Jade bent over the horse's leg, and probed the festering wound. It looked bad. The roan mare quietly shifted her weight away from her gentle hands. Looking up at the horse, Jade noted the pain in her eyes. As she stroked the mare's neck, she murmured to her to settle her down a bit. Then she went back to the unpleasant job of cleaning the wound.
Yesterday, Rascon had wrapped the leg with a poultice to draw out the infection. His quick attention to the injury had probably slowed down its progression, but now the wound looked like it needed more than a poultice.
Jade was worried about the roan mare, and angry with herself for not having checked in sooner than today. She'd been busy all week in the office. Now it was Thursday and her day to work in the stable. If only I had come by on Tuesday. If they lost the mare because of her carelessness…
Rascon stood quietly outside the stall, and watched her tend to the mare. The normal scowl that he had when she was around was gone. He was worried about the horse. If the woman knew anything that could help, then for once he wouldn't stand in her way.
Turning to him, she asked, "Where is the nearest shop that sells medicine and herbs?"
"The closest one is about a half hour away on foot. I can get one of the boys from the house to fetch something for you," he said.
"It would be better if I went. But if the boy knows the way, he can take me there," she replied.
The herb shop was located on a narrow street. Jade and the boy entered the windowless building, and passed into a poorly lit interior. Bundles of herbs hung from the ceiling, and released a heavy aroma that permeated the large room. An old man standing behind the counter ignored them as he bent over a box, and sorted through the twigs and leaves that were inside. Jade looked around, and peered at the hanging bundles suspended from the ceiling as she identified a number of familiar plants. She had already seen one of the herbs she needed, and was eyeing it to determine its quality. Breaking off a leaf, she crumbled it between her fingers and brought it to her nose.
Later at the stable, she pulled out her bag, and set about making the salve. She was certain that she knew most of the ingredients in the formula except for one mystery component. The herb in question had a particular smell when combined with the other parts of the salve. She hoped that she had guessed right, and had everything that she needed.
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That afternoon, Jade and Gillian sat in the auditorium, and watched the auditions. A single dancer circled the stage in front of the music director and ballet mistress. Antoine Meley and Mme. Lacroix were standing several yards from the dancer, and exchanging comments in low voices as they evaluated her performance.
Squirming in her seat, Gillian leaned over the back of the red velvet chair in front of her, as she peered at the dancer. Jade sat next to her with her hand gently resting on the child's back, as she distantly watched the activity below.
She was thinking about the roan mare and what could be done for her. The salve that she had made hadn't been the right one, and she had run out of ideas. Instead of focusing on the dancing, she was feeling helpless and frustrated. She had come to the auditions to please Gillian, and to give her own mind a rest. But now she was restless, and wanted to go back to the stable. Perhaps Rascon had come up with another idea since they had spoken last.
Looking around her, she noticed that the auditorium repairs were completed. Gone was the damage that she had seen the first time she came here. The chandelier was back in place, the stage was whole again, and the red seats stretched on and on in front of her. Shutting her eyes, she thought she could hear the whisper of the crowds that would soon descend upon this place. As a rule, she wasn't fond of crowds. But for this room, crowds were essential. It was a place that had been built to absorb the excitement of gatherings. It was more like a living being than simply a giant room, and filling it up with people would pump blood through its veins.
Jade looked up, and saw Manette approaching. The woman had been making overtures of friendship toward her for the last week. She seems determined to have me as a friend, she mused.She had no idea why the woman was drawn to her, and so she had kept her at arms length, and hadn't encouraged her attentions.
"Hello, Mademoiselle. Are you enjoying the auditions? I have some time to spare, may I join you and Gillian?" Manette's eyes were sparkling with excitement.
Jade glanced at the child who looked happy to see her teacher. She nodded a brief yes to the woman, and turned back to the stage. The lone dancer had been replaced by several other dancers who were moving in tandem under the direction of the ballet mistress. Jade restlessly wondered what they were trying to accomplish.
Gillian left her seat and sat next to her teacher who pressed the child's hand, and gave her a gentle smile.
The three watched as the dancers moved across the stage. Occasionally, Manette would comment on a dancer's performance. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and soon Gillian was bubbling with energy.
Feeling distracted by her companions, Jade wanted to be alone where she could think. She had looked forward to viewing the dancing all week but was now disinterested. After a half hour, she excused herself and left.
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She quickly returned to her room in order to change back into her stable clothes. As she raced toward her door, she saw two parcels leaning against it. Eyeing them, she recognized the handwriting. The same as before, she thought with a thrill of excitement.
Stepping into her room, she examined the parcels for a few minutes before opening them. Shifting them from one hand to the other, she judged their weight and tried to guess what was inside. Her curiosity and excitement were rising as she prolonged the pleasurable suspense. Finally, she unwrapped the large one.
Inside was a heavy winter cloak made of fine wool that was a light, camel colored brown. She ran her hands over it and pressed into its softness. Then she unfolded the garment, and laid it across her shoulders. Turning, she looked at herself in the huge, wall mirror.
She was transformed.
The cloak was simply cut and elegantly designed. When she turned, the edge of the garment trailed behind her, and then with a flourish caught up. The fabric was alive with movement. The soft brown tone highlighted her eyes and enhanced their elusive and distinct green color. It struck her that the cloak's color had been chosen for her.
It was perfect. Lacking frills and other unnecessary details, it went beyond the foolish styles of the time. The color was so natural that if she chose to sit in the woods, she would simply disappear into the background.
Who had made this for her?
She removed the cloak, and laid it across her knees as she took her seat. Stroking it, she looked thoughtfully into the mirror.
Part of her was intensely curious, and wanted to meet the person who in some ways knew her better than she knew herself. It was a mystery and a little like a fairytale, these gifts. If she hadn't had a history of a hard life, which had made her naturally suspicious, she would have been enchanted by her benefactor's insight and intelligence.
But life had taught her that everything had a price.
Jade was thinking about what acceptance of a gift like this would mean. If she wore the cloak, it would be a declaration to the giver that she accepted his or her attentions. It was as good as hanging a sign on her back that announced an open invitation to her person. If it were somebody like Manette, the consequences could be uncomfortable but not severe. On the other hand, if it were a man, it could be dangerous to make such a statement.
Long ago, there had been other gifts, which had been intended as devices to lure her into submission and acquiescence. After the presents had come degradations and shame. That ugly memory caused her to shudder, and she quickly forced it from her mind.
Nothing is free, she mulled.
Turning to the table, she ran her fingers along the cover of the book. Who is giving me these things?
On Tuesday, she had returned to the bookstore and questioned the owner about the book. Had anyone asked about her or what she had been reading? The woman shook her head in surprise and said no. No one had come into the shop for at least a half hour after Jade had left. If they had, the silver bell above the door would have wrung and signaled to her. Also, before the next customer had entered, the woman had put away the books that Jade had been reading.
At the time, Jade decided that the choice of that particular book had to be a coincidence. The writer of the note had said that the book was popular, and read by young women in two countries.
But now, she doubted that any part of this was a coincidence. It was beginning to feel like a plan. She was the mouse and this was the bait.
Slowly, she removed the cloak, and carefully folded it. Carrying it to her dresser, she gently placed it into a drawer, and then looked at it for a few moments before hesitantly closing the drawer. Tomorrow she would return to the dressmaker, and order a winter cloak that was not as fine as this one. When the unseen person saw her in it, it would give an unmistakable message that his or her attentions were not wanted.
She turned to the smaller parcel. It was wrapped as neatly and carefully as the first. Inside, she found a tin container. When she opened the tin, a familiar, pungent aroma caused her to wrinkle her nose. It was a salve, the salve that she had tried to make earlier in the day but had failed! She looked at the tin with wonder. Cradling it in her hands, she brought it to her lips, and kissed it with gratitude. Then she turned to the great mirror, as if it had the power to carry her message to whomever she wished, and said in a clear voice, "Thank you."
Quickly changing into her stable clothes, she took the precious tin, and locked her door.
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Today I will give her another gift, he thought with satisfaction.
It was morning and he was standing in the passageway that was closest to the stable. He had planned on seeing her later in the evening when she retired. But when he thought of her this morning, he felt an impulse to seek her out.
It was always risky to move abroad during the day. There were still people who remembered the Opera Ghost. There were few places to hide in the stable, and if he were seen it could mean trouble.
He silently moved along the corridor, and positioned himself close to the stable entrance. The stable manager and Jade were standing outside of a stall in the middle of the stable. Making his way to an empty stall nearby, he listened to their conversation.
"It's not going to work," said Jade. Her voice had a heavy, dull quality.
"It might help. It's better than sitting around and doing nothing," replied Rascon. His voice had an odd hint of hope.
"No it won't. It doesn't have the right odor. It's missing a necessary ingredient." She stared at the horse and said, "We don't have much time. At this rate, we could lose her in a few days."
They briefly talked about other things that might help the mare. Then they left the stable, and walked in the direction of the café.
After they'd gone, he found the salve that Jade had made and the herbs that she had used. Then he went to the mare, and examined her wound to determine what he was dealing with.
The mare's wound was severe. She was right to be concerned. He couldn't wait until evening to get the herbs.
He was thinking of a formula that the old gypsy woman used to make for the infected wounds of the camp's horses. There was a particular herb that she favored that when added in combination with other key ingredients gave off a sharp, pungent aroma. Jade had most of the ingredients but had missed that herb.
Hailing a carriage, he shielded his face from the driver. When they arrived at the shop he paid the driver extra to go in and get what he needed. On returning to the opera house, the carriage stopped a few streets away. From there he walked to the iron-gate that led to the cave, and quickly traveled to his home. Time was essential.
Later, he went to the auditorium, and found her watching the auditions with the child and another woman, a ballet teacher. When she left, he followed her back to her room. Moving ahead of her, he left the parcels at her door. His inclination was to enter the passage that led to her room, and watch as she unwrapped her gifts. Instead, he took another route, and headed towards the management offices. Meley had said that he would be leaving the list of prospective cast members on DuChant's desk on Thursday. He wanted to know who had been selected.
The office was empty. After a brief search, he found the list. Glancing at it, he saw that Meley and he had agreed upon the principals. Leaving the office, he strolled back through the passages to his home.
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He stretched out on his couch, with his long legs fully extended. Casually, he rolled a coin between his fingers, something he did now and then to keep a magician's dexterity. He was thinking of the cloak that he had designed for her. It would have been amusing to see her expression when she opened the package. He knew that she would be pleased. It had been a challenge to design something for her. Instinctively, he had known that she would reject any article of clothing that was frilly or overdone, which was the fashion of the day. He had had to reach back into the past for a more classical look. The color had been chosen because of its natural appearance and because it would bring out the color of her eyes. Finally, he had selected cashmere because it would add richness and sinuosity to the garment.
Soon the weather would change, and she would be wearing his gift. It would be enjoyable to watch her move in it. She carried herself well.
Tomorrow morning, he would check on the horse, and see how her leg was healing.
He got up and with a light step went to the organ. There was a melody in his mind that he wished to explore. It was a counterpoint to one of the melodies from Aida.
Stretching out his hands, he closed his eyes and began to play.
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It was the end of the day. Jade left the stable with a feeling of exhilaration and hope. The mare seemed to be improving. Once again, she wished a blessing on the person who had made the salve. If she ever met him or her face-to-face, she would ask for the name of the unknown herb, and express her heartfelt gratitude for the gift.
That evening she took a long, hot bath. It was always a pleasure to have an extended soak after working in the stable.
As she dried her hair, she glanced at the book on the table. Another chapter awaited her. She combed out her hair and slipped into her nightgown. The room was beginning to feel uncomfortably chilly. Autumn had come. Soon she would need extra blankets.
Jade went to the dresser, and pulled out the beautiful cloak. Wrapping it around her, she sat in the chair and began to read her nightly chapter. With the warm feeling of the bath in her muscles and the soft fabric against her cheek, she dreamily wondered if Jane Eyre would ever find love.