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- 6. Salesforce B2C Solution Architect's Handbook Copyright © 2023 Packt Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles or reviews. Every effort has been made in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. However, the information contained in this book is sold without warranty, either express or implied. Neither the author, nor Packt Publishing, and its dealers and distributors will be held liable for any damages caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this book. Packt Publishing has endeavored to provide trademark information about all of the companies and products mentioned in this book by the appropriate use of capitals. However, Packt Publishing cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information. Early Access Publication: Salesforce B2C Solution Architect's Handbook Early Access Production Reference: B19365 Published by Packt Publishing Ltd. Livery Place 35 Livery Street Birmingham
- 7. B3 2PB, UK ISBN: 978-1-80461-990-2 www.packt.com
- 8. Table of Contents 1. Salesforce B2C Solution Architect's Handbook, Second Edition: Leverage Salesforce to create scalable and cohesive business-to- consumer experiences 2. 1 De-Mystifying Salesforce I. Join our book community on Discord II. Learning the language: Salesforce, Customer 360, and Salesforce Genie i. Lightning Platform ii. Salesforce Ecosystem iii. Customer 360 evolution iv. Salesforce Genie v. B2C Solution Architecture focus areas III. Lightning Platform i. Salesforce Orgs ii. Data model iii. Security iv. User experience customization v. Flow vi. Approval Processes vii. AppExchange viii. Reports and Dashboards IV. Additional technology stacks i. Lightning Platform and beyond ii. Solution Architecture methodology V. Acquisitions and legacy terminology VI. Summary VII. Questions VIII. Answers IX. Further reading 3. 2 Supporting Your Customers with Service Cloud I. Join our book community on Discord
- 9. II. Service Cloud capabilities i. Service Cloud editions ii. Service Console iii. Customer support iv. Knowledge v. Service Contracts and Entitlements vi. Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) vii. Omni-Channel III. Service Cloud Data Model i. Lightning Platform data model review ii. Additional Objects IV. Service Cloud APIs and Integrations i. Available APIs ii. Which API do I use? iii. File-based integrations iv. Data import and export capabilities v. Outgoing Requests V. Service Cloud request limits and allocations i. Salesforce licenses and editions ii. Capability capacity limitations iii. Total API allocations iv. API usage monitoring and enforcement v. API access and connected apps vi. Feature allocation limits vii. Data and file storage allocations VI. Summary VII. Questions VIII. Further Reading 4. 3 Direct-to-Consumer Selling with Commerce Cloud B2C I. Join our book community on Discord II. B2C Commerce capabilities i. Customer experience options ii. Roles and access iii. Merchant tools iv. Admin tools III. B2C Commerce data model
- 10. i. Realms, instances, and sites ii. Designing data sharing solutions iii. System Objects iv. Custom Objects v. Packt Gear B2C Commerce data model IV. B2C Commerce APIs and integrations i. Feed-based integration support ii. Job framework iii. Account Manager iv. Open Commerce API (OCAPI) v. Salesforce Commerce APIs (SCAPI) vi. Integration points V. B2C Commerce quotas and governance i. API and Object quotas overview ii. Key solution design quotas VI. B2C Commerce Partner Marketplace VII. Commerce Cloud product family i. Order Management ii. Omnichannel Inventory iii. Salesforce Commerce iv. Commerce Marketplace v. Loyalty Management vi. Commerce Payments VIII. Summary IX. Questions 5. 4 Engaging Customers with Marketing Cloud I. Join our book community on Discord II. Marketing Cloud components i. Marketing Cloud Engagement Components ii. Marketing Cloud Intelligence iii. Marketing Cloud Personalization iv. Salesforce CDP v. Marketing Cloud Account Engagement III. Marketing Cloud Engagement capabilities i. Email management ii. Journey orchestration
- 11. iii. Cloud Pages iv. Programmatic customization IV. Marketing Cloud Engagement data model i. Lists ii. Data Extensions iii. Data Designer iv. Business Units v. Suppression vi. Segmentation V. Marketing Cloud Engagement APIs and integrations i. Feed file-based integrations ii. API Integrations iii. Productized integration iv. Importing data into a Data Extension v. Marketing Cloud Engagement SDKs VI. Marketing Cloud Engagement design considerations i. Marketing Cloud Engagement edition constraints ii. Data import volumes VII. Putting it all together VIII. Summary IX. Further Reading X. Questions XI. Answers 6. 6 Salesforce Ecosystem – Building a Complete Solution I. Join our book community on Discord II. Experience Cloud and content management i. Experience Cloud ii. Content Management System III. Order Management, Payments, Loyalty, and B2B i. Order Management ii. Commerce Marketplace iii. Salesforce Payments iv. Loyalty Management v. Salesforce B2B Commerce Lightning IV. Enterprise CRM with Sales, CPQ, and Billing i. Sales Cloud
- 12. ii. CPQ and Billing V. Enterprise analytics with Tableau i. Tableau Integration ii. CRM Analytics VI. MuleSoft and Heroku in Customer 360 i. MuleSoft in Customer 360 ii. Heroku in Customer 360 VII. Packt Gear solution VIII. Summary IX. Questions X. Answers 7. 6 Role of a Solution Architect I. Join our book community on Discord II. Role of a B2C Solution Architect i. Architect team responsibilities III. Stakeholders i. The full team ii. Alignment on goals iii. Stakeholder interviews IV. Project sequencing i. Building a firm foundation ii. Evaluating next steps iii. Business case breakdown V. Architecture deliverables i. System overview diagram ii. Data mapping iii. Sequence diagram iv. Technical specification documents VI. The Packt Gear Team VII. Summary VIII. Questions IX. Answers 8. 7 Integration Architecture Options I. Join our book community on Discord II. Cross-cloud application development lifecycle i. Service Cloud application development lifecycle
- 13. ii. B2C Commerce application development lifecycle iii. Marketing Cloud Engagement application development lifecycle iv. Integrated B2C solution application development lifecycle III. Point-to-point integrations i. Prescriptive approach ii. Productized point-to-point integrations iii. B2C CRM Sync iv. Marketing Cloud Connect v. Commerce and Marketing Connector IV. Integration middleware i. When to explore integration middleware ii. Integration middleware and the point-to-point connectors iii. Advantages of MuleSoft iv. Leveraging MuleSoft in a B2C solution V. Single source of truth i. Incorporating a single source of truth ii. Leveraging Heroku VI. The Packt Gear approach VII. Summary VIII. Questions IX. Further reading X. Answers 9. 9 Creating a 360° View of the Customer I. Join our book community on Discord II. Identifying the customer i. Service Cloud customer identifiers ii. B2C Commerce customer identifiers iii. Marketing Cloud Engagement customer identifiers iv. Cross-cloud customer identification III. Mastering customer data i. Evaluating business needs ii. Cross-cloud customer data mapping iii. Data privacy and consent management
- 14. iv. Handling legacy data IV. 360° view of the customer i. Experience delivery maturity ii. Recognizing customers as humans V. Seamless identity VI. The Packt Gear approach VII. Summary VIII. Questions IX. Answers X. Further reading 10. 10 Supporting Key Business Scenarios I. Join our book community on Discord II. Multi-Cloud use case solution kits i. Customer 360 Guide for Retail ii. Solution kits III. Integrating chat bots and agent supported chat i. Supported use cases ii. Extend the chat solution architecture iii. Extending the chat workflow iv. Additional chat design considerations v. Chat configuration extensions vi. Chat modifications for B2C CRM Sync IV. Capturing revenue with abandonment journeys i. Abandoned cart workflow ii. Abandoned cart data model iii. Collect.js for abandonment scenarios iv. Guided hike abandonment tracking v. Rebuilding the customer’s cart V. Summary VI. Questions VII. Answers 11. 11 Enterprise Integration Strategies I. Join our book community on Discord II. Multi-Org, realm, and business unit scenarios i. Component product scopes and structures ii. Solution design considerations
- 15. iii. Enterprise data management III. Point-to-point integration impacts i. Multi-Org with Marketing Cloud Engagement ii. Implications for B2C CRM Sync iii. B2C Commerce and Marketing Cloud Engagement IV. Enterprise integration using middleware i. Virtualizing data access at scale ii. Aggregating data through services V. Integrations beyond Salesforce i. External customer data sources ii. External system integration points iii. External integrations through middleware VI. Monitoring the solution i. Log file aggregation ii. Integration middleware iii. Manual approaches iv. Custom solution VII. Summary VIII. Questions IX. Answers X. Further reading
- 16. Salesforce B2C Solution Architect's Handbook, Second Edition: Leverage Salesforce to create scalable and cohesive business-to- consumer experiences Welcome to Packt Early Access. We’re giving you an exclusive preview of this book before it goes on sale. It can take many months to write a book, but our authors have cutting-edge information to share with you today. Early Access gives you an insight into the latest developments by making chapter drafts available. The chapters may be a little rough around the edges right now, but our authors will update them over time. You can dip in and out of this book or follow along from start to finish; Early Access is designed to be flexible. We hope you enjoy getting to know more about the process of writing a Packt book. 1. Chapter 1: Demystifying Salesforce, Customer 360, and Digital 360 2. Chapter 2: Supporting Your Customers with Service Cloud 3. Chapter 3: Direct-to-Consumer Selling with Commerce Cloud B2C 4. Chapter 4: Engaging Customers with Marketing Cloud 5. Chapter 5: Know Your Customer with Customer Data Platform (CDP) 6. Chapter 6: Salesforce Ecosystem – Building a Complete Solution 7. Chapter 7: Role of a Solution Architect 8. Chapter 8: Integration Architecture Options 9. Chapter 9: Creating a 360° View of the Customer
- 17. 10. Chapter 10: Supporting Key Business Scenarios 11. Chapter 11: Enterprise Integration Strategies 12. Chapter 12: Exam Preparation Tools and Techniques 13. Chapter 13: Prerequisite Certifications 14. Chapter 14: Commerce and Integration 15. Chapter 15: Certification Scenarios 16. Chapter 16: Assessments
- 19. Join our book community on Discord https://packt.link/businesscenter Salesforce, Customer 360, Einstein, Salesforce Genie, Commerce Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing, CRM, CDP, CMS, OMS starting to feel a bit lost? Getting the terminology right is the first step in designing effective solutions that leverage the Salesforce ecosystem. That means knowing the difference between products built on the Salesforce Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Platform, like Sales Cloud and Service Cloud, and products built on separate technology platforms, like B2C Commerce and most of Marketing Cloud. In this chapter, we’ll be untangling the key terms you’ll encounter in marketing materials, sales cycles, and throughout the Salesforce product documentation so you can have meaningful conversations with clients or internal stakeholders. We’ll then cover some things you need to know about the Lightning Platform, before moving on to a few other critical technologies that have been added to the Salesforce family of products. The goal here isn’t to go too deep into any of these technologies - we’ll be covering several in more depth in following chapters - but to refine our language and establish a
- 20. Other documents randomly have different content
- 21. Still for a moment he wavered in doubt. “And if I comply, sir, with your request,” he said slowly, “what guarantee have I that this lady shall suffer no harm?” “My word of honour, sir,” I answered quietly. “Honour?” my lady cried quickly. “If you look for aught of honour from this gentleman, I warn you that you will look in vain!” “I thank you for your good opinion of me, madam,” I answered calmly, “which, coming from your ladyship, was such as I should have expected. And I can the more readily overlook your words, since I know how inopportune must be my presence. But I think that for the present it is for me to command and for you to obey.” “I waited a moment, but she did not speak. She only looked at me. Yet that look hurt me more than words. Despite my assumed air of carelessness, the scorn and loathing in her eyes made me wince. “And I will give your ladyship a word of future advice,” I continued with a sneer. “Open windows consort ill with conspiracy!” “I trust, sir, that you do not include me in that category,” the colonel broke in suddenly, “for I think that you have no evidence to support such an assertion.” “No evidence at all,” the stout man cried, recovering somewhat from his first shock of surprise. Though if ever conscious guilt looked out of a man’s eyes, it was in his, and his twitching lip belied his air of assurance. “Not a shadow of it!” he continued, growing bolder at the sound of his own voice. “And if you were listening, captain, you heard what I was saying. As a magistrate of this country it is my duty—hum!—strictly in the interests of government to acquaint myself with the opinions of the most influential families. Had you delayed your appearance a moment longer, you would have heard the measures I was about to take to—hum!—counteract the scheme of this misguided lady!” “As to that,” I replied—and I could afford to forgive him his cowardice—for the man was playing into my hands, “I am willing to
- 22. take your word for it, Mr.——?” “Wetherell,” he answered—“Nicholas Wetherell, at your service. I am well known, sir! I believe that I can honestly say,” he added pompously, “that I am a man of some weight in the city of Exeter.” I looked him steadily in the face. “I do not doubt it,” I answered quietly. The young baronet gave a short laugh and the colonel’s mouth writhed itself into a grim smile. Nay, for a moment even I thought that my lady’s face relaxed somewhat; but, meeting my eyes, she stiffened again into her old mask of scorn. “Yet I do not know, Mr. Wetherell,” I continued dryly, “that the government would entirely approve of your method of obtaining information.” “There is no more loyal subject, sir, in England than I!” he cried hastily. “Indeed,” I answered, “I think that your loyalty, sir, is as strong as your courage!” “And I trust that the latter does not need to be questioned, captain,” he blustered. “It does not!” I replied, with I fear some of the contempt I felt for the man appearing in my voice. “But I will put your loyalty to the test. You have wine there,” I continued, stepping to the table, the whilst they watched me in silence. “As loyal subjects, therefore, you will not refuse to join me in drinking a toast.” I slowly filled four glasses, three of which I placed in the centre of the table. “Gentlemen,” I cried clearly, raising the fourth, “to the health of his Majesty, King William!” For it may be ten seconds they sat silent. The room was very still. I gazed full at my lady where she stood upon the hearth. She was
- 23. leaning slightly forward, her hands pressed against her bosom, watching the scene before her with fascinated eyes. It was a battle of our wills and I had won! Suddenly the stout man stretched out a shaking hand. “To the health of King William, sir!” he cried quickly, all the more anxious to make up for his first slight hesitation. “I desire no better toast.” And he drained his glass. “Nor I also,” said the colonel more slowly. “To King William, sir! I wish him success in his campaign!” But I noticed that he avoided meeting my lady’s eyes. I turned to the young baronet. And here I expected trouble. “Sir Rupert Courtenay,” I said quietly, “it is your turn!” For a moment he hesitated, and I saw a quick glance pass between him and my lady. Then, to my surprise, he gave a light laugh and raised his glass. “I drink to the king!” he cried clearly, with a defiant look at me. I noted mentally his reservation, and I knew whom he meant. But it was not my cue to quarrel with him. I was more than content with my victory. “Good!” I said aloud, following his example. “That is sufficient, sir!” and I replaced my glass upon the table. “I will not detain you longer, gentlemen,” I added. “I have already said that for reasons of my own I am willing to overlook your presence here. Whether I take further steps in the matter will depend entirely upon your future conduct. But for the present, gentlemen, there is the door. I should recommend you to take your departure with all speed. The night air is somewhat chilly!” And they needed no further urging. Without a word the stout man replaced his wig upon his head and, catching up his hat, started for the door. Perhaps he feared that I might yet repent my clemency. And the colonel was not slow to follow his example. True, he had the
- 24. decency first to turn to my lady, as if to make his adieux; but one glance at her rigid figure and burning eyes was sufficient for him. “This comes of having a woman in it,” he said shortly, turning on his heel and leaving the room. I glanced at my lady. Her head was bent. I could not see her face. Suddenly, with a quick, defiant movement she upraised it, tossing the hair from her forehead. “Cousin Rupert,” she cried proudly, “your arm!” The young baronet hastened to do her bidding, and she moved by me, drawing her scented skirts aside, lest they should touch me in passing. At the door, still with her hand upon his arm, she turned. “You have beaten me twice, sir,” she said, in a voice trembling with passion. “For your own sake beware of the third time!” And she swept out.
- 25. CHAPTER VI OF HOW I PLAYED KNIGHT-ERRANT, AND OF MY LADY’S GRATITUDE When my lady had left the room and the swish of her silken skirts had ceased I hastened to take my departure, for I did not doubt that if it was discovered I had come alone and that the troopers of whose presence I had talked so glibly existed only in my own imagination, her ladyship would take active measures for the recovery of the paper in my possession. I stepped through the window, therefore, and sought the spot where I had left my horse. I took the bridle in my hand, and, avoiding the avenue leading to the gates, led him through the tangled undergrowth until we came out, some hundred yards below, upon the road. Here I halted and looked back. There was no sound to break the stillness save the soft sighing of the night wind in the branches overhead. At my feet the white road stretched away into the night, silent and lonely. I lost no time, therefore, in mounting, and a few minutes later, without molestation, reached the village. As I rode up the main street I saw that the troopers had quartered themselves upon the inhabitants; for a dozen or more were lounging in the open doorways upon either side of the road, who upon catching sight of my face, stiffened their backs and saluted me as I passed. Before the inn itself a noisier group were gathered, whose laughter and jests died away for a moment as I dismounted, to again break out with renewed clamour when I had crossed the threshold.
- 26. Calling for a light, I made my way to the little chamber that I had previously occupied. Carefully fastening the door behind me and satisfying myself that I was indeed alone, I set the candle upon the little table and drew the precious paper from my breast—the paper big with the fate of my lady’s freedom! Perhaps in the temper of the times her life! For I well knew that in the nation’s present state of panic the government would have little consideration and respect for either rank or sex. And ’twas well known that the Earl of Ingram was one of James’s most trusted councillors. The paper itself was a small sheet of coarse white parchment and was folded into three. As I stood turning it over in my hands, on a sudden my lady’s face seemed to confront me. Again I went over the scene so lately enacted, again I heard her clear voice raised in pleading, and moved by some impulse of I know not what, I laid the paper unopened upon the table, and with the candle in my hand I went down on my knees upon the dusty floor. Presently in the corner of the room farthest from the window I found that which I sought—a loosened board. With the aid of my sword I raised one end of this, and in the cavity beneath I slipped the fateful parchment, replacing afterwards the board and removing all traces of my handiwork. It was not until this was accomplished that I breathed more freely, and I sought my couch with a distinctly lighter heart. It was late next morning when I awoke, and the bright June sunshine was streaming into the room through the little latticed window. I dressed hastily and descended to the inn parlour, where I found the two cornets already at the table. During the meal I gathered from Cornet Graham some information respecting Cleeve. The village itself and the surrounding farms belonging to the Ingram family contained some eight hundred inhabitants; but of this number, fully two hundred—being the young and able-bodied men— were serving under the earl in Ireland. Of the remaining number
- 27. some eighty only were males, and these the greybeards or youths too young to endure the arduous duties of the Irish campaign. When I had made myself acquainted with such gossip as he had at his command, I gave the cornets their orders for the day, and returning to my room, arrayed myself in full uniform. Also whilst in London I had taken the opportunity of visiting a tailor’s shop in the Haymarket and purchasing to myself sundry little fripperies of attire, such as a lace cravat and fashionable peruke, the which I smiled at myself for donning. Nevertheless, I was minded to look my best when I again presented myself at Cleeve. My vanity satisfied, I made my way to the stables, and mounting my horse, set out for the manor. Evidently my arrival had been expected, and my lady had given her orders as to my future treatment; for as I reined in my horse and dismounted before the door, of a sudden it opened, and the steward came to the head of the steps. Behind him I caught a glimpse of a little group of servants, most of whom were women, who regarded me with feminine curiosity. “Is it your pleasure to enter, sir?” said the steward respectfully, though the sullen hate in his eyes belied his deferential manner. “And my horse?” I said curtly, ascending the steps. “Shall be looked to, never fear,” he replied; then, raising his voice: “Martin!” he cried; and at his call the youth who had accompanied him upon the ride to Exeter came slowly forward from the group behind. “Take this gentleman’s horse to the stables.” “And see that he lacks for nothing,” I said grimly, “or you will regret it, my friend!” For I had not forgotten this same youth’s insolence to me upon the road, and I was determined to show these people that for the present, at least, I was their master. When he had moved away, muttering and cursing to himself, I followed the steward to the dining hall, which I have previously
- 28. described. Everything in it was as I had seen it upon my first arrival, only the room was empty. “My lady is out?” I said carelessly. “No,” the steward answered slowly; “she is not out, but——” “She is not desirous of seeing me, you would say?” I answered quickly. “Be frank, man! I understand. And for the present it is a matter of indifference to me, as I intend to make myself acquainted with the gardens and the cliffs adjoining. But you will prepare a room for me,” I continued, watching him out of the corner of my eye; “and also inform your mistress that I dine at noon, and must then request their ladyships’ presence.” The start he gave did not escape me. “My ladies will dine with you?” he stammered. “Certainly,” I replied harshly. “Is there any reason why they should not? Or does it require another necklet to teach you that I am a man to be obeyed?” And with this parting shot I left him. At the threshold of the room I turned. He still stood in the centre of the floor, apparently bereft of speech. “The hour is noon,” I said quietly, “and I beg that they will not keep me waiting.” Arrived in the open air, for the first time I remembered that I had not as yet seen the gigantic figure of Sampson Dare; and encountering the youth Martin, I asked what had become of him. He looked up for a moment from his task. “He is not here,” he said, scowling. “I asked you where he was,” I answered dryly. “In London, then, if it will please you,” he retorted sullenly. “Ah!” was all I said in reply. And turning on my heel, I left him. But I understood perfectly upon what errand the man had gone, and I saw by this, even if I had not received ample proof already, that my
- 29. lady was not a woman to let the grass grow under her feet. Doubtless she had powerful friends in London whom she trusted to interest government on her behalf. If so, I thought, time alone will show whether her confidence was misplaced. For the present, at least, I held the winning cards. From the stables I took the first broad path, and finally came to the cliffs, where I stumbled upon the little path which we had ascended fourteen days previously in the darkness and storm. And the longer I looked at it, the more I wondered that our attempt on such a night had not ended in disaster. Even by daylight it was no pleasant task to tread the narrow ledge, as I discovered for myself when I essayed to make the descent. No pleasant knowledge, that a single slip or a momentary giddiness would precipitate me into the sapphire sea, slumbering peacefully a hundred feet below. Nevertheless, I persevered in the attempt, and in due time reached the beach. On the flat slab of rock at the bottom of the steps I paused. The tide was fast coming in, and the first waves were gently rocking the boat, that still lay where we had before seen it, in the little bay beneath the cliff. The sun beat fiercely down upon my head and sparkled upon the crests of the waves, until the whole surface of the water resembled a sea of burnished silver. Presently my eyes lighted upon something that roused in me a momentary curiosity. The beach, as I have previously said, was composed of small, grey pebbles; but about ten feet from the foot of the cliff lay a patch of hard sand, some twelve feet square, its smooth, yellow surface showing plainer by reason of the slate-coloured shingle surrounding it. How it had come in such a place was beyond my imagination to fathom. For some minutes I stood gazing over the sea; then, turning, I retraced my steps, and passing idly through the sunlit gardens, reached the house.
- 30. It wanted a few minutes to the hour when I entered the dining hall, and I saw that my instructions had been obeyed. In the centre of the room, a table, laden with massive silver plate, had been set out for three. I laid aside my hat and sword and waited for my guests’ appearance with a heart that beat more rapidly than was its wont. Nevertheless, it was five minutes past the hour of noon when the steward appeared in the doorway. “How is this?” I said curtly. “You carried my message?” “My ladies would know if you command their presence?” he answered slowly. “Aye,” I cried impatiently. “Command them, then, in the devil’s name!” “I will not fail to give them your orders,” he retorted quickly, and was gone ere I could make reply. And presently they came. Long ere they entered the room I heard the soft rustling of their gowns and the click of their heels upon the polished oaken floor. The younger sister’s face was pale, with a certain shrinking timidity in the covert glance she stole at me. My lady’s face was stone, and her eyes were hard and glittering. I bowed low to them on their entering, a salute which the younger woman returned with a slight acknowledgment, and which my lady totally ignored. When they had seated themselves opposite me, and the steward had placed the covers upon the table, I lost some of my original nervousness in fulfilling the civilities of the table. And I strove to appear entirely at my ease, praising the beauty of the gardens and the cooking of the dishes before us. But to all my conversation—nay, even to direct questions, the younger woman replied only in monosyllables—my lady not at all.
- 31. And they made no pretence of eating what I pressed upon them. Stately and still, they sat and looked at me. And gradually I froze! They could not have hit upon a better device whereby to unnerve me. Minute by minute, try as I would, my assumed air of assurance left me. Beneath the gaze of my lady’s scornful eyes, of her rigid figure and curled lip—that all proclaimed my presence as pollution—I felt the hot blood mantling to my brow, and the words died stammering from my tongue. I strove to gather courage from the wine before me, and my hand was shaking. Presently I could bear it no longer, and I pushed my plate from me and rose to my feet. “If you would prefer for the future to dine alone, madam,” I said sullenly, “you have my permission to do so.” “I thank you for the concession, sir,” my lady said coldly; “which, being prisoners, we have no right to expect. Also as our jailer,” she continued with bitter emphasis, “is it permitted us to take our daily ride alone?” “Certainly,” I answered; though the scathing contempt in her voice and eyes made me wince. “I see no reason against your doing so! And believe me, madam,” I continued earnestly, “excepting in so far as my duty here compels me, I have no desire to interfere with your actions or restrain your freedom.” Yet I might have spared myself the confession, for without a word of thanks from either of them they moved away. “And one word more, madam,” I continued, as they reached the doorway; “the paper——?” and I hesitated. My lady turned quickly at the words. “The paper which you stole, sir?” she said coldly. “Which I—— You use a harsh phrase, madam,” I answered irrelevantly, advancing a few paces nearer to her. On a sudden I was minded to prove to her that she was unjust to me—to shame her for
- 32. her words. “I had no wish,” I continued in a low voice, “to use it to your injury, my lady, and so——” “You can spare me further, sir!” she interrupted icily. “Your insolence I can bear for the present, but not your hypocrisy. That you are present here to-day is insult enough to my womanhood; for the rest, I pray you keep as far from me as the limits of this house permit.” For a moment I stood before her tongue-tied and trembling. Then: “Very well, madam,” I said harshly. “As you please! I was about to say that this paper is no longer in my possession, but in the hands of those who will make ruthless use of it should any accident befall me! I am aware that the cliffs of Cleeve are dangerous,” I added meaningly; and with a bow I went back to my seat. But alone with my thoughts, I cursed the foolishness that had led me to demand their presence, and I laid the humiliation I felt at my lady’s door. Bah! ’twas a pitiful little triumph, and one worthy of her! As I recalled the look that had shone in her eyes I bit my lip savagely and strove with what appetite I could rally to complete my meal. But the taste had gone from the dishes, the wine was sour. Presently, in sheer ill humour with things in general, and with my lady in particular, I rose from the table, and making my way to the stables, mounted my horse and set out for the village. Arrived there, I assembled the astonished troopers, and there for an hour I drilled them in the little square before the inn. And well for the knaves that they gave me no offence upon which to vent my rage, for it would have gone hard with the offender, whomsoever he might have been. It was whilst engaged in this duty that I became aware of the clatter of a horse’s hoofs approaching rapidly down the village street, and looked up to meet my lady’s scornful eyes, a smile of disdain upon her lips. ’Twas but a moment’s glimpse I gained of her, the next and she had passed; but for me the pleasure had gone from my task and again
- 33. my thoughts were embittered. Accordingly I dismissed the men somewhat curtly, and turning my horse’s head, rode past the church in the direction which my lady had taken. I went at a foot pace, however, for I had no desire to overtake the woman in front; at the same time, I was minded to ride as far as Cleevesborough, the tall hill rising to the south of the village. To overtake her? My faith, no! Henceforth I would avoid her and so follow her advice. At the foot of the hill I fastened my horse to a straggling thorn bush and ascended the rest of the way on foot. From the summit I glanced below me. Some two miles distant my lady showed as a rapidly moving speck upon the ribbon of white road that wound down the valley. A mile or so beyond her I could distinguish the upper portion of a large black- timbered mansion rising above the surrounding trees. Long after she had disappeared beneath the latter, I still remained upon the summit of the hill, admiring the beauty of the scene. At length I descended to where I had left my horse, and mounting, rode slowly down to the level of the road. Arrived there, however, I determined that I would not return by the way that I had come, but would strike inland and make my way in a half circle back to Cleeve. With this intention I crossed the road and entered the trees upon the opposite side. I found that these did not continue for more than a few hundred yards, giving place to a succession of little grass- grown hollows, covered with sparse, brown bracken, and here and there a scattered boulder breaking through the coarse turf. In most of these depressions were pools of stagnant water and patches of black bogland that required some caution in avoiding, so that it was not without satisfaction that about a mile farther I came upon a path. It was a mere bridle track running down the centre of the hollow, and was little used, as I saw at once by the marks of the hoof prints upon its surface, which were fully a week old. I set my face in the direction of Cleeve, and the sorrel broke into a trot. The track led from hollow to hollow, some broad, some narrow, and for the most part with marshy, reed-grown ground on either side.
- 34. I rode with slackened rein, my hat pressed low upon my brow, and I gave myself up to my thoughts—thoughts in which my lady strangely mingled. The sun beat down with almost tropical heat upon me; and what little wind there had been on the uplands above was here shut out by the slopes upon either side. How far I had proceeded thus I do not know, for lulled by the rhythmic stroke of my horse’s hoofs, with half-closed eyes I took no account of time. On a sudden the sorrel stopped with a jerk that all but unseated me. Then he commenced to back, and I felt his flanks quiver. In an instant I was alert, and I searched the pathway in front with my eyes, thinking perhaps some viper or creature of the bog had startled him. But I could see nothing. Slipping from the saddle, therefore, I soothed the frightened animal as best I could, and glanced keenly around me. I was in a deeper depression than any I had as yet traversed—a circular, cup-shaped hollow, its sides sloping some quarter of a mile to the ridge above. In front of me stretched the path, to right and left of it patches of bogland, its black surface covered with slime and green water-weed. Stay, was it the path? I bent and gazed fixedly at the track before me, then, unbuckling my sword, I slowly advanced, probing the ground in front of me. At the sixth step my sword encountered no resistance. I drew back with a shudder, and, despite the heat of the day, a cold chill ran down my back. Again I tested the spot with my sword. The green mass quivered at my touch, but there was no solid ground, and in a moment the truth flashed upon me. The bog upon the right, which stretched some distance up the slope, had slipped, undermining the path, which at a casual glance still retained its ordinary appearance by reason of the green entangled weed floating upon its stagnant surface. Never had Nature cunningly concealed a man-trap more treacherous. But for my horse’s sagacity I should have been—pah!
- 35. the very thought of sinking slowly beneath the noisome ooze made me shudder. I turned away, and taking the bridle rein in my hand, I skirted round the smaller patch of bogland on the left and regained the track beyond. Arrived there, however, I did not at once ride forward. On the contrary, I retraced my steps to the brink of the bog, for I was minded to see how far the pathway was undermined. To the spot where I had stood before upon the opposite side was, as near as I could judge, some fifteen feet. I cast about for some means of warning travellers of their danger; but there was nothing but the bare hillside around me, and with a shrug I turned away. After all, what concern was it of mine? Resolving, however, for the future to take to the ridges and to avoid the low-lying ground, I remounted my horse and headed straight for the top of the hollow, some quarter of a mile distant. I had all but reached the summit of the slope when a dull sound struck upon my ear—the regular thud, thud of a horse’s hoofs and of a horse ridden at speed. I drew rein in idle curiosity as to who the rider might be in such an unfrequented spot. Nearer and nearer came the sound behind me, and a minute or so later the horse and its rider flashed into sight. It was my lady herself! My lady mounted on the chestnut mare that I had so admired. And in a moment I understood. The green track that had nearly proved fatal to me led to the mansion I had seen from the summit of Cleevesborough, the smooth turf forming a more pleasant bridle path to the village than the dusty road. Along this pathway my lady was sweeping at full gallop, was sweeping to the death that lurked below! And I hated her! But even as the thought came to me I gathered up the reins, drove in my spurs, and in a moment I was thundering down the slope. Even now, though years have lapsed, how the memory of that ride comes back to me!
- 36. Less than a quarter of a mile distant, at right angles to me, and somewhat nearer than I to the green pitfall below, came the chestnut at full gallop, spurning the ground from beneath her flying hoofs. And with a certain shrinking of the heart I could in nowise account for, moment by moment I realised that the sorrel I bestrode was no match for the more thoroughbred and lighter weight of the animal before me. And seeing this, I rose in my stirrups and shouted. It may have been that my words were drowned in the thunder of our galloping hoofs. It may be, seeing that it was I—nay, more likely, I thought bitterly, because it was I—my lady took no heed. And in my heart I cursed the wilfulness of this woman who would take naught from me, not even words of warning. Yet this very wilfulness made me but the more resolved to save her—to save her at all hazards! I settled myself, therefore, more firmly in the saddle, and the race continued. And now less than two hundred yards divided us—two hundred yards and the morass between. Also, now that I was nearer, I realised that for once I had done my lady an injustice, and that the animal beneath her was far beyond her control. So clear, indeed, was the air, so brilliant the glaring light, that I could mark the chestnut’s straining eyes and the white foam flying from her lips—aye, and I could clearly distinguish the outline of my lady’s graceful figure as she rose and fell to the mare’s stride —could see the dainty head and glowing cheek, the proud, oval face, and the stray tresses of golden hair escaping from beneath her grey-velvet riding hat. And now she was but forty yards distant from the brink, and spur as I would, the sorrel might do no more. Again I rose in my stirrups. “For God’s sake, beware of the bog, madam!” I shouted, pointing to the ground between us. “Turn to the left! To the left!” For I saw that her only chance lay in skirting round the smaller patch as I had previously done. And now, indeed, despite her contempt for me, something in my voice must have attracted my lady’s attention, and, accustomed as she was to the nature of the surrounding country,
- 37. her quick eyes discerned her danger; for I saw her throw her whole weight upon the left rein. But it was too late, nothing could stop the chestnut now, and seeing this, my lady abandoned the attempt, and arriving at the brink, she lifted the mare with her hand and essayed the leap instead. For a moment, as she rose into the air, I closed my eyes, and but opened them upon hearing the dull thud with which the mare alighted in safety upon the near side. Not quite, for her hind feet striking upon the very edge of the path, the soft, spongy turf gave way beneath the shock, and she rolled back into the bog. Yet my lady was safe. Even in mid air she had freed her foot from the stirrup, and as the mare struck the ground she sprang clear—to fall, indeed, upon her hands and knees on the soft turf a dozen paces distant. A moment later I reached the spot and flung myself from the saddle. My lady had already regained her feet. “You are not hurt, madam?” I cried anxiously, forgetful for the moment of the hatred between us. She did not answer me. No doubt the fall had dazed her. Instead, she turned in the direction of her horse and took two steps forward. But I was too quick for her. “Have a care, madam!” I cried, barring her further progress. “This is no woman’s task, and the ground is dangerous. Trust me,” I continued earnestly, “to do all that is possible to save your favourite.” I turned from her as I spoke and made my way to the edge of the bog. With eyes dilated with terror and blood-red nostrils distended, the mare still struggled to regain her footing. At no little risk to myself of being drawn into the bog, I succeeded at length in laying hold of the rein, and I drove my heels into the turf and exerted all my strength —aye, till the muscles of my back and arms cracked beneath the
- 38. strain—in a vain endeavour to assist her efforts. But though her forefeet, indeed, rested upon the more solid ground, her struggles were growing fainter and she was sinking rapidly. I saw that it was a question of moments only, and there was but one expedient. Loosing hold of the rein with my right hand, I drew my sword and thrust her lightly in the breast. At the touch of the steel she gave a snort of mingled pain and terror and rose from her knees. Her hoofs caught, slipped upon the soft, wet turf, caught again as I threw my weight into the scale, and the next moment I was on my back upon the grass, and the hollow spun round me in a golden mist. ’Twas but a second or two I lay there, however, for the mare’s head had caught me fairly in the chest and the breath was gone from my body. Then I slowly rose to my feet and turned to look behind me. Twenty paces away my lady stood soothing the frightened animal, that now stood quivering with terror from head to foot. I approached her slowly, with a feeling of exultation in my breast. For had I not proved my words to her and succeeded? Had I not by service rendered placed her in my debt? Surely I had earned this woman’s gratitude, and I would take it as my just reward. She did not look at me as I approached. Instead, she drew a snow-white kerchief from the bosom of her gown and with ostentatious care began to staunch the blood that welled from the wound I had inflicted upon the mare’s breast. One might almost have supposed that she thought more of this slight wound than if the animal itself had been engulfed. Three paces from her was a large flat boulder, one of many that lay scattered upon the turf. By the side of this I halted. Still she did not turn her head. Her hat had fallen back, revealing the tresses of golden hair straying in wild disorder upon her neck. I had leisure to observe more closely the exquisite symmetry of her figure, displayed as it was to its best advantage by the tight-fitting riding coat she wore. Feeling, I suppose, my eyes upon her, she deliberately turned her back on me and continued her task as before. I waited two—three—
- 39. minutes, still she did not speak. “Am I to have no thanks, madam?” I said at length in a low voice. “It was a praiseworthy action,” she answered icily; “and as such doubtless carries its own reward.” On a sudden my exultation vanished at her words. It was borne in on me that she would rather have been beholden to the meanest beggar upon the road than to me. Yet I would not be discouraged so easily. Again I broke the silence: “I do not think that the animal is much hurt, madam,” I said humbly. “’Tis but a flesh wound at most. Nevertheless, in case of further mishap, may I be permitted to return with you?” And then indeed she looked at me. “The road is public property, I believe, sir!” she replied in the same icy tone. “And I cannot prevent you, if you force your presence on me. But if you were anything but what you are—if you laid any pretence to being a gentleman, you would spare me the loathing of your company!” I fell back then, indeed, as if she had struck me, and without a word in reply I returned slowly to the sorrel’s side and made pretence of tightening the girths with fingers that were trembling. This was her gratitude! This my reward! Yet I consoled myself with the thought that even yet she would be obliged to seek my assistance in remounting, and I determined that I would not be the one to again make advances. But I did not know my lady, nor had I taken into consideration the fact of the boulders scattered plentifully around. As with my back to her I fumbled at my saddle, I heard the mare’s footsteps receding; and, turning sharply, was in time to see her ladyship move slowly away. Erect in the saddle, with never a backward glance, she urged the mare into a canter, breasted the green slope, disappeared, and left
- 40. me there in the sunlit hollow—alone!
- 41. CHAPTER VII OF CERTAIN PASSAGES IN THE ROSE GARDEN Neither that day nor the following one did I again see my lady. And if I yet retained some lingering hope of her relenting in her old attitude towards me, I was doomed to be disappointed. Nevertheless, in pursuance of my duties many a visit I paid to solitary farms and to the houses of the gentry scattered along the coast; at some to meet with the respect which my uniform and the nature of my errand warranted; at others—and these for the most part belonging to Catholic gentlemen—to encounter an ill-concealed hostility that sufficiently testified with whom their sympathies rested. And everywhere I found the same brooding spirit of alarm and discontent. The whole country was on the tiptoe of expectation. Rumours of William’s defeat and death were freely circulated by James’s infatuated followers. Scarcely a fisherman upon the coast but who woke fully expecting to see a French army drawn up upon the shore. Indeed, throughout all the western counties the Jacobites were secretly arming, awaiting but the success of the Stuart cause in Ireland to kindle anew the flames of civil war. Such was the condition of England in this, the month of June, 1690. ’Twas some ten days after the incident in the hollow that I again had speech of my lady. Intelligence had reached me of a rumoured landing of arms in the neighbourhood of Teignmouth. Leaving De Brito, therefore, and twenty men to guard the village, with the remaining two-score troopers at my heels, I set out northwards. Whether, for once, rumour had lied, or whether the Jacobites had got wind of our presence I do not know; but certain it is that though we lay all that day and the next concealed in a beech wood near to the town nothing occurred, nor did we see any sign of a vessel off the coast.
- 42. On the third day, therefore, empty handed, we returned to Cleeve. It was evening, when, dismissing the troopers at the entrance gates, I rode up to the manor. Seldom, I think, in all my wanderings have I witnessed a more lovely night. Behind the torrs, in a golden glory the sun was sinking to its rest, gilding the foliage of the oaks with a dozen varying shades of orange, pink and purple, and in the light of which the house before me stood refulgent, as if ’twas bathed in lambent flame. I rode slowly to the stables, and having seen my horse safely stalled, I passed by way of the terrace to the house. The doors and windows stood wide open, for ’twas a warm June night and the smoke curled lazily from the tall chimneys into the still evening air; but there was no other sign of life about it, and I entered and made my way to the dining hall without encountering any one. Here indeed, though I met with the same solitude, I found a cold collation upon the oaken table, to the which I readily applied myself, wondering the while at the silence of the house and half wishing— such is man’s inconsistency—for their ladyships’ presence. Once, my eyes travelling through the open window, rested upon the figure of a woman passing swiftly down one of the terrace walks. But the distance and the gathering dusk left me uncertain as to whether it was my lady or no. Presently I rose and sauntered slowly through the gardens to the cliffs; and here, upon the highest point, I flung myself upon the grass and gazed in genuine admiration upon the scene. Long I lay there watching the lights spring up, one by one, in the village below me, until the crimson glow faded from the fleecy clouds above; then at last I rose and slowly retraced my steps. As I passed through the misty, scented gardens, idly culling the roses that lined the pathway on either side, the bats were fluttering around me on their silent wings, and faintly in the deepening dusk came the hoot of wandering owls. Somewhere in the trees around
- 43. the house a nightingale poured forth its flood of song, as slowly upon the quiet landscape fell the peaceful stillness of the summer night. Presently I saw upon my right a green arch of yew, and passing beneath this, I came upon a spot the like of which I have never seen to equal. Surely, I told myself, this is my lady’s garden, and one well worthy to match with her in point of loveliness. For it was a veritable bower of roses—a smooth stretch of green lawn, interspersed with beds of flowers of every conceivable shade of colour. The thick yew hedge enclosing it was cut in the stiff and formal manner of the Dutch, a fashion brought with William from The Hague. In the centre stood a white marble fountain, the jet from which fell with a pleasant plash into the wide basin beneath. One side of this enclosure was fenced by the low stone wall that ran above the moat, and facing me, another leafy arch gave entrance to the terrace walk beyond. Yet it was not admiration for the scene before me that brought me to a sudden halt and caused my heart to quicken its pulsations; for upon the broad steps at the fountain foot a woman was seated with a canvas in her hand, a brush and palette at her side. At the sound of my footsteps she turned her head, and I saw that it was my lady’s sister, Mistress Grace. “Captain Cassilis,” she said with a winning smile, “saw you ever a more lovely night? Alas! I fear that my poor efforts fall far short of the reality. But you shall judge, sir, of their merits for yourself.” And she held the canvas out to me. For a moment I stared at her in sheer astonishment. Then with a beating heart I took the canvas in my hand; for although she had not shown the same hostility towards me that my lady had done, yet never before had she addressed me of her own free will. “You will let me see it?” I said humbly. “You have been a great traveller, I believe, sir,” she answered; “and therefore your opinion should carry weight.
- 44. “But you do not speak!” I held the painting from me, the better to observe it; though had it been the finest masterpiece that Rome or Florence could produce, I doubt if in that moment I had marked its beauty; for my head was in a whirl. Was the barrier between myself and these women to be broken down at last? “Madam,” I replied hastily, “to say that it is beautiful, is only——” “To flatter me!” she interrupted quickly, as I hesitated, racking my brains for a phrase she might not deem extravagant. “And,” she continued lightly, “is it your custom, sir, to judge of a picture’s excellence upside down?” “Madam,” I stammered in utter confusion, “I crave your pardon——” “Fie, sir!” she continued, smiling. “Do you not know that to wound a woman’s vanity is to make an enemy for life? And I had inferred,” she continued in the same tone of raillery, glancing at the roses in my hand, “that you were a lover of Nature yourself.” “If, madam,” I said hesitatingly, “you would permit me in some slight measure to retrieve my unfortunate error, and would so far honour me as to accept this humble tribute of my regret——” “I love flowers,” she said simply, taking my proffered gift and raising it to her face, perhaps to hide her heightened colour. “And I also,” I replied, looking down at her slight, girlish figure, as with deft fingers she rearranged the roses in her lap. “For to one fresh from the reeking kennels of London, where pestilence stalks hand in hand with crime, this old world garden where you live comes as a glimpse of Eden.” “Yet I have read, sir,” she said impulsively, “that every Eden has its ——” She broke off abruptly without finishing the sentence; and even in the dusk I saw the warm blood mantle to her brow. “Its serpent, you would say,” I said quietly, reading her thoughts; “aye, madam?”
- 45. For a moment or two there was silence—a silence broken only by the soft sound of the falling water and the voices of the night. I glanced at the woman before me and my heart sank. What a gulf there was between her life and mine! Presently she spoke. “It was a thoughtless speech,” she said in a low voice. “I pray you forget my hasty words.” Again there was silence between us. But the memory of my errand in this place, of my lady’s open scorn, and of the haunting feeling of unrest that I had previously felt recurred to me again with double force. “You, at least, do not hate me, madam,” I said bitterly, leaning upon the marble basin and gazing into the water below. “It may be that I have not my sister’s pride,” she answered slowly, “or it may be that my nature is not formed for hatred. And then—” she continued, bending lower over the flowers, so that I could not see her face. “Yes, madam?” I said inquiringly, as she paused. “Forgive me if I am wrong,” she replied; “but I do not think that you are happy here.” “Happy?” I cried, startled out of my self-control. “God knows that I am not! Do you imagine that I have no feeling? That it is pleasant for me to be shunned as if I were a leper—unfit for human ken? But for your kindly speech of me to-night, since first I came to Cleeve I have encountered naught save contumely and cruel words. Yet I would remind you, madam, that another in my place might not have dealt with you so leniently.” In the silence that followed on my words—a silence in which the woman before me rose to her feet, and, laying the flowers that I had given her upon the fountain rim, stooped to collect her scattered colours—a quick step sounded on the terrace walk, and my lady’s figure appeared beneath the arch of yew.
- 46. “Why, Gracie?” she cried gaily. The fountain was between us—she had not discerned my presence. “I have been seeking everywhere for you! And what is this?” she continued, catching sight of the flowers, and raising them to inhale their fragrant odour. “Roses? Ah, now I understand! Cousin Rupert has been here, and the painting, I fear me, was but a pretext!” “Indeed but you are wrong!” Mistress Grace replied with pretty confusion. “It was this gentleman who gave them to me!” At her words I stepped aside, and my lady and I were face to face. It sent a swift pang to my heart to see the sudden change upon her face. A moment before she had been gay and smiling, but now, at sight of me the smile was frozen on her lips, and the hand in which she held the flowers fell to her side again. For it may be twenty seconds thus we stood, her eyes hardening with the pride I knew so well. Then she spoke. “It was kind indeed of Captain Cassilis to give us of our own,” she said coldly. “But in the house yonder there are of flowers enough and yet to spare. And for your compassion, sir, toward our fallen state, it may follow—these!” She had been standing near to the wall that ran above the moat, and now, suiting the action to her words, she tossed the roses contemptuously into the black water below. “Come, Gracie,” she added, turning on her heel. In a few strides I had barred her further progress. “One moment, madam,” I said hoarsely; “I desire a word with you.” “The desire is not reciprocal, sir,” she answered icily. “Permit me to pass.” “Not until you have heard me, madam,” I cried desperately. “Even the greatest of criminals can claim so much right.” “In that case,” she replied with bitter irony, “your claim is indisputable. Say on, sir. We are but two unarmed women here.”
- 47. For a moment, speechless, I stared at her, with the hot blood flushing to my face. How this woman hated me! “Well, sir,” she cried impatiently, “have you nothing to say? No further insults for your prisoners?” “Madam, madam!” I burst out passionately, “what have I done to you that you should hate me so?” “Hate you?” she answered slowly, gazing at me with hard, cruel eyes. “I think that you mistake me, sir. You are too mean, too base a thing to hate. I loathe you!” And as with bent head, to hide the pain her words caused me, I stood aside, without further notice, save, indeed, one pitying glance from Mistress Grace, they passed me by, and I heard their footsteps die away into the night. Long I remained where they had left me, my brain a chaos, a tumult in my breast. The song of the nightingale still quivered on the peaceful air, and the moon rose high in the heavens, silvering the tops of the surrounding oaks and flinging the shadows of their twisted boles upon the grass. Yet still I lingered by the fountain, in nowise conscious of the flight of time, whilst the very leaves, whispering to the passing breeze, seemed but to mock me with the echo of my lady’s words. Presently my brain grew clearer. What was this woman to me that I should imagine that her words could wound me? Or what concern of mine the opinion that she held of me? ’Twas but a week or two at most, and Cleeve, its fortunes, and its mistress would but linger in my memory—a vanished dream. Or, at the most, the vision of my lady would shine athwart the pathway of my chequered life, like as a radiant star above my head shot suddenly across the lighted heavens and vanished in illimitable space. With a grim smile and a firm step I made my way to the house. Arrived in the hall, however, a surprise awaited me. Within the main entrance, seeming to fill the doorway, and conversing with my lady in low tones, stood the formidable figure of Sampson Dare.
- 48. The actual words I could not catch, but of the failure of his mission I could readily guess, both by his dejected face and also by the fact that at the sound of my footstep my lady turned swiftly away, and with bent head and averted face passed up the oaken stair. When the last rustle of her skirts had died away I slowly crossed the hall. “Well, my friend,” I said, addressing the giant before me, not wisely, I admit, “what news of London?” He scowled at me for a moment without speaking, then bending suddenly, he thrust his face within a foot of mine, and I felt his hot breath on my cheek. “Hark you!” he growled hoarsely, opening and shutting his great hands, “but for my orders I would twist your neck and think no more of it than if I killed a rat!” “Tush, man!” I made answer, meeting his gaze firmly, though I confess I was considerably startled at his words, for well I knew that once within his iron grip, the man had strength to carry out his threat, “and bring the troopers down upon the house? You should best know in that case what consideration your mistress would be like to meet with at their hands. No, no,” I continued coolly, twisting my moustaches, “I give you credit for more sense than that, unless, indeed, your body’s growth has dwarfed your brain.” His face had fallen at my words. I suppose he saw their wisdom, but he still regarded me with a look of vindictive hatred. “So you shelter yourself behind the women, do you?” he said at length. “Very well, Master Chicken-heart! Only, should it happen that they cannot shield you——” “In that event, my friend,” I answered, lightly tapping the butt of the pistol in my sash, “the bigger the bulk, the easier the mark. You understand?” And without further words I left him. But that night on retiring to my chamber, for the first time I took the precaution of sounding all the walls and flooring with my sword, and having assured myself as to the non-existence of a secret entrance, I placed my sword and pistols within easy reach of my hand; for with so
- 49. resolute a man now at her bidding, I was by no means certain that my lady might not attempt some desperate scheme against me. Nay, as I stood at the open window gazing across the woods to where the moonlight fell upon the old church tower and the slumbering hamlet below, I was minded for the moment to transfer my quarters to the village inn. But shame at such a course kept me to my post, and I flung myself at last upon my couch, conscious that the day had brought to me another formidable antagonist, a relentless foe. Under the circumstances, therefore, it is not to be wondered at that I slept but ill, or that it was with a distinct feeling of relief I awoke from a troubled slumber to hear the distant clock upon the church strike five. I sprang from my couch and set the window wide. By my faith! ’twas a morning to put heart in any man. The fresh sea breeze stole softly through the casement, fragrant with the scent of opening flowers. Overhead a few fleecy clouds drifted idly beneath a dome of deepest blue, whilst in the gardens below me, flooded by the summer sunshine, gorgeous butterflies on painted wings flitted above the dew-bespangled grass. As, lost in thought, I leaned upon the sill, the fancy for a swim in the distant, murmuring sea commended itself so strongly to my mind that, hastily dressing, I took my sheathed sword beneath my arm and descended the stairs. No one was as yet abroad, and all was silent in the house when I quietly unbarred the outer door and stepped upon the terrace. And now that I was in the open air, my courage, that had somewhat waned the night before, returned to me. I laughed at the fears that then had power to shake me, and I told myself with a thrill of pardonable pride that over all this fair domain and that which it contained I was the master, and would prove my power. But on arrival at the cliffs my exultation suffered a sudden check, for I had scarcely set foot upon the narrow path when my eyes, travelling to the beach below, fell upon that which caused me to fling myself down upon the grass and to peer cautiously over the edge of the cliff; for in the little bay beneath, a
- 50. boat, urged by a single pair of oars, was rapidly approaching to the land. Presently it grounded on the shingle, and in the solitary occupant who sprang ashore I recognised the figure of Sampson Dare. He beached the boat high and dry above the receding tide, and, stooping, took from thence a lantern and a cloak. This done, he straightened his back, and, unconscious of the watcher overhead, shading his eyes, stood looking out to sea. What in the name of mystery was the man doing here—here at this early hour, with a lantern in his hand? Clearly, the very fact of this proved that he had been out all night. Yet for what was he watching now? Or what did the man expect? And suddenly the answer came, for the thick haze that had hitherto hung upon the surface of the water was rapidly dissipating beneath the sun’s increasing power, and as with its disappearance the prospect widened, away out at sea, some two miles distant, I caught sight of the dark hull of a small vessel with a cloud of white canvas above, looking for all the world like some great seabird riding on the wave. Short time had I to note her appearance, however, for even as I gazed the helm swung round, and heading for the open sea, she vanished in the golden mist beyond. Not till then did the figure of the man below me turn and with a quick step ascend the beach. And seeing this, I quickly withdrew, concealing myself among the shrubs, where I could command both a view of the path by which he must come and also of the house itself, and setting myself to wait for what should follow. And presently my patience was rewarded, for on arriving within sight of the house, at the beginning of the sloping lawns, he came to a sudden halt, and after closely scanning its windows, fell to pacing up and down the grass. Nor had he long to wait before the door by which I had left the house suddenly opened and my lady herself stepped forth into the light.