The Brown Mask Page 24

  CHAPTER XXIV

  LOVE AND FEAR

  Gilbert!

  It was the first time she had called him by his name, and surely on herlips there was unexpected music in it. She had come into his arms and,with a sob, had nestled there as if she had found safety and content.Her face was hidden against him, and he kissed her hair reverently, notdaring to attempt to turn her face to him. His possession of her was sosudden that he was as a man who dreams a dream, half conscious that itis a dream, which he would not have broken. Until he was in the roomCrosby could not believe that the promise which Rosmore had made wouldbe fulfilled. He could not believe that Barbara was close to him, thathe would see her. He had listened to Rosmore as he unfolded his schemefor their escape, trying to detect the direction of his villainy, neverfor an instant believing that he was sincere; and, after all, he haddone as he had promised, he had brought him to Barbara Lanison. Thewoman he loved was in his arms. It was wonderful, wonderfully true! Therest would happen in its due time. Life with love in it was to be his.The man he hated had proved a friend. So he kissed the beautiful fairhair and waited for Barbara to look up, that he might read her heartthrough her eyes and kiss her lips.

  Barbara did not look up. Almost unasked she had crept into the arms thatopened to her, quickly and without question. From the first moment shehad seen Gilbert he had been more to her than any other man, and, if shehad not dared to admit it even to herself, she knew she loved him. Hadshe not come to the West to save him? Had she not been ready tosacrifice herself for him? She, too, had placed no trust in LordRosmore, yet the unexpected had happened. He had brought Gilbert Crosbyto her. They were to escape together. She and Galloping Hermit, thenotorious wearer of the brown mask, were to go together! He was a man, atrue man, she had said it, she meant it, but--Ah, strive to forget themas she would, Rosmore's words had left a sting behind them. For all hewas a man, he was a highwayman, and she was Barbara Lanison, ofAylingford Abbey! She did not look up as she gently disengaged herselffrom his arms.

  "Tell me everything," she said quietly. "We have only an hour. I heardhim tell you so when you came in."

  If Crosby was disappointed, if at that moment the desire to hold her inhis arms and kiss her lips was almost beyond his control, he let her gowithout protest. It was for him to do her will, and how should he, whohad never squandered spurious love, know the ways of a woman with a man.She sat down, leaning a little forward in her chair, her hands claspedin her lap. She did not look at him as he stood beside her, telling hershortly and quickly what he had done in the West. He told her how MartinFairley had found him in the wood, and how they had come to Dorchesteron the night of her capture.

  "You had not been a prisoner at all?" she asked.

  "No, you were brought to the West by a lie; but I shall never forgetthat you came, and why you came. What did you think you could do?"

  "I thought I could help you."

  "How?"

  "Judge Marriott had once made me a promise that if I asked him he wouldcontrive the escape of anyone I--anyone I was interested in."

  "Such a man would not make a promise for nothing."

  "No."

  "What was his reward to be?"

  "I hoped he would let me off," Barbara said, covering her face with herhands, "but he wanted me to marry him. That would have been his price,and I should have paid it."

  "Oh, my dear, don't you know I would rather have died a score ofdeaths?"

  "And then, when you came to Dorchester?" she asked. She did not look athim; her head was lowered and her hands clasped in her lap again.

  "We tried to find you, Martin and Fellowes and I."

  "Sydney Fellowes?" she said.

  "It was a triple alliance," said Crosby. "What the others have donesince I parted with them I do not know. I sought out Rosmore," and thenhe told her of the duel and of Harriet Payne. "I should have killed himthat night had we been undisturbed a moment longer, and then I mightnever have found you."

  "Harriet Payne to be Lady Rosmore, is it possible?" said Barbara. "Doyou suppose Lord Rosmore is honest with her or with us?"

  "How can I think otherwise now? He has brought me to you when he couldso easily have kept us apart. Why should he not fulfil the rest of hispromise?"

  "Has he told you his scheme?" she asked.

  "Yes. In three days we are to leave Dorchester together. I shall waitwith a coach just outside the town, on the road which leads down to theRiver Frome, and you are to join me there. It is not far from thishouse, and you will be safely guarded on your way to me. Then--"

  Crosby paused, hoping to see her look up with the light of love in hereyes. She remained with her head lowered.

  "Then we shall be free," he said. "And it is for you to command whichroad we take, and how far we journey upon it together."

  She moved a little restlessly. In this one short hour, which wasslipping away so fast, she had to decide upon what her future was to be.She loved, but she was the daughter of a proud race, whose blood mingledwith the best blood of which England could boast. The man beside her wasmore to her than any other man could ever be, yet he was the highwayman,"Galloping Hermit," the notorious wearer of the brown mask, the man uponwhose head a price was set, and who would surely perish miserably atTyburn if he fell into the hands of his enemies. Great provocation mighthave made him a knight of the road, romance had succeeded in setting himapart from his brethren, but was she justified in loving such a man,could she give herself into his keeping? And she dared not tell him allthat was in her heart, for she knew instinctively how he would answerher. She knew that he would sacrifice himself for her without a moment'shesitation; she believed that, without her, life would be of littleworth to him. Their love was a strange thing, binding them together insilence. He had never said that he loved her; knowing what he was he hadnot dared to speak, perhaps, yet he had opened his arms and she had goneto him without a question. What words were needed to tell such a love asthis? Her lover must be saved at any cost, and afterwards--

  The silence seemed long as these thoughts sped through her mind. She wasconscious that his eyes were fixed upon her, felt that he understoodsomething of the doubts which troubled her.

  "I do not trust Lord Rosmore," she said.

  "Nor should I if I could conceive any advantage he could gain from hispresent action," Crosby answered. "He knows that I am a valuableprisoner. He might reasonably hope that he is now in a position to bringpressure upon you. He and I have stood face to face, letting cold steelsettle our quarrel. I say it not boastingly, but I should have killedhim. He admitted defeat, although I was robbed of victory. Under all theevil that is in him may there not be some generosity? I am inclined tothink this is his reason for helping us."

  "He gave me another reason," said Barbara quietly.

  "Tell me."

  "Revenge. I should live to regret leaving Dorchester with GilbertCrosby, who would never let me go, once I was in his hands. I havescorned him for a--"

  "For me," said Crosby. "True, I have no such name as Rosmore has, Icannot offer you a tithe of what he can give you. My most preciouspossession is my love, but in love he is bankrupt beside my wealth.True, too, that I will not easily let you go, but you shall choose yourown path. We will seek safety together, and then--then if along the roadI would have you take you see difficulties and dangers, if in your mindthere stands a single shadow which you fear, you shall take your own wayunhindered and alone. If you will it, I will pass out of your life andyou shall never hear of me again. Can you not trust me?"

  "You know I do; you should not even ask the question, but--ah, Gilbert,cannot you understand the trouble that is mine?"

  "Yes, dearest; I know, I know," he said, falling on his knees besideher. "Chance brought me into your life, chance gave us a few sweet hourstogether, yet how little can you know of me. We are not like otherlovers who have told each other their secrets, who have dreamed longdreams together. Only to-night you have been in my arms for the firsttime. I have never told you tha
t I love you, yet you know it."

  "Yes, I know it," she whispered.

  "And yet you are afraid. I do not blame you, my dearest; you know solittle about me, but you shall question me once we are free."

  "And you will answer all my questions?"

  "All of them, even if the answer should bring a blush of shame to mycheek," he said.

  "And if--if I asked you to give up something, to begin a new life, toforsake old friends, old associations?"

  "I shall live only for you," he said.

  Then for the first time she looked straight into his eyes. What was thequestion in them? She was waiting, for some answer--what was it?

  "You must be lenient with me," he said. "When a man answers all awoman's questions, it is because he worships her, only because of that,and then he understands how poor a thing, how unworthy he is. I shallanswer them all, you must be lenient and forgive."

  She still looked at him, but did not speak.

  "I may argue with you, use all the power I have to win your forgiveness,use all the depths of my love to show you that our way henceforth mustbe together. Be sure I shall not easily let you go. Rosmore was wrong,you shall be free to choose; but I will use every artifice I have tomake you choose to stay with me. It has never seemed to me that wordswere necessary. Love came to me as the sunshine and the wind come, givento me, a free gift from Heaven. One moment I was without it, ignorant ofit, and the next it was a part of my life. Before, to live had seemed agreat thing, to be a man, to do a man's work was enough; afterwards,life could not be life without love. Rob me of love now, and you leaveme nothing."

  "When was the moment, Gilbert?"

  "When I saw you shrinking from the crowd as it poured out of Newgate,"he whispered.

  "Even then?" she said.

  "Yes; and I did not know who you were, Barbara. It did not seem tomatter. Love had come--I thought to us both. I could not understand thatit should come to me so suddenly, so wonderfully, and not come to youalso. A little waiting, and then you would be mine. It must happen so.And then came my token and talisman. See how close it has clung to me."

  With fingers that trembled a little, he drew out the white ribbon whichwas fastened about his neck. She touched it, looked at it and at him.

  "It fell from your throat, or waist, when you moved to come with me. Icaught it as it fluttered to the ground and hid it. I have worn it eversince. I have kissed it night and morning, and it has brought the visionof you to my waking eyes and into my dreams. I have seen you going fromroom to room in my old home at Lenfield, I have seen you descending thestairs, so vividly that I have found myself holding out my arms to you.Sometimes when the days were dark, and I was troubled, an awful sadnesshas crept into my soul. Doubts have come. Should I ever see you in thoserooms, on those stairs? And then, dearest, I have touched this ribbonand hope has come again like sunshine after storm. Aye, you shallquestion me as you will, but be very sure I shall not easily let yougo."

  Barbara stood up suddenly. Her hands were in his, and she made him risefrom his knees. She stood before him, her eyes looking into his.

  "And, Gilbert, when you have ridden in the night, alone, have youthought of me then?"

  "Since love came I have never ridden alone," he answered. "No matter ifthe stars were clear, or the night had wind and rain in it, you havebeen beside me. At times, lately, a hundred difficulties have stood inmy path. It seemed impossible that I could win safety for some poorwretch of a fugitive, so impossible that I might have given up the taskin despair only that you seemed to speak to me, encouraging me. No; Ihave never been alone since love came."

  "I am glad," she said.

  "And you love me, Barbara?"

  "Yes--yes, I must love you, I cannot help it, but--" and then shestopped, for there were sounds of footsteps in the passage. "Is the hourgone so soon? Kiss me, Gilbert; I love you. No matter who you are, orwhat you have done, I love you. I am yours, always; no other shall kissme or hold me in his arms. But, remember, I have your promise, I maytake which road I choose, alone and unhindered if I will it so," andthen, as the door opened, she pushed him gently from her, and they werestanding apart when Rosmore entered.

  "It has seemed a long hour, Mistress Lanison, to a waiting man. Toyou--"

  "Long enough to hear the plan you have made for my escape," saidBarbara.

  "For your escape and Mr. Crosby's," said Rosmore, laying some stressupon his words.

  "For which we both thank you," she went on. "For my part I have had,perhaps, unjust thoughts concerning you, your present generosity makesme understand that in many ways I have misjudged you. Please forgiveme."

  "You certainly have misjudged me in many ways, Mistress Lanison, and, asI have said, you may not have much cause to thank me for what I do now."

  "I have decided to run the risk."

  "You have yet three days in which to alter your decision if you sowish," Rosmore returned. "The delay is necessary. The road will be freerand safer then, and the town too much occupied with Judge Jeffreys topay much attention to anyone else. Mr. Crosby has told you the place ofmeeting. The trooper Watson will follow you and see you safely into Mr.Crosby's company, and then freedom and happiness. Until then you mustnot meet. I must think of myself, and bringing Mr. Crosby here is arisk. Should you, even at the eleventh hour, change your mind, I willlet Mr. Crosby know. Once upon the road, no one is likely to stop you,especially if you go southwards, as I presume you will; but in case ofaccident, there is Judge Marriott's order for your release. With that inyour possession, I know of none who would refuse to let you pass."

  Barbara took the paper.

  "And there is your order, Mr. Crosby. It is time we went. Your servant,Mistress Lanison," and Rosmore bent low over her hand.

  "Thank you," she said in a whisper. Crosby in his turn bent over herhand, his lips touching it.

  "Until you come to me," he said, "God keep you."

  A swift pressure of his fingers was her only answer. Then the dooropened and shut again, the key was turned in the lock, and she wasalone.

  As Gilbert Crosby had been brought there, in a coach and blindfolded, sohe left, and went back with Lord Rosmore to his lodgings.

  "In view of your kindness in helping us, the bandage hardly seemednecessary," said Crosby, as he took it off, when they had enteredRosmore's room, the same room in which they had fought.

  "You might grow weary of waiting, and attempt to see her. Lovers arelike that, and often spoil the best-laid schemes," Rosmore laughed. "Oh,I am thinking chiefly of myself. Jeffreys has no profound love for me,and would rejoice to catch me tripping. You are no longer my guest, Mr.Crosby. I have done my part, and your presence here is a danger to me.You are free to go. Perhaps you had better tell me where you are to befound during the next three days. Women are sometimes as changeful as agusty wind, and Mistress Lanison might alter her decision."

  Although astonished at being set at liberty at once, Crosby was not sooff his guard as to mention "The Anchor" in West Street. He gave theaddress of Fellowes' lodging. It was the only other place he knew wherea message could reach him.

  "Good-bye, then," said Rosmore. "You will be wise to keep within doorsuntil you leave Dorchester for good. There are many who know GilbertCrosby, and once in the hands of Jeffreys you would have short shrift."

  "Thank you. I shall take care. I believe you have proved a friend, LordRosmore," and Crosby held out his hand.

  For a moment Rosmore hesitated.

  "No; we will not shake hands," he said. "If I have found consolation, Icannot forget who you are and that you have robbed me of MistressLanison. To clasp your hand would mean to wish you good luck, and Icannot do that. I want her to know that she has chosen badly. You and Icould never be friends, Mr. Crosby."

  "As you will; yet I would repay your kindness if ever the opportunityshould offer."

  Rosmore shrugged his shoulders as he crossed the room and Crosby wentout, Sayers joining him in the passage and seeing that no one hinderedhis going.r />
  For a few minutes Rosmore remained in deep thought, and then HarrietPayne came in.

  "You look strangely ill-tempered," was her greeting.

  "My face must be a poor index to my thoughts," he answered, with quickyet forced gaiety. "I have just finished a good work."

  "What is that?"

  "Making two people happy. Come and kiss me, and I'll tell you all aboutit." Yet all her kisses and arts of pleasing could not keep thethoughtfulness out of his face as he told her how Barbara Lanison andGilbert Crosby were to leave Dorchester together.