Part 52 (1/2)

They got no more out of him. But his reticence made them visibly uneasy, and they both declared their intention of coming up the following day.

In both men there was a certain indefinable change which Falloden soon perceived. Both seemed, at times, to be dragging a weight too heavy for their youth. At other times, they were just like other men of their age; but Falloden, who knew them well, realised that they were both hag-ridden by remorse for what had happened in the summer. And indeed the att.i.tude of a large part of the college towards them, and towards Falloden, when at rare intervals he showed himself there, could hardly have been colder or more hostile. The ”bloods” were broken up; the dons had set their faces steadily against any form of ragging; and the story of the maimed hand, of the wrecking of Radowitz's career, together with sinister rumours as to his general health, had spread through Oxford, magnifying as they went. Falloden met it all with a haughty silence; and was but seldom seen in his old haunts.

And presently it had become known, to the stupefaction of those who were aware of the earlier facts, that victim and tormentor, the injured and the offender, were living together in the Boar's Hill cottage where Radowitz was finis.h.i.+ng the composition required for his second musical examination, and Falloden--having lost his father, his money and his prospects--was reading for a prize fellows.h.i.+p to be given by Merton in December.

It was already moonlight when Falloden began to climb the long hill again, which leads up from Folly Bridge to the height on which stood the cottage. But the autumn sunset was not long over, and in the mingled light all the rich colours of the fading woodland seemed to be suspended in, or fused with, the evening air. Forms and distances, hedges, trees, moving figures, and distant buildings were marvellously though dimly glorified; and above the golds and reds and purples of the misty earth, shone broad and large--an Achilles s.h.i.+eld in heaven--the autumn moon, with one bright star beside it.

Suddenly, out of the twilight, Falloden became aware of a pony-carriage descending the hill, and two ladies in it. His blood leapt. He recognised Constance Bledlow, and he supposed the other lady was Mrs.

Mulholland.

Constance on her side knew in a moment from the bearing of his head and shoulders who was the tall man approaching them. She spoke hurriedly to Mrs. Mulholland.

”Do you mind if I stop and speak to Mr. Falloden?”

Mrs. Mulholland shrugged her shoulders--

”Do as you like, my dear. Only don't expect me to be very forthcoming!”

Constance stopped the carriage, and bent forward.

”Mr. Falloden!”

He came up to her. Connie introduced him to Mrs. Mulholland, who bowed coldly.

”We have just been to see Otto Radowitz,” said Constance. ”We found him--very sadly, to-day.” Her hesitating voice, with the note of wistful appeal in it, affected him strangely.

”Yes, it has been a bad day. I haven't seen him at all.”

”He gave us tea, and talked a great deal. He was rather excited; but he looked wretched. And why has he turned against his doctor?”

”Has he turned against his doctor?” Falloden's tone was one of surprise.

”I thought he liked him.”

”He said he was a croaker, and he wasn't going to let himself be depressed by anybody--doctor or no.”

Falloden was silent. Mrs. Mulholland interposed.

”Perhaps you would like to walk a little way with Mr. Falloden? I can manage the pony.”

Constance descended. Falloden turned back with her towards Oxford. The pony-carriage followed at some distance behind.

Then Falloden talked freely. The presence of the light figure beside him, in its dark dress and close-fitting cap, seemed to thaw the chill of life. He began rapidly to pour out his own anxieties, his own sense of failure.

”I am the last man in the world who ought to be looking after him; I know that as well as anybody,” he said, with emphasis. ”But what's to be done? Sorell can't get away from college. And Radowitz knows very few men intimately. Neither Meyrick nor Robertson would be any better than I.”

”Oh, not so good--not nearly so good!” exclaimed Constance eagerly. ”You don't know! He counts on you.”

Falloden shook his head.

”Then he counts on a broken reed. I irritate and annoy him a hundred times a day.”