two months, and we have been let severely alone. Isuppose if we stayed here for twenty years it would be the same. Ofcourse, we didn't expect to get into `county' Society, but we must bequite as good as heaps of people in the town and outskirts."
Hugh was a little embarrassed by these very frank remarks. He observedlamely that it was a shame, and indulged in some rather inane remarks onthe snobbishness of provincial towns.
"You must find it awfully dull," he ventured after a brief pause.During the short silence, Miss Burton had ordered herself some more tea.It was evident that she was not desirous of abruptly terminating thispleasant _tete-a-tete_. The waitress drew her own conclusions from thefurther order, and smiled a little as she turned away.
"I should be a hypocrite if I pretended the contrary. Of course,housekeeping takes up a good bit of my time, and I read a good deal, anddo a lot of fancy-work. But all the same, it is a state of isolation,not an outside person to speak to from one week-end to the other. Ofcourse I hear all that is going on from the tradespeople, and I know thenames of the principal persons here whom I constantly meet and neverspeak to. I know, for instance, that you are Captain Murchison. Ithink I know the names of all your brother officers."
"What made you come here, if it is not a rude question?" asked Hughbluntly. "It was surely a risky experiment, landing yourself in a townlike this, without any introductions."
"I told my brother so when he first proposed it," replied Miss Burtoncalmly. "But, although he is one of the best fellows in the world, heis frightfully obstinate. He had stayed at an hotel here for a few dayssome years ago, and he had taken a violent fancy to the place. He wasquite sure everybody would make a rush for us, the moment we arrived."
Miss Burton proceeded to draw on her gloves. During this explanatoryconversation, she had consumed her second cup of tea. She called thewaitress and paid her bill.
"I must be going now," she said. "I have quite enjoyed this littlechat, although I am sure you will think very badly of me for havingconfided so much to a stranger. I really don't know what made me doit--I suppose I got tired of having kept silence for so long."
Yes, he could understand that. Poor, pretty little girl, just at an agewhen all the pleasures of youth should be open to her, and to have topass her life in the society of that rather common-looking brother, goodfellow as she declared him to be.
"I have enjoyed the meeting immensely, too," said Hugh heartily. "Ionly wish we could come across each other at some of these Blankfieldhouses, stupid and dull as they generally are."
And then, the pretty Miss Burton fired her last shot as she rose toleave:
"I have been unconventional enough from the beginning, and if I can doit without blushing, I am going to be more unconventional still. If youcared to come up to Rosemount one afternoon, I am sure my brother wouldbe pleased to see you."
Murchison was very embarrassed by the suggestion, although she did notproffer it in any bold fashion.
"I shall be delighted," he stammered. "I will run up one afternoon."Of course when he said this he had very little intention of keeping hispromise. To enjoy a mild sort of flirtation with an exceedingly prettygirl was one thing. To go to her house and make the acquaintance of herbrother, who he was certain was not a gentleman, was quite a differentproposition, and might land him in all sorts of unpleasantcomplications.
He also had an uneasy conviction that Miss Burton was remarkablyself-assured for such a young woman. She had spoken of blushing whenshe gave him the invitation, but she had not done so. Not the faintestcolour showed on her cheek, and the glance that met his was perfectlysteady and unwavering. She must either be very innocent, or, young asshe was, she had acquired the experience and self-possession of a mucholder woman. He would like to think it all out.
The girl nodded in a friendly fashion, and tripped away, leaving HughMurchison to finish his tea, and ponder over what had happened.
CHAPTER TWO.
When Hugh got back to his quarters the first thing he did was to hunt uphis great friend Jack Pomfret. He found that young gentleman stretchedin front of a blazing fire--it was a very chilly March--and smoking acigar nearly as big as himself. Jack Pomfret, it may be said, was quitea small man, of about the size and weight that would be associated withthe coxswain of a 'Varsity boat.
Next to Murchison, perhaps Pomfret was the most popular man in theregiment. He was certainly the poorest, for although he came of anaristocratic family, the said family had very little to bless themselveswith.
If it had been left to his immediate relatives, Jack would have had toenter a line regiment, and subsist on his pay, supplemented by more orless regular small remittances from his hard-up father.
But fortune had smiled on Jack when he was in his cradle. A richgreat-aunt had been his godmother, and from the date of his christeninghad taken him under her wing. She had been crossed in love when quite agirl, and would never marry. Jack Pomfret had a handsome, but not anextravagant, allowance now, and he would come into his great-aunt'sfortune when she died.
Jack always complained that his aunt was a bit thrifty, and did notfully understand the imperative necessities of a young subaltern in anexpensive regiment like the Twenty-fifth.
As a matter of fact, Miss Harding, his mother's youngest sister,suffered from acute indigestion, existed principally on soda-water andbiscuits, lived in a comparatively small house with one manservant andtwo maids, and saved a great deal every year out of a large income. Sheloved Jack very much, but she had little or no sympathy with the folliesand indiscretions of youth. She had a hazy sort of idea that an officershould live within his pay, as she lived well within her income.Needless to say that Jack had long disabused her of this silly idea.
"Great tidings, old man," cried Murchison, breaking in upon themeditative little man, blowing great clouds of smoke. "I'll give yousix guesses."
"Not in a guessing mood," returned Jack shortly. "All my brain-power isused up. I am trying to concoct a letter to the dear old aunt--Godbless her, she is one of the best!--insinuating gently that a cheque fora couple of hundred would be very convenient at the present moment."
Murchison took a seat. "Silly old ass," he said in a kindly tone, "ifyou want a couple of hundred have it from me, and don't worry about theaunt. You can pay me when she stumps-up. From what you have told meabout your respected relative, it might be a lengthy business. Isuppose you will plead debts. She might offer to discharge them, andask the names of the creditors. In that case, old chap, you wouldn'thandle much personally, would you?"
Pomfret laughed genially. He was always very hard-up, but he was neverdepressed for very long. There was always a silver lining to everycloud.
"She's the sweetest, dearest soul on God's earth," he said in a tone ofconviction. "But you know, Hughie old man, she doesn't understand--Isay emphatically, she doesn't understand--you know what I mean. She isearly Victorian. As to your suggestion, I appreciate it very much, butemphatically, no." He added, with a whimsical smile: "Yours is a loan,I should have to pay back; Heaven knows when I could do so. The dearold aunt, well, it is a gift, no question of paying back. I haven'tthought it all out yet, but in the early cool of to-morrow morning, Ishall write her a beautiful and touching letter. I know by experienceit will bring a cheque."
"You're an artful young devil, I know," said Murchison. Straight as adie himself, he was not too appreciative of his friend's diplomaticmethods.
On the other hand, was he justified in criticising? He had amagnificent allowance from his opulent father. Poor Jack, with asomewhat puritanical and niggardly aunt at his back, had just to worryalong, and live in this expensive regiment from hand to mouth.
There was no more to be said on this subject.
"Well, Jack, are you in a mood to listen to my news?"
Pomfret leaned forward, and flicked the ash off his cigar. "Yes, Ithink I am. Begone dull care! I shall write that letter the firstthing to-morrow morning."
"W
ell, I have made the acquaintance of that pretty Burton girl, whomnobody in Blankfield visits."
Mr Pomfret emitted a little chuckling sound. "Lucky devil. How didyou do it? I thought she was unapproachable. She walks down the HighStreet, `with a haughty stare, and her nose in the air,' and looksneither to left nor right. How did you manage it, old man?" Hughlaughed. "Oh, as easy as anything. Just dropped in to Winkley's,expecting to see a lot of you fellows with your best girls. Not a soulthere I knew. Room full--every table full, save for one at which MissBurton was sitting alone--sat at the one table, _vis-a-vis_ with MissBurton. There it is in a nutshell."
Mr Pomfret grinned broadly. "Oh, Hughie, what I would have given foryour chance. You know I am awfully gone on