your house. It was awfully nice of you, and I don't want to do anything
horrid in return, but it would give me so much pleasure if you would buy
your ball dresses out of this cheque. I know you are not rich, because
Aunt Dove paid you for teaching me, but I know you and Mr. Hales would
have done the same for me for nothing. I don't want to feel to-night
that anyone is the poorer for my birthday party. Please accept my
little present and don't be proud about it. Just for to-morrow I'm
having a fling. There's several little things I've heard you say you
wanted, but it's nicer to get what one likes oneself, isn't it? Will
you find something Mr. Hales would like. Every now and then Pups bought
me something just ridiculously beautiful, so that he might have the
pleasure of seeing me wear it, but really these surprise presents were
rather a trial to me, as he didn't know what girls appreciated. Please
think of me when you say your prayers to-morrow, as this money will give
me a lot of trouble, but I don't mean to funk it.
"YOUR AFFECTIONATE TONEY."
"What is the cheque?" asked Silvia eagerly. She noticed that her name
was not mentioned. Toney was too honest to thank those who had disliked
her.
"A hundred pounds. I cannot refuse it, it will help us so much; there's
a new drawing-room carpet that I was puzzling how to get!" The Vicar
laughed.
"Is that a ball dress, mother? Has Silvia a nice dress this evening, we
must all look our best!"
"Both the girls will look nice, but this money will make my conscience
easy. I had been thinking I was extravagant."
"I'll go and meet Amy at the station," exclaimed Silvia. "We can pay
her journey now. Oh dear, money is useful, however much Frank proclaims
the blessings of poverty."
The Vicar never argued with Silvia. He had often felt sorry his pretty
sister could not have more advantages, and he knew all about Tom Nichols
and the hopelessness of the love affair.
"We will give Toney a return of cheerful spirits," he said. "I shall go
down early to Aldersfield with Waycott. We have consulted how best to
help her. I believe Lady Dove pretends to know nothing about it all.
Why can't people recognise their blessings?"
"Lady Dove's present blessing is Miss Crossman. You told me to make
friends with her, but I really could not. She told me she preferred her
own company when her duties were over, and she did not like to encroach
on her walk and rest times," said Silvia.
They all laughed.
"I wonder if Toney will break that crust of ice," said Mrs. Hales
thoughtfully.
"Artificial ice is impenetrable!" was the Vicar's answer.
Then they all went their various ways, but there was a warm glow in each
of their hearts, though the reasons for it were different.
*CHAPTER V.*
*PREPARATIONS.*
The great barn behind Aldersfield House was the scene of much bustle and
work on this eventful morning. Foremost among all the workers was Toney
herself, dressed in a short serge dress covered with a big apron. She
looked the picture of happiness, and even Aunt Dove's cold
congratulations at breakfast had not been able to damp her spirits.
Mrs. Faber was making "button-holes," whilst Toney was arranging flowers
in vases with her deft magic touch to adorn the long tables. Men were
putting up festoons among the dark rafters, and the brightest sunshine
was pouring in at the door and windows.
"Won't it be lovely! and won't their eyes open! Gracious stars! What's
this?"
A large box was being wheeled in, and Lewis Waycott came behind it with
an amused smile on his face.
"Many happy returns," he said, as Toney flew to receive him. "I've
brought you some flowers. I know you're particular about having the
best." Two men were soon unpacking the box, and displayed a wealth of
glorious blossoms, mostly exotics.
"Oh!" gasped Toney, "but--where did you get them?"
"I sent Graham for them to London. I thought your friends should see
something new in the way of flowers!"
"That is awfully nice. I never thought of that. It will give them
something to talk about, and I was just at my wits' end for more
flowers; Aunt Dove doesn't like to denude her hot-houses, but oh, Mr.
Waycott, just imagine, uncle went out very early and _stole_ some! He
did really, I saw him, but don't tell! and he sent them in as a present
from Aunt Dove for my feast! I'm sure she knew nothing about it, so I
mustn't thank her."
The two laughed heartily together, and then Lewis looked round at the
transformed barn.
"Have you got my work marked out?"
"I should think so, but come round first and admire! Look at my
birthday cake. It's all made of little cottages in sugar. It's my
idea!"
"However is it to be cut?"
"You'll help, won't you? I just couldn't have got all ready without
you, and your men have taken as deep an interest as our own."
"Of course, the invitation amply rewards them---- By the way, Toney,
I've got a personal present for you; will you accept it?"
He dived into a pocket and brought out a small box.
Toney opened it and drew forth a locket surrounded with small diamonds,
and within it was a beautifully painted miniature of Toney's father.
The girl looked up suddenly and her eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Pups!"
she gasped, "how did you get it?"
"Is it like? Mrs. Faber helped me. I believe she stole an old
photograph you possess, and--you see your friends are all expert
thieves!"
"I shall never forget this," she said, brushing the tears away with the
back of her somewhat grimy hand, "and I shall always think of you two
together. I think the artist must have been just inspired. If only
_he_ could come this evening, he'd have gone round to everyone of the
guests and said something jolly."
"I'll try and take his place," said Lewis a little shyly, and then he
seized a hammer and nails and was soon among the rafters with the other
men. Sir Evas presently made his entrance and looked round.
"Why, Toney, this will be a fairy palace! I see you have already put
your aunt's flowers in water."
"Yes, and look, uncle, at these leaves with them! I used to pick up the
gold leaves when I was a tiny and bring them to Pups for his poor
people. I really thought they were gold; but just see what Mr. Waycott
has brought! Beautiful flowers to remind me of home, and crowds of
orchids for your people to talk about. Isn't it scrumptious of him?
He's done the real thinking."
"Good heavens, Toney, it must have cost him----"
"Oh, uncle, if you had grand visitors you'd think nothing of it, and
poor folk are just as fond of flowers as 'ristocrats, now aren't they?"
"Well, really, I have never thought about it."
"And look what he's given me," and Toney opened the locket. "There
aren't many men that would have thought of it, and besides, he's going
to make himself awfully pleasant to our people to-night, and, uncle, you
will too, won't you?"
"In so far as in me lieth, Toney," said Sir Evas doubtfully.
"Oh, yes, you can. Have you learnt that list of names I gave you? I
put them quite plain, a column for the men and women and a column for
the children. It took a deal of writing to get all the names of the
children, you know, so I hope you've learnt them."
"You don't write _very_ plain, Toney!"
"Oh, that's an excuse!" laughed Toney, "let me see, what's the name of
Timothy Grant's fourth child? He's your cowman, uncle, so you really
_ought_ to know _his_ children."
"Polly," answered Sir Evas, looking grave.
"Oh! why the eldest is Polly, there couldn't be two Pollys, you know.
It's Marthyann, all in one, Mrs. Grant declares, she says she 'giv it
out herself to Mr. 'ales.'"
"Is Marthyann coming, Toney, and shall I be expected to recognise her?"
"They'd just adore you if you were to go up straight to her and call her
Marthyann, but it won't do if you go to the wrong one, so perhaps you'd
better ask me first."
"But I assure you, Toney, your list was longer than my arm; it would
want a royal memory to attempt it!"
"I _think_ I've got them all right, but Jenny Varly's eldest boy is
Tommy Varly, and John Todd's second boy is Tommy Todd, and they are
cousins, and as like as two peas, and I do sometimes mistake them! But,
uncle, there are no drones here, as you aren't very handy with your
fingers, can you hold that box of nails for Phil Smith?"
"Well, for a few minutes. I've a lot to do this morning, and Mr.
Staines is still requiring my services, and your new secretary is coming
to-morrow, and your aunt is rather upset because the gardeners are all
here, and----"
"I've left her Miss Grossman," answered Toney laughing, "she's a host in
herself, and she told me she didn't hold by spoiling _poor_ people! Why
it's just the poor we ought to spoil! Don't you think so, uncle?"
Sir Evas pretended not to hear as he did not want Toney to bring up his
remarks against him at some future time. He knew this was an
inconvenient habit of hers, so he slipped out of the barn as soon as he
could when she wasn't looking.
The workers went on with all speed. All had to be done by five o'clock
when the guests would begin to arrive.
"I suppose you have had to hire the knives and spoons," said Lewis,
coming down for a moment to contemplate his work.
"Yes. Uncle said I could have all the kitchen things, but--I--didn't
want them, and Aunt Dove wouldn't hear of her plate being unearthed, so
I've hired it all."
"Not real plate!"
Toney nodded.
"Yes, just real silver, and everything like lords and ladies, won't they
be pleased? Something to remember!"
"I hope it won't disappear, Toney!"
"How can you suggest anything so unkind! You see the children have the
other barn, and Mrs. Faber undertakes them. A child is always good with
her. Isn't it odd? Do you see that Mr. Faber is hard at work there now
with her? I shall want to cut myself in three pieces! Oh, I am so
happy!"
Lewis glancing at her face did not doubt her happiness, but he could not
echo the speech. Before Toney had become an heiress, Lewis had fallen in
love with her, he had made her promise to give him something when he
should ask for it, and then suddenly this terrible fortune had dropped
down from the skies, and had set up a wall of division between him and
the girl he admired as well as loved. No girl in his estimation could
approach Toney in all the qualities he so much respected; he knew she
was not a highly accomplished English young lady, she did not move with
rhythmic beauty, she did not sing like a syren or play like Chopin, but
she was just Toney, with splendid health and beauty of her own, and with
a character which influenced nearly everyone that came in contact with
her. Lewis knew that it was owing to her that his cottages were now in
perfect repair, and that he now deserved better the name of a good
landlord than he had done before. It was Toney's influence, Toney's
example of doing her best for her neighbours with all her heart, that
had awakened his conscience, and yet the Waycotts were very proud of
their good name. He could not bear that it should be said he had
married the heiress for money--and he knew Lady Dove would say it.
Would the world believe that he had loved the wild colt who had first
visited him with the poor companion? Toney had said herself people
would want to marry her money, how should he be able to prove the
contrary? Why had the old General ever taken a fancy to her?
He had not, however, to-day much time for thought, he could not even
flatter himself that Toney connected him in the least with that kind of
love, she was certainly heart-whole; would the awakening ever come,
would blindfolded Cupid by chance let one of his arrows pierce her?
Lewis could not answer this question. If only he might woo her, he
thought that perhaps he could awaken the sleeping boy, but there lay the
difficulty; he could not, he dared not face the bare idea of Toney's
thinking and of saying--for she seldom hid her thoughts--
"Oh, it's only my money you care about!" He must wait, and in the
meantime what if someone bolder or less scrupulous won her!
As Lewis hurried to the hall to pick up some possessions before going
home to lunch, he came face to face with Lady Dove.
"I've been helping to decorate," he said, to account for his presence.
"It is very kind of you, I'm sure, Mr. Waycott, though it was quite
unnecessary to trouble you. Antonia is most thoughtless; I can't get a
man or a boy to do anything to-day. She has got them all."
"They look uncommonly lively over it."
"I daresay, anything is better than one's plain duty. However, it will
be over to-morrow." Lady Dove heaved a sigh.
"It's very kind of you to keep open house," said Lewis, not knowing what
to say.
"I don't wish to get credit when it's not deserved. Antonia will pay
for it all. The General left her a great deal of money, you know."
"I suppose so," said Lewis, screwing his stick round on the gravel.
"Yes, indeed; I don't quite know how much, because my poor husband has
done nothing else these last four years but attend to all this wretched
money. I assure you I never could get any of his company, and somehow
he was fortunate in some land speculations, which he never was with his
own."
"Sir Evas said he would quite miss the occupation."
"Well, I for one shall be glad for him. He looks ten years older. It's
perfectly ridiculous to wear yourself out; and he never gets a penny by
it, of course. He is quite morbidly particular about money. He always
says he never would have married me if I had been an heiress. He does
so hate that modern habit of heiress hunting."
"I don't think anyone would think Sir Evas was paid for his kindness."
"There are so many evil tongues, Mr. Waycott; one hears such
extraordinary things. Already I've had two or three names mentioned to
me as likely to pay court to Antonia--for her money, of course."
"It will be certainly a bar to disinterested affection," answered Lewis.
He would like to have used his stick on Lady Dove's head. She smiled
graciously.
"I have seldom met such a thing, Mr. Waycott. I shall be very much
interested when I do! Poor Antonia must not expect to meet it, for
certainly she has not charm or beauty to attract a man simply for
herself."
"Good morning, Lady Dove. I must hurry off. My aunts will be waiting."
"Tell dear Mrs. Hamilton that I shall expect her to take pity on me this
evening. Good-bye; so kind of you to have come."
Lewis hurried home in no enviable mood, and he slashed the unoffending
hemlock heads with savage fury, wishing he were inflicting punishment
"on that old cat."
"She meant me to understand her insinuations, of course. Well, she need
not be afraid. Of course I saw through her; I'm not a blind ass."
*CHAPTER VI.*
*REAL SILVER.*
When Lewis Waycott entered the dining-room of Waycott Hall the same
people were seated at the table as on the memorable day when Toney had
rushed in late to luncheon. These were his devoted Aunt Honoria and her
widowed sister, Mrs. Hamilton, who was somewhat of a "soft pussy cat,"
as Toney had once described her. Her two daughters, Jeanie and Maud,
were still unmarried, much to her disappointment. Jeanie played first
violin at amateur concerts, and Maud, with less talent, stepped into the
breach when somebody had failed. The sisters belonged to the large army
of musical people whose performances are just not good enough to be
valuable, though Jeanie had real talent. Maud was pretty and gentle, but
both sisters had imbibed their mother's pride of birth, all the greater
because of their poverty. Mrs. Hamilton was a Waycott of Waycott Hall,
and her husband belonged to a very old Scotch family. They might be
poor, but they were of the bluest blood, and because of this Jeanie had
ruined her happiness. Four years ago a musician who was "nobody in
particular," except that his genius had raised him to eminence, had
fallen in love with Jeanie and had made her an offer, but the Hamilton
pride prevented her saying yes. She did not even dare tell her mother
she loved him. How could Jeanie Hamilton marry a man whose parents had
once kept a shop? It was impossible! The ghost of that shop haunted
her, even though Frank Weston had long since pensioned his parents.
Certainly the great people idolized Frank Weston, crowds filled any hall
where he chose to play his violin, but how could Jeanie Hamilton accept
his parents? Mrs. Hamilton gently smiled as she said, "Impossible."
Frank Weston was not poor, for he earned a great deal of money, but he
was born a plebeian. Mrs. Hamilton had repeated and dictated Jeanie's
refusal for her, and he had not even the satisfaction of seeing again
the girl he worshipped. He had, however, guessed the truth, and, deeply
wounded, he made no further effort to win her, but he could not forget
her. On her part, Jeanie was always arguing the question with herself.
Of course her mother had been right, but as time went on the girl began
to realise that she had thrown away her happiness. Her heart was
breaking and her health was giving way. Maud, too, was as soft wax in
her mother's hands, and Mrs. Hamilton meant her to marry her cousin
Lewis, and to be the mistress of Waycott Hall. She had taken the girls
to Dresden to finish their musical education, but now she had come back
intending to marry Maud to Lewis and find a suitable match for Jeanie.
When Aunt Delia determined to do something she was seldom known to fail,
but she never mentioned it to her sister Honoria, because she was so
supremely happy as mistress of Waycott Hall that she did not wish her
beloved nephew to marry anyone--at least, not yet, though of course the
time for marriage must come some day, in order to carry on the
succession of the old family of the Waycotts of Waycott Hall.
"How late you are, dear boy," exclaimed Miss Honoria, who, knowing every
expression of her nephew's face, saw he was not in his best mood.
"I am sorry, Lady Dove hindered me a few minutes."
"It's most good-natured of you to go and help at Aldersfield," said Aunt
Delia softly. "Maud offered to go, but Antonia Whitburn said she had
enough helpers. I expect she prefers masculine help."
"Naturally, for standing on high ladders! The barn will astonish you,
Aunt Delia. Already it is like fairyland, and imagine, Aunt Honoria,
Toney has hired real plate for the poor people's dinner."
"Lady Dove would not lend hers, I expect," said Miss Honoria.
"Of course she would not! Imagine the expense though, and it will be
all on the same scale. Toney sees no difference between poor and rich."
"It shows how unfit she is to deal with money," said Mrs. Hamilton
decidedly. "It is a real misfortune that old man left her his money."
"Yes, it certainly is," echoed Lewis firmly.
"She will make a mess of the whole thing, either she will give it
foolishly away, or she will be widely extravagant! She will never be
like other people," continued Aunt Delia.
"Never!" echoed Lewis.
"I suppose my pale blue dress will do," said Maud, turning to her
mother.
"You look sweet in it, dear, don't you think so, Lewis?"
"Why Maud looks well in everything," said Lewis, cheerfully nodding at
his cousin. "Well, I must soon be off again. Here's a list of things
Toney wants you to lend her, Aunt Honoria."
"Yes, certainly," answered Miss Honoria, for she secretly admired Toney,
though she dared not let her sister know this. It was a pity Delia was
so much prejudiced against this girl.
"How foolish of you, Honoria--if your things get stolen you can't blame
anyone but yourself. Are you willing, Lewis, if so, Maudie will go with
you and help to carry the things?"
Lewis did not want Maud, but could not refuse.
"I shall tire Maud for I am walking."
"Oh no, I shall want some fresh air before the dance. How hot it will
be in the barn!"
"You girls must fill up your programmes early," said Mrs. Hamilton
pointedly.
"Oh, Toney won't have any! She says people must dance as the spirit
moves them."
"How inconvenient. Well, anyhow, Lewis, you'll see the girls get
partners."
"No fear! Think of all the tenants dying to trip it with such fair
damsels!"
"One has to _pretend_ one likes it," said Jeanie languidly; "but it's
not at all enjoyable."
"I asked Toney to let me go off with Sally the kitchenmaid, but she
wouldn't agree; she says I must foot it with Mrs. Goodman, the
housekeeper. She weighs two tons at least and all the men fight shy of
her." Lewis' good temper had returned, and he was now ready to make fun
of everything. "But there is dancing in the dining-room, too, isn't
there?" said Jeanie.
"We shall dance everywhere 'till gunpowder comes out of the heels of our
boots,'" answered Lewis.
"Now do be sensible, Lewis. There will be, I hear, many of the county
folks," said Mrs. Hamilton, thinking that Jeanie might meet someone
eligible.
"I believe so. Lord and Lady Southbourne are coming, I know, and their
eldest son, and George Lathom and heaps more. Oh, the Carews, of
course; I heard Lady Carew saying the other day that nothing should
prevent her coming to Toney's coming of age."
"I really think it strange they all flock to a sort of party like this
when they come as seldom as possible to the house at other times," said
Miss Honoria.
"Honestly, Aunt Honoria, you wouldn't miss Toney's party yourself, would
you, and you know you only go very seldom to call on Lady Dove."
"I declare, Lewis, you are getting as direct as Toney herself," laughed
Miss Honoria.
"I know Lady Dove is shuddering as to what is to happen to-night. She
says, 'you never know with Toney,' and that is a truer word than she
often says!"
"I expect all this fuss and this money will turn Antonia Whitburn's
head," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was jealous, but too ladylike to show it
openly.
"Turn Toney's head, Aunt Delia! You little know her, I really believe
she no more thinks of money as bringing her any personal advantage than
she would think that--putting a crown on her head would make her a
queen."
"You always were good-natured in defending poor Harum Scarum," answered
his Aunt Delia; "and I'm sure she needs a few friends to do it. Mrs.
Hales told me she saw no change in Toney's character in spite of all the
places they sent her to in order to improve her."
Lewis laughed heartily, and then rose to go. "Well, Maud, come along,
I'm off. I'll order the dog-cart to bring us back so as to have time to
dress. You will all come later."
"Seeing poor people stuff doesn't interest me at all," said Jeanie; but
Maud, who now always took her cue from Lewis, exclaimed,
"I should like to go early if the carriage can go, twice. I'll bring my
violin and play something for them if Toney likes."
"What a good idea," said Lewis brightly. "The carriage can certainly
take us early and go back for the lazy ladies."
"Please don't kill yourself, my dear boy," said Miss Waycott with a
smile. She was torn between the pleasure of seeing Lewis happy and
interested, and the fear of her sister Delia thinking her very foolish.
It is never easy to hunt with the hounds and run with the hare.
As the cousins were crossing the Park (having had special though private
permission from Sir Evas to come that way whenever they liked) Lewis was
smiling to himself.
"Poor Toney," he said presently, "I believe she will regret even the
terrible days of her first arrival at Aldersfield. This beastly money
will swallow up all her time, and Sir Evas has dug up an Australian
secretary for her. I hope he'll not be too much of a cad."
"It will be like a novel, and he'll fall in love with her and marry
her," said Maud. "She would like an Australian, and he would understand
her strange ways."
"Perhaps; but I haven't heard that the Australians are less self-seeking
than other people. I think Toney is a _rara avis_."
"It does seem a little hard on Lady Dove to have fallen on this rare
bird!" said Maud, laughing softly. She was so pretty and womanly that
Lewis noticed her with pleasure. He liked Maud much better than Jeanie,
who always looked discontented, but the idea of marrying either of them
had never entered his head.
"It was awfully nice of you, Maud, to think of playing to Toney's
people. I'm sure she will be delighted, but don't waste your pity on
Lady Dove!"
"The new companion is a tyrant, I hear; I want to see her. Mother
thinks it rather silly of Toney to make such a fuss over Mrs. Faber. It
will make her very uppish. That class of people, mother says, never can
stand much notice."
Lewis laughed aloud.