The pool of St Branok

"A bunch of vi'lets for the lady," she said wheedlingly. "Come on, young gentleman ... I've got children at home and I've got to get rid of these 'ere before I go 'ome to them. Can't go back to little 'uns with nothing in me pocket, can I?"

Gervaise selected the biggest bunch. They were wilting slightly and I was very sorry for the woman who had this basket full of violets, past their first freshness, to sell before she went home to her family.

Gervaise gave the violets to me. He noticed my pity for the woman and I was sure he shared it. He put his hands in his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins. He put them on the woman's tray. She stared at them.

"Well, sir ... well, me lord ..." she began. "'Ere you are. You bought the blooming lot."

"Keep them. Sell them."

"Gawd bless yer."

"This is our lucky day," he said.

"Well, bless you sir, if it ain't mine, too."

He put his arm through mine. I smelt the violets. They seemed very beautiful to me.

"That was a lot of money you gave her."

"I had to. I was sorry for her."

"Because of all those children?"

"Because she's not us. I am sorry for every man in London who is not engaged to marry Angelet."

"You say the most delightful things."

"They will become more delightful as the years pass."

"I do hope so. Do you believe her story about going home to all those children?"

"No."

"You didn't?"

"I expect it is what they call sales patter."

"But you must have believed her ... just for a moment. You gave her all that money."

"I daresay she needs it more than I do."

"Gervaise, I believed in those children."

"You would, my dearest. You are good and pure and unsullied by the wicked ways of the world. To be honest, I don't care whether it was the truth or not. She'll be glad of the money. And I want everyone to be happy. Haven't you ever felt like that?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"Now," I said.

And we laughed as we walked back to the house.

They were all delighted with the news.

"I guessed it would happen sooner or later," said my mother.

"Are you sure you love him?" asked my father.

"Rolf!" cried my mother. "It is clear that she does."

"He wants us to go to Derbyshire to meet his family," I told them.

"I think that's an excellent idea," said my mother.

"I do hope you are all going to like each other."

"If the rest of the family are anything like him, we most certainly shall."

It was arranged that he should take us to his home at the end of the following week. He was writing to his parents to tell them the news.

"I do hope they will be pleased," I said to Gervaise.

"They'll be delighted," he replied. "For the last three years they've been saying I should marry and settle down. They think that will steady me."

"Are you unsteady then?"

"Very much so. I hope you are prepared to take on the steadying process."

Thinking of the visit, I was a little apprehensive. Everything had gone so smoothly so far. Could it continue to do so?

At the end of the week I went to the Park for a walk with Morwenna and Grace. Grace was talking about my trousseau and she thought it would be a good idea if we looked round while we were in London.

"I could make some of your less important clothes," she said. "I'd love to. I'd come and stay at Cador for a time ... if you'd have me."

"You know we are always glad to have you."

"I was not sure. The servants view me with some bewilderment because they don't know where to place me. Below stairs or above stairs. Married into the family ... but not quite worthy of it."

"Oh, no one takes any notice of that sort of nonsense," I said.

"They do."

"Well, if they do, just ignore it."

"I know. It doesn't bother me really. Amuses me rather."

We were seated on a bench. A man had passed by as we were talking. I fancied he paused for a while and looked at us rather intently. He went on for a few steps and then stopped, and turning he came purposefully towards us.

He was looking straight at Grace. "Good morning, Miss Burns. How nice to see you again," he said.

Grace sat very still and then said slowly and very distinctly: "I think you have made a mistake."

"Oh? It is Miss Burns, isn't it? Miss Wilhelmina Burns?"

"N-no. There is no one of that name here."

"I could have sworn ..."

He kept his eyes on her face. He looked very puzzled.

"No," said Grace firmly.

I said: "This lady is Mrs. Grace Hume."

He took a few paces back, smiled and bowed. He said: "Madam, you have a double. I do beg your pardon. If you could see Miss Burns you would understand the mistake."

"It is all right," said Grace. "We understand."

He stared at her for a few seconds as though marveling. Then he turned and slowly walked away.

"I suppose we all have our doubles," said Morwenna. "After all, when you consider we all have two eyes, a nose and a mouth ... you'd think a lot of us would look alike."

"He seemed very insistent," I commented. "It was almost as though he didn't believe we were telling the truth and you really were that Miss Wilhelmina ... what was it?"

"Burns," said Morwenna. "Yes, he really did seem as though nothing would convince him that you weren't."