looked hard at me when she said it! She meant I wasn't, and I'm not, I
know I wasn't born that way---- Well, I want somehow to give Maud a
good time and Jeanie too at Vienna. I want to pay all their masters and
expenses, and how is it to be managed without letting them know it?"
"Toney, you really mustn't---- Besides, there's no way of doing it."
"Yes, there must be some uncle in Australia or Africa, or Klondike, that
would send them three hundred pounds."
"I don't know of any such individual. Yes, by the way, there is an old
cousin in the Argentine, from whom they expect a legacy. I believe he
is a penniless rascal, but they paint him with a coat of gilding and
call him, 'dear Cousin Seaton.'" They laughed together like two good
comrades.
"He'll do! Mr. Staines, who is very understanding, will get someone to
send it from the Argentine, and that will be true. 'Three hundred
pounds from a friend in the Argentine for musical training in Germany,'
and they'll jump to conclusions!"
"And you want me to abet you in the falsehood?"
"Of course. You will have to belong to the 'poor little disciples,' as
St. Francis liked his brothers to be called, and they had to do all
sorts of queer commissions."
"Did the 'poor little disciples' have to swallow bare-faced deceptions?"
"I think so, for they couldn't have liked all they had to do and yet
they said they did! It is a farce, isn't it? Oh, good-bye, there's
Uncle Evas coming, and I'll just walk back with him. He's a little down
to-day. Guess he's had to make head against a breeze. He's quite ready
for a 'poor little disciple.'"
Lewis could not help laughing. Something in Toney carried all before
her, because she never let self get into her plans. Sir Evas brightened
up as he met his niece.
"Hulloa! where are you two going? I've had a day among the farms.
There's a lot of repairs to be done and they think I must see them all
myself."
"So you should, uncle! Tell you what, we'll just titivate them all up
and you'll have no more trouble for years."
"My dear Toney! It's much better done by degrees, doesn't drain the
property so much."
"We'll do it now, uncle, and all at once. You always say, 'make hay
while the sun shines,' and that's what I am doing."
"Toney has been making hay with a vengeance to-day, Sir Evas," and Lewis
told the history of the _avant garde_.
"My dear girl, the house will be besieged! You see, Lewis, what a
mistake the General made," said Sir Evas laughing, "did your aunt----
Ehem--bear it well?"
Toney shook her head.
"It shan't happen again, uncle. We'll tabulate hard to-morrow. It all
comes of tabulating! Now pretend you know nothing about it. Where
ignorance is bliss. Good-bye, Mr. Waycott, and thank you awfully much.
Now, Uncle Evas, we must quick trot home, it's Chum's last evening.
Remember to be very nice and grateful to her. She's done a lot of hard
work you know."
"So have we all, Toney! However, I'll compose a speech on the way home.
Good night, Waycott, hope you don't want speeches."
Lewis surreptitiously watched them going off. It seemed like the last
ray of evening sunshine disappearing in the woods. Why should he bother
about the money? Why? Then he shook his head. Everyone would say he
had married Toney's fifty thousand. His pride rebelled and even a
perfectly clear conscience could not conquer it.
"There's a lovely moon so we shan't be benighted," said Toney, taking
her uncle's arm.
"I say, Toney, we mustn't be late for dinner," he said walking quicker.
He was trying to brace himself to hear the story of the _avant garde_,
and this time he knew it would not be accompanied with laughter.
"Isn't dinner a bother? Meals in general too. Brother Juniper, that's
the one who didn't speak for six months and played see-saw with the
children--well, he once was left alone and he was told to see he cooked
some food when the others returned, and he agreed, but when they were
gone he thought it was a lot of trouble so much food cooking, so he went
begging for food and made a big fire, and borrowed big pots and put all
the food he got into it. Fowls with their feathers on, and eggs with
their shells, and the fire was so big that he had to tie a plank on his
body to get near the pots. Then at last he rang the bell and all the
brothers came, expecting great things, and he said, 'Eat well, for I
have cooked enough for a fortnight, and then we can all go to prayer and
think no more about food.'"
"I hope they enjoyed it!" said Sir Evas absently. He was thinking of his
wife.
"It says so quaintly that, 'there is not a pig in all the land of Rome
so famished as to have eaten it!' But he got a wigging from the
General!"
This chimed in with Sir Evas' thoughts.
"I daresay he deserved it! Fowls with their feathers on can't be very
digestible."
"Anyhow he was right about the time we waste over our meals! Do you
know, uncle, you are rather like Brother Amazialbene."
"Good heavens, what a name! Didn't your Brother shorten it ever?"
"No, you see they had time then. Anyhow, he possessed the virtues of
patience and obedience, for if he were beaten for the whole day long, he
would never murmur nor complain with a single word!"
"I don't think I should take the beating so easily! But I want to say,
Toney, that you are giving away your money right and left rather too
freely. There's moderation in all things, my dear child."
"Dear old ducky. It's just perfect to hear you! I'm only afraid of not
being able to get rid of it all, but I mean to try."
"You must remember--Ehem--if you were to marry, of course your husband
would help you to get rid of a good lot!"
Toney turned the conversation and the two who so well understood each
other appeared in the Aldersfield drawing-room just as Lady Dove was
telling Mrs. Faber to leave off as it was time to dress.
"Oh, there you are! Well, I do think, Evas, that you might have
returned to tea. Has Antonia told you of the terrible inroad we have
had? If----"
"Yes, yes, it was a mistake--but they didn't do any harm, did they?"
"Lewis Waycott and Edward Lang were here happily, and were very
good-natured. By the way, I have had Mrs. Kenward here, and I have
heard some news about him, which of course I have been expecting."
"Indeed, what's that?" said Sir Evas, pleasantly relieved that the storm
was blowing over, whilst Toney leant against the door and listened.
"Lewis is going to marry his cousin Maud. It is private as yet, but
quite understood."
"Good gracious! Strange we have not heard it!"
"Oh, you men have no eyes. At the party I saw them constantly smiling
at each other, and Mrs. Hamilton said very pointedly something about
young people fancying no one saw their inclinations. I guessed her
meaning. Well, she has been working that way for some years, she means
to feather her nest well, but of course it's a pity!"
Without knowing what he was doing, Sir Evas turned towards Toney, and to
his surprise he found her gone.
"Well," he said, "I always thought he liked Toney! But it's no use
meddling with such things."
Upstairs Toney was sitting on her window-sill with Trick in her arms.
She had locked her door, and for the first time in her life there was no
smile on her lips at the thought of Lewis Waycott.
"Oh, I am glad, I must be glad that he will be happy," she said to
herself, "but I wish he had told me himself, though she is a nice girl
and will sort of do all he wishes." Then she laid her head against
Trick's face and whispered, "Trick, Trick, you'll not leave your
mistress, will you, dear? You're all I've got of my very own."
*CHAPTER XVII.*
*STUCK IN A BOG.*
After great events there is always a certain feeling of flatness, and it
must have been that which made Toney somewhat silent and plunge at times
into the tabulating work with furious energy. Lewis Waycott came every
morning and, to everybody's surprise, the Hon. Edward often turned up
too. It really was amusing to see the self-made secretaries each in
front of a book and a pile of letters, whilst Plantagenet Russell
indolently "bossed the show," as Toney remarked. Before he had worked
long Edward Lang's labours were transmuted into conversation, and he
always found an excellent excuse for luring Toney out into the park or
the garden; strange to say, Toney did not seem to object, and left Lewis
and Plantagenet at their task without too many apologies. The feeling
of needing a good stretch came upon her, and though she would have
preferred solitude, Edward Lang's thirst for information served her
purpose. When Lewis was gone, however, then she returned to the
tabulating work with increased energy, and the Hon. Edward's wishes
could not drag her away. She said to herself she missed her chum, and
that the world was a bit awry without her sweet sympathy, but she
manfully fought against these feelings, flying to her "Little Flowers"
for strength when she felt extra depressed. She liked reading about
Brother John, of Alverina, who had entered the Order as a boy, "But
seeing that God careth with tender care for His children, giving them at
divers times, now consolation, and now tribulation, now prosperity, and
now adversity, according as He seeth they have need thereof, for to
continue in humility, or for to kindle more in them desire for heavenly
things," Brother John remained without the light and love of God, and
this so afflicted him that he took to running hither and thither about
the woods, till at last he had a vision of Christ and after many
entreaties, the gift of divine grace returned to him.
"All work and no play, Toney, will make you dull, a day's hunting will
do you a world of good," said Sir Evas one day. "I'll come with you,
and Colon wants exercise. The meet is at the Towers."
Toney looked up quickly.
"It's you, uncle, who want to hunt, but of course I'll come. Mr.
Waycott will help Mr. Russell to-day, and perhaps a good blow will clear
away my cobwebs. We're getting so puzzled as to who's the most needy
and deserving, that we seriously think of raffling them."
"I hope Waycott won't give up his hunting for your beggars, Toney.
Anyhow, we'll start early to-morrow."
It was a real joy to see Toney hunting; she sat her horse as if she were
part and parcel of the steed and certainly there was perfect sympathy
between them. The county gentlemen, who now and then spoke hard words
about some of the Dianas of the hunting field, were lost in admiration
as they saw Toney's seat, and Sir Evas felt immensely proud of the
praises bestowed upon his niece. That this young huntress was an
heiress added to the admiration, and Toney found herself surrounded with
a little court of followers, foremost among them was, of course, Edward
Lang. He meant to try his luck to-day, and was therefore delighted at
seeing her at the meet, but how was he to find his opportunity?
Toney looked as if cobwebs were swept away judging by her face as she
and Sir Evas joined the meet, indeed, she looked a perfect picture as
she and Colon impatiently waited to be off though talking to Edward
Lang.
"Colon is nearly perfect. Uncle Evas bought him when he became my
guardian, and I don't think there is a better judge of horses in all
England."
"That is a rare talent. You'll lunch here of course, Miss Whitburn?"
"I think we shall need fortifying. Oh, now they're off! I feel as if
we should fly over everything."
And, indeed, it looked like it, for Toney and Colon were soon flying
across country in grand style. Sir Evas presently gave up trying to keep
up with her, five-barred gates were not for him now, though in his youth
he had been a mighty hunter.
"Look at Miss Whitburn taking that hedge! By jove!" exclaimed one of
the young men.
"Did you see her take that wide ditch? It was magnificent, and there's
no show-off; it's just because she and her thorough-bred forget
everything that it's so splendid."
Edward Lang even had not been able to keep up with Toney, but you can't
make a proposal flying over a gate, so he comforted himself with
thinking,
"Australia ought to be proud of having reared her; anyhow, a girl who
rides like that can be trusted not to give way to too many fads."
No need to describe a hunting morning in that county, it has all been
done before, and best by those who have themselves known the full
excitement of a splendid run. To Toney it seemed to give new life and
happiness, but she never was too much excited to forget that this was
only an interlude. She and her father had had many a day's hard riding,
and he had taught her so young that the word or feeling of fear did not
even enter into her composition; and, besides this, Colon was a
thoroughbred to be proud of. He understood the run as well or better
than she did, and seemed endowed with miraculous powers of clearing
everything that came in his way, whilst a soft pat from a loving hand
was reward enough. It must be owned that though the masculine gender
applauded, some of the hunting ladies were somewhat jealous.
"Of course," said a pretty girl to Edward Lang, "if you get a
thorough-bred like that you can do anything, it depends on the horse."
Her own was evidently a hack of moderate powers.
He shook his head.
"I fear it isn't all the horse, Miss Symons; Miss Whitburn has a superb
seat."
"They say she was originally a circus rider," answered Miss Symons;
"that accounts for her splendid seat, doesn't it?"
The Honble. Edward winced a little. He meant to propose to-day and this
remark affected him disagreeably. Would his wife have to live down
these queer reports?
"I never heard that report," he said smiling, "but if I had been the
owner of the circus I would not have let Miss Whitburn leave me. Her
father was a doctor in Australia."
"Oh, Australia! They are queer people there! Descendants of convicts,
aren't they?"
At this moment the dogs were seen in full cry, the fox had been
dislodged and part of the hunt came flying back across a field hard by.
Toney was close behind, and at that moment Miss Symons and Edward Lang
saw her and Colon leap over a gate that would have been avoided by all
the ladies and most of the men.
"By Jove! That was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,"
exclaimed Edward Lang, looking towards Toney and leaving the
disconsolate Miss Symons to answer her own question. To his amusement
Toney drew rein and came to meet him and her uncle.
"Uncle Evas, you look as if you wanted your lunch. Wasn't it
splendatious? Colon just flies!"
"Don't stop your Pegasus for me, Toney."
"But I want to. How far is it to the Towers, Mr. Lang? and then we have
to get home."
"I quite agree; besides the fox has got into Red Hollow and will escape.
They always do in Red Hollow." Toney smiled.
"He deserves it. But it does make one happy, doesn't it?"
The three trotted back to the Towers, Edward Lang was rather silent,
wondering how he should propose. He heartily wished Toney were as
easily approached as Miss Symons, who was always lifting her sad sweet
eyes to his.
The breakfast was a joy to the hungry, and Lady Southbourne all
amiability to Toney and Sir Evas. He had nothing to mar his enjoyment,
and even managed not to think of Melina at home.
All luncheon time Edward could think of nothing more original than
discussing the hunt, but as so many of the male guests would chat with
Toney and all were enthusiastic over her riding, he only succeeded in
carrying her off to the conservatory when the horses were at the door.
It does not help matters if you feel there must be no delay over your
proposal.
"You just eclipsed all the girls on the hunting field, Miss Whitburn,"
he began, as he picked some lovely flowers at random. "I do hope you'll
come again soon. Why haven't we seen you oftener--I--I----"
Hunting and love don't dovetail easily, and Toney was sniffing hard at
some flowers quite unconscious of what was coming.
"I shan't have much time, but Colon loves it; I love the exercise too,
but I'm not sure about the fox!"
"You are too much of a sportswoman to join the squeamish set."
"I'm not a sportswoman but I do love riding. Pups and I had glorious
days out in the Bush! I wish England didn't feel so small, but one gets
used to being cooped up, and it's very good discipline."
"You are too young and too beautiful to talk of discipline," he
murmured. Toney took her face out of a bush of sweet azaleas and looked
at him in amazement, so he continued very quickly,
"Of course you must know that _I_ think so, and that I--I--want to know
if you will let me tell you I love you? Upon my word, I--do hope you'll
give me a chance. Mother is awfully fond of you too, and in fact, will
you be my wife?"
Never, never had Edward found it so difficult to compose a speech worthy
of the occasion. He had never made love to such a perfectly simple
bright-eyed girl, impervious to flattery.
Suddenly Toney realised that she was having an offer made to her:
"Gracious stars! You don't mean you want to marry me? I'm sure you
don't, because Aunt Dove says no one can want to marry me except for my
money," and Toney laughed happily, "and you are ever so much too nice
for that."
If only she had been shy! If only she had not mentioned money in this
bald way!
"Of course it isn't for your money--but----" the lie stuck a little in
his throat, looking at those wide-opened laughing eyes, "but I think I
could make you happy, and you should have your own way." Toney nodded.
"Oh, yes, of course I should! That's why it's no use thinking of it.
My way and your way would never be one scrap like twins. Uncle Dove
says it's best to give me my head, but he declares no other man but he
would put up with it! Ouf! that's over, isn't it? You don't mind one
bit, I'm sure! Good-bye. I heard uncle calling. Time's up and Colon
hates waiting. Good-bye," and Toney flew off like a sudden gust of
wind, leaving Edward Lang to chew the cud of disappointment alone.
Lady Southbourne watched Sir Evas and Toney ride off followed by Jim,
who had enjoyed himself immensely in the servants' hall, weaving yarns
about his mistress and Colon.
"Well, Toney, you look very fit in spite of your high jumps," said Sir
Evas, looking with pleasure at his niece, "It was a very fine run."
"And you look all the sprucer, dear old duck, but I shan't come often
if----"
"If--what's the matter?"
"If I have to have an offer at the end! Mr. Lang didn't do it very
easily either, got into a bog and sort of stuck there."
"Good heavens, Toney, have you refused the best match of the county?"
"I don't believe he wanted _me_, but the money. Aunt Dove sees some
things awfully truly, I can tell you, uncle, so I just repeated what she
said about it to him."
"Good heavens! What was that?"
"You know, that it's only my money the men will want."
"You didn't tell him to his face, Toney?"
"Why not? It's much better to be honest about it, and besides I put it
gingerly. I told him it couldn't be _that_. But I did bless you when
you shouted for me, couldn't have found anything else to say, either of
us, not for anything! so I just ran!" Sir Evas laughed till the tears
ran down his face.
"Edward Lang won't forgive you in a hurry, besides, I daresay he does
like you, and he's not half a bad fellow, only rather extravagant, and
given to---- Ehem----"
"That's it, he wants to pay his bills, that shows he's honest, anyhow,
doesn't it? but I haven't as much liking for him as I have for Jim.
That can't be love, can it, uncle?"
"I should surmise not."
"But you might know, because you once made love, didn't you?"
"Ye-es--but it was different. We weren't romantic in those days."
They went on in silence for a little while, then Toney remarked,
"Do you know, Uncle Evas, you might have told me about a pretty romance
going on near us."
"Whose, Toney?"
"It's Mr. Waycott. I guess he's awfully in love with Maud Hamilton.
Don't you think that that will be a very, very happy romance? He's so
real nice, isn't he? and you see, she's very poor, so it isn't for money
only, but just because he loves and admires her. We'll give them a
scrumptious wedding present, won't we, uncle?"
"As it's a secret better say nothing; but, as you remark, he can't be
marrying for money!"
"I expect he'll tell me some day. He always has been so chummy with us,
hasn't he?"
"Well, yes, Lewis Waycott is a first-rate fellow. Now let's trot home
quickly."
*CHAPTER XVIII.*
*A GENEROUS COUSIN.*
Lewis was looking at the newspaper in the dining-room one morning whilst
waiting for his aunts and cousins to come down to breakfast. The
postman had just left the letters when Maud entered. She looked very
bright and pretty, and Lewis thought to himself what a pity it was he
could not feel towards her as he did for Toney. Everything would be so
easy as Maud was not an heiress. Aunt Delia's wishes were so carefully
hidden that happily Lewis did not recognise them, still he knew his
aunts would easily consent. Maud held a letter in her hand.
"Oh, Lewis, imagine what has happened! Mother always said it would!"
"I did not know Aunt Delia had the spirit of prophecy."
"She has! You know Cousin Seaton Hamilton lives in the Argentine?"
"I thought he found living rather a difficulty."
"Mother always said he would make a fortune and think of us, and he has!
So nice, too, he won't say it's him. Just imagine a present of two
hundred pounds for each of us, to go and study music in Germany!"
Lewis laughed heartily.
"Oh, Lewis, you don't believe it! Look for yourself!" She held out her
letter which certainly contained a draft for two hundred pounds. Jeanie
walked in with a similar letter in her hand.
"Isn't it lovely? Imagine such a thing happening to us!"
"Seaton Hamilton must have found a gold mine! When was the last time he
wrote to you?"
"It was just when--Jeanie was playing with----" Maud left off, she must
not mention the discarded lover, but Jeanie blushed as she murmured,
"Mother is always right! She said he would remember us when he was
rich, and he has."
Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Honoria entered together, and there was a chorus
from the girls whilst Lewis stood by the fire smiling.
"Really, Delia, this is the first time I have known your prophecy to
come true. And he puts it nicely," said Miss Honoria.
"I wonder he doesn't sign his name," said Lewis.
"So full of good feeling. He always admired you two girls so much,"
said their mother.
"Poor Seaton, money was always like water in his hands."
"Nonsense, Lewis, he never had any, so your simile is quite wrong, but I
always said he _would_ make money some day, and would remember the
girls."
"Let's eat our breakfast in his honour then," said Lewis, sitting down.
"Shall you accept it, Jeanie?"
"Of course. Mother, when can we start?"
"We must thank him first; but isn't it tiresome there is no address
except that of the Argentine lawyer?" said Maud.
"You must thank him then," said Lewis, "he'll pass it on."
"I think Lewis does not half believe," said Jeanie.
"I believe in the money as the cheque looks good enough; to me the
miracle seems to be in Seaton. He never could make money, and wasn't
very generous."
"How could he be on nothing? Poor Seaton! I always believed in him,"
repeated Mrs. Hamilton, "but I don't think Maud can go to Germany just
now."
They discussed this some time when suddenly Lewis exclaimed,
"Why there is Toney cantering across the park! You must tell her of your
good fortune." Lewis went to the front door to warn her. She ran up
the steps leaving Jim to hold the horses, and Lewis thought he had never
seen her looking so happy.
"Will you forgive me coming so early?"
"Forgive you? Why, it's a great pleasure to see you, Toney."
"Is it? Well, that is nice of you. I never know if people care----"
What an opportunity! Lewis nearly said, "I care more for you than for
anybody in the world," but the fifty thousand a year popped up before
his mental vision like a number on a music hall platform.
"Everybody does," he altered it to, "but I came to tell you that Maud
and Jeanie are in the seventh heaven of delight over poor Seaton
Hamilton's gift of two hundred pounds each. You are too generous,
Toney."
"You are glad, aren't you? You won't scold me? I know you like Maud to
have advantages. Keep the secret, won't you?"
"Of course, but what brings you? Has Lady Dove given you notice to
quit?"
Toney laughed.
"Oh no, not yet; but she is very angry because--another _avant garde_
came yesterday--such a quaint little old maid whose father was at
Balaclava, and then finished up all his money before he died, and she
has kept her mother for years by working at a little school, and now she
is going blind."