Читать книгу The Maidens of Walsingham - Анна Морион - Страница 6

The next morning the pastor's house was again visited by Mr. Morris, who brought a large jug of fresh milk and a basket of vegetables for Cassie. The doctor examined the patient and reported that the crisis had passed, Cassie was on the mend, and would soon be able to leave the house for fresh air (the air in the cottage was heavy and stale, as the only small window had never been opened since winter). Cassie was very embarrassed when the doctor listened to her breathing through the hearing medical tube, and she was uncomfortable with the iron touching her chest, even though her nightgown, as the pastor would not allow the doctor to listen to her lungs properly.

After matins, the pastor made his way to the landlord's estate, for the lord had given him, through Mr. Morris, an invitation for an audience at Rivershold. The Count of Draymore, as promised, had sent out from London an architect, Mr. Pilough, of rather high fame, and now he needed to speak to Pastor Glowford about workers for the restoration. The pastor promised the lord that the work would be done by country lads and men, under the architect's direction of course, and that he would look for volunteers at vespers tonight.

As the pastor was on his way down from the Earl's study, which was on the second Floor, he met Viscount Wilworth in the hall.

– I hear your daughter is on the mend," said the Viscount, smiling pleasantly at the pastor who was slightly surprised at his attention.

– 'Yes, thank God. And for that I should thank you," the parson bowed to him respectfully.

– Always at your service, Mr. Glowford. Mr. Morris has told me of your lodgings, and I should like to help you. He suggested that Miss Cassandra is ill so often because she is constantly breathing the smell of mould and damp into her delicate lungs, and shivering with cold in winter," said the Viscount, frowning.

Viscount Wilworth had taken an interest in the Glowford family, especially the youngest of them, Miss Cassandra, from his first days at his friend's estate. The case of the family itself and the girl's illness seemed to him out of the ordinary. The Viscount was deeply and unpleasantly surprised that the Anglican Church had forgotten Walsingham, who in turn had never forgotten her. The Viscount could not understand how Cassie's beautiful appearance was inhabited by such a weak mind: he thought that modern advances in medicine might have helped to develop her mind, but, as he became convinced, her father was strongly opposed to the interference of mortals "in the affairs of God". So, the Viscount abandoned the idea, but now wished to help the Glowfords in a material way: when Mr. Morris told him about the dreadful conditions in which the three girls and their father lived, he was simply horrified.

– I beg your pardon, sir, I don't quite understand what you're saying," the pastor interjected, but he realised it was about his family.

– I want to build your family a new and bigger house," said the Viscount bluntly, but he was afraid that the parson would refuse him here too.

– Your kindness knows no bounds, sir. – The parson made a courteous bow. – But I cannot live better than my parishioners: it would be a great sin before them and God. I will wait until Lord Draymore has rebuilt the village, for he has given his word that he will make us all happy.

– Your refusal is understood, Reverend," frowned the Viscount, unpleasantly surprised at the religiosity of this beggarly old man, who did not seem to understand the desperate need for this small and gratuitous favour on his part.

– I thank you for your help and your good endeavours. The Lord sees and will credit them to you when you stand before Him," the pastor said softly, sensing the noble lord's displeasure.

The viscount chuckled a little derisively.

– So, what were you talking to the Count about? – He asked, deciding to switch to a neutral topic.

– Mr. Pilough, the architect, is coming to the village tomorrow. He's going to look round the church and work on a plan to rebuild it, and I have to find volunteers to build it. His Lordship is very kind to us poor people. And he is interested, as you are, in my daughters' health.

'Colin has once again asked about Christine Glowford,' the viscount realised, and thought how the Earl's interest in her might not have caused a tragedy.

– You should guard your daughters: men have a taste for female beauty, and your daughters are very lovely," he warned the parson veiledly.

– 'They are, sir, they are. But I have confidence in my parishioners and their virtue. In all the time I have lived in Walsingham, there has never been a single incident of sinful intercourse or violence. The people here are very honourable to God and His laws. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for vespers.

– Good day, Reverend.

Pastor Glowford left Rivershold, and Viscount Wilworth, displeased at his friend's inquiries about the parson's daughter, and knowing the Earl's amorous nature, went to his study. The Viscount was an honourable man and could not allow Christine to get into trouble, for he could not help seeing his friend's eye on this naive country beauty.

– That parson is a pure soul! – said the count, when he saw his friend enter his study.

– I agree. And you have been enquiring again about his daughter Christine! – The Viscount said reproachfully. – You shouldn't be interested in her.

– I was only politely enquiring about the health of Miss Cassandra and her sisters," Lord Draymore grinned, not the least embarrassed by his friend's words.

He was lying: after the admiring glance Christine had given him, the Count could not help thinking of her; she occupied his thoughts, and it seemed to him that the girl herself was fond of him, for there was something sensual in her gaze. But still he dared not go beyond this mute admiration and his reflections: Christine's low birth was not suitable for a high-born lord like himself.

– I tell you, you draw too much attention to yourself and to her," said the Viscount dryly.

– Yes? But, as far as I know, you are also somewhat interested in this family, especially the youngest," the Count answered him wryly.

– What? Do you suspect me of having a secret passion for poor Miss Cassandra? – The Vicomte was extremely indignant at such a malicious and perverse assumption of the Count. – How could you think such a thing? She is a child!

– Oh, yes, I forgot that you are as noble as King Arthur," said his friend again wryly.

– I'll be damned to say that Miss Cassie did make me sympathise with her! But not the kind of sympathy you have for her sister. My sympathy comes from pity for this sweet sick creature, and I want to help her, to get her into a good institution, to cure her mind a little. Good God, Colin, how perverse you are to think that I am interested in her as a woman! – The viscount was hotly indignant.

There was not a word of falsehood in his speech: no matter how beautiful Cassie's appearance, he saw in her only a sick child in need of an adult's care.

– Dominic, your nobility sometimes makes me mad," said the earl, who felt quite uncomfortable after his friend's sermon. – There's nothing wrong with having a pet.

– Better not to have a pet, but a good wife! – replied the Viscount.

– It is too early for me to marry.

– But I hope marriage will sooner or later rid your mind of filth and low desires.

– I have said before, and I will say it again: I am only interested in this peasant girl as a specimen of beauty. You will not forbid me to admire a woman's beauty, will you? – Looking at his friend, the Count said seriously.

– Of course not. But don't lie: I have known you for a long time and know how to recognise your feelings, – the viscount answered him seriously. – Have pity on the foolish girl: having seduced her, you will soon get fed up with her and leave her, and her life will be broken. You know very well what gossip is, especially gossip in this religion-obsessed village. The poor disgraced girl and her family will be brought to the dust.

– You're right, my friend, absolutely right. But I think I have inadvertently, without wishing it, aroused the girl's feelings for me, and I don't want to burden myself with them. I should leave.

– That is an excellent solution," said the Viscount, without sarcasm.

The Count of Draymore thought seriously about his friend's words. But he feared the consequences, not for Christine, but for his own person and his reputation in high society. The Count thought that the peasant woman might start a rumour that he was in love with her, or worse, so he decided to leave.

– I'll leave tomorrow, but I'll leave Mr. Pilough in charge of the church rebuilding. You can stay here as long as you like," the Count announced his intentions.

– Why should I stay? – The viscount was sincerely surprised at his friend's words.

– But you are interested in the fate of the youngest Glowford, aren't you?

– I am afraid I cannot help her here, but I shall leave Mr. Morris to see to her recovery," said the Viscount. – The pastor stubbornly refuses my help, and I cannot act without his consent.

– Then we leave tomorrow," said the Count of Draymore.

The Count was pleasantly relieved when he realised that he would no longer see the beautiful Christine and, far from temptation, would forget about her.

Viscount Wilworth was also glad to return to London, but for other reasons. Now he was calm for the honour of Christine Glowford, who had had the misfortune to interest his friend. Therefore, the fact that the Count would be away from Walsingham would be signalled by a pleasant necessity for the rescue of this peasant girl. Besides, in London the viscount planned to seek a cure for Cassie, and he was also trivially bored on this remote estate. But he ordered Mr. Morris to send him letters to keep him informed of Miss Cassandra's health.

The Count of Draymore, for his part, obliged Mr. Pilough, the architect, to send him reports of the work done on the church.

The next morning, unnoticed by any of the Walsinghams, the gentlemen left for London.