About3 months after the events recorded in our last chapter Mr. Woodcock decided to givea ball in honour of his daughter Violets coming of age. So he sent out about 20 invitations and Leslie made quite sure that Sylvia was amongst the list of invited people.
At last the happy day arrived and as the carriages drew up in front of Astma House Leslie's form might be seen standing on the door step looking out for when Sylvia would arrive. At last she came and Leslie offered his hand to help her up the steps.
Sylvia was attired in costly white satin with an edging of beaver round the skirt. The body was trimmed with real Venetian Point. Upon her hands she wore pink kid gloves and in her hair a pink may blossom. Her small well formed feet were clad in white high heeled shoes and silk stockings.
"I am afraid I am late Leslie" she said as she entered the hall "but I had such a bother to fix my hair, my maid was out you see" she added blushing
"Oh never mind" said Leslie taking Sylvia's cloak and hanging it up "let us come into the drawing room and join in this walse.
Sylvia's programme was soon filled and she danced till she was tired and at last while resting in an arm chair she was not sorry to seeHilda Woodcock approaching her with a strawberry ice.
"Leslie is going to bring you some jelly or cream pudding in a minute" she said handing Sylvia the tray.
In an instant Leslie came up to her and handing her a jelly retired quickly saying he would be back soon.
At that moment Sylvia felt a touch on her arm and looking round found herself face to face with Albert Morris, a short red haired young man about 22.
"Oh what is it?" cried Sylvia jumping up from her seat.
"Nothing much" replied Albert quietly "only as you are disingaged will you have a valse with me."
"I really can't" answered Sylvia hotly "Iamso tired. I have been dancing all the evening."
"Very well" said Albert and he went away and Sylvia turning round saw Leslie sitting beside a young lady gently fanning her and talking to her.
An angry flush mounted to her fair cheeks and for a moment she could barely keep her temper, then without a minutes hesitation shewalked boldly towards Leslie and his friend. Leslie jumped up when he saw her approach "I was just coming to look for you Sylvia" he said and getting up he followed her to the end of the room.
"Who was that person I saw you talking to so lovingly?" asked Sylvia.
"Oh that was Isobel May Saunders, a great friend of mine" replied Leslie with a short laugh.
"So I should think agreatfriend" answered Sylvia angrily "and by the way you were talking to her I should think you were engaged to her."
"Look here Sylvia don't be angry" said Leslie slowly "but Iwasgoing to have made her my wife once but since I met you I have thought better of it—please don't say any more about it."
"Oh Leslie" cried Sylvia in surprise "but does the poor girl believe that you love her
"To tell you the truth Sylvia" replied Leslie getting very red as he spoke "my belief is that Isobel thinks I love her and as I can not throw her over altogether that is why you saw me speaking to her just then."
"But what is your reason for not marrying her?" cried Sylvia.
"Well because I thought I would rather marry someone else" said Leslie blushing and looking straight into her face.
"But who do you want to marry?" said Sylvia blushing in her turn.
"You dearest" he replied in an undertone "ever since the day I came to call upon your uncle I have set my heart on making you my wife. Do you think you love me enough to marry me?"
"I think I do Leslie" said Sylvia getting very hot "but I must speak to uncle about it first."
"Don't forget" said Leslie in a beseeching tone "and let me know as soon as possible."
So the whole of that evening Leslie and Sylvia kept together but as Leslie was helping Sylvia on with her cloak, Sylvia saw Isobel Saunders gazing at Leslie with a look which went straight to her heart.
Beforewe go on any further we had better say a word about Isobel Saunders.
She was the only daughter of Colonel Saunders of the 159th who having lost a lot of money in the army was now in very poor circumstances. His wife had died five years previously and left him with three sons and a daughter. The eldest son William was a tall stout elderly man of about 25 who followed his father's profession. Robert the next was fair and delicate looking taking after his mother and lived very much at home and was just 21 years of age. The youngest son Frederick who was Isobel's junior by 4 years was still at school.
Isobel, who at the time my story opens had just attained the age of 20 years was 5 feet 3 inches in height, she had thick dark hair fashionably dressed and a massive fringe over her stately forehead. She had bewitching brown eyes from which long lashes swept her cheeks. She had an aqueline nose and abright complextion. She had nice feet and was fairly podgy.
It was 10 o'clock on the morning after the ball, when Colonel Saunders came into the breakfast room with an open letter in his hand.
"Here is some news for you Isobel" he said "Your aunt Miss Vickers intends favouring us with one of her weekly visits she will arrive this afternoon by the 3 o'clock train, so mind and have everything ready or there will be a fine fuss."
"Oh dear" exclaimed Isobel preparing to pour out the whisky for her father. "I always dread Aunt Sophia's visits."
"Yes indeed she is an old nuisance but we must make the best of her and after all a week is not long."
"That is true" replied Isobel "but still it adds to my other troubles." and with a sigh she ran up to prepare the bedroom.
The town clock was striking 4 when a cab drew up at Vebena Villa and Isobel flew to open the front door.
"How are you dear Aunt! she exclaimed.
"Well my dear I am not as well as might be expected. I have had a severe cold and my servants have worried me so much I thoughta week's rest might do me good" answered the fidgety dame hastening into the drawing room and taking a seat she proceeded to give Isobel a list of all her complaints and when she had come to an end of them she turned to her niece saying "Please tell Jane to take my box up and then after I have had some tea I will go to bed, I have had a long and fatiging journey."
Here will be a good time to explain Miss Vickers, she was tall and angular and thin with black hair slightly grey which she wore in an untidy nob behind, she had dark piercing eyes that always seemed to find out other people's business.
Isobel smiled as the door closed on the tall and portly frame of her aunt and she began to re-arrange the room which already in 10 minutes Miss Vickers had turned upside down.
Whilstthis scene was taking place at Vebena Villa, a very different one was going on at Yellowflower Hall.
While sitting at the breakfast table Sylvia Monton was wondering how to ask her uncle if she might come to terms with Leslie Woodcock.
Presently Mr. Earlsdown rose from his chair and seizing his pipe he entered his study roaring 'Private Tommy Atkins' at the top of his loud voice.
"I am afraid my uncle is in one of his boisterous moods" sighed Sylvia finishing her coffee, "but he does get so excited poor uncle especially when he has been out the night before. I don't remember seeing much of him at the ball. I was so taken up with Leslie. I am rather glad I did not see him though for nothing would induce him to wear evening clothes or a shirt front and he insisted on going in his bicycling suit and such a soiled red tie andohhis hair it was really like a crows nest, I don't know what Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock would have said if he had suddenly burst out with that dreadful 'Tommy Atkins.' but there poor uncle hehassuch spirits."
So saying Sylvia skipped into her uncle's study.
"Hullo hullo my lassie" he cried tossing down last week's 'Pick me up.'
"I wanted to speak to you Uncle" said Sylvia putting her trembling hand on Mr. Earlsdown's shoulder.
"Talk away then" said Mr. Earlsdown "I am prepared for the very worst news."
"It's nothing much" said the girl "only—
"Wake up wake up my child" said her uncle "only what?"
"Only that Leslie Woodcock has asked me to marry him and with your permission I will accept."
"I dare say you will" said Mr. Earlsdown "but I am not going to give my consent" replied the excitable gentleman "I am not going to see you marry a begger."
"But uncle he is not a begger" cried Sylvia "he is well off, honest and dependable"
"I dare say he is all that" said Mr. Earlsdown "dependable indeed! why ten to one when you have been married to him a month he will devoice you for some other girl he is silly enough to prefer; no no you shall marry a lord, that is what I want for my money, so next time you see young Woodcock just send him about his business, impudent young fellow!!"
"Uncle havesomemercy" here burst fromSylvia's pale lips "I'll never marry any one else" and with a cry of "LesliemyLeslie" she fled from the room and flinging herself on her own bed gave way to bitter tears.
But finally taking heart of grace she siezed her blotting book and poured forth these heart rending words.
My own,Owing to my merciless uncle I am forced to give you up as he thinks to marry a lord, butno never!my Leslie and although I may never see you again think of me always as I shall of you and believe me to beYours and yours aloneSylvia.
My own,
Owing to my merciless uncle I am forced to give you up as he thinks to marry a lord, butno never!my Leslie and although I may never see you again think of me always as I shall of you and believe me to be
Yours and yours aloneSylvia.
Itwas past 2 o'clock before Leslie received Sylvia's wretched appeal.
It was brought to him in his room whilst dressing for an afternoon party. Leslie read it carefully through and then throwing it on the floor seezed his head in his hands and thought it over.
Presently he looked up with, a determined expression on his face "I must marry her" he cried, and then sitting down he picked up a sheet of writing paper and prepared to answer the note and this was what he said.
My best lovedIf you will agree to this plan I will marry you yet. Have all your wants packed up this evening by 6 o'clock and we will elope together dearest and when we are one, we will go to America and make our fortunes.Ever dearestYour own Leslie.
My best loved
If you will agree to this plan I will marry you yet. Have all your wants packed up this evening by 6 o'clock and we will elope together dearest and when we are one, we will go to America and make our fortunes.
Ever dearestYour own Leslie.
He then told one of the servants to take the above to Yellowflower Hall and give it into Miss Monton's hands, and wait for her answer.
The servant soon returned to say that the young lady would agree to the plan.
Leslie then began to collect his stockings and under garments and whilst rummaging in his wardrobe he heard something drop on the floor. He stooped to pick it up, it was a photograph of Isobel Saunders.
"Poor Isobel" murmured Leslie and wrapping the photo up he put it in his pocket. "Iwonder what she will think of me when she knows."
At 5 o'clock the housemaid came to tell tea was ready.
"Oh bring me a cup of tea up here, "I am not feeling very well" said Leslie as she closed the door.
At 1/4 to 6 Leslie slipped out by the back door. He was attired in a long old fashioned ulster, a deer stalking cap, large golosha boots, and a hunting suit as he had gone to hunt for Sylvia. On his right arm he carried a bag containing clean under linen and other odds and ends also his money consisting of £40 in ready gold. He entered the garden of Yellowflower Hall and stole up unseen to Sylvia's room. He found her standing by the table buttoning her jacket with nervous trembling fingers.
"Oh Leslie!" she cried as he entered the room "I am so glad you have come" and saying this she fell back in a chair and fainted dead away.
Leslie caught hold of the water jug and wetting a sponge applied it to her white face, and by this and the aid of smelling saults, Sylvia soon revived.
"I am so nervous" she said "Oh Leslie shall we ever get away in safety?"
"Yes dearest yes" whispered the lover, "trust me darling and you will be alright."
"I am ready now" said Sylvia in a weak voice as she put a packet of biscuits into her bundle.
"I'll carry your luggage" said Leslie picking up her bundle which was tied in a white tablecloth.
Sylvia had been more particular than Leslie as to her luggage. Besides all her under-linen she had with her two pairs of clean sheets and pillow cases, some bath towels and soap, likewise a sponge and a yard of flannel (in case she lost any) a flask of brandy, some new potatoes and a tooth brush.
Sylvia's window opened into the lawn so it was easy to escape and once off the high road she and Leslie felt safe.
Leslieand Sylvia having tramped until midnight found themselves weary and footsore at London.
"I can't afford very good lodgings" said Leslie "my money must last until I get employment.
"Where shall we go then?" said Sylvia.
"To some common lodging house" said Leslie "you seeyouhave clean sheets if they are needful—ah there is the lodging house."
So he and Sylvia approached a filthy house at the end of a narrow street, Leslie knocked at the door and after waiting 10 minutes a dirty old woman with a candle in her hand, opened the door.
"What is it you want? she said, "disturbing me this time of night!"
"We have come for a lodging" said our hero "how much would it be?"
"4d a night single" said the old woman "and 2d extra if you want a drop of water to wash with."
Leslie's heart sank within him at these words but he felt bound to accept saying "I hope the beds and the water are clean."
"Clean enough I'm sure" said the old woman "considering they have only been used a few times." so saying she led them up a rickety stair case into a shabby little room.
"The bed ain't made yet said Old Nan pointing to a heap of rags in the corner.
"Thank you" said Leslie and locking the door he turned to Sylvia who by this time was wandering hopelessly about the filthy garret.
"We'll make the bed anyhow" said Leslie "get out your sheets Sylvia."
She obeyed and Leslie kneeling on the floor began to sort out the rags. He found an old blanket which being a shade cleaner than the others he laid upon the floor covering it with a clean sheet; then stuffing his jacket inside the pillow case he made it into a pillow, he then laid another sheet over that and covered it with his and Sylvia's overcoats, he pronounced the bed made.
"How very dreadful!" gasped Sylvia "I can not sleep upon that bed."
"You must" said Leslie throwing open the window to air the room.
The next morning Leslie, who had sat by the open window all night began to collect the bed clothes and turning to Sylvia said "we will get out of this as soon as ever we can."
Then finding a drop of filthy water in a cracked basin he proceeded to wash his faceand hands, though Sylvia said she would rather go dirty than use such water.
Just then Old Nan entred and looking round said "well now I hope you have had a pleasant night."
"Oh very" stammered poor Leslie.
"I think we are going now, if you will tell me what it comes to."
"Well let me see" said Old Nan
"2 beds and 2 washes—
"But I didn't wash" said Sylvia
"AndIdidn't go to bed" said Leslie
"Then it will be 6d growled Old Nan. and after paying their landlady Leslie and Sylvia fled for their lives.
"Iwonderwhere we can find a church to be married in" said Sylvia.
"We dont look as though we weregoingto be married" said Leslie "and I feel so soiled after sleeping in that lodging house."
"I should think you do" said Sylvia "I neverfelt so dirty in my life—why there is a church Leslie"
"Yes I know but I mean to buy you a white veil and a piece of lace" said Leslie "here is a shilling get what you can"
Sylvia hurried across the road and soon returned with a yard of book muslin for a veil and 1/2 a yard of furniture lace.
"That will do" said Leslie and they entered the church.
A middle aged man was busy lighting the church lamps and stared hopelessly as the couple entered.
"Please are you the clergyman?" asked Leslie.
"No" said the man "Mr. Roberts who is sorting surplices in the vestry is the parson."
"Can we speak to him" said Leslie quietly
"Yes sir" replied the man opening the vestry door.
"Oh are you the clergyman?" said Leslie to a tall dark man who was just folding up some clean linen.
"Yes I am" replied the said gentleman "can I do anything for you?"
"Well we wanted to be married" said Leslie bashfully "if this young lady may put her veilon in the vestry we could then wait in the church till you are at leisure."
"Yes I think I have time" said Mr. Roberts glancing at his watch "please sign your names in this book and I will ring the bell for the acolyte"
So saying he touched a spring bell and very soon a small fair-haired boy appeared in the door way.
"Take two lighted candles into the church Tommy" said Mr. Roberts "and place two kneeling chairs in the aisle."
Tommy obeyed and very soon Sylvia and Leslie were kneeling side by side in the church.
About 5 minutes afterwards our hero and heroine walked out husband and wife!!
"Let us have our wedding breakfast at the Gaiety restaurant" said Leslie and hailing a handsom the married couple stepped in.
"What would you like my dear" said Leslie sitting down at a ready laid table.
"I'd like rabbit pie and apple fritters and a cup of coffee please" said Sylvia throwing off her gloves and displaying her newly put on wedding ring.
"Very good my dear" said Leslie "and I will have a slice of roast pork and suet puddingand treacle and beer and soda mixed that is a mild B and S my dear"
Half way through his pork Leslie pulled out a letter from his pocket and after piercing at it for two or three minutes he read as follows.
Homer Villa, Margate.Dear Sir,I shall be very please to acomodate you for a fortnight. You can have a good sized bedroom, parlour and dining room for 3 guineas per week including everything else. I shall expect you tonight soBelieve me to beYours very trulyMary Mason.
Homer Villa, Margate.
Dear Sir,
I shall be very please to acomodate you for a fortnight. You can have a good sized bedroom, parlour and dining room for 3 guineas per week including everything else. I shall expect you tonight so
Believe me to beYours very trulyMary Mason.
"Thisisgood news my dear" said Leslie "if you have done your pie we will take the first train to Margate, hand me your bundle and we will start."
It was not a very long journey but Sylvia who was very tired was not sorry to hear the porters screaming "Margate station."
A pony cart from Homer Villa was waiting for them and Leslie and Sylvia were soon at their lodgings.
A fat good tempered looking woman showedthem into a comfortable parlour where a lovely tea consisting of ham sandwiches, poached eggs, tea and bread and butter was waiting for them. And here we will leave them to enjoy it while we take the train back to Mayfield.
About1/4 to 8 o'clock the dressing bell at Yellowflower Hall pealed forth its usual summons.
"I am glad dinner is so nearly ready" said untidy Mr. Earlsdown straightening his tie and running a comb through his hair "I'll go and have a quiet glass of claret while I am waiting—perhaps Sylvia will appear by then."
Mr. Earlsdown had just drained his glass when Johnson brought in some pea soup, bacon and green cabbage, merangues and chocolate pudding.
"Don't trouble about ringing the second bell Johnson" said Mr. Earlsdown "just call Miss Monton and I will begin."
So saying he began to serve out the bacon on a golden plate.
"Where is that child" said Mr. Earlsdown after having 3 serves of the bacon.
Just then Johnson entered with a very long face "If you please sir" he said "Miss Monton is nowhere in the house and her room Mary says isthatuntidy, you'd think a wild menagerie had been there."
"Bless my life" exclaimed Mr. Earlsdown throwing down his fork and tossing his table napkin to the butler.
Forthwith he rushed upstairs to his niece's room and the sight which met his eyes was enough to astonish even Mr. Earlsdown. A pile of linen stood in a corner of the room, hats, jackets and various articles of clothing were scattered in every direction and at last on the bed a letter adressed in Sylvia's hand to himself and this is what it said.
Uncle,Please do not worry yourself about me. I am quite safe under the charge of Leslie Woodcock. We shall be in London to-night but from that day forth I dont know where we shall be. My name from now isSylvia Woodcock.
Uncle,
Please do not worry yourself about me. I am quite safe under the charge of Leslie Woodcock. We shall be in London to-night but from that day forth I dont know where we shall be. My name from now is
Sylvia Woodcock.
As Mr. Earlsdown read this coldly worded epistle he flashed his eyes and stamped heavily on the floor.
"Why bless the girl" he screamed "I'll have her back within an inch of her life" so saying he tore out of the bedroom and called for Johnson.
The butler came running upstairs to receive his orders.
Johnson take the first train to London and search everywhere for traces of Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock" and handing the butler 2/6 he sent him off by the 8.8 to London.
Meanwhile there was also great confusion at Astmer House. On the summons to dinner Leslie was found missing.
"Dear me" exclaimed Mrs. Woodcock jumping up and knocking over a soup tureen "Albert go and look for your cousin."
"Ohheis alright" answered Albert "there is no need to fuss."
"Yes there is you heartless boy, go and look for my son at once."
"Oh bother" said Albert flinging down his book.
"Dont snap" said Mrs. Woodcock as Albert dashed furiously out of the room.
He returned within 1/4 of an hour to say he could find no traces of Leslie except his tooth-brush in the back garden and a pocket handkerchief on the stairs.
"Oh I hope he is not lost" cried Mrs. Woodcock "my dear son, where can he be?"
"Oh but you have me" said Albert with a faint smile.
"What do I care for you?" said Mrs. Woodcock bitterly.
Albert immediately began shuffling about and took a drink of water to hide his blushes.
"As you are soverystupid" continued Mrs. Woodcock "perhaps you canmanageto walk ** far as Yellowflower Hall and see if you find any traces of Leslie."
Albert pushed on his hat and stamped out and returned in 1/2 hour in a rather more excited mood than he went out.
"I say Aunt" he cried running into the dining room "would you believe it just by that railing near Yellowflower Hall I found Miss Monton's shoe and Leslie's watch key, I brought both back to show it is true."
Mrs. Woodcock uttered a terrified "Oh" and sank nearly unconscious on the sofa.
Johnsonarrived in London at 25 minutes to ten. It was a dark foggy night and the air was cold. Johnson gave a shiver as he wrapped his ulster round him.
He wandered hopelessly about for an hour or two and oddly enough he took the very same lodgings as Sylvia and Leslie had spent their first night in London; being in that part of the city and too tired to look for better apartments.
Towards noon on the following day Johnson encountered a friend, Thomas Bench by name, and forgetting all about his errand he turned into a public house close by to enjoy a quiet drink with his friend.
"What are you up here for Jim?" said Thomas Bench.
"Well" said Johnson stirring up his hot whisky and water "its rather a serious matter, my master's niece has gone and run away with her young man and I am on the look out for her."
"Aye aye" answered Bench scratching his oily head "what sort of a young miss is she eh?"
"Well she's a pretty sort of girl with plenty of fair hair and blue eyes there is no mistaking she belongs to the upper ten my man"
"Oh indeed" replied Bench taking a piece of blue paper from his pocket "what is the young lady's name?"
"Miss Morton by your leave" roared the butler.
"Well" replied Bench "look here." Johnson snatched the bit of crumpled paper and read it through. On the paper was written
Miss Sylvia Monton.Homer Villa, Margate.
"Mercy" screamed Johnson "wherever did you find it?"
"Well" replied Thomas Bench "I was walking in Orange Alley where old Nan lives and outside the door I found this scrap of paper, what do you think it means old pal?"
"I should say" said Johnson biting his lips "it looks as though it meant that our young lady had taken up her abode there."
"So should I" said Bench with a broad grin and so saying the two men walked out arm in arm. Outside they parted and Johnson took the first train for Margate and whilst waiting at the station a telegram was brought to him by dirty old Nan.
Tearing it open he found it was from Mayfield saying Mr. Earlsdown was dying and he was wanted at once.
"Oh lor!" ejaculated the butler making a rush for the ticket office. Johnson did not arrive at Mayfield till 4.0 o'clock, then he instantly made his way to Mr. Earlsdown's bedroom.
All the servants in the household were standing round the bed and on it lay the unconscious figure of Mr. Earlsdown.
"What is it?" cried Johnson pushing his way through the crowd.
"Appoplexy" answered Susan the housemaid holding her apron to her streaming eyes "the poor dear master was so excited thinking about Miss Monton and then all of a sudden he received a note telling of the engagement of Mr. Albert Morris with Miss Saunders and then that sent him off because he always wanted Mr. Albert to marry Miss Monton,and when Mary went into the drawing room, there he was in a fit."
Just then the door opened and in walked Doctor Mason. The result of his visit will be seen later on.
Itwas a beautiful morning about 3 or 4 days after our hero and heroine's arrival at Margate. Leslie was just finishing his coffee and toast and Sylvia was sitting near the window glancing over the morning paper.
Suddenly her rosy face turned deadly pale and the paper nearly dropped from her trembling fingers.
"What isitdearest?" asked Leslie placing his arm around her waist and kissing her pallid forehead "has anything in the paper shaken your nerves?"
"Oh Leslie Leslie" shrieked Sylvia falling into his arms "read this and be satisfied that my nervesareshaken."
Leslie siezed the paper and read as follows:
"Mayfield Sussex. Last Tuesday Mr. Richard George Earlsdown of Yellowflower Hall was siezed with appoplexy. On that same day he had prevented his neice from marrying a certain gentleman of the neighbourhood andshehas run away with her intended, viz Mr. Leslie Alexander Woodcock.Mr. Earlsdown is now repenting that his consent was not given to his heartless niece and that if she comes back before he dies, married or unmarried, she will receive his love and forgiveness for ever; he is now in a dying state and we fear that unless his niece soon returns he will decidedly expire."
"Mayfield Sussex. Last Tuesday Mr. Richard George Earlsdown of Yellowflower Hall was siezed with appoplexy. On that same day he had prevented his neice from marrying a certain gentleman of the neighbourhood andshehas run away with her intended, viz Mr. Leslie Alexander Woodcock.
Mr. Earlsdown is now repenting that his consent was not given to his heartless niece and that if she comes back before he dies, married or unmarried, she will receive his love and forgiveness for ever; he is now in a dying state and we fear that unless his niece soon returns he will decidedly expire."
"Shall you go home" asked Leslie quietly.
"Yes yes" exclaimed Sylvia "Oh Leslie help me to pack, I feel too weak."
The trunks were soon packed and the heart broken couple were on their way to Mayfield. Arriving at the Hall Sylvia flew up to her uncle's room and throwing herself on the floor shook the room with ear piercing sobs.
"Who is crying?" presently asked Mr. Earlsdown.
"It is me uncle—your repentant niece."
Mr. Earlsdown gave a contented smile andturned away his head. Presently he turned round and his eyes fell upon Sylvia's white hand on the counterpane.
"Mrs. Woodcock I see" he said with a smile looking at the golden wedding ring on Sylvia's third finger.
"Yes Uncle" said Sylvia in a low tone "But you wont leave me till I am better will you child" said her uncle.
"Never uncle" said Sylvia "never to your dying day."
Sevenyears have elapsed since the events told in our last chapter and our scene once more changes to the ball room at Asmer House. Leslie and Sylvia no longer newly married people are sitting by the piano and opposite to them on the sofa are Isobel Saunders and Albert Woodcock. Presently Albert advances to the piano and asks Sylvia to sing a song.
"Yes if I can get anyone to play my accompaniment" says Sylvia.
"I only wish I could play" said Albert rubbinghis face and looking with sad eyes at Mrs. Woodcock. Immediately Isobel seated herself at the piano and ran her fairy like fingers over the notes while Sylvia's melodious voice kept time to the music; and as the beautiful words of "See the conquering hero comes" rang out like a peal of thunder, Mr. Earlsdown come bounding in.
Here the band struck up God save the Queen and everybody stood up in respectful silence; and as the last notes of the German band died away Mrs. Woodcock took leave of her friends as we will do of the characters of this book.
Thesilvery moon rises slowly above the mountains of white clouds and sheds its quiet light upon one of the most beautiful scenes of the sheltered nooks in the picturesque county of Devonshire. The tall green hills, so thickly covered with wild thyme rise clear and high against the blue sky above. The rippling waters of a little streamlet glide softly upon its way through lovely banks of sweet green moss. Presently a white cloud envelopes the pale moon and all is darkness!
Only for a moment, the cloud passes away and the bright light pours down upon two figures. The one the tall slim figure of a young girl, the other the broad well built figure of a richly dressed man. He wore a beautifully made blue serge suit and a white tie fastened with a gold and diamond pin. His felt hat fitted as though it had been made for him andhis light overcoat and kid gloves were like the rest of his toilet well made and of a rich material. His black hair grew thickly on his head and his brown eyes glared fiercely, his brown skin was red with rage and his white teeth were clenched.
The girl on the contrary was poorly dressed and did not seem at home in the presence of the rich man. She wore a pale grey dress trimmed with green velvet. It had seen its best days for it was worn in many places. She wore a straw hat and a white scarf round her neck. She was a lovely girl!! Her plentiful golden hair was coiled into a knob behind and cut in a small fringe in front. Her large blue eyes spoke of many mysteries and were fringed by golden lashes. Her cherry coloured lips were small and pressed together in her nervous state. Her white teeth were clenched and she trembled under the viscious glare of her companion.
"I tell you Beatrice you are out of your senses, you must be, there is no doubt of it, how can you refuse such an offer?" said the man fiercely.
"Oh Lawrence do listen to me," said the unhappy girl, "it is impossible, it cannot be.You are very kind, and I always had and always shall have a very great respect for you, but I cannot marry you, indeed I cannot! we are no match, I am poor and you are rich. Besides I have a reason for not accepting you for my husband. Oh Lawrence you make me so unhappy!" and here the poor girl stopped short, gave a hurried look round and pressed her hand to her heart.
"Beatrice Langton you are a lunatic" cried the man, "give me an answer straight out—yes or no. Will you be my wife? Speak out and dont go jibbering on in that sentimental fashion; say yes and you will live in luxury and riches for the rest of your life, say no and you go home poor and degraded. Now give me an answer Yes or No!"
The girl raised her head and spoke thus—"Lawrence I am very sorry to say it but my answer is No! Goodbye Mr. Cathcart, goodbye Lawrence, perhaps we shall never meet again. What? you will not even shake hands! Very well, goodnight Lawrence, goodnight."
She turned and went away leaving him in the darkness.
WhenBeatrice went away she made straight for her home for it was close on nine and her mother would be anxious. Her heart was heavy and her eyelids were wet with fast falling tears as she made her way accross the desolate moor. Presently she came to the stream and after crossing the bridge she made for the common. On the outskirts of the village stood her home. A little brown cottage with carefully trimmed roses and jasmine creeping up the porch and a neat little garden in front. She opened the gate, walked up the path and opened the door.
What a pleasant scene was there before her! A bright fire was burning in the well kept hearth and an old lady sat beside it knitting stockings for the coming winter. Many pictures adorned the walls. A gentleman was writing at a table in the window. Three little girls all in red frocks and white pinnafores were employed in different ways. The eldest was some ten years old with curly hair andblue eyes and was busy with some corn-flowers and poppies in a glass vase. The other two who looked about eight and six had brown eyes and very fair hair (and) were looking at a book at the middle table. They all jumped up as Beatrice entered.
"Why Beatrice dear how late you are!" said Mrs. Langton "I sent your supper down. "Mary, ring the bell, Beatrice must be hungry."
"No I am not," answered Beatrice smiling wearily and seating herself in the chair her sister had placed for her, "I am only very tired and would like to go to bed."
"Oh you must have something," said Mr. Langton, "Cook made some lovely cheese cakes for supper, and you shall have some wine to drink."
Just then the maid entered, and in spite of herself Beatrice was soon enjoying a hearty meal.
"Oh there is half past nine!" cried Mrs. Langton, "Lily and Tina go to bed at once, Mary can wait up for Beatrice if she likes."
The two little children ran off hand in hand murmering "lucky Mary."
Itwas eight o'clock next morning when Beatrice opened her weary eyes and look round her little room. She jumped up immediately and ran down to breakfast.
Her father had just gone off to his farming, but her mother was sitting in her accustomed place by the fireside reading a letter which was evidently causing her some anxiety.
"Well Mother" cried Beatrice, "what is the matter?"
"Well dear" replied Mrs. Langton, sipping her tea as she spoke, "I have had a letter from Mrs. Vindsor who went abroad last year, and she wants you to go and spend the winter with her in Paris. I would like you to go dear, but you are my eldest child and you are by no means strong."
"Oh Mother do let me go, I should enjoy it, and you know I am much stronger since I took to eating Mother Segul's Syrup."
"I know my love" said Mrs. Langton, "I will speak to your father about it, and in the meantime pour me out another cup of tea please."
Beatrice caught hold of the teapot smiling happily as she did so; her father was not the man to say no, and what he said her mother seldom differed from; so she cut her bread and carved her bacon singing a merry song through it all. After breakfast Beatrice dusted the room, got the children ready for school, and then adjusting a straw hat upon her golden tresses she prepared herself for a saunter through the beautiful fields fresh with the smell of new mown hay and Alderny cows. She gathered flowers as she went and though she felt bright and happy by the news the post had brought there was a sore corner in her heart—she had quarrelled with Lawrence Cathcart, and there was not a man in Senbury Glen who did not know his temper! As she strolled along she caught sight of Mr. Langton who was discussing the subject of Welsh sheep with a tradesman. He saw Beatrice and walked towards her.
"Well Bia," he cried, "looking at my cows? aren't they lovely?"
"Beautiful Father," cried Beatrice, "but do you know Mrs. Vindsor wants me to go to Paris and spend the winter with her family, and may I go?"
"Yes certainly," said Mr. Langton, "and I suppose that means you would like a pound or two to buy dresses and hats?"
Beatrice bit her lip and smiled, "I suppose so father," she said gazing placidly at her worn elbows.
"Very well," said her father, "I will give you £10, I should advice a blue serge dress and a yellow hat."
"Oh no father!" shrieked Beatrice, "I will get a green dress and a hat trimmed with roses."
"Very well," said Mr Langton kicking the hay with his feet "do as you please my dear, by the bye when are you expected in Paris?"
"Tomorrow week father," said Beatrice, "at least so Mother says."
Mr Langton whistled and then turning to his daughter he said, "I tell you what Bia, you had better call at the dressmaker on your way home, I hate a bustle at the last moment." so saying Mr Langton gave his daughter £10 in ready gold! Beatrice took them home and put them in her purse till the afternoon when she paid a long visit to the dressmaker. She invested in a lovely green silk dress trimmed with a delicate shade of rose pink, and thedainty little hat was of the same picturesque colours. She likewise bought a costly diamond brooch and two silver bangles to make up the £10.
On coming out of the shop she turned on to the moors for a last walk before going to Paris, for there would be plenty to do at home such as darning stockings, mending clothes, etc: She called for Nelly Reeves (a friend of hers); it would be a good chance to outdo her thought Beatrice, for Nelly had been to Italy the year before and did nothing but boast of it all day. So the two girls arm in arm started for the moors. Nelly Reeves was a tall good looking girl, slightly pretty, but with none of the wistful beauty about her that was so clearly stamped on all Beatrice Langton's features. She had black hair and what she considered beautiful eyes, though they really were small and vacant in their perpetual stare.
"Well I hope you will enjoy yourself" she remarked briskly when Beatrice told her of the invitation to Paris.
"I am sure I shall," said Beatrice, gently feeling her hair behind, "only think of the delights of it! The Vindsors live in a Chateau you know!"
"Yes, I suppose it will be jolly for you," said Nelly "who are the Vindsors?"
"Oh dont you remember Clara Vindsor?" said Beatrice, "she was so very pretty and polite in her ways."
"I recollect her," said Nelly gazing on the far away blue hills, "oh Beatrice how lovely that view is!"
"Yes," said Beatrice sadly, "I came up here last night for a walk."
"Alone?" asked Nelly.
Beatrice wished she had not spoken then, but being frank and straightforward she replied "no I was not alone."
"Who with?" enquired Nelly.
"Never mind," retorted Beatrice.
"Oh Beatrice do tell me" coaxed Nelly, I'll not tell a soul."
"I dont care if you do," said Beatrice coldly.
"Well let me see if I can guess" said Nelly artfully "was it Mr Cathcart?"
"What makes you guess him?" asked Beatrice angrily.
"Why because he has been paying attentions to you lately, and I thought he might have come up here to propose" said Nelly.
"You have most silly ideas!" retorted Beatrice,"if you dont leave off please to go home, what if he did propose?"
"Oh nothing at all," replied Nelly, "if you are so disagreeable Iwillgo home," so saying Miss Reeves tucked up her dress and walked home.
"Life is hard!" sighed Beatrice, "nothing seems to go right, first I quarrel with Lawrence and then with Nelly—why what is that?" she cried as she caught sight of something gold glittering in the pathway.
She stooped to pick it up; it was a gentleman's gold link, beautifully carved and engraved with the initials L. C.
"L. C." repeated Beatrice handling the link pensively "why they are his initials, can it be his I wonder? why yes" she continued, "here is the name Lawrence Cathcart; His Links! yes they are his, I will keep them and I may some day have occasion to return them to him," so saying she put the articles in her leather purse and turned towards home.
In some unaccountable way Beatrice turned into the High Street and had to pass Lawrence Cathcart's house, a splendid white stone building standing apart from the other houses in a beautiful garden of well tended blooms.
"What riches!" sighed Beatrice pausing at the iron gates, and as her blue eyes searched the lovely grounds her glance fell upon Lawrence Cathcart. He was standing under a tree with an open book in his hands. He wore a light fawn suit and his black curly hair was exposed to the Autumn sun; and as Beatrice gazed on this good looking young man she wondered why she had not noticed before how exquisitely curly his hair and moustache was, how fine his nose and eyes, and how beautifully his mouth was curved.
But she did not talk to him or try to attract his attention, and sad and disheartened she walked home.