The Keepers of the People

1509The lovers looked at one another doubtfully. Then Lord Lisdor said, “Well, you’ve certainly the whip hand, Althea; I’ll take Vashti to the door, and come back to you.”

1510“For goodness’ sake, don’t do anything so foolish!” said Althea. “Don’t go in sight of the windows. Say goodbye under the trees. Kiss me good-night Vashti; you mustn’t be angry with me.”

1511Vashti kissed her; and Althea sat down on the cushions with her back to them. They walked slowly to the trees, Vashti clinging to him; and presently he came back alone, frowning.

1512“Now, Althea, you can pitch into me,” he said sulkily.

1513“I am going to,” said Althea coolly. “It’s very shameful of you to have made love to Vashti. You know what a dear creature she is. Why couldn’t you let her be, and leave her her peace? Just to gratify a whim—”

1514“It isn’t a whim,” said Lord Lisdor shortly.

1515“You’ve destroyed it for all her life. And how have you repaid the hospitality of the Princes?”

1516“There, it’s no good talking! Where a woman is concerned I consider nothing, never have done, and never shall do. I can’t help myself; and I don’t believe I would if I could. Let it go at that!” he said.

1517“I daresay, I daresay,” said Althea. “But this is no ordinary love affair. You don’t see what you’ve done. In the first place if Prince Raleigh discovers it, you will most likely drink hemlock at once: there is no nonsense in Varandaleel: and at the least Prince Ralph would take Ruth. I really believe that only the laws of hospitality have prevented his doing so before; and these laws, most sacred in Varandaleel, you have broken. You have justified his taking Ruth!”

1518“Well, I don’t want to drink hemlock of course,” said Lord Lisdor. “But when I call the tune, I try to pay the piper without grumbling. As for Ralph’s taking Ruth: I’m tired of Ruth, and she’s tired of me; it seems to me entirely her affair. I love Vashti; I want Vashti; and nothing shall separate us.”

1519“It’s Vashti I’m thinking of, and how to make her happy. If only some arrangement could be made. I could easily separate you, of course. But where would be the good of that? It is too late; she has grown fond of you; and she would be unhappy. All I can do is to see that she comes to no harm; and you must give me your word of honour that she shall not,” said Althea, and she knitted her brow in an effort to see her way in the matter.