Will You Love Me in September

"Gentlemen," cried Lance, "we can't let this take place without a gamble. What'll you offer? Twenty pounds between you for me if I win. And if I don't-But, dammee!

I'm so certain of victory that I'll make it twenty apiece if he pricks me first.”

"And the matter is settled at the first prick?" said Timperly, brightening considerably.

"So be it," said Lance.

"When do we start?”

"Here and now.”

The host and hostess were standing by in dismay and several of the coach passengers looked on in amazement. They whispered together about the cause of the fight, and they were eying Lance with something like adoration. I felt proud of him and at the same time afraid, but I knew in my heart that he was going to win. I could not imagine anything else, and as their swords clashed I was caught up in the excitement. I was praying for Lance's success.

"Lance ... go on. Win, Lance," I whispered. The coach passengers were vociferous.

They shouted and called, while the host stood by clasping and unclasping his hands.

In a few tense moments it was over. Lance had won. He had pricked his opponent and blood was spurting onto the man's elegant cuff. Lance gave a cry of triumph as he held up his sword and stood there for a second or so looking like a medieval knight who had fought the good fight and overcome evil.

"Twenty pounds for me and hot dinners for the coach," he cried. "A most satisfactory encounter.”

The three men were rueful but accepted their fate. The money changed hands and they went into the inn parlor while the stage-coach people trooped into the dining room chattering about the adventures they met with traveling by coach.

Lance laid his hand on my arm and said, "It is time we retired. We have to be up early in the morning.”

He slipped his arm lightly through mine and we ascended the stairs. When we reached my room he said, "What do you think of our little fracas?”

"I was proud of you," I said.

"Oh, bless you for that.”

"But I was sorry about the money. That spoilt it somehow.”

"That made it worthwhile for me as well as for the coach passengers.”

"It was a pity. Up to that time it seemed such a noble thing to defend the coach people. Then it seemed as though you had done it for a gamble.”

"I never miss an opportunity to gamble.”

"I know. But it would have been so much better without.”

He took my chin in his hands and looked into my face. "The trouble with you, Clarissa, is that you always look for perfection," he said. "Don't. You're never going to find it, you know.”

"Why not?”

"Because it doesn't exist in this world.”

I thought of Dickon then. Hadn't that been perfection? Yes, until we had to part.

Perhaps Lance was right. There was no perfection in life. One had to be prepared for that. Not look for it. Not hope for it. Just accept what there was to take.

Lance smiled at me thoughtfully. Then he bent forward and kissed me lightly.

"Sleep well, my dear," he said. "And rise early. We must be on our way at dawn.”

The Verdict

We were riding off when the first streaks of light were in the sky. It was not really so early, for the days were short at this time of year. Lance said that at least we should be home in time for Christmas, and he was sure my family would be pleased at that.

We did not see any more of Timperly and his friends. Some of the coach people had been there when we left, and one of them said to me of Lance, "You have a very fine gentleman there.”

I glowed with pride and agreed with her.

Then we were off. Lance seemed to have forgotten the incident. Perhaps such were commonplace in the exciting life which he led. He sang as we went and again and again urged me to join in. I did, and I could not help feeling my spirits rising. Such was the effect his company had on me.

In due course we came to the Hoop and Grapes, which was another inn where Lance knew we should be well looked after. I commented on the fact that he was knowledgeable on the subject of inns.

"Seasoned traveler," he replied.

We went in and had an excellent meal and once more became involved with the company-this time in a friendly fashion.

Two men were traveling with their wives, and it was obvious from everything about them that they were of the gentry. We chatted amicably with them and discovered that they were on their way to their home in London. They knew Lance by repute and were clearly pleased to be in his company.

We had dined together and during the conversation it transpired that Lance and the gentlemen had several mutual acquaintances.

"I remember old Cherrington," said one of them. "Lost twenty thousand one night at that place-what was it called? the Cocoanut Tree?”

"Fortunes were won and lost there," said Lance, his eyes sparkling. "At one time it was the most frequented gambling den in London.”

"I say," said one of the men, "what about a little flutter now?”

"Nothing would suit me better," cried Lance.