mind, because she doesn't heed anything now. Frank writes every day.
Last night the letter didn't come, and she was so miserable." Maud
laughed happily.
"Mr. Waycott won't write every day, will he?"
"Lewis! I should think not! He hates writing letters, so I told him we
shouldn't worry if he promised to write when he is ill."
"That's fine--you are not like Jeanie."
"Not a bit!"
Toney spun the wheel round and flew off. She wanted to go fast, very
fast, so as not to think too much. Evidently Lewis and Maud had perfect
trust in each other! Yes, that was fine!
She found that Mr. Hales was visiting some cottages at the other end of
his parish, so she sent Jim to Wynchley for some purchases and walked on
alone, fast, very fast. She felt in a mighty hurry to-day. At the edge
of a fir wood she saw the Vicar coming out of a cottage.
"So glad to see you," she exclaimed; "may I stop you a minute?"
"Of course, Toney, as many minutes as you like." His voice was kind and
soft, and Toney felt comforted. Anyhow, Mr. Hales could not go hunting
lions.
"It's all right about Thursday, isn't it? Special licence is all right.
Mr. Weston's seen to it. Vastly convenient if one is in a hurry."
"You like things done quickly!" said Mr. Hales smiling.
"They want no fuss and no one in church, but I begged for my poor
friends. They love a wedding, I'll send my motor to bring the pair at
nine o'clock. You'll fix it up sharp, and they will go back to a real
breakfast and off by twelve. I've ordered flowers and music."
"You think of everything, as usual," said the Vicar musingly. "Toney,
have you ever thought of your own future?"
"Of course! The Stone House will take all my time and mind!"
"But have you ever thought of--wider work for the Church, or of helping
another with your love and energy?"
Toney opened her eyes. Mr. Hales looked so odd.
"It's no use thinking, Mr. Hales; I've been walking like mad to stop my
thinking to-day."
"Why shouldn't you think?--Toney, I want to ask you a question. Will
you let me take care of you, and together we should do a great work for
the Master. Your money, I need not say, should be for the Master's
cause. Will you be my wife, dear Toney?"
Toney stood transfixed. This idea had never entered her head in
connection with Mr. Hales. He was her embodiment of all that was good,
but far out of her sphere, poor Harum Scarum Toney.
"Gracious stars! You don't mean it?"
"Yes, I do."
Toney shook her head.
"I wish I could, I do wish I could say 'Yes.' You are so good and just
a holy man, but--I'm going to be an old maid--I saw Jeanie's face when
Mr. Weston was near her and--then I knew--I could say love, honour, and
obey, but even that wouldn't be the real thing!"
"Thank you, Toney--" he said, taking her hand; "you're honest, as
always; but we shall be friends still?"
"I should think so!"
"Forget the rest. I had had a vision of missionary work and the great
harvest waiting for workers, but I am content to wait here."
"You saw a vision?" repeated Toney, "and I'm just ordinary flesh and
blood, and not at all like a vision--Good-bye! I'm going to 'The
Haven'--you won't tell anyone, will you, not Silvia or Mrs. Hales? They
wouldn't understand how much I love my dear old master."
Without waiting for an answer, Toney jumped over a low stile, and took a
short cut back towards the Haven.
"It was only a vision, just like St. Francis had visions; I don't think
the real Toney was in it!" she thought, laughing happily. Somehow she
felt happier. Someone had made her an offer who did not care for
money--then she stopped--after all, the money had formed part of the
vision. That was it, it would _always_ come in the way! That was part
of the price she had to pay for having the means of helping other
people! The hard part was that her Path of Perfection was paved with
gold. She loved Mr. Hales, but she could never, never love him like
that.
Toney was just emerging from the wood when she was conscious of hearing
voices, and looking down a path at right angles she saw Maud talking
to--yes, how strange, talking to Edward Lang; but Toney, feeling it was
not honourable to spy, turned the other way and got back to the Haven by
a longer detour. Maud appeared soon after.
"Did you see Mr. Hales? and is it all right?" Toney nodded.
"Yes; it will be just as they like it, with some music."
"Music! That never entered my head!"
"It wouldn't do for two musicians to be married without music, so I
telegraphed to the great Dr. Mayo, who is a friend of Mr. Weston, and I
said he should be motored down here in a jiffy if he would come, but it
was strictly private, and he says 'yes.' Mr. Russell has been so
helpful over all this. He's getting quite understanding and no longer
argues!"
"Toney, I want to ask you a question, may I?"
"Of course, why not?"
"If--Mr. Lang asked you again, could you----"
"Oh!" thought Toney to herself, "she was hatching that! It was for me!"
Then she laughed.
"Never, Maud, so don't conspire! I'm going to be a real old maid. The
jolliest old maid that ever was. Remember the Stone House."
"You are quite, quite sure?"
"Just about sure! Golly! I wouldn't be the Honourable Mrs. Edward Lang
at any price."
As she walked home Toney was in a very meditative mood. She blamed
herself for this sadness, for her romance had succeeded beyond her
greatest hopes. What was the matter with her? She looked up and in the
near distance she saw Lewis walking with his bailiff. Her heart beat
faster. Would he see her? She wanted to talk to him very badly, but
his back was turned to her. She might have called to him, but she
wouldn't or couldn't. Well, she was a silly, a downright silly!
But fate interfered. The bailiff saw Miss Whitburn and touched his hat,
and Lewis turned. He half hesitated, but as Toney stood still, he was
obliged to come forward.
"Are you going home?" was all he said.
"Yes," answered Toney. How stupid they both were, she thought.
"I've had a hard morning with Selby. He's not been here long, so I have
a great deal to explain before going away."
"Do stay till after Thursday!" said Toney. "It's quite a quiet wedding,
only just flowers and music, and Jeanie would be so pleased, and
especially Maud."
"Sorry, Toney, but I really can't! All my plans are made. I go
Wednesday evening, and I shall be at Charing Cross Hotel for a week
more, and that is a very short time for all my preparations."
"To prepare for the lions?" asked Toney seriously.
Lewis laughed.
"Yes, if you put it like that."
"It's a pity there are not lions in England."
"There are lions in my path----"
"Guess you, mean a pussy cat--sort of relation to tigers anyway. You
know I will help you--if I can."
"You can't, Toney, thank you."
"Anyhow, I'll take care of Maud."
"You've done wonders for her as it is. I don't know how you manage it."
"I've done nothing except--of course I cared--because of--because I
did."
Why couldn't she say straight out because you are going to marry her,
but she couldn't.
"That is the secret, I suppose that caring doesn't always
answer--anyhow, Toney, I hope by the time I come back the Stone House
will be built."
"Oh! it will take a year, a long year," sighed Toney. Everything looked
grey and dull.
"Yes, I shall be away as long as that, and when I return there will be
changes I expect. Most likely you will be----"
"Oh, I shan't go and kill anything," interrupted Toney laughing, and
determined she would be natural. "Of course Maud and your aunt and Mrs.
Hamilton will be very dull without you--and there are your poor people."
"Honour bright, Toney, I have thought of them. Selby has _carte blanche_
to do anything he can. But there are some farms unlet, and the estate
is not improving."
"When you have shot enough lions you will come back?"
"I must--of course---- Now, good-bye, I mustn't stay here talking."
"Only two days and three-quarters more. How strange! I wish we lived
in the Middle Ages, and you were going to the Holy Land to shoot the
Turks," said Toney thoughtfully.
"Lions are more troublesome. I shall have time to think anyhow."
"Will you write sometimes?" said Toney slowly.
"I'm afraid I shan't have time--and there might be----"
"Oh, I see, jealousies at Waycott Hall. Of course. Maud says you don't
like writing letters, but of course you'll write to her."
"She'll write to me! and I shall hear all the news. Good-bye, Toney."
"Oh, we shall meet again." Toney's heart went thump, thump!
"Perhaps, but I have so little time that perhaps--we shan't."
They shook hands quite solemnly, and parted without another word.
*CHAPTER XXVII.*
*A TERRIBLE SECRET.*
To Toney the next two days passed as if the hours were leaden-footed,
for no Lewis appeared again. She was very restless and immensely busy.
Her energy was appalling, and Mr. Russell showed signs of rebellion.
His young mistress heaped work upon him, for the Stone House was really
begun, and the parish was invaded by workmen. Toney realised at once
that there was not enough accommodation for them, and had ready-made
Norwegian cottages sent down by return from a firm who kept them in
sections on the premises. The contractor thought the heiress was mad to
bother about the men, but he found it vastly convenient and so did the
men!
Sir Evas too was kept occupied. Toney would not let him go out of her
sight, and he was really in his element. Only Lady Dove complained.
Energy was most displeasing to her--except her own--but just now she and
Miss Grossman were in accord, and this lady agreed to her strong
assertions concerning the iniquity of young people possessing money that
should by right have belonged to others.
"I nourished a serpent in my bosom, Miss Grossman, when I invited
Antonia to come and live here---- We are beggars, whilst she throws
money to the winds."
"Miss Whitburn never thinks of a rainy day," said Miss Grossman; "I
always do, I never give anything away. Charity begins at home, and if I
did otherwise, doubtless I should be helping the undeserving."
"Quite right, I often say so to Sir Evas, but he is weak, very weak, and
I must say weaker since Antonia's arrival. She is not a girl, she is a
whirlwind. Just look at her now tearing down the drive."
It was true Toney was tearing down to meet Maud. It was Wednesday
afternoon. This evening Lewis Waycott was going to town, and Toney had
not seen him!
"Oh, Toney, I've come to tell you all is ready. Jeanie's dress is
lovely, and her other things---- She wants to thank you."
"When?" said Toney; her face was flushed, and there was no smile on it.
"Lewis won't have any visitors to-day. He said so, but he goes this
evening."
Toney felt a big lump in her throat. Surely _she_ was not a visitor!
"But I'm not a stranger."
"I said so, and Lewis said he didn't want _anybody_. So unlike him!"
"I understand---- He wants you all to himself. What train does he go
by?"
"The seven o'clock express."
Toney nodded.
"I shall meet Mr. Weston at 7.10, so I'll come early."
"Do. We shan't go to the station, Lewis doesn't want any fuss. Aunt
Honoria is very much upset by this sudden determination, but I quite
understand it."
"Of course---- You are brave."
"Oh, no. Indeed I shan't miss Lewis till later. We have had such hard
work unpacking your lovely things and packing up again. Toney, I have
never seen Jeanie look as she does now! She walks about the house with
a smile on her face, and sings softly to herself all the time."
Trick came trotting out to look for his mistress. Toney snatched him up.
"Dumb friends are very comforting, aren't they? Sort of understand. Is
Jeanie coming to Winchley Station?"
"No, I think it is rather hard on Jeanie Lewis going like that. You'll
stay for the breakfast to-morrow of course, Toney, and we'll give them a
good send off."
Toney shook herself and hugged Trick closer.
"Yes, we'll finish up the romance properly. I've got heaps to do so I
shan't have a minute till I go off to Winchley. I think to-morrow I
shall go to London to see Mr. Staines on business."
"Poor Toney! you are hard worked. I hear the Stone House has been
begun. You will let me help you still more, won't you? I am so happy."
Maud went off singing an air out of _Il Trovatore_.
"Well, gracious stars, she is one in a thousand," murmured Toney, "and
I'm a horrid wretch to mind his going when she takes it so grandly!"
She stumbled over Sir Evas.
"Oh, Uncle Evas, it is nice to have you. We are good comrades, aren't
we, always have been?"
"Yes, of course, but I'm afraid that means you want something more of
this poor, overworked man." He looked supremely contented however.
"Yes, ever so much more."
"To be your good comrade, Toney, isn't a sinecure, you know!"
"If you really took up 'the Path of Perfection' you'd have to beg your
daily bread, uncle! I can't see you doing it at all!" and Toney
actually laughed in spite of her sore heart.
"You're not good enough yet, uncle, but listen, have you ever shot
lions?"
"Nothing bigger than a pheasant--not my line, I'm sure the lions would
make a meal of me before I had time to aim at the right place."
"You know Mr. Waycott is going to shoot lions in Somaliland. Maud
thinks it all right, and is very unselfish about it."
"Are you sure about Maud?" said Sir Evas scraping his muddy boots, a
custom he feared to forget, as Lady Dove might be looking out of the
window.
"Of course! I've promised to look after her, but, uncle, I want him to
have awfully good rifles and all the right things for shooting wild
beasts. The kit is tremendously expensive. Couldn't you run up and
order it for him and pretend it's _your_ present? You know he's done a
lot for my affairs and it's difficult to----"
"Oh, I see; well, I was going to town. I'll go after the wedding and
spend a night there."
"He's at Charing Cross Hotel. You might stay there too----"
"So I might."
"And you'll manage, won't you, ducky, and not hurt his feelings. He's
rather proud. Sort of in the blood I suppose."
"All the Waycotts always were as proud as Lucifer."
"But you are so understanding. Ouf! I shall feel less under an
obligation too if you get a first-rate rig-out for killing lions and
tigers."
"Can't think why he has taken that idea into his head."
"I think I know. Lions are next door to tigers, and tigers are same
family as wild cats, and wild cats turn into pussies, and, I bet, he has
not hit it off with the old pussy at Waycott."
"Good heavens, Toney! What reasoning powers you are developing, but the
old pussy, as you call that worthy lady, can only be too delighted about
the engagement. Rather foolish to keep it so quiet! I expect Honoria
Waycott objects to cousins marrying. Always was a sensible woman. I've
great regard for Honoria Waycott."
"I'm sorry for her, she just adores her nephew. Now I must run. You
won't make a mistake will you, uncle? Say--you must compose anything
you like."
"Not much of an author, Toney, but I'll do my best---- Call it a
wedding present?"
"Oh, no! He's determined not to let it out yet, so it wouldn't do.
It's a great pity to be proud, isn't it? 'by that sin fell the Angels,'
but Lewis Waycott is awfully nice otherwise."
"Very much altered of late. First-rate fellow, but--yes, certainly
devilish proud. Beg pardon, Toney, my language is not quite choice
enough for an heiress."
"There you are at it! Heiress! Uncle, I shall go up with you to town
and see Mr. Staines on business, and come back in the evening. I shall
want a rest after the wedding."
"And come back alone! Not quite the thing!"
"The thing!" repeated Toney scornfully, and ran away.
Everybody was kept going that day. Toney's untiring energy made Mr.
Russell think seriously of resigning his post, and he was glad to see
her starting off alone in the motor at half-past six. She was going to
meet the bridegroom, and in her heart Toney hoped to say a real good-bye
to Lewis Waycott, but the fates were all against her, for the express
came panting in before the dog-cart dashed up, and Lewis only had time
to jump in, leaving his luggage to follow. Toney caught sight of a
flying vision of him, and he did not even see her---- She stood quite
still as the train rushed out of the station. A feeling as if the sun
had gone out of the sky, and as if life were not worth living came upon
her, then a great contraction in her throat--a feeling of numbness all
over her.
She had to wait for the 7.10. She must pull herself together. What did
this mean? Why had Lewis been so--unkind? He might have just come to
say "Good-bye, Toney, I'll not forget you among the lions"--or words to
that effect. He might have just given her one of his kind, jolly looks,
which made one trust him with everything, he might even have smiled a
little scoffingly as he did over some of her plans!---- He had done
none of these things, simply, he had gone away as any stranger might
have departed.
"Lewis, Lewis, Lewis," she repeated to herself though to his face she
always said "Mr. Waycott." Then something strange happened. She walked
into the first-class waiting-room which was deserted and looked at
herself in the glass. "Toney," she said, "Toney I--do believe--you are
a downright--horrid girl--I do believe--gracious stars! I believe you
are--no." She shook herself like a Newfoundland dog just come out of
the water. "I won't be--so horrid. What would Pups have said? To care
so awfully for someone else's lover! Oh, Pups! I never guessed it till
now." A tearless sob shook her, but at that moment the 7.10 steamed in
and Toney had to dart out to meet the genius. Never in all her life had
she made such an effort to call up a smile, but of course Frank Weston
must be received properly!
"Oh, Mr. Weston, there you are! I've told Jim to call for the luggage.
Come into the motor at once. So sorry it's only me, but Jeanie isn't
here. I think the puss--I mean Mrs. Hamilton--didn't like her coming.
Sort of not proper to be seen in public. Odd, isn't it? But she knows
I'm looking after you."
Frank Weston was smiling all over his face.
"I told her not to come," he said. "She might catch cold, and besides
she says she is very busy, and Maud is overworked."
"Everything's ready as I promised, you know."
Frank looked at the heiress and he thought her face was changed.
"You look tired, you have done too much for us--but I'll just say it
once, Miss Whitburn."
"No, say Toney; I shall be sort of sister now, shan't I?"
He laughed.
"Well, Toney, I'll just say it once, that we owe all our great happiness
to you, and that we can never forget it. Jeanie isn't demonstrative,
but she never forgets."
"She never forgot you, did she? But you needn't say 'thank you' because
I'm grateful to you. If it hadn't been for what I saw in your faces I
might have made a great mistake."
"Is there----?"
"No--but I may as well confess. Sort of relieves me. I might have said
'yes' to the wrong man."
"The right man will come," said Frank softly. "You deserve the best."
"No, he never will come--he--oh, it doesn't matter, but I shall never,
never marry--only I'll try and make it awfully nice for lovers
because--I--I think I know, and you'll not say anything about it, even
to Jeanie?"
"You may trust me, but if ever you want me--you may claim my help at any
time--and I will come."
Toney looked up at the strong face and knew he meant every word. How
could Jeanie have ever doubted or hurt such a man? How glad she felt
she had cleared the brambles out of his path. It was not the music that
was so wonderful, it was the man himself.
That evening Toney instead of being restless was very quiet, and in her
face there was a new look of suffering such as had never been there
before. She had learnt a terrible secret. She loved a man who belonged
to another--and only now she realised that she had _always_ loved him.
"Oh! Lewis, Lewis!" she cried out alone in her room; "You shall be
happy if I can do anything--and you shall never, never know my
secret---- It's no good blaming myself because--I never knew what it
meant till now. The path of perfection is awfully stoney and rutty."
*CHAPTER XXVIII.*
*LILIES AND A WEDDING.*
"There's no peace or harmony in the presence of some people," said Lady
Dove after dinner to the famous genius. Her eyes involuntarily turned
towards Toney, who was talking in low tones to Sir Evas. "Now, with
Jeanie Hamilton you are sure of proper dignity."
Frank bowed and smiled, nothing could ruffle him now. He had sent off a
letter to Jeanie, and a second diamond ring and a few other tokens, as
he did not wish to go to Waycott Hall himself. Mrs. Hamilton's company
recalled his past suffering too much. Toney, on the other hand, was
associated only with his joy and gratitude.
As if to prove Lady Dove right, a hooting, tooting motor was heard
approaching, and Toney started up.
"It's Dr. Mayo," she said, looking at Mr. Weston.
"Dr. Mayo!" he exclaimed, "coming here?"
"Yes, for your wedding! He plays to-morrow morning. It's only
fitting."
Frank Weston's eyes beamed.
"You are a magician!" he said, "he wouldn't do it for royalty!" and he
hurried out to greet his friend.
"Oh, I wish I could hear all they hear in music," sighed Toney.
"Your ears are sharp enough, anyhow, Toney," said Sir Evas. "By the
way, what's the matter with you this evening? You are pale--most
unusual!"
"Nothing--but a bit anxious about this wedding. There's many a slip,
isn't there, uncle?"
"Humph, you've got the man and the woman; not much chance of slipping.
You're going too fast, Toney, that's what it is."
Toney laughed.
"Gracious stars! Fast! I'd like to go faster. Stone House will keep us
busy, uncle, won't it, and--have you thought about the lions and what
you'll say? You mean biz, don't you?"
"I shall have to deviate a bit from the path of truth, Toney, but I'll
manage it. Melina, I must go to town to-morrow and--sleep there, on
business."
"On Antonia's business, I suppose?" said Lady Cove tartly.
"No, oh no--forgot a few things I had to say to Lewis Waycott, who's off
after lions. I'll return early on Friday."
"I hope you will, there are plenty of neglected things on your _own_
estate, Evas, but of course----="
Happily the two great musicians came in together, and Lady Dove
recognising that she would be envied by the musical portion of the
county, turned on a smile of welcome, whilst Mr. Russell hastened to
make himself agreeable, but in reality Lady Dove felt angry because
Toney was the centre of attraction this evening.
"I should never have dared to suggest it," murmured Frank Weston to his
friend.
"Nonsense! Why didn't you? Miss Whitburn said it was my duty, and of
course my pleasure, and that your wedding could not take place without
me----"
Everybody laughed.
"In a sort of way it was Jeanie who suggested it to me," said Toney. "I
thought our organist would do, but she looked so reproachfully at me,
and said, 'I don't want any music, thank you--short of Dr. Mayo--Frank
would run away if he heard our organist!'"
"Do you always get what you want, Miss Whitburn?" said Dr. Mayo.
Poor Toney turned pale but no one noticed this.
"I like other people to have what they like, and I sort of try to get it
for them, that's all."
"Ask Weston to sing, Miss Whitburn, and I will accompany him. Weston's
voice is something out of the common, but he has refused to sing for
some years."
"Do," said Toney, "I think I like singing best, especially when you can
hear the words."
Then followed a rare musical treat, till Toney, saying she was very
sleepy, excused herself and went to bed.
She paced her small room like a lion in a cage; she felt she must rush
up to town to-morrow and call at the hotel, so as just to see him once
more, but then she argued this would be wrong knowing what she did know!
Perhaps--such things did happen--she might meet him in the streets.
That wouldn't be wrong, because she could not help that. Was it wrong to
wish it? Anyhow, she couldn't help it. She must turn for comfort to
work, work and prayer; and yet neither of these two words seemed to be
able to stop the pain. But they must; she, too, would fight with a
lion.
She opened her "Little Flowers of St. Francis" to try and find some
balm, and her eyes lighted on these words:--
"There came unto him (St. Francis) a youth, noble and tender, and said
unto him, 'Father, right willingly would I become one of your brothers.'
Replied St. Francis, 'My son, thou art a youth, tender and noble, it may
well be that thou couldest not endure our hardships and our poverty.'
And quoth he, 'Father, are ye not men even as I? Wherefore, as ye
endure, even so shall I be able with the grace of Jesus Christ.'"