The Ancient Allan | Page 8

afternoon, as I had guests coming to stay with me on that day. This was
perfectly true as the season was mid- November and I was to begin
shooting my coverts on the Wednesday morning, a function that once
fixed, cannot be postponed.
In due course an answer arrived--"Delighted, but hoped that you would
have been able to stay longer."

Behold me then about six o'clock on the said Saturday evening being
once more whirled by a splendid pair of horses through the gateway
arch of Ragnall Castle. The carriage stopped beneath the portico, the
great doors flew open revealing the glow of the hall fire and lights
within, the footman sprang down from the box and two other footmen
descended the steps to assist me and my belongings out of the carriage.
These, I remember, consisted of a handbag with my dress clothes and a
yellow-backed novel.
So one of them took the handbag and the other had to content himself
with the novel, which made me wish I had brought a portmanteau as
well, if only for the look of the thing. The pair thus burdened, escorted
me up the steps and delivered me over to the butler who scanned me
with a critical eye. I scanned him also and perceived that he was a very
fine specimen of his class. Indeed his stately presence so overcame me
that I remarked nervously, as he helped me off with my coat, that when
last I was here another had filled his office.
"Indeed, Sir," he said, "and what was his name, Sir?"
"Savage," I replied.
"And where might he be now, Sir?"

"Inside a snake!" I answered. "At least he was inside a snake but now I
hope he is waiting upon his master in Heaven."
The man recoiled a little, pulling off my coat with a jerk. Then he
coughed, rubbed his bald head, stared and recovering himself with an
effort, said,
"Indeed, Sir! I only came to this place after the death of his late
lordship, when her ladyship changed all the household. Alfred, show
this gentleman up to her ladyship's boudoir, and William, take his--
baggage--to the blue room. Her ladyship wishes to see you at once, Sir,
before the others come."
So I went up the big staircase to a part of the Castle that I did not
remember, wondering who "the others" might be. Almost could I have
sworn that the shade of Savage accompanied me up those stairs; I could
feel him at my side.
Presently a door was thrown open and I was ushered into a room
somewhat dimly lit and full of the scent of flowers. By the fire near a
tea-table, stood a lady clad in some dark dress with the light glinting on
her rich-hued hair. She turned and I saw that she still wore the necklace
of red stones, and beneath it on her breast a single red flower. For this
was Lady Ragnall; about that there was no doubt at all, so little doubt
indeed that I was amazed. I had expected to see a stout, elderly woman
whom I should only know by the colour of her eyes and her voice, and
perhaps certain tricks of manner. But, this was the mischief of it, I
could not perceive any change, at any rate in that light. She was just the
same! Perhaps a little fuller in figure, which was an advantage; perhaps
a little more considered in her movements, perhaps a little taller or at
any rate more stately, and that was all.
These things I learned in a flash. Then with a murmured "Mr.
Quatermain, my Lady," the footman closed the door and she saw me.
Moving quickly towards me with both her hands outstretched, she
exclaimed in that honey-soft voice of hers,
"Oh! my dear friend----" stopped and added, "Why, you haven't
changed a bit."
"Fossils wear well," I replied, "but that is just what I was thinking of
you."
"Then it is very rude of you to call me a fossil when I am only
approaching that stage. Oh! I am glad to see you. I /am/ glad!" and she

gave me both the outstretched hands.
Upon my word I felt inclined to kiss her and have wondered ever since
if she would have been very angry. I am not certain that she did not
divine the inclination. At any rate after a little pause she dropped my
hands and laughed. Then she said,
"I must tell you at once. A most terrible catastrophe has happened----"
Instantly it occurred to me that she had forgotten having informed me
by letter of all the details of her husband's death. Such things chance to
people who have once lost their memory. So I tried to look