Saraband for Two Sisters

Forgetting decorum in my pleasure at seeing him, I had run forward holding out my hands. He seized them and held them for a moment looking into my face searchingly, I thought, and I felt my spirits soaring for I believed in that moment that he knew. “Bersaba,” he said and there was something about the way in which he said my name which sounded like a lover speaking to his mistress, but almost immediately he was cool and looking as I had so often seen him look. “I’m back for a brief stay,” he said. ‘Where is Angelet?”

She too had heard and came out into the courtyard.

He took her hands as he had taken mine and kissed her cheek.

“You are well?” he asked solicitously.

“Oh, yes, Richard. And you? How long will you be with us? Are the troubles over?”

“As usual I can’t say how long, and the troubles are by no means over. They increase with every day.” He slipped his arm through hers and then looked around for me. I went to him and he took my arm and thus linked we went into the hall. I warned myself that I must not betray this wild excitement which took possession of me. I must overcome it. I must remember that this was my sister’s husband. We supped as usual in the intimate parlor. He seemed almost tender to Angelet.

“Are you sure you are feeling well?” he asked her. “You look a little tired.”

“She has not been sleeping very well,” I told him.

He was concerned and Angelet murmured that it was nothing. As the meal progressed he talked a great deal about what was going on. A new Parliament had met and although many of its members had sat with that which had assembled in the previous April and was now known as the Short Parliament, there were some new members. “They are determined,” said Richard, “to end all grievances and pull them up by the roots. This bodes ill for men like Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, and Archbishop Laud.”

As usual he talked to me of these matters and afterward he said he had work to do and retired to the library.

I went to my room. Angelet was already in the Blue Room. I was excited and she was in fear. I believe that she nourished this aversion to an abnormal proportion. She admired her husband beyond all men; she was proud to be his wife; she would have been completely happy in her marriage if these nightly duties were not part of the contract.

Of course it would seem unnatural if she did not spend the night with him, for he had been away so long and would expect it.

“What’s the matter, Angelet?” I asked, knowing full well, and she answered, “I don’t know. I feel the toothache coming on.” She looked at me appealingly, reminding me of the days of her childhood when she had been afraid of going to some part of the Priory in the dark and would make up all sorts of excuses not to go. “She does not want him,” I thought. “She is afraid of him. That which I long for, she fears.” I had been the resourceful one in our childhood and I felt that she was asking me now-as she often had in the past-to find a way out for her. My heart started to beat fast as I said, “You must have some of the Cherry cure.”

“It makes me so sleepy.”

“That is what you need.”

“Richard has only just come home.”

“He will understand.”

Her expression lightened and she looked at me adoringly. I was once more the sister on whom she could rely.

“I’ll give you a dose,” I said quickly. “I’ll tuck you in and then I’ll go down to the library to tell him. You’ll be all right tomorrow. He realizes that.”

“Oh, Bersaba, do you think-“ My hands trembled a little as I poured out the dose.

I helped her to bed and sat with her until she slept, which was soon. She looked so happy and relaxed in sleep that my conscience was eased. “I will go to tell him,” I promised myself. “I will confess what I have done and tomorrow I will make plans to go home. I will explain to him that she is afraid and that she needs time to grow accustomed to what is now distasteful to her.” I knew that he would understand if I could tell him.

I went to the library. He was not there.

I would find him in the bedchamber. Perhaps he had already gone to Angelet’s room to look for her, perhaps he would try to rouse her from her drugged sleep. I had promised her I would explain. So must I, but more than she realized; and then tomorrow I would make plans to leave for Cornwall, and hope that in time they would find happiness together.

I went to the bedchamber and knocked on the door. It was swiftly opened. He took my hand and drew me in.

“Angelet,” he said, and there was a note in his voice which I had never heard before when he said her name.

The temptation swept over me. I could impersonate her perfectly. Perhaps once more ... and then I would explain. My resolutions had crumbled, but I did protest as he embraced me, realizing even as I did so that that would make me even more like Angelet.

“I have to speak to you, Richard,” I cried, “Later,” he murmured. ‘There will be plenty of time to talk. I have been thinking of you, longing for you... .”