"I HEAR THAT WE HAVE TO CONGRATULATE YOU."
A few more weeks passed. The summer days flew merrily by for Annette
and Lottie; and if, as time went on, Averil's hidden anxieties and
secret watchfulness did not relax, and a growing fear pressed more
heavily upon her, she made neither of the girls her confidante. With
that innate unselfishness that belonged to her nature, she refused
to burden their youthful spirits with the shadow of coming trouble.
But on those summer nights, when the moonlight was stealing into each
sleeper's room, its pure white beams would often fall on one small,
kneeling figure; for in those days Averil prayed for Rodney as one
would pray for some unwary traveler hovering on the edge of a perilous
abyss.
Frank Harland had kept his promise loyally, and the Thursdays had
become an institution at Redfern House. Ned Chesterton frequently
accompanied him; and as Rodney often condescended to don his flannels
and join them, his sister's frigidity relaxed, and as one or two
other young people would drop in, there was often a pleasant party
collected on the trim green lawn. Averil would sit at her window with
her work and book and watch them contentedly; it amused her to see the
young men's stratagems to secure their favorite partners. Georgina
was inclined to monopolize Mr. Chesterton, and he often had to have
recourse to some innocent ruse to win Lottie to his side. Averil
noticed, too, that Frank's choice generally fell on Annette. "Outsiders
see most of the game," she thought. Averil was always ready to fulfill
her duties as hostess, and talk to Frank in the pauses of the game, to
listen to Ned's artful praises of Lottie's play, to interest herself
when any defeated combatant talked of his or her ill-luck. There were
always iced drinks and tea to be had in the gay little striped tent
over which Roberts presided. Frank once told Averil that she was a
first-rate hostess, and that his friend Ned never enjoyed himself so
much as at Redfern House.
"I am so glad you are pleased," was Averil's answer; but she blushed
a little at the young man's praise. Yes, it was her part to be Lady
Bountiful--to give pleasure rather than to receive it.
One afternoon she was in her usual seat, when Rodney came up to her;
he had had an engagement with one of his West End friends, and Averil
had not seen him since breakfast. He looked tired and heated as he
flung himself down on the steps by Averil's chair, and with her usual
quickness she detected in a moment that something was wrong.
"Where's Maud?" he asked, after an instant's moody silence. "Oh, I
remember!" before Averil could answer him. "She and the mater were to
lunch at the Egertons'. Ave, it is all over the club. I would not
believe it at first. I told Forbes that he could not be such a cad. But
it is true; I heard it from half a dozen fellows. Beverley is going to
marry his first love, Lady Clementina Fox."
Rodney had expected an exclamation of dismay, but Averil only grew a
little pale.
"Well?" she returned, briefly.
"It's true, I tell you," he repeated, staring at her as though unable
to believe this calm reception of his news.
"Of course it's true. I do not doubt you for a moment. If you think I
am surprised, Rodney, you are very much mistaken. I have expected this
for the last few weeks."
"But it is hard lines for Maud," groaned the lad, who, with all his
faults, was fond of his sisters. "I am glad I called him a cad to
Forbes. Here he has been paying her attention for the last six months.
I call it a confounded shame for any man to get a girl talked about.
Lots of fellows have said to me, 'I suppose Beverley and your sister
mean to hit it off.' I declare, he deserves to be horse-whipped!"
"Instead of that, he has secured a beauty and a fortune," returned
Averil, bitterly. "What does it matter to a man of his caliber if
a woman's heart is damaged more or less? Don't let us talk of him,
Rodney. I might be tempted to say something I should repent. The
question is, How is Maud to be told?"
"That is just what I was going to ask you," he returned, ruefully. "The
mater must not do it--she would drive Maud crazy. She can not help
fussing. And then she cries, and that irritates Maud. You will have to
do it, Ave. You know just how to put things, and you know when to stop
talking. I'll back you against any one for common sense and that sort
of thing."
"I!" returned Averil, recoiling with such a pale look of dismay on her
face that Rodney was startled. "I to inflict a wound like that on any
woman. Oh, no, Rodney!"
"But I tell you, Ave, it must be you," replied the lad, impatiently.
"Do you think I am the sort of fellow to manage a delicate
business like that? I should just blurt it out and then flee like
what's-a-name--the messenger that came to Jehu. I won't have a hand in
it, and you will do it so beautifully, Ave."
"No, no," she returned, almost harshly. "Maud has no love for me, and she
would only grow to hate me. If neither you nor your mother will do it,
Rodney, she must go untold. Tell her! How could I do it?" she went on,
half to herself, "when I know--none better--how it will hurt. Oh, that
women should have to suffer so!"
But Rodney would not give up his point.
"How can you have the heart to refuse?" he said, reproachfully. "Would
you leave her to the tender mercies of outsiders! Do you know she will
meet them to-night at the Powells'? If she does not know before, she
will see it for herself then."
"To-night!" in a shocked voice.
"Yes; don't I tell you so?" still more irritably. "Would you expose
her to such an ordeal unprepared? Ave, you must do it--you must get
her to stop at home. She can have a headache--women can always have
headaches--and Georgina must go in her place."
"Very well, I will tell her," in a weary voice. "Let me go now, Rodney,
or Frank will see I am upset. Don't think I am not sorry, because I do
not say much; but it is all such a terrible mistake, dear. You would
none of you believe me. I told you he meant nothing;" and then she
sighed and left him.
Averil knew that her task was a hard one. She doubted how Maud's proud
nature would receive such a blow. Would it be totally unexpected? had
she already a secret fear--a terrible suspicion--that Captain Beverley
was playing fast and loose with her? Averil could not answer these
questions. Maud had looked worn and jaded for the last week or two, and
the brightness of her beauty had dimmed a little, as though under some
secret pressure; but she had not even made Georgina her confidante.
Averil's opportunity came sooner than she expected. Half an hour later
she heard the carriage-wheels, and a few minutes afterward there was a
tap at her door, and to her surprise Maud entered. She was still in her
walking-dress, and looked extremely handsome.
"Averil," she said, pleasantly, "mamma quite forgot to ask you if we
could have the carriage to-night. Stanton says the horses are not
tired, and it's only a mile and a half to the Powells'."
"Certainly. Stanton is the best judge. He is careful not to overwork
Whitefoot;" and then, as Maud was leaving, she continued, rather
nervously: "Do you mind staying a moment? I wanted to speak to you
alone. There is something you ought to know that Rodney has just told
me about Captain Beverley--it is all over the club."
"Some scandal, I suppose," was the careless response. But Averil was
grieved to see the sudden fading of the bright color. "There are always
plenty of tales going on. I think men are just as much given to gossip
as women. I daresay it is some mare's-nest or other."
"I am afraid not," returned Averil, with marked emphasis. "Mr. Forbes
told Rodney, and you know he is a connection of Captain Beverley.
He said--indeed, indeed, it is true, Maud--that he is engaged to be
married to Lady Clementina Fox."
"I do not believe it," replied Maud. She had not a vestige of color
on her face, but her attitude was superb in its haughtiness. "Oliver
Beverley engaged! Nonsense! You ought to know better than to bring me
such tales."
"My dear," returned Averil, tenderly, "I bring you the news because no
one else would take upon themselves such an unkind office--because I
want to spare you all the pain I can. You will not go to the Powells'
to-night, Maud?"
"And why not, may I ask?" in a freezing tone, that repelled all
proffered sympathy.
"Because he and Lady Clementina will be there"--in a half whisper.
"That is all the more reason for me to go--that I may contradict this
extraordinary statement," was Maud's unflinching response; but a dark
flush crossed her face as she spoke. "Very well; I will tell mamma that
we can use the carriage;" and she swept out of the room.
Evidently Rodney was on the watch, for he slipped in a moment after.
"Have you told her, Ave?"
"Yes; and she does not believe it--at least, she says so."
"Do you think she does?"
"Certainly she believes it."
"Oh, she was always a game one," he returned. "Maud has plenty of
pluck; she will brave it out in her own way. And she will not be
pitied, mind you. Anyhow, you have got her off to-night?"
"I tried my best; but she says she will go. She is determined to find
out the truth for herself."
Rodney's face fell. "Shall I tell my mother? She must not be allowed to
go. No girl should put herself in such a position, with all her pluck;
she could not face them like that."
"I believe she could and will. No; leave her alone. You do not know
Maud; she has pride enough for ten women. Let her go and find out the
truth for herself. If you take my advice you will say nothing to your
mother. Mrs. Willmot will be able to control her feelings best before
strangers."
"Well, perhaps you are right," he replied, reluctantly. "We must just
make the best of a bad business."
"Just so. And if you want to help your sister, take no notice of her.
Maud will bear nothing in the way of sympathy. I know her, Rodney:
she is deeply wounded, but she will bleed inwardly. Captain Beverley
will have to answer for his dastardly behavior, though not to us;" and
Averil's face grew very stern.
"Well, I'll come and tell you about it afterward--that is, if you are
not asleep, Ave."
"Am I likely to be sleeping?" she replied, reproachfully. "Come here to
this room--you will find me up;" and Rodney promised he would do so.
Maud appeared in her usual spirits at dinner-time; she laughed and
talked freely with Frank and Mr. Chesterton; only Averil noticed that
the food was untouched on her plate, while Rodney more than once
replenished her glass with water.
She looked handsomer than ever as she stood in the hall, drawing on her
long gloves. Once Averil, moved to exceeding pity, touched her on the
arm.
"Maud, dear, do not go. Why will you not spare yourself?"
A mirthless laugh answered her. "Do not people generally congratulate
their friends? I have armed myself with all sorts of pretty speeches.
Mamma shall hear me say them. How she will open her dear old eyes!
Mamma, I think you and I are going to enjoy this evening."
"Indeed I hope so, my love. And how well you are looking--isn't she,
Averil? I know somebody who will think so."
Maud winced; then she recovered herself, and gave a low, mocking
courtesy. "Many thanks for the compliment. Good-night, dear people,
all. Rodney, take mamma to the carriage."
How superbly she was acting! Rodney could have clapped his hands and
cried, "Bravo!" but Averil only sighed. How long would such false
strength avail her? When would that proud spirit humble itself under
the chastening Hand?
Averil spent a miserable evening, in spite of all Frank could do to
rouse her. She sent him away at last.
"Go and talk to the others--Lottie and Annette. I am bad company
to-night, Frank."
"You are not yourself," he said, affectionately. "Something is
troubling you, and you will not tell us." And though Averil owned he
was right, he could not induce her to say more.
She was glad when the young men took their departure, and she was free
to seek her own room. Rodney found her there, trying to read, but
looking inexpressibly weary. She took his hand and drew him to a seat
beside her.
"Tell me about it, Rodney."
"There isn't much to tell. Alicia Powell got hold of Maud directly we
entered the room. I heard her say: 'Every one is congratulating them.
Lady Clementina looks charming. She is really a fine-looking woman for
her age, though she is older than Oliver.' You see, Alicia is a sort of
cousin, so she calls the fellow by his Christian name. They are to be
married in October, and go abroad for the winter."
"How did Maud take it?"
"Why, as a matter of course. Oh, I can tell you she behaved splendidly.
'Rodney has told us,' she said, as coolly as possible. 'It is an
excellent match. Mamma, there is a such a crowd here. Shall we move
into the next room?' You should have seen the mater's face--the poor
thing looked ready to drop. I believe Maud did not dare let her stay
there, for fear of the young lady's sharp eyes."
"Well?" for Rodney paused here.
"Well, I took them into the next room, and Forbes joined us there.
And of course he had plenty to say about Beverley's good luck. The
fellow--how I longed to kick him!--was standing talking to a big
red-haired woman. Oh, she was not bad-looking, but I was not exactly
in the mood to admire his choice. Well, he looked rather uncomfortable
when he caught sight of us, but he put a bold face on it. You should
have seen the air with which Maud gave him her hand--she might have
been a queen, and wasn't I proud of her! 'I hear that we have to
congratulate you, Captain Beverley,' she said, in quite a composed
way. 'I hope you will give us the pleasure of an introduction to Lady
Clementina.' Beverley seemed quite taken aback. I never saw a man
look so foolish. He had to bring her. And Maud made one or two pretty
speeches. And then she complained that the room was hot and crowded,
and Stewart--you know Stewart--took her away. I believe she had had
just enough of it."
"And your mother?"
"Oh, I looked after the mater pretty sharply. I got a seat for her
by old Mrs. Sullivan--you know her. She is as deaf as a post, and so
short-sighted that she never sees anything. The mater was turning all
manner of colors. We had quite a scene with her on the way home. But
Maud never spoke a word. She bade us good-night, and went up to her own
room, and locked herself in; and then I coaxed the mater to go to bed
too."
"Poor Rodney! You have had a hard time of it."
"I suppose it was not particularly enjoyable. If I could only have
kicked him, Ave! It is a shame that one is not allowed to horsewhip a
fellow like that."
And Rodney shrugged his shoulders and walked off with a disgusted face.