‘Soresby is a timid and friendless young man. He assumed that some private business of Dr Carbury’s -’
‘Private business! Fudge!’
‘He is poor and afraid, ma’am. He dared not speak out and risk the Master’s wrath. And in any case he did not know the precise significance of what he had heard. As for the night-soil man, he thought the lady could no longer have need of the slippers, and besides no one was looking for them – so why should not Mrs Tom have the benefit of them? He is convinced that such things come his way as of right.’
‘I can’t believe you condemn me on the basis of such flimsy evidence and from such sources.’
‘Of course I do not condemn you.’ He took a step towards her and for an instant she thought he was about to take her hands. ‘But the evidence cannot be wholly discounted and others may condemn you on the basis of it, even if I do not. Consider, madam – this place at night is a fortress. Your servant’s window looks over the court on the other side of the Lodge, and so does Dr Carbury’s. Yours is the only one that looks over the garden. If someone came out to Mrs Whichcote, they will say, who could it have been but you?’
‘And you, sir? What do you say?’
He stared grim-faced at her. ‘I don’t know.’
‘Well, sir, so now I know where I stand. You have judged me and found me wanting. But now it is your turn: so have the goodness to consider this.’ Her temper had slipped away from her without her noticing, and she was furiously angry. ‘It appears that others leave this house at night. In March my maid slipped out of the garden door on at least two occasions to meet her lover, Dr Carbury’s manservant. Their rendezvous was under the plane tree by the pond. On the first occasion, he had his way with her. On the second, she was before her time, and she met someone else at the rendezvous. Or rather he blundered into her. Frank Oldershaw.’
‘Good God! The ghost? But the cloak – the clasp?’
‘The gardener found the cloak the morning after Sylvia died and brought it to me. No one else had a need for it, and it was quite new. Sylvia had not had it more than a day or two. In the end I gave it to my maid. The foolish girl dotes on it. And the clasp was in the form of the letter S, if you remember. My maid is called Susan, so in a way it seemed providential.’
‘The cloak?’ Holdsworth’s eyes widened. ‘The cloak? Madam, I have been such a fool -’
There was a sudden racket outside, footsteps running along the passageway. The door was flung open, and Susan herself was on the threshold.
‘Oh, ma’am, you best come quick.’
48
The combination room was a scholarly beehive, humming with speculations and subdued excitement. Everyone knew that Dr Milton was at the Master’s bedside and that the chaplain had called at the Lodge to read the Order for the Visitation of the Sick, including the Commendatory Prayer for a person on the point of departure.
Mr Richardson presided at supper with a long and sorrowful face. Afterwards, as they sat over their wine, the tutor took the chair next to Holdsworth’s. ‘I wish to take this opportunity to wish you Godspeed, sir. You and Mr Frank will leave too early for me to say farewell in the morning. May I have the honour of a glass of wine with you before you go?’
Richardson accompanied the wine with civil compliments about the benefits that Holdsworth’s visit had brought to both Frank and the college. Gradually he moved the conversation to Lady Anne.
‘I know her ladyship will be anxious to hear how Dr Carbury does – she takes such an interest in the affairs of the college. And it is wise that she should be forewarned, is it not? It is, I am afraid, more than possible that the prayers of Dr Carbury’s friends will not be answered and that a melancholy eventuality will soon take place – you may even carry the news of it to her yourself. In which case, her ladyship’s counsel will be quite invaluable. She has the experience we need to guide our deliberations – the knowledge of the world – and a mother’s profound understanding of what is best for Jerusalem – so natural, indeed, in one who is a direct descendant of our Founder.’
Holdsworth said he was sure she would do everything that was fitting.
‘If you have the opportunity, my dear sir,’ Richardson continued, ‘I should be greatly obliged if you would emphasize to her the importance of avoiding a lengthy interregnum in the Master’s Lodge. I fear Dr Carbury has let matters slide during his illness, and the fellowship needs a master who knows the college, and who can be trusted to direct its affairs with decision. My friends tell me I should allow my name to go forward but I think our best plan is to rely on her ladyship’s benevolence. If matters come to the crisis we fear, I am persuaded that we may depend upon her to lead us safely through our difficulties.’
Holdsworth bowed, acknowledging what Richardson had said, but not committing himself either way.
‘What a sad time this is for Jerusalem!’ Richardson glanced piously upwards. ‘Of course we must not question the ways of Providence. Troubles never come singly, do they? Poor Dr Carbury’s decline is by far the hardest blow to bear. But Mr Whichcote’s misfortunes will have their effect on the college too. Why, the entire University is prattling about that scandalous scene this morning. And outside our very gates!’
‘I suppose the unfortunate Mr Soresby is also weighing on your mind, sir?’ Holdsworth suggested.
‘Ah! That reprobate! Well, he has gained nothing by his treachery. And if poor Dr Carbury dies, he will have lost his only ally.
‘Man doesn’t know God’s wishes in the matter, sir,’ Holdsworth said. ‘In which case God must surely intend us to do the best we can with what we have. No charge has been laid against Mr Soresby. I wonder if the facts concerning the theft are not entirely what they seem.’
‘I wish with all my heart that I could believe it,’ Richardson said. ‘But – well, sir, you were there yourself when his crime was discovered.’
‘Yes, but the evidence was in a manner of speaking circumstantial. I cannot help thinking that there might be other explanations. For example, perhaps the evidence was fabricated to discredit him.’ Holdsworth paused, staring into Richardson’s face. ‘By a malicious servant, or some such.’
Richardson looked away. ‘I cannot credit it. Forgive me, sir, this is nothing but wild speculation.’
‘But there is an element of doubt here, sir, you must admit. And it’s a pity to ruin a man’s career, simply for a doubt. Particularly a man like Mr Soresby, who has no resources and so few friends. If the matter were smoothed over, if he were allowed to resume his studies, I am persuaded it would be to the advantage of everyone.’
Richardson studied him. ‘I do not take your meaning.’
‘No scandal would attach to the college. The gesture would be seen as wise and merciful both within the college and by the college’s friends in the greater world. Of course the Rosington Fellowship would be quite another matter – if Dr Carbury dies and there is a new Master, then he may well prefer another candidate when the time comes. No one could blame him for that.’
Richardson shook his head slowly. ‘I think not, Mr Holdsworth. I do not think it would answer.’
Holdsworth bent closer, bringing his mouth close to Richardson’s ear. ‘Richenda,’ he murmured.
The tutor turned his head and looked at Holdsworth. He said nothing. His features were unnaturally still, drained of their usual animation.
‘I am persuaded that such a merciful gesture would earn her ladyship’s approbation,’ Holdsworth went on.
‘But we do not even know where Soresby is.’
‘I think we should be able to lay our hands on him when we need him, sir, without too much difficulty.’ His lips moved silently.
‘Perhaps… in that case, perhaps we might be able to do something.’ Richardson leaned closer. ‘Tell me, sir,’ he murmured. ‘A black valise with a crest on it. Does that mean anything to you?’
Holdsworth shook his head. ‘Nothing at all, sir. Nothing in the world.’
Holdsworth did not stay long in the combination room. He went outside, where the rain had stopped and the air was cool and clean, smelling of damp earth. In Chapel Court, he looked into the uncurtained bay window of the combination room. Everyone was at Richardson’s table now and listening avidly to something the tutor was saying.
From the far side of the court came the sound of singing. Holdsworth walked towards it. The noise came from Frank’s rooms. He could not make out the words but he recognized the tune from that first evening when he had
