A Fight with Fate

Chapter I

"AFTER LONG YEARS." " Yes. It is very strange to find oneself in London again after all these years! Strange and delightful," she said to her visitor. "She" was a handsome woman who might be any age between twenty-eight and thirty-five ; her rounded, finely proportioned figure was fully displayed as she stood with arm resting on the mantel-piece and one foot upon the fender. She had the rich colour which often beautifies a brunette; her brows were a trifle too heavy, but the eyes beneath were large, lustrous, and dark as they could be without being quite black. The mouth, slightly open in a pleased smile, was well cut, though the lips were somewhat full, and the teeth thus shown were brilliantly white. She was dressed in black, and a mass of dusky hair was coiled at the back of her head. The visitor, a long limbed man, lay back in a deep arm-chair, gazing dreamily into the fire.

He looked about her own age, and his colouring was nearly as dark, but its darkness was evidently in part the effect of exposure to wind and sun. The scene, a handsomely furnished sitting-room in Renshaw's excellent, if costly, private hotel ; time, a chill, misty afternoon which early August seemed to have borrowed from late November, and which made a bright fire most acceptable. Vases and bowls of flowers stood on the mantel-shelf, and on sundry small tables books, magazines, and photographs gave an inhabited air to the room. " I suppose it's a long time since you were home ?" he returned, dreamily, in a deep but refined voice, "and you must have been considerably bored in India?" "Bored!" she repeated, in a scornful tone. "Bored is a very weak word to express all I endured, especially for the last three years of my life there I You don't know what Mr. Garston became !

Jealous, you ought to know he was ; but latterly his love of money absorbed every pulse of his existence. I could hardly get enough from him for my personal needs, and I scarcely dared hope to benefit by the riches he was heaping up. He altered his will about once a month, and his one terror seemed to be that his precious gold might fall into the hands of some one who would not guard and hoard it as he had ! I was obliged to assume the most miserly habits, — to wear absolute rags, to Oh, I hate to think of those days! Then, I feared for weeks — nay, months — that a final will, leaving me penniless, might be dis covered. Now ! I think I may at last venture to enjoy myself. God knows, I have served long and worked hard for the right ! — as long as Jacob did for his joy !" "I am amazed that a woman of your pluck and re source allowed poor old Garston such a length of tether!" he returned, laughing.

"When did he die? You know I have been away in Abyssinia, studying my interesting fellow-Christians in that curious country, and have heard nothing of you for ages." " Wherever you have been, you have certainly made small attempt to learn my news," she said, letting her eyes dwell on him with a look half angry, half laugh ing. "No, Lynford! I may be worldly and self indulgent, — selfish, if you will, — but you know I am too much a woman to injure any one physically." "Ah, perhaps! but you would not mind administer ing mental torture. Eh? J know that." " I don't think you do ; on that score we are quits." She heaved a short, quick sigh, and, turning from the fire, sat down beside a small table on which lay an open work-box; a piece of elaborate embroidery lay beside it ; this she took up, and, after a moment's pause, asked, " But what of yourself?

You have told me nothing." " I don't seem to have anything to tell ! I have been AFTKR LONG YEARS. 11 following the example of my master the devil. Wan dering to and fro." " Seeking whom }tou may devour?" put in Mrs. Gars ton. " No. I really never devoured intentionally, and now I find the flavour of my fellow-creatures by no means appetising, on the whole. I have been trotting steadily down the broad road that leadeth to destruction. Of course, that's not my fault. My predecessors bequeathed more of debts than of funds to pay them, and I must admit I have gone and done likewise, — a degrading con fession of weakness!" " I should never dream of calling you weak." " Oh, yes, I am ! I'm a slave to myself, — not to any one else, certainly ! However, I am on the brink of a com plete smash ; I am now in town to put matters in trim for the sale of my Woodshire property, and, though I am philosophic on most points, I find it rather a wrench to part with the old home of the Claverings.

It's a picturesque place, too." "Ah!" said Mrs. Garston, smiling softly, and flashing an upward glance into his eyes, " 1 want a good invest ment. I'll buy it, if you like?" " My sweet friend ! I doubt if you have money enough. I want a fancy price for a fancy article ; as an investment, Lynford is not of the first order." " I don't think you have any idea how much money Mr. Garston left behind him." "You must beware of fortune-hunters, then!" Here a waiter entered, and handed a note to Mrs. Garston. She opened and glanced at it. "Any one waiting ?" "Yes, 'm, — a young " He hesitated, and added, "Lady." " Show her up." " I shall leave you, then," said Lord Lynford, rising. He was very tall and bony, and wide-shouldered, but eminently good style. He had a strong, rugged face, and, in contrast to his dark moustache, hair, and eye brows, his eyes were light, keen, and quick, giving the idea of bluish flame in the mouth of a cavern.

" Yes, I must interview this young person alone. She comes quite apropos of 3-our last sentence. Like Becky Sharp, I am going to establish a ' sheep-dog.' " " Great powers ! Why ?" "Because I don't wish to be quite alone; and as I want my dragon to be at my beck and call, I prefer a young person to a young lady, and either to a young relative, even if I had one," and she looked down on the note she held. " It's a nice hand, and clear, at least." " Well, good-morning. By the way, you are going out of town, — where ?" " I am recommended to try Lynbourne." " Lynbourne ! Why, that's within two or three miles of my old place." "Indeed! that is curious." •• Till to-morrow, then. I will call and settle what day you can come and meet my cousin at luncheon." He stopped, for the door was thrown open ; a young lady walked in, — a tall, slender girl in black, so simply and plainly dressed that there was nothing in her attire to catch the eye, yet her figure and movements pro duced a pleasant harmonious effect.

She wore a black straw hat, from the brim of which fell a shallow curtain of lace, as was the fashion some time before the Franco- Prussian war, and beneath was a fair, fresh, youthful face and eyes of no especial colour, well shaded by long lashes. Her expression was pensive, — indeed, almost pathetic. " Good-morning," said Mrs. Garston. "I should have been here earlier had your note reached me by the first post, but I only received it two hours ago," said the "young person." Her voice was unusually sweet and refined, Lynford thought, and he was fastidious in voices. "Adieu," he said, and, with a slight bow, he passed out of the room. "You had better sit down ; I have a good deal to say to you," began Mrs. Garston, pointing to a chair and re suming her own. "You are Miss Verner?" The girl bowed.

"Mrs. Heathcote, the wife of my solicitor, mentioned you to me. I was afraid to advertise for what I want; I am told the crowds attracted by an advertisement are positively overwhelming." " It is so, I fear, there is so much poverty, so many cruel reverses " She stopped. Mrs. Garston did not seem to heed her. *■'■ Of course," she resumed, " Mrs. Heathcote's recommendation is very important, and if I engage you, I should like you to know exactly what I want and expect. I have an ad mirable French maid, but for any writing or reading or keeping accounts she is absolutely useless, and, as I hate trouble, I find I want some one a little above her in station and education, — some one sufficiently a lady to be presentable, to accompany me to public places, and able to write letters for me ; but I don't want a decayed gentlewoman, with pretensions, to be ' wounded ' and slighted if treated like what she really is — a servant!

I am not unkind, nor ungenerous, but I hate being bored, and if I agree to take you, you must not expect to be made a pet of and brought forward ! You will have opportunities of seeing your own people, and you can live your own life ; sometimes you may be a good deal with me, sometimes I shall see very little of you. Do you understand the position you are to undertake?" The young aspirant had coloured and grown pale as Mrs. Garston spoke; then a smile lit up her face, changing its habitually pathetic expression to one of amusement, as if the inner spirit had a keen sense of fun. " I think I do. I am to be an upper servant. Well, service faithfully done is as honourable as anything else! I want to maintain myself, and, as you say, I can live my own life." Mrs. Garston looked at her with suddenly roused attention, a faint frown contracting her brows.

" Pray, how old are you?" she asked. " I was nineteen in May last." " You look older. Pray, are you highly accom plished ?" " No, indeed ;" and she laughed a fresh youthful laugh. " I am very ignorant ; I was obliged to leave school at fifteen, — and I never worked well !" "You did not leave on account of health, I hope?" severely. "No, chiefly because my father could not afford to pay for me." "Ah! you can write prettily I see." taking up the note in her gorgeously jewelled fingers. " Can you read aloud?" " I have read aloud a great deal to my father." " What is your father?" •' He was submanager of the London and Suburban Bank, Kensington Branch, but was obliged to retire, as he had a paralytic stroke. He died about fifteen months ago. I lost my mother when I was quite young. I live with my half-sister, who is much older than my self.

I don't want to be a burden to her any longer." These facts were rapidly told, as if to save cross examination. "Yes; the bread of dependence is bitter," said Mrs. Garston. " There is no bitterness in anything given by sister," was the grave reply. There was a pause. "Mrs. Heathcote says she has known you since you were a child," resumed Mrs. Garston. "She is the daughter of one of my father's fellow clerks, and she has been a good friend to us." " Well, suppose you come and try how we shall get on for a month ? I will give you forty pounds a year. Mind, you must dress well, very plainly, but well. It is good pay." " Yes, it is. I shall save something out of that." "You must not scrimp your clothes. And we are to bo on a strictly business footing. You are not to think yourself badly treated if I dismiss you with a month's wages (I suppose I ought to say ' salary') at any time."

"The difference of name doesn't matter," said Miss Verner, calmly; "it does not affect the value of the money." "You seem a sensible girl!" exclaimed Mrs. Garston. " I want to go out of town next week ; can you join me on Monday about mid-day ?" " I have some gaps in my wai-drobe to fill up, — and as I make my clothes myself " " Oh, don't let that stop you ! I cannot be delayed. I will give you a month in advance, get what you want ready-made; but, then, remember it will be two months before you touch any more money." "Thank you, I ivUl remember." Mrs. Garston rose, crossed the room to her writing table, unlocked a drawer, and took out a cheque-book. " What is your name, your Christian name ?" " Beatrice." " Beatrice! That's a very grand name ; rather an un suitable name I" " Yes, it is. However, you need never hear it.

Of course, in your house I shall be Miss Verner." Mrs. Garston looked keenly at her ; her lips parted as if to speak and then closed silently. Something about this girl with her simple air and soft voice puzzled the masterful woman. " In some ways she will suit me and I can send her off if I choose," she reflected. " There is a cheque for five pounds, nearly two months' money ; you will not find me ungenerous if you please me, and I daresay you will be of some use for two months." " I am greatly obliged for the consideration you have shown me," said Beatrice Verner, in a low earnest tone. " On Monday, then, at noon." " Exactly." "Then I may go?" " Certainly ; your address is on your note." "It is? Good-morning." " She is almost plain," mused Mrs. Garston, returning to her seat beside the fire.

" If she had more colour it would do wonders for her, but she moves like a weil made woman. I wonder if she will be lucky to me. I am inclined to like her. Why am I a weak, miserable, superstitious fool! Why did I ask Lynford to come here! Why do I want to see him! He has forgotten the past. I had begun to forget, and now it has all come back, how vividly, to destroy the happiness I have worked and waited for! Why should I not charm him ao-ain 1 I am as handsome as ever. I read admiration in that child's eyes, just now, and I am a man's beauty! Then I am rich — rich — rich. I may buy Lynford and its master ! He must, he shall love me, even for a while. He is changed. Ho is aged, but there is no one like him ; no one !" She took a photograph which stood on her work-table and kissed it passionately, — then she threw it from her angrily, — " and he never even noticed that I still kept it !" she exclaimed.

" But his indifference shall not last." Then she rang for her maid, and went into the question of her toilette for that day, when she was to dine with some Indian friends then in town. Meanwhile Beatrice Verner put on a shabby water proof, and put up an umbrella not innocent of splits, which had been left in the hall ; then she set her face westward, walking quickly and firmly for a considerable distance, till she reached a region of small houses with gardens and high steps to their entrance-doors, — com monplace tenements of fifty or sixty years ago, before the diminutive graces of the miniature Queen Anne's style had been invented. Into the neatest of these gardens she entered, and tapped at the sideor kitchen-door. It was opened by a grave, even severe, looking lady, with hair already grey, though she was scarcely old enough for this development; tall and thin, with an ungraceful rigidity of figure.

She too wore black, and her dress was protected by a large white apron. "What a horrid day!" exclaimed Beatrice, lowering her umbrella. " Come in and take off your wet things at once. I am sure your feet are damp," said the elder lady. " I do not think they are, Sarah," and Beatrice crossed the passage to the kitchen, where a small but bright fire glowed. "The warmth here is nice?" "Then, sit down ; it is the only fire in the house, but such a damp, chill day as this it would perhaps be wiser to put one in the parlour. The boys coming in would like it." " Very likely," returned Beatrice, absently, drawing a chair to tho fire, and beginning to unlace her boots. Then Miss Verner, her only sister, said interroga tively, — "Well?" " It is well, I think. This lady, Mrs. Garston, is going to try me, and, Sarah, she will give me forty pounds a years.

Just think of it ! She says I am to dress well, but surely twenty pounds for dress is splendid ! — and I will send the rest to you!" " It seems liberal," replied the elder. " But what kind of woman is she ? that is the most important matter." "She is lovely!" cried Beatrice, enthusiastically. "I love to look at her. But — now, why should I say ' but' ? for I do admire her, and she is, in a way, a very grand lady; but there are tones and turns in her voice, and even words, which do not seem to me quite like a high-bred gentlewoman." " What do you know, child, about grand ladies or high bred gentlewomen? Don't let your fancifulness grow upon you. You have too many whims; never forget that you are middle-class, and no more." Beatrice laughed softly. " I am not at all likely to forget; still, that is no reason why I should not per ceive.

I like to observe ; it amuses and interests me ; and a real gentlewoman would never have pointed out in the clear, unhesitating manner Mrs. Garston did that I was to be an upper servant. Oh ! no, you need not warn me against being thin-skinned and weak. I never hesitated for an instant to accept her offer nor her con ditions. I am going to try and enjoy myself, too, but I shall have one shield against the darts of contumely ; my employer is not likely to get inside the husk of my heart! Though I intend to be tremendously conscien tious. Don't fancy Mrs. Garston was rude or rough; she is too content with herself to be needlessly unkind, but I imagine she would never hesitate to strike if necessary." "I hope she is a good woman!" said Sarah, emphatically. " Did she ask if you were church or chapel?"

Beatrice shook her head. " Mrs. Garston is going away on Monday, and wishes me to join her the morn ing before " 6 2* "And where is she going to take you?" interrupted the elder sister, anxiously. "I don't know; I never asked. I was only too thankful to find employment — well-paid employment — after all my disappointments to hesitate about going even to Timbuctoo !" "I greatly object to your going to a great distance, where I can keep no watch over you, nor know the sort of society you are thrown into, — or " " Ah ! it is no use, Sal dear, trying to keep me with one hand and let me go with the other! You must trust me to myself, and I think you may. I am not a sentimental fool. I don't think myself a beauty. I don't fancy every man a hero, though I like them very much, and they are really kind and nice, — at least, those I have met."

" Perhaps so ! But the less you see of them the better, especially in a circle such as this lady will probably have about her." "I don't think you need disturb yourself, Sarah. It does not seem to me that I shall see much of my future mistress except when there is no one else to keep her company." "Don't say 'mistress,' Beachy! I don't wish you to be pretentious, but always self-respecting." " There is no want of self-respect in calling Mrs. Garston my mistress ; she pays me, and I do her bid ding. If she is intolerable, I will save up my money and leave her ; my next venture may be more successful." "I wish, my poor child, you could stay in the shelter of your own home!" Beatrice unclasped her hands from round her knee, and, rising, began to collect her hat and cloak and gloves ; then she said, in a soft tone and with a little hesitation, — "Well, I would rather not!

Am I very heartless? I sometimes fear I am. But I feel quite pleased to try a new life. You cannot think how I long for new scenes and new people, change at any cost. No, I can not be a nice girl, Sarah, and you are ever so much better to me than I deserve. You are awfully good ! — yes, ' awfully' is the only word to express the height of your goodness." " Your life has been monotonous, Beachy," said the elder sister, kindly. " What has its monotony been to yours, dear Sal ? Well," breaking off, " among tho new things I pine for are new clothes, and here — here are five pounds Mrs. Garston has given me in advance to buy a dress, or what I most want; that was very kind of her! Just think how rich I shall be with three pound six and eight pence every month, Sarah!" " We shall want all our time, Beatrice, between this and Saturday, for that is all we have really.

It is not raining now. Let us go to Barkers, in the High Street, and see what we can get for you, as soon as Jane comes in. I was making a list only this morning of your ab solute needs; fortunately your underclothes are fairly good, but a new dress and cloak or jacket you must have besides. No, don't put on those boots again ; your shoes and galoches will do." Sarah and Beatrice Verner were the daughters of a typical middle-class man of business; well thought of in the bank where he had served from boyhood, and had steadily risen in the estimation of his employers, when, from over-work or some other cause, he was seized with paralysis. Beatrice was about nine years old when her father's active life ceased, and her eldest daughter took charge of father, sister, and house at the early age of twenty.

Verner had married a second time, when his eldest girl was about fourteen, after hav ing been a widower for many years, and all his friends shook their heads over his choice, — a pretty, youthful, graceful, penniless governess, daughter of an impe cunious ex-captain of cavalry. She, however, made their modest home very happy, till little Beatrice was nearly five years old, when a bad attack of bronchitis carried her off. Grief for her loss no doubt hastened the approach of poor Verner's helplessness. He had happily been a prudent and a saving man, he had even speculated cautiously and successfully ; but as time went on they were reduced to live upon capital which, with all her care and contrivance, Sarah had hard work to spin out. Hence Beatrice's scanty education, the nar rowness and extreme monotony of their lives, and the absolute necessity of finding employment, when the poor father passed away from the mere physical life he had endured for many years.

The sisters were left with no provision beyond the small sum for which Verner had long before insured his life and the little abode he had purchased in happier and more prosperous days. This house the practical Sarah determined to keep and utilize by starting a boarding establishment for young clerks engaged in the bank or city offices. But for every reason it was desirable that a young girl like Beatrice should find some occupation apart from such a menage, — at least, such was her sister's view of the matter. The elder Miss Verner found what sho wanted much sooner than Beatrice, whose want of training and igno rance of all the "ologies" left her rather in a haze as to what she could attempt. It was, indeed, a most lucky and unexpected chance that sent Mrs. Garston to in quire for a " young person" to be her lectrice and souffre douleur from her solicitor's wife.

Sarah Verner was right, — life had been almost intoler ably monotonous to the bright, eager spirit of her young sister, with its narrow, ceaseless economy, ever draw ing in the limits of expenditure; its constant watching and ministering to the unfortunate, who grew daily more and more irritable, exacting, and uninteresting; the un broken routine of dull duties and petty details. There were times when Beatrice felt she must run away, — were it even to become a maid-of-all-work and never see father or sister again; then a great wave of pity and admira tion for Sarah — of deepest indignation with herself — would deluge her heart, and for days she would be so diligent, so submissive, so tender, that her sister was almost alarmed at the angelic sweetness suddenly dis played. Now the longed-for change had come ; and, so far from being exultant and joyous, Beatrice nearly cried her eyes out at parting from the much-enduring Sarah.

How lonely her good sister would be! how those horrid boys would bully her! — yet, no! Sarah had a spirit of her own and could stand up for herself; still, it was cruel to leave her. For herself, Beachy had neither tears nor fears; she would float. So, with a very pinky nose and swollen lids she presented herself and a fairly sized black box, containing all her worldly effects, at Renshaw's private hotel, about noon on the appointed Monday.

Chapter II

" NEW GROUND." From the moment of her arrival at Mrs. Garston's temporary abode, Beatrice felt that she had stepped into a new and an astonishing world. The magic power of abundant ready money was suddenly re vealed to her. She could not have imagined any one with so many wants as Mrs. Garston, and all were swiftly supplied; while another characteristic of this potent force was its economic action. Prompt pay ment secured moderate charges and valuable discounts, for the rich widow disdained no margin of profit which did not entail self-denial. "Ah! you are up to time, Miss Verner. You can do some commissions for me, as Stephanie is up to her eyes packing ; besides, she is not much good in English shops. Do you want your luncheon, or can you wait till your return ?" "Yes; I am not hungry." " That is right ; I will tell them to get a cab for you by the hour.

Don't trouble about paying; it will go down in the bill. Now here is the list. I have put down the shops, too, where I wish the things got, as you may not know the best places; and there — there are ten sovereigns. Bring back all the bills and make out the whole account; I may see if the change is right. It will show what you can do in the way of figures." Beatrice glanced at the list. It was a long one gloves and stockings and books; "powder," " cre>?ie de" this, "essence de" that; various toilette implements; a heap of trifles for fancy-work. It would take two or three hours to make all these purchases. "You must be as quick as you can; I want to leave by the three fifteen train. Why, what's the matter? You have been crying? You have made a perfect fright of yourself! I hope you are not emotional and tearful.

I can't have a drooping dowdy about me ; people will say how cruel Mrs. Garston is to that poor girl." With instinctive tact, Beatrice managed to laugh, though not very merrily. "Do not be afraid," she said; "I am not given to weeping, and if I am not happy I shall not stay with you." And she thought, " It will never do to let this rich, domineering woman ride over me, — nor to offend her, either." "Ah ! you are an independent young person, then ?" "No; no one is quite independent. I will do my best about your commission, and earnestly hope to give sat isfaction." " I hope you will ; I must say you do not seem of tho crying sort. Now go, like a good girl." " One word ! — where are wo going ? I don't care, but my sister wants to know." "Oh! your sister is a dragon of prudence, I suppose. Well, we are going to Lynmouth, — a south-coast bath ing-place, not quite four hours from town ; so you need not trouble about distance.

Now, pray, don't worry me with your relatives or anything! I am never un grateful to people who smoothe things for me." "Very well!" exclaimed Beatrice. "Don't lose any more time," said Mrs. Garston, as she rang the bell and desired that a cab might be called, adding an injunction to Beatrice to bring everything back with her. It must be confessed that Beatrice enjoyed her morning's work. To shop largely, with a sufficient supply of cash, cannot fail to soothe the female and also, we suspect, the male mind. A certain degree of self-reli ance enabled her to select what pleased herself, and her taste was good ; so she got through her task with a fair degree of rapidity, and when she returned she was met with an approving smile and invited to refresh with much amiability. " Don't worry about the bills now ; we can go into that to-morrow, when I shall have rather too much time.