|
Chapter 16
SIDNEY PARKER`S CoMPANION must be Mr. Reginald Catton, Charlotte decided, though for no better reason than that he would seem the less likely of the two expected friends to sit gloomily indoors on a pleasant sunny day. She watched them approach, trying to determine when a meeting between the two groups would become inevitable, and finally rejoined Sir Edward and Miss Brereton only in time to say, "Here are Mr. Sidney Parker and one of his friends walking towards us. I do not think you are yet acquainted? and then turned her back on any attempt Sir Edward could have made to hurry them away at the last moment. The stranger was undoubtedly the taller and more handsome of the two advancing but it was Sidney Parker`s alertness of manner which claimed the greater share of Charlotte`s attention; and when, while still beyond hailing distance, he waved to her gaily with a pleased air of encounter, she felt she had neither seen him the night before nor thought of him since with an admiration he did not merit. By contrast, his friend`s less vital appearance made very little impression till Sidney surprised her by introducing him as Mr. Brudenall -- Reginald Catton being so little inclined to sit indoors and so much more active and high-spirited that he had already set off for Brighton to keep a pressing evening engagement. Henry Brudenall then appeared just as he ought: as romantic, as sombre and as sensitive as she could have imagined. But she scarcely had time to adjust her ideas and begin to appreciate this interesting melancholy she had expected in Mr. Brudenall before the opportunity was lost in the universal smiling and polite introductions of a party merging together; and she could only note he had an unassuming and slightly diffident manner but seemed very willing to make all the acquaintance and fall in with every plan his more forceful friend had in mind for them. "As you see, we are taking the earliest opportunity to benefit from your famous sea breezes," said Sidney Parker, addressing Sir Edward with easy civility. "And where would you suggest we now walk to enjoy them?" Sir Edward immediately waved his hand towards the cliffs above the cove which sheltered the bathing machines. "That is undoubtedly the most favoured walk for all newcomers to Sanditon, sir. The prospect from the headland is certainly the most highly favoured situation for observing the beauty and diversity of the surrounding scenery and the limitless expanses of the ocean in all its sublimity." -- Well, that is quite a long climb to those cliffs, Miss Heywood," said Sidney, smiling and offering his arm to Charlotte. "Perhaps you and Miss Brereton will be glad of more assistance. "No, no, you have quite mistaken me, sir," cried Sir Edward, slightly disconcerted by this very natural misunderstanding. "My companions and I are, in fact, taking the opposite direction. As you will observe, the colour is already distinctly wrought upon their cheeks and speaks eloquently of their fatigue, as those immortal lines of Cowper bring so vividly before us -- " "perhaps you mean Donne?" suggested Sidney, one of his mobile eyebrows seeming to rise up of its own accord. "Though I am not sure he was referring to fatigue -- Her Pure and eloquent blood Spake in her cheeks and so distinctly wrought That one might almost say her body thought." "Exactly, sir. They have already been indulging in a contest with the sea`s stimulating effects this morning and would by no means be equal to such energetic exercise as l have been recommending to you. We intend to make only a gentle promenade along the shore where I will show my fair companions over a small project of mine, a simple cottage orne. Our little excursion would only bore yourself and Mr. Brudenall." Here Charlotte, seeing a convenient opening, interrupted with the suggestion which, however unwelcome to Sir Edward, might prove acceptable to Sidney Parker. A solitary climb along the cliffs was not, after all, the most ideal way of introducing his dispirited friend to Sanditon. "Indeed, Sir Edward, it might be very useful for you to hear their opinions on your cottage as well as ours," she said eagerly. "And I am sure Mr. Parker must know a great deal about architecture." "Miss Heywood does me too much honour, was Sidney`s answer, with a bow of mock gravity. "However, we shall certainly be delighted to accompany you." This prompt acceptance of an invitation he had never issued took Sir Edward completely unawares; but as Sidney Parker and Henry Bmdenall both immediately turned in the direction he had been indicating as their proposed route, and Charlotte and Miss Brereton fell into step beside them, there was very little he could do beyond looking extremely annoyed and turning to follow them. Somewhat surprised by the ease she had encountered in manipulating the company, Charlotte was even more pleased by the grouping which developed quite naturally in its passage along the beach. Sidney Parker devoted his attention exclusively to Sir Edward, pausing so frequently to comment on the new buildings and admire the surrounding scenery that their progress was necessarily slowed down a good deal; while Mr. Brudenall belied his languid appearance by proving a fast walker and marched silently on ahead with Miss Brereton, who, as his companion at the outset had little alternative but to be separated from the others by an ever-widening gap. Every now and then, when Sir Edward looked towards these retreating figures, his good manners underwent a severe test and he tried to increase their own speed. But Sidney Parker soon slowed them down again. You must tell me more of your cottage ornd, Sir Edward," he said encouragingly. "I am not well acquainted with the style but have heard it spoken of as a most original one.` And as Sir Edward was a boundless talker, by the time they were half way along the beach, he was expounding on gables and barge-boarding, fancy leading, curved canopies and wrought-iron balustrades; and when they arrived at the far end, where Miss Brereton and Mr. Brudenall stood composedly waiting for them, he had become so engrossed in his subject that he almost ignored them. "You will see, you will see," he cried, rushing on ahead. "My cottage is tucked away just beyond the stream there -- over that arborescent cliff. I will proceed directly in advance to effect ingress. You cannot fail to behold it when you attain the crest -- and having climbed the steep-up heavenly hill -- as the poet says -- " Sir Edward went bounding across the shingle and vanished up a steep path overhung with bushes and creepers. "Shakespeare, I imagine," said Sidney Parker. "But is our friend ever precise in these matters? I never in my life came across a man so intent on using nonsensical words and inappropriate quotations. Does he always talk like thao" Although she agreed with this swift verdict on Sir Edward, Charlotte was mainly struck by the rashness with which it had been uttered. Mr. Sidney Parker was a young man who carried frankness a great deal too far, in her opinion; and she looked quickly towards Miss Brereton to discover if this latest piece of indiscretion had been overheard. Fortunately, both she and Mr. Brudenall, though only a few yards distant, were engaged in quiet conversation themselves; and their attention being directed at that very moment to the course of the stream, they moved off to examine it more closely from the bank. "Sir Edward has not perhaps a very strong understanding," she replied, lowering her voice with a significant glance after them. "But he is generally considered a very fine young man among his acquaintance in Sanditon." "Oh? A suitor of Miss Brereton`s, is he?" demanded Sidney, with an instant display of interest. "But surely she does not return his regard? Let us find a nice place to sit down here in the sun and discuss all these curious particulars." There was no denying he had penetration; but he was so quick to pursue the slightest hint that Charlotte felt she might very soon find her tongue outrunning wisdom. "Had we not best be starting after Sir Edward? I am sure he is expecting us to follow him immediately." "I am sure he is too, but I feel Sir Edward`s company is best partaken of sparingly, in small doses -- say at half-hour intervals." He inspected an overturned fishing boat, carefully tested the dried paint and moved along to allow her the most comfortable position by the prow. "No rust, no dirt, quite dry, I assure you," he said, patting the white boards invitingly; and with a mixture of gaiety and authority peculiar to himself he persuaded Charlotte to join him, settled her to his own satisfaction and leaned against the side of the boat as though prepared for a long and confidential exchange. "Well, where shall we begin? With Sir Edward? Now, Miss Heywood, does not your own observation of his character make you sometimes doubt whether he merits all this universal approbation?" "On such a brief acquaintance as I have had, it would be difficult to judge his character at all," replied Charlotte cautiously. "Manners are all that can safely be decided and Sir Edward`s are generally accounted to be pleasing -- " "So are Miss Heywood`s," agreed Sidney, shaking his head at her in disappointment. "Very pleasing indeed. I can see she is quite determined to make no adverse comment whatsoever on anyone in Sanditon. Tell me, do you never relax from this very correct behaviour? " "I do not pretend people in general are without imperfections," Charlotte said stiffly. "All I am saying is that goodness and foolishness are so often combined to such an extent that it is sometimes impossible to separate them on a short acquaintance." "Then you have perceived goodness as well as foolishness in Sir Edward?" "I was speaking of people in general." "Surely you have realised by now, Miss Heywood, that is a thing I never do if I can avoid io" he reproved her. "people vary so much that I find it both dull and pointless to discuss them except as individuals. So having now assumed -- from your scrupulous reluctance to discuss them -- that your views on Sir Edward are the same as mine, let us pass on to Miss Brereton who, I must confess, interests me a great deal more." And he paused expectantly. `I am not very well acquainted with Miss Brereton either." The reply seemed inadequate even to her; and not wishing to be considered similarly ungenerous with her praise in this direction, she added quickly, "She is certainly a most elegant young woman -- and very beautiful -- " "Which I have, of course, seen for myself with no trouble at all," said Sidney with a smile. "But what I should like to know is why you think the lovely Miss Brereton should be unwise enough to encourage the foolish Sir Edward?" This particular question had privately puzzled Charlotte the first time she had observed Sir Edward and Miss Brereton together. She already found it natural for Sidney Parker to be asking it publicly on his first meeting with them; but doubting her right to betray the vague and accumulated suspicions she had formed on each subsequent encounter with them -- indeed discovering she was quite unable to sum them up to herself now with any coherence -- she said only, and with perfect honesty, "I am afraid I do not at all know the answer to that." "But all the same you disapprove of such an attachment and disliked being forced into chaperoning them while they inspected Sir Edward`s cottage?" His astuteness was beginning to alarm Charlotte; and having at last succeeded in shaking her composure, he laughed triumphantly at the apprehensive look which confirmed this deduction of his. "Come now, it was not so difficult to guess, after all. Sir Edward`s obvious displeasure was in far too great a contrast to your pressing invitation to join the party.` "I did not have to press very hard," she said, defending herself with some resentment. "And you might also give me a little credit for considering yourself and Mr. Brudenall. You said you wanted him to be constantly mixing with new people." "Oh yes. I was indeed grateful for your invitation," Sidney admitted handsomely. "I am quite as anxious to escape playing nursemaid to Henry as you could be over playing chaperone to Miss Brereton." And he looked across to where his friend stood in rather poetic fashion, frowning down at the waters of the stream. "poor old Henry has never been very articulate -- a romantic rather than a practical fellow, I am afraid; but according to Reginald the journey down from London was one long moody silence -- glaring abstractedly at nothing, never hearing a question, thoroughly dismal the whole way. Reginald freely confessed to me another hour of it would have been more than he could himself endure; so he took refuge in Brighton as fast as he could. Well, I hope I may prove a stouter friend to the afflicted; but I have every intention of accepting any outside help I am offered." "You may find outsiders can help him most," said Charlotte, observing that Mr. Brudenall was now listening with a show of attention to something Miss Brereton had said. "With his friends he might be excused occasional moods of depression; with strangers, he must make more effort to appear normal." "Particularly with beautiful young women," agreed Sidney, watching Miss Brereton with approval himself. "I have been thinking much the same thing. Henry is a great favourite among your sex -- always full of sentiment but never expressing any of it very clearly. Women seem to enjoy exerting themselves trying to understand that sort of vagueness; and Henry is usually grateful enough to be agreeable to them in return. I have not the slightest doubt he and Miss Brereton are very well pleased wirh each other -- if they were not, they could easily have joined us long ago." He gave Charlotte a sideways glance. "However, perhaps you yourself would like to accept the role I am allotting to Miss Brereton?" But this Charlotte firmly declined. She suspected that Sidney would not be averse to exchanging her company for Miss Brereton`s, but preferred to avoid the exertion of consoling Mr. Brudenall by herself. "I see no reason to allot such a role to anybody in particular. Surely your purposes will be just as well served if you contrive to make him one of a sociable group? Why should anyone be expected to deal with him single-handed? " She had the greatest compassion for Mr. Brudenall but no wish to be responsible for his problems; and before Sidney Parker could involve her in them further, she moved away from the boat and again suggested they should all follow Sir Edward together. However, instead of complying, he began to look about him -- at the other boats drawn up on the shore, the fishermen`s cottages nearby with their nets spread out in the sun to dry, and the stream, which at this point appeared to come to an end at a high ridge of pebbles and to have no visible communication with the sea. In no haste at all to move their party on, Sidney tried to decide how the stream found its way underground between the stones; and after examining and exclaiming over this natural phenomenon, he appealed to Miss Brereton for enlightenment. "It is called a chesil. I have just been explaining to Mr. Brudenall what I can understand of it myself," she said gravely. "Yes, we have been deeply engaged in trying to solve that riddle," Mr. Brudenall agreed. "and have only concluded it must be a poor stream to creep between pebbles instead of driving them left and right in front of it." "Have you indeed? Yes, a very poor stream, I grant you," Sidney decided after contemplating it himself quite earnestly for some time. "A really robust one would be bound to open up a good straight passage for itself. You think so, I am sure, Miss Brereton?" Charlotte, who was not very interested in the stream, wandered out on to the pebble ridge without seeing anything remarkable in that either. The other three, remaining where she had left them, continued to stare down at the water and its shallow ripples among the shingle. "The season of the year may have something to do with it," Miss Brereton said, after rather a long pause. "I believe in some months the stream can be more direct -- or at any rate less encumbered." She hesitated again. "In winter for instance." Surprised that she had taken so long in making so commonpIace a reply, Charlotte glanced back at them to see a self-conscious look and a slight blush on Miss Brereton`s face; and Sidney Parker regarding her with a degree of interest which probably accounted for it. There was no reason why he should not look so intently at Miss Brereton, Charlotte told herself sensibly. He had already owned that he thought her a very beautiful girl and the slight air of mystery and reserve added to her attractions. But nevertheless Charlotte sighed over her own fate in being always outshone in such company. Such desultory comments from her on a meandering stream could never have held two young men waiting so attentively for her to think them out. "Ah, but these encumbrances do not appear so very great to me," cried Sidney, throwing a few more pebbles into the water. "Little stones like these can surely be ignored." "There are rather more of them than you think," Mr. Brudenall said gloomily. And Charlotte`s attention being immediately directed to him, she could not but pity the oppression of spirits she imagined he must constantly be struggling to overcome. "Nature often takes a very long time to work decisive changes," she said reflectively. "Haste is too much to expect from it on these occasions." Fortunately, Sidney Parker at last withdrew his fascinated gaze from Miss Brereton, caught sight of his friend and immediately began talking in a more animated style. The words had little importance in themselves but the tone was bracing and optimistic. Winter, he observed, was a long time ahead and they could hardly stand watching the stream till then; nor was there much point in discussing it if they could come to no better conclusions than that. While honouring Sidney`s real good nature in assisting his friend at this delicate time, Charlotte did not envy him his task; and she was thankful to observe that his chatter and determination to encourage his friend produced a gradual change on the present occasion. Sir Edward now reappeared at the top of the hill, signalling to them impatiently; and they dutifully climbed up to him, skirted a group of trees and found themselves confronted by a small house of decided oddity, a cottage in size but a mansion in details. lt had pointed Gothic windows, a double coach-house, wrought-iron verandah posts, lacy barge-boards of complex design and, to cap all this, a heavy and ornamental thatch. The result was a play-house, a pretence house, in which prospective tenants might perhaps believe themselves country people living in a kind of Arcadia. Mr. Brudenall, Miss Brereton and Charlotte, having regarded it with awed astonishment, seemed equally doubtful what they could say about it; but Sidney Parker was more certain of his ground, both in praising the house and pleasing its owner. "perfect. Quite perfect of its genre," he said, standing well back in the minute carriage drive and running his eye over the proliferating detail. "You have achieved the perfect illusion of rustic simplicity -- for I take it the effect you are actually aiming at is far from rustic and anything but simple?" "Exactly, sir. You have it precisely," cried Sir Edward, highly delighted. "My aim throughout has been to radiate rurality, There are many who think they wish to escape from stilted and stately mansions to the homeliness of low ceilings and the intimacy of hole-and-corner rooms; but those who seek rustic peace do not always comprehend the drawbacks which appertain to the normal, genuine country cottage. Now in my cottage, they can be snug without such irritations. It also epitomises a certain seaside theme, do you not agree? Sidney Parker said that he did. And by agreeing a great many more times and interposing a flattering observation whenever Sir Edward paused and seemed to expect one, he managed to pilot them through a complete inspection of the house without anyone else being put to the inconvenience of making an untoward remark. Miss Brereton and Mr. Brudenall seemed content to wander from room to room without taking part in the discussion at all. And Charlotte, very relieved to be able to follow their example, wondered if they were as ignorant as she was over Sir Edward s actual aim -- till it began to dawn on her that not even Sidney Parker had the remotest idea of there being any consistent overall plan in the building of this house. Attending most carefully to their discussion herself, and hearing the solemn absurd nonsense Sir Edward talked as he tried to justify each separate feature, she began to suspect that his mind, when designing his cottage, was as muddled as it appeared to be on most other subjects; and Sidney, nimbly seizing the advantage and adopting the same principle, was merely replying with a similar amount of nonsense. After an hour, however, he felt he had earned another rest; and although Sir Edward, after looking up his cottage, was quite ready to go on discussing it, Sidney had no intention of humouring him further. They chose a different route back down the hill, leaving the sea behind them and reaching the stream, where a stone bridge spanned it, taking the main road across to the toll-gate. "A turret now -- did you ever consider adding thao" Sidney was idly suggesting when he suddenly recognised their exact position. "Ah," he said, brightening considerably. "I seem to remember Denham park lies a short distance along this turnpike road, does it noo Well, much as I am enjoying our discussion, I shall not press you to be continuing out of your way, Sir Edward. No, no, not at all," with his most civil bow, "how much time you have already given up to us today! We would not consider such a sacrifice for one minute. Miss Brereton and Miss Heywood are tired out by now, I dare say, and we will see them back to Trafalgar House. Directly on our own route. Not the slightest trouble, I assure you." And despite all protests, he firmly directed the party across the bridge, leaving a disconsolate Sir Edward standing by the toll-gate, vaguely aware that he had just encountered someone a great deal more expert in getting his own way than he was himself. He frowned; and watching Miss Brereton being led away from him, tried to decide how much interference in his own plans he could expect from this new rival.
|
