that is

These

Well, Rupert,what is it ? Lie down againand go

Stoopingforward he put his hand on the dog'sneck,and

to us.

push,expectinghim

to

and
yieldreadily,

dogs

inaudible
entirely

tumble

over

to

sleep."

gave
on

him

to the

sleep once

to

rug

warm

in

his

Rupert resisted

But

more.

hand,

and

immediately followed

Mab

at attention.

stood

instead, got up, and

EPISODE

STREET

HARLEY

THE

example.

his

What

"

he

As

they after,Doctor

are

spoke

in the

bell rang

"

said Julian.

house.

"
Levillier
A sumsaid.
mons
prolonging the pleasure,"
doubt."
to a patient,no
forward
As if in reply to the twitter of the bell,Rupert sprang
barked
beside the door waiting,while Mab
He remained
and barked.
bell
sounded
and
the
fire.
The
the
again,
footstepof
too, nearer
heard
the
on
always sat up as late as his master, was
Lawler, who
It
servants'
of
the
house.
them
its
on
stairs from the
passed
part
the excitement
of
errand to the front door, but during its passage
and
the two
They began to bark furiously,
dogs rapidlyincreased.

for

Nemesis

"

to bristle.

"

saw

never

like this

them

before,"the doctor

said,not without

anxiety.
As

spoke Lawler

he

opened the hall door.

They heard the latch
For the
him.
go and the faint voice of somebody in colloquy with
but displayedthe most
curious savage
now
abruptly silent,
dogs were
their
and
each
teeth,
intentness,showing
by the door as if
standing
in
sentinels on
guard. The colloquyceasing, steps again sounded
than
the hall,but more
Lawler's.
was
Evidently the man
returning
towards
the room
The
accompanied by somebody from the street.
doctor was
keenly observing the mastiffs,and just as Lawler's hand
the handle of the door to turn it,he suddenly called out
struck upon

sharply:
"

Lawler, you

And

as

he

Lawler

was

beg

The
"

"

to

in

on

the

forward

ran

his two

held

dogs

will

to piecesif

we

obeyed, and

his grasp.
Some
is with
one

see

doctor

me

between

the

dogs and

two

hands.

They tugged and leaped to

The
on.
surprised voice of the obedient
hither side of the door, saying:

the

tear

the

dog

you,

person

don't take

Catch

care.
was

who

has
on

like live iron

just come
to

with

Lawler," the doctor said.

irto

the

Mab, Addison."
determination
"

Does

he

wish

"

If you please,sir,it is Mr.

for Mr. Addison."
"

Julian

door ! "

the

to open

your pardon, sir."

doctor said hastilyto Julian

Julian
under

he

heard

These

house

collars

but

get away,
"

called the

their

caught

not

are

felt himself

go

Cress

well,Mr. Valentine

suddenly pale.

come

back

YI

CHAPTER

THE

OF

reluctantlyJulian

RATHER
and went

of town

out

for

sea, and

the

to

way

STRENGTH

week

tried

acted

THE

SPRING

the

on

advice

of Dr.

Levillier

the

followingday. He took his

in a sailingboat with a
his only companion.
But
his
body gave itself to the whisper

on

feel normal

to

corrugated old salt for

for while his
success
was
only partial,
held the ropes,
his hands
of the ungoverned breezes,while
the
subtle proceedings of the weather, and
eyes watched
gnarled and

stories of the waves,

to the serial

listened

peregrinationsof his

Ancient

bygone days, his mind

itself with

the

vanish in

and

still in

was

that

things

very

Recent

ozone.

of

mind

circle like

the

has

man

And

Julian

ways.
the ignorant Rip.

had

with

him
his

Whenever

of the

bottom

accustomed
board

it trot

in

the

to

Harley Street,and

the

to

the

Seas

seasick

Star

in

of

the

habit

to

of

drive

reverence

Sea.

the

back

in its

ring-master in the
Rip, curled
eyes fell on
a

he

went

at

When

prancing
it

serenelyforward

swinging boat,
the

conversational
China

undergo a sea change

oppressed him, to the occasional

fallen into

make

public streets,to

ears

now

horse, it is difficult

circus

the

his

his

London, still busilyconcerned

should

events

once

to the

about

Mariner

undoing of the old salt,well

of his despairing clients on
the

and

and

in

into

ordinary

person

of

uneasily
tangent back

strange finale of his evening with

the

doctor.
It had

been

curious

tableau

divided

by

door.

Levillier and

he

tugging mightily at the intent mastiffs,which

strained at their collars,
dropping beads of foam from their grinning
jaws, savages, instead of calm companions. On the other side,in
and a colloquy
and Valentine
the hall,Lawler
paused in amazement
barrier.
On hearing the name
shot to and fro through the wooden
stood

on

one

of Valentine

side

mentioned

of unbounded

glance
returned

by

the

butler

amazement

it, feelingin

his

heart

the doctor

upon
the

Julian.

dawning

had

cast

And
of

an

an

Is

anything the

matter

"

Valentine's

voice had

had

inexplicable

trouble.
"

instant

Julian

asked.

FLAMES

ii4
t

hey stillbounded

howl

and

vain chorale.

Lord, Lord, sir,what's

"

beganto
againstthe door,and presently

beat

His

fat face had

become

white

as

I can't tell.

They

as

sheet,and the doctor was

dresser,whip in hand,

will be all rightin

pulledhimself up.
Go to bed now
if you

exclaimed.

againstthe

less pale as he leaned

Fcarcely
drawing pantingbreaths.
"

? " Lawler

to them

come

minute."

He
"

like,Lawler," he said,rather abruptly

Come, Addison."
He
They regainedthe hall,and made their way to Valentine.
in a watchful attitude,
and sprang
was
sittingby the dining-table
"

in.
hastily
up as they came
he
dear
said, what
Doctor,"
My
"

"

"It's

pandemonium

nearly

assistance."

to your

came

lucky
almost grimly.
Why ?

you

very

the
didn't,Cresswell,"

doctor

answered,

"

"

if you had

Because

"

might chance

to be

dead

by

this

the sea, under the streamingclouds that fled before

recalled the strange terseness of that reply,
and

the

you

man

time."
Out

wind,

on

Julian

perhapsstrangersilence that
comment, had asked for

no

the

and
subject,

the

"

Let

us

Valentine

go back
and he

and

remained

had

men

ill at

Then

ease.

the

had made

had

simplydropped
togetherfor a few

the doctor had

said

room."

to my

now

Valentine

For

it.

explanation.Pie

no

three

minutes,constrained

followed

got upon their feet

assented,and

to follow

him,

the servants'
opened the door there came
up from
quartersthe half -strangledhowling of the mastiffs. Involuntarily
his hand
behind
his ear.
Dr. Levillier paused to listen,
Then he
turned to the young men, and held out his righthand.
I must
to them, or there will
he said.
Good-night,"
go down
be a summons
appliedfor againstme in the morning by one of my
neighbours."
And
they had let themselves out while he retreated once more
but

when

he

"

"

the stairs.

down

drive

The

home

had

biddingValentine
friend
"

been

silent

good-nighthad

he

Only

one.

found

when

tongue

Julian
to say

was

to his

The

And

Now,

devil'sin all this,Valentine."

Valentine
in the

Julian went
sawdust
same

sea

merely nodded

had

solitude that

round

under

and

round

was

with
to

be

in his mental

foot,hearingever

the

smile and

a
a

medicine

driven off.
to

his

circus,
treadingever
same

whip

crack

souf,
the

to send

TtiE
him

isolation bent

His

forward.

of the

murmurings

hoarse

That

know.

did not

vagrant impulse.
to

circumstances

towards

even

moments

the old salt's

seas

drew

him

that

night

no

way
for him

to

ho

merely the prompting of a

of the
impulse on account
a
peculiar
directlyled ; for there was
been

that

and continued
affected,

had

to affecthiin

hostilityof another
loves is offensively
one
grotesque to the
hated
the
doctor's
Julian
mastiffs,and
comfort
disKip, who lay,in a certain shivering
instinctive

the

behold

whom

115

himself,and
in

returned

have

which

the unconscious

hated

upon

SPRING

"

Chiney

it

which

person
observer,and at

him

cursed

Julian

disagreeably.To

most

"

Why
might

enmityin them

strain of

THE

Valentine

outlook.

healthier

OF

STRENGTH

seekingsleepwith the determination of

apprehension,
which
should surely
There
are
things,feelingsand desires,
and dogs. Such a thing,beyond doubt, was
out of men
a

and
sorrow.

be kicked
savage

merely

were

the

which
mysteries,

But

sustain.

prompted it,and whence

What

hatred of Valentine.

dogs

into

Julian

plunged
specially

what

of

dumbness

it came,
for

must

concern

ever

the

was

the repulsionof his dogs

different
Julian's tine
to look upon
and come
eyes.
of
for his friend sharpenedhis faculties of observation and
jealousy
latent fear that Dr. Levillier

deduction,and
Valentine

to the

both

them

he had

after the

with

the

struggleon
door

little doctor's

the

observed

street

echo

might

Valentine

on

stairs;and

the

howling

dry receptionof

his eager dismissal of

that rose
excuse
up

and
might probably be transient,
the
the
o
f
fatigue excitement,or even by
physical
only engendered by
the
of
from
the
Valentine
exhaustion attendant
preservation
upon
Julian told himself that to dwell upon it,
rage of Rupert and Mab.
or

Such

the basement.

from

to

conceive

of it

as

consideringhis intimate
firm

for
friendship

mood

permanent,

was

neither

sensible

nor

acute,

knowledge of
That

Valentine.

the doctor's nature, and of his

he did continue most persistently

keen

be due to the
suspicion,must
and to the vain babble of the
present desolation of his circumstances,
intellect
whose
blue-coated
roamed
Methuselah,
incessantly
through
of
love
marine
with
Rabelaisian
somewhat
a
a
episodes
past,peopled
to dwell

upon

it,and

with

character.
At

the end

returned

of five days Julian

abruptlythrew

up
the
salt
old
the
to
abandoning

the

sponge

and

London,
tobacco-chewing,
only solace during the winter season, now fast drawing
He went
had
to a close.
to see Valentine,who
at once
narrative
a
to tell him concerning Marr.
"You
have
in the papers?" he
probably read all about Marr
when
he
Julian.
met
asked,
The questioncame
with his hand-grasp.
at once
"
"
Julian
I shunted
said.
the papers, tried to give myself
No,"
which

up

was

to

his

to
entirely

the sea,

as

the doctor advised.

What

has there been

'I"

FLAMES

tl6
"

Oh,

T may as well tell it to

good deal
People exaggerate so much."

or

you,

no

doubt

Lady

every

effort

C rich ton will.

"

Why

"

The

to

exaggerate about ?

held,"Valentine

inquestwas
to find the

made

was

is there

what

"

but
evaporatedso mysteriously,

The

had

Frenchman

remember,

you

was

with

Marr

there

was

no

noticed her

not

to

one

features,and

fool,and could onlysay

she

And

"

answered.

came

who

woman

"

hotel,and

her.
to identify
the housemaid, as

common-looking

was

the

person."
"
but
Well," Julian said rather eagerly,

"

what

the

was

of

cause

death?"
That

"

the

various

death,

and

The

obscure.
entirely

was

There

sound.

were

organs

the verdict

body
'

simply,

was

seemed

was

Died

no

from

healthy

least

at

"

for
obvious reason
failure of the heart's

action.' "
"

Vague

"

Yes,

"And
"

Not

but

comprehensive."
shall all die

I suppose we
that is all?"

from
strictly

the

cause."

same

It appears
that a description
of the dead man
got
into the papers, and that he was
identified by his wife,who read the
in some
account
remote
part of the country, took the train to town,

and

quite.

found

that Marr
married, from whom

Wilson,

the man
suspected,
separated,and whose

she had
of a notorious

the Wilson

real

had

name

Do

case.

newspaper

she

whom

she

as

was,

was
member
re-

you

it ? "

againsta husband for gross cruelty,for

time ago ?
unspeakableinhumanity some
The wife got a judicial
separation."
that is the historyof Marr ?
is,such of his historyas is known," Valentine said in

"What,

an

action

credible
in-

"

"

"

Yes.

"

And

"

That

calm

on

"

While he had been

Julian's face. When
"

his

voice.

alwayshad

Julian said

Julian

blue

It

seems

eyes

looked up

that Marr
feeling

a
"

now.

speaking his

was

was

had

always

been

fixed

withdrawn.

they were

secretly wretch, a devil,"

a

right. What

has

become

of the

wife?"
"

I suppose she has gone back to her country home.

Probably she
Her
first mate
is happy.
chastised her with whips. To fulfil her

destiny as a woman
of scorpions."
"

the

Women
manner

Valentine
his
"

are

she

ought

now

to

seek

another

who

is fond

Julian said,voluptuously
after
strange,"
generalising

of young
men.
leaned forward

mind, and roused him to

Julian,"he exclaimed,"

as
a

are

if the sentence

stirred

some

depth

in

certain

excitement.
you and I wastingour

lives,do you

SPRING

THE

OF

STRENGTH

THE

117

I have
thought again over
you have been away
first sitting.Do you remember
had our
before we

Since

think ?

conversation
"

Yes, Valentine."

"

You

I had

said then

held

from

back

you

so

our

it ?

"

much."

"Yes."
"

And

I have

you back, held

Julian looked
"

all that

from

myself back,

not, perhaps,held

I have
is worth

having in

life."

troubled.

all that

From

having,old boy,"he said.

Valentine
spoke like this

worth

is not

troubled.

he looked

But

asking myselfwhether

been

he felt

When

garden gate and gazes out into the world,

and
of desire to leap oufe
and is stirred with a
anticipation
and flowers,into
trees are
from the green and shadowy close,where
the dust and heat where
passion hides as in a nest, and unspoken
It is
lie
Julian
warm.
was
vaguely afraid of himself.
things
strong. Having met Valentine
dangerous to lean on any one, however
Julian had never
learnt to walk alone.
of life,
He
the threshold
on
instead
of trusting himself.
He
had
trusted another
never
forged
who

man

as

stands

at

thrill of

his

sword.

own

all the

greatness

had

He

When

of iron and

arms

forged his

never

with

walked

the

he sang a song
of
his
muscles.
notably strong as to

was

blood

raced

unless

Valentine

in

of himself

Mistrust

sword.

him

at his anvil

Siegfried
sang

of life. Julian

his

veins, but

was

as

he

had

phantom

that

drove

it away.
absurd
Val," he
feeling,

that
said.
thought you had got over
with your soul."
"I thought you were
content
"
"
I think I have ceased to be content,"said Valentine.
Perhaps
I have stolen a fragment of your nature, Julian,in those dark nights
"

Since

in the tent-room.

extraordinarysensation
to

come

And

me.

"

It

Already he
words

he

stirred
"

too

by the

How

was

looked
became
wonder

That

is

different eyes.

that

"

livingat

leaned
and
"

mo

all ?

got up and

one

arm

on

chair,and

if all his

as

with

Julian

low

? " Julian

how

But

to test the

I want

upon fact."
He was
in
sitting
his limbs.

I have
you have been away
of bodily strength,of enormous

sensation,to

see

wondered.

An

vigour

has

if it is founded

he

spoke he slowlystretched
body yawned, waking from sleep.
as

asked.

rather

interested

than

troubled.

At

Valentine's

violentlyconscious of his own

strength,and
in
him.
youth dwelling
what
I wish to find out by going into the world
of

I have

been

livingin

the arts,Julian.

But

is

stood
the

He
by the fire. Valentine excited him.
His
hand
mantelpiece.
right
kept closing

unclosingas
Such

he talked.
life is natural to

love it,"

you," he

said,

"

And

you

have

made

Ii8

FLAMES

"I

sometimes

wonder," responded Valentine,"whether

not trained my

head

to

I have
of intellect are
often
call my
purity and my

heart.

slay my

Men

strangelyinhuman.
refinement

Besides, what

due

you
cowardice.

I am
called the Saint
because I live in a sort of London
cloister with
companion,and in the cloister I read or I give myself

are

perhapsto

my

of Victoria Street
for my

you

music, and

to

up

the sins of
Pharisee."
at

"

But

hang

my

and

men,

walls with
believe

and I wonder
pictures,
that deadly thing, a

am

tolerant."
perfectly
I often find myselfsneeringat the follies of others,
Am
at
what I call their coarsenesses, their wallowingin the mire."
It is wallowing."
And which is most human, the man
who drives in a carriage,
or
who walks sturdily
the man
along the road,and gets the mud on his
"

are

you
I ?

"

"

boots,and lets the rain fall on

suspectit is a fine thingto be
dark

Julian's

unusual,almost
of

drawing
hitherto,he

eyes
with an

very
had

were

out

thought of

and

the wind

unsheltered

in

warmth,

and

as

of

spoke

Julian

was

in their

to-night.Always
Valentine

be his friend ? I
storm, Julian."

Valentine

glowing.

electric

to him

near

him

all men,

that
honestly,

this very detachment

had drawn
him to
other human
being. But to-nighthe

than

more

from

him.

And

he

had

to be

side
actually

conscious

friendship,
a

believed most

to any

to feel that

an

apart,walkingat

one

distance from

even

with

Valentine
denly
began sud-

side with

his friend would

to walk
perpetually

by
He
could
never
t
hing.
glorious
hope
very
vestal
If
Valentine
the
did
down towards
come
heights.
really
upon
what
then ?
Just at first the idea had shocked
the valley,
him.
Now
he began almost to wish that it might be so, to feel that he was
shakinghands with Valentine more
brotherlythan ever before.
Extremes
are
desolate,
abominable, I begin to think,"
wrong,
Valentine went
on.
Angel and devil,both should be scourged
to be purged of excessive good,the other of excessive evil,
the one
natural
between
and
man.
them, midway, is man,
Julian,you
and you are
natural man,
more
are
right than I, who, it seems,
have been educating you by presentingto you for contemplation
be

"

"

"

own

my

disease."

Well, but is natural

worth

much

That

is the

question!

and drinks,and loves,and, of tener than the

fights,
to die.
how
And
then
philosopherthinks, he knows
and
is
that
what
sent
into
we
were
thoroughly,
probably

renowned
he
lives

"

man

I don't know."
"

He

the

world

to do."

"Can't

we

drinking,Val

live
? ;"

thoroughly without, say,

the

fightingand

the

Valentine

got

too,

up,

THE

OF

STRENGTH

THE

excited,and

if

as

SPRING

119

stood

by the

fire

by

Julian's side.
"

"And

Leads

"

could

Julian

have

You

"

not

was

for

changed,and

mood

sleep."

drinking?"
to good fellowship."

last remark

This

else would

heroism,"he said," which

calls forth

Battle

accept it

moment

he burst

been

Valentine

unlike
preposterously

so

out

uttered

suddenlyinto

time,"he

in all the

takingme

as

seriously.His

laugh.
exclaimed," and

to think you serious."

"
with
what I was
And to agree
saying?
still spoke quite gravely and earnestly,and
Valentine

fool

was
actually

that

enough

"

to be

began

puzzled.

know

You

"

can

anything,"he

mean

helpagreeingwith
I have
proved
began.
never

"

always right in the end.

true

one,

Julian

real

but your

real

So your

theory,I

know,

really

you

often that

so

theory
is to

when

you

of life must

rejectwhat

most

within

for

you
be

are

the

people

after."

run
"

No

"

But

longerthat,I fancy,Julian."
then, what has changed you

Valentine

?"

his eyes calmly.

" I don't
know," he said. " Do you
should I?"
How
"I?
"

Perhaps this change

at

"

"

Then
No

you
mere

man

can

lifelies rather

and

Valentine
shot up,
Victoria
"

have climbed

went

over

stared

Don't

you

on

me

want

to

mountain

long

culminates.

nature

stay there ?

peak for

I
"

ever,

plains."

to

leavingthe naked
Street

to it.

growing
to-nightmy

face the weather

in the

?"

been

has

It is difficultto say, but

point,Julian."

while.
am

met

and

touched

window, through

in the

wish,"he said," that

window

the

which

night.
in England, had

we,

the
the

blind.

It

gas-lampsof

the flat roofs of the

East."
He

thrust up the

glass,and the nightair pushed in.

here,Julian,"he said.
Julian obeyed,wonderingrather.
Valentine leaned a littleout on
the silland made
Julian lean beside him.
It was
earlyin the night
and the hum
of London
for
the
bees
did
was
not
yet loud,
sleepbut
still busy in their monstrous
were
hive.
There
was
already a
of
the
discoloured houses.
gentleness Springamong
Spring will not
"

Come

be denied

even

among

men

who

pedestrianswent by
past^and

dwell

in twos

in
and

walkingvaguely seekingcheap pleasures,

or
maidens,tired business

men

flats.

threes
more

towards
journeying

The

cabs

hurried

soldiers
solitary,
with
gaily
adoring
Victoria Station,a
or

FLAMES

120

desolate

in dreary virtue
shop-girl,

unblessed,the Noah's

figureof

ark

defiant of

mankind, but still

policeman,tramping emptily,
standing wearily by turns, to keep public order. Lights starred
here and there the long line of mansions
opposite.
I often look out here at night,"
Valentine
to
said, generally
wonder why peoplelive as they do.
When
I see the soldiers going
by, for instance,I have often marvelled that they could find any
pleasurein the servants,so often ugly,who hang on their arms, and
at them
under cheap hats and dyed feathers.Languishpersistently
And
I gaze at the policemanon his beat and pityhim
for the dead
seldom varied by the sordid capture of a
routine in which he stalks,
starvingcracksman, or the triumphant seizure of an unmuzzled dog.
to me
The boys selling
evening papers seem
imps of desolation,
screaming through life aimlesslyfor halfpence,and the cabmen
creatures
able to get into the
drivingfor ever to stations,
yet never
wide world.
And yet they are all living,
Julian ; that is the thing,
all in strongtouch with humanity. The
all having their experiences,
flower
has
his
and
boy
girlto give him grimy kisses,
got
newspaper
his harness,and the soldier
the cabman
is proud of the shine on
gloriesin his militaryfacultyof seduction,and in his quick capacity
for gettingdrunk in the glittering
of the
gin-palaceat the corner
one
street,and the policemanhopesto take some
up, and to be praised
and
in
those
houses
are
oppositeintrigues
by a magistrate,
going on,
and jealousy
is being born, and men
and women
are
over
quarrelling
it
and
children
what
triflesand making
if legitimatter
mate
up again,
and
and
?
are
are
or
cooing
crying,
boys
illegitimate
waking
to the turmoil of manhood, and girls
are
dreaming of the thingsthey
dare not pretendto know.
Why should I be like a bird hoveringover
and you
be in it ?
If I can onlycease
it all ? Why should not I
for myself,and
to be as I have always been, I can
recreate London
its tears.
I have
make it a live city,fearingneither its vices nor
done
I have
made you fear them, Julian.
injury. Let us
you an
the gas-lamps,
be quiet,
and hear
and feel the rustle of Spring over
the pulsingof the hearts around us."
He put his arm
through Julian's as they leaned out on the sillof
like a line of livingfire,
the window, and to Julian his arm
was
that
touched
which
to
it
fever of excitement.
a speechless
compelling
Valentine ? Julian's pulsesthrobbed
this man
and hammered
Was
he looked upon the street,and he seemed to see ail the passers by
as
scales had fallen. If to die should be nothing
with eyes from which
a

"

"

"

"

"

to the wise man,

to live should

passed,embracing each other

"

be much.
Underneath
two drunken
men
in
the
shoulders.
snatches
They sang
by

of eternal friendship.
Valentine
hiccoughedprotestations
with
blue
their wavering course
no
disgust, His
eyes even

and
to

them
praise

as

they went,

watched
seemed

FLAMES

122

of the sun, of yielding

all your
scent
to others, and of taking all
their scent to you.
That's the lesson of your strength,Julian,and
of all the strengthof the Spring. Lie out in the showers, and let
the clouds

bird,and
"

cover

"

these

"

"

he

knows?

your soul,Julian.
"
veins,sometimes ?
"

Yes, yes."

"

And

feet ?

the

to

suddenlybroke off in a
rhapsodising.The Spring has got into my
The
spring is
chimney-pots of London.

am

and

shadows, and listen

with

you
Ah

For

humming passionsthat

don't

to you

come

burst of
veins
in

feel wild

you

me,

"

You
But

know
I

blood

before

knew

never

your

I have

thing.

they might lift you towards

thought that the exercise of the
why should it be so ? "I have

the world

man

We
open eyes.
budding and blossomingof the souls around us, the
garden of life. We will not be indifferent or afraid.
see

coward

in my
round

winter

Julian

ice

prisonof

not

from

lipsand

the heart

swimmer
of

aware

to

so

Valentine.

to be

stay

you
will watch

the

flowers

the

I have

in
been

carried away
he seemed
instinctively

But

out
stretching

his

and

of
keep a perpetualseason
it to-night."
I know
carried
was
by this outburst,
away
strange, force by its issue from the

resistless torrent, and

by
danger and
a

branch

tree

of

He

whether

refinement.
it.

I know

me.

did

with

rate

at any

speak.
gained so much, and

which

or

from

that

down, but
dragged
passions
talked of men
wallowingin the mire. I must find out
have been lyingwhen
I said that.
Julian,this Spring
a

be

in your

I do."

That's the

heaven.

weak

among

and, who

"

11

will

laughter,

even

lift you

and

of every

song

present

he

was

his

arms

for

Perhaps

course.

some

as

to

rock

Valentine

noticed this,for his excitement

suddenlyfaded,and his face resumed
its usual expression
of almost cold purityand refinement.

thing into music," he said.

to the wall on
At the last word
Julian looked up instinctively
Merciful
which the pictureof
The
Knight usuallyhung. For
in his mind
c
onnected
with that
Valentine's music was
inseparably
picture. His eyes fell on a gap.
?"
Val,"he exclaimed,in astonishment, what's become of
Oh, The Merciful Knight ? It has gone to be cleaned."
Why ? It was all right,surely?
I found
it wanted
No.
cleaningbadly and I am
having it
"

generallytranslate

this sort of

"

"

"

"
"

'

'

"

"
"

"

You

It will be away
miss it."
must

"

Yes,

very

reframed.

words

for

some

time."

much."
were

indifference.
spoken with cutting

CHAPTER

if

as

night, and

that

FROM

Valentine

between

in

which,

he

as

led

nevertheless

him

and

opened

found

He

existing
to Julian

if he

as

there

accustomed

an

it,
Valentine,almost
the days went
by, but so
the differde6ne
ence
scarcely
grew

to

saintliness of

thawed
gently as
chillyin its elevation,
knew
that
Julian
it,could
scarcely
gently
which

FEATHERS

chamber.

refined

curious

The

him.

THE

his friend's soul

secret

apparent strange humanity

warmed

OF

the relations
imperceptibly,
slightlychanged. It seemed

almost

hitherto

this

into

entered

LADY

Julian

and

shut
previously

door

THE

VISITS

JULIAN

VII.

to alter

his conduct

almost

him

One

sciously.
uncon-

of
a
perhaps, gave
great sameness,
face still kept its almost
continuity. Valentine's
and of purity. When
Julian
unearthlyexpressionof intellectuality
of

safetyand
looked
in

at him

the

sensation

lines

passionsflamed

no

his mouth.

about

in his blue eyes, no lust ever

His
smooth
cheeks
never
his

crawled

flushed

white

forehead
was
beaconing desire, nor
pencilledwith
that
the
is
to
And
a
libertine.
pale warning
shadowy writing
yet his speechabout the Spring that night as they leaned out over
with

the

Victoria
had

held

seemed
had

the

to be

floweringa

flowered

never

seemed

had

evidentlynot
meaning and was

Street

showers

warm

the

Never

number

from

his

sang

The

of faint-hued

of the crocus,

Spring
Tumults

been

within

innumerable
him

stirred inside
of nature

the

as

young

its colour-stained

troops

cup.
of hyacinths in

he strolled in the
of the future

as

in tremulous

conscious

so

pointing of its
itself
gathered
together within him,
shaft

The

put forth

to

rhapsody.

Valentine

wants, such

before.

nature

began
it,it sang

Julian

Earth.

In

It

there
wants

fig-treethat
leaves,and,

as

had

when

reply.

in London.

Spring grew

before had

year as now.
the Mother

to

reckless

mere

remembered.

barren
exquisitely

so

And

been

sun

towards

they speak

him,

shook

growth of

if he

as

him.

the

indeed

were

With

of

the bursting

to the

gold
sun, a life
life that held,too, a golden

spear
a

of the

And

the

bland

Hyde

Park

was

the

to the

Row.

Scents

old of the

scent

of the

language to

speak to
past,to the

the
one

FLAMES

124

with

indefinite

an

And

in the company
alive to the march
of the
intensely

become

feel that he

and
He

began

to

he

in

was

learn,

so

earth

regret.

vague

of Valentine

was

did Julian

towards

with

it,dragooned by
step
he believed,what
Valentine

the

summer,

music.
called the

same

had

strengthand of all the strengthof the Spring. His

blood leapedin his veins,and the world was
walking with him
tricked out in mists and crowned
largeprospect,as yet fancifully

lesson
wild
to

excitement,to the other with

when
especially

of his

with clouds.
The
had

Valentine

Springbrought to
known

never

an

health such as he
which, without actually

abounding

before,a physicalglory
to him a certain novelty of aspect which

changing him, gave

felt without
actually
seeing.
togetherin the Park, he

said

One

day,when

they were

Julian

riding

out

Val."
extraordinarily
strong you look to-day,
Valentine
spurredhis horse into a short.gallop.
"1 think it is my mind working on my
I feel robust,"he said.
I
to
have
attained
more
a
body.
healthyoutlook on things,to a
saner
conceptionof life. For years you have been learningfrom me,
Now
reversed.
I think the positions
I am
Julian.
are
learning
from you."
Julian pressedhis knees against
his horse's sides with an iron grip,
the
a
nimal's
life between
them.
feeling
spirited
spirited
They were
the Serpentineand ridingparallel
to it. A few
now
a level with
on
of
vigorousand determined bathers swam
gailyin the pale warmth
bank
to
Two
raced
the
1 he morning sun.
dry
boys
along
grassy
and leapingas they ran.
A
themselves,whooping with exultation,
in
broad boat,ready to save
a
man
life,
exchanged loud jokes with
with
the swimmers.
loafers watched the scene
On a seat two filthy
vacant
They had sleptin the Park all night,and their ragged
eyes.
"

How

"

clothes
"

drenched

were

I could

race

with dew.

with

those

on
long ago I was like the men
Now
at the bathingof others.
He sent his horse along at a

drew
"

As
into

"

I could

swim

tremendous

only cared
myself."

pace for

to

not

look

moment,

Julian.
in,and turned
of
the Spring,"he said.
lesson
the
learning
hidden place shot for
he spoke a lightfrom some

him

We

co
on

then

are

his eyes

faded

and

I could

Yes, I
sudden

am

too

my

again.

you

eyes.

old for

weariness

ran

Julian

an

laughed gaily.

instant
The

ride

conscious of the recklessness created in

was

believe that

growing before
"

the bench.

"But

towards

spurredhis spirits.He
a
man
by exercise.
"

said.

boys,"Valentine

actually
growing,Val,"
Only you'remuch too old."
were

that,"Valentine

he

said.

in the words3q. sudden

sound

of age,

said,

VISITS

JULIAN

with

added, but

is,"he

truth

"The

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

THE

life,"my

more

corner

shot

woman

pavement.

"

Hulloh

"

What

Rather
with

in

"

he said to the
"

I want

second,Yal.
swift

riders

the

possession
his horse.

woman.

with

this

lady."
laughing,as his

said

woman's

glance the

in front.

was

word

compromising,"Valentine

awkwardly gained the

a
perfect pyramid of

suddenlypulledup

Valentine,who

asked

she

they

as

Hyde Pai k
nearly rode

bestow

to

clever

Just

open
space at
of them.
They

with

right,Julian

sacred

is ib ?

"Wait
"

as

turned

the

see

are

the
upon
demands
who
cockney pedestrian,

she

ostrich

of all London

front

crowned

was

feathers,and as
contemptuous glanceof

the

little yellas

head

Her

in

across

road.

into the

turned
into

arch

she uttered

her, and

over

the

under

passing

were

they

as

mare

can

"
gently!

Gently,Raindrop,

to be fanciful.

quietedthe

He

is

nature

expanding inside my body, and you feel it and fancy you

You
of the letter it holds.
envelope echo the words
enough

125

situation

eyes took
of
economy

in the

the town.
The

woman

nattered

at

slowly

now

advanced

hailed

being thus

the

to

railing,apparently

horseback.

from

Her

kinsmen

less
doubt-

always walked.
"

Don't

She

you remember
in fact the

was

foregatheredat the

plusharms
"

"

and

Can't
Never
a

say as
mind
in

"

So it

For

of

"

"

the

bun

Her

me

the

struck

have

morning
home

?
to

he

had

lady

leaned

her

her tinted

What

"

had

ever

you

whom

name
a

cup

eyes.
?"
of coffee

"

the
She

the

lady, swept
pushed her

face

So it is."

she seemed
nerves,

inclined to retreat.

perhaps,had

Then

she stood her

stronger.

grown

like to know

you," Julian said.

obviouslygratified.She tossed

lady was

Where

"

do you

live ?

"

The
and

tell

of her memorjr
into a tune.
stared at him hard.

is,"she said.

I should

The

Piccadilly.The

Julian, and

moment

ground.

But

Piccadilly
earlyin

quiveringchords
nearer

feathers,with

surveyed him with

dear,"she remarked.

do, my

that.

mention

to

of the

lady

coffee-stall in

said.

the rail and

upon

bun

The

? " Julian

me

lady dived into the

passionatepursuit,ran

deliberation

she

Julian

continued.

back

part of her

extracted

small

purse

her head

and

giggled.

skirt,and, after

to earth.

good-sized card, and

Opening
handed

long

it with

it up

to

Julian.
"

On
"

There

you
the card

I will

Julian.

come

are,
was

at

dearie,"she said.
printed Cuckoo Bright,400 Marylebone Road."
live this afternoon
and take you out to tea,"said
"

126

FLAMES

with
in a voice thrilling
the ladycried,
Eight you are, Bertie,"
prideand exultation.
Julian rode off,
and she watched him go, preening herself against
the rail,like some
gaudy bird. She looked up at a policemanand
laughedknowingly.
she said, How's that,eh ?
Well, copper,"
The policemanwas
equalto the occasion.
11

"

"

"

"Not

out," he answered, with

stiff and

semi-official smile.

"

Move along."
And Cuckoo Brightmoved, as one who walked on air.
Julian had joinedValentine,who had observed the colloquy
from
with some
the impatienceof his mare,
afar,controlling
difficulty
excited by her gallop.
"

You know that

touch of contempt.
"

"

lady?

We
Very platonically.
going home after your

was

that

he

with perhaps a
asked,still laughing,

met

at

trance.

coffee-stall in
She was
with me
a

I
as
Piccadilly

when

saw

strangeflame."

"

When

"

If you

imaginedyou
preferit,Val. I

you

saw
am

it."

goingto

see

her this afternoon."

"

"

My clear fellow why ?

I'lltell you," Julian answered
gravely. " I believe she is the
'
'
who went to the European with Marr, who must have been
woman
taken ill,
with Marr when ne was
and who fled. I have a reason
for
so."
thinking
"Wrhatisit?"
"

"

"I'll tell you

"

when I have talked to her."

later,
Surelyyou don't suspectthe poor creature of foul play? "

"

Not

"

Oh."

They
"

Are

I.
rode

It's sheer

on

that
curiosity

step or

two.

takes

Then

going to take her out ?

me

to her."

Valentine

said :
well she is

She's
trifle una
mistakable,
Julian."
"
You
are
Yes, I know.
right. She is not for afternoon wear,
soul.
damned
What
scoundrels
are."
men
poor
Valentine did not joinin the sentiment thus forcibly
expressed.
four and five that afternoon Julian hailed a cab and
Between
drove to MaryleborieRoad.
The houses in it seemed endless,
and
alike,but at lengththe cab drew up at number
drearily
400, tall,
ately
gaunt and haggard like the rest. Julian rang the bell,and immediwith a pipingfurywithin the house.
a shrill dog barked
Then
door
old
whose arid face was
the
was
opened by an
cabalistic,
woman,
and who looked as if she spent her existence in expecting
a raid from
the police.
"

you

Is Miss Cuckoo
\

Brightat

home t "

"

Miss

"

dirtypassage.
muttering. The old gentlewoman returned.

voices

This

"

sir ! " she

way,

moment

lady of

of
frivolity
which

room,

pastilewas
from
seditiously
A

which

extended

its station

wool-work

on

was

rug

by

occupied the
with

by foldingdoors
burning drowsilyin a corner,
black

in the

and

inner

an

in

strange
table,

the

shrill

easy

small

chamber.

dog piped

horsehair-covered

thrown

for she

the square
of the
centre

stood

communicated

of the

presence

him

faced

now

She

hair.

cloth,that

green

acute

scarcelyrecognisedher,

glory,and

her hatless touzled

with

covered

crown

in the

stood

first he

of

two

bronchitis.

Julian
At

room

heard

struggledto
perpetually

voice that

obvious

an

feathers.

the

said,in

and

more

discarded her

had

of

hand

get the whip

A

Julian

and

vanished

She

the

openingfrom

127

to
slithered,
flat-footed,

tail,and

turned

dame

FEATHERS

THE

OF

I'll see."

Bright !

old

The

LADY

THE

VISITS

JULIAN

sofa,over
Julian

abandon.

his hand.
"

d'you do ? he said.
"
but the voice was
much
Pretty bobbish,my dear,"was the reply,
less pert than he remembered
it,and, lookingat his hostess,Julian
"

How

than he had imagined,

considerably
younger
and that she was
actually,
amazing luxury ! a little shy. She had
in her hand, and she now
struck one, and
box of safety-matches
a
The
day was dark.
appliedit to a gas-burner.

perceivedtbat

she

was

"

you," she added, with an attempt at a hearty and

untutored
air.
Jessie,shut up !
and arched into the shape of a
t
he
Jessie,
dog,of the toy species,
and
of interrogation,
into sleep.
trembled
note
obeyed, lay down
The gas lightrevealed the details of the sordid room,
satin box of
a
"

Pleased

to

see

"

"

sweetmeats

on

the

specimen glass,
ranged upon
one

table, a
or

armchair, whose

one

and there were

stuffing
lady of the feathers

two

the
torn

penny

yellow backed

of

sweet

novels,and

violets

in

few

graphs
photomantelpiece. There was
lining indecently revealed the interior

imitation

three other
did

bunch

not

dwell

marble

chairs with
in marble

wooden

backs.

The

halls,unless,perhaps

imaginatively.
"

You've

"

Yes, they'renot bad, but

got cosy quarters,"Julian said,amiablylying.

they

do cost money.

Sit

down,

won't

you?"
The

lady shoved the one armchair forward, and, after a polite

forced to take it. He
sat down, disguising
skirmish,Julian was
from his companion his sudden
that
the springswere
knowledge
broken.
She, on her part, laid hold of Jessie, dumped the little
into
creature
her lap,and assumed
air of abrupt gentility,
an
pursing
her painted lips,and shootingsidelongglances of inquiryat tht
furniture.
Julian
could not at once
He
felt
explain his errand.

FLAMES

i28

that caution
be

to

But
"

Julian
It's an
We

The

awful

she had

the

sputteringin

was

lady looked gratified.She

must

not

been

out.

continued,gazing at the small

grate.

very cosy here," Julian

are

fire that
she

had

day,"he said.
ladyassented,adding that

The
"

imperative. Besides,the ladydoubtless expected

at Charbonnel's.
at Verrey's or
possiblyeven
himself upon
the lady'shospiresolved to throw
tality.

was

entertained

had

home

name

felt that the

received

the

meagre

hall mark

abode which
of a "toff's"

approval.
"Now
you

let

am

have

me

going to

ask

tea with

you

something,"Julian
and
come
to-day,and

you

"

"

evening,to the Empire or somewhere,

The lady nodded her fringedhead.
dear,"she responded.
Certainly,
my

some

"

"

said.
out

"

with

Will
me

instead ? "
Proud

to

give you

tea

I'm sure."
Jessie over
the floor. She
Suddenly she bounced up, scattering
promenaded to the door, opened it and yelled:
Mrs. Brigg ! Mrs. Brigg !
The expostulating
feet of the old person ascended wearilyfrom
the lower depthsof the house.
Lord ! Lord ! Whatever
is it now
?
she wheezed,
Please bring up tea for me
and this gentleman."
The lady assumed
the voice of a suckingdove.
Tea ! Why, I thought you'dbe out to
The lady shot into the passage and shut the door behind
her.
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

she put her head in and

a moment
She's in a
I'llbe back in a minute.

After
"

down

and

And

Pardon

help her.

she vanished

like

said to Julian
rare

tantrum.

I must

go

!"

flash.

feelingrather guilty. To distract himself he got up

the mantelpiece. Most
and looked at the photographson
of them
but
there
two
of
three
in
and
were
or
there
were
men,
girls tights,
of a stout and venerable woman,
one
was
evidentlyrespectable,
seated in an armchair,with staringbead-like eyes, but a sweet and
Her
hair was
hands
Her
arrangedin glossybands.
gentlemouth.
Julian
held a large book, probablya Bible.
looked at her and
Julian sat

wondered
started and

little how

almost

she

exclaimed
cabinet

chanced
alound.

to

be

For

in this

galere.

there,at the

photographof Marr.
lady of the feathers was

end

Then

he

of the

He was
mantelpiece,
rightthen
the
also
in his suspicion.The
Ia4y of the
*'
European."
said a voice behind him.
Sorry to keep you waiting,"
There was
clatter of crockery. His hostess entered bearinga
a
was

"

FLAMES

130

Julian

called the little dog to

and

him.

She

came

her
voraciously,

body tense with greed.

She's a pretty dog,"he said.
"Yes," the lady rejoinedproudly. "She's a show dog.
was
give to me, and I wouldn't part with her for nuts, no nor
diamonds
neither.
Would
I, Jessie ? Ah, well,dogs stick to
minute

rat-like

"'

when

She
for
you

don't."

men

arch,but her voice

reallyquiveringto
tears,and in that sentence rang all the tragedyof her poor life.
Julian looked across
at her as she sat by the tray, butteringnow
almost
mechanically. She was
naturallya pretty girl,but was
growing rapidlyhaggard,and was badly made up, rouged in wrong
placesconsumptively,
powdered everywheredisastrously.Her eyes
were
dreadfully
dyed, and
pathetic,but above them the hair was
frizzed into a desolate turmoil.
She had a thin young
figureand
anxious hands.
As he looked Julian felt a profound pityand a
She had that saddest aspectof a
curious manly friendship
for her.
human
it doesn't matter.
beingabout whom
Only it matters about
creature
much.
so
every living
The ladycaught his eye, and extended her lipsin a forced smile.
She

tryingto

was

be

know your luck !" she

down on it. Come
Now
on, dearie.
She poured it out, and Julian drew
felt oddly at home in this poor room,
"

he

You

never

longedto

knees, and

was

So it don't do to be
then for the tea."
up to the table. Already he
cried.

"

with this poor life,

into which
Jessie
little
little
safety.
bring
hope,a
sprang to his
towards
the
thence, naughtily,to the table,snuffling
a

plateof toast. The ladydrew it away and approached it to

nose
by turns, playfully.
dearie ?
She is a funny one/' she said.
Is your tea right,
said Julian.
Is my toast right?
Perfect,"
and
as
Right
ninepence,
lighter."
"

"

"

her
"

"

"

"

She munched.
"

I like

You're a gentleman."
you,"she said.
She spokenaturally,
without coquetry. It was
a
for her to be treated with that thing some
women
She warmed
under it and glistened.
"

We

"

Pals.

She

"

must

be

Yes.

fine
never

experience
respect.
know"-

Julian said.
friends,"
Have

some

more

"
sugar ?

jumped two lumps into his cup, and laughed quitegailywhen

the tea spoutedover
into the saucer.
And
they chatted on, and fed
Jessie into joy and
tion
GraduallyJulian drew the conversapeace.
round
to the photographs. The
lady was
expansive. She
short
of
histories
of
the
some
gave
men, summing them
up with
considerable
shrewdness, kodaking their characters with both
humour
and sarcasm.
Julian and she progressed
along the mantel-

THE

VISITS

JULIAN

arrived

piecetogether.Presentlythey

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

lady with

old

the

at

131
the

Bible.
said.

this ? " Julian

And

"

was
suddenly exhausted.
lady'sfund of spirits
Oh, that,"she said,and a sort of strange, suppressedblush
"
Well, that's mother."
struggledup under the rouge on her face.

The
"

"

I like her face."

"

Yes.

abruptly.
away
the tray down
to Mrs.

I'lljustcarry

"

dead."

I'm

thinks

She

lady turned

The

clattered out with

Julian heard her

down

it,and

loudlyhumming

the

Requiem of

her dead

on

her knees.

When

life with

music-hall song

the old

she returned

shining ominously. Julian was

in he pointedto
pie3e. As she came
this ?

And

"

he asked.

still

"

That's the old

"

What

"

What

"

Now

"

Not

I, dear,"she said.

Either

thought

the

and

tea

of the old

I'd been

Why

Julian

and

cunning.

that

had

rendered

exuberant,
be

to

dead

had

or

the

driven

was

you, and

his eager interest under

met

I
frightened,

fright."

he done

to conceal

like it."

enough."

sure

her

believed her

night I

with

had

devil,if you

rise out
the devil

She continued

him

What

strove

Marr.

of me."

That's

who

woman

I'd been mad

tell you.
"

with

"

toast

her into recklessness.

"

mantel-

"

tryingto take

are

her eyes

the

standing by

do you mean
?"
I say, the old gentleman,Nick, the
you

and

photographof

the

went,

this ? "

Who's

"

was

she

as

hard

lady burst into a shrill laugh of mingled fear

gentleman !

The

she

held the Bible

who

woman

her mouth

were

"

Brigg,"she said,and

the stairs.

to you

?"

lightassumption

of carelessness.
"

Done

She

"
"

!" never
mind.
laid her thin hand

It don't do to talk about

his arm,

on

as

if

you believe in peoplebeingstruck

Struck ! I don't understand."

Do

"Struck," she

it."

impelledto

tial.
be confiden-

? " she said.

*"

repeated superstitiously. "Down,

from

up

there?"
Her

eyes went

up

to the

like
ceiling,

the child's when

it thinks

of

heaven.

"Was
She
"

was.

asked.

nodded, pursing her

That's

going
it

he? "Julian

to

what
scream

He

I think.

red
It

lips.
came

somethiii' seemed
seemed

so

to

listening.

sudden.
come

Then

Just

over

he

when

him,

says,

"

was

like madness

Now

"

now

I'

FLAMES

132

And

he

seemed

to know

goin'right off.

Lord,

me.

was

stared

He

at

didn't seem

and

me

it,I tell you,

blue with
and bunked

dear !

that

was

said a word
for it,and never
frightenedI justleft him
and
and
to anybody. I ran
of
the
I daren't
downstairs
house,
got out
So I justwalked about tillI met you."
go home.
She sighed.
I did enjoythat coffee,
but when you
1 tell you straight,
began
about seein' things,I couldn't si ow it. My nerves
shook.
So
was
off I trotted again."
Julian put a questionto her.
"

"

Do

know

you

what

of him ? "

has become

"Not
I. He'll never
get in here again. Mrs. Brigg won't let
him.
She never
could abide him."
She shook her shoulders in an irrepressible
shudder.
"I

wish he

dead," she said.

was

afraid I shall meet

find him standin'
"
I knew him.
She looked at
Then

"

he

him.

or

him,

door.

"That

gaped.
papers,"Julian
the place. Lord!
was
am
glad."

relief was

questionher
to find out

obvious

good

he

I'm

I shall

dead."

was

awe-stricken.

!"

Lord

said.

Her

what

but

I think

what

I wish

at first questioning,
then

Her red mouth

"
It was
in the
he ?

out

go

is dead."

struck ?

was

never

back late but

come

againstthe street
He

"I

"

never

At
see

the

European

the

papers.

Hotel."
Dead

is

yet almost

faith.

shocking,and Julian could not

not
known.
He longed
certainly

She had

about her relations with

Marr, and his treatment
she shied away
from
the subject. Obviouslyshe really
loathed and detested the remembrance
of him.
"
But why do you keep his photograph? " Julian asked at last.
The lady seemed puzzled.
of

more

her,but

"

But
"

dunno," she

if he is gone
He is."

"

said at last.

dead I

mean

"

"

I don't

seem

really

I know."
She sat thoughtfully.Then she said
"
He didn't look a fellow to die. It
look it."

as

if I could burn

it.

"

"

And
to

seems

funny.

then she

return

chimed

to

and nothingwould
dropped the subject,
it. Presentlythey heard a church
clock
Julian

seven.

No.

astonished

was

to

find that time

he didn't

induce her
strike. It
had

gone

so

quickly.
"

I must

The

be

going,"he

said.

lady looked at him

and wistful scrutiny.

with

an

odd, half-impudent,
half-girlish

I say,"she
"Yes?"
'

THE

OF

LADY

THE

VISITS

JULIAN

FEATHERS

133

began, and stopped.

"
I gay
why ever did you come ?
that expressedher
The short question
"

"

might
wondering curiosity

And
Julian, young
driven any thoughtfulman
felt something of the terror and the
and careless as he often was,
pain enshrined in it. But he did not let her see this.
"
I wanted to have a talk with you," he answered.
into tears.

well have

talk ; you like

"

"

Yes, surely."

talk with

me

?"
had

He
She still stared at him with pathetic
eyes.
"
"
I'm
Well, dearie,
glad."
Oh," she said.

stood up.

Julian took up his hat.

"
I'm going out, too,"she said.
"A

you?"

re

"Yes."

sidelongglanceat him, then

suddenlyquivering:
paintedlipswere

She threw
her
"

I've

"

know," Julian said.

Want

added

although
hardily,

to go to work."

got

drive you
"

wherever
to

you
go," she

"

want

Well, I

are

ready and

go."

to

began,

will wait tillyou

with

little shrill,hideous

Then, pullingherself up, she added in a subdued

"
I won't be long."
Thank
you, dearie.

voice

laugh,

opened the folding doors and passed into the inner room,
accompaniedby Jessie. Julian waited for her. He found himself
of wood,
in the other room,
to the creak
to her movements
listening
from
the
rustle
of
lifted
she
dress
out
to
a
a
hook,
as
pulled
drawers,
heard
the
of water poured from a jug into a basin.
He
the ripple
for
this
the
herself
whole
girlarmed
tragedy of preparation,as
And
then his ears
streets.
caught the
piteousbattle of the London
fro, and a murmured
expostulation
eager patter of Jessie to and
from her mistress.
of some
the
little
had
hold
Evidently
dog
got
article of attire and was
worrying it. There was a hidden chase and
hidden
scolded and kissed.
Jessie
the sittingThen
a
was
capture.
A tooth brush
room
slowlyfilled with the scent of cherry blossom.
in action was
This tragedyhad its comic
audible.
distinctly
relief,
like almost all tragedies. Julian sighed and
heart
his
but
smiled,
was
his mind
heavy with the desolate and sordid wonder of life,
as
She

heard
music
The
and
and
"

"

all
of the

over

London

lady of

foldingdoors

"

thousand

echoes

of the

bedchamber

the feathers.
wide

and

she appeared,freshlypainted
with
the forest of ostrich tlpr,
powdered, crowned
once
again
the
holding
strugglingJessie in her arms.
Jessie must
go to basket,"she said,and she dropped the dog

opened

FLAMES
134

into

with

lined

basket

tiny

held

and

flannel,

red

warning

up

finger.
Naughty

"

Bials

Go

"

Jessie."

bials,

like

don't

left.

bein'

we've

dearie,

Well,

time."

nice

cried.

she

She

by-bye.

"

had

"

that?"

"What's
"

bials

go

"

hands

her

she

put

there

was

more

too,

and

Suddenly

on

Julian's

shoulders

she

whispered.

and

kissed

his

mouth.
wish

"

kissed

He

give

just

to-night,
she

But

his

put

and

away

Jessie

with

to-night

you
"

he

will

home

at

stay

you

"

said.

head.

her

shook

her.

around

arms

will

something

you

drew

it."

take

won't

"

her

If

"

you,"

like

"Yes."
we're

No

won't.

"

pals,

the

not

not

other

You're

thing.

"

"

only

the

one

I'll

"

but

Ah
"

"

spoke
I'd

lady

like

they

Then
"

he

it"

spoil

won't

no

won't."

did

Julian

angry.

not

persist.

said.

wistfully.

him

answered.

she

won't,"

you

kind.

"

almost

was

at

that

will."

He
"

got

again,"

come

looked

She
"

I've

decision

Her

of

Put

of

me

the

with
you

energy.

She

nodded.

the

evening

to."

went

down

feathers.

into

out
at

the

Piccadilly

end

and

hailed

of

Pvegent

hansom.

Street,"

said

the

VIII

CHAPTER

JULIAN

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

THE

curiouslytouched

was

VISITS

his interview

by

it to

Road, and he did not fail to recount

imagination would, he felt certain,feel
"

thought

respond to

did not

Valentine

But

looked

she

distantly. "And
interesting. The

has

who

woman

put his hand

Valentine

what

I know

"

delicate

pain of it.

emotion.

person,"he said,

young

is

who

For

I know

of her

horror

fallingis
has

pletely
com-

that

she

can

condition."

own

shoulder.

thinking,"he

are

you

the

enough."

Julian's

on

Marylebone

whose

the bottom, who

reached

the

something of

understand

and

see

pity and

woman

utterlydegraded,Val.

she is not

But

the

Valentine,

degraded

very

in

his generous

is dull
arrived at degradation,
"

the

interesting.The

not

VALENTINE

said.

"What?"
"

don't know

"I

not

am

over

You

"

That

snakes
snakes

for this metier ?

But

"

You

"

I believe she

if

they

think

Valentine
"

her

their nests

are

her

her

that," he said.

Probably

wrong.

Are

such

further

know

this

the

that.

pernicious and

demands

not

tell ?

to

I don't

obtains

Man

one

can

merely
?

and

bosom.

girl

and

women

obtains

sities
neces-

Nature,

deadly
female

created
literally

"

unhappy ? ''

they would

be

happy

in

purity?

"

would."

smiled

expect

merely by

of creation

bosom.

How

"

born

beings are

to live in his

as

mean

human

live in

be

not

countries,demands

to

far

so

fitted for."

of sin in the scheme

certain

in

got quite

"

surelydon't
some

girl."

"

it would

lives the life she is best

"

had

if I had

that

sure

this

rescue

Julian's face.

that

it be absurd

"Would
"

like to

you would
dull blush ran

That

and

shook

sorrows

are

his head.
not

lack of the luxuries

to be made

of

caused

by

of life.

golden twigsand

the

loss of her virtue but

These

birds

always

lined with satin."

want

FLAMES

36

don't

You

I have

"

"

You

"

At

the

"

Ah

"

Shall I

woman

'

The

!
"

have

Valentine, you

very

notion

is ridiculous."

the fruit

knowledge."
"

Empire.'

I have

half

promised to

come

unutterable

take her there

Julian ? "
if he was
see

You

night."

one

in earnest

proposition.Valentine's

his eager, glowing,brown

"
mean
it,Val ?

met

"

You

Why,

mean?"

with you,
Julian looked at him to

eyes

"

men
garden of Eden, offering

in their

them

seen

of the tree of

her," he said.

know

such

known

never

unconvinced.

Julian remained

But
"

as

he

made

this

clear,cold,thoughtful blue
with

ones

direct

gravity.

"Certainly."
"

You

"

Well"

will be

But

"

would

you

are

not
so

"

Julian, you
London, when we
?
experiences

at the

seen

you

'

Empire

her ? "

with

?"

different."

remember

what

saw

I said then

that
are

that

when

night

called

we

leaned

out

over

peoplehaving common
were
living."

common

they at any

rate

"Yes."
"

You

and

"But
"

I will

Valentine"

try to live with them."

you

Even I may learn to feel the strengthof the Spring if I order

life rather differently
in the future.
We
three,you, I, the girl,

my
will go

night to the Garden of Eden, where the birds wear

from
singcomic songs in French, and the scent that comes
the flowers is patchouli,
and silk rustles instead of the leaves of the
We
will
boat-race night. Ah, the strengthof
trees.
go there on
the
Spring! On boat-race night it beats with hammering pulses
one

tightsand

among

the groves of the Garden

Julian

was

and

of Eden."

surprisedat this

outburst,which

apparentlyspoken without

was

consideration,he

surprised,but, on
debated
Valentine,haviug silently

sounded

real

liberate,
oddly deimpulse. He was

that
the conclusion
had
life,
questionof his own
to

came

the

resolved to make a definite effort to see if he could change the course

effort must
be useless. He knew
of it. Julian felt that such an
the very ground-work of
Valentine so intimately
he thought,knew
his nature

"

that

that

nature

was

too

strong

to

be

carved

into

and possibly
different,
grotesque, form.
"

Are

you

Valentine
"

I ?

Val
experimentalist,
threw a rapidglance on
an

I don't understand.

not
'"No,

on

me, but

on

Why

"

he asked.

him.
should

yourself."

experimentupon

"
you ?

138

FLAMES

of._courseto be in Victoria Street with

guest, but
and

Valentine

Cuckoo

Valentine
his

Bright threw

alone

to

receive the

of gear,

politeplans out

half -past four, the

pected
ex-

electric bell

when,
later,Wade solemnlyshowed into the drawing
"burst into that silent
vision,such as had never
striking

rang,

and, a

room

was

at

moment

"

sea

of artistic repose and refinement before.

The lady undoubtedly
what seemed
to
wore

the effect of

it,at all times

its proximityto the

hat, and
amazinglyheightenedby

remarkable,was

quiet and

be her

one

beautiful

surroundingsof the room.

As a rule it merelycried out. Now
it seemed absolutely
to yellbankand
the
silent
a
t
holidayvulgarity
impropriety
pictures. But her
decidedlyexceeded it in uproar, being of the very loudest
gown
scarlet hue, with large black lozengesscattered liberally
it.
over
From
her rather narrow
shoulders depended a black cape, whose silk
foundation
suffocated with bugles. A shrill scent of cherry
was
blossom

with

ran

umbrella

and

her like

crowd, and

with

in her

steel snap.

hand

she carried an
face,in the midst

plushbag
whirlpoolof finery,
peeped out anxiously,covered as it was
with a smear
of paint and powder, and when
she saw
Valentine
standingalone to receive her,her nervous
eyes ranged uncomfortably
and protector.
about in obvious quest of an acquaintance
I am
Mr.
Addison
that
has
not
come
yet,"Valentine said,
sorry
"I expect him every minute.
Won't
holding out his hand.
you
a

Her

of this

"

and

come

An

?"

sit down

ironical

courtesyvibrated

She
obviouslynervous.
drawn
was
tightlyacross

allowinghim
Won't

"

looked at Valentine

her face.
for
she
stood
heart,

into her

awe

to take

you

her hand
sit down? " he

Allow

he

me

passed

almost

back

as

to

put

behind

if in

her

lady grew
through the veil
seemed

appearance

staringand
either

more

which

to carry

attempted no

reply,

protestor response.
her with humorous

distress.
on

sofa.

do

at your
so.

faced him

fear,and

The

repeated,
smilingat

cushion
to

His

without

contemplationof her awkward

The ladyabruptlysat down
"

in his voice.

back,"Valentine

But
as

she

said.

quickly shifted

he stood with

his hand

And

round,
on

the

of the sofa.

"No,"

she

said

in

hurry,

"I

don't

know

as

want

one,

thanks."
She
"

half

Have

got up.
I

come

right?

"

she

asked

you

to come."

uneasily.

"

Is

this

the

house?"
"

Certainly. It's so good of

The

words

passedthe

did not seem

to carry any
comfort to the lady. She
of
her tongue along her painted lipsand looked
tip

towards the door,

LADY

THE

OF

VALENTINE

VISITS

FEATHERS

THE

139

Pray don't be alarmed," Valentine said,sittingdown

immediatelyoppositeto her.
but you'renot the friend,ar.e you ?
I ain't. But
"

chair

on

"

"

"

calm."

Be
I am, and the ami desfemmes, too, I assure
you.
The
He bent forward, looking closelyinto her face.
"

quicklyback
"

uttered

and

"Nothin', nothin',"the lady answered, returning his

into

if fascinated

comin' ?
"

something
he comin'

When's

Directly.

But

in

my

alone

minutes

leaned

asked.

? Valentine

is the matter

What

lady

little gasp.

that
?

approached horror.

"

glance as
hen's

he

"

trust

will

you

What

company.

regret spending

not

do

can

few

make

to

you

happy?"
"

"

Don't

Valentine
help botheringabout a pretty woman?"
little
more
closelyto
suavely,and approaching his chair a
that
of
talk
know
can
friend,Addison,
nobody
my
you

could

"Who
answered
but

roughly.

me."

bother about

her.

you," she said,almost

right,thank

all

I'm

Do

"

?"

you

"Oh!"

Nobody. He raves about you."

the lady said,stilluncomfortably.
You're laughing,"
Not at all. I never
laugh."
he made
As
this last remark, Valentine
slowly frowned.
the
effect of this change of expression
most
lady was
upon
"

"
"

She
the face that
in

leaned far back

stared

ground, and

using

backwards

sofa

them

upon

as

if in

self-defence.
as

Then

lever,she

its castors, which

his part, did not

her

planting her feet

succeeded

in

from

retreat

her,mechanicallythrustingout

upon

faltering
gesture of

the sofa

upon

The
ordinary.
extra-

hands
on

moving

the

the

the thick
easily over
stir,but, with immovable
regards some
spectacle

ran

carpet. Valentine,on
face,regardedher apparent terror as a man
neither new
nor
awaitingits eventual closing
strange to him, silently
this would
What
have
been
tableau.
be known, for at this
cannot
the butler was
the bell rang and
heard moving in the hnll
moment
The frown faded from Valentine's face,and the lady sprang up fron?
the sofa with
Julian
a
violent,almost a passionate,eagerness.
entered hastily.
"
Cuckoo
was
Why
Bright cried out, hasteningup to
you late ?
and
almost
him,
speaking
angrily. " Why was you late ? I didn't
"

think"

I didn't"

Her

voice

Julian

looked

"

here

am

so

very

soon."

oh ! "

sounded

like the voice of

one

on

the

verge

of tears.

astonished.
he began.
sorry,"

"

But

J didn't know

you would

be

FLAMES

140

glancedfrom

He
to say

the

lady to

Valentine

as
inquiringly,

much

as

"

How

have you been gettingon ?"

Valentine's expression
was
gay and
"

I have

been

re-assuring.

friend,Julian," he said.

entertaining
your

She was
she has been almost inconsolable in your absence.
I
her
the pictures.But
was
justabout to show
up because

"

But

standing
now

you

will have tea first instead.

here we
Ah, here is tea. Miss
and put your feet on this stool.
and sit by the fire,
Bright,do come

are

will wait

We

now

of

entrance

irony,all

kind

you."

upon

the

Since
All the

and

Julian, his

manner

had
politeness

the mock

had entirely
changed.
died out of it. He was
of

host,desirous

courteous
delicately

putting his

good terms and gildingthe passinghour with a definite

happiness.
Bright seemed struck completelydumb
by the
She took the chair he indicated,
transformation.
mechanicallyput
the stool he pushed forward,and, with a rather
her feet up on
a cup of tea.
tremblinghand, accepted
Valentine
Do you take sugar ?
said,bendingover her with the

guests upon

Cuckoo

"

"

basin.

sugar
"

"
"

No, no," she said.

Oh, but I thoughtyou

Surely
"

have

won't

after

endeavour

offered

He

by
petrified

"

Julian
things,"

sweet

to-day,"she
gentility,thank you

interposed.

Julian

ejaculated,
adding

none

all the

"

her

delicious

some

cakes, but

she

came

Oh, but

or

some

hidden

eat

anything

rescue.

must," he

you

an

apparently

was

surroundings, by
grandeur
shynessor of shame, and was refusingto
to the

with

same," to Valentine.

of her

the

sensation of
when

loved

"

said.

"

Have

some

of

these

sugar

biscuits."
She
but
a

took

and

Julian

stillin silence.
for her
failure,

dire

he

presence
immersed

also

was

of

him, and began to sip and

from

some

began

obvious

seized with

to

munch
steadily
fear that the festival must
be

and

extreme

an

absurd
of

Valentine, and, instead

in

boyish anxiety as
girl. He looked at

to

constraint affected
of shyness in

sense

talking,found

Valentine's

Cuckoo

him,
the

himself

attitude of mind

in the

she
as
firelight,
conscious
of
once
profoundly
mutely ate and drank, and was
which
her
of
her
the
even
against
dreary vulgarity
appearance,
Her hat
and her present youth fought in vain.
original
prettiness

towards

the

all at

cast

monstrous

that
appalling
that

shadow
Julian

Valentine
was
had left the

Cuckoo

the
upon
almost
grew

wall,a
red

as

shadow
he

distorted

observed

probably observing it also.

cryingscarlet gown

so

at home

He
and

it,and
wished

and

felt
poor

those black

THE

suited
lozenges,which were
financier.
Everything she
Valentine

in

in

and

amazement,

a
as

have

The

sorrow.

feathered and
certain of this.
painfully
who

expressed a

on

of

such

mind

patheticside of this preposterous

Julian felt
bugled degradationhe would fail to see.

with

intercourse

him

had

141

hall

the

of

pavement

acquaintedwith

become

must

the

to

VALENTINE

VISITS

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

offend

would

woman

of fine details in life.

how
Julian
could

alive to the value

so

was

All the details of the

He

must

have
surelybe wondering
contemplatedcontinuingthe intercourse with Cuckoo which had been
begun for a definite purpose already accomplished. Yet Julian's
with the pathetic
of friendshiptowards this rouged scarecrow
feeling
for her,
did not diminish as he blushed
hands
eyes and the anxious
trifles
in
which
the
discordant
but rather increased,fed, it seemed, by
all his

with

her

moved

soul

in

as

thought that he had become

of the brooding silence when
"

Are

The
home

was

Melbury
Julian

absurd,and
he

of

quite unconscious
he heard

Valentine's

at
glanced

suspected. But Valentine's

serenelypolite.

the

in

thrall

of

the awkwardness
voice say

some

Cuckoo

to

Valentine

ever

at
societywoman
it was
entirely
deprecatethe gay sarcasm

to

Addressed

Koad.

much

so

"
you fond of art, Miss Bright ?
question sounded as if addressed

in

which

He

maze.

soul

to

face disarmed

It

him.

was

so

gravelyand

? " said Cuckoo.

"

Eh

"

Are

"
"
"
"

n
you fond of art, or do you preferliterature ?
I don't know," she said nervously.
"

Or

perhapsmusic ?
I like singin',"
she said.
And
the organs."
Do sing us something,Val," Julian said,to create
"

But

Valentine

"

Not

"

Well

But

did

not

again to Cuckoo,

clattered the
Music

teacup

is

to
essentially

and

in my
hear

to

seem

who

diversion.

throat."
the

last

request. He had
from
him, and
away

visiblyshied
which

saucer,

great art," he
one's

his head.

to-day. I have got a cold

then play something."

Valentine

turned

"

shook

said

emotions.

she held like

certain

am

now

alarmed.

one

persuasively.

"

And

that

appeals
you

are

emotional."
"

"

I don't
You

I'm

know,

feel strongly,
whether

This last remark

definite than

more

Julian
"

them

sure," she said,with

seemed
mere

it be love

to reach

mauvaise

an

fidence.
self-con-

hate."

or

her,even

honte.

effort at

to stir her to

She

something
glanced quicklyfrom

to Valentine.

Love

and

both.

hate," she responded.

You're rightthere,my d

"

Yes, that's it,I could

I
,

mean

yes."

feel

FLAMES

142

againshe looked

And

from

young
stretched in

to the other.

man

one

She had

bunched-up mass across her

odd fancy that in the firelight
an
her
face
the
he saw
rapidand fleeting
expression
haggardyoung
upon
Her face,
of
which
she
emotions
of the two violently
spoke.
opposed
turned
him, seemed to shine with a queer, almost with a
upon
of yearningwhich might mean
vehemence
passion. This
ludicrous,

veil,which was
powdered forehead,and Julian had
put

her

up

flashed into

of

frown

sudden

the

harridan

young
the frown
a

her

as

eyes

died

and she
quickly,
looked downcast, and sat biting her thin lips,and crumbling a
biscuit into the tiny blue and white china plateupon her knee.
And
do you giveway to your impulses? Valentine
continued,
stillvery gravely.
travelled

Valentine.

to

on

But

"

"

"What?"
"
express what you feel ?
A flash of childish cunning crept into her eyes and mouth, giving
her the aspectof a gamin.
"
"
Men
don't like to be
No, I ain't such a fool,"she answered.
"

Do

you

told the truth.

Do

they now

"

questionwent to Julian.
Why not ? he asked.
Oh, they like to be fooled.

The
"
"

"

If you

don't fool

them, they fool

you."
clear statement
sufficiently
through all time,"said Valentine.

of

"A

"

Have

the

relations

you

ever

of

the

studied

sexes

hauer
Schopen-

?"
"

Ah,

She

now

was

her not

was

at

about

to

near

come

and
personality,
to him

with

"

Kidding ?

"

Gettin'

Cuckoo.
of me."

"

to her.

quent
ease, but she still stole frefrom time to time, and moved

Julian
of

charm
"

began
novelty.
to

Valentine

at

me

I'm

up

seemed

He

said

answer.
inappropriate

her

furtive glancesat Valentine

uncomfortable
an
jerk if he bent

with

!"

you'rekiddin' me
gettinga littlemore

wonder

forward

to

her,or

seemed

reallyinterested in her
if its very vulgarity
came

now

interrogatively.

Pullin' my
to all them

leg!
games.

Oh, I know
You

don't

you

get

! " cried
rise out

Valentine
murmured
to Julian.
lady speaks in parables,"
I assure
you,"he added aloud, I am speakingquiteseriously."
be hanged ! said Cuckoo
Oh, seriously
recklessly. You're a
don't
feller.
Oh
Only
regularfunny
yes.
you try to be funny with
"

The

"

"

"

"

me,

because

She seemed

"

I'm up to all that."

suddenlybent
her

apparentlyregarded
effort of will,are
make
an
as

turningthe tables on one whom she

adversary. Some people,when they do
always carried forward by the unwonted
on

exertion into

143

Bright'stimiditywas

Miss

tossed

impudence. She
sarcophagusthat crowned

violent

of the

shadow
gigantic

VALENTINE

VISITS

libertine excess.

almost

an

developinginto

now

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

THE

her

it

head tillthe
the

aspiredupon

stool

the

ceiling. She stuck her feet out upon

position
sought the akimbo
and her arms
instinctively
aggressively,
in
mental
of
hardihood,
vulgar
is
the
that
physicalexpression
to the

wall almost

natures.
"

along! she said.

Valentine
pretendedto
Go

"

He

her at her word.

take
I

shall I go ?

Where

"

am

your

got up.

slave ! "

She laughed shrilly.

Go to blazes if you like."

"

face

Her

working

was

But

It's all

"

Yes, but"

time to

speak,

left

staring

were

suddenly evaporated.
afraid.

and

after,I say?" she ejaculated.

he

his head.

Julian shook

"

astonished

were

What's

after?

he
What's
Go and see."
"

"

had

impudence

if she

as

had

Julian and Cuckoo

latter's

The

another.

one

Julian

door,and, before

quietlyvanished.

opened it and
at

to the

crossed

Valentine

right.
directly."

has

He

only done it for

joke.

He

will be back

"

but

reallyfrightened. Julian supposed she realised her

rudeness vaguely,and imaginedshe had made an abominable
faux pas.
said
this
h
e
:
on
reassuringly
Acting
supposition
"
knew
chaff.
He
He didn't mind
only joking."
you were
your
"
with
it
isn't that," she rejoined
trembling lips. " But
Lord,
She

seemed

what's he

do ? "

goin'to

?"

"

Do

"

Yes.

Go

and

She held up her hand

But
there
attention.

again to Julian
"

And

The

"
"

Why,
lie's
real

what

do you

leaned forward in a strained attitude of

sound in the flat. Then she turned
no

was

of

extraordinaryconviction

an

to keen

attention.

he asked.
said

with

snatch
That's

of the
what

breath.

be is."

amazed.

she stuck

Don't

?"

mean

!"

never

downright wicked fellow,like Marr.

don't know

You

Julian

fellow,"she

wicked

"

"

was

said

that roused

Julian

But

and

he's your friend. Well, I

words
were
spoken with

astonishment
"

and

!"

Hark

see.

what

to her

though

know,

I tell you.

then.

Why, there's

guns
Don't

Where
men

are

he answered.
you saying,"
with the animation
of hysteria.
I ?

should

girlthat
I be

if I

lives like

didn't ?

in the streets I wouldn't

has

me

Tell

me

to

that

speak to, not for

FLAMES

144

pounds,

twenty

you come
devil."
a

Why

Nonsense,"

"

She

wouldn't.

laid her

did you

ever

said

Julian
hand

let

be

me

of them.

one
on

my

hers

was

"

Cuckoo

Bright

frankly terrified
I'm goin'.

looked

No," she cried ; " don't.

I'm off."
cloak, dearie.

"

my

Julian

that

saw

cloak round

her

it

useless

was

shoulders.

him

He's

me

on

with

trembling.

like
Well, then, why's he gone off all sudden
for
I'll
fetch
him
back."
a
Only
joke. Wait,

"

with

own

didn't

Why

brusquely.

his, and

on

he's

And

at

the

I'm

to

?"

idea.

off.

with
argue
he did so he was

As

that

Help

put the
standing behind her,
her.

He

from
the
fireplace. The leaping flames sprang
the
reflected
the
wall
their
near
was
on
light
grate
certain
to a
door, but only of course
height. Julian's eyes were
attracted to these leaping flames on the wall and he saw
one
suddenly
definite shape
of its brethren, take
detach itself from
the shadows
from
and
shadow
into
fee looked
life,develop while
substance,
float up on the background of the wall higher and higher, reach the
the drawing-room door opened
As it faded
ceilingand melt away.
and Valentine
re-appeared.
Miss Bright started violently,
and caught at her cloak with both
forward
Valentine
hands.
came
slowly.
not
You
are
going already,surely,"he said.

with

his face to the

coals

in the

and

"

"

the

must, I must," she

"

I have

But

held

He
hurried
"

ejaculated,
already in

movement

towards

hall.

with

on

Good-bye.

She

to get you a box of sugar plums."

in his hand
and
began to open it. But

just been

satin

box
nod.

I can't

Sorry, but

in the

she

hall and

stop."

of the

flat in the

twinkling of an eye,
in the drawing-room.
followed by Julian.
Valentine
remained
said
to
the lady when
of
out
be
she had
Lord, I am
it,"
glad
gained the street and stood panting on the pavement.
and put her into it. She
Julian hailed a hansom
gazed at him as
was

out

"

if she
"

afraid

almost

was

You'll

"

you'llcome

part from

to

and

see

"

Yes,

I'll come," he answered.

"

For

God's

upward
Then

sake, don't

lift of her

feathered

she drove

off into

me

him.

again ?

"

she

said,wistfully.

bring him, dearie," she said, with

head

towards

the darkness.

the block

of mansions.

an

FLAMES

146
"Oh, I don't know
Cuckoo, for another."

Why

"

I can't

"

I could

put her

soon

went

From

Saturday is boat-race
"
"

have

What, you
Yes, and I

mean

exclaimed

Julian

"
"

giri,

talisman,"he said.

"

Have

envelopethat
paper.

forgottenthat

you

"

day ?
reallygot a

for the

box

to invite Miss

'

'

Empire

"

Bright."

with his usual frankness.

the devil do you think of askingher ? "

"
certain she will be amusing company
Because I am
occasion."
"

that

I will do so."

at her ease, and

mantelpieceand took up an
it he drew a slipof coloured

to the

over

This will be the

"

and

"

imagine."

lyingthere.

was

and

one,

is she afraid ? "

li

He

well, Hip, for

"

Why

such

on

an

That's your real reason

?"
She will come, of course."
Yes.

Julian looked rather doubtful.

know," he said.

"

I don't

"

She must, Julian.

giveit to her
and

Here

am

he said this Valentine's

they held so stronglythat it

Why,

"

Oh

written

thoughta bogey.

to

her.

She must

Do
come

twisted
fingersunconsciously

the

note

to shreds.

torn

was

up,"Julian said,in surprise.

yes."

Valentine
"

it

have torn

you

I have

harmless."

As
"

may."

is a note

yourself. I can't be

that I

learn

She

"

had

You

paused,then added,
better ask her by word

of mouth.

Persuade

her to

r.ome."
"

try."
lady of the

I will

The

feathers did indeed

requirea good deal of persuasion.

her face shone with
proposition
for he gave the invitation without
tine's
gratification,
mentioning Valenthen
But
the clouds came
down.
The ladyremembered
name.
him suddenly,and said :
Are we two going alone,dearie ?
first Julian

When

the

made

"

"

"
"

Well

"

it'sa

bigbox, you

We

see.

should

be lost in it."

Oh."

obvious anxietyin her eyes.

an
explanation,
is
with
It's his box."
us.
My friend,Cresswell, coming
died away from the paintedface. Cuckoo shook
The gratification
and
her head
pursed her lipsin obvious and absurd disapprobation.
She

waited

for further

"

"

Then

I don't think

I'll go.

No

; I won't."

of exposa
And, upon this,Julian had to launch forth over
sea
tulation
and
Cuckoo
a
ll
the
protest.
possessed
obstinacyof an

THE

LADY

nature, taught, by many

battered

ignorant and

its

distrust,to rely upon

She
probably brutal strength of others.
which
with
although she had no arguments

At

attitude.

of the mule's

last Julian

than

almost

her

the

upon

difficult to

was

to defend

grew

147

well-founded

rather

feebleness

own

FACE

HER

WASHES

FEATHERS

THE

OF

move,

assumption
in defence

angry

of Valentine.
Half

"

said
"
"

the

hotly.
if they

Not
But

knew

about

nothing

know

you

much

as

be

would

in London

women

proud to
I

as

men

do," she answered.

That's just the

him.

about

whatever

him," he

go with

point."
Ah, but I feel a lot,"she said,with an expressivetwist of her
thin,rather pretty face. " He's bad, rank bad. That's what he is."
Julian was
suddenly seized with a desire to probe this outrageous
"

like many
instinct to its source, believing,
people,that
hidden
flow from some
of instinct must
springof reason.
"

Now

tell me

it is in him

what

quietly.

here,"he said,more

look

that you

"

It's

dearie."
everything,

"

No,

but

"

It is."

"

Why

"

I don't

that's absurd.

he's

dislike

knocks

in the

against one

as

its

to
Valentine's appearance
another
tack.
sailed away on

"

friend

My

Cuckoo
"

likes

said he

He

you," he said,as

tossed her head

would

in London."
any one
This last remark
seemed

to

pitiesa blind
he thought
But

unhappy

who

man

it best

go

to

fate o" her dislike,

he

thought,craftily.
reply.
with you
on
Saturday than

without

rather

one

street.

abandon
and

try to

his face ; yes I do."

I hate

care.

up

to

you

much."

wonderfullyhandsome."

impatientlypitiedher,

Julian

stream

it can't be his looks."

instance

For

so

I want

"

the

produce

considerable

with

effect upon

the

girl.
"

"

Did he

though ? she asked, one

lip,reflectively.Really,truly?
Really,truly."

finger going

up

to

her

under-

one

of the

"

"

"

"What
usual

should

"

Valentine

"

And

usual

he wants

she
Certainly
"

he

want

with

me?

He's

"

he's not

sort."

Yes, very

Julian

found

!
me

was

I should
to go ?

think

not."

"

impressedand

flattered.

much."

himself again wondering,with Cuckoo, mightilyat

Valentine's vagary of desire. She touched
his hand
with her long,
thin fingers.

FLAMES

148
You'll stay with

"

won't leave

"

You

"

No, don't

be

so

what

him, I mean/'

absurd."

I to go

am

alone with

Not

me

into her face.

hesitation sprang

new

But

"

"

of course."

Why,

"

all the time ?

me

"

in ?

"

she said.

He

he

"

don't like my

red."
and
dislike prompted her to a desire of pleasing
So her awe
and had led her shrewdlyto read his verdict on
Valentine after all,
smart
her poorly
Julian, pleasedat his apparent victory,
gown.
careful process of education,on
the insertion of
it.
the thin edge of the wedge, as he mutely named
"
"
let
he
a
me
Cuckoo,"
said,
giveyou
present,a dress. Now,"
ventured

now

she

as

never

began to shake her tangled head,

given you anything,and if we are to
Can

proud.

so

on

get

you

dress

made

"

don't be silly.I have

be pals you mustn't be
in three days, a black

dress?"
"

Yes," she said.

"

But

I shall look

black !

dowdy."

"No."
"

Oh, but I shall,"she murmured,

You

best.

started.

see

Ah,
and

scarecrow

I'm thin now, not as I was

I looked different then, I did.
of me."
make you ashamed
tell her that

longed to

Julian

dismally.

it

the

was

the

rouge,

suits

me

well,before

"

don't want

effusive

skirt,the

Colours
I

when

bugles,that made a
But he had a rough diplomacy that taught him
stuck to his point,however.
I shall give you a black dress and hat
Oh, my hat's all rightnow," she interposed.
scarlet

"

be

to

I
a

feathers,the
of

scarecrow

her.

refrain.

to

He

"

"

"

Them

"

feathers is

beautiful."
"

feather boa, and

"

I'll

Splendid,but

give

black suede

But, dearie,I shall be

trottin'
excitement

look splendid. And

"No, you'll
that he was
He hesitated,
aware
"

Cuckoo,
Whatever

"

Just

on
an

"

I want

you

one

dress,and

funeral,that
and

shall,"she

postulated,
ex-

perplexity.

Cuckoo

"

treadingon

the divine

quicksand

littleexperimentfor my

sake."

"

night take

"

take

all that

off."

timid

gesture,and growing boyishlyred, he

decoration,pink and pale,that adorned her face.

almost

Cuckoo looked
What
! " she said

"No."

to make

is it,dearie ?
that

the art
Poor

the

prejudices.

"

With

to match

gloves."

divided between

of woman's

hat

you

completelyflabbergasted.
uncertainly. Don't you like
"

me

cated
indi-

with it ? "

FACE

HER

WASHES

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

THE

149

"Well, but, I don't know."

experiment evidently struck her as portentous, earthpiece

shaking. She stared into the dingy glassthat stood over the mantelin Marylebone Road.
"
I shall."
with conviction.
I shall look a hag," she muttered
had it,before you started."
You
never
Such

an

"

"

round.

Her
"
"

eyes grew
Ah, that was

jollydifferent though,"she said.

urged. " Go and try it now, then

Try it,"he

and

come

show

me."
"

I don't like to."

door
I

towards

moved

ingly,and
"

her almost

idea reduced

The

she said

to

But

shyness.

When

the bedroom.

she

she

up faltering
by the fold-

got

was

say."

"Well?"
"

I say, you

"

Of

"

You

won't

laugh at

me

?"

not."

course

won't

honour

"

?"

"Honour!"
She

disappeared.And

there

the

was

of

sound

his breath

many

that word

waters.

of many

it,repeating under
thieves, among
word, honour.
Among
meanings,
panorama
of this
murderers, rebels,the lost,the damned
prostitutes,
among
of
it
bird
that
is
too
like
not sing,
some
a
hopeful
world, still does
?
end
be
silent
to
and
beautiful
ever
quite
great
washed
her sin of paint and
Julian waited, while Cuckoo
away
Julian

listened to
that

powder, at first nervously,then with

violent,that splashedthe water on
shiveringJessie beneath the bed for
scrubbed
then applieda towel,until
and
Finally,
Her
"

voice

with

disturbed

in to Julian

came

certain
floor and

shelter.
her

skin

zest

that

walls,and
Cuckoo

almost

was

sent

scrubbed

protestedin

the
and

patches.

heart,she approached the sitting-room.

while

she remained

hidden

"

I say

"Yes."
"

I know

you

will

laugh."

"

Honour, Cuckoo, honour."

Oh, all right."
And
she came
in to him, hanging her head down, rather like a
child among
ashamed, poor thing, of lookingrespectable.
strangers,
Julian was
astonished at the change the water
had wrought. Cuckoo
looked another woman,
rather
or
girl,oddly young, thin,and haggard
and the reverse
of dashing,but pretty,even
in
certainly,
fascinating
her shyness. As he looked at her and
the real red of nature
saw
"

run

over

her cheeks in

waves

of faint

rose

colour,Julian understood

FLAMES

150

fullyall
wish

"

that

the

smiled

at

reclaim

!"

refused

in her

said.

her

gives

the

and
herself,

up

him

to

came

"

her

fingers.

again,

the

wish

to

"

No,

yourself."

are

you

drew

her

in

and

look

at

eyes

murmured,
lips began to

Her

uncomfortable.
You

and

scarecrow," she

"

Now

"

hand,

lift up

to

I'm

"

he

took

He

she

her.

Ah

"

when

girlgives up
by Yalentine

He

thought

prettierthan

are

was

all

"

of

the

mirror, but she

reflection.

her

twistingthe front
twitch
ominously.
going to cry.

ever," he said.

It's all gone

no.

she

front

"

of her

gown

Julian

felt

!"

Look

gone."

"What?"
"

looks, dearie.

My

I could

do

without

to him

with

the*

paint

I can't

once.

now."

Suddenly
suspicionof
he

had
"

she turned
the

observed

I should

-and

chew

She

them

showed

"

Never

vulgar passion,that
which

before.
lot of

get the whole

here," she said," and

in

men

up."

her teeth
of the

Never-you

of

sort

harridan, typicalof the pavement,

young

in her

like to

characteristic
"

hard

like

almost

treat

like the

me

animal.

an

hystericalcondition

rest,"she

the

Then

in which

she

relapse,

came.

was,

said, bursting into sobs.

If you do I'll kill

to Julian
that she was

try anythin' on.

myself."
capable of a curious
that gave
the
to her a glimpse of purity and
depth of real sentiment
soothe
and
of
He
restraint.
to
her
tried
succeeded.
divinity
quickly
she had recovered
out
When
they went
together to see about the
before they parted he had perblack dress, and
making of the new
suaded
the
Cuckoo
multitude
fateful
to
face the
on
Empire
her panoply of paint and
She
powder.
pleaded
evening without
hard
of black on the eyes, a line of red on the lips. But
for a touch
he had
inexorable.
When
he was
gained his point he comforted
the soothing of
her anxiety with chocolates,a feat more
easy than
you

This

outburst

showed

"

"

with

her

reasoning

he told Yalentine

When

simply
"

said

am

Julian

feathers.
a

been.

of the

of his

success

embassy,

Yalentine

glad."
did

of the

as

have

could

not

black
The

surpriseto

mention

the

gown,

the

result

or

episode of

on

washing,

promise wrung

springing from

Yalentine

the

these

boat-race

three

night.

from

the

events

the preparation

lady of
was

to

the

come

CHAPTER

DANCE

THE

EVEN

so

huge

cityas London, full of

clashing interests, assumes

and

Derby

London
especially

pleasantspellover

sort

of

and

wake

the

even

days

arising from

of

the

the

most

from

admirers

of

vacuous

of

community

country, who

the

frigidindifference

year

of

or

their female

universities and

varying personalities

many
certain

delight felt by its inhabitants.

latter
the
On
day.
day and boat-race
is leavened
by a huge mob of juvenilesfrom

of excitement,
curiosity,
are

aspect,

HOURS

so

upon

characteristic

particularand
days

THE

OF

of town-

Such
more

the

cast

bred

dullards,
Piccadillyloungers into a

the

cabmen
blossom
cheerilyin
vivacity and boyishness. The
The butcher
dark and lightblue favours.
boys are partisans. Every
for the other,and dances
boat
or
gamin in the gutter is all for one
the result.
London, in fact,loses several wrinkles
excitedlyto know
of
boat-race
on
day, and smiles itself into a very pleasant appearance
Julian
went
the
and
of youth.
As
to
briskness
a
see
race
rule,
either
and to lunch
with his friends at Putney or elsewhere,without
abnormal
or
vivacity. He was
experienceof excitement
any unusual
and had hot blood in his veins,loved a spectacle
naturallyfull of life,
But
boat-race
and especially
no
a struggleof youth against youth.
did
him
found
had
stirred
him
attentive
this
to
as
one
so
ever
day
outside
so
influence,
things. For Julian had
receptiveof common
been
half
conscious
that
he
with
was
progressing, and
recently

certain

"

in what
not
exact
direction.
increasingrapidity,
though he knew
had
he
of
it
the
of
and
seemed
to
Simply
feeling motion,
journeying,
him that he had
been
And
standing comparatively still for years.
this boat-race
road
or

to

of life.

day
He

to

came

felt

as

him

like

if it held

flashing milestone

in its hours

of

emotions,as if upon it either his body

undergo some
largeexperience,to meet

face

new

and

climax

his mind

or

the

upon
of

the

episodes

must

prepare
searchingeyes of

unfamiliar.

of his own
excitement
Possiblythe reason
lay in the excitement of
another, in the curious preparations,which he had oddly shared, for

the

transformation

of the

unmistakable

into

the

vague.

For

the

FLAMES

152

of Cuckoo

transformation
Julian

Bright had been preparing apace,

like a schoolboyto the effect which

novel

lookingforward
of appearance
respectability

rouge

box

was

puffsuffered
tried

feather

had

given to

had

almost
not

kept

"

as

company
her

excited

Francine

as

had

And

undergone

she received

when

since the

Valentine

seen

"

originalnickname.

Cuckoo

of mind

attitude

Valentine.
The
upon
drawer.
Even
the powder-

taught to fitthe thin young

one

was

in

her

have

neglect. The black gown had been

and a hat
with only
figure,
the discarded sarcophaguswhich
with

unaccustomed

an

and

on

would

untouched

Jay lonelyand

and

of the

day

change

herself

Cuckoo

her muff.

She

tea-party,yet her
him, bent to it

towards

vanity. Ever since Julian had given her the

furtive desire to meet
invitation to the Empire she had displayed
a
about
him again,wag
talkingof him and askingquestions
perpetually
her

probably by

Even
Nevertheless her fear of him had not died away.
now
almost
with vehemence, and
exclaimed againsthim
his promisenot to leave her during the evening.
Julian renew

him.
she

sometimes

made
But

Julian could

again.

After

London

as

Minotaur

that she

see

all,had he

he wished

to whom

one

such

not

longed,as
pickedher

out

dreaded,to

as

from

to do honour

have

fact must

well

made

her

all the

Had

meet

him

girlhoodof
he been

look

him

the
with

a
upon
desirous interest.
had to strugglewith a
When
the great day arrived poor Cuckoo
keen and a sore
temptation. She longedto deck herself out in her

usual borrowed
plumage, to take the
of
accustomed
the
out
drawer, to

leathers,and

habitual
crown

noisily
dashing

to look

"

her

her

brilliant

complexion

frizzed

only idea

of

head

with

elegance and

before had

she so desired to create an impression.

Yet
grace. Never
solemn promise,and she intended
she had given Julian her most
to
keep it. As she slowlyattired herself,however, she wondered very

denuding her of her accustomed

unable
to grasp his conception
mind was
entirely
She thought all men
of beauty and of attractiveness.
preferredthe
certain
that
she would
it
to
the
be
violet.
was
To-night
very
peony
had been expensive,
a violet. Her
new
even
no
gown
peony, scarcely
but was
and
the
skirt
it
but
was
hung beautifully,
terribly
simple,
some
sombre. Nevertheless,it rustled with a handsurelymost direfully
had
of
she
wealth, when
sound, a melody
put it on and
promenaded about her dingy bedroom, with Jessie at her heels,
pretending to worry it playfully. The black bodice had some
why he was
Her
magnificence.
much

it

so

set

upon

all black.

Cuckoo

wished

it had

been

scarlet,
catch
the
hold
to
it.
and
something
least,
orange,
eye
or,
a
nd
b
etween
into
her
she was
When
was
staring
glass,
fullyattired,
to
resolved
break
her promise
she
two
nearly
boldly flaring
gas jets,

trimming.
at

But

was

the

to Julian.

She

even

went

so

far

as

to

paint her lipsand

eyes, and

FLAMES

154

Cuckoo's

lipstightened.
or
not, it'sme, though,"she said.
Valentine
did not replyto this.
He
to the
only made her come
front of the box, and placeda chair for her.
down
She sat
feeling
like a dog justwhipped. The young
each side of her,
men
were
on
and the band played an
Cuckoo
overture.
peeredout over the bar
of the box, shiftingever
entine
little
from
the side on which Valso
away
In his presence
sat.
all her original
discomfort
and extreme
with
added
an
returned,
enmity caused by her secret certaintythat
he thought her lookingher worst.
She peered from the box and
strove to interest herself in the huge crowd that throngedthe house
and in her own
in it. For Valentine
and elevated position
dignified
had taken one
of the big boxes next
the stage on
the first tier,
"

Altered

and

Cuckoo

had

been in such a situation before.

She could
of
heads
in
the
stalls
with
a
completeness
survey
of bird's-eye
observation never
tudes
multipreviouslyattained. What
the

never

endless

there

rows

Endless

all staringin the same

of men,
all smoking,all with handkerchiefs
direction,
peeping out of their
and goldrings
their littlefingers.Some of them looked half
on
cuffs,
were.

asleep,others,

who

ranks

had

evidentlybeen dining,threw themselves

back in their stalls roaringwith laughter,
and leaningto tell each
other stories that must
surelyhave teemed with wit. Most of them
and there an elderly
But
here
and lined figure-head
were
young.
that had faced many
sorts of
them, a figure-head
appearedamong
weather in many
face
shiftingdays and nights,and that must soon
eternity instead of time. Yet at the gates of death it stillsipped
and
its brandy and soda,smiled over
French song with tired lips,
a
sat forward with a palegleam dawning in its eyes to reconnoitre the
if it looked aside at youth and was
charms of a ballet. And
pierced
by the sword of tragedy,
yet it was too well bred or too conventional
"

to

let

even

of the world

one

around

witness the wound.

There

is

braveryin social life. But these elderlyfigure-heads

usual to-night. Youth seemed to have usurped the
were
into the
to have driven old age away
playing-groundsof pleasure,
with trumpet and drum, it gaily
shadows.
With flagflying,
held the
out
field. The lady of the feathers,
and
Julian
leaned
Valentine,
much

secret

fewer than

from

their box

as

from

the

car

of

balloon and

saw

below

them

with the world

of pleasurethe gods
youth,hand
wine.
It
in
the
as
was
youth
evening,and the
yet early
hours
were
onlytrippingalong,as women
trip in the picturesof
Moore.
had
to
not
Albert
dance, although the band
They
begun
from an opera of Auber
that foams
was
playinga laughingmeasure
Men
with frivolity.
kept dropping in,cigarin mouth, walking to
their seats with that air of well- washed and stiffcomposure
peculiar
the devilbut affecting
to British youth grim with self-consciousness,
world

of

offer to

in hand

THE
with

may-care

certain

of

measure

sat

The

four.

or

enthroned

of

rose

upon

in

were

the

on

cases,

in
of

lips of

upper

escorted

partiesof
repletion,
the

many

justgettingup

budding delicately.These were

grippingthe reins for the great

moustaches

of them

couples,or

in many

health,or,

cheeks ;

their

155

Some

success.

but by far the greater number

ladies,
three

HOURS

THE

OF

DANCE

were

on

Little

drive.
and
if
wonder
Little
stood
out.
hands
the
in
veins
the
if
wonder
eager
for
But
vehemence.
they flourished the whip with an unnecessary
slow
and
the
hours
a
a
dainty
were
only tripping,
them, too, so far
the box

but watching. Only

they were
of the hours, large,
dance
great

And

minuet.

formal

measure,

jointhe

they rise up and

alluring,
through whose measures
complicated,
music rings in the
saints have trod,whose
and
to
forget. Some who
after,try to pray
later would

the

on

knowingness of expressionthat might

did they hesitate
Nor
Sphinx to shame.

public eye. On
purposelyassumed
shorn

at

to
silently

hearts,until

of their

hidden.

the

had

heard

of interested

attention

of the
had

were

lay, to
Samson

voices

clash

Delilah,who

And

who

Samsons,
many
clever affectation

so

of

They
houris,as

even

in the

amorous

volumes.

utter

purposes, at the feet of their

In
the feet of Delilah.
loud, young

and

with

put

to appear

of the

the wisdom

contrary, their attitudes

the

scarcelykeep them
of

militaryairs,and

of

and

the secrets

who, long
many
made
with women

were

have

of eventual

feet

of

ears

travesties

putting
jocosely,

conversation

intents

coach

lay
fold

they

music

shorn

all

could,

the locks

secrets, gave ear

many
deceived
these
that
surprise
so

tion.
estimahigh on the peaks of their own
o
ne
or
obviously French, seemed
family parties,
a
out of place,indecentlydomestic,in the midst of such
throng, in
cuffed
the
in curlpapers
Cinderella
before
which
a
ball,
matrimony was
kissed
in crystal slippers.They sat rather
rather
than
silent. One consisted of a father,a mother, and two daughters,the
The
mother
latter in large flowered hats.
The
father smoked.
looked furtive in a bonnet, and
the two daughters,with wide open
deceivers

gay

and

set them

three

Two

eyes, examined

flirtations around

the

caught in
butterfly
turn

away
life seemed
it

her eyes.

it all.

That

knowledgethat
three

from

made

who

women
a

Nor

of

row

her

were

the

father

was

the

difference.

him

as

blushed.
her.

She

still smoked
And

child
But

examines

she did not

inactive.

girlishears

dull to

And

wondered

Family
whether

domestically. He

perhaps

it

his

was

with

domesticityand
boys, who had come

the

up
for the race, and
had
to
sat
forgotten go back,
in glistening
white collars and neat
ties,almost

angrilyobservant

of all that

the dance of

hours

the

of them

serenelycontent
Two
belonged to him.

publicschool

at the end

One

net.

suddenlyto become

life at all.

were

knew

them

was

going on around
already begun, and

was

them.

For

them

alreadybecome

FLAMES

156

interest and

They watched it with an eager

with which
some
self-possession
to
dressed
women
jokes magnificently

can-can.

the calm

and

made

of the
with

excitement,

men

them

near

diamond

earrings,
they too were
the stars affected to sleepon
fated to join in the dance, when
the clouds and the moon
lay wearilyinattentive to the pilgrims
of the night, like an
On the thick
invalid in a blue boudoir.
with
the
wall
attendants
loaded
stood
One
carpetby
programmes.
in a white cap, was
named
of them, very trim and respectable,
Clara
She giggledwith all
and offered a drink by an impudent Oxonian.
of her husband
the vanityof sixteen,happilyforgetful
and of the
them

struck

bed

with

admiration.

children who called her mother.

venerable saraband
to her,and

seven
was

dumb

she stood

as

to
listening

Yet, later

on,

the dance

Yet

of the hours

often wished

she

the familiar music.

she

the

In

musicians earned
set apart for the orchestra the massed
in the midst of the gailydressed idlers,
who
violently

was

in

enclosure

their
heard

living
them

and saw
them
The
as
indifference,
wound-up marionettes.
all
instrument
hammered
his
blatant
with
drummer
the
crude
on
skill of his tribe,producing occasional terrific noises with darting

with

while his face remained

fists,
A

flautist

as

immovable

piped romantically

an

as

Arcadian

that of
measure

eyes stared about

Punchinello.
his minent
proif in search
his sweetheart

while

the chattering
audience as
over
"
He had seen
he
couac."
some
one.
Suddenly
gave a
in the distance with a youth from Christ Church.
The conductor
turned
the estrade in the centre of the orchestra and scowled at
on
hastened to become
Arcadian
he
and
once
again,gazingat his
him,
of

if the devil had

heavy curtains two

entered

into it.

doorway shrouded
with
actingmanagers
warily,their hands
their coat-tails. They surveyedthe house and
in retreat behind
of money
in it,raising
their eyes to
mentallycalculated the amount
distant promenade,at the back of which largehats covered
the more
of them
to and fro. One
with flowers and feathers moved
steadily
and
murmured
the word
Chant."
Then they both
curled his lips
strolled
the
to
and
bar.
More
out
men
laughed
passedin. Many
could not get seats,and these stood,smoking and exchangingremarks
flute

as

In a
talked

"

in the broad

space between

the stallsand the wall.

Some

of them

againstit and criticised the appearance of the

nonchalantly
seated audience,or nodded to acquaintances.Others gatheredround
if they thought
the bar, and a few looked at the drop-curtain
as
it to roll up and disappear. Thft
their ascetic glanceswould cause
The stage was
and a man
overture
at lengthended.
came
disclosed,
forward with a smirk, and a wriggleof gigantic
feet,to singa song.
But Cuckoo
Bright,Valentine,and Julian,from their balloon car,
the
had heard the man
world.
Cuckoo
before.
She
still surveyed
no
was
strangerto the upper regionsof the Empire, but the fascina-

leaned

tion of
a

was

chair

hands

the

in

she

lay

it.

on

smile.

not

chin.

hand

The

that

Julian

was

It

was

Valentine

creatinga
being seen that

of
her

She
was

InstinctivelyCuckoo
But

from

on

the most

she

did

not

the

stalls

of it.

getting
For-

stretched herself

sensation.

was

lap, the

to
listening
abstractedly

boots.

she

grand effort
her

on

157

paintedand powdered,she

little closer to

supportingher
stalls.

was

believed

and

into view
his

HOURS

THE

knowing herself watched and commented

new
experienceand she wished to make
that she

was

OF

DANCE

THE

So

absorbed

Valentine

when

notice

it.

the

One

drew

of her

of the

box
ledge
returned
eagerly the glances of the
in her
lap felt another hand close
Julian
towards
turned
ready to
other

gazing

being

on

absorbed

the song of the man

who held her hand.

at

the

crowd, and

in the
She

half

huge, distorted

tried

to

draw

it

merely tightenedhis grip on it and continued

sittingin
he
held
her hand
a
lookingtowards her. And as
silence,not even
his
kid
Even
Cuckoo.
of
over
came
through
sense
glove
helplessness
she could feel the burning heat of his palm, of the fingersthat
She gazed towards
athlete.
clutched hers with the strengthof an
her face,and it
black veil that was
drawn
him through the new
over
that the man
who
to her limited intelligence
seemed even
was
so
her
be
will
the
could
her
not
at whom
man
against
brutallyholding
whose
For
towards
set
she was
w
as
now
Valentine,
profile
looking.
His blue eyes
her, was
pale,calm, almost languid in appearance.
the
with
air
of indifferent
an
multitude,
were
glancingquietlyover
His lipswere
observation.
slightly
parted in a sort of dawning smile,
and takinghis
at ease
and his whole attitude was that of a man
lazily
mood.
Yet
the
hand
in
Cuckoo's
knees was
on
pleasure a desultory
away.

He

This startling
and
silent contradiction threw
vicious in its grasp.
her into a complete panic,but she did not dare to say anything in
trembling and drawing her lipstogetherin
protest. She sat silently

growing perturbation,till Julian happened to turn towards them.

Then
Valentine's fingersrelaxed their grasp
quietly,and slipped
with an air of energy, and broke
At the same
time he moved
away.
His
into gay
His
blue
conversation.
languor vanished.
eyes
his
at
intense
Julian
astonished
was
vivacity.He laughed,
sparkled,

jokes,became absolutelyboyish.
Why, Val, how gay you are ! Julian said.
"
Every one is gay to-night."
He was
in the boots
interruptedby a roar of laughter. The man
His
feet seemed
was
have
to
becoming immoderately whimsical.
from
be
and
in
to
Paradise
while
he looked
control,
escaped
prancing
in Purgatory.
on
Every one is gay."
As Valentine
repeatedthe words, and the huge theatre laughed
like one
enormous
person, Julian felt again the strangethrill of overmade
"

"

"

FLAMES

i58
that had

masteringexcitement

him

shaken

the

on

nightwhen

he and

The
Victoria
Street window.
strengthof the Spring and of his long tended and repressedyoung
instincts stirred within him mightily. Scales fell from his eyes.
to him
the car of the balloon he gazed down, and it seemed
From
himself
and
were
over
a
drifting
that they Valentine, Cuckoo,
had

Valentine

leaned

of

out

the

"

"

all the inhabitants were

young, gay, careless,
of open-mouthed,laughing faces
The
rows
rightlyirresponsible.
and
their
in
mirth, more, to join in their lives,
called to him to join
in his chair,as if
He moved
hours.
in the lives of the pirouetting

country,of which

new

he

were

voice
"

Let

eat and

us

as

he moved

die."

drink for to-morrow

we
turned
He

round

it Valentine's voice?

Was

And

leave his seat.

to get up and
impelled
in
whispered his ear :

hastily,
curiously

perturbed.
"

Val, was

"

No."

that you ?

Did you

speak to
cheeks

Her
Julian looked at Cuckoo.
shone with dancing excitement.

me

"

flushed,and

were

her eyes

Did yon, Cuckoo ? "

"
I say, ain't he funny to-night
?"
Not I, dearie.
brain.
listened
have spoken in his own
He
Then the voice must
him on
for it and fancied he could hear it again and again,driving
in
timbre like the voice of
like a phantom fate. But the voice was
"

Valentine,and he felt as if Valentine

and

heart,his

reiteration. His

spoke with a strange insistence

whole
to the
being, made answer

whisper.
"

To-morrow

we

die.

It is true.

Ah, then, let us

"

let

us

eat and

let us drink."
in the boots wriggled furiously
into the wings, and the
The man
had ascended to the conductor's
curtain rose on the ballet. Wenzel
The
first weary
melodies of " Faust "
platformamid loud applause.
streamed
rows

from
plaintively

orchestra,and

stalls. Julian's

of faces in the
and

the

his

of his

gravitycame

face,too,

was

of

grave,

over

but

the
his

grew as he
The old Faust appeared,heavy with the years and with
looked on.
at
the trouble of useless thought,and Julian felt that he could sneer
As he watched
the philosopher's
him for his venerable age.
loquent
grandipantomime of gesture,like a mist there floated over him the
the old age, that
keen imaginationof the hell of regret in which
excitement

sense

own

power

youth

used to the full its irrevocable youth, must

and a
move,
his
rushed
of
desire
to
use
own
over
him, as fire
youth
passion
rushes over
a
dry prairie.Even a sudden anger againstValentine
for the protection
he had given
to him, against Valentine
came
never

through so

many

years.

For

had

he

not

been

protectingJulian

againstjoy,and

said

not

As

Faust

capacityfor joy

the

with
a
pass away
into a youth, and
the

transformed

was

turned

to Valentine

and

to-night."

will live

We

laughed.

Valentine

look excited."

"

You

"

I feel excited ?

was

ask

and

few

door

the

at

His

mechanically.
betrayalof poor Margaret had
soldiers were
returning from the

The

garden the

tramp

of their feet

passingweapons

their
a

at

the

then

at

Julian.

into them

came

almost

was

chanced
And

been

heard,

When

her
her

her

about

the eyes of Valentine

the last great scene
of the

to meet
now

schoolboysleant

forward

box.

the ballet.

the

the

of the

wall

and

soda,

the

audience

Julian's

on

queer
her

him,

tops of

playedthe fragment

and

were

in

to
on

vision of the

expressionyoung,

and
lips,
spoke

refinement

to

the

accomplishedand

orchestra

eyes

attendant

words

Beyond

wars.

The

evening."
An

long drinks
always

her

that made

hovered
simplicity
that

box.

were

eyes
now

was

seen.

all the

the

sipped
brandy
often at
indifferently,
stage

sometimes
and

was

Cuckoo

march.

here

spoke some

brought three

he

his

Julian drank

of

Valentine

their orders.

minutes

stay in

mustn't

We

knock

appearedto
in

presently.

I may
There
"

*
you ?

Don't

answered

Valentine

two

159

"

of

HOURS

THE

Julian
market-place,

the

in

danced

ballet

does
?

tragicswiftness

OF

DANCE

THE

and

face

even

dawning

gazed
eagerly,
a

pure.

of

light
A

something

But
if she
attitude.
her face was
full of fear.

pageant approached, and

in their stalls in

the

passion of

a
greedy
happened to see them, and instead of smiling
with the superiority
of the drilled
at their franklylustful attitudes,
of an
the child,he was
conscious
man
over
sympathy with
eager
their vigour of enjoyment and of desire. His nature
retrograded
and became
a
schoolboy'snature, with the whole garden of life
to him the need of
floweringbefore its feet. Suddenly there came
He stole his arm
round Cuckoo's
touching something human.
closely
She
him
at
waist.
But
his
turned
surprised.
glanced
eyes were
the
Valentine
his
chair
to
little
a
backwards.
pushed
stage.
away
He was
of Julian's
watching them, and when he saw the movement
he
classical
himself.
The
to
Sabbath
laughed
arm,
sprang into view,
and it seemed
to be justthen that the feet of the hours first began
in the opening-stepsof their great dance of that night.Was
to move
it the magnificentCleopatra that gave them
the signal?
Or did
Venus
herself whisper in their ears
that the time for their fetewas
at length,that the paid vagaries of the stage demanded
come
panionship,
com-

excitement.

Julian

and

whirl

that

the

in demon

audience

too

rise up
circles,

must

in

in

move

heart

to

great processions,

the

clash of

FLAMES

iCo

cymbals,bow clown before the goddessesof the night,the women

who
the modern
that they desire in
heaven
men
give to modern
our
days. The stagewas a waving sea of scarlet,
through which one
white woman
like a sin with palecheeks in the midst of the
floated,
rubicund
virtues.
She was, perhaps,not beautiful,but she was
and her whiteness
and alluring,
made her as voluptuous
provocative
innocence
is
when
the
habitations
of the wicked.
it moves
as
through
Julian watched
her come
dancers and from the arms
of this

of

philosopherwho

and
faculties,

the

and

Faust

to

win

him

from

the

scarlet

Cleopatra,and the strange rejuvenation

had
been old, and
known
decaying

flightof the heart from

the

closes of the
with sympathy.

warm

filledhim
plains,
after
the enforced
your youth
you have known
of age.
For age is a bitter lesson. The dance grew more
reserve
wild and rattling.The frou-frouof the swingingscarlet skirts filled
summer

to the white and

It must

be easy to

the

great

iron winter

use

with sound

house

as

the

of spanglesfilled it
glitter

with

surrounded
by flutteringwomen
shimmering light. Faust was
in
with
trained
evolutions
air of reckless
a
complicated
moving
devilry. And Julian gave himself to the illusion created by the
the real care
of the dancers,
skill of Katti Lanner, ignoringentirely
driven
and choosingto consider them
as
merely
by wild impulse,
vagrant desires of furious motion, and the dashinggaietyof keen
sensual
sensation.
They danced to fire a real Faust, and he was
closed more
His arm
Faust for the moment.
firmlyround the waist
of Cuckoo, and he could feel the throbbingof her heart againstthe
He did not look at her, and so he did not see the
palm of his hand.
to regard
beginningfurtively
dawning anxietywith which she was
the
the
with
of his
him.
stagespectacle, movement
Entirelyengrossed
the
been
had
mechanical,
arm
prompted by
entirely
hardening
had
If
mind.
he
in
his
of
excitement
crushed
actually
pressure
and hurt

Cuckoo

her

he

have

would

been

unconscious

that he

was

doingit.
Valentine

And

in the shadow

him

with

an

Just

as

of the box, and

unvarying smile.

and

Contrast

all this time

are
surprise

the

essence

back
at

in his

chair,that stood

the enlaced

figuresbefore

of the successful

"

spectacle."

was
heightthe character of
changed,slackened,softened,died from the angrilysensuou.j

the scarlet dervish

the music

leaned
looked

whirl

at its

delicacy. The stage filledwith clouds that faded in

stairwayrose towards the
golden light,and a huge and glittering
paintedsky. On either side of it hung in the blue ether guardian
into

an

ethereal

wings, and between their attentive ranks

stood the radiant figureof the purified
Margaret,at whose white feet
the majesticCleopatra and pale
the red crowd
of women,
even
suggesting
voluptuousVenus, sank abashed. Harps sounded frostily,
angelswith

outstretched

FLAMES

162

And

this

the door

and

man

both

to them

came

of the

to

would

woman

him

box, and

in

not

it !

see

that

moment.

Ho

out

without

another

went

sudden

enmity
abruptlyopened
word

to

either

stop, did not

of them.
Cuckoo's voice, shrilly
callingto him to
affect his resolution and desire to escape from them

if

only for

moment.

in the

Out

corridor at the

of the

back

dress

circle

peoplewere
relieved from the tension of examining the
beginningto circulate,
ballet.
Julian was
instantlyswallowed up in a noisycrowd, hot,
flushed,loud-voiced,brighteyed. Masses of excited young men
and making fervent remarks
lounged to and fro,smoking cigarettes,
the
who
them observantly.
gaily-dressed
glidedamong
women,
upon
bar rose
the adjoining
the music of popping corks and flowing
From
liquids.The barmaids were
besieged. Clouds of smoke hung in
to him as
the air,and the heat was
terrific. Julian felt it clinging
if with
human
he slowly walked
the thick carpet,
arms
as
over
about
him.
glancing
Humanity touched him on every side. At
with yellowhair and a fat lined face,
moment
an
one
elderlywoman,
envelopedhim in her skirts of scarlet and black stripedsilk. The
black chiffon that swept about her neck and
heaving shoulders
fluttered againsthis face. Her high-heeled
boots trod on his. He
with her.
seemed one
Then she had vanished,and instantly
he was
of a huge racingmafc, who wore
in the arms
gigantic
pink pearlsin
his shirt front,and bellowed the latest slangto a thin and dissipated
companion. It seemed to Julian that he was kicked like a football
from

life to

one

something as
thrill of

that winds
from

he

that

another,and
bounded

from

drew

life he

it,the fragment of

away

thought,the

breath

of

in threads

coloured

he wound
in threads
silks,
him
and
red,white,coarse

of various
hearts

about

And, half-unconsciously,
was

fabric ?

each

desire,the indrawn

the various coloured

fine.

from

Never

before

had

hope.

Like

machine

"

he

not

he understood

weaving

the

them

meaning of

into
a

crowd,

strange congregationof passionsand of fates which speaksin

in attitudes,
movements
and is melodious
which quarrelsin all its
parts,silently,
yet is swayed through and through by largeimpulses,
that

and

has

an

intellect far

more

keen

and

critical than the

assertively
Julian began to
now, when

intellect of any one

person in it. And
feel the meaning of this surging mob
and women,
of men
all
and
and
the
crowd
danced
with
them.
And
he
danced,

the hours
the music

accompaniedand directed the feet through the figuresof that

the music of words and of laughter,
of hissing
was
night'squadrille
the performenticements and of whisperedreplies.Irresistible was
ance
that

of the hours and

of the crowd that lived in them.

Julian knew
the dance began,marvelled at it for a littlewhen the dance
ended.
There was
but strong as
contagionin the air,furtive,

it when
was

THE

OF

DANCE

THE

HOURS

163

creatures
the contagionof human
gathered
contagionof cholera
dwells
like
the
who
Will-o'-thethe
in
youth
Only
night.
together
in the lonely mountain
for ever
Mill
valley
by the lonely stream
backward
their
look
arid
saints
on
it
lives,
entirely. Aged
escapes
remember
at least one
night when it seized them in its embrace ; and
the purest woman,
through its spell,has caught sight of the
even
and
the veil of our
vision behind
civilisation,
although she has
and of interest,
of wonder
from it,has had a moment
shrunk
never

the

"

"

"

her memory.
side the Oxford and

quiteeffaced
On

every
pushed and

rowdy

Cambridge boys laughedand shouted,

had

elbowed.

that is

god

from

on

at his feet.

They
rowdy

begun

throne

off

cast

and
restraint,

compelledthem

of them

the

to their annual

moved

and interrupting
along singing,
when
in
the
Friends,
they met
song
each
and
shrill
a
t
nicknames
other,
recognitions
crowd, yelled
sang
linked arms
of men
Rows
in the air like noisy birds.
and, striding
forward,compelledthe throng to yieldthem difficultpassage, swinging
obeisance

with

their

and

this way

Some

to

that

shouts.

to

their

make

The

attendants,standing by the

the

growing

into which

uproar,

wall

more
comprehensive.
progress
like giants,calmly smiled
on

they darted

and

now

then

with

rude wit who

had
frenzy of dutiful agility,to eject some
their
code
The
of
of
propriety.
transgressed
very spirit lustyyouth
of hot,careless,
in this crowd
was
blatant,roving youths,mad to find
sudden

vacant

from the cool and grey Oxford towers, and from the
away
banks of the Cam, in passionate
Leicester Square,fired by the

scarlet

and
ballet,

themselves

smart

the

women.

of the

thunder

Sudden

and
orchestra,

emancipation is the

the

sightof

flamingtorch

most

to

It flared through all that

passionsthat exists in the world.
to the flames that burst up in hearts
mob, urging it to conflagration,
that are fresh and ardent, and that so curiously
confuse joy with
human

wickedness.
Flames
flames

! flames !

surelyburned

Valentine

and

and

said

arm,
"

have

Val, you
been

What

can

hold

of my

no

ran

in Julian's

night,for,when

in the

mind, and

in his breast

he

suddenlyran
throng,he caught Valentine

against
by the

were

There was
rightjust now.
where
Margaret stood.

no

flame

fire have

to do with

snow

Cuckoo,

flame,there
She

was

was
a

too

fool.

could
pure.
Catch

arm."

pulled her
the girl's
face was,
bathe himself,and
and

word

that

Cuckoo

He

him

The

that he

arm

how

roughlythrough his,never

noticinghow pale

horror-stricken

her,and

her eyes. He wanted

to
were
Valentine,in this crowd that influenced

helpedto influence. He felt as the diver feels,

who,
plunges,has a sacred passion for the depths. There are
peoplewho have an ardour for going down comparable to the ardour

when

he

FLAMES

164
felt

those

by

who

To-night such

mount.

ardour

an

took

of

hold

Julian.
Valentine

Cuckoo,
them.

they moved
might be heard

Now

you

all my

than
"

prisonedbetween
As

that it
"

fell in with

friend,and

did not attempt to resist

the two
men,
Valentine said,in a voice he made loud

feel the

strengthof
teachingsof ascetism

the
?

Spring,Julian.

Is it not better

"

it is."

Yes, by

And

on

of his

humour

it,seeingthe

Julian,for the first time, forgotto

look up to Valentine, and felt a splendidequalitywith
him, the
of the same
equalitythat men
they are
age and temper feel when
bent on the same
pursuit. How can one of two Bacchanals stoop in
adoration
of
of the other,when both are bounding in the procession
as

he made

Silenus ?

Valentine

instead of

hours

their

but

that answer,

fell from

He

was
god.
partner.

red

unaccustomed
his

ran

over

From

pedestaland became
longer the chaperon of
his

no

And

his

cheeks,as
he

he

dancing

heard

ceased

eyes,

Julian's

an

answer

play what, it
question.
seemed, had been but a part,the empty ivory role of saint. For
Julian was
no
longerconscious or observant of him, no longer able
to wonder
at his abrupt transformation.
In a flash he cast off his
of thought to the
habitual restraint,
and passed from the reserve
of
act.
rowdyism
He chattered unceasingly,
dressinghis English in all the slang
exchangedrepartee";
embroideryof the day. He laughed and chaffed,
which
with the flowingmultitude
through
they passed,stopped to
and
with extravagant
loaded them
women
speak to the flaunting
elbowed
his
and
the most
out
of
made
compliments,
loungers
way,
Two
those around
went
him.
men
on
personalremarks
by, and
Valentine
of them exclaimed,with a surprised
one
:
glanceat
I'm damned
! Why, there goes the Saint of Victoria Street."
think devil the more
Saint ! said the other, I should
priate
approlooks
to
That
name.
anything."
chap
up
Ah
sinner
answered
the first
saint turns
a
well, when
speakerwith a laugh.
of laughter. He
Valentine heard the words, and burst into a roar
drew Cuckoo to the left and Julian followed.
They passedunder an
into
which
crowded
the
with
was
bar,
drinking and
archway
men,
talkingat the tops of their voices. Valentine called for drinks in a
to

that

the

in his blue

fire shone

new

comrade

moment

to

"

"

"

"

"

"

voice

so

him,

loud

authoritative

desertingother

Cuckoo

to

with
noisily
"

and

To

drink,and
them

the dance

customers,
Julian

that

barmaid

hurried
He

who

to

serve

forced

protestedvainly.
no
urging. Clinking glasses

needed

he gave as a toast
of the hours !"

the

words, uttered with

These

againstthe

they

could

broke

and

comprehend.

as

raging, and
stood

raised

their

them

drained

foot.

to

dashed

Valentine

under

trodden

was

with

several
his

back

too, half
glasses,

his

this toast,which
It
glass down.

barmaid

The

protested. He

gathered round, broke theirs

sovereign. The young men
from her, flung it away.
Cuckoo's
and
Julian, snatching
imitation,
he did so, Valentine thrust another, filled with champagne, into
her

threw
in
As

hand, and againcried

her

dance

The

The

"

does

the deuce

What

"
"

not

was

he

tion
atten-

!"

of the hours

the dance

To

"

that

They

bar.

shouting in chorus

and
ridicule,

in

of the

counter

force, attracted

strident

hubbub

165

HOURS

Valentine

pressedround

men

young

THE

almost

violent

the

amid

even

OF

DANCE

THE

dance

mean

that ?

feet

moving,
what

it ?

with

and

the

Seeing the

! " echoed

There

that

out.

Puritan

most

other

something

was

seemed

to

spinning and

crowd

called

youth

one

wildly.
words

the world

could

"

"

of the hours

dance

of the

sound

mere

it ?

by

drained

glasseswere

itself danced

if Time

he

; what's
of the hours ! The

excitingin the
jigging,and

the toast.

of the hours

dance

voices, and

out

brains

set

For

bowing.

human

being do

round

who
Valentine,men
and
the
toast
joined it,
Uttered by every variety of
passedquicklyfrom mouth to mouth.
voice,with every varietyof accent, it filled the stifling
atmosphere,
and tickled many
that
an
political
empty brain,like the catch-word
behind
nation
astute
set
can
a
one
wire-puller. Boys yelled it,
murmured
in a plush gown
and
men
it,and an elderlywoman
feathers
screamed
it
in
that
out
would have
a
yellow
piercingsoprano
Glasses were
a
put many
trumpet blast to shame.
emptied and
tilled again in its honour.
Yet
what
it meant, and
nobody knew
apparentlynobody cared,except the Oxford boy, who had already
the subject. He
had
on
expressedhis desire to be better informed
close to
graduallyedged his way through the throng until he was
he gazed with a sort of tipsyreverence.
Valentine,at whom
but

drinking at the

were

"I
What

of the

end

What

brought his
is it ?

';

glassdown

he exclaimed.

"

world, the dance that youth sends

live

for, and old men

dancing in the night,we

in the

greatestway, and

of the devil.

children.
cowards

hours

bar

"What
say, you chap,"he cried.
the devil's the dance of the hours

Valentine
"

other

The

What

who
dance

die with
all who

"

who

devil's

fear him.

they

dance

Brave

with

care
men

on

the invitations

longing for.
are

gay

eh"?

"

and

to

for him

We

set

do what
and

Not

drink

afraid
and

women

snap.

with

hours

love life

aren't

they will,and
them

the

women

the

who
careless,

frightenold
?

in

for,and

death, and who

bogey

them,

drinking to

greatest dance

the

Why,
out

we

the counter.

laugh at

only

do the hours

are
"

It's
when

only
the

all the

FLAMES

166

believe it.

morning?
says there'll be another
sunshine.
the
Give me
the nightand the

I don't

Who

night through.
Curse

dancing

hours ! "
of his

which was
echoed by some
youth gave a yell,
and
the
two
little
companions,
schoolboyswho
by
throng in a frenzy of childish excitement, which
The

rowdy
joinedthe
they thought

had

manly.
"

who

"

The

dancinghours ! The dancinghours ! they cried,and one

with a girl,
suddenlycaught her round the waist and broke

was

into wild

in. The confusion became

tremendous.
steps. Others joined
and
Whiskies
knocked
sodas
Glasses were
were
over.
poured out in
libations upon the carpet. The protests of the barmaids
heeded
unwere
unheard.

throng,and
like castanets,stamped his
Valentine,snappinghis long white fingers
feet as if to the measure
of a wild music.
Against the wall some
looked
in
on
loungers
contemptuous amusement, but by far the greater
of men
number
and
presentwere
young and eager for any absurdity,
in
not a few were
half tipsy. These ardentlywelcomed
anything the
of a row,
and
nature
and
the romp
became
noisy. Men
general
danced awkwardly with one
another, roaring the latest music-hall
at
of
their
with
the
voices. The
screamed
tunes
women
pitch
or
as they were
laughter,
banged and trodden on
giggledpiercingly
in the tumult.
The noise penetratingto the promenade,drew the
or

attention of the

whirled

Julian

One

or

of whom

audience,many

and the block round

going on,

two

of the

the

into the

hurried

to

seized the

were

to

see

became
archways quickly

giganticchuckers-out

into the

throng and
unable
entirely

Cuckoo

dancers

beingsto

was

trable.
impene-

forced

nearest

to

their way
them, but they

stay the ridiculous impulse which

of young
human
they merely increased the

this mob

what

caperingand

impelled

yelling.Indeed

which rapidlydevelopedtowards
scuffle,
knocked
torn.
The women
off,dresses were

free

fight. Hats were

got frightenedand began to

The men
and some
lost
swore,
their tempers and struck out rightand left. Valentine watched the
with laughingeyes as if he enjoyedit. Especially
he watched
scene
face
and
with
stillforced
scarlet
Cuckoo
Julian,who,
sparklingeyes,
round
Cuckoo
and round in the midst of the tumult.
was
white,
and

seemed

Julian's
dress was

to be half

shoulder,and

scream.

fainting.Her

head

her eyes stared at him

rested
as

torn,and her black veil hung all awry.

the hours it was

without

desire.

helplessly
against

if fascinated.

If she danced

Her
with

joy or
suddenly policeappeared. The dancers,abruptly realising
ceased to prance.
that a joke was
Some violently
dying in a disaster,
assumed
airs of indifference and of alarming respectability.
Many
sinuouslywound their way out to the promenade. A few, who had
lost their heads,hustled the police,
and were
promptly
completely
But

taken

the

intervention

and

drew

for

been

shoulder,
No,

"

life

real

your

bottom

of

flowers,

to

as

"

cell,"

him

caught

he

Julian,

said

in

it

by

Julian's

only

are

you

or

had

She

followed

dream,

the

through

on,

Two

and

three

cabs

spoken

not

cab

Valentine,

whispered

not

the

ear.

beginning

blooming

word,

and

to

the
of

masses

waiting.

were

Valentine

was

Valentine

trembling

Julian
drove

standing

the

on

leaned

pavement,

Cuckoo's

shouted

address

to

the

cabman

hoarsely.

away.

walked
yon,

him

to

Julian."

home,

her

Valentine
want

stairs,

one.

obeyed,

Suddenly

who

had

Julian."

and

Take

The

these

among

fear.

Julian
forward

excited

an

entrance.

into

in,

Get

"

broad

the

with

if

167

away.
in

still.

you

in

man

the

Cuckoo

put

been

Valentine,

Cuckoo

to-night

want

HOVKS

to-night."

like

Julian,

"

hours

dancing

"The

end

mustn't

you

of

and

him

have

would

Julian

custody.

into

THE

OP

DANCE

my

slowly
honey,

towards
yes,

Piccadilly
do."

Circus,

whistling

softly,

FLAMES

i?o

by Julian,but she did

not

preparedto go out,for her hair was

in violent disorder,her cheeks
were
her boots
stillmuddy from the previous

look

standing up
haggard and unwashed, and
the grate in the first
near
night'spromenading stood in a corner
if directed by a dancing mistress.
as
Cuckoo
neither
position,
was
readingnor working. She was simplystaringstraightbefore her,
without definite expression.Her face indeed wore
a quite
singularly
blank look and her mouth
Her
stuck out
was
slightly
feet,
open.
before her, rested on the edge of the fender,shoeless,
and both her
generalappearance and attitude betokened a complete absence of
and that lack of expectationof any immediate
self-consciousness,
is often dubbed
event which
stupidity.The lady of the feathers
in the horsehair-covered
chair in the cheap sitting-room
with
sitting
the folding
doors,looked indeed stupid,
pale,and heavy. Fatigue
in
but
the
shadows
of
her
than ordinary
lay
something more
eyes,
fatiguehovered round her partedlipsand spoke in her posture. A
dull weariness,in which the mind took part with the body, held her
in numbing captivity.She had only broken
through it in some
hours to repulsethe anxious effort of Jessie to scramble into the nest
without a struggle
of her lap. That slapgiven,she had againrelapsed
into this waking sleep.
and an organ began to
out with a sudden
The sun
came
violence,
play a friskytune in the street. Jessie whined and whimpered,
into the shapeof an 0 and, throwing up her head,
formed her mouth
Below
and
smothered
howl.
emitted a vague
stairs,Mrs. Brigg,
afflictedwith a complaintthat prompted her to perpetual
who was
the kitchen
anxious movement, laboured about
doing nothing in
occasional
The
clatter of them
her
and
pots
particular
pans.
among
over

her

head

"

"

of the

organ, and
symphony. The
depressing

mingled with the sound

of Jessie,in

with
sun

the suffocated note

in again,and

went

some
dust, stirred into motion by a passingomnibus, floated in
throughthe half-openwindow and settled in a lightfilm upon the
Presentlythe organ moved away, and faded
photographof Marr.

in pert tunes
gradually
no
longer played upon,
London

down

silence fell round

the

ceased

street.

spend

to

the littleroom.

Jessie's
its

pain

Then,

system,
sound, and a

nervous

in

length,Cuckoo
lap,and sat up

at

in her chair,stretched her hands in her

had not faded from her eyes yet, for,
slowly. The inward expression
it
as
leaning.forward,she still stared blankly before her, looking,
woke
to
she
a
at Marr's
photograph. Gradually
seemed,"straight
hand
and
one
what
she
of
was
consciousness
putting up
lookingat,

shifted

ing
photographfrom its place,laid it in her lap,and, bendhead
shook
her
Then
she
and
at
it long
earnestly.
down, gazed
if puzzled.
*' I don't
know," she murmured, I don't know,"

she took the

as

"

THE

WEEPS

171

voice,Jessie stepped

mistress's

of her

sound

the

Encouraged by

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

Cuckoo's
round
snuffling
gingerlyapproached,
feet,and wriggling her body in token of anxious humility. Cuckoo
pickedher up and stroked her mechanically,but still with her eyes

photograph. Two

the

on

and

her basket

from

succeeded

was

paleand

too looked

He

of Julian.

the entrance

excited.

but

rather weary,

He

"

Well

"

said,and

she

stick down

I don't know

Her

back
short

I did."

as
on

steadily
up

and

Don't

She

shifted round

in the

side of

head

the

and

her

tumblingin

ugly

the sentence

don't

back

chair tillhe could

and

want

neck, on

Sittingthus

confusion.
remember

to

only

which

of her

her

see

she

threw

back

don't

want

nothing.

hesitating.He glancedat Cuckoo's

thin hand moving to and fro above the

shoulder,
hair

loose

the

stood

Julian

little dog's

?"

remember

you

stroked, the

she

come."

I told you I should

"Did
you?"

"

"

and

Jessie now,

its
down, alternatelysmoothing and ruffling
and
the
stood
over
mantelpiece.
came
by

Julian

coat.

didn't you ? "

to come,

were

eyes

put his

and

into the little room,

forward

the table.

on

expectedme

You

looking at him.
closed her lipstightly.

two

step or

came

hat and
"

chair

sat stillin the

She

"

by

was

the

when

still there

Cuckoo," he said.

"

"

door

at the

knock

carpet,and

dashed

She

them.

in

swam

the

lay on

It

photographdown.

tears

was

him

at

to

hair and

member."
re-

the

at

little contented

dog.
not? "he

"Why
At

first she

she had
been

not

caused

heard

by

retainingher
when

Julian
and

said

from

I say.
You
The words came
Julian's
"

He'd

"

He,"

"Your

were

if

silence had

lengthshe

said,still

it'slike

beastlydream, and

dream."

suddenly

mad

last

her

insistently,if

friend."

as

Cuckoo

turned

round

to

him,

Jessie's back.

from

made you
said Julian

because

it ain't

nothing,and

took her hand

her

seemed

remember,

I know

"

on

consideration,for at

aloof attitude
to

and
question,

presentlyit appeared that

it,but

I remember

this

to

answer

no

the effect of

I don't want

"

said.

made

as

night. Now,

almost

weren't

"
you ?
her eyes

pleadingly,and
demanding an affirmative.

mad," she continued.

; "who?"

rested

FLAMES

72
"Valentine

had

nothing to do with it."

was
doing."
Her voice grew shrill with feeling.
He's a devil,"
she said.
I hate him.
I hate him worse
than
I hate that copper west side of Regent Street.
And
I hate you
too, yes I do, to-day."
The tears gatheredin her eyes and began to fall,
tears of rage and
shame
and regret, tears of one
who
had lost a great possession.
Julian looked embarrassed
and pained,almost
guiltytoo. He put
It

"

He

all his

"

"

out

and

his hand

and

went

crying.

on

tried to

take

She

Cuckoo's.

she

But

drew

hers

away

spoke again with vehemen3e.

I told you what I wanted

you to be, yes, I did,"she exclaimed.
I
told
You
said
here to talk to me."
Yes,
you.
you only come
"

"It

want

it wasn't.

to have

You're

pal.

the words

With
with

true."

was

No

"

I've

the

stunningforce.

just like
never

sense

all the

had

others.

And

did

so

one."

of her desolation seemed

She leaned her

head

to strike her

against the

back

of the

chair,and cried bitterly,

catchingat the horsehair with violent hands,
as

if she

longedto

objectwithout
to

the

hurt

power

window.

He

of

something,to revenge her loss even

feeling.Julian sprang up and

looked

in the

out

to

on

fitful sunshine

peoplemoving by
day, he, too, was in a tumult.
suddenlythrown off his habit,broken

That

the world.
to be

The

cell and

with
forgotten,

routine of service and

wave

of

the

He

the

road

beyond
felt like

his

cloister were

and

vows

left

an
over

watched

and
the

upon
went

the

dirtyrailings.
who

monk

had

forth into

come

behind, were

things

the grating of the confessional and the dim

of asceticism.
He had been
borne
on
by the

violent hour,
a
brilliant,

from

away

them.

Let

the

angelusbell ring; he no longerheard it. Let the drone of prayers

music by day and by night; he
and praisesrise in a monotonous
music
For
there was
another
no
longerhad the will to heed them.
Soon
be
would
in
his
it
heart.
in his ears.
Imagine a Trappist
his
from
the
desert
of
long silence to a gay
suddenlytransported
plage on which a brass band was playing. Julian was that Trappisfc
in mind.
And
sobbing at his back,
though he knew Cuckoo was
of pityfor her trouble,
and though his heart held a sense
yet he
he
out
heard her griefwith a strange cruelty,
at which
wondered, withbeingable to soften it. That afternoon it seemed to him useless
No griefwas
for anybody to cry.
quiteworth tears. The violence
of life was
with
him, gave him lightand blinded him at the
present
because it
time.
He found delightin the thought of violence,
same
worth something. Was
Even crueltywas
held action in its grasp.
he cruel to Cuckoo
He turned from

?
the window

and

looked

at

her,with

the

observa-

THE

tion of

LADY

nature

hair,and

her

he

she did ?

eternal

noted

He

own.

if it had

been

Cuckoo

as

173

the

desolation

of

like

caused

sea

little black

by

It looked

to-day.

night,he thought.

all

up

sobbed,

of the

movement

to suit her

scarcelyseemed

it

as

of it heaved

WEEPS

he had given
the gown
noted, too, that she wore
him
she said
she have put it on if she had hated
as

Somehow

draggled,and
back

FEATHERS

THE

generallyhis

not

Would

to her.

OF

The

black

Was

wave.

horrible,inward

some

the

grief

and
of the
to the eye of God
which, though secret,must come
himself wondering in an unreasonable
abstraction
world ? Julian found
thus

as

he

swerved

to

of

contemplated the crying girl. Then suddenlyhis mind

seized by the natural feeling
normal paths ; he was

more

who

man

made

has

woman

and

weep,

had

the

impulse to
sittingon

comfort.

Cuckoo," he said,coming

Don't cry,

"

of her chair.

the

edge
night. Perhaps
and

sane,

He

I want
his

put

You

"

not.

Let

often

mad

are

round

shoulder.

her

Then, with the odd penetrationthat

she said
distracts,

till it dazzles and

"

don't

You

Julian
that
"

taken

was

what

you

aback

by

mean

to

her

and

us

say

mad

was

last

surely. To-day

I'm

forgiveme."

to

you
arm

must

Men

was.

over

She

often

so

at him.

glanced up

gildsfemale

ignorance

quickly:

say ; you don't reallycare."

her sharpness,
and by the self-rev elation

immediately sta.bbed him.

mustn't

You

that,"he began.

say

she

But

stoppedhim

the

on

instant.
"

don't

You

care

think

; you

me,

That
mind

had

been
perhaps actually
unimaginativeto-day,because

action.

if it

But

"

You

know

"

You

will

That

day

ought

to

be

to

that had

purity.

perplexed and
blamed

Cuckoo's,

For

Valentine.

to it with
a

at all.

of you

thought, the thought of

deadened

by

hastened

in that

the

excitement

of

deny it.
he
said.
way,"
to

do."
lashed her

all

stung her

now

As

she made

troubled
himself

himself,his regretfor what

even

it

to

this weary
passion that was

through
a

this statement

there

was

her eyes, but it was

a
for the negativewhich

emotion,and

with

his

thought he

reaction,that

passionof

asked

both

You

now.

the scourge

was

questionin
even

his

was

I don't think

of miserable

like the

of

it'snothing. So

I know."

long

Now

the curious

dull and
Action

vacant

had

as

that scarcely
question of despair,
Julian hastened to give. He was
by the unexpected violence of her
the cause.
But
though he blamed
irrevocable had

was

time

he had

he had
left the

pathos which
past.

He

so

did

lifted scales from

none

of the

poignancy

gloriedin livingin a cloister

he did not look back
cloister,
often gathers like moss
upon
not, for the moment,

look back
his eyes, had stirred the youth

FLAMES

174

him, had stung him as if with bright fire,and given him, at a

curiosities. A sense
of power
breath,a thousand thoughts,visions,

in

to him.

came

did not

He

ask

whether

inclined to

the power

for evil or for

made

gloryin

in his
it,as a man
good. Simply he was
glories
from
recovered
he wakes
a
long sleepfollowing
strength when
fatigue. Cuckoo, with feeble hands, seemed tugging to hold back
this power, with feeble voice seemed
crying againstit as a deadly
thing. And Julian,though he strove to console her,scarcely
sympathised
with her fully.He could not, if he would, be quiteunhappy
to-day. Only in Cuckoo's griefhe began to read a curious legend.
In her tears there was
that
a
passion,in her anger a vehemence
Julian began to
could onlyspringfrom the depths of a nature.
this girl,
his lady
suspectthat through all her sins and degradations
door though all the
of the feathers,
had managed to keep shut one
And
others had been ruthlessly
beyond this door was surely
opened.
that holy of holies,an unspoiledwoman's
heart ? From
what other
rush
for
man's
forth such a passion
a
dwellingcould
respect,such a
considered.
and
As
he
to
be
half vaguely
rightly
chivalrously
fury
realised something of the true positionof Cuckoo and of himself,
of life,
in which
Julian felt stirred by the wonder
such strange

flower out of the very dust.

He
looked at Cuckoo
with
She looked back at him with the old ones
of a girlwho
eyes.

blossoms
new

loves.
As

he

looked

she

in his gaze

hers, and

again

stopped crying. Perhaps

thrilled her.

repeatedhis

He

put

negative,but

out

the

sudden

his hand

this time

with

standing
underto

touch

greater

conviction.
"

of you in that way.

still full of doubt and

I do not think

he said.
never
shall,"
thin with anxiety. She was
that seemed
not reassured,
apparent ; for in her ignoranceshe had
and especially
of
a strange knowledge
a strange intuition which
life,
face

Her

was

guided her instincts as to the instinctive proceedingsof

They always do," she murmured.
Why should
"

men.

"

you

be

ferent
dif-

?"
"

All

aren't

men

"

Yes,

"

Look

in

to laugh at her.
alike,"he said,pretending

thingsthough,"she contradicted.
They all think
dirt of you for doing what they want."
her anxiety
Seeing how unsatisfied she was, and how restlessly
and
Julian
resolved
on
more
down,
paced up
plainspeaking.
here,Cuckoo," he said,and

I'd been
"
"

you

his voice had

never

sounded

drunk.
Last night I woke up, and
was
boyish,
for
years."
asleep
Eh ? she interrupted,
but he went on :
lookingpuzzled,
I was
I
and
mad.
was
to do
emancipated,
Mind, I didn't mean
if
but
have
of
in
different
me
a
thought
you
any wrong,
way,
"

more

"

some

"

last

night I

Tell

I'm sorry.
I'll be

what

me

want

you

"

Yes."

"

You

"

dull blood

"I

just a

want

up in her eyes then,

"Not

I've had

I.

likes me,
"
And

might
you'llnot love

eyes searched

His

The

on

last word

man

as

spoken
justreally

was

likes me,

See ? "

man.
"

with

looked

love him

I'llnot

him

hers

laughter. Cuckoo

I want

"

another

he

as

hurriedly went

of love."

much

too

of contempt.

violence

gallantry. She

of

fleetingair

shrank

ashamed.

if almost

justa friend,"she said,as

"

lover,"he said, with

visiblyfrom (he word, and

Not

tired face.

in her

rose

smiled.

Julian

"

in future

and

you,

promise."
promise."

The

with

to be to

me

175

it/'

Hope and eagerness sprang

"
I say,"she began.

"

WEEPS

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

THE

gaietyof inquirythat

almost

was

away.

said

either,"she

steadily. "I'll just like

him

too."
and
obvious emotion, Julian
Seeing her earnestness
dropped his
and became
earnest, too, in his degree.
gently quizzingmanner,
and
I are
Then
You
it's a bargain,"he said.
to like each
other thoroughly,never
anything more, never
anything less. Like
"

"

two

eh ?

men,

She

"

relieved and

at last to look

began

Yes, like that," she

"

said.

happier.

Ain't

"

it

ain't

"

thing ? There's something beastlyabout

always think."
other

And

she

spoke with
day, he shook

her that

he had
"

done

There's

thing than
"

it

Rather

as

!"

hands

with

good-bye to a
and
hastily,

stepped on something,and
Marr's photograph.
that?"

"Nothing,"
even

the

she

Julian

bent

door

the

what

Julian

; she

stood

left
after

said.

back

down

to

"

Better

sort

of

"

into the

pick

sitting-room.

it up.

It

was

asked.

photograph of the creature

spoilthat good-bye of theirs.

farewells.

When

isn't it ?

woman,
moved

said, concealingit.

gone she still seemed

She was
a
woman

the

by

man," he

she said

She

"What's

love, that's

conviction.

her

than

expectant.

good-byeto

man's

sincerest

if still half

man's

the

it truer

Yet

she
even

She
had
as

had

foolish

feared and
it was,

when

fancy th.-"t

hated

might

Julian

had

unsatisfied.
after

all,and

woman

is most

feminine

in her

CHAPTER

II

VALENTINE

WHEN

of

heard

Valentine

SINGS

the

in

scene

Marylebone

Road

he

smiled.

are,"he said.

extraordinarywomen

How

"

his life to
"It

them, I suppose,

would

yet
"

might give

man

them."

understand

never

jolly making

rather

be

"

that

gift,I mean,"

said

Julian.
You

"

"I

think

want

so

Since last

talk

to

to

night."
that.

about

you

Valentine, d'you

blame

me?"
Not

"

bit."

wonder

"

Only

"

I don't

"

No, but of

Julian

at

?"

me

say that."

even

course

spoke

you

almost

must

at me."

wonder

and
wistfully,

the suggestion. Last

away
in
the
lightand in the calm
To-day,

sweep

as

if he

wanted

night they
of

had

Valentine
been

afternoon,Valentine

to

comrades.
seemed

of
remote, and Julian felt for the first time a sense
degradation. He was uneasily conscious that he might have fallen

much

more

in Valentine's
"

I don't

esteem.

wonder

metaphoricallysit at
"

That's

at

But

Valentine

you

either,Julian, I simply envy

your

reassured

him.
you, and

feet,"

absurd."

quite; and I may not always be sittingthere,for I believe

reallygot a little bit of your soul. Last night I seemed to
within me, and I liked its personality."
feel it stirring
different last night," Julian
did seem
"You
said, looking at
"Can
it
keen
interest.
be
Valentine
with
a
possiblethat those
of ours
have reallyhad any effect ?
sittings
You
haven't caught my coldness,
On me
they have, not on you.
Doesn't that perhaps
but I have gainedsomething of your warmth.
"

Not

I have

"

"

that mine

show
"

I don't

"Do

I?

was,

after

all,the

wrong

nature

?"

"
know," Julian said doubtfully,
you look the same."

Exactly?"

FLAMES

178

bad spirits
to-day. I've been tryingto cure too many peoplelately.
It's hard work."
"
fully
It must
be.
Sit down and forget. Imagine the world beautiThe

incurable and your

doctor sat down,

consequentlygone."
occupation
saying:

My imaginationstops short at that feat."

He kept silence for a moment, then he said
"

know

\vhat I want."

"

You

"

No," Valentine

answered.

"

I'll do

But

anything. You

know

that."
"

your music."

T. want

Valentine

first,and

both

Julian

and

didn't

unresponsive.He

suddenly became

the

doctor

speak

him

glanced at

in

at

some

surprise.
"

Oh,

want

you

to be David

me

to your

Saul,"he said

length.

at

"Yes."

Do, Val," said Julian.

"

Valentine,who
011

the

I'm not

"

was

I should
the
near
sitting
"

like it too."

doctor,looked down

fully
thought-

carpet.
in the mood

he
to-day,"

You
are
always in the
Levillier said.
"

mood

said

slowly.
enough to cheer

and

rest

me,"

He

had driven all the way from Harley Street for his medicine,
it. But
obvious that he meant
to have
Valentine
still
was
noticeable
in his
hesitated,and a certain slightconfusion became
and

it

Moving

manner.

pattern of the
smile curved
"

we

lips.

Doctor," he said,"
ourselves live ? "

"That's
"

carpet,he

his

the
rightboot to and fro,following
and
the
odd
at
an
doctor,
glancedsideways

the toe of his

d'youbelieve

that talents

Levillier and

"
"

"

"

Julian both

looked

you

through the approach

at Valentine

about yourself
?
talking
Certainly."

"

with

some

ment.
amaze-

the doctor asked.

talent is dead in you ? "

Do you know
music.
that for the last few
"
able neither to singnor
play?

Why ? What
My talent for

I've been
"

while

us

answer."

is : No, not wholly,

unless
Well, my answer
of old age, or the developmentof madness."
"
I'm neither old nor
mad."

Are

die in

strange question."

It's waitingan

"

"

can

exclaimed
Julian.
Val, you'rejoking,"
I am
not," he answered,and
certainly

gimplystatinga

fact."

quitegravely.

"

days

am

SINGS

VALENTINE
unable

Dr. Levillier seemed

ift
he

appreciatethat

to

speaking

was

seriously.
have

"I

asked

never

you
fault if you a^k
in
him
looked

Is it my

"

Valentine

hear

to
all this way
in vain yet."

come

in vain

me

he
sing,';

you

spoke

as
glance,
sincerity.The doctor returned
clear
with
a
the glanceof a patient,
very directly,
Having done this he felt completelypuzzled.

"

As
that

"

"

can

simple gravity.

have

even

spoke he went over to it and pulledat the lid to show

he was
speaking the truth.
asked the doctor.
Where's the key?
said
Valentine, producingit from his pocket,
Here,"

them

he

"

Give

me," said the doctor.

it to

did so, and

the music-stool,
and

"

returned

"

the

Valentine
up

and

complete

it."

locked

"

Entirely.

he asked.
has died in you ?
do nothing with
piano. I
my

talent for music

The

with

he sometimes

the

"

ha\e

"I

?"

now

face, and

the

said.

signedto

the

quietly opened

Valentine

piano,drew

to sit down.

simply be that
you say the explanationmust
form
of hysteria,"he said, rather
sufferingfrom some

If you
are

you

doctor

what

mean

authoritatively."Now

sing

I won't

something. No,

me

let you

off."

his hands and laid the

Valentine,sittingon the stool,extended
tipsof his long fingersupon the keys, but without sounding them.
"

You

insist

"

I do."

"

warn

on

you,

tryingto sing?

my

Doctor,you will

"

he asked.

be sorry

if I do.

My

voice is

quite

of order."

out
"

No

"

Go on,

matter."

Val," cried Julian,from

his arm-chair.

"

Anybody

would

think

a
you were
lady."
young
Valentine
bent his head, with
"

As

He
the

he
will,"

you
struck

his hand

down

strangest prelude

Levillier and
stirred

Julian

quick gesture of abnegation.

said.

were

ever

both

upon

heard.

the

keys
In

as

he

their

intenselyfond

of

spoke.

That

was

different ways
Dr.
both
music,
quickly

by it when it was good music, not merely classical,

but extravagant,
and in any way interesting.Each
of them
violent,
had heard
Valentine
times.
piny,not once
only, but a hundred
They knew
not
his
of
and
simply
large repertoire
pieces
songs through and
through, but also the peculiarand characteristic progressionsof his
the ornaments
he most
improvisations,
delightedin,the wildness of
his melancholy,
the phantasyo" his gaieties
: and
they knew every
of his voice,which
tone
expressed with an exquisiterealism the

i8o

FLAMES

temperament of his soul.

struck

the

But

both

as

now,

"Valentine's hands

and

powerfully

involuntary
keys,they
exchanged
surprise.The firstfew bars gave the lie to Valentine's
assertion that he could no longerplay. A cataract of notes streamed
from
beneath
his fingers,
and of notes so curiouslycombined, or
each
other
in
such
fantastic array, that they seemed
a
following
of the strangest
arranged in the musical pattern by an intelligence
often
order.
It is
a given
easy for a cultivated ear to detect whether
has
of
from
the
brain
a
a
Frenchman,
German,
composition
sprung
be
The wildness of Bohemia, too, may
a
Hungarian, a Russian.
that
the
which
of
northern
or
seems
sorrow
identified,
melody
vague
in palevalleysnear
the
echo of voices heard amid the fiords,
an
or
farthest Cape of Europe. And
then there is that largeand lofty
music
and of
of the stars and the spheres,
of the mightiestpassions
the deepestimaginings,
but
is
of no definite country,
to be
that
seems

glanceof

an

keen

of its own
one

started

and beauty, and not of the brain and

power
It exists for eternity,
and its creator can

man.

heart

of any
only wonder

worshipbefore it,far from conceit as God was when He said,

Let there be light." Such music, too, is recognised
the instant
on
of
the
secrets
the
who
have
the most
loved
and
studied
men
by
in five
divine of the arts,for profoundgeniuscan
utter itself as easily
in
the
Valentine
notes
But
as
was
fifty.
played by
prelude now
and
"

the

neither

that is of all time

and

of all

countries,nor

not even
that is of any one country. It was
in character,impregnatedwith
southern

the music
northern
of the

great music

or

wonderful
tuneless,
hearts.

stirs western

distinctively
the

mystery

homeliness
East, or with the peculiar

Both

doctor

the

and

Julian

felt,as

that

they

music
without
an
listened,that it was
earthly home, without
of
d
evoid
of
relation
to
that
sense
location,
humanity which links
the greatnessof the arts to the smallness of those who follow them.
Eccentric

the music

inhuman,

so

uncouth
coarse

unmannerly

man,

and

was,

but

to

as

in advance

criminal.

the
be

of the

That

was

almost
of it seemed
eccentricity
beyond the range of the most

invention
the

excessive,unutterable,crude, sombre
As

remote
did not

connect
instinctively

translate the notes

conscious of

into acts

attained

which

lowest

amazed,

mind
of this

he

however

prelude,

detached
found

that

and

he

or
vulgaritywith any human traits,
He
within his experience.
was
simply

being brought to

sordidness

atmosphere
vulgarityof

Levillier listened to it

kind.

of any

the

the verge

of
be

sphere in which the

sneered
in
at as delicacy,
some

by our race would

be as loftyflights
of the pigstywould
grovellings
of the music, its
through the skies. And the hideous eccentricity
until
and
both
Levillier
Julian were
wanton
desolation,deepened
pale under its spell,shrank from its ardent, its merciless and
lambent
sarcasm
against all things refined, or beautiful. The
our

SINGS

VALENTINE

preludewas

all instruments

as

war,

sword, as plague and famine, as plunder and

and
that wound, a destroying
that lay waste

fire and

as

shrivelled

into

Dr.

Levillier

leaned

and

stretched

out

As

forward, moved

his hand

deplorablemelody, Yalentine

of

sing. The doctor's

began
dropped to his side,he remained
to

Valentine's like

by

the very

sun

irresistible impulse,

an

silence from

enforce

to

looked

this blare

him, into his eyes, and

was
arrested, his hand

at

up

movement

tense, frigid,his eyes fastened

mesmerised.

man

and

ashes.

of grey

heap

the first-born withered

breath

whose

angel before

181

first he knew

At

that

on

he

was

wondering whether his brain was playing him a trick,whether his

become
of hearing had, by some
sense
impaired,so that he
means,
heard
a voice not
dimly, as is the case with the partially
deaf, but
wrongly, as may be the case with the mad, or with those who have
suffered under
voice

powerful,harsh,and
A

thick

pushing
wild

animal,

at

an

it

as

injuryto
the

all, but
It rang

malignant.
in

the

brain.

voice

of

through

the

and
disease,

at

For

this

stranger,
noisily.

room

broke

moments

it

Then

it would
in a sigh or wail,
as
emerge
mechanical
all
the
of the voice of a
power
up
and
mounting to a desperate climax, sinister and

it down.

its way

through

dressed

hoarseness

crushed

and

or

Valentine's

not

was

blow

with

unlike

So

the

ordinarysinging was

performance of this
that,
surpriseand disgust had
doctor
and
from
the
Julian, they both felt the
passed away
of
immediate
putting a period to this deadly song, to
necessity
which
words gave the faintest touch
of humanity. They knew
no
alarming.

after

voice

that

it must

mansions,

first

paralysis of

and

rivet

the

attract

possiblyof

even

the

of

attention

passers-by in

the

others
The

street.

his gaze from Valentine's at length and

he found regarding him
with a
Julian, whom

withdrew

turned

in

the

doctor

hastilyto

glance almost

of

horror.
"

"

Stop him," Julian murmured.

You

And
that

answered

then

each

rendered

hesitated
door.

there

He
"

went

them

knew

that the
an

other

was

in

some

And
impossibility.

crisis

nervous

while

they thus

came
loud, repeated,and unsteady knock
at the
opened it. Valentine's man
was
standing outside,
a

anxious.

Good

God, sir,"he ejaculated." What

is the matter
The

Levillier.

action almost

Julian

pale and
"

"

man's

is it ?

What

on

earth

"

exclamation

broke

through

Julian's

frost of inaction.

whispered to Wade :
It's all right,"pushed him
and
out
shut the door.
Then
he
straightup to the piano,seized Valentine's hands and dragged
from

the

key-board.

FLAMES

82
The

silence

with

voice

blow.

sweet

of

out

was

order," Valentine

said,simply and

smile.

You

"

like

was

I said my

"

did

not

another

had

voice,the voice of of a
for
still shaken
falteringly, he was
by
mental
condition
into
that
almost
a
was
senses,

say you

"

said, almost

devil,"Julian

his distress of the

anger.
Dr.

than

Levillier said
Julian,he dared
like

stand

might

Valentine.

nothing. More sensitive to musical sounds

not
speak,lest he should say somethingthat
fixed gulf to separate him
eternallyfrom
future

the

knew

He

that

stretches

like

out

quietlywith

his eyes on
So he sat
beyond one word.
turned
His lipswere
set firmlytogether. Valentine

the
to

spear

ground.
observe

him.

Doctor, you'renot angry ?

"

"

he asked.

doctor made no reply.

I warned
"You
know
you,"Valentine
this thing on yourself."
The

But

of yours.

didn't want

You

Valentine

shook

It's

trick.

"

dead.

no

You

have

brought

You

"

"

That

have

mean

been
That

is the true

But

it's not

like that to

was

Dr.

so

beastly

was

an

things.

forgivethe

can

is

awakening

torture

you

event."

Julian
possible,"

said.

"

It's not

conceivable.

"

not

say

believe that Cresswell would

commit
deliberately
it would be an
me," he said. "And
outrage to
of
work
tii-ed man.
Weeks
would not fatigue
me

an

sing
as

Cresswell's music."

silent and

help it.

Levillier

beginningto

"

him.
interrupted

fatiguedby
I couldn't

so

me.".

Surely,Doctor, you would

outrage upon

trick

talent for music

its corpse."

there

ready interest in all

inflicting
upon

"

Julian

said,and

it absolutely."
is the only event in which

I cannot

This is your

to

simplyas I said. My
to the voice of
listening
up at length.

of his normal

doctor

it is all

you.
be

had it in you

you

that ? " he

"

The

made

We

It's
been

reallymean
him

within

course

his head.

Dr. Levillier looked

"

of

"For

sing.

to

revenge, eh ? I didn't know

and cantankerous."

"

"You

interposed.

Julian

No, Valentine,"he exclaimed.

"

am

on.

Yes," said Levillier.

"

"

went

looked
I

am

ignoredthe

be

aroused,

uneasy.

Valentine repeatedagain:

sorry."
remark.

His

For

first time

the

interest
professional
he

was

felt convinced

SINGS

VALENTINE

that

knew

he

youth

it,

analyse

to

want

not

lightly

spoke
"

But

Lock

in

to

"

Will

And

in

it

it,

to

give

will

It
the

on

fatigue,

my

advice,

my

while.
lid

the

was

the

charge

doctor

gravely
so

of

companion

take

the

Quite

for

down

my

you

"Yes,"

But

the

upon

fade,

or

grow

nature.

Julian

of

better
take

he

alert.

to

did

So

he

without

even

music

your

the
a

rest.

better."

be

instant,

he

that

lonely

many

Then,

pensiveness.

key

the

the

Cresswell,

whimsical

with

exact

the

over

and

turned

the

little

lock.

the

Adieu

half

it

again

shut

its

or

dawning

was

watch

to

of

aware

Valentine

get

soon

piano

your

"

as

be

to

said

he

shall

Valentine

it,
either

put

medicine.

usual

key

so

change

wanted

He

well.

study

to

bizarre

and

peculiar

very

some

183

as

if

in

hours

joke,

"

he

held

he

with

said
out

his

hand

doctor.
of

this

hostage

key

and

"

he

asked.

replied.
took

the

silence

fell

round

it

put
the

into

Saint

his
of

pocket.
Victoria

Street.

CHAPTER

THE

OF

had

attitude
be

learned
which

her

the

had

assumed

and

actions and

terror

by many

his casement
blow
open.
of virtue by an
fine monotony
from
return
such an excursion

comforted,
of their

as

it appears,

the

There

But
of
of
are

occasional
into

for further

lady of

curious

of her

out

vile

never

with the
towards

working
imaginings.
promise he did not, after that night
of asceticism tempered by winds
career
must

by

keep his compact

partiallyto understand
mind

BATS

THE

had resolved to

JULIAN
He

FLIGHT

III

the feathers.

and

him, pollutedas it
fate,by many dreary

although he

held to his
his

resume
crisis,

temptation
men

beautiful

who

deliberate

which

former
could

vary the
error, and who
can

dangerous by-paths drilled and

journeyingalong the main road

such a man.
not
He resembled
respectability.But Julian was
rather the morphia victim, or the inebriate,who
must
at all
hazards abstain
from
the smallest,in drug or
any indulgence,even
for him
charm
who
has such
draught, lest the demon
clasp him in
refuse with
of a once
and
the steadfastness
imperturbable arms,
him
tricked Venus
to
let
ever
go again.
Valentine's empire of five years was
broken
in one
night.
At
first Julian
not
was
scarcelyconscious that his descent was
but
rather
the
to
at
tending
Certainly, the
momentary,
permanent.
he was
inclined to have the schoolboyoutlook
first,
it,and the
upon
schoolboyoutlook is as a glancethrough the wrong end of a telescope,
dwindling giant sins to the stature of pigmies,and pigmy sins to
mere
points of darkness which equal nothingness. But, strangely
enough, it was his interview with the weeping Cuckoo, that Magdalen
of the streets,which
drove the schoolboyto limbo, and set virtue and
in
vice
for the moment
and
the throne
the gutter.
rightly on
his
dull
and
calm
mood
to
of selfa
tendency
Despite
comparatively
could
be wholly
satisfaction in the Marylebone Road, Julian
not
unmoved
entirelyunaware
by the passion of Cuckoo's regret, nor
he
in
have
which
must
that it was
some
a
share, whether
passion
the thrall of recentlymoved
distant time, when
at some
more
now
or
and
the
numbness
was
senses
weakened,
reallyborn of excitement

186

FLAMES

then Valentine
of

One

day

it seemed, and by means

swept it away, involuntarily
of words.

action,not

Julian

met

soldier of fortune
and
sitting
"

said

in the world.

So, Addison, your

god

Dagon,
Julian

looked at him

"

What

He

"

god ?

The

to where

came

man

he

was

his

pedestal.He's only

ignorantly.

I don't understand

his

from

that
species
and the SportingTimes.
Julian rejoined
:
"

club,a lively,
devil-may-care

fallen from

has

of the

was

his

he asked.

saint has tumbled

Your

at

man

after all."

11

never

perch.I

believed in him."

never

believes in

anythingexcept vice

you."

"

said the man.

Cresswell,"
Julian began to wonder
what was
coming,and silently
got ready
for the defence,as he always did instinctively
when Valentine was
the subjectof attack.
"
"

"
got to say about Cresswell ? he asked curtly.
My dear chap,now don't you get your frillsout. Nothing that

What

have

you

I should mind
being said about me, I
lose his nickname
if he goes on
will soon
"
I'm in the dark."
"

That's what

"

You'd

better be

the

Julian sat

ponderingover

at first he
as

so

and

was

understand

to-dayhis
"

whether
side of

that any
faint

own

led him
there

as

of the

always be a
his sanctity
laughedat
times,and had simplyfelt an
But

but
feeling,

in billiard
easy

nature

Men

like Yalentine

cynical. Julian

of

action,and

in bars

for the

"

as

yet

in

that

life that
he knew

its

was

had
many

who
laughers,

could be finer than

change of life

better

They surprised
him,
founded
meaninglessand un-

and

rooms

contempt

side of Valentine's

we're all in the

for
presentlyto wonder, literally
was

Quite

to think

when

his veiled remarks.

heard

could not

And

gossipof the clubs.

of the
targetfor the arrows

must

is true.

seemed

inclined to consider them

much

Cresswell

goingnow."

they say

off muttering:
of it. He moved
"
Damned
rot, mindinga littlechaff.
too."
boat
same
but

Only

you.

he's

explicit."

more

glancedat Julian's face

man

as

being,if what

he

likes
night bird I'm told."
But

assure

their

own.

gentlebeginnings-

the
not

first

time,

merely a

nothing of.

If it

inward conviction that the very nearest weeks

birth. He remembered
its
Valentine's
seen
once
more
whether
idle remark about his weariness of goodness,and wondered
of
in
violent
his nature,
revolt against
his own
in violation
nobility

were

so, Julian
pasthad

felt an

of the

"

"

FLIGHT

THE

liewas

livingat

world,

OF

BATS

THE

187

commonplace, theatrical puppet-playof

last that

the

life.

double

?
night bird ! "What did that mean
of the bats,
then Julian thought of the great wheeling army
And
creation
In the day
witnesses.
of
evolutions
whose
night
every
folded so
hidden.
Their wings are
they do not sleep,but they are
flew
closelyas to be invisible. Nobody could tell that they ever
which
that
never
satiates,
although
through shadowy places,seeking
it may
transform,the appetite. Nobody could tell how the twilight
it comes,
when
affects them
how, in their obscurity,they have to
of a half-spreadpinion
keep a guard lest the involuntary fluttering
of the
And
then when
the twilight,
the blessed one
betray them.
in
in
towards
towards
twin
course
course
day, one
twilights,one
and
has
dare
be
to
has
can
themselves,to
died,they
night,
deepened
tonous
spreadtheir short wings, and to nutter on their vagrant and monothe
of the
It
is
secret
a
courses.
great though
army,
army
bats. It scours
through cities. No weather will keep it quiterestful
Valentine

of sin beats
beats in

blood
of the
can

never

see

wings

of

Nor

as

sounds, and makes

of the bats

The

hoarse

immobility.

in

Soudanese

night is black

The

spring
main-

fantasia,as
the movement

with

the bats is

music.

monotonous

of the bats

the breath

of the

charade

of the bats drowns

murmur

and

and

hungry,

are

flightof

the

air of

The

purelywith Nature.

walk

beat

the

such

can

drums

lives that those lives

They flyso thicklyround some
catch
of
the stars,never
hear
a
glimpse
sky, never
the wings of the bats.
the angels,but always and ever
and of the sirens who
lives hear the whisper of Nature

bats.

the

in it

heart.

it into

will blind

darkness

No

in camp.

And
is

tragedy of

all other
the

eyes

poisonous,and

the

flightof

the

devils in hell.
How

could

Valentine

that if Valentine

be

tried to

join them

certain birds will fall upon

And
him.
yet ?
Julian

Yet

Valentine.
not

began
He

had

Julian
he

got up

Street.

what

now

and

But

that

believed

it to

strange

some

pondered

Valentine

to know

he

idea

he had
be

hastened

Valentine

not
out

was

of

not

from

Julian,

seemed

of

momentary.

concealing his

was

Julian

change in
Perhaps it was

aware

chivalry towards
He

began

liked to tell him

of the

to

fall upon
him, as
of their tribe,and kill

been

club.

to

long

before.
drove

He

mode

new

Julian.
to

As
tell

Suddenly
to

Victoria

at home.

I suppose Mr. Cresswell goes out

every
the man,
after a moment
of hesitation.
W^ade
looked very much
astonished at
"

It

would

is not

excited.

grew

he had

bats ?

they

who

one

Perhaps Valentine

momentary.

of life from

of the

one

night,Wade
such

? " he asked

questioncoming

FLAMES

i88
"
"

nights,"Wade

Yes, sir. At least most

I see,"Julian said.

He

stood

abrupt :
"Say

That

he

Then

longer.

turned

after

away,

an

called;will you?"

looked

Wade

raised

minute

answered.

after him

eyebrows of the
nightwas warm

he

as

down

went

confidential

stairs,with

the

the

butler.

gentle,with a full moon

ridingin clear
The season
heavens.
was
growing towards its full height,and the
till a late hour.
is one
There
streets were
thronged with carriages
that
is
trodden
feet
at
generally
long pavement
by many
every time
of the wheeling twenty-four.
of the year, and in almost
every hour
which the legend of London's
It is the pavement on
disgrace is
in bold

written

characters

the

having made

and

of defiance.

pilgrimageto

Men

from

distant

Mecca,
world's cities,
stare
our

magnitude at least,of the

aghast
almost
Belshazzar
stared
the writing on
as
legend,
upon
embrace
Colonists seekingfor the first time the comfortable
mother

country which

dream

of their laborious
at this

hearts

it.

pavement
sung

in

cancer

Children
the knowledge of

from

years

her

good

and

women

of that

Pure

evil. The

music

despairand
till

men

they

in

the

withering
their eyes

turn

women

learn

and

with

maturity,gaze

they may

of innocence

ears

of

bosom.

to

the
upon
the wall.

the fable of their childhood

seek it that

has called

in the

has been

lands,

by right of

the queen,

sharp moment

one

of the

feet

on

that

destruction ; has
deaf to virtue,and
to

grew
the heart of lust.
the heart of love till it became
of the bats.
And that pavement is the camping-ground of the army
flit
In
winter they
On wet nightsthey
drearily
through the rain.
But
the revealing
like shadows among
in the time of
snows.
and of soft airs,when
the moon
at the full swims
owers
calmly
murmured

round

flide

of

the towers

above

silver dream
bats is gay
who
many

Westminster, and the Thames

the

track of those whose names

The lady of the feathers
the

bats.

for his

and

Her

on

are

the roll-call.

rarelyfailed to jointhe eveningflightof

her curious passion
acquaintancewith Julian,even

respect and distant treatment, had

evenings,or to
her to ignorenow
aside from

in

barges,the flightof the

among
is legion. And their circle is joinedby
and their number
but recruits,
in the
are
or
as
camp-followers,
treacling
ebony

wharves

rests rocked

new

mode

of life. But

won

her

for
feeling

the fact of this fate of hers.

it,to keep him for

friend,as

her

not

an

to

different

Julian led
She chose to set him
innocent peasant girl

wandering after peace into her solitude.

might keep
who looked on her with quiet,
to be the one
man
Julian was
habitual
with
touched
her
who
who
to
her
with
calm, gentlehand,
spoke
eyes,
some

the voice of

recluse

friendship,
demandingnothing,and thought of

her with

that
feeling

Cuckoo's

which

night in
wounded

she

greed nor

contempt.

private and

secluded

neither

was

soldier-like and
did not

the

treat

past as
it in

things,opening
with

past, but she

the

old,used

full of

turning

its contents

over

it,locked it almost

shut

Julian

into it.

looked

never

never,

bitterly

mination
strengthof deter-

lay in

She

fatal

one
so

was

drawer

and

quiet moments
a
loving hand.

lingeringand

angrily,and

treats

woman

that

heart

It

fierce.

almost

189
And

recollection with

of her

out

put

BATS

THE

OF

FLIGHT

THE

friend

to be her

was

of leisure,never

associated in any

All

other

the

He

were

men

hours.
way with her tragic
hall-mark.
stamped with a similar

same,

beautiful.

unstamped and was

On this evening of summer
the bats,with a tired wing.
their
white as ivory under

only was

she

got

of the omnibus

out

heat

The

cheeks

Her

tried her.

mouth
of rouge.
Her
dull
and
felt
her heart

cloud

usual, and

than

even
plaintive

usual,joinedthe flightof

Cuckoo, as

at the

Circus

more

was

heavy. As
ankles
turned,

of her

one

\vero

her hat
that set all the feathers on
the newspaper
in commotion, and made
boys laugh at her scornfully.
she
her by sight and
joked her every evening when
They knew

and

she gave

At

arrived.

awkward

an

that

first
"

with

their

them

answered

Now

while

ago.
the kerb-stone
of

aware

were

to

"

she

resented

had

well,that

had

was
long
simply recovered her footing,pauseda moment
drifted away
into
her dress,and then
arrange

But

"

who
glancingat her nightlycritics,
with imperturbbow on her gown,
able
recognised,
the
of a
in
alteration
a
change
trimming, or

slowly,without

the crowd

ago

and
unboyish questions,

shrewd

bitterness.

angry

she

while

long

was

remarks, still more

their

on

jump

new

the
sang-froid,

even

waist-belt.

Slowly she

She

went

up.
Valentine
pass.
but had

hurt

to

Julian

speak

movement

and

as
never

his hat when

of

her.
Cuckoo

examine
or
psychologist,

they

hours.

She

stared back

stared
at

on

turned
of

disappeared. He

her

late,

had

not

paused,
escaped with
he recognisedher
resolved to leave her alone,for
day, although he always lifted

Once, on
two largeFrenchwomen
in grass.
Apparently

snake

saw

She

smile.

several

saw

encountering her, he had

of retreat,and was
followed her since that
he

throng

moon

she

evenings
his
now
began to understand
instinct
her
taught
new-born,lady-like

one

heterogeneous,but
dark

the

The

she

Valentine

her.

glidedbehind

the adroitness

him

met

so, for

reverence.

with

her with

at

had

In

fate.

her

met

looked
She

that

Cuckoo

lie had

not

for Valentine

tried to
but

He

told

never

reverence

not

had

hastilyaway.

eyes

along. Piccadillybats flyslowly.

walked

The

crowd

did not
it with

and

thicker.
It was
grew
thread it with the attention

very
of a

pains of a philosopherof the

at the faces of the men,
listlessly
and, if
the

with
her,smiled mechanically

thin

and

stereo-

FLAMES

tgo

typed coquetry,moving on vacantly the

fall into as
such as a tired journalist
may
paper, leavinga train of familiar words
There

are

dreamers

many

in

like Cuckoo

while in

sort of

he drives his pen

on

dreanlj
the

over

and

behind

phrases

the

thin riband

of

it.
that

created

maze
custom, beneath
pavement, moving
by everlasting
half -senseless to life,
and yet alive to the least human
their flowers,
notice,behind the stretched barriers of their veils. She walked from
a

Hyde Park Corner and back again,then turned, with

to repeat the desolate experience.By this
an
ever-growinglassitude,
time the playhouseshad vomited their patrons into the night,and
locomotion
difficult. Sometimes
there was
was
a
becoming more
as she called it,squashed
block,and Cuckoo found herself hung up
all intent on
in a mass
of people,
scheme
of their own, and
some
resentful of the enforced interruption
to their movement.
Then, by
unknown
human
and mysterious means,
the
knot was
some
untied,
the
and all the atoms murmured
of
the
town.
ocean
on
againthrough
the Circus to

"

"

stillCuckoo

And
went

upon

her

tillthey were

and
lips,
as

cannon

muscles.

And

drugged by
tired

alone,and stillthe mechanical

was

the

her feet seemed

balls to be
stillher

lifted and

senses

of it
familiarity

to grow

all,the

came

and

heavier,

dragged by

her protesting

to become

seem

smile

heavier and

more

of
familiarity

limbs,of incessant slow motion, of staringfaces

and

more

smile, of

and

watchful

of the cabs rolling

home towards Knightsbridge
eyes ; the familiarity
and farther Kensington,with a dull,harsh noise ; the familiarity
of
personal,intense loneliness and longing for quiet,the familiarity
and
knowledge that quiet could only be earned by failure,
lack of food,debt,and deeperdegradation.
that failure meant
At last,perhaps it was
owing to the unusual heat of the night,
became
that she was
conscious what
Cuckoo
so over-fatigued
scarcely
she was
doing. Her smile was utterlydevoid of meaning, and, had
she was
she been suddenlyasked, she could not have told whether
of
at
Park
Street
end
the
at
Corner, or
Piccadilly, Hyde
Regent
there
the
two.
Once
block.
between
The
more
was
a
midway
of
their
own
or
will,together, and
surged
pressed,
people were
found herself leaningagainstsome
Cuckoo
stranger. This sudden
support gave to her an equallysudden knowledge of the extent to
and when the block ceased and the stranger
which she was
fatigued,
unconscious that he was
being used as a speciesof pillow moved
out
her hands
away, Cuckoo almost fell to the ground. Stretching
of
and
hold
man's
she
did so her
herself
she
as
to save
a
caught
arm,
of the

"

"

eyes moved
time

to

to

an

and
passionless

that of

It

was

fix all his attention

Piccadilly.In
so

his face.

not of
fire,

instant

on

Julian,and, before her grasp had

her, Cuckoo saw
why he was in

all her lassitude

complete,vanished.
summer,

An

swept into her

all the

fatigue,
warmth,
extraordinary
She stood still,
heart.

was

gone,

and trembled
flows from

an

Hulloh,

"

energy purely nervous.

! " Julian said.
Cuckoo
at him.

nodded

She

191

abrupt strength that

of the

accession

the

if from

as

BATS

THE

OF

FLIGHT

THE

down

looked

He

her

at

quiteknowing

not

to say, for he knew, by this time, that she objectedto any

what
hint from him on the subjectof her proceedingsof the night. That
they met the situation was
was
them, and when
ignoredbetween

that

of

with

holdingfriendlyintercourse
and nothing less.

lodgerin the Marylebone Road

dweller in Mayfair,nothing more
a

Taking
night?"
"

stroll? "

said

Julian

"

last.

at

Isn't

it

lovely

she answered.
I say, I'm tired,"
? " he asked.
Shall I take you somewhere
Yes, do," she said.
Yes.

"
"
"

shall

"

Where

"

I don't know

The

the Circus.

towards

They moved

"
go ? Julian said.
oh, the Monico," she

we
"

restaurant

front

rightin

was

Have

"

you

pet place?

any

"

replied.

of them.

They dodged

the

to

the clock

under

down

the

across

opposite pavement,
passed in
the
thronged with people. So was
silently.The outer hall was
ing
they stood in the doorway looklong inner room, and for a moment
of
Julian
table.
At
an
for a
length
caught sight
empty one far
island,thence

to

at

the

and

end.

They

their way

made

to

it and

sat down.
"

have?

will you

What

"

Julian

considered,sinkingback

She

asked
the

on

Cuckoo.

plush settee.

glassof stout, I think,and

a
bun," he interposed,
smilingin recollection of their

"

"

And

"

first

interview.
Cuckoo

But
"

Please

did not smile

I'll have
ordered

Julian

or

to

seem

the
recognise

allusion.

sandwich,"she said.

it,the stout, a

of coffee and

liqueurbrandy
While
the waiter
for himself.
was
getting the things he noticed
and active gravity,a gravitywhich
Cuckoo's extreme
seemed
oddly
under
her
feathers.
to give her
quite a formidable
appearance
how
someDespite the obvious weariness written on her face,there was
look of energy
and purpose.

about

And

sentence

topped

and

two

she

the other

put

was

just how

her

table affected him.

took the tumbler

or

look

things.

in her

the

like

person

full of intention

judge

young

about

to

somebody."

on

indeed that

marblestout

her, the aspect of

Cuckoo," he said,"you

"Why,
deliver

cup

thin

Cuckoo

expressionand

Just

then

removed

fingersand
glassdown, and said

the
pose behind
the waiter brought tht
her

cheap

kid

it.

After

sipped

at

to Julian

gloves,
a

sip

FLAMES

192
"

say."

"Well?"
What
?"
are
you about to-night
The questioncame
from her paintedlipsvery
"

addressed

by

who

one

had

rightto

sternly. It seemed
and who was
going to

condemn

exercise that right. Julian was

astonished by her tone, and had an
instant's inclination to resent it. But then he thought that there

nothing in
probably sprang
was

undivined
"

That

odd

manner

womanish,

It's so

fine,"and began to drink his coffee.

that

her

all that

meant

manner

it

voice,because

of

emphatic excitement, though she

the people all round
You
them.
"

it ain't."

Julian
his hand.
"

the
other

some

or

it,"she said,with

low

that

to say.

ain't

spoke in

"

fatigue

he answered

So

stroll.

seemed

know

from

takinga
Cuckoo
quicklyshowed

But
"

themselves,and

words

simply

cause.

Just

had

the

match
was
let it go out as he looked at her.
"
do you mean
What's
? " he asked.
the matter
"
"
she
doin'
?
what
retorted.
That's
are
you

flamingin

He

What
What

know.

a
justlighting
cigarette.The

was

Not

Julian

as

I need

to ask

?"
I want

to

though,"she added, bitterly.

taken aback by the emotion

distinctly
and
the passion that she tried to keep quiet in
flushed rather red, a boyish trick which he could
was

in

her

her
never

manner,
voice.
He

quite get

over.

you'retalkingabout," he said, lighting

match,
making it do its office on his cigarette.
not
Cuckoo tossed her head in a way that was
wholly free from
and expressive
unconscious
but
that
was
wholly
certainly
vulgarity,
of real feeling.
after a moment's
Oh yes, you do," she rejoined. Then
silence
of her hand in the
she added, with bitter emphasis,and a movement
"

I don't

know

what

and

another

this time

"

direction of the door

"

You

in that

out

crowd, and doing the

same

as

all of them

!"

she said the words tears started under her blackened eyelashes.
had been taken aback before she spoke the last sentence,
Julian
If
The whole situation struck
astonished now.
ten times more
he was
As

him

as

unexampled, and,

that it over-rode the

manner
girl's

and

to

must

his

under

paintedface,dyed hair
streets.

the

have moved

to sit at

be

something so passionatein
natural feeling
of the moment,

him to a smile.
It was
strange
the
electric
the
of
moons
Monico,
midnight
for dissipation
condemned
by a girlwith a
passionately

of humour

sense

indeed

for

but

But

Julian

and

could

demeanour, something so

unmistakable
terribly
imprintof the
smile.
not
Something in Cuckoo's

that

vehement

and

so

unconscious

as

to

be

FLAMES

194
"

Why d'youlaugh?

"

I don't

know

she
suppose,"

"

he said.

thinkin' that

"

answered.

"

Like all them

the rest, 1
there,and him

like all

be

you're to

brutes

out

too."
"

Him," said Julian.

She
6f

had

not

"

Whom

are

you

to say those last

meant

speakingof ?

"

tried to
to drink.

words, and

get

out

by askingfor somethingmore
Chartreuse,"she said,with the oddest imaginableaccent.
Julian ordered it hastily,
and
then
immediately repeated his
question*
Never mind,"Cuckoo replied. It don't matter."
an

answer

"

"

"

he

But
"

not

was

D'you mean

Valentine

She nodded

might

Oh, he

P'raps."

face
"
"
"

was

suspected

suspicion
gave

from

he
party,"

some

exclaimed.

I'm certain of it."

don't matter,"she

He

She
and

half

of his

be there this confirmation

justwalking home

"

"

had

decided shock.

"
"

? " he asked.

slowly. Although Julian

her head

that Valentine
him

to be denied.

drank

said,with a hard accent.

Chartreuse very slowly,
and seemed

the

change came
soften

her face.

over

under

It softened

as

as

reflecting,
a painted

hair.

dyed
Dearie,"she said, it makes me sick to see you
I never
pretendedto be anything different."
But
she asserted.
I
was
different,"
you
can

to be

much

*'

"

like the rest."

know

was

you

different."
could she have

How

divined the

change in

Julian

that

one

night

of the

Empire had wrought ?

I say,"she went
on, and her voice
to
somethin'."
tell
me
you'vegot
"

"

"

Welf?

was

tremblingwith

eagerness,

"

"

That

it ?
was
night I I it wasn't me made you different,
And as she spoke Julian knew that it was
she.
a
Perhaps fleeting
in his face
naked truth as expressions
expression
telling
may, though
words belie them
made her understand,for her cheeks turned grey
beneath the painton them.
I wish I'd killed myselflongago,"she said,in a whisper.
Hush
! he exclaimed,cursinghis tell-talefeatures.
"I'm not
different ; and if I was
you could have nothing to do with it."
She said no more, but he saw
by her broodingexpressionthat she
and knew
what he denied.
clung to her intuition,
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

The

hands

of the clock fixed

the wall above their heads pointed

on
after midnight. The
pale and weary waiters were
fro clearing
the tables,
dodgingthis way and that with

to the half-hour

racingto

and

"F

FLIGHT

THE

alongwith
trays,stealing

full of

arms

The electric moons

eager for rest.
"
" Time
! a voice cried.

BATS

THE

195

thick tumblers,
long-stemmed,

portentouswink.

sudden

gave

out, exchanging loud goodPeople began to get up and move

slowlyassumed an aspect of desertion and
nights. The long room

greedy desolation.
must
We
go,"Julian

said.

"

woke

Cuckoo
She

even.

so terrible
which seemed so chilly,
reverie,
full
of tears.
again
Julian,and her eyes were

of that

out

glancedat

hands
with his two
restingupon the marble of the table. He bent down and then suddenly
stoopedlower, lower,almost glaringinto her eyes. She went back
He

standing,and

was

in her seat

down

bent

her

to

half -frightened.
little,

it ? " she murmured.

What's

"

he

fixedlylooking into her eyes. In the

pool of the tears of them he saw too tinyshadowy flames,flickering,
And
there
he thought, but quiteclear,distinct,unmistakable.
as
Julian

But

beatingin

thick

came

only remained

His

his side.

heart

Each

hard.

beat

time

instantlyimpressed
with a sense
of strange mystery, as if at the vision of some
holy
from
flame
flame
a
ascending
altar,a
thing,a
upon a prayer-blessed
he had

the vision of the flame he

seen

holy burning behind

Cuckoo

clear

followed her out of the

dream
as

looked

up

the

cafe.

with

was

them

as

"

eyes

clear
that

nightpanorama
They
and
was
a
lighting cigar,
many

of them

French

or

were
Italian,

Shall I drive you home ? "

I ain't goinghome yet,"she

He

in

of the Circus.

lightedit,and given a strong puffor two,

"

to the

theycame

Julian
almost

were
a

other

doing likewise.
Julian

entrance,

sky.

waited

step. Julian

most

men,

of the; moon

quiet soul, directlyabove them

at it,but
Cuckoo
looked, with

sullen,at the
on

fancied

he

on," she said abruptly.

Julian
The

now

got up.

Come

"

been

this thing that

he saw
the tears in Cuckoo's eyes 1

sacrifice. And

tear-washed

had

moment

voluble

Having

said to Cuckoo

replieddoggedly.

"

Are

"
you ?

hesitated.

Are you,
While
she
"

aren't you ? " she reiterated.

often a little hoarse,a
spoke, in her voice that was
voice
with
thread
in
he
a
that somehow
realised
young
sheit,
paintedsinner as she was
had managed to make
him
ashamed
of
himself.
Or was
it that an
had
to his soul with
awe
that
cv"n
or

"

strange flame ?
mood

of

In any

case

his mood

had

risen

from

the

old

night

to somethinghigher,
young man
somethingthat could not
be satisfiedin the sordid
of
the
world.
way
"
I think I shall
he
said,
home,"
go
a

FLAMES

196
11

of

Right,"she answered, and

for the firsttime there

was

an

accent

pleasurein her voice.

I'll walk

But

"

Togetherthey

little way

with you first,"

he added.
the Circus and mingled with the

crossed

humming
They pushed their way towards
with
of peopleat this hour do not
Piccadilly
despitethe cry of the policeman,
attempt to walk, but stand stock still,
at
the
and
with
the
or
staring
talking
passers-by,
laughing
who throng the pavement. Having elbowed their way along
women
far
with a little
as
as the St. James's
restaurant, they began to move
neither
more
ease, and could have talked as they went, but apparently
them
the
conversational.
Julian
of
felt
vision of the
was
comparing
with the vision of the street,
a
moon
comparisonno doubt often made
still
in London
on
even
nightsof summer,
suggestiveto
by young men
of
much
the
most
a
same
thoughts yet comparison
people,perhaps,
mob

at the

corner

of

Regent Street.
for numhers
difficulty,

"

as
thrill,

to

all the wild and

eternal

rather

contrasts

thinking,too,
him, lookingstraightbefore

was

beside

of

of lifethrill. And

sombrely of himself.
her.

Cuckoo

Julian

walked

on

with
Quite unconsciously,

mechanical

at the turningof a
toy,expressive
her thin,invariable,
she had assumed
professional
key in its interior,
in
face
flash
when
the
dilly
It
to
her
smile.
a
came
pavement of Picca-

the unconsciousness

to her feet.

came

She did not

know it was
there.
if
had
been
it,yet, Julian

looked down on
able to see,
stillflickered
in
those
which
flame
little
had been
the
perhaps
eyes
But a little beyond St. James's Hall their silent profull of tears.
gress
them
Valentine
both
for
saw
was
arrested,
they
swiftlyin
pass
He saw
the crowd.
them, too,but did not attempt to speak to them.
The

With

moon

smile at Julian

turned

Julian

on.

gazed after him, then

to Cuckoo.

"

And

"

Yes."

"How
"

he walked

Two

you

him

saw

here

before
to-night

I met

"
you ? he asked.

long ago?"
hours,I daresay."

that Julian ceased to think of the vision of the moon.

slowly.
presentlyhe noticed that Cuckoo was walking more
After

You're tired ? " he said.

She nodded.
"
Have
you been out all the

But

"

She nodded
"

Take

"

No,

"Why

"

again.

cab and
I can't go
not?"
a

I can't."
into her face.
"

evening?

She

go home.

I'llpay

the man."

yet.''
and
repeated,

Julian guessedthe miserable

reason.

mulish

look of

obstinacycame

"

Let

"

been

in
I

"

wouldn't

Then,

after

"

you'd

She

say,"

"But
his
I

"

And

Getting
to
as

with

her

you

Then

waving,

And

"

said,

and

presence

turned

company

sick

him

and

were

dull.

desperately.
a

little

twitch

she

spoke

and
"

now."

Go

and

bials
there

his.

at

him

to

will

you

that

something

was

if

as

Jessie

to

in

the

sob

"

half

was

voice.

can't.

But

then,
in

he

gave

as

go

"

her,

bials."
he

held

direction

the

stood

heard
she

you

please

to

She

hear.
she

hand

basket,
he

his

thought

almost

whispered,

"

said.

she

myself

to

that

That

began,

have

night."

that

added

me

realised

flannel-lined

tiny

leave

he

she

she

instant,

chance.

gave
I

"

would

"

better

can't,"

"

you,"

from

not

since

since

Julian

her

would,

never

more

an

then

ruining

in

the

all

And

as

you

hand

his

moment

197

him.

stopped

She
I

in

and

began,

pocket.

his

told

But

he

me

BATS

THE

OF

FLIGHT

THE

the

at

of

edge

his

up

of

his
the

hand

and

hailed

loud

rooms,

and

pavement

enough
nodded

hansom.
for
at

her

him

it.
turned
she

away,

joined

once

and
more

Julian

the

saw

flight

the

of

feathers
the

bats.

in

her

big

hat

CHAPTER

THE
14

FLAME

IV

WOMAN'S

IN

EYES

girlloves you,"Valentine had said, when Julian

in the Monico,
Cuckoo's
strange fragmentary sermon
THAT

effect upon
Valentine
of

absence

spoke without
feelingfrom his
his

into

At

least his look and

if she loves

into his heart at the

she

does,turning

almost
*'

No

seemed
The

manner.

to his fine nature

But

emotion

any
voice

was
naturally,

"

and

of

of its

himself.

slight vexation
account.

told him

thing of no account,
manner
faintlysaid so
a

Julian

me,"

said, and

thought, "surelyshe
from

me

lover

sympathy, and the

almost
to bring a certain
love of Cuckoo, perhaps
or

into

certain

wouldn't
a

or

even

of ill

to Julian.

wonder

behave

friend,and

to

came
me

as

keepingme

angrilyin the latter relation."

Perhaps not," Valentine

doubt

he understood

the subtleties of such

said
what

nature

languidly.
Julian

as

did not

Cuckoo's,a

entirelyunderstand,
hammered

nature

out

by cruel circumstance, drilled till it found the unspeakable

stone
worn
as
a
ordinaryand the loathsome inevitable,
by dropping
must
tillthe water, ceasingto fall,
have
left a loneliness of
water
surprise.Julian did not fullyrealise that Cuckoo's life might well
lead her to displayreal affection,if she possessedit, by ways the
of those naturally
reverse
sought and gloriedin by pure and protected
To give is the act natural to the love of such
women.
It is at least their impulse, although restrained within
women.
of conscience or of religion.But
strict limits,perhaps,by exigencies
to give is the impulse,givingbeing the unusual
act, the strange new
Cuckoo's
in
them.
ordered
routine of giving,
act
profession
being an
how could she show her love better than by withholding? To be to
to all men
could prove nothing,either to him or to
J ulian as she was
thin

herself.
knew
and

To

must

without

be to him
mean

she

not

was

something, argue

mental

for
instinctively,

as

the

to

any

lady

the

man

something. So,

her
self-consciousness,
of

other

feathers

mind
was

at

whom

least,dimly

reasoned
above

she

all

rather

things

instinctive. Instead of logic,

ethics,
morals,the equipmentof sage,

the secret
she said
had

something

more

another

lust

only. Instinct

might

woman

her relations towards

been would

London.

him,

that

So
had

she

as

When

passed between

them

She kissed so many

a kiss.
dolls of vice to her, who weie

were

have

told her

with Julian.

To

shadows, scarcelymen.

dolls of horrible

all those

as

who

199

than

to her

hated, so many

walking sins,incarnate
what

the hand-shake

good-byeto him,

she

instinct

EYES

of reticence in her relations

meaning

become

whom

had

she

philosopher,
good women,

WOMAN'S

IN

FLAME

THE

be to

be to Julian
to make

seem

Cuckoo

him

set

apart by
apart in

him

previously set

him

pushed the chair of her beloved from the hearth

hands
where the dolls sat nightafter nightwarming their expressive
fire. She pushed it out into a circle
at the cheap and ever-burning
her heart.

She

of cold that

was

by simplicityof

of love
simplicity

the
find

new

show

to

way

could

old

an

of

She

found

She

world

proving

even

power
natural
action.

worship.

others find it in assent.

But, after all,she was a woman,

The

supply.

bereft her of the

in it had

her situation

and

only sacred thing she

the

had

to

it in refusal

where

and

what

That
anchorite.
was
of Cuckoo's anger
simplysaid :

be

an

Julian's account
"That
The

stirred Julian

for he had

to

so

real

he had

But

to

reallyknown
always at the

that such

many,

in

that

Cuckoo

as

had

could

seemed

the
be

not

idea

sisterhood walk
that
fallacy

walked

Cuckoo

had
incessantly,

life such

way,

Love

apprehension,half

From

of which

and

half

Valentine's

remark

anger
so

Julian

through her

had

been

see

whv

himself

led to

poor
of the

and

thing

definabl
in-

to be

does not

mind

evitably
in-

the mental

heart,or even
emotional,on the base

ground

to

understood

him

not
by jealousy,

stronger than

one

well

by somethingwithin
I don't

Julian

entirelycaused

was

among

nettles,

all her

sensation in the

it is

protectingsome

*'

we

in the

comparativelyeasy
understanding.

an

know

the

thorny paths

undefined

vague,

when

pleasure.
Knowledge

reasonable

desire of
what

some

Even

birth

Cuckoo's
she knew

in

hers was,

the

which

disabused
entirely

not

feel it to be.

bringto the

indicate

as

life of

often cannot

foundation

habitually,along

common

capable of

love,the

which

sonable,
rea-

feelingfor

some

of his mind

back

Cuckoo

girl

than

warmer
surprise

love ascetic,
not the love Bacchanalian.
but
is
not
welcome
love among
roses
can
easy,
many
and whenever
Julian,despite his knowledge of the

we

to

he
Piccadilly,

the

along

Julian

when, after

meant

findinghim

on

wished

girlloves you."
sentence

him.

perhapsshe

Valentine

herself

to
at

that

acts

that

mean

all

from

by

that

and

fine

which

Yet that was

originalweakness.
not
hint
of
believe, by any
but
Cuckoo's,
own

himself.
she should love

me," he

said

presently.

FLAMES

200

"

You're

well
for

Almost

off,Julian,"Valentine
first time

the

Valentine.
"
don't know
You
"

Not
have

felt angry

with

he said,hotly.
all,"

at

him, and his anger died,as his mind

sailed off

on

tack.

new
"

life Julian

her class."

I know

Julian looked
a

her at

rejoined.

his

in

Her

class !

Then

long ago you

let you."

"

That

"

"Were

you

Val.
studying it lately,

been

studied it.

could not have

Your

nature

would

not

enough."

is true

studyingit when

you

have

must

we

you the other

met

night?

"

"Yes."
"

With

what

result ?

"

I understand

"That

Julian

asked

something

eager curiosity.
before
understood

with
never

"

the

of sin."

charm

Julian

at this deliverance of his friend,who

greatlysurprised
coldlypure voice,lookingserenelyhigh-mindedand

was

it in his

uttered

intellectual.
loftily

even

You

"

of sin in

find the charm

?
Piccadilly
human
I begin to find it everywhere,in every place in which
beingsgathertogether."
aloof from the average man, then ?
You no longerfeel yourself
Valentine pressedhis righthand slowlyupon Julian's shoulder.
No
longer,"he answered
quietly. Julian, you and I are
the
from
have dwelt
hermitage in which we
emerging together
retired for so long. I always thought you would
some
day.
emerge
I never
thought I should. But so it is. Don't think that I am
standingstill while you are travelling.It is not so."
The strengthof his hand's gripupon
Julian's shoulder seemed
to
which
of
violence
the
tones
of
his
did
not
indicate a
voice
feeling
Julian
and
then
in
irresolute
a
listened,
said,
hesitating,
imply.
"

"

"

"

"

"

manner
"

Yes, I see, Val ; but I say, where

where

shall

we

travel if

thing,I suppose."
As he spoke he did

we

don't

are

pullup,

not tell himself

? or, at least,
travelling
if we keep on ? That's the

we

that

it

nothing less than

and ungrammatical remarks
of the lady of the
the disconnected
this propheticmovement
feathers which prompted this consideration,
And
Yet so it was.
when Valentine
of his mind.
repliedhe, the
of
saint,was fighting
againsther,the sinner,and surelyin the cause
evil. For he said lightly
:
souls travel ? I often think they are like
After all,do human
at
a
whirling zoetrope. It is the zoetrope that
eyes looking
"

travels."

was

FLAMES

202

words

The

Julian

stung
shame,
"

to

"

Let

an
us

"No,

What

than

I.

did not

lead

intentional

him,

of his real

from

she says
She knows

any

sense

of false

"

But

she's

well,

"

Val."

ordinarywoman,
hope not."
don't

They

sarcasm.

feeling.

absurd, I dare say,"lie said.

seem

you

her.

spoken without

but
little,

feeble concealment

It does

she's not

not

were
a

understand.

There's

something strong about

I
think, to a cleverer man
reallymatter,
and then, Valentine, there's something

might
men,

else."
He
"
"

stopped. There
Something else !

was

What

queer
is it ?

look of
What

can

burning in

if it was

mystery in his face.

there be ? "

her

eyes."
might have been caused
by surprise,
annoyance,
anger, or simply by the desire to fidget
at some
which
time or another.
overcomes
every one, not paralysed,
he stooped to pick it up and
His action knocked
over
a chair,and
he said :
set it in its placebefore he spoke. Then
!
earth
What
is your theoryabout this
The
on
flame, you say
to attach a strange importance to
extraordinaryflame ? You seem
be
the
of
fire
the imaginaa jet from
it. Yet it can only
a fancy,
tion.
Tell me, have you any theory about it,honestly,
and, if so,
the flame
Valentine made an
I

saw

as

abrupt movement.

It

"

what

is it?"

Julian

rather taken

was

Hitherto

the

hammer
by this very sledge
his thought of it,had seemed

aback

flame,and

tion.
invitato have

When
the flame
palevagueness and the mystery of a dream.
of
he
it
is
a
sense
awe
was
oppressedby
appeared,
true,
; but the
and quiteinexplicable
awe
was
indefinite,
analysis,
blurred,resisting
the

to another.

I did not say I had any theoryabout it,"he answered.

But then, why do you consider it at all ? And
why seem
makes
think that its supposedpresence in the eyes of a woman
"
from
?
different
others
in
woman
any way
"
"

say I thought so," Julian said, rather

"
How
you jump to conclusions to-day!
"
"
You
impliedit,and you meant it. Now, didn't you ?
"

"

"

"

But

I did not

to

that

hastily.

have."
may
much
for
all
This is
too

Perhaps I

unusual

me," Valentine said,showing now

a very
to
the
and
down
even
room
began
pace up

irritation. He
monotonous
slow,soft footstep,

and mechanical
in its regularity.
went
he
on
was
:
walking
u
I do really
think, Julian,that it is a mistake to allow any fancy
You know what the doctor thought about
to get upon
your nerves.
with

As

this flame."
""

Yes,"

he

"

And

"

Do

"

Yes, that

has

you
I ?"

THE

FLAME

know

what

I think."

mere

chimera.

it is

no

specialist.The

to haunt

this vision continues

study

his constant

been

have

nerves

reallyought

you, you

203

my opinionon such a
is
He
is different.

But

doctor

The

particularvalue.

EYES

WOMAN'S

IN

subject
great

for years.

If

put youflseif

to

into his hands."

definitely
Perhaps I will,"said Julian.
and meditatively Valentine,possibly
He spoke rather seriously
irritable frame of mind
of
the
that
in
sort
because be was
peculiarly
"

will sometimes

cause

vexed by
taken, seemed additionally
and
in
his
He
it.
walk,
paused
by
to

going
laughed.
were

at any

reply,or
for

seemed

an

voice,"

calmer

we

advice
struck

rate

instant

Then

something sharplysarcastic.

he exclaimed,in
all,"

After

"

say

this

his tendered

having

dislike

to

man

if he

as

suddenlyhe
takingan

are

absurditymighty seriously."
would

Julian

But
"

I don't know

"

You

"

That

Tell

"

The
almost

of

justwhen
anxiety.

that moved

we

as

you

from

came

chimera.

this

are,"he said.

it in Cuckoo's

words

of the matter.

to this view

absurdity. No, Valentine,I don't,I can't think that

it is an
saw
me

agree

!"

don't know
I

it is.

not

that

But

yet in

He

eyes
saw

and that

only once,

was

"

"

just

it."

lipswith

Valentine's

pressure,

hurry

seemed

curiouslyeager about the historyof

Julian, eager too, and engrossed in thoughts
full of vapours and of mists,did not find
a maze

to notice it.

time
"I

noticed

it

just after,or

when, she

begging

was

to

me

go

home."
Like

good boy," Valentine hastilyinterposed." Because her

jealousyprompted her to hate the thought of your having any
pleasure in which she did not share. Oh, you noticed the flame
"

then.

Did

it,too, tell you

to go home

?"

and apparently put th^

spoke rather harshly and flippantly,
questionwithout desire of an answer, and rather with the intention
of ridicule than for any other reason.
But Julian took it seriously
and replied
to it.
"Somehow
I felt as
if, perhaps, it did wish to speak some
and
to
that
the message came, or might come, through
me,
message
He

her."
He

spoke slowly,for indeed it was

clear to himself
beginning to make
and so unpresentablebefore.
As he

followingthe

blurred

letters of

an

this action of words

his
thus

old

own

that

impression,so

traced

it out. like

with the
inscription

was

vague
a

man

pointof

FLAMES

204

his

stick,and graduallycoming at their meaning, his excitement

He said,speakingwith a risingemphasis of conviction :
grew.
I'm

"

not

fool.

mere

There

is

there

"

is

something in all this ;

is something. Bui

I feel it ; I cannot
be simplyimagining. There
I can't see what
in the dark.
I'm like a man

But

Valentine,you, with

you,

nature,

your

so

it is ; I can't tell.
much
better than I

is it you don't see this

so
deeper an
am,
"
And
flame ? Unless
here Julian struck his hand violently
on
"
that
in
Unless it comes, as it seemed to come
the table.
night the
with

how
insight,

much

darkness,from

If it's part of

you.

yourself
"

but

"

and

narrow

again
"

how

so

"Julian,

determined

trust

you

something?

opinionworth

watchinghtm
almost

all
so

uneasy,

it.

was

listen to me;

his

can

indeed ? "

How

and

"

"

that be ?
had been
said Valentine,who
through this outburst with a scrutinythat seemed
clouded

manner

"

"

then

don't you,

me,

and

think

my

"

Worth

everything."
if you weren't
Well,
you'regettinginto an unnatural
habit of mind.
I should say a hysterical
If you can't throw
a man
I
it off by yourself, must
help you to do so."
Perhaps you'reright. But how will you help me ?
"

I believe

"

"

"

"

seemed

Valentine
exclaimed

to think

By making you joinwith

enough

"

each of

us

of my

"

towards

contemning

ought to

know.

he

Then

moment.

putting this life,

through its paces. Why
We

through.
natural

and
readily,

me

happy medium.

"

in

me

friends.

and

you
For us

You

can

trust

know

you

one

the

bookishness,my

avoidingwhat

Without

you.

Without

us

are

nature, my

I know

distance.

of

We

peopletoo

And

will strike the

we

both

through

me

chilliness I'llcall it

go any

to

do it alone ?

know

You

another.

never

consider for

1*11tell you.
this old life new
"

should

and

all

"

bias
men

I believe I should

go too far. Together

life shall go through lla his

might

lame us with a kick,like a vicious horse,or

paces, but he shall never
when
we're not looking. Men
furtive
bite
giveus a
carry such bites
from them, to their graves.
and
We'll be more
kicks,the wounds
in
all
all
the
its acts.
we'll see
careful. But
great play
And,
we'll
be
we'll
we've seen
be
when
as
we
no
it,
only
were,
longer
"

blind.

And

we'll

forgetour

never

grand

power

of

and
rejecting

refusing."
! " said Julian.

"

Ah

"

I have."
Yes, you have."

"

haven't that

power."

But

"And

I'll share

We
"

Perhaps I

"

my

ought to

power
share

with you.

We

are

friends

and

rades.
com-

everything."

Yes," exclaimed Julian,carried away.

"

Yes, by Jove, yes

!"

FLAME

THE

"

And

to

as

IN

EYES.

WOMAN'S

205

"

flame

this

"Ah!"
"

You

never

We'll
it

saw

"

I'll

"

Then

know

soon

in

swear

burnt

that
true

if

it's

vision

or

But

reality.

it's

vision.

eyes."

woman's
did."
proves

yet,

it's
never,

fraud.

Julian,

The

since

flame
the

days

in

of

woman's

Delilah."

eyes

CHAPTER

FEARS

JULIAN
ALTHOUGH
of

Cuckoo

knew

well

FLAME

THE

Julian

that

there,of his making

his intention

out

the fact of his being

Piccadilly,
that
crowd,
slowlymoving crowd,
Julian had argued the questionof her

of that

one

Yalentine

her.

and

did not

Cuckoo
feelingabout the matter.
to
herself, I feel
deliberately
thought
real

this

"

it ? "

carried

after he left her in

going home

troubled

or

argue
that.

She

it.

never

do I feel

Why

and that
introspection,
astronomy
Instead
of
was
simply nothing at all,
diving into the depths of her
mind
and laboriously
tracing every labelled and tabulated subtletyto
with
its source, she sat in the squalidMarylebone Road
sitting-room,
of
into the bedroom
heat
the folding doors open
the
to
temper
of the back
and
with draughts from the frigidzone
summer
area,
babbled
her sensations to Jessie,who wriggled in response
to every
the
heart
of
her
mistress.
shadow
that
stole
across
passing
about
Julian in these latter days. Into
Jessie had learned much
her prickedand pointed ear, leaf shaped and the hue of india-rubber,
had been
whispered a strange tale of the dawning of love in a
battered heart,of the blossoming of respectin a warped mind.
She
had
of the meal at the Monico
heard
of the meeting in Piccadilly,
And
she alone knew
of the farewell on the kerbstone.
or
ought to
of
intense
and
of
known
have
the mingling
a
jealousy
grander
breast
Cuckoo's
in
whenever
she
that
burnt
feeling
thought of
Julian's life,
the greater part of it that lay beyond her knowledge,
her sightor keeping.
For the lady of the feathers,
in most
things a strange mixture,
had never
driven two
contrasted
more
passionsin double harness
She

knew

as

about

much

as

"

"

the

which

those

than

core,

curious

the

passionof

She
there

was

did not
were

One

was

have

greater of the

even

two.

the

been
two.

backed

hard

was

not

her

up

the

Julian

neither

passionsor
way.

She

was

other

other, urged it

task indeed

Cuckoo

differentiate the two

That

circle of which

passion of jealousy,the

protection. Each

It would
the

around

drove

centre.

to its work.

which

she

to

knew

say

to

felt

tell at
nor

first

cared.

herself that

quickly

and

FLAME

THE

FEARS

JVUAH

207

and almost
with the peculiar
and she acted on her feelings
strongly,
to breed in woman's
wild promptitudethat such a life as hers seems

lady of

French

It is the

nature.

the feathers who

vitriol in

scatters

the streets of Paris,the Italian or Spanish lady of the feathers who

wind of
The
enemy.
snatches the dagger from her hair to stab an
the
Cuckoo's
feelingsblew her about like a dancing mote, and
was
the strongest her nature
by Julian were
feelingsawakened

capableof.
Only Jessie knew
divined it,as seemed
And

twin

these

from
possible
passionswere

relation

of Cuckoo's

knowledge concerninga
She

that

home

went

to

had

Valentine

present,unless indeed

that at

his words to Julian.

stances
fed full by the peculiarcircumJulian, and by the depth of her

certain side of life.

night of their meeting very

late,and

in the

of many
following
in Julian that she had

and

of the morning succeeding it,

she
began to brood over the change
mornings,
be at
instinct could not
Her
street woman's
divined.
intuitively
than
little more
Julian was
a
boy. She
fault with a boy. For
knew
him, when they made toast together
that when she first met
she could never
that
forget,Julian was
the foggy afternoon
on
weariness

human
was,
sense

demands

And

she knew

she, by

that

then he
lives like
and
obtains the sacrificeof so many
he was
free from that bondage,
not
that now

that

knew

which

hers.
and

full of
Lively,bright,

nature.

Cuckoo

envelops the steps of so much

youth, strength,energy as he
had been free from the bondage of

that

darkness

the

by

unshadowed

her

irony of fate,had, with

an

hands,

own

fastened the first fetter upon him.

that.
had plotted
Valentine
belief

Cuckoo's
Valentine
It

this

strange

knowledge of

her

her

the

in

akin

feelingalmost
love for him

relations with

others

that

against

unwillingaction againstJuliaa's
towards
feeling
strong protective

the

to

the

only be

noble,the other

passionswas
togetherfor the same end, aim

at

instinct.

maternal

prompted

that could

of her

one

instinct

curious

surelyher

; but

so

tricked her here !

first woke

that

peace

him,

have

must

was

said

It

her

was

fieryantagonism againsthis
called jealousy. And
though
could
but
work
they
pitiable,

similar salvation.

Yet how could any salvation for

house in the Marylebone Road, from

that

of that

out

come

man

dreary

piteousrouged agent

of the

devil ?
Cuckoo

girl,and
And

never

she

each

of Julian's
Between

stoppedto

began to
passingday

ask such

understand
soon

began

questionas

love.
to

She

give fresh

had

that.
no

She

time

was

to

to the
vitality

stop.
vision

need.
him

and

her there had

sprung

up

on

the ruins

of

one

FLAMES

208

of comradeship. Its foundations were

a tower
not of
night'sfolly
Even
her
ceaseless
f
elt
that.
Cuckoo, despite
jealousy,
But,
into his lifeas a desolate waif drifts into
all,she had only come
settled community, She was
neither of his class,
a
his understanding,
his education.
in the gutter; in the gutter to an
She was
or
extent
feel at present,can
that no
And
be.
women
as
ever
man,
had
he
her
not
to
into
the
come
though through
inspiration
gutter
to find her and to be with her,yet she sometimes
writhed with the
thought that he was so far above her. Nevertheless,her position
never
once
tempted her, in the strugglethat the future quickly
to fail in fight,
to despairin
brought with it,to shrink from effort,
sand.
after

endeavour
There
the

for him.
flames

are

gold.

There

are

burn

that

the

dross from

flames in the eyes and

humanity

and

in the hearts of

reveal

women.

*****

Julian's visits to Cuckoo

always came

of her

moment

would

irregularbut fairlyfrequent. lie

two before the psychological
or
afternoon,
for the evening'sduty. Sometimes
start
out
he
were

in the

an

her out to tea at

More
often
Station.

take

Street

littlesitting-room,
with
Valentine's

hour

small

Italian

they would

made
dog,generally

one

of the

party.

and devoutlyshared
excellently
together,
lload
the Marylebone
table. The first time
"
"

fell in love with

Cuckoo

near

He

Baker

togetherin the
and

And

Kip,
got

Jessie

the scraps that fell from

that Julian brought Rip

him.

said you had a dog,"she exclaimed.

Why, you never
not
mine," Julian answered.
Kip's

"Isn't
"

400

tea

the ecstatic assistance of Jessie.

on

to number

restaurant

make

he?

is he?"

Whose

Valentine's."
"

why d'youhave him with you ? asked Cuckoo, suddenly

and rather roughlypushing away
Kip, who was swirlingin her lap
like a whirlpool.
Oh, he's taken a stupiddislike to Valentine,"Julian answered
thoughtlessly. He won't stay with him."
In a moment
Cuckoo had caught the littledog back.
"That's funny,"she said.
Yes, isn't it ? said Julian.
Then, seeingher thoughtfulgaze, and the odd way in which she
suddenlycaressed the dog,he was angry with himself for havingtold
her anything about the matter.
Perhaps Jessie will take a dislike
Kip'sa littlefool,"he said.
Cuckoo.
to you some
day,
!
Not
said Cuckoo, with conviction.
she, never
And, after
that,she could never
spoilKip enough.
These visits and teas ought to have been pleasantfunctions,
bright
"

Then

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

FLAMES

2io

though ?

"

Now

"

I say,

"

Well, you usen't

aren't you,

yes."

lookin'

was

I'm

"

makin'

"

"

be,"she exclaimed,with actual bitterness of

"That's justwhy I was
lookin' at you
for I

to

of look.

and

accent

"

just the

out

the difference."

same

as

was," Julian

said,and

he

spoke with

quitesincere conviction.
"
No, you ain't."
uttered

Having
with
"

great energy
You've

Julian
"

been

Cuckoo
contradiction,

proceeded

lettin' him

do it.

I know

you

have."

completelypuzzled.

was

do

What

this very direct

:

?"

mean

you

he

asked, with

real

desire

for

information.
"

You

know

Julian
touched

well

enough.

reddened,

with

He's leadin' you wrong."

sudden
understanding. Her

in his sorest

him

think he has been

else. In the
one

the first place,

no

place. In
doing thing because

he

has

been

man

words
likes to

led

by some
dislike
to
ardently
grown
Cuckoo's unreasoningantipathyto Valentine.
and
Originally, for
it. Finding
some
time, he had believed that she would get over
a

second, Julian

had

told her that he

chance of that,he had once
no
later that there was
Since that day she had been
abused.
could not hear Valentine
his name.
But
her bitterness against
careful not to mention
now
to
seemed
have been gathering
and
him peeped out once
even
more,

duringthe interval.
he said,forcinghimself
Cuckoo, you'retalkinggreat nonsense,"
to speakquietly.
of her most mulish moods, and was
in one
not to be
But she was
silenced.
turned from the subjector
Where
she said.
was
No, I ain't,"
you last week ? You didn't
force
"

"

"

in once."

come
"

was

in Paris."

Her knowledge of Paris

still more.
intimate,and, indeed,was confined to stories dropped from

Cuckoo's

brow

clouded

was

the
and
for
for
short
there
been
men
periods,
purposes
of the
artistic. Julian's mention
of geographicalor
the reverse
her.
sword
into
drove a
French capital
not

who

lipsof

"
"
"

had

? " she exclaimed.

Yes, with Valentine."
"
Oh, what did you do there ?
With

him

and Julian could not help thinking

insistence,
"
loves
of Valentine's remark, That girl
you." It seemed indeed
and
must
that
have some
Cuckoo
deep
wholly personalreason
prompting her to this strange demonstration of vexation,
She

spoke with

angry

FEARS

JULIAN

Julian
everything,"

I can't tell you

"

Ob,

"

men

you

Paris

to

go

can't kid

Julian

silent.

was

It

its sleep,
as

from
how

for !

"

different

method

211

answered.

that.

over

me

FLAME

THE

know

well

enough what
bitterness.
hysterical

she

with
rejoined,

was

curious,but this girlstirred

Valentine

once

The

almost

alone

stillness and

replacedby the

were

But

who

one

science
con-

by
was

vision of the

flame

but

"

the

the two

And

steepedin sin.

and

of

calm

his

stir it.

passionof one who

was
oppositeshad, to some
extent,
yet
effect. Julian did not yet realise this thoroughly,
and
did
the same
him
that the waning
hinted to
not analyseit at all. Had
any one
for good could ever
be balanced
influence of Valentine
by the waxing
he would
have
influence of the lady of the feathers,
laughed at the
the
first
he
would
have
denied
notion.
And
in
that
place
crazy
had changed in nature
him
Valentine's spellupon
; for Valentine
And
could
be a goddess,
Cuckoo
stillas a god to him.
never
was
either to him
to any one
else. But, though he would
or
scarcely
acknowledge it even to himself,he did not care for Cuckoo to know
the curiously
fullythe changing way of his life. Perhaps it was
strong line she had from the first taken with regard to his actions
that made him careful with her.
Perhaps it was the incident of the
sinless

vehemence

could

no

nigh lulled to sleepby the

that it was
it,his certainty
the cause
might be, Julian

; remembrance

of that

and

worn

and

givingthe tables of

greenishtwilight
made

her twisting

acrid to his

seemed

cheeks.

well-

Valentine,by his disregard of

an
a
hallucination,
mirage. Whatever
felt somewhat
like a naughty boy in the

As he looked at her the

presence of Cuckoo.
chill
and
a
painted
menacing gleam in her eyes, and

lipsvenomous
or
twilight,

been

lullabies of

angry

the

had

She
some

only as
sat

at

glance. Her rouge vanished in

dull,darkish cloud upon her thin

the

strangelaw

table
to

almost

like

tremblingand

a
an

scarecrow,

unwilling

votary.
"

I know

! " she reiterated.

Julian said

nothing.

He

did not choose

the

truth, that his stay in Paris had

yet

he did not
all

not

to

been

deny

what

free from

was

in fact

fault,and

feel inclined to do what

in his situation
most
men
have
Cuckoo's
means
done, challenge
right to sit in
for a moment
even
to criticiseany action of his. There

by
judgment,or
was
it
made
something about her, a frankness, perhaps, which
impossibleto put her out of court by any allusion to her own
life.
And, indeed, that must
have been cowardice and an
impossibility.
Besides,she put herself and her own
deeds calmly away as unworthy
and impossible
of discussion,
down
beneath
the wave
as thingssunk
of notice or comment, remote
from criticism or condemnation,because
the life of their hopelessness
had been so long and sunless
must

FLAMES

2i2

Cuckoo, with
understood

silent too now.

She
Julian, was
eyes on
her suspicionhad affirmed,without actually

her

that what

knowing, was true, and her stormy heart was swept by a whirlwind
she was
and of womanish
pityfor the man
jealousy,
jealousof.
In that moment
she felt a sickness of life more
sharp than she had
dull
be
and
felt before,
different woman,
a
a
ever
a
longing to
and clever,that she might be able to do
of Julian's class,
woman
she
something to keep him from sinkingto the level of the men

of

hated.
of

she,in her nakedness

could

How

give
permanent degradation,

clear rendering of the

was
a
helping hand to anybody ?
which
this
in
as
twilight
they sat,that ran
vague thought, vague
Suddenly she turned to the tray and poured
through her mind.
The tea had
been standing while they
herself out a cup of tea.
and a wave
talked,and was black and strong. She drank it eagerly,
rushed
of nervous
to
her
brain like
over
her, surging up
energy
It gave to her a sort of reckless valour to say
lightand electricity.
justthe thing she felt. She turned towards Julian with a manner
that was
street
half shrew, half wild-cat
girls cannot
always
feel
the
the
eternities
though
they
impressive,
great
may
compass
nestlinground their hearts and cried out :
I justhate you !
All her jealousy
rang in that cry, smotheringthe whisperof the
with it. Julian could no longer
maternal passionthat went
ever
That

"

"

"

"

the truth of Valentine's words.

Cuckoo, don't be silly,"he said

doubt
"

enough.
Silly!
"

"

either,and

"
she burst out.
What
do I
I ain't blind like you
are.

hastily,and
care

awkwardly

for that ?
can

see

I ain't
where

silly
you're

goinV
"

from
I shall go away
talk in this ridiculous

here," Julian

said,tryingto laugh," if

way."
you
She sprang up and ran
in front of the door,as if she
passionately
to
he
was
thought
reallygoing escape.
"
to
No, you don't,"she said,and her accent seemed to draw near
that of
what
"

Whitechapel as

her

voice

rose

higher.

"

Not

till I've said

I mean."

Hush, Cuckoo

We

shall have

And

you

Mrs.

Brigg

up

thinkingI'm

murdering you."
"

Let
and

me

her

come

worse,

It's all him.

"

Cuckoo, I

Julian

seein' you

where
He'll make
have it."

Yes, it is
won't

are,

go

that's what

you

are, murderin'

you'regoin'. He's
you

as

takin' you.

he is."

spokesternlyand got up. The littledogs,alarmed

and at his movement
tumult, had begun to whine uneasily,

by tho
Jessie

THE

barked

in

thin voice.

Julian went

to

and

hands

his two

know
A

"

Rot

come

go

up
I shall hear

"

gave

You
shall. I know
men.
women'll make of you."

about

it.

stone

in

them

seen

well.

And

begin so
they

never

that ?

hear

D'you

"

speak lower."

better if you

you

I've

more'll you.

No

from

suddenly changed

Cuckoo

hands

and

tore

made

know

right down,
again. Not they.

nice and

of his

she

her

like

all you

That's

himself,"Julian interrupted.

makes

man

what

I know

wrists in

but

"

cried.

it,"she

you'llbe.

what

"

her

door

jealousyof his secret deeds,

depth of her present feeling.

better the

shall have

You

"

the

away
with fury,for the touch

his grasp
clearer vision to her

213

Cuckoo, took

from

her

drew

herself from
understand

FLAME

FEARS

JULIAN

of

sort

frenzyto

violent

calm.
if to

As

eyes
with

and

was

her mouth

was

mask

mere

of

enough, touzled,dishevelled,and
forward

to

get

been

better

view

peered

contorted

no
passion,

shaken

of him.

little

into

the

And

into Julian's

trembling
sideways grin,

of Julian's

ridiculous

temper,
Julian

had
Both

room.

descent

doubt

with

cloud

still

lipswere
of

quiteclose

arguing a

in the
Cuckoo

now

contemptuous knowledge

expressiveof
She

had

it ? "

see

her face

approached

hungry scrutiny. Her

almost

excitement

Can't I

"

increased

still standingup, and

were

nature.

she

dimness

and

sun

said.

they

twilight.While
the

passedover
with

remark

emphasise her

to his in the

of them

she
already,"

different

You're

"

was

as

object

she leaned
both

vexed

disgustedby her outbreak, and sick of a scene which,like all men,

He
faced
to avoid.
ardentlyhated and would have given much
her by banishingevery trace of
her coldly,endeavouringto calm
from
his
excitement
expression.
in
the
and in the twilight
And
of
then,
twilightof the dingy room
the flame once
her eyes, he saw
A
thin glint of sunshine
more.

and
he

its way in frcm

Cuckoo's
eyes emitted

found
the

flame

swam

and

tha

street, and

threw
like

greenish ray
cold and
flickered,
a

a
a

shadow

cat's,and

pale,and,

them.

near

in this ray

Julian

fancied,

menacing.
Perhaps, because he was alreadyirritated and slightly
strung up
by Cuckoo's attack,he felt a sudden anger against the flame, almost
he might have felt a rage againsta person.
As he stared upon it,
as
he could almost believe that it,too, had eyes, scrutinising,
upbraiding,
condemning him, and that in the thin riband and shade of its fire
there dwelt a heart to hate him for the dear sin to which, at last,
he
Cuckoo
and the flame were
began to give himself. For the moment
as

for the moment

he feared and hated them
both.
Abruptly he held up his hand to stop the further words that
one,

and

on
fluttering

her thin and

painted IJDS.

were

FLAMES

Si4

"

Hush

again,

For
There

silent,
And
the

"

while
house.

said,

fighting

in

furtive
she

horror

waited,

little
the

with

and

Julian

of

hiss
anger,
in

unusual

something

was

he

expectation
turned

there
his

was

awe

suddenly,

she
and

in

his

did

not

left

heart.
held

which

expression

which

sound.

against

protest

he?

understand.
the

room

and

VI

CHAPTER

did not

JULIAN

for

Marylebone Road

in the

the house

again to

come

WISDOM

LEARNS

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

THE

lady of the feathers

left alone with her life and with her sad thoughts. The summer
was
nights. No rain fell,
days went heavilyby, and the sultrysummer
hot that
The
veiled in dust.
so
and London
was
pavements were
seemed
to
Sometimes
they
they burned the feet that trod them.

at least

fortnight,and during

the

her heart
to sear
very soul,and
in the night,while the crowds of

Cuckoo's

burn

time

that

she

as

stood

upon

flitted by
Piccadilly
She stared mechanically
at the faces
in an evil dream.
like shadows
of those passing as she strolled with a lagging footstepalong the
of the
the eyes
turned
line of houses.
She
to meet
pale-faced
Restaurant
of
the
St.
James's
loungers in the lightedentrance
was
preoccupied. A
"Jimmy's "as she called it. But her mind
for hours

them

had

problem

fastened

of the

creature
strange clinging
an

angel,

or

it

was

it with

upon

devil?

pavement and exchanged

the

tenacityof

night.

stopped on

the

scarcelyknew

sharp contrast

nature

in

what

the

as

it

came

fine

blindness and

she

between
to her.

beauty

of

to

casual

some

his
She

appearance

understood

his face and

refusal to be warned

kind

the

stranger,

of

she was
man
said,or
speaking. She was possessedby one thought, the thought of Julian
and of his danger. Valentine,in her thoughts, was
strangelya pale
wards,
shadow, incredibly
evil,incrediblypersistent,
luring Julian downbeckoning him with the thin hand of a saint to depths
sinful.
And
that hand
the most
of
unpierced by the gaze of even
the saint was
of
his
the
of
beautiful
only part
appallingdeception
and tragically
dwelt
lyingbody, a crystaltemple in which a demon
from
its
concealment
secretly,peering
through the shadowy blue
Julian
truth
and honour, but in which
windows, in which
saw
Cuckoo
read thingsto terrifyand to dismay.
For she was
not wholly unaware
of the mystery of Valentine, of
she

what

or

wrestlingwith

was

with

two

or

vampire

some

she

often,when

And
word

Cuckoo

and
that

figure to
againsthim.

the

there
account

vision

of

his

something

was

for Julian's

Cuckoo's

intuition,

FLAMES

216

the

intuition of

hardest

an

unlearned

circumstances

and

relyon
crystalturn piein ruins,and drove the
and
naked
shriekinginto the open.
lather

deceived

than

she

called her

demon

from

But,
Julian, from

Julian?

trained

instinctive creature
what

to

by the

wits, laid the

its lurkingplace

after

all,was

the

she

not

first moment

of

ting Yalentine, looked upon him as saint. Cuckoo, from the

of meeting,looked upon
him as devil. Each
put him
in a heaven
of the
aside from the generalrun
of humanity,the one
would
allow him
the other in a hell. Neither
to be
imagination,
the
of
between
both
midway
two, containingpossibilities
; ordinary,
natural
the notion
of Valentine's
Julian angrily scouted
man.
felt instinctively
that he was
Cuckoo
not.
being like other men.
Arid so they glorified
and cursed him.
had
at firstcursed him
Cuckoo
and
plainlyin the market-place,
that
But
learnt
the
before
had
she
wisdom.
was
house-top.
upon
and
when
hot
she
learnt
it
these
the
London
on
days
Slowly
nights,
dust filtered over
the paint upon
her cheeks and lips,
clung round
in the artificial
the shadows in the hollows beneath her eyes, and slept
primrose of her elaborate cloud of hair. Slowly she learnt it in
many
vague and strugglingmental arguments, arguments in which
dwarf and passiona giant,in which instinct strangled
a
logicwas
shame-faced
and love wandered
a
as
fairywith tear-dimmed
reason,
me

first moment

eyes.
Julian's

prolongedabsence and silence first taught the lady of the

feathers the slow necessity
of wisdom, otherwise,
her vehement
perhaps,
have absorbed the precious
of
ignorancecould never
thing. Women
and vile experience,
nerve-ridden and clothed in hysteria
her training
in a garment, often think to gain what
as
they want by the mere
of
shrillness of outcry,the mere
ostentatious,
grabbing
eager hands
and frenzy of body. Their lives lead them
through a wonder of
of babyhood,and they
knowledge and of danger to the demeanour
for every rattle,much
for every moon.
more
her feelings
down before Julian.
She had
thrown

So

cry

of Valentine
that which

in his face ; she had

she consorted

with

Cuckoo

dashed

had
her hatred

cried her fears of his downfall

and
eternally

loathed

not always
stillthe energy to loathe it,which was
She
the ardent shrillness of a boatswain's whistle.
"

"

when
in his

had

she
ears

to

had
with

in fact done

the exit
her instinct prompted her to do, and the result was
of Julian from her life. This set her, always in her sharp and yet
and
often muddled
tressed,
dischildish way, sometimes
oddlyclear-sighted,
all that

to turn

discard it with

by
and

an

instinct with a contempt not known

before,to
upon
And
the fury still of a child.
instinct thus forsaken

instinctive
essentially

creature

opened

the

gates of distress

of confusion.

By day

Cuckoo

sat in her

little parlourbroodingwearily.
stuffy

2i8

FLAMES

wanderings,and
could

that

watched

cause

despair.
One night,when
of miserable

by

observed

she

inward
her.

ardent

him

her

to

committing all
feel the

thus sunk

was

a
contemplation,

He

was

very

young

and

imaginedactions

those

wildest

and

inhuman

most

swallowed

up in the

maw

who

was
walking
young
bridge,
and eager, fresh from Camis
the
the subtleties of life,
as
man

mysteriesand
modern
youth. The

after the

sight of this painted girl

doll or puppet, againstthe iron shutters
leaning,motionless as some
of the vacant
her
head
house,
drooped,and her hands, as if the
stringsto manipulateher had fallen loose from the grasp that guided
of
It was
fascinated him.
a late hour
them, caught and eventually
night. He passedon and returned,shootingeach time a devouring,
back, walking a
analytical
glance upon Cuckoo.
Again he came
to the houses.
littlenearer
His heart beat quickeras he approached
and each
almost appalling,
the puppet. Its completeimmobilitywas
within
view of it he examined
it violently
to see if a
time he came
that
almost
it was
the
limb was
displaced.No, one might
suppose
struck dead so suddenlyagainstthe shop that
one
body of some
not
had time
remained
to fall,and
she had
so
leaning thus.
shorter and shorter revolutions,
like a dog working itself up to
With
motionless but
approach some
strange object,the youth went by
fashion

of clever

and more
each time he came
Cuckoo, hesitatingmore
with strangefeelings
of one
being vaguelycriminal.
touch the puppet, to see if any quiverwould convulse

in front of her
He

its

longed to
limbs,any

lightnicker into its eyes. And he was so fascinated and interested

in front of it. For a
that at last he did furtively
stop precisely
second both of them

outward, she

of

were

the

motionless,he from

inward.

Then

Cuckoo's

contemplationof the
thoughtfuljealousy

ghastlycrisis. Her imaginationhad shown her frightful

and compelledspectator. The
an
utterlyhelpless
to utter a sob,lifted up its white and heavy
puppet opened its red lips
its unnaturallybright cheeks, stirred
to let loose tears upon
eyelids
its hanging hands to claspthem in a crude gesture of dull fury. The
youth started as at a corpse showing suddenlythe pangs of life. His
movement
shot Cuckoo like a bullet into her real world.
Through
In
old
her.
flash
habit
her tears she saw
a
a~man
regarding
brought
head
of coquetry, an
to her a smile,a turned
entreatinghand, a
in intonation.
hackneyed phrasethat reiteration rendered parrot-like
in the darkness.
wards
The youth shrank back and fled away
Long afterall
horrors
of
the
of
that incident haunted him as an epitome
to

came

thingsand herself

cruel London.
And
her

Cuckoo, thus roused and deserted,

put aside for the

nightmareand

night.

started

once

more

upon

her

moment

promenade

of the

LADY

THE

hoping he
put

come
back, and,
began to fear that Julian would never
letter
wrote
to
she
a
short,
him,
impulse,
very ill-spelt

sudden

the

219

last she

At

by

WISDOM

LEARNS

FEATHERS

THE

OF

would

she waited

day mentioned
on

his

face, remembering

her

in

tricked Jessie out

of

an
agony
all traces of

afternoon.

On

expectation.She

had

certain

on

in

dress,removed

his black

her

to tea with

come

paintand

request and

former

brightyellow satin ribbon

powder from
experiment,

her

twisted

into

bow

flowers
large ones, sunlarger than herself,and bought flowers
and
of
refinement
of
air
an
to give to her dingy room
gaiety.
of yellow satin and yellow flowers she waited
all this brilliancy
Amid
The day was
dull,not wet, but
uneasilyin her simple black gown.
like
hard-featured
a
Puritan, and
brooding and severe, iron-grey,
The window
was
stillwith the angry peace of coming thunder.
open to
let in air,but no air seemed to enter, only the weariful and incessant
Jessie wriggledabout, bitingsideways with animation
street noises.
to get at her yellow adornment, and
patteringround the furniture
which
eluded
her for a while and,
sometimes
seekingstray crumbs,

almost

"

"

lyingin

nooks

hidden

and

corners,

unexpectedlyrewarded

impromptu search. Cuckoo

for two,
table,glancedat the tea-things
and

presently.
drawn

up

and

large air

hands

of

crumb

it,passed it.
thousand

face

tory
desul-

the

across

cab

stopped
It had

her fever of attention.

it with
been

named

arms

the window.

again into

if it had

to the hour

sickness of

as

her

listened. A

swallowed

and

tasting it

of the clock drew

to

she subsided

door,and

next

Jessie found

chair

in her

twisted

She

leaned
and

her

as

much

action

city dinner.

in Cuckoo's

The

note, touched

her like a
creep upon
littlebitinginsects. She shuffled in her seat, glanced this
from
that,pressedher lipstogetherand, taking her arms

way
the

and

the

lady of

despairbegan

to

in her lap. Then she sat straight

table,claspedher hands tightly
the tickings
of the clock,the spots on the tablecloth,
up and counted
the gold stars upon
the wall-paperof the room.
She counted
and
counted
until her head began to swim.
And
all the time she waited,

harsh,as
Marah

the

the feathers
And

waters.

for her

heavy
garden sang
too

was

learning wisdom.

lessons of time

narrow

she

usually are,
thought the lesson
shoulders

its invariable

Cuckoo's

head

the view

of the

turned

to bear

little note

slowlyto

one

of

side.

lesson was
The
the lesson was
bitter as
was

when

going

cross

gate of the

being opened.
haggard eyes swept

protest
Her

to be

the iron
on

path. Julian was walking up it.

met
almost seriously,
and
he shook hands
very quietly,
with her as if they had been togetherquite
recentlyand parted the
best of friends.
Only, as he held her hand, she noticed that he cast
a
hasty,and, as she fancied,a fearful glance into her eyes. Then he
seemed
reassured and they sat down
to tea.
Cuckoo
supposed that
She

him

he had for the moment

dreaded

what

she called another

row,

and

was

FLAMES

226

satisfied by her
after

and

of good temper. They

expression

short interval of constraint

drank

their tea,

began chatteringtogether

hardlydared to look much

at Julian lest he should see the joy she felt at his coming, but when
she was
pouring out his second cup she let her eyes rest fullyon his
face, and only then did she realise that a shadow lay upon it,a
very

much

shadow

shadow.
had

helped

mist

which

She

She had

At

first Cuckoo

had

been free before.

trembling hand she filled the cup

from

With

usual.

as

seen

knew

to

it had

its brethren

manufacture

them

come,

such

so

well.
shadows

In

and
dead

stared

days

the
upon
she herself

the faces of

upon

thin,faint,delicate,
impalpableas

men.

veil of

fellowed them.
morning. Only morning lightnever
And
and
and
she had seen
them
deepen and darken.
stay
grow
his lips,
Shadow
shadow
round
the eyes of the man,
shadow
over
like a cloud upon
the
the forehead,shadow
over
picturepaintedby
call expression.
the soul, working through the features,that we
had
the journeytaken by a man's face to that
she seen
Many times
which
it is scarcely
haunted
arrived
at
man's
more
a
bourne,
any
face but only a mask
expressiveof one, or of many, sins. Had
that journey? As yet the shadow
Julian then definitely
set foot upon
him
than the lightest
that lay over
more
was
no
film,suggestive
unnatural
and forbidding
of a slightly
fatigue.Yet Cuckoo shrank
from it as from a ghost.
Why, Cuckoo, how your hand is trembling! Julian said.
Oh I was
out
late last night,"she answered, putting the teapot
And
hastilydown.
they talked on, pretendingthere were
only two
of them and no shadowy third.
Julian,having returned at last to the Marylebone Road, fell into
each time that he came
And
his old habit of coming there often.
of
the
feathers
counted
fresh
the lady
a
step on his hideous journey
towards
the haunted
Yet she never
bourne.
spoke of the dreary
she was
addition sum
doing. She never
reproachedJulian,or wept
let
that,
her
him
heart
was
see
or
growing cold as a pilgrim who
kneels,bare, in long prayers upon the steps of a shrine. For she
had learnt wisdom, and hugged it in her arms.
Valentine
was
and
but
mentioned
between
e
ver
them,
evidentlyby
scarcely
once,
which
to escape him
accident,Julian allowed an expression
implied
the
diately
Immeto
with
Cuckoo.
that Valentine now
objected
intimacy
words
uttered
Julian
looked
the
were
confused, and
wished
have
it
to recall them, had
been possible.
obviouslywould
know
I
he
don't
like
Cuckoo
said.
as
me,"
Oh,
Julian answered
nothing.
then ?
she continued,with a certain desperaWhy d'you come
tion.
There ain't nothin' here to bring you.
I know
that well
before

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

enough."

She cast

glanceround
comprehensive

WISDOM

LEARNS

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

THE

badly furnished

the

over

221

room.

all,"she added with

spoke Julian began to

Nothin'

"

at

she

While

he liked to

wonder

too

said,there

Cuckoo

As

there.

come

sigh.

why he came,
was
nothing at

why
all to

her, he was
sorry for her, he had
a
even
deep running sympathy for her, but he did not love her.
sometimes
there
were
to her, and
fascinated to come
he was
Yet
taken possession
he seemed
of,led by the hand, to
when
moments
him

bring

so

that

squalidroom

What

led him

go."
glanced up hastilyat

Cuckoo

was
"

at
rebel feeling
he added :

some

gone as
I'm always with him

the doctor for

"

Dr. Levillier.

"

No, dearie."

"

Oh,

work, and

if he

as

to

serpent of

were

man

serpent glided and

the

for I haven't

with you,

I'm not

and

doctor

deuced

that then

"

asked

Surely you've heard

nerve

is

spoke
But

little

words.

his heart.

when

Who's

The

nothing

seen

ages."

doctor

"

he's

the

Julian

in them.

enmity surely hissed

with

it's

course

where

Valentine

of

said, "and

coming here,"he

like

"I

that ?

was

tell.

could not

He

"Why

in it.

squalidpresence

that

and

liked

He

often.

sort

Cuckoo.

does

never

for his

saint,lives

of little

religiouschap,

him."

talk about

me

anything, you

know."
looked at her.

Julian
"

said.

Oh," she

"And

in

believes
heart

kindest

in the

everything. He's
world, good to every

devoted to Valentine."
said Cuckoo, with

He's

"Eh?"
"

say

he's

devoted

irritably.His temper
of old.

"

We

to.

used

him

have

He'll be
"

to
a

him

see

bad

and

case,

pays
coming back

Where

Valentine,"
to every

Russian

him

all the

Grand

fees he'd be

does he live ?

"

said

in
gave the number
conversation
had led him to think

in

Italy,who

gettingin

of the little doctor.

glad to see him again? And would

and presentlyunderstood,and had
realise,

feeling.Soon

for

abroad

weeks,
would

London.

Cuckoo, ever so carelessly.

Harley Street rather abstractedly.

he be

own

latelythan
do any good

I think."
directly,

Julian
Their

it is.

ment.
of astonish-

sunny
he can

one

Duke

who

the

repeated rather

Julian

he's been

but
continually,

chap,

matter

no

less certain and

much

was

one,

long-drawn intonation

I believe he's devoted

But

lookingafter

to

little

dear

afterwards

he

went

Valentine
a

He

of shame

moment

away.

That

Would
tried to
at his

night,before

FLAMES

222

she

went

She

wandered

came

The

light

from

"

that

making
so

saw

They
one

she

of

felt

fancied

hesitated

it
what

gesture,

to

and

two

angry

do,
walked

when

he

quickly

there

terror

away

what
down

seemed
the

lamp

gas

her,

looking
face
terror
to

street.

her

did
on

and

Valentine.

recognised

her

and

she

regarding

minute,

sidered
con-

without

As

go.

the

Valentine's

see

distorted,
made

she

name,

She

Then,

to

under

as

for

door.

Cuckoo,

alone.

turned

the

and

printed
name

evidently

was

only
and

she

pavements

could

the

kind

Street.

presently

upon
it

upon

motionless

man

of

plate

read

standing

He

thrill

brass

name,

subject,

street.

the

on

was

of

figure
the

Cuckoo

another.

the

on

sudden

still

stood

nice

slowly

childishly,

mind
tall

side

look

and

thoroughfare

was

and
it

question

the

other

Cuckoo

Did

her

up

she

the

gas

Harley

to

lit, nickered

just

lamp,

round

long

There

downwards

Levillier."

Dr.

the

house.

bent

stopping,

walked

down

slowly
doctor's

the

to

Cuckoo

Piccadilly,

to

across

faintly,
grew.
a

ing
threaten-

at
but

She

VII

CHAPTER

LADY

THE

OF

HER

There

resolution.

ARMOUR

in

remained

evening Cuckoo

THAT

of

condition

mingled

and

terror

that

Valentine

about

something

was

ON

BUCKLES

FEATHERS

THE

filled her

horror,indescribable and
and
the enemy
was
inveterate.
deadly enemy
Julian
that the latter
he had cast such a spellover
But
of Julian.
blinded and
ready to follow him anywhere, and not merely
was
Cuckoo
had
but
to defend
follow him,
to
step he took.
every
combat
with
As
she
Valentine.
of entering upon
a
sense
a
and
under
faced him
the doorstep in Harley Street
stood upon
not
the
as
they
antagonists definitelycrossing
lamp, were
gas
merely

not

with

felt that

her

upon

in the passage
upper regions. She

in the

ever,"

What

you
I'm all

Instead

began,
are

you

into

her

of

about

was

with
route

her

voice

back

for

for ?

the

sion
impres-

she

once

broke

she
going
Piccadilly
half-pastnine when she
to

latch-key.

to the kitchen

Cuckoo

stared upon
her

And

exciting,that

so

en

her.

to

so

right,"said Cuckoo, crossly.

turned

She

she

What

ill?

Are
"

and

to be

happened

"

It seemed

lodgings. It
opened the door

and

arrived

her

routine.

invariable

nameless

to her

home

went

with

he

strong

so

was

her

through

"

first time

for the

swords

but

alarm

She

some

with
with

croaky

Mrs.

from

Brigg
ness
busi-

amazement.

interrogation.

"

"

Leave

alone, do."
Brigg followed, open-

sitting-room. Mrs.

me

mouthed.
"

Ain't you

41

No

Mrs.

do leave

Brigg
made

which
at

man

; oh

a-goin'out agin ?

She

she
the

vanished,

of its comrades

grey

noise

off starin'.

What's

"
you ?
thick sigh and shuffled round
her heels,
a
upon
the oilcloth like the boots
of the comic
upon

the

matter

with

music-hall.

Well,"
right about
"

heaved

"

wisps.

said, with

sudden

rent, that's all."

shaking her head, on
of the

grimness,

"

which

morning,sat unique

in

hope

stray curl
a

thin

it'll be

paper,

all

bereft

forest of iron

FLAMES

224

Cuckoo

shut her door and

to receive the attentions

of

sat down

to think.

who
Jessie,

was

But at firstshe had

even

surprisedthan

more

Mrs.

Brigg at her unexpected return, and who began to bark with

round
the room
with the speed of a rat
joy and run violently
from
not
As
she
would
consent
to repose
self
hera
emancipated
cage.
the bed,
on
again,Cuckoo at last put her into the next room
shrill

and

shut

the door
and

burners

her.

on

returned,lit

she

Then

all the three

gas

her hat,and
full on, before she removed
settled herself in for the evening. She was
and
definitely
fearful,
London
dreaded darkness or even
The
of
beat
round
twilight.
pulse
her while she stretched herself on the hard sofa,let down
her touzled

turned

yellowhair,and
that they want
and

Now

head

them

frowned

then

she

rose

the window

towards

the unlearned

slowlyas

her

suddenlyon
and

and

tilted up

them

mechanically
upon
the blurred
that

vagueness
she said that word

All that

she knew

wall,or get

into

shoulder

the

on

was
an

while

of the

elbow, half turned

thought she heard

of
little iron gate.
the
cry
She had taken off her
more.
a

littlewhite

of the sofa.
she began,all

at the toes,
fixed her eyes
and with
confusedly,

She

to plan out
illiterate,

to herself.

did not

She

that she wanted

angle,like

her

the

pavement pause,
step on
Then, reassured,she leaned back once
boots,and her feet,in black stockings,
gone
were

they know

She had

listened.

the

do when

to meditate.

to

cornered

campaign. Not
its meaning.
back againstthe

know

put her
animal, and

use

her teeth

againstValentine,that menacing figurewith an angel's

and drove Cuckoo
almost mad, as she
face. And what
disgusted,
fact that she
crude
the
the
abominable
in
there
was
gaslight,
lay
There was
was
something about
desperatelyafraid of Valentine.
him which filled her with intense horror,but with something worse
than
horror, intense fear. Why, she had all three gas burners
alightbecause,having met him that night,and seen him watching
her,she trembled at the faintest shadow, and must see thingsplainly,
lest their dim outlines should appal her fancyby taking his form.
such enfeebling
had the lady of the feathers known
Only once
when
the
from
she
fled
hotel in the
terror
as
this,on the night
left Marr
and
Road
Euston
dying on the bed between the tall
than once, in her thoughts,had she loosely
linked
More
windows.
she
did
with
Marr
so,
Valentine, puzzled,scarcelyknowing why
she repeatedthe mental operationnow, more
And
definitely.
The;*
this extraordinarypower
oi
at least one
had
thing in common,
And
her
accustomed
Cuckoo
into
soul.
not
to
sit
fear
was
striking
Her lifehad bred in her a strong,tough-fibred
restlessness.
with fear.
careless
hold
a
She was
creature,ready to argue, quarrel,
essentially
for any
with anybody,proud,as a rule,of being a match
her own
and

claws

man

and

well able to take

care

of herself.

She

had

knocked

about,

FLAMES

220

who

and

himself,
where

crawl

men

the

of

slime
for

Oh,

the

some

did

she

Cuckoo

unlikely

it

doubt

she

the

door.

Then

Cuckoo's

the

are

the
weeds

poisonous

as

abyss
in

sat

extended

and

up

her

thin

almost

arms

if

as

gesture.
front-door

the

so

startled

and

there
a

Brigg

Mrs.

women

into

one

was

was

and

fast,

terribly

so

pit.

beckoning

As

fast,

so

insects

like

Involuntarily
in

falling

was

A
street

in

few

words

door

sitting-room

as

other

were

went

felt

and

visitor

bell

for

one

rang.
if

lodgers
of

shut,

opened

and

very

her

along

indistinctly

were

for

rang

of

her.

kind

But
in

the

that

was

house.

No

them.

procession

weary

it

almost

quietly

the

spoken

in

simultaneously
and

and

passage

Valentine

opened

man's
the

voice.
door

entered.

of

CHAPTER

FEATHERS

THE

OF

him

closed the door behind

VALENTINE

and

stood

by it, looking at

gravely. She had pushed herself up on the sofa, using her

half
awkward
attitude,half sitting,
lever,and in an
as
a

Cuckoo
elbows

stared

lying down,

Valentine

her

put

startled
and

body,
and

face

her

tangle round
nothing.

thick

with

him

at

towards

in

drawn

were

LADY

THE

TO

INFLUENCE

OF

GOSPEL

THE

EXPOUNDS

VALENTINE

VIII

unshod

hair

dyed

feet

hung

shoulders.

her

on

Her

eyes.

her

She

in

said

his hat down

the table and

on

to take

began

off his

gloves.
"

glad to

am

Cuckoo

find you

shifted

was

actuallyshut

and

banished
from

be away

What

from
"

up

every

him.

She

are

back

with

alone
other

suddenly become
"

little further

he said

home,"

at

Now

sofa.

that

Valentine, fear returned

desire

feeling,
every
her

ran

politely.

the

on

tongue

except
her

over

upon

the

she
her

desire to

lips,which

had

dry.
for ?

come

you

"

she

asked,

taking

never

her

eyes

his.
To

see

I have

you.

yet returned

never

your

kind call upon

me."

"Eh?"
Cuckoo
felt
like

spoke in

if the

as

crowd

Valentine
"

put

"May
Cuckoo

floor,so
hands
"

You

"I?
"

as

agitationof
of

human

repeated his

Won't

He

the tone

you ask
his hand

of
her

had

who

one

become

voices,deadening sounds
remark, adding :

me

to sit down

?"

on

the back

of

deaf,and

she

within

her

actually clamoured

mind

from

without.

chair.

I?"
gave her
that she was
if in
can't

Why

bodya jerk,which brought her

sittingupright.

She

pushed

protest.
sit

here,"she

murmured.

not?"

J can't have you

here,nor

I won't

feet down

either."

out

one

to

the

of

her

FLAMES

228

Her

voice

of
growing louder and fiercer as the first paralysis
her.
from
After
all
she
had
not
graduallyaway
from
buckled on
in it.
her armour
the enemy
only to run
away
in
Arab
not
her
killed
The
street
quite
impudence was
by the
The
of
influence
of
fact
this
her
feeb
mere
man.
having
strange
of courage, and
firmlyplantedupon the floor gave Cuckoo a certain fillip
she tossed her head with that old vulgar gesture of hers which
She pointedto the door.
suggestedthe harridan.
was

surprisedied

Out

"

For

"
you go ! she cried.
her intrepidity
had not

She

momentary

endurance

was

heard

the
from

chair out

No,

It
when
have

was

followed

Cuckoo.

over

shook

it

her

dignitymight have served

againsta statue.

necessary
Mrs.

She

seized the back of

violently.
instant,

Her

outburst might
neither moved
nor
Glancingat Cuckoo with a whimsical

been directed

purpose.
Valentine

will you learn wisdom

child you are ! When
?"
A conviction piercedher that
took away her hands.

What

an

upon

"
she ejaculated
; "I won't have it !
you don't stay,"
of dignity
characteristic of her to lose all sense
at an

looked in any way affected.

amusement, he said :
"

the

gentlehint unmoved, and repliedto it by

the table and sitting
down upon it. A sort

of rage, stirred by terror,ran

his chair with both hands and
"

to

up

of his presence, which

of him within the door.

Brigg'sadmittance
drawing a

contemplationof

only bracing herself

interview.

Valentine

calm

risen to

Cuckoo

the

with effect againstan

could
woman
use
ordinaryman
may
She faded abruptlyfrom
service now, and with this man.
and violence into fatigue,
always closely
accompaniedby fear.

weapons
be of no

anger
"
I'm awful
because
"

The

tired

said.

she
to-night,"

"

Please do go ! I'm

home

I'm tired."
from

walk

Harley

Street

too

was

much

for you.

You

such exertions."

shouldn't make

rang in his voice.

Cuckoo
I like,"
I shall go where
answered, and this time with
"
It ain't nothiu' to you where
real sturdiness of manner.
I
some
go, nor what I do."
"
"
How
can
you tell that ?
She laid her chin in the upturned palms of her two hands, planting
For the first time

sinister note

"

her elbows
"

How

goin'to
"
"

sense
"

can

"

she

said.

"

I'm

nothin*

to

you,

nor

I ain't

be either."

That's what
And

her knees.

on

it be ?

you

it'sGod's

of Valentine's

say."
truth,too !

"

she cried

inflexible power grew

I'm going to smoke if you will allow

as
again with violence,

in her.

me," Valentine said.

the

him.

round

Tell

"

me

"

I ain't

"

Tell

229

neither refusing
Cuckoo
cigarette,
the lightsmoke
With protrudinglipshe threw
Then
speakingthrough it he said :
why you go to Harley Street."
goin'to talk to you."
beat ; it's a respectable
It lies out of your
why.

Slowlyhe drew
permittingit.

nor

INFLUENCE

OF

GOSPEL

THE

me

out

lit

and

thoroughfare."
words

The

go by. She had

kills what
of crueltysometimes
repetition
let them

sting. Cuckoo

said to

were

stung too often, and

it repeats. She had set her lipsto silence,with
been

merely

but
impressive,

not

Well

"

"

no

did not

He

answer.

seem

fish for your

net there,
the name
was
you don't go for fish. What
"
while I watched
you ?
find few

You

"

Cuckoo, changing her mind,

time

This

of

the swiftness
"

You

"

It

know

nodded

She

like

was

the

instant

to buckle

she

him

all

did, with

often

she

as

door

the

upon

"

silently.

head

"
"
with him ?
What
do you want
go to his door ?
quick woman's instinct detected a suspicionof something

Cuckoo's
that

enough !
wasn't it ?
Levillier,

her

read

you

do you

Why

"

:
angry, but continued
I imagine. But perhaps

"

well

Dr.

was

nature, answered

crude

obstinacy

said.

Valentine

made

She

look of

childish.

and

mulish

greater

her

on

to

was

warm

anxiety in his voice as he said the words.

impulsethat, in her silent meditation,had

for
lessened,

to

think, with

herself.

The

she felt that this

fear

that
too

man

that to you ? "

What's
She turned upon him boldlywith

certain

day,stirred and glowed

fightone

than

and

armour

and

leaptup,

an

might,nay

upon
did,know

an

her
that

courage,

fallen

had

In
led

impulse
her

was

fear.

"

for the first time

an

as

hate.
passively

as

with
searchingly,

He

to Cuckoo.

could

Then,

not.

posture
Cuckoo's
into her

She

of

as

puzzled mind
with

they sought
thing it could
feared
"

not

second

sought.

that

looked

anxietytoo.

for

well

her

It recalled

what, but

remember

eyes
thing
some-

moment

resignedhis eager and nervous

movement
brought the light that

It

was

Julian

strange watchfulness.

glancewhich

in her

into

reassured, he

inquiry. That

eyes
another in that

one

if

rapture

tried to

of

her

and
he knew
question,
attack as
might actively

who
antagonist,
leaned
forward, and

sort of

the

she

could

not

had

who

These

What
the

were

thing

first

echoed

understand.

eyes she could not tell. If it

love.
And
it seemed
to be a

be

looked
men

same

that

they

to find.

Dr. Levillier

is a famous

nerve

is

great friend of mine," Valentine

doctor.

Seeing you

hovering about

said.
his door

"

He
led

FLAMES

230
to suppose

me

hope you
"Hot
"

and
might be ill,

you

consult

him.

ill."

not

are

going to

were

I!"

Because

from

he is away

home

at

present."

"

"

Oh

"

Do

you

"

I suppose I can
him like any one
see
else,if I've a mind to."
His
is
he doesn't see
Well ! He's
quite every one.
practice

"

to

want

?"

him

see

"

Some one else

smartest
peoplein town.
only among
might answer
your purpose better."
Cuckoo's prebut the words he said cemented
He spokesuavely,
viously
of
into
to
Dr.
see
Levillier,
trying,
perhaps,
thought,
vague
the richest and

strong determination.

sudden

Valentine
She
"

of

would, at

if I

wisdom, through
"

Of

"

You

course

I know

"

Do

Do

The
"

think

as

you

went

can

on

get

still more

over

so

me

contempt that angeredher.

if you

I wonder

would

like to know

me

"

cold.

what of him ? "

she faltered ;
him."
have not forgotten
!

"

You

He's dead !"

pause.

He's

dead,I say."
Exactly! As dead

world
"

to any appreciation
instant blow at Valentine.

certain

"

"

"

"

reason,

enough.

cried.

Marr

"

"

was

aimingan
his reply.
can
see
that,"she

ladyof the feathers turned

Marr

needn't

he said.

remember

you

That

him.

was

to.

me

you,"she

you ?

?"

not

smile showed
"

some

acquaintance.

the desire of

unadvisedly. "You
easily."
Valentine's

his

see

that,for

lost
like,"she said hastily,

Why

don't want

"

cost,make

whatever

him

I'llsee

divined

that she should not

anxious

was

She

ever

can

as

strong

man

who

has

lived

long

in the

be."

I say he's dead and buried and done with."

rather noisyand shrill.
Her voice was
"
That's just where
make
a
mistake,"Valentine said quite
you
rather like a philosopherabout to embark
gravely,
ment.
arguupon an
What

d'youmean

is not done with.

He
Suppose you fear a man, you hate
him, you kill him, you put him under the ground,you have not
done with him."
"I
didn't kill him!
I didn't, I didn't!"
cried out,
Cuckoo
half
from
the
sofa.
A wild suspicionsuddenly came
rising
shrilly,
her that Valentine was
over
pursuing her as an avenger of blood
"

under

the mistaken

night.

idea that

she

had

done

Marr

to

death

in the

GOSPEL

THE

"Hush

know

he has

say, and
that can

died

He

that.

; and
darkness

buried

been

only contain

he's not
"

INFLUENCE

OF

the

231

naturally,as

by

probably he

now,

would

doctor

is

shell

Yet, for all that,

of his grave.

with, Miss

done

Bright."
persisted.
Marr
always woke

is ! he is ! " she

He

The

of

mention

eyes fixed
this reason

Valentine,

on

what

her

her

fixed

memory
and

saw

memory

her.

in

terror

She

Marr.

on

what

her

sat, her
for

Perhaps

eyes

seemed

saw

gradually to float together, and fuse and mingle, till eyes and
mingled, too, into one sense, observant of one
being only,
memory
in
but
both
She
neither wholly Marr
nor
one.
Valentine,
wholly
had linked them
Yet
as
now.
together vaguely before,but never
even

the clouds

now

might think
saw

she

rather

was

were

but

saw.
a

she

phantom
of

standing in the world

day,perhaps,I

"Some

round
floating
could

her and

vapours.
understand,and what

not

standingin

the

land

mirage than

of

She
she
man

men.

will prove

he

that

to you

is

tine
not,"Valen-

said.
"

Eh, how?"

She

had

lost all self-consciousness now, and

and
tormented
cmiosity seemed

fear,wonder
hair that

She

eyes.

floppingin frizzystrands

was

seized

gestures,in and
stuck

the

to

time

the
she

it in her

it into

head

lookingat

was

with

by

two

or

for

Valentine

eagerness

veil of

face and

with

dishevelled

her

the

her

hands, and

two

out, wound
of her
back

round

in

few

yellow

over

her

shooting
which

lump,
three
pins.

an

of

answer

to

she
All
her

question.
"

Perhaps I

"

Yes, you

do with
"

"

Ah

don't know

do

him,

though.

with

how
I

can

yet."
see

you

do.

What

have you

got to

Marr?"

said I had

anything to do with him."

I always knew
it !
you
linked togetherby thin,perhapsinvisible threads,
are
Many men
and
to define."
impalpable
impossible
The
lady of the feathers was out of her depth in this sentence,
she only tossed her head and murmured
so
:
Oh, I dessay! with an effort after contempt.
But Valentine's
mood
seemed
to change. An
abstracted
gaiety
stole over
him.
If it was
simulated,the simulation was very perfect
and complete. Sitting
back in his chair,
the cigarette
smoke
curling
round
lightly
him, his large blue eyes glancing gravely now
at
Cuckoo
crumpled up on the horsehair sofa,now
meditativelyat some
objectin the little room, or at the ceiling,
he spoke in a low, clear,
level voice,
if utteringhis thoughts aloud,careless or oblivious of
as
never

! but

have.

"

"

any listener.

"

"

FLAMES

232
"

Every

who

man

to do with many

whom

men

from

Messengers go

see.

He

live

may

alone,as

winged,and

are

who

and
lives,

has

has

he

has something
personality,

carrier
ship is alone in

him,

he will

seen, whom

never

pigeonsgo

as

from

never

ship.

sengers
mid-ocean,but the messtrong. They flyhigh and

their

wings are
they pause and rest,that

they flyfar,and wherever

mark, has stamped himself,has uttered

has left

man

himself,has

seed

planted
?
religion
you
and
Valentine
stopped abruptly after uttering this question,
It was
waited for an answer.
characteristic enough.
? said the lady of the feathers,
What
staringwide-eyed.
I say, have you a religion
? ",;

of his will.

"

Have

"

"

"

"

Not

"

That

I have

I.

How

that
religion

leads
gospelis the gospel of

is will,my
Will binds the world
dies if it is
immortal.
It

And

never

into

to

me

church

and
influence,
strands

net, whose

yet

door.

My religion
god is power.

my

iron.

like

are

Will

weak, but if it is strong enough it becomes

practically
kill
it
to
it
lives
has
the
others.
itself,
But, though
power

murder

can

?"

church

no

doubt, a convincingproofof heathendom.

is,no

I don't go to

I when

can

soul

in

man

or

it into the
create a second

and

woman,

throw

it can
grave
go to dust,and in the man
and
the
world will say the
to
the
soul diametrically
opposite
corpse,
is the same
Or
He is another man.
man
; but he is not the same.
at this
if the will is not strong enough actuallyto kill a soul "
to decay and

"

point Valentine
of

spoke

Ishmael,

into

degradedand

body

in which

was

his voice

certain

note

"it

can
yet
and
drive it,like a new
resides,
it must
hover, useless,hopeless,
"

it

desert,where
naked, because it has
the

no

work

Yes ! yes !
divorced from the

body to

in.

! The soul can

have no
power
none!"
body!
his chair,and began to pace the little room.
He got up from
him
watched
child might watch
in its
wild animal
Cuckoo
a
a
as
His face was
hard and thin with deep thought,and hers was
cage.
that

must

be

the

there

in
of agitation,

almost

uneasiness,even

expel it from

slowly,and

more

so

none!

contorted
grasp

and

Listen,and

And
shut

yellow hair
what

the feathers

told her the

often
"

her

to understand

lady of

the

as

under

was,

truth,and

you

she listened
together,her

"

he

contorted
was

in

frantic

effort to

saying; for,stupid,ignorant
a
sharp demon in her that
in her ear,
whisperednow

she had

this demon

"

thingsthat you long to know !

motionless,her eyes bright and eager, her lips
mental and
slim body a-quiverwith intensity,
may

learn

physical.
"

How

body ?

can

You

it ? "
cannot

Valentine
see

it.

went

You

on.

cannot

"

What
hear

you can, that is a vile trick of the mind, an

is

soul without

it,and if

you

hallucination.

think

JFor if

FLAMES

234
and

has

lived,and

tions
merely livingand working through the emanaand
in
different
to
women
clung men
many
of being diffused
understand
me?"
you
he broke out with an obvious delight
in the grossness of her ignorance
and misunderstandingof
and the denseness of her bewilderment
him
which is a sort of death,it seizes,
whole as a body with all

of itselfthat have
places,instead in fact
"

"

"

"

"

all the members

a

great

act

of

sound, upon

another

brigandage.

It lives

home.
on

more

commits, in effect,

complete,powerful even
originalpowers
only you could
"

ever
before,because to all its
and is a livinglife. If
gloryof deception,

powerfulthan

it adds

It

understand

me

!"

"that was
a full stop to
Suddenly he burst into a peal of laughter
his philosophy. His cigarette
had gone out.
He threw it into the
his
and
out
stretched
still
laughing.And Cuckoo gazing
grate
arms,
said silently
to herself, If only I could !
at him, as if fascinated,
For she felt as if Valentine were
her a great secret,secure
telling
remain
in the hideous knowledge that,though she heard it,it must
of
her
her stupidity.
from her on account
of
a secret
ignoranceand
in
that
There
was
maddening, yet
feelingpeculiarly
something
irritation. The sharp littledemon
at her elbow
Cuckoo displayed
no
her
that
she
to
be
t
old
her
to
silent,
might learn,might
whispered
the wild
and
be
if
she
would
no
more
a
understand,
part,
play
yet
feathers.
Valentine
struck
of
the
cat, the foolishly
impulsivelady
his hand upon the table,and repeated:
Why
why can't you understand ?
The piquancyof the situation evidently
delightedhis mind and
of mischief.
He enjoyedplayingthe philosopher
to a fool,
his sense
fool
fool
the
the
became
his
and the more
a
highersoared
philosophy
of it. There is alwayssomething paradoxical
and his appreciation
in wisdom
can
never
for,after all,folly
learn,
folly,
instructing
really
understand.
Valentine
that
never
can
thought.
hugged
really
"Go
on," the lady of the feathers said,apparentlyin gaping
"

"

"

"

"

wonderment.
"
to tell me
? do you mean
you are interested ?
"
I'm listenin'! It sounds wonderful ! "
cried.
Valentine
"It is wonderful!"
"Every living lie is
about will. My gospelis
wonderful.
But you don't know yet much
and onlya few peopleare beginningto
full of secrets and of subtleties,
its truths and
power, and to aim at learning
guess at its far-reaching
And
unbelievers
with
it,and never
sounding its depths.
play
many

"

Why

know

that

they are

playingwith
"

fire. A

man

did this

once.

Shall

I tell you about him ?

'" Yes
!" said Cuckoo.
And
her soul cried to the darkness in which she imagined some
power to dwell,cried aloud for understanding.This silent

vague

GOSPEL

THE

INFLUENCE

OF

235

lay back upon the hard sofa,almost

seemed
to
exhausted,and, as she lay there,something hot,like fire,
make
its nest in her heart, and to flame there, and to be alive,
a
as
and to speak to her, but not aloud,as a flame speaks
flame is alive,
in the coals to the imagination of the watcher
In
by the hearth.
if
felt
of
feathers
she
the
the
that moment
conscious
as
were
lady
full
of
towards
of a new
a
some
intensity
companion, companion
her,
some
anxiety about her, anxious and brilliant as a flame is,vital,
keen, blazing,intense. Although she could not define her sensation
could not depriveher of it. She
thus,that lack of analytical
power
knew
became
that her vision
clearer,that her mind became brighter,
that a lightillumined her, that she was, for the moment,
greater
was

cry

intense

so

than herself.
sofa

the

But

and

that

she

did not

Valentine

it

know

it.

looked

He

towards

thin, painted,haggard young

spread upon
a
passionate,languid and
positionat once
with
relentless,
thicklytangled hair,staring eyes
merely awkward,
and haif -openedlips,
in
and a coarseness
glowering
rouged stupidity
of the gutter. He was
with a beauty of the stars and
a philosopher,
of snows,
in its brilliance. She was
with a refinement,white
an
image of Regent Street, a ghastly idol of the town ; and he was
comprehend in a
tellingher strange things that she could never
that
her
Greek
It
Hebrew.
to
too absurd.
was
as
as
or
was
jargon
Yet he loved to tell her, and he could scarcely
tell why he loved it.
Go on," said the lady of the feathers.
"This
man," Valentine said,assuming a devout earnestness to
her
and watching for the puzzledexpressionto
trick
more,
grow and
to deepen in her eyes, "this man
had a holy nature, or I will
say
unalterable
will to do only thingspure, reserved,refined,
an
things
that could not lead his body into difficulties,
his mind
into quagor
mires.
He was
without
a
a saint
I
religion.That is a possibility,
for
will
be amazingly independent. He
assure
a
can
had the
you,
is
said
that
to
to
definite
peculiargrace
belong angels,a
repugnance
saw

into

creature, curled

"

to sin.

I know

She nodded
I know
If it

"

of this
relented
for

would

me."

bluntly.
he couldn't go wrong, it was
ever
so
as the housemaids

"

was

"

in

man

understand

you

and
nutshell,

the transformation

moment

if in

as

have

if this
am

so,"she ejaculated.
you put the position

ever

say

"

strange will of his had

going to

describe

doubt, then continued

"
"

or

or

"
"

rather

he

never

paused

to hint

at,

taken

place. But he grew dissatisfied with his

will.
It bored
him
little. He
ever
so
fancied he would
like to
change it and to substitute for it the will of the world.
And
the
will of the world, as you know
is to
well,
lady of the feathers,
never

my

sin.

For

some

time

he

be, in fact,lower down

longed,vaguely enough, to be different,

to
in the scale than

he

was.

But

his

longing

236

FLAMES

to be able to desire sin did not

lead him
to desire it actually.One
force oneself to do a thing,you see, but one
force oneself
cannot
to wish to do it,or to enjoydoing it. And
this man,
being a selfish
saint
often very selfish
saints are
would
sin without
not
very
can

"

"

desiringit.

that

he

"

Whatever

did he wish it for?

"

tell why

can

one

asked

to

ever

be

as

he was,
and

cracked

Cuckoo, with the surprise

That, too, is a mystery.

and that he did something more."
"
What
was
that,eh ? "
He

"

tried
deliberately

And

it.

he

another

to weaken

was

brought about
but
believed,

his

do you think
expelledfrom his

identity. For

himself. And
air.

It went

He

will

soul,if you choose

away

in the darkness

the

will,to alter

what

the

means

goodness was

will did not

His

But

were.

the weapon

his
that

change,

as

he

upward,

and

to call it so,

like

bird.

was

Do

lifted his eyes,

driven
you
as

into the

see

if

?"

following

that he described.
flight

It flew away ! "

did it go ? "
Where

Valentine

his

happened to it ? I will tell

actually
He
lost it for ever.
He lost,
body.
is personality,
soul,the ego, the man

this

his hand

waved

with them

destruction.

own

what

was

you.
in fact,his

deface

to

acting under suggestionfrom

or
more
powerful than his own,
self-satisfiedand
desired
utterly
only to be what it

I will tell you

d
issatisfaction
with his own
original

It

and

one

curious means,
influence that was

I don't think

was.

thing,another for
is
point that he did wish it,

The

chose

will
it

because

for

wishes

man

another ?

"

must

zany.

Who

"

"

for

remain

delft."

common

of

it seemed

piece of flawless porcelain,

wishing

human

So

seemed

Cuckoo.
ejaculated

suddenlyto

become

fullyaware

of the

depth of

her interest.
"

Ah

understand

even

you

fascinated

are

it,"he said.

"

But

by

I cannot

gospel,you
my
tell you where

who

cannot

it went.

I,

too, have wondered."

He

knit his brows

rather moodily over

this questionof location.
have
But
I
wondered.
that
it died,that it ceased
I, too,
imagine
Divorced from the body that was
satisfac
to be.
its home, degradedby dis"

if
it be to any one ? Even
it stillcontinues to be it is practically
dead, for it can work neither
harm
nor
good to anyone, and the thing that cannot be good or evil,
others
turn
towards the one
the other,is dead.
It is no
or
or
more
with

will.

It is

no

of
itself,

more

an

what

use

influence.

could

It is

it ; in fact,it is nothing."
A sort of joy had leaptinto his face
and he added :
nothingness,

as

heart without
he

dwelt

on

pulsein

this idea of

hear

you

feathers.

Do

"

it

ousted

will that

the

But

of

only
yearning disappointmentwith

of

no

enemy
do what

by that
power
that
which
it
being

gained in

desirous
Totallyself-satisfied,
will

It

before.

did

never

can

itself in its camp,

it can
the
soul
that
captive
and

it has seized its opponent'scamp,

enemy
its slave for ever."
is now
in that camp
As Valentine spoke he seemed to become

an

thoughts conjuredup by his own

with a fury of shiningexcitement.

away to die. Like

the slave dwelling

intoxicated with

almost

words.
His white

the

triumph.
is,having

lead

soul that it drove

captiveof the

formerly the

was

the

I hear!"

"Yes.
"

me

237

lady of

soul,my

like your

something

It is

"

INFLUENCE

OF

GOSPEL

THE

His

blue

cheeks

eyes

were

blazed

suffused

blood.

with

lady of

the

words

the

At

!"

will,a God

myself,my

made

I have

"

feathers

the

he

moved

exclaimed

ately.
passion-

suddenlyforward

the sofa.

on
"

"
she said.
you !
uttered with
last word
was

What

The

"

only springfrom
seemed

of

Only

?" he

the

was

you
in the voice of
replied
Valentine
"

That

"

There

with
"

has

will,or

image

an

an

nothing

be

was

no

two

Valentine, or

amazement,

of wood, to

said,and

like the

whom, abruptly,

his

voice faltered from

its

position.
the

man,

one

as

to her

to do with

of

story worth

whatever

or

it all is ? "

she

stupidity.

the

story,"he said.
?
she persisted,
but

there

them, was
the accent of a hopelessdullard.
Oh yes.
One will must
always work

could

the

"

upon

still

another,or else there

telling."

I see, that's it."

Valentine again broke into
"

face showed

hopelesslymuddled.

reassured

was

certainly startled

of exultation.

her former

resumed

It

intensitythat could surely

if not from
to comprehension,

tongue.

mean

triumph and

Cuckoo
"

raving to

man

do you

What
of

speakswith

the wood

His

him.

startle

to

amazement

note

akin

near

comprehension itself.

actual

"

something

an

Oh,

"You

see, do
the truth of what

you?"

laughter.

he said.

"

You

see

that,but

do

see
you
I told you before about the connection
of the will
with
the body ?
Do
see
why you have no power
can
you
now,
have
?
Do
that
understand
never
the
again
wreck
of
power
you
of your will,so that it really
the wreck
causes
your body inevitably
dies and ceases, because
it can
influence others ?
no
more
Do you
understand
that ?
I'll make
it now.
Come
here."
you understand

FLAMES

238

got up from his chair and seized her

He
her

almost

in

loose shock

from

the

two

sofa.

hands

Her

in

fear of

his,dragging
him, always
of his hands,

violently
up
lurkingnear, came
upon her with a rush at the contact
and she hung back, moved
by an irresistible repulsion.The slight
and momentary strugglebetween
them
caused her hair,carelessly
down.
It fell all round her
turned up and loosely
pinned,to come
a

and

Cuckoo

soon

and
yield,

he

of unnatural colour.
felt that resistance

drew

her

hands

Valentine's
was

there ! "

Look

have

power
Their two

he

of the glassthat stood over

table behind
them, he made

in front

cried,"look

anybody ?

over

strong,

She let her

useless.

mantelpiece.Pushing back the

stand still in the unwinking glareof the three
had herself turned up earlier in the evening.
"

were

at

gas

well
yourself

which
jets,
How

can

body
the
her
she

you

"

in a frame,stared at them
as
faces,set close together
from the mirror,and Cuckoo
forced to obedience
examined
them
She
the
man's
saw
as
a
if,indeed, they were
face,fair,
picture.
refined,triumphant,full of the'couragethat isbased upon
beautiful,
full of a strange
experienceof itselfand of its deeds and possibilities,
"

excitement
the

saw

in

there
than

that filledthe face with

brightblue

smile.

There

eyes

gazingat

amazinglyvivid expression.She
her,the red lipsof the mouth curved

health in the face as well as

is greater than health,more

was

thought. And

power, which
beauty. And then she turned
was

Thin, sharp, faded, it

tumbled
that

"

beautiful even
her eyes to the face's companion.
her eyes, half-shrouded
in the thick,

met

in the mirror with the peculiar

frigid
glare
chemical
and
be
can
never
dye,
imparted by a

hair that shone

be

only
cheek
One
chalk white.
The
was
by nature.
other,
the
horsehair
of the sofa,showed a
which had been pressedagainst
of the
harsh scarlet patch. All the varying haggard expressions
world seemed crowding in the eyes of this scarecrow, and peering
that struck a violent discord
beneath the thicklyblackened eyelashes
the yellowhair. The thin lipsof the mouth
were
pressed
against
of
fear
and
weariness.
Shadows
togetherin an expression pain,
night
sleptunder the eyes where the face had fallen into hollows. Toof prettiness
in those peaked features.
there seemed no vestige
of
or
even
health,youth,gaiety
girlhoodwas written in
Nothing
record of spoliation
and of wreckage,
a brutal
them, but only a terrible,
And
the
the
flat
of plunderand of despair.
gaslight,
striking
the record glitter
with a thin,cheap
surface of the mirror,made
of the life whose
like the tinsel trappings
storythe mirror
sparkle,
can

simulated

revealed in its reflection.

How, indeed,could such
or

woman

for

good or

words it seemed

have
If weakness

creature

for evil ?

written in that wasted

power
can

over

fellow

be written

man

without

countenance,which Cuckoo

with

examined

OF

GOSPEL

THE

239

numbed

that

creepinghorror

INFLUENCE
her

like frost.

As

of her face in
watching the ungraciousness
into greater ugliglide,moment
by moment,
ness,

she did so, Valentine

the glassdeepen and

was

greater degradation. And

little

the

as

lightthere

had

ever

faded

graduallyaway, in his reflected

eyes the lightleaped up into a fuller glare,sparkling to unbridled
his reflected lips smiled
more
defiantly,until the
triumph. And
smile was
thing
no
longer touched merely with triumph, but with somechange. She

? What
loathed?

Valentine
she

her

As

well

set

doll

did

heart

good to love Julian?

good to fightfor the man

what

"

Cuckoo

malign !

more

only herself, and

saw

good

man

and

vehement

more

What

unquiet eyes

those

behind

been

not

cried and

What

the

see

wailed,

good

hate

to

she loved

to

againstthe
its tense
joints

move

defy a god ! Never before had

complete tragedy of her life. Hitherto
assisted at it in fragments,coming in for a scene
here,a scene
Now
she sat through the whole of the five acts, and the only
to

againstan

army, or a scarecrow
she realised thoroughly the

she had
there.

the fall of the curtain.

That
remained
thingshe missed was
up.
there
could
But
be nothing more
to come,
why? There was
of such dreary events
had already
unless a dreary recapitulation
as
been displayed. Such a cup could hold no
wine that was
not foul,
thick and poisonous. And
she had
known
herself so little as to
imagine that she could reallylove, and that her love might fulfil
instead of in sensual
itselfin protection
gratification.Yes, vaguely
"

she had

believed that.

armour

and

had

She

believed

even

battle against and

the lady of the feathers
do

meditation

face mirrored

at

"

face beside

the

this

that she could

point in

shifted her

it.

As

her

on

desperate

from

eyes

put
her

own

she

did so, a sudden cry

she thought she saw
the face
escapedfrom her lips. For a moment
of the dead Marr, and the hallucination was
vivid
it
so
that, when
the
and
mirror
revealed
the
was
once
of
face
more
Valentine,
gone,
Cuckoo had no thought but that she had reallyseen
Marr.
She
turned

and

sharplyround

Did

"

to

him ?

see

you

glance behind

her.
she whisperedto Valentine.

"

cast

Then

"Whom?"
Him"

"

him

see

Marr

in the

He's not dead ; he's here ; he's

She
two

shivered.
faces danced

and

down, from side

room

and

seemed
in the

sprang

spinninground
mirror,as

'

Didn't
I

see

you

"

didn't you

only you

As if for

tell you.

if

with
hand

her,and
shook

the

it up

to side.

here,"Valentine said," it is not

imaginationhas playedyou a trick."

Your
"

The

If he is

"

here, I

glass! "

and

see

him

in the

Don't you

see

way
him

you
now

fancy.
?

"

myself.''

jo^efeebent his heacj and

at
peeredclosely

the

mirror,

FLAMES

240

like

discern

to
endeavouring

man

some

very

dim reflection

paleand

there.

No, he's

"

With

harsh

face of the

top

almost
"

Don't

"

he

But

savage fury.
don't for God's

of
expression

no

"

but

his fist againstthe mirrored

glasscracked

this,and

and

hand

swung

againsther.
his

from

the anger

On

broke

had

round

from
upon

her with

attack.

the

lipsand

blood

upon

an
sake,"she cried,fearing

movement

relief chased

"

Valentine's

cried out.

to know

seem

made

The

the feathers.

Cuckoo

did not

He

an

lady of

murmured,

he dashed

exclamation

to bottom.

it.

there ! " he

he's not

"

contrary,an
eyes.

"

he said, " that's a lyingmirror ! It lied to you and to me.

I smashed
it. Well, I'llgiveyou another that is more
and
truthful,
more
ornamental, too."
"'Ah

"

What

"

there is

where

there could not be one !

it that you struck
? was

"

Eh

"

Why

"

You

only weakness

will,a soul,

"

at ?

"

do you ask ? " he said with sudden suspicion.

struck where my face was,"she said doggedly.

did !

"

? " she murmured.

saw

vision,power
silly

where

you

it you

was

"

You

did,

"

!"

Nonsense

It ain't ! Why did you do it then ? "

A gleam of hope had shot into her eyes, lit by his weird attack
her mirrored image. After all,despitehie sneers
at her faded
upon
he
faded
and
her
decayingsoul, struck at her as a
body, his gibesat
"

thing he fears. In that faded soul a wild hope

and courage leapedup, banishingall the sick despairwhich had preceded
it. The lady of the feathers faced Valentine with a deathless
resolution of glanceand of attitude.
she said,"you've been telling
You've
been tellinglies,"
me
strikes at the

man

"

lies! "

damned

do you mean?"
said as I was
"You
was
like
A forced smile came
"What

done with."

"

hissingsnake

Valentine's

on

lips.

"

So you are !
"
it ? "
I ain't ! I ain't ! What's more
you know
"
that mirror !"
to pieces
as I have broken
You have broken yourself
He spoke with an effort after scathingcontempt, but she detected
"

in
quiverof agitation
"
"

If I
Me

"

What

do you

almost

are

well

know

But

He

have, I'llbreak
?

"You

his voice.

know

you

you

yet !

"

she cried.

talkingabout ? "

enough."
"

do you

whisperedthe

know

last words

that
!

I
A

"

am

chill of

Marr
awe

"

fell over

the

"

IV"

BOOK

LEVILLIER

DOCTOR

CHAPTER
THE

Russian

THE
two

slow

Duke,

Grand

LEVILLIER

DOCTOR

VISITS

LADY

malady

whose

mainly composed

was

unlimited

and almost
ingredients,unlimited wealth
hi recovering,and
slower still in making

with

the

And

so

little

nerve

London

beginning

was

fall into

to

his

up
summoned

he had

doctor whom

its

power,
mind
to

from

of

was

part

England.

misty autumn

mood

in

established

Harley Street. He
Julian
during
his long absence,but their letters had not communicated
much, and
twice when
two
or
once
or
he, in replying to them, had put one
friendlyquestionsas to their doings,those questions had remained
unanswered.
had
The
doctor
been
particularlyreluctant to leave
before Dr.

had

Levillier

England

at the

time

his interest and

as

more

once

was

occasionallyfrom

heard

when

Grand

the

Duke's

reached

summons

had

Yalentine

curiosityabout

and

Yalentine

both

justbeen

But
fate fought for the moment
thoroughlyroused.
curiosity.It remained
entirelyungratified.He had

not

Valentine

the

since the

of that
hearts
could

of

learned

that

both

had

thoroughfare'ssaint

musical

give him

had

in Victoria

afternoon

of the

news

to watch.

Valentine

of Julian's

charge
had
given the

Now,
and

had

Nor

sinners.

the

youths

two

he

when

Julian

servant, greeted

strong impulse

took

up the threads
his work
while

doctor

over

to

with
his

met

any
welfare

whose
to

abroad.

him

once

seen

tion
lamenta-

consternation

returned

were

first

Street,when

struck

him,

keenlyand
against his

into the
one

who

his soul

London, he found

Only Rip,

left in

joy ; Rip, whose conduct

and
doubt
wonder
about

Valentine.
Dr.
and

One

Levillier

gave

day

himself
he

heard

to

casuallyfrom

of

his

long-forsaken practice,

autumn

patient that

closed

London.

round

Valentine

and

Julian

244
had

returned

know

wondered

He

town.

to

the omission

they had

that

curious and

seemed

let him

not

unfriendly.

reached him he was, as usual,

During the day on which the news
from
till
of patients.
busilyengaged
eveningin the reception
morning
and
and
His reputation was
men
women
thronged his
very great,
that
consulting-rooms.Although his rule was
nohody could ever
admission
it
him
without
to
an
gain
appointment, was a rule made to
be broken.
in

He

and
distress,

the h%art to turn

had

never

one

any

it frequently
happened that

from

his door

his

working day was

unexpectedlyintruded
often came
themselves
him.
Great ladies more
to
especially
upon
him
the spur of the moment,
on
prompted to seek his solace by
A
lover
had used them ill,
sudden attacks of the nerves.
perhaps,or
had turned upon
husband
and had rent a long dressmaker's
them
a
bill into fragments,without
paying it first. Or the ennui of an
l
ife
of
unbridled
exquisite
pleasurehad suddenlysprung upon them
like a grisly
spectre,torn their hearts,shaken them into tears. Or
and this happened often
of the obvious fact
fantastic recognition
a
that even
butterflies must
die,had abruptlystarted into their minds,
obtrudinga skeleton head above the billowingchiffons,
rattlingits
prolonged by

so

the

admission

people who

of

"

"

bones until the dismal sound

outvied the

of silk,
the
frou-frou

great waving fans,the click of high heels from

terror, they drove

only for

There

to

and

Dr. Levillier's door

Paris.

begged to

burr of

Then, in

him, if

see

moment.

was

doctor in London

no

lunatics of

sought by
universally

so

Levillier.

He

the

sane

He
society
had no privateasylum. He had never
aimed at becoming
definitely
in lunacy. But the pretty lunatics came
famous specialist
to him
a
live at afternoon
nevertheless ; the lunatics who
till the
parties,
their
and
must
down
at
the
feet,
they
strange ways
go
grave
yawns
as

Dr.

was

mad

no

doctor.

world, teacup in hand, scandal still fluttering

upon their
live
for
the
lunatics
who
themselves,until their eyes are
ashy lip;
hollow as tombs, and their mouths
fall in from selfishness,
and their
and lust's gratified
cheeks are a greenishwhite from satiety,
flame,
of another

like

their drawn

beacons,on

the lunatics who

cheeks and

seek to be what

alongtheir crawlingwrinkles

they can

be, the beauties of

never

world, the great Queens of the Sun, whose gaze shall glorify,
touch
and bless,whose
whose smile shall crown
shall call hearts to
this

and
agony
and
send
ambition

worship,whose

to

him

out

and

set

win

to

him

creepingin
silken

scarlet

until the moment

faced

by

the

terror

when

comes

of

the

thread
faiths

the

game

great lesson

man

snatch

or

renown,

prisoned by
and pla}'
with
like dolls,
religions
a

shall take

word

dust, like
the

;
as

from

his

leader
a

lunatics

plough
his

from

white
who

mouse

dandle

boy playswith marbles,

and
the playeris

is over,

; the

lunatics who

stare

away

LADY

THE

DOCTOR

VISITS

in the

days behind prancinghorses

their

sacred groves

of

bonnets, who

who turn
fashions,
humanity into

and

bogey, and

think

the lunatics who

that

to

245

live

"

powdered

to

into
is

adulterous

an

in the

worship

rouged and
movement," and art

"

love
"

Park, who

incense

burn

literature into

LEVILLIER

only another

into

cult,

sensation
word

for

;
to

vice

liberty;the lunatics who

with
false gods, and
fill their boudoirs
:
Baal,
cry everlastingly
from heaven, which
down
is no
till the fire comes
hear us!
painted
to Dr. Levillier,
ceilingpresidedover by a plastergod. These came
day by day, overtaken by sad moments, by sudden, dreary crises
the
of the soul,that set them
impotentlywailing,like Job among
of
because
not
God
them
did
curse
only
they
potsherds. Many
innocence

sin, that

is

prison and

"

"

"

"

believe in Him.

did not

fashion

the

It is not

Dr. Levillier had

in London

always,since

to believe in God

he

searchingthe terror of lifefor all its

for each duet,body and soul,that
deep solicitude,

and

had

He

the other.

gaze upon
fact that

soul,and

links that have

and

ever

the

as

Every liaison
into
it
being. One
brought

the world.

in

turning his
for the
partially
doctor

greatest nerve

is surelya network

vice versd.

lacingthe

in

body

has it connecting links,the

lust stretches forth

hook

an

the hook

the soul

an

one

seekingthe appropriateeye.
at birth

They
constantly,and
meet

eye.

Dr. Levillier
the

him

system

one

doubt, accounted

fact,no

upon

sightof

walked

So with
faiths,
eye in another, and there is union.
with
with
fine
sordid
longings,
grovellings.There
aspirations,

finds

with
is

lost

apart, never
This

looked
many
For the nervous

London.
to the

set them

never

justnow.

youth, walking hospitals

secrets,felt a deep care, a

was

was

comfortablyin

the

other.

The

and

body

part only
igcorantly,entreated
It is

delicate

"

"

valuable

advice for the eye.

mixed
Such

made
furtively,

very
exhaustion
steal

him

advice
prescription,
had
prescriptions
up.
towards

Often

hook,

the

adjust

for the

this

the

Harley
they really

would

have

hook, and

sometimes
very deftly,
felt an
intenes
doctor

to be

day. This tremendous

through his life,filingbefore
him like a march-past of sick soldiers,
and
saluting him with cries,
with
and
with
entreaties
this
questions,
never
ceasing progress
;
There
he longed to hide his face,
when
moments
were
fatiguedhim.
to turn away, to shut his ears
and his eyes
to the murmuring voices,
to the pale,expressive
faces,to put his great professionfrom him, as
into
the night. But
these were
one
puts a beggar
only moments,
and they passed quickly. And
the little doctor was
always bitterly
is ashamed of a secret tug of cowardice
Ashamed of them, as a brave man
and

eternal

over

the close of

to

business

adjustment,sometimes an impossiblebusiness. Half

Street patientscame
well." What
me
saying, Make
Make
meant
me
happy." Yet the most of them
was,
resented

has

at death.

processionpassingonwards

FLAMES

246
at his heart.

world

to

For it seemed
make

help to

the

him

to

greatest thing in all the

the

unhappy rightlyhappier.

this was, and had always been, his tireless endeavour.

Upon
of mental
of these hated moments
and physicalexthis day one
haustion
And

had

come

enemy.
in the
once

tiny interval

at

quarter

Valentine

often at

was

littledevil of

solace

was

about

of

order

his watch.

to this

be

be

drive down
six.

and

the

entry of

His

last

ment
appoint-

free,and

he said to
to Victoria Street.

The

doctor

have

been

friend,who

fatigueand

to

one

solaced

put aside the

badly treated,"
seemed

depressionhe
by his music.

to have

had

often

But this
burden
of
musical
strange
Valentine,and his talent had been

end, unless,indeed,the

an

impotencehad

times

in

Valentine
at

cab and

home

exit of

he would

five,then

the advance

In

forgottenhim.
sought

at

struggledhard againsthis
been long,and
than
more

pridethat whispered"You

resolved to make

and

the

peeped

to

take

himself that he would

patientshad

between

another,Dr. Levillier had

was

he

him, and

upon

of
procession

The

lifted from

been

restored to him.
The

last

patientcame

punctuallydismissed
after five.
in

deep

as

the

to

the

clock

doctor's door
chimed

the

punctuallyand
quarter

of

an

was

hour

written.
The doctor drew
last prescription
was
the bell and his servant
touched
breath of relief. He
The

appeared.
There is no
No, sir."

"
"

one

waiting?

"

he asked.

appointment for to-day,and I am going

tell
immediately. If any patientsshould call casually
I cannot
them
possiblysee them to-day. Ask them to make an
But
I cannot
stances."
see
appointment.
any one to-dayunder any circumI have

"

made

no

other

almost

out

Yes, sir."

"

Dr. Levillier took his way upstairs,

made a careful toilet,
selected
from his absurd array of boots a pair perfectly
polished,
put them
took

his hat

and

gloves,sighed once
again heavily,almost
and
to
its
turned
stairs.
downto go
as
dog sighs preparatory
sleep,
He forgotfor the moment
that he was
prepared to watch
Valentine.
his
of
absence
had dulled
Perhaps,indeed,
long period
the recollection of any apparent change in his friend.
in his memory
of fatiguehe only recalled Valentine's expresFor at this moment
sion
and
of purityand high-souled
of
the
health,
atmosphere
lofty
to dwell.
The doctor wanted
serenityin which he seemed habitually
Valentine's presence would refresh him after this dreary
relief. How
after the continuous
of their plaintive
murmurs
array of patients,
his manservant
door he perceived
voices ! As he opened his bedroom
stairs.
the
mounting
on,

"

"

247

hastilythan
Lawler, I can't see any one," he said more
told you so distinctly.I am
going out immediately."

usual.

for many

years,

The

I
patient,

the doctor

with

been

doctor looked at him.

The

him.

understood

and

adored

It is

had

He

paused.

man

and both
"

LEVILLIER

DOCTOR

VISITS

LADY

THE

"
suppose ? he asked.

"

Well, sir,I can't exactlysay."

"

lady?"
"

do you mean
female,sir."

"

What

"

"

What

"

To

"

"
does she want ?
you, sir. I can't

see

well,no, sir."

least,sir

At

sir.

"Yes,

get her

I asked

to go,

her to,sir j then

I told her to."

"Well?"
"

She

only gave

this and

me

said she'd

to

come

if you

you, and

see

in she'd wait."

were

handed

He
"

doctor

The

took it and

read

Road."

Bright,400 Marylebone
conveyednothing to his mind,

Cuckoo
words

The

card to his master.

talked to him

Valentine had ever

"
Cuckoo
Bright,"he said.
I suppose, Lawler

"

An

odd

for neither Julian

nor

lady of the feathers.

of the

And

name

odd

an

person,

"

pursedhis lipsrather primly.

Lawler
"

Very odd, sir.

"

H'm.

at all

Not

usual

if she

and ask her

Go

sort

comes

as

must

see

of
a

sir."
patient,
patientor on private

business."
The
"

retreated

man

The

returned.

she's ill and

ladysays

"

and

you,

sir,if only

for

moment."
This

Cuckoo's

was

Julian's

to

ruse

that

long-agoremark

one

in

doctor

the

could

was

never

based upon
resist helping

she had
Standing on
doorstep,
simulated
benefit of Lawler,
faintness for the special
histrionically
who regarded her with deep suspicion.
I suppose I must
see
her,"the doctor said with a sigh. Show

any

who

get into the house, and

was

the

trouble.

"

her

"

in,Lawler."
to
departed,disapprovingly,

Lawler

the doctor followed

he

found

the

him.

lady of

The

and, after a moment,

He walked
into his consulting-room,
where
the feathers standingby the writing-table.
full of
growing dark, and the street was

autumn
day was
deepening mist. Cuckoo

Her

dress rustled

first act
shadow

was
was

with

to turn

on

do

was
an

but

fantastic shadow

sound

uneasy
the electric

so,

as

the doctor

light.

In

into substance.
Cuckoo and
Cuckoo's tired eyes fastened with

came

flash

converted

face to face and

in the
the

in.

His

rustling

the doctor
a

room.

stood

hungry, almost

FLAMES

248

stranger. She wanted so much of him.

The look was
flash with
so full of intense meaning that, coming in a
Yet he had seen
the electric flash,
it startled the doctor.
something
a

wolfish,
scrutiny
upon

this

like it before in the eyes of those who

to ask him
death within them, and came

suspectedthat they carried

if it

The
of the
women
too, by her appearance.
surprised,
had
been
if
to
able
read
to
come
him, although they
in his heart many
of them
would
surelyhave come.
not

hands

with

Cuckoo, told her

sit

to

and

down,

He

true.

were

sat

was

streets did

the

writing

He

down

shook
himself

oppositeto her.
What

"

is the matter

tell me

Please

your

symptoms,"he said,

gently.
?"

reply,spoken in a thin and high voice.

What
has been troubling
you ?
who
to answer
a
was
Cuckoo,
wholly unaccustomed
questions,started violently.She fancied from his words
"

Eh

the

was

"

"

divined the lie she had told when

had

knew

that

she

came

the word
and
"

know

Then

in her
"

Why

mental

"

Oh,"

I ain't ill?

as

he

ill,and

reason.

this

impulseshe

exclaimed

"

what
surprised.Not understanding
with
its
f
ailed
to
keep pace
agility.
entirely
to me
then ? " he asked.

still more

was

mind,

was

that

she connected
Instinctively
trouble" with the heart, in a way that was
oddly
for

pathetically
girlish.Acting upon

you
Dr. Levillier
was

"

she said that

she

doctor's

he

do you come
she returned, with

"

quicklygatheringhesitation, I

thought as perhapsyou knew."

before."
met
But we have never
his
doctor
her
he
The
bent
searchingly.For a moment
eyes on
quite right in her head.
began to wonder whether his visitor was
The
kindliness of his face
his gaze.
Cuckoo
shuffled under
very
her
made
A
feel
hot and abashed.
of
his
voice
and
gentleness
"

I !

her

pricklysensation ran over

:
said,monosyllabically

cleared her

she

body, as

throat

arid

"No."
doctor waited.
is it ? " he said at
What

The
"

length.

If you are not ill,

what is it you
"
You'll laugh,p'raps."
"
"

Laugh
Funny

The
went

as

sound
on

"Look
wonder

with

you won't

Tell
of

want

of her
more

voice seemed

to

hardy resolution
can

see

I'm doin' here.

laughat

me

?"

what

why

me

me

Is it somethingfunny,then ?
Not it ! "

here, you
what

"

you

have called.

"

"

giveher

some

courage, for she

oh yes you can

am
if
tell
I
Well,
you, will you
"

"

and you

promise

FLAMES

2$o

he felt as if a

againstValentine,and

howled
round

him

as

of

mist

the autumn

mystery

were

evening deepened

in

deepening
the street

outside.
"

reiterated.

do,"she

it'sno
The

what

use

words

How

see.

almost

were

it be ?

can

nobody won't

But

I do.

"

see

it.

And

"

wail.

Tell me
what you see."
Cuckoo looked into the doctor's sincere eyes, and a sudden rush of
to her.
hope came
I want
"That's
what
to. But if you like him you'll
only bo
"

angry."
"No, I shall
"
Well, then.
"

"*

not,"
I

Ruining Mr.

see

as

Addison

he's ruinin' his friend."

?"

"Yes."
It struck the doctor

obviouslywas
ruin

of any

herself had
the two

as

very

strange that such

girlas Cuckoo
passionateway againstthe

should

cry out in such a

it not her fate to ruin others as she
Was
man.
young
what her connection with
been ruined ? He wondered

perhaps his face showed something of his

wonder, for Cuckoo added, after a long glanceat him :
"It's true, yes it is,"as if she read his doubts.
How
do you come
it ? the doctor said,not at all unto know
kindly,
youths

and

was,

"

"

but

as

to elucidate matters.

if anxious

Why, I tell you I can see it plain. Besides/'and here she

dropped her voice, Valentine,as he calls himself though he ain't
He did tell me,
as
only I couldn't understand.
good as told me.
knew I couldn't
He
d'you see ? That's why he told me.
Oh, if
he'd only tell you !
of his deeds and of his strange
Fragments of Valentine's exposition
through Cuckoo's mind as fragments of broken
gospelwere floating
wood float by on a stream, fragmentsof broken wood that were
part
hand
that should be rescued by some
from
of a puzzle,
the
strong
stream, and fitted togetherinto a perfectwhole.
Valentine ! You
ruiningJulian ?
say he told you that he was
used
the
Christian
His doingso
doctor
the
names.
Unconsciously
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

set Cuckoo
"

nor

Yes.
what

more

Not

at her

ease.

like that.

Julian thinks.

But

he told

He's

somebody

me.

ain't what you think,

else,and you can't tell it.
He

laughingat you all."

forth from the paintedlipsof Cuckoo, crude
the gospelcame
and garbled,
completelypuzzled.
yet true gospel. The doctor was
he
All
that Valentine
seemed
was
gatheredfrom this announcement
in
this
been
of
to
in some
have
the
Such
streets.
confiding
girl
way
He's

Thus

fact was

sufficiently
astounding.That theyshould

ever

have

been

togetherin

associated
knew

Valentine.

other,and
"

Do

He

in

you
saw

would

be

him

tangle clear by being to

some

something that
hysterical.

Cuckoo

almost

to

"

It told

woman.

such

change of

doctor

the

manner

much

of

the first page of a true readingof Cuckoo's

gave
But he went on with apparentlyunconscious
quietude :

character.
"And

"

only possiblein

and

the truth

"

each

know

said.

the doctor

slowly.
quitewell."
similar answer, but given with

know

almost

him

here

came

you

that the

who

one

flushed

Yes, I

An

Addison

Mr.

Cuckoo
"

as

"

Mr. Cress well well ?

the
that he could only make
know

excited

And

"

to any

ordinary manner.

no

Humanity merely
judicial.
and
violentlyinvolved,passionate,
Well enough."

"

251

they did

that

quiteobvious

was

extent
was

incredible

almost

was

way

any
Yet it

LEV1LLIER

DOCTOR

VISITS

LADY

THE

is

one

somethin'

Why,

tell me,

to

ruiningthe other.
said

Julian

who

know

"What

made

you
thinks

He

once.

and

like them
to

come
a

both,
?

me

"

lot of you.

I thought I would. * It's seein' them

afraid to come, but I
was
since they got back made
come."
least Julian
me
them
"I haven't seen
an
yet,"the doctor said,and there was
"

I
at

"

"

in

intense

Cuckoo's
She

the

with

accent

roused

manner

evidentlyspoke,driven

by

which

he

both

wonder

tremendous

terrogat
in-

spoke. Something
and

alarm

impulse.

in

What

in

him.
vision

had giventhat impulse life ?

"

! " she

Ah

her left cheek

long black
againstthe
eyes

glove.

cheek

bone

She

and

tune, hummed

staringdownwards

were

her,and the
"

mechanicallywith

silk

of

progress

said,and fell suddenlyinto

Have

wonder

you

her

dense

which

silence,touching
covered by a
was

hand,
alternatelypressed the fingersof it
withdrew
the
them, as one who marks
instrument.
or
Her
played on some
upon

the

carpet. The

doctor

watched

and

fear grew in him.

to tell me
? " he said at last.
nothingmore

"Eh?"'
She
"

put

What
"

may

down
her hand slowlyand turned
her eyes on him.
do you wish me
to do ? " he said. " I do not know
yet what
"
he checked himself and substituted,
I must
go and see

friends."

my

"Yes, go."
She

nodded

her head

slowly,and

then

she shivered

as

she

sat

to

but

in

the chair.
"

she said.
Go, and do somethin',''

can't.

It's true, I suppose,

what

"

I would

he said.

"

I want

"

I'm

nearlydone with, I'm

know
you? You
things?

spoilt. I say, you're a doctor, aren't

Tell me
then, do, what's the good of goin'on

beingable

to

feel
"

FLAMES

252
I

mean

know

to feel justlike anybody,anybody as hasn't gone down, you

if you can't do any thin' the same
as
they can, get round anybody
to make
'em go right? I could send him right,I could, as

"

well

as

good.
"

if feelin''d
any girl,
It's looks,I suppose.

No,

doctor said.
interested and touched

bit of

the
everything,"

not

Cuckoo's

only do it. But feelin' ain't

Everythin''s looks."

speech both

wistfulness

came

the doctor

straightfrom

the heart.

him.

And

then

Its confused
it recalled to

conversation
he had had with Valentine,when
they
the
influence that the mere
over
extraordinary
appearance
will working through features" of one
have
man
or
woman
can
talked

"

another.

over

doctor

The

apprehend the

could

entertained
feeling

he

glancedat her, he

understood

at

present ragingbetween

her

only

present rather

at

dimly

for Julian

very well
heart and

But as
by Cuckoo.
the pathosof the contest
the painted shell which

held it.

"Nobody who feels goodnessis utterly bereft of

bringinggood to another," he said. "For we can
feel what

we

can

He

"He"

said different from

of the tired face at the words.

shadows

that,"she

exclaimed.

who?"

"

Him
as
you call Valentine.
because
he
knew as I shouldn't
it,
I can't do nothin' for any one.

Julian,will you, will you ?

That's

why

he

understand,and
But

told

me

because

I say, you

do

was

I don't
accept what

all about
he thinks

somethin'

for

"

passionof pleadingin her voice. She had

out her hand, touched the sleeve
him, and, stretching

There
of

of
power
seldom
really

reallybe/'

never

Light shone through the

"

the

lost her fear

of his coat.

I don't like to
in
Cressvvell
about
Mr.
even
thought. But I
you say
will go and see him, and Julian.
The
dogs,"he added in a low
and secret voice to himself. " There is somethingterribly
strange in
all this."
He fell into a silence of consideration that lasted longer than he
"

understand

it

all,"the

doctor

said.

"

began to fidgetin it uneasily. She

felt that her mission was
perhaps accomplishedand that she ought
at the doctor,pulledher silk glovesup on
She looked across
to go.
did not
He
her thin arms, and kicked one foot againstthe other.
The fog was
the window.
She glanced towards
to notice.
seem
like
and
terrible
its
face
the
a
glass
dreary
against
person
pressing
It
she
them
with
in
was
time,
supposed,
haggard
looking upon
eyes.

knew.

The

lady of

the feathers

for her to drift out into the

terrible face. She got up.
"
I'llgo now," she said.

The doctor did not hear,

arms

that

belongedto

that

drearyand

I'll

"

time

This
have

it

of

its

to

You

"

No,

"

Then

his

out

It's

She

"

dreamy

its

to

lips,
he

seeing

her

to

to

say

.lost

in

sight
of

ray

had

the

me

other

future.

"

he

asked.

that
gave

Then

the

night.

Long

and

Two

sound,

the

cab,

and

cry

seemed,
set

awkwardly,
door

the

opened

autumnal."

that

forth

half

an

fog,

and

was

venomous.

that

put

breath,

as

in

the

fog

his

shiver,

in

to

last

at

thing

and

coat

and

the

muttered

hat,

there

fog

was

very

Valentine.

caught

only
is

The

and

vague

piercing

that

visible.

visit

the

And

voice

and

into

sounded.

"

half

gone.

shrill

it

advanced
for

was

on

sent

paradox
forth,

eyes

uttered

looking

mournfully

went

bright
it

was

nights."

moment

he
a

like

answered

the

for

with

the

to

stood

darkness.

again

He

that

in.

accent

an

action

an

rather

out,

Very

"

the

ejaculation,

and,

rattle.

said.

hate

it, with

following.

instantly

with

herself

the

in
went

said.

whistle,

silence

hers
she

doctor

the

he

do

words

cab

and

seldom

Cuckoo

of

more

put

crawled

it ?

Levillier

Dr.

he

smile

for

Then

night,"

she

with

she

curse,

"{I

said,

murmured.

She

hall,

mist

the

spoke

And

the

the

ain't

C-r-r

"

path,

instance

reasons,

Cuckoo.

gloomy

Yes,

"

hand.

for
to

and

her,
"

and

good-bye."

reaction,

his

bring

nothing

she

think,"

ladylike

oddly

have

in

to

the

her

at

again.'7

once

in

looked

He

head.

don't

you

other

you

her

held

He

for

sure

shook

She

But
have

might

are

see

tried

least

at

up.

stand

to

eyes.

or

reasons,
"

had

he

till

hope

in

chanced

misery

got

will

address.

your

If

and

heard

he

253

repeated.

she

please,"

now,

go

LHV1LUER

DOCTOR

VISITS

LADY

THE

dumb.
an

slowly,
doctor

up

into

note

the

moist

Again
answering
looking
got

for
into

II

CHAPTER
THE

answered
and

arrived

the doctor

WHEN

his

was

at the

Wade

ring.

always famous
Wade

also

his master.

expressed

was

himself

his face relaxed

visitor was,
smile.

been

great

flat Valentine's

Street

Valentine

with

devotion

to, and

especiallypartial
"

when

Levillier,and

Dr.

to

"

Victoria

had

for his

ROOM

EMPTY

THE

IN

VOICE

that

into contentment

for many
years
admiration
of,
would

he

as

he

mat]

have

who

saw

the

stronglysuggested

"

Mr.
"

Back

11

Wade,

see,"the

you

doctor

said,cheerfully. " Is

Cresswellin?"
sir.

No

He's
wait

last

at

and

it's

entered

and

dining out,
?

expect him

But

seven

near

minute

every

to

Will

now.

dress
you

for

dinner.
in

come

and

"

Yes."

The

doctor
who

by Wade,
! what
"Why
round
looking

turned

in

some

into

the

drawing-room, preceded

the

on

have

walked

you

light.
doing to the
surprise. Dear
been

"

room

me.

? " the doctor

It's very

said,
much

altered."
marked.
The
grand piano had
truth, the change in it was
of wood,
cabinet
made
in
its
stood
and
an
enormous
vanished,
place
whose
covered
with grotesque gold figures,
stained black, and
natural
unIn

faces
Some

of these

tongues like
background.

were

faces
snakes

twisted

smiled,others
and

seemed
of

expressionsof all the

scowled, others protruded
hiss along the blackness

vices.

-into the

to

the

forked
of the

and

figures
voluptuous
yet
shapes
suggested,rather than fullyrevealed,deformity,as if the minds of
these
monsters
sought to reveal their distortion by the very lines of
limbs.
their curved and wanton
Upon the top of this cabinet stood
with
orchids,the Messalinas of the
a
giganticrose-coloured jar filled
and
to
whose
mauve
spotted faces leered down
corruption
hothouse,
It was
to
imagine them
easy
greet the gold goblins beneath.
of
unknown
soft
histories
sins,and jeering
whispering to each other
of London, as they clustered together
at the corrupt respectabilities
The

were

ROOM

EMPTY

255

ruddy ramparts of the china, wild flowers as

hedgerow violet,or pale smirking primrose,is ever wild in the

and leaned above

no

THE

IN

VOICE

THE

farthest wood.
Glancing from

the

cabinet,and those that stood upon it,the

of a deep and
doctor was
aware
dusty note of red in the room,
and
from
walls, tinglingdrowsilyin the window
carpet
sounding
This was
the couches.
that lay upon
curtains and in the cushions
the
red
with
festive
cheerful
which
not the crude and
sealing-wax
Philistine loves to dye the whiteness of his dining-roomwalls,
cooling
is for ever
with panels of that old oak which
its chubby absurdity
and
It was
dim
a
new.
deep colour,such as a dust-filmed ruby
Valentine
had
might emit if illuminated
by a soft light. And
it
that though it pervaded the entire room
shrouded it so adroitly,
seemed
distant
and
vast
remote, a background,
always
perhaps,but
clouded and shadowed
These
nearer
nearer
things.
by
things were
for Valentine's
which had displayed
itself
asceticism,
original
many,
in
the
of
his
bareness
had
essentially
slight
principalsitting-room,
apparentlybeen swept away by a tumultuous
greed for ornaments.
The room
crowded
with furniture,
chairs and sofas of the most
was
this

peculiarshapes,divans
couch

of wood

made

was

between

woman,

and

of them

outstretched

many

silv"r

most

in the transformation

upon

its walls.
The

The

arms

the East.

of the

room

picturesthat

he

of

the semblance

crouching limbs seemed

cabinets

One

settees.

placedthe pillow to
layon the bent backs

was

Another

stood

twined

thousand

ments,
orna-

boxes,tinyivoryfigures,

toys,sweetmeat

wrigglingatrocities from

and

painted into

restingthere.

one

grinning Indian boys,whose

knot.
Upon the tables and

of two

and

of

tables, book-stands

carved

whose

receive the head

into

and

But
was

what

struck

the doctor

the panorama
well
so

remembered

presented
were

all

classical

the landscapes
full of atmosphere and of
figures,
And
from their places leered down
jockeys
and street-women
Jan
Van
Beers
and
painted by
Degas, Chaplin
and Gustavo
had
Courbet, while above the mantelpiece,where once
" The
Merciful
Cocotte
Leibl
smoked
hung
Knight," a
a
by
pipe
gone.

delicacyhad

into the

vanished.

livid

Cuckoo

woke
as

an

It seemed

room.

in such

inward

incredible that Valentine

chamber, and

not

in the doctor such

this vision

of

transformation

could

be at rest

the vague
communications
of
definite and alive sensation of comfort
dis-

even
a

outward

change

of the most

that

vivid and

must

surelybetoken

unusual

kind.

And

bell ringing relentlessly

everywhere, as a deep and monotonous
through a symphony of discordant and cryingpassions,
there sounded
that sinister note of deep and dusty red.
Despite his own
complete
health of mind, and the frantic disquisitions
of the morbid
Nordau,
the little doctor felt as if he heard
the colour,as if it spoke from
beneath his very feet,as if it sang under
his fingerswhen he laid

356

FLAMES

them

the brocade of

on

heavy

music

of dull and

song

to him

with
palpitated

room

drowsilyin his

murmured

ears

change. No silence had ever

and
powerfully. He was greatlyaffected,

so

show

to

which

if the

couch, as

weary

his discomfort

who

Wade,

to

waited

monotonous

before

spoken
scruple
by the
respectfully
did not

door.
"

What
withdrawn

alteration ! "

an

voice.

"

he

said

again,but in
recognisethe room

I cannot

lower

once

and
knew

more
"

and

loved."
"

Mr.

Yalentine

"

But

"

I don't

has been

why, Wade, why

know,

doing it up,

sir."

"

suppose, sir."
An evil one,"the doctor murmured
to himself.
He glancedat Wade.
It struck him that the man's
sir.

fancy,I

"

with

march
possibly

glancewith

calm

Wade

were.

"

Yery well,sir,I
Mr.

returned

the

doctor's

good breeding.

Mr.

? " he said.

believe."

Addison?"

"

I couldn't

"

Do

"

there

Yaientineis well,I hope, Wade

"

"And

might

in detection of his master's transformation,

Cuckoo's

if transformation

mind

quitesay, sir,as

to

that."

that he looks ill? "

you mean
I couldn't say, sir. Mr.

Julian

don't look

quitewhat

he was,

to

view, sir."

my
"

Oh."

The
and
"

butler's level voice

again
Thank

The

mingled with the clouded

of change was
struck.

red of the room,

propheticchord

Wade," said the doctor.

you,

man

and
retired,

the

doctor

was

left alone

in

the

empty

room.

"

Although

-*"*"

he

Dr. Levillier was

not a man
intensely
sensitive,
him
tricks.
He
whose nerves
above all thingssane, both
was
played
and in body, full of a livelycalm and a bright
in mind
power of
made
observation.
the
nervous
Indeed, having
system his special
less
liable
he
than
most
human
other
was
perhaps
life-study
beings
that
fancies
the
be
carried
to
by
people tabulate as
away
many
to be governedby the beings that have no real existence
or
realities,
and are merely projected
by the action of the imagination. Half at
in life had been owing to his self-possession,
least of his great success
which never
vergedon hardness,or fused itselfwith its near relation,
to be upset by the creatures
stolidity.No man, in fact,was less likely
than
he.
Yet
when
Wade
had gentlyclosed the drawingof his mind
room
door,and retreated into his privateregion,the doctor allowed

himself

to become

was

the

of an
possession

influence

which, to the end of

FLAMES

258
the clash of civil war.

through the
through the
in the

there

was

lattice-work of
lattice-work of a Tadema

felt himself

the doctor

always the cloudyred, visible

decoration,as the blue sky is visible

Yet

interior.

In

that clouded

red

readinga new
yet powerful Valentine,and
their
mis-shapenchins upon the
leaning
and they seemed
Those flowers had evil faces,

grotesque orchids

rosy rim of their

strangelyat home

vase.

in the

caged bird twittered.

Dr. Levillier sat and
Valentine.
know
a
new

silent

where

room

clock ticked and

no

Only the red cloud spoke like

listened to it,until he felt as
There

is

influence

an

no

voice,and

dull
if he

began to

that emanates

from

influence in form,
penetrating
;
in colour,in scent, even
And such influence is like
in juxtaposition.
in that empty room
voice
voice
to
the
soul.
There
was
a
a
speaking
;
lifelessthings,
strong,subtle,and

and

the words

greater dread

it uttered stirred the doctor

than the words of Cuckoo.

that which

well be

might
related a reality
and

voice

doctor

the

As

an

he

conversed

discomfortingaffairs.
and the
perpetualanxious questioner,
sinister

and

gave vague
catechism of the
and
Nor
common

he

sense

and

He
even

the

was

broke

of

genius of this

flame

The

shaken

like

empty room
catechism,a
flowed on,

answer

cool voice from

the

the
goblins,

out,
with-

twig could not

in which

fantastic and

man,

This

room.

menacing.

of him.

room

the doctor

red cloud seemed

in

breath

curved

stay
there

sang
monstrosities

Yes,

the
and
Indian boys,the leeringpictures,
always
wall and
and
cushion
hanging. And
carpet,

strange deceptionovertook

steadynerves.
like

on

was

terrible

deepened,darkness

the vision of
fire,

cabinet,the crouched

voice in the

finally.But

darkness

the twisted silver

now

This

of many
strange and evil
He was
the interrogator,

Question and

into the catechism

the

of her hate.

anxietyand the distress ever deepened.

his
development,although at moments

interruptit

And

the dull red cloud

then

answers.

their

control

sought to

the torrent.
was
a vision

That

devil,not of God.

in the doctor's soul the

could

paintedlipsrelated
or

matters, of many
the

Her

legend.

no

there

sat

a
greater surprise,

fancy

legendof her

to

and

shook

his

on

usually

to his

observingeyes to tremble,
of wind, and to glow all around

again,endeavouringto laugh at his delusion. But

where
Everyglow deepenedand there was surelydistinct movement.
took
on
walls,floor,
hangings,couches,faint,thin shadows
that
He
definite.
them
and saw
watched
they
shape,grew more
if
the
It
red
red.
relieved
was
as
were
flames,
against
tiny
glowing
he sat in the midst of a ghostlyfurnace ; for these flames had no
pleasantcracklingvoices. Silently
they burned, and fluttered upward
this way
that.
Some
and
He
them
saw
move
noiselessly.
if
as
leapedup ; others bent sideways; others wavered uncertainly,
The
and their intention undecided.
their desire were
incomplete,
him.
the

He

looked

THE

doctor

stared

tremble

to

but

and

be

said

to

victim

senses.

had

near

something
as

escape
in

The

yearned

find

he

sudden,

that

trance

in

he

They

by

burned

suddenly
faded.

they

and

then

suddenly

when

he

pushed

of

red

of

to

They
tried

in

its
that

on

and

fade

question
so,

sides

grasp

Valentine's

lips

if

to

they

then,
of

friend's

about

these

were

by

his

ment,
excite-

were

the

his.

They

night

them

faint

longed

communicate

And

all

on

forms

blurred,

the

they

believe

And,

after

gaze

Their

vague,
into

too,

reproduced
his

clearly.

grew

listened

got

one

They

Julian's

flame?

They

circle.

defined.

more

all

around
And

room.

Then

him.
once

They
more

the

alone.

sat

He

man

his

holding

was

them
to

the

to

word.

from

gradually
himself

on

held

on

shine

soul

intensity

died

desire.

some

recalled,
of

soul

or

utter

flame
He

more

They

doctor

He

the

with

ardently

the

"

hearts

declaration

the

souls,

many

to

Julian's

Was

and

impelled

of

were

to

fiery

that

he

real.

that

thoughts

emotion,

and

seen

ran

their

background
was

darkness.

death-beds.
flames

voices

had

the

red

doctor

recalled

so

"

out

with

sinister

the

to

yes

"

fancied

his

self
him-

have

he

in

him

he

them

sigh

to

convulsed

leash.

away

"

if

from

watched

that

flames

enclosed

knew
would

allowed

fancy

These

He
he

yet

and

sing

chorus,

no

deception

and

this,

the

actual.

They

and

him,

to

trembled

as

and

him,

to

he

As

him.

embraced

such

deceived,

drift, into
the

moved.

They

forms.

be

with

knew

being

was

others

seen

intercourse

strange

he

what

knew

fires

sang

him.

against

he

sense

that

had

he

as

aid

his

common

notion

the

drift,

his

He

that

they

Yet

around

aspired

259

chorus

the

lips.

delusion.

seeking

ROOM

for

their

silence,

of

EMPTY

listened

from

murmur

patient

THE

and

ghostly

the

In

lost

to

in

IN

them,

upon

always,
to

VOICE

the

his

slowly

feet

open,

the

horror

followed

was
on

heard

click

that
in

to

faced

he

Regent
face

of

had

as

in

key
felt

Street,

it, and,

Valentine,

the

once

the

long
more

front

door.
on

ago,

the

possessed

drawing-room

door

And

night
him.
was

III

CHAPTER

DOCTOR

THE

STRANGERS

TWO

MEETS

of the

threshold

UPON

seeingthe doctor Valentine paused on the

door, and, as he paused,the doctor's horror fled.
Valentine,"he said,holding out his hand.
"

"

Doctor."

Their

hands

instant

and

met

sensation

that

their

the face of Valentine

upon

about
if it

There

was

the mouth.
were

Yet,
that

or

were

at

there.

The

memory
not

was

eyes,

again,he

an

looked

subtle,

surely coarser,

were

the

near

of

aware

was

had

He

stranger.

he

features

the
two

he looked

as

if his

or

so,

transformation

All

line

Levillier

then

with

but
certainly,

it.

in

yet large,change
heavier.

And

eyes.
hands

he shook

could

fulness

loose

certain

be

not

after

fault, groping
words

he

said

now

expressedhis real feelingin the matter.

truthfully
You
are
quitea stranger to me," he said.
Valentine
acceptedthe remark in the conventional sense.
Yes, quitea stranger. We have not met for an age."
"

"

The
"

voice

I have

cool and

was

waitingfor you," the doctor went on, still

By the way, how you have changed your

been

feel at his

Do

you

chose

Julian
"

Julian !

"

That

Did

curious

deal to do with
"

I should

over

ornaments

"

supposed many
and

were

the

altered in

room."

replied,
drawing off
in
it."
things

he

his

?"

But
he had
my idea.
and the ornaments."

was

minds
doctor

had
was

gloves.

been

at

convinced

work
that

great

here."
both

his

expression.
answered.

"Julian
has had various
way,"
love
The
of
the
is visible
moment
gender.
That
is why
it amuses
Those
silver
room.
me.
chosen
Circassian.
A
Parisian
by a pretty
picked

of the feminine
this

No, that
furniture

new

and eyes had

That's true in a

advisers
all

red ?

smiled,

mouth

of the

he devise the colour scheme

the

have

Valentine
"

great many

to

like it?"

"Well, frankly,no."
"
I am
sorry for that," Valentine
"

unable

"

ease.

"Yes.

careless.

in

that black cabinet

out

MEETS

DOCTOR

THE

STRANGERS

of

Boulogne.

warehouse

vulgar paintedsofa

that

insisted upon

TWO

and

"

261
little Italian

on."

so

do you allow such people to have any intercourse with

"
of
room
yours ?
"
it was.
as
Julian, and I was tired of my room
Oh, it amused
'
'
resolved
be
I
Merciful
went
to
on
The
After
cleaned,
Knight

Why

"

change."
the worse."

"

For

"

Is it for the

?"

worse

"Surely."
The

of the

eyes

two

Valentine's

other.

challengedeach

men

impudent and hardy. The deference which he

glancewas carelessly
If it had been genuine
had always given to the doctor was
gone.
If it had only been a mask
it had apparentlyserved
dead.
it was
and
aside. Dr.
its purpose
was
now
contemptuously thrown
moved
His
the
transformation.
friend had
Levillier was
by
deeply
become

stranger during the interval

admired

he

although

he left

change hit him

the

than

yet fully

not

was

Before

Valentine.
Now

admirable

less

was

of

old.

he

of miracles, he could well have

age
Valentine
to
disjointedstatement.
was,

talking

he did

mind

not

passion. The
lover of humanity

mind,

even

"

Very well,I think.

We

me.

that,in

Bright's
in

some

me,

his former

consolidated.
Nor

man.

It became

the

was

old

friend

eyes.

will be here

diningat

are

reminds

That

He

And

sleep.
asked, dropping his

is Julian ? " the doctor

H"w

party.

his

it

was

Cuckoo

believed

known.

never

in the

lulled to

"

the

directly. He's coming to

Prince's in Piccadilly
in the same

I must

dress.

But

do stay, and

have

coffee."

some

"

had

closelywas

woke

and

"

know,

Valentine

doctor

fetch

So acute

his eye, at this moment

He
no
longer Valentine.
with a man
whose
features he knew
certainly,but

resolution to watch
a

of

to

strange way
whose

transformation

the

vaguelysuspected a change.

full in the heart.

an

was

he

man

recognised that,

He

of

aware

England

The

of his absence.

No

coffee,thank you."
But you will stay and

early."
Yes, I
"

After
doctor

will
word

was

once

stay. I should
two

or

more

more,

alone.

Julian.

see

daresay he

like to meet
him."
Valentine
vanished
He

much

was

dress,and the
perplexed and saddened,

but

keenly interested too,and, gettingup from

had

been

he
sitting,

threadinghis

way

gentlecaution;
conversation

moved

about

the

as

he

walked

to

the chair in which

grotesque and

through the gracelessfurniture

And

will be here

with

vulgar
a

he

room,

silent and

meditativelyhe remembered
a
long ago, when the latter

he had held with Valentine

262

FLAMES

had

of
spoken complainingly

The

very words he had

The minds of men

"

and

littlepush

lose

if you

can

used

back to him

came

often

are

tyranny of

the

send them

heaven,the space

once

now

purity.

carefully,
very deftlypoised,

very
one

instinctive

an

the other.
Remember
or
will not be left
filled by heaven
way

empty."
Had
That

not the littlepush been

the

given?

Had

not

heaven

Dr. Levillier,if he

But

been

lost ?

a
problem.
And
quiteat a loss as to cause.
alreadyhe had a
that the change in Valentine was
not quiteon the lines of
suspicion
of those strange and dreadful human
one
changes familiar to any
observant man.
This suspicion,
alreadylatent,and roused,perhaps,
in the first instance long ago by the mystery of Rip's avoidance
of
his master, and by the shatteringof Valentine's musical powers,
in the strongestway
confirmed
when
Julian appeared a few
was
minutes
later. Yet the change in Julian would
have seemed
to
remarkable.
most peoplefar more
He came
into the drawing-room rather hastily,
in evening dress

into

was

little way

saw

was
effect,

with

coat

and

presence,

it.

over

he

had

Wade

entered

forewarned

speaking loud

greeting hand.

The

him

words

of the
of

doctor's

welcome, and

voice

and almost
a
holding
ready
hand
uneasiness.
betokened
his
latent
makes
Vice
some
premature
self-conscious. Julian belongedat present to
some
peopleunconscious,
the latter tribe. Whether
he was
of self-alteration
thoroughlyaware
or
not, he evidentlystirred uneasilyunder an expectationof the
doctor's surprise.This drove his voice to loud notes and his manner
belied by the shifting
to a boisterous heartiness,
glanceof his brown
out

eyes.
The
here

was

doctor

astounded

was

far less

Its mystery was

the horror that

as

he

than
inexplicable
the familiar

we

all

looked
that

mystery

acceptas

one

too

at him.

Yet

the

change

other

change in Valentine.
of humanity. Its horror was

of the

elements

of life. Deterioration,

however

rapid,however complete,does not come

upon us
like a ghostin the night to puzzle us absolutely.It is not altogether
of our
out of the range
Most
have
men
seen
a
experience.
crumble
man
vice,as a wall
gradually,
through the action of some
crumbles through the action of time,fall into dust and decay,filter
into the weed-choked
ditches of utter ruin and degradation.
away
have watched
Most women
some
woman
slipfrom the purityand
and
innocence
of
faded
into
the
girlhood
hope
hunger and painted
of
und wrinkled
animalism.
Such
energies
tragediesare no more
unfamiliar to us than are the tragediesof Shakespeare. And
such
but
not
third-act
at
a
a tragedy
completeyet,
point,perhaps now
faced Dr. Levillier in Julian.
The wall that had been so straight
arid trim,so finely
built and carefully
was
crumblingfast
preserved,
"

"

MEETS

DOCTOR

THE

STRANGERS

TWO

263

decay. A ragged youth slunk in the face,beggared of virtue,of

of all loftyaspirationand
true cheerfulness,
high intent. It was
for nothing can
that giftof the gods,
entirelymassacre
youth still,
than
sadder
it
inevitable
Time.
But
was
except
youth
age, because
forward
that dog the steps of
the wearinesses
it had run
to meet
should
Julian
that
be
home
with
at
never
age's enemy.
age but
He was
had been the leapingchild of healthy energy.
now
quite
of lassitude.
foot left the ground as if
His
obviouslythe servant
with
tired reluctance,
and
his hands
a
were
fidgety yet nerveless.
The eyes, that looked at the doctor and looked away
by swift turns,
with
burned
a
haggard eagerness unutterablydifferent from their
former brightvivacity. Beneath
the puffy
them
wrinkles crept on
white face as worms
about
a
Busy and tell-tale,
they did
corpse.
had
not try to conceal the story of the body into which
they
turely
premato

themselves.

cut

features choose

did Julian's

Nor

back

to

up

his mind

might possiblyfeel about acknowledging the

alteration of his life. They proclaimed,
from a watch
consummate
as
The cheeks
no
were
tower, the arrival of enemies.
longer firm,but
and
The
mouth
the
down-drawn
flaccid.
deformed
was
heavy
by
and
the complexion beaconed
with
looseness of the sensualist,
an
scarlet that was
unnatural
a
story to be read by every street boy.
the
with a gnawand
doctor,as he looked pitifully
Yet, even
so,
ing
grief upon Julian,felt not the mysterious thrill communicated
These two men,
these old-time friends of his,
to him by Valentine.
both in a sense
were
strangers. But it was as if he had at least
heard much
of Julian, knew
much
of him, understood
him, comprehended
he
Yalentine
the total
a
was
was
exactly why
stranger.
stranger,the unknown, the undivined.
reserve

any

ago the doctor

stood before him.

had

Long
now

The

Valentine.

new

The

other

notice

Julian's

show

in utter
furtive

had

foreseen

never

summed

was

mystery.
his

of the Julian who

possibility
of the
the possibility

the

glance,and

surprisefrom
and
cordiality,

of

foreseen

change

one

of

all trace

"

walked

He

doctor

The

equally

was

So

manner.

own

Julian

developed

little of

he said.
Well, there's plenty of
dressing,"
how's your Russian, Doctor 2

Val's

way,

"

"

Better."

"

You've

"

hope

Julian

Oh,

He
"

cured him
I have

looked

Bravo

!"

persuaded him

to

hastily.
complaint,was it ?
without a tinge of bitterness.

up
that sort of

laughed,not

Perhaps he

himself."

cure

doesn't want

"

to be

cured."

in

swift

they met

"

"

up in an
had
been

his

instant.
swift

to

banishing

with
old

time.

fair

fulness.
cheer-

By

the

FLAMES

264
"

I have

"

Isn't

persuadedhim to want to be, I think."

office? Julian asked.
that rather a priest's
"

doctor noticed that

The

faint

very

had crept into

hostility

his

manner.

"Why?"
"

daresay,and

while you
"

But

know

you

has

doctor

"Yes.

at

of

temperament,
temperaments, don't they,

bodies."

our

much

much

our

matter

good

mind

body, and no
entirelyignoresthe mind.

do with

to

if he

as

theories."

my

make

They

at
as

do
possibly

can

illness is

an

clergytinker

the

doctors tinker

nerve

doctor

Such

I don't know.

Oh,

clergyman and

you

doctor in one,

dangerous

man."
And

he
him

around
"

of the

think

What

do you
it
think

"I

shifted in his seat, looking

and
laughedagain,jarringly,
with quick eyes.

? " he said

room

and
entirelyspoilt

abruptly.

ruined," the

doctor

answered,

gravely.
"
"

It's altered,
certainly."
It was
for
the
worse.
Yes,

beautiful

room,

one

of the

most

beautiful in London."
A

change

momentary
which

manner,

seemed

an

came

over

Julian.

assumptionto

cover

He

dropped

inward

his hard

discomfort

or

shame.

Yes," he said
got
now,
gayer
"

almost
more

regretfully. I suppose it was.

things in it. Full of memories
"

But it's
this room

is."
last remark

The
what

Valentine

to find out
evidentlyput forth as a feeler,
about
Dr.
Levillier
was
talking
habitually

was

had

been

truthful,althoughhe could be very reserved if occasion seemed

requireit. At presenthe preferredto be frank.
of women," he remarked.
Memories
"
Oh, you'veheard ?

to

"

"

"

That

several tastes

helpedto

make

this

room

the

pandemonium

which it is. Yes."

"
You're severe, Doctor."
"

Perhaps you

Julian

looked

"

I don't know.

"

By

the

way,

like the

I suppose

for its memories, Addison."

so,"he hesitated.

is there

Greeks, and
Julian

room

doubtful.
these vagrant memories
of Circassians,
among
Italians anythingchosen by Cuckoo Bright? "

started violently.
Cuckoo
Bright,"he exclaimed," what do you know of her ? "
As he spokeValentine strolled into the room
dressed for dinner. He
of
lavender
and
a
was
drawing on
pair
gloves, looked down sideways
"

FLAMES

266

she

Perhaps

"

mind

the

rather

he

spoke

the

doctor

that

the

words

conviction
the

knew
him

He

such

suddenly

of
capacity of a doctor
Perhaps, after all, she sought
your

body.

The

believed

for

swayed

him,

mission

doctor

of

he

but
It

could

the

fury

be

poor

the

Valentine
rose

Valentine.
had

he

felt

obviously

so

felt

unreasonable,

so

girl

street

him

There

Never

the

to

that

against

not.

like

was

ashamed

was

that

enmity

predisposed him to this animus

charity and good, clear impulses of

normal

into

Street.

Harley

to

sensation

man.

any

moment

help having driven

spoken with meaning,
not

were

down,

it

against

enmity

could

violent

beat

to

Cuckoo.

his

the

of Cuckoo's

nature

strove

by

of

than

in

you

aid."

your
As

in

seek

to

went

and

that

and

had

absolutely
surged up over

tenderness

for

all that

lived.
said

aid," he
My
speak with unusual
"

I have

Oh,

slowly and
Cuckoo
Bright
"

"

do

How

Cuckoo

even

corruption
helpless as is
She
can
only

"

due

Bah
at

The

was

then

him
?

of real

touch

to

"

ness
tender-

ing
replied, buttonglove.
Only,
help herself
nor
"

neither

can

! Let's
the
last

might

"

"

Once

of

shot

present

silently.

die

"

has

led

will.

in

I know

her.
to

Cuckoo
its

than

worse

is

Bright

wings

upon

the

as

sea.

future."

the

Julian

But

fight

in

body

through

that

I, too, thought

some

of

corruption

with

have

corruption

to

Cuckoo

said

again

"

seemed

irritate

to

for

Valentine,

he

caught

up

his

forget her.

Prince's.

words

well,

"

Her

in the

listened

cried

observed, Doctor.

not.

drift

poor
exclamation

and

have

mind,

Poor,

cloak

Cresswell

seabird

doctor

The

She

aid.

beyond

know,

has
of

"

is

might

she

that

The

did,

caused

what

nothing to say against it," Valentine

of the second
carefully the last button

you

Because

now

there

him

else."

one

any

said, and

Julian

if she

And

voice.

his

in
il

"

within

turmoil
"

sternness.

Cuckoo

"Poor

the

and

"

It

sounded

Doctor,

has

been

like

the

we

good

must
to

bitterest

say

meet

good-night.
again."
you

sarcasm.

We

are

IV

CHAPTER

he had

painfulone
men

drift away

with

them

Cuckoo's

in

of his

had

to

for

see

against Valentine

accusation

such

young
to be
especially

wanted

whether
himself,if possible,
That

true.

were

and
life,

Julian's

place in

taken

He

acquaintance.

and
publicplaces,

been

of lettingthe two

whatever

intention

no

out

had

Street

Victoria

Dr, Levillier's visit to

ALTHOUGH

RIP

OF

DEATH

THE

frightful
rapidly

he

that

change
clear enough.
was
sinking in a slough of wholly inordinate dissipation
lead
him
this
But did Valentine,
or
new
merely
strange Valentine,
him
and
him
take
at
with
stand
his
aloof
or
smiling
letting
him,
go
That
like a foolish boy ?
decide
own
questionthe doctor must
way
for himself.
Valentine's

both

them

began by asking
they accepted and came.
below
The

The

dinner.

mastiffs

Rather
shut

were

to show

the

former

dear

Their faces

return

He

associates.
were

altered

between

was

if

as

their voices sounded

on

the

him.

exercise of
manner

by

strange and

their minds

suave

He

his.

and

far
He

away.

of

Julian,who

could

prudery

to

like
arising,

his

distance.

to learn the

would

they

the

obviouslyfeared

an

at

more

thawingof

the
his
the

appallingPhoenix, from

this way he drew a little

first to suffer condemnation

lost his uneasiness

hands, but, finding only geniality,

this

and

had
spaces
at first to

In

past imprudence.

himself to become

of

Great

endeavoured

summer.

it served

another.

on

influence

den

bridge
only pretend
gulf by
banishing from
diplomacy,and by carefully
elderliness which
of that dispraising
to
seems

every trace
the essence
of

young
the ashes

in their

shore, they

one

desolate

those

to

his

close

came
spaces, to bridgethat gulf; but he soon
them
nor
vanity of such an attempt. He could not go to
cover

strangers.
surprise

were

to

they should repeat their performance

but
apparent cheerfulness,
passedoff with some
fixed between
him
doctor the gulf that was
now

lest

widened

to

of the

dinner

Even

satisfactorily
by ignoring
to
his
endeavouring resume

these old friends who

intimacy with

He

it

himself,and

impertinenceto

relations of

former

decide

only

could

He

was

and

nearer

to

at his

suffered

natural.

Julian,the quickresponse of humanity to the

FLAMES

268

adroit treatment
of it,only threw into harsher relief the immobility
and to him the doctor drew no nearer, but seemed, with
of Valentine,
each moment,
the
with

them
of

the breath

What
He

distant,more

more

gulfbetween

wore

full of

was
a

divided from him.

And
absolutely
which
filledthe atmosphere
icebergs,

deadlyfrost.

Valentine,the new
a brilliant mask,

This

what

was

Valentine,felt could
on

whose

gay mouth

the doctor

felt.

be ascertained.

not

the

smile was
society
edged with tinkling

well painted. He
a
wore
manner
singularly
in his eyes.
bells of brilliancy.
Yet
Happiness and ease beamed
his look,his voice,his smile,his gaietychilled the doctor and set
him mentallyshivering.And
with each bright sayingand merry
he
blow
the
former
struck
a
friendship.The doctor
laugh
upon
fancied he could actually
hear the sound of the hammer
at its work.
The simile of the hammer
with his present
consonant
was
peculiarly
view of the new
latter's
the
Valentine,for,despite
gaiety,
ease, and
and expansiveness,
the doctor
his smilingsociability
self-possession,
conscious of a lurkingviolence,an
incessant and
was
perpetually
forcible exigencein him.
It might be a fancy,but the doctor was
not

rule the prey of fancies.

a
of inward
Rather
turmoil.

Yet

as

hint

Valentine

did

outward

no

gave

divine

doctor

the
it as by a
in
which
him
that
to
lay hiding. And
guided
this apprehensionof a deep violence and peculiar,
excessive

curious intuition that

it

was

animation
that

set

been

so

doctor's

the

them
so
widely. For
gulf between
abhorred
by Valentine.
specially

sought all calm.

of life.

the

that woke

in Valentine

The

Fury

calm, he had

and

any

often

deepestwonder,

all violence had

had

He

said,

wild movements

so

the

were

of the

and
onca

loved and
crats
aristo-

true

of

passionswere

gutter.

That

dinner

Julian

more

he

unable

was

returned.

was

than

doctor dined with Valentine

and

accompaniedthem to the theatre. But

attitude towards
certain of Valentine's precise
easilythat the influence of the one over the

once, and

to make

Julian,althoughhe

saw

other had rather waxed

Julian, having

The

than

waned.

This

being so, it followed that

completelychanged,the influence that

guided

him

completelychanged also. The pendulum had swung

not
back.
That often happened in the record of men's lives. But
in such a way
this. The doctor, like Cuckoo, recognisedthe
as
existence of a mystery. But he was
prepared to accept
by no means
of
it. That was
her fantastic and ignorantly
a
vague explanation
must

wild

have

fable,a fairytale for

child,not

elucidation for a
that she
of all was

reasonable

curious thing
The most
and a doctor.
man
had
declared that Valentine
actuallytold her the
matter, knowing that she could not understand
resolved to

see

her

point. Meanwhile

later,and
he

to

began to

questionher
watch

truth
it.

about

The

the

doctor

more

minutelyon

Valentine

and
carefully,

this
with

OF

DEATH

THE

RIP

269

of manner,
attention to every detail and nuance
His sad case
to an
understood
Julian.
He
was
look, and word.
from the bondage in
due to his long happinessand freedom
extent

the most

sedulous

passionshad been
influence of Valentine.
dammed
Through the
up by the original
had
been
the height of the dam, the waters
rising,
years, behind
dam
the
was
removed, and a
accumulating, pressing. Suddenly
furious.
flood swept forth,uncontrollable,headlong,and
devastating
seemed
to
to lie
but
the
Julian needed
rescue
only way
rescue,
through Valentine,within whose circle of influence he was so closely
which

so

bound.

The

And

mystery of Valentine

of the world
And

meanwhile

and

must

as

if his

be laid bare.

ledge
wondered, bringing all his knowminds
and bodies of men
to help him.

of the

the

was

and

watched

the doctor

so

/wearily.It

move

men

many

lady

of

the

feathers

was

seen

nightly in

Piccadilly.
And

Julian went

downwards.
steadily

his way

*******

flicker of

London, and the air

of coming winter.
The
chill with the breath
was
dreary light of
of
walked
illumined
the
faces
all
who
in
the
snow
streets,painting
cheeks with a murky grey
the brightest
pigment,and making the
and
sweetest
expressiveof depression. Heavily the
eyes hollow
afternoon
went
by and the evening came
sharply,like a blow.
at
Dr. Levillier was
engaged to dine with Julian and Valentine
in Mayfair. Of late Valentine
had seemed
the former's room
to
in the company
seek him out, and especially
to enjoy seeing him
of
And
the doctor fancied he detected something of a triumph
Julian.
that was
almost blatant in Valentine's manner
when
they three were
One

night there

was

snow

over

and when
the doctor's eyes rested sorrowfully
that
together,
upon
which
had
been
fair
and
once
so
crumbling wall,
strong. Of late,
too, the doctor,ever watching for the signsof change in Valentine,
had grown
and more
that he was
an
more
aware
utterly,through
and
different
the
from
had
called the
man
through,
youth men
Saint of Victoria Street. He felt the transformation
to be inhuman,
slow
and
he
reluctant
and, by
was
degrees,
beginning to form an
in
shadow
a
as
opinion. It was
only
embryo
yet,
hesitatingin
the background of his mind.
He
shrank
from
holding it. He
shuddered
if
it
at its coming.
it
were
Yet,
right,
might explain
otherwise
incredible clear and
everything,might make what was
comprehensible.
Was
this vile change in his friend caused
by a radical distortion
of mind

Was

Valentine

madman

Lunacy
temperaments upside down, transforms the
the saint into the murderer.
tiger,
Was
Valentine then mad, and was
the monstrous
distortion
turns

lamb

into the

of his

FLAMES

27o
brain
The
often
his

sane

doctor,and

to the

him.

to

near

rest of the

Julian,who, like the

world,

thought came

it upon

rest

the life of

playingupon

believed him

he would

Yet

facts.

That

madness, however

been born it was

it unless he could

not
encourage
should change was

man

it had

once

the

unaccountable

not

change might

proofof
The

seem.

doctor watched Valentine,and was

compelled to admit to himself
seemed
His cynicism,
that in every way Valentine
perfectlysane.
of
his
toleration
and wretched
his love of ordinary life,
common
amazing to one who had known him well years
people,might seem
there

ago, but

were

of the
opinions,

sane
men
perfectly
of speechand of

many

modes

same

of the

habits and
If the doctor's

same

action.

definite belief,
to become
much
a
more
was
strange thought were
of
that
at
least
would
needed, something
proof,something
carry
but to the cool and searching
conviction not merely to the imagination,
intellect.
this

On

forward

night of

towards
he

When

the doctor's

the first snow

thought moved

step

conviction.

arrived at Julian's rooms, he

was

Valentine

greetedby

alone.
Our

"

host has deserted

us,"he said,leadingthe

doctor in to the

fire.
is he ill?"

"What,
"

has not

He

certain

dessert.

He

went

pleasure. This afternoon

He

you.

returned.

was

His

away last night

he wired askingme
"

unavoidablydetained,but hoped to

on

to

arrive

quest of
entertain

in time

are
present love's arms
very strong. They keep
of his cloak, " we dine
out
said,slipping

for
him."

Oh ! " the doctor

then?"
"

"

We

back from

came
"

No.

abroad,and

I will consider

It struck the doctor

he chose.
to

myselfyour guest."
here

that

was

an

excellent

abandoning

this

opportunity.
to
into the dining-roomand sat down
They
was
apparentlyrather amused at playingthe
use

man's

house.

It

was

an

elation not

with

unlike

dinner.
host

He was
him.
good appetiteand drank the

novel and

ate
splendidspirits,

with

opportunityfor

his

went

in

and

with
dreary suspicion. Alone
direction
lead
the
conversation
in
he would be able to
any
and resolved
had
not
that
Julian
He was
returned,
glad

confirming or
Valentine

we've dined alone since Julian

you deserted your Russian."

I don't think

do, alone.

here

the

entertained

elation of the

tine
Valen-

in another

obviously
champagne

dancingwine. More
and probable occupation,

once, too, he alluded to Julian's absence

and the other were
if both the one
as
bouquets in his cap, or
Dr. Levillier
which
he
alone
could
in
laurels
wear.
some
crown

than

DEATH

THE

RIP

OF

271

noticed it and

and to lead
sought to draw him on in that direction,
Julian's
of
in
his
share
some
rapidlyproceeding
open acknowledgment
into another
But Yalentine
ruin.
changed the conversation
without
channel
apparentlyobservinghis companion'sintention,or
things,
deliberatelyfrustratingit. He chattered of a thousand
of London
dinner
converse
mostly of topicsthat are the common
the
tables.
The doctor joinedin.
To a listening
two
men
stranger
have seemed
old friends,pleasantlyat ease
and
with
would
secure
Yet the doctor was
another.
one
doing detective duty all the time.
And
Valentine
! was
he not secretly
revellingin that destruction of
him

to

human

soul that

Course
table.
"

you

Valentine

Let

us

and

"

Rather

"

Ah,

"

You

"No

on

he's

but

the
so

smile

Julian's

placed upon

was

the

absence," he

said.

"

For

perfectlytogether."
in Julian's

happy enough

where

know

of

last dessert

glasswith

health

cruel toast

At

course.

raised his

drink

get

gallopingapace

was

succeeded

that

rooms,"said

own

where

the doctor.

he is."

is ? "

only suspect,"Valentine cried gaily. " In the wilds of

South
Kensington, in a tiny house, all Morris tapestry and BurneJones stained glass,
dwells the latest siren who
has been
callingto
our
Ulysses. He is there, I suspect. Wait a moment
though. His
tell
Where
it
sent from ?
us.
was
telegram might
He sprang
the
went
to
the window, and
near
writing-table
up,
the
caught up
crumpled thin paper that he had flung down there.
it
close
to a
out, he read, holding the paper
Smoothing
wax
"

"

candle
"

His
"

Handed

in at the

brow

Marylebone Road

Marylebone Road,"

should
His

words

he

repeated,lookingat

immediatelyset the doctor

Cuckoo Bright live there ?

Does

"

Yes, she does."

May he not be with

not

Valentine

table,and
"

5.50."
the

doctor.

"Why

he be there?"

"

"

officeat

clouded.

had
he

I have

told him

he said.

her ? "

dropped

pressedhis

the track.

on
"

the

two

he must

telegram.

He

standingat

was

the

fists,
clenched,upon the white cloth.
give Cuckoo up," he said,almost in

snarl.
The

doctor

"You

"Advised
"You
"

told him?"

him,

I mean."

dislike her?"

I !

dislike

glanced at him quickly.

have

No.
a

pink

How
and

dislike a painted
can
one
rag ?
white shell that holds nothing?
"

How
.

can

one

FLAMES

272

Every body holds

"

of the

The

"

soul.

of Cuckoo

then

body

disease,moth-eaten

biggerthan

with

can

?
solely
The

"

But

Why

"

The

of

to

to an
atom
away
call it a soul at all."

excitement,and

an

uneasy

anger.

the

not

gay

The

pression
ex-

doctor

for another

are

we

person'ssoul

divine the

to

soul from

We
that

see

the

wholly

"

Let

call it the will."

us

"

will of

is the soul of

man

the

will

not

"

soul !

"

shade

changed

answer

you

body, it is true.
and

I would

with

it,and rejoinedquietly:

How

"

murmur

soul that's cankered

corruption,worn

than

more

of his face had

observed

contains

grainof dust.

spoke with

He

shell holds its

human

Every

great sea."

body.
by
negativequantity. Her body

It is

man.

will of such

The

possibleto judge the

Cuckoo
as
Bright is a

woman

is the word

'

weakness,'written

in flesh

blood for all to read."

and

the doctor said,thinking

"Ah, you speak of her will for herself,"
of Cuckoo's
in his

wail to

him, as

consulting-room. But
"

for another
He

broken

what

that autumn
she sat on
evening
of her will for another,her soul

?"

had

spoken partlyat random, partlyled by the thought,the

Cuckoo's abandoned
body held a fine love for Julian.
He was
by no means
preparedfor the strikingeffect his remark had
Valentine.
No sooner
the words
were
spoken than a strong
upon
fear
of
visible
in
Valentine's
was
face,of terror so keen
expression
that it killed the anger which had preceded it. He
trembled
he
as
table
shook
tillthe
and
stood,
noticingthis,
wishing
; and, apparently
that
suspicion

to conceal

extreme

so

exhibition of

an

into
emotion, he slid hastily

seat.
"

will for

Her

The

"

that ? where's

by

mean

another,"he repeated,

doctor looked

Anybody
love
you, myself,or
"

"

the other then ? who

upon

for whom

"

"

Julian ! " Valentine

for another.

him

is it ?

What

do you

"

keenly.

she has
Julian."

any

desire,any solicitude,
or
any
"

repeatedunsteadily.

Julian ! you

mean

to

"

say you
He pulledhimself
"

Doctor," he

togetherabruptly.
said, forgiveme for saying that
"

scarcely
you are
when
that
Cuckoo
such
creature
assume
a
as
talkingsense
you
And
if
the
love
Julian's
she
even
did,
anybody.
Bright can really
last man
oh, but the whole thing is absurd.
Why should you and
I talk about a street girl,
whose
life begins and ends in the
a drab
"

gutter?
coffee."

Julian

will be

here

directly.Meanwhile

let

us

have

FLAMES

274

door

The

and

pushedopen,

was

alongby
to get
force,and striving

Julian's

little dog

The

the collar.

hauling Kip
appeared,

man

was

hanging

back

with

all its

Having succeeded in gettingit into

the man
the room
quicklyretreated,shutting the door hastily
and the doctor.
left with Valentine
The littledog was
behind him.
It remained
shrinkingup againstthe door in a posturethat denoted
abjectfear,its prettyhead turned in the direction of Valentine,its
its teeth snappingat the air. The doctor looked at it
eyes glaring,
held in
His pity for the dog'scondition was
and at Valentine.
leaned
his
of
He
fascination
arms
on
check by a strange
curiosity.
fixed upon Valentine,who got up slowly
the table and his eyes were
his chair.

from
"

I have

let

at least

And

be the

Rip

Doctor,"he said.
or

He

you see
shut his

of his absurd
him

fancies
like

me

to the

he used to,

dog and called Rip, standingby the table.

in the
and snapped more
in reply,
fiercely

that,Doctor

But

he shall

come.

I will make

lipsfirmlyand stared upon the animal.

he was
exertinghimself stronglyin some

evident that
he looked like

long enough,
as

to me."

come

he whistled

howled and trembled

direction of Valentine.
Do

prey

To-nightI will make

"

Rip
"

away.

man

performingsome

tremendous

It

was

way.

him."
very
Indeed

physicalfeat.

created the
still. The violence of his mind
all his limbs were
foam
There
his
on
was
illusion. Rip wavered
againstthe door.
Valentine snapped his fingersas
jaws and his white legstrembled.

Yet

one

summoning

and

leaned further

or

coaxinga dog. The doctor started at the

forward along the table to see the upshot
man's

desire and

animal's

sound
of this

fear.

Rip
from
side
to
one
rapidly
now,
seemed
become
to
motion
that
the other,with a
merely mechanical,
like a terrified and distressed growl
he made a hoarse noise that was
But though he wavered
in his throat.
half strangled
againstthe
and
the
doctor was
and
Valentine
to
not
did
him,
door he
obey
go
thrill of joy in the dog'sobstinacy. This
conscious of a sudden
obstinacyangered Valentine greatly. His face clouded. He bent
He put out his hands as if to seize Rip. The dog snapped
forward.
at him
wildly. But Valentine did not recoil. On the
frantically,
the wretched
little
over
contrary, he advanced, bending down
Then Rip shrank down on all fours by the door. To the
creature.
to wane
doctor's watching eyes he seemed
visiblysmaller. He
Valentine
bent
lower.
Rip lay right down,
dropped his head.
floor.
As
Valentine's
hand
touched
the
himself
pressing
upon
stillness.
over
him a quiverran
him, succeeded by a surprising
He
knew
that
sound.
made
The doctor
a
Rip was dead.
slight
strange fightbetween
whined
scarcely

but

turninghis

an

head

Valentine took the littledog by the scruff of its neck

and

lifted it,

RIP

OF

DEATH

THE

275

He
held.
he
what
glanced at the doctor,
he, too, saw
Then
he
there
was
a
glare of defeat in his eyes.
passed across
still holding the
the
the
to
dog, pulled aside the
window,
room
The
white
curtain
and
thrust
and
the
ground was
up the window.
an
snow
was
falling. With
gesture he flung the body out.
angry
noise
in
and
soft
the snow
It dropped with
a
lay there.
but the doctor
felt as if he
closed
the window,
Valentine
still saw
Then

up.
and

the

he

And

in the snow.
little corpse
afterwards
there
moment
was

poor
A

step

shuddered.

in the

and

passage,

Julian

looking haggard and excited, and ill with

tion.
dissipain
that
seemed
His
shone
hollows
to
have
been
deep
eyes
his
and
and
with
feverish.
lips were
parched
indigo,
painted
"
Julian
?"
said
have
Valentine.
Where
been,
you
"
with Molly, of course," he replied.
Oh, with her
He

entered.

was

"

Till now?"

"What?

seemed

Julian
"

since

Well,

but

"

With

Cuckoo.

He
"

went

he

And
"

her
swear

it is

eyes
it

"

opened
?

I mad

Am

the

at

Intolerably

"

Oh

hot

glanced

He

then

bright

said.

fire.

window

me.

the

to

suddenly

again to-day,
held

he

murmured.

the

he

me."

bother

window.

the

here,"

he

"

"

! don't

towards

over

Oh, how

scrutiny.
replied,almost
suddenly.

he

morning,"

Till this

"

his

under

uneasy

cried

in

Cuckoo's

It

wouldn't

drifting snow.
to

them.

eyes.
let

"

It
me

held
go

the

saw

with

me

wouldn't

"

in

flame

I'll

her.
let

me

"

till now!"
sank

He

his

them/ pushed
"

"

"

"

of

chair

head

the

and

Rip,

which

fine

fashion

called.

the

death

Valentine

even.

said

"

so

that

that

dying.

last, and

"

What's

joined
already almost
;

it

Nature

nothing.

back

on

get air.

to

doctor

was

of

by the window, and, turning his

out

said
That," Valentine
The
body of a creature

to

very

say," he suddenly

Valentine

body

in

down

him.

Look

at

won

the

is at work

He

covered

was

by

lying there ?
pointing to

the

"

the

snow.

"

is

died

that, that

fighting,"the
it,Julian.
battle
on

its

it

doctor
Its soul

interrupted.
was

fought. It won
winding-sheet,"

table
indomi-

by its

CHAPTER
DOCTOR

LEVILLIER

VISITS

THE

OF

THE

with

the

LADY

FEATHERS

JULIAN'S
the

feathers

and

remained

the flame

about

utterance

struck

Dr.

Le sillier

in his mind.

He

with

of Valentine.

And

not

him

time

the

forciblyat

could

experiencein Valentine's empty

the last sittingof the two young

own

held

that

fail to

it was

lady of
made,

it with

connect

his

and, going further back,

room

which

men

succeeded

was

he

of these

by
things,

thought
ghastlychange which had taken
place in Valentine might well date from that night. Since the death
the opinion that Valentine
of Rip the doctor had formed
was
no
His
his
the
of
when
sane.
excitement,
fury
longer perfectly
eyes
to give the clue to his
he spoke of the triumphs of will, seemed
transformation.
The insane perpetuallyglorify
themselves, and are
transcendent
egoists. Surely the egoism of insanityhad peeped out
Valentine's
diatribe upon
the eternity
of a strong man's individual
in
The
will.
night of the trance had been a strange crisis of his life.
the

it

long
suddenly occurred

He

trance

simulation
Valentine

to the

shock

was

change
creatures

in the
she too
that

with

opens
In

influence
his house.

had

of

indelible

thus

been

sudden

and

and

acute

dreary writing

tossed to madness

it

dog, an instinctive creature, should recognise

It was
stinctive
terror.even
possiblethat other indivine the hideous

of

mind

maniac

hidden

And
apparentlynormal man.
Cuckoo,
body
without education, culture,the reading
a girl
instinctive,
and
shuts the eyes.
the mind
sometimes
Cuckoo
Bright,

divined

she had

instances

beautiful
Valentine

his

should
of

beautiful
was

many

If Valentine

that
possible

very
the

are

system leavingan

nervous

the nature.

upon

from

recover

There

born.

been

have

to

and
only seeming. In that sleep the sane
have
the
insane
and
unbeautiful
died,
might

been

have

that the

back from that wonderful

it,to come
of death,healthy,calm, reasonable as before.
This might

seemed

had

to him

as

her
from

an

the evil of Valentine.

Julian

eyes
her had

had

seen

To
the

her

he

had

mysterious

made

sion.
confes-

flame.

Some

kept him from his invited guests and from

Yes, Cuckoo, the lady of the feathers,the blessed damozel

DOCTOR
of

the

277

PiccadillyCircus,the painted and possessed,

to become
of the pavements, seemed
degraded wanderer

and

Dr. Levillier reflected

of circumstance, as

of this wheel

centre

her.

upon
It

time for him

stayed,before he went

to

was

to

think

of

even

like

down,

Julian's descent

Cuckoo.
new

Orpheus
mad

influence,whether

without
or

be

must

mission,

be

must

sane,

of what
Valentine
wills,
led
the
doctor to
consider
some
prompting
she had
Cuckoo
a
Why ? Because
as
possibleweapon.
held Julian againsthis will,againstthe intention of his

It

fought.
chose

to

go

Valentine's

Hades.

into

LADY

and

Street

Regent

faded

THE

VISITS

LEVILLIER

to be

was

a battle
struggle,

once

of

And

souls.

soul.

length sought the lady of the feathers. She had

been passing through a period of great and
benumbing desolation,
effort
for Julian
had been
her
her
last
great
appeal,
believingthat
So the doctor

at

he was
often in his mind.
tell that

not
was

at her

had

doctor

the

For

failure.

pretensionsto

not

making

her, and

to

come

observations

Cuckoo

for himself

supposed,that he, like

swept her exhibition
gravity,
She

all

could

that

and

she

others,laughed

of real and

honest

with a sneer, considered her despair

from his memory
away
vile
ruin a
another's
travesty,a grinningabsurdityand trick.

emotion
over

had

Never

felt

Cuckoo

is the constant

loneliness

lonelythan

more

companion

in these

days,though
large sisterhood.

of her

vast

Even

Jessie failed to comfort

her, and she could find little courage within
when
the vigour that had
moments
herself. And
yet there were
led her

her, as

defy Valentine,when

to

once

flame

may
felt a

burst

forth in

the fire that

seemed

swamp,

had

sprung

to be

near

up

in

to her

within
her, stirring,
possibility
striving.It
again.
that
she
to
the
at such moments
see
was
longed
doctor,and could
For at such moments
for not coming to her.
she
have cursed him
of
word
of
seemed
sympathy, a
only waiting for a touch
ment,
encourageBut
deed.
to perform some
momentous
some
action,
great
life
and
and
her
the touch, the word, were
lacking,
experienceof
dulled
the
and monotonous
constant
stifledthe
impulse,
degradation
She

enthusiasm

that

and
brooding,

new

she

could

not

And

understand.

she

fell

again to
of impotence.
more
heavily

ignorant and vague consciousness

hair dye, paintedher thin cheeks
bought a new
than ever
before,and sought, almost with a wild exultation
fled
swiftly
away, to sink lower.
to

an

She

The

monotony

Cuckoo
in

more
Piccadilly

Life

like

was

without

of sin is

suffered many

one

of the scourges

stripes.Her

mechanical,her
moving dream of

eyes grew
walk more
horror.

gleam of that strange sensation

upward, fadingaway,

of

of sin.
more

In

weary,

those
her

that

days
smile

puppet-likethan ever.
And
yet no day passed
ignorantpower, fluttering

pausing,passing,dead.

FLAMES

278
She did not know
it. She could not

unravel

It

while

was

almost

gone

of the

feathers.
in

quitealone

what

It

its message
nor
but it did

to

desert,yet

makes

nor

use

its

strength.
lady
of expectation
that,
desert the plotmen
the
this girlfrom
upon

something for the

of that

garden. Like a thread of steel it held

uttermost
abyss,until at last the doctor's

call

rest

the littleseed

her

keep it

could not

it came,

gave

weary

She

it meant.

up
hand

struck

upon

her

door.
Julian's occasional visits were
the scourgingsof God, givingto
as
she told herself,
Cuckoo
a vision of shifting
so
ruin,in which she
"

thinkingof the

dance

of the hours

had

"

been

the

doctor

came.

first to have

share.
It

wras

wintry

round
stealthily
with

afternoon

the

grimy

when

black

the

clung
boughs
the frost hung
gloomy sentinel.

their naked
trees,outlining

lines of white

with smuts.
Above
sewn
of
the
fog as
town, a despondentand
charge
During the morning the sun had lain in the fog like
meagre

if in

the
red

thick

Frost

faint blood-

but with the

sulphur setting,
dim
a
phantom, from that to
blank nothingness. As if satisfied with this piteousexit,the fog
drew closer,keepingespecially
heavy watch upon the long and bleak
house
line of the Marylebone Road, and takingthe high and narrow
in which
Cuckoo
dwelt under
its severest
protection.Twilight

jewel in

afternoon

the

wanted

come

and
was

and

awkward

jewel faded to

distant

drew on, but it had been forestalled

was
practically
alreadythere. Doubtless it did come, but no one
much
the wiser. The lamps had been alightall day,and no procession
to

as

the afternoon

of

gloomy things,advancing from whithersoever,could have

of the crowding darkness,or have appreadded much
to the volume
ciably
increased its density. In the darkness the cold gathered,and
of desolate,
the frost began to take a harder grip of everything,
solitary
in tinyand squalid
back-yards,of pipesthat crawrled like
pumps
unpresentablesides of houses,of pools
thick with orange-brownmud, and
vagrant bushes creaking above

liver-coloured snakes

over

the

the

grimy earth in placesthat children named gardens.

Fog and frost had taken a strong grip,too, upon the heart of the
about eleven o'clock in the morning
ladyof the feathers. Somewhere
she had stirred wearilyin her bed, had stretched out her arms
to the
stagnant air of the room, and crouched up on her pillowin a grotesque
hump. For awhile the hump remained motionless. Then Cuckoo
rolled round
and extended
bare thin leg to test the atmosphere.
a
The legwas
quicklywithdrawn, the atmosphere having been evidently
tried in the balance and found wanting. Cuckoo's bell rang and Mrs.
the hump decorated
more
Brigg was called for tea and toast,while once
the upper

in her
part of the disordered bed. Jessie,awakened
the
bed, joined
hump, whining a greeting,

basket at the foot of the

LEVILL1ER

DOCTOR

LADY

THE

VISITS

279

mate
wrigglingfuriouslyin an effort to tunnel her way to the ultiof
Then
Mrs.
and
blankets.
Brigg,
yellowish
depths of sheets
that
called a
she
and bleak aspect,beneath a tumbled
appurtenance
cap, appeared with a tray.
Going to stop abed ? she asked,in a husky voice,in which the
seemed
smuts
floating.
Cuckoo groaned.
What's there to get up for ?
Yes.

and

"

"

"

"

"Nothun'
And

I know

as

of."

Brigg was gone about her business.

morning Cuckoo lay staring at the

Mrs.

All the

window,

and

Jessie snored

under

the

blankets.

blank
The

of the

square
tea

was

drunk,

lay about in fragments. One bit,hard and many cornered

it seemed, somehow
to the bed, and
as
gained entrance
greeted
with
Cuckoo's
movement
uncompromising grittiness. No
every
shakingof coverlet and sheet, no beating of pillow,no kicks and
could expelit. The bed seemed full of hard bits of toast,
scufflings
burden
additional
laid upon
her by
and Cuckoo
felt as if an
were
of her existence reached a
this slightevil. But, indeed, the horror
of
loneliness,vacant
dreariness,
culminatingpoint to-day,a point
could
and
that
be
The
not
degradation
surpassed.
preceding
squalor
had
Cuckoo
been peculiarly
horrible, and, as
now
night
lay on the
in
with
tumbled
the
the
cold
bed,
dim,
fog gazing in,the
room,
leaden hours of winter crawling by, she felt as if she could bear no
the toast

She

more.

could

addition

bear

to her

no

more

addition
of

useless

to

love

her
for

sick

weariness

Julian,that

no

hunger
addition to
anything but despair; no more
her bodilyfatigue,
born
of tramping monotony
succeeded
by yet
more
enervatingweariness of the flesh. She could bear no more.
knew
For Cuckoo
that she was
not
Yes, but she must bear more.
in
not
She
tired
in
ill.
was
even
was
dying,
only
body,prostrate heart,
deserted in life,
and forced to witness the quick and running ruin of
the man
she had
the farcical absurdityto love.
for
Imaginative,
in
her
morbid
could
she
wish
that
she
to
fade
fatigue, began
once,
and become part of the fog that lay about
London, be drawn
away
into its murkiness,with all her murky recollections,
her fiendish
knowledge, her mechanical wiles of the streets, her thin and ghostly
despairsand desires. For they seemed thin and ghostly,they too,
How
to-day,fit food for the fog,as indeed the whole of her was.
more

never

be crowned

could

such

She

as

she

caught

at

could

with

evaporate into
the

sweet

air,a clear heaven

hand-glass,
leaningfar out on the bed, as the
bright bar of heaven, and tried to see,
with staringeyes, how
the new
hair dye that she was
now
using
became
her.
Her mind
was
and
vagrant, coming
going miserably,
from that love of hers which was
strangelystrong and subtle,to the
powder-box with its arsenic green lid,or the rouge-pot of dirty
blessed

damozel

o'er the

FLAMES

280

white

china.

And

each event it paused and sank, as if benumbed

the increasingfrost. Leaning again to put back the hand-glass

by

she fell over

by

far and

dropped it. The glassfell face downwards

was
laughed aloud, revellingfeeblyin the
additional misery a superstitious
mind
now
began to promise her.
The
fragments of broken glassactuallypleasedher, and, on a
sudden, she resolved to set her feet in them, that she might be cut
and
wounded, that she might bleed outwardly as she had been
bleedinginwardlyfor so long. She swung her legsover the breadth
of the bed, disorganising
Jessie,planted her feet in the array of
and
stood
she
her doorstep,
As
did.so the doctor mounted
glass
up.
knocker
and
the
the
Cuckoo
stood
bell.
plied
listening.A
rang
fragment of glasshad reallypenetratedthe bare sole of her foot,
which
bled a littlegentlyon the carpet. But
she scarcely
knew it.
She
heard Mrs.
Brigg go by, and then steps sounding in the
Then
there came
to her ears
a
quiet voice with a very
passage.
characteristic note of bright calmness in it. Standing in her frilled
the bits of glass,
Cuckoo
flushed scarlet all over
night-dress
among
and

too

smashed.

her face and

she reached

Cuckoo

neck.

who

She knew

the visitor

With

was.

one

dart

Sponges, brushes, combs, all her

of the toilet were
immediately in commotion, and when
weapons
Mrs.
her
was
a
door, the room
Brigg opened
whirlpoolof quick
in the midst of which, as on a frowsy throne,Jessie stood
activities,
in and closed the
the bed barkingexcitedly.Mrs. Brigg came
upon
door.
Her
thin lipswere
pursed.
Light the fire ! Cuckoo called at her from the basin.
the

"

"

"

wash-stand.

What

do you

want

the doctor for ? "

Mrs.

suspicion.
Brigg uttered the words with some
Hurry up and lightthe fire?
Cuckoo
turned round, her hands dartingin her hair,and actually
"

"

laughedwith
"

You

Mrs.
"

of merriment.
He's not come
to doctor me, only to
but stillsurprised.
Brigg looked relieved,
a

touch

old owl !

Oh," she said.

"

it,is it ?

That's

see

me."

"

paused as if in consideration.
Suddenly Cuckoo sprang on her,twisted her round, and spun her
out into the cold passage.
Light the fire I tell you !
She banged the bedroom
door and went
with her rapidtoilet.
on
When
she
into the
fire was
came
sitting-rooman
uneasy
in
the
and
Dr.
Levillier
was
sputtering
grate, one
gas jet flared,
window
at
the
He
out
the
turned
to
looking
standingby
fog.
greet
She

"

"

her.
"

said i
The

thought you'd forgotten or didn't mean

peoplethat say they will
they often do
"

"

"

doctor held out his hand

with

smile.

to
to me,

come," Cuckoo
I mean."

282

FLAMES

Her

voice trembled

allow her to have

one
c"

You're

"

I think you

protectand

to

lovin'

"

stole

jeerat

hasty,hunted
Would

her ?

no

in her heart ?

What's

the

good

of such

as

me

doin'

?"

man

love Julian.

must

She

going to

corner

ine.
a

word.

he too

clean

laughin'at

thinglike that

the

over

Was

glanceat the doctor.

If you

do,perhapsyou

are

meant

him."

save

voice

prompted the doctor with the words he spoke,gave

them to him, bent him irresistibly
to repeat them.
Never before had
he felt what it is to be between the strong hands of destiny.
Me ! Me save
Cuckoo said,trembling.
any one !
I feel it and I can't tell
Yes, you. There is somethingin you
it
is
what
something that has hold of Julian. He
you why, nor
A

secret

"

"

"

"

"

told
"

the other

so

us

night.

Don't

know

you

it is ? "

what

?"

Eh

feels that you love him

purely,cleanly."
I do" oh ! I do that ! " Cuckoo cried.
to the relations between
A wonder
Julian and this girlshot
as
"

Perhaps he

"

"

through

evil of any

fullyon

doctor.

the

one,

her.

the

was

last

but,justthen, as Cuckoo
The

of her

white

He

dye

as

moved,

the world
the gas

to think

lightstruck

hair shone crudely. The red and

the face of a clown.
And
then

her

on

face burned

in

man

on

the doctor's good heart wondered.

knew
Cuckoo
it in an
instant,and her face hardened and looked older.
"
Oh, go on," she said rudely. " Think as the others do. Damn
"
! Damn
you men
you 1
you ! Damn
And, without warning,she put her head down on the table and
even

broke

into

passionof

wild

she cursed and

clenched

She

tears.

her hands.

sobbed, and, as she sobbed,

She lost herself in

fury and

in

despair. The Fates had stung her too hard this time, and she must
blasphemeagainstthem, with her voice of the streets,her language
of the streets,her poor heart
not quiteof the streets.
The Fates
had stung her too hard, for they had put a flaw even
in this one selfshe thought
respect of hers. That one night accused her whenever
of Julian,whenever
she saw
the dissipation
deepen round his eyes.
She was
that
could be quiteproud
she
not to have even
one
thing
of,not one thing of which she could say, This has been always
pure." And then she turned on the doctor and cried :
"

fi

"

Go

on

"

think

it
"

think

it !

tell you

There was
the truth.
wasn't
that
my fault. I never
I hated

it.

that

Valentine

And
"

was

didn't want

you'd said I
And

too.

might

I say you

wanted

now

to be
"

you

I did him

like !

But I'll
harm and

any
I hated it. I told him
that,like the others. And

to.

justbecause

be,you'd said I

shall be."

what

only once

him
And

Think

of that I'm

might be."

no

use.

LEVILL1ER

DOCTOR

spell.

heart

of his

tenderness

had

Levillier

Dr.

broken

by

curses

arrested

were

All

the

shocked

have

and

the width

by

as

truth

and

knew

real

trusted

the

the
He

and

knew

strengthof her

would

that

he

moment

world,he measured

of this

elect

And

the feathers.

lady of
by the

that

tears

quickened.

and

roused

283

LADY

his feet.

got upon

was

from

and
real grief,
passion,

The

throat.

wail died in Cuckoo's

The

THE

VISITS

even
bitterness,

many

of the

depth

of

so

the

her

The vile cruelty,

what ?
She had sent to damnation
possibilities.
of the world.
the loathsome, unspeakable,dastardlymercilessness
"

That

it!

with

damnation

To

loud

the

was

in

echo

his

man's

heart.
"

That

that you

must

that makes
I believe
Make

him

him.

No

His

Few

nightis nothing,"he said.

It is good to have
redeem.

one

work.

one

else

one

no

There

can.

love

little doctor.

depths,and

very

prompted

though

"

sometimes

rules

woman's

now

may.
may,
with
excitement
as

man,

just then would

had

more.

he

very depths
he knew
it not
by that

he

secret

spoke.
known

of the

out

her, still

answered

"

he wonders

over

shall."

have

cried to him

the

at which

him

Yours

Cuckoo

But

of

which

work

Love

voice which

the voice
ignorantly,

great influence,hidden from him

a
flame,warm,
keen, alive,and

soul,some

some

out

Julian.

something
thing. It is

fightthe will of Valentine

pale,small, delicate face flamed

of his patients
looking upon him

their calm

it is

rather

Or

to pay for a
for you to do, a

work

will cannot

My

will

You

do.

can

love you.
man's

is

"

the air,the voice of

in the

spaces

of

of

ing.
prompt-

power

And

Cuckoo, as she listened to the doctor,had once

again a hint
of her own
that she,even
strength,a thrill of hope,a sense
she, was
not broken
in
the
cruel wheel of the world.
quite
piecesupon
"
Whatever
I do ?
she said,"Valentine's got him."
can
As she spoke,the doctor,restless,
in excitement, had
as
men
are
"

moved

over

edge

of the

the

to

fender.

of Cuckoo's

and
stood with
foot upon
the
one
mantelpiece,
the photoThinking deeply,he glanced over
graphs

acquaintance,without

presentlyone, at which he
him, cruelly,
powerfully.
"

"

Who

is that ?

That

"

voice almost

She
to

"

had
It

he said
too

was

dawned
long and fixedly,

"

and

But
upon

the face of Marr.

abruptlyto

got up

whisper.

looked

actuallyseeingthem.

came

Cuckoo.
near

to

him, loweringher

That's reallyhim."

"Him?"
"

Valentine."

The

doctor

looked at her in blank astonishment.

and nodding her head
Yes, it is,"Cuckoo reiterated,
o
f
child.
a
obstinacy
"
That" Valentine ! It has no resemblance
to him."
"

with

the

284

"

FLAMES

The

doctor

"

He

told

"

Marr,"

took

the

up
This is not Valentine."

told

me

you
"

He

so.

Valentine's
know

it

me

It's Marr

was.

said the

and somehow

"

doctor, sharply.

died

"

trance.

Ah,
Marr, then ?

but

know

you

it

closely.

it'shim

now."
is dead.
Julian

he

Why,

he died in the Euston

"

examined

photograph,and

Road

nothing

the

on

about

night of

that.

Did

"

Yes, I knew

him."
hesitated.
But somethingtaughther to be perfectly
frank
with the doctor.
So she added :
"
I'd been with him at that hotel the nighthe died."
"
You
the woman
! But then how can
were
you say that this (he
Cuckoo

touched

the

"

is Valentine ?
photographwith his finger)
He says he's really
Marr."
Cuckoo
in
most
the
mulish manner,
spoke
followingher habit
when she was
completelypuzzled,but stickingto what she believed
"

to be the truth.
"

Marr

"

He

and

Valentine

says to

Cuckoo

me

one

He

man

told you that ? "

I'm Marr."

"

repeatedthe words

but
steadily,

like

parrot. The doctor

nothing,only looked at her and at the photograph. He was

of his suspicionas to Valentine's
thinking now
sanity. Had he,
perhapsin his madness,been playingon the ignoranceof the lady of

said

the feathers ?

She went on :
It was
the night he told
on
what he is and what he's doin'.
"

had
"

And

then

gone.
The real Valentine

he said

"

And
I

am

he said that the real Valentine

"
that
Yes," said the doctor,gravely,

gone.

tell me?

you

you may
Cuckoo

helpJulian."

and

toes

frowned

tillher

understand

Marr."

Does he then know

that he is
is true.
but he checked himself.
"
else did he say that night? "
What
Can

I couldn't

all that.

me

Try

?
he

"

Mad
asked.

to remember.

was

his

on

"

Can

you

If you

lips,
member?
re-

succeed,

long,broad

The
eyebrows nearlymet.
grimace gave her the aspectof a sinister boy,bold and audacious.
For she protrudedher under
too, and the graces of ardent feeling,
lip,
died out of her eyes.
But
of pain and of passion,
this abrupt and
caused
effort
mask
she
hard
the
was
was
only
by
making after
thought,after understanding.She pressedher feet upon the ground,
the

had Valentine

What

doctor under
"

inside

What

me

themselves
inwards.
shoes curved
What"
what ? She stared dullyat the

worn

said ?

corrugatedbrows.

did he say ? " she

he didn't want

you."

her

her

to see

murmured, in

you.

He

came

an

inward

here about

"

voice,
that

"

Wellmy seem'

THE

VISITS

LEVILLIER

DOCTOR

LADY

285

"Yes."
"And

Marr's

and

"

not

it he says
he's put away.

Yes, that

was

as

"

with when
face
Her

lightedup

dead, he says,
no
strong man
See !

with

long'sdone

"

She

little.

done

least not
who's lived

at

her

trust

beginning to

was

memory.
"
The

lives after them," the doctor said. " Marr's

influence of men
He said that?"
Yes.
too.
with a flash of understanding,
a flash of that
Then
She nodded.
in
and
had
felt
loneliness
she
longed to
smoulderingpower which
from

out

tear

prison,she

its

cried

he's Marr

That's how

That's it.

"

then."

She hesitated.

said,flushingwith the thought that she might be

fool. For she scarcelyunderstood what she really

Isn't it ? " she

"

showing herself

meant.

Valentine,no longer himself but endowed with the influence of

that he told her something
She means
Marr," the doctor muttered.
The phantasy of an unsteadybrain." " Go on," he ac!d"d
like that.
"

"

to her.

Cuckoo

But

"And
remember

"Try

into
relapsing

was

he

then

talked

"

will,as

he

called it.

was

cleverness,which
a

she

flash divine

doctor

became

all the

more

some

intricate web

and

the
recollecting

had

seized her

at

one

herself for
almost mad

This

excess

of

good
was

lot about
any

more,

and

hope that his

profound,would

this

expositionof
she spoke, however,

word

each

said

that

convinced

Valentine

her
the

had

more

himself

with

beingable

not

with

to seize

spiratio
againthat current of int
he
unravelling mystery.

the doctor for not

and

swept

away

as

corpse

the

gospelof influence.

memory
"
I can't remember
a

from

secret

He

he

obvious

to be unlimited

drowned
feelingfinally

of the

such

With

the

I know

only
her, or weaving for her benefit
vain madness.
And
Cuckoo, noticingthis now,
of comprehension which
clearness
momentary
to her, was
point in Valentine's wild sermon

cruellyamusing
of

doctor,in

strange

and

been

with

the

believed

recollection.
disjointed

mad

Can't

he said."

what
to."

says
that ; I know
he did."
She glanced eagerlyat

he

already.

silent,
knittingher brows.
It's no use.
I can't,"she said despairingly." But
and
that he's reallyMarr
that he's killed Valentine.

She

in

confusion

lot about

"

no

about
and

so

onlygamin' me."

more," she said stolidly." There was

some
one
as was
good and didn't want
it

was

driven

away

"

I don't know.

ever

to be

P'raps

FLAMES

286

stared

She
under

her

face

dress.

had

in

lit

those

?
-and

is

more

was

black

There

Cuckoo

As

appeared,

"

Oh,"

him.

said

It's

To

Let
see

Julian

to

went

Haddison

Mr.

doctor

being
the

deeply,

door

gliding

bell

to
"

key
His

then

he

change

in

from

his

against

the

the

to

prayer

may

pray

Valentine

white

In

muttered

in

in.

purity

say"

vacantly

to

her

ear

Mrs.

he

Brigg

him

then

and

puzzled,

moment

told

and

wait,"

staring

chaotically

and

rang.

come

she

silence,

utterly

and

wants

in

sat
now

Cuckoo

Cuckoo,

the

than

more

the

former

the

good.

And

Yet

was.

of

at

longer

no

described

last

perhaps,

his

speech

not

something.

the

thought,

thinking

"

this,

saint

fulfilled.

is

once

from

out

last

she

position

was,

be

to

prays

he

will,

That

desire

had

mental

his

stuck
her

at

For

very

more.

as

was

and

of

empty

"

than

even

sin.

be

to

ever

the

had

but

nothing,

with

man

grievous

His

for

vain

no

good

she

excitement.

first

at

saint

said
of

words

saint

matter.

granted.

in

room.

now

"

wfa/ale

which

feet,

doctor
sort

chosen

ill

her

at

The
with

up

few

Valentine
will

moodily

busy."

was

you
to

the

doctor,

"

It's

Julian."

him

in,"

Cuckoo
came

the
and

doctor
Julian

in, stumbling

said

quickly.

together
rather

might

heavily

tell
at

him
the

much.
entrance

of

the

YI

CHAPTER

WEATHER

CLEAR

11

DAMN

that

question faded
gazed with a vacant
The

movement
"

You,

"

To

upon
doctor

collapsedin

it

by

of

hat, which

he

greatcoat and

his

face

dull.

upon
flushed and

was

"It's

an

"

had

not

Julian

his foot.
over

his

long

yet taken

off.

His

fog lay all

the

"You

said.

evening,"he

infernal

here for ?

you

coolly.
quickly with

chair
Beads

table.

the

plainly.
are

said

doctor
a

he

of his

unsteadiness

to the

them, spoke his condition very

! What
!
Well, I'm damned

Bright,"the
pushed forward

had

He

lipsas he saw
surprisethat, added
his

on

Miss

see

the"
say Cuckoo, who
Dr. Levillier,on whom

"

exclaimed.

! " he

mat

doctoring Cuckoo,

eh?"

talkingto Miss Bright."

Cuckoo, help me
Oh,
right. I don't mind.
There's a good girl."
When
the coat was
She obeyed without
a word.
himself back in the chair and heaved a long sigh.
"

I have

been

all

"

floor with

the

moody

bang, but

did not

he

to

seem

off with

this coat.

off Julian
His

threw

hat fell on

notice it.

His

face

to
was

miserable.

and

Molly'sthrown
Cuckoo
caught
"

said.

over,"he

me

her

breath

sharply

and

stole

glance

at

the

doctor.
"

Have

"

No

"

Haven't

She

tea ?

some

rang
made

brandy

she

and

got it.
the

"

said.

soda."

You

bell and

must

do with
it

ordered

tea."

despitehis grumblings. Mrs.

long ago soothed her delicate

no
difficulty.Julian had
Brigg
with
susceptibilities gold.
tea for the doctor and
So, Cuckoo, oddly shy and excited,made
The
tea cleared the latter's fogged brain
Julian.
but he
a
little,
and
self-centred.
still
He
had
was
morose
to pour
evidentlycome
gome

the

woes

out

to

doctor,at whom

Cuckoo,

and

he looked

was

from

restrained

time

to time

by

the

with

an

presence

of

expression

258

FLAMES

that

was

to disfavour.

near

and Julian
cordially,
"I

suppose
the other

out

"

he ?

"Is

"Yes.

frozen in the

Doctor

old Val.

again,wasn't

He

chat

and
easily

said

snow.

presently. "Went
Poor little beggar.

said the doctor.

Dear

with him
"

Kip's dead," he

nightand got
awfullycut up about it."

Val's

began to

graduallythawed.
know

you

the doctor

But

Dev'lish

it ?

Rip

hard

didn't

Rip's never
making it up
know
a
good fellow did he,

"

devoted

once,"the doctor said.

Ah, but he changed. Dogs are justlike women,
justlike women,
two
the same
never
days together. Curse them."
He appeared to have
forgottenCuckoo's presence, and she sat
by the dagger thrust at her sex.
listening
quiteunmoved
eagerly,
Dogs don't usuallychange. Their faithfulness bears everything
without breaking."
Except a trance then,"Julian said,stillwith a wavering in-andat the same
time mournful
and almost ludicrous.
out stolidity,
did for Rip, did for him I tell you.
That
He
trance
never
after
knew poor old Yal again. As if he thought him another man
was

to Valentine

"

"

"

"

that,another man."
doctor's eyes met Cuckoo's.
and had paused in the act of
lips,

She had

The

that wound

and
"

head

naturallyinto the

so

knew

wasn't

slowly.
You

think

"

Eh

"

"

You

"

Why

"

so

? " the doctor

; how

should it ?

might

in many

strongerthan
Or to his mind, his

frightenedRip
Ah

"Give

towards
forward

made

no

difference to him

He's

?"

down.
a

heavy challenge.

"

to his health

ways,

He's

Not

knew

said,quickly.

and put the cup

hastily
Julian repeated,
as- if with

"

"

"

words

she

pursued,shakinghis

her tea

drank

How

"

rouged

the

it ? "

should

It

have

drinking,fascinated by
legendof change which

just the same," Julian

"

"

her

at

Just the same."

"

think that trance

Cuckoo
"

teacup

not.

if Yal

As

he was."

ever

nature.

You

see

no

change there

that

might

"

good old Yal, even than he was."

is a change."
! You
some
more
me
tea, Cuckoo," Julian said,thrustinghis cup
it strong. It's picking me
her.
Make
up." He sat
in his chair,and began to lighta cigar,
keeping his eyes on
I.

more

of

man,
acknowledgethere

"

the doctor.

"Well, if you
Yal

was

saint.

call that

I loved him

change; to get like

then,but I love him

other
ten

men.

times

Old
more

FLAMES

sgo

"

d'yousay that,Doctor ?
? Simply because it is truth."
I believe it's just because
You're always at that trance.
harm
done."
no
told us not to sit again. But there was
"

"

Why
Why

"

"

You

As

he

not

"

put the questionthe doctor's mind

nightof

from

of that ?

sure

sleepand

that
a

are

had

He

waking.

he
been to what
set at the door of that unnatural
he had

what

followed
wondered

it. His
whether

Sure ? of

"

which

on

hunt

to think

Valentine
his

Yet

was.

that
had

round

night
passed

knowledge could

the blame of all that

imaginationmight,but not his knowledge. Tie
Julian might not help him to elucidation.
!

course

Why

Valentine's

not

slumber

if he'd

And

right. Kip'sthe only one gone.

house that night he'd be all righttoo."
"

was

graduallycome

through
strange crisis,

some

you

all

right. I'm
only stayed in

all

the

No, Addison."

Julian stared at this flat contradiction.

"

"

Not

"

Rip

never

"

But

"

No," the doctor said quietly. " He

went
out of the house."
in
died
he
the snow."

died in your

fear of his old master, Valentine."

fear
"What?"
said Julian,grippingthe table

dining-roomof

"

with

his

righthand.

"

Val had been at him ?

In two or three simple,
words,the doctor described
straightforward
he had finished Cuckoo
the death of Rip. When
gave a little cry,
"

and

claspedthe

"

might

He

bear Val

astonished

and

squirmingJessie

close in her

arms.

clouded.

Julian's brow

have left

said.

Rip alone,"he

"

It's odd

dogs

can't

now."

trance,"the doctor said.

Julian looked at him with acute
but said nothing.
irritation,
still hugging Jessie,
he
Then, turning his eyes on Cuckoo, who was
"

Again

since that

Cuckoo
snapped his fingersat the little dog and called its name.
to Julian,and he took the small
extended her arms, holdingJessie,
creature
gently. And, as he took her, he bent forward and gazed
long and deeplyinto Cuckoo's eyes. She trembled and flushed,half
with
consciousness
of the doctor's
pleasure,half with a nervous
presence.
"

do you

Oh, why

action

seemed

odd, and

his

to

? " she
make

murmured, turningher head away.

Julian

aware

subsequentglance at

that

the

perhapshis

doctor

was

very

manner

The
was

and
plainly,

The
rudely,explanatoryof a wish to be alone with Cuckoo.
doctor read its meaning and resolved to go away.
With
the quick
even

observation

and

knowledge of

men

which

long years

of

traininghad

WEATHER

CLEAR

given

him, he

to

891

that, strangelyenough, the only

saw

creature

whose
way cope with the influence of Valentine
had been as a seer
to the two
not himself,who
was
once
young
men,
but the thin, spectral,
There, in that small
weary, paintedCuckoo.

could in any

influence

with

room,

the

sat these
outside,

of London

long murmur

human

two

both
in the
fallen down
vice-ridden man,
beings,desolate woman,
in
flood
of
Fate.
And
he
the
almost
whelmed
stood
deep mire, both
brave-hearted,yet impotent,regarding
clean-souled,
strong, faithful,
it that misery alone could hold out a
willed
For some
them.
power
and degradationmust
vice
that
rise to thrust
hand
to misery,
helping
vice and

back

the
this when
And

he

fallen creature

degradation. The

was

the redeemer.
Dr.
to be
unredeemed
Julian's long glance into the hollow
he saw
with

thrilled

the

knowledge

It

seemed

be

to

Levillier

wheels

within

of

lawless

passionsand

from

They radiated

of

wheels

bitterness.

love.

How

it

tector,
pro-

knew

eyes of Cuckoo.
to him a great

of the root, the core, of divine pity which

demonstration
of the world.
of the scheme
Round
to be the centre
revolved

the

he believed
this centre

cruelty,of agony, of ruthless

Yet
they radiated from pity.
he could not tell,
and there
was
so

had him by the throat.

that it was
But
he felt in
so
pessimist
when
and
than
the
tired boy
never
more
heart,
now,
old friend,clean of life,
sneered at him, who was
an
gentleof nature,
this thing that loathsome
and turned to this girl,
men
played with
and scorned.
this
Cuckoo flushed and trembled
divine
pity out;
paintedher rouge, and shook that body which had so often betrayed
itself to destroyers. This divine pitygave to her, who
had lost all
for another
soul that lay in bondage.
the power
to find freedom
The doctor gazed for an instant at the boy and girl,
and was
deeply
His
breathed
word
that
moved.
was
a
a prayer, for Julian,for
lips
the lady of the feathers.
the

his inmost

Then
"

he

I have

got up.
to

Julian said

go,"he said.

nothing;

Cuckoo

flushed

again,and accompanied the

to the hall door.
When
she had opened it,and they looked
it
but
the
was
and was
out,
fog had lifted,
very cold,
floatingaway
to reveal a sky full of stars, which
shine
to
seem
more
always
frost.
The
doctor took the girl's
hand.
brightlyupon
I see you in clear weather,"he said.
doctor

"

"

You

don't"

you

don't

think

as

he'll
"

Cuckoo, glancingawkwardly towards

little sitting-room,
and

then

at the

as

I'll

"

stammered

the

lighteddoorway of the
church clock striking
It was
hesitatingmurmur.

doctor.

The

pointed the applicationof the

unconventionallylate for an afternoon call.
It'll be all right,you know
that ? said the lady of the feathers.
"
"
I
know
he
answered.
Yes,
that,"
You
have to fight,
I feel
7.30,
"

"

FLAMES

2Q2'

that

only

the

doctor's

Valentine,

Will,"

"

Won't

believe

"

Sometimes

steps

down

him

gate
the

at

the

is

clicked.
stars

given

before

this

even

Pit

new

will

your

he

you

Then

the

said
she

can't

says
"

said

have."
little

doctor.

pray."

better'n

the

here

sake."

wondering.

fight

could
battle

iron
up

at

it

betray

not

what

That's

have

and

"

Valentine's.

of

Julian's

for

to

could

he

"

this

this

fight

to

madness

Cuckoo.

looked

"

for

"

pray

have

You

strange
conquer

said
you

Cuckoo

glance

and

his,

"

The

this

it.

spoke,

loyalty
"

against

do

can

you

greatest

of

He

gone.

was

she

shut

all

prayers,"
Cuckoo

the

door,

said
cast

and

the

doctor.

oblique

an

retraced

her

passage.
I

VII

CHAPTER

ARRAY

BATTLE

that night it was

nearlyten
Marylebone Road
quite sober and looked preternaturallygrave as he

Julian left the

WHEN
o'clock.

He

was

street.
gate and stepped out into the frost-bound
stood like
In the lightedaperture of the doorway behind him Cuckoo
and waved
half revealed peeping af fcer him, and he turned
shadow
a

the little

opened

slowly,meditating. That
night the fightfor the possessionof his will,his soul,had begun in
that he
He did not know
it,yet he was vaguely aware
deadly earnest.
Cuckoo
had
midst
of
in
the
unwonted
circumstances.
began to move
ment.
excitehim
her strong mental
been able wholly to conceal from
not
his hand

her

Since
different

into

Cuckoo

her

for Julian

armed

light in

hollow

her

as

meditation

change
him.
broken

seemed

not

Passion, so
loose stormed

doctor
He

she

to

some

in

marvelled

now

evening
Cuckoo, and he

in the

intellectual

put his

then

That

new

or

He

even
power,
do it,"he had

at, and

frost under

in her

said.

The

very
old intellectualities

dazzled

thinking

was

the

and

more

despairedof,
it had

His

stars.

profound, for

heights of his nature

told

hands,

heart.

since

away

long guarded, so bravely repressed,once

all the

that

Valentine's

her.

Only you can

head to foot,put weapons
leaping exultation in her

see

had

broken

could

spoken
something

believed

had

become

into

had

"

strong flame.

along

very
in his life Julian

the
from

it had

drove

every
tried to oppose it into exile.
The
that is
animalism
generally present in a boy physically
strong took possessionof

sentiment
so

He

he walked
was

had.

her from

at last into

of

that

eyes, a
that she had

flickeringpower
burnt
up
Julian's eyes.

he

than

power
The sentence

her

The

had

which

been

self-distrust

word.

that

assumed

she

doctor

had

strength,titter

with

fight. He

to

the

word

one

self-reliance.

at least resembled

spellover

the

For

away

with

conversation

woman.

weakness

change

walked

he

Then

her.

to

that

tolerate any
not
divided
him, and would
allegiance. It declined
his
be
life
of
to
to
a
permit
thing
mingled enjoyments, now
the
in
the
desires
of
leaping
rejoicing
body, now
disregarding
and
of the mind.
clear contentments
them for the aspirations
It

FLAMES

294
seemed

like a
revengeful,

againsthis will,and,
longkept fasting
made
that
come
empire
empire an autocracy,
had
Julian
from
at
to
a
a
extreme
one
passed
tyranny.
step
another, and had alreadyso lost the habit of followingany mental
with
longer think clearly
process to a conclusion that he could no
having at last

man

into its

observe

himself

He was
for the time
his
all body, knew
limbs,like intimates ; his
muscles, his flesh,
mind only distantly,
like a stranger. With
with greed,he
passion,
had seized on all those pleasures
which he had previously
feared and
ease,

or

with

any

acuteness.

his

shunned, until his brain

drunkard, and his mind

is the brain of

heavy as
stepped in

was

lethargy. So to-nighthe

gluttonand a
direction with a languid
man
puzzledas he walked

any

had the face of

in the frost under

Once

the stars.
the hint of some
power

him,

awed

as

only a

clearness

development of
him.

He

can

"

that

had

lurkingin

certain clearness
be

certain

"

thrilled and

Cuckoo

awed.

had

thrilled and

receptive,
ciative
apprethe abrupt

Now

almost
because it confused
distressed,
power
down
lower in the interval between
the two

gone
of
sensation.
possibilities
"
What
the devil's come

over

Cuckoo

schoolboygait.That

?"

ran

his

thoughtwith

her he

She
recognised.
the
creature
Piccadilly,
in the twilight
he had pitied
interview.
hour of their first friendly
Nor was
she the woman
had
whose
he
soul
injuredby his cruel
and
who
had beaten him with reproaches,
made
whim, the woman
was

him

no

longerthe

for

an

somethinghad come
girlhe had stared at

so

instant

almost

ashamed

humanities,perhaps,slept,
or
woke,

over

in

of

in her

his

lusts.

still. Yet

they which

All
it

was

these
not

heavilyconcerned him on his way to the Marble Arch.

There is a vitality
about power of whatever
kind, that makes itself
when
when it is not understood,even
it is neither
even
instantly
felt,
beloved nor appreciated.
confused by his dull and sudden
Julian was
o
f
in
Cuckoo.
No
recognition power
longer did it flash upon him,
to the awe
and the cona mystery of flame in her eyes, moving him
straint
that a man
thing,a phantom,
may feel at sightof an unearthly
had
the
vision
of
in her eyes,
for
flame
the
looked
or
a
night. (He
and he had not found it.) But it glowed upon him more
steadily,
with a warmth
of humanity, of something inherent,rooted, not
detached and merely for the moment
and as if by chance,prisoned
in some
particular
place,from which at a breath it might escape.
It drew him to Cuckoo, and, at the same
time, it slightly
repelled
him, the latter though Julian did not know it by the sharp
abruptnessof its novelty. For the doctor had lit a blaze of strength
in the girlby a word.
Julian's eyes were
dazzled by the blaze.
Custom
might teach them to face it more
calmly. At present he
could look at the stars with greaterease.
Indeed,as he walked,he
"

"

ARRAY

BATTLE

295

Cuckoo, and then of the

and of their strange intensities of suggestion and
eyes of all women,
of the clouds,of
of their language of the devil and
of realisation,
no
their kindlingvigours. But the eyes of Cuckoo
were
longer as
the eyes of any other
him from the corner
each

night at

felt that
in

men

he did not
fillet of

the

strange and
fear and

in
priestess,

some

uneasy

off from

her

in him

it,yet he
dressed,already,
one
tending some

little of the

whom

uneasy
be

feels to

man

That
him.
evening, while
curious conflicting
seized with

strike

draw

her, to

dull,too, and

him,
feelings,
vague

knew

in

been

to

or

of

looked

in the

her
in

as

vague

house,

close

or

to

heaviness

of

scarcelyclearer

were

in the open spaces of the night,and Julian was

scious
confelt as
He
of anger againsthimself.
of irritation,

in the cold and

of

her

all

Those

dreaming.

had

was

robes

creature

wakes

often

her, he

desires to fall before

fend

that

the

woke

She

altar.

himself
with

sat

For

believe it.

she

to him

watched

Cuckoo

He

him.

at

girlwho

that

knew

He

street.

girl looked

attraction

greater than
Julian

of the

unnamed

glancedat

Julian

woman.

that

as

the eyes of

thought of

did look at them, and

sense

oaf,a lout. Was it,could it be Cuckoo who had made

him
she ?
Julian tried to hug and
feel so ? After
all,what was
soothe himself in the unworthy remembrance
of Cuckoo's monotonous
life and piteous deeds, to reinstate himself
in contented
animalism
! He
of this priestess
by thoughts of the animalism
laughed aloud
under the stars,bub the laugh rang hollow.
He could not reinstate
the devil's come
himself.
He
could
only wearily repeat, " What
Cuckoo
? with an iteration of dull,moody petulance.
over
if he

were

an

"

A
"

hansom
Julian

It
"

Julian

been
had

looked

'"

I had

"

Your

Where

He

the wooden

over

I have
we

"

Julian,where

Valentine.

was

himself

suddenlypulledup
are
was

apron

beside

"

I hadn't

"

Drive

coming

from

in

fur

you
muffled

to attract

voice called

coat, and
"

Don't

you

at him

without

animation.

treacherous,"Valentine

you
any

plan,"Julian said,gettinginto the cab.

Savoy," Valentine called to the cabman.

Get

in.

I will drive

said.

you."
"

I want

supper,"he added.

some
"

I can't

"

We

in.

come

will have

"I?

"

Have

"

Yes."

I'm

not

privateroom

dressed."
then.

Have

you

dined ? "

No."

Valentine
you

member
re-

"

off to ?

to the

stretched

his friend's attention.

he

your

?"

continued.
rooms,"
dine
?
to
together
arranged
to

forgotten
it,"he answered.
is becoming very
memory
are

and

him

looked at him
been in the

narrowly.

Marylebone Road

again ?

"

he asked,

FLAMES

296

Why

"

I don't know."

The
a

?"

"

the bald truth.

was

answer

slightfeelingof relief.
He
perplexedhim.

that
"

But

"

If I have

He

was

In

making
puttinginto

wondered

words

he did go to

why

You must have

know.
what it is.
I don't know

must

you

it Julian

experienced

the vagueness
Cuckoo.

see

reason,"said Yalentine.

I wish

you

would

tell me,

old fellow."
for all your actions."
supplyyou with reasons
I can't supply myselfwith reasons
for any of them," Julian
And
said slowly. The
words were
leadinghim to a dawning wonder at
of
know
if there were
his own
a dawning desire to
life,
really
way
the
did
not
But
Yalentine
for
did.
the
he
reasons
accept
things
any
him
On the contrary, it evidentlyirritated
reply as satisfactory.
"

I can't

"

stillmore,
"

Your

for he said with

dropping your engagements, throwing me over

evenings is quiteobvious. The blessed damozel of
freshness captivates
Her
attractive to you.
you.

wasting my

the

feathers

Her

brilliant conversation

is

She is the
entertains you.
of these irrelevant escapades."

paintedreason
Don't

warmth

for

reason

and

"

unusual

at

sneer

powderedand

her, Yal."

like a bolt. Yalentine

frowned, and
quickly,
flashed in his eyes.
deepeningsuspicion
I did not think you were
he continued.
so
easilyflattered,"
The

words

came

"

"

Flattered ? "

"

Yes.

Cuckoo

the rather rank

Bright admires
fumes

"

Nonsense," Julian

"

What

other

reason

you, and you go to No. 400 to smell

which she burns at your shrine."

of the incense
cried
can

warmly.
you

have ?

She

has

no

beauty ; she has

she has
no
manners
gaiety,no distinction,
nothing. She is nothing."
Ah, it'sthere you'rewrong."
Wrong !
When
you say she is nothing."
I say it again,"
Yalentine reiterated almost fiercely. The lady
of the feathers is nothing,nothing at all. God and the devil
they
have both completelyforgotten
A creature like that is neither
her.
would
I
call
her
for
nor
good,
reallyevil, she is evil merely that she
not because
in sin. But if
she has a fine pleasure
may
go on living,
for
sell
will
bread
and
butter
of
the world,the
out
-you
your
you slip
world that must
be reckoned with. I say Cuckoo
Bright is nothing."
I tell you she is somethingextraordinary."
And
As Julian spoke the words the cab stopped at the Savoy. Yalentine
His face was
flushed as if with
sprang out and paid the man.
the piercing
cold of the night.
heat, despite

conversation,

no

no

"

"

"

"

"
"

"

"

"

FLAMES

298
but
drinking,

or

displayeda
No.

"

was

very tolerable
before he answered

it down

put

doing ample justiceto the wine and

appetite.He liftedhis glassto his lipsand

Julian

It's gone."

Valentine seemed relieved

"
Of course.
I knew it was
I suppose.
yourself,

And

to

seems

be

others. You

over

You

satisfy

to

went

now

Since it's gone Cuckoo

somehow.
Val, there must

great power

hallucination.

an

"

"*

he

are

me

few

one.

I don't

"

people
Marr

in

know
the

changed

"

world

with
"

another,and

was

paused.
And

"
11

say

?"

what

Valentine

said rather

loudly.

Well," Julian pausedagain,as if conscious that he

"
Cuckoo
something that would seem
ridiculous,
Is

"

woman

third ! You
think
like that,to compare

of

well

it reasonable

to

my will,mine, who
the lifeof action,who
have

to

"

bracket
have

about

was

with

me

lived the

life

trained my powers
thought
to the highestpoint,
and offered up sacrifices yes, sacrifices to my
that
to
will,
degraded,powerlesscreature ! Julian ! "
as

as

"

"

He

stopped,clenchinghis hand as it lay upon the table. Never

before hacfJulian seen
him so profoundly moved.
All his normal
calm and self-possession
seemed deserting
him.
His lipsworked like
those of a man
in the very extremityof rage, and the red glow in his
cheeks faded into the grey of suppressedpassion.Julian was
utterly
taken aback by such an exhibition of feeling.
I didn't mean
I had no
My dear fellow,"he stammered,
"

"

"

"

idea
"

did

You

that.

mean

You

do.

And

to believe that you relied

upon me, on my
to
that
me
good God, how absurd ! "
up
"

I have been fool enough

judgment,that you looked

"

"

lay back in his chair and burst into a paroxysm of loud and
mirthless laughter,while
Julian, holding his champagne glass
between
his fingers,and twistingit stealthilyround
and round,
regardedhim with a blank stare of utter confusion and perplexity.
Valentine continued to laugh so long that it seemed
if he were
as
seized in the gripof a horrible hysteria. But just as the situation
was
becomingactuallyintolerable,he suddenly controlled himself
with an
and painfuleffort. After
obvious
remaining perfectly
He

minutes, he said,in
in being icy:

silent for two or three

be calm, and succeeded
"

Julian, you

top to the bottom

the

deceptionso

veil ?
"

That

What

was

have

torn

with

voice that

to
struggled

Holy of Holies from the

the veil of the

But
vengeance.
there
after
all,
long,when,
a

why
was

have

you

kept

nothingbehind

up

the

surelyunnecessary."

is the matter

with

you, Val ?

I don't understand

you."

AKRAY

8ATTLZ
Nor

"

There's

And

I you.

yet

irony."
pointthe waiter
ceased, checked
by

castors, Julian exclaimed

It's not

"

irony.

an

of

the dirt. And

If it

"

course

to

came

the

peripatetic
presence.
hushed
activityof a

As

soon

sation
conver-

he

as

rollingon

mute

to make

choose

You

I do

it

not

compare
in the dirt and
over

power

your

You're

so.

self
yourCuckoo.

poor
from
far away
thousand
be
must
a

you

are

you
one

any

not

with

hers."

greaterthan

times

his

She's down

could I ?

and

an

Valentine.
to-night,
How

friends.

intimate

are

we

omelette

in with

came

all the

retreated,with

had

that

say

an

this

At

we

Sgg

battle ?

If it

to

came

battle ? "

interrupted

"
You
Valentine,
say that,Julian ?
"A
bat tie! of what?"

"

Cuckoo
wills,
naturally,
But what a strangeidea

Of

"
"

You

"

Because

I don't

see

my question."
the force of it."

it nevertheless."

Answer

"

"

answered

haven't

"

?"

Bright'swill againstmine

once,"Julian said. But there

kito silence
no
was
ring of conviction in his voice,and he fell at once
his
after he had spoken the words.
Valentine saw
frowning face
by
Cuckoo

"Then

would

be beaten

at

puckeredforehead that the idea of such

train of thought in his mind.
"You
are
wondering,Julian,"Valentine

and
a

looked

Julian
"

Who

"

battle had

set in motion

said.

up.

doesn't wonder
I

do.

never

in this

? " he said

beastlyworld

preferto act.

Drink

pushed the bottle over and went

"You
are
wondering why I spoke
Well, I'll tell you.
Bright and me.
He

is to be such a battle."
Julian drank his champagne and

some

morosely.

champagne."

more

on

of

battle

between

spoke

Cuckoo
I

because

that

see

there

as Valentine
"astonished,

There

"

is to be

Julian, you
that

now

sake

the

world
so

may

of

"

is

her way

bottle

For

is

of

men.

reach.

She

from

God

"

or

the devil

"

has

may

rouge
be in the

gutter
and

said

just

it for

nothing in a
nothing

is ever

woman

she

I said
I

ever

hair-dye,a

Mayfair drawing-rooms,even
And

is
No

time.

long

don't.

nothing,but

woman

the very
the twinklingvanities of men,

to

You

Bright
No

it for

seen

women.

thingscalled

within

man

doesn't matter.

stars, but

I have

uttering a paradox.
there

as

and

knows

you

know

and increasingly
definitely

battle.

like Cuckoo

that is full of the

long

That

continued

such

think

woman

looked

can

pot,
very
see

"

maker,
dress-

gutter.
not

the

they will light her on

Who
perhaps to Court.
the
given to every woman

FLAMES

300

Knowledge of

Men
possibilities.

her

only the ignoranceof

have

theirs."
and

has this to do with Cuckoo

bottle is empty, Valentine."
"

What

Valentine
"

and

And

for
hastily

rang

what

Cuckoo

earth

on

? " Julian said.

me

"

This

another.

has it

got

do

to

with

battle between

you

"

She has told

Everything. She hates me.
again."
Julian looked expressively
uncomfortable.
I've alwaysstood up for you,"he began.
11

so

you

again and

"

"

"

I believe it.
I

because

your
all this should be

they

the

said

friends of

men

whom

men

from

intimacyinto
Wedding-days break, as

old chums
have
"

had
That

She may say

nevertheless."

But

so.

tells you

"

Unless

"

You

"

Give Cuckoo

giveher

startled and
of the

power
"
That's

a"

"

It won't

"

Even

that

me

now,

up

! I

was

as

fine

wrong

bring us

must

and

once

band's
drive their husdarkness of acquaintanceship.

bind, faith.

even

is

you

of it."
her

on

hatred

of

mo

tive."
simplysilly instinc"

to call her

nothing. But
"

to battle unless

for all."

Valentine

shocked.

lady of the feathers from

a

edge

And

the voice that uttered them

slowly,and

came

began

to

gauge

sounded
the

new

that moment.

strong thingto do, Val."

hurt

you

to do

if it didn't hurt

girlloves

That

outer

who

"
up !

For, Valentine,I believe

'

puts a

better

?"

what

words

Ah

so.

of

it is her hatred

The

the

well

dislike of you

Her

No, Valentine,no.

"She

it

It's much

are
Many women
intensely
they either love, or who

your wedding-daywith Cuckoo."

accident.
She loathes to think
an
was

"

"

myself,but simply

am

Julian.

at the wives

Look

shall love them.

mean

Hush,

for all.

once

because

not

me

closest friend.

am

jealousof

hates

She

you.'

Do

strong thing for

I think

me

you
you

it would

said truth when

remember

in your life."
hurt her very much.

once

you

said to

me

once

?"

birth,your position,
Perfectly.
you, your
your money,
above
the
I can
looks,
standpoint
perhaps
good
gutter.
your
your
loves with unwell believe that Miss Bright,like all her sisterhood,
dying
Loves

"*

love that combination

a

of

her
flesh-pots,

notion

of the

ego of

man."
"
"

the

accepteda halfpennyfrom me."

in
Because she means
eventuallyto have twenty-one shillings
more
champagne."
pound. Have some
She

has

never

ARRAY

BATTLE
You

Yes.

"

If such

Cuckoo's
utterly wrong.
good,she is good."

Yal,
wrong,
could
be
girl

are
a

was

on, very

not

over
emphatically

his head

cenary.
mer-

He

in Julian's voice.

maudlin

justa touch of the

and nodding
earnestly,

There

301

went

his

even

conjunctions.
if she

And

"

might

Why,

be.

"Was

he

Of

course

"

have no influence over

say, she would
she is justwhat
a
But to me
good girl
"

the doctor

even

cried,with

to-night?" Yalentine

there
he

you

her.

hate

I should

and

me,

what

were

And

was.

what

know

you

sudden

spiration
in-

littlechap
particular

he is."

"Why
"

he there?"

was

Just to

Cuckoo, you know, in

see

the

that

realised then
the meaning of the doctor's visit.
And
for the lady of the feathers.
Yalentine

friendlyway."

had

battle

guessed what

He
he

it had

done

Julian

went

silent while

sat

divined

He

begun.

champagne.
And
he does.
he
I am
sure
Cuckoo, Yal.
respectedher. And
behaved quiteas if quiteas if he
you know
her hating you, and
it's all nonsense
having a battle,and all that
She's not
She's only fanciful.
kind of thing,with you.
"
Would
give her up if I asked you to ? Mind, Julian, I
you
drinking more

on

likes

he

I believe

"

"

"

"

"

don't say I ever

"
Don't ask

got

me

friends,money,

no

anything.

or

for the
commiseration
hiccough. Yalentine got up and
"
The bill,
please,waiter."
"

Julian

glanced at

man

apparentlyalso pleased,smile
looking at

moment

first throes
Can

The

of

know

waiter

the frost
Don't

girl,she's
Poor

the bell.

rang

the

drunken

with
and

the

withdrew.

slumber.

of

shadow

the

leaning figureon
His

and
pleasing,

Yalentine

stood

chair,relaxed
and

anger
he looked.
as
away
battle after all ? " he said

it,but

it is

almost

for

in the

unbridled

re-entered.

name

tipsytongue

Cuck

poor
of the
to

"

himself.

to

"

They

won
practically

already."
the
and
paid
bill,

Yalentine

shortlyrevived Julian
ask me
to give her

girl. Poor,
The

it be called

not

"

poor

Cuckoo.

completelydied

emotion

may

Poor

Yes, sir."

The

"

Cuckoo,

chair,nodding his head, and reiteratinghis

lady of the feathers in a faint and recurring

his

in

fell back

He

"

Poor

me.

"

"

Cuck

Cuck"

or

if I do ?

But

shall ask you.

to, don't ask

into
up,

an

Yal,

attempt

the breath

of

at conversation.

don't,don't

ask

me.

Poor

Cuck."

lady of the feathers

play with.

seemed

good

one

for

VIII

CHAPTER

RECEIVES

DOCTOR

THE

VISIT

FROM

MRS.

WILSON

puzzled day by day. His observation

of Valentine
only one
taught him
thing certainly,and beyond
the
of the youth he had
that was
death
of doubt, and
possibility
of
whom
he could not love,
the
a
once
loved,
livingpresence
youth
He
held to the
from
and even
he could only shrink
fear.
whom
be caused
by
theory that this radical and ghastly change must
of
secret
the
mind
but
he
obscure
some
dementia,
some
overturning
;
was
obliged to confess to himself that he held to it only because,
and without
a
a
otherwise, he would be floatinghelpless,
spar, upon
He
and confusion.
could not honestly say that
tide of perplexity
able to put his finger upon
he was
any definite signs of madness
doctor.
exhibited by Valentine, any that would
He
satisfya mad
could only say that Valentine's character had been strangelybeautiful
and was
now
strangelyevil,and that the soul of Julian was following
The
more
closely he watched
rapidly the soul of Valentine.
DR.

LEVILLIER

the

Valentine

astounded

more

Julian

doctor

allowed

in

though formerly
occurred
on

felt

He

soul could
new

was

not

gone

of

from

turn

Valentine

was

His

or

Valentine

under
the

that fixed

the two

young

the beautiful

deciding,in his
insane

gulfwas
men.

from

What

moved

the

of his

periodlay
long trance
conclusion

one

be

will,

its

insanity.
that

each

pursuits.
to

And

he

there

held, that
doctor

Valentine's

side of

The

such

sanity,was

The

succeedingthe
arrived

new

power.
that
his

the doctor

idea which

it

taken
under-

the

and

of Valentine's

on

was

Julian

Julian.

to

mind,

own

his
This

law

in

influence

influence

baneful

the length of

detach

that

was

dismissed

soul,

was

something peculiarlydreadful
under

beyond

the

all,as

than

his scope

to

eager

might

rescue

mLjd

was

to himself.

new

better

of

work

the

its ends

law

more

of

strangest thing

former.

the

the

"

loved
that

and

frequent self-communings

period of life and

and

had
him

that the

Julian, once
now

he

the

region that was

instinctivelythat here

Valentine

horror
was

behalf

did he become
But

of his

one

to

into

Valentine

him.

from

detach

never

more

grew

final

at with

had
sane

fixed

gulf,
sittingof

ease,

once

THE
the

theoryof

subtle

RECEIVES

DOCTOR

acceptedas

lunacy was

VISIT
fact.

303

For,on sending

the doctor was

able to
along the ways of recollection,
from
that
recall hints of the new
Valentine
dating
very night,but
his mind

before

never

led

back

it.

to others

on

his mind

up

which

that

have

supposedmadness, the
the

knowledge on
looked
body. He
he

sometimes

failure.

mentioning
to Valentine's

been

the

was

Having

this
made

motive-powerof Valentine's

every direction to increase

of
of death by the human
simulations
subject

again the
himself
He

objectof

of innumerable

cases

treated,sometimes

consulted

standards

case

the

fear,and

sought in

doctor

up
had

patientswhom
with

was

this trance

his

Rip's manifested
already mentioned.

first hint

The

by

which

doctors,of

other

his research.
he

hysterical
with

He
was

success,

out
with-

course

endeavoured

to

quicklyable

to

apply
form

satisfactory
opinionon the cases of others. He even went so far
to examine
as
closelyas possibleinto the historyof table-turning,
the uses
ascribed to it by its votaries,
and the results obtained from
it by credible
credulous
to
witnesses.
But he
as
opposed merely
found no case
in any way analogous to the strange case
that seemed
of Valentine.
As was
only natural,the doctor did not forgetthe
a

as

"

"

of hypnotism,which
possibility
conversation
with the ladyof the

subjectof Valentine

the

on

reallya

true

account

very
fact that the

doubtful

seemed

which

dead

continued
But

grave.

to exist

before

Marr

him

Her

confused

being

one

Valentine

only be

made

during his

had

the trance.

declarations

"

clear

by acceptingas a
hypnoticspellupon Valentine,
activelylong after its weaver
slept in the
had

laid

Julian

had

always

This fact seemed

any knowledge of
that only he of

assumed

the two

friends had any acquaintancewith Marr.

And
the doctor one
s
aid
to
day,quite casually,
Valentine,"
did

you never
till I saw

The

him

meet

doctor

guide

him

Marr,

lying dead
could

to the

see

second

person, if they were

said to her
which

and Valentine had never

met.
had always denied
Valentine

fully established.
him

could

"

struck

feathers.

and

of what

Marr

Marr

had

did

you ?
in the Euston

no

of

ray

clue of the

"

Valentine

again,when
By

the way,

replied, Never,
"

Road."

lightin
He

the

darkness

that could

could

mystery.
only say to himself,
be, it must be an obscure and horrible madness," and keep
his theory to himself.
the
Sometimes, as he sat pondering over
whole affair,
he smiled,half sadly,half sarcastically.
For the event
brought home to his ready modesty the sublime ignorance of all
"

It must

clever

and instructed men,

and taught him
to wonder
often wondered, that there exists in such a world
as
fantastic growth as the flourishing
weed, conceit.
Another

on, and

went

his

matter

own

power

as

that

as
ours

he

had

such

puzzled him greatlywas

this. As the days
Valentine grew
and he did grow
certain of
more
for evil over
Julian,and as, consequently,he took less
"

"

FLAMES

304
and

less painsto hide the truth of his

of the

doctor,the

latter

from
personality
frequentlyseized with

was

sensation which

had longago overtaken

him when
Street and in Vere Street.
This recurrence

he

the

knowledge
appalled

the

followed in
was
of sensation and

Regent
the certainty
forced graduallyupon the doctor that it was
caused by
the presence of 'Valentine,
him
whether
it were
l
ed
to wonder
naturally
who
had dogged his steps,and eventually
fled
possiblethat the man
from

have

could

him,

been

Yalentine

himself.

if it did exist
must
so, then this madness
Valentine before the trance.
Nothing but

him

thus in the

justleft his

had but

by

no

means

on

the

night hours

the

Once

lie.

to Wade.

recourse

come

upon

could have

led

pursuitof the friend who

and

night in question. To

court

in

madness

indeed

were

But
the doctor knew
company.
of
he could satisfy
himself
Valentine's movements

which

house

to steal out

If that

surelyhave

"

"

doctor
then

But

ask

himself would

Valentine
for

thought

he remembered

of

moment

be

of
to

having

that the butler

did not
the event

before
and had no doubt long gone home
sleepin the flat,
confronted with a dead
of the night in question. So, again,he was
wall,beyond which he could see no clear view or comprehensible

country.
this time there

About

happened

the doctor's mind.

upon

He

a multitude
receiving

room,

with

card

"

on

doctor

as

of patients,
when

which
usual

struck
in his

strongly
consulting-

his man-servant

entered

salver.

wishes to

lady,sir,who

The

day

one

was

event

an

took

the

see

She

you.

card.

On

it

was

has

appointment."
printed merely Mrs.
no

"

Wilson."
he said," unless she
I cannot see the lady to-day,"
after five o'clock. But I can
her then, or to-morrow
see
Ask her which she would prefer."
ten.
"

After

moment's

lady will

"

The

"

Very

absence
come

Lawler

call

can

again

morning

at

returned.

at five o'clock this

evening,sir."

well."

his work.
the doctor bent his mind once
more
steadily
upon
five o'clock the door opened,and a tall,square, and
strong
into the room.
dressed in black,walked quietly
She
lookingwoman,
And
At

bowed

to the

doctor and

sat down.

glad you could see me to-day,"she said. I leave London

morning. I hate London."
earlyto-morrow
She spoke in a full and rather rich voice,with a slightly
burring
accent,and looked the doctor full in the face with a pair of large
had certainly
of
Nature
built her to be one
and sensible grey eyes.
"

those

am

often for
measure

of women,
also,who

towers
men

to

no

male

strong

possess
creature, of

for

themselves, for their

sex,

and

peculiarpower, given
quitefull
largesympathy and lofty
composure.
a

in

FLAMES

306

woman.
peoplecall a strong-minded
you must understand,what sane
know
didn't
the
I had originally
meaning
completephysicalcourage,
of the word
fear,despisedthose who did,I am afraid. So you see

for

this,is very bad

It makes

hate

me

deep
myself so.
I
collapse,

; it cuts

me

loathe

and

so

into my
I

mind,

you

sleepbadly,and

see.

have

I'm strong one

next.
My appetitehas longbeen
moment,
sort
it
of
But
isn't
that
I could
thing I mind.
bad, and so on.
fightwith that well enough. It's my horrible deterioration of mind
that troubles me, that has brought me
here,to you, in spiteof my
in a city,
hatred of London, of every city. It was
though not in
I
of.
told you
It doesn't seem.
London, that I bore that burden

symptoms of nervous
the
feeble,no good at all,

the usual

possibleto
may

be

why

but

me,

I'm

and
effect,

an

to

come

you.

told,and

that the
Doctor

believe.

read, that my

cause

may

root
Levillier,

mind

diseased

lie in my
out

body. That's
the disease if you

can."
her lipstremblingall the
speakingalmost with passion,
time and her eyes never
leavinghis face. Then she added, with a
curious,characteristic abruptness:
Lack of funds is no
I will tell you that I've plentyof money.
if
return
is in any way
against my return to health
my
weapon
possible.
Dr. Levillier smiled slightly.
the usual 'long sea
You
are
formula,I
anticipating
voyage
She

ended

"

"

'

"

see,"he said.
"

Possibly."

"

it for you off-hand,"

he said.
prescribe
for
all
as some
nervous
a specific
complaints,
peopleseem
have no bodilypain ?

not

You
"

I should

not

"

Sea air is
to think.

"

I often wish

No.

I had."

about

gradual collapse
coming on after
troubles was
not during it,does not
over, and
I
am
if,as I
puzzled by your malady increasing
suppose, you are livingidly
I have no courage to do anything or see anybody."
I am.
Exactly. You live in a sort of hiding."
I was
well-known
to a good many
see, once
Why
yes. You
people. My troubles became known to them, too. I could not get
of except by blazoning
them
I told you
abroad.
rid of that burden
live
Therefore
I
now.
I shrink from
meeting any people
very
quietly. I"
ness
Suddenly she seemed to grow tired of the half-measures in frankShe
that had so far governed her communications.
spread
of
sudden
her
with
hands
forth
a
ample gesture
very characteristic,
"

tell me

What

you
the crisis of your
Nor
me.
surprise

"

"

"

"

"

confidence.

your

THE
"

have read

of

Long ago, some

action against my
husband,

take

the

assumed
case, and

"

CertainlyI have."

"

It

bad

knew

insisted

on

from
on

to

bo
I

what

happy.
had

But

wife

any

about

of
the

Wilson

Mrs.

pointof view,I believe. People

all
a
brute, and thought I was
the

and

the

any

always drunk.

days.

But

world

horrors,before

hurt

He
I called

then

me

stranger a

and

"

while

graduallygettingexcited

been

said.

I loved after I
married, not the man
?
in
do you believe
possessions
Levillier,

I loved

man

Doctor

him.

had

She

into

I called my husband
a brute
hurt
The
it.
phrase
you,
I know
husband.
why. A boy

me

brute, not the

married

"

newspapers
through, the real

that his mother

was
the
of
for
rest
into hating him
my
told

my

wife

former

entered

had

gone
You
started when
release.
Doctor
Levillier;I noticed

just now,
coming from
once

case

newspaper
gettingrid of

even

me
congratulated
rightand ought

of my

heard

have

You

never

afterwards

cruelty,won

the

on

influence

whose

man,

looked

he

that

knew

"

was

obligedto

was

friends.

lives of his two

may

may

separation."
judicial

Dr. Levillier

strange,cruel,dead

the

with

You

"

Wilson, who

charged him

of Marr.

name

least,I

at

Mr.

"

was," she said.

years

me.

obtained

Then

it

exactlywhat

I think I'll tell you

VISIT

RECEIVES

DOCTOR

she

spoke,and, on

words, she leaned forward in her chair and struck her hand
in her lap.
Do
mean
possessionby the devil ? said the doctor,very
you

the last
down
"

"

opposinga strong calm to her intensity.

quietly,
I do.
Yes.
My experienceobligesme to. I knew, for a year
I married
before
him, I married, I lived for two years after I
who
married
a
man
was
him, with a man
my conceptionof what
hero
I
to
should be, strong, gentle,tender,brave,a
me.
got rid
two
after I had endured
at his hands.
of a devil,
years of torture
"

It is
the
were

no

use

differences.

such

needn't

distinct

those two

My soul,my

man.

same

it,yet

to tell me

My

husband

the power
it as
to use
dwell on the evidences of

had

the

dust

where

me,

the

loved
means

change.

that
music

of

were

one

it's a

lie.

; this

man

tormentingme.

and
There
hated
But

Suffice it to say that the

thing that has brought me down into

of cowardice,and weakness, and impotence
am,
to be anything,was
the horror
of awakening to a
to do or
knowledge of that change,of having to live as wife with this devil,
I knew
whom
a
was
not, who
Only the features
stranger to me.
were
husband's,nothing else. 1 got rid of a stranger. The
my
found
dead in the Euston
Road
I hated,
man
was
a
strangerwhom
than that."
to me
nothing more
in
As she spoke,
voice that pulsatedthroughthe
a deep,resonant

thing that

crushed

I knew

men

heart,declare

dust

FLAMES

3o8
Dr. Levillier

room,

him

with a
the
of
night

almost
recalled,

the

in

Harley Street,on
His
spoken about the dead Marr :
contradiction
d
irect
possibleto
absolutely
"

words

the

not

man."

same

of death ?

moment

And

the

this

man

and

the

loved

woman

thought shot
return

the

at

"

Valentine

change in

that

said to Mrs.

He

Did

"

the most
face dead was
his face alive. He was

recalled these words

He

mind,

through his

Julian's words to
thrill,
with
the mastiffs,
fracas

of the

Wilson, betraying none

excitement

that

reallyfelt:

he

You

"

Worse

by
"

it endured

see

great shudder
I can't talk

Can

to endure

dog."

own

my

; to

"

physicalcruelty?
by others,dumb, helplesscreatures,
had

spoke of cruelty. You

"

do

you

through her.

ran

of

said.

it," she

anything

for

me

"

it made

But

do

Why

look

you

what

me

at

am.

like

me

that?"
about

For, at her word

dog, the

the

Tell

me

he said.

"

"

they ?

himself quickly.
something of the symptoms

who

fancies that

These

"

such

I,

Wilson

yet an
She
"

distress

of them

Many
suffered

have

and

sounds, movements,
heard

who

one

tense

little

sees

or

of your mental malady,"

nature
are
you ; of what

"

She told him.

those

as

roused

He

nothing.

fallen into

doctor had

her, yet

reverie,lookingsteadilyupon

forth.

some

great shock, imagined

doctor

The

to all

listened.

had

He

times before.

story many

acutelyafter
so

well known

symptoms

were

these degradingfancies,"
Mrs.
full of these ghastly,
of
sort
and
a
largeindignationagainstherself,
"
"
?
Is it not
uncertain terror.
/

am

cried,with

suddenlystoppedspeaking.

There's

some

at your

one

door,"she said,after

sound

second

or

two of

without.

some
apparent attention
"
I daresay. A patient."
which Dr. Levillier immediatelyrecognised
At this moment
a voice,

to

as

the voice of

Mrs.

Wilson
her

gnaw

head

suddenlyvery pale,and began to

lip with her teeth in an access

turned

nether

disturbance.
"
In God's

tell me

name

in the direction

Yalentine's

audible in the hall.

Yalentine, was

voice

rose

who

of the
a

that

door.

"It
"

little louder.

"

Mrs.

Wilson

said

nothing.

She

of

and

nervous

is,"she whispered,turning her

Fancy ! the doctor said firmly.

mine, Mr. Yalentine Cresswell."
11

tremble

"

was

can't be

"

it can't be"

It is his voice/'
It is the voice of

trying to

force

friend of
herself

to

THE

believe
is

the

always

horrible

to

will

"

he

But
words

try,"
found

quietly,
confronting

pool

of

Bethesda.

it
to

cure

doctor

very

let
him

you

you

the

have

Such

task

of

illness.

my

It's

"

answered.
difficult

Valentine
with

309

own.

said

exhibition

an

it

and

up

VISIT

her

against

sense

looked

she

last

there
Can

me.

another's

At

doctor,

There,

"

of

evidence
difficult.

RECEIVES

DOCTOR

just
go

this

at

after

haggard

that

moment

his

leaving
patient

to

who

say

the

message,
w.is

entering

three
out
withthe

CHAPTER
A

IX
FIRE

ON

SHADOW

naturallycalm, clear and courageous

hystericalfancies it is
besiegedby what seem
WHEN

is inclined

and
its normal

drastic measures
Levillier found himself

condition.

Dr.

for her.

had

He

with

Mrs.

likelyto restore

and

plexed,
per-

itself to

to restore

the prey of such

had

He

Wilson.

considered what
very carefully
her to health,and to banish

itself

finds

troubled

take

to

fancies after his interview

be

mind

prescribed

of life would

way

which

demons

the

brought her strengthand unusual self-reliance so low. He had

of his
and had dismissed her to the following
gratitude,
plansfor her benefit. All this he had done with calm deliberation,
towards the
which he always practised
the very cheerful composure
did
this
while
he
his own
But
victims of nervous
even
complaints.
had

received her

in

mind

was

with

regard

up

keen

her

to

For

dead

had

Marr

man.

taken

turmoil.

been

enjoyment in

voice,she

had

turned

this

husband

fantastic assertion

Cuckoo's

same

had

woman

which

that

let fall statements

curiouslybolstered

most

Marr

and

Valentine

the

were

animals,to dogs,had evidently

tine's
torturingthem, and, on hearing Valencruel to

pale and

declared

that

it

was

the voice

her strange declaration about her husband's

! These circumstances
of cruelty
a
as
use
appealed
unscientific
side
doctor's
least
that
at
to
the
to
or
mind,
powerfully
husband.

of her
of

inclined him

of it which
the

Then

mode

music

mysteriesof
their

the

return

to

modern

miracles,which

there

are

wonders

world.
continent
no

and

Many

certain

Europeans

imbued

argument,

to

no

with

sarcasm,

who

sympathy

go
belief in
can

to

with

India

miracles,

shake.

But

Europe, too. The magiciansof the East work

the strange atmosphere of that strange country whose

miracles
in

own

to romance,

in

air is heavy with

Yet

England, too, has her magicians.

of its yellow fogs and
dust-laden clouds
holds in the arms
Dr. Levillier found
himself assailed by ideas like these
miracles.
he
that
transformed
of
as
Marr, "possessed,"as the pale,
thought
wreck of a grand,powerful woman
had named
it,as
strongly-built
he thought of the transformed
Valentine,the hour of whose trans,very
London

magic.

coincided with

formation

horrible,yet beautiful creature, risen

new,
trance

that

to Marr

Julian and
and

rage
had

Valentine

Marr

?
the

when

terror

into

intruded
deliberately

been

death

a
practically

was

pointsof resemblance

death.
of

out

the

ashes
such

had

he

had

the

influence

cruel

dogs,and

to

of the

amazing
of

Marr

dogs showed

approached them.

Valentine

this

safe lives of

calm, happy, and

the

had

Why

why

Why

was

new

311

of Marr's

hour

the

FIRE

ON

SHADOW

Marr

The new
Valentine,when
hatred,yet a knowledge of music.
desolate
reluctant and
with
like
forced to sing,sang
some
wild,
thing,
doctor
used the curb suddenly
And
terrible voice.
at this point the
felt that it was
and pulledhimself up sharply. He
useless,
himself
in
and
thus
to
that it was
to
unworthy
plunge
hang
romance,
these facts which
he had to accept and to
veils of mystery around
A touch of humanity is worth all the unhuman
deal with.
romance
the
at
doctor's
in the world.
sore
Humanity lay
distressed,
gate,
beyond distress. So, putting his
sinking to something that was
fancies
to
him, Dr. Levillier resolved
resolutelybehind
fight
the lady of the feathers,the battle of
through that frail weapon,
a

Julian's will

againstthe
as
recognised
malign
"

had

Valentine

words.

Dr.

understood

spoken
into

what

Julian

Only
of the

the

as

brains

the scheme

carry on
by their deeds
For
and

understand

the

the

"

at

and

seldom

He

yet.

eyes
of

three

that

they

malades
in the

sorrow

race.

he

had

by the spell

vices in which

clouded

was

of the

the

by

Cuckoo's

They
array.
faced warfare.

besotted

was

"

heard

souls,Cuckoo's,

battle

him, and
brain

dill

battle

not

fight. Thus

in

set

had

doorstepof

The

least

long travail of their

he

now

incessant

and

of sin and

girlof

thus

were

to

came

doctor

the

heart.

been

dim,

were

the

he called friend laid upon

His
taught to wallow.

one

he had

to

her

The
on

for

once

still call Valentine.

must

!"

stars

they faced,or

did not

fullyand

now

he

mine

the

had

great
Valentine's
Levillier's,
a

he

man

against

ardour

dwellinghe, too,

poured

of the

under

Yet,

which

"

Julian, at the Savoy, " If it

said to

Blight'swill

Cuckoo
those

will

and

his eyes
imaginaires who

world, and

Julian did

prolong

not

stand.
under-

thought sincerely.Sincere thoughts

violent acts

of

passion do

not

often

dwell

together.
The

of Julian towards
become
degradation had now
progress
his
that
talked
him
of
rapid
acquaintances
openly as of
mnny
"
had practically gone under."
who
Not that he had ever
done
of those

so

one

any

few

whose
door is generallyajar,
things at which society,
with Mrs. Gruncly'slargeear glued to the keyhole, resolutelyshuts
He had not forged,
the door.
stolen a watch, or killed anybody,
or
married
a grocer's
or
widow, or anything of that kind. But he had
his life to the pleasuresof the body, and
thrown
made
secret
of
no

the fact,

And

the

of
pleasures

the

body,like

eager

rats,had gnawed

FLAMES

312

of self-control until lie could resist

away his power

of the moment,

prompting of

the
had

loud

their

wine.

voices.

shrieked

They

passionof attention

which

good deal, shook

and

And

virtue accords to vice.

its head

ought to
his

societyheard

listened with
But

Julian.

over

taste

shouted.

ajar,and

little more

that he
for low company
he
had
That
made
Certainly
money.

such

wish

of passingexcitement or
illegitimately
So he committed
and his follies
follies,
many

cries,held the door

heard

nothing,no

desire born

no

society,
having
had

He

have been

acquired

born

chink

errors

that

rather

of many
mothers
filled the bosoms
with
towards
him.
the
Still
charity
generalopinionwas
and

peer.

santly,
plea-

expansive

an

that

he was
of
low.
Julian's
shame
In
the
was
now
fact,
sinking very
legend
written on his face in such legible
and vital characters that the most
fail
read it. The
could
not
to
short-sighted
eyes
eager beauty of
untarnished

youth had faded into the dull,and often sulky,languors

often exhausted
and
utterlyindulged body. Julian was
those
leaden-footed
dreams
that
entrance
the
passingthrough
fitfully
of

the

those dreams
vicious,

that

all the faculties and

and

put

are

colourless and

sombre, that

press upon

stifle all tions,

intenno
meaning,
yet
end, for the moment, to all active desires. People

an

talk of the vicious

have

that

real

but half their time they are curiously

living,"
dead, for their sins blunt their energiesand lullthem into a condition
that resembles rather paralysis
than slumber.
Since the night on
which
he had supped with Valentine
at the
and influence of
Savoy,Julian had given himself up to the company
his friend

as

"

nicknamed
London, which had once
Valentine the Saint of Victoria Street,began to dub him with quite
For it graduallybecame
another name.
apparent to those who only
knew

than

more

the two

young

ever,

and

that
slightly

men

Valentine

exerted

an

ordinarily
extra-

powerfulinfluence over Julian,and that the influence was

deceived by the clear beauty
evil. At first many
were
imperatively
of Valentine's face,
but that was
beginning to fade. A thin line,
here and there with a fairylike
a
pencilled
delicacy,
slightpufimess
beneath the blue eyes, a looseness of the cheeks,a droop of the lips,
all very

shed alteration upon his fair

it were, and furtive,
as
himself noticed it,as he looked in a mirror one night,

demure,
He

beauty.
and silently
cursed
No

matter.

mask.
Julian

of
saintlyexpression

The

thing of

the

was

man's

the inevitable effect which

remain
for ever
face can

past. He

too

much

wondered

Valentine's

mind
an
was

produces upon

entirelydeceptive
rapidlybecoming a

Julian noticed it. But

whether
his own
energiesof dreary

preoccupiedwith

of subsequentthought,or it would
be
lacerating
fatigues
as
self-centred,
say moodiness,to notice anything. He was

action and
truer
are

ocean.

to

all

sinners,immersed
He

was

in

his own
unconscious that he was

downfall
the

like

man

in

an

subjectof battle,that

FLAMES

314

Julian

he

as

stepped into
looked
scarcely

he had

Yet

the

frostynight was

back

shadow

fire.

on

Cuckoo

But

it.

to learn to
was
the lesson of patience. Inspiredby the sympathy of
the last word
the doctor and by somethingdeep in her own
heart,she was, for the
all
She
all
flame.
was
moment,
ready to fight. She was
courage,
at

very

do supreme
things,to touch the stars. The stars went out
not
touched them.
The morning dawned
very chilly,
dark, the morning that brought Mrs. Brigg to her room
yellow

and

complaining. Still

ready to

.and she had

Cuckoo

that made

conscious

was

of

high beating

in that winter

day. She astonished

of her manner,
the vivacity

the
summer
courage
old keeperof that weary house by
the
brightnessof her look. For Mrs. Brigg was well accustomed to sad
and dull grimnessof unpainted
morning moods, to petulantlassitude,
and unpowdered fatigue,
but had long been
a
stranger to early
of

hope or of gaiety. Mornings,in houses such as hers, are

recurringtragedies,
pulsesof Time, shakinghuman hearts
desolating
moods

with each beat

knew

not

wagged

and

nearer

what

nearer

to the

of this new
heavilypensivehead over

Jessie,too,

was

to make

astonished

but

of

ultimatum

morning

mood

She

sorrow.

of

Cuckoo,

and

and
it,unresponsive

muttering.
pleasantly.The little dog,
of degradation,had learned

more

dwelling ignorantly in the midst

In the dim
quicklythe swing of its beloved mistress's moods.
it
it
the
comforter
of
could
not rightly
was
ever
misery
morning
understand,not the playfellowof happiness that stirred it to
In
and
the mornings
excitement.
leaps and barks of wonder
held it long againsther thin bosom, sometimes
Cuckoo
crushed
in the nest
down
it nearly breathless,pushing its little head
world's
tale
of
and
it
the
that sent
of her arms
telling a
woe,
tering
long and thin whimpers twitteringthrough its body. The flutwhisper of morning misery, or the silence of vacant
accustomed
these were
things to Jessie. Even if she did
fatigue,
them she was
not thoroughlyunderstand
readyfor them, and eagerly
emotions
as
dogs are to
along whose verges they tread
responsive
for the ignorancethat
with the soft feet of sympathy, the sweeter
paints their generosityin such tender colours. But Jessie was
who
on
bouleversee by this passionate,
fire,
eager Cuckoo, this shadow
alive almost

was

ere

London

was

London
slept. The shadow
in air,spoke to
tossed
her
sleep,
half
to

quick barking

alive,instead of half dead

fire snatched

on

her with
excitement,played with

JSach little act

was

soap

and

out

of her

voice that thrilled her

her

till the little dog's

apoplexyand
a
shrill, Keep that beast
clothes,
fighting
; battle in the bedshoes.
water, curling-pins,
corset,

flux of emotions threatened to consummate

Mrs. Brigg battered at the door with
"
All this was
Cuckoo
quiet,can't yer ?

battle with

her

until

performedwith

an

in

canine
"

energy

it did not

demand.

The sponge
tooth-brush
met

as

eyes

like

squeezed dry
played as Maxim

was

button- holes with

one

an

on

FIRE

315

thing being strangled

;

the

into
went
; buttons
enemy
going into muskets ; hooks
in all that

Battle

another.

meets

army

live

guns
of ramrods

manner

ON

SHADOW

morning's

high, dressingthem with chivalryand

with
into her sitting-roomswiftly,
Cuckoo
went
strong endeavour.
glowing cheeks and flaming eyes, as one ardentlyexpectant. And
? Mrs. Brigg had lit the fire,
out into
but it had spluttered
then
skeleton
sticks.
and
A
little
of
a
mass
blackened, ghostly paper
the blank day of the
battle in the relighting
of it. But then
more
of
Cuckoo
watched
the
and
sat down,
girl the streets.
growing fire,
tasks,settingthem

common

"

she had

expected. She was

expected something,and something not
wondered

what

demanded

it.

But

moods

our

are

demand

"who, having waylaid a pauper,

has
the pauper
within.
They

which
from

from

partners

without.

found

energy

evoked

not

And

nothing

dance

Cuckoo's

so

dance

to

never

concerned.

was

seemed
That

this

But

that
impossible

should

She

happen.

in the

them

morning

she should

reallythe gist of

was

thought

of Dr.

her nature

and

the

the
Levillier,
fired it with

new

had

she

feel

ready,but

was

ardour.

get up,

staring
front.

the

God

been.

might as well
days,so far as she
thought, had felt it

had

"

unusual

so

Fate

who

growing
to

in the usual
down

and

of His

was

had
He

and

in

feelingthat

man

hastened

cascades

scheme

there

sat

alive,and wondering why she had

fullydressed,instead of wrapped

included

come

suitable

strong excitement

graduallyless

have

had

Moods
with

valses

She

with.

why she was

pink dressing-gownwith the chiffon
of no use to her, never
Mornings were

had

disappointedbrigands
levelled pistolsthat

with

to

she

mood

Her

for all his life.

vainlyprayed

so
are

small.

like

often

that

conscious

came

set

that

bed

and

over

torch

her.

She

at

last to

at his work

in the

was

nothing
asleep.

morning, seeing,speaking to, that passing line of strangers who

for ever
on
through his life. His energieswere employed.
Perhaps he had forgottenCuckoo and her empty mornings. Almost
for the firsttime in her life the lady of the feathers definitely
longed
for a legitimateoccupation. How
she could have flown at it to-day.
But already the brightmood
was
fading. It could not last in such
an
atmosphere. As Cuckoo had said,she could fightbetter than she
could pray.
But it seemed
to her,after a while,that there was
only
in this cheerless,
dark
house
room
to pray, no
at all to fight.
room
walked

She

tried

readingyesterday's
evening paper left on the horsehair
But
had
been a favourite occupation
by
never
reading
hers, and to-dayshe wanted to save Julian,to make
him love her
Julian.

sofa
of
and

so

to win

twilightof

thingsshe

him

from

winter's

Valentine.

day

She

reading about

did not understand.

And

did not

want

people she

she threw

to

sit in the

hacTriever

the paper

down.

seen,

316
To

FLAMES

make

Julian

love her.
Cuckoo
flushed,yes, even
sitting
for
Jessie
had
retired
the warmth
to
of the bedroom
quitealone,
The doctor had told her
blankets,as she said it in her mind.
heart had told her to try to do it long ago.
to do it. Her
But she
trusted the doctor and she did not trust her heart.
And how
could
-

there

her

to make
Julian love her?
Cuckoo
had once
power
well
how
to
make
desire
the
her.
In
a man
very
very early
she had been a very pretty girl.Her old mother,
days of her career

she trust
known
who

believed her

that

her

dead, had often cried and said to the neighbours

been Cuckoo's undoing. Thus
had
do we
beauty
lay blame
the few fine giftsthat should gild our
lives. But Cuckoo
had
on
been very prettyand
had soon
learnt the first foul lesson of her
metier,to wake

swift desire.

time went
and she wasted her
on
giftof beautyalong the pavements of London, she found this poor
in strength and
in certainty.As
to the power
of
power failing
wakening that slower,deeper,kindred, yet opposed desire of love,
Cuckoo had never
known
whether
she possessedit. She had had
lovers but

As

to love her

and this in days of her

really,
then
beauty, or at any rate her graciousprettiness.No wonder
chill
that now
at
the
her
of
task
the
that
a
ran
over
thought
lay
before her if she was
to gain her battle.
To break Valentine's
influence she had to make
Julian love her.
?
How
Instinctively,
and with a sense
of horror,she knew
that her usual practisedarts,
instead of helpingalmost fatally
She loved
handicapped her now.
Julian purely,so purelythat she could not endure that he should
it on that one
he had met
meet her degradation
as
night she never
thought of but with repentance. Yet to her ignorance,to her,
ledge,
risingtowards puritynow, yet ever steepedin the coarsest knowit seemed that the thing called love could hardly utter itself
threadbare
save
blandishment, or parrot combination of
by some
of the town.
Cuckoo
words, used each nightby a hundred women
knew
no
not, so to say, bad language,
language of love that was
she hated.
And
hitherto
those
whom
used
inasmuch
it
was
as
by
to keep her love for Julian
silent love,
been
a
she had
content
it by
when
had
shown
she
obliquely
except on the few occasions
the anger of jealousyor of reproach. She wished nothing bodily
in the mutely repeated
from him, or, if she did,stifled the wish
many

record of her

nobody

own

unworthiness.

hers,she must
sacrifice,
perform some
soul to

move

But

now,

forward,she

if she
must

was

to

draw

surelycommit
she perform?

his
some

What

deed could
deed. What
sacrificecould she make that would win upon him, that would alter
of
to one
of eccentric friendship
his relation towards her from
one
be governed?
affection that might even
this all out in her mind as
The lady of the feathers did not reason
she sat before the

but
fire,
spluttering

she felt it,a

tangledmass

of

SHADOW

brain

catchingher
thoughts,

could she make

How

too.

all the

And
hours

seemed

if it must

as

could

she
tell,

be

feathers, and

the

of such

dreamed
her

soul

own

wonder.

only

about

of such

life.

her

had

never

could

She

love ?

the

about

her

knew

Cuckoo

the

not

not

lady of

that
she
kind, was
to her own
duty to herself,

of

many

nature.

or

she

as

do ?

if he loved her.

strange thing

The

thing as owing

refrain

affect another

be the conclusion

would

what

And

evening

this

of

refrain

evening

net,

the
question,

that
herself passionately
the

she

If
might
her, if she succeeded in this attempt that
what
of her eveningrefrain then ?
impossible,

love

Julian

made

could

What

her ?

love

towards

glidingby

31?

net, catchingher lifeas in

Julian

Cuckoo
began to consider
considered it before,as it
she

in

as

time, as she asked

were

FIRE

ON

never

body,
of self-

meaning

body was a temple not of the

respect.
you
of
but
a
wonderful,exquisitething called womanhood,
Holy Ghost,
she would
have
stared at
and for that reason
should not be defiled,
what
in
and
wondered
like
fierce
drawn
a
boy,
eye-brows,
you under
To
earth you were
heaven
or
get at her
talkingjargon about.
and
if
she had a
sympathy you must talk to her of duty to another ;
soft feelingfor that other, then she understood
you, and then alone.
told her that

Had

It

the

was

this

of Julian

cause

evening refrain

her

his

and

of her life

her to

If she had
that

from

something
vague,

give no
night

for him

desolate

hours

then
to

she

the

there

she had
the

But

of the

at

street,

able to do

pondering

thought

music

asked

she refused.

been

these.

as

ran

He

request.

she have

sat

consider

now

her mind

Jessie. And

Would

Cuckoo

And

danced

hours

her
And

If
stayed at home.
her
life of
given up

questionssuch

over

them.

to

the

moment,

For

way

answer

when

that

loved her then

have

Julian

nightwith

one

made

to his first

and

If she had

refused.

not

moment,

would

justfor

stay at home

safetythat

she sat there.

as

to Julian's first visit to her

back

"

in

her

she could

of that

horrible

devil,when

she

his journey
gave Julian that first little impetus which started him on
And
that
she
and
at
the
she grew
to
thought
abyss.
grew white,
why she had been born to be the lady of the
hot, and she wondered
and

feathers

the

wrecker,

tenderlyin the

men

she loved

in

"C-r-r-r!"
Jessie stirred
ran

into

Cuckoo

had
and

would

"

of men's

but of this

lives

one

"

she

thought

never

of this
life,

one

man,

strange, wild,good-woman way.

she said, her
tongue flickering
against her
in the
room

not

blankets,came
with

curved

to

the floor with

attitudes

notice the little dog.

She

of

"

t'bb

submission.

stared

at

the

of

whom

teeth.
"

and
But

fire and

old,and almost intellectual. But there was nobody to see

What
a
long,empty day it had been, this day for which she
risen eagerlyas to a day of battle ! What
a
long,empty day

looked
her.

the

mass

not

no

so

deed

done

in it.

And

now

the hour

of the

evening refrain

FLAMES

3i8

was

Cuckoo

come.

the

was

of

word

of

first

with

those

doctor

fight

the

and

now

after

come

in

this

poor,

And

night

she

It

had

the

was

who

been

so

of

"

wanted
in

eager

she

hour

had

surely

"

and

falling

was

chimed.

ah

girl,

it

doctor's

Nobody

was

pale

for

day,
the

it.

Julian

patients.

alone.
the

to

special

happened

Cuckoo,

was

hour

The

blow.

battle,

be

to

were

had
his

she,

And

morning.

struck

with

day

which

nothing

was

do

to

this

days

new

And

Valentine.

to

wanted

And

hope.
The

come.

had

had

the

not

evening

refrain.
Cuckoo

Suddenly
down

the

match

blind

which

down

strung
she

on

it

up

back

came

evening

the

into

as

crash

if

yesterday,

began
about

brows,

frowning

box,

which

lay

the

chest

of
the

jamming
bed,

and
Then

took

chair,
with

up
that

eyes

Affairs"

"Foreign

caught

the

criminal.

read,

to

struck

the

on

in

down

sat

and

of

top

hanging

were

She

bedroom,

cardboard

jacket,

she

the

pulled

and

it.

the

on

into

her

into

ran

service

sitting-room,

the
of

paper

gas.

window

broke

nearly
She

the

to

over

she

for

seized

hook,

under

gleamed
"

it

She

on

the

with

cast

it.

went

that

ready

lay

and

drawers,

lit

and

She

up.

sharply

so

violently,
hat,

her

lid

got

and

Bimetallism."
And

the

that
of

verse

She
It

the

Julian
she
nearer

"

for

not

stay

had

once

obeyed
to

him,
her.

of

Cuckoo's

life

did

follow

not

alone.
the

way

action.

the

refrain

evening

day.
all

battle

did

She

by

her

was

fight

her

there

sat

the

night

only

could

she

way

devise

of
"

beginning

to

Julian.
at

home

Another
asked
and

her

the

with

day

she

not

to

obedience

of

thought

any

might
go.

out

go
She

seemed

had
to

purifying
as

gone

bring

herself

usual.

But

then.

Now

him

little

CHAPTER

received

Cuckoo

days later

SOME

FEATHERS

THE

OF

LADY

THE

WITH

OUT

DRIVES

DOCTOR

THE

telegram from

It

Street.

Harley

morning, and ran as follows :

Call here
to-day if possible. Important. Levillier." Cuckoo
often
to her
read it,trembling. In her early days telegrams came
"
"
Circus,five
Meet
at Yerrey's,four-thirty";
door
Piccadilly
me
nickered
o'clock to-day." Such messages
through her youth,forming
the doctor
from
this
life.
But
summons
graduallya legend of her
in the

came

"

"

at the

Julian

that

mean

frightenedher

time

same

ill,in danger

was

braced

and

she

"

knew

It

heart.

her

what.

not

might
But,

at

appallinginaction,the dreary stagnation,

of her days. The
lady of the feathers had fought,indeed, of late
mental
that worst
despair,bred of grim patience ab last
enemy,
been
the battle she had
That
not
was
inspiredto
weary.
grown
the

least,it broke through

for.
prepare
foe from the

expect, to
unforeseen

doctor's

The

seemed

and
field,

at

least

to set the

real

telegram

swept

the

enemy

full

in view.
"

waited

Brigg, who
"

Which

of 'em

"

Shan't

tell

The

answer," the lady of the feathers said to Mrs.

attitude expressiveof greedy curiosity.
in an
that functionary.
is it ?
demanded

arn't any

There

"

hissed

you," Cuckoo

filthygroove

in which

at her.

landlady'smind

the

for

ever

ran

began

intense

animosity.
muttered
to me
so
long as I'm paid regular,"
Well, it's all one
of
her grey
toss
Mrs. Brigg, with a swing of her dusty skirts and
a
head, governed by pomade, since it was a Saturday. Mrs. Brigg must
have held Christian
once
as she
principles,
always prepared the ground
curls the day before.
for certain Sabbath
to

her

rouse

to

an

"

Cuckoo
out

in

Arrived

powder,
with

to dress

ran

the
in
and

herself. It

morning, so
the bedroom,

seldom

was

outstretched

about

to

hands.

was

that

seldom
that

indeed

alone

that

was

she

an

she

stirred

experience.

and
pounced mechanically
rouge
decorate
herself when
she suddenly paused

She

on

was

going out

into the

brightwintry

FLAMES

320

and she was

of
sunlight,
going to the doctor's house,full,
perhaps,
those smart
of
whom
Valentine
had
once
patients
spoken to her.
What
sort of an
would she be among
them ? She dropped
apparition
her hands hesitating.Then she turned to a cupboard,drew out the
famous

black gown
and put it
Julian's hat, hid her hands in black

one

and

seized

umbrella.

an

with

glassand

in

showery London.

crowned

her head

with

silk

pulleddown her veil

gloves,
Cuckoo vaguelyconnected ability
respectthe

umbrellas, although even

them

carry

Somehow

She

on.

vicious are
fain to
she looked at herself in the

Then

most

wondered

if her appearance were

deceptiveenough to trick
the sharp eyes
of the patients. The glance reassured
her.
She
seemed to herself an epitome of black propriety,
and
she set forth
with
As
she
walked
heart.
her
mind
a
more
ran
on
before,
easy
and debatingpossibilities
meant
without
seekingwhat this summons

arrivingat conclusions. At the end of Harley Street her walk, which

had been rapid,
achieved a ritardando and nearlycame
to a full close
before she gained the doctor's door.
Cuckoo
could be a brazen
A
could
b
e
hussy.
scarcely anything else. But that
year ago she
love of hers for Julian
old habits.
with

emotions

had, it seemed, a strange

It laid hands

which

so

upon

every dark corner

For Cuckoo
this ritardando.
of exposing Dr. Levillier to

made

subtle inroads

From

it

came

so many
perceptions,
nothing to do, and

many

surelyhave

it should
upon

of undermining

power

had

of the

girl'snature.

filledwith

was

very
her
Had
in
his
it
of
the
midst
been
afternoon
late
patients.
appearance
instead of morning her fortitude would certainly
have been greater,
human

dread

misconceptionby

might even have drawn near to impudence. But the clear light
of approachingnoontide set her mind
blinkingwith rapid eyelids,
street
the
door her discomfort was
and when
she actually
gained
and

acute.

she

As
and

put

hand

her

up

to

touch the bell the door

forth.

issued

Duchess

stout

Duchess, but

she

quailedbefore the

and

was

uneven

"

her voice
Have

recogniseher
I

"

What

"

Cuck"

was

was

omitted

to

Miss

room,

papers with an
in
sat down

plethoric
glancecast

upon

for the doctor.

? " asked Lawler, who

was

her,

did not

murmured.

Bright."
The

doctor,in

any

in

hurry
the

of

business,had

event

telegram. So she was shown into

four people were
or
turningover

air of watchful
corner

the

instructions

to his

three

she

?"

give Lawler

in which

opened softly

didn't know

veil.

come," Cuckoo

ma'am

admitted.

prompt response

black

her

behind

name,

she asked

appointment,ma'am

asked to

"

She

an

you

as

Cuckoo

as

of

Cuckoo's

the

waiting-

illustrated

idleness and attentive leisure. Cuckoo

and Lawler vanished.
quietlyas possible,

FLAMES

322

silence endured
tillLawler
shattering
appeared to bid two of these
to the consulting-room.
virginswith lit lamps of self-righteousness
As they rose the two
also and followed in their
other ladies rose
but
wake.
Lawler
to proclaim
now
politely
protested, they were
their beauty of character.
We
should preferto wait in another
room," said the lady who
with heaven.
had coughed as a communication
Yes, another room," added the other, and, as she spoke, she
where Cuckoo sat.
half turned, indicating
the corner
"

"

Without
which

but only
objects
"

the

ladies

saw

out

his grave,
feet with the

sat,and

her
is the way of humanity
In
this respect at
only theirs.
as

"

of
inflexibility

thing

in

set

to her

rose

motion

by

to the doctor's presence.

a
bright fire ; he looked

in his wake

standing up

was

iron

some

door.

seeingno material
own
pointof view ;
least they closely
at lengthreturned

Lawler
the feathers. When
This way if you please,
ma'am," Cuckoo

"

mechanism, and marched

doctor

closed the

alone,glaringat the table

sat

had

sex

and

lady of

the

with

The

them

Cuckoo

of her

these members

resembled

showed

Lawler

twenty minutes

another

For

by

word

by

very

grave.
very sorry to have kept you,"he said, "very sorry.
not think you could get here so quickly."
Cuckoo
cleared her throat.
"

"

I wish

I did

am

hadn't,"she answered

bluntly.

"Why?"
"

It don't matter.

"

That

I started

sat,with

perceive. The
appearedto be

doctor

speak to

After
now

you

chair
straightest
standing by the

still remained

His

thinkingdeeply.

gailyshiningboots.
"

in the

straightback

wire came."

Please sit down."

of you.

good

was

Cuckoo

directly
your

minute

in strict

she could
fire.

eyes looked downward

two he said :
or

confidence,trustingyour

at

He

his

secrecy

implicitly."
The

it

made

of Cuckoo

back

became

less

straight.Even

graciousif less admirable

more

from

the

gentle curve
dancing mistress
a

pointof view.
"

The
he

! " she

Honour
doctor

looked

up

like
interjected
rapidly,

looked
he

up

at her and

noticed

the

smile

neatness

schoolboy.
to his lips. And
came
a

of her

black

gown,

as

the

of her hat, the absence of paintand powder. Being after

simplicity
all only a man,
he was
of propriety.
surprisedat Cuckoo's appearance
at her appearance
of impropriety.
The four ladies had been surprised
better than usual,thought her
But the doctor seeingher so much
in looks
quitewell,as indeed she was in comparisonwith the tout
which
ensemble of her usual days. He looked from her black gloves,
"

"

323

sparkling,like

sunshine

winter

veil,to the

thick black

the

held

LADY

THE

WITH

OUT

DRIVES

DOCTOR

THE

dancingeager child,at the window.

"
? " he said.
Do you like driving
"
?"
What
"

Driving do you like it ?

Pretty well,if the horse don't

"

"

"

concentrated

My

Yours

!"

"

Yes.

I have

talk out

The

Shall

air and

in the open
four ladies,the

"

The
"

doctor

Take

"

Oh

like Jessie

almost

dining-room and give her some

pleaseorder the victoria round

And

"

lunch,"he said to Cuckoo, "

be written,and then we'll
must
Lawler

followed

quarter of

were

1 yes."

you

letters that
A

Sahara,

lunch," he

this lady to the

While

Cuckoo

?"

all curves,

became

half-holiday
Hampstead

to

the bell.

rang

said to Lawler.
"Yes, sir."
"

drive

go
the sunshine

emotion.
of supreme
"
she
exclaimed.
?
you

and

Me

for

we

the cough, dry as

illustrateds,

instantlyforgotten. Cuckoo
in moments

I have

patientsto-day.

more

no

to talk to you.

and

once

won't."

"

I want

at

cabs.

on

horses

"

and

down," said Cuckoo,

come

later she

hour

an

with

stretched
the veil tightly
victoria,
in
his
trust
to
her, and
livingup

of

sense

111

airywonder
with

her

across

justget through two

start."

seated

was

at once."

the

and

delight.

doctor

face,her poor

deservingthe

honour

in the

mode

now

of
ferred
con-

let his horses go, and Harley Street

upon
Such
left behind.
Even
the cold seemed
a brightday it was.
was
circulation
the
festive
and
like
a
a gay
thing,spinning
gold coin till
the poorestcheeks with the brightest
it glittered,
rose
as
decorating
The

her.

of

if in honour

coachman

festival.

To

wonder

Cuckoo
and

London,

seen

from

novelty,a cityof
private carriage,
of
a cityof beggars, a
cityof crystalmorning instead
kingsinstead
of a cityof dreadful night. She gazed at it out of a new
heart as
that never
horses
these
down
trotted
came
briskly forward.
the
silk
of
her
her
and
thumbs
Through
gloves
lingers felt
the warm
sables of the rug that caressed
And
her knees.
silently
she thought that this feeling,
and the feelingin her heart, must
be
was

dream

as

of

"

"

constituent parts of the emotion called happiness. If the four ladies

could see her now
! If they could see
her now
Cuckoo
thought
she would take off her veil,
for
the
moment.
a
When
just
aspect of
the street
trees

change,when
standingbravelyin the sun

the doctor
"'

began

Now

to

said to Cuckoo :
I will tell you why I

little

behind

gardens appeared,and bare

high walls and iron gates,

to
telegraphed

"

you

FLAMES

324

And

then

remembered

Cuckoo

expeditionfor

reason.

that
doctor

The

voice,with the obvious intention of

whose

to their two

You

"

could

you

She

you

had

came

say

do

preparedto

are

perhaps

anything you

can

?n

carriageand

smart

the

that

horses

never

now.

to believe that you

Addison

once

house

your

"Oh,"

Look

but

what

I have

than

any
for

observed

else.

one

myselfin

to be certain of it."

me

nothing more
at that

too

was

What

hollytree.

said

She could have

to say.

of her excitement

the doctor said.

you
been

for Addison

more

said Cuckoo.

stress

"

do

can

implied it ;
leads

She had
The

nothing more.

great.
berries it has ! "

quantityof

That's because it is a hard winter.

Miss Bright,
is has
Cresswell
are
right in your conviction. Valentine
but with determination,
evil,and is deliberately,
totally
coldly,
"

"

"

compassingthe

utter ruin of the

who

man

trusts him

and believes in

of Addison."

"

Cuckoo

air,which

nodded
assured

again,this

"

to

this.

I have

noticed the

"

I have

intimately.I have

to

"

Mr.

believe

again
again
influence he
extraordinary

he

was

of the old days.

and
very wonderful

grandeur
"

can

it

with
had

is

for

Cresswell

and

had

doctor

entirelyincredible,"the

known

been

Valentine

face in the

strangelymatter of course
of the long certaintyof her

flash

me

that influence used to be

of
Cresswell was
a
man

purityof life. He
forgettingto whom

forced

"

remember

time with

the doctor in

knowledge of Valentine.
Such
a
thing seemed
I am
forced
pursued.

with

"

"

you

Mr.

that

day

Good," said the doctor,shortlyand decisively. I will speak to

quiteplainlyto-day,for somethingleads me to trust you, and to
I would
to you what
other person.
Something leads
say to no

"

know

other

earnestly.

the
forgotten

down

him

of broad indifference

appearance

Yes."

"

me

an
presented

lives.

nodded

And

in this wonderful

was

speaking in a low
beinginaudible to the coachman,

what I said to you the

remember
from great evil."
Julian
help

Cuckoo
"

back

largefurred

she

continued

several

him

years
Julian.

and

Julian,and

over

noble influence used

But

true.

for
solely

good.
extraordinaryhigh-mindednessand
brilliant intellect,"
the do"^or continued,
a

as
talking,
"

But

far

unusual
call it

his mind

more

nature.

than

that.

It

nothingelse
"

back

went

was

He

was

written

of his

to

the
born

in his

expression.

of all it was
in all his acts.
But most
And
it was
written in his life,
!"
Ah 1 you look surprised
written in all he did for Julian.
the black
Cuckoo's face,such of it as was
visible under
Indeed

of the

shadow

the doctor

upon

this,
"

Well

of blank

was

clever and

as

never

her, idiocyof his outlook

to

looked

extraordinary,
Valentine

upon

manners.

!"

Him

perfectand

325

She

wonderment.

mask

all that

for her

much

too

was

it seemed

as

so

veil,was

LADY

THE

WITH

OUT

DRIVES

DOCTOR

THE

with
help ejaculating
little puff.

could

she

not

long breath,that was almost like a

Remember," said Dr. Levillier," this
"

was

before

knew

you

him."
had

He

of Valentine's
"

Cuckoo, still with

Julian the exact

from

date

lady of the feathers.

to the

first introduction

yes,"said

Oh

to ascertain

the trouble

taken

of
incredulity

absolute

the truth

in voice and look.

panegyricexpressive
Men
terribly."
change greatly,
she
like
not
that,"
jerked out suddenly, moved
"Oh,
by an
irresistible impulseto contradict his apparent deduction.
with
emphasis. Sane
No, there you are right,"he answered
do not, can
men
never, I believe,change so utterly."
I've seen
I say.
That's what
men
go down, lots of 'em, but it

of the doctor's
"

"

"

"

ain't like that."

authority,as of one
speaking from
spoke with some
depths of profound experience. She put her hands under the
like dignityof
of something that was
warm
rug with a sensation
and
She
the
doctor
mind.
of
were
talking on
equal terms
She
this
at
moment.
was
intellectuality
just
sayingsensible things
with
and he was
her.
to
obliged agree
Not
like that,"she murmured
again out of the embrace of the
Cuckoo

"

rug.
He
and
"

turned
make

towards

his words

Remember

mentioned

now

I'llremember.

"

I have

very
Cresswell,from what

now.

that

of character

on

resolutely
put
Cuckoo
coachman's

away

could

theory

he

was

from

me

he

or

I'll never

Honour.

from

he

account,

any

sad

I believe. that

visit of Marr's

that

so

see

impressive.
what
I am
going to

more

to Julian

"

beauty

her

as
"

has

to

more

say to you

to any

distinctly
must

not

be

one,"he said.

tell."

explain this great change in Mr.

knew him, and you must
take his

to what

become

his mind

her

he is

mad."

as

I know
you and
For
the doctor

the fancies called up in it

by

him
had

the

wife.

then hastilyglanced at the

gave a little cry of surprise,
back
and
pushed her hands under the rug, up towards

her mouth.

Hush," said the doctor. " Only listen quietly."

"
Yes, pardon,"she said. " But he ain't oh he can't be."
'"
I am
forced to think it,forced to think it,"the doctor said,with
"He
of the most
has, in great measure,
one
pressure.
common,
"

"

326

FLAMES

universal,of the fatuous beliefs of the insane,a deep-rooted,

an

most

almost

incredible

himself,in his

belief in

glory,power,

own

will,

personality."
Cuckoo

tried to

without

"There
think

confined

madmen

themselves

mania
religious

remark

here

asylums

all

some

but

he

went

on

England

who

pause
are

in

throw

the

Messiah

this is the

over

form

commonest

kings,regeneratorsof the

emperors,

"

in
"

human

of

race,

doers of great deeds that must

fame.
On all
bringthem everlasting
other pointsthey are
and
hours
alone
with
sane,
you might spend
them

and

discover the

never

mind

whole

Cresswell

and

have

it is this madness

towards

crank

one

joint. So you
suspectedhim.

in their mind

have

which

leads him

to this

Will,"she

look

That's what

he

eager.
that night.

was

at

of his
of."

the extent

know

remark.

one

word

and

all the time he

beginningto

talkin' to
the other ; will,
was

Will, he says, is this and that and

is
Will, he says, is my
everythingI remember.
says,
somethin'
like it. He did.
He did."
me

the

alone
with
Mr.
he has a madness, and

frightfulconduct

never

said,catchinghold of that

"

that makes

been

Yet

not

Julian,conduct which you will

Cuckoo
succeeded in gettingin

Here
"

of

out

he

God,

! you see even

you have noticed it."
Yes ; but he ain't mad though,"Cuckoo
concluded,with an
of that obstinacywhich
she could never
completelyconquer.

or

Ah

"
"

said what
nowise
He

she

felt.

offended
smiled

even

She

could

this unskilled

by
slightly.

do you say that ? "

He's too sharp. He's a

"

Why

"
"

Madmen

"

So

are

it.

The

help
opinionopposedto
not

doctor

was

his skilled

echo
She
in
one.

he asked.

sighttoo sharp."
cunning."

are

very
women," Cuckoo

exclaimed.

"

I could

see

if

man

was

mad."
littleintoxicated with the swift motion, the brightsun,
the keen air,
the clang of the horses' hoofs on
the hard roads,and,
most
of all,with this conference which the bef urred coachman
was
She

was

to hear.

account

on

no

no

thought of being rude

This made
or

her hold fast to her opinion,

with
to
presuming. The doctor,accustomed

hanging upon his words of wisdom, was

whipped into a refreshed humour
by this odd attitude of an ignorant
and he repliedwith extreme
:
vivacity
girl,
You will think as I do one day. Meanwhile
listen to me.
When
to you and broke out into this tirade,
which
Mr. Cresswell came
you
the
of
did
show
he
not
remember, on
will,
subject
say you
any
have

duchesses

"

excitement
"

Eh

?"

"

and

others

LADY

THE

WITH

OUT

DRIVES

DOCTOR

THE

327

Did he speak unusually

get excited,
very hot and eager ?
curious
gestures with his hands ? Did he do
loud, or make
any
would
remember, such as an ordinay man
anything that you can
Did

"

he

do ? "

not
"

Why, yes,"Cuckoo

"

Ah

"

Well, after he'd

What

wag

"

Yes, yes."

"

And

he made
at this

But
I

What

been

talkin'

and

me

"

glass. See

of

caught hold

he

bit

look into it."

me

for?"

"What

"

"

did he do ?

it ?

of the

in front

pulledme

did."

So he

"

answered.

I can't

"

point Cuckoo got restive.

remember," she murmured, almost
bitter

Valentine's

sarcasms

her

on

ing
recallsullenly,
and

appearance

of

way

life.
"
"

Never

mind

While

we

Leave

then.

standing like

was

something like

he

Smashed

"

Yes.

then

He

he snatched

sober
perfectly

was

"

Oh,

"

Sober

he hadn't
and

been

did

The

hold

doctor

on

"

"

my

in

was

of

looked

and

me

laughin'and

says

in my eyes
the mirror

as

the booze."

that,and

spoke almost

Well,

Miss

then

can

you

tell me

that

there

is

no

in

banteringtone,

it,"she said,with
Bright,I want you

her
to

under

assume

but

Cuckoo

stuck

to

out.
lipsticking

something."

that?"

"What's
do

face

?"

her guns.
"
I don't think

"

frightened,

was

in him."

madness

"

He

"

queer, and then he burst out

tellin' him lies. That's all."

"

?"

next

came

get frightenedor

to

glass.
sudden, just where

awful
was

he seemed

in the

on

; what

it."

glass?

the
And

all

after

But

that

somethin'

saw

scared ; and he hit out

and smashed
the glass,
"

that.

To

pretend to yourselfthat you think something,whether

reallythink it or not."
Make
believe ! cried Cuckoo, childishly.
Exactly."

you

"

"

What

"

I want

is not

about

you

to

"

make

believe

'

that Mr.

Cresswell

is not

himself,

sane."

"

O-oh-h

"

I do

remember
"

All

"

You

! " said

Cuckoo, with
honestlybelieve it,you

long intonation of surprise.

to pretend to believe it. Now
are

that."

right."
are

not

to contradict

any more,

you see,"

FLAMES

328
"

"

Oh," began Cuckoo, in sudden distress, Pardon. I didn't

! That's all right. Act with me
the make-believe
Hush
on
assumptionthat Mr. Cresswell is not himself at present."
"

"

"

make-believe.

Ah, but that ain't no

He

told

or

he

wasn't
Marr.'
he says
I am
"
almost angrily,
Yes
he said to
yes,"said the doctor. Secretly,
of insanity,
himself that Valentine,in some
had actually
access
fessed
conhimself when

me

as

"

"

"

to the

lady of

the feathers that he knew

says he ain't himself,"she

that
feeling
perhaps,at last,she had
"

He

himself to be mad.
repeated again,with an eager

got at the right interpretation

of the
"

gospelof Valentine.
That is practically
the
Now

mad.

was

hands

her

you

in

the

sables

what

me

muttered

flushed,and

Cuckoo

told

have

his

thing as

same

till

you

saying to

you that
feel for Julian."

he

something unintelligible,
twining
she nearly pulled them
from
Dr.

Levillier's knees.
the terrible change that has come
over
him,
you have seen
that is fast,
fast deepeningto something that must
end in utter
You have not seen
him these last few days I think
ruin.
?"
"
No," said Cuckoo, her eyes fixed hungrily on the doctor's face.
"

And

and

She

began to tug at
into
She collapsed

hand
face.
"

the

at

He

The

her veil.

veil which

remained

her, and

Is he

is he ?

"

littlefurther

"

down.

futile

her

across

understand

You

"

with

implacablystretched
said steadily
:

ought to,"she said,bitterly.

As you are mounting upward,"the
and firm gravitythat seemed indeed to
liftsa feather and sends it on high.
"

it ?

still tugging
silence,

nervous

doctor looked at

has gone

What's

"

?"

me

"

The

bitterness went

out

doctor

lift Cuckoo,

of her face but

while the
listening
attentively
belief
is
this,and, if
My
"

with
rejoined,

doctor went

she said
on

as

sweet

kind
wind

nothing,only sat

hold

it,you can
perhaps act in
than if you do not
this matter with more
more
boldness,
fearlessness,
I
believe
Mr.
w
ho
hold it.
that
Cresswell,
playedvery foolish tricks
time ago, just before he got to know you, has
with his nerves
some
become

mad

to this extent

you

that he believes himself to

possessedby any other man,

fancies that he has the will of a

of will unlike that

fact.

He

weil

be
was

for
to

an

means

make

of
it

provingthat
do something

does he find for it to do ? This,

I'll tell you why this ruin of Julian

And

now

when
peculiartriumph for his will. Originally,
h
is
and
sane
splendid, splendourof sanityguarded
a

power

What

uncommon.
extraordinary,

would

power, in
he
sort of God, and
especially.Everything is for

wishes to prove this to himself more

Now
he looks about
self in a madman.
do everything. He wants
his will can
the ruin of Julian.

have

inhuman

CressJulian

FLAMES

330

mania, at the degradationinto which his will has forced Julian,who

had learnt to love him, to think
be
that everythinghe did must
And

right.

belief that

firm

abyssesof
to

his intoxication

prison,and
Cuckoo

intends

he

sin,to

is

plunge

to

him

leadinghim
drag Julian

into utter

to

It is my

excesses.

into intolerable

down

bring him perhaps

ruin,to

to death."

with

now
listening

was

white

face

her

even

"

lipslooked

The
sunshine
still lay over
the winter world.
The
grey.
about
had
The sables were
horses trotted.
her.
warm
They
nearly
left the citybehind them
and were
gaining the heights,on which
almost

the air

and from which

the outlook
life-giving,
But
the
more
inspiring.
girl's
gaiety and almost
For
the
vivacityand protectednesshad vanished.

largerand

was

wild

of

sense

face

doctor's

and

keener

was

and

weighty with

more

had

and his words were

become
grave,
conviction,which, added to her own
knowledge of

voice

Valentine, made

Julian and

her fears unutterable.

As the doctor
if to speak,but she said nothing. He

pausedshe opened her lipsas

could not but perceivethe cloud that had settled on
her,and
illumined
a hopefulness,
manner
quicklychanged. A brightness,
and
he
said
face,
quickly:
This tragedyis what
must
you and I, but you especially,
"

Then

Cuckoo

"

How

"

Remember

Could
time

last

him.

of his

me

hint
slightest

Valentine
act

madman,

is such that
and

with

me
me
are

we

But

as
on

Julian.

I have
even

as
see

is mad

above

all

be averted.

I have

enough to

Therefore

Keep

see

your

him.

enough
the world,

give Julian

the
adoration of

to-day. His
easilylead him
own

fighthim.
Possibly
to

convince

never

must

we

watched

yet,althoughI

told you of
hint might

his enemies.
the

must

we

danger
provingit.

I don't
insanity,

of what

If Cresswell
would

of

him.

all,to convince

or, above

both you

to watch

"

But

the

I prove his madness

the means
will giveme

convince

vent."
pre-

she said.

condemn

not

his

this,"he answered.

shall continue

but

ever

pity him,

spoke at
"

his

counsel

to

regard

and

mine,

silent

in
justified

assumption that Cresswell,being a

him to the bitter end, you and
fighting

I, with all our forces."

"
I see,"Cuckoo said,
a burningexcitement
beginningto wake in her.
"
Justified in fighting
him, but not in hatinghim."
"
with
doubtful accent.
much
she
more
a
said,
Oh,"
"
being,if indeed any, is completelyhateful.
Scarcelyany human
human
then
a
How
can
being,whose mind is ill and out of control,
be hateful ? said the doctor,gently.
She felt herself rebuked, and a quick thought of herself,of what
"

she was,

rebuked

her too.

with

but

not,"she murmured,

I'll try

"

WITH

OUT

DRIVES

DOCTOR

THE

THE

LADY

inward

no

331

conviction

of

success.

They

were

on

wintry air

the

to
for

beyond

hue which

it

His

to set it in

Winds

our

danced

whipped by
the

made

than

the

at the

hollows

and

arms

that

vapours

of
depressions
of

gatheringchange

"

must

Cuckoo

seems

than

The

doctor

began

to

clothe

his

on

and

looked

away

afternoon

the

landscape,and

the

more

is sad

ache.

the

at

sun,

imagination as

for

in the
whose

something

the faces of men, towards that hour

ready for its setting. Still keeping
in its net

of

radiatingvapours,

he

nothingexcept the

hate

listened

that she could

But

as

not

to the voice of

fullyunderstand

the doctor turned

now

and there

ever

blood-red

hatefulness of

sin,in ourselves

in others."

and

"

that

afternoons,and which
that

aspect smote

voice

withdrawn

We

was

clime

to the

said,in

point of departure

the

on

hung in
ginning
alreadybe-

was

sinister with

usually remote,

in

change that falls over

of their glorymakes
when
the sun
his glanceon that sad red sun
akin

sun

usually
world,
strange.
witches.
The
like young
the heath
horses,
over
hard
intense
cold, pulled
againstthe bit,and
more
and

coachman's

moment

The

them.

winter

on

of London

smoke

traveller

assumes

place more

from

distant

below

goldenface

once

often

so

and

the

and

now,

aspect of

the

wear

journey.

the heath

some
rose

from the

one

on

throne, and

tears

in her eyes.
to the

sun

lady of the feathers,

brightlightin his

quieteyes.
Have
he said.
fightwith all our forces,"
you
this
sanely
thought about
thing,will,which Cresswell worships in?
it
Have
in
Miss
?
felt
Bright
you ever
you,
I don't know
I have,"Cuckoo
as
said,secretlywondering if it
that strangeand fleeting
which had come
to her of late,
power

You

was

and

I must

"

"

"

were

which
him

had

her for

made

faith in herself when

her
"

in the loneliness of
she

fearless of Valentine

moment

her

room,

spoke

with

which

had

stirred

the doctor under

she defied

as

her

even

to

the stars upon

doorstep.
I think

Julian

you have.
feels it in you.

"Eh?

Aflame?"

"

He

Yes.

He

"

will. It must
you
he calls it a flame."

be

there, for

it in your

you."
eyes, and it holds him near
spoke,partlyout of his conviction,partly because

sees

So the doctor

I think

he had

resolved to put away from him all the thingsthat

definitely
and that his imaginationperhapsloved too
fought againsthis reason
Such things,he thought,floated like clouds across
much.
the clearness
of his vision,
and drowned
the light of his power
to do good.
So
and

his fancies that had

the

fastened

on

the

mystery

livingValentine,
connectingthem

of

the

together,and

dead

Marr

weaving a

FLAMES

332

veil of

magic

would

not

He
banished.
strange connection,were
with
would
he
the
nor
them,
more
accept
fancies of others as realities. Thus, in his mind, Julian's legend of
vision of flames,
the flame in this girl's
eyes, despitethe doctor's own
commerce

merely a story of

became
"

their

about

hold

the

of its power.
Is that why he looks

unusually meditative.
Why, could that be what

"

at

truth

of human
?"

then

But

him

scared

an

ledgment
acknow-

Cuckoo

asked,in a manner
he, Valentine, did the same

so

me

will and

that

night
"

what

he

struck

at?"
"

He

feel that you have a power

for evil. Yes, he does feel it.

too

his power

may

yourself.Trust

Rely
somethingplacedthere
on

there's

that

for you

to

for

good,to fightagainst

Make

something
Never

use.

feel it

him

more.

great within

mind

what

your

the

You

you,

life

Never
has been.
are
home,
your own
him to
and
draws
feels
it
of
of
will.
Julian
this
it,
temple,
power
of Cresswell.
you, but it is as nothingyet compared with the power
that
win Julian
You have to make it more
so
powerful,
you may
mind

back from

this

"

Eh

"

Rest

on

Not

I.

more

you
"

the

danger."
?"

How

weakness.

Show
Julian more
it ; trust in it ; teach it to act.
and
that you have it. Can't you think of a way of showing that
have this power ? "
doctor

The
drew

No," Cuckoo
lowered

murmured.

his voice

still

bow, and with his first arrow

Quite at

more.

smote

the

lady of

he

venture

the

feathers

to the heart.
"

Has

Julian

"
you to do anything? he said.
face was
scarlet.

asked

ever

Suddenly Cuckoo's
Why ? How d'youknow ? she stammered.
not
evil ?
the doctor pursued,
Anything for him that was
not
out
abstract
Cuckoo
an
as
fancied, dealing
theory,
following
I know nothing. I only ask you to try and
facts.
with known
"

"

"

"

"

remember,
There

was

"

Yes, he

"

Was

to search your
no

did

need

mind."

for the

once,"she

lady of the feathers to do that.

said,lookingstillconfused and furtive.

it difficult? "

She hesitated.
"

s'poseso,"she answered

Did

"

No."

The
"

have

and

at last.

"
you do it ?

"

doctor had

I don't want

neither the
show

noticed that his

to know

what

right to, nor

Julian that you

it

questionsgave pain.
was

the

and

I don't

ask,"he said.

"

desire to.
But can't you do it,
have done it ? If you do I think he will

THE

LADY

THE

WITH

OUT

DRIVES

DOCTOR

333

flame,which he fears and which fascinates him, burn more

more
clearly,
steadilyin your eyes."
"
said with a kind of gulp.
I'llsee,"Cuckoo
"
in the fight,
Do more
than this. This is only a part, one
weapon
be near
Cresswell
him.
Julian ; you must
Cresswell is always near
that

see

Julian ; you must

of men
experience
;

your

tell how.

can

this is

But

your woman's
Wake
up and

heart.

your
a

"

the

"

do with

them

with

"

points. Remember

safetyof the

we

No,"

"

pulledhimself
"

he

said,

found

shook

And

tell you

in

the

lose

no

believe,for the
"

what

than

more

that all you

said about

his

nothing to

must

you
I
as

our

If you

point

most

short.

up

to tell you

need

no

have

days,I

last few

If I could

has

will lose

fightinga madman,

love.

you

you

of Cresswell.

are

you

man

doctor

The

loveless action

each
madness

againstthe

battle

"

time

weaken

another.

Julian

to-day though

words

"

"

loveless actions from

self
your-

lives. Each

things,are made strong, or made weak by our own

he chose
do a degradingly-low,
beastly thing
we
she was
as
easilycomprehended by such a woman
will,and make it less able to do anythinggood for
commit

throw

fighting.Only you
wills,our powers of doing

Our

fact.

all

wit, use

of

worthy
yourself

make

and
battle,

into this

use

Use

him.

pursue

pursues

head

that,within

these

Cresswell's present
the

language he
Cresswell's present impulse
was
using to the lady of the feathers
I shall watch
for evil is less horriblytrue than the truth.
him, day
if
I
shall
do
If
I
from
his
can
so.
now.
And,
act,
insanity
by day,
well be, I shall be checkmated
in any
is too sharp for me, as it may
to keep him from
effort forcibly
doing harm. In that case I can only
diablerie"

he

"

impatientlyat
"

"

trust

the

and

to you,

Julian's

opening of
case

any

will

you

of
opportunities

"

eyes.

paused as
to do

How

if in

was

Her

out

"Oh,

from

I'll do

do that
"
"

often.

closed

"

You
you.
I will arrange

shall

help

that.

have
And

deep thought.
to himself.

"

How

to

bring

"

his eyes on
Cuckoo.
sittingbolt upright in the

flushed.

can

Julian

are

lead to
may
closed fast. In

he turned

Then

hands

they

I will

circumstance

it,"he murmured, almost

this battle to the issue !

She

But
and

help me

meeting

chance

some

"

Cresswell
He

that

hope

one

carriage. Her
sparkling. She had

hollow

were

drawn
her
eyes were
the rug and claspedthem
in
her
together
lap.
and 1
anythin'I can," she said,"anythin'. And"

under

thing !

"

Yes," said the doctor. " Which ?

The thing what he asked me
once,

answered, but in such

the words.

cheeks

low

murmur

"

and
that

what

I said

the doctor

to," she
scarcelycaught
no

FLAMES

334

He
"

leaned
Home

first

to

from

him,

conceal

face,

sky

deepened,
the

late

The

red

Spears

the

London

while

they

winter
cloud
of

Flames,"
soul

over

of

gold
the

God

the

coachman.

"

Or

drive

no

"

that
which

to

"

Koad."
towards

again

much

so

her

The

"

turned

said

he

Marylebone

400

doctor

carriage.

the

in

Grant,"

now,

The

of

forward

he

Cuckoo.

obliged

was

towards

was

looked,

to

the

with

glowed

passing

She

looking

was

believe

that

she

wished

away
to

sunset.

dull

rapidly

red

like

through

furnace.

biting

the

It
cold

afternoon.
the

near

were

doctor
in

fainting

thrust

nature."

sun

broke

parted.

and

forth.

whispered

to

himself.

"

Flames

The

will,

FLAMES

V"

BOOK

CHAPTER

and

VALENTINE

Julian

together

sat

GUESTS

HIS

INVITES

VALENTINE

the

in

at

tent-room

night,as

his
months
Julian confessed
they sat together many
ago, when
different
his
to
Valentine
desire
have
and
a
expressed
strange
Now

it

die.

lay in

It

the

end.

inevitable
and

kept

it with

the

happy

and

in the

The

sad

nor

wind

upon
had

walls,windows

twilightsoftness.
while

the
two

sound

voice
thick

who

men

side of the
No

Still the

altered.

in

door, meeting

shone.

The
was

electric
from

gone

Julian

this very
sat in it.

fact

winter

They

leaned

was

hung over
low,in the
to time

drawn
the

wind

the broad

to

and

time

opened

in

in this small

His

elbows

eyes
of his

posture of
his

lipsin

one
a

sort

were

chairs

on

of
each

cigarettesmoke.
Even

room.

and sang in vain.

its effort to gain their

heavy.

cushioned

cushioned

and

transformation

the

whispered
in

the

sleeping,half awake,
or
replied. The room

chimney-topsthe chagrin of

shrivelled
he

snow

draperies,
point
ceiling.
moons
gleamed with a
at

in their low

time

them

reached

draperies,it failed
the

"

green

emphasised

fire,thinly veiled from

of the

it go
this
But neither

alms from us."

too many
affect its fate.
So it lay in the

been

not

of London

sighed among

time

sad,said,

were

its deathbed.

Only Hip

and

same,

Let

"

it

succoured

fain have

which
he had
loved to lie, half
upon
his master
and
Julian
talked
listened

divan

the

could

and

and

happy, would

Others,who

three

In

abandoned

some

soul.

days it must
beggar waitingfor the

old.

was

year

were

it has taken

the

fire danced

was

who

them.

tent-room

veiled

like

snow

Some,

beggar. Already

The

The

deep winter.

was

secret

the

Stifled

by the
attention,and

its soul.

face of

The

downcast.

His

arms

chair, in which

he sat very
desperatelyfatigued. From
of

dull

gape,

then

shut

hif

FLAMES

336

tightlyas if he ground them together. The droopinglids of

covered with littlelines and there were
his eyes were
deeperlines at
The colour of his face was
of his mouth.
the corners
the colour of
of
the
cloud
haunts
the misty
that
steps eveningon an autumn
day,
teeth

Years
grey, as if it clothed processes of decay and of desolation.
seemed to crouch upon him like lean dogs upon a doorstep.Within
he had steppedfrom boyhood to the creakingthreshold
a few months
of

premature age.

far less marked

to a careless eye.
was
in
clearness
his
blue eyes, a white
was
large|
peculiar
in his features.
The lipsof his mouth
red and soft,
were
delicacy
the lipsof Julian.
The crisp
not dry,as were
gold of his hair caught
The

change

There

in Valentine

still a

and his lithe figurerested in his chair in a calm posture

light,
of pleasantease.
Yet he, too, was
changed. Expressionof a new
in his face,but boldly,
nature
no
now
even
longer lurked furtively
asserted
itself.
did
shrink
behind
It
soft
not
a
smile,
triumphantly,
but stared upon the world with
or
gaiety,
glideand pass in a fleeting
Every mask,
something of the hard and fixed immobilityof a mark.
certain
be
whatever
wears
a
expression painted upon it,
aspect of
and shameless face,although
Valentine's was
shamelessness.
a hard
of
still noble and, in line,a
than
if coarser
his features,
old,were
silent legendof almost priestly
intellectuality.
held idly between
at Julian, who
He was
his lax
lookingacross
ink
with
violet
written
which
letter
had
a
fingers
upon pink paper,
corner.
a littlebird stamped in the left hand
did you get it ? he said.
When
I can't remember.
I can't
Two or three days ago, I think.
remember
anythingnow," Julian answered heavily.
the

"

"
"

"
you have had two since ?
And to-dayshe called."
Yes.

And

"
"
"

You
"Yes."

?"

out

were

herself very exigent all of a sudden.

She is afraid
I told you long ago she cherished absurd ambitions
of losingyou.
Do you intend to answer
her notes ? "
with regardto you.
She shows

"

11

Oh, yes,"Julian
very

me;

said.

"

Cuckoo

has

always been

very fond

of

fond."

of the
absurdlyvulgarlittlebird in the corner
he added slowly.
And that's something,"
letter.
? No wonder.
Are
You are weighed down with gratitude
you
have
always cared for you in a different
gratefulto others who
that is ?
unselfishly,
way
much
about anybody now," Julian
to feel very
I don't seem
He

glancedat

the

"

"

"

"

"

said.

"

Damnable

I do

such

life !

All

lot.

The

more

cruelty. I

you

can't

do

the

less

feel satisfied.

feel.
you
But
there

FLAMES

338
Saint

of

awake

Victoria
You

now.

and

Julian,you

dead ; we are now

lives. We
have

our

born, white, vacant

they were
are
pressingthem down in the

waters

will sink.

over

will flow

waves

Yes, by God,

Only teach
"

we

are

we

are

with

now,

hands.

our

day by day we
At last they

fcheirhaggard faces.

happy.
shall be
will

shall be

We

The

waves

shall redeem

happy."

will be happy.
we
happy, we
to be happy, Valentine,anywhere,anyhow."
the lady of the feathers.
She will not make
you

me

with

Not

slept;

alive. But

And

children.

will sweep them

Then
shall be
we
away.
those years on which the locust fed and we
"

those years, those

in the waters of Lethe.
They are
that should have been strangled
almost ere

children

The

and

years, to drown

empty

like monstrous

were

beginning of

the

only at

white and

Ah

Street.

we

"

happy."
Cuckoo

"

Cuckoo.

No

I wonder

what

Searching in the

"

she's

For

she's

terribly
unhappy
doing now."

for her

snow

herself.

fate,"Valentine

Poor

old

said,with

sneer.
*******

It

not

was

Cuckoo

so.

alone
sitting

was

in the littleroom

of the

Marylebone Road lookinga new

spectre in the face,the spectre of
visible. And
defined,scarcely
hunger,only shadowy as yet,scarcely
the lady of the feathers wondered, as she gazed,if she and the
be day
spectremust become better acquainted,
clasphands, kiss lips,
fellows and night fellows.
*******

"

goingto

am

shall I

write to

Cuckoo," Julian said

I don't know.

"Oh,

the

among
it?"

number.

spoke in

First
That's

Savoy had

tyranny, which

what

lassitude

which

peculiarto

the

autocrat.

Valentine

even

He

more

slave,how

than

had intended

wish

me

to

Good-bye

say,

Val, isn't

in inflection and

lifeless
the
since
over
supper at
itself into an
undoubted
increased,consolidating
Julian accepted,carelessly,
a
thoughtlessly,
prey to

internal

certain

you

of Valentine

degradationof his
fine power.
a
nobly susceptible,
But with
ungraciousdisability.

the

What

"

saying? he asked.
one
thing,then another.

listlessvoice,monotonous

dominion

The

in timbre.

the

"

day later.

say?"

Valentine hesitated.
have you thoughtof
"What

He

even

mind.

him

Once

he

had

only been
drearilyweak, an

Now
he was
his weakness
came,
resembled
despair,an

as

is usual,a
indifference

to the
opposed to the indifference peculiar
i
n
the
voice
the
of
serfdom,
recognised
badge
in the question,
and he smiled with a cold triumph.
for all,to break with the
Julian now, once
telling

GUESTS

HIS

INVITES

VALENTINE

339

fear.
vague
the voice of Julian gave him
But the question,
pause, slid into his
of
and bizarre desire,child of the strange intoxication
soul a new
of

lady

feathers, of whom,

the

stood

yet he

even

in

beginning to grip him, and which the doctor had

power which was
into
If Julian broke with Cuckoo, repulsedher for ever
remarked.
would
the
not
her pent and degraded world,
the long street that was
not
sharp salt of Valentine's triumph be taken from him ? Would
in his sight
Juggernaut car fail to do their office^
victim
?
The
!
lady of the
was
point upon a precious
feathers thus deliberately
abandoned
by Julian woulrSuffer
perhaps
of pain,but VaA3ntine would
almost
to the limit of her capability
have
have lost sightof her in the dark, and though he would
quered
conthat spectral
oppositionwhich she had whimsicallyoffered to

the wheels

of his

there

the

"

him

he

"

not

laughedto

himself

that astonished

answer

"

he said.

Good-bye !

"

You

said the other

and

she must

Valentine

"

Sober and

Julian
have

But

an

that ? "

I chose

you, that

you."

between

you

Can

not.

that

deny

you

it ? "

nonsense,"Valentine
is the

To-morrow

plan.

asked
directed that

celebrate the proper

particularhatchet.

he exclaimed

as

were

doctor

Providence

us

continued, that I
last night of the old
"

spend it with
we
refusal,for now

him.

to

occasion for

burying

are

hatchets

We

refused.

libertyto
by burying our
at

lady of the feathers,your friend, my

the new
see
where, long
year in here,in this tent-room
and
with
how
ill
to
I,
success, sought
exchange our

shall
"

I wish

Savoy, that she hated

the

battle unless

you were
silent.

was

The

enemy,

to

"

little meant

so

year.

ago

should

Why

day,at

have

conceived

we

"

lifelessnessleft Julian's voice

"

him

laughing."

was

The

"

he would

Julian.

"

"

greatestvision,the flightof his enemy.

thoughts flashed through his mind, moving

These

"

his fear of it

that

see

you

thinkingof

now

you

The

souls."
Julian looked
"

Cuckoo

"

So you

utterlyastonished at this proposition.

wouldn't
come
here,"he began.

said

once

before.

she

But

then

came

and

she will

come

now."
"

And

then

the doctor

If he

gets

to

hear

of

We

said

we

diningout."

were

Valentine's

hard

smile

yet harder, and

grew

his eyes

sparkled

eagerly.
"

I'll arrange

It seemedon

this

that,"he

indeed

final

as

night

said.

"

if he meant

of

the

year,

The

doctor shall

that his
his

come

here too."

triumph should

year.

He

culminate

laughed

Julian's

FLAMES

340

astonishment
of

this

at

invitation, and

Julian,
greedy

"

the

come

one

course,

man

step

wrote

remember

the

two

notes

said

about

what

shall

present

your

cafe

; Fate

towards

and

Julian, saying

You

me.

Come

more

with

out

with

out

down

aside, sat

vagary
then
went

with

you
and

noir

another

happiness.

"

Voila!
Valentine
feathers
understand
Nor

right

the

doctor

the
he

did

After

was

and

in

his

supposition

would

his

nanch

accept

motive

precise

the

invitation,
Cuckoo,

it.

lady

of

the

he

did

not

but

their

prompted

understand

to

care

which

both

that

acceptance.

Dr.

Levillier

Spectators of his triumph.

audience
Interesting,therefore, to a certain extent, as an
unpaying
be
insomuch
to
actor.
an
as
interesting
they could
Interesting,
may
follow in procession
contribute
the
to swell
of his vanity, and
bladder
cared
behind
his chariot
to
divine
wheels.
But
he
the
no
longer
of their emotions, or to busy himself
shades
in fathoming
their exact
all, wh

mental

The

with

strange

to

had

to

put an
battle, and

"So,"

he

invitation.
said

he
the

! that

to

and

the

the

the

read

enemy
call him,

"

to

the

poor,
think

in

campaign
he

accepting
join
as

of
this

received

"we

him

in

year
refusal

deluded, twisted
of

of

the

The

in

note,

delirium

of

when

hesitation

no

he

the

night

last

astonished

had

as

with

not

men.
young
his plan of

of

greatly

Still he

to

two

thought, touched,

he

So

though

opening

was

himself,

of
walls
very
I should
have

himself.

to

by Dr. Levillier.
celebrating the

Cuckoo

end

Valentine's

him

now

delirium,

intended

with

him

to

relation

certain

attributed

Street

latter

within

in

doctor

Harley

they

were

attitudes

perhaps,
insanity

the

*t

it.
issue

tine
Valen!

an

enemy
tent."

of our
the shadow
opponent's
begin the fight within
that
fact.
the
was
Literally
Cuckoo's
less definite, more
thoughts were
tinged with
passion,
of
intellect.
less shaped by the hands
clouds, looming
as
They were
and
fragments now,
large, yet misty, hanging loose in torn
now
merging into indistinguishable fog that yet seemed
pregnant with
thoughts ; yet they pressed
possibilities. Poor
thoughts, vague
We

upon
her

her

brain

heart,

and

hoped again.

until
that

her
ached

tired

too,

head
and

And

ached.

hoped

and

then

they

stole

down

despaired

"

to

then

II

CHAPTER

CAFfi

NOIR

the year'sdeath night. During the

on
melodramatically,
fell,
day Valentine occupied himself oddly in decorating his flat for the
secrated
evening. But although he thus seemed to fall in with the conhis decorations would
of the season
humours
scarcelyhave
SNOW

approvalof those good English folk who think that

no
plant is genial unless it is prickly,and that prickly things
and goodwill
to the
peace
representappropriately
eye the inward
He
within
did not put
the heart.
that grows, like a cactus perhaps,
hollyrigidlyabove his doors. No mistletoe drooped from the apex
Instead
he filled his flat with
of the tent-room.
flowers,brought
of strange
Crowds
from
English conservatories or from abroad.
and
spotted orchids stood togetherin the drawing-room, staring
In the corners
of furniture and ornaments.
the hurly-burly
upon
the
immense
red
such
as
of the room
were
flowers,
hang among
Indies.
They gleamed, like
crawling green jungles of the West
shower
of cunningly arranged green leaves,and
a
flames, amid
them
from
sheltered
the electric rays of the ceiling. The
palms
commanded

tent-room

the

was

hung by

chains

thin

spotted with

violent

with black.

streaked

tulips,in

from

the

coloured.

whole

tulips were

of

maze

vases,

Others

They
were

as
see
pink
you
the
There
for
were
ring.
specially
blood, pale pink tulips tipped with

tulipsbarred
a

warm

with

wallflower

wounds

whose

tint dashed

hidden

sky. And
among
were
contrived,
cunningly

of

these

Few

roof.

striped,and

of the

vivid scarlet

orange
round

most

coloured
the

eyes

livid

with

of horses

pink
bred

tulipsstained as if with
deepest brown, rose-coloured
saffron hued, tulipsof
edges were

with

these

that

slashed,and

were
were

such

spots,circus

pots, in china bowls

slopinggreen

Some

hues.

in

white

the

stormy yellow of

scentless

flowers,in

an

evening

secret

places

hyacinths,which poured
great groups
forth their thick and decadent
scent, breathing heavilytheir hearts
and
into the small atmosphere of the room,
giving a strange and
unnatural
attainment

soul to the
of

form

of

tulipswho had spent all

and
daring combinations

their efforts in the

of

colour.

As

if

FLAMES

342

relapsinginto

after
simplicity,

sweet

the

vagariesof

wayward

their course, Valentine had filledhis hall and diningwith violets,

room
purpleand white,and a bell of violets hung from
the lady of the feathers was
the
chair which
the ceiling
to
over
white
and
white
These
dinner.
at
were
only,
virginal,
occupy

nature

had

run

dedicated to the service of God, or to

woman
altar
flame burning,as the zeal of nature
eternal
some
burns, through all the dawning and fadingchanges of the world.
for

flowers

sweet

some

the service of

passedhis day

Valentine

Thus

last

twilightof the

place.
midst

he

Then

year

fell had

flowers,and only when

among
he

fixed the

last blossom

and
rested,as after six days of creation,

of his flowers

the
in its

from

the
London

the snow
delicately
falh'ng
upon
in the tall houses oppositehis drawing-room

saw

Lightsbegan

gleam

to

they broughthim thoughtsat

those squares of lighthe imagined peace
which he smiled.
white waistcoats and expansiveshirt-fronts,
in enormous
and goodwill
red faced,perhaps even
whiskered,gettingready for good temper
and plum pudding. And
and turkey,journalistic
holly
geniality
and
its
leaves
with
surfaces.
shining,
phlegmatic
prickly
everywhere,
Peace and goodwill!
and
He glancedat his orchids and at the red West Indian flowers,
from which
of those crawlinggreen jungles
he thought,
they should
have come, and smiled gently.
!
Peace and goodwill

glancedat them,

He

windows.

and

Behind

He

went

to dress.

*******

Meanwhile

the

in

Marylebone Road the lady of the feathers

assisted by Jessie. The only evening dress that
achieved her toilet,
had
been given to her long ago by a young
Cuckoo possessed
man
in the millinerydepartment of a largeLondon
For
week
he
a
shop.
had adored Cuckoo.
During that week he had presentedher with
this tremendous
gift. She went into her bedroom now, took it out
looked at it. The

rustled a great deal whenever

it was
gown
man's idea. He considered that
moved ; this had been the young
rustled
the
aristocratic
the more
it was, and, being well
a gift
more
and

all the different noises made by different fabrics,

he
of
had selected one with a voice as
waters.
Cuckoo
heard it
many
laid
down
in
dr.kam.
it
the
She
bed
and
as
a
now
regardedit
upon
by candle-light.The young man's taste in sound found itsequivalent

acquaintedwith

of the gown was

also very loud,the
trimmed
with
thick
yellow imitation lace.
brighestpossiblegreen,
She had put it on with a thrill to go
Once it had enchanted Cuckoo.
But now
to music-halls with the young
she gazed upon itwith
man.
in his taste in colour.

lack-lustre and

lit it up in

The

doubtful

and
patches,

hue

eye.

those

The

flame
flickering

patcheshad

lurid

of the candle

aspect.Remember-

CAFfi

ing that Julian

before

him

in

NOIR

343

liked her best in black she shrank

had

anythingso

determined.

Yet

it

was

from

her

appearing
only dress for

able.
wearing of it to be inevitof
the
front
In
these
She put it on and went
in
glass.
days
of old,and more
she had become
thinner
than
even
haggard. The
increased her tenuityand pallorto the eye, and, after a long
gown
of painfulconsideration,
Cuckoo
resolved to abandon
these
moment
made
out of the dress
was
up she was
green glories. Once her mind
in an
Time
short.
She
extracted
her black
instan.
was
hurriedly
and in a
from the wardrobe,caught hold of a pair of scissors,
gown
few minutes
its foundations
had ripped the imitation lace from
and
it
Julian's
to
with
Never
was
transferring
tremblingfingers
gift.
before had she worked at any task with such grim determination,
or
with such deftness ; inspired
she might
by exceptional
circumstances,
for twenty minutes
have
been
dressmaker.
a
practised
Certainly
called in as weapons
to the attack,but what of that ? Compromises
pins were
stuck
with
often
In
are
only
pins.
together
any case
Cuckoo
not
of
old
was
an
entirelyin despairwith the new
aspect
and
when
she was
friend,
ready was able at least to hope that things
might have been worse.
the dress a black jacket,
she went out into the
Putting on over
and
called
Mrs.
down
to
passage
Brigg,who, as usual,was wandering
to and
fro in her kitchen, like an
shade
in nethermost
uneasy
the

supposedthe

at first she

evening,and

Hades.
"

Mrs.
"Well?"
"

Brigg !

Where's

Mrs.

Brigg, I

"
say !

the whistle ? "

Mrs.

to the bottom
of the kitchen stairs.
Brigg came
it
?
for
d'yerwant
A cab,of course,"
cried Cuckoo, in the narrow
voice of one
in a
hurry.
A cab ! rejoinedMrs. Brigg,ascendingthe dark
stairs all the
time she was
speaking. And what do you want with cabs,I should
like to know?
Who
for 'em, that's what
I say;
who's to
pays
"

What

"

"

"

"

"

doit?"
Her
"

grey
Where

"No;
"

get

What"

hove in

and

no

was

toff is it ?
I

With

hat ! "

evidentlyimpressed.
she ejaculated,
obviouslyappeased.

get

"

the rent

white

glareCuckoo

"

Well

so

"

seized the whistle from

her

drivingaway through the snow.

Briggtrotted back to the kitchen decidedly
relieved.

moment

Mrs.

"

you
the whistle."

She
A

sight.
?
Piccadilly

going?

"

long as
in

head
are

claw,and

was

Cuckoo's

FLAMES

344

suddenlyaltered
taken

mode

of life had
in

going out

to

low.

and

She had

kitchen

returned

and

from

it

various littlesymptoms the

Yet

hardup.
Cuckoo

to

that she

was

that her

thin,quaveringsong

It

was

keenly
to the

next

meal.

lodgerwas

By
getting

argument would induce

night. She acknowledged

exercised. But
seriously
was, perhaps,mounting into
not
worn
were
during the

been

Cuckoo

nethermost

hell she broke

In 'er 'air she

Dark blue was

"

more

down

at

Brigg had

higher circles,circles in which hats

evening. And as Mrs. Brigg entered her
into

of the

advent

indoors

glad.

was

went

badgeringand

sat

not ill. Mrs.

her old heart

now

she

why

say

watch

commons

landladyknew
of

amount

no

her

the

on

girlhad

home
at night.
her funds had evidently

stayingat

this

of old the condition in which

than

greatly. The

day
changed regime
begun to live less well,to

Simultaneouslywith
become

tried her

the

a white
cam-eelyer,
the colour of 'er heye."

wore

her song of praise. She

the lady of the feathers

always sang

it

great occasions.

on

When
reached Victoria Street she found
Valentine met her ceremoniously
the littleparty alreadyassembled.
in the violet-scented hall and helpedher to slide out of her jacket.
His

the imitation lace

glanceupon

did not

it.

see

She

was

drawing-room and

the

Indian

"

never

she

Then

"

flowers,and

herself in the midst

the

and

she murmured

palms, her

under

gay, but

Cuckoo

when

she entered

of the

orchids,the

astonishment

knew

no

her breath.

forgotthe

Dinner

shy.

quick and

found

flowers

West
bounds.

was

gazingat the

to be
flowers,
havingonly time to remember
announced
whose
Wade,
immediately
by
years of

was

of surprisefrom
trained discretion could not banish a faint accent
bouleverse
He
in
celebration
his voice.
this
of the
fact,
by
was,
Valentine offered Cuckoo his arm.
death of the old year.
She took
it awkwardly, with a shootingglanceof questionat the doctor,who
seemed

her

beneath
on

only spar

the bell of

her other

with

hora

in this

deep

social

and took his

violets,

hand, the

d'ceuvres.

doctor
Cuckoo

sea.

Valentine

seat

beside her.

exactlyopposite.Wade
selected

sardine.

placed her
Julian

was

presentedher
She

understood

them at the Monico.

Valentine and the doctor
Cuckoo
Julian
a
nd
stole a glanceat him.
ate slowly,
began
that she with difficulty
His aspect startled her so much
represseda
of one
of astonishment.
He
had the appearance
so
pletely
commurmur

sardines,
having met
to talk.

exhausted

to

as

be

however
stupid,

bored, have

when

not

even

those

about

they do
them

or

to

scarcelyalive.
some

air,when

speak,of givingsome
the place in which

Most
in

people,however
of listening
society,

of attention to
find
themselves.
they
sort

FLAMES

346
of death ? " the
to think himself into an
And

"

asked

doctor

quietly.

"

Will

be able

man

"

eternityon earth ?
Valentine looked
very strangely.
You ask that questionseriously
? he said.
I ask seriously
whether you think so."
at him

"

'*

"

questionabove
all thingsa personalone.
This time Valentine
dition.
acceptedthat conHe sat for a moment
in
his
about
twisting champagne glass
from the doctor to Cuckoo, who
his longfingers
and glancingrapidly
It

evident that the doctor meant

was

very well
her bell of violets in much

heard this conversation

she sat beneath

her.

watched

confusion,distraite in

of his

deliveryof

if she recalled it at this moment

in
began to rejoice
"

it. Indeed,
understanding

without

Perhaps he thought

wondered

the

her

she did not possess.

intellectual faculties which
inattentive to
her narrowly,though he seemed

desire to command
Valentine

to make

Wade," he said,"^thechampagne

or

distress and

her mental

gospelto her, and

he
perhapsonce more

alienation.

to Mr.

acknowledgedthat I did think

his

Addison.

Well, doctor,

ledge
mind, I don't acknowsuppose
it ! you might,on your side,think somethingtoo
that I am
for
has
knocked
Miss
her
instance.
Ah
!
over
mad,
glass!
Bright
Cuckoo
murmured
a
stumbling apology,gazing with nervous
intentness at Valentine.
to her that he had a giftof
It seemed
divination.
Dr. Levillier laughedgently.
I am
not inclined to suppose all my
opponents in thought mad,"
indicate in the holder
such a belief would
he said.
Still,
certainly
of it the possession
of a mind
so
so
unique,I may say,
uncommon,
to very close attention and obserthat it would naturally
vation
one
rouse
I

so

"

"

"

"

"

"

of it."

Exactly,"Valentine rejoined.
and
A certain audacitywas
slowlycreepinginto his demeanour
It
manifested
itself
in
tions,
growing while he talked.
slightgesticulaof the hand and head, in the colour of
conceited movements
the voice and the blunt directness of his glances.
the
Exactly. Attention and observation directed towards
yourselfthat the man
myself,let us say was
objectof satisfying
Let
ask
don't
mad ? You
me
reply.
you a question. Why should
"

"

"

profoundbelief in
"

belief that

my

point.

by

mankind

inference

An

human

is not

"

"
power of will indicate madness ?
based on any foundation of proof that is
"

to
belief,
extraordinary
personal

in the
even,

and

mass,

in the

one

person,

rejected

founded

historyof

upon nothing,no fact,no

mankind, is decidedlya strong

indication of dementia."
"
But suppose it is a belief founded
"

Of

The

that would

course

two

men

looked

"
upon a fact ?
alter the matter."
entirely

across

at

one

another

with

long and

direct

NOIR

CAFE

glancefull
sat with

his eyes

them

seemed

He

down.

cast

him,

near

Course
Do

you

to

propose

give me

will,can

compass

as

way

immortality on
this,for instance
disease

banishment, of any

him.

around
of his master's

was

Wade

guests.
of

reasonableness
action

deliberate

by his own
earth, or
; by the

man,

there

that

proving the

fact

on

Julian

anxiously.

unaware

any

belief that
a
entertaining
such

watched

Cuckoo

eyes.

conversation going
about, ministeringto the wants
softly
succeeded course.

any one
moved

"

in the

347

of the

his life in

prolong
domination, or

even

successful
mortal

as
recognised

acknowledge

that the will to live may

prolong for a certain time a life threatened
Do you propose to give me
merely by the sappingaction of old age.
a fact to
prove that ?
"

I do not say that I intend

with scarcelyveiled insolence.
"

"

But

"

Possibly."

The

voice

word.
"

of such

know

you
host's tone.

of Valentine
he

Again

giveit

to

fact ? "

said the

thrilled with

glancedat

the

you,"Valentine answered,

to

"

triumph
the

lady of

doctor, ignoringhis

he

as

spoke

the

feathers.

her, in tones full of

sarcastic meaning. " You
know
thing
something of my theories,someof their puttinginto practice."
"
I don't know
I don't understand,"she murmured
helplessly.
She looked
down
at her plate,flushingscarlet with a sense
of
shame
at her own
complete mental impotence.
Cannot

the doctor ?

convert

you

he

asked

"

"What's
The

words
were

eyes

"

slowly from

came

raised and

now

the

fixed with

lips of Julian, whose heavy

of lethargic
stare
wonder
a

Cuckoo.

upon

What

"

Cuckoo

the matter

"
you ?
look travelled on, still slow and

His

they sayingto

are

the

unwieldy,to

doctor

and

to Valentine.

I won't have Cuckoo

"

with

mechanical
Valentine seemed
a

glance at

about

Julian,he

turning againto

the

"

It is sometimes

*'

Still

to

press

Where
"

At

more

so

worried,"he

abruptnessupon

to make

said.
the

And

glancethat

to
injudicious
one

all that

state

does not

know.

food.

was

almost

irritated.
slightly

threateningupon

He

knows."

one

But

"

was

relapsed
his

laughing rejoinder,but, after

apparentlyresigned the idea as absurd, and.
doctor,remarked
:

all that

that he

he
of

some

you," the doctor said,lightly. This

did you get it ? "
the Gercle Blanc sale,"
Valentine answered

It seemed

then

consideration

I have

no

is wonderful

desire
wine

quickly.
frowned

the doctor.

and

cast

FLAMES

348
"

Would

weakness

assume

you

in every

"

The

is not

case

proved fact.

analogous. That

When

stronger than

Eton,

at

was

Since

was.

then

knocked

was

refuses to

displaythe

muscle

of

exists in the world

muscle
I

who

strong man

take off his coat,roll up his shirt sleeve and

his arm
? " he said,harshly.

down

acknowledge

by

the

is

boy

of

power

muscle."
"

And

"

Not

have you
in the way

Valentine

of

down

mentally?

"

suggest."

you

shifted in his seat.

had the air of

It did not escape the doctor that he

longingeither to say or do somethingstartling,

back by tugging considerations of prudence or

man

apparentlyheld

but

knocked

been

never

expediency.
"

Some

day you may be,"he

prompting prudence.

this
"

When

I am,

that she cured

the

said at

Christian

last,obviouslyconquered by

who
scientist,'

declared

once

to

me

it many
miles a day,
and thinking
it was well while she walked,shall receive my respectful
the doctor answered, laughing.
apologies,"
handed

Valentine
her
"

Nor

see

you

have

Julian ?

you,

Julian made

lady of

Then

finished your

strawberries.

some

On

wine, doctor.

No

more

Keally?

"

no

shall

thought

reply.

we

He

simplypushed his glassa

little away

Miss Bright into the tent-room

accompany
have coffee there.
have never
You
seen

we

would

tent-room," he added

to

"

He

led the way

down

The

has

tent-room

the left.

on

"

Eh, doctor ?

They

am

alone

the scented

or

his seat

with Julian.

You

I
the

as

he

will not

scented
corridor,

with

continued to
of an
scene

absurd

the

thin,

of violets.

gentlybrightscent
door

from

Cuckoo, gettingup

spoke.
I usually
sit in it when I
I know."
mind our cigarettes,

"

the feathers

he exclaimed

him.

from
"

the

refusal of them

nervous

sprainedankle by walking on

entered the

It

a
was

he
history,"
once

the

"

Cuckoo, openinga
an

ment.
experi-

"

room.

As

they did

so

the

hot, stickyscent

of

them.
For a moment
it
the hidden hyacinthspoured out to meet
seemed overwhelming,and Cuckoo hung back with an almost unconquerable
sensation of aversion and even
of fear. The aspect of this
small

room

astonished

her ; she had never

Certainlyit looked very unusual

seen

any

chamber

so

to-night.The small
was
wood, with panels of dull
by a largescreen
Only one of the electric lamps was turned on, and
green brocade.
unthat was
faint,a mere
shaded, so that the diffused lightwas
arranged.
fire

hidden

of white

CAF"

flickering
twilight.The masses
monotonously similar shadows
flood of scent

tiny

was,

NOIR

of

349

tulipshung
the

from

to
caused the room
temple dedicated to

like

quantitiesof

tented

ceiling,and the
smaller
than
it really
even
perhaps to the
uncommon,

seem

the

sinister.
"

will

We

see

said Valentine.
"

the
"

funny

room

room

Year

out

and

drink

sit,Miss

though I

"

she could not

cafe noir here,"

our

Bright?

will you
It's all one
to me," murmured

Where

I don't mind.

Old

"

Cuckoo.

help adding.

"

"

What

It ain't like

at all."

Sheik in a
Imagine it an Arab tent, the home of a Bedaween
"
This divan is very comfortable.
desert of Nubia," said Valentine.
the cushions for you."
Let me
arrange
"

As
"

he bent

And

her to do so, he murmured

having tossed your will away,

in her

over

ear

:
"

nothing!
gospel,proclaimed to

you,
been
had

are

of his
the last words
her
They
that night on which she prayed!
The lady of the feathers looked up at him with a new
knowledge,
of
which
he
the knowledge of her recent lonely
knew
nights,
nothing
the
that
of
of
want
as
knowledge
glancingspectre
whom, by her
yet ;
while she feared its gaunt presence ; the
own
action,she summoned
of
the
doctor's
in her ; the knowledge of her great
trust
knowledge
love for Julian; the knowledge, perhaps, that leaning her arms
sofa in her little room, she had
once
upon the slipperyhorsehair
thrown
a muttered
prayer, incoherent,unfinished,yet sincere,out
the beginning,
into the great darkness that encompasses
the progress,
and the ending of all human
lives with mystery.
She looked
up at
him with this world of mingling knowledge in her eyes, and Valentine
from her with a stifling
drew away
sensation of frigidawe.
what ? he began. Then, recovering
What
himself,he turned
suddenly away.
Sit down, doctor.
Do
flowers ? Julian, are
you like my
you
stilltired ? The coffee will wake you up.
A
cigarettedoctor,or a
cigar? Here are the matches."
Julian came
the divan by Cuckoo.
over
on
heavilyand sat down
unnatural
His
was
lethargy
gradually passingaway into a more
no
explicablefatigue,
longer speechless. Leaning on his elbow, he
looked into her face with his weary
eyes, in which
to-nightthere
curious dim
a
that the only thing which
was
pathos. It seemed
far struck
had
him
so
still Cuckoo's
during the evening was
her own
confusion over
at
misunderstanding dinner,for he now
again referred to it.
Have
they been chaffingyou, Cuckoo ? he said, strikinga
match
the heel of his shoe and
on
lightinga cigarette, have they
been worrying you ? Never
mind.
It's only Val's fun.
He doesn't
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

FLAMES

350

anythingby

mean

I say, how

it.

awfully pale

look

you

to-night,

and thin."
He

glancethat was almost severe.

Cuckoo, trying to repress the agitationshe
I ain't ill. Why
speaking to Julian.

her
paused,considering

I'm all right,"

said
when
always felt now
"

don't

come."
Julian

to

come

you

"

see

glancedover

with

?"

now

me

she added.

Valentine,who

to

You

"

don't

standingby

was

never

the hearth

the doctor,who sat in an arm-chair.

I've been busy,"he said. " I've had a lot of things to do.
Do
"
?
I don't come
you miss me, Cuckoo, when
"
but without softness. Then she added, lowering
Yes," she replied,
her voice almost to a whisper:

talkingto
"

?"
you to come
Julian did not reply,but puffed rather moodily at his cigarette,
towards Valentine.
He was thinkingof the conversation at
glancing
Don't

"

he want

Savoy and
Suddenly there
the
two

the

on

of the
came

last

night

the hatchet.

to

bury

to

revolve

antagonism
of

He

and
different,

Presentlyhe said

between

into his mind

the
sat

year

Valentine
and Cuckoo.
dull wish to reconcile these

in Valentine's

"

his

meditatingover

dramatic,

methods

of

own

words

"

plan and trying

accomplishingit.

Cuckoo, you and Val have got to be friends from to-night."

started,stirringuneasilyon the great cushions that were

"

She

heapedat
He

her back.

are,"she said.

We

"

shook

his head.

real friends."

"Not

all right."

"

Oh,

"

D'you hate

"

He

"

Yet he invites you here,"Julian said.

said.
I dunno," Cuckoo

"

we

are

him

don't like

still? *

me," she answered, evasively.

She wondered
why.
evident that Valentine

Not
had

so

the

asked

"

doctor,to

his

does he do that ? "

Why

whom

it had

become

of

vanity,and with
of
display his power over
Cuckoo
While
and Julian talked togetheron
Julian.
the divan
the
still
doctor.
His
Valentine came
to
held
over
an
expression
eyes
of awe
created in him by the strange new
glanceof the lady of the
a

view

to

feathers.

some

peculiarand

guests out

monstrous

He

sought to conquer this sensation of awe, which fought

againsthis intended blatant triumph of to-night.
fiercely
all right,
doctor ? he said,in a quick voice.
Your cigarette
"

"

delicious one, thanks."

Valentine began touchingthe ornaments
"

nervous

fingers.

on

the

mantelpiecewith

'13 NOIR

CAP
"

quitefinish

didn't

We

351

conversation

our

dinner," he said,

at

"No?"
"

I did not

thought :
So, he
"

makes

"

No,"

"

Yes."

His
fro

on

There

"
"

something
of fightinganxiety in

Convince

"

me

human

moved

the

trap.
"

Some

And,

he

as

you

doctor

his

comfortable

could

still darted

to

the

at

and

doctor.

that

of
suggested a mixture
mind.
But, as he continued

his

it."
you if you knew
doctor asked, indifferently.

even

who

been

the

thing men
developed?

replied with

developed,until
call

it

miracle."

like

me!"

trembling

"By
it,but instead

see

fears to

who

one

be

led

upon

exclaimed, with

into

his

lips.
laugh :

will discover."

anxious

was

hand

looking down

? " the

achieved

almost

spoke,he

The

?"

cultivated,has

so

actuallyutter

day

his

"

it been

doctor

did not

He

which

then

pique Valentine,

to

be

can

hesitated

The

it.

hand.

upper

seemed

will

has

Valentine
He

got

the

mountain,

whom

By

His

manner

might convince
of exactly what

indifference

:
energy
"
That

has

that

reason

His

his

in

and

show

not

subject,round

one

reason

with

speak,the former

to

have

you

arrogance.
he stood
while
mantelpiece

was

triumph

aloud, "

vibrated

voice

to this

did

eternal tour."

an

he said

the

he

doctor, but

in the

insanely return

must

belief."

for my

reason

woke

interest

deep

brain

give you

looked

at Julian

to lead

him

and

on,

chair, occupied himself

the

lady of the feathers.

and, leaning easilyback in
with
his cigarettefor a

his whiffs he presently

Between
calmly at ease.
threw
out carelessly
:
"
This man
has compassed eternityby his own
will ? "
"
Oh, I did not say that."
"
himself with curing a sprained ankle by walking
He
has contented
scientist ?
like
Christian
it,
upon
my
"
Now
flyto the other extreme, from the very great to the
you

minute,

as

man

"

little.

very
"

Take
would

Where

Valentine
then
"

once

What

myself ?
"

And

The

middle

that

threw

lead

course."
me

"

glanceround

the

dim, hot, scented

his eyes rested on

Julian
more
if I said
To this little room,
he answered
in a low voice.
"

"

the

door

miracle

opened.

? " said the

Wade

and

Cuckoo.

to Julian

doctor.

appeared

with

little room,

coffee.

and

that

girl,to

CHAPTER

THE

VALENTINE

THE

OF

quickly with
interruption.
all take coffee,"
he

turned

relief at the
"

HEALTH

III

We

must

NEW

air

an

of

cried.

YEAR

mingled
It will

"

irritation and

give us impetus,

the old year dies we

live more
as
vitality,
more
swiftly,
may
strongly. I like to feel that my life is increasingwhile that of
another
the old year for instance
is decreasing."
that

so

"

But

"

noticed

the doctor

that

his eyes had

rested with
a curiously
Julian as he spoke the last sentence.

significant
expressionupon
"Leave
when

the

the

Wade

"

makes

man

"

day ?
greedy man

Valentine

seemed

"

table," he added
We

may

want

to

Wade,

it."

the doctor said,sipping.

coffee,"

that cafenoir I spoke of the

you reached
asked
laughingly,returningto his simile of

happiness.
This
yet, Val, I think," Julian answered.
him
life
at
The
last.
give
heavy weariness
his face.
His eyes gleamed with
something of
Not

to

disappeared from
their old

little

and

I don't know.

coffee

wonderful

Julian, have

other

that

on

filled all four cups.

him and disappeared.

obeyed

"Yes.

pot

had

man

"Your

the

coffee

and
youthfulness

ardour.

If so, I must
be close on happiness,"
he added.
into the hollow eyes of
As he spoke he looked
"

seek in them

strangely,to
"

with

look

Never

curious
"You

glance
and

of

subtle

will

thing that

Cuckoo, seeming,
of which
he spoke.
will-o-the-wisp

unfurnished

rooms," Valentine

exclaimed

violence.

sudden

This

for it in

the

find

Julian,

the

doctor

insanitytowards an
it in the thing that

judged, precipitatedhis

outburst.
is most

not
definite,

indefinite.

is most

not
positive,
"Happiness lies

in the

so

Isn't it so, doctor ?

in the negative? "
in

many

places.

Each

in

the

Happiness lies

finds it in

different

house."

"Perhaps you
interposed,with

can't
a

tell where

certain sturdiness

should
of

manner.

find

it, Val," Julian

FLAMES

354

Perhaps you shiver in the

continued,persistently. Julian
Yes, in those sittings."

of this littleroom,'*he

influence

"

and

"

did

once

?"

Julian

Eh,

so.

"

Cuckoo
I didn't shiver,"
said,bluntlyand very obviouslylying.
coffee.
She quicklydrank some
more
u
said Valentine.
If you had it might not have been astonishing,"
"
has
little
For this
seen
room
marvels, and strange things that
their
strange impressionupon the places in
happen perhapsstamp
'*

discuss the

they happen. We ought to

night of the year."

which
last
"

By

all means."

"

How

long ago

"

Yes," Valentine

the other
addressed

make
"

so

committed

was

once

Do

you

the

of
great act of brigandage
?

remember

"

that

mind.
But, though you cannot remember,
shiver."
you
act of brigandage,
Valentine ? " Julian asked.
What
Never

Oh, the attempt

"

But

my

"

attempt

to seize upon

might

'

different soul."

failed."

you
I ?

think so, doctor ? "

His apparent audacityseemed
to increase.
he drew himself up as he stood
scented room
Did

in

her head.

"

"

sigh.
happened
a

has

much

spoke to you.

She shook
"

suddenly,with

Because

The

In this littleroom

which

"

answered.

to take

himself to Cuckoo
I

! " Julian said

seems

Julian."
has eaten so many
greedy man
courses,
in
and
to
allusions
out
a
one
delight throwing
of his guests, allusions which
nobody but the person
could understand
rightly. For he now went on, addressing

the interval.
He seemed

"

it

the

occult,doctor,on

Do

you

fire.

In the

by

twilightof

the brocaded

the

screen

closed and unclosed rapidlyhis left hand

which hung at his side. His foot tapped the thick carpetgently.
"
Did you not ? " the doctor answered
quietly.
Julian
roused
to
But
was
vivacity.
hid

that

"

the

What

do you

He

changed,or developed,or

have
then.

But

to say you

?"

Valentine

mean,

have

he said.

"

Of

course

whatever

got a

you like to
different soul ! "

you

call

may

it,since

Yes, you are right. Because if I had got a different

dissatisfied with itself,
have
must
soul the original I/ that was
"

Is absurd ?

'

Since
the soul of
ceased to be.
his will to feel things is the man
The
soul I should be another man.

"

man

"

his will to

himself, if
former

man

I had

would

do
a

things,
different

have

ceased

to be."

Or would be elsewhere."
It was
the doctor who spoke,and he
simplyexpressinghis thought of what
"

interest,
spokewithout special
might happen in so whimsical

event

an

Elsewhere

"

If you

he

exclaimed,with

thing expelledis

me

out

turn

imply ?

What

"

"

surprised.

looked at him

that

seemed

Valentine

But

loweringexpression.

do you

What

doctor

do you mean,
The doctor

"Merely

"

355

idle words.

the almost

painfullystruck by

YEAR

NEW

THE

by Valentine.

harped upon

that

as

Of

HEALTH

THE

of this

room

necessarilya thing slain.

the
not certain to expire on

not

am

door-mat."
into

broke

Valentine

him,
eyebrows

her

silentlywith

and

laugh

uneasy

especially Cuckoo, who

and

glance all around

and

nervous

together in

quick

listening

sat

on

drawn

cast

of

frown

pent

puzzledattention.
"

I see, I

"

But

"

You

the

see,"he said hastily.And here Julian broke in.

he said with a laugh.
whole thing'simpossible,"

would

Valentine
and

marked

"

say so, doctor ?

this question to
addressed

urgent

would

"You

very

manner.

since

so,

say

will of

the

perform

cannot

man

"

miracles

Levillier in

Dr.

CertainlyI should say so, despitethe triumphs of hypnotism.

A man
change greatlythrough outside influence,or perform
may
under
the influence of suggesoccasional acts foreign to his nature
tion
and
I do not believe he can
change radically
or hypnotism. But
"

'

'

from

permanently,except

cause."

one

spoken after
rejoinedquickly.
last words

The

What

"

this

was

make

man

may

cause,

cause

silent.

forcingcard,make

that he would
"

One

is the

Levillier

Dr.

What

What

though

were

this

moment

say !

you

tine
Valen-

of hesitation.
that

allow

You

wait

"

"

asking himself should

sharp,cuttingexperiment. He
He

was

he

play

resolved

it.

he
change radically,"

said, "

if

he

becomes

insane."
short

breath,like

quite still,
regardingthe
contemptuously :
"

Mad

The
struck

by

"

this

It

was

"

himself

where

Valentine's

suggestion,and

haste,and

Supposing

where

don't interest

gained nothing from

gather from

careless

the doctor
"

had

doctor
to

with

Oh, madmen

Valentine stood
from Cuckoo.
sigh,came
Then
he said
doctor closely
for a moment.

had

his

experiment.
that

manner

indeed

returned

me."

he

he

abandoned

to that

other

It

possible
im-

was

in any

was

all allusion

suggestionof

way
to it

which

thought nothing.

that soul of

man

to be

do you suppose
it would
obvious that he endeavoured
to

he said,abruptly,
expelled,"
go, would

be ?

"

but there
speak lightly,

was

FLAMES

356
a

anxietyvisible in
peculiar

most

from

what
I have

never

"

Well

well

"

doctor wondered

The

manner.

it sprang.

cause

"

He

his

formed

try to form

"

did not

matter,"he said.
Yes, and you Julian,too."
now.
to the lady of the feathers,but he

one

himself

address

that

on
supposition

long and narrowly. The doctor lit another cigarette.

He seemed
to be seriously
consideringthis odd quevStion.Julian,
whose
was
changing into an almost equallypronounced
lethargy
excitement,was not so hesitating.As if struck by a sudden flashing
looked at her

idea,he exclaimed
if it

How

"

in the air ?

was

placeto place?
I read

know

what

day

something about

"

Flames
"

book

souls

asleep when

it now

remember

like

through

and

to Cuckoo

half

was

seemed

in

from

up

being like

It

flames ?

the other

shelves

your

stared into her eyes.

I read it,"he said.

flame

That

in Rossetti

was

"

that flame

saw

"

you, Val, that

did you say ? "
expelled,

Suddenly his face was

but then, if
Why

thought that yet might be clear.

night,with a cry like a lost thing. A
set in

awe-struck
flame would

an

"

way
"It

soul

gravity.

be you, Valentine,that
in
I have seen

so, that

"

He

ago."
trace

of

tangled maze

should

Why

months

puzzlingsomething out, trying to

man

from

came

"

he

I took

was

"

turned

He

Yal !

By God,

wandering about from

cried,with emphasis, do you
if it

How
"

flame which seemed to haunt me, which

He looked at Cuckoo
again and was silent.
"
"
Yes, Julian ? Yalentine said,in a hard, thin voice.

"

Go

on, I

listening."

am

Julian stared at him

"

And

what

are

you

with

strong excitement.

then,Yalentine

Where

do you

come

from ?

"

he said slowly.
"
Marr."
From
The words came
Dr. Levillier knew
them

as

by

from

the

divan, from the dry lipsof Cuckoo.

but

he was
thrilled to the very soul by
why,
the depths of
revelation throwing strong lightupon
not

it was
the influence of this strange scented
things. Whether
had
which
in
happened,or the influence of the
strange things
and

and

the climax

ing to

him

sudden

death

of the year,

he could
authority,

with
all his

or

not

all his

voice in his heart

tell.

Only he knew

room

hour

speak
that

knowledge,all his cool

on

guidingreason,
of the man
were
sense
physicianand common
in
His
of
s
eemed
moment
a
theory
insanity
swept entirely
away.
the theoryof a dwarf intellect tryingto stick wretched, absurd pins
through angels white or black that it thought butterflies. His
the Hampstead Heights seemed the
conversation with Cuckoo
on
a

of the

"

"

templation
con-

THE

vain

babble

its knees

of

OF

HEALTH

before

the mind

by instinct. The
logicalinferences
the
secretlyabandoned
the

all his
would

life,and

he could

with

the

From

man.

old landmarks
world

new

that

which

of

familiarities

had

in

which

he

if

patientsto walk
him

like

world.

The

round

of the normal
scented

shadowy tulips,its

the
guide d him

moment

world

"

of his

permittingany
strange, magic floated

the crude
its

of

into

dreamed

help it.

blottingout

mist

tent-

its

warmth,
pale twilight,
and a
temple of wonder
of the miraculous.
And
those gathered in it,
what
were
they ?
and
woman?
Bodies?
To
his
No.
a
Earthly creatures?
bare
clothes
in
which
of the
man
they were
stripped
governed

room,

its

entered

have

not

357

and

stricken
doctor

YEAR

NEW

His
mind fell on
impotent observer.
Reason
of the lady of the feathers.
was
had conconfused feeling of the woman
quered

tricked

THE

quick silences when

home
Men
mind

voices

ceased,was

"

of

decrees

by
They

hidden

make

his

life

pilgrimage.
power
strippedbare and naked of their bodies. They were
flames
things they were
stirring,disembodied
warm,
leaping,
the nightwhen
wavering,contending,aspiring.And he remembered
some

must

"

were

"

he sat

alone

in the

the red
drawing-room of Valentine, and saw
and
the
stillness
to
saw
glow,
light deepen,
grow
from their background, and
come
movement, and the shadows
away
take forms
the forms
of flames.
Was
that night a night of prophesy
walls

and

the

"

?
mind

takes

Were
He

those flames

looked

around

breath

one

other

flames

playedhim
and

liberates

and

outstretched

arm
as

flame

false with

like

him

long
around, and the shadowy,

with

silent voices

thin
as

upon
feet of

in

man

his

soul

of his

ear

strange country, who

wonder.

girlleaning forward

her.

He

knew

tread

men

it

He

looked

the

on

divan,
the
not

In the wild

now.

where

ever,

flow ever, grow

flowers of Paradise, strange
the eternal fires of heaven.
And
the voice
as

in

the

if she gave
a
was
message,
among
altar.
At least his instinct had
an

regard to

sad streets,where

speaking to

of

tears

women

flowers,leapflames

from
thrilled him

of Cuckoo

the voice of revelation.

Valentine
"

The

turned

!"

Marr

he

said, your

of
brutality
all those

among

her cushions
if to

of his chair

the

"

struck

as

upon

lady of

lover who

the remark

who

heard

was

pressed

them

savage, that it
Cuckoo
shrank
back

whip.
made

doctor

hard.

slightforward

laid his hands

He

felt

In the sudden
silence Valentine
touched
energy.
Before any one
spoke it was answered
by Wade who
which
stood various bottles and glasses.
"We

Valentine

must

counteract

the

cry.

!"

Ah

unexpected,so

trembling. Julian
The

feathers,hearing her

died !

so

it like

stop Valentine.
and

the

exciting effects of

said,addressinghis guests in

group,

need
the

of

"

arms

physical

electric bell.

carried

our

ment
move-

the

on

tray

on

cafe noir"
Otherwise

we

FLAMES

358
shall be

pitchof

tension that will make

think the
us
shall
in
w
hich
hear
few
we
a
minutes, the
requiem
bells,
voices of spirits
of spectres. Julian,here is your absinthe.
What
or
will you drink, Miss Bright? Brandy, lemonade, whisky ? "
to

strung up

of church

"

Cuckoo
Lemonade, please,"

The

tears

in the face.

Never

as

air tube.

an

felt.

Perhaps physicalconditions

of their

sound
Cuckoo.

She

intense

so

cold and

subtle

after her

daring and of
the room, the penetrating
of her companions,the
almost
insupportableto

the movements
it, even
voices,suddenly became

was

the

victim

of

in chains.

Then

of

reaction that

And
she

part in the terrible

outburst

smallness of

to be unnatural.

as

bound

were

painted
repriseof Valentine had
fired by a child from
a volley
how greatlywas
she deceived !

filled

that

scent

But

was

Julian

The

played a

desolation that seized her now,

The warmth
and
excitement.

whisper.

She dared not look

eyes.
her past risen up before her

before had

"So Cuckoo

in

her

grim and undying colours.

of a Maxim
the reprise
gun to

in such
been

crowding in

were

said,almost

in it both

was

her

petrified.Her

so

mind

swift and
and

body

very heart felt

and then hard, icy,inhuman.

Her
tears did not
in
like
dried
her
dew
a
were
scorchingsun.
by
up
eyes
She looked at Julian,and felt as indifferent towards him as if he had
Then
been a shadow
the grass in the eveningtime.
he became
on

cramped

fall but

remote, with

removedness
attained by no
is in the world and Julian seemed

shadow
Cuckoo.

She

cruel words

They

were

caves

of

cry of shrillmusic
of any winds.
as

Valentine

acceptedit
of it.
liquid. And
some

Meanwhile
"

thought,even

with
repeated,

Valentine,and they seemed

meaning bad or good. For they

of any
the

don't

lemonade

from

shadow

beyond the world to

tinylipmovements, the
to her no longercruel,or

came

cave

from

too

far away.
behind

leaguesonward

and gave it to her.

She
lemonade
poured out some
mechanically. She even
put it to her lipsand drank
But her palatewas
of no
aware
flavour,no coolness of
she continued sippingwithout tastinganything.
Julian was
sayingto Valentine :
think I'll take any absinthe to-night. Give me
some

too."

for you ?
I
Nonsense.
ordered
the
Here
must
You
have
it
is."
some.
specially.
As he spoke he poured some
of the opalescent
into
liquid
it to Julian.
and handed
While
he did so his eyes were
doctor and they gleamed again with a sort of audacity
or
"

For

even.

Lemonade

absinthe

tumbler
on

the

triumph.
recoveringhimself,returningto his former mood and
And
veiled intentions.
Dr. Levillier thought he saw
the flame of
and
Valentine's soul glow more
The
three men,
deeply
fiercely.
if with one
as
accord,ignoredthe ladyof the feathers at this period
He

seemed

HEALTH

THE

of the

THE

OF

shot

evening. Valentine,having

shudder

in

the

dust.

circle of

of the

359

bolt,left

his

his victim

doctor, full of pity

the

to leave her for the

instinctively
the conflict should
lest
intimacy,

drawn

wonder, were

and

Julian

YEAR

NEW

of

or

moment

be

to

side
out-

renewed.

They did not know how far outside of it she felt,how dim the twilight
She lay
was
becoming to her eyes, how dim the voices to her ears.
of the divan,and they supposed
back
her pillowsin the shadow
on
her to be listeningas before to what
they said,to be drawing into
her

nostrils the

be

some

"

fragments of their

seemed

they

to

did

Julian

placedit on
drank

it

took

He

might

moment

it and

him, and as he talked,he occasionally

glasswas empty. Valentine had again

small table beside

it,till his

at his watch.

The

"

"

put her outside the door.

not
protest against the absinthe.

littleof

looked

hyacinthsand into her soul

uttered thoughts. But for the

of the

scent

This

of the year

flame
simile

of the

flickering
very low," he

is

of the

said.

higher,to aspireto

ordinary,he had spoken

asked himself angrilywhy he had said flame,
the flame of Valentine's
soul trying to leap
saw
some
strange and further region than that in

which

dwell.

will.

againsthis

He

again the doctor

and

it seemed
that

gaze
which

to

flame

surely

directs upon

man

Julian

sat

lookingat Valentine with a

dawning gaze of inquiry

in his eyes, the

new

was

year,

so

into his life. He

stranger just come

alluded in any way to Cuckoo's

and
startling
Valentine
had killed that conversation
with

intense

not

interposition.

blow

one

had

seemed.

it

it. Yet the thought of it was

by deserting
obviously
of
words
another
on
them, making quick interchange
subject
dinicult. Valentine
had seized again on
the poor, prostrate year,
buried

They

it

with

yet he
to

had

carried

even

them

as

encompass

it the

to

with

ring of

of

memory

that

which

And

that

fire.

seemed

despite

himself.
"

We

shall hear

the

bells

he added.
directly,"

"

I hate

night. They will sound odd in this room."

"
Very odd," the doctor said.
"
We
ought to sit reviewingour past year," Valentine

bells at

'

"

Our

"

Do

past year and all it has done

think

you

asked.

And,

it has

done

went

on.

for us."

much

for you,
despitehis intention,there was

Addison
a

certain

"

the

doctor

significance

in his tone.
Julian
who

man

looked

might

rather
burst

and
grave
into either

moody, yet excited too, like

gaietyor

anger

at

moment's

notice.
"

was
"

I suppose

it

has,"he answered.
quitea boy."

It has

taught you

how

to

"

Yes, more

Valentine
live/'

than
said

any year since

quickly.

FLAMES

360

die,"the doctor could not resist saying-.

do you say that,doctor ? Valentine asked sharply." Julian
sick nor
sad,are you, Julian ? "

Or how

"
"

to

"

"

Why

is neither

Don't

Oh, I don't know.

"

Valentine

But

bother

me."

about

suddenly determined

seemed

with

that

Julian

should

present fate.

his

preciseterms his contentment

claimed.
are
happiness,"he exmaking your grand tour towards
and
then the cigarette
contentment."
Dessert,cafenoir
his
I have had the cafenoir" Julian
said,indicating empty cup,
I have had
which
Wade
had, by accident,omitted to clear away.
the cigarette."
Well.
What
then ? Are you unhappy ?
in

state

"You

"

"

"

"

"

"

Give
I tell you I don't know.
doctor watched his excitement

"

me

One
And

"

"

may
that

exerts

sleepwell
I

"

sleepwell

All this time

about

of

you

nor

likelyto

are

regard Valentine in
is tryingto make

to

the

peculiar,

strangerwho

his mind

up
he looks.
you should not drink black coffee."
spoke a very faint sound of bells penetratedto the tent-

the unfamiliar
he

As

Neither

doctor,"Julian said.

now,

he continued

manner

Then

"

"

literally.

Addison."
to-night,

never

observant

It seemed

he suddenlysaid.
coffee,"
the nerves,"said
effect
depressing
upon

very

doctor,taking him

the

he drank.

adverse to Valentine.
black
have too much

excitement

an

absinthe."

more

some

growingas

The

man

at whom

room.
"

moment
! said Valentine.
psychological
all silent,
And
then they were
listening.
To the doctor,the prey of magic art since the soft cry of the lady
the bells seemed magicaland strange to-night,
thin
of the feathers,

The

"

dreamy and

and

yet

they too

remote.

had

eerie

an

They rang outside the

meaning.

Nor

did

circle of the

their

music

flames,

come,

he

summoned
by the
thought,from any church tower, from any belfry,
hands
of
Their
sound
men.
was
Very softlythey rang.
tugging
thick
the
ceased.
deadened
draperies.They
by
My year is born,"Valentine said.
Your year ? the doctor repeated.
"

"

"

point,I
No

one

He
rest

shall
can

the

put
prevent

watching Cuckoo, and had seen her posture of mere

to the prostration
of insensibility.
change, almost imperceptibly,

The
Air

in this year I shall culminate,I shall touch a

to the temple of my
corner-stone
ambition.
has
she
fainted
no
!"
me
one.
Look,
now,

I feel that

Yes.

"

was

had

been

doctor sprang up from

Valentine
onlysmiled.
let into

the

room.

his chair.

The

door

Julian uttered
was

opened. A

Cuckoo
Presently

tion.
exclama-

an

fan

was

stirred and

used.
sat up.

FLAMES

362
felt againthat
now

of clread and

horror

which
had attacked him
in
Valentine's
late
Q'his time the
of
once
presence.
it sufficiently
acute that he could scarcelycombat
so
sense

than

more

sensation

was

reply.

to

hear,"he murmured.

"

"

Julian

!"

Valentine

here.

Julian,come

Miss

Bright

something."

to tell you

wishes

"

called.

Julian turned round.

"
"
Now, ladyof the feathers !
But Cuckoo
burst into a shrill little

Her

laugh.

head

spin-

was

ning again.
"

cried out.

nothing nothing to say,"she

I've

"

Give

"

me

some

brandy."

more
"

Very

Let

well.

Valentine

Year."
all drink to the health of the New
Julian's
with
absinthe
and
glasses
gave the

us

filledthe

"

"

toast.
"

The

!"

Year

New

to their lipssimultaneously.One fell

glasses
broken.
with a crash to the ground and was
It was
Julian's.
I won't drink it,"he eaid,doggedly,
lookingat Valentine.
Then Valentine said,calmly:
There was
a silence.
Have
againstthe thing you don't yet know ?
you an animus
that he alluded to the year justcoming
obvious
It was
sufficiently
But
the words were
taken by the doctor,and
in upon
London.
by Julian,in a hidden and different sense.
apparently
and had thought
Perhaps because I don't yet know it thoroughly,
I did,"Julian answered, staringhim full in the face still with that
and bewilderment.
strange glanceof mingled interrogation

They

all raised their

"

"

"

"

watched

Valentine
"You

treatingthe

are

Julian,"he said.
Cuckoo's
"

"

And

poor
you have

thing
"

and

my

startled Miss

carpet scurvily,
"

Bright."

shining.
eyes
No," she ejaculated.
were

Valentine
of

him.

rang

the bell and

directed Wade

to collectthe

fragments

the man
was
doing so silence again reigned,and the
seemed full of uneasiness.
Only Valentine either was or

glass. While

little room

affected to be nonchalant.

As

soon

doctor :
"
This

to

be dedicated

is destined

room

within it.
influence those who come
"
"
?
Julian
asked.
Are you

as

Wade

had gone he said to the

to

strange uses,

Julian is not

himself

and

to

to-night."

"Myself?"
"

Yes."

"

My

dear

been at work

shall be forced to think the absinthe

in your brain. What is the matter ? "
too busily

Julian,we

has

"

Nothing."

"

One

would

think

having

been

had

v/e

YEAR

NEW

THE

OF

HEALTH

THE

363

sitting.

You

if struck

by

are

so

excited."
Julian

drew

suddenly

sharply,as

breath

his

shot

of

idea.

an

Let

"

distant

exclamation
and

swept his

from

away

it

beckoned

if that which

Often

that

it is

in

so

had

the
that

to

give had

ordinary

longer

no

trance

Valentine.

new

trance, and

and

with

powerful thing-

also the

to take

power

of life.

conditions

wheel

the

produced

incredibly evil

an

the

on

wind, he

come

seemed, beckoned

the power

had

the

along

which

strange prison,had

sittinghad,
had

trance

What

from

flower

dead

his theories

broken

had

danger only

as

former

like

reason

as

which,

the

Cuckoo, which

of

condemned

The

one," he cried.

have

us

doctor thrilled to the suggesbells rang faintly. The

tion,
since the inspiring
still bound
by magic surely. For now,

The

Why

not

also

his thoughts ran,

So
extraordinary conditions?
fantastically
bells.
far-off
enough, to the sound of the
"
the spur of the moment
A good notion,"he said on
and this quick

in

reflection.
You

"

think

so

"

said Valentine.

He

had

been

never

dissimulation.
doctor
himself

looked
a

mind.

near

creatures

are

up

the

at Julian

thousand
Miss

more

There

take
principles,

our

condemned

us,

I take

the matter

even

promise from us againstsitting."

regard was suspicious.

Perhaps I have changed my

said the doctor.
seriously,"

less

who

You

wrung
His
"

"

times

at

lying,nor was
against which
weapon

that

Valentine,

and

nearest

and

Perhaps

to wrest

the

one

he

ashamed

we

must, whatever
to hand.
The

comes

could

from

have

of

his

perjured

the other.

said Valentine.
ill,"
No
I ain't. I'm all rightnow," Cuckoo
said.
She did not understand
what
was
being proposed,but she gathered
that the doctor
desired
it.
That
was
Valentine
enough for her.
looked
them
all three with
at
a
eyes that plainly betokened
busy
But

"

Bright

is

"

mind.

Then

in power
touched
in that
"

Let

very
And
"

smile

flickered

over

his

lips.

It

watching his slaves creeping at their work

the point
of which
he had spoken earlier
smile, a point of delirium.
"

them

try*to

break

me," his mind

said

the

was
"

in the

within

of

smile

for

him.

empire."
my
his eyes left the others and rested
well,we will sit,"he said.

Very

only on

He

evening

itself.

"

"

trial shall consolidate

then

one

Julian,.

Their

CHAPTER

THE

JULIAN

of his inward

days of

Valentine

"

turmoil

of the

SITTING

began
This

he

strove

to

pull out
threw

act

repress all evidences

table and arrange
it

to
a

he could

This

is like last

"

Like

the year

into

life of himself

and

help saying:

not

year."

that the

push

jerk back

with

him

so
vividlythe former
past, recalling

the

that

must

he

as

room,

"

We

FIFTH

painfullyexcited,but

was

in the centre
the

IT

locust

empty

our

hath

answered.

eaten,"Valentine

white

down

years

into

the

water,

Julian."
Julian

made

drawn

was

burn

"

Will

?"

come

Whatever

we

are

he

the

staringwith

goin'to
simple

do ?

"

wide

she

had

"

the

eyes

open

at

these
of

to

who

Cuckoo

the back

on

asked

to

screen

allowed

been

turned

perhaps

"

parations.
pre-

of

one

nervously.
foolish,"said the

very

for

beginning the
for encouraging
not to blame
so
thoroughly disapproved of.
moment

was

he

table

dark

in the

with

hands

our

it,and wait."

upon

for ?

Whatever

Her

His

simpleand

confusion

was

exclaimed, rather

"

blatant

He

drew

Valentine

her

quite obvious,but
roughly :

from

the

divan

into

glidedswiftlyinto the chair

doctor

sat down,

it

obeyed, felt

his

way

Do

covered

was

and

here

come

Oh, doctor,I forgotthe light.

The

the doctor

questioncaused

Now, Cuckoo, don't chatter,but

"

"

arranged. The

soon

said,with his hands

and
"Something very
doctor, wondering, indeed, now
phantasy was arrived,whether he
a
thing that in his under-mind
We
are
going to sit round that
"

was

fire which

Valentine

set.

were

divan

the

on

you
the chairs.
"

chairs

Four

hunched

sat

table

closelyround

more

low.

The

reply.

no

chair and
on

her

you

to the

sit

sat

other

mind

chair

actuallyto blush.
by Julian, who

quiet."

down

beside her.

side and

turning

said

it out

oppositeCuckoo

"

and

THE

Almost
"

Le

at the

SITTING

FIFTH
he turned

moment

"

out

ceased.

365

lightthe

the

Cuckoo

bells that rang

directed to

lay
fingersthe fingersof
her companions. She did so, trembling. This was
a
new
experience
her entire lack of knowledge of what
was
to her, and
expected to
and her
possibilities,
happen filled the darkness with immoderate
roi est

her hands

on

soul with

awe

she

loved

mort, vive le roi

the table and
to

and

and

the

with

confusion.

man

she

of

Julian

its normal
were

crowded

with

nameless

in
whisperincessantly
But
with

things.
her

the real interest

a

of the

miraculous

It has been

conviction

with

words,

of

would
sitters,

Levillier.

From

"

which

hand

She

and the hand

of Valentine
her.

could

darkness

The

not

fancy that

seemed

she heard

it

to any little demon

gifted
sitting,
detective
into
minds
its
the
pushing
way
lain,perhaps,chieflyin the mind of Dr.

this

said
the

Marr," Dr.

abandoning old landmarks.

blackness,was

ear.

of

power
have

in the

man

precedingfaintingfit did

fire to

as

the

to sit between

Then

her
The

terrors.

ice and

as

her

loathed,thus

nerve-shakingexperiencewhich
depriveof

with

touch

was

that,suddenly struck
instinctive

Cuckoo

Levillier entered
He

to the

pronounced
into

in this

remained

soul

new

world

new

by

the

those

world,
of the

to it,
becoming accustomed
certainly,but alreadyhe was
in
it.
reasonable
Moved
clear-headed,
keen-sighted,even
by some
he
the
of
that
in
conviction
an
was
inexplicable
strange
presence
ordinary fashion.
mystery, he no longer tried to explainit in some
He abandoned
it abandoned
his theory of insanity,
him.
In any
or
it was
He
case
dead,buried,whether he would or no.
recogniseda
to understand
to explain.
or
mystery at present beyond his capacity
and
thus
Julian's
at
far,
Having got
word, into this
having entered,
ever
of sitting,
or
-rapping,or whattable-turning,
present circumstance
choose
call
cleared
he
to
it,
any ordinary furniture of
you may
doctor's prejudices
made
of
clean sweep
a
right out of his mind
them.
That done
and the doing of it requiredsome
strong effort
his mind
for
odd
was
or
receptive,
ready
anything,
ordinary,that
might come
along. There he sat with his empty room
waiting to be
of
of
filled the only reasonable v/ay
which
have
we
waiting for that
"
did
He
clamour
I
I
will."
He
not
no
or
won't,"
knowledge.
said nothing at all,
only waited with the strict desire and intention
of recognisingthings to be what
they truly were, neither dressing
them
he put
tearingtheir garments off their backs. When
up nor
he expected so far as he expected
out the lightand sat down, what
that
the
addition
of darkness
would
add a cloud
was
this,
anything
to give various finishing
touches
to any
to his mind, and endeavour
excitement
created
in
however
much
his
will,
him,
spurious
against
this
In
the
he
deceived.
was
enemy's
doings.
expectation
by
entirely
of darkness drew a veil from his mind, leavinghis mental
The falling
senses

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

FLAMES

366

of silence
clear. The falling
even
sightsingularly,
preternaturally
his
inner
of
to
acuteness
sense
hearing. Certain
gave an amazing
and at
peopleare so made that they can, under certain conditions,
certain moments, hear the workings of their neighbours'
minds, as
the
of
the
of
and
I
hear
whirr
child in
can
a
machinery,or
cry
you
the street.
An
or
woman
can
ordinaryman
only hear a mind when
it
with
and
sounds
utter
that set the air in
teeth,
lips,
living
tongue
These abnormal
vibration.
moments,
peoplehear,in these abnormal
the silent murmurs
of the mind making no effort at all to utter itself
the doctor
the
usual
through
speech apparatus. Till this moment
normal
had supposedhimself to be an entirely
man, but he had been
of
sittingonly a very short time before he began to become aware
the silent
set his

of

mind

own

in him

free from

That

unreason.

by

of these three minds

murmurs

was

this marvellous

divination.

some

distinct
perfectly

his

did his

her

or

empty

was

their

held

link in this

step.

But

and

it did

darkness

from

mists

It developed

more.

senses

hearingof silence,called
rendered
amazinglyacute.

were

precisefeelingsof Cuckoo, of
to him
he sat there,
came
as
respectively
see

hear them.
Each
doctor's mind.

nor

of them

thoughts into the

furnished

become

room

He

and

of excitement

The

impressionof the

could neither

althoughhe

him.

facultyof the

All his

Valentine,and of Julian
to pour

clouds

the first

around

in
sitting

and

mind,

Julian and

Valentine

of unuttered

strangechain

cleared the doctor's

althoughin a new world

it was

Thus,

thoughtsof

the circle between

And

hands.

with the

who

of

once

first,

his

panions.
com-

Valentine

forgedthe

communication.

set him

seemed
at

ness
dark-

Asthe

more

on

first

his feet

"

triumph floated to him

softly,
damp wood at night. He heard then the mind of
Valentine murmuring in the stillness the Litany of its glory,a long
and he knew that he had been
and an ornate Litany,deep and full,
had
invited him to witness that
rightin suppohingthat Valentine
the Litany
too,that at moments
glory. But the doctor became aware
like

in

scent

an

"

aroma

if the mind
as
hesitated,
faltered,
assailed

fears.

by

things to

vague
Valentine

one

would

would

combine

againstit.

as

one

hears

not whence

knows

come

Then

would

they come

again
"

ultimate

would

waver

and

cryingagainsthim
But
from whom.
or

would

And
in the
shrink away.
Over
the name
of Julian.

and fall and

ran

grew uncertain or was

like little pale furtive

lady of the feathers.

Valentine

little voices

beginagain and Valentine

of Valentine

these fears

By degreesthe
he actuallysaw
them
stealingback and
alone as if to listen to the Litany,
and then
another,and growing brave, they would

follow,and

another

who

the

from

imaginethat

doctor could
forth. Now

And

triumph over
Litanyone name
him

destruction the

was

the

become

uneasy,

in the
the

night,and
Litany would

the

palefears and they

recurred again and
triumph. In his ruin

glorylived. To witness the

com-

SITTING

FIFTH

THE

367

of
of this ruin,the complete sovereignty
pletepossibility
the lady of the feathers

the doctor and

were

this

glory,

the

doctor

circumstance, alarming Valentine

outside

to feel that

And

there.

only some
anxiety,and waking Julian to a new observation,had hindered the
that ?
He looked back
circumstance
was
intended triumph. What
along the past evening and found it in himself,in his theory that a soul
The rift in the glory of the
soul dead.
not necessarily
a
expelledwas
Valentine
with that.
was
trying to close it by this act
Litany came
his companions in
to impress the strength of his will upon
of sitting,
The doctor felt his effort like a continuallyrepeated
the darkness.
blow, stealthyand hard and merciless.
grew

to

And

mind

of

damp

and

Litany

Julian sat, but

all

and

anger,

He

mind.

own

and

dread

triumph

murmured

and

utterlythat

broken

to

and
the

but

different

with
him

for

the

of

that

how

imagined

blackness

in the

into

become,

conscious

was

"

through

the

soul

"

where

solo,part despair,part fear,part

flooded

drew

doctor

so
perplexity,

dense

another

perplexedand

until it seemed

mind

from

hoarse

The

excitement.

like

of

floated

scent

breathingwood

No

flower.

Another

Julian.

heard

doctor

in the silence the

and

in the darkness

now

the

painful,that

so

suffocatingburden.

In

greatest load in the world

of his

doubt, and

of
it

that

laid

Julian's

murmur

turmoil

him

lay upon

he knew

moment

on

with

and
of

murmur

time,

dreadful

strong,

bewilderment
the

any

is the

man

load of his own,

perhaps beloved, sin. He was
staggering wearily
His
from
the
dim
the
with Julian
with
were
light.
eyes
away
His
like
the
of
Julian.
with
assailed
Julian's,were
ears,
eyes
"

dastard
I

me.

of

clamour

here.

am

of the
Take

me

heavy floodingimpotence

Julian.
the

He

murmur

"Listen!

callingsins.

and
numb
grew
of Julian's mind

Take

rolled
vacant
"

me

round
and

caught a

"

Listen

And
him

the
as

or

low,

whether

the

seas

flowed

"

above

his

round

rolled

alive
inert,then
glimpse,through the

and heard
whelming sea, of far-away light,
whether
the importunate sins grew fainter. But

want

welteringseas

they

of that

loud

! you

to

ever

waters

that the voices of

the
head

voices
or

were

sank

and

he was
of almost
failed,
always conscious of the dominating mood
and
madness
of
bewilderment.
For Julian
a
stirred
perplexity
the yoke that Valentine
had laid upon
under
him
if at last conas
scious
that it was
indeed a yoke, and
that it galled him ;
distinctly
if at last conscious, too, tha,t without
that yoke was
as
freedom.
he shot against Valentine
And
in the darkness
of inquiry.
arrows
But always he lived in doubt and almost in terror.

wild

And

anxiety
Levillier

then, detaching himself

of

Valentine, and from

opened the door of his

feathers entered

in.

from

the

the

wild

mind

triumph, touched
turmoil

wide,

and

of
the

with

Julian, Dr.

lady of

the

FLAMES

368
lie heard
That

was

wonderful
Have

the

thoughtsof

woman.

strangest of all the most

music the doctor had dreamed
listened

you

abominable

mingling melodies at night?

in strange
differing,
yet drawn together,

children
filthy

in

sorrow

of.

far-off and

to

melodies of thingsopposedand
placesfar from your home ? Have
some

fantastic,eerie, wayward,

"

dark

dance

heard

you

house,and

an

wailingover

woman

organ

"

before which

fantastically
playinga merry Neapolitantune
in front of it,while the mutter
of scowling men
from the
comes
where
the gin-palacefaces the night? There you
blazingcorner
have sorrow, sunshine,crime, singingtogetherin a great city. Or
and gleaned the whisper of
have you stood in a land not your own,
ancient river,the sough of a desert wind, the hoarse and tuneless
an
at a water-wheel, the soprano ballad of a warbling
song of a black man
and
hotel Englishlady,and the remote
throbbing roar of a savage
and
drums
beaten
from
Soudanese
the golden eastern
hymn
night?
shrill civilisation and war
There you have nature, toil,
claimingyou
in
effort
with one
a sad and sweet
country. Or have you, in a bright
and dewy morning, heard the
of folk at their prayers,"
murmur
the drone of a church organ, and, beyond the hedgerow,two graceless
and an
the church
lovers quarrelling,
atheist,leaning over
gate,
of
the
?
deluded
fellow
devotion
to
at
his
Sabbath-keepers
sneering
hidden
of
the
love
of
and
l
ove
visible
the
and
There you have
faith,
and
hidden
h
atred
of
love
a
faithlessness,
distrust,
making symphony
for you.
Such mingledmusic is strange strange as life. But to the
doctor the music of this girl,
Cuckoo, in the dark seemed stranger
"

"

"

and
a

eerie far.

more

moment,

mind

Her

is the fashion of

as

sang

of

to him

thousand

normallyhear

Only men

women.

things in
but

And now
three,of the many feminine melodies.
hear those differing
Dr. Levillier heard them
all,as a man
may
and
clearly.Degradation
songs alreadyrecounted, simultaneously
that catches it by the hand, passionand the
and the hopelessness
hatred,fear,physical
fatigue,
ignorant
strengthand purityof passion,
which
will
to
of
the
soul
even
a
cling
gutter,
nervousness,
grossness
and
it
the
on
capableof great devotion and noble effort,
accompany
two

at most

one,

or

upward journey,very
boy

street

these sang
and
as

far and

very
virulence of enmity,and
their song

the mind

from

It. was
of the doctor.
dearest
often is in the
sat, hating,by girlwho

heart

it

so

outcast

mere
high,resolve and shrinking,
of
mere
angeltenderness
pity all
"

and heart of Cuckoo

chorus of
we

women

was

in one
woman,
In that choir an

women

know.

all love and

to the mind

reverence.

And

they
with

hymn-book; Jenny joiningher voice

togetherin
Susannah, Mary Magdalene and Mary Mother, so near
sang
one

out

of the

thing,so
And

in

far

same

apart in another, alike

that

choir

"

celestial and

in this that

infernal

"

both

sang

were

the

ing.
sing-

jealous

FLAMES

370

each one, differentiated the one

from the other.
And as the scent
of one
flower had failed,
the scent of another had risen upon him,
until he had known
the heart of each of the three. Then for awhile
the night scentless,
was
silent,blank, empty. But presentlythe
doctor

was

him.

"Whence

of

aware

he received

it

it from

uneasiness

an

he

came

could it emanate, this weird

fear and
hope and intention ?

himself that
soul ?

question.Was

knew

He

that he

flower grew
intentional.
Yet was
those

other

doctor

vehement,

more

off. The

him

more

been

stronger in
it vaguer,
The

the

from

From

the
whom

fluttering,
pulsing
?
He
asked
only

in the dark with his

of this knew and

scent

own
known
un-

night,
penetratingand
than that emitted by
distant,
more

more

flowers.

exact

more

determined,than

some

barrier removed

even

that

companions,but
far

flame

not.

was

himself

communing
The

Julian.
this

eagerness,

From

neither

came

from

impressionreceived by the
at this moment
it was
this. It
was
very subtle. Precisely
to him
that he was
into
communication
graduallycoming
fourth mind, or soul,that this soul was
more
actually
strong,

seemed
with

three

he

anxietystealingupon
Only this he knew, that

an

that it

Valentine,nor

then

of

tell.

something,but

feathers,from

lady of the

and

could not

than

was

as

flame

of his three
him, set it very

souls

it from

match
held to a man's eyes may
dazzle
a
the flame of a great fire on the horizon.
This new

slowly in

of

latter in

the

in the
flaring

burned

the

comparison to match flames that had

doctor's eyes. And this great and distant flame
the verge of dense
smoke of mystery and upon

darkness.
Never
an

had the doctor known

experienceas that which now
him

definite

was

and
peculiar,

so

he

the circumstance

with

enclosed in this
personality

his three

He

even

awe-striking,

What
underwent.
of this undoubted

wildered
utterlybenew

him

and

and

with
tiny room
receivingthe impression of the

companions.
thoughtsof a stranger. Yet there was no strangerin the chamber.
irritated by the fact of the impresAnd
he was
vexed and curiously
sion
being at the same time very vague and very violent,like the
from a very long distance,
which reaches you faintly
cry of a man
to have been uttered with the frantic
but which you feel instinctively
of this stranger was
force of death or of despair. And
the mind
There
a
was
insistently.
tugging at the doctor's mind, anxiously,
and
that
it
human
in
that
of
distress
as
no
mere
was
distress,
depth
moved
the doctor to a mood beyond the mood of tears or of prayers.
of pity for this stranger soul.
There came
him an awful sense
over
it circumstanced
? In what
What
had it done ? How
was
ghastly
and
at
? It was
train of events did it move
helpless
surelypowerful
fire with fight
the same
time ; a cripplewith a mind
on
; Samson
blind. He

was

felt that it wanted

something
"

of

him, or

of his

com-

THE

The

desolation.
its severe
Deeper and deepergrew
of its ill fate.
pity for it,deeper and deeperhis sense

and
of it

woe

to the

came

371

lightin

panions,some
his horror

SITTING

FIFTH

unearthly,yet

was

doctor

to

in

child motherless

than

more

earthly woe.

its dreadful

with

compare
world all winter

devoted

saint

Similes

circumstance

hell

to

by

blasphemous, and more

at the last,
and,
helplessto
by humanity,
reclaim the souls to which
He had Himself
given being ; lonelyGod
the countless
in a lonelyheaven, seeing far-off hell bursting with
multitudes
of the writhinglost. This last simile stayed with him.
great

some

of God

error

fancied

He

him

to
calling

A
vacant
"

he

felt
"

"

I could

what

and

"

the

voice

not

do.

be filled. Act

of heaven

that

Why

! " he said.

Trembling

What

"

are

quietlyin my place. How long

An immense
time I fancy. It seems

am
"

stand

empty, the

doctor,by
to

am

effort

an

the

"

end

all

of

right.

?"
sitting

been

we

trembling?

him

mean

you
have

God

help My impotence.

to

you

The

spoke.

do

frustrate

act."

"

with
of it remained
so
painfulthat the memory
his life,
recalled his mind
from its journey.
"

this

Strive

act

"

trembling?

are

of

yet hell would

even

you
the voice of Valentine

was

more

one

heard

not

"

little

"

Doctor,why

It

Do

little

courts

even

worsted

terrible still : God

fruitless.

Julian ! "

"Yes."
Julian's voice sounded
Don't

"

think

you

we

heavy
had

and

better

weary.

stop?

If you like."
Valentine
got up and turned on the
Then
they saw that the lady of the

"

"

fallen

light.
feathers,leaningback

doubt from

sheer

in her

face
asleep,
ethereal and
was
very white,and in sleepits expressionhad become
hands
thin
still
Her
rested
purified.
nervelesslyupon the table.

chair,

was

She

no

like

seemed

lose the

soughtgentlyto

Cuckoo," Julian

"

She

stirred and

that

had

known

sorrow

Her

and
early,

of it in rest.

sense

said, leaningover

her, " Cuckoo

!"

woke.

awfully done,"

"I'm
"

little child

weariness.

she

in

murmured,

her

street

voice.

!"

Pardon
She
"

sat up.
I seemed

"You

as

if I

was

were,"Valentine

put

to

she
sleep,"

answered

her.

said.
I willed that you

"

sleep."
He
"

looked

I have

Cuckoo
"

Did

at the

had

my

reddened
you

Julian was

doctor,and his eyes said

triumph.

You

witness

with

it."

anger, but she said nothing.

feel anythingJulian ? " Valentine asked,

lookingstrangely
hopeless,

should

FLAMES

372

"Nothing,"
that

thing

dead

seemed

It
"

went

It's

"

different

all

from

what

it

like

was,

alive."

be

to

the

thing,"

he

Then

used
if

as

dead

said.

he

him

filled

had

sitting

with

and

poured

dogged

despair.

repeated.

he

spirit-stand

the

to

over

himself

out

absinthe.

more
"

And

doctor

The
"

first
He
almost

and
of

morning
said
into

he

said

Valentine.
with

glance

all

he

time,"

the

What

"

careful

said,

did

feel

you

"

calm.
"

of

other

things.

Not

of

table-turning."

of

or

When

his

met

he

"

thinking

was

table

the

doctor

you

left

Cuckoo
the

would

uncertainty

the

Year,

New

stay,
of

flat

they

speaking
his

that

night,

left
in

the

surroundings.

Julian
voice

or

rather

the

chill

Valentine.

with
of

in

man

drugged

CHAPTER

LADY

THE

in her

DOWN

filled with

the

of

anger

an

Puritan

going to the

had

that

lived

at

her

was

No.

feelingabout
for

400

easy-going, or, perhaps

given herself
of the

with

landlady.

little murmuring,
be the

Fates.

had

She
as

prey of each
For
months

should

do

so

unit
and

the

endured
many
in the
years

as

the

righteous as
Sunday. Her
to

its

Cuckoo

feathers.

Being, in

time.

Mrs.

pans,

Analysed, reduced

lady of
say

on

and

some

rather, reckless,she

ways,
had

plucked by the claws

rooked, with but
being ruthlessly
of her patient class,
to
accustomed
modern
large congregationof the
she had
paid a preposterous price

good enough

bad.

considerable

one

to her

opening

Museum

against

ground-floorlodger

dingy pots

seemed

that

anger

was

essence,

her

dreary kitchen,among

Brigg was

STARVES

FEATHERS

THE

OF

grace

to be

little rooms.
She
had been
overcharged
badly furnished
of
morsel
she
food
of
beer, or of
ate, every drop
habituallyfor every
kindled
in her badly cleaned
tea, she drank, every fire that was
she struck.
grate, every candle that lightedher, almost
every match
had
without
She
and
Mrs.
had
times
had,
Brigg
rows,
many
voices in vituperation,
and
shown
number, lifted up their respective
of
vile
vocabularies.
had
command
But
these rows
not
large and
been
the occasion of the open
the
of
former
on
cheating
by the
latter.
Fallen
resent
as
they are
called,seldom
being
women,
houses
live.
do
cheated by those in whose
Bather
they
they expect
the bleeding process as part of the penalty to be paid for a lost
character.
The
landlord
of the leper is owed
for his charity and
hard
tolerance
The
the
Pariah
cash.
of
good
landlady
puts down
"
mentally in each added up bill this item : To loss of character
so
for

her

"

much."

And

the

Pariah

understands

recogniseddispensation. Mrs.
during the stay of Cuckoo in

Brigg had

and

had

pays.

Such

fine time

is

the

of

robbery
a
ugly house, and, in consequence,
certain
and
slow
for
had
her
lodger
respect
gradually
queer
very
and
She had
that
gnarled old nature.
grown
up in her withered
towards
Cuckoo
that
bad
steal
a
feeling
boy, too weak to
apples,has
towards

bad

boy

not

too

weak

her

to steal

them.

It

could

hardly be

FLAMES

374
called

Hades
tree

had
she

actual

an
was

liking.Of

that

the old creature

nearly incapable. But

she

lyingin her kitchen,and so could

gatheredthem nefariously.So far
saw

always Cuckoo,

there

and

in her nethermost

enjoyed seeingapplesoff the

have patted any hands
that
she looked

as

herself

into the future

robbing Cuckoo

comfort-

unblamed
and
unrepentant, while the years rolled
tably,faithfully,
its
suckingprofession.
along,the leech ever at
Now
this agreeablevision was
abruptly changed. This slide of
smashed
to fragments. And
the magic lantern was
Mrs. Brigg was
baulked
the
of
with
and
venerable
robber.
filled
a
righteousanger
the earningsof her child in some
As a mother, dependent upon
godly
might feel on the abrupt and reasonless refusal of that
profession
child to continue in it,so did Mrs. Brigg feel now.
The lady of the feathers had, for the moment, at least,given up
her profession.She sat at home with folded hands at night. It
was
earth-shaking. It stirred the depths of the Brigg being.
were
as
Quakings of a world in commotion
nothingto it. And the
dream
that
had
dawned
the last night of the old
sweet
on
Brigg
and winding her
of a rich "toff" in love with Cuckoo
year, dream
headed,
in which the fall of night set gay ladies bareup to gildedcircles,

and

scattered all feathered

hats to

limbo, died childless and

on
leavingno legacies.CertainlyCuckoo was not making money
fourteen
the quiet enough in one
or
night to keep her as seven
would
have
Mrs.
formerly
supplied.
Brigg questioned,
nights
remonstrated,stormed, sulked,was
rude, insinuating,
artful,blunt,
all
would
Cuckoo
and
to
no
give no
blackguardly
purpose.
but
of
the
In
she
went
her
conduct.
Mrs.
out,
day
explanation
Brigg was not to be deceived by that. She based her observations
connected with the culinaryart
and conclusions on weighty matters
which
her trained,disgraceful
and with things about
intelligence
Cuckoo
could not be deceived.
was
fallinginto poverty. In the
in
been
that is to
had
touch with riches,
of
she
formerly
Brigg
eyes
the landladyconsidered
lived well. She had got
so
say, she had
The
exorbitant
into
debt.
rent, regularly
along without falling
had not
The
had
been
as
earned,
paid.
Brigg perquisites
regularly
the claws
been disputed. No watchful eye had been directed upon
that filched and retained.
that grabbed and clung,the fingers
But
or
now
come
a
was
devastatingchange. Cuckoo
grown,
growing,poor was no longereasy-going.Living much less well,she
If it went
also began to keep a sharp eye on all she had.
ously,
mysteriwithout
explanatory action of her own, she called loudlyon
old lady,
had it gone? The
Brigg for enlightenment. Where
disgustedto be brought to subterfuge,a thing to which she was
But
frankly unaccustomed, lied freelyand with a good courage.
"

"

"

her lies did not

stand her in much

stead with

Cuckoo, who

had, from

TH"

LADY

So

say.

Brigg

war

to live and

forced

was

she

might manage

forces for the attack.

who

had

in

humiliating,took
down

to

work
surveyor's

such

called Cuckoo

of what

no

and

names,

her

that

meat

on

the

against

cooked.
in

names

worse

If

return.

had

hands

was

going

mutton

soul revolted

Her

own

called

was

their

on

it.

Brigg knew

tally,Mrs.

inches did not

and

numerous

re-measuring them

and

Hades

to

of fortitude.

perceptionat all
of legs of
measuring proportions

directions

some

Mrs.

with

scarcelysurmount

in the way
Battles were

might

thief,a distressing
ever
dignity,whatDenial only armed
violent.
Cuckoo,

herself named

hear

she could

which

circumstance

came

she

them.

between

about

375

word

believingany

of

intention whatever
of a novel kind

the start,no

STARVES

FEATHERS

THE

OF

She

reply.

But

still Cuckoo
spent her
on, and
without
fire in the winter cold.
a

evenings
measurings
sometimes
doors,
had gone to
Mrs. Brigg therefore said within herself that Cuckoo
the bad, and beheld, with fancy'sagitatedeye, a time in the near
would
be no
but the very
when
future
not
more,
only perquisites
heart.
in
her
in
would
be
rent itself
jeopardy. Fury sparkled
still the

went

within

of Cuckoo

the situation

Meanwhile

stairs was

above

becoming

is

at

It exposes

always sordid.
tragic. Starvation
a face,
over
cheek-bones,puts sharp pointson elbows, writes ugliness
and sets a wolf crouching in the heart.
Tragicit must always be,for
and springs
with
it
when
it is obstinate,
walks
but
sorrow
a peculiar
;
from the mule in a human
being,the tragedy has a lustre,a colour
for ever
She
The
obstinate.
of its own.
lady of the feathers was
in
the
obstinate
In
virtue.
had been obstinate in vice,she was
now
"
of my money
and
said to her, Take
let
old days Julian had
some
and

sordid

once

the

alone

streets

for

even

"

night."

one

Levillier had said to her, " Prove

She could
something for Julian."
Dr.

the

only

Lean

will.

your
do

refused.

had

She

this

on

Now

it.

thing.

one

Do
She

With

frowning,staring obstinacyshe
blind about Cuckoo's
something
always
pathetically
she had grasped an idea
proceedings.She! was not lucid. But once
she sat at home.
like the limpet on the rock.
So now
Out
she was
could

only

There

left it.

of her
or

two

leave

street

was

had

earningsshe
men

had

made

her small

evenings she
these

wrongly
This

did much

which

earning.

Sad

worked
She

Cuckoo

knew

went

forth to work

home

to

tea, and

The

out.

questiondrove

occupation.

mental

expenses,

reduced

live without

As

exist.

little while she could

one

little money.
a very
from
time to time.
presents

managed

while

to

she

alone

sat

One
For

those

strange new
how long,with
arithmetic,calculating
brought Mrs. Brigg'sso low, she could
sums
were
these, whether
rightly or

time
out

be

must

in the

that London
she

save

short.

And

afterwards

mornings, vaguely seekingan

full of
who
good " girls,
"

was

lay in bed

boiled egg and

on

in the

morning,and

watercress,when

came

she started out

376

FLAMES

in the

evening.

find out

what

put on her
they did,and

So she

work

jacketand

hat and

whether

she

went

forth

could

in

to

it.

join
full of astonishment.
Cuckoo
variegatedpilgrimages
would stroll along the road till she saw, perhaps,a girlwho looked
good that is,as unlike herself as possible descend into the frost,
the mud
from a 'bus. Then she would
of this
or
dog the footsteps
with
f
ind
of
view
from
out
it
where
she
what
a
deducing
girl,
went,
In this manner
to a sewing-machineshop in
she did.
she once
came
Praed Street,on the trail of a brightlookingstranger,who walked
toil. Cuckoo remained outside while the stranger
gailyas to pleasant
the window
went
in and
of
rows
disappeared. She examined
head
of
them
the
dressed
in
a
woman
a
sewing-machines,
beyond
black silk gown.
did the stranger do here to gain a living,
What
and that bright smile of hers?
Suddenly Cuckoo walked into the
shop and up to the lady with the dressed head.
A machine, ma'am ? said the lady,with a very female look at
Those

were

"

"

"

"

"

Cuckoo.
Cuckoo
"
"
"

shook

her head.

I do for you ? "

can
I'd like some
work."

What

! " said the

Work

the soprano
"
I ain't

lady,her
register.
got nothingto do.

voice
I want

from
travelling

something;

the contralto to
I'll do

like she

does,"this,with a nod in the direction of

which the pleasantstrangerhad vanished.
"

Miss

"

No.

"

Good

King ; our bookkeeper! You know her ?

I only see her in the street."
from
the lady,and
a
morning," came

door

anything,
through

"

back

confronted

Cuckoo.
Cuckoo
resumed.
visited dressmakers,
pilgrimageswere
Her
establishments, with no
success.
bonnet-shops,ABC
face,
its
when
tale.
Nature
told
write
down
even
can
unpainted,
The

the truth

walks.

of

Cuckoo
sin better than art.
learnt that
still she trudged,learning each day more

But

by her
truths,one

fact

it seemed
finale to the long sermon,
that there is
was
stances,
difficult to enlist in, under certain circumno
army on earth more
of good working girls. The day
her own, than the army
she thoroughlyunderstood
that finale Cuckoo went
home and had a
of
with
cold
mutton
violent row
Mrs. Brigg. A
was
supposed
scragg

of which

"

to be the bone

"

of

contention,but

that

was

Cuckoo
only supposition.

reallycursing Mrs. Brigg because the world is full of close

has not learnt how
to
boroughs,not at all because cold mutton
time fulfilling
its duties as an
while at the same
achieve eternal life,
of
this subtlety emotion,Mrs. Brigg let
edible. Not understanding
was

herself loose in

sarcasm.

FLAMES

378
to do

what
and

"

because

the doctor

Julian asked
She

could

Julian know
made

once

forbade

the

would
up

had

that

sake,

Do

what

extraordinaryshyness,
prevented her from letting
understand

what

her, and

on

money

mind

said,
"

an

far

so

for Julian's

had

have done it."

you
fulfil this last injunction.

to

it,he would

force

her

He

that

her

street,but

If he knew

it.

her, and

for

give up

starve

heart.
Julian

show

Cuckoo

and awkwardness

false shame

began to

fired her

had

do, and

to

you

something within

But

Ho she

starve.

except

and

money

it meant

Cuckoo, having

Julian

should

never

together in her relations with him, stuck to secrecy

this
on
subject with her normal dull pertinacity. So matters
The
move
slowly towards a deadlock.
lady of the feathers did
few trinkets went
not
there very
neglect the pawnshop. Her
Then
that
not
that
soon.
were
trinkets,
things
evening
green
dress, for instance,the imitation lace,and one
day a sale took
of her title-deed,
disposed,for an absurd
place. Cuckoo
sum,
the headgear that had given birth to her nickname.
She was
no
longerthe lady of the feathers. The hat that had seen so much of
the head of virtue and knew
her life reposed upon
no
Piccadilly
linked

be

Julian's

But

more.

into
Later

day

every
there

Cuckoo

endured

of another

kind.

this
The

of

war

had

upon

Levillier

fate, Dr.

of that

first round

apparent decisive defeat of Valentine's

evening the fortunes

indeed

came

"

everythingon which they looked

Jessie's yellowriband,but
not merely upon
not quiteyet.
that time was

While
in

her,and

sported her yellow riband.

the eyes of Cuckoo
ing
appraiswith that fateful expresfell,
sion

terrible time when

"

But

with

still Jessie

And

use.
a

came

present remained

Jessie herself.
in

was

battle had

plexity
per-

ended
the

During

accusers.

wavered
certainly

to

the doctor's

sudden and strong signsof an

side. Julian had displayed
him
back into his dream, had
had thrown
but the sitting

awakening;
pushed him

The doctor did not

firmlybeneath the yoke of his master.
understand
the fact,he could not divine
why. Although he recognised
effect
have
that
sudden
exact
the
disappointmentwould
upon
Julian had been waked
to wonder, to observe
suspicious
eagerness.
more

Valentine

great
had
"

for

instant with

even

thought
then

is my

new

of Valentine
as
The
friend ? "

only one, of searchingamong

quickenedthe

senses

brought nothingbut
dead, and

so

the

senses

of the

doctor.

hope

had risen out

sittingas
In

But

which

to Julian

thing which
had

come

of

means,

the old

as
strange life,

disappointment
; the
sudden

the

these ashes.
into

the

Valentine

new

sleep. Julian pressedforward

had quickenedhis
sitting

was

mystery of the
mystery. Yes, he
stranger,and said to himself,

eyes, to look
in the face,and know
it as

change in him

Where
the ashes of
the

an

the

this

days each
last sitting
last sitting

had been
with

the

alive
new

LAM

THE

OF

STARVES

FEATHERS

379

supposed that he had been the prey of an

absurd
fancy created by the idle words of the doctor,or by an idiotic
sudden
had cried to him
of his mind, which
on
a
movement
: "If
what
is
the Valentine
and
are
revere
reallygone away,
you
you love
he
in
his
?
now
disappointment
Now,
heavy
thought
worshipping
of this cry as a mad
exclamation,and he sought to drown all memory
in his fatal habit of
of it,and
in fresh vices,and
every memory
which
he
under the yoke beneath
absinthe drinking. He lay down
still
lower.
So
that
in
had previously
succeeded
going
crept,and so
his
intended
had
Valentine
won
night
triumph,although for a while
it had been in jeopardy.
in
Dr. Levillier was
perplexity;he had been brought to the
and then thrust back into an
everyday
very threshold of revelation,
the
of
world of thwarted
But
hopes and broken ambitions.
memory
magic was still with him, and gave him a feelingof unrest, and a
for ever.
that was
reward
Valentine's
not to be without
pertinacity
which
held
from
flower
for
the
a
a
triumph
poison-seed
conqueror
the fightwas
to spring. The doctor's determination
to continue
was
frustrated at this time by Julian rather than by Valentine.
Julian's
of
in
from
him
a
disappointment plunged
indifference,
deep sea
wonder

died

He

too.

"

which

declined

he

remained
Several

smile,told
"

If he

unanswered.
times

the

him

I seldom

rescued.

be

to

doctor

him

see

Julian

cannot

with

him."

It seemed

doctor's

as

if the whole

knowledge,and

of attraction

is

The

upon

even

deprecating

occasion.

one

my

poor

going completely out

Cuckoo
had no
longer any
was

doctor

wrote

to

home.

errand.

livingso fast,that

affair

that

for Julian.

added

even

to him

at

never

with

mad

some

on

away

now," he

me.

was

Valentine,who,

was

has gone

beyond
keep pace

called,Julian

met

that Julian

doctor's invitations

The

her

and

"

He

agility
of the

power
received an

ill-spelt
tellinghim that Julian had not been near her since
answer,
In this event
the doctor's only hope lay
night of the year.
in keeping closelyin touch
with
To do this proved an
Valentine.
Valentine
asked
responded readilyto his invitations,
easy matter.
him out in return, seemed
doctor
be
with
him.
The
believed
to
glad
he read the reason
of this joy in Valentine's anxiety to prove the
depth of Julian's degradation. He had now
begun to play devilishly
and
occasion
a
the
to descant upon
patheticstop,
sought every
upon
social ruin that was
in the
overtakingJulian,and his deep concern
the last

This

matter.

there
could

were

hypocrisywas

moments

when
his

so

transparent and

it stank

in

the

so

doctor's

offensive

that

and
nostrils,

he

and
scarcelyrepress
disgust. Yet to show them
be not only impolitic,
but would
only add fuel to the flames of
Valentine's pyre of triumph. So the doctor,too, sought to play his
wearied
in seekingJulian,although his quest was
in
part,and never
would

horror

FLAMES

380

vain.

Valentine

From
the

by

even

"

The

"

is

stone

Who

threw

Valentine

is
?

did

meeting

divine

sea

the

that

him,

at

him.

Valentine

doctor

said.

asked.

"

Tell

that."

me

shoulders.

answered.

he

is

"Fate
Is

stones.

the

lady

to

reply,

he

as

like

guided

Cuckoo
But

respond.
problem
although
Cuckoo

it

was

child

of

mischievous

the

to

solved

for

wrought

by
a

he

was

boy,

feathers

late
disconso-

stretch

out

Julian
him

words

strange

in
of

work

?
a

led

he

once

he

utterly

demned,
con-

of

unscientifically

fingers

manner

perhaps,

had

experience,

The

While

bound

magic

by

plotting

silent,

was

which

and

hand.

close

warm,

reach

to

act

knowledge

Now

that

but

still

begun,
in

by

by

had

salvation

seemed
how

he

thought,

engineered

pain.

For

sit.

forsooth

system

nervous

feeling,

himself

trust

not
to

possible

some

led,

of

"

dropped

now

askance

against

sea,"

the

whimsical

throwing

doctor

The

and

the

suppose,"

always

in

was

"

another
to

into

shrugged

"Fate,
and

it

looked

whisper

to

down

going

clubs

his

and

him,

shun

to

Julian

that

gathered

that

world,

gay

began

men

he

instinct
him.

to

strove

by
that
He

to

pure

had
must

solve

surprising

the

to

this

him,

his.

with

the

skeleton

hands

of

hunger

VI

CHAPTER
SELLING

THE

ONE

chill

her

opened

eyes

Jessie

at

the
She

sleep.
uneasy
through the green
again,slowly rotating like a drowsy

Jessie moved

blind.

Venetian

stirringof

short and

filtered

light that

faint

the

to

from

Cuckoo

bed wakened

foot of her

JESSIE

February,

of earliest

morning

OF

of a nest
of bedclothes,
centre
suddenly dropped into the warm
breathinga big-dog sigh of satisfaction that shook her tiny
her mistress,who
She slept. But she had wakened
frame.
lay with
her head restingon one
hand, deep in thought while the day grew
blind alleyhad,
a
outside.
Cuckoo, having directed her steps down
out
the horizon.
reached
dead
wall, blotting
not
a
unnaturally,
Lying there, she faced it. She stared at the wall, and the wall

top, then

seemed
ness

eyes
she
as

back

to stare

flowed

over

almost

as

as
expressionless

lay in this alive

had

she

She

thoughtfulness.
future

growing

louder

had

not

baffled

Brigg growing

of the

not

woman,

things,and
which

by

past behind
She

had

long time
Cuckoo,

stirred into

was

tually
past,the present,even-

near

past

louder.
had
from

doctor
timid

What

orchestra

an

Cuckoo

the

doctor,to be told of his

all his friends,of Valentine's
in the sea, of utter
deadlock,

seen

down

was

treated

Cuckoo

child to be

franklyas

buoyed

on

the

brave

waves

of

Cuckoo
knew
the worst
of
gas- filled bladders.
confirmed
in her mule's attitude
knowledge was

the

direction except
wrong,
of her

widely opened

with

distracted

so

the

as
deceitfully

ill circumstance

was

For

The

escape

going

stone

stagnation.

utter

She

once.

efforts,of Julian's

declaration

the

to pass

review.

each

Julian

seen

wakef ulness,

into

blank-

crescendo, solitude
night,poverty growing louder, obstinacygrowing

in

louder, Mrs.

her

For a
eyes of a corpse.
Jessie stirred again, and

the

spurred

began

dull

reason

made

mind, and

Then

stupor.

before

been

the

filled her

and

for that

Perhaps

at her.

one.

that

her

hands
tied in every
were
Brigg. Her
She could only dumbly prove
that Valentino
will was
not dead, by exercisingit to the detriment
Mrs.

worldly situation. Doggedly then

her, despitethe ever-increasing
curses

given up

her

pilgrimagesin

search

of

she

put her

of the

honest

whole

landlady.
They

work.

FLAMES

382

too hopeless.She had pawned everythingshe could pawn, and

sold every trifle that was
saleable. Even
Jessie's broad band of
yellowsatin had been included in a heterogeneous
parcelof odds and
ends purchasedby a phlegmaticGerman
with eyes like marbles and
of a stone image. Living less and less well,doing withthe manner
out
were

often in the dark

fires,
sitting
Cuckoo

had

managed

to pay

at

nightto

her rent until

and the greatearthquakehad

failed,

the expense
ago. Then

save

week

of gas,
money

lengthtossed and swallowed

had been tropical.Mrs. Brigg
the wretched Mrs. Brigg. The scene
of
moved
her being. For days she had
to
the
was
really
very depths
been, as it were, eatingand drinkingapprehension.Now apprehension
had

at

of climax.
shot up in the air by the cannon
of commotion.
From
in the extreme
her point
Limbs and mind were
be acknowledgedthat the situation was
of view it must
asperating.
unduly exwhatever
for
would
For Cuckoo
her
give no reason

choked

She

her.

was

of refusal to

reiterated formula

could not pay her week's

and
depths of despair,

And
she
now
any
money.
Mrs.
into
the furthest
rent, plunging
Brigg

yet

sat

earn

doors

day after day.

was
persuasion,
by

within

Brigg approached apoplexy by way of

with passion. She coaxed with
patheticand paralytic
the victim's neck to the noose
executioner inveigling
an
to be off to

Cuckoo

was

"Then

out

She

breakfast.

threatened

like Jove

Mrs.
turns

the ardour

of
and in haste

in

curl-papers.

inexorable.
go !

you

"

you pack,you
Cuckoo got up

"

said Mrs.

Nameless

from

her

last.
followed.

"

Brigg at
words

chair with

show

no

Out

of emotion

of my

house

and moved

to pack her box.

She didn't care.
her bedroom
She
stonily
and
in
the
wait
last
mood
lie
down
the
to
blow of
in a
was
gutter
obstinate
determination
to
what
in
her
do
the
one
Fate, livingonly
doctor had told her,the one
thing Julian had asked of her. She did

towards

longerwar
landlady.And her
Brigg for the moment
not

any

into the bedroom

"
"

with words

againstthe purpleand hard-breathing

silence and

her movement

into another

mood.

of obedience awed Mrs.

She shuffled after Cuckoo

"
What
is it ? " she ejaculated.
? What
at
her.
Goin',"Cuckoo threw

Eh

are

you

of
a-doing

?"

"Now?"
"

Yes."

"Whereto?"

thrustingthe few thingsstillleft to her

in the world.
Mrs. Brigg stood
into the only box she now
possessed
and
the
in
making mouths, as is tho
folding doorway watching,
when
emotional.
fashion of the elderly
she said presently,
"What
as
are
Cuckoo,ben"ling
you going for?
No

answer.

Cuckoo

was

"

stuffed a
(Jowri?

white

into
petticoat

the

depths.

SELLING

THE

pay,"snarled

Can't

"

OF

JESSIE

383

Cuckoo.

two," said Mrs. Brigg,reluctantly.

emotions.
She had
torn
She stumped downstairs
by conflicting
and
both
then
Julian
and
to Cuckoo,
Valentine,
got accustomed
had taught her the colour of the British sovereign.
Cuckoo's
visitors,
lately,but they might come
again.
They had not been near
400
had some
who would
fine friends,
then Dr. Levillier ! Cuckoo
And
surely do something for her. Mrs. Brigg had no other possible
the whole, prudence dictated
On
a
day or
lodger in her eye.
not
not
or
a
two's patience,
or
a
a
week's,
two's,
just day
more,
It don't matter

"

moment

for

"

Thus

more.

it
the

beneath

week

day

or

that

about

came

had

Cuckoo

of Mrs.

roof

been

now

without

hard

Brigg
paying
asylum. The previousevening the landladyhad burst
food for Cuckoo
and
out again into fury,refusingto get in any more
She
the
had
carried
rent.
fortnight's
demanding
by
even,
away
striven to drive Cuckoo
out to her night's
work.
cupidityand passion,
A physical
strugglehad taken place between
them, ending in the
hysterics. Other lodgers had been drawn
landlady's
by the noise
another

cash for the

from

accompanied by

scene

the

their floors to witness

men,

and

Two

row.

to them

of them

Mrs.

had

on

the

shrieked

her

come

Brigg had

of this swindling
virtue of a woman
who had
explanations
wrongs
her
from
the street.
The
formerly paid
lodgers and
way honestly
had providedan accompaniment of jeering
their men
laughterto the
and

Brigg solo,and Cuckoo, her clothes nearly torn from her back, had
flung at last into her sitting-roomand locked the door. That was
last night the past which she now
reviewed in the morning twilight.
"

she to do ? She
leave Mrs.
Brigg no

What
must
no

to

means

Levillier.

"

retention

debt.
whose

held

another
her

food.
must

She

debt,

had
first,
might apply to Dr.
pay

lodging. She
from
taking that

back

in

was

her

road

was

mainly

the dumb

If she asked
would

doubt,

but

desire to make
sacrifice for Julian, and
a
her
the
of
the only sacrifice she could make
idea
given
of herself from
the degradationthat kept her free of

She had
the doctor had
this.

for

pay

What

without

was

was

it be ?

the doctor

His, not

to pay the expenses

hers.
So there was

of the

sacrifice,

banker in the
The dead wall faced her.
world for Cuckoo.
The horizon was
shut
and
tried to think
and tried to think.
out.
She lay there
How
to
?
the
devil
some
the
Something
get
money
perhaps prompted
no

"

"

"

sleepingJessie

to stir

of the bed.
again at the bottom
Cuckoo
felt
her
stretched
out
against
toes,and suddenly
her thin,half -starved face,and she hid
ran
over
a bitter flood of red
it in the tumbled
The movement
pillow,pressingit down.
the
was
of
an
treacherous
abominable,
attemptedphysicalnegation
thought
How
could it have come
which had juststabbed her mind.
to her,
?
hated
it
She
she
burrowed
further
so
into the pillow,
when
at th"

back
the little dog's

shift

FLAMES

384
time

-:ame

back of Jessie with

the
caressing

Horrible,horrible

thought!

little movements

It

of her

which

brought
these
pillow. It brought a hard beating of the heart. And
manifestations showed plainly
that Cuckoo had not dismissed it yet.
She tried to dismiss it,shutting her eyes up tightly,
shaking her
it
the
But
and
head at
black,venomous
stayed
larger
thing.
grew
Then
and more
dominant.
she took her head from the pillow,
faced
it,and examined it. It was a clear cut, definite thought now, perfectly
finished,
coldlycomplete.
toes.

tears

stained

the

Jessie

was

Long

ago

She's

"

embodied
Cuckoo
show

that

dog.

show

dog

Jessie

she wished

worth

was

and

of money.

sum

pride:
her for nuts."

knew, could

than

more

worthless.

thought.

small

part with

those words

were

horrible

her

from

I wouldn't

she remembered

Now

and

embodied
an
money,
said
had
to Julian with

ing,
help know-

not

At

nuts.

that

moment

the

Then

stingwould be
Jessie sleptcalmlyon,

Meanwhile

drawn
warm

cosy.

cold and trembling. She knew

that she was
Cuckoo was
the
on
had
said
of
starvation.
The
doctor
that
she
could
one
day
verge

help Julian,only she.

not

in

let her do that.

unconscious
sleep,

not starve.
alone would
Love
So she must
her and starvation lay Jessie,curved
Between
that her small future was
being debated with

and with horror.

Long ago the littledog had entered Cuckoo's

tears

Many wretched
they clingwith

there.
whom

lavish upon

nature

to

the

giveto the

can

woman

such

own

fortunate

more

as

dog,

many
the best

dog

to

the

thrones

to

women

subtleties combine

great

give them.

little

poor, the
such
rich
a

has

innocence
at hand
is poor, so much
is wicked, such completenessof attachment
humble
who
is lonely. It is so beautifully
who

woman

who

woman

ready for the

tails to

with
deserted

wicked, and the

women

passion such

their children.

companions

elevate

for

London

heart to be cherished

throne, abased in its own

eyes before the shrine of its
upon
whom
it
for all its happiness. A little
mistress,on
depends entirely
of a little servitor. And
king,perhaps,it has the pretty manners
its

word
with

expresseddesire

lap,with

how

for

small

tion
it be laid upon
its back, in the abjectrenunciaglance
a
nxious
that
of every pretension,
only for the forgiveness
nobody
a

touch

of tenderness

thankful

for in
heart

now

of

can

or

the
no.

in the

it presumes
to be determined
of
the warmth
biscuit
a
or
dryness

when

even

the

deep

toy nature.
shed

thought

over

that

of

any

Ah, there

is much

to be

companion with a tail ! Jessie had winning ways,

dog. A toy dog she was, no doubt, but hers was

Cuckoo
had

could withhold.

toy.
come

could not
For
to

she

have

shed such tears

began

to

cry

her,althoughit was

weakly
not

as

those

at

the

yet

she
mere

become

FLAMES

386
"

What

"

I'm

is it ? " cried Hades.

I'm

goin'out.
Mrs. Brigg ran.
Money ! she
gitit?"
"

"

"

Never

Mrs.

from

keen

small-pox,who

wore

treble.
in

London

broad

fur cap

three

four

Where

"

are

you

going to

dull voice.

she had
old

and

sometimes
terriers,

sometimes

with

man

was
gone.
encountered

face marked

leggings. This

certain
his thickset person
upon
him in the publicview while he

about

money."

and
ejaculations
Brigg'sflooding

thoroughfarea

certain

about
peregrinations

In her
in

said in

mind/' said Cuckoo,

you

She turned

to get some
goin'

rats,which
clinging

walked, and he led

Cuckoo

two.

or

with

individual

veyed
con-

crawled
in

strings

had

with

seen
pup
in conversation with some
swell,
even
young
had noticed that his terriers here to-day
gaily-dressed
women,

were

often gone

him

or

more

than

once

to-morrow, replacedby other dogs,pugs perhaps,or

waddling,bow-leggedDachshund.

And

she had

kindly,that

that

seen

his

trottingdogs

at his hands

noses

errand

was

She

the old man's

and

seemed

drew

her

own

conclusions.

eyes, in his

often

aimed

to claim

his

poacher face,were
sharp,or blunt,
notice. Her morning
their

to him.

walked

him, tremblingwith the fear

of findinghim, inconsistently.
Her
mind, reactingon her ill-fed
a
weariness
body,planted crawling
there,and at last she had to stop
She

and
into

examine

long

time in search of

her

pockets. She
shop,bought a bun and
It nearlychoked
her.

came

upon

it

two

or

three pence,

sittingby

went

marble-topped
it badly.
her pilgrimage. But nowhere
With
one
penny the less she resumed
could she see the old man
in his leggings,
and suddenlya sort of
Fate opposed her cruel
joyfulspasm shook her superstitiously.
resolution.
In a rush of eager contrition she started for home,
as
walking
quicklyas her abnormal
fatiguewould allow her. She
had left the street in which the old man
generallywalked, and took
turned
its
last glancebehind her.
care, as she
corner, not to cast one
She passedthrough the next street,and the next, and was
far away
from
his neighbourhood,rejoicing,
when
him
suddenly she saw
towards
her
t
he
rats
his
shoulders,
slowly,
coming straight
restingon
each
side
of
various small dogs in strings
him.
on
pattering
Cuckoo's heart gave a great thump, and then for an appreciable
fragment of time stoppedbeating. She muttered a bad word under
her breath and had an impulseto flee as from an enemy.
She did
a

table.

not

flee,but stood still like

approached with
stolidly

his

one

ate

Yet

she knew

condemned,

menagerie.

"When

she

needed

while

the

he reached

old

head and looked him in the face. The little dogs

Jumping to reach his hands. Evidentlythey loved him.
lifted her

man

her she
were

"

say,"Cuckoo said huskily.

lifted
old gentleman stopped,

The
it

breast, like

his

on

who

man

his

shoulder, placed
necktie,clicked his

his

arranges

remarked

tongue againsthis teeth,and

Parding lydy."

from

rat

387

JESSIE

OF

SELLING

THE

"

felt

She

swallowed.

Cuckoo

shifting
up and down.
I say,"she repeated.
"

the old

'em," answered
the conjunction.
Buys 'em
lydy !
w^ to mike a living,

buys

'em and

I sells

dear

"

accent

on

her

throat

"

with

man,

sells 'em

and

large
cheap.

"

There's

twinkled
small'eyes

His

ball in

buy toy dogs,eh

You

"

"

had

if she

as

swallowed

Cuckoo

humour

with

ball

The

again.

he

as

in

spoke.

her

throat

getting

was

larger.
"

Want

buy

to

"

morning ?

this

one

she

asked.

"

little

show

dog, eh?"
She

choked.

The

old

did

man

not

to notice it.

appear

sharp consideration.
"
!
selling
Oh, you means
"

he remarked.

looked

He

Where

"

at

her with
?"

is it then

"What?"
"

The

little dawg ? "

show

Cuckoo

her

All this time

her address.

gulped out

his

the

old

had

man

conclusions

from

her
drawing
summing
He scented a possible
thin figureand haggard face.
bargain.
"
with
his
heels
all his little
Trot along,lydy,"he said,turning on
"
I'm
with
Trot
in
commotion.
along.
yer."
dogs
been

heard

Cuckoo

had

who

She,

thought

muffled

lived

of what

in its

out

up, and

she

so

do.

going to

was

chattingabout

old
his

Her

hear

walked

slower

lived

seemed

reached.
"

In

word.
and
so

They

Cuckoo

'ere,lydy ?

At

as

with

she

walked.

shame

at

treacherylaid her
to

entertain

verbal

the

heart

her,

profession,
declaimingthe merits

turned

slower, yet

short.

march

tried

man

his rats, and

spreadingbefore her mind
life
had defiled through his
that
canine
did not

dead

shameless, shivered

winding-sheet.The

they went, by

of

drums

life

own

as

of

of the

panorama

changeful existence. Cuckoo

She
Marylebone Road.

into the

never

length

had
the

the
iron

street

gate

in

which

of No.

400

she
was

stopped.
"

said the old

unable

man.

nodded,
speak. He turned in with his crowd of
dogs,and proceeded jauntily
pattering
path. Cuckoo
up the narrow
and
with
followed
furtive
She
a
slowly
step.
longed to open the
front door, let him
herself.
in, and then run
away
Anywhere,
anywhere, only to be away, out of sightand hearing of the cruel
that was
scene
coming.
She

to

FLAMES

388
Now

they

were

fumbled

for

her

dootstep. The old

latch-key,found it, thrust
the

on

waited.

man

it

the

into

She

door.

Cuckoo's
heard.
guilty
Instantlythe shrill bark of Jessie was
old
of
the
man.
shiningeyes met the twinkling eyes
air.
with a professional
That she a-barkin' ? he inquired,
Cuckoo nodded again.
A nice littlepype,"he rejoined. This wy, is it ?
"

"

"

"

"

the

patter of feet in

The

When

excitement.

frenzied

the littlecreature,

room,

It

gave her

and

her up

snatched

planted tree-like
a

four

tiny feet,
Cuckoo, enteringfirst,
her

upon

air.
sudden,vehement
the

life into

dog

barking her

was

oil-clothed passage roused Jessie to a

Cuckoo opened the door of the sitting-

kiss.

good-bye.

was

who had paused in the

she turned and faced the old man,
him.
the
towards
Transferring
doorway. She held Jessie silently
stringsheld in his righthand to his left,he took the wrigglingdog
her weight,
if considering
as
from Cuckoo, lifted her up and down
her pointswith the quick decision of knowledge.
his eyes over
ran
"
'Ardlya show dawg, lydy,"he said.
Then

flamed at him.

Cuckoo
"

is,then," she

is, she

She

tryingto

find

cried

in the words.

vent

"

vehemently, all

You

shan't have

her

passion

her,you shan't

if"
"

Neow,

She's

neow

sying nothink agin *er,"he interposed.

do yer sy,
much
very pretty dawg. 'Ow

ain't

pretty dawg, a

lydy?"
She looked away.
Cuckoo sickened.
eyes of Jessie at that moment.
"
'Ow much, then ? " repeatedthe

whining Jessie
I dunno

"

The

old

; you

looked

could not

old man,

still

have

met

the

weighing the

down.

say."

price. It was bigger than Cuckoo had

her lips. Then
nodded,moving her tongue across

mentioned

man

expected. She
she

up and

She

away

out

of the

window.

She

heard

the

chink

of

money.
"

she murmured.
it on the table,"
at her.
did so, lookingsteadily
You
feels the parting,
lydy,"he began.

Put

He
"

knows

what

"

Very nat'ral,
very.

it is."

towards Cuckoo.
whining furiously,
he
said.
to sy good-bye,
Want
lydy ?
The old man
shook her head.
Cuckoo
popped Jessie into one cf
of his coat and buttoned the flapdown.
the capacious
side-pockets
Mornin', lydy,"he said,turningtowards the door.
Cuckoo made no reply. Her chest was
heavingand her lipswere
He

"

"

extended

Jessie,now

"

SELLING

THE

working.
of

The
little

the

door

and

moved.
into

out
"

The
"

The

the

Mrs.

Come

came

here,"
there's
"

Brigg

lock

of

money

the

some

the

on

in

called,

door.

with

table.

the

passage.

At
voice

strange

clicked.

gate

feet

pattering
The

hall

She

had

last

Cuckoo

the

sitting-room.

went

lying

leading

Cuckoo,

for

money
it

on

yer

way

into

vulture's

eagerness.

began.

into

her

the

you."

with

she

rushed

in

alacrity.

hasty

"

had

Cuckoo
the

said

pounced
did

'Owever

But
with

lay

the

Brigg."

There

"

pause.

money

of
iron

The

389

heard

oilcloth

the

on

and

passage

landlady

Mrs.

dogs

shut.

JESSIE

Cuckoo

out.

went

man

of

army

opened

never

"

old

OF

the

hand,

bedroom.
and

heard

The

the

landlady

key

turned

stood
in

the

CHAPTER
A

Now

an

MEETING

awful

Cuckoo.
but for

OF

STARVATION

AND

EXCESS

like
loneliness,

Like

the loneliness of the grave, fell round

could have gone out and hanged herself,

Judas, she

thing,the

one

VII

love in her heart that seemed

so

useless.

In

her

and to stifle gnawing thoughts of the

muddled, illogical
way,
betrayedJessie,she dwelt upon this love of hers for Julian. What
had

it

her ?

brought

ever

What

had

it

brought him

To

her it

had

them
She remembered
one
given many sorrows, humiliations.
by one, and they looked at her like ghosts. Her dawning recognition
of her own
to sunrise ; her tearing
degradation,never
yet corne
did,precededby,
jealousywhen Julian went out to do as other men
linked
the
and
with,
knowledge of that dreary incident in which she
played the part of accomplice,that incident which she always
had
started him
believed
his journey to destruction ; her
on
w
ith
Valentine
and
the arrows
plantedin her heart by
acquaintance
she learned from him her own
him ; her despairwhen
impotence,
not
by full trust in herself or in her power
yet counterbalanced
for good,despitethe faith of the doctor ; her vision of the constantly
fallingJulian, of the stone going down in the deep sea ; her
to
the doctor's request to prove her will,
desperate adherence
rewarded
now
by an
apparently useless starvation,and by this
reviewed
she had

of

sale

treacherous

Jessie

she

"

truest, trustiest friend.

Jessie, her

ghostsand

these

knew

no

it

longer prayed but cursed.

now

"

she had

never

been

So

Cuckoo

long as

reallyquite

thought herself hopeless. She had never

Jessie had always
because
been
even
utterly without self-respect,
of clean
deeplyrespectedher and had thus given her little moments
alone.
And
she had never
been absolutely
and cheeringconfidence.
Now
she was
alone,and felt like Judas, a betrayer. By turns she
thought of Julian lost and of Jessie sold to strange hands, strange
often
hopeless,

hearts,in
think

much

as

cruel
or

she had

and

often

of

bitter world.

But

herself,for Cuckoo

even
was

now
no

she did nob

egoist.

Her

the despairof any good woman

have
very lack of egoism must
and starved and betrayed
her.
She sat at home
tryingto rescue
been

MESTltiG

because

not

now,

the street,not
owes

she had

because

dogged determination
would

Cuckoo
earned

gone
for Mrs.

the rent

two

or

back

buy

to

wool

cotton

to do

into

into

out

The

ears

for

food

and

soul

of

as

and
herself,

woman

old,and
sovereign

of her life had

circumstances

of her

of

men

by the
; but simply moved
for Julian.
Were
Julian dead

again
Piccadilly

Brigg, and

Jessie.

the

any

something

have

391

from the touch of the

idea of the great duty a

herself pure

keep

to

"

EXCESS

AND

STARVATION

egoism shrank

her

herself

to

OF

rendered

stuffed

it deaf

the

to

voices that govern

Cuckoo
was
pathetically
good women.
incomprehensible
she
in mind.
because
twisted
was
pathetically
people,
heaven.
But her heart grew straightand surelytowards
sale of Jessie had brought in enough money
The
to keep Mrs.
little
for
but
her claim,
not
to
a
while,
Brigg quiet
enough
satisfy
againstCuckoo or to give Cuckoo food. It went as an instalment
towards
the rent.
Now
the landlady began to clamour
and
[again,
Cuckoo
her
reached
One
a
was
night
starving.
literally
despair
point of crueltywhich drove her out into the street,not for the old
to most

head

to

the

her

foot

soul.

shone

It

cheeks

impetus

to

mark

deaf and

and

Jessie been

The

little

her

made

when

empty

were

the

red

useless

was

"

longer
a fashion,
yet

not

heart,

will the

like

was

I'll starve
did

her

limbs,flushed

thought,her

to

body,

in her

pulsed

Cuckoo

not

or

from

armour

miserable

her tired

mind

her

in this desolation.

in

obstinr cy seemed

Her

tingled in

for

"

him."
her at

concern

those

hollow

seemed

ghosts.
by an active despair.
her still she could have stayed within
doors.
and regularbreathing,her occasional rustling
justenough music to keep Cuckoo still faintly
even

saw

dull in

with

had

singingeven
which

no

dog'sfaint

movements

eyes,

blood,gave

time

She

Had

and

hollow

starvation

her

this moment.

life

its wages.
reallylived in

containingthe everlastingmurmur,

Whether
blind

sheathed

was

surelyobstinacywhich

was

with

Cuckoo

and

that

in her

her thin

shell

that.

againsb sin

only thing

miserable
which

all for

at

not

reason,

heart

her

of all song,

seemed

flannel

driven

saddest.

was

Now

her

like blood

Cuckoo

and

room

Jessie's untenanted

and
to

She

"

basket
was

her
in

"

spectre

vision of hell.
this

night,Cuckoo put on her hat and jacket. She meant

anywhere, just to move, to be in the open air. As
into the passage she ran
she went
against Mrs. Brigg. The gas jet
a
nd
the
was
alight,
landladycould see how she was dressed. Suddenly
and began slobberingher with kisses.
Mrs. Brigg fell on Cuckoo
old wretch
The
even
began to whimper. She had been sore
and
have
had
must
a
tried,
fragment of affection for Cuckoo
So

to go

on

out, to walk

somewhere

her, and

about
the

her

tears

prospect of money

For

nature.

she

now

coming

she

did

let fall were

into

her,

but

not

want

prompted
also of

to
not

part with

only by

pleasure in

the

FLAMES

392

like the mother

Cuckoo
did not

She
not entirely
gone to the bad.
evil
child
return
from
its
her
sees
way.
without
her away
Mrs.
a
word, violently.

Cuckoo

thought that

had

wept

who

thrust

fell

the action,but

resent

againstthe

Brigg
sobbing

wall

passage
"

!
while Cuckoo
murmuring, My precious,my chickabiddy
lady,
banged the hall door and went out into the night. Then the landof
sacred
bolted
her
moved
down
to
pardon,
impulse
by a
in her larder.
She
kitchen and began to rummage
enthusiastically
and
had
knew
to starving,
had
Cuckoo
been near
supportedthe
knowledge with great equanimitywhile this prodigaldaughterchose

and

"

in wicked

of idleness.
trembling hands, and made

to wander

calf with

in Cuckoo's

supper

parlourto

porter,the

bacon, the

pot

symbols of

pardon and

she sang
"

her

set

to

as

out

her return.

on

butter,all

bread, the
And

she killed the fatted

now

haste

welcome

of peace !

reverend
The

Mrs.

were

she laid them

on

cold

Brigg's

the table

In 'er 'air (whimper]

she

Dark

It

of

But

ways

like

was

(whimper]was

blue

wore

the

service
religious

a white
cam-eelyer,
colour of 'er heye." ( Whimper.")

with

one

devout

worshipper.

#*#####

Meanwhile
very

walked

Cuckoo

still and

very

damp.

frost had

spendingtheir brightnesson clouds that

roof to poor human
beingswho could not
the

unnatural,

and

so

almost

of due season,
them
it would
as

suddenlyout
exhausts

Cuckoo, faint with

It

slowlyalong.
The

dark

The

gone.

were
see

was

carpet

them.

unpleasant,warmth

night,

stars

were

them, a

to

In the air

was

that, coming

strikes at the health of many

people,and
in
of summer.
exhaust
them
time
never

hunger, fainter yet with

felt

intensely
she was
fatigued. She did not consider where
going, but just
walked on slowlyand heavily
profiting
; but the habit of her life,
by
her unconsciousness,
led her towards
that long street in which she
had passedhours which, if added together,
would have made a large
drew her to it,as the whirlpool
draws
part of her existence. Piccadilly
the thing which inadvertently
touches even
the furthest outpost of
its influence.
upon the
and with

Presently she

was

kerb, cryingnewspapers,

sorrow,

Circus.
The
little boys
greetedher with excited comments
at

the

laughter. They had missed her for so long that they had
imagined her ill,
perhapsdead. Seeing her turn up again,they were
ardour
full of greedy
for her news.
They put to her searchingand
in
She
did
hear them.
Soon she was
not
opprobriousquestions.
realised that she was
not
the midst of the crowd.
Yet she scarcely
alone.
had
mask

No

mechanical

the
forgotten
that
of vie?,

smile

came

to

her

face.

It seemed

as

if she

the frigid
old wiles of the streets,put off for ever
old
freezes young blood yet makes
blood sometimes

FLAMES

394
Now

hair.

his

eyes glanced up at Cuckoo

rapidlywinking lids. She stared at him.

nervouslyunder
Alf. Heywood
"

"

"

you

shook

"Green

with

Mr.

meaning.
ment,
millineryestablishgive you that green dress.

in Brentoii's

was

Him

as

her head.
white

emphasis.
Suddenly Cuckoo
White

as

"

recall ?

Cuckoo

"

repeated,without

she

Yes, yes ; Alf. Heywood,

top of Regent Street.

Don't

lace

said

; no, it

Heywood

was

was

it," he

on

continued, with

yellow."
delightedat

Eh

"

Sorry to

see

hoped

was

say

own,

know, turned

over

the

error

to

come

see

"

as

you

another,then

one

and

be broken

Heywood and
shattered it to fragmentsin very
A
sudden
thrill ran
through the crowd, coming
People began to pause, to turn their heads, to

distance.
to

murmur

married, you

of my

despairwas not to
Fate
respectability.

different fashion.
a

to

on.

of

his new-found
from

I'm

children

two

I
of my ways.
walked
Cuckoo
dream

here.

you

leaf,with

Her

I wanted

what

"

"

new

of recollection.

this evidence

So it was, so it was," he said. " But

that I'm sorry to see you here still."

nervous

"

rather

pale brown

craningtheir necks

Mr.

in

forward

press

direction,

one

sight of something. The street

ment,
and
almost
blocked
Cuckoo
was
was
entangledin this seethingexciteof which at first she could not divine the cause.
Presently
fierce yellcut
The crowd swayed. Then
she heard shouts.
a man's
with
the sharpness of a knife.
the general murmur
Suddenly
in the direction
Cuckoo's dream fled. She pushed her way forward
and
of the cry ; she struggled; she crept under
arms
glided
and
swiftness.
with
extraordinary
dexterity
through narrow
spaces
He's mad," she heard a voice say.
No ; only drunk."
as

if to

to

by

catch

"

"

"

He'll kill the other fellow if he

"

The

Cuckoo
came

She

in

the
a

in

him

on

minute."

but she passedthe voices and

effort,
had yelled Julian.
who
of the crowd, the man

panting with

was

upon
saw

will be

coppers

gets at him."

core

her

"

that he

moment

mad

was

strangers

torn

of the

street

struggledfuriouslyto
the

pavement with

"

were

holding

attack another
smile of keen

His

with drink.

was
; his evening clothes were
Apparently he had fallen while getting out of

his coat

cab.

Two

who

contempt.

faced him
This

man

off ;

was

with

mud.
men

while

forciblyback

him

man,

hat

covered

"

he

calmly or
was

Valen-

tine.

Julian

threats

of

her.

Then

her

his

the
shiver

to

and

towards

him,
Let

"

Leave

him

The

from

drew

address

"

and

to

He's

one

cab

and

the

seat.

step

him

worse.

awed
of

by

this

leaned

man

nod

drove

it.

"

of

she

her
off

spectral

girl

Just

he

said,

head.
into

the

out

He's

darkness.

after

in

cab

thick

her

my

man.

in

of

corner,

this

by

yelling

Cuckoo

gave
his

up
if

as

silence,
half

watched

him,

whipping

the

was

to

word

her

the

black.

was

of

drawing
"

after
in

silence

abrupt

as

heap

in

got

the

forward

in
!

man

She

alighted
uttered

not

staggered
in

collapsed

cabman.

she

my

with
The

the

away,

really

on

touch

to

drive

began

made

just
had

who

He

it.

cab

seemed

the

at

towards

the

half

who

crowd,

He

make

only

apparently

Cuckoo,

kerb-stone.

Julian
into

floor,

the

looked

lips.

Valentine

You'll

had

Julian

which

the

by

stumbled

recognised

interposed.
"

said.

they

he

strike

to

man

his

upon

foot.

to

wild

her."

to

up

yet,

head

crowd

the

in

some

alone,"

cab

drawn

as

but

him

died

if

as

drunken

The

curses

her

on

seemed

excess.

the

from

tremble

to

his

and

jeered.
turned

It

side.

of

and

woman,

and
He

arm.

his

by

veil

the

starving

by

fell

arm

through

even

on

Julian

caught

the

395

him

at

curses

listened

crowd

The

murder.

Cuckoo

incoherent

screaming

was

EXCESS

AND

STARVATION

OF

MEETING

the

on

the

man
madher

horse

to

crowd
"

eyebrows
I'll

see

together,
to

him."

VIII

CHAPTER
AN

THAT

AWAKENING

drive in the

taken
in silence.
night was
Julian,a crumpled
heap of degraded humanity, slept. Cuckoo watched over
him, half
thin
him
with
in
Exultation
shone
her eyes
one
arm.
supporting
and beat in her heart.
The glory of being alone with this drunken
his
his
creature,
guide,lay round the girllike a glory of
protector,
heaven.
at his white face,and
As she looked
kerchief
pressed her handagainstthe blood that trickled from his forehead,wild tears
of triumph, passionatetears of joy and determination,swam
in her
She felt at last the pride and the self-respect
of one
who
eyes.
was
a
justification
possesses a will,and who has exercised it. That
of life to her mind.
had
her
to
the
to
even
Something
given
power
snatch this man
the jaws of dark London, to carry
to herself from
him off,a succoured prey, from that world laughing at his degradation.
cab and touched
in the rattling
She bent over
him
his face
that a kiss ? She, who
with her lips. Was
had known
so
many
forth
of
w
ondered.
the
her
It
to
soul
was
kisses,
going
purifywith
flame the thing it loved.
Julian.
The
cab stopped;Cuckoo
shook
He
stirred uneasily,
and
shut
his
them
into
opened
something that
again,relapsing
eyes

seemed
to

rather

come

house
"

and

He'll

grin of

sort of fit than

help her.

and

laid him

out

to

all

come

knowledge.

nothing."
He
paused for
she had

no

his

"

upon

slumber.
them

the

She

they

horse-hair

right,lady,"said
There's

many

thought

called to the cabman

carried

Julian

into the

sofa.

the

cabby,with a pleasant
like that. It ain't

it takes

then

payment, and
The

money.

Between

did not

Cuckoo
worry

remembered
her ; it seemed

that
too

far off.
"

I ain't

got

no

money,"she

said.

Cabby'sjaw dropped.
"

Wait

The
who

man

had

second,"she added.
withdrew

never

"

Go

then
doubtfully,

yet taken money

from

out, I'llget some."

Cuckoo

robbed

Julian.

She,

him, stole the priceof his fare

AWAKENING

AN
to her

door

protection. Then

and

returned.
And

sleep.

felt that

she

the street

out, locked

cabman

still appeared to
starving. She

by Julian,who

sat down

suddenly

now

let the

she

She

397

she

was

nothing upon the table. Mrs.

had been seized in the claws of
Brigg,an hour after her song of praise,
reaction,and had repentedof her generosity. Suspicionsand doubts
She bethought herself
obscured
the previousrapture of her mind.
that Cuckoo
to
return
alone, still penniless
might chance
; she
looked

round

remembered

the

there

room,

the rent

was

stillowing.

kill fatted calves

impulse to

Her

As locusts clear a
suddenlystruck her as the act of a madwoman.
smilingcountry of all that nourishes, she swept the table of Cuckoo
clear,impounding to her larder with trembling,eager hands the food
that might never
have been
paid for. Thereupon she went to bed,
nodding her old head, and muttering to herself with pursedlips.
So the eyes of Cuckoo
looked in vain for something to stay the
by Julian.
bodily misery that stole upon her as she watched
Starvation
strippedaway all the mists from her soul and left it
with
the burdened
soul it loved.
naked
Despite her increasing
conscious graduallyof a light and airy
pain of body,Cuckoo was

delicacy of sensation

that

touched

with

something magical.
strangely pure, as if her deeds,
hunger
which for years had clung round her like a brood of filthyvampires,
from
her one
were
falling
They dropped down into
by one.
away
the night; she was
And, despitefaint
mounting into freedom.
awful

This

made

agonieswhich
felt

never

at

sat down

in

hers
never

known

And

she

had

taken

from

she

that

had

could

own.
aware

in

of

him
his

have

she

wept

from

understood,
atom

of

fallen

her

has

knees

Cuo^oo

the

dawn

bent

down

Julian
to hear

stirred

them.

and
But

she
the

had

ever

innocence

tipsy,degraded,
hers.

was

fulness,
blessingand thankthat
she
only
degrees she forgotthat
ecstasyof pure passion
conscious

murmured
he

his

in

starving,forgoteverything in an
pride,an ecstasy that brought food,rest, calm

In

in

world,that

great glory

happiness

beautiful

so

The

once,

this

her

was

and

was

little that

And

evil.

baptized

of

him

nest, she alone.

thankfulness.

left

She
One

sleep,even

and hatefulness,
he
ugliness

have

upon
all her tribe of sorrows,
crowned
and
throned.
By

woman

in her

the

mind.

great rush of

there

of
forgetful
was

little act

drunken

everything,the very
purity that every creature
never

get away
her

had

from

herself in him.

her

abandoned, tragic
She

Even

of

she could

the
possessed,

to

The

was

For she had

him.

condition

that

her

him, absorbed
her

her, she

overwhelm

to

led

body by leaningutterlyupon

before.
loved

massacred
to her

Instinct

by Julian,bent over
she took gently in
her mind, and
she

his hands

feel

threatened

moments

of her

consciousness

her

happy.

so

was

to her.

incoherent

sleptagain.

And

words.
as

the

FLAMES

398

grew, the lightand airyfeelingwithin her grew, with it,till

soft billowing
in the air and among
she seemed to be floating
clouds.
of
the
At first there was
lightthrough them, light
sun, strong and
And
darkness
But
then
and
beautiful.
it faded.
came,
strange
dawn

of waters
as
like far-off voices,and a murmur
and
rushing upon her. They reached her.

sounds
volume

and

her hands
The

thought she

waters

her

swept

deepeningin
She

put

out

cried out.

away.

******
"

Cuckoo

"

She's

"

Give

comin'

me

some

What

she's

"

coinin' to."
then."

water

more

!"

Cuckoo

is it ?

felt it very cold upon her face,and fancied at first that it

But
the darkness parted,
rushingwaters of her dream.

Cuckoo
those

was

Cuckoo

showing her two faces close together,one old and withered and
yellow,one young but white and lined. At firstshe looked at them
without recognition.Again she felt the cold drops of water dashing
and then she knew
Mrs. Brigg and
againsther cheeks and lips,
and that it was
Julian,and she saw her littleroom
morning and light.
towards
She
the table.
glancedwearily
They helpedher to sit up.
"

What

"

Food

Horror
"

is it Cuckoo

"

Julian said.

she whispered,faintly.
starving,"

; I'm

written

was

his face.

the devil does she

What

Starving!

on

mean

"

Brigg,who suddenly shrank away muttering:

I'llget it."
I'llget something; breakfast"
He was
Julian looked dazed.
from his
only recoveringgradually
He

turned

Mrs.

on

"

drunken

stupor.

he repeatedvacantly,staringat Cuckoo,
Starving starving,"
said nothing more, only lay back, trying to understand
things

"

"

who
and

to be

the mists and

from

to emerge

floating.PresentlyMrs.

the table with

noises in which

she

still seemed

Brigg returned and shuffled about

face,layingbreakfast. The teapot

furtive,contorted

smoked.
Come

"

along my

began the
dearey,"

old creature.

He brought Cuckoo
tea
thrust her out of the room.
her
At
firstshe
had
and
lips.
her,put the cup to
scarcely
she began to revive and then
the strengthto swallow,but presently

But

Julian
food,fed

and

ate

drank

so

ravenouslythat Julian,even

in his vague

condition,

appalled.

was

Good

"

He

sat

God, it'strue ! " he said.

by

her

turningthis

You

He

eat

shook

too,"she said.
his head.

Cuckoo

piercingmatter

strangeness helpedto sober him.

"

"

starving!
over

in his mind.

Its

AWAKENING

AN

399

Yes, yes,"she insisted feverishly.

sort of attempt at breakfast, and felt
a
To pacifyher he made
the
for it. Together they progressedslowly towards
the better
Cuckoo
lay back, feeling
over.
was
last the meal
At
normal.
Julian's
eyes were
wonderfully better and calm and happy. But
searchinghers insistently.
''Youve
he said.
got
have you been doing Cuckoo?"
"What
of
it
?
to tell me.
Starving! What's the meaning
"

"

voice sounded

His

I ain't

"

got any

threatening.

and
angry
money," she said.
almost

"Why?"
didn't

She

answer.

I say ? " he repeated.

Why
she said simply.
"
I've give up the street,"
Because
"
"
Cuckoo !
Given up the street
heavilyupon one of hers.
He laid his hand down
"
?"
Since when
how long."
"
It don't matter
Oh
a little while.
"

"

"

He sat glancingabout the room.

"
"
Where's Jessie ? he asked suddenly.

crying.
to,"she sobbed.

burst out
Cuckoo
"
I had to" I had
"
"
To do what ?

part with her."

"

To

"

What

sold Jessie ! "

You've

settinghis

all his vagueness,

! " he
Jessie"7sold

"

"youdone

have

why

I didn't know

"

Tell

this?

to do to

Once

I knew

was.

you

asked

you

with

Julian nodded,
"
go
so thinks I

"

"

"

tell

get

at once."

me

never

like

you didn't
Remember

to.

away

you

I didn't

"

as

not

me

me

her sobs.

what

flushingscarlet.
presently,
where

"

exclaimed

to control

She strove

ing
righthome to him, banishfeet
its
mind
on
firmly.
loud
voice.
in
a
Cuckoo,
again,

last fact struck

This

Julian stood up.

see
me

from

him," she srtid

; I didn't know
goin'on the street.

you

"

piercinggaze on her.
I'll keep away ; p'rapsit'llget
a

back."

him

"Me?"
He

seemed

He

wonder
so

with

sat down

white

to understand

face.

what

of the lady of the

All

he had

never

the
feathers,

him

about

mystery

her.

that had

him.

that

She

was

flame.

drawn

him

He

"

emotion

was

before,the

understood

caught her in his arms.

Oh Cuckoo, Cuckoo," he said,brokenly. " You
laid his lipson hers,and
He
pressed her mouth

strangelyto

there

almost

clung to him

an

with

assault.
her thin

And
arms.

still the

love me."
in

fire

passion of
was

about

FLAMES

400

That's it ! " she

whispered,in replyto his words.

in silence,
felt her heart beating,the piteous
round
him.
tenuityof her littlebody, the weak grasp of her arms
with
him
crescendo
These thingsbroke upon
of meana
one
ing
by one
to him
like a great revelation,
that came
shod with flame,
came
like flame.
winged with flame,moving in flame,warm
You
starved for me, sold Jessie for me," he whispered.
How
"

Julian

held

her

"

"

"

I love you !
I love you ! How
And
he crushed her close in an embrace
The door-bell rang.
Julian let Cuckoo
"

has

He

The

door

"

of

the

almost

brutal.

go.

looked

him

at

with

piteous,
greedy

tioning.
ques-

answer.

opened. They

room

both

turned

towards

it.

entered.

thought I
"Are

door.

was

he said.

now," he said in

I hate him

Valentine

me,"

it too, and

She knew
"

for

come

that

you

"

Better ?

"

Last

find you here," he

better,Julian ? "

should

I have

"

I had

the

"

nightyou

"

said,stopping near

were

not

yourself."

myselffor

long time,"Julian replied.

change."
Julian made
into his
no
reply. A dogged expressionhad come
still sitting
he took her hand
close to Cuckoo.
face. He was
Now
little nearer, as if urged
moved
in his. As he did so, Valentine
a
by a sudden impulse. He bent down to gaze into Cuckoo's face,and
uttered
"

The

been

not

not

noticed any

short exclamation.
battle ! " he said.

almost of awe
had come
expression
half
he hesitated,
turned
even
he recovered
then, with a strong effort,

into

An

moment

"

Come, Julian

"

I will not

"

I have

calm.)

himself and

again fixed

"

We

cab
had

waiting." (Valentinespoke
arrangedto go to Magdalen's."
here

"

I won't

go

to

with

her.

an

iron

am

half

killing
myself."
and
pulled himself up short,then cried out savagely,
:
despairingly
!
me
No, by God, you are killing
He began to tremble,and looked towards Cuckoo
as
a
man
who seeks for refuge.
You
are
treatingme very strangely,Julian," Valentine
"

his

come."

am

He

"

But

! " he said.

Julian uttered an oath.

devil !" he exclaimed.
"That
dead.

for

Julian.

on

eyes

as

his eyes, and

slink away.

if to

half

"

looks
said

FLAMES

402
The

touch
girl's

his hands,like fire. He

on
strangelywarm
for that flame that now
eyes, seekingpassionately

was

looked up into her

he began vaguelyto connect
"Or is he
?"
Julian

still gazing
hesitated,

Cuckoo.
"

with the Valentine

You

right. He

are

at

said

SuddenlyValentine

the

he had

white

and

lost.
face of

weary

loudly:

is dead."

laughed aloud.
I killed him," he said, when
I took his place. Julian,you
shall know
what the lady of the feathers knows already,
what
now,
will can
human
when
with
it
is
content
it
a
when
do,
itself,
utterly
is trained,
perfected.I came
developed,
throughMarr to Valentine.
He
"

"

Marr."
Marr ! " Julian said
"And
Marr, too, was

was
"

slowly.

"

You

!"

Valentine
Like
he was
not
of discontent was
tunity.
my opporI expelled
his will,
for mine was
strongerthan his. I lived
in his body until the time came
for me
to be with you.
Have you
"
read of vampires?
ever
with

content

himself.

Julian muttered

His

my
prey.
weakness

hoarse assent.

seemed

He

bound

by

strange

inert,paralysedalmost.
spell,
"There
are
vampires in the modern world who feed not upon
bodies but upon souls,wills. And each soul they feed upon givesto
them greaterstrength,
the earth. Who
knows?
a longerreignupon
One of them in time may compass eternity."
He seemed to tower up in the littleroom, to blaze with triumph.
"

When

a man
go down, sink into the mire, and you say :
it is a vampire
has come
under a bad influence '
who feeds upon his soul,who sucks the blood of his will. Sometimes
the
the vampire comes
in his own
a mask
form, sometimes he wears
mask
of a friend's form and face. The influences that wreck men
the vampires of the soul at work, Julian,at work."
are
*

he

you

is weak

see

he

"

"

"

His

face

terrible.

was

Julian

from

shrank

it.

He

turned

to

Cuckoo.
"

They

feed

on

women,

too,"he said.

"

On

the souls of

women.

Women
and a chimera.
Men
say that
say that magic is a dream
such
miracles are
there
never
were
things. But the
past,or that
in a
of sin is magical. The death of beauty and of innocence
power
The
is
soul is a miracle. My power over
bondage
you, Julian, magic.
with me."
Come
of your soul to mine is a miracle.
"

I will not

But

and

come."
Julian's face,his whole

degradedirresolution.

betokened
attitude,

This

man,

more
despitehimself. He felt once
findingit,spokeagain more
firmly:

this

for the

the most

piteous

creature, governed him

hand

of

Cuckoo, and,

AWAKENING

AN

"

I'll not

come,"

Valentine

seemed
"

in

cast

draw

to

Only
the

shall
I'll

air.
"

In

the

dark

too,

and

it"

then

Come

I'll
seek

the

then,
He

And

dark.
Julian
turned

I'll

the

her.

no

said.

"

went

I'll

it

find

lost

it

Valentine
him

went

again.
into

out.

the

again."

seek

the

fear

again

find

flame

Valentine.

But

"

in

but

night

him,
That

doctor.

her."

answer.

At

for

seek

love

Cuckoo,

upon

made

"

"

and

with

stay

He

Julian

it

"

in

I'll

glance

him.

to

come,"

come

"

malign

near

find

said.

I'll

once

dark.

Cuckoo

he

403

dark

will

destroy

I, too,
you.

was

Till

with

you

to-night

IX

CHAPTER
LAST

"THE

THAT
the

SITTING"

evening Julian drove Cuckoo

they scarcelyspoke. The
way

down

Victoria

to

Street.

On

summoned

doctor,
senger,
by a mesHe, although ignorantof what had
Julian
and
passed between
Valentine, was
deeply expectant.
Cuckoo
exhausted
the
of
her
Julian
was
vigilover
by
sleepless
night

and

the

by

his avowal
When

like

of him

perhaps.
to

us

be

hunted,
still.

Valentine's
The

face

was

burst

her with

upon

seemed

clear calmness

kept

was

manner

teristic
generallycharac-

so

by the flood of his triumph

away
and his appearance
was
so
haggard
who
observant.
There was
was
a

nervous,

engrossing to
fearful look

His

gay.

tempestuous.
had vanished, swept

Julian

He

had

pain,that

by Julian, she looked

glidingwearily through twilight. The doctor was

Valentine.

ardent,almost

like

his savage embrace.

the tent-room
entered
followed

with

shadow

there with

them.

joy,almost

severe

and
she

before

there

was

any one
in his eyes.

His

close to Cuckoo.

He

hands

were

held

even

for

never

her

hands

moment

as

he

sat

by her, and she felt that his were

the doctor, who
observed
him

burning hot. He scarcelynoticed

his
watched
closely. Valentine
feverish excitement
with laughing eyes.
Of those four people he
alone
seemed
entirelyuntouched
by any deep emotion, entirely
of himself.
Dr. Levillier was
master
For
even
curiouslymoved
that night, and
unable
to suppress
of ^abnormal
trace
was
every
emotion.

They sat down.

explainedthat he

There
had

were

remembered

no

flowers

in the

Cuckoo's

Valentine

room.

faintingfit

and

feared

its renewal.
"lam

afraid

still

scarcelyyourself,"he added, with a

too elaborate to be agreeable.
You are looking
was
pale and tired. You are sure to sleepagain."
I'll not sleepto-night,"
she answered, showing none
of her usual
you

are

solicitude that

"

"

fear of him.
The
avowed

assertion
love for

of her

will,her momentary

her, his clingingto her

of

rescue
as

to

Julian,Julian's

refuge
"

all these

"THE

LAST

SITTING"

405

things,so Cuckoo thought,built up in her a great fearlessness. In

she felt strong. Her
her bodilyweakness
faded, weakly frame held
And
she
now
a
finelyconscious.
large spiritof which she was
intense
these
to
attributed this leapingspirit,
so
brave, so
things,
facts of which

these
behind

she could

all there

them

was

make

of itself.

How

unsuspected,unheeded.
crisis,although there had

been

them

perhaps,but

of its voice had

and
saw

not

foe.

his real

did

Julian

know

that

her

the
past when
stirred her to wonder

and

looked

in this

the

in

Valentine, to

And

did not

recogniseit

not

moments

stolen upon

to perturbation.And

She

inspiringher, through
power
often is the power
behind
the

Cuckoo

throne

murmur

list.

motive

the

whom

only

combat

came,

into Cuckoo's

faded

? At present he
And
Dr. Levillier
eyes for refuge,for comfort.
could only wait patientlyin the
hope, doubtful, fragmentary of
revelation.
Conversation

that

of Valentine

defiance

and
night was
disjointed.Cuckoo's
uneasy
Julian's
was
fully apparent.
fear,obviously
of his former fi'iend,
shone clearly. There
was

grown
up to hatred
nakedness
about
the
a
man

that

to

notice it
add

of both

manners

and
disquieting

was

to

or

be

moved

tired

unusual.

by

it.

woman

and

shattered

Valentine

did

not

Indeed

it

his

pleasure an unnatural
revelry in
Levillier,
glancing from him to Julian, found himself

to

to

remembrances
the

dog

of the

of

seemed
man.

and

Hip

to be

Valentine.

The

terror

watched

both

with

divan,gazingat
that he

Cuckoo

as

one

fullyawake

who
to the

aspiresto

the
and

salvation.

of

hate
drew

half stretched

of his

in

hate

the
and

smiling eyes

draughts of power from that fountain of horror.

At last conversation
failed entirely. Julian was
the

involved

and

reproduced vividlyin the terror

Valentine

seem

might be supposed
Dr.
being hated.

It

on
was

own
situation,
in
piercedthe depths of the abyss into which he had fallen,
which
he lay crippled,
Yet a hope had dawned
prisoned,ruined.
on
him with the dawning of the full knowledge of his fall,
of his fantastic
The
self-deception.
great love in this woman's
eyes shone
down
into the abyss,shone
from
that face pinched by starvation.
There
Heaven
in it. There was
the flame.
was
Yes, he saw it now,
in
the
its
not literally
when
as
mystery had plunged him
past days,
its presence
in awe, when
had touched
with
him
a
great fear,but
flames of help,and of faith,
and of purity,
as men
see
imaginatively,
in
the
of
the
shining
good women
they worship, with the
eyes
of earth for the distant wonder
of the sky. He
it
reverence
saw
without
with
but
of
a
a sharp consciousness
fear,
passion desire,
now,
of his degradation,
like a storm.
that swept over
him
And
even
yet, in this new
knowledge,this rapture of awakening,he was still
feared he was, to this strangerwith the face of a
a bond-slave,
or

apparent
that he

was

terror

FLAMES

406
with

friend,this enemy

Only

Cuckoo

salvation

could

the

him,

save

presence of his former guardian angel.

he said to himself,if indeed the day of

ago past only Cuckoo.

in her eyes.
the
shone
And
where
flame
sins,

many
there alone

long

not

were

was

the shadow

even

of those eyes.
In the silence that had
said

them, and
"We
are
"
have it ?
Yes

"
"

come

supposed

be

to

"

help,a

upon

his

shadow

despiteher

the flame shone

within the shadow

guests Valentine

turned

to

Julian sat up
cushions.
if

for

here

last

sitting.Well,

shall

we

sitting."

"

last ?

Because

of

For

yes,"Julian said,

"

Why"

"

"

the

on

his hands

divan,and

were

clenched

I'll giveit up.

nothing happens to-night,
if Cuckoo sleeps

on

the

I'llnever

"

sit again. And

He paused.
"
She will sleep,"
Valentine

said.

"

I have

the power

to make

her."
"

No," said Cuckoo.

"

Don't

you
"It seemed
And

"

think

"

the other

so

with

Julian ? "
"You're

so, doctor?

night,"the
sittingmy power

each

fond

very

of

doctor answered.
will increase.
Do

talkingabout

your

power,"

you

hear,

Julian

said

roughly.
No.

"

I may

But

be very fond

of

it. Why
exercising

help me,

"

?
then, by sitting

Julian began to look doubtful.

banteringtone.
Could it be that all was
changed,that there was
only danger in this
in
thus
the
lost
to
darkness
for
that
act,
hope,lost safety,
a
grope
lost Valentine, with love, trust, beauty still clingingabout him,
further into a deepeningnight? It might be so.
to stumble
was
!
And if Cuckoo
slept
Valentine
smiled at this waveringapproachof indecision. But
Dr. Levillier said decisively
:
I wish to sit. It interests me.
Send me
to sleep,
too,if you
He

spoke

in

"

can,
"

Cresswell."
I

The

will,"Valentine
doctor

saw

gloryof power and

glory,even seemed

him
of
to

answered

lightly. Come."
in the light,
with a
standing for a moment
his
and
remembered
that
triumph upon
face,
see

it,a

"

clear

vision,when

darkness

room.

Out of the darkness came

the
"
it said.
The last sitting,"

murmur

of

voice.

filled the

Julian

before,the

doctor

hands.

their

him

of his

thoughts
night of the year.
notes

He

to know.

was

soon

as

again the notes of

to-nightthey seemed
from

if blared

egoism

within

lady of

They

Litany.

and

No
No

listen.

to

destined to be

His

cold.
He

that

doctor

mere

echo

his
this

like

that Valentine
this

Litany.

him

him,

the

the demeanour
He

heard

at

as

night

not

was

first

at

was

sadness
in

gulf
came

cloud

if

as

the

bridged

of

great catastrophe.

some

him

finds the

on

him

and

of the
roused the

valour,crying:

to stir

there
a

limb

of that which
the

trust

tide

mighty

while
anythingis irrevocable,
with

It

fury of
to bend

he has dwelt

thought struck

strength in
battle-cry,

this

that

quered
con-

of his life illbuilded upon the quicksand.

of his distress and
instantlybecame aware

like the call of circumstance

that

along alone

lute, had

his

who

man

knowledge swelled
And

one

bold

the

hear

to

to creep

triumph. A tremendous
thought, envelopinghim

fainted within

wept

crowd

had

Valentine

that

then

rift in

before,
of shrill

band

him
like
stole upon
little
those
ghosts
To-night

seemed

knew

his heart.

upon

fears that

vague

of its forerunner.

the

the faith in which

fancied
tho

with

heart

could have

founded,
He

The

still to

wondered.

presently
that
sometimes,hesitating,

feathers.
It

night echoed

doctor

brass

it,

heard,the

remembered

He

broken

longer did they

longerdared even

closed

doctor

the

by

in

act

strident than

veritable

As

touched

night farther
The

Litany stole

listened.

not.

his trial and

between
upon

had

Valentine

louder,more

been

the

came

that

mutual

far this

it echo

held

assailed

been

them.
the

that

Litany had

the

laid.

were

him

and

thinkinghe

of minds

Valentine's
to

doctor

The

it.

had

ghostsfrom

soul

that the former

Valentine

So

Would

Once
And

hearing,or

companions.

of this music

the ultimate

this

of

the facultyof

voices of the
the last

followed.

Valentine

darkness,and

the

before

and

Julian

sat between

As

developedin

407

speaker. Nobody replied. Silence

the

was

SITTING"

LAST

"THE

"

is breath
?"

Then

in

man

Will

in him

man

to

him,
say

give the

the faintness left

is ashamed.

without

of the

music

fear,but

The

cold cloud

with

a
Litany
great
lightningsilence through it,with a fine hatred that
destroyedhis former hopelessness. This blatant will that sang ever
the song of self,
that had no
desire but to itself,
no
glorybut in its
own
deeds, no aim but to impress itself upon some
slave,some
Julian
of this world, stood before the doctor's imaginationlike a
like the devil of whom
and
a devil embodied, more,
men
personality,
women
religionprays, and strives and rears
speak, against whom
and
consecrates
priests. Egoism developedto the
great churches,
utmost
limits,is that the Devil ? The doctor asked himself the
question,and the great shadow that dogs the steps of life went
by

evaporated.

desire to strike

him

on

its black mission in the likeness of Valentine

singing.And

FLAMES

408
all the modern

"
stood stillto hear and whispered
Hark ! It
:
is an angelsinging! If we but echo the song we
touch the stars.
If we
but echo the song we, who
of time, shall know
are
weary
but
If
the
echo
shall
eternity. we
laygriefto rest beneath
song we

roses, and

many
of

world

We

joy.

draw

lifted up
discord.
The

sing and

shall

world

its sculptured
sepulchrethe radiant form

from

its

doctor shuddered.

There

He

serene.

he

though

when

be

the

great." And
harmony

it sang

Yet the coward

was

did not

in him

modern
slain

by

rise

again.
a
lightupon him, unquenchableand
gleam
doubted the eternity
of the triumph of this Valentine,
knew
he
not why
doubted,nor upon what his doubts

the

was

shall

we

voice,and

of

distant

based.

were

And
had a

this

as

doubt,which

fancy that

through it ran

a
faith,blossomed within him he
that
of the Litanywavered, faltered
dull despair.
faint shadow of some

was

music

thrill like

this moment

At

the

"

Valentine spoke in the darkness.

doing,Julian ? " he asked,quickly.

"

What

"

Nothing,"Julian answered.
I heard you whisper."
I onlysaid something to Cuckoo."

"
"

are

you

Let us link
not talk.
each
other."
touching
They all did so and were silent once
"We

must

fingersinstead

our

of

only

more.

*****

And

now

fear seized the

doctor.

like the littlesandman

who
drowsy spirit
into the eyes of the children,
stole round
seeds and

were

poppy
Valentine had

came,

and

and
opiates,

surelyevoked

his feet

were

shod

him
so

He

that he

aware

that

the dust of slumber

circle. In his hands

throws

the

his touch

by

became

magical with sleep.

was

strange effort of will.

He

without

He

moved

noise.

filledthe

melody,
atmospherewith heaviness,and with a murmurous
like the melody of the drooping streams
that hang their silver
the hills of the far Lotus land.
ribands over
Passingthe doctor he
Julian and Valentine.
sat between
stole to the placewhere Cuckoo
And there he paused. The doctor divined his mission,to weave
a
The
veil and cast a cloud of sleeparound the lady of the feathers.
weariness of Cuckoo's life lay like a burden upon her,a heavy burden
the passionof
to-night,
despitethe wild wakef ulness of her spirit,
the purity that
love,the strengthof her resolution,

her answered

ivorywings along the miry ways.

awake,
gloryof a woman's
will to rescue
and to shelter,
sentinel was
to sleepagain. The
was
at
her
be
that
the
to
overcome
might penetrate the
post
enemy
lines and seize the citadel. How
heavy the air was ! To the doctor
drew

to

near

She, who

was

her

at

at last

last with
and

conscious of the

FLAMES

4io

led
derision,

the presence of the flame that flickered,

thing
somein
from
her
sad
No
did
he
her,
strangelyapart
longer
eyes.
she was
the flame, the only
set her and the flame apart. To him
the
he
the
lost
For
Valentine
refuge,
only safety.
sought
indeed,
but with
die

by

of
strange hopelessness

sleep.

not

to her

She must

sleep. In

not

findinghim again.

ever

her

slumber

the

flicker lower

and lower to a spark,to

down,
And Julian in his distraction thought of himself
should the flame

die,should

between

fight

was

Cuckoo,

Cuckoo

ruled
sleep,

flame, and

the

She must
flame would

grey, cold

lost
inevitably

as

by

ashes.

Valentine.

Valentine.

The

Everything

else fell away and left Julian's world bare of all things save
this one
But stillthe spirit
This the doctor learnt in the darkness.
contest.

ef

sleepkept vigilby Cuckoo, and

the

air grew

heavyand

full of

slumber.
The

doctor

feel that

his

own
were
being
powers
Inertia grew
in his body. He
sat almost
strenuouslyattacked.
like one
tolerab
paralysed. His limbs,at first heavy as if loaded with inuntil
became
he
was
no
numb,
weights,gradually
longer
of them.
He seemed
to be merely a live mind poisedthere
aware
that sought to sweep
in the darkness,strivingagainstthe power
from its path all those that fought against it or dared,however
to resist it. But his mind, poised thus in this strange circle
feebly,
of slumber, came
by imperceptible
degrees to have a gripupon the
past. Imitatingthe mind that is enclosed within a drowning body
it gazed upon the wildlyflitting
picturesof the years that were
Street
rose
Regent
by night
up before it. The doctor saw,
gone.
paintedupon the backgroundof the dense gloom in which they sat,
the huge and vacant
thoroughfarein the last watch of the night.

began

to

figureswandered here and there,or pausedbeneath the shadow

of the tall blind houses,assuming posturesof fatigueor of leering
Faint

and

attentive evil. But one

to the rightor to the left.
this

moving figure was

marked

its

passedinto

course
more

privateways,
the shadow
was

down

onward steadily,
moved
scarcely
glancing
The doctor's mind, watching,knew that

himself,and,
the

long

alone.

vista of the

of the

privateways

but not

if with

as

shadow

It
followed

he

bodily eyes,
dim

street until it

passedinto

town.

it,and

more

the face of

The doctor could not see it,but there

away.
had attacked him long
in him the horror and the fear which
rose
to pursue
the thing that dogged him in the
he turned
ago, when
to flee.
he saw
darkness.
And
the shadow waver, pause, then turn
the
not
had
turned
that
it
the
he thought
And as it
soul,though
face of the
himself was
He

might

new

turned

Valentine.

Then

suddenlya great anger

against

born in him.
Why had he been so blind,so deceived ?
have
protectedJulian. But he, too, had been a foolish

victim of outward

the
beauty,

prey of the

gloryof

face.

He

had

LAST

"THE

not read

vision of the
He

of the

the book

air grew

Slumber

heavy.
struggledagainstit.
He

them

saw

forms

that
of

lost their true

mystery, outlines

indefinite. And

stillthe

There
"

was

was

came

no

heavy

and

He
as

thought

long ago

protectedhim
the night.

The

the marvellous

ness
vague-

remote, suggestiveyet
Cuckoo.
#-

night.
said,sharply.

could have told him that the cry

lady of the feathers,leaninglow in
consciousness to insensibility.
doctor

upon
that Cuckoo

dead.

was

work

accomplished.

was

of utter

gesture

felt that she

He

taught him

friend,that Valentine
of life,was
the right way

Rip crouchingdown
prepared to

assert

abnegation.
dead,

was

felt that his loved

and

who

had

dead

againstthe

in

wall.

itself finally. It

rose

it had

risen up to triumph over

Rip. Was that
had
intruded
?
repeated Nothing
upon it except
tenacityof the dog,who had died rather than yield

triumph,as
strugglegoing to
to

that the

Dr. Levillier seemed to see

Valentine's will
And now
up

assumed

cry in the

His
away.
the table with a

he had

in

have

the

doctor

picturesfaded.
a fog ; looming

chair,had passedfrom
The
spiritof sleep stole
forward

room.

that

Slowly
The

brain

character,that

her

Julian sank

evil.

the world

sees

the

he knew

now

of sleepkept vigil
spirit
by

slighthoarse

reply.

tiny

of the

colours

Julian,and

from

the

And

listened.

filled with

was

one

Julian

saint,but

in

once

is that ? " Valentine

What

There

at

and

of

paced
the

But

but only as
still,

have

he

the eyes
as
soul that
a

were
eyes of Valentine
behind
them
crouched

picturessucceeded this
walk in them
by night.

that

of the shadows

singing while

Valentine

saw

411

other

And

heart.

and

streets

SITTING"

be

obedience,died fighting. That tenacitysurelydid not dwell in the

nerveless Julian,utterlydespairing,
utterlywrecked.
that the close of the strange mystery
The doctor trembled,feeling
was

at

hand.

darkness

slept,moved

as

tiny flame.

away
above
the

flickered
watched

And

from

he

trembled

It shivered

her, like

he
up

seemed

in

doctor

thing blown
was

see

in the

in the blackness where

bowed, despairinghead

it,wondering,the

to

dense

Cuckoo

lightwind, and
of Julian.
And, as he
on

conscious

once

the

more

that there

something mysterious,intent,
room,
presence
thing
somevehement, yet touched with a strange and pathetichelplessness,
cried against itself,
that
that
had
suffered
something
a
martyrdom unknown,
unequalled, in all the pale history of
The
the
doctor recalled the sitting
martyrdoms of the world.
of the former
and
again he was
night and his impressionthen
of
this unknown
soul.
Its despair laid
governed by the tragedy
him
cold
Its
hands.
He
crushed
him.
could
impotence
upon
Then a
Jiavewept and prayed for it. This was for a moment.
was

new

"

FLAMES

4i2

wonder

grew in him.
the bowed
head

above

seemed

Valentine

gloryof

whom

were

the

Valentine,

who

one

as

which
he

burne

gazed, h

through

peers

beautiful,calm, loft

face

The

white with a sof

was
the eyes smiled like the eyes of a great kin".
comfort.
For this face,although marred
b

leaves
ever
suffering
And
the
triumph.
eyes

darkness

in the

Julian moved

flame

presentlywhile

intense

majestyof

the

on

he had loved.

once

endurance, and

the shadow
the

of

face

the doctor knew

And

eyes

Julian, and
"

the

"

of

beyond and through it

to see,

lit window

His

and

behind

it,was

bent

were

looked

on

instinct

Julian.

wit]
Thei

upward, despairseeking

hope.
The

him,

who

man

filledwith

was

of his

glory cease,

effort. His soul

had risen up
to
dominate
and

nameless t"
now
by the doctor, and who was
a passionate
fury. The doctor heard the Litan;I
and the longpulseof his heart throbbingwitl*

rose

up,

as

seize upon
to draw
finally,

him

passionof degraded

towards
Cuckoo
of it

sat

came

the

flame

which

sleeping.That
to the
clearly

the cruel

Rip,
him

spectreof the
moved

and

into its own

Valentin)

new

towards
eternal

Julian

evil and

prid"

But
Julian stretched his
power.
drew its brightnessand its force

a last battle of
doctor's mind.

was

souls,and

the

real
divined,as in a vision,or as in a dream that is more
the
he
the story of his friend,
true Valentine, whom
reality,
loved.

gloryof

his

He

remembered

Valentine's

beautiful nature, his mad

desire,had been the

dissatisfaction

arm:

fron

allegory

He

had

t"

with

thar

hac
tlu

desire to

change it. Thai

opportunityof the enemy
it contemplatedits own
loveliness
The soul that sighed in sorrow
as
the
that
soul
had been expelled
was
by
completelysatisfied with its
hatefulness.
of the flame of purityhad built up
The weakness
own
driven
the strengthof the flame of impurity. And
so
beauty was
in the wilderness of the air and ugliness
dwelled in it?
out to wander
like the seven
devils of the
body,its temple swept and garnished,
time
how
had
the
wandering flame or soul of
long a
Scripture. For
impotent,tortured by the appallingdeception
beauty been helpless,
own

that
dissatisfaction,

of the soul of Julian

be at rest it had

whom

stayedto

it could

no

Unable to
Julian's
of
drearylegend

longer protect!

contemplatethe

gradualfall. It had seen his confidence in,his love for,the stranger

he thought his friend and his protector. In the pale and
whom
in the mystery of night and day, enclosed
delicate dawn, shrouded
it
hands of the angelsof darkness and of light,
the clasping
between
it had
hung in the air above the solitaryJulian, as he walked
With
after his vigilby the lifeless body of Valentine.
homeward
had
draw
to
it
him
effort
to
a
a
knowledge of
sought
passionate
from the dream
in which
the truth that he might wake
lay his
the first
as
at last his tragic
even
danger, Ancl faintly,
insecurity,

SITTING"

LAST

"THE

413

him, once as he met the lady of the

upon
feathers,again as he bent his gaze upon the theatrical gloriesthat
it had nickered behind
attended the apotheosisof Margaret. And
it had

sunbeam

dawned

the film of the tears

in

through the beauty of

Cuckoo

Cuckoo

her.

She

had

was

She

of

uses

last it drew

And

feathers.

influence to

that

It

alone.

was

her

corruption of

her.

She

Pharisees.

with

teems

the

approached
beaten

was

by

clung to her.

It

the

days and nights been put only to

evil. It sought to use her only for good. And
now
from
the
of
soul
and
the
strength
lady of
power

had, .through

black

She

stayed with

It

outcast.

world

degradationand

given it a home.

an

thongs of

the

the

of the

in the midst

fate.

itself known
eyes, seeking to make
love that clung inexorablyto the heart of

woman's

all her

doctor

the

lay in

that

knew

of Cuckoo's

the secret

at

the

grand

her

completeness. Degraded, wretched,

prisonhouse of lust yet she loved
because she loved completelythe sad, wandering,
completely. And
chose her from all the world
in
driven soul of Valentine
to help him
For she,like the widow, had given her all to
of Julian.
the rescue
succour

soiled,ignorant,pent within

feed

the poor.
starvation and

crucifythe flesh
and only of
ever
Now

stars.

"

had

starvation

Her
the

the

of Saints

mortification

for the

good

another.

She

in her

her

set

of their
had

on

high

and

souls.

own

more

hermits.
Cuckoo

betrayed Jessie

the

For

they

thought

touched

and

of her
slumber, physicalallegory

than

the

abnegation of

self,she fought in this battle of the souls.

flame

The

above

the head

Marr, strivingwith

of Julian

grew

brighter. The

flame

of

flickered lower.
fury of despair,
Levillier held his breath
and
prayed. Again he thought of
Would
die
rather
than
Julian, too,
yield to the final gripof

Dr.

Rip.

Would

evil ?

the

he die

?
fighting

*****

strange thin cry broke

through the silence. The doctor saw

through the darkness.
They passed

flames float up together

two
and
before the face of Cuckoo

happy

lost in the air above

her.

Two

flames !

She

stirred

The

thing that sat

:he

were

suddenlyand
by

murmured.

the doctor

sprang

up.

Light flashed through

room.

As

it flashed the

\ith his
He

stretched

arms

Valentine

nerves

He

leaned

towards

Julian,who

lay forward

along the table.

dead.

was

Valentine"
Then

doctor

"

the
stood

it turned

spirit,at least,that had usurped the body of

lookingdown upon Julian,dead, in silence.
upon

himself to meet
watched

the

the doctor.

The

doctor

great horror.
light fade out of the eyes

stood

up

as

one

that

of

this

horror,the

FLAMES

414

slink
expression

from

the

features,the breath

from the

remove

until
pulsescease in the veins and arteries,
less and staringidol,stood before him.

the

an

image, some

lips
life

swayed. It tottered. It fell,crumpling itself togetherlik(

things that return to dust. The flesh,formerlykept alive by tht
deserted finally
now
spirit,
by that which had dwelt within it ant
went
down to death.
sought to use it for destruction,
at last from her sleep. The
feathers
of
awoke
the
the
Then
lady
It

doctor bent over

her and took her hands in his. It seemed to bin
that she had won
a
great battle. He felt awestruck as he lookec
He
tried
to speak to her, but no
words came
her
into
to hiir
eyes.

except these,which he murmured

"

Your

Cuckoo

looked

up

Her
And
new

at him.

Her

smiling,as

stilllightly
clouded with
eyes were
if they had been gazingupon the

beauty.
how

deeds that she had

long had Cuckoo slept? Surelythrough all the lengthof

life,
through all the tears that she had shed,through all the sad

For

her

his breath

victory."

but they were

sleep,
face of

at last below

committed

slumber had been

from death do we
world ?

as

!
the

not

Now,

at

last,she woke.

deep slumber

awake

to

HANSON
Printed by BALLANTYNE,
and Edinburgh
London

new

"

of death.
and
understanding

to

THE

BONDMAN
HALL

BY
With

Photogravure Portrait

In
Mr.

Gladstone.

CAINE

One

The

"

Volume^ price6s.
is

Bondman

freshness,vigour,and sustained interest,no

The

Times.

'It is

"

of the Author.

of which
I recognise the
less than its integrity
of aim.'
work

and rude
impossibleto deny originality
its
forceful directness,
and
to admire

to this

power

the colossal
impossible not
grandeur of its leadingcharacters.'
The
'The
is full of nervous,
Academy.
language of The Bondman
graphic,and poeticalEnglish j its interest never
flags,and its situations and
are
descriptions
magnificent. It is a splendidnovel.
saga,

"

'

The

Speaker."

'

written, and it reaches

loth
are, in fact, so
"

novel"

that

we

that Mr.
Hall
is the best book
Caine has yet
fiction very rarelyattains.
level to which
We
let
such
work
be
the
title
of
to
good
degraded by
rank
its
claim to
almost tempted to consider
as a prose
This
a

are

'

epic.
Scotsman.

The

'

Hall
Caine
has in this work
Mr.
placed himself
the front rank of the novelists of the day. He
has produced a story
tions
which, for the ingenuityof its plot,for its literary
excellence,for its delineaof human
and
for
its
dramatic
is
intenselypowerful
passions,
scenes,
"

beyond

ahead of all the fictional literature of our time, and

distinctly
the most
powerful fictional writingof the past century.

fitto rank

with

'

SCAPEGOAT

THE

One

In

CAINE

HALL

BY

Volume^ price"s.

In our judgment it excels in dramatic force all the Author's

is a character which
For grace and touching pathos Naomi
be
and the tale of
world
have
the
romancist
in
to
created,
proud
might
any
and
her
of
and
her parents'
own
development, confers upon
despair
hopes,
its
kind. '
matchless
of
distinction
which
is
The Scapegoat a
'
of a stylewhich
Hall Caine
Mr.
The
is undoubtedly master
Guardian.

The

Times.

'

"

previousefforts.

"

is

his
peculiarly

He

own.

The

Athenaeum.

The

Academy.

'It is a

"

Saturday
yet produced.'
Scotsman.

characters

Review.

The

*
"

The

"

new

Truth.

"

'Mr.

Rembrandt

to read.'

novel

is the best

'This

Caine

has

been

winning

his

You
must
securely I think also, to fame.
The
Moorish
Scapegoat.''
absorbing
romance,

and

LONDON:

WILLIAM

which

above

respects rank

HEINEMANN,

21

series of the most

story will rank with Mr.

in some
histories in the
of the Hebrew
It stirs the blood and kindles

Hall

novelists.'

among

Oliel is the third of

fiction.'
in modern

it will

productions. Nay,
its placeby the side
and manfully written.

way

delightful
story
ben

'Israel

"

profoundlyconceived

The

is in

Hall

Caine's

them.

Apocrypha.
the
way

by

BEDFORD

Caine

Mr.

has

previous

It will take
It is nobly

imagination.'
slowly,
all

but

means

STREET,

surely,

read

W.C.

his

CHRISTIAN

THE

One

In
writes

Gladstone

Mr.

conduct

the

admiration

"

Volume, price 6s.

but

regard with warm

holding your positionas an

I cannot

one

himself,so

stakes

who

accepted novelist

'

of

CAINE

HALL

BY

thingswhich are unseen

terriblyeffective in chaining

behalf of the

on

so

are

to

speak,

as

againstthose
down

us

on

bold

so

the

to

respect and
admired

protestation

which

are

of

level

and

and

seen,

earthly

our

existence.'

value

permanent
makes

all deductions

After

"

is of

Christian

The

that

me

Farrar.

Dean

and

all

serious

more

it seems
qualifications,

import

majorityof novels.

immense

the

than

much

to

of much

and
It is

more

book

which

think.'

us

Mr.
quivers and palpitateswith passion,for even
Caine's bitterest detractors cannot
deny that he is the possessor of that rarest
of all gifts,
genius.'
Newcastle
'Establishes
Mr. Caine's position
The
Daily Chronicle.
Sketch.

The

'

It

"

"

force in contemporary fiction. A great

as the greatest emotional
once
and
noble inspiration
in
emotion
carried to noble
a
vitality,
effort,splendid

for all

issues
The
and
.

Standard.

"

The

Speaker.

'
"

It is

notable

with
author, and palpitating
A

'

to

skilful narrative.

book, written

'

in the heart's blood

of the

passionateenthusiasm that has inspiredit.

and
fail to produce an impressionon
that cannot
read,

that is good to

book

and

has

all, the fascination of

is,above

There

Caine

English fiction.
book
humour, it has pathos,it is full of colour
in passages
of terse, bold, animated
descriptions.

'The

It abounds

movement.

Hall

to Mr.

honour

an

"

the

its readers.'
The
and

Scotsman.

of

current

tale will

The

enthral the reader by its natural power

spellit casts is instantaneous,but it also gathers strength
chapter,until we are swept irresistibly
along by the impetuous

The

beauty.
chapter

from

"

to

'

action.

passionand

THE

MANXMAN
HALL

BY

One

In
Times.

The

the

'With

"

and

finest

most

CAINE

Volume, price6s.

the exception of The Scapegoat,this is

dramatic
of Mr.
Hall
Caine's novels.

ably
unquestion.

the roots of human

passionand
very
interest.'
book, throbbing with human

straightto

Manxman
is

goes
remarkable

The

Queen.

books

'
"

The

of the century.

is

Manxman

It will be

undoubtedly one

read

and

of the most

re-read,and

of the English-speakingnations.'
'
The
Manxman
is
St. James's Gazette.

take

its

The

emotion.

It

remarkable

place in

the

literaryinheritance
The

"

and

the most

of that deciduous
to

part from

EDMUND
LONDON

The

fastidious
trash which
Manxman

contribution

to

ture,
litera-

critic would

give in exchange for it a wilderness

It is not possible
our
publisherscall fiction.
with anything but a warm
tribute of approval.'
...

"

GOSSE.
:

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET, W.C.

ON

THE

EDGE

EDGAR

BY

JEPSON
In

Spectator.

'Of

"

be

can

Mr.
of the Indian

not

It

might

THE
D.

BEAMES

Volume, price bs.

and interest and

be called the Book

Kiplinghimself,has given us

even

EMPIRE

CAPTAIN

AND

One

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no

OF

varietyof

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there
Sepoy,for no writer,
deeper insightinto the character

of the

fightingman, or brought home to us more

vividlythe composite
of
native
nature
our
regiments.
A good book, well done, dignified.
Academy.
Mr. Jepson and Captain
have been too sensible to attempt
Beames
of Mr.
rivalry
ment.
Kipling'streatany
They have chosen quietermethods, relyingfor effect chieflyupon the
inherent strengthof their subjects.'
'These
Daily News.
very realistic and vivid stories show a knowledge
of India and our
Indian
as
great as, or even
army
greater than, that of
Mr. Kipling himself.
The
been more
picturesquenative soldier has never
realistically
fullydescribed or more
The
painted than in the present volume.
book
and deserves to be widely read.'
is packed full of good stuff,
Outlook.
It is written in the Kipling manner,
and tells in the old decisive
and
of
of
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the
customs
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Empire. The authors are particularly
native soldier,devoting their skill to Sikh and Pathan.'
and
Daily Telegraph. 'Tales of extreme
interest,vivid, descriptive,
'

'

"

"

'

"

"

and
originality

uniquein

attractiveness.'

EBB-TIDE

THE
BY

LOUIS

ROBERT

STEVENSON

AND

LLOYD
One

In

does

James's Gazette.

St.

The

attention

captivefrom

'We

"

and

as

indeed.'
Stevenson
The
World.

The

'

have
do
but

real to
of the

been

not, of

us

Post.

course,

without
a
pause
incident and

the

on

Each

ture
adven-

WILLIAM

"

we

of that

certain creations
have

met

run

very

of it.

And

good latter-day

ledge
extraordinaryknow-

of Mr.
in the flesh.

Stevenson's

pen

of the darkest
'Boldly conceived, probing some
tale has a vigourand
breadth of touch which
of Mr. Stevenson's
We
none
previous works.
.

how

chapter of
wanting

is

in the whole

sentence

surprises in fact,is

soul,the

surpassed in
know

makes

persons
"

dull

of

amazingly clever,full

which

than

human

there is no
which
or
LONDON

It is

nature

Morning

depths

along

"

"

of human
more

swept

are

vigorous narrative.

There
is not
told.
brilliantly
the style is fresh, alert, full

far

"

incomparable keenness of vision which is Mr. Stevenson's

story-teller.'
'It is brilliantly
Gazette.
invented, and it is not less

Mall

Pall

The

takes your
imagination and
from
the
first
paragraph and it
nay,
has been read.'

that

is told with

greatestcharm

book

"

of the animated

current

'The

"

the firstchapter

Daily Chronicle.

The

Volume^price6s.

free tillthe last word

set them

not

OSBOURNE

much

Mr.

which
any author
in vivid interest.'

HEINEMANN,

Osbourne

has contributed to the tale,

need be unwilling to acknowledge,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

NAULAHKA

THE
BY

KIPLING

RUDYARD

The

Athenaeum.

is

There

"

Volume^ price 6s.

no

well

but

one

and

see

Kipling who

Mr.

hear, the

and

as
taste
smell, as
(ifwe except the descriptionof Tarvin's
Gunvaur, which is perhaps less clear-cut

readers

BALESTIER

WOLCOTT

AND

One

In
'

East

and

West

of

Tale

East
in

adventures

usual) he

make

can

his

in this book
; and
the deserted
cityof
has

surelysurpassed
mind and showing its
facultyfor gettinginside the Eastern
queer workings, Mr. Kipling stands alone.'
of great merit.
Naulahka
contains
The
The
Academy.
passages
which
but
Mr.
its
scattered
There
one
no
are
through
descriptions
pages
this
much
of
reads
novel
will
find
have
written.
"Whoever
could
Kipling
and the story of the exodus
from the hospitalwill rank
it hard to forget
himself.

than

In his

'

"

the best

among

Times.

The

of

"

the

fiction.'
in modern
passages
'A
happy idea, well adapted to
An

joint authors.

excellent

utilise the

story.

perience
respectiveex-

dramatic

The
.

certainlythe interview between

and ferocity
of the girl-queen,
the
crudeness
in
of
full-blooded
the
American,
hardly
subjection
by his
susceptibility
kept
in
distance
anxious
eunuch
the
alertness and keen
the
to
business,
waiting
eye
with the horses, and
frettingas the stars grow palerand paler,the cough of
the tigerslinkinghome
after a fruitless night'shunt
the whole
at the dawn
forms a scene
effaced from the memory.'
not easily
of
incident, the climax
Sitabhai and Tarvin, the alternate

train

which

of

is

"

THE

CELIBATES'
I. ZANGWILL

BY
In

Daily Graphic.
St.

James's Gazette."'
have
separatelyhad

Club

One

Volume^ price 6s.

for one's dull

capitalvolume
Mr. Zangwill'sBachelors'

'A

"

CLUB

such

moments.'
Club

Old Maids'

and

their

as
success
sparklinghumour, gay
that
it is no
punning richly deserved
now
issuingthem together in one volume.
surpriseto find Mr. Heinemann
Readers
who
have
will be glad to add
not
purchased the separate volumes
this jointpublicationto their bookshelves.
Others, who have failed to read
the best
too late,have
either,until they foolishly
imagined that it was
now

for

excuse

combining

Literature.
Bachelors'

Club

World.

apt

'
"

with

that

section

is

one
one

Celibates'
knows

knows

of human

typicalof his

"

two.'

Zangwill's intensely, almost

excessively, clever
Maids'
Club
in
are
republishedby Mr. Heinemann

The

Every

Every

to run.

volume

Old

and

"

pleasures of

the

'Mr.

entitled

volume,

one

"

irresistible

characterisation,and

the
how
life of

Club,
lines
keen
which

on

which

is his
he

Mr. Zangwill'shumour
is
insightwhere it is concerned
The
mainly writes.
present

literarymethods.'

in clever grammatical
much
It is,however, not
so
Saturday Review.
that
Mr.
shines.
in
humorous
For smartness,
Zangwill
byplay as
epigram
absence
of
deserve
and
tion.
platitude,they
originality, total
high commendaof making his readers think, he
Mr. Zangwill is not only desirous
loves to perplexthem.'
'

LONDON

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

DREAMERS

OF
BY

In
W.

Henley in the

E.

the whole,

GHETTO

I. ZANGWILL

One

Volume, price 6s.

Outlook.'

'

THE

persuasivebook, whose

'
"

brave, eloquent,absorbing,and,

author

speaking with

"

on

and

magnanimity

tells you
in his race
as
much,
large and liberal candour not common
been
in
all
has
before
I
told
modern
literature.
find
them
as
perhaps,
and
I
in
them
all
for
the
take
vastlyagreeablereading,
pleasure recognising
a

"

...

work

of

literature.

who

man
.

loves

Here,

things,a book.

rare

book

his race,

I take

As

it
"

I have

like to make
for his race's sake would
is
that rarest of
to me
here, so it seems

and

"

said, I do

wholly believe in it.

not

But

it is

of romance
it goes far to explain the Jew ; in terms
it sets forth not a
and immitigable people that
littleof the most
romantic, practical,
persistent,
the

world

has

geniusupon

to

of it has

known

or

Jewry

widened

"

It is,in fact,a Jew of something akin

unchangeablequantity. And I feel that the reading

will
the

know.

ever

to perpend.'
much
this book, for we
think
describe
to
can
Daily
of no
of
it.
In form, perhaps,it comes
nearest
exact
to some
parallelto
Pater's
Walter
work.
For each of the fifteen chapters contains a criticism of
have
We
a
thought under the similitude of an "Imaginary Portrait."
vision of the years presentedto us in typicalsouls.
live again through
We

horizon, and

my

Chronicle.

The

'

"

given me

It is hard

crises of human

thought, and are compelled by the writer's art to regardthem,

or
catalogueof errors
hopes dead or done with, but under the vital
forms in which
time or another
at one
they confronted the minds of actual
from
the Ghetto
take the form
all
like
ourselves.
these
men
scenes
Nearly
short
of stories. A few are
of
the
imaginative
examples
story, that fine
the actual life's
method
from
of art.
chosen
The majorityare dramatic scenes
land.'
historyof the idealists of Jewry in almost every European
not

as

MASTER

THE
BY
With

Photogravure

One

In
The

Master,

Queen.
a

"

'It is

I. ZANGWILL
Portrait of the Author

Volume, price6s.

impossibleto deny the greatness of

document, in which

veritable human

the characters

book
do

like The

exactly as
of the

most
himself is one
I venture
to say that Matt
they would in life.
doubt
strikingand originalcharacters in our fiction,and I have not the least
of our classics.'
will always be reckoned
one
that The Master
It is a powerful and masterlypiece of work.
The
Daily Chronicle.
Quite the best novel of the year.'
In The Master, Mr. Zangwill has eclipsedall his
The
LiteraryWorld.
of
This
strong and strikingstory of patience and passion,
previous work.
is
and
vain
of
powerful
and success,
genuinely
gauds,
art, ambition,
sorrow
The
work, thoroughly
and picturesquein its completeness.
in its tragedy,
in tone, is of sterling
merit, and strikes a trulytragicchord, which
wholesome
the mind.'
leaves a deep impression
upon
...

'

"

'

"

LONDON:

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

I. ZANGWILL

BY

The

Times.

point of view

whatever

'From

"

Volume, price 6 s.

One

In

GHETTO

THE

OF

CHILDREN

regard it,it is

we

able
remark-

book.'

day could produce. A

masterly study of a complicated psychologicalproblem in which every factor
with
such
is handled
astonishing dexterityand intelligencethat again and
hands.'
into our
again we are tempted to think a reallygood book has come
of Jewish life,full of truth, full
'A moving panorama
and White.
Black
brilliant.
Such
of sympathy, vivid in the settingforth,and occasionallymost
to
A
to
book
to
of
novels.
dozen
this
the
read,
book
has
keep,
a
a
as
germs
Guardian.

The

'A

"

novel

such

as

only

own

our

"

ponder
The

to

over,

remember.'

Guardian."

Manchester

THE

The

One

Review.

Saturday

fiction,and

ever

written.'

by

PHIL

MAY

Others.

and

Volume, price 6s.

'Mr.

"

type of

new

Illustrations

Ninety
In

Jewish novel

I. ZANGWILL

BY
over

best

SCHNORRERS

OF

KING

With

'The

Zangwill
The

humour.

has

entire

created
a
new
figure in
is a
series of adventures
active character pervades

of a rich and
Humour
triumphant progress.
of
Mr.
the delightful
Manasses.
Zangwill'sbook is altogethervery
history
good reading. It is also very cleverly illustrated by Phil May and other
.

artists.'
'
The
It is
Daily Chronicle.
is that great rarity an entirely
new
"

"

THE

beautiful story.

thing,that is

AND

PREMIER
BY
In

One

as

The

good

THE

King of Schnorrers
as

it is new.'

PAINTER

I. ZANGWILL

Volume, price6s.

"
'The
fantastic romance,"
Morning" Post.
story is described as a
the
of its pages.
the
first
last
It
from
to
and, indeed, fantasyreignssupreme
and well-aimed
All
the
time with humour
relates the historyof our
sarcasm.
in
or
otherwise, come
most
political
prominent characters of the day, whether
i
s
but
while
for notice.
The
thinly veiled,
identityof the leading politicians
Both
the
"Premier"
and
in proprid persond.
celebrities
appear
many
in the most
critical situations.
and
"Painter"
now
again find themselves
read, but it is cleverly
Certainlythis is not a story that he who runs
may
of
wit.'
flashes
a
nd
often
bright
original,
lightenedby

The

"

"=

LONDON:

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

MAMMON
BY
In
"

deals with

also

E.

One

Spectator. 'Hooleyism
He

CO.

"
F.

BENSON

Volume, price 6s.

is not

the fashionable

the
craze

only target of Mr. Benson's satire.

for gambling in privatehouses and

with

far truer to life,far better

and the book
is at once
dangerous flirtations,
calculated to open people'seyes to their follies than Ouida's highly-coloured
It is a clever and
impeachment of London
societyin The Masserenes.
novel.'
interesting
'

Mr. Benson
has returned to the world of Dodo, to
Daily Telegraph.
the folliesand idiosyncrasies
of a certain portionof the upper ten,'to bright,
and
Mammon
Co. is bright,
witty dialogue, and gay, fascinatingscenes.
humorous
and
full
from
of
to
end,
piquant,
entertaining
beginning
sayings
and witty thingsspoken by men
who
and captivating.
and women
are
merry
"

'

There

is little to

lies a littlelesson

World.

find fault with.

It is a very
entertainment.3
much

novel, wherein

clever,smart

and

To

say only that the book is amusing is not only insufficient,

misleading; it is a very serious expose!by typicalfiguresof certain
sides of our
social life,with illustrative recurrence
scandals in the
to flagrant
"

but also

worlds of fashion and finance under

the present conditions
skill with which
those typicalfiguresare
drawn, and the

types

remarkable. '
Gazette.
Mall

are

Pall

Benson's

'Mr.

"

of fusion.

The

of the
originality

story is in his happier and

new

clever

style. Happily, also, the liveliness does not tire. The reparteeand
rattle of the
the genuine thing,and his own
set
smart
are
pretty conceits
and happy littleaudacities of turn are not too forced.
One of the best things
in the book is the composite character of the promoter.
Decidedly, he is
'

'

creation.'

THE

MARKET-PLACE
HAROLD

BY
In
Times.
of

run

Harold

'
"

novelists.

One

Frederic
The

FREDERIC

Volume, price 6s.

stood

and shoulders above the ordinary

seizes the imagination and holds the

head

Market-Place

'

reader's interest,and it is suggestiveand

Bookman.
'Incomparably the best

stimulatingto thought.
novel

"

merciless

exposure,

reading. As
World.

a
'

"

romance

The

Both

satire.

Market-

of the
Place

"

City
is the

as
"

of the

it has

no

successor

It is

year.

ruthless

it is splendid
fiction.'
modern
in
equal
of some
notable books

satire and

romance

of the
this last is very full of life ; the fever and unrest
in their full stress in its pages, and the central figure
has shown
is the finished type of that actualitywhich
Mr.
Watt's Mammon
the
It
in pictorial
is
us
engrossing,and the
strongest, the most
allegory.

bigger than most, and

gold-huntingworld are

The
quietly
unbrokenly, evenly clever of the author's works.
who
man
persistsin
conscientious,downright sister of the "successful"
she is finelyimagined
as
keeping their ancestral bookshop is as welcome
most

and

quaintlyrealised.'

LONDON

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET, W.C.

ON

THE

FACE

OF

FLORA

ANNIE

BY

In
The

Spectator.

One

WATERS

STEEL

Volume^ price6s.

have

'We

"

THE

read Mrs.

Steel's book

with

ever-increasing

surpriseand admiration
surpriseat her insightinto people with whom
she can
have
been
for the genius which
intimate,admiration
has
scarcely
"

enabled

her

realise that wonderful

welter
of the East and
West, which
before
the
is
There
officer
presentedjust
Mutiny.
an
many
his
sword
write
Mrs.
to
Steel has written
give
militaryhistoryas
the historyof the rising,
the siege,and the storm.
It is the most
wonderful
who
lived through the Mutiny will lay the book
picture. We know that none
without a gasp of admiration,and believe that the same
down
emotion
will be

Delhi must
who would

to

have

felt by thousands

The

to whom

the

Review.

Saturday

depictedare

scenes

but lurid

phantasmagoria.'

novelists and spinners of tales have

Steel leaves them all a long way
Mrs/
use
behind.
On the Face
Waters
is the best novel of the Great Mutiny,
of the
and we are not likely
to see its rival in our
time. '
made

of the

The

'Many
Mutiny, but

Indian

Daily Chronicle.

"

picture,glowing with colour,of tke most

in all our Empire's later history. We
have
read many
stories having for their settingthe lurid background of the Indian
that for fidelity
to fact, for vivacityof imagination,for
Mutiny, but none
'
breadth
of
within half a dozen
masterly
treatment, comes
placesof this.
and

momentous

dramatic

THE

CA

"

events

POTTER'S

THUMB

FLORA

STEEL

BY

In
The

Globe.

'This

"

with life,steepedin
The
The

Manchester

has
gifts,

"

Guardian.
is that

'The

"

new

Herald.

Glasgow

"

'A

to its readers.

near

Anglo-Indian

The

'

India very
voyages

Volume^ price 6s.

brilliant story a story that fascinates,tingling

'
sympathy with all that is best and saddest.

Thumb
.

achieved

the

One

leftupon one
after reading
impression
of very great and
unusual
artist,
literary
arisen.
In short, Mrs. Steel must be congratulated
upon having
a very
genuine and amply deserved success.

Potter's

The

is

ANNIE

and

to

those

in novelists' romantic

clever story which, in many

respects,brings
alike to
The novel is certainly
one
interesting
untravelled

travellers who

make

It is a capital
story,fullof varietyand movement,
of the phases of
before
vividness
the
reader one
great
and much
Mrs.
and
life.
Steel writes forcibly
sympathetically,
of the picturewhich she draws
lies in the force with which she

Scotsman.

'

"

brings with
Indian

charm
out

the contrast

Thumb

their

is very

life.. Its evil

LONDON:

between

the

WILLIAM

par excellence

which

Angloof the

brings
The
Potter's
European world.
its mingling of the tragedyand comedy of
is a finished study.'

Asiatic

good reading,with
woman

only

company.'

and

...

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

WAY

PERMANENT

THE

IN

Volume^ price 6s.

One

In

STEEL

ANNIE

FLORA

BY

Spectator. 'While her only rival in this field of fiction is Mr.

subtler appreciationof the Oriental
by an even
Kipling,her work is marked
exhaustive acquaintancewith
standpoint both ethical and religious a more
of the moral
and
and indoor aspects,
native life in its domestic
a deeper sense
book
is profoundly
The
responsibilities
attachingto our rule in the East.
interestingfrom beginning to end.
and
all characteristic of the
'All Indian, all interesting,
The
World.
and
It
is needless
to say that
writer's exceptionalability,
style.
knowledge,
The

"

"

"

'

"

author
of these tales.
The
in every one
East
than
of
the
to us
mysterious
interpretation
any other
there

is

beauty

Literature.

*
"

self-sacrificeof

of the love and

sacrifice of
from

Mr.

Hajji-Raheen are
myriadfoldexistence

the

is not

"

merely

service

Mall

Pall

of

our

literature.

bed-rock

Gazette.

possessingsomething
and

to

"the

Kipling's,on

The

humanity of Deen Mahomed,

of the superstition
and
selfGlory-ofWoman,
so
fragments of palpitatinglife taken
many

tales of the fanaticism

The

of

Indian

no

one

should

but

Mrs.

read, and

mere

THE
FLORA

BY

charm.

Stories made

truth, and
All
life

rich with

patheticwith

the

beauty
intimate

the mystery and the frankness,

of
here in a glowing setting

are

'Time

FIVE

RIVERS
STEEL

ANNIE

One

In
Times.

realise which

founded, like

which
A book
A book to read and a book
hues.
to buy.
Steel could have given us, a book which all persons of leisure
'
for which
all persons of taste will be grateful.

FROM

The

us

are

humanity," and they will live.'

of charming stories and of stories

pathos which grows only from the heart.

the simplicity
and the complexityof Indian
brilliant Oriental

to make

Empire

Steel's sketches

Mrs.

strengthof

the

and

volume

'A

"

than

more

colour, strong with

farther in the
writer.'

goes

Volume, price 6s.

these sketches
of native Punjabi society
in literature.
curiosity
They are sufficiently
in these
when
interest
in
the
"dumb
millions" of
remarkable, even
days,
India is thoroughly alive,and writers,great and small, vie in ministeringto it.
notable
Mrs.
Steel has
as
They are the more
being the work of a woman.
into
been
close
with
the domestic
life of all classes,
contact
evidently
brought
Hindu
and Mahomedan,
and
has steepedherself in their
in cityand village,
Mrs.
and superstitions.
Steel's book is of exceptionalmerit and
customs
would

have

"

been

when

was

considered

freshness.'
The

Athenaeum.

'

They possess this great merit, that they reflect the

ideas of the middle
and lower
classes of the population
of Northern
India better than do systematic
and more
pretentiousworks.'
'
The
Globe.
She puts before us the natives of our
Empire in the East as
live
with
their
and
and
move
they
speak,
pitifulsuperstitions,their strange
their
of
what
fancies,
melancholy ignorance
poses with us for knowledge and
their doubt
of the new
the new
civilisation,
laws, the new
people.
ways,
"Shah
of the collection
Sujah's Mouse," the gem
a
reasoning
touching tale of untowards an English " Sinny Baba"
is a tiny bit of perfect
fidelity
writing.'

habits, modes

of

"

life,and

"

"

LONDON

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET, W.C.

THE

GADFLY

BY

E.

In

Academy.

The
blood

and

of

*
"

is

The

'The

"

and

readers

preferflesh and
consider as something
rich in promise than

novels.'

'The

"

who

should

adventure

and
deeply interesting

more

hundred

intensitywhich

World.

story, which

to sawdust

Daily Telegraph.
and

power

Volume, price 6s.

remarkable

godsend. It
ninety-nineout of every
The

One

emotions

human

VOYNICH

L.

leave
author's

character is finelydrawn, with

lastingimpressionon the reader.'

name

is unknown

to

us

if this be

tragic

his first

work

of fiction,it makes
such as it is given very few to impress,for
a mark
the strengthand originality
of the story are indisputable,
and its Dis-like gloom
is conveyed with unerring skill. It is not faultless,but the Padre of the
is the Cardinal of the end, the one
influence is so pervading,
subordinated
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flaws.'

beginning,who

The

St.

Gazette.

James's

of the

woman

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to

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abilityand power of expression.
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the ruck of recent
high among
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opens

in which

character

each

fiction.'

THE

HARRIOTT

MATERNITY
OF
WICKEN
BY

HENRY

MRS.
In

One

DUDENEY

Volume^ price 6s.

A notable book.
Literature."'
It abounds
in admirable
passages, in
littlenature-pictures
of cloud, of flower,of tree, so freshly
observed as to stick
of translating
in the memory.
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a
story
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nature
"

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.

in the mind.'
Daily News.

*
"

Dudeney

her

new

has

book

It is

impossibleto deny

the great power

and

pathos of

book.'
LONDON

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

the

MAXWELL

BY
In
Chronicle.
Maxwell

...

'

Spectator.
"

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not
irony,though
irony
tragedy

note.'

dominant
and

GRAY

strong and

It is full of

Gray.

TREASURE

Volume, price 6s.

One

is

'There

"

HIDDEN

OF

HOUSE

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up

Speaker.

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'

World.

We

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Saturday Review.
ways
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'
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human
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bought and read, and read again and again.

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'

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Post.

'
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tale

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moment

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Morning1

ETC.

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MAITLAND,'

Volume, price

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drawn

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affords an affecting
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tale.
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Lady's Pictorial." 'The
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and noble woman
as
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Cynthia Marlowe
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of the "emancipated"
of whom
it is a pleasure to think
some
in the fiction of the day.'
heroines
so
common
entertain
select the kind

and

...

of Nemesis

which

'

LONDON

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

THE
ROBERT

BY

In
The

Speaker.

SLAVE

One

HICHENS

Volume, price65-.

'

A romance
dominated
of preciousstones,
by the glitter
pictureof metropolitan life,which, whether in Piccadilly
or
Baker Street,in Belgraviaor Bedford
describe with
Park, Mr. Hichens
can
and insight.
The
fidelity
descriptionsof Di Manners'
birthday party,
and of all that concerns
the unfortunate acrobat A If,might well have been the
work of the great painterof out-of-the-way
Bohemian
Charles Dickens.
scenes,
Mr. Hichens, too, has the gift,
and uses
it with less effort than Dickens, of
his minor characters.
making us remember
Many vivid littlesketches of this
kind are
dotted through the book.
Hichens
Mr.
has the very rare
art of
in which
all the figures
take an unobtrusive but
presentinga crowded
canvas,
essential place. This book
Hichens's
to Mr.
will,in short,add very much
has
distinction
It
and
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is treated

Florizel

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entertaining

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never

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Above
the

all, the

that account,

The

Slave

of

romance

gloriousreign of
is

Prince

book

for

to read.'
leisurely
reallypowerful and impressive piece of writing. Mr.
Hichens
and
the weird
to maintain
an
atmosphere of the sombre
manages
which cannot
but envelope and influence the susceptible
student of his pages.'
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Daily Telegraph." 'The book deserves to be widely read. Sir
Reuben
will take his place among
the
Allabruth, a figureof real distinction,

the busy to remember

The
Globe.
'A

for the

and

"

shades

of fiction.'

FLAMES

One

In
The

Daily Chronicle.
of

work

write.

can

who

man
.

can

*
"

Volume ',price6 s.

cunningblend

observe, who

of the romantic

think, who

can

and the real,the

imagine, and

can

who

sketches of the London

streets have
consists of its
real virtue of the book

the littlethumb-nail

And

HICHENS

ROBERT

BY

grim force of a Callot. But the

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tender, sympathetic,almost reverential pictureof Cuckoo
in
her
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all
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we
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nothing more
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do

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'
noteworthy book.

story
"

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contain

more

"

a novel
so
exceedinglyclever and daring work
its
reader
that
the
easilyforgives length.
engrossing
both
less than its striking
Its unflagginginterest and strength,
no
originality,
notable
novels
the most
rank it among
of designand treatment, will certainly

The

World.

"

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weirdlyfascinatingand

of the season.'

Daily Telegraph.
the firstchapterto the last.
excessively
up-to-date.'
The

LONDON:

"

WILLIAM

'

It carries

It is full of

HEINEMANN,

on

the attention

of the reader from

and

excitingincidents,very modern,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

LONDONERS

THE

One

In
Punch.
is.

As

amusing

Volume, price6s.
in

written

nonsense,

"

an
absurdity,"and
happy-go-luckystyle,it works

calls his eccentric

Hichens

Mr.

"

HICHENS

ROBERT

BY

story

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genuine hearty-laugh-extracting
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'

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luxuriant

IMAGINATIVE

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The

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HICHENS

Volume^ price6s.

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"

MAN

ROBERT

BY

great credit

does

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remarkable

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power,
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note

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on
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high place
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be

strong enough

name

The

teller of tales.

could

of strong sentiment, the sudden

of life and things that we
find in the author

others

drawing
interesting.
background of
be

Volume, price6s.

by

also

fail to

never

is written

in the

HICHENS

his well-merited
and

Carnation), it

knowledge

fanciful.
to

with

If it has almost

skill is shown

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ROBERT

writers

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characters

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In
World.

the

three

book.

remarkable

predecessor(The

BY

The

doubt

no

Hichens's

Mr.

presented

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of accessories.

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is touched
literature,

century prose

poeticcharm.'

of

when
in human

he is most
interest

making.'

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

BY

RED

ROCK

THOMAS

NELSON

One

In

Morning" Post.
psychologyin

is no

'

"

Red

the actual

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sympathetic tale

most

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women

become

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with

Southern

the power

of

engaging all

friends,our

our

them.

story,and

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at

neighbours,
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Rock

the

time

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of love and

loyaltyand chivalry.'
elaborated
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book

'The

"

'Mr.

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men

deeds of

'

News.

His

There

analysis
Mr. Page
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Rock
country, and he has the historyand politics
ends.
It reads like a chapter torn from
fingers'
and
intrigues

the times.

London

sympathies.

our

his

period at

historyof

Volume, price 6s.

story seethingwith incident and adventure.

Rock, but there are human
beings; there is no

of motive, but there are dark

knows
every inch of the Red
of his chosen

PAGE

picture

of the American
the outbreak
Civil War, and
the
he recalls to us not seldom
readjustmentof societythereafter its close
the Thackeray of the Virginians. Our interest in the characters is aroused

of the Southern

States

at

...

by sudden strokes of excitement than by a quietand loving accumulation

of reality. The
of details,which leaves behind an enduring sense
characters
into
if
them
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better day
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by day.'
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is delicately
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expressionof

gracious,

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benevolent, high-minded individuality.It has the sweet charm of
It is honest, loving,and capable;
school," the dignity,the rare manners.
of an antiquetime.'
and it has the faint,wistful charm
"

TRISTRAM

JASPAR
BY

One

In
Times.

*
"

Clarke

Mr.

of human

knowledge

Daily Chronicle.
;

he has

Volume^ price6s.

deserves

afterwards,are
'

"

Bookman.

'We

"

patient,accurate
World.

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LONDON:

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remarkable
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WILLIAM

and

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have here a very remarkable

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delightful
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of England in her loveliest guise.'
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picturesof Jasper'spreparatory school, and of the public

effective touch

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The

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in the story. Many passages

are
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the close of the story is reallyfine.'

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

IDEALA
STUDY

BY

SARAH

In

Morning

The

One

Post"

GRAND

Volume^ price 6s.

'Sarah

Grand's

is especially
itself,
interestingwhen
as
Standing alone, it is remarkable
faith the solution of

in

good
originaland somewhat
daring.
and thought-suggesting.'

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Yorkshire

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by

'As
readers.'

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success.

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The

...

in the

the outcome

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"

for the fair sex, and at once

which thoughtfulwomanhood

Ideala.

read

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The

LIFE

FROM

Volume^ price 6s.

general sympathy with widely

differing
phases of humanity, coupled with power to reproduce what is seen,
for
with vivid, distinct strokes, that rivet the attention, are
qualifications
which
Grand
Sarah
in Our Manifold Nature
of the kind contained
work
All these studies,male and female
evidently possesses in a high degree.
and power
to recognise
marked
to life,
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apparently incongruous
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Spectator. 'Insight into,

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Sarah

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things,which, if it fails to make

them exceedinglyinteresting.'

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

them

W.C.

In

characters

Extremely interestingand very

Old Martha
drawn, especiallythe women.
old women
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palpablyliving

well

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very few
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Volume^ price6.y.

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Review

HOLDSWORTH

E.

ANNIE

BY

The

ARRIVE

GODS

THE

Observer.

'
"

book

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Daily Chronicle.
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more
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THE

EATEN

HATH
BY

ANNIE

HOLDSWORTH

E.

One

In

LOCUST

THE

THAT

YEARS

'

Volume^ price 6s.

is marked
The
novel
Literary World.
by great strength,which
is always under
that we
made
are
so
subjectionto the author's giftof restraint,
Pathos
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true
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sense) go
as
together through these chapters; and for such qualities
earnestness, insight,
moral
and
thoughtfulness,The Years that the Locust hath Eaten
courage,
stands out prominentlyamong
noteworthy books of the time.
Standard.
The
'A
to Joanna Traill, Spinster. It is
worthy successor
has
and
It
insight
sympathy and pathos, humour, and
quite as powerful.
of
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shrewd
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idealism.
a humour,
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story
that ought to give the story a long reign.
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'

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'

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the best instincts of her

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Mall

sex,

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Gazette."'

have

The

written.'

book

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be missed

by

fastidious

novel-reader.'
LONDON:

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

MCLEOD
BY

In
The

Speaker.

vivid and

'

We

"

powerful story
to which
perfection
Manchester

Hamilton

CAMERONS

M.

HAMILTON

One

Volume, price6s.

have

novels of life at Malta, but

read many

in local colour

accurate

and

The

THE

OF

as

M( ''Lead of the

Camerons.

none

analysisof character ; it offers a standard

majorityof writers of fiction cannot attain.'

acute

the

Guardian.

Strikingand exceedinglyreadable.
and yet
congratulatedupon a very fresh,exciting,

is to be

so

well-told
of

Miss

"

natural

piece of work.'

THE

FREEDOM

OF
BY
In

The

Observer.

'

HAMILTON

M.

Volume, price6s.

One

Miss

MEREDYTH

HENRY

written to better

advantage
mainly dependent for interest on its
struck throughout,and
human
but there is a distinctly
note
characterisation,
the author displays
keen insightinto everyday life and its complications.
than

"

in this volume.

Hamilton

The

has seldom

is

book

'

Literature.
The

Court

"

'Well

Journal.

both

'

"

touches, so
perceptive
without

told in

vein of

the interest

one

M.

BY
In
Athenaeum.
is brisk,and

"

the

One

"

'An

word, is

be missed.'

HAMILTON

Volume, price6^.
are

dialogueis natural

Daily Chronicle.

not

story, in

ORDINANCE

characters

'The

The

that should

SELF-DENYING

The

with

of sensationalism.

and pleasant,and
interesting

The

good taste, and is full of shrewd

is sustained agreeably without effort and

It is written

the artificial stimulus

consistent realism.'

vigorousand

the
distinct,
exceptionally

and

excellent

ment
move-

convincing.'

novel.

of
Con way is one
small tribute to the

Joanna

figuresin recent fiction. It is no

author's skill that this simple country girl,without beauty or accomplishments,
is full of excellent
book
is from first to last so winning a personality. The
the most

attractive

observation.'

LONDON:

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

THE

WIDOWER

BY
In

E.

W.

One

NORRIS

Volume, price 6s.

Mr. Norris's new

There
St. James's Gazette."'
story is one of his best.
his novels
and
is always about
of
able
The
an
authorship
atmosphere
Widower
in
the
is handled
Norris's
Mr.
which
to
manner
throughout
perfect
.

readers

are

balanced

and

'Without

"

economy

Humour

has

He

effort at

of effects

is excellent.

knotty scheme.
descriptionof

in his
maid

; the

conditions

mental
of his

been

never

the childhood

the writingis graceful,

correct,
style,
curiouslyskilful ; the record of
to his help in the unravelling
comes
more
brilliantly
entertainingthan

is

of Cuckoo.

At

her conversations

The
boy cousin the reader laughs aloud.
comic
creation of really a high order.
Anything more
discussions
between
and her husband
Lady Wardlow
read.'
Pall
and

'

accustomed.
Saturday Review.

well

her

Mall

Gazette.

whole

the

'
"

is

There
of

the

amusing
do

we

in every
details. Mr.
delicately-finished

worthy
witty, clever,and unfailingin delicacyand
always delightfully
and
breezilyactual,and brisklypassing along. In
manner,
charming.'

BY

In
The

Athenaeum.

not

is distinction of all kinds

MARIETTA'S

with her

maid, Budgett, is
than
want

the
to

paragraph,
Norris

is

point of style
a

word, he

is

MARRIAGE
E.

W.
One

NORRIS

Volume, price 6s.

insightinto certain types of

of modern
nature, a
society these
and
exhibits
in his present
are
again
giftsMr. Norris has alreadydisplayed,
volume.
From
the first chapter to the last, the book
runs
smoothly and
a piquant situation.'
briskly,with natural dialogueand many
Norris
The
'Mr.
has had the good fortune to discover
Morning Post.
a
varietyof the "society" novel which offers little but satisfaction to the
taste.
Perfectlyacquainted with the types he reproduces, the author's
characterisation is,as always, graphic and
convincing. Rarely has the type
of thefetnme incomprise been studied with such careful attention or
rendered
with so much
of subtle comprehension as in Marietta. '
the abilityit disThe
Sketch.
'It would
be difficult to over-estimate
plays,
its keen reading of human
nature, the careful realism of its descriptions
of life to-day.'
is dexterouslydrawn.
The
Every character in the book
Daily News.
often dramatic, and
is the work
Mr. Norris's book is interesting,
of, if not a
women.'
of
and
humorous
and
close
observer
men
a
deep,
'Novels
from Mr. Norris's pen
The
Observer.
are
invariablywelcome,
and
he
this will be no exception to the rule.
Amongst other capabilities,
of
and
be
their
his
human
characters,
nature,
a strong knowledge
possesses
are
natures
scrupulouslytrue to life.'
good, bad, or indifferent,
he is in his
The
Spectator. 'A specimen of Mr. Norris's work when
happiestmood.'
human

'A

"

fluent

style,a

comprehensive and

keen

view

humorous

"

"

"

"

'

"

"

"

LONDON

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

VICTIM

OF
W.

BY

In
The

Daily Chronicle.

with normal

one

health

The

One
*

GOOD
NORRIS

E.

Volume, price 6s.

It has

"

LUCK

not

dull page

from

firstto last.

Any

real pleasure.'
of
Norris displaysto the full his generalcommand
and
invented
natural
at once
are
happily
yet quite

and

taste

read

can

book

like this with

Mr.
Spectator.
narrative expedientswhich
which seem
to belong to their place in the book, justas a keystone belongs
to its place in the arch.
The
brightestand cleverest book which Mr.
Norris has given us since he wrote
The Rogue.''
'

"

"

The

Review.

Saturday

morbid,

which

'Novels

"

are

neither

dull,unwholesome,

in these days, that A

Victim of Good
so
are
rare
disagreeable,
Luck
filled for the most
ought to find a place in a book-box
part with
We
think it will increase the reputationof an already
lightliterature.
.

nor
.

popularauthor.'

very

THE

DANCER
BY

Manchester

full,as

the London
laid it down

We
the wish
'

"

byways

and

The

first to last it is easy,

From

in

We

of

men

finished

the book

there

Dancer
.

and

clever

that

were

very
more

In

E.

things.'

study of a dancer at one of

and
pleasantand refreshing,
like it.'

by surprise. The

story is

he

RADNA
NORRIS

Volume, price 6s.

One

'In style,skill in construction,and

Speaker.
a dozen
ordinarynovels.'
"

general "go," it is

The novel, like all Mr. Norris's work, is an excessively

allows
his
for a moment
clever piece of work, and the author
never
characters
slacken.'
of
and
his
his
to
plot
grasp
*
Westminster
The
Gazette.
Mr. Norris writes throughout with much
ing.
and then something that is worth rememberliveliness and force, saying now
he sketches his minor characters
with a firm touch.'
And

Black

and

White.

ing
pleasantread-

has written any more

admiration is due to the
particular

COUNTESS
W.

and

Yellow takes us
do not think

skilful story than this one, and

episodesof the narrative. '

BY

The

c
"

found

pathetic.

THE

worth

Volume, price6s.

knowledge

very

theatres.

tragicand
and

'A

"

with
World.

The
clever

usual, of shrewd

Guardian.

The

both

Guardian.

YELLOW

NORRIS

E.

W.

One

In
The

IN

'

"

"

LONDON:

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

THE

TERROR

One

In

Daily Mail.
Pall

Mall

Reds

The

of

Those

will

Midi

the

of dulness.
excitement
grows

interval

incidents

told with

are

Gras

read

admiration

The

Terror.

adventures, and
startling
and

absorbs

development

out
with-

reader's attention.

the
of

for

It is

the

plot, and

the

spirit.'
narrative is told with

life with

observes

pictureof

This

It excites
the

Gladstone's

Mr.

they

perilousand
with

'The

"

it when

...

much

Review.

Saturday

shared

who

renew

story, full of

vivid

The

If Mr.

*
"

Volume^ price 6s.

vivid.'

and

Strong

Gazette.

and
stirring
one

'
"

GRAS

FELIX

BY

melodramatic

eye,

time

terrible

has

with
humour.
vivacity,
prehensive.
glance is pretty comhappy effects of light

his

many

shade.'

and

Bookman.

page is either lurid,or feverish,or lyrical. The glow

The
is of something
generalimpressionleft on the memory
and exhilarating.'
strong, original,
'
Critic.
Felix Gras gives us in this book
merciless pictureof France
a
*

Every

"

of the South

is in it.

"

when

that blind

thing

of

fury,Marat,

in the zenith

was

of his baleful

of that terrible time are given with a realism

in its directness and
the
force.
Felix Gras is amongst
The

events

invention

His

France.

of the Southern

IN

and

buoyancy of his temperament.'

HASTE
E.

In
The

critics. Her

and
of

Speaker.

writing as
The

Linton

St.

Mrs.

"

LYNN

One

Volume^price 6s.
Haste

commands
and

the respect of her readers

Leisiire"is as powerful a piece

"

uses

the

"New

of

English,Mrs. Lynn
and logic,
with
Woman"
are
ruthlessly
sarcasm

aside.'

The

Literary World.

at Leisure
can

at

to her pen.'
owe
any that we
'A thorough mistress
James's Budget.
the weapons
of knowledge and ridicule,
of

powerful effect; the shallow pretences of

torn

LEISURE

LINTON

Lynn Linton

story, In

new

AT

AND

BY

power.
brutal

of
great story-tellers
like
he
fascinates
a
nd,
Daudet,
reason
flags,
by

never

warmth

that is almost

remains

Daily Graphic.

tremendous

its exaggerations
may

Whatever

notable

achievement.
it with confidence.'

recommend

The

'
"

all-round

'
"

It is

cannonade

an

to

It has

given

us

be, In

Haste

and

pleasure,and

interestingstory, while it is the

the fair emancipated have

which

we

most

been

subjected.'
The
The

World."'

It is

clever,and well written.'

and
thoroughly interesting,

Graphic.
irresistibly
tempt quotation.'
St. James's Gazette.
It is
widelyread and enjoyed.'
'

"

almost
The

LONDON:

It is

'

"

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

novel

21

that

it is full of passages

that

ought to be, and will be,

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

THE

W.

E.

invented

BERNARD

In

One

service all

yeoman
book
for

OF

BY

in the

Henley

him

LAKE

WINE
CAPES

Volume, price 6s.

'Outlook.'"

through

long which contented

and excellently
done

me

is

"

Capes'sdevotion

'Mr.

this excellent

of

lover

no

This

romance

to

styledoes

I have

...

book.

this

as

one

romance.

story
"

can

read

no

excellently

afford

to leave

unread.'
Observer.
'The
features in this novel

and

plot

its

working

thoroughly interesting
workmanship.'
literary
Daily Telegraph. 'A tender and sympathetic love idyllunderlies the
The
feverish drama.
book are
leadingincidents and situations of this stirring
its
b
ut
with
and
humour.'
highly tragical,
dialoguesparkles
light
genial
"

which

book

out

shows

are

fine

"

Daily Chronicle.
sampled

on

any

'This

"

is

The

page.

of those desirable

one

of

reading

paragraph

books
or

two

which

be
may
inducement
is

sufficient to the judiciousto settle down

and read the whole.
It is a story of
and
breathless incident,but it is a story of
incident, of course, of constant
characterisation also.'

Spectator.

Bernard
Mr.
the picturesque and
successful in the framing of his
'

Capes

"

sense

of

of the great law

application
St. James's Gazette.
"

the clash of

arms

the

and

plot,the

greatlyenhancing

THE

an

of suspense. '
'
love-motif
The

is Stevensonian.

through the book,

intrepidimagination, a keen
is not less
he has style. He
invention of incident,
and the discreet

has

eerie,and

is of the

quaintestand

daintiest ;

There
is a vein of mystery
its interest.'

running

SCOURGE-STICK

BY

One

In

PRAED

CAMPBELL

MRS.

Volume, price6s.

Daily Telegraph.
Undeniably powerful and interesting.'
There
is good and strong work in The Scourge-Stick.'
Daily Chronicle.
'Mrs.
more
Academy.
Campbell Praed has produced a story of much
and power.'
than her usual significance
'

"

'

"

"

Truth.
World."

'
"

It is

story.'
very powerful and interesting
admirable
firsthalf of The Scourge-Stickis as

piece of
to
as
character-drawingare
any one
is
alike excellent ; and, what
is still more
and delightful,
rare
every page
of stylewhich
is the glamour cast only by
charm
pervaded by that nameless
not
For simple straightforwardmastery and grip,it would
genuine power.
be easy to surpass the firstchapter.
Not
Observer."'
only is The Scourge-Stickthe best novel that Mrs. Praed
has yet written, but it is one
that will long occupy
a
prominent place in the
'The

fiction

need

wish

read.

Situation

and

'

literature of the age. '

Illustrated
London

singularlypowerful study of a woman

to higherthings.
stepping-stones
everything,only
A succession of strong, natural,and excitingsituations.'
be admitted
which
'A
must
Black
and White.
notable book
by all to
fascination.
have real power, and that most
intangiblequality
who

News.

"

'A

to rise on

fails in

"

'

"

LONDON

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

THE

SPOILS
BY
In

The

OF

HENRY
One

National

POYNTON
JAMES

Volume, price6s.

Observer.
'One
of the finest works of the imagination,if
the
that
has
from the press for several years.
A
finest,
actually
come
work of brilliant fancy,of delicate humour, of gentle satire,of tragedy and
"

not

comedy

in

lives of

men

appropriateadmixture.
and

who,

women,

A
one

polished and enthralling

story of the
all,are absolutelyreal. We
gratulate
conthe
the
and
the
delicacy,
upon
power,

and

Mr. James without

reserve
of a book of no common
fascination.'
The
Bookseller.
all Mr. James'swonted
'Shows
subtleness of observation
and analysis,
fine humour, and originality
of thought.'
The
Standard."
'Immensely clever.'

charm

"

The

Daily

book

we

have

cleverness

News.

*
Mr. James's art is that of the miniaturist.
In this
of
the
much
delicate whimsicalities of expression,
of the amazing
in verbal parryings; we
ship.
to admire
the workmannever
cease
"

'

St.

The

James's Gazette."'

mand
novel, written with perfectcomliterature.
exquisitely
polished
of
'Delightfulreading. The old felicity
and
the
of
the
fastidious
subtle
flashes
phrase
epithet,
insight,
quick,
liking
for the best in character and art, are
marked
as
as
give one an
ever, and
intellectualpleasure
for which one
be too grateful.
cannot

of the situation,original
The
Guardian."
Manchester
"

notable

'

pieceof

'

THE

OTHER

BY

HENRY

In

Morning

The

novelists,in

that

Post.

HOUSE

'
"

One
Mr.

JAMES
Volume,price6s.

James

stands almost

his work as a whole

his gifts. He
has

alone among
contemporary
that time, instead of impairing,
been an
example of style. His
appreciatethe higher literature of

shows

ever
ripensand widens
wide
those
who
popularityamong
already
fiction should be considerablyincreased by

novel.
The

the

productionof

this excellent

'

Daily News.

madrigal.

{
"

melodrama

All the characters,however

with
clearness of insight,
of relentless observation.

those

wrought with the exquisitenessof a

lightlysketched, are drawn with that

minute, accurate,

unforeseen

touches

that tell

to
presentationis so clear that they seem
in an atmosphere as limpid as that which permeates the pictures
move
painted
the whole
art with which
by De Hooghe. It may be the consummate
literary
the
sinister
At
of
done
the
horror
the
does
is
that
theme
not grip us.
thing
author's
of
the
remain
crisis we
calm enough to admire
the unfailing
felicity
phrase, the subtlety of his discriminatingtouches, the dexterityof his
handling.'
The
Scotsman.
'A
masterpiece of Mr. James's analyticalgenius and
has
He
best.
finished literary
also shows
him at his dramatic
It
style.
lously
marvelwritten anything in which insightand dramatic
so
are
never
power
with fine and delicate literary
combined
workmanship.

The

"

LONDON

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C.

WHAT

MAISIE

BY

HENRY

In
We

Academy.

KNEW
JAMES

Volume

One

',price 6s.

read this book

with amazement
and delight:
delicacy; with delightthat its author retains
conscience that forbids him
unswerving
an
literary
to leave
a
word
of
its
out
a
or
There
single
slipshodphrase,
appointed place.
are
many
write dialogue that is amusing, convincing,real.
writers who
can
But there
reach
Mr.
who
is none
can
James's extraordinary skill in tracing dialogue
from the first vague
impulse in the mind to the definite spoken word.'

The

with

"

have

at its supreme
allegianceto

amazement

EMBARRASSMENTS
BY
In
Times.

HENRY
One

JAMES

Volume, price

6s.

Mr. James's stones

continued
are
a
protest againstsuperficial
workmanship and slovenly style. He is an enthusiast who has devoted
fire of genuine literature ; and
himself
he has his
to keeping alive the sacred
The

in

reward

The

"

admirers.'

circle of constant

art.
James is the Meissonier of literary
the precisionof touch, that
new
volume, we
exquisiteifess,
his characteristic qualities.It is a curiously
volume.'
are
fascinating
National
Observer.
'The
delicate art of Mr.
The
Henry James has
to more
rarelybeen seen
advantage than in these stories.
The
St. James's Gazette.
'All four stories are delightful
for admirable
and
The
workmanship, for nicetyand precisionof presentation,
Way it Came
is beyond questiona masterpiece.

In

News.

Daily

'

Mr.

"

find

his

Henry

all the

"

'

"

'

TERMINATIONS
BY

One

In
Times.

The
in his

'
"

HENRY

All the stories

JAMES

Volume, price 6s.

told

are

by

man

whose

heart and

soul

are

professionof literature.'

will not fail to recognisein the

'The
Morning Post.
discriminating
this
volume
of
a very
high order and a wealth
composing
workmanship
revelation.'
in
a
imaginativefancy that is, a measure,

The

"

tales
of

The
the

Athenaeum.

general belief

material.

On

'
"

The

be

as

the

LONDON:

as

no

way

shake

of
Henry James's accomplished touch and command
conclusions
long since foregone,and
contrary, it confirms

such
With
the respect of his readers.
his
best
in
observation,surely
manner,
sparkling

satisfied

will in

in Mr.

will increase
wit and

of Terminations

appearance

his readers

WILLIAM

cannot

of trenchant
passages
Mr. James ought to

fail to be.'

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET,

W.C

THE

A.

NIGGER

T.

JOSEPH

In

One
in

the novels of the

Narcissus"
Crane's

of Mr.

'

THE

BY

Quiller-Couch

prizeamong
"

OF

NARCISSUS'

CONRAD

Volume, price 6s.

Pall

Mall

past

season,

Magazine."
it should

go

'

Had

I to award

The

to

is a thoroughly
Mr. Conrad's
good tale. He
insistence ; he gripsa situation,an incident, much

Browning's Italian wished

Nigger of the
has something
as

Mr.

Metternich

emotion
and
; he squeezes
grasp
vivid ; he knows
of it to the last drop ; he is ferociously
the lifehe

colour out
is writing about, and

he

of the Narcissus

crew

to

knows

his

the most

are

too.

seamen

And, by

the

consequence,

life-likeset of rascals
plausibly

that

ever

through the pages of fiction.'

Mr.
'Never, in any book with which I am
acquainted,
James Payn.
been
has a storm
at sea
so
magnificentlyyet so realistically
depicted. At
in the book
that is manifested
sort of poeticpower
times, there is the same
in the most
by Victor Hugo ; at others, it treats matters
practicaland
about
with
it which
common-sense
though
always
something separate
manner,
Mr.
writer.
It
does
much
that
Conrad
too
the
not
to
to
seem
belongs
say
the
in
introduced
British
merchant
this
to
us
as
book,
Rudyard
has,
seaman,
Kipling introduced us to the British soldier.
Speaker. 'A pictureof sea-life as it is lived in storm and sunshine on
its emphasis, and its extraordinary
a
merchant-ship,which, in its vividness,
fulness of detail,is a Worthy pendant to the battle-picture
presentedto us in
We
have had many
of storms
The Red
descriptions
Badge of Courage.
To
this.
wonderful
like
It
is
have
but
at sea
none
a
picture.
painted
before,
sailed

"

'

"

it in such a fashion that its vivid

'
is a very notable achievement.

colouringbites

SOLDIERS
RICHARD

BY

One

In
The

story
"

Pall
it is one

OF

Mall

of the spectator,

FORTUNE

HARDING

DAVIS

Volume, price 6.y. Illustrated.

Gazette.

which

into the mind

it is

"

heartilycongratulate Mr. Davis on this

to read and
an
imperativeduty to
delight
great
'We

praise.'
adventures and excitingincidents in the book are
told.
This
brilliantly
story of the revolution is most
is reallya great tale of adventure.'
The
Spectator. 'The fightingis described with a vividness and vigour

Athenaeum.
admirable ; the whole
The

"

'

The

"

worthy

of Mr.

Stephen Crane.

The

told
story is artistically

as

well

as

highly

exciting.'
'We
the pages quickly, carried on
turn
by a
Daily Chronicle.
and
when
and
brilliant
:
we
a
put the
passage
many
swiftlymoving story,
of
named
that
works
this
be
is
few
to
season
are
book down, our impression
make
successful
novel.
We
which
a
with it for the many
qualities
late
congratuMr. Harding Davis upon a very clever pieceof work.'

The

LONDON

"

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

BEDFORD

STREET, W.C.

THE

CHILD
BY

OF

GABRIELE
In

PLEASURE

D'ANNUNZIO

One

Volume ',price 6-5*.

Academy.
'clever,subtle,to the point of genius.'
'A powerful study of passion,masterly of its kind.'
Daily Mail.
The
Daily Graphic.
poetic beauty and richness of the language make it
a sensuous,
glowing poem in prose.
Critic.
It is a young
man's book, full of the joy of life,
of an almost
lyrical
in
all
and
material
manifestations
of
D'Annunzio
physical
rapture
beauty
he succeeds
sees
everythingwith the eye of an artist
always in spiritualising
material
things.'
The
Scotsman.
with which the
strengthof the book lies in the intensity
the
writer brings out
pleasuresand pains of his creatures.'
.

"

'

"

'

'

"

...

"

THE

VICTIM

In
Pall

Mall

is shown
with

Gazette.

historyof

mental

which

'No

"

bold

Daily Chronicle.
beauty passages which
"

self-revelation

the

revelation

skill and

of

with

man,

bruised, bleeding,is always

THE

Mall

compels
rare

self

that

extraordinary. The

so

before

It

D'Annunzio
soul

of the

story holds and

haunts

us.'

DEATH

Volume^ price 6s.

'A

masterpiece. The

by the great French

contemporary whom, in his realism,
of the pilgrimageto the shrine of
resembles, is the account
sick,deformed, and afflicted. It is a great prose poem, that,

Unequalled even

one.

D'Annunzio

most

of

Virgin by the
its kind, cannot

us

in

the

and

effort.'

D'ANNUNZIO

One

Gazette."

therefrom,

of

sort

OF

GABRIELE
In

Pall

the

knowledge

the

...

TRIUMPH
BY

The

descriptivepassages of
lovelylittle prose lyrics.

are

delineates
raw,

contains many

by themselves

"

is

book

'The

analysisof

genius of D'Annunzio
the conception,and the perfection

of

directness

fit his

The

out
every detail that follows
its full share of the work without

to do

sentence

every

Volume, price6s,
word
but "genius" will
.

works

he

One

the faithless husband.

in the

alike

D'ANNUNZIO

GABRIELE

BY

series of

surpassed. Every
word-picturesof wonderful
be

ever-recurringrefrain
the book.
lay down

Viva

Maria

It is the

detail of the
power
Evviva

! Maria
work

of

is

scene

and

vivid

brought before
colouring,and the

rings in our ears as we

genius is beyond

whose

master,

'

dispute.

THE

VIRGINS
GABRIELE

BY

In

Daily Chronicle.

OF

"

'He

One
writes

THE

ROCKS

D'ANNUNZIO

Volume, price 6s.

and
beautifully,

this

The
admirably translated.
picturehe presents
in their sun-baked, mouldering, sleepy palace is,as
'
strangely impressiveand even
haunting.
most

LONDON:

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

21

book, by

of these
we

BEDFORD

look

the

three

way,

is

princesses

back

upon

STREET,

W.C

it,

LATEST

THE

One

In

BY

STEPHEN

CRANE,

ACTIVE
BY

of The Red

Author

etc.
Badge of Courage,

Author

DUDENEY,
Wicken, etc.

Harriott

FOLLY
BY

Volume, price6s.

SERVICE

HENRY

MRS.

FICTION

of

The

Maternity of

CORNER

RICHARD

HARDING

DAVIS,

Author

of

Soldiers

of

Fortune, etc.

LION

THE

AND

Illustrated
BY

EVELYN

by

GERTRUDE

DIX

BREAKERS

IMAGE

C. B. FERNALD

CHINATOWN
BY

CHRISTY.

CHANDLER

IMPORTUNATE

THE
BY

HOWARD

UNICORN

DICKINSON

HEARTS
BY

THE

STORIES
Author

MAXWELL

GRAY,
Treasure, etc.

E.

HOLDSWORTH,

THE

VALLEY

The

House

of Hidden

Other

and

DERELICT,

TWICE
By ANNIE

of

Author

of The

OF

THE

Gods

Stories
Arrive,etc.

GREAT

SHADOW
BY

ANNIE

FLORA

Waters,

STEEL,

Author

of

On

IN

A Chromatic

NIGHT:

THE

Fantasia
I.

LONDON

Author

ZANGWILL,

THAT

THEY

of

etc.

VOICES

BY

the Face

of Children

IN

WALK

Ghetto

Tragedies

WILLIAM

HEINEMANN,

of the Ghetto^"tc.

21

DARKNESS:

BEDFORD

STREET, W.C.

the