The Firm of Girdlestone Chapter 13 - Shadow and Light

Ashton Hoffman (0:00)

Chapter 13 of The Firm of Girdlestone by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Read by Ashton Hoffman. Shadow and Light John Girdlestone's private residence on Ecclestone Square was a large, substantial house in a district which the wave of fashion had passed over in its westward course. It might still, however, be said to be covered by a deposit of eminent respectability. The building was stern and hard and massive in its external appearance, but the interior was luxurious itself for the old merchant in spite of his ascetic appearance, was inclined to be a cyber at heart, and had a due appreciation of the good things of this world. Indeed, there was an oriental and almost boorish splendor about the great rooms, where the richest of furniture was interspersed with skins from gaboon. Handworked ivory from old Calabar and the thousand other strange valuables which were presented by his agents to the African trader. After the death of his friend, Girdlestone had been as good as his word. He had taken Kate Harston away from the desolate house at Fallenham and brought her to live with him from the garret of the Plateau Edifice to the cellars she was at liberty to roam, where she would and do what she chose.

The Square Garden, too, with its smoke-dried trees and faded lawn, was at her disposal in which she might walk or work or read. No cares or responsibilities were imposed upon her. The domestic affairs were superintended by a stern housekeeper who bore a quaint resemblance to Girdlestone himself in petticoats, and who arranged every detail of housekeeping. The young girl had apparently only to exist and to be happy, yet the latter item was not so easy as it might seem. It was not a congenial atmosphere. Her whole society consisted of the stern, unemotional merchant and his vogue occasionally brutal son. At first, while the memory of her father was still fresh, she felt her new surroundings acutely, contrasting as they did with her happy Fulham home. Gradually, however, as time deadened the sting, she came to accommodate herself to circumstances. The two men left her very much to her own devices. Girdlestone was so engrossed in his business that he had little time to inquire into her pursuits. And Ezra being addicted to late hours was seldom seen except at breakfast time, when she listened with awe to his sporting slang and cynical comments upon men and manners. John Girdlestone had been by no means overjoyed upon the return of the dimsdale from Edinburgh to learn that his ward had been thrown into the company of her young cousin. He received her coldly and forbade her to visit the Firm of Girdlestone for some time to come. He had took occasion also to speak of Tom and to assure her that he had received very serious accounts as to his spiritual state. He is addicted to all manner of debasing pursuits, he remarked, and it is my particular wish that you should avoid him. Learning that young Dimsdale was in London, he even took the precaution of telling off a confidential footman to walk behind her on all occasions and to act either as an escort or as a sentry. It chanced, however, that one day a few weeks after her return, Kate found an opportunity of recovering her freedom. The footman had been dispatched upon some other duty, so she bethought herself that a book was to be bought and some lace to be matched and several other important feminine duties to be fulfilled. It happened, however, that as she walked sedentely down Warwick Street, her eyes fell upon a very tall and square shoulder young man who was lounging in her direction, tapping his stick listlessly against the willings as the habit of idle men.

At this, Kate forgot incontentionally all about the book and the lace, while the tall youth ceased to tap the railings and came striding towards her with a long springing footstep and a smiling face. Why, cousin Tom, who would have thought of meeting you here? she exclaimed when the first greeting had been exchanged. It is a most surprising thing.

It is possible that the incident would not have struck her as so very astonishing after all, had she known that Tom had spent six hours a day for the last fortnight in blockading the entrance to Eccleston Square. Most remarkable, said the young hypocrite, you see, I haven't anything to do yet, so I walked about London a good deal. It was lucky chance that sent me in this direction.

And how is the doctor? Kate asked eagerly. And Mrs. Dimster, how is she?

You must give my love to them both. How is it that you have never been to see us? Tom asked reproachfully. Mr. Girdlestone thinks that I have been too idle lately and that I should stay at home. I'm afraid it will be some little time before I can steal away to Kensington. Tom consigned her guardian under his breath to a region warmer even than the scene of that gentleman's commercial speculations. Which way are you going? He asked. I was going to Victoria Street to change my book and then to Ford Street.