the captives-第14章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　old　now；　but　his　beard's　rather　attractive　I　think。　He's　a　duck；　but　isn't　that　harmonium　ghastly？　I　can't　think　why　they　don't　buy　an　organ；　they're　most　awfully　rich　I　know；　and　do　simply　nothing　with　their　money。〃

〃Why　do　you　go；〃　said　Maggie；　〃if　you　think　it　all　so　dreadful？〃

〃Oh！　I　have　to　go；〃　said　Miss　Smith；　〃to　please　mother。　And　one　has　to　do　something　on　Sunday；　and　besides　one　sees　one's　friends。　Did　you　notice　Martin　Warlock；　Mr。　Warlock's　son；　you　know。　He　was　sitting　quite　close　to　me。〃

〃He　was　here　yesterday　afternoon；〃　said　Maggie　quietly。

〃Oh；　was　he　really？　Now　that　is　interesting。　I　wonder　what　he　came　for。　He　scarcely　ever　comes　here。　Did　you　like　him？〃

〃I　didn't　speak　to　him；〃　said　Maggie。

〃Of　course　he's　only　been　here　a　little　time。　He's　Mr。　Warlock's　only　son。　He's　lived　for　years　abroad　and　then　the　other　day　his　aunt　died　and　left　him　some　money　so　he　came　home。　His　father　simply　adores　him。　They　saybut　of　course　I　don't　know。　Don't　quote　me　that　he's　been　most　awfully　wild。　Drink；　all　sorts　of　things。　But　of　course　they'll　say　anything　of　anybody。　I　think　he's　got　such　an　interesting　face；　don't　you？〃

〃I　don't　think；〃　said　Maggie；　〃that　you　ought　to　say　those　things　of　any　one　if　you　don't　know　they're　true。〃

〃Oh！　what　a　darling　you　are！〃　said　Miss　Smith。　〃You're　perfectly　rightone　oughtn't。　But　every　one　does。　When　you've　lived　up　here　a　little　while　you　will　too。　And　what　does　it　matter？　You're　sure　to　hear　it　sooner　or　later。　But　that's　right。　You　keep　me　straight。　I　know　I　talk　far　too　much。　I'm　always　being　told　about　it。　But　what　can　one　do？　Life's　so　funnyone　must　talk　about　it。　You　haven't　seen　Miss　Avies　and　Mr。　Thurston　yet；　have　you？〃

〃No；〃　said　Maggie。　〃Not　unless　I　saw　them　in　Chapel　this　morning。〃

〃Ah！　they're　the　ones；〃　said　Miss　Smith。　〃No；　they　weren't　there　to…　day。　They're　away　on　a　mission。　They　make　things　hum。　They　quarrel　with　Mr。　Warlock　because　they　say　he　isn't　noisy　enough。　Mr。　Thurston's　awful　and　Miss　Avies　isn't　much　better。　You'll　have　them　on　to　you　soon　enough。　But　of　course　I'm　not　one　of　the　Inside　Ones。〃

〃Inside　Ones？〃　asked　Maggie。

〃Yes；　the　real　ones。　They'll　be　at　you　after　a　time　and　ask　you　if　you'll　join　them。　The　congregation　this　morning　was　just　anybody　who　likes　to　come。　But　the　real　brethren　have　to　swear　vows　and　be　baptized　and　all　sorts　of　things。　But　that's　only　if　you　believe　God's　really　coming　in　a　year　or　two。　Of　course　I　don't；　although　sometimes　it　makes　one　quite　creepyall　down　one's　spine。　In　case；　after　all；　He　really　should　come；　you　know。〃

〃Are　my　aunts　inside？〃　asked　Maggie。

〃Of　course　they　are。　Miss　Anne　Cardinal's　one　of　the　chief　of　them。　Miss　Avies　is　jealous　as　anything　of　her；　but　your　aunt's　so　quiet　that　Miss　Avies　can't　do　anything。　I　just　love　your　aunts。　I　think　they're　sweet。　You　will　be　a　friend　of　mine；　won't　you？　I　like　you　so　much。　I　like　your　being　quiet　and　telling　me　when　I　talk　too　much。　I　sound　silly；　I　know；　but　it's　really　mother's　fault；　as　I　always　tell　her。　She　never　brought　me　up　at　all。　She　likes　me　to　wear　pretty　things　and　doesn't　care　about　anything　else。　Poor　mother！　She's　had　such　a　time　with　father；　he's　one　of　the　most　serious　of　all　the　Brethren　and　never　has　time　to　think　about　any　of　us。　Then　he's　in　a　bank　all　the　week；　where　he　can't　think　about　God　much　because　he　makes　mistakes　about　figures　if　he　does；　so　he　has　to　put　it　all　into　Sunday。　We　will　be　friends；　won't　we？〃

It　came　to　Maggie　with　a　strange　ironic　little　pang　that　this　was　the　first　time　that　any　one　had　asked　for　her　friendship。

〃Of　course；〃　she　said。

Miss　Smith's　further　confidences　were　interrupted　by　the　aunts　and　behind　them；　to　Maggie's　great　surprise；　Mr。　Warlock　and　his　son。　The　sudden　descent　of　these　gentlemen　upon　the　still　lingering　echoes　of　Miss　Caroline　Smith's　critical　and　explanatory　remarks　embarrassed　Maggie。　Not　so　Miss　Smith。　She　kissed　both　the　aunts　with　an　emphasis　that　they　apparently　appreciated　for　they　smiled　and　Aunt　Anne　laid　her　hand　affectionately　upon　the　girl's　sleeve。　Maggie；　watching；　felt　the　strangest　little　pang　of　jealousy。　That　was　the　way　that　she　should　have　behaved；　been　warm　and　demonstrative　from　the　beginningbut　she　could　not。

Even　now　she　stood　back　in　the　shadows　of　the　room；　watching　them　all　with　large　grave　eyes；　hoping　that　they　would　not　notice　her。

With　Mr。　Warlock　and　his　son　also　Miss　Smith　seemed　perfectly　at　home；　chattering；　laughing　up　into　young　Warlock's　eyes；　as　though　there　were　some　especial　understanding　between　them。　Maggie；　nevertheless；　fancied　that　he；　young　Warlock；　was　not　listening　to　her。　His　eyes　wandered。　He　had　that　same　restlessness　of　body　that　she　had　before　noticed　in　him；　swinging　a　little　on　his　legs　set　apart；　his　hands　clasped　behind　his　thick　broad　back。　He　had　some　compelling　interest　for　her。　He　had　had　that；　she　now　realised；　since　the　first　moment　that　she　had　seen　him。　It　might　be　that　the　things　that　that　girl　had　told　her　about　him　increased　her　interest　and；　perhaps　her　sympathy？　But　it　was　his　strange　detached　air　of　observation　that　held　heras　though　he　were　a　being　from　some　other　planet　watching　them　all；　liking　them；　but　bearing　no　kind　of　relation　to　them　except　that　of　a　cheerful　observerit　was　this　that　attracted　her。　She　liked　his　thick；　rough　untidy　hair；　the　healthy　red　brown　of　his　cheeks；　his　light　blue　eyes；　his　air　of　vigour　and　bodily　health。

As　she　waited　she　was　startled　into　consciousness　by　a　voice　in　her　ear。　She　turned　to　find　the　elder　Mr。　Warlock　beside　her。

〃You　will　forgive　my　speaking　to　you；　Miss　Cardinal。　I　saw　you　at　our　Chapel　this　morning。〃

His　great　height　towered　above　her　short　clumsy　figure；　he　seemed　to　peer　down　at　her　from　above　his　snowy　beard　as　though　he　were　the　inhabitant　of　some　other　world。　His　voice　was　of　an　extreme　kindliness　and　his　eyes；　when　she　looked　up　at　him；　shone　with　friendliness。　She　found　herself；　to　her　own　surprise；　talking　to　him　with　great　ease。　He　was　perfectly　simple；　human　and　unaffected。　He　asked　her　about　her　country。

〃I　spend　my　days　in　longing　to　get　back　to　my　own　placeand　perhaps　I　shall　never　see　it　again。　I　was　born　in　WiltshireSalisbury　Plain。　My　great…grandfather；　my　grandfather；　my　father；　they　all　were　ministers　of　our　Chapel　there　before　me。　They　had　no　thought　in　their　day　of　London。　I　have　always　missed　that　space；　the　quiet。　I　shall　always　miss　it。　Towns　are　not　friendly　to　me。〃

She　told　him　about　St。　Dreots；　a　little　about　her　father。

〃Ah；　you're　lucky！〃　he　said。　〃You'll　return　many　times　before　you　dieand　you'll　find　no　change　there。　Those　places　do　not　change　as　towns　do。〃

They　were　standing　apart　from　the　others　near　the　window。　He　suddenly　put　his　hand　on　her　arm；　smiling　at　her。

〃My　dear；〃　he　said。　〃You　don't　mind　me　saying　'My　dear；'　but　an　old　man　has　his　privilegeswill　you　come　and　see　us　whenever　you　care　to？　My　wife　will　be　so　glad。　I　know　that　at　first　one　can　be　lonely　in　this　great　place。　Just　come　in　when　you　please。〃

He　took　her　hand　for　a　moment　and　then　turned　back　to　Aunt　Anne；　who　was　now　pouring　out　tea　at　a　little　table　by　the　fire。

Martin　Warlock；　as　his　father　moved　away；　came　across　to　her；　She　had　known　that　he　would　do　that　as　though　something　had　been　arranged　between　them。　When　he　came　to　her；　however；　he　stood　there　before　her　and　had　nothing　to　say。　She　also　had　nothing　to　say。　His　eyes　searched　her　face；　then　he　broke　out　abruptly。

〃Are　you　better？〃

〃I'm　all　right；〃　she　answered　him　brusquely。　〃Please　don't　say　anything　about　yesterday。　It　was　an　idiotic　thing　to　do。〃

〃That's　what　I　came　about　to…dayto　see　how　you　were；〃　he　answered　her；　his　eyes　laughing　at　her。　〃I　should　never　have　dreamed　of　coming　otherwise；　you　know。　I　saw　you　in　chapel　this　morning　so　I　guessed　you　were　all　right；　but　it　seemed　such　bad　luck　fainting　right　off　the　minute　you　got　here。〃

〃I've　never　fainted　in　my　life　before；〃　she　answered。

〃No；　you　don't　look　the　sort　of　girl　who'd　faint。　But　I　suppose　you've　had　a　rotten　time　with　your　father　and　all。〃

His　eyes　still　searched　for　hers。　She　determined　that　she　would　not　look　at　him；　her　heart　was　beating　strangely　and；　although　she　did　not　look；　she　could　in　some　sub…conscious　way　see　the　rough　toss　of　his　hair　against　his　forehead；　she　could　smell　the　stuff　of　his　coat。　But　she　would　not　look　up。

〃You're　going　to　live　here；　aren't　you？〃

〃Yes；〃　she　said。

〃I've　only　just　come　back；〃　he　went　on。

〃I　know；〃　she　said。

〃Oh！　of　course；　that　girl；〃　jerking　his　head　in　the　direction　of　the　tea…table　and　laughing。　〃She　told　you。　She's　been　here　this　afternoon；　hasn't　she？　She　chatters　like　anything。　Don't　you　believe　half　she　says。〃

There　was　another　pause。　The　voices　at　the　tea…table　seemed　to　come　from　very　far　away。

Then　he　said　roughly；　moving　a　very　little　nearer　to　her：

〃I'm　glad　you've　come。〃

At　that　she　raised　her　eyes；　her　cheeks　flushed。　She　looked　him　full　in　the　face；　her　head　up。　Her　heart　thundered　in　her　breast。　She　felt　as　though　she　were　at　the　beginning　of　some　tremendous　adventurean　adventure　enthralling；　magnificentand　perilous。




PART　II

THE　CHARIOT　OF　FIRE


CHAPTER　I

THE　WARLOCKS


There　is　beyond　question；　in　human　nature；　such　a　thing　as　an　inherited　consciousness　of　God；　and　this　consciousness；　if　inherited　through　many　generations；　may　defy　apparent　reason；　all　progress　of　vaunted　civilisations；　and　even；　it　may　be　suggested；　the　actual　challenge　of　death　itself。

This　consciousness　of　God　had　been　quite　simply　the　foundation　of　Mr。　Warlock's　history。　In　the　middle　of　the　eighteenth　century　it　expressed　itself　in　the　formula　of　John　Wesley's　revival；　the　John　Wesley　of　that　day　preached　up　and　down　the　length　and　breadth　of　Westmoreland；　Cumberland；　Northumberland；　Durham；　and　being　a　fighter；　a　preacher　and　a　simple…minded　human　being　at　one　and　the　same　time；　received　a　large　following　and　died　full　of　years　and　honours。

It　was　somewhere　about　1830　that　this　John's　grandson；　James　Warlock；　Martin's　grandfather；　broke　from　the　main　body　and　led　his　little　flock　on　to　the　wide　spaces　of　Salisbury　Plain。　James　Warlock；　unlike　his　father　and　grandfather；　was　a　little　sickly　man　with　a　narrow　chest；　no　limbs　to　speak　of　and　a　sharp　pale　face。　Martin　had　a　faded　daguerreotype　of　him　set　against　the　background　of　the　old　Wiltshire　kitchen；　his　black　clothes　hung　upon　him　like　a　disguise；　his　eyes　burning　even　upon　that　faded　picture　with　the　fire　of　his　spirit。　For　James　Warlock　was　a　mystic；　a　visionary；　a　prophet。　He　walked　and　talked　with　God；　in　no　jesting　spirit　it　was　said　that　he　knew　God's　plans　and　could　turn　the　world　into　a　blazing　coal　so　soon　as　he　pleased。　It　was　because　he　knew　with　certainty　that　God　would；　in　person；　soon；　descend　upon　the　earth　that　he　separated　from　the　main　body　and　led　his　little　band　down　into　Wiltshire。　Here　on　the　broad　gleaming　Plain　they　prepared　for　God's　coming。　Named　now　the　Kingscote　Brethren　after　their　new　abode；　they　built　a　Chapel；　sat　down　and　waited。　Then　in　1840　the　prophet　declared　that　the　Coming　was　not　yet；　that　it　would　be　in　the　next　generation；　but　that　their　preparations　must　not　be　relaxed。　He　him