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.. meta::
   :PG.Id: 45281
   :PG.Title: Harum Scarum's Fortune
   :PG.Released: 2014-03-31
   :PG.Rights: Public Domain
   :PG.Producer: Al Haines
   :DC.Creator: Esmè Stuart
   :DC.Title: Harum Scarum's Fortune
   :DC.Language: en
   :DC.Created: 1910
   :coverpage: images/img-cover.jpg

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HARUM SCARUM'S FORTUNE
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      HARUM SCARUM'S
      FORTUNE

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      *By* ESMÈ STUART

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      JARROLDS *Publishers* LONDON
      *Limited, 10 and 11 Warwick Lane, E.C.*

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      First Printed in 1910
      Reprinted 1913
      \    "     1915
      \    "     1916
      \    "     1917
      \    "     1918
      \    "     1919
      \    "     1921
      \    "     1923
      \    "     1924
      \    "     1925

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   *By the same author*:
   HARUM SCARUM
   HARUM SCARUM MARRIED

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   CONTENTS.

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   CHAPTER

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I.  `DO YOU REMEMBER?`_
II.  `FIFTY THOUSAND A YEAR`_
III.  `BEFORE THE FRAY`_
IV.  `VERY EARLY`_
V.  `PREPARATIONS`_
VI.  `REAL SILVER`_
VII.  `THE VISITORS ARRIVE`_
VIII.  `A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW`_
IX.  `A BARN DANCE`_
X.  `THE PATH OF PERFECTION`_
XI.  `THE NEW SECRETARY`_
XII.  `AN UNDIGNIFIED SITUATION`_
XIII.  `A BIG PILE`_
XIV.  `THE FIRST-FRUITS`_
XV.  `GENTLE AND SIMPLE`_
XVI.  `UNEXPECTED NEWS`_
XVII.  `STUCK IN A BOG`_
XVIII.  `A GENEROUS COUSIN`_
XIX.  `A REFUGE`_
XX.  `SHAPING A ROMANCE`_
XXI.  `PLAYING WITH FIRE`_
XXII.  `FAILURE`_
XXIII.  `TEN MINUTES`_
XXIV.  `LEWIS' DECISION`_
XXV.  `SHORT NOTICE`_
XXVI.  `ANOTHER OFFER`_
XXVII.  `A TERRIBLE SECRET`_
XXVIII.  `LILIES AND A WEDDING`_
XXIX.  `AN ANGRY LAWYER`_
XXX.  `A FIERY ORDEAL`_
XXXI.  `HOME AGAIN`_

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.. _`DO YOU REMEMBER?`:

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   Harum Scarum's Fortune

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   CHAPTER I.

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   DO YOU REMEMBER?

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Toney Whitburn pulled in her thorough-bred
suddenly by a gap in the park and looked at
her companion.  The two had met by chance
and they had had a canter together, so that the
exercise had made the girl look radiant, and
her hair, though twisted round her well-shaped
head, rebelled at the restriction, and in protest
curled itself round her temples and the nape
of her neck.

"Do you know—I'm twenty-one to-morrow.
Isn't it terrible?"

"Terrible!" answered the young Squire, Lewis
Waycott, with a smile half of amusement and
half of sympathy.

"You don't think so, but I do!  You know
I've honestly tried to become 'a young lady with
expectations.'  I've been to a finishing school at
Paris, and I've tried to learn German at Dresden,
and I've gone to sleep through ever so many
concerts, and I've seen all the old things at
Rome—and yet——"

"You haven't succeeded?  You are just the
same as you were, thank Heaven!"

Toney's joyous laugh woke the echoes.

"No, I've failed utterly, though, honest Injun,
I have tried!  Aunt Dove says so!  She's always
implying what a national misfortune it is that
to-morrow I shall be my own mistress, but now,
will you—you have always been awfully
chummy—will you be the judge?"

"Between you and Lady Dove?"

"Yes.  You know I offered to be her
companion—and I meant it——"

"You always mean what you say, Toney."

"I try to because Pups always did—  Oh,
if only he could just come to me now and say,
'Toney, you must'—no, he always said *we*
must—do this and that with our money."

"I wish he could—but if you ask me, Toney,
I should say give it all to Lady Dove, as she
seems mighty jealous of your having it."

For a moment Toney looked at her companion
with wide open and surprised eyes, then she
answered gravely,

"Do you really mean that?"

"Yes, I do," he muttered.

"You are quite wrong.  The dear old General
would rise from his grave if I gave away his
present.  Oh, I couldn't; besides—I believe
he wished Aunt Dove not to have it, so it
would be betraying trust if——  No, I've
got to keep it, but the thing is what I'm to do
with it!"

"It's not many people who are puzzled what
to do with money.  I suppose—you'll——"

"What?  I never knew you jib before."

"I was going to say you'll have lots of
offers—and marry some Nabob——"

Toney laughed.

"How odd you should say that!  Do you
know, I wanted to ask your opinion about that
very thing, because I can trust you.  What does
one say if people make you offers?"

The two had been waiting by the gate that
led into the plantation.  It was a lovely October
day with the sunshine turning yellow leaves
into gold and decay made glorious by its
touches.  Toney was so unconscious that her
remark was at all comical, that her companion
dared not laugh, nor did he even dare to look
surprised.

"If you love the man, say 'yes,' and if you
don't, say 'no.'"

"Thank you.  I see it does seem easy and
simple.  Dear old Crumpet—by the way, this
was the gap she went through on our first visit
to you—do you remember?  Well, when we
went to Italy together——"

"Lady Dove did not approve!"

"Of course not, but she was wrong.  No one
could have done it better than Crumpet.  She
was just delighted over everything, and I had
to hide my yawns often not to make her sorry;
I couldn't stand more than one gallery a day,
and one ruin thrown in, I really couldn't, but she
loved it all.  Do you know every now and then
she used to burst out into a soft little laugh all
to herself just because she was so happy, and
I was so scrumptiously pleased to hear it, that
I swallowed an extra gallery and did another
old ruin without letting her see how sleepy it
made me."

"But she was with you to do as you liked, I
thought!"

"Oh, to see Crumpet laugh was what I really
enjoyed!  Do you remember what she used to be
like, and now what with the Reverend, and
Harry, and Toney, she is quite too happy, she
says.  But that isn't what I wanted to say, you'll
see her to-morrow, and I've been here so little
that it all brings back the past to-day.  You
understand?"

"Yes, I do; it seems ages since you were here,
except on awfully short visits."

"Well, in Italy, there was a young man who
made me an offer."

"What impudence!"

"Oh, no, and he didn't do it to me personally,
because he told Crumpet I never gave him the
tiniest chance, but he did it to her instead!
Wasn't it funny, and she wept bitterly when she
told me, she thought it was her fault."

"And what answer did you give him?"  This
time his companion smiled.

"I begged Crumpet to tell him Pups had said
that he pitied any man who married me, as I was
such a dasher—you know—and that Aunt Dove
said no one would ever propose to *me* except he
wanted my money!"

The man at her side bit his lip and impatiently
flipped his horse with his whip, holding him
in tightly at the same time.

"Lady Dove said that!"

"Yes, and of course it's true!  Aunt Dove does
say the truth now and then.  Don't you see
yourself that it's true?  I'm not like your cousin or
Silvia Hales, or any of the nice girls about!
Aunt Dove says Paris, Rome, Berlin, Dresden,
and London, have all failed to make me an
English young lady."

"A good thing too!"

"Oh, you say that because we are chums,
but I know it's true.  I can't *feel* different,
though I've tried.  Once a month I say 'make
me a new heart' in the Psalms, you know,
but nothing happens, so I suppose it isn't
possible to alter some people, and I'm one of
them."

"Nonsense!"

"No, it's true; Madame Lemoine, at Paris,
used to say, 'Il faut toujours dire la vérité en
famille,' but to other people it didn't matter.  I
told her it was all wrong, but she never could
see it my way, so I gave it up, and she was an
old dear in spite of her fibs!"

"She didn't convert you to fibbing, Toney!"

"There you see, I can't alter, but that wasn't
what I was going to say.  Do you know that
last night, dear Uncle Evas—who is really
quite cheerful now—and didn't he enjoy his
times at Rome with me and Crumpet? for you
know that with a lot of trouble and a little
bribery I think, he got a month off last
year."

They both laughed heartily, and slowly
walked their horses on together.  If a stranger
had seen them he would have paused to look
at this picture of the man and the maid.

"Well, what did your uncle say?"

"Oh, it was funny.  He wanted to give me
good advice about my coming of age!  He
cleared his throat and said, 'My dear Antonia,
to-morrow you will be——'  Then I laughed
so much that he couldn't help joining in too,
so I just gave him a hug till he begged for
mercy."

Her companion also bowed his head over his
horse's mane in happy laughter.

"I see, Toney, it's true you *are* incorrigible!"

"Yes, but really I don't believe you could
have been so cruel as to let Uncle Dove give
you a homily, now, could you?  It would only
have given him a sore throat for a month."

"I should like to have heard him all the same."

"You know he's just all right deep down in
his heart, but he can't preach to save his life.
However, when I released him—Aunt Dove had
gone to bed, and he was so afraid of her hearing
us—he showed me a long list of names, all
men's names."

"Good heavens!  What for?"

"I was a bit surprised too, and he laughed
and said, 'Don't be afraid, they are not suitors,'
then I scolded him and said he knew I never
thought of such things.  Well, then he explained
that as I was coming into so much money—and
do you know somehow it's a lot more than
they expected—I must have a secretary, because
it would take all my time and strength to open
the letters.  There's a lot come already, begging
me to buy carpets and boots and smoked bacon,
and heaps more things!"

"Never open letters, then you won't want a
secretary," said Lewis decidedly.

"And I said, 'Oh, I can find a girl to do it,'
but uncle intimated that there was more work
than any poor girl could do, and that I must have
a trained man—sort of lawyer—Mr. Staines insists
on it, because he doesn't trust me with money—they
none of them do—and fancy, dear old
uncle had been spending hours collecting a lot
of right-minded young men for me!  Isn't it funny?"

"Very unnecessary; the London lawyers could
do it all."

"No, they say they can't be bothered about
begging letters, and so on; anyhow, I've got to
have a secretary.  I looked at the list and their
testimonials and oh, do you know, everyone was
perfect, and all their friends declared there was
not a fault in them, so I told uncle it didn't
matter which I took, and I suggested we should
put their names on slips of paper and stick them
up in his hat and pull one out!"

"Did he consent?"

"No! he was afraid I should tell of him I
think, anyhow I had to choose, and there was one
with an Australian uncle who recommended him
highly.  Out there we always recommended our
relations, it wasn't neighbourly not to say all the
good and leave out all the bad, so I told uncle
I'd have him.  Plantagenet Russell, that's his
name.  His father was a black sheep out home,
but his uncle says he is most gentlemanly!"

"Toney, how ridiculous!  Of course he's a
plant too!"

"Gracious stars! what's the matter?  I told
you Uncle Dove had written about them all, he's
all right and he's coming the day after to-morrow
to see us, so as to avoid the coming of age party.
You've promised to come, haven't you?  I've been
working so hard to get everything right for it."

"Of course, we are all coming."

"Heaps of Aunt Dove's friends are coming.
We haven't had one refusal.  Awfully kind of
them, though of course I would much rather
some of them didn't come, it's only to see if I've
improved."

"Shall I stay away?"

"Why it would not be coming of age without you
and Crumpet and Uncle Dove and Doctor Latham,
and a few more—and Jim's coming to be my
coachman and groom all in one, because Aunt
Dove doesn't want to pay anything for me now
I'm rich.  Jim is just a faithful friend, and he's
still engaged to his second young woman, the first
was a bit fast so he gave her the slip one day."

"How do you know, Toney?"

"Jim and I have corresponded regularly.  You
see if you just leave go of these young fellows
they soon forget their promises, besides I kept all
his savings, and he's a nice little lump now in the
Savings Bank.  Oh, dear, it's tea-time and I must
scoot!  Mr. Staines is coming to explain things to
me, and there's no end to do, but Crumpet is
staying with me in our old rooms, top storey, and
she'll help a bit.  You should see the rooms, I
spent all one quarter's pocket money on them, and
now they're real palatial, at least Crumpet's is; I
hate a lot of things, but I put in a big tub
and——  Oh! gracious stars!  I must go, so
good-bye, dear old chum!"

Toney Whitburn held out a strong young hand
and her companion grasped it.

"Look here, Toney, if you are in trouble or want
anything, anything, you know—you'll ask me to
help you—promise?"

"Of course I will.  Haven't I just now asked
you about young men and offers, all because I
thought you would know and wouldn't laugh."

"Yes, thank you—and I'll come to-morrow
in spite of not being sure I shall be welcome."

"There! you are telling fibs like Madame,
but honest truth, I'd rather have you and Jim
at my party, than any other men I know."

"Thanks awfully," and with a laugh the two
separated.  Toney galloped across the park, and
the Squire was just going to jump the fence when
he paused and looked back at her.

"Oh, Toney, Toney," he said to himself; "when
will you understand, but even if you did I'll never
let that horrid old cat say I wanted your money!
Hang it all—and now there's a beastly young
secretary coming to be always in her pocket.  Sir
Evas ought to know better!"





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.. _`FIFTY THOUSAND A YEAR`:

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   CHAPTER II.


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   FIFTY THOUSAND A YEAR.

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Aldersfield House had changed very little
outwardly since Antonia Whitburn and Trick
had arrived there as lonely orphans.  There
was the same heavy, handsome, mid-Victorian
furniture, the same stately and punctilious
servants, or others of the same specie, because the
same Lady Dove presided over the establishment.
But as every human being changes for better or
for worse, there was something even more
displeasing than formerly in Lady Dove's face.
She was a prey—and had been ever since the
memorable day when she heard the news of
Toney's good fortune—to the demon of jealousy,
who never leaves his victims many peaceful
moments, and just now he was her constant
visitor.  Toney had been very little at Aldersfield,
because Sir Evas and Mr. Staines, the lawyer,
had insisted on her having foreign advantages,
and Lady Dove had eagerly acquiesced.  The
very sight of Toney increased her malady, but as
no one knew this it had been decided that Toney
should, for the present, live with her uncle and
aunt, for everyone recognised that she had not
learnt the use of money, and that it was not safe
for her to be left quite unprotected.  Strange to
say Toney had not rebelled when she was told of
this decision; she was very fond of her uncle, and
though secretly she called Aunt Dove her "cross,"
she meant to carry the burden bravely so that
Sir Evas should be able to be "off duty" as often
as possible.  The other plans that had been
maturing in the mind of Harum Scarum were for
the present kept a secret.

Before Toney could take off her habit she was
bidden to come and see Mr. Staines in her uncle's
study, so she and Trick hastily ran in, and
indeed, Trick, having got jambed between her
feet, nearly succeeded in making his mistress
tumble—as it was, she lurched into the room in a
most undignified manner.

"Gracious stars!  I nearly took a header!  It's
Trick's fault.  How do you do, Mr. Staines?  I
hope you won't be very solemn, as I want
everyone to be awfully jolly to-morrow.  I've made my
own time-table this time," and the remembrance
of Aunt Dove's time-table nearly upset Toney's
gravity.

Mr. Staines had happily a sense of fun, besides
he knew what to expect and merely smiled.

"It is my duty to be solemn, Miss Whitburn,
but I fear it is an impossible duty in your presence!
To-morrow you will come of age and you will
have the sole control of your fortune.  I tried to
make General Stone insert some restrictions in his
will, but he refused.  I can still near our dear old
friend saying, 'If you knew Toney Whitburn,
Staines, you would know restrictions would be of
no use!'"

Sir Evas was smiling in his corner.  Perhaps
Toney's fortune had brought him more happiness
than to anyone else, for being her guardian, he
had been fully occupied during her minority, and
the work had been a real pleasure and occupation
for him.  Besides this, once a year he had got a
month—not in prison, but with Toney abroad,
and what good times those had been, even though
he always had to pay handsomely for them on his
return home.  Now he added,

"The General was a very unwise man, and I do
hope, Toney——"

"Yes, I know, uncle!——  Oh dear, I suppose
my youth has flown now!  I've got to do
such a lot of thinking—but look here, Mr. Staines,
tell me the amount I may spend and I'll promise
I'll do it."

"This was what I wished to explain.  Sir Evas
Dove in accounting for his guardianship has left
everything in order, and by a curious piece of
luck he bought some land for you with some
surplus money, which has turned out to be
extremely valuable, as a rich vein of coal has
been discovered on it.  You will
have——  Ehem—at least——"

"Oh, I don't mind, Mr. Staines, so don't
hesitate at the figure."

"You will have fifty thousand a year, Miss
Whitburn.  It is a larger fortune than General
Stone anticipated, and I can only hope that you
will not long have to bear the burden of the
fortune alone.  Ehem—I hope that a happy
marriage will—ere long——"

Toney shook her head and laughed.

"Oh no, it's no good hoping.  Aunt Dove says
no one would marry me except for the money, but
I'll manage all right, and Uncle Evas will help,
won't you!"

"I do not wish to influence you, Toney, my
duty ends to-day, but you have never wanted for
pluck——"

"No, no, certainly not," said the lawyer, "but if
I may say so, Miss Whitburn, your ample pocket
money seemed to melt in your hands.  Several
times you wrote to me for more, and in your last
letter——"

Toney laughed as she seized Trick in the act of
making a dash at Mr. Staines' heels.

"Yes, I know there was never enough.  I'm a
bit like Pups in that; our box was always getting
empty, but there will be a heap now.  Oh dear!"
and Toney for a moment heaved a deep sigh.

"I've kept the amount of Toney's fortune a
secret, Mr. Staines, from—the neighbourhood,"
said Sir Evas, "it's better so; of course
there are fortune hunters everywhere and—I
think, my dear, you had better not mention the
actual figures.  Everyone knows you will have
some money, but even your aunt does not know
accurately."  Sir Evas looked a little shame-faced.

"Oh dear, I hate secrets," sighed Toney, "I'll
try and say nothing—but gracious stars!  I
needn't tell anyone how it goes, need I, for it
would be more than I could do?"

"Of course you need not, but it is more
business-like to keep accounts," said the lawyer
sternly, "and to come to details, it would be better
to give Lady Dove the same amount as she has
had, as long as you live here."

"Of course.  You'll do that, Mr. Staines, and if
you double it, perhaps she'll not dislike me so
much."

Sir Evas shook his head deprecatingly.

"My dear child, you are welcome to all I can
give you without return."

"You dear old duck of an uncle, of course *you*
shan't have a penny of it, but Aunt Dove won't
mind pickings—for the estate you know! and
there's extra servants to pay and a lot of——  Is
that all, Mr. Staines?  By the way, uncle and
I have chosen a secretary, so that's a good thing
over!  Ouf!  I do wish it wasn't such a lot of
pelf, sort of stifles one, doesn't it?  The basket of
Gwyddnen Garanhir was nothing to it, but I'll not
be crushed by such a silly thing as money, you
bet——  Oh, I mustn't say that, eh, Trick?"

"One thing more, Toney; I am going to give
over to you the left wing of the house which we
shut up some years ago.  Your aunt agrees.
(Lady Dove had said, "Pray do as you like, Evas,
you always go against my wishes.")  Come and
see if it suits you.  I've had it all done up."

"Well, that's real kind; but indeed, uncle,
Crumpet's room and mine would have done.  I'll
keep those, no one wants them, and she can come
often and stay with me."

Sir Evas led the way down a passage, and,
opening a swing door, they passed through an old
library full of books, with pretty windows looking
over the park, and next to it a morning room
painted white and furnished with old-fashioned
oak things, which Lady Dove had long ago
discarded as too much out of date.  Beyond that
again was a small garden room, opening out
into the shrubbery.

"These shall be for you, Toney, where you may
receive your own friends, and there are two rooms
above for the secretary.  Mr. Staines agrees with
me that—well, considering your fortune, it is
more fitting for you to have some rooms you may
call your own."

"Oh!" exclaimed Toney, "it is just awfully
nice, but—what will Aunt Dove say?"

Sir Evas was thinking the same to himself.
Lady Dove had not once come to see the result of
his work, and he knew he would have to pay her
bill as well as that of the work-people who had
decorated the old rooms.  Still, you don't give a
coming of age present for nothing, and he hoped
he should pay his debts honestly!

"Trick, darling, here's your very own rooms,
where you can bark as much as you like," and
Toney, catching hold of her uncle, waltzed him
round the room, regardless of Trick scampering
after them barking and darting at the manly
heels, whilst Mr. Staines stood by unable to hide
a smile on his smooth lawyer-like face.

"Spare me, Toney! and for goodness' sake
remember you are twenty-one to-morrow!  I fear
Mr. Staines will think all your foreign experience
has not made a grown-up young lady of you!"

"Oh yes, it has!" said Toney, releasing him.
"A sense of sorrow for my sins has grown awful
big lately, and I never used to have it.  It feels
like indigestion, a lump here; but just this
evening, uncle, I'll be young, and I'm so awfully
pleased.  I'll tell you what: you and I will have
a sort of house-warming here next week, and ask
just our very particular friends, but my party's
coming first."

"There's the Winchley ball," said the lawyer,
"I suppose you mean to go to that."

"Of course; I love dancing, and Uncle Dove
must just come with me and hop a bit, but,
Stars and Stripes, look! there's Crumpet's pony
carriage and the fat pony bundling up the drive.
I must go and get her out of it, for she's never got
over her nervous feelings at driving up to
Aldersfield.  Uncle, remember it's her first visit here,
and you will make her feel at home, won't you?"
and Toney made a dash through the garden door
and rushed to meet Mrs. Faber, who had come
to spend two nights at Aldersfield House to
celebrate Toney's coming of age.  Mr. Faber was
to appear the next day, and in the evening there
was to be a great ball for the tenants and
retainers, and others who had been invited.
Sir Evas had had his way about this, and Lady
Dove had grudgingly acquiesced, only saying
that of course Antonia must pay all expenses.

This time the tables were reversed, and now
Toney received the once humble companion
at the big house, instead of being received
by her.

"Oh, Crumpet, how nice! it's just perfect your
coming like this.  Jim! drive Mrs. Faber's
carriage round, and take particular care of 'The
Squire'" (this was the pony's name); "and oh,
dear Chum, don't put on that scared look.  Aunt
Dove won't eat you; you're Mrs. Faber now, do
remember that, and my honoured guest!"

"Oh, Toney!" gasped Mrs. Faber, "I feel as if
I ought to be doing the flowers and writing notes
and——" and then the little woman with the
Fra Angelico face smiled like a saint; the
scars of ancient chains never having quite
disappeared.

"How I wish you had brought the piccaninnies;
but it wouldn't do."

"Who is here in my place?" asked Mrs. Faber
as she entered the hall, keeping close to Toney
whilst the butler relieved her of her wraps.

"It's so funny, Crumpet; there's a companion
here, Miss Grossman, who actually frightens Aunt
Dove a little—she keeps strict hours and will not
be put upon, but she knows her duties and is as
strong as a horse.  I can't help laughing!  To
be quite honest, she frightens me a little!"

"Oh, no! no one ever frightened you! but,
Toney, don't leave me."

The butler opened the door and announced,
"Mrs. Faber."  The very fact of being announced
at all to Lady Dove made Mrs. Faber wish to
sink under the floor, but as this was not possible
she bravely went forward behind Toney to greet
her ancient slave-driver.

"Aunt Dove, here's Mrs. Faber come.  Isn't it
good of her to leave the pic—the children to come
to my birthday party?"

Lady Dove stretched out two fingers without
rising.

"Good afternoon, Anne Faber," she said,
severely emphasizing the name, and using the
word "afternoon" to make Mrs. Faber remember
she was still the tradesman's daughter whom for
fifteen years she had befriended by letting her
act as her companion.  In spite of her previous
resolutions to remember that she was Henry's
wife, and was well received by all her own
neighbourhood, Mrs. Faber felt miserable.  Why
had she come? only for Toney's sake would she
have undergone this ordeal.

"I'm quite well, thank you, Lady Dove," she
answered, forgetting she had not been asked after
her health, "and so are the children."

"Oh, are they?  I can't think how you are
going to bring them up on, your small income.
I always say the clergy should have no children;
sooner or later they expect us to bring them up."

"I'm sure Henry will never beg a penny for
our children," said Mrs. Faber, the colour flushing
her face, which, however, was no longer like
ancient pastry, but was now adorned by a pretty
delicate pink colour.  Mrs. Faber really looked
charming, and her dress was as dainty and simple
as her face.  Toney interposed.

"But, Aunt Dove, I'm godmother to both the
children; you'll see what good times they'll have!
It's awfully good of my Chum to have children I
can play with.  Oh dear, I've got to feel grown-up,
Mr. Staines says, but just for this evening
I'll still be young."

"Tea is coming in; sit down, Anne Faber, and
kindly pour it out.  That tiresome Grossman will
never come in before five, as she insists on taking
a walk till then.  I really must give her notice,
only one is afraid of getting something worse.
You should *never* have married, Anne Faber.  I
got you quite into my ways, and since you left
I've never had anyone who could write and read
as you did."

"I'm very sorry you are not suited," murmured
Mrs. Faber, beginning to make the tea whilst
Toney flew at the kettle; but at that moment a
tall angular woman appeared, and gave a terrible
look at Lady Dove and at the other two, as she
said tartly,

"It is five minutes to five; I am *never* late, Lady
Dove, and, as you know, I never allow anyone to
do my work.  Excuse me——"

"I wish you would not argue, Grossman.  Miss
Whitburn and Mrs. Faber are quite equal to
making tea if I choose to ask them;" but then
the door opened, and Sir Evas and the lawyer
entered and stopped further bickering between
Lady Dove and her companion.

"Oh, Toney," whispered Sir Evas, "it's tartaric
acid, I see; that woman's got a devil of a
temper, and your Aunt Dove is really learning
patience."





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`BEFORE THE FRAY`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER III.


.. class:: center medium bold

   BEFORE THE FRAY.

.. vspace:: 2

"Oh!" exclaimed Mrs. Faber later on, when
Toney threw open her old sitting-room door
where the poor companion had had such
miserable hours.  It was as comfortable as
modern comfort bought with modern money
could make it.  Then the little woman fairly
sat down and cried.

"Gracious stars!  I meant to make you
laugh, Crumpet!  Oh, gee! you see how hard
it is to do right!"

Mrs. Faber quickly dried her tears and smiled.

"I can't help thinking of all my happiness
now and comparing it with the past, and it's all
owing to you, Toney.  Do you remember——"

"Of course I do.  What mostest fun we had
when I dressed in your grandmother's garments,
and then when your dear Henry came!"

"When I compare my past and my present I
feel how ungrateful I am!"

"Nonsense, Chum, you *never* were ungrateful!
But look here, I got aunt's leave to furbish up
this room a bit so that you shouldn't be
reminded of the old order.  I knew you would
prefer our being together up here, and I've got
lots to tell you.  First, I've had some dresses
made for you, so that you shouldn't be put to
any expense for *my* party."  Toney quickly
opened a wooden box and displayed the most
lovely dresses imaginable, lovely because
suitable and perfectly simple.  One was a dinner
dress of pale mauve silk, just suited to
Mrs. Faber's delicate complexion, and the other was
a white liberty silk dress for the ball.
Mrs. Faber gasped.

"Oh no, Toney! it's impossible!  They must
have cost ever so much money, and I don't
want people to say that I—I sponge upon you."

"There you are again, Crumpet!  'People to
say,' I did think that you'd rise above that.
Remember Henry's pleasure—and mine!"

"Henry may not think it right!"

"Look here, Chum, let's be serious just for
one minute and listen.  You know I've an
awful lot of money, fifty thousand a
year!"  Mrs. Faber gasped again.

"It's a secret, by the way, but not from you.
Well, when I first heard it I did what Pups
would have done, I just dedicated it all to
other people that wanted it, and I didn't
guess it would be such hard work as I see it
will be.  After to-morrow I shall work like a
Kanaka, but just for this week I'm going to
please myself and not think if it's wise, or if
it's political economy, or all the things I've
been trying to learn to fit myself for spending
this stuff."

"It will be too much work for you, dear!"

"Yes, it's awful! but I'm going to keep just
enough to dress like Pups' daughter, because
that's what I am.  You know Aunt Dove never
thought me fit to live here, and I'm not yet
changed, you see!  And there shall always be
enough to take people abroad who want it
every year, you, too, of course among the
number, for you'll get so parochial if you don't
rub about a little, that you must travel, and
then the rest will have to be 'wisely distributed,'
as Mr. Hales says.  Ouf!"

"Oh, dear, it is too much work," repeated
Mrs. Faber, gently feeling the dinner dress
between her fingers; she had never had a gown
like that before, and how proud Henry would
be of her appearance!

"So, Crumpet, don't ever think of me as rich.
I shan't be, I'll have to screw sometimes on the
allowance I'll make myself, but that's for
discipline.  Aunt Dove will have a nice slice
of cake to make her happy—if she can be—and
well, that's all, now remember I'm just the
same old Toney with all her faults as of old,
and too bad for anyone to love for herself, Aunt
Dove says so—except you always, Crumpet.
Now I'll ring for Rose to help us to dress."

"Where's your dress, dear Toney?" asked
Mrs. Faber, going across to Toney's simple bedroom
on which no money had been spent to embellish it.

"It's here.  You see, Chum, it's only white
muslin, but it's brand new and looks all right."

"Oh, Toney, much too simple, why anyone
might wear that!"

"Well, I *am* disappointed in you!  Didn't I
explain quite straight I'm only Toney, and not
rich, if I dressed up smart—which you know I
hate any way—people would think I was rich.
I believe you would like me to wear a dress of
bank-notes sewed together.  I did think you
weren't worldly!"

"I'll try, dear, but when you make me wear
such a lovely thing, though I'm only a poor
clergyman's wife with three hundred a year, it
doesn't seem quite——"

"It's to please me!  Just for once I must
have a fling, and after that I'll be as matter of
fact as you like."

At this moment Rose appeared.  She had been
kitchen-maid, but Toney had hunted her up and
turned her into a lady's maid, as Lady Dove
insisted on Toney's engaging such a personage,
saying her own maid had as much as she could
do with her own affairs.  Rose was supremely
happy, but far more willing than capable, and
Toney managed to do all her own toilet whilst
she was getting Mrs. Faber into her dream
dress.  Toney had begged her uncle that they
should be by themselves at Aldersfield this
evening, just to seem like old times, and he
had agreed, though Mr. Staines, the London
lawyer, was of course one of the small party.
Miss Grossman never appeared after the dinner
bell had rung, and firmly refused any summons
to the drawing-room after that meal, saying she
had her own affairs to see after.  Her ladyship
had been very angry of course, and relieved her
feelings by grumbling to her husband.  She was
discharging her wrath at him this evening before
going up to dress.

"Grossman has very erroneous ideas of her
duty, Evas.  It's preposterous to refuse to pour
out the evening tea and to take out the cards
or pick up my stitches.  I should never have
engaged her if I could have guessed what she
would be like."

"Why don't you get rid of her, Melina?"

"How aggravating you can be, Evas, you
know quite well the last woman drank, and the
one before was deaf and heard all awry.  If I
sent Grossman away, which I should dearly love
to do, her successor would have a worse failing."

"Yes, most likely," he answered.

"That's just like you, Evas, you never try to
help me."

"Shall I have a talk with her?"

"*You* have a talk with Grossman!  Pray don't
joke! she'd tell you to mind your own business;
that woman is afraid of no one, positively no one!
I wish Faber would die, and then I could have
Crump back again, for then she would be
penniless."

"And the two children?"

"Yes, it's really wicked of them!  I should
have to get them into asylums.  Most provoking,
ever since Antonia stepped into the house
everything has gone from bad to worse.  However, she
is sure to get married soon for her money!"

"Did you ever think Lewis Waycott admired
Toney?" said Sir Evas, hoping to please his
spouse by this suggestion.

"Lewis Waycott!  He's going to marry his
cousin Maud.  Mrs. Hamilton arranged all that
long ago.  But I dare say you are right, and he
will throw up that nice girl for Toney's money
bags.  After all we have done for her—and it's
entirely through me she has this money, for I told
the General the plain truth about her penniless
condition—I think Antonia could show her
gratitude more by imitating our English manners.
What's bred in the bone, I know, but she might at
least pretend to be a lady."

"Pretend!  You might know by this time that
Toney can't pretend."

"Oh, you men are all taken with a young girl,
I know!  Duty goes to the wind when——"

But here Sir Evas slipped away to dress; now
and then his manners failed entirely, and he did
not always wait for the end of his wife's sentences.
This evening, as her ladyship walked upstairs, her
familiar demon provided a new torture for her.
Suppose what Evas said were true, suppose Lewis
Waycott fell in love with Antonia and married
her and her fortune, his estate would benefit
enormously, and the Waycotts would be a power
in the county.  "Antonia shall certainly not marry
Lewis Waycott," she said to herself, "I can nip
that in the bud—and I shall."  Then, with a smile
on her face, she rang for Rivett, who was as prim
as formerly, but now she could no longer bully
the companion, as Miss Grossman was fully able
to keep her own position and to exact outward
respect from the servants.

That evening in the drawing-room at Aldersfield,
Toney's very presence seemed to shame the
selfish stateliness of Lady Dove, for she had more
than fulfilled the promise of beauty, though of a
special kind.  Her face was radiant, and her
beautiful hair seemed to crown the perfect outline
of her head.  Her very simplicity of dress might
have been premeditated, so entirely did it
harmonize with the girl whose every motion was
full of life and the beauty that comes from perfect
unconsciousness of self.  Certainly three of the
people there were secretly speculating what
fortunate man would win Toney's heart.  At
present her heart was given to humanity, and
had never experienced the personal feeling which
may make or mar perfect womanhood, but which
never passes without leaving its trace.

Mr. Staines made a formal bow to Lady Dove
and offered his arm, whilst Toney looked at Sir
Evas who hesitated.

"Of course, uncle, married ladies first," and Sir
Evas offered his arm to the blushing Anne Faber,
but thinking of Henry she determined to make
the most of herself, and Toney would be close by,
besides, abroad she and Sir Evas had become
most friendly, and this was a wonderful
transformation.  Mr. Staines was so attentive to Lady
Dove that the other three were allowed to enjoy
themselves.

"Are the preparations all ready, uncle?  Did
you see if the big barn was finally swept out, and
if the rose wreaths were finished?"

"I assure you, Toney, I've worked myself to death."

"And did you send out all the invitations I wrote?"

"Every one.  I got Barnes and Jones to take
them round a week ago.  I only hope your scrawls
were readable!"

"I thought they would like it best, a personal
invitation is much better, isn't it?"

"What did you say, Toney?" asked Mrs. Faber.

"Miss Toney Whitburn will be much delighted
if Mrs. Spratt will come and have a dinner and
dance on October 28th, at Aldersfield House.
Dinner punctually at six o'clock, family
included—babies taken care of."

"But you'll have all the village!"

"All uncle's people, of course.  Won't it be
fun!  Uncle and I planned it all weeks ago.
Didn't we, dear?"

"You planned it, Toney, and I said yes.  I
know my duty!"

"But you were as excited as I was.  You know
you were!  I do wish my dear General were here.
Do you think he and Pups will look on?"

"Well, I expect——  I shouldn't wonder,"
said poor Sir Evas, whose ethics of the world
beyond were very hazy, "or, perhaps they can see
a long way off."

"Pups said that there were no real lines of
demarcation in nature, but, of course, you would
not want everybody who's dead to crowd in.  It's
just a puzzle!  The cook is excited too.  Oh,
Chum, I've ordered the dinner as I'm going to
pay all expenses, and you'll see.  It took a good
deal of planning, but I didn't tell uncle all that, I
was just a bit afraid he'd split on me."

"I'm as dark as the grave, Toney!" said Sir
Evas laughing, "but I must say I shall be glad
when it's over.  One never knows with you——"

"Are we all to dance together?" asked Mrs. Faber.

"At first, but there's a ball in the big
drawing-room for the people who don't care about the
tenants, only they won't be half so lively.
Mr. Waycott's promised he'll be at the opening of my
ball, and Dr. Latham, and, of course, you and
uncle.  I don't think Aunt Dove will care.  She
says poor people are not odoriferous.  It comes
from their clothes being rather old.  I wished we
lived in the days of Henry IV., when every poor
man had a fowl in his cooking-pot."

"A fowl wouldn't go far with Charles Pipkin
and his family," said Sir Evas, "it did all very
well for the Frenchies."

"It is fortunate girls only come of age once in
their lifetime," Lady Dove was saying.  "When I
was young it meant a young lady was fully
formed and educated, and her manners were
irreproachable; I fear we can't say that of
Antonia, Mr. Staines."

"All in due time, Lady Dove," was Mr. Staines'
guarded answer.

"Really how horribly Grossman has arranged
these flowers, and taken all my best roses too,"
exclaimed her ladyship.  "You were much more
successful, Anne Faber.  It seems a pity you can
no longer use your talents."

"My husband is passionately fond of flowers,
we always have some on the table," murmured
Mrs. Faber.

"Indeed!  It's a pity flowers are not edible.
Mr. Staines, how is Captain Stone.  He is another
eccentric creature, and has not been to see us for
a long time, but he asked for a bed to-morrow."

"He told me of his intention.  He was very
fond of his brother."

"The General's will must have been a bitter
pill to him," said Lady Dove smiling.

Mr. Staines saw clearly that it was Lady Dove
who had swallowed the pill, and replied politely,

"I know that the General asked his brother's
consent, and Captain Stone thought all his brother
did perfect."

"Indeed! men are so deluded, I mean the
old ones of course.  Lewis Waycott, our
neighbour, is fast turning into the same kind of
man.  He has become quite the farmer, don't you
think so, Evas?"

"What, my dear, Lewis Waycott?  Yes,
certainly, excellent fellow; sees after his cottages
now, and is quite a model landlord."





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`VERY EARLY`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER IV.


.. class:: center medium bold

   VERY EARLY.

.. vspace:: 2

Toney was alone in the little bare simple room
which had been hers on her first arrival at
Aldersfield.  She sat down on the window-sill
with Trick in her arms, and she looked back with
wonder across the five years' interval since her
arrival.  She remembered the terrible
homesickness that had seized her in the stifling
atmosphere of Aldersfield, but God had made her
paths smooth for her since then, and now He was
going to give her the great responsibility of
wealth.  She did not feel the burden as much as
an older woman might have done, for besides
possessing the courage of youth, her mind was
not complex.  Her great ideas were simple enough
after all—to give good times to all the needy
people she came in contact with.  That had been
her father's creed, and that should be hers.  She
had yet to find out that even this creed is not
nearly as simple as it appears at first sight.
Toney's prayers were never very lengthy, but
they came from her heart, and before she got into
bed she laughed softly to herself as she examined
a sheet of paper on which was written,

"Toney's time-table, on her twenty-first
birthday," thinking of the old time-table that had
brought her into so much disgrace with Lady Dove.

This one had to begin early, for it was St. Simon
and St. Jude's Day, and before anyone but
underlings were about, Toney stepped out of the house
and began running across the park as if she were
running for a wager, Trick panting after her.
She had to be in time for the eight o'clock early
service, which Mr. Hales, despite small encouragement
from his flock, never omitted on Saints'
Days.  Lady Dove said it was ridiculous of him
to have these early services, as she never went to
them.  Mrs. Hales, Silvia, and an old servant,
these formed all his congregation, till just as he was
about to begin, Toney entered, panting audibly.

"Where two or three are gathered together there
am I in the midst of them," thought the Vicar, and
was not discouraged.  When the others hurried
home, Toney still remained on her knees, till
suddenly Trick pattered in to remind her that he
was waiting for her, and Toney took the hint.

The Vicar was also waiting for her outside.

"Oh!" exclaimed Toney with her radiant smile,
"that is kind of you, I wanted to see you so much."

"Many happy returns of the day, Toney," he
said, holding her hand, then very simply he added,
"I have been praying for you."  The Vicar was
not ashamed of mentioning his prayers—had he
not been ordained to prayer, and was it not his
duty to wear his colours as bravely as did his
former pupil?

"Thank you.  I know you *mean* it! and you're
not thinking of the money, are you?  Everybody
will be to-day, but I want to tell you that I'm
going to have a fling just this week, so don't
scold, and after that—I'm going to be as wise as
Solomon.  Honour bright!"

The Vicar smiled.

"Well, Toney, what's the fling?"

"One thing I'm doing the dinner and the dance
as it should be done.  Aunt Dove wouldn't hear
of—things I wanted, so I begged for a free hand.
You are all coming, aren't you?  And Dr. Latham
will be there, and he's helped me ever so much,
and Mr. Waycott is awfully nice, and I've got my
Chum.  Oh, you don't know how different she is.
You'll pay her special attention, won't you,
Mr. Hales?  She is really quite clever now, it's
Mr. Faber's doing, they read together every day
a good book and a literary book.  I call that a
real union, don't you?"

"Some wives wouldn't thank their husbands for
educating them."

"You won't talk five minutes with Mr. Faber
before he mentions something wonderful about his
dearest Anne.  It's real sweet!" and Toney
laughed for joy.

"Come in to breakfast, Toney, and see mother
and Silvia."

"I can't, thank you.  I must get back; Uncle
Evas wants a lot of supporting to-day, because
Aunt Dove is not very—happy in her mind."

"By the way, Toney, has that surprising
distribution of letters last night anything to do
with you?  Silvia said she saw two men going
round.  She thought at first it was the Insurance
people who are always wanting to bury babies,
but then she recognised your friend Jim, and an
Aldersfield gardener."

Toney laughed.

"I would have liked to see our friends open
their letters!  Oh, Trick, be quiet, he thinks you
haven't taken any notice of him.  Then, oh please,
do tell me if Thomas has been happy with his
wife?  The children look nicely cared for anyhow."

"Yes, that marriage turned out very well.  I
only hope you will——"  The Vicar paused.

"I know, 'make a good use of your money.'  Don't
please.  Mr. Staines and Uncle Evas have
both tried to preach little sermons on that text."

The Vicar had not thought of the money, but he
let it pass with a smile as Toney continued,

"I want to tell you that I put my first cheque
in the bag this morning; it's for the sick and
needy, and you know them best, and anyone else
who wants it.  Pups used to say it's much better
to reform people with happiness than with
reproaches.  You agree, don't you?  Now
good-bye, and come early.  Oh, please make friends
with Miss Grossman.  It's real difficult."

Toney was gone like a sudden cyclone, and the
Vicar stood and looked after her.  A little sigh
escaped him, and then he walked home to his
breakfast.  Before he could reach it, however, he
was waylaid by Thomas' wife.

"Oh, sir, Thomas he sent me to ask you, sir, if
it was a mistake.  Mrs. Smith, next door to me,
she's had the same, and Culver too."

"What is it?" asked the Vicar, taking the
envelope presented to him.

"It's in it, sir, if you don't mind, and do you
think it's a mistake?"

"What mistake?  Oh——"  He understood as
he read the note in Toney's writing,

.. vspace:: 2

"DEAR MR. AND MRS. THOMAS,

.. vspace:: 1

"Please spend this little present just as you
like.  It's a birthday treat to myself, and come in
good time to the dinner and dance.

.. vspace:: 1

.. class:: noindent white-space-pre-line

   "Your sincere friend,
      "TONEY WHITBURN.

.. vspace:: 1

"P.S.—Tell the children they shall have a
separate room and can make as much noise as
they like."

.. vspace:: 2

"The children is so excited, sir, they wouldn't
eat their victuals yesterday, but Thomas says he's
sure it's a mistake."

"In what way, Mrs. Thomas?"

"Well, sir, the sovereign I mean, a whole
sovereign.  And it's the same to the others.  We
didn't want no money from Miss Toney, but it do
seem just a nice surprise."

The Vicar unfolded the silver paper and saw the
golden sovereign with his own eyes.  He had
heard Toney was rich, but this beginning appeared
lavish and was it wise?

"I don't think it's a mistake, Mrs. Thomas."

"Thank you, sir.  Thomas he wouldn't hear of
spending it till I'd asked you, and he do say how
he'll keep the coin, but I says Miss Toney tells us
to spend it and it wouldn't be honest not to."

Mrs. Thomas had already mentally spent it, and
could not at all agree with wrapping up the gold
as a keepsake.

"Certainly, she means you to spend it.  You
must all come to do her honour to-day.  If we
could all think of other people instead of
ourselves as she does, our village would be none the
worse!"

"Thomas thinks no end of her after what she
did for him, sir, he wouldn't go the public now as
he used to do if you was to pay him to go, all
along of Miss Toney.  Thank you, sir, I'll tell
Thomas."

In another moment the Vicar met his own
gardener, who lived in a cottage close by.

"If you please, sir, Miss Toney sent me a
sovereign.  Is it all right, sir, for me to accept
it?"

"She has made no favourite, Turner, every
villager on her uncle's estate has the same, I
believe."

Mr. Hales returned home with a smile on his lips.

"Mother! our madcap heiress has sent a
sovereign to each of her uncle's cottagers.  I
don't know what other surprises we shall have
this evening."  Mrs. Hales shook her head.

"The old General ought to have secured some
controlling power for her."

"She will pauperize the village," said Silvia,
who was still pretty, but had now a little
discontented expression on her face, and the reason
was that Captain Nichols, a young penniless
officer who admired her, and whom she loved,
would not come forward, as he could not make up
his mind to give up his own extravagances.
Without owning it to herself, Silvia was jealous
of the once despised Harum Scarum.  Silvia's
younger sister had boldly faced poverty, and gone
to be a lady nurse, but was coming for two days
at Toney's special request.

"When you get a present of a sovereign, Silvia,
are you pauperized?" said the Vicar smiling.

"It isn't often I do!"

"I think we may safely say Toney will not
repeat this surprise."

"Of course it is easy to be generous when you
have heaps of money!  I wonder how much
Toney has got," and Silvia heaved a little sigh.

"I rather pity her," said Mr. Hales gently.
"Lady Dove never says a kind word about her,
at least to me."

"I think Toney likes her inferiors best," added
Silvia.  "I hear Mrs. Faber has come to stay at
Aldersfield.  She must remember the time when
she was only the poor companion."

"We none of us received her very kindly,"
remarked the Vicar, cutting some bread, and then
Silvia gave a quick glance at her brother's face.
Was it possible that he admired Toney?  If he
married her and her fortune, what great things
might he not achieve for himself and his family!
Silvia determined to say nothing more against
Toney.  Vague possibilities which she would have
been ashamed to own aloud flitted through her
mind.

"Anyhow, she is very, very generous, and I
mean to enjoy the ball," she said in quite a
cheerful voice.

Mrs. Hales was opening her letters and
exclaimed suddenly,

"Really that child!  Listen! dear boy."

.. vspace:: 2

"MY DEAR MRS. HALES,

.. vspace:: 1

"I always remember your kindness to the
wild colt you allowed to come to your house.  It
was awfully nice of you, and I don't want to do
anything horrid in return, but it would give me so
much pleasure if you would buy your ball dresses
out of this cheque.  I know you are not rich,
because Aunt Dove paid you for teaching me, but
I know you and Mr. Hales would have done the
same for me for nothing.  I don't want to feel
to-night that anyone is the poorer for my birthday
party.  Please accept my little present and don't
be proud about it.  Just for to-morrow I'm having
a fling.  There's several little things I've heard
you say you wanted, but it's nicer to get what one
likes oneself, isn't it?  Will you find something
Mr. Hales would like.  Every now and then Pups
bought me something just ridiculously beautiful,
so that he might have the pleasure of seeing me
wear it, but really these surprise presents were
rather a trial to me, as he didn't know what girls
appreciated.  Please think of me when you say
your prayers to-morrow, as this money will give
me a lot of trouble, but I don't mean to funk
it.

.. vspace:: 1

"YOUR AFFECTIONATE TONEY."

.. vspace:: 2

"What is the cheque?" asked Silvia eagerly.
She noticed that her name was not mentioned.
Toney was too honest to thank those who had
disliked her.

"A hundred pounds.  I cannot refuse it, it will
help us so much; there's a new drawing-room
carpet that I was puzzling how to get!"  The
Vicar laughed.

"Is that a ball dress, mother?  Has Silvia a
nice dress this evening, we must all look our
best!"

"Both the girls will look nice, but this money
will make my conscience easy.  I had been
thinking I was extravagant."

"I'll go and meet Amy at the station,"
exclaimed Silvia.  "We can pay her journey
now.  Oh dear, money is useful, however much
Frank proclaims the blessings of poverty."

The Vicar never argued with Silvia.  He had
often felt sorry his pretty sister could not have
more advantages, and he knew all about Tom
Nichols and the hopelessness of the love affair.

"We will give Toney a return of cheerful
spirits," he said.  "I shall go down early to
Aldersfield with Waycott.  We have consulted
how best to help her.  I believe Lady Dove
pretends to know nothing about it all.  Why
can't people recognise their blessings?"

"Lady Dove's present blessing is Miss Crossman.
You told me to make friends with her, but
I really could not.  She told me she preferred her
own company when her duties were over, and she
did not like to encroach on her walk and rest
times," said Silvia.

They all laughed.

"I wonder if Toney will break that crust of ice,"
said Mrs. Hales thoughtfully.

"Artificial ice is impenetrable!" was the Vicar's
answer.

Then they all went their various ways, but there
was a warm glow in each of their hearts, though
the reasons for it were different.





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`PREPARATIONS`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER V.


.. class:: center medium bold

   PREPARATIONS.

.. vspace:: 2

The great barn behind Aldersfield House was the
scene of much bustle and work on this eventful
morning.  Foremost among all the workers was
Toney herself, dressed in a short serge dress
covered with a big apron.  She looked the picture
of happiness, and even Aunt Dove's cold
congratulations at breakfast had not been able to
damp her spirits.  Mrs. Faber was making
"button-holes," whilst Toney was arranging
flowers in vases with her deft magic touch to
adorn the long tables.  Men were putting up
festoons among the dark rafters, and the brightest
sunshine was pouring in at the door and windows.

"Won't it be lovely! and won't their eyes open!
Gracious stars!  What's this?"

A large box was being wheeled in, and Lewis
Waycott came behind it with an amused smile on
his face.

"Many happy returns," he said, as Toney flew
to receive him.  "I've brought you some flowers.
I know you're particular about having the
best."  Two men were soon unpacking the box, and
displayed a wealth of glorious blossoms, mostly
exotics.

"Oh!" gasped Toney, "but—where did you
get them?"

"I sent Graham for them to London.  I
thought your friends should see something new
in the way of flowers!"

"That is awfully nice.  I never thought of that.
It will give them something to talk about, and I
was just at my wits' end for more flowers; Aunt
Dove doesn't like to denude her hot-houses, but
oh, Mr. Waycott, just imagine, uncle went out
very early and *stole* some!  He did really, I saw
him, but don't tell! and he sent them in as a
present from Aunt Dove for my feast!  I'm sure
she knew nothing about it, so I mustn't thank her."

The two laughed heartily together, and then
Lewis looked round at the transformed barn.

"Have you got my work marked out?"

"I should think so, but come round first and
admire!  Look at my birthday cake.  It's all
made of little cottages in sugar.  It's my idea!"

"However is it to be cut?"

"You'll help, won't you?  I just couldn't have
got all ready without you, and your men have
taken as deep an interest as our own."

"Of course, the invitation amply rewards
them——  By the way, Toney, I've got a personal
present for you; will you accept it?"

He dived into a pocket and brought out a small box.

Toney opened it and drew forth a locket
surrounded with small diamonds, and within it
was a beautifully painted miniature of Toney's
father.

The girl looked up suddenly and her eyes filled
with tears.  "Oh, Pups!" she gasped, "how did
you get it?"

"Is it like?  Mrs. Faber helped me.  I believe
she stole an old photograph you possess,
and—you see your friends are all expert
thieves!"

"I shall never forget this," she said, brushing
the tears away with the back of her somewhat
grimy hand, "and I shall always think of you
two together.  I think the artist must have been
just inspired.  If only *he* could come this evening,
he'd have gone round to everyone of the guests
and said something jolly."

"I'll try and take his place," said Lewis a little
shyly, and then he seized a hammer and nails
and was soon among the rafters with the other
men.  Sir Evas presently made his entrance
and looked round.

"Why, Toney, this will be a fairy palace!  I see
you have already put your aunt's flowers in water."

"Yes, and look, uncle, at these leaves with
them!  I used to pick up the gold leaves when I
was a tiny and bring them to Pups for his poor
people.  I really thought they were gold; but
just see what Mr. Waycott has brought!
Beautiful flowers to remind me of home, and
crowds of orchids for your people to talk about.
Isn't it scrumptious of him?  He's done the
real thinking."

"Good heavens, Toney, it must have cost him——"

"Oh, uncle, if you had grand visitors you'd
think nothing of it, and poor folk are just as
fond of flowers as 'ristocrats, now aren't they?"

"Well, really, I have never thought about it."

"And look what he's given me," and
Toney opened the locket.  "There aren't many
men that would have thought of it, and besides,
he's going to make himself awfully pleasant to
our people to-night, and, uncle, you will too,
won't you?"

"In so far as in me lieth, Toney," said Sir
Evas doubtfully.

"Oh, yes, you can.  Have you learnt that list
of names I gave you?  I put them quite plain,
a column for the men and women and a column
for the children.  It took a deal of writing to get
all the names of the children, you know, so I
hope you've learnt them."

"You don't write *very* plain, Toney!"

"Oh, that's an excuse!" laughed Toney, "let
me see, what's the name of Timothy Grant's
fourth child?  He's your cowman, uncle, so you
really *ought* to know *his* children."

"Polly," answered Sir Evas, looking grave.

"Oh! why the eldest is Polly, there couldn't
be two Pollys, you know.  It's Marthyann, all
in one, Mrs. Grant declares, she says she 'giv
it out herself to Mr. 'ales.'"

"Is Marthyann coming, Toney, and shall I be
expected to recognise her?"

"They'd just adore you if you were to go up
straight to her and call her Marthyann, but it
won't do if you go to the wrong one, so perhaps
you'd better ask me first."

"But I assure you, Toney, your list was longer
than my arm; it would want a royal memory
to attempt it!"

"I *think* I've got them all right, but Jenny
Varly's eldest boy is Tommy Varly, and John
Todd's second boy is Tommy Todd, and they are
cousins, and as like as two peas, and I do
sometimes mistake them!  But, uncle, there are no
drones here, as you aren't very handy with your
fingers, can you hold that box of nails for Phil
Smith?"

"Well, for a few minutes.  I've a lot to do
this morning, and Mr. Staines is still requiring
my services, and your new secretary is coming
to-morrow, and your aunt is rather upset because
the gardeners are all here, and——"

"I've left her Miss Grossman," answered Toney
laughing, "she's a host in herself, and she told
me she didn't hold by spoiling *poor* people!
Why it's just the poor we ought to spoil!
Don't you think so, uncle?"

Sir Evas pretended not to hear as he did not
want Toney to bring up his remarks against
him at some future time.  He knew this was an
inconvenient habit of hers, so he slipped out of
the barn as soon as he could when she wasn't
looking.

The workers went on with all speed.  All
had to be done by five o'clock when the guests
would begin to arrive.

"I suppose you have had to hire the knives
and spoons," said Lewis, coming down for a
moment to contemplate his work.

"Yes.  Uncle said I could have all the kitchen
things, but—I—didn't want them, and Aunt Dove
wouldn't hear of her plate being unearthed, so
I've hired it all."

"Not real plate!"

Toney nodded.

"Yes, just real silver, and everything like lords
and ladies, won't they be pleased?  Something
to remember!"

"I hope it won't disappear, Toney!"

"How can you suggest anything so unkind!
You see the children have the other barn, and
Mrs. Faber undertakes them.  A child is always
good with her.  Isn't it odd?  Do you see that
Mr. Faber is hard at work there now with her?
I shall want to cut myself in three pieces!  Oh,
I am so happy!"

Lewis glancing at her face did not doubt her
happiness, but he could not echo the speech.
Before Toney had become an heiress, Lewis had
fallen in love with her, he had made her promise
to give him something when he should ask for
it, and then suddenly this terrible fortune had
dropped down from the skies, and had set up a
wall of division between him and the girl he
admired as well as loved.  No girl in his
estimation could approach Toney in all the
qualities he so much respected; he knew she
was not a highly accomplished English young
lady, she did not move with rhythmic beauty,
she did not sing like a syren or play like Chopin,
but she was just Toney, with splendid health and
beauty of her own, and with a character which
influenced nearly everyone that came in contact
with her.  Lewis knew that it was owing to her
that his cottages were now in perfect repair, and
that he now deserved better the name of a good
landlord than he had done before.  It was Toney's
influence, Toney's example of doing her best for
her neighbours with all her heart, that had
awakened his conscience, and yet the Waycotts
were very proud of their good name.  He could
not bear that it should be said he had married
the heiress for money—and he knew Lady Dove
would say it.  Would the world believe that he
had loved the wild colt who had first visited him
with the poor companion?  Toney had said
herself people would want to marry her money,
how should he be able to prove the contrary?
Why had the old General ever taken a fancy to her?

He had not, however, to-day much time for
thought, he could not even flatter himself that
Toney connected him in the least with that kind
of love, she was certainly heart-whole; would the
awakening ever come, would blindfolded Cupid
by chance let one of his arrows pierce her?
Lewis could not answer this question.  If only
he might woo her, he thought that perhaps he
could awaken the sleeping boy, but there lay
the difficulty; he could not, he dared not face
the bare idea of Toney's thinking and of
saying—for she seldom hid her thoughts—

"Oh, it's only my money you care about!"  He
must wait, and in the meantime what if
someone bolder or less scrupulous won her!

As Lewis hurried to the hall to pick up some
possessions before going home to lunch, he came
face to face with Lady Dove.

"I've been helping to decorate," he said, to
account for his presence.

"It is very kind of you, I'm sure, Mr. Waycott,
though it was quite unnecessary to trouble you.
Antonia is most thoughtless; I can't get a man
or a boy to do anything to-day.  She has got
them all."

"They look uncommonly lively over it."

"I daresay, anything is better than one's plain
duty.  However, it will be over to-morrow."  Lady
Dove heaved a sigh.

"It's very kind of you to keep open house,"
said Lewis, not knowing what to say.

"I don't wish to get credit when it's not
deserved.  Antonia will pay for it all.  The
General left her a great deal of money, you
know."

"I suppose so," said Lewis, screwing his stick
round on the gravel.

"Yes, indeed; I don't quite know how much,
because my poor husband has done nothing else
these last four years but attend to all this
wretched money.  I assure you I never could
get any of his company, and somehow he was
fortunate in some land speculations, which he
never was with his own."

"Sir Evas said he would quite miss the
occupation."

"Well, I for one shall be glad for him.  He
looks ten years older.  It's perfectly ridiculous
to wear yourself out; and he never gets a penny
by it, of course.  He is quite morbidly particular
about money.  He always says he never would
have married me if I had been an heiress.  He
does so hate that modern habit of heiress
hunting."

"I don't think anyone would think Sir Evas
was paid for his kindness."

"There are so many evil tongues, Mr. Waycott;
one hears such extraordinary things.  Already
I've had two or three names mentioned to me as
likely to pay court to Antonia—for her money,
of course."

"It will be certainly a bar to disinterested
affection," answered Lewis.  He would like to
have used his stick on Lady Dove's head.  She
smiled graciously.

"I have seldom met such a thing, Mr. Waycott.
I shall be very much interested when I do!  Poor
Antonia must not expect to meet it, for certainly
she has not charm or beauty to attract a man
simply for herself."

"Good morning, Lady Dove.  I must hurry
off.  My aunts will be waiting."

"Tell dear Mrs. Hamilton that I shall expect
her to take pity on me this evening.  Good-bye;
so kind of you to have come."

Lewis hurried home in no enviable mood, and
he slashed the unoffending hemlock heads with
savage fury, wishing he were inflicting
punishment "on that old cat."

"She meant me to understand her insinuations,
of course.  Well, she need not be afraid.  Of
course I saw through her; I'm not a blind ass."





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`REAL SILVER`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER VI.


.. class:: center medium bold

   REAL SILVER.

.. vspace:: 2

When Lewis Waycott entered the dining-room
of Waycott Hall the same people were seated
at the table as on the memorable day when
Toney had rushed in late to luncheon.  These
were his devoted Aunt Honoria and her widowed
sister, Mrs. Hamilton, who was somewhat of a
"soft pussy cat," as Toney had once described
her.  Her two daughters, Jeanie and Maud, were
still unmarried, much to her disappointment.
Jeanie played first violin at amateur concerts,
and Maud, with less talent, stepped into the
breach when somebody had failed.  The sisters
belonged to the large army of musical people
whose performances are just not good enough to
be valuable, though Jeanie had real talent.
Maud was pretty and gentle, but both sisters
had imbibed their mother's pride of birth, all
the greater because of their poverty.
Mrs. Hamilton was a Waycott of Waycott Hall, and
her husband belonged to a very old Scotch
family.  They might be poor, but they were of
the bluest blood, and because of this Jeanie had
ruined her happiness.  Four years ago a musician
who was "nobody in particular," except that his
genius had raised him to eminence, had fallen in
love with Jeanie and had made her an offer, but
the Hamilton pride prevented her saying yes.
She did not even dare tell her mother she loved
him.  How could Jeanie Hamilton marry a man
whose parents had once kept a shop?  It was
impossible!  The ghost of that shop haunted her,
even though Frank Weston had long since
pensioned his parents.  Certainly the great
people idolized Frank Weston, crowds filled any
hall where he chose to play his violin, but how
could Jeanie Hamilton accept his parents?
Mrs. Hamilton gently smiled as she said,
"Impossible."

Frank Weston was not poor, for he earned a
great deal of money, but he was born a plebeian.
Mrs. Hamilton had repeated and dictated Jeanie's
refusal for her, and he had not even the
satisfaction of seeing again the girl he worshipped.
He had, however, guessed the truth, and, deeply
wounded, he made no further effort to win her,
but he could not forget her.  On her part, Jeanie
was always arguing the question with herself.
Of course her mother had been right, but as
time went on the girl began to realise that she
had thrown away her happiness.  Her heart was
breaking and her health was giving way.  Maud,
too, was as soft wax in her mother's hands, and
Mrs. Hamilton meant her to marry her cousin
Lewis, and to be the mistress of Waycott Hall.
She had taken the girls to Dresden to finish their
musical education, but now she had come back
intending to marry Maud to Lewis and find a
suitable match for Jeanie.  When Aunt Delia
determined to do something she was seldom
known to fail, but she never mentioned it to her
sister Honoria, because she was so supremely
happy as mistress of Waycott Hall that she did
not wish her beloved nephew to marry anyone—at
least, not yet, though of course the time
for marriage must come some day, in order to
carry on the succession of the old family of the
Waycotts of Waycott Hall.

"How late you are, dear boy," exclaimed Miss
Honoria, who, knowing every expression of her
nephew's face, saw he was not in his best mood.

"I am sorry, Lady Dove hindered me a few minutes."

"It's most good-natured of you to go and help
at Aldersfield," said Aunt Delia softly.  "Maud
offered to go, but Antonia Whitburn said she had
enough helpers.  I expect she prefers masculine
help."

"Naturally, for standing on high ladders!  The
barn will astonish you, Aunt Delia.  Already it is
like fairyland, and imagine, Aunt Honoria, Toney
has hired real plate for the poor people's dinner."

"Lady Dove would not lend hers, I expect,"
said Miss Honoria.

"Of course she would not!  Imagine the
expense though, and it will be all on the same
scale.  Toney sees no difference between poor and
rich."

"It shows how unfit she is to deal with money,"
said Mrs. Hamilton decidedly.  "It is a real
misfortune that old man left her his money."

"Yes, it certainly is," echoed Lewis firmly.

"She will make a mess of the whole thing,
either she will give it foolishly away, or she will
be widely extravagant!  She will never be like
other people," continued Aunt Delia.

"Never!" echoed Lewis.

"I suppose my pale blue dress will do," said
Maud, turning to her mother.

"You look sweet in it, dear, don't you think so,
Lewis?"

"Why Maud looks well in everything," said
Lewis, cheerfully nodding at his cousin.  "Well,
I must soon be off again.  Here's a list of things
Toney wants you to lend her, Aunt Honoria."

"Yes, certainly," answered Miss Honoria, for
she secretly admired Toney, though she dared not
let her sister know this.  It was a pity Delia was
so much prejudiced against this girl.

"How foolish of you, Honoria—if your things
get stolen you can't blame anyone but yourself.
Are you willing, Lewis, if so, Maudie will go with
you and help to carry the things?"

Lewis did not want Maud, but could not refuse.

"I shall tire Maud for I am walking."

"Oh no, I shall want some fresh air before the
dance.  How hot it will be in the barn!"

"You girls must fill up your programmes early,"
said Mrs. Hamilton pointedly.

"Oh, Toney won't have any!  She says
people must dance as the spirit moves them."

"How inconvenient.  Well, anyhow, Lewis,
you'll see the girls get partners."

"No fear!  Think of all the tenants dying to
trip it with such fair damsels!"

"One has to *pretend* one likes it," said Jeanie
languidly; "but it's not at all enjoyable."

"I asked Toney to let me go off with Sally the
kitchenmaid, but she wouldn't agree; she says I
must foot it with Mrs. Goodman, the housekeeper.
She weighs two tons at least and all the men fight
shy of her."  Lewis' good temper had returned,
and he was now ready to make fun of everything.
"But there is dancing in the dining-room, too,
isn't there?" said Jeanie.

"We shall dance everywhere 'till gunpowder
comes out of the heels of our boots,'" answered
Lewis.

"Now do be sensible, Lewis.  There will be, I
hear, many of the county folks," said
Mrs. Hamilton, thinking that Jeanie might meet
someone eligible.

"I believe so.  Lord and Lady Southbourne are
coming, I know, and their eldest son, and George
Lathom and heaps more.  Oh, the Carews, of
course; I heard Lady Carew saying the other day
that nothing should prevent her coming to Toney's
coming of age."

"I really think it strange they all flock to a sort
of party like this when they come as seldom as
possible to the house at other times," said Miss
Honoria.

"Honestly, Aunt Honoria, you wouldn't miss
Toney's party yourself, would you, and you
know you only go very seldom to call on Lady
Dove."

"I declare, Lewis, you are getting as direct as
Toney herself," laughed Miss Honoria.

"I know Lady Dove is shuddering as to what is
to happen to-night.  She says, 'you never know
with Toney,' and that is a truer word than she
often says!"

"I expect all this fuss and this money will turn
Antonia Whitburn's head," said Mrs. Hamilton,
who was jealous, but too ladylike to show it
openly.

"Turn Toney's head, Aunt Delia!  You little
know her, I really believe she no more thinks of
money as bringing her any personal advantage
than she would think that—putting a crown on
her head would make her a queen."

"You always were good-natured in defending
poor Harum Scarum," answered his Aunt Delia;
"and I'm sure she needs a few friends to do it.
Mrs. Hales told me she saw no change in Toney's
character in spite of all the places they sent her to
in order to improve her."

Lewis laughed heartily, and then rose to go.
"Well, Maud, come along, I'm off.  I'll order
the dog-cart to bring us back so as to have time
to dress.  You will all come later."

"Seeing poor people stuff doesn't interest me at
all," said Jeanie; but Maud, who now always
took her cue from Lewis, exclaimed,

"I should like to go early if the carriage can go,
twice.  I'll bring my violin and play something
for them if Toney likes."

"What a good idea," said Lewis brightly.
"The carriage can certainly take us early and go
back for the lazy ladies."

"Please don't kill yourself, my dear boy," said
Miss Waycott with a smile.  She was torn between
the pleasure of seeing Lewis happy and interested,
and the fear of her sister Delia thinking her very
foolish.  It is never easy to hunt with the hounds
and run with the hare.

As the cousins were crossing the Park (having
had special though private permission from Sir
Evas to come that way whenever they liked) Lewis
was smiling to himself.

"Poor Toney," he said presently, "I believe she
will regret even the terrible days of her first
arrival at Aldersfield.  This beastly money will
swallow up all her time, and Sir Evas has dug up
an Australian secretary for her.  I hope he'll not
be too much of a cad."

"It will be like a novel, and he'll fall in love
with her and marry her," said Maud.  "She
would like an Australian, and he would
understand her strange ways."

"Perhaps; but I haven't heard that the Australians
are less self-seeking than other people.  I
think Toney is a *rara avis*."

"It does seem a little hard on Lady Dove to
have fallen on this rare bird!" said Maud,
laughing softly.  She was so pretty and womanly
that Lewis noticed her with pleasure.  He liked
Maud much better than Jeanie, who always looked
discontented, but the idea of marrying either of
them had never entered his head.

"It was awfully nice of you, Maud, to think of
playing to Toney's people.  I'm sure she will be
delighted, but don't waste your pity on Lady Dove!"

"The new companion is a tyrant, I hear; I want
to see her.  Mother thinks it rather silly of Toney
to make such a fuss over Mrs. Faber.  It will
make her very uppish.  That class of people,
mother says, never can stand much notice."

Lewis laughed aloud.

"Pray, Maud, form your own opinions and don't
quote those of other people.  Use your eyes
to-day, and see what the Fabers are like.
Mrs. Faber has developed so wonderfully you would
not know her for the same person, though she
is still somewhat afraid of Lady Dove, which
is not surprising.  That woman is simply odious."

Very soon they reached Aldersfield, and Lewis
conducted his cousin to the barn where he had
worked so hard.  The preparations were drawing
to a close, and at that moment Toney herself
dashed out with a hammer in her hand.

"Why, Toney, you look like Sisera going to do
the deed!  Is there anything I can get?"

"Oh, you'll do for audience beautifully, I was
just going to fetch Mrs. Horner, but she is
dreadfully busy.  It's to hear Uncle Dove rehearse his
speech.  We've put up the platform for him and
all, and now he declares he can't make a speech—but
he must.  Now do, Maud, you'll represent the
ladylike portion.  Poor uncle is so shy, and only
says 'Hum, hum!'"

They entered the barn, where Sir Evas was
indeed looking supremely unhappy.

"Oh, Waycott, I'm glad you've come.  Toney
declares I must make a speech and it's quite
beyond me!"

"Oh yes you can, dear, ducky uncle.  Just say
something that you really mean out of your heart."

"That they won't make themselves ill with
over-eating!"

"Oh, that's horrid, you wouldn't say that at
your own table—but look, Mr. Waycott, what do
you think of the whole?"

"Oh!" exclaimed Maud, "why it's too beautiful
for them, and everything silver, and, oh, what
lovely silver dishes!"

Lewis gave Maud a little nudge; he knew this
speech would be like gunpowder to Toney.

"Too beautiful!  Of course not!  How can
anything be too beautiful?  Aren't these flowers
exquisite, Mr. Waycott?  That was all your doing."

"But it's like a grand dinner party," urged Maud.

"And so it is, a very grand dinner party.  Do
you see the little roses, and the napkins folded like
lilies?  The servants have just been awfully nice
over it all, and the button-holes are ready for the
men and a little posy for the ladies.  I'm just a
wee bit afraid about the children, but Chum says
I'm to trust her."

"May I play something for them on the
violin?" asked Maud eagerly.

"Oh, how lovely, yes; but—not one of your
long fugues, please.  Something they'd all like,
just a brisk jig or imitation of bagpipes."

Maud looked upon herself as a good player, but
she nobly hid her disgust.

"I see, a good stirring dance."

"Yes, just at first, something that will unloose
their tongues, and that they can talk all through
it till the dance begins.  Now, Uncle Evas, it's
your turn.  You must practise your speech.
Mr. Waycott, just sit there to represent the men, and
Maud will do the stuck-ups, and I'll do the
women.  It must suit us all, uncle.  You can just
say how awfully glad you are to see them, and
that Toney Whitburn is too, and that—no, I'll
make my own, you'd go wrong."

Happily for Sir Evas a footman entered at the
moment, and announced that Lady Dove said
would Sir Evas go at once, and see her on
business.





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`THE VISITORS ARRIVE`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER VII.


.. class:: center medium bold

   THE VISITORS ARRIVE.

.. vspace:: 2

"What is the programme?" asked Maud,
catching Toney's enthusiasm.

"Uncle Evas, and any of us who like, will
sit down to dinner here, then, when they are well
started, we shall go to dine in the house, and
hurry a little to begin the dancing here.  Poor
people do like having plenty of time to eat, so
I think we can manage it all."

"When is Sir Evas to make his speech?"

"Just between their meat and pudding.  It will
help them to digest, and they do like to hear
speeches, so I'm going to make one, and anybody
else who feels moved.  Won't you, Mr. Waycott?"

"But they are not my tenants, Toney."

"But they are your neighbours, and we ought
to love our neighbour as ourself."

"I expect my people will be very jealous!"
answered Lewis laughing.

"Then you can have a party of your own.  I'll
come and help you in return."

"That's a promise, but I don't know what
Aunt Honoria would say!"

"Oh!  My visitors are going to——  No, I
won't tell you as you might let it out to Aunt
Dove.  Uncle Evas gave leave, but——"

At this moment Sir Evas walked in, followed
by Lady Carew.

"Oh! what a fairy palace!" exclaimed her
ladyship.  "Where is Miss Whitburn?  I've
come to beg you to let me see all the fun, but I
didn't expect this!  My husband is coming later,
but I rebelled."

Lady Carew's face was all smiles.  She had
never forgotten Toney's first tea-party at
Aldersfield, besides the story of Toney's fortune
and her coming of age was known to everyone
for miles round.  Toney gave one of her quick
searching looks and settled that Lady Carew
meant all she said.

"Well, that is nice of you!  You haven't come
because I've got such a heap of money!  Oh
dear!  Uncle Evas, I do believe I see somebody
arriving in the distance."

Sir Evas looked too.

"Good heavens, Toney! it's the *avant garde*.
Much too early!"

"But you are glad they should enjoy themselves
as long as possible, aren't you, and you
said you wanted them to see your house, and you
know——  Did you tell Mr. Diggings!"

"Tell him what, Toney?" whispered Lewis,
who was prepared for a surprise.

"That the house is open to *everybody* to-day!
Fancy, Lady Carew, ever so many of uncle's
tenants have never been in the house at all!  So
now Uncle Evas has been awfully kind, and said
Aldersfield should be thrown open, only——"

Sir Evas had hurried off.

"Only what?" laughed Lewis, who had jumped
to conclusions.

"He wouldn't tell Aunt Dove, so I want my
friends to act as sentinels at her door! and we
must all take parties round.  No one is to see
this fairy palace till six!"

"Doesn't Lady Dove know?" asked Lady
Carew smiling, "pray let me personally conduct
as I have never seen all the house either.  I know
there are fine pictures."

"Well, no, Aunt Dove doesn't know.  She
would just have squirmed a bit at seeing so many
of them all about.  I've just run round to open
all the doors, but I posted a warning near Aunt
Dove's door.  Oh, I do hope she is safe for a long
time.  She said she was going to rest, and Miss
Grossman is reading to her."

Maud and Lady Carew could not help laughing.

"Won't they do funny things?" asked Maud
"You know, Lewis, your aunts wouldn't let your
tenants roam about the house!"

"I'm afraid Toney will insist, but please let it
be in the summer-time."

"It would be nicer for them, but I couldn't help
my birthday, could I?  Just look down the drive,
it's getting black with people.  I'll run round here
first.  Mr. Waycott, will you see if the children's
room is done, then we must all work and just talk
and explain everything, and please, Lady Carew
pretend you know them all as there isn't time to
introduce."

In another moment there was a scuffle and
rush round, which Trick seemed to think, judging
by his barking, was done specially to amuse him,
and then at the open front door and on the top of
the stone steps, Toney, Trick, and their special
friends might be seen with very smiling faces,
standing to receive the first batch of visitors,
though looking down the drive the stream seemed
continuous and thick.  It must be owned that the
guests were very quiet and very shy, and the
procession resembled a funeral much more than
the beginning of a most novel party.  Never had
half the visitors come so near the big house,
but then never had they been invited.  They all
clutched their invitation cards as if they were
talismen.  Toney had stationed the young footman
at the bottom of the stairs to receive the cards,
but there the first hitch occurred.

A very sheepish labourer in his very best
clothes shook his head as the footman held out
his hand to receive the card.

"'Tis only to show you, young man," he said
in a loud whisper.

"Will you kindly give it to me," was the
answer.  "I have to collect them."

"No, that you b'aint, I'm a-going to keep it;
I've promised my lad I'll frame it for 'im."

The second guest seeing the difficulty refused
even to show his card.

"We be a-going to frame it too.  If you can't
a-read it just to get the name in your head, I
can't help you no further."

"Miss Whitburn said they were to be collected."

These two rebels had stopped the stream, and
Lewis, seeing something was happening, dashed
down to the rescue.

"Afternoon, sir; the young man wants my
card of invitation from Miss Toney herself.  I'd
rather not come than give it to 'im."

Lewis was convulsed but soon set matters right.

"Pray keep them, but just show them as you
come up.  Miss Whitburn is waiting up there for
you."

"'T'aint likely we'd give it up to *he*," said yet
another visitor, casting looks of contempt on the
footman who had tried to steal their precious cards.

The children, open-mouthed, clung to their
parents, but the Thomas girls had been put first
as they knew Miss Toney so well.

Up they came, men, women, and children, all
sizes, dressed in varied costumes, and all staring
hard at Toney, who, in her simple morning dress,
was beaming with pleasure, and her eyes seemed
to dance with glee.

"How do you do?  How do you?  Oh, Mr. Grant,
it is good of you to come with your lame
foot.  Mrs. Chapman, the children are to go to
their big room straight, lots of amusements for
them, and they'll be well taken care of.  Lady
Carew and Miss Maud Hamilton have come to
entertain you.  Oh please, Mrs. Curtis, do shake
hands (Mrs. Curtis was curtseying).  What a
lovely nosegay!  How kind of you.  Now, Miss
Hamilton, will you take the first party round the
house.  There are about thirty here," and Maud
went off.

"How do you do?  This is nice of you to come.
You're to go round the house anywhere except in
Lady Dove's room, she's got a headache or
something."

"Shan't we hurt the carpets, miss, with our
boots?" said a patient looking woman, "and
here's some of our last roses, miss, for your
birthday.  I'm sure we all wish you a very, very
long life."

"Thank you ever so much," and Toney was
already holding an arm-full of very tight posies.
"Now, Mr. Waycott, will you take the second
party.  Show them my little room at the top of
the house for they can see the tops of their cottages
and chimneys from there.  Sir Evas is coming
soon.  He had to see a bit to everything.
Dinner's very punctual at six, so please don't
stop too long."

Lewis Waycott obeyed.  He had come there
to obey to-day, and it was no good to think of
shyness with Toney there.  She was really happy
with these people, and could not have been
condescending to them had she tried.  These
poor cottagers, whose dull lives were seldom varied,
were to have a real good day, and enjoy
themselves, that was the idea that filled Toney's mind.
Her one anxiety was the fear that Lady Dove
would wake and come forth.  At last the stream
left off and only a few stragglers appeared.
Toney was keeping the last batch for herself, and
the children were now safely housed in the barn
house, listening spell-bound to a ventriloquist with
Mrs. Faber in charge.  She was indeed happy,
there was a great affinity between herself and
children.  The tea-tables were spread, and the
enjoyment of the little ones was doubled by secret
glances at the good things which would soon find
their way down their throats.

"Hulloa!" called out the ventriloquist, putting
his head up a chimney, "are you there, Bill, why
don't you come down?  I say, what's to day?"  "A
coming of old age."  "You silly, not old age, a
coming of age."  "Whose coming?"  "Well, it ain't
my coming, for I ain't a-coming for anyone"—and
so on till the children clapped and shouted,
for suddenly Miss Toney herself appeared like a
sudden burst of sunshine, and stayed ten minutes
making fun.

"Oh, Chum, aren't they happy?"

"I should think they were," echoed Mrs. Faber.

Yes, the children were happy and tea followed
very soon, and after tea a conjurer, and then the
children were all fetched home by the neighbours
from the other half of the village or by elder girls.
After this Mrs. Faber slipped away to get ready
for the dinner and the dance.

In the meanwhile the multitude of fathers and
mothers were tramping round the great house with
wide open eyes and cautious feet.  To walk on
Turkey carpets and look at the beautiful pictures
and china the gentry looked at every day, was a
new experience.  It must be said that Toney's
party had a real treat, because she did showman
in a very amusing style.

"It must be nice, miss, to live in such a
wonderful house," said a poor woman whose home was
not a thing of joy.

"It's a job to keep it clean though," said Toney,
"for my part I'd rather have a wee cottage if I
had the work to do.  I used to keep our cottage
nice, and I would rather be you for that, but I
guess if we can't keep a cottage nice we should
make a poor hand at keeping a big place like this
spick and span."

"Don't seem worth while, miss, to spend time
on our poor places."

"Oh, but it is.  Pups used to say that a cottage
was the most healthy place in the world if the doors
and windows were always open to let in God's
sunshine, and if God's sunshine found no dust
when it did get in there.  I'll tell you what,
Mrs. Smith, we'll start a society for the brightest
cottage in uncle's part of the village.  I'll give a
beautiful prize for the best kept and you must
win it."

"Oh, miss!" exclaimed Mrs. Smith of the
sorrowful countenance, "the children do dirty
things so."

"But they'll want you to win the prize.  We'll
have a model village, never fear.  I'm first-rate at
cleaning kettles and can teach you."  Mrs. Smith
began mentally scrubbing at once.  Toney had
another question to answer.

"If you please, miss," said a labourer, nodding
towards a picture representing nymphs dancing,
very scantily clothed, "it must be a warm country
where ladies have so little clothing on for dancing.
I suppose 'tis the fashion there."  Toney laughed.

"Oh, they are not real people, the artist just
wanted to think of the spirit of the wood.  He
means to represent all the happy thoughts one
has in a lovely lonely wood."

The man shook his head slowly.  He found it
difficult to grasp the new idea of making your
happy thoughts dance in light clothing.

"They be wonderfully tricky, the painters, miss.
There was a gentleman who come to paint in the
village last summer, and who took our Ann's
picture without shoes nor stockings.  I begged
him not to show it to the neighbours as our Ann
never do go bare-foot."

"But it's very healthy, Mr. Carter.  I used to
run about without shoes and stockings when I
was young.  I wish I could now, but you see——"

At this moment there was a cry heard from
the end of the passage, where Toney and her
party and Mr. Waycott and his party were just
converging.

"Antonia!  Antonia!"

Toney was in front of a paper on which was
written, "Please walk on tip-toe down this
passage."  Now the tip-toes of many persons are
not noiseless and in the gathering twilight it had
not been observed.

"Gracious stars!" exclaimed Tony darting
down the passage, "it's Aunt Dove who has done
her rest!"

It was indeed Lady Dove and Miss Grossman
who were standing in the doorway, looking at the
retreating figures with faces full of displeasure.

"Antonia, who are these people?"

"Please, Aunt Dove, don't be frightened.  They
are not robbers, it's your own tenants you know,
just taking a peep round.  But they are going
down now, and it's just dinner-time.  Won't you
come and see the entry?"

"Certainly not.  I am quite upset enough.  Our
dinner is at half-past seven, and I hope you will be
ready.  As to all those common people tramping
on my carpets——"

"Please don't let them hear you, Aunt Dove,"
pleaded Toney, "they would be so distressed, for,
honour bright! they've behaved better than princes
and princesses."

"I do not think your education or your bringing
up ever brought you in contact with princes,
Antonia—Miss Grossman, pray read on again, the
maids are all taken from me and I shall not be
able to dress till just before dinner."

Miss Grossman looked most unwilling to accede
to the request.

"I do not object for once to reading for twenty
minutes longer, Lady Dove, after that I must have
my free time."

Toney did not wait to hear the stormy
discussion that followed.

"It is lucky Aunt Dove won't appear," thought
Toney.  "Oh, Mr. Waycott, follow me on tip-toe,
please, or a bomb will explode, but they have
enjoyed themselves."

Lewis literally obeyed, and Toney, smothering
her laughter, hurried downstairs with him.





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.. _`A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW`:

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   CHAPTER VIII.


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   A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW.

.. vspace:: 2

Toney made a dash to her bedroom where Rose
was waiting to help her into her white dress.  It
was very pretty and very simple, with soft lace
round the base of the neck showing off the pose
of the head and Toney's lovely hair.

"Miss Toney, you do look nice," exclaimed
Rose, "what will you wear round your neck?"

"My birthday present of course—Pup's picture.
You can't think how I value it."

"Won't you wear this coral bracelet for luck,
Miss Toney?"

"Yes, it is Mrs. Faber's present, it belonged to
her great aunt, whose dress I once wore when I
first came," and Toney laughed at the recollection.
"Now, I have not one minute more as uncle is
going to walk me in.  The people will like it so.
They love a show-off.  Run, Rose, and get ready
for waiting on them.  I wish I might do some of
the waiting, but uncle wouldn't hear of it, and
also it would look too much like a school feast.
Oh, give me some of those flowers the dear people
brought to-day.  Wasn't it sweet of them, because
they know I love flowers better than anything."

Toney and Rose each flew down different ways.
For one instant Toney was even tempted to slide
down the balusters as in old days, but remembered
her frock in time.

"I wish I could feel old—I suppose I shall when
I'm seventy.  Oh dear, where is Uncle Evas, I
expect——"

She knocked softly at his dressing-room door
and stooping down spoke through the keyhole.
"Uncle Evas!  Hullo, are you there?"

She heard him cross the room on tip-toe, then
he very softly opened the door.

"Yes, Toney, I'm ready.  Don't disturb your
aunt, she is dressing.  I don't think she will be
ready for your first dinner."

"But you are, come along, and I say, uncle,
you'll really eat, won't you, because they will
think you're too proud if you don't."

"I've never dined at six o'clock before, Toney.
It's a great trial to one's digestion, but I'll try.
Now, tell me the programme."

"I've got them all in the hall and in the
passages waiting to go to the barn.  Come on,
uncle!  You mustn't keep your guests waiting."

Sir Evas wished himself anywhere but among
so many guests.  He knew that his wife might
appear in no enviable mood; but Toney had him
well in hand.  Escape was impossible.  Putting
on as good expression of welcome as he could, he
followed her obediently.  Their appearance at the
top of the staircase had a magical effect.  All
heads were turned towards the vision of their Miss
Toney in an evening dress, its very simplicity
making the angel idea more perfect to them, for
the greater part had never seen a young lady in
an evening dress except in illustrated magazines.
But this vision was by no means like a novelette
heroine, calm, beautiful, and stately, whilst Toney
never guessed she was worthy of admiration, her
one thought being that it was just six o'clock.

"Here we are!  Sir Evas is so glad to welcome
you all, and he's so glad you've seen all his house.
If you don't mind we'll lead the way to dinner.
People generally go two and two, but please don't
bother about that, it always seems to me like the
animals in the ark."  And Toney's merry laugh
made everybody feel at home as, taking her
uncle's arm she crossed the hall.

At this moment, Lewis, Lady Carew, Maud and
the Fabers, and the Hales came out of the small
drawing-room.  They were not going to miss this
part of the entertainment, having nobly done their
duty as showmen.

"Oh, how nice—Mr. Hales, you know everybody,
will you just go about the middle and Mr. Waycott
bring up the rear, and Mr. Tarrant, will
you give your arm to Lady Carew and set a good
example."

Lady Carew meant to do the whole thing
properly, for she knew she would be only one of a
crowd at Toney's coming of age party; in spite of
this she felt glad her lord and master was not
there to see her introduced to the bailiff, who
blushed purple and offered her his arm, and held
hers very tightly as if he had been specially
cautioned to see that she did not run away.
Maud, Silvia, and Mrs. Faber took the first-comers,
but as the male parts of the procession
were quite uncertain as to which arm to give to
the ladies, but yet were determined minutely to
follow their leader, there were several *chassé croisé*
during the short distance to the barn,
accompanied by the nervous apology of "Excuse me,
miss, but I think we're wrong.  Miss Toney said
we were to follow her, and I be on her side instead
of t'other."

The other ladies and gentlemen, though they
had leave to come anyhow, would not be singular,
and whispered jokes might have been heard such
as, "Now, doey take he," "We ain't quite of the
right age, Mr. Jones," "'Tis wonderful how the
gentry remembers all these puzzling habits, ain't
it?  Miss Toney looks like as if she'd just come
down from heaven.  She be a rare 'un, 'tain't
likely there's another like her in England, now is
it?  We don't know nothing about furrin countries,
but I'll take my oath there's none in England like her."

"Nor Scotland, Ireland, nor Wales," said a
young man who was a "mighty scholard."  "Well
to be sure I was forgetting t'others of the
family, but the Scotch are very close-fisted, and
the Orish is too cranky, and the Welsh speaks
gibberish, 'tain't likely there's any like her in
their countries."

But already the middle and tail of the procession
silenced by a sudden exclamation from the
foremost guests.  The doors were flung open
and all at once the dazzling lights revealed
a scene none had even dreamt of for beauty
and gloriousness.  Lady Carew was the first to
exclaim.

"How lovely!  Look at the flowers.  How wonderful!"

Mr. Farrant opened his mouth, but what came
from it was, "Bless my soul and body!"

And then behind and behind came various
"Lors!  Me stars!  Bless me's!  Did you evers!"  Of
course the helpers were more prepared, but
even they had not seen it fully lighted up.  On
and on they came, the guests, the buzz growing
into a blast, the blast into a hurricane of words,
but by this time Toney had dragged her uncle on
to the platform and was standing by him, seeing
from her vantage ground that everybody was
seated.  This was by no means as easy as it
appeared.  The partners got mixed at the
entrance, and thought it a point of honour to find
each other again, and, what with their anxiety
and the astonishment they did not know how to
express adequately, Toney's guests were in danger
of not sitting down at all.  Mr. Hales came to the
rescue, mounted the platform and called out,
"Ladies and gentlemen, will you stand whilst I
say grace, and then sit down where you find
yourselves."

"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow,"
began the clerk, not waiting for Mr. Hales, and
a great sound of thanksgiving rose among the
rafters.  These guests at least were thankful even
for the sight of their dinner!

"Thank you, Mr. Hales, I believe we should
never have sat down but for you!  Now, uncle,
come and take your place at the head of the table
with me, and mind you eat a bit of everything,
you know!"

"But indeed I don't know, Toney.  What's the
menu?  Ah!  I see, good Lord!  Ox-tail soup,
pheasant, beef.  What else?"

But now another hitch occurred, no one would
begin till Toney, in despair, seized a spoon and
began herself in earnest.  The guests looked at
her and looked at each other, then with an
evident effort and sigh of content began the work
of eating.  The rest came naturally, at least there
was no longer any effort, and "the rich viands,"
as the reporter chronicled afterwards, quickly
disappeared.

Toney had not reckoned with time, however,
and it was seven before the meats were done, and
then came the pause to bring on the sweets.

"Uncle, now's the time, you know; have you
got it all right?"

"No, I haven't, and for goodness sake, let's
have no speeches, there isn't time, the other
guests will be coming soon, and—your aunt——"

"There's heaps of time, uncle, screw your
courage up, you know, and they will be so
pleased.  Remember to begin about being
awfully delighted."

The many waiters stood to attention, having
been duly warned, and a sudden hush fell on the
company.  Poor Sir Evas felt as if he were being
led to execution as he found himself on the
platform, this time without Toney.  His speech
had clean gone out of his head except Toney's
two words, "awfully delighted," and that did not
sound quite dignified.  "Hum, hum, I'm awfully
delighted—hum—to see you here to-night, but I
hope, my friends, you all understand that this is
my niece's doing on her coming of age.  We
men are rather up a tree when our female
relations determine to do something, and as
people rarely come of age, hum (that is
idiotic), I mean only once in their lives, Miss
Whitburn has had her way.  I hope you'll all
think it a very good way."  (Cheers and thumps.)

"Never was one for speaking wasn't Sir Evas.
There's folks 'as got oily tongues and some as
'asn't."  This from a sympathetic old lady.

"Time's getting on (that's idiotic too), so I
must say no more than I hope you will always
remember this dinner, and I wish you all to drink
the health of my niece, Toney Whitburn."

A great cheering and drinking of health, with
a perfect clatter of glasses, followed.  Toney was
deeply disappointed, she had prepared such a
lovely speech for her uncle, and he had declared
he would say it, or "words to that effect," but he
hadn't!  She didn't want him to have mentioned
her, but all about the guests themselves.

In another moment Toney had sprung on the
platform, and then there was such a noise as
never was, and simultaneously they all rose and
sang, "For she's a jolly good fellow," the only
known equivalent in the English language for
great approval.

The words were nothing, as we know, but it
was the great feeling of love which upset Toney.
All her own lovely speech fled out of her head,
and the view became misty.  She felt as if she
was far away on the Australian land and that her
father was close beside her saying, "Courage,
Toney, you know I hate tears."  Then with the
back of her hand she brushed away something
that was nearly falling and took courage.

"Thank you very much, kind friends, for
giving me such a jolly chorus on my birthday.
I have given you a dinner such as I wish you
had every day, at least, no, not quite, but I want
you to remember to-day because if I were to
forget it there would be ever so many of you to
remind me of my duty.  Without Sir Evas you
wouldn't have had this entertainment, because
it was he who insisted on his penniless niece
coming over here, and when the dear old General
left me his money to spend on other people,
because he died and couldn't do it himself, well,
then Sir Evas took all the trouble of it—and
money is an awful trouble—and he's been
helping me for weeks to arrange everything,
and he really is a "jolly good fellow"——  Great
stamping of feet and great shouting, as
if Toney had made a tremendous good joke, and
then a wild beginning again of "For he's a jolly
good fellow," till Mr. Hales begged for silence,
and Toney, convulsed with laughter, beckoned to
Lewis Waycott and Mr. Hales to come up to her,
which they both did.

"Toney, go on," said Lewis, "they want some more."

"I daren't.  Uncle is fidgeting.  Time's nearly
up.  Aren't grandees a bother?  Mr. Hales, it's
your turn now."

"Just wish them a happy evening," said Mr. Hales
smiling.

Then Toney went a step forward, and the
hubbub ceased like magic.

"I haven't anything more to say except to
wish you a jolly evening and plenty of dancing
after the dinner is cleared away, and oh, one
thing, I want you to give a chorus for Dr. Latham,
who is, as you know, the best doctor in the county.
I know it because my father was a doctor, and
the very best in the world.  He never thought of
himself, and I like people to know about Pups,
who was a hero, and if you please I should like
you to give a chorus for Trick, who came with
me, and has been my dear friend ever since, and
for his sake I hope you will be kind to all
animals, as they do care and understand nearly
everything—at least Trick does.  That's all, and
time is up."

Such a chorus followed, but this time Sir Evas
was firm, and left the platform to Mr. Hales and
Lewis Waycott, and led Toney forcibly down the
centre of the room, though she had to seize and
shake many hands on the way, promising right
and left to come back and dance when the other
dinner was over.

Once outside the barn, it must be told that
Sir Evas and Toney raced to the house and ran
up the steps just as a carriage and pair of bays
pulled up.  Happily, they slipped in without
being seen, only when Sir Evas joined his wife
in the drawing-room, he and Toney panted
audibly.

"Evas, you are really too bad to be so late;
Lord Southbourne's carriage is at the door."

"Yes, I know, Melina; but we are in time, so
where's the harm?"

"I should have had to receive them alone if
you hadn't come——"

"Lord and Lady Southbourne and the Honourable
Edward Lang," announced the footman, and
Lady Dove became affable.

"How do you do?  How very kind of you to
come.  Here is the young lady who has come of
age to-day.  The neighbourhood has responded
so kindly.  Do come to this sofa, Lady Southbourne."

Lord Southbourne had never seen Toney before.
The family had only lately come to the neighbourhood,
but this is what he heard her saying,

"I wish you hadn't come quite so early; we
were having such a nice time with the tenants,
but you will come and dance presently, won't you?"

"We have all come to do your bidding," said
Lord Southbourne, kindly giving Toney a bow;
but his son laughed.

"We heard marvellous tales of your entertainment,
Miss Whitburn," said he.  "My father
thinks you'll make our tenants' dinners blush in
future."

"Anyhow, the people are happy," said Toney;
fanning herself vigorously.  "They've given us
four 'jolly good fellows' already, and it's hot
work, I can tell you."





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.. _`A BARN DANCE`:

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   CHAPTER IX.


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   A BARN DANCE.

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The dinner party which Lady Dove had arranged
was very select, with a few exceptions.  She
meant to reap some social benefits from Toney's
coming of age in order to make up for the "most
unnecessary fuss over the poor people."  This
evening she was quite gracious and pleasant to
everyone at her own dinner table.  It must be
owned, too, that Toney was for the moment
rather tired and sleepy, and glad to sit still and
almost silent between Mr. Hales and Lewis
Waycott, so that the aristocratic party were
quite surprised to see only a bright-haired young
lady in snowy white, behaving very decorously.
Strange stories had, of course, gathered round
Toney's personality, one of which was that she
was a terrible Socialist, a character which, in this
part of the country, almost put the owner of it
out of the pale of society.  But to be kind to the
poor was simply a duty, and an entertainment to
the tenants was a time-honoured institution which
no one could reasonably object to.  Of course
these aristocratic people had not beheld Toney's
dinner table, for they would have been truly
shocked to see rare flowers and shining silver
set before the lower orders; moreover, they would
have felt that pheasants were eternally disgraced
by having appeared on that occasion.  So all
went well.  Lady Carew took care to tell no tales
to Lord Southbourne or to her own immaculate
husband, who was talking county politics with
Lady Southbourne whilst the dinner took its
accustomed course, now and then urged on by
a side remark of Toney's to Mr. Diggings not to
be too long, as the ball was to begin directly
dinner was over.

"I am sure, Toney, you will be tired out," said
Mr. Hales, "but even if there were no more
to come you have given them something to remember."

"A real good time for them, isn't it?  But they
are much too grateful!  It's so easy to give away
money."

"But not trouble and thought."

"I'm trying to behave well, but I really can't
eat much, and I feel rather sleepy!  Oh,
Mr. Waycott, just look across and see how beautiful
Mr. Faber looks.  You can't think what a good
clergyman he is; those two live just like the
early Christians."

"How did they live?  The present time is
against the simple life."

"But, you see they can do it, they are not
hedged in with parks and money and Society.
It's like the life at Little Gidding, when you stay
with them, except they have no organ playing
during their meals."

"What is the special mark of the early
Christian?" asked Lewis with a smile.

"They don't seem ever to complain of being
poor, and always share everything they have, it
seems to me; and especially, they are so happy.
Mr. Faber has a text over his fire-place, 'Rejoice
always,' and they really do it.  Now, Aunt Dove
is never happy.  You should have seen me and
Uncle Evas racing here from the barn.  He really
raced, it wasn't make believe—and I was
laughing so much when we came into the
drawing-room to receive a scolding."

"Have you undertaken Miss Grossman,
Toney?" asked Mr. Hales.

"Oh! no! but I do admire her; she isn't one
bit afraid of Aunt Dove, and almost enjoys having
words with her."

"Will you give me the first dance, Toney?"
said Lewis.

"No, not the first; there are ever so many of
the men who will be too shy to begin if I don't
go and ask them, and they won't dare to say no! but
I will have a dance with you after everyone
is set going.  Aunt Dove is coming to look on
a few minutes, she says.  Oh dear, somebody's
drinking my health; I wish they wouldn't.  I
can't be any healthier than I am, can I?"

Lord Southbourne had risen to propose the
health of the heiress, and Sir Evas seconded it
with a few words of thanks.

"Shall I say thanks for you, Toney?" asked Lewis.

"Oh, no, thank you; they'll think I'm dumb,"
and then the girlish figure in white stood up
straight and lithe.

"Thank you, everybody, very much; but I
know no one would have made any fuss about
me if it hadn't been for the General's money, so
it's the money that ought to be returned thanks
for, and I do.  I know it will be very hard to give
it away properly, but I mean to try; and may I
ask a favour? will you all come at once to the
ball in the barn, and not stop to drink wine,
because the people are longing to dance, and
they won't begin without us."

"My dear Antonia!" exclaimed Lady Dove,
smiling deprecatingly as the company laughed,
"what will our guests think?  Of course, we will
excuse you, and anyone who likes to follow
you——  On her birthday she must be forgiven."

There was a general move, and most of the
company followed Toney's white figure as she
sped onward.  Poor Sir Evas had risen, but dared
not follow without his wife.  Happily Lord and
Lady Southbourne solved the difficulty.

"If Lady Dove does not mind, we should enjoy
seeing the beginning of the ball," and of course,
Lady Dove was "only too delighted," and now
everybody followed Toney's lead.

There was no room for disappointment when
the door was thrown open.  The whole place had
been cleared, the boards polished, one platform
erected for the band and another for visitors.
The wealth of flowers and wreaths made the place
look more like an enchanted palace than a barn
on the Dove estate.  But it was not money alone
that had done this, it was the loving heart of a
girl of twenty-one which had planned it all.

The band struck up and the Hon. Edward
Lang approached Toney.

"May I have the pleasure?"

"Of course you may; there's the bailiff's wife,
she thinks no end of herself, and if you dance
with her we shall hear of it for the rest of her
life.  Mrs. Farrant, Mr. Lang wants to dance
with you, and oh, Mr. Waycott, do find someone
proper for Lord Carew—unless he's too stiff.
Isn't it nice of Lady Carew, she's got hold of
Peter Smith herself.  Real jolly of her!"

"And you, Toney, they are waiting for you?"

"Oh, anybody will do for me.  There's Long
Tom, he'll never get round if I don't drag him by
main force.  Do see that Uncle Evas doesn't
forget his partner.  Oh, isn't this scrumptious!"

The band began, a really good band from the
garrison, and as if by magic there was—we ought
to have said a poetry of motion, but to the
onlooker the motion was there, though if the poetry
was somewhat wanting, however, the seal of
happiness was on all faces.

Lady Dove on her platform kept a few guests
by her side, but very soon even these were drawn
into the whirlpool, and left her alone in company
with Miss Grossman, who had elected to come
and look on for a short time, though as she
sternly said she never danced.

"It's most extraordinary, Miss Grossman, that
our guests care to dance with this mixed company."

"One never knows what people will do," said
Miss Grossman in a tone of great decision, "I
am never carried away."

It would indeed have been a strong, bold man
who would have carried Miss Grossman away—against
her wish.

"You show your common sense, because it
would want strength to get a bumpkin through
this quadrille.  When I was young I was a
famous dancer, everyone praised my figure and
my deportment.  Of course *young ladies* were
carefully shielded in my youth from anything
like familiar intercourse with the lower orders.
Good gracious, Antonia is dancing with the
cowman!  I see her pinning up her dress.  It
serves her right; but, of course, the poor girl
was brought up most strangely in Australia, so
all this seems natural to *her*."

"Of course," said Miss Grossman, "that
accounts for a good deal.  Though my family
was in straightened circumstances, *I* was brought
up as a gentlewoman."  This was more than
Lady Dove could stand from a companion.

"It's strange how many people call themselves
gentlefolks nowadays.  In my youth you were in
society or you were not.  The Radicals have
turned people's heads.  We are all gentlemen and
ladies *now*."

"I don't think so; there are very marked lines
of demarcation even now.  Of course, Lady Dove,
you have *generally* had people of the class of
Mrs. Faber with you, and cannot judge what is due
to——"

"How ridiculous, Miss Grossman!  We are
talking at cross purposes.  I meant County people.
There is dear Lady Carew looking quite tired out,
pray go and ask her to come up here."

Miss Grossman reluctantly obeyed, and presently
returned followed by Lady Carew and Toney
herself, for both were coming to get pinned up.

"How distressing!  Your lovely dress, Lady
Carew!  I always said no one should come in
nice clothes to dance with——"

"Aunt Dove, you don't know how they admired
our dresses!  I've heard lovely remarks.  Lady
Carew, they thought you were just like the dove
in the ark!"

"How delicious!  I don't mind my dress a bit,
thank you; you seem to have provided plenty of
pins, Miss Whitburn, you have thought of everything!"

"Everyone has danced at least once, I've seen
to it, though one man declared 'twas wonderful
folks did like whirly-gigging round so much!'"

"He showed his sense," said Miss Grossman.

"I must find enough breath to dance with a few
more of our men, but please rest a little, Lady
Carew; you have been a real helper!"

"Then I have earned a good character from you,
I'm so glad!"

Lady Dove smiled sadly as Toney disappeared,
then she remarked,

"It is most good-natured of you, indeed it is.
There is even Lady Southbourne talking to one of
the men, so very kind of her.  Things have
changed very much, when I was young——"

"I am sure you never met such another as your
niece!" said Lady Carew.

"Never!  Miss Grossman, pray go and ask
Lady Southbourne to come and rest.  I insisted
on having easy chairs here.  Antonia would
not have thought of our comfort.  Bush life is not
a good beginning for coming out into Society.  It
was a great mistake for our dear General to leave
her his money."

"I don't think Lady Southbourne wishes to
rest," said Miss Grossman tartly, "but I will give
her your message as I go out.  I dislike altering
my hours."

Lady Dove would have remonstrated had not
Lady Carew been close by, and Miss Grossman
did not give her time to forbid her retiring.  Near
the entrance, however, she met Toney and Lady
Southbourne together.

"You are not going yet, are you, Miss
Crossman?  This is ice time.  We must all set an
example in that line, because some of our friends
are looking rather doubtfully at them."

"Excuse me, Miss Whitburn, I prefer my bed
to ruining my digestion.  Nothing is more
indigestible than an ice at night.  Good night.
Lady Dove begs you will go and rest, Lady
Southbourne," and Miss Grossman disappeared
from this world of folly.

Toney had seized on Lewis Waycott.

"Can you swallow unlimited ices? they really
are the very best; Pups always said my digestion
was one of the strongest he ever knew, but——"

"Toney, we have never had our dance."

"Then let's have one now.  I do love dancing,
that's the only accomplishment that ever made
friends with me.  It's poetry, isn't it?"

Lewis thought so as Toney and he waltzed
round the big barn.

"I hope you have had a happy birthday," said
Lewis in a pause.

"Just about perfect.  Could I have been
happier, as you and the Fabers, and Dr. Latham,
and uncle, and Trick are all here, and you have
all been so good and kind, and then Pups'
picture!  All through the evening I have been
putting my hand up to stroke it.  It was an
inspiration on your part and I shall never
be grateful enough."

"I—I don't want gratitude—I—want——"

"Oh, what?  Do let me give it to you," said
Toney eagerly.

"It's nothing money can buy," said Lewis,
smiling at the eager face.  "Some day, perhaps——"

"Some day, and why not now, to-night, but
I'm glad it's nothing to do with money.  I heard
Aunt Dove say to Mrs. Hamilton, 'Of course it's
a great misfortune for the poor girl, she has not
an idea how to spend money.'"

"What did you think about it?"

"Oh, to myself I just said, 'you bet!' but of
course I know that's vulgar!  Aunt Dove says I
was born vulgar—but what do you want?"

"Nothing now, Toney.  Lady Dove is—well,
she wants converting."

Mrs. Hamilton interrupted them.

"Oh, Lewis, Maudie is dying for a dance."  Toney
effaced herself, and at that minute she
came face to face with Mr. Hales.

"I've never had time, Toney, to give you my
present."  He took a little parcel out of his
pocket.  "I have had these 'Little Flowers of
St. Francis' bound in white for you.  I could
not think of anything more appropriate.  I don't
think you have ever read it—but I am sure you
will like it."

"Of course I shall!  Yours is the only book I
have had.  That is nicer, because it will do instead
of Pups' old book of King Arthur.  That one has
all come true, and it will be like a message from
him to help me with this new life."

"There's a message for all of us in it, Toney.
The message of love and self-denial, but I think
you do understand it already."

Toney shook her head.

"No, Pups did, but I want to."





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.. _`THE PATH OF PERFECTION`:

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   CHAPTER X.


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   THE PATH OF PERFECTION.

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Toney's coming of age had been the greatest
success imaginable, both rich and poor had
declared, with perfect truth, that they had never
enjoyed themselves more; but some few of them
also realised that the result had been attained by
weeks of thought and hard work on the part of
Toney and Sir Evas.  All they had gone through
to attain their object was their own secret, and
jealously guarded; but it drew them, if possible,
closer together, and the master of Aldersfield had
his reward.

It was very early in the morning before the girl
bade a last good-bye to her rich friends, for the
poor ones had gradually melted away about eleven
o'clock, the next day's toil having to be thought of.
Lady Dove had long before, happily, excused
herself, pleading great weariness after such a hard
day's work, and the atmosphere cleared in
consequence.  Toney seized her uncle and made him
dance till he called for mercy, and even Mrs. Faber
was not let off, partners being provided for her.
Mr. Faber never danced, but waited on everybody
or discussed clerical questions with Mr. Hales.

Now at last all were gone, and Toney was
alone in her simple room.  Even Trick was fast
asleep as she knelt to say her prayers and
returned thanks to the Giver of all her pleasure.
The excitement had taken away her sleepiness, so
before putting out her light she opened the little
book Mr. Hales had given her, and at the
beginning read the story of how Brother Bernard,
of Quintavelle, was converted by St. Francis, whilst
this latter was still a secular.  Bernard wished to
find out whether the young and once worldly
Francis was really a saint, so he asked him to sup
and lodge with him, and prepared a bed in his
own room for the young man.  Both pretended to
sleep.  Bernard snoring loudly, and St. Francis
hearing this, rose from his bed and began praying
very earnestly till morning, saying only, "My
God, my God."  But Bernard was watching him
all the time, and was so much touched that he
determined to change his life.  In the morning he
said to St. Francis that he would leave the world
and follow him, but St. Francis said they must first
ask counsel how to find the Path of Perfection.
So they went to the Bishop's house, and begged
him to open the Bible three times and see what
text he found.  The first was, "If thou wilt be
perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give to the
poor, and follow Me; "and the second was, "Take
nothing for your journey, neither staves nor
scrip, neither bread, neither money; "and the last
was, "If any man will come after Me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."

Bernard, being very rich, went out and sold
all that he had, and with great joy he gave all his
possessions to the poor.

At this point Toney's eyes began to blink, so
she closed the book and put it under her pillow
with a smile on her lips, murmuring, "'The Path
of Perfection.'  Isn't that beautiful?  Why can't
we be like that now?  I know Pups would have
liked this little book, and the 'Path of Perfection,'
ever so much."

Then Toney fell asleep and dreamt that
St. Francis came to ask her for *all* her money, and
that she refused it to him, saying, "You really won't
know what to buy for English people, because you
have only had to do with the nice, dirty Italian
organ-grinders, who can live on almost nothing."

It was quite late when the house party
reassembled, and Toney was the only one who
showed no signs of fatigue.

She found a big pile of letters on the table.
From henceforth her simple, easy life would be a
thing of the past; but at present, with the
unbounded confidence of youth, she faced the
problem bravely.

"Is there anything further I can advise you
about, Miss Whitburn?" said Mr. Staines, "for I
shall be going back to London very shortly."

"Yes, please, I want some last words with you,
I think we had better have a telephone between us.
It will save a lot of letters.  Aunt Dove, you have
forgiven us, haven't you?" asked Toney.  "But
you are rewarded by the gratitude of the people.
They just thought your house a lovely museum."

"It's a great pity to put ideas into poor people's
heads," answered Lady Dove.  "I hope this party
will last their life-time."

"Miss Grossman was done up I suppose; it's
very tiresome of her, she sent word she must stay
in bed to-day.  If it's influenza of course I don't
want her near me."

"I do not think the poor envy luxury," said
Mr. Faber thoughtfully, "they sometimes envy the
certainty of our meals."

"Education creates needs," said Mr. Staines,
"but I once knew a man who was perfectly happy
if he had five shillings in his pocket, though he
had no idea where the next would come from."

"Pups was like that," exclaimed Toney, "so
it shows money isn't happiness.  Aunt Dove,
don't you think 'Brother Angel' would be a good
name for Mr. Faber?  He was one of the followers
of St. Francis.  He thought nothing at all about
money.  I read a lovely story in my new book
about him when I was brushing my hair."

"How ridiculous you are, Antonia—I suppose
you must go this morning, Mr. Faber, as I often
tell Mr. Hales, a clergyman is nothing if he is not
among his people."

Mr. Faber was still smiling over Toney's last
speech and did not even notice the *sous entendu*
of her ladyship's remark.

"I am afraid I must return, but I am sure
Anne would stay and take Miss Grossman's place
for a day or two, if it is the least convenience to
you, Lady Dove."

This was just what Lady Dove did want, but
she did not wish to show gratitude.

"Oh, I daresay you could not get your meals
without her."

Mrs. Faber did not allow her deep disappointment
to be seen.  Henry was always sacrificing
himself, she must follow his example.  Only
Toney noted the sad look in her eyes.

"Indeed our old Martha is far more necessary
to my husband than I am.  She cooks beautifully."

"She must be rather wasted at your Vicarage.
However, of course, Anne Faber, if you like an
extra holiday pray stay.  Toney will be of no use
this week, and if Miss Grossman does not get
better she must go home."

"Certainly I will stay," and she smiled across
to Toney, who nodded her satisfaction.

"You all covered yourselves with glory I can
tell you.  Bully! wasn't it?"

"Antonia!" exclaimed Aunt Dove.

"Well, so it was, but when you want to forsake
the world and become one of St. Francis' brethren,
uncle, I'm sure he'll take you.  He told one of
the rich young men who offered themselves, to
'serve the brethren,' and I know you did that
yesterday, so you were in the path of perfection.
Isn't that an awfully nice name?"

"I don't think that sort of life would suit me,"
said Sir Evas smiling.  "Well, I shall go and
meet your secretary this morning, Toney, whilst
you talk to Mr. Staines."

Toney led the way to her new sitting-room
which did not feel half so homely to her as the
little sitting-room at the top of the house, but she
would not let her uncle see this.  Mr. Staines sat
down, and Toney dropped into a chair and put
her elbows on the writing table, after she had
thrown down a heap of letters.

"Ouf!  Look at those, Mr. Staines; to think
they will come every morning."

"The new secretary will sift these for you, Miss
Whitburn."

"Poor fellow!  Well, what I want to say is
this.  Have you made it quite right about Aunt
Dove's money?  Will two thousand a year make
a difference to her?"

"Yes, a very handsome gift."

"I can't cost her that in food, can I? though
I have a good appetite."

"She does not really need it."

"But I want you to arrange about the capital
and give it to her entirely."

"Is that wise?  Lady Dove might die and——"

Toney had on her resolute air.

"I am quite sure I want that: Uncle Evas
would have it if she died, and it will be off my
mind.  My General would like it, I think.
Ouf! that will be some of it disposed of, won't it?"

Mr. Staines smiled.  This was not the usual
tone of his rich clients.

"That's all now, Mr. Staines, and I want your
firm well paid for all your trouble, so that I shan't
mind bothering you."

"About your will, Miss Whitburn, you must
send me instructions as soon as possible, you
see you have the whole control, and it is not
right to leave anything uncertain."

"Of course——  You mean I might have a fit or
break my head.  My will is soon arranged, I'll
leave the whole to Uncle Evas, and tell him
what to do with it in case that happens, but it's
only in case, for I have other ideas."

"Of course, and you must want time to think
it over.  I'll draw up this simple will and get
it signed before I go."

"Uncle Evas says you are an awfully honourable
lawyer.  I'm so glad because Pups always
said it was best to avoid the man of law.
However, Pups' money was so wingy that he never
needed a man to tie it up."

"He little guessed his daughter would be so
amply provided for," said Mr. Staines beaming
with real delight, which the handling of money
always gave him, even though it was that of his
clients and not his own.

"No, indeed.  He was always make believing
about King Arthur, and now I mean to study
'The Little Flowers of St. Francis,' and 'The
Path of Perfection.'  St. Francis was awfully
simple about money, you know.  Now we have
done, haven't we?  Here is my will.  'I give
everything I have got to Sir Evas Dove, of
Aldersfield House.  Antonia Whitburn.'  That
won't waste the time of your clerks.  You quite
frightened me when you sent me the General's
will The clerks must have racked their brains
to find odd and useless words.  Thank you a
thousand times.  I'll call the Fabers to sign
it, but it's only in case of accidents.  I've got
lots more notions, and Uncle Evas doesn't want
money.  He's really quite nice about it, only he
has to give in accounts."

"To give in accounts?"

"Yes, to Aunt Dove.  She holds the purse-strings,
uncle says, and there's a little breeze if
he exceeds."

Mr. Staines thought he had better draw a veil
over this part of the conversation, and very soon
Toney's temporary will was signed and deposited
in Mr. Staines' pocket, who thought as he journeyed
back, "I never met such an extraordinary girl
in all my life."

But it does not harm even a lawyer to think for
a few minutes that money is not the aim of all
mankind!

It was wonderful how soon Mrs. Faber reverted
to the habits of her long bondage—though now
she knew it was only an interlude—for Toney
found her writing notes and doing flowers and
being bullied by Lady Dove, just as if the
beautiful reality of her wedded happiness did not
exist.  Mr. Faber had jogged off home in his
pony carriage, Toney promising to bring back his
dearest Anne as soon as Miss Grossman was able
to return to public life.  Toney watched him
disappearing down the park as she stood alone
on the steps of Aldersfield House, and as she
looked at the lovely trees now turning every
shade of gold, orange, and red, the Past and
the Future appeared to her as two dream figures;
the Past was a small, poorly clad beggar, and the
Future a big, rich giant, but the beggar had a
smile on his face and looked oh, so very happy,
whilst the rich giant knitted his brows and looked
down sadly on the ground.

"No, no," cried the girl, "the giant is blind and
he doesn't see that he has only to give away all
those gold brocaded clothes, and then he would be
happy!  He shan't be sorrowful, I won't let him!"

A little cold nose at that moment thrust itself
into Toney's hand as it hung at her side, and a
joyful bark brought her back to reality.  She
seized her beloved mongrel in her arms,
whereupon he licked her face and showed that he
understood her mood.

"Oh, Trick!  Trick! we won't wear gold braid
on our jackets and we won't let it make us feel
sad.  St. Francis said it was tremendously wrong
to be sad, and so you are a real saint, Trick.
You never are sad except when you have had a
gnaw at new heels and have to be punished.
We're getting old together, Trick; I'm twenty-one
and I feel as if I were much, much older, or I
should have done so if St. Francis hadn't come
and given me such nice talks.  He was just
awfully fond of animals, Trick, so he must have
been a very, very good man, but he loved his
fellow-creatures best of all, so now you and I
have both to seek and to find the 'Path of
Perfection.'"





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.. _`THE NEW SECRETARY`:

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   CHAPTER XI.


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   THE NEW SECRETARY.

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Toney had set apart two of her new rooms for
the secretary, and she looked round to see that all
was comfortable before his arrival.  A big knee-hole
writing table was so placed that it could look
over the park, and there was an easy chair and
even a box of cigars for his comfort.

"He'll feel very strange at first," she thought,
"and I expect he'll hate messing about this work
all day as much as I should if I had to be a
private secretary.  Gracious stars!  What a heap
of writing money brings with it.  There's a
mountain of letters already for him.  I must learn
to drive the motor-car and then I'll take out tired
workers, that will be nice! if only I can get time
for it all.  Life is beautiful, isn't it, Trick?"  Trick
wagged his tail and assented, then hearing
the carriage wheels they both flew into the hall
to receive the new secretary.  Jim was driving the
waggonette, and Sir Evas and the young man
were inside, and Toney's quick eyes caught sight
of her new tall pale secretary.  Sir Evas was half
smiling as he introduced her.

"Here's Mr. Plantagenet Russell,
Toney——  Ehem——  Miss Whitburn.  I hope you won't be
overwhelmed with the work expected of you."

"There's piles already," exclaimed Toney,
holding out her hand, "but you are to do them
just when you like.  The paper-basket will be the
best place for half of them.  Uncle Evas has told
you all my sins I expect.  Mr. Diggings, will you
show Mr. Russell to his room.  Lady Dove isn't
visible till lunch time."

"Thanks," said Mr. Plantagenet Russell
slowly; he wore an eye-glass in the right eye,
and slightly raised the left eyebrow.  So this was
the great heiress he had come to work for, he had
expected somebody very different.  He was not
at all pleased with life in general.  He had been
brought up in the lap of luxury, when suddenly,
just when he was half-way through his college
career, his father, a lawyer, died.  Then it was
discovered that he had swindled his clients, and
that his wife and his only son were penniless.
His mother's brother had given shelter to both, and
after trying several clerkships, Mr. Plantagenet
Russell had by chance heard of this post, and
much to his surprise had obtained it.  Plantagenet
had thought this would be a far easier life than
mere clerkships.  The heiress was, of course, to
be beautiful, and he could take life in the leisurely
fashion which he deemed to be consistent with his
early bringing up.  The disgrace incurred by his
father's defalcation weighed heavily on Plantagenet
Russell, but he hoped this fact was but little
known, and he himself was perfectly trustworthy
as far as money was concerned.  Here again life
had been very unfair to him, and now he felt
taken in because the heiress was so unlike his
expectations, her very movements denoted a
youthful energy which might prove most
inconvenient, and which was not at all consistent
with riches.  In Plantagenet's mind to be poor
when you had once been rich, was a disgrace very
ill deserved.

Lunch time brought the members of Aldersfield
together, and Plantagenet's spirits rose when
Sir Evas introduced him to Lady Dove.  Here
was a lady of high degree who knew her own
position.  He bowed low and with great deference,
and Lady Dove immediately took a liking to him.
She saw that this young man recognised that she
was Lady Dove, of Aldersfield House, and she
had heard he had once been rich.

"I am glad you are coming to assist my niece,
Mr. Russell, with the many duties wealth should
entail upon her.  You will, I hope, help her to
carry out these duties as she has had very little
experience.  Of course those born to wealth know
how hardly the duties of it press upon the
conscientious mind."  She looked sympathetically at
him, and Plantagenet Russell was comforted.

"I shall endeavour to follow your wishes in all
things, Lady Dove," said the secretary with
another bow.  Lady Dove smiled upon him.  A
young man who deferred to her wishes warmed
her heart, "so unlike that stuck-up, conceited
Lewis Waycott," she mentally said.

"I am sure your presence here will be a real
satisfaction to my niece" (since her accession of
fortune Toney had been usually spoken of as
"my niece"), "and she will benefit greatly by
having you here.  Do have some of that pheasant,
I daresay you will like a little shooting.  Sir Evas
is so glad of a companion when he goes out with
his gun.  Our preserves are really most
satisfactory this year."

Both the lady and the young man were mightily
pleased, one by being able to offer and the other
to accept the slaughter of aristocratic birds.  Sir
Evas listened with an amused smile and Toney
exclaimed,

"I wish one could decide if it is right to kill
birds and fishes.  St. Francis wouldn't have
shot a pheasant I'm sure, though there's nothing
about pheasants in my new book; but St. Anthony
really preached to the fishes at Rimini
because the heretics wouldn't listen to him."

"Salmon?" inquired Sir Evas.

"All sizes and kinds, and they held up their
heads above the water and stood to attention, all
according to their height, and then he preached
an awfully jolly little sermon, and reminded them
how nice it was to have fins and to be able to go
where they liked."

"It's only a legend, dear," said Mrs. Faber,
smiling.

"And how did they take it?" asked Sir Evas,
hoping the new secretary was not listening.

"They opened their mouths and bowed their
heads and St. Anthony was awfully pleased,
and said the fishes were better than the heretics."

"They made less noise evidently.  I hope the
heretics were impressed."

"Yes, they were, and were converted by it."

Plantagenet Russell at this moment behaved
like the fishes, for he opened his mouth as if to
remonstrate with Toney but thought better of it.
His heart sank within him.  This heiress' brain
was evidently deranged, and however on earth
should he deal with her?  Thank heaven he had
Lady Dove to fall back upon.  She was the real
thing.  Sir Evas quickly changed the conversation.

"I hear the new motor-car is coming this afternoon,
and that you and Jim are both dying to take
lessons in driving."

"Yes, I thought we ought.  It will save time,
but I can't do away with my beloved Colon.  It's
not half a full stop, Mr. Russell, it's short for
Colonist—he'll do for the dog-cart as well as
for riding; but you must learn to drive the motor,
too, uncle.  You mustn't be behind the times!  The
excitement will keep you young."

"I consider motor-cars are a vulgar ostentation
of money.  In old days county families did not air
their poverty or their wealth," said Lady Dove.

"Wasn't that a sort of pretending anyway?"
said Toney meditatively.

"'Noblesse oblige' is a motto only one class
can really understand," retorted Lady Dove,
looking sympathetically at Plantagenet Russell.
She concluded he was of *her* class and would
understand.

"No class was ever made that would fit you,
Toney," said Sir Evas laughing.

"By the way, if you are going in a horrid
machine, Antonia, I wish you would go to the
Towers.  Lady Southbourne has sent us a note
asking us to come to tea to-day, and I am quite
too tired.  Her son is there."

"All right, Aunt Dove, I'll go!  Mr. Russell
had better wait and see if I can bring myself home
safely before trying the motor.  Chum, dear, I
think Brother Angel wouldn't like you to go
either, but we shall soon be back."

"I can't spare Anne Faber to-day," said Lady
Dove decidedly.  "You forget I am alone."

When Mr. Russell was established in his room,
which to his disgust Toney called "his office,"
and left to his first pile of letters and the cigars,
all went to the hall door to inspect the new
motorcar, which was Toney's first big purchase for
herself.  It had been ordered some time ago, and
was very well planned.  It could make a
comfortable omnibus as well as an open carriage.  A
professional chauffeur had come to instruct the
mistress and her groom, and off they sped to the
Towers, the big county house some eight miles
away.  But on going through the village Toney
found her car turned into a Juggernaut, all the
people flew out of the cottages shouting their
welcome, Toney stopped the car and let them
all examine the monster as it was the first they
had seen at such close quarters; then some of the
children had to be taken a little drive till the
chauffeur objected to it as waste of time, and
Toney had to move on.

"When I can drive myself you shall have fine
rides," she said, "besides it's an awfully good way
of teaching geography," and amid the shouts of
delight the heiress drove off, feeling warm within.

"It's like champagne, isn't it, Jim?"

Jim grinned and touched his hat and said,
"Yes, miss," not knowing the least what was like
champagne, but of course it was like champagne
if Miss Toney said so.

When they arrived at the Towers, she told Jim
and the chauffeur to exercise round the park, and
prepared to pay her first call alone.  She did not
feel shy, that was not in her nature, but she shook
her head as she followed the stiff footman.

"It's all that basket of Gwyddnen Garanhir,"
she thought; "but I think it works too well when
it works at all: still, I had less bother when I
was only a poor relation.  Oh dear, there's
another man-servant; what is the use of being
thrown from one to the other like a bale.  A
good day's digging with the Kanakas would do
these men good."

But now Toney found herself in a big drawing-room
full of pretty things, very unlike Aldersfield
where solid comfort reigned supreme.  Lady
Southbourne was making lace for a bazaar, to
save herself giving money.  Her son, a very
bright young fellow, who had been charming at
the ball, was now sunk in the depth of an
armchair chatting to his mother.  Oddly enough,
their talk had been of Toney, and both looked
rather guilty when she entered.

"How very kind of you, Miss Whitburn, to
come and have an early cup of tea with us.  It's
such a long way.  Did you drive?"

"I came in the new motor-car, and I only
drove a little way as the chauffeur says I give it
the jumps, but I shall soon learn.  It will be so
useful for people who want things in a hurry,
and it will save the horses."

"Of course.  Lord Southbourne talks of getting
one, but I don't know when.  We must congratulate
you on your party very much."

"It was the best that I ever saw," said the
Hon. Edward Lang; "I am glad you have
come to talk it over with us.  But you will ruin
the bumpkins."

"Oh, no, you see they were all our own
personal friends.  Even uncle, who has a bad
memory, has nearly learnt up all the children."

"Good heavens!" said Edward, "you don't
mean to say you expect us—to——"

"But you feel ever so much less stupid if you
know the names of the piccaninnies of your own
people.  I think I've got a talent for genealogies.
It was much harder to know the Kanakas from
each other because of the colour of their faces, but
possible too."

"The contrast must be depressing," said
Edward, and his mother joined in:

"Lord Southbourne declares you are helping
on Socialism; but then we county people are
getting poorer, and such windfalls as yours
don't happen every day," and Lady Southbourne
laughed.

"By Jove, they don't!" echoed Edward.

Then they chatted happily about the various
episodes of the party, and Toney had no time to
feel out of her element, so that she had really
enjoyed herself when she remembered the waiting
chauffeurs.

"Oh, there's Jim and the grand gentleman from
London waiting.  I'm going to make my groom a
chauffeur, as he will do all he is told.  Those
stuck-up reefed-in men are rather tyrants."

"We are all tyrannized over by our servants,"
said Lady Southbourne with a smile.

"Wouldn't suit me," said Toney emphatically.
"Aunt Dove's head gardener is a tyrant, and
there are ructions between them.  They go out
to battle, but he *always* wins!"

"So does mother's head gentleman," said
Edward laughing; "but man is the superior
creature."

"I think co-operation is best.  St. Francis never
lauded it over his brothers."

"St. Francis!" said Lady Southbourne interrogatively,
not being at all learned in saints.

"Yes; St. Francis of Assisi.  It was one of my
birthday presents, and I've read a lot of it already,
but I can't quite see clearly yet how one is to
imitate him!"

"Pray don't try, Miss Whitburn; you are much
nicer as you are," said the Hon. Edward as
Toney went off.

"She's charming and original, mother!" he
said on his return to the drawing-room.

"She has fifty thousand a year; I have it on
good authority," said his mother.  "I do think,
Edward, you couldn't do better!"

"The point is, could she?  Money just melts
in my hands."

"Yes; so it's most important you should settle
down and retrench."

"On fifty thousand a year?  I don't mind
trying, Lady Mother."

"There's a good boy—and she really is
original, and originality is so in the fashion
just now."





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   CHAPTER XII.


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   AN UNDIGNIFIED SITUATION.

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Lewis Waycott was shooting over a lonely
ten-acre field with a copse at the further end of it,
when suddenly he heard a fearful noise, and then
beheld a huge black snout rise up on the hedge
and look over it.  On the top of the snout was
Toney and a man.  Suddenly loud explicatives in
most unparliamentary language were heard as
the snout disappeared.  Lewis threw his gun
down and jumped over the hedge, to see the new
motor trembling with indignation and Toney
laughing inordinately.

"Oh, Mr. Waycott, I turned the wheel the
wrong way! and we had a peep over the hedge.
Mr. Hughes is very much displeased with me.
The creature is not hurt, is it?"

"No, madam; but if it had been a wall instead
of a hedge it would have been ruined, and your
life would have been in danger."

Jim had fallen out, but was none the worse, and
was grinning broadly as he said:

"Them dratted beasts is so contrary, Miss
Toney; better keep to horses."

"Good gracious, Toney, are you hurt?"
exclaimed Lewis.

"Not a bit!  I'm awfully elastic, you know.
No harm done, Mr. Hughes.  Come in with us
please, Mr. Waycott, and you'll see how nice it is."

Lewis fetched his gun, unloaded it, and accepted.
He and Toney got inside, and left the
two men on the front seat.

"We have been to the Towers, and they were
ever so kind.  The Honourable Edward Lang was
just as charming as he could be."

Lewis felt aggrieved.

"Why didn't you come and see us instead?"

"Aunt Dove wanted to accept the invitation to
tea, and yet didn't want the trouble, whilst I
enjoyed it.  Isn't it odd why people ask other
people they don't want to see, and who don't want
to come?" Lewis laughed.

"The ways of Society, Toney.  You must learn
all that!"

"I never shall.  Oh, Mr. Waycott, my new
secretary has come, Mr. Plantagenet Russell, and
Aunt Dove is fascinated with him!  Isn't that a
piece of luck?"

"And what do you think?"

"I haven't thought yet at all.  I'm only sniffing
round like Trick, who glared at his heels, but I
was firm.  It wouldn't do the first day, would it?"

"If Trick sent him away it would be all right."

"Oh, but you are cruel!  I couldn't do it all
myself!"

"I'd look in and do it for you!"

"You!  What would Miss Waycott say?  She
would look 'Oh—you—dreadful—Toney' all over!"

Lewis laughed.

"I daresay she would think I was trying to do
what I know nothing about, being poor and
having no superfluous money to dispense.
Anyhow, will you always ask me for help if you are
in need of it.  It would please me very much
to—to help you, Toney."

Toney looked straight up into Lewis' face, and
for the first time in her life she hesitated.  Then
she shook her head.

"I wouldn't bother you or try your patience so
much.  But I may want help, and you are the
only one who would understand.  Gracious
stars! this animal is snorting and lurching!  Is
anything the matter, Mr. Hughes?"

"I think there is a nut gone wrong from your
having climbed that hedge, madam.  I fear it will
take a little time to set right."

"That comes of new locomotives," said Lewis,
rather pleased.  "Anyhow our legs are left to
us.  I'll escort you home."

Toney jumped out with great alacrity.

"One's legs are the best, aren't they?  Come
along and have a race."

"I prefer leisurely walks, Toney, if you don't
mind.  Happily there are only two miles."

"Happily, because Mr. Plantagenet Russell is
chained to my letters.  Oh, his name is fine, isn't
it?  Just the grand style, and Aunt Dove feels
warm and comfortable when she hears it."

"You chose him because he was born in
Australia, didn't you?"

"Yes, I thought he would be just one of our
simple kind of men, but—he isn't——  A bit of
a lord, still I'm glad as Aunt Dove likes him."

"Who is he?"

"He has lost his money, and seems a bit
down in the mouth, so we must deal tenderly
with him at first, but oh!—Mr. Waycott, I want
to confess."

"To me!"

"Yes, because you won't disapprove too much.
Did you look at the advertisements in to-day's
papers?"

"No, I don't generally read them, and in which
papers?"

Toney counted on her fingers.

"The *Times*, the *Standard*, the *Morning Post*,
and a few more.  I told a London agent to do it."

"To do what, Toney?  I expect it is something
surprising!" and Lewis laughed.

"Not really, but I think there will be a good
many letters for Mr. Russell."

"Letters about what?  But it's his duty to
answer letters, that's what he has come for.
Most likely you are paying him handsomely for it."

"Oh, yes.  I told Uncle Evas it must be enough
for him to live on and save.  Pups had great ideas
about a living wage.  So we settled it should be
£500 a year as long as he is here.  He can save
it, and that will help him for many a day."

"Then I don't think you need mind giving him
some work."

Toney laughed happily.

"But he didn't guess what he was in for!"

"You haven't told me."

Toney thrust her hand in her pocket and drew
out a crumpled paper.

"I haven't told anyone yet.  I knew what uncle
would say and Mr. Staines.  Listen—'Any broken-down
doctor, officer, or clergyman, or orphans of
the above, wanting to hear of something to their
advantage, may apply to Plantagenet Russell, Esq.,
Aldersfield House, Winchley.'"

"Good heavens, Toney!  You are not——"

"Yes, I want to help doctors because of Pups,
and officers because of the dear old General, and
clergymen because they are often very hard up,
and the orphans of the above because, I'm an
orphan."

Lewis stopped a moment, and laughed inordinately.

"Why, Toney, you'll have a hornet's nest about you!"

"Do you think so?  I was a little afraid of the
result, so I thought I would tell you about it, and
you might just talk it over with his Royal
Highness."

"The King?"

"Mr. Plantagenet Russell!  He looks so like a
descendant of somebody, so I call him 'His Royal
Highness' in my own mind."

"But what do you mean to do for this riff-raff?"

"They won't be riff-raff."

"Not a doubt about it, I assure you!  It's only
the ne'er-do-weels that will answer such an
advertisement!  The decent ones will think it a
hoax."

"Why should they?"

"Well, it's rather wholesale you know, Toney."

"And look here, Mr. Waycott, I've drawn out a
plan.  I want you to see it."

"A plan for what?"

"Why to house my doctors, officers, and
orphans."

"You don't mean to build?"

"Of course I do, only the difficulty is the land
to build on.  Aunt Dove will never consent to
have a Home on the estate."

"I expect she won't."

"Then I shall be up a tree, because I want it
close by.  I shall want to see after it, and you
promised you would help me, and Uncle Evas will
be awfully interested."

Lewis gave a side glance at Toney.  She was
perfectly in earnest.

"We must manage it somehow I see.  You'll
give me a night to consider it in, won't you?"

"Of course!  I've been thinking of it ever since
I knew my General had left me his money.  I've
made lovely plans about all sorts of things."

"You have built castles in Spain?"

"No, only a stone house at Aldersfield.  It
will be hard work I know, but I love what
Mr. Hales calls 'the strenuous life.'"

"You always were active-minded, but I think
you will live to repent your palace."

"But you won't laugh about it, and you'll help,
won't you?"  Toney was very much in earnest.
Lewis paused and took her hand suddenly.

"Of course I will.  It is very, very good of
you to trust me.  It's a compact."

Toney looked at him suddenly.  A faint blush
spread where there was room, then the nervousness
passed away.

"I do trust you ever so much.  Thank you.
What shall we exchange for a compact.  It ought
to be half a button!  But about his Royal
Highness, do you think he had better be warned?"

"I really think I would let him enjoy one night
more without a nightmare."

Even Toney, who was terribly in earnest at this
moment, could not resist laughing.

"You must come and see him.  He really is
very nice looking, but I am rather disappointed
that he does not care to talk of Australia.  You
ought to stick to your country through thick and
thin."

"Especially through thick masses of begging
letters.  You are a brave woman!"

"Come in and call on him.  Do you know Aunt
Dove is so happy as she can speak her mind to
my dear chum, who has taken Miss Grossman's
place for a few days.  It does bring back my first
arrival to hear her patiently reading a novel.
Aunt Dove likes murders, because she can say,
'How very shocking!' but Chum has the courage
to skip now and then.  She is free at last!"

They had now reached Aldersfield, having taken
a short cut across the park, and they instinctively
made for the garden door nearest the secretary's
room.  Toney knocked, and there was a sound of
moving before the "come in" allowed Toney to
enter and find his Royal Highness seated at his
writing table looking very secretarial.  There was
a strong smell of smoke, and the big armchair was
close to the fire.

"Mr. Lewis Waycott has come to call on you,"
said Toney.  "He's our next door neighbour; you
must be tired of sorting letters."

The introduction was very correct.  Plantagenet
Russell was much afraid of condescension, so put
on the superior and nonchalant tone.

"Will you kindly sit down," he said to his
visitor.  Toney had already sunk down on a low
window sill.  Lewis surreptitiously examined the
new secretary, and inwardly smiled at the grand
manner.  He would soon find that he must climb
down.

"Ah! fine country about here, but not a part of
the world I know at all.  Lady Dove has most
kindly suggested some shooting, I suppose there
is plenty."

"And there is some excellent golf," said Lewis
cheerfully.

"Ah!  I should have thought the neighbourhood
was too scattered for that."

"I think you'll find it a growing neighbourhood,"
said Lewis, remembering Toney's advertisement
and glancing at her, but she turned her head
away in terror.

"Ah!  I'm surprised at that.  I shouldn't have
expected it."

"The unexpected is frequently met with here."

"Indeed!  As to society I always prefer
solitude to second-rate people."

"We used to be very select, but—since——"

Toney looked reproachfully at him.

"England is changing very much in that
respect; what with Socialists and Radicals, we are
going to the dogs."

Whether Trick thought the remark too derogatory
to be passed over, or whether he was bent
on mischief, certain it is that at this moment he
trotted in from the garden door, and seeing his
mistress in company with a strange man, flew at
his heels.

"Put your feet up, Mr. Russell, anywhere.
Trick will gnaw your heels if you don't.  Please
forgive him, but I never can break him of the
habit.  Trick!  Trick!"

His Royal Highness had not obeyed, so that he
found himself attacked as if his heels were two
rats, with sudden darts at one and then the other.
It was really a most unpardonable position to put
one into.  Lewis could not restrain his amusement
as Toney made ineffectual dashes.  His Royal
Highness tried to kick the offender, which, of
course, only increased the evil.

"Don't kick him, please; he'll never forgive
you."  Lewis came to the rescue as he had done
once before, and seized Trick by his shaggy coat,
whilst Toney ran to open the door wider.

"How can you, Trick, I am so ashamed of you!
I assure you, Mr. Russell, he has not done it for
years.  I only hope he won't remember your
kicks.  He's terribly sensitive."

Mr. Russell looked more than annoyed.  The
grand manner had forsaken him, and Toney
plunged into a business talk to help him to
recover his calmness.

"I hope you have not found the letters tiresome."

"They are from various tradesmen, but I mean
to put it all down in double entry, a system of my
own."

"I think you'll find single entry enough,"
laughed Lewis, and then to Toney's delight he
suggested the secretary coming for a stroll with
him, and both men disappeared, but not through
the garden door.





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.. _`A BIG PILE`:

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   CHAPTER XIII.


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   A BIG PILE.

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Lady Dove came down to breakfast next
morning much disturbed in spirit because Miss
Grossman had sent word she was still very
feverish and should remain in bed.  Lady Dove
had a horror of catching anything from those
about her, but all the same she felt injured at her
companion's message.  As she came down the
stairs she tried to elicit sympathy from her
husband who was in the hall.

"I consider it a most improper message, Evas,
and if you were not so callous to my feelings you
would think the same."

"But, my dear Melina, Miss Grossman cannot
help being feverish, and it's very considerate of
her to keep out of your way.  You have a dread
of infection you know."

"I was not aware of it, Evas, but of course it is
much kinder to our fellow-creatures to keep free
from ailments.  I have always gone on that
principle.  Men never realise what women put up
with in silence.  Are there any letters to-day?"

Sir Evas paused in front of the hall table where
the letters were always laid in order in rows and
heaps according to ownership.  To-day his eyes
strayed on to two vast piles.

"Good gracious, what's this?  Plan——  Ah!
Plantagenet Russell, Esq.  Well!"  Lady Dove
stood aghast

"What does this mean?  How can that young
man have so many acquaintances?  All for him!"

"No, not all.  One letter for you, dear, some for
me, and a good heap for Toney.  The postman
will rebel if——"

Toney came running down with Trick.  She
took in the situation at a glance.

"Good morning, Aunt Dove.  How did you
sleep, Uncle Evas?" and Toney bestowed her
kisses all round.  "Chum, dear, did you dream of
your piccaninnies?  Powder me pink!  What a
little cart-load of letters for Mr. Russell!  I think
he needn't have them for breakfast, they would
swamp his food."

"I can't understand——" said Lady Dove, who
had not jumped to conclusions as did Sir Evas.

"Evidently he is a gentleman well known to-day,"
continued Toney.  Then she glanced on her
own pile.  "He may have mine too, except a few!
I never did like letters much, people don't say
what they really want to say in letters, do they?"

"I can't imagine what you mean, Antonia,"
answered Lady Dove, heading the procession to
the dining-room and sweeping her rustling skirts
with determination.  "If people don't want to say
what they do say, they don't write.  I must say
you do make the most illogical remarks of anyone
I know."

Prayers followed—at which his Royal Highness
did not put in an appearance, and Lady Dove
said the responses louder and more impressively
than usual, which was her way of letting the
household know she was ruffled.

"I say, Toney, is this what we are to expect?"
asked Sir Evas in a low tone to his niece, "the
revenue will give you a testimonial!"

"I want to keep my name out of it," answered
Toney in the same tone, "and isn't that the good
of a secretary?"

"Have you offered free meals to the county?"

"Oh no!  Uncle, that's bad political economy.  Hush!"

"Pray, Evas, what are you remarking?  I think
conversations in low tones are most unseemly at
breakfast.  Ah!  Mr. Plantagenet Russell, I hope
you slept well.  We are rather early as Sir Evas
always thinks he has so much to do, a remark I
notice which often hides idleness."

"Every duty, for *me*, has its appointed time!"
said the secretary.

"Your letters are in the hall.  I suppose you
have a large circle of acquaintances, Mr. Russell?"

Toney was trying to smother her laughter as
the secretary bowed low to the hostess.

"Not very large," said Mr. Russell, as if he
were trying to be humble.  "Rather a bore to
answer them."

"I'm afraid it will take you some time, but, of
course, one uses a paper-basket largely, even with
letters from acquaintances," said Lady Dove
politely.  She was won over by the new secretary's
deference.

"I hope you will tabulate them," put in Toney
meditatively.  "One can see at a glance then
if—they are worse off or better off than the others."

"I make a list of everything," said Lady Dove.
"You remember, don't you, Anne Faber, how well
I kept the callers' book?  One could see at a
glance if people had not done their duty.  I can
always manage to show people politely what I
think of them."

Mr. Russell murmured his approbation.

"It takes a very little time to book up letters,
and I never believe those who say their letters
were lost in the post."

"I don't think your letters will take very little
time to-day, but, of course, I shall help you," said
Toney, thinking of the terrible heaps in the hall.

Mr. Russell looked at the heiress with mild
condescension.

"Thank you, I prefer doing it alone, and then
there can be no mistake.  I should not wish
to stop your lessons in motor driving, Miss
Whitburn."

"I've nearly conquered it; I've stuck up over
my dressing table, '*Laborare est orare*,' that means
the 'motor-car.'"

"Well, Toney, I hope it won't soon be your
epitaph this neat Latin," smiled her uncle.

Happily Lady Dove soon got into most
interesting conversation with Mr. Russell on the
subject of social duties, so that Toney was then
able to escape and to beckon to her uncle and
Mrs. Faber to come and help her.  Sir Evas
could not help laughing heartily when he
contemplated the pyramid of letters.

"This beats even you, Toney!  Confess what
you have been doing.  Your aunt thinks the
poor young man has such a large circle of
friends."

"Oh, Toney, what is the new scheme?" said
Mrs. Faber smiling.

Toney pulled her advertisement out of her pocket.

"I was so much afraid you would see it, but
really I didn't guess the people would answer so
promptly."

"Good heavens!  Russell will be tabulating for days!"

"I expect there will be more by next post.
Quick, let's carry them into the office.  I think
you won't complain that the secretary will be idle.
You see, uncle, I shall be kept busy going to see
them and just looking round."

"Busy!  It's the work of Sisyphus or what's his
name."

"I'll carry them in my skirt.  Shoot them in,
uncle.  Chum, carry the rest and open the doors
for us.  Don't drop any, uncle, it may be just the
most deserving case."

"It's my belief you have trod on a hornet's nest.
Besides, they won't have believed in that
advertisement!"

"I think they have," said Toney, emptying her
skirt on the secretary's table.  "St. Francis
hadn't a daily post and never advertised," she
continued rather sadly, "but he would have
tackled it somehow."

Mrs. Faber was busy putting the letters in some
kind of order, and could not help smiling.

"What guidance are you going to give Mr. Russell?"

"I've thought it all out and it will be awfully
interesting work, only I want to do it as much as
I can myself like Brother Giles.  He believed that
work was as good as prayer, and that even if you
were talking to an angel and your superior called
you, you must leave the angel."

"They are not very common visitors, Toney.
Well, good-bye, I'll leave you to tackle his Serene
Highness."

"And I must write up Lady Dove's visiting
book," said Mrs. Faber, so they both escaped as
they heard Mr. Russell's step in the passage.

"I didn't find the letters in the hall," he said,
seeing Toney.  Then his glance fell on the writing
table.  "What—are those—letters?  Impossible!"

Toney had to confess.

"They have exceeded my greatest expectations
I assure you."

"Hundreds!" murmured the secretary.

"Yes, I haven't counted them.  It's in answer to
this advertisement," and Toney read it out.  "You
know I've heaps of money and I've got to give it
away; but it will take a lot of time, attention,
and trouble.  Anyhow, I've prepared myself for
it, and you see how much I want your help."

"Yes, I see."  He looked hopelessly at the table.
"I thought you wanted an ordinary secretary."

"Oh, no, I don't want anything ordinary.  It's
a glorious work and you'll find it so.  We must
tabulate these first, some will be quite hopeless,
but lots will want immediate help till we can
house them."

"House them, where?" said Mr. Russell, roused
from his lethargy into positive dread.

"Oh, yes, of course, house them.  I've got the
plans all ready in a rough way, and when I've got
the land we can go ahead.  It will be just
beautiful!"

"Beautiful—in what way?"

"Entering into all the lives of people who are
down in their luck.  I'll confess I did several
times think I'd give it all in a big lump and have
done with it, but that was downright cowardice.
A people's palace sounds first-rate, but when you
come to look into it it's very little use.  You know
money is nothing without labour."

"Labour is nothing without money, I should
say," said Mr. Russell with a sarcastic smile;
"but as your house is not built, what can you do
with these people?"  He opened the envelopes at
random.  "Yes, I see it's the usual thing.  A
broken-down clergyman—has a large family,
struggled many years against bad luck—I dare
say a drone.  Here's another, a doctor who has
lost his health in the discharge of his duties,
and——"

"Of course, he must be inquired about.  My
father was a doctor and—I see now, he died of
over-work for other people."  Toney clasped her
hands, and her eyes looked soft through a thin
veil of unshed tears.  "I shall never resist a
doctor's claim unless you help me!  I know you
will like the work.  You are sort of a countryman
of mine, and it's an honour for us, isn't it, that we
can pull together."

Mr. Plantagenet Russell looked at his despised
heiress a moment to see if she was in earnest.
Yes, she certainly was in deadly earnest!  He had
meant to have an easy time, and on the threshold
he was confronted with stupendous work, and
then told it was "a great honour."  It was the first
glimmer of something above mere
"do-your-duty-and-have-done-with-it"
that had ever entered his head.

"I will think it over if I may," was his cautious
answer.  "In any case I had better begin at once
or I shall not finish booking up before nightfall.
As to answering them it is impossible to-day.

"Of course you must keep office hours, I don't
want to overwork you, please.  Do take care I
don't, for I'm awfully strong and love work.  I'm
going to finish my driving lessons this morning,
because we shall soon want to go and hunt up
these people, and I don't want to kill anyone nor
dogs.  Oh, there's Trick creeping in, he's not
partial to you," and off she flew and shut the door
just in time to prevent a recurrence of yesterday's
scene.  Left to himself, Plantagenet Russell slowly
paced the pleasant room where he had meant to
have a good time!  His other offers of work
would have been child's play to what was now
expected of him, and then to be told that the work
was "noble."  Plantagenet had a dislike to
penniless people, because he had known what it was to be
penniless himself, and he wanted to think that all
poverty was the fault of the people who were poor;
that is in the class which Miss Whitburn wished
to help.  But even Plantagenet Russell was dimly
conscious of having been suddenly roused to look
out of another window.  Was there really
something beyond material comfort and an easy-going
life?  Was there something noble in poverty,
something noble in getting rid of your money
when you had it—for the sake of others?  It was
too new an idea to accept at once, indeed this
morning he kicked against the pricks, but suddenly
he threw away a cigar he had been fingering, and
sat down to tackle his heap of letters.

As for Toney, having got through her difficult
task of trying to influence her unwilling secretary,
she went off to her motor-car lesson, feeling this
was a first requisite for her work.

"I don't want the people to have his Royal
Highness patronising them, but I expect when he
sees how interesting the work is, he'll be just
about nice.  There's so much to do, and then the
building will want a lot of thought.  Brother Giles
lived by the labours of his hands, but I'm thinking
it's much more difficult to get rid of money
properly, than to beg for money you haven't
got.  Ouf!"





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.. _`THE FIRST-FRUITS`:

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   CHAPTER XIV.


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   THE FIRST-FRUITS.

.. vspace:: 2

Toney drove up in her motor with a sudden dash
very much like herself, and entered the
drawing-room at Waycott Hall a few days after.  She
looked so radiant and happy as she stood in the
doorway, that Miss Waycott, who was sitting
alone, could not help smiling at the charming
picture.

"How do you do, Miss Waycott?  Please
forgive me, but I wanted to see Mr. Waycott and
tell him——"

"Shall I do instead?  Lewis is out about the
place somewhere.  Sit down if you have time."

"Time!  Oh!  I just spend my time in making
time now!  But you will be glad to hear one thing."

"What is it?  It is evidently good news by
your face."

"I can drive the motor quite well now, and so
can Jim!  Mr. Waycott saw us going up a hedge
so he won't believe it; but I've got my certificate,
and Mr. Hughes, the London man, said I took to
it like a duck to water.  It's lovely, glorious!
You have such a go-a-head-and-be-jolly sort of
feeling.  You will let me drive you somewhere,
Miss Waycott, won't you?"

Miss Waycott's keen face was all smiles.

"May I wait till you are quite proficient?  I
have delicate nerves!"

"Pity!  I haven't any.  Jim and I can go anywhere
now.  Of course it's not so nice as driving
horses, but it's exciting, and it's quicker if you
are in a hurry, and you don't feel sorry for the
animals."

Lewis had scented the motor-car and hurried in.
Even a sight of Toney did him good.

"I've got my certificate," she exclaimed,
shaking hands, "I knew you would be glad, and
also"—she lowered her voice—"I wanted to show
you the plans."

Miss Waycott rose, saying,

"I know Maud will like to see you, I'll go and
fetch her.  She is playing her violin somewhere."

Toney unfolded the roll in her hand.

"Here they are, look, lovely artistic buildings!
South aspect, separate front doors, and a nice big
garden in front and behind.  Now you must help
me about the land, you said you would."

"I've thought deeply about it.  Do you know
Deep Hollow Farm?  It's been thrown on my
hands, and there is a beautiful upland meadow
with nice south aspect.  There is a good water
supply at the farm, and——"

"How just delightful!  May I really buy it?
Let me see, the high road cuts across by the farm."

"Yes—but—I want to give it to you, Toney."

"Give it!  Of course not.  How can I give
what costs me nothing.  Market price, and—but
you know, anyhow, it is a gift, because heaps of
those high and mighty landlords wouldn't let me
buy anything.  Uncle Evas would but he daren't!
You know there would be strained relationships,
so I won't even ask him."

"We will have it valued then, and being so
near I can give an eye to the building.  How
about your letters, Toney?  Mrs. Faber gave me a
description of the first post—I laughed!"

"It wasn't a very laughing matter.  I thought
his Royal Highness would pack up and go, but
he's thought better of it, at least he's still
considering it.  The worst was there were heaps
more afterwards, and he can't keep abreast of it
so he says."

"Poor Plantagenet!  You will be had up for
cruelty."

"I think work can't kill people, it is toodling
about which is so tiring.  I escape every
afternoon, for the visitors are numerous, and Aunt
Dove has a real good time telling them of her
niece's wild doings.  Miss Grossman did have
influenza, and poor Chum has not been allowed
to go home.  Aunt Dove says that she only
shows common gratitude by staying.  Do you
really, really mean I may have Deep Hollow
Farm and the land belonging to it?"

"The land is not good, the advantage will be on
my side."

At that moment Miss Waycott returned, followed
by Maud and Mrs. Hamilton.  Both were cordial
to Toney, but the cordiality from the last lady did
not ring quite true.  Envy is a subtle poison and
it required much Christianity not to envy the
girl's splendid health and splendid fortune.
Mrs. Hamilton could not imagine why some people
were so lucky and why no legacies ever fell to her
share—mere nobodies now had all the money.
Pride is not altogether a satisfying dish when
served up ungarnished.

"You have made all the county-side talk, Miss
Whitburn, with your generosity to Sir Evas'
tenants."

"I don't see what there is to talk about, everyone
could do the same if they liked."

"Alas! everyone has not your means,"

Toney turned the conversation, she did not
want to say that very hard work and not means
only had made the success.

"Do you know, Miss Waycott, I've had to talk
very seriously to Trick, for he hates Mr. Russell,
who is dreadfully afraid of him."

Lewis burst out laughing.

"Poor man, I shall never forget your invitation
to put his legs on the table!"

"It would have been much simpler if he had
done so, and I daresay he does it in private; but
what a pity Trick can't read St. Francis' sermon
to 'Brother Wolf.'"

"Those legends are quite foolish," said
Mrs. Hamilton.  "I never let you and Jeanie read
legends when you were young for fear of your
believing in them."

"I believe them all," exclaimed Toney.  "Why
not?  The wolf wagged his head and held out his
paw to show he promised never to eat anyone
again.  I wish Brother Trick was as easily
converted."

"My dear Toney!" said Miss Waycott,
"wherever do you get these stories?"

"They are all right; Mr. Hales gave them to
me, and of course he meant me to read, mark, and
inwardly digest it—only it's very, very difficult!"

"He was an original saint, anyhow, and so
quite suits you," said Lewis smiling.

"I mustn't stay and talk so much.  I am afraid
I shall never be able to copy Brother Juniper who
resolved to keep silence for six months!  Imagine
that!"

"Pray don't imitate Brother Juniper," laughed
Miss Waycott.

"Mrs. Hamilton, won't you trust yourself in the
new motor?  I've got my certificate in my pocket."

"Yes, come along, Aunt Delia; I want to come,
too, and go round by Deep Hollow.  Miss
Whitburn thinks she will like to buy it, and I
must get as much as I can out of her," said Lewis
gravely.

"My dear Lewis, you always cheat yourself,"
sighed Mrs. Hamilton, who was hopelessly literal.

"I know riches have no attraction for you!  Yes,
I will come.  Is there room for Maud?"

"Of course, I bought a very roomy car; you see
it's got to be very useful, but some of my friends
won't mind being squashed."

Mrs. Hamilton was not going to let Lewis drive
about alone with the heiress.

In a few minutes they were going rather briskly
through the park where the trees were turning into
gold, then out upon the lonely high road till Deep
Hollow was reached.

"Will you wait a few minutes, Aunt Delia, as I
must extol my wares," and Lewis led Toney
towards his unlet farm.

"You might make the farm, too, very useful for
a caretaker or your chief constable!" said Lewis.

"I must go and live there myself!"

"What an idea!  Look, on that high ground
you could build your palace of peace, and there
would be good views and good air."

"Do you really, really mean it?  It is perfect,
I want it all to be very simple, but comfortable
and homely.  Mrs. Hamilton won't like waiting,
but we must come again.  I'll write to Mr. Staines
and tell him to send somebody to clench our
matter.  No money could pay you for your
generosity, so there's to be no bargaining."

Toney flew back and Lewis followed more
leisurely, anxious to help her, but wishing he
could kick down the golden barrier.

"Maud was wondering if you were lost!" said
Mrs. Hamilton.

"It seems so wonderful that I can really buy
some land," said Toney springing into the car.
"Mr. Waycott is going to sell me Deep Hollow Farm."

"We were bargaining about the price," said
Lewis, stepping in.  "Don't you think we ought
to make hay whilst the sun shines, Aunt Delia?"

"Business is very disagreeable for young
ladies," was Aunt Delia's answer, "it rubs off the
bloom of youth."

Toney spun her wheel round and was off.  She
did not appreciate Aunt Delia very much, and she
felt she disliked her, but meant not to show her
feelings, first, because she was Lewis Waycott's
aunt, and secondly because she knew humility
was to be cultivated, if she was to be like
St. Francis, or even like Brother Juniper,
who played see-saw with the children so that people
might despise him and he might be humbled.

About a mile from the village Toney saw an old
woman carrying a heavy basket, and exclaimed,

"It's old Nancy Poulter.  She's been carrying
the washing home."  She pulled up the motor
with wonderful precision as the old woman
curtseyed and smiled at Miss Tonia.

"How do you do, Mrs. Poulter; won't you let me
give you a ride home?  You have still a mile to
go, and that basket's too heavy."

The old woman looked at Mrs. Hamilton and
then at Toney.

"No, no, my dear, when you be alone some day
without the quality.  'Tis a bit heavy, but lor',
Miss Toney, I'll manage."

"No you shan't.  The quality won't mind.
There, get in behind, and we'll take the basket in
front."  Lewis had learnt his lesson in politeness
long ago, and now got out and placed the big
basket in front between him and Toney, whilst
the old woman was almost lifted in by her, the
rug being tucked in round her.

"You mustn't get a chill after getting hot,
Mrs. Poulter.  I'll whisk you home in no time.  You
know Mrs. and Miss Hamilton, don't you?"

Toney was off again like lightning, and
Mrs. Hamilton felt she was taken in.  She was a lady,
and always spoke to the poor with kind
condescension, but she would never have dreamt of
sharing her carriage with a panting and perspiring
old woman from the village.  Maud was,
however, less particular than her mother, and
remarked,

"It's nice to get such a quick carriage,
Mrs. Poulter!  We have been round by Deep Hollow
in no time."

"These new-fashioned carriages are a sight to
see to be sure, ma'am, but Miss Toney, she be that
clever a-driving and a-riding, I don't mind a-trusting
of her.  My son says he never saw such a one
for horses—though, to be sure, there ain't any in
here.  It is a long way to Whitfield, and I was
beginning to feel done up, that I was, and 'tain't
often one gets a lift.  To be sure, to be sure."

Then Toney pulled up at the cottage door in no
time, and helped out the old woman whilst Lewis
carried her basket to the door, amidst her profuse
apologies of [Transcriber's note: word(s) missing here]

"Don't ee, now, sir, be a carrying my basket.
'Tain't fit for such as you.  But 'tain't no use going
agin Miss Toney, she won't listen to nothing if it's
to save anyone a bit of trouble.  Bless her."

"That's what a good many people say, Mrs. Poulter.
Good afternoon," and Lewis raised his
hat and returned to his place beside Toney.

"You see what a useful machine I have!  Poor
old Nancy, she works too hard for that selfish son.
What luck! the gates are open.  Now I'll just
spin you up, Mrs. Hamilton, in style.  There are
no Bobbies here."

The car flew, and Mrs. Hamilton and Maud
held on tightly with one hand and clutched their
hats with the other, whilst Lewis laughed.

"This is quite your style, Toney.  You do go a
pace, I hope it isn't kingdom come for us all."

"No fear; you will go and talk about the farm
to his Royal Highness, won't you, and just
interest him."

They pulled up at the front door safe and
sound, but surprises were not over yet.

"If you please, Miss Whitburn," said Diggings
severely, "there's five persons come here asking
for Mr. Russell, and her ladyship has 'em in the
drawing-room as Mr. Russell is out, and she says
you were to come at once when you came in."

Toney turned back to Lewis.

"Oh, come and help me; no, please go and find
Mr. Russell, he's mooning somewhere near by, I
expect; for, do you know, I believe it's the *avant
garde* who have got impatient.  I did beg
Mr. Russell to answer the letters, but he wanted to
tabulate.  What will Aunt Dove say!  Mrs. Hamilton,
will you and Maud go back with Jim,
or come in the drawing-room?  There's only a few
visitors.  Who is there, Diggings?"

"Lady Southbourne and the Hon. Mr. Lang is
there, miss, and a few more visitors besides the
five persons."

Mrs. Hamilton was not partial to Lady Dove
and much preferred going home in the motor, so
Jim, who was on the spot, went off with alacrity.

Toney hurried towards the drawing-room.  The
five persons Diggings spoke of so disdainfully
must be either a doctor, officer, clergyman, or
relation of the above, and enjoying a bad quarter
of an hour with Lady Dove.

She was not mistaken; as she entered she
caught sight of five shabby genteel individuals,
who were now evidently too much alarmed to do
anything more than sit dejectedly in the enclosure
of a window.

"Antonia!" said Lady Dove in her most severe
voice, "I believe there are some persons here
wishing to see you.  Pray take them to your own
room."





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.. _`GENTLE AND SIMPLE`:

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   CHAPTER XV.


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   GENTLE AND SIMPLE.

.. vspace:: 2

Toney wished with all her heart her *avante garde*
had not been shown into Lady Dove's presence, but
now that they were here she would not for the world
hustle them out.  She might hurt their feelings,
and they must consider that "something to their
advantage" meant only a snubbing.  She hid her
despair with extra energy.  How she hated social
distinctions!  The Honourable Edward came forward
to greet her with great cordiality.  His mother, more
slowly, did the same.  Toney felt a difficulty in
introducing the *avante garde*, as she did not know
one of their names.  However she made a dash at
Smith, hoping one of them would respond to the call.

"Oh, Mr. Lang, may I introduce Mr. Smith to
you?"  She seized on the meekest and saddest
individual, who wore large spectacles and looked
much depressed.

"My name is Dr. Harris," he said, raising himself
to his full height.  "The Rev. Smith you may mean,"
and he indicated an old clergyman wearing a threadbare
coat, who also held the advertisement in his hand.

"Oh yes, of course, how do you do, Mr. Smith?
You came to see Mr. Russell, didn't you, but I
can do just as well.  Mr. Lang, this is Mr. Smith
and Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Harris."

"Miss Smith, if you please," corrected a prim
lady with remains of faint beauty.

Mrs. Harris, however, looked most disconcerted;
Lady Dove's anger had fallen especially upon her, so
now she only murmured, holding out a piece of
newspaper.

"We only came to see about this advertisement,
because we didn't get any answer, and we were
so anxious——"

"Of course, yes, it's all right."  Then Toney
turned to the last individual, a man who looked
somewhat superior to the others, and who smiled
without intermission.

"Mr.——"  Toney paused, she couldn't say
Smith again, but she got no answer, only a nod
and another smile.

"He's stone deaf," said Miss Smith, who by her
manner was trying to show Toney that a clergyman's
sister is always a lady, little guessing that
Toney cared for none of such things.

"He joined us," said Dr. Harris, "but his infirmity
makes it difficult to converse with him, his name is,
I believe, Grant—Captain Grant!"

Captain Grant smiled and nodded, and insisted on
Toney's reading her own advertisement, by pointing
to it line by line with his first finger.

"Yes, of course—Mr. Lang, Captain Grant,"
she introduced the two, and then hurriedly went
to the tea-table, where Mrs. Faber was in her
old position of tea-maker.

"Chum, dear, I'm plunging about in a bog; give
them some tea quickly; that will be to their advantage
anyhow.  Mr. Lang will perhaps help me.  Aunt
Dove is looking awfully churny with the poor dears."

For a few minutes Toney flew about helping her
five friends to minute cups of tea and tiny wafers of
bread and butter, but the Honourable Edward Lang
came nobly to the front, though with an amused
smile on his face.  The two elder ladies talked
together earnestly and discussed the injustice of
Radicals and Socialists, for on these topics they
were in accord.

Dr. Harris was not however going to be put off
with only tiny cups of tea.

"I should be much obliged, madam, if you could
tell me when we may expect to see Mr. Plantagenet
Russell?  We, at all events, must catch the earliest
train back."

"There he is!" exclaimed Toney, catching sight
of Lewis and Mr. Russell coming hastily to the
house.  "I really think you had better go and see
him in his private room.  Let me show you the
way, and I'll order a substantial tea there.  You
must be awfully hungry."

Toney headed the procession out of the drawing-room,
Edward Lang, hurrying to open the door for
her, and hiding, as best he could, his amused smile as
Toney nodded at him, saying, "I'll come back soon."

Lady Dove gave a sigh of relief.  She was so
much annoyed that she forgot her rôle of kind aunt.

"Antonia is incorrigible.  You see how she
collects strange people round her.  I tried hard to
show her what an English lady should be like, but
it was trouble wasted."

"She will soon outgrow all that," said Lady
Southbourne kindly; "in these days young people
are so original, but it does not last!"

Mr. Lang laughed heartily.

"I am sure Miss Whitburn will always be original.
She certainly can't help being kind."

"She drags Sir Evas into all kinds of queer things.
He has really felt the strain of so much work.
General Stone was hardly kind to make him the
girl's guardian."

"He looked as if he enjoyed all the coming of age,"
said Edward Lang; to himself he added, "I don't
mind relieving him of the burden of fifty thousand a
year at all!  Good heavens! the girl must be
allowed to have her head at first, then she'll soon
calm down."

"Dear Lady Dove," said Lady Southbourne,
gently laying her pale lavender kid gloved hand on
her hostess as a mark of sympathy, "young
people will be young people, I daresay when you
were young——"

"No indeed, I was brought up by a very particular
mother, who knew what a young lady should
be like."

"Ah! yes, those were indeed good old days!"

At this moment Toney rushed in again with
breathless speed, and addressed herself to Mr. Lang.

"There! it's all right, and they have unfrozen,
poor dears.  It's strange, isn't it, how these stately
English homes act like cold storage on people."

"Cold storage brings us excellent things from
abroad."

"I'd rather come over warm!  Gracious stars!  I
had a trouble to thaw them, but now they're sitting
down to a proper meal."

"Are your friends Salvationists, Antonia, or did
they come for begging purposes?" said Lady Dove.

"They came hoping to hear of something to their
advantage.  You see, Lady Southbourne, I advertised
for people in reduced circumstances, and the
answers were so many that Mr. Russell couldn't
keep ahead."

"Something to their advantage, and pray what is
that, Antonia?  You must have taken leave of your
five senses!" exclaimed Lady Dove, turning pink
with vexation.

Here Mrs. Faber threw herself into the breach.

"It's only one of Toney's kind schemes, Lady
Dove.  I will go and see after the visitors, Toney,
if you take my place."

This happily turned the stream of hot lava from
poor Toney, and Lady Dove remarked,

"It is most tiresome, my companion has influenza.
I generally find, don't you, Lady Southbourne, that
middle-class people always give in if even a little
finger aches.  Of course, poor things, they do not
understand our motto of 'noblesse oblige.'"

The Honourable Edward left the two ladies to
their duet over the cowardice of the middle-class,
and went to sit by Toney, who was drinking tea in
earnest.

"It's rather warm work when you're taken by
surprise.  If I had been here it would have been all
right," she said, smiling once more.

"I think it's always 'all right' where you are,"
said the young man gallantly.  Toney looked up
suddenly and gazed at him.

"Gracious stars! how awfully nice of you to say
that, but it isn't true!  I always seem to raise the
dust when I come into this room!  Aunt Dove was
made of different paste, so somehow we don't blend.
You see I was just reared anyhow, never knew there
were gentlemen and ladies till I came here!  Out
home we were all men and women, and pretty rough
at that—ouf!"

"We are all going to become Socialists, whether
we like it or not," he said softly.

"You'll exclude Aunt Dove, won't you?" and
Toney's merry laugh sounded through the room.

"So little self-control," Lady Dove was heard to
murmur.

"That's me!" said Toney, nodding her head,
"but as you were kind enough just now to overlook
my 'bringing up,' as Aunt Dove calls it, I'll tell you
about my friends.  I'm going to buy Deep Hollow
Farm and build a sort of a Home for stray folk that
can't swim against the stream."

"Will these be your first inmates?"

"Perhaps, Mr. Russell will tabulate them all, and
we'll take the worst cases.  No favour, but, of course,
I must help them because they took such a lot of
trouble to come to-day, and because I expect they
felt pretty bad before I came!"

"I think it is a noble idea, Miss Whitburn—I hope
you will let me help you as much as I can.  There
may be some cases in which I can prove useful."

"Of course there will be.  Let me see, will you
come and help to tabulate?  Mr. Russell groans
over the work."

Mr. Lang had no intention of working hard, but
he hid this intention.

"I'm at your commands, Miss Whitburn."  He
was wondering in what manner and how soon he
could make an offer to Toney!  Would she be easily
won?  He began to fear a title would not be a great
attraction.  He would have to go in for Socialism or
Individualism or some 'ism, to have a better chance
of getting £50,000 a year.  It would be rather
fatiguing, but his debts were many, and the money
was worth the effort.  Miss Whitburn was not likely
to be particular about tying up money, and Sir Evas,
her guardian, was very easy-going, and would be
glad to get her well married.  So argued Edward
Lang, never doubting but that he would be a
welcome suitor.  Unfortunately many mothers with
marriageable daughters were so very kind to him
and had spoilt him.  At the bottom he was not a
bad fellow, but terribly extravagant.

"Then let me command you to go away," said
Toney laughing, "for Aunt Dove won't like me to
leave you, and those poor people will find themselves
thrown from the frying-pan into the fire.  Mr. Russell
will want to tabulate them so minutely."

The Honourable Edward rose quite willingly.
He was afraid of seeing more of Toney's "friends"
arriving, and in any case he could not very
conveniently make love to the heiress in this formal
drawing-room.

"If I obey you now, tell me when I may come again?"

"Oh, whenever you like, there's sure to be something
going on in the tabulating line for some time
to come."  Toney's laugh was catching.

"But I may be rewarded with a talk with you,
apart from the genteel beggars," he said cheerfully.

"It's all very well laughing at beggars, but if one
has nothing one does strange things.  Do you know
when I first came here I was a beggar, and not at
all genteel, Aunt Dove would tell you—and I was
glad to make a whistle for five shillings!"

"Was it a successful whistle?"

"I rather think it was!  I believe it was owing to
it that General Stone left me his money.  Now do
say good-bye, please."

"*Au revoir* then, Miss Whitburn, I prefer saying
that——  Mother, I really think——"  Lady
Southbourne always obeyed her son and rose
immediately.

"So delighted to have seen you not looking a bit
tired after your delightful party," she said to Toney,
keeping her hand affectionately in her lavender kid,
"I wish we could stay longer——  Now why not
come over and spend a few days at the Towers?
Wouldn't that be delightful, Edward?"

"It would indeed!"

Toney shook her head.

"Afraid I can't, thanks; besides, I shouldn't know
what to do, and at Aldersfield I've got heaps waiting
to be settled."

"Of course we mustn't be selfish," said Lady
Southbourne, not taking any notice of Toney's reason
for not going to the Towers!

At last they were off, followed by the most gracious
remarks of Lady Dove as Toney flew back to her
own room.

There she found not only Dr. and Mrs. Harris,
Mr. and Miss Smith, and Captain Grant, but also
Lewis and Mrs. Faber assisting the visitors to make
a square meal; whilst Mr. Russell was tabulating
them, every now and then making a dart at one of
the individuals to get special answers.

"This is nice!  How kind of you, Mr. Waycott.
Lady Southbourne and the Honourable Edward
took so long to go I had to give him a hint."

"Oh, Toney! what did you say?" said Mrs. Faber.

"Why I asked him to go and he went.  It's better
to speak honest, isn't it?—Dr. Harris, have some
more veal pie.  Our cook is just perfect at veal pies."

Dr. Harris said he didn't mind if he did have
some more, but at that moment Mr. Russell made a
dart at Miss Smith.

"What is the date of your birth, Miss Smith?"

Now Miss Smith's age was a hid treasure, and to
be asked to dig it up in this public way was more
than she could bear.  She blushed a vivid purple.

"It's of no consequence whatever, Mr. Russell,"
she said.  "I really have forgotten my
birthday."  Mr. Russell went back and put down "birthday
forgotten."

"But the year?" he asked again, feeling his whole
*raison d'être* depended on that date.

"Let me see—What year were you born, brother?"

Mr. Smith blinked very often as he answered,
wishing to spare his sister.

"I think I had better send you these particulars—if
there is—any good to be got by them."

"Oh, never mind," said Toney, seeing the difficulty.
"Mr. Russell, please put 'Uncertain.'  It
isn't easy to remember, if you are asked suddenly
how old one is, is it, Mr. Waycott?"  Lewis was
stifling a smile.

"I am six-and-twenty, I know, because Aunt
Honoria keeps my birthdays and announces my
age every year."

"Your relative knows that a man does not mind,"
said Dr. Harris, "but ladies have rooted objections
to telling their age."  He bowed to Miss Smith,
and Miss Smith giggled softly.

Toney saw the motor drive up, and seized the
occasion to dash away.  She soon returned.

"Now you shall all be driven to the station, when
you are ready, and I do hope you won't regret your
journey.  It's been so very, very nice, seeing you.
Just on the day, too, that I have taken the farm."

By the time they were squeezed into the big
motor their faces were wreathed with smiles,
especially when Toney had thrust an envelope into
each of their hands, murmuring something about
"Just to pay the journey."  The deaf gentleman
opened it publicly, and nearly dropped the five
pound note, then nearly all tumbled out again to
say "Thank you," but at a sign from Toney Jim
flew off as if pursued by the furies.





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.. _`UNEXPECTED NEWS`:

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   CHAPTER XVI.


.. class:: center medium bold

   UNEXPECTED NEWS.

.. vspace:: 2

"Oh, Toney, what did you give them?" asked
Mrs. Faber, when they all returned to Toney's
sitting-room.  "Wasn't it a pity to——"

"Now Chum is against me.  It was only five
pounds each, as they had to pay the journeys—Mr. Waycott,
you are the only one who understands."

"I'm delighted you say so, but—in what way do I
show my superior wisdom?" said Lewis smiling.

"You don't think that money is a little china god
that has to be handled carefully."

"I suppose we all have crooked ideas of money,"
he said, conscious that he didn't care much about
these wayfaring beggars; certainly not at all as
Toney did.

"They shouldn't have been so impatient," said
Plantagenet Russell, turning over his big book.  "I
had only reached the letter H, but I'll send a card
at once to all the rest, or we shall have daily
processions."

"Well, I'm very glad they came, for now you see
with your own eye, Mr. Russell, that my poor clergy,
doctors, sailors, and relations of the above, do
exist!"  They all laughed.

"Of course they exist, Miss Whitburn, but if
they had been properly careful and hard-working
they wouldn't now be out of elbows.  And Miss
Smith was so ridiculous about her age!"

"She was a bit jibby about it, wasn't she? but I
expect she had a lover somewhere, and she doesn't
like to let it out."

"Oh, Toney, you are too romantic—you always
were," said Mrs. Faber.

"Anyhow, you can't complain of deaf Captain
Grant.  He looked so cheerful, and did not want to
hide his age."

Plantagenet turned over to the letter G in his book.

"Here he is; Grant, Charles, Captain.  Lost
hearing and work.  Very small income, age sixty,
only poor relations, references."

"Of course they sound uninteresting as tabulated
folk.  I'm sure St. Francis never tabulated people!
There's a lovely story of one of the brothers, who
was nursing a leper, being told to go fifteen miles
off, and not liking to leave his patient, took him up
on his back from dawn to sunrise all the way, and
no one could believe he could have done it in the
time, so everybody was awfully astonished."

"I'm thankful there are no lepers in England now,
Miss Whitburn," said Mr. Russell in his drawling
voice; "I'm rather afraid you might wish me to
carry one of them fifteen miles if you sent me on a
message.  Couldn't do it, I assure you!"

The idea made them all laugh.

"I must go back now," said Lewis, "and, short of
lepers, what can I do to help you?"

"I really think we must all help to answer the
letters if you will come to-morrow morning;
Mr. Russell has composed a short note asking for all
particulars."

"Age and pedigree!  Well, Russell, I'll turn up
and help to-morrow," said Lewis, nodding towards
the secretary.

"There's the bell," exclaimed Mrs. Faber.  "I
expect Lady Dove will want her novel.  Henry
says I must come home to-morrow.  I do hope
Miss Grossman will be well enough to come down."

"I'll find time, if she is not, Chum, dear.  You
are such an angel!  You are just like Santa Clara;
isn't she, Mr. Russell?"

"I'm not acquainted with Santa Clara," he
answered, "but I shall be quite willing to
do anything I can for Lady Dove, Mrs. Faber, when
my labours are lessened."

Toney went off with Lewis, she felt she must
have a stretch after her anxieties.

"I'm so happy about that land," she exclaimed,
as the two crossed the park in the twilight, "that
I can't feel upset even!  I shall write to my
architect to-night.  You do seem to make
everything straight."

"Do I?" said Lewis in a low voice.  Was it
ever going to dawn on Toney why he tried to
make everything straight?  At present he feared
she credited him with pure love of humanity.  If
only he dared speak; but, no, that money stood
in the way.  How he hated fifty thousand a year!

"Yes, you do; and that's why, when I have any
plan, I always think first of you.  Dear Chum is
so afraid of doing wrong, and Uncle Evas is so
just—straight-ahead-going, that a secret is really
no use at all with him!  He blurts it out at the
most inconvenient moment!  He is a dear old
duck all the same!  He sits up all night, or did,
to write my business letters because Aunt Dove
couldn't bear to see him do it.  Well, but that's
not what I wanted to ask you about."

"Any more stray sheep, Toney?  They're pretty
thick on the ground as it is!"

"I hope they are all in the fold to-night, but I
want to talk about Jeanie and Maud Hamilton.  I
know you would like them to have something nice
and so you can best help me."

"My dear Toney, they wouldn't like being
tabulated," said Lewis laughing.

"No, of course not.  I wish Mr. Russell had not
that craze; however, Pups used to say, 'every man
knows what crutch suits him best.'  I never quite
knew what he meant, but I do now: Mr. Russell
finds that big book his crutch."

"But what about the Hamiltons?  You know
Aunt Honoria and I are always delighted to have
them with us.  My Uncle Hamilton was an easy-going
spendthrift, and never thought what would
happen when he died, so when he departed this life,
they said he had quietly eaten more than half his
capital."

"I daresay he helped other people, so that's just
the reason why other people should take care of his
children.  Jeanie loves music and wants to go to
Vienna, I heard her say so, and Maud—Maud is
nice, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is vastly improved."

"Yes, and she is what Aunt Dove calls a 'real
lady.'  Of course she looked hard at me when she
said it!  She meant I wasn't, and I'm not, I know
I wasn't born that way——  Well, I want somehow
to give Maud a good time and Jeanie too at Vienna.
I want to pay all their masters and expenses, and
how is it to be managed without letting them
know it?"

"Toney, you really mustn't——  Besides, there's
no way of doing it."

"Yes, there must be some uncle in Australia or
Africa, or Klondike, that would send them three
hundred pounds."

"I don't know of any such individual.  Yes, by
the way, there is an old cousin in the Argentine,
from whom they expect a legacy.  I believe he is a
penniless rascal, but they paint him with a coat of
gilding and call him, 'dear Cousin Seaton.'"  They
laughed together like two good comrades.

"He'll do!  Mr. Staines, who is very understanding,
will get someone to send it from the
Argentine, and that will be true.  'Three hundred
pounds from a friend in the Argentine for musical
training in Germany,' and they'll jump to
conclusions!"

"And you want me to abet you in the falsehood?"

"Of course.  You will have to belong to the
'poor little disciples,' as St. Francis liked his brothers
to be called, and they had to do all sorts of queer
commissions."

"Did the 'poor little disciples' have to swallow
bare-faced deceptions?"

"I think so, for they couldn't have liked all they
had to do and yet they said they did!  It is a farce,
isn't it?  Oh, good-bye, there's Uncle Evas coming,
and I'll just walk back with him.  He's a little down
to-day.  Guess he's had to make head against a
breeze.  He's quite ready for a 'poor little
disciple.'"

Lewis could not help laughing.  Something in
Toney carried all before her, because she never let
self get into her plans.  Sir Evas brightened up as
he met his niece.

"Hulloa! where are you two going?  I've had a
day among the farms.  There's a lot of repairs
to be done and they think I must see them all myself."

"So you should, uncle!  Tell you what, we'll just
titivate them all up and you'll have no more trouble
for years."

"My dear Toney!  It's much better done by
degrees, doesn't drain the property so much."

"We'll do it now, uncle, and all at once.  You
always say, 'make hay while the sun shines,' and
that's what I am doing."

"Toney has been making hay with a vengeance
to-day, Sir Evas," and Lewis told the history of the
*avant garde*.

"My dear girl, the house will be besieged!  You
see, Lewis, what a mistake the General made," said
Sir Evas laughing, "did your aunt——  Ehem—bear
it well?"

Toney shook her head.

"It shan't happen again, uncle.  We'll tabulate
hard to-morrow.  It all comes of tabulating!  Now
pretend you know nothing about it.  Where
ignorance is bliss.  Good-bye, Mr. Waycott, and
thank you awfully much.  Now, Uncle Evas, we
must quick trot home, it's Chum's last evening.
Remember to be very nice and grateful to her.
She's done a lot of hard work you know."

"So have we all, Toney!  However, I'll compose
a speech on the way home.  Good night, Waycott,
hope you don't want speeches."

Lewis surreptitiously watched them going off.  It
seemed like the last ray of evening sunshine
disappearing in the woods.  Why should he bother
about the money?  Why?  Then he shook his
head.  Everyone would say he had married Toney's
fifty thousand.  His pride rebelled and even a
perfectly clear conscience could not conquer it.

"There's a lovely moon so we shan't be benighted,"
said Toney, taking her uncle's arm.

"I say, Toney, we mustn't be late for dinner," he
said walking quicker.  He was trying to brace
himself to hear the story of the *avant garde*, and this
time he knew it would not be accompanied with
laughter.

"Isn't dinner a bother?  Meals in general too.
Brother Juniper, that's the one who didn't speak for
six months and played see-saw with the children—well,
he once was left alone and he was told to see
he cooked some food when the others returned, and
he agreed, but when they were gone he thought it
was a lot of trouble so much food cooking, so he
went begging for food and made a big fire, and
borrowed big pots and put all the food he got into
it.  Fowls with their feathers on, and eggs with their
shells, and the fire was so big that he had to tie a
plank on his body to get near the pots.  Then at
last he rang the bell and all the brothers came,
expecting great things, and he said, 'Eat well, for I
have cooked enough for a fortnight, and then we can
all go to prayer and think no more about food.'"

"I hope they enjoyed it!" said Sir Evas absently.
He was thinking of his wife.

"It says so quaintly that, 'there is not a pig in
all the land of Rome so famished as to have eaten
it!'  But he got a wigging from the General!"

This chimed in with Sir Evas' thoughts.

"I daresay he deserved it!  Fowls with their
feathers on can't be very digestible."

"Anyhow he was right about the time we waste
over our meals!  Do you know, uncle, you are rather
like Brother Amazialbene."

"Good heavens, what a name!  Didn't your
Brother shorten it ever?"

"No, you see they had time then.  Anyhow, he
possessed the virtues of patience and obedience, for
if he were beaten for the whole day long, he
would never murmur nor complain with a single word!"

"I don't think I should take the beating so easily!
But I want to say, Toney, that you are giving away
your money right and left rather too freely.  There's
moderation in all things, my dear child."

"Dear old ducky.  It's just perfect to hear you!
I'm only afraid of not being able to get rid of it all,
but I mean to try."

"You must remember—Ehem—if you were to
marry, of course your husband would help you to get
rid of a good lot!"

Toney turned the conversation and the two who
so well understood each other appeared in the
Aldersfield drawing-room just as Lady Dove was
telling Mrs. Faber to leave off as it was time to
dress.

"Oh, there you are!  Well, I do think, Evas, that
you might have returned to tea.  Has Antonia told
you of the terrible inroad we have had?  If——"

"Yes, yes, it was a mistake—but they didn't do
any harm, did they?"

"Lewis Waycott and Edward Lang were here
happily, and were very good-natured.  By the way,
I have had Mrs. Kenward here, and I have heard
some news about him, which of course I have been
expecting."

"Indeed, what's that?" said Sir Evas, pleasantly
relieved that the storm was blowing over, whilst
Toney leant against the door and listened.

"Lewis is going to marry his cousin Maud.  It is
private as yet, but quite understood."

"Good gracious!  Strange we have not heard it!"

"Oh, you men have no eyes.  At the party I saw
them constantly smiling at each other, and
Mrs. Hamilton said very pointedly something about
young people fancying no one saw their inclinations.
I guessed her meaning.  Well, she has been working
that way for some years, she means to feather her
nest well, but of course it's a pity!"

Without knowing what he was doing, Sir Evas
turned towards Toney, and to his surprise he found
her gone.

"Well," he said, "I always thought he liked
Toney!  But it's no use meddling with such things."

Upstairs Toney was sitting on her window-sill
with Trick in her arms.  She had locked her door,
and for the first time in her life there was no smile
on her lips at the thought of Lewis Waycott.

"Oh, I am glad, I must be glad that he will be
happy," she said to herself, "but I wish he had told
me himself, though she is a nice girl and will sort of
do all he wishes."  Then she laid her head against
Trick's face and whispered, "Trick, Trick, you'll not
leave your mistress, will you, dear?  You're all I've
got of my very own."





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.. _`STUCK IN A BOG`:

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   CHAPTER XVII.


.. class:: center medium bold

   STUCK IN A BOG.

.. vspace:: 2

After great events there is always a certain feeling
of flatness, and it must have been that which made
Toney somewhat silent and plunge at times into
the tabulating work with furious energy.  Lewis
Waycott came every morning and, to everybody's
surprise, the Hon. Edward often turned up too.
It really was amusing to see the self-made
secretaries each in front of a book and a pile
of letters, whilst Plantagenet Russell indolently
"bossed the show," as Toney remarked.  Before he
had worked long Edward Lang's labours were
transmuted into conversation, and he always found an
excellent excuse for luring Toney out into the park
or the garden; strange to say, Toney did not seem
to object, and left Lewis and Plantagenet at their
task without too many apologies.  The feeling of
needing a good stretch came upon her, and though
she would have preferred solitude, Edward Lang's
thirst for information served her purpose.  When
Lewis was gone, however, then she returned to the
tabulating work with increased energy, and the
Hon. Edward's wishes could not drag her away.
She said to herself she missed her chum, and that
the world was a bit awry without her sweet
sympathy, but she manfully fought against these
feelings, flying to her "Little Flowers" for strength
when she felt extra depressed.  She liked reading
about Brother John, of Alverina, who had
entered the Order as a boy, "But seeing that God
careth with tender care for His children, giving them
at divers times, now consolation, and now tribulation,
now prosperity, and now adversity, according as He
seeth they have need thereof, for to continue in
humility, or for to kindle more in them desire for
heavenly things," Brother John remained without
the light and love of God, and this so afflicted him
that he took to running hither and thither about the
woods, till at last he had a vision of Christ and after
many entreaties, the gift of divine grace returned to
him.

"All work and no play, Toney, will make you
dull, a day's hunting will do you a world of good,"
said Sir Evas one day.  "I'll come with you, and
Colon wants exercise.  The meet is at the Towers."

Toney looked up quickly.

"It's you, uncle, who want to hunt, but of course
I'll come.  Mr. Waycott will help Mr. Russell
to-day, and perhaps a good blow will clear away
my cobwebs.  We're getting so puzzled as to who's
the most needy and deserving, that we seriously
think of raffling them."

"I hope Waycott won't give up his hunting for
your beggars, Toney.  Anyhow, we'll start early
to-morrow."

It was a real joy to see Toney hunting; she sat
her horse as if she were part and parcel of the steed
and certainly there was perfect sympathy between
them.  The county gentlemen, who now and then
spoke hard words about some of the Dianas of the
hunting field, were lost in admiration as they saw
Toney's seat, and Sir Evas felt immensely proud of
the praises bestowed upon his niece.  That this
young huntress was an heiress added to the
admiration, and Toney found herself surrounded
with a little court of followers, foremost among them
was, of course, Edward Lang.  He meant to try his
luck to-day, and was therefore delighted at seeing
her at the meet, but how was he to find his
opportunity?

Toney looked as if cobwebs were swept away
judging by her face as she and Sir Evas joined the
meet, indeed, she looked a perfect picture as she
and Colon impatiently waited to be off though
talking to Edward Lang.

"Colon is nearly perfect.  Uncle Evas bought
him when he became my guardian, and I don't think
there is a better judge of horses in all England."

"That is a rare talent.  You'll lunch here of
course, Miss Whitburn?"

"I think we shall need fortifying.  Oh, now they're
off!  I feel as if we should fly over everything."

And, indeed, it looked like it, for Toney and
Colon were soon flying across country in grand style.
Sir Evas presently gave up trying to keep up with
her, five-barred gates were not for him now, though
in his youth he had been a mighty hunter.

"Look at Miss Whitburn taking that hedge!  By
jove!" exclaimed one of the young men.

"Did you see her take that wide ditch?  It was
magnificent, and there's no show-off; it's just
because she and her thorough-bred forget everything
that it's so splendid."

Edward Lang even had not been able to keep
up with Toney, but you can't make a proposal
flying over a gate, so he comforted himself with
thinking,

"Australia ought to be proud of having reared
her; anyhow, a girl who rides like that can be trusted
not to give way to too many fads."

No need to describe a hunting morning in that
county, it has all been done before, and best by
those who have themselves known the full
excitement of a splendid run.  To Toney it seemed to
give new life and happiness, but she never was too
much excited to forget that this was only an
interlude.  She and her father had had many a day's
hard riding, and he had taught her so young that the
word or feeling of fear did not even enter into her
composition; and, besides this, Colon was a thoroughbred
to be proud of.  He understood the run as well
or better than she did, and seemed endowed with
miraculous powers of clearing everything that came
in his way, whilst a soft pat from a loving hand was
reward enough.  It must be owned that though the
masculine gender applauded, some of the hunting
ladies were somewhat jealous.

"Of course," said a pretty girl to Edward Lang,
"if you get a thorough-bred like that you can do
anything, it depends on the horse."  Her own was
evidently a hack of moderate powers.

He shook his head.

"I fear it isn't all the horse, Miss Symons; Miss
Whitburn has a superb seat."

"They say she was originally a circus rider,"
answered Miss Symons; "that accounts for her
splendid seat, doesn't it?"

The Honble. Edward winced a little.  He meant
to propose to-day and this remark affected him
disagreeably.  Would his wife have to live down
these queer reports?

"I never heard that report," he said smiling, "but
if I had been the owner of the circus I would not
have let Miss Whitburn leave me.  Her father was a
doctor in Australia."

"Oh, Australia!  They are queer people there!
Descendants of convicts, aren't they?"

At this moment the dogs were seen in full cry, the
fox had been dislodged and part of the hunt came
flying back across a field hard by.  Toney was close
behind, and at that moment Miss Symons and
Edward Lang saw her and Colon leap over a gate
that would have been avoided by all the ladies and
most of the men.

"By Jove!  That was the most beautiful thing
I have ever seen," exclaimed Edward Lang, looking
towards Toney and leaving the disconsolate Miss
Symons to answer her own question.  To his
amusement Toney drew rein and came to meet him and
her uncle.

"Uncle Evas, you look as if you wanted your
lunch.  Wasn't it splendatious?  Colon just flies!"

"Don't stop your Pegasus for me, Toney."

"But I want to.  How far is it to the Towers,
Mr. Lang? and then we have to get home."

"I quite agree; besides the fox has got into Red
Hollow and will escape.  They always do in Red
Hollow."  Toney smiled.

"He deserves it.  But it does make one happy,
doesn't it?"

The three trotted back to the Towers, Edward
Lang was rather silent, wondering how he should
propose.  He heartily wished Toney were as easily
approached as Miss Symons, who was always lifting
her sad sweet eyes to his.

The breakfast was a joy to the hungry, and Lady
Southbourne all amiability to Toney and Sir Evas.
He had nothing to mar his enjoyment, and even
managed not to think of Melina at home.

All luncheon time Edward could think of nothing
more original than discussing the hunt, but as so
many of the male guests would chat with Toney
and all were enthusiastic over her riding, he only
succeeded in carrying her off to the conservatory
when the horses were at the door.  It does not help
matters if you feel there must be no delay over your
proposal.

"You just eclipsed all the girls on the hunting
field, Miss Whitburn," he began, as he picked some
lovely flowers at random.  "I do hope you'll come
again soon.  Why haven't we seen you oftener—I—I——"

Hunting and love don't dovetail easily, and Toney
was sniffing hard at some flowers quite unconscious
of what was coming.

"I shan't have much time, but Colon loves it;
I love the exercise too, but I'm not sure about
the fox!"

"You are too much of a sportswoman to join the
squeamish set."

"I'm not a sportswoman but I do love riding.
Pups and I had glorious days out in the Bush!
I wish England didn't feel so small, but one gets
used to being cooped up, and it's very good
discipline."

"You are too young and too beautiful to talk of
discipline," he murmured.  Toney took her face out
of a bush of sweet azaleas and looked at him in
amazement, so he continued very quickly,

"Of course you must know that *I* think so, and
that I—I—want to know if you will let me tell you
I love you?  Upon my word, I—do hope you'll give
me a chance.  Mother is awfully fond of you too,
and in fact, will you be my wife?"

Never, never had Edward found it so difficult to
compose a speech worthy of the occasion.  He had
never made love to such a perfectly simple
bright-eyed girl, impervious to flattery.

Suddenly Toney realised that she was having an
offer made to her:

"Gracious stars!  You don't mean you want to
marry me?  I'm sure you don't, because Aunt Dove
says no one can want to marry me except for my
money," and Toney laughed happily, "and you are
ever so much too nice for that."

If only she had been shy!  If only she had not
mentioned money in this bald way!

"Of course it isn't for your money—but——" the
lie stuck a little in his throat, looking at those
wide-opened laughing eyes, "but I think I could make
you happy, and you should have your own way."  Toney
nodded.

"Oh, yes, of course I should!  That's why it's no
use thinking of it.  My way and your way would
never be one scrap like twins.  Uncle Dove says it's
best to give me my head, but he declares no other
man but he would put up with it!  Ouf! that's
over, isn't it?  You don't mind one bit, I'm sure!
Good-bye.  I heard uncle calling.  Time's up and
Colon hates waiting.  Good-bye," and Toney flew
off like a sudden gust of wind, leaving Edward
Lang to chew the cud of disappointment alone.

Lady Southbourne watched Sir Evas and Toney
ride off followed by Jim, who had enjoyed himself
immensely in the servants' hall, weaving yarns about
his mistress and Colon.

"Well, Toney, you look very fit in spite of your
high jumps," said Sir Evas, looking with pleasure at
his niece, "It was a very fine run."

"And you look all the sprucer, dear old duck, but
I shan't come often if——"

"If—what's the matter?"

"If I have to have an offer at the end!  Mr. Lang
didn't do it very easily either, got into a bog and
sort of stuck there."

"Good heavens, Toney, have you refused the best
match of the county?"

"I don't believe he wanted *me*, but the money.
Aunt Dove sees some things awfully truly, I can tell
you, uncle, so I just repeated what she said about it
to him."

"Good heavens!  What was that?"

"You know, that it's only my money the men will want."

"You didn't tell him to his face, Toney?"

"Why not?  It's much better to be honest about
it, and besides I put it gingerly.  I told him it
couldn't be *that*.  But I did bless you when you
shouted for me, couldn't have found anything else to
say, either of us, not for anything! so I just
ran!"  Sir Evas laughed till the tears ran down his face.

"Edward Lang won't forgive you in a hurry,
besides, I daresay he does like you, and he's not
half a bad fellow, only rather extravagant, and given
to——  Ehem——"

"That's it, he wants to pay his bills, that shows
he's honest, anyhow, doesn't it? but I haven't as
much liking for him as I have for Jim.  That can't
be love, can it, uncle?"

"I should surmise not."

"But you might know, because you once made
love, didn't you?"

"Ye-es—but it was different.  We weren't romantic
in those days."

They went on in silence for a little while, then
Toney remarked,

"Do you know, Uncle Evas, you might have told
me about a pretty romance going on near us."

"Whose, Toney?"

"It's Mr. Waycott.  I guess he's awfully in love
with Maud Hamilton.  Don't you think that that
will be a very, very happy romance?  He's so real
nice, isn't he? and you see, she's very poor, so it
isn't for money only, but just because he loves and
admires her.  We'll give them a scrumptious wedding
present, won't we, uncle?"

"As it's a secret better say nothing; but, as you
remark, he can't be marrying for money!"

"I expect he'll tell me some day.  He always has
been so chummy with us, hasn't he?"

"Well, yes, Lewis Waycott is a first-rate fellow.
Now let's trot home quickly."





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`A GENEROUS COUSIN`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER XVIII.


.. class:: center medium bold

   A GENEROUS COUSIN.

.. vspace:: 2

Lewis was looking at the newspaper in the dining-room
one morning whilst waiting for his aunts and
cousins to come down to breakfast.  The
postman had just left the letters when Maud entered.
She looked very bright and pretty, and Lewis
thought to himself what a pity it was he could
not feel towards her as he did for Toney.
Everything would be so easy as Maud was not an heiress.
Aunt Delia's wishes were so carefully hidden that
happily Lewis did not recognise them, still he knew
his aunts would easily consent.  Maud held a letter
in her hand.

"Oh, Lewis, imagine what has happened!  Mother
always said it would!"

"I did not know Aunt Delia had the spirit of
prophecy."

"She has!  You know Cousin Seaton Hamilton
lives in the Argentine?"

"I thought he found living rather a difficulty."

"Mother always said he would make a fortune and
think of us, and he has!  So nice, too, he won't say
it's him.  Just imagine a present of two hundred
pounds for each of us, to go and study music in
Germany!"

Lewis laughed heartily.

"Oh, Lewis, you don't believe it!  Look for
yourself!"  She held out her letter which certainly
contained a draft for two hundred pounds.  Jeanie
walked in with a similar letter in her hand.

"Isn't it lovely?  Imagine such a thing happening
to us!"

"Seaton Hamilton must have found a gold mine!
When was the last time he wrote to you?"

"It was just when—Jeanie was playing with——"  Maud
left off, she must not mention the discarded
lover, but Jeanie blushed as she murmured,

"Mother is always right!  She said he would
remember us when he was rich, and he has."

Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Honoria entered together,
and there was a chorus from the girls whilst Lewis
stood by the fire smiling.

"Really, Delia, this is the first time I have known
your prophecy to come true.  And he puts it nicely,"
said Miss Honoria.

"I wonder he doesn't sign his name," said Lewis.

"So full of good feeling.  He always admired you
two girls so much," said their mother.

"Poor Seaton, money was always like water in his
hands."

"Nonsense, Lewis, he never had any, so your
simile is quite wrong, but I always said he *would*
make money some day, and would remember the
girls."

"Let's eat our breakfast in his honour then," said
Lewis, sitting down.  "Shall you accept it, Jeanie?"

"Of course.  Mother, when can we start?"

"We must thank him first; but isn't it tiresome
there is no address except that of the Argentine
lawyer?" said Maud.

"You must thank him then," said Lewis, "he'll
pass it on."

"I think Lewis does not half believe," said Jeanie.

"I believe in the money as the cheque looks good
enough; to me the miracle seems to be in Seaton.
He never could make money, and wasn't very
generous."

"How could he be on nothing?  Poor Seaton!
I always believed in him," repeated Mrs. Hamilton,
"but I don't think Maud can go to Germany just now."

They discussed this some time when suddenly
Lewis exclaimed,

"Why there is Toney cantering across the park!
You must tell her of your good fortune."  Lewis
went to the front door to warn her.  She ran up
the steps leaving Jim to hold the horses, and Lewis
thought he had never seen her looking so happy.

"Will you forgive me coming so early?"

"Forgive you?  Why, it's a great pleasure to
see you, Toney."

"Is it?  Well, that is nice of you.  I never know
if people care——"

What an opportunity!  Lewis nearly said, "I care
more for you than for anybody in the world," but
the fifty thousand a year popped up before his
mental vision like a number on a music hall
platform.

"Everybody does," he altered it to, "but I came
to tell you that Maud and Jeanie are in the seventh
heaven of delight over poor Seaton Hamilton's gift
of two hundred pounds each.  You are too generous,
Toney."

"You are glad, aren't you?  You won't scold me?
I know you like Maud to have advantages.  Keep
the secret, won't you?"

"Of course, but what brings you?  Has Lady
Dove given you notice to quit?"

Toney laughed.

"Oh no, not yet; but she is very angry
because—another *avant garde* came yesterday—such a
quaint little old maid whose father was at Balaclava,
and then finished up all his money before he died,
and she has kept her mother for years by working
at a little school, and now she is going blind."

"Did one little old maid rouse her anger?"

"Somehow it did, when it really was an honour to
shake hands with Miss Phipps; but I want to know
if I may have the farm at once and rig it up for
interviews.  I could put Miss Phipps and her
mother there, and she could be sort of interviewing
secretary."

"But you say she can't see?"

"Her mother could see for her and they could do
it between them.  Mr. Staines is so slow about the
lease, and he and your lawyer are having *chassé
croisé* about everything, and—if you don't mind
lending it to me straight off till it's paid for we
could send an army of work-people and do it up from
top to toe."

Lewis looked at her bright eager face, and he felt
it was also an honour to shake hands with her, but
he could say nothing but,

"Of course you shall have it, only it's giving in to
Lady Dove's selfishness."

"Pups said it was not seeing through other
people's eyes that made us selfish.  I read last night
about Brother Leo's dream, and I did wish Aunt
Dove could hear it, but she would think it rubbish.
He saw a lot of brothers with loads on their backs
trying to cross a river, some got half-way and some
nearly to the shore, but in the end all were drowned;
and then he saw others with no loads and they got
over easily, and St. Francis explained that the loads
were the riches which they could not forsake."

"Lady Dove has a pretty good heavy load, I
fancy!" said Lewis rather savagely.

"I'm sure Pups hadn't any.  That's why he got to
the other side so easily.  Then I may see about the
farm this very day, may I?"

"Yes, this very day, I'll come with you directly
after breakfast; but come in and hear about the
Argentine cousin."

"You swear to keep the secret, won't you, Mr. Waycott?"

"Certainly, by the seven gods if you like."

As the two entered the dining-room, Miss
Honoria thought she had never seen two faces
looking so perfectly happy.

Never had Jeanie Hamilton appeared so much
excited as she did now as both sisters recounted
their good fortune, to which Toney listened with a
smile on her lips.

"It will pay for a whole course of Herr Ludowic.
Imagine such luck!"

"Jeanie is really worth the lessons, but I'm not,"
said Maud humbly.  "I think she had better have it
all and then she can become a professional."

"Cousin Seaton wouldn't like that," said
Mrs. Hamilton; "you can keep it and see what you really
want.  I always said he would make money and that
he had a generous heart," and Toney put in,

"If he has made a lot I expect he finds it just a
great pleasure to give it away.  Now I'll go on to
the farm and take notes."

The farm was a most picturesque place with old
black woodwork outside, and within panelled rooms
with lattice windows, but it all needed repainting and
papering.  Toney was in her element, as pencil in
hand, she planned out something very pretty.  She
had not done before Lewis appeared, and with his
help she put down the names of the tradesmen she
should apply to to transform the old farm into
something that would be very pretty and attractive,
and where some of the future dwellers in Toney's
palace should lodge.

"I am going to call the palace 'Stone House'
after my General," she said, "and you must name
the farm, as it is really your gift."

"My gift when I am selling it for a handsome
sum!  It will be a chapel of ease I think."

Toney laughed.

"Indeed it won't.  Everybody connected with it
will work hard.  Pups said hard work was like salt
to dried herrings!  But I do wish we could get on
with the palace.  It's going to be built of stone of
course, with mullion windows and airy rooms, and
very hygienic and—oh, I must ride home, for
Mr. Russell will be wanting me.  He takes Aunt Dove's
part, and she is really quite nice to him."

At that moment Maud made her appearance.  Her
mother had sent her to invite Toney to lunch, but
in the back of her mind it was to report how Lewis
conducted himself with the heiress.  Maud found
them only busy over the names of many tradesmen.

"I'm glad you came," exclaimed Toney, but not
laughing.  "I want you to help Mr. Waycott to
choose a name for the farm.  It will be nice if you
both help."

Maud was beginning to admire Toney very much;
ever since the birthday party she always took her
part when her mother and Jeanie abused her, and
now here was Toney saying something so nice.  At
that moment, however, the Squire's agent came to
call him away on business.

"Oh, Toney, it will be lovely to have your palace
so near to Lewis, because he does take so much
interest in it."

"It is very good of him and you.  If you both
care it will get on."

Maud wondered why Toney put it like that;
happily, Mrs. Hamilton had not let Maud become
acquainted with her plans, and as she herself had
never seen any attention, other than cousinly, on
Lewis' side, the idea of marrying him had not
entered her head.  In this Mrs. Hamilton had shown
her talent.  She knew Lewis would resent the idea
of having his wife chosen for him, but some day
he would fall in with the idea and all would be
well, but it did no harm to prepare the matrimonial
path by telling other people about it.

"Toney, dear, I want to make a confession to
you," said Maud, leaning against the gate whilst
Toney sat on the top of it.

"Confession to me!  I'm the worst person, for if I
were a Roman Catholic priest I would never listen
to confessions, but absolve them all.  I should feel
rather mean to hear people's bad thoughts, wouldn't
you?"

"Well, you must listen.  I think we were all
horrid about you, I don't know why, at least I think
when you first came I was rather jealous of you."

"Jealous of me when I first came!  Why, I was
only a poor relation."

"Yes, but you could ride and play tennis, and you
always said things straight out, which I never,
never can!"

"It was only Pups' teaching."

"But I want to say I've changed my mind, Toney,
and I do like you very much now, and will you let
me help you in your work?  Jeanie and I do seem
to lead such useless lives.  Of course now with
Cousin Seaton's present it will be better.  Jeanie
will go and get really good lessons and be a success,
and I shall give her my share, as it will be much
better for her, and then I thought that perhaps you
would let me help with your poor people."

"Well, now that is scrumptious of you, Maud;
you're the first woman that ever wanted to help
except Crumpet, and she's got her Henry.  If you
really mean it, you could come and help Miss
Phipps here.  Mr. Waycott laughs because she's
nearly blind—and there'll be so much to do at first
about accounts and other things."

"Let's call it 'The Haven.'"

"Yes, and you shall visit the Haven every day.
That will be beautiful, and you won't mind being
a paid official, will you, as I think paid work is more
satisfactory.  I'll give you one hundred pounds a
year, and it will be a real, real help."

"Oh, Toney! but——  Yes, I won't be proud
because the money will be so useful to me.  It is
silly our being afraid of saying we are poor.
Since I've known you, Toney, I see how foolish
we are."

Toney took her hand and clasped it

"That's a token of our agreement.  The Kanakas
did that when I tried to make them promise to
leave off a bad habit; but I think they liked clasping
hands, as they so often forgot and had to begin
again!"  They both laughed, and Maud's eyes
began to shine with new hope and pleasure.  She
was going to be useful.

"And there's another thing I want to ask you
about.  You know Jeanie always looks so miserable;
well, it's because she is constantly thinking of Frank
Weston.  She rejected him because he wasn't a
gentleman born, I used to think she was right, but
now—I begin to feel it's we that were silly and foolish.
How can it matter what a man is by birth so that
he's *really nice*.  You don't know what a wonderful
musician he is, and what a very, very nice man.  I
think Jeanie broke his heart, or nearly, and I believe
she is breaking hers, as she is so cross if I mention
him.  Oh, Toney, can you help her?  You got Miss
Crump married.  Lewis says it was all your doing."

"Gracious stars! but I do love a real, real romance.
Of course I'd marry a pig-sticker if he was real
nice, but I'm not a Hamilton—I'm only just Toney
Whitburn.  But, Maud, let's think out a solution, and
thank you very, very much for being so nice to me!
I'll never be jealous of you!"

"Jealous of me!—how could you be, Toney?"





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`A REFUGE`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER XIX.


.. class:: center medium bold

   A REFUGE.

.. vspace:: 2

The transformation of the farm seemed to take
place by magic, for Toney spared neither trouble
nor money.  She wished to have some place where
her visitors might be received with kindness and
courtesy, two things which were a very uncertain
quantity at Aldersfield, that is if Lady Dove was in
the vicinity.  Besides all this time, Toney was
constantly writing to the architect about plans for
"Stone House," and to Mr. Staines about the
purchase of the land.  It was in all these ways
that the girl's real ability was soon visible; what she
did not understand she grappled with till, as she
expressed it, daylight came.  Even Mr. Russell
began to feel that his employer was not only a mere
girl with whims and fancies, for that had been his first
opinion of her.  He was often surprised at the grasp
she had of subjects not included in a young lady's
education, and a faint spark of enthusiasm began to
appear occasionally in his work.  Certainly there
was a great deal of secretarial work to do, but
Toney's masterly scribbles on the letters to be
answered were seldom at fault, though expressed
in somewhat quaint fashion.  She appeared to
remember cases in an extraordinary manner without
their being tabulated, for she possessed a royal
memory, bred of early training and a perfectly
healthy life.

Ten days later Toney rode off alone to the farm
to see to last touches, for Miss Phipps and her mother
were to come that very afternoon.  The door was
opened by Mrs. Thomas, who had been a cook, and
Mary, now a tall girl, was to wait on the ladies,
whilst Mr. Thomas was to see after the garden and
make himself generally useful.  As the whole family
adored Toney, there was no fear of the wheels not
going round easily.  She had made them think they
themselves were going to confer great benefits.

"I do think, Miss Tonia, everything is ready!" said
Mrs. Thomas.

"And I've put flowers in the sitting-room," added
Mary.  "I knew you would wish them to have flowers."

"And we shall have a fine dairy, miss," added
Thomas, "'twill supply all your big house when it's
built."

They all accepted Miss Tonia's big house quite
naturally, and they all meant to have a hand in its
success.

Toney made a last inspection, her quick eyes
seeing everything.  Then she returned alone into the
parlour to await Maud who had gone to meet Miss
Phipps.  Toney and Trick sat on the wide window
seat looking into the garden, in which beautiful
chrysanthemums were to be seen, and curled up here
with Trick in her arms she had a good think.

It was very sweet of Maud to want to help her,
she loved her for it, and she loved her because Lewis
loved her, and the two would perfect as master
and mistress of beautiful Waycott Hall with all its
art treasures.  It was very nice of Lewis never to
have thought of money at all, as Lady Dove had
formerly said he would, it showed he was what
Toney had always thought him, one of King Arthur's
knights.  She did wish they had told her herself
because she could have assured them how perfect she
thought it, and she would try to be awfully nice
to Maud for his sake.  Of course it was his influence
that had made her so much nicer, and now so willing
to join in Toney's work.

As for herself, her work was marked out quite
plainly, and she must think of nothing else; it would
be years before it would run on all fours, and till
then she must keep a watchful eye over everything
and must not think of personal pleasure.  Then she
would be following in her father's footsteps, and
doing her duty to her neighbour as General Stone
had expected of her.

The bright face was quite grave as she leant
against Trick's shaggy locks.  The burden felt just
a wee bit heavy this morning, and the future,
just like a hill that went up and up a long, long
way, and no top visible at this moment.  Then
suddenly she shook herself and Trick to get rid
of these grey thoughts.

"I do wish Pups could appear to me as the
Brothers of Poverello did so often to each other.  I
shouldn't be a bit afraid, as of course he is working
hard somewhere, and of course he sees me and does
care about my work.  But the Brothers of Poverello
were so very, very good and always praying, so that
they were fit to see the saints, and I'm not."

At this moment, happily for Toney's spirits, a fly
drove up and she flew to receive her first visitors.
Maud was there looking quite transformed from the
discontented girl she had been into a woman with a
purpose.

"Here we are, Toney, and Mrs. and Miss Phipps
are very cold and tired after their journey."

Then all Toney's sadness flew away like a bird of
evil omen, and she was once more the joyous creature
that scattered delight about her.  Mary Thomas was
helping the ladies as if they were princesses, and
Thomas was dealing with their boxes, and
Mrs. Thomas was saying that tea was ready in the
dining-room.  Mrs. Phipps was a bustling, kind old lady
devoted to her nearly blind daughter and telling
her how beautiful everything was, and Miss Phipps
was as cheerful as possible, talking and praising
everything.

"The work will be quite easy," said Toney, "and
Miss Hamilton will look in every day to help you,
and there are four spare rooms for anyone who wants
to come and have a real good time, and you will
make them very happy I know, and Mary is just a
treasure."

So the party sat down to tea, and they made
Mrs. Phipps take the head of the table because this was
her home now, and she was to entertain everybody
who came, and she looked quite capable of it, and
already vastly proud of her position.  And yet a
month ago the workhouse had been staring them in
the face, because all their little savings had gone.
But they did not feel like paupers here, they were to
work hard so as to make less fortunate folks as
happy as they were.

At last Toney rose and said good-bye, and
Mrs. Phipps murmured some very grateful words, but
Miss Phipps just took Toney's hand and kissed it,
and Toney felt a tear on her hand, so she ran away,
quickly followed by Maud.

They were going down by the lane across to
Waycott Hall, and for a few minutes they were
silent, then Toney exclaimed,

"Gracious stars!  Maud, aren't my Poverelli just
ready-made saints, and it's so dreadful their thanking
me, and I can't explain to them exactly how it's
really nothing to do with me, but with General
Stone, and really also Mr. Waycott, who let me have
all this land and this lovely farm, and you too for
helping me.  Do you know it's so awfully nice you
two being sort of bound up together in a work."

"We two?"

"Yes, you know, you and—your cousin."

"Oh, Lewis, you mean.  I do think he is so
very—I suppose I oughtn't to say so because he's my
cousin—but he has altered so much, and thinks such
a lot about his people now, I can't understand it."

"I always think he is one of Arthur's knights,
and not a bit proud or stuck-up, though of course he
might be, living as he does at Waycott Hall, which
is so beautiful.  I like to think of—the future."

Toney paused, she dared not go on as Maud wouldn't
tell her straight out.

"Well, I am thinking of the present, Toney!
You can't think how the idea of working has done
me good.  I told mother that Lewis had sold you
the farm, and she is quite pleased at my helping
you.  I didn't tell her about your giving me a salary
for it, as she has old-fashioned ideas, but you know
we are poor, and I do want it."

"Of course I know."  Toney said to herself, "She
wants to save for her trousseau, and it's quite right
of her to work for it."

"I do mean to be in earnest this time," continued
Maud, "looking back I never seem to have done
anything in downright real earnest as you have, not
even my music—Jeanie was the cleverest, and I
knew I could never be first-rate as she will be if
she works."

"But now of course you will have a real reason
for bucking up.  Wanting to be a little like Pups
helps me awfully."

"My father wasn't like yours, he somehow spent
all our money."

"But you will want to be like your cousin," said
Toney, making an effort, trying to rub this idea well
into Maud.  Of course she must become worthy to
be the mistress of Waycott Hall!

"Yes, seeing Lewis so much in earnest is a real
help.  By the way, Toney, as I was walking here I
met Mr. Lang, and I asked him why he hadn't been
to tabulate lately!"

"Did you?  He's had enough of it," said Toney,
pretending Trick was lost and needed a loud
whistle.

"He seemed rather low, and said you didn't want
him any more, and—he really is a nice fellow, Toney.
Do you know that someone told mother that he
wanted to marry you!  I wonder if he does?"

"Not *me*!" said Toney laughing.  "Aunt Dove
is quite right, no one would care to marry me, only
General Stone's money.  I'm not sweet and pretty
like you and Silvia Hales, and I'm not anything of
a lady, and your mother sort of sniffs at me I
know!" Toney laughed very happily.

"We were brought up to think ladylike ways
covered all our sins.  I see it differently now,
and I don't mean to be a slave of that idea any
longer."

Toney suddenly pulled a newspaper cutting out of
her pocket.

"Look, Maud, I want you to read this.  I've got
an idea."  She handed Maud an account of the
splendid reception given to the great musician,
Frank Weston, in London.

"How interesting!  He is a real genius.  I hope
Jeanie won't see it.  I believe she loves him all the
time, and it's that which makes her miserable,
but—you know—his parents once had a shop."

"So did Lord Courthouse at home.  I used to
help him a bit when he was hard put to it."

"But then he was Lord Courthouse!"

"Now that's right down silly, isn't it?  Two
people do just the same things, and yet because one
is born a lord he can do it and people praise him,
and the other man whose father was an honest
tradesman is sniffed at."

"Yes, it is foolish.  I wish you could see him,
Toney.  He has a beautiful face and perfect manners,
because he is so earnest and straight to the point.
But Jeanie refused him.  I'm sure he would never,
never ask her again, and there are no end of girls
who would marry him.  I wonder he isn't married
by this time."

Toney stopped still to laugh.

"I must own up, Maud, I've asked him to come
and play at Aldersfield.  He thinks I'm a great
lover of music, as I've offered him *carte blanche* as
to price! and you know, Maud, I don't know one
note from another!  How I shall sit out the concert
I don't know, only it's going to be one of my
romances."

"What do you mean, Toney?" Maud looked
distressed.  "Has he accepted?"

"Yes, to-day.  Mr. Russell is sending invitations
for a concert at Aldersfield House—supposed to be
Aunt Dove's—all over the place, and you'll get
one.  Now, mind, no refusals—and—I'll do the rest."

"Whatever did you have to pay?  He nearly
always refuses private people, he hates to be
patronised.  But you should see him.  When he has
his violin under his chin he is just inspired and you
feel—lifted up almost to heaven.  Oh, why did
Jeanie refuse him?  I know I never could have!"

Maud laughed and Toney joined her.

"You were destined for something better, but I
am scheming how to do it."

"Toney! was it really all for Jeanie?  If she
knew he was going to be at the concert she would
not come."

"Well, mums the word.  They'll see each other
comfortably at Aldersfield.  I haven't invented any
more yet!——  Isn't it perfect, that little party at
the farm and that sweet blind woman who has
worked all her life will be very kind to my *avant
garde* folk."

"I wish you had a romance of your own, Toney.
If Mr. Lang——"

"Gracious stars!  I hope he won't.  Just imagine
me as the future Lady Southbourne having to do
the civil to the county, besides—he would want my
money."

"But you would like him to have it."

"No, I shouldn't!  You see, Maud, it's dedicated."

"But you could do good with it together."

"But *I* might be out of it, besides I couldn't love
him.  I'm just going to be an old maid and look
after the declining years of Aunt Dove and Uncle
Evas!  By the way, Aunt Dove has had a serious
difference with Miss Grossman.  I do hope she won't
go.  She is her discipline."

"I don't think anyone can stand it long," said
Maud smiling.

"My Chum stood it fifteen years; ouf!  Good-bye,
Maud, and keep my secret.  I'm going to have
a good think about it," and Toney disappeared, and
Maud was left to grieve over her sister's dead
romance.





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`SHAPING A ROMANCE`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER XX.


.. class:: center medium bold

   SHAPING A ROMANCE.

.. vspace:: 2

Jeanie and Maud Hamilton shared a bedroom at
Waycott Hall, and out of this opened a pretty
sitting-room where they practised their music and
wrote their letters.

The next morning Jeanie was reading an invitation
written especially to her by Toney.  Maud had
brought it up to her.  It ran thus:—

.. vspace:: 2

"MY DEAR JEANIE,

.. vspace:: 1

"Aunt Dove is giving a concert here next
week.  Will you come as you are so musical?  A
violinist is coming and perhaps you will like to play
too afterwards?  Aunt Dove says she is very musical,
so she likes the idea of collecting the neighbourhood
to hear really good music.  I shan't know if it's
good or bad.  Will you and your sister come and
help me, and stop the night here, as I don't know
what to say to musical people, and as you are soon
going to Germany you might like to discuss your
masters with them.  Please come.  Aunt Dove says
she loves Dvorak, but Uncle Evas declares she has
never heard anything by him.  Anyhow, bring your
violin and you can play when the visitors have
gone.

.. vspace:: 1

"YOUR AFFECTIONATE TONEY."

.. vspace:: 2

"What a long letter about this concert," said
Jeanie.  "Why can't Toney send out proper cards
of invitation like other people?"

"She thinks you are a great player and sends you
a special note.  It will be nice to go and spend the
night there, won't it?"

Maud looked out of the window and not at her
sister.  She felt very nervous over Toney's new idea!

"No, I don't think so.  It will be very tiresome.
Mr. Russell is musical, but you know, Maud, the
others have no music in them.  It's dreadful playing
to people who only hear a noise, isn't it?  Besides, I
expect they have got hold of some second-rate
fiddler.  I would much rather stay at home.  You
had better go."

"I do think we ought both to go.  Toney is so
anxious to give you pleasure before you go away."

"I hate Toney's ostentatious lavishness.  Mother
says she will ruin the neighbourhood."  Maud
blushed.

"Oh, Jeanie, aren't we very horrid about Toney?
I wish——  Well, anyhow, I shall go.  Most likely
they will have some great man, and you'll be sorry
afterwards."

There was only one great man in Jeanie's estimation,
and of course he wouldn't come to a private house.

"I want to work hard till I go away, so inferior
concerts are waste of time."

"What's the good of all your work if mother hates
you earning money.  If you played at this concert
it would do you good.  I don't see why we shouldn't
work like other poor people."

"Mother expects us to marry," said Jeanie, "but *I*
never shall."

"Oh, Jeanie, I really believe you—still love
Frank Weston!"  Maud expected something dreadful
to happen but only silence followed.

"You were just made for each other and he
worshipped you."

"He's forgotten me now," said Jeanie bitterly.

"Of course he can't forget the—the snubbing he got."

"I want to practise," said Jeanie, and seizing her
violin she drowned further remarks in wild melody.
Her sore heart could find relief only in music.  Yes,
she knew well enough now she was fretting her life
away in useless regrets.

Maud crept away with a smile on her lips.  Would
Toney succeed?  Frank Weston did not know that
the Hamiltons were staying near Aldersfield House,
he could never guess he would meet face to face his
old love who had used him so ill.  If he knew, Maud
felt sure he would at once throw up the engagement,
for he could afford to please himself.

Maud seized her hat and went off to the Haven
as she did every morning now.  It seemed the
nicest hour of the day, for there it really was a
haven of peace.  The Phipps were always cheerful,
always so happy over every little flower they found
in their path.

Most mornings also Toney met her there.  She
was arranging for three new inmates, the deaf
Captain Grant and Mr. and Mrs. Harris, and the
Phipps were full of plans for their comfort.  Toney
had indeed chosen well.  To-day, when their
business was done, Toney seized on Maud.

"Come along and lunch with us, I want to show
you all the arrangements for our romance.  I do
hope it will succeed, only you must help me, Maud."

Then Maud related what had taken place that
morning.

"That is all on the right road.  Aunt Dove is
delighted because all 'our county friends' are
coming.  Can't think why lords and ladies please
her so much.  I never can learn her table of degrees."
"There is Lewis," exclaimed Maud.  "Oh, Toney,
do tell him."

Toney was not surprised.  Of course Lewis
Waycott knew Maud went every day to the Haven, and
of course he sort of happened to be often in the
way.  He shook hands as he said,

"So, Toney, we are all booked for your concert
to-morrow.  Who is the star you are preparing for
us?  Nobody knows!"

"It's Aunt Dove's concert, please; she is so
smiling to-day, and she and Mr. Russell have
been discussing all the musicians beginning with
Tubal Cain.  Maud has promised to pinch me at
intervals in case I go to sleep.  Only 'Sound the
loud timbrel' sort of thing keeps me awake, but
I guess I'll keep awake to-morrow because——"

"Why, pray?"

"You are safe I know, Mr. Waycott, and I want
you both to know."

"Both?" asked Lewis.

"Yes, you and Maud of course, you will both be
so pleased—if it succeeds."

"What is this surprise, Toney?  I am a little
nervous," and Lewis laughed.

"It's a romance—about Jeanie.  You know,
Mr. Waycott, that she loved someone once, but she
chucked him up because his father kept a store
somewhere."

"Oh!  Jeanie's romance!  You don't mean to say,
Toney——"

"Yes, I do.  I've got him, and no one knows but
you two."

"Knows what?

"Don't laugh please.  He's coming, and all the
musical people will be in a seventh heaven, and
then Jeanie will come in looking beautiful and
sad—and he will see her and she will see
him—and——"

"Good heavens!  Toney!  What do you think
will happen then?"

"He'll speak through his violin.  Books always
say that, though that language would be of no use
to me!"

"I don't think a musician could make you an
offer, Toney," said Maud laughing, "you would hurt
his tenderest feelings."

"Anyhow, I wouldn't chuck him up because his
parents kept a store."

"And what will happen next, Toney?" said
Lewis, "pray tell us."

"That's what I can't quite settle in my own
mind.  They are both going to stay in the house
to-morrow, and I think there must be sort of
opportunities——"

"It's too delicious, but I think they will both send
for a carriage and depart."

"Together?" said Toney laughing.  "Oh, I hope
they will do that."

"No, on opposite sides!" answered Lewis.

"I shall work hard and see.  Chum is coming
with her Henry as they are both musical, and I want
to introduce her to some nice people.  Clergy folk
want rubbing up."

"Poor Mrs. Faber, she goes through a good deal
for your sake, Toney!"

"But you'll just both help me, won't you, and
make people talk and introduce anybody to
anybody.  It takes too much time to remember who
may speak to who, according to Aunt Dove, that it's
better to forget it all."

"Poor county!  You are going against its most
cherished ideas," said Lewis, secretly glorying in
Toney's courage.

"I can't help it.  Mr. Russell is studying the
Peerage this morning and he'll cover up my
mistakes.  Anyhow, I may count on you two?  Now
I'm off as there are several things to think out for
the great romance!  First I am going to meet *him*
at the station and drive him home alone.  Good-bye.
You'll have a nice walk home."

Toney disappeared swiftly as usual, and Lewis
walked a few minutes in silence by his cousin,
considering why Toney classed them together so
pointedly.  Maud had not noticed it, her mind was
full of another idea.

"Oh, Lewis, I believe Mr. Lang is in love with
Toney!  Wouldn't it be lovely if she became chief
lady in the county!"

"Edward Lang!  What nonsense!  Who said it?"  Lewis
dug his stick into the ground rather savagely.

"I put two and two together."

"Do you think Toney would—marry him?"

"If she could be persuaded he cared about her and
not her money."

"But does he?"

"I think you are prejudiced against him.  He is
rather a nice fellow."

"I wish you girls wouldn't use the word nice for
everything," said Lewis somewhat crossly; but
Maud's answer was cut short by the appearance of
her mother as they walked up on to the terrace of
Waycott Hall.

"I've just persuaded Jeanie to accept Antonia's
invitation.  I hear the county is coming and they
expect something good, but no one knows.  Do you,
Maud?"

"Toney wants it to be a secret," said Maud.

"Ah, I see, you two always take Toney's side.
Maud, what a colour you have.  Morning walks
agree with you, don't you think so, Lewis?"

Lewis looked up and noticed how pretty Maud
was looking.

"Maud is developing into a beauty, aunt!"

"You silly boy!  I don't want my girls to be
beauties."

"Then you must find out some way of stopping
it!  Jeanie's pensive air is most becoming, and
Maud——"

"Ah! poor Jeanie, I think Germany will cure her
low spirits."

Lewis remarked he had to go to town on business
that afternoon but he could be back for the concert.
He wanted to get rid of his ill-temper.  Maud's
unfortunate remark had been the cause of it.
Would someone else seize the prize he was too
proud to win—and would that someone else be
Edward Lang?  Certainly fine feelings would not
stop him trying to grasp at wealth.

Maud was dreadfully restless that afternoon and
insisted on Jeanie turning out her wardrobe to see
what suitable dress she should wear.

"Your pale blue dress is pretty," remarked Maud.
"Oh, we have both worn those pale blue dresses
till people must know them."

"There is no time to get a new dress, I'm afraid."

"I shan't waste a penny of my money on dress
and mother says she can't afford it."

"Then your white muslin, Jeanie dear."

"I don't feel like white muslin.  I shall wear my
black dress.  No one will notice us, Maud."

The sisters stood rather sadly looking over the
beautiful park from the Elizabethan windows.
Nothing is more depressing than to be surrounded
by wealthy friends and yet to be too poor to take
the position you are entitled to.  Suddenly the
butler entered.

"A gentleman to see you, Miss Hamilton."

Their Aunt Honoria and their mother had gone
out to pay calls; they were alone.

Jeanie flushed.  "A gentleman to see her" made
her heart beat, but the gentleman that entered was
quite unknown.  He bowed very politely and looked
at the sisters critically.

"Excuse me, ladies, but five minutes will suffice."

Five minutes!  The sisters looked at each other
in dismay.  Had Miles let in a lunatic?

The stranger looked at a letter he held in his
hand.

"Surely I am not mistaken.  Two Miss Hamiltons
at Waycott Hall.  The order to be executed
immediately.  I shall take the next train back to
town and twenty individuals are put on at once on
each dress; by to-morrow at ten o'clock you will
have two creations.  If you will permit me."  A
yard measure came swiftly out of the gentleman's
pocket, and before the astonished girls could speak,
their measures were taken and the gentleman bowed
low and retired.

"Oh!" exclaimed Jeanie, "it's Aunt Honoria!  She
heard me say I had nothing to wear!  But she might
have asked us what colour we wanted."

"As she didn't, we had better say nothing about
it.  Perhaps she sent the measures and the
gentleman wanted to make sure," said Maud.  A faint
idea had entered her head, but she would not for the
world have told Jeanie.

"Yes, you are right—I must say it's nice of her.
I should have been ashamed to play in that old blue
or white muslin!—Not that it matters much."

When Aunt Honoria came in she found Maud
waiting for her.

"Did you—order a dress to be sent to us, Aunt
Honoria?"

"A dress?  No, dear.  Your mother said you had
some that would do nicely, as there will be such a
crowd, she hears."

"Would you mind if some dresses come not saying
anything—I'll tell you why another day.  It's a
surprise for Jeanie."

"Oh! indeed!  But I can't accept the credit—who
is the donor?"

"Please, please, accept thanks if—you don't mind
just for one day——"

Maud retired to solitude thinking to herself.

"I'm sure it's Toney, it's part of her plan!  She's
ordered something lovely for Jeanie and couldn't
leave me out!  It would break her heart if Jeanie
refused her gift.  Dear Toney's romance must not
be spoilt."





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`PLAYING WITH FIRE`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER XXI.


.. class:: center medium bold

   PLAYING WITH FIRE.

.. vspace:: 2

"Uncle Evas, I want you particularly," said Toney
next morning after lunch.

"Your aunt does too.  She and Mr. Russell are
tabulating guests.  I hear some great man sleeps
here to-night."

"I'm just off to meet him, but you will be very
nice to him, uncle, at dinner to-night, won't you, and
mind you see he takes in Jeanie Hamilton.  They
will talk of music all the time and save us a lot
of trouble."

"Very well, but your aunt will pair him off with
Lady Southbourne.  He seems to be no end of a
swell.  For my part I never can find a word to
say to these geniuses."

"Dear, ducky uncle, they are none of them so nice
as you are, gospel truth, but I wish you were just a
wee bit curious."  The heart of Sir Evas felt warmed.
He realised now what an immense difference Toney's
love made in his life.  To him it seemed as if he
had been in a grave till her arrival, and then had
slowly crept out of it.

"Curious, eh?  Well, so I am."

"You never asked me why I wanted you particularly."

"I'm a trifle nervous when you do!" he answered
laughing.

"You always were a bit of a coward, weren't you?
Well, I'll tell you.  You must let Maud Hamilton go
in with Mr. Waycott, I think it's all right."

"Good Lord! what's all right?"

"Why, they are!  I wonder they don't announce
it, but I expect Miss Honoria doesn't like it."

"Like what?"

"You know!  I think they're engaged now.  He
nearly always comes to meet her at the Haven."

"Toney, your romantic nature should be curbed.
I don't believe a word of it."

Toney looked up with wide-opened eyes.

"That's just like a man—awfully opaque.  Well,
I'm off, I'm going to drive the motor to the station,
and come back in the dog-cart."

"You'll take Jim?"

"No, I'm going quite alone.  I want to make
friends with the great musician."

"I say, Toney, I don't think that's quite *comme-il-faut*.
Now you're a lady of property you mustn't be
quite so—so——"

"Oh, Uncle Evas, you do disappoint me!  It's
Mr. Russell that is spoiling your natural disposition.
You're downright snobby!  What harm can I do to
a poor stranger that comes here to give us pleasure?
He's not a wild beast.  Good-bye, and wish me luck."

"You won't let—your aunt see you, will you, Toney?"

"No, you bet!" and Toney flew off laughing heartily.

"Can't get the fear of Aunt Dove out of his
constitution, poor darling, sort of chronic disease,"
she said to herself.

Happily the day turned into a dull drizzle, and
the county magnates stayed indoors, or they might
have seen a flying machine guided by the heiress,
dashing up to the station.  Toney timed herself
always to be exact, with no time to spare.  Her
face was radiant.  She had settled her plan of
campaign, and as she walked up and down well
"reefed in" with a serge coat and skirt of the
simplest description, no one would have guessed that
she was the envy of all the impoverished aristocrats
of the county.  She looked more cheerful than she
felt, however.  "There's many a slip between the
cup and the lip," and that tiresome proverb would
float about on the surface of Toney's brain.

The train flustered in with a great show of
consequentiality, the slow porters had on the look
of "Take it easy, pray," as Toney ran up and down
looking for the great man, whose father had once
kept a shop.  For a moment she thought he had
failed to appear, then from the other end of the
platform a tall man with a very remarkable face
came slowly towards her.  He carried a violin case,
and a man-servant followed him laden with other
luggage.

Toney knew at once this was her man, and she
seized the porter.

"Mr. Smith, will you please get a fly and put that
gentleman and all the luggage in it.  I'm driving the
other gentleman in the dog-cart."

The porter touched his hat with a grin, he was
not accustomed to being called Mr. Smith, nor to
hear a man-servant called a gentleman.

Then Toney began her campaign.

"How do you do?  I know you are Mr. Frank
Weston, because—there's no one else, is there—I've
come to drive you home.  I'm Toney Whitburn, so
now we're introduced.  Lady Dove's giving the
party, but I take all the trouble.  There's a fly for
your man, and if you want the violin with you I'll
put it behind us."

Frank Weston had been much dissatisfied with
himself for accepting the munificent private offer for
playing in a private house.  The money had tempted
him, as he had lately heard of a broken-down
violinist who had nothing but the workhouse before
him, and he had infinite pity for failure and poverty.
For himself—now his parents were well provided
for—he cared nothing at all.  The one romance of his
life had failed.  He had loved once and once only.
Jeanie Hamilton had touched his heart with her
beauty and her talent, and strange to say her pride,
but when her mother had told him her daughter
refused his love, and had intimated that their social
positions were too far removed, the genius had
lifted his head more proudly than any aristocrat.

"I offered her my heart and my music," he had
said, "they are worth more than anything she may
possess."

"Yes, yes—you—and your genius but—your
people are not our people," Mrs. Hamilton had
murmured with the softness of a purring pussy.

Frank Weston's face had turned paler if possible
than usual, and he walked away without answering.
The iron had entered into his soul.  But in spite of
this he still loved his first love, though her name had
never again passed his lips, and he hated other
women because of her.  No other should spurn him,
and though many had wished to marry him, he had
never asked any.  His music was the gainer, for
after that people said Frank Weston was inspired in
his pathetic movements, and now Toney was going
to play with fire.

Frank Weston's face was one not to be easily
forgotten.  His features seemed to be cut in
alabaster, his hair reached his coat collar in soft
curling fashion, but there was no affectation about
him.  He was far too true a genius to descend to
small advertisements.  Music was his only interest
in life, but even a dreamy genius stood no chance
with Toney.  She piloted him out of the station
and both stood by the side of the dog-cart.  Frank
Weston looked round hopelessly.  He could not
drive, and looking down at the slight girlish figure
he doubted if she could, when he saw Jim holding
the thorough-bred.  Toney answered his look.

"Oh, yes, I'll drive you.  There's a dry place for
your violin.  You can trust me.  This is my own
horse and we understand each other.  It's awfully
good of you to come to us.  You don't usually, do
you, but I did so particularly want you."  Frank
Weston gradually took in the situation.

"My agent said a Miss Whitburn—wanted——"

Toney jumped in and he had to follow.

"Yes, that's all right, that's me.  When your
agent said, 'It will only be a big price that will
tempt him,' I said, 'Go ahead!'"  Toney spoke so
simply that Mr. Weston smiled.

"I may as well own it at once," he said.  "It
was the money that tempted me.  There is a poor
friend of mine whose career is cut short in a terrible
manner.  He has creeping paralysis coming on
from over-work.  He's too young for the charitable
societies to come to his help, so——"

"So you are going to do it!  Oh, isn't that
lovely!  I am glad you told me, I'll just double the
fee if that will set him up."

Frank stared at this unusually generous girl.

"Oh, but you are already paying a very heavy
fee for—a very short time.  I expect you are one of
the amateurs who have all the fine feelings of the
professional—finer often, because unconnected with
public recognition."  He lifted his head and smiled,
then became conscious that Miss Whitburn was
flying along the country roads at a furious pace.

"Oh, gracious stars! don't think so for a moment
about me!  I don't know one note from another, but
I've got a friend who feels all that, at least I suppose
so.  I do want you to be—sort of friendly with her,
because I've got it all up for her."

"All for your friend?  How extraordinary!" said
the genius, "but, forgive me for asking, is your horse
running away?  I'm no good with horses."  There
was a touch of anxiety in his voice.  He heard a
rippling laugh near him.

"Don't you like it?  I'll pull him in, but it's the
pace I like!  Suppose, Mr. Weston, you were driving
with your—say your intended, would you be afraid
for her?"

Mr. Weston turned towards Toney with a look of
dismayed surprise.

"I—have not—got one—I really can't say."

"I'm awfully glad, I half feared you might be
engaged, you know——  People say you are
tremendously run after.  If you had been, of course
I should have asked *her* too.  You don't mind my
saying this, do you?  I'm only an Australian girl,
and out there we don't mince matters so much as
people do here, and I once heard that—that you were
going to marry a girl and that she——"  Toney
cleared her throat.  She glanced at the genius whose
marble-cut face was lifted towards the sky with a
hard strange look on it.  No one had ever dared to
speak to him about that episode since it happened,
and here was a strange girl introducing the subject!
The very boldness of it put him off his guard.

"You heard rightly, Miss Whitburn; the only
woman I ever loved jilted me, because I was not as
nobly born as she was, and now——"

"I expect she's just mad with herself that she was
so silly!  A hundred to one it was her mother, sort
of old pussy cat I shouldn't wonder.  Why didn't
you ask her again?  I should if I were a man!  I
would not take no, not for Joe!"  Toney was so
excited that she flicked Colon with her whip and he,
to show his surprise, suddenly reared and then
bolted forward.  The genius turned towards his
terrible driver in mute appeal.

"It's all right, indeed it is, Colon's as gentle as a
child, but I was thinking so much about your
young—lady, that I touched him with the whip.  He's
awfully proud and that was his way of remonstrating.
Here's the gate——  Will you hold Colon a minute,
or——"

"Let me open the gate," said the genius, suiting
the action to the words; not for the world would he
have held that horse, his precious Stradivarius was
behind him.  Toney smiled, but indeed Colon stood
quite quietly whilst she remarked,

"I told you he's like a lamb—but you will let me
help about your friend?  It will give me so muck
pleasure, and I shan't feel this concert is wasted if
you do."

"If I let you pay twice over?" said the genius, now
quite under the spell of this extraordinary heiress,
whose generosity was as surprising as her driving.

"If you and my friend don't enjoy this concert—"

"I shall do my best for your friend after your
great kindness.  Is it—a man?"  He believed it
was Toney's fiancé as her mind ran on that subject,
and he felt in a soft mood, though he could not have
told why.

"A man!  I should think not!  Mr. Russell—he
helps me with my letters—he's musical, but then he
doesn't think much of me!"

"His taste must be bad," said Frank, actually
making a compliment.  "He would have more
confidence in you if you drove him back from the
station."  Frank Weston had forgiven her and Toney
realised it with joy.

"Ouf!  Here's Aldersfield House, I'm glad the
drive is over.  Will you promise, even if you don't
like my friend, to take her in to dinner and to talk
music to her?  She'll love that.  The other people
wouldn't understand it—and you won't try it on me,
will you, or on Uncle Evas?  He'd want to be
polite, but he wouldn't know what to answer."

"I think you can trust me, Miss Whitburn, not to
bore the unmusical.  I shall do my best to please
your lady friend, because all the time I shall see
Arthur Mullins' face when he hears of his luck."

"That's all right!  I'm awfully relieved.  You'll
like to go to your room now at once, won't you, and
rest?  I'll send you up some tea, and then you
won't have to answer foolish questions."

"That would be most kind," he said gratefully.
How very extraordinarily thoughtful this young
heiress seemed to be.

Toney was saying to herself, "Then they won't
meet till dinner-time, and she'll just be looking so
beautiful that——"

"Gollywogs!" she exclaimed as she jumped down
and Jim came running up, "There's visitors just come.
Jim, take Mr. Weston in by the garden door, and
tell them to take him to his room and give him tea."

In this way Toney smuggled in the genius and
she herself stepped into the hall to find the two
Hamiltons there taking their wraps off.

"I am glad you are come early for tea.  I'm sure
Aunt Dove will want some help about the Peerage.
I'm no use at all.  If a man has got all his legs and
arms, and he has a nice face and lots of genius, I
don't care how he came into the world."

Maud laughed, and as Jeanie walked towards the
drawing-room Toney seized her.

"Maud, he's come, he's in his room, they won't
meet till dinner."

"Oh, Toney!" gasped Maud, "but do you know
anything about some lovely dresses that came for us
this morning?"

Toney laughed.

"Don't betray me!  Pups used to say a general
overlooks nothing to win the victory."





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.. _`FAILURE`:

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   CHAPTER XXII.


.. class:: center medium bold

   FAILURE.

.. vspace:: 2

A few select guests were expected at Aldersfield
for an early dinner party before the concert.  Lady
Dove was radiant.  She was giving a grand party at
which all the honour and none of the expense was
going to fall on her.  Even Miss Grossman had come
in for smiles as she read a novel whilst her ladyship's
hair was arranged, and for once punctuality was
rewarded, for Lady Southbourne arrived very early
with many apologies, which she hoped dear Lady
Dove would accept.  Her husband and son had gone
to town on business and might be a little late, so she
had come on first and they would come later in a
dog-cart.  Lady Dove was charmed.

"It is so kind of you, Lady Southbourne, to come
at all this foggy evening.  I am always ready early
in case a guest does come.  My husband and
Antonia are usually late, but of course to-day there
has been a good deal to arrange.  We have turned
the barn into a concert-room, and it is really very
pretty.  I wanted all our friends of North Downshire
to come.  The country has been a little dull lately."

"Miss Whitburn has told me your party would be
a great success.  The star's name is a secret, I hear."

"Yes, one of Antonia's little secrets!  Of course
I never interfere with her plans now she is of age,
but I must say I feel rewarded when I look back on
the training of the wild colt she was when we first
took her, little dreaming of the result."

"It must be an immense pleasure for you—though
a girl with money is a responsibility, isn't she?"

"Ah! no one knows how many anxious thoughts
I have had on that subject."

"And that was what I really wanted to ask you
about, dear Lady Dove.  I want your—help and
sympathy."

For the great Lady Southbourne to be asking her
help and sympathy made Lady Dove happy.

"You can always rely on my help, indeed you
can!  Mutual help is our greatest duty."

"I need not say that if you have a niece, I have a
son to have anxious thoughts about—and I want you
to know a little secret."

"Indeed!"

"Yes, but I don't doubt Miss Whitburn has
already confided in you.  Edward has proposed to
her, but——"

"Oh, what an honour for Antonia, but, indeed, Lady
Southbourne, yours is a family any girl might be
proud to enter!  Of course much above her in rank."

"Edward has no foolish ideas about birth, almost
a Republican on that subject, but—I see that you do
not know Miss Whitburn refused him and Edward is
heart-broken."

"Antonia refused the——" Lady Dove gasped.

"She is young, she was startled, but with your
help and advice she might—reconsider it.  Edward
is more bent on it than ever."

If Lady Southbourne had been sitting in the
palace of truth she would have said her dear boy
had just lost a large sum on the turf.

"Trust me, Lady Southbourne, you shall have
my influence, and Antonia owes us so much.  I
hardly think she will reject so much happiness."

"Thank you a thousand times."

At this moment other guests began to arrive,
but where was Antonia and the great man, and
where were the Hamiltons?  Happily Sir Evas
was working hard and making everybody welcome
regardless of their place in the peerage.

Edward Lang and his father came in time,
belying the fears of Lady Southbourne, and Lady
Carew and her correct husband followed.  An
Honourable or two, and a Colonel and his wife,
made up the party of people worthy of meeting
each other.  Toney had only begged for the
Hamiltons, Mr. Hales and Lewis Waycott, but this
latter Lady Dove had refused as "that tiresome
Miss Waycott would have to be included."  For
the concert everybody was coming, and a supper
was to end this grand party.

But Toney was too much occupied to give
a thought to the county magnates.  Rose, who
came to help her to put on her white dress, was
not allowed to stay long.

"I'm all right, Rose; I want you to go to the
Miss Hamiltons' room and beg them to come here
before going down.  I've got them some lovely
flowers."

"There's some come for you too, Miss Toney,"
said Rose, holding out a lovely bunch of white
lilies.  "It was left at the back door, and was
specially to be given to you."

"Oh!" exclaimed Toney.  "How lovely; I
wonder who sent them.  You see, I haven't a
young man, Rose."

"Cook said as how you ought to have one, Miss
Toney; specially you being so rich now."

Toney paused as she held the flowers lovingly;
she always had reverenced flowers.  Oh, dear! even
the servants associated money with love.  It
was dreadful!  Then she resolutely thrust away
thoughts of self, and looked at her two bunches of
roses.  Then, pinning in her lilies, she waited a
little anxiously.  Time was flying.  She had
arranged with the footman to call Mr. Weston at
the last moment, and she must get the Hamiltons
down before he came.  There was a knock at the
door, and Jeanie Hamilton stood in the doorway,
a vision of beauty in a soft cloud of pale blue silk
and chiffon, whilst Maud looked nearly as much
transformed in rose.

"Oh!" exclaimed Toney, "how just awfully
beautiful you look, Jeanie!  May I say it? and
here are some flowers I got uncle to steal for you!
Let me pin them on."

Jeanie could not help admiring herself, and her
spirits rose.  Never had she had such a dress.

"Wasn't it generous of Aunt Honoria?  It's the
most beautiful dress I have ever seen; and, look at
Maud, isn't hers pretty too?  They must have cost
a small fortune."

"You both look perfect."

"We must tell you about the gentleman who took
our measure," exclaimed Maud, trying to hide her
nervousness by talking.  "But, oh, Toney, look at
the time; we ought to go down."

"Yes.  We'll all go together, and if you go in
first Aunt Dove's big-wigs will be so struck of a
heap with you that they'll forget me.  They do
seem so very extra civil to me now, all because I've
got so much tin.  Oh! they don't know the trouble
of it; but in any case I don't stick bank-notes on
my clothes, so I can't see why I'm more interesting
than I was before.  Come, let's run!  No, you
can't with those clo'."

But all the same, the three girls did run, seeing an
anxious look on the butler's face as they entered
the hall.

The door was thrown open for them, and, as
Toney had predicted, the two Hamiltons made a
sensation, especially Jeanie, whose face was so full
of pathos, and who looked especially beautiful.
Toney crept in behind them, but was seen by
her aunt.

"Toney, how dreadfully late you are!  The
musician—what's his name—has not come down
yet.  Tell Thomas to fetch him at once."  Toney
nodded.

"It's all right, Aunt Dove; I've done it.  You
know musical people are not like others."

Sir Evas knew he had to obey orders, and got
hold of Jeanie.  He held the list of the other
pairs in his hand, but several gentlemen came up
to talk to this vision of beauty.  Maud kept close
to Toney; she could not talk, she could hardly see.
What would Jeanie do? and what would he do?
Why had Toney done this?  How terrible; suppose
there was a scene; suppose——

The door flew open and Mr. Frank Weston was
announced, but Jeanie was at the other end of the
room and did not hear the name.

Toney flew up to the genius and introduced him
right and left till dinner was announced; then she
paused.

"You remember about—my friend, Mr. Weston?"  The
genius had bowed right and left in rather a
formal manner.  He was so often introduced that
he barely listened to the names of the people
introduced.  He was thinking of Miss Whitburn.
The big-wigs were pairing off, and solemnly marched
away like a regiment of newly-trained recruits, when
Sir Evas suddenly introduced him to a lady whose
name he did not hear.  He held out his arm
mechanically; ladies were nothing to him, and he
only saw a beautiful dress.  A symphony was
floating through his brain, he was only acting in a
dream, till suddenly he felt the arm he held tremble.
He was recalled to earth.  They were crossing the
hall, and the noise of voices was great Various
scraps of conversation about hunting and the
weather reached him, and his own name—the great
Frank Weston; what a surprise, no one expected
him!  He looked down and exclaimed—he knew
not what.

"Let me go away," she murmured, "you——"

"Impossible!  Miss Hamilton, pray remember
we are both guests—no one knows.  If my presence
is so—distasteful to you——"

"I did not know."

"Neither did I—but this chance meeting might
have happened anywhere."

"Yes——"  Jeanie straightened herself, and they
both walked on in silence.  They were shown their
places, and Frank Weston glanced at the name on
his other side; Mrs. Arbuthnot.  Jeanie had Colonel
Arbuthnot on her other side.  They need not speak
to each other.  How terrible!  Jeanie searched for
Maud, but she was on the same side and could not
be seen.  Her heart beat so fast she could hardly
speak.  She looked for Toney, someone to appeal
to.  Was she near Frank?  Yes, Frank was here,
sitting beside her; but of course he hated her.  Of
course, he was wishing himself miles away; of
course, he would *never* forgive her, never, never
love her again.  Never—never, she repeated to
herself.

Toney's eyes, which saw so much, were looking at
them; she could see they were silent, and she
noticed they each turned to their other neighbours.
Oh! her plan was failing, had failed, and she had
risked everything on this dinner.  Maud was
looking deadly pale, but in spite of all this the talk
was loud, drowning nearly everything.  Mr. Hales
at her side broke the spell.

"You are very preoccupied this evening, and yet
you have secured the one man everyone wants to
hear," he said.  "Are you not satisfied?"  His
voice had a new tone in it, which made Toney look
up wonderingly.

"Oh, yes, I am preoccupied; so would you be
if you had conspired tremendously and your
conspiracy was no good."

"Indeed!"

"Mr. Hales, help me!  Mr. Frank Weston isn't
talking one scrap to Jeanie Hamilton."

"He has come to play the violin, and I daresay
he is not a good conversationalist."

"It's not that, you don't know her story; he was
in love with Jeanie once, and she loved him really,
but she sent him away because his father had a shop
and sold something, and now she's just frightfully
sorry she did it, and—but he doesn't look as if he
was forgiving her.  What would you do?"

Mr. Hales smiled.

"I should never have hazarded the meeting—never."

"Was I wrong?  Oh, but of course she *is* sorry,
and—but I wish they would notice each other.  If I
were her I should just say I knew I was a born fool
when I said no."  Mr. Hales laughed.

"I don't think *you* would ever have said no for
that reason!"

"I couldn't, because my father sort of kept a shop;
we were always selling drugs.  Oh look, Mr. Hales,
just out of the corner of your eye, I see Jeanie
looking up into his face, and she has just refused
oyster patties."

"But do I understand you did all this to—bring
them together?"

"Yes.  I did so want them to be happy, besides
it would make Maud and Mr. Waycott happy."

Mr. Hales was silent.  He was considering
whether Toney would ever consent herself to say
yes to somebody.  A dream of a larger sphere of
work floated before his mental vision, a dream of a
young wife who would devote her money to their
work, for in every mission-field money was needed,
money and workers.  But love seemed very far
removed from Toney's ideas at this moment, and so
he was silent.  Then he asked after the work at the
Haven.

"Miss Phipps is doing wonders, and some of my
first friends come to-morrow.  Two of the *avant
garde* and the deaf man.  He has no one to take
care of him."

"You will indeed have the blind and the deaf,"
said Mr. Hales smiling.

"Yes, but I do wish we lived in the days of
St. Clare and Sister Ortolana.  For when St. Francis
sent them to sick people they made the sign of the
Cross, and immediately restored them all to health."

"And by their prayers, Toney, I think."

"Yes," answered Toney, "I suppose that's where
we fail; but oh, Mr. Hales, I did pray ever so hard
about Jeanie and the genius!  Do you think—they
will make it up?  We have come to the cheese and
they have said nothing!"  Mr. Hales hid a smile.

"Perhaps the music will work the miracle.  Don't
despair."

"Perhaps it will, though that is a mystery to me.
Mr. Hales, you will keep near me, won't you, as I see
the Honourable Edward looking at me sideways.
I'm so afraid he'll want to talk to me privately."

"But perhaps——"

"Oh no!  I couldn't possibly think of it!  Besides,
I'm afraid it's true what Aunt Dove said.  He wants
the—money, and you see it would be a dreadful
disappointment to hear that it—was not to be had.
I thought money might make two people happy, and
here are the ices and they haven't yet melted!"

Everyone soon rose to proceed to the barn, and in
that interval Toney flew to find the genius.





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.. _`TEN MINUTES`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER XXIII.


.. class:: center medium bold

   TEN MINUTES.

.. vspace:: 2

The carriages rolled up to the barn door in quick
succession, and Lady Dove did indeed feel proud as
she received her guests at the entrance of the fairy
bower, now styled the concert-room.  Never had
such an entertainment been given there by her
before, and now a wireless message went round the
guests that Frank Weston was the star they had
come to hear.  Such a treat had not been imagined,
for crowned heads had to petition him, not to
command.  How had he been persuaded to come and
give a private concert at Aldersfield House?  Words
of gratitude were heard on every side.

"How kind of you, Lady Dove!  This is an
unexpected treat; Lord Dashwood tried in vain to
get him!  He is very proud and very original.  I
heard the Emperor of Germany could not get him
to play last year.  The Germans say we have never
had such a genius.  Quite a poor man was he?
Genius plays strange freaks.  They say he can make
as much money as he likes—Lady Gwen Steward
was dying to marry him they say—but he wouldn't
look at her.  They say he was once jilted and that
turned him into a misogamist."

Lady Dove tried to answer appropriately and was
all smiles.  She kept Mr. Russell near her, he was so
clever and so useful, and Sir Evas was neither!

"How kind of you to come this wet evening.
Yes, Mr. Frank Weston is really here, he dined with
us—such a charming fellow—genius written all over
him"—and so on whilst the crowd rustled into seats.
Where was Toney?

Directly dinner was over, Toney flew to find Jim,
who was always ready to do her bidding.  She
interviewed him in the housekeeper's room.

"Jim, I want you to see after Mr. Frank Weston.
Show him to the waiting-room we have rigged up,
and stay at the door, and don't let anyone come in
or out unless I tell you.  I haven't any ring, that
would be the right thing, but look at this glove, Jim,
you see it has one green finger, I was getting a
nosegay in a hurry—if someone brings this glove, let
them in!  The people won't be seated for a quarter
of an hour yet, and Jim—is your young woman still
faithful to you?"

"Yes, miss," said Jim quite gravely, touching his cap.

"But if she wasn't what would you say?"

"Knock 'im over, miss."

"But if there wasn't a him, only she just thought
you not good enough?"

"Get another, miss."

"Oh, Jim, that isn't at all having fine feeling.
You'd have to be true to her, and wait till she
thought better of it, and then you'd not be proud,
would you?"

"Can't say, miss."

"You'd just forgive and forget, wouldn't you?  I
want you to say so—if you really think it."

"Yes, miss.  If you was to tell me I'd forgive and
forget."

Toney laughed and then hurried Jim off.

"Remember my glove with the green finger!"

"Yes, miss," and Jim flew off to obey.  If Toney
had told him to run twenty miles he would have
gone.  Next, Toney went to find the Hamiltons; she
did not think they would go to the barn at once and
she was right.  In the little second drawing-room
where the lights had been lowered, she was conscious
of soft murmuring tones, and rushing in she heard
Maud's voice.

"Oh, Jeanie darling, don't, don't cry like that!
What shall we do?"

The beautiful vision in blue was hiding her face in
the sofa cushions and sobbing.

"It's only me," exclaimed Toney coughing.  "Is
anything the matter?"  Jeanie jumped up.

"No, no, thank you, I did not feel very well.  I
think I would prefer going up to my room."

"Oh! and miss Mr. Weston's playing!  Please
come and hear him, and after that you can
go—and—and——"  Poor Toney was non-plussed.

"Forgive me," said Jeanie, her pride giving way,
"I was upset; I once knew Mr. Weston and—we
were great friends, but we quarrelled, and—he—won't
forgive me."

"Is that all?  Did you say you were sorry,
Jeanie?  It's best to be quite straight out, isn't it?
No use beating about the bush, and let me see——  Oh! he's
in the little waiting-room now, I'll go and
ask him—won't you give me one of your flowers or
something?"

"Oh no, no, I can't—he would—throw them
away—and I should deserve it."

"He looks awfully nice, Jeanie, such a good
strong face; no nonsense at all.  I expect he did feel
a bit hipped, but—look here, if he sends you
your flowers back again, you'll know he can't forgive,
but if he sends you the white camellia I gave him,
then you'll know it's all right, and go at once to the
room.  I'll send Jim, he's awfully safe.  Will you
wait here?  There's crowds coming, and Aunt Dove
and Mr. Russell are saying a lot of nothings which
people like, so there's time yet."

Maud unpinned her sister's flowers with trembling
fingers as Jeanie sat up, clasping her hands.

"Toney, you are kind, but you don't understand.
I behaved so horridly to him.  I let mother insult
him, and he must have hated me.  I deserve it all
and now—now—it's horrid to say so but I would
not be so unhappy if only he could forgive me,
but he never will; he is proud too—as proud of
his people as I am about mine, and I threw it at
him.  Would you ever forgive that, Toney?  He
never spoke to me, only once—just to ask me to
have something.  I nearly died."

Toney seized the flowers, there was so little time.

"Look here, Jeanie, I'll just go and reconnoitre.
Here's my glove with a green finger, if you get the
camellia take my glove and Jim will let you in.  All
those old sillies would want to get at him, and one
of his conditions was a quarter of an hour alone
before the concert."

Toney flew off leaving the sisters alone.  Jeanie
again hid her face, but she no longer sobbed, and
Maud knelt by her holding her hand.

"Oh, Jim, is he in there?  I've only ten minutes,"
said Toney.  Jim nodded.

"He said no one was to come in, Miss Tonia."

"But I *must* go, I'm just like Queen Esther.  I
do hope he'll hold out his sceptre."

Jim opened the door, and Toney stood face to
face with the genius, who was pacing the narrow
limits of the small waiting-room.

"Oh, please forgive me!  I've come to tell you
that Jim, who's a great friend of mine, says he
could forgive and forget if I told him to do so—I
thought I'd better tell you to—forgive and forget."

No one could have resisted a smile at this speech,
even Frank Weston, who was smarting from the
opening of the old wound, smiled, then sternly he
said, "I—did not want to see anybody."

"I'm not anybody, indeed I'm not.  Just a poor
relation of Sir Evas, till I got a lot of money left
to me by the dearest old General.  He was good,
you bet, and *he* would have forgiven anyone,
especially if—they sent these flowers."

There seemed to be no need of an explanation
between these two.  Frank Weston had now realised
Toney's conspiracy.

Toney held out the lovely bunch of roses she had
herself tied up for Jeanie.

"Look, please take them—exchange them—if
you forgive her.  She is just sobbing her heart out
and calling herself no end of names, I believe she
is heart-broken, and says she only wants your
forgiveness."

The genius turned away and there was silence.

"There is so little time, Mr. Weston, can't you
make up your mind?"

"You hardly understand, Miss Whitburn," he said
turning suddenly towards Toney, who held the
flowers in her hand.  "I loved Miss Hamilton with
all my heart.  She made me believe she loved me,
and then she threw me over because my father had
honestly earned his living in trade, because he had
nobly scraped every penny from his hard-earned
money to give me a musical education.  I can never
make you rich people understand what I owe to my
father, and when Miss Hamilton——"

"Oh yes, don't dwell on it, I told you it was the
old pussy cat, her mother—Aunt Dove would be
just the same—but you must not think Jeanie is like
that now—Pups—(that's my father)—did everything
for me and I quite understand, but then he would
have been the first to tell me to make it up.
Wouldn't your father?"

"He often has told me to try again, but he did not
understand."

"Then that's easy——  Oh, please, there's awfully
little time—and just to please me, will you play one
of the pieces you used to play together at the end of
the concert.  I've got her fiddle here and she would
be so awfully happy, and she has a lovely dress,
and——"

Toney's words were as if the Dam of Assouan
had given way and had let through the waters of the
Nile, and then all at once she stood on tip-toe, for
the precious minutes were flying and with deft
fingers she unpinned his camellia.

"You needn't say anything, the camellia will
speak; there!  I must fly, you've got eight minutes
and then you'll have to come.  There's a chair left
for Jeanie in front, it will sort of inspire you, won't
it?  Oh, thank you a thousand times."

She opened the door and flew past Jim with the
reminder, "and, Jim, when time's up, don't go in,
only knock loud," and ran in the dim darkness
towards the house—but at that moment she ran
against someone.

"Oh!—why it's you!  How very, very nice."

"I was coming to look for you, Toney.  Lady
Dove is getting rather——"

"Yes, of course.  Will you, please, go and give
this camellia to Jeanie.  Maud is there, and will you
tell Jeanie to go to Mr. Weston.  He wants to see
her about some music—and then will you take
Maud into the concert-room.  Oh, that's all, but
please run."

"All right, Toney," said Lewis laughing.

In another moment, Toney herself was entering
the concert-room looking very red and hot, but
smiling graciously and shaking hands with everybody
who came in her way, in spite of Lady Dove's
loud whisper,

"Antonia, how very rude to come in so late.
What will people think of you!"

"So sorry—I had to see about Mr. Weston's duet.
It will be just the best thing of all!  How do you
do?  Isn't this lovely?  He is a great genius and I
don't even feel a bit sleepy!"

Five minutes to the time, Jeanie, like a cloud of
blue, appeared at the waiting-room door, holding a
lovely camellia, and a discoloured white glove.  She
held it out to Jim but could not speak.

"All right, miss, but there's only five minutes."

Jim then opened the door and closed it quickly.
Jeanie looked like a beautiful ghost in the
half-lighted room.  Her heart beat so fast that for a
moment she could not speak.  With one hand she
grasped the back of a chair, and with the other she
held out the camellia.

"Frank—forgive me—I—can't forgive myself,
Miss Whitburn *made* me come—I——  Oh, Frank,
I'm so miserable, I'm not proud any more."  Her
head drooped and Frank Weston only saw a
beautiful head of soft golden brown hair; then the
greatness of his character triumphed over his pride,
for suddenly he put his strong arms round her.

"Jeanie," he said; "Jeanie——"  He only heard
a sob, and his answer was a passionate kiss imprinted
on her golden hair, for her face was hidden; then a
minute of exquisite silence and then a loud knock
which made them fly apart.

"If you please, sir, time's up."

"Jeanie, *she*, Miss Whitburn, asked us—will you
play that last duet we played together, do you
remember it?"

"Remember it!  Oh, Frank, I can't, I've no violin."

"Yes.  Here it is, she brought it here."

"It's all Toney."

"Miss Whitburn is a very wonderful person.
Come, she said a chair was ready for you.  Oh, my
love, my love!"

Jeanie fled to the side door, then she sank into a
chair that was close by.  The next moment Frank
Weston appeared on the platform amidst a storm
of welcome.  He did not smile or bow, but at once
took his violin, nodded to the accompanist who had
come by a later train, and began to play.  All
those who had a soul for music seemed to be
lifted to another sphere, and even those who had
not, watched with breathless wonder the face of the
great musician.  He saw only, sitting before him,
Jeanie Hamilton, and she never took her eyes
from him, for her there was no one else in the room.

Right at the other end of the barn Lewis
Waycott sat next to Maud, who was still trembling
with excitement.

"Oh, Lewis, it's too, too wonderful.  The camellia
you brought was his.  It's all Toney's doing.  I
think she is the most wonderful person I have ever
known——  *You* always appreciated her, you have
nothing to be sorry for."

"Yes, I always did.  How did she manage this?"

"I can't think how.  He was so proud—I think
Jeanie would soon have died—of a broken heart."

"There are no such things, Maud."

"Hush!" she said.  "Listen!"

That concert was talked of for many a long day.
Those who knew said that Frank Weston excelled
himself, but something else wonderful happened.
There was still ten minutes of the allotted time
when he had finished his last piece.  He put down
his violin, walked down the steps and offered his
arm to Jeanie Hamilton.

There was another storm of applause.  Miss
Hamilton, whom so many present knew was
considered worthy to play with the genius—and how
beautiful she looked!  How was it no one had
sooner recognised her beauty and her talent, and
what a lovely dress!  Jeanie was still in a dream.
This was happening all long ago, when she and Frank
had played together, of course it was for the last
time—but she must play her best, she must not
disgrace him in public, though it was the hardest thing
she had ever done.

"Now," he said softly, looking at her, and then
they began.  How kindly he moderated his pace to
hers, how thrilling were the tender notes.  It was a
little bit of heaven, and then it was over!

What a storm of applause followed, but Jeanie fled
and Frank Weston followed her after simply saying
"Thank you" to his audience.

Jim was keeping the door as they passed in, and
when Toney arrived Jim had seized the situation.

"I think, Miss Tonia," he said, touching his cap,
"I think Miss Hamilton must be *his* young lady."

"Yes, she is, but in ten minutes tell them to come
to supper at the House.  Mind, only ten minutes,
Jim, for I'm just dying to congratulate them."





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.. _`LEWIS' DECISION`:

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   CHAPTER XXIV.


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   LEWIS' DECISION.

.. vspace:: 2

How did the secret come out?  It was whispered,
then murmured, then everybody seemed to say at
once, "Isn't it romantic!  The great Frank Weston
is just engaged to Miss Hamilton.  Didn't they
look a perfect pair as they played.  What a sensation
it will make—an old romance.  Quite charming"—and so on.

And among these buzzing remarks Toney flitted
about at the stand-up supper, where everything was
of the best, and where everybody seemed to enjoy
themselves, but none so much as Toney herself.
She had not dreamt of reward, but she certainly had
it this evening.  First came Maud with dewy eyes,
she had not yet got over her fears.

"Oh, Toney, is it true?  I have not seen her.  It
is all your doing.  Tell me everything."

"Ouf!" said Toney, "I thought it was all white
of egg at first, but—oh, Maud, it's just the most
perfect romance there ever was, that is only second
to my dear Chum, who is here, and I haven't had a
moment to talk to her, but of course you'll both
sleep here to-night and see him off to-morrow.
Hasn't he a face of—iron, will sort of prop her up
all her life.  He hasn't a mean idea in his brain.  I
say, Maud, you'll be true to me and not let it out,
won't you?"

At this moment Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Honoria
came up looking much flustered.

"Antonia, there you are!  My dear child, do you
know anything about this—report?  Where is
Jeanie?  Maud, do you know?  Toney, what is
happening?"

Toney shook her head.

"They are in the waiting-room; looks true, doesn't
it, Mrs. Hamilton?  Jim is keeping guard so I
expect he let it out.  Jim's got a young woman
himself, so he's rather cute over the subject."

"My dear, you are so amusing!" (she meant
vulgar) "but of course Frank Weston is quite the rage,
and Jeanie will help him so much—socially I mean."

Toney lifted her head and shook her curling hair
in a sort of indignant manner.

"Mr. Weston is a real genius, Mrs. Hamilton, and
he doesn't care two pins for society, so I guess that
word would just make him rage.  It's a great honour
to—to know him, and a tremendous honour to be
engaged to him."

"Of course.  I must find dear Jeanie, it's in
everybody's mouth.  Such a surprise, so clever of
them, I knew nothing about it."  She passed on
none too pleased with that terrible Antonia, but Miss
Honoria thought differently.

"I am wondering, Toney, if this surprise hasn't
something to do with you?" she said, taking Toney's
hand.  "I've just seen Lewis and he smiled when I
suggested it."

"I couldn't have done it alone, they were both
deeply in love, and wouldn't have married anyone
else.  But didn't she look lovely playing, I expect
ever so many men wanted to ask her.  There's
Chum, she'll be awfully interested," and Toney
flew off and Miss Honoria turned to Maud.

"It's true, Maud, isn't it, it is Toney's doing?
But these dresses—I hear a London man came
down to measure you?"

"Aunt Honoria, don't say anything, it's Toney
again, but she doesn't want Jeanie to know, she's
so proud.  I think it's a lesson against such odious
pride about our ancestors, you know how nearly
they both missed this happiness."

"Of course *now* he could marry anyone, but
your mother thinks so much of birth."

"If I fall in love with a grocer I shall not wait
for mother's leave," exclaimed Maud; the lesson
had been burnt into her nature too deeply by
knowing what her sister had gone through.  Then
suddenly there was a little stir at the door as
Frank Weston entered with Jeanie, who looked
very shy and frightened, but also very happy.  Maud
flew to her.

"Jeanie, tell me, is it true?"  Jeanie nodded and
Frank answered for her,

"We are so glad now for the waiting time," he said
with suppressed joy, "we understand each other much
better than we could ever have done without it."

Like all people of big natures, when he gave in he
gave in entirely.  There was no looking back on
time wasted, no more reproaches.  "But where is
Miss Whitburn?"  He lowered his voice, "We owe
it all to her."

"Jeanie, you do look so beautiful!  I am glad
it was this evening.  Toney says we are to sleep here,
and mother is all right, and——"  The
Honble. Edward interrupted her sentence.

"Miss Whitburn is asking for you, Miss Hamilton;
she is at the top of the room."

Jeanie went off with Frank, but she reflected sadly
there was no need now of courage to follow him.
She would never forgive herself the pain she had
given him, whatever he might say.

Maud looked up at Edward Lang with a radiant face.

"You have heard, haven't you?  It was an old
romance gone wrong, which Toney set her mind to
right, and she has succeeded.  I wish *her*—romance
could end as happily!"

The two remained talking together whilst Jeanie
enjoyed a triumphal procession.  When they reached
her Toney held out both her hands and whispered,

"Mr. Weston, isn't she beautiful?  You do look as
if you had forgiven me!"

"Forgiven you!  But for you we should have——"

There was no time to finish the sentence for
Mrs. Hamilton had glided up to them.

"Jeanie, my darling!  Oh—Mr. Weston—this is
indeed delightful, but this is too public a place to
say more."

Jeanie kissed her mother in silence, then she had
to move about in a dream and answer questions and
smile, and see that Frank had some supper, repeating
to herself, "But for Toney I think I should have
died."  Remembering her little darts at Toney she
was still more humbled, and humility is good for
such souls.

Toney was giving Lewis some supper and
wondering why Maud left him alone.

"You are glad, aren't you?"

"Glad—yes—I think I'm even curious."

"Why!  You couldn't be curious!  I knew you
could be so happy about it because of Maud."

"Yes, indeed, she has been so unselfish about her
sister, and you have done good to both."

"Good to myself.  I do get pleasure out of it, and
if it hadn't been for the dear General I couldn't have
bribed Mr. Weston to come."

"He gets huge sums I hear."

"But this concert money is all going to a poor
musician whose music is mute——  Isn't that just
noble?  How could Jeanie have ever doubted him?"

"But the way is plain now—and I—I am thinking
of going abroad, Toney."

"Going abroad, oh, why?  What will—your aunt
and Maud say?"

"I shall leave them in possession—I don't
think——"  He paused.

"Well, that is queer, I am sorry, I thought
you——"  Toney did not often flounder, but she
found herself in a bog.  How *could* he leave Maud
and go abroad?

"Not for long?"

"Oh, I don't know—till things get clearer."

"Is there a hitch, Mr. Waycott?  Can't I make it
straight, is the old pussy cat——  Oh, I beg your
pardon, she is your aunt!"  Lewis laughed.

"You mean my aunt won't want to turn out
because of this wedding coming on."  Toney didn't
mean that, but she nodded.

"I really can't stand a wedding—but they are
welcome to use my house."

"But what about the Stone House?  It will want
you awfully."  Toney clasped her hands and looked
really distressed.

"I think you will find another—many other
helpers."

Toney was called for, but she felt a little lump in
her chest; then with a great effort she said to
herself, "The old pussy thinks Mr. Waycott isn't
rich enough for Maud, or that he must be tested like
poor Frank Weston!  If it's only money, perhaps I
could square it—but oh, I don't think Aldersfield
would be anything without him!"

Now the rest of the acts of the lovers can be
easily imagined this evening, and how, when the last
guests were gone, they retired to the small drawing-room,
and Toney, as she passed the door with Mrs. Faber,
heard some wondrous soft music coming out of it.

"Listen, Chum, he's talking to her, I wish I was a
musician; words are poor things for telling people
you love them tremendously."

"I wish it were *your* romance, dear Toney!"

"That's a vain wish, I'm going to be a real
match-making old maid.  Do you know, Chum, Mr. Waycott
is in love with Maud, and something has gone wrong,
I can tell by his face, he's bothered about it, I wish
I could make it smooth, for he and Uncle Evas are,
and always have been, my two props, and I should
feel halt and blind without them.  But he says he's
going to travel.  Maud will sort of go to nothing
like Jeanie if he does; it's Mrs. Hamilton's
fault—I'm sure.  She is a pussy."  Mrs. Faber laughed.

"As to Mr. Waycott, it does seem strange.  Are
you sure, Toney?"

"Oh, yes, quite sure.  He so often comes and
meets her on her way home from the Haven and——  But
things must have gone very wrong with him;
he looks so glum.  Never mind, I'll have a good
think, and see if I can't make things come right.
There is Maud.  Doesn't she look like a china
shepherdess, and won't he have a sweet wife at
Waycott Hall?  She'll fit in exactly when she
leaves her mother.  I never could cotton to her.
Isn't it funny, Chum, Miss Grossman won't be
bullied, and Aunt Dove says she has no sympathy."

Mrs. Faber was puzzled, so she waylaid Maud on
her way to bed, for Toney had declared she was too
sleepy to wait another minute, and only Sir Evas
and Mr. Russell were left to look after the genius.
Maud gathered up her rose creation and waited for
Mrs. Faber.

"Forgive me for stopping you, but—I do want to
say how glad I am about your sister's engagement,
though I don't quite understand what Toney did!"

"Nor anyone else quite!  She went to meet him at
the station and prepared the way, but they were both
taken by surprise, and then——  Oh!  Toney did it!"

"I wish one of Arthur's knights could come and
claim Toney!"

"Indeed, so do I!  She hasn't told you, but
Mr. Edward Lang wants to marry her, and she—won't
hear of it.  I had a long talk to-night with him, and
he is really a good fellow, only rather extravagant.
He was so open, and told me about it."

"Mr. Lang!  Oh!  Toney would seem very far
away if she married him."

"But Lady Dove wants it, she told me so
to-night——  I wish I could help it on."  Mrs. Faber
shook her head.

"Toney would never be happy as a grand lady—and
her money——"

"Of course he knows people will think he wants
the money."

"I suppose that is true," said Mrs. Faber simply.
"Good night, Miss Hamilton.  Toney is so glad
about the success of her plot."

Maud went on to her sister's room.

"We have talked it all over," said the radiant
Jeanie.  "He won't stop my going to Germany, but
he will be there too, and—in fact he wants us to be
married at once.  He says he has waited long
enough, and of course it must be just as he likes."

"Mother won't like it at once," said Maud.

Jeanie raised her head defiantly, she belonged to
Frank now.

"Mother is my mother, so I won't say anything
except to you, Maud, but she was the cause of all
my great misery, and nothing will make me go
against Frank again.  Is there another man on earth
who would have forgiven me as he has done?  The
least I can do is to——"

"Let him have his own way entirely," laughed
Maud.  "Edward Lang says his wife shall do
exactly as she likes!  How I wish Toney would say
yes!"

"Toney!—Edward Lang!" said Jeanie astonished.
"Oh, that would be odd, almost ridiculous, besides,
he's so extravagant everybody says."

"Everybody says it and that helps him on.  I told
him he could marry nobody if he went on as he is
doing."

"*You* told him that, Maud?"

"Yes; I do want to help Toney, and of course she
has too much sense to marry a man like that, though
I believe he *could* make a woman happy!"

"No, not Toney, they have nothing in common."

"Except riding."

"But you can't ride all the time when you are
married!  Just look at us, music will always be a
link, we couldn't ever get bored with each other!
Oh, Maud, to-night he played me one of his own
compositions which no one else has heard——"

"I'm tired and sleepy, Jeanie darling, so don't go
off again on Frank!—but all the same Toney has
worked a miracle!"

"Yes, a miracle.  Frank told me how angry he
was at a stranger daring to talk to him about—me,
and then, somehow, she got over him and he felt he
simply couldn't say *no* to her!"

"Or to you!" and then at last the happy girls fell
asleep from sheer weariness.





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.. _`SHORT NOTICE`:

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   CHAPTER XXV.


.. class:: center medium bold

   SHORT NOTICE.

.. vspace:: 2

When Toney woke the next morning she remembered
first, that she was very happy about Jeanie
and the genius; secondly, that she was very
unhappy about—oh, it was that Lewis Waycott was
going away and she should lose all his help and——  Then
she called herself horridly selfish, and lastly
she felt very sorry for poor Maud, who would lose
both her sister and her lover.  Toney hugged Trick
and told him she couldn't understand some things,
and that sometimes life was all askew!  Trick
licked her hands vigorously as if to agree with her.
But Toney had to speed the parting guests, and had
little time to think of herself.

Jeanie came down to breakfast with a changed
expression on her face.  Frank Weston had no eyes
but for her, with now and then a side glance at
Toney.  Happily, Lady Dove was tired, so did not
appear.  She particularly disliked lovers.

"We want to be married as soon as possible," said
the genius after breakfast to Toney, "will you help
us?  Jeanie says you can work miracles, and then I
will take her to Germany."

"That's just what I should like; I hate grand
weddings.  I'll tell you what, Maud, if you will give
me leave I'll manage it all: will a week be short
enough?"

They looked at each other and laughed,

"Would it be possible?  Mother——"

"Oh, I know she'll say she can't afford it!  Aunt
Dove always does when she doesn't want anything.
I'll order your trousseau from the man who—from a
very quick and ready firm, and then Mr. Hales will
marry you in the early morning.  We'll have a
record wedding, but I must have my poor friends
there."

Maud laughed, and the lovers smiled as Mr. Weston
answered,

"It sounds delightfully original, but indeed we
could not give you all this trouble.  Jeanie has some
money from her cousin abroad and——"

"The money was given for music.  It isn't fair, is
it, to use it for anything else?  Do let me do as I
like, Mr. Weston, to show you forgive me!  Maud
will help me."

"Frank has engagements this week he cannot put
off now.  It is impossible," said Jeanie, looking at
her lover.

"Of course, that's why you'll let me do everything.
Come back to-day week, Mr. Weston, and
then you'll find everything ready.  It's just what
Pups would have done.  Once he got a couple
married straight off, because he was afraid the
man would change his mind—I don't mean it as
an example."

Everyone laughed, and the farewell seemed quite
cheerful, especially as Toney sent the pair in her
motor to the station, and then she and Maud went
off to the Haven.  Toney was so happy in planning
everything and getting Maud's advice on the
subject of clothes, that for the moment she forgot
her own little load of sorrow.

"That nice man must come down and take
orders!  I'll give him *carte blanche*, Maud, but I must
choose colours and style.  I'll telegraph to-day.
It's wonderful what money can do in hurrying
people up.  How shall we break it to Mrs. Hamilton?"

"I don't know—but oh, Toney, I don't think we
ought to accept all this from you.  I—don't believe
now that Cousin George was in the business at all
and—mother ought not to accept.  However, she
really has no ready money so she would like to
linger a long time over this—engagement, and Jeanie
might——"

"Fall ill or something might happen, and she
would never forgive us, would she?  But I do want
to say one thing, Maud—I'm so sorry
that—Mr. Waycott's——"

"About Lewis, what about him?" asked Maud,
leaning on the gate of the Haven.

"About his going away!  I know it will be hard
for you, but he *must* stay for Jeanie's wedding if it's
so soon."

"Lewis going away!  How odd, he has said
nothing about it."

"Gracious stars!  I ought not to have told you!"
Poor Toney blushed.  "But of course I thought you
would know."

"It's quite right he should," added Maud quickly.
"he has worked so hard over the estate lately, and
he really wants a change, he is rather down."

"You are jolly over it.  Forgive me for letting it
out.  When you are married I'll do the same for
you, Maud, as for Jeanie, if you'll let me."

Then the two girls went in, and Toney had to
interview the Harrises and Captain Grant till it was
time to go home.  No Lewis met them to-day.
Toney felt still more uncomfortable at having let the
cat out of the bag, but admired the way Maud took
it.  So noble not to be the least jealous that Lewis
had told her first, she thought, but very
heavy-hearted herself she went to her study to work
with Mr. Russell.

However, even business was exciting to-day, the
plans for the new Home having come, and everything
had to be looked into.  Each inmate or couple
were to have a bedroom and sitting-room, besides
the joint dining-room and drawing-room, and though
everything was to be simple, nothing was to be mean.
Even Plantagenet Russell warmed up, but to herself
she said, "I want Mr. Waycott's opinion, he always
has good ideas, I must go and ask him—perhaps he
wants to give all his time to Maud.  Why is he
going?  I expect I've taken too much of his
time."  Mr. Russell interrupted her thoughts.

"Here is a letter from Mr. Staines, Miss Whitburn.
He says you have been spending too much lately.
Your parties and the Haven, and——"

Toney laughed.

"Isn't that like a lawyer, they never can bear your
spending all your income; but it's better he should
ruffle up a bit now, he'll have more provocation
soon when the house begins.  Now, Mr. Russell,
telephone to the firm of Woods.  Can they make a
trousseau in four days?"

Mr. Russell gasped.

"A trousseau in four days?"

"Yes, perhaps I'd better hitch on myself.  Hulloa,
hulloa, hitch on to 4004.  Miss Whitburn is on and
is in a hurry."

When communication was established, Toney began,

"Send off same gentleman as before at once.
Want first-class trousseau in four days."

"Quite impossible, madam.  Very busy."

"Oh, then hitch me on to someone who can.
Why not multiply workers?"  A pause and then
the firm gave in.

"Very well, madam.  Have things in stock which
will help.  Mr. Woods will be with you this
evening."

"Thank you, very much.  Must hurry up at
times; couple can't wait."

Then Toney decided she must go to Waycott
Hall to prepare Jeanie and Mrs. Hamilton, and the
plans must be seen by Mr. Waycott.  She called
Trick, and not waiting for motor or horse dashed off
across the park.

"One must stretch oneself when there is a sort of
lump on one's chest," she said to herself.  Even the
plans seemed to have lost some of their delight—Toney
did love to feel happy.  She gave a run when
she came to the gap, and she and Trick bounded
over together, and to her dismay she nearly fell
upon Lewis Waycott, who had just turned a corner.
Both of them laughed and Trick danced round his
heels but only looked at them.

"I'm awfully sorry!  I was coming to see Jeanie,
and—to see if you and Maud would look at the last
plans?  How strange you should be here.  It's all
right, to-day week: you *must* stay for it, won't you?"

"Stay for what?" asked Lewis.

"Didn't Maud tell you?  Haven't you seen her?"

"No, I've been out all the morning miles away.
The cottages in the Stanmore Lane must be rebuilt."

"Oh—I want to make an awful confession."

"You, Toney!——  Are you—no—what is it?"  He
looked so grave that Toney laughed.

"Don't be frightened! it's bad, but might be
worse!  I let the cat out of the bag and told Maud
you were going away!  Of course you ought to
tell her first."

"She'll know soon enough——"

"Oh—but wouldn't it be nicer if you told her?"

"Told Maud?  I suppose I ought to tell Aunt
Honoria first.  She'll be rather cut up, and—Toney,
is it true that Jeanie is really going to marry
Frank Weston at once?"

"Yes, that's the other thing.  I've undertaken
it—in a week!"

"You are not an undertaker, Toney."

They both laughed like old times.

"You see Mrs. Hamilton will say this and that
and the other.  I expect she isn't overpleased.
Aunt Dove would be the same, so I've promised
to see it through—in a week, clo' and all!  I'm
just delighted—you see it would never do to fail
after one's hard work."

"Will they be happy?"

"Happy! you should have seen Jeanie's face, it
was like——  Oh, I don't know what it was like!
All the troubles fled away and just nothing but
love in her eyes."

The path was narrow and Lewis fell back.  He
clenched his right hand.  Why couldn't he just say,
"Toney, let me see love in your eyes," but all the
county would declare——

"You've done it all," was all he said.

"It's a great privilege—isn't it?  but I was thinking
of Maud and you too.  The clo' is ordered.  It was
fun!  But you will stay for it, won't you?"

"I don't know—I think I've taken my passage."

"Passage! where to?"

"To Somaliland."

"Maud said you wanted change."

"Did she?  She is so taken up with her sister,
she sees nothing else."

"I'm sure she does, but she is very noble-minded.
But why not wait for a week—and here are my
plans finished and you must look them over."

"Oh, I can do that, Toney, before I go."

"You are always good and kind.  When will you
come back?"

"I've no plans, it depends."

"On what?—on Maud, of course."

"Of course, if Aunt Delia and Maud go away I
can't stay away too long."

"Why should they go?"

"No reason, so I expect they'll stay."

"Maud is very unselfish."

"Yes—but unselfish women are not always easy
to deal with."

They turned into a path leading to the front of
Waycott Hall, and Toney remarked,

"I think this is the most beautiful house I have
ever seen.  How can you leave it!  Your people
will miss you—and—" she wanted to say, "and
Maud will be lonely," but he evidently would not
discuss Maud with her, so she stopped.

"Oh, it will be all right——  There are some
things one can't stand too long."

"Of course, repairs of gates and tenants' grumbles
and—I know I always wonder at Uncle Evas'
patience over it all.  Now I will go and find
Mrs. Hamilton.  Will she churn a bit?"  Lewis smiled.

"I expect she'll be not too pleased because
she—was looking out for a good match."

Toney flew into the drawing-room, where in the
pleasant room full of old treasures, the two ladies
sat working.  Maud and Jeanie were not there.

"How do you do, Mrs. Hamilton, it's all beautiful
and I want to tell you that——"

"That you are a deep conspirator," said Miss Honoria.

"It was so beautiful, wasn't it, all music——  I
couldn't hear it, but people said he played out of his
heart, anyhow, it's fixed up and I'm going to help
them with the trousseau.  You don't mind, do you?
It's such a pleasure for me to manage.  I think
some ancestor of mine must have been a store
manager."

"But really, Antonia, I can't allow it, I can't
accept—they must wait till——"

"Till they lose sight of each other again!  Oh,
it's not possible.  He just worships her."

"Jeanie was very much admired last night," sighed
Mrs. Hamilton.

"If you give leave you needn't trouble one bit.
It's to be quite quiet and simple, and you'll just
drive to church and half an hour will do it."

Mrs. Hamilton was torn by conflicting thoughts.
Toney's generosity was splendid, but Jeanie might
do better by waiting.

"Please say 'yes,' or I must telegraph to stop Wood."

"You must have your way, silly child.  You
always do!  Oh, here's Lewis.  Have you heard
of Antonia's generous offer?  I really doubt but——"

"Toney's quite right.  They've waited long
enough.  By the way, I'm sorry, Aunt Delia, but
I have settled to travel a little and I shan't be here.
I'll give the wedding breakfast anyhow, and my
blessing."

"Lewis, what do you mean?" exclaimed Miss
Honoria.  "Impossible!"

"You must stay," said Aunt Delia.

"Impossible!" echoed Lewis and turned away
but added, "I'll look over these plans, Toney, and
let you have them back."





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`ANOTHER OFFER`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER XXVI.


.. class:: center medium bold

   ANOTHER OFFER.

.. vspace:: 2

Toney could not make it out at all.  Lewis
Waycott had not come near her for two days,
though he was still at home.  The world seemed
out of tune.  He had returned the plans with one
or two remarks, and with her usual precipitation
Toney had given orders that the building was to be
begun at once.  But he might have brought them
himself!  Maud was naturally his first thought;
she was claiming all his spare time, but, oddly
enough, Maud did not miss her daily visits to the
Haven.  Toney decided that Maud was tremendously
honourable.

In the meanwhile she had the wedding to plan
for, and Toney loved planning.  She had given
private orders to Mr. Wood, who had ascertained
Mrs. Hamilton's ideas of colours, £c.  Miss Honoria
was going to pay for the wedding dress, and Lewis
had ordered the wedding breakfast, but it was all
kept private.  Mrs. Hamilton was silently aggrieved.
Everything had been done without her, and she
defended herself by saying she could not interfere
any more, with the result that both her daughters
looked supremely happy.

On the third day Toney drove up to the Haven
in her motor-car, for she had to go on to the
Vicarage afterwards to see that all was "real fixed
up."  The wedding was to be next Thursday, and
to-day was Monday.  Maud came out to greet her.
Toney wanted to say, "Why hasn't Mr. Waycott
come to see me?" but the words stuck in her throat.
Toney wondered why she should be afraid of saying
anything?  This was another puzzle.  Maud was
smiling and very cheerful; that was odd too.

"I'm off to Mr. Hales to see it's all right!  I'll
be back as soon as I can, Maud," said Toney.

"I have the week's accounts to add up, so don't
hurry!  Dear Toney, it's no good trying to say
'Thank you,' but Jeanie's face ought to repay you."

"You'll see, Maud, it will be perfect!  It's my
pet romance.

"Jeanie says you are much more worthy of Frank
than she is."

"Ouf! the music would be a penance!  But I
expect Mr. Waycott appreciates your music."

"Yes, he does—in his way.  He's very busy; we
hardly see him.  He's so much with his bailiff,
draining and repairing cottages, and you don't know
what heaps of kind things he does and lets nobody
know."

"I guess he does!"

"He's quite changed, somehow; just now he's
rather silent.  He says he will stay in London to
buy all sorts of things for the wild places in
Somaliland he means to go to."

"He might stay for the wedding to please you,"
said Toney thoughtfully; "I never knew he liked
lions before."

"And mother and Aunt Honoria are both a little
offended.  Jeanie doesn't mind, because she doesn't
heed anything now.  Frank writes every day.  Last
night the letter didn't come, and she was so
miserable."  Maud laughed happily.

"Mr. Waycott won't write every day, will he?"

"Lewis!  I should think not!  He hates writing
letters, so I told him we shouldn't worry if he
promised to write when he is ill."

"That's fine—you are not like Jeanie."

"Not a bit!"

Toney spun the wheel round and flew off.  She
wanted to go fast, very fast, so as not to think too
much.  Evidently Lewis and Maud had perfect
trust in each other!  Yes, that was fine!

She found that Mr. Hales was visiting some
cottages at the other end of his parish, so she sent
Jim to Wynchley for some purchases and walked
on alone, fast, very fast.  She felt in a mighty
hurry to-day.  At the edge of a fir wood she saw
the Vicar coming out of a cottage.

"So glad to see you," she exclaimed; "may I
stop you a minute?"

"Of course, Toney, as many minutes as you like."  His
voice was kind and soft, and Toney felt comforted.
Anyhow, Mr. Hales could not go hunting lions.

"It's all right about Thursday, isn't it?  Special
licence is all right.  Mr. Weston's seen to it.  Vastly
convenient if one is in a hurry."

"You like things done quickly!" said Mr. Hales
smiling.

"They want no fuss and no one in church, but I
begged for my poor friends.  They love a wedding,
I'll send my motor to bring the pair at nine o'clock.
You'll fix it up sharp, and they will go back to a
real breakfast and off by twelve.  I've ordered
flowers and music."

"You think of everything, as usual," said the
Vicar musingly.  "Toney, have you ever thought of
your own future?"

"Of course!  The Stone House will take all my
time and mind!"

"But have you ever thought of—wider work for
the Church, or of helping another with your love
and energy?"

Toney opened her eyes.  Mr. Hales looked so odd.

"It's no use thinking, Mr. Hales; I've been
walking like mad to stop my thinking to-day."

"Why shouldn't you think?—Toney, I want to
ask you a question.  Will you let me take care of
you, and together we should do a great work for the
Master.  Your money, I need not say, should be
for the Master's cause.  Will you be my wife, dear
Toney?"

Toney stood transfixed.  This idea had never
entered her head in connection with Mr. Hales.  He
was her embodiment of all that was good, but far
out of her sphere, poor Harum Scarum Toney.

"Gracious stars!  You don't mean it?"

"Yes, I do."

Toney shook her head.

"I wish I could, I do wish I could say 'Yes.'  You
are so good and just a holy man, but—I'm
going to be an old maid—I saw Jeanie's face when
Mr. Weston was near her and—then I knew—I
could say love, honour, and obey, but even that
wouldn't be the real thing!"

"Thank you, Toney—" he said, taking her hand;
"you're honest, as always; but we shall be friends
still?"

"I should think so!"

"Forget the rest.  I had had a vision of
missionary work and the great harvest waiting for
workers, but I am content to wait here."

"You saw a vision?" repeated Toney, "and I'm
just ordinary flesh and blood, and not at all like a
vision—Good-bye!  I'm going to 'The Haven'—you
won't tell anyone, will you, not Silvia or
Mrs. Hales?  They wouldn't understand how much I
love my dear old master."

Without waiting for an answer, Toney jumped
over a low stile, and took a short cut back towards
the Haven.

"It was only a vision, just like St. Francis had
visions; I don't think the real Toney was in it!"
she thought, laughing happily.  Somehow she felt
happier.  Someone had made her an offer who did
not care for money—then she stopped—after all, the
money had formed part of the vision.  That was it,
it would *always* come in the way!  That was part
of the price she had to pay for having the means of
helping other people!  The hard part was that her
Path of Perfection was paved with gold.  She loved
Mr. Hales, but she could never, never love him like
that.

Toney was just emerging from the wood when
she was conscious of hearing voices, and looking
down a path at right angles she saw Maud talking
to—yes, how strange, talking to Edward Lang; but
Toney, feeling it was not honourable to spy, turned
the other way and got back to the Haven by a
longer detour.  Maud appeared soon after.

"Did you see Mr. Hales? and is it all right?"
Toney nodded.

"Yes; it will be just as they like it, with some
music."

"Music!  That never entered my head!"

"It wouldn't do for two musicians to be married
without music, so I telegraphed to the great
Dr. Mayo, who is a friend of Mr. Weston, and I said he
should be motored down here in a jiffy if he would
come, but it was strictly private, and he says
'yes.'  Mr. Russell has been so helpful over all this.
He's getting quite understanding and no longer
argues!"

"Toney, I want to ask you a question, may I?"

"Of course, why not?"

"If—Mr. Lang asked you again, could you——"

"Oh!" thought Toney to herself, "she was hatching
that!  It was for me!"  Then she laughed.

"Never, Maud, so don't conspire!  I'm going to
be a real old maid.  The jolliest old maid that
ever was.  Remember the Stone House."

"You are quite, quite sure?"

"Just about sure!  Golly!  I wouldn't be the
Honourable Mrs. Edward Lang at any price."

As she walked home Toney was in a very meditative
mood.  She blamed herself for this sadness, for her
romance had succeeded beyond her greatest hopes.
What was the matter with her?  She looked up
and in the near distance she saw Lewis walking
with his bailiff.  Her heart beat faster.  Would he
see her?  She wanted to talk to him very badly, but
his back was turned to her.  She might have called
to him, but she wouldn't or couldn't.  Well, she was
a silly, a downright silly!

But fate interfered.  The bailiff saw Miss Whitburn
and touched his hat, and Lewis turned.  He half
hesitated, but as Toney stood still, he was obliged
to come forward.

"Are you going home?" was all he said.

"Yes," answered Toney.  How stupid they both
were, she thought.

"I've had a hard morning with Selby.  He's not
been here long, so I have a great deal to explain
before going away."

"Do stay till after Thursday!" said Toney.  "It's
quite a quiet wedding, only just flowers and music,
and Jeanie would be so pleased, and especially
Maud."

"Sorry, Toney, but I really can't!  All my plans
are made.  I go Wednesday evening, and I shall be
at Charing Cross Hotel for a week more, and that is
a very short time for all my preparations."

"To prepare for the lions?" asked Toney seriously.

Lewis laughed.

"Yes, if you put it like that."

"It's a pity there are not lions in England."

"There are lions in my path——"

"Guess you, mean a pussy cat—sort of relation to
tigers anyway.  You know I will help you—if I can."

"You can't, Toney, thank you."

"Anyhow, I'll take care of Maud."

"You've done wonders for her as it is.  I don't
know how you manage it."

"I've done nothing except—of course I
cared—because of—because I did."

Why couldn't she say straight out because you are
going to marry her, but she couldn't.

"That is the secret, I suppose that caring doesn't
always answer—anyhow, Toney, I hope by the time
I come back the Stone House will be built."

"Oh! it will take a year, a long year," sighed
Toney.  Everything looked grey and dull.

"Yes, I shall be away as long as that, and when I
return there will be changes I expect.  Most likely
you will be——"

"Oh, I shan't go and kill anything," interrupted
Toney laughing, and determined she would be
natural.  "Of course Maud and your aunt and
Mrs. Hamilton will be very dull without you—and there
are your poor people."

"Honour bright, Toney, I have thought of them.
Selby has *carte blanche* to do anything he can.  But
there are some farms unlet, and the estate is not
improving."

"When you have shot enough lions you will come back?"

"I must—of course——  Now, good-bye, I
mustn't stay here talking."

"Only two days and three-quarters more.  How
strange!  I wish we lived in the Middle Ages, and
you were going to the Holy Land to shoot the
Turks," said Toney thoughtfully.

"Lions are more troublesome.  I shall have time
to think anyhow."

"Will you write sometimes?" said Toney slowly.

"I'm afraid I shan't have time—and there might
be——"

"Oh, I see, jealousies at Waycott Hall.  Of
course.  Maud says you don't like writing letters,
but of course you'll write to her."

"She'll write to me! and I shall hear all the news.
Good-bye, Toney."

"Oh, we shall meet again."  Toney's heart went
thump, thump!

"Perhaps, but I have so little time that
perhaps—we shan't."

They shook hands quite solemnly, and parted
without another word.





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.. _`A TERRIBLE SECRET`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER XXVII.


.. class:: center medium bold

   A TERRIBLE SECRET.

.. vspace:: 2

To Toney the next two days passed as if the
hours were leaden-footed, for no Lewis appeared
again.  She was very restless and immensely busy.
Her energy was appalling, and Mr. Russell showed
signs of rebellion.  His young mistress heaped work
upon him, for the Stone House was really begun,
and the parish was invaded by workmen.  Toney
realised at once that there was not enough
accommodation for them, and had ready-made Norwegian
cottages sent down by return from a firm who kept
them in sections on the premises.  The contractor
thought the heiress was mad to bother about the
men, but he found it vastly convenient and so did
the men!

Sir Evas too was kept occupied.  Toney would
not let him go out of her sight, and he was really in
his element.  Only Lady Dove complained.  Energy
was most displeasing to her—except her own—but
just now she and Miss Grossman were in accord,
and this lady agreed to her strong assertions
concerning the iniquity of young people possessing
money that should by right have belonged to others.

"I nourished a serpent in my bosom, Miss
Grossman, when I invited Antonia to come and live
here——  We are beggars, whilst she throws money
to the winds."

"Miss Whitburn never thinks of a rainy day,"
said Miss Grossman; "I always do, I never give
anything away.  Charity begins at home, and if I
did otherwise, doubtless I should be helping the
undeserving."

"Quite right, I often say so to Sir Evas, but he
is weak, very weak, and I must say weaker since
Antonia's arrival.  She is not a girl, she is a
whirlwind.  Just look at her now tearing down the
drive."

It was true Toney was tearing down to meet
Maud.  It was Wednesday afternoon.  This evening
Lewis Waycott was going to town, and Toney had
not seen him!

"Oh, Toney, I've come to tell you all is ready.
Jeanie's dress is lovely, and her other
things——  She wants to thank you."

"When?" said Toney; her face was flushed, and
there was no smile on it.

"Lewis won't have any visitors to-day.  He said
so, but he goes this evening."

Toney felt a big lump in her throat.  Surely
*she* was not a visitor!

"But I'm not a stranger."

"I said so, and Lewis said he didn't want *anybody*.
So unlike him!"

"I understand——  He wants you all to himself.
What train does he go by?"

"The seven o'clock express."

Toney nodded.

"I shall meet Mr. Weston at 7.10, so I'll come
early."

"Do.  We shan't go to the station, Lewis doesn't
want any fuss.  Aunt Honoria is very much upset
by this sudden determination, but I quite
understand it."

"Of course——  You are brave."

"Oh, no.  Indeed I shan't miss Lewis till later.
We have had such hard work unpacking your lovely
things and packing up again.  Toney, I have never
seen Jeanie look as she does now!  She walks about
the house with a smile on her face, and sings softly to
herself all the time."

Trick came trotting out to look for his mistress.
Toney snatched him up.

"Dumb friends are very comforting, aren't they?
Sort of understand.  Is Jeanie coming to Winchley
Station?"

"No, I think it is rather hard on Jeanie Lewis
going like that.  You'll stay for the breakfast
to-morrow of course, Toney, and we'll give them a good
send off."

Toney shook herself and hugged Trick closer.

"Yes, we'll finish up the romance properly.  I've
got heaps to do so I shan't have a minute till I go
off to Winchley.  I think to-morrow I shall go to
London to see Mr. Staines on business."

"Poor Toney! you are hard worked.  I hear the
Stone House has been begun.  You will let me help
you still more, won't you?  I am so happy."

Maud went off singing an air out of *Il Trovatore*.

"Well, gracious stars, she is one in a thousand,"
murmured Toney, "and I'm a horrid wretch to mind
his going when she takes it so grandly!"

She stumbled over Sir Evas.

"Oh, Uncle Evas, it is nice to have you.  We are
good comrades, aren't we, always have been?"

"Yes, of course, but I'm afraid that means you
want something more of this poor, overworked
man."  He looked supremely contented however.

"Yes, ever so much more."

"To be your good comrade, Toney, isn't a
sinecure, you know!"

"If you really took up 'the Path of Perfection'
you'd have to beg your daily bread, uncle!  I can't
see you doing it at all!" and Toney actually
laughed in spite of her sore heart.

"You're not good enough yet, uncle, but listen,
have you ever shot lions?"

"Nothing bigger than a pheasant—not my line,
I'm sure the lions would make a meal of me
before I had time to aim at the right place."

"You know Mr. Waycott is going to shoot lions
in Somaliland.  Maud thinks it all right, and is very
unselfish about it."

"Are you sure about Maud?" said Sir Evas
scraping his muddy boots, a custom he feared to
forget, as Lady Dove might be looking out of the
window.

"Of course!  I've promised to look after her,
but, uncle, I want him to have awfully good rifles
and all the right things for shooting wild beasts.
The kit is tremendously expensive.  Couldn't you
run up and order it for him and pretend it's *your*
present?  You know he's done a lot for my affairs
and it's difficult to——"

"Oh, I see; well, I was going to town.  I'll go
after the wedding and spend a night there."

"He's at Charing Cross Hotel.  You might stay
there too——"

"So I might."

"And you'll manage, won't you, ducky, and not
hurt his feelings.  He's rather proud.  Sort of in the
blood I suppose."

"All the Waycotts always were as proud as Lucifer."

"But you are so understanding.  Ouf!  I shall
feel less under an obligation too if you get a
first-rate rig-out for killing lions and tigers."

"Can't think why he has taken that idea into
his head."

"I think I know.  Lions are next door to tigers,
and tigers are same family as wild cats, and wild
cats turn into pussies, and, I bet, he has not hit it off
with the old pussy at Waycott."

"Good heavens, Toney!  What reasoning powers
you are developing, but the old pussy, as you call
that worthy lady, can only be too delighted about
the engagement.  Rather foolish to keep it so
quiet!  I expect Honoria Waycott objects to cousins
marrying.  Always was a sensible woman.  I've
great regard for Honoria Waycott."

"I'm sorry for her, she just adores her nephew.
Now I must run.  You won't make a mistake will
you, uncle?  Say—you must compose anything you
like."

"Not much of an author, Toney, but I'll do my
best——  Call it a wedding present?"

"Oh, no!  He's determined not to let it out yet,
so it wouldn't do.  It's a great pity to be proud, isn't
it? 'by that sin fell the Angels,' but Lewis Waycott
is awfully nice otherwise."

"Very much altered of late.  First-rate fellow,
but—yes, certainly devilish proud.  Beg pardon, Toney,
my language is not quite choice enough for an
heiress."

"There you are at it!  Heiress!  Uncle, I shall go
up with you to town and see Mr. Staines on business,
and come back in the evening.  I shall want a rest
after the wedding."

"And come back alone!  Not quite the thing!"

"The thing!" repeated Toney scornfully, and ran
away.

Everybody was kept going that day.  Toney's
untiring energy made Mr. Russell think seriously of
resigning his post, and he was glad to see her starting
off alone in the motor at half-past six.  She was
going to meet the bridegroom, and in her heart
Toney hoped to say a real good-bye to Lewis
Waycott, but the fates were all against her, for
the express came panting in before the dog-cart
dashed up, and Lewis only had time to jump
in, leaving his luggage to follow.  Toney caught
sight of a flying vision of him, and he did not
even see her——  She stood quite still as the
train rushed out of the station.  A feeling as if
the sun had gone out of the sky, and as if life
were not worth living came upon her, then a
great contraction in her throat—a feeling of
numbness all over her.

She had to wait for the 7.10.  She must pull
herself together.  What did this mean?  Why had
Lewis been so—unkind?  He might have just come
to say "Good-bye, Toney, I'll not forget you among
the lions"—or words to that effect.  He might have
just given her one of his kind, jolly looks, which made
one trust him with everything, he might even have
smiled a little scoffingly as he did over some of her
plans!——  He had done none of these things,
simply, he had gone away as any stranger might have
departed.

"Lewis, Lewis, Lewis," she repeated to herself
though to his face she always said "Mr. Waycott."  Then
something strange happened.  She walked
into the first-class waiting-room which was deserted
and looked at herself in the glass.  "Toney," she
said, "Toney I—do believe—you are a downright—horrid
girl—I do believe—gracious stars!  I believe
you are—no."  She shook herself like a Newfoundland
dog just come out of the water.  "I won't be—so
horrid.  What would Pups have said?  To care
so awfully for someone else's lover!  Oh, Pups!  I
never guessed it till now."  A tearless sob shook her,
but at that moment the 7.10 steamed in and Toney
had to dart out to meet the genius.  Never in all her
life had she made such an effort to call up a smile,
but of course Frank Weston must be received
properly!

"Oh, Mr. Weston, there you are!  I've told Jim to
call for the luggage.  Come into the motor at once.
So sorry it's only me, but Jeanie isn't here.  I think
the puss—I mean Mrs. Hamilton—didn't like her
coming.  Sort of not proper to be seen in public.
Odd, isn't it?  But she knows I'm looking after you."

Frank Weston was smiling all over his face.

"I told her not to come," he said.  "She might catch
cold, and besides she says she is very busy, and
Maud is overworked."

"Everything's ready as I promised, you know."

Frank looked at the heiress and he thought her
face was changed.

"You look tired, you have done too much for
us—but I'll just say it once, Miss Whitburn."

"No, say Toney; I shall be sort of sister now,
shan't I?"

He laughed.

"Well, Toney, I'll just say it once, that we owe all
our great happiness to you, and that we can never
forget it.  Jeanie isn't demonstrative, but she never
forgets."

"She never forgot you, did she?  But you needn't
say 'thank you' because I'm grateful to you.  If it
hadn't been for what I saw in your faces I might
have made a great mistake."

"Is there——?"

"No—but I may as well confess.  Sort of relieves
me.  I might have said 'yes' to the wrong man."

"The right man will come," said Frank softly.
"You deserve the best."

"No, he never will come—he—oh, it doesn't matter,
but I shall never, never marry—only I'll try and
make it awfully nice for lovers because—I—I think
I know, and you'll not say anything about it, even to
Jeanie?"

"You may trust me, but if ever you want me—you
may claim my help at any time—and I will come."

Toney looked up at the strong face and knew he
meant every word.  How could Jeanie have ever
doubted or hurt such a man?  How glad she felt she
had cleared the brambles out of his path.  It was
not the music that was so wonderful, it was the man
himself.

That evening Toney instead of being restless was
very quiet, and in her face there was a new look of
suffering such as had never been there before.  She
had learnt a terrible secret.  She loved a man who
belonged to another—and only now she realised that
she had *always* loved him.

"Oh!  Lewis, Lewis!" she cried out alone in her
room; "You shall be happy if I can do anything—and
you shall never, never know my secret——  It's
no good blaming myself because—I never knew
what it meant till now.  The path of perfection is
awfully stoney and rutty."





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`LILIES AND A WEDDING`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER XXVIII.


.. class:: center medium bold

   LILIES AND A WEDDING.

.. vspace:: 2

"There's no peace or harmony in the presence of
some people," said Lady Dove after dinner to the
famous genius.  Her eyes involuntarily turned
towards Toney, who was talking in low tones to Sir
Evas.  "Now, with Jeanie Hamilton you are sure
of proper dignity."

Frank bowed and smiled, nothing could ruffle
him now.  He had sent off a letter to Jeanie, and a
second diamond ring and a few other tokens, as he
did not wish to go to Waycott Hall himself.
Mrs. Hamilton's company recalled his past suffering too
much.  Toney, on the other hand, was associated
only with his joy and gratitude.

As if to prove Lady Dove right, a hooting,
tooting motor was heard approaching, and Toney
started up.

"It's Dr. Mayo," she said, looking at Mr. Weston.

"Dr. Mayo!" he exclaimed, "coming here?"

"Yes, for your wedding!  He plays to-morrow
morning.  It's only fitting."

Frank Weston's eyes beamed.

"You are a magician!" he said, "he wouldn't do
it for royalty!" and he hurried out to greet his
friend.

"Oh, I wish I could hear all they hear in music,"
sighed Toney.

"Your ears are sharp enough, anyhow, Toney,"
said Sir Evas.  "By the way, what's the matter
with you this evening?  You are pale—most
unusual!"

"Nothing—but a bit anxious about this wedding.
There's many a slip, isn't there, uncle?"

"Humph, you've got the man and the woman;
not much chance of slipping.  You're going too fast,
Toney, that's what it is."

Toney laughed.

"Gracious stars!  Fast!  I'd like to go faster.
Stone House will keep us busy, uncle, won't it,
and—have you thought about the lions and what you'll
say?  You mean biz, don't you?"

"I shall have to deviate a bit from the path of
truth, Toney, but I'll manage it.  Melina, I must go
to town to-morrow and—sleep there, on business."

"On Antonia's business, I suppose?" said Lady
Cove tartly.

"No, oh no—forgot a few things I had to say to
Lewis Waycott, who's off after lions.  I'll return
early on Friday."

"I hope you will, there are plenty of
neglected things on your *own* estate, Evas, but of
course——="

Happily the two great musicians came in
together, and Lady Dove recognising that she would
be envied by the musical portion of the county,
turned on a smile of welcome, whilst Mr. Russell
hastened to make himself agreeable, but in reality
Lady Dove felt angry because Toney was the centre
of attraction this evening.

"I should never have dared to suggest it,"
murmured Frank Weston to his friend.

"Nonsense!  Why didn't you?  Miss Whitburn
said it was my duty, and of course my pleasure, and
that your wedding could not take place without
me——"

Everybody laughed.

"In a sort of way it was Jeanie who suggested it
to me," said Toney.  "I thought our organist would
do, but she looked so reproachfully at me, and said, 'I
don't want any music, thank you—short of Dr. Mayo—Frank
would run away if he heard our organist!'"

"Do you always get what you want, Miss
Whitburn?" said Dr. Mayo.

Poor Toney turned pale but no one noticed this.

"I like other people to have what they like, and I
sort of try to get it for them, that's all."

"Ask Weston to sing, Miss Whitburn, and I will
accompany him.  Weston's voice is something out
of the common, but he has refused to sing for some
years."

"Do," said Toney, "I think I like singing best,
especially when you can hear the words."

Then followed a rare musical treat, till Toney,
saying she was very sleepy, excused herself and
went to bed.

She paced her small room like a lion in a cage;
she felt she must rush up to town to-morrow and
call at the hotel, so as just to see him once more,
but then she argued this would be wrong knowing
what she did know!  Perhaps—such things did
happen—she might meet him in the streets.  That
wouldn't be wrong, because she could not help that.
Was it wrong to wish it?  Anyhow, she couldn't
help it.  She must turn for comfort to work, work
and prayer; and yet neither of these two words
seemed to be able to stop the pain.  But they must;
she, too, would fight with a lion.

She opened her "Little Flowers of St. Francis" to
try and find some balm, and her eyes lighted on
these words:—

"There came unto him (St. Francis) a youth,
noble and tender, and said unto him, 'Father, right
willingly would I become one of your brothers.'  Replied
St. Francis, 'My son, thou art a youth,
tender and noble, it may well be that thou couldest
not endure our hardships and our poverty.'  And
quoth he, 'Father, are ye not men even as I?
Wherefore, as ye endure, even so shall I be able
with the grace of Jesus Christ.'"

And Toney seemed to be comforted by these
words, "As ye endure."  That was it, to endure
nobly, that meant she must not be beaten by her
pain.  Ah, she too would endure as did that young
noble.  Of course, endurance was easy when everything
went right, but the only thing worth a rag was
to endure when everything went wrong!  And
Toney looked this great sorrow in the face and
made up her mind, oh, if it were possible—and it
was possible—to endure *cheerfully*.  Then, knowing
she must be up early, she went to bed and fell asleep.

She awoke to the sound of marriage bells through
the open windows; for one moment her face was
all joy, then suddenly the pain returned.  She
dressed very quickly in a plain white serge dress, and
then ran out to find the motor.  Jim was ready with
it.  He looked beaming.

"I want to see if the church is properly beautiful.
When you get married, Jim, I'll do the same for you.
When is it to be?"

"We're in no hurry, Miss Tonia, there's time
enough."

Toney laughed, Jim did not feel as did Frank
Weston evidently.

At the church there were busy helpers, and several
men from London.  Large hampers of lilies were
being unpacked.

Next, Toney motored to Waycott Hall and
interviewed Maud, and then went home to early
breakfast.  Jim and the motor were to be kept busy.

The actual wedding was simple in the extreme.
Only the Waycott Hall party, Miss Waycott,
Mrs. Hamilton and Maud; and from Aldersfield, Sir Evas,
Toney, the bridegroom, and Dr. Mayo.  As the
party entered he was already playing divine music,
but the church was full of poor people and of white
lilies.  Never had the little old building looked so
beautiful; Jeanie paused at the entrance.

"Oh!  This is the most beautiful sight I have
ever seen!" she whispered to Frank.

Mrs. Hamilton looked at Toney and then at her
sister.

"Honoria, what extravagance, but how beautiful!"

"It's Toney all over," said Miss Honoria.

As to Frank Weston, he thought, "This is as it
should be, no fuss, only poor people and flowers
and heavenly music."

There were no jovial young men fussing and
talking, no hustling, no disgraceful pushing, no
whispered conversations.  To the poor it was nearly
as good as a funeral as they listened to Mr. Hales'
strong manly voice, and saw his face full of mystic
joy.

If Jeanie Hamilton had wanted any more
reforming she had it then.  How could pride exist in
this sanctuary of beauty?  She looked like a
lily herself in a white afternoon dress, not a ball
dress to be minutely described in the newspapers,
Jeanie, belonging to one of the oldest families in the
county, was marrying a self-made man, but as she
looked up at his strong face, full of manly joy, she
knew that she, not he, had the best of the bargain!
She was only proud now of belonging to him.

Mrs. Hamilton was touched by the beauty and the
originality.  There was no vulgarity to hurt her
pride, and she forgave Maud's first words in the
vestry,

"Oh dearest Jeanie, you are a lucky woman.
Toney, it was quite, quite perfect."

"You shall have the same, Maud, when you
marry," answered Toney smiling.

Maud laughed and looked guilty.  How pretty
she appeared in her white dress, looking not unlike
a bride herself.

The poor people remained seated till the pair
came out together, but Toney stayed behind with a
little army of helpers.  All the lilies were to be tied
in bunches, and each poor person in the church was to
take home a bunch.  Toney therefore missed seeing
an uninvited guest at the church door, who shook
hands cordially with the wedding party.

"Forgive me, Mrs. Weston, I was not invited, but
I heard a whisper of your original wedding and——"

Jeanie smiled.

"It's Miss Whitburn's idea.  Could anything be
more beautiful?"

He was by Maud's side now and he said quite gravely,

"I took note of everything, Miss Hamilton."

"Oh," said Maud smiling, "it would not do for
*your* tastes.  Hanover Square and a rowdy audience!"

"Indeed you are unjust.  This is the first wedding
I have enjoyed——"

Mrs. Hamilton was smiling, but, thinking Edward
Lang wanted to make up to Toney, she did not
invite him to the breakfast.  Only Maud lingered a
minute to say something, and then the poor people
came trooping out, and when Toney reappeared she
was too busy talking to them to see anything else.

The breakfast at Waycott Hall was a great trial
to Toney, but she fought against this lion and no
one found out she was in a battle.  Dr. Mayo acted
as best man, and his speech was short but to the point.

"The bridegroom being a friend of long standing,
I rise to drink his health.  The bride I have only
seen to-day, but I congratulate her from the bottom
of my heart.  To be the wife of Frank Weston
means to be the wife of a genius—that is nothing, he
was born a genius, he couldn't help himself—but it
also means to be the wife of a man who, having
a grand profession, has always ennobled it, and
who has never, by thought, word, or deed, lowered
the high standard he set before himself, and I
think Mr. and Mrs. Weston are wise to go at once
to Germany, so as to avoid such demonstration
from the musical world here as might be
overpowering."

The bridegroom's speech was also very short.

"I thank my friend for his words, because I
think he believes them!—but I rise to drink the
health of Miss Whitburn.  I believe she does not like
titles, so when we think of all she has accomplished,
we mentally say 'Toney'——  Round this word
centres the gratitude of two persons who can never
forget her.  I am further asked by Mr. Lewis
Waycott, to say how much he regrets not being
amongst us, but his plans could not be altered.  He
has ordered that all the cottagers on his estate are to
have a good dinner—he wishes us to accept that as
his wedding present.  For my part he could not
have offered me anything I appreciate more."

Toney felt her throat tighten again.  Lewis
had thought of the nicest thing possible—if only he
had been there himself!  Maud was looking so happy,
but then she, of course, knew he was happy, and
knew he could not change.

Now Miss Honoria had something to say.

"I am very sorry that my nephew is not here in
person, but he thought of everybody before his
departure, and he begged me to say that as all the
wedding arrangements were due to Miss Whitburn,
he had asked all his tenants to remember her when
they enjoyed their dinner."

Toney actually blushed, and Sir Evas, who was
sitting beside her, nudged her.

"Come, Toney, say something.  Don't say you're
shy!  Nobody would believe that!"

Toney laughed and stood up.

"It's all a mistake.  I'm just doing nothing but
please myself awfully when I plan a romance, so
there is no credit at all but——  Gracious stars!  I
can't spout any more."

There was a burst of laughter and the wedding
ended in merriment.  Toney's one comfort was, "He
did think of me anyhow."  As they prepared to get
ready for going away, she went up to Maud, his Maud.

"Maud, you do look sweet!  I want to kiss you.
It will do me good."

It was so unlike Toney that Maud laughed.

"I want to hug you, dear Toney, it will do me
good!  I am so happy."

Jeanie's thanks were simple.

"Toney, Frank says he'll always come when you
want him—for a private concert or anything, and so
will I."

"How charming of you both, but I don't think
there is another romance for me to undertake except
Maud's."

"Oh, Maud—must wait," said her sister.

"Yes, of course.  Well, now we're going to see
you off in grand style."





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`AN ANGRY LAWYER`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER XXIX.


.. class:: center medium bold

   AN ANGRY LAWYER.

.. vspace:: 2

Sir Evas and Toney travelled up to London
directly after the wedding pair had left in a private
carriage ordered by Toney.  In the train the heiress
was very quiet.  Sir Evas put it down to weariness,
and no wonder after all she had accomplished this
morning; so the "Good Comrade" respected her
silence and read his paper.  He was very
understanding as Toney always expressed it.  At
Waterloo, Sir Evas called a hansom for Toney.

"Toney, you'll only go to Mr. Staines.  Eh?  Why
not come on to Charing Cross Hotel later, and
have tea or something?"

Toney turned away to find her umbrella.  The
temptation was very great.

"I shan't have much time, uncle, and I'll get
back by the first train possible; Aunt Dove will
feel dull and will want to hear all about the
wedding.  She doesn't quite approve of it, so she
had a headache; but she is dying to hear particulars
I know!"

"You see, musicians are—well, I mean marrying
out of your set wasn't the fashion in her day."

"I wish I knew a nice sweep!" said Toney
laughing, "but I don't; or I might, perhaps, fall
in love with him; anyhow, I'm booked for a
wallflower, so I shan't shock her!"

"Humph!" said Sir Evas.  "Well, good-bye, I'll
do your commission for you, Toney, in fact I'm
going straight to Lawn and Alders now, to order a
450-bore high velocity cordite rifle for Lewis' lions.
Make your mind easy and I'll be back to-morrow.
Any message to Waycott?"

"No, nothing in particular.  Tell him it was mean
to miss the wedding, and tell him that Maud looked
very pretty as well as the bride.  Good-bye, Ducky
Uncle."

The cab drove off and Sir Evas was left on the
platform looking after it.

"There's something on the child's mind," he said
to himself.  "It's not Lewis Waycott, she could have
come to hunt me up if it had been.  I laid that trap
nicely."

Chuckling at his own deep artfulness, Sir Evas
went off to see about the necessary kit for killing
lions and tigers!

The clerks at Mr. Staines' office paid the heiress
great attention.  It annoyed Toney, and indeed she
looked so young and so simple it was difficult to
treat her as a great lady, but they all knew she was
worth £50,000 a year!  You cannot be treated in an
ordinary way if you are worth that amount.  Toney
was shown into the private room at once.

"How are you, Miss Whitburn?  Delighted to see
you!  This is nicer than the telephone."

"Yes.  Never quite sure who's hulloing," laughed
Toney.  "I shan't be long.  Do you know Stone
House has been begun this week?"

Mr. Staines shook his head.

"It will swallow a large sum of—but you can
afford it."

"I've given *carte blanche* for everything about it
The firm is honest and I won't have scamped work.
Pups said it never paid.  I don't want to ruin the
building either, and I want a margin for improvements."

"You have a very good head for business, Miss
Whitburn.  Now, how can I help you?"

Toney rose from the chair, she felt less cramped
standing up.

"Why, ever so much!"  She took a paper out of
her pocket which was covered with figures.  "First,
tell me how much I could live on suppose I left
Aldersfield House?  Not yet; but suppose Aunt
and uncle died suddenly, the place goes to a distant
cousin who is a Judge in New Zealand, and he has a
large family?"

"You would then make a home of your own."

"Yes; but I wouldn't have a big place in a park.
They sort of stifle me.  I want just necessities,
because I haven't screwed up my courage to beg
yet."

"To beg!"  Mr. Staines thought his client had
gone off her head.

"Yes.  St. Francis did, you know—but then at
that time you weren't taken up for begging as I
should be now."

They both laughed.

"I think you would be put in a lunatic asylum
begging with £50,000 a year."

"That's just it.  Well, it's no good beating about
the bush.  Stone House will cost a heap to build, but
now I want to make sure it's endowed."

"Endowed!  Good heavens!"

"Why, of course, you can't live on nice rooms, can
you?  It may take in about forty persons double
and single—then——.  Yes, I want all my money to
go to endow it, except just what will prevent my
being a beggar."

"When you die you mean," said the lawyer turning
a little pink.  It was like someone suggesting throwing
a priceless picture into the Thames.

"No, now, at once——  You know, Mr. Staines, my
will was only temporary.  I told you so.  If I build
and endow Stone House it will be a real monument
to the memory of the General and Pups."

"What madness!  You are so young, you will
marry, and your husband has a right to expect a
large proportion of your fortune."

"There it is again," cried Toney.  "I won't marry;
but if I did, why should he expect my money?  If
I'm not worth loving without, then—oh, I'm glad I
shall never, never marry—and if I give this away it
will save a lot of people the trouble of asking me
for it."

"It's madness, utter foolishness," cried the lawyer,
rising and pacing about the room; "sheer, downright
madness!  I won't be a party to it."

Toney turned pale.  Would no one help her?
Would no one understand that to give this away was
real happiness, that she could never bear the burden
alone, and that by keeping it she was a temptation
to every man who required money?

"I think the General would understand, Mr. Staines,
and so would Uncle Evas."

"Though you are your own mistress, I must consult
your uncle."

Toney shook her head.

"It's no use——  He wouldn't like to go slap
against you!  Old family lawyers are such tyrants."

Mr. Staines looked furious.

"Tyrants, indeed!  But for us half the owners of
money would commit endless follies such as you
wish to do, Miss Whitburn!"

"You can't keep all that pile and remain on the
'Path of Perfection,'" said Toney decidedly, "it can't
be done.  I wish you would read 'The Little Flowers.'"

"This is pure drivelling——"

"Look here, Mr. Staines, I've a real regard for
you.  You wouldn't run away with anyone's money,
but—you don't understand.  Anyhow, I've told you
I mean to keep some, because there are always needy
people, and then I think I shall keep the Haven to
retire to myself, and I could live then on—there I do
want help.  I've always lived on nothing before I
had this pile."

"Are you decided?"

"Quite, quite, quite—if you can't do it, hitch me
on to a man that will."

Toney stood now firm and strong.  The colour
returned to her cheeks.

Mr. Staines could not possibly lose the handling
of the money, so he bowed to necessity.

"I must reserve enough for your private needs
and casual charity," he said.

"That's it.  I thought you'd come round to see
it, Mr. Staines.  Only I want it done awfully soon,
and then I shall breathe again!  In fact draw up
something now, to make it quite secure.  One never
knows.  I might have a smash in the train to-day.
You see I couldn't be sure about Aunt Dove, she
does love the coin.  Sort of madness, I guess."

"Cannot I first see Sir Evas Dove?" groaned
Mr. Staines.

"It would make no difference; still, when it's
done you can tell him.  I like everything above
board, don't you?"

"Above board" was the last thing suitable for his
position.  The lawyer did not answer.

"I'll go and get a mouthful to eat, Mr. Staines,
arguing with you has made me so hungry, and then
I'll come back and sign."

"Give me discretion to keep a sufficiency for——"

"Yes—and if it's too much I can come again, but,
gracious stars! it's enough to stifle a poor girl having
to decide all these questions.  Half an hour will do
for a preliminary canter, won't it, and make it sure."

Toney departed and took a cab to Lyons'
Restaurant, Piccadilly.  All the time she looked out
at the passers-by.  By a bare chance she might see
Lewis Waycott walking about, and she would just
nod a last good-bye.  What would he say to her
action?  She didn't know, but she believed he would
say "Quite right, Toney, much better secure it for
these people."

Of course he was the only man who would not
reproach her!  Her heart felt lighter.

The Lyons made her think still more of Lewis'
lions!  She ordered some tea and hot toast to try
and get him out of her thoughts, but she felt terribly
lonely in the big place so full of people going and
coming.  It was like a miniature world full of persons
thinking of their own concerns or their own comfort.
For the first time she began to appreciate the lonely
park at Aldersfield.  It was this busy world that
oppressed her now.  Was she changing?  She who
had jostled against so many persons, and who had
been afraid of nothing.

She felt better after her tea and jumped into a
hansom again, to return to Mr. Staines.  How glad
she would be when the deed of gift was done and
signed.

Once more she stood in the private room.  Mr. Staines
looked really distressed.

"You have forced me to go against my conscience,"
he said, unfolding a big paper.

Toney could not help laughing as she sat down
with alacrity to sign.

"I've kept a sufficiency," he said; "don't try me
too much."

"You are really nice," she answered, signing her
full name with a flourish whilst two clerks came to
witness the signature and retired, little guessing
what they had helped to do.

"I've endowed Stone House with £30,000 a year.
That will be ample for a whole colony.  The money
you gave to Lady Dove has taken a slice of the
capital, and you have lived in fine style since then!
Then the building will take another large slice."

"When Aunt Dove dies I want you to settle the
£2,000 on Miss Maud Hamilton," said Toney.  "She
is a great friend of mine and poor.  Oh, I've had a
glorious time, Mr. Staines, but I knew it was only
for a time.  St. Francis never kept things with the
excuse of giving them away again."

"Hang St. Francis!"

Toney laughed, and Mr. Staines could not help
smiling.

"Well, good-bye, I've got to catch a train, and
please, Mr. Staines, will you accept a little personal
present?  Not the firm——  Just to show you
forgive me, and *I* won't say how *you* are to spend
it!  Oh, it's from me and the General."

Then like a strange gleam of unearthly sunshine
Toney was gone.  Mr. Staines opened the envelope
and discovered a cheque for a thousand pounds.
From another client it is doubtful if he would have
accepted it, but a strange smile passed over his face.

"They are going to shut up a wing of the
Children's Hospital at Margate," he said; "this
will just save it; that girl sets a shocking example,
but I did my best——"

He was not yet happy, but, strange to say, he was
somewhat comforted.

Toney walked into the Aldersfield drawing-room
half an hour before the dressing bell.  Lady Dove
was listening to Miss Grossman's rather loud voice.
The novel was dull, and she was glad to stop her.
Usually Miss Grossman insisted on reading the whole
hour before dinner without stopping or allowing her
employer to talk.

"Oh, Aunt Dove, I've had a nice afternoon.  I
saw Mr. Staines and had a jolly tea at the Lyons'
Restaurant.  Uncle is coming back early to-morrow,
but I knew you'd be dying to hear about our
wedding."

"Mrs. Hamilton has been here and told me all.
I'm sure, Toney, you must have wasted a great deal
on flowers out of season."

"They did good all round, and Jeanie and Mr. Weston
just seemed lifted up by them.  So would
you have been if you'd seen them."

"I never countenance useless waste," was the answer.

"Sentimentality is not sentiment," interposed
Miss Grossman.

To herself Toney said, "Consider the lilies of the
field how they grow;" aloud, she added, "Anyhow
Miss Honoria agreed that Jeanie and Maud looked
lovely!"

"Mrs. Hamilton really bored me about her
daughters' perfections.  I said I was sorry her
son-in-law's escutcheon was a blank, but, of course,
she is going to keep Maud in her own set.  Lewis
Waycott has as many quarterings as the Hamiltons."

Toney's heart went thump, thump, again.  How
horrid she was!

"Quarterings are no use at all to the Westons.
They will be just perfect without them," said Toney.

"But of course," continued Lady Dove, "I do
wonder at her countenancing the marriage of
cousins."

"The future owner of Waycott will be an idiot,"
said Miss Grossman decidedly.  Then Toney rushed
away; the atmosphere of the drawing-room without
Uncle Evas suffocated her.  "If it weren't for
him," she thought, "I would fly to the Haven at
once, but I can't forsake him, no, I can't, he's so
awfully good to me."

Happily everybody was tired that evening (Miss
Grossman condescended to dine with them as Lady
Dove was alone, for Toney's companionship did
not count), and Toney did her best to rattle on
about all sorts of things till the early bedtime
when all three were glad to retire to bed, little
guessing what the night would bring forth, but as
Toney said her prayers her heart seemed suddenly
to feel light again.

"It will be easier to get to the other side," she
thought, "without that load, anyway!"





.. vspace:: 4

.. _`A FIERY ORDEAL`:

.. class:: center large bold

   CHAPTER XXX.


.. class:: center medium bold

   A FIERY ORDEAL.

.. vspace:: 2

Toney was usually an excellent sleeper and it took
a good deal to wake her before morning, and she had
gone through much in the last twenty-four hours.
The brain, however, can be powerfully impressed by
smell, and this must have been the reason why at
two o'clock she heard a soft whine close to her ear,
then a short, sharp bark, and then Toney started up
in bed, fully awake.  Next she gave a sniff and then
the strong clear mind went straight to the mark.

"Powder me pink!" she exclaimed, then she
jumped out of bed and dressed quicker than she had
ever done in her life before.  Her garments were few
and substantial, and she drew on a skirt and a
flannel blouse.  Next she seized a big bath towel and
soaked it in her hip bath.

"It's shorter in the long run," she thought, then
she cautiously opened the door of her small room at
the top of the house.  The passage had smoke in it
too, thicker smoke than in her room.  For half a
second she paused to think as she snatched up Trick
in her arms.  "Maids up here—the men in the other
wing—bother, the telephone is down in my room—worse
luck!"  Then she dashed along the passage
to the maids' rooms, opening each door as she
passed, and shouting, "Get up!  Fire!  Quick!"  At
the end of the passage the cook opened the door, she
was dressed, having also been awakened by the
smell of smoke.

"Oh, Miss Tonia!  It's fire—God have mercy on us!"

"All right, ring a bell out of the window, the men
in the other wing will hear it.  Shout Fire!—and, look
here, tell the maids to dress first, it's safer in the
end."

The elderly cook felt that Miss Tonia was right,
her words acted like a strong restorative and brought
back her presence of mind as the half-dressed maids
crowded into the passage.

"Dress all of you girls, thick jackets, it's cold; we
are safe at present."  Toney paused.

"Yes, all safe at present, take wet towels with you.
I'm afraid it's on the first floor, and these stairs don't
look inviting!"

A volume of smoke rolled up now, and for a
moment hid them from each other.  Toney wrapped
her wet towel round her head and shoulders and once
more called out,

"Keep together—shout loud—try the other stairs,
not these.  I'll go and explore, but you had better
not.  Try the leads, you'll be safer there.  Good-bye!"

"Miss Tonia! for God's sake don't go down those
stairs, it's madness, stay here," cried the cook.

"I can't, Aunt Dove and Miss Grossman, but look
here, Rose, take Trick and hold him tight, he will
want to follow me and I must have my two hands,"
then suddenly Toney disappeared in another volume
of smoke.  The maids shrieked and wrung their
hands, but the cook had happily regained her
senses.

"Girls! follow me, the other stairs may be safe."

Clinging to each other they ran down the long
passage, but at the other end they found quite as
much smoke, for the narrow stairs seemed to act like
two funnels.

"Let's go down, oh, let's go down!" cried the
maids, "we must go before it's too late!"

"Miss Tonia said, 'the leads'—I think, girls, she's
right.  We can call for help from there.  We might
be suffocated in this smoke.  Make for the trap-door
on to the leads," and soon they were breathing pure
air and exercising their lungs with screams.  To
their delight they saw that men were already
running about below and were signalling to them that
help was coming.

We must follow Toney on her dangerous exploration.
She had one idea in her mind.  The fire
must have begun in her Aunt Dove's room or else
in Miss Grossman's, a few doors off, or else in some
flue close by.  The dense smoke pointed unmistakably
to this.  Had they escaped?  Their rooms
were at the end of a passage, and they must go down
it to reach the central staircase.  The stairs down
which she now forced her way were rather steep, and
ended at the opposite end of the Hall to where was
her aunt's passage, but Toney knew every step by
heart.  It was impossible to see even if there had
been any light, the smoke was too thick.  Should
she meet the fire face to face and be driven back?
Even here she felt the stairs were hot and the smoke
was terrible.  When she reached the bottom,
however, she paused; by some strange freak for a few
moments the smoke cleared, and she could breathe
again!  Oh, the relief! but this was only for a
moment.  She had to keep her mind clear; wrapping
her wet towel still closer to her head, she made a
dash along the central passage.  Toney realised that
this was passable, but dense smoke came rolling
towards her from her aunt's passage.  Oh, how could
she pass it?  She must, she must go on, for no one
answered her smothered cry of "Aunt Dove!  Aunt
Dove!  Miss Grossman!"

Again she paused to take what breath she could.
Her eyes tingled, she felt choked, but as yet she saw
no fire.

"I must, I must," she repeated and strangely
enough came the words to her mind, "the Path of
Perfection."  Was this the Path?  If only Aunt
Dove were not locked in!  If only Uncle Evas had
been here! if only—  "Now," she thought, feeling
the towel was getting dry and smoke-laden, "Now!"

Never had Toney made such a desperate dart
down the passage.  Oh, the heat! and the roaring
and the smoke!—the smoke, that was the most
terrible part of it!  She hurled herself, blindfolded
as she was, against the door and it gave way, but how
the smoke rolled in with her!  So immediately she
shut the door, then she loosed the towel and called
out.

"Aunt Dove, Aunt Dove! where are you?  Speak,
I can't see, Aunt Dove!"

"Help! help!" was the feeble smothered answer,
but it was Miss Grossman's voice.

"Where? where?"  She stumbled forwards across
the big room and knocked against the bath filled
with water.  She stooped down and dashed her head
in it, towel and all.  What a relief she felt as she
staggered forwards.

"Miss Grossman, where is Aunt Dove?  Where are you?"

"In the wardrobe—we are suffocated!  Help! help!"

"Come out quick."  Toney seized another towel
and dipped it in the bath.  "We can still cross—at
least I think so."

The big wardrobe opened, and as Miss Grossman
crawled out Toney threw the wet towel over her; then
Lady Dove emerged speechless from fear and smoke.

"Miss Grossman, why didn't you go down?  I,
think we can still do it."

"I ran in here, and then—Lady Dove would not
follow me.  Oh, the smoke—the window—open the
window!"

"No, no, not yet, the draught—quick, oh,
quick—Aunt Dove, take my arm.  You have only your
dressing-gown—take a blanket—Miss Grossman, run
fast, we will follow."  Miss Grossman was feeling the
relief of the wet towel, she made a dash towards
the door.

"Quick!  Aunt Dove, follow me—I'll drag you, we
have only just time."

"I can't, Antonia—don't leave me—oh, I can't
breathe!"

"You must, you must."  Toney dragged her a few
steps, but fear had paralyzed her; at this moment
Miss Grossman had reached the door and realised
the danger of opening it more than once.  A dull
roar was heard.

"Are you coming?  For God's sake, I cannot go
alone——"

"Go," cried Toney, "you have time—I think.
Aunt Dove, come, for Uncle Evas' sake come—pull
yourself together.  In a minute we——"

The door was opened by Miss Grossman, whose
muffled voice again called out, "Come, come," then
she shut it again, and Toney was left alone with her
aunt.  A terrible column of smoke had rolled in,
and she noticed that one tongue of fire tried to pierce
the smoke in the big chamber.

"Toney, I can't—I can't walk.  Don't leave
me—air—air—open the window!"

"Yes, it's too late for the door, Aunt Dove, we
must come back—I'll open the window and call.
Oh! they must be trying to save us now—don't
leave go—stick tight to me: they will hear us."  Toney
felt a terrible weight on her; would her aunt
give in?  Here was one of the windows, the red
curtain drawn across it, she pulled it back, a sofa
was against it, she managed with superhuman effort
to get her aunt on it, but it was terribly difficult.

"Aunt Dove, I'll open now or we shall be
suffocated—only—there is danger—the draught—you
know!  I'll not leave you.  Hold my jacket whilst I
open."  The window was locked, she could not find
the bolt with that weight impeding her, she wrapped
her hand round the towel and smashed the glass.
Oh, the relief of the air! all danger seemed for a
moment swallowed up in that relief.  She was even
able to unbolt the latch and pull up the sash.

"Help! help!  Jim, ladders—help!"  She saw a
crowd below, some holding lanterns, some torches.
She heard a fire engine gallop up, she even saw a
shoot.  "Here! here!" she called.  Were they saved?

"Aunt Dove, they are coming.  Put your head
out of the window!"  Toney said this because the
roar behind them was increasing.  She saw the
tongue of fire very plainly now.  Was there time?
The engine was there.  A great jet of water was
playing on them, no, above them, they had not yet
located the fire and it was coming, coming.  Oh! the
heat, the terrible heat! but now the fire escape was
there, it was placed against the wall.

"Oh, Aunt Dove, don't give up—here they are!"

"Don't leave me!  I can't move, Toney! the fire—look!"

"No, no, don't look."  A ringing cheer, and a man
was on the sill, having run up a ladder whilst the
shoot was placed in position close to the window.

"Quick," he said, "not a moment to waste—one
at a time."  Toney did not hesitate, never thought
of hesitating, as she dragged her aunt up to the
sill.  Her powerlessness had returned.  The long
shoot was there, it would have been so easy for
Toney to step into it, but Aunt Dove was utterly
unnerved—no one but Toney could rouse her.

"Help her, so—Aunt Dove, you are saved, it is
not difficult; you slide down.  Get in—you
must—think of Uncle Evas."  Lady Dove had clutched
Toney so tightly that she could not, or would not,
leave go.  The fireman had to wrench her hand
away by main force, and precious minutes were lost!

For God's sake—quick!  It was certainly a very
undignified retreat, but it was done; Lady Dove
was saved!

But Toney, what of Toney? was there time?  A
great flare of light seemed suddenly visible behind
her.  The fireman had disappeared, and Toney could
not linger another minute.  She jumped on the sill
and stood for a few seconds clinging to the sash
above.  Then she saw there was but one chance for
her; she must let herself drop on to a kind of
parapet below, and then clutch the iron rod that was
now at her feet—if she did not miss it!  In the
lurid light she was seen by everybody—there was
a breathless moment, then she let go—and without
once hesitating clutched and retained the rod.  A
roar of admiration and horror mingled together was
heard; then suddenly, like a lightning flash, another
form had run up the ladder, and though it was not
in right position Jim stretched out both arms and
supported her, in what was an untenable
position—because—Toney's sleeve had caught fire.

"Miss Tonia, hold on one minute.  Now"—with
one hand he held her, with the other he crushed the
fire out, then—but for Jim there would have been
no then, Toney could not have held on—the next
instant the shoot was moved and again placed in
position for Toney, and Jim straining forward
helped her to get in—alone she could not have
done it.

"Miss Tonia, Miss Tonia—thank God, it's all
right."  Then Toney heard a great shout, a shout
that permeated everywhere, and she felt herself
sliding down, down, always down; but the truth was
that for the first time in her life Toney had fainted,
and when she came to herself she was in the big
barn where the grand supper had been served, and
which was situated on the side where the fire
was not.

"Aunt Dove—and everybody?" she gasped.  It
was Maud who was beside her, and Dr. Latham was
cutting off her sleeve and wrapping up her left arm
in cotton wool after having soaked it in oil.

"Oh!  Toney, Toney, all are saved; you did it;
is the pain very bad?"

Toney shut her eyes a moment.

"Gracious stars!—I forgot—I thought I was
going down and down, and the fire was running
after me!  Oh, all saved!  Maud!  I am glad.
Where's Trick?"  At this moment a poor, singed,
bedraggled animal made a bound and was on
Toney's couch, licking her face and half wild with
joy.

"I was so afraid we should never get aunt out!
Trick, Trick, you gave the first warning; you're
just a hero!  Let me get up, Dr. Latham; I'm quite
fit—is my study burnt?

"No, all that wing is safe; the wind carried the
fire the other way, and the engines are keeping it
down.  Lady Dove and Miss Grossman have been
driven to Waycott Hall; she revived wonderfully,
but you were not ready to go off with them."

"The maids were saved first," added Maud;
"fortunately, they were on the roof, and very visible,
but till Miss Grossman appeared we could not locate
where you were.  Mr. Russell has done wonders.
Oh, it was dreadful!"

Toney's colour began to return; she insisted on
getting up, and Maud fetched a great ulster for her
to keep her warm.

"We must telephone to Uncle Evas at once," she
said; "he's at Charing Cross Hotel."  To herself
Toney thought, "Lewis Waycott will know I did
my best before he goes."  Then she shook herself
to make sure her legs were her own.

"Now I must go—where's Jim?  Oh, Maud, I
couldn't have held on a second longer without him!"

The two girls went out to the front of the house.
It was four o'clock now, and a great glare and
volumes of smoke made lurid light, but every now
and then the water conquered the fire.  All the
villagers were working with a will, carrying pictures
and valuables to safety, and, strange to say, most
ably directed by Plantagenet Russell.  He seemed
to forget entirely his own personality, and thought
only of saving all that was precious in the best
possible way.  Every now and then a cheer was
heard, when something was brought out through the
danger zone.  It was on this scene that Toney
appeared, and again there was a shout that drowned
all other sounds.  The old men and women gathered
round her, the others were working for all they were
worth.

"Miss Tonia!  Miss Tonia!  Thank God! thank
God!  You gave us such a fright, that you did! when
you stood up there.  Jim wouldn't wait; he
did his duty, did Jim.  There wasn't time to wait,
though the fireman said there was——  Here, Jim,
stop a bit, and come and see Miss Tonia!"  Jim,
looking like a sweep, touched his hat.

"It's all right now you're safe, Miss Tonia."

"It's all owing to you, Jim; I couldn't have kept
hold another minute."

"You saved her ladyship, Miss Tonia; she was
sheer dazed with fright; the fireman said he couldn't
have managed it himself.  Her ladyship was very
upset, and directly she heard you were safe she
went off with Miss Grossman.  We can't think how
you managed that drop, miss; none of us could
have done it!"

"I had to, Jim, the heat was so awful!"

"I came just in time," said Maud.  "Oh!  Toney,
to see you dropping down from that ledge made me
feel sick!  I shall never forget it.  If only Lewis had
been here!"  Toney turned to see the men again.

"Thank you very much for helping to save
uncle's things; but please don't go into danger for
them.  Mr. Russell, how good you've been; you'll
take care of the men?  Now I think I'll go to
Waycott Hall to see after Aunt Dove.  Come,
Maud."  Doctor Latham joined her.

"There's the carriage coming back.  I'll come
too.  You will feel your arm pain you more later."

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"If you please, Sir Evas Dove, you're wanted at
the telephone immediately," said a sleepy waiter.

"Hulloa! what's up?  Is it Lady
Dove?—Impossible—I'll come immediately."

"Are you Sir Evas?"

"Yes; who is it?  Ah!  Russell, is it you?
What's the matter?"

"Aldersfield is on fire; can you come first
train?  Everybody saved; Lady Dove much
upset; Miss Whitburn has burnt her arm—Miss
Hamilton wants Mr. Waycott to know."

"What the Dickens are you all up to?  I'll come
first train; never mind if all are safe."

Sir Evas rushed to Lewis Waycott's room.

"Waycott, are you awake?"

"Yes; what's up?"

"I'm off immediately; Aldersfield is burning;
Toney has been burnt."

"Toney burnt!  Good heavens!  I'll come with you."

"No need, only her arm; but Maud wanted you
to know.  Good-bye; good luck to your hungry
lions."

But Lewis did not reply, he was hurrying into his
clothes with greater rapidity than ever before, and
when Sir Evas stepped into the carriage he did not
see that Lewis Waycott jumped in too, just as the
train was starting.





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.. _`HOME AGAIN`:

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   CHAPTER XXXI.


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   HOME AGAIN.

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Hardly had Maud, Toney, and Dr. Latham reached
Waycott Hall in the grey light of morning, than a
rider galloped up.  It was Edward Lang, who
threw himself off his saddle to greet the girls.

"We heard such stories that I simply threw
myself on Tempest and galloped here.  You were
reported dead, Miss Whitburn—are you hurt, Miss
Hamilton?  They sent me on here from Aldersfield."

"Toney's arm is burnt, I was only a spectator."

"The fire is being got under, but the left wing
looks bad."  He kept close to Maud and looked
more at her than at Toney.  Maud told the tale.
Toney did not care to talk about it, so she left them
to go and find her aunt, and met Miss Honoria,
Mrs. Hamilton, and Miss Grossman looking for her.

"My dear child," cried Miss Honoria, kissing her,
"is your arm bad?  You must go to bed."

"We are all proud of you," said Mrs. Hamilton,
conquered at last, for personal courage was her
special admiration, "Miss Grossman told us all.
Lady Dove has gone to bed and begged not to be
disturbed, so you had better not see her yet, she is
much shaken."

"How did you get through?" said Toney to the
companion.  "Aunt Dove couldn't move, I think
fear paralyzed her, and, gracious stars! the shoot
just finished her for a moment.  We had to use
force, I couldn't go down on her head, and by the
time I could I had to move away from it along the
sill, out of reach.  But you know, Miss Honoria, Jim
saved me.  I was holding on for all I was worth,
but—oh, I couldn't have done it half a minute
longer."

Toney was simply bent on praising Jim, forgetting
that these horrible moments had been endured for
Aunt Dove's sake.

"I couldn't have got through but for that soaked
towel, Miss Whitburn, you saved my life, I shall feel
in your debt for the rest of my life," said Miss
Grossman, who having washed and dressed looked
quite normal.  Toney laughed.

"Oh don't, please, a towel is a very old joke, isn't it?"

"I find, to my surprise, that the obvious escapes
one at such moments.  Lady Dove rang the bell in
my room violently and, smelling smoke, I ran to her
without thought.  Once there I did the best I could
for us both."

"Well, that was real lucky for her, but I guess you
were nearly stifled in that wardrobe," said Toney
smiling.  "Tell me what Aunt Dove said afterwards?"

"If you wish to know, she said it was the first
time you had been of real use."

"That's grand from her!  Now, Miss Honoria, I
think I'll go and curl up till Uncle Evas comes.
I don't want to go to bed, thank you," she said
smiling bravely.

"Then just come to Lewis' study.  No one will
go there to disturb you, dear," answered Miss
Honoria.

"All right, I'll go, don't come with me.  Maud's
somewhere telling Mr. Lang."

Toney washed her face and brushed her hair in
Maud's room, then she hurried towards the study.
She would like to be there, quiet and alone; she
wanted to get rid of that horrible feeling of holding
on to an impossible position.  She had fancied
herself braver.  Pups wouldn't have turned a hair
over it—neither would she formerly.  This life of
luxury was unnerving her; how glad, how very glad
she was that her will had been altered.  She heaved
a sigh of relief as she opened the door.  Then she
stood still thunderstruck!  The room was not empty,
Maud was talking eagerly to Edward Lang and they
were close to each other and he was holding her
hand.  How horrid of Maud!  What would Lewis think?

"Ehem!" said Toney in a loud voice, and the two
flew apart, Maud turning round with a crimson face.

"Oh, Toney, we—I didn't think you would come
here——  I was telling Mr. Lang——"

"Oh I say, Miss Whitburn, I'll take a leaf out of
your book——  I want Maud to marry me and she
won't say 'yes!'"

Toney nearly said, "How dishonourable," then by
a sudden inspiration her mind was illumined.  She
must have imagined, all—the other thing?  A great
weight seemed to be suddenly lifted from her heart,
she felt light as air so that she actually burst out
laughing.

"Oh!  Stars and Stripes!—Maud—you never told
me——  Is it really true—or——"

Edward Lang's eyes were so blue and so kind, he
seized Maud's hand.

"She'll obey you, Miss Whitburn—tell her to say
'yes'—and you can't say I love her for her money—because
she has none, and if she will just reform this
extravagant personage we shall be as happy as——"

"Gracious stars!  Maud—do you——"

"He's most unworthy," said Maud laughing, "but
I have a slight regard for him only—it's all very well
promising to reform but——"

"You can't tell unless you try me," he answered,
looking really in earnest, "but be witness, Miss
Whitburn, 'pon my honour I will, Maud says I must
work, and really I mean in future to be less of a
lazy dog, but if Maud throws me up——"

"A gentleman always keeps his word, Maud," said
Toney, "and indeed, Mr. Lang, Maud won't always be
penniless, I've just made my will, and when Aunt
Dove dies, you'll have two thousand a year,
Maud—it's my wedding gift to you."

The lovers stared hard, then Maud actually cried
and ended by laughing.

"Oh, Toney!  We can't—he won't reform if I'm
not a beggar!"

"Aunt Dove's got an awfully good constitution, so
there's no hurry," said Toney, "but I'm so very, very
glad, Mr. Lang, though of course, Maud is too good
for you, only——"

They all laughed, and Maud seeing Toney's tired
look, suggested she should lie down and be left
alone.

"Yes, I think I'll curl up," said Toney, "I'm still
a bit dazed—but, oh, Maud—I never guessed!"

The lovers went out and Toney called Trick, then
literally curled herself round on the big sofa, feeling
that it would take a long time to re-adjust her ideas.
Why had she believed Aunt Dove, and—oh, it was
all a mistake—what about Lewis' strange coldness?
But even the new sweet, strange puzzle, and the
great lightness of heart, could not keep her weary
eyes open, though she did not want to sleep but to
see Sir Evas directly he appeared, so she took her
little book out of her pocket and opened it at the
place where the little boy saw St. Francis in a wood,
surrounded with heavenly visitors, and she read how
St. Francis, returning home, stumbled over the boy,
and then lifted him in his arms, "as doth a good
shepherd with his sheep," and Toney thought of
the terrible moments on the sill, and thanked God
that she had been upheld by the Good Shepherd
till help had come, for she heard Jim tell someone
that it was a miracle how Miss Tonia had held
on——  Then "The Little Flowers of St. Francis"
dropped from her hands and Toney fell asleep.

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Sir Evas, getting out at Winchley Station,
stumbled against Lewis Waycott.

"Bless my soul, you came too, Waycott!  How
can you spare the time?  There's a fly waiting,
come with me, I wanted to talk about your lions, but
all this has driven everything out of my head."

"The lions will wait," said Lewis gravely.  Then
Sir Evas spoke a few words to the Station Master,
after which both men hurried into the fly.

"It might have been worse, but Ingram says it
was a near shave for Toney.  However, now the fire
is got under.  She saved her aunt's life, Ingram says.
What a fright I had, but Toney's safe; I'm as fond
of that girl as if she was my own."

"Of course," said Lewis, "I'm sure she never
thought of herself."

"Always was foolhardy—but coming down I was
reading a letter from Staines, he's terribly upset.
What do you think Toney did yesterday?"

"Yesterday!  Was she in town?"

"Yes, I forgot to say so—Staines said she insisted
on making an immediate deed of gift to that
confoun—well, that Stone House of hers of £30,000,
and to think of all the time I wasted on that girl's
money affairs!  It's preposterous!  I don't wonder
Staines is nearly off his head!"

"A deed of gift of £30,000!" repeated Lewis
turning towards Sir Evas with a flash of joy in his
eyes.

"Yes, I thought you'd be as surprised as I am.
Worse—Staines said he would tell me—out of the
remainder, she's given my wife £2,000 principal and
interest, and at her death it's to go on to your
Cousin Maud."

"To Maud!"

"Yes, Toney's very fond of Maud, and—you
know I expect she thought it would help you."

"Help me!  Why?"

"Oh she told me not to let the cat out of the bag,
but I never could keep a cat in anything.  She
heard you were engaged to Maud—keeping it quiet—much
better—I wouldn't have mentioned it but for
this money."

"Good heavens!  What else—she won't have
much left."

"Confound it all—the rest, I suppose, will build
Stone House, only——" and Sir Evas chuckled,

"Staines has kept the coal mines as her share, and
there's no knowing what they are worth, unless the
seam fails—there'll be pickings, but only pickings.
Such a fortune, a princely fortune.  Stone couldn't
have foreseen it."

"I believe he did, Sir Evas, I believe it was his
fashion of dispensing charity."

"I don't know, he was a queer fish himself, gave
lavishly in secret, but—it's really enough to turn
Staines' hair white."

Here Lewis Waycott laughed aloud; Sir Evas
looked at him a little reproachfully.

"I don't see the joke."

"Forgive me, Sir Evas—I do—but what made
Toney say that about Maud?  What an absurd
idea!  I'm awfully fond of Maud—I think I told
Toney so—but I look upon these girls as my sisters.
They're tremendously improved, and it's Toney's
doing."

"Then you're not engaged to Maud!  I always
said it surprised me—Toney's too cute.  Here we
are—good heavens!  It's not pleasant to see your
ancestral home looking like this!"

The two men were surrounded immediately by
responsible and irresponsible people.  Sir Evas
heard all that was known, and Lewis was shown
where Toney had stood and told how she had saved
the lives of Lady Dove and Miss Grossman.  Lewis
Waycott looked away.  He was a strong man but at
that moment he felt faint.

"They are all at Waycott, Sir Evas," said Lewis,
"I think I'll go on."

"Yes, do, say I am coming.  I must thank my
people for saving so much of my property.  There
isn't a picture burnt, and much of the furniture is
saved."

Sir Evas had become very popular since Toney
had rubbed his shyness off, so now he went about
among his tenants scattering kind words, and he
was almost overcome by their heartfelt sympathy.
Though his treasures had been at everybody's mercy,
not the smallest thing had been injured.—"It will
soon be built up again, sir—'Twas a mercy everyone
was saved—Her ladyship wouldn't face the shoot at
first, sir—If Miss Tonia hadn't been there the two
ladies would have been roasted alive—The ways of
Providence is wonderful!  'Tain't for such of us to
understand them!"

On leaving Sir Evas, Lewis had stumbled on Jim.

"Jim, if you're not wanted, take me home in the
motor—at least if it isn't burnt."

"No, sir, the stables never suffered.  Miss Tonia
asked after Colon and the others, sir, and the little
dorg went near mad with joy.  He tried to run
into the fire to find Miss Tonia.  Trick ain't like
other dorgs."

"I hear, Jim, you saved Miss Toney—you know we
shan't forget that."

Jim grinned broadly, he was going faster than any
regulation speed, so he could not do more.

"That wasn't nothing, sir.  I was so mad that
they didn't move the shoot quicker, I thought her
ladyship must have stuck half-way, so I ran up a
ladder, and though it wasn't quite in the right place I
managed, by stretching out, to hold Miss Tonia for
a minute till the shoot came.  If it hadn't been for
that she couldn't have held on, how she did it at all,
sir, is a miracle, but she's got such a cool head has
Miss Tonia, 'tain't another like her anywhere, sir."

"You're right, Jim, there isn't another like her,
anywhere."

"Thought you had started for foreign parts, sir."

"I haven't started yet—I may go next week—or I
may not.  Tell me how the fire began, Jim."  And
Jim's ideas on this point lasted till they reached
Waycott Hall gates.

"All right, Jim, I'll walk from here—I don't want
to disturb the ladies—they are not expecting me.
Go back for Sir Evas."  Lewis sneaked into his own
house like a thief.  His brain seemed spinning round
with a multitude of ideas, as if it were on fire.  He
mentally saw Toney on that ledge and—he muttered
some savage words about himself for not being there,
adding, "Hang that Jim, he'll be unbearable for the
rest of his life."

No one was expecting him, the hall was deserted,
he walked through it and from habit made for his
own study.  He wanted to calm himself before
seeing them all; of course Toney was upstairs—perhaps
in bed.  Oh! he could wait now.  If he
told anyone he was here, Aunt Honoria would claim
him, and he should have to hear that horrid story
again.  He opened the door and stepped in.  He
walked to the fireplace—then——  Good heavens! there
was Toney on his sofa, fast asleep, and there
too was Trick, who pricked up his ears and barked!

Toney woke up with a start, and with her right
hand rubbed her eyes.

"Gracious stars!  Uncle—oh, it's——"  She sank
down again because her legs refused to carry her.

"It's only Lewis," he said sitting down beside her.
"Toney—Toney, I've come back to tell you what a
fool I've been."

"You haven't yet killed all the lions in Somaliland,
have you?" said Toney trying to laugh in her
old manner; but the laugh died away before the
look in Lewis' eyes.

"Let me tell you quick, Toney."  He took her
hand, and Toney felt she was dreaming, for never
had he looked like that before, never had he held her
hand in this manner.  "I went away because I loved
you—yes, I have always loved you, and you only,
but that beastly money came in the way!  Lady
Dove said I wanted your money, and my horrid
pride couldn't swallow the gold!  I sacrificed
everything to it; then came the day when I couldn't
stand any more, I couldn't live and see you every
day and say nothing when I wasn't sure—of your
feelings.  I wasn't worthy of you, Toney; I might
have trusted you, I might have known that the
money would never stay with you, and now I've
heard; but, oh, my Toney, will you believe that I
was coming before I knew; I was coming to swallow
the whole fortune, and the *on dits* of the whole
county, only your uncle told me, and, anyhow, I ask
you now, will you be my wife, not for the money,
but for yourself?  If you say I don't deserve you, if
you say you don't care enough for me, I'll go off
again and wait—and then, another thing, Toney, you
thought about Maud—how could you?  I expect it
was Lady Dove again, and now you have just saved
her life, and nearly—Toney—Toney."  He put his
strong arm round her and she did not resist.  "Speak
to me and tell me—and then I'll face all those
Society lions."

Then Toney just laid her weary head on his
shoulder, and there was a lump in her throat and a
great, great gladness in her heart.

"Don't go away, ever again—I've been very, very
miserable, and I hated myself because I thought you
belonged to Maud——  Is it true, quite, quite true?"

"It's awfully true—Toney, you won't go on
believing about Maud?"

"Oh, gracious stars! no!" cried Toney lifting up
her face that was so pink, and her eyes that were so
bright; "because she's just been engaging herself to
the Honourable Edward Lang!"

"Maud?" shouted Lewis, and they both laughed
together.  "So you knew—when?"

"Oh, here, just before I went to sleep.  Then all
the horrid feelings went away—and dear, dear Lewis,
I sort of felt you would come back, and I was so
happy—and you won't mind my being rather poor,
though Aunt Dove says you ought to marry money;
but even for you I could not keep it, because it was
all dedicated long ago to the poor and needy."

"My darling, I've proved I don't care, though in a
stupid way——  Toney, say you forgive me for hurting
you, and now—I claim the gift you promised me
long ago from the cottage window."

"Oh, Lewis, was it that? and I never guessed!"  Then
a great content fell on them both.  "I said I
would give you what you asked, and I think that I
always have loved you, though I never knew it
till—you went away!  Oh! there's uncle—let me
go—and tell him; he sort of guessed it before I did!"

"He's more sense than I have," said Lewis laughing.

Then they stood up with shining eyes waiting for
Sir Evas, and Toney whispered,

"I was so lonely, so lonely, and the work
seemed so hard, and now you'll never leave me
and we'll work together; I see now I can't do it
alone, and I do hope 'That is the way God would
have us to go,' as dear St. Francis said whenever
he was starting on a journey!"

"We'll go, God helping us, all the way together,
my Toney," said Lewis as they stood together
"and as for the lions, they may eat each other up.
Come and tell Aunt Honoria, and Maud and the
others, they will all be so glad!"

"They've been so awfully good to me, but—I am
not *quite* sure about Aunt Dove's joy!"

"Hang her," muttered Lewis.

As they went out hand-in-hand together, they
laughed the old happy laugh, and met Sir Evas
face to face at the hall door.

"What the Dickens!" he began.  "By Jove! is
*that* it?"

"Yes, you dear, ducky uncle," said Toney,
throwing her arms round his neck and giving him
a bear's hug, "yes, *that's* it!"

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   THE END.

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   Printed in Great Britain at
   *The Mayflower Press, Plymouth*.  William Brendon & Son, Ltd

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