{"id":2664,"date":"2013-05-17T21:40:45","date_gmt":"2013-05-18T01:40:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2664"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:13:52","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:13:52","slug":"the-calling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2664","title":{"rendered":"The Calling (by Hooded Crow)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\"><span class=\"label\">Summary: \u00a0<\/span>An old actress touches a very special spot in Adam&#8217;s heart. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;\"><span class=\"label\">Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ (3,075 words)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Calling<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"chapter\" style=\"color: #000000; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>She had the most beautiful,<\/strong> the most fascinating eyes he had ever seen. Intensely green like the richest emerald, reverberating with life, sparkling with laughter and passion \u2013 and with youth. Those eyes betrayed the lines that age had carved into her face, they mocked the white of her hair. When those eyes started dancing with her still-rich voice, her still-mesmerizing laughter, her age melted away from perception.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Would you like another tea, my dear boy?&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Oh yes, thank you, Lady Charlotte!&#8221; Adam held out his cup and watched her hands holding the silver pot as she poured his tea. Those hands were clearly marked by old age, and yet they had maintained their exquisite elegance. He could see those hands stressing every word she ever uttered on stage, in powerful gestures that could hardly be trained, but had to be born into an outstanding actress.<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m so delighted we&#8217;ve met, my dear boy.&#8221; She leaned back in the pillows of her chaise-longue, the silks and laces of her exuberant gown rustling with the movement. &#8220;I so rarely have the chance to entertain visitors in my little lair.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;That&#8217;s a pity, Lady Charlotte,&#8221; Adam remarked and did his best to keep his eyes from wandering through the large room. It was a treasure trove with its antiques, the giant paintings depicting its flamboyant occupant in her most prestigious roles, all the stage props and costumes she had used in her long career \u2013 on lush display. He could have spent a week in this room, just looking about and savoring all the details. A small, bashful smile crossed his lips. &#8220;It&#8217;s hardly the time for a call&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">This was certainly true \u2013 it was the middle of the night. The heavy thunderstorm outside had prevented his sleep, or maybe it had been his deep thoughts that hadn&#8217;t allowed him any rest this night. He had gotten up and wandered the old English country manor until his way had led him into the west wing of the building. Curiosity had lured him into this wing that according to his hosts wasn&#8217;t used anymore \u2013 and then he had spotted the placards and billboards lining the walls of one hallway. Theater billboards, big and colorful, advertising performances long past. They had fascinated him, he had walked from one to another, studying them, admiring them, he had gotten lost in them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Poppycock, my dear boy!&#8221; Lady Charlotte called out and laughed \u2013 this infectious, hearty laugh that had dissolved all his hesitation in accepting her spontaneous invitation as she had suddenly opened the winged doors at the end of the placarded hallway. She certainly was unconventional. &#8220;Believe you me, at my age there is not much of a difference between day and night \u2013 and in the last act, there&#8217;s not much need for sleep anymore. There&#8217;ll be enough of it when the curtain falls.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam hardly knew what to answer. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t even know this wing was occupied.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Ah, my most respectable family!&#8221; She laughed again. &#8220;No doubt they told you this wing was uninhabited and probably unsafe to enter, too. I wouldn&#8217;t be the least bit surprised if they told you it was haunted even, with wailing ghosts wandering about in it, desiring to harm the living!&#8221; Her green eyes sparkled with amusement. &#8220;My dear boy, this is a very old and noble family \u2013 perhaps the oldest here in Sussex. There could be nothing more shameful and more urgently requiring hiding from the eyes of a visitor than\u00a0<i>an actress<\/i>\u00a0in the family.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I see&#8230;&#8221; The laughter in her eyes made him chuckle. She was a darling \u2013 and he felt like he had known her for years. He was so comfortable and at ease in her presence, there was an inexiplicable feeling of trust, of companionship even.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Hypocrits, all of them,&#8221; Lady Charlotte declared. &#8220;Would you be so good as to give me a match?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam hastened to light a match for the cigarillo she had in a golden holder. It didn&#8217;t surprise him the least that she smoked \u2013 it just looked like her. &#8220;They are quite hospitable, though.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Hmmm&#8230;&#8221; She exhaled a cloud of smoke, watched it floating around the orange lit globe of the elaborate crystal petroleum lamp. &#8220;But so utterly unimaginative. Dare I say: dull?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;You wouldn&#8217;t&#8230;&#8221; The dimples had grown deep in his cheeks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Of course not,&#8221; she replied and they both started laughing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lady Charlotte took another puff from her golden-tipped cigarillo and sat up, regarding him. &#8220;Now tell me, my dear boy \u2013 what was that with the theater this afternoon?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam started, his brow furrowed. &#8220;The theater&#8230;?&#8221; He had not mentioned anything of it to her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She smiled, her green eyes shimmering in the warm light. From outside, another rumbling thunder rolled within the pouring rain. &#8220;Oh, the servants mentioned it to me. One of them saw you coming out of the theater at Marlowe Square, and it&#8217;s said you were deep in thought and never quite the same all evening.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Oh&#8230; yes&#8230;&#8221; A small, embarrassed laugh broke from his lips. The servants&#8230; of course. There were servants everywhere around; of course they saw everything and as it seemed, they did not hold back with their observances. &#8220;It was nothing, really&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She didn&#8217;t reply, but her eyes never let go of him. They seemed to grow bigger and he felt like she could look right through him into the very depths of his soul, until his whole insides lay exposed before her so she could read him like the pages of an open book.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Well&#8230;&#8221; A sheepish smile spread over his face. &#8220;It was nothing. There was a vacancy for an actor, and I was&#8230; sort of curious. It was a stupid whim&#8230;&#8221; He broke off, clasping his hands and too bashful to meet her scrutiny. &#8220;I always wanted to have a look behind the stage of a theater. Get a whiff of its atmosphere&#8230; and this was a chance to take a little glimpse.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;So you didn&#8217;t apply for the vacancy?&#8221; she asked softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">He laughed again. &#8220;I&#8217;m not even an actor. I really shouldn&#8217;t spend much thought on it.&#8221; His forehead folded into deep wrinkles. &#8220;I think it&#8217;s time for me to return to America. I haven&#8217;t seen my family for nearly ten years&#8230; I reckon they could use me on the ranch.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;You left there for a reason, didn&#8217;t you?&#8221; Lady Charlotte never took her eyes off him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam stiffened and uncomfortably pinched his nose. &#8220;Yes&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;But you never found what you were looking for&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">He exhaled a deep breath. &#8220;No.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;So maybe this theater could be what you were looking for&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam blew a dry laugh and shook his head. &#8220;As I said, it was but a stupid whim to go there at all. I&#8217;m not an actor. And I reckon I&#8217;m too old to start with anything like this. I&#8217;m forty-four.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Ah&#8230;&#8221; She chuckled and her eyes twinkled with a smile. &#8220;I played Ophelia when I was seventy-five \u2013 and I\u00a0<i>convinced<\/i>\u00a0them!&#8221; She got up from the chaise-longue in such a swift and elegant motion that it took him by complete surprise. He hadn&#8217;t thought it possible that a woman of her age could still move with such grace, with such agility. He watched her walking to the heavy curtains and pulling them open. The thunderstorm was still raging and a flash sent a hail of blueish arrows into the warm orange glow of the lamps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lady Charlotte turned around and raised her arms, pulling a few combs from her head and tossing them aside. Her white hair fell down in a long, wavy flood, shimmering like liquid silver as she rustled it even more. Whirling her gown around her, she came towards him and began to recite, her strong, still voluminous voice reverberating through the room,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Alack, I am afraid they have awaked,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">And &#8217;tis not done. The attempt and not the deed<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready;<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">He could not miss &#8217;em. Had he not resembled<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">My father as he slept, I had done&#8217;t.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam could just stare at her. All those portraits, costumes, placards and billboards couldn&#8217;t have mediated the greatness of the actress she must have been \u2013 and still was. She was Lady Macbeth herself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Her green eyes glowed as she reached him, stretching out her hands, &#8220;My husband!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">He rose to his feet almost against his will, and for one heartbeat his lower lip trembled before he spoke, &#8220;I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">There was a distinctive flash in her eye before her face went back into character. &#8220;I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam felt something beginning to burn inside him. &#8220;When?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Now.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;As I descended?&#8221; The burning became stronger, as if something was rioting in his soul to be let out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Ay.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">He drew a trembling breath and gave in into this strong desire to just act. &#8220;Hark! Who lies i&#8217; the second chamber?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Donalbain.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam raised his hands and looked at them. &#8220;This is a sorry sight.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">By now, Adam had forgotten where he was and what he was \u2013 or rather, it didn&#8217;t matter anymore. His baritone rose, &#8220;There&#8217;s one did laugh in&#8217;s sleep, and one cried<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8216;Murder!&#8217;<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">That they did wake each other: I stood and heard them:<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">But they did say their prayers, and address&#8217;d them<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Again to sleep.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;There are two lodged together.&#8221; Lady Charlotte exclaimed, and only the most attentive observer might have noticed the stealthy twinkle in her eye.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam wasn&#8217;t a good observer as he balled his hands to fists and went on,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;One cried &#8216;God bless us!&#8217; and &#8216;Amen&#8217; the other;<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">As they had seen me with these hangman&#8217;s hands.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Listening their fear, I could not say &#8216;Amen,&#8217;<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">When they did say &#8216;God bless us!'&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Consider it not so deeply.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">He whirled around. &#8220;But wherefore could not I pronounce &#8216;Amen&#8217;?<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">I had most need of blessing, and &#8216;Amen&#8217;<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Stuck in my throat.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;These deeds must not be thought<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">After these ways; so, it will make us mad.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Methought I heard a voice cry &#8216;Sleep no more!<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Macbeth does murder sleep&#8217;, the innocent sleep,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Sleep that knits up the ravell&#8217;d sleeve of care,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The death of each day&#8217;s life, sore labour&#8217;s bath,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Balm of hurt minds, great nature&#8217;s second course,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Chief nourisher in life&#8217;s feast, \u2014&#8221; His voice broke and it shook him as if he were Macbeth himself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;What do you mean?&#8221; Her deep soprano filled the air.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam&#8217;s voice rose again, &#8220;Still it cried &#8216;Sleep no more!&#8217; to all the house:<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8216;Glamis hath murder&#8217;d sleep, and therefore Cawdor<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more.'&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lady Charlotte flew around, her index finger jabbed at him,\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">You do unbend your noble strength, to think<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">So brainsickly of things. Go get some water,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">And wash this filthy witness from your hand.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Why did you bring these daggers from the place?<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">They must lie there: go carry them; and smear<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The sleepy grooms with blood.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam took a deep breath and closed his eyes, &#8220;I&#8217;ll go no more:<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">I am afraid to think what I have done;<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Look on&#8217;t again I dare not.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">A long silence followed his last words, until finally Lady Charlotte&#8217;s chuckle was to be heard. &#8220;And you say you&#8217;re not an actor.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Oh&#8230;&#8221; Adam blew a laugh. He still had to come out of the magic in which he was entangled \u2013 the fever that had suddenly gripped him. He drew a deep breath and regarded her. &#8220;I&#8230; I have to thank you, Lady Charlotte. This was an&#8230; overwhelming experience.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She smiled as she did a step closer. &#8220;Like something had been burning inside you that needed to be let out \u2013 and that you won&#8217;t be able to store away again.&#8221; Her hand touched his arm and her green eyes locked with his. &#8220;A passion that had awakened \u2013 and that will sleep no more.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">His jaw worked as he returned her gaze. Her eyes were mesmerizing, and he knew that she knew the truth. There was no use trying to hide it. &#8220;Yes.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;It&#8217;s the one thing that makes us feel alive.&#8221; For the shortest moment there seemed to be a trace of sadness on her face, but her smile swept it away. &#8220;You&#8217;ll go to this theater again tomorrow, my dear boy. I have a feeling the vacancy is still there for you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Well&#8230;&#8221; He laughed again and did not quite know what to do with his hands. &#8220;It would only just be a limited offer for about five months. And of course they would test me first.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a beginning.&#8221; Her smile deepened. &#8220;You&#8217;ve played with the best tonight, my dear boy. You&#8217;ll play with the best again. Look&#8230;&#8221; Her hand pointed towards the window. &#8220;The thunderstorm is over, and the rain has ceased.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Yes&#8230;&#8221; He glanced out into the dark landscape. &#8220;And it&#8217;s almost dawn.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Her green eyes twinkled as she turned her head to him.&#8221;Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day:<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">It was the nightingale, and not the lark,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate-tree:<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam smiled as he put his hand on hers, still on his arm. &#8220;It was the lark, the herald of the morn,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">No nightingale: look, love, what envious streaks<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east:<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Night&#8217;s candles are burnt out, and jocund day<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">I must be gone and live, or stay and die.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Be gone and live&#8230;&#8221; she repeated thoughtfully. &#8220;And you promise me to go to the theater tomorrow.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I promise.&#8221; Adam raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. &#8220;And I will be delighted to see you again.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She laughed. &#8220;You will, my dear boy, you will \u2013 on every stage you&#8217;ll enter.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">* * *<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Much to his dismay, but to be expected after such a restless night, Adam slept in the next morning and arrived in haste and yet too late at the breakfast table. The whole family was still seated and the servants hurried to serve him his coffee and his meal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m terribly sorry&#8230;&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Ah, don&#8217;t apologize, dear chap!&#8221; Lord Rupert cried. &#8220;Not one of us could sleep properly during that nasty storm last night, and we all were late this morning. Horrid night it was.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Oh, I had quite a pleasant night.&#8221; Adam smiled and took a sip of his coffee. &#8220;I could not sleep and wandered around a bit; and by chance I got into the west wing where I met the lovely Lady Charlotte&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Something crashed to the floor behind him and he turned to see the aghast face of the maid who had dropped a full tray. Her mouth hung open as she gaped at him. No one moved, no one said a word. Adam&#8217;s brow furrowed as he turned to the family. The lady of the house was pale as a sheet, everybody stared as if they&#8217;d seen a ghost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Lady&#8230; Charlotte&#8230;&#8221; Lord Rupert echoed. His face had turned ashen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Yes&#8230;&#8221; Adam didn&#8217;t know whether to laugh or roll his eyes. Lady Charlotte had been right \u2013 an actress in the family really seemed to amount to a catastrophe in this house. Maybe he shouldn&#8217;t have mentioned it. &#8220;She&#8217;s a very delightful lady. I enjoyed our conversation very much.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lord Rupert swallowed. &#8220;Adam&#8230;&#8221; He took a deep breath, his lips trembled. &#8220;Lady Charlotte died more than sixty years ago.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">* * *<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;No one has lived in the west wing since&#8230;&#8221; Lord Rupert brushed off a cobweb, his whole demanour bearing glaring witness that he really didn&#8217;t like to venture any further into the decaying wing. &#8220;And since the family finances were a wee bit strained lately, we never had it restored&#8230; it&#8217;s really not very safe to enter.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam didn&#8217;t reply, his darkened gaze wandered down the hallway. The placards and billboards that had lured him in the previous night were gone, merely the discolored edges in the faded tapestry indicated that something must have hung there decades ago. It suddenly ocurred to him that he never read her name&#8230; usually the most prominent item on such billboards. But last night, the name of the leading actress had always been in the shadows \u2013 blurred, covered, concealed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Her name&#8230;&#8221; He bit his lip before he continued. &#8220;I couldn&#8217;t recall her name.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Oh, she changed it, of course, to spare the family the embarrassment.&#8221; Lord Rupert carefully picked his way down the hallway. There was rubble everywhere. &#8220;Her stage name was Charlotte de Winter.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam froze in place, his mouth fell open. Charlotte de Winter&#8230; the greatest Shakespearean actress of the 18th century \u2013 a legend during her lifetime and beyond. He had read about her, had seen her portraits&#8230; and it had felt like he had known her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i>You&#8217;ve played with the best tonight, my dear boy. You&#8217;ll play with the best again.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Adam hesitated to open the doors to her room. The wood hadn&#8217;t been so dirty before; it had been polished, dark mahogany shimmering in the candle light. But he still opened them and saw the half-empty room, the cobwebs, the layers of dust and decay, the few pieces of furniture remaining covered in dirt-stained sheets. The dust on those sheets was proof enough that they hadn&#8217;t been moved for decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">There was no horror in him, no discomfort, no disbelief. There was nothing of the doubts and thoughts one would have expected in an analytical, thinking mind in the face of such a surreal experience. All he could feel was a growing sadness \u2013 sadness that he would not see her again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">It was like a soft chuckle somewhere in the air.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i>You will, my dear boy, you will \u2013 on every stage you&#8217;ll enter.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">* * *<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"toplink\" style=\"color: #000000; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"copyright\" style=\"color: #000000; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Disclaimer:<\/span>\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"archivedat\" style=\"color: #000000; text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_2664\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"2664\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif?resize=16%2C16&#038;ssl=1\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary: \u00a0An old actress touches a very special spot in Adam&#8217;s heart. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Rated:\u00a0K+ (3,075 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":13470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-2664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1228,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/ADAM-FACE.jpg?fit=500%2C375&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5552,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5552","url_meta":{"origin":2664,"position":0},"title":"Gray (by gaerwn)","author":"gaerwn","date":"May 1, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0After the events in the episode\u00a0The Dark Gate, Adam reflects. Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,265 words)","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Adam \/ Hoss&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Hoss","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1090"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":20275,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=20275","url_meta":{"origin":2664,"position":1},"title":"From Adam&#8217;s Pen (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"March 10, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Three poems in the voice of Adam Cartwright. Publish here in honor of the March Poetry Challenge though they have been individually posted elsewhere previously. rating: k+word count: 302","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Adam Cartwright&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-4.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7155,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7155","url_meta":{"origin":2664,"position":2},"title":"Prudence and the Frog (by JoaniePaiute)","author":"JoaniePaiute","date":"May 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0What girl wouldn't be distracted by Adam Cartwright's presence in church?\u00a0 Shy, reserved Prudence Dane is no exception.\u00a0 Enter little Bobby, a baby frog, and...well, the devil makes her do it. 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Rated: K (679 words)","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Romance&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Romance","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Pandoras-Box.jpg?fit=236%2C236&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":36440,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=36440","url_meta":{"origin":2664,"position":4},"title":"The Maiden With the Chestnut Hair (by Annie K Cowgirl)","author":"Annie K Cowgirl","date":"May 21, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: The captain's daughter as seen through the eyes of a young, handsome sailor. Ben\/Elizabeth. 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