Giant’s Bread · Book III · III · Chapter 3 3 3

III

It was the first night of Radmaager’s new opera, Peer Gynt. Vernon was going to it and had been asked by Radmaager to attend a supper party afterwards. He was dining first with Nell at her mother’s house. She was not coming to the opera.

Much to Nell’s surprise, Vernon did not turn up to dinner. They waited some time, and then began without him. He arrived just as dessert was being put on the table.

“I’m most awfully sorry, Mrs. Vereker. I can’t tell you how sorry I am. Something very⁠—very unexpected occurred. I’ll tell you later.”

His face was so white and he was so obviously upset that Mrs. Vereker forgot her annoyance. She was always a tactful woman of the world and she treated the present situation with her usual discretion.

“Well,” she said, rising, “now you are here, Vernon, you can talk to Nell. If you’re going to the opera you won’t have much time.”

She left the room. Nell looked inquiringly at Vernon. He answered her look.

“Joe’s gone off with La Marre.”

“Oh, Vernon, she hasn’t!”

“She has.”

“Do you mean that she has eloped? That she’s married him? That they’ve run away to get married?”

Vernon said grimly: “He can’t marry her. He’s got a wife already.”

“Oh, Vernon, how awful! How could she?”

“Joe was always wrongheaded. She’ll regret this⁠—I know she will. I don’t believe she really cares for him.”

“What about Sebastian? Won’t he feel this terribly?”

“Yes, poor devil. I’ve been with him now. He’s absolutely broken up over it. I’d no idea how much he cared for Joe.”

“I know he did.”

“You see, there were the three of us⁠—always. Joe and I and Sebastian. We belonged together.”

A faint pang of jealousy shot through Nell. Vernon repeated:

“The three of us. It’s⁠—Oh! I don’t know. I feel as though I’d been to blame in some way. I’ve let myself get out of touch with Joe. Dear old Joe, she was so staunch always⁠—better than any sister could be. It hurts me to think of the things she used to say when she was a kid⁠—how she’d never have anything to do with men. And now she’s come a mucker like this.”

Nell said in a shocked voice:

“A married man. That’s what makes it so awful. Had he any children?”

“How should I know anything about his beastly children?”

“Vernon⁠—don’t be so cross.”

“Sorry, Nell. I’m upset, that’s all.”

“How could she do such a thing,” said Nell. She had always rather resented Joe’s unspoken contempt of which she had been subconsciously aware. She would not have been human had she not felt a faint sense of superiority. “To run away with anyone married! It’s dreadful!”

“Well, she had courage, anyway,” said Vernon.

He felt a sudden passionate desire to defend Joe⁠—Joe who belonged to Abbots Puissants and the old days.

“Courage?” said Nell.

“Yes, courage!” said Vernon. “At any rate she wasn’t prudent. She didn’t count the cost. She’s chucked away everything in the world for love. That’s more than some people will do.”

“Vernon!”

She got up, breathing hard.

“Well, it’s true.” All his smouldering resentment came bursting out. “You won’t even face a little discomfort for me, Nell. You’re always saying ‘Wait’ and ‘Let’s be careful.’ You aren’t capable of chucking everything to the winds for love of anyone.”

“Oh! Vernon, how cruel you are⁠ ⁠… how cruel!”

He saw the tears come into her eyes and was immediately all compunction.

“Oh! Nell, I didn’t mean it⁠—I didn’t mean it, sweetheart.”

His arms went round her, held her to him. Her sobs lessened. He glanced at his watch.

“Damn! I must go. Good night, Nell darling. You do love me, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course⁠—of course I do.”

He kissed her once more, hurried off. She sat down again by the disordered dinner table. Sat there, lost in thought.⁠ ⁠…