Philip Greystoke

Front matter

a BY EVAN MAY <__, AUTHOR OF "MUCH IN A NAME," ETC. Xonoon DIGBY, LONG & CO, PUBLISHERS 1 8 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, E.C. \lo MY HUSBAND WHOSE UNSWERVING FAITH AND SYMPATHY INSPIRES ME WITH COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. A Mountain Storm and a Mountain Derelict .... 1 II. Sunrise and Sunset on the Mountains . 8 III. An Onerous Task . . . . 19 IV. An Unpremeditated Personation . . 26 V. Morning among the Mountains . . 34 VI. Unexpected ArriTals ... 43 VII. In a Mood for Confession ... 51 VIII. A Story of Nemesis ... 60 IX. A Battle Royal and an Invitation . . 69 X. Parting Injunctions ... 78 XL A Letter and an Invitation . . 87 XII. A Woodland Scene .... 97 XIII. Family Feuds .... 107 XIV. Pretended Wooing and its Results . 116 XV. Changes 122 XVI. An Important Decision . . . 129 XVII.

Agnes Bennington .... 136 XVIII. A Cankered Life . . .144 XIX. A Tragic Page .... 150 XX. An Unsatisfactory Verdict . . 156 XXI. Reunion Confidences . . . 163 Y» CONTENTS VIII CHAP. PAGE XXII. Surprises 169 XXIII. An Old-Fashioned Christmas . . 176 XXIV. LoTe's Acknowledgment . . . 183 XXV. A New Arrival . . . .189 XXVI. Some Heretical Opinions . . . 196 XXVII. Disquieting News .... 203 XXVIII. Lois to the Rescue . . . .211 XXIX. Portrait Painting Extraordinary . . 219 XXX. An Unexpected Arrival . . .228 XXXI. An Unexpected Discovery . . . 237 XXXII. New Year's Eve Rejoicings . . 245 XXXIII. Another Lover Dismissed . . . 253 XXXIV. Philip's Unending Pursuit . . .263 XXXV. An Over-wrought Artist . ' . . 269 XXXVI. A Surprise and a Problem . . .278 XXXVII. A Few more Links in the Chain of Love . 287 XXXVIII.

On the Verge of Disbanding . . 296 XXXIX. An Overwhelming Surprise . . 304 XL. Lena's New Occupation . . . 313 XLI. A Eeunion and a Tragedy . . . 323 XLII. Two Weddings and — Farewell . .

Chapter I

A MOUNTAIN STORM AND A MOUNTAIN DERELICT Midnight ! Midnight, amid densest, awful mountain silence. Such silence as habitual dwellers in valleys among their fellows neither know nor can conceive. Midnight ! where the passage of time as it flies is only noted by heart-throbs ; where even the heavy, deep-drawn breathing of occasional weary wanderers breaks on the startled air with the shock as of an insult — a rude invasion into Nature's most secret recesses. And, environed by this utter quiet, where no leaf stirred — because there were none — in the weird, ghostly moon light, which only served to render the deep, torn fissure, with which the mountain side was rent, more black and awful — stood a solitary sentient being alone — a man ! What brought him into this haunt of the chamois — the royal hunting ground of the kingly mountain eagle t Drawn by a spirit of passionate unrest ; urged ever onward by an unvoiced influence of which he is but partially conscious ; driven by an inner dissatisfaction scarcely acknowledged ; led on by a secret, almost morbid curiosity from point to point, from experience to experi ence — he, the man of the city, of the market and exchange, to whom action — if of a combative character, so much the better — has hitherto been as the very breath of life, has sought for himself this vigil with Nature in the most rugged, the most uncompromising, of her moods.

And, now that he is here, what is its effect upon him 1 The cold is intense. The wind soughs and whistles eerily on every side, and seems to search through and through his garments, and even to have found an entrance A among the skeleton of his well-knit frame, causing his teeth to chatter, and every nerve to tingle. His own shadow, lying across the cold, gleaming glacier, looks full of mystery, and takes on strange, fantastic shapes, as he shudderingly attempts to draw his short covert coat nearer across his chest ; and every cautious movement of his feet sends showers of loose stones rolling and rumbling downward, until, with a crash and roar, they fall thundering far below. Fear . He has never known the feeling during all his forty years of life ; yet now, as the cold pale moon disappears behind a bank of lowering cloud, leaving him standing on the edge of a yawning crevasse, and the wind risen to a gale, makes it hard to maintain his footing, something very like that sensation is aroused within him.

" Phil Greystoke," he mutters — his very voice sounds strange and unfamiliar — "you have been craving for a change, and now seem to have got it with a vengeance ! What if everything ended for you here, and now ? How would that serve your purpose . It would be easy — " " Easy." "What was that? One false step — and then — " " And then." " What was it ? Is anyone here . " " Anyone here ? " " Why, I declare it's an echo ! Well, Mr. Echo, what is your advice, shall I take that step and end it all ? " "End it all?" " Confound the thing, it's positively uncanny ! Now, how am I to get out of this ? " " Out of this ? " " Oh, shut up, or talk sense." "Talk sense." " Well, you are the echo of echoes surely ! Are they all as persistent as yourself ? " "As yourself?" came back the mocking voice, as slowly and cautiously he moved away, seeking, by the aid of a returning gleam of moonlight, some nook which might serve as a shelter from the bitter blast.

Cowering beneath an overhanging ledge — with weary stiffened limbs, but busy, wakeful brain— he remained through the long hours trying once again to read the enigmas of his immediate past — and, as often before failing to read them correctly. The following morning two young men paused, moved A MOUNTAIN STORM 3 by mutual impulse, in the midst of active preparations for departure, in the verandah of a hotel in the valley below. " By-the-bye, what's become of Greystoke ? Has anybody seen him this morning ? " remarked one of them. " Mr. Greystoke, sir ? " said an obsequious waiter, anxious as to impending tips. "The gentleman did not return last night, sir. May not come at all, sir. Has left directions for his things to be forwarded in that event, sir." "He has? That's jolly queer! I wonder what new crank has got into his head ?

" " If he's tired of Grindelwald, he is at liberty to please himself by leaving it, like the rest of us, I presume." " Oh, of course, it was odd of him to go off secretly, nevertheless. Where are his belongings to be sent, waiter?" " To Miirren, sir." " Time, sir ? Yes, sir, thank you, sir. Good morning, gentlemen. A pleasant journey to you." And fingering the ample douceur laid by them in his ready palm, the man turned away grinning, and bestowed a condescending smile and squeeze on a rosy-cheeked chambermaid who happened to be passing. " Nobody like an English gentleman for f reehandedness," he chuckled, rattling the coins. " Or an English lady for niggardliness," grumbled the girl, shaking him off pettishly. "We've got the worst of the work to do, and you receive most of the pay. It isn't fair."

" Oh, well, money is of more use to men than women ; we know better than to spend it in fripperies." " There's more sense in that than in smoking, drinking, and gambling it away, at any rate," she retorted, with a toss of her head. While the slowly winding train bore its burden of reluctant passengers far from the fascinating, beautiful and invigorating Bernese Oberland, a group of visitors were eagerly watching from a plateau in front of a hotel perched high among the mountains the movements of a curious black speck, which was wandering alone amidst the eternal snows far above them. What was it ? Man or beast ? If the former, why thus solitary at such an altitude? Question and surmise passed from lip to lip, as one and another eagerly took temporary possession of the coveted telescope. Slowly and cautiously the spot advanced, and — " it is a man " was at length decided.

" One of those mad English," commented the hotel pro prietor to his fat and comfort-loving German wife ; " and madder than usual, I should say, to be up there by himself. It's a mercy if he lands down in safety." "There must be ter teufil in some of them, I think, to make them work so hard at pleasure," she remarked, with a shrug of her plump shoulders. It was almost noon, and beginning to grow hot even at this altitude, before the adventurer at length staggered, rather than walked, into the crowded hotel, and in husky tones demanded a bedroom. His face was badly blistered, his lips were parched and cracked, and his hands scratched and bleeding, while he spoke with evident difficulty. "What would he take? — cafe* and cognac? Lunch would be ready within the hour. Would monsieur wait until then ?

" But to all such suggestions he shook his head, merely re peating, " Rest — I want rest — nothing but rest," and, five minutes after throwing himself upon a bed, he was in a dead sleep, notwithstandingthe various and constant noises attend ant on the coming and going of many people around. Dusk had fallen and the last train of excursionists departed for the valley with a discordant screech ere he reappeared on the starlit terrace. " Oh dear, I shall welcome dinner to-night," said a petite, slim girl to her companion. " I wish it was ready ; this mountain air makes me positively ravenous." "Yes, I am hungry too ; but hush ! look at that man, I have been watching him for the last ten minutes, and I don't think he has moved a muscle." " Who is he ? " " One of the new arrivals, I suppose." " Why, I believe it's this morning's hero of the moun tain.

Is he ' hearing voices ' or ' seeing visions,' I wonder ? He looks quite mystical in this light. Oh, there is the gon», and he can move. Come, Lena, the room is half full already, you see ; and I hate being late." Scarcely had the girls seated themselves among the chat tering crowd of hungry people, ere Philip Greystoke slipped quietly into the chair opposite them. A MOUNTAIN STORM 5 He still wore his rough mountaineering suit, but a vigorous application of soap and water had somewhat im proved the appearance of his face and hands, while the white arch of his lofty brow betrayed how much of his ruddiness was due to the influence of sun and wind. He ate in silence, unconscious of the many curious glances turned in his direction, and the girls more than once noticed his lips moving rapidly as though in inward converse.

Ere the cheese reached him he started visibly, glanced over his shoulder inquiringly, then rose and left the room. " How handsome he is, but how odd ? " whispered Lois. " He seemed to think someone was calling. I declare he made me feel quite creepy." " If there are voices about, disembodied ones, I mean, I wish some would visit me." "Oh, hush, Lois; don't be flippant." " I do. Anything for a change." " Perhaps they may take you at your word some day when you would be least inclined to welcome them. I fancy some finer spirits would find this spot eloquent with ' voices.' " " Then I have not the ears to hear, that is all ; for in side the house humanity of both sexes is maddening, and outside the solitude is appalling." " I prefer the latter nevertheless, at present. Are you inclined to go out again ?

" " If you are, you night owl. I believe the very genius of the mountains has taken possession of you. You will be flying off to some inaccessible crag and leaving me discon solate, if we remain here long." " Come, then, before these people move. Our hoods are just at hand. I brought them down." She had half risen as she spoke, but Lois's hand on her arm and a frightened exclamation arrested her steps. "Oh, what wit?" Two of the long French windows had suddenly burst their fastenings, and in an instant a wild fury of storm swept through the long room, setting table and window drapery flapping madly, turning over dishes, and adding the noise of breaking china to that of howling wind, pealing thunder and pelting rain, as the distracted waiters slipped and plunged across the polished floor to the rescue.

All was wild confusion in a moment, under cover of which the girls disappeared. Enveloped in hoods and capes, they stood hand in hand at the entrance, awaiting a lull in the fury of the gale, then dashed across the intervening space to a little wooden shelter, whence, secure from observation, they watched the storm, listening entranced as in renewed force the thunder peals reverberated from peak to peak, above and around their heads, and the ground appeared to rock beneath their feet. Suddenly the lightning, exquisite in play of colour, flashed and quivered, now here, now there, with weird and awful beauty. Lois clutched her friend's hand more tightly and covered her eyes, with a stifled gasp. Lena, placing one arm round her, whispered, " Are you frightened, dearest ? " " Not exactly ; but it is very awful.

Don't you think so?" "Yes, awfully, magnificently grand! The storm fiends are at large, and we, having invaded their haunts, can but listen in respectful silence to their voices. I love it. It is force, glory, power ! " "There it is again! Oh, how splendid! Look! look! Lena, did you see ? " " See what ? " " That man. There he is again, silhouetted against the sky up there. How can he keep his footing ? " " It is very foolhardy of him." " Why, I declare to goodness it's the stranger ! One would have thought, judging from his appearance, that he had had enough of mountains for a while. The man must be a veritable mountain maniac to wander off again in such a storm ! " Time after time the flashing lightning showed that soli tary figure struggling, battling, slipping, but ever rising higher, as though seeking the very eye of the storm ; watched, until one by one the hotel lights went out, and by slow degrees the thunder rolled away and the flashes of lightning became less vivid, by those two young faces, each reluctant to speak and break the spell which had fallen on them.

But presently a closing door and rattling chain sur prised them into sudden action. "Mademoiselle! est il possible?" exclaimed the fat porter, with round eyes and uplifted hands, when they appeared ; and, as with smothered laughter they ran upstairs, he felt more than ever convinced that these English were A MOUNTAIN STORM 7 mad, really very mad, even the young and pretty de moiselles ! The two friends and travelling companions shared the same room, so when they had removed their dresses and loosened their hair before the tiny looking-glass, hung in an aggravatingly dim corner, Lena said, — " I don't know how you feel, Lois ; but there is not the slightest use in my going to bed. I could not possibly sleep. The storm has got into my blood and set every nerve tingling." " I am not sleepy either.

I cannot forget that man. Ought we to have mentioned his whereabouts down stairs ? " " I think not. He will return when he feels inclined probably, and can always gain admittance. I am too fond of my own liberty to care to interfere voluntarily with that of anyone else." " Do I not know that ? " Lois placed her arm caressingly around her friend's white neck, and with gentle compulsion forced her to a seat on the bed at her side, as she whispered, — " Lena, dear, how about Gervase, poor boy ? " " Mr. Harrild has my answer." " He has one answer, I know. But neither he nor I believe it to be the final one." "I am not so much given to change as that would argue." " No, you are faithful to your friendships, and you do care for Gervase." " I do," she replied, with a faint blush, " far too much to mar his life as well as my own.

No, Lois, I know myself better than anyone else possibly can, and this must not be. Notwithstanding our mutual liking, your brother and I are as far as the poles asunder. It would be doing him the gravest wrong could I bring myself to fulfil his wish, and become his wife." "Such nonsense! You were just made for each other; better opposites than echoes ! And yet, because he is level headed, and you intense to the verge of fanaticism, you insist on spoiling two lives." "No, you do not state the question fairly. You are prejudiced, pardonably I grant; for Mr. Harrild is a brother of whom any sister might be proud ; but he is an agnostic through and through, a genuine nil admirari, in whose eyes, clear and penetrating as they are, every action of which humanity is capable can be traced to the point of self-interest in some form, and every great mystery of nature is but the logical outcome of some scientific principle."

" Well, and isn't he pretty nearly right ? Humanity in the mass is selfish, and science does explain a great deal." " No, no, a thousand times, no ! There are things in, above, and around us, which defy all cut-and-dried explana tions. Moods, motives, mysteries, which, in our higher moments, link us to the divine. Dear, we won't quarrel. Let us get to bed ; only I cannot consent to stifle my deepest convictions at the bidding of any human being, even the dearest. Good-night." " Good-night, dear. You are a queer compound ; have you been seeing visions like Bernadette ? " " No, but I do not deny the possibility of those visions ; therein lies the difference between your brother and myself." " Isn't it well for such soaring spirits to have their wings clipped sometimes, lest they vanish altogether beyond our ken ?

" " I have never yet come in contact with any who were in danger of taking so grand a flight ; but were it possible, I am sure they would not feel impelled to thank those who prevented them, even in love. But Lois, dear, we are talking mere nonsense ; so, once more, good-night." " Good-night to a hard-hearted friend, whom for my sins I cannot help loving, and may the visions of the night upon her bed rouse in her tenderer feelings, and reduce her high mightiness to moods more gentle." The last word was lost beneath the weight of a well aimed pillow, and ended in a smothered laugh as she tossed the missile back again.

Chapter II Sunrise And Sunset On The Mountains

The following morning broke clear and calm, and together the two friends stood to watch the sun rise over the moun tains, among a crowd of curious sightseers. Though warmly enveloped in rugs and blankets, with a fine disregard for appearances, yet, in the morning chill, they drew instinctively closer to each other. Some grumbled at the folly of the proceeding. What was the difference between a sunrise here and any other where, that sleep should be broken and warm beds forsaken at this unearthly hour to witness the phenomenon ? But as the wonder grew, the most inveterate grumbler was silenced. Farther and farther down the snow-capped mountains rolled the reluctant shadows, grudgingly yield ing up possession of their kingdom to another waking day. The old world, rugged and furrowed, was being re-born ; and how glorious, how sublimely exquisite, was his baptismal robe !

How the rosy mantle shimmered and glowed, as peak after peak became enwrapped in those wondrous folds ! Slowly, slowly, and yet, oh, how rapidly, beauty followed on beauty, change on change, one prismatic tint being, as it were, evolved from another, until, when the eye was almost surfeited and the heart stirred to its depths, the golden chariot of the sun himself rested on the highest peak, and another day was born. Simultaneously all nature awoke. There was a shimmer and a rustle in the tree-tops far below, here and there a rare bird chirped and twittered, myriad grasshoppers renewed their chattering story. On the Alps around, above and below, numberless musical cow-bells answered chime with chime, as their wearers began a sweet and dewy breakfast, and already groups of industrious villagers might be seen spreading abroad the hay drenched in last night's storm, or gathering garden produce for the early meal.

" It is of no use, Lois, I cannot possibly do anything so prosaic as return to bed again," said Lena, in a tone of con viction. " Don't let me drag you out against your will, but I am going for a walk. Why, there goes a butterfly, I declare ; shall I be more dilatory than he ? " " Oh, dear, I must confess to being sleepy, even at the risk of incurring your disgust," replied Lois, with a yawn. " Then go back and finish your nap by all means ; I shall enjoy a solitary ramble." "Your friend is energetic," said a gentleman in an amused tone as, drawing her hood closer and tucking up her dress, the girl sped away. "Yes, more so than I am. She cannot meet with much to harm her here ; that is one comfort." "Not if she be sure-footed and keen of eye; but there lurk ugly traps for the unwary, even on that innocent looking peak."

" Oh, Miss Gascoigne is not inexperienced in the vagaries of mountains, and is quite capable of looking well to her steps, I assure you." By the aid of her alpenstock and the long, swinging, vigorous stride of an accustomed walker, Lena was already some distance away, and now turned to wave her hand, just as Lois was re-entering the house in the wake of the majority, who, with many an audible yawn, had already regained their rooms. It was two hours later ere she woke again to find Lena Gascoigne moving with noiseless tread about the room, her white feet encased in soft pink woollen slippers, and the tiny, provoking wash basin bearing witness to ablutions having been performed under difficulties. " Have you been back long ? " questioned Lois, sleepily. " Only for a few minutes. Did I disturb you 1 If so, I am sorry, for it is still early."

" No. Why, what is the matter ? Early rambles do not agree with you evidently. You look as though you had been seeing ghosts." " I am very glad you did not go with me at any rate, for I have had an adventure." " An adventure ! Do tell now ! " Lois exclaimed, sitting up in bed, all eagerness and exceedingly wide awake. "What was it?" Lena's gaze was far away, and she seemed in no hurry to speak, as she sat with clasped hands on the edge of her bed, her long hair rippling over bare shoulders, and falling like a dark veil half over her face. Lois sprang out of bed. " Lena, what was it ? " she cried, taking the girl by her shoulders, and administering a vigorous shaking. "You are enough to frighten anyone half out of their wits." " Don't, Lois ; / was frightened at first, I acknowledge," she replied, looking into her friend's eager face with a slow smile.

" So I should imagine, and the effect has not worn off yet, evidently ; but, once again, what was it ? " " You remember that gentleman who sat opposite to us at dinner last evening ? " " Mr. Greystoke. Well?" " Is that his name ? How do you know ? " " From the visitors' book, of course. Go on. What about him ? " "I found him apparently dead, and drenched to the skin, lying in a hollow on the mountain side." "You don't say! No wonder you were frightened! What did you do ? " " Tried to bring him round ; but, failing in that, came back for help." " And he is in the house ? " "Yes; say nothing to anybody. He is not dead, as I feared, but not far from it. A doctor has been sent for." " But how did it happen 1 Was he struck by the lightning? Or what?" " I can't say. At all events, he is very, very ill, poor fellow."

It was afternoon ere the doctor arrived, and, though the girls had respected their host's desire, and kept their own counsel, Lois had found it impossible to tempt her friend, beautiful though the day was, to join any of the exploring parties, or even to go for a short ramble to the most accessible glacier. " No, dear, do not ask me ; I must know what his chances of recovery are first," she reiterated. " But I do not wish to prevent you from going anywhere." However, Lois preferred remaining with her, so they sat outside. Lena's fingers were busily engaged with shuttle and mesh, while her eyes scanned everyone who approached, vouchsafing monosyllabic replies to her friend's frequent conjectures. " Ah ! " she exclaimed at length, in tones of relief. " That is the doctor, I feel sure. Now we shall know some thing soon."

" What is this stranger to you, Lena ? Surely you carry your interest too far ! " " I found him, you see, so it is only natural that I should be interested." Laying aside her work, she continued, " Remain here, will you, while I make inquiries ? " Without waiting for a reply, she ran up the steps and, confronting the porter, said inquiringly, " The doctor has come ? " "Oui, Mademoiselle. Oui, oui." " And his verdict ? " "Mauvais, tres mauvais," he replied, shrugging his shoulders, and turning up the whites of his beady black eyes. The doctor, a little nervous man, with an air of bustling importance, and small, restless, ferret eyes, ran downstairs at the instant, protesting to the anxious landlord, — "It is unfortunate, most unfortunate; the man cannot be moved, and ought not to be left a moment ; and where to put my hand on a trustworthy nurse just now I know not !

However, I must do my best, and I cannot do more. How that blessed engine is screeching ! Don't let the poor fool slip between your fingers before morning, and carry out my instructions to the letter. We may save him, but I doubt it — much. If appearances are to be trusted, he may not be inclined to thank us for our efforts, either," he added, sotto voce. As the little man rushed for his train, Lena Gascoigne rejoined her friend, saying, — " I am ready to go somewhere now, dear, if it's not too late." " Well ? How is the patient ? " "Living still, but very ill; dangerously so, in fact, they are saying." "Poor fellow. It is sad. Can you imagine any greater misery than being ill at a hotel 1 " " Yes, there are a few contingencies even more to be dreaded than that. Are you coming? I want to gather a few of those silver thistles ; there are sure to be some on the plateau below those trees.

And I've set my heart on some scarlet berries to wear with my cream silk to night." " Vanity, thy name is woman, even superior woman ! " "I never professed to be superior — to appearances at any rate. To my mind, the woman who does not trouble to make the best of herself is an eyesore and a nuisance." " How about the vain and flippant ones, then, who think of little else besides their personal appearance? I never thought you would be inclined to commend them ! " "Nor do I. You know that right well. They merit, poor souls, little but pity or contempt. There is a great difference between general fitness, a thoroughly harmonious and suitable appearance, and abject slavery to dress and physical well-being. A difference easily perceived." They had been rapidly descending the slippery footpath while talking, and now Lena stopped, saying, — "I thought so; there are plenty here, and what fine ones !

Have you got a knife ? Cut the stalks as long as possible." "What use will the prickly things be after you have gathered them ? " said Lois, impatiently, sucking a torn finger. "What use? Why, they are simply invaluable for winter decoration when mixed with dried grasses. Does it hurt ? The prickles are sharp, I know. Cut them all off like this. There, that will be enough ; and I won't be greedy with these lovely berries. The variety of flowering shrubs indigenous to this neighbourhood is not the least of its charms. Hark, that is a belated avalanche, an import ant one too, judging from its noise. The sun is setting, so we must hasten if we are to be in time for dinner." "It is more noise than appearance with avalanches, I think. All I have seen were decidedly disappointing, from the latter standpoint."