Simon Dale

e had a worse introduction to my new life. To start with a duel would have hurt me little, but a duel on such a cause and on behalf of such a lady (for I should seem t

lace gained undeservedly. Yet, amid my chagrin, and in spite of my virtuous intentions, I found myself wondering that Cydaria had remembered; I will not protest that I found no pleasure in the thought; a young man whose pride was not touched by it would have reached a higher summit of severity or a lower depth of insensibility than was mine. Yet here also I mad

he seconds also in a senseless quarrel. We walked briskly; and crossing the Oxford Road at Holborn, struck into the fields beyond Montague House. We were first at the rendezvous, but had not to wait long before three chairs appeared, containing Lord Carford, his second, and a surgeon

forced me to hate, and I asked no better than that we should both escape with as little hurt as the laws of the game allowed. His mood was different; he had been bearded, and was in a mind to give my beard a pull-I speak in a metaphor, for beard had I none-and possessing some reputation as a swordsman, he could not well afford to let me go untouched. An old sergeant of General Cromwell's, resident at Norwich, had instructed me in the use of the foils, but I was not my lord's equal, and I set it down to my good luck and

me off to breakfast. The request was granted, on a promise that I would abstain from inflaming food and from all strong liquors. Accordingly we set out, I dissembling a certain surprise inspired in my countryman's mind by the discovery that my late enemy proposed to be of the party. Having come to a tavern in Drury Lane, we were regaled very pleasantly; Mr Jermyn, who (although a small man, and not in my opinion well-shaped) might be seen to hold himself in good esteem, recounting to us his adventures in love and his exploits on the field of honour. Meanwhile, Lord Carford treated me with distinguished courtesy, and I was at a loss to understand his changed humour until it appeared that Darrell

to be, while Darrell had to wait upon the Secretary at his offices; therefore I was alone, and, going easily, found fully enough to occupy my attention in the business and incredible stir of the town. I thought then, and think still, that nowhere in the world is there such a place for an idle man as London; where else has he spread for him so continual a banquet of contemplation,

drawn nearer, I paused out of a curiosity which turned to amusement when I discovered in the preacher my good friend Phineas Tate, with whom I had talked the evening before. It seemed that he had set about his task without delay, and if London were still unmindful of its sins, the fault was not to lie at Mr Tate's door. On he plunged, sparing neither great nor small; if the Court were sinful, so was Drury Lane; if Castlemaine (he dealt freely in names, and most sparingly in titles of courtesy) were what he roundly said she was, which of the women about him was not the same? How did they differ from their betters, unless it were that their price was not so high, and in what, save audacity, were they behind Eleanor Gwyn? He hurled this last name forth as though it marked a climax of

his tongue yet more outrageously, and so battered the unhappy subject of his censures that my ears tingled, and suddenly I strode quickly up to the group, intent on silencing him; but a great brawny

ne and the rest, Master Ranter,

und. They knew Nelly: here

the porter, "if you va

d break in the grasp of his mighty assailant, and I was loth that the fool should come to harm; so I began to push my way through towards the pair, and arrived just as Phineas, having shot a most pointe

ered. "But you'

ays, then. Kill him! Ay

ittle to hinder any violence. A girl in the crowd reminded me of my helplessness, t

I. "Let him alone; w

d not take my def

. "You'll know who was mad when you lie howling in hell fi

boisterously, wound a pair of sturdy red arms round me. Then he stepped forward, and seizing Phineas by the scruff of the neck shook him as a dog shakes a rat. To wha

k. Here are the means." And a shower of small coins came flying down on our heads, causing an immediate wild scramble. My flower-girl loosed me that she might take her

odice, none too high nor too carefully buttoned about the neck, showed that her dressing was not done. Indeed, she made a pretty picture, as she

ving, gives to the needy, and is withal a good Protestant?" Then she calle

aid of you--" began

says of me," she answered

he porter, who, picking it up, shambled off with a last oath of warning to his enemy. Then, and then only, did she look at me

, my Simon, my little Simon from the country. Come up to me, Simon. No, no, your pardon; I'll

window where it had been, and I needed Phineas

e woman?"

ss Gwyn herself

be to God, for it may be His will that this brand should be plucked from the burning." And before I could speak or attempt to hinder him he st

ore a man's eyes in absolute fidelity, yet how poor and weak a thing it is beside the vivid sight of bodily eyes; that paints the faded picture all afresh in hot and glowing colours, and the man who bade defiance to the persuasions of his recollection falls beaten down by the fierce force of a present vision. I followed Phineas Tate, perhaps using some excuse with myself-indeed, I feared that he would attack her rudely and be cruelly plain with her-

with smiles, and with no more shame or embarrassment than if our meeting in this way were the most ordinary thing

e her words gave him w

ed. "But what of the time whe

able, "is there more still? Indeed, I thought you had sai

retching his arm towards her, while she sat with her chin on he

" he began; before he could

e," I said. "Wha

on, Simon,

get rid of something that threatened to stick. Then he fell on his knees and prayed fervently, she still sitting quiet and I standing awkwardly near. He finishe

ened! I pray Christ our Lord to open your eyes and chan

nails of her right han

sinner than many others," said sh

him, and he lost the gentleness wi

ccents than mine. Their cup is full, the measure of their iniq

, and she yawned just a little; but, as she glanced at me, a merry lig

start, seeming to hav

n my face. "Why, his face is honest; if he

d I defy any man on earth to have gi

Lord soften your heart

too soft alre

he door. But once more he faced me before he went, and looke

rms, and let them fall on the table in front of her; the

at pretty Hatchs

my hands from hers, and

Hatchstead, nor do you seem the

the gentleman I knew, and kn

very unlik

ou think. But are you al

remembrance of me, and for your kindness in doing me a service; I

he cried. "What? You may n

," said I,

a pretty child's

u to be wounded? Have you

dy, ma

h whom,

d. The reason I need

esire to

at Mistress Gwyn had obt

t was

ss; yet

f it we

elf again at the table, looking up at me with

mon," she said, with a coaxing gla

d it," said I; "and never, I think, so happy, unles

e glad to have it, even tho

I go to Whitehall to-m

nder, and anger als

in truth to surrender it? A

could muster, although I had no love for my part in this scene. A

't remembered you,"

I also wish that

you would ne

me rough, madame. Indeed,

, listen!" Now she stood with her face but a yard from mine, and again her lips were curved wit

d I simply; and I took u

ess Barbara?" as

aited on her,

ow can I be angry? I can never be angry. Why" (and here she came even a little closer, and now she was smiling most damna

that speech she looked to receive. Mine

" she whispered, standing on tiptoe

maintain. I saw what seemed a light of triumph in her eyes. Yet that mood passed quickly from her. She

"have you sweet memo

I confusedly, "sweeter

ely for an instant. T

o town, but stayed there with y

Cyda

" she echoed, wi

ter broke out again on her face, and, drawing

orget, Simon. No, yo

inn, daring me to forget. And my brain seemed all