CHAPTER TWELVE.
A NOVEL EXPERIENCE.
Down the winding path, the visitors, as they walked together, came uponmasses of daffodils, standing up erect and golden from the carpet ofdead leaves which covered the ground. Not the ordinary common or gardendaffodil, charming as it is, but named varieties of every description--white trumpeted _Horsefieldi_, stately yellow Emperors, _Bari Conspicui_with its dainty outline of orange; these, and a dozen others weregrowing in patches, not in dozens or scores, but in literal hundreds,beneath the budding trees. There were violets, too; and white andpurple and golden saxifrages peeping out between the stones whichbordered the trickling stream--a scene of enchantment, indeed, for Cityeyes accustomed to gaze only on bricks and mortar. The girls were wildwith delight, and flitted about gathering specimens of the differentflowers; while the two young men were content to watch them with an airof masculine superiority.
"What is the use of burdening yourselves with all those things at thevery beginning of our walk?"
"They aren't a burden, they are a joy. Hold them for me, please, whileI get some more," replied Mollie, laying a stack of long-stemmedbeauties in Jack's arms, regardless of his look of dismay. "Don't crushthem; I want them kept quite fresh."
"What are you going to do with them, if I might ask? There are plentyin the house. It's a pity to cut them just to waste."
"I wouldn't waste them for the world, the beautiful darlings! I'm goingto send them home to mother. We will pack them in a box, and take themdown to the post-office this afternoon. It will provide honest work forthe afternoon," retorted Mollie.
She was too happy, too supremely happy, to be stiff and formal. As shedarted from one flower-bed to another she looked like an incarnation ofthe bright spring morning. There was no room in her mind for doubts andfears. The future simply did not exist; the present was all-sufficient.
From the gardens the quartette strolled onwards past the lake, andacross the wide park to the further gates; then, returning, paid a visitto the stables. The groom greeted them with a smile, which showed thathe had anticipated their coming; and, like the other servants, hailedwith delight a return to livelier days.
"The horses will get some work now, I hope, ma'am," he said, touchinghis forehead as he addressed himself to Ruth, as the head of the party.("The Farrell eyebrows again!" said Mollie to herself.)
"They have had it far too easy for a long time back. The master's fondof horses, and we need a good many for driving up these steep hills, aseverything has to be brought up from the station; but it's regulargentle exercise as suits 'em best. I've a nice little mare as wouldcarry you, if you'd care to try her. She's in this box. Fanny, we callher. Whoa! Fanny, old girl, come and show yourself! Nice gentlecreature, you see, miss: no temper in her."
"But I don't ride," began Ruth, smiling. "I should like to very much;and I don't think I should be nervous, but--"
"Oh, I'd love to ride! Is there a horse for me, too? And would youteach us--would you? Could we come down every day and have a lesson?"interrupted Mollie impetuously.
And the groom wheeled round to face her, and touched his forehead again,his face one smile of delight.
"Ay, would I, miss! Proud to do it. Many's the one I've taught to ridein my time. You settle any hour you like, and I'll have the horsesready for you, and take you a turn across the park. There's some oldside-saddles put away in the loft. I'll have 'em down, and put in orderfor ye. And the gentlemen? You'll not be needing any lessons, I'mthinking."
"Oh no! I think I can manage to sit any horse you have here," repliedVictor in a slightly superior tone.
Jack, however, shook his head, and said--
"No use for me. I can't ride, and it's no use beginning. I'm only herefor a week."
The groom looked the surprise he was too well trained to express.
"Indeed, sir. Well, I can give you a mount if you change your mind. Itwouldn't take long to get your seat; and it's pleasant exercise thesespring days. The carriages are round this way, miss. There's a prettylittle cart you might like to drive yourself."
He led the way forward; but while the others followed, Mollie hungbehind, blocking Jack's way. Something prompted her to speak, animpulse too strong to be resisted.
"Do learn!" she cried entreatingly. "Learn with us. Why won't you? Itwould be such fun. You said you hated to be idle. It wouldn't bewasted time if you learnt a useful accomplishment."
"Hardly useful to me, I am afraid, Miss Mollie. I have no money forhorses. My only acquaintance with them is from the top of a Cityomnibus."
"But you can't tell what might happen. We might go to war again, andyou might want to volunteer. You might grow rich. Besides, youvolunteered to come and stay with the `Chosen,' and then you willcertainly find it useful. So you will join us, won't you?"
Jack laughed and hesitated, looking down at the flushed, eager face. Itseemed a very trifling matter. He could not tell that with theacceptance or refusal of this light request the whole of his futuredestiny was involved. He only thought that Mollie was a charminglypretty girl, and that it would be amusing to practise riding by herside.
"Well! since you put it like that, I can't refuse," he answeredlaughingly. "We will learn together, Miss Mollie, and good luck to ourefforts."
"But what about the riding-habits?" asked Ruth.
"We must get them," said Mollie.
"Where?" asked Ruth.
"At a tailor's," said Mollie. "Bond Street, for choice; only it wouldbe difficult to arrange about fitting. I'm not at all sure that weshan't have to pay a visit to town on this matter of clothes. For thepresent I mean to consult that maid, and see what can be done until wecan get habits well made for us. And--who knows?--there may be some oldthings stored away somewhere which will come in handy. Anyway, I'mgoing to begin lessons to-morrow, habit or no habit. You can do as youlike."
As there was no time to be lost, the maid was summoned only to proclaimher inability to manufacture riding attire in the space of twenty-fourhours, or to produce the same from the household treasures.
"There is the mistress's habit, of course, but that was locked away withher other clothes; and even if I could get at it I wouldn't dare to useit. Mr Farrell keeps everything she wore, and nobody touches them buthimself. There's a very good tailor at Bexham, miss--only half anhour's rail from here. Many of the ladies go to him for their things."
"But we want something now--at once! Something to wear to-morrow.Surely you can think of something? Mr Farrell said we were to ask youfor everything we wanted, and this is the first thing we have asked for.You must suggest something!" cried Mollie imperiously.
Thus adjured, Emma pursed up her lips, and wrinkled her forehead, leanther head on one side, and stared at the ceiling for inspiration.Presently it came, for the frown disappeared, the lips relaxed into asmile.
"Well, miss," she said, "there's the parson's young ladies; they arenearly as big as you, though they are still at school. They ride withthe father in the holiday, for the squire let's them have a mount fromthe stables whenever they send up. Their habits will be at home, lyingidle. They are not much for style, of course, but for a few days, untilyou have time to get fitted yourself--"
"Emma, you are an angel! It's a splendid idea! Mrs Thornton begged usto let her help in any way she could. We'll call this very afternoon,when we go down to post off the flowers, and I'm sure she will bedelighted to lend them. Now we can have our first lesson to-morrow.That's glorious! I do hate to wait when I have planned anything nice."
At luncheon Mr Farrell made his appearance, and listened with politeindifference to the history of the morning's doings as volunteered byhis guests. He asked no questions, made no suggestions, and retiredinto the library the moment the meal was over for his daily perusal ofthe _Times_. Here for the first time he discovered the inconvenience ofthe novel interruption to his solitude, for the newspaper was missingfrom its accustomed place, and, on ri
nging to make inquiries, he wasinformed that Mr Melland had carried it off to the billiard-room.
"Tell Mr Melland, with my compliments, I should be obliged if he wouldallow me to have it for the next hour--and order two copies for thefuture," he said grimly.
And five minutes later Jack appeared in person the bearer of thenewspaper and frank apologies.
"I'm really awfully sorry! I did not know you had not seen it. Wouldyou care for me to read aloud any article? I should be glad to be ofuse."
"Thank you. My eyes are still quite useful. I prefer to read formyself."
Jack had the good sense to depart without further protest, and MrFarrell stretched himself on his big chair with a sigh of relief. Hetook no pleasure in his guests, whose bright young presence depressedhim by reviving memories of happier days. If it had not been for thenecessity of choosing an heir, he would have cherished his solitude ashis dearest possession. He congratulated himself, however, that byreserving one room for his own use he could be still safe frominterruption, and, turning to a leading article, read the first fewparagraphs with leisurely enjoyment. The writing was excellent, theviews irreproachable, in that they exactly coincided with his own. Heturned with anticipatory pleasure to the article next in order, when thesound of a light tap-tap came to the door, and Ruth appeared upon thethreshold, blushing shyly.
"Uncle Bernard, Mrs Wolff says that you always read the _Times_ afterluncheon... Would it be any help if I read aloud what you wish to hear?Sometimes, when pater is tired--"
"I am obliged to you. I require no help of the sort. Is there anyother subject on which you wished to speak to me?"
The tone was so suggestive of concealed wrath that Ruth quailed beforeit, and the faltering "No" was hardly audible across the room. MrFarrell lifted the paper from his knee so that his face was hidden fromview.
"Then you will forgive my remarking that I prefer to be undisturbed. Weshall meet in the drawing-room for tea."
Ruth shut the door, advanced a few steps into the hall, and stamped herfoot violently upon the floor. The thick Turkey carpet reduced thenoise to the faintest echo, but an answering laugh sounded from behind ascreen, and Jack Melland's eyes looked quizzically into her flushedface.
"Allow me to sympathise. I was sent about my business a few minutesago. Took back the _Times_ by request, and ventured to offer to readaloud--"
"Oh, so did I! His eyes looked so tired, that I long to do something!It's like living in an hotel, to take everything and do nothing inreturn, but if he is so cross and glares like that I shall never dare tooffer again. Do you suppose it will go on like this all the time? Willhe avoid us entirely except at meal-times? Shall we never get to knowhim really? If it is like that, I don't think I can stand it. I shallrun away and go home!"
Jack looked down at her with a kindly sympathy.
"Ah, well, it's early days to judge! I don't think it would beconsistent with Mr Farrell's plans to remain a stranger. Opportunitiesare bound to arise as the days pass by. Don't worry about it, but enjoyyourself while you can.--I am going to sit out on the terrace. Will youcome, too? It will be quite warm so long as the sun lasts."
They strolled away together, to make acquaintance in a quiet _tete-a-tete_, while once more interruption approached the library in the shapeof Mollie, primed for battle. She rapped at the door, received a lowgrowl by way of reply, and had no sooner crossed the threshold than aninfuriated voice startled her ears.
"I tell you no! I want no help. I can read without assistance. Am Istone-blind that I cannot be left in peace to read my paper, as I havedone these forty years? How many times over have I to answer the samequestion?"
"But--but--I haven't asked you anything yet!" gasped Mollie blankly.Eyes and lips alike were wide with amazement, but instead of retiring atfull speed, as the other two visitors had done before her, she shut thedoor carefully and advanced towards the fire. "What did you think I wasgoing to say?"
"I have already had two interruptions in the last half-hour; two offersto have my news read aloud--a thing I detest. I conclude you have comeon the same mission?"
"No!" Mollie shook her head, half penitent, half amused. "Indeed sucha thing never entered my mind. I was selfish enough to be thinking ofmyself--not you. Something is worrying me. May I sit down and talk toyou about it, Uncle Bernard?"
She drew forward a chair even as she spoke, and Mr Farrell made noobjection. The _Times_ lay on his lap, his thin hands crossed above it,while his sunken eyes were fixed upon the girl's face with a curiousscrutiny.
"If it is any argument about going or staying, I have alreadyexplained--"
"Ah, but it isn't! I am going to stay. I love staying! I don't knowwhen I have been so happy in my life as I've been to-day, wanderingabout this sweet old place. It was the most curious feeling thismorning before you were down--like living in an enchanted castle wherethe owner had disappeared! When I gathered the flowers I felt quitelike Beau--" She drew herself up sharply--"They were such lovelyflowers!"
A short laugh proved that the interruption had come too late.
"As I said before, Miss Mary, you are not overburdened with modesty! Iam obliged for my part of the simile!"
But the speaker's eyes were twinkling with quite the most amiableexpression Mollie had yet seen, and she laughed unabashed.
"Ah, well, one description is as exaggerated as the other. I didn'tmean to say it; it just popped out. You know that I didn't mean to berude. I wanted to speak to you about something very important--to us,at least. Ruth will be scandalised, but it's bound to come out sooneror later, and I want to understand our position... We told you thismorning that we proposed to learn riding."
"You did."
"And you made no objection."
"On the contrary, I quite approved. It is almost essential for your owncomfort and convenience it you wish to enjoy a country life."
"Yes! so we thought. But there is one great objection. We have nohabits."
"Indeed!"
"No; of course, we have never ridden at home."
"I presume not."
"And we cannot ride without habits. Emma, the maid, suggested that MrsThornton might lend us her daughters' just for a few days; but we cannotkeep them long."
"Certainly not!"
Mr Farrell made his remarks with an air of polite indifference, whichwas peculiarly baffling. It was evident that no lead was to be expectedfrom him, and that Mollie would have to put her request in the plainestpossible words. Her lips were pressed together in a momentaryhesitation between embarrassment and laughter; then she thought of thelecture she would receive from Ruth if her errand ended in failure, andgrew strong again. Her eyes met those of Uncle Bernard still fixedintently on her face.
"I wanted to ask you what we were to do about them, and about clothesaltogether! You know we are very poor. Ruth and I have fifteen poundsa year to dress on. You have never been a girl, so you don't understandwhat that means; but though we can get along on that at home and couldlook respectable for a few days' visit, we can't manage as we are forthree whole months, especially when you wish us to go about, and haveparties here, and meet your friends on their own terms. We have onlythose black evening-dresses which you saw last night, and girls can'talways wear the same things, as a man does his dress suit."
"I suppose not."
"No they can't. So--"
"So?"
Mollie's cheek flushed with a dawning impatience.
"Uncle Bernard, don't you think you make it very hard for me? Afterall, it was your wish that we should stay, and we cannot put the paterto more expense. You said we were to have carte blanche. I want toknow if that applies to clothes also?"
"I must say I had not anticipated anything of the sort when I made myremark."
"Well then, are you content to have us as we are? It won't be easy orpleasant, but I suppose we _could_ rub along if you don't object.People would make remarks, and as they are your friends--"
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"It is a great many years since I have troubled my head about whatpeople say. That argument has no weight with me; but, as you say, youremain here and go into society at my invitation, and it is thereforeonly reasonable that I should make it possible for you to do so incomfort. I am in ignorance as to what is required. What sum, may Iask, would you consider sufficient to make up deficiencies?"
Mollie's smile of rapture was a sight to behold. The victory was won,and won so easily that there had been no fight worthy the name. Hermind flew to Ruth, picturing the scene between them when she retold theconversation; then turned at a tangent to gloat over the thought offineries to come.
"Ah-ah! That's a difficult question to answer. We shall need riding-habits, and summer things, and evening-dresses, and hosts of etceteras.I could make myself look respectable for twenty pounds; I could looksmart for fifty; I could be a vision for a hundred!" cried Mollie,clasping her hands ecstatically, while once again a faint twinkle showeditself in Mr Farrell's eyes. His words were, however, as a rule,decidedly damping in tone.
"That is interesting to know, but something less bewildering thanvisions might be more in keeping with ordinary life. Very well, then,Miss Mary, order what you please, and tell your sister to do the same,and let the bills come in to me. You can run up to town for the daywhenever it is necessary, and no doubt you will enjoy the variety. Isthere anything more you wish to say?"
He took up the newspaper in sign of dismissal, but Mollie sat herground, flushing and knitting her brows.
"Uncle Bernard, you are an angel, and I'm ever so much obliged, butplease mightn't we have a fixed sum? It would be so much morecomfortable! If it is left like this, we should not know what you wouldthink reasonable or extravagant!"
"And in the other case, I should not know it of you! No; it must beleft entirely to your discretion. Get what you please, and as much asyou please. I make no restrictions. As I have said before, money is noobject to me, but it is my great aim at present to understand yourposition as to it."
"I understand, but it's very awkward!" sighed Mollie. Her forehead waspuckered with thought; she stroked her soft little chin in thoughtfulfashion. "I should like to please you, but I am so completely in thedark. A man's ideas are so different from a girl's. If I get all Ithink necessary, you may think me extravagant!"
"Very possibly I may."
"And if I get less than the best, you might think me mean."
"Very possibly again."
Mollie made an involuntary gesture of impatience, then laughed andtossed her head.
"Uncle Bernard, it is hopeless to try to understand you. There is onlyone thing to be done; since I don't know how to please you, I must takeextra good care to please myself."
"A most sensible conclusion! I congratulate you upon it. I have,however, one request to make. It is my wish that you and your sistershould be independent of each other; each acting exactly as she thinksfit, without reference to the other's wishes. Is there anything morethat you wish to say? If not, may I suggest that I am generally leftfree from interruption after lunch?"
"I'll never come again--I promise I won't, but there is a lot I shouldlike to say if you would let me. I'd like to thank you and tell you howmuch fun and happiness we shall get out of your generosity; but, Isuppose, if I did you would hate it, and call it gush. The best thing Ican do is to go away at once; but you can't prevent me thanking you inmy heart."
She looked at him half smiling, half wistful, longing for some sign ofsoftening which might break down the barrier between them, but MrFarrell did not even meet her glance. His eyes had already strayedtowards his newspaper; he was settling himself in his chair andpreparing to resume the interrupted reading. Mollie turned with a sighand left the room.