Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

at Frances' insinuation, "and he hoped we should be at home."

"I hope you told him that mother was away. I wish, Bee, you would come and settle the colour of the velvet for our new bonnets. We must set about trimming them to-day."

"You will make mine, won't you, Bee?" said Minnie, eagerly and coaxingly. "It will be better if one hand makes them. You and I always dress alike."

Bee hated making bonnets, but remembered that if some day she had to work for her living she might have to choose this trade, so that she had better grant Minnie's request. Besides, she felt so happy; any amount of drudgery would have seemed light now. He, Colin Grant, did not despise her. Perhaps, if she did her best at home she might be better able to do her best for him. About one thing she was determined: she would not marry him, and then let him find that he had made a mistake; he must know her faults before she allowed him to spoil his life. Bee was wonderfully humble, more humble in her own eyes than was really quite necessary; but Minnie had always impressed her with the idea that she was the stupid one of the family. If only Austin were here! Austin was so kind to her, so good to them all; but then he had never spent much time at home. He had worked so hard, and never wasted any time, in order to be a help, and not an expense, and to spare the slender means of his mother. Austin was the one member of her family to whom Bee could look up; he never seemed to think of himself, he was more like Captain Grant.

Her home life was so selfish, so small, so entirely egotistical; yet Bee felt that there was a better life, a better motive, somewhere, if only she could find them. But how happy she felt to-day; he really wanted her, only he fancied her better than she was; and then, if she were poor, ought he to marry a poor wife? Here Beatrice tormented herself whilst her fingers made up velvet bonnets, and Minnie lay on the sofa declaring that she had 66 never been so tired in her life;" and yet there was sweetness in her torments.

Towards tea-time Captain Grant came in; but other visitors were in the room, so that Minnie seized upon him, and Bee, who was always tea-maker, could not do more than look up at him for one minte as he held her hand; but that was enough for them. She meant to say with her eyes:

"I am trying to find out whether I am good enough," and his said: "I shall never change my mind." Love was a simple, wonderful thing for them—a new revelation.

People talked round her, discussed other people-unkindly for the most part-but Bee noticed that whenever Captain Grant spoke it was to defend any one whom he might know among those who were being pulled to pieces. Again Bee thought; "He is not like us; we are always criticis ing our neighbours. I do it too, I know, and yet he can't bear to hear any one abused. I shall never learn that, I am afraid." But she began trying this very afternoon.

At last, when the room was not quite so full of Longham people, Captain Grant came round to Bee. Minnie had been monopolised by a curate, who was supposed to have said that "the second Miss Gordon was an angel upon earth," which showed plainly, had he only known it, that he was but partially acquainted with Miss Minnie Gordon, and not at all with angels.

"What have you been doing since we met, Miss Beatrice ?"

His manner was as respectful as if he had not this same morning called her Beatrice without the "Miss."

"Making bonnets," answered Bee, laughing happily this time-and perhaps it was that natural laugh that had first taken the Captain's fancy, making the owner of it afterwards creep into his heart. A girl who can laugh happily can have nothing very bad to hide, so he thought, and, perhaps, being a little grave himself, he was all the more inclined to like high spirits.

"Ball-dresses and bonnets?" he said,

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

Minnie interrupted further talk. She thought her sister had had the Captain long enough by her side; she was jealous of any attention not paid to her, and this evening Bee suddenly perceived this. What was to be done? It was too dreadful to think of being a sister's rival; but then, as after all it was not Minnie but herself whom he cared about, Minnie must be told, to save farther complications.

When Captain Grant rose to go, Bee slipped a little folded paper into his hand. "Read it by-and-by," she whispered; and when he stepped out of the house, Captain Grant opened the little note as if it had been made of some very precious stuff.

It was quite short.

"I have changed my mind already, though I cannot tell you why. Will you ask mother if she thinks I shall be good enough for you? Or if you have changed your mind, please never mention the subject again. I shall know why.-B. G."

The next morning Captain Grant called again, this time it was to see Miss Gordon; and he was not shown into the day-room, where he wished to go, but into the drawing-room, where there was no fira. Frances sailed in presently, nice-looking, dignified. But she expected it was Minnie he wanted. What had he come for?

"Will you kindly give me Mrs. Gordon's present address?" he asked, simply. Frances wrote it on an envelope, and Captain Grant put it into a pocket-book without looking at it.

"I expect my mother back very shortly," said the eldest Miss Gordon.

"I am very glad. Then perhaps she will come and see my aunt at the Towers? My father says he wishes to have a real old-fashioned Merrie Christmas."

"Indeed!"

Frances was thinking that her mother intended to move to the Warren as soon as possible, so that the Merrie Christmas might not be spent at Longham.

Captain Grant was a little afraid of Miss Gordon, so he took his leave very soon. Bee heard his step, and in her anxiety cut Minnie's bonnet where it should have remained whole, so that Minnie's wrath descended on the younger sister in no sparing measure.

"You are stupid, Bee! I wonder what mother will do when we are married, and you are left alone with her?”

[blocks in formation]

"MY DEAR CHILD, - This evening's post has brought me a letter, which I hasten to answer, so that you and Captain Grant may both be made happy. I was so surprised that my youngest daughter should be the first to wish to leave us; but I feel thankful that you will have a thorough gentleman for your husband, dear Bee, and that in future you will have no reason to trouble yourself about money matters, as I have done all my life. Minnie must tell you the other great news. I had half fancied dear Minnie would have been the first to leave us; but such things settle themselves, and now there will be no need to consider ways and means. You have my full consent, dear Bee, and may you have a long life of happiness. I don't wish you to be married until you are quite nineteen. Youth will never come back again. But make the engagement public at once if you like. Such things are better known directly. Your loving mother, "ELLEN GORDON."

Everything was as prosperous as possible now with Bee, and yet she felt sorry that she was not to have a time of secret trial; sorry that her Colin should not be quite sure of her before there was public engagement; only her own feelings must give way for Minnie's sake, who must not be allowed to believe what was not true.

"Will you read this, Frances?" And Bee handed her mother's letter across the table to her sister.

Frances was astounded.

"You, Bee! Why, I always thought he liked Minnie. You sly child!"

"Don't say that, Frances, because I thought the same myself till a few days ago, but I am not half good enough for him. Oh, no, not half!"`

"What nonsense you are saying! Girls do not marry for that; however, I am glad mother approves, only it is a pity it is not Minnie."

[blocks in formation]

"Then it ought to have been you." "Me! I wouldn't marry Captain Grant for all the world, he is so sanctimonious. I beg your pardon, Bee, but I mean he is not to my taste."

The lazy Miss Gordon now appeared, so the two sisters relapsed into silence whilst Minnie opened her note.

"Guess, Bee, what the mystery is. Oh, Frances, why didn't you tell us? How very, very delightful !"

Bee seized the note-it was short enough, and soon read:

"DEAREST MINNIE,-Frances must tell you all, only I must be the first to announce to you that I have come into a property belonging to a cousin of your father's. The house is charming, but rather far from the town. There is very good society. My joys have all come at once, for I have just had a charming letter from—but you can guess. Your loving mother, "E. G."

"You might have told us," cried Bee and Minnie again.

"Mother has had a great deal of tiresome business to get through-it was not all pleasure."

"And how much a year?" asked Minnie. "The affairs are rather in a muddle at present. This cousin was a very undesir. able person; still, there is enough money to keep up the place well, and there will be some over, too."

"Austin need not work so hard, then," said Bee, her mind reverting at once to her brother.

"That will not hurt him."

"Fancy, Bee thought we had lost our money, and that she had better turn into a dressmaker."

"I asked Captain Grant it he would think it very low, and he said no," said Bee, blushing painfully, but laughing too. "You asked Captain Grant?"

"Why not? now-we-are engaged," and Bee handed her mother's letter to Minnie.

Bee had made a desperate effort to bring out this piece of news, but she was not prepared for the anger of her elder sister.

that you might leave us to bear all the trouble of it."

"Minnie!" said Frances.

"You may say Minnie; I don't mind anything, if only people are open and straightforward, and Bee has been very proud and deceitful. One thing is, I am sure her engagement will never prosper," and Minnie rushed out of the room too angry to breathe the same air as the deceitful Bee.

"What shall I do, Frances? If you knew all you would see that I am not underhand; it was only two days ago that he said anything, and then

"Finish your breakfast, child, and don't take any notice of Minnie. I dare say Captain Grant will be here soon."

But Bee was sad, nevertheless, and the first bloom of her joy was brushed off by Minnie's selfish anger.

CHAPTER XVI. A LOVERS' TALK

THAT interview with Captain Grant was certainly curious, that is, according to the usually received ideas of lovers' meetings. His ideas about women differed also from those of other men; for though, in his Indian life, he had met many various types, yet he had not lost his own ideal of what a woman should be. When he heard of unhappy marriages he was as grieved as when he heard of the death of one of his friends. "Something that might have been beautiful is spoilt," he would say. But then he knew well enough how men, often the best men, sometimes make mistakes, not because they do not think about the future, but because they are so incapable of judging a woman. Youth and loveliness may dazzle them, and they often invest the soul with the perfections of the body.

Beatrice felt terribly shy when at last the Captain made his appearance, which he did not do till late in the morning. Minnie had not reappeared, so that she and Frances were working alone in the dining-room. Bee met Captain Grant as he entered the hall, and said, very demurely, because the maid was present:

"Would you mind walking to the village with me? We have a fire only in the en-dining-room, and Frances is there.

"What do you mean, Bee? You gaged to Captain Grant you? How very, very deceitful you have been; I call it most horrid of you. And since when, I should like to know? I suppose you managed it so as to avoid being poor, and

[ocr errors]

"I was particularly wishing to go to the village," he said, gravely, too, bus those was a happy light in his eye.

Bee ran away, but remembered just as she reached her own door that her sister

was there.

However, as she could not go out without her hat and jacket, she knocked humbly, feeling very much in disgrace, and received the short answer to come in.

Minnie was putting a chest of drawers tidy, and would not notice her younger sister; but Bee saw a hard look settle on the pretty face. She could not bear to make Minnie angry, and going up to her before leaving the room, she said, humbly: "Minnie, won't you wish me joy? I know I am not good enough for him; but if he thinks so, I must try to be."

"I'll wish you joy if you like, though I can't believe such conduct as yours ever does succeed."

"You are mistaken, Minnie; indeed, if you understood, you would know it is not as you think."

"I do not want to understand anything about it. I know quite enough, thanks, Bee."

There was no use saying more, and Bee went out quite sober and sad for a first walk with a lover. Not that she behaved much like an engaged girl of eighteen; but though she did not know it, Captain Grant was secretly contrasting her favourably with others whom he had known in similar circumstances.

"May I ask, Beatrice, why you gave me that little bit of paper?" he said, when they had left the last Longham house behind them,

"No; I would rather you did not ask the real reason," she said, shyly; "but one was that among sisters it is so difficult to keep even a secret that one has a right to keep, and yet to be true-and you want me to be that, don't you }"

For all answer he took her hand-the hand that was by no means useless-and clasped it firmly and quietly in his own.

"Yes, above all things, be true; and then, though in this instance I do trust you, and, Heaven helping me, Beatrice, I shall always trust you, yet I could not accept your love unless I told you my past history. I was engaged once beforeto- Never mind particulars. It was in India. Her father was a colonel, and her beauty secured her many admirers. I was among the number, and my devotion-or persistency, perhaps carried the day. I became her accepted suitor, and I fancied that I could then make her what I liked. She was young-younger than you are; but her character, early developed in that climate and in that

society, made her a woman in thought before she was so in years. She found out that though I loved her deeply, I yet had singular ideas about the woman who was to be my wife. I could stand no flirting and no trifling, and she I did not make allowances for her youth, and once or twice I spoke strongly when some little things in her conduct pained me. I was wrong, perhaps, in my manner of dealing with her; but I loved her with all my heart, Beatrice. I cannot tell you how I suffered when one day she said that she saw she could never be happy with me, and that we had better part. In three months she married a brother officer, and their after history has been one of my greatest sorrows; and yet, had she been my wife, I don't know how I could have borne it. If I felt the pain for years, I can truly say that I lost all the love I had once had for her, or I should not now be seeking to win your affections. Only, Beatrice, can you understand now why I wish you to think well before you are willing to forsake your home for me? She thought me too serious, and I shall not blame you if you think the same, and if you tell me you cannot care about me enough to give up much for me."

This story, told so simply, touched the newly-awakened woman's heart. Some one had not recognised the worth of the man she had at first sight so much respected, whom she loved so deeply now; some one had rejected the prize she thought too good for her. That moment decided her; her whole heart went out to her Colin. He became "her Colin" now. Never should he suffer again through a woman, if she could help it.

Perhaps her hand pressed more trustingly on his arm; perhaps, looking down on her, the man, who was nearly double her age, saw the look of perfect trust and love in her young, sweet face, for all at once his own doubts fled, and he, too, was satisfied-nay, more than satisfied-that he had not made a mistake.

[ocr errors]

"Oh, Colin, if you will try me, and trust me, I don't think you will ever find me different. - though I shall never be good enough for you. I can't help feeling a little glad that she did not appreciate you, though I can't bear to think you suffered. You never shall again—that is, through me."

No, he fancied he never should.

"You shall have my confession, too," said Bee, laughing through a few tears.

"When I was about eight years old, aa gentleman and a Christian on it-"I do distant cousin of ours, a middy, came to hope that some day he will find some one stay with us; and when he went away he to love him; but not some one like-the kissed me. I used to fancy that when he one who made you suffer." came home he would ask me to be his wife; and I kept a very lively and tender remembrance of him for many years. I would read about the places where he went, and—__”

"And when he came home?"

"He never has," said Bee, laughing; "at least, he never has been to see us again."

"But if he comes?"

"I am afraid it will be useless; he will have kept me waiting too long."

Among other things-for all that lovers say should not be recorded-Captain Grant asked, rather abruptly:

"Can you tell me, Beatrice, who your mother is staying with near Coleham ?"

Only at that minute did Beatrice remember that she had heard that morning of their new fortune.

"You have not heard! Mother has come into a property. Isn't it strange? Just when I was fancying we had lost all our money! I don't seem to care at all about it now. But that is selfish of me. The house is called the Warren. The owner wasn't very nice, I believe."

"I don't remember the house, but years ago I stayed at that place."

Somehow Captain Grant would not mention to Bee that it was there he had seen the two girls who reminded him so much of the Gordons.

"I am glad. It will seem nicer if you know it. You will come there and stay with us. Frances says it is a nice house, all amidst a lovely heath-country. What a change it will be for the three Mies Gordons! But I am most glad for Austin. I do long for you to know him; he is something like you; very unlike us, He is really good. Some friend of his-a tutor he had when he was a boy-made bim so, I think. Mother didn't like it at first; she said it was putting foolish ideas into his head; but since he has turned out 20 well, and never been any trouble to her, she does not say anything about it. He now and then talked to me, as I was the only one who would listen to him. Minnie and Frances can't bear what they call 'cant.' But it is not cant with Austin; it is something that makes him act differently from others. I do hope," added Be, looking up into Captain Grant's face-a handsome face, with the stamp of

"You must help him; sisters can do so much. Ah, Beatrice, I never had one ; my wife must be all to me-sister, and mother, and friend. My father longs to know you better, dearest. I have told him everything. He fancied that I meant your sister Minnie when I said Miss Gordon. She was very much admired on the ice, and I was obliged to talk to her about you when you were not there."

[ocr errors]

Bee wished secretly he had not done

"I am glad you cared for me before your fortune came. I know it would really make no difference; but if it had been the other way, you might have had to ask a dressmaker to be your wife."

"But always a lady, darling. How can a woman's occupation make her different from what she is? If men could recognise that, they wouldn't run so much after heiresses. But you must come home; you will be tired."

Beatrice would not let Captain Grant come in to lunch, much to his disappoint ment; but Bee wished to spare him, and she dreaded the Captain seeing one of the Miss Gordons in a bad temper. Happiness was very visible on her face, and she could not chase it away.

A REAL MUNCHAUSEN.

It is a curious fact that from the earliest time of history up till very late days, the principal subjects for romances and adventures have been found in the lives of celebrated outlaws and criminals. How many tales, poems, and plays have been furnished by Robin Hood and his merry men! What glamour of romance has been woven round the escapes and adventures of Jack Sheppard and Dick Turpin! And, to come to later years, out in Australia the favourite hero of countless romantic escapades has been a first-class criminal-Ned Kelly the Bushranger! Taking this to start with, perhaps no great surprise will be felt when we take up a book which tells the story of a life which contains as much romance as can be wished for, during which Jorgensen was "Monarch of Iceland, Naval

"The Convict King," being the Life and Adventures of Jorgen Jorgensen, retold by James Francis Hogan. "Ward and Downey.

« AnteriorContinua »