‘I hear of little else,’ said Ethel, laughing; ‘Dr. Spencer is as hot on it as all the boys. Now, I suppose, your party is to come off!’
‘Yes, it ought,’ said Flora, languidly, ‘I waited to see how Harry was, he is a great element towards making it go off well. I will talk it over with Blanche, it will give somebody pleasure if she thinks she manages it.’
‘Will it give George no pleasure?’
‘I don’t know; he calls it a great nuisance, but he would not like not to come forward, and it is quite right that he should.’
‘Quite right,’ said Ethel; ‘it is every one’s duty to try to keep it up.’
With these words the sisters came within sight of the targets, and found Margaret under Harry’s charge, much interested, and considerably in the way. The tidings of the colour of the uniform were highly appreciated; Aubrey observed that it would choke off the snobs who only wanted to be like the rifle brigade, and Leonard treated its inexpensiveness as a personal matter, having apparently cast off his doubts, under Hector’s complimentary tuition. Indeed, before it grew too dark for taking aim, he and the weapon were so thoroughly united, that no further difficulty remained but of getting out his thanks to Mr. Ernescliffe.
Averil was sitting alone over the fire in the twilight, in a somewhat forlorn mood, when the door was pushed ajar, and the muzzle of a gun entered, causing her to start up in alarm, scarcely diminished by the sight of an exultant visage, though the words were, ‘Your money or your life.’
‘Leonard, don’t play with it, pray!’
‘It’s not loaded.’
‘Oh! but one never can tell:’ then, half ashamed of her terror, ‘Pray put it back, or we shall have an uproar with Henry.’
‘This is none of Henry’s. He will never own such a beauty as this.’
‘Whose is it? Not yours? Is it really a rifle! H. E.? What’s that?’
‘Hector Ernescliffe! Didn’t I tell you he was a princely fellow?’
‘Given it to you? Leonard, dear, I am so happy! Now I don’t care for anything! What a gallant volunteer you will make!’ and she kissed him fondly. We will order the uniform as soon as ever it is settled, and I hope it will be a very handsome one.’
‘It will be a cheap one, which is more to the purpose. I could get part myself, only there’s the tax for Mab, and the subscription to the cricket club.’
‘I would not have you get any of it! You are my volunteer, and I’ll not give up my right to any one, except that Minna and Ella want to give your belt.’
‘Where are those children?’ he asked.
‘Henry has taken them to Laburnum Grove, where I am afraid they are being crammed with cake and all sorts of nonsense.’
‘What could have made him take them there?’
‘Oh! some wish of Mrs. Pugh’s to see the poor little dears,’ said Averil, the cloud returning that had been for a moment dispelled.
‘What’s the row?’ asked Leonard, kindly. ‘Has he been bothering you?’
‘He wants me to sound Mary May about an invitation for Mrs. Pugh to Mrs. Rivers’s volunteer entertainment. I am glad I did not say no one in mourning ought to go, for I must go now you are a volunteer.’
‘But you didn’t consent to mention her?’
‘No, indeed! I knew very well you would say it was a most improper use to make of the Mays’ kindness, and I can’t see what business she has there! Then he said, no, she was certain not to go, but the attention would be gratifying and proper.’
‘That is Mrs. Rivers’s look-out.’
‘So I said, but Henry never will hear reason. I did not tell you of our scene yesterday over the accounts; he says that we must contract our expenses, or he shall be ruined; so I told him I was ready to give up the hot-house, or the footman, or the other horse, or anything he would specify; but he would not hear of it—he says it would be fatal to alter our style of living, and that it is all my fault for not being economical! O, Leonard, it is very hard to give up all one cared for to this housekeeping, and then never to please!’
Leonard felt his brother a tyrant. ‘Never mind, Ave dear,’ said he, ‘go on doing right, and then you need not care for his unreasonableness. You are a dear good girl, and I can’t think how he can have the heart to vex you.’
‘I don’t care while I have you, Leonard,’ she said, clinging to him.
At that moment the others were heard returning, and an ironical look passed between the brother and sister at certain injunctions that were heard passing about the little India-rubber goloshes; but Henry had returned in high good-humour, was pleased to hear of his brother’s good fortune, pronounced it very handsome in Mr. Ernescliffe, and even offered to provide the rest of the equipment; but this was proudly rejected by Averil, with some of the manifestations of exclusive partiality that naturally wounded the elder brother. He then announced an engagement that he had made with Mrs. Ledwich for a musical evening the next week. Averil had her harmonium at her tongue’s end, but the evening was a free one, chosen on purpose to accommodate her; she had no excuse, and must submit.
‘And practise some of your best pieces, Ave,’ said Henry. ‘Mrs. Pugh was kind enough to offer to come and get up some duets with yon.’
‘I am greatly obliged,’ said Averil, dryly, ‘but I do not play duets.’
‘You would do wisely to accept her kindness, argued Henry. ‘It would be a great advantage to you to be intimate with a lady of her opportunities.’
‘I do not like patronage,’ said Averil.
