CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
MR. FARRELL MAKES HIS WILL.
It was not in human nature--not in Mollie's nature, at least--to resist"showing off" a little after that momentous interview, and her suddenfamiliarity with their host filled her companions with amazed curiosity.Ruth had naturally heard all that had passed, and loyally stifled thedawning of envy, but the young men were at a loss to account for whatseemed to them a mysterious change of favourites.
"Miss Mollie is outstripping us all! She has stepped into the positionof first favourite this last fortnight," Victor Druce said, as the fouryoung people sat on the terrace steps waiting for tea, a few days afterthe visit to the vicarage.
He laughed as he spoke, but in a half-hearted manner, and tugged heavilyat the ends of his moustache, while he scrutinised Mollie's face throughhalf-closed lids. She beamed at him gaily in response, scorning mock-modest protestations.
"Oh yes; we understand each other ever so much better! I have beenimpressing upon him ever since our first meeting that I am really verynice, and at last he is beginning to realise it for himself. He likesme very much. He told me so with his very own lips; but he told mesomething else, too."
"Yes! May we inquire--"
"Oh, certainly! It is quite as interesting to you as to me. Liking hasnothing whatever to do with the mysterious condition; he may quiteprobably choose the one of us he cares for least, as his heir.`Curiouser and curiouser,' as Alice said; isn't it?"
"Humph! There may be a chance for me, after all," said Jack lightly.
Victor knitted his brows, and tugged once more at his moustache.
"He said so definitely--you are sure you are not mistaken? Then how canone possibly judge? That upsets all our theories at a blow."
"That's what I thought myself. I felt sure that it would be Ruth, butnow I am all at sea; but, for my own part, I'm glad. It is easier to begood friends when there is nothing mercenary involved."
Mollie smiled her sunny, candid smile, and lay back in her deck-chair,her hands clasped easily behind her head. It was delightful to laze inthe sunshine, to feel at peace with all the world. The present was soall-absorbing that she had no time to worry her head about the future;but Ruth sat by her side, with unseeing eyes bent upon her book, whilethe swift thoughts surged through her brain.
She also had felt inwardly convinced that Uncle Bernard's choice wouldfall upon herself, who was so truly a daughter of his race, and it hadbeen a shock to learn that there was nothing to be deduced from hissigns of preference; but of late days there was another problem whichwas becoming of even more vital interest than the heirship of the Court.
Even as she sat there, with averted head, she was acutely conscious ofVictor's presence. She seemed to know, without looking in hisdirection, the absorbed, contented expression of the dark face. Sheknew it so well by this time--knew it in an aspect which no one saw butherself; for when they were alone together, it was as if a mask fellaway, and revealed the true man. Then he looked at her with openadmiration, spoke unreservedly of himself, and drew her out to tell ofher own life, and hopes, and ambitions. And there were even morethrilling moments, when the talk ceased, and they sat side by side,silent, yet absorbed, acutely conscious of each other's presence;delightfully, inexplicably confused.
At such moments Ruth confessed to herself that this man, whose veryexistence she had been unaware of a few weeks before, was fast becomingto her the most important person in the world, and it seemed as certainthat he reciprocated her feelings. At such moments, yes! but certaintydied away into uneasy doubt, as upon the approach of a third person--even the insignificant Mrs Wolff herself--Victor fell back into hiscarefully conventional manner.
It was not that she expected or desired any demonstration in public.Ruth was by nature far too reserved to welcome such an exhibition; butthe two attitudes were so widely divided, Victor's care in keeping themapart so sedulous, that she could not but be perturbed. Ruth's hearthad never before been touched; but love needs no apprenticeship, and shefelt by instinct that such self-control was unnatural. Surely, surely,if he really "cared," there would be moments when his eyes wouldinvoluntarily meet hers, when his voice would soften in tone.
Then there was Lady Margot Blount! What was the real history of thatacquaintanceship? Why did Victor affect to avoid her, while reallymeeting her in secret?
While Ruth sat dreaming, tea was brought out, and Mr Farrell camelimping down the terrace to join the party. It was not often that hefavoured them with his presence at the afternoon meal, but the day wasso fine and sunny that it was really warmer out of doors than in thehouse, and as he sat he spread out his wrinkled hands, evidentlyenjoying the newly-found heat.
Ruth waited upon him with a pretty deference, while Mollie chattered onin her usual unabashed fashion. The old man appeared to pay noattention, but he evidently listened more closely than he cared toadmit, for a casual mention of Margot Blount's name evoked a quickglance and question--
"You all seem to speak of Lady Margot in a very familiar fashion; I havenot the pleasure of her acquaintance, but from all I have heard I shouldnot imagine she was inclined to make friendships lightly. You have mether--how often? Once or twice?"
He looked at Mollie as he spoke, but Mollie deliberately avoided hiseyes, turning towards Victor in a marked manner, which left him nochoice but to reply. It was a mischievous impulse to avenge herself andRuth for his desertion of a few days before, and to discover the truthabout that secret meeting of which Margot herself had spoken. Her faceseemed solemnity itself to the casual observer, but as he looked at herJack choked suddenly over his tea, and hitched his chair in an oppositedirection. He would have laughed outright if he had looked one momentlonger. As for Victor, his dark eyes shot out a spark of annoyance,just one; then he answered with smiling unconcern--
"Lady Margot and I are not quite strangers, sir; I met her in town agood deal last year. We have some friends in common. It was onlyrenewing an acquaintance when we met again the other day."
"Indeed--indeed!" Mr Farrell looked unusually interested and alert."I am glad to hear that. The Blounts are some of the most importantpeople in the neighbourhood. In the old days there was a strongfriendship between the two families, which I should be pleased to seerenewed. You were introduced to the old people when you called at theMoat, I presume?"
Here was a direct question which could not be avoided. Jack and Mollieturned towards Victor with glances of elaborately veiled curiosity.Ruth clattered the tea-cups together, carefully averting her eyes.Anxious as she was to hear the reply, she hated the knowledge thatVictor was being placed in an awkward position,--hated the consciousnessthat the others were enjoying the embarrassment.
The pause lasted but a moment; then Victor spoke in his most casualtones--
"No; I have not seen them yet. I have run across Lady Margot once ortwice in my morning rides, and had the opportunity of a talk with her,so I thought it better to defer a more formal call. Miss Farrell waskind enough to leave my card, but I did not wish to put myself too much_en evidence_!"
Mr Farrell frowned.
"You had better go soon, then--the sooner the better. As you know theniece, there is all the more reason for paying due respect to the uncleand aunt. You will no doubt receive an invitation after this exchangeof visits, and it must be returned as soon as possible. I knew thegirl's father in his youth. He was a fine fellow. If she is like him,she must be worth knowing. She cannot be very young,--nearer thirtythan twenty, I should say. It is a wonder that she is not married, orengaged. Is she engaged, do you happen to know?"
Again the others waited, leaving Victor to reply, and for the first timea faint flush showed itself on his cheek.
"I believe not. There was no talk of it last autumn. I have heard norumours--"
"I am surprised at that. It is a poor family, and she will have littleor no money; but the name and position ought to count for something.They would be almost more valuable t
han money to a young man beginninglife."
"I am thankful that I have no name or position! I should like myhusband to value me for myself, not for what I possessed!" cried Molliequickly.
It gave her an uncomfortable feeling, amounting almost to an augury ofill, to hear Uncle Bernard talking of Margot Blount with such unusualinterest. The first definite wish which he had expressed was inconnection with her name; his last remarks virtually sanctioned with hisapproval any aspirations which Victor might secretly treasure. LadyMargot Blount could hardly be expected to marry a struggling barrister;but if that barrister were the possible heir of the Court, hisimportance became at once largely increased.
Victor was unfailing in his efforts to please his host, and the resultof this conversation would inevitably be a closer intimacy with theBlount family, which, even if it led to nothing more serious, would of acertainty cloud Ruth's happiness. Mollie was by no means sure that sheapproved of Victor as a suitor for her beloved sister, but, withdelightful inconsistency, she hated the idea of his daring to care foranyone else, and the thought lent an unwonted edge to her voice--
"It's horrid to talk about marriage in that mercenary fashion, as if itwere a pure business arrangement. When I hear such remarks, I'mthankful that I haven't a penny piece in the world!"
"If that is your feeling, you would be in a most unfortunate position asthe owner of the Court. It would be a pity to disturb your equanimity,my dear."
Mr Farrell stretched out his thin hands on his knees, looking at herwith quizzical eyes, whereupon Mollie forgot her anger, and gave one ofher gay, infectious laughs, nodding her head towards him in mischievous,new-found familiarity.
"Ah, you had me there! But I might be like Queen Bess, you know, andprize my kingdom above any man; or, if one came along whom I reallywanted to marry, I'd send him to slay dragons and carry off goldenapples, to prove his devotion and disinterestedness. Don't cut me offthrough any mistaken scruples, Uncle Bernard. I'd really make adelightful chatelaine, and I should enjoy it so! No one appreciates thereal object of money more than I do!"
"And what is your idea of the `real value,' if one may ask?"
"To spend, of course!" she answered audaciously. "It is the only thingto do, for if you keep it, it's just a dull collection of coins. I lovespending! Now, if I became a big heiress to-morrow, would you like toknow what I should do?"
"Extremely; it would be most interesting!" said Mr Farrell.
"Yes, Miss Mollie, do tell us!" urged Victor.
Jack looked up with a puckered brow, half amused, half anxious, and Ruthmurmured a gentle "Mollie dear!" Mollie was not to be deterred byencouragement or warning. She lay back in her chair, tapping off eachitem on her fingers as she spoke, her face one beam of mischievousenjoyment.
"I'd settle annuities on all my relations and friends. I'd buy the mostexquisite presents, and send them round to everyone who had been kind tome in my poor estate. I'd give huge donations to governess's Homes, andfunds for poor gentlewomen, and send them flowers, and fruit, and game.I'd go to Liberty's, and buy artistic furniture, and hire experts tosuperintend decorations, and, while the house was being put in order,I'd go a voyage round the world, and buy stacks of lovely things atevery port, and see all the sights, and come home laden with spoils!Then I'd settle down, and,"--she chuckled complacently--"I _would_ havea good time! I'd have every single thing I wanted, and never think ofwhat it cost!"
"Until the bailiffs arrived; which would be surprisingly soon, I shouldimagine!" said Uncle Bernard drily. "You have not much idea of theresponsibility of wealth, my dear. I prefer not to discuss the point,however. My own views, which are peculiar, are set forth in the Willwhich is lying in the desk in my room."
The four young people looked up sharply. The same question was on thelips of each; but it was Victor's eagerness which first found words--
"The Will?--Now! But surely--?"
Mr Farrell's lips twisted into a grim smile, as if he had of deliberatepurpose provoked their curiosity.
"You are surprised that I have already come to a conclusion. It is byno means unchangeable; but, in the extremely precarious condition of myhealth, I do not think it safe to delay matters indefinitely. This Willwas drawn up last week, and is based upon my impressions up to thepresent time. If I live it is extremely likely that I may alter my mindonce and again; but it should be a comfort to you all to feel that, atthe worst, I am not unprepared."
He looked from one to the other with the same faint, mocking smile, hisgaze lingering on Ruth's troubled face. Her eyes expressed aquestioning so intense as to be almost wild; then slowly they fellbefore his, and a crimson tide rushed over her cheeks.