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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Princess of the School, by Angela Brazil
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Princess of the School
+
+Author: Angela Brazil
+
+Illustrator: Frank Wiles
+
+Release Date: June 1, 2007 [EBook #21656]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCESS OF THE SCHOOL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jana Srna, Suzanne Shell and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "I'VE COME TO SAY GOOD-BY TO YOU, SIS"]
+
+
+    THE PRINCESS OF THE SCHOOL
+==================================
+         By ANGELA BRAZIL
+----------------------------------
+
+            AUTHOR OF
+
+"The Luckiest Girl in the School,"
+"The Harum-Scarum Schoolgirl,"
+"A Popular Schoolgirl,"
+"The Head Girl at the Gables."
+
+
+   Illustrated by Frank Wiles.
+==================================
+        A. L. BURT COMPANY
+Publishers              New York
+
+
+Published by arrangement with Frederick A. Stokes Company
+
+Printed in U. S. A.
+
+
+Copyright, 1920,
+by FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY
+
+All rights reserved
+
+First published in the United States
+ of America, 1921
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+
+CHAPTER                       PAGE
+
+    I THE INGLETON FAMILY        1
+
+   II A STOLEN JOY-RIDE         15
+
+  III A VALENTINE PARTY         33
+
+   IV DISINHERITED              50
+
+    V THE NEW OWNER             61
+
+   VI PRINCESS CARMEL           73
+
+  VII AN OLD GREEK IDYLL        88
+
+ VIII WOOD NYMPHS              100
+
+   IX THE OPEN ROAD            114
+
+    X A MEETING                129
+
+   XI A SECRET SOCIETY         145
+
+  XII WHITE MAGIC              157
+
+ XIII THE MONEY-MAKERS         171
+
+  XIV ALL IN A MIST            190
+
+   XV ON THE HIGH SEAS         201
+
+  XVI THE CASA BIANCA          215
+
+ XVII SICILIAN COUSINS         229
+
+XVIII A NIGHT OF ADVENTURE     242
+
+  XIX AT PALERMO               261
+
+   XX OLD ENGLAND              271
+
+  XXI CARMEL'S KINGDOM         283
+
+
+
+
+THE PRINCESS OF THE SCHOOL
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+The Ingleton Family
+
+
+On a certain morning, just a week before Christmas, the little world of
+school at Chilcombe Hall was awake and stirring at an unusually early
+hour. Long before the slightest hint of dawn showed in the sky the lamps
+were lighted in the corridors, maids were scuttling about, bringing in
+breakfast, and Jones, the gardener, assisted by his eldest boy, a sturdy
+grinning urchin of twelve, was beginning the process of carrying down
+piles of hand-bags and hold-alls, and stacking them on a cart which was
+waiting in the drive outside.
+
+Miss Walters, dreading the Christmas rush on the railway, had determined
+to take time by the forelock, and meant to pack off her pupils by the
+first available trains, trusting they would most of them reach their
+destinations before the overcrowding became a serious problem in the
+traffic. The pupils themselves offered no objections to this early
+start. The sooner they reached home and began the holidays, so much the
+better from their point of view. It was fun to get up by lamp-light,
+when the stars were still shining in the sky; fun to find that rules
+were relaxed, and for once they might chatter and talk as they pleased;
+fun to run unreproved along the passages, sing on the stairs, and twirl
+one another round in an impromptu dance in the hall.
+
+The particular occupants of the Blue Bedroom had been astir even before
+the big bell clanged for rising, so they stole a march over rival
+dormitories, performed their toilets, packed their hand-bags, strapped
+their wraps, and proceeded downstairs to the dining-hall, where cups and
+plates were just being laid upon the breakfast-table. It was quite
+superfluous energy on the part of Lilias, Dulcie, Gowan, and Bertha, for
+as a matter of fact not one of them was on the list of earliest
+departures, but the excitement of the general exodus had awakened them
+as absolutely as the advent of Santa Claus on Christmas mornings. They
+stood round the newly-lighted fire, warming their hands, chatting, and
+hailing fresh arrivals who hurried into the hall.
+
+"You going by the 6.30, Edith? You lucker! My train doesn't start till
+ten! I begged and implored Miss Walters to let me leave by the early
+one, and wait at the junction, but she would not hear of it, so I've got
+to stop here kicking my heels, and watch you others whisked away. Isn't
+it a grisly shame?"
+
+Gowan's round rosy face was drawn into a decided pout, and her blue eyes
+were full of self-pity. She had to be sorry for her own grievance,
+because nobody else had either time or much inclination to sympathize;
+they were all far too much excited about their own concerns.
+
+"Well, you'll get off sometime, I suppose," returned Edith airily.
+"There are twelve of us, all going together as far as Colminster. We
+mean to cram into one carriage if we can. Don't suppose the train will
+be full, as it's so early. I thought you were coming with us, Bertha,
+but Miss Hardy says you're not!"
+
+"Dad changed his mind at the last minute, and promised to send the car
+to fetch me. It's only forty miles by road, you know, though it takes
+hours by the train. He seemed to think I should lose either myself or my
+luggage at Sheasby Junction, and it is a horrid place to change. You
+never can get hold of a porter, and you don't know which platform you'll
+start from."
+
+"How are you going home, Lilias?" asked Noreen, who with several other
+girls had joined the group at the fire.
+
+Lilias, squatting on the fender, stretching two cold hands towards the
+blazing sticks, looked up brightly.
+
+"We're riding! Astley and Elton are to fetch Rajah and Peri over for us.
+Grandfather said they needed exercise. I don't suppose he'd have thought
+of it, only Dulcie wrote to Cousin Clare and begged her to ask him.
+Won't it be just splendiferous? We haven't had a ride the whole term,
+and I'm pining to see Rajah!"
+
+"Grandfather had promised to let us ride to school in September," put in
+Dulcie, "but Everard and a friend of his commandeered the horses and
+went to Rasebury, so we couldn't have them, and we were so disappointed.
+I do hope nothing will happen to stop them this time! Everard was to
+arrive home yesterday, so he'll be before us. I shan't ever be friends
+with him again if he plays us such a mean trick!"
+
+"It's 'coach--carriage--wheelbarrow--truck,' it seems to me, the way
+we're all trotting home!" laughed Edith. "If I could have my choice, I'd
+sprint on a scooter!"
+
+"Next term we'll travel by private aeroplane, specially chartered!"
+scoffed Noreen.
+
+"I don't mind how I go, so long as I get off somehow!" chirped Truie.
+"Thank goodness, here come the urns at last! I began to think breakfast
+would never be ready. We want to have time to eat something before we
+start."
+
+Miss Walters' excellent arrangements had left ample time for the healthy
+young appetites to be satisfied before the taxis arrived at the door to
+convey the first contingent of pupils to the station. Sixteen girls,
+under the escort of a mistress, took their departure in the highest of
+spirits, packed as tightly as sardines, but managing to wave good-bys.
+Their boxes had been dispatched the previous day, their hand-bags had
+gone on by cart before breakfast and would be waiting for them at the
+station, where Jones, that most useful factotum, would, by special
+arrangement with the station-master, be taking their tickets before the
+ordinary opening of the booking-office.
+
+Though the departure of sixteen girls made somewhat of a clearance at
+Chilcombe Hall, Miss Walters' labors were not yet over. There was a
+train at eight and a train at ten, and the young people who had to wait
+for these found it difficult to know how to employ the interval until it
+was their turn to enter the taxis. By nine o'clock Lilias and Dulcie,
+ready in their riding habits, were looking eagerly out of the
+dining-hall window along the drive which led to the gate.
+
+"I know Elton would be early," said Dulcie. "It's always Astley who
+stops and fusses. It was the same when Everard went cub-hunting. You
+don't think there's a hitch, do you?" (uneasily). "Shall we get a
+horrid yellow envelope and a message to say 'Come by train'? It would be
+_too_ bad, and yet, it's as likely as not!"
+
+Dulcie's fears, which in the course of twenty minutes' waiting and
+watching had almost conjured up the telegraph boy with his scarlet
+bicycle and brown leather wallet, were suddenly dispelled, however, by a
+brisk sound of trotting, and a moment later appeared the welcome sight
+of her grandfather's two grooms riding up to the house, each leading a
+spare horse by the rein. Those schoolfellows who had not yet departed to
+the station came to the door to witness the interesting start. A sleek,
+well-groomed horse is always a beautiful object, and the girls decided
+unanimously that Lilias and Dulcie were lucky to be carried home in so
+delightful a fashion. They watched them admiringly as they mounted.
+Edith stroked Rajah's smooth neck as she said good-by to her friends.
+
+"Riding beats motoring in my opinion," she vouchsafed, "though of course
+you can go farther in a car. Perhaps I shall pass you on the road."
+
+"No, you won't, for we're taking a short cut across country. We always
+choose by-lanes if we can. Write and tell me if you get a motor-scooter.
+They sound fearfully thrillsome. Good-by, see you again in January!"
+
+"Good-by! and a merry Christmas to everybody!" added Dulcie, turning on
+her saddle to wave a parting salute to those who were left behind on the
+doorstep.
+
+The two girls walked their horses down the drive, but once out on the
+level road they trotted on briskly, with the grooms riding behind. They
+formed quite a little cavalcade as they turned from the hard motor track
+down the grassy lane where a dilapidated sign-post pointed to Ringfield
+and Cheverley. It was a distance of seven good country miles from
+Chilcombe Hall to Cheverley Chase, and, as the events of this story
+center largely round Lilias and Dulcie, there will be ample time to
+describe them while they are wending their way through the damp of the
+misty December morning, up from the low-lying river level to the hill
+country that stretched beyond.
+
+Lilias was just sixteen, and very pretty, with gray eyes, fair hair, a
+straight nose, and two bewitching dimples when she smiled. These dimples
+were rather misleading, for they gave strangers the impression that
+Lilias was humorous, which was entirely a mistake: it was Dulcie who was
+the humorist in reality, Dulcie whose long lashes dropped over her shy
+eyes, and who never could say a word for herself in public, though in
+the society of intimate friends she could be amusing enough. Dulcie, at
+fourteen, seemed years younger than Lilias; she did not wish to grow up
+too soon, and thankfully tipped all responsibilities on to her elder
+sister. Cousin Clare always said there were undiscovered depths in
+Dulcie's character, but they were slow in development, and at present
+she was a childish little person with a pink baby face, an affection for
+fairy tales, and even a sneaking weakness for her discarded dolls. Life,
+that to Lilias seemed a serious business, was a joyous venture to
+Dulcie; she had a happy knack of shaking off the unpleasant things, and
+throwing the utmost possible power of enjoyment into the nice ones. If
+innocent happiness is the birthright of childhood, she clung to it
+steadfastly, and had not yet exchanged it for the red pottage of worldly
+wisdom.
+
+Ever since Father and Mother, in the great disaster of the wreck of the
+_Titanic_, had gone down together into the gray waters of the Atlantic,
+the Ingleton children had lived with their grandfather, Mr. Leslie
+Ingleton, at Cheverley Chase. There were six of them, Everard, Lilias,
+Dulcie, Roland, Bevis, and Clifford, and as time passed on, and the
+memory of that tragedy in mid-ocean grew faint, the Chase seemed as
+entirely their home as if they had been born there. In Everard's
+opinion, at any rate, it belonged to them, as it had always belonged to
+the prospective heirs of the Ingleton family. And that family could
+trace back through many centuries to days of civil wars and service for
+king and country, to crusades and deeds of chivalry, and even to
+far-away ancestors who gave counsel at Saxon Witenagemots. Norman keep
+had succeeded wooden manor, and that in its turn had given place to a
+Tudor dwelling, and both had finally merged into a long Georgian
+mansion, with straight rows of windows and a classic porch, not so
+picturesque as the older buildings, but very convenient and comfortable
+from a modern point of view. The lovely gardens, with their clipped yew
+hedges, were one of the sights of the neighborhood, and it was a family
+satisfaction that the view from the terrace over park, wood, and stream
+showed not a single acre of land that was not their own.
+
+Mr. Leslie Ingleton, a fine type of the old-fashioned, kindly, but
+autocratic English squire, belonged to a bygone generation, and found it
+difficult to move with the march of the times. Because he had spent his
+seventy-four years of life on the soil of Cheverley, the people
+tolerated in "the ould squire" many things that they would not have
+passed over in a younger man or a stranger. They shrugged their
+shoulders and gave way to his well-meant tyranny, for man and boy,
+everybody on the estate had experienced his kindness and realized his
+good intentions towards his tenants.
+
+"If he does fly off at a tangent, ten to one Miss Clare'll be down the
+next day and set all straight again," was the general verdict on his
+frequent outbursts.
+
+Cheverley Chase would have been quite incomplete without Cousin Clare.
+She was a second cousin of the Ingletons, who had come to tend
+Grandmother in her last illness, and after her death had remained to
+take charge of the household and the newly-arrived family of
+grandchildren. She was one of those calm, quiet, big-souled women who in
+the early centuries would have been a saint, and in mediæval times the
+abbess of a nunnery, but happening to be born in the nineteenth century,
+her mental outlook had a modern bias, and both her philanthropy and her
+religious instincts had developed along the latest lines of thought. She
+had schemes of her own for work in the world, but at present she was
+doing the task that was nearest in helping to bring up the motherless
+children who had been placed temporarily in her care. To manage this
+rather turbulent crew, soothe the irascible old Squire, and keep the
+general household in unity was a task that required unusual powers of
+tact, and a capacity for administration and organization that was worthy
+of a wider sphere. She might be described as the axle of the family
+wheel, for she was the unobtrusive center around which everything
+unconsciously revolved.
+
+But by this time Lilias and Dulcie will have ridden up hill and down
+dale, and will be turning Rajah and Peri in at the great wrought-iron
+gates of Cheverley Chase, and trotting through the park, and up the
+laurel-bordered carriage drive to the house. There was quite a big
+welcome for them when they arrived. Everard had returned the day before
+from Harrow, Roland was back from his preparatory school, and the two
+little ones, Bevis and Clifford, had just said good-by for three weeks
+to their nursery governess, and in consequence were in the wildest of
+holiday spirits. There was a general family pilgrimage round the
+premises to look at all the most cherished treasures, the horses, the
+pigeons, the pet rabbits, the new puppies, the garden, and the woods
+beyond the park; there were talks with the grooms and the keepers, and
+plans for cutting evergreens and decorating both the house and the
+village church in orthodox Christmas fashion.
+
+"It's lovely to be at home again," sighed Lilias with satisfaction, as
+the three elder ones sauntered back through the winding paths of the
+terraced vegetable garden.
+
+"And such a home, too!" exulted Dulcie.
+
+"Rather!" agreed Everard. "That was exactly what was in my mind. The
+first thing I thought when I looked out of the window this morning was:
+'What a ripping place it is, and some day it will be all mine.'"
+
+"Yours, Everard?"
+
+"Why, of course. Who's else should it be? The Chase has always gone
+strictly in the male line, and I'm the oldest grandson, so naturally I'm
+the heir. It goes without saying!"
+
+Dulcie's pink face was looking puzzled.
+
+"Do you mean to say if Grandfather were to die, that everything would be
+yours?" she asked. "Would you be the Squire?"
+
+"I believe I'm called 'the young squire' already," replied Everard
+airily.
+
+"But what about the rest of us?" objected Dulcie.
+
+"Oh, I'd look after you, of course! The heir always does something for
+the younger ones. You needn't be afraid on that score!"
+
+Everard's tone was magnanimous and patronizing in the extreme. He was
+gazing at the house with an air of evident proprietorship. Dulcie, who
+had never considered the question before, revolved it carefully in her
+youthful brain for a moment or two; then she ventured a comment.
+
+"Wouldn't it be fairer to divide it?"
+
+"Nonsense, Dulcie!" put in Lilias. "You don't understand. Properties
+like this are never divided. They always go, just as they are, to the
+eldest son. You couldn't chop them up into pieces, or there'd be no
+estate left."
+
+"Couldn't one have the house and the other the wood, and another the
+park?"
+
+"Much good the house would do anybody without the estate to keep it up!"
+grunted Everard. "Dulcie, you're an utter baby. I don't believe you ever
+see farther than the end of your silly little nose. You may be glad
+you've got a brother to take care of you."
+
+"But haven't I as much right here as you?" persisted Dulcie obstinately.
+
+"No, you haven't; the heir always has the best right to everything.
+Cheer up! When the place is mine, I mean to have a ripping time here!
+I'll make things hum, I can tell you--ask my friends down, and you girls
+shall help to entertain. I've planned it all out. I suppose I shall have
+to go to Cambridge first, but I'll enjoy myself there too--you bet! On
+the whole I think I was born under a lucky star! Hallo! there goes
+Astley; I want to speak to him."
+
+Everard whistled to the groom, and ran down the garden, leaving his
+sisters to return to the house. At seventeen he was a fair, handsome,
+dashing sort of boy, of a type more common thirty years ago than at
+present. He held closely to the old-fashioned ideas of privileges of
+birth, and, according to modern notions, had contracted some false
+ideals of life. He had lounged through school without attempting to
+work, and was depending for all his future upon what should be left him
+by the industry of others. All the same, in spite of his attitude of
+"top dog" in the family, he was attractive, and inclined to be generous.
+Like most boys of seventeen, he had reached the "swollen head" stage,
+and imagined himself of vastly greater importance than he really was.
+The sobriquet of "the young squire" pleased his fancy, and he meant to
+live up to what he considered were the traditions of so distinguished a
+title.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A Stolen Joy-ride
+
+
+Christmas passed over at Cheverley Chase in good old-fashioned orthodox
+mode. The young Ingletons, with plenty of evergreens to work upon,
+performed prodigies in the way of decorations at church and home. They
+distributed presents at a Christmas-tree for the children of tenants,
+and turned up in a body to occupy the front seats at the annual New
+Year's concert in the village. When the usual festivities were finished,
+however, time hung a little heavy on their hands, and one particular
+morning found them lounging about the breakfast-room in the especially
+aggravating situation of not quite knowing what to do with themselves.
+
+"It's too bad we can't have the horses to-day!" groused Dulcie. "I'd set
+my heart on a ride, and I can't get on with my fancy work till I can go
+to Balderton for some more silks."
+
+"And I want some wool," proclaimed Lilias, stopping from a rather
+unnecessary onslaught of poking at the fire. "There's never anything
+fit to buy at this wretched little shop in the village!"
+
+"Except bacon and kippers!" grinned Roland.
+
+"I can't knit with kippers!"
+
+"Fact is, we're all bored stiff!" drawled Everard from the sofa,
+flinging away the book he was reading, and stretching his arms in the
+luxury of a long-drawn yawn. "What should you say to a turn in the car?
+Wouldn't it be rather sport, don't you think?"
+
+"If Grandfather would spare Milner to take us!" said Lilias doubtfully.
+
+"We don't want Milner. _I'll_ drive you! I can manage a car as well as
+he can, any day. Don't get excited, you kids! _No_, Bevis, I shall
+certainly _not_ allow you to try to drive! There's only going to be one
+man at that job, and that's myself!"
+
+"Shall we go and ask Grandfather?" suggested Dulcie.
+
+"Right you are! No, not the whole of us," (as there was a general family
+move). "Three's enough!"
+
+So a deputation, consisting of Everard, Lilias, and Dulcie, promptly
+presented themselves at the study door and tapped for admission. As
+there was no reply to a second rap, they opened the door and walked into
+the room. Grandfather was rather deaf, and sometimes, when he had
+ignored a summons, he would say: "Well, why didn't you come in?" He was
+generally to be found writing letters at this hour in the morning, but
+to-day the revolving chair was empty. He had apparently begun his usual
+correspondence, for his desk was littered with papers. Leaning up
+against the ink-pot there was a photograph. The young people, who had
+walked across the room towards the window, could not fail to notice it,
+for it was tilted in such a prominent place that it at once attracted
+their attention. It represented a very pretty dark-eyed young lady,
+holding a baby on her lap, with a slight background of Greek columns.
+The decidedly foreign look about it was justified by the photographer's
+name in the corner: "Carlo Salviati, Palermo." Over the top was written
+in ink, in a man's handwriting: "My wife and Leslie, from Tristram."
+
+"Who is it?" asked Everard, gazing at the portrait with curiosity.
+"She's rather decent looking. Never seen her here, though, that I can
+remember!"
+
+"It's a ducky little baby! But who is Tristram?" said Dulcie.
+
+"We had an Uncle Tristram once," answered Lilias doubtfully.
+
+"Why, but he died years and years ago, when we were all kids!" returned
+Everard.
+
+"I know. He was the only Tristram in the family, though. I can't
+imagine who these two can be. Leslie, too! Why, that's Grandfather's
+name! Was the baby christened after him?"
+
+"We'll ask Cousin Clare sometime," said Dulcie, so interested that she
+could scarcely tear herself away. "I really want to know most fearfully
+who they are."
+
+"Oh, don't bother about photos at present! Let's find Grandfather!"
+urged Everard. "Perhaps he's gone down to the stables, or he may be in
+the gun-room."
+
+On further inquiry, however, they ascertained that a telegram had
+arrived for Mr. Ingleton, on the receipt of which he had consulted Miss
+Clare, had ordered the smaller car, and they had both been driven away
+by Milner, the chauffeur, and were not expected back until seven or
+eight o'clock in the evening. This was news indeed. For a whole day the
+heads of the establishment would be absent, and the younger generation
+had the place to themselves. For the next eight hours they could do
+practically as they pleased.
+
+Everard stood for a moment thinking. He did not reveal quite all that
+passed through his mind, but the first instalment was sufficient for the
+family.
+
+"We'll get out the touring car, take some lunch with us, and have a
+joy-ride."
+
+Five delighted faces smiled their appreciation.
+
+"Oh, Everard! Dare we?" Dulcie's objection was consciously faint.
+
+"Why not? When Grandfather's away, I consider I've a right to take his
+place and use the car if I want. I'm master here in his absence! I'll
+make it all right with him; don't you girls alarm yourselves! Tear off
+and put on your coats, and tell Atkins to pack us a basket of lunch, and
+to put some coffee in the thermos flasks."
+
+With Everard willing to assume the full responsibility the girls could
+not resist such a tempting offer, while the younger boys were, of
+course, only too ready to follow where their elders led. Elton, the
+groom, made some slight demur when Everard went down to the motor-house
+and began to get out the big touring-car, but the boy behaved with such
+assurance that he concluded he must be acting with his grandfather's
+permission. Moreover, Elton was in charge of the horses, and not the
+cars, and Milner, the chauffeur, who might reasonably have raised
+objections, was away driving his master.
+
+The cook, who perhaps considered it was no business of hers to offer
+remonstrances, and that the house would be quieter without the young
+folks, hastily packed a picnic hamper and filled the thermos flasks. A
+rejoicing crew carried them outside and stowed them in the car.
+
+It seemed a delightful adventure to go off in this way entirely on
+their own. There was some slight wrangling over seats, but Everard
+settled it in his lofty fashion.
+
+"You'll sit where I tell you. I'll have Lilias in front, and the rest of
+you may pack in behind. If you don't like it, you can stop at home. No,
+I'm not going to have you kids interfering here, so you needn't think
+it."
+
+Everard had been taught by the chauffeur to drive, and could manage a
+car quite tolerably well. He possessed any amount of confidence, which
+is a good or bad quality according to circumstances. He ran the large
+touring "Daimler" successfully through the park, and turned her out at
+the great iron gateway on to the highroad. Everybody was in the keenest
+spirits. It was a lovely day, wonderfully mild for January, and the
+sunshine was so pleasant that they hardly needed the thick fur rugs.
+There seemed a hint of spring in the air; already hazel catkins hung
+here and there in the hedgerows, thrushes and robins were singing
+cheerily, and wayside cottages were covered with the blossom of the
+yellow jessamine. It was a joy to spin along the good smooth highroad in
+the luxurious car. Everard was a quick driver, and kept a pace which
+sometimes exceeded the speed limit. Fortunately his brothers and sisters
+were not nervous, or they might have held their breath as he dashed
+round corners without sounding his horn, pelted down hills, and on
+several occasions narrowly avoided colliding with farm carts. A reckless
+boy of seventeen, without much previous experience, does not make the
+most careful of motorists. As a matter of fact it was the first time
+Master Everard had driven without the chauffeur at his elbow, and,
+though he got on very well, his performance was not unattended with
+risks.
+
+Towards one o'clock the crew at the back began to clamor for lunch, and
+to suggest a halt when some suitable spot should be reached. The
+difficulty was to find a place, for they were driving so fast that by
+the time the younger boys had called out the possibilities of some wood
+or small quarry, the car had flown past, and, sooner than turn back,
+Everard would say: "Oh, we'll stop somewhere else!"
+
+By unanimous urging, however, he was at last persuaded to halt at a
+picturesque little bridge in a sheltered hollow, where they had the
+benefit of the sunshine and escaped the wind. A small brook wandered
+below between green banks where autumn brambles still showed brown
+leaves, and actually a shriveled blackberry or two remained. There was a
+patch of grass by the roadside, and here Everard put the car, to be out
+of reach of passing traffic, while its occupants spread the rugs on the
+low wall of the bridge, and began to unpack their picnic baskets. Cook
+had certainly done her best for them: there were ham sandwiches and
+pieces of cold pie, and jam turnovers, and slices of cake, and some
+apples and oranges, and plenty of hot coffee in the thermos flasks.
+
+"It's ever so much nicer to have one's meals out-of-doors, even in
+January!" declared Bevis, munching a damson tartlet, and dropping stones
+into the brook below. "I believe it's warm enough to wade. That water
+doesn't look cold, somehow!"
+
+"No, you don't!" said Lilias briskly. "You needn't think, just because
+Miss Mason isn't here, you can do all the mad things you like. It's no
+use beginning to unlace your boots, for I shan't let you wade, or
+Clifford either! The idea! In January!"
+
+"Why not?" sulked Bevis. "I didn't ask _you_, Lilias. Everard won't say
+no!"
+
+"You can please yourselves," answered his eldest brother, "but _I'm_
+going to take the car on now. If you stay and wade, you'll have to walk
+home, that's all! I certainly shan't came back for you."
+
+At so awful a threat the youngsters, who had really meant business where
+the water was concerned, hurriedly relaced their boots, and ran to take
+their places in the car; the girls finished packing the remains of the
+picnic in the basket, and followed, and soon the engine was started
+again, and they were once more flying along the road.
+
+Everard had brought out the family for a joy-ride without any very
+particular idea of where they were going, though he was steering
+generally in the direction of the Cleland Hills. To his mind the chief
+fun of the expedition lay in simply taking any road that looked
+interesting, without regard to sign-posts. The others trusted implicitly
+to his powers of path-finding, and had really not the slightest idea in
+what part of the country they were traveling. After quite a long time,
+however, it occurred to Lilias to ask where they were, and how long it
+would take them to get home again.
+
+"We've come such a roundabout route, I scarcely know," replied Everard.
+"Those are the Cleland Hills in front of us, though, and if we bowl
+straight ahead, and go over them, we shall get to Clacton Bridge; then
+we can get the straight highroad back to Cheverley."
+
+"We shan't be home before it's dark, though?"
+
+"Well, no! But the head lights are working all right--I tried them
+before we started."
+
+"It will be fun to drive in the dark!" chuckled the boys behind.
+
+"I hope we shall be back before Grandfather and Cousin Clare, though,"
+said Dulcie a little uneasily.
+
+The road over the Cleland Hills was much wilder than they expected, and
+it was very stony and bad. Up and up they went till walls, hedges and
+farms had disappeared, and only the lonely moor lay on either side of
+the rough track. It was a place where no motorist in his senses would
+have ventured to take a car, the extreme roughness of the road made
+steering difficult, and the strain on the tires was enormous. Instead of
+driving cautiously, Everard plunged along with all the hardihood of
+youth, bumping anyhow over ruts and stones. They were just beyond the
+brow of the hill when a loud bang, followed by a grinding sensation,
+announced the bad news that one of their tires had burst.
+
+"What beastly bad luck!" lamented Everard, getting out to inspect the
+injured cover. "It might have had the decency to keep up till we had
+reached civilization! Well, there's nothing for it but to put on the
+spare tire. I've helped Milner to do it before, so I can manage. It's a
+bother we left the spare wheel at home. I shall want some of you to help
+me, though."
+
+Everard had indeed rendered some assistance to the chauffeur on various
+occasions, but it was quite another matter to perform the troublesome
+operation of changing the tire with only two girls and three young
+brothers to lend a hand. In their inexperienced enthusiasm, they did all
+the wrong things, very nearly nipped the tube, mislaid the tools, and
+pulled where they should have pushed. It was only after nearly an hour's
+work that Everard at last managed to get the business finished. The
+family, warm and excited, packed once more into the car.
+
+"Well, I hope we shall have no more troubles now!" exclaimed Lilias, who
+was growing tired and longing for home and tea. "What's the matter,
+Everard?"
+
+"Matter! Why, she won't start, that's all!"
+
+Here was a predicament! Whether the bumping up the rough road had thrown
+some delicate piece of mechanism out of gear, or the waiting in the cold
+had cooled the engine, it was impossible to say, but nothing that
+Everard could do would induce the car to start. He examined everything
+which his rather limited knowledge of motorology suggested might be the
+cause of the stoppage, but with no result. After half an hour's
+tinkering, he was obliged ruefully to acknowledge himself utterly
+baffled.
+
+They were indeed in an extremely awkward situation, stranded on a wild
+moor, probably sixty miles from home, and with the short winter's day
+closing rapidly in.
+
+"What _are_ we to do?" gasped Lilias, half-crying.
+
+"We can't stay here all night!"
+
+"Finish our prog and sleep in the car," suggested Roland.
+
+"No, no! We should be frozen before morning."
+
+"I think we'd better walk on while it's light enough to see," said
+Everard. "We shall probably strike a highroad soon, and we'll stop some
+motorist, ask for a lift to the nearest town, and stay all night at a
+hotel."
+
+"But what about the car?"
+
+"We must just leave her to her fate. There's nothing else for it. I
+don't suppose anybody will touch her up here. It can't be helped, any
+way."
+
+"Let's finish our prog before we set off!" persisted Roland, opening the
+picnic basket.
+
+The family was hungry again, so they readily set to work to dispose of
+the remains of their lunch. It might be a long time before they were
+within reach of their next meal, and they blessed Cook for having packed
+a plentiful supply. Everard would not let them linger for more than a
+few minutes.
+
+"Hurry up, you kids!" he urged. "We don't know how far we may have to
+go, and it will be getting dark soon. Thank goodness we shall be
+walking down hill, at any rate."
+
+[Illustration: "WHAT _ARE_ WE TO DO!" GASPED LILIAS]
+
+After whisking along in the car, "Shanks's pony" seemed a very slow mode
+of progress; their breakdown had happened in an out-of-the-way spot, and
+it was more than an hour before they reached a highroad. It was almost
+dark by that time, and matters seemed so desperate that Everard
+determined to hail the very first passing motorist who seemed to be able
+to help them. Fate brought along no handsome tourist car, but a rattling
+motor-lorry, the driver of which stopped in answer to their united
+shouts, and, after hearing of the difficulty they were in, consented to
+give them a lift to the town, five miles away, for which he was bound.
+Fortunately the lorry was empty, so the family thankfully climbed in,
+and squatted on the floor, while Everard sat in front with the driver.
+
+It was not a very aristocratic mode of conveyance for the heir of
+Cheverley Chase, but Everard was in no mood to pick and choose just
+then, and would have accepted a seat in a coal truck if necessary. As
+for the younger ones, they enjoyed the fun of it. It was a very bumpy
+performance to sit on the floor of the jolting wagon, but at any rate
+infinitely preferable to walking.
+
+Arrived in Bilstone, their cicerone drove them to a Commercial Hotel
+with whose landlady he had some acquaintance, and that good dame, after
+eyeing the party curiously, consented to make up beds for them for the
+night.
+
+"I've no private sitting-room to put you in, and I can't show these
+young ladies into the commercial room," she objected; "but I'll have a
+fire lighted in one of the bedrooms, and you can all have some tea up
+there. Will that suit you?"
+
+Lilias and Dulcie, catching a glimpse through an open door of the
+company smoking in the commercial room, agreed thankfully, glad to find
+some safe haven to which they could beat a retreat.
+
+"I wonder what Cousin Clare would say?" they asked each other.
+
+It was indeed an urgent matter to send some news of their whereabouts to
+Cheverley Chase, where their absence must be causing much alarm. While
+the landlady, therefore, ordered the tea, Everard went out to the public
+telephone, asked for a trunk call, and rang up No. 169 Balderton. He
+could hear relief in the voice of old Winder, who answered the
+telephone. Everard was not anxious to enter into too many explanations,
+so he simply said that they had had a breakdown, told the name of the
+town and the hotel where they were staying, and suggested that Milner
+should come over next morning to the rescue. On hearing his
+Grandfather's voice, he promptly rang off. To-morrow would be quite
+time enough, so he felt, for giving the history of their adventure. The
+unpleasant interview might just as well be deferred, and he had no wish
+to listen to explosions of anger over the telephone.
+
+Tea, tinned salmon, plum and apple jam, and very indifferent bedrooms
+were the best that the Commercial Hotel had to offer, but it was
+infinitely better than being benighted on the moor. In spite of lack of
+all toilet necessaries, the Ingletons slept peacefully, worn out with
+their long day in the fresh air. Milner, the chauffeur, must have made
+an early start, for he arrived at eleven o'clock next morning in the
+small car, armed with his master's instructions. He paid the hotel bill,
+chartered a taxi, in which he dispatched Lilias, Dulcie, Roland, Bevis
+and Clifford, straight for home, then, engaging a mechanic from a
+garage, and taking Everard as guide, he started up the hill in the
+pouring rain to find the abandoned car. It needed several hours'
+attention before it could be induced to start, and it was not until
+evening that he was able to place it safely back in the motor-house at
+Cheverley Chase.
+
+Everard had expected his peppery grandfather to be angry, but he was
+quite unprepared for the intensity of the storm which burst over his
+head on his return.
+
+"Your insolence goes beyond all bounds!" thundered Mr. Ingleton. "To
+borrow my car without leave! And to take your sisters without a chaperon
+to a fifth-rate public-house! You deserve horsewhipping for it! You
+think yourself the young Squire, do you? And imagine you can do just
+what you like here? While I'm above ground I'll have you to know _I'm_
+master, and nobody else in this place!"
+
+"I can't see it was anything so out of the way to take the kids a run in
+the car, and I never meant to keep the girls out all night," replied
+Everard defiantly. He had a temper as well as his grandfather, and the
+pair had often been at loggerheads before.
+
+"Indeed! There are ways of making people see! You can just go a little
+too far sometimes!" declared the old gentleman sarcastically. "I've
+given orders that you don't take either car out again unless Milner is
+with you. So you understand?"
+
+"I suppose I do," grunted Everard, turning sulkily away.
+
+It was only a few days after this that Everard, Lilias, and Dulcie,
+returning home across the park from a walk in the woods, met Mr. Bowden,
+the family solicitor, who was riding down the drive from the Chase. He
+stopped his motor-bicycle and got off to speak to them. They knew him
+well, for he often came to the house to conduct their grandfather's
+business, and he was indeed quite a favorite with them all. He looked at
+Everard keenly when the first greetings were over.
+
+"Been getting yourself into considerable hot water just lately, haven't
+you?" he remarked.
+
+Everard colored and frowned, then burst forth.
+
+"Grandfather's quite too ridiculous! Why shouldn't I take out the car if
+I want to? I can drive as well as Milner! He behaved as if I were a kid!
+It's more than a fellow can stand sometimes! He likes to keep everything
+tight in his own hands; at his age it's time he began to stand aside a
+little and let _me_ look after things! I shall have to take charge of
+the whole property some day, I suppose!"
+
+Mr. Bowden was gazing at Everard with the noncommittal air often assumed
+by lawyers.
+
+"I wouldn't make too sure about that," he said slowly. "I suppose you
+know your Uncle Tristram left a child? No! Well, he did, at any rate. I
+must hurry on now. I've an appointment to keep at my office. A happy New
+Year to you all. Good-by!"
+
+And, starting his engine, he was off before they had time to reply.
+
+"What does he mean?" asked Lilias, watching the retreating bicycle.
+"Uncle Tristram has been dead for thirteen years! We never seem to have
+heard anything about him!"
+
+"What was that photo we saw on the study table?" queried Dulcie. "Don't
+you remember--the lady and the baby, and it had written on it: 'My wife
+and Leslie, from Tristram.'"
+
+"I suppose it was Uncle Tristram's wife and child," replied Everard
+thoughtfully. "He must have called the kid 'Leslie' after Grandfather.
+They ought to have christened _me_ 'Leslie.' I can't think why they
+didn't."
+
+"Have we a cousin Leslie, then, whom we don't know?"
+
+"I suppose we must have, somewhere!"
+
+"How fearfully thrilling!"
+
+"Um! I don't know that it's thrilling at all. It's the first I've heard
+of it until to-day. I wish our father had been the eldest son, instead
+of Uncle Tristram!"
+
+"Why? What does it matter?"
+
+"It may matter more than you think. You're a silly little goose, Dulcie,
+and, as I often tell you, you never see farther than the end of your own
+nose. Surely, after all these years, though, Grandfather _must_----"
+
+"Must what?" asked Lilias curiously.
+
+"Never you mind! Girls can't know everything!" snapped Everard, walking
+on in front of his sisters with a look of unwonted worry upon his
+usually careless and handsome young face.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A Valentine Party
+
+
+Chilcombe Hall, where Lilias and Dulcie had been boarders for the last
+two years, was an exceedingly nice school. It stood on a hill-side well
+raised above the river, and behind it there was a little wood where
+bulbs had been naturalized, and where, in their season, you might find
+clumps of pure white snowdrops, sheets of glorious daffodils, and later
+on lovely masses of the lily of the valley. In the garden all kinds of
+sweet things seemed to be blooming the whole year round. Golden aconite
+buds opened with the January term, and in a wild patch above the rockery
+the delicious heliotrope-scented _Petasites fragrans_ blossomed to tempt
+the bees which an hour's sunshine would bring forth from the hives,
+scarlet _Pyrus japanica_ was trained along the wall under the front
+windows, and early flowering cherry and almond blossoms made delicate
+pink patches of color long before leaves were showing on the trees.
+
+Beautiful surroundings in a school can be quite as important a part of
+our education as the textbooks through which we toil. We are made up of
+body, mind, and spirit, and the developing soul needs satisfying as much
+as the physical or mental part of us. Long years afterwards, though we
+utterly forget the lessons we may have learnt as children, we can still
+vividly recall the effect of the afternoon sun streaming through the
+fuchsia bush outside the open French window where we sat conning those
+unremembered tasks. The lovely things of nature, assimilated half
+unconsciously when we are young, equip us with a purity of heart and a
+refinement of taste that should safeguard us later, and keep our
+thoughts at a lofty level.
+
+The "beauty cult" was a decided feature of Chilcombe Hall. Miss Walters
+was extremely artistic; she painted well in water-colors and had
+exquisite taste. Many of the charming decorations in the house had been
+done by herself; she had designed and stencilled the frieze of drooping
+clusters of wistaria that decorated the dining-hall wall; the framed
+landscapes in the drawing-room were her own work, and she herself always
+superintended the arrangement of the bowls of flowers that gave such
+brightness to the schoolrooms.
+
+Her twenty pupils had on the whole a decidedly pleasant time. There were
+just enough of them to develop the community spirit, but not too many
+to obliterate the individual, or, as Ida Spenser put it: "You can get up
+a play, or a dance, or any other sort of fun, and yet we all know each
+other like a kind of big family."
+
+"Divided up into small families according to bedrooms!" added Hester
+Wilson.
+
+The bedrooms at Chilcombe Hall were rather a speciality. They were
+large, and were furnished partly as studies, and girls had their own
+bookcases, knick-knacks, and pretty things there. As the house was
+provided with central heating, they were warmed, and a certain amount of
+preparation was done in them each afternoon. Miss Walters' artistic
+faculty had decorated them in schemes of various colors, so that they
+were known respectively as The Rose, The Gold, The Green, The Brown, and
+The Blue Bedrooms. Lilias and Dulcie Ingleton, Gowan Barbour, and Bertha
+Chesters, who occupied the last-named, considered it quite the choicest
+of all. They had each made important contributions to its furniture, had
+clubbed together to buy a Liberty table-cloth, had provided vases in
+lovely shades of turquoise blue, and had worked toilet-mats, nightdress
+cases and other accessories to accord with the prevailing tone. "The
+Blue Grotto," as they named their dormitory, certainly had points over
+rival bedrooms, for it looked down the garden towards the river, and
+had the best view of the sunset. Moreover, it was at the very end of the
+corridor, so that sudden outbursts of laughter did not meet the ears of
+Miss Hardy quite so easily as from the Rose or the Brown room.
+
+The work of the spring term had been in full swing for nearly a month,
+when Gowan Barbour, looking at the calendar--hand-painted, with blue
+cranesbill geraniums--suddenly discovered that next morning would be the
+festival of St. Valentine.
+
+"Could anything be better?" she exulted. "We've won the record for
+tidiness three weeks running, so we're entitled to a special indulgence.
+I vote we ask to bring tea up here, and have a Valentine party. Don't
+you think it would be rather scrumptious? I've all sorts of ideas in my
+head."
+
+"Topping!" agreed Dulcie, pausing in the act of tying her hair ribbon to
+consider the important question, "specially if we could get Miss Walters
+to let us send to Glazebrook for a few cakes. I believe she would, if we
+wheedled!"
+
+"What about visitors?" asked Lilias. "It would be much more of a party
+if we had a few of the others in."
+
+"We don't want a crowd, or we might as well be in the dining-hall,"
+objected Bertha.
+
+"Well, of course we shouldn't ask the whole school, naturally, but
+perhaps just Noreen and Phillida!"
+
+"We must get at the soft spot in Miss Walters' heart," decided Gowan.
+"Pick a bunch of early violets if you can find them, lay them on her
+study table, talk about flowers and nature for a little while, then ask
+if we may have a quiet little party in our bedroom to-morrow afternoon,
+with cakes at our own expense."
+
+"Quiet?" queried Lilias.
+
+"Well, of course you couldn't call it rowdy, could you? We'll send you
+to do the asking. Those dimples of yours generally get what you want,
+and on the whole I think you're the pattern one of us, and the most
+likely to be listened to."
+
+Tea at Chilcombe Hall was a quite informal meal. It partook, indeed more
+of the nature of a canteen. The urns were what the girls called "on tap"
+from four to four-thirty, and during summer any one might take cup,
+saucer, and plate into the garden, provided she duly brought them back
+afterwards to the dining-hall. Special permission for a bedroom feast
+was therefore not very difficult to obtain, and Lilias returned from her
+interview in the study with her dimples conspicuously in evidence.
+
+"Well?" asked the interested circle in the Blue bedroom.
+
+"Sweet as honey!" reported Lilias. "She said 'Certainly, my dear!' We
+may each ask one friend, and we may spend two shillings amongst us on
+cakes, if we give the money and the list of what we want to Jones this
+afternoon, because he's going into Glazebrook first thing to-morrow
+morning."
+
+"Only two shillings!" commented Gowan.
+
+"It will go no way!" pouted Bertha.
+
+"Well, I can't help it. Miss Walters said 'Two shillings' most
+emphatically."
+
+"You might have stuck out for more! Those iced cakes are always half a
+crown!"
+
+"I didn't dare to stick out for anything. I was so afraid she'd change
+her mind, and say 'There's good plain home-made cake with your
+schoolroom tea, and you must be content with that,' like she did to Nona
+and Muriel."
+
+"We could get twelve twopenny cakes for two shillings," calculated
+Dulcie; "but if there are eight of us, that's only one and a half
+apiece."
+
+"Best get eight twopenny iced cakes, and eight penny buns," suggested
+Bertha, taking pencil and paper to write the important order.
+
+"Right-o! Only be sure you put _pink_ iced cakes, they are so much the
+nicest."
+
+"Whom shall we ask? It won't be much of a beano on two shillings. Still,
+they'll be keen on coming, I expect."
+
+Noreen, Phillida, Prissie, and Edith, the four finally selected
+favorites, accepted the invitation with alacrity. Bedroom tea-parties
+were indulgences only given to winners of three weeks' dormitory
+records, so the less fortunate occupants of the Brown and Rose rooms
+were really profiting by the tidiness of their hostesses. The Blue
+Grotto was placed in apple-pie order on the afternoon of the fourteenth
+of February. A white hemstitched cloth and a bowl of snowdrops adorned
+the center table, and the cakes were set out on paper doilies. Both
+hostesses and guests were in the dining-hall by four o'clock, awaiting
+the appearance of the urns, and each bore her cup of tea and a portion
+of bread and butter and scones upstairs with her.
+
+It was a jolly party round the square table, and if the cakes were not
+too plentiful, they were at least voted delicious. The girls carried
+down the cups when they had finished, shook the table-cloth out of the
+window, carefully collected crumbs from the floor, so as to preserve
+their record for neatness, then gathered round the table again for an
+hour's fun before the bell should ring for prep.
+
+"It's a Valentine party, and I've got a ripping idea," said Gowan.
+"We'll put our names on pieces of paper, fold them up, shuffle them and
+draw them; then each of us must write a valentine to the one we've
+drawn. We'll shuffle these, and one of us must read them all out. Then
+we must each guess who's written our valentines."
+
+"Sounds rather brainy, doesn't it?" objected Noreen. "I don't think I'm
+any hand at poetry!"
+
+"Oh! you can make up something if you try. Valentines are generally
+doggerel."
+
+"Need it be quite original?" asked Edith.
+
+"Well, if you really _can't_ compose anything, we'll allow quotations."
+
+"Cracker mottoes?" suggested Dulcie.
+
+"Exactly. They're just about in the right style."
+
+"Are you all getting into a sentimental vein?" giggled Bertha. "Remember
+'Love' rhymes with 'Dove,' and Cupid with--with--"
+
+"Stupid," supplied Dulcie laconically.
+
+"I'm not going to give my rhymes away beforehand," said Phillida. "Is
+that shuffling business finished, Gowan? Then bags me first draw."
+
+Each girl, having been apportioned the name of her valentine, set to
+work to compose a suitable ode in her honor. There was much knitting of
+brows and nibbling of pencils, and demands for a few minutes longer,
+when Gowan called "Time!" At last, however, the effusions were all
+finished, folded, shuffled, and laid in a pile. Gowan, as the
+originator of the game, was unanimously elected president. She drew one
+at a venture, opened it, and read:
+
+    "TO PHILLIDA
+
+    "Fair maiden, who in ancient song
+     Was wont to flout her swain,
+     I prithee be not always coy,
+     But turn your face again.
+     My heart is true, and it will rue,
+     That ever you should doubt me,
+     So sweet, be kind, and change your mind,
+     And don't for ever flout me."
+
+"Who wrote that?" asked Phillida, glancing keenly round the circle.
+"Noreen, I believe you're looking conscious! I always suspect people who
+say they can't write."
+
+"_I!_ No, indeed!" declared Noreen.
+
+"You may make guesses, but nobody's to confess or deny authorship till
+the end," put in Gowan hastily. "Remember, valentines are always
+supposed to be anonymous. Now I'm going to read another.
+
+    "TO LILIAS
+
+    "Cupid with his fatal dart
+     Shot me through and made me smart,
+     So I pray, before we part,
+     Kiss me once, and heal my heart!"
+
+"Short and sweet!" commented Edith.
+
+"Very sweet--quite sugary, in fact," agreed Lilias. "It's the sort of
+motto you get out of a superior cracker with gelatine paper on the
+outside, and trinkets inside. There ought to be a ring with all that. I
+believe it's Prissie's, but I'm not sure it isn't by Bertha."
+
+"You mayn't have two guesses!" reminded Gowan, reaching for another
+paper. "Hallo! this actually to me! I feel quite shy!"
+
+"Go on! You're not usually afflicted with shyness," urged the others.
+
+    "TO GOWAN
+
+    "Wee modest, crimson-tipped flower,
+     Thou'st met me in an evil hour;
+     For I maun gang far frae thy bower,
+     And leave thee greeting 'mang the stour.
+     But lassie, thou art no thy lane,
+     This heart is also brak in twain,
+     And like to burst with grief and pain
+     To think I'll see thee ne'er again."
+
+"H'm! He might have signed 'Robbie Burns' at the end of it!" commented
+Gowan. "Seems to take it for granted I'm doing half of the grieving. No,
+thanks! I prefer to 'flout them' like Phillida. He may go away with his
+old broken heart if he likes. That's not my idea of a valentine."
+
+"There were bad valentines as well as good ones, weren't there?"
+twinkled Dulcie.
+
+"Certainly; and if I set this down to you, perhaps I'll not be far out.
+Who comes next? Oh! Bertha.
+
+    "TO BERTHA
+
+    "I have a little heart to let,
+     As nice as nice can be;
+     It's vacant just at present,
+     On a yearly tenancy.
+     It's quite completely furnished
+     With affection's choicest store,
+     Sweet nothings by the bushel,
+     And kisses by the score.
+     It sadly wants a tenant,
+     This little heart of mine,
+     So I beg that you will take it,
+     And be my Valentine!"
+
+"Edith! Dulcie! Phillida!--Oh! I can't guess!" laughed Bertha. "There's
+not the least clue! Go on, Gowan! I'll plump for Phillida."
+
+The next on the list was--
+
+    "TO NOREEN
+
+    "Cupid on his rosy wing
+     Flits to offer you a ring:
+     Take it, dear, and happy make
+     One who'd die for your sweet sake!"
+
+"That's the sugary type again, and suggests a cracker!" decided Noreen.
+"You feel there ought to be a big dish of trifle somewhere near."
+
+"I wish there were!" chirped Edith. "You haven't guessed yet!"
+
+"Oh, well, I guess you!"
+
+"I hope it's my turn next," said Prissie.
+
+"No, it happens to be Dulcie," retorted Gowan. "You'll probably be the
+last of all.
+
+    "TO DULCIE
+
+    "Oh, lady fair from Cheverley Chase,
+     The day when first I saw your face
+     Put me in such a fearful flutter
+     I could do naught but moan and mutter.
+     Whether I'm standing on my head,
+     Or if I'm on my heels instead,
+     I scarce can tell, for Cupid's arrows
+     Have made my brain like any sparrow's.
+     When you come near, my foolish heart
+     Goes pit-a-pat with throb and start,
+     And when I try my love to utter,
+     My fairest speech is but a stutter.
+     How to propose is all my task,
+     Whether to write or just to ask,
+     And ere I solve the problem knotty
+     I really fear I shall go dotty.
+     Oh, lady fair, in pity stop
+     And list while I the question pop.
+     'Tis here on paper; think it over,
+     And let me be your humble lover."
+
+"Quite the longest of them all!" smiled Dulcie complacently.
+
+"But not as poetical as mine!" contended Noreen.
+
+"Oh, go on!" said Edith. "I'm sure I'm next!"
+
+And so she was.
+
+    "TO EDITH
+
+    "Maiden of the swan-like neck,
+     I am at your call and beck;
+     If you will but wave a finger,
+     In your neighborhood I'll linger,
+     Praise your eyes, and cheeks of roses,
+     Bring you presents of sweet posies,
+     Sweetheart, if you will be mine,
+     Let me be your Valentine!"
+
+"I haven't got a swan neck! It's no longer than other people's, I'm
+sure!" protested Edith indignantly, looking round the circle for the
+offender. "Who wrote such stuff?"
+
+"There, don't get excited, child!" soothed Gowan. "'Edith of the Swan
+Neck' was a historical character. Don't you remember? She ought to have
+married King Harold, only she didn't, somehow. It's meant as a
+compliment, no doubt!"
+
+"I believe you wrote it yourself!"
+
+"No, I didn't. At least I mustn't tell just yet. I'm going to read the
+last one now.
+
+    "TO PRISSIE
+
+    "I am not sentimental, please,
+       I cannot write in rhyme,
+     I beg you'll all ecstatics leave
+       Until another time.
+
+    "But if I'm lacking in romance,
+       At least my heart is true,
+     And in its own prosaic way,
+       It only beats for you.
+
+    "'Mong damsels all I think you are
+       The nicest little Missie,
+     And beg to have for Valentine
+       That sweetest maid, Miss Prissie."
+
+"Author! Author!" cried Prissie. "It's Lilias, I do believe!"
+
+"Guessing's been horribly wrong!" said Gowan. "Only about one of you was
+right. Shall I read the list?
+
+    "To Phillida by Dulcie.
+     To Lilias by Noreen.
+     To Gowan by myself.
+     To Bertha by Phillida.
+     To Noreen by Prissie.
+     To Dulcie by Bertha.
+     To Edith by Lilias.
+     To Prissie by Edith."
+
+"So you wrote your own, Gowan! What a humbug you are! You quite put us
+off the scent!"
+
+"Well, I drew my own name, you see. I had to write something! Bertha
+ought to have a prize for guessing right, only we've nothing to give
+her. Shall we play something else?"
+
+"Prissie's brought a pack of cards, and she says she'll tell our
+fortunes," proclaimed Edith.
+
+"I learnt how in the holidays," confessed Prissie. "A girl was staying
+with us who had a book about it. We used to have ripping fun every
+evening over it. Whose fortune shall I tell first? Oh, don't all speak
+at once! Look here, you'd better each cut, and the lowest shall win."
+
+Dulcie, who turned up an ace, was the lucky one, and was therefore
+elected as the first to consult the oracle. By Prissie's orders she
+shuffled the cards, then handed them back to the sorceress, who laid
+them out face upward in rows, and after a few moments' meditation began
+her prophecies.
+
+"You're fair, and therefore the Queen of Diamonds is your representative
+card--all the luck's behind you instead of facing you. I see a
+disappointment and great changes. A dark woman is coming into your life.
+She's connected somehow with money, but there are hearts behind her.
+You'll take a journey by land, and find trouble and perplexity."
+
+"Haven't you anything nicer to tell me than that?" pouted Dulcie. "Who's
+the dark woman?"
+
+"She seems to be a relation, by the way the cards are placed."
+
+"I haven't any dark relations. They're all as fair as fair--the whole
+family."
+
+"It's silly nonsense! I don't believe in it!" declared Lilias
+emphatically.
+
+"I dare say it is, but it's fun, all the same. Do tell mine now,
+Prissie!" urged Noreen, gathering up the cards and reshuffling them.
+
+Before the fates could be further consulted, however, the big bell
+clanged for preparation, and the magician was obliged to pocket her
+cards, hurry downstairs, get out her lesson books, and write a piece of
+French translation, while the inquirers into her mysteries also
+separated, some to practise piano or violin, and some to study.
+
+"A dark woman!" scoffed Dulcie, spilling the ink in her scorn as she
+filled her fountain pen. "Any gypsy would have told me a fortune like
+that. I'll let you know when she comes along, Prissie!"
+
+"All serene! Bring her to school if you like!" laughed Prissie. "You
+didn't let me finish, or I might have gone on to something nicer. There
+were other things on the cards as well as those."
+
+"What things?"
+
+"Oh, I shan't tell you now, when you only make fun of them! Sh! sh!
+Here's Miss Herbert!"
+
+And Prissie, turning away from her comrade, opened her French dictionary
+and plunged into the difficulties of her page of translation from
+Racine.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+Disinherited
+
+
+Valentine's Day had brought early flowers, and the song of the thrush
+and glints of golden sunshine, but the bright weather was too good to
+last, and winter again stretched out an icy hand to check the advance of
+spring. Green daffodil buds peeped through a covering of snow, and the
+yellow jessamine blossom fell sodden in the rain. The playing-field was
+a quagmire, and the girls had to depend upon walking for their daily
+exercise. Their tramps were somewhat of an adventure, for in places the
+swollen brooks were washing over the tops of their bridges, and they
+would be obliged to turn back, or go round by devious ways. The river in
+the valley had overflowed its banks and spread over the low-lying
+meadows like a lake. Tops of gates and hedges appeared above the flood,
+and sea-gulls, driven inland by the gales, swam over the pastures.
+Flocks of peewits, starlings, and red-wings collected on the uplands,
+and an occasional heron might be seen flitting majestically across the
+storm-flecked sky.
+
+As a rule the school sallied forth in waterproofs and thick boots,
+regardless of drizzle or slight snow, but on days of blizzard there was
+Swedish drill or dancing in the big class-room, to work off the
+superfluous energy accumulated during hours of sitting still at lessons.
+
+One afternoon, when driving sleet and showers swept past the house, and
+an inclement sky hid every hint of sunshine, the twenty girls, clad in
+their gymnasium costumes, were hard at work doing Indian club exercises.
+Dulcie, who stood in the vicinity of the window, could watch the
+raindrops splashing on the pane, and see the wet tree-tops waving about
+in the wind, and runnels of water coursing down the drive like little
+rivulets. It was the sort of afternoon when nobody who could help it
+would choose to be out, and a visitor to the Hall seemed about the most
+unlikely event on the face of the earth. Judge her surprise, therefore,
+when she heard the hoot of a motor-horn, and the next instant saw,
+coming up the drive, the well-known Daimler touring car from Cheverley
+Chase. In her excitement she almost dropped her clubs. Had Cousin Clare
+come over to see them? Or had Everard a holiday? She longed to
+communicate the thrilling news to Lilias, but the music was still going
+on, and her arms must move in time to it. She waited in a flutter of
+expectation, revolving all kinds of delightful possibilities that might
+occur. Cousin Clare would surely send a cake and a box of chocolates,
+even if she had not come herself. Five minutes passed, then Davis, the
+parlor-maid, opened the door, and whispered a brief message to Miss
+Perkins. The mistress held up her hand and stopped the exercises.
+
+"Lilias and Dulcie are wanted at once in the study," she said.
+
+Amid the astonished looks of their companions, the two girls put down
+their clubs and left the room, Dulcie hastily telling her sister, as
+they hurried down the passage, how she had seen the car from the window.
+They tapped at the study door, and entered full of pleasant
+anticipation. Miss Walters was standing by the fire, with a letter in
+her hand.
+
+"Come in, girls," she said gravely. "I've sent for you because I have
+something very sad to tell you. Can you prepare your minds for a great
+shock? Your Grandfather was taken ill suddenly last night, and passed
+away this morning. Your cousin has sent the car to fetch you both home.
+Go at once and change your dresses, and Miss Harvey will help you to
+pack a few clothes. The chauffeur is having some tea, but you must not
+keep him waiting very long. I can't tell you how grieved I am. You must
+be brave girls and try to comfort every one else at home. It will be a
+sad loss for you all."
+
+Lilias and Dulcie went upstairs almost dazed with the unexpected bad
+news. They could hardly believe that their grandfather, whom they had
+left apparently in the best of health and spirits, could have gone away
+into that other world where Father and Mother and a little sister had
+already passed over before. They packed in a sort of dream, drank the
+cups of tea which Miss Walters, full of kind sympathy, pressed upon them
+in the hall, greeted Milner, who was starting his engine, and entered
+the waiting car. Owing to the floods, they took a roundabout route, but
+half an hour's drive through sleet and rain brought them to Cheverley
+Chase. It was strange to see the blinds all down as they drew up at the
+house. As they ran indoors, Winder, the old butler, came from his pantry
+into the hall. They questioned him eagerly. He shook his head as he
+replied:
+
+"It's a sad business, Miss Lilias and Miss Dulcie. He was just as usual
+yesterday, then about nine o'clock Miss Clare rang the bell violently,
+and when I came into the drawing-room, there was Master lying on the
+floor in a kind of fit. I telephoned to the doctor, and we got him to
+bed, but he never recovered consciousness. He went at eleven this
+morning, as you'll see by the clock there. I stopped all the clocks at
+once. It's the right thing to do in a house when the master dies. Miss
+Clare's in her room. I'll let her know you've arrived."
+
+"We'll go and find her, thank you," said Lilias, walking quietly
+upstairs.
+
+The Ingleton children were truly grieved at the loss of the grandfather
+who, for so many years, had stood to them in the place of a parent. They
+went softly about the house and spoke in hushed voices. Everything
+seemed strange and unusual. A dressmaker came from London with boxes of
+mourning for Cousin Clare and the girls; beautiful wreaths and crosses
+of flowers kept arriving and were carried upstairs. Mr. Bowden, the
+lawyer, was constantly in and out, making arrangements for the funeral;
+neighbors left cards with "Kind sympathy" written across the corner.
+Everard, who had arrived home shortly after his sisters, seemed to have
+grown years older. He walked with a new dignity, as of one who is
+suddenly called to fill a high position.
+
+"I'll be a good brother to you all," he said to the younger ones. "You
+must always look upon the Chase as your home, of course. I'll do
+everything for you that Grandfather ever did, and more!"
+
+"Will the Chase be yours now, then, Everard?" asked Bevis.
+
+"I suppose so. I'm the eldest son, you see, and the property has always
+gone in the direct line. It was entailed until fifty years ago. I shan't
+make any changes. I've told the servants so, and they all said they
+wished to stay on. I wouldn't part with Winder or Milner for the world!
+They're part of the establishment."
+
+"I couldn't imagine the place without them," agreed Dulcie.
+
+On the afternoon before the funeral, Mr. Bowden, who had motored over to
+make some final arrangements, concluded his business, drank a cup of tea
+in the drawing-room, and was escorted by Everard and Lilias through the
+hall.
+
+"The passing of the Squire is a sad loss to the neighborhood," he
+remarked. "He was a true type of the good old school of country
+gentlemen, and most of us feel 'we shall not look upon his like again.'"
+
+"No," replied Everard. "It will be very hard to succeed him, I know, but
+I shall try to do my best."
+
+Mr. Bowden started, looked at him musingly for a moment, knitted his
+brows, then apparently came to a decision. Instead of taking his hat and
+coat from Winder, he waved the two young people into the study, followed
+them, and shut the door.
+
+"I want a word with you in private," he began. "I'm going to do a very
+unprofessional thing, but, as I've known you for years, I feel the case
+justifies me. I can't let you come into the dining-room to-morrow, after
+the funeral, and hear your grandfather's will read aloud, without giving
+you some warning beforehand of its contents. I hinted to you, Everard,
+at Christmas-time, not to count too much upon expectations."
+
+"Why, but surely I am the heir?" burst out Everard with white lips.
+
+"My poor boy, you are nothing of the sort. Your grandfather has willed
+the property to the child of his elder son, Tristram."
+
+At that critical moment there was a rap at the door, and Winder, the
+butler, entered, respectfully apologetic, to summon Mr. Bowden to the
+telephone. The lawyer answered the call, which was apparently a very
+urgent one, for, without another word to Everard and Lilias, he took hat
+and coat, hurried from the house, mounted his motor-cycle, and was gone.
+He left utter consternation behind him. The two young people, returning
+to the study, tried to face the disastrous news. He had indeed told them
+no details, but the main outline was quite sufficient. They could
+scarcely accustom themselves to believe it for a moment or two.
+
+"To bring me up as the heir, and then disinherit me!" gasped Everard.
+
+"Why, everybody called you 'the young squire'!" exclaimed Lilias. "It's
+unthinkable!"
+
+"Unthinkable or not, I'm afraid it's true," said Everard bitterly.
+"Bowden wouldn't have told me otherwise. I suppose he drew up the will,
+so he knows what's in it. Nice position to be in, isn't it? Turned out
+to make room for some other chap!"
+
+"Who is this child of Uncle Tristram's? We've never heard of him."
+
+"It'll be the kid who is in that photo, I suppose--Leslie. He looked
+about a year old in the portrait, and it's thirteen years since Uncle
+Tristram died, so he's probably fourteen or so now. To think of a kid of
+fourteen taking _my_ place here! It's monstrous!"
+
+"Oh, Everard, what _shall_ we do?"
+
+"I don't know. I'm going out to think it over. Don't say a word about it
+to anybody yet. Promise me you won't!"
+
+Everard seized his cap and waterproof, and plunged out-of-doors into the
+rain. He did not return till dinner-time. If he was silent and
+preoccupied at that meal, both Cousin Clare and Dulcie set it down as
+natural to his new sense of responsibility. Lilias looked at him
+uneasily. There was a hardness in his face which she had never seen
+there before. She longed to catch him alone and question him, but after
+dinner he purposely avoided her, and left a message that he had gone to
+the stables. She would have liked to confide in Cousin Clare, but she
+had given her promise to keep the secret, and even Dulcie must not share
+it yet. The girls slept in separate rooms at home, so that when Lilias
+had said good night to the family she was alone. She went to bed, as a
+matter of course, but tossed about with throbbing heart and whirling
+brain. Mr. Bowden's information had effectually banished sleep. In about
+an hour, when the house was absolutely quiet, came a soft tap at her
+door. She jumped up hastily, threw on her dressing-gown, and opened it.
+Everard stood in the passage outside.
+
+"May I come in? I want to speak to you, Sissy! It's important," he
+whispered.
+
+"I thought you had gone to bed," said Lilias, admitting him, and
+dragging forward two basket chairs. "What is it, Everard? Don't look
+like that--you frighten me!"
+
+Her brother had seated himself wearily, and buried his head in his
+hands. He raised two haggard eyes at her words.
+
+"I've come to say good-by to you, Sis. I'm going away to-night! Don't
+speak to me, for I'm not in a mood for argument! Do you think that I
+could stand by Grandfather's grave to-morrow, when I know he has
+disinherited me? I tell you, I can't. I'm not going to stay and hear the
+will read! If I'm kicked out of the property, at least I'll keep my
+dignity. Why, everybody on the estate believed I was the heir! Only this
+afternoon, Rogerson, the new under-gardener, asked me to keep him on,
+and Hicks said he'd serve me as faithfully as he'd served the old
+Squire. How could I face the servants when they knew the Chase wasn't
+mine after all! The humiliation would be intolerable! No! I've all the
+Ingleton pride in me, and if I'm not to be master here, I'll shake the
+dust of the place off my feet for ever. Grandfather will have made some
+provisions for you younger ones; he always promised to do that, and it's
+right you should take it, but as for me, if he's left me anything, I
+don't mean to touch a penny of it--it must be all or nothing! You others
+are welcome to my share, whatever it is. I'm going out into the world to
+earn my own living."
+
+He spoke forcibly, and with desperate earnestness. To Lilias, watching
+him anxiously, he seemed in these few hours to have changed from a boy
+into a man. Eager words rose to her lips, but he stood up and stopped
+her.
+
+"I've told you it's no use arguing! My mind's absolutely made up. I've
+ordered Elton to have the small car ready, and to drive me to Balderton
+to catch the midnight express to town. It's the last order I shall give
+in this house. He looked surprised, but he didn't dare to question me.
+To-morrow everybody will know that I've no more authority here than the
+kids. I'll be far away by then, thank goodness."
+
+"But, Everard, what are you going to do in London? How can you earn your
+own living?" pressed Lilias.
+
+"Sweep a crossing, or go to sea! I don't care two-pence what happens to
+me. Good-by, Sis, I'm off! You may tell the others to-morrow, if you
+like. No, I won't promise to write! You'll be better without me. I've
+closed this chapter of my life completely, and I'm going to begin a
+different one. The two won't bear mixing up."
+
+Giving his sister a hasty kiss, Everard left the room and walked softly
+away down the passage. A few minutes later, Lilias heard the sound of
+wheels, and, looking through the window, saw the rear lights of the car
+disappearing down the drive, and away across the park. She went back to
+bed, sobbing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+The New Owner
+
+
+The wild wind and rain, which for some weeks had blown from the north,
+changed suddenly to a southerly breeze, and the sun shone out in all its
+spring glory on the day of Mr. Ingleton's funeral. Half the country-side
+came to do honor to "the old Squire." He had been a favorite in the
+neighborhood, and people forgot his autocratic ways and remembered now
+only his many kindnesses. The absence of Everard, who should have been
+the chief representative of the family, caused universal comment, and
+some rumor of the state of affairs began to be passed round among the
+servants and guests. Cousin Clare, to whom Lilias had confided the
+secret of her brother's flight, shook her head.
+
+"He might at least have shown his grandfather the respect of following
+him to his grave!" she commented. "He owed that to him, at any rate. I
+thought Everard would have realized such an obvious duty. Whatever comes
+or does not come to us in the way of legacies cannot free us from our
+obligations to the dead. It seems to me hardly decent to be thinking
+about the disposal of the property while its late owner is still
+unburied."
+
+Lilias crept away, crying. She knew there was justice in Cousin Clare's
+scathing judgment, but she was sure the latter did not, could not,
+understand the extent of Everard's bitter disappointment. She did not
+care to say any more, or ask questions, and could only wait until the
+whole sad, miserable affair was over. Some of the guests returned to the
+house after the funeral, and these, with the family, were present when
+Mr. Bowden read aloud the will of the late Squire of Cheverley Chase.
+Like most testamentary documents, it was couched in legal terms, but
+Lilias and Dulcie, sitting in their black dresses beside Cousin Clare,
+grasped the main features. There were certain legacies to servants and
+friends, a provision for each of the grandchildren and for Cousin Clare,
+then the entire residue of the estate was bequeathed to "Leslie, only
+child of my elder son, Tristram."
+
+All, except the few who had known the secret beforehand, were filled
+with surprise that Everard, who had always been regarded in the
+neighborhood as "the young squire" should have been passed over in favor
+of another heir. The guests, however, after a word or two of sympathy,
+took their departure, and went away to spread the news, leaving the
+family alone to discuss matters among themselves.
+
+"So I suppose the Chase isn't our home any longer?" asked Dulcie, as the
+young Ingletons clustered round their cousin for explanations. "Who is
+this Leslie? We've never heard anything of him before."
+
+"I didn't know Uncle Tristram had a son!" said Roland.
+
+"Will everything be his instead of Everard's?" asked Bevis pitifully.
+
+"No, and yes," replied Cousin Clare. "The estate is certainly left to
+Leslie, but, as it happens, she is a daughter, and not a son."
+
+Here was a surprise indeed!
+
+"A daughter!" echoed Lilias. "The Chase left to a girl!"
+
+"Remember, she is the daughter of the elder son, so that in your
+grandfather's opinion she was the lawful heiress."
+
+"But where does she live?"
+
+"How old is she?"
+
+"Why have we never seen her?"
+
+"It's a long story," said Cousin Clare. "But, without going into any
+details, I can tell you briefly that years ago your grandfather and your
+Uncle Tristram had a serious quarrel. It was about a lady whom your
+grandfather thought his elder son loved, and whom he very much wished
+him to marry. Well, we can't love to order, and, though Tristram liked
+and respected the prospective bride whom his father had chosen for him,
+he had given his heart to a beautiful Italian girl, and he insisted upon
+marrying her. The affair caused a complete breach between them, but
+shortly before Tristram's death he patched up a half reconciliation, and
+sent home a photograph of his wife and little daughter, whom he named
+'Leslie' after her grandfather. I believe some years ago an effort was
+made to bring the child over to England to be educated, but her mother,
+who by that time was married again and living in Sicily, refused to give
+her up to her English relations. I have never seen her myself, but she
+must be quite fourteen years old by now. It will be a great surprise to
+her to learn that she succeeds to the property."
+
+"And a great disappointment to us," said Lilias bitterly. "It seems most
+unfair, when we've lived at the Chase all these years, that this
+interloper should step in and turn us out of our home."
+
+"I hate her!" declared Clifford, clenching his little fists.
+
+"No, no, dears! Don't take it in that way!" begged Cousin Clare.
+"Remember that, after all, the Chase was Grandfather's property, and he
+had absolute right to leave it to whom he pleased. He stood in the
+place of parents to you all, but that did not mean that he must will the
+estate to Everard. Leslie is also his grandchild, and belongs to the
+elder branch of the family. He has left you each a most generous legacy,
+so that there is plenty for your education. I don't know what
+arrangements will be made for you, but Mr. Bowden is one of your
+guardians, and he is such a kind friend that I am sure he can be
+thoroughly trusted to take good care of your affairs. Try to look on the
+bright side of things. Matters might be so much worse."
+
+In Lilias's opinion, at any rate, matters were quite bad enough. As
+Everard's particular chum, she took his disinheritance more hardly than
+Dulcie. She wondered what he was doing in London, and if he would send
+her his address. It angered her that Mr. Bowden took his departure quite
+calmly, and seemed to think he would turn up again in a few days, when
+he had spent the money he had taken with him. She knew her brother too
+well for that, and was sure that his pride would not allow him to return
+either to Cheverley or to Harrow in the character of a disappointed
+heir. In that respect she could entirely sympathize with him. She and
+Dulcie went back to Chilcombe Hall at the beginning of the next week,
+and, though all their companions were very kind and sympathetic, it was
+humiliating to be obliged to acknowledge that the Chase was no longer
+virtually their home. For the present, as the heiress was a minor, the
+estate was in the hands of the executors. Mr. Bowden decided to send
+Bevis and Clifford to the same preparatory school as Roland, and Cousin
+Clare, after various letters and telegrams, departed on a mission to
+Sicily, to interview Leslie's mother and stepfather. What the purport of
+her visit might be, the girls had as yet no hint.
+
+The weeks dragged wearily on towards Easter. Though Dulcie might throw
+herself into hockey or basket ball, to Lilias school interests seemed to
+have lost their former zest. She wondered where they were to spend their
+holidays. Various friends had extended invitations, but Mr. Bowden, to
+whom everything must now be referred, had not yet written to consent. At
+last came his reply.
+
+"I have arranged for you and your sister to spend your holidays as usual
+at the Chase. Miss Clare will be arriving back from Sicily, and will
+bring your cousin Leslie with her. They would like you to be at home to
+receive them."
+
+Lilias, showing the letter to Dulcie in the privacy of the Blue bedroom,
+simply raged.
+
+"It's _too_ bad! When we were so keen to go to London, too! Why should
+we be there to receive Madame Leslie, I should like to know. I don't
+want to see her!"
+
+"Neither do I, only I _do_ wonder what she's like, all the same,"
+ventured Dulcie. "Can she speak English? And will she take over the
+whole place, and make us feel it's hers?"
+
+"No doubt she will. We shall have to take very back seats indeed! It's
+just too disgusting for words. I really think Mr. Bowden needn't have
+forced this upon us."
+
+"The girls will be ever so sorry for us!"
+
+"I know; and that's just what I hate. I can't bear to be pitied."
+
+The Easter exodus seemed very different indeed from the happy breaking
+up of last Christmas. No "Rajah" and "Peri" with glossy coats and
+arching necks came to take Lilias and Dulcie from school, and give them
+the delight of a ride over the hills, though Milner arrived with the
+car, and told them that he was to fetch their three younger brothers on
+the following morning. The Chase seemed lonely and deserted with nobody
+to welcome them except the servants. It brought back vividly those few
+sad days of drawn blinds, and the memory of the long black line slowly
+disappearing down the drive. They had supper by themselves, and spent a
+very quiet evening reading in the drawing-room. The advent next day of
+Roland, Bevis, and Clifford certainly enlivened the atmosphere, and
+things would have felt like old times again had it not been for the
+shadow of the arrival of the heiress. A telegram had been received from
+Cousin Clare announcing the train, and the car was to meet them at the
+station on that same evening. Winder and the other servants were
+bustling about getting the house in order for its new mistress. A log
+fire was lighted in the hall, and plants in pots were carried in from
+the conservatory. The Union Jack fluttered from over the porch, and the
+gardener had put up some decorations with the word "Welcome."
+
+Five very sober young people stood in the drawing-room and watched as
+the car came up the drive to the front door. Next minute they heard
+Cousin Clare's cheerful voice calling to them, and they came shyly forth
+into the hall.
+
+Standing on the Persian rug in front of the log fire was a girl of about
+fourteen, an erect, slender, graceful little figure, with dark silky
+hair hanging in loose curls, and wonderful bright eyes that were dark
+and yet full of light and seemed to shine like stars. For an instant she
+included the Ingletons in one comprehensive glance, then her whole face
+broke into eager smiles.
+
+"I know which of you is which! Lilias, Dulcie, Roland, Bevis, Clifford!"
+she declared, shaking hands with each. "I'm very rich to have five new
+cousins all at once! To-morrow you must show me everything, the rabbits
+and the dogs, and the tame jackdaw! Oh yes! I've been hearing about them
+and about you! Cousin Clare told me just what you would be like. I kept
+asking her questions the whole way!"
+
+She spoke prettily, and without a trace of a foreign accent; her manner
+was warm and friendly. She looked, indeed, as if she would like to kiss
+her new relations. She was so entirely different from what the Ingletons
+had expected, that in their utter amazement they could think of nothing
+to say in reply, and stood gazing at her in embarrassed silence. Cousin
+Clare saved the situation.
+
+"Carmel, child, you're tired out!" she decreed. "I'm going to take you
+straight upstairs and put you to bed. Thirty-six hours of traveling is
+too much for anybody, and you never slept in the train. Come along! You
+must make friends with your cousins to-morrow."
+
+Long afterwards, when Dulcie tried to analyze her first impressions of
+the new-comer, she realized that what struck her most was the extreme
+charm of her personality. We have all possibly gone through a similar
+psychic experience of meeting somebody against whom we had conceived a
+bitter prejudice, and finding our intended hatred suddenly veer round
+into love. The effect is like stepping out into what you imagine will be
+a blizzard, and finding warm sunshine. The little mistress of the Chase
+was very weary with her long journey, but, when at last she was
+sufficiently rested to be shown round her demesne, she made her royal
+progress with an escort of half-fascinated cousins.
+
+"You'll like to see your property," Lilias began shyly, leading the way
+into the garden.
+
+"_Please_ don't call it mine. I want you all to understand, at the very
+beginning, that it's still your home, and I don't wish to take it from
+you. I have my own dear home in Sicily, and I hope to go back there some
+day. While I'm in England, let me be your visitor. That's all I want. I
+can't bear to think that I'm taking anybody's place, or anything that
+ought to belong to some one else. If only Mother were here, she'd
+explain properly."
+
+"But it _is_ yours, Leslie!" objected Dulcie.
+
+"In a way yes, but in another way, no! It can be mine and yours at the
+same time. And please will you call me Carmel? Leslie is a boy's name,
+not a girl's. I'm always Carmel at home. I didn't want to leave home at
+all, but Mother and Daddy said I must go with Cousin Clare when she had
+come all the way to Sicily to fetch me. They promised it should be only
+a visit."
+
+Lilias and Dulcie could hardly believe the evidence of their ears. They
+had expected Carmel to be appraising her new property with keen
+satisfaction, instead of which she appeared to be suffering from a bad
+attack of homesickness. She looked at the gardens, the stables, and all
+the pets with interest, but without any apparent sense of
+proprietorship. Her behavior was exactly that of an ordinary visitor who
+admires a friend's possessions. In her talk she referred constantly to
+her home in Sicily, to her stepfather and her younger brothers and
+sisters. They and her mother were evidently the supreme center of her
+life.
+
+"We thought you'd only know Italian," confided Dulcie, whose shyness was
+beginning to wear off.
+
+Carmel laughed.
+
+"Of course I talk Italian too, but we always speak English at home.
+Isn't it strange that mother should have married two Englishmen? I can't
+remember my own father at all, but Daddy is a dear, and we're tremendous
+friends. I've brought his photo, and Mother's and the children's. I'll
+show them to you when I've unpacked."
+
+Carmel's astounding attitude, while it amazed her cousins in the
+extreme, was certainly highly satisfactory. The boys, when they realized
+that she had no desire to wrest their pets from them, waxed suddenly
+friendly. With the naïve impulsiveness of childhood they gave her a
+full account of what they had expected her to be.
+
+"Perhaps I was rather frightened of you too, till I saw you all," she
+confessed. "We've none of us turned out such dreadful bogies, have we?"
+
+"Do you know what I'm going to call you?" said Clifford, slipping a
+plump hand into hers, and gazing up into the shining brown eyes.
+"Princess Carmel!"
+
+And Carmel bent down and kissed him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+Princess Carmel
+
+
+In the long talk which Cousin Clare had had with Mr. and Mrs. Greville
+in Sicily, it had been arranged that Carmel was to be sent to school
+with Lilias and Dulcie at Chilcombe Hall. The new term, therefore, saw
+her established in a little dressing-room which led out of the Blue
+bedroom, and which by good luck happened to be vacated by Evie Hughes,
+who had left at Easter. It was soon spread over with Carmel's private
+possessions. They were different from the equipment of an ordinary
+English schoolgirl, and aroused as much interest as their owner. First
+there were the portraits of her mother, of her stepfather, Mr. Greville,
+and of the little half-brothers and sisters--Bertram, Nina, Vincent, and
+Luigia--taken by an Italian photographer in wonderfully artistic poses,
+and with classic backgrounds of pillars and palm trees. Then there were
+fascinating snapshots of her home, a white Sicilian house with a
+vine-covered veranda, and its lovely half-tropical garden with fountains
+and statues and pomegranate blossom, and trees hung with ripe oranges
+and lemons. Carmel's things seemed nearly all foreign. Her nightdress
+case was of drawn linen beautifully embroidered by the nuns at a
+convent; her work-box was of inlaid wood from Sorrento; the trinkets on
+her dressing-table were Italian; her clothes and shoes bore the names of
+Paris shops. Some of the books she had brought with her were in French;
+the calendar that hung on her wall held pictures of Naples and Vesuvius.
+
+Carmel was undoubtedly a most unusual combination of two nationalities.
+Though in some respects she was English enough, there was a certain
+little gracious dignity and finish about her manners that was peculiarly
+southern. Clifford, with a child's true instinct, had named her
+"Princess." She was indeed "royal" with that best type of good breeding
+which gives equal courtesy to all, be it queen or beggar. In the school
+she was soon an immense favorite. The girls admired her attitude towards
+Lilias and Dulcie. If she had posed as the heiress of the Chase, they
+would probably have "sat upon her" thoroughly, but, as she never put
+forward her claims in that respect, they were disposed to show her
+decided consideration, all the more so as she was visibly fretting for
+her Sicilian home. She put a brave face on things in the day-time, but
+at night she would be caught crying, and her eagerness for letters was
+pathetic.
+
+"Poor child! She's like an exotic plant transferred to a northern soil!"
+said Miss Walters. "We must try to settle her somehow. It won't do for
+her to go about with dark rings round her eyes. I wonder how we could
+possibly interest her? I don't believe our school happenings appeal to
+her in the least."
+
+Certainly the new-comer went through the ordinary routine of classes,
+walks, and games without any display of enthusiasm. Gowan Barbour tried
+to coach her at cricket, but the result was not successful.
+
+"It's a boy's game, and the ball is so hard, it hurts my hands!"
+objected Carmel.
+
+"Didn't you play cricket at home?"
+
+"Never!"
+
+"Or tennis?"
+
+"On a cinder court. The sun scorched up our grass court."
+
+"What used you to do then, to amuse yourself?"
+
+"We made paper dresses for the carnival, and sometimes we acted. We used
+to have plays on the veranda, or in the garden. And we went on picnics
+to the hills. It was beautiful there in spring, when the anemones were
+out in the fields."
+
+"We're to have a picnic next Saturday," announced Gowan; "I heard Miss
+Walters telling Miss Herbert so."
+
+It was perhaps with special reference to Carmel that Miss Walters had
+arranged an outing for the school. It was bluebell time, and the woods
+in the neighborhood would be a show. By permission of the owner, Sir
+Ranald Joynson, they were to have access to large private grounds, and
+to be allowed to ramble in his famous rhododendron gardens. None of the
+girls had ever been there before, so it was a treat for all. Motor
+wagonettes were to convey them all the six miles; they were to start
+after an early lunch, and to take tea baskets with them. Even Carmel
+cheered up at the pleasant prospect.
+
+"You have a treat before you!" Dulcie assured her. "You may talk about
+your Sicilian flowers, but just wait till you have seen an English wood
+full of bluebells! There's nothing to beat it in the whole world. I've
+often heard of Sir Ranald Joynson's grounds. We're in luck to get leave
+to go in them, because I believe he's generally rather stingy about
+allowing people there. I wonder how Miss Walters managed it."
+
+"She's a clever woman," said Gowan. "She always seems to manage to get
+what she wants. Some people do!"
+
+"I wish _I_ did!" wailed Bertha. "I've wanted a principal part in the
+French plays ever since I came to school, and Mademoiselle never will
+give me one; I always have to be a servant, or an extra guest, and speak
+about two lines!"
+
+"Well, your French accent is so atrociously bad, I don't wonder!"
+returned Gowan. "You certainly wouldn't be a credit to Mademoiselle in a
+principal part. And you're very stiff and wooden in acting, too!"
+
+"Thank you for your compliments!" sniffed Bertha, much offended.
+
+"Oh, don't be sarkie! I must tell the truth. Cheer up! It's a picnic on
+Saturday, not a French play!"
+
+"Thank goodness it is!" rejoiced Dulcie. "I hate Mademoiselle's French
+afternoons! I don't know which is worst; to have to learn and act yards
+of dialogue, or to sit in the audience and listen while other people
+show off. I like out-of-doors treats! I'm an open-air girl."
+
+The occupants of the Blue bedroom decided that it was high time
+something happened to stir up Carmel, who was behaving more like an
+exile than an heiress. Now the first excitement of her arrival and
+unpacking was over, she had relapsed into a piteous fit of homesickness.
+
+"I believe she's crying again!" said Dulcie, laying an ear to the door
+that communicated with the dressing-room. "Do you think I ought to go in
+to her?"
+
+"It's no use!" declared Lilias. "I went last night and tried to comfort
+her, and I'm sure I only made her cry harder. Best leave her to
+herself."
+
+"Homesick people always do cry harder if you sympathize," proclaimed
+Gowan. "I was prefect of the junior dormitory at my other school before
+I came here, and the new kids always turned on the water works at first.
+I learnt how to manage them. Sympathy makes them worse. What you want is
+to switch their minds off thinking about home, and make them enjoy
+school life. Carmel will come round in time."
+
+"Meantime," said Bertha, "she reminds me of that picture in Miss
+Walters' study: 'The Hostage.' You know the one I mean, the girl who's
+standing leaning over the castle wall and gazing out to sea, and
+evidently thinking of her own country. I wonder if princesses who were
+sent to be married to foreign princes felt homesick?"
+
+"I dare say they did," grunted Gowan, "but I'm sure my plan's the best
+for curing the complaint. Smack them on the back and make them cheer up,
+instead of letting them weep on your shoulder. I don't like a damp
+atmosphere!"
+
+To do Carmel justice, however acute her sense of exile might be, she had
+not obtruded her woes upon her schoolfellows, and had conducted her
+weeping in secret. If sounds of distress filtered through the door, it
+was only when matters seemed particularly hopeless. On Saturday she
+came down dressed for the jaunt, and all smiles.
+
+"Sit her between Edith and Bertha," commanded Gowan, "and tell them they
+may be their silliest! Make her laugh till she's weak. I'll take a turn
+at her myself later. Don't let her mope about in the woods alone. Keep
+close to her, and make all the insane jokes you can. I tell you I was
+homesick myself once, though you mayn't believe it. I don't often dab my
+eyes now, do I?"
+
+"Here are the wagonettes," said Dulcie. "Why, that driver has stuck up a
+flag! How nice of him! It looks so festive. Bags me go in his chariot."
+
+It took a little while to arrange mistresses, girls, and tea-baskets
+inside the two motors, but at last everything was packed in, and they
+started off in the direction of Bradstone. Other people were out
+enjoying Saturday's holiday, and cars, bicycles, and conveyances were
+frequent on the road. Grinsdale Park, their destination, was approached
+by great gates, outside which the wagonettes stopped and unloaded their
+passengers. Miss Walters, armed with Sir Ranald Joynson's letter, called
+at the lodge for permission to enter, and, her credentials being in
+strict order, the party was duly admitted.
+
+"Won't everybody who sees us go in be just green with envy?" rejoiced
+Edith. "Did you see how those two cyclists tried to hang on to us and
+push in too? Miss Walters looked at them most witheringly. 'May I ask if
+you have a private permit?' I heard her say to them. It squashed them
+flat, and they beat a retreat."
+
+"I believe Sir Ranald used to let the public in at one time," said
+Noreen, "but people behaved so atrociously that he had to stop. Rough
+boys used to tear about and break the bushes, and take the flowers, and
+do a great deal of damage."
+
+"I know! I've heard about it," said Lilias. "They went bird-nesting,
+too, and took all the eggs. That was the absolute finish. Sir Ranald is
+very keen on natural history, and he keeps these grounds as a sort of
+bird sanctuary. I believe quite rare kinds build here, and he never lets
+them be disturbed."
+
+"I wonder he gave us a permit to come!"
+
+"Well, you see, most of the young birds are fledged by now, and,
+besides, he wouldn't expect us to go about climbing trees and robbing
+nests!"
+
+Carrying the picnic-baskets amongst them, the party started forth along
+the drive, but after ten minutes' walking turned down a bypath into the
+woods. They were at the edge of a beautiful lake, and on one side of
+them stretched a gleaming expanse of water, edged with shimmering reeds,
+and on the other grew thick groves of trees with a carpet of wild
+hyacinths beneath. The sun glinted through the new green leaves on to
+the springing bracken and bluebells, and made long rifts of light across
+the water, birds were flitting about and twittering in the trees, and
+everywhere there was that delicious scent of the woodlands, a mixture of
+honey and flowers and warm moist earth and damp moss, which is the
+incense nature burns at the shrine of the goddess of spring.
+
+It was so lovely that the party straggled considerably. They could not
+help putting down the picnic-baskets and leaving the path to explore and
+gather flowers. There were so many delightful surprises. Phillida and
+Noreen noticed a moorhen's nest built on an overhanging bough that swept
+the lake, and saw four tiny downy creatures swimming away very fast to
+take cover; Ursula found a specimen of the Truelove-knot, and triumphed
+immensely, partly on botanical grounds and partly because she regarded
+it as an omen of early matrimony, though needless to say this latter
+aspect of her rejoicing was not communicated to Miss Walters, only
+chuckled over in private with her intimate friends.
+
+Knowing that the girls would not do any damage, the mistresses allowed
+them to disperse, on the understanding that they came at once when they
+heard the Guide's whistle.
+
+Dulcie, Carmel, and Prissie had wandered away down the banks of the
+little stream where grew pale marsh violets, golden globeflowers, and
+the sweet-scented fern. Pushing through the undergrowth above the water,
+they found themselves in a tiny natural clearing such as poets of old
+would have described as a "a bower." Budding trees encircled it, a
+guelder rose bush overtopped it, and delicate fern-like moss sprang
+through the grass underfoot. There were fairies, too, in the bower; four
+little whitethroats were flitting about in the sunshine. It was perhaps
+their first exodus from the nest, for as yet they were without the
+slightest sense of fear. They allowed the girls to catch them, fondle
+them, and stroke their lovely plumage; they would fly delicately away,
+twittering with pleasure, then flit back to the caressing hands like
+sprites at play. Anything more innocent and beautiful it would have been
+impossible to conceive; it was like a glimpse into Paradise before the
+fear and dread of man had passed over God's lesser creatures. The girls
+stood absolutely fascinated, till at last, attracted perhaps by some
+warning mother-signal, their dainty bird friends took a sudden rapid
+flight into the woods and were gone. Carmel looked after them with
+shining eyes.
+
+"It's like St. Francis of Assissi and his 'little sisters the birds,'"
+she said softly. "Have you read the _Little Flowers of St. Francis_, and
+how he preached to the swallows and they all flocked round him and
+twittered? I've never seen birds so tame as this! They aren't in Sicily,
+you can hardly ever get near them there."
+
+"They aren't in England either," said Dulcie, "though our gamekeeper
+told us that if you can just chance to see them when they first leave
+the nest, they don't know what fear is. He once found some newly-hatched
+wild ducks, and they were perfectly unafraid, but when he passed the
+place half an hour later, the mother duck gave a call, and the little
+ones wouldn't let him come anywhere near them. They'd had their lesson,
+and learnt fear."
+
+"I once brought up a starling that had tumbled out of a nest," said
+Prissie, "and it was always perfectly tame, and would let me stroke it,
+and would perch on my hand. I had it for years. Do you think we could
+have kept the whitethroats?"
+
+"No, no!" said Carmel quickly. "I'd as soon think of caging fairies! It
+would be a shame to take them out of this lovely wood; it's their
+fairy-land. I'm so glad Sir Ranald doesn't allow boys to come in here! I
+thought at first it was rather selfish of him, but I begin to
+understand. There must be some quiet places left where the birds can be
+undisturbed. I'm glad to have seen these!"
+
+Miss Walter's whistle, sounding loudly in the distance, recalled them
+to the path. They found the school very excited over a heronry which
+they could see on an island in the lake. Some large untidy nests were in
+the trees, and every now and then a heron, with long legs outstretched
+behind it, would sail majestically through the air from the mainland.
+
+"It would be a very fishy place if we could get near," remarked Miss
+Hardy. "All the ground underneath the nests would be strewn with bones
+and remains. The herons fly a tremendous long way in search of food,
+sometimes a radius of as much as forty miles. Look! there's one fishing
+in the lake over there."
+
+"I like the whitethroats best," said Dulcie. "I shouldn't care to hold a
+young heron in my hand and cuddle it!"
+
+At the lower end of the lake was a hill-side, and down the slopes Sir
+Ranald had caused to be planted a little forest of rhododendrons. They
+were in their prime, and stretched a beautiful mass of every shade from
+crimson to pink and lavender. On the top of the hill was a summer-house,
+a temple-like building with pillars and steps, and here, by arrangement,
+they expected the lodge-keeper's wife to supply them with boiling water
+for their tea. It looked an ideal place for a picnic, and they started
+at once to climb the steep path that led among the rhododendrons to the
+summit. Up and up under the screen of delicate blossom, they felt as if
+they were treading in some tropical garden, and when they reached the
+summit, and the view burst upon them of crimson-clad slope, gleaming
+lake, and flecked blue sky, they stood gazing with much satisfaction.
+"The Temple," as the girls called the summer-house, was a classic
+building with a terrace in front, and here the school elected to sit,
+instead of in the rather cramped room. There was a kitchen at the back,
+and Mrs. Bates, the lodge-keeper's wife, had lighted a fire and boiled
+kettles in readiness for them.
+
+"Sir Ranald and his friends come for lunch here sometimes in the
+shooting season," she explained, "so I'm used to getting tea and coffee
+made. Take some chairs outside if you like. You'd rather sit on the
+steps! Well, there's no accounting for tastes! Give me your teapots, and
+I'll warm them before you put the tea into them."
+
+Sitting in a row on the steps that led from the "temple" to the terrace,
+the girls had a glorious view, Carmel in especial seemed particularly to
+enjoy herself.
+
+"It's more like home than anything I've seen yet!" she declared
+enthusiastically. "I could almost fancy that this little piazza is on
+the slope of Etna! The goatherds ought to be playing the 'Pastorale'
+down there! I can nearly hear them!"
+
+"What's the 'Pastorale'?" asked Dulcie.
+
+"It's the Sicilian National Dance. Every body dances it--sometimes by
+sunlight and sometimes by moonlight. Oh! it's a thing that gets into
+your blood! Once you hear it played on the pipes you have to jump up and
+dance--you simply can't help it. There's magic in it!"
+
+"Dance it for us now on the terrace!" suggested Dulcie.
+
+"I've no music!"
+
+"Can't you hum it? Miss Walters, may Carmel show us a Sicilian dance?"
+
+"By all means, if she will!" acquiesced the head-mistress.
+
+"Go on Carmel!" commanded the girls. "Show us how it goes!"
+
+Thus urged, Carmel rose from her seat, and went on to the terrace at the
+foot of the steps. She looked for a moment or two at the crimson slope
+of flowers and the shining lake, as if to put herself into the right
+mental atmosphere, then, humming a lively but haunting tune, she began
+her old-world southern dance.
+
+It was wonderful dancing, every action of her alert young body was so
+beautifully graceful that you forgot her modern costume and could
+imagine her a nymph in classic draperies. Her arms kept motion with her
+tripping feet, and both were in time with the tune that she was
+trilling. It seemed a spontaneous expression of gaiety as natural as the
+flight of a dragon-fly or the sporting of a kitten. Her dark hair flew
+out behind her, her eyes shone and sparkled, and her cheeks flushed with
+unwonted color. For the moment she looked the very incarnation of joy,
+and might have been Artemis surprised in a Sicilian grove. It was such a
+fresh aspect of Carmel that the girls stared at her in amazement. From
+Princess she had changed to Oread, and they did not know her in this new
+mood. They gave her performance a hearty clap, however, as she stopped
+and sank panting on to the steps.
+
+"You'll have to turn dancing-mistress, Carmel, and give the others a
+lesson in your Pastorale," said Miss Walters. "It's a pretty step, and
+we shall ask you to do it again when we give our garden fête in aid of
+the 'Waifs and Strays.' Don't you think our English scenery can compare
+favorably even with your beloved Sicily?"
+
+"It's very beautiful," admitted Carmel, "but I miss Etna in the
+distance."
+
+"Then you won't yield us the palm?" laughed Miss Walters.
+
+"I love it all, I do indeed, but Sicily will always be the most
+beautiful place in the world to me, because it's home!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+An Old Greek Idyll
+
+
+After the picnic at Bradstone, Carmel, possibly from something she heard
+the girls say about her, seemed to make a supreme effort to overcome her
+homesickness, and to settle down as an ordinary and rational member of
+the school. She was undoubtedly a favorite. Even Lilias admitted her
+charm, though she had not fallen under her spell so completely as
+Dulcie. At the bottom of her heart, Lilias could not quite forgive
+Carmel for supplanting her brother at the Chase. From the night he had
+said good-by and motored to Balderton, not a word had been heard of
+Everard. He had not returned to school, neither had he visited any
+relations or friends, and indeed since he stepped out of the car at the
+railway station all trace of him seemed to have vanished. Mr. Bowden did
+not take the matter too seriously. He considered Everard was more of a
+man now than a schoolboy, and that, if he had fulfilled his threat of
+running away to sea, the brief experience of a voyage before the mast
+would do him no harm, and that when the vessel returned to port he
+would probably be only too glad to come back and claim his share of the
+inheritance.
+
+This easy view annoyed Lilias. She had a share of the Ingleton pride,
+and she would have liked his absence treated with more concern. She
+thought Mr. Bowden ought to advertise in the Agony Column of _The
+Times_, beseeching Everard to return home, but their guardian only
+laughed when she suggested such a course, and assured her that her
+brother would turn up in time when he was tired of managing for himself.
+
+"I've been in the law for thirty years, my dear, and I know human nature
+better than you do," he declared indulgently.
+
+"But you don't know Everard as I do!" protested Lilias.
+
+She could not take Mr. Bowden's view of the case. Everard had left the
+Chase in such deep anger and resentment that the chances of a speedy
+change in his outlook seemed remote. Lilias longed to write to him, but
+knew of no address to which it was possible to post a letter. She
+worried often over his mysterious absence, and was quite angry with
+Dulcie for not taking the matter more keenly to heart.
+
+"But Mr. Bowden and Cousin Clare think he's all right!" protested that
+easy going young damsel.
+
+"How do they know? I think you might show a little more interest in your
+own brother, who, after all, has been treated extremely badly. It seems
+to me hardly decent to circle round Carmel as you do!"
+
+Dulcie opened her blue eyes wide.
+
+"Do I circle round Carmel? Well, really, and why shouldn't I like her?
+She's my cousin, and a jolly good sort too! I believe she'll give us all
+a far better time at the Chase than Everard would have done. He always
+wanted everything just his own way. None of us ever had an innings when
+he was at home. I never could see why the eldest of a family should lord
+it so over the others."
+
+"You never had any proper sense of propriety!" retorted Lilias
+indignantly. "_I_ believe in keeping up the traditions of the Ingletons,
+and the estate has always descended strictly in the male line. It's only
+right it should have been left to Everard instead of to a girl, and I'll
+always say so. There!"
+
+Dulcie shrugged her shoulders.
+
+"Say what you like, Sister o' Mine! The twentieth century is different
+from the Middle Ages, and people don't bother so much nowadays as they
+did about descent and all that. The owner of an estate hasn't to fight
+for it. Oh yes, of course I'm glad I'm an Ingleton, but Carmel's an
+Ingleton too, as much as we are, and if the Chase is hers we can't help
+it, and we may just as well make the best of it!"
+
+With which piece of philosophy, Dulcie turned away, leaving Lilias to
+shake her head over the decay of family feeling, and the degeneracy of
+younger sisters.
+
+It was perhaps Carmel's rendering of the Pastorale dance that suggested
+to Miss Walters a scheme of entertainment for the garden fête which the
+girls were to give in aid of the "Homes for Waifs and Strays." She
+decided that the garden of Chilcombe Hall would make an excellent
+background for some classic representations, and that nothing could be
+prettier than old Greek costumes. By a stroke of great good luck she
+managed to engage Miss Adams, a former pupil who had been studying
+classic dancing in Paris, to come for a few weeks and train the
+performers. Miss Adams was a tremendous enthusiast, and arrived full of
+ideas which she was burning to teach to the school. The girls were
+delighted with her methods. It was quite a new phase of dancing to trip
+barefooted on the lawn, holding up garlands of flowers. They liked the
+exercises which she gave them for the cultivation of grace, and
+practised classic attitudes on all occasions, with more or less success.
+
+"You go about the school so exactly like Minerva!" complained Noreen to
+Phillida, rather dismayed by the sudden change in her lively friend from
+bounding spirits to a statuesque pose. "Need you always walk as if you
+were thinking of the shape of your ankles?"
+
+Phillida shook her head carefully, so as not to disarrange the Greek
+fillet she was wearing.
+
+"It's been too hot lately to tear round and play tennis. I think, too,
+that what Miss Adams says is quite right. English girls _are_ lacking in
+grace and dignity. Just look at the way Ida and Joyce are flopping about
+now. An artist would have fits to see them!"
+
+"Well, of course they're not sitting for their portraits. Oh yes! I love
+dancing, but I don't want to worry about being graceful all day long!"
+
+"That's just the point, though," persisted Phillida, who was a zealous
+convert. "The dances are to make you graceful _always_. You so get into
+the poetry of motion that it's quite impossible for you ever to flop
+again!"
+
+"Is it? Oh, Kafoozalum!" burbled Noreen, exploding into a series of
+chuckles. "'She never flopped again!' We ought to make a parody on that
+from the poem of 'The White Ship.'
+
+    "Miss Adams to the school came down,
+       The classic wave rolled on:
+     And what was cricket's latest score
+       To those who danced alone?
+
+    "From dawn they practised attitudes
+       Until the sun did wane;
+     And fast confirmed in Grecian pose,
+       They never flopped again!"
+
+"You may mock as much as you please!" retorted Phillida, "but it's sheer
+envy because you know you won't be chosen as a wood nymph. Play cricket
+and tennis if you wish, by all means! But _I_ think when we're having a
+performance we may just as well give our minds to it, and do it
+properly, especially when Miss Adams is here to teach us."
+
+"Right you are! Float on, O goddess! You're getting too ethereal for the
+school. I shall be glad when the entertainment's over, and we can have a
+cricket match again. It's decidedly more in my line!"
+
+Miss Adams, with all the enthusiasm of youth and a new vocation, was
+determined to make the entertainment a success. She spared no trouble
+over constant rehearsals, and having weeded out those girls who could
+not adapt themselves to her methods, she kept the rest well at work in
+any time that was available. She determined not only to have dances, but
+to give in addition a short Greek play, and selected for that purpose
+the famous fifteenth idyll of Theocritus.
+
+"But we're not to act it in Greek, surely!" objected Edith in alarm.
+
+"It's bad enough to have to learn French plays! We'd never be able to
+tackle Greek!" urged Dulcie, absolutely aghast.
+
+"Don't look so scared!" laughed Miss Adams. "I'm not going to ask you to
+give it in Greek. Probably few people would understand it if you did! I
+have a delightful translation here. It ought to take very well indeed
+with the audience. Come and squat on the grass, and I'll read it aloud
+to you first, and then I'll allot parts."
+
+"Is it _very_ stiff and educational?" groaned Dulcie, obeying
+unwillingly.
+
+"Wait and see! Come under the shade of the lilac bush, it's so hot to
+sit in the sun."
+
+The girls composed themselves into attitudes of more or less classic
+elegance, and Miss Adams, book in hand, began to read.
+
+    "IDYLL XV
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Is Praxinoë at home?
+
+    "_Praxinoë._ Dear Gorgo, how long it is since you have been here! She
+     _is_ at home. The wonder is that you have got here at last. Eunoë,
+     see that she has a chair. Throw a cushion on it, too.
+
+    "_Gorgo._ It does most charmingly as it is.
+
+    "_Praxinoë._ Do sit down.
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Oh, what a thing spirit is! I have scarcely got to you
+     alive, Praxinoë! What a huge crowd! What hosts of four-in-hands!
+     Everywhere cavalry boots, everywhere men in uniform. And the road
+     is endless: yes, you really live _too_ far away!
+
+    "_Praxinoë._ It is all the fault of that madman of mine! Here he came
+     to the ends of the earth, and took--a hole, not a house, and all
+     that we might not be neighbors. The jealous wretch, always the
+     same, ever for spite!
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Don't talk of Dinon, your husband, like that, my dear girl,
+     before the little boy. Look how he is staring at you! Never mind,
+     Zopyrion, sweet child, she is not speaking about papa.
+
+    "_Praxinoë._ Our Lady Persephone! The child takes notice!
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Nice papa!
+
+    "_Praxinoë._ That papa of his the other day--we call every day 'the
+     other day'--went to get soap and rouge at the shop, and back he
+     came to me with salt--the great, big endless fellow!"
+
+"But, Miss Adams," interrupted Dulcie, "surely this isn't an old Greek
+play? It sounds absolutely and entirely modern!"
+
+"As a matter of fact, it was written by Theocritus about the year 266 B.
+C. It describes the visit paid by two Syracusan ladies residing in
+Alexandria to the festival of Adonis. Their manners and talk then must
+have been very similar to ours of to-day. Listen to the part where they
+are getting ready to start.
+
+    "_Gorgo._ It seems nearly time to go.
+
+    "_Praxinoë._ Idlers have always holidays. Eunoë, bring the water, and
+     put it down in the middle of the room, lazy creature that you are!
+     Cats always like to sleep soft! Come, bustle, bring the
+     water--quicker! I want water first, and how she carries it! Give it
+     me all the same: don't pour out so much, you extravagant thing!
+     Stupid girl! Why are you wetting my dress? There, stop, I have
+     washed my hands, as heaven would have it! Where is the key of the
+     big chest? Bring it here.
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Praxinoë, that full body becomes you wonderfully. Tell me,
+     how much did the stuff cost you just off the loom?
+
+    "_Praxinoë._ Don't speak of it, Gorgo! More than eight pounds in good
+     silver money--and the work on it! I nearly slaved my soul out over
+     it.
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Well, it is _most_ successful: all you could wish.
+
+    "_Praxinoë._ Thanks for the pretty speech. Eunoë, bring my shawl, and
+     set my hat on my head, the fashionable way. No, Zopyrion, I don't
+     mean to take _you_! Boo! Bogies! There's a horse that bites! Cry as
+     much as you please, but I cannot have you lamed. Let us be moving.
+     Phrygia, take the child, and keep him amused, call in the dog, and
+     shut the street door!"
+
+"It's exactly like anybody going out to-day!" commented Carmel, as Miss
+Adams came to a pause.
+
+"Why does it seem so modern?" asked Dulcie.
+
+"Because it was written during the zenith of Greece's history, and one
+great civilization always resembles another. England of to-day is far
+more in touch with the times of ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece and Rome,
+than with the Middle Ages. Read Chaucer, and you find his mental outlook
+is that of a child of seven. In the days of the Plantagenets grown men
+and women enjoyed stories of a crude simplicity that now only appeals
+to children. The human race is always progressing in great successive
+waves of civilization; after each wave breaks, a time of barbarism
+prevails, till man is again educated to a higher growth. We're living at
+the top of a wave at present!"
+
+"I remember," said Carmel, "when Mother and Daddy took me to Rome, we
+saw the busts of the Emperors, and of all sorts of clever people, who'd
+lived in about the first century, and we all said: 'Oh, aren't their
+faces just like people of to-day?' We amused ourselves with saying one
+was a lawyer, and another a doctor, and calling some of them after our
+friends. Then we went afterwards to an exhibition of sixteenth-century
+portraits; perhaps the artists hadn't learnt to paint well, but at any
+rate the faces were utterly different from people of to-day. They seemed
+quite another type altogether--not so intelligent or so interesting. We
+were tremendously struck with the difference."
+
+"It marks my point," said Miss Adams.
+
+"What else do Gorgo and Praxinoë do?" asked Edith.
+
+"They go into Alexandria for the festival, and find the streets so
+crowded that they are almost frightened to death, and have hard work not
+to lose Eunoë, the slave girl, whom they have taken with them; she
+nearly gets squeezed as they pass in at the door. They go into raptures
+over an exhibition of embroideries. 'Lady Athene,' says Praxinoë, 'what
+spinning-women wrought them? What painters designed their drawings, so
+true they are?' I haven't time to read it all to you now, but I must
+just give you the little bit where they quarrel with a stranger. It's
+too absolutely priceless.
+
+    "_A Stranger._ You weariful women, do cease your endless cooing talk!
+     You bore one to death with your eternal broad vowels!
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Indeed! And where may this person come from? What is it to
+     you if we _are_ chatterboxes? Give orders to your own servants,
+     sir. Do you pretend to command ladies of Syracuse? If you must
+     know, we are Corinthians by descent, like Bellerophon himself, and
+     we speak Peloponnesian. Dorian women may lawfully speak Doric, I
+     presume?"
+
+"Oh, _do_ let me be Gorgo!" begged Dulcie. "I love her; she's so smart
+and sarcastic. Isn't it exactly like somebody talking during a concert,
+and a person in the row in front objecting, and a friend butting in with
+rude remarks? That's what generally happens."
+
+"Did people's accent matter in Greek as much as it does in English?"
+asked Prissie.
+
+"Evidently. The Alexandrian gentleman--who sounds a decided fop--did not
+approve of a Doric pronunciation. No doubt broad vowels were out of
+fashion. I believe I shall give his part to Edith. It's a small one,
+but it has scope for a good deal of acting."
+
+"And who is to be Praxinoë, please?"
+
+"I think I must choose Carmel. She ought to act in an idyll by
+Theocritus, as he was a Sicilian like herself. Would he find Sicily much
+altered, Carmel, if he came back? Or is it the same after two thousand
+years?"
+
+"There are still goatherds on the mountains, though we don't see wood
+nymphs now!"
+
+"No, the wood nymphs have all trotted over to England, and are going to
+give a performance in aid of the 'Waifs and Strays!'" said Dulcie. "I
+hope Apollo will remember them, and send them a fine day, if he's
+anything to do with the weather over here. Perhaps his sun chariot only
+runs on the Mediterranean route."
+
+"Surely he's got an aeroplane by now!" laughed Edith. "We'll send him a
+wireless message to remind him of his duty. 'Nymphs dancing Thursday
+week at 2.30 P. M. Kindly cable special supply of sunshine.'"
+
+"Now, girls, you're getting silly!" said Miss Adams, shutting her book
+and rising. "If we want to make a success of our classic afternoon,
+we've plenty of hard work before us. I'm going on with costumes at
+present, and anybody who cares to volunteer can fetch her thimble and a
+needle and cotton, and hem a chiton."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+Wood Nymphs
+
+
+It needed a tremendous amount of rehearsing and preparation before Miss
+Adams judged her classic performance fit for public exhibition. The
+Greek garments, simple as they were, nevertheless required sewing, and
+there were certain pieces of scenery to be constructed. The other
+mistresses helped nobly, though they were thankful to be spared the
+organization of the proceedings, and to leave the brunt of the burden to
+a specialist. Tickets for the entertainment had been sold in the
+neighborhood, and parents and friends of the girls who lived within
+motoring distance had promised to drive over.
+
+"Cousin Clare is coming!" rejoiced Dulcie. "She has two friends staying
+at the Chase, and she'll bring them with her. If Milner drives them, I
+shall ask Miss Walters if he may come and watch too. He'd be _so_
+delighted to see it. He loves anything of that kind. His own little girl
+was May Queen at the village pageant two years ago, and he's talked
+about it ever since."
+
+"I wrote to Mr. Bowden," said Lilias, "and he's taken two tickets, but
+he's doubtful if he'll find time to get off. He's always so busy."
+
+"Never mind if he sent the money for them!" consoled Edith. "Of course
+it's nice to have big audiences, but it's money we're out for. We want
+to make a decent sum."
+
+"Miss Walters says the tickets have sold quite well. Even if it's a
+doubtful day, and we don't have a very big audience, we shall clear
+something, at any rate."
+
+"Oh, but I do hope people will come! It's so disappointing to take all
+this trouble, and to act to rows of empty chairs. What's going to
+happen, by the by, if it's a wet day? Will it be put off?"
+
+"We shall have to have it in the big schoolroom. It can't be put off,
+because Miss Adams can only stay till Friday, and we couldn't get
+through it without her."
+
+"No, indeed! She's the directing genius of it all!"
+
+"Oh dear! It simply _must_ keep fine!"
+
+Never was weather more carefully watched. All the old country saws and
+superstitions were remembered and repeated. It became a matter of vital
+importance to notice whether the scarlet pimpernel was out, if the
+cattle were grazing with their heads up hill, and whether a heron flew
+across the sky. Prissie took a candle into the garden last thing before
+bed-time, to observe if the lawn showed earthworms; the finding of black
+slugs was considered to be rather fatal, and the hooting of owls a
+decidedly bad omen. The goddess of the English climate, however, is such
+a fickle deity that there is never the least dependence to be placed on
+weather prophecies. She always seems to prefer to give a surprise. On
+the day before the performance it rained; evening closed in with a
+stormy sky, and every probability of waking next morning to find a
+drizzle. Dulcie, putting her head out of the window last thing, reported
+driving clouds and a total absence of stars.
+
+Yet, lo and behold! they woke to one of those rare ethereal dawns that
+come only now and then in a summer. The Blue bedroom faced east, and
+over the line of laurels in the garden they could watch pearl and opal
+flush into rosy pink before the sun shone out in an almost cloudless
+sky. By nine o'clock the wet grass of yesterday was beginning to dry up,
+and Miss Adams, with the help of Jones the gardener, was setting up her
+scenery, and making initial arrangements for the business of the
+afternoon.
+
+She had contrived her open-air theater as far as possible on Greek
+lines. There was no stage, but the audience sat on chairs on the grass,
+and on cushions and rugs placed down a bank that commanded the lawn.
+The performance was to begin at 3 o'clock, and soon after 2.30 visitors
+began to arrive. There was quite a long row of cars in the drive,
+bicycles were stacked against the veranda, and two ponies were put up in
+the stable. Cousin Clare and her friends came in excellent time,
+driven--much to Dulcie's satisfaction--by Milner, who in company with
+the other chauffeurs received a cordial invitation from Miss Walters to
+witness the show.
+
+"And wasn't it nice of him?" said Dulcie to Carmel, "he insisted on
+giving a shilling to the funds. I told him it wasn't expected, but he
+said he should _like_ to, if we didn't mind. Mind! Why, we want all the
+money we can get!"
+
+"I think Milner is an old dear!" agreed Carmel.
+
+Mr. Bowden had actually managed to get away from his office after all,
+and had brought a niece with him in the side-car of his motor-bicycle.
+He looked quite beaming, as if he meant to forget the law for a few
+hours, and to enjoy himself. He sat next to Cousin Clare, chatting
+affably and admiring the arrangements.
+
+A piano had been carried out on to the lawn for the occasion, and Miss
+Lowe, the music mistress, took her seat at it. She was supported by a
+small school orchestra of three violins and violoncello, and together
+they struck up some Eastern music. When it was well started there was a
+flashing of white among the bushes on the farther side of the lawn, and
+out came tripping a bevy of charming wood nymphs. They were all clad in
+Greek chitons, very delicately draped, their hair was bound with gold
+fillets, and their arms and feet were bare. They held aloft garlands of
+flowers, and circling on that part of the lawn which formed the stage,
+they went through the postures of a beautiful and intricate classic
+dance.
+
+Viewed against the background of trees and bushes it was a remarkably
+pretty performance. There were no accessories of limelight or "make-up"
+to give a theatrical or artificial effect; the afternoon sunshine fell
+on the girls in their simple costumes, and showed a most natural scene
+as their bare feet whirled lightly over the grass in time to the music,
+and their uplifted arms waved the long garlands. There was a tremendous
+clapping as they retired into the shelter of their classic groves.
+
+The next item on Miss Adams' program was rather ambitious. An upright
+screen of wood, covered with black paper, was placed upon the lawn to
+serve as a background, and in front of this Hester Wilson and Truie
+Tyndale, attired in Venetian red chitons, performed a Grecian dance. The
+effect was exactly a representation of an ancient Etruscan vase, with
+terra cotta figures on a black background, and when at the end they
+stood posed as in a tableau, the likeness was complete. Though scarcely
+so pretty as the garland dance, it was considered very clever, and met
+with much applause.
+
+For the Idyll XV of Theocritus, Miss Adams had followed Greek tradition,
+and had used only the scantiest and simplest of scenery. A few screens
+and stools did service for a house, a tiger-skin rug was flung on the
+grass, and a brass waterpot, brought by Miss Walters from Cairo,
+completed the idea of a classic establishment. It was better to have few
+accessories than to present anachronisms, and place modern articles in
+an Alexandrian home of the third century B. C.
+
+Dulcie and Carmel, as Gorgo and Praxinoë, made an excellent contrast,
+the one carrying out the fair Greek type and the other the dark. They
+played their parts admirably, rendering the dialogue with much spirit
+and brightness, and with appropriate action. Praxinoë, the fashionable
+belle of the third century B. C., donned her garments for the festival
+with a mixture of coquetry and Greek dignity that delighted the
+audience; Gorgo's passage of arms with the Stranger of Alexandria, was
+smart and racy, while Edith, as the affected "man-about-town" of the
+period was considered a huge success. As nobody in the school was young
+enough to take Zopyrion, they had borrowed the gardener's
+three-year-old baby, and had trained him to walk on, holding the hand of
+Eunoë. He was a pretty child, and dressed in a little white chiton, with
+bare legs and feet, he looked very charming, and quite completed the
+scene. His round wondering eyes and evident astonishment were indeed
+exactly what was required from him to sustain the part.
+
+The wood nymphs, with some slight additions of costume, acted the crowd
+through which Gorgo and Praxinoë had to push their way and pilot their
+slaves. They pushed and hustled with such vigor as amply to justify the
+episode where Praxinoë's muslin veil was torn in two, and the whole
+party would have been separated, and Eunoë altogether lost, but for the
+help of an Alexandrian gentleman.
+
+Carmel brought out her speech of thanks with much unction.
+
+    "_Praxinoë._ Both this year and for ever may all be well with you, my
+     dear sir, for your care of us. A good kind man! We're letting Eunoë
+     get squeezed--come, wretched girl, push your way through."
+
+And Nesta, as the courteous stranger, responded with a bow which, if not
+absolutely historically correct for the period, was certainly a
+combination of the good manners of all the ages.
+
+As it was difficult to find enough items for an entirely classical
+program, the second half of the entertainment was to be miscellaneous,
+and during the short interval a delegate from the "Waifs and Strays
+Society" was to give a short address explaining the work of the Homes.
+
+Now Carmel was down in Part II to dance the Pastorale, and she ran into
+the house to change her Greek chiton for the dress of a Sicilian
+peasant. She went through the veranda and the open French window, and
+straight upstairs to her bedroom. She had brought nobody with her,
+because, for one thing, she needed no help, and for another she was hot
+and excited, and felt that she would like a few minutes' rest quite to
+herself. There was no great hurry, so she leisurely put on the pretty
+scarlet and white-striped skirt, the velvet apron, the white bodice and
+laced corsage, clasped the necklace round her throat, and twisted the
+gay silk handkerchief as a head-dress on her dark hair. It was a
+prettier and more effective costume even than the Greek one. There was
+an Eastern variety of color in it that suited her better than the
+simplicity of the chiton. She had completed it, from the gold bangles on
+her wrists to the scarlet stockings and neat shoes, and was just turning
+to run downstairs again, when she suddenly stopped and listened.
+
+Carmel's little bedroom was really a dressing-room, and possessed two
+doors. One led into the passage, and the other communicated with the
+Blue bedroom. This latter door was ajar just a couple of inches, and
+through the opening came the sound of a drawer pulled out. For a moment
+Carmel thought that Dulcie and Bertha must have come upstairs, and she
+was on the point of calling to them, when some strong and mysterious
+instinct restrained her. Instead, she walked softly across the floor,
+and peeped through the chink. It was no cousin or schoolfellow who was
+in the next room, but a slight fair man--an utter stranger--who was
+hastily turning over the contents of the drawer, and slipping something
+into his pocket.
+
+For a moment Carmel's heart stood still. She realized instantly that she
+was in the immediate vicinity of a burglar. Seeing the entertainment
+advertised by a placard on the gate, he must have entered the garden and
+waited his opportunity to slip into the house while everybody was
+outside watching the performance. He was apparently laying light fingers
+upon any article which took his fancy.
+
+Carmel's first and most natural impulse was to tear downstairs and give
+warning of what was happening. Then it occurred to her that while she
+did so the thief would very possibly make his escape. If only she could
+trap him. But how? Her fertile brain thought for a second or two, then
+evolved a plan.
+
+Very quietly she withdrew the key from the door which led out of her
+bedroom to the passage, and locked it on the outside. So far, so good:
+if Mr. Burglar went into the dressing-room he could not escape. Now she
+must be prepared to take a great risk. The key of the Blue bedroom was
+on the inside; she must open the door, withdraw it, and lock it on the
+outside before the thief could stop her. It was possible that he had
+calculated on the double exit, and that, hearing a noise behind him, he
+would make a dash for the dressing-room.
+
+With shaking legs, and something going round and round like a wheel
+inside her chest, she approached the Blue bedroom door, and opened it
+softly. As she had anticipated, the intruder had probably laid his
+plans, for at the first sound he turned his head, then slipped like a
+rabbit into the dressing-room. No doubt an unpleasant surprise awaited
+him there, for as Carmel's trembling fingers drew out the key, and
+locked the door from the passage side she could hear the handle of her
+own bedroom door moving.
+
+"He's probably got skeleton keys, or a jemmy, or something like they use
+on the cinema, and will be out in a minute, but I'll get a start of
+him!" she thought, and tearing down stairs like the wind, she literally
+flew into the garden, and gasped forth the thrilling news.
+
+"It's the Blue bedroom--watch the window or he may jump out!" she added
+quickly.
+
+There was an instant rush towards the house; Miss Walters, with Milner
+and four other chauffeurs to support her, dashed up stairs, Mr. Bowden
+and a crowd of visitors took their stand under the windows. Shouts from
+the bedroom presently announced that the burglar had been secured, and
+after a while he was led down stairs with his wrists fastened together
+by a piece of clothes line, and guarded on each side by two determined
+looking men, who hustled him into a car, and drove him off at once to
+the police station at Glazebrook.
+
+The excitement at Chilcombe Hall was tremendous. It was of course
+impossible to go on with the entertainment. Mistresses, girls, and
+guests could do nothing but talk about the occurrence. Carmel was
+questioned, and gave as minute and accurate an account as she could of
+exactly what had happened. She was much congratulated by everybody on
+her presence of mind.
+
+"I don't know how you dared do it!" shivered Dulcie. "He might have shot
+you with a revolver!"
+
+"You're a brave girl!" said Miss Walters approvingly. "If it hadn't been
+for your prompt action, in all probability he would have got away."
+
+"I didn't feel brave. I was scared to death!" admitted Carmel.
+
+Although she would not acknowledge any particular credit in her
+achievement, Carmel was necessarily the heroine of the hour. Miss
+Walters, feeling that everybody must be in need of refreshment after
+such an event, ordered tea to be served immediately, and soon the urns
+were carried out into the garden, where tables had already been set with
+cups and saucers and plates of sandwiches and cakes.
+
+After a short time Mr. Bowden, who had accompanied the burglar to the
+police station, returned to report that their prisoner was safely
+quartered in a cell, and a formal charge had been lodged against him,
+which in due course of law would lead to his trial for house-breaking.
+
+"The police think he is not an old offender, but some cyclist who was
+passing, and probably yielded to a sudden temptation," he explained.
+"Nevertheless, he'll get a sharp sentence, for there has been too much
+of this sort of thing going on lately, and the judges are inclined to be
+very severe on it, and rightly too, or nobody's home would be safe.
+Thank you, Carmel! Yes, I'll take another cup of tea, please! And then I
+want to see you do that Sicilian dance before I set off on my travels
+again. Oh yes! I'm not going away without!"
+
+Poor Carmel was still feeling too much upset to relish dancing, but Mr.
+Bowden pressed the point, and other guests joined their persuasions, so
+finally it was decided to give at least a portion of the second part of
+the program, and the audience again took their seats on the lawn,
+leaving several people, however, to guard the house.
+
+"It's not likely there'll be another burglar on the same afternoon;
+still, he might have accomplices about," said Miss Walters. "I shall
+never feel really safe again, I'm afraid. We shall all be horribly
+nervous for a long time."
+
+Only the most striking items in Part II were selected for performance,
+as it was growing late, and most of the guests would soon have to take
+their leave. There was an affecting tableau of the parting of the
+widowed Queen of Edward IV from her little son, Richard, Duke of York; a
+charming pageant of the old street cries of London, in which dainty
+maidens in eighteenth-century costumes appeared with bunches of "Sweet
+Lavender," and baskets of "Cherry Ripe," and, after singing the
+appropriate songs, went the round of the audience and sold their wares.
+
+Noreen, who was the star of the elocution class, recited a poem
+describing the sad experience of a typical little waif, and his
+reception in the Home. It was a pretty piece, and had been composed
+expressly for the Society by a lady who often wrote for magazines.
+
+Then, last of all, came Carmel's Sicilian dance. Miss Lowe had
+fortunately been able to obtain the score of the Pastorale, and with
+music and costume complete the performance was an even greater success
+than it had been on the terrace at Bradstone. People clapped the little
+figure, partly for her charming dancing and partly for her pluck in
+trapping the burglar, so that altogether she received quite an ovation.
+
+"We shan't forget the 'Waifs and Strays' afternoon in a hurry," said
+Lilias, as she tidied her possessions afterwards, for it was _her_
+drawer that the burglar had turned upside down in his search for
+valuables. "I feel I want to sleep with a revolver under my pillow!"
+
+"If you did, I'd be far more afraid of you than of the burglar!"
+protested Bertha. "I know you'd let it off at the wrong person. I don't
+suppose anybody else is likely to come burgling here, so you needn't
+alarm yourself!"
+
+"But if they do, Miss Wiseacre?"
+
+"Then I should turn them over into the dressing-room, to be dealt with
+at her discretion by Princess Carmel!" laughed Bertha. "I believe she's
+equal to catching one of them in a mousetrap if she gets the
+opportunity!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+The Open Road
+
+
+It was fortunate for Carmel that her first experience of England should
+come in the spring and early summer. Had she arrived straight from sunny
+Sicily to face autumn rains or winter snows, I verily believe her
+courage would have failed, and she would have written an urgent and
+imploring appeal to be fetched home. For the white, vine-covered house
+that looked over the blue waters of the Mediterranean was still
+essentially "home" to Carmel. She had been born and bred in the south,
+and though one half of her was purely English, there was another side
+that was strongly Italian. She was deeply attached to all her relations
+and friends in Sicily, and from her point of view it was exile to live
+so far away from them. The fact that she was owner of the Chase was, in
+her estimation, no compensation whatever for her banishment from "Casa
+Bianca." She made a very sweet and gentle little heiress, however. As
+yet she was mistress only in name, for during her minority everything
+was left in the hands of Mr. Bowden and a certain Canon Lowe, who were
+guardians to all Mr. Ingleton's grandchildren, and kept the Chase open
+as a home for them. The three girls returned there from Chilcombe Hall
+at the end of the term, and were joined by the younger boys from their
+preparatory school.
+
+For a week or two they enjoyed themselves in the grounds and the park.
+There was much to show Carmel, and she was happy sitting in the garden
+or wandering in the woods. She soon made friends with the people on the
+estate. The gamekeeper's children would come running out to meet her,
+and stand round smiling while she hunted in her pocket for chocolates;
+Milner's little girl adored her, and even the shy baby at the lodge
+waxed friendly. Carmel was intensely fond of children, and the affection
+which she had bestowed on younger brothers and sisters at home cropped
+out on every occasion where her life touched that of smaller people. To
+Roland, Bevis, and Clifford she was a charming companion. She would go
+walks with them in the woods, help them to arrange their various
+collections of butterflies, foreign stamps, and picture post cards, and
+play endless games of draughts, halma, or bagatelle.
+
+"You slave after those boys as if you were their nursery governess!"
+remarked Lilias one day, just a little nettled that Clifford ran
+instinctively to Carmel for sympathy instead of to his sister. "I
+promised to help them with those caterpillar boxes to-morrow, and so I
+will, if you'll leave them. I really can't be bothered to-day."
+
+Carmel yielded instantly. Part of her intense charm was the ready tact
+with which she was careful never to usurp the place of any one else. She
+put aside the muslin that was to form covers for the boxes, and slipped
+her scissors back into the case.
+
+Clifford, however, who was a budding naturalist, and most keen on
+collecting, was highly disgusted.
+
+"I want my boxes to-day!" he wailed. "I've no place to put my
+caterpillars when I find them. They crawl out of the old boxes. Why
+shouldn't Carmel make me some? I know hers would be beauties."
+
+"Lilias will make you some nicer ones to-morrow," urged his cousin.
+"Suppose we take our butterfly nets on to the heath to-day, and try to
+find some 'blues.' You haven't a really nice specimen, you know. And I
+think we might find some moths on the trees in the wood, if we look
+about carefully. It's worth trying, isn't it?"
+
+"Oh yes! Do let us! Shall we start now?" agreed Clifford, much
+mollified.
+
+On the whole the three girls got along excellently, but if there was any
+hint at disturbance it generally arose from Lilias, whose pride would
+be up in arms at the most absurd trifles. She was annoyed that Carmel
+was asked to give away the prizes at the village sports, and showed her
+dissatisfaction so plainly that her sweet-tempered cousin, rather than
+have any fuss, solved the situation by asking Cousin Clare to perform
+the ceremony instead, considerably to the disappointment of the
+committee, who had thought the new heiress was the appropriate
+patroness.
+
+Lilias and Dulcie took diametrically opposite views about the Chase. The
+former stuck firmly to her opinion that it ought to have been Everard's,
+that her brother was an ill-used outcast, and that it was only sisterly
+feeling to resent seeing anybody else in his place. Her attitude to
+Carmel was almost as strong as that of King Robert of Sicily in
+Longfellow's _Tales of a Wayside Inn_ towards the angel who had
+temporarily usurped his throne.
+
+Dulcie, on the contrary, had always chafed against Everard's assumption
+of superiority and authority. He had been left the same generous legacy
+as the rest of the family, and had only to come back and claim his
+portion when he wished. If anybody was to have the Chase, she really
+preferred that it should belong to Carmel, who never obtruded her
+rights, and seemed ready for her cousins to enjoy the property on an
+exact equality with herself. The two girls were great friends: they
+would go out riding together while Lilias went shopping in the car with
+Cousin Clare; they practised duets, and both made crude attempts at
+sketching the house. Their tastes in books and fancy-work were somewhat
+similar, and they would sit in the shade in the afternoons stitching at
+embroidery and eating chocolates.
+
+Three weeks of the summer holidays passed rapidly away in this fashion.
+Carmel was glad to have the opportunity of getting to know the Chase,
+and admitted its attractions, though her heart was still in Sicily.
+
+Towards the end of August the party broke up and scattered. Carmel had
+received an invitation from English relations of her stepfather to join
+them on a motor tour; the three little boys were to be taken to rooms at
+the seaside by Miss Mason, their late governess; Lilias and Dulcie went
+to stay with friends, and Cousin Clare had arranged to attend a
+conference. She agreed, however, that when Lilias and Dulcie returned
+from their visit, they should go with her in the car for a week-end to
+Tivermouth, to see how the boys were getting on.
+
+"If you'll promise we may stay at an hotel!" stipulated Lilias. "I
+wouldn't spend a week-end in rooms with those three imps for the world.
+I'd like to see them, but not at too close quarters."
+
+"It's quite improbable that their landlady would have bedrooms for us,"
+said Cousin Clare. "So in any case we should be obliged to stop at an
+hotel. In this crowded season I shall engage rooms beforehand."
+
+"Hurrah!" triumphed Dulcie, who was anxious for a grown-up experience.
+"I must say I hate staying with the boys near the beach; the
+sitting-room's always overflowing with their seaweed and other messes."
+
+"What a joke if _I_ were to turn up at the hotel too!" said Carmel. "I
+believe the Rogers are going down to Devonshire. I shall tell them the
+date you'll be at Tivermouth. They'll possibly like to meet you."
+
+"Oh, do! It would be such fun!" agreed Dulcie. "We'd have an absolutely
+topping time together. Persuade them as hard as you can!"
+
+"I'll do my best!" agreed Carmel.
+
+As it is impossible to follow the adventures of everybody, we will
+concern ourselves particularly with the experiences of our heroine, who
+was to take her first motor tour among English scenery. The party in the
+comfortable Rover car consisted of Major and Mrs. Rogers, their daughter
+Sheila, their guest Carmel, and a chauffeur. Major Rogers was still
+suffering from the effects of wounds, and was more or less of a
+semi-invalid, a condition which made him fussy at times, and too
+independent at others, for directly he felt a trifle better he would
+immediately begin to break all the rules that the doctors had laid down
+for his treatment. He was an amusing, humorous sort of man, who would
+jest between spasms of pain, and generally found something to laugh at
+in the various episodes of their journey. There is a laughter, though,
+that is more the expression of supreme courage than of genuine mirth,
+and the drawn lines round the Major's mouth told of sleepless nights and
+days of little ease, and of trouble that hurts worse even than physical
+pain; for one son lay on a Belgian battle-field, another on the heights
+near Salonika, with no cross to mark the grave, and a third deep under
+the surging waters of the Atlantic.
+
+Mrs. Rogers was Mr. Greville's sister, and for that reason, though she
+was no real relation, Carmel called her Aunt Hilda. She had been a belle
+in her youth, and she was still pretty with the pathetic beauty that
+often shines in the faces of those who have suffered great loss. Her
+once flaxen hair was almost entirely gray, but she had kept her delicate
+complexion, and there was a gentle sweetness about her that was very
+attractive.
+
+Her daughter was an exact replica of what she herself must have been at
+nineteen, though Sheila was going through an uncomfortable phase, and
+affected to despise the country, to be nervous of motoring, and to long
+to be back in town again. She was quite kind to Carmel, but treated her
+with the distantly indulgent attitude of the lately-grown-up for the
+mere schoolgirl. It was evident that she regarded the whole tour as more
+or less of a nuisance, and just a means of killing time until she could
+start off for Scotland to join a certain house-party to which she had
+been invited, and where she would meet several of her most particular
+friends.
+
+"I'm sorry we couldn't ask one of your cousins to come with you, dear,"
+said Mrs. Rogers to Carmel, "but there isn't room in the car for any one
+else. It's a good opportunity for you to see something of England. It's
+all very different from Sicily, isn't it? You'll feel your first winter
+trying, I'm afraid; we certainly lack sunshine in this climate."
+
+"Give me Egypt," said Major Rogers. "It's this perpetual damp in the air
+that makes things melancholy over here. Why, except in the height of
+summer it's hardly ever fit to sit out-of-doors. I like a place where I
+need a sun helmet."
+
+"You and Mother are salamanders, Daddy!" declared Sheila. "I believe
+you'd enjoy living in a hot-house! Now, I like Scotland, with a good
+sharp wind across the moors, and a touch of mist in it to cool your
+face. I like either town or mountains. If I can't walk down Regent
+Street, then I'd tramp over the heather, but I don't admire ordinary
+English scenery. It's too tame."
+
+"You surely don't call this tame?" replied her father, pointing at the
+village through which they were motoring, "it's one of the show bits of
+the Midlands, and an absolute picture. Where are your eyes, child?"
+
+But Sheila was perverse, and refused to evince any enthusiasm, and ended
+by pulling out a novel over which she chuckled, quite regardless of the
+scenery, and only tore herself from the book to ask for the box of
+chocolate marsh mallows that she had bought at the last town where there
+was a good confectioner's.
+
+Carmel would certainly have found Dulcie, or even Lilias, a more
+congenial companion than Sheila, but she nevertheless managed to enjoy
+herself. She loved the country, and was delighted with the variety of
+the English landscape. Though less rich than the vineclad south, the
+greenness of its fields and hedges never failed to amaze her, and she
+was fascinated by the quaint villages, their thatched roofs, church
+spires, and flowery gardens. They had been running through
+Gloucestershire _en route_ for Somerset and Devon, and were to call a
+halt at various show places on the way. Major Rogers, poring over map
+and guide books, would plan out their daily route each morning at the
+breakfast table in the hotel.
+
+"With good luck and no punctures we ought to reach Exeter to-night
+easily," he remarked, looking through the window of an old-fashioned
+country inn into the cobbled street where their luggage was being
+strapped on to the car.
+
+"But, my dear!" remonstrated his wife. "Why in such a hurry to reach
+Exeter? Let us stay the night at Wells, and look over the cathedral;
+then we can spend a few hours in Bath too."
+
+"Daddy and Johnson always like to tear along at about a hundred miles an
+hour," said Sheila. "Except as a means of getting along the road, I hate
+motoring! I always think Johnson is going to run into everybody. He
+shaves his corners so narrowly, and doesn't give conveyances enough
+room. I call him very reckless."
+
+"Nonsense! He's an excellent driver!" declared her father. "One of the
+best chauffeurs we've ever had, though he's only a young chap. He's
+wonderfully intelligent too. I'd trust him with repairs as well as any
+man at a garage. A civil fellow, too."
+
+"Yes, his manners are really quite superior," agreed Mrs. Rogers,
+stepping on to the balcony and watching the smart, good-looking figure
+of the young chauffeur, who was opening the bonnet of the car for some
+last inspection. "Personally I feel perfectly safe when Johnson is
+driving me. I'm never nervous in the least!"
+
+"And I'm in such a perpetual panic that I often read so as not to look
+at the road," confessed Sheila. "I do wish you'd ask him to sound his
+horn oftener in these narrow roads. The banks and hedges are so high,
+you can't see anything that's coming till it's almost upon you."
+
+"Well, it certainly might be a wise precaution," said Major Rogers. "In
+motoring you have to guard against the stupidity of other people, and
+that fellow in the gray two-seater nearly charged straight into us
+yesterday. A regular road-hog he was!"
+
+If Johnson had hitherto been a little slack in respect of sounding his
+horn, it was the only fault of which his employers could complain. He
+kept the fittings of the car at the very zenith in the matter of polish,
+he was punctuality personified, and most skilful at the tedious business
+of repairing or changing tires; he rarely spoke addressed, but when
+questioned he seemed to have a good acquaintance with the country, knew
+which were the best roads, and what sights were worth visiting in the
+various places through which they passed. All of which are highly
+desirable qualities in a chauffeur, and a satisfaction to all
+concerned.
+
+It was the general plan of the holiday to start about ten or eleven
+o'clock, take a picnic-basket with them, lunch somewhere in the woods,
+arrive at their next halting-place about three or four, and spend the
+remainder of the day in sight-seeing, or in Major Rogers' case resting,
+if he were suffering from a severe attack of pain.
+
+As they motored across Somerset in the direction of Wells, they chose
+for their mid-day stop a lovely place on the top of a range of low
+hills. A belt of fir trees edged the roadside, and through these a gate
+led into a field. As the gate was open they felt licensed to enter, and
+to encamp upon a sunny bank under a hedge. One of the motor rugs was
+spread for Major Rogers, and Mrs. Rogers, Sheila, and Carmel sat
+severally on an air cushion, a tree-stump, and on the grass. There was a
+grand view over a slope of cornfields and pastures, and though the sun
+was warm there was a delicious little breeze to temper the heat. Not
+that it was too hot for any one except Sheila, who panted in the shade
+while the others exulted in the sunshine. Carmel, outstretched upon the
+grass, basked like a true daughter of the south, throwing aside her hat,
+somewhat to Mrs. Rogers' consternation.
+
+"You'll spoil your complexion, child! I'm sure your mother never allows
+you to go hatless in Sicily! Put your handkerchief over your face. Yes,
+I like to feel the warmth myself, though not on my head. This is the
+sort of holiday that does people good, just to sit in the open air."
+
+"It's a rabbit holiday here," murmured the Major lazily. "Didn't you
+read that supreme article in _Punch_ a while ago? Well, it was about a
+doctor who invented a drug that could turn his patients into anything
+they chose for the holidays. A worried mother of a family lived an
+idyllic month at a farm as a hen, with six children as chickens, food
+and lodging provided gratis; a portly dowager enjoyed a rest cure as a
+Persian cat at a country mansion; some lively young people spent a
+fortnight as sea-gulls, while the hero of the article was just about to
+be changed into a rabbit when----"
+
+"When what happened?"
+
+"The usual thing in such stories; the maid broke the precious bottle of
+medicine that was to have worked the charm, and when he hunted for the
+doctor to buy another, the whole place had disappeared."
+
+"How disappointing!"
+
+"Yes, but a field like this, with burrows in it, is a near substitute. I
+feel I could live up here. Suppose I buy a shelter and get leave to
+erect it?"
+
+"Then it would promptly rain, Daddy, and you'd be in the depths of
+misery and longing for a decent hotel!" declared Sheila.
+
+To suit Major Rogers' humor they stayed nearly two hours in the field.
+The quiet was just what his doctor had ordered for him. He had spent a
+restless night, and, though he could not sleep now, the air and the
+sunshine calmed his nerves. He seemed better than he had been for days,
+and enjoyed the run downhill into Wells.
+
+As they were stepping out of the motor at the hotel, Carmel gave an
+exclamation of concern.
+
+"I've lost my bracelet!" she declared. "What a nuisance! Wherever can it
+have gone?"
+
+Johnson, the chauffeur, immediately searched on the floor and cushions
+of the car, but without success. No bracelet was there.
+
+"When did you have it last?" asked Mrs. Rogers.
+
+"In the rabbit field where we had lunch. I remember clasping and
+unclasping it, and I suppose it must have slipped off my wrist without
+my noticing. Never mind!"
+
+"I'm sorry, but it certainly is too far to go back and look for it,
+dear," said Mrs. Rogers.
+
+"Was it valuable?" asked Sheila.
+
+"Oh no, not at all! Only Mother gave it to me on my last birthday. It
+doesn't really matter, and of course it can't be helped now."
+
+Carmel was vexed, nevertheless, with her own carelessness. The little
+bracelet had been a favorite, and she hated to lose it. She missed the
+feel of it on her wrist. Her first thought when she woke next morning
+was of annoyance at the incident. As she walked down to breakfast in the
+coffee-room, the chauffeur was standing by the hall door. He came up at
+once, as if he had been expressly waiting for her, and handed her a
+small parcel. To her utter surprise it contained the missing bracelet.
+
+"Johnson!" she called, for he had turned quickly away. "Johnson--oh,
+where did you find this? Not in the car, surely?"
+
+"No, Miss Carmel, it was just where you thought you had left it--in the
+field where you had lunch. I got up early and fetched it before
+breakfast," replied Johnson pausing on the doorstep.
+
+"You went all that way! How kind of you! Thank you ever so much!"
+exclaimed Carmel, clasping her bangle on her wrist again. "I can't tell
+you how pleased I am to have it!"
+
+But Johnson, avoiding her eyes, and seeming anxious to get away from her
+thanks, was already out of the front door, and half-way across the
+courtyard to the garage.
+
+"I wonder if English men-servants are always as shy as that?" thought
+Carmel. "An Italian would certainly have waited to let me say 'Thank
+you!'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+A Meeting
+
+
+After a morning in Wells, to look at the Cathedral and other beauty
+spots, the party motored on to Glastonbury, where again they called a
+halt to look at the Abbey and the Museum. Major Rogers was interested in
+the objects which had been excavated from the prehistoric lake dwellings
+in the neighborhood, and spent so much time poring over bronze brooches,
+horn weaving-combs, flint scrapers, glass rings, and fragments of
+decorated pottery that Sheila lost all patience.
+
+"Is Dad going to spend the whole day in this moldy old museum?" she
+asked dramatically. "I hate anything B. C.! What does it matter to us
+how people lived in pile dwellings in the middle of a lake? To judge
+from those fancy pictures of them on the wall there they must have been
+a set of uncouth savages. Why can't we drive on to Dawlish, or some
+other decent seaside place, instead of poking about in musty cathedrals
+and tiresome museums? I'm fed up!"
+
+"Now, Sheila, don't be naughty!" whispered her mother. "I'm only too
+glad to see your father take an interest in anything. I believe he's
+enjoying this tour. If you're tired of the museum, go out and look at
+the shops until we're ready."
+
+"There aren't any worth looking at in a wretched little country town!"
+yawned Sheila. "No, I really don't want to go over the Abbey either,
+thanks! I shall sit inside the car and write, while you do the
+sight-seeing."
+
+Major Rogers never hurried himself to suit his daughter's whims, so
+Sheila was left to sit in the car, addressing tragic letters and picture
+post cards to her friends, and the rest of the party finished examining
+the museum, and went to view the ruins of the famous Abbey.
+
+"If Sheila prefers to stay outside, she can look after the car," said
+her father, "and I shall take Johnson in with us. He's an intelligent
+fellow, and I'm sure he appreciates the shows. It's rather hard on him
+if he never gets the chance to see anything."
+
+"I believe he goes sight-seeing on his own account when he has the
+opportunity," replied Mrs. Rogers, "but bring him in, by all means. He
+always strikes me as having very refined tastes. I should think he's
+trying to educate himself. But he's so reserved, I never can get
+anything out of him."
+
+"He seems fond of books," volunteered Carmel. "He reads all the time
+when he's waiting for us in the car."
+
+Johnson accepted with alacrity the invitation to view the Abbey, and
+walked round the ruins apparently much interested in what he saw,
+though, following his usual custom, he spoke seldom, and then only in
+brief reply to questions. Once, when Major and Mrs. Rogers were puzzling
+over a Latin inscription, he seemed on the point of making a remark, but
+apparently changed his mind, and walked away.
+
+"He's almost _too_ well trained!" commented Mrs. Rogers. "Of course a
+conversational chauffeur is a nuisance, but I have an impression that
+Johnson could be quite interesting if he liked. Some day I shall try to
+make him talk."
+
+"Better leave him alone," said Major Rogers. "I think things do very
+well as they are."
+
+From Glastonbury they motored through the beautiful county of Somerset
+into leafy Devonshire, taking easy stages so as not to overtire the
+invalid, and halting at any place where the guide book pointed out
+objects worthy of notice. To please Carmel, they were making in the
+direction of Tivermouth, where they hoped to arrive in time to meet the
+Ingletons. They had telegraphed for rooms at the Hill Crest Hotel, and,
+if the place suited Major Rogers, they proposed to spend a week there.
+
+"There may be perhaps a dance, or a tennis tournament, or something
+interesting going on!" exulted Sheila, who had urged the decision. "At
+any rate there'll be somebody to talk to in a decent hotel--it won't be
+just all scenery! Let us spin along, Dad, and get there!"
+
+"Hurry no man's cattle!" replied her father. "Remember, I am out for a
+'rabbit' holiday, and I like long rests by the roadside. I'm looking
+forward to a siesta on the grass somewhere this afternoon. The scent of
+the woods does me good."
+
+So once more the party found a picturesque spot and stopped for lunch
+and an hour or two of quiet under the trees before they took again to
+the open road. The spot which they chose this time was on a slope
+reaching down to a river. Above was a thick belt of pines, and below the
+water dashed with a pleasant murmuring sound very soothing on a warm
+afternoon. It was an ideal "rabbit playground" for Major Rogers, and he
+established himself comfortably with rugs and cushions after lunch,
+hoping to be able to snatch some much-needed sleep. Mrs. Rogers took her
+knitting from her hand-bag, and Sheila, who had a voluminous
+correspondence, asked Johnson for her dispatch case and began to write
+letters.
+
+As Carmel had nothing very particular to do, and grew tired of sitting
+still, she rose presently and rambled down the wood to the river-side.
+It was beautiful to stand and watch the water swirling by, to gaze at
+the meadow on the opposite bank, and to amuse herself by throwing little
+sticks into the hurrying current. There was an old split tree-trunk that
+overhung the bank, and it struck her that this would make a most
+comfortable and delightful rustic seat. She climbed on to it quite
+easily, crawled along, and sat at the end with her feet swinging over
+the river. It was such an idyllic situation that she felt herself a
+mixture of a tree nymph and a water nymph, or--to follow the Major's
+humor--could almost imagine that she was taking her holiday in the shape
+of a bird. If she would have been content to remain quietly seated, just
+enjoying the scenery all might have been well, but unfortunately Carmel
+made the discovery that by exercising a little energy she could make the
+stump rock. The sensation was as pleasant as a swing. Up and down and up
+and down she swayed, till the poor old split tree could bear the strain
+no longer, and suddenly, with an awful crash, the part on which she
+rested broke off, and precipitated her into the river. Her cry of terror
+as she struck the water echoed through the wood. As she rose to the
+surface she managed to clutch hold of some of the branches and support
+herself, but she was in a position of great danger, for the stump was
+hardly holding to the edge of the bank, and in another moment or two
+would probably be whirled away by the current.
+
+As she shouted again there was a quick dash through the undergrowth, and
+Johnson the chauffeur shot down through the wood at a speed that could
+almost compete with the car's. In a bound he jumped the bank, and,
+plunging into the river, struggled to her help and succeeded in pulling
+her back out of the current into the shallow water among the reeds at
+the brink.
+
+By this time Major and Mrs. Rogers and Sheila had all three rushed to
+the spot, and were able to extend hands from the bank. Carmel and
+Johnson both scrambled out of the river wet through and covered with
+mud, the most wretched and dilapidated objects.
+
+"Oh! she'll take a chill! Whatever are we to do to get her dry?" cried
+Mrs. Rogers distractedly, mopping her young guest's streaming face with
+a dainty lace-bordered handkerchief. "Is there a cottage anywhere near?"
+
+"We'd better get into the car and motor along till we find one,"
+suggested Major Rogers. "Johnson, you deserve a medal for this! I never
+saw anything so prompt in my life. It was like a whirlwind!"
+
+"We shall make a horrible mess of the car!" objected Carmel, trying to
+wipe some of the mud from her clothes.
+
+"Never mind; sit on this rug. You're shivering already, child! Sheila,
+bring my hand-bag and your father's cushion. Now, Johnson, just
+anywhere! The very first cottage that will take us in!"
+
+Luckily they were not far from a village with a fairly comfortable inn,
+where a sympathetic landlady provided bedrooms and hot water. As their
+luggage was on the car, it was an easy matter to change, and before very
+long both Carmel and her rescuer were in dry garments, and drinking the
+hot coffee which Mrs. Rogers insisted upon as a preventive against
+catching cold.
+
+"I shall hardly dare to let you out of my sight again, Carmel!" she
+said, half laughingly, yet half in earnest. "I don't want to have to
+write to your mother and tell her you're drowned!"
+
+"Nonsense!" declared the Major rather testily. "It's not a thing she's
+likely to do twice! I should think she'd be frightened to go anywhere
+near a river again just yet. Are those clothes dry? Well, never mind,
+pack them as they are; we can't wait for them. And the rug, too, just
+bundle it up and put it at the bottom of the car. Johnson can brush it
+to-morrow. He's a fine chap. I shall write to the 'Humane Society'
+about this business. They ought to give him a medal."
+
+"I've tried to thank him," said Carmel, "but directly I begin he dives
+away and does something at the car. He doesn't seem to want to be
+thanked."
+
+"Oh, that's just Johnson's usual way!" drawled Sheila. "I expect he's
+pleased all the same. You look a little more respectable now, Carmel. I
+shouldn't have liked to take you into the Hill Crest Hotel as you were
+an hour ago! I expect after this stoppage we shall arrive too late to
+dress comfortably for dinner, unless Johnson literally tears along, and
+then I'm scared out of my wits! What a life! I'd never go motoring for
+choice! It's not my idea of a holiday, I must say."
+
+After all, though Johnson seldom exceeded the speed limit, the Rogers
+arrived at Tivermouth in ample time for Sheila to don a fascinating
+evening costume, and to arrange her fair hair in an elaborate coiffure.
+The hotel was full of summer visitors, and in her opinion the large
+dining-room with its Moorish decorations, the numerous daintily-spread
+little tables, and the fashionable well-dressed crowd who flocked in at
+the sounding of a gong were far more entertaining than a wood and a
+picnic meal. But Sheila was not fond of "rabbit" holidays.
+
+[Illustration: JOHNSON THE CHAUFFEUR SHOT DOWN THROUGH THE WOOD]
+
+"It beats those old-fashioned places we stayed at in the country towns,
+doesn't it?" she said to Carmel, as they sat in the lounge, waiting for
+Major and Mrs. Rogers to come down stairs. "By the by, are your cousins
+here? I looked in the visitors' book and couldn't find their names. What
+has happened to them?"
+
+"A letter from Dulcie was waiting for me," explained Carmel. "They
+couldn't get rooms here. They were writing to the 'Eagle's Nest Hotel,'
+and hoped to get taken in there. I don't know whether they've arrived or
+not. Dulcie didn't say exactly which day they were starting. It's just
+like Dulcie! She generally misses out the most important point!"
+
+"Well, I suppose they'll look you up when they do arrive," said Sheila
+carelessly. "Anyway, I bless them for giving us some sort of an anchor
+down here. I feel I'm going to enjoy myself. I asked the manageress, and
+she says there's to be a dance to-night after dinner."
+
+Carmel, sitting on a cane chair in the palm lounge next morning, agreed
+with Sheila that Hill Crest Hotel was a remarkably comfortable and
+luxurious place. A fountain was splashing near her, foreign birds sang
+and twittered in the aviary, and large pots of geraniums made bright
+patches of color under the green of the palms. Pleasant though it was,
+however, it lacked the charm of the open air, and, throwing down the
+magazine she was reading, Carmel strolled through the hall and the glass
+veranda on to the terrace outside. The hotel certainly had a most
+beautiful situation. As its name implied, it stood on the crest of a
+hill, surrounded by woods and grounds that stretched to the beach. A
+little noisy Devonshire river raced past it through the glen, and behind
+it lay the heathery waste of a great moorland. Below lay the gleaming
+waters of the bay, with small boats bobbing about, and a distant view of
+the crags and headlands of a rugged coast line. The terrace was planted
+with a border of trailing pink ivy-leaved geraniums, and the bank that
+sloped below was a superb mass of hydrangeas in full bloom, their
+delicate shades of blue and pink looking like the hues of dawn in a
+clear sky.
+
+Carmel established herself on a seat to enjoy the prospect, and picking
+up a gray Persian cat which was also sunning itself on the terrace,
+fondled the pretty creature in her arms. She was seeing England to the
+best advantage, for nowhere could there have been a lovelier scene than
+the one which lay before her delighted eyes. Tivermouth had a reputation
+as a beauty spot, and owing to its long distance from the railway was as
+yet unspoilt by a too great invasion of tourists. There were other
+hotels nestling among the greenery of the woods, and Carmel wondered if
+the Ingletons had arrived at one of them, and at which of the white
+houses on the beach the boys were staying with Miss Mason.
+
+As she was still gazing and speculating there was a crunch of footsteps
+on the gravel behind, a voice called her name, and looking round she saw
+Cousin Clare, Lilias, and Dulcie, hurrying towards her. There was an
+enthusiastic greeting, followed by explanations from all three.
+
+"We'd the greatest difficulty to get rooms!"
+
+"The whole place seems full up!"
+
+"They couldn't take us at the 'Eagle's Nest.'"
+
+"We've got in at the 'Victoria,' though!"
+
+"I wish we could have been here with you!"
+
+"Never mind, so long as we're at Tivermouth at all!"
+
+"Isn't it just too gorgeous for words!"
+
+"We only arrived late last night."
+
+"There's such heaps we want to tell you!"
+
+There was indeed much to be told on both sides. All three girls had had
+numerous experiences during the short time of their parting, and they
+were anxious to compare notes. Then Cousin Clare, Lilias, and Dulcie
+must be introduced to the Rogers family, who were all writing letters in
+a private sitting-room, but stopped their correspondence to extend a
+hearty welcome and to chat with the new-comers. In a short time the
+party rearranged itself, leaving Cousin Clare to talk with Major and
+Mrs. Rogers, Lilias and Dulcie arm-in-arm with Carmel on the terrace,
+and Sheila, who had stepped with them out at the French window, straying
+away with a young Highland officer with whom she had danced the night
+before.
+
+"Never mind Sheila--she doesn't want _us_!" laughed Carmel, squeezing
+both her cousins' arms, for she was in the middle. "Oh, it's nice to see
+you again! Let's walk along here to the end of the terrace. I've had all
+sorts of adventures since I saw you. I was nearly drowned yesterday in a
+river, only Johnson, the chauffeur, fished me out. You should have seen
+me all dripping and covered with mud. And Johnson was just as bad. We
+made such a mess of the car with our muddy clothes. I wonder if he's got
+it clean yet? By the by, I left my post cards in the side pocket. I'd
+love to show them to you. Shall we go and get them? The garage is quite
+close, only just down this path. Do you mind coming?"
+
+"Go ahead; we'd like to," agreed Dulcie.
+
+So they plunged down the hill-side on a twisting path, past the bank of
+hydrangeas and through a grove of shiny-leaved escallonias to where the
+garage, a large building with a corrugated-iron roof, stood on a natural
+platform of rock close to the steep high road that flanked the hotel.
+The yard was full of visitors' cars in process of being cleaned, and
+chauffeurs were busy with hose, or polishing fittings.
+
+"I wonder where Johnson has put ours?" said Carmel, threading her way
+between an enormous Daimler and a pretty little two-seater. "Oh, there
+it is! That dark-green one in the corner. Come along! There's just room
+to pass here behind this coupé. I expect the post cards are all right.
+Johnson would take care of them for me. I'll ask him to get them.
+Johnson!"
+
+The chauffeur, who was bending over the car, too busy with wrench and
+screwdriver to notice their approach, straightened himself instantly,
+and glanced at the three girls. As his eyes fell on Lilias and Dulcie,
+his expression changed to one of utter consternation and amazement, and
+he colored to the roots of his fair hair. They on their part gazed at
+him as if they had encountered a specter.
+
+"Everard!" gasped Dulcie.
+
+"Everard!" faltered Lilias. "It's never _you_!"
+
+Here indeed was a drama. Four more astonished young people it would have
+been impossible to conceive. For a moment Everard seemed as if he were
+going to bolt, but Carmel, whose quick mind instantly grasped the
+situation, motioned him into the empty motor-shed behind, and,
+following with Lilias and Dulcie, partly closed the door.
+
+"So you're Everard, are you?" she said, looking at him hard. "Well, to
+tell you the truth, I never thought your name was really Johnson! I told
+Sheila I was sure you were a gentleman. Why have you been masquerading
+like this? Why don't you go home to the Chase?"
+
+"Oh, _do_ come home, Everard!" echoed Lilias entreatingly.
+
+The ex-chauffeur shook his head. He was still almost too covered with
+confusion to admit of speech.
+
+"I didn't expect to meet you girls," he said at last. "The best thing
+you can do is just to forget me, and leave me where I am. I shall
+_never_ go back to the Chase! That point I've quite decided."
+
+"But we want you there," said Carmel gently.
+
+"You!" Everard looked frankly puzzled.
+
+"Oh, Everard!" burst out Dulcie. "You don't understand! You ran away and
+never waited to hear anything, and we couldn't write to you, because you
+sent no address. You thought Grandfather had left the property to a boy
+cousin--Leslie!"
+
+"Well, didn't he?"
+
+"Yes, and no! There is no boy cousin. This is Leslie--only she's called
+Carmel--the heiress of Cheverley Chase!"
+
+"You!" exclaimed Everard again, gazing at Carmel.
+
+"Don't call me 'the heiress,' Dulcie," protested Carmel. "You know I've
+said from the very first that I don't intend to take the Chase away from
+you all. It's yours every bit as much as mine, and more so, because my
+own real home is in Sicily, and I hope to go back there some day.
+Everard, will you make friends with me on that understanding, and shake
+hands? I don't want to turn anybody out of the Chase."
+
+Carmel held out a slim little hand, and Everard accepted it delicately,
+as if it had been that of a princess.
+
+"I'm still stunned," he remarked. "To think I should have been driving
+you all this time, and not have known you were Leslie Ingleton! I never
+chanced to hear your surname. I thought you were Mrs. Rogers' niece."
+
+"And so I am!" laughed Carmel. "At least she's my step-aunt, at any
+rate. Isn't it a regular _Comedy of Errors_?"
+
+"Everard," put in Lilias, "why did you turn chauffeur? We thought you
+had run away to sea!"
+
+"I meant to," answered her brother bitterly, "but when it came to the
+point of getting employment, I found the only thing I could earn a
+living at was driving a car. I don't know that I even do that very
+decently, but at any rate I'm self-supporting. You'd better leave me
+where I am! It's all I'm good for!"
+
+"Not a bit of it!" answered Carmel. "I've arranged the whole thing in my
+mind already. We'll make an exchange. Milner shall take charge of the
+car for the Rogers until they can find another chauffeur, and you shall
+drive Cousin Clare and Lilias and Dulcie and me back to the Chase. Now
+don't begin to talk, for it's quite settled, and for once in my life I
+declare I mean to have my own way!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A Secret Society
+
+
+Carmel seldom asserted herself, but if she set her heart on an object
+she generally managed to persuade people to her way of thinking. This
+case proved no exception, and she contrived with little difficulty to
+transfer the amazed but willing Milner temporarily into the service of
+Major Rogers, and to instal Everard, minus his chauffeur's uniform, and
+looking once more an Ingleton, to drive the Daimler car back to
+Cheverley Chase. Perhaps the talk which Major Rogers had with his
+one-time "Johnson" partly worked the miracle. Exactly what he said was
+entirely between themselves, but Everard burst out into eulogies
+regarding the Major to Lilias, who was still his chief confidante.
+
+"One of the best chaps I've ever met! A real good sort! I shan't forget
+what he said to me. I can tell you I've come to look at things in a
+different light lately. I'll do anything he suggests. I'd trust his
+advice sooner than that of anybody I know. I'll have a good talk with
+Bowden, and see if he agrees. By Jove! I shall be a surprise packet to
+him, shan't I?"
+
+Mr. Bowden was not nearly so much astonished as Everard had anticipated.
+He took his ward's return quite as a matter of course, and, lawyer-like,
+at once turned to the business side of affairs. After running away and
+gaining his own living for so many months, it was neither possible nor
+desirable for Everard to go back to Harrow. He had broken the last link
+with his school days, and must face the problem of his future career.
+His grandfather had wished him to go on to Cambridge, and his guardian
+also considered it would be advisable for him to take a university
+degree. Meantime his studies were very much in arrears. He had never
+worked hard at school, and would need considerable application to his
+books before being ready to begin his terms at college. By the advice of
+Major Rogers, Mr. Bowden decided to engage a tutor to coach him at the
+Chase. The house would be perfectly quiet while the girls and the
+younger boys were away at school, and as Everard really seemed to take
+the matter seriously, he might be expected to make good progress.
+
+In the matter of a tutor, Major Rogers was fortunately able to recommend
+just the right man. Mr. Stacey had been studying for orders at Cambridge
+when he was called up, and had joined the army. After serious wounds in
+France he had made a slow recovery, and though perfectly able to act as
+coach, he would be glad of a period of quiet in the country before
+returning to Cambridge. He was a brilliant scholar and a thoroughly good
+all-round fellow, who might be trusted to make the best possible
+companion for Everard in the circumstances. The whole business was fixed
+up at once, and he was to arrive within ten days.
+
+"I'm sorry we shall just miss seeing him!" said Carmel to Everard, on
+the evening before the girls went back to Chilcombe Hall. "But I shall
+think of you studying away at your Maths. You're clever, aren't you,
+Everard? I don't know much about English universities, but isn't a
+Tripos what you work for at Cambridge? Suppose you came out Senior
+Wrangler! We _should_ be proud of you!"
+
+"No fear of that, I'm afraid, Carmel! I'm a long way behind and shall
+have to swat like anything to get myself up to even ordinary standard.
+Burn the midnight oil, and all that kind of weariness to the flesh!"
+
+"But you'll do it!" (Carmel was looking at him critically.) "You've got
+the right shape of head. Daddy and one of his friends, Signor Penati,
+were fearfully keen on phrenology, and they used to make me notice the
+shape of people's heads, and of the Greek and Roman busts in the
+museums. It's wonderful how truly they tell character: the rules hardly
+ever fail."
+
+"What do you make of my particular phiz, then, you young Sicilian
+witch?"
+
+"Great ability if you only persevere; a noble mind and patriotism--your
+forehead is just like the bust of the Emperor Augustus. You'd scorn
+bribes, and speak out for the right. I prophesy that you'll some day get
+into Parliament, and do splendid work for your country!"
+
+"Whew! I'm afraid I'll never reach your expectations. It's a big order
+you've laid down for me."
+
+"You could do it, though, if you try. Oh, don't contradict me, for I
+know! I haven't studied heads with Signor Penati for nothing. First
+you're going to make a good master of the Chase, and then you'll help
+England."
+
+"Not of the Chase, Carmel," said Everard gently. "We've argued that
+point out thoroughly, I think."
+
+"No, no! Let me tell you once again that I don't want to be mistress
+here. I only came over to England to please Mother and Daddy. I'm going
+back to Sicily to live, as soon as I can choose for myself. Directly I'm
+twenty-one I shall hand over the Chase to you. You're a far more
+suitable owner for it than I am. I feel that strongly. It ought never to
+have been left to me. But I'll put all that right again. Why can't you
+take it?" she continued eagerly, as Everard shook his head. "Surely I
+can give it to you if I like? Why not?"
+
+"Why not? You're too young yet to understand. How could I be such an
+utter slacker and sneak as to accept your inheritance? It's unthinkable.
+Put that idea out of your little head, for it can never happen. As for
+the rest of your prophecy, it's a long climb to get into Parliament. I'm
+nothing like the man you think me, Carmel, though I'm going to make a
+spurt now, at any rate. Don't expect to find me a Senior Wrangler by
+Christmas though. Mr. Stacey will probably tell you I'm an utter
+dunderhead."
+
+"I shall quarrel with him if he does!" said Carmel decidedly.
+
+The three girls went back to school on the following day, half regretful
+to leave the Chase, but rather excited at the prospect of meeting their
+companions. Now that Carmel had got over her first stage of
+homesickness, she liked Chilcombe and had made many friends there. She
+intended to enjoy the autumn term to the best of her ability. She had
+brought the materials for pursuing several pet hobbies, and she settled
+all her numerous possessions into her small bedroom with much
+satisfaction. She kept the door into the Blue Grotto open, so that she
+might talk during the process. Gowan, also busy unpacking, kept firing
+off pieces of information, Bertha flitted in and out like a butterfly,
+and girls from other dormitories paid occasional visits.
+
+Phillida, who was a prime favorite, presently came in, and installing
+herself on the end of Dulcie's bed, so that she could address the
+occupants of both bedrooms, began to draw plans.
+
+"I've got an idea!" she announced. "It's a jolly good one, too, so you
+needn't smile. It's a good thing somebody does have ideas in this place,
+or you'd all go to sleep! Well, it's this. I really can't stand the
+swank of those girls in the Gold bedroom. They seem to imagine the
+school belongs to them. They're not very much older than we are, indeed
+Nona is actually six weeks younger than Lilias, and yet they give
+themselves the airs of all creation. Just now Laurette said to me: 'Get
+out of my way, child!' Child, indeed! I'm fifteen, and tall for my age!
+I vote that we start a secret society, just among our own set, to resist
+them."
+
+"Jolly!" agreed Dulcie. "A little wholesome taking down is just what
+they need. Laurette's the limit sometimes. Whom shall we ask to join?"
+
+"Well, all of you here, and myself, and Noreen, and Prissie, and Edith.
+That would make nine."
+
+"Quite enough too," said Gowan. "A secret society's much greater fun if
+it's small. Things are apt to leak out when you have too many members. I
+take it we want to play an occasional rag on the Gold bedroom? Very
+well, the fewer in it the better."
+
+"What shall we call our society?" asked Dulcie.
+
+"'The Anti-Swelled Headers' would about suit," suggested Lilias.
+
+"No, no! That sounds as if we were afraid of getting swelled head
+ourselves--at least anybody might take it that way."
+
+"There's a big secret society in Sicily called 'The Mafia,'" vouchsafed
+Carmel.
+
+"Then let us call ours 'The Chilcombe Mafia.' No one will understand
+what we mean, even if they get hold of the name. Indeed I shouldn't mind
+casually mentioning it now and then, just to puzzle them. When things
+get bad, 'The Mafia' will take them up."
+
+"Strike secretly and suddenly!" agreed Dulcie with a chuckle.
+
+"Let's sign our names at once!" declared Phillida enthusiastically.
+
+At Carmel's suggestion, however, they made rather more of a ceremony of
+the initiation of their new order. The prospective members retired into
+the wood above the garden, and in strict privacy took an oath of
+secrecy and service. Then, with Edith's fountain pen filled for the
+occasion with red ink, they inscribed their autographs on a piece of
+paper, rolled it up, placed it in a bottle, then solemnly dug a hole,
+and buried the said bottle under a tree.
+
+"It will be here for a testimony against any girl who breaks her oath!"
+declared Phillida. "Carmel says the real Mafia sign their names in
+blood, but I think that's horrid, and red ink will do quite as well.
+Just as I was coming out now, Laurette said to me; 'Oh, don't go running
+away, because I want one of you younger ones to do something for me
+presently.' She said it with the air of a duchess!"
+
+"Cheek!" agreed the others. "It's high time we made up a society against
+her!"
+
+Many and various were the offences that were laid to Laurette's score.
+Lilias had a private grievance, because she fancied that Laurette had
+never been so civil to herself and Dulcie since it was known that their
+brother was not to inherit the Chase. Gowan, who liked plain speaking,
+accused Laurette of telling "fiblets"; Bertha had had a squabble over
+the bathroom, and Prissie a wrestle for the piano.
+
+"Laurette always reminds me of that rhyme that the undergrads made up
+about the Master of Balliol," said Edith.
+
+    "'Here come I, my name is Jowett,
+     All there is to know, I know it;
+     I'm the head of this here College,
+     What I don't know isn't knowledge!'
+
+That's Laurette's attitude exactly. She's so superior to everybody!"
+
+"We'll take her down, don't worry yourself!" smiled Dulcie. "We must
+just wait for a good opportunity, and then----"
+
+"The secret hand will smite!" laughed Carmel, who enjoyed the fun as
+much as anybody.
+
+Laurette's aggravatingly superior pose was especially apparent in her
+attitude towards the mistresses. She monopolized Miss Herbert, treated
+her almost like a friend, wrote notes to her, left flowers in her
+bedroom, and walked arm-in-arm with her in the garden. Perhaps the
+mistress was lonely, possibly she was flattered by receiving so much
+attention, at any rate she allowed Laurette to be on terms of great
+intimacy, and gave her a far larger share of her confidence than was at
+all wise. Laurette, after a hot affection lasting three weeks, got tired
+of Miss Herbert, and suddenly cooled off. Gowan and Carmel, going into
+the sitting-room one day, found her discussing her former idol with a
+group of her chums.
+
+"Do you call her pretty? Well, now, I _don't_!" she was saying
+emphatically. "She may have been pretty once, but now she's getting
+decidedly _passée_. I can't say I admire faded sentimental people!"
+
+"Sentimental?" said Truie. "I shouldn't call her sentimental at all.
+She's only too horribly practical, in my opinion!"
+
+"You don't know her as I do! My dear! The things she's told me! The love
+affairs she's been through! I had the whole history of them. And she
+used to blush, and look most romantic. It was all I could do not to
+burst out laughing. You'd scream if I were to tell you! First there was
+a clergyman----"
+
+"Here, stop!" interrupted Gowan, breaking abruptly into the
+conversation, and turning two blazing blue eyes on Laurette. "Anything
+Miss Herbert may have told you was certainly in confidence, and to go
+and blab it over the school seems to me the meanest, sneakiest trick
+I've ever heard of! You're an absolute blighter, Laurette!"
+
+"Well, I'm sure! What business is it of yours, Gowan Barbour, or of
+Carmel Ingleton's either? Cheek!"
+
+"It _is_ our business!" flared Carmel, as indignant as Gowan. "It's
+horribly mean to make friends with any one, and hear all her secrets,
+and then go and make fun of them!"
+
+"It's playing it low!" added Gowan, determined to speak her mind for
+once. "And I hope somebody will make fun of _you_ some day just to
+serve you right! Some day _you'll_ be _faded_ and _passée_, and people
+will giggle and say you haven't 'got off' in spite of all your efforts,
+and they wonder how old you really are, and they remember when you came
+out, and you can't be a chicken, and they don't like to see 'mutton
+dressed like lamb,' and all the rest of the kind pleasant things that
+people of your type find to say. _I_ know! Well, I shan't be in the
+least sorry for you! It will be a judgment!"
+
+Laurette had made a desperate attempt to interrupt Gowan's flow of
+words, but she might as well have tried to stop the brook. When Gowan
+began, she never even paused for breath. Her wrath was like a whirlwind.
+Laurette's three chums had turned away as if rather ashamed, and began
+hastily to get out books and writing-materials. They pretended not to
+notice when Laurette looked at them for support.
+
+"Yes, you needn't think Truie and Hester and Muriel will back you up!"
+continued Gowan. "Unless they're as mean as you are. There! I've
+finished now, so you needn't butt in! You know exactly what I think of
+you. Come along, Carmel!"
+
+The two immediate results of this episode were a bitter feud between
+Laurette and Gowan, and a sympathetic interest in Miss Herbert by all
+the members of the Mafia. They felt that her confidence had been
+betrayed, and they would have liked somehow to make it up to her. They
+brought so many floral offerings to her bedroom that her vases were
+almost inconveniently crowded.
+
+Carmel, hearing that she was collecting post cards, sent home for some
+special ones of Sicily; Dulcie tendered chocolates; Lilias crocheted her
+a pincushion cover, and Bertha painted her a hair-tidy. She accepted
+their little kindnesses with mild astonishment, but not a hint of the
+real reason of their sudden advances flashed across her mind.
+
+"We mustn't let her suspect!" said Dulcie.
+
+"Rather not!" agreed Carmel.
+
+"Not for worlds!" said Gowan emphatically.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+White Magic
+
+
+October passed by with flaming crimson and gold on the trees, and orange
+and mauve toadstools among the moss of the woods, and squirrels
+scampering up the Scotch pines at the top of the garden, laying by their
+winter store of nuts; and flocks of migrating birds twittering in the
+fields, and hosts of glittering red hips and haws in the hedges, and
+shrouds of fairy gossamer over the blackberry bushes. It was Carmel's
+first autumn in England, and, though her artistic temperament revelled
+in the beauty of the tints, the falling leaves filled her with
+consternation.
+
+"It is so sad to see them all come down," she declared. "Why the trees
+will soon be quite bare! Nothing but branches left!"
+
+"What else do you expect?" asked Gowan. "They won't keep green all the
+winter."
+
+"I suppose not. But in Sicily we have so many evergreens and shrubs that
+flower all the winter. The oranges and lemons begin to get ripe soon
+after Christmas, and we have agaves and prickly pears everywhere. I
+can't imagine a landscape without any leaves!"
+
+"Wait till you see the snow! It's prime then!"
+
+"There's generally snow on Etna, but I haven't been up so high. It
+doesn't fall where we live."
+
+"Girl alive! Have you never made a snowball?"
+
+"Never."
+
+"Then it's a treat in store for you. I sincerely hope we shall have a
+hard winter."
+
+"We ought to, by the number of berries in the hedges," put in Bertha.
+"It's an old saying that they foretell frost.
+
+    "'Bushes red with hip and haw,
+     Weeks of frost without a thaw.'
+
+I don't know whether it always comes true, though."
+
+"I'm a believer in superstitions," declared Gowan. "Scotch people
+generally are, I think. My great-grandmother used to have second sight.
+By the by; it's Hallowe'en on Friday! I vote we rummage up all the old
+charms we can, and try them. It would be ever such fun."
+
+"Topping! Only let us keep it to the Mafia, and not let the others
+know."
+
+"_Ra_ther! We don't want Laurette and Co. butting in."
+
+The remaining members of the Mafia, when consulted, received the idea
+with enthusiasm. There is a vein of superstition at the bottom of the
+most practical among us, and all of them were well accustomed to
+practise such rites as throwing spilt salt over the left shoulder,
+curtseying to the new moon, and turning their money when they heard the
+cuckoo.
+
+"Not, of course, that it always follows," said Prissie. "On Easter
+holidays a bird used to come and tap constantly at our drawing-room
+window at home. It was always doing it. Of course that means 'a death in
+the family,' but we all kept absolutely hearty and well. Not even a
+third cousin once removed has died, and it's more than two years ago.
+Mother says it was probably catching insects on the glass. She laughs at
+omens!"
+
+"I always double my thumb inside my fist if I walk under a ladder,"
+volunteered Noreen.
+
+"Well, it _is_ unlucky to go under a ladder," declared Phillida. "You
+may get a pot of paint dropped on your head! I saw that happen once to a
+poor lady: it simply turned upside down on her, and deluged her hat and
+face and everything with dark green paint. She had to go into a shop to
+be wiped. It must have been awful for her, and for her clothes as well.
+I've never forgotten it."
+
+"What could we do on Hallowe'en?" asked Edith.
+
+"Well, we must try to think it out, and make some plans."
+
+From the recesses of their memories the girls raked up every
+superstition of which they had ever heard. These had to be divided into
+the possible and the impossible. There are limits of liberty in a girls'
+school, and it was manifestly infeasible, as well as very chilly, to
+attempt to stray out alone at the stroke of twelve, robed merely in a
+nightgown, and fetch three pails of water to place by one's bedside.
+Gowan's north country recipe for divination was equally
+impracticable--to go out at midnight, and "dip your smock in a
+south-running spring where the lairds' lands meet," then hang it to dry
+before the fire. They discussed it quite seriously, however, in all its
+various aspects.
+
+"To begin with, what exactly is a smock?" asked Carmel.
+
+Everybody had a hazy notion, but nobody was quite sure about it.
+
+"Usen't farm laborers to wear them once?" suggested Lilias.
+
+"But Shakespeare says,
+
+    "'When shepherds pipe on oaten straws,
+     And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks,
+     When ring the woods with rooks and daws,
+     And maidens bleach their summer smocks,'"
+
+objected Prissie.
+
+"Was it an upper or an under garment?" questioned Noreen.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know. I don't fancy we any of us possess 'smocks'!"
+
+"Then we certainly can't go and soak them in a spring!"
+
+"And there is no 'laird' here, and even if you count an ordinary owner
+of property as a 'laird,' you don't know where the boundaries are!"
+
+"No, that floors us completely!"
+
+An expedition to the cellar for apples would be an equally hopeless
+quest, for all the harvest of the orchard had been stored in the loft,
+and was under lock and key. Some minor experiments, however, might be
+tried with apple skins, so they determined to pocket their next dessert,
+and keep it till the magic hour of divination arrived. Hot chestnuts
+would be a distinct possibility, and a little coaxing at head-quarters
+would doubtless result in Jones the gardener bringing a bag full for
+them from Glazebrook.
+
+They felt quite excited when the fateful day arrived. Miss Walters had
+made no objection to an order for chestnuts, and had even allowed a
+modicum of toffee to be added to the list. She did not refer to the
+subject of Hallowe'en, for she had some years ago suppressed the custom
+of bobbing for apples, finding that the girls invariably got their hair
+wet, and had colds in their heads in consequence.
+
+The members of the Mafia, well stocked therefore with the apples and
+chestnuts necessary for divination, remained in their schoolroom after
+evening preparation, so as to have a gay time all to themselves. To make
+matters more thrillsome they turned out the light, and sat in the
+flickering glow of the fire. Gowan, having the largest acquaintance with
+the occult, not to speak of having possessed a great-grandmother endowed
+with second sight, was universally acknowledged priestess of the
+ceremonies.
+
+"Shall we begin with apples or chestnuts?" she asked seriously.
+
+As some said one thing and some another, she held a specimen of each
+behind her back, and commanded Carmel to choose right hand or left. The
+lot fell upon chestnuts, and these were placed neatly in pairs along the
+bars of the grate.
+
+"You name them after yourself and your sweetheart," explained Gowan. "If
+he pops first, he'll ask you to marry him."
+
+"And suppose the other pops first?" asked Carmel.
+
+"Then you won't marry him!"
+
+"Doesn't it mean that it may be Leap Year, and the girl will 'pop the
+question'?" asked Dulcie, still giggling.
+
+"No, it doesn't."
+
+"Suppose they neither of them pop?" said Prissie.
+
+"It's a sign that neither cares, but it's not very likely to
+happen--they nearly always pop."
+
+"I pricked mine with my penknife, though."
+
+"The more goose you! Take them back and try two fresh ones."
+
+It is rather a delicate and finger-scorching process to balance
+chestnuts on the bars, and as a matter of fact Prissie's tumbled into
+the fire, and could not be rescued. The party was obliged to watch them
+burn. They helped her to place another in position, then sat round,
+keeping careful eyes on their particular representatives. It was
+forbidden to reveal names, so each kept the identity of her favored
+swain locked in her breast. It seemed a long time before those chestnuts
+were ready! Love's delays are notoriously hard to bear. Never were omens
+watched so anxiously. Slap! Bang! Pop! at last came from Carmel's
+particular corner, and fragments flew about indiscriminately on to
+hearth and fire.
+
+"It's 'him'!" cried Gowan ungrammatically. "He's done it most thoroughly
+too! Carmel, you'll be married the first of any of us! You'll ask us to
+the wedding, won't you?"
+
+At that moment a chorus of pops came from the grate, causing much
+rejoicing or dismay from the various owners of the chestnuts, according
+to the fate meted out to them by the omens. On the whole Cupid was kind,
+though Lilias and Gowan were left in the lurch.
+
+"I don't care!" said Gowan sturdily. "I've another in my mind, and
+perhaps I shall get him in the apple-peels."
+
+"And if you don't?"
+
+"I'll meet somebody else later on."
+
+Having eaten more or less charred pieces of chestnut, the girls produced
+their apples, and once more set to work to try magic. The apple had to
+be peeled entirely in one long piece, which must then be slung backwards
+over the left shoulder on to the floor, where it would form the initial
+of the future lover. It was a matter for skilful manipulation of
+penknives, not at all easy to manage, so difficult in fact, that Noreen
+and Dulcie each made a slip, and chopped their precious pieces of peel
+in the middle, thus rendering them useless for purposes of divination.
+Lilias, who made the first essay, was completely puzzled by the result,
+which did not resemble any known letter in the alphabet, though Gowan,
+anxious to interpret the oracles, construed it into a W. Edith's long
+thin piece of peel made a plain C, a fact which seemed to cause her much
+satisfaction, though she would betray no names. Prissie broke her luck
+in half in the very act of flinging it, but insisted that the two
+separate portions each formed an O.
+
+It was Carmel's turn next, and her rather broad piece of peel twisted
+itself into a most palpable E. She looked at it for a moment as if
+rather taken aback, then her face cleared.
+
+"There are quite a number of names that begin with E," she remarked
+enigmatically.
+
+Now it was all very well to sit in the sanctuary of their schoolroom
+trying such mild magic as divination through chestnuts and apple skins.
+Gowan's northern blood yearned after more subtle witchcraft.
+
+"I shan't be content till I've pulled a cabbage stalk!" she declared. "I
+don't see why we need wait till midnight! Hallowe'en is Hallowe'en as
+soon as it's dark, I should think. Who's game to fly up the
+kitchen-garden?"
+
+"What? Now?"
+
+"Why not? We should only be gone a few minutes and Miss Hardy would
+never find out."
+
+"It really would be a frolicsome joke!"
+
+"There's a moon, too!"
+
+"I vote we risk it!"
+
+"Come along!"
+
+Nine giggling girls therefore stole cautiously downstairs, a little
+delayed by Prissie, who, with a most unusual concern for her health,
+insisted on fetching a wrap. They opened the side door, and peeped out
+into the night. It was quite fine, with a clear full moon, and clouds
+drifting high in the sky. The vegetable garden was so near that the
+ceremony could be very quickly performed. It was, of course, breaking
+rules to leave the house after dark, but not one of them could resist
+the temptation, so out they sped to the cabbage patch.
+
+Now when Prissie ran to her bedroom, ostensibly to get a wrap, she had
+really gone with quite other intentions. She had certainly put on a long
+dark coat and a soft felt hat, but the whole gist of the matter lay in
+something that she slipped into her pocket. It was a black mustache that
+she had brought to school for use in theatricals, and lay handy in her
+top drawer. She had hastily smeared the under side of it with soap, so
+that it would adhere to her lip, and once out in the garden, she fell
+behind the others and fixed it in position. Then she made a _détour_
+behind some bushes, so as to conceal herself from the party.
+
+Presently, under the bright moon and scudding clouds, eight
+much-thrilled girls were hurriedly pulling away at cabbage stalks, and
+estimating, by the amount of earth that came up with them, the wealth of
+their future husbands. The general surroundings and the associations of
+the evening were sufficient to send shivers down their spines. Gowan,
+looking up suddenly, saw standing among the bushes a dark figure with a
+heavy black mustache, and she caught her breath with a gasp, and
+clutched at Carmel's arm. For an instant eight horrified faces stared at
+the apparition, then Dulcie made a dive in its direction, and dragged
+forth Prissie.
+
+"You wretch!"
+
+"What a mean trick to play!"
+
+"You didn't take _me_ in!"
+
+"It was very clever, though!"
+
+"You really looked just like a spook!"
+
+"Take it off now!"
+
+"No, _no_!" said Prissie. "Leave me alone! I haven't finished. Hush! I
+believe somebody else is coming to try the ordeal. Slip behind that
+cucumber-frame and hide, and let us see who it is. Quick! You'll be
+caught!"
+
+The girls made a swift, but silent, dash for the shadow of the
+cucumber-frame, and concealed themselves only just in time. They were
+barely hidden when footsteps resounded on the gravel, and a figure
+advanced from the direction of the house. It came alone, and it carried
+something in its hand. In the clear beams of the moonlight, the Mafia
+had no difficulty in recognizing Laurette, and could see that what she
+bore was her bedroom mirror. They chuckled inwardly. Most evidently she
+had sallied forth to try the white magic of Hallowe'en, and to make the
+spell work more securely had come alone to consult the cabbage oracle.
+
+First she placed her mirror on the ground, and tilted its swing glass to
+a convenient angle at which to catch reflections. Then she pulled hard
+at a stalk, looked with apparent satisfaction at the decidedly thick
+lumps of earth that adhered (which, if the magic were to be trusted,
+must represent a considerable fortune); then, clasping her cabbage in
+her hand, knelt down in front of the looking-glass, and began to mutter
+something to herself in a low voice. Her back was towards the
+cucumber-frame and the bushes, and her eyes were fixed on her mirror.
+
+Prissie, looking on, realized that it was the chance of a lifetime. She
+stole on tiptoe from her retreat, and peeped over Laurette's shoulder so
+that her reflection should be displayed in the glass. Laurette, seeing
+suddenly a most unexpected vision of a dark mustache, literally yelled
+with fright, sprang up, and turned round to face her "spook," then with
+a further blood-curdling scream, dashed down the garden towards the
+house. The Mafia, rising from the shadow of the cucumber-frame, laughed
+long, though with caution.
+
+"What an absolutely topping joke!" whispered Dulcie.
+
+[Illustration: SHE PEEPED OVER LAURETTE'S SHOULDER]
+
+"And on Laurette, of all people in this wide world!" rejoiced Bertha.
+
+"Congrats., Prissie!"
+
+"You _did_ play up no end!"
+
+"I flatter myself I made her squeal and run!" smirked Prissie. "It just
+serves her right! I was longing for a chance to get even with her!"
+
+"What about the looking-glass?" asked Carmel. "Won't some of them be
+coming out to fetch it?"
+
+"Yes, of course they will! We must take it in at once. Let us scoot
+round the other way, and go in by the back door before Laurette and Co.
+catch us!"
+
+Prissie seized the mirror, and the nine girls fled by another path to
+the door near the kitchen, where by great good luck they avoided meeting
+any of the servants, and were able to bolt upstairs unseen. The Gold
+bedroom was empty--no doubt its occupants were shivering at the side
+door--so they were able to restore the looking-glass to its place on the
+dressing-table as a surprise for Laurette when she returned. Whether she
+suspected them or not, it was impossible to tell, for she kept her own
+counsel, and, though next day they referred casually to Hallowe'en
+observances, she only glanced at them with half-closed eyelids, and
+remarked that _she_ was quite above such silly superstitions.
+
+"Which is more than a fiblet, and about the biggest whopper that Miss
+Laurette Aitken has ever told in her life!" declared Prissie, still
+chuckling gleefully at the remembrance of the startled figure fleeing
+down the garden.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+The Money-makers
+
+
+"All Saints'" brought a brief spell of golden weather, a snatch of
+Indian summer, as if Persephone, loth to go down into the Underworld,
+had managed to steal a few days' extra leave from Pluto, and had
+remained to scatter some last flowers on earth before her long
+banishment from the sunshine. Under the sheltered brick wall in the
+kitchen-garden Czar violets were blooming, sweet and fragrant as those
+of spring; the rose trees had burst out into a second crop, and the
+chrysanthemums were such a special show that Miss Walters almost shook
+hands with Jones the gardener over them. Little wild flowers blossomed
+on in quiet nooks at the edge of the shrubbery, and butterflies, brought
+out by the bright days, made a last flutter in the sunshine. The leaves,
+which Carmel had grieved so much to see fall, lay crisp and golden on
+the ground, but the bare boughs of the trees, somewhat to her surprise,
+held a beauty of form and tint quite their own.
+
+"They are all sorts of lovely soft delicate colors," she remarked.
+"Quite different from trees in Sicily. I think it must be the damp in
+the air here that does it; everything seems seen through a blue haze--a
+kind of fairy glamour that makes them different from what they are!"
+
+"Wait till you see them on a sousing wet December morning!" declared
+Gowan. "You won't find much romance about them then!"
+
+"But in the meantime we'll enjoy them!" said Miss Walters, who happened
+to overhear. "Who votes for a walk this afternoon? Anybody who prefers
+to stop at home and write French translation may do so!"
+
+The girls grinned. Miss Walters did not often give them an unexpected
+holiday, so such treats were appreciated when they came. Twenty-one
+enthusiasts donned strong boots, jerseys, and tam-o'-shanters, and
+started forth for a ramble on the hill-side. They had climbed through
+the wood, and were walking along the upper road that led to the hamlet
+of Five Stone Bridge, when they came face to face with a very curious
+little cavalcade. Two large soap boxes, knocked together, had been
+placed on old perambulator wheels, and in this roughly fashioned
+chariot, on a bundle of straw and an old shawl, reclined a little, thin,
+white-faced girl. One sturdy boy of ten was pushing the queer
+conveyance, while a younger pulled it by a piece of rope, and the small
+occupant, her lap full of flowers, smiled as proudly as a queen on
+coronation day. Against the background of green hedgerow and red village
+roofs, the happy children made a charming picture; they had not noticed
+the approach of the school, and were laughing together in absolute
+unconsciousness. The sight of them at that particular moment was one of
+those brief glimpses into the heart of other folks' lives that only come
+to us on chance occasions, when by some accident we peep over the wall
+of human reserve into the inner circle of thought and feeling. Almost
+with one accord the girls stopped and smiled.
+
+"I wish I'd brought my camera!" murmured Dulcie.
+
+"They're too sweet for words!" agreed Prissie.
+
+Miss Walters spoke to the children, asked their names, and ascertained
+that the little girl had been ill for a long time, and could not walk.
+They were shy, however, and all the spontaneous gladness that had made
+the first snapshot view of them so charming faded away in the presence
+of strangers. They accepted some pieces of chocolate, and remained by
+the hedge bank staring with solemn eyes as the line of the school filed
+away. The chance meeting was no doubt an event on both sides: the
+children would tell their mother about the ladies who had spoken to
+them, and the girls, on their part, could not forget the pretty episode.
+They urged Miss Walters to make some inquiries about the family, and
+found that little Phyllis was suffering from hip disease, and had been
+for a short time in the local hospital. Then an idea sprang up amongst
+the girls. It was impossible to say quite where it originated, for at
+least five girls claimed the honor of it, but it was neither more nor
+less than that Chilcombe School should raise a subscription and buy an
+adequate carriage for the small invalid.
+
+"That terrible box must shake her to pieces, poor kid!"
+
+"It had no springs!"
+
+"She looked so sweet!"
+
+"But as white as a daisy!"
+
+"Wouldn't she be proud of a real, proper carriage?"
+
+"Can't we write off and order one at once?"
+
+"What would it cost?"
+
+"Let's get up a concert or something for it."
+
+"Oh, yes! That would be ever such sport!"
+
+Miss Walters, on being appealed to, was cautious--caution was one of her
+strong characteristics--and would not commit herself to any reply until
+she had consulted the doctor who attended the child, the clergyman of
+the parish, and the local schoolmaster. Armed with this accumulated
+information, she visited the mother, then gave a report of her
+interview.
+
+"They're not well off, but we mustn't on any account pauperize them,"
+was her verdict. "Dr. Cranley says an invalid carriage would be a great
+boon to the child, but suggests that the parents should pay half the
+expense. They would value it far more if they did so, than if it were
+entirely a gift. He knows of a second-hand wicker carriage that could
+be had cheap. It belongs to another patient of his, and he saw it at
+their house only the other day. If you girls can manage to raise about
+£2, 10s., the parents would do the rest. He was mentioning the subject
+of a carriage to them a short time ago, and they said they could afford
+something, but not the full price. He thinks this would settle the
+matter to everybody's satisfaction."
+
+Dr. Cranley's proposal suited the girls, for £2, 10s. was a sum that
+seemed quite feasible to collect among themselves. They determined,
+however, to get as much fun out of the business as possible.
+
+"Don't let's have a horrid subscription list!" urged Lilias. "It's so
+unutterably dull just to put down your name for half a crown. I hoped we
+were going to give a concert."
+
+"What I vote," said Gowan, "is that each bedroom should have a show of
+its own, ask the others to come as audience, charge admission, and
+wangle the cash that way."
+
+"There'd be some sport in that!" agreed Lilias.
+
+"It's great!" declared Dulcie.
+
+"You bet it will catch on!" purred Prissie.
+
+Gowan's scheme undoubtedly caught on. It was so attractive that there
+was no resisting it. Even the occupants of the Gold bedroom, who as a
+rule were not too ready to receive suggestions from the Blue Grotto,
+could not find a single fault, and plumped solidly for a dramatic
+performance. Each dormitory was to give any entertainment it chose, and
+while the Brown room decided on Nigger Minstrels, and the Green room on
+a general variety program, the Blue, Gold and Rose were keen on acting.
+Miss Walters, who, of course, had to be consulted, not only gave a
+smiling permission, but seemed on the very verge of suggesting a
+personal attendance, then, noticing the look of polite agony which swept
+over the faces of the deputation, kindly backed out from such an
+evidently embarrassing proposal, and declared that she and the
+mistresses would be too busy to come, and must leave the girls to manage
+by themselves.
+
+"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Gowan, when they were safely out of earshot
+of the study door. "I never dreamt of such an awful thing as Miss
+Walters offering to turn up! Why, we couldn't have had any fun at all!"
+
+"We'd have had to act Shakespeare, or something stilted out of a book!"
+shuddered Edith.
+
+"I should simply shut up if any of the mistresses were looking on,"
+protested Dulcie.
+
+"And I should shut down, and crawl under a bed, I think," laughed
+Noreen. "I say, I hope Miss Walters wasn't offended. We certainly looked
+very blank when she began asking us the price of 'stalls.' I suppose it
+wasn't exactly what you'd call polite!"
+
+"Perhaps it wasn't, but it can't be helped," groaned Gowan. "It would
+wreck everything to have an audience of mistresses. I feel we've escaped
+a great danger. We must warn the others not to be too encouraging, or
+give the mistresses any loophole of an excuse to butt in. This
+particular show is to be private and confidential."
+
+It was decided to hold each performance on a separate day, during the
+evening recreation time.
+
+"_Matinées_ are no good!" decreed Prissie. "Everybody feels perfectly
+cold in the afternoon. It's impossible to get up any proper enthusiasm
+until the lamps are lighted."
+
+"I feel a perfect stick at 4 P. M.," admitted Carmel.
+
+"What will you feel later on?"
+
+"A sort of combination of Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin thrown
+together, I hope!" twinkled Carmel. "It depends whether you put me on a
+comic turn or a romantic scene."
+
+"I vote we have a little bit of both," said Gowan. "We'll harrow their
+feelings first, and end in comedy."
+
+The five bedrooms drew lots for the order of their performances, and the
+honor of "first night" fell to the Blue Grotto. Its occupants (including
+Carmel, whose dressing-room was considered an annex) held a rejoicing
+committee to plan out their play. Squatting on Gowan's bed, they each
+contributed portions of the plot.
+
+"Shall we write it out and learn our parts?" asked Lilias.
+
+"Certainly not. It would quite spoil it if you were just reeling off
+speeches by heart, with one ear open to the prompter. I know you! I
+shall never forget Lilias when we did 'The Vanity Bag.' She said her
+bits as if she were repeating a lesson, and Bertha----"
+
+"Are we to say anything we like, then?" interrupted Carmel, for Gowan's
+reminiscences were becoming rather too personal for purposes of harmony.
+
+"We'll map the whole thing out beforehand, of course, but you must just
+say what comes into your head at the moment. It will be ever so much
+fresher and funnier. All you've got to do is to get into the right
+spirit and play up!"
+
+"All serene! As long as no mistresses are sitting looking on, I don't
+mind."
+
+The Blue Grotto, being the first on the list of performances, was
+determined to do the thing in style. Bertha and Carmel between them
+evolved a poster. It was painted in sepia on the back of one of Dulcie's
+school drawings, sacrificed for the purpose. It represented the profile
+of a rather pert looking young person with a tip-tilted nose and an eye
+several sizes larger than was consistent with the usual anatomy of the
+human countenance. Lower down, in somewhat shaky lettering, was set
+forth the following announcement:
+
+[Illustration:
+
+Come to the blue Grotto!
+
+GRAND DRAMA
+
+"THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE"
+
+·FEATURING·
+
+THE SISTERS INGLETON..........The Cheverley Favourites
+
+SIGNORINA CARMEL LESLIE....The famous Sicilian Comedienne
+
+MISS GOWAN BARBOUR..............The Daisy of Chilcombe
+
+MISS BERTHA CHESTERS...................(Our Bert)
+
+Have half an hour of Fun and Pathos
+It will do you good to laugh and cry
+
+SILVER COLLECTION]
+
+This they placed temporarily in the passage, but when the girls had
+giggled over it sufficiently they removed it, for fear its attractions
+might tempt some of the mistresses into asking permission to attend, a
+fatality which must at all costs be avoided.
+
+The performers spent a hectic day making arrangements. The time allowed
+in their dormitory was necessarily limited, so preparations were a
+scramble. The four beds were moved and placed as seats, and one corner
+of the room was reserved as the stage. Carmel's dressing-room made an
+excellent "green room," and gave the Blue Grotto a substantial
+theatrical lift over other dormitories.
+
+Ten minutes before the hour, five distracted actresses were struggling
+to complete their impromptu toilets.
+
+"I'm so rocky, I know I shan't be able to say anything at all!"
+fluttered Dulcie.
+
+"Nonsense! Pull yourself together, child!" urged Gowan. "Get some
+stiffening into you, can't you?"
+
+"I'm going to have umpteen dozen fits!"
+
+"You've got to reckon with me if you spoil the play, so there! Don't be
+a silly cockchafer!"
+
+"Are we downhearted?" twittered Bertha.
+
+"No!" answered a stalwart chorus of three, hauling up Dulcie, who was
+sitting on a chair shivering in the agonies of an acute attack of stage
+fright.
+
+By this time the audience was trooping in, and seating itself upon the
+beds, and by frantic clapping clamored for the entertainment to begin.
+Gowan opened the show, and took the stage in the character of Miss
+Monica Morton, an elderly spinster. Her make-up was very good,
+considering the limited resources of the company. Some cotton wool did
+service for white hair neatly arranged under a boudoir cap; her dress
+(borrowed from Noreen, who was a head taller than Gowan) fell to her
+ankles; she wore spectacles, and wrinkles had been carefully painted
+across her forehead. Bertha, a forward chit of a maidservant (servants
+on the stage invariably assume a cheekiness of manner that would never
+be tolerated by any employer in private life), bounced in and handed her
+a letter, and stood making grimaces to the audience while her
+mistress--very foolishly--read its contents aloud. It ran thus:
+
+         "11 PARK LANE,
+             "MAYFAIR.
+
+    "DEAREST MONICA,
+
+    "We are sending Dorothea down to you by the first train in the
+     morning, and we beg you will keep a strict eye on her. An
+     individual named Montague Ponsonby has been paying her great
+     attentions, and we wish to break off the attachment. He is well
+     born, but absolutely penniless, and as Dorothea will some day
+     be an heiress, we do not wish her to throw herself away upon
+     him. Please do your best to prevent any such folly.
+
+    "Your affectionate sister,
+         "ELIZABETH STRONG."
+
+Miss Morton, on grasping the drift of this epistle, exhibited symptoms
+of distress. She flung out her arms in a dramatic attitude, and confided
+to the audience her disinclination to take over the unwelcome task of
+becoming duenna to her niece. There was no other course open to her,
+apparently; the idea of sending the girl home by the next train, or of
+hastily packing her own box and departing somewhere on urgent business
+did not seem to occur to her. She grumbled, but accepted the
+responsibility, and Jemima, the pert maidservant, made faces behind her
+back, till summoned by a violent knocking, when she flew to the door and
+admitted Dorothea, with bag and baggage.
+
+Lilias, as the fashionable niece, was "got up regardless." Her hair was
+done in a Grecian knot, a veil was twisted round her picture hat, and
+she sailed into the room with the assurance of a Society beauty.
+
+Aunt Monica, suppressing the letter of warning, gave the customary
+greetings, then--with the imprudence characteristic of a stage
+aunt--announced her intention of going out to do shopping while her
+niece unpacked her possessions.
+
+Instead of doing anything so sensible as to unpack, Dorothea sank into a
+chair, and in an attitude of great languor and despair confided her love
+affairs to the sympathetic and interested servant, who swore fealty and
+offered all possible assistance. Her kind intentions were put at once to
+the test, for immediately another violent knocking was heard, she flung
+open the door, and after a whispered colloquy announced "Mr. Montague
+Ponsonby."
+
+The entrance of Carmel, as hero of the drama, created quite a sensation.
+Materials for masculine attire were scanty at Chilcombe Hall, and, as
+the girls felt rather mean for not having invited the mistresses to
+their performance, they had not dared to ask for the loan of any
+theatrical properties, and had been obliged to concoct costumes from
+anything that came to hand. Carmel had put her feet through the sleeves
+of her brown knitted jumper, and drawn it up so that the cuffs fitted
+just below her knees, and made a really striking resemblance to a pair
+of gentleman's sporting breeches. A coat covered any deficiencies at the
+waist, a paper collar and a scarlet tie encircled her throat,
+india-rubber waders did service for top-boots, her hair was tucked under
+a felt hat (with the trimming wrenched off), and last, but not least,
+her lip was adorned with the black mustache which Prissie had used on
+Hallowe'en. She looked such a magnificent and sporting object, that it
+was no wonder the fashionable Dorothea fell into her arms.
+
+It is perhaps unusual for a gentleman to conduct his love-making with
+his hat on, but the audience was not "viper-critical" and allowed some
+latitude to Mr. Montague Ponsonby. They admired the ardor with which he
+pressed his suit, the fervor of his protestations of fidelity, the
+dramatic roll of his dark eyes, and the tender tone of his voice. His
+entrance was considered a very brisk bit of acting, and when he paused
+for breath, in a graceful stage attitude, sixteen pairs of hands gave a
+hearty clap.
+
+The lovers, possibly a little sated with the ecstacies of their
+affection, turned to the sordid details of life, and sitting hand in
+hand upon the sofa (improvised out of four bedroom chairs and an
+eiderdown) planned an immediate elopement. They had decided to hire a
+car and make for Scotland, and were discussing which hotel to stay at,
+and what they should order for dinner, when the inevitable happened. The
+pert maidservant rushed in, and in a voice squeaky with tragedy, warned
+them of the immediate approach of Miss Monica Morton.
+
+Of course, they ought to have expected it. Nobody except two utter
+idiots would have sat philandering upon the sofa in what might be termed
+"the lion's den," knowing that "the lion" might at any moment walk in
+with her shopping-basket and catch them. The surprise and horror
+depicted on their countenances would have commanded a good salary at a
+cinema studio. Mr. Montague Ponsonby was for bluffing it, but Dorothea's
+astute female brains seized a readier way out of the situation. She laid
+her lover flat upon the sofa, and covered him hastily with her traveling
+rug, then, opening her suitcase, flung its contents on the floor, and
+knelt down in the midst of a muddle of shoes, nightdresses, and other
+paraphernalia.
+
+Aunt Monica exhibited a natural amazement at finding her niece
+conducting her unpacking in the sitting-room, instead of upstairs, but
+accepted her explanations with wonderful indulgence. She professed
+herself tired with shopping, and moved towards the sofa to rest.
+
+Dorothea, with sudden solicitude, sprang up to offer her a chair, and
+made every human effort to lead her away from the couch. She was a
+persistent, not to say obstinate, old lady, however, and she meant to
+have her own way in her own house. Waving her niece aside, and
+proclaiming her weariness, she sank down heavily upon the sofa. The
+result was tragic, for a stifled groan resounded through the room, and
+the top-boots of the luckless Montague Ponsonby kicked wildly in the
+air. Miss Morton, naturally alarmed, and instantly jumping to the
+conclusion that he was a burglar, screamed loudly for assistance, and a
+passing policeman hastened to her call.
+
+It is wonderful how efficient and handy the police always are on the
+stage. They are invariably at the right place at the right moment, and
+always step in just in time to stop a murder, prevent an explosion, or
+rescue the heroine. Dulcie, who in a long blue coat, with a paper helmet
+and a strap under her chin, represented the majesty of the law, hauled
+the squirming Montague from the couch, and secured his wrists tightly
+with a piece of clothes line supplied by the pert servant, who ought to
+have been ashamed of herself for going back on her promise to help the
+lovers, but probably felt a deeper obligation to the policeman, who was,
+no doubt, her sweetheart, which accounted for his very convenient
+presence on the doorstep.
+
+"I arrest you in the King's name!" declared that officer, when the
+clothes line was sufficiently knotted, and Montague had ceased
+struggling. "You will be brought up on trial before the court, and
+charged with house-breaking and resisting the police."
+
+It was only then that the wretched man began to protest his innocence,
+and that Dorothea, falling on her knees, explained his name, errand, and
+intentions, and entreated her aunt to overlook the matter.
+
+Miss Morton wavered visibly. It was evident that her natural kindness of
+heart gave her a bias towards the lovers--she had, perhaps, been through
+an affair of the same sort herself in her youth--yet on the other hand
+her duty to her sister urged her to take stern measures. She drew the
+letter from her pocket with the seeming intention of strengthening her
+resolution against the hopes of Montague, and was shaking her head
+sadly over it, when the obstreperous servant, who had rushed for no
+apparent reason, except habit, to the door, bounded back, waving a
+yellow envelope. A well-trained maid usually presents a telegram upon a
+tray, but Miss Morton must have been accustomed to Jemima's rough ways,
+or was too agitated to rebuke her; she tore open the missive, glanced at
+its contents, and with a scream of joy sank fainting into her domestic's
+faithful arms.
+
+Of course, somebody had to read the telegram aloud. The policeman seemed
+to think it was his business. He picked it up, and proclaimed it in the
+manner of a town crier. It was short, but much to the point.
+
+    "Please encourage Montague Ponsonby. Uncle has died and
+     left him vast fortune.
+         "ELIZABETH."
+
+Everybody recovered at the good news. Miss Morton rose from the arms of
+Jemima, apologized to Mr. Ponsonby for having mistaken him for a
+burglar, and invited him to stay to lunch. He begged her not to mention
+the matter, and as soon as his wrists had been released by the
+policeman, he shook hands cordially with his prospective aunt, and made
+a pretty speech expressing his desire to become a member of the family.
+
+This was undoubtedly the moment for the curtain to descend, but as that
+most useful of stage adjuncts was conspicuous by its absence, the actors
+lined up instead, and made their parting bows with much éclat, Dorothea
+leaning elegantly upon her lover's shoulder, Aunt Monica holding aloft
+the telegram, the policeman saluting, and the maidservant blowing
+kisses.
+
+The applause was so thunderous that the performers were obliged to beg
+the audience to use self-restraint and limit the noise, for fear one of
+the mistresses should feel in duty bound to pay a surprise visit, and be
+scandalized at the costumes. Moreover, a clanging bell warned them that
+the recreation hour was over, so there was a hasty exit and a quick
+change into normal garments. Miss Hardy was kind that evening, and
+turned a blind eye to deficiencies of order. She was seen
+surreptitiously reading the program, and it was the general opinion in
+the dormitory that she and the other mistresses were much disappointed
+at having been excluded from the entertainment.
+
+"It did seem rather mean not to ask them," said Gowan,
+self-reproachfully, "though they'd have spoilt the whole show. I vote we
+give another some time--a prunes and prism affair without any lovers in
+it--and let them all come."
+
+"Right you are! But it will be a tame business after this!" agreed
+Bertha.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+All in a Mist
+
+
+The Blue Grotto entertainment was very successfully emulated by the
+occupants of the Gold, Green, Rose, and Brown bedrooms, and quite a
+sufficient sum of money was raised in the various collections to pay
+half the expense of the little wicker carriage for the invalid child.
+The school took a special walk one day to Five Stone Bridge, to see her
+take an airing in her new chariot, and though they agreed that it did
+not look nearly so picturesque as the wooden box, it was undoubtedly far
+more comfortable, and more suitable for one suffering from her
+complaint. She smiled shyly at the long line of girls, whispered a
+bashful "Thank you" for the chocolates they gave her, and appeared
+scared to the verge of tears when they spoke to her.
+
+"I don't blame her, poor kid!" said Gowan, as the school marched on,
+slightly disappointed. "I shouldn't like to be made a show of myself,
+and be stared at by everybody. She looked as if she wished us far
+enough. Never mind! She'll eat the chocs. and enjoy herself now we've
+gone. She's rather a sweet little morsel, isn't she, after all?"
+
+Christmas was drawing near, and the school turned from schemes of
+general philanthropy to the more pressing business of making presents
+for immediate relatives and friends. Various pieces of sewing, which had
+languished all the term, were taken out and worked at feverishly; there
+was quite an epidemic of needlecraft, and a wet day was almost welcomed
+as affording an opportunity for getting on with the gifts. Everybody
+seemed suddenly in need of embroidery silks, transfers, beads, wools,
+crochet needles, and other such articles, and a special deputation
+waited on Miss Walters asking permission to go a shopping expedition to
+Glazebrook to purchase these indispensables. Miss Walters, who always
+had an eye to school discipline, made the matter a question of marks,
+and granted the privilege only to those whose exercise books showed a
+certain standard of proficiency. Hester, Ida, Noreen, Joyce, Bertha,
+Carmel, and Doris were the only ones who reached the required totals, so
+under charge of Miss Herbert they were sent off one afternoon to the
+town, armed with a long list of commissions from the luckless ones who
+remained behind.
+
+Chilcombe Hall was four and a half miles from Glazebrook, and there was
+no motor omnibus service. It was arranged, therefore, for the party to
+walk on the outward journey, and to return with all their parcels in a
+couple of taxicabs. They started after an extremely early lunch, in
+order to do the important business of matching embroidery silks by
+daylight. It had been quite a fine sunny morning, but clouded over at
+noon, and although no rain fell the sky was gray and cheerless.
+
+The girls did not much mind the condition of the weather so long as they
+could see to make their purchases. They spent a considerable time in the
+principal fancy-work shop of the town, and tried the patience of the
+assistants by demanding articles that were quite unobtainable. A visit
+to a stationer's and a confectioner's almost completed their list of
+requirements, and only a few extras remained to be bought. Some of the
+party were standing in the entrance of a big general store, waiting
+while Miss Herbert executed commissions for Miss Walters, when Joyce was
+suddenly greeted by a friend, a lady who was just about to step into her
+motor.
+
+"Why, Joyce!" she exclaimed. "Have you been shopping here? So have
+I--look at my pile of parcels! Have you finished? Are you going straight
+back to school? I shall pass Chilcombe on my way home, and can take you
+in the car if you like, and some of your schoolfellows too. There's
+room for four if you don't mind squeezing!"
+
+It seemed much too good an offer to be refused. Joyce suggested, indeed,
+that she ought to consult Miss Herbert, who was in an upper department
+of the shop, but Mrs. Baldwin declared she could not wait.
+
+"I don't see that Miss Herbert can mind. We're quite ready to go, and it
+will save one taxi," urged Bertha.
+
+So it was hastily decided for Joyce, Bertha, Doris, and Carmel to go in
+the car, and Noreen ran upstairs to tell Miss Herbert of the
+arrangement. The latter, with Hester and Ida, was choosing lamp-shades
+and fancy candlesticks. It was only when Noreen had gone that Carmel
+remembered suddenly that she had never bought the packet of chocolates
+which she had promised to bring back for Dulcie. She stopped with her
+foot on the step of the car, and excused herself.
+
+"There's something I still have to do!" she explained. "I must come back
+in the taxi with the others after all! I'm so sorry!"
+
+Mrs. Baldwin had an appointment at home, and was impatient to start, so
+the door was slammed on Joyce, Bertha, and Doris, and they drove away
+all smiles, and waving a good-by through the window. There was a sweets
+department close at hand in the Stores, and Carmel bought a present of
+chocolate for Dulcie and of butterscotch for Lilias, then went upstairs
+to the lamp-shade counter to rejoin Miss Herbert and the other girls. To
+her surprise she found they had gone. She searched for them all round
+the upper story of the shop, but did not see them anywhere. She had kept
+a watchful eye on the stairs when buying the sweets, and was quite sure
+that they had not passed down while she was there. She returned to the
+lamp-shade counter and questioned the assistant, who told her that she
+had noticed the lady and the three girls in school hats walk down
+another staircase which led to a side door of the stores. In much alarm,
+Carmel hurried that way into the street, but not a trace of them was to
+be seen. She walked as far as the railway station, hoping to catch them
+there engaging a taxi, but not a solitary conveyance of any description
+was on the stand. She was indeed in a fix. She saw clearly that, of
+course, they all supposed she had gone with Mrs. Baldwin in the car, and
+by this time they were probably on the road to Chilcombe without her. It
+was nobody's fault but her own.
+
+The feeling that she had only herself to blame did not make the
+situation any less unpleasant. She was four and a half miles away from
+school, and unless she could secure a taxi, she would be obliged to walk
+back. She inquired from a porter, but he shook his head, and said it
+was unlikely there would be any cabs at the station till the express
+came in at six o'clock.
+
+Carmel thanked him, and turned away with her eyes full of tears. Owing
+to her Sicilian education she was not accustomed to going about by
+herself. England was still more or less of a strange country to her, and
+she did not know the ways of the land. Lilias, in her place, would have
+gone to the principal hotel, explained who she was, and asked the
+manager to find some sort of carriage to convey her back to school. Such
+a course never occurred to Carmel, however; instead, she tied her
+numerous parcels together, blinked back her tears, set her teeth, and
+started forth to walk.
+
+Fortunately, there was no mistaking the high road, and it was still
+comparatively early. If she put her best foot foremost she might
+reasonably expect to reach Chilcombe before dark. She had soon left the
+houses of Glazebrook behind, and was passing between hedges and fields.
+For the first mile and a half all went well; she was a little tired, but
+rather pleased with her own pluck. According to Sicilian customs, which
+are almost eastern in their guardianship of signorinas, it was an
+unheard-of thing for a young lady in her position to take a country walk
+without an escort. The remembrance of the beggars and footpads that
+lurked about Sicilian roads gave her uneasy twinges, and though she had
+been told of the comparative safety of British highways, her heart beat
+considerably when she passed anybody, and she scurried along in a
+flutter lest some ill-intentioned person should stop and speak to her.
+The farther she went from the town the fewer people were on the road,
+and for quite half a mile she had met nobody at all. She had been going
+steadily down a steep hill, and at the bottom she stepped suddenly into
+a great belt of fog that lay like a white wall in front of her. It was
+as if she had passed into a country of dreams. She could scarcely see
+the hedges, and all round was a dense mass of mist, clammy and cold and
+difficult to breathe. It was silent, too, for no sound seemed to travel
+through it, not a bird twittered, and no animal stirred in the fields.
+Carmel felt as utterly alone as if she were on the surface of the moon.
+All the familiar objects of the landscape were blotted out. It was still
+light, but this white thick mist was worse than darkness. She stamped
+along for the sake of hearing her own footsteps. She wished she had a
+dog with her. She kept to the left-hand side of the road, and followed
+the hedge, hoping that the fog was only in the valley, and that she
+would soon pass out of it. On and on it stretched, however, till she
+must have been walking through it for quite twenty minutes. Then she
+began to grow uneasy. There was a border of grass under the hedge bank
+wider than she remembered noticing on the road, and the suspicion
+assailed her that all unknowingly she must have turned down a side lane
+and have lost her way.
+
+She went forward now with doubting footsteps. Where was the path leading
+her? If she could only find some cottage, she could inquire. But there
+was no human habitation, nothing but the endless hedges and an
+occasional gate into a field. What was that in front of her? She
+stopped, and drew back with a cry of fear. Across her track gleamed
+water. She had almost stepped into it. Whether it was stream, pond, or
+river the thick mist did not reveal, but it certainly barred her
+footpath. She shivered, and turning round, walked back in the direction
+from which she had come, hoping to regain the high road.
+
+Then a wonderful atmospheric effect was displayed. A breeze sprang up
+and blew aside some of the fog, and the rising moon shone down on a land
+of white shadows. It was impossible to tell what was real and what was
+unreal. On the other side of the lane stretched what appeared to be a
+vast lake, but might only be mist on the meadows; cloud-like masses
+shaped themselves into spectral forms and rolled away into the dim and
+nebulous distance, where they settled into weird domes and towers and
+walls, a veritable elf king's castle. It was so uncanny and silent and
+strange that Carmel was far more frightened than she had felt before.
+Old fairy tales of her childhood crowded into her mind, memories of
+phantoms and ghosts and goblins, the legends of Undine and the water
+sprites, the ballad of the Erl-King in the haunted forest. She had
+learnt the poem once, and she found herself repeating the words:
+
+    "'Why trembles my darling? Why shrinks he with fear?'
+     'Oh Father, my Father! the Erl-King is near!
+     The Erl-King with his crown and his beard long and white!'
+     'Oh! your eyes are deceived by the vapours of night!'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    "'I love thee, I dote on thy face so divine!
+     I must and will have thee, and force makes thee mine!'
+     'My Father! My Father! Oh hold me now fast!
+     He pulls me, he hurts, and will have me at last!'"
+
+And as if that were not bad enough, the ballad of Lenore recurred
+to her:
+
+    "How swift the flood, the mead, the wood,
+         Aright, aleft are gone!
+     The bridges thunder as they pass,
+         But earthly sound is none.
+
+    "Tramp, tramp, across the land they speed,
+         Splash, splash, across the sea;
+     'Hurrah! the dead can ride apace,
+         Dost fear to ride with me?'"
+
+By this time Carmel, alone among the magic mist and moonlight, had
+reached a state of fear bordering on panic. She longed for anything
+human, and would have embraced a cow if she had met one. Through the fog
+in front of her suddenly loomed something dark, and the sound of horse's
+hoofs rang on the road. A wild vision of Lenore's spectral bridegroom
+presented itself to her overwrought imagination, and she shrieked in
+genuine terror, and shrank trembling against the hedge. The rider of the
+horse dismounted, and slipping his wrist through the bridle, came
+towards her.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked. "Are you hurt? Why, great Scott! It's
+never Carmel!"
+
+"Everard! Everard!" gasped Carmel, clinging desperately to his arm. "Oh!
+Thank Heaven it's you! I'm lost!"
+
+Everard comforted her for a while without asking any questions; then,
+when she had recovered calmness, he naturally wished to know why his
+pretty cousin was wandering in the country lanes by herself on a
+winter's evening. Man-like, he blamed the school instead of Carmel.
+
+"They ought to have taken better care of you!" he murmured. "Why didn't
+the mistress hold a roll-call, and count you all?"
+
+"It wasn't her fault. It was my own mistake!"
+
+"Well, whoever's fault it was, the fact remains the same. You'd better
+get on Rajah, and I'll take you back to Chilcombe."
+
+"Oh! that would be lovely. I'm so tired."
+
+Perched on Rajah's back, with Everard walking by her side, life seemed a
+very different affair from what it had been five minutes before. Carmel
+enjoyed the ride, and was almost sorry when they reached the great iron
+gates of the Hall.
+
+"Won't you come in and see Lilias and Dulcie?" she asked, as Everard
+helped her to dismount at the door.
+
+"I haven't time to-night. I must get home in a hurry. I've an
+appointment with Mr. Bowden, and he'll be waiting for me."
+
+"And I've kept you from it! Oh, I'm so sorry, Everard!"
+
+"I'm not. Look here, if you're ever in any trouble again anywhere, you
+come to me, and I'll take care of you. Don't forget that, will you?"
+
+"I'll remember!" said Carmel, waving her hand to him as she watched him
+ride away down the drive. Then she turned into the house to set at rest
+the panic of anxiety which had arisen over her non-appearance with the
+other members of the shopping party.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+On the High Seas
+
+
+There was quite a merry gathering at Cheverley Chase that Christmas. All
+the Ingleton children were at home, and with Cousin Clare and Mr.
+Stacey, they made a jolly party of nine, a satisfactory number, large
+enough to act charades, play round games, and even to dance in the
+evenings if they felt inclined. Without exception everybody voted Mr.
+Stacey "an absolute sport." He seemed to know a little about everything,
+and could help Bevis to arrange his stamp collection, or Clifford his
+moths and butterflies; he could name Roland's fossils, give Dulcie tips
+for the development of her photos, and teach Lilias to use the
+typewriter. He was so cheery and good-tempered over it, too, and so
+amusing, and full of fun and jokes, that the young Ingletons buzzed
+round him like flies round a honey-pot. There are some people in the
+world whose mental atmosphere appears to act like genial sunshine.
+Because their uplifting personality demands the best in others' natures,
+the best is offered to them. Mr. Stacey's lovable, joyous, enthusiastic
+temperament made a wonderful difference at Cheverley Chase. The constant
+squabbles and rivalries that had been wont to crop up seemed to melt
+away in his presence. Never had there been such harmonious holidays, or
+such pleasant ones. It was his idea to take advantage of a brief frost
+and flood the lawn, so that the family could enjoy skating there, though
+the ponds in the neighborhood were still unsafe. It was Carmel's first
+experience of ice, and she struggled along, held up by her cousins,
+feeling very helpless at first, but gradually learning to make her
+strokes, and enjoying herself immensely. Then there was scouting in the
+woods, and there were various expeditions to hunt for fossils in road
+heaps and quarries, or to explore hitherto unvisited parts of the
+district. There was no doubt that Mr. Stacey had a born knack with young
+folks, and as a leader of Christmas fun he was quite unrivaled.
+
+Among the changes for the better at Cheverley Chase there was perhaps
+none so great as the marked difference in Everard. Nobody could fail to
+notice it. Mr. Bowden considered that the six months spent as a
+chauffeur had "knocked the nonsense out of the lad, and done him a world
+of good." Cousin Clare said he had grown up, and the younger boys, while
+not exactly analyzing the altered attitude, admitted that their eldest
+brother was "a good sort" these holidays.
+
+"Everard always so loved to be 'top dog' before," Dulcie confided to
+Lilias. "I used to hate the way he bossed us all and arranged
+everything. He's far nicer now he doesn't pose as 'the young squire.'
+Even when he used to tell us what he'd do for us when he owned the
+estate, it was in such a grand patronizing manner that it made me feel
+all bristles. I didn't want to be helped like that!"
+
+"He is indeed very different!" agreed Lilias thoughtfully.
+
+The only person who did not notice any change in Everard was Carmel, but
+she had never known him in the old days, so fixed him at the standard at
+which she had found him. The two were excellent friends. Under her
+cousin's teaching, Carmel learnt much of English country life; she had
+the makings of a plucky little horsewoman, and could soon take a fence
+and ride to hounds. She was very much interested in the gamekeeper's
+reports, in various experiments in forestry that were being tried, and
+in motor plows and other up-to-date agricultural implements that she saw
+in use on the farms.
+
+"It's all different from Sicily," she said one day.
+
+"Yes. You see I'm training you to play your part as an English
+landowner," replied Everard. "You ought to know something about your
+estate."
+
+Carmel shook her head emphatically.
+
+"Don't call it _my_ estate, please! I've told you again and again that I
+don't mean to take it from you. How could a girl like I am manage it
+properly? You know all about it, and I don't. People can't be made to
+take things they don't want. As soon as I'm twenty-one, I shall hand it
+straight over to you. I'd like to see you master of the Chase!"
+
+It was Everard's turn to shake his head.
+
+"That can never be, Carmel! Please let us consider that matter perfectly
+settled, and don't let us open the question again. It's an utter
+impossibility for me ever to be master of the Chase. That's final! I may
+have my faults, but I'm not a sneak or a fortune-hunter."
+
+"You're not cross with me, Everard?" Carmel was looking at him
+anxiously.
+
+"No, dear, but you're such a child! You can't understand things properly
+yet. You will when you're older."
+
+"Then what are you going to do, Everard, after you leave college?"
+
+"Study for the Bar, I hope. It's the kind of career that would suit me,
+I think."
+
+Carmel's dark eyes shone.
+
+"Then I shall come to court, and hear you plead a case! And when you get
+into Parliament--oh yes! you _are_ going to get into Parliament, I
+_know_ you are!--I shall sit in the Ladies' Gallery and listen to your
+first speech. If you won't be Squire of Cheverley, you must become
+famous in some other way! In Sicily we think a tremendous amount about
+being the head of the family. You'll be the head of the Ingletons, and
+you've got to make a name for the sake of the others."
+
+"I know I ought to take my father's place to the younger ones," answered
+Everard gravely. "I'll do what I can in that line, though I'm not much
+to boast of myself, I'm afraid. I'm not the good sort you think me,
+Carmel. But there, you little witch, you've cast your glamour over me,
+somehow! I suppose I've got to try to be all you want me. Princess
+Carmel gives her orders here, it seems!"
+
+"Yes, and in things like this she expects to be obeyed!" laughed Carmel.
+"I told you once before that you hadn't got the same shape of forehead
+as the Emperor Augustus for nothing!"
+
+It was after the girls had returned to school, during some bitter
+weather at the end of January, that Lilias caught a severe cold, and was
+kept in bed. Dr. Martin, sent for from Glazebrook, took a serious view
+of the case, and asked to consult with Dr. Hill of Balderton, the
+family physician at Cheverley Chase. They sounded the patient's chest,
+examined the temperature charts kept by Miss Walters, and decided that
+the climate of Chilcombe was too damp for her at present, and that she
+would benefit by spending the trying spring months in a warmer and drier
+atmosphere. The result of this ultimatum was a large amount of writing
+and telegraphing between England and Sicily, several confabulations
+among Mr. Bowden, Cousin Clare, Mr. Stacey, and Miss Walters, and then
+the remarkable and delightful announcement that the invalid, escorted by
+a detachment of her family, was to be taken to Casa Bianca at Montalesso
+on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Greville.
+
+It was, of course, Carmel who had engineered the whole business.
+
+"It's nearly a year since I left home," she explained, "so it's time
+they let me go and see them. I couldn't take Lilias without Dulcie, it
+wouldn't be kind, and even Miss Walters saw that, though she held out at
+first. Then Everard has been working very hard, and needs a change, but,
+if Mr. Stacey goes with us, they can use Daddy's gun-room for a study,
+and read for three or four hours every morning. And Cousin Clare must
+come too, to take care of us all; we couldn't leave her behind. Mother
+loved her when she came over to fetch me last year. I don't believe
+she'd have let anybody else take me away. Oh, how I want to show Sicily
+to you all! Won't we have absolutely the time of our lives? To think of
+going home and taking you with me!"
+
+It was wonderful how Princess Carmel seemed to manage to get her own
+way. Mr. Bowden and Miss Walters, who were the natural obstacles to the
+plan, yielded quite amicably after only a short opposition. Cousin Clare
+had encouraged the scheme from the first, and Mr. Stacey and Everard
+were all enthusiasm.
+
+"You'll need us men to look after the luggage," declared Everard,
+oblivious of the fact that Cousin Clare had successfully piloted Carmel
+and her boxes across the continent without any masculine assistance, and
+was quite capable of traveling round the world on her own account.
+
+As Mr. Greville was one of the directors of a line of Mediterranean
+steamers running from Liverpool to Alexandria, it was decided that the
+party should book passages in the _Clytie_, and go by sea as far as
+Malta, crossing from there in a local vessel to Sicily. The doctors
+thought that a sea voyage would be better for Lilias than a long tiring
+train journey across France and Italy, and as it was a novel experience,
+the idea was attractive to most of the party. Fortunately they were
+able to engage the accommodation they needed, and set out without
+further loss of time.
+
+I will not describe the journey to Liverpool, or the wearisome drive
+through drab streets and along miles of docks till they reached the
+_Clytie_. She was a steamer of about 6,000 tons, and, considering the
+crowded condition of all sea traffic at the time, they might think
+themselves very lucky to be able to secure cabins without waiting months
+for the privilege. It was indeed only owing to Mr. Greville's influence
+that they had been able to do so. With much curiosity they looked round
+the floating castle which was to be their home for perhaps a fortnight.
+All seemed new and strange to their wondering eyes--the dining-saloon,
+with its long table and fixed, crimson plush-covered chairs, that
+swivelled round like music-stools to allow their owners to sit down on
+them; the small saloon, with mirrors, piano, and books, specially
+reserved for the ladies instead of a drawing-room; the smoke-room for
+the gentlemen, and the steward's pantry. The cramped sleeping
+accommodation rather appalled the girls, though Cousin Clare, who was a
+seasoned traveler, assured them it was far more roomy than that given on
+many other vessels. As a matter of fact, the captain had turned out of
+his own cabin for them, and was sleeping next to the chart-house on the
+bridge, so that at any rate they had the best accommodation which the
+_Clytie_ afforded. Four berths in a space about nine feet square
+certainly does not allow much elbow room; the girls planned to go to bed
+in relays, and wondered how they could possibly have managed in the
+still smaller quarters at which Cousin Clare had hinted. Neatness and
+order seemed an absolute essential. There was no place except their
+berths on which to lay anything down, and their possessions had to
+remain inside their cabin trunks. Each had brought a linen case with
+pockets, and tacked it on to the wall beside her berth, to hold
+hairbrush, comb, handkerchiefs, and a few other immediate necessities,
+but when anything else was wanted, the trunks must be pulled from under
+the bunks and their contents turned over.
+
+They had hardly arranged their luggage in their cabin, when Everard came
+in to tell them that the vessel was getting under way, and they all
+rushed on deck to witness the start. Out from the dock they steamed into
+the wide estuary of the Mersey, where ships of many nations might be
+seen, and the pale February sunshine was gleaming upon the gray tidal
+waters that lay in front, and on the roofs and chimneys of the great
+city they were leaving behind.
+
+"I can understand emigrants feeling it a wrench to say good-by to
+England!" said Dulcie, leaning on the rail and fluttering her
+handkerchief as a parting tribute to her country. "I'd be sorry if I
+were never coming back any more! Home's home!"
+
+"Yes, and Sicily is mine!" said Carmel with shining eyes. "I can't
+forget that every day is taking me nearer to Mother! Only a fortnight
+more, and we shall be at Casa Bianca! How I hope we shall have a smooth
+voyage, and perhaps we shall get there even sooner. Now we have once
+started off, I feel as if I can't wait! I didn't know till to-day that I
+was so homesick!"
+
+The first twenty-four hours on board the _Clytie_ passed very
+successfully. The Ingletons dined, spent an evening in the saloon, made
+the acquaintance of other passengers, and next morning amused themselves
+with deck games. They began to congratulate the captain on the calmness
+of the passage, but he laughed and told them not to count up their
+blessings too soon.
+
+"In February we may expect anything in the way of weather," he remarked.
+
+And he was right. Directly they entered the Bay of Biscay they
+encountered a storm. At first the girls thought it rather fun to feel
+the vessel heaving its way through the water, to have to hold on to the
+chairs as they crossed the saloon, and to be nearly jerked off the
+stairs when they went on deck. But as evening came on, one by one they
+began to feel the effects of _mal de mer_, and long before the
+dinner-gong sounded had retired thankfully to their berths. The time
+that followed was an absolute nightmare. The heavy seas dashed the
+_Clytie_ about like a match-box. She pitched and tossed, and rolled, so
+that one moment the girls, lying on their backs, would find their heels
+higher than their heads, and the next instant the position would be
+reversed. The violence of the rolling almost flung them out on to the
+floor, and they were obliged to cling to the wooden edges of their
+berths. All their possessions were rolling about the cabin, the linen
+tidies had tumbled down, and hairbrushes, shoes, sponges, clothing, and
+trunks spun round and round in confusion. The noise was terrific, the
+wind blew a hurricane, and great waves broke over the deck with
+tremendous force. To add to the danger, the cargo in the hold shifted,
+and an enormous fly-wheel, which, with some other machinery was being
+taken to Alexandria, broke loose from the chains that held it, and
+dashed about smashing all with which it came in contact.
+
+Even when morning dawned, the storm did not abate. The girls heard
+afterwards that the men on the look-out were obliged to be lashed to the
+rail with ropes, that the captain never left the bridge for twenty-four
+hours, and that the hatches had been battened down to prevent any
+passengers from venturing on deck. At the time they were far too ill to
+care about any such details; Lilias and Dulcie would thankfully have
+gone to the bottom, and though Carmel and Cousin Clare were more
+cheerful, the physical discomfort troubled them decidedly more than the
+danger. The stewardess, who, poor woman, was herself ill, managed to
+struggle into their cabin, and holding on tightly to the berths, would
+pass them drinks of tea in cups that could only be filled a quarter full
+for fear of spilling.
+
+All through that horrible day they lay still, for the violence of the
+storm made it quite impossible to get up and dress. Towards evening,
+Carmel, who began to feel better, turned to thoughts of food, and after
+nibbling a biscuit, begged for something more. Now, when the _Clytie_
+was pitching and tossing and generally misbehaving herself, it was
+manifestly impossible to sit up and wield a knife and fork, for the
+whole contents of the plate would be whirled away at the next sudden
+lurch. The stewardess did her best, however, by bringing potatoes baked
+in their skins, and pears, at both of which delicacies it was possible
+to nibble while still lying flat, and holding with one hand to the side
+of the berth. The humor of the situation appealed to Carmel so much that
+she burst out laughing, and then Cousin Clare, and even Lilias and
+Dulcie laughed, and were persuaded each to try a potato, too. They
+snatched intervals of sleep during the night, and woke much refreshed.
+
+Morning found the _Clytie_ off the coast of Portugal, and in
+comparatively calm waters. Feeling very shaky, the Ingletons managed to
+dress, and tottered on deck. Everard and Mr. Stacey, both looking pale,
+though they assured every one that they were all right, found
+comfortable chairs for the ladies, and tucked them up snugly with rugs.
+After the long hours in the stuffy cabin it was delightful to sit in the
+sunshine and watch the gray, racing water. Here and there in the
+distance could occasionally be seen the funnels of far-away steamers,
+and then there was much excitement and focussing of opera-glasses and
+telescopes. They wondered if other vessels had been caught in the same
+storm, and how they had fared, and Dulcie even hoped they might
+encounter a wreck, and have the privilege of rescuing passengers from
+open boats. She was quite disappointed when nothing so romantic
+happened.
+
+It was interesting to go down to lunch in the saloon, and find the
+"fiddles" still on the table--long racks with holes in which the dishes
+and plates exactly fit, so that they cannot be shaken about. There was
+naturally much conversation among the passengers in relation to the
+storm, and it was passed round the table as a joke that the captain
+himself had been seasick, though he would not for a moment admit that he
+was capable of such a landlubber's weakness.
+
+"If I had known what it was going to be like, I would never have come by
+sea!" declared Lilias, whose symptoms had been more acute than those of
+any one else in the party.
+
+"That's what everybody says at first, young lady," returned Captain
+Porter. "Wait till you get seasoned a little, then you'll find out the
+charms of Father Neptune's kingdom. I don't mind betting that by the
+time we get to Malta, you'll have fallen in love with the Mediterranean,
+and won't want to leave the vessel and will be begging me to take you on
+to Alexandria!"
+
+"And leave the others to go to Sicily? No, thanks!" laughed Lilias.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+The Casa Bianca
+
+
+On the following morning the passengers of the _Clytie_ woke to find
+themselves steaming into the port of Tangiers. They scrambled through
+their toilets and hurried on deck, in raptures over the view of the old
+Moorish town against a background of green trees, and the blue waters of
+the bay in front. As some cargo was to be shipped, there would be time
+to go on shore, and a party was made up under the escort of Captain
+Porter and of the Greek agent who had arrived on board with the pilot.
+Donkeys were hired for the ladies, and a cavalcade set forth to view the
+Kasbah, or native market, and some beautiful gardens outside the city
+walls. It was strange to the girls to be in Morocco, with black faces
+all round them, and to catch glimpses through open doorways of Moorish
+courtyards, of marble fountains, or of little Arab children chanting the
+Koran. They were glad indeed of a masculine escort, for their
+donkey-boys looked such a wild crew that would have been frightened to
+be left alone with them, and the eastern aspect and general dirt of the
+place, though picturesque, made them thankful when they were safely back
+again on board ship.
+
+To their intense interest, part of the cargo consisted of Mohammedan
+pilgrims for Mecca. The rank and file of these encamped on the lower
+deck, where they sat, ate, slept, and cooked their food over charcoal
+braziers, filling up their time by reciting the Koran in a monotonous
+chant. A wealthy merchant from Morocco was also traveling to Alexandria
+with his wife and family, and had engaged all the second-class quarters
+of the _Clytie_ for his exclusive occupation. His lady was brought on
+board closely veiled, and made no further appearance, but Dulcie and
+Carmel, standing one day on the upper deck, could see down to the
+second-class deck, and noticed three small children run out to play. The
+boys were each clothed in a white garment with a gaily colored striped
+sash, but the beautiful little girl wore a dress of palest blue velvet,
+exquisitely embroidered with roses. Carmel, who adored children, could
+not resist the temptation to call to them and throw them each an orange,
+whereupon some warning voice summoned them inside the cabin, and after
+that, though the boys occasionally played on the deck, the girl was
+never again allowed to expose her face to the gaze of strangers.
+
+Another brief halt was made at Algiers, a less barbaric place than
+Tangiers, and quite up to date and modern in its handsome French
+quarter, though picturesque in the Arab part of the city. It was
+possible to get carriages here, instead of donkeys, and the passengers
+went on shore for a delightful drive to the Caliph Mustapha palace,
+through woods of eucalyptus, and pine, and palm, and gardens of
+flowering shrubs. They would have been glad to stay longer in such a
+beautiful spot, but the _Clytie_ was getting up steam, and unless they
+wished to be left behind they must go on board again.
+
+The Ingleton party agreed afterwards that their voyage down the
+Mediterranean was an experience never to be forgotten. In the bright
+February sunshine the blue waters deserved their reputation. It was warm
+as summer, and all day the passengers lived on deck, watching the smooth
+sea and distant coastline, or amusing themselves with games. Mr. Stacey,
+with his jolly, hearty ways and talent for entertaining, was, of course,
+the life and soul of everything. He organized various sports during the
+day, and concerts and theatricals during the evening. He was great at
+deck cricket, which, owing to the limitations of the vessel, is a very
+different game from that on land. The balls are made of odds and ends of
+rope, twisted together by the sailors, and must be hit with caution so
+as not to be sent overboard. Any luckless cricketer whose ball goes
+flying into the deep is immediately required, by the rules of ship's
+etiquette, to buy another from the sailors who make them, so an
+unaccustomed batsman may be landed in much expense. Everybody found it
+great fun, however, and when they had lost the day's supply of balls,
+would take to ring quoits and deck billiards instead.
+
+But perhaps the most popular game of all was "bean-bags." For this the
+passengers were divided into two teams. Each team stood in couples
+facing each other at a distance of about a yard. At the top and bottom
+of each column was placed a chair, and on the top chair were piled
+twelve small canvas bags filled with beans. The teams waited at
+attention till the umpire blew a whistle, at which signal they started
+simultaneously. The player nearest the chair on the right-hand side
+seized a bean-bag and flung it to his opposite neighbor, who in his turn
+flung it to No. 2 on the right-hand side, who threw it back to No. 2 on
+the left, and so on down the line. Meantime player No. 1 had caught up a
+second, and a third bean-bag, and continued passing on others till all
+the twelve were in process of motion. They were tossed backwards and
+forwards till they reached the chair at the bottom of the line, and were
+then returned in the same way that they had come. Whichever team
+succeeded first in getting all its bean-bags back to its starting chair
+was considered to have won the game. It was really a much more difficult
+business than it sounds, for some of the passengers were
+"butter-fingers" and would fail to catch the bags, and much valuable
+time was wasted in picking them up, while others were apt to cheat, and
+in order to get on quicker would throw to No. 9 instead of to No. 8, an
+error which the umpire's sharp eyes would immediately detect, and he
+would cause the bag to go back to the starting-point.
+
+Among all these amusements the time on the Mediterranean passed rapidly
+and pleasantly. Lilias was already wonderfully better, the mild sea
+breezes had almost banished her cough, and her appetite was a source of
+satisfaction to Cousin Clare.
+
+"Casa Bianca will finish the cure!" declared Carmel. "I know what care
+Mother will take of you! Only a few days more now, and we shall be
+there!"
+
+Captain Porter's laughing prophecy that Lilias would be so much in love
+with voyaging that she would want to go on to Alexandria was partly
+justified, for she was genuinely sorry to leave the vessel when they
+arrived at Valetta, the port of Malta.
+
+"I shall come on the _Clytie_ again some day," she assured him. "Only I
+bargain that you take me all the way up the Nile to look at the pyramids
+and the ruined temples!"
+
+"Very well, if you'll undertake to dig out the Nile's basin so as to
+accommodate a vessel of six thousands tons!" laughed the captain.
+"Otherwise I shall have to arrange to take you in a sea-plane!"
+
+"And we'd fly over the desert? Oh, that would be thrillsome! Please book
+me a seat for next year, and I'll go!"
+
+The _Clytie_ arrived at Malta in the morning, and, as the local steamer
+did not start for Syracuse until midnight, the Ingleton party had the
+whole day at Valetta on their hands. They very sensibly established
+themselves at an hotel, ordered lunch and dinner there, then went out
+into the town to take a walk along the ramparts and see what sights they
+could. Valetta, with its streets of steps, its wonderfully fortified
+harbors, its gay public gardens, its cathedral, and its armory of the
+Knights of St. John, where are preserved hundreds of priceless suits of
+armor belonging to the Crusaders, the famous silver bells that rang
+peals from the churches, and the rare and beautiful pieces of Maltese
+lace exhibited in the shop windows, had many attractions for strangers,
+particularly those of British nationality. In the midst of such foreign
+surroundings it was delightful to hear English spoken in the streets,
+to see the familiar figure of a policeman, and to know that the great
+warships in the harbor were part of the British Fleet, and were ready at
+any time to protect our merchant vessels.
+
+After a bewildering day's sight-seeing the girls sat in the lounge of
+the hotel after dinner, trying to rest. They were very tired, and would
+gladly have gone to bed, but the Syracuse mail-boat ran only once in
+every twenty-four hours, and started at midnight, so their traveling
+must perforce be continued without the longed for break. Cousin Clare
+cheered them up with the thoughts of the coffee ordered for ten o'clock,
+and of berths when they got on board the steamer.
+
+"We might be far worse off," she assured them. "For at least we have a
+comfortable hotel to rest in. I remember once having to spend most of
+the night in a waiting-room at the station at Marseilles. Put your feet
+up on the sofa, Lilias! Carmel, child, if you'd shut your eyes, I
+believe you'd go to sleep. I vote we all try to doze for an hour, until
+our coffee comes to wake us up."
+
+It was quite a quaint experience to leave the hotel at eleven o'clock
+and drive in carriages to the quay, then to get into small boats and be
+rowed out to the mail-steamer. It was a glorious night, with a moon and
+bright stars, the sky and the water looked a deep dark blue, and from
+vessels here and there lights shone out that sent twisting, flickering
+reflections into the harbor. Their steamer was some distance away, so it
+was a long row out from the Customs House across the shimmering water.
+The landlord of the hotel, Signor Giordano, who understood the dubious
+ways of native boatmen, went with them to prevent extortionate demands,
+and saw them safely on board.
+
+"The blackguards would have charged us treble if we'd been alone!"
+declared Mr. Stacey. "They are a set of brigands, the whole lot of them.
+By daylight we might have managed, but it's difficult in the dark. I'm
+thankful to see all our luggage here. I thought a hand-bag or two were
+going to be lost!"
+
+If the girls had counted upon a peaceful night, they were much
+disappointed. They retired, indeed, to their berths, but not to sleep.
+The short crossing between Malta and Sicily is one of the worst in the
+world, and there was a swell which almost rivalled their experiences in
+the Bay of Biscay. The little vessel pitched and tossed and rolled, and
+caused them many hours of discomfort, till at length, at six o'clock, it
+steamed into the harbor at Syracuse, and landed them on Sicilian soil. A
+train journey of a few hours followed, to Targia Vecchia, which was the
+nearest railway station to Montalesso, where Carmel's home was
+situated.
+
+Mr. Greville met them at Targia Vecchia, and after kissing Carmel, who
+rushed straight into his arms, gave a most hearty welcome to the rest of
+the party. He had two cars waiting, and after the usual preliminaries of
+counting up luggage, and giving up checks and tickets, they found
+themselves whisking along a good Sicilian road in the direction of Etna,
+whose white, snow-covered peak was the commanding feature in the whole
+of the surrounding landscape. The Casa Bianca or White House justified
+its name, for it was a handsome building of white stone, encircled by a
+veranda, and hung with beautiful flowering creepers. In its rich,
+sub-tropical garden grew palms, aloes, bamboos, and the flaming Judas
+trees, thickets of roses, and a wilderness of geraniums. The Ingletons
+caught an impression of gay foreign blossoms as they motored up the
+stately drive to the steps of the house. Their arrival had evidently
+been watched, for on the veranda was assembled quite a big company ready
+to greet them. First there was Carmel's mother, the Signora Greville, as
+she was generally called, a beautiful, sweet-looking lady, with her
+daughter's dark eyes, and the gracious stately manners of old Sicilian
+traditions. Then there were the children, Bertram, Nina, Vincent, and
+Luigia, the two first fair, like their English father, the younger ones
+taking after the Italian side of the family. With them were a number of
+other relations who had motored over to welcome Carmel home; her uncle,
+Richard Greville, and Aunt Gabrielle, with their children, Douglas,
+Aimée, Tito, and Claude; her mother's brother, Signor Bernardo Trapani,
+with her cousins, Ernesto, Vittore, and Rosalia; and her mother's
+sister, Signora Rosso, with pretty Berta and Gaspare, and little Pepino.
+
+All these nineteen relations gave the Ingletons a typical Italian
+greeting. They embraced Carmel with the warm-hearted demonstrative
+enthusiasm characteristic of the country, and welcomed the rest of the
+party with charming friendliness. Everybody chattered at once, making
+kind inquiries about the journey, and the travelers were taken indoors
+to change their dusty clothes before coming down to the elaborate lunch
+that was spread ready in the dining-room.
+
+The almost patriarchal hospitality of the Casa Bianca suggested the
+establishment of an Arab chief, or a mediæval baron, rather than that of
+an ordinary household of the twentieth century. It was the strangest
+combination of north and south that could be imagined. The Grevilles and
+their relatives spoke English and Italian equally well, and conversed
+sometimes in one language and sometimes in the other. They had been
+settled for many years at Montalesso, and had, indeed, established
+quite a colony of their own there. Mr. Frank Greville and his brother,
+Richard, together with Signor Trapani and Signor Rosso, were partners in
+a great fruit-shipping business. Thousands of cases of beautiful
+oranges, lemons, grapes, and almonds were packed at their warehouses and
+sent away to England and America. They had orange and lemon groves and
+vineyards inland, and employed a small army of people tending the trees,
+gathering the fruit, wrapping it, and dispatching it by sea at the port
+of Targia Vecchia. Being connected by marriage as well as business, they
+formed a pleasant family circle, and were constantly meeting at each
+other's houses. Their children grew up in the happy Italian fashion of
+counting cousins almost as close as brothers and sisters.
+
+It took the Ingletons a little while to get accustomed to the life at
+Casa Bianca, but Carmel, sitting in the creeper-covered veranda,
+explained many things to them.
+
+"You mustn't think our particular ways are the ways of the country.
+We're an absolute mixture of English and Italian; Aunt Gabrielle is
+French, and Aunt Giulia a real Sicilian."
+
+"What is the difference between a Sicilian and an Italian?" asked
+Dulcie.
+
+"The difference between Welsh and English. Sicily is, of course, a part
+of Italy, and under the same government, just as Wales is part of Great
+Britain, but its people are of separate origin from the Italians, and
+speak a dialect of their own. Italian is the polite language of Sicily,
+which is spoken in law courts, and shops, and among educated people, but
+most of the peasants speak Sicilian amongst themselves."
+
+"Can you speak it?"
+
+"A little. All the words ending in 'e' are turned into 'i.' For
+instance, 'latte' (milk) becomes 'latti,' and 'pesce' (fish) 'pesci,' o
+changes into u, and ll into dd. 'Freddo' (cold) becomes 'friddu,' and
+'gallina' (a hen) 'gaddina.'"
+
+"How fearfully confusing! I should never learn it! The few sentences of
+Italian I've managed to pick up are quite bad enough!"
+
+"Why, I think you're getting on very well. Sareda understood you
+perfectly this morning when you asked for hot milk instead of coffee."
+
+The best of Casa Bianca was that with its ample space and its traditions
+of hospitality, it seemed to absorb the Ingletons and make them feel
+more members of the family than guests. Mr. Stacey and Everard were
+apportioned a small sitting-room for a study, and worked hard every
+morning, giving the afternoon to recreation. Lilias, who had completely
+lost her cough, and looked wonderfully well, was put to rest on the
+piazza in the mornings, though she protested that she was no longer an
+invalid. Dulcie, radiantly happy, and enjoying her holiday to the full,
+trotted about with Carmel, and made friends with the children and their
+French governess. Bertram, Nina, Vincent, and baby Luigia were dear
+little people, and were only too anxious to show the guest the glories
+of the garden. Hand in hand with them, Dulcie inspected the marble
+fountain whose basin was full of gold and silver fish, the tank where
+pink water-lilies grew, and the groves of orange trees where the ripe
+fruit hung like the golden apples of the Hesperides, and Parma violets
+made clumps of pale purple sweetness beneath.
+
+Remembering that it was early in March, and that bitter winds were
+probably blowing over Chilcombe and Cheverley, Dulcie was amazed at the
+warmth of the Sicilian sunshine and the wealth of the flowers. Pink
+ivy-leaved geraniums trailed from every wall, great white arum lilies
+opened their stately sheaths; marigolds, salvias, carnations, and other
+summer flowers were in bloom, and little green lizards basked on the
+stones, whisking away in great alarm, however, if they were approached.
+
+The general mental atmosphere of the place was genial and restful. Mr.
+Greville was kindness itself to his young guests, and they had all
+fallen in love with Carmel's mother. Her charming manners and gaiety
+were very attractive, and the slight foreign accent with which she spoke
+English was quite pretty. Lilias, who had before felt almost angry with
+Carmel for feeling homesick at Cheverley, began at last to understand
+some of the attractions which held her cousin's heart to Sicily.
+
+"I'd rather have the Chase, of course," she said to Dulcie, "but on the
+whole Montalesso is a very beautiful spot."
+
+"So beautiful that I shouldn't mind living here all the rest of my
+life!" said Dulcie, gazing through the vine-festooned window out over
+the orange groves to where the white snow-capped peak of Etna reared
+itself against the intense blue of the Sicilian sky.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+Sicilian Cousins
+
+
+The relations, who had assembled to welcome Carmel back, came often to
+the Casa Bianca, and in quite a short time they and the Ingletons were
+on terms of intimacy. Ernesto Trapani, a handsome young fellow, slightly
+older than Everard, was studying at the University of Palermo, in which
+city Vittore was at school, and the two brothers came home from Saturday
+to Monday. Douglas Greville, a tall boy of seventeen who had been at
+school in Paris, also went to the Palermo University for certain classes
+in chemistry, which would help him afterwards in the conduct of his
+father's business. The younger children of the various families, Aimée,
+Tito, and Claude Greville, Rosalia Trapani, and Berta, Gaspare, and
+Pepino Rosso, had lessons with private governesses, under whose charge
+they had learnt to chatter Italian, English, and French with the utmost
+ease.
+
+On the Saturday after the Ingletons' arrival all these young people came
+over to Casa Bianca, and it was decided to take picnic baskets, and go
+out in a body to show the guests some of the sights of the neighborhood.
+So a very gay party started off from the veranda. First they went
+through long groves of orange and lemon trees, where peasant women, with
+bright handkerchiefs tied over their heads, were gathering the fruit and
+packing it carefully in hampers.
+
+"You must simply live on oranges here," said Dulcie, accepting the ripe
+specimen offered her by Douglas. "Do you know this is the fifth I've had
+this morning?"
+
+"On the contrary, we hardly ever touch them ourselves," answered
+Douglas. "I suppose we have so many that we don't care about them here.
+I used to like them, though, when I was in Paris."
+
+"It would take me a long time to get tired of them," declared Dulcie. "I
+did not know before what a really ripe orange tastes like. They're
+absolutely delicious. Why don't we get them like this in England?"
+
+"They wouldn't keep if they were packed ripe, and fruit that ripens on a
+tree is always much sweeter than when it has been stored."
+
+"Yes, I know: our English apples are like that. I wish I could be here
+in the autumn to see your peaches and vines! I shan't want to go away
+from this ripping place. I've never seen anything so lovely in my
+life!"
+
+Montalesso was indeed in all the glory of its spring charm. Everywhere
+the almond trees were in flower, and the effect of the masses of lovely
+lacy blossom against the brilliant blue of the sky was a perfect
+picture. With the cherry bloom of Japan the almond blossom of Sicily
+holds equal rank as one of the most beautiful sights in the world. From
+the height where the young people were walking they could see the sea at
+Targia Vecchia, and the little red sails of fishing smacks in the
+harbor, and the flat topped half Moorish houses, each with its clump of
+orange trees and its veranda of vines. Beyond, a landmark for all the
+district, was the great glittering peak of Etna. Its lower slopes were
+clothed with vineyards, and dotted here and there with villages, a
+second range was forest clad, and its dazzling summit, 10,742 feet above
+sea-level, lay in the region of the eternal snows. A thin column of
+smoke issued from the crater, and stretched like a gray ribbon across
+the sky. Lilias viewed it with some uneasiness.
+
+"I hope there won't be an eruption!" she said nervously.
+
+The boys laughed.
+
+"English people are always so scared at poor old Etna! They imagine the
+crater is going to turn on fireworks for their entertainment. That smoke
+is a safety valve, so don't be afraid. The observatory gives warning if
+anything serious is going to take place."
+
+"And what happens then?"
+
+"Some of the people on the slopes run away in time, and some stay to
+guard their property. We're quite safe at Montalesso, for we're fifteen
+miles away, though the clear air makes the peak look so near."
+
+They had left the lemon groves and the almond blossom behind, and were
+now walking along a grassy table-land where flocks of goats were
+feeding. The goatherds, picturesque little boys dressed in sheepskin
+coats and soft felt hats, with brown eyes and thick brown curls, were
+amusing themselves by playing on reed pipes. They recalled the Idylls of
+Theocritus, and might almost have been products of the fourth century
+B. C. instead of the twentieth century A. D. The wild flowers that grew
+in this plain were gorgeous. There were anemones of all kinds, scarlet,
+purple, pale pink, and white: irises of many colors, blue pimpernel,
+yellow salvia, violet grape hyacinths, and clumps of small white
+narcissus. Above all rose the splendid pale pink blossoms of the
+asphodel, a striking feature of a Sicilian landscape.
+
+The Ingletons ran about in greatest delight, picking handfuls of what
+were to them beautiful garden flowers.
+
+"It's a moot point whether Proserpine was gathering narcissus or
+asphodel when Pluto ran away with her," declared Mr. Stacey, offering
+Lilias a bouquet which a Greek nymph might have been pleased to accept.
+"I incline to asphodel myself, because of its immortal significance. It
+gives an added meaning to the myth."
+
+"What is the story exactly?" asked Dulcie. "Do tell it, please!"
+
+"Yes, do!" begged all the children, crowding round Mr. Stacey. "We want
+to hear your English story!"
+
+"It's not an English one, but a very old Greek one. Shall we rest on
+this wall while I tell it? Luigia shall come on my knee. Yes, there's
+room for Pepino too, and Gaspare and Vincent may sit next to me. Well,
+in the old Golden Age, when the world was young, Ceres, the Goddess of
+the Harvest, who gave all the fruits of earth to men, had a beautiful
+daughter named Proserpine, or, as the Greeks called her, Persephone. She
+made Sicily her place of residence, and she and her nymphs used to
+delight themselves with its flowery meadows and limpid streams, and
+beautiful views. One day she and her companions were wandering in the
+plain of Enna, gathering flowers, when there suddenly appeared the god
+Pluto, king of Hades, the regions of the dead. Falling in love with
+beautiful Proserpine, he seized her, and forced her to get into his
+chariot. She screamed to her maidens, but they could not help her, and
+Pluto carried her off. With his trident he struck a hole in the ground,
+so that chariot and horses fell through into Hades, of which place
+Proserpine became the queen. Now Ceres did not know what had happened to
+her daughter, and she wandered all over the earth seeking for her. At
+last she found Proserpine's girdle on the surface of the waters of a
+fountain where Pluto had struck his hole in the ground, and the nymph
+Arethusa told her how her daughter had been stolen away. Full of
+indignation, Ceres went to complain to Jupiter, who promised that
+Proserpine should be restored if she had taken nothing to eat in the
+realm of Hades. Unfortunately Proserpine, as she walked in the Elysian
+fields, had gathered and eaten a pomegranate, which act constituted her
+a subject of those regions. To pacify Ceres, Jupiter permitted that
+Proserpine should spend six months of every year with Pluto in Hades,
+and the other six months with her mother on earth. Each spring Ceres
+went to the entrance of a great gloomy grotto to meet her daughter, and
+with her return all the flowers bloomed on earth again. There is a very
+celebrated picture by Sir Frederick Leighton, called 'The Return of
+Persephone.' The artist has painted Ceres at the entrance of the grotto
+with the sunshine behind her, holding out her arms to the lovely
+daughter whom the god Mercury is bringing back to her out of the
+darkness.
+
+"The story is one of those old nature myths of which the Greeks were so
+fond. The time Proserpine spent in Hades symbolized winter, when winds
+blew cold, and few flowers bloomed, and her return symbolized the advent
+of spring. It has a deeper meaning, also, to those who look for it,
+because it is a type of the Resurrection, and shows that our dear ones
+are not really taken from us, but will come again in more glorious life
+and beauty. Many of the old Greek myths had this meaning hidden under
+them, as if they were sent to prepare people for the truth that Christ
+was to reveal more fully later on. Nearly all early religions began with
+pure and beautiful conceptions of God, and then trailed down to earth,
+because their followers were too ignorant to understand. The ancient
+Egyptians believed in God, and said that one of His attributes was
+strength. The strongest thing they knew was a bull, so they made
+colossal statues of bulls in black marble, to show God's strength, but
+the populace worshipped the statues instead of God himself, and became
+idolaters. In the same way the ancient Greeks realized that Beauty was
+part of God's scheme of work, and they came to worship Beauty quite
+apart from Goodness, forgetting that the two must go together. They
+imagined their gods and goddesses as magnificent men and women, with
+superb bodies but no beauty of soul, and as there was nothing uplifting
+in this religion, it soon died out, as all things die in time, if they
+don't help us to grow nearer to God. The story of Proserpine is one of
+the prettiest of the old Greek legends, and I can just imagine her
+gathering these lovely flowers. I believe we're going on to see her
+fountain, aren't we, Vittore? She made it with her tears when Pluto
+carried her off."
+
+The object of the expedition was indeed to see Proserpine's fountain, a
+clear spring out of which flowed a small river. After walking another
+mile across the meadows, the party came to this river, where they were
+able to engage boats to row them up to the fount. It was a unique spot,
+for the whole of the banks were bordered with an avenue of papyrus,
+which grew there in greatest profusion. Legend said that it had been
+planted by an Egyptian princess who brought it from the Nile, and that
+it grew in no other place in Europe, a statement which was satisfactory
+enough, though rather difficult to verify. There was much bargaining,
+after true Sicilian fashion, with the native boatmen, who demanded at
+least four times what they meant to take, protesting that they would be
+ruined at the sum Ernesto named to them, and finally, when he pretended
+to walk away, accepting his offer with enthusiasm. This very necessary
+preliminary satisfactorily settled, the company was packed into the
+small boats, about four going in each. In the distribution of the guests
+occurred the first hitch in the Ingletons' visit. Mr. Stacey suggested
+that it was advisable to sandwich children and grown-ups, and he and
+Lilias started in the first "barca" in charge of little Luigia, Vincent,
+and Pepino. Dulcie and Douglas were responsible for Gaspare, Rosalia,
+and Nina, while Vittore, and Aimée, Claude, and Bertram went together.
+Carmel held Tito and Berta each by a hand, and Ernesto helped them all
+three into a boat. Everard was in the very act of jumping in after them,
+when Ernesto stopped him.
+
+"Excuse me, Signore, that is my place! There is plenty of room for you
+in the other boat."
+
+"And surely in this too?" said Everard, flushing with annoyance.
+
+Ernesto shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Oh, no! You and I are too heavy to be together. Vittore and the others
+are light; you will just make weight." And, stepping in, Ernesto took
+his seat beside Carmel, and told the boatman to push off, while Everard,
+with a face like a thundercloud, joined the younger children.
+
+Up the narrow little river the light boats pushed, under an overhanging
+archway of papyrus reeds, so that they seemed as if penetrating through
+a green jungle. The boatmen began to sing Sicilian folk-songs, and
+Vittore and Rosalia and Tito and some of the others joined in. To
+everyone except Everard the excursion was delightful, but he,
+considering himself treated with scant politeness, sat sulking in
+Vittore's boat, and would scarcely speak to Aimée, who made a really
+heroic effort to amuse him.
+
+Proserpine's fountain, where after half an hour's rowing the boatmen
+took them, was a clear deep pool reflecting the blue of the sky, and
+encircled with papyrus, donax reeds, and beautiful irises. It seemed a
+fit setting for the legend of antiquity, and a fertile imagination could
+almost conjure up a vision of Pluto, with his chariot and black horses,
+carrying off the lovely nymph from her meadows of flowers to his gloomy
+realm of darkness. On the way back the second boat made a halt to cut
+some pieces of papyrus reed, and Dulcie called out in much excitement to
+the occupants of the other "barcas."
+
+"Lilias! Everard! We're cutting some papyrus, and Douglas is going to
+show me how to make it into parchment like the ancient Egyptians used to
+write on. Won't it be gorgeous? Don't you want some too?"
+
+"Rather!" replied Lilias, appealing to Mr. Stacey, who promptly pulled
+out his penknife, and began to hack away at a stout stem on her behalf.
+
+The lengths of papyrus which they bore off with them somewhat resembled
+thick pieces of rhubarb, and how these were ever going to be turned into
+writing materials was a puzzle to Dulcie, though Douglas assured her
+airily that he knew all about it. The elders of the party were glad to
+get the lively youngsters safely on dry land again.
+
+"I thought Rosalia was going to turn into a water nymph," said Lilias,
+comparing notes afterwards with Dulcie. "She leaned over in the most
+dangerous manner, and so did Tito. If the boats hadn't been so broad,
+they would have capsized."
+
+"Then Pluto would have bagged the whole lot of us! More than he quite
+bargained for, perhaps!" laughed Dulcie.
+
+The making of the parchment was a matter of great interest to the
+Ingletons. With Douglas as an instructor, they all set to work on its
+manufacture. Taking ten inch lengths of the papyrus reeds, they cut them
+into long, thin, vertical slices, and laid these across each other in
+the form of a small mat between sheets of blotting paper. This was next
+squeezed through a wringing-machine to rid it of superfluous moisture,
+then placed under a heavy weight, in the manner of pressing flowers.
+When at last it was dry, the alternate layers of the papyrus had
+adhered together and amalgamated into a substance identical with the old
+Egyptian parchment, though much coarser and rougher in quality. The
+girls were delighted with it. They borrowed a book on Egypt from Mr.
+Greville's library, and copied little pictures of the Sphinx, scarabs,
+Ra, the Sun god, and other appropriate bits, painting them in bold
+colors on their pieces of parchment, and feeling as if they had gone
+back a few thousand years in history, and were dwellers in Memphis or
+some other great city on the banks of the Nile. They designed special
+ones for Miss Walters, Miss Hardy, and Miss Herbert, and smaller
+offerings for Gowan, Bertha, Phillida, Noreen, and others of their
+friends at Chilcombe Hall. Papyrus, indeed, became the rage at Casa
+Bianca. All the various cousins vied with one another in making the
+choicest specimens. They wrote letters to each other upon it, rolling up
+the parchments and tying them with ribbons in the manner of ancient
+scribes. Perhaps the whitest and best welded sheet of all was one made
+by Mr. Stacey, who turned out to be so clever at the new craze that he
+jokingly declared he must be a priest of some Egyptian temple come to
+life again. He used a reed pen, and got some very happy effects in
+hieroglyphs, puzzling out the names of each of the company in the
+curious picture writing of the days of the Pharaohs who reared the
+pyramids.
+
+"Will you take us some day to see the Nile?" asked Lilias, happy in the
+possession of her name neatly pictured on the specially white sheet of
+papyrus, with a lotus bloom, the lily of Egypt, painted underneath. "You
+know Captain Porter said we ought to go to Alexandria!"
+
+"Nothing would please me better, if the fates willed it!" smiled Mr.
+Stacey.
+
+"We'll go in a party, and hire a boat up the Nile, and take all the
+Grevilles with us, specially Douglas," declared Dulcie. "I count them my
+cousins too. Don't you, Everard?"
+
+"Right-o!" laughed Everard. "Cousins by all manner of means let them
+be!" ("Though I don't bargain to include the Trapani family among our
+new relations!" he added softly to himself, half under his breath).
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A Night of Adventure
+
+
+It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that
+Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had
+taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani. The fact is that
+Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English
+squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough
+occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give
+himself airs. Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian
+ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the
+young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating
+him by logic, though never convincing him. It annoyed Everard to see
+Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk
+together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few
+sentences.
+
+"I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he
+said to her one day, petulantly.
+
+Carmel flushed crimson.
+
+"Please don't call Italian a beastly lingo! I'm sorry if I've been rude
+in speaking it, but I sometimes forget that you don't understand what
+we're saying. It comes naturally to me. I'll try to remember."
+
+"Remember you're an Ingleton, and the owner of English property," urged
+Everard. "Now you're at Casa Bianca I don't believe you ever give a
+thought to the Chase!"
+
+"Yes, I do! Oftener than you suppose. I've grown to love England more
+than I believed possible. In summer the country was all green and
+beautiful, while here every blade of grass gets burnt up by the blazing
+sun. Oh, yes! I'm really very fond of the Chase! I am indeed!"
+
+"Then, which do you like better--England or Sicily?"
+
+But at that question Carmel shook her head.
+
+"My opinions are my own, and I'm not going to tell them to anybody!" she
+flashed merrily. "It's a good motto to enjoy yourself wherever you may
+happen to be! That's all you'll get out of me, Mr. Everard! And quite
+enough, too!"
+
+Though Everard might have private reasons of his own that marred the
+pleasure of his visit to Montalesso, his sisters were having the time of
+their lives. Lilias, with the help of Mr. Stacey, had taken
+enthusiastically to botany, and was making a collection of pressed
+Sicilian flowers. She had also begun to sketch under his tuition, and
+had finished quite a pretty little water color of the house. Dulcie,
+always interested in country life, was thoroughly happy on the estate.
+She liked to watch the gathering of the oranges and lemons, the pruning
+of the vines; to see the great white bullocks plowing in the fields or
+slowly drawing the gaily painted carts. The wealth of flowers delighted
+her, and much to Everard's disgust, she frankly acknowledged herself in
+love with Sicily, and insisted that she would like to live there.
+
+"I shall ask Aunt Nita to keep me instead of Carmel!" she declared. "You
+may all go back to England and leave me behind!"
+
+"What would Mr. Bowden say to that?" asked Cousin Clare. "He has
+arranged for you to stay another two years at school!"
+
+"Oh! bother Mr. Bowden! I wish he wasn't my guardian! Can't I swop him,
+and have Mr. Greville instead?"
+
+"Unfortunately people can't change their guardians!" laughed Cousin
+Clare. "They have to stick to those to whom the law assigns them. Cheer
+up! You might have a far sterner one than Mr. Bowden, and a much more
+disagreeable school than Chilcombe. You've the summer term to look
+forward to when you get back."
+
+"Chilcombe isn't Montalesso!" persisted Dulcie, pulling a face. "No, you
+dinky, deary Cousin Clare, you'll never persuade me to like school
+again! I shall catch a cold on purpose as soon as I go back, and then
+you'll have to bring me over here for the sake of a warmer climate. I'll
+bribe the old doctor!"
+
+"Who'll probably send you to Switzerland for open-air treatment among
+the snow!" said Cousin Clare, who generally managed to get the last
+word.
+
+The Ingletons had now been some weeks at the Casa Bianca, and were
+beginning to grow more accustomed to Sicilian ways. In Mr. Greville's
+car they had been taken to many of the principal places of interest in
+the neighborhood; they had seen the Castello, the old ruined tower which
+in bygone days had been the stronghold of brigands, the ancient Greek
+amphitheater, with its marble seats still bearing the names of owners
+who sat and watched the chariot races in the fourth century B. C., the
+beautiful Temple of Neptune, and the Palazzo Salvatore, with its museum
+of priceless treasures. There was one local gathering, however, which
+Carmel declared they must not on any account miss.
+
+"I'm so glad you will here for the fair at Targia Vecchia!" she said.
+"It's really the event of the whole year. You'll see more Sicilian
+customs there than anywhere else I know. The peasants come down from the
+mountains for miles round. You'll just love it!"
+
+Such a spectacle was, of course, a great attraction to the Ingletons, so
+a select party was made up to visit the famous fair. Signora Greville,
+nervous about infection, would not allow her younger children to go, for
+fear they might catch measles among the motley crowd, and the same
+cautious care was extended over the children of the other families, but
+Douglas and Aimée joined the expedition, and Ernesto and Vittore,
+somewhat to Everard's disgust, had a special holiday from Palermo in
+order to be present. They all set off on foot, and followed the winding
+road that led down the hill-side from Montalesso to the little harbor of
+Targia Vecchia.
+
+For once the country-side seemed alive with people. Down every mountain
+path descended donkeys, on which were seated girls or women in their
+best gala garments, striped skirts, bright aprons, lace on their velvet
+bodices, gay kerchiefs on their heads, and large gold ear-rings in their
+ears. The men who led the donkeys were dressed in equally picturesque
+fashion. Many wore black velvet jackets and scarlet Neapolitan caps, or
+long brown cloaks with hoods over their heads; their legs bound with
+rough puttees, and their feet thrust into sandals of hide with the hair
+left on. Everybody seemed to carry a large cotton umbrella, either of
+bright green or magenta.
+
+"They think it looks grand," explained Carmel. "Every peasant brings his
+umbrella to the fair, to show that he has one!"
+
+"Except the brigands," added Vittore. "You can always tell a brigand
+because he never carries an umbrella."
+
+"Are there any brigands?" asked Dulcie anxiously.
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied Vittore, winking secretly at Ernesto. "There are
+quite a number still in the neighborhood."
+
+"I was talking to one only the other day!" admitted Ernesto.
+
+"Not really?"
+
+"It's quite a profession still in Sicily."
+
+"Do they catch people and hold them to ransom?" Dulcie's face was a
+study.
+
+"Certainly they do, and chop their fingers off if their relations don't
+pay up. It's quite an ordinary little trick of theirs."
+
+"O-o-oh! Is it safe to go to the fair, do you think? That man in front
+hasn't any umbrella!"
+
+"Don't be a scared rabbit, Dulcie! You little silly, can't you see
+they're ragging you?" put in Everard impatiently. "There are no brigands
+left in Sicily now!"
+
+"Aren't there, indeed?" said Ernesto. "Ah! That shows how much you know
+about it! Only last week the Count Rozallo was taken prisoner on the
+road to Catania, and carried off into the mountains. He's there yet,
+till he pays a ransom of 25,000 lire."
+
+"Pooh! I expect he's done it to evade his creditors, if the story is
+true. I'll believe in brigands when I meet them, and not before!"
+scoffed Everard.
+
+"And I shall be frightened of every man who doesn't carry a big red or
+green umbrella!" declared Dulcie, hanging on to the arm which Douglas
+gallantly offered for her protection. "What do you think about it,
+Carmel?"
+
+"I think I'm quite safe, for the brigands are generally very chivalrous
+to women, and only run away with gentlemen and chop off their fingers!"
+laughed Carmel.
+
+By this time they had descended the road, and were entering the
+picturesque little town. Generally Targia Vecchia was the quietest of
+places, but to-day it was _en fête_. The fair was held all along the
+main street, in a large square opposite the church, and also on the
+beach. Everywhere there were stalls, selling every commodity that can be
+imagined. On the sweet-stall was sugared bread in the shape of hearts or
+rings, covered with gold and silver tinsel; there were sugar images,
+fruits, little baskets, carriages, birds, animals, all made in sugar,
+and apparently much in request among the juvenile population. There were
+cheap toys, bright handkerchiefs, Venetian shoes, tambourines, lengths
+of gay dress materials, dates, figs, and oranges, and the inevitable red
+and green cotton umbrellas. The small shops, following an ancient custom
+which dates back so many centuries B. C., had hung out signs to signify
+the nature of their wares to those peasants who could not read. Over the
+baker's doorway dangled a loaf, the shoemaker had a large boot, and the
+wine shops still showed the garlands of ivy once dedicated to Bacchus. A
+gaily-garbed chattering crew of people moved from stall to stall,
+laughing, gesticulating, and bargaining, and evidently enjoying
+themselves. A pretty girl was trying ear-rings, and looking at the
+effect in a mirror held by the vendor, while older folks flocked round a
+quack medicine dealer, who was loudly proclaiming the virtues of the
+various bottles.
+
+The scene on the shore was even more picturesque than that in the town.
+The beach, which was covered with pebbly sand, commanded a beautiful
+view of hills clad with prickly pear, of the bright blue sea, the
+distant Calabrian coast, and mountains tipped with snow. Gaudily painted
+carts were drawn up, while their owners bought and sold, and rows of
+donkeys, with smart trappings and saddle-bags, were tied to posts. On
+the sand were numbers of animals for sale--oxen, cows, calves, goats,
+kids, great black hogs covered with bristles like wild boars, and tiny
+pigs which, when bought, were popped into bags with their heads and the
+two front feet peeping out. The noise was indescribable. Cattle lowed,
+pigs squealed and grunted, men shouted, children cried, and musicians
+sang and rattled tambourines. Beggars of all descriptions, the blind,
+the halt, and the maimed were there, clamoring for alms, and calling
+attention to their deficiencies, often thrusting a withered hand or the
+stump of an arm under the very noses of strangers, to demand sympathy
+and money from them.
+
+Lilias and Dulcie began to understand why Signora Greville had not
+allowed the younger children to come to the fair. They were almost
+frightened by the dirt and impudence of the beggars, and each clung to
+the arm of a masculine protector to pilot her through the crowd. They
+were, indeed, glad to move away from the rather rough element on the
+beach, and turn back through the town, where the peasants were now
+taking lunch of maccaroni and omelettes at tables spread in the streets.
+They bought a few curiosities and souvenirs at the stalls, stopped to
+listen to a band of musicians, then turned up the hill-side again, and
+made their way back to Montalesso, leaving Targia Vecchia to continue
+its merry-making.
+
+"I should think the fair must be a wonderful sight at night!" said
+Everard that afternoon at the Casa Bianca.
+
+"Rather," agreed Ernesto. "The people will be dancing down the streets
+by torch light and singing at the pitch of their voices."
+
+"I'd give anything to see it!"
+
+"I shouldn't go, my boy, if I were you," put in Mr. Greville quietly.
+"You'd find it a rowdy place, and not at all to your liking. The wine
+shops will have been very busy all day."
+
+"And the people aren't over gentle with strangers when their blood's
+up," added Vittore. "They've no use for a nice young Englishman down in
+Targia Vecchia! Best stay safe at home."
+
+Vittore, who had waited till his uncle was out of earshot, spoke
+tauntingly. Everard colored crimson.
+
+"I'm not afraid of a few Sicilian peasants!" he remarked.
+
+Vittore's sneer had aroused his opposition, and made him determined to
+go, more particularly as Carmel had expressed great regret at not having
+bought a certain necklace which she had seen on a stall, and wished to
+add to a collection she was making of Sicilian peasant jewelry. It
+would be a triumph to walk down alone to the fair, buy the necklace, and
+show these young foreigners that Englishmen knew how to take care of
+themselves. He did not mention his intention to Mr. Stacey or to Mr.
+Greville, but waiting till it was almost dark he avoided the family,
+dashed into the garden, and set off along the road to Targia Vecchia.
+
+As Mr. Greville had prophesied, he found the little town in a decidedly
+lively condition. Barrels of wine were being broached in the streets by
+the light of flaring torches, and most of the men were in an excited
+condition. The Cheap Jacks were still doing a brisk trade, and at the
+jewelry stall Everard was able to buy the souvenir he wanted for Carmel.
+It was the last of the sort left, so he considered himself in luck. He
+put the small parcel in his pocket and turned away, rather disgusted
+with the riot of the town, and glad to leave the noise and glare behind
+him. He tramped up the steep country road with a sense of relief.
+
+It was a beautiful calm night, and a half moon hung silver in the sky.
+The stars, far brighter than they ever appear in England, twinkled in
+the blue firmament, behind the mighty peak of Etna. It was not really
+dark, and it was quite possible to see the main outlines of most of the
+features of the landscape. Everard walked along cheerily. So far he had
+met with no hindrance. The people at the fair had indeed looked at him
+with much curiosity, and had even spoken to him, but certainly nobody
+had offered in any way to molest him. The dangers of Targia Vecchia at
+nightfall had evidently been grossly exaggerated. So confident was
+Everard that he even whistled a tune as he walked, and planned how he
+would stroll into the drawing-room on his return to Casa Bianca, slip
+the necklace from his pocket, and casually mention where he had been. In
+his preoccupation he did not give any particular heed to the road, or
+see movement among the dark shadows of a group of prickly pears that
+overhung a sharp corner.
+
+Without the slightest warning a pistol shot suddenly rang out, and three
+figures, springing from the shelter of the prickly pears, flung
+themselves upon him. For a second he had a vision of cloaks and masked
+faces, and hit out pluckily, but they were three to one, and in a few
+moments they had secured him, bound his hands behind his back, and tied
+a bandage over his eyes. Almost stunned at first by the suddenness of
+the attack, Everard, as soon as he recovered his speech, protested
+indignantly, and demanded of his assailants what they wanted. They spoke
+together in rapid Italian, which he did not understand, then one of
+them replied in very broken English:
+
+"Signore, it is our order to take you to our captain."
+
+"And who is your captain?"
+
+"That I not tell."
+
+"And what does your captain want with me?"
+
+"He ask ransom. You rich Inglese. Property in your own country. You give
+many thousand lire ransom."
+
+"Indeed I can't!" protested Everard. "You've made a big mistake. I don't
+own any property, and I'm not rich at all. You'd better let me go, or
+there'll be trouble in store for you when my friends hear of it."
+
+The brigands, if such they were, made no reply. Possibly they did not
+understand him. They were busy, moreover, searching his pockets, and
+were appropriating his watch, money, and other valuables with short
+grunts of satisfaction. Bound hand and foot, Everard could offer no
+physical resistance, though his bold spirit was raging. At length his
+captors, having rifled all they wanted, untied his legs, and, taking him
+by the arms, hauled him along between them. Blindfold as he was, he had
+no notion in what direction he was going, though they seemed to leave
+the main road, and to be taking a cross-country journey over fields and
+rough ground. Were they taking him to the Castello, he wondered? It had
+been a noted haunt of brigands in bygone days, and its inaccessible
+position would make it a safe hiding-place. He asked himself what was
+going to happen. How soon would he be missed at the Casa Bianca? Would a
+search be made for him, and with what success? These fellows were often
+very crafty in their places of concealment, and had evidently got hold
+of some false idea of his rank and fortune. In that half-hour, Everard
+went through very severe mental as well as physical discomfort. His
+captors were not too gentle, and hurried him along anyhow. They refused
+to answer any more of his questions, and, except for an occasional
+hoarse remark to one another in Italian, kept a rigid silence.
+
+After what seemed to him an interminable distance, they apparently
+reached their destination, for he was dragged up a flight of steps into
+some building, whether prison, castle, or private dwelling he was unable
+to guess. A door was flung open, for a moment he heard an echo of
+voices, then all was silent.
+
+He was alone, though in what sort of apartment he had no means of
+judging. The floor felt smooth to his feet, as if made of tiles, and the
+walls also were smooth. His captors had not untied his hands, but he
+kept straining at the rope in the hope of freeing himself. Escape was
+the uppermost notion in his mind. He had indeed so far succeeded in
+loosening his bonds that he could almost slip one hand out. At that
+crisis, however, the door opened, and he was once more led forth.
+
+"Where are you taking me now?" he demanded angrily.
+
+"To our captain," replied the same foreign voice which had given him his
+former information, while two strong pairs of arms pushed him along.
+
+Though his bandage was very thick, he could tell that he was passing
+from comparative darkness into a brilliantly lighted room. He had a
+strong sense that it was full of people. He even thought he heard a
+murmur of sympathy, which was, however, instantly suppressed. Everard's
+was not a nature to be cowed by any circumstances, however appalling. He
+meant to show this rascally crew that an Englishman never loses his
+pluck, and, in spite of the ropes that bound him, he stepped forward
+with all the courage and pride of a true Ingleton.
+
+"Am I speaking to the captain?" he said in a calm clear tone. "Then,
+Signore, I wish to inform you that you have made a mistake. I am no
+wealthy English landowner, as you can very soon find out for yourselves,
+and I may add that, if I were, I'd stay here to all eternity sooner than
+give you a penny of ransom!"
+
+"Hurrah!" came from a voice close behind him, a voice which sounded so
+familiar that Everard, forgetting his bandage, turned in much
+perplexity.
+
+"The Signore Inglese had better humble himself to our captain," murmured
+his guide. "Remember that here he has the power of life and death!"
+
+"I'll humble myself to nobody!" thundered Everard, as angry as a lion at
+bay. "Untie my hands, you cowards, and I'll fight for my life! If you've
+an ounce of pluck among you, you'll give me a sporting chance!"
+
+"Ecco! E giusto!" said a fresh voice, presumably that of the captain.
+"Signore, you shall have your will!"
+
+At this a knife was passed rapidly through the ropes that bound him, and
+at the same moment a hand snatched the bandage from his eyes. Dazed with
+the sudden light, Everard stared round as one in a dream. He had
+expected to find himself in some rough hall surrounded by brigands, and,
+lo and behold, he was in the drawing-room at the Casa Bianca, in the
+midst of the united family!
+
+"Forgive our rough joke, Everard!" exclaimed Mr. Greville, clapping him
+heartily on the shoulder. "I had never intended to let it go so far. I
+thought a fight on the road would do you no harm, for there _are_
+dangers in Sicily to reckless young strangers who like to run risks,
+and you might easily have found yourself in greater trouble than you
+imagine at Targia Vecchia, if I had not sent Tomaso to shadow you. The
+people down there know his reputation with a revolver, and don't care to
+interfere. Never mind, lad! You came very well out of it! You certainly
+showed us what you were made of, just now. On the whole, I think you
+turned the tables on us!"
+
+Everard was still standing gazing round the room, at Ernesto and
+Vittore, who had been his captors, at Mr. Greville, at Aimée and
+Rosalia, who were laughing at the joke. He turned white and red with
+passion, and for the moment looked capable of knocking down Ernesto as
+he had threatened to treat the supposed brigands. A glance from Mr.
+Stacey, however, steadied him. Above everything Everard was a gentleman.
+By a supreme effort he controlled himself.
+
+"I think it's an abominable shame!" declared Carmel, turning upon
+Ernesto with blazing eyes. "Daddy never meant you to bind him and bring
+him up here like that--only to frighten him for a minute on the road.
+You know he did! I'll never forgive you, Ernesto! _Never!_ If this is a
+specimen of our Sicilian hospitality, Everard won't want to come to the
+Casa Bianca again! My cousins didn't treat me to practical jokes at the
+Chase! They gave me an English welcome!"
+
+"Let me make peace!" said Signora Greville, coming forward and taking
+Everard's hand in her pretty Italian fashion. "Our guest knows, I hope,
+that we meant no discourtesy to him. For all he has suffered we claim
+his pardon. Is it not so, Ernesto and Vittore? He has, indeed, shown us
+how a brave Englishman can behave in a position of danger, and we admire
+his courage. I think we ought to congratulate him on the splendid way he
+has taken a joke which certainly went much farther than was intended."
+
+At that, everybody crowded round Everard, making pretty speeches, for
+all realized that the mock adventure had been real enough to him at the
+time.
+
+"I should faint if I thought I were taken by a brigand!" shivered Aimée.
+
+"I should die outright!" declared Rosalia.
+
+"Your property is back in your pocket with my sincere apologies,"
+murmured Vittore, restoring the watch and other valuables.
+
+It was not until the next morning that Everard had an opportunity to
+give Carmel the peasant necklace for which he had ventured down to
+Targia Vecchia. Her delight was immense.
+
+"Why, it's the very one I wanted!" she exclaimed. "It will be the gem of
+my whole collection. I shall always call it the Brigand Necklace, after
+this. You went through a great deal to bring it back, Everard!"
+
+"Oh, never mind! That's all over and finished with now. I'm going to
+forget it!"
+
+"You may forget it, but I shan't! I shall always remember how you called
+them cowards, and asked for a sporting chance. I must say I like men to
+be able to take care of themselves. As for Signor Ernesto, I haven't
+forgiven him yet, and on the whole I'm not altogether quite sure that I
+ever shall!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+At Palermo
+
+
+It was perhaps to atone for the indignities which Everard had suffered
+at the hands of Ernesto and Vittore, in the practical joke that they had
+played upon him, that Signor Trapani proposed to take the Ingletons for
+a few days' trip to Palermo. He declared he could not allow them to
+leave Sicily without a peep at the famous capital city, and that in
+motoring there they could also see some of the sights upon the way.
+Though they were perfectly happy at Casa Bianca, a visit to Palermo was
+of course a great attraction, and the party, including Cousin Clare and
+Mr. Stacey, were all excitement and smiles.
+
+"We're to stay at an hotel," announced Carmel, "and Ernesto and Vittore
+are to have dinner with us."
+
+"And Douglas, too," added Dulcie, with satisfaction. "I heard your uncle
+say he had asked him."
+
+"Oh, did he? I'm so glad. Now we shall have plenty of cavaliers to take
+us about. What fun it will be! You'll just love Palermo. I always sing
+a jubilee when Mother has a shopping expedition there and wants me to go
+with her."
+
+"Hurrah for to-morrow, then!" proclaimed Dulcie.
+
+Taking only a little light luggage the lucky travelers packed themselves
+into two cars and set off on their pleasure-jaunt. Leaving the sea they
+turned inland to the mountain region, and with a short stop at
+Centuripe, to get the magnificent view of Etna, they motored on to
+Castrogiovanni, a wonderful old town set, like an eagle's nest, on the
+very crest of a high hill, and full of relics of Greeks, Carthaginians,
+Romans, Saracens, and Normans, who had held its fortress in turns. It
+looked the real brigand stronghold of old stories, as impregnable as
+some of our Scottish castles and a fit subject for legend.
+
+One feature of the Sicilian landscape greatly struck the Ingletons.
+
+"There are no cottages scattered about like we have in England,"
+remarked Lilias. "Do the people who work in the fields all live in these
+little towns on the tops of hills? Why don't they have their homes close
+to their work?"
+
+"It's an old Sicilian custom," explained Signor Trapani. "In former days
+there were so many robbers that nobody would have dared to live alone in
+a cottage in the open country; even now it would scarcely be thought
+wise, and the peasants feel far safer at night in a town, with their
+neighbors to help to protect them and their valuables. A Sicilian
+peasant would rather walk many miles to his fields than run the risk of
+brigands stealing his savings. Nearly everybody keeps a few goats, and
+each morning the goatherd blows a horn and leads the flock of the whole
+town out to pasture. He keeps guard over them all day and brings them
+back in the evening, when each trots home to its own stable to be
+milked. The children often wait at the city gate to welcome the goats
+back, and you can see quite affectionate little meetings between them."
+
+"Kids welcoming kids!" murmured Dulcie, who clung to schoolgirl slang,
+rather to the consternation of Signor Trapani, who did not always
+understand it, and much to the indignation of Cousin Clare, who was
+continually urging her to speak pure English.
+
+From Castrogiovanni the way lay down hill to Palermo, which they reached
+in the evening, just when a golden sunset was lighting up its
+eastern-looking houses, its beautiful gardens, and magnificent harbor.
+Ernesto, Vittore, and Douglas were waiting for them at the hotel, so
+they made a jolly party of ten at dinner, and had a round table all to
+themselves in the _salle à manger_. Signor Trapani, in his enthusiasm as
+host, even suggested the theater afterwards, but Cousin Clare said
+"No," after such a long motor run, and sent the girls off to bed.
+
+"They may go and see an Italian play to-morrow evening, if you don't
+work them too hard at sight-seeing during the day," she relented, "but
+remember, I want to keep the roses in their cheeks, and Lilias, at any
+rate, must not get overdone. I'm the stern chaperon, you know."
+
+"So I understand," laughed Signor Trapani, "though such a charming lady
+cannot make a very terrible duenna, and we are not at all frightened of
+you," he added, finishing, like every true Italian, with a compliment.
+
+Lilias, Dulcie, and Carmel had three small beds in a room that led out
+of Cousin Clare's. Though they had pretended to be disappointed at not
+being allowed to go to the theater, in reality they were all extremely
+tired and glad to rest. Dulcie in particular snuggled down on her pillow
+and was asleep even before Lilias turned off the electric light. The
+others were not long in following suit, and in a short time all were in
+the land of dreams.
+
+It was perhaps two o'clock in the morning when Lilias awoke in the
+darkness with a start. Her bed was shaking violently under her, as it
+had done once long ago, when Everard in his school-days had played a
+trick upon her. There was a loud rumbling noise, like the passing of a
+gigantic motor-lorry or a railway train, the jugs and basins were
+rattling, and a glass of water, placed on the edge of the table, fell to
+the ground with a smash.
+
+"What is it? Oh, what's the matter?" cried Lilias, terribly scared.
+
+She put out her hand and tried to turn on the electric light, but she
+moved the switch in vain, Carmel, who had groped for the matches,
+lighted a candle, and by the time the welcome little yellow flame showed
+itself, the shaking and rumbling had entirely ceased. Lilias looked
+anxiously round the room.
+
+"What's the matter?" she asked again.
+
+"Only an earthquake!" said Carmel calmly. "It's over now."
+
+"An _earthquake_!" Lilias's voice was tragic.
+
+"Just a slight shock. We often have them."
+
+"O-o-h! Will the walls tumble down?"
+
+"Certainly not--it only makes the china rattle."
+
+By this time Cousin Clare, also unaccustomed to earthquakes and almost
+as alarmed as Lilias, came into the room. Carmel pacified them both,
+assuring them that such tremors were of quite common occurrence, and
+that people in Sicily thought little about them unless they were severe
+enough to do damage.
+
+All this time Dulcie's pink cheek was buried in the pillow, and her
+breath came as quietly and evenly as that of a baby.
+
+"I'm glad she didn't wake. She was very tired, poor child," commented
+Cousin Clare, after a glance at the bed in the corner.
+
+Dulcie was, of course, unmercifully teased next morning for having slept
+through an earthquake.
+
+"If Etna shot its cone off during the night I don't believe it would
+wake you!" laughed Everard. "The Seven Sleepers are nothing to you."
+
+"Go on! Rag me as much as you like. I don't care," declared Dulcie
+sturdily. "I think I had far the best of it. You were all awake and
+scared, while I was snug and comfy. I shall sleep through the next if we
+have one. Ashamed of myself? Not a bit of it! I tell you I'm _proud_."
+
+Everybody was looking forward to a day's sight-seeing in Palermo, and as
+soon as breakfast was over the party started out to view the cathedral,
+the beautiful Palatine chapel, with its Saracen arches and priceless
+mosaics, and the ancient oriental-looking Norman church of S. Giovanni
+degli Eremite. Dulcie, who had been learning Longfellow's _Robert of
+Sicily_ for her last recitation in the elocution class at school, was
+much thrilled, and wanted to know in which of the churches he had made
+his famous defiance of Heaven, and had been turned from his throne by
+the angel, who temporarily took his place as king till he repented of
+his vain glory. Nobody could tell her, however, and the guide-book gave
+no information on the subject, though Douglas obligingly searched its
+pages. Knowing she loved old legends about the places, he found another
+item of interest for her in connection with one of the ancient towers of
+S. Giovanni degli Eremite. It was from there that in the Middle Ages,
+when the French ruled the island, a vesper bell had tolled the signal
+for the inhabitants to rise and fall upon their cruel masters in a
+massacre that was known ever afterwards as "The Sicilian Vespers."
+
+"Bells have never been rung in Sicily since," said Douglas, then as
+Dulcie's eyebrows went up in amazed contradiction he explained: "They
+are never really _rung_ here. In most countries the bells swing
+backwards and forwards, but in our churches they are quite steady, and
+only the clapper moves about inside the bell."
+
+"Oh, that's why they sound so frightfully clangy, then; we noticed the
+difference at once when we came over from Malta."
+
+"Yes, you would. The church bells of Malta are the most beautiful in the
+world. They're partly made of silver, and they swing properly in the
+belfries."
+
+"I love to see really Sicilian things."
+
+"Then you shall," put in Signor Trapani. "We'll try and show you the
+local color of Palermo to-day."
+
+"Oh, please do! I like to watch how the people live."
+
+In order to keep his promise to Dulcie, Signor Trapani took his guests
+to have lunch at a restaurant near the harbor, where, instead of the
+usual French menu which obtained at all the hotels, purely Sicilian
+dishes were served. First came a species of marine soup, that consisted
+of tiny star-fish and cuttle-fish stewed till they were very tender,
+then smothered in white sauce. Slices of tunny fish followed, almost as
+substantial as beefsteak, then some goats flesh, that closely resembled
+mutton, and with it a vegetable called fennel, which is rather like
+celery with a dash of aniseed about it. The salad, chiefly of endive,
+was smothered in Lucca oil and Tarragon vinegar, and there was an entrée
+that seemed made mostly of butter and cheese.
+
+Dulcie, daunted by nothing, ate each new dish and said she enjoyed it,
+though Lilias and Cousin Clare could not be induced even to taste the
+unaccustomed food, and lunched on omelettes which were ordered specially
+for their benefit. Mr. Stacey and Everard, however, were hearty converts
+to Sicilian cookery, and declared they would like some of the courses
+introduced at the Chase when they returned to England.
+
+As good luck would have it Dulcie was just stepping out of the
+restaurant when she heard a familiar, squeaking voice, and on the other
+side of the road saw a Sicilian Punch and Judy show.
+
+Naturally she demanded to stop and witness the representation. Mr.
+Punchinello, though his speeches were in Italian, went through the same
+series of wicked deeds as in England, and little dog Toby, with a frill
+round his neck, assisted in the performance. Dulcie was delighted, and
+was persuaded to get into the waiting motor only by bribes of seeing
+even more interesting sights.
+
+The lovely public gardens, the shops, the market, the university where
+Ernesto, Vittore, and Douglas were studying, the museum, and various
+beautiful spots in the neighborhood of the city were all visited during
+the Ingletons' brief stay at Palermo, and they celebrated the last
+evening by a visit to the theater, where, if they could not understand
+the words of the play, the dramatic foreign acting spoke for itself.
+
+"Has my little English signorina enjoyed her trip?" asked Signor Trapani
+kindly, as Dulcie, sitting by his side in the car, waved an enthusiastic
+good-by to Palermo.
+
+"Enjoyed it! _Ra_ther? It's the loveliest place on earth, and beats
+London hollow in my opinion. But I _do_ love everything Sicilian _so_
+much! Thanks just immensely for giving me such a perfectly delicious
+time!" declared Dulcie, screwing her neck round to catch a last glimpse
+of Ernesto, Vittore, and Douglas, who stood by the roadside fluttering
+handkerchiefs as a signal of farewell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+Old England
+
+
+The holiday in Sicily, like all pleasant things, came to an end at last,
+and the Ingleton family, leaving the Casa Bianca with many regrets,
+returned to their own country in time to welcome Roland, Bevis, and
+Clifford back from school for Easter. Carmel, who had seemed keenly to
+feel the parting from her mother, and who had been so quiet on the
+journey that her cousins suspected a bad attack of homesickness, cheered
+up when they were once more settled at the Chase. The beauties of the
+English country-side, with plum-blossom, primroses, cowslips, green
+meadows, and budding woodlands, compared very favorably with even the
+lovely Sicilian landscape, and Carmel acknowledged frankly that
+Cheverley had a charm all of its own.
+
+"I never knew how much I loved it till I left it, and then saw it
+again!" she declared. "There's something about the place that grips."
+
+"Your Ingleton blood showing, of course," remarked Everard. "All your
+ancestors have lived at the Chase, and it would be queer if you hadn't
+some sort of a natural feeling for it. People mostly have for the place
+where their ancestors were born."
+
+"Indeed! I believe my ancestors were all of them born in bed, so no
+doubt that's why I have such a natural feeling for bed, and don't want
+to get up in the mornings!" piped Dulcie, who never could resist a quip
+at Everard. "I don't despise Old England, but Sicily's the land for me,
+and I'm going back to Montalesso some day. Aunt Nita says so! Lilias can
+please herself, but, as soon as Mr. Bowden lets me leave school, I shall
+say 'Ta-ta! I'm off to the land of oranges and lemons!'"
+
+"And in the meantime you'll have to make up at school for this long
+holiday," reminded Cousin Clare. "I'm afraid you'll find yourself
+terribly behindhand when you get back to Chilcombe!"
+
+The occupants of the Blue Grotto had much to talk about when they met
+again.
+
+"It was hateful having the dor. all to ourselves," confided Gowan. "We
+never had such a slow time in our lives. We had a fearful scare, too! We
+thought Miss Walters was going to put Laurette with us! She'd had a
+terrible quarrel with Truie and Hester, and things were rather hot in
+the Gold bedroom. Fortunately, however, they cooled down, and patched up
+their quarrels. Bertha and I were simply shaking, though. I heard Miss
+Walters say to Laurette: 'There's a spare bed at present in the Blue
+room,' and we thought she was moving in for the rest of the term! Think
+of being boxed up with Laurette! Wouldn't it have been absolutely
+grisly?"
+
+"Nothing at all particularly exciting happened while you were away!"
+groused Bertha. "We got all the drudgery, and you had all the fun!"
+
+"But we brought you some presents! Just wait till I get to the bottom of
+my box!" put in Carmel.
+
+"Oh, have you?" cried Bertha excitedly. "What have you brought? Don't
+stop to arrange those blouses! Dump your things out anyhow: I can't
+wait! I've never had a foreign present in my life before. O-o-oh! What
+an absolutely ducky little locket! Carmel, you're a darling! You
+couldn't have given me anything in the whole of this wide world that I
+should have liked better. I just love it!"
+
+Though the Ingletons' immediate friends at Chilcombe had been rather
+inclined to look with the green eyes of envy upon their long holiday in
+Sicily, and consequent immunity from Easter examinations, they were
+mollified by the pretty gifts which the girls had brought them, and
+while they still proclaimed them "luckers out of all reason," they
+forgave them their good fortune, and received them back once more into
+the bosom of their special clique. The Mafia had indeed languished
+considerably during their absence. Nobody had troubled very much to keep
+up its activities, and it had held only one or two half-hearted
+meetings. Now that its nine members were together again, however, the
+secret society set to work with renewed vigor. Insensibly it had rather
+altered its scope. It had begun originally for the purpose of resisting
+the aggressions of Laurette, Hester, and Truie, but had grown into a
+sort of confraternity for private fun. The meetings held in each other's
+dormitories were of a hilarious description, and included games. At
+Gowan's suggestion they even went a step farther, and produced literary
+contributions--"of a sort," as she wisely qualified the rather appalling
+innovation.
+
+"I don't mean exactly Shakespeare, you know," she explained. "But you
+can write poetry if you care to, or make up something funny like
+_Punch_. Everybody has got to do something!"
+
+"Not really?" objected Dulcie, wrinkling her forehead into lines of
+acute distress. "Oh, Goody! It's as bad as lessons every bit. Look here,
+I'm not clever, and I don't make any pretence at poetry or the rest of
+it. You'll just have to leave me out."
+
+"Pull yourself together, Dulcie, my child!" said Gowan calmly. "You'll
+either be turned bodily out of the Mafia, or you'll do your bit the
+same as everybody else. Don't for a moment imagine you're coming to
+listen to other people's industry, and bring nothing of your own with
+you! That's not the way we manage things here. If you don't show up with
+a manuscript in your hand, you'll find yourself walking down the passage
+with the door slammed behind you. Yes, I mean it! You're a decent enough
+little person, but you're apt to be slack. You must get some stiffening
+into you this time."
+
+"Poor little me!" wailed Dulcie.
+
+"No poorer than all the rest of us!"
+
+"Yes, I am, for I haven't got the same thingumbobs in my brains!
+Couldn't make up poetry to save my life! May I write a letter?"
+
+"Why, yes, if you'd rather!"
+
+"I feel it would be my most adequate form of self-expression," minced
+Dulcie, mimicking Miss Walters' very best literary manner. "I trust my
+contribution will be kept for publication. Later on, when I'm famous, it
+may become of value. The world will never forget that I was educated at
+Chilcombe Hall. A neat brass plate will some day be placed upon the door
+of the Blue Grotto to mark the dormitory I slept in, and my bed will be
+preserved in the local museum!"
+
+"With you (stuffed) inside it, labeled 'Specimen of a Champion
+Slacker'!" snorted Gowan. "Now, no nonsense! If you don't turn up at
+the meeting with a manuscript, you won't be admitted!"
+
+"Bow-wow! How very severe we've grown, all of a sudden!" mocked Dulcie,
+as she danced away. "You take it for granted," she called over her
+shoulder, "that my contribution is going to mark the literary low tide.
+Perhaps, after all, it will make as big an impression as anybody else's.
+There!"
+
+On the evening fixed for the meeting, nine girls put in an appearance at
+the Blue Grotto, all flaunting manuscripts in a very conspicuous
+fashion. They seated themselves upon Bertha's and Dulcie's beds, and
+having as a kind of foregone conclusion, elected Gowan as President of
+the Ceremonies, got straight to business. Gowan was justice personified,
+and fearful of even unintentional favoritism, she insisted upon the
+company drawing lots for the order in which their effusions were to be
+read. The Fates decided thus: Carmel, Noreen, Edith, Lilias, Gowan,
+Bertha, Prissie, Phillida, Dulcie.
+
+Carmel, hustled off the bed to be given first hearing, took the chair of
+honor reserved for each literary star in turn, and having waited a
+moment to allow undue giggling to subside, opened her sheets of exercise
+paper and began:
+
+    "OLD ENGLAND
+
+    "I never can quite see why it is called 'Old' England, because I
+     don't suppose it is any older than any other part of the world,
+     really, but perhaps 'Old' is a term of endearment, because I notice
+     when any girl likes me, she generally calls me 'old sport,' or 'old
+     thing.' Well, at any rate here I am back in Old England, and it is
+     a wonderfully nice sort of a country. I specially like the
+     policemen, who wave their white gloves and stop all the traffic in
+     the street in a second, and the railway porters who yell out the
+     names of the stations, and the little boys who cry the newspapers.
+     There are no beggars in Old England like there are in Sicily, and
+     no mosquitoes, and no earthquakes. At least not proper ones. I
+     thought we were all beggars when we tried to raise money for the
+     'Waifs and Strays'; Bertha buzzes worse than any mosquito when she
+     wants to borrow my penknife, and I thought there was an earthquake
+     the last time Laurette danced.
+
+    "I like all the old houses and castles and cathedrals in Old
+     England, and especially the old gardens. What I don't like are my
+     old lessons. Old England is a jolly, hospitable, comfortable, green
+     sort of country, and I am quite at home here now, so hurrah! Old
+     England for ever!"
+
+Carmel, having read her manuscript as rapidly as possible, vacated the
+chair in a breathless condition, and pushed Noreen into her place.
+Noreen had been struggling with Pegasus, and had produced a spring poem.
+It was short, but perhaps a trifle over-sweet.
+
+    "TO MY DEARIE-OH!
+
+    "Spring is comen back again,
+       (Daisy buds for my dearie!)
+     Gone is winter's snow and rain,
+       (Cherry lips for my dearie!)
+     Blossom clothes the orchards now,
+       (Apple cheeks for my dearie!)
+     Nests of birds on every bough,
+       (And kisses for my dearie!)
+
+"It's one of those old-fashioned sort of things--I believe you call them
+madrigals," she ventured.
+
+Nobody else knew what a madrigal was, so they took Noreen's word for it,
+and allowed her to retire in favor of Edith, who had also been trying to
+cultivate the muse of poetry. Her effort at verse was entitled:
+
+    "MIRANDA'S MUSIC
+
+    "Miranda had learnt the piano to play,
+     And when seated one day on the stool,
+     At her latest new piece she was strumming away,
+     For old Thomas, who sweeps out the school.
+
+    "Thought she: ''T will impress him if anything will,
+     For the left hand goes over the right.
+     He will surely admire my exquisite skill,
+     And perhaps will express his delight.'
+
+    "But ah! fondest hopes may be dashed to the ground,
+     Despite what ambition can raise.
+     Ill pleased by this banquet of beautiful sound,
+     Old Thomas was scant in his praise.
+
+    "'Ay, ay, yes, I hear. 'T is not bad, to be sure!
+     They may teach you in time!' so he grumbled.
+     But 'twas plain that he thought the performance but poor,
+     And Miranda felt terribly humbled.
+
+    "One morn when six months had swift glided away,
+     Again at the instrument seated,
+     Miranda a nocturne had just ceased to play,
+     When old Thomas desired it repeated.
+
+    "'Why, Miss,' he declared, 'I can hardly believe
+     That you've made such improvement so soon!
+     The last time you played, you'd to jump your hand o'er
+     Before you could pick out the tune!
+
+    "'You'd humpety lump in the treble at top,
+     Then same hand would return to the bass.
+     But now I can see they have taught you to keep
+     Each hand in its own proper place!'
+
+"It's a really true story!" persisted Edith, as the girls giggled. "It
+happened to my sister. She always plays at the Band of Hope concerts in
+our village at home, and she goes down to the school to practise her
+solos on the piano there. Old Thomas is the verger, and he's such a
+queer old character. He really _did_ think she didn't know how to play
+properly when she crossed her hands over, and he told her so. It was a
+tremendous joke in our family, because Maisie considers herself musical.
+She was squashed absolutely flat!"
+
+Neither Lilias, Gowan, Bertha, Prissie, nor Phillida had written
+anything very original or outstanding in their manuscripts, so we will
+pass them over, and only record that of Dulcie, who came last of all.
+She took the honored seat with a great air of _empressement_, nodded
+triumphantly to Gowan, cleared her throat, commanded strict silence, and
+began:
+
+         "CHILCOMBE HALL.
+
+    "MY DEAR EVERARD,
+
+    "I must write at once and tell you of the terrible things that have
+     been happening at this school. On Monday last the cook made a
+     mistake, and used a packet of rat poison instead of sugar in our
+     pudding. It was the day for ginger puddings, and we all thought
+     they tasted rather queer, somehow, but it is not etiquette here to
+     leave anything on your plate, so we made an effort and finished our
+     rations. Well, about ten minutes afterwards most of us were taken
+     with umpteen fits. We writhed about the room in agony, and thought
+     our last hour had come. The doctor was sent for, and he motored
+     over so fast that he killed two little boys and a cow on the road,
+     but he said he did not care, and it was all in the way of business.
+     He stood us up in a line and gave us each an emetic of mustard and
+     water which was very horrid, and felt like a poultice inside. We
+     are beginning to get better now, but Carmel's legs are stiff, and
+     she has a tendency to go black in the face every now and then. The
+     doctor says she will do so for a fortnight, until the rat poison
+     wears itself out of her system. He does not think she will be lame
+     always. At least he hopes not. Lilias squints a little in
+     consequence of the umpteen fits she had, which turned her eyes
+     round, and my face is still swollen, and three front teeth dropped
+     out, but otherwise we are quite well, and the Doctor says things
+     might have been much worse, for at least our lives were spared. I
+     think we ought to see a specialist, but Miss Walters won't hear of
+     it.
+
+         "Hoping you are quite well,
+              "With love,
+                   "Your affectionate sister
+                        "DULCIE."
+
+"Don't say I can't write fiction!" proclaimed Dulcie, making a grimace
+at Gowan. "It's as good as a novel (though I say it myself) and as
+interesting as anything in a newspaper. Improbable? Not at all! Cooks
+make mistakes sometimes, like other people! I don't exactly know the
+symptoms of rat poisoning, but I dare say they are very much what I've
+described. It's thrilling reading, anyhow, and you ought to give me a
+good clap for it."
+
+"Tootle-too! Somebody has lost a trumpeter!" returned Gowan.
+
+"I don't care! I'm sure if we took votes for the most thrills, my piece
+would win. I'm going to keep it! Hand it back to me, Gowan! I want to
+show it to Everard some time. He'd laugh ever so over it. He says my
+home letters are tame. This would wake him up, at any rate! He'd say his
+sister was breaking out into an authoress! What sport!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Carmel's Kingdom
+
+
+The day following the secret meeting of the Mafia was one of those
+devoted to home correspondence. The girls were alloted forty minutes
+during school hours: they brought their writing-cases into the
+class-room, and scribbled off as many letters as possible during the
+brief time allowed. On this particular Wednesday Dulcie was much in
+arrears; she wrote three letters to Sicily, one to an aunt in London, a
+short scrawl to Everard, and was beginning "My dear Cousin Clare," when
+Miss Hardy entered the room in a hurry.
+
+"Jones has to leave half an hour earlier," she announced, "and he wants
+to take the post-bag now. Be quick, girls, and give me your letters!"
+
+A general scramble of finishing and stamping ensued. Dulcie, who had not
+addressed her envelopes, folded her loose sheets anyhow, and trusted to
+luck that the foreign letters were not over-weight.
+
+"I can't help it if they have to pay extra on them," she confided to
+Carmel. "They look rather heavy, certainly, but I hadn't any thin note
+paper, you see."
+
+"Douglas will pay up cheerfully, I'm sure!"
+
+"How do you know that his was a heavy one?"
+
+"Oh, I can guess!"
+
+"I was only answering a number of questions he asked me. It's very
+unkind not to answer people's questions!"
+
+"Most decidedly! I quite agree with you!" laughed Carmel.
+
+The letters were posted in Glazebrook that evening by the factotum
+Jones, and Dulcie, though her thoughts might possibly follow the
+particular heavy envelope addressed to Montalesso, dismissed her other
+items of correspondence completely from her mind. She was taking a run
+round the garden the next morning at eleven o'clock "break," when to her
+immense surprise she heard a trotting of horse's hoofs on the drive, and
+who should appear but Everard, riding Rajah. The rules at Chilcombe Hall
+were strict. No visits were allowed, even from brothers, without special
+permission from Miss Walters. Hitherto Everard had come over only by
+express invitation from the head-mistress, and this had been given
+sparingly, at discreet intervals, and always for the afternoon. Surely
+some most unusual circumstance must have brought him to school at the
+early hour of eleven in the morning? Dulcie flew across the lawn,
+calling his name. At the sight of his sister Everard dismounted, and
+greeted her eagerly.
+
+"Hello! How are you? How's Carmel?" he began. "I say, you know, this has
+been a shocking business! You look better than I expected" (scanning her
+face narrowly). "It's a mercy you aren't all under the daisies! Is
+Carmel _really_ lame? What about those fits? I came directly I read your
+letter. A specialist must be sent for at once! I can't understand Miss
+Walters taking it so lightly. We ought to have been told at once,
+directly it happened."
+
+As Everard poured forth these remarks, Dulcie's expression underwent
+several quick changes, and passed from astonishment to sudden
+comprehension and mirth.
+
+"We're better, thanks!" she choked. "And Carmel can hobble about quite
+well on her crutches, and her face isn't _very_ black now, not like it
+was at first, though of course she still has the fits pretty regularly,
+and the Doctor says----"
+
+But at that moment her mendacious statement was contradicted by Carmel
+herself, who came running over the lawn with an agility that put
+crutches out of all question, and a complexion that was certainly in no
+way spoilt.
+
+It was Everard's turn to look amazed. He glanced in much perplexity from
+his cousin, radiant and apparently in the best of health, to his sister,
+who was almost speechless with laughter.
+
+"You never actually _believed_ my letter about the rat poison?" exploded
+Dulcie. "I explained that it was written for our literary evening. I
+told you, Everard, I only sent it on for you to read because it sounded
+so funny, and I was rather proud of it!"
+
+"You told me nothing of the sort!"
+
+"Oh, but I did indeed! Unless--" (suddenly sobering down), "unless I
+forgot to put my other letter into the envelope, and only sent you the
+rat-poison one! I was in such a hurry! Oh, good-night! Isn't it just
+like me! Poor old Everard, I never meant to give you such a scare! I'm
+frightfully sorry! Umpteen apologies!"
+
+"Then is the whole business fiction?" demanded her brother, with knitted
+brows.
+
+"Oh, Everard, don't be angry!" implored Carmel. "Dulcie didn't mean to
+rag you! We were having a jolly evening, and each of us had to write
+something--the funnier the better--and that was Dulcie's contribution.
+She said she was going to send it to you to make you laugh, but of
+course she meant to put in her other letter to explain that this was
+only nonsense. But Miss Hardy came in such a hurry, and whisked all our
+letters off before we had time to read them over, or hardly to put them
+in the right envelopes. So you know it was just an accident."
+
+"I rode over at once to see what was the matter!"
+
+Everard's voice still sounded offended, though slightly mollified.
+
+"I know you did, and it was ever so kind of you. I'm only sorry you
+should have all the trouble. It's been nice to see you, though, and we
+do thank you for coming."
+
+"It must be a relief to find we don't squint or hobble on crutches,"
+added Dulcie naughtily. "How _shall_ we explain to Miss Walters if she
+catches you?"
+
+"I'd better be going!" declared Everard. "Isn't that your school-bell
+ringing? Well, I'm glad at any rate to find you all right. Shan't dare
+to believe any of your letters in future, Dulcie!
+
+    "'Matilda told such awful lies,
+     It made you gasp and stretch your eyes.
+     Her aunt, who from her earliest youth
+     Had kept a strict regard for truth,
+     Attempted to believe Matilda--
+     The effort very nearly killed her.'
+
+"Good-by, Carmel! Keep my bad young sister in order if you can. She
+needs some one to look after her." And Everard, with a hand on Rajah's
+bridle, nodded smilingly after the girls as they ran towards the house
+in response to the clanging school-bell.
+
+The rest of the summer term at Chilcombe Hall seemed to pass very
+rapidly away, and the space in this book is not enough to tell all that
+the girls did during those weeks of June sunshine and July heat. There
+were tennis tournaments and archery contests, cricket matches, picnics
+and strawberry feasts, as well as the more sober business of lessons,
+examinations, and a concert to which parents were invited. To Carmel it
+was the pleasantest term she had spent at school, for she had settled
+down now into English ways, and did not so continually feel the call of
+her Sicilian home. The "Hostage," as Dulcie still sometimes laughingly
+called her, if she pined for the Casa Bianca, had contrived to make
+herself happy in her northern surroundings, and had won favor with
+everybody. School girls do not often make a fuss, but, when breaking-up
+day arrived, and the Ingletons drove away in their car, a chorus of
+cheers followed them from the doorstep, and, though the hoorays were
+given to all three without discrimination, there is no doubt that they
+were mainly intended for Carmel.
+
+"She's a sport!" said Gowan, waving in reply to the white handkerchief
+that fluttered a farewell. "I don't know any chum I like better. She
+always plays the game somehow, doesn't she?"
+
+"Rather!" agreed Noreen. "I think the way she's taken her place at
+Cheverley Chase without cuckooing all that family out, or making them
+jealous, is just marvelous. If anybody deserves her kingdom, it's
+Princess Carmel; it's only one in a thousand who could have done what
+she has."
+
+Carmel, indeed, though an unacknowledged sovereign, had managed to win
+all hearts at the Chase. Even Lilias did not now resent the ownership of
+one who so rarely urged her own claims; insensibly she had grown fond of
+her cousin, and liked her company.
+
+The summer holiday promised to be as pleasant as that of last Christmas.
+Mr. Stacey, who had taken his vacation in June and July, had returned to
+Cheverley in time to greet Roland, Bevis, and Clifford, a welcome state
+of affairs to Cousin Clare, for the three lively boys were almost beyond
+her management, and needed the kindly authority which the tutor knew so
+well how to wield without friction. All sorts of plans for enjoyment
+were in the air, a visit to the sea, a motor tour, a garden party, a
+tennis tournament, a cricket match, even a dance at the Chase, when one
+day something quite unexpected occurred, something which changed the
+entire course of events, and threw the thoughts of the holiday makers
+into a new channel. Like many extraordinary happenings, it came about
+in quite an ordinary way.
+
+Carmel had left her despatch case at school--a small matter, indeed, but
+fraught with big consequences. As she wanted some convenient safe spot
+in which to deposit note paper, old letters, sealing wax, stamps, and
+other such treasures, Cousin Clare allowed her to take possession of a
+writing-desk which stood on the study table. It had belonged to old Mr.
+Ingleton, and he had indeed used it till the day before his death, but
+it had been emptied of its contents by Mr. Bowden, and was now placed
+merely as an ornament in the window. It was a large, old-fashioned desk
+of rosewood, handsomely inlaid with brass, and lined with purple velvet.
+Carmel seized upon it joyfully, and began to transfer some of her many
+belongings to its hospitable depths. It was well fitted, for there was
+an ink-pot with a silver top, and a pen-box containing a seal and a
+silver pen. Mr. Bowden had left these when he removed the papers,
+probably considering them as part and parcel of the desk. Carmel lifted
+out the ink-pot to admire its cover, but, though it came out fairly
+easily, it was a difficult matter to fit it in again. In pushing it back
+into its place she pulled heavily upon the small wooden division between
+its socket and the pen-box. To her utter surprise, her action released a
+spring, a long narrow panel below the pen-box fell away, and revealed a
+quite unsuspected secret drawer. She opened it in much excitement.
+Inside lay a folded sheet of foolscap paper. Her exclamation had called
+Lilias and Dulcie from the other side of the room, and all three girls
+admired and wondered at the contrivance of the secret drawer. Together
+they took out the sheet of paper, unfolded it, and bent their heads over
+it.
+
+"Why, it's Grandfather's writing!" exclaimed Lilias as she read the
+first words:--
+
+"This is the last will and testament of me Leslie Ingleton of Cheverley
+Chase near Balderton."
+
+"It's surely not another will?" fluttered Dulcie.
+
+Carmel said nothing; her eyes were devouring the contents of the paper.
+She read it through carefully to the end, then she asked:
+
+"What was the date of the will in which Grandfather left the Chase to
+me? Was it not some time in January? Well, this is certainly a later
+date. It must have been signed the very day before he died!"
+
+"Does it make any difference?" inquired Dulcie breathlessly.
+
+Carmel had taken the paper away from her cousins, and stood in the
+window mastering the meaning of the legal language. She read a certain
+passage over and over again carefully before she answered. Then she
+looked out through the study window--that window with its wonderful
+view over the whole range of the Ingleton property--she gazed at the
+gardens and woods and fields that for more than a year had been hers,
+and hers alone, the estate which to claim as heiress she had been
+brought from her Sicilian home.
+
+"All the difference in the world," she said quietly. "Grandfather
+changed his mind at the last, and left the Chase to Everard after all!"
+
+"To Everard?"
+
+"Oh, Carmel!"
+
+"Are you certain?"
+
+"Can there be any mistake?"
+
+"Is the will properly signed? Let me look! Yes, it seems signed and
+witnessed, as far as I can tell!"
+
+"What are you going to do?"
+
+"Shall I ring up Mr. Bowden?"
+
+"Not yet, please," begged Carmel. "Leave me a moment!"
+
+She was still standing gazing out through the window over the English
+woods and meadows that she had grown to love so dearly, those wide acres
+of which any one might have been proud. At last she turned round and
+answered:
+
+"I am going now to tell the news to the rightful owner of the Chase."
+
+Everard was sitting in the stone summer-house in the garden, struggling
+with a difficult problem in mathematics, when suddenly through the
+ivy-framed doorway danced Princess Carmel, an excited vision, with
+carnation cheeks, and dark eyes twinkling like stars. She stopped on the
+threshold and dropped him a pretty curtsey, then a great generous light
+seemed to shine in her face as she announced:
+
+"Signor Everard, allow me to hand you back your inheritance!"
+
+It was the triumph of her life.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Mr. Bowden, on being sent for to examine the will, found all in perfect
+order. The legacies to friends and to the other grandchildren were
+exactly the same as in the former will, the only difference being that
+the positions of the two cousins were reversed, Carmel receiving a
+handsome sum of money, and Everard inheriting the property. There was no
+doubt that the impetuous old squire had repented his hasty decision, but
+not liking to confess such weakness to the family lawyer, had drawn up
+his own will and hidden it in the secret drawer of his desk. Possibly he
+himself was not sure which of the two documents he wished to stand, and
+had kept this in reserve while he vacillated. Fate, for a year and a
+half, had decided in favor of Carmel, then the eternal balance had swung
+slowly back.
+
+"It seems such a pity that the desk wasn't searched properly at first,"
+said Lilias to Cousin Clare. "Think of all the trouble it would have
+prevented if we had only known about that secret drawer. Poor Everard!
+How much he would have been saved!"
+
+"And how immensely much he would have lost!" said Cousin Clare. "This
+testing-time of character has been Everard's salvation. He is very
+different now from the thoughtless, self-important boy who looked at
+everything from his own point of view. He has learnt some of life's
+stern lessons, and will make a far better owner of the Chase than would
+have been possible without passing through these experiences. I think he
+realizes that for himself, and would not wish to change anything that
+has happened."
+
+Now that the new will was proved, and Cheverley Chase was no longer her
+property, arose the immediate question of Carmel's future. She settled
+it at once for herself, and in spite of all entreaties to remain in
+England, decided to return to her Sicilian home.
+
+"I told you long ago, Everard, that I would not keep your inheritance,
+and I am only too glad to hand it back," she said to her cousin. "You're
+going to do all the splendid things that I prophesied--take your degree,
+be a model landowner, get into Parliament, and help your country!"
+
+"But I can't do it alone! A kingdom needs a queen as well as a king,
+Carmel! The Chase would simply be an empty casket without you! You're
+the very heart and soul of it all. I will let you go now, dear, for I
+see you're quite determined, but Carmel! Carmel! some day in the far
+future, if you think I have grown into anything like what you wish me to
+be, then I shall tell you that your throne is waiting for you here in
+Old England--the land of primroses and sweetbriar and true hearts,
+Carmel! And I shall ask you to leave your Sicilian flowers and scented
+orange groves, and come back to claim your kingdom!"
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+The Girl Scouts Series
+
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+
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+
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+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET      NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Princess of the School, by Angela Brazil
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Princess of the School
+
+Author: Angela Brazil
+
+Illustrator: Frank Wiles
+
+Release Date: June 1, 2007 [EBook #21656]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCESS OF THE SCHOOL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jana Srna, Suzanne Shell and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
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+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 398px;">
+<img src="images/title.jpg" width="398" height="600" alt="The Princess of the School, by Angela Brazil" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter imgborder" style="width: 386px;">
+<img src="images/good-by.jpg" width="386" height="600" alt="&quot;I&#39;ve come to say good-by to you, sis&quot;" title="" />
+<p><span class="caption">&quot;i&#39;ve come to say good-by to you, sis&quot;</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<div style="width: 400px; margin: auto; border: 6px double #000;">
+<h2>THE PRINCESS<br/>
+OF THE SCHOOL</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 90%; margin-top: 16px; margin-bottom: 16px;"/>
+
+<p class="smcap" style="text-align: center;">By ANGELA BRAZIL</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 90%; margin-top: 16px; margin-bottom: 16px;"/>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;" class="smcap">Author of</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">"The Luckiest Girl in the School,"<br/>
+"The Harum-Scarum Schoolgirl,"<br/>
+"A Popular Schoolgirl,"<br/>
+"The Head Girl at the Gables."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 120px; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
+<img src="images/decoration.png" width="120" height="113" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">Illustrated by Frank Wiles.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 90%; margin-top: 16px; margin-bottom: 16px;"/>
+
+<p style="text-align: center; font-size: 1.2em;">A. L. BURT COMPANY</p>
+<p style="font-size: 1.2em; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px;"><span style="float: left;">Publishers</span> <span style="float: right;">New York</span><br/></p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">Published by arrangement with Frederick A. Stokes Company</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">Printed in U. S. A.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 80px;"><em>Copyright, 1920, by</em><br/>
+<span class="smcap">Frederick A. Stokes Company</span></p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All rights reserved</em></p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 40px;"><em>First published in the United States of America, 1921</em></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%; margin-top: 10em;" />
+<h2><a name="Contents" id="Contents"></a>Contents</h2>
+
+
+
+<table style="width: 400px; text-align: left;" summary="contents">
+<tr>
+<th style="text-align: right; font-weight: normal;" class="smcap">chapter</th>
+<th style="width: 100%;"></th>
+<th style="text-align: right; font-weight: normal;" class="smcap">page</th>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">The Ingleton Family</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">A Stolen Joy-ride</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">15</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">A Valentine Party</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">33</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">Disinherited</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">50</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">The New Owner</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">61</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">Princess Carmel</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">73</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">An Old Greek Idyll</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">88</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">Wood Nymphs</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">100</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">The Open Road</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">114</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">A Meeting</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">129</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">A Secret Society</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">145</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">White Magic</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">157</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">The Money-makers</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">171</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">All in a Mist</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">190</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">On the High Seas</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">201</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">The Casa Bianca</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">215</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">Sicilian Cousins</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">229</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">A Night of Adventure</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">242</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">At Palermo</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">261</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">Old England</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">271</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">XXI</a></td>
+<td class="smcap" style="padding-left: 20px;">Carmel's Kingdom</td>
+<td style="text-align: right;">283</td>
+</tr>
+
+</table>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%; margin-top: 10em;" />
+<h1>THE PRINCESS OF THE SCHOOL</h1>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a><span class="smcap">chapter i</span></h2>
+<h2>The Ingleton Family</h2>
+
+
+<p>On a certain morning, just a week before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span>
+Christmas, the little world of school at Chilcombe
+Hall was awake and stirring at an unusually
+early hour. Long before the slightest hint of
+dawn showed in the sky the lamps were lighted
+in the corridors, maids were scuttling about,
+bringing in breakfast, and Jones, the gardener,
+assisted by his eldest boy, a sturdy grinning
+urchin of twelve, was beginning the process of
+carrying down piles of hand-bags and hold-alls,
+and stacking them on a cart which was waiting in
+the drive outside.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Walters, dreading the Christmas rush on
+the railway, had determined to take time by the
+forelock, and meant to pack off her pupils by the
+first available trains, trusting they would most of
+them reach their destinations before the overcrowding
+became a serious problem in the traffic.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>
+The pupils themselves offered no objections to
+this early start. The sooner they reached home
+and began the holidays, so much the better from
+their point of view. It was fun to get up by
+lamp-light, when the stars were still shining in
+the sky; fun to find that rules were relaxed, and
+for once they might chatter and talk as they
+pleased; fun to run unreproved along the passages,
+sing on the stairs, and twirl one another
+round in an impromptu dance in the hall.</p>
+
+<p>The particular occupants of the Blue Bedroom
+had been astir even before the big bell clanged
+for rising, so they stole a march over rival dormitories,
+performed their toilets, packed their hand-bags,
+strapped their wraps, and proceeded downstairs
+to the dining-hall, where cups and plates
+were just being laid upon the breakfast-table. It
+was quite superfluous energy on the part of
+Lilias, Dulcie, Gowan, and Bertha, for as a matter
+of fact not one of them was on the list of
+earliest departures, but the excitement of the general
+exodus had awakened them as absolutely as
+the advent of Santa Claus on Christmas mornings.
+They stood round the newly-lighted fire,
+warming their hands, chatting, and hailing fresh
+arrivals who hurried into the hall.</p>
+
+<p>"You going by the 6.30, Edith? You lucker!
+My train doesn't start till ten! I begged and
+implored Miss Walters to let me leave by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>
+early one, and wait at the junction, but she would
+not hear of it, so I've got to stop here kicking my
+heels, and watch you others whisked away. Isn't
+it a grisly shame?"</p>
+
+<p>Gowan's round rosy face was drawn into a decided
+pout, and her blue eyes were full of self-pity.
+She had to be sorry for her own grievance,
+because nobody else had either time or much inclination
+to sympathize; they were all far too
+much excited about their own concerns.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you'll get off sometime, I suppose,"
+returned Edith airily. "There are twelve of us,
+all going together as far as Colminster. We
+mean to cram into one carriage if we can. Don't
+suppose the train will be full, as it's so early. I
+thought you were coming with us, Bertha, but
+Miss Hardy says you're not!"</p>
+
+<p>"Dad changed his mind at the last minute, and
+promised to send the car to fetch me. It's only
+forty miles by road, you know, though it takes
+hours by the train. He seemed to think I should
+lose either myself or my luggage at Sheasby Junction,
+and it is a horrid place to change. You
+never can get hold of a porter, and you don't
+know which platform you'll start from."</p>
+
+<p>"How are you going home, Lilias?" asked
+Noreen, who with several other girls had joined
+the group at the fire.</p>
+
+<p>Lilias, squatting on the fender, stretching two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>
+cold hands towards the blazing sticks, looked up
+brightly.</p>
+
+<p>"We're riding! Astley and Elton are to fetch
+Rajah and Peri over for us. Grandfather said
+they needed exercise. I don't suppose he'd have
+thought of it, only Dulcie wrote to Cousin Clare
+and begged her to ask him. Won't it be just
+splendiferous? We haven't had a ride the whole
+term, and I'm pining to see Rajah!"</p>
+
+<p>"Grandfather had promised to let us ride to
+school in September," put in Dulcie, "but Everard
+and a friend of his commandeered the horses
+and went to Rasebury, so we couldn't have them,
+and we were so disappointed. I do hope nothing
+will happen to stop them this time! Everard
+was to arrive home yesterday, so he'll be before
+us. I shan't ever be friends with him again if he
+plays us such a mean trick!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's 'coach&mdash;carriage&mdash;wheelbarrow&mdash;truck,'
+it seems to me, the way we're all trotting
+home!" laughed Edith. "If I could have my
+choice, I'd sprint on a scooter!"</p>
+
+<p>"Next term we'll travel by private aeroplane,
+specially chartered!" scoffed Noreen.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't mind how I go, so long as I get off
+somehow!" chirped Truie. "Thank goodness,
+here come the urns at last! I began to think
+breakfast would never be ready. We want to
+have time to eat something before we start."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>Miss Walters' excellent arrangements had left
+ample time for the healthy young appetites to be
+satisfied before the taxis arrived at the door to
+convey the first contingent of pupils to the station.
+Sixteen girls, under the escort of a mistress,
+took their departure in the highest of spirits,
+packed as tightly as sardines, but managing to
+wave good-bys. Their boxes had been dispatched
+the previous day, their hand-bags had
+gone on by cart before breakfast and would be
+waiting for them at the station, where Jones, that
+most useful factotum, would, by special arrangement
+with the station-master, be taking their
+tickets before the ordinary opening of the booking-office.</p>
+
+<p>Though the departure of sixteen girls made
+somewhat of a clearance at Chilcombe Hall, Miss
+Walters' labors were not yet over. There was
+a train at eight and a train at ten, and the young
+people who had to wait for these found it difficult
+to know how to employ the interval until it
+was their turn to enter the taxis. By nine o'clock
+Lilias and Dulcie, ready in their riding habits,
+were looking eagerly out of the dining-hall window
+along the drive which led to the gate.</p>
+
+<p>"I know Elton would be early," said Dulcie.
+"It's always Astley who stops and fusses. It
+was the same when Everard went cub-hunting.
+You don't think there's a hitch, do you?" (uneasily).<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>
+"Shall we get a horrid yellow envelope
+and a message to say 'Come by train'? It would
+be <em>too</em> bad, and yet, it's as likely as not!"</p>
+
+<p>Dulcie's fears, which in the course of twenty
+minutes' waiting and watching had almost conjured
+up the telegraph boy with his scarlet bicycle
+and brown leather wallet, were suddenly dispelled,
+however, by a brisk sound of trotting, and
+a moment later appeared the welcome sight of
+her grandfather's two grooms riding up to the
+house, each leading a spare horse by the rein.
+Those schoolfellows who had not yet departed
+to the station came to the door to witness the
+interesting start. A sleek, well-groomed horse is
+always a beautiful object, and the girls decided
+unanimously that Lilias and Dulcie were lucky to
+be carried home in so delightful a fashion. They
+watched them admiringly as they mounted.
+Edith stroked Rajah's smooth neck as she said
+good-by to her friends.</p>
+
+<p>"Riding beats motoring in my opinion," she
+vouchsafed, "though of course you can go farther
+in a car. Perhaps I shall pass you on the
+road."</p>
+
+<p>"No, you won't, for we're taking a short cut
+across country. We always choose by-lanes if
+we can. Write and tell me if you get a motor-scooter.
+They sound fearfully thrillsome.
+Good-by, see you again in January!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>"Good-by! and a merry Christmas to everybody!"
+added Dulcie, turning on her saddle to
+wave a parting salute to those who were left behind
+on the doorstep.</p>
+
+<p>The two girls walked their horses down the
+drive, but once out on the level road they trotted
+on briskly, with the grooms riding behind. They
+formed quite a little cavalcade as they turned
+from the hard motor track down the grassy lane
+where a dilapidated sign-post pointed to Ringfield
+and Cheverley. It was a distance of seven good
+country miles from Chilcombe Hall to Cheverley
+Chase, and, as the events of this story center
+largely round Lilias and Dulcie, there will be
+ample time to describe them while they are wending
+their way through the damp of the misty
+December morning, up from the low-lying river
+level to the hill country that stretched beyond.</p>
+
+<p>Lilias was just sixteen, and very pretty, with
+gray eyes, fair hair, a straight nose, and two
+bewitching dimples when she smiled. These
+dimples were rather misleading, for they gave
+strangers the impression that Lilias was humorous,
+which was entirely a mistake: it was Dulcie
+who was the humorist in reality, Dulcie whose
+long lashes dropped over her shy eyes, and who
+never could say a word for herself in public,
+though in the society of intimate friends she could
+be amusing enough. Dulcie, at fourteen, seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>
+years younger than Lilias; she did not wish to
+grow up too soon, and thankfully tipped all responsibilities
+on to her elder sister. Cousin
+Clare always said there were undiscovered depths
+in Dulcie's character, but they were slow in development,
+and at present she was a childish little
+person with a pink baby face, an affection for
+fairy tales, and even a sneaking weakness for her
+discarded dolls. Life, that to Lilias seemed a
+serious business, was a joyous venture to Dulcie;
+she had a happy knack of shaking off the unpleasant
+things, and throwing the utmost possible
+power of enjoyment into the nice ones. If innocent
+happiness is the birthright of childhood,
+she clung to it steadfastly, and had not yet
+exchanged it for the red pottage of worldly
+wisdom.</p>
+
+<p>Ever since Father and Mother, in the great
+disaster of the wreck of the <em>Titanic</em>, had gone
+down together into the gray waters of the Atlantic,
+the Ingleton children had lived with their
+grandfather, Mr. Leslie Ingleton, at Cheverley
+Chase. There were six of them, Everard, Lilias,
+Dulcie, Roland, Bevis, and Clifford, and as time
+passed on, and the memory of that tragedy in mid-ocean
+grew faint, the Chase seemed as entirely
+their home as if they had been born there. In
+Everard's opinion, at any rate, it belonged to
+them, as it had always belonged to the prospective<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>
+heirs of the Ingleton family. And that
+family could trace back through many centuries to
+days of civil wars and service for king and country,
+to crusades and deeds of chivalry, and even
+to far-away ancestors who gave counsel at Saxon
+Witenagemots. Norman keep had succeeded
+wooden manor, and that in its turn had given
+place to a Tudor dwelling, and both had finally
+merged into a long Georgian mansion, with
+straight rows of windows and a classic porch, not
+so picturesque as the older buildings, but very
+convenient and comfortable from a modern point
+of view. The lovely gardens, with their clipped
+yew hedges, were one of the sights of the neighborhood,
+and it was a family satisfaction that the
+view from the terrace over park, wood, and
+stream showed not a single acre of land that was
+not their own.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Leslie Ingleton, a fine type of the old-fashioned,
+kindly, but autocratic English squire,
+belonged to a bygone generation, and found it
+difficult to move with the march of the times.
+Because he had spent his seventy-four years of
+life on the soil of Cheverley, the people tolerated
+in "the ould squire" many things that they would
+not have passed over in a younger man or a
+stranger. They shrugged their shoulders and
+gave way to his well-meant tyranny, for man and
+boy, everybody on the estate had experienced his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>
+kindness and realized his good intentions towards
+his tenants.</p>
+
+<p>"If he does fly off at a tangent, ten to one Miss
+Clare'll be down the next day and set all straight
+again," was the general verdict on his frequent
+outbursts.</p>
+
+<p>Cheverley Chase would have been quite incomplete
+without Cousin Clare. She was a second
+cousin of the Ingletons, who had come to tend
+Grandmother in her last illness, and after her
+death had remained to take charge of the household
+and the newly-arrived family of grandchildren.
+She was one of those calm, quiet, big-souled
+women who in the early centuries would
+have been a saint, and in medi&aelig;val times the abbess
+of a nunnery, but happening to be born in
+the nineteenth century, her mental outlook had
+a modern bias, and both her philanthropy and her
+religious instincts had developed along the latest
+lines of thought. She had schemes of her own
+for work in the world, but at present she was doing
+the task that was nearest in helping to bring
+up the motherless children who had been placed
+temporarily in her care. To manage this rather
+turbulent crew, soothe the irascible old Squire,
+and keep the general household in unity was a
+task that required unusual powers of tact, and a
+capacity for administration and organization that
+was worthy of a wider sphere. She might be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>
+described as the axle of the family wheel, for she
+was the unobtrusive center around which everything
+unconsciously revolved.</p>
+
+<p>But by this time Lilias and Dulcie will have
+ridden up hill and down dale, and will be turning
+Rajah and Peri in at the great wrought-iron gates
+of Cheverley Chase, and trotting through the
+park, and up the laurel-bordered carriage drive to
+the house. There was quite a big welcome for
+them when they arrived. Everard had returned
+the day before from Harrow, Roland was back
+from his preparatory school, and the two little
+ones, Bevis and Clifford, had just said good-by
+for three weeks to their nursery governess, and
+in consequence were in the wildest of holiday
+spirits. There was a general family pilgrimage
+round the premises to look at all the most cherished
+treasures, the horses, the pigeons, the pet
+rabbits, the new puppies, the garden, and the
+woods beyond the park; there were talks with the
+grooms and the keepers, and plans for cutting
+evergreens and decorating both the house and
+the village church in orthodox Christmas fashion.</p>
+
+<p>"It's lovely to be at home again," sighed Lilias
+with satisfaction, as the three elder ones sauntered
+back through the winding paths of the terraced
+vegetable garden.</p>
+
+<p>"And such a home, too!" exulted Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"Rather!" agreed Everard. "That was exactly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+what was in my mind. The first thing I
+thought when I looked out of the window this
+morning was: 'What a ripping place it is, and
+some day it will be all mine.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Yours, Everard?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, of course. Who's else should it be?
+The Chase has always gone strictly in the male
+line, and I'm the oldest grandson, so naturally
+I'm the heir. It goes without saying!"</p>
+
+<p>Dulcie's pink face was looking puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say if Grandfather were to
+die, that everything would be yours?" she asked.
+"Would you be the Squire?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe I'm called 'the young squire' already,"
+replied Everard airily.</p>
+
+<p>"But what about the rest of us?" objected
+Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'd look after you, of course! The heir
+always does something for the younger ones.
+You needn't be afraid on that score!"</p>
+
+<p>Everard's tone was magnanimous and patronizing
+in the extreme. He was gazing at the house
+with an air of evident proprietorship. Dulcie,
+who had never considered the question before,
+revolved it carefully in her youthful brain for a
+moment or two; then she ventured a comment.</p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't it be fairer to divide it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, Dulcie!" put in Lilias. "You
+don't understand. Properties like this are never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+divided. They always go, just as they are, to
+the eldest son. You couldn't chop them up into
+pieces, or there'd be no estate left."</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't one have the house and the other
+the wood, and another the park?"</p>
+
+<p>"Much good the house would do anybody
+without the estate to keep it up!" grunted Everard.
+"Dulcie, you're an utter baby. I don't
+believe you ever see farther than the end of your
+silly little nose. You may be glad you've got a
+brother to take care of you."</p>
+
+<p>"But haven't I as much right here as you?"
+persisted Dulcie obstinately.</p>
+
+<p>"No, you haven't; the heir always has the best
+right to everything. Cheer up! When the
+place is mine, I mean to have a ripping time here!
+I'll make things hum, I can tell you&mdash;ask my
+friends down, and you girls shall help to entertain.
+I've planned it all out. I suppose I shall
+have to go to Cambridge first, but I'll enjoy myself
+there too&mdash;you bet! On the whole I think
+I was born under a lucky star! Hallo! there goes
+Astley; I want to speak to him."</p>
+
+<p>Everard whistled to the groom, and ran down
+the garden, leaving his sisters to return to the
+house. At seventeen he was a fair, handsome,
+dashing sort of boy, of a type more common
+thirty years ago than at present. He held closely
+to the old-fashioned ideas of privileges of birth,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+and, according to modern notions, had contracted
+some false ideals of life. He had lounged
+through school without attempting to work, and
+was depending for all his future upon what should
+be left him by the industry of others. All the
+same, in spite of his attitude of "top dog" in the
+family, he was attractive, and inclined to be generous.
+Like most boys of seventeen, he had
+reached the "swollen head" stage, and imagined
+himself of vastly greater importance than he really
+was. The sobriquet of "the young squire"
+pleased his fancy, and he meant to live up to what
+he considered were the traditions of so distinguished
+a title.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a><span class="smcap">chapter ii</span></h2>
+<h2>A Stolen Joy-ride</h2>
+
+
+<p>Christmas passed over at Cheverley Chase in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+good old-fashioned orthodox mode. The young
+Ingletons, with plenty of evergreens to work
+upon, performed prodigies in the way of decorations
+at church and home. They distributed
+presents at a Christmas-tree for the children of
+tenants, and turned up in a body to occupy the
+front seats at the annual New Year's concert in
+the village. When the usual festivities were finished,
+however, time hung a little heavy on their
+hands, and one particular morning found them
+lounging about the breakfast-room in the especially
+aggravating situation of not quite knowing
+what to do with themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad we can't have the horses to-day!"
+groused Dulcie. "I'd set my heart on a
+ride, and I can't get on with my fancy work till I
+can go to Balderton for some more silks."</p>
+
+<p>"And I want some wool," proclaimed Lilias,
+stopping from a rather unnecessary onslaught of
+poking at the fire. "There's never anything fit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
+to buy at this wretched little shop in the village!"</p>
+
+<p>"Except bacon and kippers!" grinned Roland.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't knit with kippers!"</p>
+
+<p>"Fact is, we're all bored stiff!" drawled
+Everard from the sofa, flinging away the book he
+was reading, and stretching his arms in the luxury
+of a long-drawn yawn. "What should you say
+to a turn in the car? Wouldn't it be rather
+sport, don't you think?"</p>
+
+<p>"If Grandfather would spare Milner to take
+us!" said Lilias doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't want Milner. <em>I'll</em> drive you! I
+can manage a car as well as he can, any day.
+Don't get excited, you kids! <em>No</em>, Bevis, I shall
+certainly <em>not</em> allow you to try to drive! There's
+only going to be one man at that job, and that's
+myself!"</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we go and ask Grandfather?" suggested
+Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are! No, not the whole of us,"
+(as there was a general family move). "Three's
+enough!"</p>
+
+<p>So a deputation, consisting of Everard, Lilias,
+and Dulcie, promptly presented themselves at the
+study door and tapped for admission. As there
+was no reply to a second rap, they opened the
+door and walked into the room. Grandfather
+was rather deaf, and sometimes, when he had
+ignored a summons, he would say: "Well, why<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>
+didn't you come in?" He was generally to be
+found writing letters at this hour in the morning,
+but to-day the revolving chair was empty. He
+had apparently begun his usual correspondence,
+for his desk was littered with papers. Leaning
+up against the ink-pot there was a photograph.
+The young people, who had walked across the
+room towards the window, could not fail to notice
+it, for it was tilted in such a prominent place
+that it at once attracted their attention. It represented
+a very pretty dark-eyed young lady, holding
+a baby on her lap, with a slight background
+of Greek columns. The decidedly foreign look
+about it was justified by the photographer's name
+in the corner: "Carlo Salviati, Palermo."
+Over the top was written in ink, in a man's handwriting:
+"My wife and Leslie, from Tristram."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it?" asked Everard, gazing at the
+portrait with curiosity. "She's rather decent
+looking. Never seen her here, though, that I can
+remember!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's a ducky little baby! But who is Tristram?"
+said Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"We had an Uncle Tristram once," answered
+Lilias doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, but he died years and years ago, when
+we were all kids!" returned Everard.</p>
+
+<p>"I know. He was the only Tristram in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+family, though. I can't imagine who these two
+can be. Leslie, too! Why, that's Grandfather's
+name! Was the baby christened after him?"</p>
+
+<p>"We'll ask Cousin Clare sometime," said Dulcie,
+so interested that she could scarcely tear
+herself away. "I really want to know most fearfully
+who they are."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't bother about photos at present!
+Let's find Grandfather!" urged Everard.
+"Perhaps he's gone down to the stables, or he
+may be in the gun-room."</p>
+
+<p>On further inquiry, however, they ascertained
+that a telegram had arrived for Mr. Ingleton, on
+the receipt of which he had consulted Miss Clare,
+had ordered the smaller car, and they had both
+been driven away by Milner, the chauffeur, and
+were not expected back until seven or eight o'clock
+in the evening. This was news indeed. For a
+whole day the heads of the establishment would
+be absent, and the younger generation had the
+place to themselves. For the next eight hours
+they could do practically as they pleased.</p>
+
+<p>Everard stood for a moment thinking. He
+did not reveal quite all that passed through his
+mind, but the first instalment was sufficient for the
+family.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll get out the touring car, take some lunch
+with us, and have a joy-ride."</p>
+
+<p>Five delighted faces smiled their appreciation.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>"Oh, Everard! Dare we?" Dulcie's objection
+was consciously faint.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? When Grandfather's away, I
+consider I've a right to take his place and use the
+car if I want. I'm master here in his absence!
+I'll make it all right with him; don't you girls
+alarm yourselves! Tear off and put on your
+coats, and tell Atkins to pack us a basket of lunch,
+and to put some coffee in the thermos flasks."</p>
+
+<p>With Everard willing to assume the full responsibility
+the girls could not resist such a tempting
+offer, while the younger boys were, of course,
+only too ready to follow where their elders led.
+Elton, the groom, made some slight demur when
+Everard went down to the motor-house and began
+to get out the big touring-car, but the boy
+behaved with such assurance that he concluded
+he must be acting with his grandfather's permission.
+Moreover, Elton was in charge of the
+horses, and not the cars, and Milner, the chauffeur,
+who might reasonably have raised objections,
+was away driving his master.</p>
+
+<p>The cook, who perhaps considered it was no
+business of hers to offer remonstrances, and that
+the house would be quieter without the young
+folks, hastily packed a picnic hamper and filled
+the thermos flasks. A rejoicing crew carried
+them outside and stowed them in the car.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed a delightful adventure to go off in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+this way entirely on their own. There was some
+slight wrangling over seats, but Everard settled
+it in his lofty fashion.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll sit where I tell you. I'll have Lilias
+in front, and the rest of you may pack in behind.
+If you don't like it, you can stop at home. No,
+I'm not going to have you kids interfering here,
+so you needn't think it."</p>
+
+<p>Everard had been taught by the chauffeur to
+drive, and could manage a car quite tolerably
+well. He possessed any amount of confidence,
+which is a good or bad quality according to circumstances.
+He ran the large touring "Daimler"
+successfully through the park, and turned
+her out at the great iron gateway on to the highroad.
+Everybody was in the keenest spirits. It
+was a lovely day, wonderfully mild for January,
+and the sunshine was so pleasant that they hardly
+needed the thick fur rugs. There seemed a hint
+of spring in the air; already hazel catkins hung
+here and there in the hedgerows, thrushes and
+robins were singing cheerily, and wayside cottages
+were covered with the blossom of the yellow jessamine.
+It was a joy to spin along the good
+smooth highroad in the luxurious car. Everard
+was a quick driver, and kept a pace which sometimes
+exceeded the speed limit. Fortunately his
+brothers and sisters were not nervous, or they
+might have held their breath as he dashed round<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+corners without sounding his horn, pelted down
+hills, and on several occasions narrowly avoided
+colliding with farm carts. A reckless boy of
+seventeen, without much previous experience,
+does not make the most careful of motorists. As
+a matter of fact it was the first time Master
+Everard had driven without the chauffeur at his
+elbow, and, though he got on very well, his performance
+was not unattended with risks.</p>
+
+<p>Towards one o'clock the crew at the back began
+to clamor for lunch, and to suggest a halt
+when some suitable spot should be reached. The
+difficulty was to find a place, for they were driving
+so fast that by the time the younger boys had
+called out the possibilities of some wood or small
+quarry, the car had flown past, and, sooner than
+turn back, Everard would say: "Oh, we'll stop
+somewhere else!"</p>
+
+<p>By unanimous urging, however, he was at last
+persuaded to halt at a picturesque little bridge in
+a sheltered hollow, where they had the benefit of
+the sunshine and escaped the wind. A small
+brook wandered below between green banks
+where autumn brambles still showed brown leaves,
+and actually a shriveled blackberry or two remained.
+There was a patch of grass by the roadside,
+and here Everard put the car, to be out of
+reach of passing traffic, while its occupants spread
+the rugs on the low wall of the bridge, and began<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+to unpack their picnic baskets. Cook had certainly
+done her best for them: there were ham
+sandwiches and pieces of cold pie, and jam turnovers,
+and slices of cake, and some apples and
+oranges, and plenty of hot coffee in the thermos
+flasks.</p>
+
+<p>"It's ever so much nicer to have one's meals
+out-of-doors, even in January!" declared Bevis,
+munching a damson tartlet, and dropping stones
+into the brook below. "I believe it's warm
+enough to wade. That water doesn't look cold,
+somehow!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, you don't!" said Lilias briskly. "You
+needn't think, just because Miss Mason isn't here,
+you can do all the mad things you like. It's no
+use beginning to unlace your boots, for I shan't
+let you wade, or Clifford either! The idea! In
+January!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?" sulked Bevis. "I didn't ask
+<em>you</em>, Lilias. Everard won't say no!"</p>
+
+<p>"You can please yourselves," answered his
+eldest brother, "but <em>I'm</em> going to take the car on
+now. If you stay and wade, you'll have to walk
+home, that's all! I certainly shan't came back
+for you."</p>
+
+<p>At so awful a threat the youngsters, who had
+really meant business where the water was concerned,
+hurriedly relaced their boots, and ran to
+take their places in the car; the girls finished packing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+the remains of the picnic in the basket, and
+followed, and soon the engine was started again,
+and they were once more flying along the road.</p>
+
+<p>Everard had brought out the family for a joy-ride
+without any very particular idea of where
+they were going, though he was steering generally
+in the direction of the Cleland Hills. To his
+mind the chief fun of the expedition lay in simply
+taking any road that looked interesting, without
+regard to sign-posts. The others trusted implicitly
+to his powers of path-finding, and had really
+not the slightest idea in what part of the country
+they were traveling. After quite a long time,
+however, it occurred to Lilias to ask where they
+were, and how long it would take them to get
+home again.</p>
+
+<p>"We've come such a roundabout route, I
+scarcely know," replied Everard. "Those are
+the Cleland Hills in front of us, though, and if
+we bowl straight ahead, and go over them, we
+shall get to Clacton Bridge; then we can get the
+straight highroad back to Cheverley."</p>
+
+<p>"We shan't be home before it's dark,
+though?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, no! But the head lights are working
+all right&mdash;I tried them before we started."</p>
+
+<p>"It will be fun to drive in the dark!" chuckled
+the boys behind.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope we shall be back before Grandfather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
+and Cousin Clare, though," said Dulcie a little
+uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>The road over the Cleland Hills was much
+wilder than they expected, and it was very stony
+and bad. Up and up they went till walls, hedges
+and farms had disappeared, and only the lonely
+moor lay on either side of the rough track. It
+was a place where no motorist in his senses would
+have ventured to take a car, the extreme roughness
+of the road made steering difficult, and the
+strain on the tires was enormous. Instead of
+driving cautiously, Everard plunged along with
+all the hardihood of youth, bumping anyhow over
+ruts and stones. They were just beyond the
+brow of the hill when a loud bang, followed by a
+grinding sensation, announced the bad news that
+one of their tires had burst.</p>
+
+<p>"What beastly bad luck!" lamented Everard,
+getting out to inspect the injured cover. "It
+might have had the decency to keep up till we had
+reached civilization! Well, there's nothing for
+it but to put on the spare tire. I've helped Milner
+to do it before, so I can manage. It's a
+bother we left the spare wheel at home. I shall
+want some of you to help me, though."</p>
+
+<p>Everard had indeed rendered some assistance
+to the chauffeur on various occasions, but it was
+quite another matter to perform the troublesome
+operation of changing the tire with only two girls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+and three young brothers to lend a hand. In
+their inexperienced enthusiasm, they did all the
+wrong things, very nearly nipped the tube, mislaid
+the tools, and pulled where they should have
+pushed. It was only after nearly an hour's work
+that Everard at last managed to get the business
+finished. The family, warm and excited, packed
+once more into the car.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I hope we shall have no more troubles
+now!" exclaimed Lilias, who was growing tired
+and longing for home and tea. "What's the
+matter, Everard?"</p>
+
+<p>"Matter! Why, she won't start, that's all!"</p>
+
+<p>Here was a predicament! Whether the bumping
+up the rough road had thrown some delicate
+piece of mechanism out of gear, or the waiting in
+the cold had cooled the engine, it was impossible
+to say, but nothing that Everard could do would
+induce the car to start. He examined everything
+which his rather limited knowledge of motorology
+suggested might be the cause of the stoppage, but
+with no result. After half an hour's tinkering,
+he was obliged ruefully to acknowledge himself
+utterly baffled.</p>
+
+<p>They were indeed in an extremely awkward
+situation, stranded on a wild moor, probably sixty
+miles from home, and with the short winter's day
+closing rapidly in.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>"What <em>are</em> we to do?" gasped Lilias, half-crying.</p>
+
+<p>"We can't stay here all night!"</p>
+
+<p>"Finish our prog and sleep in the car," suggested
+Roland.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no! We should be frozen before morning."</p>
+
+<p>"I think we'd better walk on while it's light
+enough to see," said Everard. "We shall probably
+strike a highroad soon, and we'll stop some
+motorist, ask for a lift to the nearest town, and
+stay all night at a hotel."</p>
+
+<p>"But what about the car?"</p>
+
+<p>"We must just leave her to her fate. There's
+nothing else for it. I don't suppose anybody
+will touch her up here. It can't be helped, any
+way."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's finish our prog before we set off!" persisted
+Roland, opening the picnic basket.</p>
+
+<p>The family was hungry again, so they readily
+set to work to dispose of the remains of their
+lunch. It might be a long time before they were
+within reach of their next meal, and they blessed
+Cook for having packed a plentiful supply.
+Everard would not let them linger for more than
+a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry up, you kids!" he urged. "We
+don't know how far we may have to go, and it
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>will be getting dark soon. Thank goodness we
+shall be walking down hill, at any rate."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter imgborder" style="width: 382px;">
+<img src="images/car.jpg" width="382" height="600" alt="&quot;What are we to do!&quot; gasped Lilias" title="" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;what <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> we to do!&quot; gasped lilias</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>After whisking along in the car, "Shanks's
+pony" seemed a very slow mode of progress;
+their breakdown had happened in an out-of-the-way
+spot, and it was more than an hour before
+they reached a highroad. It was almost dark by
+that time, and matters seemed so desperate that
+Everard determined to hail the very first passing
+motorist who seemed to be able to help them.
+Fate brought along no handsome tourist car, but
+a rattling motor-lorry, the driver of which stopped
+in answer to their united shouts, and, after hearing
+of the difficulty they were in, consented to give
+them a lift to the town, five miles away, for which
+he was bound. Fortunately the lorry was empty,
+so the family thankfully climbed in, and squatted
+on the floor, while Everard sat in front with the
+driver.</p>
+
+<p>It was not a very aristocratic mode of conveyance
+for the heir of Cheverley Chase, but Everard
+was in no mood to pick and choose just then, and
+would have accepted a seat in a coal truck if necessary.
+As for the younger ones, they enjoyed
+the fun of it. It was a very bumpy performance
+to sit on the floor of the jolting wagon, but at any
+rate infinitely preferable to walking.</p>
+
+<p>Arrived in Bilstone, their cicerone drove them
+to a Commercial Hotel with whose landlady he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>
+had some acquaintance, and that good dame, after
+eyeing the party curiously, consented to make up
+beds for them for the night.</p>
+
+<p>"I've no private sitting-room to put you in,
+and I can't show these young ladies into the commercial
+room," she objected; "but I'll have a fire
+lighted in one of the bedrooms, and you can all
+have some tea up there. Will that suit you?"</p>
+
+<p>Lilias and Dulcie, catching a glimpse through
+an open door of the company smoking in the commercial
+room, agreed thankfully, glad to find
+some safe haven to which they could beat a retreat.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what Cousin Clare would say?"
+they asked each other.</p>
+
+<p>It was indeed an urgent matter to send some
+news of their whereabouts to Cheverley Chase,
+where their absence must be causing much alarm.
+While the landlady, therefore, ordered the tea,
+Everard went out to the public telephone, asked
+for a trunk call, and rang up No. 169 Balderton.
+He could hear relief in the voice of old Winder,
+who answered the telephone. Everard was not
+anxious to enter into too many explanations, so
+he simply said that they had had a breakdown,
+told the name of the town and the hotel where
+they were staying, and suggested that Milner
+should come over next morning to the rescue. On
+hearing his Grandfather's voice, he promptly rang<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
+off. To-morrow would be quite time enough, so
+he felt, for giving the history of their adventure.
+The unpleasant interview might just as well be
+deferred, and he had no wish to listen to explosions
+of anger over the telephone.</p>
+
+<p>Tea, tinned salmon, plum and apple jam, and
+very indifferent bedrooms were the best that the
+Commercial Hotel had to offer, but it was infinitely
+better than being benighted on the moor.
+In spite of lack of all toilet necessaries, the Ingletons
+slept peacefully, worn out with their long day
+in the fresh air. Milner, the chauffeur, must have
+made an early start, for he arrived at eleven
+o'clock next morning in the small car, armed with
+his master's instructions. He paid the hotel bill,
+chartered a taxi, in which he dispatched Lilias,
+Dulcie, Roland, Bevis and Clifford, straight for
+home, then, engaging a mechanic from a garage,
+and taking Everard as guide, he started up the
+hill in the pouring rain to find the abandoned car.
+It needed several hours' attention before it could
+be induced to start, and it was not until evening
+that he was able to place it safely back in the
+motor-house at Cheverley Chase.</p>
+
+<p>Everard had expected his peppery grandfather
+to be angry, but he was quite unprepared for the
+intensity of the storm which burst over his head
+on his return.</p>
+
+<p>"Your insolence goes beyond all bounds!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>
+thundered Mr. Ingleton. "To borrow my car
+without leave! And to take your sisters without
+a chaperon to a fifth-rate public-house! You deserve
+horsewhipping for it! You think yourself
+the young Squire, do you? And imagine you can
+do just what you like here? While I'm above
+ground I'll have you to know <em>I'm</em> master, and nobody
+else in this place!"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't see it was anything so out of the way
+to take the kids a run in the car, and I never
+meant to keep the girls out all night," replied
+Everard defiantly. He had a temper as well as
+his grandfather, and the pair had often been at
+loggerheads before.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! There are ways of making people
+see! You can just go a little too far sometimes!"
+declared the old gentleman sarcastically. "I've
+given orders that you don't take either car out
+again unless Milner is with you. So you understand?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I do," grunted Everard, turning
+sulkily away.</p>
+
+<p>It was only a few days after this that Everard,
+Lilias, and Dulcie, returning home across the park
+from a walk in the woods, met Mr. Bowden, the
+family solicitor, who was riding down the drive
+from the Chase. He stopped his motor-bicycle
+and got off to speak to them. They knew him
+well, for he often came to the house to conduct<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+their grandfather's business, and he was indeed
+quite a favorite with them all. He looked at
+Everard keenly when the first greetings were over.</p>
+
+<p>"Been getting yourself into considerable hot
+water just lately, haven't you?" he remarked.</p>
+
+<p>Everard colored and frowned, then burst forth.</p>
+
+<p>"Grandfather's quite too ridiculous! Why
+shouldn't I take out the car if I want to? I can
+drive as well as Milner! He behaved as if I
+were a kid! It's more than a fellow can stand
+sometimes! He likes to keep everything tight
+in his own hands; at his age it's time he began to
+stand aside a little and let <em>me</em> look after things!
+I shall have to take charge of the whole property
+some day, I suppose!"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Bowden was gazing at Everard with the
+noncommittal air often assumed by lawyers.</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't make too sure about that," he said
+slowly. "I suppose you know your Uncle Tristram
+left a child? No! Well, he did, at any
+rate. I must hurry on now. I've an appointment
+to keep at my office. A happy New Year
+to you all. Good-by!"</p>
+
+<p>And, starting his engine, he was off before they
+had time to reply.</p>
+
+<p>"What does he mean?" asked Lilias, watching
+the retreating bicycle. "Uncle Tristram has been
+dead for thirteen years! We never seem to have
+heard anything about him!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>"What was that photo we saw on the study
+table?" queried Dulcie. "Don't you remember&mdash;the
+lady and the baby, and it had written on it:
+'My wife and Leslie, from Tristram.'"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose it was Uncle Tristram's wife and
+child," replied Everard thoughtfully. "He
+must have called the kid 'Leslie' after Grandfather.
+They ought to have christened <em>me</em>
+'Leslie.' I can't think why they didn't."</p>
+
+<p>"Have we a cousin Leslie, then, whom we
+don't know?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose we must have, somewhere!"</p>
+
+<p>"How fearfully thrilling!"</p>
+
+<p>"Um! I don't know that it's thrilling at all.
+It's the first I've heard of it until to-day. I wish
+our father had been the eldest son, instead of
+Uncle Tristram!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why? What does it matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"It may matter more than you think. You're
+a silly little goose, Dulcie, and, as I often tell you,
+you never see farther than the end of your own
+nose. Surely, after all these years, though,
+Grandfather <em>must</em>&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Must what?" asked Lilias curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Never you mind! Girls can't know everything!"
+snapped Everard, walking on in front of
+his sisters with a look of unwonted worry upon
+his usually careless and handsome young face.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a><span class="smcap">chapter iii</span></h2>
+<h2>A Valentine Party</h2>
+
+
+<p>Chilcombe Hall, where Lilias and Dulcie had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+been boarders for the last two years, was an exceedingly
+nice school. It stood on a hill-side well
+raised above the river, and behind it there was
+a little wood where bulbs had been naturalized,
+and where, in their season, you might find clumps
+of pure white snowdrops, sheets of glorious daffodils,
+and later on lovely masses of the lily of the
+valley. In the garden all kinds of sweet things
+seemed to be blooming the whole year round.
+Golden aconite buds opened with the January
+term, and in a wild patch above the rockery the
+delicious heliotrope-scented <em>Petasites fragrans</em>
+blossomed to tempt the bees which an hour's sunshine
+would bring forth from the hives, scarlet
+<em>Pyrus japanica</em> was trained along the wall under
+the front windows, and early flowering cherry and
+almond blossoms made delicate pink patches of
+color long before leaves were showing on the
+trees.</p>
+
+<p>Beautiful surroundings in a school can be quite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+as important a part of our education as the textbooks
+through which we toil. We are made up
+of body, mind, and spirit, and the developing soul
+needs satisfying as much as the physical or mental
+part of us. Long years afterwards, though we
+utterly forget the lessons we may have learnt as
+children, we can still vividly recall the effect of
+the afternoon sun streaming through the fuchsia
+bush outside the open French window where we
+sat conning those unremembered tasks. The
+lovely things of nature, assimilated half unconsciously
+when we are young, equip us with a
+purity of heart and a refinement of taste that
+should safeguard us later, and keep our thoughts
+at a lofty level.</p>
+
+<p>The "beauty cult" was a decided feature of
+Chilcombe Hall. Miss Walters was extremely
+artistic; she painted well in water-colors and had
+exquisite taste. Many of the charming decorations
+in the house had been done by herself; she
+had designed and stencilled the frieze of drooping
+clusters of wistaria that decorated the dining-hall
+wall; the framed landscapes in the drawing-room
+were her own work, and she herself always
+superintended the arrangement of the bowls of
+flowers that gave such brightness to the schoolrooms.</p>
+
+<p>Her twenty pupils had on the whole a decidedly
+pleasant time. There were just enough of them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+to develop the community spirit, but not too many
+to obliterate the individual, or, as Ida Spenser
+put it: "You can get up a play, or a dance, or
+any other sort of fun, and yet we all know each
+other like a kind of big family."</p>
+
+<p>"Divided up into small families according to
+bedrooms!" added Hester Wilson.</p>
+
+<p>The bedrooms at Chilcombe Hall were rather
+a speciality. They were large, and were furnished
+partly as studies, and girls had their own
+bookcases, knick-knacks, and pretty things there.
+As the house was provided with central heating,
+they were warmed, and a certain amount of preparation
+was done in them each afternoon. Miss
+Walters' artistic faculty had decorated them in
+schemes of various colors, so that they were
+known respectively as The Rose, The Gold, The
+Green, The Brown, and The Blue Bedrooms.
+Lilias and Dulcie Ingleton, Gowan Barbour, and
+Bertha Chesters, who occupied the last-named,
+considered it quite the choicest of all. They had
+each made important contributions to its furniture,
+had clubbed together to buy a Liberty table-cloth,
+had provided vases in lovely shades of turquoise
+blue, and had worked toilet-mats, nightdress
+cases and other accessories to accord with
+the prevailing tone. "The Blue Grotto," as they
+named their dormitory, certainly had points over
+rival bedrooms, for it looked down the garden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+towards the river, and had the best view of the
+sunset. Moreover, it was at the very end of the
+corridor, so that sudden outbursts of laughter did
+not meet the ears of Miss Hardy quite so easily
+as from the Rose or the Brown room.</p>
+
+<p>The work of the spring term had been in full
+swing for nearly a month, when Gowan Barbour,
+looking at the calendar&mdash;hand-painted, with blue
+cranesbill geraniums&mdash;suddenly discovered that
+next morning would be the festival of St. Valentine.</p>
+
+<p>"Could anything be better?" she exulted.
+"We've won the record for tidiness three weeks
+running, so we're entitled to a special indulgence.
+I vote we ask to bring tea up here, and have a
+Valentine party. Don't you think it would be
+rather scrumptious? I've all sorts of ideas in
+my head."</p>
+
+<p>"Topping!" agreed Dulcie, pausing in the act
+of tying her hair ribbon to consider the important
+question, "specially if we could get Miss Walters
+to let us send to Glazebrook for a few cakes. I
+believe she would, if we wheedled!"</p>
+
+<p>"What about visitors?" asked Lilias. "It
+would be much more of a party if we had a few
+of the others in."</p>
+
+<p>"We don't want a crowd, or we might as well
+be in the dining-hall," objected Bertha.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of course we shouldn't ask the whole<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+school, naturally, but perhaps just Noreen and
+Phillida!"</p>
+
+<p>"We must get at the soft spot in Miss Walters'
+heart," decided Gowan. "Pick a bunch of early
+violets if you can find them, lay them on her study
+table, talk about flowers and nature for a little
+while, then ask if we may have a quiet little party
+in our bedroom to-morrow afternoon, with cakes
+at our own expense."</p>
+
+<p>"Quiet?" queried Lilias.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of course you couldn't call it rowdy,
+could you? We'll send you to do the asking.
+Those dimples of yours generally get what you
+want, and on the whole I think you're the pattern
+one of us, and the most likely to be listened to."</p>
+
+<p>Tea at Chilcombe Hall was a quite informal
+meal. It partook, indeed more of the nature of
+a canteen. The urns were what the girls called
+"on tap" from four to four-thirty, and during
+summer any one might take cup, saucer, and plate
+into the garden, provided she duly brought them
+back afterwards to the dining-hall. Special permission
+for a bedroom feast was therefore not
+very difficult to obtain, and Lilias returned from
+her interview in the study with her dimples conspicuously
+in evidence.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" asked the interested circle in the
+Blue bedroom.</p>
+
+<p>"Sweet as honey!" reported Lilias. "She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>
+said 'Certainly, my dear!' We may each ask
+one friend, and we may spend two shillings
+amongst us on cakes, if we give the money and
+the list of what we want to Jones this afternoon,
+because he's going into Glazebrook first thing to-morrow
+morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Only two shillings!" commented Gowan.</p>
+
+<p>"It will go no way!" pouted Bertha.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I can't help it. Miss Walters said
+'Two shillings' most emphatically."</p>
+
+<p>"You might have stuck out for more! Those
+iced cakes are always half a crown!"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't dare to stick out for anything. I
+was so afraid she'd change her mind, and say
+'There's good plain home-made cake with your
+schoolroom tea, and you must be content with
+that,' like she did to Nona and Muriel."</p>
+
+<p>"We could get twelve twopenny cakes for
+two shillings," calculated Dulcie; "but if there
+are eight of us, that's only one and a half
+apiece."</p>
+
+<p>"Best get eight twopenny iced cakes, and eight
+penny buns," suggested Bertha, taking pencil and
+paper to write the important order.</p>
+
+<p>"Right-o! Only be sure you put <em>pink</em> iced
+cakes, they are so much the nicest."</p>
+
+<p>"Whom shall we ask? It won't be much of a
+beano on two shillings. Still, they'll be keen on
+coming, I expect."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>Noreen, Phillida, Prissie, and Edith, the four
+finally selected favorites, accepted the invitation
+with alacrity. Bedroom tea-parties were indulgences
+only given to winners of three weeks'
+dormitory records, so the less fortunate occupants
+of the Brown and Rose rooms were really profiting
+by the tidiness of their hostesses. The Blue
+Grotto was placed in apple-pie order on the afternoon
+of the fourteenth of February. A white
+hemstitched cloth and a bowl of snowdrops
+adorned the center table, and the cakes were set out
+on paper doilies. Both hostesses and guests were
+in the dining-hall by four o'clock, awaiting the
+appearance of the urns, and each bore her cup of
+tea and a portion of bread and butter and scones
+upstairs with her.</p>
+
+<p>It was a jolly party round the square table, and
+if the cakes were not too plentiful, they were at
+least voted delicious. The girls carried down the
+cups when they had finished, shook the table-cloth
+out of the window, carefully collected crumbs
+from the floor, so as to preserve their record for
+neatness, then gathered round the table again for
+an hour's fun before the bell should ring for
+prep.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a Valentine party, and I've got a ripping
+idea," said Gowan. "We'll put our names on
+pieces of paper, fold them up, shuffle them and
+draw them; then each of us must write a valentine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>
+to the one we've drawn. We'll shuffle these,
+and one of us must read them all out. Then we
+must each guess who's written our valentines."</p>
+
+<p>"Sounds rather brainy, doesn't it?" objected
+Noreen. "I don't think I'm any hand at
+poetry!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! you can make up something if you try.
+Valentines are generally doggerel."</p>
+
+<p>"Need it be quite original?" asked Edith.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you really <em>can't</em> compose anything,
+we'll allow quotations."</p>
+
+<p>"Cracker mottoes?" suggested Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly. They're just about in the right
+style."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you all getting into a sentimental vein?"
+giggled Bertha. "Remember 'Love' rhymes
+with 'Dove,' and Cupid with&mdash;with&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Stupid," supplied Dulcie laconically.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to give my rhymes away beforehand,"
+said Phillida. "Is that shuffling
+business finished, Gowan? Then bags me first
+draw."</p>
+
+<p>Each girl, having been apportioned the name of
+her valentine, set to work to compose a suitable
+ode in her honor. There was much knitting of
+brows and nibbling of pencils, and demands for a
+few minutes longer, when Gowan called "Time!"
+At last, however, the effusions were all finished,
+folded, shuffled, and laid in a pile. Gowan, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+the originator of the game, was unanimously
+elected president. She drew one at a venture,
+opened it, and read:</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"TO PHILLIDA<br />
+<br />
+"Fair maiden, who in ancient song<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Was wont to flout her swain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I prithee be not always coy,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But turn your face again.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">My heart is true, and it will rue,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">That ever you should doubt me,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">So sweet, be kind, and change your mind,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And don't for ever flout me."</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"Who wrote that?" asked Phillida, glancing
+keenly round the circle. "Noreen, I believe
+you're looking conscious! I always suspect people
+who say they can't write."</p>
+
+<p>"<em>I!</em> No, indeed!" declared Noreen.</p>
+
+<p>"You may make guesses, but nobody's to confess
+or deny authorship till the end," put in
+Gowan hastily. "Remember, valentines are always
+supposed to be anonymous. Now I'm going
+to read another.</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"TO LILIAS<br />
+<br />
+"Cupid with his fatal dart<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shot me through and made me smart,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">So I pray, before we part,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kiss me once, and heal my heart!"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>"Short and sweet!" commented Edith.</p>
+
+<p>"Very sweet&mdash;quite sugary, in fact," agreed
+Lilias. "It's the sort of motto you get out of
+a superior cracker with gelatine paper on the outside,
+and trinkets inside. There ought to be a
+ring with all that. I believe it's Prissie's, but
+I'm not sure it isn't by Bertha."</p>
+
+<p>"You mayn't have two guesses!" reminded
+Gowan, reaching for another paper. "Hallo!
+this actually to me! I feel quite shy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Go on! You're not usually afflicted with
+shyness," urged the others.</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"TO GOWAN<br />
+<br />
+"Wee modest, crimson-tipped flower,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Thou'st met me in an evil hour;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For I maun gang far frae thy bower,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And leave thee greeting 'mang the stour.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But lassie, thou art no thy lane,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">This heart is also brak in twain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And like to burst with grief and pain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To think I'll see thee ne'er again."</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"H'm! He might have signed 'Robbie
+Burns' at the end of it!" commented Gowan.
+"Seems to take it for granted I'm doing half of
+the grieving. No, thanks! I prefer to 'flout
+them' like Phillida. He may go away with his
+old broken heart if he likes. That's not my idea
+of a valentine."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>"There were bad valentines as well as good
+ones, weren't there?" twinkled Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly; and if I set this down to you, perhaps
+I'll not be far out. Who comes next? Oh! Bertha.</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"TO BERTHA<br />
+<br />
+"I have a little heart to let,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">As nice as nice can be;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">It's vacant just at present,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">On a yearly tenancy.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">It's quite completely furnished</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">With affection's choicest store,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sweet nothings by the bushel,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And kisses by the score.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">It sadly wants a tenant,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">This little heart of mine,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">So I beg that you will take it,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And be my Valentine!"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"Edith! Dulcie! Phillida!&mdash;Oh! I can't
+guess!" laughed Bertha. "There's not the least
+clue! Go on, Gowan! I'll plump for Phillida."</p>
+
+<p>The next on the list was&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"TO NOREEN<br />
+<br />
+"Cupid on his rosy wing<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Flits to offer you a ring:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Take it, dear, and happy make</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">One who'd die for your sweet sake!"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>"That's the sugary type again, and suggests a
+cracker!" decided Noreen. "You feel there
+ought to be a big dish of trifle somewhere near."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish there were!" chirped Edith. "You
+haven't guessed yet!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, I guess you!"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope it's my turn next," said Prissie.</p>
+
+<p>"No, it happens to be Dulcie," retorted
+Gowan. "You'll probably be the last of all.</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"TO DULCIE<br />
+<br />
+"Oh, lady fair from Cheverley Chase,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The day when first I saw your face</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Put me in such a fearful flutter</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I could do naught but moan and mutter.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Whether I'm standing on my head,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Or if I'm on my heels instead,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I scarce can tell, for Cupid's arrows</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Have made my brain like any sparrow's.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">When you come near, my foolish heart</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Goes pit-a-pat with throb and start,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And when I try my love to utter,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">My fairest speech is but a stutter.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">How to propose is all my task,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Whether to write or just to ask,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And ere I solve the problem knotty</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I really fear I shall go dotty.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Oh, lady fair, in pity stop</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And list while I the question pop.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'Tis here on paper; think it over,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And let me be your humble lover."</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>"Quite the longest of them all!" smiled Dulcie
+complacently.</p>
+
+<p>"But not as poetical as mine!" contended
+Noreen.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, go on!" said Edith. "I'm sure I'm
+next!"</p>
+
+<p>And so she was.</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"TO EDITH<br />
+<br />
+"Maiden of the swan-like neck,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I am at your call and beck;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">If you will but wave a finger,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">In your neighborhood I'll linger,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Praise your eyes, and cheeks of roses,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bring you presents of sweet posies,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sweetheart, if you will be mine,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Let me be your Valentine!"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't got a swan neck! It's no longer
+than other people's, I'm sure!" protested Edith
+indignantly, looking round the circle for the offender.
+"Who wrote such stuff?"</p>
+
+<p>"There, don't get excited, child!" soothed
+Gowan. "'Edith of the Swan Neck' was a historical
+character. Don't you remember? She
+ought to have married King Harold, only she
+didn't, somehow. It's meant as a compliment,
+no doubt!"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you wrote it yourself!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>"No, I didn't. At least I mustn't tell just yet.
+I'm going to read the last one now.</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"TO PRISSIE<br />
+<br />
+"I am not sentimental, please,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I cannot write in rhyme,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I beg you'll all ecstatics leave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Until another time.</span><br />
+<br />
+"But if I'm lacking in romance,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">At least my heart is true,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And in its own prosaic way,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">It only beats for you.</span><br />
+<br />
+"'Mong damsels all I think you are<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The nicest little Missie,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And beg to have for Valentine</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">That sweetest maid, Miss Prissie."</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"Author! Author!" cried Prissie. "It's
+Lilias, I do believe!"</p>
+
+<p>"Guessing's been horribly wrong!" said
+Gowan. "Only about one of you was right.
+Shall I read the list?</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"To Phillida by Dulcie.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To Lilias by Noreen.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To Gowan by myself.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To Bertha by Phillida.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To Noreen by Prissie.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To Dulcie by Bertha.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To Edith by Lilias.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To Prissie by Edith."</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>"So you wrote your own, Gowan! What a
+humbug you are! You quite put us off the
+scent!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I drew my own name, you see. I had
+to write something! Bertha ought to have a
+prize for guessing right, only we've nothing to
+give her. Shall we play something else?"</p>
+
+<p>"Prissie's brought a pack of cards, and she says
+she'll tell our fortunes," proclaimed Edith.</p>
+
+<p>"I learnt how in the holidays," confessed
+Prissie. "A girl was staying with us who had a
+book about it. We used to have ripping fun
+every evening over it. Whose fortune shall I
+tell first? Oh, don't all speak at once! Look
+here, you'd better each cut, and the lowest shall
+win."</p>
+
+<p>Dulcie, who turned up an ace, was the lucky
+one, and was therefore elected as the first to consult
+the oracle. By Prissie's orders she shuffled
+the cards, then handed them back to the sorceress,
+who laid them out face upward in rows, and after
+a few moments' meditation began her prophecies.</p>
+
+<p>"You're fair, and therefore the Queen of Diamonds
+is your representative card&mdash;all the
+luck's behind you instead of facing you. I see a
+disappointment and great changes. A dark
+woman is coming into your life. She's connected
+somehow with money, but there are hearts behind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+her. You'll take a journey by land, and
+find trouble and perplexity."</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you anything nicer to tell me than
+that?" pouted Dulcie. "Who's the dark
+woman?"</p>
+
+<p>"She seems to be a relation, by the way the
+cards are placed."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't any dark relations. They're all as
+fair as fair&mdash;the whole family."</p>
+
+<p>"It's silly nonsense! I don't believe in it!"
+declared Lilias emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say it is, but it's fun, all the same.
+Do tell mine now, Prissie!" urged Noreen, gathering
+up the cards and reshuffling them.</p>
+
+<p>Before the fates could be further consulted,
+however, the big bell clanged for preparation,
+and the magician was obliged to pocket her cards,
+hurry downstairs, get out her lesson books, and
+write a piece of French translation, while the inquirers
+into her mysteries also separated, some to
+practise piano or violin, and some to study.</p>
+
+<p>"A dark woman!" scoffed Dulcie, spilling the
+ink in her scorn as she filled her fountain pen.
+"Any gypsy would have told me a fortune like
+that. I'll let you know when she comes along,
+Prissie!"</p>
+
+<p>"All serene! Bring her to school if you like!"
+laughed Prissie. "You didn't let me finish, or I
+might have gone on to something nicer. There<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>
+were other things on the cards as well as those."</p>
+
+<p>"What things?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I shan't tell you now, when you only
+make fun of them! Sh! sh! Here's Miss Herbert!"</p>
+
+<p>And Prissie, turning away from her comrade,
+opened her French dictionary and plunged into the
+difficulties of her page of translation from Racine.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a><span class="smcap">chapter iv</span></h2>
+<h2>Disinherited</h2>
+
+
+<p>Valentine's Day had brought early flowers, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>
+the song of the thrush and glints of golden sunshine,
+but the bright weather was too good to last,
+and winter again stretched out an icy hand to
+check the advance of spring. Green daffodil
+buds peeped through a covering of snow, and the
+yellow jessamine blossom fell sodden in the rain.
+The playing-field was a quagmire, and the girls
+had to depend upon walking for their daily exercise.
+Their tramps were somewhat of an adventure,
+for in places the swollen brooks were washing
+over the tops of their bridges, and they would
+be obliged to turn back, or go round by devious
+ways. The river in the valley had overflowed
+its banks and spread over the low-lying meadows
+like a lake. Tops of gates and hedges appeared
+above the flood, and sea-gulls, driven inland by
+the gales, swam over the pastures. Flocks of
+peewits, starlings, and red-wings collected on the
+uplands, and an occasional heron might be seen
+flitting majestically across the storm-flecked sky.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>As a rule the school sallied forth in waterproofs
+and thick boots, regardless of drizzle or
+slight snow, but on days of blizzard there was
+Swedish drill or dancing in the big class-room, to
+work off the superfluous energy accumulated during
+hours of sitting still at lessons.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon, when driving sleet and showers
+swept past the house, and an inclement sky hid
+every hint of sunshine, the twenty girls, clad in
+their gymnasium costumes, were hard at work doing
+Indian club exercises. Dulcie, who stood in
+the vicinity of the window, could watch the raindrops
+splashing on the pane, and see the wet tree-tops
+waving about in the wind, and runnels of
+water coursing down the drive like little rivulets.
+It was the sort of afternoon when nobody who
+could help it would choose to be out, and a visitor
+to the Hall seemed about the most unlikely event
+on the face of the earth. Judge her surprise,
+therefore, when she heard the hoot of a motor-horn,
+and the next instant saw, coming up the
+drive, the well-known Daimler touring car from
+Cheverley Chase. In her excitement she almost
+dropped her clubs. Had Cousin Clare come
+over to see them? Or had Everard a holiday?
+She longed to communicate the thrilling news to
+Lilias, but the music was still going on, and her
+arms must move in time to it. She waited in a
+flutter of expectation, revolving all kinds of delightful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+possibilities that might occur. Cousin
+Clare would surely send a cake and a box of chocolates,
+even if she had not come herself. Five
+minutes passed, then Davis, the parlor-maid,
+opened the door, and whispered a brief message
+to Miss Perkins. The mistress held up her hand
+and stopped the exercises.</p>
+
+<p>"Lilias and Dulcie are wanted at once in the
+study," she said.</p>
+
+<p>Amid the astonished looks of their companions,
+the two girls put down their clubs and left the
+room, Dulcie hastily telling her sister, as they
+hurried down the passage, how she had seen the
+car from the window. They tapped at the study
+door, and entered full of pleasant anticipation.
+Miss Walters was standing by the fire, with a
+letter in her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Come in, girls," she said gravely. "I've
+sent for you because I have something very sad
+to tell you. Can you prepare your minds for a
+great shock? Your Grandfather was taken ill
+suddenly last night, and passed away this morning.
+Your cousin has sent the car to fetch you both
+home. Go at once and change your dresses, and
+Miss Harvey will help you to pack a few clothes.
+The chauffeur is having some tea, but you must
+not keep him waiting very long. I can't tell you
+how grieved I am. You must be brave girls and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+try to comfort every one else at home. It will be
+a sad loss for you all."</p>
+
+<p>Lilias and Dulcie went upstairs almost dazed
+with the unexpected bad news. They could
+hardly believe that their grandfather, whom they
+had left apparently in the best of health and
+spirits, could have gone away into that other
+world where Father and Mother and a little sister
+had already passed over before. They packed
+in a sort of dream, drank the cups of tea which
+Miss Walters, full of kind sympathy, pressed upon
+them in the hall, greeted Milner, who was starting
+his engine, and entered the waiting car. Owing
+to the floods, they took a roundabout route,
+but half an hour's drive through sleet and rain
+brought them to Cheverley Chase. It was
+strange to see the blinds all down as they drew
+up at the house. As they ran indoors, Winder,
+the old butler, came from his pantry into the hall.
+They questioned him eagerly. He shook his
+head as he replied:</p>
+
+<p>"It's a sad business, Miss Lilias and Miss Dulcie.
+He was just as usual yesterday, then about
+nine o'clock Miss Clare rang the bell violently,
+and when I came into the drawing-room, there
+was Master lying on the floor in a kind of fit.
+I telephoned to the doctor, and we got him to
+bed, but he never recovered consciousness. He
+went at eleven this morning, as you'll see by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>
+clock there. I stopped all the clocks at once.
+It's the right thing to do in a house when the
+master dies. Miss Clare's in her room. I'll let
+her know you've arrived."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll go and find her, thank you," said Lilias,
+walking quietly upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>The Ingleton children were truly grieved at
+the loss of the grandfather who, for so many
+years, had stood to them in the place of a parent.
+They went softly about the house and spoke in
+hushed voices. Everything seemed strange and
+unusual. A dressmaker came from London with
+boxes of mourning for Cousin Clare and the girls;
+beautiful wreaths and crosses of flowers kept arriving
+and were carried upstairs. Mr. Bowden,
+the lawyer, was constantly in and out, making
+arrangements for the funeral; neighbors left
+cards with "Kind sympathy" written across the
+corner. Everard, who had arrived home shortly
+after his sisters, seemed to have grown years
+older. He walked with a new dignity, as of one
+who is suddenly called to fill a high position.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll be a good brother to you all," he said to
+the younger ones. "You must always look upon
+the Chase as your home, of course. I'll do
+everything for you that Grandfather ever did, and
+more!"</p>
+
+<p>"Will the Chase be yours now, then, Everard?"
+asked Bevis.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>"I suppose so. I'm the eldest son, you see,
+and the property has always gone in the direct
+line. It was entailed until fifty years ago. I
+shan't make any changes. I've told the servants
+so, and they all said they wished to stay on.
+I wouldn't part with Winder or Milner for the
+world! They're part of the establishment."</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't imagine the place without them,"
+agreed Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>On the afternoon before the funeral, Mr. Bowden,
+who had motored over to make some final
+arrangements, concluded his business, drank a cup
+of tea in the drawing-room, and was escorted by
+Everard and Lilias through the hall.</p>
+
+<p>"The passing of the Squire is a sad loss to the
+neighborhood," he remarked. "He was a true
+type of the good old school of country gentlemen,
+and most of us feel 'we shall not look upon his
+like again.'"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Everard. "It will be very hard
+to succeed him, I know, but I shall try to do my
+best."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Bowden started, looked at him musingly
+for a moment, knitted his brows, then apparently
+came to a decision. Instead of taking his hat
+and coat from Winder, he waved the two young
+people into the study, followed them, and shut the
+door.</p>
+
+<p>"I want a word with you in private," he began.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
+"I'm going to do a very unprofessional
+thing, but, as I've known you for years, I feel
+the case justifies me. I can't let you come into the
+dining-room to-morrow, after the funeral, and
+hear your grandfather's will read aloud, without
+giving you some warning beforehand of its contents.
+I hinted to you, Everard, at Christmas-time,
+not to count too much upon expectations."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, but surely I am the heir?" burst out
+Everard with white lips.</p>
+
+<p>"My poor boy, you are nothing of the sort.
+Your grandfather has willed the property to the
+child of his elder son, Tristram."</p>
+
+<p>At that critical moment there was a rap at the
+door, and Winder, the butler, entered, respectfully
+apologetic, to summon Mr. Bowden to the
+telephone. The lawyer answered the call, which
+was apparently a very urgent one, for, without
+another word to Everard and Lilias, he took hat
+and coat, hurried from the house, mounted his
+motor-cycle, and was gone. He left utter consternation
+behind him. The two young people,
+returning to the study, tried to face the disastrous
+news. He had indeed told them no details,
+but the main outline was quite sufficient. They
+could scarcely accustom themselves to believe it
+for a moment or two.</p>
+
+<p>"To bring me up as the heir, and then disinherit
+me!" gasped Everard.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>"Why, everybody called you 'the young
+squire'!" exclaimed Lilias. "It's unthinkable!"</p>
+
+<p>"Unthinkable or not, I'm afraid it's true," said
+Everard bitterly. "Bowden wouldn't have told
+me otherwise. I suppose he drew up the will, so
+he knows what's in it. Nice position to be in,
+isn't it? Turned out to make room for some
+other chap!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who is this child of Uncle Tristram's?
+We've never heard of him."</p>
+
+<p>"It'll be the kid who is in that photo, I suppose&mdash;Leslie.
+He looked about a year old in
+the portrait, and it's thirteen years since Uncle
+Tristram died, so he's probably fourteen or so
+now. To think of a kid of fourteen taking <em>my</em>
+place here! It's monstrous!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Everard, what <em>shall</em> we do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. I'm going out to think it over.
+Don't say a word about it to anybody yet.
+Promise me you won't!"</p>
+
+<p>Everard seized his cap and waterproof, and
+plunged out-of-doors into the rain. He did not
+return till dinner-time. If he was silent and preoccupied
+at that meal, both Cousin Clare and Dulcie
+set it down as natural to his new sense of responsibility.
+Lilias looked at him uneasily.
+There was a hardness in his face which she had
+never seen there before. She longed to catch
+him alone and question him, but after dinner he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+purposely avoided her, and left a message that he
+had gone to the stables. She would have liked to
+confide in Cousin Clare, but she had given her
+promise to keep the secret, and even Dulcie must
+not share it yet. The girls slept in separate
+rooms at home, so that when Lilias had said good
+night to the family she was alone. She went to
+bed, as a matter of course, but tossed about with
+throbbing heart and whirling brain. Mr. Bowden's
+information had effectually banished sleep.
+In about an hour, when the house was absolutely
+quiet, came a soft tap at her door. She jumped
+up hastily, threw on her dressing-gown, and
+opened it. Everard stood in the passage outside.</p>
+
+<p>"May I come in? I want to speak to you,
+Sissy! It's important," he whispered.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you had gone to bed," said Lilias,
+admitting him, and dragging forward two basket
+chairs. "What is it, Everard? Don't look like
+that&mdash;you frighten me!"</p>
+
+<p>Her brother had seated himself wearily, and
+buried his head in his hands. He raised two haggard
+eyes at her words.</p>
+
+<p>"I've come to say good-by to you, Sis. I'm
+going away to-night! Don't speak to me, for I'm
+not in a mood for argument! Do you think that
+I could stand by Grandfather's grave to-morrow,
+when I know he has disinherited me? I tell you,
+I can't. I'm not going to stay and hear the will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+read! If I'm kicked out of the property, at
+least I'll keep my dignity. Why, everybody on
+the estate believed I was the heir! Only this afternoon,
+Rogerson, the new under-gardener, asked
+me to keep him on, and Hicks said he'd serve me
+as faithfully as he'd served the old Squire. How
+could I face the servants when they knew the
+Chase wasn't mine after all! The humiliation
+would be intolerable! No! I've all the Ingleton
+pride in me, and if I'm not to be master here,
+I'll shake the dust of the place off my feet for ever.
+Grandfather will have made some provisions
+for you younger ones; he always promised
+to do that, and it's right you should take it, but
+as for me, if he's left me anything, I don't mean
+to touch a penny of it&mdash;it must be all or nothing!
+You others are welcome to my share, whatever it
+is. I'm going out into the world to earn my own
+living."</p>
+
+<p>He spoke forcibly, and with desperate earnestness.
+To Lilias, watching him anxiously, he
+seemed in these few hours to have changed from
+a boy into a man. Eager words rose to her lips,
+but he stood up and stopped her.</p>
+
+<p>"I've told you it's no use arguing! My mind's
+absolutely made up. I've ordered Elton to have
+the small car ready, and to drive me to Balderton
+to catch the midnight express to town. It's the
+last order I shall give in this house. He looked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>
+surprised, but he didn't dare to question me. To-morrow
+everybody will know that I've no more
+authority here than the kids. I'll be far away by
+then, thank goodness."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Everard, what are you going to do in
+London? How can you earn your own living?"
+pressed Lilias.</p>
+
+<p>"Sweep a crossing, or go to sea! I don't care
+two-pence what happens to me. Good-by, Sis,
+I'm off! You may tell the others to-morrow, if
+you like. No, I won't promise to write! You'll
+be better without me. I've closed this chapter of
+my life completely, and I'm going to begin a different
+one. The two won't bear mixing up."</p>
+
+<p>Giving his sister a hasty kiss, Everard left the
+room and walked softly away down the passage.
+A few minutes later, Lilias heard the sound of
+wheels, and, looking through the window, saw the
+rear lights of the car disappearing down the drive,
+and away across the park. She went back to bed,
+sobbing.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a><span class="smcap">chapter v</span></h2>
+<h2>The New Owner</h2>
+
+
+<p>The wild wind and rain, which for some weeks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
+had blown from the north, changed suddenly to
+a southerly breeze, and the sun shone out in all
+its spring glory on the day of Mr. Ingleton's
+funeral. Half the country-side came to do honor
+to "the old Squire." He had been a favorite
+in the neighborhood, and people forgot his autocratic
+ways and remembered now only his many
+kindnesses. The absence of Everard, who should
+have been the chief representative of the family,
+caused universal comment, and some rumor of
+the state of affairs began to be passed round
+among the servants and guests. Cousin Clare, to
+whom Lilias had confided the secret of her
+brother's flight, shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>"He might at least have shown his grandfather
+the respect of following him to his grave!" she
+commented. "He owed that to him, at any rate.
+I thought Everard would have realized such an
+obvious duty. Whatever comes or does not come
+to us in the way of legacies cannot free us from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+our obligations to the dead. It seems to me
+hardly decent to be thinking about the disposal of
+the property while its late owner is still unburied."</p>
+
+<p>Lilias crept away, crying. She knew there was
+justice in Cousin Clare's scathing judgment, but
+she was sure the latter did not, could not, understand
+the extent of Everard's bitter disappointment.
+She did not care to say any more, or ask
+questions, and could only wait until the whole sad,
+miserable affair was over. Some of the guests
+returned to the house after the funeral, and these,
+with the family, were present when Mr. Bowden
+read aloud the will of the late Squire of Cheverley
+Chase. Like most testamentary documents, it
+was couched in legal terms, but Lilias and Dulcie,
+sitting in their black dresses beside Cousin Clare,
+grasped the main features. There were certain
+legacies to servants and friends, a provision for
+each of the grandchildren and for Cousin Clare,
+then the entire residue of the estate was
+bequeathed to "Leslie, only child of my elder son,
+Tristram."</p>
+
+<p>All, except the few who had known the secret
+beforehand, were filled with surprise that Everard,
+who had always been regarded in the neighborhood
+as "the young squire" should have been
+passed over in favor of another heir. The
+guests, however, after a word or two of sympathy,
+took their departure, and went away to spread<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
+the news, leaving the family alone to discuss matters
+among themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"So I suppose the Chase isn't our home any
+longer?" asked Dulcie, as the young Ingletons
+clustered round their cousin for explanations.
+"Who is this Leslie? We've never heard anything
+of him before."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't know Uncle Tristram had a son!"
+said Roland.</p>
+
+<p>"Will everything be his instead of Everard's?"
+asked Bevis pitifully.</p>
+
+<p>"No, and yes," replied Cousin Clare. "The
+estate is certainly left to Leslie, but, as it happens,
+she is a daughter, and not a son."</p>
+
+<p>Here was a surprise indeed!</p>
+
+<p>"A daughter!" echoed Lilias. "The Chase
+left to a girl!"</p>
+
+<p>"Remember, she is the daughter of the elder
+son, so that in your grandfather's opinion she was
+the lawful heiress."</p>
+
+<p>"But where does she live?"</p>
+
+<p>"How old is she?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why have we never seen her?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's a long story," said Cousin Clare. "But,
+without going into any details, I can tell you
+briefly that years ago your grandfather and your
+Uncle Tristram had a serious quarrel. It was
+about a lady whom your grandfather thought his
+elder son loved, and whom he very much wished<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+him to marry. Well, we can't love to order, and,
+though Tristram liked and respected the prospective
+bride whom his father had chosen for him,
+he had given his heart to a beautiful Italian girl,
+and he insisted upon marrying her. The affair
+caused a complete breach between them, but
+shortly before Tristram's death he patched up a
+half reconciliation, and sent home a photograph
+of his wife and little daughter, whom he named
+'Leslie' after her grandfather. I believe some
+years ago an effort was made to bring the child
+over to England to be educated, but her mother,
+who by that time was married again and living in
+Sicily, refused to give her up to her English relations.
+I have never seen her myself, but she
+must be quite fourteen years old by now. It will
+be a great surprise to her to learn that she succeeds
+to the property."</p>
+
+<p>"And a great disappointment to us," said
+Lilias bitterly. "It seems most unfair, when
+we've lived at the Chase all these years, that this
+interloper should step in and turn us out of our
+home."</p>
+
+<p>"I hate her!" declared Clifford, clenching his
+little fists.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, dears! Don't take it in that way!"
+begged Cousin Clare. "Remember that, after
+all, the Chase was Grandfather's property, and
+he had absolute right to leave it to whom he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>
+pleased. He stood in the place of parents to
+you all, but that did not mean that he must will
+the estate to Everard. Leslie is also his grandchild,
+and belongs to the elder branch of the
+family. He has left you each a most generous
+legacy, so that there is plenty for your education.
+I don't know what arrangements will be made for
+you, but Mr. Bowden is one of your guardians,
+and he is such a kind friend that I am sure he
+can be thoroughly trusted to take good care of
+your affairs. Try to look on the bright side of
+things. Matters might be so much worse."</p>
+
+<p>In Lilias's opinion, at any rate, matters were
+quite bad enough. As Everard's particular chum,
+she took his disinheritance more hardly than Dulcie.
+She wondered what he was doing in London,
+and if he would send her his address. It
+angered her that Mr. Bowden took his departure
+quite calmly, and seemed to think he would turn
+up again in a few days, when he had spent the
+money he had taken with him. She knew her
+brother too well for that, and was sure that his
+pride would not allow him to return either to Cheverley
+or to Harrow in the character of a disappointed
+heir. In that respect she could entirely
+sympathize with him. She and Dulcie went back
+to Chilcombe Hall at the beginning of the next
+week, and, though all their companions were very
+kind and sympathetic, it was humiliating to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>
+obliged to acknowledge that the Chase was no
+longer virtually their home. For the present, as
+the heiress was a minor, the estate was in the
+hands of the executors. Mr. Bowden decided to
+send Bevis and Clifford to the same preparatory
+school as Roland, and Cousin Clare, after various
+letters and telegrams, departed on a mission to
+Sicily, to interview Leslie's mother and stepfather.
+What the purport of her visit might be, the girls
+had as yet no hint.</p>
+
+<p>The weeks dragged wearily on towards Easter.
+Though Dulcie might throw herself into hockey
+or basket ball, to Lilias school interests seemed
+to have lost their former zest. She wondered
+where they were to spend their holidays. Various
+friends had extended invitations, but Mr. Bowden,
+to whom everything must now be referred,
+had not yet written to consent. At last came his
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I have arranged for you and your sister to
+spend your holidays as usual at the Chase. Miss
+Clare will be arriving back from Sicily, and will
+bring your cousin Leslie with her. They would
+like you to be at home to receive them."</p>
+
+<p>Lilias, showing the letter to Dulcie in the privacy
+of the Blue bedroom, simply raged.</p>
+
+<p>"It's <em>too</em> bad! When we were so keen to go
+to London, too! Why should we be there to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+receive Madame Leslie, I should like to know.
+I don't want to see her!"</p>
+
+<p>"Neither do I, only I <em>do</em> wonder what she's
+like, all the same," ventured Dulcie. "Can she
+speak English? And will she take over the whole
+place, and make us feel it's hers?"</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt she will. We shall have to take
+very back seats indeed! It's just too disgusting
+for words. I really think Mr. Bowden needn't
+have forced this upon us."</p>
+
+<p>"The girls will be ever so sorry for us!"</p>
+
+<p>"I know; and that's just what I hate. I can't
+bear to be pitied."</p>
+
+<p>The Easter exodus seemed very different indeed
+from the happy breaking up of last Christmas.
+No "Rajah" and "Peri" with glossy coats and
+arching necks came to take Lilias and Dulcie
+from school, and give them the delight of a ride
+over the hills, though Milner arrived with the
+car, and told them that he was to fetch their
+three younger brothers on the following morning.
+The Chase seemed lonely and deserted with nobody
+to welcome them except the servants. It
+brought back vividly those few sad days of drawn
+blinds, and the memory of the long black line
+slowly disappearing down the drive. They had
+supper by themselves, and spent a very quiet evening
+reading in the drawing-room. The advent
+next day of Roland, Bevis, and Clifford certainly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>
+enlivened the atmosphere, and things would have
+felt like old times again had it not been for the
+shadow of the arrival of the heiress. A telegram
+had been received from Cousin Clare announcing
+the train, and the car was to meet them at the
+station on that same evening. Winder and the
+other servants were bustling about getting the
+house in order for its new mistress. A log fire
+was lighted in the hall, and plants in pots were carried
+in from the conservatory. The Union Jack
+fluttered from over the porch, and the gardener
+had put up some decorations with the word "Welcome."</p>
+
+<p>Five very sober young people stood in the drawing-room
+and watched as the car came up the
+drive to the front door. Next minute they heard
+Cousin Clare's cheerful voice calling to them, and
+they came shyly forth into the hall.</p>
+
+<p>Standing on the Persian rug in front of the log
+fire was a girl of about fourteen, an erect, slender,
+graceful little figure, with dark silky hair
+hanging in loose curls, and wonderful bright eyes
+that were dark and yet full of light and seemed to
+shine like stars. For an instant she included the
+Ingletons in one comprehensive glance, then her
+whole face broke into eager smiles.</p>
+
+<p>"I know which of you is which! Lilias, Dulcie,
+Roland, Bevis, Clifford!" she declared, shaking
+hands with each. "I'm very rich to have five<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>
+new cousins all at once! To-morrow you must
+show me everything, the rabbits and the dogs, and
+the tame jackdaw! Oh yes! I've been hearing
+about them and about you! Cousin Clare told
+me just what you would be like. I kept asking
+her questions the whole way!"</p>
+
+<p>She spoke prettily, and without a trace of a foreign
+accent; her manner was warm and friendly.
+She looked, indeed, as if she would like to kiss
+her new relations. She was so entirely different
+from what the Ingletons had expected, that in their
+utter amazement they could think of nothing to
+say in reply, and stood gazing at her in embarrassed
+silence. Cousin Clare saved the situation.</p>
+
+<p>"Carmel, child, you're tired out!" she decreed.
+"I'm going to take you straight upstairs
+and put you to bed. Thirty-six hours of traveling
+is too much for anybody, and you never slept in
+the train. Come along! You must make friends
+with your cousins to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>Long afterwards, when Dulcie tried to analyze
+her first impressions of the new-comer, she realized
+that what struck her most was the extreme charm
+of her personality. We have all possibly gone
+through a similar psychic experience of meeting
+somebody against whom we had conceived a bitter
+prejudice, and finding our intended hatred
+suddenly veer round into love. The effect is like
+stepping out into what you imagine will be a blizzard,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+and finding warm sunshine. The little mistress
+of the Chase was very weary with her long
+journey, but, when at last she was sufficiently
+rested to be shown round her demesne, she made
+her royal progress with an escort of half-fascinated
+cousins.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll like to see your property," Lilias began
+shyly, leading the way into the garden.</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Please</em> don't call it mine. I want you all to
+understand, at the very beginning, that it's still
+your home, and I don't wish to take it from you.
+I have my own dear home in Sicily, and I hope to
+go back there some day. While I'm in England,
+let me be your visitor. That's all I want. I
+can't bear to think that I'm taking anybody's place,
+or anything that ought to belong to some one else.
+If only Mother were here, she'd explain properly."</p>
+
+<p>"But it <em>is</em> yours, Leslie!" objected Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"In a way yes, but in another way, no! It
+can be mine and yours at the same time. And
+please will you call me Carmel? Leslie is a boy's
+name, not a girl's. I'm always Carmel at home.
+I didn't want to leave home at all, but Mother
+and Daddy said I must go with Cousin Clare
+when she had come all the way to Sicily to fetch
+me. They promised it should be only a visit."</p>
+
+<p>Lilias and Dulcie could hardly believe the evidence
+of their ears. They had expected Carmel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>
+to be appraising her new property with keen satisfaction,
+instead of which she appeared to be
+suffering from a bad attack of homesickness.
+She looked at the gardens, the stables, and all the
+pets with interest, but without any apparent sense
+of proprietorship. Her behavior was exactly
+that of an ordinary visitor who admires a friend's
+possessions. In her talk she referred constantly
+to her home in Sicily, to her stepfather and her
+younger brothers and sisters. They and her
+mother were evidently the supreme center of her
+life.</p>
+
+<p>"We thought you'd only know Italian," confided
+Dulcie, whose shyness was beginning to wear
+off.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I talk Italian too, but we always
+speak English at home. Isn't it strange that
+mother should have married two Englishmen? I
+can't remember my own father at all, but Daddy is
+a dear, and we're tremendous friends. I've
+brought his photo, and Mother's and the children's.
+I'll show them to you when I've unpacked."</p>
+
+<p>Carmel's astounding attitude, while it amazed
+her cousins in the extreme, was certainly highly
+satisfactory. The boys, when they realized that
+she had no desire to wrest their pets from them,
+waxed suddenly friendly. With the na&iuml;ve impulsiveness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+of childhood they gave her a full account
+of what they had expected her to be.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I was rather frightened of you too,
+till I saw you all," she confessed. "We've none
+of us turned out such dreadful bogies, have we?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know what I'm going to call you?"
+said Clifford, slipping a plump hand into hers, and
+gazing up into the shining brown eyes. "Princess
+Carmel!"</p>
+
+<p>And Carmel bent down and kissed him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a><span class="smcap">chapter vi</span></h2>
+<h2>Princess Carmel</h2>
+
+
+<p>In the long talk which Cousin Clare had had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
+with Mr. and Mrs. Greville in Sicily, it had been
+arranged that Carmel was to be sent to school
+with Lilias and Dulcie at Chilcombe Hall. The
+new term, therefore, saw her established in a little
+dressing-room which led out of the Blue bedroom,
+and which by good luck happened to be vacated by
+Evie Hughes, who had left at Easter.
+It was soon spread over with Carmel's private possessions.
+They were different from the equipment
+of an ordinary English schoolgirl, and
+aroused as much interest as their owner. First
+there were the portraits of her mother, of her
+stepfather, Mr. Greville, and of the little half-brothers
+and sisters&mdash;Bertram, Nina, Vincent,
+and Luigia&mdash;taken by an Italian photographer in
+wonderfully artistic poses, and with classic backgrounds
+of pillars and palm trees. Then there
+were fascinating snapshots of her home, a white
+Sicilian house with a vine-covered veranda, and
+its lovely half-tropical garden with fountains and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>
+statues and pomegranate blossom, and trees hung
+with ripe oranges and lemons. Carmel's things
+seemed nearly all foreign. Her nightdress case
+was of drawn linen beautifully embroidered by
+the nuns at a convent; her work-box was of inlaid
+wood from Sorrento; the trinkets on her
+dressing-table were Italian; her clothes and shoes
+bore the names of Paris shops. Some of the
+books she had brought with her were in French;
+the calendar that hung on her wall held pictures
+of Naples and Vesuvius.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel was undoubtedly a most unusual combination
+of two nationalities. Though in some
+respects she was English enough, there was a certain
+little gracious dignity and finish about her
+manners that was peculiarly southern. Clifford,
+with a child's true instinct, had named her "Princess."
+She was indeed "royal" with that best
+type of good breeding which gives equal courtesy
+to all, be it queen or beggar. In the school she
+was soon an immense favorite. The girls admired
+her attitude towards Lilias and Dulcie. If
+she had posed as the heiress of the Chase, they
+would probably have "sat upon her" thoroughly,
+but, as she never put forward her claims in
+that respect, they were disposed to show her decided
+consideration, all the more so as she was
+visibly fretting for her Sicilian home. She put
+a brave face on things in the day-time, but at night<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>
+she would be caught crying, and her eagerness for
+letters was pathetic.</p>
+
+<p>"Poor child! She's like an exotic plant transferred
+to a northern soil!" said Miss Walters.
+"We must try to settle her somehow. It won't
+do for her to go about with dark rings round
+her eyes. I wonder how we could possibly interest
+her? I don't believe our school happenings
+appeal to her in the least."</p>
+
+<p>Certainly the new-comer went through the ordinary
+routine of classes, walks, and games without
+any display of enthusiasm. Gowan Barbour
+tried to coach her at cricket, but the result was
+not successful.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a boy's game, and the ball is so hard, it
+hurts my hands!" objected Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you play cricket at home?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never!"</p>
+
+<p>"Or tennis?"</p>
+
+<p>"On a cinder court. The sun scorched up our
+grass court."</p>
+
+<p>"What used you to do then, to amuse yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"We made paper dresses for the carnival, and
+sometimes we acted. We used to have plays on
+the veranda, or in the garden. And we went
+on picnics to the hills. It was beautiful there in
+spring, when the anemones were out in the fields."</p>
+
+<p>"We're to have a picnic next Saturday," announced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
+Gowan; "I heard Miss Walters telling
+Miss Herbert so."</p>
+
+<p>It was perhaps with special reference to Carmel
+that Miss Walters had arranged an outing
+for the school. It was bluebell time, and the
+woods in the neighborhood would be a show. By
+permission of the owner, Sir Ranald Joynson,
+they were to have access to large private grounds,
+and to be allowed to ramble in his famous rhododendron
+gardens. None of the girls had ever
+been there before, so it was a treat for all. Motor
+wagonettes were to convey them all the six
+miles; they were to start after an early lunch, and
+to take tea baskets with them. Even Carmel
+cheered up at the pleasant prospect.</p>
+
+<p>"You have a treat before you!" Dulcie assured
+her. "You may talk about your Sicilian
+flowers, but just wait till you have seen an English
+wood full of bluebells! There's nothing to beat
+it in the whole world. I've often heard of Sir
+Ranald Joynson's grounds. We're in luck to get
+leave to go in them, because I believe he's generally
+rather stingy about allowing people there.
+I wonder how Miss Walters managed it."</p>
+
+<p>"She's a clever woman," said Gowan. "She
+always seems to manage to get what she wants.
+Some people do!"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish <em>I</em> did!" wailed Bertha. "I've
+wanted a principal part in the French plays ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>
+since I came to school, and Mademoiselle never
+will give me one; I always have to be a servant,
+or an extra guest, and speak about two lines!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, your French accent is so atrociously
+bad, I don't wonder!" returned Gowan. "You
+certainly wouldn't be a credit to Mademoiselle
+in a principal part. And you're very stiff and
+wooden in acting, too!"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you for your compliments!" sniffed
+Bertha, much offended.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't be sarkie! I must tell the truth.
+Cheer up! It's a picnic on Saturday, not a
+French play!"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank goodness it is!" rejoiced Dulcie. "I
+hate Mademoiselle's French afternoons! I don't
+know which is worst; to have to learn and act
+yards of dialogue, or to sit in the audience and
+listen while other people show off. I like out-of-doors
+treats! I'm an open-air girl."</p>
+
+<p>The occupants of the Blue bedroom decided
+that it was high time something happened to stir
+up Carmel, who was behaving more like an exile
+than an heiress. Now the first excitement of her
+arrival and unpacking was over, she had relapsed
+into a piteous fit of homesickness.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe she's crying again!" said Dulcie,
+laying an ear to the door that communicated with
+the dressing-room. "Do you think I ought to
+go in to her?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>"It's no use!" declared Lilias. "I went last
+night and tried to comfort her, and I'm sure I only
+made her cry harder. Best leave her to herself."</p>
+
+<p>"Homesick people always do cry harder if
+you sympathize," proclaimed Gowan. "I was
+prefect of the junior dormitory at my other school
+before I came here, and the new kids always
+turned on the water works at first. I learnt how
+to manage them. Sympathy makes them worse.
+What you want is to switch their minds off thinking
+about home, and make them enjoy school life.
+Carmel will come round in time."</p>
+
+<p>"Meantime," said Bertha, "she reminds me of
+that picture in Miss Walters' study: 'The Hostage.'
+You know the one I mean, the girl who's
+standing leaning over the castle wall and gazing
+out to sea, and evidently thinking of her own
+country. I wonder if princesses who were sent
+to be married to foreign princes felt homesick?"</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say they did," grunted Gowan, "but
+I'm sure my plan's the best for curing the complaint.
+Smack them on the back and make them
+cheer up, instead of letting them weep on your
+shoulder. I don't like a damp atmosphere!"</p>
+
+<p>To do Carmel justice, however acute her sense
+of exile might be, she had not obtruded her woes
+upon her schoolfellows, and had conducted her
+weeping in secret. If sounds of distress filtered
+through the door, it was only when matters<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+seemed particularly hopeless. On Saturday she
+came down dressed for the jaunt, and all smiles.</p>
+
+<p>"Sit her between Edith and Bertha," commanded
+Gowan, "and tell them they may be their
+silliest! Make her laugh till she's weak. I'll
+take a turn at her myself later. Don't let her
+mope about in the woods alone. Keep close to
+her, and make all the insane jokes you can. I
+tell you I was homesick myself once, though you
+mayn't believe it. I don't often dab my eyes
+now, do I?"</p>
+
+<p>"Here are the wagonettes," said Dulcie.
+"Why, that driver has stuck up a flag! How
+nice of him! It looks so festive. Bags me go
+in his chariot."</p>
+
+<p>It took a little while to arrange mistresses,
+girls, and tea-baskets inside the two motors, but
+at last everything was packed in, and they started
+off in the direction of Bradstone. Other people
+were out enjoying Saturday's holiday, and cars,
+bicycles, and conveyances were frequent on the
+road. Grinsdale Park, their destination, was approached
+by great gates, outside which the wagonettes
+stopped and unloaded their passengers.
+Miss Walters, armed with Sir Ranald Joynson's
+letter, called at the lodge for permission to enter,
+and, her credentials being in strict order, the party
+was duly admitted.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't everybody who sees us go in be just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+green with envy?" rejoiced Edith. "Did you see
+how those two cyclists tried to hang on to us and
+push in too? Miss Walters looked at them most
+witheringly. 'May I ask if you have a private
+permit?' I heard her say to them. It squashed
+them flat, and they beat a retreat."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe Sir Ranald used to let the public in
+at one time," said Noreen, "but people behaved
+so atrociously that he had to stop. Rough boys
+used to tear about and break the bushes, and take
+the flowers, and do a great deal of damage."</p>
+
+<p>"I know! I've heard about it," said Lilias.
+"They went bird-nesting, too, and took all the
+eggs. That was the absolute finish. Sir Ranald
+is very keen on natural history, and he keeps these
+grounds as a sort of bird sanctuary. I believe
+quite rare kinds build here, and he never lets them
+be disturbed."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder he gave us a permit to come!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, most of the young birds are
+fledged by now, and, besides, he wouldn't expect
+us to go about climbing trees and robbing nests!"</p>
+
+<p>Carrying the picnic-baskets amongst them, the
+party started forth along the drive, but after ten
+minutes' walking turned down a bypath into the
+woods. They were at the edge of a beautiful
+lake, and on one side of them stretched a gleaming
+expanse of water, edged with shimmering
+reeds, and on the other grew thick groves of trees<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
+with a carpet of wild hyacinths beneath. The sun
+glinted through the new green leaves on to the
+springing bracken and bluebells, and made long
+rifts of light across the water, birds were flitting
+about and twittering in the trees, and everywhere
+there was that delicious scent of the woodlands,
+a mixture of honey and flowers and warm moist
+earth and damp moss, which is the incense nature
+burns at the shrine of the goddess of spring.</p>
+
+<p>It was so lovely that the party straggled considerably.
+They could not help putting down the
+picnic-baskets and leaving the path to explore and
+gather flowers. There were so many delightful
+surprises. Phillida and Noreen noticed a moorhen's
+nest built on an overhanging bough that
+swept the lake, and saw four tiny downy creatures
+swimming away very fast to take cover; Ursula
+found a specimen of the Truelove-knot, and triumphed
+immensely, partly on botanical grounds
+and partly because she regarded it as an omen of
+early matrimony, though needless to say this latter
+aspect of her rejoicing was not communicated
+to Miss Walters, only chuckled over in private
+with her intimate friends.</p>
+
+<p>Knowing that the girls would not do any damage,
+the mistresses allowed them to disperse, on
+the understanding that they came at once when
+they heard the Guide's whistle.</p>
+
+<p>Dulcie, Carmel, and Prissie had wandered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
+away down the banks of the little stream where
+grew pale marsh violets, golden globeflowers, and
+the sweet-scented fern. Pushing through the undergrowth
+above the water, they found themselves
+in a tiny natural clearing such as poets of
+old would have described as a "a bower." Budding
+trees encircled it, a guelder rose bush overtopped
+it, and delicate fern-like moss sprang
+through the grass underfoot. There were fairies,
+too, in the bower; four little whitethroats were
+flitting about in the sunshine. It was perhaps
+their first exodus from the nest, for as yet they
+were without the slightest sense of fear. They
+allowed the girls to catch them, fondle them, and
+stroke their lovely plumage; they would fly delicately
+away, twittering with pleasure, then flit
+back to the caressing hands like sprites at play.
+Anything more innocent and beautiful it would
+have been impossible to conceive; it was like a
+glimpse into Paradise before the fear and dread
+of man had passed over God's lesser creatures.
+The girls stood absolutely fascinated, till at last,
+attracted perhaps by some warning mother-signal,
+their dainty bird friends took a sudden rapid
+flight into the woods and were gone. Carmel
+looked after them with shining eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"It's like St. Francis of Assissi and his 'little
+sisters the birds,'" she said softly. "Have you
+read the <em>Little Flowers of St. Francis</em>, and how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>
+he preached to the swallows and they all flocked
+round him and twittered? I've never seen birds
+so tame as this! They aren't in Sicily, you can
+hardly ever get near them there."</p>
+
+<p>"They aren't in England either," said Dulcie,
+"though our gamekeeper told us that if you can
+just chance to see them when they first leave the
+nest, they don't know what fear is. He once
+found some newly-hatched wild ducks, and they
+were perfectly unafraid, but when he passed the
+place half an hour later, the mother duck gave a
+call, and the little ones wouldn't let him come
+anywhere near them. They'd had their lesson,
+and learnt fear."</p>
+
+<p>"I once brought up a starling that had tumbled
+out of a nest," said Prissie, "and it was always
+perfectly tame, and would let me stroke it, and
+would perch on my hand. I had it for years.
+Do you think we could have kept the whitethroats?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no!" said Carmel quickly. "I'd as soon
+think of caging fairies! It would be a shame to
+take them out of this lovely wood; it's their fairy-land.
+I'm so glad Sir Ranald doesn't allow boys
+to come in here! I thought at first it was rather
+selfish of him, but I begin to understand. There
+must be some quiet places left where the birds can
+be undisturbed. I'm glad to have seen these!"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Walter's whistle, sounding loudly in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+distance, recalled them to the path. They found
+the school very excited over a heronry which they
+could see on an island in the lake. Some large
+untidy nests were in the trees, and every now and
+then a heron, with long legs outstretched behind
+it, would sail majestically through the air from
+the mainland.</p>
+
+<p>"It would be a very fishy place if we could get
+near," remarked Miss Hardy. "All the ground
+underneath the nests would be strewn with bones
+and remains. The herons fly a tremendous long
+way in search of food, sometimes a radius of as
+much as forty miles. Look! there's one fishing
+in the lake over there."</p>
+
+<p>"I like the whitethroats best," said Dulcie.
+"I shouldn't care to hold a young heron in my
+hand and cuddle it!"</p>
+
+<p>At the lower end of the lake was a hill-side, and
+down the slopes Sir Ranald had caused to be
+planted a little forest of rhododendrons. They
+were in their prime, and stretched a beautiful mass
+of every shade from crimson to pink and lavender.
+On the top of the hill was a summer-house,
+a temple-like building with pillars and steps, and
+here, by arrangement, they expected the lodge-keeper's
+wife to supply them with boiling water
+for their tea. It looked an ideal place for a picnic,
+and they started at once to climb the steep
+path that led among the rhododendrons to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>
+summit. Up and up under the screen of delicate
+blossom, they felt as if they were treading in some
+tropical garden, and when they reached the summit,
+and the view burst upon them of crimson-clad
+slope, gleaming lake, and flecked blue sky,
+they stood gazing with much satisfaction. "The
+Temple," as the girls called the summer-house,
+was a classic building with a terrace in front, and
+here the school elected to sit, instead of in the
+rather cramped room. There was a kitchen at
+the back, and Mrs. Bates, the lodge-keeper's wife,
+had lighted a fire and boiled kettles in readiness
+for them.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Ranald and his friends come for lunch
+here sometimes in the shooting season," she explained,
+"so I'm used to getting tea and coffee
+made. Take some chairs outside if you like.
+You'd rather sit on the steps! Well, there's no
+accounting for tastes! Give me your teapots,
+and I'll warm them before you put the tea into
+them."</p>
+
+<p>Sitting in a row on the steps that led from the
+"temple" to the terrace, the girls had a glorious
+view, Carmel in especial seemed particularly to
+enjoy herself.</p>
+
+<p>"It's more like home than anything I've seen
+yet!" she declared enthusiastically. "I could almost
+fancy that this little piazza is on the slope
+of Etna! The goatherds ought to be playing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
+'Pastorale' down there! I can nearly hear
+them!"</p>
+
+<p>"What's the 'Pastorale'?" asked Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the Sicilian National Dance. Every
+body dances it&mdash;sometimes by sunlight and sometimes
+by moonlight. Oh! it's a thing that gets
+into your blood! Once you hear it played on the
+pipes you have to jump up and dance&mdash;you
+simply can't help it. There's magic in it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Dance it for us now on the terrace!" suggested
+Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"I've no music!"</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you hum it? Miss Walters, may Carmel
+show us a Sicilian dance?"</p>
+
+<p>"By all means, if she will!" acquiesced the
+head-mistress.</p>
+
+<p>"Go on Carmel!" commanded the girls.
+"Show us how it goes!"</p>
+
+<p>Thus urged, Carmel rose from her seat, and
+went on to the terrace at the foot of the steps.
+She looked for a moment or two at the crimson
+slope of flowers and the shining lake, as if to put
+herself into the right mental atmosphere, then,
+humming a lively but haunting tune, she began
+her old-world southern dance.</p>
+
+<p>It was wonderful dancing, every action of her
+alert young body was so beautifully graceful that
+you forgot her modern costume and could imagine
+her a nymph in classic draperies. Her arms kept<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>
+motion with her tripping feet, and both were in
+time with the tune that she was trilling. It
+seemed a spontaneous expression of gaiety as
+natural as the flight of a dragon-fly or the sporting
+of a kitten. Her dark hair flew out behind her,
+her eyes shone and sparkled, and her cheeks
+flushed with unwonted color. For the moment
+she looked the very incarnation of joy, and might
+have been Artemis surprised in a Sicilian grove.
+It was such a fresh aspect of Carmel that the girls
+stared at her in amazement. From Princess she
+had changed to Oread, and they did not know her
+in this new mood. They gave her performance
+a hearty clap, however, as she stopped and sank
+panting on to the steps.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll have to turn dancing-mistress, Carmel,
+and give the others a lesson in your Pastorale,"
+said Miss Walters. "It's a pretty step, and we
+shall ask you to do it again when we give our
+garden f&ecirc;te in aid of the 'Waifs and Strays.'
+Don't you think our English scenery can compare
+favorably even with your beloved Sicily?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's very beautiful," admitted Carmel, "but
+I miss Etna in the distance."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you won't yield us the palm?" laughed
+Miss Walters.</p>
+
+<p>"I love it all, I do indeed, but Sicily will always
+be the most beautiful place in the world to me,
+because it's home!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a><span class="smcap">chapter vii</span></h2>
+<h2>An Old Greek Idyll</h2>
+
+
+<p>After the picnic at Bradstone, Carmel, possibly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
+from something she heard the girls say about
+her, seemed to make a supreme effort to overcome
+her homesickness, and to settle down as an
+ordinary and rational member of the school. She
+was undoubtedly a favorite. Even Lilias admitted
+her charm, though she had not fallen under
+her spell so completely as Dulcie. At the bottom
+of her heart, Lilias could not quite forgive Carmel
+for supplanting her brother at the Chase.
+From the night he had said good-by and motored
+to Balderton, not a word had been heard of Everard.
+He had not returned to school, neither
+had he visited any relations or friends, and indeed
+since he stepped out of the car at the railway
+station all trace of him seemed to have vanished.
+Mr. Bowden did not take the matter too seriously.
+He considered Everard was more of a
+man now than a schoolboy, and that, if he had
+fulfilled his threat of running away to sea, the
+brief experience of a voyage before the mast
+would do him no harm, and that when the vessel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>
+returned to port he would probably be only too
+glad to come back and claim his share of the inheritance.</p>
+
+<p>This easy view annoyed Lilias. She had a share
+of the Ingleton pride, and she would have liked
+his absence treated with more concern. She
+thought Mr. Bowden ought to advertise in the
+Agony Column of <em>The Times</em>, beseeching Everard
+to return home, but their guardian only
+laughed when she suggested such a course, and assured
+her that her brother would turn up in time
+when he was tired of managing for himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I've been in the law for thirty years, my dear,
+and I know human nature better than you do," he
+declared indulgently.</p>
+
+<p>"But you don't know Everard as I do!" protested Lilias.</p>
+
+<p>She could not take Mr. Bowden's view of the
+case. Everard had left the Chase in such deep
+anger and resentment that the chances of a
+speedy change in his outlook seemed remote.
+Lilias longed to write to him, but knew of no address
+to which it was possible to post a letter. She
+worried often over his mysterious absence, and
+was quite angry with Dulcie for not taking the
+matter more keenly to heart.</p>
+
+<p>"But Mr. Bowden and Cousin Clare think he's
+all right!" protested that easy going young damsel.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>"How do they know? I think you might show
+a little more interest in your own brother, who,
+after all, has been treated extremely badly. It
+seems to me hardly decent to circle round Carmel
+as you do!"</p>
+
+<p>Dulcie opened her blue eyes wide.</p>
+
+<p>"Do I circle round Carmel? Well, really, and
+why shouldn't I like her? She's my cousin, and a
+jolly good sort too! I believe she'll give us all a
+far better time at the Chase than Everard would
+have done. He always wanted everything just
+his own way. None of us ever had an innings
+when he was at home. I never could see why the
+eldest of a family should lord it so over the
+others."</p>
+
+<p>"You never had any proper sense of propriety!"
+retorted Lilias indignantly. "<em>I</em> believe
+in keeping up the traditions of the Ingletons, and
+the estate has always descended strictly in the male
+line. It's only right it should have been left to
+Everard instead of to a girl, and I'll always say
+so. There!"</p>
+
+<p>Dulcie shrugged her shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"Say what you like, Sister o' Mine! The
+twentieth century is different from the Middle
+Ages, and people don't bother so much nowadays
+as they did about descent and all that. The
+owner of an estate hasn't to fight for it. Oh yes,
+of course I'm glad I'm an Ingleton, but Carmel's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>
+an Ingleton too, as much as we are, and if the
+Chase is hers we can't help it, and we may just as
+well make the best of it!"</p>
+
+<p>With which piece of philosophy, Dulcie turned
+away, leaving Lilias to shake her head over the
+decay of family feeling, and the degeneracy of
+younger sisters.</p>
+
+<p>It was perhaps Carmel's rendering of the Pastorale
+dance that suggested to Miss Walters a
+scheme of entertainment for the garden f&ecirc;te
+which the girls were to give in aid of the "Homes
+for Waifs and Strays." She decided that the garden
+of Chilcombe Hall would make an excellent
+background for some classic representations, and
+that nothing could be prettier than old Greek costumes.
+By a stroke of great good luck she managed
+to engage Miss Adams, a former pupil who
+had been studying classic dancing in Paris, to come
+for a few weeks and train the performers. Miss
+Adams was a tremendous enthusiast, and arrived
+full of ideas which she was burning to teach to the
+school. The girls were delighted with her methods.
+It was quite a new phase of dancing to trip
+barefooted on the lawn, holding up garlands of
+flowers. They liked the exercises which she gave
+them for the cultivation of grace, and practised
+classic attitudes on all occasions, with more or less
+success.</p>
+
+<p>"You go about the school so exactly like Minerva!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>
+complained Noreen to Phillida, rather
+dismayed by the sudden change in her lively friend
+from bounding spirits to a statuesque pose.
+"Need you always walk as if you were thinking of
+the shape of your ankles?"</p>
+
+<p>Phillida shook her head carefully, so as not to
+disarrange the Greek fillet she was wearing.</p>
+
+<p>"It's been too hot lately to tear round and play
+tennis. I think, too, that what Miss Adams says
+is quite right. English girls <em>are</em> lacking in grace
+and dignity. Just look at the way Ida and Joyce
+are flopping about now. An artist would have
+fits to see them!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of course they're not sitting for their
+portraits. Oh yes! I love dancing, but I don't
+want to worry about being graceful all day long!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just the point, though," persisted
+Phillida, who was a zealous convert. "The
+dances are to make you graceful <em>always</em>. You so
+get into the poetry of motion that it's quite impossible
+for you ever to flop again!"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it? Oh, Kafoozalum!" burbled Noreen,
+exploding into a series of chuckles. "'She never
+flopped again!' We ought to make a parody on
+that from the poem of 'The White Ship.'</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"Miss Adams to the school came down,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The classic wave rolled on:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And what was cricket's latest score</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">To those who danced alone?</span><br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span><br />
+"From dawn they practised attitudes<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Until the sun did wane;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And fast confirmed in Grecian pose,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">They never flopped again!"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"You may mock as much as you please!" retorted
+Phillida, "but it's sheer envy because you
+know you won't be chosen as a wood nymph.
+Play cricket and tennis if you wish, by all means!
+But <em>I</em> think when we're having a performance we
+may just as well give our minds to it, and do it
+properly, especially when Miss Adams is here to
+teach us."</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are! Float on, O goddess!
+You're getting too ethereal for the school. I
+shall be glad when the entertainment's over, and
+we can have a cricket match again. It's decidedly
+more in my line!"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Adams, with all the enthusiasm of youth
+and a new vocation, was determined to make the
+entertainment a success. She spared no trouble
+over constant rehearsals, and having weeded out
+those girls who could not adapt themselves to her
+methods, she kept the rest well at work in any
+time that was available. She determined not
+only to have dances, but to give in addition a
+short Greek play, and selected for that purpose
+the famous fifteenth idyll of Theocritus.</p>
+
+<p>"But we're not to act it in Greek, surely!"
+objected Edith in alarm.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>"It's bad enough to have to learn French plays!
+We'd never be able to tackle Greek!" urged
+Dulcie, absolutely aghast.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't look so scared!" laughed Miss Adams.
+"I'm not going to ask you to give it in Greek.
+Probably few people would understand it if you
+did! I have a delightful translation here. It
+ought to take very well indeed with the audience.
+Come and squat on the grass, and I'll read it
+aloud to you first, and then I'll allot parts."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it <em>very</em> stiff and educational?" groaned
+Dulcie, obeying unwillingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait and see! Come under the shade of
+the lilac bush, it's so hot to sit in the sun."</p>
+
+<p>The girls composed themselves into attitudes
+of more or less classic elegance, and Miss Adams,
+book in hand, began to read.</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 20px;">"IDYLL XV</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<em>Gorgo.</em> Is Praxino&euml; at home?</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Praxino&euml;.</em> Dear Gorgo, how long it is since you have
+been here! She <em>is</em> at home. The wonder is that you
+have got here at last. Euno&euml;, see that she has a chair.
+Throw a cushion on it, too.</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Gorgo.</em> It does most charmingly as it is.</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Praxino&euml;.</em> Do sit down.</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Gorgo.</em> Oh, what a thing spirit is! I have scarcely
+got to you alive, Praxino&euml;! What a huge crowd! What
+hosts of four-in-hands! Everywhere cavalry boots, everywhere
+men in uniform. And the road is endless: yes,
+you really live <em>too</em> far away!</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>"<em>Praxino&euml;.</em> It is all the fault of that madman of mine!
+Here he came to the ends of the earth, and took&mdash;a
+hole, not a house, and all that we might not be neighbors.
+The jealous wretch, always the same, ever for
+spite!</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Gorgo.</em> Don't talk of Dinon, your husband, like that,
+my dear girl, before the little boy. Look how he is staring
+at you! Never mind, Zopyrion, sweet child, she is
+not speaking about papa.</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Praxino&euml;.</em> Our Lady Persephone! The child takes
+notice!</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Gorgo.</em> Nice papa!</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Praxino&euml;.</em> That papa of his the other day&mdash;we call
+every day 'the other day'&mdash;went to get soap and rouge
+at the shop, and back he came to me with salt&mdash;the
+great, big endless fellow!"</p></div>
+
+<p>"But, Miss Adams," interrupted Dulcie, "surely
+this isn't an old Greek play? It sounds absolutely
+and entirely modern!"</p>
+
+<p>"As a matter of fact, it was written by
+Theocritus about the year 266 <span class="smcap">b.&nbsp;c.</span> It describes
+the visit paid by two Syracusan ladies residing in
+Alexandria to the festival of Adonis. Their
+manners and talk then must have been very
+similar to ours of to-day. Listen to the part
+where they are getting ready to start.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<em>Gorgo.</em> It seems nearly time to go.</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Praxino&euml;.</em> Idlers have always holidays. Euno&euml;, bring
+the water, and put it down in the middle of the room,
+lazy creature that you are! Cats always like to sleep
+soft! Come, bustle, bring the water&mdash;quicker! I want
+water first, and how she carries it! Give it me all the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+same: don't pour out so much, you extravagant thing!
+Stupid girl! Why are you wetting my dress? There,
+stop, I have washed my hands, as heaven would have it!
+Where is the key of the big chest? Bring it here.</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Gorgo.</em> Praxino&euml;, that full body becomes you wonderfully.
+Tell me, how much did the stuff cost you just
+off the loom?</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Praxino&euml;.</em> Don't speak of it, Gorgo! More than eight
+pounds in good silver money&mdash;and the work on it! I
+nearly slaved my soul out over it.</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Gorgo.</em> Well, it is <em>most</em> successful: all you could wish.</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Praxino&euml;.</em> Thanks for the pretty speech. Euno&euml;, bring
+my shawl, and set my hat on my head, the fashionable
+way. No, Zopyrion, I don't mean to take <em>you</em>! Boo!
+Bogies! There's a horse that bites! Cry as much as you
+please, but I cannot have you lamed. Let us be moving.
+Phrygia, take the child, and keep him amused, call in
+the dog, and shut the street door!"</p></div>
+
+<p>"It's exactly like anybody going out to-day!"
+commented Carmel, as Miss Adams came to a
+pause.</p>
+
+<p>"Why does it seem so modern?" asked Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"Because it was written during the zenith of
+Greece's history, and one great civilization always
+resembles another. England of to-day is far
+more in touch with the times of ancient Egypt,
+Babylon, Greece and Rome, than with the Middle
+Ages. Read Chaucer, and you find his mental
+outlook is that of a child of seven. In the days
+of the Plantagenets grown men and women enjoyed
+stories of a crude simplicity that now only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+appeals to children. The human race is always
+progressing in great successive waves of civilization;
+after each wave breaks, a time of barbarism
+prevails, till man is again educated to a higher
+growth. We're living at the top of a wave at
+present!"</p>
+
+<p>"I remember," said Carmel, "when Mother
+and Daddy took me to Rome, we saw the busts
+of the Emperors, and of all sorts of clever people,
+who'd lived in about the first century, and we all
+said: 'Oh, aren't their faces just like people of
+to-day?' We amused ourselves with saying one
+was a lawyer, and another a doctor, and calling
+some of them after our friends. Then we went
+afterwards to an exhibition of sixteenth-century
+portraits; perhaps the artists hadn't learnt to paint
+well, but at any rate the faces were utterly different
+from people of to-day. They seemed quite
+another type altogether&mdash;not so intelligent or
+so interesting. We were tremendously struck
+with the difference."</p>
+
+<p>"It marks my point," said Miss Adams.</p>
+
+<p>"What else do Gorgo and Praxino&euml; do?"
+asked Edith.</p>
+
+<p>"They go into Alexandria for the festival, and
+find the streets so crowded that they are almost
+frightened to death, and have hard work not to
+lose Euno&euml;, the slave girl, whom they have taken
+with them; she nearly gets squeezed as they pass<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>
+in at the door. They go into raptures over an
+exhibition of embroideries. 'Lady Athene,'
+says Praxino&euml;, 'what spinning-women wrought
+them? What painters designed their drawings,
+so true they are?' I haven't time to read it all
+to you now, but I must just give you the little bit
+where they quarrel with a stranger. It's too absolutely
+priceless.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<em>A Stranger.</em> You weariful women, do cease your endless
+cooing talk! You bore one to death with your eternal
+broad vowels!</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Gorgo.</em> Indeed! And where may this person come
+from? What is it to you if we <em>are</em> chatterboxes? Give
+orders to your own servants, sir. Do you pretend to
+command ladies of Syracuse? If you must know, we are
+Corinthians by descent, like Bellerophon himself, and we
+speak Peloponnesian. Dorian women may lawfully speak
+Doric, I presume?"</p></div>
+
+<p>"Oh, <em>do</em> let me be Gorgo!" begged Dulcie.
+"I love her; she's so smart and sarcastic. Isn't
+it exactly like somebody talking during a concert,
+and a person in the row in front objecting, and a
+friend butting in with rude remarks? That's
+what generally happens."</p>
+
+<p>"Did people's accent matter in Greek as much
+as it does in English?" asked Prissie.</p>
+
+<p>"Evidently. The Alexandrian gentleman&mdash;who
+sounds a decided fop&mdash;did not approve of a
+Doric pronunciation. No doubt broad vowels
+were out of fashion. I believe I shall give his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>
+part to Edith. It's a small one, but it has scope
+for a good deal of acting."</p>
+
+<p>"And who is to be Praxino&euml;, please?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I must choose Carmel. She ought to
+act in an idyll by Theocritus, as he was a Sicilian
+like herself. Would he find Sicily much altered,
+Carmel, if he came back? Or is it the same after
+two thousand years?"</p>
+
+<p>"There are still goatherds on the mountains,
+though we don't see wood nymphs now!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, the wood nymphs have all trotted over
+to England, and are going to give a performance
+in aid of the 'Waifs and Strays!'" said Dulcie.
+"I hope Apollo will remember them, and send
+them a fine day, if he's anything to do with the
+weather over here. Perhaps his sun chariot only
+runs on the Mediterranean route."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely he's got an aeroplane by now!"
+laughed Edith. "We'll send him a wireless message
+to remind him of his duty. 'Nymphs dancing
+Thursday week at 2.30 <span class="smcap">p.&nbsp;m.</span> Kindly cable
+special supply of sunshine.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Now, girls, you're getting silly!" said Miss
+Adams, shutting her book and rising. "If we
+want to make a success of our classic afternoon,
+we've plenty of hard work before us. I'm going
+on with costumes at present, and anybody who
+cares to volunteer can fetch her thimble and a
+needle and cotton, and hem a chiton."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a><span class="smcap">chapter viii</span></h2>
+<h2>Wood Nymphs</h2>
+
+
+<p>It needed a tremendous amount of rehearsing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+and preparation before Miss Adams judged her
+classic performance fit for public exhibition. The
+Greek garments, simple as they were, nevertheless
+required sewing, and there were certain pieces
+of scenery to be constructed. The other mistresses
+helped nobly, though they were thankful
+to be spared the organization of the proceedings,
+and to leave the brunt of the burden to a specialist.
+Tickets for the entertainment had been sold
+in the neighborhood, and parents and friends of
+the girls who lived within motoring distance had
+promised to drive over.</p>
+
+<p>"Cousin Clare is coming!" rejoiced Dulcie.
+"She has two friends staying at the Chase, and
+she'll bring them with her. If Milner drives
+them, I shall ask Miss Walters if he may come
+and watch too. He'd be <em>so</em> delighted to see it.
+He loves anything of that kind. His own little
+girl was May Queen at the village pageant two
+years ago, and he's talked about it ever since."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>"I wrote to Mr. Bowden," said Lilias, "and
+he's taken two tickets, but he's doubtful if he'll
+find time to get off. He's always so busy."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind if he sent the money for them!"
+consoled Edith. "Of course it's nice to have
+big audiences, but it's money we're out for. We
+want to make a decent sum."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Walters says the tickets have sold quite
+well. Even if it's a doubtful day, and we don't
+have a very big audience, we shall clear something,
+at any rate."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but I do hope people will come! It's so
+disappointing to take all this trouble, and to act
+to rows of empty chairs. What's going to happen,
+by the by, if it's a wet day? Will it be put
+off?"</p>
+
+<p>"We shall have to have it in the big schoolroom.
+It can't be put off, because Miss Adams
+can only stay till Friday, and we couldn't get
+through it without her."</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed! She's the directing genius of
+it all!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh dear! It simply <em>must</em> keep fine!"</p>
+
+<p>Never was weather more carefully watched.
+All the old country saws and superstitions were
+remembered and repeated. It became a matter
+of vital importance to notice whether the scarlet
+pimpernel was out, if the cattle were grazing with
+their heads up hill, and whether a heron flew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>
+across the sky. Prissie took a candle into the
+garden last thing before bed-time, to observe if
+the lawn showed earthworms; the finding of black
+slugs was considered to be rather fatal, and the
+hooting of owls a decidedly bad omen. The goddess
+of the English climate, however, is such a
+fickle deity that there is never the least dependence
+to be placed on weather prophecies. She always
+seems to prefer to give a surprise. On the day
+before the performance it rained; evening closed
+in with a stormy sky, and every probability of waking
+next morning to find a drizzle. Dulcie, putting
+her head out of the window last thing, reported
+driving clouds and a total absence of stars.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, lo and behold! they woke to one of those
+rare ethereal dawns that come only now and then
+in a summer. The Blue bedroom faced east, and
+over the line of laurels in the garden they could
+watch pearl and opal flush into rosy pink before
+the sun shone out in an almost cloudless sky. By
+nine o'clock the wet grass of yesterday was beginning
+to dry up, and Miss Adams, with the help of
+Jones the gardener, was setting up her scenery,
+and making initial arrangements for the business
+of the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>She had contrived her open-air theater as far
+as possible on Greek lines. There was no stage,
+but the audience sat on chairs on the grass, and on
+cushions and rugs placed down a bank that commanded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+the lawn. The performance was to begin
+at 3 o'clock, and soon after 2.30 visitors began
+to arrive. There was quite a long row of cars in
+the drive, bicycles were stacked against the veranda,
+and two ponies were put up in the stable.
+Cousin Clare and her friends came in excellent
+time, driven&mdash;much to Dulcie's satisfaction&mdash;by
+Milner, who in company with the other chauffeurs
+received a cordial invitation from Miss Walters
+to witness the show.</p>
+
+<p>"And wasn't it nice of him?" said Dulcie to
+Carmel, "he insisted on giving a shilling to the
+funds. I told him it wasn't expected, but he said
+he should <em>like</em> to, if we didn't mind. Mind!
+Why, we want all the money we can get!"</p>
+
+<p>"I think Milner is an old dear!" agreed Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Bowden had actually managed to get away
+from his office after all, and had brought a niece
+with him in the side-car of his motor-bicycle. He
+looked quite beaming, as if he meant to forget the
+law for a few hours, and to enjoy himself. He
+sat next to Cousin Clare, chatting affably and admiring
+the arrangements.</p>
+
+<p>A piano had been carried out on to the lawn
+for the occasion, and Miss Lowe, the music mistress,
+took her seat at it. She was supported by
+a small school orchestra of three violins and
+violoncello, and together they struck up some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>
+Eastern music. When it was well started there
+was a flashing of white among the bushes on the
+farther side of the lawn, and out came tripping a
+bevy of charming wood nymphs. They were all
+clad in Greek chitons, very delicately draped, their
+hair was bound with gold fillets, and their arms
+and feet were bare. They held aloft garlands of
+flowers, and circling on that part of the lawn
+which formed the stage, they went through the
+postures of a beautiful and intricate classic dance.</p>
+
+<p>Viewed against the background of trees and
+bushes it was a remarkably pretty performance.
+There were no accessories of limelight or
+"make-up" to give a theatrical or artificial effect;
+the afternoon sunshine fell on the girls in
+their simple costumes, and showed a most natural
+scene as their bare feet whirled lightly over the
+grass in time to the music, and their uplifted arms
+waved the long garlands. There was a tremendous
+clapping as they retired into the shelter of
+their classic groves.</p>
+
+<p>The next item on Miss Adams' program was
+rather ambitious. An upright screen of wood,
+covered with black paper, was placed upon the
+lawn to serve as a background, and in front of
+this Hester Wilson and Truie Tyndale, attired
+in Venetian red chitons, performed a Grecian
+dance. The effect was exactly a representation of
+an ancient Etruscan vase, with terra cotta figures<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+on a black background, and when at the end they
+stood posed as in a tableau, the likeness was complete.
+Though scarcely so pretty as the garland
+dance, it was considered very clever, and met with
+much applause.</p>
+
+<p>For the Idyll XV of Theocritus, Miss Adams
+had followed Greek tradition, and had used only
+the scantiest and simplest of scenery. A few
+screens and stools did service for a house, a tiger-skin
+rug was flung on the grass, and a brass waterpot,
+brought by Miss Walters from Cairo, completed
+the idea of a classic establishment. It was
+better to have few accessories than to present anachronisms,
+and place modern articles in an Alexandrian
+home of the third century <span class="smcap">b.&nbsp;c.</span></p>
+
+<p>Dulcie and Carmel, as Gorgo and Praxino&euml;,
+made an excellent contrast, the one carrying out
+the fair Greek type and the other the dark. They
+played their parts admirably, rendering the dialogue
+with much spirit and brightness, and with
+appropriate action. Praxino&euml;, the fashionable
+belle of the third century <span class="smcap">b.&nbsp;c.</span>, donned her garments
+for the festival with a mixture of coquetry
+and Greek dignity that delighted the audience;
+Gorgo's passage of arms with the Stranger of
+Alexandria, was smart and racy, while Edith, as
+the affected "man-about-town" of the period was
+considered a huge success. As nobody in the
+school was young enough to take Zopyrion, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>
+had borrowed the gardener's three-year-old baby,
+and had trained him to walk on, holding the hand
+of Euno&euml;. He was a pretty child, and dressed
+in a little white chiton, with bare legs and feet, he
+looked very charming, and quite completed the
+scene. His round wondering eyes and evident
+astonishment were indeed exactly what was required
+from him to sustain the part.</p>
+
+<p>The wood nymphs, with some slight additions
+of costume, acted the crowd through which Gorgo
+and Praxino&euml; had to push their way and pilot their
+slaves. They pushed and hustled with such vigor
+as amply to justify the episode where Praxino&euml;'s
+muslin veil was torn in two, and the whole party
+would have been separated, and Euno&euml; altogether
+lost, but for the help of an Alexandrian gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel brought out her speech of thanks with
+much unction.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<em>Praxino&euml;.</em> Both this year and for ever may all be well
+with you, my dear sir, for your care of us. A good kind
+man! We're letting Euno&euml; get squeezed&mdash;come,
+wretched girl, push your way through."</p></div>
+
+<p>And Nesta, as the courteous stranger, responded
+with a bow which, if not absolutely historically
+correct for the period, was certainly a
+combination of the good manners of all the ages.</p>
+
+<p>As it was difficult to find enough items for an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>
+entirely classical program, the second half of the
+entertainment was to be miscellaneous, and during
+the short interval a delegate from the "Waifs
+and Strays Society" was to give a short address
+explaining the work of the Homes.</p>
+
+<p>Now Carmel was down in Part II to dance the
+Pastorale, and she ran into the house to change
+her Greek chiton for the dress of a Sicilian peasant.
+She went through the veranda and the open
+French window, and straight upstairs to her bedroom.
+She had brought nobody with her, because,
+for one thing, she needed no help, and for
+another she was hot and excited, and felt that she
+would like a few minutes' rest quite to herself.
+There was no great hurry, so she leisurely put on
+the pretty scarlet and white-striped skirt, the velvet
+apron, the white bodice and laced corsage,
+clasped the necklace round her throat, and twisted
+the gay silk handkerchief as a head-dress on her
+dark hair. It was a prettier and more effective
+costume even than the Greek one. There was an
+Eastern variety of color in it that suited her better
+than the simplicity of the chiton. She had completed
+it, from the gold bangles on her wrists to
+the scarlet stockings and neat shoes, and was just
+turning to run downstairs again, when she suddenly
+stopped and listened.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel's little bedroom was really a dressing-room,
+and possessed two doors. One led into the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+passage, and the other communicated with the
+Blue bedroom. This latter door was ajar just a
+couple of inches, and through the opening came
+the sound of a drawer pulled out. For a moment
+Carmel thought that Dulcie and Bertha must have
+come upstairs, and she was on the point of calling
+to them, when some strong and mysterious instinct
+restrained her. Instead, she walked softly across
+the floor, and peeped through the chink. It was
+no cousin or schoolfellow who was in the next
+room, but a slight fair man&mdash;an utter stranger&mdash;who
+was hastily turning over the contents of
+the drawer, and slipping something into his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Carmel's heart stood still. She
+realized instantly that she was in the immediate
+vicinity of a burglar. Seeing the entertainment
+advertised by a placard on the gate, he must have
+entered the garden and waited his opportunity to
+slip into the house while everybody was outside
+watching the performance. He was apparently
+laying light fingers upon any article which took his
+fancy.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel's first and most natural impulse was to
+tear downstairs and give warning of what was
+happening. Then it occurred to her that while
+she did so the thief would very possibly make his
+escape. If only she could trap him. But how?
+Her fertile brain thought for a second or two,
+then evolved a plan.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>Very quietly she withdrew the key from the
+door which led out of her bedroom to the passage,
+and locked it on the outside. So far, so good: if
+Mr. Burglar went into the dressing-room he could
+not escape. Now she must be prepared to take
+a great risk. The key of the Blue bedroom was
+on the inside; she must open the door, withdraw
+it, and lock it on the outside before the thief could
+stop her. It was possible that he had calculated
+on the double exit, and that, hearing a noise behind
+him, he would make a dash for the dressing-room.</p>
+
+<p>With shaking legs, and something going
+round and round like a wheel inside her chest, she
+approached the Blue bedroom door, and opened it
+softly. As she had anticipated, the intruder had
+probably laid his plans, for at the first sound he
+turned his head, then slipped like a rabbit into the
+dressing-room. No doubt an unpleasant surprise
+awaited him there, for as Carmel's trembling
+fingers drew out the key, and locked the door from
+the passage side she could hear the handle of her
+own bedroom door moving.</p>
+
+<p>"He's probably got skeleton keys, or a jemmy,
+or something like they use on the cinema, and will
+be out in a minute, but I'll get a start of him!"
+she thought, and tearing down stairs like the wind,
+she literally flew into the garden, and gasped forth
+the thrilling news.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>"It's the Blue bedroom&mdash;watch the window
+or he may jump out!" she added quickly.</p>
+
+<p>There was an instant rush towards the house;
+Miss Walters, with Milner and four other chauffeurs
+to support her, dashed up stairs, Mr. Bowden
+and a crowd of visitors took their stand under
+the windows. Shouts from the bedroom presently
+announced that the burglar had been secured, and
+after a while he was led down stairs with his
+wrists fastened together by a piece of clothes line,
+and guarded on each side by two determined looking
+men, who hustled him into a car, and drove
+him off at once to the police station at Glazebrook.</p>
+
+<p>The excitement at Chilcombe Hall was tremendous.
+It was of course impossible to go on with
+the entertainment. Mistresses, girls, and guests
+could do nothing but talk about the occurrence.
+Carmel was questioned, and gave as minute and
+accurate an account as she could of exactly what
+had happened. She was much congratulated by
+everybody on her presence of mind.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know how you dared do it!" shivered
+Dulcie. "He might have shot you with a revolver!"</p>
+
+<p>"You're a brave girl!" said Miss Walters approvingly.
+"If it hadn't been for your prompt
+action, in all probability he would have got away."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>"I didn't feel brave. I was scared to death!"
+admitted Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>Although she would not acknowledge any particular
+credit in her achievement, Carmel was necessarily
+the heroine of the hour. Miss Walters,
+feeling that everybody must be in need of refreshment
+after such an event, ordered tea to be served
+immediately, and soon the urns were carried out
+into the garden, where tables had already been
+set with cups and saucers and plates of sandwiches
+and cakes.</p>
+
+<p>After a short time Mr. Bowden, who had accompanied
+the burglar to the police station, returned
+to report that their prisoner was safely
+quartered in a cell, and a formal charge had been
+lodged against him, which in due course of law
+would lead to his trial for house-breaking.</p>
+
+<p>"The police think he is not an old offender,
+but some cyclist who was passing, and probably
+yielded to a sudden temptation," he explained.
+"Nevertheless, he'll get a sharp sentence, for
+there has been too much of this sort of thing going
+on lately, and the judges are inclined to be
+very severe on it, and rightly too, or nobody's
+home would be safe. Thank you, Carmel! Yes,
+I'll take another cup of tea, please! And then I
+want to see you do that Sicilian dance before I set
+off on my travels again. Oh yes! I'm not going
+away without!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>Poor Carmel was still feeling too much upset
+to relish dancing, but Mr. Bowden pressed the
+point, and other guests joined their persuasions,
+so finally it was decided to give at least a portion
+of the second part of the program, and the audience
+again took their seats on the lawn, leaving
+several people, however, to guard the house.</p>
+
+<p>"It's not likely there'll be another burglar on
+the same afternoon; still, he might have accomplices
+about," said Miss Walters. "I shall never
+feel really safe again, I'm afraid. We shall all
+be horribly nervous for a long time."</p>
+
+<p>Only the most striking items in Part II were
+selected for performance, as it was growing late,
+and most of the guests would soon have to take
+their leave. There was an affecting tableau of
+the parting of the widowed Queen of Edward IV
+from her little son, Richard, Duke of York; a
+charming pageant of the old street cries of London,
+in which dainty maidens in eighteenth-century
+costumes appeared with bunches of "Sweet
+Lavender," and baskets of "Cherry Ripe," and,
+after singing the appropriate songs, went the
+round of the audience and sold their wares.</p>
+
+<p>Noreen, who was the star of the elocution class,
+recited a poem describing the sad experience of a
+typical little waif, and his reception in the Home.
+It was a pretty piece, and had been composed expressly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
+for the Society by a lady who often wrote
+for magazines.</p>
+
+<p>Then, last of all, came Carmel's Sicilian dance.
+Miss Lowe had fortunately been able to obtain
+the score of the Pastorale, and with music and
+costume complete the performance was an even
+greater success than it had been on the terrace at
+Bradstone. People clapped the little figure,
+partly for her charming dancing and partly for
+her pluck in trapping the burglar, so that altogether
+she received quite an ovation.</p>
+
+<p>"We shan't forget the 'Waifs and Strays'
+afternoon in a hurry," said Lilias, as she tidied
+her possessions afterwards, for it was <em>her</em> drawer
+that the burglar had turned upside down in his
+search for valuables. "I feel I want to sleep
+with a revolver under my pillow!"</p>
+
+<p>"If you did, I'd be far more afraid of you than
+of the burglar!" protested Bertha. "I know
+you'd let it off at the wrong person. I don't suppose
+anybody else is likely to come burgling here,
+so you needn't alarm yourself!"</p>
+
+<p>"But if they do, Miss Wiseacre?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then I should turn them over into the dressing-room,
+to be dealt with at her discretion by
+Princess Carmel!" laughed Bertha. "I believe
+she's equal to catching one of them in a mousetrap
+if she gets the opportunity!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a><span class="smcap">chapter ix</span></h2>
+<h2>The Open Road</h2>
+
+
+<p>It was fortunate for Carmel that her first experience<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+of England should come in the spring
+and early summer. Had she arrived straight
+from sunny Sicily to face autumn rains or winter
+snows, I verily believe her courage would have
+failed, and she would have written an urgent and
+imploring appeal to be fetched home. For the
+white, vine-covered house that looked over the
+blue waters of the Mediterranean was still essentially
+"home" to Carmel. She had been born
+and bred in the south, and though one half of her
+was purely English, there was another side that
+was strongly Italian. She was deeply attached to
+all her relations and friends in Sicily, and from her
+point of view it was exile to live so far away from
+them. The fact that she was owner of the Chase
+was, in her estimation, no compensation whatever
+for her banishment from "Casa Bianca." She
+made a very sweet and gentle little heiress, however.
+As yet she was mistress only in name, for
+during her minority everything was left in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>
+hands of Mr. Bowden and a certain Canon Lowe,
+who were guardians to all Mr. Ingleton's grandchildren,
+and kept the Chase open as a home for
+them. The three girls returned there from Chilcombe
+Hall at the end of the term, and were
+joined by the younger boys from their preparatory
+school.</p>
+
+<p>For a week or two they enjoyed themselves in
+the grounds and the park. There was much to
+show Carmel, and she was happy sitting in the
+garden or wandering in the woods. She soon
+made friends with the people on the estate. The
+gamekeeper's children would come running out to
+meet her, and stand round smiling while she
+hunted in her pocket for chocolates; Milner's little
+girl adored her, and even the shy baby at the lodge
+waxed friendly. Carmel was intensely fond of
+children, and the affection which she had bestowed
+on younger brothers and sisters at home cropped
+out on every occasion where her life touched that
+of smaller people. To Roland, Bevis, and Clifford
+she was a charming companion. She would
+go walks with them in the woods, help them to
+arrange their various collections of butterflies,
+foreign stamps, and picture post cards, and play
+endless games of draughts, halma, or bagatelle.</p>
+
+<p>"You slave after those boys as if you were their
+nursery governess!" remarked Lilias one day,
+just a little nettled that Clifford ran instinctively<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+to Carmel for sympathy instead of to his sister.
+"I promised to help them with those caterpillar
+boxes to-morrow, and so I will, if you'll leave
+them. I really can't be bothered to-day."</p>
+
+<p>Carmel yielded instantly. Part of her intense
+charm was the ready tact with which she was careful
+never to usurp the place of any one else. She
+put aside the muslin that was to form covers for
+the boxes, and slipped her scissors back into the
+case.</p>
+
+<p>Clifford, however, who was a budding naturalist,
+and most keen on collecting, was highly disgusted.</p>
+
+<p>"I want my boxes to-day!" he wailed. "I've
+no place to put my caterpillars when I find them.
+They crawl out of the old boxes. Why shouldn't
+Carmel make me some? I know hers would be
+beauties."</p>
+
+<p>"Lilias will make you some nicer ones to-morrow,"
+urged his cousin. "Suppose we take our
+butterfly nets on to the heath to-day, and try to
+find some 'blues.' You haven't a really nice
+specimen, you know. And I think we might find
+some moths on the trees in the wood, if we look
+about carefully. It's worth trying, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes! Do let us! Shall we start now?"
+agreed Clifford, much mollified.</p>
+
+<p>On the whole the three girls got along excellently,
+but if there was any hint at disturbance it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>
+generally arose from Lilias, whose pride would be
+up in arms at the most absurd trifles. She was
+annoyed that Carmel was asked to give away the
+prizes at the village sports, and showed her dissatisfaction
+so plainly that her sweet-tempered
+cousin, rather than have any fuss, solved the situation
+by asking Cousin Clare to perform the
+ceremony instead, considerably to the disappointment
+of the committee, who had thought the new
+heiress was the appropriate patroness.</p>
+
+<p>Lilias and Dulcie took diametrically opposite
+views about the Chase. The former stuck firmly
+to her opinion that it ought to have been
+Everard's, that her brother was an ill-used outcast,
+and that it was only sisterly feeling to resent
+seeing anybody else in his place. Her attitude to
+Carmel was almost as strong as that of King
+Robert of Sicily in Longfellow's <em>Tales of a Wayside
+Inn</em> towards the angel who had temporarily
+usurped his throne.</p>
+
+<p>Dulcie, on the contrary, had always chafed
+against Everard's assumption of superiority and
+authority. He had been left the same generous
+legacy as the rest of the family, and had only to
+come back and claim his portion when he wished.
+If anybody was to have the Chase, she really preferred
+that it should belong to Carmel, who never
+obtruded her rights, and seemed ready for her
+cousins to enjoy the property on an exact equality<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>
+with herself. The two girls were great friends:
+they would go out riding together while Lilias
+went shopping in the car with Cousin Clare; they
+practised duets, and both made crude attempts at
+sketching the house. Their tastes in books and
+fancy-work were somewhat similar, and they
+would sit in the shade in the afternoons stitching
+at embroidery and eating chocolates.</p>
+
+<p>Three weeks of the summer holidays passed
+rapidly away in this fashion. Carmel was glad to
+have the opportunity of getting to know the
+Chase, and admitted its attractions, though her
+heart was still in Sicily.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the end of August the party broke up
+and scattered. Carmel had received an invitation
+from English relations of her stepfather to
+join them on a motor tour; the three little boys
+were to be taken to rooms at the seaside by Miss
+Mason, their late governess; Lilias and Dulcie
+went to stay with friends, and Cousin Clare had
+arranged to attend a conference. She agreed,
+however, that when Lilias and Dulcie returned
+from their visit, they should go with her in the
+car for a week-end to Tivermouth, to see how the
+boys were getting on.</p>
+
+<p>"If you'll promise we may stay at an hotel!"
+stipulated Lilias. "I wouldn't spend a week-end
+in rooms with those three imps for the world.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>
+I'd like to see them, but not at too close quarters."</p>
+
+<p>"It's quite improbable that their landlady
+would have bedrooms for us," said Cousin Clare.
+"So in any case we should be obliged to stop at
+an hotel. In this crowded season I shall engage
+rooms beforehand."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" triumphed Dulcie, who was anxious
+for a grown-up experience. "I must say I
+hate staying with the boys near the beach; the sitting-room's
+always overflowing with their seaweed
+and other messes."</p>
+
+<p>"What a joke if <em>I</em> were to turn up at the hotel
+too!" said Carmel. "I believe the Rogers are
+going down to Devonshire. I shall tell them the
+date you'll be at Tivermouth. They'll possibly
+like to meet you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, do! It would be such fun!" agreed
+Dulcie. "We'd have an absolutely topping time
+together. Persuade them as hard as you can!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do my best!" agreed Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>As it is impossible to follow the adventures of
+everybody, we will concern ourselves particularly
+with the experiences of our heroine, who was to
+take her first motor tour among English scenery.
+The party in the comfortable Rover car consisted
+of Major and Mrs. Rogers, their daughter Sheila,
+their guest Carmel, and a chauffeur. Major
+Rogers was still suffering from the effects of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>
+wounds, and was more or less of a semi-invalid, a
+condition which made him fussy at times, and too
+independent at others, for directly he felt a trifle
+better he would immediately begin to break all the
+rules that the doctors had laid down for his treatment.
+He was an amusing, humorous sort of
+man, who would jest between spasms of pain, and
+generally found something to laugh at in the various
+episodes of their journey. There is a laughter,
+though, that is more the expression of supreme
+courage than of genuine mirth, and the drawn
+lines round the Major's mouth told of sleepless
+nights and days of little ease, and of trouble that
+hurts worse even than physical pain; for one son
+lay on a Belgian battle-field, another on the
+heights near Salonika, with no cross to mark the
+grave, and a third deep under the surging waters
+of the Atlantic.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Rogers was Mr. Greville's sister, and for
+that reason, though she was no real relation, Carmel
+called her Aunt Hilda. She had been a belle
+in her youth, and she was still pretty with the pathetic
+beauty that often shines in the faces of those
+who have suffered great loss. Her once flaxen
+hair was almost entirely gray, but she had kept
+her delicate complexion, and there was a gentle
+sweetness about her that was very attractive.</p>
+
+<p>Her daughter was an exact replica of what she
+herself must have been at nineteen, though Sheila<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
+was going through an uncomfortable phase, and
+affected to despise the country, to be nervous of
+motoring, and to long to be back in town again.
+She was quite kind to Carmel, but treated her with
+the distantly indulgent attitude of the lately-grown-up
+for the mere schoolgirl. It was evident
+that she regarded the whole tour as more or less
+of a nuisance, and just a means of killing time
+until she could start off for Scotland to join a certain
+house-party to which she had been invited,
+and where she would meet several of her most particular
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry we couldn't ask one of your cousins
+to come with you, dear," said Mrs. Rogers to
+Carmel, "but there isn't room in the car for any
+one else. It's a good opportunity for you to see
+something of England. It's all very different
+from Sicily, isn't it? You'll feel your first winter
+trying, I'm afraid; we certainly lack sunshine in
+this climate."</p>
+
+<p>"Give me Egypt," said Major Rogers. "It's
+this perpetual damp in the air that makes things
+melancholy over here. Why, except in the height
+of summer it's hardly ever fit to sit out-of-doors.
+I like a place where I need a sun helmet."</p>
+
+<p>"You and Mother are salamanders, Daddy!"
+declared Sheila. "I believe you'd enjoy living in
+a hot-house! Now, I like Scotland, with a good
+sharp wind across the moors, and a touch of mist<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>
+in it to cool your face. I like either town or
+mountains. If I can't walk down Regent Street,
+then I'd tramp over the heather, but I don't admire
+ordinary English scenery. It's too tame."</p>
+
+<p>"You surely don't call this tame?" replied her
+father, pointing at the village through which they
+were motoring, "it's one of the show bits of the
+Midlands, and an absolute picture. Where are
+your eyes, child?"</p>
+
+<p>But Sheila was perverse, and refused to evince
+any enthusiasm, and ended by pulling out a novel
+over which she chuckled, quite regardless of the
+scenery, and only tore herself from the book to
+ask for the box of chocolate marsh mallows that
+she had bought at the last town where there was
+a good confectioner's.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel would certainly have found Dulcie, or
+even Lilias, a more congenial companion than
+Sheila, but she nevertheless managed to enjoy herself.
+She loved the country, and was delighted
+with the variety of the English landscape.
+Though less rich than the vineclad south, the
+greenness of its fields and hedges never failed to
+amaze her, and she was fascinated by the quaint
+villages, their thatched roofs, church spires, and
+flowery gardens. They had been running through
+Gloucestershire <em>en route</em> for Somerset and Devon,
+and were to call a halt at various show places on
+the way. Major Rogers, poring over map and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>
+guide books, would plan out their daily route each
+morning at the breakfast table in the hotel.</p>
+
+<p>"With good luck and no punctures we ought to
+reach Exeter to-night easily," he remarked, looking
+through the window of an old-fashioned country
+inn into the cobbled street where their luggage
+was being strapped on to the car.</p>
+
+<p>"But, my dear!" remonstrated his wife.
+"Why in such a hurry to reach Exeter? Let us
+stay the night at Wells, and look over the cathedral;
+then we can spend a few hours in Bath
+too."</p>
+
+<p>"Daddy and Johnson always like to tear along
+at about a hundred miles an hour," said Sheila.
+"Except as a means of getting along the road, I
+hate motoring! I always think Johnson is going
+to run into everybody. He shaves his corners so
+narrowly, and doesn't give conveyances enough
+room. I call him very reckless."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! He's an excellent driver!" declared
+her father. "One of the best chauffeurs
+we've ever had, though he's only a young chap.
+He's wonderfully intelligent too. I'd trust him
+with repairs as well as any man at a garage. A
+civil fellow, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, his manners are really quite superior,"
+agreed Mrs. Rogers, stepping on to the balcony
+and watching the smart, good-looking figure of
+the young chauffeur, who was opening the bonnet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>
+of the car for some last inspection. "Personally
+I feel perfectly safe when Johnson is driving
+me. I'm never nervous in the least!"</p>
+
+<p>"And I'm in such a perpetual panic that I often
+read so as not to look at the road," confessed
+Sheila. "I do wish you'd ask him to sound his
+horn oftener in these narrow roads. The banks
+and hedges are so high, you can't see anything
+that's coming till it's almost upon you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it certainly might be a wise precaution,"
+said Major Rogers. "In motoring you
+have to guard against the stupidity of other people,
+and that fellow in the gray two-seater nearly
+charged straight into us yesterday. A regular
+road-hog he was!"</p>
+
+<p>If Johnson had hitherto been a little slack in
+respect of sounding his horn, it was the only fault
+of which his employers could complain. He kept
+the fittings of the car at the very zenith in the
+matter of polish, he was punctuality personified,
+and most skilful at the tedious business of repairing
+or changing tires; he rarely spoke addressed,
+but when questioned he seemed to have a
+good acquaintance with the country, knew which
+were the best roads, and what sights were worth
+visiting in the various places through which they
+passed. All of which are highly desirable qualities
+in a chauffeur, and a satisfaction to all concerned.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>It was the general plan of the holiday to start
+about ten or eleven o'clock, take a picnic-basket
+with them, lunch somewhere in the woods, arrive
+at their next halting-place about three or four, and
+spend the remainder of the day in sight-seeing, or
+in Major Rogers' case resting, if he were suffering
+from a severe attack of pain.</p>
+
+<p>As they motored across Somerset in the direction
+of Wells, they chose for their mid-day stop
+a lovely place on the top of a range of low hills.
+A belt of fir trees edged the roadside, and through
+these a gate led into a field. As the gate was open
+they felt licensed to enter, and to encamp upon a
+sunny bank under a hedge. One of the motor
+rugs was spread for Major Rogers, and Mrs.
+Rogers, Sheila, and Carmel sat severally on an air
+cushion, a tree-stump, and on the grass. There
+was a grand view over a slope of cornfields and
+pastures, and though the sun was warm there was
+a delicious little breeze to temper the heat. Not
+that it was too hot for any one except Sheila, who
+panted in the shade while the others exulted in
+the sunshine. Carmel, outstretched upon the
+grass, basked like a true daughter of the south,
+throwing aside her hat, somewhat to Mrs. Rogers'
+consternation.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll spoil your complexion, child! I'm
+sure your mother never allows you to go hatless
+in Sicily! Put your handkerchief over your face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>
+Yes, I like to feel the warmth myself, though not
+on my head. This is the sort of holiday that does
+people good, just to sit in the open air."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a rabbit holiday here," murmured the
+Major lazily. "Didn't you read that supreme
+article in <em>Punch</em> a while ago? Well, it was about
+a doctor who invented a drug that could turn his
+patients into anything they chose for the holidays.
+A worried mother of a family lived an idyllic
+month at a farm as a hen, with six children as
+chickens, food and lodging provided gratis; a
+portly dowager enjoyed a rest cure as a Persian
+cat at a country mansion; some lively young people
+spent a fortnight as sea-gulls, while the hero
+of the article was just about to be changed into a
+rabbit when&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"When what happened?"</p>
+
+<p>"The usual thing in such stories; the maid
+broke the precious bottle of medicine that was to
+have worked the charm, and when he hunted for
+the doctor to buy another, the whole place had disappeared."</p>
+
+<p>"How disappointing!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but a field like this, with burrows in it,
+is a near substitute. I feel I could live up here.
+Suppose I buy a shelter and get leave to erect it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then it would promptly rain, Daddy, and
+you'd be in the depths of misery and longing for a
+decent hotel!" declared Sheila.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>To suit Major Rogers' humor they stayed
+nearly two hours in the field. The quiet was just
+what his doctor had ordered for him. He had
+spent a restless night, and, though he could not
+sleep now, the air and the sunshine calmed his
+nerves. He seemed better than he had been for
+days, and enjoyed the run downhill into Wells.</p>
+
+<p>As they were stepping out of the motor at the
+hotel, Carmel gave an exclamation of concern.</p>
+
+<p>"I've lost my bracelet!" she declared.
+"What a nuisance! Wherever can it have
+gone?"</p>
+
+<p>Johnson, the chauffeur, immediately searched
+on the floor and cushions of the car, but without
+success. No bracelet was there.</p>
+
+<p>"When did you have it last?" asked Mrs.
+Rogers.</p>
+
+<p>"In the rabbit field where we had lunch. I
+remember clasping and unclasping it, and I suppose
+it must have slipped off my wrist without my
+noticing. Never mind!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry, but it certainly is too far to go
+back and look for it, dear," said Mrs. Rogers.</p>
+
+<p>"Was it valuable?" asked Sheila.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, not at all! Only Mother gave it to
+me on my last birthday. It doesn't really matter,
+and of course it can't be helped now."</p>
+
+<p>Carmel was vexed, nevertheless, with her own
+carelessness. The little bracelet had been a favorite,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>
+and she hated to lose it. She missed the
+feel of it on her wrist. Her first thought when
+she woke next morning was of annoyance at the
+incident. As she walked down to breakfast in the
+coffee-room, the chauffeur was standing by the
+hall door. He came up at once, as if he had been
+expressly waiting for her, and handed her a small
+parcel. To her utter surprise it contained the
+missing bracelet.</p>
+
+<p>"Johnson!" she called, for he had turned
+quickly away. "Johnson&mdash;oh, where did you
+find this? Not in the car, surely?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Miss Carmel, it was just where you
+thought you had left it&mdash;in the field where you
+had lunch. I got up early and fetched it before
+breakfast," replied Johnson pausing on the doorstep.</p>
+
+<p>"You went all that way! How kind of you!
+Thank you ever so much!" exclaimed Carmel,
+clasping her bangle on her wrist again. "I can't
+tell you how pleased I am to have it!"</p>
+
+<p>But Johnson, avoiding her eyes, and seeming
+anxious to get away from her thanks, was already
+out of the front door, and half-way across the
+courtyard to the garage.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if English men-servants are always
+as shy as that?" thought Carmel. "An Italian
+would certainly have waited to let me say 'Thank
+you!'"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a><span class="smcap">chapter x</span></h2>
+<h2>A Meeting</h2>
+
+
+<p>After a morning in Wells, to look at the Cathedral<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>
+and other beauty spots, the party motored
+on to Glastonbury, where again they called
+a halt to look at the Abbey and the Museum.
+Major Rogers was interested in the objects which
+had been excavated from the prehistoric lake
+dwellings in the neighborhood, and spent so much
+time poring over bronze brooches, horn weaving-combs,
+flint scrapers, glass rings, and fragments of
+decorated pottery that Sheila lost all patience.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Dad going to spend the whole day in this
+moldy old museum?" she asked dramatically.
+"I hate anything <span class="smcap">b.&nbsp;c.</span>! What does it matter to
+us how people lived in pile dwellings in the middle
+of a lake? To judge from those fancy pictures
+of them on the wall there they must have been a
+set of uncouth savages. Why can't we drive on
+to Dawlish, or some other decent seaside place,
+instead of poking about in musty cathedrals and
+tiresome museums? I'm fed up!"</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Sheila, don't be naughty!" whispered
+her mother. "I'm only too glad to see your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
+father take an interest in anything. I believe he's
+enjoying this tour. If you're tired of the museum,
+go out and look at the shops until we're
+ready."</p>
+
+<p>"There aren't any worth looking at in a
+wretched little country town!" yawned Sheila.
+"No, I really don't want to go over the Abbey
+either, thanks! I shall sit inside the car and
+write, while you do the sight-seeing."</p>
+
+<p>Major Rogers never hurried himself to suit his
+daughter's whims, so Sheila was left to sit in the
+car, addressing tragic letters and picture post
+cards to her friends, and the rest of the party finished
+examining the museum, and went to view
+the ruins of the famous Abbey.</p>
+
+<p>"If Sheila prefers to stay outside, she can look
+after the car," said her father, "and I shall take
+Johnson in with us. He's an intelligent fellow,
+and I'm sure he appreciates the shows. It's
+rather hard on him if he never gets the chance to
+see anything."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe he goes sight-seeing on his own account
+when he has the opportunity," replied Mrs.
+Rogers, "but bring him in, by all means. He
+always strikes me as having very refined tastes.
+I should think he's trying to educate himself.
+But he's so reserved, I never can get anything out
+of him."</p>
+
+<p>"He seems fond of books," volunteered Carmel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
+"He reads all the time when he's waiting
+for us in the car."</p>
+
+<p>Johnson accepted with alacrity the invitation to
+view the Abbey, and walked round the ruins apparently
+much interested in what he saw, though,
+following his usual custom, he spoke seldom, and
+then only in brief reply to questions. Once, when
+Major and Mrs. Rogers were puzzling over a
+Latin inscription, he seemed on the point of making
+a remark, but apparently changed his mind,
+and walked away.</p>
+
+<p>"He's almost <em>too</em> well trained!" commented
+Mrs. Rogers. "Of course a conversational
+chauffeur is a nuisance, but I have an impression
+that Johnson could be quite interesting if he liked.
+Some day I shall try to make him talk."</p>
+
+<p>"Better leave him alone," said Major Rogers.
+"I think things do very well as they are."</p>
+
+<p>From Glastonbury they motored through the
+beautiful county of Somerset into leafy Devonshire,
+taking easy stages so as not to overtire the
+invalid, and halting at any place where the guide
+book pointed out objects worthy of notice. To
+please Carmel, they were making in the direction
+of Tivermouth, where they hoped to arrive in
+time to meet the Ingletons. They had telegraphed
+for rooms at the Hill Crest Hotel, and,
+if the place suited Major Rogers, they proposed
+to spend a week there.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>"There may be perhaps a dance, or a tennis
+tournament, or something interesting going on!"
+exulted Sheila, who had urged the decision. "At
+any rate there'll be somebody to talk to in a decent
+hotel&mdash;it won't be just all scenery! Let us
+spin along, Dad, and get there!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry no man's cattle!" replied her father.
+"Remember, I am out for a 'rabbit' holiday, and
+I like long rests by the roadside. I'm looking
+forward to a siesta on the grass somewhere this
+afternoon. The scent of the woods does me
+good."</p>
+
+<p>So once more the party found a picturesque
+spot and stopped for lunch and an hour or two of
+quiet under the trees before they took again to
+the open road. The spot which they chose this
+time was on a slope reaching down to a river.
+Above was a thick belt of pines, and below the
+water dashed with a pleasant murmuring sound
+very soothing on a warm afternoon. It was an
+ideal "rabbit playground" for Major Rogers,
+and he established himself comfortably with rugs
+and cushions after lunch, hoping to be able to
+snatch some much-needed sleep. Mrs. Rogers
+took her knitting from her hand-bag, and Sheila,
+who had a voluminous correspondence, asked
+Johnson for her dispatch case and began to write
+letters.</p>
+
+<p>As Carmel had nothing very particular to do,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+and grew tired of sitting still, she rose presently
+and rambled down the wood to the river-side. It
+was beautiful to stand and watch the water swirling
+by, to gaze at the meadow on the opposite
+bank, and to amuse herself by throwing little
+sticks into the hurrying current. There was an
+old split tree-trunk that overhung the bank, and
+it struck her that this would make a most comfortable
+and delightful rustic seat. She climbed
+on to it quite easily, crawled along, and sat at the
+end with her feet swinging over the river. It
+was such an idyllic situation that she felt herself
+a mixture of a tree nymph and a water nymph,
+or&mdash;to follow the Major's humor&mdash;could almost
+imagine that she was taking her holiday in
+the shape of a bird. If she would have been content
+to remain quietly seated, just enjoying the scenery
+all might have been well, but unfortunately
+Carmel made the discovery that by exercising
+a little energy she could make the stump rock.
+The sensation was as pleasant as a swing. Up
+and down and up and down she swayed, till the
+poor old split tree could bear the strain no longer,
+and suddenly, with an awful crash, the part on
+which she rested broke off, and precipitated her
+into the river. Her cry of terror as she struck
+the water echoed through the wood. As she rose
+to the surface she managed to clutch hold of some
+of the branches and support herself, but she was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+in a position of great danger, for the stump was
+hardly holding to the edge of the bank, and in
+another moment or two would probably be
+whirled away by the current.</p>
+
+<p>As she shouted again there was a quick dash
+through the undergrowth, and Johnson the chauffeur
+shot down through the wood at a speed that
+could almost compete with the car's. In a bound
+he jumped the bank, and, plunging into the river,
+struggled to her help and succeeded in pulling her
+back out of the current into the shallow water
+among the reeds at the brink.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Major and Mrs. Rogers and Sheila
+had all three rushed to the spot, and were able to
+extend hands from the bank. Carmel and Johnson
+both scrambled out of the river wet through
+and covered with mud, the most wretched and
+dilapidated objects.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! she'll take a chill! Whatever are we to
+do to get her dry?" cried Mrs. Rogers distractedly,
+mopping her young guest's streaming face
+with a dainty lace-bordered handkerchief. "Is
+there a cottage anywhere near?"</p>
+
+<p>"We'd better get into the car and motor along
+till we find one," suggested Major Rogers.
+"Johnson, you deserve a medal for this! I never
+saw anything so prompt in my life. It was like
+a whirlwind!"</p>
+
+<p>"We shall make a horrible mess of the car!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>
+objected Carmel, trying to wipe some of the mud
+from her clothes.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind; sit on this rug. You're shivering
+already, child! Sheila, bring my hand-bag
+and your father's cushion. Now, Johnson, just
+anywhere! The very first cottage that will take
+us in!"</p>
+
+<p>Luckily they were not far from a village with
+a fairly comfortable inn, where a sympathetic
+landlady provided bedrooms and hot water. As
+their luggage was on the car, it was an easy matter
+to change, and before very long both Carmel
+and her rescuer were in dry garments, and drinking
+the hot coffee which Mrs. Rogers insisted
+upon as a preventive against catching cold.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall hardly dare to let you out of my sight
+again, Carmel!" she said, half laughingly, yet
+half in earnest. "I don't want to have to write
+to your mother and tell her you're drowned!"</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense!" declared the Major rather testily.
+"It's not a thing she's likely to do twice!
+I should think she'd be frightened to go anywhere
+near a river again just yet. Are those clothes
+dry? Well, never mind, pack them as they are;
+we can't wait for them. And the rug, too, just
+bundle it up and put it at the bottom of the car.
+Johnson can brush it to-morrow. He's a fine
+chap. I shall write to the 'Humane Society'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>
+about this business. They ought to give him a
+medal."</p>
+
+<p>"I've tried to thank him," said Carmel, "but
+directly I begin he dives away and does something
+at the car. He doesn't seem to want to be
+thanked."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's just Johnson's usual way!"
+drawled Sheila. "I expect he's pleased all the
+same. You look a little more respectable now,
+Carmel. I shouldn't have liked to take you into
+the Hill Crest Hotel as you were an hour ago!
+I expect after this stoppage we shall arrive too
+late to dress comfortably for dinner, unless Johnson
+literally tears along, and then I'm scared out
+of my wits! What a life! I'd never go motoring
+for choice! It's not my idea of a holiday,
+I must say."</p>
+
+<p>After all, though Johnson seldom exceeded the
+speed limit, the Rogers arrived at Tivermouth in
+ample time for Sheila to don a fascinating evening
+costume, and to arrange her fair hair in an
+elaborate coiffure. The hotel was full of summer
+visitors, and in her opinion the large dining-room
+with its Moorish decorations, the numerous
+daintily-spread little tables, and the fashionable
+well-dressed crowd who flocked in at the sounding
+of a gong were far more entertaining than a wood
+and a picnic meal. But Sheila was not fond of
+"rabbit" holidays.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter imgborder" style="width: 381px;">
+<img src="images/chauffeur.jpg" width="381" height="600" alt="Johnson the chauffeur shot down through the wood" title="" />
+<p class="caption">johnson the chauffeur shot down through the wood</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>"It beats those old-fashioned places we stayed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>
+at in the country towns, doesn't it?" she said to
+Carmel, as they sat in the lounge, waiting for Major
+and Mrs. Rogers to come down stairs. "By
+the by, are your cousins here? I looked in the
+visitors' book and couldn't find their names.
+What has happened to them?"</p>
+
+<p>"A letter from Dulcie was waiting for me,"
+explained Carmel. "They couldn't get rooms
+here. They were writing to the 'Eagle's Nest
+Hotel,' and hoped to get taken in there. I don't
+know whether they've arrived or not. Dulcie
+didn't say exactly which day they were starting.
+It's just like Dulcie! She generally misses out the
+most important point!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose they'll look you up when they
+do arrive," said Sheila carelessly. "Anyway, I
+bless them for giving us some sort of an anchor
+down here. I feel I'm going to enjoy myself. I
+asked the manageress, and she says there's to be
+a dance to-night after dinner."</p>
+
+<p>Carmel, sitting on a cane chair in the palm
+lounge next morning, agreed with Sheila that Hill
+Crest Hotel was a remarkably comfortable and
+luxurious place. A fountain was splashing near
+her, foreign birds sang and twittered in the aviary,
+and large pots of geraniums made bright patches
+of color under the green of the palms. Pleasant
+though it was, however, it lacked the charm of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
+open air, and, throwing down the magazine she
+was reading, Carmel strolled through the hall and
+the glass veranda on to the terrace outside. The
+hotel certainly had a most beautiful situation. As
+its name implied, it stood on the crest of a hill,
+surrounded by woods and grounds that stretched
+to the beach. A little noisy Devonshire river
+raced past it through the glen, and behind it lay
+the heathery waste of a great moorland. Below
+lay the gleaming waters of the bay, with small
+boats bobbing about, and a distant view of the
+crags and headlands of a rugged coast line. The
+terrace was planted with a border of trailing
+pink ivy-leaved geraniums, and the bank that
+sloped below was a superb mass of hydrangeas in
+full bloom, their delicate shades of blue and pink
+looking like the hues of dawn in a clear sky.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel established herself on a seat to enjoy
+the prospect, and picking up a gray Persian cat
+which was also sunning itself on the terrace,
+fondled the pretty creature in her arms. She
+was seeing England to the best advantage, for
+nowhere could there have been a lovelier scene
+than the one which lay before her delighted eyes.
+Tivermouth had a reputation as a beauty spot,
+and owing to its long distance from the railway
+was as yet unspoilt by a too great invasion of tourists.
+There were other hotels nestling among the
+greenery of the woods, and Carmel wondered if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>
+the Ingletons had arrived at one of them, and at
+which of the white houses on the beach the boys
+were staying with Miss Mason.</p>
+
+<p>As she was still gazing and speculating there
+was a crunch of footsteps on the gravel behind, a
+voice called her name, and looking round she saw
+Cousin Clare, Lilias, and Dulcie, hurrying towards
+her. There was an enthusiastic greeting, followed
+by explanations from all three.</p>
+
+<p>"We'd the greatest difficulty to get rooms!"</p>
+
+<p>"The whole place seems full up!"</p>
+
+<p>"They couldn't take us at the 'Eagle's Nest.'"</p>
+
+<p>"We've got in at the 'Victoria,' though!"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we could have been here with you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, so long as we're at Tivermouth
+at all!"</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't it just too gorgeous for words!"</p>
+
+<p>"We only arrived late last night."</p>
+
+<p>"There's such heaps we want to tell you!"</p>
+
+<p>There was indeed much to be told on both sides.
+All three girls had had numerous experiences during
+the short time of their parting, and they were
+anxious to compare notes. Then Cousin Clare,
+Lilias, and Dulcie must be introduced to the Rogers
+family, who were all writing letters in a
+private sitting-room, but stopped their correspondence
+to extend a hearty welcome and to chat
+with the new-comers. In a short time the party
+rearranged itself, leaving Cousin Clare to talk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+with Major and Mrs. Rogers, Lilias and Dulcie
+arm-in-arm with Carmel on the terrace, and
+Sheila, who had stepped with them out at the
+French window, straying away with a young Highland
+officer with whom she had danced the night
+before.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind Sheila&mdash;she doesn't want <em>us</em>!"
+laughed Carmel, squeezing both her cousins' arms,
+for she was in the middle. "Oh, it's nice to see
+you again! Let's walk along here to the end of
+the terrace. I've had all sorts of adventures
+since I saw you. I was nearly drowned yesterday
+in a river, only Johnson, the chauffeur, fished me
+out. You should have seen me all dripping and
+covered with mud. And Johnson was just as bad.
+We made such a mess of the car with our muddy
+clothes. I wonder if he's got it clean yet? By
+the by, I left my post cards in the side pocket.
+I'd love to show them to you. Shall we go and
+get them? The garage is quite close, only just
+down this path. Do you mind coming?"</p>
+
+<p>"Go ahead; we'd like to," agreed Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>So they plunged down the hill-side on a twisting
+path, past the bank of hydrangeas and through
+a grove of shiny-leaved escallonias to where the
+garage, a large building with a corrugated-iron
+roof, stood on a natural platform of rock close to
+the steep high road that flanked the hotel. The
+yard was full of visitors' cars in process of being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+cleaned, and chauffeurs were busy with hose, or
+polishing fittings.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder where Johnson has put ours?" said
+Carmel, threading her way between an enormous
+Daimler and a pretty little two-seater. "Oh,
+there it is! That dark-green one in the corner.
+Come along! There's just room to pass here
+behind this coup&eacute;. I expect the post cards are all
+right. Johnson would take care of them for me.
+I'll ask him to get them. Johnson!"</p>
+
+<p>The chauffeur, who was bending over the car,
+too busy with wrench and screwdriver to notice
+their approach, straightened himself instantly,
+and glanced at the three girls. As his eyes fell
+on Lilias and Dulcie, his expression changed to
+one of utter consternation and amazement, and
+he colored to the roots of his fair hair. They on
+their part gazed at him as if they had encountered
+a specter.</p>
+
+<p>"Everard!" gasped Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"Everard!" faltered Lilias. "It's never
+<em>you</em>!"</p>
+
+<p>Here indeed was a drama. Four more astonished
+young people it would have been impossible
+to conceive. For a moment Everard seemed as
+if he were going to bolt, but Carmel, whose quick
+mind instantly grasped the situation, motioned
+him into the empty motor-shed behind, and, following<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
+with Lilias and Dulcie, partly closed the
+door.</p>
+
+<p>"So you're Everard, are you?" she said, looking
+at him hard. "Well, to tell you the truth,
+I never thought your name was really Johnson! I
+told Sheila I was sure you were a gentleman.
+Why have you been masquerading like this?
+Why don't you go home to the Chase?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, <em>do</em> come home, Everard!" echoed Lilias
+entreatingly.</p>
+
+<p>The ex-chauffeur shook his head. He was still
+almost too covered with confusion to admit of
+speech.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't expect to meet you girls," he said at
+last. "The best thing you can do is just to forget
+me, and leave me where I am. I shall <em>never</em>
+go back to the Chase! That point I've quite decided."</p>
+
+<p>"But we want you there," said Carmel gently.</p>
+
+<p>"You!" Everard looked frankly puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Everard!" burst out Dulcie. "You
+don't understand! You ran away and never
+waited to hear anything, and we couldn't write to
+you, because you sent no address. You thought
+Grandfather had left the property to a boy cousin&mdash;Leslie!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, didn't he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and no! There is no boy cousin. This<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>
+is Leslie&mdash;only she's called Carmel&mdash;the heiress
+of Cheverley Chase!"</p>
+
+<p>"You!" exclaimed Everard again, gazing at
+Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't call me 'the heiress,' Dulcie," protested
+Carmel. "You know I've said from the
+very first that I don't intend to take the Chase
+away from you all. It's yours every bit as much
+as mine, and more so, because my own real home
+is in Sicily, and I hope to go back there some day.
+Everard, will you make friends with me on that
+understanding, and shake hands? I don't want
+to turn anybody out of the Chase."</p>
+
+<p>Carmel held out a slim little hand, and Everard
+accepted it delicately, as if it had been that of a
+princess.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm still stunned," he remarked. "To think
+I should have been driving you all this time, and
+not have known you were Leslie Ingleton! I
+never chanced to hear your surname. I thought
+you were Mrs. Rogers' niece."</p>
+
+<p>"And so I am!" laughed Carmel. "At least
+she's my step-aunt, at any rate. Isn't it a regular
+<em>Comedy of Errors</em>?"</p>
+
+<p>"Everard," put in Lilias, "why did you turn
+chauffeur? We thought you had run away to
+sea!"</p>
+
+<p>"I meant to," answered her brother bitterly,
+"but when it came to the point of getting employment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>
+I found the only thing I could earn a
+living at was driving a car. I don't know that
+I even do that very decently, but at any rate I'm
+self-supporting. You'd better leave me where I
+am! It's all I'm good for!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it!" answered Carmel. "I've
+arranged the whole thing in my mind already.
+We'll make an exchange. Milner shall take
+charge of the car for the Rogers until they can
+find another chauffeur, and you shall drive Cousin
+Clare and Lilias and Dulcie and me back to the
+Chase. Now don't begin to talk, for it's quite
+settled, and for once in my life I declare I mean
+to have my own way!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xi</span></h2>
+<h2>A Secret Society</h2>
+
+
+<p>Carmel seldom asserted herself, but if she set<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>
+her heart on an object she generally managed to
+persuade people to her way of thinking. This
+case proved no exception, and she contrived with
+little difficulty to transfer the amazed but willing
+Milner temporarily into the service of Major
+Rogers, and to instal Everard, minus his chauffeur's
+uniform, and looking once more an Ingleton,
+to drive the Daimler car back to Cheverley
+Chase. Perhaps the talk which Major Rogers
+had with his one-time "Johnson" partly worked
+the miracle. Exactly what he said was entirely
+between themselves, but Everard burst out into
+eulogies regarding the Major to Lilias, who was
+still his chief confidante.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the best chaps I've ever met! A real
+good sort! I shan't forget what he said to me.
+I can tell you I've come to look at things in a different
+light lately. I'll do anything he suggests.
+I'd trust his advice sooner than that of anybody
+I know. I'll have a good talk with Bowden, and
+see if he agrees. By Jove! I shall be a surprise
+packet to him, shan't I?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>Mr. Bowden was not nearly so much astonished
+as Everard had anticipated. He took his ward's
+return quite as a matter of course, and, lawyer-like,
+at once turned to the business side of affairs.
+After running away and gaining his own living
+for so many months, it was neither possible nor
+desirable for Everard to go back to Harrow.
+He had broken the last link with his school days,
+and must face the problem of his future career.
+His grandfather had wished him to go on to
+Cambridge, and his guardian also considered it
+would be advisable for him to take a university
+degree. Meantime his studies were very much in
+arrears. He had never worked hard at school,
+and would need considerable application to his
+books before being ready to begin his terms at
+college. By the advice of Major Rogers, Mr.
+Bowden decided to engage a tutor to coach him at
+the Chase. The house would be perfectly quiet
+while the girls and the younger boys were away at
+school, and as Everard really seemed to take the
+matter seriously, he might be expected to make
+good progress.</p>
+
+<p>In the matter of a tutor, Major Rogers was
+fortunately able to recommend just the right man.
+Mr. Stacey had been studying for orders at Cambridge
+when he was called up, and had joined the
+army. After serious wounds in France he had
+made a slow recovery, and though perfectly able<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>
+to act as coach, he would be glad of a period of
+quiet in the country before returning to Cambridge.
+He was a brilliant scholar and a thoroughly
+good all-round fellow, who might be
+trusted to make the best possible companion for
+Everard in the circumstances. The whole business
+was fixed up at once, and he was to arrive
+within ten days.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry we shall just miss seeing him!" said
+Carmel to Everard, on the evening before the
+girls went back to Chilcombe Hall. "But I shall
+think of you studying away at your Maths.
+You're clever, aren't you, Everard? I don't
+know much about English universities, but isn't a
+Tripos what you work for at Cambridge? Suppose
+you came out Senior Wrangler! We <em>should</em>
+be proud of you!"</p>
+
+<p>"No fear of that, I'm afraid, Carmel! I'm a
+long way behind and shall have to swat like anything
+to get myself up to even ordinary standard.
+Burn the midnight oil, and all that kind of weariness
+to the flesh!"</p>
+
+<p>"But you'll do it!" (Carmel was looking at
+him critically.) "You've got the right shape of
+head. Daddy and one of his friends, Signor
+Penati, were fearfully keen on phrenology, and
+they used to make me notice the shape of people's
+heads, and of the Greek and Roman busts in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>
+museums. It's wonderful how truly they tell
+character: the rules hardly ever fail."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you make of my particular phiz,
+then, you young Sicilian witch?"</p>
+
+<p>"Great ability if you only persevere; a noble
+mind and patriotism&mdash;your forehead is just like
+the bust of the Emperor Augustus. You'd scorn
+bribes, and speak out for the right. I prophesy
+that you'll some day get into Parliament, and do
+splendid work for your country!"</p>
+
+<p>"Whew! I'm afraid I'll never reach your expectations.
+It's a big order you've laid down for
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"You could do it, though, if you try. Oh,
+don't contradict me, for I know! I haven't
+studied heads with Signor Penati for nothing.
+First you're going to make a good master of the
+Chase, and then you'll help England."</p>
+
+<p>"Not of the Chase, Carmel," said Everard
+gently. "We've argued that point out thoroughly,
+I think."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no! Let me tell you once again that I
+don't want to be mistress here. I only came over
+to England to please Mother and Daddy. I'm
+going back to Sicily to live, as soon as I can choose
+for myself. Directly I'm twenty-one I shall hand
+over the Chase to you. You're a far more suitable
+owner for it than I am. I feel that strongly.
+It ought never to have been left to me. But I'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>
+put all that right again. Why can't you take it?"
+she continued eagerly, as Everard shook his head.
+"Surely I can give it to you if I like? Why
+not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? You're too young yet to understand.
+How could I be such an utter slacker and
+sneak as to accept your inheritance? It's unthinkable.
+Put that idea out of your little head,
+for it can never happen. As for the rest of your
+prophecy, it's a long climb to get into Parliament.
+I'm nothing like the man you think me, Carmel,
+though I'm going to make a spurt now, at any
+rate. Don't expect to find me a Senior Wrangler
+by Christmas though. Mr. Stacey will probably
+tell you I'm an utter dunderhead."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall quarrel with him if he does!" said
+Carmel decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>The three girls went back to school on the following
+day, half regretful to leave the Chase,
+but rather excited at the prospect of meeting their
+companions. Now that Carmel had got over her
+first stage of homesickness, she liked Chilcombe
+and had made many friends there. She intended
+to enjoy the autumn term to the best of her ability.
+She had brought the materials for pursuing
+several pet hobbies, and she settled all her numerous
+possessions into her small bedroom with
+much satisfaction. She kept the door into the
+Blue Grotto open, so that she might talk during<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>
+the process. Gowan, also busy unpacking, kept
+firing off pieces of information, Bertha flitted in
+and out like a butterfly, and girls from other dormitories
+paid occasional visits.</p>
+
+<p>Phillida, who was a prime favorite, presently
+came in, and installing herself on the end of Dulcie's
+bed, so that she could address the occupants
+of both bedrooms, began to draw plans.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got an idea!" she announced. "It's a
+jolly good one, too, so you needn't smile. It's a
+good thing somebody does have ideas in this place,
+or you'd all go to sleep! Well, it's this. I really
+can't stand the swank of those girls in the Gold
+bedroom. They seem to imagine the school belongs
+to them. They're not very much older than
+we are, indeed Nona is actually six weeks younger
+than Lilias, and yet they give themselves the airs
+of all creation. Just now Laurette said to me:
+'Get out of my way, child!' Child, indeed!
+I'm fifteen, and tall for my age! I vote that we
+start a secret society, just among our own set, to
+resist them."</p>
+
+<p>"Jolly!" agreed Dulcie. "A little wholesome
+taking down is just what they need. Laurette's
+the limit sometimes. Whom shall we ask
+to join?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, all of you here, and myself, and Noreen,
+and Prissie, and Edith. That would make
+nine."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>"Quite enough too," said Gowan. "A secret
+society's much greater fun if it's small. Things
+are apt to leak out when you have too many members.
+I take it we want to play an occasional
+rag on the Gold bedroom? Very well, the fewer
+in it the better."</p>
+
+<p>"What shall we call our society?" asked
+Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"'The Anti-Swelled Headers' would about
+suit," suggested Lilias.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no! That sounds as if we were afraid
+of getting swelled head ourselves&mdash;at least anybody
+might take it that way."</p>
+
+<p>"There's a big secret society in Sicily called
+'The Mafia,'" vouchsafed Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>"Then let us call ours 'The Chilcombe Mafia.'
+No one will understand what we mean, even if
+they get hold of the name. Indeed I shouldn't
+mind casually mentioning it now and then, just to
+puzzle them. When things get bad, 'The Mafia'
+will take them up."</p>
+
+<p>"Strike secretly and suddenly!" agreed Dulcie
+with a chuckle.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's sign our names at once!" declared
+Phillida enthusiastically.</p>
+
+<p>At Carmel's suggestion, however, they made
+rather more of a ceremony of the initiation of
+their new order. The prospective members retired
+into the wood above the garden, and in strict<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>
+privacy took an oath of secrecy and service.
+Then, with Edith's fountain pen filled for the occasion
+with red ink, they inscribed their autographs
+on a piece of paper, rolled it up, placed it
+in a bottle, then solemnly dug a hole, and buried
+the said bottle under a tree.</p>
+
+<p>"It will be here for a testimony against any
+girl who breaks her oath!" declared Phillida.
+"Carmel says the real Mafia sign their names in
+blood, but I think that's horrid, and red ink will
+do quite as well. Just as I was coming out now,
+Laurette said to me; 'Oh, don't go running
+away, because I want one of you younger ones to
+do something for me presently.' She said it with
+the air of a duchess!"</p>
+
+<p>"Cheek!" agreed the others. "It's high time
+we made up a society against her!"</p>
+
+<p>Many and various were the offences that were
+laid to Laurette's score. Lilias had a private
+grievance, because she fancied that Laurette had
+never been so civil to herself and Dulcie since it
+was known that their brother was not to inherit
+the Chase. Gowan, who liked plain speaking,
+accused Laurette of telling "fiblets"; Bertha had
+had a squabble over the bathroom, and Prissie a
+wrestle for the piano.</p>
+
+<p>"Laurette always reminds me of that rhyme
+that the undergrads made up about the Master
+of Balliol," said Edith.</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"'Here come I, my name is Jowett,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">All there is to know, I know it;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">I'm the head of this here College,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">What I don't know isn't knowledge!'</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>That's Laurette's attitude exactly. She's so superior
+to everybody!"</p>
+
+<p>"We'll take her down, don't worry yourself!"
+smiled Dulcie. "We must just wait for a good
+opportunity, and then&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"The secret hand will smite!" laughed Carmel,
+who enjoyed the fun as much as anybody.</p>
+
+<p>Laurette's aggravatingly superior pose was especially
+apparent in her attitude towards the mistresses.
+She monopolized Miss Herbert, treated
+her almost like a friend, wrote notes to her, left
+flowers in her bedroom, and walked arm-in-arm
+with her in the garden. Perhaps the mistress was
+lonely, possibly she was flattered by receiving so
+much attention, at any rate she allowed Laurette
+to be on terms of great intimacy, and gave her a far
+larger share of her confidence than was at all wise.
+Laurette, after a hot affection lasting three weeks,
+got tired of Miss Herbert, and suddenly cooled
+off. Gowan and Carmel, going into the sitting-room
+one day, found her discussing her former
+idol with a group of her chums.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you call her pretty? Well, now, I
+<em>don't</em>!" she was saying emphatically. "She may
+have been pretty once, but now she's getting decidedly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+<em>pass&eacute;e</em>. I can't say I admire faded sentimental
+people!"</p>
+
+<p>"Sentimental?" said Truie. "I shouldn't call
+her sentimental at all. She's only too horribly
+practical, in my opinion!"</p>
+
+<p>"You don't know her as I do! My dear!
+The things she's told me! The love affairs she's
+been through! I had the whole history of them.
+And she used to blush, and look most romantic.
+It was all I could do not to burst out laughing.
+You'd scream if I were to tell you! First there
+was a clergyman&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Here, stop!" interrupted Gowan, breaking
+abruptly into the conversation, and turning two
+blazing blue eyes on Laurette. "Anything Miss
+Herbert may have told you was certainly in confidence,
+and to go and blab it over the school
+seems to me the meanest, sneakiest trick I've ever
+heard of! You're an absolute blighter, Laurette!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm sure! What business is it of
+yours, Gowan Barbour, or of Carmel Ingleton's
+either? Cheek!"</p>
+
+<p>"It <em>is</em> our business!" flared Carmel, as indignant
+as Gowan. "It's horribly mean to make
+friends with any one, and hear all her secrets,
+and then go and make fun of them!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's playing it low!" added Gowan, determined
+to speak her mind for once. "And I hope<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>
+somebody will make fun of <em>you</em> some day just to
+serve you right! Some day <em>you'll</em> be <em>faded</em> and
+<em>pass&eacute;e</em>, and people will giggle and say you haven't
+'got off' in spite of all your efforts, and they wonder
+how old you really are, and they remember
+when you came out, and you can't be a chicken,
+and they don't like to see 'mutton dressed like
+lamb,' and all the rest of the kind pleasant things
+that people of your type find to say. <em>I</em> know!
+Well, I shan't be in the least sorry for you! It
+will be a judgment!"</p>
+
+<p>Laurette had made a desperate attempt to interrupt
+Gowan's flow of words, but she might as
+well have tried to stop the brook. When Gowan
+began, she never even paused for breath. Her
+wrath was like a whirlwind. Laurette's three
+chums had turned away as if rather ashamed,
+and began hastily to get out books and writing-materials.
+They pretended not to notice when
+Laurette looked at them for support.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you needn't think Truie and Hester and
+Muriel will back you up!" continued Gowan.
+"Unless they're as mean as you are. There!
+I've finished now, so you needn't butt in! You
+know exactly what I think of you. Come along,
+Carmel!"</p>
+
+<p>The two immediate results of this episode were
+a bitter feud between Laurette and Gowan, and a
+sympathetic interest in Miss Herbert by all the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>
+members of the Mafia. They felt that her confidence
+had been betrayed, and they would have
+liked somehow to make it up to her. They
+brought so many floral offerings to her bedroom
+that her vases were almost inconveniently
+crowded.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel, hearing that she was collecting post
+cards, sent home for some special ones of Sicily;
+Dulcie tendered chocolates; Lilias crocheted her
+a pincushion cover, and Bertha painted her a hair-tidy.
+She accepted their little kindnesses with
+mild astonishment, but not a hint of the real reason
+of their sudden advances flashed across her
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>"We mustn't let her suspect!" said Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"Rather not!" agreed Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>"Not for worlds!" said Gowan emphatically.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xii</span></h2>
+<h2>White Magic</h2>
+
+
+<p>October passed by with flaming crimson and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>
+gold on the trees, and orange and mauve toadstools
+among the moss of the woods, and squirrels
+scampering up the Scotch pines at the top of
+the garden, laying by their winter store of nuts;
+and flocks of migrating birds twittering in the
+fields, and hosts of glittering red hips and haws
+in the hedges, and shrouds of fairy gossamer over
+the blackberry bushes. It was Carmel's first autumn
+in England, and, though her artistic temperament
+revelled in the beauty of the tints, the
+falling leaves filled her with consternation.</p>
+
+<p>"It is so sad to see them all come down," she
+declared. "Why the trees will soon be quite
+bare! Nothing but branches left!"</p>
+
+<p>"What else do you expect?" asked Gowan.
+"They won't keep green all the winter."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose not. But in Sicily we have so many
+evergreens and shrubs that flower all the winter.
+The oranges and lemons begin to get ripe soon
+after Christmas, and we have agaves and prickly
+pears everywhere. I can't imagine a landscape
+without any leaves!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>"Wait till you see the snow! It's prime
+then!"</p>
+
+<p>"There's generally snow on Etna, but I haven't
+been up so high. It doesn't fall where we live."</p>
+
+<p>"Girl alive! Have you never made a snowball?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it's a treat in store for you. I sincerely
+hope we shall have a hard winter."</p>
+
+<p>"We ought to, by the number of berries in the
+hedges," put in Bertha. "It's an old saying that
+they foretell frost.</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"'Bushes red with hip and haw,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">Weeks of frost without a thaw.'</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>I don't know whether it always comes true,
+though."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a believer in superstitions," declared Gowan.
+"Scotch people generally are, I think.
+My great-grandmother used to have second sight.
+By the by; it's Hallowe'en on Friday! I vote we
+rummage up all the old charms we can, and try
+them. It would be ever such fun."</p>
+
+<p>"Topping! Only let us keep it to the Mafia,
+and not let the others know."</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Ra</em>ther! We don't want Laurette and Co.
+butting in."</p>
+
+<p>The remaining members of the Mafia, when
+consulted, received the idea with enthusiasm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>
+There is a vein of superstition at the bottom of
+the most practical among us, and all of them were
+well accustomed to practise such rites as throwing
+spilt salt over the left shoulder, curtseying to the
+new moon, and turning their money when they
+heard the cuckoo.</p>
+
+<p>"Not, of course, that it always follows," said
+Prissie. "On Easter holidays a bird used to
+come and tap constantly at our drawing-room
+window at home. It was always doing it. Of
+course that means 'a death in the family,' but we
+all kept absolutely hearty and well. Not even a
+third cousin once removed has died, and it's more
+than two years ago. Mother says it was probably
+catching insects on the glass. She laughs at
+omens!"</p>
+
+<p>"I always double my thumb inside my fist if I
+walk under a ladder," volunteered Noreen.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it <em>is</em> unlucky to go under a ladder,"
+declared Phillida. "You may get a pot of paint
+dropped on your head! I saw that happen once
+to a poor lady: it simply turned upside down on
+her, and deluged her hat and face and everything
+with dark green paint. She had to go into a
+shop to be wiped. It must have been awful for
+her, and for her clothes as well. I've never forgotten
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"What could we do on Hallowe'en?" asked
+Edith.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>"Well, we must try to think it out, and make
+some plans."</p>
+
+<p>From the recesses of their memories the girls
+raked up every superstition of which they had ever
+heard. These had to be divided into the possible
+and the impossible. There are limits of liberty
+in a girls' school, and it was manifestly infeasible,
+as well as very chilly, to attempt to stray out alone
+at the stroke of twelve, robed merely in a nightgown,
+and fetch three pails of water to place by
+one's bedside. Gowan's north country recipe for
+divination was equally impracticable&mdash;to go out
+at midnight, and "dip your smock in a south-running
+spring where the lairds' lands meet," then
+hang it to dry before the fire. They discussed it
+quite seriously, however, in all its various aspects.</p>
+
+<p>"To begin with, what exactly is a smock?"
+asked Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>Everybody had a hazy notion, but nobody was
+quite sure about it.</p>
+
+<p>"Usen't farm laborers to wear them once?"
+suggested Lilias.</p>
+
+<p>"But Shakespeare says,</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"'When shepherds pipe on oaten straws,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">When ring the woods with rooks and daws,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">And maidens bleach their summer smocks,'"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>objected Prissie.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>"Was it an upper or an under garment?"
+questioned Noreen.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure I don't know. I don't fancy we
+any of us possess 'smocks'!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then we certainly can't go and soak them in
+a spring!"</p>
+
+<p>"And there is no 'laird' here, and even if you
+count an ordinary owner of property as a 'laird,'
+you don't know where the boundaries are!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, that floors us completely!"</p>
+
+<p>An expedition to the cellar for apples would be
+an equally hopeless quest, for all the harvest of
+the orchard had been stored in the loft, and was
+under lock and key. Some minor experiments,
+however, might be tried with apple skins, so they
+determined to pocket their next dessert, and keep
+it till the magic hour of divination arrived. Hot
+chestnuts would be a distinct possibility, and a
+little coaxing at head-quarters would doubtless result
+in Jones the gardener bringing a bag full for
+them from Glazebrook.</p>
+
+<p>They felt quite excited when the fateful day
+arrived. Miss Walters had made no objection to
+an order for chestnuts, and had even allowed a
+modicum of toffee to be added to the list. She
+did not refer to the subject of Hallowe'en, for she
+had some years ago suppressed the custom of bobbing
+for apples, finding that the girls invariably<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>
+got their hair wet, and had colds in their heads
+in consequence.</p>
+
+<p>The members of the Mafia, well stocked therefore
+with the apples and chestnuts necessary for
+divination, remained in their schoolroom after
+evening preparation, so as to have a gay time all
+to themselves. To make matters more thrillsome
+they turned out the light, and sat in the
+flickering glow of the fire. Gowan, having the
+largest acquaintance with the occult, not to speak
+of having possessed a great-grandmother endowed
+with second sight, was universally acknowledged
+priestess of the ceremonies.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we begin with apples or chestnuts?" she
+asked seriously.</p>
+
+<p>As some said one thing and some another, she
+held a specimen of each behind her back, and
+commanded Carmel to choose right hand or left.
+The lot fell upon chestnuts, and these were placed
+neatly in pairs along the bars of the grate.</p>
+
+<p>"You name them after yourself and your
+sweetheart," explained Gowan. "If he pops
+first, he'll ask you to marry him."</p>
+
+<p>"And suppose the other pops first?" asked
+Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you won't marry him!"</p>
+
+<p>"Doesn't it mean that it may be Leap Year,
+and the girl will 'pop the question'?" asked
+Dulcie, still giggling.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>"No, it doesn't."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose they neither of them pop?" said
+Prissie.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a sign that neither cares, but it's not very
+likely to happen&mdash;they nearly always pop."</p>
+
+<p>"I pricked mine with my penknife, though."</p>
+
+<p>"The more goose you! Take them back and
+try two fresh ones."</p>
+
+<p>It is rather a delicate and finger-scorching process
+to balance chestnuts on the bars, and as a matter
+of fact Prissie's tumbled into the fire, and
+could not be rescued. The party was obliged to
+watch them burn. They helped her to place another
+in position, then sat round, keeping careful
+eyes on their particular representatives. It was
+forbidden to reveal names, so each kept the identity
+of her favored swain locked in her breast.
+It seemed a long time before those chestnuts were
+ready! Love's delays are notoriously hard to
+bear. Never were omens watched so anxiously.
+Slap! Bang! Pop! at last came from Carmel's
+particular corner, and fragments flew about
+indiscriminately on to hearth and fire.</p>
+
+<p>"It's 'him'!" cried Gowan ungrammatically.
+"He's done it most thoroughly too! Carmel,
+you'll be married the first of any of us! You'll
+ask us to the wedding, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>At that moment a chorus of pops came from
+the grate, causing much rejoicing or dismay from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+the various owners of the chestnuts, according to
+the fate meted out to them by the omens. On the
+whole Cupid was kind, though Lilias and Gowan
+were left in the lurch.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care!" said Gowan sturdily. "I've
+another in my mind, and perhaps I shall get him
+in the apple-peels."</p>
+
+<p>"And if you don't?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll meet somebody else later on."</p>
+
+<p>Having eaten more or less charred pieces of
+chestnut, the girls produced their apples, and once
+more set to work to try magic. The apple had to
+be peeled entirely in one long piece, which must
+then be slung backwards over the left shoulder on
+to the floor, where it would form the initial of the
+future lover. It was a matter for skilful manipulation
+of penknives, not at all easy to manage, so
+difficult in fact, that Noreen and Dulcie each made
+a slip, and chopped their precious pieces of peel
+in the middle, thus rendering them useless for purposes
+of divination. Lilias, who made the first
+essay, was completely puzzled by the result, which
+did not resemble any known letter in the alphabet,
+though Gowan, anxious to interpret the oracles,
+construed it into a W. Edith's long thin piece of
+peel made a plain C, a fact which seemed to cause
+her much satisfaction, though she would betray
+no names. Prissie broke her luck in half in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>
+very act of flinging it, but insisted that the two
+separate portions each formed an O.</p>
+
+<p>It was Carmel's turn next, and her rather
+broad piece of peel twisted itself into a most palpable
+E. She looked at it for a moment as if
+rather taken aback, then her face cleared.</p>
+
+<p>"There are quite a number of names that begin
+with E," she remarked enigmatically.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was all very well to sit in the sanctuary
+of their schoolroom trying such mild magic as
+divination through chestnuts and apple skins.
+Gowan's northern blood yearned after more subtle
+witchcraft.</p>
+
+<p>"I shan't be content till I've pulled a cabbage
+stalk!" she declared. "I don't see why we need
+wait till midnight! Hallowe'en is Hallowe'en as
+soon as it's dark, I should think. Who's game to
+fly up the kitchen-garden?"</p>
+
+<p>"What? Now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? We should only be gone a few
+minutes and Miss Hardy would never find out."</p>
+
+<p>"It really would be a frolicsome joke!"</p>
+
+<p>"There's a moon, too!"</p>
+
+<p>"I vote we risk it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Come along!"</p>
+
+<p>Nine giggling girls therefore stole cautiously
+downstairs, a little delayed by Prissie, who, with a
+most unusual concern for her health, insisted on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+fetching a wrap. They opened the side door,
+and peeped out into the night. It was quite fine,
+with a clear full moon, and clouds drifting high
+in the sky. The vegetable garden was so near
+that the ceremony could be very quickly performed.
+It was, of course, breaking rules to
+leave the house after dark, but not one of them
+could resist the temptation, so out they sped to
+the cabbage patch.</p>
+
+<p>Now when Prissie ran to her bedroom, ostensibly
+to get a wrap, she had really gone with
+quite other intentions. She had certainly put on
+a long dark coat and a soft felt hat, but the whole
+gist of the matter lay in something that she slipped
+into her pocket. It was a black mustache that
+she had brought to school for use in theatricals,
+and lay handy in her top drawer. She had hastily
+smeared the under side of it with soap, so that
+it would adhere to her lip, and once out in the
+garden, she fell behind the others and fixed it in
+position. Then she made a <em>d&eacute;tour</em> behind some
+bushes, so as to conceal herself from the party.</p>
+
+<p>Presently, under the bright moon and scudding
+clouds, eight much-thrilled girls were hurriedly
+pulling away at cabbage stalks, and estimating, by
+the amount of earth that came up with them,
+the wealth of their future husbands. The general
+surroundings and the associations of the evening
+were sufficient to send shivers down their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
+spines. Gowan, looking up suddenly, saw standing
+among the bushes a dark figure with a heavy
+black mustache, and she caught her breath with a
+gasp, and clutched at Carmel's arm. For an instant
+eight horrified faces stared at the apparition,
+then Dulcie made a dive in its direction, and
+dragged forth Prissie.</p>
+
+<p>"You wretch!"</p>
+
+<p>"What a mean trick to play!"</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't take <em>me</em> in!"</p>
+
+<p>"It was very clever, though!"</p>
+
+<p>"You really looked just like a spook!"</p>
+
+<p>"Take it off now!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, <em>no</em>!" said Prissie. "Leave me alone!
+I haven't finished. Hush! I believe somebody
+else is coming to try the ordeal. Slip behind that
+cucumber-frame and hide, and let us see who it is.
+Quick! You'll be caught!"</p>
+
+<p>The girls made a swift, but silent, dash for the
+shadow of the cucumber-frame, and concealed
+themselves only just in time. They were barely
+hidden when footsteps resounded on the gravel,
+and a figure advanced from the direction of the
+house. It came alone, and it carried something
+in its hand. In the clear beams of the moonlight,
+the Mafia had no difficulty in recognizing
+Laurette, and could see that what she bore was
+her bedroom mirror. They chuckled inwardly.
+Most evidently she had sallied forth to try the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>
+white magic of Hallowe'en, and to make the spell
+work more securely had come alone to consult
+the cabbage oracle.</p>
+
+<p>First she placed her mirror on the ground,
+and tilted its swing glass to a convenient angle
+at which to catch reflections. Then she pulled
+hard at a stalk, looked with apparent satisfaction
+at the decidedly thick lumps of earth that adhered
+(which, if the magic were to be trusted, must
+represent a considerable fortune); then, clasping
+her cabbage in her hand, knelt down in front of
+the looking-glass, and began to mutter something
+to herself in a low voice. Her back was towards
+the cucumber-frame and the bushes, and her eyes
+were fixed on her mirror.</p>
+
+<p>Prissie, looking on, realized that it was the
+chance of a lifetime. She stole on tiptoe from
+her retreat, and peeped over Laurette's shoulder
+so that her reflection should be displayed in the
+glass. Laurette, seeing suddenly a most unexpected
+vision of a dark mustache, literally yelled
+with fright, sprang up, and turned round to face
+her "spook," then with a further blood-curdling
+scream, dashed down the garden towards the
+house. The Mafia, rising from the shadow of
+the cucumber-frame, laughed long, though with
+caution.</p>
+
+<p>"What an absolutely topping joke!" whispered
+Dulcie.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter imgborder" style="width: 382px;">
+<img src="images/laurette.jpg" width="382" height="600" alt="She peeped over Laurette&#39;s shoulder" title="" />
+<p class="caption">she peeped over laurette&#39;s shoulder</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>"And on Laurette, of all people in this wide<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+world!" rejoiced Bertha.</p>
+
+<p>"Congrats., Prissie!"</p>
+
+<p>"You <em>did</em> play up no end!"</p>
+
+<p>"I flatter myself I made her squeal and run!"
+smirked Prissie. "It just serves her right! I
+was longing for a chance to get even with her!"</p>
+
+<p>"What about the looking-glass?" asked Carmel.
+"Won't some of them be coming out to
+fetch it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course they will! We must take it
+in at once. Let us scoot round the other way,
+and go in by the back door before Laurette and
+Co. catch us!"</p>
+
+<p>Prissie seized the mirror, and the nine girls fled
+by another path to the door near the kitchen,
+where by great good luck they avoided meeting
+any of the servants, and were able to bolt upstairs
+unseen. The Gold bedroom was empty&mdash;no
+doubt its occupants were shivering at the side
+door&mdash;so they were able to restore the looking-glass
+to its place on the dressing-table as a surprise
+for Laurette when she returned. Whether she
+suspected them or not, it was impossible to tell,
+for she kept her own counsel, and, though next
+day they referred casually to Hallowe'en observances,
+she only glanced at them with half-closed
+eyelids, and remarked that <em>she</em> was quite above
+such silly superstitions.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>"Which is more than a fiblet, and about the
+biggest whopper that Miss Laurette Aitken has
+ever told in her life!" declared Prissie, still chuckling
+gleefully at the remembrance of the startled
+figure fleeing down the garden.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xiii</span></h2>
+<h2>The Money-makers</h2>
+
+
+<p>"All Saints'" brought a brief spell of golden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>
+weather, a snatch of Indian summer, as if Persephone,
+loth to go down into the Underworld, had
+managed to steal a few days' extra leave from
+Pluto, and had remained to scatter some last
+flowers on earth before her long banishment from
+the sunshine. Under the sheltered brick wall in
+the kitchen-garden Czar violets were blooming,
+sweet and fragrant as those of spring; the rose
+trees had burst out into a second crop, and the
+chrysanthemums were such a special show that
+Miss Walters almost shook hands with Jones the
+gardener over them. Little wild flowers blossomed
+on in quiet nooks at the edge of the shrubbery,
+and butterflies, brought out by the bright
+days, made a last flutter in the sunshine. The
+leaves, which Carmel had grieved so much to see
+fall, lay crisp and golden on the ground, but the
+bare boughs of the trees, somewhat to her surprise,
+held a beauty of form and tint quite their
+own.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>"They are all sorts of lovely soft delicate
+colors," she remarked. "Quite different from
+trees in Sicily. I think it must be the damp in
+the air here that does it; everything seems seen
+through a blue haze&mdash;a kind of fairy glamour
+that makes them different from what they are!"</p>
+
+<p>"Wait till you see them on a sousing wet December
+morning!" declared Gowan. "You
+won't find much romance about them then!"</p>
+
+<p>"But in the meantime we'll enjoy them!" said
+Miss Walters, who happened to overhear.
+"Who votes for a walk this afternoon? Anybody
+who prefers to stop at home and write
+French translation may do so!"</p>
+
+<p>The girls grinned. Miss Walters did not often
+give them an unexpected holiday, so such treats
+were appreciated when they came. Twenty-one
+enthusiasts donned strong boots, jerseys, and
+tam-o'-shanters, and started forth for a ramble
+on the hill-side. They had climbed through the
+wood, and were walking along the upper road
+that led to the hamlet of Five Stone Bridge, when
+they came face to face with a very curious little
+cavalcade. Two large soap boxes, knocked together,
+had been placed on old perambulator
+wheels, and in this roughly fashioned chariot, on a
+bundle of straw and an old shawl, reclined a little,
+thin, white-faced girl. One sturdy boy of ten was
+pushing the queer conveyance, while a younger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>
+pulled it by a piece of rope, and the small occupant,
+her lap full of flowers, smiled as proudly as
+a queen on coronation day. Against the background
+of green hedgerow and red village roofs,
+the happy children made a charming picture; they
+had not noticed the approach of the school, and
+were laughing together in absolute unconsciousness.
+The sight of them at that particular moment
+was one of those brief glimpses into the
+heart of other folks' lives that only come to us on
+chance occasions, when by some accident we peep
+over the wall of human reserve into the inner
+circle of thought and feeling. Almost with one
+accord the girls stopped and smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I'd brought my camera!" murmured
+Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"They're too sweet for words!" agreed
+Prissie.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Walters spoke to the children, asked their
+names, and ascertained that the little girl had been
+ill for a long time, and could not walk. They
+were shy, however, and all the spontaneous gladness
+that had made the first snapshot view of
+them so charming faded away in the presence of
+strangers. They accepted some pieces of chocolate,
+and remained by the hedge bank staring with
+solemn eyes as the line of the school filed away.
+The chance meeting was no doubt an event on
+both sides: the children would tell their mother<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>
+about the ladies who had spoken to them, and the
+girls, on their part, could not forget the pretty
+episode. They urged Miss Walters to make
+some inquiries about the family, and found that
+little Phyllis was suffering from hip disease, and
+had been for a short time in the local hospital.
+Then an idea sprang up amongst the girls. It
+was impossible to say quite where it originated,
+for at least five girls claimed the honor of it,
+but it was neither more nor less than that Chilcombe
+School should raise a subscription and buy
+an adequate carriage for the small invalid.</p>
+
+<p>"That terrible box must shake her to pieces,
+poor kid!"</p>
+
+<p>"It had no springs!"</p>
+
+<p>"She looked so sweet!"</p>
+
+<p>"But as white as a daisy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't she be proud of a real, proper carriage?"</p>
+
+<p>"Can't we write off and order one at once?"</p>
+
+<p>"What would it cost?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let's get up a concert or something for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! That would be ever such sport!"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Walters, on being appealed to, was cautious&mdash;caution
+was one of her strong characteristics&mdash;and
+would not commit herself to any reply
+until she had consulted the doctor who attended
+the child, the clergyman of the parish, and the
+local schoolmaster. Armed with this accumulated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>
+information, she visited the mother, then gave a
+report of her interview.</p>
+
+<p>"They're not well off, but we mustn't on any
+account pauperize them," was her verdict. "Dr.
+Cranley says an invalid carriage would be a great
+boon to the child, but suggests that the parents
+should pay half the expense. They would value
+it far more if they did so, than if it were entirely
+a gift. He knows of a second-hand wicker carriage
+that could be had cheap. It belongs to
+another patient of his, and he saw it at their house
+only the other day. If you girls can manage to
+raise about &pound;2, 10<em>s.</em>, the parents would do the rest.
+He was mentioning the subject of a carriage to
+them a short time ago, and they said they could
+afford something, but not the full price. He
+thinks this would settle the matter to everybody's
+satisfaction."</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Cranley's proposal suited the girls, for
+&pound;2, 10<em>s.</em> was a sum that seemed quite feasible to
+collect among themselves. They determined,
+however, to get as much fun out of the business
+as possible.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let's have a horrid subscription list!"
+urged Lilias. "It's so unutterably dull just to
+put down your name for half a crown. I hoped
+we were going to give a concert."</p>
+
+<p>"What I vote," said Gowan, "is that each
+bedroom should have a show of its own, ask the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>
+others to come as audience, charge admission,
+and wangle the cash that way."</p>
+
+<p>"There'd be some sport in that!" agreed
+Lilias.</p>
+
+<p>"It's great!" declared Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"You bet it will catch on!" purred Prissie.</p>
+
+<p>Gowan's scheme undoubtedly caught on. It
+was so attractive that there was no resisting it.
+Even the occupants of the Gold bedroom, who as
+a rule were not too ready to receive suggestions
+from the Blue Grotto, could not find a single
+fault, and plumped solidly for a dramatic performance.
+Each dormitory was to give any entertainment
+it chose, and while the Brown room
+decided on Nigger Minstrels, and the Green room
+on a general variety program, the Blue, Gold and
+Rose were keen on acting. Miss Walters, who,
+of course, had to be consulted, not only gave a
+smiling permission, but seemed on the very verge
+of suggesting a personal attendance, then, noticing
+the look of polite agony which swept over the
+faces of the deputation, kindly backed out from
+such an evidently embarrassing proposal, and declared
+that she and the mistresses would be too
+busy to come, and must leave the girls to manage
+by themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Gowan, when
+they were safely out of earshot of the study door.
+"I never dreamt of such an awful thing as Miss<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span>
+Walters offering to turn up! Why, we couldn't
+have had any fun at all!"</p>
+
+<p>"We'd have had to act Shakespeare, or something
+stilted out of a book!" shuddered Edith.</p>
+
+<p>"I should simply shut up if any of the mistresses
+were looking on," protested Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"And I should shut down, and crawl under a
+bed, I think," laughed Noreen. "I say, I hope
+Miss Walters wasn't offended. We certainly
+looked very blank when she began asking us the
+price of 'stalls.' I suppose it wasn't exactly
+what you'd call polite!"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it wasn't, but it can't be helped,"
+groaned Gowan. "It would wreck everything to
+have an audience of mistresses. I feel we've
+escaped a great danger. We must warn the
+others not to be too encouraging, or give the
+mistresses any loophole of an excuse to butt in.
+This particular show is to be private and confidential."</p>
+
+<p>It was decided to hold each performance on a
+separate day, during the evening recreation time.</p>
+
+<p>"<em>Matin&eacute;es</em> are no good!" decreed Prissie.
+"Everybody feels perfectly cold in the afternoon.
+It's impossible to get up any proper enthusiasm
+until the lamps are lighted."</p>
+
+<p>"I feel a perfect stick at 4 <span class="smcap">p.&nbsp;m.</span>," admitted
+Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>"What will you feel later on?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>"A sort of combination of Mary Pickford and
+Charlie Chaplin thrown together, I hope!"
+twinkled Carmel. "It depends whether you put
+me on a comic turn or a romantic scene."</p>
+
+<p>"I vote we have a little bit of both," said
+Gowan. "We'll harrow their feelings first, and
+end in comedy."</p>
+
+<p>The five bedrooms drew lots for the order of
+their performances, and the honor of "first
+night" fell to the Blue Grotto. Its occupants
+(including Carmel, whose dressing-room was considered
+an annex) held a rejoicing committee to
+plan out their play. Squatting on Gowan's bed,
+they each contributed portions of the plot.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we write it out and learn our parts?"
+asked Lilias.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not. It would quite spoil it if you
+were just reeling off speeches by heart, with one
+ear open to the prompter. I know you! I shall
+never forget Lilias when we did 'The Vanity
+Bag.' She said her bits as if she were repeating
+a lesson, and Bertha&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Are we to say anything we like, then?" interrupted
+Carmel, for Gowan's reminiscences were
+becoming rather too personal for purposes of harmony.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll map the whole thing out beforehand,
+of course, but you must just say what comes into
+your head at the moment. It will be ever so much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>
+fresher and funnier. All you've got to do is to
+get into the right spirit and play up!"</p>
+
+<p>"All serene! As long as no mistresses are sitting
+looking on, I don't mind."</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Grotto, being the first on the list of
+performances, was determined to do the thing in
+style. Bertha and Carmel between them evolved
+a poster. It was painted in sepia on the back of
+one of Dulcie's school drawings, sacrificed for the
+purpose. It represented the profile of a rather
+pert looking young person with a tip-tilted nose
+and an eye several sizes larger than was consistent
+with the usual anatomy of the human
+countenance. Lower down, in somewhat shaky
+lettering, was set forth the following announcement:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter imgborder" style="width: 371px;">
+<img src="images/drama.jpg" width="371" height="600" alt="Come to the blue Grotto!" title="" /></div>
+
+<div style="width: 520px; margin: auto;">
+<p style="text-align: center;">GRAND DRAMA<br />
+
+"THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE"<br />
+
+&middot;FEATURING&middot;</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: left;">THE SISTERS INGLETON..........The Cheverley Favourites<br />
+
+SIGNORINA CARMEL LESLIE....The famous Sicilian Comedienne<br />
+
+MISS GOWAN BARBOUR..............The Daisy of Chilcombe<br />
+
+MISS BERTHA CHESTERS...................(Our Bert)</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">Have half an hour of Fun and Pathos<br />
+It will do you good to laugh and cry<br />
+
+SILVER COLLECTION</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>This they placed temporarily in the passage,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>
+but when the girls had giggled over it sufficiently
+they removed it, for fear its attractions might
+tempt some of the mistresses into asking permission
+to attend, a fatality which must at all costs
+be avoided.</p>
+
+<p>The performers spent a hectic day making arrangements.
+The time allowed in their dormitory
+was necessarily limited, so preparations were
+a scramble. The four beds were moved and
+placed as seats, and one corner of the room was reserved
+as the stage. Carmel's dressing-room
+made an excellent "green room," and gave the
+Blue Grotto a substantial theatrical lift over other
+dormitories.</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes before the hour, five distracted
+actresses were struggling to complete their impromptu
+toilets.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so rocky, I know I shan't be able to say
+anything at all!" fluttered Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! Pull yourself together, child!"
+urged Gowan. "Get some stiffening into you,
+can't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to have umpteen dozen fits!"</p>
+
+<p>"You've got to reckon with me if you spoil the
+play, so there! Don't be a silly cockchafer!"</p>
+
+<p>"Are we downhearted?" twittered Bertha.</p>
+
+<p>"No!" answered a stalwart chorus of three,
+hauling up Dulcie, who was sitting on a chair
+shivering in the agonies of an acute attack of stage
+fright.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the audience was trooping in, and
+seating itself upon the beds, and by frantic clapping
+clamored for the entertainment to begin.
+Gowan opened the show, and took the stage in
+the character of Miss Monica Morton, an elderly
+spinster. Her make-up was very good, considering
+the limited resources of the company. Some
+cotton wool did service for white hair neatly arranged
+under a boudoir cap; her dress (borrowed
+from Noreen, who was a head taller than Gowan)
+fell to her ankles; she wore spectacles, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>
+wrinkles had been carefully painted across her
+forehead. Bertha, a forward chit of a maidservant
+(servants on the stage invariably assume a
+cheekiness of manner that would never be tolerated
+by any employer in private life), bounced in
+and handed her a letter, and stood making grimaces
+to the audience while her mistress&mdash;very
+foolishly&mdash;read its contents aloud. It ran thus:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p style="text-align: right;">
+"<span class="smcap">11 Park Lane</span>,<br />
+"<span class="smcap">Mayfair</span>.</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Dearest Monica</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"We are sending Dorothea down to you by the
+first train in the morning, and we beg you will keep
+a strict eye on her. An individual named Montague
+Ponsonby has been paying her great attentions,
+and we wish to break off the attachment.
+He is well born, but absolutely penniless, and as
+Dorothea will some day be an heiress, we do not
+wish her to throw herself away upon him. Please
+do your best to prevent any such folly.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 6em;">"Your affectionate sister,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 8em;">"</span><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Strong.</span>"</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Miss Morton, on grasping the drift of this
+epistle, exhibited symptoms of distress. She flung
+out her arms in a dramatic attitude, and confided
+to the audience her disinclination to take over
+the unwelcome task of becoming duenna to her
+niece. There was no other course open to her,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>
+apparently; the idea of sending the girl home by
+the next train, or of hastily packing her own box
+and departing somewhere on urgent business did
+not seem to occur to her. She grumbled, but
+accepted the responsibility, and Jemima, the pert
+maidservant, made faces behind her back, till summoned
+by a violent knocking, when she flew to
+the door and admitted Dorothea, with bag and
+baggage.</p>
+
+<p>Lilias, as the fashionable niece, was "got up
+regardless." Her hair was done in a Grecian
+knot, a veil was twisted round her picture hat, and
+she sailed into the room with the assurance of a
+Society beauty.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Monica, suppressing the letter of warning,
+gave the customary greetings, then&mdash;with
+the imprudence characteristic of a stage aunt&mdash;announced
+her intention of going out to do shopping
+while her niece unpacked her possessions.</p>
+
+<p>Instead of doing anything so sensible as to unpack,
+Dorothea sank into a chair, and in an attitude
+of great languor and despair confided her
+love affairs to the sympathetic and interested servant,
+who swore fealty and offered all possible assistance.
+Her kind intentions were put at once to
+the test, for immediately another violent knocking
+was heard, she flung open the door, and after a
+whispered colloquy announced "Mr. Montague
+Ponsonby."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>The entrance of Carmel, as hero of the drama,
+created quite a sensation. Materials for masculine
+attire were scanty at Chilcombe Hall, and, as
+the girls felt rather mean for not having invited
+the mistresses to their performance, they had
+not dared to ask for the loan of any theatrical
+properties, and had been obliged to concoct costumes
+from anything that came to hand. Carmel
+had put her feet through the sleeves of her brown
+knitted jumper, and drawn it up so that the cuffs
+fitted just below her knees, and made a really
+striking resemblance to a pair of gentleman's
+sporting breeches. A coat covered any deficiencies
+at the waist, a paper collar and a scarlet
+tie encircled her throat, india-rubber waders did
+service for top-boots, her hair was tucked under a
+felt hat (with the trimming wrenched off), and
+last, but not least, her lip was adorned with the
+black mustache which Prissie had used on Hallowe'en.
+She looked such a magnificent and
+sporting object, that it was no wonder the fashionable
+Dorothea fell into her arms.</p>
+
+<p>It is perhaps unusual for a gentleman to conduct
+his love-making with his hat on, but the audience
+was not "viper-critical" and allowed some
+latitude to Mr. Montague Ponsonby. They admired
+the ardor with which he pressed his suit,
+the fervor of his protestations of fidelity, the
+dramatic roll of his dark eyes, and the tender tone<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
+of his voice. His entrance was considered a very
+brisk bit of acting, and when he paused for breath,
+in a graceful stage attitude, sixteen pairs of hands
+gave a hearty clap.</p>
+
+<p>The lovers, possibly a little sated with the
+ecstacies of their affection, turned to the sordid
+details of life, and sitting hand in hand upon the
+sofa (improvised out of four bedroom chairs and
+an eiderdown) planned an immediate elopement.
+They had decided to hire a car and make for
+Scotland, and were discussing which hotel to stay
+at, and what they should order for dinner, when
+the inevitable happened. The pert maidservant
+rushed in, and in a voice squeaky with tragedy,
+warned them of the immediate approach of Miss
+Monica Morton.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, they ought to have expected it. Nobody
+except two utter idiots would have sat philandering
+upon the sofa in what might be termed
+"the lion's den," knowing that "the lion" might
+at any moment walk in with her shopping-basket
+and catch them. The surprise and horror depicted
+on their countenances would have commanded
+a good salary at a cinema studio. Mr.
+Montague Ponsonby was for bluffing it, but
+Dorothea's astute female brains seized a readier
+way out of the situation. She laid her lover flat
+upon the sofa, and covered him hastily with her
+traveling rug, then, opening her suitcase, flung<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>
+its contents on the floor, and knelt down in the
+midst of a muddle of shoes, nightdresses, and
+other paraphernalia.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Monica exhibited a natural amazement at
+finding her niece conducting her unpacking in the
+sitting-room, instead of upstairs, but accepted her
+explanations with wonderful indulgence. She professed
+herself tired with shopping, and moved towards
+the sofa to rest.</p>
+
+<p>Dorothea, with sudden solicitude, sprang up to
+offer her a chair, and made every human effort to
+lead her away from the couch. She was a persistent,
+not to say obstinate, old lady, however,
+and she meant to have her own way in her own
+house. Waving her niece aside, and proclaiming
+her weariness, she sank down heavily upon the
+sofa. The result was tragic, for a stifled groan
+resounded through the room, and the top-boots
+of the luckless Montague Ponsonby kicked wildly
+in the air. Miss Morton, naturally alarmed, and
+instantly jumping to the conclusion that he was a
+burglar, screamed loudly for assistance, and a
+passing policeman hastened to her call.</p>
+
+<p>It is wonderful how efficient and handy the
+police always are on the stage. They are invariably
+at the right place at the right moment, and
+always step in just in time to stop a murder, prevent
+an explosion, or rescue the heroine. Dulcie,
+who in a long blue coat, with a paper helmet and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>
+a strap under her chin, represented the majesty of
+the law, hauled the squirming Montague from the
+couch, and secured his wrists tightly with a piece
+of clothes line supplied by the pert servant, who
+ought to have been ashamed of herself for going
+back on her promise to help the lovers, but probably
+felt a deeper obligation to the policeman,
+who was, no doubt, her sweetheart, which accounted
+for his very convenient presence on the
+doorstep.</p>
+
+<p>"I arrest you in the King's name!" declared
+that officer, when the clothes line was sufficiently
+knotted, and Montague had ceased struggling.
+"You will be brought up on trial before the court,
+and charged with house-breaking and resisting the
+police."</p>
+
+<p>It was only then that the wretched man began
+to protest his innocence, and that Dorothea, falling
+on her knees, explained his name, errand, and
+intentions, and entreated her aunt to overlook the
+matter.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Morton wavered visibly. It was evident
+that her natural kindness of heart gave her a bias
+towards the lovers&mdash;she had, perhaps, been
+through an affair of the same sort herself in her
+youth&mdash;yet on the other hand her duty to her
+sister urged her to take stern measures. She drew
+the letter from her pocket with the seeming intention
+of strengthening her resolution against the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>
+hopes of Montague, and was shaking her head
+sadly over it, when the obstreperous servant,
+who had rushed for no apparent reason, except
+habit, to the door, bounded back, waving a yellow
+envelope. A well-trained maid usually presents
+a telegram upon a tray, but Miss Morton must
+have been accustomed to Jemima's rough ways,
+or was too agitated to rebuke her; she tore open
+the missive, glanced at its contents, and with a
+scream of joy sank fainting into her domestic's
+faithful arms.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, somebody had to read the telegram
+aloud. The policeman seemed to think it was his
+business. He picked it up, and proclaimed it in
+the manner of a town crier. It was short, but
+much to the point.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">
+"Please encourage Montague Ponsonby.<br />
+Uncle has died and left him vast fortune.<br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">"</span><span class="smcap">Elizabeth.</span>"<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Everybody recovered at the good news. Miss
+Morton rose from the arms of Jemima, apologized
+to Mr. Ponsonby for having mistaken him
+for a burglar, and invited him to stay to lunch.
+He begged her not to mention the matter, and as
+soon as his wrists had been released by the policeman,
+he shook hands cordially with his prospective
+aunt, and made a pretty speech expressing his
+desire to become a member of the family.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>This was undoubtedly the moment for the curtain
+to descend, but as that most useful of stage
+adjuncts was conspicuous by its absence, the actors
+lined up instead, and made their parting bows
+with much &eacute;clat, Dorothea leaning elegantly upon
+her lover's shoulder, Aunt Monica holding aloft
+the telegram, the policeman saluting, and the
+maidservant blowing kisses.</p>
+
+<p>The applause was so thunderous that the performers
+were obliged to beg the audience to use
+self-restraint and limit the noise, for fear one of
+the mistresses should feel in duty bound to pay a
+surprise visit, and be scandalized at the costumes.
+Moreover, a clanging bell warned them that the
+recreation hour was over, so there was a hasty
+exit and a quick change into normal garments.
+Miss Hardy was kind that evening, and turned a
+blind eye to deficiencies of order. She was seen
+surreptitiously reading the program, and it was
+the general opinion in the dormitory that she and
+the other mistresses were much disappointed at
+having been excluded from the entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>"It did seem rather mean not to ask them,"
+said Gowan, self-reproachfully, "though they'd
+have spoilt the whole show. I vote we give
+another some time&mdash;a prunes and prism affair
+without any lovers in it&mdash;and let them all come."</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are! But it will be a tame business
+after this!" agreed Bertha.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xiv</span></h2>
+<h2>All in a Mist</h2>
+
+
+<p>The Blue Grotto entertainment was very successfully<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>
+emulated by the occupants of the Gold,
+Green, Rose, and Brown bedrooms, and quite a
+sufficient sum of money was raised in the various
+collections to pay half the expense of the little
+wicker carriage for the invalid child. The
+school took a special walk one day to Five Stone
+Bridge, to see her take an airing in her new
+chariot, and though they agreed that it did not
+look nearly so picturesque as the wooden box, it
+was undoubtedly far more comfortable, and more
+suitable for one suffering from her complaint.
+She smiled shyly at the long line of girls, whispered
+a bashful "Thank you" for the chocolates
+they gave her, and appeared scared to the verge
+of tears when they spoke to her.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't blame her, poor kid!" said Gowan,
+as the school marched on, slightly disappointed.
+"I shouldn't like to be made a show of myself,
+and be stared at by everybody. She looked as if
+she wished us far enough. Never mind! She'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>
+eat the chocs. and enjoy herself now we've gone.
+She's rather a sweet little morsel, isn't she, after
+all?"</p>
+
+<p>Christmas was drawing near, and the school
+turned from schemes of general philanthropy to
+the more pressing business of making presents for
+immediate relatives and friends. Various pieces
+of sewing, which had languished all the term,
+were taken out and worked at feverishly; there
+was quite an epidemic of needlecraft, and a wet
+day was almost welcomed as affording an opportunity
+for getting on with the gifts. Everybody
+seemed suddenly in need of embroidery silks,
+transfers, beads, wools, crochet needles, and other
+such articles, and a special deputation waited on
+Miss Walters asking permission to go a shopping
+expedition to Glazebrook to purchase these indispensables.
+Miss Walters, who always had an eye
+to school discipline, made the matter a question
+of marks, and granted the privilege only to those
+whose exercise books showed a certain standard
+of proficiency. Hester, Ida, Noreen, Joyce,
+Bertha, Carmel, and Doris were the only ones
+who reached the required totals, so under charge
+of Miss Herbert they were sent off one afternoon
+to the town, armed with a long list of commissions
+from the luckless ones who remained behind.</p>
+
+<p>Chilcombe Hall was four and a half miles from
+Glazebrook, and there was no motor omnibus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
+service. It was arranged, therefore, for the party
+to walk on the outward journey, and to return
+with all their parcels in a couple of taxicabs.
+They started after an extremely early lunch, in
+order to do the important business of matching
+embroidery silks by daylight. It had been quite a
+fine sunny morning, but clouded over at noon, and
+although no rain fell the sky was gray and cheerless.</p>
+
+<p>The girls did not much mind the condition of
+the weather so long as they could see to make their
+purchases. They spent a considerable time in
+the principal fancy-work shop of the town, and
+tried the patience of the assistants by demanding
+articles that were quite unobtainable. A visit to a
+stationer's and a confectioner's almost completed
+their list of requirements, and only a few extras
+remained to be bought. Some of the party were
+standing in the entrance of a big general store,
+waiting while Miss Herbert executed commissions
+for Miss Walters, when Joyce was suddenly
+greeted by a friend, a lady who was just about to
+step into her motor.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Joyce!" she exclaimed. "Have you
+been shopping here? So have I&mdash;look at my
+pile of parcels! Have you finished? Are you
+going straight back to school? I shall pass Chilcombe
+on my way home, and can take you in the
+car if you like, and some of your schoolfellows<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>
+too. There's room for four if you don't mind
+squeezing!"</p>
+
+<p>It seemed much too good an offer to be refused.
+Joyce suggested, indeed, that she ought to consult
+Miss Herbert, who was in an upper department
+of the shop, but Mrs. Baldwin declared she could
+not wait.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see that Miss Herbert can mind.
+We're quite ready to go, and it will save one
+taxi," urged Bertha.</p>
+
+<p>So it was hastily decided for Joyce, Bertha,
+Doris, and Carmel to go in the car, and Noreen
+ran upstairs to tell Miss Herbert of the arrangement.
+The latter, with Hester and Ida, was
+choosing lamp-shades and fancy candlesticks. It
+was only when Noreen had gone that Carmel remembered
+suddenly that she had never bought the
+packet of chocolates which she had promised to
+bring back for Dulcie. She stopped with her foot
+on the step of the car, and excused herself.</p>
+
+<p>"There's something I still have to do!" she
+explained. "I must come back in the taxi with
+the others after all! I'm so sorry!"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Baldwin had an appointment at home, and
+was impatient to start, so the door was slammed
+on Joyce, Bertha, and Doris, and they drove away
+all smiles, and waving a good-by through the
+window. There was a sweets department close
+at hand in the Stores, and Carmel bought a present<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>
+of chocolate for Dulcie and of butterscotch
+for Lilias, then went upstairs to the lamp-shade
+counter to rejoin Miss Herbert and the other
+girls. To her surprise she found they had gone.
+She searched for them all round the upper story
+of the shop, but did not see them anywhere. She
+had kept a watchful eye on the stairs when buying
+the sweets, and was quite sure that they had not
+passed down while she was there. She returned
+to the lamp-shade counter and questioned the assistant,
+who told her that she had noticed the lady
+and the three girls in school hats walk down
+another staircase which led to a side door of the
+stores. In much alarm, Carmel hurried that way
+into the street, but not a trace of them was to be
+seen. She walked as far as the railway station,
+hoping to catch them there engaging a taxi, but
+not a solitary conveyance of any description was
+on the stand. She was indeed in a fix. She saw
+clearly that, of course, they all supposed she had
+gone with Mrs. Baldwin in the car, and by this
+time they were probably on the road to Chilcombe
+without her. It was nobody's fault but her own.</p>
+
+<p>The feeling that she had only herself to blame
+did not make the situation any less unpleasant.
+She was four and a half miles away from school,
+and unless she could secure a taxi, she would be
+obliged to walk back. She inquired from a
+porter, but he shook his head, and said it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>
+unlikely there would be any cabs at the station till
+the express came in at six o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel thanked him, and turned away with her
+eyes full of tears. Owing to her Sicilian education
+she was not accustomed to going about by
+herself. England was still more or less of a
+strange country to her, and she did not know the
+ways of the land. Lilias, in her place, would have
+gone to the principal hotel, explained who she was,
+and asked the manager to find some sort of carriage
+to convey her back to school. Such a course
+never occurred to Carmel, however; instead, she
+tied her numerous parcels together, blinked back
+her tears, set her teeth, and started forth to walk.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, there was no mistaking the high
+road, and it was still comparatively early. If she
+put her best foot foremost she might reasonably
+expect to reach Chilcombe before dark. She had
+soon left the houses of Glazebrook behind, and
+was passing between hedges and fields. For the
+first mile and a half all went well; she was a little
+tired, but rather pleased with her own pluck. According
+to Sicilian customs, which are almost eastern
+in their guardianship of signorinas, it was an
+unheard-of thing for a young lady in her position
+to take a country walk without an escort. The
+remembrance of the beggars and footpads that
+lurked about Sicilian roads gave her uneasy
+twinges, and though she had been told of the comparative<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>
+safety of British highways, her heart beat
+considerably when she passed anybody, and she
+scurried along in a flutter lest some ill-intentioned
+person should stop and speak to her. The
+farther she went from the town the fewer people
+were on the road, and for quite half a mile she
+had met nobody at all. She had been going
+steadily down a steep hill, and at the bottom she
+stepped suddenly into a great belt of fog that
+lay like a white wall in front of her. It was as
+if she had passed into a country of dreams. She
+could scarcely see the hedges, and all round was
+a dense mass of mist, clammy and cold and difficult
+to breathe. It was silent, too, for no sound
+seemed to travel through it, not a bird twittered,
+and no animal stirred in the fields. Carmel felt
+as utterly alone as if she were on the surface of
+the moon. All the familiar objects of the landscape
+were blotted out. It was still light, but this
+white thick mist was worse than darkness. She
+stamped along for the sake of hearing her own
+footsteps. She wished she had a dog with her.
+She kept to the left-hand side of the road, and followed
+the hedge, hoping that the fog was only in
+the valley, and that she would soon pass out of it.
+On and on it stretched, however, till she must
+have been walking through it for quite twenty
+minutes. Then she began to grow uneasy.
+There was a border of grass under the hedge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>
+bank wider than she remembered noticing on the
+road, and the suspicion assailed her that all unknowingly
+she must have turned down a side lane
+and have lost her way.</p>
+
+<p>She went forward now with doubting footsteps.
+Where was the path leading her? If she could
+only find some cottage, she could inquire. But
+there was no human habitation, nothing but the
+endless hedges and an occasional gate into a field.
+What was that in front of her? She stopped,
+and drew back with a cry of fear. Across her
+track gleamed water. She had almost stepped
+into it. Whether it was stream, pond, or river
+the thick mist did not reveal, but it certainly
+barred her footpath. She shivered, and turning
+round, walked back in the direction from which
+she had come, hoping to regain the high road.</p>
+
+<p>Then a wonderful atmospheric effect was displayed.
+A breeze sprang up and blew aside some
+of the fog, and the rising moon shone down on a
+land of white shadows. It was impossible to tell
+what was real and what was unreal. On the other
+side of the lane stretched what appeared to be a
+vast lake, but might only be mist on the meadows;
+cloud-like masses shaped themselves into spectral
+forms and rolled away into the dim and nebulous
+distance, where they settled into weird domes and
+towers and walls, a veritable elf king's castle. It
+was so uncanny and silent and strange that Carmel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span>
+was far more frightened than she had felt before.
+Old fairy tales of her childhood crowded into her
+mind, memories of phantoms and ghosts and goblins,
+the legends of Undine and the water sprites,
+the ballad of the Erl-King in the haunted forest.
+She had learnt the poem once, and she found herself
+repeating the words:</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"'Why trembles my darling? Why shrinks he with fear?'<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'Oh Father, my Father! the Erl-King is near!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">The Erl-King with his crown and his beard long and white!'</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'Oh! your eyes are deceived by the vapours of night!'</span></p>
+<hr />
+<p class="poem">
+"'I love thee, I dote on thy face so divine!<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">I must and will have thee, and force makes thee mine!'</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'My Father! My Father! Oh hold me now fast!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">He pulls me, he hurts, and will have me at last!'"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>And as if that were not bad enough, the ballad
+of Lenore recurred to her:</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"How swift the flood, the mead, the wood,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Aright, aleft are gone!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The bridges thunder as they pass,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">But earthly sound is none.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Tramp, tramp, across the land they speed,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Splash, splash, across the sea;</span><br />
+'Hurrah! the dead can ride apace,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Dost fear to ride with me?'"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span>By this time Carmel, alone among the magic
+mist and moonlight, had reached a state of fear
+bordering on panic. She longed for anything
+human, and would have embraced a cow if she had
+met one. Through the fog in front of her suddenly
+loomed something dark, and the sound of
+horse's hoofs rang on the road. A wild vision
+of Lenore's spectral bridegroom presented itself
+to her overwrought imagination, and she shrieked
+in genuine terror, and shrank trembling against
+the hedge. The rider of the horse dismounted,
+and slipping his wrist through the bridle, came towards
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" he asked. "Are you
+hurt? Why, great Scott! It's never Carmel!"</p>
+
+<p>"Everard! Everard!" gasped Carmel, clinging
+desperately to his arm. "Oh! Thank Heaven
+it's you! I'm lost!"</p>
+
+<p>Everard comforted her for a while without asking
+any questions; then, when she had recovered
+calmness, he naturally wished to know why his
+pretty cousin was wandering in the country lanes
+by herself on a winter's evening. Man-like, he
+blamed the school instead of Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>"They ought to have taken better care of
+you!" he murmured. "Why didn't the mistress
+hold a roll-call, and count you all?"</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't her fault. It was my own mistake!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>"Well, whoever's fault it was, the fact remains
+the same. You'd better get on Rajah, and
+I'll take you back to Chilcombe."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! that would be lovely. I'm so tired."</p>
+
+<p>Perched on Rajah's back, with Everard walking
+by her side, life seemed a very different affair
+from what it had been five minutes before.
+Carmel enjoyed the ride, and was almost sorry
+when they reached the great iron gates of the
+Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you come in and see Lilias and Dulcie?"
+she asked, as Everard helped her to dismount
+at the door.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't time to-night. I must get home in
+a hurry. I've an appointment with Mr. Bowden,
+and he'll be waiting for me."</p>
+
+<p>"And I've kept you from it! Oh, I'm so sorry,
+Everard!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not. Look here, if you're ever in any
+trouble again anywhere, you come to me, and I'll
+take care of you. Don't forget that, will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll remember!" said Carmel, waving her
+hand to him as she watched him ride away down
+the drive. Then she turned into the house to
+set at rest the panic of anxiety which had arisen
+over her non-appearance with the other members
+of the shopping party.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xv</span></h2>
+<h2>On the High Seas</h2>
+
+
+<p>There was quite a merry gathering at Cheverley<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span>
+Chase that Christmas. All the Ingleton children
+were at home, and with Cousin Clare and Mr.
+Stacey, they made a jolly party of nine, a
+satisfactory number, large enough to act charades, play
+round games, and even to dance in the evenings
+if they felt inclined. Without exception everybody
+voted Mr. Stacey "an absolute sport." He
+seemed to know a little about everything, and
+could help Bevis to arrange his stamp collection,
+or Clifford his moths and butterflies; he could
+name Roland's fossils, give Dulcie tips for the
+development of her photos, and teach Lilias to
+use the typewriter. He was so cheery and good-tempered
+over it, too, and so amusing, and full
+of fun and jokes, that the young Ingletons buzzed
+round him like flies round a honey-pot. There
+are some people in the world whose mental
+atmosphere appears to act like genial sunshine.
+Because their uplifting personality demands the best
+in others' natures, the best is offered to them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>
+Mr. Stacey's lovable, joyous, enthusiastic
+temperament made a wonderful difference at Cheverley
+Chase. The constant squabbles and rivalries that
+had been wont to crop up seemed to melt away in
+his presence. Never had there been such
+harmonious holidays, or such pleasant ones. It was
+his idea to take advantage of a brief frost and
+flood the lawn, so that the family could enjoy
+skating there, though the ponds in the
+neighborhood were still unsafe. It was Carmel's first
+experience of ice, and she struggled along, held
+up by her cousins, feeling very helpless at first,
+but gradually learning to make her strokes, and
+enjoying herself immensely. Then there was
+scouting in the woods, and there were various
+expeditions to hunt for fossils in road heaps and
+quarries, or to explore hitherto unvisited parts
+of the district. There was no doubt that Mr.
+Stacey had a born knack with young folks, and as
+a leader of Christmas fun he was quite unrivaled.</p>
+
+<p>Among the changes for the better at Cheverley
+Chase there was perhaps none so great as the
+marked difference in Everard. Nobody could fail
+to notice it. Mr. Bowden considered that the six
+months spent as a chauffeur had "knocked the
+nonsense out of the lad, and done him a world of
+good." Cousin Clare said he had grown up, and
+the younger boys, while not exactly analyzing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>
+altered attitude, admitted that their eldest brother
+was "a good sort" these holidays.</p>
+
+<p>"Everard always so loved to be 'top dog'
+before," Dulcie confided to Lilias. "I used to hate
+the way he bossed us all and arranged everything.
+He's far nicer now he doesn't pose as 'the young
+squire.' Even when he used to tell us what he'd
+do for us when he owned the estate, it was in
+such a grand patronizing manner that it made me
+feel all bristles. I didn't want to be helped like
+that!"</p>
+
+<p>"He is indeed very different!" agreed Lilias
+thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>The only person who did not notice any change
+in Everard was Carmel, but she had never known
+him in the old days, so fixed him at the standard
+at which she had found him. The two were
+excellent friends. Under her cousin's teaching,
+Carmel learnt much of English country life; she
+had the makings of a plucky little horsewoman,
+and could soon take a fence and ride to hounds.
+She was very much interested in the gamekeeper's
+reports, in various experiments in forestry that
+were being tried, and in motor plows and other
+up-to-date agricultural implements that she saw
+in use on the farms.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all different from Sicily," she said one
+day.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span>"Yes. You see I'm training you to play your
+part as an English landowner," replied Everard.
+"You ought to know something about your
+estate."</p>
+
+<p>Carmel shook her head emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't call it <em>my</em> estate, please! I've told you
+again and again that I don't mean to take it from
+you. How could a girl like I am manage it
+properly? You know all about it, and I don't.
+People can't be made to take things they don't want.
+As soon as I'm twenty-one, I shall hand it straight
+over to you. I'd like to see you master of the
+Chase!"</p>
+
+<p>It was Everard's turn to shake his head.</p>
+
+<p>"That can never be, Carmel! Please let us
+consider that matter perfectly settled, and don't
+let us open the question again. It's an utter
+impossibility for me ever to be master of the Chase.
+That's final! I may have my faults, but I'm not
+a sneak or a fortune-hunter."</p>
+
+<p>"You're not cross with me, Everard?" Carmel
+was looking at him anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear, but you're such a child! You can't
+understand things properly yet. You will when
+you're older."</p>
+
+<p>"Then what are you going to do, Everard,
+after you leave college?"</p>
+
+<p>"Study for the Bar, I hope. It's the kind of
+career that would suit me, I think."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>Carmel's dark eyes shone.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shall come to court, and hear you
+plead a case! And when you get into Parliament&mdash;oh
+yes! you <em>are</em> going to get into Parliament, I
+<em>know</em> you are!&mdash;I shall sit in the Ladies' Gallery
+and listen to your first speech. If you won't be
+Squire of Cheverley, you must become famous in
+some other way! In Sicily we think a tremendous
+amount about being the head of the family.
+You'll be the head of the Ingletons, and you've
+got to make a name for the sake of the others."</p>
+
+<p>"I know I ought to take my father's place to
+the younger ones," answered Everard gravely.
+"I'll do what I can in that line, though I'm not
+much to boast of myself, I'm afraid. I'm not
+the good sort you think me, Carmel. But there,
+you little witch, you've cast your glamour over
+me, somehow! I suppose I've got to try to be all
+you want me. Princess Carmel gives her orders
+here, it seems!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and in things like this she expects to be
+obeyed!" laughed Carmel. "I told you once
+before that you hadn't got the same shape of forehead
+as the Emperor Augustus for nothing!"</p>
+
+<p>It was after the girls had returned to school,
+during some bitter weather at the end of January,
+that Lilias caught a severe cold, and was kept in
+bed. Dr. Martin, sent for from Glazebrook,
+took a serious view of the case, and asked to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span>
+consult with Dr. Hill of Balderton, the family
+physician at Cheverley Chase. They sounded the
+patient's chest, examined the temperature charts
+kept by Miss Walters, and decided that the climate
+of Chilcombe was too damp for her at present,
+and that she would benefit by spending the
+trying spring months in a warmer and drier atmosphere.
+The result of this ultimatum was a large
+amount of writing and telegraphing between England
+and Sicily, several confabulations among Mr.
+Bowden, Cousin Clare, Mr. Stacey, and Miss
+Walters, and then the remarkable and delightful
+announcement that the invalid, escorted by a detachment
+of her family, was to be taken to Casa
+Bianca at Montalesso on a visit to Mr. and Mrs.
+Greville.</p>
+
+<p>It was, of course, Carmel who had engineered
+the whole business.</p>
+
+<p>"It's nearly a year since I left home," she explained,
+"so it's time they let me go and see them.
+I couldn't take Lilias without Dulcie, it wouldn't
+be kind, and even Miss Walters saw that, though
+she held out at first. Then Everard has been
+working very hard, and needs a change, but, if
+Mr. Stacey goes with us, they can use Daddy's
+gun-room for a study, and read for three or four
+hours every morning. And Cousin Clare must
+come too, to take care of us all; we couldn't leave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>
+her behind. Mother loved her when she came
+over to fetch me last year. I don't believe she'd
+have let anybody else take me away. Oh, how I
+want to show Sicily to you all! Won't we have
+absolutely the time of our lives? To think of
+going home and taking you with me!"</p>
+
+<p>It was wonderful how Princess Carmel seemed
+to manage to get her own way. Mr. Bowden and
+Miss Walters, who were the natural obstacles to
+the plan, yielded quite amicably after only a short
+opposition. Cousin Clare had encouraged the
+scheme from the first, and Mr. Stacey and
+Everard were all enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll need us men to look after the
+luggage," declared Everard, oblivious of the fact that
+Cousin Clare had successfully piloted Carmel and
+her boxes across the continent without any
+masculine assistance, and was quite capable of traveling
+round the world on her own account.</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Greville was one of the directors of a
+line of Mediterranean steamers running from
+Liverpool to Alexandria, it was decided that the party
+should book passages in the <em>Clytie</em>, and go by sea
+as far as Malta, crossing from there in a local
+vessel to Sicily. The doctors thought that a sea
+voyage would be better for Lilias than a long
+tiring train journey across France and Italy, and
+as it was a novel experience, the idea was attractive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>
+to most of the party. Fortunately they were
+able to engage the accommodation they needed,
+and set out without further loss of time.</p>
+
+<p>I will not describe the journey to Liverpool, or
+the wearisome drive through drab streets and
+along miles of docks till they reached the <em>Clytie</em>.
+She was a steamer of about 6,000 tons, and, considering
+the crowded condition of all sea traffic
+at the time, they might think themselves very
+lucky to be able to secure cabins without waiting
+months for the privilege. It was indeed only
+owing to Mr. Greville's influence that they had
+been able to do so. With much curiosity they
+looked round the floating castle which was to be
+their home for perhaps a fortnight. All seemed
+new and strange to their wondering eyes&mdash;the
+dining-saloon, with its long table and fixed, crimson
+plush-covered chairs, that swivelled round like
+music-stools to allow their owners to sit down on
+them; the small saloon, with mirrors, piano, and
+books, specially reserved for the ladies instead of
+a drawing-room; the smoke-room for the gentlemen,
+and the steward's pantry. The cramped
+sleeping accommodation rather appalled the girls,
+though Cousin Clare, who was a seasoned traveler,
+assured them it was far more roomy than
+that given on many other vessels. As a matter
+of fact, the captain had turned out of his own cabin
+for them, and was sleeping next to the chart-house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>
+on the bridge, so that at any rate they had
+the best accommodation which the <em>Clytie</em> afforded.
+Four berths in a space about nine feet square
+certainly does not allow much elbow room; the girls
+planned to go to bed in relays, and wondered how
+they could possibly have managed in the still
+smaller quarters at which Cousin Clare had
+hinted. Neatness and order seemed an absolute
+essential. There was no place except their berths
+on which to lay anything down, and their
+possessions had to remain inside their cabin trunks.
+Each had brought a linen case with pockets, and
+tacked it on to the wall beside her berth, to hold
+hairbrush, comb, handkerchiefs, and a few other
+immediate necessities, but when anything else was
+wanted, the trunks must be pulled from under the
+bunks and their contents turned over.</p>
+
+<p>They had hardly arranged their luggage in
+their cabin, when Everard came in to tell them
+that the vessel was getting under way, and they
+all rushed on deck to witness the start. Out
+from the dock they steamed into the wide estuary
+of the Mersey, where ships of many nations might
+be seen, and the pale February sunshine was
+gleaming upon the gray tidal waters that lay in
+front, and on the roofs and chimneys of the great
+city they were leaving behind.</p>
+
+<p>"I can understand emigrants feeling it a wrench
+to say good-by to England!" said Dulcie, leaning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>
+on the rail and fluttering her handkerchief as
+a parting tribute to her country. "I'd be sorry
+if I were never coming back any more! Home's
+home!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and Sicily is mine!" said Carmel with
+shining eyes. "I can't forget that every day is
+taking me nearer to Mother! Only a fortnight
+more, and we shall be at Casa Bianca! How I
+hope we shall have a smooth voyage, and
+perhaps we shall get there even sooner. Now we
+have once started off, I feel as if I can't wait! I
+didn't know till to-day that I was so homesick!"</p>
+
+<p>The first twenty-four hours on board the <em>Clytie</em>
+passed very successfully. The Ingletons dined,
+spent an evening in the saloon, made the
+acquaintance of other passengers, and next morning
+amused themselves with deck games. They
+began to congratulate the captain on the calmness
+of the passage, but he laughed and told them not
+to count up their blessings too soon.</p>
+
+<p>"In February we may expect anything in the
+way of weather," he remarked.</p>
+
+<p>And he was right. Directly they entered the
+Bay of Biscay they encountered a storm. At first
+the girls thought it rather fun to feel the vessel
+heaving its way through the water, to have to
+hold on to the chairs as they crossed the saloon,
+and to be nearly jerked off the stairs when they
+went on deck. But as evening came on, one by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span>
+one they began to feel the effects of <em>mal de mer</em>,
+and long before the dinner-gong sounded had retired
+thankfully to their berths. The time that
+followed was an absolute nightmare. The heavy
+seas dashed the <em>Clytie</em> about like a match-box.
+She pitched and tossed, and rolled, so that one
+moment the girls, lying on their backs, would
+find their heels higher than their heads, and the
+next instant the position would be reversed. The
+violence of the rolling almost flung them out on
+to the floor, and they were obliged to cling to
+the wooden edges of their berths. All their possessions
+were rolling about the cabin, the linen
+tidies had tumbled down, and hairbrushes, shoes,
+sponges, clothing, and trunks spun round and
+round in confusion. The noise was terrific, the
+wind blew a hurricane, and great waves broke
+over the deck with tremendous force. To add to
+the danger, the cargo in the hold shifted, and an
+enormous fly-wheel, which, with some other
+machinery was being taken to Alexandria, broke loose
+from the chains that held it, and dashed about
+smashing all with which it came in contact.</p>
+
+<p>Even when morning dawned, the storm did not
+abate. The girls heard afterwards that the men
+on the look-out were obliged to be lashed to the
+rail with ropes, that the captain never left the
+bridge for twenty-four hours, and that the hatches
+had been battened down to prevent any passengers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span>
+from venturing on deck. At the time they
+were far too ill to care about any such details;
+Lilias and Dulcie would thankfully have gone to
+the bottom, and though Carmel and Cousin Clare
+were more cheerful, the physical discomfort
+troubled them decidedly more than the danger.
+The stewardess, who, poor woman, was herself
+ill, managed to struggle into their cabin, and holding
+on tightly to the berths, would pass them
+drinks of tea in cups that could only be filled a
+quarter full for fear of spilling.</p>
+
+<p>All through that horrible day they lay still, for
+the violence of the storm made it quite impossible
+to get up and dress. Towards evening, Carmel,
+who began to feel better, turned to thoughts of
+food, and after nibbling a biscuit, begged for
+something more. Now, when the <em>Clytie</em> was
+pitching and tossing and generally misbehaving
+herself, it was manifestly impossible to sit up and
+wield a knife and fork, for the whole contents of
+the plate would be whirled away at the next sudden
+lurch. The stewardess did her best, however,
+by bringing potatoes baked in their skins,
+and pears, at both of which delicacies it was possible
+to nibble while still lying flat, and holding
+with one hand to the side of the berth. The
+humor of the situation appealed to Carmel so
+much that she burst out laughing, and then Cousin
+Clare, and even Lilias and Dulcie laughed, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>
+were persuaded each to try a potato, too. They
+snatched intervals of sleep during the night, and
+woke much refreshed.</p>
+
+<p>Morning found the <em>Clytie</em> off the coast of Portugal,
+and in comparatively calm waters. Feeling
+very shaky, the Ingletons managed to dress,
+and tottered on deck. Everard and Mr. Stacey,
+both looking pale, though they assured every one
+that they were all right, found comfortable chairs
+for the ladies, and tucked them up snugly with
+rugs. After the long hours in the stuffy cabin it
+was delightful to sit in the sunshine and watch
+the gray, racing water. Here and there in the
+distance could occasionally be seen the funnels
+of far-away steamers, and then there was much
+excitement and focussing of opera-glasses and telescopes.
+They wondered if other vessels had been
+caught in the same storm, and how they had fared,
+and Dulcie even hoped they might encounter a
+wreck, and have the privilege of rescuing passengers
+from open boats. She was quite disappointed
+when nothing so romantic happened.</p>
+
+<p>It was interesting to go down to lunch in the
+saloon, and find the "fiddles" still on the table&mdash;long
+racks with holes in which the dishes and
+plates exactly fit, so that they cannot be shaken
+about. There was naturally much conversation
+among the passengers in relation to the storm,
+and it was passed round the table as a joke that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span>
+the captain himself had been seasick, though he
+would not for a moment admit that he was capable
+of such a landlubber's weakness.</p>
+
+<p>"If I had known what it was going to be like,
+I would never have come by sea!" declared Lilias,
+whose symptoms had been more acute than those
+of any one else in the party.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what everybody says at first, young
+lady," returned Captain Porter. "Wait till you
+get seasoned a little, then you'll find out the
+charms of Father Neptune's kingdom. I don't
+mind betting that by the time we get to Malta,
+you'll have fallen in love with the Mediterranean,
+and won't want to leave the vessel and will be
+begging me to take you on to Alexandria!"</p>
+
+<p>"And leave the others to go to Sicily? No,
+thanks!" laughed Lilias.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xvi</span></h2>
+<h2>The Casa Bianca</h2>
+
+
+<p>On the following morning the passengers of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>
+the <em>Clytie</em> woke to find themselves steaming into
+the port of Tangiers. They scrambled through
+their toilets and hurried on deck, in raptures over
+the view of the old Moorish town against a
+background of green trees, and the blue waters of the
+bay in front. As some cargo was to be shipped,
+there would be time to go on shore, and a party
+was made up under the escort of Captain Porter
+and of the Greek agent who had arrived on board
+with the pilot. Donkeys were hired for the
+ladies, and a cavalcade set forth to view the
+Kasbah, or native market, and some beautiful
+gardens outside the city walls. It was strange to the
+girls to be in Morocco, with black faces all round
+them, and to catch glimpses through open
+doorways of Moorish courtyards, of marble fountains,
+or of little Arab children chanting the Koran.
+They were glad indeed of a masculine escort, for
+their donkey-boys looked such a wild crew that
+would have been frightened to be left alone with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
+them, and the eastern aspect and general dirt of
+the place, though picturesque, made them thankful
+when they were safely back again on board
+ship.</p>
+
+<p>To their intense interest, part of the cargo consisted
+of Mohammedan pilgrims for Mecca. The
+rank and file of these encamped on the lower deck,
+where they sat, ate, slept, and cooked their food
+over charcoal braziers, filling up their time by reciting
+the Koran in a monotonous chant. A
+wealthy merchant from Morocco was also traveling
+to Alexandria with his wife and family, and had
+engaged all the second-class quarters of the <em>Clytie</em>
+for his exclusive occupation. His lady was
+brought on board closely veiled, and made no further
+appearance, but Dulcie and Carmel, standing
+one day on the upper deck, could see down to
+the second-class deck, and noticed three small children
+run out to play. The boys were each
+clothed in a white garment with a gaily colored
+striped sash, but the beautiful little girl wore a
+dress of palest blue velvet, exquisitely embroidered
+with roses. Carmel, who adored children,
+could not resist the temptation to call to them
+and throw them each an orange, whereupon some
+warning voice summoned them inside the cabin,
+and after that, though the boys occasionally
+played on the deck, the girl was never again allowed
+to expose her face to the gaze of strangers.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>Another brief halt was made at Algiers, a less
+barbaric place than Tangiers, and quite up to date
+and modern in its handsome French quarter,
+though picturesque in the Arab part of the city.
+It was possible to get carriages here, instead of
+donkeys, and the passengers went on shore for a
+delightful drive to the Caliph Mustapha palace,
+through woods of eucalyptus, and pine, and palm,
+and gardens of flowering shrubs. They would
+have been glad to stay longer in such a beautiful
+spot, but the <em>Clytie</em> was getting up steam, and
+unless they wished to be left behind they must
+go on board again.</p>
+
+<p>The Ingleton party agreed afterwards that
+their voyage down the Mediterranean was an experience
+never to be forgotten. In the bright
+February sunshine the blue waters deserved their
+reputation. It was warm as summer, and all day
+the passengers lived on deck, watching the smooth
+sea and distant coastline, or amusing themselves
+with games. Mr. Stacey, with his jolly, hearty
+ways and talent for entertaining, was, of course,
+the life and soul of everything. He organized
+various sports during the day, and concerts and
+theatricals during the evening. He was great at
+deck cricket, which, owing to the limitations of
+the vessel, is a very different game from that on
+land. The balls are made of odds and ends of
+rope, twisted together by the sailors, and must be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>
+hit with caution so as not to be sent overboard.
+Any luckless cricketer whose ball goes flying into
+the deep is immediately required, by the rules of
+ship's etiquette, to buy another from the sailors
+who make them, so an unaccustomed batsman may
+be landed in much expense. Everybody found it
+great fun, however, and when they had lost the
+day's supply of balls, would take to ring quoits
+and deck billiards instead.</p>
+
+<p>But perhaps the most popular game of all was
+"bean-bags." For this the passengers were divided
+into two teams. Each team stood in couples
+facing each other at a distance of about a yard.
+At the top and bottom of each column was placed
+a chair, and on the top chair were piled twelve
+small canvas bags filled with beans. The teams
+waited at attention till the umpire blew a whistle,
+at which signal they started simultaneously. The
+player nearest the chair on the right-hand side
+seized a bean-bag and flung it to his opposite
+neighbor, who in his turn flung it to No. 2 on the
+right-hand side, who threw it back to No. 2 on
+the left, and so on down the line. Meantime
+player No. 1 had caught up a second, and a third
+bean-bag, and continued passing on others till all
+the twelve were in process of motion. They
+were tossed backwards and forwards till they
+reached the chair at the bottom of the line, and
+were then returned in the same way that they had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>
+come. Whichever team succeeded first in getting
+all its bean-bags back to its starting chair
+was considered to have won the game. It was
+really a much more difficult business than it
+sounds, for some of the passengers were "butter-fingers"
+and would fail to catch the bags, and
+much valuable time was wasted in picking them
+up, while others were apt to cheat, and in order
+to get on quicker would throw to No. 9 instead
+of to No. 8, an error which the umpire's sharp
+eyes would immediately detect, and he would
+cause the bag to go back to the starting-point.</p>
+
+<p>Among all these amusements the time on the
+Mediterranean passed rapidly and pleasantly.
+Lilias was already wonderfully better, the mild
+sea breezes had almost banished her cough, and
+her appetite was a source of satisfaction to Cousin
+Clare.</p>
+
+<p>"Casa Bianca will finish the cure!" declared
+Carmel. "I know what care Mother will take
+of you! Only a few days more now, and we shall
+be there!"</p>
+
+<p>Captain Porter's laughing prophecy that Lilias
+would be so much in love with voyaging that she
+would want to go on to Alexandria was partly
+justified, for she was genuinely sorry to leave the
+vessel when they arrived at Valetta, the port of
+Malta.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall come on the <em>Clytie</em> again some day,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>
+she assured him. "Only I bargain that you take
+me all the way up the Nile to look at the pyramids
+and the ruined temples!"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, if you'll undertake to dig out the
+Nile's basin so as to accommodate a vessel of six
+thousands tons!" laughed the captain. "Otherwise
+I shall have to arrange to take you in a sea-plane!"</p>
+
+<p>"And we'd fly over the desert? Oh, that
+would be thrillsome! Please book me a seat for
+next year, and I'll go!"</p>
+
+<p>The <em>Clytie</em> arrived at Malta in the morning,
+and, as the local steamer did not start for Syracuse
+until midnight, the Ingleton party had the
+whole day at Valetta on their hands. They very
+sensibly established themselves at an hotel, ordered
+lunch and dinner there, then went out into
+the town to take a walk along the ramparts and
+see what sights they could. Valetta, with its
+streets of steps, its wonderfully fortified harbors,
+its gay public gardens, its cathedral, and its armory
+of the Knights of St. John, where are preserved
+hundreds of priceless suits of armor belonging
+to the Crusaders, the famous silver bells
+that rang peals from the churches, and the rare
+and beautiful pieces of Maltese lace exhibited in
+the shop windows, had many attractions for
+strangers, particularly those of British nationality.
+In the midst of such foreign surroundings it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span>
+delightful to hear English spoken in the streets, to
+see the familiar figure of a policeman, and to
+know that the great warships in the harbor were
+part of the British Fleet, and were ready at any
+time to protect our merchant vessels.</p>
+
+<p>After a bewildering day's sight-seeing the girls
+sat in the lounge of the hotel after dinner, trying
+to rest. They were very tired, and would gladly
+have gone to bed, but the Syracuse mail-boat ran
+only once in every twenty-four hours, and started
+at midnight, so their traveling must perforce be
+continued without the longed for break. Cousin
+Clare cheered them up with the thoughts of the
+coffee ordered for ten o'clock, and of berths when
+they got on board the steamer.</p>
+
+<p>"We might be far worse off," she assured
+them. "For at least we have a comfortable hotel
+to rest in. I remember once having to spend
+most of the night in a waiting-room at the station
+at Marseilles. Put your feet up on the sofa,
+Lilias! Carmel, child, if you'd shut your eyes,
+I believe you'd go to sleep. I vote we all try to
+doze for an hour, until our coffee comes to wake
+us up."</p>
+
+<p>It was quite a quaint experience to leave the
+hotel at eleven o'clock and drive in carriages to
+the quay, then to get into small boats and be
+rowed out to the mail-steamer. It was a glorious
+night, with a moon and bright stars, the sky and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>
+the water looked a deep dark blue, and from vessels
+here and there lights shone out that sent
+twisting, flickering reflections into the harbor.
+Their steamer was some distance away, so it was
+a long row out from the Customs House across
+the shimmering water. The landlord of the hotel,
+Signor Giordano, who understood the dubious
+ways of native boatmen, went with them to prevent
+extortionate demands, and saw them safely
+on board.</p>
+
+<p>"The blackguards would have charged us
+treble if we'd been alone!" declared Mr. Stacey.
+"They are a set of brigands, the whole lot of
+them. By daylight we might have managed, but
+it's difficult in the dark. I'm thankful to see all
+our luggage here. I thought a hand-bag or two
+were going to be lost!"</p>
+
+<p>If the girls had counted upon a peaceful night,
+they were much disappointed. They retired, indeed,
+to their berths, but not to sleep. The short
+crossing between Malta and Sicily is one of the
+worst in the world, and there was a swell which
+almost rivalled their experiences in the Bay of
+Biscay. The little vessel pitched and tossed and
+rolled, and caused them many hours of discomfort,
+till at length, at six o'clock, it steamed into
+the harbor at Syracuse, and landed them on Sicilian
+soil. A train journey of a few hours followed,
+to Targia Vecchia, which was the nearest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>
+railway station to Montalesso, where Carmel's
+home was situated.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Greville met them at Targia Vecchia, and
+after kissing Carmel, who rushed straight into
+his arms, gave a most hearty welcome to the rest
+of the party. He had two cars waiting, and after
+the usual preliminaries of counting up luggage,
+and giving up checks and tickets, they found themselves
+whisking along a good Sicilian road in the
+direction of Etna, whose white, snow-covered
+peak was the commanding feature in the whole of
+the surrounding landscape. The Casa Bianca or
+White House justified its name, for it was a handsome
+building of white stone, encircled by a veranda,
+and hung with beautiful flowering creepers.
+In its rich, sub-tropical garden grew palms,
+aloes, bamboos, and the flaming Judas trees,
+thickets of roses, and a wilderness of geraniums.
+The Ingletons caught an impression of gay foreign
+blossoms as they motored up the stately drive
+to the steps of the house. Their arrival had
+evidently been watched, for on the veranda was
+assembled quite a big company ready to greet
+them. First there was Carmel's mother, the
+Signora Greville, as she was generally called, a
+beautiful, sweet-looking lady, with her daughter's
+dark eyes, and the gracious stately manners of
+old Sicilian traditions. Then there were the children,
+Bertram, Nina, Vincent, and Luigia, the two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>
+first fair, like their English father, the younger
+ones taking after the Italian side of the family.
+With them were a number of other relations who
+had motored over to welcome Carmel home; her
+uncle, Richard Greville, and Aunt Gabrielle, with
+their children, Douglas, Aim&eacute;e, Tito, and Claude;
+her mother's brother, Signor Bernardo Trapani,
+with her cousins, Ernesto, Vittore, and Rosalia;
+and her mother's sister, Signora Rosso, with
+pretty Berta and Gaspare, and little Pepino.</p>
+
+<p>All these nineteen relations gave the Ingletons
+a typical Italian greeting. They embraced Carmel
+with the warm-hearted demonstrative enthusiasm
+characteristic of the country, and welcomed
+the rest of the party with charming friendliness.
+Everybody chattered at once, making kind
+inquiries about the journey, and the travelers were
+taken indoors to change their dusty clothes before
+coming down to the elaborate lunch that was
+spread ready in the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p>The almost patriarchal hospitality of the Casa
+Bianca suggested the establishment of an Arab
+chief, or a medi&aelig;val baron, rather than that of
+an ordinary household of the twentieth century.
+It was the strangest combination of north and
+south that could be imagined. The Grevilles and
+their relatives spoke English and Italian equally
+well, and conversed sometimes in one language
+and sometimes in the other. They had been settled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>
+for many years at Montalesso, and had, indeed,
+established quite a colony of their own
+there. Mr. Frank Greville and his brother,
+Richard, together with Signor Trapani and Signor
+Rosso, were partners in a great fruit-shipping
+business. Thousands of cases of beautiful oranges,
+lemons, grapes, and almonds were packed
+at their warehouses and sent away to England and
+America. They had orange and lemon groves
+and vineyards inland, and employed a small army
+of people tending the trees, gathering the fruit,
+wrapping it, and dispatching it by sea at the port
+of Targia Vecchia. Being connected by marriage
+as well as business, they formed a pleasant family
+circle, and were constantly meeting at each other's
+houses. Their children grew up in the happy
+Italian fashion of counting cousins almost as close
+as brothers and sisters.</p>
+
+<p>It took the Ingletons a little while to get accustomed
+to the life at Casa Bianca, but Carmel,
+sitting in the creeper-covered veranda, explained
+many things to them.</p>
+
+<p>"You mustn't think our particular ways are the
+ways of the country. We're an absolute mixture
+of English and Italian; Aunt Gabrielle is French,
+and Aunt Giulia a real Sicilian."</p>
+
+<p>"What is the difference between a Sicilian and
+an Italian?" asked Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"The difference between Welsh and English.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>
+Sicily is, of course, a part of Italy, and under the
+same government, just as Wales is part of Great
+Britain, but its people are of separate origin from
+the Italians, and speak a dialect of their own.
+Italian is the polite language of Sicily, which is
+spoken in law courts, and shops, and among educated
+people, but most of the peasants speak
+Sicilian amongst themselves."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you speak it?"</p>
+
+<p>"A little. All the words ending in 'e' are
+turned into 'i.' For instance, 'latte' (milk)
+becomes 'latti,' and 'pesce' (fish) 'pesci,' o
+changes into u, and ll into dd. 'Freddo' (cold)
+becomes 'friddu,' and 'gallina' (a hen)
+'gaddina.'"</p>
+
+<p>"How fearfully confusing! I should never
+learn it! The few sentences of Italian I've managed
+to pick up are quite bad enough!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I think you're getting on very well.
+Sareda understood you perfectly this morning
+when you asked for hot milk instead of coffee."</p>
+
+<p>The best of Casa Bianca was that with its ample
+space and its traditions of hospitality, it
+seemed to absorb the Ingletons and make them
+feel more members of the family than guests.
+Mr. Stacey and Everard were apportioned a small
+sitting-room for a study, and worked hard every
+morning, giving the afternoon to recreation.
+Lilias, who had completely lost her cough, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>
+looked wonderfully well, was put to rest on the
+piazza in the mornings, though she protested that
+she was no longer an invalid. Dulcie, radiantly
+happy, and enjoying her holiday to the full,
+trotted about with Carmel, and made friends with
+the children and their French governess. Bertram,
+Nina, Vincent, and baby Luigia were dear
+little people, and were only too anxious to show
+the guest the glories of the garden. Hand in
+hand with them, Dulcie inspected the marble fountain
+whose basin was full of gold and silver fish,
+the tank where pink water-lilies grew, and the
+groves of orange trees where the ripe fruit hung
+like the golden apples of the Hesperides, and
+Parma violets made clumps of pale purple sweetness
+beneath.</p>
+
+<p>Remembering that it was early in March, and
+that bitter winds were probably blowing over
+Chilcombe and Cheverley, Dulcie was amazed at
+the warmth of the Sicilian sunshine and the wealth
+of the flowers. Pink ivy-leaved geraniums trailed
+from every wall, great white arum lilies opened
+their stately sheaths; marigolds, salvias, carnations,
+and other summer flowers were in bloom,
+and little green lizards basked on the stones,
+whisking away in great alarm, however, if they
+were approached.</p>
+
+<p>The general mental atmosphere of the place
+was genial and restful. Mr. Greville was kindness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span>
+itself to his young guests, and they had all
+fallen in love with Carmel's mother. Her charming
+manners and gaiety were very attractive, and
+the slight foreign accent with which she spoke
+English was quite pretty. Lilias, who had before
+felt almost angry with Carmel for feeling homesick
+at Cheverley, began at last to understand
+some of the attractions which held her cousin's
+heart to Sicily.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd rather have the Chase, of course," she
+said to Dulcie, "but on the whole Montalesso is
+a very beautiful spot."</p>
+
+<p>"So beautiful that I shouldn't mind living here
+all the rest of my life!" said Dulcie, gazing
+through the vine-festooned window out over the
+orange groves to where the white snow-capped
+peak of Etna reared itself against the intense blue
+of the Sicilian sky.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xvii</span></h2>
+<h2>Sicilian Cousins</h2>
+
+
+<p>The relations, who had assembled to welcome<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span>
+Carmel back, came often to the Casa Bianca, and
+in quite a short time they and the Ingletons were
+on terms of intimacy. Ernesto Trapani, a handsome
+young fellow, slightly older than Everard,
+was studying at the University of Palermo, in
+which city Vittore was at school, and the two
+brothers came home from Saturday to Monday.
+Douglas Greville, a tall boy of seventeen who had
+been at school in Paris, also went to the Palermo
+University for certain classes in chemistry, which
+would help him afterwards in the conduct of his
+father's business. The younger children of the
+various families, Aim&eacute;e, Tito, and Claude Greville,
+Rosalia Trapani, and Berta, Gaspare, and
+Pepino Rosso, had lessons with private governesses,
+under whose charge they had learnt to
+chatter Italian, English, and French with the utmost
+ease.</p>
+
+<p>On the Saturday after the Ingletons' arrival
+all these young people came over to Casa Bianca,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span>
+and it was decided to take picnic baskets, and go
+out in a body to show the guests some of the sights
+of the neighborhood. So a very gay party started
+off from the veranda. First they went through
+long groves of orange and lemon trees, where
+peasant women, with bright handkerchiefs tied
+over their heads, were gathering the fruit and
+packing it carefully in hampers.</p>
+
+<p>"You must simply live on oranges here," said
+Dulcie, accepting the ripe specimen offered her by
+Douglas. "Do you know this is the fifth I've had
+this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, we hardly ever touch them
+ourselves," answered Douglas. "I suppose we
+have so many that we don't care about them here.
+I used to like them, though, when I was in Paris."</p>
+
+<p>"It would take me a long time to get tired of
+them," declared Dulcie. "I did not know before
+what a really ripe orange tastes like. They're
+absolutely delicious. Why don't we get them like
+this in England?"</p>
+
+<p>"They wouldn't keep if they were packed ripe,
+and fruit that ripens on a tree is always much
+sweeter than when it has been stored."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know: our English apples are like
+that. I wish I could be here in the autumn to see
+your peaches and vines! I shan't want to go
+away from this ripping place. I've never seen
+anything so lovely in my life!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span>Montalesso was indeed in all the glory of its
+spring charm. Everywhere the almond trees
+were in flower, and the effect of the masses of
+lovely lacy blossom against the brilliant blue of
+the sky was a perfect picture. With the cherry
+bloom of Japan the almond blossom of Sicily holds
+equal rank as one of the most beautiful sights in
+the world. From the height where the young
+people were walking they could see the sea at
+Targia Vecchia, and the little red sails of fishing
+smacks in the harbor, and the flat topped half
+Moorish houses, each with its clump of orange
+trees and its veranda of vines. Beyond, a landmark
+for all the district, was the great glittering
+peak of Etna. Its lower slopes were clothed with
+vineyards, and dotted here and there with villages,
+a second range was forest clad, and its dazzling
+summit, 10,742 feet above sea-level, lay in the
+region of the eternal snows. A thin column of
+smoke issued from the crater, and stretched like
+a gray ribbon across the sky. Lilias viewed it
+with some uneasiness.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope there won't be an eruption!" she said
+nervously.</p>
+
+<p>The boys laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"English people are always so scared at poor
+old Etna! They imagine the crater is going to
+turn on fireworks for their entertainment. That
+smoke is a safety valve, so don't be afraid. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>
+observatory gives warning if anything serious is
+going to take place."</p>
+
+<p>"And what happens then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Some of the people on the slopes run away in
+time, and some stay to guard their property.
+We're quite safe at Montalesso, for we're fifteen
+miles away, though the clear air makes the peak
+look so near."</p>
+
+<p>They had left the lemon groves and the almond
+blossom behind, and were now walking
+along a grassy table-land where flocks of goats
+were feeding. The goatherds, picturesque little
+boys dressed in sheepskin coats and soft felt hats,
+with brown eyes and thick brown curls, were
+amusing themselves by playing on reed pipes.
+They recalled the Idylls of Theocritus, and might
+almost have been products of the fourth century
+<span class="smcap">b.&nbsp;c.</span> instead of the twentieth century <span class="smcap">a.&nbsp;d.</span> The
+wild flowers that grew in this plain were gorgeous.
+There were anemones of all kinds, scarlet, purple,
+pale pink, and white: irises of many colors, blue
+pimpernel, yellow salvia, violet grape hyacinths,
+and clumps of small white narcissus. Above all
+rose the splendid pale pink blossoms of the asphodel,
+a striking feature of a Sicilian landscape.</p>
+
+<p>The Ingletons ran about in greatest delight,
+picking handfuls of what were to them beautiful
+garden flowers.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a moot point whether Proserpine was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>
+gathering narcissus or asphodel when Pluto ran
+away with her," declared Mr. Stacey, offering
+Lilias a bouquet which a Greek nymph might have
+been pleased to accept. "I incline to asphodel
+myself, because of its immortal significance. It
+gives an added meaning to the myth."</p>
+
+<p>"What is the story exactly?" asked Dulcie.
+"Do tell it, please!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, do!" begged all the children, crowding
+round Mr. Stacey. "We want to hear your English
+story!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's not an English one, but a very old Greek
+one. Shall we rest on this wall while I tell it?
+Luigia shall come on my knee. Yes, there's room
+for Pepino too, and Gaspare and Vincent may sit
+next to me. Well, in the old Golden Age, when
+the world was young, Ceres, the Goddess of the
+Harvest, who gave all the fruits of earth to men,
+had a beautiful daughter named Proserpine, or,
+as the Greeks called her, Persephone. She made
+Sicily her place of residence, and she and her
+nymphs used to delight themselves with its flowery
+meadows and limpid streams, and beautiful
+views. One day she and her companions were
+wandering in the plain of Enna, gathering flowers,
+when there suddenly appeared the god Pluto,
+king of Hades, the regions of the dead. Falling
+in love with beautiful Proserpine, he seized her,
+and forced her to get into his chariot. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span>
+screamed to her maidens, but they could not help
+her, and Pluto carried her off. With his trident
+he struck a hole in the ground, so that chariot and
+horses fell through into Hades, of which place
+Proserpine became the queen. Now Ceres did
+not know what had happened to her daughter,
+and she wandered all over the earth seeking for
+her. At last she found Proserpine's girdle on the
+surface of the waters of a fountain where Pluto
+had struck his hole in the ground, and the nymph
+Arethusa told her how her daughter had been
+stolen away. Full of indignation, Ceres went to
+complain to Jupiter, who promised that Proserpine
+should be restored if she had taken nothing
+to eat in the realm of Hades. Unfortunately
+Proserpine, as she walked in the Elysian fields,
+had gathered and eaten a pomegranate, which act
+constituted her a subject of those regions. To
+pacify Ceres, Jupiter permitted that Proserpine
+should spend six months of every year with Pluto
+in Hades, and the other six months with her
+mother on earth. Each spring Ceres went to
+the entrance of a great gloomy grotto to meet
+her daughter, and with her return all the flowers
+bloomed on earth again. There is a very celebrated
+picture by Sir Frederick Leighton, called
+'The Return of Persephone.' The artist has
+painted Ceres at the entrance of the grotto with
+the sunshine behind her, holding out her arms<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span>
+to the lovely daughter whom the god Mercury is
+bringing back to her out of the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"The story is one of those old nature myths
+of which the Greeks were so fond. The time
+Proserpine spent in Hades symbolized winter,
+when winds blew cold, and few flowers bloomed,
+and her return symbolized the advent of spring.
+It has a deeper meaning, also, to those who look
+for it, because it is a type of the Resurrection,
+and shows that our dear ones are not really taken
+from us, but will come again in more glorious
+life and beauty. Many of the old Greek myths
+had this meaning hidden under them, as if they
+were sent to prepare people for the truth that
+Christ was to reveal more fully later on. Nearly
+all early religions began with pure and beautiful
+conceptions of God, and then trailed down to
+earth, because their followers were too ignorant
+to understand. The ancient Egyptians believed
+in God, and said that one of His attributes was
+strength. The strongest thing they knew was
+a bull, so they made colossal statues of bulls in
+black marble, to show God's strength, but the
+populace worshipped the statues instead of God
+himself, and became idolaters. In the same way
+the ancient Greeks realized that Beauty was part
+of God's scheme of work, and they came to worship
+Beauty quite apart from Goodness, forgetting
+that the two must go together. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>
+imagined their gods and goddesses as magnificent
+men and women, with superb bodies but no beauty
+of soul, and as there was nothing uplifting in this
+religion, it soon died out, as all things die in time,
+if they don't help us to grow nearer to God. The
+story of Proserpine is one of the prettiest of the
+old Greek legends, and I can just imagine her
+gathering these lovely flowers. I believe we're
+going on to see her fountain, aren't we, Vittore?
+She made it with her tears when Pluto carried her
+off."</p>
+
+<p>The object of the expedition was indeed to see
+Proserpine's fountain, a clear spring out of which
+flowed a small river. After walking another mile
+across the meadows, the party came to this river,
+where they were able to engage boats to row
+them up to the fount. It was a unique spot, for
+the whole of the banks were bordered with an
+avenue of papyrus, which grew there in greatest
+profusion. Legend said that it had been planted
+by an Egyptian princess who brought it from the
+Nile, and that it grew in no other place in Europe,
+a statement which was satisfactory enough, though
+rather difficult to verify. There was much bargaining,
+after true Sicilian fashion, with the native
+boatmen, who demanded at least four times
+what they meant to take, protesting that they
+would be ruined at the sum Ernesto named to
+them, and finally, when he pretended to walk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span>
+away, accepting his offer with enthusiasm. This
+very necessary preliminary satisfactorily settled,
+the company was packed into the small boats,
+about four going in each. In the distribution of
+the guests occurred the first hitch in the Ingletons'
+visit. Mr. Stacey suggested that it was advisable
+to sandwich children and grown-ups, and he and
+Lilias started in the first "barca" in charge of
+little Luigia, Vincent, and Pepino. Dulcie and
+Douglas were responsible for Gaspare, Rosalia,
+and Nina, while Vittore, and Aim&eacute;e, Claude, and
+Bertram went together. Carmel held Tito and
+Berta each by a hand, and Ernesto helped them
+all three into a boat. Everard was in the very
+act of jumping in after them, when Ernesto
+stopped him.</p>
+
+<p>"Excuse me, Signore, that is my place! There
+is plenty of room for you in the other boat."</p>
+
+<p>"And surely in this too?" said Everard, flushing
+with annoyance.</p>
+
+<p>Ernesto shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no! You and I are too heavy to be together.
+Vittore and the others are light; you
+will just make weight." And, stepping in, Ernesto
+took his seat beside Carmel, and told the
+boatman to push off, while Everard, with a face
+like a thundercloud, joined the younger children.</p>
+
+<p>Up the narrow little river the light boats
+pushed, under an overhanging archway of papyrus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span>
+reeds, so that they seemed as if penetrating
+through a green jungle. The boatmen began to
+sing Sicilian folk-songs, and Vittore and Rosalia
+and Tito and some of the others joined in. To
+everyone except Everard the excursion was delightful,
+but he, considering himself treated with
+scant politeness, sat sulking in Vittore's boat, and
+would scarcely speak to Aim&eacute;e, who made a really
+heroic effort to amuse him.</p>
+
+<p>Proserpine's fountain, where after half an
+hour's rowing the boatmen took them, was a clear
+deep pool reflecting the blue of the sky, and encircled
+with papyrus, donax reeds, and beautiful
+irises. It seemed a fit setting for the legend of
+antiquity, and a fertile imagination could almost
+conjure up a vision of Pluto, with his chariot and
+black horses, carrying off the lovely nymph from
+her meadows of flowers to his gloomy realm of
+darkness. On the way back the second boat made
+a halt to cut some pieces of papyrus reed, and
+Dulcie called out in much excitement to the occupants
+of the other "barcas."</p>
+
+<p>"Lilias! Everard! We're cutting some
+papyrus, and Douglas is going to show me how to
+make it into parchment like the ancient Egyptians
+used to write on. Won't it be gorgeous? Don't
+you want some too?"</p>
+
+<p>"Rather!" replied Lilias, appealing to Mr.
+Stacey, who promptly pulled out his penknife,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span>
+and began to hack away at a stout stem on her
+behalf.</p>
+
+<p>The lengths of papyrus which they bore off with
+them somewhat resembled thick pieces of rhubarb,
+and how these were ever going to be turned
+into writing materials was a puzzle to Dulcie,
+though Douglas assured her airily that he knew
+all about it. The elders of the party were glad
+to get the lively youngsters safely on dry land
+again.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought Rosalia was going to turn into a
+water nymph," said Lilias, comparing notes afterwards
+with Dulcie. "She leaned over in the most
+dangerous manner, and so did Tito. If the boats
+hadn't been so broad, they would have capsized."</p>
+
+<p>"Then Pluto would have bagged the whole
+lot of us! More than he quite bargained for,
+perhaps!" laughed Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>The making of the parchment was a matter of
+great interest to the Ingletons. With Douglas as
+an instructor, they all set to work on its manufacture.
+Taking ten inch lengths of the papyrus
+reeds, they cut them into long, thin, vertical slices,
+and laid these across each other in the form of a
+small mat between sheets of blotting paper. This
+was next squeezed through a wringing-machine
+to rid it of superfluous moisture, then placed
+under a heavy weight, in the manner of pressing
+flowers. When at last it was dry, the alternate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span>
+layers of the papyrus had adhered together and
+amalgamated into a substance identical with the
+old Egyptian parchment, though much coarser
+and rougher in quality. The girls were delighted
+with it. They borrowed a book on Egypt from
+Mr. Greville's library, and copied little pictures
+of the Sphinx, scarabs, Ra, the Sun god, and other
+appropriate bits, painting them in bold colors on
+their pieces of parchment, and feeling as if they
+had gone back a few thousand years in history,
+and were dwellers in Memphis or some other
+great city on the banks of the Nile. They designed
+special ones for Miss Walters, Miss
+Hardy, and Miss Herbert, and smaller offerings
+for Gowan, Bertha, Phillida, Noreen, and others
+of their friends at Chilcombe Hall. Papyrus, indeed,
+became the rage at Casa Bianca. All the
+various cousins vied with one another in making
+the choicest specimens. They wrote letters to
+each other upon it, rolling up the parchments and
+tying them with ribbons in the manner of ancient
+scribes. Perhaps the whitest and best welded
+sheet of all was one made by Mr. Stacey, who
+turned out to be so clever at the new craze that
+he jokingly declared he must be a priest of some
+Egyptian temple come to life again. He used a
+reed pen, and got some very happy effects in hieroglyphs,
+puzzling out the names of each of the
+company in the curious picture writing of the days<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>
+of the Pharaohs who reared the pyramids.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you take us some day to see the Nile?"
+asked Lilias, happy in the possession of her name
+neatly pictured on the specially white sheet of
+papyrus, with a lotus bloom, the lily of Egypt,
+painted underneath. "You know Captain Porter
+said we ought to go to Alexandria!"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing would please me better, if the fates
+willed it!" smiled Mr. Stacey.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll go in a party, and hire a boat up the
+Nile, and take all the Grevilles with us, specially
+Douglas," declared Dulcie. "I count them my
+cousins too. Don't you, Everard?"</p>
+
+<p>"Right-o!" laughed Everard. "Cousins by
+all manner of means let them be!" ("Though I
+don't bargain to include the Trapani family among
+our new relations!" he added softly to himself,
+half under his breath).</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xviii</span></h2>
+<h2>A Night of Adventure</h2>
+
+
+<p>It will be seen from the events recorded in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span>
+last chapter that Everard, while liking the various
+members of the Greville family, had taken a great
+prejudice against Ernesto Trapani. The fact is
+that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride
+of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion
+of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally
+to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and
+to give himself airs. Ernesto, handsome, clever,
+and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his
+back, considered himself in every way a match for
+the young Englishman, and would argue with him
+on many points, often beating him by logic, though
+never convincing him. It annoyed Everard to
+see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel,
+and to hear them talk together in Italian, a
+language of which, as yet, he knew only a few
+sentences.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of
+that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span>Carmel flushed crimson.</p>
+
+<p>"Please don't call Italian a beastly lingo! I'm
+sorry if I've been rude in speaking it, but I sometimes
+forget that you don't understand what we're
+saying. It comes naturally to me. I'll try to
+remember."</p>
+
+<p>"Remember you're an Ingleton, and the owner
+of English property," urged Everard. "Now
+you're at Casa Bianca I don't believe you ever give
+a thought to the Chase!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do! Oftener than you suppose. I've
+grown to love England more than I believed possible.
+In summer the country was all green and
+beautiful, while here every blade of grass gets
+burnt up by the blazing sun. Oh, yes! I'm
+really very fond of the Chase! I am indeed!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then, which do you like better&mdash;England or
+Sicily?"</p>
+
+<p>But at that question Carmel shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>"My opinions are my own, and I'm not going
+to tell them to anybody!" she flashed merrily.
+"It's a good motto to enjoy yourself wherever
+you may happen to be! That's all you'll get out
+of me, Mr. Everard! And quite enough, too!"</p>
+
+<p>Though Everard might have private reasons
+of his own that marred the pleasure of his visit
+to Montalesso, his sisters were having the time
+of their lives. Lilias, with the help of Mr.
+Stacey, had taken enthusiastically to botany, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span>
+was making a collection of pressed Sicilian flowers.
+She had also begun to sketch under his tuition,
+and had finished quite a pretty little water color
+of the house. Dulcie, always interested in country
+life, was thoroughly happy on the estate. She
+liked to watch the gathering of the oranges and
+lemons, the pruning of the vines; to see the great
+white bullocks plowing in the fields or slowly
+drawing the gaily painted carts. The wealth of
+flowers delighted her, and much to Everard's disgust,
+she frankly acknowledged herself in love
+with Sicily, and insisted that she would like to live
+there.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall ask Aunt Nita to keep me instead of
+Carmel!" she declared. "You may all go back
+to England and leave me behind!"</p>
+
+<p>"What would Mr. Bowden say to that?" asked
+Cousin Clare. "He has arranged for you to stay
+another two years at school!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! bother Mr. Bowden! I wish he wasn't
+my guardian! Can't I swop him, and have Mr.
+Greville instead?"</p>
+
+<p>"Unfortunately people can't change their
+guardians!" laughed Cousin Clare. "They have
+to stick to those to whom the law assigns them.
+Cheer up! You might have a far sterner one
+than Mr. Bowden, and a much more disagreeable
+school than Chilcombe. You've the summer term
+to look forward to when you get back."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span>"Chilcombe isn't Montalesso!" persisted
+Dulcie, pulling a face. "No, you dinky, deary
+Cousin Clare, you'll never persuade me to like
+school again! I shall catch a cold on purpose
+as soon as I go back, and then you'll have to bring
+me over here for the sake of a warmer climate.
+I'll bribe the old doctor!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who'll probably send you to Switzerland for
+open-air treatment among the snow!" said Cousin
+Clare, who generally managed to get the last
+word.</p>
+
+<p>The Ingletons had now been some weeks at the
+Casa Bianca, and were beginning to grow more
+accustomed to Sicilian ways. In Mr. Greville's
+car they had been taken to many of the principal
+places of interest in the neighborhood; they had
+seen the Castello, the old ruined tower which in
+bygone days had been the stronghold of brigands,
+the ancient Greek amphitheater, with its marble
+seats still bearing the names of owners who sat
+and watched the chariot races in the fourth century
+<span class="smcap">b.&nbsp;c.</span>, the beautiful Temple of Neptune, and
+the Palazzo Salvatore, with its museum of priceless
+treasures. There was one local gathering,
+however, which Carmel declared they must not
+on any account miss.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so glad you will here for the fair at
+Targia Vecchia!" she said. "It's really the
+event of the whole year. You'll see more Sicilian<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span>
+customs there than anywhere else I know. The
+peasants come down from the mountains for miles
+round. You'll just love it!"</p>
+
+<p>Such a spectacle was, of course, a great attraction
+to the Ingletons, so a select party was made
+up to visit the famous fair. Signora Greville,
+nervous about infection, would not allow her
+younger children to go, for fear they might catch
+measles among the motley crowd, and the same
+cautious care was extended over the children of
+the other families, but Douglas and Aim&eacute;e joined
+the expedition, and Ernesto and Vittore, somewhat
+to Everard's disgust, had a special holiday
+from Palermo in order to be present. They all
+set off on foot, and followed the winding road
+that led down the hill-side from Montalesso to
+the little harbor of Targia Vecchia.</p>
+
+<p>For once the country-side seemed alive with
+people. Down every mountain path descended
+donkeys, on which were seated girls or women in
+their best gala garments, striped skirts, bright
+aprons, lace on their velvet bodices, gay kerchiefs
+on their heads, and large gold ear-rings in their
+ears. The men who led the donkeys were dressed
+in equally picturesque fashion. Many wore black
+velvet jackets and scarlet Neapolitan caps, or long
+brown cloaks with hoods over their heads; their
+legs bound with rough puttees, and their feet
+thrust into sandals of hide with the hair left on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span>
+Everybody seemed to carry a large cotton umbrella,
+either of bright green or magenta.</p>
+
+<p>"They think it looks grand," explained Carmel.
+"Every peasant brings his umbrella to the fair, to
+show that he has one!"</p>
+
+<p>"Except the brigands," added Vittore. "You
+can always tell a brigand because he never carries
+an umbrella."</p>
+
+<p>"Are there any brigands?" asked Dulcie anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes!" replied Vittore, winking secretly
+at Ernesto. "There are quite a number still in
+the neighborhood."</p>
+
+<p>"I was talking to one only the other day!"
+admitted Ernesto.</p>
+
+<p>"Not really?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's quite a profession still in Sicily."</p>
+
+<p>"Do they catch people and hold them to ransom?"
+Dulcie's face was a study.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly they do, and chop their fingers off if
+their relations don't pay up. It's quite an ordinary
+little trick of theirs."</p>
+
+<p>"O-o-oh! Is it safe to go to the fair, do you
+think? That man in front hasn't any umbrella!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be a scared rabbit, Dulcie! You little
+silly, can't you see they're ragging you?" put in
+Everard impatiently. "There are no brigands
+left in Sicily now!"</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't there, indeed?" said Ernesto. "Ah!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span>
+That shows how much you know about it! Only
+last week the Count Rozallo was taken prisoner
+on the road to Catania, and carried off into the
+mountains. He's there yet, till he pays a ransom
+of 25,000 lire."</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! I expect he's done it to evade his
+creditors, if the story is true. I'll believe in
+brigands when I meet them, and not before!"
+scoffed Everard.</p>
+
+<p>"And I shall be frightened of every man who
+doesn't carry a big red or green umbrella!" declared
+Dulcie, hanging on to the arm which Douglas
+gallantly offered for her protection. "What
+do you think about it, Carmel?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I'm quite safe, for the brigands are
+generally very chivalrous to women, and only run
+away with gentlemen and chop off their fingers!"
+laughed Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>By this time they had descended the road, and
+were entering the picturesque little town. Generally
+Targia Vecchia was the quietest of places,
+but to-day it was <em>en f&ecirc;te</em>. The fair was held all
+along the main street, in a large square opposite
+the church, and also on the beach. Everywhere
+there were stalls, selling every commodity that can
+be imagined. On the sweet-stall was sugared
+bread in the shape of hearts or rings, covered with
+gold and silver tinsel; there were sugar images,
+fruits, little baskets, carriages, birds, animals, all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span>
+made in sugar, and apparently much in request
+among the juvenile population. There were
+cheap toys, bright handkerchiefs, Venetian shoes,
+tambourines, lengths of gay dress materials, dates,
+figs, and oranges, and the inevitable red and green
+cotton umbrellas. The small shops, following an
+ancient custom which dates back so many centuries
+<span class="smcap">b.&nbsp;c.</span>, had hung out signs to signify the nature of
+their wares to those peasants who could not read.
+Over the baker's doorway dangled a loaf, the
+shoemaker had a large boot, and the wine shops
+still showed the garlands of ivy once dedicated
+to Bacchus. A gaily-garbed chattering crew of
+people moved from stall to stall, laughing, gesticulating,
+and bargaining, and evidently enjoying
+themselves. A pretty girl was trying ear-rings,
+and looking at the effect in a mirror held by the
+vendor, while older folks flocked round a quack
+medicine dealer, who was loudly proclaiming the
+virtues of the various bottles.</p>
+
+<p>The scene on the shore was even more picturesque
+than that in the town. The beach, which
+was covered with pebbly sand, commanded a beautiful
+view of hills clad with prickly pear, of the
+bright blue sea, the distant Calabrian coast, and
+mountains tipped with snow. Gaudily painted
+carts were drawn up, while their owners bought
+and sold, and rows of donkeys, with smart trappings
+and saddle-bags, were tied to posts. On the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span>
+sand were numbers of animals for sale&mdash;oxen,
+cows, calves, goats, kids, great black hogs covered
+with bristles like wild boars, and tiny pigs which,
+when bought, were popped into bags with their
+heads and the two front feet peeping out. The
+noise was indescribable. Cattle lowed, pigs
+squealed and grunted, men shouted, children cried,
+and musicians sang and rattled tambourines.
+Beggars of all descriptions, the blind, the halt,
+and the maimed were there, clamoring for alms,
+and calling attention to their deficiencies, often
+thrusting a withered hand or the stump of an arm
+under the very noses of strangers, to demand
+sympathy and money from them.</p>
+
+<p>Lilias and Dulcie began to understand why
+Signora Greville had not allowed the younger
+children to come to the fair. They were almost
+frightened by the dirt and impudence of the beggars,
+and each clung to the arm of a masculine
+protector to pilot her through the crowd. They
+were, indeed, glad to move away from the rather
+rough element on the beach, and turn back
+through the town, where the peasants were now
+taking lunch of maccaroni and omelettes at tables
+spread in the streets. They bought a few curiosities
+and souvenirs at the stalls, stopped to listen to
+a band of musicians, then turned up the hill-side
+again, and made their way back to Montalesso,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span>
+leaving Targia Vecchia to continue its merry-making.</p>
+
+<p>"I should think the fair must be a wonderful
+sight at night!" said Everard that afternoon at
+the Casa Bianca.</p>
+
+<p>"Rather," agreed Ernesto. "The people will
+be dancing down the streets by torch light and
+singing at the pitch of their voices."</p>
+
+<p>"I'd give anything to see it!"</p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't go, my boy, if I were you," put in
+Mr. Greville quietly. "You'd find it a rowdy
+place, and not at all to your liking. The wine
+shops will have been very busy all day."</p>
+
+<p>"And the people aren't over gentle with
+strangers when their blood's up," added Vittore.
+"They've no use for a nice young Englishman
+down in Targia Vecchia! Best stay safe at
+home."</p>
+
+<p>Vittore, who had waited till his uncle was out
+of earshot, spoke tauntingly. Everard colored
+crimson.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not afraid of a few Sicilian peasants!"
+he remarked.</p>
+
+<p>Vittore's sneer had aroused his opposition, and
+made him determined to go, more particularly as
+Carmel had expressed great regret at not having
+bought a certain necklace which she had seen on a
+stall, and wished to add to a collection she was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span>
+making of Sicilian peasant jewelry. It would be
+a triumph to walk down alone to the fair, buy
+the necklace, and show these young foreigners
+that Englishmen knew how to take care of themselves.
+He did not mention his intention to Mr. Stacey
+or to Mr. Greville, but waiting till it was
+almost dark he avoided the family, dashed into
+the garden, and set off along the road to Targia
+Vecchia.</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Greville had prophesied, he found the
+little town in a decidedly lively condition. Barrels
+of wine were being broached in the streets
+by the light of flaring torches, and most of the
+men were in an excited condition. The Cheap
+Jacks were still doing a brisk trade, and at the
+jewelry stall Everard was able to buy the souvenir
+he wanted for Carmel. It was the last of the
+sort left, so he considered himself in luck. He
+put the small parcel in his pocket and turned away,
+rather disgusted with the riot of the town, and
+glad to leave the noise and glare behind him. He
+tramped up the steep country road with a sense of
+relief.</p>
+
+<p>It was a beautiful calm night, and a half moon
+hung silver in the sky. The stars, far brighter
+than they ever appear in England, twinkled in the
+blue firmament, behind the mighty peak of Etna.
+It was not really dark, and it was quite possible
+to see the main outlines of most of the features<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span>
+of the landscape. Everard walked along cheerily.
+So far he had met with no hindrance. The people
+at the fair had indeed looked at him with much
+curiosity, and had even spoken to him, but certainly
+nobody had offered in any way to molest
+him. The dangers of Targia Vecchia at nightfall
+had evidently been grossly exaggerated. So
+confident was Everard that he even whistled a
+tune as he walked, and planned how he would
+stroll into the drawing-room on his return to Casa
+Bianca, slip the necklace from his pocket, and
+casually mention where he had been. In his preoccupation
+he did not give any particular heed to
+the road, or see movement among the dark
+shadows of a group of prickly pears that overhung
+a sharp corner.</p>
+
+<p>Without the slightest warning a pistol shot
+suddenly rang out, and three figures, springing
+from the shelter of the prickly pears, flung themselves
+upon him. For a second he had a vision
+of cloaks and masked faces, and hit out pluckily,
+but they were three to one, and in a few moments
+they had secured him, bound his hands behind
+his back, and tied a bandage over his eyes. Almost
+stunned at first by the suddenness of the
+attack, Everard, as soon as he recovered his
+speech, protested indignantly, and demanded of
+his assailants what they wanted. They spoke together
+in rapid Italian, which he did not understand,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span>
+then one of them replied in very broken
+English:</p>
+
+<p>"Signore, it is our order to take you to our
+captain."</p>
+
+<p>"And who is your captain?"</p>
+
+<p>"That I not tell."</p>
+
+<p>"And what does your captain want with me?"</p>
+
+<p>"He ask ransom. You rich Inglese. Property
+in your own country. You give many thousand
+lire ransom."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I can't!" protested Everard.
+"You've made a big mistake. I don't own any
+property, and I'm not rich at all. You'd better
+let me go, or there'll be trouble in store for you
+when my friends hear of it."</p>
+
+<p>The brigands, if such they were, made no reply.
+Possibly they did not understand him. They
+were busy, moreover, searching his pockets, and
+were appropriating his watch, money, and other
+valuables with short grunts of satisfaction.
+Bound hand and foot, Everard could offer no
+physical resistance, though his bold spirit was raging.
+At length his captors, having rifled all they
+wanted, untied his legs, and, taking him by the
+arms, hauled him along between them. Blindfold
+as he was, he had no notion in what direction
+he was going, though they seemed to leave the
+main road, and to be taking a cross-country journey
+over fields and rough ground. Were they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span>
+taking him to the Castello, he wondered? It had
+been a noted haunt of brigands in bygone days,
+and its inaccessible position would make it a safe
+hiding-place. He asked himself what was going
+to happen. How soon would he be missed at the
+Casa Bianca? Would a search be made for him,
+and with what success? These fellows were often
+very crafty in their places of concealment, and
+had evidently got hold of some false idea of his
+rank and fortune. In that half-hour, Everard
+went through very severe mental as well as physical
+discomfort. His captors were not too gentle,
+and hurried him along anyhow. They refused to
+answer any more of his questions, and, except for
+an occasional hoarse remark to one another in
+Italian, kept a rigid silence.</p>
+
+<p>After what seemed to him an interminable distance,
+they apparently reached their destination,
+for he was dragged up a flight of steps into some
+building, whether prison, castle, or private dwelling
+he was unable to guess. A door was flung
+open, for a moment he heard an echo of voices,
+then all was silent.</p>
+
+<p>He was alone, though in what sort of apartment
+he had no means of judging. The floor felt
+smooth to his feet, as if made of tiles, and the
+walls also were smooth. His captors had not
+untied his hands, but he kept straining at the rope
+in the hope of freeing himself. Escape was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span>
+uppermost notion in his mind. He had indeed so
+far succeeded in loosening his bonds that he could
+almost slip one hand out. At that crisis, however,
+the door opened, and he was once more led
+forth.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you taking me now?" he demanded
+angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"To our captain," replied the same foreign
+voice which had given him his former information,
+while two strong pairs of arms pushed him along.</p>
+
+<p>Though his bandage was very thick, he could
+tell that he was passing from comparative darkness
+into a brilliantly lighted room. He had a
+strong sense that it was full of people. He even
+thought he heard a murmur of sympathy, which
+was, however, instantly suppressed. Everard's
+was not a nature to be cowed by any circumstances,
+however appalling. He meant to show
+this rascally crew that an Englishman never loses
+his pluck, and, in spite of the ropes that bound
+him, he stepped forward with all the courage and
+pride of a true Ingleton.</p>
+
+<p>"Am I speaking to the captain?" he said in a
+calm clear tone. "Then, Signore, I wish to inform
+you that you have made a mistake. I am no
+wealthy English landowner, as you can very soon
+find out for yourselves, and I may add that, if I
+were, I'd stay here to all eternity sooner than give
+you a penny of ransom!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span>"Hurrah!" came from a voice close behind
+him, a voice which sounded so familiar that
+Everard, forgetting his bandage, turned in much
+perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>"The Signore Inglese had better humble himself
+to our captain," murmured his guide. "Remember
+that here he has the power of life and
+death!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll humble myself to nobody!" thundered
+Everard, as angry as a lion at bay. "Untie my
+hands, you cowards, and I'll fight for my life! If
+you've an ounce of pluck among you, you'll give
+me a sporting chance!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ecco! E giusto!" said a fresh voice, presumably
+that of the captain. "Signore, you shall
+have your will!"</p>
+
+<p>At this a knife was passed rapidly through the
+ropes that bound him, and at the same moment a
+hand snatched the bandage from his eyes. Dazed
+with the sudden light, Everard stared round as
+one in a dream. He had expected to find himself
+in some rough hall surrounded by brigands, and,
+lo and behold, he was in the drawing-room at the
+Casa Bianca, in the midst of the united family!</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive our rough joke, Everard!" exclaimed
+Mr. Greville, clapping him heartily on the shoulder.
+"I had never intended to let it go so far.
+I thought a fight on the road would do you no
+harm, for there <em>are</em> dangers in Sicily to reckless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span>
+young strangers who like to run risks, and you
+might easily have found yourself in greater trouble
+than you imagine at Targia Vecchia, if I had
+not sent Tomaso to shadow you. The people
+down there know his reputation with a revolver,
+and don't care to interfere. Never mind, lad!
+You came very well out of it! You certainly
+showed us what you were made of, just now.
+On the whole, I think you turned the tables on
+us!"</p>
+
+<p>Everard was still standing gazing round the
+room, at Ernesto and Vittore, who had been his
+captors, at Mr. Greville, at Aim&eacute;e and Rosalia,
+who were laughing at the joke. He turned white
+and red with passion, and for the moment looked
+capable of knocking down Ernesto as he had
+threatened to treat the supposed brigands. A
+glance from Mr. Stacey, however, steadied him.
+Above everything Everard was a gentleman. By
+a supreme effort he controlled himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it's an abominable shame!" declared
+Carmel, turning upon Ernesto with blazing eyes.
+"Daddy never meant you to bind him and bring
+him up here like that&mdash;only to frighten him for a
+minute on the road. You know he did! I'll
+never forgive you, Ernesto! <em>Never!</em> If this
+is a specimen of our Sicilian hospitality, Everard
+won't want to come to the Casa Bianca again!
+My cousins didn't treat me to practical jokes at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>
+the Chase! They gave me an English welcome!"</p>
+
+<p>"Let me make peace!" said Signora Greville,
+coming forward and taking Everard's hand in her
+pretty Italian fashion. "Our guest knows, I
+hope, that we meant no discourtesy to him. For
+all he has suffered we claim his pardon. Is it
+not so, Ernesto and Vittore? He has, indeed,
+shown us how a brave Englishman can behave in
+a position of danger, and we admire his courage.
+I think we ought to congratulate him on the splendid
+way he has taken a joke which certainly went
+much farther than was intended."</p>
+
+<p>At that, everybody crowded round Everard,
+making pretty speeches, for all realized that the
+mock adventure had been real enough to him at
+the time.</p>
+
+<p>"I should faint if I thought I were taken by a
+brigand!" shivered Aim&eacute;e.</p>
+
+<p>"I should die outright!" declared Rosalia.</p>
+
+<p>"Your property is back in your pocket with my
+sincere apologies," murmured Vittore, restoring
+the watch and other valuables.</p>
+
+<p>It was not until the next morning that Everard
+had an opportunity to give Carmel the peasant
+necklace for which he had ventured down to
+Targia Vecchia. Her delight was immense.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's the very one I wanted!" she exclaimed.
+"It will be the gem of my whole collection.
+I shall always call it the Brigand Necklace,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span>
+after this. You went through a great deal
+to bring it back, Everard!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, never mind! That's all over and finished
+with now. I'm going to forget it!"</p>
+
+<p>"You may forget it, but I shan't! I shall
+always remember how you called them cowards,
+and asked for a sporting chance. I must say I
+like men to be able to take care of themselves.
+As for Signor Ernesto, I haven't forgiven him
+yet, and on the whole I'm not altogether quite sure
+that I ever shall!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xix</span></h2>
+<h2>At Palermo</h2>
+
+
+<p>It was perhaps to atone for the indignities which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span>
+Everard had suffered at the hands of Ernesto and
+Vittore, in the practical joke that they had played
+upon him, that Signor Trapani proposed to take
+the Ingletons for a few days' trip to Palermo.
+He declared he could not allow them to leave
+Sicily without a peep at the famous capital city,
+and that in motoring there they could also see
+some of the sights upon the way. Though they
+were perfectly happy at Casa Bianca, a visit to
+Palermo was of course a great attraction, and the
+party, including Cousin Clare and Mr. Stacey,
+were all excitement and smiles.</p>
+
+<p>"We're to stay at an hotel," announced Carmel,
+"and Ernesto and Vittore are to have dinner
+with us."</p>
+
+<p>"And Douglas, too," added Dulcie, with satisfaction.
+"I heard your uncle say he had asked him."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, did he? I'm so glad. Now we shall
+have plenty of cavaliers to take us about. What<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span>
+fun it will be! You'll just love Palermo. I
+always sing a jubilee when Mother has a shopping
+expedition there and wants me to go with her."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah for to-morrow, then!" proclaimed
+Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>Taking only a little light luggage the lucky
+travelers packed themselves into two cars and
+set off on their pleasure-jaunt. Leaving the sea
+they turned inland to the mountain region, and
+with a short stop at Centuripe, to get the magnificent
+view of Etna, they motored on to Castrogiovanni,
+a wonderful old town set, like an eagle's
+nest, on the very crest of a high hill, and full of
+relics of Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Saracens,
+and Normans, who had held its fortress in turns.
+It looked the real brigand stronghold of old
+stories, as impregnable as some of our Scottish
+castles and a fit subject for legend.</p>
+
+<p>One feature of the Sicilian landscape greatly
+struck the Ingletons.</p>
+
+<p>"There are no cottages scattered about like we
+have in England," remarked Lilias. "Do the
+people who work in the fields all live in these little
+towns on the tops of hills? Why don't they have
+their homes close to their work?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's an old Sicilian custom," explained Signor
+Trapani. "In former days there were so many
+robbers that nobody would have dared to live
+alone in a cottage in the open country; even now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span>
+it would scarcely be thought wise, and the peasants
+feel far safer at night in a town, with their neighbors
+to help to protect them and their valuables.
+A Sicilian peasant would rather walk many miles
+to his fields than run the risk of brigands stealing
+his savings. Nearly everybody keeps a few
+goats, and each morning the goatherd blows a
+horn and leads the flock of the whole town out
+to pasture. He keeps guard over them all day
+and brings them back in the evening, when each
+trots home to its own stable to be milked. The
+children often wait at the city gate to welcome
+the goats back, and you can see quite affectionate
+little meetings between them."</p>
+
+<p>"Kids welcoming kids!" murmured Dulcie,
+who clung to schoolgirl slang, rather to the consternation
+of Signor Trapani, who did not always
+understand it, and much to the indignation of
+Cousin Clare, who was continually urging her to
+speak pure English.</p>
+
+<p>From Castrogiovanni the way lay down hill to
+Palermo, which they reached in the evening, just
+when a golden sunset was lighting up its eastern-looking
+houses, its beautiful gardens, and magnificent
+harbor. Ernesto, Vittore, and Douglas
+were waiting for them at the hotel, so they made
+a jolly party of ten at dinner, and had a round
+table all to themselves in the <em>salle &agrave; manger</em>.
+Signor Trapani, in his enthusiasm as host, even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span>
+suggested the theater afterwards, but Cousin
+Clare said "No," after such a long motor run,
+and sent the girls off to bed.</p>
+
+<p>"They may go and see an Italian play to-morrow
+evening, if you don't work them too hard
+at sight-seeing during the day," she relented, "but
+remember, I want to keep the roses in their cheeks,
+and Lilias, at any rate, must not get overdone.
+I'm the stern chaperon, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"So I understand," laughed Signor Trapani,
+"though such a charming lady cannot make a very
+terrible duenna, and we are not at all frightened
+of you," he added, finishing, like every true Italian,
+with a compliment.</p>
+
+<p>Lilias, Dulcie, and Carmel had three small beds
+in a room that led out of Cousin Clare's.
+Though they had pretended to be disappointed
+at not being allowed to go to the theater, in reality
+they were all extremely tired and glad to rest.
+Dulcie in particular snuggled down on her pillow
+and was asleep even before Lilias turned off the
+electric light. The others were not long in following
+suit, and in a short time all were in the
+land of dreams.</p>
+
+<p>It was perhaps two o'clock in the morning when
+Lilias awoke in the darkness with a start. Her
+bed was shaking violently under her, as it had
+done once long ago, when Everard in his school-days
+had played a trick upon her. There was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span>
+loud rumbling noise, like the passing of a gigantic
+motor-lorry or a railway train, the jugs and basins
+were rattling, and a glass of water, placed on the
+edge of the table, fell to the ground with a smash.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it? Oh, what's the matter?" cried
+Lilias, terribly scared.</p>
+
+<p>She put out her hand and tried to turn on the
+electric light, but she moved the switch in vain,
+Carmel, who had groped for the matches, lighted
+a candle, and by the time the welcome little
+yellow flame showed itself, the shaking and
+rumbling had entirely ceased. Lilias looked
+anxiously round the room.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" she asked again.</p>
+
+<p>"Only an earthquake!" said Carmel calmly.
+"It's over now."</p>
+
+<p>"An <em>earthquake</em>!" Lilias's voice was tragic.</p>
+
+<p>"Just a slight shock. We often have them."</p>
+
+<p>"O-o-h! Will the walls tumble down?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not&mdash;it only makes the china rattle."</p>
+
+<p>By this time Cousin Clare, also unaccustomed to
+earthquakes and almost as alarmed as Lilias, came
+into the room. Carmel pacified them both, assuring
+them that such tremors were of quite common
+occurrence, and that people in Sicily thought
+little about them unless they were severe enough
+to do damage.</p>
+
+<p>All this time Dulcie's pink cheek was buried in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span>
+the pillow, and her breath came as quietly and
+evenly as that of a baby.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad she didn't wake. She was very
+tired, poor child," commented Cousin Clare, after
+a glance at the bed in the corner.</p>
+
+<p>Dulcie was, of course, unmercifully teased next
+morning for having slept through an earthquake.</p>
+
+<p>"If Etna shot its cone off during the night I
+don't believe it would wake you!" laughed Everard.
+"The Seven Sleepers are nothing to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Go on! Rag me as much as you like. I
+don't care," declared Dulcie sturdily. "I think
+I had far the best of it. You were all awake and
+scared, while I was snug and comfy. I shall sleep
+through the next if we have one. Ashamed of
+myself? Not a bit of it! I tell you I'm <em>proud</em>."</p>
+
+<p>Everybody was looking forward to a day's
+sight-seeing in Palermo, and as soon as breakfast
+was over the party started out to view the cathedral,
+the beautiful Palatine chapel, with its Saracen
+arches and priceless mosaics, and the ancient
+oriental-looking Norman church of S. Giovanni
+degli Eremite. Dulcie, who had been learning
+Longfellow's <em>Robert of Sicily</em> for her last recitation
+in the elocution class at school, was much
+thrilled, and wanted to know in which of the
+churches he had made his famous defiance of
+Heaven, and had been turned from his throne
+by the angel, who temporarily took his place as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span>
+king till he repented of his vain glory. Nobody
+could tell her, however, and the guide-book gave
+no information on the subject, though Douglas
+obligingly searched its pages. Knowing she loved
+old legends about the places, he found another
+item of interest for her in connection with one
+of the ancient towers of S. Giovanni degli Eremite.
+It was from there that in the Middle Ages, when
+the French ruled the island, a vesper bell had
+tolled the signal for the inhabitants to rise and fall
+upon their cruel masters in a massacre that was
+known ever afterwards as "The Sicilian Vespers."</p>
+
+<p>"Bells have never been rung in Sicily since,"
+said Douglas, then as Dulcie's eyebrows went up
+in amazed contradiction he explained: "They are
+never really <em>rung</em> here. In most countries the
+bells swing backwards and forwards, but in our
+churches they are quite steady, and only the clapper
+moves about inside the bell."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's why they sound so frightfully
+clangy, then; we noticed the difference at once
+when we came over from Malta."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you would. The church bells of Malta
+are the most beautiful in the world. They're
+partly made of silver, and they swing properly
+in the belfries."</p>
+
+<p>"I love to see really Sicilian things."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you shall," put in Signor Trapani.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span>
+"We'll try and show you the local color of
+Palermo to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, please do! I like to watch how the
+people live."</p>
+
+<p>In order to keep his promise to Dulcie, Signor
+Trapani took his guests to have lunch at a restaurant
+near the harbor, where, instead of the
+usual French menu which obtained at all the
+hotels, purely Sicilian dishes were served. First
+came a species of marine soup, that consisted of
+tiny star-fish and cuttle-fish stewed till they were
+very tender, then smothered in white sauce.
+Slices of tunny fish followed, almost as substantial
+as beefsteak, then some goats flesh, that closely
+resembled mutton, and with it a vegetable called
+fennel, which is rather like celery with a dash of
+aniseed about it. The salad, chiefly of endive,
+was smothered in Lucca oil and Tarragon vinegar,
+and there was an entr&eacute;e that seemed made mostly
+of butter and cheese.</p>
+
+<p>Dulcie, daunted by nothing, ate each new dish
+and said she enjoyed it, though Lilias and Cousin
+Clare could not be induced even to taste the unaccustomed
+food, and lunched on omelettes which
+were ordered specially for their benefit. Mr.
+Stacey and Everard, however, were hearty converts
+to Sicilian cookery, and declared they would
+like some of the courses introduced at the Chase
+when they returned to England.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span>As good luck would have it Dulcie was just
+stepping out of the restaurant when she heard a
+familiar, squeaking voice, and on the other side
+of the road saw a Sicilian Punch and Judy show.</p>
+
+<p>Naturally she demanded to stop and witness
+the representation. Mr. Punchinello, though his
+speeches were in Italian, went through the same
+series of wicked deeds as in England, and little
+dog Toby, with a frill round his neck, assisted in
+the performance. Dulcie was delighted, and was
+persuaded to get into the waiting motor only by
+bribes of seeing even more interesting sights.</p>
+
+<p>The lovely public gardens, the shops, the market,
+the university where Ernesto, Vittore, and
+Douglas were studying, the museum, and various
+beautiful spots in the neighborhood of the city
+were all visited during the Ingletons' brief stay
+at Palermo, and they celebrated the last evening
+by a visit to the theater, where, if they could not
+understand the words of the play, the dramatic
+foreign acting spoke for itself.</p>
+
+<p>"Has my little English signorina enjoyed her
+trip?" asked Signor Trapani kindly, as Dulcie,
+sitting by his side in the car, waved an enthusiastic
+good-by to Palermo.</p>
+
+<p>"Enjoyed it! <em>Ra</em>ther? It's the loveliest
+place on earth, and beats London hollow in my
+opinion. But I <em>do</em> love everything Sicilian <em>so</em>
+much! Thanks just immensely for giving me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span>
+such a perfectly delicious time!" declared Dulcie,
+screwing her neck round to catch a last glimpse
+of Ernesto, Vittore, and Douglas, who stood by
+the roadside fluttering handkerchiefs as a signal
+of farewell.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xx</span></h2>
+<h2>Old England</h2>
+
+
+<p>The holiday in Sicily, like all pleasant things,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span>
+came to an end at last, and the Ingleton family,
+leaving the Casa Bianca with many regrets, returned
+to their own country in time to welcome
+Roland, Bevis, and Clifford back from school for
+Easter. Carmel, who had seemed keenly to feel
+the parting from her mother, and who had been
+so quiet on the journey that her cousins suspected
+a bad attack of homesickness, cheered up
+when they were once more settled at the Chase.
+The beauties of the English country-side, with
+plum-blossom, primroses, cowslips, green meadows,
+and budding woodlands, compared very
+favorably with even the lovely Sicilian landscape,
+and Carmel acknowledged frankly that Cheverley
+had a charm all of its own.</p>
+
+<p>"I never knew how much I loved it till I left
+it, and then saw it again!" she declared.
+"There's something about the place that grips."</p>
+
+<p>"Your Ingleton blood showing, of course," remarked
+Everard. "All your ancestors have lived<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span>
+at the Chase, and it would be queer if you hadn't
+some sort of a natural feeling for it. People
+mostly have for the place where their ancestors
+were born."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! I believe my ancestors were all of
+them born in bed, so no doubt that's why I have
+such a natural feeling for bed, and don't want to
+get up in the mornings!" piped Dulcie, who never
+could resist a quip at Everard. "I don't despise
+Old England, but Sicily's the land for me, and I'm
+going back to Montalesso some day. Aunt Nita
+says so! Lilias can please herself, but, as soon as
+Mr. Bowden lets me leave school, I shall say 'Ta-ta!
+I'm off to the land of oranges and lemons!'"</p>
+
+<p>"And in the meantime you'll have to make up
+at school for this long holiday," reminded Cousin
+Clare. "I'm afraid you'll find yourself terribly
+behindhand when you get back to Chilcombe!"</p>
+
+<p>The occupants of the Blue Grotto had much to
+talk about when they met again.</p>
+
+<p>"It was hateful having the dor. all to ourselves,"
+confided Gowan. "We never had such a
+slow time in our lives. We had a fearful scare,
+too! We thought Miss Walters was going to put
+Laurette with us! She'd had a terrible quarrel
+with Truie and Hester, and things were rather
+hot in the Gold bedroom. Fortunately, however,
+they cooled down, and patched up their quarrels.
+Bertha and I were simply shaking, though. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span>
+heard Miss Walters say to Laurette: 'There's a
+spare bed at present in the Blue room,' and we
+thought she was moving in for the rest of the
+term! Think of being boxed up with Laurette!
+Wouldn't it have been absolutely grisly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing at all particularly exciting happened
+while you were away!" groused Bertha. "We
+got all the drudgery, and you had all the fun!"</p>
+
+<p>"But we brought you some presents! Just
+wait till I get to the bottom of my box!" put in
+Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, have you?" cried Bertha excitedly.
+"What have you brought? Don't stop to arrange
+those blouses! Dump your things out anyhow:
+I can't wait! I've never had a foreign
+present in my life before. O-o-oh! What an
+absolutely ducky little locket! Carmel, you're a
+darling! You couldn't have given me anything
+in the whole of this wide world that I should have
+liked better. I just love it!"</p>
+
+<p>Though the Ingletons' immediate friends at
+Chilcombe had been rather inclined to look with
+the green eyes of envy upon their long holiday in
+Sicily, and consequent immunity from Easter examinations,
+they were mollified by the pretty gifts
+which the girls had brought them, and while they
+still proclaimed them "luckers out of all reason,"
+they forgave them their good fortune, and received
+them back once more into the bosom of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span>
+their special clique. The Mafia had indeed languished
+considerably during their absence. Nobody
+had troubled very much to keep up its activities,
+and it had held only one or two half-hearted
+meetings. Now that its nine members were together
+again, however, the secret society set to
+work with renewed vigor. Insensibly it had
+rather altered its scope. It had begun originally
+for the purpose of resisting the aggressions of
+Laurette, Hester, and Truie, but had grown into
+a sort of confraternity for private fun. The
+meetings held in each other's dormitories were of
+a hilarious description, and included games. At
+Gowan's suggestion they even went a step farther,
+and produced literary contributions&mdash;"of a
+sort," as she wisely qualified the rather appalling
+innovation.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't mean exactly Shakespeare, you know,"
+she explained. "But you can write poetry if you
+care to, or make up something funny like <em>Punch</em>.
+Everybody has got to do something!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not really?" objected Dulcie, wrinkling her
+forehead into lines of acute distress. "Oh,
+Goody! It's as bad as lessons every bit. Look
+here, I'm not clever, and I don't make any pretence
+at poetry or the rest of it. You'll just have
+to leave me out."</p>
+
+<p>"Pull yourself together, Dulcie, my child!"
+said Gowan calmly. "You'll either be turned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span>
+bodily out of the Mafia, or you'll do your bit the
+same as everybody else. Don't for a moment
+imagine you're coming to listen to other people's
+industry, and bring nothing of your own with you!
+That's not the way we manage things here. If
+you don't show up with a manuscript in your hand,
+you'll find yourself walking down the passage with
+the door slammed behind you. Yes, I mean it!
+You're a decent enough little person, but you're
+apt to be slack. You must get some stiffening
+into you this time."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor little me!" wailed Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>"No poorer than all the rest of us!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am, for I haven't got the same thingumbobs
+in my brains! Couldn't make up poetry to
+save my life! May I write a letter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, if you'd rather!"</p>
+
+<p>"I feel it would be my most adequate form of
+self-expression," minced Dulcie, mimicking Miss
+Walters' very best literary manner. "I trust my
+contribution will be kept for publication. Later
+on, when I'm famous, it may become of value.
+The world will never forget that I was educated
+at Chilcombe Hall. A neat brass plate will some
+day be placed upon the door of the Blue Grotto
+to mark the dormitory I slept in, and my bed will
+be preserved in the local museum!"</p>
+
+<p>"With you (stuffed) inside it, labeled 'Specimen
+of a Champion Slacker'!" snorted Gowan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>
+"Now, no nonsense! If you don't turn up at the
+meeting with a manuscript, you won't be admitted!"</p>
+
+<p>"Bow-wow! How very severe we've grown,
+all of a sudden!" mocked Dulcie, as she danced
+away. "You take it for granted," she called
+over her shoulder, "that my contribution is going
+to mark the literary low tide. Perhaps, after all,
+it will make as big an impression as anybody
+else's. There!"</p>
+
+<p>On the evening fixed for the meeting, nine girls
+put in an appearance at the Blue Grotto, all flaunting
+manuscripts in a very conspicuous fashion.
+They seated themselves upon Bertha's and Dulcie's
+beds, and having as a kind of foregone conclusion,
+elected Gowan as President of the Ceremonies,
+got straight to business. Gowan was
+justice personified, and fearful of even unintentional
+favoritism, she insisted upon the company
+drawing lots for the order in which their effusions
+were to be read. The Fates decided thus: Carmel,
+Noreen, Edith, Lilias, Gowan, Bertha,
+Prissie, Phillida, Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel, hustled off the bed to be given first
+hearing, took the chair of honor reserved for each
+literary star in turn, and having waited a moment
+to allow undue giggling to subside, opened her
+sheets of exercise paper and began:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"OLD ENGLAND</p>
+
+<p>"I never can quite see why it is called 'Old' England,
+because I don't suppose it is any older than any other part
+of the world, really, but perhaps 'Old' is a term of endearment,
+because I notice when any girl likes me, she
+generally calls me 'old sport,' or 'old thing.' Well, at
+any rate here I am back in Old England, and it is a wonderfully
+nice sort of a country. I specially like the policemen,
+who wave their white gloves and stop all the traffic
+in the street in a second, and the railway porters who yell
+out the names of the stations, and the little boys who cry
+the newspapers. There are no beggars in Old England
+like there are in Sicily, and no mosquitoes, and no earthquakes.
+At least not proper ones. I thought we were all
+beggars when we tried to raise money for the 'Waifs and
+Strays'; Bertha buzzes worse than any mosquito when
+she wants to borrow my penknife, and I thought there
+was an earthquake the last time Laurette danced.</p>
+
+<p>"I like all the old houses and castles and cathedrals in
+Old England, and especially the old gardens. What I
+don't like are my old lessons. Old England is a jolly,
+hospitable, comfortable, green sort of country, and I am
+quite at home here now, so hurrah! Old England for
+ever!"</p></div>
+
+<p>Carmel, having read her manuscript as rapidly
+as possible, vacated the chair in a breathless condition,
+and pushed Noreen into her place.
+Noreen had been struggling with Pegasus, and
+had produced a spring poem. It was short, but
+perhaps a trifle over-sweet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"TO MY DEARIE-OH!<br />
+<br />
+"Spring is comen back again,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">(Daisy buds for my dearie!)</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gone is winter's snow and rain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">(Cherry lips for my dearie!)</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Blossom clothes the orchards now,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">(Apple cheeks for my dearie!)</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nests of birds on every bough,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">(And kisses for my dearie!)</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"It's one of those old-fashioned sort of things&mdash;I
+believe you call them madrigals," she ventured.</p>
+
+<p>Nobody else knew what a madrigal was, so they
+took Noreen's word for it, and allowed her to retire
+in favor of Edith, who had also been trying
+to cultivate the muse of poetry. Her effort at
+verse was entitled:</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"MIRANDA'S MUSIC<br />
+<br />
+"Miranda had learnt the piano to play,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And when seated one day on the stool,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">At her latest new piece she was strumming away,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For old Thomas, who sweeps out the school.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Thought she: ''T will impress him if anything will,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For the left hand goes over the right.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">He will surely admire my exquisite skill,</span><br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And perhaps will express his delight.'</span><br />
+<br />
+"But ah! fondest hopes may be dashed to the ground,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Despite what ambition can raise.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ill pleased by this banquet of beautiful sound,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Old Thomas was scant in his praise.</span><br />
+<br />
+"'Ay, ay, yes, I hear. 'T is not bad, to be sure!<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">They may teach you in time!' so he grumbled.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But 'twas plain that he thought the performance but poor,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And Miranda felt terribly humbled.</span><br />
+<br />
+"One morn when six months had swift glided away,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Again at the instrument seated,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Miranda a nocturne had just ceased to play,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">When old Thomas desired it repeated.</span><br />
+<br />
+"'Why, Miss,' he declared, 'I can hardly believe<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">That you've made such improvement so soon!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The last time you played, you'd to jump your hand o'er</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Before you could pick out the tune!</span><br />
+<br />
+"'You'd humpety lump in the treble at top,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Then same hand would return to the bass.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But now I can see they have taught you to keep</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Each hand in its own proper place!'</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"It's a really true story!" persisted Edith, as
+the girls giggled. "It happened to my sister.
+She always plays at the Band of Hope concerts in
+our village at home, and she goes down to the
+school to practise her solos on the piano there.
+Old Thomas is the verger, and he's such a queer
+old character. He really <em>did</em> think she didn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span>
+know how to play properly when she crossed her
+hands over, and he told her so. It was a tremendous
+joke in our family, because Maisie considers
+herself musical. She was squashed absolutely
+flat!"</p>
+
+<p>Neither Lilias, Gowan, Bertha, Prissie, nor
+Phillida had written anything very original or
+outstanding in their manuscripts, so we will pass
+them over, and only record that of Dulcie, who
+came last of all. She took the honored seat with
+a great air of <em>empressement</em>, nodded triumphantly
+to Gowan, cleared her throat, commanded
+strict silence, and began:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p style="text-align: right;">"<span class="smcap">Chilcombe Hall.</span></p>
+<p>"<span class="smcap">My dear Everard</span>,<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"I must write at once and tell you of the
+terrible things that have been happening at this school.
+On Monday last the cook made a mistake, and used a
+packet of rat poison instead of sugar in our pudding. It
+was the day for ginger puddings, and we all thought they
+tasted rather queer, somehow, but it is not etiquette here
+to leave anything on your plate, so we made an effort and
+finished our rations. Well, about ten minutes afterwards
+most of us were taken with umpteen fits. We writhed
+about the room in agony, and thought our last hour had
+come. The doctor was sent for, and he motored over so
+fast that he killed two little boys and a cow on the road,
+but he said he did not care, and it was all in the way of
+business. He stood us up in a line and gave us each an
+emetic of mustard and water which was very horrid, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span>
+felt like a poultice inside. We are beginning to get better
+now, but Carmel's legs are stiff, and she has a tendency
+to go black in the face every now and then. The
+doctor says she will do so for a fortnight, until the rat
+poison wears itself out of her system. He does not think
+she will be lame always. At least he hopes not. Lilias
+squints a little in consequence of the umpteen fits she had,
+which turned her eyes round, and my face is still swollen,
+and three front teeth dropped out, but otherwise we are
+quite well, and the Doctor says things might have been
+much worse, for at least our lives were spared. I think
+we ought to see a specialist, but Miss Walters won't hear
+of it.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">"Hoping you are quite well,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 9em;">"With love,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Your affectionate sister</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 15em;">"</span><span class="smcap">Dulcie.</span>"<br />
+</p></div>
+
+<p>"Don't say I can't write fiction!" proclaimed
+Dulcie, making a grimace at Gowan. "It's as
+good as a novel (though I say it myself) and as
+interesting as anything in a newspaper. Improbable?
+Not at all! Cooks make mistakes sometimes,
+like other people! I don't exactly know
+the symptoms of rat poisoning, but I dare say they
+are very much what I've described. It's thrilling
+reading, anyhow, and you ought to give me a good
+clap for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Tootle-too! Somebody has lost a trumpeter!"
+returned Gowan.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span>"I don't care! I'm sure if we took votes for
+the most thrills, my piece would win. I'm going
+to keep it! Hand it back to me, Gowan! I want
+to show it to Everard some time. He'd laugh
+ever so over it. He says my home letters are
+tame. This would wake him up, at any rate!
+He'd say his sister was breaking out into an
+authoress! What sport!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2 style="margin-top: 5em;"><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a><span class="smcap">chapter xxi</span></h2>
+<h2>Carmel's Kingdom</h2>
+
+
+<p>The day following the secret meeting of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span>
+Mafia was one of those devoted to home correspondence.
+The girls were alloted forty minutes
+during school hours: they brought their
+writing-cases into the class-room, and scribbled off
+as many letters as possible during the brief time
+allowed. On this particular Wednesday Dulcie
+was much in arrears; she wrote three letters to
+Sicily, one to an aunt in London, a short scrawl
+to Everard, and was beginning "My dear Cousin
+Clare," when Miss Hardy entered the room in a
+hurry.</p>
+
+<p>"Jones has to leave half an hour earlier," she
+announced, "and he wants to take the post-bag
+now. Be quick, girls, and give me your letters!"</p>
+
+<p>A general scramble of finishing and stamping
+ensued. Dulcie, who had not addressed her envelopes,
+folded her loose sheets anyhow, and
+trusted to luck that the foreign letters were not
+over-weight.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't help it if they have to pay extra on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span>
+them," she confided to Carmel. "They look
+rather heavy, certainly, but I hadn't any thin note
+paper, you see."</p>
+
+<p>"Douglas will pay up cheerfully, I'm sure!"</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know that his was a heavy one?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I can guess!"</p>
+
+<p>"I was only answering a number of questions
+he asked me. It's very unkind not to answer
+people's questions!"</p>
+
+<p>"Most decidedly! I quite agree with you!"
+laughed Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>The letters were posted in Glazebrook that evening
+by the factotum Jones, and Dulcie, though
+her thoughts might possibly follow the particular
+heavy envelope addressed to Montalesso, dismissed
+her other items of correspondence completely
+from her mind. She was taking a run
+round the garden the next morning at eleven
+o'clock "break," when to her immense surprise
+she heard a trotting of horse's hoofs on the drive,
+and who should appear but Everard, riding
+Rajah. The rules at Chilcombe Hall were strict.
+No visits were allowed, even from brothers, without
+special permission from Miss Walters.
+Hitherto Everard had come over only by express
+invitation from the head-mistress, and this had
+been given sparingly, at discreet intervals, and
+always for the afternoon. Surely some most unusual
+circumstance must have brought him to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span>
+school at the early hour of eleven in the morning?
+Dulcie flew across the lawn, calling his name. At
+the sight of his sister Everard dismounted, and
+greeted her eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! How are you? How's Carmel?"
+he began. "I say, you know, this has been a
+shocking business! You look better than I expected"
+(scanning her face narrowly). "It's a
+mercy you aren't all under the daisies! Is Carmel
+<em>really</em> lame? What about those fits? I came
+directly I read your letter. A specialist must be
+sent for at once! I can't understand Miss
+Walters taking it so lightly. We ought to have
+been told at once, directly it happened."</p>
+
+<p>As Everard poured forth these remarks, Dulcie's
+expression underwent several quick changes,
+and passed from astonishment to sudden comprehension
+and mirth.</p>
+
+<p>"We're better, thanks!" she choked. "And
+Carmel can hobble about quite well on her
+crutches, and her face isn't <em>very</em> black now, not
+like it was at first, though of course she still has
+the fits pretty regularly, and the Doctor
+says&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But at that moment her mendacious statement
+was contradicted by Carmel herself, who came
+running over the lawn with an agility that put
+crutches out of all question, and a complexion
+that was certainly in no way spoilt.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span>It was Everard's turn to look amazed. He
+glanced in much perplexity from his cousin, radiant
+and apparently in the best of health, to his
+sister, who was almost speechless with laughter.</p>
+
+<p>"You never actually <em>believed</em> my letter about
+the rat poison?" exploded Dulcie. "I explained
+that it was written for our literary evening. I
+told you, Everard, I only sent it on for you to
+read because it sounded so funny, and I was rather
+proud of it!"</p>
+
+<p>"You told me nothing of the sort!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but I did indeed! Unless&mdash;" (suddenly
+sobering down), "unless I forgot to put my other
+letter into the envelope, and only sent you the
+rat-poison one! I was in such a hurry! Oh,
+good-night! Isn't it just like me! Poor old
+Everard, I never meant to give you such a scare!
+I'm frightfully sorry! Umpteen apologies!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then is the whole business fiction?" demanded
+her brother, with knitted brows.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Everard, don't be angry!" implored Carmel.
+"Dulcie didn't mean to rag you! We
+were having a jolly evening, and each of us had
+to write something&mdash;the funnier the better&mdash;and
+that was Dulcie's contribution. She said she
+was going to send it to you to make you laugh, but
+of course she meant to put in her other letter to
+explain that this was only nonsense. But Miss
+Hardy came in such a hurry, and whisked all our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span>
+letters off before we had time to read them over,
+or hardly to put them in the right envelopes. So
+you know it was just an accident."</p>
+
+<p>"I rode over at once to see what was the matter!"</p>
+
+<p>Everard's voice still sounded offended, though
+slightly mollified.</p>
+
+<p>"I know you did, and it was ever so kind of
+you. I'm only sorry you should have all the
+trouble. It's been nice to see you, though, and
+we do thank you for coming."</p>
+
+<p>"It must be a relief to find we don't squint or
+hobble on crutches," added Dulcie naughtily.
+"How <em>shall</em> we explain to Miss Walters if she
+catches you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'd better be going!" declared Everard.
+"Isn't that your school-bell ringing? Well, I'm
+glad at any rate to find you all right. Shan't dare
+to believe any of your letters in future, Dulcie!</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+"'Matilda told such awful lies,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">It made you gasp and stretch your eyes.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">Her aunt, who from her earliest youth</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">Had kept a strict regard for truth,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">Attempted to believe Matilda&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.75em;">The effort very nearly killed her.'</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, Carmel! Keep my bad young sister in
+order if you can. She needs some one to look
+after her." And Everard, with a hand on Rajah's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span>
+bridle, nodded smilingly after the girls as they ran
+towards the house in response to the clanging
+school-bell.</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the summer term at Chilcombe Hall
+seemed to pass very rapidly away, and the space
+in this book is not enough to tell all that the girls
+did during those weeks of June sunshine and July
+heat. There were tennis tournaments and archery
+contests, cricket matches, picnics and strawberry
+feasts, as well as the more sober business of
+lessons, examinations, and a concert to which
+parents were invited. To Carmel it was the
+pleasantest term she had spent at school, for she
+had settled down now into English ways, and did
+not so continually feel the call of her Sicilian
+home. The "Hostage," as Dulcie still sometimes
+laughingly called her, if she pined for the Casa
+Bianca, had contrived to make herself happy in
+her northern surroundings, and had won favor
+with everybody. School girls do not often make
+a fuss, but, when breaking-up day arrived, and the
+Ingletons drove away in their car, a chorus of
+cheers followed them from the doorstep, and,
+though the hoorays were given to all three without
+discrimination, there is no doubt that they were
+mainly intended for Carmel.</p>
+
+<p>"She's a sport!" said Gowan, waving in reply
+to the white handkerchief that fluttered a farewell.
+"I don't know any chum I like better. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span>
+always plays the game somehow, doesn't she?"</p>
+
+<p>"Rather!" agreed Noreen. "I think the way
+she's taken her place at Cheverley Chase without
+cuckooing all that family out, or making them
+jealous, is just marvelous. If anybody deserves
+her kingdom, it's Princess Carmel; it's only one in
+a thousand who could have done what she has."</p>
+
+<p>Carmel, indeed, though an unacknowledged
+sovereign, had managed to win all hearts at the
+Chase. Even Lilias did not now resent the ownership
+of one who so rarely urged her own claims;
+insensibly she had grown fond of her cousin, and
+liked her company.</p>
+
+<p>The summer holiday promised to be as pleasant
+as that of last Christmas. Mr. Stacey, who
+had taken his vacation in June and July, had returned
+to Cheverley in time to greet Roland,
+Bevis, and Clifford, a welcome state of affairs to
+Cousin Clare, for the three lively boys were almost
+beyond her management, and needed the kindly
+authority which the tutor knew so well how to
+wield without friction. All sorts of plans for enjoyment
+were in the air, a visit to the sea, a motor
+tour, a garden party, a tennis tournament, a cricket
+match, even a dance at the Chase, when one day
+something quite unexpected occurred, something
+which changed the entire course of events, and
+threw the thoughts of the holiday makers into a
+new channel. Like many extraordinary happenings,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span>
+it came about in quite an ordinary way.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel had left her despatch case at school&mdash;a
+small matter, indeed, but fraught with big consequences.
+As she wanted some convenient safe
+spot in which to deposit note paper, old letters,
+sealing wax, stamps, and other such treasures,
+Cousin Clare allowed her to take possession of a
+writing-desk which stood on the study table. It
+had belonged to old Mr. Ingleton, and he had
+indeed used it till the day before his death, but it
+had been emptied of its contents by Mr. Bowden,
+and was now placed merely as an ornament in the
+window. It was a large, old-fashioned desk of
+rosewood, handsomely inlaid with brass, and lined
+with purple velvet. Carmel seized upon it joyfully,
+and began to transfer some of her many
+belongings to its hospitable depths. It was well
+fitted, for there was an ink-pot with a silver top,
+and a pen-box containing a seal and a silver pen.
+Mr. Bowden had left these when he removed the
+papers, probably considering them as part and
+parcel of the desk. Carmel lifted out the ink-pot
+to admire its cover, but, though it came out fairly
+easily, it was a difficult matter to fit it in again.
+In pushing it back into its place she pulled heavily
+upon the small wooden division between its socket
+and the pen-box. To her utter surprise, her
+action released a spring, a long narrow panel
+below the pen-box fell away, and revealed a quite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span>
+unsuspected secret drawer. She opened it in much
+excitement. Inside lay a folded sheet of foolscap
+paper. Her exclamation had called Lilias and
+Dulcie from the other side of the room, and all
+three girls admired and wondered at the contrivance
+of the secret drawer. Together they took
+out the sheet of paper, unfolded it, and bent their
+heads over it.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's Grandfather's writing!" exclaimed
+Lilias as she read the first words:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"This is the last will and testament of me
+Leslie Ingleton of Cheverley Chase near Balderton."</p>
+
+<p>"It's surely not another will?" fluttered Dulcie.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel said nothing; her eyes were devouring
+the contents of the paper. She read it through
+carefully to the end, then she asked:</p>
+
+<p>"What was the date of the will in which Grandfather
+left the Chase to me? Was it not some
+time in January? Well, this is certainly a later
+date. It must have been signed the very day
+before he died!"</p>
+
+<p>"Does it make any difference?" inquired Dulcie
+breathlessly.</p>
+
+<p>Carmel had taken the paper away from her
+cousins, and stood in the window mastering the
+meaning of the legal language. She read a certain
+passage over and over again carefully before she
+answered. Then she looked out through the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span>
+study window&mdash;that window with its wonderful
+view over the whole range of the Ingleton property&mdash;she
+gazed at the gardens and woods and
+fields that for more than a year had been hers,
+and hers alone, the estate which to claim as heiress
+she had been brought from her Sicilian home.</p>
+
+<p>"All the difference in the world," she said
+quietly. "Grandfather changed his mind at the
+last, and left the Chase to Everard after all!"</p>
+
+<p>"To Everard?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Carmel!"</p>
+
+<p>"Are you certain?"</p>
+
+<p>"Can there be any mistake?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is the will properly signed? Let me look!
+Yes, it seems signed and witnessed, as far as I can
+tell!"</p>
+
+<p>"What are you going to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I ring up Mr. Bowden?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet, please," begged Carmel. "Leave
+me a moment!"</p>
+
+<p>She was still standing gazing out through the
+window over the English woods and meadows that
+she had grown to love so dearly, those wide acres
+of which any one might have been proud. At
+last she turned round and answered:</p>
+
+<p>"I am going now to tell the news to the rightful
+owner of the Chase."</p>
+
+<p>Everard was sitting in the stone summer-house
+in the garden, struggling with a difficult problem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span>
+in mathematics, when suddenly through the ivy-framed
+doorway danced Princess Carmel, an excited
+vision, with carnation cheeks, and dark eyes
+twinkling like stars. She stopped on the threshold
+and dropped him a pretty curtsey, then a
+great generous light seemed to shine in her face as
+she announced:</p>
+
+<p>"Signor Everard, allow me to hand you back
+your inheritance!"</p>
+
+<p>It was the triumph of her life.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>Mr. Bowden, on being sent for to examine the
+will, found all in perfect order. The legacies to
+friends and to the other grandchildren were exactly
+the same as in the former will, the only difference
+being that the positions of the two cousins
+were reversed, Carmel receiving a handsome sum
+of money, and Everard inheriting the property.
+There was no doubt that the impetuous old squire
+had repented his hasty decision, but not liking to
+confess such weakness to the family lawyer, had
+drawn up his own will and hidden it in the secret
+drawer of his desk. Possibly he himself was not
+sure which of the two documents he wished to
+stand, and had kept this in reserve while he
+vacillated. Fate, for a year and a half, had decided
+in favor of Carmel, then the eternal balance
+had swung slowly back.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems such a pity that the desk wasn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span>
+searched properly at first," said Lilias to Cousin
+Clare. "Think of all the trouble it would have
+prevented if we had only known about that secret
+drawer. Poor Everard! How much he would
+have been saved!"</p>
+
+<p>"And how immensely much he would have
+lost!" said Cousin Clare. "This testing-time of
+character has been Everard's salvation. He is
+very different now from the thoughtless, self-important
+boy who looked at everything from his
+own point of view. He has learnt some of life's
+stern lessons, and will make a far better owner
+of the Chase than would have been possible without
+passing through these experiences. I think he
+realizes that for himself, and would not wish to
+change anything that has happened."</p>
+
+<p>Now that the new will was proved, and Cheverley
+Chase was no longer her property, arose the
+immediate question of Carmel's future. She settled
+it at once for herself, and in spite of all
+entreaties to remain in England, decided to return
+to her Sicilian home.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you long ago, Everard, that I would
+not keep your inheritance, and I am only too glad
+to hand it back," she said to her cousin. "You're
+going to do all the splendid things that I prophesied&mdash;take
+your degree, be a model landowner,
+get into Parliament, and help your country!"</p>
+
+<p>"But I can't do it alone! A kingdom needs a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span>
+queen as well as a king, Carmel! The Chase
+would simply be an empty casket without you!
+You're the very heart and soul of it all. I will let
+you go now, dear, for I see you're quite determined,
+but Carmel! Carmel! some day in the far
+future, if you think I have grown into anything
+like what you wish me to be, then I shall tell you
+that your throne is waiting for you here in Old
+England&mdash;the land of primroses and sweetbriar
+and true hearts, Carmel! And I shall ask you to
+leave your Sicilian flowers and scented orange
+groves, and come back to claim your kingdom!"</p>
+
+
+<p style="font-size: 1.3em; text-align: center; margin-top: 80px; margin-bottom: 40px;" class="smcap">the end</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div style="width: 600px; margin: auto;">
+<h2>The Girl Scouts Series</h2>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">BY EDITH LAVELL</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">A new copyright series of Girl Scouts stories by<br/>
+an author of wide experience in Scouts' craft, as<br/>
+Director of Girl Scouts of Philadelphia.</p>
+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
+<p>THE GIRL SCOUTS' RIVALS</p>
+
+<p>THE GIRL SCOUTS ON THE RANCH</p>
+
+<p>THE GIRL SCOUTS' VACATION ADVENTURES</p>
+
+<p>THE GIRL SCOUTS' MOTOR TRIP</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 40%;"/>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price<br/>
+by the Publishers</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center; font-size: 1.2em;">
+A. L. BURT COMPANY</p>
+
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+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div style="width: 600px; margin: auto;">
+<h2>The Camp Fire Girls Series</h2>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">By HILDEGARD G. FREY</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">A Series of Outdoor Stories for<br/>
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+
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+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS GO MOTORING; or, Along
+the Road That Leads the Way.</p>
+
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+The House of the Open Door.</p>
+
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+Trail of the Seven Cedars.</p>
+
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+
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+the Top with the Winnebagos.</p>
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+The Christmas Adventure at Carver House.</p>
+
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+or, Down Paddles.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 40%;"/>
+
+<p style="text-align: center;">For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price<br/>
+by the Publishers</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: center; font-size: 1.2em;">
+A. L. BURT COMPANY</p>
+
+<p><span style="float: left;">114&ndash;120 EAST 23rd STREET</span> <span style="float: right">NEW YORK</span><br/></p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Princess of the School, by Angela Brazil
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Princess of the School, by Angela Brazil
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Princess of the School
+
+Author: Angela Brazil
+
+Illustrator: Frank Wiles
+
+Release Date: June 1, 2007 [EBook #21656]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCESS OF THE SCHOOL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jana Srna, Suzanne Shell and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "I'VE COME TO SAY GOOD-BY TO YOU, SIS"]
+
+
+    THE PRINCESS OF THE SCHOOL
+==================================
+         By ANGELA BRAZIL
+----------------------------------
+
+            AUTHOR OF
+
+"The Luckiest Girl in the School,"
+"The Harum-Scarum Schoolgirl,"
+"A Popular Schoolgirl,"
+"The Head Girl at the Gables."
+
+
+   Illustrated by Frank Wiles.
+==================================
+        A. L. BURT COMPANY
+Publishers              New York
+
+
+Published by arrangement with Frederick A. Stokes Company
+
+Printed in U. S. A.
+
+
+Copyright, 1920,
+by FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY
+
+All rights reserved
+
+First published in the United States
+ of America, 1921
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+
+CHAPTER                       PAGE
+
+    I THE INGLETON FAMILY        1
+
+   II A STOLEN JOY-RIDE         15
+
+  III A VALENTINE PARTY         33
+
+   IV DISINHERITED              50
+
+    V THE NEW OWNER             61
+
+   VI PRINCESS CARMEL           73
+
+  VII AN OLD GREEK IDYLL        88
+
+ VIII WOOD NYMPHS              100
+
+   IX THE OPEN ROAD            114
+
+    X A MEETING                129
+
+   XI A SECRET SOCIETY         145
+
+  XII WHITE MAGIC              157
+
+ XIII THE MONEY-MAKERS         171
+
+  XIV ALL IN A MIST            190
+
+   XV ON THE HIGH SEAS         201
+
+  XVI THE CASA BIANCA          215
+
+ XVII SICILIAN COUSINS         229
+
+XVIII A NIGHT OF ADVENTURE     242
+
+  XIX AT PALERMO               261
+
+   XX OLD ENGLAND              271
+
+  XXI CARMEL'S KINGDOM         283
+
+
+
+
+THE PRINCESS OF THE SCHOOL
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+The Ingleton Family
+
+
+On a certain morning, just a week before Christmas, the little world of
+school at Chilcombe Hall was awake and stirring at an unusually early
+hour. Long before the slightest hint of dawn showed in the sky the lamps
+were lighted in the corridors, maids were scuttling about, bringing in
+breakfast, and Jones, the gardener, assisted by his eldest boy, a sturdy
+grinning urchin of twelve, was beginning the process of carrying down
+piles of hand-bags and hold-alls, and stacking them on a cart which was
+waiting in the drive outside.
+
+Miss Walters, dreading the Christmas rush on the railway, had determined
+to take time by the forelock, and meant to pack off her pupils by the
+first available trains, trusting they would most of them reach their
+destinations before the overcrowding became a serious problem in the
+traffic. The pupils themselves offered no objections to this early
+start. The sooner they reached home and began the holidays, so much the
+better from their point of view. It was fun to get up by lamp-light,
+when the stars were still shining in the sky; fun to find that rules
+were relaxed, and for once they might chatter and talk as they pleased;
+fun to run unreproved along the passages, sing on the stairs, and twirl
+one another round in an impromptu dance in the hall.
+
+The particular occupants of the Blue Bedroom had been astir even before
+the big bell clanged for rising, so they stole a march over rival
+dormitories, performed their toilets, packed their hand-bags, strapped
+their wraps, and proceeded downstairs to the dining-hall, where cups and
+plates were just being laid upon the breakfast-table. It was quite
+superfluous energy on the part of Lilias, Dulcie, Gowan, and Bertha, for
+as a matter of fact not one of them was on the list of earliest
+departures, but the excitement of the general exodus had awakened them
+as absolutely as the advent of Santa Claus on Christmas mornings. They
+stood round the newly-lighted fire, warming their hands, chatting, and
+hailing fresh arrivals who hurried into the hall.
+
+"You going by the 6.30, Edith? You lucker! My train doesn't start till
+ten! I begged and implored Miss Walters to let me leave by the early
+one, and wait at the junction, but she would not hear of it, so I've got
+to stop here kicking my heels, and watch you others whisked away. Isn't
+it a grisly shame?"
+
+Gowan's round rosy face was drawn into a decided pout, and her blue eyes
+were full of self-pity. She had to be sorry for her own grievance,
+because nobody else had either time or much inclination to sympathize;
+they were all far too much excited about their own concerns.
+
+"Well, you'll get off sometime, I suppose," returned Edith airily.
+"There are twelve of us, all going together as far as Colminster. We
+mean to cram into one carriage if we can. Don't suppose the train will
+be full, as it's so early. I thought you were coming with us, Bertha,
+but Miss Hardy says you're not!"
+
+"Dad changed his mind at the last minute, and promised to send the car
+to fetch me. It's only forty miles by road, you know, though it takes
+hours by the train. He seemed to think I should lose either myself or my
+luggage at Sheasby Junction, and it is a horrid place to change. You
+never can get hold of a porter, and you don't know which platform you'll
+start from."
+
+"How are you going home, Lilias?" asked Noreen, who with several other
+girls had joined the group at the fire.
+
+Lilias, squatting on the fender, stretching two cold hands towards the
+blazing sticks, looked up brightly.
+
+"We're riding! Astley and Elton are to fetch Rajah and Peri over for us.
+Grandfather said they needed exercise. I don't suppose he'd have thought
+of it, only Dulcie wrote to Cousin Clare and begged her to ask him.
+Won't it be just splendiferous? We haven't had a ride the whole term,
+and I'm pining to see Rajah!"
+
+"Grandfather had promised to let us ride to school in September," put in
+Dulcie, "but Everard and a friend of his commandeered the horses and
+went to Rasebury, so we couldn't have them, and we were so disappointed.
+I do hope nothing will happen to stop them this time! Everard was to
+arrive home yesterday, so he'll be before us. I shan't ever be friends
+with him again if he plays us such a mean trick!"
+
+"It's 'coach--carriage--wheelbarrow--truck,' it seems to me, the way
+we're all trotting home!" laughed Edith. "If I could have my choice, I'd
+sprint on a scooter!"
+
+"Next term we'll travel by private aeroplane, specially chartered!"
+scoffed Noreen.
+
+"I don't mind how I go, so long as I get off somehow!" chirped Truie.
+"Thank goodness, here come the urns at last! I began to think breakfast
+would never be ready. We want to have time to eat something before we
+start."
+
+Miss Walters' excellent arrangements had left ample time for the healthy
+young appetites to be satisfied before the taxis arrived at the door to
+convey the first contingent of pupils to the station. Sixteen girls,
+under the escort of a mistress, took their departure in the highest of
+spirits, packed as tightly as sardines, but managing to wave good-bys.
+Their boxes had been dispatched the previous day, their hand-bags had
+gone on by cart before breakfast and would be waiting for them at the
+station, where Jones, that most useful factotum, would, by special
+arrangement with the station-master, be taking their tickets before the
+ordinary opening of the booking-office.
+
+Though the departure of sixteen girls made somewhat of a clearance at
+Chilcombe Hall, Miss Walters' labors were not yet over. There was a
+train at eight and a train at ten, and the young people who had to wait
+for these found it difficult to know how to employ the interval until it
+was their turn to enter the taxis. By nine o'clock Lilias and Dulcie,
+ready in their riding habits, were looking eagerly out of the
+dining-hall window along the drive which led to the gate.
+
+"I know Elton would be early," said Dulcie. "It's always Astley who
+stops and fusses. It was the same when Everard went cub-hunting. You
+don't think there's a hitch, do you?" (uneasily). "Shall we get a
+horrid yellow envelope and a message to say 'Come by train'? It would be
+_too_ bad, and yet, it's as likely as not!"
+
+Dulcie's fears, which in the course of twenty minutes' waiting and
+watching had almost conjured up the telegraph boy with his scarlet
+bicycle and brown leather wallet, were suddenly dispelled, however, by a
+brisk sound of trotting, and a moment later appeared the welcome sight
+of her grandfather's two grooms riding up to the house, each leading a
+spare horse by the rein. Those schoolfellows who had not yet departed to
+the station came to the door to witness the interesting start. A sleek,
+well-groomed horse is always a beautiful object, and the girls decided
+unanimously that Lilias and Dulcie were lucky to be carried home in so
+delightful a fashion. They watched them admiringly as they mounted.
+Edith stroked Rajah's smooth neck as she said good-by to her friends.
+
+"Riding beats motoring in my opinion," she vouchsafed, "though of course
+you can go farther in a car. Perhaps I shall pass you on the road."
+
+"No, you won't, for we're taking a short cut across country. We always
+choose by-lanes if we can. Write and tell me if you get a motor-scooter.
+They sound fearfully thrillsome. Good-by, see you again in January!"
+
+"Good-by! and a merry Christmas to everybody!" added Dulcie, turning on
+her saddle to wave a parting salute to those who were left behind on the
+doorstep.
+
+The two girls walked their horses down the drive, but once out on the
+level road they trotted on briskly, with the grooms riding behind. They
+formed quite a little cavalcade as they turned from the hard motor track
+down the grassy lane where a dilapidated sign-post pointed to Ringfield
+and Cheverley. It was a distance of seven good country miles from
+Chilcombe Hall to Cheverley Chase, and, as the events of this story
+center largely round Lilias and Dulcie, there will be ample time to
+describe them while they are wending their way through the damp of the
+misty December morning, up from the low-lying river level to the hill
+country that stretched beyond.
+
+Lilias was just sixteen, and very pretty, with gray eyes, fair hair, a
+straight nose, and two bewitching dimples when she smiled. These dimples
+were rather misleading, for they gave strangers the impression that
+Lilias was humorous, which was entirely a mistake: it was Dulcie who was
+the humorist in reality, Dulcie whose long lashes dropped over her shy
+eyes, and who never could say a word for herself in public, though in
+the society of intimate friends she could be amusing enough. Dulcie, at
+fourteen, seemed years younger than Lilias; she did not wish to grow up
+too soon, and thankfully tipped all responsibilities on to her elder
+sister. Cousin Clare always said there were undiscovered depths in
+Dulcie's character, but they were slow in development, and at present
+she was a childish little person with a pink baby face, an affection for
+fairy tales, and even a sneaking weakness for her discarded dolls. Life,
+that to Lilias seemed a serious business, was a joyous venture to
+Dulcie; she had a happy knack of shaking off the unpleasant things, and
+throwing the utmost possible power of enjoyment into the nice ones. If
+innocent happiness is the birthright of childhood, she clung to it
+steadfastly, and had not yet exchanged it for the red pottage of worldly
+wisdom.
+
+Ever since Father and Mother, in the great disaster of the wreck of the
+_Titanic_, had gone down together into the gray waters of the Atlantic,
+the Ingleton children had lived with their grandfather, Mr. Leslie
+Ingleton, at Cheverley Chase. There were six of them, Everard, Lilias,
+Dulcie, Roland, Bevis, and Clifford, and as time passed on, and the
+memory of that tragedy in mid-ocean grew faint, the Chase seemed as
+entirely their home as if they had been born there. In Everard's
+opinion, at any rate, it belonged to them, as it had always belonged to
+the prospective heirs of the Ingleton family. And that family could
+trace back through many centuries to days of civil wars and service for
+king and country, to crusades and deeds of chivalry, and even to
+far-away ancestors who gave counsel at Saxon Witenagemots. Norman keep
+had succeeded wooden manor, and that in its turn had given place to a
+Tudor dwelling, and both had finally merged into a long Georgian
+mansion, with straight rows of windows and a classic porch, not so
+picturesque as the older buildings, but very convenient and comfortable
+from a modern point of view. The lovely gardens, with their clipped yew
+hedges, were one of the sights of the neighborhood, and it was a family
+satisfaction that the view from the terrace over park, wood, and stream
+showed not a single acre of land that was not their own.
+
+Mr. Leslie Ingleton, a fine type of the old-fashioned, kindly, but
+autocratic English squire, belonged to a bygone generation, and found it
+difficult to move with the march of the times. Because he had spent his
+seventy-four years of life on the soil of Cheverley, the people
+tolerated in "the ould squire" many things that they would not have
+passed over in a younger man or a stranger. They shrugged their
+shoulders and gave way to his well-meant tyranny, for man and boy,
+everybody on the estate had experienced his kindness and realized his
+good intentions towards his tenants.
+
+"If he does fly off at a tangent, ten to one Miss Clare'll be down the
+next day and set all straight again," was the general verdict on his
+frequent outbursts.
+
+Cheverley Chase would have been quite incomplete without Cousin Clare.
+She was a second cousin of the Ingletons, who had come to tend
+Grandmother in her last illness, and after her death had remained to
+take charge of the household and the newly-arrived family of
+grandchildren. She was one of those calm, quiet, big-souled women who in
+the early centuries would have been a saint, and in mediaeval times the
+abbess of a nunnery, but happening to be born in the nineteenth century,
+her mental outlook had a modern bias, and both her philanthropy and her
+religious instincts had developed along the latest lines of thought. She
+had schemes of her own for work in the world, but at present she was
+doing the task that was nearest in helping to bring up the motherless
+children who had been placed temporarily in her care. To manage this
+rather turbulent crew, soothe the irascible old Squire, and keep the
+general household in unity was a task that required unusual powers of
+tact, and a capacity for administration and organization that was worthy
+of a wider sphere. She might be described as the axle of the family
+wheel, for she was the unobtrusive center around which everything
+unconsciously revolved.
+
+But by this time Lilias and Dulcie will have ridden up hill and down
+dale, and will be turning Rajah and Peri in at the great wrought-iron
+gates of Cheverley Chase, and trotting through the park, and up the
+laurel-bordered carriage drive to the house. There was quite a big
+welcome for them when they arrived. Everard had returned the day before
+from Harrow, Roland was back from his preparatory school, and the two
+little ones, Bevis and Clifford, had just said good-by for three weeks
+to their nursery governess, and in consequence were in the wildest of
+holiday spirits. There was a general family pilgrimage round the
+premises to look at all the most cherished treasures, the horses, the
+pigeons, the pet rabbits, the new puppies, the garden, and the woods
+beyond the park; there were talks with the grooms and the keepers, and
+plans for cutting evergreens and decorating both the house and the
+village church in orthodox Christmas fashion.
+
+"It's lovely to be at home again," sighed Lilias with satisfaction, as
+the three elder ones sauntered back through the winding paths of the
+terraced vegetable garden.
+
+"And such a home, too!" exulted Dulcie.
+
+"Rather!" agreed Everard. "That was exactly what was in my mind. The
+first thing I thought when I looked out of the window this morning was:
+'What a ripping place it is, and some day it will be all mine.'"
+
+"Yours, Everard?"
+
+"Why, of course. Who's else should it be? The Chase has always gone
+strictly in the male line, and I'm the oldest grandson, so naturally I'm
+the heir. It goes without saying!"
+
+Dulcie's pink face was looking puzzled.
+
+"Do you mean to say if Grandfather were to die, that everything would be
+yours?" she asked. "Would you be the Squire?"
+
+"I believe I'm called 'the young squire' already," replied Everard
+airily.
+
+"But what about the rest of us?" objected Dulcie.
+
+"Oh, I'd look after you, of course! The heir always does something for
+the younger ones. You needn't be afraid on that score!"
+
+Everard's tone was magnanimous and patronizing in the extreme. He was
+gazing at the house with an air of evident proprietorship. Dulcie, who
+had never considered the question before, revolved it carefully in her
+youthful brain for a moment or two; then she ventured a comment.
+
+"Wouldn't it be fairer to divide it?"
+
+"Nonsense, Dulcie!" put in Lilias. "You don't understand. Properties
+like this are never divided. They always go, just as they are, to the
+eldest son. You couldn't chop them up into pieces, or there'd be no
+estate left."
+
+"Couldn't one have the house and the other the wood, and another the
+park?"
+
+"Much good the house would do anybody without the estate to keep it up!"
+grunted Everard. "Dulcie, you're an utter baby. I don't believe you ever
+see farther than the end of your silly little nose. You may be glad
+you've got a brother to take care of you."
+
+"But haven't I as much right here as you?" persisted Dulcie obstinately.
+
+"No, you haven't; the heir always has the best right to everything.
+Cheer up! When the place is mine, I mean to have a ripping time here!
+I'll make things hum, I can tell you--ask my friends down, and you girls
+shall help to entertain. I've planned it all out. I suppose I shall have
+to go to Cambridge first, but I'll enjoy myself there too--you bet! On
+the whole I think I was born under a lucky star! Hallo! there goes
+Astley; I want to speak to him."
+
+Everard whistled to the groom, and ran down the garden, leaving his
+sisters to return to the house. At seventeen he was a fair, handsome,
+dashing sort of boy, of a type more common thirty years ago than at
+present. He held closely to the old-fashioned ideas of privileges of
+birth, and, according to modern notions, had contracted some false
+ideals of life. He had lounged through school without attempting to
+work, and was depending for all his future upon what should be left him
+by the industry of others. All the same, in spite of his attitude of
+"top dog" in the family, he was attractive, and inclined to be generous.
+Like most boys of seventeen, he had reached the "swollen head" stage,
+and imagined himself of vastly greater importance than he really was.
+The sobriquet of "the young squire" pleased his fancy, and he meant to
+live up to what he considered were the traditions of so distinguished a
+title.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A Stolen Joy-ride
+
+
+Christmas passed over at Cheverley Chase in good old-fashioned orthodox
+mode. The young Ingletons, with plenty of evergreens to work upon,
+performed prodigies in the way of decorations at church and home. They
+distributed presents at a Christmas-tree for the children of tenants,
+and turned up in a body to occupy the front seats at the annual New
+Year's concert in the village. When the usual festivities were finished,
+however, time hung a little heavy on their hands, and one particular
+morning found them lounging about the breakfast-room in the especially
+aggravating situation of not quite knowing what to do with themselves.
+
+"It's too bad we can't have the horses to-day!" groused Dulcie. "I'd set
+my heart on a ride, and I can't get on with my fancy work till I can go
+to Balderton for some more silks."
+
+"And I want some wool," proclaimed Lilias, stopping from a rather
+unnecessary onslaught of poking at the fire. "There's never anything
+fit to buy at this wretched little shop in the village!"
+
+"Except bacon and kippers!" grinned Roland.
+
+"I can't knit with kippers!"
+
+"Fact is, we're all bored stiff!" drawled Everard from the sofa,
+flinging away the book he was reading, and stretching his arms in the
+luxury of a long-drawn yawn. "What should you say to a turn in the car?
+Wouldn't it be rather sport, don't you think?"
+
+"If Grandfather would spare Milner to take us!" said Lilias doubtfully.
+
+"We don't want Milner. _I'll_ drive you! I can manage a car as well as
+he can, any day. Don't get excited, you kids! _No_, Bevis, I shall
+certainly _not_ allow you to try to drive! There's only going to be one
+man at that job, and that's myself!"
+
+"Shall we go and ask Grandfather?" suggested Dulcie.
+
+"Right you are! No, not the whole of us," (as there was a general family
+move). "Three's enough!"
+
+So a deputation, consisting of Everard, Lilias, and Dulcie, promptly
+presented themselves at the study door and tapped for admission. As
+there was no reply to a second rap, they opened the door and walked into
+the room. Grandfather was rather deaf, and sometimes, when he had
+ignored a summons, he would say: "Well, why didn't you come in?" He was
+generally to be found writing letters at this hour in the morning, but
+to-day the revolving chair was empty. He had apparently begun his usual
+correspondence, for his desk was littered with papers. Leaning up
+against the ink-pot there was a photograph. The young people, who had
+walked across the room towards the window, could not fail to notice it,
+for it was tilted in such a prominent place that it at once attracted
+their attention. It represented a very pretty dark-eyed young lady,
+holding a baby on her lap, with a slight background of Greek columns.
+The decidedly foreign look about it was justified by the photographer's
+name in the corner: "Carlo Salviati, Palermo." Over the top was written
+in ink, in a man's handwriting: "My wife and Leslie, from Tristram."
+
+"Who is it?" asked Everard, gazing at the portrait with curiosity.
+"She's rather decent looking. Never seen her here, though, that I can
+remember!"
+
+"It's a ducky little baby! But who is Tristram?" said Dulcie.
+
+"We had an Uncle Tristram once," answered Lilias doubtfully.
+
+"Why, but he died years and years ago, when we were all kids!" returned
+Everard.
+
+"I know. He was the only Tristram in the family, though. I can't
+imagine who these two can be. Leslie, too! Why, that's Grandfather's
+name! Was the baby christened after him?"
+
+"We'll ask Cousin Clare sometime," said Dulcie, so interested that she
+could scarcely tear herself away. "I really want to know most fearfully
+who they are."
+
+"Oh, don't bother about photos at present! Let's find Grandfather!"
+urged Everard. "Perhaps he's gone down to the stables, or he may be in
+the gun-room."
+
+On further inquiry, however, they ascertained that a telegram had
+arrived for Mr. Ingleton, on the receipt of which he had consulted Miss
+Clare, had ordered the smaller car, and they had both been driven away
+by Milner, the chauffeur, and were not expected back until seven or
+eight o'clock in the evening. This was news indeed. For a whole day the
+heads of the establishment would be absent, and the younger generation
+had the place to themselves. For the next eight hours they could do
+practically as they pleased.
+
+Everard stood for a moment thinking. He did not reveal quite all that
+passed through his mind, but the first instalment was sufficient for the
+family.
+
+"We'll get out the touring car, take some lunch with us, and have a
+joy-ride."
+
+Five delighted faces smiled their appreciation.
+
+"Oh, Everard! Dare we?" Dulcie's objection was consciously faint.
+
+"Why not? When Grandfather's away, I consider I've a right to take his
+place and use the car if I want. I'm master here in his absence! I'll
+make it all right with him; don't you girls alarm yourselves! Tear off
+and put on your coats, and tell Atkins to pack us a basket of lunch, and
+to put some coffee in the thermos flasks."
+
+With Everard willing to assume the full responsibility the girls could
+not resist such a tempting offer, while the younger boys were, of
+course, only too ready to follow where their elders led. Elton, the
+groom, made some slight demur when Everard went down to the motor-house
+and began to get out the big touring-car, but the boy behaved with such
+assurance that he concluded he must be acting with his grandfather's
+permission. Moreover, Elton was in charge of the horses, and not the
+cars, and Milner, the chauffeur, who might reasonably have raised
+objections, was away driving his master.
+
+The cook, who perhaps considered it was no business of hers to offer
+remonstrances, and that the house would be quieter without the young
+folks, hastily packed a picnic hamper and filled the thermos flasks. A
+rejoicing crew carried them outside and stowed them in the car.
+
+It seemed a delightful adventure to go off in this way entirely on
+their own. There was some slight wrangling over seats, but Everard
+settled it in his lofty fashion.
+
+"You'll sit where I tell you. I'll have Lilias in front, and the rest of
+you may pack in behind. If you don't like it, you can stop at home. No,
+I'm not going to have you kids interfering here, so you needn't think
+it."
+
+Everard had been taught by the chauffeur to drive, and could manage a
+car quite tolerably well. He possessed any amount of confidence, which
+is a good or bad quality according to circumstances. He ran the large
+touring "Daimler" successfully through the park, and turned her out at
+the great iron gateway on to the highroad. Everybody was in the keenest
+spirits. It was a lovely day, wonderfully mild for January, and the
+sunshine was so pleasant that they hardly needed the thick fur rugs.
+There seemed a hint of spring in the air; already hazel catkins hung
+here and there in the hedgerows, thrushes and robins were singing
+cheerily, and wayside cottages were covered with the blossom of the
+yellow jessamine. It was a joy to spin along the good smooth highroad in
+the luxurious car. Everard was a quick driver, and kept a pace which
+sometimes exceeded the speed limit. Fortunately his brothers and sisters
+were not nervous, or they might have held their breath as he dashed
+round corners without sounding his horn, pelted down hills, and on
+several occasions narrowly avoided colliding with farm carts. A reckless
+boy of seventeen, without much previous experience, does not make the
+most careful of motorists. As a matter of fact it was the first time
+Master Everard had driven without the chauffeur at his elbow, and,
+though he got on very well, his performance was not unattended with
+risks.
+
+Towards one o'clock the crew at the back began to clamor for lunch, and
+to suggest a halt when some suitable spot should be reached. The
+difficulty was to find a place, for they were driving so fast that by
+the time the younger boys had called out the possibilities of some wood
+or small quarry, the car had flown past, and, sooner than turn back,
+Everard would say: "Oh, we'll stop somewhere else!"
+
+By unanimous urging, however, he was at last persuaded to halt at a
+picturesque little bridge in a sheltered hollow, where they had the
+benefit of the sunshine and escaped the wind. A small brook wandered
+below between green banks where autumn brambles still showed brown
+leaves, and actually a shriveled blackberry or two remained. There was a
+patch of grass by the roadside, and here Everard put the car, to be out
+of reach of passing traffic, while its occupants spread the rugs on the
+low wall of the bridge, and began to unpack their picnic baskets. Cook
+had certainly done her best for them: there were ham sandwiches and
+pieces of cold pie, and jam turnovers, and slices of cake, and some
+apples and oranges, and plenty of hot coffee in the thermos flasks.
+
+"It's ever so much nicer to have one's meals out-of-doors, even in
+January!" declared Bevis, munching a damson tartlet, and dropping stones
+into the brook below. "I believe it's warm enough to wade. That water
+doesn't look cold, somehow!"
+
+"No, you don't!" said Lilias briskly. "You needn't think, just because
+Miss Mason isn't here, you can do all the mad things you like. It's no
+use beginning to unlace your boots, for I shan't let you wade, or
+Clifford either! The idea! In January!"
+
+"Why not?" sulked Bevis. "I didn't ask _you_, Lilias. Everard won't say
+no!"
+
+"You can please yourselves," answered his eldest brother, "but _I'm_
+going to take the car on now. If you stay and wade, you'll have to walk
+home, that's all! I certainly shan't came back for you."
+
+At so awful a threat the youngsters, who had really meant business where
+the water was concerned, hurriedly relaced their boots, and ran to take
+their places in the car; the girls finished packing the remains of the
+picnic in the basket, and followed, and soon the engine was started
+again, and they were once more flying along the road.
+
+Everard had brought out the family for a joy-ride without any very
+particular idea of where they were going, though he was steering
+generally in the direction of the Cleland Hills. To his mind the chief
+fun of the expedition lay in simply taking any road that looked
+interesting, without regard to sign-posts. The others trusted implicitly
+to his powers of path-finding, and had really not the slightest idea in
+what part of the country they were traveling. After quite a long time,
+however, it occurred to Lilias to ask where they were, and how long it
+would take them to get home again.
+
+"We've come such a roundabout route, I scarcely know," replied Everard.
+"Those are the Cleland Hills in front of us, though, and if we bowl
+straight ahead, and go over them, we shall get to Clacton Bridge; then
+we can get the straight highroad back to Cheverley."
+
+"We shan't be home before it's dark, though?"
+
+"Well, no! But the head lights are working all right--I tried them
+before we started."
+
+"It will be fun to drive in the dark!" chuckled the boys behind.
+
+"I hope we shall be back before Grandfather and Cousin Clare, though,"
+said Dulcie a little uneasily.
+
+The road over the Cleland Hills was much wilder than they expected, and
+it was very stony and bad. Up and up they went till walls, hedges and
+farms had disappeared, and only the lonely moor lay on either side of
+the rough track. It was a place where no motorist in his senses would
+have ventured to take a car, the extreme roughness of the road made
+steering difficult, and the strain on the tires was enormous. Instead of
+driving cautiously, Everard plunged along with all the hardihood of
+youth, bumping anyhow over ruts and stones. They were just beyond the
+brow of the hill when a loud bang, followed by a grinding sensation,
+announced the bad news that one of their tires had burst.
+
+"What beastly bad luck!" lamented Everard, getting out to inspect the
+injured cover. "It might have had the decency to keep up till we had
+reached civilization! Well, there's nothing for it but to put on the
+spare tire. I've helped Milner to do it before, so I can manage. It's a
+bother we left the spare wheel at home. I shall want some of you to help
+me, though."
+
+Everard had indeed rendered some assistance to the chauffeur on various
+occasions, but it was quite another matter to perform the troublesome
+operation of changing the tire with only two girls and three young
+brothers to lend a hand. In their inexperienced enthusiasm, they did all
+the wrong things, very nearly nipped the tube, mislaid the tools, and
+pulled where they should have pushed. It was only after nearly an hour's
+work that Everard at last managed to get the business finished. The
+family, warm and excited, packed once more into the car.
+
+"Well, I hope we shall have no more troubles now!" exclaimed Lilias, who
+was growing tired and longing for home and tea. "What's the matter,
+Everard?"
+
+"Matter! Why, she won't start, that's all!"
+
+Here was a predicament! Whether the bumping up the rough road had thrown
+some delicate piece of mechanism out of gear, or the waiting in the cold
+had cooled the engine, it was impossible to say, but nothing that
+Everard could do would induce the car to start. He examined everything
+which his rather limited knowledge of motorology suggested might be the
+cause of the stoppage, but with no result. After half an hour's
+tinkering, he was obliged ruefully to acknowledge himself utterly
+baffled.
+
+They were indeed in an extremely awkward situation, stranded on a wild
+moor, probably sixty miles from home, and with the short winter's day
+closing rapidly in.
+
+"What _are_ we to do?" gasped Lilias, half-crying.
+
+"We can't stay here all night!"
+
+"Finish our prog and sleep in the car," suggested Roland.
+
+"No, no! We should be frozen before morning."
+
+"I think we'd better walk on while it's light enough to see," said
+Everard. "We shall probably strike a highroad soon, and we'll stop some
+motorist, ask for a lift to the nearest town, and stay all night at a
+hotel."
+
+"But what about the car?"
+
+"We must just leave her to her fate. There's nothing else for it. I
+don't suppose anybody will touch her up here. It can't be helped, any
+way."
+
+"Let's finish our prog before we set off!" persisted Roland, opening the
+picnic basket.
+
+The family was hungry again, so they readily set to work to dispose of
+the remains of their lunch. It might be a long time before they were
+within reach of their next meal, and they blessed Cook for having packed
+a plentiful supply. Everard would not let them linger for more than a
+few minutes.
+
+"Hurry up, you kids!" he urged. "We don't know how far we may have to
+go, and it will be getting dark soon. Thank goodness we shall be
+walking down hill, at any rate."
+
+[Illustration: "WHAT _ARE_ WE TO DO!" GASPED LILIAS]
+
+After whisking along in the car, "Shanks's pony" seemed a very slow mode
+of progress; their breakdown had happened in an out-of-the-way spot, and
+it was more than an hour before they reached a highroad. It was almost
+dark by that time, and matters seemed so desperate that Everard
+determined to hail the very first passing motorist who seemed to be able
+to help them. Fate brought along no handsome tourist car, but a rattling
+motor-lorry, the driver of which stopped in answer to their united
+shouts, and, after hearing of the difficulty they were in, consented to
+give them a lift to the town, five miles away, for which he was bound.
+Fortunately the lorry was empty, so the family thankfully climbed in,
+and squatted on the floor, while Everard sat in front with the driver.
+
+It was not a very aristocratic mode of conveyance for the heir of
+Cheverley Chase, but Everard was in no mood to pick and choose just
+then, and would have accepted a seat in a coal truck if necessary. As
+for the younger ones, they enjoyed the fun of it. It was a very bumpy
+performance to sit on the floor of the jolting wagon, but at any rate
+infinitely preferable to walking.
+
+Arrived in Bilstone, their cicerone drove them to a Commercial Hotel
+with whose landlady he had some acquaintance, and that good dame, after
+eyeing the party curiously, consented to make up beds for them for the
+night.
+
+"I've no private sitting-room to put you in, and I can't show these
+young ladies into the commercial room," she objected; "but I'll have a
+fire lighted in one of the bedrooms, and you can all have some tea up
+there. Will that suit you?"
+
+Lilias and Dulcie, catching a glimpse through an open door of the
+company smoking in the commercial room, agreed thankfully, glad to find
+some safe haven to which they could beat a retreat.
+
+"I wonder what Cousin Clare would say?" they asked each other.
+
+It was indeed an urgent matter to send some news of their whereabouts to
+Cheverley Chase, where their absence must be causing much alarm. While
+the landlady, therefore, ordered the tea, Everard went out to the public
+telephone, asked for a trunk call, and rang up No. 169 Balderton. He
+could hear relief in the voice of old Winder, who answered the
+telephone. Everard was not anxious to enter into too many explanations,
+so he simply said that they had had a breakdown, told the name of the
+town and the hotel where they were staying, and suggested that Milner
+should come over next morning to the rescue. On hearing his
+Grandfather's voice, he promptly rang off. To-morrow would be quite
+time enough, so he felt, for giving the history of their adventure. The
+unpleasant interview might just as well be deferred, and he had no wish
+to listen to explosions of anger over the telephone.
+
+Tea, tinned salmon, plum and apple jam, and very indifferent bedrooms
+were the best that the Commercial Hotel had to offer, but it was
+infinitely better than being benighted on the moor. In spite of lack of
+all toilet necessaries, the Ingletons slept peacefully, worn out with
+their long day in the fresh air. Milner, the chauffeur, must have made
+an early start, for he arrived at eleven o'clock next morning in the
+small car, armed with his master's instructions. He paid the hotel bill,
+chartered a taxi, in which he dispatched Lilias, Dulcie, Roland, Bevis
+and Clifford, straight for home, then, engaging a mechanic from a
+garage, and taking Everard as guide, he started up the hill in the
+pouring rain to find the abandoned car. It needed several hours'
+attention before it could be induced to start, and it was not until
+evening that he was able to place it safely back in the motor-house at
+Cheverley Chase.
+
+Everard had expected his peppery grandfather to be angry, but he was
+quite unprepared for the intensity of the storm which burst over his
+head on his return.
+
+"Your insolence goes beyond all bounds!" thundered Mr. Ingleton. "To
+borrow my car without leave! And to take your sisters without a chaperon
+to a fifth-rate public-house! You deserve horsewhipping for it! You
+think yourself the young Squire, do you? And imagine you can do just
+what you like here? While I'm above ground I'll have you to know _I'm_
+master, and nobody else in this place!"
+
+"I can't see it was anything so out of the way to take the kids a run in
+the car, and I never meant to keep the girls out all night," replied
+Everard defiantly. He had a temper as well as his grandfather, and the
+pair had often been at loggerheads before.
+
+"Indeed! There are ways of making people see! You can just go a little
+too far sometimes!" declared the old gentleman sarcastically. "I've
+given orders that you don't take either car out again unless Milner is
+with you. So you understand?"
+
+"I suppose I do," grunted Everard, turning sulkily away.
+
+It was only a few days after this that Everard, Lilias, and Dulcie,
+returning home across the park from a walk in the woods, met Mr. Bowden,
+the family solicitor, who was riding down the drive from the Chase. He
+stopped his motor-bicycle and got off to speak to them. They knew him
+well, for he often came to the house to conduct their grandfather's
+business, and he was indeed quite a favorite with them all. He looked at
+Everard keenly when the first greetings were over.
+
+"Been getting yourself into considerable hot water just lately, haven't
+you?" he remarked.
+
+Everard colored and frowned, then burst forth.
+
+"Grandfather's quite too ridiculous! Why shouldn't I take out the car if
+I want to? I can drive as well as Milner! He behaved as if I were a kid!
+It's more than a fellow can stand sometimes! He likes to keep everything
+tight in his own hands; at his age it's time he began to stand aside a
+little and let _me_ look after things! I shall have to take charge of
+the whole property some day, I suppose!"
+
+Mr. Bowden was gazing at Everard with the noncommittal air often assumed
+by lawyers.
+
+"I wouldn't make too sure about that," he said slowly. "I suppose you
+know your Uncle Tristram left a child? No! Well, he did, at any rate. I
+must hurry on now. I've an appointment to keep at my office. A happy New
+Year to you all. Good-by!"
+
+And, starting his engine, he was off before they had time to reply.
+
+"What does he mean?" asked Lilias, watching the retreating bicycle.
+"Uncle Tristram has been dead for thirteen years! We never seem to have
+heard anything about him!"
+
+"What was that photo we saw on the study table?" queried Dulcie. "Don't
+you remember--the lady and the baby, and it had written on it: 'My wife
+and Leslie, from Tristram.'"
+
+"I suppose it was Uncle Tristram's wife and child," replied Everard
+thoughtfully. "He must have called the kid 'Leslie' after Grandfather.
+They ought to have christened _me_ 'Leslie.' I can't think why they
+didn't."
+
+"Have we a cousin Leslie, then, whom we don't know?"
+
+"I suppose we must have, somewhere!"
+
+"How fearfully thrilling!"
+
+"Um! I don't know that it's thrilling at all. It's the first I've heard
+of it until to-day. I wish our father had been the eldest son, instead
+of Uncle Tristram!"
+
+"Why? What does it matter?"
+
+"It may matter more than you think. You're a silly little goose, Dulcie,
+and, as I often tell you, you never see farther than the end of your own
+nose. Surely, after all these years, though, Grandfather _must_----"
+
+"Must what?" asked Lilias curiously.
+
+"Never you mind! Girls can't know everything!" snapped Everard, walking
+on in front of his sisters with a look of unwonted worry upon his
+usually careless and handsome young face.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A Valentine Party
+
+
+Chilcombe Hall, where Lilias and Dulcie had been boarders for the last
+two years, was an exceedingly nice school. It stood on a hill-side well
+raised above the river, and behind it there was a little wood where
+bulbs had been naturalized, and where, in their season, you might find
+clumps of pure white snowdrops, sheets of glorious daffodils, and later
+on lovely masses of the lily of the valley. In the garden all kinds of
+sweet things seemed to be blooming the whole year round. Golden aconite
+buds opened with the January term, and in a wild patch above the rockery
+the delicious heliotrope-scented _Petasites fragrans_ blossomed to tempt
+the bees which an hour's sunshine would bring forth from the hives,
+scarlet _Pyrus japanica_ was trained along the wall under the front
+windows, and early flowering cherry and almond blossoms made delicate
+pink patches of color long before leaves were showing on the trees.
+
+Beautiful surroundings in a school can be quite as important a part of
+our education as the textbooks through which we toil. We are made up of
+body, mind, and spirit, and the developing soul needs satisfying as much
+as the physical or mental part of us. Long years afterwards, though we
+utterly forget the lessons we may have learnt as children, we can still
+vividly recall the effect of the afternoon sun streaming through the
+fuchsia bush outside the open French window where we sat conning those
+unremembered tasks. The lovely things of nature, assimilated half
+unconsciously when we are young, equip us with a purity of heart and a
+refinement of taste that should safeguard us later, and keep our
+thoughts at a lofty level.
+
+The "beauty cult" was a decided feature of Chilcombe Hall. Miss Walters
+was extremely artistic; she painted well in water-colors and had
+exquisite taste. Many of the charming decorations in the house had been
+done by herself; she had designed and stencilled the frieze of drooping
+clusters of wistaria that decorated the dining-hall wall; the framed
+landscapes in the drawing-room were her own work, and she herself always
+superintended the arrangement of the bowls of flowers that gave such
+brightness to the schoolrooms.
+
+Her twenty pupils had on the whole a decidedly pleasant time. There were
+just enough of them to develop the community spirit, but not too many
+to obliterate the individual, or, as Ida Spenser put it: "You can get up
+a play, or a dance, or any other sort of fun, and yet we all know each
+other like a kind of big family."
+
+"Divided up into small families according to bedrooms!" added Hester
+Wilson.
+
+The bedrooms at Chilcombe Hall were rather a speciality. They were
+large, and were furnished partly as studies, and girls had their own
+bookcases, knick-knacks, and pretty things there. As the house was
+provided with central heating, they were warmed, and a certain amount of
+preparation was done in them each afternoon. Miss Walters' artistic
+faculty had decorated them in schemes of various colors, so that they
+were known respectively as The Rose, The Gold, The Green, The Brown, and
+The Blue Bedrooms. Lilias and Dulcie Ingleton, Gowan Barbour, and Bertha
+Chesters, who occupied the last-named, considered it quite the choicest
+of all. They had each made important contributions to its furniture, had
+clubbed together to buy a Liberty table-cloth, had provided vases in
+lovely shades of turquoise blue, and had worked toilet-mats, nightdress
+cases and other accessories to accord with the prevailing tone. "The
+Blue Grotto," as they named their dormitory, certainly had points over
+rival bedrooms, for it looked down the garden towards the river, and
+had the best view of the sunset. Moreover, it was at the very end of the
+corridor, so that sudden outbursts of laughter did not meet the ears of
+Miss Hardy quite so easily as from the Rose or the Brown room.
+
+The work of the spring term had been in full swing for nearly a month,
+when Gowan Barbour, looking at the calendar--hand-painted, with blue
+cranesbill geraniums--suddenly discovered that next morning would be the
+festival of St. Valentine.
+
+"Could anything be better?" she exulted. "We've won the record for
+tidiness three weeks running, so we're entitled to a special indulgence.
+I vote we ask to bring tea up here, and have a Valentine party. Don't
+you think it would be rather scrumptious? I've all sorts of ideas in my
+head."
+
+"Topping!" agreed Dulcie, pausing in the act of tying her hair ribbon to
+consider the important question, "specially if we could get Miss Walters
+to let us send to Glazebrook for a few cakes. I believe she would, if we
+wheedled!"
+
+"What about visitors?" asked Lilias. "It would be much more of a party
+if we had a few of the others in."
+
+"We don't want a crowd, or we might as well be in the dining-hall,"
+objected Bertha.
+
+"Well, of course we shouldn't ask the whole school, naturally, but
+perhaps just Noreen and Phillida!"
+
+"We must get at the soft spot in Miss Walters' heart," decided Gowan.
+"Pick a bunch of early violets if you can find them, lay them on her
+study table, talk about flowers and nature for a little while, then ask
+if we may have a quiet little party in our bedroom to-morrow afternoon,
+with cakes at our own expense."
+
+"Quiet?" queried Lilias.
+
+"Well, of course you couldn't call it rowdy, could you? We'll send you
+to do the asking. Those dimples of yours generally get what you want,
+and on the whole I think you're the pattern one of us, and the most
+likely to be listened to."
+
+Tea at Chilcombe Hall was a quite informal meal. It partook, indeed more
+of the nature of a canteen. The urns were what the girls called "on tap"
+from four to four-thirty, and during summer any one might take cup,
+saucer, and plate into the garden, provided she duly brought them back
+afterwards to the dining-hall. Special permission for a bedroom feast
+was therefore not very difficult to obtain, and Lilias returned from her
+interview in the study with her dimples conspicuously in evidence.
+
+"Well?" asked the interested circle in the Blue bedroom.
+
+"Sweet as honey!" reported Lilias. "She said 'Certainly, my dear!' We
+may each ask one friend, and we may spend two shillings amongst us on
+cakes, if we give the money and the list of what we want to Jones this
+afternoon, because he's going into Glazebrook first thing to-morrow
+morning."
+
+"Only two shillings!" commented Gowan.
+
+"It will go no way!" pouted Bertha.
+
+"Well, I can't help it. Miss Walters said 'Two shillings' most
+emphatically."
+
+"You might have stuck out for more! Those iced cakes are always half a
+crown!"
+
+"I didn't dare to stick out for anything. I was so afraid she'd change
+her mind, and say 'There's good plain home-made cake with your
+schoolroom tea, and you must be content with that,' like she did to Nona
+and Muriel."
+
+"We could get twelve twopenny cakes for two shillings," calculated
+Dulcie; "but if there are eight of us, that's only one and a half
+apiece."
+
+"Best get eight twopenny iced cakes, and eight penny buns," suggested
+Bertha, taking pencil and paper to write the important order.
+
+"Right-o! Only be sure you put _pink_ iced cakes, they are so much the
+nicest."
+
+"Whom shall we ask? It won't be much of a beano on two shillings. Still,
+they'll be keen on coming, I expect."
+
+Noreen, Phillida, Prissie, and Edith, the four finally selected
+favorites, accepted the invitation with alacrity. Bedroom tea-parties
+were indulgences only given to winners of three weeks' dormitory
+records, so the less fortunate occupants of the Brown and Rose rooms
+were really profiting by the tidiness of their hostesses. The Blue
+Grotto was placed in apple-pie order on the afternoon of the fourteenth
+of February. A white hemstitched cloth and a bowl of snowdrops adorned
+the center table, and the cakes were set out on paper doilies. Both
+hostesses and guests were in the dining-hall by four o'clock, awaiting
+the appearance of the urns, and each bore her cup of tea and a portion
+of bread and butter and scones upstairs with her.
+
+It was a jolly party round the square table, and if the cakes were not
+too plentiful, they were at least voted delicious. The girls carried
+down the cups when they had finished, shook the table-cloth out of the
+window, carefully collected crumbs from the floor, so as to preserve
+their record for neatness, then gathered round the table again for an
+hour's fun before the bell should ring for prep.
+
+"It's a Valentine party, and I've got a ripping idea," said Gowan.
+"We'll put our names on pieces of paper, fold them up, shuffle them and
+draw them; then each of us must write a valentine to the one we've
+drawn. We'll shuffle these, and one of us must read them all out. Then
+we must each guess who's written our valentines."
+
+"Sounds rather brainy, doesn't it?" objected Noreen. "I don't think I'm
+any hand at poetry!"
+
+"Oh! you can make up something if you try. Valentines are generally
+doggerel."
+
+"Need it be quite original?" asked Edith.
+
+"Well, if you really _can't_ compose anything, we'll allow quotations."
+
+"Cracker mottoes?" suggested Dulcie.
+
+"Exactly. They're just about in the right style."
+
+"Are you all getting into a sentimental vein?" giggled Bertha. "Remember
+'Love' rhymes with 'Dove,' and Cupid with--with--"
+
+"Stupid," supplied Dulcie laconically.
+
+"I'm not going to give my rhymes away beforehand," said Phillida. "Is
+that shuffling business finished, Gowan? Then bags me first draw."
+
+Each girl, having been apportioned the name of her valentine, set to
+work to compose a suitable ode in her honor. There was much knitting of
+brows and nibbling of pencils, and demands for a few minutes longer,
+when Gowan called "Time!" At last, however, the effusions were all
+finished, folded, shuffled, and laid in a pile. Gowan, as the
+originator of the game, was unanimously elected president. She drew one
+at a venture, opened it, and read:
+
+    "TO PHILLIDA
+
+    "Fair maiden, who in ancient song
+     Was wont to flout her swain,
+     I prithee be not always coy,
+     But turn your face again.
+     My heart is true, and it will rue,
+     That ever you should doubt me,
+     So sweet, be kind, and change your mind,
+     And don't for ever flout me."
+
+"Who wrote that?" asked Phillida, glancing keenly round the circle.
+"Noreen, I believe you're looking conscious! I always suspect people who
+say they can't write."
+
+"_I!_ No, indeed!" declared Noreen.
+
+"You may make guesses, but nobody's to confess or deny authorship till
+the end," put in Gowan hastily. "Remember, valentines are always
+supposed to be anonymous. Now I'm going to read another.
+
+    "TO LILIAS
+
+    "Cupid with his fatal dart
+     Shot me through and made me smart,
+     So I pray, before we part,
+     Kiss me once, and heal my heart!"
+
+"Short and sweet!" commented Edith.
+
+"Very sweet--quite sugary, in fact," agreed Lilias. "It's the sort of
+motto you get out of a superior cracker with gelatine paper on the
+outside, and trinkets inside. There ought to be a ring with all that. I
+believe it's Prissie's, but I'm not sure it isn't by Bertha."
+
+"You mayn't have two guesses!" reminded Gowan, reaching for another
+paper. "Hallo! this actually to me! I feel quite shy!"
+
+"Go on! You're not usually afflicted with shyness," urged the others.
+
+    "TO GOWAN
+
+    "Wee modest, crimson-tipped flower,
+     Thou'st met me in an evil hour;
+     For I maun gang far frae thy bower,
+     And leave thee greeting 'mang the stour.
+     But lassie, thou art no thy lane,
+     This heart is also brak in twain,
+     And like to burst with grief and pain
+     To think I'll see thee ne'er again."
+
+"H'm! He might have signed 'Robbie Burns' at the end of it!" commented
+Gowan. "Seems to take it for granted I'm doing half of the grieving. No,
+thanks! I prefer to 'flout them' like Phillida. He may go away with his
+old broken heart if he likes. That's not my idea of a valentine."
+
+"There were bad valentines as well as good ones, weren't there?"
+twinkled Dulcie.
+
+"Certainly; and if I set this down to you, perhaps I'll not be far out.
+Who comes next? Oh! Bertha.
+
+    "TO BERTHA
+
+    "I have a little heart to let,
+     As nice as nice can be;
+     It's vacant just at present,
+     On a yearly tenancy.
+     It's quite completely furnished
+     With affection's choicest store,
+     Sweet nothings by the bushel,
+     And kisses by the score.
+     It sadly wants a tenant,
+     This little heart of mine,
+     So I beg that you will take it,
+     And be my Valentine!"
+
+"Edith! Dulcie! Phillida!--Oh! I can't guess!" laughed Bertha. "There's
+not the least clue! Go on, Gowan! I'll plump for Phillida."
+
+The next on the list was--
+
+    "TO NOREEN
+
+    "Cupid on his rosy wing
+     Flits to offer you a ring:
+     Take it, dear, and happy make
+     One who'd die for your sweet sake!"
+
+"That's the sugary type again, and suggests a cracker!" decided Noreen.
+"You feel there ought to be a big dish of trifle somewhere near."
+
+"I wish there were!" chirped Edith. "You haven't guessed yet!"
+
+"Oh, well, I guess you!"
+
+"I hope it's my turn next," said Prissie.
+
+"No, it happens to be Dulcie," retorted Gowan. "You'll probably be the
+last of all.
+
+    "TO DULCIE
+
+    "Oh, lady fair from Cheverley Chase,
+     The day when first I saw your face
+     Put me in such a fearful flutter
+     I could do naught but moan and mutter.
+     Whether I'm standing on my head,
+     Or if I'm on my heels instead,
+     I scarce can tell, for Cupid's arrows
+     Have made my brain like any sparrow's.
+     When you come near, my foolish heart
+     Goes pit-a-pat with throb and start,
+     And when I try my love to utter,
+     My fairest speech is but a stutter.
+     How to propose is all my task,
+     Whether to write or just to ask,
+     And ere I solve the problem knotty
+     I really fear I shall go dotty.
+     Oh, lady fair, in pity stop
+     And list while I the question pop.
+     'Tis here on paper; think it over,
+     And let me be your humble lover."
+
+"Quite the longest of them all!" smiled Dulcie complacently.
+
+"But not as poetical as mine!" contended Noreen.
+
+"Oh, go on!" said Edith. "I'm sure I'm next!"
+
+And so she was.
+
+    "TO EDITH
+
+    "Maiden of the swan-like neck,
+     I am at your call and beck;
+     If you will but wave a finger,
+     In your neighborhood I'll linger,
+     Praise your eyes, and cheeks of roses,
+     Bring you presents of sweet posies,
+     Sweetheart, if you will be mine,
+     Let me be your Valentine!"
+
+"I haven't got a swan neck! It's no longer than other people's, I'm
+sure!" protested Edith indignantly, looking round the circle for the
+offender. "Who wrote such stuff?"
+
+"There, don't get excited, child!" soothed Gowan. "'Edith of the Swan
+Neck' was a historical character. Don't you remember? She ought to have
+married King Harold, only she didn't, somehow. It's meant as a
+compliment, no doubt!"
+
+"I believe you wrote it yourself!"
+
+"No, I didn't. At least I mustn't tell just yet. I'm going to read the
+last one now.
+
+    "TO PRISSIE
+
+    "I am not sentimental, please,
+       I cannot write in rhyme,
+     I beg you'll all ecstatics leave
+       Until another time.
+
+    "But if I'm lacking in romance,
+       At least my heart is true,
+     And in its own prosaic way,
+       It only beats for you.
+
+    "'Mong damsels all I think you are
+       The nicest little Missie,
+     And beg to have for Valentine
+       That sweetest maid, Miss Prissie."
+
+"Author! Author!" cried Prissie. "It's Lilias, I do believe!"
+
+"Guessing's been horribly wrong!" said Gowan. "Only about one of you was
+right. Shall I read the list?
+
+    "To Phillida by Dulcie.
+     To Lilias by Noreen.
+     To Gowan by myself.
+     To Bertha by Phillida.
+     To Noreen by Prissie.
+     To Dulcie by Bertha.
+     To Edith by Lilias.
+     To Prissie by Edith."
+
+"So you wrote your own, Gowan! What a humbug you are! You quite put us
+off the scent!"
+
+"Well, I drew my own name, you see. I had to write something! Bertha
+ought to have a prize for guessing right, only we've nothing to give
+her. Shall we play something else?"
+
+"Prissie's brought a pack of cards, and she says she'll tell our
+fortunes," proclaimed Edith.
+
+"I learnt how in the holidays," confessed Prissie. "A girl was staying
+with us who had a book about it. We used to have ripping fun every
+evening over it. Whose fortune shall I tell first? Oh, don't all speak
+at once! Look here, you'd better each cut, and the lowest shall win."
+
+Dulcie, who turned up an ace, was the lucky one, and was therefore
+elected as the first to consult the oracle. By Prissie's orders she
+shuffled the cards, then handed them back to the sorceress, who laid
+them out face upward in rows, and after a few moments' meditation began
+her prophecies.
+
+"You're fair, and therefore the Queen of Diamonds is your representative
+card--all the luck's behind you instead of facing you. I see a
+disappointment and great changes. A dark woman is coming into your life.
+She's connected somehow with money, but there are hearts behind her.
+You'll take a journey by land, and find trouble and perplexity."
+
+"Haven't you anything nicer to tell me than that?" pouted Dulcie. "Who's
+the dark woman?"
+
+"She seems to be a relation, by the way the cards are placed."
+
+"I haven't any dark relations. They're all as fair as fair--the whole
+family."
+
+"It's silly nonsense! I don't believe in it!" declared Lilias
+emphatically.
+
+"I dare say it is, but it's fun, all the same. Do tell mine now,
+Prissie!" urged Noreen, gathering up the cards and reshuffling them.
+
+Before the fates could be further consulted, however, the big bell
+clanged for preparation, and the magician was obliged to pocket her
+cards, hurry downstairs, get out her lesson books, and write a piece of
+French translation, while the inquirers into her mysteries also
+separated, some to practise piano or violin, and some to study.
+
+"A dark woman!" scoffed Dulcie, spilling the ink in her scorn as she
+filled her fountain pen. "Any gypsy would have told me a fortune like
+that. I'll let you know when she comes along, Prissie!"
+
+"All serene! Bring her to school if you like!" laughed Prissie. "You
+didn't let me finish, or I might have gone on to something nicer. There
+were other things on the cards as well as those."
+
+"What things?"
+
+"Oh, I shan't tell you now, when you only make fun of them! Sh! sh!
+Here's Miss Herbert!"
+
+And Prissie, turning away from her comrade, opened her French dictionary
+and plunged into the difficulties of her page of translation from
+Racine.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+Disinherited
+
+
+Valentine's Day had brought early flowers, and the song of the thrush
+and glints of golden sunshine, but the bright weather was too good to
+last, and winter again stretched out an icy hand to check the advance of
+spring. Green daffodil buds peeped through a covering of snow, and the
+yellow jessamine blossom fell sodden in the rain. The playing-field was
+a quagmire, and the girls had to depend upon walking for their daily
+exercise. Their tramps were somewhat of an adventure, for in places the
+swollen brooks were washing over the tops of their bridges, and they
+would be obliged to turn back, or go round by devious ways. The river in
+the valley had overflowed its banks and spread over the low-lying
+meadows like a lake. Tops of gates and hedges appeared above the flood,
+and sea-gulls, driven inland by the gales, swam over the pastures.
+Flocks of peewits, starlings, and red-wings collected on the uplands,
+and an occasional heron might be seen flitting majestically across the
+storm-flecked sky.
+
+As a rule the school sallied forth in waterproofs and thick boots,
+regardless of drizzle or slight snow, but on days of blizzard there was
+Swedish drill or dancing in the big class-room, to work off the
+superfluous energy accumulated during hours of sitting still at lessons.
+
+One afternoon, when driving sleet and showers swept past the house, and
+an inclement sky hid every hint of sunshine, the twenty girls, clad in
+their gymnasium costumes, were hard at work doing Indian club exercises.
+Dulcie, who stood in the vicinity of the window, could watch the
+raindrops splashing on the pane, and see the wet tree-tops waving about
+in the wind, and runnels of water coursing down the drive like little
+rivulets. It was the sort of afternoon when nobody who could help it
+would choose to be out, and a visitor to the Hall seemed about the most
+unlikely event on the face of the earth. Judge her surprise, therefore,
+when she heard the hoot of a motor-horn, and the next instant saw,
+coming up the drive, the well-known Daimler touring car from Cheverley
+Chase. In her excitement she almost dropped her clubs. Had Cousin Clare
+come over to see them? Or had Everard a holiday? She longed to
+communicate the thrilling news to Lilias, but the music was still going
+on, and her arms must move in time to it. She waited in a flutter of
+expectation, revolving all kinds of delightful possibilities that might
+occur. Cousin Clare would surely send a cake and a box of chocolates,
+even if she had not come herself. Five minutes passed, then Davis, the
+parlor-maid, opened the door, and whispered a brief message to Miss
+Perkins. The mistress held up her hand and stopped the exercises.
+
+"Lilias and Dulcie are wanted at once in the study," she said.
+
+Amid the astonished looks of their companions, the two girls put down
+their clubs and left the room, Dulcie hastily telling her sister, as
+they hurried down the passage, how she had seen the car from the window.
+They tapped at the study door, and entered full of pleasant
+anticipation. Miss Walters was standing by the fire, with a letter in
+her hand.
+
+"Come in, girls," she said gravely. "I've sent for you because I have
+something very sad to tell you. Can you prepare your minds for a great
+shock? Your Grandfather was taken ill suddenly last night, and passed
+away this morning. Your cousin has sent the car to fetch you both home.
+Go at once and change your dresses, and Miss Harvey will help you to
+pack a few clothes. The chauffeur is having some tea, but you must not
+keep him waiting very long. I can't tell you how grieved I am. You must
+be brave girls and try to comfort every one else at home. It will be a
+sad loss for you all."
+
+Lilias and Dulcie went upstairs almost dazed with the unexpected bad
+news. They could hardly believe that their grandfather, whom they had
+left apparently in the best of health and spirits, could have gone away
+into that other world where Father and Mother and a little sister had
+already passed over before. They packed in a sort of dream, drank the
+cups of tea which Miss Walters, full of kind sympathy, pressed upon them
+in the hall, greeted Milner, who was starting his engine, and entered
+the waiting car. Owing to the floods, they took a roundabout route, but
+half an hour's drive through sleet and rain brought them to Cheverley
+Chase. It was strange to see the blinds all down as they drew up at the
+house. As they ran indoors, Winder, the old butler, came from his pantry
+into the hall. They questioned him eagerly. He shook his head as he
+replied:
+
+"It's a sad business, Miss Lilias and Miss Dulcie. He was just as usual
+yesterday, then about nine o'clock Miss Clare rang the bell violently,
+and when I came into the drawing-room, there was Master lying on the
+floor in a kind of fit. I telephoned to the doctor, and we got him to
+bed, but he never recovered consciousness. He went at eleven this
+morning, as you'll see by the clock there. I stopped all the clocks at
+once. It's the right thing to do in a house when the master dies. Miss
+Clare's in her room. I'll let her know you've arrived."
+
+"We'll go and find her, thank you," said Lilias, walking quietly
+upstairs.
+
+The Ingleton children were truly grieved at the loss of the grandfather
+who, for so many years, had stood to them in the place of a parent. They
+went softly about the house and spoke in hushed voices. Everything
+seemed strange and unusual. A dressmaker came from London with boxes of
+mourning for Cousin Clare and the girls; beautiful wreaths and crosses
+of flowers kept arriving and were carried upstairs. Mr. Bowden, the
+lawyer, was constantly in and out, making arrangements for the funeral;
+neighbors left cards with "Kind sympathy" written across the corner.
+Everard, who had arrived home shortly after his sisters, seemed to have
+grown years older. He walked with a new dignity, as of one who is
+suddenly called to fill a high position.
+
+"I'll be a good brother to you all," he said to the younger ones. "You
+must always look upon the Chase as your home, of course. I'll do
+everything for you that Grandfather ever did, and more!"
+
+"Will the Chase be yours now, then, Everard?" asked Bevis.
+
+"I suppose so. I'm the eldest son, you see, and the property has always
+gone in the direct line. It was entailed until fifty years ago. I shan't
+make any changes. I've told the servants so, and they all said they
+wished to stay on. I wouldn't part with Winder or Milner for the world!
+They're part of the establishment."
+
+"I couldn't imagine the place without them," agreed Dulcie.
+
+On the afternoon before the funeral, Mr. Bowden, who had motored over to
+make some final arrangements, concluded his business, drank a cup of tea
+in the drawing-room, and was escorted by Everard and Lilias through the
+hall.
+
+"The passing of the Squire is a sad loss to the neighborhood," he
+remarked. "He was a true type of the good old school of country
+gentlemen, and most of us feel 'we shall not look upon his like again.'"
+
+"No," replied Everard. "It will be very hard to succeed him, I know, but
+I shall try to do my best."
+
+Mr. Bowden started, looked at him musingly for a moment, knitted his
+brows, then apparently came to a decision. Instead of taking his hat and
+coat from Winder, he waved the two young people into the study, followed
+them, and shut the door.
+
+"I want a word with you in private," he began. "I'm going to do a very
+unprofessional thing, but, as I've known you for years, I feel the case
+justifies me. I can't let you come into the dining-room to-morrow, after
+the funeral, and hear your grandfather's will read aloud, without giving
+you some warning beforehand of its contents. I hinted to you, Everard,
+at Christmas-time, not to count too much upon expectations."
+
+"Why, but surely I am the heir?" burst out Everard with white lips.
+
+"My poor boy, you are nothing of the sort. Your grandfather has willed
+the property to the child of his elder son, Tristram."
+
+At that critical moment there was a rap at the door, and Winder, the
+butler, entered, respectfully apologetic, to summon Mr. Bowden to the
+telephone. The lawyer answered the call, which was apparently a very
+urgent one, for, without another word to Everard and Lilias, he took hat
+and coat, hurried from the house, mounted his motor-cycle, and was gone.
+He left utter consternation behind him. The two young people, returning
+to the study, tried to face the disastrous news. He had indeed told them
+no details, but the main outline was quite sufficient. They could
+scarcely accustom themselves to believe it for a moment or two.
+
+"To bring me up as the heir, and then disinherit me!" gasped Everard.
+
+"Why, everybody called you 'the young squire'!" exclaimed Lilias. "It's
+unthinkable!"
+
+"Unthinkable or not, I'm afraid it's true," said Everard bitterly.
+"Bowden wouldn't have told me otherwise. I suppose he drew up the will,
+so he knows what's in it. Nice position to be in, isn't it? Turned out
+to make room for some other chap!"
+
+"Who is this child of Uncle Tristram's? We've never heard of him."
+
+"It'll be the kid who is in that photo, I suppose--Leslie. He looked
+about a year old in the portrait, and it's thirteen years since Uncle
+Tristram died, so he's probably fourteen or so now. To think of a kid of
+fourteen taking _my_ place here! It's monstrous!"
+
+"Oh, Everard, what _shall_ we do?"
+
+"I don't know. I'm going out to think it over. Don't say a word about it
+to anybody yet. Promise me you won't!"
+
+Everard seized his cap and waterproof, and plunged out-of-doors into the
+rain. He did not return till dinner-time. If he was silent and
+preoccupied at that meal, both Cousin Clare and Dulcie set it down as
+natural to his new sense of responsibility. Lilias looked at him
+uneasily. There was a hardness in his face which she had never seen
+there before. She longed to catch him alone and question him, but after
+dinner he purposely avoided her, and left a message that he had gone to
+the stables. She would have liked to confide in Cousin Clare, but she
+had given her promise to keep the secret, and even Dulcie must not share
+it yet. The girls slept in separate rooms at home, so that when Lilias
+had said good night to the family she was alone. She went to bed, as a
+matter of course, but tossed about with throbbing heart and whirling
+brain. Mr. Bowden's information had effectually banished sleep. In about
+an hour, when the house was absolutely quiet, came a soft tap at her
+door. She jumped up hastily, threw on her dressing-gown, and opened it.
+Everard stood in the passage outside.
+
+"May I come in? I want to speak to you, Sissy! It's important," he
+whispered.
+
+"I thought you had gone to bed," said Lilias, admitting him, and
+dragging forward two basket chairs. "What is it, Everard? Don't look
+like that--you frighten me!"
+
+Her brother had seated himself wearily, and buried his head in his
+hands. He raised two haggard eyes at her words.
+
+"I've come to say good-by to you, Sis. I'm going away to-night! Don't
+speak to me, for I'm not in a mood for argument! Do you think that I
+could stand by Grandfather's grave to-morrow, when I know he has
+disinherited me? I tell you, I can't. I'm not going to stay and hear the
+will read! If I'm kicked out of the property, at least I'll keep my
+dignity. Why, everybody on the estate believed I was the heir! Only this
+afternoon, Rogerson, the new under-gardener, asked me to keep him on,
+and Hicks said he'd serve me as faithfully as he'd served the old
+Squire. How could I face the servants when they knew the Chase wasn't
+mine after all! The humiliation would be intolerable! No! I've all the
+Ingleton pride in me, and if I'm not to be master here, I'll shake the
+dust of the place off my feet for ever. Grandfather will have made some
+provisions for you younger ones; he always promised to do that, and it's
+right you should take it, but as for me, if he's left me anything, I
+don't mean to touch a penny of it--it must be all or nothing! You others
+are welcome to my share, whatever it is. I'm going out into the world to
+earn my own living."
+
+He spoke forcibly, and with desperate earnestness. To Lilias, watching
+him anxiously, he seemed in these few hours to have changed from a boy
+into a man. Eager words rose to her lips, but he stood up and stopped
+her.
+
+"I've told you it's no use arguing! My mind's absolutely made up. I've
+ordered Elton to have the small car ready, and to drive me to Balderton
+to catch the midnight express to town. It's the last order I shall give
+in this house. He looked surprised, but he didn't dare to question me.
+To-morrow everybody will know that I've no more authority here than the
+kids. I'll be far away by then, thank goodness."
+
+"But, Everard, what are you going to do in London? How can you earn your
+own living?" pressed Lilias.
+
+"Sweep a crossing, or go to sea! I don't care two-pence what happens to
+me. Good-by, Sis, I'm off! You may tell the others to-morrow, if you
+like. No, I won't promise to write! You'll be better without me. I've
+closed this chapter of my life completely, and I'm going to begin a
+different one. The two won't bear mixing up."
+
+Giving his sister a hasty kiss, Everard left the room and walked softly
+away down the passage. A few minutes later, Lilias heard the sound of
+wheels, and, looking through the window, saw the rear lights of the car
+disappearing down the drive, and away across the park. She went back to
+bed, sobbing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+The New Owner
+
+
+The wild wind and rain, which for some weeks had blown from the north,
+changed suddenly to a southerly breeze, and the sun shone out in all its
+spring glory on the day of Mr. Ingleton's funeral. Half the country-side
+came to do honor to "the old Squire." He had been a favorite in the
+neighborhood, and people forgot his autocratic ways and remembered now
+only his many kindnesses. The absence of Everard, who should have been
+the chief representative of the family, caused universal comment, and
+some rumor of the state of affairs began to be passed round among the
+servants and guests. Cousin Clare, to whom Lilias had confided the
+secret of her brother's flight, shook her head.
+
+"He might at least have shown his grandfather the respect of following
+him to his grave!" she commented. "He owed that to him, at any rate. I
+thought Everard would have realized such an obvious duty. Whatever comes
+or does not come to us in the way of legacies cannot free us from our
+obligations to the dead. It seems to me hardly decent to be thinking
+about the disposal of the property while its late owner is still
+unburied."
+
+Lilias crept away, crying. She knew there was justice in Cousin Clare's
+scathing judgment, but she was sure the latter did not, could not,
+understand the extent of Everard's bitter disappointment. She did not
+care to say any more, or ask questions, and could only wait until the
+whole sad, miserable affair was over. Some of the guests returned to the
+house after the funeral, and these, with the family, were present when
+Mr. Bowden read aloud the will of the late Squire of Cheverley Chase.
+Like most testamentary documents, it was couched in legal terms, but
+Lilias and Dulcie, sitting in their black dresses beside Cousin Clare,
+grasped the main features. There were certain legacies to servants and
+friends, a provision for each of the grandchildren and for Cousin Clare,
+then the entire residue of the estate was bequeathed to "Leslie, only
+child of my elder son, Tristram."
+
+All, except the few who had known the secret beforehand, were filled
+with surprise that Everard, who had always been regarded in the
+neighborhood as "the young squire" should have been passed over in favor
+of another heir. The guests, however, after a word or two of sympathy,
+took their departure, and went away to spread the news, leaving the
+family alone to discuss matters among themselves.
+
+"So I suppose the Chase isn't our home any longer?" asked Dulcie, as the
+young Ingletons clustered round their cousin for explanations. "Who is
+this Leslie? We've never heard anything of him before."
+
+"I didn't know Uncle Tristram had a son!" said Roland.
+
+"Will everything be his instead of Everard's?" asked Bevis pitifully.
+
+"No, and yes," replied Cousin Clare. "The estate is certainly left to
+Leslie, but, as it happens, she is a daughter, and not a son."
+
+Here was a surprise indeed!
+
+"A daughter!" echoed Lilias. "The Chase left to a girl!"
+
+"Remember, she is the daughter of the elder son, so that in your
+grandfather's opinion she was the lawful heiress."
+
+"But where does she live?"
+
+"How old is she?"
+
+"Why have we never seen her?"
+
+"It's a long story," said Cousin Clare. "But, without going into any
+details, I can tell you briefly that years ago your grandfather and your
+Uncle Tristram had a serious quarrel. It was about a lady whom your
+grandfather thought his elder son loved, and whom he very much wished
+him to marry. Well, we can't love to order, and, though Tristram liked
+and respected the prospective bride whom his father had chosen for him,
+he had given his heart to a beautiful Italian girl, and he insisted upon
+marrying her. The affair caused a complete breach between them, but
+shortly before Tristram's death he patched up a half reconciliation, and
+sent home a photograph of his wife and little daughter, whom he named
+'Leslie' after her grandfather. I believe some years ago an effort was
+made to bring the child over to England to be educated, but her mother,
+who by that time was married again and living in Sicily, refused to give
+her up to her English relations. I have never seen her myself, but she
+must be quite fourteen years old by now. It will be a great surprise to
+her to learn that she succeeds to the property."
+
+"And a great disappointment to us," said Lilias bitterly. "It seems most
+unfair, when we've lived at the Chase all these years, that this
+interloper should step in and turn us out of our home."
+
+"I hate her!" declared Clifford, clenching his little fists.
+
+"No, no, dears! Don't take it in that way!" begged Cousin Clare.
+"Remember that, after all, the Chase was Grandfather's property, and he
+had absolute right to leave it to whom he pleased. He stood in the
+place of parents to you all, but that did not mean that he must will the
+estate to Everard. Leslie is also his grandchild, and belongs to the
+elder branch of the family. He has left you each a most generous legacy,
+so that there is plenty for your education. I don't know what
+arrangements will be made for you, but Mr. Bowden is one of your
+guardians, and he is such a kind friend that I am sure he can be
+thoroughly trusted to take good care of your affairs. Try to look on the
+bright side of things. Matters might be so much worse."
+
+In Lilias's opinion, at any rate, matters were quite bad enough. As
+Everard's particular chum, she took his disinheritance more hardly than
+Dulcie. She wondered what he was doing in London, and if he would send
+her his address. It angered her that Mr. Bowden took his departure quite
+calmly, and seemed to think he would turn up again in a few days, when
+he had spent the money he had taken with him. She knew her brother too
+well for that, and was sure that his pride would not allow him to return
+either to Cheverley or to Harrow in the character of a disappointed
+heir. In that respect she could entirely sympathize with him. She and
+Dulcie went back to Chilcombe Hall at the beginning of the next week,
+and, though all their companions were very kind and sympathetic, it was
+humiliating to be obliged to acknowledge that the Chase was no longer
+virtually their home. For the present, as the heiress was a minor, the
+estate was in the hands of the executors. Mr. Bowden decided to send
+Bevis and Clifford to the same preparatory school as Roland, and Cousin
+Clare, after various letters and telegrams, departed on a mission to
+Sicily, to interview Leslie's mother and stepfather. What the purport of
+her visit might be, the girls had as yet no hint.
+
+The weeks dragged wearily on towards Easter. Though Dulcie might throw
+herself into hockey or basket ball, to Lilias school interests seemed to
+have lost their former zest. She wondered where they were to spend their
+holidays. Various friends had extended invitations, but Mr. Bowden, to
+whom everything must now be referred, had not yet written to consent. At
+last came his reply.
+
+"I have arranged for you and your sister to spend your holidays as usual
+at the Chase. Miss Clare will be arriving back from Sicily, and will
+bring your cousin Leslie with her. They would like you to be at home to
+receive them."
+
+Lilias, showing the letter to Dulcie in the privacy of the Blue bedroom,
+simply raged.
+
+"It's _too_ bad! When we were so keen to go to London, too! Why should
+we be there to receive Madame Leslie, I should like to know. I don't
+want to see her!"
+
+"Neither do I, only I _do_ wonder what she's like, all the same,"
+ventured Dulcie. "Can she speak English? And will she take over the
+whole place, and make us feel it's hers?"
+
+"No doubt she will. We shall have to take very back seats indeed! It's
+just too disgusting for words. I really think Mr. Bowden needn't have
+forced this upon us."
+
+"The girls will be ever so sorry for us!"
+
+"I know; and that's just what I hate. I can't bear to be pitied."
+
+The Easter exodus seemed very different indeed from the happy breaking
+up of last Christmas. No "Rajah" and "Peri" with glossy coats and
+arching necks came to take Lilias and Dulcie from school, and give them
+the delight of a ride over the hills, though Milner arrived with the
+car, and told them that he was to fetch their three younger brothers on
+the following morning. The Chase seemed lonely and deserted with nobody
+to welcome them except the servants. It brought back vividly those few
+sad days of drawn blinds, and the memory of the long black line slowly
+disappearing down the drive. They had supper by themselves, and spent a
+very quiet evening reading in the drawing-room. The advent next day of
+Roland, Bevis, and Clifford certainly enlivened the atmosphere, and
+things would have felt like old times again had it not been for the
+shadow of the arrival of the heiress. A telegram had been received from
+Cousin Clare announcing the train, and the car was to meet them at the
+station on that same evening. Winder and the other servants were
+bustling about getting the house in order for its new mistress. A log
+fire was lighted in the hall, and plants in pots were carried in from
+the conservatory. The Union Jack fluttered from over the porch, and the
+gardener had put up some decorations with the word "Welcome."
+
+Five very sober young people stood in the drawing-room and watched as
+the car came up the drive to the front door. Next minute they heard
+Cousin Clare's cheerful voice calling to them, and they came shyly forth
+into the hall.
+
+Standing on the Persian rug in front of the log fire was a girl of about
+fourteen, an erect, slender, graceful little figure, with dark silky
+hair hanging in loose curls, and wonderful bright eyes that were dark
+and yet full of light and seemed to shine like stars. For an instant she
+included the Ingletons in one comprehensive glance, then her whole face
+broke into eager smiles.
+
+"I know which of you is which! Lilias, Dulcie, Roland, Bevis, Clifford!"
+she declared, shaking hands with each. "I'm very rich to have five new
+cousins all at once! To-morrow you must show me everything, the rabbits
+and the dogs, and the tame jackdaw! Oh yes! I've been hearing about them
+and about you! Cousin Clare told me just what you would be like. I kept
+asking her questions the whole way!"
+
+She spoke prettily, and without a trace of a foreign accent; her manner
+was warm and friendly. She looked, indeed, as if she would like to kiss
+her new relations. She was so entirely different from what the Ingletons
+had expected, that in their utter amazement they could think of nothing
+to say in reply, and stood gazing at her in embarrassed silence. Cousin
+Clare saved the situation.
+
+"Carmel, child, you're tired out!" she decreed. "I'm going to take you
+straight upstairs and put you to bed. Thirty-six hours of traveling is
+too much for anybody, and you never slept in the train. Come along! You
+must make friends with your cousins to-morrow."
+
+Long afterwards, when Dulcie tried to analyze her first impressions of
+the new-comer, she realized that what struck her most was the extreme
+charm of her personality. We have all possibly gone through a similar
+psychic experience of meeting somebody against whom we had conceived a
+bitter prejudice, and finding our intended hatred suddenly veer round
+into love. The effect is like stepping out into what you imagine will be
+a blizzard, and finding warm sunshine. The little mistress of the Chase
+was very weary with her long journey, but, when at last she was
+sufficiently rested to be shown round her demesne, she made her royal
+progress with an escort of half-fascinated cousins.
+
+"You'll like to see your property," Lilias began shyly, leading the way
+into the garden.
+
+"_Please_ don't call it mine. I want you all to understand, at the very
+beginning, that it's still your home, and I don't wish to take it from
+you. I have my own dear home in Sicily, and I hope to go back there some
+day. While I'm in England, let me be your visitor. That's all I want. I
+can't bear to think that I'm taking anybody's place, or anything that
+ought to belong to some one else. If only Mother were here, she'd
+explain properly."
+
+"But it _is_ yours, Leslie!" objected Dulcie.
+
+"In a way yes, but in another way, no! It can be mine and yours at the
+same time. And please will you call me Carmel? Leslie is a boy's name,
+not a girl's. I'm always Carmel at home. I didn't want to leave home at
+all, but Mother and Daddy said I must go with Cousin Clare when she had
+come all the way to Sicily to fetch me. They promised it should be only
+a visit."
+
+Lilias and Dulcie could hardly believe the evidence of their ears. They
+had expected Carmel to be appraising her new property with keen
+satisfaction, instead of which she appeared to be suffering from a bad
+attack of homesickness. She looked at the gardens, the stables, and all
+the pets with interest, but without any apparent sense of
+proprietorship. Her behavior was exactly that of an ordinary visitor who
+admires a friend's possessions. In her talk she referred constantly to
+her home in Sicily, to her stepfather and her younger brothers and
+sisters. They and her mother were evidently the supreme center of her
+life.
+
+"We thought you'd only know Italian," confided Dulcie, whose shyness was
+beginning to wear off.
+
+Carmel laughed.
+
+"Of course I talk Italian too, but we always speak English at home.
+Isn't it strange that mother should have married two Englishmen? I can't
+remember my own father at all, but Daddy is a dear, and we're tremendous
+friends. I've brought his photo, and Mother's and the children's. I'll
+show them to you when I've unpacked."
+
+Carmel's astounding attitude, while it amazed her cousins in the
+extreme, was certainly highly satisfactory. The boys, when they realized
+that she had no desire to wrest their pets from them, waxed suddenly
+friendly. With the naive impulsiveness of childhood they gave her a
+full account of what they had expected her to be.
+
+"Perhaps I was rather frightened of you too, till I saw you all," she
+confessed. "We've none of us turned out such dreadful bogies, have we?"
+
+"Do you know what I'm going to call you?" said Clifford, slipping a
+plump hand into hers, and gazing up into the shining brown eyes.
+"Princess Carmel!"
+
+And Carmel bent down and kissed him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+Princess Carmel
+
+
+In the long talk which Cousin Clare had had with Mr. and Mrs. Greville
+in Sicily, it had been arranged that Carmel was to be sent to school
+with Lilias and Dulcie at Chilcombe Hall. The new term, therefore, saw
+her established in a little dressing-room which led out of the Blue
+bedroom, and which by good luck happened to be vacated by Evie Hughes,
+who had left at Easter. It was soon spread over with Carmel's private
+possessions. They were different from the equipment of an ordinary
+English schoolgirl, and aroused as much interest as their owner. First
+there were the portraits of her mother, of her stepfather, Mr. Greville,
+and of the little half-brothers and sisters--Bertram, Nina, Vincent, and
+Luigia--taken by an Italian photographer in wonderfully artistic poses,
+and with classic backgrounds of pillars and palm trees. Then there were
+fascinating snapshots of her home, a white Sicilian house with a
+vine-covered veranda, and its lovely half-tropical garden with fountains
+and statues and pomegranate blossom, and trees hung with ripe oranges
+and lemons. Carmel's things seemed nearly all foreign. Her nightdress
+case was of drawn linen beautifully embroidered by the nuns at a
+convent; her work-box was of inlaid wood from Sorrento; the trinkets on
+her dressing-table were Italian; her clothes and shoes bore the names of
+Paris shops. Some of the books she had brought with her were in French;
+the calendar that hung on her wall held pictures of Naples and Vesuvius.
+
+Carmel was undoubtedly a most unusual combination of two nationalities.
+Though in some respects she was English enough, there was a certain
+little gracious dignity and finish about her manners that was peculiarly
+southern. Clifford, with a child's true instinct, had named her
+"Princess." She was indeed "royal" with that best type of good breeding
+which gives equal courtesy to all, be it queen or beggar. In the school
+she was soon an immense favorite. The girls admired her attitude towards
+Lilias and Dulcie. If she had posed as the heiress of the Chase, they
+would probably have "sat upon her" thoroughly, but, as she never put
+forward her claims in that respect, they were disposed to show her
+decided consideration, all the more so as she was visibly fretting for
+her Sicilian home. She put a brave face on things in the day-time, but
+at night she would be caught crying, and her eagerness for letters was
+pathetic.
+
+"Poor child! She's like an exotic plant transferred to a northern soil!"
+said Miss Walters. "We must try to settle her somehow. It won't do for
+her to go about with dark rings round her eyes. I wonder how we could
+possibly interest her? I don't believe our school happenings appeal to
+her in the least."
+
+Certainly the new-comer went through the ordinary routine of classes,
+walks, and games without any display of enthusiasm. Gowan Barbour tried
+to coach her at cricket, but the result was not successful.
+
+"It's a boy's game, and the ball is so hard, it hurts my hands!"
+objected Carmel.
+
+"Didn't you play cricket at home?"
+
+"Never!"
+
+"Or tennis?"
+
+"On a cinder court. The sun scorched up our grass court."
+
+"What used you to do then, to amuse yourself?"
+
+"We made paper dresses for the carnival, and sometimes we acted. We used
+to have plays on the veranda, or in the garden. And we went on picnics
+to the hills. It was beautiful there in spring, when the anemones were
+out in the fields."
+
+"We're to have a picnic next Saturday," announced Gowan; "I heard Miss
+Walters telling Miss Herbert so."
+
+It was perhaps with special reference to Carmel that Miss Walters had
+arranged an outing for the school. It was bluebell time, and the woods
+in the neighborhood would be a show. By permission of the owner, Sir
+Ranald Joynson, they were to have access to large private grounds, and
+to be allowed to ramble in his famous rhododendron gardens. None of the
+girls had ever been there before, so it was a treat for all. Motor
+wagonettes were to convey them all the six miles; they were to start
+after an early lunch, and to take tea baskets with them. Even Carmel
+cheered up at the pleasant prospect.
+
+"You have a treat before you!" Dulcie assured her. "You may talk about
+your Sicilian flowers, but just wait till you have seen an English wood
+full of bluebells! There's nothing to beat it in the whole world. I've
+often heard of Sir Ranald Joynson's grounds. We're in luck to get leave
+to go in them, because I believe he's generally rather stingy about
+allowing people there. I wonder how Miss Walters managed it."
+
+"She's a clever woman," said Gowan. "She always seems to manage to get
+what she wants. Some people do!"
+
+"I wish _I_ did!" wailed Bertha. "I've wanted a principal part in the
+French plays ever since I came to school, and Mademoiselle never will
+give me one; I always have to be a servant, or an extra guest, and speak
+about two lines!"
+
+"Well, your French accent is so atrociously bad, I don't wonder!"
+returned Gowan. "You certainly wouldn't be a credit to Mademoiselle in a
+principal part. And you're very stiff and wooden in acting, too!"
+
+"Thank you for your compliments!" sniffed Bertha, much offended.
+
+"Oh, don't be sarkie! I must tell the truth. Cheer up! It's a picnic on
+Saturday, not a French play!"
+
+"Thank goodness it is!" rejoiced Dulcie. "I hate Mademoiselle's French
+afternoons! I don't know which is worst; to have to learn and act yards
+of dialogue, or to sit in the audience and listen while other people
+show off. I like out-of-doors treats! I'm an open-air girl."
+
+The occupants of the Blue bedroom decided that it was high time
+something happened to stir up Carmel, who was behaving more like an
+exile than an heiress. Now the first excitement of her arrival and
+unpacking was over, she had relapsed into a piteous fit of homesickness.
+
+"I believe she's crying again!" said Dulcie, laying an ear to the door
+that communicated with the dressing-room. "Do you think I ought to go in
+to her?"
+
+"It's no use!" declared Lilias. "I went last night and tried to comfort
+her, and I'm sure I only made her cry harder. Best leave her to
+herself."
+
+"Homesick people always do cry harder if you sympathize," proclaimed
+Gowan. "I was prefect of the junior dormitory at my other school before
+I came here, and the new kids always turned on the water works at first.
+I learnt how to manage them. Sympathy makes them worse. What you want is
+to switch their minds off thinking about home, and make them enjoy
+school life. Carmel will come round in time."
+
+"Meantime," said Bertha, "she reminds me of that picture in Miss
+Walters' study: 'The Hostage.' You know the one I mean, the girl who's
+standing leaning over the castle wall and gazing out to sea, and
+evidently thinking of her own country. I wonder if princesses who were
+sent to be married to foreign princes felt homesick?"
+
+"I dare say they did," grunted Gowan, "but I'm sure my plan's the best
+for curing the complaint. Smack them on the back and make them cheer up,
+instead of letting them weep on your shoulder. I don't like a damp
+atmosphere!"
+
+To do Carmel justice, however acute her sense of exile might be, she had
+not obtruded her woes upon her schoolfellows, and had conducted her
+weeping in secret. If sounds of distress filtered through the door, it
+was only when matters seemed particularly hopeless. On Saturday she
+came down dressed for the jaunt, and all smiles.
+
+"Sit her between Edith and Bertha," commanded Gowan, "and tell them they
+may be their silliest! Make her laugh till she's weak. I'll take a turn
+at her myself later. Don't let her mope about in the woods alone. Keep
+close to her, and make all the insane jokes you can. I tell you I was
+homesick myself once, though you mayn't believe it. I don't often dab my
+eyes now, do I?"
+
+"Here are the wagonettes," said Dulcie. "Why, that driver has stuck up a
+flag! How nice of him! It looks so festive. Bags me go in his chariot."
+
+It took a little while to arrange mistresses, girls, and tea-baskets
+inside the two motors, but at last everything was packed in, and they
+started off in the direction of Bradstone. Other people were out
+enjoying Saturday's holiday, and cars, bicycles, and conveyances were
+frequent on the road. Grinsdale Park, their destination, was approached
+by great gates, outside which the wagonettes stopped and unloaded their
+passengers. Miss Walters, armed with Sir Ranald Joynson's letter, called
+at the lodge for permission to enter, and, her credentials being in
+strict order, the party was duly admitted.
+
+"Won't everybody who sees us go in be just green with envy?" rejoiced
+Edith. "Did you see how those two cyclists tried to hang on to us and
+push in too? Miss Walters looked at them most witheringly. 'May I ask if
+you have a private permit?' I heard her say to them. It squashed them
+flat, and they beat a retreat."
+
+"I believe Sir Ranald used to let the public in at one time," said
+Noreen, "but people behaved so atrociously that he had to stop. Rough
+boys used to tear about and break the bushes, and take the flowers, and
+do a great deal of damage."
+
+"I know! I've heard about it," said Lilias. "They went bird-nesting,
+too, and took all the eggs. That was the absolute finish. Sir Ranald is
+very keen on natural history, and he keeps these grounds as a sort of
+bird sanctuary. I believe quite rare kinds build here, and he never lets
+them be disturbed."
+
+"I wonder he gave us a permit to come!"
+
+"Well, you see, most of the young birds are fledged by now, and,
+besides, he wouldn't expect us to go about climbing trees and robbing
+nests!"
+
+Carrying the picnic-baskets amongst them, the party started forth along
+the drive, but after ten minutes' walking turned down a bypath into the
+woods. They were at the edge of a beautiful lake, and on one side of
+them stretched a gleaming expanse of water, edged with shimmering reeds,
+and on the other grew thick groves of trees with a carpet of wild
+hyacinths beneath. The sun glinted through the new green leaves on to
+the springing bracken and bluebells, and made long rifts of light across
+the water, birds were flitting about and twittering in the trees, and
+everywhere there was that delicious scent of the woodlands, a mixture of
+honey and flowers and warm moist earth and damp moss, which is the
+incense nature burns at the shrine of the goddess of spring.
+
+It was so lovely that the party straggled considerably. They could not
+help putting down the picnic-baskets and leaving the path to explore and
+gather flowers. There were so many delightful surprises. Phillida and
+Noreen noticed a moorhen's nest built on an overhanging bough that swept
+the lake, and saw four tiny downy creatures swimming away very fast to
+take cover; Ursula found a specimen of the Truelove-knot, and triumphed
+immensely, partly on botanical grounds and partly because she regarded
+it as an omen of early matrimony, though needless to say this latter
+aspect of her rejoicing was not communicated to Miss Walters, only
+chuckled over in private with her intimate friends.
+
+Knowing that the girls would not do any damage, the mistresses allowed
+them to disperse, on the understanding that they came at once when they
+heard the Guide's whistle.
+
+Dulcie, Carmel, and Prissie had wandered away down the banks of the
+little stream where grew pale marsh violets, golden globeflowers, and
+the sweet-scented fern. Pushing through the undergrowth above the water,
+they found themselves in a tiny natural clearing such as poets of old
+would have described as a "a bower." Budding trees encircled it, a
+guelder rose bush overtopped it, and delicate fern-like moss sprang
+through the grass underfoot. There were fairies, too, in the bower; four
+little whitethroats were flitting about in the sunshine. It was perhaps
+their first exodus from the nest, for as yet they were without the
+slightest sense of fear. They allowed the girls to catch them, fondle
+them, and stroke their lovely plumage; they would fly delicately away,
+twittering with pleasure, then flit back to the caressing hands like
+sprites at play. Anything more innocent and beautiful it would have been
+impossible to conceive; it was like a glimpse into Paradise before the
+fear and dread of man had passed over God's lesser creatures. The girls
+stood absolutely fascinated, till at last, attracted perhaps by some
+warning mother-signal, their dainty bird friends took a sudden rapid
+flight into the woods and were gone. Carmel looked after them with
+shining eyes.
+
+"It's like St. Francis of Assissi and his 'little sisters the birds,'"
+she said softly. "Have you read the _Little Flowers of St. Francis_, and
+how he preached to the swallows and they all flocked round him and
+twittered? I've never seen birds so tame as this! They aren't in Sicily,
+you can hardly ever get near them there."
+
+"They aren't in England either," said Dulcie, "though our gamekeeper
+told us that if you can just chance to see them when they first leave
+the nest, they don't know what fear is. He once found some newly-hatched
+wild ducks, and they were perfectly unafraid, but when he passed the
+place half an hour later, the mother duck gave a call, and the little
+ones wouldn't let him come anywhere near them. They'd had their lesson,
+and learnt fear."
+
+"I once brought up a starling that had tumbled out of a nest," said
+Prissie, "and it was always perfectly tame, and would let me stroke it,
+and would perch on my hand. I had it for years. Do you think we could
+have kept the whitethroats?"
+
+"No, no!" said Carmel quickly. "I'd as soon think of caging fairies! It
+would be a shame to take them out of this lovely wood; it's their
+fairy-land. I'm so glad Sir Ranald doesn't allow boys to come in here! I
+thought at first it was rather selfish of him, but I begin to
+understand. There must be some quiet places left where the birds can be
+undisturbed. I'm glad to have seen these!"
+
+Miss Walter's whistle, sounding loudly in the distance, recalled them
+to the path. They found the school very excited over a heronry which
+they could see on an island in the lake. Some large untidy nests were in
+the trees, and every now and then a heron, with long legs outstretched
+behind it, would sail majestically through the air from the mainland.
+
+"It would be a very fishy place if we could get near," remarked Miss
+Hardy. "All the ground underneath the nests would be strewn with bones
+and remains. The herons fly a tremendous long way in search of food,
+sometimes a radius of as much as forty miles. Look! there's one fishing
+in the lake over there."
+
+"I like the whitethroats best," said Dulcie. "I shouldn't care to hold a
+young heron in my hand and cuddle it!"
+
+At the lower end of the lake was a hill-side, and down the slopes Sir
+Ranald had caused to be planted a little forest of rhododendrons. They
+were in their prime, and stretched a beautiful mass of every shade from
+crimson to pink and lavender. On the top of the hill was a summer-house,
+a temple-like building with pillars and steps, and here, by arrangement,
+they expected the lodge-keeper's wife to supply them with boiling water
+for their tea. It looked an ideal place for a picnic, and they started
+at once to climb the steep path that led among the rhododendrons to the
+summit. Up and up under the screen of delicate blossom, they felt as if
+they were treading in some tropical garden, and when they reached the
+summit, and the view burst upon them of crimson-clad slope, gleaming
+lake, and flecked blue sky, they stood gazing with much satisfaction.
+"The Temple," as the girls called the summer-house, was a classic
+building with a terrace in front, and here the school elected to sit,
+instead of in the rather cramped room. There was a kitchen at the back,
+and Mrs. Bates, the lodge-keeper's wife, had lighted a fire and boiled
+kettles in readiness for them.
+
+"Sir Ranald and his friends come for lunch here sometimes in the
+shooting season," she explained, "so I'm used to getting tea and coffee
+made. Take some chairs outside if you like. You'd rather sit on the
+steps! Well, there's no accounting for tastes! Give me your teapots, and
+I'll warm them before you put the tea into them."
+
+Sitting in a row on the steps that led from the "temple" to the terrace,
+the girls had a glorious view, Carmel in especial seemed particularly to
+enjoy herself.
+
+"It's more like home than anything I've seen yet!" she declared
+enthusiastically. "I could almost fancy that this little piazza is on
+the slope of Etna! The goatherds ought to be playing the 'Pastorale'
+down there! I can nearly hear them!"
+
+"What's the 'Pastorale'?" asked Dulcie.
+
+"It's the Sicilian National Dance. Every body dances it--sometimes by
+sunlight and sometimes by moonlight. Oh! it's a thing that gets into
+your blood! Once you hear it played on the pipes you have to jump up and
+dance--you simply can't help it. There's magic in it!"
+
+"Dance it for us now on the terrace!" suggested Dulcie.
+
+"I've no music!"
+
+"Can't you hum it? Miss Walters, may Carmel show us a Sicilian dance?"
+
+"By all means, if she will!" acquiesced the head-mistress.
+
+"Go on Carmel!" commanded the girls. "Show us how it goes!"
+
+Thus urged, Carmel rose from her seat, and went on to the terrace at the
+foot of the steps. She looked for a moment or two at the crimson slope
+of flowers and the shining lake, as if to put herself into the right
+mental atmosphere, then, humming a lively but haunting tune, she began
+her old-world southern dance.
+
+It was wonderful dancing, every action of her alert young body was so
+beautifully graceful that you forgot her modern costume and could
+imagine her a nymph in classic draperies. Her arms kept motion with her
+tripping feet, and both were in time with the tune that she was
+trilling. It seemed a spontaneous expression of gaiety as natural as the
+flight of a dragon-fly or the sporting of a kitten. Her dark hair flew
+out behind her, her eyes shone and sparkled, and her cheeks flushed with
+unwonted color. For the moment she looked the very incarnation of joy,
+and might have been Artemis surprised in a Sicilian grove. It was such a
+fresh aspect of Carmel that the girls stared at her in amazement. From
+Princess she had changed to Oread, and they did not know her in this new
+mood. They gave her performance a hearty clap, however, as she stopped
+and sank panting on to the steps.
+
+"You'll have to turn dancing-mistress, Carmel, and give the others a
+lesson in your Pastorale," said Miss Walters. "It's a pretty step, and
+we shall ask you to do it again when we give our garden fete in aid of
+the 'Waifs and Strays.' Don't you think our English scenery can compare
+favorably even with your beloved Sicily?"
+
+"It's very beautiful," admitted Carmel, "but I miss Etna in the
+distance."
+
+"Then you won't yield us the palm?" laughed Miss Walters.
+
+"I love it all, I do indeed, but Sicily will always be the most
+beautiful place in the world to me, because it's home!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+An Old Greek Idyll
+
+
+After the picnic at Bradstone, Carmel, possibly from something she heard
+the girls say about her, seemed to make a supreme effort to overcome her
+homesickness, and to settle down as an ordinary and rational member of
+the school. She was undoubtedly a favorite. Even Lilias admitted her
+charm, though she had not fallen under her spell so completely as
+Dulcie. At the bottom of her heart, Lilias could not quite forgive
+Carmel for supplanting her brother at the Chase. From the night he had
+said good-by and motored to Balderton, not a word had been heard of
+Everard. He had not returned to school, neither had he visited any
+relations or friends, and indeed since he stepped out of the car at the
+railway station all trace of him seemed to have vanished. Mr. Bowden did
+not take the matter too seriously. He considered Everard was more of a
+man now than a schoolboy, and that, if he had fulfilled his threat of
+running away to sea, the brief experience of a voyage before the mast
+would do him no harm, and that when the vessel returned to port he
+would probably be only too glad to come back and claim his share of the
+inheritance.
+
+This easy view annoyed Lilias. She had a share of the Ingleton pride,
+and she would have liked his absence treated with more concern. She
+thought Mr. Bowden ought to advertise in the Agony Column of _The
+Times_, beseeching Everard to return home, but their guardian only
+laughed when she suggested such a course, and assured her that her
+brother would turn up in time when he was tired of managing for himself.
+
+"I've been in the law for thirty years, my dear, and I know human nature
+better than you do," he declared indulgently.
+
+"But you don't know Everard as I do!" protested Lilias.
+
+She could not take Mr. Bowden's view of the case. Everard had left the
+Chase in such deep anger and resentment that the chances of a speedy
+change in his outlook seemed remote. Lilias longed to write to him, but
+knew of no address to which it was possible to post a letter. She
+worried often over his mysterious absence, and was quite angry with
+Dulcie for not taking the matter more keenly to heart.
+
+"But Mr. Bowden and Cousin Clare think he's all right!" protested that
+easy going young damsel.
+
+"How do they know? I think you might show a little more interest in your
+own brother, who, after all, has been treated extremely badly. It seems
+to me hardly decent to circle round Carmel as you do!"
+
+Dulcie opened her blue eyes wide.
+
+"Do I circle round Carmel? Well, really, and why shouldn't I like her?
+She's my cousin, and a jolly good sort too! I believe she'll give us all
+a far better time at the Chase than Everard would have done. He always
+wanted everything just his own way. None of us ever had an innings when
+he was at home. I never could see why the eldest of a family should lord
+it so over the others."
+
+"You never had any proper sense of propriety!" retorted Lilias
+indignantly. "_I_ believe in keeping up the traditions of the Ingletons,
+and the estate has always descended strictly in the male line. It's only
+right it should have been left to Everard instead of to a girl, and I'll
+always say so. There!"
+
+Dulcie shrugged her shoulders.
+
+"Say what you like, Sister o' Mine! The twentieth century is different
+from the Middle Ages, and people don't bother so much nowadays as they
+did about descent and all that. The owner of an estate hasn't to fight
+for it. Oh yes, of course I'm glad I'm an Ingleton, but Carmel's an
+Ingleton too, as much as we are, and if the Chase is hers we can't help
+it, and we may just as well make the best of it!"
+
+With which piece of philosophy, Dulcie turned away, leaving Lilias to
+shake her head over the decay of family feeling, and the degeneracy of
+younger sisters.
+
+It was perhaps Carmel's rendering of the Pastorale dance that suggested
+to Miss Walters a scheme of entertainment for the garden fete which the
+girls were to give in aid of the "Homes for Waifs and Strays." She
+decided that the garden of Chilcombe Hall would make an excellent
+background for some classic representations, and that nothing could be
+prettier than old Greek costumes. By a stroke of great good luck she
+managed to engage Miss Adams, a former pupil who had been studying
+classic dancing in Paris, to come for a few weeks and train the
+performers. Miss Adams was a tremendous enthusiast, and arrived full of
+ideas which she was burning to teach to the school. The girls were
+delighted with her methods. It was quite a new phase of dancing to trip
+barefooted on the lawn, holding up garlands of flowers. They liked the
+exercises which she gave them for the cultivation of grace, and
+practised classic attitudes on all occasions, with more or less success.
+
+"You go about the school so exactly like Minerva!" complained Noreen to
+Phillida, rather dismayed by the sudden change in her lively friend from
+bounding spirits to a statuesque pose. "Need you always walk as if you
+were thinking of the shape of your ankles?"
+
+Phillida shook her head carefully, so as not to disarrange the Greek
+fillet she was wearing.
+
+"It's been too hot lately to tear round and play tennis. I think, too,
+that what Miss Adams says is quite right. English girls _are_ lacking in
+grace and dignity. Just look at the way Ida and Joyce are flopping about
+now. An artist would have fits to see them!"
+
+"Well, of course they're not sitting for their portraits. Oh yes! I love
+dancing, but I don't want to worry about being graceful all day long!"
+
+"That's just the point, though," persisted Phillida, who was a zealous
+convert. "The dances are to make you graceful _always_. You so get into
+the poetry of motion that it's quite impossible for you ever to flop
+again!"
+
+"Is it? Oh, Kafoozalum!" burbled Noreen, exploding into a series of
+chuckles. "'She never flopped again!' We ought to make a parody on that
+from the poem of 'The White Ship.'
+
+    "Miss Adams to the school came down,
+       The classic wave rolled on:
+     And what was cricket's latest score
+       To those who danced alone?
+
+    "From dawn they practised attitudes
+       Until the sun did wane;
+     And fast confirmed in Grecian pose,
+       They never flopped again!"
+
+"You may mock as much as you please!" retorted Phillida, "but it's sheer
+envy because you know you won't be chosen as a wood nymph. Play cricket
+and tennis if you wish, by all means! But _I_ think when we're having a
+performance we may just as well give our minds to it, and do it
+properly, especially when Miss Adams is here to teach us."
+
+"Right you are! Float on, O goddess! You're getting too ethereal for the
+school. I shall be glad when the entertainment's over, and we can have a
+cricket match again. It's decidedly more in my line!"
+
+Miss Adams, with all the enthusiasm of youth and a new vocation, was
+determined to make the entertainment a success. She spared no trouble
+over constant rehearsals, and having weeded out those girls who could
+not adapt themselves to her methods, she kept the rest well at work in
+any time that was available. She determined not only to have dances, but
+to give in addition a short Greek play, and selected for that purpose
+the famous fifteenth idyll of Theocritus.
+
+"But we're not to act it in Greek, surely!" objected Edith in alarm.
+
+"It's bad enough to have to learn French plays! We'd never be able to
+tackle Greek!" urged Dulcie, absolutely aghast.
+
+"Don't look so scared!" laughed Miss Adams. "I'm not going to ask you to
+give it in Greek. Probably few people would understand it if you did! I
+have a delightful translation here. It ought to take very well indeed
+with the audience. Come and squat on the grass, and I'll read it aloud
+to you first, and then I'll allot parts."
+
+"Is it _very_ stiff and educational?" groaned Dulcie, obeying
+unwillingly.
+
+"Wait and see! Come under the shade of the lilac bush, it's so hot to
+sit in the sun."
+
+The girls composed themselves into attitudes of more or less classic
+elegance, and Miss Adams, book in hand, began to read.
+
+    "IDYLL XV
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Is Praxinoe at home?
+
+    "_Praxinoe._ Dear Gorgo, how long it is since you have been here! She
+     _is_ at home. The wonder is that you have got here at last. Eunoe,
+     see that she has a chair. Throw a cushion on it, too.
+
+    "_Gorgo._ It does most charmingly as it is.
+
+    "_Praxinoe._ Do sit down.
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Oh, what a thing spirit is! I have scarcely got to you
+     alive, Praxinoe! What a huge crowd! What hosts of four-in-hands!
+     Everywhere cavalry boots, everywhere men in uniform. And the road
+     is endless: yes, you really live _too_ far away!
+
+    "_Praxinoe._ It is all the fault of that madman of mine! Here he came
+     to the ends of the earth, and took--a hole, not a house, and all
+     that we might not be neighbors. The jealous wretch, always the
+     same, ever for spite!
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Don't talk of Dinon, your husband, like that, my dear girl,
+     before the little boy. Look how he is staring at you! Never mind,
+     Zopyrion, sweet child, she is not speaking about papa.
+
+    "_Praxinoe._ Our Lady Persephone! The child takes notice!
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Nice papa!
+
+    "_Praxinoe._ That papa of his the other day--we call every day 'the
+     other day'--went to get soap and rouge at the shop, and back he
+     came to me with salt--the great, big endless fellow!"
+
+"But, Miss Adams," interrupted Dulcie, "surely this isn't an old Greek
+play? It sounds absolutely and entirely modern!"
+
+"As a matter of fact, it was written by Theocritus about the year 266 B.
+C. It describes the visit paid by two Syracusan ladies residing in
+Alexandria to the festival of Adonis. Their manners and talk then must
+have been very similar to ours of to-day. Listen to the part where they
+are getting ready to start.
+
+    "_Gorgo._ It seems nearly time to go.
+
+    "_Praxinoe._ Idlers have always holidays. Eunoe, bring the water, and
+     put it down in the middle of the room, lazy creature that you are!
+     Cats always like to sleep soft! Come, bustle, bring the
+     water--quicker! I want water first, and how she carries it! Give it
+     me all the same: don't pour out so much, you extravagant thing!
+     Stupid girl! Why are you wetting my dress? There, stop, I have
+     washed my hands, as heaven would have it! Where is the key of the
+     big chest? Bring it here.
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Praxinoe, that full body becomes you wonderfully. Tell me,
+     how much did the stuff cost you just off the loom?
+
+    "_Praxinoe._ Don't speak of it, Gorgo! More than eight pounds in good
+     silver money--and the work on it! I nearly slaved my soul out over
+     it.
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Well, it is _most_ successful: all you could wish.
+
+    "_Praxinoe._ Thanks for the pretty speech. Eunoe, bring my shawl, and
+     set my hat on my head, the fashionable way. No, Zopyrion, I don't
+     mean to take _you_! Boo! Bogies! There's a horse that bites! Cry as
+     much as you please, but I cannot have you lamed. Let us be moving.
+     Phrygia, take the child, and keep him amused, call in the dog, and
+     shut the street door!"
+
+"It's exactly like anybody going out to-day!" commented Carmel, as Miss
+Adams came to a pause.
+
+"Why does it seem so modern?" asked Dulcie.
+
+"Because it was written during the zenith of Greece's history, and one
+great civilization always resembles another. England of to-day is far
+more in touch with the times of ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece and Rome,
+than with the Middle Ages. Read Chaucer, and you find his mental outlook
+is that of a child of seven. In the days of the Plantagenets grown men
+and women enjoyed stories of a crude simplicity that now only appeals
+to children. The human race is always progressing in great successive
+waves of civilization; after each wave breaks, a time of barbarism
+prevails, till man is again educated to a higher growth. We're living at
+the top of a wave at present!"
+
+"I remember," said Carmel, "when Mother and Daddy took me to Rome, we
+saw the busts of the Emperors, and of all sorts of clever people, who'd
+lived in about the first century, and we all said: 'Oh, aren't their
+faces just like people of to-day?' We amused ourselves with saying one
+was a lawyer, and another a doctor, and calling some of them after our
+friends. Then we went afterwards to an exhibition of sixteenth-century
+portraits; perhaps the artists hadn't learnt to paint well, but at any
+rate the faces were utterly different from people of to-day. They seemed
+quite another type altogether--not so intelligent or so interesting. We
+were tremendously struck with the difference."
+
+"It marks my point," said Miss Adams.
+
+"What else do Gorgo and Praxinoe do?" asked Edith.
+
+"They go into Alexandria for the festival, and find the streets so
+crowded that they are almost frightened to death, and have hard work not
+to lose Eunoe, the slave girl, whom they have taken with them; she
+nearly gets squeezed as they pass in at the door. They go into raptures
+over an exhibition of embroideries. 'Lady Athene,' says Praxinoe, 'what
+spinning-women wrought them? What painters designed their drawings, so
+true they are?' I haven't time to read it all to you now, but I must
+just give you the little bit where they quarrel with a stranger. It's
+too absolutely priceless.
+
+    "_A Stranger._ You weariful women, do cease your endless cooing talk!
+     You bore one to death with your eternal broad vowels!
+
+    "_Gorgo._ Indeed! And where may this person come from? What is it to
+     you if we _are_ chatterboxes? Give orders to your own servants,
+     sir. Do you pretend to command ladies of Syracuse? If you must
+     know, we are Corinthians by descent, like Bellerophon himself, and
+     we speak Peloponnesian. Dorian women may lawfully speak Doric, I
+     presume?"
+
+"Oh, _do_ let me be Gorgo!" begged Dulcie. "I love her; she's so smart
+and sarcastic. Isn't it exactly like somebody talking during a concert,
+and a person in the row in front objecting, and a friend butting in with
+rude remarks? That's what generally happens."
+
+"Did people's accent matter in Greek as much as it does in English?"
+asked Prissie.
+
+"Evidently. The Alexandrian gentleman--who sounds a decided fop--did not
+approve of a Doric pronunciation. No doubt broad vowels were out of
+fashion. I believe I shall give his part to Edith. It's a small one,
+but it has scope for a good deal of acting."
+
+"And who is to be Praxinoe, please?"
+
+"I think I must choose Carmel. She ought to act in an idyll by
+Theocritus, as he was a Sicilian like herself. Would he find Sicily much
+altered, Carmel, if he came back? Or is it the same after two thousand
+years?"
+
+"There are still goatherds on the mountains, though we don't see wood
+nymphs now!"
+
+"No, the wood nymphs have all trotted over to England, and are going to
+give a performance in aid of the 'Waifs and Strays!'" said Dulcie. "I
+hope Apollo will remember them, and send them a fine day, if he's
+anything to do with the weather over here. Perhaps his sun chariot only
+runs on the Mediterranean route."
+
+"Surely he's got an aeroplane by now!" laughed Edith. "We'll send him a
+wireless message to remind him of his duty. 'Nymphs dancing Thursday
+week at 2.30 P. M. Kindly cable special supply of sunshine.'"
+
+"Now, girls, you're getting silly!" said Miss Adams, shutting her book
+and rising. "If we want to make a success of our classic afternoon,
+we've plenty of hard work before us. I'm going on with costumes at
+present, and anybody who cares to volunteer can fetch her thimble and a
+needle and cotton, and hem a chiton."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+Wood Nymphs
+
+
+It needed a tremendous amount of rehearsing and preparation before Miss
+Adams judged her classic performance fit for public exhibition. The
+Greek garments, simple as they were, nevertheless required sewing, and
+there were certain pieces of scenery to be constructed. The other
+mistresses helped nobly, though they were thankful to be spared the
+organization of the proceedings, and to leave the brunt of the burden to
+a specialist. Tickets for the entertainment had been sold in the
+neighborhood, and parents and friends of the girls who lived within
+motoring distance had promised to drive over.
+
+"Cousin Clare is coming!" rejoiced Dulcie. "She has two friends staying
+at the Chase, and she'll bring them with her. If Milner drives them, I
+shall ask Miss Walters if he may come and watch too. He'd be _so_
+delighted to see it. He loves anything of that kind. His own little girl
+was May Queen at the village pageant two years ago, and he's talked
+about it ever since."
+
+"I wrote to Mr. Bowden," said Lilias, "and he's taken two tickets, but
+he's doubtful if he'll find time to get off. He's always so busy."
+
+"Never mind if he sent the money for them!" consoled Edith. "Of course
+it's nice to have big audiences, but it's money we're out for. We want
+to make a decent sum."
+
+"Miss Walters says the tickets have sold quite well. Even if it's a
+doubtful day, and we don't have a very big audience, we shall clear
+something, at any rate."
+
+"Oh, but I do hope people will come! It's so disappointing to take all
+this trouble, and to act to rows of empty chairs. What's going to
+happen, by the by, if it's a wet day? Will it be put off?"
+
+"We shall have to have it in the big schoolroom. It can't be put off,
+because Miss Adams can only stay till Friday, and we couldn't get
+through it without her."
+
+"No, indeed! She's the directing genius of it all!"
+
+"Oh dear! It simply _must_ keep fine!"
+
+Never was weather more carefully watched. All the old country saws and
+superstitions were remembered and repeated. It became a matter of vital
+importance to notice whether the scarlet pimpernel was out, if the
+cattle were grazing with their heads up hill, and whether a heron flew
+across the sky. Prissie took a candle into the garden last thing before
+bed-time, to observe if the lawn showed earthworms; the finding of black
+slugs was considered to be rather fatal, and the hooting of owls a
+decidedly bad omen. The goddess of the English climate, however, is such
+a fickle deity that there is never the least dependence to be placed on
+weather prophecies. She always seems to prefer to give a surprise. On
+the day before the performance it rained; evening closed in with a
+stormy sky, and every probability of waking next morning to find a
+drizzle. Dulcie, putting her head out of the window last thing, reported
+driving clouds and a total absence of stars.
+
+Yet, lo and behold! they woke to one of those rare ethereal dawns that
+come only now and then in a summer. The Blue bedroom faced east, and
+over the line of laurels in the garden they could watch pearl and opal
+flush into rosy pink before the sun shone out in an almost cloudless
+sky. By nine o'clock the wet grass of yesterday was beginning to dry up,
+and Miss Adams, with the help of Jones the gardener, was setting up her
+scenery, and making initial arrangements for the business of the
+afternoon.
+
+She had contrived her open-air theater as far as possible on Greek
+lines. There was no stage, but the audience sat on chairs on the grass,
+and on cushions and rugs placed down a bank that commanded the lawn.
+The performance was to begin at 3 o'clock, and soon after 2.30 visitors
+began to arrive. There was quite a long row of cars in the drive,
+bicycles were stacked against the veranda, and two ponies were put up in
+the stable. Cousin Clare and her friends came in excellent time,
+driven--much to Dulcie's satisfaction--by Milner, who in company with
+the other chauffeurs received a cordial invitation from Miss Walters to
+witness the show.
+
+"And wasn't it nice of him?" said Dulcie to Carmel, "he insisted on
+giving a shilling to the funds. I told him it wasn't expected, but he
+said he should _like_ to, if we didn't mind. Mind! Why, we want all the
+money we can get!"
+
+"I think Milner is an old dear!" agreed Carmel.
+
+Mr. Bowden had actually managed to get away from his office after all,
+and had brought a niece with him in the side-car of his motor-bicycle.
+He looked quite beaming, as if he meant to forget the law for a few
+hours, and to enjoy himself. He sat next to Cousin Clare, chatting
+affably and admiring the arrangements.
+
+A piano had been carried out on to the lawn for the occasion, and Miss
+Lowe, the music mistress, took her seat at it. She was supported by a
+small school orchestra of three violins and violoncello, and together
+they struck up some Eastern music. When it was well started there was a
+flashing of white among the bushes on the farther side of the lawn, and
+out came tripping a bevy of charming wood nymphs. They were all clad in
+Greek chitons, very delicately draped, their hair was bound with gold
+fillets, and their arms and feet were bare. They held aloft garlands of
+flowers, and circling on that part of the lawn which formed the stage,
+they went through the postures of a beautiful and intricate classic
+dance.
+
+Viewed against the background of trees and bushes it was a remarkably
+pretty performance. There were no accessories of limelight or "make-up"
+to give a theatrical or artificial effect; the afternoon sunshine fell
+on the girls in their simple costumes, and showed a most natural scene
+as their bare feet whirled lightly over the grass in time to the music,
+and their uplifted arms waved the long garlands. There was a tremendous
+clapping as they retired into the shelter of their classic groves.
+
+The next item on Miss Adams' program was rather ambitious. An upright
+screen of wood, covered with black paper, was placed upon the lawn to
+serve as a background, and in front of this Hester Wilson and Truie
+Tyndale, attired in Venetian red chitons, performed a Grecian dance. The
+effect was exactly a representation of an ancient Etruscan vase, with
+terra cotta figures on a black background, and when at the end they
+stood posed as in a tableau, the likeness was complete. Though scarcely
+so pretty as the garland dance, it was considered very clever, and met
+with much applause.
+
+For the Idyll XV of Theocritus, Miss Adams had followed Greek tradition,
+and had used only the scantiest and simplest of scenery. A few screens
+and stools did service for a house, a tiger-skin rug was flung on the
+grass, and a brass waterpot, brought by Miss Walters from Cairo,
+completed the idea of a classic establishment. It was better to have few
+accessories than to present anachronisms, and place modern articles in
+an Alexandrian home of the third century B. C.
+
+Dulcie and Carmel, as Gorgo and Praxinoe, made an excellent contrast,
+the one carrying out the fair Greek type and the other the dark. They
+played their parts admirably, rendering the dialogue with much spirit
+and brightness, and with appropriate action. Praxinoe, the fashionable
+belle of the third century B. C., donned her garments for the festival
+with a mixture of coquetry and Greek dignity that delighted the
+audience; Gorgo's passage of arms with the Stranger of Alexandria, was
+smart and racy, while Edith, as the affected "man-about-town" of the
+period was considered a huge success. As nobody in the school was young
+enough to take Zopyrion, they had borrowed the gardener's
+three-year-old baby, and had trained him to walk on, holding the hand of
+Eunoe. He was a pretty child, and dressed in a little white chiton, with
+bare legs and feet, he looked very charming, and quite completed the
+scene. His round wondering eyes and evident astonishment were indeed
+exactly what was required from him to sustain the part.
+
+The wood nymphs, with some slight additions of costume, acted the crowd
+through which Gorgo and Praxinoe had to push their way and pilot their
+slaves. They pushed and hustled with such vigor as amply to justify the
+episode where Praxinoe's muslin veil was torn in two, and the whole
+party would have been separated, and Eunoe altogether lost, but for the
+help of an Alexandrian gentleman.
+
+Carmel brought out her speech of thanks with much unction.
+
+    "_Praxinoe._ Both this year and for ever may all be well with you, my
+     dear sir, for your care of us. A good kind man! We're letting Eunoe
+     get squeezed--come, wretched girl, push your way through."
+
+And Nesta, as the courteous stranger, responded with a bow which, if not
+absolutely historically correct for the period, was certainly a
+combination of the good manners of all the ages.
+
+As it was difficult to find enough items for an entirely classical
+program, the second half of the entertainment was to be miscellaneous,
+and during the short interval a delegate from the "Waifs and Strays
+Society" was to give a short address explaining the work of the Homes.
+
+Now Carmel was down in Part II to dance the Pastorale, and she ran into
+the house to change her Greek chiton for the dress of a Sicilian
+peasant. She went through the veranda and the open French window, and
+straight upstairs to her bedroom. She had brought nobody with her,
+because, for one thing, she needed no help, and for another she was hot
+and excited, and felt that she would like a few minutes' rest quite to
+herself. There was no great hurry, so she leisurely put on the pretty
+scarlet and white-striped skirt, the velvet apron, the white bodice and
+laced corsage, clasped the necklace round her throat, and twisted the
+gay silk handkerchief as a head-dress on her dark hair. It was a
+prettier and more effective costume even than the Greek one. There was
+an Eastern variety of color in it that suited her better than the
+simplicity of the chiton. She had completed it, from the gold bangles on
+her wrists to the scarlet stockings and neat shoes, and was just turning
+to run downstairs again, when she suddenly stopped and listened.
+
+Carmel's little bedroom was really a dressing-room, and possessed two
+doors. One led into the passage, and the other communicated with the
+Blue bedroom. This latter door was ajar just a couple of inches, and
+through the opening came the sound of a drawer pulled out. For a moment
+Carmel thought that Dulcie and Bertha must have come upstairs, and she
+was on the point of calling to them, when some strong and mysterious
+instinct restrained her. Instead, she walked softly across the floor,
+and peeped through the chink. It was no cousin or schoolfellow who was
+in the next room, but a slight fair man--an utter stranger--who was
+hastily turning over the contents of the drawer, and slipping something
+into his pocket.
+
+For a moment Carmel's heart stood still. She realized instantly that she
+was in the immediate vicinity of a burglar. Seeing the entertainment
+advertised by a placard on the gate, he must have entered the garden and
+waited his opportunity to slip into the house while everybody was
+outside watching the performance. He was apparently laying light fingers
+upon any article which took his fancy.
+
+Carmel's first and most natural impulse was to tear downstairs and give
+warning of what was happening. Then it occurred to her that while she
+did so the thief would very possibly make his escape. If only she could
+trap him. But how? Her fertile brain thought for a second or two, then
+evolved a plan.
+
+Very quietly she withdrew the key from the door which led out of her
+bedroom to the passage, and locked it on the outside. So far, so good:
+if Mr. Burglar went into the dressing-room he could not escape. Now she
+must be prepared to take a great risk. The key of the Blue bedroom was
+on the inside; she must open the door, withdraw it, and lock it on the
+outside before the thief could stop her. It was possible that he had
+calculated on the double exit, and that, hearing a noise behind him, he
+would make a dash for the dressing-room.
+
+With shaking legs, and something going round and round like a wheel
+inside her chest, she approached the Blue bedroom door, and opened it
+softly. As she had anticipated, the intruder had probably laid his
+plans, for at the first sound he turned his head, then slipped like a
+rabbit into the dressing-room. No doubt an unpleasant surprise awaited
+him there, for as Carmel's trembling fingers drew out the key, and
+locked the door from the passage side she could hear the handle of her
+own bedroom door moving.
+
+"He's probably got skeleton keys, or a jemmy, or something like they use
+on the cinema, and will be out in a minute, but I'll get a start of
+him!" she thought, and tearing down stairs like the wind, she literally
+flew into the garden, and gasped forth the thrilling news.
+
+"It's the Blue bedroom--watch the window or he may jump out!" she added
+quickly.
+
+There was an instant rush towards the house; Miss Walters, with Milner
+and four other chauffeurs to support her, dashed up stairs, Mr. Bowden
+and a crowd of visitors took their stand under the windows. Shouts from
+the bedroom presently announced that the burglar had been secured, and
+after a while he was led down stairs with his wrists fastened together
+by a piece of clothes line, and guarded on each side by two determined
+looking men, who hustled him into a car, and drove him off at once to
+the police station at Glazebrook.
+
+The excitement at Chilcombe Hall was tremendous. It was of course
+impossible to go on with the entertainment. Mistresses, girls, and
+guests could do nothing but talk about the occurrence. Carmel was
+questioned, and gave as minute and accurate an account as she could of
+exactly what had happened. She was much congratulated by everybody on
+her presence of mind.
+
+"I don't know how you dared do it!" shivered Dulcie. "He might have shot
+you with a revolver!"
+
+"You're a brave girl!" said Miss Walters approvingly. "If it hadn't been
+for your prompt action, in all probability he would have got away."
+
+"I didn't feel brave. I was scared to death!" admitted Carmel.
+
+Although she would not acknowledge any particular credit in her
+achievement, Carmel was necessarily the heroine of the hour. Miss
+Walters, feeling that everybody must be in need of refreshment after
+such an event, ordered tea to be served immediately, and soon the urns
+were carried out into the garden, where tables had already been set with
+cups and saucers and plates of sandwiches and cakes.
+
+After a short time Mr. Bowden, who had accompanied the burglar to the
+police station, returned to report that their prisoner was safely
+quartered in a cell, and a formal charge had been lodged against him,
+which in due course of law would lead to his trial for house-breaking.
+
+"The police think he is not an old offender, but some cyclist who was
+passing, and probably yielded to a sudden temptation," he explained.
+"Nevertheless, he'll get a sharp sentence, for there has been too much
+of this sort of thing going on lately, and the judges are inclined to be
+very severe on it, and rightly too, or nobody's home would be safe.
+Thank you, Carmel! Yes, I'll take another cup of tea, please! And then I
+want to see you do that Sicilian dance before I set off on my travels
+again. Oh yes! I'm not going away without!"
+
+Poor Carmel was still feeling too much upset to relish dancing, but Mr.
+Bowden pressed the point, and other guests joined their persuasions, so
+finally it was decided to give at least a portion of the second part of
+the program, and the audience again took their seats on the lawn,
+leaving several people, however, to guard the house.
+
+"It's not likely there'll be another burglar on the same afternoon;
+still, he might have accomplices about," said Miss Walters. "I shall
+never feel really safe again, I'm afraid. We shall all be horribly
+nervous for a long time."
+
+Only the most striking items in Part II were selected for performance,
+as it was growing late, and most of the guests would soon have to take
+their leave. There was an affecting tableau of the parting of the
+widowed Queen of Edward IV from her little son, Richard, Duke of York; a
+charming pageant of the old street cries of London, in which dainty
+maidens in eighteenth-century costumes appeared with bunches of "Sweet
+Lavender," and baskets of "Cherry Ripe," and, after singing the
+appropriate songs, went the round of the audience and sold their wares.
+
+Noreen, who was the star of the elocution class, recited a poem
+describing the sad experience of a typical little waif, and his
+reception in the Home. It was a pretty piece, and had been composed
+expressly for the Society by a lady who often wrote for magazines.
+
+Then, last of all, came Carmel's Sicilian dance. Miss Lowe had
+fortunately been able to obtain the score of the Pastorale, and with
+music and costume complete the performance was an even greater success
+than it had been on the terrace at Bradstone. People clapped the little
+figure, partly for her charming dancing and partly for her pluck in
+trapping the burglar, so that altogether she received quite an ovation.
+
+"We shan't forget the 'Waifs and Strays' afternoon in a hurry," said
+Lilias, as she tidied her possessions afterwards, for it was _her_
+drawer that the burglar had turned upside down in his search for
+valuables. "I feel I want to sleep with a revolver under my pillow!"
+
+"If you did, I'd be far more afraid of you than of the burglar!"
+protested Bertha. "I know you'd let it off at the wrong person. I don't
+suppose anybody else is likely to come burgling here, so you needn't
+alarm yourself!"
+
+"But if they do, Miss Wiseacre?"
+
+"Then I should turn them over into the dressing-room, to be dealt with
+at her discretion by Princess Carmel!" laughed Bertha. "I believe she's
+equal to catching one of them in a mousetrap if she gets the
+opportunity!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+The Open Road
+
+
+It was fortunate for Carmel that her first experience of England should
+come in the spring and early summer. Had she arrived straight from sunny
+Sicily to face autumn rains or winter snows, I verily believe her
+courage would have failed, and she would have written an urgent and
+imploring appeal to be fetched home. For the white, vine-covered house
+that looked over the blue waters of the Mediterranean was still
+essentially "home" to Carmel. She had been born and bred in the south,
+and though one half of her was purely English, there was another side
+that was strongly Italian. She was deeply attached to all her relations
+and friends in Sicily, and from her point of view it was exile to live
+so far away from them. The fact that she was owner of the Chase was, in
+her estimation, no compensation whatever for her banishment from "Casa
+Bianca." She made a very sweet and gentle little heiress, however. As
+yet she was mistress only in name, for during her minority everything
+was left in the hands of Mr. Bowden and a certain Canon Lowe, who were
+guardians to all Mr. Ingleton's grandchildren, and kept the Chase open
+as a home for them. The three girls returned there from Chilcombe Hall
+at the end of the term, and were joined by the younger boys from their
+preparatory school.
+
+For a week or two they enjoyed themselves in the grounds and the park.
+There was much to show Carmel, and she was happy sitting in the garden
+or wandering in the woods. She soon made friends with the people on the
+estate. The gamekeeper's children would come running out to meet her,
+and stand round smiling while she hunted in her pocket for chocolates;
+Milner's little girl adored her, and even the shy baby at the lodge
+waxed friendly. Carmel was intensely fond of children, and the affection
+which she had bestowed on younger brothers and sisters at home cropped
+out on every occasion where her life touched that of smaller people. To
+Roland, Bevis, and Clifford she was a charming companion. She would go
+walks with them in the woods, help them to arrange their various
+collections of butterflies, foreign stamps, and picture post cards, and
+play endless games of draughts, halma, or bagatelle.
+
+"You slave after those boys as if you were their nursery governess!"
+remarked Lilias one day, just a little nettled that Clifford ran
+instinctively to Carmel for sympathy instead of to his sister. "I
+promised to help them with those caterpillar boxes to-morrow, and so I
+will, if you'll leave them. I really can't be bothered to-day."
+
+Carmel yielded instantly. Part of her intense charm was the ready tact
+with which she was careful never to usurp the place of any one else. She
+put aside the muslin that was to form covers for the boxes, and slipped
+her scissors back into the case.
+
+Clifford, however, who was a budding naturalist, and most keen on
+collecting, was highly disgusted.
+
+"I want my boxes to-day!" he wailed. "I've no place to put my
+caterpillars when I find them. They crawl out of the old boxes. Why
+shouldn't Carmel make me some? I know hers would be beauties."
+
+"Lilias will make you some nicer ones to-morrow," urged his cousin.
+"Suppose we take our butterfly nets on to the heath to-day, and try to
+find some 'blues.' You haven't a really nice specimen, you know. And I
+think we might find some moths on the trees in the wood, if we look
+about carefully. It's worth trying, isn't it?"
+
+"Oh yes! Do let us! Shall we start now?" agreed Clifford, much
+mollified.
+
+On the whole the three girls got along excellently, but if there was any
+hint at disturbance it generally arose from Lilias, whose pride would
+be up in arms at the most absurd trifles. She was annoyed that Carmel
+was asked to give away the prizes at the village sports, and showed her
+dissatisfaction so plainly that her sweet-tempered cousin, rather than
+have any fuss, solved the situation by asking Cousin Clare to perform
+the ceremony instead, considerably to the disappointment of the
+committee, who had thought the new heiress was the appropriate
+patroness.
+
+Lilias and Dulcie took diametrically opposite views about the Chase. The
+former stuck firmly to her opinion that it ought to have been Everard's,
+that her brother was an ill-used outcast, and that it was only sisterly
+feeling to resent seeing anybody else in his place. Her attitude to
+Carmel was almost as strong as that of King Robert of Sicily in
+Longfellow's _Tales of a Wayside Inn_ towards the angel who had
+temporarily usurped his throne.
+
+Dulcie, on the contrary, had always chafed against Everard's assumption
+of superiority and authority. He had been left the same generous legacy
+as the rest of the family, and had only to come back and claim his
+portion when he wished. If anybody was to have the Chase, she really
+preferred that it should belong to Carmel, who never obtruded her
+rights, and seemed ready for her cousins to enjoy the property on an
+exact equality with herself. The two girls were great friends: they
+would go out riding together while Lilias went shopping in the car with
+Cousin Clare; they practised duets, and both made crude attempts at
+sketching the house. Their tastes in books and fancy-work were somewhat
+similar, and they would sit in the shade in the afternoons stitching at
+embroidery and eating chocolates.
+
+Three weeks of the summer holidays passed rapidly away in this fashion.
+Carmel was glad to have the opportunity of getting to know the Chase,
+and admitted its attractions, though her heart was still in Sicily.
+
+Towards the end of August the party broke up and scattered. Carmel had
+received an invitation from English relations of her stepfather to join
+them on a motor tour; the three little boys were to be taken to rooms at
+the seaside by Miss Mason, their late governess; Lilias and Dulcie went
+to stay with friends, and Cousin Clare had arranged to attend a
+conference. She agreed, however, that when Lilias and Dulcie returned
+from their visit, they should go with her in the car for a week-end to
+Tivermouth, to see how the boys were getting on.
+
+"If you'll promise we may stay at an hotel!" stipulated Lilias. "I
+wouldn't spend a week-end in rooms with those three imps for the world.
+I'd like to see them, but not at too close quarters."
+
+"It's quite improbable that their landlady would have bedrooms for us,"
+said Cousin Clare. "So in any case we should be obliged to stop at an
+hotel. In this crowded season I shall engage rooms beforehand."
+
+"Hurrah!" triumphed Dulcie, who was anxious for a grown-up experience.
+"I must say I hate staying with the boys near the beach; the
+sitting-room's always overflowing with their seaweed and other messes."
+
+"What a joke if _I_ were to turn up at the hotel too!" said Carmel. "I
+believe the Rogers are going down to Devonshire. I shall tell them the
+date you'll be at Tivermouth. They'll possibly like to meet you."
+
+"Oh, do! It would be such fun!" agreed Dulcie. "We'd have an absolutely
+topping time together. Persuade them as hard as you can!"
+
+"I'll do my best!" agreed Carmel.
+
+As it is impossible to follow the adventures of everybody, we will
+concern ourselves particularly with the experiences of our heroine, who
+was to take her first motor tour among English scenery. The party in the
+comfortable Rover car consisted of Major and Mrs. Rogers, their daughter
+Sheila, their guest Carmel, and a chauffeur. Major Rogers was still
+suffering from the effects of wounds, and was more or less of a
+semi-invalid, a condition which made him fussy at times, and too
+independent at others, for directly he felt a trifle better he would
+immediately begin to break all the rules that the doctors had laid down
+for his treatment. He was an amusing, humorous sort of man, who would
+jest between spasms of pain, and generally found something to laugh at
+in the various episodes of their journey. There is a laughter, though,
+that is more the expression of supreme courage than of genuine mirth,
+and the drawn lines round the Major's mouth told of sleepless nights and
+days of little ease, and of trouble that hurts worse even than physical
+pain; for one son lay on a Belgian battle-field, another on the heights
+near Salonika, with no cross to mark the grave, and a third deep under
+the surging waters of the Atlantic.
+
+Mrs. Rogers was Mr. Greville's sister, and for that reason, though she
+was no real relation, Carmel called her Aunt Hilda. She had been a belle
+in her youth, and she was still pretty with the pathetic beauty that
+often shines in the faces of those who have suffered great loss. Her
+once flaxen hair was almost entirely gray, but she had kept her delicate
+complexion, and there was a gentle sweetness about her that was very
+attractive.
+
+Her daughter was an exact replica of what she herself must have been at
+nineteen, though Sheila was going through an uncomfortable phase, and
+affected to despise the country, to be nervous of motoring, and to long
+to be back in town again. She was quite kind to Carmel, but treated her
+with the distantly indulgent attitude of the lately-grown-up for the
+mere schoolgirl. It was evident that she regarded the whole tour as more
+or less of a nuisance, and just a means of killing time until she could
+start off for Scotland to join a certain house-party to which she had
+been invited, and where she would meet several of her most particular
+friends.
+
+"I'm sorry we couldn't ask one of your cousins to come with you, dear,"
+said Mrs. Rogers to Carmel, "but there isn't room in the car for any one
+else. It's a good opportunity for you to see something of England. It's
+all very different from Sicily, isn't it? You'll feel your first winter
+trying, I'm afraid; we certainly lack sunshine in this climate."
+
+"Give me Egypt," said Major Rogers. "It's this perpetual damp in the air
+that makes things melancholy over here. Why, except in the height of
+summer it's hardly ever fit to sit out-of-doors. I like a place where I
+need a sun helmet."
+
+"You and Mother are salamanders, Daddy!" declared Sheila. "I believe
+you'd enjoy living in a hot-house! Now, I like Scotland, with a good
+sharp wind across the moors, and a touch of mist in it to cool your
+face. I like either town or mountains. If I can't walk down Regent
+Street, then I'd tramp over the heather, but I don't admire ordinary
+English scenery. It's too tame."
+
+"You surely don't call this tame?" replied her father, pointing at the
+village through which they were motoring, "it's one of the show bits of
+the Midlands, and an absolute picture. Where are your eyes, child?"
+
+But Sheila was perverse, and refused to evince any enthusiasm, and ended
+by pulling out a novel over which she chuckled, quite regardless of the
+scenery, and only tore herself from the book to ask for the box of
+chocolate marsh mallows that she had bought at the last town where there
+was a good confectioner's.
+
+Carmel would certainly have found Dulcie, or even Lilias, a more
+congenial companion than Sheila, but she nevertheless managed to enjoy
+herself. She loved the country, and was delighted with the variety of
+the English landscape. Though less rich than the vineclad south, the
+greenness of its fields and hedges never failed to amaze her, and she
+was fascinated by the quaint villages, their thatched roofs, church
+spires, and flowery gardens. They had been running through
+Gloucestershire _en route_ for Somerset and Devon, and were to call a
+halt at various show places on the way. Major Rogers, poring over map
+and guide books, would plan out their daily route each morning at the
+breakfast table in the hotel.
+
+"With good luck and no punctures we ought to reach Exeter to-night
+easily," he remarked, looking through the window of an old-fashioned
+country inn into the cobbled street where their luggage was being
+strapped on to the car.
+
+"But, my dear!" remonstrated his wife. "Why in such a hurry to reach
+Exeter? Let us stay the night at Wells, and look over the cathedral;
+then we can spend a few hours in Bath too."
+
+"Daddy and Johnson always like to tear along at about a hundred miles an
+hour," said Sheila. "Except as a means of getting along the road, I hate
+motoring! I always think Johnson is going to run into everybody. He
+shaves his corners so narrowly, and doesn't give conveyances enough
+room. I call him very reckless."
+
+"Nonsense! He's an excellent driver!" declared her father. "One of the
+best chauffeurs we've ever had, though he's only a young chap. He's
+wonderfully intelligent too. I'd trust him with repairs as well as any
+man at a garage. A civil fellow, too."
+
+"Yes, his manners are really quite superior," agreed Mrs. Rogers,
+stepping on to the balcony and watching the smart, good-looking figure
+of the young chauffeur, who was opening the bonnet of the car for some
+last inspection. "Personally I feel perfectly safe when Johnson is
+driving me. I'm never nervous in the least!"
+
+"And I'm in such a perpetual panic that I often read so as not to look
+at the road," confessed Sheila. "I do wish you'd ask him to sound his
+horn oftener in these narrow roads. The banks and hedges are so high,
+you can't see anything that's coming till it's almost upon you."
+
+"Well, it certainly might be a wise precaution," said Major Rogers. "In
+motoring you have to guard against the stupidity of other people, and
+that fellow in the gray two-seater nearly charged straight into us
+yesterday. A regular road-hog he was!"
+
+If Johnson had hitherto been a little slack in respect of sounding his
+horn, it was the only fault of which his employers could complain. He
+kept the fittings of the car at the very zenith in the matter of polish,
+he was punctuality personified, and most skilful at the tedious business
+of repairing or changing tires; he rarely spoke addressed, but when
+questioned he seemed to have a good acquaintance with the country, knew
+which were the best roads, and what sights were worth visiting in the
+various places through which they passed. All of which are highly
+desirable qualities in a chauffeur, and a satisfaction to all
+concerned.
+
+It was the general plan of the holiday to start about ten or eleven
+o'clock, take a picnic-basket with them, lunch somewhere in the woods,
+arrive at their next halting-place about three or four, and spend the
+remainder of the day in sight-seeing, or in Major Rogers' case resting,
+if he were suffering from a severe attack of pain.
+
+As they motored across Somerset in the direction of Wells, they chose
+for their mid-day stop a lovely place on the top of a range of low
+hills. A belt of fir trees edged the roadside, and through these a gate
+led into a field. As the gate was open they felt licensed to enter, and
+to encamp upon a sunny bank under a hedge. One of the motor rugs was
+spread for Major Rogers, and Mrs. Rogers, Sheila, and Carmel sat
+severally on an air cushion, a tree-stump, and on the grass. There was a
+grand view over a slope of cornfields and pastures, and though the sun
+was warm there was a delicious little breeze to temper the heat. Not
+that it was too hot for any one except Sheila, who panted in the shade
+while the others exulted in the sunshine. Carmel, outstretched upon the
+grass, basked like a true daughter of the south, throwing aside her hat,
+somewhat to Mrs. Rogers' consternation.
+
+"You'll spoil your complexion, child! I'm sure your mother never allows
+you to go hatless in Sicily! Put your handkerchief over your face. Yes,
+I like to feel the warmth myself, though not on my head. This is the
+sort of holiday that does people good, just to sit in the open air."
+
+"It's a rabbit holiday here," murmured the Major lazily. "Didn't you
+read that supreme article in _Punch_ a while ago? Well, it was about a
+doctor who invented a drug that could turn his patients into anything
+they chose for the holidays. A worried mother of a family lived an
+idyllic month at a farm as a hen, with six children as chickens, food
+and lodging provided gratis; a portly dowager enjoyed a rest cure as a
+Persian cat at a country mansion; some lively young people spent a
+fortnight as sea-gulls, while the hero of the article was just about to
+be changed into a rabbit when----"
+
+"When what happened?"
+
+"The usual thing in such stories; the maid broke the precious bottle of
+medicine that was to have worked the charm, and when he hunted for the
+doctor to buy another, the whole place had disappeared."
+
+"How disappointing!"
+
+"Yes, but a field like this, with burrows in it, is a near substitute. I
+feel I could live up here. Suppose I buy a shelter and get leave to
+erect it?"
+
+"Then it would promptly rain, Daddy, and you'd be in the depths of
+misery and longing for a decent hotel!" declared Sheila.
+
+To suit Major Rogers' humor they stayed nearly two hours in the field.
+The quiet was just what his doctor had ordered for him. He had spent a
+restless night, and, though he could not sleep now, the air and the
+sunshine calmed his nerves. He seemed better than he had been for days,
+and enjoyed the run downhill into Wells.
+
+As they were stepping out of the motor at the hotel, Carmel gave an
+exclamation of concern.
+
+"I've lost my bracelet!" she declared. "What a nuisance! Wherever can it
+have gone?"
+
+Johnson, the chauffeur, immediately searched on the floor and cushions
+of the car, but without success. No bracelet was there.
+
+"When did you have it last?" asked Mrs. Rogers.
+
+"In the rabbit field where we had lunch. I remember clasping and
+unclasping it, and I suppose it must have slipped off my wrist without
+my noticing. Never mind!"
+
+"I'm sorry, but it certainly is too far to go back and look for it,
+dear," said Mrs. Rogers.
+
+"Was it valuable?" asked Sheila.
+
+"Oh no, not at all! Only Mother gave it to me on my last birthday. It
+doesn't really matter, and of course it can't be helped now."
+
+Carmel was vexed, nevertheless, with her own carelessness. The little
+bracelet had been a favorite, and she hated to lose it. She missed the
+feel of it on her wrist. Her first thought when she woke next morning
+was of annoyance at the incident. As she walked down to breakfast in the
+coffee-room, the chauffeur was standing by the hall door. He came up at
+once, as if he had been expressly waiting for her, and handed her a
+small parcel. To her utter surprise it contained the missing bracelet.
+
+"Johnson!" she called, for he had turned quickly away. "Johnson--oh,
+where did you find this? Not in the car, surely?"
+
+"No, Miss Carmel, it was just where you thought you had left it--in the
+field where you had lunch. I got up early and fetched it before
+breakfast," replied Johnson pausing on the doorstep.
+
+"You went all that way! How kind of you! Thank you ever so much!"
+exclaimed Carmel, clasping her bangle on her wrist again. "I can't tell
+you how pleased I am to have it!"
+
+But Johnson, avoiding her eyes, and seeming anxious to get away from her
+thanks, was already out of the front door, and half-way across the
+courtyard to the garage.
+
+"I wonder if English men-servants are always as shy as that?" thought
+Carmel. "An Italian would certainly have waited to let me say 'Thank
+you!'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+A Meeting
+
+
+After a morning in Wells, to look at the Cathedral and other beauty
+spots, the party motored on to Glastonbury, where again they called a
+halt to look at the Abbey and the Museum. Major Rogers was interested in
+the objects which had been excavated from the prehistoric lake dwellings
+in the neighborhood, and spent so much time poring over bronze brooches,
+horn weaving-combs, flint scrapers, glass rings, and fragments of
+decorated pottery that Sheila lost all patience.
+
+"Is Dad going to spend the whole day in this moldy old museum?" she
+asked dramatically. "I hate anything B. C.! What does it matter to us
+how people lived in pile dwellings in the middle of a lake? To judge
+from those fancy pictures of them on the wall there they must have been
+a set of uncouth savages. Why can't we drive on to Dawlish, or some
+other decent seaside place, instead of poking about in musty cathedrals
+and tiresome museums? I'm fed up!"
+
+"Now, Sheila, don't be naughty!" whispered her mother. "I'm only too
+glad to see your father take an interest in anything. I believe he's
+enjoying this tour. If you're tired of the museum, go out and look at
+the shops until we're ready."
+
+"There aren't any worth looking at in a wretched little country town!"
+yawned Sheila. "No, I really don't want to go over the Abbey either,
+thanks! I shall sit inside the car and write, while you do the
+sight-seeing."
+
+Major Rogers never hurried himself to suit his daughter's whims, so
+Sheila was left to sit in the car, addressing tragic letters and picture
+post cards to her friends, and the rest of the party finished examining
+the museum, and went to view the ruins of the famous Abbey.
+
+"If Sheila prefers to stay outside, she can look after the car," said
+her father, "and I shall take Johnson in with us. He's an intelligent
+fellow, and I'm sure he appreciates the shows. It's rather hard on him
+if he never gets the chance to see anything."
+
+"I believe he goes sight-seeing on his own account when he has the
+opportunity," replied Mrs. Rogers, "but bring him in, by all means. He
+always strikes me as having very refined tastes. I should think he's
+trying to educate himself. But he's so reserved, I never can get
+anything out of him."
+
+"He seems fond of books," volunteered Carmel. "He reads all the time
+when he's waiting for us in the car."
+
+Johnson accepted with alacrity the invitation to view the Abbey, and
+walked round the ruins apparently much interested in what he saw,
+though, following his usual custom, he spoke seldom, and then only in
+brief reply to questions. Once, when Major and Mrs. Rogers were puzzling
+over a Latin inscription, he seemed on the point of making a remark, but
+apparently changed his mind, and walked away.
+
+"He's almost _too_ well trained!" commented Mrs. Rogers. "Of course a
+conversational chauffeur is a nuisance, but I have an impression that
+Johnson could be quite interesting if he liked. Some day I shall try to
+make him talk."
+
+"Better leave him alone," said Major Rogers. "I think things do very
+well as they are."
+
+From Glastonbury they motored through the beautiful county of Somerset
+into leafy Devonshire, taking easy stages so as not to overtire the
+invalid, and halting at any place where the guide book pointed out
+objects worthy of notice. To please Carmel, they were making in the
+direction of Tivermouth, where they hoped to arrive in time to meet the
+Ingletons. They had telegraphed for rooms at the Hill Crest Hotel, and,
+if the place suited Major Rogers, they proposed to spend a week there.
+
+"There may be perhaps a dance, or a tennis tournament, or something
+interesting going on!" exulted Sheila, who had urged the decision. "At
+any rate there'll be somebody to talk to in a decent hotel--it won't be
+just all scenery! Let us spin along, Dad, and get there!"
+
+"Hurry no man's cattle!" replied her father. "Remember, I am out for a
+'rabbit' holiday, and I like long rests by the roadside. I'm looking
+forward to a siesta on the grass somewhere this afternoon. The scent of
+the woods does me good."
+
+So once more the party found a picturesque spot and stopped for lunch
+and an hour or two of quiet under the trees before they took again to
+the open road. The spot which they chose this time was on a slope
+reaching down to a river. Above was a thick belt of pines, and below the
+water dashed with a pleasant murmuring sound very soothing on a warm
+afternoon. It was an ideal "rabbit playground" for Major Rogers, and he
+established himself comfortably with rugs and cushions after lunch,
+hoping to be able to snatch some much-needed sleep. Mrs. Rogers took her
+knitting from her hand-bag, and Sheila, who had a voluminous
+correspondence, asked Johnson for her dispatch case and began to write
+letters.
+
+As Carmel had nothing very particular to do, and grew tired of sitting
+still, she rose presently and rambled down the wood to the river-side.
+It was beautiful to stand and watch the water swirling by, to gaze at
+the meadow on the opposite bank, and to amuse herself by throwing little
+sticks into the hurrying current. There was an old split tree-trunk that
+overhung the bank, and it struck her that this would make a most
+comfortable and delightful rustic seat. She climbed on to it quite
+easily, crawled along, and sat at the end with her feet swinging over
+the river. It was such an idyllic situation that she felt herself a
+mixture of a tree nymph and a water nymph, or--to follow the Major's
+humor--could almost imagine that she was taking her holiday in the shape
+of a bird. If she would have been content to remain quietly seated, just
+enjoying the scenery all might have been well, but unfortunately Carmel
+made the discovery that by exercising a little energy she could make the
+stump rock. The sensation was as pleasant as a swing. Up and down and up
+and down she swayed, till the poor old split tree could bear the strain
+no longer, and suddenly, with an awful crash, the part on which she
+rested broke off, and precipitated her into the river. Her cry of terror
+as she struck the water echoed through the wood. As she rose to the
+surface she managed to clutch hold of some of the branches and support
+herself, but she was in a position of great danger, for the stump was
+hardly holding to the edge of the bank, and in another moment or two
+would probably be whirled away by the current.
+
+As she shouted again there was a quick dash through the undergrowth, and
+Johnson the chauffeur shot down through the wood at a speed that could
+almost compete with the car's. In a bound he jumped the bank, and,
+plunging into the river, struggled to her help and succeeded in pulling
+her back out of the current into the shallow water among the reeds at
+the brink.
+
+By this time Major and Mrs. Rogers and Sheila had all three rushed to
+the spot, and were able to extend hands from the bank. Carmel and
+Johnson both scrambled out of the river wet through and covered with
+mud, the most wretched and dilapidated objects.
+
+"Oh! she'll take a chill! Whatever are we to do to get her dry?" cried
+Mrs. Rogers distractedly, mopping her young guest's streaming face with
+a dainty lace-bordered handkerchief. "Is there a cottage anywhere near?"
+
+"We'd better get into the car and motor along till we find one,"
+suggested Major Rogers. "Johnson, you deserve a medal for this! I never
+saw anything so prompt in my life. It was like a whirlwind!"
+
+"We shall make a horrible mess of the car!" objected Carmel, trying to
+wipe some of the mud from her clothes.
+
+"Never mind; sit on this rug. You're shivering already, child! Sheila,
+bring my hand-bag and your father's cushion. Now, Johnson, just
+anywhere! The very first cottage that will take us in!"
+
+Luckily they were not far from a village with a fairly comfortable inn,
+where a sympathetic landlady provided bedrooms and hot water. As their
+luggage was on the car, it was an easy matter to change, and before very
+long both Carmel and her rescuer were in dry garments, and drinking the
+hot coffee which Mrs. Rogers insisted upon as a preventive against
+catching cold.
+
+"I shall hardly dare to let you out of my sight again, Carmel!" she
+said, half laughingly, yet half in earnest. "I don't want to have to
+write to your mother and tell her you're drowned!"
+
+"Nonsense!" declared the Major rather testily. "It's not a thing she's
+likely to do twice! I should think she'd be frightened to go anywhere
+near a river again just yet. Are those clothes dry? Well, never mind,
+pack them as they are; we can't wait for them. And the rug, too, just
+bundle it up and put it at the bottom of the car. Johnson can brush it
+to-morrow. He's a fine chap. I shall write to the 'Humane Society'
+about this business. They ought to give him a medal."
+
+"I've tried to thank him," said Carmel, "but directly I begin he dives
+away and does something at the car. He doesn't seem to want to be
+thanked."
+
+"Oh, that's just Johnson's usual way!" drawled Sheila. "I expect he's
+pleased all the same. You look a little more respectable now, Carmel. I
+shouldn't have liked to take you into the Hill Crest Hotel as you were
+an hour ago! I expect after this stoppage we shall arrive too late to
+dress comfortably for dinner, unless Johnson literally tears along, and
+then I'm scared out of my wits! What a life! I'd never go motoring for
+choice! It's not my idea of a holiday, I must say."
+
+After all, though Johnson seldom exceeded the speed limit, the Rogers
+arrived at Tivermouth in ample time for Sheila to don a fascinating
+evening costume, and to arrange her fair hair in an elaborate coiffure.
+The hotel was full of summer visitors, and in her opinion the large
+dining-room with its Moorish decorations, the numerous daintily-spread
+little tables, and the fashionable well-dressed crowd who flocked in at
+the sounding of a gong were far more entertaining than a wood and a
+picnic meal. But Sheila was not fond of "rabbit" holidays.
+
+[Illustration: JOHNSON THE CHAUFFEUR SHOT DOWN THROUGH THE WOOD]
+
+"It beats those old-fashioned places we stayed at in the country towns,
+doesn't it?" she said to Carmel, as they sat in the lounge, waiting for
+Major and Mrs. Rogers to come down stairs. "By the by, are your cousins
+here? I looked in the visitors' book and couldn't find their names. What
+has happened to them?"
+
+"A letter from Dulcie was waiting for me," explained Carmel. "They
+couldn't get rooms here. They were writing to the 'Eagle's Nest Hotel,'
+and hoped to get taken in there. I don't know whether they've arrived or
+not. Dulcie didn't say exactly which day they were starting. It's just
+like Dulcie! She generally misses out the most important point!"
+
+"Well, I suppose they'll look you up when they do arrive," said Sheila
+carelessly. "Anyway, I bless them for giving us some sort of an anchor
+down here. I feel I'm going to enjoy myself. I asked the manageress, and
+she says there's to be a dance to-night after dinner."
+
+Carmel, sitting on a cane chair in the palm lounge next morning, agreed
+with Sheila that Hill Crest Hotel was a remarkably comfortable and
+luxurious place. A fountain was splashing near her, foreign birds sang
+and twittered in the aviary, and large pots of geraniums made bright
+patches of color under the green of the palms. Pleasant though it was,
+however, it lacked the charm of the open air, and, throwing down the
+magazine she was reading, Carmel strolled through the hall and the glass
+veranda on to the terrace outside. The hotel certainly had a most
+beautiful situation. As its name implied, it stood on the crest of a
+hill, surrounded by woods and grounds that stretched to the beach. A
+little noisy Devonshire river raced past it through the glen, and behind
+it lay the heathery waste of a great moorland. Below lay the gleaming
+waters of the bay, with small boats bobbing about, and a distant view of
+the crags and headlands of a rugged coast line. The terrace was planted
+with a border of trailing pink ivy-leaved geraniums, and the bank that
+sloped below was a superb mass of hydrangeas in full bloom, their
+delicate shades of blue and pink looking like the hues of dawn in a
+clear sky.
+
+Carmel established herself on a seat to enjoy the prospect, and picking
+up a gray Persian cat which was also sunning itself on the terrace,
+fondled the pretty creature in her arms. She was seeing England to the
+best advantage, for nowhere could there have been a lovelier scene than
+the one which lay before her delighted eyes. Tivermouth had a reputation
+as a beauty spot, and owing to its long distance from the railway was as
+yet unspoilt by a too great invasion of tourists. There were other
+hotels nestling among the greenery of the woods, and Carmel wondered if
+the Ingletons had arrived at one of them, and at which of the white
+houses on the beach the boys were staying with Miss Mason.
+
+As she was still gazing and speculating there was a crunch of footsteps
+on the gravel behind, a voice called her name, and looking round she saw
+Cousin Clare, Lilias, and Dulcie, hurrying towards her. There was an
+enthusiastic greeting, followed by explanations from all three.
+
+"We'd the greatest difficulty to get rooms!"
+
+"The whole place seems full up!"
+
+"They couldn't take us at the 'Eagle's Nest.'"
+
+"We've got in at the 'Victoria,' though!"
+
+"I wish we could have been here with you!"
+
+"Never mind, so long as we're at Tivermouth at all!"
+
+"Isn't it just too gorgeous for words!"
+
+"We only arrived late last night."
+
+"There's such heaps we want to tell you!"
+
+There was indeed much to be told on both sides. All three girls had had
+numerous experiences during the short time of their parting, and they
+were anxious to compare notes. Then Cousin Clare, Lilias, and Dulcie
+must be introduced to the Rogers family, who were all writing letters in
+a private sitting-room, but stopped their correspondence to extend a
+hearty welcome and to chat with the new-comers. In a short time the
+party rearranged itself, leaving Cousin Clare to talk with Major and
+Mrs. Rogers, Lilias and Dulcie arm-in-arm with Carmel on the terrace,
+and Sheila, who had stepped with them out at the French window, straying
+away with a young Highland officer with whom she had danced the night
+before.
+
+"Never mind Sheila--she doesn't want _us_!" laughed Carmel, squeezing
+both her cousins' arms, for she was in the middle. "Oh, it's nice to see
+you again! Let's walk along here to the end of the terrace. I've had all
+sorts of adventures since I saw you. I was nearly drowned yesterday in a
+river, only Johnson, the chauffeur, fished me out. You should have seen
+me all dripping and covered with mud. And Johnson was just as bad. We
+made such a mess of the car with our muddy clothes. I wonder if he's got
+it clean yet? By the by, I left my post cards in the side pocket. I'd
+love to show them to you. Shall we go and get them? The garage is quite
+close, only just down this path. Do you mind coming?"
+
+"Go ahead; we'd like to," agreed Dulcie.
+
+So they plunged down the hill-side on a twisting path, past the bank of
+hydrangeas and through a grove of shiny-leaved escallonias to where the
+garage, a large building with a corrugated-iron roof, stood on a natural
+platform of rock close to the steep high road that flanked the hotel.
+The yard was full of visitors' cars in process of being cleaned, and
+chauffeurs were busy with hose, or polishing fittings.
+
+"I wonder where Johnson has put ours?" said Carmel, threading her way
+between an enormous Daimler and a pretty little two-seater. "Oh, there
+it is! That dark-green one in the corner. Come along! There's just room
+to pass here behind this coupe. I expect the post cards are all right.
+Johnson would take care of them for me. I'll ask him to get them.
+Johnson!"
+
+The chauffeur, who was bending over the car, too busy with wrench and
+screwdriver to notice their approach, straightened himself instantly,
+and glanced at the three girls. As his eyes fell on Lilias and Dulcie,
+his expression changed to one of utter consternation and amazement, and
+he colored to the roots of his fair hair. They on their part gazed at
+him as if they had encountered a specter.
+
+"Everard!" gasped Dulcie.
+
+"Everard!" faltered Lilias. "It's never _you_!"
+
+Here indeed was a drama. Four more astonished young people it would have
+been impossible to conceive. For a moment Everard seemed as if he were
+going to bolt, but Carmel, whose quick mind instantly grasped the
+situation, motioned him into the empty motor-shed behind, and,
+following with Lilias and Dulcie, partly closed the door.
+
+"So you're Everard, are you?" she said, looking at him hard. "Well, to
+tell you the truth, I never thought your name was really Johnson! I told
+Sheila I was sure you were a gentleman. Why have you been masquerading
+like this? Why don't you go home to the Chase?"
+
+"Oh, _do_ come home, Everard!" echoed Lilias entreatingly.
+
+The ex-chauffeur shook his head. He was still almost too covered with
+confusion to admit of speech.
+
+"I didn't expect to meet you girls," he said at last. "The best thing
+you can do is just to forget me, and leave me where I am. I shall
+_never_ go back to the Chase! That point I've quite decided."
+
+"But we want you there," said Carmel gently.
+
+"You!" Everard looked frankly puzzled.
+
+"Oh, Everard!" burst out Dulcie. "You don't understand! You ran away and
+never waited to hear anything, and we couldn't write to you, because you
+sent no address. You thought Grandfather had left the property to a boy
+cousin--Leslie!"
+
+"Well, didn't he?"
+
+"Yes, and no! There is no boy cousin. This is Leslie--only she's called
+Carmel--the heiress of Cheverley Chase!"
+
+"You!" exclaimed Everard again, gazing at Carmel.
+
+"Don't call me 'the heiress,' Dulcie," protested Carmel. "You know I've
+said from the very first that I don't intend to take the Chase away from
+you all. It's yours every bit as much as mine, and more so, because my
+own real home is in Sicily, and I hope to go back there some day.
+Everard, will you make friends with me on that understanding, and shake
+hands? I don't want to turn anybody out of the Chase."
+
+Carmel held out a slim little hand, and Everard accepted it delicately,
+as if it had been that of a princess.
+
+"I'm still stunned," he remarked. "To think I should have been driving
+you all this time, and not have known you were Leslie Ingleton! I never
+chanced to hear your surname. I thought you were Mrs. Rogers' niece."
+
+"And so I am!" laughed Carmel. "At least she's my step-aunt, at any
+rate. Isn't it a regular _Comedy of Errors_?"
+
+"Everard," put in Lilias, "why did you turn chauffeur? We thought you
+had run away to sea!"
+
+"I meant to," answered her brother bitterly, "but when it came to the
+point of getting employment, I found the only thing I could earn a
+living at was driving a car. I don't know that I even do that very
+decently, but at any rate I'm self-supporting. You'd better leave me
+where I am! It's all I'm good for!"
+
+"Not a bit of it!" answered Carmel. "I've arranged the whole thing in my
+mind already. We'll make an exchange. Milner shall take charge of the
+car for the Rogers until they can find another chauffeur, and you shall
+drive Cousin Clare and Lilias and Dulcie and me back to the Chase. Now
+don't begin to talk, for it's quite settled, and for once in my life I
+declare I mean to have my own way!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A Secret Society
+
+
+Carmel seldom asserted herself, but if she set her heart on an object
+she generally managed to persuade people to her way of thinking. This
+case proved no exception, and she contrived with little difficulty to
+transfer the amazed but willing Milner temporarily into the service of
+Major Rogers, and to instal Everard, minus his chauffeur's uniform, and
+looking once more an Ingleton, to drive the Daimler car back to
+Cheverley Chase. Perhaps the talk which Major Rogers had with his
+one-time "Johnson" partly worked the miracle. Exactly what he said was
+entirely between themselves, but Everard burst out into eulogies
+regarding the Major to Lilias, who was still his chief confidante.
+
+"One of the best chaps I've ever met! A real good sort! I shan't forget
+what he said to me. I can tell you I've come to look at things in a
+different light lately. I'll do anything he suggests. I'd trust his
+advice sooner than that of anybody I know. I'll have a good talk with
+Bowden, and see if he agrees. By Jove! I shall be a surprise packet to
+him, shan't I?"
+
+Mr. Bowden was not nearly so much astonished as Everard had anticipated.
+He took his ward's return quite as a matter of course, and, lawyer-like,
+at once turned to the business side of affairs. After running away and
+gaining his own living for so many months, it was neither possible nor
+desirable for Everard to go back to Harrow. He had broken the last link
+with his school days, and must face the problem of his future career.
+His grandfather had wished him to go on to Cambridge, and his guardian
+also considered it would be advisable for him to take a university
+degree. Meantime his studies were very much in arrears. He had never
+worked hard at school, and would need considerable application to his
+books before being ready to begin his terms at college. By the advice of
+Major Rogers, Mr. Bowden decided to engage a tutor to coach him at the
+Chase. The house would be perfectly quiet while the girls and the
+younger boys were away at school, and as Everard really seemed to take
+the matter seriously, he might be expected to make good progress.
+
+In the matter of a tutor, Major Rogers was fortunately able to recommend
+just the right man. Mr. Stacey had been studying for orders at Cambridge
+when he was called up, and had joined the army. After serious wounds in
+France he had made a slow recovery, and though perfectly able to act as
+coach, he would be glad of a period of quiet in the country before
+returning to Cambridge. He was a brilliant scholar and a thoroughly good
+all-round fellow, who might be trusted to make the best possible
+companion for Everard in the circumstances. The whole business was fixed
+up at once, and he was to arrive within ten days.
+
+"I'm sorry we shall just miss seeing him!" said Carmel to Everard, on
+the evening before the girls went back to Chilcombe Hall. "But I shall
+think of you studying away at your Maths. You're clever, aren't you,
+Everard? I don't know much about English universities, but isn't a
+Tripos what you work for at Cambridge? Suppose you came out Senior
+Wrangler! We _should_ be proud of you!"
+
+"No fear of that, I'm afraid, Carmel! I'm a long way behind and shall
+have to swat like anything to get myself up to even ordinary standard.
+Burn the midnight oil, and all that kind of weariness to the flesh!"
+
+"But you'll do it!" (Carmel was looking at him critically.) "You've got
+the right shape of head. Daddy and one of his friends, Signor Penati,
+were fearfully keen on phrenology, and they used to make me notice the
+shape of people's heads, and of the Greek and Roman busts in the
+museums. It's wonderful how truly they tell character: the rules hardly
+ever fail."
+
+"What do you make of my particular phiz, then, you young Sicilian
+witch?"
+
+"Great ability if you only persevere; a noble mind and patriotism--your
+forehead is just like the bust of the Emperor Augustus. You'd scorn
+bribes, and speak out for the right. I prophesy that you'll some day get
+into Parliament, and do splendid work for your country!"
+
+"Whew! I'm afraid I'll never reach your expectations. It's a big order
+you've laid down for me."
+
+"You could do it, though, if you try. Oh, don't contradict me, for I
+know! I haven't studied heads with Signor Penati for nothing. First
+you're going to make a good master of the Chase, and then you'll help
+England."
+
+"Not of the Chase, Carmel," said Everard gently. "We've argued that
+point out thoroughly, I think."
+
+"No, no! Let me tell you once again that I don't want to be mistress
+here. I only came over to England to please Mother and Daddy. I'm going
+back to Sicily to live, as soon as I can choose for myself. Directly I'm
+twenty-one I shall hand over the Chase to you. You're a far more
+suitable owner for it than I am. I feel that strongly. It ought never to
+have been left to me. But I'll put all that right again. Why can't you
+take it?" she continued eagerly, as Everard shook his head. "Surely I
+can give it to you if I like? Why not?"
+
+"Why not? You're too young yet to understand. How could I be such an
+utter slacker and sneak as to accept your inheritance? It's unthinkable.
+Put that idea out of your little head, for it can never happen. As for
+the rest of your prophecy, it's a long climb to get into Parliament. I'm
+nothing like the man you think me, Carmel, though I'm going to make a
+spurt now, at any rate. Don't expect to find me a Senior Wrangler by
+Christmas though. Mr. Stacey will probably tell you I'm an utter
+dunderhead."
+
+"I shall quarrel with him if he does!" said Carmel decidedly.
+
+The three girls went back to school on the following day, half regretful
+to leave the Chase, but rather excited at the prospect of meeting their
+companions. Now that Carmel had got over her first stage of
+homesickness, she liked Chilcombe and had made many friends there. She
+intended to enjoy the autumn term to the best of her ability. She had
+brought the materials for pursuing several pet hobbies, and she settled
+all her numerous possessions into her small bedroom with much
+satisfaction. She kept the door into the Blue Grotto open, so that she
+might talk during the process. Gowan, also busy unpacking, kept firing
+off pieces of information, Bertha flitted in and out like a butterfly,
+and girls from other dormitories paid occasional visits.
+
+Phillida, who was a prime favorite, presently came in, and installing
+herself on the end of Dulcie's bed, so that she could address the
+occupants of both bedrooms, began to draw plans.
+
+"I've got an idea!" she announced. "It's a jolly good one, too, so you
+needn't smile. It's a good thing somebody does have ideas in this place,
+or you'd all go to sleep! Well, it's this. I really can't stand the
+swank of those girls in the Gold bedroom. They seem to imagine the
+school belongs to them. They're not very much older than we are, indeed
+Nona is actually six weeks younger than Lilias, and yet they give
+themselves the airs of all creation. Just now Laurette said to me: 'Get
+out of my way, child!' Child, indeed! I'm fifteen, and tall for my age!
+I vote that we start a secret society, just among our own set, to resist
+them."
+
+"Jolly!" agreed Dulcie. "A little wholesome taking down is just what
+they need. Laurette's the limit sometimes. Whom shall we ask to join?"
+
+"Well, all of you here, and myself, and Noreen, and Prissie, and Edith.
+That would make nine."
+
+"Quite enough too," said Gowan. "A secret society's much greater fun if
+it's small. Things are apt to leak out when you have too many members. I
+take it we want to play an occasional rag on the Gold bedroom? Very
+well, the fewer in it the better."
+
+"What shall we call our society?" asked Dulcie.
+
+"'The Anti-Swelled Headers' would about suit," suggested Lilias.
+
+"No, no! That sounds as if we were afraid of getting swelled head
+ourselves--at least anybody might take it that way."
+
+"There's a big secret society in Sicily called 'The Mafia,'" vouchsafed
+Carmel.
+
+"Then let us call ours 'The Chilcombe Mafia.' No one will understand
+what we mean, even if they get hold of the name. Indeed I shouldn't mind
+casually mentioning it now and then, just to puzzle them. When things
+get bad, 'The Mafia' will take them up."
+
+"Strike secretly and suddenly!" agreed Dulcie with a chuckle.
+
+"Let's sign our names at once!" declared Phillida enthusiastically.
+
+At Carmel's suggestion, however, they made rather more of a ceremony of
+the initiation of their new order. The prospective members retired into
+the wood above the garden, and in strict privacy took an oath of
+secrecy and service. Then, with Edith's fountain pen filled for the
+occasion with red ink, they inscribed their autographs on a piece of
+paper, rolled it up, placed it in a bottle, then solemnly dug a hole,
+and buried the said bottle under a tree.
+
+"It will be here for a testimony against any girl who breaks her oath!"
+declared Phillida. "Carmel says the real Mafia sign their names in
+blood, but I think that's horrid, and red ink will do quite as well.
+Just as I was coming out now, Laurette said to me; 'Oh, don't go running
+away, because I want one of you younger ones to do something for me
+presently.' She said it with the air of a duchess!"
+
+"Cheek!" agreed the others. "It's high time we made up a society against
+her!"
+
+Many and various were the offences that were laid to Laurette's score.
+Lilias had a private grievance, because she fancied that Laurette had
+never been so civil to herself and Dulcie since it was known that their
+brother was not to inherit the Chase. Gowan, who liked plain speaking,
+accused Laurette of telling "fiblets"; Bertha had had a squabble over
+the bathroom, and Prissie a wrestle for the piano.
+
+"Laurette always reminds me of that rhyme that the undergrads made up
+about the Master of Balliol," said Edith.
+
+    "'Here come I, my name is Jowett,
+     All there is to know, I know it;
+     I'm the head of this here College,
+     What I don't know isn't knowledge!'
+
+That's Laurette's attitude exactly. She's so superior to everybody!"
+
+"We'll take her down, don't worry yourself!" smiled Dulcie. "We must
+just wait for a good opportunity, and then----"
+
+"The secret hand will smite!" laughed Carmel, who enjoyed the fun as
+much as anybody.
+
+Laurette's aggravatingly superior pose was especially apparent in her
+attitude towards the mistresses. She monopolized Miss Herbert, treated
+her almost like a friend, wrote notes to her, left flowers in her
+bedroom, and walked arm-in-arm with her in the garden. Perhaps the
+mistress was lonely, possibly she was flattered by receiving so much
+attention, at any rate she allowed Laurette to be on terms of great
+intimacy, and gave her a far larger share of her confidence than was at
+all wise. Laurette, after a hot affection lasting three weeks, got tired
+of Miss Herbert, and suddenly cooled off. Gowan and Carmel, going into
+the sitting-room one day, found her discussing her former idol with a
+group of her chums.
+
+"Do you call her pretty? Well, now, I _don't_!" she was saying
+emphatically. "She may have been pretty once, but now she's getting
+decidedly _passee_. I can't say I admire faded sentimental people!"
+
+"Sentimental?" said Truie. "I shouldn't call her sentimental at all.
+She's only too horribly practical, in my opinion!"
+
+"You don't know her as I do! My dear! The things she's told me! The love
+affairs she's been through! I had the whole history of them. And she
+used to blush, and look most romantic. It was all I could do not to
+burst out laughing. You'd scream if I were to tell you! First there was
+a clergyman----"
+
+"Here, stop!" interrupted Gowan, breaking abruptly into the
+conversation, and turning two blazing blue eyes on Laurette. "Anything
+Miss Herbert may have told you was certainly in confidence, and to go
+and blab it over the school seems to me the meanest, sneakiest trick
+I've ever heard of! You're an absolute blighter, Laurette!"
+
+"Well, I'm sure! What business is it of yours, Gowan Barbour, or of
+Carmel Ingleton's either? Cheek!"
+
+"It _is_ our business!" flared Carmel, as indignant as Gowan. "It's
+horribly mean to make friends with any one, and hear all her secrets,
+and then go and make fun of them!"
+
+"It's playing it low!" added Gowan, determined to speak her mind for
+once. "And I hope somebody will make fun of _you_ some day just to
+serve you right! Some day _you'll_ be _faded_ and _passee_, and people
+will giggle and say you haven't 'got off' in spite of all your efforts,
+and they wonder how old you really are, and they remember when you came
+out, and you can't be a chicken, and they don't like to see 'mutton
+dressed like lamb,' and all the rest of the kind pleasant things that
+people of your type find to say. _I_ know! Well, I shan't be in the
+least sorry for you! It will be a judgment!"
+
+Laurette had made a desperate attempt to interrupt Gowan's flow of
+words, but she might as well have tried to stop the brook. When Gowan
+began, she never even paused for breath. Her wrath was like a whirlwind.
+Laurette's three chums had turned away as if rather ashamed, and began
+hastily to get out books and writing-materials. They pretended not to
+notice when Laurette looked at them for support.
+
+"Yes, you needn't think Truie and Hester and Muriel will back you up!"
+continued Gowan. "Unless they're as mean as you are. There! I've
+finished now, so you needn't butt in! You know exactly what I think of
+you. Come along, Carmel!"
+
+The two immediate results of this episode were a bitter feud between
+Laurette and Gowan, and a sympathetic interest in Miss Herbert by all
+the members of the Mafia. They felt that her confidence had been
+betrayed, and they would have liked somehow to make it up to her. They
+brought so many floral offerings to her bedroom that her vases were
+almost inconveniently crowded.
+
+Carmel, hearing that she was collecting post cards, sent home for some
+special ones of Sicily; Dulcie tendered chocolates; Lilias crocheted her
+a pincushion cover, and Bertha painted her a hair-tidy. She accepted
+their little kindnesses with mild astonishment, but not a hint of the
+real reason of their sudden advances flashed across her mind.
+
+"We mustn't let her suspect!" said Dulcie.
+
+"Rather not!" agreed Carmel.
+
+"Not for worlds!" said Gowan emphatically.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+White Magic
+
+
+October passed by with flaming crimson and gold on the trees, and orange
+and mauve toadstools among the moss of the woods, and squirrels
+scampering up the Scotch pines at the top of the garden, laying by their
+winter store of nuts; and flocks of migrating birds twittering in the
+fields, and hosts of glittering red hips and haws in the hedges, and
+shrouds of fairy gossamer over the blackberry bushes. It was Carmel's
+first autumn in England, and, though her artistic temperament revelled
+in the beauty of the tints, the falling leaves filled her with
+consternation.
+
+"It is so sad to see them all come down," she declared. "Why the trees
+will soon be quite bare! Nothing but branches left!"
+
+"What else do you expect?" asked Gowan. "They won't keep green all the
+winter."
+
+"I suppose not. But in Sicily we have so many evergreens and shrubs that
+flower all the winter. The oranges and lemons begin to get ripe soon
+after Christmas, and we have agaves and prickly pears everywhere. I
+can't imagine a landscape without any leaves!"
+
+"Wait till you see the snow! It's prime then!"
+
+"There's generally snow on Etna, but I haven't been up so high. It
+doesn't fall where we live."
+
+"Girl alive! Have you never made a snowball?"
+
+"Never."
+
+"Then it's a treat in store for you. I sincerely hope we shall have a
+hard winter."
+
+"We ought to, by the number of berries in the hedges," put in Bertha.
+"It's an old saying that they foretell frost.
+
+    "'Bushes red with hip and haw,
+     Weeks of frost without a thaw.'
+
+I don't know whether it always comes true, though."
+
+"I'm a believer in superstitions," declared Gowan. "Scotch people
+generally are, I think. My great-grandmother used to have second sight.
+By the by; it's Hallowe'en on Friday! I vote we rummage up all the old
+charms we can, and try them. It would be ever such fun."
+
+"Topping! Only let us keep it to the Mafia, and not let the others
+know."
+
+"_Ra_ther! We don't want Laurette and Co. butting in."
+
+The remaining members of the Mafia, when consulted, received the idea
+with enthusiasm. There is a vein of superstition at the bottom of the
+most practical among us, and all of them were well accustomed to
+practise such rites as throwing spilt salt over the left shoulder,
+curtseying to the new moon, and turning their money when they heard the
+cuckoo.
+
+"Not, of course, that it always follows," said Prissie. "On Easter
+holidays a bird used to come and tap constantly at our drawing-room
+window at home. It was always doing it. Of course that means 'a death in
+the family,' but we all kept absolutely hearty and well. Not even a
+third cousin once removed has died, and it's more than two years ago.
+Mother says it was probably catching insects on the glass. She laughs at
+omens!"
+
+"I always double my thumb inside my fist if I walk under a ladder,"
+volunteered Noreen.
+
+"Well, it _is_ unlucky to go under a ladder," declared Phillida. "You
+may get a pot of paint dropped on your head! I saw that happen once to a
+poor lady: it simply turned upside down on her, and deluged her hat and
+face and everything with dark green paint. She had to go into a shop to
+be wiped. It must have been awful for her, and for her clothes as well.
+I've never forgotten it."
+
+"What could we do on Hallowe'en?" asked Edith.
+
+"Well, we must try to think it out, and make some plans."
+
+From the recesses of their memories the girls raked up every
+superstition of which they had ever heard. These had to be divided into
+the possible and the impossible. There are limits of liberty in a girls'
+school, and it was manifestly infeasible, as well as very chilly, to
+attempt to stray out alone at the stroke of twelve, robed merely in a
+nightgown, and fetch three pails of water to place by one's bedside.
+Gowan's north country recipe for divination was equally
+impracticable--to go out at midnight, and "dip your smock in a
+south-running spring where the lairds' lands meet," then hang it to dry
+before the fire. They discussed it quite seriously, however, in all its
+various aspects.
+
+"To begin with, what exactly is a smock?" asked Carmel.
+
+Everybody had a hazy notion, but nobody was quite sure about it.
+
+"Usen't farm laborers to wear them once?" suggested Lilias.
+
+"But Shakespeare says,
+
+    "'When shepherds pipe on oaten straws,
+     And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks,
+     When ring the woods with rooks and daws,
+     And maidens bleach their summer smocks,'"
+
+objected Prissie.
+
+"Was it an upper or an under garment?" questioned Noreen.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know. I don't fancy we any of us possess 'smocks'!"
+
+"Then we certainly can't go and soak them in a spring!"
+
+"And there is no 'laird' here, and even if you count an ordinary owner
+of property as a 'laird,' you don't know where the boundaries are!"
+
+"No, that floors us completely!"
+
+An expedition to the cellar for apples would be an equally hopeless
+quest, for all the harvest of the orchard had been stored in the loft,
+and was under lock and key. Some minor experiments, however, might be
+tried with apple skins, so they determined to pocket their next dessert,
+and keep it till the magic hour of divination arrived. Hot chestnuts
+would be a distinct possibility, and a little coaxing at head-quarters
+would doubtless result in Jones the gardener bringing a bag full for
+them from Glazebrook.
+
+They felt quite excited when the fateful day arrived. Miss Walters had
+made no objection to an order for chestnuts, and had even allowed a
+modicum of toffee to be added to the list. She did not refer to the
+subject of Hallowe'en, for she had some years ago suppressed the custom
+of bobbing for apples, finding that the girls invariably got their hair
+wet, and had colds in their heads in consequence.
+
+The members of the Mafia, well stocked therefore with the apples and
+chestnuts necessary for divination, remained in their schoolroom after
+evening preparation, so as to have a gay time all to themselves. To make
+matters more thrillsome they turned out the light, and sat in the
+flickering glow of the fire. Gowan, having the largest acquaintance with
+the occult, not to speak of having possessed a great-grandmother endowed
+with second sight, was universally acknowledged priestess of the
+ceremonies.
+
+"Shall we begin with apples or chestnuts?" she asked seriously.
+
+As some said one thing and some another, she held a specimen of each
+behind her back, and commanded Carmel to choose right hand or left. The
+lot fell upon chestnuts, and these were placed neatly in pairs along the
+bars of the grate.
+
+"You name them after yourself and your sweetheart," explained Gowan. "If
+he pops first, he'll ask you to marry him."
+
+"And suppose the other pops first?" asked Carmel.
+
+"Then you won't marry him!"
+
+"Doesn't it mean that it may be Leap Year, and the girl will 'pop the
+question'?" asked Dulcie, still giggling.
+
+"No, it doesn't."
+
+"Suppose they neither of them pop?" said Prissie.
+
+"It's a sign that neither cares, but it's not very likely to
+happen--they nearly always pop."
+
+"I pricked mine with my penknife, though."
+
+"The more goose you! Take them back and try two fresh ones."
+
+It is rather a delicate and finger-scorching process to balance
+chestnuts on the bars, and as a matter of fact Prissie's tumbled into
+the fire, and could not be rescued. The party was obliged to watch them
+burn. They helped her to place another in position, then sat round,
+keeping careful eyes on their particular representatives. It was
+forbidden to reveal names, so each kept the identity of her favored
+swain locked in her breast. It seemed a long time before those chestnuts
+were ready! Love's delays are notoriously hard to bear. Never were omens
+watched so anxiously. Slap! Bang! Pop! at last came from Carmel's
+particular corner, and fragments flew about indiscriminately on to
+hearth and fire.
+
+"It's 'him'!" cried Gowan ungrammatically. "He's done it most thoroughly
+too! Carmel, you'll be married the first of any of us! You'll ask us to
+the wedding, won't you?"
+
+At that moment a chorus of pops came from the grate, causing much
+rejoicing or dismay from the various owners of the chestnuts, according
+to the fate meted out to them by the omens. On the whole Cupid was kind,
+though Lilias and Gowan were left in the lurch.
+
+"I don't care!" said Gowan sturdily. "I've another in my mind, and
+perhaps I shall get him in the apple-peels."
+
+"And if you don't?"
+
+"I'll meet somebody else later on."
+
+Having eaten more or less charred pieces of chestnut, the girls produced
+their apples, and once more set to work to try magic. The apple had to
+be peeled entirely in one long piece, which must then be slung backwards
+over the left shoulder on to the floor, where it would form the initial
+of the future lover. It was a matter for skilful manipulation of
+penknives, not at all easy to manage, so difficult in fact, that Noreen
+and Dulcie each made a slip, and chopped their precious pieces of peel
+in the middle, thus rendering them useless for purposes of divination.
+Lilias, who made the first essay, was completely puzzled by the result,
+which did not resemble any known letter in the alphabet, though Gowan,
+anxious to interpret the oracles, construed it into a W. Edith's long
+thin piece of peel made a plain C, a fact which seemed to cause her much
+satisfaction, though she would betray no names. Prissie broke her luck
+in half in the very act of flinging it, but insisted that the two
+separate portions each formed an O.
+
+It was Carmel's turn next, and her rather broad piece of peel twisted
+itself into a most palpable E. She looked at it for a moment as if
+rather taken aback, then her face cleared.
+
+"There are quite a number of names that begin with E," she remarked
+enigmatically.
+
+Now it was all very well to sit in the sanctuary of their schoolroom
+trying such mild magic as divination through chestnuts and apple skins.
+Gowan's northern blood yearned after more subtle witchcraft.
+
+"I shan't be content till I've pulled a cabbage stalk!" she declared. "I
+don't see why we need wait till midnight! Hallowe'en is Hallowe'en as
+soon as it's dark, I should think. Who's game to fly up the
+kitchen-garden?"
+
+"What? Now?"
+
+"Why not? We should only be gone a few minutes and Miss Hardy would
+never find out."
+
+"It really would be a frolicsome joke!"
+
+"There's a moon, too!"
+
+"I vote we risk it!"
+
+"Come along!"
+
+Nine giggling girls therefore stole cautiously downstairs, a little
+delayed by Prissie, who, with a most unusual concern for her health,
+insisted on fetching a wrap. They opened the side door, and peeped out
+into the night. It was quite fine, with a clear full moon, and clouds
+drifting high in the sky. The vegetable garden was so near that the
+ceremony could be very quickly performed. It was, of course, breaking
+rules to leave the house after dark, but not one of them could resist
+the temptation, so out they sped to the cabbage patch.
+
+Now when Prissie ran to her bedroom, ostensibly to get a wrap, she had
+really gone with quite other intentions. She had certainly put on a long
+dark coat and a soft felt hat, but the whole gist of the matter lay in
+something that she slipped into her pocket. It was a black mustache that
+she had brought to school for use in theatricals, and lay handy in her
+top drawer. She had hastily smeared the under side of it with soap, so
+that it would adhere to her lip, and once out in the garden, she fell
+behind the others and fixed it in position. Then she made a _detour_
+behind some bushes, so as to conceal herself from the party.
+
+Presently, under the bright moon and scudding clouds, eight
+much-thrilled girls were hurriedly pulling away at cabbage stalks, and
+estimating, by the amount of earth that came up with them, the wealth of
+their future husbands. The general surroundings and the associations of
+the evening were sufficient to send shivers down their spines. Gowan,
+looking up suddenly, saw standing among the bushes a dark figure with a
+heavy black mustache, and she caught her breath with a gasp, and
+clutched at Carmel's arm. For an instant eight horrified faces stared at
+the apparition, then Dulcie made a dive in its direction, and dragged
+forth Prissie.
+
+"You wretch!"
+
+"What a mean trick to play!"
+
+"You didn't take _me_ in!"
+
+"It was very clever, though!"
+
+"You really looked just like a spook!"
+
+"Take it off now!"
+
+"No, _no_!" said Prissie. "Leave me alone! I haven't finished. Hush! I
+believe somebody else is coming to try the ordeal. Slip behind that
+cucumber-frame and hide, and let us see who it is. Quick! You'll be
+caught!"
+
+The girls made a swift, but silent, dash for the shadow of the
+cucumber-frame, and concealed themselves only just in time. They were
+barely hidden when footsteps resounded on the gravel, and a figure
+advanced from the direction of the house. It came alone, and it carried
+something in its hand. In the clear beams of the moonlight, the Mafia
+had no difficulty in recognizing Laurette, and could see that what she
+bore was her bedroom mirror. They chuckled inwardly. Most evidently she
+had sallied forth to try the white magic of Hallowe'en, and to make the
+spell work more securely had come alone to consult the cabbage oracle.
+
+First she placed her mirror on the ground, and tilted its swing glass to
+a convenient angle at which to catch reflections. Then she pulled hard
+at a stalk, looked with apparent satisfaction at the decidedly thick
+lumps of earth that adhered (which, if the magic were to be trusted,
+must represent a considerable fortune); then, clasping her cabbage in
+her hand, knelt down in front of the looking-glass, and began to mutter
+something to herself in a low voice. Her back was towards the
+cucumber-frame and the bushes, and her eyes were fixed on her mirror.
+
+Prissie, looking on, realized that it was the chance of a lifetime. She
+stole on tiptoe from her retreat, and peeped over Laurette's shoulder so
+that her reflection should be displayed in the glass. Laurette, seeing
+suddenly a most unexpected vision of a dark mustache, literally yelled
+with fright, sprang up, and turned round to face her "spook," then with
+a further blood-curdling scream, dashed down the garden towards the
+house. The Mafia, rising from the shadow of the cucumber-frame, laughed
+long, though with caution.
+
+"What an absolutely topping joke!" whispered Dulcie.
+
+[Illustration: SHE PEEPED OVER LAURETTE'S SHOULDER]
+
+"And on Laurette, of all people in this wide world!" rejoiced Bertha.
+
+"Congrats., Prissie!"
+
+"You _did_ play up no end!"
+
+"I flatter myself I made her squeal and run!" smirked Prissie. "It just
+serves her right! I was longing for a chance to get even with her!"
+
+"What about the looking-glass?" asked Carmel. "Won't some of them be
+coming out to fetch it?"
+
+"Yes, of course they will! We must take it in at once. Let us scoot
+round the other way, and go in by the back door before Laurette and Co.
+catch us!"
+
+Prissie seized the mirror, and the nine girls fled by another path to
+the door near the kitchen, where by great good luck they avoided meeting
+any of the servants, and were able to bolt upstairs unseen. The Gold
+bedroom was empty--no doubt its occupants were shivering at the side
+door--so they were able to restore the looking-glass to its place on the
+dressing-table as a surprise for Laurette when she returned. Whether she
+suspected them or not, it was impossible to tell, for she kept her own
+counsel, and, though next day they referred casually to Hallowe'en
+observances, she only glanced at them with half-closed eyelids, and
+remarked that _she_ was quite above such silly superstitions.
+
+"Which is more than a fiblet, and about the biggest whopper that Miss
+Laurette Aitken has ever told in her life!" declared Prissie, still
+chuckling gleefully at the remembrance of the startled figure fleeing
+down the garden.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+The Money-makers
+
+
+"All Saints'" brought a brief spell of golden weather, a snatch of
+Indian summer, as if Persephone, loth to go down into the Underworld,
+had managed to steal a few days' extra leave from Pluto, and had
+remained to scatter some last flowers on earth before her long
+banishment from the sunshine. Under the sheltered brick wall in the
+kitchen-garden Czar violets were blooming, sweet and fragrant as those
+of spring; the rose trees had burst out into a second crop, and the
+chrysanthemums were such a special show that Miss Walters almost shook
+hands with Jones the gardener over them. Little wild flowers blossomed
+on in quiet nooks at the edge of the shrubbery, and butterflies, brought
+out by the bright days, made a last flutter in the sunshine. The leaves,
+which Carmel had grieved so much to see fall, lay crisp and golden on
+the ground, but the bare boughs of the trees, somewhat to her surprise,
+held a beauty of form and tint quite their own.
+
+"They are all sorts of lovely soft delicate colors," she remarked.
+"Quite different from trees in Sicily. I think it must be the damp in
+the air here that does it; everything seems seen through a blue haze--a
+kind of fairy glamour that makes them different from what they are!"
+
+"Wait till you see them on a sousing wet December morning!" declared
+Gowan. "You won't find much romance about them then!"
+
+"But in the meantime we'll enjoy them!" said Miss Walters, who happened
+to overhear. "Who votes for a walk this afternoon? Anybody who prefers
+to stop at home and write French translation may do so!"
+
+The girls grinned. Miss Walters did not often give them an unexpected
+holiday, so such treats were appreciated when they came. Twenty-one
+enthusiasts donned strong boots, jerseys, and tam-o'-shanters, and
+started forth for a ramble on the hill-side. They had climbed through
+the wood, and were walking along the upper road that led to the hamlet
+of Five Stone Bridge, when they came face to face with a very curious
+little cavalcade. Two large soap boxes, knocked together, had been
+placed on old perambulator wheels, and in this roughly fashioned
+chariot, on a bundle of straw and an old shawl, reclined a little, thin,
+white-faced girl. One sturdy boy of ten was pushing the queer
+conveyance, while a younger pulled it by a piece of rope, and the small
+occupant, her lap full of flowers, smiled as proudly as a queen on
+coronation day. Against the background of green hedgerow and red village
+roofs, the happy children made a charming picture; they had not noticed
+the approach of the school, and were laughing together in absolute
+unconsciousness. The sight of them at that particular moment was one of
+those brief glimpses into the heart of other folks' lives that only come
+to us on chance occasions, when by some accident we peep over the wall
+of human reserve into the inner circle of thought and feeling. Almost
+with one accord the girls stopped and smiled.
+
+"I wish I'd brought my camera!" murmured Dulcie.
+
+"They're too sweet for words!" agreed Prissie.
+
+Miss Walters spoke to the children, asked their names, and ascertained
+that the little girl had been ill for a long time, and could not walk.
+They were shy, however, and all the spontaneous gladness that had made
+the first snapshot view of them so charming faded away in the presence
+of strangers. They accepted some pieces of chocolate, and remained by
+the hedge bank staring with solemn eyes as the line of the school filed
+away. The chance meeting was no doubt an event on both sides: the
+children would tell their mother about the ladies who had spoken to
+them, and the girls, on their part, could not forget the pretty episode.
+They urged Miss Walters to make some inquiries about the family, and
+found that little Phyllis was suffering from hip disease, and had been
+for a short time in the local hospital. Then an idea sprang up amongst
+the girls. It was impossible to say quite where it originated, for at
+least five girls claimed the honor of it, but it was neither more nor
+less than that Chilcombe School should raise a subscription and buy an
+adequate carriage for the small invalid.
+
+"That terrible box must shake her to pieces, poor kid!"
+
+"It had no springs!"
+
+"She looked so sweet!"
+
+"But as white as a daisy!"
+
+"Wouldn't she be proud of a real, proper carriage?"
+
+"Can't we write off and order one at once?"
+
+"What would it cost?"
+
+"Let's get up a concert or something for it."
+
+"Oh, yes! That would be ever such sport!"
+
+Miss Walters, on being appealed to, was cautious--caution was one of her
+strong characteristics--and would not commit herself to any reply until
+she had consulted the doctor who attended the child, the clergyman of
+the parish, and the local schoolmaster. Armed with this accumulated
+information, she visited the mother, then gave a report of her
+interview.
+
+"They're not well off, but we mustn't on any account pauperize them,"
+was her verdict. "Dr. Cranley says an invalid carriage would be a great
+boon to the child, but suggests that the parents should pay half the
+expense. They would value it far more if they did so, than if it were
+entirely a gift. He knows of a second-hand wicker carriage that could
+be had cheap. It belongs to another patient of his, and he saw it at
+their house only the other day. If you girls can manage to raise about
+L2, 10s., the parents would do the rest. He was mentioning the subject
+of a carriage to them a short time ago, and they said they could afford
+something, but not the full price. He thinks this would settle the
+matter to everybody's satisfaction."
+
+Dr. Cranley's proposal suited the girls, for L2, 10s. was a sum that
+seemed quite feasible to collect among themselves. They determined,
+however, to get as much fun out of the business as possible.
+
+"Don't let's have a horrid subscription list!" urged Lilias. "It's so
+unutterably dull just to put down your name for half a crown. I hoped we
+were going to give a concert."
+
+"What I vote," said Gowan, "is that each bedroom should have a show of
+its own, ask the others to come as audience, charge admission, and
+wangle the cash that way."
+
+"There'd be some sport in that!" agreed Lilias.
+
+"It's great!" declared Dulcie.
+
+"You bet it will catch on!" purred Prissie.
+
+Gowan's scheme undoubtedly caught on. It was so attractive that there
+was no resisting it. Even the occupants of the Gold bedroom, who as a
+rule were not too ready to receive suggestions from the Blue Grotto,
+could not find a single fault, and plumped solidly for a dramatic
+performance. Each dormitory was to give any entertainment it chose, and
+while the Brown room decided on Nigger Minstrels, and the Green room on
+a general variety program, the Blue, Gold and Rose were keen on acting.
+Miss Walters, who, of course, had to be consulted, not only gave a
+smiling permission, but seemed on the very verge of suggesting a
+personal attendance, then, noticing the look of polite agony which swept
+over the faces of the deputation, kindly backed out from such an
+evidently embarrassing proposal, and declared that she and the
+mistresses would be too busy to come, and must leave the girls to manage
+by themselves.
+
+"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Gowan, when they were safely out of earshot
+of the study door. "I never dreamt of such an awful thing as Miss
+Walters offering to turn up! Why, we couldn't have had any fun at all!"
+
+"We'd have had to act Shakespeare, or something stilted out of a book!"
+shuddered Edith.
+
+"I should simply shut up if any of the mistresses were looking on,"
+protested Dulcie.
+
+"And I should shut down, and crawl under a bed, I think," laughed
+Noreen. "I say, I hope Miss Walters wasn't offended. We certainly looked
+very blank when she began asking us the price of 'stalls.' I suppose it
+wasn't exactly what you'd call polite!"
+
+"Perhaps it wasn't, but it can't be helped," groaned Gowan. "It would
+wreck everything to have an audience of mistresses. I feel we've escaped
+a great danger. We must warn the others not to be too encouraging, or
+give the mistresses any loophole of an excuse to butt in. This
+particular show is to be private and confidential."
+
+It was decided to hold each performance on a separate day, during the
+evening recreation time.
+
+"_Matinees_ are no good!" decreed Prissie. "Everybody feels perfectly
+cold in the afternoon. It's impossible to get up any proper enthusiasm
+until the lamps are lighted."
+
+"I feel a perfect stick at 4 P. M.," admitted Carmel.
+
+"What will you feel later on?"
+
+"A sort of combination of Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin thrown
+together, I hope!" twinkled Carmel. "It depends whether you put me on a
+comic turn or a romantic scene."
+
+"I vote we have a little bit of both," said Gowan. "We'll harrow their
+feelings first, and end in comedy."
+
+The five bedrooms drew lots for the order of their performances, and the
+honor of "first night" fell to the Blue Grotto. Its occupants (including
+Carmel, whose dressing-room was considered an annex) held a rejoicing
+committee to plan out their play. Squatting on Gowan's bed, they each
+contributed portions of the plot.
+
+"Shall we write it out and learn our parts?" asked Lilias.
+
+"Certainly not. It would quite spoil it if you were just reeling off
+speeches by heart, with one ear open to the prompter. I know you! I
+shall never forget Lilias when we did 'The Vanity Bag.' She said her
+bits as if she were repeating a lesson, and Bertha----"
+
+"Are we to say anything we like, then?" interrupted Carmel, for Gowan's
+reminiscences were becoming rather too personal for purposes of harmony.
+
+"We'll map the whole thing out beforehand, of course, but you must just
+say what comes into your head at the moment. It will be ever so much
+fresher and funnier. All you've got to do is to get into the right
+spirit and play up!"
+
+"All serene! As long as no mistresses are sitting looking on, I don't
+mind."
+
+The Blue Grotto, being the first on the list of performances, was
+determined to do the thing in style. Bertha and Carmel between them
+evolved a poster. It was painted in sepia on the back of one of Dulcie's
+school drawings, sacrificed for the purpose. It represented the profile
+of a rather pert looking young person with a tip-tilted nose and an eye
+several sizes larger than was consistent with the usual anatomy of the
+human countenance. Lower down, in somewhat shaky lettering, was set
+forth the following announcement:
+
+[Illustration:
+
+Come to the blue Grotto!
+
+GRAND DRAMA
+
+"THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE"
+
+.FEATURING.
+
+THE SISTERS INGLETON..........The Cheverley Favourites
+
+SIGNORINA CARMEL LESLIE....The famous Sicilian Comedienne
+
+MISS GOWAN BARBOUR..............The Daisy of Chilcombe
+
+MISS BERTHA CHESTERS...................(Our Bert)
+
+Have half an hour of Fun and Pathos
+It will do you good to laugh and cry
+
+SILVER COLLECTION]
+
+This they placed temporarily in the passage, but when the girls had
+giggled over it sufficiently they removed it, for fear its attractions
+might tempt some of the mistresses into asking permission to attend, a
+fatality which must at all costs be avoided.
+
+The performers spent a hectic day making arrangements. The time allowed
+in their dormitory was necessarily limited, so preparations were a
+scramble. The four beds were moved and placed as seats, and one corner
+of the room was reserved as the stage. Carmel's dressing-room made an
+excellent "green room," and gave the Blue Grotto a substantial
+theatrical lift over other dormitories.
+
+Ten minutes before the hour, five distracted actresses were struggling
+to complete their impromptu toilets.
+
+"I'm so rocky, I know I shan't be able to say anything at all!"
+fluttered Dulcie.
+
+"Nonsense! Pull yourself together, child!" urged Gowan. "Get some
+stiffening into you, can't you?"
+
+"I'm going to have umpteen dozen fits!"
+
+"You've got to reckon with me if you spoil the play, so there! Don't be
+a silly cockchafer!"
+
+"Are we downhearted?" twittered Bertha.
+
+"No!" answered a stalwart chorus of three, hauling up Dulcie, who was
+sitting on a chair shivering in the agonies of an acute attack of stage
+fright.
+
+By this time the audience was trooping in, and seating itself upon the
+beds, and by frantic clapping clamored for the entertainment to begin.
+Gowan opened the show, and took the stage in the character of Miss
+Monica Morton, an elderly spinster. Her make-up was very good,
+considering the limited resources of the company. Some cotton wool did
+service for white hair neatly arranged under a boudoir cap; her dress
+(borrowed from Noreen, who was a head taller than Gowan) fell to her
+ankles; she wore spectacles, and wrinkles had been carefully painted
+across her forehead. Bertha, a forward chit of a maidservant (servants
+on the stage invariably assume a cheekiness of manner that would never
+be tolerated by any employer in private life), bounced in and handed her
+a letter, and stood making grimaces to the audience while her
+mistress--very foolishly--read its contents aloud. It ran thus:
+
+         "11 PARK LANE,
+             "MAYFAIR.
+
+    "DEAREST MONICA,
+
+    "We are sending Dorothea down to you by the first train in the
+     morning, and we beg you will keep a strict eye on her. An
+     individual named Montague Ponsonby has been paying her great
+     attentions, and we wish to break off the attachment. He is well
+     born, but absolutely penniless, and as Dorothea will some day
+     be an heiress, we do not wish her to throw herself away upon
+     him. Please do your best to prevent any such folly.
+
+    "Your affectionate sister,
+         "ELIZABETH STRONG."
+
+Miss Morton, on grasping the drift of this epistle, exhibited symptoms
+of distress. She flung out her arms in a dramatic attitude, and confided
+to the audience her disinclination to take over the unwelcome task of
+becoming duenna to her niece. There was no other course open to her,
+apparently; the idea of sending the girl home by the next train, or of
+hastily packing her own box and departing somewhere on urgent business
+did not seem to occur to her. She grumbled, but accepted the
+responsibility, and Jemima, the pert maidservant, made faces behind her
+back, till summoned by a violent knocking, when she flew to the door and
+admitted Dorothea, with bag and baggage.
+
+Lilias, as the fashionable niece, was "got up regardless." Her hair was
+done in a Grecian knot, a veil was twisted round her picture hat, and
+she sailed into the room with the assurance of a Society beauty.
+
+Aunt Monica, suppressing the letter of warning, gave the customary
+greetings, then--with the imprudence characteristic of a stage
+aunt--announced her intention of going out to do shopping while her
+niece unpacked her possessions.
+
+Instead of doing anything so sensible as to unpack, Dorothea sank into a
+chair, and in an attitude of great languor and despair confided her love
+affairs to the sympathetic and interested servant, who swore fealty and
+offered all possible assistance. Her kind intentions were put at once to
+the test, for immediately another violent knocking was heard, she flung
+open the door, and after a whispered colloquy announced "Mr. Montague
+Ponsonby."
+
+The entrance of Carmel, as hero of the drama, created quite a sensation.
+Materials for masculine attire were scanty at Chilcombe Hall, and, as
+the girls felt rather mean for not having invited the mistresses to
+their performance, they had not dared to ask for the loan of any
+theatrical properties, and had been obliged to concoct costumes from
+anything that came to hand. Carmel had put her feet through the sleeves
+of her brown knitted jumper, and drawn it up so that the cuffs fitted
+just below her knees, and made a really striking resemblance to a pair
+of gentleman's sporting breeches. A coat covered any deficiencies at the
+waist, a paper collar and a scarlet tie encircled her throat,
+india-rubber waders did service for top-boots, her hair was tucked under
+a felt hat (with the trimming wrenched off), and last, but not least,
+her lip was adorned with the black mustache which Prissie had used on
+Hallowe'en. She looked such a magnificent and sporting object, that it
+was no wonder the fashionable Dorothea fell into her arms.
+
+It is perhaps unusual for a gentleman to conduct his love-making with
+his hat on, but the audience was not "viper-critical" and allowed some
+latitude to Mr. Montague Ponsonby. They admired the ardor with which he
+pressed his suit, the fervor of his protestations of fidelity, the
+dramatic roll of his dark eyes, and the tender tone of his voice. His
+entrance was considered a very brisk bit of acting, and when he paused
+for breath, in a graceful stage attitude, sixteen pairs of hands gave a
+hearty clap.
+
+The lovers, possibly a little sated with the ecstacies of their
+affection, turned to the sordid details of life, and sitting hand in
+hand upon the sofa (improvised out of four bedroom chairs and an
+eiderdown) planned an immediate elopement. They had decided to hire a
+car and make for Scotland, and were discussing which hotel to stay at,
+and what they should order for dinner, when the inevitable happened. The
+pert maidservant rushed in, and in a voice squeaky with tragedy, warned
+them of the immediate approach of Miss Monica Morton.
+
+Of course, they ought to have expected it. Nobody except two utter
+idiots would have sat philandering upon the sofa in what might be termed
+"the lion's den," knowing that "the lion" might at any moment walk in
+with her shopping-basket and catch them. The surprise and horror
+depicted on their countenances would have commanded a good salary at a
+cinema studio. Mr. Montague Ponsonby was for bluffing it, but Dorothea's
+astute female brains seized a readier way out of the situation. She laid
+her lover flat upon the sofa, and covered him hastily with her traveling
+rug, then, opening her suitcase, flung its contents on the floor, and
+knelt down in the midst of a muddle of shoes, nightdresses, and other
+paraphernalia.
+
+Aunt Monica exhibited a natural amazement at finding her niece
+conducting her unpacking in the sitting-room, instead of upstairs, but
+accepted her explanations with wonderful indulgence. She professed
+herself tired with shopping, and moved towards the sofa to rest.
+
+Dorothea, with sudden solicitude, sprang up to offer her a chair, and
+made every human effort to lead her away from the couch. She was a
+persistent, not to say obstinate, old lady, however, and she meant to
+have her own way in her own house. Waving her niece aside, and
+proclaiming her weariness, she sank down heavily upon the sofa. The
+result was tragic, for a stifled groan resounded through the room, and
+the top-boots of the luckless Montague Ponsonby kicked wildly in the
+air. Miss Morton, naturally alarmed, and instantly jumping to the
+conclusion that he was a burglar, screamed loudly for assistance, and a
+passing policeman hastened to her call.
+
+It is wonderful how efficient and handy the police always are on the
+stage. They are invariably at the right place at the right moment, and
+always step in just in time to stop a murder, prevent an explosion, or
+rescue the heroine. Dulcie, who in a long blue coat, with a paper helmet
+and a strap under her chin, represented the majesty of the law, hauled
+the squirming Montague from the couch, and secured his wrists tightly
+with a piece of clothes line supplied by the pert servant, who ought to
+have been ashamed of herself for going back on her promise to help the
+lovers, but probably felt a deeper obligation to the policeman, who was,
+no doubt, her sweetheart, which accounted for his very convenient
+presence on the doorstep.
+
+"I arrest you in the King's name!" declared that officer, when the
+clothes line was sufficiently knotted, and Montague had ceased
+struggling. "You will be brought up on trial before the court, and
+charged with house-breaking and resisting the police."
+
+It was only then that the wretched man began to protest his innocence,
+and that Dorothea, falling on her knees, explained his name, errand, and
+intentions, and entreated her aunt to overlook the matter.
+
+Miss Morton wavered visibly. It was evident that her natural kindness of
+heart gave her a bias towards the lovers--she had, perhaps, been through
+an affair of the same sort herself in her youth--yet on the other hand
+her duty to her sister urged her to take stern measures. She drew the
+letter from her pocket with the seeming intention of strengthening her
+resolution against the hopes of Montague, and was shaking her head
+sadly over it, when the obstreperous servant, who had rushed for no
+apparent reason, except habit, to the door, bounded back, waving a
+yellow envelope. A well-trained maid usually presents a telegram upon a
+tray, but Miss Morton must have been accustomed to Jemima's rough ways,
+or was too agitated to rebuke her; she tore open the missive, glanced at
+its contents, and with a scream of joy sank fainting into her domestic's
+faithful arms.
+
+Of course, somebody had to read the telegram aloud. The policeman seemed
+to think it was his business. He picked it up, and proclaimed it in the
+manner of a town crier. It was short, but much to the point.
+
+    "Please encourage Montague Ponsonby. Uncle has died and
+     left him vast fortune.
+         "ELIZABETH."
+
+Everybody recovered at the good news. Miss Morton rose from the arms of
+Jemima, apologized to Mr. Ponsonby for having mistaken him for a
+burglar, and invited him to stay to lunch. He begged her not to mention
+the matter, and as soon as his wrists had been released by the
+policeman, he shook hands cordially with his prospective aunt, and made
+a pretty speech expressing his desire to become a member of the family.
+
+This was undoubtedly the moment for the curtain to descend, but as that
+most useful of stage adjuncts was conspicuous by its absence, the actors
+lined up instead, and made their parting bows with much eclat, Dorothea
+leaning elegantly upon her lover's shoulder, Aunt Monica holding aloft
+the telegram, the policeman saluting, and the maidservant blowing
+kisses.
+
+The applause was so thunderous that the performers were obliged to beg
+the audience to use self-restraint and limit the noise, for fear one of
+the mistresses should feel in duty bound to pay a surprise visit, and be
+scandalized at the costumes. Moreover, a clanging bell warned them that
+the recreation hour was over, so there was a hasty exit and a quick
+change into normal garments. Miss Hardy was kind that evening, and
+turned a blind eye to deficiencies of order. She was seen
+surreptitiously reading the program, and it was the general opinion in
+the dormitory that she and the other mistresses were much disappointed
+at having been excluded from the entertainment.
+
+"It did seem rather mean not to ask them," said Gowan,
+self-reproachfully, "though they'd have spoilt the whole show. I vote we
+give another some time--a prunes and prism affair without any lovers in
+it--and let them all come."
+
+"Right you are! But it will be a tame business after this!" agreed
+Bertha.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+All in a Mist
+
+
+The Blue Grotto entertainment was very successfully emulated by the
+occupants of the Gold, Green, Rose, and Brown bedrooms, and quite a
+sufficient sum of money was raised in the various collections to pay
+half the expense of the little wicker carriage for the invalid child.
+The school took a special walk one day to Five Stone Bridge, to see her
+take an airing in her new chariot, and though they agreed that it did
+not look nearly so picturesque as the wooden box, it was undoubtedly far
+more comfortable, and more suitable for one suffering from her
+complaint. She smiled shyly at the long line of girls, whispered a
+bashful "Thank you" for the chocolates they gave her, and appeared
+scared to the verge of tears when they spoke to her.
+
+"I don't blame her, poor kid!" said Gowan, as the school marched on,
+slightly disappointed. "I shouldn't like to be made a show of myself,
+and be stared at by everybody. She looked as if she wished us far
+enough. Never mind! She'll eat the chocs. and enjoy herself now we've
+gone. She's rather a sweet little morsel, isn't she, after all?"
+
+Christmas was drawing near, and the school turned from schemes of
+general philanthropy to the more pressing business of making presents
+for immediate relatives and friends. Various pieces of sewing, which had
+languished all the term, were taken out and worked at feverishly; there
+was quite an epidemic of needlecraft, and a wet day was almost welcomed
+as affording an opportunity for getting on with the gifts. Everybody
+seemed suddenly in need of embroidery silks, transfers, beads, wools,
+crochet needles, and other such articles, and a special deputation
+waited on Miss Walters asking permission to go a shopping expedition to
+Glazebrook to purchase these indispensables. Miss Walters, who always
+had an eye to school discipline, made the matter a question of marks,
+and granted the privilege only to those whose exercise books showed a
+certain standard of proficiency. Hester, Ida, Noreen, Joyce, Bertha,
+Carmel, and Doris were the only ones who reached the required totals, so
+under charge of Miss Herbert they were sent off one afternoon to the
+town, armed with a long list of commissions from the luckless ones who
+remained behind.
+
+Chilcombe Hall was four and a half miles from Glazebrook, and there was
+no motor omnibus service. It was arranged, therefore, for the party to
+walk on the outward journey, and to return with all their parcels in a
+couple of taxicabs. They started after an extremely early lunch, in
+order to do the important business of matching embroidery silks by
+daylight. It had been quite a fine sunny morning, but clouded over at
+noon, and although no rain fell the sky was gray and cheerless.
+
+The girls did not much mind the condition of the weather so long as they
+could see to make their purchases. They spent a considerable time in the
+principal fancy-work shop of the town, and tried the patience of the
+assistants by demanding articles that were quite unobtainable. A visit
+to a stationer's and a confectioner's almost completed their list of
+requirements, and only a few extras remained to be bought. Some of the
+party were standing in the entrance of a big general store, waiting
+while Miss Herbert executed commissions for Miss Walters, when Joyce was
+suddenly greeted by a friend, a lady who was just about to step into her
+motor.
+
+"Why, Joyce!" she exclaimed. "Have you been shopping here? So have
+I--look at my pile of parcels! Have you finished? Are you going straight
+back to school? I shall pass Chilcombe on my way home, and can take you
+in the car if you like, and some of your schoolfellows too. There's
+room for four if you don't mind squeezing!"
+
+It seemed much too good an offer to be refused. Joyce suggested, indeed,
+that she ought to consult Miss Herbert, who was in an upper department
+of the shop, but Mrs. Baldwin declared she could not wait.
+
+"I don't see that Miss Herbert can mind. We're quite ready to go, and it
+will save one taxi," urged Bertha.
+
+So it was hastily decided for Joyce, Bertha, Doris, and Carmel to go in
+the car, and Noreen ran upstairs to tell Miss Herbert of the
+arrangement. The latter, with Hester and Ida, was choosing lamp-shades
+and fancy candlesticks. It was only when Noreen had gone that Carmel
+remembered suddenly that she had never bought the packet of chocolates
+which she had promised to bring back for Dulcie. She stopped with her
+foot on the step of the car, and excused herself.
+
+"There's something I still have to do!" she explained. "I must come back
+in the taxi with the others after all! I'm so sorry!"
+
+Mrs. Baldwin had an appointment at home, and was impatient to start, so
+the door was slammed on Joyce, Bertha, and Doris, and they drove away
+all smiles, and waving a good-by through the window. There was a sweets
+department close at hand in the Stores, and Carmel bought a present of
+chocolate for Dulcie and of butterscotch for Lilias, then went upstairs
+to the lamp-shade counter to rejoin Miss Herbert and the other girls. To
+her surprise she found they had gone. She searched for them all round
+the upper story of the shop, but did not see them anywhere. She had kept
+a watchful eye on the stairs when buying the sweets, and was quite sure
+that they had not passed down while she was there. She returned to the
+lamp-shade counter and questioned the assistant, who told her that she
+had noticed the lady and the three girls in school hats walk down
+another staircase which led to a side door of the stores. In much alarm,
+Carmel hurried that way into the street, but not a trace of them was to
+be seen. She walked as far as the railway station, hoping to catch them
+there engaging a taxi, but not a solitary conveyance of any description
+was on the stand. She was indeed in a fix. She saw clearly that, of
+course, they all supposed she had gone with Mrs. Baldwin in the car, and
+by this time they were probably on the road to Chilcombe without her. It
+was nobody's fault but her own.
+
+The feeling that she had only herself to blame did not make the
+situation any less unpleasant. She was four and a half miles away from
+school, and unless she could secure a taxi, she would be obliged to walk
+back. She inquired from a porter, but he shook his head, and said it
+was unlikely there would be any cabs at the station till the express
+came in at six o'clock.
+
+Carmel thanked him, and turned away with her eyes full of tears. Owing
+to her Sicilian education she was not accustomed to going about by
+herself. England was still more or less of a strange country to her, and
+she did not know the ways of the land. Lilias, in her place, would have
+gone to the principal hotel, explained who she was, and asked the
+manager to find some sort of carriage to convey her back to school. Such
+a course never occurred to Carmel, however; instead, she tied her
+numerous parcels together, blinked back her tears, set her teeth, and
+started forth to walk.
+
+Fortunately, there was no mistaking the high road, and it was still
+comparatively early. If she put her best foot foremost she might
+reasonably expect to reach Chilcombe before dark. She had soon left the
+houses of Glazebrook behind, and was passing between hedges and fields.
+For the first mile and a half all went well; she was a little tired, but
+rather pleased with her own pluck. According to Sicilian customs, which
+are almost eastern in their guardianship of signorinas, it was an
+unheard-of thing for a young lady in her position to take a country walk
+without an escort. The remembrance of the beggars and footpads that
+lurked about Sicilian roads gave her uneasy twinges, and though she had
+been told of the comparative safety of British highways, her heart beat
+considerably when she passed anybody, and she scurried along in a
+flutter lest some ill-intentioned person should stop and speak to her.
+The farther she went from the town the fewer people were on the road,
+and for quite half a mile she had met nobody at all. She had been going
+steadily down a steep hill, and at the bottom she stepped suddenly into
+a great belt of fog that lay like a white wall in front of her. It was
+as if she had passed into a country of dreams. She could scarcely see
+the hedges, and all round was a dense mass of mist, clammy and cold and
+difficult to breathe. It was silent, too, for no sound seemed to travel
+through it, not a bird twittered, and no animal stirred in the fields.
+Carmel felt as utterly alone as if she were on the surface of the moon.
+All the familiar objects of the landscape were blotted out. It was still
+light, but this white thick mist was worse than darkness. She stamped
+along for the sake of hearing her own footsteps. She wished she had a
+dog with her. She kept to the left-hand side of the road, and followed
+the hedge, hoping that the fog was only in the valley, and that she
+would soon pass out of it. On and on it stretched, however, till she
+must have been walking through it for quite twenty minutes. Then she
+began to grow uneasy. There was a border of grass under the hedge bank
+wider than she remembered noticing on the road, and the suspicion
+assailed her that all unknowingly she must have turned down a side lane
+and have lost her way.
+
+She went forward now with doubting footsteps. Where was the path leading
+her? If she could only find some cottage, she could inquire. But there
+was no human habitation, nothing but the endless hedges and an
+occasional gate into a field. What was that in front of her? She
+stopped, and drew back with a cry of fear. Across her track gleamed
+water. She had almost stepped into it. Whether it was stream, pond, or
+river the thick mist did not reveal, but it certainly barred her
+footpath. She shivered, and turning round, walked back in the direction
+from which she had come, hoping to regain the high road.
+
+Then a wonderful atmospheric effect was displayed. A breeze sprang up
+and blew aside some of the fog, and the rising moon shone down on a land
+of white shadows. It was impossible to tell what was real and what was
+unreal. On the other side of the lane stretched what appeared to be a
+vast lake, but might only be mist on the meadows; cloud-like masses
+shaped themselves into spectral forms and rolled away into the dim and
+nebulous distance, where they settled into weird domes and towers and
+walls, a veritable elf king's castle. It was so uncanny and silent and
+strange that Carmel was far more frightened than she had felt before.
+Old fairy tales of her childhood crowded into her mind, memories of
+phantoms and ghosts and goblins, the legends of Undine and the water
+sprites, the ballad of the Erl-King in the haunted forest. She had
+learnt the poem once, and she found herself repeating the words:
+
+    "'Why trembles my darling? Why shrinks he with fear?'
+     'Oh Father, my Father! the Erl-King is near!
+     The Erl-King with his crown and his beard long and white!'
+     'Oh! your eyes are deceived by the vapours of night!'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    "'I love thee, I dote on thy face so divine!
+     I must and will have thee, and force makes thee mine!'
+     'My Father! My Father! Oh hold me now fast!
+     He pulls me, he hurts, and will have me at last!'"
+
+And as if that were not bad enough, the ballad of Lenore recurred
+to her:
+
+    "How swift the flood, the mead, the wood,
+         Aright, aleft are gone!
+     The bridges thunder as they pass,
+         But earthly sound is none.
+
+    "Tramp, tramp, across the land they speed,
+         Splash, splash, across the sea;
+     'Hurrah! the dead can ride apace,
+         Dost fear to ride with me?'"
+
+By this time Carmel, alone among the magic mist and moonlight, had
+reached a state of fear bordering on panic. She longed for anything
+human, and would have embraced a cow if she had met one. Through the fog
+in front of her suddenly loomed something dark, and the sound of horse's
+hoofs rang on the road. A wild vision of Lenore's spectral bridegroom
+presented itself to her overwrought imagination, and she shrieked in
+genuine terror, and shrank trembling against the hedge. The rider of the
+horse dismounted, and slipping his wrist through the bridle, came
+towards her.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked. "Are you hurt? Why, great Scott! It's
+never Carmel!"
+
+"Everard! Everard!" gasped Carmel, clinging desperately to his arm. "Oh!
+Thank Heaven it's you! I'm lost!"
+
+Everard comforted her for a while without asking any questions; then,
+when she had recovered calmness, he naturally wished to know why his
+pretty cousin was wandering in the country lanes by herself on a
+winter's evening. Man-like, he blamed the school instead of Carmel.
+
+"They ought to have taken better care of you!" he murmured. "Why didn't
+the mistress hold a roll-call, and count you all?"
+
+"It wasn't her fault. It was my own mistake!"
+
+"Well, whoever's fault it was, the fact remains the same. You'd better
+get on Rajah, and I'll take you back to Chilcombe."
+
+"Oh! that would be lovely. I'm so tired."
+
+Perched on Rajah's back, with Everard walking by her side, life seemed a
+very different affair from what it had been five minutes before. Carmel
+enjoyed the ride, and was almost sorry when they reached the great iron
+gates of the Hall.
+
+"Won't you come in and see Lilias and Dulcie?" she asked, as Everard
+helped her to dismount at the door.
+
+"I haven't time to-night. I must get home in a hurry. I've an
+appointment with Mr. Bowden, and he'll be waiting for me."
+
+"And I've kept you from it! Oh, I'm so sorry, Everard!"
+
+"I'm not. Look here, if you're ever in any trouble again anywhere, you
+come to me, and I'll take care of you. Don't forget that, will you?"
+
+"I'll remember!" said Carmel, waving her hand to him as she watched him
+ride away down the drive. Then she turned into the house to set at rest
+the panic of anxiety which had arisen over her non-appearance with the
+other members of the shopping party.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+On the High Seas
+
+
+There was quite a merry gathering at Cheverley Chase that Christmas. All
+the Ingleton children were at home, and with Cousin Clare and Mr.
+Stacey, they made a jolly party of nine, a satisfactory number, large
+enough to act charades, play round games, and even to dance in the
+evenings if they felt inclined. Without exception everybody voted Mr.
+Stacey "an absolute sport." He seemed to know a little about everything,
+and could help Bevis to arrange his stamp collection, or Clifford his
+moths and butterflies; he could name Roland's fossils, give Dulcie tips
+for the development of her photos, and teach Lilias to use the
+typewriter. He was so cheery and good-tempered over it, too, and so
+amusing, and full of fun and jokes, that the young Ingletons buzzed
+round him like flies round a honey-pot. There are some people in the
+world whose mental atmosphere appears to act like genial sunshine.
+Because their uplifting personality demands the best in others' natures,
+the best is offered to them. Mr. Stacey's lovable, joyous, enthusiastic
+temperament made a wonderful difference at Cheverley Chase. The constant
+squabbles and rivalries that had been wont to crop up seemed to melt
+away in his presence. Never had there been such harmonious holidays, or
+such pleasant ones. It was his idea to take advantage of a brief frost
+and flood the lawn, so that the family could enjoy skating there, though
+the ponds in the neighborhood were still unsafe. It was Carmel's first
+experience of ice, and she struggled along, held up by her cousins,
+feeling very helpless at first, but gradually learning to make her
+strokes, and enjoying herself immensely. Then there was scouting in the
+woods, and there were various expeditions to hunt for fossils in road
+heaps and quarries, or to explore hitherto unvisited parts of the
+district. There was no doubt that Mr. Stacey had a born knack with young
+folks, and as a leader of Christmas fun he was quite unrivaled.
+
+Among the changes for the better at Cheverley Chase there was perhaps
+none so great as the marked difference in Everard. Nobody could fail to
+notice it. Mr. Bowden considered that the six months spent as a
+chauffeur had "knocked the nonsense out of the lad, and done him a world
+of good." Cousin Clare said he had grown up, and the younger boys, while
+not exactly analyzing the altered attitude, admitted that their eldest
+brother was "a good sort" these holidays.
+
+"Everard always so loved to be 'top dog' before," Dulcie confided to
+Lilias. "I used to hate the way he bossed us all and arranged
+everything. He's far nicer now he doesn't pose as 'the young squire.'
+Even when he used to tell us what he'd do for us when he owned the
+estate, it was in such a grand patronizing manner that it made me feel
+all bristles. I didn't want to be helped like that!"
+
+"He is indeed very different!" agreed Lilias thoughtfully.
+
+The only person who did not notice any change in Everard was Carmel, but
+she had never known him in the old days, so fixed him at the standard at
+which she had found him. The two were excellent friends. Under her
+cousin's teaching, Carmel learnt much of English country life; she had
+the makings of a plucky little horsewoman, and could soon take a fence
+and ride to hounds. She was very much interested in the gamekeeper's
+reports, in various experiments in forestry that were being tried, and
+in motor plows and other up-to-date agricultural implements that she saw
+in use on the farms.
+
+"It's all different from Sicily," she said one day.
+
+"Yes. You see I'm training you to play your part as an English
+landowner," replied Everard. "You ought to know something about your
+estate."
+
+Carmel shook her head emphatically.
+
+"Don't call it _my_ estate, please! I've told you again and again that I
+don't mean to take it from you. How could a girl like I am manage it
+properly? You know all about it, and I don't. People can't be made to
+take things they don't want. As soon as I'm twenty-one, I shall hand it
+straight over to you. I'd like to see you master of the Chase!"
+
+It was Everard's turn to shake his head.
+
+"That can never be, Carmel! Please let us consider that matter perfectly
+settled, and don't let us open the question again. It's an utter
+impossibility for me ever to be master of the Chase. That's final! I may
+have my faults, but I'm not a sneak or a fortune-hunter."
+
+"You're not cross with me, Everard?" Carmel was looking at him
+anxiously.
+
+"No, dear, but you're such a child! You can't understand things properly
+yet. You will when you're older."
+
+"Then what are you going to do, Everard, after you leave college?"
+
+"Study for the Bar, I hope. It's the kind of career that would suit me,
+I think."
+
+Carmel's dark eyes shone.
+
+"Then I shall come to court, and hear you plead a case! And when you get
+into Parliament--oh yes! you _are_ going to get into Parliament, I
+_know_ you are!--I shall sit in the Ladies' Gallery and listen to your
+first speech. If you won't be Squire of Cheverley, you must become
+famous in some other way! In Sicily we think a tremendous amount about
+being the head of the family. You'll be the head of the Ingletons, and
+you've got to make a name for the sake of the others."
+
+"I know I ought to take my father's place to the younger ones," answered
+Everard gravely. "I'll do what I can in that line, though I'm not much
+to boast of myself, I'm afraid. I'm not the good sort you think me,
+Carmel. But there, you little witch, you've cast your glamour over me,
+somehow! I suppose I've got to try to be all you want me. Princess
+Carmel gives her orders here, it seems!"
+
+"Yes, and in things like this she expects to be obeyed!" laughed Carmel.
+"I told you once before that you hadn't got the same shape of forehead
+as the Emperor Augustus for nothing!"
+
+It was after the girls had returned to school, during some bitter
+weather at the end of January, that Lilias caught a severe cold, and was
+kept in bed. Dr. Martin, sent for from Glazebrook, took a serious view
+of the case, and asked to consult with Dr. Hill of Balderton, the
+family physician at Cheverley Chase. They sounded the patient's chest,
+examined the temperature charts kept by Miss Walters, and decided that
+the climate of Chilcombe was too damp for her at present, and that she
+would benefit by spending the trying spring months in a warmer and drier
+atmosphere. The result of this ultimatum was a large amount of writing
+and telegraphing between England and Sicily, several confabulations
+among Mr. Bowden, Cousin Clare, Mr. Stacey, and Miss Walters, and then
+the remarkable and delightful announcement that the invalid, escorted by
+a detachment of her family, was to be taken to Casa Bianca at Montalesso
+on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Greville.
+
+It was, of course, Carmel who had engineered the whole business.
+
+"It's nearly a year since I left home," she explained, "so it's time
+they let me go and see them. I couldn't take Lilias without Dulcie, it
+wouldn't be kind, and even Miss Walters saw that, though she held out at
+first. Then Everard has been working very hard, and needs a change, but,
+if Mr. Stacey goes with us, they can use Daddy's gun-room for a study,
+and read for three or four hours every morning. And Cousin Clare must
+come too, to take care of us all; we couldn't leave her behind. Mother
+loved her when she came over to fetch me last year. I don't believe
+she'd have let anybody else take me away. Oh, how I want to show Sicily
+to you all! Won't we have absolutely the time of our lives? To think of
+going home and taking you with me!"
+
+It was wonderful how Princess Carmel seemed to manage to get her own
+way. Mr. Bowden and Miss Walters, who were the natural obstacles to the
+plan, yielded quite amicably after only a short opposition. Cousin Clare
+had encouraged the scheme from the first, and Mr. Stacey and Everard
+were all enthusiasm.
+
+"You'll need us men to look after the luggage," declared Everard,
+oblivious of the fact that Cousin Clare had successfully piloted Carmel
+and her boxes across the continent without any masculine assistance, and
+was quite capable of traveling round the world on her own account.
+
+As Mr. Greville was one of the directors of a line of Mediterranean
+steamers running from Liverpool to Alexandria, it was decided that the
+party should book passages in the _Clytie_, and go by sea as far as
+Malta, crossing from there in a local vessel to Sicily. The doctors
+thought that a sea voyage would be better for Lilias than a long tiring
+train journey across France and Italy, and as it was a novel experience,
+the idea was attractive to most of the party. Fortunately they were
+able to engage the accommodation they needed, and set out without
+further loss of time.
+
+I will not describe the journey to Liverpool, or the wearisome drive
+through drab streets and along miles of docks till they reached the
+_Clytie_. She was a steamer of about 6,000 tons, and, considering the
+crowded condition of all sea traffic at the time, they might think
+themselves very lucky to be able to secure cabins without waiting months
+for the privilege. It was indeed only owing to Mr. Greville's influence
+that they had been able to do so. With much curiosity they looked round
+the floating castle which was to be their home for perhaps a fortnight.
+All seemed new and strange to their wondering eyes--the dining-saloon,
+with its long table and fixed, crimson plush-covered chairs, that
+swivelled round like music-stools to allow their owners to sit down on
+them; the small saloon, with mirrors, piano, and books, specially
+reserved for the ladies instead of a drawing-room; the smoke-room for
+the gentlemen, and the steward's pantry. The cramped sleeping
+accommodation rather appalled the girls, though Cousin Clare, who was a
+seasoned traveler, assured them it was far more roomy than that given on
+many other vessels. As a matter of fact, the captain had turned out of
+his own cabin for them, and was sleeping next to the chart-house on the
+bridge, so that at any rate they had the best accommodation which the
+_Clytie_ afforded. Four berths in a space about nine feet square
+certainly does not allow much elbow room; the girls planned to go to bed
+in relays, and wondered how they could possibly have managed in the
+still smaller quarters at which Cousin Clare had hinted. Neatness and
+order seemed an absolute essential. There was no place except their
+berths on which to lay anything down, and their possessions had to
+remain inside their cabin trunks. Each had brought a linen case with
+pockets, and tacked it on to the wall beside her berth, to hold
+hairbrush, comb, handkerchiefs, and a few other immediate necessities,
+but when anything else was wanted, the trunks must be pulled from under
+the bunks and their contents turned over.
+
+They had hardly arranged their luggage in their cabin, when Everard came
+in to tell them that the vessel was getting under way, and they all
+rushed on deck to witness the start. Out from the dock they steamed into
+the wide estuary of the Mersey, where ships of many nations might be
+seen, and the pale February sunshine was gleaming upon the gray tidal
+waters that lay in front, and on the roofs and chimneys of the great
+city they were leaving behind.
+
+"I can understand emigrants feeling it a wrench to say good-by to
+England!" said Dulcie, leaning on the rail and fluttering her
+handkerchief as a parting tribute to her country. "I'd be sorry if I
+were never coming back any more! Home's home!"
+
+"Yes, and Sicily is mine!" said Carmel with shining eyes. "I can't
+forget that every day is taking me nearer to Mother! Only a fortnight
+more, and we shall be at Casa Bianca! How I hope we shall have a smooth
+voyage, and perhaps we shall get there even sooner. Now we have once
+started off, I feel as if I can't wait! I didn't know till to-day that I
+was so homesick!"
+
+The first twenty-four hours on board the _Clytie_ passed very
+successfully. The Ingletons dined, spent an evening in the saloon, made
+the acquaintance of other passengers, and next morning amused themselves
+with deck games. They began to congratulate the captain on the calmness
+of the passage, but he laughed and told them not to count up their
+blessings too soon.
+
+"In February we may expect anything in the way of weather," he remarked.
+
+And he was right. Directly they entered the Bay of Biscay they
+encountered a storm. At first the girls thought it rather fun to feel
+the vessel heaving its way through the water, to have to hold on to the
+chairs as they crossed the saloon, and to be nearly jerked off the
+stairs when they went on deck. But as evening came on, one by one they
+began to feel the effects of _mal de mer_, and long before the
+dinner-gong sounded had retired thankfully to their berths. The time
+that followed was an absolute nightmare. The heavy seas dashed the
+_Clytie_ about like a match-box. She pitched and tossed, and rolled, so
+that one moment the girls, lying on their backs, would find their heels
+higher than their heads, and the next instant the position would be
+reversed. The violence of the rolling almost flung them out on to the
+floor, and they were obliged to cling to the wooden edges of their
+berths. All their possessions were rolling about the cabin, the linen
+tidies had tumbled down, and hairbrushes, shoes, sponges, clothing, and
+trunks spun round and round in confusion. The noise was terrific, the
+wind blew a hurricane, and great waves broke over the deck with
+tremendous force. To add to the danger, the cargo in the hold shifted,
+and an enormous fly-wheel, which, with some other machinery was being
+taken to Alexandria, broke loose from the chains that held it, and
+dashed about smashing all with which it came in contact.
+
+Even when morning dawned, the storm did not abate. The girls heard
+afterwards that the men on the look-out were obliged to be lashed to the
+rail with ropes, that the captain never left the bridge for twenty-four
+hours, and that the hatches had been battened down to prevent any
+passengers from venturing on deck. At the time they were far too ill to
+care about any such details; Lilias and Dulcie would thankfully have
+gone to the bottom, and though Carmel and Cousin Clare were more
+cheerful, the physical discomfort troubled them decidedly more than the
+danger. The stewardess, who, poor woman, was herself ill, managed to
+struggle into their cabin, and holding on tightly to the berths, would
+pass them drinks of tea in cups that could only be filled a quarter full
+for fear of spilling.
+
+All through that horrible day they lay still, for the violence of the
+storm made it quite impossible to get up and dress. Towards evening,
+Carmel, who began to feel better, turned to thoughts of food, and after
+nibbling a biscuit, begged for something more. Now, when the _Clytie_
+was pitching and tossing and generally misbehaving herself, it was
+manifestly impossible to sit up and wield a knife and fork, for the
+whole contents of the plate would be whirled away at the next sudden
+lurch. The stewardess did her best, however, by bringing potatoes baked
+in their skins, and pears, at both of which delicacies it was possible
+to nibble while still lying flat, and holding with one hand to the side
+of the berth. The humor of the situation appealed to Carmel so much that
+she burst out laughing, and then Cousin Clare, and even Lilias and
+Dulcie laughed, and were persuaded each to try a potato, too. They
+snatched intervals of sleep during the night, and woke much refreshed.
+
+Morning found the _Clytie_ off the coast of Portugal, and in
+comparatively calm waters. Feeling very shaky, the Ingletons managed to
+dress, and tottered on deck. Everard and Mr. Stacey, both looking pale,
+though they assured every one that they were all right, found
+comfortable chairs for the ladies, and tucked them up snugly with rugs.
+After the long hours in the stuffy cabin it was delightful to sit in the
+sunshine and watch the gray, racing water. Here and there in the
+distance could occasionally be seen the funnels of far-away steamers,
+and then there was much excitement and focussing of opera-glasses and
+telescopes. They wondered if other vessels had been caught in the same
+storm, and how they had fared, and Dulcie even hoped they might
+encounter a wreck, and have the privilege of rescuing passengers from
+open boats. She was quite disappointed when nothing so romantic
+happened.
+
+It was interesting to go down to lunch in the saloon, and find the
+"fiddles" still on the table--long racks with holes in which the dishes
+and plates exactly fit, so that they cannot be shaken about. There was
+naturally much conversation among the passengers in relation to the
+storm, and it was passed round the table as a joke that the captain
+himself had been seasick, though he would not for a moment admit that he
+was capable of such a landlubber's weakness.
+
+"If I had known what it was going to be like, I would never have come by
+sea!" declared Lilias, whose symptoms had been more acute than those of
+any one else in the party.
+
+"That's what everybody says at first, young lady," returned Captain
+Porter. "Wait till you get seasoned a little, then you'll find out the
+charms of Father Neptune's kingdom. I don't mind betting that by the
+time we get to Malta, you'll have fallen in love with the Mediterranean,
+and won't want to leave the vessel and will be begging me to take you on
+to Alexandria!"
+
+"And leave the others to go to Sicily? No, thanks!" laughed Lilias.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+The Casa Bianca
+
+
+On the following morning the passengers of the _Clytie_ woke to find
+themselves steaming into the port of Tangiers. They scrambled through
+their toilets and hurried on deck, in raptures over the view of the old
+Moorish town against a background of green trees, and the blue waters of
+the bay in front. As some cargo was to be shipped, there would be time
+to go on shore, and a party was made up under the escort of Captain
+Porter and of the Greek agent who had arrived on board with the pilot.
+Donkeys were hired for the ladies, and a cavalcade set forth to view the
+Kasbah, or native market, and some beautiful gardens outside the city
+walls. It was strange to the girls to be in Morocco, with black faces
+all round them, and to catch glimpses through open doorways of Moorish
+courtyards, of marble fountains, or of little Arab children chanting the
+Koran. They were glad indeed of a masculine escort, for their
+donkey-boys looked such a wild crew that would have been frightened to
+be left alone with them, and the eastern aspect and general dirt of the
+place, though picturesque, made them thankful when they were safely back
+again on board ship.
+
+To their intense interest, part of the cargo consisted of Mohammedan
+pilgrims for Mecca. The rank and file of these encamped on the lower
+deck, where they sat, ate, slept, and cooked their food over charcoal
+braziers, filling up their time by reciting the Koran in a monotonous
+chant. A wealthy merchant from Morocco was also traveling to Alexandria
+with his wife and family, and had engaged all the second-class quarters
+of the _Clytie_ for his exclusive occupation. His lady was brought on
+board closely veiled, and made no further appearance, but Dulcie and
+Carmel, standing one day on the upper deck, could see down to the
+second-class deck, and noticed three small children run out to play. The
+boys were each clothed in a white garment with a gaily colored striped
+sash, but the beautiful little girl wore a dress of palest blue velvet,
+exquisitely embroidered with roses. Carmel, who adored children, could
+not resist the temptation to call to them and throw them each an orange,
+whereupon some warning voice summoned them inside the cabin, and after
+that, though the boys occasionally played on the deck, the girl was
+never again allowed to expose her face to the gaze of strangers.
+
+Another brief halt was made at Algiers, a less barbaric place than
+Tangiers, and quite up to date and modern in its handsome French
+quarter, though picturesque in the Arab part of the city. It was
+possible to get carriages here, instead of donkeys, and the passengers
+went on shore for a delightful drive to the Caliph Mustapha palace,
+through woods of eucalyptus, and pine, and palm, and gardens of
+flowering shrubs. They would have been glad to stay longer in such a
+beautiful spot, but the _Clytie_ was getting up steam, and unless they
+wished to be left behind they must go on board again.
+
+The Ingleton party agreed afterwards that their voyage down the
+Mediterranean was an experience never to be forgotten. In the bright
+February sunshine the blue waters deserved their reputation. It was warm
+as summer, and all day the passengers lived on deck, watching the smooth
+sea and distant coastline, or amusing themselves with games. Mr. Stacey,
+with his jolly, hearty ways and talent for entertaining, was, of course,
+the life and soul of everything. He organized various sports during the
+day, and concerts and theatricals during the evening. He was great at
+deck cricket, which, owing to the limitations of the vessel, is a very
+different game from that on land. The balls are made of odds and ends of
+rope, twisted together by the sailors, and must be hit with caution so
+as not to be sent overboard. Any luckless cricketer whose ball goes
+flying into the deep is immediately required, by the rules of ship's
+etiquette, to buy another from the sailors who make them, so an
+unaccustomed batsman may be landed in much expense. Everybody found it
+great fun, however, and when they had lost the day's supply of balls,
+would take to ring quoits and deck billiards instead.
+
+But perhaps the most popular game of all was "bean-bags." For this the
+passengers were divided into two teams. Each team stood in couples
+facing each other at a distance of about a yard. At the top and bottom
+of each column was placed a chair, and on the top chair were piled
+twelve small canvas bags filled with beans. The teams waited at
+attention till the umpire blew a whistle, at which signal they started
+simultaneously. The player nearest the chair on the right-hand side
+seized a bean-bag and flung it to his opposite neighbor, who in his turn
+flung it to No. 2 on the right-hand side, who threw it back to No. 2 on
+the left, and so on down the line. Meantime player No. 1 had caught up a
+second, and a third bean-bag, and continued passing on others till all
+the twelve were in process of motion. They were tossed backwards and
+forwards till they reached the chair at the bottom of the line, and were
+then returned in the same way that they had come. Whichever team
+succeeded first in getting all its bean-bags back to its starting chair
+was considered to have won the game. It was really a much more difficult
+business than it sounds, for some of the passengers were
+"butter-fingers" and would fail to catch the bags, and much valuable
+time was wasted in picking them up, while others were apt to cheat, and
+in order to get on quicker would throw to No. 9 instead of to No. 8, an
+error which the umpire's sharp eyes would immediately detect, and he
+would cause the bag to go back to the starting-point.
+
+Among all these amusements the time on the Mediterranean passed rapidly
+and pleasantly. Lilias was already wonderfully better, the mild sea
+breezes had almost banished her cough, and her appetite was a source of
+satisfaction to Cousin Clare.
+
+"Casa Bianca will finish the cure!" declared Carmel. "I know what care
+Mother will take of you! Only a few days more now, and we shall be
+there!"
+
+Captain Porter's laughing prophecy that Lilias would be so much in love
+with voyaging that she would want to go on to Alexandria was partly
+justified, for she was genuinely sorry to leave the vessel when they
+arrived at Valetta, the port of Malta.
+
+"I shall come on the _Clytie_ again some day," she assured him. "Only I
+bargain that you take me all the way up the Nile to look at the pyramids
+and the ruined temples!"
+
+"Very well, if you'll undertake to dig out the Nile's basin so as to
+accommodate a vessel of six thousands tons!" laughed the captain.
+"Otherwise I shall have to arrange to take you in a sea-plane!"
+
+"And we'd fly over the desert? Oh, that would be thrillsome! Please book
+me a seat for next year, and I'll go!"
+
+The _Clytie_ arrived at Malta in the morning, and, as the local steamer
+did not start for Syracuse until midnight, the Ingleton party had the
+whole day at Valetta on their hands. They very sensibly established
+themselves at an hotel, ordered lunch and dinner there, then went out
+into the town to take a walk along the ramparts and see what sights they
+could. Valetta, with its streets of steps, its wonderfully fortified
+harbors, its gay public gardens, its cathedral, and its armory of the
+Knights of St. John, where are preserved hundreds of priceless suits of
+armor belonging to the Crusaders, the famous silver bells that rang
+peals from the churches, and the rare and beautiful pieces of Maltese
+lace exhibited in the shop windows, had many attractions for strangers,
+particularly those of British nationality. In the midst of such foreign
+surroundings it was delightful to hear English spoken in the streets,
+to see the familiar figure of a policeman, and to know that the great
+warships in the harbor were part of the British Fleet, and were ready at
+any time to protect our merchant vessels.
+
+After a bewildering day's sight-seeing the girls sat in the lounge of
+the hotel after dinner, trying to rest. They were very tired, and would
+gladly have gone to bed, but the Syracuse mail-boat ran only once in
+every twenty-four hours, and started at midnight, so their traveling
+must perforce be continued without the longed for break. Cousin Clare
+cheered them up with the thoughts of the coffee ordered for ten o'clock,
+and of berths when they got on board the steamer.
+
+"We might be far worse off," she assured them. "For at least we have a
+comfortable hotel to rest in. I remember once having to spend most of
+the night in a waiting-room at the station at Marseilles. Put your feet
+up on the sofa, Lilias! Carmel, child, if you'd shut your eyes, I
+believe you'd go to sleep. I vote we all try to doze for an hour, until
+our coffee comes to wake us up."
+
+It was quite a quaint experience to leave the hotel at eleven o'clock
+and drive in carriages to the quay, then to get into small boats and be
+rowed out to the mail-steamer. It was a glorious night, with a moon and
+bright stars, the sky and the water looked a deep dark blue, and from
+vessels here and there lights shone out that sent twisting, flickering
+reflections into the harbor. Their steamer was some distance away, so it
+was a long row out from the Customs House across the shimmering water.
+The landlord of the hotel, Signor Giordano, who understood the dubious
+ways of native boatmen, went with them to prevent extortionate demands,
+and saw them safely on board.
+
+"The blackguards would have charged us treble if we'd been alone!"
+declared Mr. Stacey. "They are a set of brigands, the whole lot of them.
+By daylight we might have managed, but it's difficult in the dark. I'm
+thankful to see all our luggage here. I thought a hand-bag or two were
+going to be lost!"
+
+If the girls had counted upon a peaceful night, they were much
+disappointed. They retired, indeed, to their berths, but not to sleep.
+The short crossing between Malta and Sicily is one of the worst in the
+world, and there was a swell which almost rivalled their experiences in
+the Bay of Biscay. The little vessel pitched and tossed and rolled, and
+caused them many hours of discomfort, till at length, at six o'clock, it
+steamed into the harbor at Syracuse, and landed them on Sicilian soil. A
+train journey of a few hours followed, to Targia Vecchia, which was the
+nearest railway station to Montalesso, where Carmel's home was
+situated.
+
+Mr. Greville met them at Targia Vecchia, and after kissing Carmel, who
+rushed straight into his arms, gave a most hearty welcome to the rest of
+the party. He had two cars waiting, and after the usual preliminaries of
+counting up luggage, and giving up checks and tickets, they found
+themselves whisking along a good Sicilian road in the direction of Etna,
+whose white, snow-covered peak was the commanding feature in the whole
+of the surrounding landscape. The Casa Bianca or White House justified
+its name, for it was a handsome building of white stone, encircled by a
+veranda, and hung with beautiful flowering creepers. In its rich,
+sub-tropical garden grew palms, aloes, bamboos, and the flaming Judas
+trees, thickets of roses, and a wilderness of geraniums. The Ingletons
+caught an impression of gay foreign blossoms as they motored up the
+stately drive to the steps of the house. Their arrival had evidently
+been watched, for on the veranda was assembled quite a big company ready
+to greet them. First there was Carmel's mother, the Signora Greville, as
+she was generally called, a beautiful, sweet-looking lady, with her
+daughter's dark eyes, and the gracious stately manners of old Sicilian
+traditions. Then there were the children, Bertram, Nina, Vincent, and
+Luigia, the two first fair, like their English father, the younger ones
+taking after the Italian side of the family. With them were a number of
+other relations who had motored over to welcome Carmel home; her uncle,
+Richard Greville, and Aunt Gabrielle, with their children, Douglas,
+Aimee, Tito, and Claude; her mother's brother, Signor Bernardo Trapani,
+with her cousins, Ernesto, Vittore, and Rosalia; and her mother's
+sister, Signora Rosso, with pretty Berta and Gaspare, and little Pepino.
+
+All these nineteen relations gave the Ingletons a typical Italian
+greeting. They embraced Carmel with the warm-hearted demonstrative
+enthusiasm characteristic of the country, and welcomed the rest of the
+party with charming friendliness. Everybody chattered at once, making
+kind inquiries about the journey, and the travelers were taken indoors
+to change their dusty clothes before coming down to the elaborate lunch
+that was spread ready in the dining-room.
+
+The almost patriarchal hospitality of the Casa Bianca suggested the
+establishment of an Arab chief, or a mediaeval baron, rather than that of
+an ordinary household of the twentieth century. It was the strangest
+combination of north and south that could be imagined. The Grevilles and
+their relatives spoke English and Italian equally well, and conversed
+sometimes in one language and sometimes in the other. They had been
+settled for many years at Montalesso, and had, indeed, established
+quite a colony of their own there. Mr. Frank Greville and his brother,
+Richard, together with Signor Trapani and Signor Rosso, were partners in
+a great fruit-shipping business. Thousands of cases of beautiful
+oranges, lemons, grapes, and almonds were packed at their warehouses and
+sent away to England and America. They had orange and lemon groves and
+vineyards inland, and employed a small army of people tending the trees,
+gathering the fruit, wrapping it, and dispatching it by sea at the port
+of Targia Vecchia. Being connected by marriage as well as business, they
+formed a pleasant family circle, and were constantly meeting at each
+other's houses. Their children grew up in the happy Italian fashion of
+counting cousins almost as close as brothers and sisters.
+
+It took the Ingletons a little while to get accustomed to the life at
+Casa Bianca, but Carmel, sitting in the creeper-covered veranda,
+explained many things to them.
+
+"You mustn't think our particular ways are the ways of the country.
+We're an absolute mixture of English and Italian; Aunt Gabrielle is
+French, and Aunt Giulia a real Sicilian."
+
+"What is the difference between a Sicilian and an Italian?" asked
+Dulcie.
+
+"The difference between Welsh and English. Sicily is, of course, a part
+of Italy, and under the same government, just as Wales is part of Great
+Britain, but its people are of separate origin from the Italians, and
+speak a dialect of their own. Italian is the polite language of Sicily,
+which is spoken in law courts, and shops, and among educated people, but
+most of the peasants speak Sicilian amongst themselves."
+
+"Can you speak it?"
+
+"A little. All the words ending in 'e' are turned into 'i.' For
+instance, 'latte' (milk) becomes 'latti,' and 'pesce' (fish) 'pesci,' o
+changes into u, and ll into dd. 'Freddo' (cold) becomes 'friddu,' and
+'gallina' (a hen) 'gaddina.'"
+
+"How fearfully confusing! I should never learn it! The few sentences of
+Italian I've managed to pick up are quite bad enough!"
+
+"Why, I think you're getting on very well. Sareda understood you
+perfectly this morning when you asked for hot milk instead of coffee."
+
+The best of Casa Bianca was that with its ample space and its traditions
+of hospitality, it seemed to absorb the Ingletons and make them feel
+more members of the family than guests. Mr. Stacey and Everard were
+apportioned a small sitting-room for a study, and worked hard every
+morning, giving the afternoon to recreation. Lilias, who had completely
+lost her cough, and looked wonderfully well, was put to rest on the
+piazza in the mornings, though she protested that she was no longer an
+invalid. Dulcie, radiantly happy, and enjoying her holiday to the full,
+trotted about with Carmel, and made friends with the children and their
+French governess. Bertram, Nina, Vincent, and baby Luigia were dear
+little people, and were only too anxious to show the guest the glories
+of the garden. Hand in hand with them, Dulcie inspected the marble
+fountain whose basin was full of gold and silver fish, the tank where
+pink water-lilies grew, and the groves of orange trees where the ripe
+fruit hung like the golden apples of the Hesperides, and Parma violets
+made clumps of pale purple sweetness beneath.
+
+Remembering that it was early in March, and that bitter winds were
+probably blowing over Chilcombe and Cheverley, Dulcie was amazed at the
+warmth of the Sicilian sunshine and the wealth of the flowers. Pink
+ivy-leaved geraniums trailed from every wall, great white arum lilies
+opened their stately sheaths; marigolds, salvias, carnations, and other
+summer flowers were in bloom, and little green lizards basked on the
+stones, whisking away in great alarm, however, if they were approached.
+
+The general mental atmosphere of the place was genial and restful. Mr.
+Greville was kindness itself to his young guests, and they had all
+fallen in love with Carmel's mother. Her charming manners and gaiety
+were very attractive, and the slight foreign accent with which she spoke
+English was quite pretty. Lilias, who had before felt almost angry with
+Carmel for feeling homesick at Cheverley, began at last to understand
+some of the attractions which held her cousin's heart to Sicily.
+
+"I'd rather have the Chase, of course," she said to Dulcie, "but on the
+whole Montalesso is a very beautiful spot."
+
+"So beautiful that I shouldn't mind living here all the rest of my
+life!" said Dulcie, gazing through the vine-festooned window out over
+the orange groves to where the white snow-capped peak of Etna reared
+itself against the intense blue of the Sicilian sky.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+Sicilian Cousins
+
+
+The relations, who had assembled to welcome Carmel back, came often to
+the Casa Bianca, and in quite a short time they and the Ingletons were
+on terms of intimacy. Ernesto Trapani, a handsome young fellow, slightly
+older than Everard, was studying at the University of Palermo, in which
+city Vittore was at school, and the two brothers came home from Saturday
+to Monday. Douglas Greville, a tall boy of seventeen who had been at
+school in Paris, also went to the Palermo University for certain classes
+in chemistry, which would help him afterwards in the conduct of his
+father's business. The younger children of the various families, Aimee,
+Tito, and Claude Greville, Rosalia Trapani, and Berta, Gaspare, and
+Pepino Rosso, had lessons with private governesses, under whose charge
+they had learnt to chatter Italian, English, and French with the utmost
+ease.
+
+On the Saturday after the Ingletons' arrival all these young people came
+over to Casa Bianca, and it was decided to take picnic baskets, and go
+out in a body to show the guests some of the sights of the neighborhood.
+So a very gay party started off from the veranda. First they went
+through long groves of orange and lemon trees, where peasant women, with
+bright handkerchiefs tied over their heads, were gathering the fruit and
+packing it carefully in hampers.
+
+"You must simply live on oranges here," said Dulcie, accepting the ripe
+specimen offered her by Douglas. "Do you know this is the fifth I've had
+this morning?"
+
+"On the contrary, we hardly ever touch them ourselves," answered
+Douglas. "I suppose we have so many that we don't care about them here.
+I used to like them, though, when I was in Paris."
+
+"It would take me a long time to get tired of them," declared Dulcie. "I
+did not know before what a really ripe orange tastes like. They're
+absolutely delicious. Why don't we get them like this in England?"
+
+"They wouldn't keep if they were packed ripe, and fruit that ripens on a
+tree is always much sweeter than when it has been stored."
+
+"Yes, I know: our English apples are like that. I wish I could be here
+in the autumn to see your peaches and vines! I shan't want to go away
+from this ripping place. I've never seen anything so lovely in my
+life!"
+
+Montalesso was indeed in all the glory of its spring charm. Everywhere
+the almond trees were in flower, and the effect of the masses of lovely
+lacy blossom against the brilliant blue of the sky was a perfect
+picture. With the cherry bloom of Japan the almond blossom of Sicily
+holds equal rank as one of the most beautiful sights in the world. From
+the height where the young people were walking they could see the sea at
+Targia Vecchia, and the little red sails of fishing smacks in the
+harbor, and the flat topped half Moorish houses, each with its clump of
+orange trees and its veranda of vines. Beyond, a landmark for all the
+district, was the great glittering peak of Etna. Its lower slopes were
+clothed with vineyards, and dotted here and there with villages, a
+second range was forest clad, and its dazzling summit, 10,742 feet above
+sea-level, lay in the region of the eternal snows. A thin column of
+smoke issued from the crater, and stretched like a gray ribbon across
+the sky. Lilias viewed it with some uneasiness.
+
+"I hope there won't be an eruption!" she said nervously.
+
+The boys laughed.
+
+"English people are always so scared at poor old Etna! They imagine the
+crater is going to turn on fireworks for their entertainment. That smoke
+is a safety valve, so don't be afraid. The observatory gives warning if
+anything serious is going to take place."
+
+"And what happens then?"
+
+"Some of the people on the slopes run away in time, and some stay to
+guard their property. We're quite safe at Montalesso, for we're fifteen
+miles away, though the clear air makes the peak look so near."
+
+They had left the lemon groves and the almond blossom behind, and were
+now walking along a grassy table-land where flocks of goats were
+feeding. The goatherds, picturesque little boys dressed in sheepskin
+coats and soft felt hats, with brown eyes and thick brown curls, were
+amusing themselves by playing on reed pipes. They recalled the Idylls of
+Theocritus, and might almost have been products of the fourth century
+B. C. instead of the twentieth century A. D. The wild flowers that grew
+in this plain were gorgeous. There were anemones of all kinds, scarlet,
+purple, pale pink, and white: irises of many colors, blue pimpernel,
+yellow salvia, violet grape hyacinths, and clumps of small white
+narcissus. Above all rose the splendid pale pink blossoms of the
+asphodel, a striking feature of a Sicilian landscape.
+
+The Ingletons ran about in greatest delight, picking handfuls of what
+were to them beautiful garden flowers.
+
+"It's a moot point whether Proserpine was gathering narcissus or
+asphodel when Pluto ran away with her," declared Mr. Stacey, offering
+Lilias a bouquet which a Greek nymph might have been pleased to accept.
+"I incline to asphodel myself, because of its immortal significance. It
+gives an added meaning to the myth."
+
+"What is the story exactly?" asked Dulcie. "Do tell it, please!"
+
+"Yes, do!" begged all the children, crowding round Mr. Stacey. "We want
+to hear your English story!"
+
+"It's not an English one, but a very old Greek one. Shall we rest on
+this wall while I tell it? Luigia shall come on my knee. Yes, there's
+room for Pepino too, and Gaspare and Vincent may sit next to me. Well,
+in the old Golden Age, when the world was young, Ceres, the Goddess of
+the Harvest, who gave all the fruits of earth to men, had a beautiful
+daughter named Proserpine, or, as the Greeks called her, Persephone. She
+made Sicily her place of residence, and she and her nymphs used to
+delight themselves with its flowery meadows and limpid streams, and
+beautiful views. One day she and her companions were wandering in the
+plain of Enna, gathering flowers, when there suddenly appeared the god
+Pluto, king of Hades, the regions of the dead. Falling in love with
+beautiful Proserpine, he seized her, and forced her to get into his
+chariot. She screamed to her maidens, but they could not help her, and
+Pluto carried her off. With his trident he struck a hole in the ground,
+so that chariot and horses fell through into Hades, of which place
+Proserpine became the queen. Now Ceres did not know what had happened to
+her daughter, and she wandered all over the earth seeking for her. At
+last she found Proserpine's girdle on the surface of the waters of a
+fountain where Pluto had struck his hole in the ground, and the nymph
+Arethusa told her how her daughter had been stolen away. Full of
+indignation, Ceres went to complain to Jupiter, who promised that
+Proserpine should be restored if she had taken nothing to eat in the
+realm of Hades. Unfortunately Proserpine, as she walked in the Elysian
+fields, had gathered and eaten a pomegranate, which act constituted her
+a subject of those regions. To pacify Ceres, Jupiter permitted that
+Proserpine should spend six months of every year with Pluto in Hades,
+and the other six months with her mother on earth. Each spring Ceres
+went to the entrance of a great gloomy grotto to meet her daughter, and
+with her return all the flowers bloomed on earth again. There is a very
+celebrated picture by Sir Frederick Leighton, called 'The Return of
+Persephone.' The artist has painted Ceres at the entrance of the grotto
+with the sunshine behind her, holding out her arms to the lovely
+daughter whom the god Mercury is bringing back to her out of the
+darkness.
+
+"The story is one of those old nature myths of which the Greeks were so
+fond. The time Proserpine spent in Hades symbolized winter, when winds
+blew cold, and few flowers bloomed, and her return symbolized the advent
+of spring. It has a deeper meaning, also, to those who look for it,
+because it is a type of the Resurrection, and shows that our dear ones
+are not really taken from us, but will come again in more glorious life
+and beauty. Many of the old Greek myths had this meaning hidden under
+them, as if they were sent to prepare people for the truth that Christ
+was to reveal more fully later on. Nearly all early religions began with
+pure and beautiful conceptions of God, and then trailed down to earth,
+because their followers were too ignorant to understand. The ancient
+Egyptians believed in God, and said that one of His attributes was
+strength. The strongest thing they knew was a bull, so they made
+colossal statues of bulls in black marble, to show God's strength, but
+the populace worshipped the statues instead of God himself, and became
+idolaters. In the same way the ancient Greeks realized that Beauty was
+part of God's scheme of work, and they came to worship Beauty quite
+apart from Goodness, forgetting that the two must go together. They
+imagined their gods and goddesses as magnificent men and women, with
+superb bodies but no beauty of soul, and as there was nothing uplifting
+in this religion, it soon died out, as all things die in time, if they
+don't help us to grow nearer to God. The story of Proserpine is one of
+the prettiest of the old Greek legends, and I can just imagine her
+gathering these lovely flowers. I believe we're going on to see her
+fountain, aren't we, Vittore? She made it with her tears when Pluto
+carried her off."
+
+The object of the expedition was indeed to see Proserpine's fountain, a
+clear spring out of which flowed a small river. After walking another
+mile across the meadows, the party came to this river, where they were
+able to engage boats to row them up to the fount. It was a unique spot,
+for the whole of the banks were bordered with an avenue of papyrus,
+which grew there in greatest profusion. Legend said that it had been
+planted by an Egyptian princess who brought it from the Nile, and that
+it grew in no other place in Europe, a statement which was satisfactory
+enough, though rather difficult to verify. There was much bargaining,
+after true Sicilian fashion, with the native boatmen, who demanded at
+least four times what they meant to take, protesting that they would be
+ruined at the sum Ernesto named to them, and finally, when he pretended
+to walk away, accepting his offer with enthusiasm. This very necessary
+preliminary satisfactorily settled, the company was packed into the
+small boats, about four going in each. In the distribution of the guests
+occurred the first hitch in the Ingletons' visit. Mr. Stacey suggested
+that it was advisable to sandwich children and grown-ups, and he and
+Lilias started in the first "barca" in charge of little Luigia, Vincent,
+and Pepino. Dulcie and Douglas were responsible for Gaspare, Rosalia,
+and Nina, while Vittore, and Aimee, Claude, and Bertram went together.
+Carmel held Tito and Berta each by a hand, and Ernesto helped them all
+three into a boat. Everard was in the very act of jumping in after them,
+when Ernesto stopped him.
+
+"Excuse me, Signore, that is my place! There is plenty of room for you
+in the other boat."
+
+"And surely in this too?" said Everard, flushing with annoyance.
+
+Ernesto shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Oh, no! You and I are too heavy to be together. Vittore and the others
+are light; you will just make weight." And, stepping in, Ernesto took
+his seat beside Carmel, and told the boatman to push off, while Everard,
+with a face like a thundercloud, joined the younger children.
+
+Up the narrow little river the light boats pushed, under an overhanging
+archway of papyrus reeds, so that they seemed as if penetrating through
+a green jungle. The boatmen began to sing Sicilian folk-songs, and
+Vittore and Rosalia and Tito and some of the others joined in. To
+everyone except Everard the excursion was delightful, but he,
+considering himself treated with scant politeness, sat sulking in
+Vittore's boat, and would scarcely speak to Aimee, who made a really
+heroic effort to amuse him.
+
+Proserpine's fountain, where after half an hour's rowing the boatmen
+took them, was a clear deep pool reflecting the blue of the sky, and
+encircled with papyrus, donax reeds, and beautiful irises. It seemed a
+fit setting for the legend of antiquity, and a fertile imagination could
+almost conjure up a vision of Pluto, with his chariot and black horses,
+carrying off the lovely nymph from her meadows of flowers to his gloomy
+realm of darkness. On the way back the second boat made a halt to cut
+some pieces of papyrus reed, and Dulcie called out in much excitement to
+the occupants of the other "barcas."
+
+"Lilias! Everard! We're cutting some papyrus, and Douglas is going to
+show me how to make it into parchment like the ancient Egyptians used to
+write on. Won't it be gorgeous? Don't you want some too?"
+
+"Rather!" replied Lilias, appealing to Mr. Stacey, who promptly pulled
+out his penknife, and began to hack away at a stout stem on her behalf.
+
+The lengths of papyrus which they bore off with them somewhat resembled
+thick pieces of rhubarb, and how these were ever going to be turned into
+writing materials was a puzzle to Dulcie, though Douglas assured her
+airily that he knew all about it. The elders of the party were glad to
+get the lively youngsters safely on dry land again.
+
+"I thought Rosalia was going to turn into a water nymph," said Lilias,
+comparing notes afterwards with Dulcie. "She leaned over in the most
+dangerous manner, and so did Tito. If the boats hadn't been so broad,
+they would have capsized."
+
+"Then Pluto would have bagged the whole lot of us! More than he quite
+bargained for, perhaps!" laughed Dulcie.
+
+The making of the parchment was a matter of great interest to the
+Ingletons. With Douglas as an instructor, they all set to work on its
+manufacture. Taking ten inch lengths of the papyrus reeds, they cut them
+into long, thin, vertical slices, and laid these across each other in
+the form of a small mat between sheets of blotting paper. This was next
+squeezed through a wringing-machine to rid it of superfluous moisture,
+then placed under a heavy weight, in the manner of pressing flowers.
+When at last it was dry, the alternate layers of the papyrus had
+adhered together and amalgamated into a substance identical with the old
+Egyptian parchment, though much coarser and rougher in quality. The
+girls were delighted with it. They borrowed a book on Egypt from Mr.
+Greville's library, and copied little pictures of the Sphinx, scarabs,
+Ra, the Sun god, and other appropriate bits, painting them in bold
+colors on their pieces of parchment, and feeling as if they had gone
+back a few thousand years in history, and were dwellers in Memphis or
+some other great city on the banks of the Nile. They designed special
+ones for Miss Walters, Miss Hardy, and Miss Herbert, and smaller
+offerings for Gowan, Bertha, Phillida, Noreen, and others of their
+friends at Chilcombe Hall. Papyrus, indeed, became the rage at Casa
+Bianca. All the various cousins vied with one another in making the
+choicest specimens. They wrote letters to each other upon it, rolling up
+the parchments and tying them with ribbons in the manner of ancient
+scribes. Perhaps the whitest and best welded sheet of all was one made
+by Mr. Stacey, who turned out to be so clever at the new craze that he
+jokingly declared he must be a priest of some Egyptian temple come to
+life again. He used a reed pen, and got some very happy effects in
+hieroglyphs, puzzling out the names of each of the company in the
+curious picture writing of the days of the Pharaohs who reared the
+pyramids.
+
+"Will you take us some day to see the Nile?" asked Lilias, happy in the
+possession of her name neatly pictured on the specially white sheet of
+papyrus, with a lotus bloom, the lily of Egypt, painted underneath. "You
+know Captain Porter said we ought to go to Alexandria!"
+
+"Nothing would please me better, if the fates willed it!" smiled Mr.
+Stacey.
+
+"We'll go in a party, and hire a boat up the Nile, and take all the
+Grevilles with us, specially Douglas," declared Dulcie. "I count them my
+cousins too. Don't you, Everard?"
+
+"Right-o!" laughed Everard. "Cousins by all manner of means let them
+be!" ("Though I don't bargain to include the Trapani family among our
+new relations!" he added softly to himself, half under his breath).
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A Night of Adventure
+
+
+It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that
+Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had
+taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani. The fact is that
+Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English
+squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough
+occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give
+himself airs. Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian
+ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the
+young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating
+him by logic, though never convincing him. It annoyed Everard to see
+Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk
+together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few
+sentences.
+
+"I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he
+said to her one day, petulantly.
+
+Carmel flushed crimson.
+
+"Please don't call Italian a beastly lingo! I'm sorry if I've been rude
+in speaking it, but I sometimes forget that you don't understand what
+we're saying. It comes naturally to me. I'll try to remember."
+
+"Remember you're an Ingleton, and the owner of English property," urged
+Everard. "Now you're at Casa Bianca I don't believe you ever give a
+thought to the Chase!"
+
+"Yes, I do! Oftener than you suppose. I've grown to love England more
+than I believed possible. In summer the country was all green and
+beautiful, while here every blade of grass gets burnt up by the blazing
+sun. Oh, yes! I'm really very fond of the Chase! I am indeed!"
+
+"Then, which do you like better--England or Sicily?"
+
+But at that question Carmel shook her head.
+
+"My opinions are my own, and I'm not going to tell them to anybody!" she
+flashed merrily. "It's a good motto to enjoy yourself wherever you may
+happen to be! That's all you'll get out of me, Mr. Everard! And quite
+enough, too!"
+
+Though Everard might have private reasons of his own that marred the
+pleasure of his visit to Montalesso, his sisters were having the time of
+their lives. Lilias, with the help of Mr. Stacey, had taken
+enthusiastically to botany, and was making a collection of pressed
+Sicilian flowers. She had also begun to sketch under his tuition, and
+had finished quite a pretty little water color of the house. Dulcie,
+always interested in country life, was thoroughly happy on the estate.
+She liked to watch the gathering of the oranges and lemons, the pruning
+of the vines; to see the great white bullocks plowing in the fields or
+slowly drawing the gaily painted carts. The wealth of flowers delighted
+her, and much to Everard's disgust, she frankly acknowledged herself in
+love with Sicily, and insisted that she would like to live there.
+
+"I shall ask Aunt Nita to keep me instead of Carmel!" she declared. "You
+may all go back to England and leave me behind!"
+
+"What would Mr. Bowden say to that?" asked Cousin Clare. "He has
+arranged for you to stay another two years at school!"
+
+"Oh! bother Mr. Bowden! I wish he wasn't my guardian! Can't I swop him,
+and have Mr. Greville instead?"
+
+"Unfortunately people can't change their guardians!" laughed Cousin
+Clare. "They have to stick to those to whom the law assigns them. Cheer
+up! You might have a far sterner one than Mr. Bowden, and a much more
+disagreeable school than Chilcombe. You've the summer term to look
+forward to when you get back."
+
+"Chilcombe isn't Montalesso!" persisted Dulcie, pulling a face. "No, you
+dinky, deary Cousin Clare, you'll never persuade me to like school
+again! I shall catch a cold on purpose as soon as I go back, and then
+you'll have to bring me over here for the sake of a warmer climate. I'll
+bribe the old doctor!"
+
+"Who'll probably send you to Switzerland for open-air treatment among
+the snow!" said Cousin Clare, who generally managed to get the last
+word.
+
+The Ingletons had now been some weeks at the Casa Bianca, and were
+beginning to grow more accustomed to Sicilian ways. In Mr. Greville's
+car they had been taken to many of the principal places of interest in
+the neighborhood; they had seen the Castello, the old ruined tower which
+in bygone days had been the stronghold of brigands, the ancient Greek
+amphitheater, with its marble seats still bearing the names of owners
+who sat and watched the chariot races in the fourth century B. C., the
+beautiful Temple of Neptune, and the Palazzo Salvatore, with its museum
+of priceless treasures. There was one local gathering, however, which
+Carmel declared they must not on any account miss.
+
+"I'm so glad you will here for the fair at Targia Vecchia!" she said.
+"It's really the event of the whole year. You'll see more Sicilian
+customs there than anywhere else I know. The peasants come down from the
+mountains for miles round. You'll just love it!"
+
+Such a spectacle was, of course, a great attraction to the Ingletons, so
+a select party was made up to visit the famous fair. Signora Greville,
+nervous about infection, would not allow her younger children to go, for
+fear they might catch measles among the motley crowd, and the same
+cautious care was extended over the children of the other families, but
+Douglas and Aimee joined the expedition, and Ernesto and Vittore,
+somewhat to Everard's disgust, had a special holiday from Palermo in
+order to be present. They all set off on foot, and followed the winding
+road that led down the hill-side from Montalesso to the little harbor of
+Targia Vecchia.
+
+For once the country-side seemed alive with people. Down every mountain
+path descended donkeys, on which were seated girls or women in their
+best gala garments, striped skirts, bright aprons, lace on their velvet
+bodices, gay kerchiefs on their heads, and large gold ear-rings in their
+ears. The men who led the donkeys were dressed in equally picturesque
+fashion. Many wore black velvet jackets and scarlet Neapolitan caps, or
+long brown cloaks with hoods over their heads; their legs bound with
+rough puttees, and their feet thrust into sandals of hide with the hair
+left on. Everybody seemed to carry a large cotton umbrella, either of
+bright green or magenta.
+
+"They think it looks grand," explained Carmel. "Every peasant brings his
+umbrella to the fair, to show that he has one!"
+
+"Except the brigands," added Vittore. "You can always tell a brigand
+because he never carries an umbrella."
+
+"Are there any brigands?" asked Dulcie anxiously.
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied Vittore, winking secretly at Ernesto. "There are
+quite a number still in the neighborhood."
+
+"I was talking to one only the other day!" admitted Ernesto.
+
+"Not really?"
+
+"It's quite a profession still in Sicily."
+
+"Do they catch people and hold them to ransom?" Dulcie's face was a
+study.
+
+"Certainly they do, and chop their fingers off if their relations don't
+pay up. It's quite an ordinary little trick of theirs."
+
+"O-o-oh! Is it safe to go to the fair, do you think? That man in front
+hasn't any umbrella!"
+
+"Don't be a scared rabbit, Dulcie! You little silly, can't you see
+they're ragging you?" put in Everard impatiently. "There are no brigands
+left in Sicily now!"
+
+"Aren't there, indeed?" said Ernesto. "Ah! That shows how much you know
+about it! Only last week the Count Rozallo was taken prisoner on the
+road to Catania, and carried off into the mountains. He's there yet,
+till he pays a ransom of 25,000 lire."
+
+"Pooh! I expect he's done it to evade his creditors, if the story is
+true. I'll believe in brigands when I meet them, and not before!"
+scoffed Everard.
+
+"And I shall be frightened of every man who doesn't carry a big red or
+green umbrella!" declared Dulcie, hanging on to the arm which Douglas
+gallantly offered for her protection. "What do you think about it,
+Carmel?"
+
+"I think I'm quite safe, for the brigands are generally very chivalrous
+to women, and only run away with gentlemen and chop off their fingers!"
+laughed Carmel.
+
+By this time they had descended the road, and were entering the
+picturesque little town. Generally Targia Vecchia was the quietest of
+places, but to-day it was _en fete_. The fair was held all along the
+main street, in a large square opposite the church, and also on the
+beach. Everywhere there were stalls, selling every commodity that can be
+imagined. On the sweet-stall was sugared bread in the shape of hearts or
+rings, covered with gold and silver tinsel; there were sugar images,
+fruits, little baskets, carriages, birds, animals, all made in sugar,
+and apparently much in request among the juvenile population. There were
+cheap toys, bright handkerchiefs, Venetian shoes, tambourines, lengths
+of gay dress materials, dates, figs, and oranges, and the inevitable red
+and green cotton umbrellas. The small shops, following an ancient custom
+which dates back so many centuries B. C., had hung out signs to signify
+the nature of their wares to those peasants who could not read. Over the
+baker's doorway dangled a loaf, the shoemaker had a large boot, and the
+wine shops still showed the garlands of ivy once dedicated to Bacchus. A
+gaily-garbed chattering crew of people moved from stall to stall,
+laughing, gesticulating, and bargaining, and evidently enjoying
+themselves. A pretty girl was trying ear-rings, and looking at the
+effect in a mirror held by the vendor, while older folks flocked round a
+quack medicine dealer, who was loudly proclaiming the virtues of the
+various bottles.
+
+The scene on the shore was even more picturesque than that in the town.
+The beach, which was covered with pebbly sand, commanded a beautiful
+view of hills clad with prickly pear, of the bright blue sea, the
+distant Calabrian coast, and mountains tipped with snow. Gaudily painted
+carts were drawn up, while their owners bought and sold, and rows of
+donkeys, with smart trappings and saddle-bags, were tied to posts. On
+the sand were numbers of animals for sale--oxen, cows, calves, goats,
+kids, great black hogs covered with bristles like wild boars, and tiny
+pigs which, when bought, were popped into bags with their heads and the
+two front feet peeping out. The noise was indescribable. Cattle lowed,
+pigs squealed and grunted, men shouted, children cried, and musicians
+sang and rattled tambourines. Beggars of all descriptions, the blind,
+the halt, and the maimed were there, clamoring for alms, and calling
+attention to their deficiencies, often thrusting a withered hand or the
+stump of an arm under the very noses of strangers, to demand sympathy
+and money from them.
+
+Lilias and Dulcie began to understand why Signora Greville had not
+allowed the younger children to come to the fair. They were almost
+frightened by the dirt and impudence of the beggars, and each clung to
+the arm of a masculine protector to pilot her through the crowd. They
+were, indeed, glad to move away from the rather rough element on the
+beach, and turn back through the town, where the peasants were now
+taking lunch of maccaroni and omelettes at tables spread in the streets.
+They bought a few curiosities and souvenirs at the stalls, stopped to
+listen to a band of musicians, then turned up the hill-side again, and
+made their way back to Montalesso, leaving Targia Vecchia to continue
+its merry-making.
+
+"I should think the fair must be a wonderful sight at night!" said
+Everard that afternoon at the Casa Bianca.
+
+"Rather," agreed Ernesto. "The people will be dancing down the streets
+by torch light and singing at the pitch of their voices."
+
+"I'd give anything to see it!"
+
+"I shouldn't go, my boy, if I were you," put in Mr. Greville quietly.
+"You'd find it a rowdy place, and not at all to your liking. The wine
+shops will have been very busy all day."
+
+"And the people aren't over gentle with strangers when their blood's
+up," added Vittore. "They've no use for a nice young Englishman down in
+Targia Vecchia! Best stay safe at home."
+
+Vittore, who had waited till his uncle was out of earshot, spoke
+tauntingly. Everard colored crimson.
+
+"I'm not afraid of a few Sicilian peasants!" he remarked.
+
+Vittore's sneer had aroused his opposition, and made him determined to
+go, more particularly as Carmel had expressed great regret at not having
+bought a certain necklace which she had seen on a stall, and wished to
+add to a collection she was making of Sicilian peasant jewelry. It
+would be a triumph to walk down alone to the fair, buy the necklace, and
+show these young foreigners that Englishmen knew how to take care of
+themselves. He did not mention his intention to Mr. Stacey or to Mr.
+Greville, but waiting till it was almost dark he avoided the family,
+dashed into the garden, and set off along the road to Targia Vecchia.
+
+As Mr. Greville had prophesied, he found the little town in a decidedly
+lively condition. Barrels of wine were being broached in the streets by
+the light of flaring torches, and most of the men were in an excited
+condition. The Cheap Jacks were still doing a brisk trade, and at the
+jewelry stall Everard was able to buy the souvenir he wanted for Carmel.
+It was the last of the sort left, so he considered himself in luck. He
+put the small parcel in his pocket and turned away, rather disgusted
+with the riot of the town, and glad to leave the noise and glare behind
+him. He tramped up the steep country road with a sense of relief.
+
+It was a beautiful calm night, and a half moon hung silver in the sky.
+The stars, far brighter than they ever appear in England, twinkled in
+the blue firmament, behind the mighty peak of Etna. It was not really
+dark, and it was quite possible to see the main outlines of most of the
+features of the landscape. Everard walked along cheerily. So far he had
+met with no hindrance. The people at the fair had indeed looked at him
+with much curiosity, and had even spoken to him, but certainly nobody
+had offered in any way to molest him. The dangers of Targia Vecchia at
+nightfall had evidently been grossly exaggerated. So confident was
+Everard that he even whistled a tune as he walked, and planned how he
+would stroll into the drawing-room on his return to Casa Bianca, slip
+the necklace from his pocket, and casually mention where he had been. In
+his preoccupation he did not give any particular heed to the road, or
+see movement among the dark shadows of a group of prickly pears that
+overhung a sharp corner.
+
+Without the slightest warning a pistol shot suddenly rang out, and three
+figures, springing from the shelter of the prickly pears, flung
+themselves upon him. For a second he had a vision of cloaks and masked
+faces, and hit out pluckily, but they were three to one, and in a few
+moments they had secured him, bound his hands behind his back, and tied
+a bandage over his eyes. Almost stunned at first by the suddenness of
+the attack, Everard, as soon as he recovered his speech, protested
+indignantly, and demanded of his assailants what they wanted. They spoke
+together in rapid Italian, which he did not understand, then one of
+them replied in very broken English:
+
+"Signore, it is our order to take you to our captain."
+
+"And who is your captain?"
+
+"That I not tell."
+
+"And what does your captain want with me?"
+
+"He ask ransom. You rich Inglese. Property in your own country. You give
+many thousand lire ransom."
+
+"Indeed I can't!" protested Everard. "You've made a big mistake. I don't
+own any property, and I'm not rich at all. You'd better let me go, or
+there'll be trouble in store for you when my friends hear of it."
+
+The brigands, if such they were, made no reply. Possibly they did not
+understand him. They were busy, moreover, searching his pockets, and
+were appropriating his watch, money, and other valuables with short
+grunts of satisfaction. Bound hand and foot, Everard could offer no
+physical resistance, though his bold spirit was raging. At length his
+captors, having rifled all they wanted, untied his legs, and, taking him
+by the arms, hauled him along between them. Blindfold as he was, he had
+no notion in what direction he was going, though they seemed to leave
+the main road, and to be taking a cross-country journey over fields and
+rough ground. Were they taking him to the Castello, he wondered? It had
+been a noted haunt of brigands in bygone days, and its inaccessible
+position would make it a safe hiding-place. He asked himself what was
+going to happen. How soon would he be missed at the Casa Bianca? Would a
+search be made for him, and with what success? These fellows were often
+very crafty in their places of concealment, and had evidently got hold
+of some false idea of his rank and fortune. In that half-hour, Everard
+went through very severe mental as well as physical discomfort. His
+captors were not too gentle, and hurried him along anyhow. They refused
+to answer any more of his questions, and, except for an occasional
+hoarse remark to one another in Italian, kept a rigid silence.
+
+After what seemed to him an interminable distance, they apparently
+reached their destination, for he was dragged up a flight of steps into
+some building, whether prison, castle, or private dwelling he was unable
+to guess. A door was flung open, for a moment he heard an echo of
+voices, then all was silent.
+
+He was alone, though in what sort of apartment he had no means of
+judging. The floor felt smooth to his feet, as if made of tiles, and the
+walls also were smooth. His captors had not untied his hands, but he
+kept straining at the rope in the hope of freeing himself. Escape was
+the uppermost notion in his mind. He had indeed so far succeeded in
+loosening his bonds that he could almost slip one hand out. At that
+crisis, however, the door opened, and he was once more led forth.
+
+"Where are you taking me now?" he demanded angrily.
+
+"To our captain," replied the same foreign voice which had given him his
+former information, while two strong pairs of arms pushed him along.
+
+Though his bandage was very thick, he could tell that he was passing
+from comparative darkness into a brilliantly lighted room. He had a
+strong sense that it was full of people. He even thought he heard a
+murmur of sympathy, which was, however, instantly suppressed. Everard's
+was not a nature to be cowed by any circumstances, however appalling. He
+meant to show this rascally crew that an Englishman never loses his
+pluck, and, in spite of the ropes that bound him, he stepped forward
+with all the courage and pride of a true Ingleton.
+
+"Am I speaking to the captain?" he said in a calm clear tone. "Then,
+Signore, I wish to inform you that you have made a mistake. I am no
+wealthy English landowner, as you can very soon find out for yourselves,
+and I may add that, if I were, I'd stay here to all eternity sooner than
+give you a penny of ransom!"
+
+"Hurrah!" came from a voice close behind him, a voice which sounded so
+familiar that Everard, forgetting his bandage, turned in much
+perplexity.
+
+"The Signore Inglese had better humble himself to our captain," murmured
+his guide. "Remember that here he has the power of life and death!"
+
+"I'll humble myself to nobody!" thundered Everard, as angry as a lion at
+bay. "Untie my hands, you cowards, and I'll fight for my life! If you've
+an ounce of pluck among you, you'll give me a sporting chance!"
+
+"Ecco! E giusto!" said a fresh voice, presumably that of the captain.
+"Signore, you shall have your will!"
+
+At this a knife was passed rapidly through the ropes that bound him, and
+at the same moment a hand snatched the bandage from his eyes. Dazed with
+the sudden light, Everard stared round as one in a dream. He had
+expected to find himself in some rough hall surrounded by brigands, and,
+lo and behold, he was in the drawing-room at the Casa Bianca, in the
+midst of the united family!
+
+"Forgive our rough joke, Everard!" exclaimed Mr. Greville, clapping him
+heartily on the shoulder. "I had never intended to let it go so far. I
+thought a fight on the road would do you no harm, for there _are_
+dangers in Sicily to reckless young strangers who like to run risks,
+and you might easily have found yourself in greater trouble than you
+imagine at Targia Vecchia, if I had not sent Tomaso to shadow you. The
+people down there know his reputation with a revolver, and don't care to
+interfere. Never mind, lad! You came very well out of it! You certainly
+showed us what you were made of, just now. On the whole, I think you
+turned the tables on us!"
+
+Everard was still standing gazing round the room, at Ernesto and
+Vittore, who had been his captors, at Mr. Greville, at Aimee and
+Rosalia, who were laughing at the joke. He turned white and red with
+passion, and for the moment looked capable of knocking down Ernesto as
+he had threatened to treat the supposed brigands. A glance from Mr.
+Stacey, however, steadied him. Above everything Everard was a gentleman.
+By a supreme effort he controlled himself.
+
+"I think it's an abominable shame!" declared Carmel, turning upon
+Ernesto with blazing eyes. "Daddy never meant you to bind him and bring
+him up here like that--only to frighten him for a minute on the road.
+You know he did! I'll never forgive you, Ernesto! _Never!_ If this is a
+specimen of our Sicilian hospitality, Everard won't want to come to the
+Casa Bianca again! My cousins didn't treat me to practical jokes at the
+Chase! They gave me an English welcome!"
+
+"Let me make peace!" said Signora Greville, coming forward and taking
+Everard's hand in her pretty Italian fashion. "Our guest knows, I hope,
+that we meant no discourtesy to him. For all he has suffered we claim
+his pardon. Is it not so, Ernesto and Vittore? He has, indeed, shown us
+how a brave Englishman can behave in a position of danger, and we admire
+his courage. I think we ought to congratulate him on the splendid way he
+has taken a joke which certainly went much farther than was intended."
+
+At that, everybody crowded round Everard, making pretty speeches, for
+all realized that the mock adventure had been real enough to him at the
+time.
+
+"I should faint if I thought I were taken by a brigand!" shivered Aimee.
+
+"I should die outright!" declared Rosalia.
+
+"Your property is back in your pocket with my sincere apologies,"
+murmured Vittore, restoring the watch and other valuables.
+
+It was not until the next morning that Everard had an opportunity to
+give Carmel the peasant necklace for which he had ventured down to
+Targia Vecchia. Her delight was immense.
+
+"Why, it's the very one I wanted!" she exclaimed. "It will be the gem of
+my whole collection. I shall always call it the Brigand Necklace, after
+this. You went through a great deal to bring it back, Everard!"
+
+"Oh, never mind! That's all over and finished with now. I'm going to
+forget it!"
+
+"You may forget it, but I shan't! I shall always remember how you called
+them cowards, and asked for a sporting chance. I must say I like men to
+be able to take care of themselves. As for Signor Ernesto, I haven't
+forgiven him yet, and on the whole I'm not altogether quite sure that I
+ever shall!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+At Palermo
+
+
+It was perhaps to atone for the indignities which Everard had suffered
+at the hands of Ernesto and Vittore, in the practical joke that they had
+played upon him, that Signor Trapani proposed to take the Ingletons for
+a few days' trip to Palermo. He declared he could not allow them to
+leave Sicily without a peep at the famous capital city, and that in
+motoring there they could also see some of the sights upon the way.
+Though they were perfectly happy at Casa Bianca, a visit to Palermo was
+of course a great attraction, and the party, including Cousin Clare and
+Mr. Stacey, were all excitement and smiles.
+
+"We're to stay at an hotel," announced Carmel, "and Ernesto and Vittore
+are to have dinner with us."
+
+"And Douglas, too," added Dulcie, with satisfaction. "I heard your uncle
+say he had asked him."
+
+"Oh, did he? I'm so glad. Now we shall have plenty of cavaliers to take
+us about. What fun it will be! You'll just love Palermo. I always sing
+a jubilee when Mother has a shopping expedition there and wants me to go
+with her."
+
+"Hurrah for to-morrow, then!" proclaimed Dulcie.
+
+Taking only a little light luggage the lucky travelers packed themselves
+into two cars and set off on their pleasure-jaunt. Leaving the sea they
+turned inland to the mountain region, and with a short stop at
+Centuripe, to get the magnificent view of Etna, they motored on to
+Castrogiovanni, a wonderful old town set, like an eagle's nest, on the
+very crest of a high hill, and full of relics of Greeks, Carthaginians,
+Romans, Saracens, and Normans, who had held its fortress in turns. It
+looked the real brigand stronghold of old stories, as impregnable as
+some of our Scottish castles and a fit subject for legend.
+
+One feature of the Sicilian landscape greatly struck the Ingletons.
+
+"There are no cottages scattered about like we have in England,"
+remarked Lilias. "Do the people who work in the fields all live in these
+little towns on the tops of hills? Why don't they have their homes close
+to their work?"
+
+"It's an old Sicilian custom," explained Signor Trapani. "In former days
+there were so many robbers that nobody would have dared to live alone in
+a cottage in the open country; even now it would scarcely be thought
+wise, and the peasants feel far safer at night in a town, with their
+neighbors to help to protect them and their valuables. A Sicilian
+peasant would rather walk many miles to his fields than run the risk of
+brigands stealing his savings. Nearly everybody keeps a few goats, and
+each morning the goatherd blows a horn and leads the flock of the whole
+town out to pasture. He keeps guard over them all day and brings them
+back in the evening, when each trots home to its own stable to be
+milked. The children often wait at the city gate to welcome the goats
+back, and you can see quite affectionate little meetings between them."
+
+"Kids welcoming kids!" murmured Dulcie, who clung to schoolgirl slang,
+rather to the consternation of Signor Trapani, who did not always
+understand it, and much to the indignation of Cousin Clare, who was
+continually urging her to speak pure English.
+
+From Castrogiovanni the way lay down hill to Palermo, which they reached
+in the evening, just when a golden sunset was lighting up its
+eastern-looking houses, its beautiful gardens, and magnificent harbor.
+Ernesto, Vittore, and Douglas were waiting for them at the hotel, so
+they made a jolly party of ten at dinner, and had a round table all to
+themselves in the _salle a manger_. Signor Trapani, in his enthusiasm as
+host, even suggested the theater afterwards, but Cousin Clare said
+"No," after such a long motor run, and sent the girls off to bed.
+
+"They may go and see an Italian play to-morrow evening, if you don't
+work them too hard at sight-seeing during the day," she relented, "but
+remember, I want to keep the roses in their cheeks, and Lilias, at any
+rate, must not get overdone. I'm the stern chaperon, you know."
+
+"So I understand," laughed Signor Trapani, "though such a charming lady
+cannot make a very terrible duenna, and we are not at all frightened of
+you," he added, finishing, like every true Italian, with a compliment.
+
+Lilias, Dulcie, and Carmel had three small beds in a room that led out
+of Cousin Clare's. Though they had pretended to be disappointed at not
+being allowed to go to the theater, in reality they were all extremely
+tired and glad to rest. Dulcie in particular snuggled down on her pillow
+and was asleep even before Lilias turned off the electric light. The
+others were not long in following suit, and in a short time all were in
+the land of dreams.
+
+It was perhaps two o'clock in the morning when Lilias awoke in the
+darkness with a start. Her bed was shaking violently under her, as it
+had done once long ago, when Everard in his school-days had played a
+trick upon her. There was a loud rumbling noise, like the passing of a
+gigantic motor-lorry or a railway train, the jugs and basins were
+rattling, and a glass of water, placed on the edge of the table, fell to
+the ground with a smash.
+
+"What is it? Oh, what's the matter?" cried Lilias, terribly scared.
+
+She put out her hand and tried to turn on the electric light, but she
+moved the switch in vain, Carmel, who had groped for the matches,
+lighted a candle, and by the time the welcome little yellow flame showed
+itself, the shaking and rumbling had entirely ceased. Lilias looked
+anxiously round the room.
+
+"What's the matter?" she asked again.
+
+"Only an earthquake!" said Carmel calmly. "It's over now."
+
+"An _earthquake_!" Lilias's voice was tragic.
+
+"Just a slight shock. We often have them."
+
+"O-o-h! Will the walls tumble down?"
+
+"Certainly not--it only makes the china rattle."
+
+By this time Cousin Clare, also unaccustomed to earthquakes and almost
+as alarmed as Lilias, came into the room. Carmel pacified them both,
+assuring them that such tremors were of quite common occurrence, and
+that people in Sicily thought little about them unless they were severe
+enough to do damage.
+
+All this time Dulcie's pink cheek was buried in the pillow, and her
+breath came as quietly and evenly as that of a baby.
+
+"I'm glad she didn't wake. She was very tired, poor child," commented
+Cousin Clare, after a glance at the bed in the corner.
+
+Dulcie was, of course, unmercifully teased next morning for having slept
+through an earthquake.
+
+"If Etna shot its cone off during the night I don't believe it would
+wake you!" laughed Everard. "The Seven Sleepers are nothing to you."
+
+"Go on! Rag me as much as you like. I don't care," declared Dulcie
+sturdily. "I think I had far the best of it. You were all awake and
+scared, while I was snug and comfy. I shall sleep through the next if we
+have one. Ashamed of myself? Not a bit of it! I tell you I'm _proud_."
+
+Everybody was looking forward to a day's sight-seeing in Palermo, and as
+soon as breakfast was over the party started out to view the cathedral,
+the beautiful Palatine chapel, with its Saracen arches and priceless
+mosaics, and the ancient oriental-looking Norman church of S. Giovanni
+degli Eremite. Dulcie, who had been learning Longfellow's _Robert of
+Sicily_ for her last recitation in the elocution class at school, was
+much thrilled, and wanted to know in which of the churches he had made
+his famous defiance of Heaven, and had been turned from his throne by
+the angel, who temporarily took his place as king till he repented of
+his vain glory. Nobody could tell her, however, and the guide-book gave
+no information on the subject, though Douglas obligingly searched its
+pages. Knowing she loved old legends about the places, he found another
+item of interest for her in connection with one of the ancient towers of
+S. Giovanni degli Eremite. It was from there that in the Middle Ages,
+when the French ruled the island, a vesper bell had tolled the signal
+for the inhabitants to rise and fall upon their cruel masters in a
+massacre that was known ever afterwards as "The Sicilian Vespers."
+
+"Bells have never been rung in Sicily since," said Douglas, then as
+Dulcie's eyebrows went up in amazed contradiction he explained: "They
+are never really _rung_ here. In most countries the bells swing
+backwards and forwards, but in our churches they are quite steady, and
+only the clapper moves about inside the bell."
+
+"Oh, that's why they sound so frightfully clangy, then; we noticed the
+difference at once when we came over from Malta."
+
+"Yes, you would. The church bells of Malta are the most beautiful in the
+world. They're partly made of silver, and they swing properly in the
+belfries."
+
+"I love to see really Sicilian things."
+
+"Then you shall," put in Signor Trapani. "We'll try and show you the
+local color of Palermo to-day."
+
+"Oh, please do! I like to watch how the people live."
+
+In order to keep his promise to Dulcie, Signor Trapani took his guests
+to have lunch at a restaurant near the harbor, where, instead of the
+usual French menu which obtained at all the hotels, purely Sicilian
+dishes were served. First came a species of marine soup, that consisted
+of tiny star-fish and cuttle-fish stewed till they were very tender,
+then smothered in white sauce. Slices of tunny fish followed, almost as
+substantial as beefsteak, then some goats flesh, that closely resembled
+mutton, and with it a vegetable called fennel, which is rather like
+celery with a dash of aniseed about it. The salad, chiefly of endive,
+was smothered in Lucca oil and Tarragon vinegar, and there was an entree
+that seemed made mostly of butter and cheese.
+
+Dulcie, daunted by nothing, ate each new dish and said she enjoyed it,
+though Lilias and Cousin Clare could not be induced even to taste the
+unaccustomed food, and lunched on omelettes which were ordered specially
+for their benefit. Mr. Stacey and Everard, however, were hearty converts
+to Sicilian cookery, and declared they would like some of the courses
+introduced at the Chase when they returned to England.
+
+As good luck would have it Dulcie was just stepping out of the
+restaurant when she heard a familiar, squeaking voice, and on the other
+side of the road saw a Sicilian Punch and Judy show.
+
+Naturally she demanded to stop and witness the representation. Mr.
+Punchinello, though his speeches were in Italian, went through the same
+series of wicked deeds as in England, and little dog Toby, with a frill
+round his neck, assisted in the performance. Dulcie was delighted, and
+was persuaded to get into the waiting motor only by bribes of seeing
+even more interesting sights.
+
+The lovely public gardens, the shops, the market, the university where
+Ernesto, Vittore, and Douglas were studying, the museum, and various
+beautiful spots in the neighborhood of the city were all visited during
+the Ingletons' brief stay at Palermo, and they celebrated the last
+evening by a visit to the theater, where, if they could not understand
+the words of the play, the dramatic foreign acting spoke for itself.
+
+"Has my little English signorina enjoyed her trip?" asked Signor Trapani
+kindly, as Dulcie, sitting by his side in the car, waved an enthusiastic
+good-by to Palermo.
+
+"Enjoyed it! _Ra_ther? It's the loveliest place on earth, and beats
+London hollow in my opinion. But I _do_ love everything Sicilian _so_
+much! Thanks just immensely for giving me such a perfectly delicious
+time!" declared Dulcie, screwing her neck round to catch a last glimpse
+of Ernesto, Vittore, and Douglas, who stood by the roadside fluttering
+handkerchiefs as a signal of farewell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+Old England
+
+
+The holiday in Sicily, like all pleasant things, came to an end at last,
+and the Ingleton family, leaving the Casa Bianca with many regrets,
+returned to their own country in time to welcome Roland, Bevis, and
+Clifford back from school for Easter. Carmel, who had seemed keenly to
+feel the parting from her mother, and who had been so quiet on the
+journey that her cousins suspected a bad attack of homesickness, cheered
+up when they were once more settled at the Chase. The beauties of the
+English country-side, with plum-blossom, primroses, cowslips, green
+meadows, and budding woodlands, compared very favorably with even the
+lovely Sicilian landscape, and Carmel acknowledged frankly that
+Cheverley had a charm all of its own.
+
+"I never knew how much I loved it till I left it, and then saw it
+again!" she declared. "There's something about the place that grips."
+
+"Your Ingleton blood showing, of course," remarked Everard. "All your
+ancestors have lived at the Chase, and it would be queer if you hadn't
+some sort of a natural feeling for it. People mostly have for the place
+where their ancestors were born."
+
+"Indeed! I believe my ancestors were all of them born in bed, so no
+doubt that's why I have such a natural feeling for bed, and don't want
+to get up in the mornings!" piped Dulcie, who never could resist a quip
+at Everard. "I don't despise Old England, but Sicily's the land for me,
+and I'm going back to Montalesso some day. Aunt Nita says so! Lilias can
+please herself, but, as soon as Mr. Bowden lets me leave school, I shall
+say 'Ta-ta! I'm off to the land of oranges and lemons!'"
+
+"And in the meantime you'll have to make up at school for this long
+holiday," reminded Cousin Clare. "I'm afraid you'll find yourself
+terribly behindhand when you get back to Chilcombe!"
+
+The occupants of the Blue Grotto had much to talk about when they met
+again.
+
+"It was hateful having the dor. all to ourselves," confided Gowan. "We
+never had such a slow time in our lives. We had a fearful scare, too! We
+thought Miss Walters was going to put Laurette with us! She'd had a
+terrible quarrel with Truie and Hester, and things were rather hot in
+the Gold bedroom. Fortunately, however, they cooled down, and patched up
+their quarrels. Bertha and I were simply shaking, though. I heard Miss
+Walters say to Laurette: 'There's a spare bed at present in the Blue
+room,' and we thought she was moving in for the rest of the term! Think
+of being boxed up with Laurette! Wouldn't it have been absolutely
+grisly?"
+
+"Nothing at all particularly exciting happened while you were away!"
+groused Bertha. "We got all the drudgery, and you had all the fun!"
+
+"But we brought you some presents! Just wait till I get to the bottom of
+my box!" put in Carmel.
+
+"Oh, have you?" cried Bertha excitedly. "What have you brought? Don't
+stop to arrange those blouses! Dump your things out anyhow: I can't
+wait! I've never had a foreign present in my life before. O-o-oh! What
+an absolutely ducky little locket! Carmel, you're a darling! You
+couldn't have given me anything in the whole of this wide world that I
+should have liked better. I just love it!"
+
+Though the Ingletons' immediate friends at Chilcombe had been rather
+inclined to look with the green eyes of envy upon their long holiday in
+Sicily, and consequent immunity from Easter examinations, they were
+mollified by the pretty gifts which the girls had brought them, and
+while they still proclaimed them "luckers out of all reason," they
+forgave them their good fortune, and received them back once more into
+the bosom of their special clique. The Mafia had indeed languished
+considerably during their absence. Nobody had troubled very much to keep
+up its activities, and it had held only one or two half-hearted
+meetings. Now that its nine members were together again, however, the
+secret society set to work with renewed vigor. Insensibly it had rather
+altered its scope. It had begun originally for the purpose of resisting
+the aggressions of Laurette, Hester, and Truie, but had grown into a
+sort of confraternity for private fun. The meetings held in each other's
+dormitories were of a hilarious description, and included games. At
+Gowan's suggestion they even went a step farther, and produced literary
+contributions--"of a sort," as she wisely qualified the rather appalling
+innovation.
+
+"I don't mean exactly Shakespeare, you know," she explained. "But you
+can write poetry if you care to, or make up something funny like
+_Punch_. Everybody has got to do something!"
+
+"Not really?" objected Dulcie, wrinkling her forehead into lines of
+acute distress. "Oh, Goody! It's as bad as lessons every bit. Look here,
+I'm not clever, and I don't make any pretence at poetry or the rest of
+it. You'll just have to leave me out."
+
+"Pull yourself together, Dulcie, my child!" said Gowan calmly. "You'll
+either be turned bodily out of the Mafia, or you'll do your bit the
+same as everybody else. Don't for a moment imagine you're coming to
+listen to other people's industry, and bring nothing of your own with
+you! That's not the way we manage things here. If you don't show up with
+a manuscript in your hand, you'll find yourself walking down the passage
+with the door slammed behind you. Yes, I mean it! You're a decent enough
+little person, but you're apt to be slack. You must get some stiffening
+into you this time."
+
+"Poor little me!" wailed Dulcie.
+
+"No poorer than all the rest of us!"
+
+"Yes, I am, for I haven't got the same thingumbobs in my brains!
+Couldn't make up poetry to save my life! May I write a letter?"
+
+"Why, yes, if you'd rather!"
+
+"I feel it would be my most adequate form of self-expression," minced
+Dulcie, mimicking Miss Walters' very best literary manner. "I trust my
+contribution will be kept for publication. Later on, when I'm famous, it
+may become of value. The world will never forget that I was educated at
+Chilcombe Hall. A neat brass plate will some day be placed upon the door
+of the Blue Grotto to mark the dormitory I slept in, and my bed will be
+preserved in the local museum!"
+
+"With you (stuffed) inside it, labeled 'Specimen of a Champion
+Slacker'!" snorted Gowan. "Now, no nonsense! If you don't turn up at
+the meeting with a manuscript, you won't be admitted!"
+
+"Bow-wow! How very severe we've grown, all of a sudden!" mocked Dulcie,
+as she danced away. "You take it for granted," she called over her
+shoulder, "that my contribution is going to mark the literary low tide.
+Perhaps, after all, it will make as big an impression as anybody else's.
+There!"
+
+On the evening fixed for the meeting, nine girls put in an appearance at
+the Blue Grotto, all flaunting manuscripts in a very conspicuous
+fashion. They seated themselves upon Bertha's and Dulcie's beds, and
+having as a kind of foregone conclusion, elected Gowan as President of
+the Ceremonies, got straight to business. Gowan was justice personified,
+and fearful of even unintentional favoritism, she insisted upon the
+company drawing lots for the order in which their effusions were to be
+read. The Fates decided thus: Carmel, Noreen, Edith, Lilias, Gowan,
+Bertha, Prissie, Phillida, Dulcie.
+
+Carmel, hustled off the bed to be given first hearing, took the chair of
+honor reserved for each literary star in turn, and having waited a
+moment to allow undue giggling to subside, opened her sheets of exercise
+paper and began:
+
+    "OLD ENGLAND
+
+    "I never can quite see why it is called 'Old' England, because I
+     don't suppose it is any older than any other part of the world,
+     really, but perhaps 'Old' is a term of endearment, because I notice
+     when any girl likes me, she generally calls me 'old sport,' or 'old
+     thing.' Well, at any rate here I am back in Old England, and it is
+     a wonderfully nice sort of a country. I specially like the
+     policemen, who wave their white gloves and stop all the traffic in
+     the street in a second, and the railway porters who yell out the
+     names of the stations, and the little boys who cry the newspapers.
+     There are no beggars in Old England like there are in Sicily, and
+     no mosquitoes, and no earthquakes. At least not proper ones. I
+     thought we were all beggars when we tried to raise money for the
+     'Waifs and Strays'; Bertha buzzes worse than any mosquito when she
+     wants to borrow my penknife, and I thought there was an earthquake
+     the last time Laurette danced.
+
+    "I like all the old houses and castles and cathedrals in Old
+     England, and especially the old gardens. What I don't like are my
+     old lessons. Old England is a jolly, hospitable, comfortable, green
+     sort of country, and I am quite at home here now, so hurrah! Old
+     England for ever!"
+
+Carmel, having read her manuscript as rapidly as possible, vacated the
+chair in a breathless condition, and pushed Noreen into her place.
+Noreen had been struggling with Pegasus, and had produced a spring poem.
+It was short, but perhaps a trifle over-sweet.
+
+    "TO MY DEARIE-OH!
+
+    "Spring is comen back again,
+       (Daisy buds for my dearie!)
+     Gone is winter's snow and rain,
+       (Cherry lips for my dearie!)
+     Blossom clothes the orchards now,
+       (Apple cheeks for my dearie!)
+     Nests of birds on every bough,
+       (And kisses for my dearie!)
+
+"It's one of those old-fashioned sort of things--I believe you call them
+madrigals," she ventured.
+
+Nobody else knew what a madrigal was, so they took Noreen's word for it,
+and allowed her to retire in favor of Edith, who had also been trying to
+cultivate the muse of poetry. Her effort at verse was entitled:
+
+    "MIRANDA'S MUSIC
+
+    "Miranda had learnt the piano to play,
+     And when seated one day on the stool,
+     At her latest new piece she was strumming away,
+     For old Thomas, who sweeps out the school.
+
+    "Thought she: ''T will impress him if anything will,
+     For the left hand goes over the right.
+     He will surely admire my exquisite skill,
+     And perhaps will express his delight.'
+
+    "But ah! fondest hopes may be dashed to the ground,
+     Despite what ambition can raise.
+     Ill pleased by this banquet of beautiful sound,
+     Old Thomas was scant in his praise.
+
+    "'Ay, ay, yes, I hear. 'T is not bad, to be sure!
+     They may teach you in time!' so he grumbled.
+     But 'twas plain that he thought the performance but poor,
+     And Miranda felt terribly humbled.
+
+    "One morn when six months had swift glided away,
+     Again at the instrument seated,
+     Miranda a nocturne had just ceased to play,
+     When old Thomas desired it repeated.
+
+    "'Why, Miss,' he declared, 'I can hardly believe
+     That you've made such improvement so soon!
+     The last time you played, you'd to jump your hand o'er
+     Before you could pick out the tune!
+
+    "'You'd humpety lump in the treble at top,
+     Then same hand would return to the bass.
+     But now I can see they have taught you to keep
+     Each hand in its own proper place!'
+
+"It's a really true story!" persisted Edith, as the girls giggled. "It
+happened to my sister. She always plays at the Band of Hope concerts in
+our village at home, and she goes down to the school to practise her
+solos on the piano there. Old Thomas is the verger, and he's such a
+queer old character. He really _did_ think she didn't know how to play
+properly when she crossed her hands over, and he told her so. It was a
+tremendous joke in our family, because Maisie considers herself musical.
+She was squashed absolutely flat!"
+
+Neither Lilias, Gowan, Bertha, Prissie, nor Phillida had written
+anything very original or outstanding in their manuscripts, so we will
+pass them over, and only record that of Dulcie, who came last of all.
+She took the honored seat with a great air of _empressement_, nodded
+triumphantly to Gowan, cleared her throat, commanded strict silence, and
+began:
+
+         "CHILCOMBE HALL.
+
+    "MY DEAR EVERARD,
+
+    "I must write at once and tell you of the terrible things that have
+     been happening at this school. On Monday last the cook made a
+     mistake, and used a packet of rat poison instead of sugar in our
+     pudding. It was the day for ginger puddings, and we all thought
+     they tasted rather queer, somehow, but it is not etiquette here to
+     leave anything on your plate, so we made an effort and finished our
+     rations. Well, about ten minutes afterwards most of us were taken
+     with umpteen fits. We writhed about the room in agony, and thought
+     our last hour had come. The doctor was sent for, and he motored
+     over so fast that he killed two little boys and a cow on the road,
+     but he said he did not care, and it was all in the way of business.
+     He stood us up in a line and gave us each an emetic of mustard and
+     water which was very horrid, and felt like a poultice inside. We
+     are beginning to get better now, but Carmel's legs are stiff, and
+     she has a tendency to go black in the face every now and then. The
+     doctor says she will do so for a fortnight, until the rat poison
+     wears itself out of her system. He does not think she will be lame
+     always. At least he hopes not. Lilias squints a little in
+     consequence of the umpteen fits she had, which turned her eyes
+     round, and my face is still swollen, and three front teeth dropped
+     out, but otherwise we are quite well, and the Doctor says things
+     might have been much worse, for at least our lives were spared. I
+     think we ought to see a specialist, but Miss Walters won't hear of
+     it.
+
+         "Hoping you are quite well,
+              "With love,
+                   "Your affectionate sister
+                        "DULCIE."
+
+"Don't say I can't write fiction!" proclaimed Dulcie, making a grimace
+at Gowan. "It's as good as a novel (though I say it myself) and as
+interesting as anything in a newspaper. Improbable? Not at all! Cooks
+make mistakes sometimes, like other people! I don't exactly know the
+symptoms of rat poisoning, but I dare say they are very much what I've
+described. It's thrilling reading, anyhow, and you ought to give me a
+good clap for it."
+
+"Tootle-too! Somebody has lost a trumpeter!" returned Gowan.
+
+"I don't care! I'm sure if we took votes for the most thrills, my piece
+would win. I'm going to keep it! Hand it back to me, Gowan! I want to
+show it to Everard some time. He'd laugh ever so over it. He says my
+home letters are tame. This would wake him up, at any rate! He'd say his
+sister was breaking out into an authoress! What sport!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Carmel's Kingdom
+
+
+The day following the secret meeting of the Mafia was one of those
+devoted to home correspondence. The girls were alloted forty minutes
+during school hours: they brought their writing-cases into the
+class-room, and scribbled off as many letters as possible during the
+brief time allowed. On this particular Wednesday Dulcie was much in
+arrears; she wrote three letters to Sicily, one to an aunt in London, a
+short scrawl to Everard, and was beginning "My dear Cousin Clare," when
+Miss Hardy entered the room in a hurry.
+
+"Jones has to leave half an hour earlier," she announced, "and he wants
+to take the post-bag now. Be quick, girls, and give me your letters!"
+
+A general scramble of finishing and stamping ensued. Dulcie, who had not
+addressed her envelopes, folded her loose sheets anyhow, and trusted to
+luck that the foreign letters were not over-weight.
+
+"I can't help it if they have to pay extra on them," she confided to
+Carmel. "They look rather heavy, certainly, but I hadn't any thin note
+paper, you see."
+
+"Douglas will pay up cheerfully, I'm sure!"
+
+"How do you know that his was a heavy one?"
+
+"Oh, I can guess!"
+
+"I was only answering a number of questions he asked me. It's very
+unkind not to answer people's questions!"
+
+"Most decidedly! I quite agree with you!" laughed Carmel.
+
+The letters were posted in Glazebrook that evening by the factotum
+Jones, and Dulcie, though her thoughts might possibly follow the
+particular heavy envelope addressed to Montalesso, dismissed her other
+items of correspondence completely from her mind. She was taking a run
+round the garden the next morning at eleven o'clock "break," when to her
+immense surprise she heard a trotting of horse's hoofs on the drive, and
+who should appear but Everard, riding Rajah. The rules at Chilcombe Hall
+were strict. No visits were allowed, even from brothers, without special
+permission from Miss Walters. Hitherto Everard had come over only by
+express invitation from the head-mistress, and this had been given
+sparingly, at discreet intervals, and always for the afternoon. Surely
+some most unusual circumstance must have brought him to school at the
+early hour of eleven in the morning? Dulcie flew across the lawn,
+calling his name. At the sight of his sister Everard dismounted, and
+greeted her eagerly.
+
+"Hello! How are you? How's Carmel?" he began. "I say, you know, this has
+been a shocking business! You look better than I expected" (scanning her
+face narrowly). "It's a mercy you aren't all under the daisies! Is
+Carmel _really_ lame? What about those fits? I came directly I read your
+letter. A specialist must be sent for at once! I can't understand Miss
+Walters taking it so lightly. We ought to have been told at once,
+directly it happened."
+
+As Everard poured forth these remarks, Dulcie's expression underwent
+several quick changes, and passed from astonishment to sudden
+comprehension and mirth.
+
+"We're better, thanks!" she choked. "And Carmel can hobble about quite
+well on her crutches, and her face isn't _very_ black now, not like it
+was at first, though of course she still has the fits pretty regularly,
+and the Doctor says----"
+
+But at that moment her mendacious statement was contradicted by Carmel
+herself, who came running over the lawn with an agility that put
+crutches out of all question, and a complexion that was certainly in no
+way spoilt.
+
+It was Everard's turn to look amazed. He glanced in much perplexity from
+his cousin, radiant and apparently in the best of health, to his sister,
+who was almost speechless with laughter.
+
+"You never actually _believed_ my letter about the rat poison?" exploded
+Dulcie. "I explained that it was written for our literary evening. I
+told you, Everard, I only sent it on for you to read because it sounded
+so funny, and I was rather proud of it!"
+
+"You told me nothing of the sort!"
+
+"Oh, but I did indeed! Unless--" (suddenly sobering down), "unless I
+forgot to put my other letter into the envelope, and only sent you the
+rat-poison one! I was in such a hurry! Oh, good-night! Isn't it just
+like me! Poor old Everard, I never meant to give you such a scare! I'm
+frightfully sorry! Umpteen apologies!"
+
+"Then is the whole business fiction?" demanded her brother, with knitted
+brows.
+
+"Oh, Everard, don't be angry!" implored Carmel. "Dulcie didn't mean to
+rag you! We were having a jolly evening, and each of us had to write
+something--the funnier the better--and that was Dulcie's contribution.
+She said she was going to send it to you to make you laugh, but of
+course she meant to put in her other letter to explain that this was
+only nonsense. But Miss Hardy came in such a hurry, and whisked all our
+letters off before we had time to read them over, or hardly to put them
+in the right envelopes. So you know it was just an accident."
+
+"I rode over at once to see what was the matter!"
+
+Everard's voice still sounded offended, though slightly mollified.
+
+"I know you did, and it was ever so kind of you. I'm only sorry you
+should have all the trouble. It's been nice to see you, though, and we
+do thank you for coming."
+
+"It must be a relief to find we don't squint or hobble on crutches,"
+added Dulcie naughtily. "How _shall_ we explain to Miss Walters if she
+catches you?"
+
+"I'd better be going!" declared Everard. "Isn't that your school-bell
+ringing? Well, I'm glad at any rate to find you all right. Shan't dare
+to believe any of your letters in future, Dulcie!
+
+    "'Matilda told such awful lies,
+     It made you gasp and stretch your eyes.
+     Her aunt, who from her earliest youth
+     Had kept a strict regard for truth,
+     Attempted to believe Matilda--
+     The effort very nearly killed her.'
+
+"Good-by, Carmel! Keep my bad young sister in order if you can. She
+needs some one to look after her." And Everard, with a hand on Rajah's
+bridle, nodded smilingly after the girls as they ran towards the house
+in response to the clanging school-bell.
+
+The rest of the summer term at Chilcombe Hall seemed to pass very
+rapidly away, and the space in this book is not enough to tell all that
+the girls did during those weeks of June sunshine and July heat. There
+were tennis tournaments and archery contests, cricket matches, picnics
+and strawberry feasts, as well as the more sober business of lessons,
+examinations, and a concert to which parents were invited. To Carmel it
+was the pleasantest term she had spent at school, for she had settled
+down now into English ways, and did not so continually feel the call of
+her Sicilian home. The "Hostage," as Dulcie still sometimes laughingly
+called her, if she pined for the Casa Bianca, had contrived to make
+herself happy in her northern surroundings, and had won favor with
+everybody. School girls do not often make a fuss, but, when breaking-up
+day arrived, and the Ingletons drove away in their car, a chorus of
+cheers followed them from the doorstep, and, though the hoorays were
+given to all three without discrimination, there is no doubt that they
+were mainly intended for Carmel.
+
+"She's a sport!" said Gowan, waving in reply to the white handkerchief
+that fluttered a farewell. "I don't know any chum I like better. She
+always plays the game somehow, doesn't she?"
+
+"Rather!" agreed Noreen. "I think the way she's taken her place at
+Cheverley Chase without cuckooing all that family out, or making them
+jealous, is just marvelous. If anybody deserves her kingdom, it's
+Princess Carmel; it's only one in a thousand who could have done what
+she has."
+
+Carmel, indeed, though an unacknowledged sovereign, had managed to win
+all hearts at the Chase. Even Lilias did not now resent the ownership of
+one who so rarely urged her own claims; insensibly she had grown fond of
+her cousin, and liked her company.
+
+The summer holiday promised to be as pleasant as that of last Christmas.
+Mr. Stacey, who had taken his vacation in June and July, had returned to
+Cheverley in time to greet Roland, Bevis, and Clifford, a welcome state
+of affairs to Cousin Clare, for the three lively boys were almost beyond
+her management, and needed the kindly authority which the tutor knew so
+well how to wield without friction. All sorts of plans for enjoyment
+were in the air, a visit to the sea, a motor tour, a garden party, a
+tennis tournament, a cricket match, even a dance at the Chase, when one
+day something quite unexpected occurred, something which changed the
+entire course of events, and threw the thoughts of the holiday makers
+into a new channel. Like many extraordinary happenings, it came about
+in quite an ordinary way.
+
+Carmel had left her despatch case at school--a small matter, indeed, but
+fraught with big consequences. As she wanted some convenient safe spot
+in which to deposit note paper, old letters, sealing wax, stamps, and
+other such treasures, Cousin Clare allowed her to take possession of a
+writing-desk which stood on the study table. It had belonged to old Mr.
+Ingleton, and he had indeed used it till the day before his death, but
+it had been emptied of its contents by Mr. Bowden, and was now placed
+merely as an ornament in the window. It was a large, old-fashioned desk
+of rosewood, handsomely inlaid with brass, and lined with purple velvet.
+Carmel seized upon it joyfully, and began to transfer some of her many
+belongings to its hospitable depths. It was well fitted, for there was
+an ink-pot with a silver top, and a pen-box containing a seal and a
+silver pen. Mr. Bowden had left these when he removed the papers,
+probably considering them as part and parcel of the desk. Carmel lifted
+out the ink-pot to admire its cover, but, though it came out fairly
+easily, it was a difficult matter to fit it in again. In pushing it back
+into its place she pulled heavily upon the small wooden division between
+its socket and the pen-box. To her utter surprise, her action released a
+spring, a long narrow panel below the pen-box fell away, and revealed a
+quite unsuspected secret drawer. She opened it in much excitement.
+Inside lay a folded sheet of foolscap paper. Her exclamation had called
+Lilias and Dulcie from the other side of the room, and all three girls
+admired and wondered at the contrivance of the secret drawer. Together
+they took out the sheet of paper, unfolded it, and bent their heads over
+it.
+
+"Why, it's Grandfather's writing!" exclaimed Lilias as she read the
+first words:--
+
+"This is the last will and testament of me Leslie Ingleton of Cheverley
+Chase near Balderton."
+
+"It's surely not another will?" fluttered Dulcie.
+
+Carmel said nothing; her eyes were devouring the contents of the paper.
+She read it through carefully to the end, then she asked:
+
+"What was the date of the will in which Grandfather left the Chase to
+me? Was it not some time in January? Well, this is certainly a later
+date. It must have been signed the very day before he died!"
+
+"Does it make any difference?" inquired Dulcie breathlessly.
+
+Carmel had taken the paper away from her cousins, and stood in the
+window mastering the meaning of the legal language. She read a certain
+passage over and over again carefully before she answered. Then she
+looked out through the study window--that window with its wonderful
+view over the whole range of the Ingleton property--she gazed at the
+gardens and woods and fields that for more than a year had been hers,
+and hers alone, the estate which to claim as heiress she had been
+brought from her Sicilian home.
+
+"All the difference in the world," she said quietly. "Grandfather
+changed his mind at the last, and left the Chase to Everard after all!"
+
+"To Everard?"
+
+"Oh, Carmel!"
+
+"Are you certain?"
+
+"Can there be any mistake?"
+
+"Is the will properly signed? Let me look! Yes, it seems signed and
+witnessed, as far as I can tell!"
+
+"What are you going to do?"
+
+"Shall I ring up Mr. Bowden?"
+
+"Not yet, please," begged Carmel. "Leave me a moment!"
+
+She was still standing gazing out through the window over the English
+woods and meadows that she had grown to love so dearly, those wide acres
+of which any one might have been proud. At last she turned round and
+answered:
+
+"I am going now to tell the news to the rightful owner of the Chase."
+
+Everard was sitting in the stone summer-house in the garden, struggling
+with a difficult problem in mathematics, when suddenly through the
+ivy-framed doorway danced Princess Carmel, an excited vision, with
+carnation cheeks, and dark eyes twinkling like stars. She stopped on the
+threshold and dropped him a pretty curtsey, then a great generous light
+seemed to shine in her face as she announced:
+
+"Signor Everard, allow me to hand you back your inheritance!"
+
+It was the triumph of her life.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Mr. Bowden, on being sent for to examine the will, found all in perfect
+order. The legacies to friends and to the other grandchildren were
+exactly the same as in the former will, the only difference being that
+the positions of the two cousins were reversed, Carmel receiving a
+handsome sum of money, and Everard inheriting the property. There was no
+doubt that the impetuous old squire had repented his hasty decision, but
+not liking to confess such weakness to the family lawyer, had drawn up
+his own will and hidden it in the secret drawer of his desk. Possibly he
+himself was not sure which of the two documents he wished to stand, and
+had kept this in reserve while he vacillated. Fate, for a year and a
+half, had decided in favor of Carmel, then the eternal balance had swung
+slowly back.
+
+"It seems such a pity that the desk wasn't searched properly at first,"
+said Lilias to Cousin Clare. "Think of all the trouble it would have
+prevented if we had only known about that secret drawer. Poor Everard!
+How much he would have been saved!"
+
+"And how immensely much he would have lost!" said Cousin Clare. "This
+testing-time of character has been Everard's salvation. He is very
+different now from the thoughtless, self-important boy who looked at
+everything from his own point of view. He has learnt some of life's
+stern lessons, and will make a far better owner of the Chase than would
+have been possible without passing through these experiences. I think he
+realizes that for himself, and would not wish to change anything that
+has happened."
+
+Now that the new will was proved, and Cheverley Chase was no longer her
+property, arose the immediate question of Carmel's future. She settled
+it at once for herself, and in spite of all entreaties to remain in
+England, decided to return to her Sicilian home.
+
+"I told you long ago, Everard, that I would not keep your inheritance,
+and I am only too glad to hand it back," she said to her cousin. "You're
+going to do all the splendid things that I prophesied--take your degree,
+be a model landowner, get into Parliament, and help your country!"
+
+"But I can't do it alone! A kingdom needs a queen as well as a king,
+Carmel! The Chase would simply be an empty casket without you! You're
+the very heart and soul of it all. I will let you go now, dear, for I
+see you're quite determined, but Carmel! Carmel! some day in the far
+future, if you think I have grown into anything like what you wish me to
+be, then I shall tell you that your throne is waiting for you here in
+Old England--the land of primroses and sweetbriar and true hearts,
+Carmel! And I shall ask you to leave your Sicilian flowers and scented
+orange groves, and come back to claim your kingdom!"
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
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+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Princess of the School, by Angela Brazil
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