The changeling

“Nevertheless,” insisted Mr. Pencarron, “we want to have a good look at the place.”

“That can be easily done,” said my grandfather.

Pedrek and I knew that we wanted it. We did go round it once more and our rides always took us past it. We would sit in a field where we could look up at the grey gables and dream of the days when it would be ours.

Pedrek had written to the Bourdons and received a reply.

They were not entirely certain what they intended to do but would decide quickly.

We sighed with impatience and continued to regard it as our house. We had just had luncheon. It was one of those week days which I lived through, longing for the week-end to come. The children had gone for a ride, one of the grooms accompanying them. I was with my grandmother who wanted to show me something in the garden. As we came out of the house one of the maids announced a visitor. I was amazed and excited to see Jean Pascal Bourdon. He took my grandmother’s hand and kissed it; then did the same to me.

“What a pleasure!” he said. “I have descended on you charming ladies to pay my respects. I am to be in Cornwall for a little while. How good it is to see you! And Mademoiselle Rebecca is looking so well ...”

“Have you had luncheon?” asked my grandmother.

“I have indeed.”

“Then come in. Would you like some wine ... or a little coffee?”

“Some coffee please. That would be nice.”

When we were in the drawing room I went to the bell pull and very soon Madge appeared.

I noticed Jean Pascal’s eyes on her, assessing her; and I remembered that old habit of his. Girls like Madge were always aware of masculine attention. She bridled a little and said demurely: “Yes, Ma’am?”

“Will you bring some coffee please, Madge?”

“Yes, Ma’am.” With a little bob she disappeared.

Jean Pascal said: “I expect you have guessed why I am here? It concerns High Tor, of course.”

“You know we are interested.”

“Yes. May I say that / was most ... interested to hear that you were interested.”

“It’s no secret. Rebecca and Pedrek Cartwright are thinking of buying a house.” He raised his eyebrows and my grandmother went on: “They will be married in a year or so.”

“May I offer my congratulations?” He looked at me as though the prospect of my marriage was a mild source of amusement.

“You may,” I said, “and thank you for them.”

“It is unexpected news.”

“It was not all that unexpected to us,” said my grandmother. “Pedrek and Rebecca have been good friends for years.”

He nodded. “The Stennings will be leaving shortly,” he said.

“Are you staying there ... at High Tor?”

He smiled. “Yes. There is plenty of room. It is not a small house, you know. And we have business to discuss. Some furniture belongs to my family ... but most of it in the house is theirs.”

The coffee had come. I noticed his renewed interest in Madge and I thought to myself:

It is a habit with him. He assesses all females. How different he was from Pedrek.

When Jean Pascal married, his wife would be wondering all the time if he was unfaithful.

Over coffee we discussed the house.

He said: “My family are a little uncertain at the moment. They are leaving Chislehurst.”

“Oh,” I said blankly. “Did they plan to come back to Cornwall?” He paused. I had betrayed my eagerness to possess the house. Mr. Pencarron would say that was a foolish thing to do before a prospective seller.

He smiled at me and went on: “No. They will not come back here. The Empress kept a little court at Chislehurst of which my family were a part as they were of the Imperial Court before the debacle. She has suffered much in exile ... the loss of her husband and now after the death of her son in the Zulu war she finds it difficult to be happy there and wants to move. She is to go to Farnborough and my parents will give up their place in Chislehurst and go with her.”

“So ... not to Cornwall,” I murmured.

“No ... no. That would be too far away. They will go to Farnborough.”

“The point is,” said my grandmother, “what of High Tor?”

He smiled at us blandly. “Yes ... I am sure they will sell.”

My grandmother and I exchanged glances of triumph.

“When will it be on the market?”

“If you are interested, you shall have the opportunity to buy before we put it there.”

“Thank you,” said my grandmother. “That’s what we hoped.”

“Well, are we not friends?”

“I am sure my husband and the Pencarrons will want to look at the place.”

“But naturally. Perhaps when the Stennings have left we can start to talk business.”

“Excellent,” said my grandmother. “More coffee?”

“Please, yes. It is delicious.”

I went over and took his cup. He smiled up at me and there was something secretive in his eyes.

“And when is the wedding to be?”

“Oh, not yet... not for some time yet. Mr. Cartwright is at college and will be there for another year or so.”

“And when he emerges ... that will be the happy day?”

“Oh yes ...”

“It is a pleasure for me to think that my old home will be yours.”

When he had taken his leave my grandmother looked at me with shining eyes.