“Do you think your cold is so bad as that? I would not wish you to do anything imprudent, but I have often heard girls say that a ball was the very best thing for a cold. If you were to nurse up this evening, and have your breakfast in bed, I can’t help thinking you would feel quite yourself tomorrow, my darling,” Mrs. John said.
“It is not my cold,” said Hester; and then she reflected that it was a pity to throw aside so excellent a plea. “At least it is not altogether my cold.”
“Oh, I know how oppressed one feels, just good for nothing; but, my love, you would feel sorry after. It is a pity to give in. You shall have a foot-bath tonight with some mustard in it, and a hot drink. And you must not get up till midday. You’ll feel a great deal better after that.”
“I don’t want to go—I am tired of them,” Hester said, her impatience getting the better of her, “once a week is a great deal too often. I am sick of the very name of dancing.”
“My love!” cried her mother in consternation. Then she came behind her and gave her a soft little kiss. “I think I shall give you quinine, for I am sure you’re low,” she said, “and you must be bright and well, and looking your best for Catherine’s great party, which is next week.”
“I don’t—” cried Hester, then stopped short, for she had not the heart to give her mother a double wound by declaring she would not go to Catherine’s party. One such blow was enough at a time.
The astonishment with which her nonappearance at Mrs. Merridew’s was regarded by all the connection was unbounded. The discovery that Hester was not going, filled the Miss Ridgways with excitement. What could be the cause?
“I suppose there has been a quarrel,” the sisters said. “Ellen is a little minx; but still she is a true Vernon, and won’t stand any such airs as that girl gives herself. Her mother and she are insupportable, with their pearls and their pretences.”
“Roman pearls,” said Mr. Mildmay Vernon, “and Brummagem pretences.”
So they discussed the question. When Hester went in next day to Captain Morgan’s, not without a little curiosity to hear from Emma what had been said of her absence: “I am glad you have recovered,” Mrs. Morgan said, kissing her, and looking into her face with an air of reproach and a shake of the head.
“It is not like you to give in for a cold,” the old captain added; but fortunately for Hester all explanation on her part, and all remonstrance on theirs, was cut short by the persevering deliberate voice which now was the principal circumstance in the old people’s house.
“I assure you Ellen was very much astonished, Hester. She looked at me as if she could not believe her eyes. And they all looked at me as if it was my fault. How could it be my fault? I didn’t give you your cold. I think there were more people than usual. We had Sir Roger de Coverley, you know, because it was Christmas. I danced it with young Mr. Norris, who has just come into his fortune, you know. He is very nice. He asked me for four dances, but I only gave him three. Don’t you think I was right, grandmamma? That is the worst of Ellen’s parties, that there are no old chaperons with experience, that could advise you on a point like that. Two waltzes and then the Sir Roger, which is a sort of extra you know, and doesn’t count. I don’t think there could be anything wrong in that.”
“You should not give in, Hester,” said the old captain. “That is not like you. What is a cold at your age! You should always stand to your colours, and hold your—”
“Oh, I said to everybody, Hester had such a bad cold,” said Emma. “I said that her nose was red and that it quite affected her voice. So it does. You don’t notice it so much when she flames up like that. I wonder how you can blush in that way, Hester. It is the difference of complexion, I suppose. I always keep the same. It is nice in some ways, for however hot it is you can be sure you are not a figure; but in other respects I should like to change colour like that. It makes you look interesting. People think you are so sensitive, and that sort of thing, when it’s only just complexion. Harry Vernon was more grumphy than ever because you were not there, always standing about beside Ellen and looking after her, which, considering she’s married, is a great deal more than any brother ought to take upon him. I am sure if Roland did, I should not know what to think. But then Ellen is an only sister, which makes a great difference, and I am the youngest. Reginald Merridew was in such a way! I was engaged for almost every dance before he came. I quite enjoyed it. I filled up my card as soon as I could, just to give him a lesson. Men should be kept in their proper places. I never thought you showed half a spirit letting Edward Vernon carry you off just as he pleased.”
“My dear,” said old Mrs. Morgan, making an endeavour to strike in, “we have not seen half so much of you lately as we like to do. My old man misses you on his walk. Do go and take a walk with him, as your cold is better.”
“Oh, don’t send her away when I just want to talk over everything,” said Emma. “You never think what young people like. I am sure you are very kind and nice, grandmamma, I always say so. Whatever anyone may think, I always maintain that you
