Nor was that all. His pride would never permit him to make public acknowledgment that he had made a mistake, a silly blunder worthy of any foolish boy. On that account alone, even if he could steel himself to break Marias heart, he would never come to an open breach with her. Hornblower could remember the lewd comments of the navy over Nelsons matrimonial affairs, and there were Bowens and Samsons after that. As long as he held loyally to his wife that kind of thing would never be said about him.
People were tolerant of eccentricity while they laughed at weakness. They might marvel at his devotion, but that was all. While he carried himself as if Maria was the only woman in the world for him people would be forced to assume that there was more in her constitution than was apparent to an onlooker.
It is the Angel to which we are bidden, is it not, my dear? asked Maria, breaking in on his thoughts.
Why, yes.
We have walked straight past it. You did not hear me when I spoke before.
They retraced their steps, and a jolly Devon servant maid led them through into the cool dark depths at the back of the inn. There were several persons in the oak-panelled room into which they were ushered, but for Hornblower there was only one. Lady Barbara was there in a blue silk dress, blue-grey, the exact colour of her eyes. From a gold chain round her neck hung a sapphire pendant, but the sapphires seemed lifeless compared with her glance. Hornblower made his bow, and mumbled as he presented Maria. The fringes of the room seemed to be deep in mist; only Lady Barbara could be clearly seen. The golden sunburn which Hornblower had last seen in her cheeks had disappeared now; her complexion was as creamy white as any great ladys should be.
Hornblower became aware that someone else was speaking to himhad been speaking for some time.
A most pleasurable occasion, Captain Hornblower, he was saying. May I present you? Captain Hornblower, Mrs Elliott. Captain Hornblower, Mrs Bolton. My Flag-captain, Captain Elliott, of the Pinto. And Captain Bolton of the Caligula, who tells me he was shipmates with you in the old Indefatigable.
The mists were clearing from Hornblowers eyes a little. He was able to stammer a few words, but fortunately the entrance of the innkeeper with the announcement of dinner gave him a little longer in which to collect himself. It was a circular table at which they were seated. Opposite him sat Bolton, with his ruddy cheeks and open, honest face. Hornblower still felt Boltons grip lingering on his palm and remembered the horniness of his hand. There was nothing of the elegant world about Bolton, then. Nor was there about Mrs Bolton, who sat on Hornblowers right, between him and the Admiral. She was as plain and as dowdy as Maria herselfto Hornblowers infinite relief.
I must congratulate you, Captain, on your appointment to the Sutherland , said Lady Barbara on his left. A breath of perfume was wafted from her as she spoke, and Hornblowers head swam. To smell the scent of her, and to hear her voice again, was still some romantic drug to him. He did not know what he said in reply.
The innkeeper here, announced the Admiral to the table at large, dipping a ladle into the silver tureen before him, swore to me that he knew the art of turtle soup, and I entrusted a turtle to his care. God send he spoke the truth. The sherry wineGeorge, the sherryI trust you will find tolerable.
Hornblower incautiously took a mouthful of soup far too hot, and the pain he experienced while swallowing it down helped to bring him back to reality. He turned his head to study the Admiral to whom he would owe obedience for the next two or three years, who had won Lady Barbaras hand in marriage after a courtship that could not have endured more than three weeks. He was tall and heavily built and darkly handsome. The star of the Bath and the red ribbon set off his glittering uniform. In age he could hardly be much over forty-only a year or two older than Hornblowerso that he must have attained to post rank at the earliest age family influence could contrive it. But the perceptible fullness about his jowl indicated to Hornblowers mind either self-indulgence or stupidity; both, perhaps.
So much Hornblower saw in a few seconds inspection. Then he forced himself to think of his manners, although between Lady Barbara and the Admiral it was hard to think clearly.
I trust you are enjoying the best of health, Lady Barbara? he said. A quaint quarterdeck rasp of formality crept into his voice as he tried to hit the exact tone he thought the complicated situation demanded. He saw Maria on the other side of Captain Elliott beyond Lady Barbara, raise her eyebrows a littleMaria was always sensitive to his reactions.
Indeed, yes, said Lady Barbara, lightly. And you, Captain?
I have never known Horatio better, said Maria interposing.
That is good news, said Lady Barbara, turning towards her. Poor Captain Elliott here is still shaken sometimes with the ague he acquired at Flushing.