Saraband for Two Sisters

“I left Lady Pondersby buying laces in Paul’s Walk. We came in from Pondersby Hall in the coach.”

“Then I will take you back to Paul’s Walk and we will find Lady Pondersby.” We were very quickly there. Carlotta had been engrossed in the lace buying, which she had just completed, and she was looking around wondering what had become of me when she saw me with my rescuer.

She cried out, “Whatever has happened?”

“Something terrible,” I answered. “I’ve lost my purse. A boy snatched it. I ran after him and there were two men... . This gentleman saved me.” Carlotta was gravely surveying Richard Tolworthy, and I thought with a little stab of jealousy: “I suppose he is thinking how beautiful she is.” He bowed and said, “Richard Tolworthy at your service, ma’am.”

“Why, sir”-she laughed-“it seems you have indeed been at our service. Mistress Landor is newly arrived from the country.”

“I gathered so,” he said.

I felt deflated and sad suddenly, as Carlotta went on: “And as she does not seem inclined to present me, I will tell you that I am Lady Pondersby, wife of Sir Gervaise.»

“Of whose acquaintance I have the pleasure,” said Richard Tolworthy. “May I escort you to your coach?”

“Thank you. I would be glad if you did. I see Mistress Landor has been considerably shocked by the adventure.”

“I fear so,” he said, glancing briefly at me. “But at least she will know how to avoid such an experience if-may God forbid-it should occur again.»

“It would have been terrible if you had not been there. I should never have forgiven myself!” said Carlotta. “Oh, here is the coach. Could I take you to your destination?»

“Thank you. I have business in the Walk.”

He handed us both into the coach and stood back bowing. As we moved away, Carlotta said, “Well, you have had a little adventure, have you not?”

“I was terrified... until he came.”

“I should think so. Two men you say ... with evil intent. Robbery with rape, doubtless. You have learned something of the streets of London this morning. Let it stand you in good stead.”

It was characteristic of Carlotta that she should see the incident as an example of my folly rather than her neglect and should seek to make me feel the more foolishly inexperienced because of it.

But she did not dwell on that. She was dearly interested in my rescuer.

“I have heard his name,” she said. “I believe him to be one of the King’s generals.”

“He said he was a soldier.”

“Yes, a high-ranking one. It was obvious in his bearing. It was civil of him and gallant of him, was it not?”

“It was indeed.”

She leaned back against the upholstery of the coach.

“What is it I have heard of him? Something I fancy. I believe there is some mystery about him. I must ask Gervaise.”

She half closed her eyes, smiling. I realized that she was indeed intrigued by Richard Tolworthy.

As for myself I could not shut out of my mind the terrible moment when those two men had loomed up beside me and somehow conveyed their purpose. I could not imagine what would have happened to me if Richard Tolworthy had not appeared. It was quite beyond my ability to do so. But I knew that I would rather they had killed me. And then he had come. I remembered certain things about him. It was a stern face, as became a high-ranking soldier. It was a strong face -cold, though. I suppose he had despised me for walking so foolishly into such a trap. I had lost my purse but fortunately I had had very little money in it, and I would make sure that such a thing never happened to me again, so perhaps the experience was well worth the price I had paid for it.

He was tall and his skin slightly bronzed, so I supposed he had fought the King’s battles in other countries. I wondered whether I would ever see him again and I felt a flutter of excitement because it did not seem unlikely. He would move in Court circles-those of which Sir Gervaise was a member. I wondered whether he would notice me if we met again. When Carlotta had appeared I had the impression that she had shown him that I was to be despised for my folly, although before he had been kind, understanding of my inexperience.

When we arrived at Pondersby Hall all thought of the man and the adventure receded, for there was a letter from my mother. I seized it and ran to my room with it because I could not bear to read it under the scrutiny of Carlotta’s eyes. My fingers were trembling as I opened it. My fears of what I would read made it impossible for a second or so to see the words which danced before my eyes: “My dearest Angelet, I hasten to tell you the good news. Bersaba is going to recover. She is very very weak but... .” The letter slipped from my hands. I just buried my face in them and I started to weep as I had not since the terrible anxiety had begun-tears of relief, tears of joy. Life would go on again.