CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
A DREAM FULFILLED.
The next week brought with it a succession of bewildering excitements.From morn till night, as it seemed, the bell rang, and visitors wereushered in to congratulate Lady Hayes and her niece on the happy episodeof the jewel-finding, and to repeat _ad infinitum_ the same questions,ejaculations, and remarks. People who had no personal interest in thetheft seemed, strangely enough, quite as excited and curious as thosewho had; and even when their curiosity was satisfied there stillremained the servants in the house, the tradesmen in the village, thevery children in the roads, who seemed one and all possessed with athirst to hear the romantic story from the lips of the heroine herself.
Then letters from relations and friends! However minutely one mightretail every incident, there still seemed an endless number of detailswhich remained to be told to people who could not be satisfied withoutknowing in each case what _he_ said, how _she_ looked, how _you_yourself felt and behaved! The first three days were spent in talk; onthe fourth began a second and still more exciting stage. The bell rang,a small, daintily tied parcel was handed in for Miss Garnett, whichbeing unwrapped revealed a red velvet jeweller's box, and within that asmall heart-shaped pendant, slung on a gold chain, and composed of onelarge and several small rubies, set transparently, so as to show toadvantage their glowing rosy light. An accompanying card bore theinscription, "A small expression of gratitude from Mrs EustaceFerriers"; but even this proof was hardly sufficient to convince Darsiethat such splendour was really for her own possession.
"Aunt Maria! Can she _mean_ it? Is it really to keep?"
"Certainly, my dear. Why not? It is quite natural that Mrs Ferriersshould wish to give you some little remembrance as you were the means ofrestoring a valuable heirloom. It is a good stone. You must be carefulnot to lose it."
"Is it valuable, Aunt Maria--worth a lot of money?"
"It is a pretty ornament, my dear. Do not look a gift horse in themouth."
It was all very well for Aunt Maria, a titled lady with a box full ofjewels of her own, to take things calmly, but for a member of a poorlarge family to receive a ruby pendant was a petrifying experience, onlyto be credited by a continual opening of the box and holding of it inone's hand to gaze upon its splendours. And then the very next morningthe bell rang again, and in came another parcel, another jeweller's box,and inside it a blue enamelled watch with an encircling glitter of lightwhere a family of tiny diamonds formed a border round the edge. Therewas an enamel bow also to fasten it on to a dress, but Darsie fairlyquaked at the thought of the responsibility of wearing so gorgeous anornament.
"That will do for mother," she announced decidedly. "It wouldn't be_decent_ for me to flaunt about in enamel and diamonds when she has anold gold thing that is always slow. Besides, if she wears it I canwatch the diamonds flash, and that is the best part of the fun. AuntMaria, that's two! Do you suppose, should you imagine, that they'll_all_--"
Lady Hayes looked shocked, as in duty bound.
"My dear, I don't suppose anything about it. That is not our affair.It is sufficient that these two friends have been most kind andgenerous, and that you ought to be a very grateful girl. Surmises as tofuture gifts are in the worst possible taste."
Darsie wrinkled her nose and sat in silence for several moments, movingthe little watch to and fro to catch the play of light upon the stones.Then suddenly she spoke again--
"Aunt Maria, what are your ideas with regard to _luck_?"
"I have none, my dear. I don't believe in its existence!"
"But you must, Aunt Maria. You must. It was the merest luck my seeingthat hole, and thinking of feeling inside, but it seems as if it weregoing to have such big consequences. Just in a moment it has brought memore influential friends than most girls meet with in the whole of theirlives. They are all grateful to me; they feel that I have helped them;they want to help me in return; but after all there's no credit to me,it was all done without one scrap of thought or trouble. It seems hardto think that many people work and slave for years, and fail to gain aquarter as much as I have done by just pure luck!"
"Don't be so sweeping in your assertions, child. These are early daysyet to talk about results. When you come to my age, my dear, you willlook back and realise that those who go through life in the right spiritare never left to the mercy of what you call `luck.' `Submit thy wayunto the Lord, and _He_ will direct thy path.' I am an old woman,Darsie, but I can say from my heart that goodness and mercy havefollowed me all the days of my life."
Darsie sat gazing thoughtfully into her aunt's face. Within the lastweeks a degree of intimacy had developed between the old woman and thegirl, which made it possible for the latter to speak out more openlythan she would have believed possible a short month before.
"Aunt Maria," she said slowly, "I wish you would explain... You talk ofgoodness and mercy, but--don't be shocked!--it doesn't seem to me thatyou have so _much_ to be thankful for! ... You are rich, of course, butthat doesn't count for much by itself, and your life must have beenhard... You are delicate, and your husband died, and you have nochildren--no one to live with you in this big house. Now when you _are_old you are so lonely that you are glad to have me--a girl like me--fora few weeks' visit! When I go away you will be lonely again..."
A tremor passed over Lady Hayes's face; the thin fingers crossed anduncrossed themselves on her lap, but she smiled, a brave and patientsmile. "You are right, Darsie. I have had bitter trials, neverthelessI have gained the greatest treasure that is given to any one on thisearth."
"What is that, Aunt Maria?"
"Peace in my soul, child--`the peace of God, which passethunderstanding,'" said the old woman solemnly.
There was silence in the room. Darsie bent her head, awed and touchedby the sound of those wondrous words. A month ago, at home with herbrothers and sisters, she would have scoffed at the idea of peace inconnection with Great-aunt Maria, but a closer intimacy had altered heropinion. About the trifling affairs of every day Aunt Maria continuedto fuss. No one could deny for a moment that she fussed; but the bigdemands of life found her calm, serene, prepared. On the surface thewaters might dash occasionally into foam, but the deep, strong currentbore steadily towards the sea!
Darsie pondered, and as though divining the course of her thoughts, LadyHayes spoke once more.
"Perhaps that appears to you a serious statement for me to make, sincethere are times when I must appear a very unpeaceful person. I am aptto be unduly concerned about trifles, to my own exhaustion and that ofothers. I am aware of the fact, and also that to one of your impetuousdisposition such a failing must be particularly trying. Nevertheless,Darsie,"--the old voice deepened impressively--"_the peace is there_!"
Slowly, thoughtfully Darsie bowed her head.
"Yes, I know. I've _felt_ it. It has made me ashamed. The human partof you may get out of hand sometimes, but you are _very_ nearly anangel, Aunt Maria. You haven't much more to learn!"
Lady Hayes shook her head, but her hand fell on Darsie's head with atender touch, and a light shone in the tired eyes. The lonely heart wasgrateful for those words of encouragement.
Darsie's surmise that still more presents might arrive was justified bythe delivery of three more packets--a dainty little pearl necklace fromMrs Percival, a turquoise and diamond ring (oh, the rapture of owning areal ring of one's very own!) and a combination present of a jewelledbangle from three other ladies who had benefited by the lucky find.Thus in one short week had Darsie's jewellery risen from a total whichshe herself described as consisting of "a few glass beads and a goldsafety-pin" to five separate articles of real beauty and value.
She was fond of spreading her treasures in a row on the table and gazingat them _en bulk_, moving her head from side to side to enjoy theflashing colours of the stones, and as she did so Lady Hayes was morethan surprised by a mercenary element which seemed out of keeping withthe girl's natural character.
"Rubies are the most valuable stones, aren't they, Aunt Maria--morevaluable than diamonds?"
"If they are of the right colour and depth, and of sufficient size."
"You said this was a good stone. It's a ripping colour. I should thinkthis must be a valuable stone, wouldn't you?"
"I prefer not to speculate on the subject, child."
Or again--
"I should think this watch was worth lots of money. I have justcounted, and there are forty diamonds, teenies, of course, but still--And the enamel is so fine. My bracelet has five _big_ diamonds, and awhole heap of pearls; and there's the necklace, too. Should you think,Aunt Maria, that they were worth a hundred pounds put together?"
Lady Hayes laid down her knitting, and stared with stony eyes into thegirl's face.
"I have told you before, Darsie, that I excessively dislike surmises asto the value of presents. I am surprised and disappointed to discoversigns of an avaricious and grasping nature!"
To her surprise and dismay the only reply to this serious aspersion wasa good-natured laugh.
"Goodness gracious, mercy on us!" cried Darsie audaciously. "I'm badenough, in all conscience, but I'm not _that_! Not a grasp in me! Youask any one at home, and they'll tell you I'm quite stupidly generous.It's not the money for the money's sake, I think of, but for what itwill _do_! I've no use for jewels, Aunt Maria--shan't ever have achance of wearing them, like Noreen and Ida. Imagine a daily governessglittering with gems! But if only--only I could turn them into money,it might fulfil the big ambition of my life and send me to Newnham,without troubling father for a penny! Can you wonder that I feelimpatient with watches and chains when I think of _that_?"
"I am sorry, my dear. I did not understand. I apologise!" said LadyHayes promptly. It was this unfailing sense of justice, combined withthe dignity which never forsook her under any stress of excitement oragitation, which had been most largely instrumental in attracting thegirl's admiration. From the impetuous standpoint of youth it seemed analmost inhuman pinnacle of perfection, but Darsie was quite determinedthat at some far-distant elderly epoch--say, in thirty years' time--shewould begin practising these virtues on her own account. They seemedthe only decorous accompaniment of white hair and spectacles.
She stretched out a sunburnt hand and patted the old lady's shoulderwith an affectionate touch.
"All right! Don't worry. It _did_ seem greedy, and of course youcouldn't guess. You see, it's particularly hard because plain Ha-Hannah Vernon, I mean--is going up, and that seems to make it worse forme. Her father is richer than ours, and he believes in highereducation, so it's all settled that she is to go to Newnham, and shetalks about it all the time, and pities me when she's in a good temper,and brags when she's not. And Dan would be at Cambridge, too, and RalphPercival, and, oh dear, oh dear, we'd have such _sport_! Balls, andpicnics, and cocoa parties, and boating in summer--no end of lovelyexciting pranks!"
"Excuse me, my dear,"--Lady Hayes was frosty again, staring stonily overthe rim of her spectacles--"excuse me, but would you kindly explain forwhat reason you are anxious to go to Cambridge? I had imagined that itwas for education, now it appears that balls and picnics are theattraction. Which of the two is it of which you are really thinking?"
"Oh, Aunt Maria, I'm a human girl! Of _both_!" cried Darsie, laughing."Education first, of course, because of the result, and all it will meanafterwards, but if you want the truth, I shouldn't be so keen if itwasn't for the fun! We know a girl who's just come down, and it soundssuch a lovely life... I'd work hard; I love work, and when there is anyon hand there's no peace for me till it's done; but _wouldn't_ I justplay, too! It would be the time of my life. Oh, Aunt Maria, when Ilook at the governesses at school, and think that I'm going to be likethat all my days, it _does_ seem hard that I shouldn't have just two orthree years _first_ of the life I want!"
The words, the tone, both bore a touch of real pathos; nevertheless LadyHayes smiled, as if, so far from being pained by the sad prospect, shefound something amusing in the contemplation.
"It is a mistake to look too far ahead in life, but of course if youcontemplate teaching, you ought to be thoroughly equipped." She wassilent for a moment, gazing thoughtfully through the window. Then in alevel, perfectly commonplace voice she continued: "I shall be pleased,my dear, to defray the expenses of your course at Newnham..."
The manner in which our great ambitions in life meet their realisationis always and inevitably other than we have imagined. Sometimes so manyyears have passed by since the dreaming of the cherished plans, that theeager spirit is transformed into a wearied and dispirited being, to whomfulfilment brings no joy; sometimes it comes freighted withcomplications which rob it of half its zest; sometimes it brings nocharm at all, but only bitterness and disappointment; and again--oh,often again, thank God for His mercies!--it comes at the moment ofhopelessness, of renunciation, dazzling the eyes and heart with a veryincredulity of joy.
Those few quiet words in an old woman's voice transformed for DarsieGarnett the whole path ahead, making what had seemed a far-away visionbecome a solid, tangible fact. Quietly, prosaically, without anynourish of trumpets, the great prize of life had been handed into hergrasp.
She sat motionless, staring with distended eyes, while Lady Hayescontinued to speak in calm, even tones.
"I should like to explain to you, my dear, that I am not as rich a womanas I appear. It was my dear husband's wish that I should continue tooccupy this house for the term of my life, but after that it passes tohis relations. It is an expensive place to keep up, and leaves littlemargin out of the income which goes with it. I cannot save as I shouldhave wished, and my own property is not large. When it is divided amongmy various nephews and nieces, there will not be much for each. Ishould like to have done more for your father, as he has a large familyto provide for, but it is impossible. In your case, however, you havedone me a kindness in spending these weeks with me when I neededcompanionship--and, I think, we are good friends! I can spare a fewhundreds to give you your training _and_ your fun--and it will be apleasure to me to do so. I will make a formal arrangement in my will sothat in the case of my--so that in any case the money may beforthcoming. So, my dear, you may look upon the matter as settled, andmake your arrangements accordingly."
Darsie put her hands to her head. Her cheeks were white, but around hereyes and nose an increasing pinkness of hue betrayed the inward struggleof emotion.
"I'm going to cry! I'm going to cry!" she cried. And when Lady Hayesbegan a protest, "Oh, Aunt Maria, don't, _don't_ be proper!" she pleadedpiteously. "I can't bear it just now. Please, please let me thank youin my own way! I must howl! I _must_! I'm all seething and churningwith emotion, and if I don't cry I shall burst; but oh, I _do_ loveyou--I adore you--I shall worship you until my dying day... You'll belike a saint to me. I'll put you up on a pedestal and burn incense toyou every day of my life. If you _knew_ what it meant! And I've beenso mean and hateful--such a contemptible little worm! Oh, if I lived ahundred thousand years, I could never repay you for this!"
"My dear, does it strike you that you are talking in a very wild,exaggerated fashion?"
"I am, I am! Girls _do_, Aunt Maria, when they are off their heads withjoy. Wild, I mean, not exaggerated--I mean it, every word. Oh, I_must_ hug you. Never mind your cap; I must give you a bear hug, if Idie for it. Dear, dearest, kindest, best--"
The old lady's stiff, upright figure disappeared bodily within theswooping arms; she was squeezed, hugged, rocked to and fro, and peltedwith kisses until she was speechless and gasping for breath. When shewas released her cap was askew, and the muslin folds in the front of hergown crumpled out of recognition; but for a marvel she spoke no word ofreproach, and Darsie saw, with a sobering thrill, a glitter as of tearsin the old eyes, and the mental question which arose at the sight wasanswered with intuitive sharpness. It was so long since she had beenhugged before, so many, many years since anything more than aconventional peck
had been pressed upon her cheek! Old, stern, properas she was, Aunt Maria loved to be loved!
For the rest of the morning Darsie was as subdued and gentle in manneras she had hitherto been boisterous. The future was discussed indetail, and plans made which revolutionised more and more her futurelife, for Lady Hayes seemed to take for granted that in taking uponherself the responsibility for the girl's education she had earned acertain right to her society. Such phrases as "And in the holiday-timewe can discuss," "When you are here in the summer vacation," "I shalllook forward to hearing your descriptions," could not be misunderstood,but for the moment the big gain outweighed the loss, and Darsie smiledon unperturbed. In time to come the sacrifice of merry family holidayswould of a certainty demand its toll of suffering, but why encouragetrouble that lay ahead when the present was so blissfully full ofcontentment?
When lunch was over Darsie tucked her hostess on the sofa, and hailedwith delight the opportunity of a free hour in which to dreamuninterrupted over the wonderful development of the day.
"I'll go out and walk it off. I'll rush down to the village andtelegraph home. I can't possibly wait to write. How can I put it sothat it will be plain enough and not too plain? `Newnham ahoy!' `I'moff to Newnham College in the morning!' `Plans for Newnhamsatisfactorily arranged. Break news to Hannah.' _Won't_ they stare!It's a blessing that neither Clemence nor Lavender would care to go ifthey had the chance, so they won't be jealous, but Hannah _will_ jump.And Dan--what will Dan say? It is good luck knowing the boys so well.We'll make them take us about. To think that I was so furious andrebellious about this visit, and that it should have ended like this!It will be a lesson to me for life!"
It was very pleasant to ride through the sweet smelling lanes on thisbright summer afternoon; very pleasant work sending off that telegram tothe parents at the seaside, and drawing mental pictures of theexcitement and rejoicings which would follow its arrival; pleasant tomeet on every side kindly, interested glances, and to realise that ifshe were, as Noreen had declared, "the pet of the county," she wasassuredly also "the heroine of the village."
It was a temptation to linger in the quaint little streets; but on thisafternoon of all others Darsie was anxious not to be late for tea, so,with a sigh of regret, she turned up a side lane leading to the fieldpath to the Manor, and in so doing came face to face with RalphPercival, who, in his lightest and most sporting attire, was escorting apack of dogs for an airing. There was the big silky-haired collie whomDarsie loved, the splay-footed dachshund which she hated, the hugemastiff which she feared, with one or two terriers of different breeds--alert, friendly, and gentle-eyed. One and all came sniffing round heras their master stopped to shake hands, and she stood up stiff andstraight, trying to look at ease, and as if she were not really inmomentary terror of an attack upon her ankles and skirts.
"Halloa!"
"How are you? Still living in a shower of jewels?"
"I _have_ been, but it's clearing off! The combination braceletfinished the list. Now I'm beginning to live in fear of anotherburglary, on myself. It will be a relief to get the things distributed.Mother is to have the watch, Clemence the pendant, Lavender the brooch,and I am going to be greedy and keep the bracelet and necklace and ringfor myself."
"What a miser!" cried Ralph, laughing. His grey eyes looked veryhandsome and agreeable lit up with the twinkling light of amusement, andDarsie's spirits rose still a degree higher as he whistled to the dogsand turned round with the evident intention of accompanying her home.
"We'll come along with you. It doesn't matter where we go so long as wehave a run. Bound for the Manor, I suppose? How's the old lady? In agood humour, I should say. You look particularly full of beams thisafternoon!"
"I am--brimming over! You see before you, kind sir, the touchingspectacle of a young female who has not a single ungratified wish in theworld, and is so happy that she doesn't know how to preserve a decentappearance of calm. It's the more extraordinary because she usuallywants quite a lot."
Ralph's eyebrows went up in expressive disdain.
"Re-al-ly! You don't say so! Glad to hear it, I'm shaw! The kinddonors would be much gratified to know of the magic effect of theirgifts. I wonder, under the circumstances, that you could bear to partfrom any of them!"
The words were spoken in his most drawling and superior voice, andbrought the blood rushing into Darsie's cheeks. She stood still in themiddle of the road, and glared at him with flashing eyes.
"Horrible boy! What a disagreeable mind you must have, to think suchmean, contemptible thoughts! Bother the jewellery! It may go toJericho for all I care. I'm happy for a very different reason. AuntMaria has just promised to pay for me to go to Newnham, and that hasbeen the dream of my life. There's nothing to sneer at, you see, thoughperhaps _you_ can manage to be superior even about that!"
"Yes, easily. I hate blue-stockings," said Ralph calmly, but his eyestwinkled as he spoke, and in spite of herself Darsie was obliged tosmile in response.
"And I hate narrow-minded, prejudiced young men! Oh dear! you've put mein a bad temper on this day of days, just when I felt that I could neverbe cross again. I'll forgive you only because it's impossible to go_on_ being cross. I've just been to the post-office to telegraph thegreat news to my people at the seaside. They'll be wild withexcitement, especially my chum who will be going up at the same time,Hannah Vernon--`plain Hannah' we call her. Funny nickname, isn't it?"
"Sounds ingratiating!" Voice and expression were alike so expressivethat Darsie went off into a merry trill of laughter, as she hastened totake up the cudgels in plain Hannah's defence.
"She doesn't care a bit. Jokes about it with the rest. And she is sofunnily ugly that it's really rather dear. _And_ clever! She'll be afirst-class girl, you'll see if she isn't. I shall be nowhere besideher, but I'm going to _grind_. Let me see: if we go up in three years'time, when we're eighteen, how long will you have left of your course?"
"Perhaps a year, perhaps two. Depends upon how soon I go up. It isn'tas if I had to go in for a profession or anything of that kind. I shallspend my life looking after the property, and there's no particular needto swot for that."
"I hate loafers," said Darsie in her turn, then once more relented andsaid genially, "But I don't believe you mean half that you say. Anyway,I shall look forward to meeting you at Cambridge, and I hope you areprepared to be kind, and to be ready to return the good offices which Ihave been able to render to your respected family."
"I am. What do you want me to do?"
"To be nice to me at Cambridge! I shall be a shy, lone Fresher, and youcan make things much livelier for me if you like. I want you to like!Dan Vernon will be there, too, but he's so serious and clever that hewon't be much good for the _fun_ part. I want you to promise not to besuperior and proud, but a real friend to take us about, and dance withus at the balls, and get up picnics on the river. I can manage the workpart for myself, but I want some help for the fun!"
She expected an instant response, but Ralph was too cautious to be drawninto rash promises.
"Er--what exactly do you mean by `we'?"
"Myself and my chum, of course--Hannah Vernon."
"Plain Hannah?"
"Plain Hannah!"
Ralph shook his handsome head.
"I make no promise as regards plain Hannah. I'm not particularlypartial to plain Hannahs, but I'll do my level best for Darsie Garnett.Like to! You can count upon me to do my best to give you a rattlinggood time."
Darsie regarded him doubtfully, reflected that it was wisdom to acceptwhat one could get, and smiled a gracious approval.
"Thanks--so much! Then it's a promise?"
"Certainly. A promise!"
They laughed again. The dogs leaped in the air and barked with delight.Everything and every one seemed happy to-day. Darsie felt that if shelived to be a hundred she could never, by any possibility, reach ahigher pinnacle of content.