A Modern Chronicle -- Volume 04

ce, Honora found herself alone with Trixton Brent in the automobile at a moment when t

chauffeur doesn't understand English. If you don't tu

involuntarily to Brent. "It wou

I'll run off wit

tly capable of it," she

ke the

t you?" h

sm

uence, I suppose. And yet I trust you, in spite of my

hy

f you're at a loss," sh

inger a

Westchester accomplished successfully. It was half-past three when they drove up the avenue and deposited Mrs. Kame and Cecil Grainger at the long front of the Faunce house: and Brent, who had been driving, relinquished the wheel t

g good-by to Mrs. Kame, and-as the chauffeur was proceeding slowly-ha

an do you think I

a big order, is

erious," continu

lly like

list of your qualities," he replied, smi

gry than you have any idea of at the manner in which you talked to Howard. And did you seriously sup

lau

"or else you oughtn't to be out without a guardian. And no jud

smiling. There was something in the way B

precisely eligible,

But his eyes made

rds the reward for

. "That's what is troubling me. And you have

u were sensitive on t

e like to be so utterly c

say you don't

," she added, "in ascribing to me motives that-that never occurred to me. You make the mistake of thinking that because you have no id

t looked at

it was all I could do to prevent him from rushin

d not

irtuous resolutions mean

e? Abandonment of

sob. "I'm not that sordid kind of a person. And if I don't like Quicksands, it's

ly that she left it there for a moment, as though paralyzed, while

ore than any woman I ha

uickly, and she d

to feel complimen

aped to her feet. And the machine, after what seemed an heroic attempt to continue, came to a dead stop. They were on the outskirts of a village; children coming home from school surrounded them in a ring. Bren

ter?" asked Hon

ew minutes." He looked with some annoyance at the gathering crow

gain, not without a series of protesting cracks like pistol shots. The chauffeur and Brent leaped in, the bystanders parted with derisive cheers, and away th

to take the train, Mr. Brent? If I were to miss a

ured her. "Nothing broken. It's only the

until the chauffeur's face was steeped in perspiration, and more pistol shots. They were off again, but lamely, spurting a little at times, and again slowing down to the pace of an ox-cart. Their progress became a series of illustrations of the fable of the hare and the tortoise. They passe

owns an automobile and calmly travels from Chicago to Boston if he chooses, we have forgotten the dark ages when these machines were possessed by devi

er to get anywhere. Four o'clock struck, five and six, when at last the fiend who had conspired with fate, having accomplished his evident purpose of compelling Honora to miss her dinner, finally abandoned them as suddenly and mysteriously as he had come, and the automobil

aw us leave Delmonico's at two o'clock, and t

handos on the affair. It was all very well to say the motor broke down; but unf

been expected, was inclined t

inner-party," he said. "We'll have a cosey little

ird and unfamiliar character of these upper reaches of a great city in the twilight, where new houses stood alone or m rows on wide levelled tracts; and old houses, once in the country, were seen high above the roadway

nor

hand again, and held it in spi

as I have never loved in my lif

n't say that

manded. "Why not

Honora, "because I c

ion of disdain w

of the bad taste of discussing him. He's a good fellow enough, but he never thinks about you from the time the Exchange opens in the morning until he gets home at night and wants his dinner. You don't love him-it would be a miracle if a woman with any spirit did.

she implored him

e was powerless, carried along like

thought I was in love with 'em, but now I understand it was only-something else. I say, I don't know what it is in you that makes me feel differently. I can't analyze it, and I don't want to. You're not perfect, by a good deal, and God kno

y of emotions which he had aroused in spite of her, needless to say did not, at that moment

ing: when speech, though eloquent and forceful, seemed a useless medium. Her appeals were lost, and she found herself fighting in hi

cried, t

repentant, with the ligh

ve you!" she excl

"I shall remember it as long as

ly threaded the traffic, and at length turned into upper Fifth Avenue, skirting the Park. She

capable of reflection. She remembered that there was a train for Quicksands at seven-fifteen, which Howard had taken once or twice. But she felt that the interval was too short. In that brief

direct the chauffeur to a well-k

I'd rather go to

ised at this unlooked-for acquiescence, and then

and after that, sitting upright, to watch the cross st

a?" he

d not

just for a moment

as because her indignation, which would have frightened many men into repentance, left this one u

he declared, "and you shall order the dinner. Here we a

, the doors were flung open to rece

hum of voices. In the hall, people were talking and laughing in groups, and it came as a distinct surprise to her that th

ailed one of th

ladies' parlour," said

ave the dinner card brou

the boy at th

Joshua Holt is in, and the number of her room. And

ne operator to call u

nds-and

ed like half an hour to Honora, "but they've had a fire in th

the bell-boy had reappear

she said, and followe

red gown, and in her hand was a copy of the report of the Board of Missions. For a momen

exclaimed, in ast

so glad you're here. I wa

e glasses and the mission report fel

tell me how you happen

ose Howard is

I came here. That's one reason, I mean. I was coming to see you this

iture in the room in harmony with her ample proportions. Her attitude and p

, thus revealing her suspicions

xton Brent waiting in the ladies' parlour. "I took lunch at

ger?" demand

a tre

" she

is a friend of mine. She's one of the most executive women we have in the 'Working Girl

ora, "I haven'

appen to be lunchin

Mrs. Holt," said Honora; "Mr.

ded Mrs. Holt. "One of t

h, and goes abroad a great deal, and plays polo. That's the reason he has a little place

Kame?" sai

, and has a pl

said Mrs. Holt, and Ho

es, my dear? When I was young, husbands a

Mrs. Holt might suddenly inquire as t

es have changed, Mrs. Holt. And after lunch we all went out

Faunces?" Mrs. H

nce is! She was Kitty Esterbrook, you

and Mrs. Kame there to spend the night. They all said we had plenty of time to go an

any one right for trusting to them. I th

st got back to New

nquired

" said Honora, wi

!" exclaimed t

you," said Honora, gazing at her friend. "And oh, I'm so glad to

t say you haven't been foolish, but it's Howard's fault quite

an't telephone Howard, and we have people to dinner, and they don't know I went to Westche

worry. I know how anxious you

uldn't you go down to Quicksands with me and spend the night-an

"I'm surprised that you should think for an instant that I w

e same maid, by the way, who had closed the shutters that memorable storm

nd ask her to communicate with the Reverend Mr. Field. As for staying with you, Honora," she continued, "I have to be back at Silverdale to-

said Honora. "But as for How

t dinner?" as

's downstairs. He brought me here, of course.

Holt, "I think I sho

ed to the ladies' parlour. At the far end of it a waiter holding a card was standing respectfully, and Trixton Brent was pacing up and down bet

here, and she's going to take dinner with us and come do

ce happened to find me?" said Mrs. Holt, as she

unparalleled in his previous experience. Virtue had not often been so triumphant, and never so dramatic as to produce at the critical instant s

ef?" he

re of her, as an intimate friend of her husband. I was merely thinking of the proprieties. And as I am a

ugh it must not be expected that he should grasp at o

touch somewhat elaborate, "will be delighted." And he shot at Honor

waiter?" as

n Brent, glancing at the motion

s. Holt. "Honora, you mu

Mrs. Holt,"

y, balancing her glasses on her nose and glancing at th

. Holt, and he knew Trixton Brent. If gravity had not been a life-long habit with him, one might have suspected him o

ir?" he

d Mrs. Holt,

ses laid flat on the bosom of her dove-coloured dress; Honora in a costume dedicated to the very latest of the sports, and Trixton Brent in English tweeds. The dining-room was full. But here and there amongst the diners,

ing and exhilarating effects. At the sound of the laughter in the corner he turned his head, a signal for renewed merriment from that quarter. Whereupon he turned b

rter," he remarked, "appear

the corner table rose to a height it had not heret

bservation of Mr. Brent; evidently regarding him somewhat in the manner that a suspicious householder would look upon a strange gentleman whom he accidentally found in his front ha

orking girls, Mr. Brent?

, had an insane desire to giggle.

nce with them, Mrs. Holt," he replied,

rs. Holt. "What I meant was, are you inte

ow of any class that has a harder time. As a rule, they're underpaid and overworked, and when night comes they are either tired to death or bored to death, and the g

I ever heard the problem stated so succinctly and so well. Perhaps," she added, "it might intere

I'm a rather busy man, and nothing of a public sp

iling?" asked Mrs.

the working girls, I have to have a little excitement occasionally

Holt, shaking her head. I can't say I think much of your method of dis

s here, and I was about to invite you to go do

ing that distance, if you keep your promise.

llantly, "allow me to send you

y good," sa

t of giving much to charities, I'm sorr

ion will induce you to

o

ied Honora, "could be k

Br

nterested kindness, my de

nner progressed, to take in the lady opposite a delight that surprised hi

ou're the type of successful man who gets what he wants. I don't mean to say

that concession, at a

e it you are a bachelor. Mark my words, the longer you remain one, the more steeped in selfishness yo

to his own matrimonial experience. Visions of a scene arose before her in the event that Mrs. Holt

cquaintances," he said, "I have no desire to

hey are so supremely selfish that if the least difference in taste develops, or if another man or woman chances along whom they momentarily fancy more than their own husbands or wives, they get a divorce. Their idea of marriage is not a mutual sacrifice which brings happiness

n Brent, "are not so f

he sensations of a wit

powers of heaven. Her h

ashes of humour, laughe

en

ou some time," she said; "I

ok his

hink so, Honora?" he asked, with an

rthy to judge you," sh

to keep them in order. And if we're really going to risk our lives in your automob

rear of the car; and the lady herself, with something of the feelings of a missionary embarking for the wilds of Africa, was assisted up the little step and through the narrow entrance of the tonneau by the combined efforts of Honora and Brent. An

holly proof against the charms of Trixton Brent when he chose to exert himself; and for some reason he did so choose. As they stood in the starli

a fascinating

you appreciate him,

highest confidence in you, Honora, but honesty forces me to confess that you are young and pleasure-loving, and a little heedless. And the atmosphere in which

m her point of view, what she had done had been amply justified by the plea of self-defence, it could not be expected that he would accept it

ble interest at the blazing lights of the Club, with the same sensations she would no doubt have had if she had been suddenly set down within the Moulin Rouge. Shortly afterwards they turned in at the gate of "The Brackens." The light streamed across the

", said Honora to Trixt

"I wouldn't miss it for

A table in the corner, where Lula Chandos had insisted on playing bridge, was covered with scattered cards and some bills, a decanter of whiskey, two soda bottles, and two glasses. The blue curling smok

s, whose back was turned to the door, looked from Mrs. Barcl

d tone. And, following the eyes of the other

incapable of speech. Close behind her stood H

nd she was good enough to come down for the night. I'm so sorry not to have been here," she added to her guest

cigarette that Mrs. Chandos still held in her trembling finger

t," he said. "Er-won't you

replied, "I do not wish

ual hour fo

rning to Honora, "that I'll ask you t

Holt," said Hon

ring th

le balcony. As she closed the door gusts of laughter reached them from the floor be

d. "Your maid will be in the little room across th

e keep you from yo

e verge of tears, "I don't want

, "that they seem to be able to get along very well without you. I suppose I am too old to understand this modern way of living. How well

perceived that the tears were raining down the good lady's cheeks. At the same moment the

said gently, "you must n

you are. And at what

ny time

ight," said Mrs. Holt

ll, and presently the footsteps and the laughter and