Lament for a lost lover

I walked in the gardens and Edwin joined me. He asked me if I were nervous about the play. “It’s only a game real,” I said. “If we forget our lines everyone will laugh, and it will probably be greater fun than if we play like professionals which we can’t in any case because we are not.”

“My mother is hoping to make an announcement tonight’ he said. My heart began to beat faster and I waited expectantly, but he went on:

“She is hoping Charles is going to ask Charlotte to marry him in time for her to come onto the stage when the play is over and tell the company of the betrothal.” He frowned. “I am a little anxious, “he added.

“Why?”

“Charles has changed. I think poor Charlotte knows this. Have you noticed the difference in her?”

“I thought she seemed a little sad. But then I don’t know her very well and she has never seemed lively.”

“Charlotte has always been like that ... the opposite of her brother. She is serious-minded and hides her feelings. But I don’t think she is very happy now.”

“Does she want to marry Charles or would it be one of those arranged marriages?”

“She wants it fervently, or did, and he seemed eager. But lately it has changed.”

I thought: Since we came. It is obvious Charles has fallen in love with Harriet.

Oh, poor Charlotte. She must be wishing she had never set eyes on us. “Perhaps I’m wrong,” said Edwin, and then characteristically, “I’m sure I am. There’ll be an announcement tonight, you’ll see. After all it’s what he came here for.” He took my arm and pressed it. I was very happy then.

“Do you know,” he went on. “I fancy that before long I shall have to go away.”

“To join your father?”

“No ... to England.”

“That would be dangerous.”

“I should not go in my own name. We would cross the Channel cret and land in some lonely spot and we should be wearing her clothes so that we looked exactly like everyone else. I am 5L - v out the land to meet those whom we know to be Royalists, to see what the mood of the people is ... to pave the way for the King’s return.”

-When?” I am waiting now to hear. Messengers could come any day a command for me to leave at once.” Not before the performance tonight!” He laughed. “Oh, no fear of that. What a tragedy! Do you think the play would be impossible without me?”

“Where should I find another Romeo?”

He turned to me and smiled very tenderly, I thought. “You would find one’ he said, “much more worthy than I.”

“After all this rehearsing!”

He looked away almost uneasily. “It won’t be like that, I’m sure. We shall no doubt be given several weeks’ warning. We would have to make ready. It is a matter which will have to be very carefully planned ... and rehearsed, far more carefully than Romeo and Juliet.”

“I suppose so.”

He took my hand. “Why, you are really concerned.”

“I don’t like the idea of your being in danger.”

He bent towards me and kissed my cheek. “Dear Arabella,” he said “How good and sweet you are. I wish ...”I waited and he went on: “There is no real danger if we are careful. We shall be in our own country, and after my recent experience as an actor, I shall know how to play a Puritan completely satisfied with the rule of the country, and we shall be going to those whom we know will be our friends. So, there is no need for anxiety.”

‘Do you really think the people want the King to come back?”

“It is what we have to find out. If they do then he will go, but unless the people are behind him, he hasn’t a chance.”

“You know him well, do you?” As well as most know Charles. The perfect companion, merry, witty, never serious. One can never be sure if he means what he says.”

“You mean ... unreliable.”

“Perhaps, but I never knew a man with greater charm.”

“Maybe his charm is due to his royalty.”

“Not entirely. But that could be part of it. Everyone is prepared to love a king, and if he gives them reason to, well then the love is so much greater. Oh, I am sure we shall be back soon, Arabella. What a day that will be when we set foot on our native soil!”

“I wonder what we shall find.”