Dornford Yates

“ Sir Richard said loudly and often that he was worth his weight in gold, and Estelle felt curiously ill at ease.
This stray, this broken gentleman was shouldering her burdens, her world. More. He was carrying her and her grandfather, the very fortunes of her house. But for his coming, life at Feathers must have come to a sordid end. Instead, it had been revived—given a fine, new lease. She was able to live and move as a lady should. Her shoes were beautifully cleaned, the rooms were in perfect order, the silver was always brilliant, the meals were admirably served. ”

“ Rodney had been at the dance for half an hour, had spoken with no one but his hostess and was wondering how soon he could in decency withdraw, when the son of the house appeared, dragging a girl by the wrist.
"Let me introduce Mr. Shere—Miss Bearskin, commonly called 'Owdareyou'. He'll swear he can't dance, but I've seen him: but, if you don't fit, you can always muck in with the thirsties and tell one another your sins." ”

“ It was the tenth of July, and Rodney had just left Oxford for the last time.
His guardian was dead: he was absolute master of six hundred pounds a year: he was staying at his Club in St. James's, and he had no plans at all.
This night there was a dance in Arlington Street, to which Rodney had been bidden by the hostess, whose son he knew. He went reluctantly. He could not dance and was not at his ease with women he did not know. But he had been asked of civility, and of civility he must go. And within the week he must call. Rodney was nothing at all, if not correct. ”

“ She could have gone everywhere and always went where she could. People should see for themselves that she did not care. That her hackles were always up is not surprising. She was deadly proud, and Fate had hit this proud girl between the eyes. Very well. People should see....
So it happened that, wearing a simple frock, without a jewel upon her body, Estelle danced that hot night at Arlington Street with such as offered themselves and when she had no partner, stood, looking scornfully about her, with her back to the wall.
She was standing so, when Rodney saw her for the first time. ”

“ Rodney withdrew, but, fearing trouble, returned as soon as he could to the terrace-hall.
He was, however, some twenty seconds too late.
"I tell you he's ill," cried Estelle. "A shock——"
"You should have thought of that before. Uncle Richard!"
The baronet started violently, got to his feet somehow and stood shaking from head to foot.
"What—what is it?" he stammered. "You were just saying..."
Estelle and Rodney, coming from opposite doors, reached him at the same time.
"You'd better dismiss your butler. If you weren't blind, you'd never have taken him on. He doesn't know his place. ”

“ What worried Estelle most of all was that Rodney would have to wait upon this detestable man.
She broke the news the next morning, whilst she was arranging the flowers.
"There's a rotten brute coming to lunch on Wednesday."
Rodney, cleaning the fire-dogs, sat back on his heels.
"Sorry," he said. "Perhaps he won't stay very long."
"He's certain to bring a chauffeur. George will look after him."
"I don't mind in the least, Estelle. It's——"
"I do. Like master, like man. George will look after the chauffeur and put him where he belongs."
"Right you are," said Rodney. ”

“ Her grandfather, more sprightly than usual, put his white head on one side.
"What is it, little lady?"
"Cousin Frederick proposes himself for lunch."
The baronet frowned.
"I never liked Frederick," he said. "He was an untruthful child. The last time I saw him his manners left much to be desired."
"I hate him," said Estelle. "Shall I say we're going away?"
"No, no," said the baronet. "He is my sister's son. If he asks for lunch he must have it. What is he doing down here?" ”

“ After assuring himself that the shaft of light illumining the garden came from an open door, Rodney returned to the ball-room and bade his hostess 'good-bye'.
"I've enjoyed myself immensely," he said.
This was perfectly true.
Then he found the son of the house and asked him the name of the girl who looked so proud.
"Oh, you mean Estelle," said the latter. "Estelle de Swete. The tenth baronette. She's a corker. She's up on one of her raids. Periodically erupts from Somerset, does more damage and makes more enemies in a week than a rogue elephant does in a lifetime and then disappears. ”

“ No man knew better than the lawyer how to treat his superiors, his equals and those below him in estate: but everyone he met went into one of those compartments, and his ward was no exception to the rule. At the little old house in Curzon Street Rodney was treated as his guardian's compeer. The two dined in state every evening and retired at half-past ten. In the mornings, under escort, Rodney walked in the Park and rode in the Row: in the afternoons he was taken to the tailor, the boot-maker, the Zoological Gardens or the Stores. ”

“ The latter, of course, was a very tower of strength: no servant could ever have taken the place he filled. The former's artless devotion quickened more hearts than one. The two became brother and sister, succouring the lord of their house.
The baronet's frailty bore heavily upon Shere. The sick man would dress twice a day, and Rodney dared not leave him to dress alone. After awhile he shaved him morning and night. His other work must have suffered but for Estelle. Together they cleaned the silver and kept the rooms. ”

“ The man's behaviour——"
"Has been superb," said Estelle. "I admit I warned him. I told him what to expect. I told him that he would have to wait upon the most insufferable swine that ever stepped into this house. I told him what you would say and. how you would act. I didn't tell him what you were fit for—I left him to see that for himself. And now I should fade away. Don't bother to wake my grandfather. I hate to deprive you of a chance of exploiting his lack of sight, but he always rests after lunch and he's not at all well." She turned to Rodney. ”

“ All saw a young man of more than average height, very well built and looking remarkably fit, a young man with thick black hair, grey eyes and an aquiline nose, a young man, curiously solemn, wearing the gravity of a Justice upon his Bench. ”

“ But I do love you, you see: and that's what tears everything up."
Estelle neither spoke nor moved, and presently Rodney went on.
"That night, at the Jermyns', I fell in love with you.... I found out who you were, and I set out to make our fortune as quick as I could. I was so wild to make it that within six months I'd lost every penny I had. Well, that was the end of my dream.... But I thought that, at least, I could be near you, so I worked my passage from London down to your gate. At Cockcrow they told me that Redfern was wanting a cowman at Bluecoat Farm. ”

“ Man but proposes....
Rodney awoke the next morning, determined to marry Estelle within the year: and, being old for his age, he did not rush at the business, but decided to arm himself before he made the assault.
He had no idea at all that Estelle de Swete was poor. He assumed, perhaps naturally, that she was reasonably rich. That being so, his income must be increased. Must.... The parable of the talents pointed an obvious path. ”

“ Whatever you do, don't touch her. She's lovely to look at, but she's a man-eater."
"Is she though?" said Rodney.
Ten minutes later he was back at his Club.
Illustration: "Estelle looked down from the ladder on which she was perched. 'Tell me,' she said quietly. 'Why are you doing this?' 'For my living, madam.'"
"'There are plenty of people who would give you two hundred a year.' 'I'm very happy here, madam.' 'Don't call me "madam ".'"
He had, I think, done quite but he had made one mistake. ”