'Not that. I don't think anything but fuss and worry would have come of it then. I was only fifteen, and my mother could never have let it go on, and even if-; but what I am so grieved and ashamed at is my fancying him not enough of a man for such a self-sufficient ape as I was. And now I have seen more of the world, and know what men are, I see his generosity, and that his patient fight with ill-health to do his best and his duty, is really very great and good.'
'I wish you could tell him so. No, I know you can't; but you might let him feel it, for you need not be afraid of his ever asking you again. They have had a great examination of his lungs, and there's only part of one in any sort of order. They say he may go on with great care unless he catches cold, or sets the disease off again, and upon that he made up his mind that it was a very good thing he had not disturbed your peace.'
'As if I should not be just as sorry!' said Babie. 'Oh, Sydney, what a sad world it is! And there is he going about as manful, and pleased, and merry about this wedding as if it were his own. And the worst of it is, though I do admire him so, it can't be real, proper, lover's love, for I felt quite glad when you said he would never ask me, so it is all wasted.'
The mothers would hardly have liked the subject of the maidens' talk in their bower, and Barbara bade good- night, feeling as if she should never look at Fordham with the same eyes again; but the light of day restored commonplace thoughts of the busy Monday.
Reeves, having been sent up by his lord with inquiries, found the patient's toilet so far advanced, that under protest he could only assist in the remainder. So the hero and heroine met on the stairs, and clasped hands in haste to the sound of the bell for morning prayers in the household chapel, to which they carried their thankful hearts.
The Fordham household was not on such a scale that the heads of the family could sit still in dignified ease on the eve of such a spectacle. Every one was busy adorning the hall or the tables, and John would not be denied his share, though as he could neither stoop, lift, nor use his right arm, he was reduced to making up wreaths and bouquets, with Lina to supply him with flowers, since he was the one person with whom she never failed to be happy or good. Fordham was entreated to sit still and share the employment, but his long, thin hands proved utterly wanting in the dexterity that the Monk displayed. He was, moreover, the man in authority constantly called to give orders, and in his leisure moments much more inclined to haunt his Infanta's winged steps, and erect his tall person where she could not reach. Artistic taste rendered her, her mother, and Allen most valuable decorators, and it might be doubted whether Allen had ever toiled so hard in his life. In pity to the busy servants, luncheon was served up cold on a side table, when Barbara, who had rallied her spirits to nonsense pitch, declared that metaphorically, Fordham and the agent carved the meal with gloves of steel, and that the workers drank the red wine through the helmet barred. In the midst, however, in marched Reeves, with a tray and a napkin, and a regular basin of invalid soup, which he set down before John in his easy chair. There was something so exceedingly ludicrous in the poor Friar's endeavour to be gratified, and his look of dismay and disgust, that the public fairly shrieked with laughter, in which he would fain have joined, but had to beg pardon for only looking solemn; laughter was a painful matter.
However, later in the afternoon, when he was looking white and tired, his host came and said-
'Your object is to be about, and not make a sensation when people arrive. Come and rest then;' then landed him on his own sofa in his sitting-room, which was kept sacred from all confusion.
About half an hour later Mrs. Evelyn said-
'Sydney, my dear, Willis is come for the tickets. Are they ready?'
'Oh, mother, I meant to have done them yesterday evening!'
'You had better take them to Duke's room, it is the only quiet place. He is not there, I wish he were. Willis can wait while you fill them up,' said Mrs. Evelyn, not at all sorry to pin her daughter down for an hour's quiet, and unaware that the room was occupied.
So Sydney, with a list of names and packet of cards, betook herself to her brother's writing-table, never perceiving that there was anybody under the Algerine rug, till there was a movement, suddenly checked, and a voice said-
'Can I help?'
'Oh! don't move. I'm so sorry, I hope-'
'Oh, no! I beg your pardon,' he said, with equal incoherency, and raising himself more deliberately. 'Your brother put me here to rest, and I fell asleep, and did not hear you come in.'
'Oh, don't! Pray, don't! I am so sorry I disturbed you. I did not know any one was here-'
'Pray, don't go! Can't I help you?'
Sydney recollected that in the general disorganisation pen, ink, and table were not easy to secure, and replied-
'It is the people in the village who are to dine here to-morrow. They must have tickets, or we shall have all manner of strangers. The stupid printer only sent the tickets yesterday, and the keeper is waiting for them. It would save time if you would read out the names while I mark the cards; but, please, lie still, or I shall go.' And she came and arranged the cushions, which his movements had displaced, till he pronounced himself quite comfortable.
Hardly a word passed but 'Smith James, two; Sennet Widow, one; Hacklebury Nicholas, three;' with a 'yes' after each, till they came to 'Hollis Richard.'
'That's the boy's father,' then said Sydney.
'Have you heard anything of him?' asked John.
'Oh, yes! his mother dragged him up to beg pardon, and return thanks, but mamma thought you would rather be spared the infliction.'
'Besides that, they were not my due,' said John.
'I never thought of the boy.'
'If you did not, you saved him--twice!'
'A Newfoundland-dog instinct. But I am glad the little scamp is not the worse. I suppose he is to appear to- morrow?'
'Oh, yes! and the vicar begs no notice may be taken of him. He is really a very naughty little fellow, and if he is made a hero for getting himself and us so nearly drowned by birds'-nesting on a Sunday in the park, it will be perfectly demoralising!'
'You are as bad as your keeper!'
'I am only repeating the general voice,' said Sydney, with a gleam upon her face, half-droll, half-tender. 'Poor little man! I got him alone this morning, while his mother was pouring forth to mine, and I think he has a little more notion where thanks are due.'
'I should like to see him,' said John. 'I'll try not to demoralise him; but he has given me some happy moments.'
The voice was low, and Sydney blushed as she laughed and said-
'That's like Babie, saying it was delightful.'
'She is quite right as far as I am concerned.'
The hue on Sydney's cheek deepened excessively, as she said-
'Is George Hollis next?'
They went on steadily after that, and Willis was not kept long waiting. Then came the whirl of arrivals, Cecil with his Hampton cousins, Sir James Evelyn and Armine, Jessie and her General, and the Kenminster party. Caroline found herself in great request as general confidante, adviser, and medium as being familiar with all parties, and it was evidently a great comfort to her sister-in-law to find some one there to answer questions and give her the carte-du-pays. Outwardly, she was all the Serene Highness, a majestic matron, overshadowing everybody, not talkative, but doing her part with dignity, in great part the outcome of shyness, but rather formidable to simple- minded Mrs. Evelyn.
She heard of John's accident with equanimity amazing to her hostess, but befitting the parent of six sons who were always knocking themselves about. Indeed, John was too well launched ever to occupy much of her thoughts. Her pride was in her big Robert, and her joy in her little Harry, and her care for whichever intermediate one needed it most. This one at the moment was of course pretty, frightened, blushing Esther, who was moving about in one maze and dazzle of shyness and strangeness, hardly daring to raise her eyes, but fortunately graceful enough to look her part well in the midst of her terrors. Such continual mistakes between her and Eleanor were made, that Cecil was advised to take care that he had the right bride; but Ellie, though so like her sister outwardly, was of a very different nature, neither shy nor timid, but of the sturdy Friar texture.
