The Song of the Siren

“We have been cooped up so long,” I replied.

“Come,” he said. “We’ll take a walk.”

I was delighted, and I couldn’t help showing my pleasure.

“I don’t think you’ll try to run away,” he said. “In any case you wouldn’t have much chance, would you?”

I did not answer.

“Come,” he said. He unlocked the door and we went out. I stood for a moment breathing in the fresh air. It was exhilarating.

“A pleasant spot,” said Hessenfield. He gripped my arm. “Ah, it is good to be out of doors again.”

We walked in silence up the slight incline and now we were facing the sea. It was calm as a lake and of a beautiful mother-of-pearl translucency.

“Sometimes I think our ship will never come,” he mused. “Or come too late for us.”

“What shall you do if it does not come?”

“If it does not’ come our chances are slight. With every day that passes the danger becomes more acute.” He turned to me suddenly and looked intently at me. “And each morning I have said, ‘Not today. Give me another night with my love.’ “

“You do not deceive me. You are as eager as the others for the ship to come.”

He shook his head, and we were silent for a while.

We had come out to the path which was close to the cliff edge. There was a narrow gully leading down to the beach.

I said: “I should like to go close to the sea... to touch it.”

“Why not?” he said. “Come on.” He took my hand and we ran down the slight slope.

I crouched by the water and let my hand trail in it.

“So peaceful here ... so quiet,” he said. “I wish ... Ah, since I met you, Carlotta, I have done little but wish things were otherwise. Do you believe me?”

I said: “We often feel something at a certain time and think it is all-important.

Then life changes and we see that which was so important to us was of small significance.”

“And you think this ... our encounter ... is of small significance?”

“If you kill me it will be of small significance to me, for I shall be dead.”

He turned away from the sea, and, holding my arm firmly, as though I had reminded him of the need to guard me, we walked up the incline to the path.

As we reached the top I heard him catch his breath. I glanced along the path and saw why. Four horsemen were riding towards us.

Hessenfield’s grip tightened on my arm. We were too late to turn back or to hide ourselves. They would have seen us as soon as we saw them.

Now, I thought. It is my chance. This is what they feared. Oh, Hessenfield, I thought, you have made a grave mistake. You should never have left the house with me.

The tables were turned. His life was in my hands now.

Triumphantly I saw that the men were soldiers of the King’s army and it could well be that they were on the trail of the conspirators who had rescued General Langdon from the Tower.

Hessenfield pressed himself against me. It was as though he was reminding me of everything we had been to each other. He said nothing. This was no time for words.

All I had to say was: “They are holding me prisoner because I know what they have done.” And I would be free.

The men were now within calling distance.

“Good day to you,” they shouted.

”Good day,” called Hessenfield. I said “Good day” too.

The horsemen drew up and looked at us keenly. They saw an elegant country gentleman and his woman in a well-cut riding suit.

“You live hereabouts?” asked the horseman.

Hessenfield waved his hand in the direction of the house.

“Then you know the district?”

“You could say so,” said Hessenfield. I was amazed by the calmness of his voice.

“Have you seen any strangers pass this way?” asked the horseman.

“Strangers? I have noticed nothing.”

“And you my lady?”

It seemed a long silence. I heard the shriek of a gull-mocking in a melancholy way.

Revenge. Your chance. They will lose their heads, every one of them.

I heard myself say: “I have seen no strangers.”

“I’m afraid neither I nor my wife can help,” said Hessenfield and there was a lighthearted joy in his voice which I thought must be apparent to them. “Is it anyone in particular you are looking for?”

“No matter,” said the horseman. “But perhaps you can tell us how far it is to Lewes.”

“Five or six miles along the road,” said Hessenfield.

They doffed their hats and bowed. We stood for a moment looking after them. Then he turned to me. He said nothing. He just took me in his arms and held me tightly.

I had shown him my true feelings for him. It was like ridding myself of a burden.

There was no longer any need to pretend.

That night it was different.

We were lovers now in truth.

“Do you realise, foolish one, that you have declared yourself for us?”

“I care nothing for your plots.”

“That makes it all the more important. Oh, Carlotta, I love you. I would have loved you if you had betrayed us. But I don’t think I was ever so happy in my life as I was that moment when you stood there and declared yourself for us.”

“For you,” I said.

”Dearest Carlotta,” he said. “My love. A week ago I did not know you, now you are here and you have changed my life.”

“You will forget me,” I said.

“As you will forget me?”

“I don’t forget easily.”