Anonymous - Eveline

"Go at once and get a glass of wine, dear papa. I must not have you reduced so much again for a long while to come."

There is no change so beneficial for a convalescent as the sweet country air of the Lake district. The bracing breezes of the Chitterlings would, I hoped, do much for me. Perhaps I expected their influence to be seconded by other and more potent agents. This may well have been. The Earl was with me. Endover was in his gayest humor. The day had been a long and fatiguing one. I begged him to excuse me. I retired early. I told him I felt worn out with fatigue. He wished to rejoin me in my chamber. I begged him to be reasonable. I was so tired. Tomorrow-yes, tomorrow night he should share my bed. My loving arms should reward him for all his forbearance. Yes! We would celebrate our new and second honeymoon. There should be no reason to complain of the coldness of his little wife.

I lay that night awake. I recalled in my mind the many instances of the Earl's indifference; his utter neglect when first, after so brief a period, he had treated me, his wife, as he had so many other women before me when the novelty of possession had worn off. I felt a disgust, a loathing I could not shake off. I thought of his low amours, of all I had heard, of what I knew only too well were his present associations. I remembered the pitiful history which poor Mrs. Hodge had revealed. As I did so, a thought came to my mind with the picture of her tearful earnest face. Did she contemplate a secret and a terrible retribution? Was she capable in her apparent simplicity of so double a scheme? I should know more tomorrow. I would satisfy myself ere I went further in the matter I had in hand.

Poor Mrs. Hodge! Simple Mrs. Hodge! What a cruel fate had left its stain and its memory with her! Only saved from the mire of moral degradation-from absolute destitution-by her strong unscrupulous common sense, she had made her escape in a marriage which, if it was not one of absolutely deep affection, afforded her at once a protection and a home. To her ignorant nature, born and bred among the peasantry of the estate-imbued only with the lowest perceptions of the moral sense, she looked upon her rustic spouse principally as a fine animal who had been the means of giving her two equally fine children and who was a sober and suitable companion in her quiet home. Like a certain class of dependents becoming fast extinct, her destinies were bound up in those of the great family in whose service, and under whose tenure, she and her progenitors had been born and brought up. They made themselves and their interests one with the noble house they served and in reality looked to the prosperity of their lord as a necessary adjunct to their own.

Mrs. Hodge was delighted to see me. We had frequently met since my first and memorable visit. The anxiety of the good woman on the subject we had discussed had by no means subsided, but she had abstained from any very pointed references thereto, merely contenting herself with a sigh and shrug of her broad shoulders, as if to deplore the fact and my want of appreciation of her views on the subject.

On this occasion she was particularly communicative.

"Ah, my lady, those big towns like Liverpool and London; the smoke and the fogs, and the bad air are not doin' your ladyship any good. If I may make so bold, your ladyship is thinner and paler than when you went away."

"You are right, Mrs. Hodge. I have not been very well."

"Nothing like the fresh air here, my lady. In a week you would be a different creature."

"I wish I was a different creature, indeed I do! I am not satisfied with myself, Mrs. Hodge."

"I don't wonder at it. Why, how can you be? And it's not all your own fault either. Ah! Dear me-dear me-what one has to put up with? Now my Jock-why Lor' bless you, my lady, there's no holdin' of him when he's on!"

She had sunk her voice to a mere whisper. She shut the door of the lodge. She came back and placed herself on her knees before me. It was her favorite attitude. There was something comically irresistible in the semi-pleading position she assumed. I laughed softly.

"Why, Mrs. Hodge, your Jock must be a terrible fellow indeed by your description. I should not care to be in your place."

"Wouldn't you, my lady? Sometimes I think you would though. He's not much to look at: only an honest plain-spoken lad, but he's true as steel, and-and he can hold his tongue. He's as silent as the night. That's what he is! Don't tell me your ladyship is content. I've told you already what I think. It ain't in nature-a beautiful sweet young creature like your ladyship and wedded to-to-"

"Oh, Mrs. Hodge! What's done can't be undone, you know."

"No, but it can be amended! Do you think I'd waste all my young days if I was in your place? Not I."

"What would you do, Mrs. Hodge?"

"What would I do? Well, if I found my husband was no husband to me, but had deceived me into thinking him a man, I'd get one in his place. That's what I'd do! So should you, my lady!"

She hobbled up close to me in her excitement. Her volubility seemed to carry her away. She laid her hands caressingly upon my knees. She brought her face closer. She felt more confident-she grew bolder as she saw me smile. I laid my hand softly on hers. She was about to speak again. I motioned her to remain silent.

"I will not disguise it from you. I do not attempt to deny my great disappointment. That which you related to me on the occasion of my first coming here, Mrs. Hodge, made a great impression on me. I am young. As you say, I am in perfect health. You are a woman and you know what a woman's nature is. There should be no reason on my part why I am childless."

"No, I am sure of it, my lady. I know the cause. It is no fault of yours-why should you continue so? I should not be content in your place."

My blood rose to my face; my eyes flashed, I half rose. The good woman recoiled, half frightened. I was in very earnest now.

"I will not be childless if it depends upon me to prevent it!"

I clenched my hands. I stamped my foot imperiously-my breath came short and angrily. Mrs. Hodge clasped her hands together as she knelt.

"Oh, bless your ladyship for that! Now you speak like the great lady you are. Keep to that! Oh! Keep to that, my lady, and-and try my Jock!"

The night came and also my lord. After a long drive across the country we had dined, or rather supped, about half past nine. The champagne had done its work with my husband who was sufficiently lively. As for myself, I was too careful of the part I had to play to allow myself a liberty with the exhilarating beverage. I pass by all the details of that unpalatable nuptial couch. Suffice it to say my wiles succeeded in affording him a complete enjoyment of his marital privileges while my precautions rendered it perfectly impossible any consequences, such as he hoped for, could follow. The Earl left my bed charmed with my warmth and vivacity. He was equally proud of himself and of his virility.

I cannot say I shared his sentiments. His weak and languid attempts had only succeeded by my assistance, but they were sufficient to convince him of his prowess in the lists of love. The night passed for me almost without sleep. I was restless, excited, and uneasy.

The evening following we had arranged a dinner party. It was a hunting reunion. Only gentlemen were invited. I retired early. I left the men enjoying themselves over their wine and cigars. I had been the only lady present. No doubt my absence was the signal for the real revelry to commence. I retired to my chamber pleading fatigue to my maid and, having dismissed her, locked myself in for the night.

My bedroom was upon the ground floor. Three long windows opened upon a wide veranda. One had only to step out to enjoy the scent of the roses. My object in doing so on this occasion was different. Just as the clock struck nine, I stood outside upon the tessellated pavement. Someone was crouching in the shadow of the wall. A whispered word, a cautions footfall on the lawn-I was by the side of Mrs. Hodge. I wrapped my long cloak around me closely. I drew over the hood. Silently I followed her across the dark lawn through the shrubbery, along the shadowy footpath under the double row of stately elms which bordered the avenue. Not a soul stirred here after dark, save only coming or departing guests. We kept on together in the deep shade of the spreading foliage. We reached the lodge in silence. I followed my conductress through the portal. She shut and barred the door.