the words; so they only beheld the approach of the Ensign, and after a brief interval, his return with the tall green silk colours, with the arms of the old abbey embroidered in the corner, and heard the enthusiastic cheer that rang out from all the corps.
Then the colours led the way to the ground for practice, for manoeuvres were as yet not ready for exhibition. Almost all the gentlemen followed; and such ladies as did not object to gunpowder or damp grass, thither betook themselves, guided by the ardent Mrs. Ernescliffe. Having disposed of the others in the drawing-rooms and gardens, Flora and her father came to the nursery, and Ethel was set at liberty to witness the prowess of her young champions, being assured by Flora that she would be of more use there in keeping the youthful population out of danger than in entertaining the more timid in the house.
She slipped out and hurried down a narrow path towards the scene of action, presently becoming aware of four figures before her, which her glass resolved into Harry and Tom, a lady in black, and a child. Evidently the devoted Tom was keeping guard over one of the enchantresses, for the figure was that of Averil Ward, though, as Ethel said, shaking hands, she was hardly to be known with only one sister.
‘We have been delayed,’ said Averil; ‘poor little Ella was in an agony about the firing, and we could not leave her till your brother’—indicating Harry—’was so kind as to take her to Gertrude.’
‘True to the Englishwoman’s boast of never having seen the smoke of an engagement,’ said Tom.
‘A practising is not an engagement,’ said Ethel.
‘There may be quite as many casualties,’ quoth Tom, indulging in some of the current ready-made wit on the dangers of volunteering, for the pure purpose of teasing; but he was vigorously fallen upon by Harry and Ethel, and Averil brightened as she heard him put to the rout. The shots were already heard, when two more black figures were seen in the distance, going towards the gate.
‘Is that Richard?’ exclaimed Tom.
‘Ay, and I do believe, the widow!’ rejoined Harry.
‘Oh, yes,’ said Averil. ‘I heard her talking about Abbotstoke Church, and saying how much she wished to see it. She must have got Mr. May to show it to her.’
Ethel, who had no real fears for Richard herself, looked on amused to watch how the guardian spirit was going to act. He exclaimed, ‘By the bye, Miss Ward, would you not like to see it? They have a very nice brass to old Mr. Rivers, and have been doing up the chancel.’
‘Thank you, said Ave, ‘I should prefer going to see how Leonard is getting on.’
‘Right, Miss Ward,’ said Harry; ‘the church won’t run away.’
‘Well, then,’ said Tom, after a moment’s hesitation, ‘I think I shall just run down, as the church is open, and see what sort of work they have made of the chancel.’
Ethel had the strongest fancy to try what he would do if she were to be seized with a desire to inspect the chancel; but she did not wish to let Harry and Averil appear on the ground under no escort but Minna’s, and so permitted Tom to leave them to her keeping, and watched him hasten to break up the tete-a-tete.
Coming among the spectators, who, chiefly drawn up on the carriage drive, were watching from a safe distance the gray figures in turn take aim and emit from their rifles the flash and cotton-wool-like tuft of smoke, Ethel’s interest was somewhat diminished by hearing that all the other marksmen had been distanced by the head keepers of Abbotstoke and Drydale, between whom the contest really lay.
‘The rest is a study of character,’ said Dr. Spencer, taking a turn up and down the road with her. ‘I have been watching the various pairs of brothers; and I doubt if any stand the test as well as the house of May.’
‘There’s only one in the field to-day.’
‘Yes, but I’ve seen them together before now, and I will say for even Tom that he has no black looks when his junior shoots better than he does.’
‘Oh, yes! But then it is Aubrey.’
Dr. Spencer laughed. ‘Lucky household where that “it is” accounts for all favours to the youngest, instead of for the countenance falling at his successes.’
‘I am afraid I know whom you mean. But he has no generosity in him.’
‘And his sister helps to make him jealous.’
‘I am afraid she does; but though it is very sad, one can’t wonder at her preference of the great to the small.’
‘Poor girl, I wonder how she will get on when there is a new inmate in the happy family.’
‘Ha! you shocking old gossip, what have you found out now?’
‘Negotiation for the introduction of a Pug dog from the best circles—eh?’
‘Well, if he were alone in the world, it would be a capital match.’
‘So she thinks, I fancy; but L600 a year might do better than purchase so many incumbrances. Depend upon it, the late lamented will remain in the ascendant till there are no breakers ahead.’
In process of time, ladies, volunteers, and all, were assembled in the great music-room for the concert; and Ethel, having worked hard in the service of the company, thought her present duty lay with the sick child, and quietly crept away, taking, however, one full view of the entire scene, partly for her own satisfaction, partly in case Margaret should be inclined to question her on what every one was doing.
There was the orchestra, whose erection Richard had superintended; there was the conductor in his station, and the broad back of the Cathedral organist at the piano, the jolly red visages of the singing men in their ranks, the fresh faces of the choristers full of elation, the star from London, looking quiet and ladylike, courteously led to her place by George Rivers himself. But, for all his civility, how bored and sullen he looked! and how weary were poor Flora’s smiles, though her manner was so engaging, and her universal attention so unremitting! What a contrast to the serene, self-enfolded look of happiness and prosperity on the pretty youthful face of Blanche, her rich delicate silk spreading far beyond the sofa where she sat among the great ladies; and her tall yellow-haired husband leaning against the wall behind her, in wondering contemplation of his Blanche taking her place in her own county.
