Out in the Forty-Five Part 43

So after dinner I sent Caesar for the chair, and, dressed in my best, went over to Charles Street to see Hatty. I sent in my name, and waited an infinite time in a cold room before any one appeared. At last Charlotte bounced in--I cannot use another word, for it was just what she did--saying,--

"O Cary, you here? Emily is coming, as soon as she can settle her ribbons. Isn't it fun? They are all coming out in red now."

"I don't think it is fun at all," said I. "It is very sad."

"Oh, pother!--what do you and I care?" cried she.

"You do not care much, it seems," said I: but Charlotte was off again before I had finished.

A minute later, the door opened much more gently, and Amelia entered in her calm, languid way. But as soon as she saw me, her eyes lighted up, and she closed the door and sat down.

Amelia spoke in a hurried whisper as she kissed me.

"One word, before any one comes," she said. "Insist on seeing Hatty.

Don't go without it."

"Will they try to prevent me?" I replied.

Before she could answer, Mrs Crossland sailed in, all over rose-coloured ribbons.

"Why, Miss Caroline, what an unexpected pleasure!" said she, and if she had added "an unwelcome one," I fancy she would have spoken the truth.

"Dear, what was Cicely thinking of to put you in this cold room? Pray come up-stairs to the fire."

"Thank you," said I, and rose to follow her.

The room up-stairs was warm and comfortable, but Hatty was not there. A girl of about fourteen, in a loose blue sacque, which looked very cold for the weather, came forward and shook hands with me.

"My daughter," said Mrs Crossland. "Annabella, my dear, run up and ask Miss Hester if she feels well enough to come down. Tell her that her sister is here."

"Allow me to go up with Miss Annabella, and perhaps save her a journey,"

said I. "Messages are apt to be returned and to make further errands."

"Oh, but--pray do not give yourself that trouble," said Miss Annabella, glancing at her mother.

"Certainly not. I cannot think of it," answered Mrs Crossland, hastily. "Poor Miss Hester has been suffering so much from toothache--I beg you will not disturb her, Miss Caroline."

I suppose I was rude: but how could I help it?

"Why should I disturb her more than Miss Crossland?" I replied.

"Sisters do not make strangers of each other."

"Oh, she does not expect you: and indeed, Miss Caroline,--do let me beg of you,--Dr Summerfield did just hint yesterday--just a hint, you understand,--about small-pox. I could not on any account let you go up, for your own sake."

"Is my sister so ill as that?" I replied. "I think we might have expected to be told it sooner. Then, Madam, I shall certainly go up.

Miss Crossland, will you show me the way?"

I do not know whether Mrs Crossland thought me bold and unladylike, but if she had known how every bit of me was trembling, she might perhaps have changed that view.

"O Miss Caroline, how can you? I could not allow Annabella to do such a thing. Think of the clanger!--Annabella, come back! You shall not go into an infected air."

"Pardon me, Madam, but I thought you proposed yourself to send Miss Annabella. Then I will not trouble any one. I can find the way myself."

And resolutely closing the door behind me, up-stairs I walked. I did not believe a word about Hatty having the small-pox: but if I had done, I should have done the same. I heard behind me exclamations of--"That bold, brazen thing! She will find out all. Annabella, call G.o.dfrey!

call him! That hussy must not--"

I was up-stairs by this time. I rapped at the first door, and had no answer; the second was the same. From the third I heard the sound of weeping, and a man's voice, which I thought I recognised as that of Mr Crossland.

"I shall not allow of any more hesitation," he was saying. "You must make your choice to-day. You have given me trouble enough, and have made far too many excuses. I shall wait no longer."

"Oh, once more!--only once more!" was the answer, interrupted by heartrending sobs,--in whose voice I rather guessed than heard.

Neither would I wait any longer. I never thought about ceremony and gentility, any more than about the possible dangers, known and unknown, which I might be running. I opened the door and walked straight in.

Mr Crossland stood on the hearth, clad in a queer long black gown, and a black cap upon his head. On a chair near him sat a girl, her head bowed down in her hands upon the table, weeping bitterly. Her long dark hair was partly unfastened, and falling over her shoulder: what I could see of her face was white as death. Was this white, cowed creature our once pert, bright Hatty?

"What do you want?" said Mr Crossland, angrily, as he caught sight of me. "Oh, I beg pardon, Miss Caroline. Your poor sister is suffering so much to-day. I have been trying to divert her a little, but her pain is so great. How very good of you to come! Was no one here to show you anywhere, that you had to come by yourself?"

The bowed head had been lifted up, and the face that met my eyes was one of the extremest misery. She held out her arms to me with a low, sad, wailing cry--

"O Cary, Cary, save me! Cannot you save me?"

I walked past that black-robed wretch, and took poor Hatty in my arms, drawing her head to lie on my bosom.

"Yes, my dear, you shall be saved," I said,--I hope, G.o.d said through me. "Mr Crossland, will you have the goodness to leave my sister to me?"

If looks had power to kill, I think I should never have spoken again in this world. Mr Crossland turned on his heel, and walked out of the room without another word. The moment he was gone, I made a rush at the door, drew out the key (which was on the outside), locked it, and put the key on the table. Then I went back to Hatty.

"My poor darling, what have they done to you?"

Somehow, I felt as if I were older than she that day.

But she could not tell me at first. "O Cary, Cary!" seemed to be all that she could say. I rang the bell, and when somebody tried the door, I asked the unknown helper to send Miss Amelia Bracewell.

"I beg your pardon, Madam, I dare not," answered a girl's voice.

"n.o.body is allowed to enter this chamber but my mistress and Fa--and my master."

It seemed as if an angel must be helping me, and whispering what to do.

Perhaps it was so.

"Will you be so good as to take a message to the black servant who came with me?" I said.

"Certainly, Madam."

"Then please to tell him that I wish to speak with him at the door of this room."

"Madam, forgive me, but I dare not bring any one here."

I tore a blank leaf out of a book on the table. I had a pencil in my pocket. "Give him this, then; and let no one take it from you. You shall have a guinea to do it."