A Life Interest

Chapter I

' RESURGAM ' Regent's Park was looking coldly bright one clear March afternoon, bright with the first spring sunshine, which is more glaring than genial ; while a keen north-east wind played spitefully through the trees, crisping the water within the enclosure into shuddering ripples, and searching out every cranny in the wraps of the children and nurses who were exercising within its exclusive bounds. It made small impression, however, on a tall, distinguished-looking, elderly gentleman who was advancing at a good pace along the road which crosses the Broad Walk near Park Square. He was erect and vigorous, though white-haired and somewhat worn in face, with fine features and dark VOL. I I haughty eyes, still flashing keenly under thick grizzled brows. A long overcoat of fine cloth wrapped him from neck to heel, and from his glossy hat to his neat boots he looked the incarnation of pride and prosperity.

As he approached the gate which admits to the Broad Walk, a man who had been resting on a seat close by, his hands deep in his trouser pockets, rose lazily and strolled through it. Turning left in a purposeless manner, he paused as his eyes fell on the advancing figure. A greater contrast to himself could not be imagined ; and it seemed to strike him, for a mocking smile curled his lips, while a gleam of recognition played over his countenance. He too was above middle height and dark-eyed, but his figure was bent and his eyes dull. A nap less frock-coat, white at the seams and greasy at the collar, over which bulged a coloured handker chief, was buttoned tightly across his chest. His baggy trousers hung loosely over down-trodden boots, one of which was burst. The whole aspect of the man betokened seedy helplessness.

More over the style of his shabby garments was decidedly un-English, and he wore a large picturesque felt hat considerably out of shape. He stepped slowly forward, and stopped exactly in front of the advancing aristocrat, who came to a sudden halt. A look of angry surprise changed ' RESURGAM ' 3 to a look of disgusted recognition as he gazed at the face before him. ' Ha ! ' he exclaimed, ' so you have come back to life. I was told you had paid one debt, which even you could not evade.' There was indescribable scorn in his high-bred tones. ' I have renewed my bill at an indefinite date, and suppose there is something still for me to do or I should not be here.' ' You will certainly have a prolonged lease of life if it depends on your completing any work ! Now why have you stopped me ? I washed my hands of you years ago.' ' You can be at no loss for the answer — I am penniless and indisposed to go into the workhouse.

I therefore take this opportunity of consulting you before coming to a decision.' ' Money, eh ? that of course ! But if I begin that game, I see no end of it now that you have turned up in a worse condition than ever.' The other bowed. ' Very good ! It is to be the workhouse then. I will not detain you any longer ; ' and he stood aside. ' Look here, you unfortunate devil ' began his well-dressed interlocutor. ' Stop. I stand no bad language from you or any man,' interrupted the seedy man, a sudden fire kindling in his eyes. ' Moreover you are or ought to be a gentleman. Now go on.' ' Do you think you could keep a promise ? ' asked the other with a look of surprise. ' Upon my soul, I don't know. I have kept some promises very faithfully. It depends on the nature of the promise.' ' On certain conditions I am disposed to help you.

Where can I find you ? ' ' My movements are erratic. I had better call on you! ' No ; I will not have you at my house. Give me a rendezvous somewhere out of the way.' The other unbuttoned his shabby coat, took out a letter, removed the envelope, and with a stumpy pencil wrote a couple of lines upon it, remarking, ' It is hardly so refined as " Mivart's " or as grand as " Claridge's," but it will do.' ' Whereabouts is this " Rising Sun," Portobello Street ? ' asked the elder man, looking at the address with a doubtful expression. ' It is off Edgeware Road, right-hand side, pretty high up ; any cab-driver will take you there. I will wait for you to-morrow from three to five.' ' I suppose this name,' looking at the paper, ' is known at the tavern ? ' ' Yes, well enough for our purpose.' ' Well, I'll not fail; meantime take this.' 'This' was a plump yellow sovereign. ' Thanks,' coolly pocketing the coin ; ' this will 'RESURGAM' 5 keep me going till we meet.

One word more — your son ? ' ' He is remarkably well, and was married the day before yesterday,' was the reply, accompanied by a grim smile. ' Ah ! ' returned the shabby wayfarer — a long drawn ' ah ! ' ' Then till to-morrow.' He raised his queer hat with a comic air of fashion, and turning, retraced his steps, walking slowly towards the Zoological Gardens. He soon halted, faced round and looked after his distinguished acquaintance, who had disappeared. ' What a capital coat the fellow has ! ' he murmured. ' How deucedly unjust and uneven fortune is ! She never thinks of striking a balance ! indeed, no female ever does. There is that old fellow warmed within with the primest food and wine the world can give, and thatched without with double-milled superfine cloth, while / am shivering in threadbare shoddy, and unprovided with a mouthful of fuel to keep up the inner fire.

However, luck hasn't quite deserted me. I don't think, low as I have fallen, I could have made up my mind to thrust myself on old "Pomp and State" in his own particular " marble halls " ; but meeting him here under the free vault of heaven, it would have been flying in the face of Providence to lose my opportunity.' He took out the gold piece he had just received, and gazing at it with a smile, said half aloud, ' Our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria, never did your simple face strike me with such a sense of loveli ness as it does at this moment ! ' He resumed his progress northward. ' What can that old buffer want with me ? ' he mused. ' Old ! not so very much older than myself, only that he never was young, must have been about fifty when he was short-coated, in spite of having travelled on a road of velvet all his life.

He looks worn, yet my picture is like him still, or he is like it. A capital portrait, but indifferently paid. What can I possibly have to promise him ? what condition can he wish to impose? Well, I am not too particular, I stand pretty well alone ; I don't think I need mind anything he would propose. There used to be a decent tavern near the Park in Camden Town, but ten or eleven years bring many changes. I'll find some place to dine in. Dine ! the idea is magnificent. I can't say I have dined since I re visited the shores of Albion ; and there are more sovs. where this came from. Now to make the best of it' He carefully buttoned up his coat again, and walked with increasing speed through Gloucester Gate. Passing the ' York and Albany ' as too grand to welcome a customer in his plight, he ' RESURGAM ' 7 found a less pretentious hostelry in a street beyond, where his discriminating orders were carefully carried out, for this homeless wayfarer had still a possession left, of which neither fate nor his own recklessness had robbed him — an effective and attractive manner.

He was waited on with attention, lingering long over a substantial repast and some excellent ale. Having tipped the waitress handsomely, according to the standard of the place, he smoked a cigarette while reading a weekly paper, and finally he sallied forth to make his way to the scene of his expected interview, to secure a room and make due prepara tions for so important an occasion. Following the road which skirts the Park he walked briskly towards St. John's Wood. As he passed a row of severely respectable houses with porticoes and high steps, a well-dressed lady, followed by two children in fanciful finery, was descending from one of them, evidently intending to enter a brougham which waited below. Something in the group attracted our wan derer's attention ; he passed on as the lady was giving some directions to a neat maid-servant who held the carriage door open, while her pretty muslin apron and pink cap ribbons fluttered in the wind ; and neither he nor his keen inquiring glance attracted her notice.

After taking a few steps he paused and turned abruptly, meeting the carriage which was driving off. The lady had bent forward to arrange some wraps round the children who sat opposite, and her profile showed clearly against the glass of the closed window. ' By heaven ! ' muttered the observer, ' it's her self; and in flourishing circumstances. Is this good or ill luck ? Ill, I'm afraid ; she could never bring luck to any one.' He stood still in deep thought, and then walked back to the house he had just passed, ascended the steps with an air of decision and rang the visitors' bell. The door was quickly opened by the smart maid-servant who had just attended her mistress to the carriage. ' Does Mr. Smith live here — Mr. Algernon Smith ? ' facing about with an air of assurance. ' No,' returned the girl, gazing at him uneasily, ' not here.' ' Why, what's the number ? ' — glancing at the door — ' Seven ?

Ay, seven it is ! Are you quite sure there is no gentleman of the name of Smith boarding here? Perhaps the lady of the house might know.' ' We keep no boarders,' exclaimed the servant indignantly as she partially closed the door. 'RESURGAM' 9 ' This is Mr. Acland's house ; and Mrs. Acland has just gone out driving with the children.' ' I am very sorry to trouble you ' — politely — ' but perhaps you could tell me if there is a Mr. Smith — Mr. Algernon Smith — among the in habitants of this terrace ? ' ' There's no such a name,' she returned, shutting the door sharply in his face. He smiled and went on his way. But before he had cleared the well-kept, highly respectable houses, he stopped again, and turning to look back he laughed aloud, a curious mocking laugh. The sound offended the ear of a stately policeman, who was solemnly marching on his beat.

He cast an indignant and suspicious glance at the obnoxious stranger, and then followed him steadily till he was lost to sight in the St. John's Wood Road railway station. Some hours later, as evening closed in, a visitor of a very different type alighted from a cab at the same door. A slight, tall girl, wrapped in a dingy waterproof, a knitted shawl that had once been white tied loosely round her throat, and crowned by an unshapely black straw hat bent over her eyes, sprang out before cabby could descend, and running lightly up the steps rang the bell. The door was speedily opened, and the same neat damsel who had repulsed the disreputable inquirer of the afternoon, gave a smiling welcome to the new comer. ' Oh ! Miss Marjory ! missis didn't think you would be here till near eight. And you've missed Master George ?

He went away to meet you near an hour ago. Come in by the dining-room fire ; you must be cold.' ' Then George did go to meet me ? ' cried the girl, glancing up with a rapid flashing glance. ' I thought he would.' ' Do come in, miss ; I'll see to your luggage.' ' I have but the one box, Susan — it is not heavy ; make the man carry it up. I have just sixpence left over his fare, and I will give it to him.' ' Very well, miss,' taking the money. ' Do go indoors ; it is bitter cold. Master and missis are going out to dinner. Missis is dressed ; she'll be downstairs directly.' So saying, Susan ran away to subsidise the driver, while ' Miss Marjory ' walked slowly into the dining-room, and paused by a very dull fire, which was rapidly dying out. She removed her hat, laying it on the table. Hastily pushing back some stray locks of hair behind her ears, she looked round the familiar chamber.

Her distinctly marked brows met in a frown as she looked — a frown not indicative of anger so much as of a mental struggle. How well she re- ' RESURGAM ' 11 membered nearly every article of furniture in the childish days, which seemed to her so long ago ; and that mark on the wall at the end of the room, within which hung a dim brown and olive green landscape, almost but not altogether hiding the darker space, there used to be her own fragile looking mother's picture — a simpering shepherdess order of portrait it must be confessed, but lovely and adorable to Marjory's girlish fancy. Her heart beat quick and tears rose to her bright brown eyes, tears more of anger than of grief. ' I wish I could have stayed at school,' she murmured. ' It wasn't quite the Garden of Eden, but I'm sure I was a better girl there than I can be here.

I ought not to be such a fool. I will try to be wise and careful, then my poor father may like me better. I could love him well ! How horrid it is to hate any one — it puts one so out of tune ; but I can't help it, I ' The door opening put an end to her reflections and arrested the progress of her more prudent tendencies. A lady entered, a tall stately lady, her figure moulded on grand lines, rounded and full, but not stout ; her com plexion beautifully fair ; her hair of the lightest brown, too pale to be golden ; straight handsome features, the jaw a little heavy. The only fault an ill-conditioned critic could point out was that the quiet resolute eyes, eyebrows, and lashes wanted colour. Her dress was of rich, soft, black silk and lace, and a small buckle of brilliants clasped a band of black velvet round her throat.

Marjory stood very still, gazing at this handsome apparition. ' You are a little before your time, my dear,' said Mrs. Acland, advancing with outstretched hand and a pleasant smile ; ' you cannot have taken the train I told you ; I am sorry you had no one to meet you.' She bent forward to kiss her step daughter as she spoke. Marjory did not refuse the salutation, but she turned her cheek to it. ' Well,' continued Mrs. Acland, ' I hope you have returned quite a reformed character, Marjory ! — no more sulks, eh ? or angry scenes, but sub mission, cheerful submission, to proper authority, and no more attempts to thrust yourself where you are not wanted ! I assure you, dear, both your father and I were very sorry to keep you so long away from home ; but now you are older and wiser, you will no doubt recognise the sincere regard for your real interests which actuates me.

I am always willing to be your friend.' As Marjory listened to the soft measured accents in which Mrs. Acland habitually spoke, the good resolutions of a moment before melted away — as ice might before a fierce fire. She paused a moment, and then said shortly, ' Thank you, I hope I am wiser.' ' RESURGAM ' 13 ' You will be hungry after your journey ? I have told Cutler to put your supper in the schoolroom. There is a fire there. Will you take off your cloak first ? ' ' Yes ; but I am not hungry. I will wait and see my father.' ' By all means ; but don't be too effusive — don't bedew his fresh shirt front with tears of joy.' Marjory flushed up, but resolutely refrained from words, and almost immediately the door opened to admit Mr. Acland, a good-looking, well-dressed, eminently respectable professional man. ' Ha !

Marjory, glad to see you, my dear,' he exclaimed. Not too warm a reception for a daughter after more than a year's absence, but enough to stir Marjory's heart with an impulse to throw her arms round his neck and tell him her joy at seeing him again. The consciousness that her stepmother's eyes were upon her, however, chilled her into undemonstrativeness. She took his hand coldly and scarcely returned his kiss. ' Very pleased to come home, Marge, eh ? ' ' I was very happy at school,' said Marjory in a low tone ; ' but of course I am glad to be with you.' ' And not with me ? ' said Mrs. Acland, smiling playfully. Without waiting for an answer she went on, ' There is the carriage — we must go ; it is quite twenty minutes' drive to the Pearsons.' She wrapped herself up in a light-blue Indian shawl, embroidered in silvery white silk. ' I told cook to give you tea in the schoolroom,' she repeated ; ' you will be more comfortable there.

Good-night, Marjory; you can see the children before they go to bed.' ' You'll find them considerably grown,' said Mr. Acland ; ' they will be glad to see you. I hope, my dear,' a little pompously, ' that you will be a help and an example to your little brother and sister ; ' and he stooped to kiss her. Marjory threw her arms round his neck as Mrs. Acland left the room ; ' I am glad to be with you. Good-night.' 'Take care, my dear, take care,' settling his necktie, and he too left the room. Marjory looked after him with moist eyes and a mocking curl on her lip. ' An example, indeed — me ! ' she murmured. ' Would you like some warm water in your room, miss ? ' asked the servant, who had returned after attending her master and mistress to the carriage ; ' I'll take it up as I go to dress. I have my leave for the evening.' The tone was friendly but familiar, and struck Marjory's quick ear. ' Thank you, yes.

It is a treat to have hot water after school. I suppose I am to have my old room?' ' RESURGAM ' 15 ' No, Miss. Mrs. Acland wanted it for a day nursery, now Master Herbert and Miss Louie are getting on. You are to have the back attic beside ours. I'm afraid you'll find it very cold.' ' I will go and take off my things, at all events. Perhaps by that time George will have returned ; ' and Marjory ran hastily upstairs, past the drawing-room and Mrs. Acland's elegantly furnished bedroom, the comfortable nurseries, and up a last narrow, ladder-like flight, which led to the most elevated chambers. She looked sharply round at the sloping roof, the uncurtained window, the little bedstead with its faded coloured coverlet, the darned piece of carpet beside it, the old washstand, from which the paint had been scrubbed, and, worse than all, the small new, square, unsteady looking-glass, which imparted a green tinge and slight one sidedness to the objects it reflected.

Tears filled her eyes ; at which, though they were unseen, she blushed. ' I am tired and hungry,' she said to herself, ' but I will not make a fool of myself. And at any rate this wretched little room is all my own, and there is gas. Oh ! Susan, have you a match ? ' ' Yes,' coming in a little breathless, ' and I'll get you a scrap of candle. You know missis always turns off the gas at the main herself at half-past ten.' ' She always did.' 'Tea is ready, miss. Mrs. Cutler — that's the new cook — has put you some cold meat ; ' and Susan departed. Marjory, having made her toilet rapidly, went down to the nursery. On opening the door she saw a well-ordered, comfortable room, lit by the glow of a bright fire, nurse at her needlework be side the large table, and a neat nursemaid sitting on the floor showing a picture-book to a little curly-headed, rosy-cheeked boy ; while a bright dark-eyed girl about a year older was making tea for a gorgeous doll who was seated in her owner's little armchair.

There was a pause, every one looked up, and then nurse slowly rose, exclaiming, 'Law, Miss Marjory.' ' Don't you remember me, Louie ? ' said Mar jory. The child left her doll and came slowly forward, hanging her head shyly. ' Why, Louie ! don't you remember the games we used to have, and the boy dolly I dressed for you ? ' By this time the child had drawn near ; then came a laugh, and two chubby arms were clasped round Marjory's neck as she lifted her. ' Don't you know me — who am I ? ' ' It's Marge,' cried the little one, kissing her heartily. ' Shall you stay now, Marge ? Will you make a dress for my new beautiful doll ? ' 'RESURGAM' 17 Marjory did not answer for an instant ; she hugged the child to her heart with a sense of the warmest gratitude for her sweet welcoming kisses. Here was something to love her and to be loved. ' Good-evening, nurse,' she exclaimed, master ing her voice. ' How Louie has grown ! she is quite a great girl ; and Herbert, too, why, he hasn't anything of the baby about him now.' She spoke for a few minutes to both children, for the boy soon clamoured for notice and asked if she hadn't brought him something; and then, promising to see them early in the morning, she went away to the depths of the basement eager to see her own brother, the only creature who really belonged to her.

When she opened the schoolroom door, a slight boy of fifteen or sixteen, with dark-brown hair, laughing eyes, and long thin hands hanging far out of his sleeves, who was standing before the fire, sprang forward to meet her. ' Why, Marjory, you gave me a start, I can tell you, when I couldn't find you at the station ! You are such a queer little thing, I didn't know but you might have rur away ! ' and he bestowed a hearty hug and kiss upon his sister. ' You ain't a little thing any more, Marge ; you have stretched out wonder fully ! ' ' I was afraid you might be gone to sea before VOL. I I came back,' she replied, slipping her arm through his, ' you are such a lazy correspondent, you bad boy ! I never know what is going on.' ' Well ! it is jolly having you home again anyhow ! ' ' Home ! ' repeated Marjory scornfully. ' Do you call Mrs. Acland's house home ? ' ' It's father's house, not hers,' returned the boy.

Marjory murmured something ; and he continued, ' For that matter Mrs. A. ain't half bad, anyway she hasn't been to me this time, and she has been quite friendly about my going to sea.' ' And how is the Monster ? ' ' Well, a trifle bigger than ever, and queer, but not a bad fellow. I never thought he was. You are a bitter little pill, Marjory ! ' ' And you are too soft, George. Still I am glad to feel you near me after these long months.' ' Yes, it seems years since you were home ! ' ' More than a year,' said Marjory. ' You remember I was asked to spend the summer holi days at Marshlands ? Oh ! George, it was such a delightful time ! Imagine a big farm, cows to milk, dear rough ponies to ride, and a boat on the Broad ! Oh ! and such cream and strawberries ! Then at Christmas the little ones were threatened with chickenpox, and Mrs. Acland couldn't think ' RESURGAM ' 19 of my running into danger ! ' — a significant em phasis on the last words. ' So it is two years since I saw you.

Well, you are going to stay now, and we'll try and have some fun,' cried her brother. ' Try,' she repeated, letting his arm go after pressing it closely for a minute, and walking to the fire — ' try if you like.' She stood gazing at the red coals, while her brother gazed at her, dimly perceiving the change which the last year had wrought. She was slender to thinness, yet not angular ; her quick slight gestures had a peculiar grace, partly the result of perfect proportion ; her dark, red-brown, wavy hair was turned carelessly back from her forehead, round which it grew thickly in a graceful distinct line ; her bright, rapidly glanc ing eyes of doubtful colour, a scornful rosy mouth which could smile at times sweetly, and a clear though somewhat pale brunette complexion, did not suffice to convince all her schoolfellows that Marjory Acland was a pretty girl ; some thought her just not plain, while others pronounced her nearly beautiful.

This evening the cold air and the warm fire combined had given her a brilliant colour, which lit up her eyes and lent fairness to her complexion. ' Come, Marge, if you are not hungry, I am,' cried George, drawing his chair to the table, on which tea and the remains of a cold sirloin were set out. ' Here is a nice cake for you,' said a stout, red faced woman, entering unceremoniously. ' I baked it a' purpose for missee's home-coming, and glad I am to see her. Leave a bit for Mr. Cranston.' So saying she went swiftly away. ' Cookie is a capital old woman ! I can tell you, Monster and I would often have short com mons but for her,' cried George. ' One would think both of you were Mrs. Acland's stepsons.' ' Yes, especially Dick,' returned George. ' Perhaps poor old Monster isn't her son really!

Perhaps he has been changed when a baby by a wicked nurse, or a malignant witch, or Mrs. Acland herself, as we read in story-books,' cried Marjory, laughing. ' Oh ! he is her son right enough,' said George. ' He looks like her sometimes.' ' Unhappy Monster ! ' put in Marjory, with a comic look of compassion. ' Look here, Marjory, I wish you wouldn't call him Monster. Though he is always so quiet and, we used to think, dull, I believe you hurt him with your scornful mocking ways. Really, girls are ever so much harder and crueller than boys ! Dick ' RESURGAM ' 21 Cranston isn't half a bad fellow, and not half such a monster he was.' ' Indeed ! ' said Marjory, opening her eyes. ' Has he grown down, then ? ' ' No ; but he isn't such a bundle of legs and arms as he used to be ; and he has been no end of a help to me in arithmetic and Euclid ; he is ready to sit with me and help me every evening after the day's work at the office.' ' Ah ! yes, I can imagine arithmetic and dry stuff of that kind just suiting the Mon Dick, I mean.' As she spoke, the object of her remarks came in — a tall, broad-shouldered young man, with a strong quiet face, fair-haired and blue-eyed.

Thick, soft, downy moustaches, a shade lighter and more golden than his hair, already covered his upper lip, added to his size and gravity, gave him the air of being two or three and twenty instead of nineteen. He was dressed in a suit of rough dark tweed, which had evidently been long worn and was covered with dust, and he held under his arm a large, thin, shabby-looking book. He stood still for an instant, meeting Marjory's eyes with a frank smile, and colouring through his fair skin like a girl. ' Good -evening, Dick,' said Marjory civilly, holding out her hand without rising. ' How do you do ? ' he returned, laying down his book and advancing to take her hand. ' When did you arrive ? ' ' Not quite an hour ago. What has happened to you ? Have you been rolling on the road, or have you been getting yourself up as the dusty miller?' ' Oh !

I didn't know I was in such a state. I stopped to watch the men dressing stones for that new church by Falkland Crescent. There was a lot of lime and stuff blowing about. I will go and brush it off ; ' and he left the room quickly. ' You are right, George,' said Marjory with a nod and an air of superiority. ' He is bigger, yet less monstrous, but nearly as shy and awkward as ever.' ' Just you wait,' returned her brother ; ' Dick isn't a bad fellow.' Dick soon returned, and drawing up his chair fell to on the cold beef. ' I met with a man I haven't seen for years,' he said after a silence of some minutes ; ' that's what kept me later than usual. He was very good to me when I was a little chap. I was always fond of seeing builders at work, and he used to let me try my hand at chipping the stones and laying the bricks.' ' Was he a workman then ? ' asked Marjory. ' Yes, a mason ; he is a master mason now.