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During the day Becky noticed that a great many persons passed through the Square, and stopped before the house. Now that the houses are haunted, she thought, we shall be regularly besieged. But if they look for a year theyll not see a ghost.
At four oclock in the afternoon Mrs. Preedy arranged herself comfortably in an arm chair in her kitchen, and in a few moments was asleep. Now was Beckys opportunity. She quietly slipped out of the house by way of the basement, tying her hat strings as she mounted the steps, and walked quickly in the direction of Charing Cross. She was so intent upon her mission that she scarcely noticed the unusual number of persons in the Square. At Charing Cross Post Office she received the letter she expected. She did not stop to read it; she simply opened it as she retraced her steps, and, glancing hurriedly through it, put it into her pocket. She heard the boys calling out Hevenin Moon! More about the murder in Great Porter Square! Wonderful discovery! Romance in real life! A Underd Thousand Pounds! and she stopped and purchased two copies. Although she was animated by the liveliest curiosity, she did not pause even to open the paper, she was so anxious to get back to the house before Mrs. Preedy awoke. Shortly before turning into the Square, she was overtaken, fast as she herself was walking, by their young man lodger, Richard Manx. He touched her arm, and smiling pleasantly at her, walked by her side.
My pretty one, he said, your little feet walk fast.
I am in a hurry, she replied, her nostrils dilating at his touch; but instantly remembering the part she was playing, she returned his pleasant smile.
You have been a out while the amiable Mrs. Preedy sleeps.
This observation warned her that Richard Manx knew more about the household movements than she expected. I have no fool to deal with, she thought. He shall have as much of my confidence as I choose to give him; he will find me his match.
Yes, she said aloud, with a bright look; but dont tell Mrs. Preedy; she might be angry with me.
You speak, he said in a tone of lofty satisfaction, to a gentleman.
I wanted to buy a ribbon, said Becky, artlessly, and it isnt easy to choose the exact colour one would like at night, so I thought I would steal out, just as I am, while Mrs. Preedy took her nap.
Steal out ah, yes, I understand just as you are, charming!
And now, although I couldnt match my ribbon it was a very light pink I wanted I must get back quickly.
All the while they were talking he was sucking and chewing a sweetmeat; having disposed of it, he popped another into his mouth.
Quickly, he repeated, bending down, so that his face was on a level with hers. That is a soon. Will you?
This question was accompanied by the offer of a little packet of acid drops, half of which he had already devoured. She took a couple with the remark that she liked chocolate creams best.
You shall have some, he said, to-morrow. I shall walk with you; I myself am on my way to my small apartment. It is the a fashion for a gentleman to offer a lady one of his arms. Honour me.
He held out his arm, which she declined.
I am not a lady, she said demurely; I am only a poor servant girl.
And I, he responded insinuatingly, am a poor gentleman. Ah! If I were a rich, I should say to you, accept this ring. He made a motion as if offering her a ring. Accept this a bracelet, with corresponding action. Or this dress. But I have not a money. He took another acid drop. It is a misfortune. But what can a poor devil do? You do not a despise me because I am thus?
Oh, no. I hope you will be rich one day.
It will happen, he said, in a quick, eager tone. From my country he waved his hands vaguely shall come what I wait for here. Then shall I say to you, Becky pardon; I have heard the amiable Mrs. Preedy thus call you Becky, shall I say, be no longer a servant. Be a lady. How then, will you speak?
I must not listen to you, replied Becky, coquettishly; you foreign gentlemen have such smooth tongues that they are enough to turn a poor girls head. They were now in Great Porter Square. What a number of people there are in the square, she said.
It is a remarkable, this murder. The man is a found.
What man? cried Becky, excitedly. The murderer!
Ah, no. That is not yet. It is the dead man who is what do you call it? discovered. That is it. He was not known he is known. His name has come to the light. Yesterday he was a beggar to-day he is rich. What, then? He is dead. His millions in my countrys money, sweet Becky, veritably millions shall not bring life into his bones. His money is a here. He is Richard Manx looked up at the sky Ah, he is there! or he cast his eyes to the pavement there! We shall not know till there comes a time. It is sad.
He was a rich gentleman, you say. What could have induced a rich man to live in such a neighbourhood?
In such a neighbourhood! Richard Manx smiled, and shrugged his shoulders. Ah! he came here not to die, surely no, to live. It would have been well for him that he came not; but so it was. What should induce him here? you ask of me. Becky, I shall ask of the air. He put himself into the attitude of listening. Ha! ha! I hear perhaps the reason. There was a lady. Enough. We shall not betray more. I propose to you a thought. I live in the amiable house of Mrs. Preedy. It is high, my apartment. Wherefore? I am a poor gentleman as yet. I am one morning discovered dead. Startle not yourself. It will not be no, it will not be; but I propose to you my thought. You would not be glad you would not laugh, if so it should be?
It would be a shocking thing, said Becky, gravely.
It is well. I thank you your face is sad, your eyes are not so bright. Then when I am thus, as I have said dead! from my country comes what I wait for here money, also in millions. Ah, says the amiable Mrs. Preedy, what could induce your word is good what could induce one who was rich to live in such a neighbourhood? Observe me, Becky. I place my hand, on my heart and say, There is a lady. Ah, yes, though you call yourself not so, I say, There is a lady. I say no more. We are at home. You are beautiful, and I till for ever am your devoted. If it were not for so many people I am discreet, Becky I should kiss your hand.
And, indeed, the remark that he was discreet was proved by the change in his manner, now that he and Becky were in closer contact with strangers; the tenderness left his face, and observers at a distance would never have guessed that he was making something very much like a declaration of love to the girl. He opened the street door with his latch-key, and went up to his garret, sucking his acid drops. Becky opened the little gate and went down to her kitchen, where her mind was set at ease by seeing Mrs. Preedy still asleep in her arm chair.
Becky looked at her hand. It was a pretty hand and small, but the work she had done lately rather detracted from its prettiness. There was dirt on it, too, from the scrubbing and cleaning of the day. He would kiss my hand, she murmured. I am afraid our innocent young man lodger is a bit of a flirt. Be careful, young man. You are not in this house without a motive; you are in danger if that motive touches the welfare of the man I love!