The children are on tiptoe of expectation, anxiously waiting the arrival
of the Mornington's, and numerous other guest's. Now the wished for
moment has come, what a delightful stir and confusion it has occasioned.
Rose is in ecstasy, and Amy wild with glee, even the quiet Alice seemed
to have caught the infection. It was to be a regular old fashioned Xmas.
Eve. All sorts of games and odd things, snap dragon, charades (for which
Harry and Lucy were famous) magic music, dancing, and even blindmans
buff was proposed but was over-ruled by the quieter members of the
party. 'Santa Claus' sent a bountiful supply of presents down the
chimney that night, which caused great merriment next day. For ladies
got smoking caps, and cigar-cases; while gentlemen received workboxes,
thimbles, and tatting-needles. Peter got a jester's cap and bells, which
he vowed was a dunce's cap intended for Rose, to that young lady's great
indignation. Tom had a primer, and a present for a good boy, and May
received a plain gold ring at which they all laughed very much, to May's
excessive annoyance. After breakfast they all went to church, and then
all who chose went to see the school children, who were enjoying
themselves immensely over their Xmas. fare. Then the sleighs were had
out for a glorious drive over the frozen snow, but Isabel refused to
join the party, preferring to stay quietly at home. To practise anthem's
with Everard, Grace said. Isabel had no such idea, but for all that they
did sing some anthems with the children, as Everard, who had taken a
very active part in the arrangements for the Sunday School feast, was
not of course one of the sleighing party, and returned some time before
them. The children sang very nicely, doing great credit to Isabel's
teaching, for which she was highly complimented by Everard.
"They ought to be much obliged to you, as they bid fair to surpass both
Grace and Emily," he said.
"Pray don't let Miss Arlington hear you say so, or she will never
forgive me."
"Oh never fear, she would not believe it, but I will be careful, as she
is already dreadfully jealous of you."
"Of me, how can she be, why should she."
"She has cause enough," he replied warmly, "but she should be more
magnanimous."
"I don't think it possible, I cannot imagine she could be so silly."
"It is plain enough to me, that she is."
"I don't see it, I confess."
"'Where ignorance is bliss,' he replied, with one of his usual
penetrating glances. "Yours must be a very happily constituted mind to
be so unconscious of all things disagreeable."
"Not quite so unconscious as you imagine, but I advise you not to fish
into troubled waters."
"Still waters run deep, you mean," he replied.
"Unfathomable," she said, and followed the children to the dining-room,
for they had gone there to see if the decorations were completed.
A right merry party sat down to dinner, sixty in number, all relations
or old friends. Here is Tom's description of the wedding nest day, which
he sent his friend:
DEAR DICK,--We are having jolly times here--rare fun on
Christmas-eve, I assure you. But the best of all was my brother's
wedding; eight bridesmaids, all as beautiful as sunshine. (I was a
best-man, of course.) The bride looked magnificent--(between you
and I, Dick, he has made a very good choice)--the rain and
sunshine style. I can't say I understand that kind of thing, but
on such occasions it tells immensely. (I admire one of the
bridesmaids amazingly, but mum's the word, mind.) But to speak of
the wedding. Governor Arlington is a liberal old fellow. Champagne
like water, and everything to match.
Your's truly, T. M.
Elm Grove was scarcely the same place to Isabel when Emily was gone. She
toiled on diligently with the children, but she found teaching anything
but pleasant. Often after a tedious day, when tired and weary, she would
gladly have laid down to rest her aching head and throbbing temples.
Mrs. Arlington would request that she would join them in the
drawing-room. Isabel did not consider herself at liberty to refuse,
besides she did not wish to encounter Mrs. Arlington's frowns next day;
and even when they were out, and she congratulated herself upon being
left in peace, Mr. Arlington (who seldom accompanied hem) would ask her
to sing some songs, or play a game of chess, and of course she had to
comply. This kind of life was very irksome to Isabel--so different to
what she had been accustomed to. She strove bravely with her fate, but
in spite of all her endeavors she often cried herself to sleep she felt
so desolate and alone. She had no home: there was no hearth where she
was missed, or her coming anxiously looked for. Then she would grieve
bitterly over the bright home she had lost, and the happy days gone, it
seemed, for ever; and then in the morning be angry with herself for her
ingratitude, remembering the blessings she still enjoyed, and how much
worse off she might be, and strive to be contented. A fresh cause for
disquietude arose, Grace evidently was jealous of her. Grace was
handsome, but she was aware that Isabel was more attractive. Grace sang
well, but she also knew that Isabel sang better, her voice was richer,
fuller, more melodious. She said that Isabel always wanted to show off,
and would look very incredulous and neutral when Isabel's performances
were praised. One gentleman in particular was very enthusiastic in his
praises. "But professional people are different you know," returned
Grace.
"Oh indeed, I was not aware that Miss Leicester was a professional
singer," he replied.
"Not a professional singer, she teaches singing," said Grace thinking
she was going a little too far.
"Indeed, where did you make her acquaintance, may I ask, you seldom hear
such a splendid voice."
"Oh she is our governess," replied Grace.
Turning to Isabel he said "you have a very fine voice Miss Leicester, if
you were to make your debut at one of our best operas, you would make
your fortune."
"I have no such idea," said Isabel, the indignant tears starting to her
eyes, "that is the last thing I should thing of doing, she added with a
reproachful look at Grace," but Grace seemed to be enjoying the whole
thing amazingly.
"I do not suppose that you have thought of it or you certainly would not
be a governess, with such a career open to you; with very little
training you might command almost any salary." Isabel was excessively
annoyed. "I assure you my dear young lady that it is worth your
consideration he continued.
"You mean well, no doubt, Mr. Bandolf, and I thank you for your kind
intentions; but the matter requires no consideration, I could not
entertain the idea for a moment" returned Isabel, and bowing coldly
opened a book of prints.
"You should not let pride prevent your worldly advancement," he added,
which only made her more angry than ever. For all this I have to thank
Miss Arlington she thought, and her feelings toward that young lady, at
that moment, were not the most charitable.