Chapter LXXIV

The next day there were still more occurrences which raised in my mind a real concern, not to say an alarm, as to the implications of Mrs. Pilferage's ascendancy, and her obligations to the family of the friend who had helped her to the position.

I had determined to get near to the Skimpoles so that I might learn something definite of their intentions, and the next morning made an offer to join the daughters who were going out on the terrace, only turning back into the room to fetch some work. As I passed out the doors into the sunshine, I overheard Laura, the Sentiment daughter, remark to her sister,

"Oh, Arethusa, it does weary me to contemplate the idea of those two little matrons being sent out into the world to seek another home for their wee ones! Such a pathetic and affecting scene it will make!"

"Then do not contemplate it, my angel, for it can't be helped, and they surely shall not wish to remain; so really, they must do it to please themselves, not for any cause to do with us. Oh, Mrs. Woodcourt, can we trouble you to bring another cushion?"

I felt I had the answer to my doubts then, and did not stay long in their company.

In the afternoon Ada and I distracted ourselves from our concerns with a long ramble with the children, but even they perceived the change in our spirits and, as children sometimes will, matched their energies in sympathy with ours. Mr. Jarndyce met us in the garden as we handed the subdued bairns over to the servant.

"My dears, how pleasant to meet you here in this secluded spot. I wanted a word with you before tea."

I had a first dark thought that he was about to inform us of his impending nuptials, but then there was that in his comfortable and confiding manner that instantly dispelled this fear. We had strolled a little distance leisurely together along the length of the garden wall when he halted, and we lifted our faces to him expectantly. He gazed at us a moment with a fond expression, but just as he opened his mouth to speak, on the other side of the wall we heard Mr. Percher pass in conversation with his sister-in-law,

"Well, then, Kitty, I daresay Mrs. Pilferage will make short work of it, and we shall all be as well set up as if your Mama had secured him."

"Oh, la, Alfred," replied the Comedy daughter, "Emmaline has been reeling in rich men and casting off paupers for twenty years; she could write a guide to rival Walton's Compleat Angler."

The gentleman's reply was an uncouth snort, followed by the query,

"But she means to make this one last, don't she? It would put my mind at rest, and dearest Arethusa's, to know we had a comfortable perch."

"The perch will be secured, Mr. Percher; and whether the bird lasts or falls signifies not a whit, for the income flows from investments that need not be tampered with."

The invisible couple walked on and soon passed beyond our hearing.

Ada and I stared, but Mr. Jarndyce only tilted his head to one side with a considering smile, and did not make the slightest move to rub his head – which meant, of course, that he had been entirely cognizant of the attitude of his guests towards him and their covetousness for his property, and that he felt no disappointment or disillusionment from the remark. He cast one glance heavenward before saying,

"What I came on purpose to say, my dears, is that our guests, though they don't know it yet, will be departing tomorrow. I thought you might be pleased to know that we shall soon have Bleak House to ourselves again."

He smiled placidly and, seeing that we were speechless, gave a little bow of his head and was about to turn away, when Ada regained her voice,

"All of our guests, guardian?"

"Yes, my love, all of our guests; the entire party."

We hesitated but a moment, and then as one we flew to him and kissed him on either cheek.

That evening after supper Ada and I took ourselves off with an excuse of some work or other that needed out attention. Mr. Jarndyce had a quiet word with Mr. Percher, who then informed his ladies of their new travel plans, and during that time our guardian requested a private interview with Mrs. Pilferage.

In the sanctuary of Ada's little parlour we delivered our souls to one another on the events, concluding that we had perhaps underestimated our guardian's worldliness, yet still feeling that we had been correct to be vigilant and would have informed him of our misgivings, if it had become absolutely necessary, out of our sense of duty and our love for him.

Ada kissed me and looked fondly at me,

"I never doubted it, Esther; I know you as I know myself, and in this we are one heart."

She spoke these words so earnestly that a curious understanding came over us both, and I saw the recognition of a shared truth in her eyes as I felt it in my own mind.

There was quite a different atmosphere amongst the party the next morning, and rather a lot of fuss to get the belongings packed and the luggage stowed on the carriage Mr. Jarndyce had hired to carry them back to London. It was not known if they had an address to go to there, but it seemed they were provided with the means of securing modest lodgings for a week.

tbc...