"It does not seem to be decided yet," said Graeme. "He may come in the
spring, but if he decides to travel first, as he seems to have an
opportunity to do, he will not be here till next autumn, at the soonest.
It seems a long time to put it off; but we ought not to grudge the
delay, especially as he may never get another chance to go so easily and
pleasantly."
"What if Will should think like Mr Ruthven, that a life at home is to
be desired? How would you like that, girls?" said Harry.
"Oh! but he never could have the same reason for thinking so. There is
no family estate in his case," said Rose, laughing.
"Who knows?" said Arthur. "There may be a little dim kirk and a
low-roofed manse waiting him somewhere. That would seem to be the most
appropriate inheritance for his father's youngest son. What would you
say to that Graeme?"
"I would rather say nothing--think nothing about it," said Graeme,
hastily. "It is not likely that could ever happen. It will all be
arranged for us, doubtless."
"It was very stupid of you, Harry, to say anything of that sort to
Graeme," said Rose. "Now, she will vex herself about her boy, as though
it were possible that he could stay there. He never will, I know."
"I shall not vex myself, indeed, Rosie--at least I shall not until I
have some better reason for doing so, than Harry's foolish speeches.
Mr Millar, you said you might go home next summer. Is that something
new? Or is it only new to us?"
"It is possible that I may go. Indeed, it is very likely. I shall know
soon."
"It depends on circumstances over which he has no control," said Harry,
impressively. "He has my best wishes, and he would have yours, Graeme,
I think, if you knew about it."
"He has them, though I don't know about it," said Graeme. "I have
confidence in him that he deserves success."
"Yes, it is safe to wish him success--if not in one thing, in another.
I am not sure that he quite knows what he wants yet, but I think I know
what is good for him."
"Rosie," said Fanny, suddenly, "Mr Millar can set us right now. I am
glad I thought of it. Mr Millar, is Mrs Roxbury your aunt, or only
your brother's?"
"I am afraid it is only Allan who can claim so close a relationship as
that. I don't think I can claim any relationship at all. I should have
to consider, before I could make it clear even to myself, how we are
connected."
"It is much better not to consider the subject, then," said Arthur, "as
they are rather desirable people to have for relations; call them
cousins, and let it go."
"But at any rate she is not your aunt, and Amy Roxbury is not your
cousin, as some one was insisting over Rose and me the other day. I
told you so, Rosie."
"Did you?" said Rose, languidly. "I don't remember."
"It was Mrs Gridley, I think, and she said--no, it must have been some
one else--she said you were not cousins, but that it was a very
convenient relationship, and very pleasant in certain circumstances."
"Very true, too, eh, Charlie," said Arthur, laughing.
"I should scarcely venture to call Miss Roxbury cousin," said Charlie.
"She is very nice, indeed," pursued Fanny. "Rose fell in love with her
at first sight, and the admiration was mutual, I think."
Rose shrugged her shoulders.
"That is, perhaps, a little strong, Fanny, dear. She is very charming,
I have no doubt, but I am not so apt to fall into sudden admirations as
I used to be."
"But you admired her very much. And you said she was very like Lily
Elphinstone, when you first saw her. I am sure you thought her very
lovely, and so did Graeme."
"Did I?" said Rose.
"She is very like her," said Mr Millar. "I did not notice it till her
mother mentioned it. She is like her in other respects, too; but
livelier and more energetic. She is stronger than Lily used to be, and
perhaps a little more like the modern young lady."
"Fast, a little, perhaps," said Arthur.
"Oh! no; not like one in the unpleasant sense that the word has. She is
self-reliant. She has her own ideas of men and things, and they are not
always the same as her mamma's. But she is a dutiful daughter, and she
is charming with her little brothers and sisters. Such a number there
are of them, too."
Charlie spoke eagerly, looking at Graeme. "You seem deeply interested
in her," said Arthur, laughing.
Harry rose impatiently.
"We should have Mrs Gridley here. I never think a free discussion of
our neighbours and their affairs can be conducted on proper principles
without her valuable assistance. Your _cousin_ would be charmed to know
that you made her the subject of conversation among your acquaintance, I
have no doubt, Charlie."
"But she is not his cousin," said Fanny. "And Harry, dear, you are
unkind to speak of us as mere acquaintances of Mr Millar. Of course,
he would not speak of her everywhere; and you must permit me to say you
are a little unreasonable, not to say cross." And Rose smiled very
sweetly on him as she spoke.
Harry did look cross, and Charlie looked astonished. Graeme did not
understand it.
"Was that young Roxbury I saw you driving with the other day?" asked
Arthur. "He is going into business, I hear."
"It was he," said Charlie. "As to his going into business, I cannot
say. He is quite young yet. He is not of age. Are you going, Harry?
It is not very late yet."
They did not go immediately, but they did not have much pleasure after
that. He was very lively and amusing, and tried to propitiate Harry,
Graeme thought, but she was not quite sure; there were a good many
allusions to events and places and persons that she did not understand,
and nothing could be plainer than that she did not succeed. Then they
had some music. Rose sat at the piano till they went away, playing
pieces long, loud, and intricate; and, after they went away, she sat
down again, and played on still.
"What put Harry out of sorts to-night?" asked Arthur.
"Was he out of sorts?" asked Graeme, a little anxiously.
Rose laughed.
"I shall have to give Harry some good advice," said she; and that was
the last word she said, till she said "good-night."
"There is something wrong," said Graeme to herself, "though I am sure I
cannot tell what it is. In old times, Rosie would have burst forth with
it all, as soon as we came up-stairs. But it is nothing that can
trouble her, I am sure. I hope it is nothing that will trouble her. I
will not fret about it beforehand. We do not know our troubles from our
blessings at first sight. It ought not to be less easy to trust for my
darling than for myself. But, oh! Rosie, I am afraid I have been at my
old folly, dreaming idle dreams again."