One of Our Conquerors - World eBook Library

George Meredith
fool of himself.
Dartrey was not long in shaping the man’s character:
Worrell belonged to the male birds of upper air, who mangle
what female prey they are forbidden to devour. And he had
Miss Radnor’s name: he had spoken her name at the Club
overnight. He had roused a sensation, because of a man being
present, Percy Southweare, who was related to a man as
good as engaged to marry her. The major never fell into a
quarrel with sons of nobles, if he could help it, or there might
have been a pretty one.
So Colonel Sudley said.
Dartrey spoke musing: ‘I don’t know how he may class
me; I have an account to square with him.’
‘It won’t do in these days, my good friend. Come and cool
yourself; and we’ll lunch here. I shan’t leave you.’
‘By all means. We’ll lunch, and walk up to the station, and
you will point him out to me.’
Dartrey stated Major Worrell’s offence. The colonel was
not astonished; but evidently he thought less of Worrell’s
behaviour to Miss Radnor in Mrs. Marsett’s presence than
of the mention of her name at the Club: and that, he seemed
to think, had a shade of excuse against the charge of monstrous.
He blamed the young lady who could go twice to
visit a Mrs. Marsett; partly exposed a suspicion of her. Dartrey
let him talk. They strolled along the parade, and were near
the pier.
Suddenly saying: ‘There, beside our friend in clerical garb:
here she comes; judge if that is the girl for the foulest of curs
to worry, no matter where she’s found.’ Dartrey directed the
colonel’s attention to Nesta and Mr. Barmby turning off the
pier and advancing.
He saluted. She bowed. There was no contraction of her
eyelids; and her face was white. The mortal life appeared to
be deadened in her cold wide look; as when the storm-wind
banks a leaden remoteness, leaving blown space of sky.
The colonel said: ‘No, that’s not the girl a gentleman would
offend.’
‘What man!’ cried Dartrey. ‘If we had a Society for the
trial of your gentleman!—but he has only to call himself
gentleman to get grant of licence: and your Society protects
him. It won’t punish, and it won’t let you. But you saw her:
ask yourself—what man could offend that girl!’
307