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Chapter 15
AS IT HAPPENED, Charlotte was able to witness the arrival of Sidney Parker`s friends in Sanditon the following morning. She and Clara Brereton had just left Trafalgar House for their descent to the sands when a very handsome barouche swept past the end of the driveway and continued at a smart pace downhill to the hotel. They were too far off to determine the occupants with any certainty. Charlotte, guessing whom the barouche might contain, thought she perceived two young men; but Miss Brereton, a more impartial observer, could distinguish nothing beyond a vague number of heads, two splendidly conspicuous black horses and a vast deal of shiny paintwork glittering in the sun. "What people of fashion can these be? Does Mr. Parker know anything of them? I am sure Lady Denham has heard of no such party arriving!" were her first exclamations of surprise. "In a small resort like Sanditon, I suppose someone usually hears something in advance?" said Charlotte, still straining her eyes and unwilling to be definite. "Oh yes. people nearly always write ahead. Friends recommend the place after being here themselves, you know. A Mr. and Mrs. Marlowe -- visitors last year -- wrote only this week to Lady Denham mentioning a family they believed might be coming to Sanditon for the season. The daughter, poor thing, has been having severe attacks of the migraine and her parents hope sea air might relieve them a little. Could it be these Fletchers indeed arriving so soon?" The barouche had now drawn up in the coach yard of the hotel and Charlotte tried to discern the occupants descending from it; she was sure there were only two but the strong sunlight was blurring rather than assisting her vision. "Mr. Sidney Parker is also expecting some friends in Sanditon toda y. " "Well, whoever they may be, this is at least some news I can carry back to Lady Denham," said Miss Brereton with satisfaction. "She is always accusing me of being unobservant and incurious; and I must admit I am usually the last to learn of anything that happens in Sanditon." This placid view of her own defects of temperament struck Charlotte as containing a good deal of truth. So far as her own observation went, Miss Brereton`s disposition was indeed of a withdrawn, daydreaming and secretive nature. And as they walked on down the hill, she heightened this impression by falling into a sudden reverie. With a pensive and wholly preoccupied air, she ignored all Charlotte`s further attempts at conversation and stared fixedly ahead at the distant inn yard and the bustle the arrival of the barouche was occasioning. That her thoughts were pleasant was evident from the slight smile flitting now and then across the beautiful face; but what they could be remained a mystery to Charlotte. Clara Brereton had clearly forgotten both her companion and their conversation and was indulging in some happy train of introspection as though she were quite alone. Charlotte, who could never have allowed her own thoughts to absorb her to such an extent -- to the almost complete exclusion of her surroundings -- was more fascinated than ever as the conviction grew on her that the air of secrecy which clung about Miss Brereton was quite unstudied. Nothing seemed to be feigned. On the contrary, Miss Brereton appeared ger,uinely contrite, genuinely apologetic when at last roused from her fit of abstraction. When Charlotte decided to end this interlude of silence, she judged it best to check their walk and stand still for a moment. "I have now been in Sanditon long enough to realise what enthusiasm there is for new arrivals and their requirements," she remarked rather more loudly than necessary and stopping to confront Miss Brereton; but the blank expression on the face turned towards her was sufficient confirmation that Miss Brereton had heard not one word of this very prosaic sentence either. She tried afresh. "Everyone takes such an interest in visitors here," she said with a smile. "They are all competing with each other to spread any news there is." Miss Brereton at last seemed to recollect herself. Her recent admission that Lady Denham frequently scolded her for being inattentive, Charlotte now decided, was probably a very useful illustration of both their characters. Lady Denham, so sharp and practical herself, must often become rather irritated with her Miss Clara, while the latter would need to exercise considerable forbearance, patience and self-control to remain on comfortable terms with her; and Charlotte, observing the very real exertions her companion was making to suppress what remained of her own private musings, was much inclined to give Miss Brereton all the credit for the fact that they lived together in such continued harmony. "Oh dear, yes -- the Sanditon news." She sighed. "And I am facing the strongest competition of all. You must know, Miss Heywood, that the gardener from Sanditon House is a great collector of local news, both from the village and from the hill. He delivers our extra gardenstuff round Sanditon every day and brings back all the gossip in return; but perhaps this is one occasion where I can be ahead of Hodges. If you do not dislike it, when we have finished our bathe, I should like to call at the hotel and find out the particulars from Mrs. Woodcock." Charlotte positive she had just seen a figure in a blue coat, like Mr. Sidney Parker`s, welcoming the newcomers into the hotel, was now convinced she could identify them. "I have no objection but I am sure I can save you that trouble,` she replied. "They are Mr. Parker`s friends -- a Mr. Reginald Catton and a Mr. Henry Brudenall." "Reginald Catton -- and Henry Brudenall," echoed Miss Brereton, as though dutifully memorising the names for later repetition to Lady Denham. "And -- " she appeared uncertain what further particulars might be demanded from her -- "and will they be staying here long?" "Mr. Catton, I believe not. But Mr. Brudenall has come for his health and, l understand, will remain some weeks." Unlike the Parkers, Miss Brereton showed no interest at all in Mr. Brudenall`s health; and accepting this statement without query, seemed satisfied that the names alone -- which she repeated to herself several times -- were sufficient information to have collected ahead of Hodges. Only too willing to avoid further discussion of the new arrivals, Charlotte led the way down to the Terrace; and after several minutes, deciding to take advantage of another long pause to drop the subject completely, she observed, "What a beautiful day we have chosen for our bathe. I have not seen such a clear sky all summer." And she looked about her with pleasure at the blue sky, the green downs and the sparkling sea, "I am looking forward to it immensely -- are you not too? But I still cannot quite imagine what it must feel like to be in the sea. Do you think the water will be very cold?" Receiving no immediate answer, she glanced back at Miss Brereton and saw that her eyes were again roving eagerly on ahead with a look of animation -- almost, Charlotte would have said, of anticipation. The unwelcome suspicion that she was already watching for Sir Edward could not fail to intrude, but Charlotte tried to repress it and make herself believe that Miss Brereton was merely enjoying the prospect of their bathe and the beauty of the open scenery spread out before them under a bright midday sun. Headland after weathered headland could be seen stretching into the distance beyond the beach of polished pebbles edging a tidy blue sea. A few clouds hung on the horizon and a few gulls went wheeling and crying overhead, but otherwise the shore was deserted. Charlotte determined to make no more efforts at conversation; and by the time they had passed the Terrace, leaving the more spectacular view from the hillside behind them, Miss Brereton had become quite talkative herself. Lady Denham had told her that Mrs. Gunn`s was the bathing machine they must patronise; and afterwards they must certainly drink tea and eat bread and butter in the thatched tea rooms which Lady Denham and Mr. Parker had constructed just above the beach the season before. "Mr. Parker also advised us to do that," said Charlotte. "Oh yes, the seaside tea rooms are entirely his own idea. He never heard of the innovation from any other resort. And Lady Denham did not think them necessary at all. The building is very simple -- there, you can see it now, just below us, at the top of the shingle -- but Lady Denham finds it too large and elaborate. She would have preferred a more temporary structure and fears this will never show a return for the money invested." "I have no doubt Mr. Parker considers permanent tea rooms part of the amenities of Sanditon, a convenience to bathers, which helps attract visitors. And the profit must be looked for in the rents they receive from their houses. "Ah -- you hear all Mr. Parker`s views on his improvements -- and I, Lady Denham`s. lt would be interesting for us to compare them sometimes because I am sure they do not always coincide," said Miss Brereton with a smile and a more open and encouraging manner than she had yet shown; and Charlotte, feeling their conversation was at last becoming natural, smiled back her agreement. For in spite of Miss Brereton`s inconsistent behaviour and her own resolution of observing caution towards any friendship between them, she was still prepared to like and admire her so long as Sir Edward remained out of sight. "Lady Denham tries to encourage everyone to use the tea rooms -- the walkers as well as the bathers," continued Miss Brereton. "But as she has never found it very convenient to walk so far herself just to drink tea, I hardly think she will succeed in persuading anyone else." Another of her friendly, half-rueful smiles made Charlotte like her even better; and though they were only discussing tea rooms, she could not regret that their acquaintance was already advancing some way towards intimacy. They had now reached the edge of the shingle bank which shelved quite steeply towards the sea, bordered by a strip of sand. When the tide was out, this strip widened; and as it was now almost at low water, considerable spaces of fine hard sand were visible -- particularly at the far end of the beach, near the rocks and bathing machines. They walked on towards them along the natural rampart of pebbles, which formed the upper part of the shore line, and were soon taken in charge by Mrs. Gunn, a large and somewhat intimidating personage. She directed the young ladies into her bathing machine, had the horse put to while they changed into bathing garments, and guided it out into deep water. She then let down the green hood at the front of the caravan, hooked a ladder into position and supervised their descent into the water, issuing very sensible directions and maintaining such a constant flow of talk that any apprehensions they may have felt were very soon dispelled. It was all so novel and interesting to Charlotte that she could not have said which sensation impressed her most: the heat inside the bathing machine as the sun beat down on its roof, the sudden tingling cold of the sea water or the rather terrifying surge and movement as it lapped past her. The brilliant shimmer of the sun on the sea was at first so dazzling, and her eyes so full of this reflected light, that for several moments she could see nothing. She was not even very sure she was enjoying herself. But when she grew more accustomed and could distinguish all the separate features, had time to look around her -- at the sunlight sparkling on the water, at the ripples and shadows as the sea responded to every change in that sunlight, and at the gulls, flying to and fro, now vanishing into the white of the waves, now standing out in contrast to sea and sky -- she suddenly found herself smiling at she knew not what: the smell of the salt air, the soft freshness of the fine southerly breeze, the rhythmic flow of the water, the pure joy of the day. "Walk a little and move around constantly," advised Mrs. Gunn sternly. "But do not go pivotting and prancing about like that. The practise of some females in jigging and jumping up and down in the water has no value whatsoever, medicinal or artistic." Charlotte, who had been doing a little gentle jumping herself, looked round enquiringly, unable to understand why such a dictum should be either issued or obeyed; and discovered to her surprise that Miss Brereton with far more liveliness had been splashing and leaping, her face quite radiant with pleasure in discovering so delightful a sensation. They smiled at each other with such a lack of constraint, such happy, open enjoyment in sharing that shining sea that Charlotte felt sure Miss Brereton could only be a normal girl like herself -- more beautiful and bewitching perhaps, but essentially simple and unaffected -- and certainly not the deceitful conspirator she had sometimes been imagining. All too soon, Mrs. Gunn was ordering them back into the machine; and although they begged to stay longer in the sea, she insisted that fifteen minutes was more than enough for the first time and would hear of no extension. The two girls, having stood on Mrs. Gunn`s footwarmers, been vigorously towelled to restore their circulation and ordered to change their dress quickly to avoid chills, were then advised by Mrs. Gunn to take gentle exercise and the prescribed cup of tea which all Sanditon seemed determined to recommend to everyone else. Still in perfect charity with each other, the young ladies did all these things, discussing only the pleasure they had felt in their bathe and seeming to forget everything that did not increase this new bond between them. Charlotte, in fact, was beginning to hope they could often share such innocent morning expeditions when, suddenly looking up towards the Terrace, she saw Sir Edward Denham walking purposefully in their direction. "Here comes Sir Edward," she said with cold vexation. had no notion he intended to walk this way today. However there is no need for that to delay us." "No, no, of course not," cried Miss Brereton, but she flushed nevertheless. "I suppose -- I suppose some business or other brings him here. No doubt he will soon tell us what it is." "It can be no concern of mine, said Charlotte with indifference. "Unless he wishes to accompany us the short distance to Trafalgar House. Mrs. Parker is hoping you will give us the rest of your morning. And I am quite ready to walk back there now if you are agreeable." "Yes -- no. That is -- were we not going to call in to see Mrs. Woodcock at the hotel?" "But surely you decided that was unnecessary?" said Charlotte wirh surprise. "I hardly thought -- " "Oh well -- perhaps we had best see what Sir Edward suggests," said Miss Brereton, looking even more embarrassed. "possibly he has -- he may -- " She stopped in some confusion and Charlotte could only stare at her incredulously, feeling she was confronted by some mysterious heroine, whose actions were unpredictable, and not the companionable friend she had been learning to like for the last hour. Clara Brereton must be as capable as she was of forming a just opinion of Sir Edward; and judging from her own reactions, Charlotte imagined such attentions as his would rather irritate than gratify; and yet here was Miss Brereton willing to wait about and encourage them. They said no more on the subject and an uneasy silence replaced their former friendly chatter; for Charlotte, not even troubling to hide her annoyance, was determined to be as unhelpful and mute as possible within the bounds of common politeness; and Miss Brereton, glancing anxiously towards the Terrace, seemed divided between making apologies over this delay and trying to discover if the meeting were being observed by any but the three it involved. Sir Edward alone appeared in full command of his usual loquacity. "How fortunate I am in finding both fair charmers of Sanditon still by the sea shore, just as in my most sanguine expectations, he began with one of his flourishing bows. "It were fallacious of me to pretend I am not come by design for I am presuming to hope I may accompany you on your necessary exercise." "I am afraid you have come too late, Sir Edward," Charlotte said firmly. "We have walked enough already and were on the point of returning home." "Ah, but you have underestimated the amount of exercise one must take after saline immersion," cried Sir Edward. "And naturally, one cannot walk forever along the beach. But I hope I can persuade you to perambulate as far as my precious little cottage orne, which is now so nearly finished that l prognosticate prevenient tenants. Your comments will be of such ineffable use. The cottage needs a woman`s discrimination to tell me what is now lacking there." For Charlotte the prospect was one of unrelieved boredom in listening to Sir Edward. And although she suspected Miss Brereton was very eager to go -- nay, had even planned this meeting with Sir Edward so she could see over his building venture without any impropriety -- she had no inclination to accompany them. "Your sister`s comments must surely be of greater value than ours? She has had far more practice in running a house," she pointed out. "And if you want outside opinions, Miss Diana Parker would be the very person to advise you. Some day you must arrange a little viewing party to see over your cottage, Sir Edward. This morning, I am afraid, Mrs. Parker is already expecting us back at Trafalgar House." "But the cottage is no more than a step down the length of the beach -- nestling into that craggy cliff you see jutting out by the river. The delay will be a mere nothing. Come now, you cannot refuse." "I would not be so very disinclined -- " began Miss Brereton. "But I am already beginning to feel unreasonably tired," said Charlotte quite untruthfully and in no very cordial tones. "I have now just strength enough left to climb our hill." But Sir Edward was not to be deflected as easily as this. He continued to urge and to persist, with sentences almost too elaborate for his powers, till Charlotte began to be both angry and resentful at so selfish a perseverance in waving aside all her objections. "Depend upon it, Mrs. Parker cannot miss you for half an hour, even an hour. And your present fatigue is not to be regarded, merely unfamiliar sensations in etchanging one element for another -- but all exactly suited to produce only the most healthful stimulation of mind and body." Charlotte looked towards Miss Brereton and realised she would receive no support from that averted face and guarded silence; and, as always, she was unable to decide the exact state of their owner`s feelings towards Sir Edward. The calm reserve of manner showed none of Charlotte s own distaste but no positive admiration either. perhaps she considered his title, his handsome good looks and their combined prospects as Lady Denham`s favourites and possible heirs would outweigh all his defects and make him an acceptable suiter? Whether Miss Brereton could sacrifice every better feeling to worldly advantage, Charlotte was hardly in a position to decide. She would not have believed it possible of the joyful young woman who had been dancing among the waves an hour since, but the circumspect stranger who had now replaced her might indeed be capable of it. There was obviously great caution and great resolution in Miss Brereton somewhere, for while she avoided meeting Charlotte`s eye and appeared insensible to her wishes, she gave no marked encouragement to Sir Edward`s proposals either: it was all prudence, reticence and indecision. This inconclusive style of conduct was not at all to Charlotte`s liking and made her more determined than ever to escape the role of chaperone being forced upon her. If Miss Brereton wished to inspect Sir Edward`s cottage, she would have to make some other opportunity; she herself had reached the conclusion that her own best course of action was to face their joint displeasure by flatly announcing her intention of returning forthwith to Trafalgar House. She was on the point of carrying out this decision when, chancing to look towards the hotel, she perceived Sidney Parker and one of his friends to be crossing the threshold. She was certain they had seen the group by the shore; they seemed to be hesitating, to be conferring, and then to be moving towards them; and on a sudden impulse, deciding such an addition to their party might help her to separate Sir Edward and Miss Brereton, she abruptly changed her mind. "Very well then, l agree to come," she said. "But first of all here is a pebble lodged in my shoe which must be removed before we set out. It is quite impossible for me to walk on it." And so saying, she sat down on a ridge of shingle and proceeded to spend as much time as she could locating and removing this irritating, non-existent pebble.
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