Chapter XXIII

aspofrelief. Shehadneveradoredherhusbandsopassionatelyasthen,andherlovewasaphysicalsensationthatturnedherfaint.Thearrivalofthemomentsoanxiouslyawaitedleftherhalf-frightenedshewasofthosewhoeagerlylookforanopportunityandthencanscarcelyseizeit. Bertha’sheartwassofullthatshewasafraidofburstingintotearswhensheatlastsheshouldseeEdwardwalkingtowardshershehadpicturedthescenesooften,herhusbandadvancingwithhisswingingstride,wavinghisstick,thedogsinfront,rushingtowardsherandbarkingfuriously.Thetwoporterswaddledwiththeirseaman’swalktothevantogetouttheluggagepeopleweresteppingfromthecarriages.Nexttoherapasty-facedclerkdescended,inadingyblack,withababyinhisarmsandhewasfollowedbyahaggardwifewithanotherbabyandinnumerableparcels.Alabourersauntereddowntheplatform,threeorfoursailors,andacoupleofinfantry-men.Theyallsurgedforthewicket,atwhichstoodtheticket-collector.Theportersgotouttheboxes,andthetrainsteamedoffanirasciblecitymanwasswearingvolublybecausehisluggagehadgonetoMargate.(It’safreecountry,thankHeaven!)Thestation-master,inadecoratedhatandaself-satisfiedair,strolleduptoseewhatwasthematter.Berthalookedalongtheplatformwildly.Edwardwasnotthere. Thestation-masterpassed,andnoddedpatronisingly. “HaveyouseenMr.Craddock?”sheasked. “No,Ican’tsayIhave.ButIthinkthere’sacarriagebelowforyou.” Berthabegantotremble.Aporteraskedwhetherheshouldtakeherboxesshenodded,unabletospeak.Shewentdownandfoundthebroughamatthestationdoorthecoachmantouchedhishatandgaveheranote. DearBertha,—AwfullysorryIcan’tcometomeetyou.Ineverexpectedyou,soacceptedaninvitationofLordPhilipDirktoatennistournament,andaballafterwards.He’sgoingtosleepme,soIshan’tbebacktillto-morrow.Don’tgetinawax.Seeyouinthemorning. E.C. Berthagotintothecarriageandhuddledherselfintoonecornersothatnoneshouldseeher.Atfirstshescarcelyunderstoodshehadspentthelasthoursatsuchaheightofexcitementthatthedisappointmentdeprivedherofthepowerofthinking.Shenevertookthingsreasonably,andwasnowstunnedwhathadhappenedseemedimpossible.ItwassocallousthatEdwardshouldgotoatennis-tournamentwhenshewascominghome—lookingforwardeagerlytoseeinghim.Anditwasnoordinaryhome-comingitwasthefirsttimeshehadeverlefthimandthenshehadgone