"That is all on the right road. Aunt Dove is delighted because all 'our
county friends' are coming. Can't think why lords and ladies please her
so much. I never can learn her table of degrees." "There is Lewis,"
exclaimed Maud. "Oh, Toney, do tell him."
Toney was not surprised. Of course Lewis Waycott knew Maud went every
day to the Haven, and of course he sort of happened to be often in the
way. He shook hands as he said,
"So, Toney, we are all booked for your concert to-morrow. Who is the
star you are preparing for us? Nobody knows!"
"It's Aunt Dove's concert, please; she is so smiling to-day, and she and
Mr. Russell have been discussing all the musicians beginning with Tubal
Cain. Maud has promised to pinch me at intervals in case I go to sleep.
Only 'Sound the loud timbrel' sort of thing keeps me awake, but I guess
I'll keep awake to-morrow because----"
"Why, pray?"
"You are safe I know, Mr. Waycott, and I want you both to know."
"Both?" asked Lewis.
"Yes, you and Maud of course, you will both be so pleased--if it
succeeds."
"What is this surprise, Toney? I am a little nervous," and Lewis
laughed.
"It's a romance--about Jeanie. You know, Mr. Waycott, that she loved
someone once, but she chucked him up because his father kept a store
somewhere."
"Oh! Jeanie's romance! You don't mean to say, Toney----"
"Yes, I do. I've got him, and no one knows but you two."
"Knows what?
"Don't laugh please. He's coming, and all the musical people will be in
a seventh heaven, and then Jeanie will come in looking beautiful and
sad--and he will see her and she will see him--and----"
"Good heavens! Toney! What do you think will happen then?"
"He'll speak through his violin. Books always say that, though that
language would be of no use to me!"
"I don't think a musician could make you an offer, Toney," said Maud
laughing, "you would hurt his tenderest feelings."
"Anyhow, I wouldn't chuck him up because his parents kept a store."
"And what will happen next, Toney?" said Lewis, "pray tell us."
"That's what I can't quite settle in my own mind. They are both going
to stay in the house to-morrow, and I think there must be sort of
opportunities----"
"It's too delicious, but I think they will both send for a carriage and
depart."
"Together?" said Toney laughing. "Oh, I hope they will do that."
"No, on opposite sides!" answered Lewis.
"I shall work hard and see. Chum is coming with her Henry as they are
both musical, and I want to introduce her to some nice people. Clergy
folk want rubbing up."
"Poor Mrs. Faber, she goes through a good deal for your sake, Toney!"
"But you'll just both help me, won't you, and make people talk and
introduce anybody to anybody. It takes too much time to remember who
may speak to who, according to Aunt Dove, that it's better to forget it
all."
"Poor county! You are going against its most cherished ideas," said
Lewis, secretly glorying in Toney's courage.
"I can't help it. Mr. Russell is studying the Peerage this morning and
he'll cover up my mistakes. Anyhow, I may count on you two? Now I'm
off as there are several things to think out for the great romance!
First I am going to meet _him_ at the station and drive him home alone.
Good-bye. You'll have a nice walk home."
Toney disappeared swiftly as usual, and Lewis walked a few minutes in
silence by his cousin, considering why Toney classed them together so
pointedly. Maud had not noticed it, her mind was full of another idea.
"Oh, Lewis, I believe Mr. Lang is in love with Toney! Wouldn't it be
lovely if she became chief lady in the county!"
"Edward Lang! What nonsense! Who said it?" Lewis dug his stick into
the ground rather savagely.
"I put two and two together."
"Do you think Toney would--marry him?"
"If she could be persuaded he cared about her and not her money."
"But does he?"
"I think you are prejudiced against him. He is rather a nice fellow."
"I wish you girls wouldn't use the word nice for everything," said Lewis
somewhat crossly; but Maud's answer was cut short by the appearance of
her mother as they walked up on to the terrace of Waycott Hall.
"I've just persuaded Jeanie to accept Antonia's invitation. I hear the
county is coming and they expect something good, but no one knows. Do
you, Maud?"
"Toney wants it to be a secret," said Maud.
"Ah, I see, you two always take Toney's side. Maud, what a colour you
have. Morning walks agree with you, don't you think so, Lewis?"
Lewis looked up and noticed how pretty Maud was looking.
"Maud is developing into a beauty, aunt!"
"You silly boy! I don't want my girls to be beauties."
"Then you must find out some way of stopping it! Jeanie's pensive air
is most becoming, and Maud----"
"Ah! poor Jeanie, I think Germany will cure her low spirits."
Lewis remarked he had to go to town on business that afternoon but he
could be back for the concert. He wanted to get rid of his ill-temper.
Maud's unfortunate remark had been the cause of it. Would someone else
seize the prize he was too proud to win--and would that someone else be
Edward Lang? Certainly fine feelings would not stop him trying to grasp
at wealth.
Maud was dreadfully restless that afternoon and insisted on Jeanie
turning out her wardrobe to see what suitable dress she should wear.
"Your pale blue dress is pretty," remarked Maud. "Oh, we have both worn
those pale blue dresses till people must know them."
"There is no time to get a new dress, I'm afraid."
"I shan't waste a penny of my money on dress and mother says she can't
afford it."
"Then your white muslin, Jeanie dear."
"I don't feel like white muslin. I shall wear my black dress. No one
will notice us, Maud."
The sisters stood rather sadly looking over the beautiful park from the
Elizabethan windows. Nothing is more depressing than to be surrounded by
wealthy friends and yet to be too poor to take the position you are
entitled to. Suddenly the butler entered.
"A gentleman to see you, Miss Hamilton."
Their Aunt Honoria and their mother had gone out to pay calls; they were
alone.
Jeanie flushed. "A gentleman to see her" made her heart beat, but the
gentleman that entered was quite unknown. He bowed very politely and
looked at the sisters critically.
"Excuse me, ladies, but five minutes will suffice."
Five minutes! The sisters looked at each other in dismay. Had Miles
let in a lunatic?
The stranger looked at a letter he held in his hand.
"Surely I am not mistaken. Two Miss Hamiltons at Waycott Hall. The
order to be executed immediately. I shall take the next train back to
town and twenty individuals are put on at once on each dress; by
to-morrow at ten o'clock you will have two creations. If you will
permit me." A yard measure came swiftly out of the gentleman's pocket,
and before the astonished girls could speak, their measures were taken
and the gentleman bowed low and retired.
"Oh!" exclaimed Jeanie, "it's Aunt Honoria! She heard me say I had
nothing to wear! But she might have asked us what colour we wanted."
"As she didn't, we had better say nothing about it. Perhaps she sent
the measures and the gentleman wanted to make sure," said Maud. A faint
idea had entered her head, but she would not for the world have told
Jeanie.
"Yes, you are right--I must say it's nice of her. I should have been
ashamed to play in that old blue or white muslin!--Not that it matters
much."
When Aunt Honoria came in she found Maud waiting for her.
"Did you--order a dress to be sent to us, Aunt Honoria?"
"A dress? No, dear. Your mother said you had some that would do
nicely, as there will be such a crowd, she hears."
"Would you mind if some dresses come not saying anything--I'll tell you
why another day. It's a surprise for Jeanie."
"Oh! indeed! But I can't accept the credit--who is the donor?"
"Please, please, accept thanks if--you don't mind just for one day----"
Maud retired to solitude thinking to herself.
"I'm sure it's Toney, it's part of her plan! She's ordered something
lovely for Jeanie and couldn't leave me out! It would break her heart
if Jeanie refused her gift. Dear Toney's romance must not be spoilt."
*CHAPTER XXI.*
*PLAYING WITH FIRE.*
"Uncle Evas, I want you particularly," said Toney next morning after
lunch.
"Your aunt does too. She and Mr. Russell are tabulating guests. I hear
some great man sleeps here to-night."
"I'm just off to meet him, but you will be very nice to him, uncle, at
dinner to-night, won't you, and mind you see he takes in Jeanie
Hamilton. They will talk of music all the time and save us a lot of
trouble."
"Very well, but your aunt will pair him off with Lady Southbourne. He
seems to be no end of a swell. For my part I never can find a word to
say to these geniuses."
"Dear, ducky uncle, they are none of them so nice as you are, gospel
truth, but I wish you were just a wee bit curious." The heart of Sir
Evas felt warmed. He realised now what an immense difference Toney's
love made in his life. To him it seemed as if he had been in a grave
till her arrival, and then had slowly crept out of it.
"Curious, eh? Well, so I am."
"You never asked me why I wanted you particularly."
"I'm a trifle nervous when you do!" he answered laughing.
"You always were a bit of a coward, weren't you? Well, I'll tell you.
You must let Maud Hamilton go in with Mr. Waycott, I think it's all
right."
"Good Lord! what's all right?"
"Why, they are! I wonder they don't announce it, but I expect Miss
Honoria doesn't like it."
"Like what?"
"You know! I think they're engaged now. He nearly always comes to meet
her at the Haven."
"Toney, your romantic nature should be curbed. I don't believe a word of
it."
Toney looked up with wide-opened eyes.
"That's just like a man--awfully opaque. Well, I'm off, I'm going to
drive the motor to the station, and come back in the dog-cart."
"You'll take Jim?"
"No, I'm going quite alone. I want to make friends with the great
musician."
"I say, Toney, I don't think that's quite _comme-il-faut_. Now you're a
lady of property you mustn't be quite so--so----"
"Oh, Uncle Evas, you do disappoint me! It's Mr. Russell that is
spoiling your natural disposition. You're downright snobby! What harm
can I do to a poor stranger that comes here to give us pleasure? He's
not a wild beast. Good-bye, and wish me luck."
"You won't let--your aunt see you, will you, Toney?"
"No, you bet!" and Toney flew off laughing heartily.
"Can't get the fear of Aunt Dove out of his constitution, poor darling,
sort of chronic disease," she said to herself.
Happily the day turned into a dull drizzle, and the county magnates
stayed indoors, or they might have seen a flying machine guided by the
heiress, dashing up to the station. Toney timed herself always to be
exact, with no time to spare. Her face was radiant. She had settled
her plan of campaign, and as she walked up and down well "reefed in"
with a serge coat and skirt of the simplest description, no one would
have guessed that she was the envy of all the impoverished aristocrats
of the county. She looked more cheerful than she felt, however.
"There's many a slip between the cup and the lip," and that tiresome
proverb would float about on the surface of Toney's brain.
The train flustered in with a great show of consequentiality, the slow
porters had on the look of "Take it easy, pray," as Toney ran up and
down looking for the great man, whose father had once kept a shop. For
a moment she thought he had failed to appear, then from the other end of
the platform a tall man with a very remarkable face came slowly towards
her. He carried a violin case, and a man-servant followed him laden
with other luggage.
Toney knew at once this was her man, and she seized the porter.
"Mr. Smith, will you please get a fly and put that gentleman and all the
luggage in it. I'm driving the other gentleman in the dog-cart."
The porter touched his hat with a grin, he was not accustomed to being
called Mr. Smith, nor to hear a man-servant called a gentleman.
Then Toney began her campaign.
"How do you do? I know you are Mr. Frank Weston, because--there's no
one else, is there--I've come to drive you home. I'm Toney Whitburn, so
now we're introduced. Lady Dove's giving the party, but I take all the
trouble. There's a fly for your man, and if you want the violin with
you I'll put it behind us."
Frank Weston had been much dissatisfied with himself for accepting the
munificent private offer for playing in a private house. The money had
tempted him, as he had lately heard of a broken-down violinist who had
nothing but the workhouse before him, and he had infinite pity for
failure and poverty. For himself--now his parents were well provided
for--he cared nothing at all. The one romance of his life had failed.
He had loved once and once only. Jeanie Hamilton had touched his heart
with her beauty and her talent, and strange to say her pride, but when
her mother had told him her daughter refused his love, and had intimated
that their social positions were too far removed, the genius had lifted
his head more proudly than any aristocrat.
"I offered her my heart and my music," he had said, "they are worth more
than anything she may possess."
"Yes, yes--you--and your genius but--your people are not our people,"
Mrs. Hamilton had murmured with the softness of a purring pussy.
Frank Weston's face had turned paler if possible than usual, and he
walked away without answering. The iron had entered into his soul. But
in spite of this he still loved his first love, though her name had
never again passed his lips, and he hated other women because of her.
No other should spurn him, and though many had wished to marry him, he
had never asked any. His music was the gainer, for after that people
said Frank Weston was inspired in his pathetic movements, and now Toney
was going to play with fire.
Frank Weston's face was one not to be easily forgotten. His features
seemed to be cut in alabaster, his hair reached his coat collar in soft
curling fashion, but there was no affectation about him. He was far too
true a genius to descend to small advertisements. Music was his only
interest in life, but even a dreamy genius stood no chance with Toney.
She piloted him out of the station and both stood by the side of the
dog-cart. Frank Weston looked round hopelessly. He could not drive,
and looking down at the slight girlish figure he doubted if she could,
when he saw Jim holding the thorough-bred. Toney answered his look.
"Oh, yes, I'll drive you. There's a dry place for your violin. You can
trust me. This is my own horse and we understand each other. It's
awfully good of you to come to us. You don't usually, do you, but I did
so particularly want you." Frank Weston gradually took in the
situation.
"My agent said a Miss Whitburn--wanted----"
Toney jumped in and he had to follow.
"Yes, that's all right, that's me. When your agent said, 'It will only
be a big price that will tempt him,' I said, 'Go ahead!'" Toney spoke
so simply that Mr. Weston smiled.
"I may as well own it at once," he said. "It was the money that tempted
me. There is a poor friend of mine whose career is cut short in a
terrible manner. He has creeping paralysis coming on from over-work.
He's too young for the charitable societies to come to his help, so----"
"So you are going to do it! Oh, isn't that lovely! I am glad you told
me, I'll just double the fee if that will set him up."
Frank stared at this unusually generous girl.
"Oh, but you are already paying a very heavy fee for--a very short time.
I expect you are one of the amateurs who have all the fine feelings of
the professional--finer often, because unconnected with public
recognition." He lifted his head and smiled, then became conscious that
Miss Whitburn was flying along the country roads at a furious pace.
"Oh, gracious stars! don't think so for a moment about me! I don't know
one note from another, but I've got a friend who feels all that, at
least I suppose so. I do want you to be--sort of friendly with her,
because I've got it all up for her."
"All for your friend? How extraordinary!" said the genius, "but,
forgive me for asking, is your horse running away? I'm no good with
horses." There was a touch of anxiety in his voice. He heard a
rippling laugh near him.
"Don't you like it? I'll pull him in, but it's the pace I like!
Suppose, Mr. Weston, you were driving with your--say your intended,
would you be afraid for her?"
Mr. Weston turned towards Toney with a look of dismayed surprise.
"I--have not--got one--I really can't say."
"I'm awfully glad, I half feared you might be engaged, you know----
People say you are tremendously run after. If you had been, of course I
should have asked _her_ too. You don't mind my saying this, do you?
I'm only an Australian girl, and out there we don't mince matters so
much as people do here, and I once heard that--that you were going to
marry a girl and that she----" Toney cleared her throat. She glanced
at the genius whose marble-cut face was lifted towards the sky with a
hard strange look on it. No one had ever dared to speak to him about
that episode since it happened, and here was a strange girl introducing
the subject! The very boldness of it put him off his guard.
"You heard rightly, Miss Whitburn; the only woman I ever loved jilted
me, because I was not as nobly born as she was, and now----"
"I expect she's just mad with herself that she was so silly! A hundred
to one it was her mother, sort of old pussy cat I shouldn't wonder. Why
didn't you ask her again? I should if I were a man! I would not take
no, not for Joe!" Toney was so excited that she flicked Colon with her
whip and he, to show his surprise, suddenly reared and then bolted
forward. The genius turned towards his terrible driver in mute appeal.
"It's all right, indeed it is, Colon's as gentle as a child, but I was
thinking so much about your young--lady, that I touched him with the
whip. He's awfully proud and that was his way of remonstrating. Here's
the gate---- Will you hold Colon a minute, or----"
"Let me open the gate," said the genius, suiting the action to the
words; not for the world would he have held that horse, his precious
Stradivarius was behind him. Toney smiled, but indeed Colon stood quite
quietly whilst she remarked,
"I told you he's like a lamb--but you will let me help about your
friend? It will give me so muck pleasure, and I shan't feel this
concert is wasted if you do."
"If I let you pay twice over?" said the genius, now quite under the
spell of this extraordinary heiress, whose generosity was as surprising
as her driving.
"If you and my friend don't enjoy this concert--"
"I shall do my best for your friend after your great kindness. Is it--a
man?" He believed it was Toney's fiance as her mind ran on that
subject, and he felt in a soft mood, though he could not have told why.
"A man! I should think not! Mr. Russell--he helps me with my
letters--he's musical, but then he doesn't think much of me!"
"His taste must be bad," said Frank, actually making a compliment. "He
would have more confidence in you if you drove him back from the
station." Frank Weston had forgiven her and Toney realised it with joy.
"Ouf! Here's Aldersfield House, I'm glad the drive is over. Will you
promise, even if you don't like my friend, to take her in to dinner and
to talk music to her? She'll love that. The other people wouldn't
understand it--and you won't try it on me, will you, or on Uncle Evas?
He'd want to be polite, but he wouldn't know what to answer."
"I think you can trust me, Miss Whitburn, not to bore the unmusical. I
shall do my best to please your lady friend, because all the time I
shall see Arthur Mullins' face when he hears of his luck."
"That's all right! I'm awfully relieved. You'll like to go to your
room now at once, won't you, and rest? I'll send you up some tea, and
then you won't have to answer foolish questions."
"That would be most kind," he said gratefully. How very extraordinarily
thoughtful this young heiress seemed to be.
Toney was saying to herself, "Then they won't meet till dinner-time, and
she'll just be looking so beautiful that----"
"Gollywogs!" she exclaimed as she jumped down and Jim came running up,
"There's visitors just come. Jim, take Mr. Weston in by the garden door,
and tell them to take him to his room and give him tea."
In this way Toney smuggled in the genius and she herself stepped into
the hall to find the two Hamiltons there taking their wraps off.
"I am glad you are come early for tea. I'm sure Aunt Dove will want
some help about the Peerage. I'm no use at all. If a man has got all
his legs and arms, and he has a nice face and lots of genius, I don't
care how he came into the world."
Maud laughed, and as Jeanie walked towards the drawing-room Toney seized
her.
"Maud, he's come, he's in his room, they won't meet till dinner."
"Oh, Toney!" gasped Maud, "but do you know anything about some lovely
dresses that came for us this morning?"
Toney laughed.
"Don't betray me! Pups used to say a general overlooks nothing to win
the victory."
*CHAPTER XXII.*
*FAILURE.*
A few select guests were expected at Aldersfield for an early dinner
party before the concert. Lady Dove was radiant. She was giving a
grand party at which all the honour and none of the expense was going to
fall on her. Even Miss Grossman had come in for smiles as she read a
novel whilst her ladyship's hair was arranged, and for once punctuality
was rewarded, for Lady Southbourne arrived very early with many
apologies, which she hoped dear Lady Dove would accept. Her husband and
son had gone to town on business and might be a little late, so she had
come on first and they would come later in a dog-cart. Lady Dove was
charmed.
"It is so kind of you, Lady Southbourne, to come at all this foggy
evening. I am always ready early in case a guest does come. My husband
and Antonia are usually late, but of course to-day there has been a good
deal to arrange. We have turned the barn into a concert-room, and it is
really very pretty. I wanted all our friends of North Downshire to
come. The country has been a little dull lately."
"Miss Whitburn has told me your party would be a great success. The
star's name is a secret, I hear."
"Yes, one of Antonia's little secrets! Of course I never interfere with
her plans now she is of age, but I must say I feel rewarded when I look
back on the training of the wild colt she was when we first took her,
little dreaming of the result."
"It must be an immense pleasure for you--though a girl with money is a
responsibility, isn't she?"
"Ah! no one knows how many anxious thoughts I have had on that subject."
"And that was what I really wanted to ask you about, dear Lady Dove. I
want your--help and sympathy."
For the great Lady Southbourne to be asking her help and sympathy made
Lady Dove happy.
"You can always rely on my help, indeed you can! Mutual help is our
greatest duty."
"I need not say that if you have a niece, I have a son to have anxious
thoughts about--and I want you to know a little secret."
"Indeed!"
"Yes, but I don't doubt Miss Whitburn has already confided in you.
Edward has proposed to her, but----"
"Oh, what an honour for Antonia, but, indeed, Lady Southbourne, yours is
a family any girl might be proud to enter! Of course much above her in
rank."
"Edward has no foolish ideas about birth, almost a Republican on that
subject, but--I see that you do not know Miss Whitburn refused him and
Edward is heart-broken."
"Antonia refused the----" Lady Dove gasped.
"She is young, she was startled, but with your help and advice she
might--reconsider it. Edward is more bent on it than ever."
If Lady Southbourne had been sitting in the palace of truth she would
have said her dear boy had just lost a large sum on the turf.
"Trust me, Lady Southbourne, you shall have my influence, and Antonia
owes us so much. I hardly think she will reject so much happiness."
"Thank you a thousand times."
At this moment other guests began to arrive, but where was Antonia and
the great man, and where were the Hamiltons? Happily Sir Evas was
working hard and making everybody welcome regardless of their place in
the peerage.