A loud cough, the twinkling of Mr Wilkins' spectacles, and a peculiar
clearing of the voice, which made Sergeant Brumpton, who had been hard
at work making ominous sounds on the bombardon, turn his head and smile
at Dick--then standing in his place waiting to begin--and making him
lower his head to examine the music; for, if he had smiled there, just
in front of the bandmaster, it must have been seen, and taken as an
insult.
"I have just received a communication from the colonel," said Mr
Wilkins. "We are to have a ball at the mess-room, and the 310th are
coming. I shall have a few picked men from their band to make up, but,
of course, ours will take the lead. Let me see: Granger, you'll get out
your double-bass; Robson and Dean, violins; Boston, cornet--you lead
clarionet and hautboy; Brown, bassoon. I suppose we must have you,
Smithson--one flute will be enough. The 310th will furnish two violins
and a 'cello. That ought to make a strong band."
The men who did not play stringed instruments, or such as were suitable
for a ball-room, looked disappointed; and Sergeant Brumpton, as he sat
with his huge instrument between his legs, looked down into its great
brass bell-mouth and sighed.
That was news which set Dick's heart beating. The officers of the 310th
would be there; he would be in the orchestra, and his cousin would be
constantly coming close by where he was playing.
And Dick thought about their last meeting and the contemptuous, haughty
way in which Mark had gazed in his eyes.
"Could he have recognised me," thought Dick; "or was it his manner
only?"
There was a strange fascination in the idea of meeting Mark that was
almost magnetic; but, at the same time, it was accompanied by a feeling
akin to shrinking, which for the moment Dick cast aside as best he
could.
He had no occasion to fear the encounter, he told himself; and from that
moment he waited patiently for the evening.
There was plenty to do previously, for Wilkins insisted upon several
band practices of the dance-music, greatly to the disgust of the better
musicians, who were ready to play the pieces at sight.
Then the evening came. The mess-man had done his best; a tent-maker had
come down from town to build a canvas hall, draped red and white; and a
local man had fitted the marquee with gas and floor complete for a
supper-room. Tempting refreshments were provided, and a nurseryman had
contrived a natural garden here and there, not forgetting to make a cosy
nest for the band. The officers of the two regiments meant to do the
thing well, cost what it might, and the invitations had been looked upon
as prizes for miles round.
There was an hour to wait before the first guests were likely to arrive,
and Dick sat in the band-room low-spirited and dreamy; for the festivity
seemed a trouble now, and he would have given anything to have been able
to keep away.
Naturally, his principal thought was his cousin, but he more than once
asked himself why he should trouble about Mark; for, possibly, he might
not come, and, even if he did, they were not in the least likely to come
face to face.
Still, the idea would return; and he was at his moodiest when the door
opened and a familiar voice said:
"Ah! there you are."
"Jerry!"
"Jerry it is, Dick Smithson. I say, do go and have a look at him."
"At him?"
"Yes, the lieutenant; I've made a picture of him. New uniform fresh
from the tailor's; I've shampooed him and brushed him, and scented him
till he smells like a bed of flowers, and he's all in a nervous flutter
as he sits there, afraid to smoke or do anything before the company
come. Can't you go up and have a look?"
"No, Jerry; I should be disposed to laugh."
"That you would. I had hard work to keep from it myself; but he isn't
to be laughed at either, for, without any gammon, he's the finest fellow
I ever saw, and a real gentleman as well."
"Yes; I like him," said Dick, quietly.
"Three pairs of white kid gloves in his pockets and three scented
handkerchiefs. He's got a buttonhole on; and I've got three more in
water, to have ready for him during the evening. I'm to be waiting for
him when he wants a fresh one. I say, Dick Smithson, there's going to
be a special lady here to-night, I know."
"Very likely, Jerry. Such a man as he is will, of course, have someone
he admires."
"Then you won't go and see him?"
Dick shook his head.
"He'd like it. He didn't say so; but he told me to be sure that you had
plenty of refreshment. I'm to look after you. He said you'd have lots
of work; so that you ought to be looked after."
"It's very kind of him," said Dick, with his eyes brightening at the
idea of his having made a friend.
"And I shan't forget to attend to his orders. I say, go over to his
quarters."
"What for? I've no excuse for going."
"Oh, yes; you have. He's on the committee. Go and ask him if he has
any orders to give about the music."
"I am not the bandmaster, Jerry; but I will go. There's just time
before going to the ball-room."
"That's right; I like pleasing anyone who behaves well to you."
There was none too much time, but Dick had only to walk into the
orchestra with his flute-case under his arm; so, hurrying away, he ran
across the barrack yard, entered the officers' quarters unquestioned,
and made his way to the first floor.
"Come in!" came, in a gruff voice, in answer to a modest tap. "That
you, Brigley?"
"No, sir; I came to see if you wished to send any message to Mr Wilkins
about the music."
"Bother Wilkins!" growled the lieutenant. "I believe he'll make a
muddle of it all. Can't you conduct, Smithson?"
"I, sir? Oh, no. I think it will go all right."
"I'm doubtful; but, look here--I want the music to be well-marked, and,
if it's going wrong, you get the other fellows to help you. Keep it all
well going."
"I will, sir."
"I've told Brigley to see that you chaps have plenty of supper and what
you want to drink. I say, Smithson--"
"Yes, sir. Thank you for your thought of us."
"Thought of you; why, of course, thought of you. You fellows have to
keep the thing going. But I say--"
"Yes, sir."
"Do I--er--do I look all right?"
The lieutenant rose, and took a turn up and down the room.
"Splendid, sir!"
"No, no; don't humbug, Smithson. Tell me the truth. It's a new
uniform; does it fit all right?"
"I tell you it's splendid, sir! You couldn't look better. There will
be no one in the room who can touch you."
"Think not?" said Lacey, dubiously.
"I'm sure of it, sir."
"Well, I'm glad you think so, Smithson. The colonel was here just now
smoking one of those strong cigars of his. Do I smell of it?"
"I can smell scent, sir--nothing else."
"That's right. Well, he said something like you did; but I always get
so nervous, and feel as if he was chaffing me. You see, I want to look
well to-night. You know why, Smithson."
"Yes, sir; I can guess."
"Of course. She's coming."
"I guessed that, too, sir."
"I don't care much how I look, for dressing yourself up takes a lot of
trouble, let alone the expense. I say, you do mean it, Smithson?"
"You may always believe me, sir," said Dick, quietly.
"Of course--I know that. I say, Smithson: I wish you were in the mess
instead of the band."
Dick laughed feebly.
"Perhaps I'm best where I am, sir. But I must go now, and get in my
place. It's close upon the time."
"By George, yes! I say, want a pair of white kids, Smithson? You'll
find some in that box."
"Thanks; no, sir. I hope you'll have a pleasant evening."
"Thank you, Smithson. Keep them up to it with the waltzes."
Dick gave a hasty promise, and then hurried down and into the
flower-decked vestibule, which was entered by a covered passage
festooned with lamps. Then he crossed the temporary ball-room, with its
well-waxed floor, took a glance at the great marquee laid out for
supper, at another arranged for tea, coffee, and ices, with various cups
for the gentlemen, and beyond that at another prepared for those who
chose to smoke, the whole being lit up by a blaze of light, and draped
here and there with military and naval flags and cleverly-designed
trophies of arms.
It was but a passing glance, which filled Dick with a tingling of
pleasure and disappointment, for he recalled the lieutenant's words
about the mess. Then he hurried to his place, being the last to arrive,
and found Wilkins glaring at him through his glasses.
"Late again, Smithson!" he said, harshly; and, as he spoke, the brazen
voice of the clock told him he spoke falsely; for Dick was in his place
to the moment, and joined in the rustling made by his comrades, as they
arranged their music in accordance with the programme, and then waited
patiently.
A few minutes later, the colonel and a group of officers came round to
see that all was perfect, headed by the major and one of the captains,
who had undertaken to see that the decorations were effective.
"Capital!" cried the colonel. "The band, with their scarlet and gold,
amongst the flowers and palms, give the best bit of effect I have seen.
Yes, and those colours hang well over them."
"Glad you're satisfied," said the major.
"More," said the colonel. "By the way, Wilkins, let your men keep on
their caps for the first hour--it looks more effective. When the
dancing is in full swing, you can do as you like."
"Yes, sir. What I had planned," said the bandmaster, obsequiously.
They moved on, and a quarter of an hour passed; then, according to
arrangement, the brass band of the regiment struck up outside and played
a selection, as the first carriages began to arrive, but only one set
for fear of their strains interfering with those in the ball-room.
The first half-hour was devoted to a kind of reception, by which time
the guests had grown thick enough to well fill the room, and then,
punctual to the moment--dancing at nine--the band struck up, and the
floor was covered with couples, the uniforms of the military and naval
officers blending with the ladies' charming toilettes and flowers, and
the few orthodox black dress-coats adding to, rather than detracting
from, the general effect.
Dick's position at one end in the front gave him plenty of opportunity
for seeing the dancers, and the simple music caused but little necessity
for watching his notes, so that he was able to gaze to his heart's
content at the kaleidoscopic throng, and before long had watched with
some interest the tall figure of Lieutenant Lacey, wondering which of
the ladies he danced with was the one they had serenaded that night.
He had settled upon one after the other, and credited the lieutenant
with excellent taste; then believed he must be wrong, for, after dancing
with his fourth partner--a tall, sweet-faced, graceful girl--he saw him
lead her up to a thin, washed-out lady, of--well, middle age; and the
next moment a sweet, silvery voice said--
"Pray, take aunt to have an ice, Lieutenant Lacey!"
The lieutenant bowed and smiled, offered his arm, and, as his partner
took the elderly lady's place, the latter was led off.
"The lady of the serenade!" thought Dick, without hearing her voice.
Almost directly after, as Dick was arranging a fresh sheet of music on
his desk, but watching the fair-haired, graceful girl at the same time,
his heart suddenly gave a bound, for he saw the major approaching, with
a handsome, manly-looking young officer, who, with a half-contemptuous
smile, was listening to his companion's remarks.
They came on to where the young lady was seated not five yards away, and
the next instant, as he stood there as if turned to stone, Dick heard
every word spoken, and the major introducing Sir Mark Frayne to Miss
Deane. Then they were left together, and Mark Frayne busily entered his
name in three places upon the lady's programme, her name upon his own;
after which he began creating the customary small talk, but at the same
time seemed to be a good deal impressed by his new partner's personal
appearance.
It might have been Dick's jealous anger which caused his thoughts to
take this direction as he stood there, feeling his breath come short,
and as if he must go out at once, clap his cousin on the shoulder, and
say, "Here! I want to speak to you at once."
And all the while Mark was so close that nearly all his remarks and the
lady's replies were perfectly audible.
As Dick still gazed, stern and forbidding-looking, Lacey came slowly
back with the thin, elderly lady, and as Mark Frayne saw by his
partner's look that someone was approaching, he turned sharply.
"Ah, Lacey, old fellow," he said, "I have just been securing Miss Deane
for the next dance."
"Take off your cap!"
Lacey said something, but Dick did not hear what, and the niece rose to
give up her place, and then accepted Mark Frayne's arm.
"Take off your cap, sir!"
"Don't forget I come next but one, Miss Deane," said Lacey.
"Oh, no; I will not forget," she replied, with a pleasant smile.
"Will you attend to me, and take--off--your--cap, sir?" came sharply
from behind Dick, who started, coloured, and snatched off his cap,
conscious now that the bandmaster was speaking to him, and the words had
been heard by Mark Frayne and his partner, to whom Mark made some
playful remark, at which she smiled, as they both gazed at the young
bandsman.
Then, as Dick's eyes met his cousin's with an angry stare, the latter's
countenance changed, and he gave an involuntary start, but tossed his
head in a contemptuous manner the next moment as he passed on, bending
down to say something to the lady.
Then _tap_--_tap_--_tap_ went Wilkins' baton, the band played a short
introduction, and then glided off into one of Waldteuffel's waltzes;
and, as Dick played, the cold perspiration stood out upon his forehead,
while his eyes followed the couple as they went on down one side of the
long mess-room, passed across, and then easily and gracefully swung
round and round as they approached. Once they were quite close, and
then passed him so near that he could have stretched out his hand,
leaned forward, and touched Mark Frayne, who, however, never once lifted
his eyes all through the dance, evidently forgetful, in his efforts to
make himself agreeable, of the countenance which had given him so sudden
a shock.
For, after he had started on the waltz, he had dismissed the idea with
one word--
"Absurd!"