God knows I did not blame them: I was rather exulting to see two such great hearts at one. It was the future that troubled me, the reckoning that would have to be paid.
And whilst I was in the midst of this reflection, the two came into the Closet, with shining eyes.
I got to my feet, and Adèle gave me her hand.
I kissed it naturally.
“William,” she said, “I think I have the finest lover in the world.”
“You have, indeed,” said I, gravely.
“William the Faithful,” said Mansel and laughed like a boy. He stepped to the trap. “And now,” said he, “I’m going to spy out the land. Don’t talk too loud, you two, and stay in the doorway, please, so that you can watch both rooms.”
“Very good,” said I, and went to my post at once.
When Mansel was gone, Adèle came to my side.
“Sit down, William,” she said. “I want you to know how I feel.”
We sat down on the floor, like two children, and Adèle leaned her head against the wall and slid her slight arm through mine.
“I’m in love with Jonah,” she said. “I think I’ve loved him for years, but I never knew. And then, when I first saw Rose Noble and Jute pulled me off the mare, I remembered our talk in the forest and I knew what they wanted me for. They meant to hurt Jonah through me. That meant that Jonah loved me: and then, all of a sudden, I knew that I loved him. I was terribly worried at first, because it seemed so awful to be in love with anyone other than Boy. And then I came to see that, so long as nobody knew, no harm would be done. And I made up my mind that no one should ever know—not even Jonah himself … Well, you saw me break down. You saw me kiss him and put my arms round his neck. I suppose I shouldn’t have done it, but I’m so thankful I did. I want you to know that, William. And Jonah’s so happy, too. We’ve had it all out and we both of us feel the same. You see, we’re locked up here, in a sort of No Man’s Land that lies between life and death. If we die—well, that’s the end. If we live, then we go back. But we can’t tell which it will be, and, so long as we’re in that land, we’re going to love each other with all our heart.”
“But, oh, Adèle,” said I, “what about going back?”
A very soft light came into her wonderful eyes.
“You can’t take away memory,” she said. “That we shall have forever, like a star that’s always in the sky. I’m not seeking to justify myself. I know I’m another man’s wife. But I don’t care, William. Nature and Fortune have driven us into this Eden, and I don’t think we should be human if we didn’t help each other to pick the flowers.”
“I don’t think you would,” said I heartily.
And that is the point of view I hold today. I daresay it cannot be defended. I can only say that Jonathan Mansel and Adèle were two of a kind that I never saw before and have never seen since. They were wise: “they were lovely and pleasant in their lives”: they were nonpareil: and, looking back, I find it most natural that, suddenly faced with life in the midst of death, two natures so alike and so peerless should have comforted each other.
Adèle looked at me swiftly.
“Do you mean that you understand? I don’t think you can do that?”
“I can understand enough,” said I, “to be very glad you’re so happy.”
“Thank you, William,” she said. “And please don’t feel left out. Jonah was only saying a moment ago that you were the only living being he didn’t mind seeing our love.”
“History repeats itself,” said I, indicating the rooms. “The equerry doesn’t feel left by his king and his queen.”
“Oh, he’s a courtier,” cried Adèle, clapping her hands.
“Don’t slander my lieutenant,” said Mansel, putting his head through the floor. “And here’s a piece of good news.” He sank his voice to a murmur. “The car is still out.”
“Which means?” breathed Adèle.
“I hope and believe it means that it’s gone for good, that George and the servants have got it and all or some of its crew. When Rose Noble sent them out, he knew very well that there was nothing to see: he knew we were in the archway and he sent them packing to mislead us and draw us out: I admit he pulled that off, but, unless and until they return, I believe he’s alone.”
I suppose that I showed my excitement, for he continued at once.
“But please remember Rose Noble’s a host in himself. He may be single-handed, but he’s worth ten ordinary men. And so we must watch and wait. If only we’d known of that passage two nights ago—”
“Then,” said Adèle, “you’d never have known that I loved you. And now, please, I’m hungry. Will one of you give me some food?”
Mansel smiled.
“Feminine influence, William, is a terrible thing. With this girl-child round our necks, we shall forget we’re at war.”
“Forget it,” said I, rising, “for half an hour. While you two lunch, I’ll watch the castle gate.”
“Very well,” said Mansel, hoisting himself to the floor. “But keep in the shadow and report the first sign of life. If Hanbury’s sunk the pinnace, I don’t think what’s left of her crew will come aboard before dark. At least, they’ll be fools if they try. But we can’t hang our lives on guesswork and so we must watch. And, by the time I’ve eaten, I may have some plan.”
But he had not: neither had I.
Through all that afternoon
