Indiscretion Read Online Free PDF Page A

which you could never, ever answer back.
    ‘I know what you are thinking, Caro,’ said her father, who so very seldom did. ‘You are thinking, what is this turn-about? Did not my wretch of a papa set himself against my taking up any post whatsoever, and engage to secure my future by means of a triumphant and lucrative return to the stage? Is he not a lying, stinking, contemptible varlet?’
    ‘Now, I draw the line at varlet. And you know, Papa, as to my taking a post —’
    ‘It is an abomination. Yes. But there are two provisos. One, my triumph is not yet achieved. Were you not so admirably loyal, you might voice a doubt that it ever will be. It will: the day will come; but I must accept the fact that it will be a little time yet. You know I am nothing, my dear, if not a realist. Two, though I could not with equanimity see you enter a situation of a demeaning or degrading character — and indeed could only erase the reproach of such a sight by a swift descent from Westminster Bridge — there are other situations, very few, very rare, that may be considered golden opportunities. This is one such. And it may be —’ for an instant there was a dimming in his eyes, of sadness and self-knowledge ‘— it may be the last thing I can do for you, my dear.’ He shook himself. ‘Now, what do you say? I have assumed your consent. I may be wrong. The notion may not appeal: it may appal. If so, say the word, and I am silent on the subject for ever more.’
    ‘Well — I hardly know what to say. This comes as a great surprise .. . You said you have never met this Mrs Catling?’
    ‘Not beyond giving her a bow from a distance — but I shall soon repair the omission. I took the liberty of sending a little note in to her house at Dover Street, asking if I might wait on her tomorrow, and I received a favourable answer. Now, this commits us to nothing, Caro. Mrs Catling’s is an acquaintance I would cultivate in any event, in tribute to my old colonel. But you see the advantage. There’s she, disposed to favour the families of the old regiment: there’s she, seeking a young lady companion to solace her twilight years of widowhood: there’s she, with a great deal of money, and no one to lay it out on. And here — well, damn me for a dunce if I’ve added the sum wrong, but here’s you!’
    Caroline, wanting space to think, went to the window and looked out. It was a lively enough scene: more perhaps to entertain than to please the eye. Carts and wagons coming away from the market at Covent Garden jostled with carriages heading for the fashionable milliners, glovers and button-makers in its purlieus: piemen and sausage-vendors wailed out their wares; whilst directly across the way the linen-draper stood out on his doorstep and gossiped gravely with the apothecary next door, each with his hands tucked in the pockets of his tight white waistcoat. But a down-at-heel young drab, far gone in gin and supported on the arm of a very young and idiotic-looking buck, served as a sharp reminder that this was a harsh world for the unlucky and unprotected. And what was more, Caroline realized after a moment that she was, all unconsciously, lurking behind the curtain, and running a practised glance over the men in the street in case any of them were duns come to demand a debt.
    Revealing.
    She turned back to her father. ‘Here am I, as you say, Papa. And I am very willing to consider anything that may — well, in short, I will consider anything. But tell me — is Mrs Catling amiable, do you suppose?’
    ‘Amiable isn’t in it!’ her father exclaimed. This meant, of course, that he did not know, but his choice of words was discouraging. ‘My dear, I am delighted with you. Not because you have fallen in with my notion — nothing like that: if you told me to go to the devil I would happily surrender; no, I am delighted because you have embraced your golden opportunity!’
    ‘Well, but, Papa, I’m not going to think of it as such —