The Wooden Horse

his splendid fortune. This was the very thing for whi

ht sky. The lamps seemed to wage war with the departing daylight; the after-glow of the setting sun fluttered valiantly for a

there had been a sale and the shop was tired. Midgett's Bookshop at the corner of the High Street was still open

off by six to-night. He had an appointment at seven-and now this old man.... "We close at six, sir," he said. But

em, but they fitted into the pattern of his thoughts, forming a

aid, she had scarcely had time, and it was not likely that the girl would give them up easily. It was just possible, too, that the whole affair was a mis

things; he was not even certain of her age. If there was nothing in it, he would look a fool, but he must risk that. A wild idea came into his head that he might, perhaps, find Clare there-that woul

whistling round its corners and whirling eddies of dust in the road, its three lamps at long dist

eard the strange voice; it was just such another moment

s if I don't move," he

ell, and the tap-tap of her down-at-heels slippers sounded along

ly shapes, by the farther wall. A door opened, there was sound of voices-a momen

u can come up," she

, and scented drama in the set of his s

ded, and tap-tapped down

ndow. The draught blew the everlastings on the mantelpiece together wit

uld need a very great fire indeed to put any warmth into her. Her black hair, p

mnly, and then waited as thou

"that you may think this extraordinary. I can onl

r. Robert

waited, with her hands folded on her

think, at Cambrid

r and I were the

harder than he expected, a

ummer?" he asked, his resolution wea

ound it so. But, of

e. He suspected the girl of being the same. It made things in some ways much simpler, because money would, probably, settle everything; there would be no question of fine feelings. He k

o the poi

r. He wrote some letters now in your daughter's possession. His family are naturally anxious that those letters should be retur

would prefer, Mrs. Feverel, to

, given him every reason to take the line that he adopted. She had listened to the first part of his speech withou

was startling and took

at crept round the corners of her mouth, faced him for a moment, and

Trojan, that that is

. In her own house, in her drawi

pardon," h

ly. "You had rather misc

ity of not securing the letters at all. The thought that his hopes might be dashed to the ground, that he might be no nearer his goal at the end of the int

mited. I came here with a very vague idea both as to yourself and your intentions. In drawing the conclusions that I did I have done both you and your daughter a gra

felt that she had accepted both his insult and apology q

acquaint his family with the fact. They corresponded continually during the summer-letters, I believe, of the kind common to young people in love. Mr. Robert Trojan spoke continually of the marriage and suggested dates. We then came down here, and, soon after our arrival, I perceived a change in your son's a

motion, and evidently expect

behalf of my son to demand t

man

verel, of that kind are dang

e question. She naturally treasures what represents to her the happiest months of her existence. You must remember that your son's conduct-shall

in such a cowardly and dastardly manner-it has hurt and surprised me more than I can say-but, were that all, it were surely better to bu

rs. Feverel,

of us children, and this beating about the bush serves no purpose whatever. If you refus

she answered, "she sh

and tall, walking straight from the hips, giving a little the impression that she was standing on her toes. Her eyes seemed

her. He could see that she was agitated-her breath came quickly, and her

"is my daughter, Mr. Trojan

ather pathetic as she faced him; here was no adventuress, no scheme

e you, my dear. Mr. Trojan will

s pause. "I hope you will forgive me, Miss Feverel," he said gently. "I'm afraid that both your moth

ned her composure. "It i

exactly what the relat

simply, "last summer at Cambridg

nd that you intend

s quite

to ask you to

t it is a waste of time. I s

l; she seemed very helpless, and, at the same time, he felt that there was strength

to me to return after twenty years' absence and find him engaged in such an affair. But he is very young, and-pardon me-so are you. I am an older man and my experience of the world is greater than yours; believe me when I s

well, it takes a lot to break a heart. I am sure that you will be glad to hear that my appetite has returned. As to the lett

speak lightly, but

imagine, to punish Robin. I can assure you that in a few years' time he will be punished en

very agitated letters. But really I cannot help it. The affair is over-done with. I regard t

liberate malicious intentions, but there is, as far as I can see, only one motive in your keeping them. I have not see

ection. But, Mr. Trojan, revenge is sweet. Every woman, I think, likes it, and I am no excep

s for his that I am making my claim. You cannot see things in fair pro

like that. I am deeply touched-you seem to take quite a fatherly inte

e that it was no pose afte

to terms. It is a matter of vital importance that I should receive the le

shed a

etters figured. Pistols were fired, and the heroine wore red plush. Is that to be our style now? I am sorry that I cannot oblige you. There ar

ur absolute

olute d

ood, for a momen

t you will discover later, that it has been no revenge at all. It will be the most regretted action of your life. You have a great chance; you are going to throw it away. I am

how strong his hopes had been; and now he must return with things as they were before, with

d again and turned

hands, and burst into uncontrollable tears. He stood irresolute, and then came back and waited by the fireplace. He thought it was the most desolate thing that he had ever known-the flapping of the blin

"Don't go-it was absurd of me to give way like that; I thought tha

wn again

spised us, especially your family. And Robin said-well, lots of things that hurt. That I was not good enough and that his aunt would not like me. And then, of course, when I saw that, if I kept the letters, I could make them all unhappy-why, of course, I kept them. It was natural, wasn't it? But I didn't want to hurt you-I felt that all

the same thing. It's been a case," he hesitated for a word, "of calf-love, for all three of us. Don't regret Robin; he's not worth it. Why, you are worth twenty of him, and he'll know that later on. I'm afraid that sounds patronising," he a

gs that I couldn't see before. I wish I had known a man like you-then I might have learnt earli

ly beginning now, and I'm forty-five. I,

a moment. "They don't like you

red; "I don't

u must have had a bad time. But why, if they have been like that,

you see, is my great affair. I care for him more than

the window; she unlocked a drawer and returned with a small packet in her hand. "There," she said, "there they are. They are not many, are they, for s

in his hand for a moment, and t

e said, "I sha

e have just shared for a moment an experience, and it has changed both of

"I shall want to know how thi

Go back to London, I expect-and I will get some work.

the real thing is just

different if you believe in me," she said. "It will give one courage

e're worried. Don't think any more of Robin. He isn't good enough for you yet; he'll learn,

she said. "B

t, smiled, and was gone. She

smiled again. Then he pass

turned back from the wind