Anthony Lyveden Part 59

For one long moment Valerie's heart stood still.

Then she threw back her head and began to sing.

"_Where the bee sucks, there suck I; In a cowslip's bell I lie...._"

Anthony stared at her open-mouthed. Her throat felt as though it had steel bands about it. She just smiled and sang on.

"_There I couch when owls do cry, When owls do cry, When owls do cry...._"

The leaves of the lime-trees beyond the green box wall were trembling--she could see them--beginning to bob up and down. The boughs themselves were beginning to sway elastically. Valerie sang like a book.

"_On a bat's back do I fly, After sunset, merrily, merrily, After sunset merrily...._"

The lime-trees had stopped trembling. The breeze had pa.s.sed.... An exultant note swept into the melody.

"_Merrily, merrily, shall I live now, Under the blossom that hangs on the bough-- Merrily, merrily, shall I live now, Under the blossom that hangs on the bough-- Under the blossom that hangs on the bough._"

With a fine, happy smile, Lyveden heard the song out.

Then he stepped to my lady and caught her two hands.

"Exquisite," he said, glowing. "Exquisite, Valerie. I never knew you had such a lovely voice."

As he spoke, the girl's knees sagged, and he was just in time to catch her before she fell....

Her collapse was momentary. She was not, I suppose, unconscious for more than five seconds. It was, indeed, at her bidding that Anthony set her down upon a low stone seat.

It was natural that he should be greatly concerned.

"Oh, my sweet, it was my fault. I frightened you. I know I did. Lean your head back. That's right. I was all worked up about that rotten dream. I'll never mention it again. I'm so very sorry, dear. I wouldn't have upset you for anything. And you sang so beautifully....

Why did you sing, Valerie?"

"I--I don't know. I heard a bee humming, and that made me think of the song. It was very silly."

"It was very sweet, la.s.s. And I just loved it. And, oh, my lady, please never think of our misunderstanding again. I felt I wanted just to know, but that was all. D'you feel better now?" Valerie nodded.

"Are you sure?"

"Quite."

"Shall I get you some water?"

"No, thanks, lad. I'm all right now."

Kneeling on one knee beside her, Anthony patted her hand.

"I'm so thankful.... I can't get over your singing like that ... I felt--carried away. I shall remember it always." He sighed happily.

"I've got so many happy memories to take away."

Valerie sat up straight.

"To take away?" she breathed.

"My dear, I've been here nearly six months already. It's only with an effort that I can remember that I'm your guest. I don't want to go.

Drifting along like this is simply perfect, but ... there's such a lot to be done ... heaps."

"There's plenty of time."

"I know, but--well, look at my clothes, for one thing. I'm not fit to be seen."

The girl breathed again. Then--

"Oh, yes, you are, old chap. Fitter than you think. Besides, you don't have to stay in London because you're going to a tailor."

"I know," said Anthony slowly. "I know. But it isn't only that. You see, my lady, when I came here to your house, it was as a footman....

And I think I'd better leave it as--well, no more than a friend.

That's a big enough step, in all conscience. After a little--a very little--I shall come, again, Valerie...."

His fingers closed about hers.

"You never came here as a footman," said the girl. "You came as my beloved. You went out of the garden of _The Leather Bottel_ that very first day--my lord. What does it matter what else you were--are--will be? Oh, Anthony, you dear, honourable child...."

With his disengaged hand Lyveden covered his eyes.

"I meant to be so strong," he said humbly. "G.o.d forgive me, I'm very weak. You see--I love you so." His head bowed, he took hold of her other hand. "My lady, my beautiful lady, will you marry this lover of yours--this irresolute child?"

"Yes," said Valerie, "I will."

Anthony fell upon both knees.

"I worship you," he said simply. "Ever since that first day at the inn, you've had my heart in your hands. Sleeping, waking, your voice has rung in my ears; and my eyes have seen you in the background--a tall dark girl, with the air of a queen ... always ... always....

You've lighted pantries, you've honoured servants' halls, you've turned a third-cla.s.s carriage into a bower.... And, when I came to know you, the face of the earth was changed. I didn't know there was such a being in all the world. I don't think you ever were born: I think you stepped out of a fairy tale some midsummer eve." He stopped to lay his head reverently upon the blue silk knees. "And you--are--to be--my wife.... In a few short weeks' time you're going to take my name--stand all in white by my side--put off your glorious girlhood for the last time, and go away--to live with me--for ever...." The cool firm fingers laid hold of his. "Wherever I am, your footfalls will be about me, your perfume will be in the air, your smile will gladden my eyes.... Oh, Valerie, my love, my darling, my queen--you've made me a king...."

Slowly Valerie led the strong rough palms up to her throat.

"If I've made you a king, lad," she breathed, "you mustn't kneel to me."

Getting upon his feet, Anthony pressed his lips to the slight fingers.

Valerie rose also.

"If I've made you a king, lad, you mustn't kiss my hand."

Anthony took her in his arms and looked into her eyes.

"I was wrong," he said, smiling. "You didn't step out of your fairy tale. You never left it. You've just invited me in."