CHAPTER XV.
WHAT IT LED TO.
'Then out and spak the popinjay.' _Old Ballad._
Geraldine was hard at work on a drawing. Edgar's teaching had improvedher so much that, under a sore longing to obtain some good studies, shehad ventured to place in the shop one of her best imaginary groups, andto her surprise and delight, it had brought her in fifteen shillings,and an order for a companion.
Vistas of hope began to rise before her, only obscured by herconsciousness of the want of knowledge and skill. It took someresolution not to attend exclusively to her art, and she was forced tomake it a rule never to touch a pencil till the lessons of Bernard andStella were both over for the day.
They were finished, the children in the garden, and Cherry was in thatworld of joy and something like inspiration known to spirits imbuedwith any of the constructive poetry of art, always endeavouring tofulfil an ideal, never indeed satisfying themselves, but never so atrest as in the effort.
Presently she was startled by a step on the stairs. Nothing shortof the Fall of Delhi had ever been known to bring Felix upstairs inbusiness hours; and he was especially bound to his work at present,since Mr. Froggatt was detained at home by a serious attack ofrheumatism. She looked up amazed at the eager question, 'Is there aletter from Alda?'
'I believe there is, waiting for Wilmet. What is the matter?'
'The most astonishing thing. Here is Ferdinand Travis writing to tellme of his engagement to Alda.'
'To Alda?'
'To Alda! I looked twice to be sure that there was no confusion betweenthe names, but it is my sister Alda beyond a doubt. He would not askmy consent if it were Marilda. Here's the letter, as good and nice aspossible, dear good fellow.'
'Then what Edgar told us must have been pure imagination.'
'Not the old folks' wishes, most likely. For the rest, Edgar can make agood story. One can't wonder at the preference, and there's no denyingthat it is a brilliant chance for Alda.'
'And what a blessing that he should be so good!'
'Infinite! No one could be so welcome! How pleased Mr. Audley will be!But I must go, and try not to look too much disposed to stand on thecounter and crow.'
Whatever Felix did below, upstairs Cherry found drawing impossible.Ferdinand a brother! The pleasure was enhanced by the affectionatesimplicity of his letter, the outcome of so good a heart, greatly inlove, but very conscientious, and utterly unpresuming on his wealth,but showing all his old affection and reverence for Felix. What adelightful wonder that Alda should bring in a connection so faithful toFelix!
Yet, what would not Cherry have given to be as unsuspicious as Felixor Wilmet? Why would misgivings come into her head such as nevertroubled theirs? Why must she be haunted by Alda's intimations abouther travelling companions, and her manner, half scornful, half nettled,when Edgar described the terms on which Mr. Travis stood?
She read Ferdinand's letter a second time, and was convinced that helooked at the whole with such artless seriousness as to preclude allnotion of his having been consciously playing fast and loose; but shewas ready to torture herself for the involuntary doubt whether her ownsister were equally to be trusted.
However, when Wilmet came home, her genuine wholesome overflow ofundoubting rapture could not but sweep Cherry along in the tide.Ferdinand combined the apparently impossible advantages of beingthoroughly one of themselves, and yet of being able to give Aldathe luxuries to which she had become accustomed; and Wilmet's joywas beyond expression. The contrast between the twins--one admired,praised, followed, esteemed, as one of the brightest ornaments ofLondon society; the other toiling in an obscure poverty-stricken home,a teacher in a small third-class school, her beauty unheeded or viewedas a real disadvantage--all this never occurred for one moment toWilmet, she only felt elevated in her sister.
Two days passed before more letters were received, and these cameby the first instead of the second post, before breakfast wasover. Four--besides one unheeded, being only in Robina's childishhandwriting--Alda to Wilmet, Thomas Underwood and Ferdinand both toFelix, Edgar to Geraldine. There was a simultaneous opening of theletters, then a general starting and looking into one another's eyes,and Geraldine faintly murmured,
'Then it was really _so!_'
'So? what do you mean?' broke forth Wilmet. 'These selfish people aretreating my poor Alda most cruelly among them; and Felix must go andfetch her home to be married from her own brother's house as she oughtto be.'
'I shall have to fetch her home,' said Felix thoughtfully; 'but I wishI were quite clear that she has been dealing kindly by Marilda.'
'You are not believing that man Thomas rather than your own sister!'cried Wilmet. 'If Alda does happen to be prettier than his daughter,she can't help it. I'm sure I should be glad enough not to be pretty,but it is a trial, and one must do the best one can.'
'That is just what I fear Alda has been doing,' said Felix between histeeth, as he frowned over his letter.
'Read her letter, poor dear girl,' cried Wilmet, 'and see if youaren't ashamed of such a judgment! No. Some is only meant for me; butlisten--"Your letter of sisterly joy has come on troubled waters. Ialways knew I was the poor relation upon sufferance, but I have beentaught to feel it now." She does not know how she could bear it, butfor the security of Ferdinand's strength; and they will not let hersee him--say she must give him up or them--Mrs. Underwood's violenceinconceivable, and all because of a chimerical fancy.'
'What does Ferdinand himself say?' asked Cherry, as Wilmet looked onfor further selections.
'He says,' said Felix, reading, 'that our greeting was especiallywelcome, from the contrast to what he met with from Mr. Underwood.The angry opposition took him by surprise, having always thought theyregarded Alda as a daughter; but of course nothing makes any differenceto him, and he would much rather come to us for her than to a stranger.His uncle is at New Orleans, and he is writing to him; he is afraidthey ought to wait for the answer, though there can be no doubt aboutit, and he owes him no obedience.--Now, Cherry, there is just time forEdgar's account before we go our several ways.'
'O Felix,' cried Wilmet, 'aren't you going to fetch her home, poordear?'
'Not possible to-day, Mettie. I shall have much ado to get awayto-morrow. Don't be so unhappy, you know she _could_ come alone or withEdgar, if it were so very dreadful; or if you are so fierce, you hadbetter go yourself and encounter "Man Thomas."'
Wilmet looked so much hurt, that Geraldine thought to defend Felix byreading aloud at once.
'Ma Cherie
'Such a bear-garden never was seen! Madame furious, Tom abusive, Alda injured innocence, Montezuma heroism, and poor Polly magnanimous--though the less said about her, the soonest mended. I saw when I went back that the crisis could not be far off. The fact is, that our dear sister cannot see any one else treated as "an object," and has so persuaded herself that she is the proverbial maltreated poor relation, as to think everything fair.'
'Geraldine!' exclaimed Wilmet, 'how can you read? Felix, how can youlisten to such things about your own sister?'
'It is only what she said herself,' said Felix drily. 'Go on, Cherry.'
'It must be owned that it was hard, when for once Polly had fallen in with something alike palatable to self and parents, and able to swallow her broad visage! If Madame had had any wit, she would have kept Alda away till the fish was hooked, when, it is my belief, he would have had no eyes for aught beyond; but the good creature is too sure of the charms of her own goose, to dread the admission of any swan whatsoever to her pond. While the Cacique being yet uncommitted, small blame to him if he saw the differ, especially as he attaches to Alda all the sanctity of Bexley, which is to him at the least what St. Matthew's is to Clem. To have been reared on the other--or indeed any side of the Atlantic, our intended brother-in-law is
curiously simple. He accepted the intimation that Alda's face is her fortune with superb indifference; whether it will be the same with his uncle, remains to be seen; and I am afraid he is a good deal dependent on him, his mother's Mexican property having been speculated away. I don't like the look of the business; but if any one can do any good it is Marilda herself. Tom is in a towering rage, and his wife worse--neither perceiving that the noise they make is small mercy to their daughter. She looks all manner of colours, but stands out gallantly that she is glad, and that all is as it should be; and I believe that, left to herself, she will set things straight. Felix had better keep out of the fray except upon compulsion.'
'Here is compulsion,' said Felix. 'Tom Underwood summons me; I can'tsay I like the errand.'
'You ought not to let yourself be led by Edgar's unkind joking way!'
'We ought to be off now, at any rate,' said Felix, glad to closethe discussion. 'I'll write to get Fernan to meet me at the stationto-morrow.'
Accordingly, when he arrived, there was Ferdinand Travis driving amagnificent horse, the whole turn-out very far from looking like aconnection of Froggatt and Underwood. He had certainly developed into asplendidly handsome fellow, though still lithe and slight rather thanrobust, and his dignified bearing giving the idea of greater heightthan his inches testified to. His greeting was warmly affectionate,with all his old wishful reverence towards his young godfather, andeven with a sort of doubt of his thinking him worthy of his sister.As to the disturbance created by the avowal of the object of hisattentions, he seemed amazed at it, and entirely unconscious of anysupposed change on his part.
'I knew my uncle wished me to be an intimate with the family,' he said,'and I was rejoiced to fall in with any one who bore your name, andknew how to appreciate you; but I had reason to think that--that therewere other views--for--' and here the olive cheeks grew crimson, and hestammered himself into a hopeless entanglement, whence Felix recalledhim charitably to an account of the explosion as it had affectedhimself.
It appeared that his proposal had not been mentioned to the family tillFelix's answer had been received, Ferdinand feeling that no one oughtto hear of it before the eldest brother. The lovers had met that nightat a ball, and their consultation over the letters had taken place inthe conservatory, where they had been surprised, and partly overheard,by Mrs. Underwood. When Ferdinand arrived the next morning, he wasreceived with denunciations of underhand ways, and his explanation onlymade matters worse. A thunderstorm about ingratitude and treachery waslaunched forth, and he was told that the connection was so contrary toany intentions of his uncle, that Mr. Underwood could not hear of it,and that Alda must renounce it entirely, on peril of being cast off bythe family. That Ferdinand regarded her brother as the true head of herhouse, was only additionally provoking; and Mr. Underwood had given himwarning, which he only hinted at to Felix, that the engagement couldnot be carried on with impunity.
Therewith they reached Kensington Palace Gardens, and being in ameasure forbidden the house, Ferdinand drove about waiting for Felix,who on giving his name, found himself ushered into the room where thewhole party were finishing breakfast.
Alda, looking meek and pensive, but very lovely, exquisitely dressedin white and blue ribbons, flew into his arms as if her protectorwere come; Mr. Underwood, without getting up, acknowledged him by agrunt, and hand held out; Marilda came round, and put a cold hand intohis, clasping it tight; and her mother greeted him with, 'So, FelixUnderwood, you are come up about this unlucky business?'
'There is no reason it should be anything but a very happy one,' saidMarilda stoutly. 'Come, Mamma, we had better leave Papa and Felix;' andshe set the example, but Mrs. Underwood did not stir.
'You hear the dear girl!' she said. 'It ought to go to Alda's heart!'
'It is of no use talking before the ladies,' said Mr. Underwood,getting up. 'That is, unless you have the good sense to join with mein telling Alda that she must give up this wild affair. The fellow hasnext to nothing of his own, and his uncle would see him at Jerichobefore he consented to a match like this!'
'I am hardly prepared to do that, Sir,' said Felix, as Alda clung tohis arm, and looked appealingly in his face, 'unless the objection weremore personal.'
'Objection!' burst forth the lady of the house, 'when he has beenmaking his way underhand--deceiving us all along.'
'Alda, my dear,' said Felix in her ear, 'don't you think you had bettergo upstairs?'
But Alda seemed as little disposed as Mrs. Underwood to quit the sceneof conflict. 'O Felix, I don't know what she means, nor what we havebeen doing, for them all to turn against me.'
'Don't tell me, Miss Innocence,' retorted Mrs. Underwood, theartificial polish giving way, and the native scolding Polly Kedgebreaking out in a storm of words. 'Wasn't the young man doing just ashis uncle meant him, and my poor dear girl fancying him as I neversaw her do any one before, till you came home with your sly, artfulways--you that owed us the very clothes on your back?'
'Hush, Mary!' ejaculated her husband; but he might as well have triedto stop a torrent.
'Ay, I know. She comes round every man of you with her smooth tongueand pretty face, till you--you are ready to take her part against yourown child, Underwood. When my poor girl's laid in her coffin, then youwill know what a serpent you've been fostering.'
To Felix's surprise and annoyance, Alda must needs answer: 'I'm sureit's very hard! If people will look at me, I can't help it; and I've asmuch right to be spoken to as Marilda. She that has got everything, andpoor me--'
Luckily her tears stopped her voice.
'Come along, Felix,' said the master of the house, opening the door;and he, perceiving that escape alone could put an end to this mosthumiliating scene, whispered again his recommendation to Alda to go toher room, and saw her hurrying up the stairs before his kinsman shutthe door of his private room with a bounce, exclaiming, 'There! Now weare out of the way of the women's tongues, we can hear ourselves speak.I am afraid it is an awkward business, Felix Underwood.'
'I am afraid it is, Sir.'
'And the ladies make it worse by making such a din about it,' said Tom,who after all was an Underwood, and whose better breeding had come tothe perception how these ravings compromised his daughter's dignity.'How far any one is to blame, I can't tell. The truth is, that itwould have been very satisfactory to Alfred Travis and to me both ifthe lad and my girl could have made it up together, and they seemedready enough to like each other. My girl has got rather a turn for yournew-fashioned sort of saints, and he seemed just her style. Everythingdoes go contrary at times; and when your sister came home, with herpretty face and way, my wife declares now she saw a change from thefirst, but to tell the truth I never did, and I doubt her doing so;but you may guess how amazed we were when she came on them whisperingtogether, and it came out that he had been writing to you to sanctionhis proposing for Alda, as if he were ashamed to come to me, who hadalways been a father to her.'
'He meant no slight to you, Sir,' said Felix, eagerly; 'but you know wewere his first acquaintance, and he had a feeling that an elder brothercame nearest. I am sure he felt no shame; he was conscious of no changeof intention.'
'Well, well, he is a little bit of an ass. Between ourselves, Felix,I don't blame him half as much as Alda. The girl is sharp enough; shehas swarms of lovers; men come about her like wasps to a lump of sugar;and there's L5,000 ready for her the day she marries; but when therewas one my poor Mary liked for once, we liked for her, and was in theway of liking her--Mary, who has shared everything with her like asister--she might have let him alone. Indeed, her aunt gave her a hint,but it only served to make her carry it on on the sly.'
Felix wished he had not known of Alda's hearing Edgar's report. Hecould only say sadly, 'If so, she is quite indefensible.'
What would Wilmet have thought of his fight with 'Man Thomas?'
'Of course,' proceeded that gentleman, 'we kno
w the less we say ofthat part of the story the better. Some day, Mary will know she's wellrid of a coxcombical foreign-looking fellow. She can afford to lookfarther; but for your sister, this is the maddest thing in the world.William Travis made a regular mull with his wife's fortune, and dependon it, the young man has next to nothing, and would come to beggary ifhe offended his uncle. There is nothing for it but for them to give oneanother up!'
'I do not think there is much chance of their doing so,' replied Felix.
'Not as they are now, in the height and fury of the thing; but you area sensible lad, Felix; you will do your best to show them the utterfolly of the thing.'
'We do not know whether Ferdinand can afford it yet,' said Felix.
'Don't delude yourself with fancying Alfred Travis will swallowthis! Not he! Why, he's set on that young Spanish don making a greatmatch--hardly thought my Mary's hundred thousand good enough.'
'Very likely he will refuse consent,' returned Felix; 'but, in themeantime, I see nothing to be done but for Alda to go home with me andwait.'
'To very little purpose,' ejaculated Mr. Underwood, 'except that maybea taste of your way of life may bring her to her senses, and serve herright. I must say,' he added, 'it is hard that both this boy and girlshould be thrown back on your hands for no fault of yours. I wish Icould help it, but you see there wouldn't be a moment's peace if Aldastayed here without giving him up.'
'It is not fit that she should,' said Felix.
'I like the girl, too; indeed, she's almost like my own,' continued Mr.Underwood; 'the house will be dull without her, and I believe thosepretty young women can't help flirting, and think one another's beauxfair game. Eh? Well, we'll send for her and put it to her--will shegive up Travis and stay here, or hold him to it and go home with you?'
Felix could make no objection, though he had no question what thedecision would be; so the bell was rung, Alda was summoned, and soonappeared with burning cheeks and moist eyes.
'Now, Alda,' said her adopted uncle, 'your brother and I have talkedit over, and I am ready to overlook what has gone by--that is, if youraunt will--and to let all be as it was before, on this one condition,that you break off this foolish concern. Listen to me. You will findthat he has little enough to call his own, and his uncle can cut offhis allowance any day. It is mere insanity to think he will consent tosuch a match as you would be; and you would be doing the best thing forthe young man and yourself to tell him it is all nonsense, and you'vethought better of it.'
'O Uncle, I couldn't do that!'
'If not--you have the choice--I can't abet what Travis never intended,your aunt couldn't stand it either. There's nothing for it but that youshould leave this house. Choose between us and him!'
'That can't help being done, Uncle,' said Alda, with streaming eyesand a choked voice. 'You have been very good to me, but he must comefirst;' and she moved towards Felix, who put his arm round her kindly,and kissed her, saying,
'Then, Alda, I will leave you to prepare; I must go and see thechildren and Edgar. I will come back for you in time for the half-pastfive train.'
Alda's tears flowed too fast again for words, and she turned to leavethe room.
'I shall see you again,' said Mr. Underwood. 'Can I give you a liftanywhere, Felix?'
'No, thank you, Sir; Travis is waiting for me.'
'Ay, ay, very fine with his thorough-bred; but when his allowance isdocked, how is he to live on his pay?'
The brougham had long been waiting for Tom Underwood, and he left themtogether. Alda hung on her brother. 'O Felix, is it not dreadful?'
'I thought him very kind and forgiving,' said Felix.
'Is that what you call forgiving? And oh! if you could hear Aunt Mary!You little think what I have gone through!'
'It will be over soon,' said Felix, kindly. 'You are going home, youknow, and Wilmet is wild to have you.'
'But, Felix, you don't think they mean to do more than frighten me?Ferdinand must have a real right to his own father's money; andbesides, he can't properly object to me; Uncle Tom promised me myL5,000 whatever happened!'
'I cannot stay to discuss that now, Alda,' said Felix. 'I have a greatdeal to do, and Fernan is waiting for me. I shall come back in time.'
'Oh, I wish I could come with you now! Dear Fernan! Tell him I haveborne it all for his sake, but it is such an age since I saw him!'
'No doubt he will meet us at the station,' said Felix, escaping atlast, and finding Ferdinand not many yards off in the road outside.
'Well, Fernan, to Brompton, if you please. Mr. Underwood is really muchkinder than I expected; but as things stand, you can't carry it on intheir house, so Alda comes home with me to-night.'
'Then the dear girl is really banished for my sake! I mean, no place islike Bexley to me. But it is very noble of her!' exclaimed Ferdinand,curiously divided between regard for Felix and sense of Alda'ssacrifice.
'It is the proper place in which for her to wait for your uncle'sanswer,' said Felix; 'but indeed, Fernan, it is a question whether weought to let you risk all your prospects.'
Ferdinand's vehement demand what Felix took him for, and equally eagerprotest that his uncle must know he had no right to withhold the meansthat were in all equity due to him, lasted through all the brieftransit to the farther end of Brompton, where a great old house andgrounds, once quite in the country, had been adapted and revivified byMiss Fulmort.
'Might I not come in and see the little girls?' asked Ferdinand,wistfully.
'I should _rather suppose_ not,' said Felix, smiling. 'Life-Guardsmenare not exactly the visitors expected in establishments for youngladies. You had better not wait for me; I cannot give the children lessthan an hour.'
'I would wait if it were ten hours.'
'But how about your horse? He isn't in love!'
Ferdinand would not, however, be denied; and when at length arendezvous was agreed on, Felix, free of the dashing equipage, of whichhe was, to tell the truth, slightly ashamed, rang at the gates, arrivedat the house door, announced himself as Mr. Underwood, asked to see hissisters; and after a long labyrinth of matted passages, found himselfin a pretty countrified room, where a wiry, elderly, sensible lady,with grey hair and a keen face, gave him a friendly reception, drew afavourable, but not enthusiastic, picture of Robina's steadiness andindustry, and said that Angela was a more difficult character. By thistime Robina came into the room with her hat on, eagerly, but with herface flushed and her eyes rather frightened, and as she received herbrother's kiss, she said, 'The little ones are not come in yet.--May Itake my brother into the garden, Miss Fennimore?'
Permission was given, and Robina held his hand with an unusually tightgrasp as she led him to the wide, square, walled garden, with a broadgravel-walk around an old-fashioned bowling-green. He thought the roundface looked anxious and perplexed, and was rather uneasy as he began bysaying, 'I hope not to lose Angel. Do you always walk so early in theday?'
'On Herr Mueller's days, because he only comes in the afternoon,' saidRobina; 'but I am rather glad; I wanted to speak to you, Felix.'
'Is anything wrong?' said Felix, seeing that the child's face hadbecome crimson, and hearing effort in her voice. 'You are happy here?Don't be afraid to tell me anything, my dear. Remember, there is no oneso bound to watch over you.'
'I know,' said Robina, looking up into those kind eyes. 'I want to tellyou--' but she panted, and he encouraged her by putting his other handover hers caressingly. 'Edgar comes every Sunday,' came out at last.
'And what of that? Isn't it a pleasure?'
'It--it would be--but he and Alice ought not to send each other notesand messages.'
'What?' very low.
'Indeed they do; and I can't tell what to do.'
'What sort of notes and messages?' asked Felix, in a half reprovingvoice, as though he thought the solemnity of thirteen was taking alarmneedlessly.
'O Felix, love notes,' half whispered the girl, hanging her burninghead.
'Nonsense, child; you h
ave misunderstood some joke.'
'No,' said Robina, looking full in his face with sturdy offendeddignity. 'They both were in earnest when they told me about it.'
'About what?' said he, still severely, as he sat down on a bench,unheeding February damp.
'About--' she was not far from tears, as she faltered out, 'theirengagement.'
'Theirs!' he wrung the hand that he still retained; 'Edgar and--'
'And Alice Knevett,' said Robin. 'I would not promise not to tell. Ihope it is not treachery!'
'How long?' asked Felix, hoarsely.
'Ever since the holidays. They used to walk together when Miss Pearsonthought she was with us, but none of us ever knew it then.'
'You are certain? Remember, this is a graver matter than perhaps youunderstand.'
'I think I do understand, and it is that which makes me so unhappy;but, _indeed_, it can't be fancy. I have seen her ring, emerald andamethyst, for Edgar and Alice, and the locket with their hairs twistedtogether. The very first Sunday we were here, he gave me a note forher, and when I told him it was not allowed, he tried quizzing me atfirst, and at last told me I was a silly child who did not know whatwas proper between engaged people. So I said,' continued Robina, withdignity, 'that I could allow much to be proper in that case, but Iwanted to know whether this was only kept from me because I was a baby,and was known to you and the grown-up people.'
'Right, Robin,' muttered Felix, feeling that she needed encouragement.
'Then he laughed at me more than ever about expecting things to beproclaimed on the market-cross, and tried to puzzle me out of mysenses, till I could only stick to one thing, that I couldn't takehis notes unless somebody knew. And after all I found the thing in myjacket pocket. He must have put it in when I was not looking.'
'And what did you do with it?'
'Oh! the dreadful thing! I felt as if it would bite me all the weeklong, but I didn't think it would be honourable to tear it or burn it,and I kept it. Luckily Alice didn't ask if I had a note, only whetherhe had said anything; and when she found I knew, she told me all aboutit, and said all sorts of things about my being unkind and mean tostand out, but I never promised to keep the secret.'
'Are you still keeping this note?'
'No. I gave it back to Edgar on Sunday, and told him to play no suchtricks. I thought he would have been in a rage, but he was--oh! soprovoking! just as if he didn't care for a little spite in a naughtychild.'
'Then is this intercourse checked?'
'No, that's the worst of it. When I would not, they took to Angel.You know she got very fond of Edgar in the winter, and was alwaysrunning after him and waiting on him. So she did what he told her quiteinnocently at first, till I found out what was going on, and triedto stop her; but she doesn't care for me as she does for Edgar, andthinks it grand to be in all their secrets, when I am too cross. Andthen there's a class that goes to the South Kensington Museum, andAlice is one of them, and Edgar is about there. I'm sure Miss Fulmortought not to be deceived as they are doing; it's all nonsense aboutschoolmistresses being designed by nature to be hoodwinked. It makes meso miserable, I don't know what to do; and when I heard you were come,it was as if you had been sent on purpose to help me.'
'Poor child!' said Felix, with a heavy sigh. 'You have kept this all toyourself.'
'I could not tell any one. I could have told Miss Lyveson, because sheis one's friend; but it would only be being a tell-tale and informerhere. And one's own brother, too! And I could not write, for they lookover all the letters that are not to fathers and mothers.'
'They must make an exception for me!' said Felix, in an indignant tone.
'I knew you would say so. O Felix, tell them so! I do feel like havingPapa now I have you.'
'If you only had!' sighed Felix. 'My poor Bob, it is a grievousbusiness, but you have been very upright and considerate, as far as Ican see.'
'I'm so glad you don't want me to have told!' she said, with a sigh ofrelief, as unlike his as that of one who throws off a burden is to thatof him who takes it up.
'Not if it can be helped. It would be a mischievous and cruel exposure,and would be hard on one who has been led into it,' he said, withbreaks and pauses, half for breath, half for considering. 'It is mostreckless, most unjustifiable, in Edgar!' He knit his brows, so that shegazed at him in awe and wonder, as having something in his countenancethat she did not comprehend. Then, after a silence, he said, 'Robin, Iwill speak to Edgar, and if you do not find that this is stopped after_one_ communication, which of course there must be, write to me. Theseladies must make an exception in favour of such as we are!'
'O Felix, it is so nice to hold you and feel you! Only I wish I had nothad to grieve you so much!'
'Dishonourable conduct is not what I was prepared for!' he said,setting his teeth.
'And will you speak to Angel? I hear them coming in,' said Robina.
'Yes. Let me have her alone at first. Come back in ten minutes' time.'
He was still sitting on the bench, with his elbows on his knees, andhis hands over his brow, when Angela came towards him. She was of thesame long-limbed make as Clement, was nearly as tall as the squaresturdy Robina nearly three years older, and had Clement's small, almostbaby mould of features, relieved only by such arch deep blue eyes asshone in Edgar's face. She looked such a mere child, that when herstep and exclamation caused Felix to raise his head, it seemed absurdto imagine her to be knowingly engaged as go-between in a clandestinecorrespondence; and with a sort of pity and compunction for the blamehe had intended, he held out his arms to her.
'O Felix, how cold you are! Your face is like marble. Now if I was tosit there, in this weather, wouldn't they be at me like wild cats?'
Thus reminded, Felix rose, and certainly shivered after the exercise ofhis privilege. 'Are you happy here, Angel?' he asked in a constrainedtone.
'Yes, it is jollier than Miss Pearson's. There are more girls, and wedo have such fun!'
'I hope you are good and steady, and very careful of all the rules.'
Angela fidgeted, as if she didn't like the style of the conversation.
'You know,' he continued, 'there may be rules that you may not see theuse of, but that must be obeyed for all that.'
'What a tiresome dry old Blunderbore you are!' broke out Angela, withill-assured sauciness; 'this isn't the way Edgar goes on when he comesto see us.'
Felix could not check a sort of groan or grunt; and Angela, whosepertness was defensive, quailed a little. She had driven him out of thedue sequence of his discourse, but he resumed it. 'Angel, I must tellyou; if anybody asks you to break rules--by giving letters--you mustnot.'
Angela kicked pebbles about.
'Have you ever been asked to do so?'
She hung her head, and a pout came over her face.
'Angel,' he said, in a voice from the sadness of his heart, 'I willnot ask any questions, in case you have made promises not to betraysecrets; but you must never make such promises again. Tell me you willnever do--this thing again.'
She was silent.
'Angela!' he said, reprovingly.
'I don't know why I should promise you more than Edgar,' broke outAngela, petulantly. 'He is my brother too, and he isn't cross; and Ilove him, and _will_ keep his secret.'
Between this flat defiance of his authority, and his scruple aboutinterfering with the child's sense of honour, Felix was in no slightperplexity even as to this interview with his little sister. Hisdisclaimer came first. 'I ask about no one's secret,' he said; 'but,Angel, I must have you understand this. If you break the rules thatforbid the giving of notes from any person outside the school, it willbe doing more harm than you can understand. I shall put a stop to it atonce, and most likely you will be sent away in disgrace.'
She was somewhat awed, but she did not speak.
'Whatever any one may say to you,' said Felix, 'recollect that it isdishonesty and treachery to do anything underhand, and the greatestpossible mischief to those you wish to be kind to
. Don't you see, it isno kindness to help any one to do wrong?'
She began to cry. 'They don't want to do wrong. It is very nasty andmean of Bobbie to have told.'
'You will know some day how good and trustworthy it is in Bobbie,' saidher elder brother. 'You cannot understand the rights and wrongs in sucha manner as this, at your age, Angel.' (To tell the child this was amistake, if he had but known it.) 'You must be satisfied with knowingthat whatever breaks rules and must be kept secret is necessarilydisobedient and deceitful, and may have terrible consequences. Do youbelieve me? Then give me your word to have no more to do with it.'
She muttered something among her tears like 'I won't,' and Felix wassatisfied, for the exaction of promises had necessarily been thechief mode of government with the two youthful pillars of the house,who spent so much time apart from their dominions; and it was almostunprecedented that such a promise was not observed.
Robina was lingering near, and as they joined her Felix found that histime was up. He was taken back to the drawing-room, where he foundhimself in presence of the lady he had seen, and of a much youngersmaller person, with a slight cast in her eye, and a peculiar jerkingmanner such as he could well believe would frighten away a young girl'sconfidence. When he made his request for free correspondence from hislittle sisters, there was no demur; only Miss Fulmort said, half vexed,'It ought to have been mentioned before; she did not know why thechildren had not told her.' And then she made a point of ascertainingFelix's individual address; for she said, 'A great deal of undesirablestuff may be scribbled to brothers and sisters.'
Felix possessed no card, unless such might be reckoned the announcementof photographs and stationery, &c., which was wont to be put upwith parcels for strangers; and when he tried to write 'Mr. F. C.Underwood,' the shivering chill so affected his fingers that he couldhardly guide the pencil. He took leave, and soon found the assiduousFerdinand, who presently asked, shyly, 'What the little ones thought ofit?'
Felix bethought himself. 'Really, Fernan, it was put out of my head;and, moreover, perhaps it had better not be known more widely thanneedful.'
'You do not doubt--'
All the ground that had been gone over before was argued out once againby the eager Mexican before they reached the National Gallery, theappointed place of meeting with Edgar. He was not within, but without,and, throwing away his cigar, hailed them as Fernan drew up his horse.
'At last! The storm must have been pitiless, to judge by the effects!You are blue with cold, Felix.'
'Ferdinand, thank you,' said Felix, getting out. 'I am sorry, but Imust have Edgar alone a little while.'
'Look here, Travis,' said Edgar, seeing his blank look, 'we'll give youthe honour of giving us a spread. You go on and order it at ----'s, andI'll walk this fellow there. Curry soup that will astonish him, andwarm the cockles of his heart, mind.'
Ferdinand nodded, and drove off, perfectly satisfied with thiscompensation.
'Let's see if we can walk a little life into you,' said Edgar, takinghis brother's arm. 'Bless thy five wits, Tom's a cold! Was it Madame! Ialways thought she could not be many generations from Billingsgate.'
'I have been to Brompton.'
'That tragical hoarseness would lead me to conclude something. Eh!has that Robin been chirping out her fancies? And do you mean tosay that you are struck all of a heap by the awful discovery of aboarding-school mystery?'
'It is naturally distressing to find you acting such a part.'
'Then I am afraid you have a good deal to go through in the courseof your life. If every little flirtation on the part of your"_Geschwister_" is to produce this effect, there won't be much left ofyou by the time it comes to Stella.'
'What meaning do you attach to the words "little flirtation?"'
'When the head of the family puts the question in that solemn tone, howis it to be answered? Bless me, Blunderbore, such a countenance canonly proceed from being smitten yourself! To be sure, when there wasonly one girl you ever spoke to, it was no wonder. Poor old fellow! I'dnever have poached on your manor, but how was I to imagine a pillar ofthe house giving way to such levities?'
'This is mere bravado, Edgar,' was the grave answer, in a tone notdisconcerted, but full of repression, and with a pale but steadycountenance. 'Gloss it over as you will, a correspondence such as youhave begun is unjustifiable. It risks damaging for ever the prospects,at once not only of--of the object--but those of your little sisters.'
'O Felicissimo mio, how green a spot is Bexley! As though secrets andmysteries were not the elixir of life to the boarding-school.'
'Have you ever considered what a discovery must involve?'
'I need not, it seems, since you had not the sense to box thatchild's ears for a meddlesome tell-tale. Did the scene equal Madame'sperformance?'
'You do not imagine that I mentioned it.'
'Oh! The revered prop of the state soars so far above my head that Idid not know what he might regard as his duty.'
'You shall know it now, Edgar. There are two choices. If you are reallyengaged to this young lady' (Edgar made a nod of impatient scornfulacquiescence, but certainly of acquiescence), 'then ask her honourablyfrom her friends, and let whatever you do be open! Otherwise, giveit up as an impossible imprudence, but drop all attempt at what isclandestine. Unless you do one or other of these, I warn you that Ishall speak to Miss Pearson.'
'If you were a reasonable and experienced paterfamilias, instead ofonly a poor conscientious over-harassed prig of a boy, with morebrothers and sisters than he knows what to do with, I'll tell you, incandid unprejudice, what you would do. Just let it alone! There are asmany of such little affairs going as there are midges in a sunbeam;and they never do any one any harm, unless the higher powers make anunadvised hubbub.'
'Am I to understand that as an avowal that you know yourself to betrifling?'
'I know nothing about it. I don't live in the heroics, like some of myfriends. In the rural seclusion of Bexley I saw a pretty lively girl,who, not to put too fine a point upon it, made quite as much up to theromantic young artist as ever the young artist did to her. Of course,there was an exchange of prettinesses, and life on either side becamea blank when she was immured at Brompton, and the only solace left wasthe notes that so outrage your and Bobbie's united sense of propriety.'
'And what is to follow?'
'Is it to lead to?' he corrected, with a mimicry of Wilmet's tone.'That depends. If you make the explosion, I shall have to rise to theoccasion--keep the slip-knot ready and patent, and as soon as I get myhead above water, have a wife and family on my back to keep me down,and hinder me from coming to your rescue. If not--why, it will takeits chance, and we shall have a reasonable chance of trying whetherwe get tired of one another--the best thing that could happen tous, by-the-by--though she is such a saucy little darling, that werethat picture of mine painted, I should be fool enough to marry herto-morrow.'
'And why--may I ask--seeing these things so clearly, did you draw thepoor child into an engagement?'
Edgar shrugged his shoulders. 'You had better ask why she drew me.If you didn't know it before, my dear Felix, "'Tis human natur to befools."'
'Allowing it to be folly, you do not mean to persist?'
'As if a poor fellow must always have a meaning! Life is not worthhaving if one is to be always so awfully in earnest.'
'I have the misfortune to be in earnest,' said Felix, with theformality of one past patience, but resolved to keep his temper inhand, 'when I warn you, that if I find that this intercourse iscontinued, unless you choose to ask her properly of her father, it willbe my duty to let Miss Pearson know.'
'So be it,' was the answer, in a tone of half mocking, halfcompassionate submission, that was more provoking than all, exceptfor the sudden change to the gay kindliness that followed, as Edgarthrew aside his own affairs, to laugh over Ferdinand Travis's honestsimplicity of adoration of Alda and all her household, declaring thatit had been as much for his delight, as to be rid of him, that h
ehimself had devised that commission of the luncheon. 'What a spread itwill be!' Edgar chuckled to himself; 'and how it will be thrown away onthe present company! not that there ever was a man who wanted it more!'he added, as he saw how white his brother's face was. 'You've been andgot a chill!'
Felix did not deny it; and if his unsophisticated palate did notappreciate all that Ferdinand had ordered on the principle thatnothing could be too good for him either in his individual capacity oras Alda's brother, he at least submitted to what his two companionsrequired of him in the way of hot soup, and _even_ of one glass ofwine, before he grew restive, and insisted on carrying the head thattheir solicitude had succeeded in rendering heated and flushed toburning pitch, to do the business in the City that always sprang upwhenever any one had to go to town.
Edgar bade him adieu; and the faithful Ferdinand drove him whereverhe had to go, and finally to Kensington Palace Gardens, where hewas ushered into the drawing-room, to find Marilda, resolved uponunconsciousness, but only succeeding in a kind of obstreperouscordiality and good will, which, together with the hot room, madehim quite dizzy; and his answers were so much at random, that hesent Fulbert to an examination at Cambridge, and Clement prospectingin Australia. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Underwood made their appearance;but when Felix spoke of getting a cab, Marilda said the carriage wasordered. Then Alda was explicit about the boxes that were to follow,but on the whole she was behaving very prettily and unobtrusively.Marilda kissed her warmly, and detained Felix a moment to say, 'Thiswill blow over, and then she will come back, unless things have settledthemselves better. If I can do any good, write to me.'
So Alda quitted her adopted home; but the change might be lightenedto her by being handed out of the carriage at the station by amilitary-looking figure, who announced that he wanted to see a fellowat Aldershot, and meant to dine there. It was not his fault that he gotout at Farnborough.