Page 563 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

up country somewhere,’ he said. ‘Married her assigned ser-
vant, I was told, a fellow named Carr. I haven’t seen her for
years, and don’t know what she may be like now, but in the
days when I knew her she was just what you describe.’ (Let
it be noted that I had described nothing.) ‘She came out in
the ship with me as maid to my wife’s mother.’
It was on the tip of my tongue to say that I had met her,
but I don’t know what induced me to be silent. There are
passages in the lives of men of Captain Frere’s complexion,
which don’t bear descanting on. I expect there have been
in this case, for he changed the subject abruptly, as his wife
came in. Is it possible that these two creatures— the notable
disciplinarian and the wife of the assigned servant— could
have been more than friends in youth? Quite possible. He is
the sort of man for gross amours. (A pretty way I am abus-
ing my host!) And the supple woman with the dark eyes
would have been just the creature to enthral him. Perhaps
some such story as this may account in part for Mrs. Frere’s
sad looks. Why do I speculate on such things? I seem to do
violence to myself and to insult her by writing such suspi-
cions. If I was a Flagellant now, I would don hairshirt and
up flail. ‘For this sort cometh not out but by prayer and fast-
ing.’
April 7th.—Mr. Pounce has arrived—full of the impor-
tance of his mission. He walks with the air of a minister of
state on the eve of a vacant garter, hoping, wondering, fear-
ing, and dignified even in his dubitancy. I am as flippant
as a school-girl concerning this fatuous official, and yet—
Heaven knows—I feel deeply enough the importance of the

For the Term of His Natural Life