Anonymous - Eveline

Mrs. Hodge rose to her feet. She was quite dramatic in her excitement. As she unfolded her narration, the truth had gradually come home to me. It was the old story-only a penny novel. But there was more than that in it. This view struck me also. Every word was evidently true. She had told me at least one fact I recognized only too well. Very naturally she had fallen into an error in her knowledge of only half the facts. Very possibly, as regarded my matrimonial affairs, there existed a double disqualification. I felt angry at having been deceived. I had been married only a year. I felt I was looked upon all round as a failure-a disappointment. In a flash it occurred to me why the three sisters of the Earl had suddenly commenced a course of subservient patronage towards their cousin, the heir apparent to the title and the entail. It was even said the youngest was going to marry him. Many things hitherto hidden from my understanding became clear. The cousin, a worthless, idle creature, would obtain the title, Chitterlings would one day be his. My woman's instincts were aroused, my pride revolted.

"Go on, Mrs. Hodge. I am much interested. Alas! I think it is much as you say, but still I fear there is nothing to be done. I must be content to be as I am. You are blessed with two beautiful children, boys fit to be kings. You have a fine young fellow for a husband replete with health and strength, while I…"

The good woman dropped on her knees again. She came closer and gazed up into my face with a puzzled look I could not decipher.

"I shouldn't! No, my lady-not in your place-I shouldn't. It ain't in nature. What! Let all go to nobody knows where? A fine title! A fine estate! When all might be for you and yours but for the fault of a certain person who has passed his time in ruining his faculties. See, my lady; only see what might be yours! Look on my boys there-my Jock's the man that knows the trick! Oh, my dear lady, try my Jock?"

Mrs. Hodge clutched my hand, took it between her own, and slobbered it with her kisses as she knelt humbly before me.

"What, Eveline, my darling child, you are in town again-so unexpected too! I thought you had intended remaining some time longer down it Chitterlings."

"So I did, dear papa, but I have changed my mind. Ladies are apt to be fickle you know, and they are privileged to change their minds."

"But you are not fickle. You stick to your old love, my sweet girl, or your darling little hand would not be where it now is."

"Do you like to feel your little Eveline's warm hand there, dear papa? Is it nice? Does it make you feel you love your own little girl? Do you like my kisses? Do they give you pleasure? Is my tongue warm and soft? Is it all that which makes this sweet thing so stiff and broad and long? Oh, dear papa, let me caress it-let me-"

"Oh, my God, Eveline, you kill me with pleasure. Your tongue and your lips are maddening me. Take care-I shall fill your mouth!"

"Well, papa, and what then? Do I not love your sweet sperm?"

"Oh, stay-you drive me mad-not again! Oh! Oh! It is in your mouth. You are rolling your hot tongue round the nut. Oh! Good Lord! If you will-you must-there! There! Take it… take all! I spend! I die! Oh! My God, what pleasure!"

"You and I will sleep together tonight, dear papa, shall we not? You will make the bed go crickety crack when you are on the top of your own girl, will you not, papa?"

"There is a ball at Lady A 's in Eaton Square. You had an invitation, I know. It is for the day after tomorrow. Will you go, Eveline? A dance will do you good. If you will say, I will take you myself."

"Then I will go, dear papa. Endover is coming to London. I have sent for him to the North."

"What can be the matter, my darling? I hope nothing is wrong."

"Nothing is wrong in an ordinary sense, but I have come to a decision. I am not satisfied with the state of my health; not altogether sure that things might not be set right as regards my-my present condition, papa."

"Eveline, you alarm me. One would fear you are not well."

"I am quite well-and quite resolved. One thing is certain: I have been married over twelve months. Endover is becoming morose. He had given up domesticity. He goes here and there. He writes to inquire after every interval we pass together if I have any news for him. I understand what he means. I have none."

"My poor darling!"

"You remember our conversations, papa. Who knows what may be the cause of my sterility, for such it is. I have decided to consult a London physician. I have sent for my husband to hear his opinion after a proper examination. I should like you to be with him on that occasion, dear papa."

"I think you are very wise. The stake is an enormously important one. It is worth playing for. I will not disguise from you that the Earl has already lamented the loss of all his hopes in my hearing."

"We shall see. At any rate I will not leave this chance untried."

"Are you ready, Eveline? The carriage is at the door. Although you will not want for partners, I should not, in your place, be late. The supper is arranged, they tell me, for an unusually early hour. Lady A- likes her guests to dance, as sailors say, with the champagne all abroad."

"How dreadful, dear papa. I want no such stimulant. I have not danced since my marriage. You must give me a square dance. I do not think I shall care to waltz, though you know how I love it."

"Never mind. As Percy would say, 'Let's make a night of it!' I must leave you early. I have an important engagement to meet the new Viceroy at the club. He could only come down there late."

"Yes, I mean to make a night of it, papa. I may not have such a chance again. But come and take me home."

Papa laughed. I could see my humor made him nervous. He changed the subject.

"How superbly beautiful you look, my dear child! How lovely your dress, yet how simple! It does not look good enough for the Countess of Endover though; but it becomes you superbly. Oh! What gloves! Your long white kid gloves are absolutely ravishing. They look so infinitely delicate and soft. They fit like the skin they are, but then your darling little hand is perfect. Your bracelets too are selected with exquisite taste, so simple and yet so chaste. Your dress is curiously made-almost a divided skirt."

"Let us go then, dear papa. You kill me with your kind-hearted flattery. Endover cares nothing now for all the points, as he would call them, that enumerate."

The dancing had been in full swing for some time when we arrived. I found a chance to give papa his quadrille. Several young men were presented to me. I selected one-an old acquaintance. We waltzed together. He danced well. The music was good-the time perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The strains of the melody died away. The dancers stopped. Supper was announced. My partner thought himself the happiest of men to lead me downstairs to partake of it. I was thirsty. The champagne was grateful to my feverish palate. I left the table at the first opportunity. I wanted air. My head ached. I found myself in the entrance hall. The house door was open. An awning had been erected down to the curb. A solitary footman stood in attendance just below the steps. The night breeze was so refreshing. I looked behind; I was alone. I advanced a step or two beyond the doorway. I drew the hood of my opera cloak over my head.

"Looking for your carriage, miss? Shall I find it for you? It's too early, I think. Ours is the only one here at present."

"Oh, no! Thank you very much. It is not here. I felt faint. I want to breathe the fresh air. It is so fine tonight. The heat inside is oppressive."

"Yes, miss-lovely night-all the stars out. Would you like a quiet turn round in our carriage? It would do you good."

I took a rapid survey of the man. He was of the ordinary type-tall, good-looking to a certain extent, and wearing a livery which I did not recognize. It was equally evident he did not know me.